Missed opportunities for prevention of congenital syphilis.

BACKGROUND: The WHO presented the initiative: "Global elimination of congenital syphilis (CS): rationale and strategies for action". It establishes that CS is a preventable disease that can be eliminated. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the proportion of missed opportunities for prevention (MOP) of (CS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study. We studied women with children with confirmed diagnosis of CS (NOM-039-SSA2-2002) in the Mexican Social Security Institute in Jalisco from 01/01/2016 to 08/01/2022. The clinical records of the mother, the newborn and the epidemiological study (ES) were reviewed. Each case was classified into one of the MOP categories. RESULTS: 52 cases were reported: 46.2 % (n = 24) were ruled out, 34.6 % (n = 18) confirmed, 15.4 % (n = 8) unknown and 3.8 % (n = 2) probable cases. The HIV test was performed in 61.1 % (n = 11) and syphilis in 72.2 % (n = 13) of the mothers. The MOP in 27.8 % (n = 5) was inadequate treatment or omission of maternal treatment despite a timely diagnosis of syphilis. Treatment was inadequate in 63.6 % (n = 7) of the women who received it. CONCLUSION: The classification of MOP identifies gaps in CS prevention and can guide stakeholders, policy makers and public health prevention programs to reduce the incidence of CS.

ANTECEDENTES: La Organización Mundial de la Salud estableció que la sífilis congénita es una enfermedad prevenible que puede eliminarse. OBJETIVO: Estimar la proporción de oportunidades perdidas en la prevención (OPP) de la sífilis congénita. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio transversal descriptivo. Se eligieron mujeres en cuyos hijos recién nacidos se identificó sífilis congénita entre 2016 y 2022. Se revisaron los expedientes clínicos de la madre, el recién nacido y el estudio epidemiológico. Cada caso se clasificó en una de las categorías de las OPP. RESULTADOS: Se notificaron 52 casos: 46.2 % (n = 24) fue descartado, 34.6 % (n = 18) confirmado, 15.4 % (n = 8) desconocido y 3.8 % (n = 2) probable. Las pruebas para identificar infección por VIH y sífilis se realizaron en 61.1 % (n = 11) y 72.2 % de las madres (n = 13). La OPP en 27.8 % (n = 5) consistió en el tratamiento inadecuado u omisión de tratamiento materno a pesar de diagnóstico oportuno de la sífilis. De quienes recibieron tratamiento, en 63.6 % fue inadecuado (n = 7). CONCLUSIÓN: La clasificación de OPP de sífilis congénita permite identificar brechas en la prevención y dirigir intervenciones de salud pública hacia las principales causas para reducir la incidencia.

Impact of 4% Deltamethrin-Impregnated Dog Collars on the Incidence of Human Visceral Leishmaniasis: A Community Intervention Trial in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: In Brazil, human visceral leishmaniasis (HVL) is caused by the protozoan parasite Leishmania infantum, primarily transmitted by the sand fly Lutzomyia longipalpis, with dogs acting as the main urban reservoir. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of 4% deltamethrin-impregnated dog collars (DMC) on HVL incidence. METHODS: This is a community intervention study carried out from 2012 to 2015 in the municipalities of Araguaína, State of Tocantins, and Montes Claros, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Two areas in each were randomly allocated to either (1) culling seropositive dogs + residual insecticide spraying (control area-CA) or (2) culling seropositive dogs + residual insecticide spraying + DMC fitted to dogs every six months for two years (intervention area-IA). Cases of HVL (n = 1202) occurring from 2008 to 2020 were identified from the Brazilian Reportable Diseases Information System and georeferenced to the control and intervention areas. The HVL cases from 2008 to 2012 were considered as occurring in the "pre-intervention" period. Those cases from 2013 to 2016 and from 2017 to 2020 were regarded as occurring in the "intervention" and "post-intervention" periods, respectively. We used a mixed-effects Poisson regression model to estimate the effectiveness of the intervention, comparing the changes from the pre-intervention period to the intervention and post-intervention periods in the control and intervention areas. RESULTS: In Araguaína, there was a statistically significant reduction in the incidence of HVL in both the control and intervention areas, comparing both the intervention and post-intervention periods with the pre-intervention period. The intervention with DMC was significantly associated with a reduction in HVL when comparing the intervention and pre-intervention periods, yielding an effectiveness estimate of the DMC of 27% (IC95% 1-46%, p = 0.045). No differences were observed when comparing the pre- and post-intervention periods (p = 0.827). In Montes Claros, cases reduced in both the control and intervention areas from the pre-intervention period to the intervention period (p = 0.913). In the post-intervention period, the incidence increased in the control area, while cases continued to decrease in the DMC area (p = 0.188). CONCLUSIONS: The use of DMC was associated with a reduction of 27% in the incidence of HVL during the period of DMC delivery, indicating that DMC is effective as an additional strategy for controlling visceral leishmaniasis in Brazil. However, no significant reduction associated with DMC was detected after the intervention period, suggesting that a control program based on the large-scale deployment of DMC might have to be maintained for more extended periods without interruption.

