Ohio Health Care Professionals' Pandemic-Related Help-Seeking Knowledge, Behaviors, and Concerns.

BACKGROUND: Health care professionals (HCPs) historically exhibit high rates of stress, burnout, and low rates of service utilization from Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) and Professional Health Programs (PHPs). New and magnified stressors that accompanied COVID-19 exacerbated HCPs' risk of burnout. PURPOSE: During the pandemic, this study examined Ohio HCP's utilization of EAPs and PHPs, knowledge of available services, barriers to accessing services, and likelihood of future service utilization. Conditions needing to change to increase likelihood of future utilization were also explored. METHODS: A one-time survey was administered in July and August of 2021 to HCPs from 13 licensing boards in Ohio. This study used a subset of data to examine the extent of convergence between quantitative results-analyzed using frequency calculations-and results from thematic analysis of corresponding open-ended survey items. Qualitative results supported and elaborated the quantitative findings. RESULTS: Fewer than 25% of respondents (N = 12,807) utilized EAPs or PHPs to address mental health concerns. Obstacles impeding service utilization included issues around awareness, time commitment, and confidentiality-a concern encompassing issues of stigma and fear of employment repercussions. Noting multiple obstacles to accessing EAPs and PHPs, HCPs in Ohio reported low rates of support service utilization and low likeliness to use services in the future despite their experiences of extreme stress and burnout. CONCLUSIONS: Addressing the time commitment and confidentiality concerns could increase the likelihood of accessing services. Employers of HCPs should explore additional support mechanisms such as comprehensive wellness programs and innovative, brief intervention strategies to combat burnout, especially during viral outbreaks and other high-stress events.

The importance of "one health approach" to the AMR study and surveillance in Angola and other African countries.

The dissemination of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial isolates in low- and middle-income countries, including several African countries, is a major concern. The poor sanitary conditions of rural and urban families observed in certain regions may favor the transmission of bacterial infections between animals and humans, including those promoted by strains resistant to practically all available antibiotics. In Angola, in particular, the presence of these strains in human hospitals has already been described. Nevertheless, the information on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) prevalence in Angola is still scarce, especially regarding veterinary isolates. This review aimed to synthesize data on antimicrobial resistance in African countries, with a special focus on Angola, from a One Health perspective. The main goals were to identify research gaps that may require further analysis, and to draw attention to the importance of the conscious use of antimicrobials and the establishment of preventive strategies, aiming to guarantee the safeguarding of public health. To understand these issues, the available literature on AMR in Africa was reviewed. We searched PubMed for articles pertinent to AMR in relevant pathogens in Angola and other African countries. In this review, we focused on AMR rates and surveillance capacity. The principal findings were that, in Africa, especially in sub-Saharan countries, AMR incidence is high due to the lack of legislation on antibiotics, to the close interaction of humans with animals and the environment, and to poverty. The information about current resistance patterns of common pathogenic bacteria is sparse, and the number of quality studies is limited in Angola and in some other Sub-Saharan African countries. Also, studies on the "One Health Approach" focusing on the environment, animals, and humans, are scarce in Africa. The surveillance capacity is minimal, and only a low number of AMR surveillance programs and national health programs are implemented. Most international and cooperative surveillance programs, when implemented, are not properly followed, concluded, nor reported. In Angola, the national health plan does not include AMR control, and there is a consistent omission of data submitted to international surveillance programs. By identifying One Health strengths of each country, AMR can be controlled with a multisectoral approach and governmental commitment.

Integrating a Strategic Framework to Improve Health Education in Schools in South Tyrol, Italy.

This narrative review addresses the integration of health education into school curricula in South Tyrol, an Italian province with significant cultural and linguistic diversity. This review's objective is to analyze current health education initiatives and propose a strategic framework to enhance school-based health education, aiming to improve student well-being post-pandemic. The review synthesizes global examples and recent local studies, highlighting the importance of comprehensive teacher training, mindfulness-based interventions, culturally sensitive health education, and community engagement. The key findings indicate that current health education programs in South Tyrol are insufficient to meet immediate public health needs, such as low vaccine uptake and mental health challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The proposed strategic framework seeks to align educational strategies with the diverse needs of South Tyrol's student population, thereby improving health literacy and behavior and strengthening the region's public health infrastructure.

