Early Diagnosis and Treatment of COPD and Asthma - A Randomized, Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Many persons with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma have not received a diagnosis, so their respiratory symptoms remain largely untreated. METHODS: We used a case-finding method to identify adults in the community with respiratory symptoms without diagnosed lung disease. Participants who were found to have undiagnosed COPD or asthma on spirometry were enrolled in a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial to determine whether early diagnosis and treatment reduces health care utilization for respiratory illness and improves health outcomes. Participants were assigned to receive the intervention (evaluation by a pulmonologist and an asthma-COPD educator who were instructed to initiate guideline-based care) or usual care by their primary care practitioner. The primary outcome was the annualized rate of participant-initiated health care utilization for respiratory illness. Secondary outcomes included changes from baseline to 1 year in disease-specific quality of life, as assessed with the St. George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ; scores range from 0 to 100, with lower scores indicating better health status); symptom burden, as assessed with the COPD Assessment Test (CAT; scores range from 0 to 40, with lower scores indicating better health status); and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1). RESULTS: Of 38,353 persons interviewed, 595 were found to have undiagnosed COPD or asthma and 508 underwent randomization: 253 were assigned to the intervention group and 255 to the usual-care group. The annualized rate of a primary-outcome event was lower in the intervention group than in the usual-care group (0.53 vs. 1.12 events per person-year; incidence rate ratio, 0.48; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.36 to 0.63; P<0.001). At 12 months, the SGRQ score was lower than the baseline score by 10.2 points in the intervention group and by 6.8 points in the usual-care group (difference, -3.5 points; 95% CI, -6.0 to -0.9), and the CAT score was lower than the baseline score by 3.8 points and 2.6 points, respectively (difference, -1.3 points; 95% CI, -2.4 to -0.1). The FEV1 increased by 119 ml in the intervention group and by 22 ml in the usual-care group (difference, 94 ml; 95% CI, 50 to 138). The incidence of adverse events was similar in the trial groups. CONCLUSIONS: In this trial in which a strategy was used to identify adults in the community with undiagnosed asthma or COPD, those who received pulmonologist-directed treatment had less subsequent health care utilization for respiratory illness than those who received usual care. (Funded by Canadian Institutes of Health Research; UCAP ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03148210.).

Treatment Patterns and Postoperative Activities of Daily Living in Patients with Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: A Retrospective Study Using Nationwide Health Services Utilization Data in Japan.

BACKGROUND: The number of older patients with cancer has been increasing. This study aimed to determine the proportion of postoperative decline in activities of daily living (ADL), hospital mortality rate, home healthcare services use, and adjuvant chemotherapy treatment patterns of patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) across age groups. METHODS: We analyzed health service utilization data of patients aged ≥ 40 years diagnosed with clinical stage I or II NSCLC in 2015 who underwent thoracoscopy or thoracotomy. The Barthel index was used to determine the proportions of patients aged 40-64, 65-74, ≥ 75 years who experienced a decline in the ADL of ≥ 10 points at postoperative discharge compared to the ADL at admission. RESULTS: Overall, 19,780 patients were analyzed. The proportion of patients with ADL decline slightly increased with increasing age: 1.1%, 1.6%, and 3.5% after thoracoscopic surgery, and 1.4%, 2.8%, and 4.8% after thoracotomy among those aged 40-64, 65-74, and ≥ 75 years, respectively. The hospital mortality rate and proportion of home healthcare services use was fewer than 10 cases, or < 2%. The unexpected readmission rate was slightly higher among those aged ≥ 75 years (3.7% for thoracoscopic surgery, 4.7% for thoracotomy) than among those aged 40-64 years (1.8% for thoracoscopic surgery, 2.5% for thoracotomy). CONCLUSION: The difference in the proportion of patients with ADL decline between those aged 40-64 and ≥ 75 years was approximately 3%. This study provides practical information for clinicians involved in the care of older patients who undergo thoracic surgery.

Association between home and community-based services utilization and self-rated health among Chinese older adults with chronic diseases: evidence from the 2018 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study.

BACKGROUND: As global aging intensifies, older adults with chronic diseases are of increasing concern. Home and community-based services (HCBSs) have been proven to promote self-rated health (SRH) in older adults, but no research explored the associations between the use of overall HCBSs, three different types of HCBSs (health care, daily care, and social support services) and SRH among older adults with chronic diseases. Consequently, this study applies a national publicly available database to examine these associations among older adults with chronic diseases. METHODS: 8,623 older adults with chronic diseases (≥ 60 years old) were included in this study. SRH was evaluated applying a concise question with a 1 - 5 scale. HCBSs utilization was assessed through the question, "What kind of HCBSs were used in the community?". Univariate general linear regression models aimed to compare the mean values of SRH in terms of HCBSs utilization in each group. This study is a cross-sectional study design and the relationship between HCBSs utilization and SRH was assessed by multilevel linear regression. RESULTS: The mean score for SRH among the respondents was 3.19, of whom 20.55% used one or more HCBSs, 19.47% utilized health care services, 2.44% utilized social support services, and only 0.55% utilized daily care services. The use of HCBSs was found to be linked to SRH among older adults with chronic diseases (ß = 0.085, SE = 0.025, p < 0.001). SRH among older adults with chronic diseases was strongly linked to the use of health care and social support services (ß = 0.068, SE = 0.025, p < 0.001; ß = 0.239, SE = 0.063, p < 0.001, respectively). However, there was no significant association between the use of daily care services and SRH among older adults with chronic diseases. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that HCBSs utilization was positively and significantly linked to SRH in Chinese older adults with chronic diseases. Furthermore, this study supposes the low utilization of social support and daily care services may be due to a mismatch between supply and demand. The government should offer the targeted HCBSs for older adults with chronic diseases according to their unique features to enhance their health status.

