[Incremental impact of population dispersion on health personnel resources in Primary Care]. / Impacto incremental de la dispersión poblacional sobre los recursos de personal sanitario en Atención Primaria.

OBJECTIVE: To quantify the incremental impact that population dispersion has on the number of health personnel in Primary Care in Alto Aragón, using a reproducible method. METHOD: Descriptive observational study that compares health the number of health personnel (family medicine, pediatrics and nursing) in EAP and PA emergencies in 2019 in an unpopulated and dispersed territory such as Huesca, with the number that would correspond to it by applying population ratios per professional of hypothetical constructs with different population densities. RESULTS: Huesca, with respect to the national average, has 39% more PA health personnel. There are 239 additional professionals (112 in family medicine, 2 in pediatrics and 115 in nursing), 130 in emergencies and 109 in EAP. With the average of the five most densely populated provinces, it would reduce this staff by 49%, and with the average of the five least densely populated provinces, it would increase it by 12%. CONCLUSIONS: There is a relationship between low population density and a greater number of family medicine and PC nurses, but not with pediatrics. The powerful incremental effect that dispersion has on health care spending gives it a relevant role in the regional financing system. Comparing PC health personnel in scenarios with different population density is a useful method for quantifying the impact of dispersion.

Whoever wants better healthcare simply pays more: citizens' perception about voluntary private health insurance in Colombia.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the perceptions that Colombians have about voluntary private health insurance plans (VPHI) in the health system to identify the tensions that exist between the public and private systems. METHODS: A qualitative case study approach with 46 semi structured interviews of patients, healthcare workers, healthcare administrators, decision-makers, and citizens. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, anonymized, digitally stored, and analyzed following grounded theory guidelines. RESULTS: We developed a paradigmatic matrix that explores how, in a context mediated by both the commodification of health and social stratification, perceptions about the failures in the public health system related to lack of timely care, extensive administrative procedures, and the search for privileged care led to positioning VPHI as a solution to these failures. The interviewees identified three consequences of using VPHI: first, the worsening of problems of timely access to care in the public system; second, higher costs for citizens translated into double payment for technologies and services to which they are entitled; third, the widening of inequity gaps in access to health services between people with similar needs but different payment capacities. CONCLUSIONS: These findings can help decision makers to understand citizens´ perceptions about the implications that VPHI may have in worsening equity gaps in the Colombian health system. It also shows, how VPHI is perceived as a double payment for services covered within social security plans and suggests that the perceived lack of timely access to care in the public systems and the fear that citizens have for themselves or their family members when using suboptimal healthcare are important drivers to purchase these private insurances.

RESUMEN: OBJETIVOS: Explorar las percepciones que tienen los colombianos sobre los planes de seguro de salud privados voluntarios (VPHI) en el sistema de salud para identificar las tensiones que existen entre los sistemas público y privado. MéTODOS: Un estudio cualitativo de caso con 46 entrevistas semiestructuradas a pacientes, trabajadores de la salud, administradores de salud, tomadores de decisiones y ciudadanos. Las entrevistas se grabaron, transcribieron y almacenaron de manera anónima. El análisis se hizo siguiendo conceptos de la teoría fundamentada. RESULTADOS: Desarrollamos una matriz paradigmática que explora cómo, en un contexto mediado tanto por la mercantilización de la salud como por la estratificación social, las percepciones sobre las fallas en el sistema de salud público relacionadas con la falta de atención oportuna, procedimientos administrativos extensos y la búsqueda de atención privilegiada llevaron a posicionar los VPHI como una solución a estas fallas. Los entrevistados identificaron tres consecuencias del uso de los VPHI: primero, el empeoramiento de los problemas de acceso oportuno a la atención en el sistema público; segundo, mayores costos para los ciudadanos, traducidos en un pago doble por tecnologías y servicios a los que tienen derecho; tercero, el aumento de las brechas de equidad en el acceso a los servicios de salud entre personas con necesidades similares pero diferentes capacidades de pago. CONCLUSIONES: Estos hallazgos pueden ayudar a los tomadores de decisiones a comprender las percepciones de los ciudadanos sobre las implicaciones que el VPHI puede tener en el empeoramiento de las brechas de equidad en el sistema de salud colombiano. También muestra cómo el VPHI se percibe como un pago doble por servicios cubiertos dentro de los planes de seguridad social y sugiere que la falta percibida de acceso oportuno a la atención en los sistemas públicos y el miedo que los ciudadanos tienen por sí mismos o por sus familiares cuando utilizan una atención sanitaria subóptima son factores importantes para adquirir estos seguros privados.

Potentially avoidable hospitalizations and socioeconomic status in Switzerland: A small area-level analysis.

The Swiss healthcare system is well known for the quality of its healthcare and population health but also for its high cost, particularly regarding out-of-pocket expenses. We conduct the first national study on the association between socioeconomic status and access to community-based ambulatory care (CBAC). We analyze administrative and hospital discharge data at the small area level over a four-year time period (2014 - 2017). We develop a socioeconomic deprivation indicator and rely on a well-accepted indicator of potentially avoidable hospitalizations as a measure of access to CBAC. We estimate socioeconomic gradients at the national and cantonal levels with mixed effects models pooled over four years. We compare gradient estimates among specifications without control variables and those that include control variables for area geography and physician availability. We find that the most deprived area is associated with an excess of 2.80 potentially avoidable hospitalizations per 1,000 population (3.01 with control variables) compared to the least deprived area. We also find significant gradient variation across cantons with a difference of 5.40 (5.54 with control variables) between the smallest and largest canton gradients. Addressing broader social determinants of health, financial barriers to access, and strengthening CBAC services in targeted areas would likely reduce the observed gap.

