Factors related to the resignation and migration of physicians in public health administration agencies using nationwide survey data in Japan.

BACKGROUND: Physicians in public health administration agencies (public health physicians: PHP) play important roles in public health; however, there are not enough such physicians in Japan. This study aimed to elucidate the factors related to the resignation and migration of PHPs using nationwide survey data. METHODS: Data from the Survey of Physicians, Dentists, and Pharmacists (2010, 2012, 2014, and 2016) were analyzed. The outcome was the resignation of PHPs or migration to public health administration agencies. The explanatory variables in the resignation analysis were age, sex, workplace, and board certification status. The type of work was added as an explanatory variable in the migration analysis, and clinical specialty was added to the clinical doctor-restricted analysis. The odds ratios (ORs) of the explanatory variables were calculated using generalized estimation equations. RESULTS: In the resignation analysis among PHPs, women had a significantly lower OR, whereas younger PHPs and those with board certifications had significantly higher ORs. In the migration to public health administration agencies analysis among medical doctors, women and those aged between 35 and 39 years had significantly higher ORs, but those with board certifications had significantly lower ORs. Hospital/clinic founders or directors had significantly lower ORs, but the clinic staff and 'others/not working' had significantly higher ORs. In the migration to public health administration agencies analysis among clinical physicians, those aged between 35 and 39 years had significantly higher ORs. Still, those with two or more board certifications had significantly lower ORs. Hospital/clinic founders or directors had significantly lower ORs, but the clinic staff had significantly higher ORs. Clinical doctors specializing in surgery and other specialties had significantly lower ORs, but those specializing in pediatrics and psychiatry/psychosomatic medicine had significantly higher ORs. CONCLUSIONS: Having board certifications were significantly related to the resignation of PHPs and migration to public health administration agencies. Women migrated to public health administration agencies more than men and younger PHPs were more likely to resign. However, medical doctors aged between 35 and 39 years were more likely to migrate to public health administration agencies. Similarly, clinic staff, non-clinical physicians, and those whose specialties were pediatrics and psychiatry/psychosomatic medicine were more likely to migrate to public health administration agencies.

Health managers and community representatives' views of a system-wide intervention to strengthen public healthcare in the Free State, South Africa.

Background: A system-wide health system strengthening (HSS) initiative, the Health Systems Governance and Accountability (HSGA) intervention, was developed, translated to policy, and implemented in the Free State province. This study assessed health managers (HMs) and community representatives' (CRs) views of the intervention and whether it improved integration and performance. Method: A questionnaire survey among 147 HMs and 78 CRs and 14 focus group discussions (FGDs) with a mean of 10.3 participants and a total of 102 HMs and 42 CRs, were conducted. The questionnaire and FGD data were descriptively and thematically analysed to triangulate findings. Results: Many HMs (44%) mostly positioned at the operational levels indicated that implementation of the HSGA intervention did contribute to integration of health services. Most CRs (54%) believed that communities were actively involved in the intervention. However, both the self-administered questionnaire and the FGD data evidenced lack of policy awareness among, especially, operational-level HMs. Conclusion: From the perspectives of HMs and CRs, the implementation of the intervention was viewed as a step forward in strengthening public healthcare to respond to system deficiencies in the Free State province. Earlier engagement of especially operational-level HMs during reforms may be beneficial in successfully implementing HSS interventions.