Quality, acceptability and usability of self-sampling kits used by non-healthcare professionals for STI diagnosis in Spain: a single-blind study.

OBJECTIVES: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have markedly increased over the last decade in Spain, calling for prevention and control innovative approaches. While there is evidence indicating the effectiveness of self-sampling for STI diagnosis, no kits for this purpose have been authorised in Spain. METHODS: A prospective single-blind cross-sectional study carried out between November and December 2022 in an STI clinic in Madrid, Spain, to determine the validity, feasibility and acceptability of self-sampling kits used by non-healthcare professionals from vagina, pharynx, rectum and urethra to diagnose Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG). Self-samples were compared with samples collected by healthcare professional (HC samples) and analysed by PCR. Frequency of CT and NG diagnosis by sample type was compared using McNemar's test for paired data. Sensitivity and specificity of self-samples for CT and NG diagnosis were also calculated. RESULTS: 306 self-samples from 51 participants were analysed. 80% were men with median age of 33 (IQR: 28-38) years. Self-samples and HC samples showed no significant statistical differences in CT and NG diagnosis. Self-samples had a sensitivity of 81% for CT and 93% for NG, with a specificity of 97% for CT and 95% for NG. More than 90% of participants had no difficulty understanding the kit instructions and 71% expressed high levels of satisfaction with the self-sampling kit. CONCLUSION: Self-sampling kits for CT and NG diagnosis can be safely and effectively used by non-healthcare professionals in Spain. National strategies for STI prevention and control should prioritise self-sampling strategies.

Disparities in cause-specific mortality by health insurance type and premium: evidence from Korean NHIS-HEALS cohort study, 2002-2019.

BACKGROUND: Although one's socioeconomic status affects health outcomes, limited research explored how South Korea's National Health Insurance (NHI) system affects mortality rates. This study investigated whether health insurance type and insurance premiums are associated with mortality. METHODS: Based on the National Health Insurance Service-Health Screening cohort, 246,172 men and 206,534 women aged ≥ 40 years at baseline (2002-2003) were included and followed until 2019. Health insurance type was categorized as employee-insured (EI) or self-employed-insured (SI). To define low, medium, and high economic status groups, we used insurance premiums at baseline. Death was determined using the date and cause of death included in the cohort. Cox proportional hazard models were used to analyze the association between insurance factors and the overall and cause-specific mortality. RESULTS: The SI group had a significantly higher risk of overall death compared to the EI group (adjusted hazard ratio (HR) [95% confidence interval]: 1.13 [1.10-1.15] for men and 1.18 [1.15-1.22] for women), after adjusting for various factors. This trend extended to death from the five major causes of death in South Korea (cancer, cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, pneumonia, and intentional self-harm) and from external causes, with a higher risk of death in the SI group (vs. the EI group). Further analysis stratified by economic status revealed that individuals with lower economic status faced higher risk of overall death and cause-specific mortality in both sexes, compared to those with high economic status for both health insurance types. CONCLUSION: This nationwide study found that the SI group and those with lower economic status faced higher risk of overall mortality and death from the five major causes in South Korea. These findings highlight the potential disparities in health outcomes within the NHI system. To address these gaps, strategies should target risk factors for death at the individual level and governments should incorporate such strategies into public health policy development at the population level. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Chungbuk National University Hospital (CBNUH-202211-HR-0236) and adhered to the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki (1975).

Planejamento no SUS: a agenda das Práticas Corporais e Atividades Físicas de 2004 a 2023 / Planning at the SUS: the agenda of Body Practices and Physical Activities from 2004 to 2023

RESUMO As Práticas Corporais e Atividades Físicas (PCAF) têm sido incorporadas no Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS), tendo o Programa Academia da Saúde como principal expoente. Contudo, ainda não foi investigado o planejamento, que expressa as responsabilidades dos gestores quanto à saúde da população, para efetivação dessas práticas como políticas públicas de saúde. Assim, o presente artigo teve o objetivo de analisar a formulação e o desenvolvimento da agenda de promoção das PCAF a partir dos instrumentos de planejamento do âmbito federal do SUS - Plano Nacional de Saúde, Programação Anual de Saúde e Relatório Anual de Gestão, de 2004 a 2023. Por meio de estudo de caráter analítico-descritivo, pautado em pesquisa documental, foi realizada a busca de termos como: (in)atividade física; fisicamente ativo; exercício físico; práticas corporais; entre outros. A formulação e o desenvolvimento da referida agenda estiveram principalmente relacionados com o enfrentamento das doenças crônicas não transmissíveis, e houve importante disparidade entre o que foi planejado e o executado, em desfavor da expansão do Academia da Saúde. Com o resgate histórico da agenda das PCAF no SUS apresentado, são permitidos debates e iniciativas com vistas a efetivá-las enquanto política pública de saúde.