A concept for multi-winner tenders for medicinal products with balancing between efficient prices, long-term competition and sustainability of supply.

Achieving price efficiency via tenders, the sustainability of competition, and the prevention of shortages are hot topics in the debates about shaping the pharmaceutical markets. Single-winner tenders receive growing criticism for concentrating on achieving low prices at the expense of the long-term maintenance of a competitive pharmaceutical industry, the security of continuous supply, and disregarding the therapeutic needs of patient populations with specific conditions. This paper aims at drafting a concept to assist the design of multi-winner tenders for medicinal products with a focus on supply and sales guarantees, price efficiency, and equity in access. The concept shall be generally applicable to all kinds of medicinal products including generics, biosimilars, and on-patent products in the out- and in-patient sector. Principles for multi-winner tenders for medicinal products are set and a number of delimitations are made in order to get rid of factors that prevent clairvoyance amid the various pricing and reimbursement systems when designing a concept. The steps to plan and implement a multi-winner tendering procedure are drafted on the basis of the defined principles. The tender should consist of planning, bidding, preparation, sales, and evaluation phases. Pharmaceutical companies shall make bids with price and quantity pairs, which shall be ranked by prices and if applicable then taking into account other factors. The tenderer shall predefine market shares to the various places of the ranking. A double ceiling shall be applicable for the sales of the winners: their sales must not exceed their quantity offer and the predefined market share applicable to their place in the ranking. The implementation of the concept will require the careful adjustment of the tender conditions to the specificities of the pharmaceutical market concerned on the one hand and to the local pricing and reimbursement system on the other hand.

Acesso para quem quer ou para quem pode? Equidade na utilização de consultas médicas em Portugal com base no INS 2019 / Access for those who want or for those who can? Equity in the use of doctor's appointments in Portugal based on the HIS 2019

Resumo A equidade horizontal no uso de cuidados de saúde requer igual uso para igual necessidade, independentemente de outros fatores - predisponentes ou de capacitação (modelo de Andersen). O objetivo é avaliar a equidade no uso de consultas médicas em Portugal em 2019, comparando os resultados com os obtidos em estudo anterior, com dados de 2014. Os dados vêm do Inquérito Nacional de Saúde 2019. O uso de cuidados é medido pelo número de consultas. Para avaliar as determinantes da utilização, adota-se o modelo binomial negativo. Para quantificar a desigualdade/iniquidade relacionada com o rendimento, calcula-se o índice de concentração. Face a 2014, os efeitos do estado de saúde autoavaliado, limitação nas atividades diárias e problema de saúde prolongado são mais pronunciados e, a região, rendimento, tipo de agregado e estado civil são significativos, nas consultas de medicina geral e familiar. Nas outras consultas, o seguro perdeu significância estatística e o efeito educação foi atenuado, mas emergiu um efeito rendimento. O índice de iniquidade não é significativo nas consultas de medicina geral e familiar, como em 2014, mas o valor (significativo) desse índice aumentou para as consultas de outras especialidades.

Abstract Horizontal equity in the use of healthcare implies equal use for equal needs, regardless of other factors - be they predisposing or enabling (Andersen's model). This study aimed to assess equity in the use of doctor's appointments in Portugal in 2019, comparing the results with those obtained in a previous study, based on data from 2014. Data were retrieved from the Health Interview Survey 2019 (HIS 2019). Healthcare is measured by the number of doctor's appointments. Our study adopted the Negative Binomial Model to assess the factors affecting use. The concentration index was calculated to quantify income-related inequality/inequity. Compared to 2014, the effects of self-assessed health, limitations in daily living activities, and longstanding illnesses are more pronounced, and the region, income, household type and marital status are significant for appointments scheduled with a General Practitioner. In the case of appointments with specialists, health insurance lost statistical significance and the effect of education dropped; however, income became significant. The inequity index is not significant for appointments scheduled with a General Practitioner, as in 2014, but the (significant) value of this index increased for appointments with other specialists.

Parents' Perception of Barriers to the Comprehensive Management of Children With Cleft Lip and Palate in Bogota, Colombia.