Plano EVA-TO: plano de enfrentamento à violência autoprovocada do Estado do Tocantins com ênfase na atenção integral à saúde / EVA-TO Plan: plan to face self-inflicted violence in the State of Tocantins with an emphasis on comprehensive health care

O Plano de Enfrentamento à Violência Autoprovocada do Estado do Tocantins com Ênfase na Atenção Integral à Saúde foi desenvolvido para fortalecer a rede de atenção psicossocial, em colaboração com o Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) e o Sistema Único de Assistência Social (SUAS). Elaborado pelo Grupo de Trabalho "Flor de Pequi", o plano tem como objetivo qualificar a Rede de Atenção à Saúde, orientando gestores e profissionais de saúde na prevenção da violência autoprovocada, automutilação e suicídio, além de promover o acolhimento e compartilhamento do cuidado na rede de atenção à saúde. O documento foi elaborado em resposta a demandas relacionadas aos dados de violência autoprovocada, solicitações do Conselho Estadual de Defesa de Direitos da Criança e do Adolescente e do Conselho Regional de Psicologia. A metodologia, discussão, metas, ações e monitoramento também são abordados no plano.

The Plan for Confronting Self-Inflicted Violence in the State of Tocantins with an Emphasis on Comprehensive Health Care was developed to strengthen the psychosocial care network in collaboration with the Unified Health System (SUS) and the Unified Social Assistance System (SUAS). Elaborated by the "Flor de Pequi" Working Group, the plan aims to enhance the Health Care Network by providing guidance to managers and health professionals in the prevention of self-inflicted violence, self-harm, and suicide, while promoting care and support within the health care system. The document was created in response to demands related to self-inflicted violence data, requests from the State Council for the Defense of the Rights of Children and Adolescents, and the Regional Psychology Council. The plan also addresses methodology, discussion, goals, actions, and monitoring.

El Plan de Enfrentamiento a la Violencia Autoinfligida en el Estado de Tocantins con Énfasis en la Atención Integral de Salud fue desarrollado para fortalecer la red de atención psicosocial en colaboración con el Sistema Único de Salud (SUS) y el Sistema Único de Asistencia Social (SUAS). Elaborado por el Grupo de Trabajo "Flor de Pequi", el plan tiene como objetivo calificar la Red de Atención a la Salud, brindando orientación a los gestores y profesionales de la salud en la prevención de la violencia autoinfligida, la automutilación y el suicidio, además de promover el cuidado y apoyo dentro de la red de atención sanitaria. El documento fue elaborado en respuesta a demandas relacionadas con datos de violencia autoinfligida, solicitudes del Consejo Estatal para la Defensa de los Derechos de la Niñez y la Adolescencia y del Consejo Regional de Psicología. El plan también aborda la metodología, la discusión, las metas, las acciones y el monitoreo

Abordagem de narrativas como método de pesquisa em saúde pública: aproximações conceituais e contribuições da psicanálise / Narrative research in public health: conceptual approximations and contributions from psychoanalysis / Enfoque en narrativas como método de investigación en salud pública: aproximaciones conceptuales y aportaciones del psicoanálisis

Este artigo refere-se à parte de uma pesquisa de doutorado, realizada em hospital de alta complexidade do Sistema Único de Saúde, cujos participantes são os profissionais de saúde. O objetivo deste artigo é analisar o potencial da abordagem das narrativas como método de pesquisa e intervenção nos serviços de saúde, traçando aproximações com a teoria psicanalítica. Sua relevância no campo da Saúde Pública está calcada no reconhecimento do papel do sujeito como agente de mudanças. O texto divide-se em duas partes: na primeira, explora as especificidades do trabalho na área da saúde, o paradigma da saúde pública no que concerne à gestão e possíveis contribuições da clínica ampliada para esse modelo. Na segunda parte, analisa o uso das narrativas como método de pesquisa nesse campo e as aproximações conceituais entre a narrativa em Walter Benjamin e a psicanálise em Freud. Busca na literatura referências sobre experiências análogas que fundamentem a proposta ora realizada e conclui pela importância de, no momento atual, apostar na força germinativa das narrativas como fonte criativa de novas formas de cuidar.(AU)