Preparing schools for future pandemics: Insights on water, sanitation and hygiene solutions from the Brazilian school reopening policies.

Post-COVID-19, schools urgently need to enhance infection control and prevention (IPC) measures, including water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), to prepare for future outbreaks and pandemics. Particularly in Brazil, that is of particular concern, as students are still recovering from the 20th longest school closure in the world. Hence, the current study had two goals: (i) to describe WASH solutions outlined in policies released at the federal, state, and capital city levels in Brazil during the COVID-19 pandemic for the safe reopening of schools and (ii) to discuss their potential to enhance school's capacity to remain operational during a new pandemic or outbreak. With a qualitative exploratory approach, we performed content analysis to discuss the direction (what, where, how and for whom?) of 66 public policies by integrating four frameworks. Solutions were discussed in the light of the principles of human rights and the human rights to water and sanitation, international guidelines for WASH and IPC in schools and the Sphere minimum standards for humanitarian aid. One hundred and fifty-nine solutions, spanning five thematic areas and five population groups, including software and hardware interventions, were compiled for potential use in Brazil and beyond. While suggested solutions have the potential to provide a cleaner and safer learning environment, it is essential to exercise caution when implementing these measures and adapt them to the specific circumstances of each school.

Efectividad de una estrategia educativa en la prescripción de la tromboprofilaxis adecuada en un servicio de Medicina Interna de un hospital general / Effectiveness of an educational strategy in increasing the prescription of adequate thromboprophylaxis in the internal medicine service of general hospital

RESUMEN Objetivo Determinar el impacto de una intervención educativa sobre la frecuencia de prescripciones médicas adecuadas de tromboprofilaxis en un servicio de medicina de un hospital general. Material y métodos Estudio quasi experimental, en el cual en la fase pre-intervención se obtuvieron las frecuencias de indicación de tromboprofilaxis adecuada por parte de los médicos del servicio de medicina. Se realizó una intervención educativa de 8 semanas a este mismo grupo de médicos. En la fase post intervención se midió la frecuencia de la tromboprofilaxis adecuada a los 2 y 4 meses después de la intervención. Resultados La intervención educativa se implementó en 112 médicos residentes de las especialidades de medicina. La totalidad de prescripciones fueron hechas por los médicos residentes de primer año y refrendadas por su médico supervisor. Previamente a la intervención se obtuvieron 47 (44,35%) prescripciones adecuadas, 13 (12,26%) subóptimas, 4 (3,77%) inadecuadas y 42 (39, 62%) ausencia de prescripción. Luego de la intervención se obtuvieron a los 2 meses subsiguientes: 78 (75,72%) prescripciones adecuadas, 7 (6,79%) subóptimas, 4 (2,91%) inadecuadas y 15 (14,58%) ausencias de prescripción, habiendo diferencia significativa con el nivel basal. A los 4 meses subsiguientes postintervención se obtuvieron: 86 (83,49%) adecuada, 5(4,85%) subóptima, 2 (1,94%) inadecuada y 10 (9,72%) ausencia de prescripción, habiendo diferencia significativa con el nivel basal. No hubo aumento en la frecuencia de sobre uso. Conclusiones La aplicación de una estrategia educativa al personal médico fue efectiva en el incremento de las prescripciones de tromboprofilaxis correctamente indicadas en un servicio de medicina. No se encontró sobreuso de la tromboprofilaxis luego de la intervención.