ABSTRACT Body Practices and Physical Activities (BPPA) have been incorporated into the Unified Health System (SUS), with the Health Academy Program as its main exponent. However, planning, which expresses the responsibilities of managers regarding the population's health, has not yet been investigated to make these practices effective as public health policies. Thus, the aim of this article was to analyze the formulation and development of the agenda for BPPA promotion from the planning instruments of the federal level of the SUS - National Health Plan, Annual Health Programming, and Annual Management Report, from 2004 to 2023. Through an analytical-descriptive study based on documentary research, a search was carried out for terms such as: physical (in)activity; physically active; physical exercise; body practices; among others. The formulation and development of the BPPA promotion agenda were mainly related to facing chronic noncommunicable diseases, and there was an important disparity between what was planned and what was executed, to the detriment of the expansion of Health Academy. With the historic rescue of the BPPA agenda presented in the SUS, debates and initiatives are allowed with a view to making them effective as a public health policy.

The role of adjuvant radiotherapy for intracranial malignant meningiomas: analysis of a nationwide database.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine the effect of postoperative radiotherapy on survival outcomes in patients with malignant meningiomas. METHODS: We identified patients with malignant meningioma diagnosed between 2007 and 2018 using the Taiwan Cancer Registry and followed them up using the death registry. Survival was compared between patients with and without adjuvant radiotherapy. The potential confounding factors evaluated in this study included age, sex, comorbidities, and the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). RESULTS: The analysis included 204 patients; 94 (46%) received adjuvant radiotherapy. The two groups had similar sex distributions (p = 0.53), mean age (p = 0.33), histologic subtype (p = 0.13), and CCI (p = 0.62). The prognosis of malignant meningioma was poor, with a median overall survival (OS) of 2.4 years. The median OS was 3.0 years (interquartile range (IQR) [1.4-6.1], and 2.0 years (IQR [0.5-3.9]) in the radiotherapy and non-radiotherapy groups, respectively (p = 0.001). However, Kaplan-Meier curves with the log-rank test showed no significant difference in OS between the two groups (p = 0.999). Controlling for age group, sex, histologic subtype, treatment, comorbidities, and CCI, adjuvant radiotherapy did not impart a survival benefit (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.87; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.6‒1.26); however, only factor of higher comorbidity score (HR = 2.03, 95%CI: 1.04‒3.94) was associated with unfavorable survival. CONCLUSION: This population-based retrospective analysis suggests that the role of radiotherapy remains unclear and underscores the need for randomized clinical trials to assess the usefulness of adjuvant radiotherapy in malignant meningioma.

[Development plan for palliative care and end-of-life support 2021-2024]. / Plan de développement des soins palliatifs et accompagnement de la fin de vie 2021-2024.

DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR PALLIATIVE CARE AND END-OF-LIFE SUPPORT 2021-2024. The 5th national Plan on palliative and end-of-life care aims to ensure universal access to palliative care in France. It is based on three axes: communication on palliative care and appropriation of end-of-life rights by each citizen and by each health professional; training professionals and supporting research; deployment of local care, strengthening of coordination, early integration of palliative care.

PLAN DE DÉVELOPPEMENT DES SOINS PALLIATIFS ET ACCOMPAGNEMENT DE LA FIN DE VIE 2021-2024. Le 5e Plan national sur les soins palliatifs et la fin de vie a pour objectif d'assurer un accès universel aux soins palliatifs en France. Il se décline autour de trois axes : la communication sur les soins palliatifs et l'appropriation des droits de la fin de vie par chaque citoyen et par chaque professionnel de santé ; la formation des professionnels et le soutien de la recherche ; le déploiement des prises en charge de proximité, le renforcement des coordinations, l'intégration précoce des soins palliatifs.