This article derives from a PhD research conducted with health professionals at a high-complexity public hospital from the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS). It analyzes the potential of the narrative as a research and intervention method in health services, outlining approximations with psychoanalysis. In the field of Public Health, the narrative approach acknowledges the individual as an agent of change. The text is divided into two parts. The first presents an overview of the peculiarities involved in healthcare, the Public Health paradigm regarding service management and possible contributions from the expanded clinic to this model. The second analyzes the use of narratives as a research method in this field and the conceptual approximations between Benjamin's narrative and Freud's psychoanalysis. It searches the literature for references on similar experiences to support the present proposal and concludes by highlighting the importance of betting on the creative power of narratives as a source for new ways to care.(AU)

Este artículo es parte de una investigación doctoral, realizada con los profesionales de la salud de un hospital de alta complejidad del Sistema Único de Salud de Brasil. Su propósito es analizar el potencial del enfoque en narrativas como método de investigación e intervención en los servicios de salud, esbozando aproximaciones entre las narrativas y la teoría del psicoanálisis. Su relevancia en el campo de la salud pública se basa en el reconocimiento del rol del sujeto como agente de cambio. El texto se divide en dos partes: La primera investiga las especificidades del trabajo en el área de la salud, el paradigma de la salud pública en la gestión de los servicios y las posibles contribuciones de la clínica ampliada a este modelo. En la segunda parte, analiza el uso de narrativas como método de investigación en este campo y las aproximaciones conceptuales entre la narrativa de Walter Benjamin y el psicoanálisis de Freud. Este estudio busca en la literatura referencias sobre experiencias similares que apoyen la propuesta ahora realizada y concluye con la importancia de, en el momento actual, apostar por el poder de las narrativas como fuente creadora de nuevas formas de cuidar.(AU)

Dawning public health services dogma: An indigenous Southwest Chinese perspective in managing hypertension-with or without the "BPHS"?

Background: To alleviate the rising mortality burden due to hypertension and other non-communicable diseases, a new public health policy initiative in 2009 called the Basic Public Health Services (BPHS). Program was introduced by the Chinese government. The goal of the study is to assess the feasibility and impact of a nationwide health care service-the "BPHS". Methods: From January to December 2021, a stratified multistage random sampling method in the survey was conducted to select 6,456 people from 8 cities/districts in Yunnan Province, China, who were above the age of 35 years. 1,521 hypertensive patients were previously aware of their high blood pressure status were matched to the BPHS program database based on ID number and then further divided into BPHS group and non-BPHS (control) group. The results of the current study are based on their responses to a short structured questionnaire, a physical examination, and laboratory tests. The association between BPHS management and its effect on the control of hypertension was estimated using multivariable logistic regression models. We evaluated the accessibility and efficacy of BPHS health care services by analyzing various variables such as blood pressure, BMI, lifestyle modification, anti-hypertensive drugs taken, and cardiovascular risk factors. Results: Among the 1,521 hypertensive patients included in this study, 1,011 (66.5%) were managed by BPHS programme. The multivariable logistic regression model demonstrated that the BPHS facilitated hypertension control (OR = 1.640, 95% CI: 1.237-2.175). A higher proportion of participants receiving lifestyle guidance from the BPHS management showed lowering of total cholesterol. In comparison to the non-BPHS group, those under BPHS management adhered better to antihypertensive medications either single drug (54.3%) or in combination (17.3%) of drugs. Additionally, we also noticed that urban areas with centralized and well-established digital information management system had better hypertension treatment and control. Conclusions: Nearly two-thirds of the hypertensive patients in Yunnan Province were included in BPHS management. The impact of the national BPHS program was evident in lowering risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, promoting healthy lifestyles, lowering blood pressure, increasing medication adherence, and the better control rate of hypertension.

Is Avoidable Hospitalization Experienced Prior to Infection Associated With COVID-19-Related Deaths?

