Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses implementation-related factors at 18 Colombian cities.

BACKGROUND: Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses (IMCI) is a strategy developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF in 1992. It was deployed as an integrated approach to improve children's health in the world. This strategy is divided into three components: organizational, clinical, and communitarian. If the Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses implementation-related factors in low- and middle-income countries are known, the likelihood of decreasing infant morbidity and mortality rates could be increased. This work aimed to identify, from the clinical component of the strategy, the implementation-related factors to Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses at 18 Colombian cities. METHODS: A quantitative cross-sectional study was performed with a secondary analysis of databases of a study conducted in Colombia by the Public Health group of Universidad de Los Andes in 2016. An Integrated Care Index was calculated as a dependent variable and descriptive bivariate and multivariate analyses to find the relationship between this index and the relevant variables from literature. RESULTS: Information was obtained from 165 medical appointments made by nurses, general practitioners, and pediatricians. Health access is given mainly in the urban area, in the first level care and outpatient context. Essential medicines availability, necessary supplies, second-level care, medical appointment periods longer than 30 min, and care to the child under 30 months are often related to higher rates of Integrated Care Index. CONCLUSION: Health care provided to children under five remains incomplete because it does not present the basic minimums for the adequate IMCI's implementation in the country. It is necessary to provide integrated care that provides medicine availability and essential supplies that reduce access barriers and improve the system's fragmentation.

Oferta de Práticas Integrativas e Complementares em Saúde na Estratégia Saúde da Família no Brasil / Supply of Integrative and Complementary Health Practices in the Family Health Strategy in Brazil / Oferta de Prácticas Integradoras y Complementarias en Salud dentro de la Estrategia Salud de la Familia en Brasil

Resumo: O artigo apresenta análise da oferta das Práticas Integrativas e Complementares em Saúde (PICS) na Estratégia Saúde da Família (ESF), a partir da convergência da resposta de gestores e profissionais. Trata-se de uma pesquisa quantitativa descritivo-exploratória, utilizando dois bancos de dados: o Inquérito Nacional de Práticas Integrativas e Complementares em Saúde no SUS e o Programa Nacional de Melhoria do Acesso e da Qualidade da Atenção Básica (PMAQ). De acordo com os gestores, a oferta de PICS esteve presente na ESF de 26,7% dos municípios participantes do Inquérito e em 25,5% dos municípios do PMAQ, segundo os profissionais. Dos 1.478 municípios que participaram das duas pesquisas, em 8,6% deles houve convergência da oferta de PICS na ESF. Os municípios com maior convergência na oferta são de pequeno porte populacional e com maior cobertura de atenção básica. A pequena quantidade de municípios com oferta reconhecida por gestores e profissionais reforça o pressuposto de que são os profissionais os principais responsáveis pela expansão das PICS no SUS, em detrimento de iniciativas da gestão. Esse cenário caracteriza a necessidade de apropriação por parte dos gestores do que é desenvolvido na ESF, para o fortalecimento das PICS e a mobilização de recursos institucionais para sua manutenção e ampliação.

Abstract: The article analyzes the supply of Integrative and Complementary Health Practices in the Family Health Strategy (FHS), based on the agreement between answers by administrators and health professionals. This was a quantitative descriptive-exploratory study using two databases, the National Survey on Integrative and Complementary Practices in Health in the Unified National Health System (SUS) and the National Program for Improvement of Access and Quality of Basic Care (PMAQ). According to the administrators, the supply of Integrative and Complementary Health Practices was present in the FHS in 26.7% of the municipalities participating in the National Survey, compared to 25.5% of the municipalities according to the health professionals in the PMAQ. Of the 1,478 municipalities that participated in both surveys, in 8.6% there was an agreement of answers on the supply of Integrative and Complementary Health Practices in the FHS. The municipalities with the greatest agreement in the supply were those with small populations and greater coverage of basic care. The small proportion of municipalities with this supply according to both administrators and health professionals supports the hypothesis that the health professionals are the main force responsible for the expansion of Integrative and Complementary Health Practices in the SUS, as compared to initiatives by administrators. This scenario reflects the need for administrators to take greater stock of what is developed in the FHS to strengthen Integrative and Complementary Health Practices and to mobilize the institutional resources for their maintenance and expansion.