Follow-Up Study of Effectiveness of 23-Valent Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine Against All-Type and Serotype-Specific Invasive Pneumococcal Disease, Denmark.

As a follow-up to a previous study, we investigated vaccine effectiveness (VE) of 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) against invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) among 1,254,498 persons >65 years of age as part of a vaccination program in Denmark during April 2020-January 2023. We assessed VE by using a Cox regression model and adjusted for age, sex, and underlying conditions. Using nationwide data, we estimated a VE of PPSV23 against all-type IPD of 32% and against PPSV23-serotype IPD of 41%. Because this follow-up study had more statistical power than the original study, we also estimated VE against IPD caused by PPSV23-serotypes excluding serotype 3; serotype 3; serotype 8; serotype 22F; PPSV23 non-PCV15 serotypes; PPSV23 non-PCV20 serotypes; and IPD over time. Our findings suggest PPSV23 vaccination can protect persons >65 years of age against IPD caused by all serotypes or serotype groupings, except serotype 3.

A Workplace Health Promotion Program for a Predominantly Military Population: Associations with General Health, Mental Well-Being and Sustainable Employability.

Due to the globally increasing life expectancies, many countries are raising their official retirement age to prevent labor shortages and sustain retirement systems. This trend emphasizes the need for sustainable employability. Unhealthy lifestyles pose a risk to sustainable employability as they contribute to chronic diseases and decreased productivity. Workplace Health Promotion (WHP) programs have gained attention as a strategy to enhance employee health and well-being. The Netherlands Armed Forces, a unique employer with demanding psychological and physical requirements, was used as a case study to investigate the associations of a WHP Program with workers health and sustainable employability. The program offered tailor-made guidance to participants (N = 341) through individual coaching trajectories. The program's impact was evaluated by measuring self-reported health, mental well-being, and sustainable employability over a 6-month period. Results indicated significant improvements across all these dimensions after participation in the program. This study provides valuable insights into the benefits of tailor-made WHP programs. While this was an observational study without a control group, this study supports the importance of incorporating individualized approaches in WHP initiatives to foster positive outcomes in health and sustainable employability.

Humanização como tema de ensino em um programa de pós-graduação: um relato de experiência / Humanization as a teaching topic in a postgraduate program: an experience report

Relatar a experiência vivenciada por enfermeiras mestrandas e docente de disciplina eletiva de universidade pública do interior de Minas Gerais. Método: estudo descritivo, do tipo relato de experiência, a fim de relatar reflexões críticas acerca da Política Nacional de Humanização (PNH) realizadas em disciplina de Programa de Pós-graduação stricto sensu ministrada entre agosto e novembro de 2023. Resultados: participaram sete enfermeiras, todas do sexo feminino, com vivências em instituições de saúde públicas e privadas. Foi possível compreender sobre diversos aspectos, e duas categorias foram elaboradas: Repercussões e entraves referentes à implantação plena da PNH; Humanização e ensino teórico-prático nas instituições formadoras. Também foi produzido um mapa mental sobre a temática. Conclusão: destaca-se a importância de discutir sobre humanização nas instituições de ensino para o aprofundamento do tema e disseminação do conhecimento associado ao olhar prático humanizado.(AU)

To report on the experience of master's degree nurses and a lecturer in an elective course at a public university in the interior of Minas Gerais. Method: this is a descriptive, experience-report type study, aimed at reporting critical reflections on the National Humanization Policy (NHP) carried out in a stricto sensu postgraduate program course taught between August and November 2023. Results: Seven nurses took part, all female, with experience in public and private healthcare institutions. It was possible to understand various aspects, and two categories were created: Repercussions and obstacles regarding the full implementation of the PNH; Humanization and theoretical-practical teaching in training institutions. A mind map on the subject was also produced. Conclusion: The importance of discussing humanization in educational institutions is highlighted in order to deepen the subject and disseminate knowledge associated with a practical humanized approach.(AU)