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the effect of the presence or absence of avoidable hospitalization before acquiring coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on COVID-19-related deaths. Methods: This study used the total NHIS-COVID-19 dataset comprising domestic COVID-19 patients, provided by the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) in South Korea. We conducted logistic regression and double robust estimation (DRE) to confirm the effect of avoidable hospitalization on COVID-19-related deaths. Results: Logistic regression analysis confirmed that the odds ratio (OR) of death due to COVID-19 was high in the group that experienced avoidable hospitalization. DRE analysis showed a higher OR of death due to COVID-19 in the group that experienced avoidable hospitalization compared to the group that did not experience avoidable hospitalization, except in the subgroup aged ≤69 years. Conclusion: The effect of avoidable hospitalization on COVID-19-related deaths was confirmed. Therefore, continued health care, preventive medicine, and public health management are essential for reducing avoidable hospitalizations despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Clinicians need to be informed about the importance of continuous disease management.

Mobilizing a Whole Community: Policy and Strategy Implications of an Integrated Local System Response to a Global Health Crisis.

The East Toronto Health Partners (ETHP) include more than 50 organizations working collaboratively to create an integrated system of care in the east end of Toronto. This existing partnership proved invaluable as a platform for a rapid, coordinated local response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Months after the first wave of the pandemic began, with the daily numbers of COVID-19 cases finally starting to decline, leaders from ETHP provided preliminary reflections on two critical questions: (1) How were existing integration efforts leveraged to mobilize a response during the COVID-19 crisis? and (2) How can the response to the initial wave of COVID-19 be leveraged to further accelerate integration and better address subsequent waves and system improvements once the pandemic abates?

Principalism in public health decision making in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic lead scientists and governmental authorities to issue clinical and public health recommendations based on progressively emerging evidence and expert opinions and many of these fast-tracked to peer-reviewed publications. Concerns were raised on scientific quality and generalizability of this emerging evidence. MAIN ARGUMENT: However, this way acting is not entirely new and often public health decisions are based on flawed and ambiguous evidence. Thus, to better guide decisions in these circumstances, in this article we argue that there is a need to follow fundamental principles in order to guide best public health practices. We purpose the usefulness of the framework of principalism in public which has been proved useful in real life conditions as a guide in the absence of reliable evidence. CONCLUSIONS: It is recommended the implementation of these principles in an integrated manner adopting an holistic system approach to health policies adapted to specificities of local contexts.

An Integrated Approach for Spatio-Temporal Cholera Disease Hotspot Relation Mining for Public Health Management in Punjab, Pakistan.

Public health management can generate actionable results when diseases are studied in context with other candidate factors contributing to disease dynamics. In order to fully understand the interdependent relationships of multiple geospatial features involved in disease dynamics, it is important to construct an effective representation model that is able to reveal the relationship patterns and trends. The purpose of this work is to combine disease incidence spatio-temporal data with other features of interest in a mutlivariate spatio-temporal model for investigating characteristic disease and feature patterns over identified hotspots. We present an integrated approach in the form of a disease management model for analyzing spatio-temporal dynamics of disease in connection with other determinants. Our approach aligns spatio-temporal profiles of disease with other driving factors in public health context to identify hotspots and patterns of disease and features of interest in the identified locations. We evaluate our model against cholera disease outbreaks from 2015-2019 in Punjab province of Pakistan. The experimental results showed that the presented model effectively address the complex dynamics of disease incidences in the presence of other features of interest over a geographic area representing populations and sub populations during a given time. The presented methodology provides an effective mechanism for identifying disease hotspots in multiple dimensions and relation between the hotspots for cost-effective and optimal resource allocation as well as a sound reference for further predictive and forecasting analysis.

Nutritional status coverage trend registered in the SISVAN web in seven municipalities of the Zona Da Mata Mineira, Brazil, from 2008 to 2017, and its association with socio-economic, demographic and organisation of health system variables.