SUMMARY Objective To determine whether an educational intervention strategy would improve the frequency of medical prescriptions for adequate thromboprophylaxis in a medicine service. Methods Quasi-experimental study, in which in the pre-intervention phase the frequencies of indication of appropriate thromboprophylaxis by physicians from the medicine service were obtained. An 8-week educational intervention was carried out with this same group of doctors. In the post-intervention phase, the frequency of adequate thromboprophylaxis was measured at 2 and 4 months after the intervention. Results The educational intervention was implemented in 112 resident physicians in medicine specialties. All prescriptions were made by the first-year resident physicians and endorsed by their supervising physician. Prior to the intervention, 47 (44.35%) adequate prescriptions were obtained, 13 (12.26%) suboptimal, 4 (3.77%) inadequate, and 42 (39, 62%) no prescription. After the intervention, the following 2 months were obtained: 78 (75.72%) adequate prescriptions, 7 (6.79%) suboptimal, 4 (2.91%) inadequate and 15 (14.58%) no prescriptions, there being a significant difference with the baseline level. At the subsequent 4 months post-intervention, the following were obtained: 86 (83.49%) adequate, 5 (4.85%) suboptimal, 2 (1.94%) inadequate and 10 (9.72%) no prescription, with a difference significant with the baseline level. There was no increase in the frequency of overuse. Conclusions The application of an educational strategy to medical personnel was effective in increasing correctly indicated thromboprophylaxis prescriptions in a medical service. No overuse of thromboprophylaxis was found after the intervention.

Scorpion sting envenomation outbreak in Mexico. Strategies for prevention and control.

In Mexico occurs 25% of all worldwide cases of scorpion sting envenomation (SSE). An outbreak of SSE was identified in Villa Unión, Sinaloa, Mexico. The objective of this study is to describe the outbreak, and prevention and control strategies implemented. The design was a cross-sectional study. Eligibility criteria included confirmed cases (n = 425) identified from the date the outbreak was recognized (from November 08, 2023 to July 10, 2023). The cases from Villa Unión (n = 231) were included for the analysis of epidemiological and clinical findings. The research followed the recommendations of the Initiative Reporting of studies Conducted Using Observational Routinely collected Data (RECORD). Of the total cases (n = 425), 398 (93.6%) were from the municipality of Mazatlán, and 231 (58%) were from Villa Unión. The incidence rate was 13.64 per 1000 persons. The average cases per week was 51.5(SD ± 12). The male-to-female ratio was 3:4, the average age was 30.7(SD ± 19) years. Most of cases occurred in the 25-44 age group. The sting occurred mostly inside houses (n = 200, 86.5%). The predominant symptoms were local pain (95.2%), and local paresthesia (75.8%). The Case fatality rate was 0%. Implementation of prevention and control strategies based on field epidemiological research and scientific evidence are necessary to reduce the incidence and prevent fatal complications.

Estimating the savings of a national project to prevent healthcare-associated infections in intensive care units.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) have a significant impact on patients' morbidity and mortality, and have a detrimental financial impact on the healthcare system. Various strategies exist to prevent HAIs, but economic evaluations are needed to determine which are most appropriate. AIM: To present the financial impact of a nationwide project on HAI prevention in intensive care units (ICUs) using a quality improvement (QI) approach. METHODS: A health economic evaluation assessed the financial results of the QI initiative 'Saúde em Nossas Mãos' (SNM), implemented in Brazil between January 2018 and December 2020. Among 116 participating institutions, 13 (11.2%) fully reported the aggregate cost and stratified patients (with vs without HAIs) in the pre-intervention and post-intervention periods. Average cost (AC) was calculated for each analysed HAI: central-line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs), ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs). The absorption model and time-driven activity-based costing were used for cost estimations. The numbers of infections that the project could have prevented during its implementation were estimated to demonstrate the financial impact of the SNM initiative. RESULTS: The aggregated ACs calculated for each HAI from these 13 ICUs - US$8480 for CLABSIs, US$10,039 for VAP, and US$7464 for CAUTIs - were extrapolated to the total number of HAIs prevented by the project (1727 CLABSIs, 3797 VAP and 2150 CAUTIs). The overall savings of the SNM as of December 2020 were estimated at US$68.8 million, with an estimated return on investment (ROI) of 765%. CONCLUSION: Reporting accurate financial data on HAI prevention strategies is still challenging in Brazil. These results suggest that a national QI initiative to prevent HAIs in critical care settings is a feasible and value-based approach, reducing financial waste and yielding a significant ROI for the healthcare system.

Towards Better Culturally Tailored Cardiometabolic Prevention Among the South-Asian Surinamese in the Netherlands.