Relatar la experiencia de enfermeros de maestría y de un profesor en un curso electivo de una universidad pública del interior de Minas Gerais. Método: se trata de un estudio descriptivo, de tipo experiencia-informe, con el objetivo de relatar reflexiones críticas sobre la Política Nacional de Humanización (PNH) realizadas en una asignatura del programa de posgrado stricto sensu impartida entre agosto y noviembre de 2023. Resultados: Participaron siete enfermeras, todas del sexo femenino, con experiencia en instituciones de salud públicas y privadas. Se pudieron conocer diversos aspectos y se desarrollaron dos categorías: repercusiones y obstáculos en la plena implantación de la PNH; humanización y enseñanza teórico-práctica en las instituciones de formación. También se elaboró un mapa mental sobre el tema. Conclusión: Se destaca la importancia de discutir la humanización en las instituciones de enseñanza para profundizar el tema y difundir el conocimiento asociado a un abordaje humanizado práctico.(AU)

The role of community health workers in promoting oral health at school settings: A scoping review.

OBJECTIVES: The scoping review aimed to examine the literature on the role of Community Health Workers (CHW) in oral health interventions within school settings. The objectives were to identify the characteristics of school oral health interventions where CHWs played a role; and to assess the outcomes derived from CHW participation in school oral health. METHODS: The scoping review was guided by the Levac et al (2010) framework. Articles selected for this review included all forms of study designs and gray literature. The search strategy included CHW and other non-dental personnel providing oral health activities within schools and the outcomes of these interventions from 1995. Databases included Pubmed, ProQuest, Scopus and EBSCO Host. RESULTS: There were eleven (n = 11) peer reviewed articles included. Only one study in this review related to CHW involvement in school oral health settings. The remaining involved teachers (n = 4), peer learners (n = 3) or a combination of both (n = 3). Characteristics of the interventions ranged from oral health screenings, education, supervised brushing, and community engagements. Three outcomes emerged; widening access to oral health services, acceptability of non-oral health personnel and learners in promoting oral health and improvement of oral health self-care. CONCLUSIONS: The review brought to light the benefits of utilizing non-dental personnel such as teachers and peer learners in augmenting staff capacity for school oral health interventions. In addition, the findings highlighted the need to further research on the feasibility and acceptability of integrating CHW in school oral health settings.

Prevalence, incidence, and treatment trends of adenomyosis in South Korean women for 15 years: A national population-based study.

OBJECTIVE: Adenomyosis is associated with female infertility worldwide. With improvements in imaging methods, such as pelvic magnetic resonance imaging, the diagnosis and treatment of adenomyosis have changed. This study aimed to evaluate the overall prevalence, incidence, and treatment trends of adenomyosis in South Korea using data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service Database (NHIS). METHODS: Data were collected from the Korean NHIS, a population-based complete enumeration database. A total of 678 641 women aged 11-55 years diagnosed with adenomyosis (N80.0 ICD-10 code) from the database from 2002 to 2016 were enrolled. After applying a one-year look-back method, 629 592 patients were analyzed to estimate the prevalence, incidence, and treatment trends of adenomyosis. RESULTS: The overall prevalence during the study period was 3.86 per 1000 people. The prevalence of adenomyosis has increased from 1.42 per 1000 individuals in 2002 to 7.50 per 1000 individuals in 2016. The crude annual incidence rate of adenomyosis was 1.62 per 1000 people in 2003, which increased to 4.12 per 1000 people in 2016. In addition, the proportion of uterus-preserving surgeries in adenomyosis treatments has increased from 7.51% to 21.29% over 15 years. CONCLUSION: The prevalence and incidence of adenomyosis in South Korea increased between 2002 and 2016. Furthermore, the proportion of uterus-preserving surgeries and progestin prescriptions for adenomyosis treatment has increased. We expect that our findings will raise awareness of the necessity for fertility preservation through earlier diagnosis and proper management of patients with adenomyosis.

Biosecurity Insights from the United States Swine Health Improvement Plan: Analyzing Data to Enhance Industry Practices.