We analysed the coverage trend of the evaluation of the nutritional status of users of public health services registered in the Food and Nutrition Surveillance System (SISVAN) between 2008 and 2017 in seven municipalities and verified the association of the coverage trend with the socio-economic, demographic and organisational aspects of health system variables. It is an ecological time-series study performed with secondary data extracted from health information systems. Descriptive statistics, linear regression model and repeated measures analysis were performed. The coverage of evaluation of nutritional status was low over the period. Five municipalities showed a tendency to increase coverage, although small, while two remained stable. The highest annual variation in coverage increase was concentrated in the group of pregnant women and the lowest in adolescents and older adults. There was a downward trend in follow-ups from the Bolsa Family Programme and a trend towards increased follow-ups from SUS Primary Care (e-SUS AB). SISVAN coverage was positively associated with the proportion of rural population (P ≤ 0·001) and coverage of community health agents (P < 0·001); and negatively associated with total population (P < 0·001), demographic density (P = 0·006) and gross domestic product per capita (P = 0·008). Despite the tendency to increase coverage in some municipalities, SISVAN still presents low coverage of nutritional status assessment, which compromises population monitoring. Knowing the factors that influence the coverage can subsidise the elaboration of strategies for its expansion.

Lessons learned from the fight against COVID-19 in the Great Maghreb. Five lessons for a better response.

OBJECTIVE: Identify the lessons learned in the Greater Maghreb, during the first semester of the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, in the field of response. METHODS: During the first week of May 2020, a consultation of experts was conducted, using the "Delphi" technique, through an email asking each of them, the drafting of a good practice recommendation for "Public health". The Group coordinator finalized the text of the lessons, later validated by the signatories of the manuscript. RESULTS: Five lessons of good «response¼ against epidemics have been deduced and approved by Maghreb experts, linked to the following aspects: 1. Total reservation of hospital beds for patients; 2. Clinical management of the response; 3. Discreet conflict of interest; 4. Community participation in the response; 5. Contextualization of the global fight strategy. CONCLUSION: Based on the finding of low relevance of the Maghreb response against COVID-19, this list of lessons would help support the performance of Maghreb health systems in the management of epidemics.

Homeopatia no serviço público de saúde: pré-avaliação das ações no município do Recife (PE) / Homeopathy in the public health service: pre-assessment of activities in Recife, Pernambuco

Resumo Trata-se de um estudo de pré-avaliação das ações de homeopatia no município do Recife (PE). Por meio de revisão de documentos oficiais e técnicos foi elaborado um modelo teórico lógico (ML) preliminar da intervenção, no qual se baseou a formulação de uma matriz de critérios e indicadores para avaliação. O ML e a matriz foram submetidos a informantes-chave com expertise na área. Os dados foram coletados de seis entrevistas realizadas em 2016. Os componentes pactuados para ambas as ferramentas foram: gestão e coordenação conjunta; atenção homeopática; e educação, comunicação e mobilização social. Espera-se que o ML e a matriz de critérios e indicadores elaborados e validados sirvam como referência na instituição de processos de monitoramento e avaliação de intervenções semelhantes.

Abstract This study is a pre-assessment of homeopathy activities in the municipality of Recife, Pernambuco. Review of official and technical documentation produced a preliminary logical theoretical model for this intervention, based on a matrix of criteria and indicators for evaluation. The model and matrix were submitted to key informants with expertise in the area, and the data were collected from six interviews in 2016. Three major components were seen to be needed for both tools: joint management and coordination; homeopathic care; and education, communication, and social mobilization. We expect the theoretical model and matrix of criteria and indicators which were developed and validated to serve as a reference to establish procedures for monitoring and assessing similar interventions.

Serbia: Health System Review.