OBJECT: To identify the perception of barriers to the comprehensive management of cleft lip and palate (CLP) by parents/caregivers of Colombian children with this condition. SETTING AND SAMPLE POPULATION: Fifty parents/caregivers of children with CLP under 12 years attending a center specialized in the management of craniofacial congenital conditions in Bogota, Colombia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study consisted of 2 phases: a quantitative phase (descriptive cross-sectional) and a qualitative phase (focus group [FG]). Chi-square and Fisher exact tests were used to analyze the association variables. The barriers and alternative ways to overcome barriers were analyzed in the FG. RESULTS: Comprehensive management was mostly defined as access to multiple treatments (54%), and this concept was expanded in the FG toward understanding CLP at all levels. Monoparental families spend their income on treatments (29%) than nuclear families (0%) (P = .001). All parents with high education levels were familiar with healthcare centers specialized in CLP as opposed to 66.7% of parents with basic primary education (P < .05). Regarding the timeliness of appointments, 12.2% of parents earning between 1 and 2 minimum wages reported some kind of difficulty, whereas those earning less than one minimum wage reported difficulties in 66.7% of cases (P = .046). CONCLUSIONS: All participants reported barriers, which increased or decreased depending on their socioeconomic status. The FG allowed the discussion of alternatives to overcome barriers, such as structural, solidarity, and self-management actions.

Conhecimento e aplicabilidade da classificação familiar como estratégia de enfrentamento às iniquidades: a experiência do trabalhador da saúde / Knowledge and applicability of family classification as a strategy for coping with inequities: the worker's health experience

Resumo Modelo de estudo: Estudo descritivo qualitativo. Objetivo: analisar o conhecimento e a aplicabilidade da classificação familiar pelos trabalhadores da Estratégia Saúde da Família como estratégia de enfrentamento das iniquidades em saúde. Metodologia: Foram entrevistados 35 trabalhadores e realizada análise temática. Resultados: A maioria (91%) conhecia as Classificações das Famílias, utilizava alguma estratégia de priorização da assistência e 52% as aplicavam na prática. Cinco núcleos de sentido formaram o Grande Tema "A experiência dos profissionais de saúde na utilização da Classificação das Famílias". As principais vantagens foram a identificação de vulnerabilidades favorecendo a priorização do cuidado e do acesso e as dificuldades relacionadas à falta de tempo, desconhecimento e inexperiência em sua utilização. Conclusão: As Classificações das Famílias facilitam a identificação de famílias vulneráveis e favorecem uma atenção mais equânime.

Abstract Study model: Qualitative descriptive study. Objective: to analyze the knowledge and applicability of family classifications by the workers of the Family Health Strategy as a strategy to face health inequities. Methodology: 35 workers were interviewed, and thematic analysis was carried out. Results: The majority (91%) knew the Family Classifications, used some assistance prioritization strategy and 52% applied them in practice. Five centers of meaning formed the Great Theme "The experience of health professionals in the use of the Family Classification". The main advantages were the identification of vulnerabilities favoring the prioritization of care and access and the difficulties were related to lack of time, ignorance, and inexperience in its use. Conclusion: The Family Classifications facilitate the identification of vulnerable families and favoring more equitable attention.

Pap smears in the extreme South of Brazil: low coverage and exposure of the most vulnerable pregnant women / Citopatológico de colo uterino no extremo sul do Brasil: baixa cobertura e exposição das gestantes mais vulneráveis

ABSTRACT Objective: To estimate prevalence, assess trends and identify factors associated with non-performance of Pap smears among postpartum women residing in Rio Grande, Southern Brazil. Methods: Between 01/01 and 12/31 of 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016 and 2019, previously trained interviewers applied a single standardized questionnaire at the hospital to all postpartum women residing in this municipality. It was investigated from the planning of pregnancy to the immediate postpartum period. The outcome consisted of not performing a Pap smear in the last three years. The chi-square test was used to compare proportions and assess trends, and Poisson regression with robust variance adjustment in the multivariate analysis. The measure of effect was the prevalence ratio (PR). Results: Although 80% of the 12,415 study participants had performed at least six prenatal consultations, 43.0% (95%CI 42.1-43.9%) had not been screened in the period. This proportion ranged from 64.0% (62.1-65.8%) to 27.9% (26.1-29.6%). The adjusted analysis showed a higher PR for not performing Pap smears among younger puerperal women, living without a partner, with black skin color, lower schooling, and family income, who did not have paid work during pregnancy or planned pregnancy, who attended fewer prenatal consultations. smoked during pregnancy and were not being treated for any illness. Conclusion: Despite the improvement in coverage, the observed rate of non-performance of Pap smears is still high. Women most likely to have cervical cancer were those who had the highest PR for not having this test.

RESUMO Objetivo: Estimar a prevalência, avaliar a tendência e identificar fatores associados à não realização de citopatológico de colo uterino (CP) entre puérperas em Rio Grande (RS). Métodos: Entre 1o de janeiro e 31 de dezembro de 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016 e 2019, entrevistadores previamente treinados aplicaram, ainda no hospital, questionário único e padronizado a todas as puérperas residentes neste município que tiveram filho nos hospitais locais. Investigou-se desde o planejamento da gravidez até o pós-parto imediato. O desfecho foi constituído pela não realização de CP nos últimos três anos. Utilizou-se teste χ² para comparar proporções e avaliar tendência e regressão de Poisson com ajuste da variância robusta na análise multivariável. A medida de efeito utilizada foi a razão de prevalências (RP). Resultados: Apesar de 80% das 12.415 participantes do estudo terem realizado 6+ consultas de pré-natal, 43,0% (intervalo de confiança de 95% — IC95% 42,1-43,9%) não realizaram CP no período. Essa proporção variou de 64,0% (62,1-65,8%) a 27,9% (26,1-29,6%). Após a análise ajustada, puérperas de menor idade, cor da pele preta, sem companheiro, de menor escolaridade e renda familiar, que não exerciam trabalho remunerado, não planejaram a gravidez, realizaram menor número de consultas de pré-natal, fumaram na gravidez e não fizeram tratamento para alguma doença mostraram RP significativamente maior à não realização de CP em relação às demais. Conclusão: Apesar de melhora na cobertura, a taxa observada de não realização de CP ainda é elevada. Mulheres mais propensas a ter câncer de colo uterino foram as que apresentaram as maiores RP à não realização desse exame.