Resumen: El artículo presenta un análisis de la oferta de Prácticas Integradoras y Complementarias en Salud (PICS), dentro la Estrategia Salud de la Familia (ESF), a partir de la convergencia en la respuesta de gestores y profesionales. Se trata de una investigación cuantitativa descriptiva-exploratoria, utilizando dos bancos de datos: la Encuesta Nacional de Prácticas Integradoras y Complementarias de Salud en el SUS y el Programa Nacional de Mejora de Acceso y Calidad de la Atención Básica (PMAQ). De acuerdo con los gestores, la oferta de PICS estuvo presente en la ESF de un 26,7% de los municipios participantes en la Encuesta Nacional y en un 25,5% de los municipios del PMAQ, según los profesionales. De los 1.478 municipios que participaron en las dos investigaciones, en un 8,6% de ellos hubo convergencia de la oferta de PICS en la ESF. Los municipios con mayor convergencia en la oferta son de pequeño porte poblacional y con mayor cobertura de atención básica. La pequeña cantidad de municipios con oferta reconocida por gestores y profesionales refuerza la presuposición de que son los profesionales los principales responsables de la expansión de las PICS en el SUS, en detrimento de iniciativas de la gestión. Este escenario caracteriza la necesidad de apropiación por parte de los gestores de lo que se desarrolla en la ESF, para el fortalecimiento de las PICS y la movilización de recursos institucionales para su mantenimiento y ampliación.

[Supply of Integrative and Complementary Health Practices in the Family Health Strategy in Brazil]. / Oferta de Práticas Integrativas e Complementares em Saúde na Estratégia Saúde da Família no Brasil.

The article analyzes the supply of Integrative and Complementary Health Practices in the Family Health Strategy (FHS), based on the agreement between answers by administrators and health professionals. This was a quantitative descriptive-exploratory study using two databases, the National Survey on Integrative and Complementary Practices in Health in the Unified National Health System (SUS) and the National Program for Improvement of Access and Quality of Basic Care (PMAQ). According to the administrators, the supply of Integrative and Complementary Health Practices was present in the FHS in 26.7% of the municipalities participating in the National Survey, compared to 25.5% of the municipalities according to the health professionals in the PMAQ. Of the 1,478 municipalities that participated in both surveys, in 8.6% there was an agreement of answers on the supply of Integrative and Complementary Health Practices in the FHS. The municipalities with the greatest agreement in the supply were those with small populations and greater coverage of basic care. The small proportion of municipalities with this supply according to both administrators and health professionals supports the hypothesis that the health professionals are the main force responsible for the expansion of Integrative and Complementary Health Practices in the SUS, as compared to initiatives by administrators. This scenario reflects the need for administrators to take greater stock of what is developed in the FHS to strengthen Integrative and Complementary Health Practices and to mobilize the institutional resources for their maintenance and expansion.