What may encourage or deter health services utilization by people living with or at the risk of HIV/AIDS in special health centers? Qualitative evidence from a stigmatized community.

BACKGROUND: Behavioral Diseases Counseling Centers (BDCCs) and Vulnerable Women's Counseling Centers (VWCCs) in Iran are the main peripheral centers that offer educational, counseling, diagnostic, preventive, curative and protective services to individuals living with or at high risk of contracting HIV/AIDS and female sex workers respectively. Due to the social stigma surrounding HIV in Iran, this study aims to identify the factors that may hinder or encourage HIV/AIDS patients and women with risky sexual behaviors from visiting these centers. METHODS: Conducted in 2023, this qualitative study involved individuals visiting BDCCs and VWCCs in two western provinces of Iran, Ilam and Kermanshah. The study participants included 21 health staff members working in BDCCs and VWCCs and 20 HIV/AIDS patients and vulnerable women with unsafe sexual behaviors referring to these centers. Purposive, snowball and maximum variation sampling techniques were applied to interview the participants. Interviews were conducted between January 5th and May 21st, 2023, using a semi-structure guideline. Interviews were transcribed and content analysis approach was applied to analyze data using MAXQDA20 software. RESULTS: According to the findings, the barriers and facilitators of visiting specialized centers for HIV/AIDS patients and vulnerable women were categorized into three main categories, 10 subcategories and 35 sub-subcategories including: Medical and operational processes (4 subcategories and 12 sub-subcategories), mutual interactions between the personnel and visitors (people living with and at the risk of getting HIV/AIDS) (3 subcategory and 13 sub-subcategories), and physical characteristics of the centers (3 subcategories and 10 sub-subcategories). CONCLUSIONS: To improve the performance of BDCCs and VWCCs and encourage people living with and at the risk of contracting HIV/AIDS to visit these centers regularly, health policy makers should consider modifying clinical processes, physical features, personnel behaviors and visitors' concerns raised by the interviewees and the issues identified in this study.

A scoping review on the barriers to and facilitators of health services utilisation related to refugee settlement in regional or rural areas of the host country.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare access and equity are human rights. Worldwide conflicts, violence, and persecution have increased the number of people from refugee or refugee-like backgrounds. Because urban areas are already densely populated, governments have aimed to increase refugee resettlement in rural and/or regional areas. Because of the complex healthcare needs of refugees, this creates challenges for healthcare service providers. Identifying barriers to accessing healthcare in rural areas is therefore important to better inform policy settings and programmes that will provide culturally appropriate patient-centred care to the refugee community. METHODS: This review scoped 22 papers written in English between 2018 and July 2023 from five countries (Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Bangladesh, and Lebanon) in order to provide an overview of the barriers and possible solutions to facilitate refugees' access to healthcare. RESULTS: The reviewed literature summarised the perceptions of at least 3,561 different refugees and 259 rural health service providers and/or administrators and identified major challenges. These include communication (illiteracy in the resettlement country language and lack of a suitable interpreter), lack of cultural awareness of health services, discrimination, and access difficulties (transportation, availability of health specialist services, cost). As a consequence, it was identified that improving access to affordable housing, employment through credential recognition, competence-level education for children, facilitating language training, and adapting health information would increase resettlement and encourage access to healthcare. CONCLUSIONS: Refugees face significant barriers to accessing and engaging with healthcare services. This impacts their integration into rural communities and increases the prevalence of psychosocial issues like feelings of loneliness, low self-esteem, a lack of autonomy, and a lack of empowerment over informed decision-making, especially for women, jobless men, and the elderly. These findings support the need for additional support for refugees and healthcare providers to improve language proficiency and cultural competency. Policymakers need to improve the availability and accessibility of employment, housing accessibility, and service mobility. Additionally, more research is needed to assess the efficacy of emerging innovative programmes that aim to close the gap by delivering culturally appropriate patient-centred care to refugee communities in rural areas.

Patient-dentist communication and its impact on dental services utilisation as perceived by patients in Libya.

OBJECTIVES: To identify the factors influencing communication between patients and dentists in Libya and their effects on patient satisfaction and trust. We explored the impact of these interactions on the subsequent utilisation of dental health services from the patient's perspective. DESIGN: Qualitative descriptive study in a purposive sample of patients from oral health centres in Janzour city in Libya who were over eighteen years old. Sixteen semi-structured interviews (30-90 minutes) were conducted online. RESULTS: Trust was the prime concern among patients. Other factors also positively impacting communication and patient satisfaction included information interaction, active participation, moral support, explanation about processes and the dentists' comprehension of how a patient feels. The online interviews revealed four key thematic areas that reflected the patient-dentist communication phases: 1) Welcoming and establishing a good interpersonal rapport phase; 2) the Information-sharing phase; 3) Treatment decision-making phase, and 4) Satisfaction self-evaluation phase. CONCLUSION: These data emphasise the significance of soft skills, particularly effective communication, in the context of dental practice. The findings underscore the importance of personal values and interpersonal skills among dental professionals, as these factors play a pivotal role in shaping the success of dental healthcare provision.