Objectives: To gain insight in the motives and determinants for the uptake of healthy lifestyles by South-Asian Surinamese people to identify needs and engagement strategies for healthy lifestyle support. Methods: We used a mixed-method design: first, focus groups with South-Asian Surinamese women; second, a questionnaire directed at their social network, and third, interviews with health professionals. Qualitative content analysis, basic statistical analyses and triangulation of data were applied. Results: Sixty people participated (n = 30 women, n = 20 social network, n = 10 professionals). Respondent groups reported similar motives and determinants for healthy lifestyles. In general, cardiometabolic prevention was in line with the perspectives and needs of South-Asian Surinamese. However, there seems to be a mismatch too: South-Asian Surinamese people missed a culturally sensitive approach, whereas professionals experienced difficulty with patient adherence. Incremental changes to current lifestyles; including the social network, and an encouraging approach seem to be key points for improvement of professional cardiometabolic prevention. Conclusion: Some key points for better culturally tailoring of preventive interventions would meet the needs and preferences of the South-Asian Surinamese living in the Netherlands.

Uso inconsistente del preservativo masculino en hombres VIH negativos que tienen sexo con hombres / Inconsistent use of male condoms among HIV-negative men who have sex with other men / Uso inconsistente do preservativo masculino entre homens HIV negativos que fazem sexo com homens

Objetivo: analizar los factores asociados con el uso inconsistente del preservativo masculino en hombres VIH negativos que tienen sexo con hombres. Método: estudio transversal, analítico, nacional realizado de forma online en todas las regiones de Brasil, en 2020, a través de redes sociales y sitios de citas. El uso inconsistente del preservativo se definió como el uso ocasional o no usarlo nunca. Se realizaron análisis estadísticos descriptivos, pruebas de asociación y regresión logística binaria. Resultados: 1222 (85%) de los 1438 participantes informaron uso inconsistente del preservativo. Las variables "homosexuales" (ORA: 2,03; IC 95%: 1,14-3,59; p = 0,016), "tener pareja estable" (ORA: 2,19; IC 95%: 1,55-3,09; p<0,001), "sexo oral" (ORA: 2,41; IC 95%: 1,31-4,43; p = 0,005), "anal insertivo" (ORA: 1,98; IC 95%: 1,10-3,58; p = 0,023) y "diagnóstico de ITS" (ORA: 1,59; IC 95%: 1,13-2,24; p = 0,007) se asociaron de forma independiente con el uso inconsistente del preservativo masculino. Las variables "recibió consejo de un amigo sobre la prueba del VIH" (ORA: 0,71; IC 95%: 0,52-0,96; p = 0,028) y "trabajador sexual" (ORA: 0,26; IC 95%: 0,11-0,60; p = 0,002) fueron factores protectores. Conclusión: las variables estudiadas indicaron que hay una fuerte relación entre las parejas estables y el aumento de la confianza y la baja adherencia al uso del preservativo, lo que coincide con otros estudios.

Objective: to analyze the factors associated with inconsistent use of male condoms among HIV-negative men who have sex with other men. Method: a cross-sectional, analytical and nationwide study conducted online in all the Brazilian regions in 2020, via networks and in dating websites. Inconsistent condom use was defined as occasional use or as never using it. Descriptive statistical analyses were performed, as well as association and binary logistic regression tests. Results: inconsistent condom use was reported by 1,222 (85%) of all 1,438 participants. The "homosexuals" (ORAdj: 2.03; 95% CI: 1.14-3.59; p=0.016), "having a fixed partner" (ORAdj: 2.19; 95% CI: 1.55-3.09; p<0.001), "oral sex" (ORAdj: 2.41; 95% CI: 1.31-4.43; p=0.005), "insertive anal" (ORAdj: 1.98; 95% CI: 1.10-3.58; p=0.023) and "STI diagnosis" (ORAdj: 1.59; 95% CI: 1.13-2.24; p=0.007) variables were independently associated with inconsistent use of male condoms. The "receiving advice on HIV test from a friend" (ORAdj: 0.71; 95% CI: 0.52-0.96; p=0.028) and "sex worker" (ORAdj: 0.26; 95% CI: 0.11-0.60; p=0.002) variables were protective factors. Conclusion: the variables under study pointed to a strong relationship between steady partners and increased trust and low adherence to condom use, corroborating other studies.