O artigo apresenta análise da oferta das Práticas Integrativas e Complementares em Saúde (PICS) na Estratégia Saúde da Família (ESF), a partir da convergência da resposta de gestores e profissionais. Trata-se de uma pesquisa quantitativa descritivo-exploratória, utilizando dois bancos de dados: o Inquérito Nacional de Práticas Integrativas e Complementares em Saúde no SUS e o Programa Nacional de Melhoria do Acesso e da Qualidade da Atenção Básica (PMAQ). De acordo com os gestores, a oferta de PICS esteve presente na ESF de 26,7% dos municípios participantes do Inquérito e em 25,5% dos municípios do PMAQ, segundo os profissionais. Dos 1.478 municípios que participaram das duas pesquisas, em 8,6% deles houve convergência da oferta de PICS na ESF. Os municípios com maior convergência na oferta são de pequeno porte populacional e com maior cobertura de atenção básica. A pequena quantidade de municípios com oferta reconhecida por gestores e profissionais reforça o pressuposto de que são os profissionais os principais responsáveis pela expansão das PICS no SUS, em detrimento de iniciativas da gestão. Esse cenário caracteriza a necessidade de apropriação por parte dos gestores do que é desenvolvido na ESF, para o fortalecimento das PICS e a mobilização de recursos institucionais para sua manutenção e ampliação.

El artículo presenta un análisis de la oferta de Prácticas Integradoras y Complementarias en Salud (PICS), dentro la Estrategia Salud de la Familia (ESF), a partir de la convergencia en la respuesta de gestores y profesionales. Se trata de una investigación cuantitativa descriptiva-exploratoria, utilizando dos bancos de datos: la Encuesta Nacional de Prácticas Integradoras y Complementarias de Salud en el SUS y el Programa Nacional de Mejora de Acceso y Calidad de la Atención Básica (PMAQ). De acuerdo con los gestores, la oferta de PICS estuvo presente en la ESF de un 26,7% de los municipios participantes en la Encuesta Nacional y en un 25,5% de los municipios del PMAQ, según los profesionales. De los 1.478 municipios que participaron en las dos investigaciones, en un 8,6% de ellos hubo convergencia de la oferta de PICS en la ESF. Los municipios con mayor convergencia en la oferta son de pequeño porte poblacional y con mayor cobertura de atención básica. La pequeña cantidad de municipios con oferta reconocida por gestores y profesionales refuerza la presuposición de que son los profesionales los principales responsables de la expansión de las PICS en el SUS, en detrimento de iniciativas de la gestión. Este escenario caracteriza la necesidad de apropiación por parte de los gestores de lo que se desarrolla en la ESF, para el fortalecimiento de las PICS y la movilización de recursos institucionales para su mantenimiento y ampliación.

Results of the implementation of integrated care after cardiorespiratory arrest in a university hospital.

OBJECTIVES: to identify the care measures performed after cardiorespiratory arrest (CRA) and to relate them to the neurological status and survival at four moments: within the first 24 hours, at the discharge, six months after discharge, and one year after discharge. METHOD: retrospective, analytical and quantitative study performed at the Emergency Department of a university hospital in São Paulo. Eighty-eight medical records of CRA patients who had a return of spontaneous circulation sustained for more than 20 minutes were included and the post-CRA care measures performed in the first 24 hours were identified, as well as its relationship with survival and neurological status. RESULTS: the most frequent post-CRA care measures were use of advanced airway access techniques and indwelling bladder catheterization. Patients who had maintained good breathing and circulation, temperature control and who were transferred to intensive care unit had a better survival in the first 24 hours, after six months and one year after discharge. Good neurological status at six months and one year after discharge was associated with non-use of vasoactive drugs and investigation of the causes of the CRA. CONCLUSION: the identification of good practices in post-CRA care may help to reduce the mortality of these individuals and to improve their quality of life.

Improving Access to Collaborative Behavioral Health Care for Rural-Dwelling Older Adults.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined whether a telephone-delivered collaborative care intervention (SUpporting Seniors Receiving Treatment And INtervention [SUSTAIN]) improved access to mental health services similarly among older adults in rural areas and those in urban-suburban areas. METHODS: This cohort study of 8,621 older adults participating in the SUSTAIN program, a clinical service provided to older adults in Pennsylvania newly prescribed a psychotropic medication by a primary care or non-mental health provider, examined rural versus urban-suburban differences in rates of initial clinical interview completion, patient clinical characteristics, and program penetration. RESULTS: Participants in rural counties were more likely than those in urban-suburban counties to complete the initial clinical interview (27.0% versus 24.0%, p=.001). Program penetration was significantly higher in rural than in urban-suburban counties (p=.02). CONCLUSIONS: Telephone-based care management programs such as SUSTAIN may be an effective strategy to facilitate access to collaborative mental health care regardless of patients' geographic location.