Biosecurity practices aim to reduce the frequency of disease outbreaks in a farm, region, or country and play a pivotal role in fortifying the country's pork industry against emerging threats, particularly foreign animal diseases (FADs). This article addresses the current biosecurity landscape of the US swine industry by summarizing the biosecurity practices reported by the producers through the United States Swine Health Improvement Plan (US SHIP) enrollment surveys, and it provides a general assessment of practices implemented. US SHIP is a voluntary, collaborative effort between industry, state, and federal entities regarding health certification programs for the swine industry. With 12,195 sites surveyed across 31 states, the study provides a comprehensive snapshot of current biosecurity practices. Key findings include variability by site types that have completed Secure Pork Supply plans, variability in outdoor access and presence of perimeter fencing, and diverse farm entry protocols for visitors. The data also reflect the industry's response to the threat of FADs, exemplified by the implementation of the US SHIP in 2020. As the US SHIP program advances, these insights will guide industry stakeholders in refining biosecurity practices, fostering endemic re-emerging and FAD preparedness, and ensuring the sustainability of the swine industry in the face of evolving challenges.

Presupuesto por resultados y calidad del gasto del programa de cáncer en un hospital público / Budgeting for results and quality of cancer program spending in a public hospital / Orçamento para resultados e qualidade dos gastos com o programa de câncer em um hospital público

La implementación del Presupuesto por Resultados (PpR) requiere elementos como información oportuna, sistemas de monitoreo, incentivos y procedimientos normados. En el caso de Perú, su enfoque de PpR ha generado cambios significativos en resultados de salud, especialmente en programas como desnutrición y salud materna y neonatal, al priorizar actividades demostradas como más costo-eficaces a nivel mundial. Objetivo. Determinar la relación entre el presupuesto por resultados (PpR) y la Calidad del gasto del programa de cáncer en un hospital público del Ministerio de Salud, 2021. Materiales y Métodos. Se realizó un estudio de enfoque cuantitativo, tipo básico, diseño no experimental, descriptivo y nivel correlacional. La población fue de 131 trabajadores vinculados al ciclo del presupuesto, de los cuales se seleccionó una muestra de 32 trabajadores responsables directos del PpR. Se utilizó la técnica de encuesta y dos cuestionarios como instrumentos, sometidos a los coeficientes KR-20 y Alpha de Cronbach para evaluar la confiabilidad. Resultados. El coeficiente de Spearman fue de 0.387, indicando una relación positiva y media entre las variables. La significancia fue de 0.029 (< 0.05). Conclusiones. Se encontró una relación significativa entre el PpR y la Calidad del gasto del programa de Cáncer en el hospital del Ministerio de Salud, confirmando que un mejor manejo del PpR está asociado a una mejor calidad de gasto.

The implementation of results-based budgeting (RBB) requires elements such as timely information, monitoring systems, incentives and standardized procedures. In the case of Peru, its PfR approach has generated significant changes in health outcomes, especially in programs such as malnutrition and maternal and neonatal health, by prioritizing activities proven to be more cost-effective worldwide. Objective. To determine the relationship between the budget for results (BfR) and the Quality of cancer program spending in a public hospital of the Ministry of Health, 2021. Materials and Methods. A quantitative approach, basic type, non-experimental, descriptive and correlational study was carried out. The population was 131 workers linked to the budget cycle, from which a sample of 32 workers directly responsible for the PpR was selected. The survey technique and two questionnaires were used as instruments, subjected to Cronbach's KR-20 and Alpha coefficients to assess reliability. Results. Spearman's coefficient was 0.387, indicating a positive and average relationship between the variables. Significance was 0.029 (< 0.05). Conclusions. A significant relationship was found between PpR and Quality of expenditure of the Cancer program in the Ministry of Health hospital, confirming that better management of PpR is associated with better quality of expenditure.

A implementação do orçamento por desempenho (PfR) requer elementos como informações oportunas, sistemas de monitoramento, incentivos e procedimentos padronizados. No caso do Peru, sua abordagem de PfR gerou mudanças significativas nos resultados de saúde, especialmente em programas como desnutrição e saúde materna e neonatal, priorizando atividades comprovadamente mais econômicas em todo o mundo. Objetivo. Determinar a relação entre o orçamento por resultados (BfR) e a qualidade dos gastos com o programa de câncer em um hospital público do Ministério da Saúde, 2021. Materiais e métodos. Foi realizado um estudo de abordagem quantitativa, do tipo básico, não experimental, descritivo e correlacional. A população foi de 131 trabalhadores ligados ao ciclo orçamentário, dos quais foi selecionada uma amostra de 32 trabalhadores diretamente responsáveis pelo BfR. Como instrumentos, foram utilizados a técnica de survey e dois questionários, submetidos aos coeficientes KR-20 e Alfa de Cronbach para avaliar a confiabilidade. Resultados. O coeficiente de Spearman foi de 0,387, indicando uma relação positiva e média entre as variáveis. A significância foi de 0,029 (< 0,05). Conclusões. Foi encontrada uma relação significativa entre o PfR e a qualidade das despesas do programa de câncer no hospital do Ministério da Saúde, confirmando que uma melhor gestão do PfR está associada a uma melhor qualidade das despesas.