Spatial and Environmental Correlates of Prevalence of Treatment for Substance Use Disorders, Retention, and SUD Services Utilization in South Sardinia.

This study explored the economic, social, and spatial correlates of treatment prevalence, retention, and service utilization for substance use disorder (SUD) in South Sardinia. Data from 1,667 patients with an ICD-10 diagnosis of SUD were extracted from the medical records of individuals assisted by three public addiction services in 2019. We used a spatial autoregressive model, a parametric proportional hazard model, and Poisson regression to examine the associations of spatial factors and residents' socioeconomic status with the prevalence of treatment at the census block level, treatment retention, and SUD service utilization at the individual level. The prevalence was higher among residents of areas closer to competent treatment centers, with the worst building conservation status, a lower percentage of high school and university graduates, and a higher percentage of unemployed, divorced, separated, or widowed residents. Men who were older at the time of their first treatment access; primary users of cocaine, cannabis, and alcohol; had higher education level; and who lived far from competent treatment centers and closer to drug trafficking centers interrupted their treatment earlier. Primary heroin users experienced more SUD treatment encounters. Living in economically and socially disadvantaged areas and near treatment facilities was associated with a higher prevalence, whereas living near drug-dealing centers and far from competent treatment centers was associated with a decrease in treatment retention.

Trends of inequality in DPT3 immunization services utilization in Ethiopia and its determinant factors: Evidence from Ethiopian demographic and health surveys, 2000-2019.

BACKGROUND: Low levels of diphtheria, tetanus toxoid, pertussis (DPT3) immunization services utilization and high deaths among under five children are concentrated in economically and socially disadvantaged groups, especially in low and middle-income countries, including Ethiopia. Hence, the aim of this study is to assess levels and trends in DPT3 immunization services utilization in Ethiopia and identify inequalities. METHODS: This study used data from 2000, 2005, 2011, 2016, and 2019 Ethiopian Demographic Health Surveys (EDHSs). The 2019 updated version of the world health organization (WHO's) Health Equity Assessment Toolkit (HEAT) software was used to analyze the data. Six measure of inequality was calculated: ratio (R), differences (D), relative index of inequality (RII), slope index of inequality (SII), population attributable fraction (PAF) and population attributable risk (PAR). The findings were disaggregated by the five equity stratifiers: economic status, education, place of residence, regions and sex of the child. RESULTS: This study showed an erratic distribution of DPT3 immunization services utilization in Ethiopia. The trends in national DPT3 immunization coverage increased from 21% in (2000) to 62% in (2019) (by 41 percentage points). Regarding economic inequality, DPT3 immunization coverages for the poorest quintiles over 20 years were 15.3% (2000), and 47.7% (2019), for the richest quintiles coverage were 43.1 (2000), and 83.4% (2019). However, the service utilization among the poorest groups were increased three fold compared to the richest groups. Regarding educational status, inequality (RII) show decreasing pattern from 7.2% (2000) to 1.5% in(2019). Concerning DPT3 immunization inequality related to sex, (PAR) show that, sex related inequality is zero in 2000, 2005 and in 2019. However, based on the subnational region level, significance difference (PAR) was found in all surveys: 59.7 (2000), 51.1 (2005), 52.2 (2011), 42.5 (2016) and 30.7 (2019). The interesting point of this finding was that, the value of absolute inequality measures (PAR) and (PAF), are shown a decreasing trends from 2000 to 2019, and the gap among the better of regions and poor regions becoming narrowed over the last 20 years. Concerning individual and community level factors, household wealth index, education of the mother, age of respondent, antenatal care, and place of delivery show statically significant with outcome variable. Keeping the other variables constant the odds of an average child in Amhara Region getting DPT3 immunization was 54% less than for a child who lived in Addis Ababa (OR: 0.46, 95% CI: 0.34 - 0.63). Respondents from households with the richest and richer wealth status had 1.21, and 1.26 times higher odds of DPT3 immunization services utilization compared to their counterpart (OR: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.04 -1.41) and (OR: 1.26, 95% CI: 1.13 - 1.40) respectively. CONCLUSION: We conclude that DPT3 immunization coverage shows a growing trend over 20 years in Ethiopia. But inequalities in utilization of DPT3 immunization services among five equality stratifies studied persisted. Reasons for this could be complex and multifactorial and depending on economic, social, maternal education, place of residence, and healthcare context. Therefore, policy has to be structured and be implemented in a ways that address context specific barriers to achieving equality among population sub-groups and regions.

Stagnation of maternal mortality decline in Bangladesh between 2010 and 2016 in spite of an increase in health services utilisation: Examining data from three large cross-sectional surveys.