Semantic validation of the short versions of the Empathy-Systemizing Quotient Scales / Validação semântica das versões curtas das Escalas de Medição do Quociente de Empatia/Sistematização / Validación semántica de las versiones cortas de las Escalas de Medición del Cociente de Empatía/Sistematización

ABSTRACT Objective: to perform the semantic validation of the short versions of the Empathy-Systemizing Quotient Scales, intended to measure the empathetic and systemizing profiles of individuals. The scales originated in Cambridge and were validated in Portugal, and were assessed for their psychometric properties. Method: methodological study included the scales' semantic validation (content validity) and verification of their psychometric properties (internal consistency). Five judges participated in the semantic validation. The Content Validity Index was calculated, a pretest was conducted with 18 undergraduate nursing students, and, finally, the scales were applied to a sample. Results: the sample was composed of 215 undergraduate nursing students, 186 (86.51%) of whom were women aged 21 years old, on average. The scales presented good internal consistency with global Cronbach's alphas equal to 0.83 and 0.79 for the Empathy Quotient and the Systemizing Quotient, respectively. Correlations between the scales and subscales of the Empathy Quotient and Systemizing Quotient were all positive and significant according to the Pearson correlation coefficient. Conclusion: the scales are reliable and valid to measure the empathetic and systemizing profile of undergraduate nursing students and the final version was named "versões curtas das Escalas de Medição do Quociente de Empatia/Sistematização - Brasil" [short versions of the Empathy-Systemizing Quotient Scales - Brazil].

RESUMO Objetivo: realizar a validação semântica e avaliar as propriedades psicométricas das versões curtas das Escalas de Medição do Quociente de Empatia/Sistematização, originadas em Cambridge e validadas em Portugal, para mensurar o perfil empático e sistemático dos indivíduos. Método: estudo metodológico no qual foram compreendidas a validação semântica (validade de conteúdo) e a verificação das propriedades psicométricas (consistência interna) das escalas. Cinco juízes participaram da validação semântica. Foi calculado o Índice de Validade de Conteúdo, seguido de pré-teste, com 18 graduandos em enfermagem e posterior aplicação a uma amostra. Resultados: a amostra foi composta de 215 graduandos em enfermagem, sendo 186 (86,51%) do sexo feminino, com idade média de 21 anos. As escalas apresentaram boa consistência interna, com valores de Alfa de Cronbach global de 0,83 para o Quociente de Empatia e 0,79 para o Quociente de Sistematização. As correlações entre as escalas e subescalas do Quociente de Empatia e Quociente de Sistematização foram todas positivas e significantes, resultantes do teste de correlação de Pearson. Conclusão: as escalas foram consideradas confiáveis e válidas para mensurar o perfil empático e sistemático de graduandos em enfermagem e a versão final foi denominada versões curtas das Escalas de Medição do Quociente de Empatia/Sistematização - Brasil.