Travel as a barrier to abortion provided by law access. Brazil, 2010-2019 / Deslocamento intermunicipal como barreira de acesso ao aborto previsto em lei. Brasil, 2010-2019

Abstract Objectives: to analyze abortions provided by law (APL) carried out in Brazil between 2010 and 2019 regarding the need for travel of users, as well as the expenditure of time and money on these trips. Methods: descriptive study of records of outpatient care and hospitalizations for APL between 2010 and 2019. The municipal provision and the inter-municipal flows for the realization of the APL, the availability of public transportation for this travel, as well as its cost and time, were identified. Results: 2.6% of Brazilian municipalities had a sustained provision of APL between 2010 and 2019. Of the 15,889 APL performed, 14.8% occurred in municipalities other than those where the user lived. The smaller the population size of the municipality of residence, the higher the percentage of the need for travel. Of these inter-municipal trips, 16.0% had regular round-trip links by public transport. The total travel time ranged from 26 minutes to 4 and a half days, and the cost from R$2.70 to R$1,218.06; the highest medians were among residents of the Midwest region. Conclusions: the concentration of services, the deficiency of inter-municipal public transport, and the expenditure on travel to access the APL are barriers to users that need the health service, demanding public policies to overcome them.

Resumo Objetivos: analisar as restrições aos abortos previstos em lei (APL) realizados no Brasil entre 2010 e 2019 quanto à necessidade de deslocamento das usuárias, bem como quanto ao dispêndio de tempo e dinheiro nessas viagens. Métodos: estudo descritivo dos registros de atendimentos ambulatoriais e internações para APL entre 2010 e 2019. Foram identificados a oferta municipal e os fluxos intermunicipais para realização dos APL, a disponibilidade de transporte coletivo para esse deslocamento, bem como seu custo e tempo. Resultados: 2,6% dos municípios brasileiros tiveram oferta sustentada de APL entre 2010 e 2019. Dos 15.889 APL realizados, 14,8% se deram em municípios diferentes daqueles de residência da usuária. Quanto menor o porte populacional do município de residência, maior o percentual com necessidade de viajar. Desses deslocamentos intermunicipais, 16,0% tinham ligações regulares de ida e retorno em transporte público. O tempo de viagem total variou de 26 minutos a quatro dias e meio, e o custo de R$ 2,70 a R$ 1.218,06; as maiores medianas estiveram entre as residentes da região Centro-Oeste. Conclusões: a concentração de serviços, a deficiência de transporte público intermunicipal, bem como o dispêndio com a viagem para acesso ao APL são barreiras às usuárias que precisam do serviço de saúde, demandando políticas públicas para sua superação.

Analysis of access to health services in Brazil according to sociodemographic profile: National Health Survey, 2019 / Análisis del acceso a los servicios de salud en Brasil según perfil sociodemográfico: Encuesta Nacional de Salud, 2019 / Análise do acesso a serviços de saúde no Brasil segundo perfil sociodemográfico: Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde, 2019

Objective: To describe the access and use of health services in the Brazilian population according to sociodemographic indicators, according to the National Health Survey (PNS) 2019. Methods: Cross-sectional descriptive study based on a PNS sample. Prevalence and confidence intervals of data stratified by sex, education, age and macroregion were calculated. Data analyzed in Stata software version 16.1. Results: 293,725 individuals were interviewed; men had a lower proportion of medical consultation indicators (66.6%) and sought less health care (17.6%). Among those living in the North region, 69.1% went to a medical appointment. 16.5% of less educated individuals obtained medication through the Popular Pharmacy Program. Conclusion: The results reinforce inequities in the use of and access to health services in Brazil and the need to monitor indicators to guide health policies.

Objetivo: Describir el acceso y uso de servicios de salud en la población brasileña según indicadores sociodemográficos del Encuesta Nacional de Salud (PNS) 2019. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo transversal con base en muestra del PNS. Se calcularon prevalencias e intervalos de confianza para datos estratificados por sexo, escolaridad, edad y macrorregión. Datos analizados en el software Stata versión 16.1. Resultados: 293.725 personas fueron entrevistadas; hombres tenían menor proporción de consulta médica (66,6%) y buscaban menos atención médica (17,6%). Entre los residentes en región Norte, 69,1% acudió a consulta médica. 16,5% de las personas con menor nivel educativo obtuvieron medicamentos mediante el Programa de Farmacia Popular. Conclusión: Los resultados refuerzan las inequidades en uso y acceso a servicios de salud en Brasil y la necesidad de monitorear indicadores para orientar políticas de salud.