Background: After a 40% reduction in maternal mortality ratio (MMR) during 2001-2010 in Bangladesh, the MMR level stagnated between 2010 and 2016 despite a steady increase in maternal health services use and improvements in overall socioeconomic status. We revisited the factors that contributed to MMR decline during 2001-2010 and examined the changes in these factors between 2010 and 2016 to explain the MMR stagnation in Bangladesh. Methods: We used data from the 2001, 2010, and 2016 Bangladesh Maternal Mortality Surveys, which sampled 566 115 households in total, to estimate the changes in the risk of dying of maternal causes associated with a pregnancy or birth between 2001-2010 and 2010-2016. We carried out Poisson regression analyses with random effects at the sub-district level to explore the relationship between the change in risk of maternal death from 2001 to 2016 and a range of demographic, socioeconomic, and health care factors. Results: Between 2001 and 2016, the proportion of high-risk pregnancies decreased, except for teenage pregnancies. Meanwhile, there were notable improvements in socioeconomic status, access to health services, and the utilisation of maternal health services. A comparison of factors affecting the risk of maternal death between 2001-2010 and 2010-2016 indicated that first pregnancies continued to offer significant protection against maternal deaths. However, subsequent pregnancies among girls under 20 years became a significant risk factor during 2010-2016, increasing the risk of maternal deaths by nearly 3-fold. Among the key maternal health services, only skilled birth attendants (SBA) were identified as a key contributor to MMR reduction during 2001-2010. However, SBA is no longer significantly associated with reducing mortality risk during 2010-2016. Conclusions: Despite continued improvements in the overall socioeconomic status and access to maternal health services in Bangladesh, the stagnation of MMR decline between 2010 and 2016 is associated with multiple teenage pregnancies and the lack of capacity in health facilities to provide quality delivery services, as SBA has been primarily driven by facility delivery. The findings provide a strong rationale for targeting at-risk mothers and strengthening reproductive health services, including family planning, to further reduce maternal mortality in Bangladesh.

Uses of Andersen health services utilization framework to determine healthcare utilization for mental health among migrants-a scoping review.

Background: Migration is a worldwide occurrence that carries significant implications for healthcare systems, and it entails challenges to mental healthcare. The Andersen Behavioral Model is widely used by researchers to determine healthcare service utilization among many populations, including migrants. Our study aimed to explore the ways of using the Andersen Health System Utilization Framework in the literature to discover the utilization of mental healthcare by migrants. Methods: This scoping review was based on Arksey and O'Malley's framework. A comprehensive search was performed across five electronic databases. Results: A total of 12 articles from January 1992 to July 2023 identified various versions of the Andersen Behavioral Model to provide an overview of mental health services utilization among migrants. The analysis identified four significant trends in the literature. First, there is a predominant focus on individual characteristics over contextual factors. Second, researchers tend to integrate multiple versions of the Andersen Behavioral Model, and the most is the version from 1995. Third, additional factors specific to migrant populations are incorporated into the model, but the categorization is sometimes unclear. Finally, the majority of studies have used a quantitative approach and are based in North America, suggesting a focus on the significance of mental health in migrant communities in that context. Conclusion: In summary, our scoping review calls for further research using the Andersen Behavioral Model to study mental healthcare utilization among migrants. Notable findings include the adaptation of the model to migrant populations, a focus on individual characteristics, a need for more diverse research methods, and the proposal of a new conceptual model to guide research and policy development in this field.

Analysis of the current status and influencing factors of cross-regional hospitalization services utilization by basic medical insurance participants in China - taking a central province as an example.

Background: The geographically uneven distribution of healthcare resources has resulted in a dramatic increase of cross-regional hospitalization services in China. The over-use of cross-regional hospitalization services may hinder the utilization and improvement of local hospitalization services. It is of great practical significance to study the utilization of cross-regional hospitalization services and its influencing factors in order to effectively allocate medical resources and guide patients to seek medical treatment rationally. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the current situation and influencing factors of the utilization of cross-regional hospitalization services by patients insured by basic medical insurance in China. Methods: A total of 3,291 cross-provincial inpatients were randomly selected in a central province of China in 2020. The level of medical institutions, hospitalization expenses and actual reimbursement rate were selected as indicators of hospitalization service utilization. Exploratory factor analysis was used to assess the dimensionality of influencing factors and reduce the number of variables, and binomial logistic regression analysis and multiple linear regression analysis to explore the influencing factors of the utilization of cross-regional hospitalization services. Results: The proportion of cross-provincial inpatients choosing tertiary hospitals was the highest with average hospitalization expenses of 24,662 yuan and an actual reimbursement rate of 51.0% on average. Patients insured by Urban Employees' Basic Medical Insurance (UEBMI) were more frequently (92.9% vs. 88.5%) to choose tertiary hospitals than those insured by Urban and Rural Residents' Basic Medical Insurance (URRBMI), and their average hospitalization expenses (30,727 yuan) and actual reimbursement rate (68.2%) were relatively higher (p < 0.001). The factor "income and security," "convenience of medical treatment" and "disease severity" had significant effects on inpatients' selection of medical institution level, hospitalization expenses and actual reimbursement rate, while the factor "demographic characteristics" only had significant effects on hospitalization expenses and actual reimbursement rate. Conclusion: Cross-provincial inpatients choose tertiary hospitals more frequently, and their financial burdens of medical treatment are heavy. A variety of factors jointly affect the utilization of cross-provincial hospitalization services for insured patients. It is necessary to narrow down the gap of medical treatment between UEBMI and URRBMI patients, and make full use of high-quality medical resources across regions.

The Effect of Community Health Information System on Health Care Services Utilization in Rural Ethiopia.