RESUMEN Objetivo: realizar la validación semántica y evaluar las propiedades psicométricas de las versiones cortas de las Escalas de Medición del Cociente de Empatía/Sistematización, originadas en Cambridge y validadas en Portugal, para medir el perfil empático y sistemático de los individuos. Método: estudio metodológico que comprendió la validación semántica (validez de contenido) y verificación de las propiedades psicométricas (consistencia interna) de las escalas. Cinco jueces participaron de la validación semántica. Después de calculado el Índice de Validez de Contenido, se realizó el pretest con dieciocho estudiantes de enfermería y posteriormente se aplicó a una muestra. Resultados: la muestra estuvo compuesta por 215 estudiantes de enfermería, siendo 186 (86,51%) del sexo femenino, con edad media de 21 años. Las escalas presentaron buena consistencia interna con valores de Alpha de Cronbach Global de 0,83 para el Cociente de Empatía y 0,79 para el Cociente de Sistematización. Las correlaciones entre las escalas y subescalas del Cociente de Empatía y Cociente de Sistematización fueron todas positivas y significativas, las que fueron resultado del test de correlación de Pearson. Conclusión: las escalas fueron consideradas confiables y válidas para medir el perfil empático y sistemático de estudiantes de enfermería; la versión final fue denominada de "versiones cortas de las Escalas de Medición del Cociente de Empatía/Sistematización - Brasil".

Complementary and Alternative Medicine in an Integrated Health Care Delivery System: Users of Chiropractic, Acupuncture, and Massage Services.

INTRODUCTION: Complementary and alternative medicine research has relied primarily on survey data from community populations rather than from patient populations receiving these services in integrated health care delivery systems (IHDS). OBJECTIVES: To describe patients seeking chiropractic, acupuncture, or massage therapy in a dedicated Center for Complementary Medicine (CCM) within an IHDS. METHODS: Patient surveys at the initial CCM visit included chief complaint, prior treatments, and relief with treatment (0% to 100% relief). A modified Brief Pain Inventory assessed average and current pain (0 = no pain; 10 = unbearable pain) and interference with life domains (1 = does not interfere; 10 = completely interferes). Demographics and CCM provider type were obtained from medical records. Analysis included patients who completed the survey. RESULTS: Between 2007 and 2014, a total of 27,225 patients sought CCM services (median age = 50 years). Most (62%) were female, and 73% were white. Modalities included chiropractic (66.9%), acupuncture (18.1%), and massage (15.0%). Spine/truncal pain was most commonly reported (70.5%). A majority of patients (59%) saw their physician for their condition, 59% had not used CCM services previously, and 60% received medications for their condition. Mean ratings included pain relief with prior treatment (30.07%, standard deviation [SD] = 27.01%), current pain (4.33, SD = 2.4), and functional impairment ranging from 3.03 (SD = 3.09) for relationships to 5.42 (SD = 3.22) for enjoyment of life. CONCLUSION: Spine/truncal pain was the most common complaint and chiropractic the most common modality among patients receiving CCM services in an IHDS. More than one-third of patients self-referred to the CCM.

The Utilization of Palliative Care Services in Patients with Cirrhosis who have been Denied Liver Transplantation: A Single Center Retrospective Review

ABSTRACT Introduction and aim. Utilization of palliative care services in patients dying of end-stage liver disease (ESLD) is understudied. We performed a retrospective review of palliative care services among patients with ESLD unsuitable for liver transplantation (LT) at a tertiary care center. Material and methods. Deceased ESLD patients considered unsuitable for LT from 2007-2012 were identified. Patients were excluded if they received a transplant, had an incomplete workup, were lost to follow up or whose condition improved so LT was not needed. Of the 1,175 patients reviewed, 116 met inclusion criteria. Results. Forty patients (34.4%) received an inpatient palliative care (PC) consultation and forty-one patients (35.3%) were referred directly to hospice. Thirty-three patients (28.4%) transitioned to comfort measures without PC consultation (median survival < 1 day). The median interval between LT denial and PC consultation or hospice was 28 days. Median survival after PC consult or hospice referral was 15 days. In conclusion, in a single center retrospective review of ESLD patients, palliative care services, when utilized, were for care at the very end of life. Without consultation, aggressive interventions continued until hours before death. We propose that ESLD patients could benefit from PC consultation at time of LT evaluation or based on MELD scores.

The Utilization of Palliative Care Services in Patients with Cirrhosis who have been Denied Liver Transplantation: A Single Center Retrospective Review.