Objetivo: analisar os fatores associados ao uso inconsistente do preservativo masculino entre homens HIV negativos que fazem sexo com homens. Método: estudo transversal, analítico, de abrangência nacional realizado on-line em todas as regiões do Brasil, em 2020, por meio de redes sociais e em sites de relacionamento. O uso inconsistente do preservativo foi definido como uso ocasional ou nunca ter usado. Foram realizadas análises estatísticas descritivas, testes de associação e regressão logística binária. Resultados: o uso inconsistente do preservativo foi relatado por 1222 (85%) dos 1438 participantes. As variáveis "homossexuais" (ORA: 2,03; IC 95%: 1,14- 3,59; p = 0,016), "ter parceiro fixo" (ORA: 2,19; IC 95%: 1,55-3,09; p<0,001), "sexo oral" (ORA: 2,41; IC 95%: 1,31-4,43; p = 0,005), "anal insertivo" (ORA: 1,98; IC 95%: 1,10-3,58; p = 0,023) e "diagnóstico de IST" (ORA: 1,59; IC 95%: 1,13-2,24; p = 0,007) foram independentemente associadas ao uso inconsistente do preservativo masculino. As variáveis "recebeu aconselhamento de amigo sobre teste de HIV" (ORA: 0,71; IC 95%: 0,52-0,96; p = 0,028) e "profissional do sexo" (ORA: 0,26; IC 95%: 0,11-0,60; p = 0,002) foram fatores de proteção. Conclusão: as variáveis estudadas apontaram uma forte relação das parcerias fixas com o aumento da confiança e uma baixa adesão ao uso do preservativo, o que corrobora com outros estudos.

Medidas poblacionales para la seguridad vial: más allá de la responsabilidad individual / Population measures to improve road safety: Beyond individual responsibility

Las lesiones causadas por el tránsito (LCT) se encuentran dentro de las principales causas de mortalidad y discapacidad a nivel mundial, hecho reflejado en el puesto que ocupan dentro de las primeras diez causas de vida ajustados por discapacidad, con importantes costos e impacto económico y social para las sociedades que las padecen. En 2004, la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) lanzó el primer informe sobre prevención de LCT. Sin embargo, en años posteriores esa situación no mejoró, por lo cual las Naciones Unidas lanzó la Década de Acción para la Seguridad Vial (2011-2020), donde se invitaba a los gobiernos a diseñar e implementar acciones para reducir la carga asociada a este problema; entre estas se encuentra diseño y mejoramiento de vías, atención oportuna pos siniestro, control de la velocidad, medidas de control administrativo, diseño y mejoramiento de estándares vehiculares, entre otras. Las medidas basadas en enfoque poblacional han demostrado ser más poderosas que las medidas que inducen cambios de comportamiento individual.

Injuries caused by traffic (ICT) are among the main causes of mortality and disability worldwide, reflected in the fact that they occupy the first ten causes of disability adjusted life years with economic and social cost impacts for the societies that suffer from them. In 2004, the World Health Organization (WHO) released the first Prevention Report about ICT. Nevertheless, in subsequent years this situation has not improved, motivating the United Nations to launch the Decade of Action for Road Safety (2011-2020), where governments were invited to design and implement actions to reduce the burden associated with this problem: designing and improving of roads, increasing timely post-crash care, speed control, administrative control measures, designing and improving vehicle safety standards, among others. Population-based measures have been shown to be more powerful than measures that induce individual behavior changes.

Comparative analysis of temporal trends of obesity and physical inactivity in Brazil and the USA (2011-2021).

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of obesity is rising in all subregions of America, including Brazil. To understand the obesity problem in Brazil better, a possible approach could be to analyze its obesity trend by comparing it with the reality of a country that went previously through the epidemiological transition, such as the USA. In addition, the obesity trend must be analyzed in comparison with obesity risk factors trends, such as the physical inactivity (PI) trend. Our aim was comparatively to analyze the temporal trends of obesity between Brazil and the USA from the perspective of temporal trends of PI. METHODS: We conducted a temporal trend study based on data from national cross-sectional surveys: the VIGITEL (Surveillance System for Factors of Health Risk and Protection for Chronic Diseases by Telephone Survey) for Brazil and the BRFSS (Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System) for the USA, comparing the annual prevalence of obesity and PI between 2011 and 2021. For the analysis of each temporal variation, linear regressions were performed with the Prais-Winsten test, and Pearson's correlation coefficient was conducted to correlate the trends of the same variables between countries and of different variables within each country. RESULTS: Considering the total sample, Brazil [coefficient (95%CI) 0.6 (0.4;0.7), p = 0.000] and the USA [coefficient (95%CI) 0.5 (0.5;0.6), p = 0.000] showed increasing trends in obesity. The tendency of PI was of stabilization in the two countries [Brazil: coefficient (95%CI) -0.03 (-0.3;0.2), p = 0.767 and USA coefficient (95%CI) -0.03 (-0.2;0.1), p = 0.584]. In addition, there was a correlation between obesity trends between Brazil and the USA (r = 0.971; p = 0.000), but there was no correlation between PI trends between the two countries, nor with obesity and PI trends within each country. CONCLUSIONS: In the last decade, there was a trend towards increasing obesity and stabilization in PI, both in Brazil and the USA. However, there was no association between temporal trends in obesity and physical inactivity in both countries. Our data reinforce a call to action to prevent and control obesity, going with and beyond PI reduction.