India Hypertension Control Initiative: Blood Pressure Control Using Drug and Dose-Specific Standard Treatment Protocol at Scale in Punjab and Maharashtra, India, 2022.

Background: Hypertension treatment coverage is low in India. A stepwise simple treatment protocol is one of the strategies to improve hypertension treatment in primary care. We estimated the effectiveness of various protocol steps to achieve blood pressure (BP) control in public sector health facilities in Punjab and Maharashtra, India, where the India Hypertension Control Initiative (IHCI) was implemented. Methods: We analyzed the records of people enrolled for hypertension treatment and follow-up under IHCI between January 2018 and December 2021 in public sector primary and secondary care facilities across 23 districts from two states. Each state followed a different treatment protocol. We calculated the proportion with controlled BP at each step of the protocol. We also estimated the mean decline in BP pre- and post-treatment. Results: Of 281,209 patients initiated on amlodipine 5 mg, 159,292 continued on protocol drugs and came for a follow-up visit during the first quarter of 2022. Of 33,450 individuals who came for the follow-up in Punjab and 125,842 in Maharashtra, 70% and 76% had controlled BP, respectively, at the first step with amlodipine 5 mg. In Punjab, at the second step with amlodipine 10 mg, the cumulative BP control increased to 75%. A similar 5% (76%-81%) increase was seen in the second step after adding telmisartan 40 mg in Maharashtra. Overall, the mean (SD) systolic blood pressure (SBP) decreased by 16 mmHg from 148 (15) mmHg at the baseline in Punjab. In Maharashtra, the decline in the mean (SD) SBP was about 15 mmHg from the 144 (18) mmHg baseline. Conclusion: Simple drug- and dose-specific protocols helped achieve a high control rate among patients retained in care under program conditions. We recommend treatment protocols starting with a single low-cost drug and escalating with the same or another antihypertensive drug depending on the cost and availability.

Researching big IT in the UK National Health Service: A systematic review of theory-based studies.

OBJECTIVE: To identify and discuss theory-based studies of large-scale health information technology programs in the UK National Health Service. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using the PRISMA systematic review framework, we searched Scopus, PubMed and CINAHL databases from inception to March 2022 for theory-based studies of large-scale health IT implementations. We undertook detailed full-text analyses of papers meeting our inclusion criteria. RESULTS: Forty-six studies were included after assessment for eligibility, of which twenty-five applied theories from the information systems arena (socio-technical approaches, normalization process theory, user acceptance theories, diffusion of innovation), twelve from sociology (structuration theory, actor-network theory, institutional theory), while nine adopted other theories. Most investigated England's National Program for IT (2002-2011), exploring various technologies among which electronic records predominated. Research themes were categorized into user factors, program factors, process outcomes, clinical impact, technology, and organizational factors. Most research was qualitative, often using a case study strategy with a longitudinal or cross-sectional approach. Data were typically collected through interviews, observation, and document analysis; sampling was generally purposive; and most studies used thematic or related analyses. Theories were generally applied in a superficial or fragmentary manner; and articles frequently lacked detail on how theoretical constructs and relationships aided organization, analysis, and interpretation of data. CONCLUSION: Theory-based studies of large NHS IT programs are relatively uncommon. As large healthcare programs evolve over a long timeframe in complex and dynamic environments, wider adoption of theory-based methods could strengthen the explanatory and predictive utility of research findings across multiple evaluation studies. Our review has confirmed earlier suggestions for theory selection, and we suggest there is scope for more explicit use of such theoretical constructs to strengthen the conceptual foundations of health informatics research. Additionally, the challenges of large national health informatics programs afford wide-ranging opportunities to test, refine, and adapt sociological and information systems theories.

Impact of national commissioning of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) on equity of access in England: a PrEP-to-need ratio investigation.