Objetivo: descrever o acesso e utilização de serviços de saúde na população brasileira segundo características sociodemográficas, de acordo com a Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde (PNS) 2019. Métodos: estudo descritivo transversal, a partir de amostra da PNS; foram calculadas as prevalências e respectivos intervalos de confiança dos dados, estratificados por sexo, escolaridade, idade e macrorregião nacional de residência; os dados foram analisados utilizando-se o software Stata versão 16.1. Resultados: foram entrevistados 293.725 indivíduos; os do sexo masculino apresentaram menores proporções de consulta médica (66,6%) e de procura por atendimentos de saúde (17,6%); entre aqueles residentes na região Norte, 69,1% realizaram consulta médica; 16,5% dos indivíduos menos escolarizados obtiveram medicamentos pelo Programa Farmácia Popular. Conclusão: os resultados reforçam as iniquidades no acesso e utilização dos serviços de saúde, além da necessidade de monitoração dos indicadores, para orientar políticas de saúde no Brasil.

Como a normatização sobre o serviço de aborto em gravidez decorrente de estupro afeta sua oferta nos municípios? / How does the regulation of abortion provision for pregnancies resulting from rape affect its supply in the municipalities?

Resumo A oferta do aborto em gestações decorrentes de estupro é limitada no Brasil, restrita a poucos estabelecimentos e concentrada em grandes centros urbanos. Objetivou-se estimar o potencial de expansão da oferta do serviço considerando a capacidade instalada nos municípios país. A partir dos dados de junho de 2021 no Cadastro Nacional de Estabelecimentos de Saúde foram elaborados três diferentes cenários de oferta de aborto previsto em lei em gestações decorrentes de estupro, e calculado o percentual da população do sexo feminino em idade fértil residente nos municípios de cada cenário por região. No primeiro cenário foram incluídos os municípios com oferta instalada, no segundo aqueles com potencial de oferta considerando as normativas vigentes, e no terceiro aqueles com potencial de oferta considerando apenas as recomendações da Organização Mundial de Saúde e o Código Penal brasileiro. Os cenários foram compostos, respectivamente, por 55, 662 e 3.741 municípios, sendo residência de 26,7%, 62,1% e 94,3% das pessoas do sexo feminino entre 10 e 49 anos do país. Em todas as regiões havia capacidade instalada para ampliação da oferta tanto à luz das normativas vigentes quanto das recomendações internacionais.

Abstract The provision of abortion in pregnancies resulting from rape in Brazil is limited, restricted to a few facilities and concentrated in large urban centers. We aimed to estimate the potential for expansion of this service considering the installed capacity in the country's municipalities. From the data of June 2021 in the Cadastro Nacional de Estabelecimentos de Saúde (Brazilian National Registry of Health Facilities, CNES), three different scenarios of abortion provision provided by law in pregnancies resulting from rape were elaborated, and the percentage of female population of childbearing age living in the municipalities of each scenario was calculated by region. The first scenario included the municipalities with installed provision; the second, those with potential for provision considering the current regulations; and the third, those with potential for provision considering only the recommendations of the World Health Organization and the Penal Code of Brazil. The scenarios were composed of 55, 662 and 3,741 municipalities, respectively, and were home to 26.7%, 62.1%, and 94.3% of the country's females between the ages of 10 and 49. In all regions, there was installed capacity to expand provision, both in light of current regulations and international recommendations.

Safe birth in cultural safety in southern Mexico: a pragmatic non-inferiority cluster-randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Available research on the contribution of traditional midwifery to safe motherhood focuses on retraining and redefining traditional midwives, assuming cultural prominence of Western ways. Our objective was to test if supporting traditional midwives on their own terms increases cultural safety (respect of Indigenous traditions) without worsening maternal health outcomes. METHODS: Pragmatic parallel-group cluster-randomised controlled non-inferiority trial in four municipalities in Guerrero State, southern Mexico, with Nahua, Na savi, Me'phaa and Nancue ñomndaa Indigenous groups. The study included all pregnant women in 80 communities and 30 traditional midwives in 40 intervention communities. Between July 2015 and April 2017, traditional midwives and their apprentices received a monthly stipend and support from a trained intercultural broker, and local official health personnel attended a workshop for improving attitudes towards traditional midwifery. Forty communities in two control municipalities continued with usual health services. Trained Indigenous female interviewers administered a baseline and follow-up household survey, interviewing all women who reported pregnancy or childbirth in all involved municipalities since January 2016. Primary outcomes included childbirth and neonatal complications, perinatal deaths, and postnatal complications, and secondary outcomes were traditional childbirth (at home, in vertical position, with traditional midwife and family), access and experience in Western healthcare, food intake, reduction of heavy work, and cost of health care. RESULTS: Among 872 completed pregnancies, women in intervention communities had lower rates of primary outcomes (perinatal deaths or childbirth or neonatal complications) (RD -0.06 95%CI - 0.09 to - 0.02) and reported more traditional childbirths (RD 0.10 95%CI 0.02 to 0.18). Among institutional childbirths, women from intervention communities reported more traditional management of placenta (RD 0.34 95%CI 0.21 to 0.48) but also more non-traditional cold-water baths (RD 0.10 95%CI 0.02 to 0.19). Among home-based childbirths, women from intervention communities had fewer postpartum complications (RD -0.12 95%CI - 0.27 to 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Supporting traditional midwifery increased culturally safe childbirth without worsening health outcomes. The fixed population size restricted our confidence for inference of non-inferiority for mortality outcomes. Traditional midwifery could contribute to safer birth among Indigenous communities if, instead of attempting to replace traditional practices, health authorities promoted intercultural dialogue. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Retrospectively registered ISRCTN12397283 . Trial status: concluded.