This analysis of the Serbian health system reviews recent developments in organization and governance, health financing, health care provision, health reforms and health system performance. The health of the Serbian population has improved over the last decade. Life expectancy at birth increased slightly in recent years, but it remains, for example, around 5 years below the average across European Union countries. Some favourable trends have been observed in health status and morbidity rates, including a decrease in the incidence of tuberculosis, but population ageing means that chronic conditions and long-standing disability are increasing. The state exercises a strong governance role in Serbia's social health insurance system. Recent efforts have increased centralization by transferring ownership of buildings and equipment to the national level. The health insurance system provides coverage for almost the entire population (98%). Even though the system is comprehensive and universal, with free access to publicly provided health services, there are inequities in access to primary care and certain population groups (such as the most socially and economically disadvantaged, the uninsured, and the Roma) often experience problems in accessing care. The uneven distribution of health professionals across the country and shortages in some specialities also exacerbate accessibility problems. High out-of-pocket payments, amounting to over 40% of total expenditure on health, contribute to relatively high levels of self-reported unmet need for medical care. Health care provision is characterized by the role of the "chosen doctor" in primary health care centres, who acts as a gatekeeper in the system. Recent public health efforts have focused on improving access to preventive health services, in particular, for vulnerable groups. Health system reforms since 2012 have focused on improving infrastructure and technology, and on implementing an integrated health information system. However, the country lacks a transparent and comprehensive system for assessing the benefits of health care investments and determining how to pay for them.

Taiwan renal care system: A learning health-care system.

Taiwan renal care system is an evolving learning health-care system. There are four facets of this system. From the early history of dialysis and Taiwan Renal Registry Data System, it facilitates the generation of data to knowledge. National multidisciplinary pre-end-stage renal disease care project and outcome enhances knowledge to practice. Early chronic kidney disease (CKD) programs and 2015 Taiwan CKD clinical guidelines implicate the practice to customer, and then explore the causes of CKD help to resume customer to data. A learning health-care system allows better and safer care at lower cost, enhancement of public health and patient empowerment. The successful development of a learning health-care system was to collect, accumulate and analyze data, interpret results, deliver tailored message and take action to change practice. Through the established database and data analysis, an integrated care system would be able to improve clinical outcomes and achieve the most cost-effectiveness care. Acute kidney injury, CKD with unknown origin, palliative care and kidney transplant are our new focuses to struggle.

[Health administrators and public policies to deal with gender violence against women in São Paulo, Brazil]. / Gestores de saúde e o enfrentamento da violência de gênero contra as mulheres: as políticas públicas e sua implementação em São Paulo, Brasil.

The study focuses on policies to deal with violence against women in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. The objectives were to map the public policies and the proposals for institutional organization of a network of comprehensive care, in addition to analyzing the implementation of these policies, highlighting the health sector, with reports by administrators and policymakers. The study addresses the relationship between management practice and the public policy provisions, the weight of administrators' personal values and perspectives, and the weight of the socially dominant discourse in decision-making for implementation of these policies. Data were produced through semi-structured interviews with 32 administrators working at different levels in the institutional organization of the Municipal Health Department, including some policymakers in the state and national scenarios. The body of data were submitted to thematic content analysis, examining each of the interviews and relating them to the literature and conceptual framework. The study concludes that health administrators, as agents of practices, are influenced by the prevailing structures and beliefs and reference to their social and historical context for decision-making. However, when they relate to such structures, they are also capable of intervening in the ways care is produced and provided for women in situations of violence, especially by addressing the training and awareness-raising processes and new references concerning recognition of women's rights as human rights.

Estudam-se as políticas de enfrentamento da violência contra as mulheres no Município de São Paulo, Brasil. Os objetivos foram mapear as políticas públicas e as propostas de organização institucional de uma rede de atenção integral, assim como conhecer suas implementações nos serviços, com destaque ao setor de saúde, pelos relatos de gestores e formuladores da política, trabalhando-se a relação da prática da gestão com o enunciado nas políticas públicas, o peso dos valores e da perspectiva pessoal dos gestores e o peso do discurso socialmente dominante nas tomadas de decisão para a implementação destas políticas. A produção dos dados foi realizada por intermédio de entrevistas semiestruturadas com 32 gestores operando em diferentes níveis da organização institucional da Secretaria Municipal da Saúde, dentre eles alguns formuladores das políticas nos cenários estadual e nacional. A análise desse córpus de dados foi temática de conteúdo, examinando-se cada uma das entrevistas e relacionando-as com a literatura e referencial conceitual utilizado. Conclui-se que os gestores, como agentes de práticas, são influenciados pelas estruturas e crenças vigentes, pela referência ao contexto sociohistórico a que estão inseridos para tomadas de decisão de gestão. Porém, são também capazes de, ao relacionar-se com tais estruturas, interferir nas formas de produzir e ofertar cuidado às mulheres em situação de violência, em especial ao aproximarem-se de processos de formação e sensibilização e de novos referenciais acerca do reconhecimento dos direitos das mulheres como direitos humanos.