Exploring Vaccination Sentiments: A Population-Centric Examination.

Vaccine hesitancy has, for a considerable time, been a significant risk to global health. As an integral part of disease prevention, vaccines have become a public health matter which is often debated among the community in spite of proven scientific evidence of their efficiency. A questionnaire was designed to evaluate the perception and knowledge of a population and compare it with behavior in order to assess a demographic within a sample population of 245 individuals selected at random within the United States, Here, we aim to clarify the difference between vaccine opinion among the general public as compared to vaccination status. Chi-squared analysis was done with the categorical data showing a statistically significant result when comparing parents versus non-parents, and Asian/Asian Americans against other ethnicities. All other comparisons were statistically insignificant. When looking at participant responses, PCPs did not discuss vaccines at all with 32% of the sample. The need for PCPs to provide educational information to certain ethnicities may play an important role in public health.

Valoración de algunos indicadores del programa de atención a la conducta suicida en adolescentes / Evaluation of Some Indicators of the Program of Attention to Suicidal Behavior in Adolescents

Introducción: El suicidio está entre las tres primeras causas de muerte en el grupo de adolescentes y adultos jóvenes, su incidencia no ha descendido en el presente siglo. Objetivo: Valorar algunos indicadores relevantes del programa de atención a la conducta suicida en adolescentes. Métodos: Investigación en sistema y servicios de salud con diseño de estudio observacional descriptivo en tres áreas de salud del municipio Cienfuegos: áreas V, VII y VIII, de enero a septiembre del 2019. El universo fue de 46 profesionales de los Equipos de Salud Mental y Equipo Básicos de Salud. Se utilizaron como instrumentos dos encuestas, diseñadas y validadas por criterio de experto. Fueron seleccionados 6 indicadores en las dimensiones estructura y proceso y 4 en resultado. Se utilizó una media ponderada para procesar los datos. Resultados: Los indicadores valorados de regular fueron: en la estructura: capacitación de los recursos humanos y capacidad técnica del personal; en el proceso: confección de las historias clínicas, diseminación del programa en las unidades de salud y su verificación y las modalidades terapéuticas; y en resultado: la participación del equipo de salud mental en las investigaciones relacionadas con la conducta suicida. Conclusiones: Existe un grupo de deficiencias que conlleva a que el cumplimiento del programa de atención a la conducta suicida en adolescentes sea valorado como regular, en las tres áreas de salud del municipio Cienfuegos estudiadas(AU)

Introduction: Suicide is among the first three causes of death in the group of adolescents and young adults; its incidence has not decreased in the present century. Objective: To assess some relevant indicators of the adolescent suicidal behavior care program. Methods: Research in health system and services with descriptive observational study design in health areas V, VII and VIII of Cienfuegos municipality from January to September 2019. The universe was 46 professionals of the Mental Health Teams and Basic Health Team. Two surveys were used as instruments, designed and validated by expert criteria. Six indicators were selected in the structure and process dimensions and four in outcome. A weighted average was used to process the data. Results: The indicators rated as fair were: in the structure: training of human resources and technical aptitude of personnel; in the process: preparation of clinical histories, dissemination of the program in health units and its verification and therapeutic modalities; and in the outcome: participation of the mental health team in research related to suicidal behavior. Conclusions: There is a group of deficiencies that leads to the fact that compliance with the program of attention to suicidal behavior in adolescents is valued as regular in the three health areas of the Cienfuegos municipality studied(AU)

Epidemiological study of paediatric traumatic brain injury in Brazil.