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: Utilization of palliative care services in patients dying of end-stage liver disease (ESLD) is understudied. We performed a retrospective review of palliative care services among patients with ESLD unsuitable for liver transplantation (LT) at a tertiary care center. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Deceased ESLD patients considered unsuitable for LT from 2007-2012 were identified. Patients were excluded if they received a transplant, had an incomplete workup, were lost to follow up or whose condition improved so LT was not needed. Of the 1,175 patients reviewed, 116 met inclusion criteria. RESULTS: Forty patients (34.4%) received an inpatient palliative care (PC) consultation and forty-one patients (35.3%) were referred directly to hospice. Thirty-three patients (28.4%) transitioned to comfort measures without PC consultation (median survival < 1 day). The median interval between LT denial and PC consultation or hospice was 28 days. Median survival after PC consult or hospice referral was 15 days. In conclusion, in a single center retrospective review of ESLD patients, palliative care services, when utilized, were for care at the very end of life. Without consultation, aggressive interventions continued until hours before death. We propose that ESLD patients could benefit from PC consultation at time of LT evaluation or based on MELD scores.

Characteristics of Newly Enrolled Members of an Integrated Delivery System after the Affordable Care Act.

Of 89,289 newly enrolled non-Medicare members, 25.3% completed the Brief Health Questionnaire between 1/1/2014, and 8/31/2014. Of these, 3593 respondents were insured through Medicaid, 9434 through the individual health exchange, and 9521 through primarily commercial plans. Of Medicaid, exchange, and commercial members, 19.5%, 7.1%, and 5.3%, respectively, self-reported fair or poor health; 12.9%, 2.0%, and 3.3% of each group self-reported 2 or more Emergency Department visits during the previous year; and 8.1%, 4.3%, and 4.4% self-reported an inpatient admission during the previous year.

Do existing mechanisms contribute to improvements in care coordination across levels of care in health services networks? Opinions of the health personnel in Colombia and Brazil.

BACKGROUND: The fragmentation of healthcare provision has given rise to a wide range of interventions within organizations to improve coordination across levels of care, primarily in high income countries but also in some middle and low-income countries. The aim is to analyze the use of coordination mechanisms in healthcare networks and its implications for the delivery of health care. This is studied from the perspective of health personnel in two countries with different health systems, Colombia and Brazil. METHODS: A qualitative, exploratory and descriptive-interpretative study was conducted, based on a case study of healthcare networks in two municipalities in each country. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with a three stage theoretical sample of a) health (112) and administrative (66) professionals of different care levels, and b) managers of providers (42) and insurers (14). A thematic content analysis was conducted, segmented by cases, informant groups and themes. RESULTS: The results show that care coordination mechanisms are poorly implemented in general. However, the results are marginally better in certain segments of the Colombian networks analyzed (ambulatory centres with primary and secondary care co-location owned by or tied to the contributory scheme insurers, and public providers of the subsidized scheme); and in the network of the state capital in Brazil. Professionals point to numerous problems in the use of existing mechanisms, such as the insufficient recording of information in referral forms, low frequency and level of participation in shared clinical sessions, low adherence to the few available clinical guidelines and the lack of or inadequate referral of patients by the patient referral centres, particularly in the Brazilian networks. The absence or limited use of care coordination mechanisms leads, according to informants, to the inadequate follow-up of patients, interruptions in care and duplication of tests. Professionals use informal strategies to try to overcome these limitations. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate not only the limited implementation of mechanisms for coordination across care levels, but also a limited use of existing mechanisms in the healthcare networks analyzed. This has a negative impact on coordination, efficiency and quality of care. Organizational changes are required in the networks and healthcare systems to address these problems.