In many Indigenous communities, traditional midwives support mothers during pregnancy, childbirth, and some days afterwards. Research involving traditional midwives has focused on training them in Western techniques and redefining their role to support Western care. In Guerrero state, Mexico, Indigenous mothers continue to trust traditional midwives. Almost half of these mothers still prefer traditional childbirths, at home, in the company of their families and following traditional practices. We worked with 30 traditional midwives to see if supporting their practice allowed traditional childbirth without worsening mothers' health. Each traditional midwife received an inexpensive stipend, a scholarship for an apprentice and support from an intercultural broker. The official health personnel participated in a workshop to improve their attitudes towards traditional midwives. We compared 40 communities in two municipalities that received support for traditional midwifery with 40 communities in two municipalities that continued to receive usual services. We interviewed 872 women with childbirth between 2016 and 2017. Mothers in intervention communities suffered fewer complications during childbirth and had fewer complications or deaths of their babies. They had more traditional childbirths and fewer perineal tears or infections across home-based childbirths. Among those who went to Western care, mothers in intervention communities had more traditional management of the placenta but more non-traditional cold-water baths. Supporting traditional midwifery increased traditional childbirth without worsening health outcomes. The small size of participating populations limited our confidence about the size of this difference. Health authorities could promote better health outcomes if they worked with traditional midwives instead of replacing them.

Utilização de serviços odontológicos no Brasil / Use of dental services in Brazil

O objetivo do presente estudo foi analisar a utilização de serviços odontológicos no Brasil. Trata-se de um estudo quantitativo, observacional, transversal, analítico. Os dados individuais foram obtidos das Pesquisas Nacionais de Saúde desenvolvidas nos anos de 2013 e 2019. Os dados foram analisados considerando os pesos amostrais decorrentes de amostras complexas. Para cada estudo, foram desenvolvidas técnicas de análise múltipla que contemplaram os objetivos do estudo. Os resultados foram discutidos em três artigos científicos aceitos para publicação em periódicos e um artigo em fase de finalização. Os resultados encontrados indicam que a população negra, residente na região Norte e Nordeste, de menor classe social e escolaridade apresentam maior chance de ter ido ao dentista há mais de dois anos e de nunca ter ido ao dentista, bem como maior chance de realizar procedimentos odontológicos cirúrgicos ou de urgência na última consulta odontológica. Observou-se em relação às características do domicílio, que morar em área rural, maior aglomeração e menor renda familiar reduziram as chances de ter utilizado serviços odontológicos no último ano. Por outro lado, pessoas que residiam em domicílios cadastrados na Estratégia de Saúde da Família tiveram menor chance de não ter realizado uma consulta odontológica ao longo da vida, ou de terem ido ao dentista há mais de um ano. Ao analisar especificamente a utilização de serviços públicos odontológicos, após ajuste para idade e sexo, a escolaridade, a cor da pele ou raça e a renda familiar demonstraram efeito predisponente na utilização de serviços públicos odontológicos. Os fatores facilitadores foram residir em domicílios cadastrados em equipes de atenção primária ou localizados em áreas rurais. Os fatores de necessidade associados à utilização de serviço odontológico público foram autopercepção de saúde bucal ruim ou péssima e não ter realizado tratamento restaurador no último atendimento odontológico. Em relação aos fatores contextuais, a utilização de serviço público odontológico esteve associada à maior cobertura populacional por equipes de saúde bucal na atenção primária. De forma geral, observamos um acesso desigual aos serviços odontológicos no Brasil. Esse cenário ocorre quando fatores sociais e facilitadores determinam quem utiliza os serviços, em detrimento da necessidade de utilização. Apesar disso, observamos um efeito importante, decorrente da oferta de serviços odontológicos na atenção primária como um fator mitigador de tais desigualdades, o que demonstra um efeito positivo das estratégias adotadas na Política Nacional de Saúde Bucal (AU).

The present study aimed to analyze dental services utilization in Brazil. This is a quantitative, observational, cross-sectional, analytical study. Individual data from the National Health Surveys developed in 2013 and 2019. Data were analyzed by adjusting the sample weights resulting from complex samples. For each study, multivariate analysis techniques addressed the study's objectives. The results will be discussed in three scientific papers accepted for publication in journals and one article in the process of being finalized. It was noticed that the population subgroups comprising Blacks and those residing in the North or Northeast, with lower social class and education, had a greater chance of having a last dental appointment more than two years and never having been to the dentist. In addition, this population stratum also had a greater chance of undergoing surgical or emergency dental procedures in the last dental appointment. The outcome never had a dental appointment was significantly associated with illiterate, males, without private dental insurance, self-rated oral health as bad or very bad, household not enrolled in primary care teams, household in a rural area, high household crowding, and low household income per capita. The highest prevalence of public dental service utilization on an individual level was observed among unable to read or write people, indigenous, black or brown, with lower per capita household income, living in the rural area, and who self-rated oral health as regular or very bad/bad. On the contextual level, highest public dental service utilization was observed among those living in federal units with increased oral health coverage in primary health care. In general, we observe inequalities in dental services utilization in Brazil. This scenario occurs when social characteristics and facilitating aspects determine who uses the services, to the detriment of the need to use them. Despite this, we observed an important effect resulting from the provision of dental services in primary care as a mitigating factor for such inequalities, demonstrating a positive effect of the strategies adopted in the National Oral Health Policy (AU).