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) has a high economic and social impact on the family dynamics, particularly among children. High-quality and comprehensive epidemiological studies about TBI in this population are limited worldwide, specifically in Latin America. Therefore, this study aimed to elucidate the epidemiology of TBI among children in Brazil and its effects on the public health system. Methods: This epidemiological (cohort) retrospective study collected data from the Brazilian healthcare database between 1992 and 2021. Results: The mean annual volume of hospital admission (HA) due to TBI in Brazil was 29,017. Moreover, the incidence of TBI in the paediatric population was 45.35 admissions per 100,000 inhabitants/year. Furthermore, approximately 941 paediatric hospital deaths per year were caused by TBI, with an in-hospital lethality rate of 3.21%. The average annual financial transfer for TBI was 12,376,628 USD, and the mean cost per admission was 417 USD. In addition, the mean length of hospital stay was 4.2 days. Notably, the length of stay in the hospital was longer among males, Afro-Brazilians patients and individuals aged 15-19 years. Conclusion: Paediatric TBI is an important public health issue worldwide with high social and economic costs. The incidence of paediatric TBI in Brazil is similar to that in developing countries. Moreover, male predominance (2.3:1) was observed in relation paediatric TBI. Notably, during the pandemic, the incidence of paediatric HA has decreased. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first epidemiological study that specifically evaluates paediatric TBI in Latin America.

Cervical cancer prevention program in Mexico disrupted due to COVID-19 pandemic: Challenges and opportunities.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the preventive services for cervical cancer (CC) control programs in Mexico, which will result in increased mortality. This study aims to assess the impact of the pandemic on the interruption of three preventive actions in the CC prevention program in Mexico. Methods: This study is a retrospective time series analysis based on administrative records for the uninsured population served by the Mexican Ministry of Health. Patient data were retrieved from the outpatient service information system and the hospital discharge database for the period 2017-2021. Data were aggregated by month, distinguishing a pre-pandemic and a pandemic period, considering April 2020 as the start date of the pandemic. A Poisson time series analysis was used to model seasonal and secular trends. Five process indicators were selected to assess the disruption of the CC program, these were analyzed as monthly data (N=39 pre-pandemic, N=21 during the pandemic). HPV vaccination indicators (number of doses and coverage) and diagnostic characteristics of CC cases were analyzed descriptively. The time elapsed between diagnosis and treatment initiation in CC cases was modeled using restricted cubic splines from robust regression. Results: Annual HPV vaccination coverage declined dramatically after 2019 and was almost null in 2021. The number of positive Papanicolaou smears decreased by 67.8% (90%CI: -72.3, -61.7) in April-December 2020, compared to their expected values without the pandemic. The immediate pandemic shock (April 2020) in the number of first-time and recurrent colposcopies was -80.5% (95%CI:-83.5, -77.0) and -77.9% (95%CI: -81.0, -74.4), respectively. An increasing trend was observed in the proportion of advanced stage and metastatic CC cases. The fraction of CC cases that did not receive medical treatment or surgery increased, as well as CC cases that received late treatment after diagnosis. Conclusions: Our analyses show significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic with declines at all levels of CC prevention and increasing inequalities. The restarting of the preventive programs against CC in Mexico offers an opportunity to put in place actions to reduce the disparities in the burden of disease between socioeconomic levels.

Protective effect of Chromobacterium violaceum and violacein against bone resorption by periodontitis.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential protective effect of Chromobacterium violaceum and violacein against periodontitis, in experimental models. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A double-blind experimental study on the exposure to C. violaceum or violacein in experimentally ligature-induced periodontitis, as preventive factors against alveolar bone loss by periodontitis. Bone resorption was assessed by morphometry. Antibacterial potential of violacein was assessed in an in vitro assay. Its cytotoxicity and genotoxicity were evaluated using the Ames test and SOS Chromotest assay, respectively. RESULTS: The potential of C. violaceum to prevent/limit bone resorption by periodontitis was confirmed. Daily exposure to 106 cells/ml in water intake since birth and only during the first 30 days of life significantly reduced bone loss from periodontitis in teeth with ligature. Violacein extracted from C. violaceum was efficient in inhibiting or limiting bone resorption and had a bactericidal effect against Porphyromonas gingivalis in the in vitro assay. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that C. violaceum and violacein have the potential to prevent or limit the progression of periodontal diseases, in an experimental model. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The effect of an environmental microorganism with potential action against bone loss in animal models with ligature-induced periodontitis represents the possibility of understanding the etiopathogenesis of periodontal diseases in populations exposed to C. violaceum and the possibility of new probiotics and antimicrobials. This would imply new preventive and therapeutic possibilities.

Isoniazid preventive therapy completion in children under 5 years old who are contacts of tuberculosis cases in Lima, Peru: study protocol for an open-label, cluster-randomized superiority trial.