Background: In Ethiopia, the community health information system (CHIS) is implemented at the health post (hp) level with the aim of improving service delivery and use. We conducted a national level assessment of CHIS utilization and explored the associations of CHIS utilization with use of antenatal care (ANC), postnatal care (PNC), institutional delivery and child immunization in rural Ethiopia. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study measuring community-based health service use and HP based CHIS assessment from March to May 2019. Data were collected from 343 HPs and 2,864 women who delivered in the last five years, and multistage sampling was used to select the study subjects. We used descriptive statistics for CHIS implementation and service utilization and multilevel logistic regression to investigate the association of CHIS implementation with maternal and child health care services use. Results: Fifty five percent of the HPs were implementing CHIS. These HPs were using a paper-based household data collection tool called family folder (FF). Of the HPs, one third implemented lot quality assurance sampling (LQAS) based data quality check and 60.4% documented and followed execution of decisions. Overall, among the eligible women, 40% used ANC, close to 50% of currently married women used ANC services; 28% of women that fall in the high wealth index category used PNC within 48 hours after delivery; and 86.1% of women who had at least a high school education delivered at a health facility. Implementation of CHIS and family folder utilization and conducting LQAS based data quality check in the HPs were significantly associated with increased odds of ANC, delivery, and vaccination services use. Conclusion: We found that better implementation of CHIS was associated with better maternal and child health service use which implies that increasing utilization of CHIS at HPs will improve mother and child health service use.

Social determinants and access to health services in patients with COVID-19: a cross-sectional study / Determinantes sociales y acceso a los servicios sanitarios en pacientes con COVID-19: un estudio transversal / Determinantes sociais e acesso aos serviços de saúde em pacientes com COVID-19: estudo seccional

ABSTRACT Objective: To verify the association between social determinants of health and access to health services for COVID-19 patients. Method: Analytical, cross-sectional study, carried out in three states in the Northeast of Brazil (Ceará, Maranhão and Pernambuco), with 968 patients, using questionnaires with sociodemographic data, determinants and the Primary Care Assessment Tool, adapted to the reality of COVID-19, with 58 items, classified as high (score ≥ 6.6) and low (score < 6.6), whose high value reveals better standards of access to health services. The Chi-square test was used for comparative analysis. Results: There was a significant difference (p < 0.05) between the domains of the instrument and the following determinants: age, skin color, body mass index, origin, schooling, employment, services close to home, first service, income and means of transport. Conclusion: Access to health services for people with COVID-19 was associated with various determinants, including individual, behavioural and social ones, correlated with the structural and organizational aspects of the health services offered by the three states of Northeastern Brazil.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Verificar la asociación de los determinantes sociales de la salud con el acceso de los pacientes con COVID-19 a los servicios de salud. Método: Estudio analítico, transversal, realizado en tres estados del Nordeste de Brasil (Ceará, Maranhão y Pernambuco), con 968 pacientes, utilizando cuestionarios con datos sociodemográficos, determinantes y la Herramienta de Evaluación de la Atención Primaria (PCATool), adaptada a la realidad de la COVID-19, con 58 ítems, clasificados en alto (puntuación ≥ 6,6) y bajo (puntuación < 6,6), cuyo valor alto revela mejores estándares de acceso a los servicios de salud. Se utilizó la prueba de chi-cuadrado para analizar las comparaciones. Resultados: Hubo diferencia significativa (p < 0,05) entre los dominios del instrumento y los siguientes determinantes: edad, color de piel, índice de masa corporal, origen, escolaridad, empleo, servicios cercanos al domicilio, primer servicio, ingreso y medio de transporte. Conclusión: El acceso a los servicios de salud de las personas con COVID-19 se asoció a diversos determinantes, entre ellos individuales, comportamentales y sociales, correlacionados con los aspectos estructurales y organizativos de los servicios de salud ofrecidos por los tres estados del nordeste de Brasil.

RESUMO Objetivo: Verificar a associação dos determinantes sociais da saúde com o acesso de pacientes com COVID-19 aos serviços de saúde. Método: Estudo analítico, transversal, desenvolvido em três estados do Nordeste brasileiro (Ceará, Maranhão e Pernambuco), com 968 pacientes, utilizando-se de questionários de dados sociodemográficos, determinantes e do Primary Care Assessment Tool, adaptado para realidade da COVID-19, com 58 itens, classificado em alto (escore ≥ 6,6) e baixo (escore < 6,6), cujo valor alto revela melhores padrões de acesso aos serviços de saúde. Para análise comparativa, empregou-se o teste do Qui-quadrado. Resultados: Verificou-se diferença significativa (p < 0,05) entre os domínios do instrumento e os seguintes determinantes: idade, cor da pele, índice de massa corporal, procedência, escolaridade, vínculo empregatício, serviços próximos à residência, primeiro serviço de atendimento, renda e meios de transporte. Conclusão: O acesso aos serviços de saúde de pessoas com COVID-19 esteve associado aos diversos determinantes, sendo estes individuais, comportamentais, sociais, correlacionados aos aspectos estruturais e organizacionais dos serviços de saúde ofertados pelos três estados do Nordeste brasileiro.

As startups no contexto da organização capitalista financeira e as subjetividades empreendedoras / Startups in the context of financial capitalist organization and entrepreneurial subjectivities / Startups en el contexto de la organización capitalista financiera y subjetividades emprendedoras

As startups são empresas que apresentam modelos de negócios marcados pela inovação, rapidez, flexibilidade e alta capacidade de adaptação aos mercados. Atuando em diferentes setores socioeconômicos, elas prometem criar e transformar produtos e serviços. A emergência e disseminação dessas empresas ocorrem em um momento histórico de mudanças iniciadas a partir de 1970 e marcadas pelas crises geradas com o esgotamento do paradigma da sociedade urbano industrial. No Brasil, o número desse modelo de negócio apresentou uma expansão expressiva, alcançando a marca de 13.374 nos últimos cinco anos. Atento a esse cenário, o objetivo desta pesquisa consistiu em compreender como sujeitos, grupos e instituições atribuem sentidos à experiência de trabalho nas chamadas startups. Na parte teórica, as condições sociais e econômicas que possibilitaram a emergência e disseminação das startups são analisadas em uma perspectiva crítica. A parte empírica, por sua vez, apresenta depoimentos de empreendedores relatando o contexto geral de atuação nas startups. Ao final deste artigo, conclui-se que há uma instrumentalização capitalística de componentes subjetivos específicos selecionados e colocados em circulação para fortalecer o modo de produção capitalista financeirizado.(AU)