"Sapatão" é só para os íntimos: vínculo no cuidado de mulheres lésbicas e bissexuais / "Tortillera" es solo para los íntimos: vínculo en el cuidado de mujeres lesbianas y bisexuales / "Sapatão" is only for the intimate: link in the care of lesbian and bisexual women

Mulheres lésbicas e bissexuais enfrentam dificuldades para o reconhecimento de suas necessidades de saúde, resultando em iniquidades. O objetivo deste estudo foi compreender a construção de vínculo no cuidado à saúde de lésbicas e bissexuais. Adotou-se metodologia qualitativa, utilizando-se entrevistas semiestruturadas presenciais e on-line. A população foi composta por 14 mulheres, residentes em São Paulo, SP, Brasil. Para a análise de conteúdo, foram considerados os marcadores sociais da diferença e a relação das entrevistadas com movimentos sociais. Evidenciou-se que a articulação de marcadores sociais da diferença pode contribuir com a potencialização da exclusão e que a participação em movimentos sociais projeta as mulheres mais ativamente na reivindicação de seu cuidado. Esses dois componentes são atravessadores importantes na construção de vínculo.(AU)

Las mujeres lesbianas y bisexuales enfrentan dificultades para el reconocimiento de sus necesidades de salud, resultando en iniquidades. El objetivo de este estudio fue comprender la construcción de un vínculo en el cuidado de la salud de lesbianas y bisexuales. Se adoptó la metodología cualitativa, utilizándose entrevistas semiestructuradas presenciales y online. La población fue formada por 14 mujeres, residentes en São Paulo (SP) Brasil. Para el análisis, realizado por medio del análisis de contenido, se consideraron los marcadores sociales de la diferencia y la relación de las entrevistadas con movimientos sociales. Se puso en evidencia que la articulación de marcadores sociales de la diferencia puede contribuir para potencializar la exclusión y que la participación en movimientos sociales proyecta a las mujeres más activamente en la reivindicación de su cuidado. Esos dos componentes son factores atravesadores importantes en la construcción de vínculo.(AU)

Lesbian and bisexual women face difficulties in having their health needs recognized resulting in inequities. The objective of this study was to understand the creation of bonds in the health care for lesbians and bisexuals. A qualitative methodology was adopted, using face-to-face and online semi-structured interviews. The population consisted of 14 women, living in São Paulo (SP), Brazil. For the analysis, carried out through content analysis, the social markers of difference and the interviewees' relationship with social movements were considered. It was evidenced that the articulation of social markers of difference can contribute to the potentiation of exclusion and that participation in social movements projects women more actively in claiming their care. These two components are important intermediaries in bond creation.(AU)

Acesso universal e igualitário? O desafio na oferta do aborto previsto em lei pelo Sistema Único de Saúde / Universal and equal access? The challenge of legal abortion provision by the Brazilian National Health System

Resumo O aborto é tipificado no Código Penal brasileiro, entretanto, há casos em que ele não é punível. Nesses casos, o serviço deve ser ofertado no Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS), seguindo os princípios de igualdade de assistência e universalidade de acesso. No entanto, está concentrado em poucos hospitais de grandes centros urbanos, limitando o acesso. As limitações institucionais da oferta refletem desafios próprios do SUS e são acrescidas de estigmatização do procedimento, impondo barreiras adicionais ao acesso. Neste ensaio, a oferta do aborto previsto em lei no país é abordada a partir da lógica de organização do SUS e dos marcos normativos que a tangem. Em seguida, à luz de experiências e recomendações internacionais, são discutidas possibilidades de expansão da oferta e facilitação do acesso. Conclui-se que o Brasil seria capaz de oferecer de forma segura na atenção primária o aborto previsto em lei, utilizando-se de sua capilaridade para ampliar a acessibilidade geográfica, evitando o não acesso por indisponibilidade. A não garantia de acesso pode levar à busca por meios inseguros de interromper a gravidez, além de violar direitos de preservação da vida, da dignidade e da liberdade.

Abstract Abortion is defined as a crime in the Brazilian Penal Code, nonetheless, it is not punishable in some cases. In these cases, the procedure must be offered by the Brazilian National Health System (SUS) following its principles of equal assistance and universal access. However, its provision is concentrated in a few hospitals in urban centres, limiting access. The institutional limitation of provision reflects some weaknesses of SUS and is aggravated by the stigmatization of the procedure, adding barriers to accessing it. In this essay, we approach legal abortion provision based on the SUS organization and the normative frameworks on abortion in the country. Then, we discuss alternatives for expanding abortion provision and access considering international experiences and recommendations. In conclusion, Brazil could provide safe legal abortion in primary health care, using its capillarity to expand geographic accessibility, and avoiding lack of access due to unavailability. Failure to guarantee safe abortion access can lead to unsafe procedures, in addition to violating the right to preserve life, to dignity and to freedom.