BACKGROUND: Children < 5 years old in contact with TB cases are at high risk for developing severe and fatal forms of TB. Contact investigation, BCG vaccination, and isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT) are the most effective strategies to prevent TB among children. However, the implementation of IPT faces challenges at several stages of the cascade of care of TB infection among children, particularly those less than 5 years old. In Peru, a large proportion of children do not complete IPT, which highlights the need to design effective interventions that enhance preventive therapy adherence and completion. Although the body of evidence for such interventions has grown, interventions in medium TB incidence settings are lacking. This study aims to test the effectiveness, acceptability, and feasibility of an intervention package to increase information and motivation to complete IPT among children < 5 who have been prescribed IPT. METHODS: An open-label, cluster-randomized superiority trial will be conducted in two districts in South Lima, Peru. Thirty health facilities will be randomized as clusters, 10 to the intervention and 20 to control (standard of care). We aim to recruit 10 children from different households in each cluster. Participants will be caretakers of children aged < 5 years old who initiated IPT. The intervention consists of educational material, and short message services (SMS) reminders and motivators. The primary outcomes will be the proportion of children who picked up > 90% of the 24 weeks of IPT (22 pick-ups) and the proportion of children who picked up the 24 weeks of IPT. The standard of care is a weekly pick-up with monthly check-ups in a health facility. Feasibility and acceptability of the intervention will be assessed through an interview with the caretaker. DISCUSSION: Unfavorable outcomes of TB in young children, high effectiveness of IPT, and low rates of IPT completion highlight the need to enhance adherence and completion of IPT among children < 5 years old. Testing of a context-adapted intervention is needed to improve IPT completion rates and therefore TB prevention in young children. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03881228. Registered on March 19, 2019.

Adaptive behaviors and vaccination on curbing COVID-19 transmission: Modeling simulations in eight countries.

Current persistent outbreak of COVID-19 is triggering a series of collective responses to avoid infection. To further clarify the impact mechanism of adaptive protection behavior and vaccination, we developed a new transmission model via a delay differential system, which parameterized the roles of adaptive behaviors and vaccination, and allowed to simulate the dynamic infection process among people. By validating the model with surveillance data during March 2020 and October 2021 in America, India, South Africa, Philippines, Brazil, UK, Spain and Germany, we quantified the protection effect of adaptive behaviors by different forms of activity function. The modeling results indicated that (1) the adaptive activity function can be used as a good indicator for fitting the intervention outcome, which exhibited short-term awareness in these countries, and it could reduce the total human infections by 3.68, 26.16, 15.23, 4.23, 7.26, 1.65, 5.51 and 7.07 times, compared with the reporting; (2) for complete prevention, the average proportions of people with immunity should be larger than 90%, 92%, 86%, 71%, 92%, 84%, 82% and 76% with adaptive protection behaviors, or 91%, 97%, 94%, 77%, 92%, 88%, 85% and 90% without protection behaviors; and (3) the required proportion of humans being vaccinated is a sub-linear decreasing function of vaccine efficiency, with small heterogeneity in different countries. This manuscript was submitted as part of a theme issue on "Modelling COVID-19 and Preparedness for Future Pandemics".

Therapeutic effects and the impact of statins in the prevention of ulcerative colitis in preclinical models: A systematic review.

Ulcerative Colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory condition of the large intestines. Although great advances have been made in the management of the disease with the introduction of immunomodulators and biological agents, the treatment of UC is still a challenge. So far, there are no definitive therapies for this condition. Statins are potent inhibitors of cholesterol biosynthesis, possess beneficial effects on primary and secondary prevention of coronary heart disease, and have high tolerability and safety. Furthermore, they may have potential roles in UC management due to their possible anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and antioxidant activities. This systematic review aimed to gather information about the potential benefits of statins for managing UC, reducing inflammation and disease remission in animal models. A systematic search was performed in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and Virtual Health Library. The data were summarized in tables and critically analyzed. After the database search, 21 relevant studies were identified as eligible for this review. Preclinical studies using several colitis-induction protocols and various statins have shown numerous beneficial effects of these drugs on reducing disease activity, inflammatory profile, oxidative stress, and general clinical parameters of animals with UC. These studies revealed the potential of statins against the pathogenesis of UC. However, there are still important gaps regarding the molecular mechanisms of action of statins, leading to some contradictory results. Thus, more research on the molecular level to determine the roles of statins in colitis should be carried out to elucidate their mechanisms of action.