Startups are companies that have business models characterized by innovation, speed, flexibility, and a high capacity to adapt to markets. Operating in different socioeconomic sectors, they promise to create and transform products and services. The emergence and dissemination of these companies occur at a historical moment of changes that began from 1970 and are marked by the crises generated by the exhaustion of the paradigm of industrial urban society. In Brazil, the number of businesses in this model showed a significant expansion, reaching 13,374 companies in the last five years. Attentive to this scenario, the objective of this research was to understand how subjects, groups, and institutions attribute meanings to the work experience in so-called startups. In the theoretical part, the social and economic conditions that enabled the emergence and dissemination of startups are analyzed in a critical perspective. The empirical part presents entrepreneurs reporting the general context of action in startups. At the end of this article, it is concluded that there is a capitalistic instrumentalization of specific subjective components that are selected and put into circulation to strengthen the financed capitalist production.(AU)

Las startups son empresas que tienen modelos de negocio marcados por la innovación, la velocidad, la flexibilidad y una alta capacidad de adaptación a los mercados. Desde diferentes sectores socioeconómicos, las startups prometen crear y transformar productos y servicios. La aparición y difusión de estas empresas se produce en un momento histórico de cambios que comenzó a partir de 1970 y que está marcado por crisis generadas por el agotamiento del paradigma de la sociedad urbana industrial. En Brasil, estas empresas se expandieron significativamente alcanzando la marca de 13.374 empresas en los últimos cinco años. En este escenario, el objetivo de esta investigación fue entender cómo los sujetos, grupos e instituciones atribuyen significados a la experiencia laboral en las startups. En la parte teórica, se analizan las condiciones sociales y económicas que permitieron el surgimiento y la difusión de las startups en una perspectiva crítica. La parte empírica presenta testimonios de emprendedores que informan sobre el trabajo en startups. La investigación concluye que hay una instrumentalización capitalista de componentes subjetivos específicos que se seleccionan y ponen en circulación para fortalecer el modo de producción capitalista financiero.(AU)

Health services utilization in the Brazilian Amazon: panel of two cross-sectional studies

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To investigate the use of health services among adults living in Manaus, Amazonas. METHODS This was a panel of two cross-sectional studies conducted in Manaus in 2015 and 2019. Individuals aged ≥ 18 years were selected by probabilistic sampling and interviewed at home. The study outcomes were doctor visits and hospitalizations in the previous 12 months, and unmet surgical needs. Variations between 2015 and 2019 were tested using chi-squared goodness-of-fit test. Poisson regression with robust variance was employed to calculate the prevalence ratios (PR) of the outcomes with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). RESULTS The surveys included 5,800 participants in total. Visits to the doctor decreased from 2015 (78.7%) to 2019 (76.3%; p < 0.001), hospital admissions increased from 2015 (7.9%) to 2019 (11.5%; p < 0.001), and unmet surgical needs decreased in the period (15.9% to 12.1%; p < 0.001). These variations were particularly observed in vulnerable individuals - sicker; poorer; non-whites; and those belonging to lower social classes, with less access to education, formal jobs, and health insurance (p < 0.05). Doctor visits were higher in people with fair health status (PR = 1.09; 95%CI 1.06-1.12), health insurance (PR = 1.13; 95%CI 1.09-1.17), and chronic diseases (p < 0.001) but lower in men (PR = 0.87; 95%CI 0.84-0.90) and informal workers (PR = 0.89; 95%CI 0.84-0.94). Hospitalizations were higher in people with worse health statuses (p < 0.001), without partners (PR = 1.27; 95%CI 1.05-1.53), and with multimorbidity (PR = 1.68; 95%CI 1.33-2.12) but lower in men (PR = 0.55; 95%CI 0.44-0.68), older adults (p < 0.001), informal workers (PR = 0.67; 95%CI 0.51-0.89), and unemployed (PR = 0.72; 95%CI 0.53-0.97). Unmet surgical needs were higher in older adults (p < 0.001), middle-class people (PR = 1.24; 95%CI 1.01-1.55), worse health statuses (p < 0.001), and chronic diseases (p < 0.001) but lower in men (PR = 0.76; 95%CI 0.65-0.86). CONCLUSIONS From 2015 to 2019, less people visited the doctor, more were admitted to hospitals, and less were in need of surgery or aware of that need, potentially indicating poorer access to health services.