En este trabajo se estudian las políticas de lucha frente la violencia contra las mujeres en el municipio de São Paulo, Brasil. Los objetivos fueron mapear las políticas públicas y las propuestas de organización institucional de una red de atención integral, así como conocer sus implementaciones en los servicios, destacando el sector de salud, por los relatos de gestores y formuladores de políticas, trabajando la relación de la práctica de gestión con el enunciado en las políticas públicas, el peso de valores y la perspectiva personal de los gestores, así como el peso del discurso socialmente dominante en las tomas de decisión para la implementación de estas políticas. La producción de datos se realizó mediante entrevistas semiestructuradas con 32 gestores operando en diferentes niveles de la organización institucional dentro de la Secretaría Municipal de Salud, entre ellos, algunos formuladores de las políticas en los escenarios estatal y nacional. El análisis de ese corpus de datos fue la temática de contenido, examinando cada una de las entrevistas y relacionándolas con la literatura y marco de referencia conceptual utilizado. Se concluye que los gestores, como agentes de prácticas, son influenciados por las estructuras y creencias vigentes, por la referencia al contexto sociohistórico en el que están insertados para las tomas de decisión en la gestión. No obstante, son también capaces de, al relacionarse con tales estructuras, interferir en las formas de producir y ofertar cuidado a las mujeres en situación de violencia, en especial al aproximarse a procesos de formación y sensibilización, así como nuevos marcos de referencia acerca del reconocimiento de los derechos de las mujeres como parte de los derechos humanos.

Impact of community-based integrated mass drug administration on schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminth prevalence in Togo.

BACKGROUND: Togo has conducted annual, integrated, community-based mass drug administration (MDA) for soil-transmitted helminths (STH) and schistosomiasis since 2010. Treatment frequency and target populations are determined by disease prevalence, as measured by baseline surveys in 2007 and 2009, and WHO guidelines. Reported programmatic treatment coverage has averaged over 94%. Togo conducted a cross-sectional survey in 2015 to assess the impact of four to five years of MDA on these diseases. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: In every sub-district in the country outside the capital, the same schools were visited as at baseline and a sample of fifteen children age 6 to 9 years old was drawn. Each child submitted urine and a stool sample. Urine samples were tested by dipstick for the presence of blood as a proxy measure of Schistosoma haematobium infection. Stool samples were analyzed by the Kato-Katz method for STH and Schistosoma mansoni. At baseline, 17,100 children were enrolled at 1,129 schools in 562 sub-districts; in 2015, 16,890 children were enrolled at the same schools. The overall prevalence of both STH and schistosomiasis declined significantly, from 31.5% to 11.6% for STH and from 23.5% to 5.0% for schistosomiasis (p<0.001 in both instances). Egg counts from both years were available only for hookworm and S. mansoni; intensity of infection decreased significantly for both infections from 2009 to 2015 (p<0.001 for both infections). In areas with high baseline prevalence, rebound of hookworm infection was noted in children who had not received albendazole in the past 6 months. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: After four to five years of MDA in Togo, the prevalence and intensity of STH and schistosomiasis infection were significantly reduced compared to baseline. Data on STH indicate that stopping MDA in areas with high baseline prevalence may result in significant rebound of infection. Togo's findings may help refine treatment recommendations for these diseases.