OBJECTIVES: HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is highly effective in preventing HIV acquisition. In England, NHS availability was limited to participants of the PrEP Impact Trial until late 2020. Some key populations at greater risk of HIV were under-represented in the trial suggesting inequities in trial PrEP access. We used the PrEP-to-need ratio (PnR; number of PrEP users divided by new HIV diagnoses) to investigate whether PrEP access improved following routine commissioning in October 2020 and identify populations most underserved by PrEP. METHODS: Aggregated numbers of people receiving ≥1 PrEP prescription and non-late new HIV diagnoses (epidemiological proxy for PrEP need) were taken from national surveillance data sets. We calculated the PnR across socio-demographics during Impact (October 2017 to February 2020; pre-COVID-19 pandemic) and post-commissioning PrEP era (2021) in England. RESULTS: PnR increased >11 fold, from 4.2 precommissioning to 48.9 in 2021, due to a fourfold reduction in non-late new HIV diagnoses and near threefold increase in PrEP users. PnR increased across genders, however, the men's PnR increased 12-fold (from 5.4 precommissioning to 63.9 postcommissioning) while the women's increased sevenfold (0.5 to 3.5). This increasing gender-based inequity was observed across age, ethnicity and region of residence: white men had the highest PnR, increasing >13 fold (7.1 to 96.0), while Black African women consistently had the lowest PnR, only increasing slightly (0.1 to 0.3) postcommissioning, suggesting they were the most underserved group. Precommissioning, the PnR was 78-fold higher among white men than Black women, increasing to 278-fold postcommissioning. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the overall increase in PrEP use, substantial PrEP Impact trial inequities widened postcommissioning in England, particularly across gender, ethnicity and region of residence. This study emphasises the need to guide HIV combination prevention based on equity metrics relative to the HIV epidemic. The PnR could support the optimisation of combination prevention to achieve zero new HIV infections in England by 2030.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease increases the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus in young Korean adults.

AIMS: To investigate the impact of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD) on the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus in young Korean adults. METHODS: Data were sourced from the Korean National Health Insurance Service-Health Screening Cohort, comprising adults aged 20-39 who underwent health examinations between 2009 and 2012. Participants were grouped based on the presence of MAFLD and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), both individually and in combination. The categorizations included Neither-FLD, NAFLD-only, MAFLD-only, or Both-FLD. Incident diabetes was identified through claims data during the follow-up period. RESULTS: Among 6,232,656 participants, 676,747 (10.8 %) had MAFLD. During a median follow-up of 9.5 years, 182,291 incident diabetes cases were identified. Multivariate analysis revealed a significantly higher diabetes risk in the MAFLD group compared to those in the Non-MAFLD group (HR = 6.148, 95 % CI, 6.084-6.212). Notably, diabetes incidence was highest in FLI ≥ 60 subgroup with BMI ≥ 23 and metabolic syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: MAFLD is associated with a 6.1-fold increased diabetes risk in young adults, underscoring the urgent need for early intervention to mitigate this risk.

The impact of extreme heat on older regional and rural Australians: A systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Extreme heat causes a major health burden, especially for older Australians. OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of extreme heat on older regional and rural Australians, including clinical presentations, social implications, and health-seeking behaviours and adaptations. DESIGN: A systematic review and narrative synthesis. FINDINGS: Ten articles were included in the review with research on this topic limited. Extreme heat causes an increase in mortality and ambulance dispatches for older rural Australians. Social connectedness is negatively affected by extreme heat due to cancellation of events and individuals becoming housebound. Air conditioning is the main cooling mechanism used, although cost is a major concern. Despite this, older rural populations display a depth of knowledge regarding practical behavioural responses to adapt to extreme heat. Studies show older rural Australians do not consider extreme heat to be a threat to health. DISCUSSION: Further research needs to examine the role extreme heat may play in contributing to experiences of loneliness. Air conditioning cannot be the ultimate solution in responding to extreme heat due to cost and increased carbon emissions. The low-risk perception of extreme heat for older rural people may inform effective heat health warnings and effective use of primary health care in heat-health education. Listening to First Nations knowledge in dealing with heat may provide a powerful mechanism in which to protect health. CONCLUSION: The extensive health effects of extreme heat highlights the necessity of further research and strengthening of services in preparation for an ageing rural population enduring climate change.