Análisis retrospectivo de las características y utilización de los recursos de salud en pacientes con cáncer de próstata resistente a la castración metastásico tratados con Enzalutamida o Acetato de Abiraterona en Colombia / Retrospective Analysis of the Characteristics and Utilization of Health Resources in Patients with Castration Resistant Prostate Cancer Treated with Enzalutamide or Abiraterone Acetate in Colombia

Objetivo Describir las características demográficas, clínicas, los recursos de salud utilizados y los costos directos del tratamiento del cáncer de próstata resistente a la castración metastásico (CPRCm), tratados con enzalutamida o acetato de abiraterona en Colombia. Métodos Mediante un estudio de corte transversal se analizaron datos de utilización de servicios de una EPS (entidad promotora de salud) colombiana. Para ello, se identificaron los pacientes que durante el 1 de julio de 2016 y 30 de junio de 2017 (fecha índice) presentaron registro de uso de enzalutamida o acetato de abiraterona y se confirmaron sus antecedentes de castración química o quirúrgica (6 meses previos a la fecha índice). Se establecieron las frecuencias de uso de servicios en dicha población y se extrajo el consumo reportado asociado a consultas (urgencias, consulta externa), procedimientos y medicamentos en el periodo de análisis. Los costos se organizaron por categorías y se reportaron en pesos colombianos (COP) 2016. Resultados se identificaron 161 pacientes con CPRCm con edad media de 77 años, se determinó que el departamento colombiano con más población de CPRCm en esta cohorte fue el Valle del Cauca, que 98,1% de los pacientes pertenecen al régimen contributivo y que 1,9% al subsidiado. El cálculo de la supervivencia con el índice de comorbilidad de Charlson mostró que esos pacientes tendrían una tasa de supervivencia de 0% a 10 años. Las comorbilidades más frecuentes encontradas fueron hipertensión, diabetes mellitus, insuficiencia renal y otras patologías tumorales relacionadas. El costo total de manejo de un paciente con CPRCm, que recibe de manera continua durante 12 meses abiraterona o enzalutamida es promedio $131.942.292 COP año. Esa cifra incluye tanto el uso de servicios como el consumo de medicamentos, y ese último representa cerca del 90% del costo. Conclusiones los pacientes con cáncer en estadio metastásico se caracterizan por presentar alta demanda de medicamentos, laboratorios, imágenes diagnósticas, visitas ambulatorias e ingresos hospitalarios. Debido a que es una muestra pequeña de pacientes, se requiere desarrollar una valoración posterior que permita corroborar los hallazgos encontrados en este estudio retrospectivo.

Objective describe the demographic, clinical characteristics, the health resources utilization and the direct costs of patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CPRCm) treated with Enzalutamide or Abiraterone Acetate in Colombia. Methods Through a descriptive retrospective analysis through the database of a Colombian health insurer, patients were identified who, during July 1st, 2016 and June 30th, 2017 (index date) were dispensed with enzalutamide or abiraterone acetate, medical history of chemical or surgical castration was confirmed (6 months prior to the index date). The frequencies of use of services in this population were established and the reported consumption associated with consultations (emergencies, outpatient consultation), procedures and medications in the period of analysis were extracted. The costs were organized by categories and were reported according to Colombian pesos (COP) 2016. Results In a cohort of 161 patients with CPRCm with an average age of 77 years, it was determined that Valle del Cauca is the Colombian department with the largest CPRCm population in this cohort. 98.1% of the patients belong to the contributory regimen and 1.9% to the subsidized. The calculation of the patient's survival with the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) showed a 0% survival rate at 10 years and most frequent comorbidities were hypertension, diabetes mellitus, renal failure and other related tumor pathologies. The total cost of managing a patient with CPRCm, who receives continuous abiraterone or enzalutamide for 12 months on average is $ 131,942,292 COP per year, this figure includes both the use of services and the consumption of medications; the latter represents ∼90% of cost. onclusions These patients were characterized by being large demander of health services, namely, medicines, laboratories, images, outpatient visits and inpatient admission. Due to it is a small sample of patients, is necessary to develop a posterior evaluation to corroborate the findings found in this retrospective analysis.

Análisis del impacto del confinamiento en la demanda asistencial y características de los pacientes atendidos en urgencias pediátricas / Analysis of the impact of COVID-19 pandemic confinement on demand for pediatric emergency care and the characteristics of children attended

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Relación entre la utilización de recursos sanitarios y aspectos socioeconómicos en Atención Primaria / Relationship between the use of health resources and psychosocioeconomic aspects in Primary Care

Introducción: estudiar la influencia de los factores socioeconómicos y psicológicos familiares en la demanda y utilización de recursos sanitarios en las consultas pediátricas de Atención Primaria (AP). Material y métodos: estudio descriptivo observacional realizado mediante cuestionarios recogidos, durante un periodo de 1 año a familias de niños entre 1 mes y 14 años de edad pertenecientes a 2 consultas urbanas de AP de Madrid. Se analizaron datos crudos, comparaciones entre grupos y análisis multivariante. Resultados: se analizaron 434 cuestionarios. El número de consultas totales fue mayor en los pacientes de menor edad (p = 0,001) y en aquellos cuyos padres presentaban elevado nivel de ansiedad (p = 0,001). Las familias con todos sus miembros en paro presentaron niveles de ansiedad (odds ratio [OR]: 5,85; intervalo de confianza del 95% [IC 95]: 2,56 a 13,34; p <0,0001) y depresión (OR: 6,25; IC 95: 2,64 a 14,76; p <0,0001) significativamente superiores al resto. La realización de pruebas de laboratorio fue superior en los niños con enfermedad crónica (OR: 3,84; IC 95: 2,09 a 7,07; p <0,0001) y en aquellos con un nivel de ansiedad elevado en los padres (OR: 2,78; IC 95: 1,46 a 5,28); p = 0,02). La toma de fármacos fue superior en los niños con enfermedad crónica (OR: 3,15; IC 95: 1,60 a 6,19; p = 0,001) y menor en los niños de más edad (OR: 0,93; IC 95: 0,87 a 0,98; p = 0,014). Conclusiones: la frecuentación y el consumo de fármacos en general y antibióticos en particular, así como la solicitud de pruebas diagnósticas de laboratorio e imagen están directamente relacionados con el nivel elevado de ansiedad o depresión en los padres y con la presencia de enfermedad crónica en los niños e inversamente con la edad de los mismos. Sería recomendable la detección e intervención en los casos de elevada ansiedad parental para intentar reducir el consumo de recursos sanitarios (AU)