Breast cancer in Brazil: present status and future goals.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide and 70% of breast cancer deaths occur in women from low-income and middle-income countries. Latin America has about 115,000 new cases of disease every year, with about 50,000 arising in Brazil. We examined the present status of breast cancer in Brazil as an example of the health effects of geographical, ethnic, and socioeconomic diversities on delivery of care. Our goal was to identify deficiencies that could be responsible for disparities in survival from breast cancer. We searched the English and Portuguese published work and reviewed national databases and Brazilian publications. Although the availability of publications specific to Brazil is low in general, we identified several factors that could account for disparities: delays in diagnosis due to low cancer awareness and implementation of mammography screening, unknown quality of surgery, and restricted access to radiotherapy and modern systemic therapies.

Cholera management and prevention at Hôpital Albert Schweitzer, Haiti.

In October 2010, Hopital Albert Schweitzer Haiti treated some of the first patients with cholera in Haiti. Over the following 10 months, a strategic plan was developed and implemented to improve the management of cases at the hospital level and to address the underlying risk factors at the community level.

[Health actions to become integrated into IMSS-oportunidades]. / El IMSS en Cifras. Acciones integrales de salud en el Programa IMSS-Oportunidades.

The Program IMSS-Oportunidades has a 28 year history in the public health arena in Mexico, serving the indigenous and most marginalized population living in 17 204 localities in the country. With 3548 health units and 69 hospitals the program delivers health and community interventions providing better health services to this historically underserved population. The program rests in the work developed by 269,000 volunteers including traditional healers. In general terms there were 20 million medical visits to the health units, 215,000 hospital discharges and nearly 85,000 surgeries. Preventive programs are important and evaluated through the immunization coverages, early detection of several diseases and the descending numbers of communicable diseases. The main causes of death show a mixture of infectious and chronic diseases where cardiovascular disease and diabetes are highlighted. This panorama gives a brief summary of the efforts displayed by the program and an institution that distinguishes for its level of organization and efficiency.

[Coverage of preventive health activities in a Chilean region, calculated using the preventive medicine index]. / Indice de medicina preventiva: Una medida integradora de la cobertura de los programas preventivos.

BACKGROUND: Preventive activities of the public health system in Chile are not integrated and there is no parameter assessing the whole population that is benefited with these activities. AIM: To develop and implement a mathematical measure of the coverage of preventive health activities, provided to different age groups. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data was gathered from the monthly statistical reports of the women, children, teenager, adult and elderly health programs in 30 communities of the Seventh Chilean Region. The preventive medicine index (PMI) was calculated as the ratio between the population that was ascribed to each program and the population that was a potential beneficiary of such program. RESULTS: In the studied region, the global coverage of preventive medicine, calculated using the PMI, increased from 0.229 in 1999 to 0.370 in 2003. This represents a 61% increment. However, there are important inequalities in the access to preventive health in the different communities of the region. CONCLUSIONS: The PMI revealed a substantial increment in preventive health activities in the studied region.

Índice de medicina preventiva: Una medida integradora de la cobertura de los programas preventivos / Coverage of preventive health activities in a Chilean region, calculated using the preventive medicine index

Background: Preventive activities of the public health system in Chile are not integrated and there is no parameter assessing the whole population that is benefited with these activities. Aim: To develop and implement a mathematical measure of the coverage of preventive health activities, provided to different age groups. Material and methods: Data was gathered from the monthly statistical reports of the women, children, teenager, adult and elderly health programs in 30 communities of the Seventh Chilean Region. The preventive medicine index (PMI) was calculated as the ratio between the population that was ascribed to each program and the population that was a potential beneficiary of such program. Results: In the studied region, the global coverage of preventive medicine, calculated using the PMI, increased from 0.229 in 1999 to 0.370 in 2003. This represents a 61 percent increment. However, there are important inequalities in the access to preventive health in the different communities of the region. Conclusions: The PMI revealed a substantial increment in preventive health activities in the studied region.

[ENCOPREVENIMSS 2003, 2004 and 2005. 1. Methodology and studied population]. / ENCOPREVENIMSS 2003, 2004 y 2005. 1. Metodología y población estudiada.

In order to assess the progress of preventive health programs by measuring the coverage and other health indicators, ENCOPREVENIMSS (Health National Surveys) 2003, 2004 and 2005 were carried out. These surveys were applied nationwide to population affiliated to the Mexican Institute of Social Security, and were representative at a state level. The sampling frame was stratified, with several stages, by clusters, and had a minimum sample of 328 people per program group in each delegation. The applied questionnaires were previously designed and evaluated through a pilot test. They included specific questions for each program component per age group. In 2004, two sections were added, based on validated instruments to evaluate frequency of food intake and physical activity. A total of 79,797 people were surveyed: 117,884 in 2004, and 122,380 in 2005. A third of the population was insured, while the rest was beneficiary; about half the population was between 20 and 59 years old, and the proportion of people older than 60 increased almost 2% from 2003 to 2005. More than 90% of those who claimed to have a paid job were factory workers or employees. More than 90% of the population were assigned to a family physician in all the assessed years. The information obtained from ENCOPREVENIMSS is a valuable tool to conduct institutional policies for public health.

[ENCOPREVENIMSS 2003, 2004 and 2005. 2. Advances in Children and Adolescents' Health Programs]. / ENCOPREVENIMSS 2003, 2004 y 2005. 2. Avances en los Programas de Salud del Niño y del Adolescente.

INTRODUCTION: the National Survey of Coverage of Integrated Health Programs (ENCOPREVENIMSS) are probabilistic population-based surveys with delegation representativeness of insured population of the Mexican Institute of Social Security, belonging to different age groups. OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the coverage of the Integrated Health Programs for Children and Adolescents during 2003-2005. MATERIAL AND METHODS: a descriptive analysis of ENCOPREVENIMSS 2003, 2004 and 2005 was carried out, with regard to the components of Children and Adolescents' Health Programs, in the 37 delegations (states) of IMSS. Through a home sample, information of sociodemographic characteristics, use of health services and coverage of the main components of PREVENIMSS, were collected. The concentration of information and the data analysis took place at the Coordination of Integrated Health Programs. RESULTS: from 2003 to 2005, the coverage of both groups increased, mainly in children. The advances of coverage were different for each activity. The ones with best results were the incorporation to protocols of preventive attention, and vaccination, as well as weight and height measurement. The actions with lowest achievement were the detection of visual problems and the nutritional evaluation. CONCLUSIONS: coverage analysis is useful to ascertain the degree of application of the different preventive activities and it is also a good basis for planning.

[ENCOPREVENIMSS 2003, 2004 AND 2005. 3. Advances in Women, Men and Seniors' Health Programs]. / ENCOPREVENIMSS 2003, 2004 y 2005. 3. Avances en los Programas de Salud de la Mujer, del Hombre y del Adulto Mayor.

This paper presents the results of the National Survey of Coverage of Integrated Health Programs (ENCOPREVENIMSS) 2003, 2004 and 2005, with regard to the coverage of Women, Men and Seniors' Health Programs. ENCOPREVENIMSS are nationwide probabilistic population-based surveys with delegation (state) representativeness of insured population of the Mexican Institute of Social Security. The sampling frame was stratified, with several stages, and by clusters. The surveys gathered information of sociodemographic characteristics, use of health services and coverage of the main components of the Health Integrated Programs (PREVENIMSS), as well as other complementary variables. For the purpose of this article, the main variables studied were those related to health promotion, weight, height and waist measurement, as well as other related to early detection of certain diseases. The results show an increase in the coverage during the period 2003-2005 in the three groups; however, the lowest were found in the group of men from 20 to 59 years old and the highest, in the group of seniors older than 59, except for those related to the detection of cervical and breast cancer, which were higher in women from 20 to 59 years old. Coverage analysis is useful to ascertain the degree of imposition of the different preventive activities and it is also a good basis for planning.