Introduction: the aim of our study was to analyse the influence of family socioeconomic and psychological factors on the demand and use of health resources in paediatric consultations in Primary Care.Methods: descriptive observational study carried out using questionnaires collected over a period of 1 year. Questionnaires were collected from children between 1 month and 14 years old, belonging to 2 urban Primary Care clinics in Madrid. The raw data was analysed, and comparisons between groups and multivariate analysis were performed.Results: we compared 434 questionnaires. The number of total consultations was higher in younger patients (p = 0.001) and in those whose parents presented high levels of anxiety (p = 0.001). Families with all their members in unemployed presented anxiety (OR: 5.85; IC 95: 2.567-13.341; p <0.0001) and depression (OR: 6.250; IC 95: 2.647-14.760; p <0.0001) levels higher than the rest. Laboratory and imaging test were higher in children with chronic disease (OR: 3.84; IC 95: 2.09-7.07; p <0.0001) and high level of anxiety in parents (OR: 2.78; IC 95: 1.46-5.28; p = 0.02). Drugs use was higher in children with chronic disease (OR: 3.15; IC 95: 1.60-6.19; p = 0.001) and lower in older children (OR: 0.927; IC 95: 0.87-0.98; p = 0.014).Conclusions: hyper-attendance and drug consumption in general and antibiotics in particular, as well as the request for imaging and laboratory test, is directly related to the high level of anxiety in the parents and the presence of chronic disease in children and inversely with the age. It would be advisable to detect and, if possible, intervene in cases of high parental anxiety in order to try to reduce the consumption of health resources. (AU)

Prevalence and Determinants of Adequate Compliance with Antenatal Care in Peru / Prevalência e determinantes da conformidade adequada à atenção pré-natal no Peru

Abstract Objective To determine the adequacy of compliance with antenatal care (ANC) by pregnant women in Peru and to identify the associated factors. Methods An analytical cross-sectional study of data from the 2019 Peruvian Demographic and Family Health Survey (Encuesta Demográfica y de Salud Familiar, ENDES, in Spanish) was conducted. The dependent variable was adequate compliance with ANC (provided by skilled health care professionals; first ANC visit during the first trimester of pregnancy; six or more ANC visits during pregnancy; ANC visits with appropriate content) by women aged 15 to 49 years in their last delivery within the five years prior to the survey. Crude and adjusted prevalence ratios and their 95% confidence intervals were calculated using a log-binomial regression model. Results A total of 18,386 women were analyzed, 35.0% of whom adequately complied with ANC. The lowest proportion of compliance was found with the content of ANC (42.6%). Sociodemographic factors and those related to pregnancy, such as being in the age groups of 20 to 34 years and 35 to 49 years, havingsecondaryor higher education, belonging to a wealth quintile of the population other than the poorest, being from the Amazon region, not being of native ethnicity, having a second or third pregnancy, and having a desired pregnancy, increased the probability of presenting adequate compliance with ANC. Conclusion Only 3 out of 10women in Peru showed adequate compliancewith ANC. Compliance with the content of ANC must be improved, and strategies must be developed to increase the proportion of adequate compliance with ANC.

Resumo Objetivo Determinar a adequação do cumprimento dos cuidados pré-natais (CPN) por mulheres grávidas no Peru e identificar os fatores associados. Métodos Foi realizado um estudo analítico transversal dos dados da Pesquisa Demográfica e de Saúde da Família Peruana de 2019 (Encuesta Demográfica y de Salud Familiar, ENDES, em espanhol). A variável dependente foi conformidade adequada coma CPN (fornecida por profissionais de saúde qualificados; primeira visita CPN durante o primeiro trimestre de gravidez; seis ou mais visitas CPN durante a gravidez; visitas CPN com conteúdo apropriado) por mulheres de 15 a 49 anos em seu último parto nos cinco anos anteriores à pesquisa. Os índices de prevalência bruta e ajustada e seus intervalos de confiança de 95% foram calculados usando um modelo de regressão log-binomial. Resultados Foi analisado um total de 18.386 mulheres, das quais 35,0% cumpriram adequadamente o CPN. A menor proporção de conformidade foi encontrada com o conteúdo de ANC (42,6%). Fatores sociodemográficos e aqueles relacionados à gravidez, como estar na faixa etária de 20 a 34 anos e 35 a 49 anos, ter educação secundária ou superior, pertencer a um quintil de riqueza da população que não a mais pobre, ser da região da selva, não ser de etnia nativa, ter um segundo ou terceiro gravidez, e tendo uma gravidez desejada, aumentou a probabilidade de apresentar conformidade adequada com CPN. Conclusão Apenas 3 em cada 10 mulheres no Peru mostraram conformidade adequada com o CPN. O cumprimento do conteúdo do CPN deve ser melhorado, e estratégias devem ser desenvolvidas para aumentar a proporção de cumprimento adequado com o CPN.