Análise do acesso a serviços de saúde no Brasil segundo perfil sociodemográfico: Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde, 2019 / Análisis del acceso a los servicios de salud en Brasil según perfil sociodemográfico: Encuesta Nacional de Salud, 2019 / Analysis of access to health services in Brazil according to sociodemographic profile: National Health Survey, 2019

Objetivo: descrever o acesso e a utilização de serviços de saúde na população brasileira segundo características sociodemográficas, de acordo com a Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde (PNS) 2019. Métodos: estudo descritivo transversal, a partir de amostra da PNS; foram calculadas as prevalências e respectivos intervalos de confiança dos dados, estratificados por sexo, escolaridade, idade e macrorregião nacional de residência; os dados foram analisados utilizando-se o software Stata versão 16.1. Resultados: foram entrevistados 293.725 indivíduos; os do sexo masculino apresentaram menores proporções de consulta médica (66,6%) e de procura por atendimentos de saúde (17,6%); entre aqueles residentes na região Norte, 69,1% realizaram consulta médica; 16,5% dos indivíduos menos escolarizados obtiveram medicamentos pelo Programa Farmácia Popular. Conclusão: os resultados reforçam as iniquidades no acesso e na utilização dos serviços de saúde, além da necessidade de monitoração dos indicadores, para orientar políticas de saúde no Brasil.

Objetivo: describir el acceso y uso de servicios de salud en la población brasileña según indicadores sociodemográficos de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud (Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde - PNS) 2019. Métodos: estudio descriptivo transversal con base en muestra de la PNS. Se calcularon prevalencias e intervalos de confianza para datos estratificados por sexo, escolaridad, edad y macrorregión. Datos analizados en el software Stata versión 16.1. Resultados: 293.725 personas fueron entrevistadas; personas de sexo masculino tenían menor proporción de consulta médica (66,6%) y buscaban menos atención médica (17,6%). Entre los residentes en región Norte, 69,1% acudió a consulta médica. 16,5% de las personas con menor nivel educativo obtuvieron medicamentos mediante el Programa de Farmacia Popular. Conclusión: los resultados refuerzan las inequidades en uso y acceso a servicios de salud en Brasil y la necesidad de monitorear indicadores para orientar políticas de salud.

Objective: to describe the access to and utilization of health services among the Brazilian population according to sociodemographic characteristics, based on the 2019 National Health Survey (Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde - PNS). Methods: this was a cross-sectional descriptive study based on a PNS sample; the prevalence and respective confidence intervals of data stratified by sex, schooling, age and national macro-region of residence were calculated; data were analyzed using Stata software version 16.1. Results: a total of 293,725 individuals were interviewed; males showed lower proportion of medical consultations (66.6%) and were less likely to seek care (17.6%); among those living in the North region, 69.1% had medical consultations; 16.5% of individuals with low level of education obtained medication through the Brazilian Popular Pharmacy Program. Conclusion: the results reinforce iniquities in access to and utilization of health services, in addition to the need for monitoring indicators in order to guide health policies in Brazil.

Desafios do acesso à saúde bucal: uma revisão integrativa da literatura / Challenges of access to oral health: an integrative literature review

Quando focamos o acesso da população à saúde bucalna Atenção Primária à Saúde, ficamos diante de um grande desafio, que envolve garantir um serviço de qualidade, facilitado, integral e resolutivo. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a qualidade do acesso à saúde bucal na Atenção Primária à Saúde. Para isso, foi realizada, em outubro de 2020, uma revisão integrativa da literatura por meio de artigos publicados nos últimos cinco anos, disponíveis na Biblioteca Virtual da Saúde. A estratégia de busca retornou 118 artigos, desses 16 foram incluídos. As quatro categorias que emergiram da análise foram: Avaliação do acesso aos serviços odontológicos pela população e seus desafios; O impacto do acesso à saúde bucal na qualidade de vida das pessoas; Compreensão da relação do profissional com o acesso e O uso da agenda de atividades para a melhoria doacesso aos serviços de saúde bucal. Com essa análise, concluiu-se que ainda há muitos desafios a serem vencidos para que consigamos ter um acesso efetivo de qualidade à saúde bucal na APS.

When we talk about the population's access to oral health in primary health care, we are facing a major challenge, which involves ensuring a quality service that is facilitated, comprehensive, and resolute. The aim of this study was to analyze the quality of access to oral health in primary health care. For this purpose, an integrative literature review was carried out using the Virtual Health Library, through articles published in the last five years. The study was conducted in October 2020. The search strategy returned 118 articles and 16 were included. The four categories that emerged from the analysis were: Assessment of the population's access to dental services and their challenges; the impact of access to oral health on people's quality of life; understanding professionals' relationship with access; and the use of activities schedules to improve access to oral health services. It was concluded that there are still many challenges to be overcome so that we can have effective access to quality oral health in PHC.

Adequação da assistência odontológica pré-natal: desigualdades sociais e geográficas em uma região metropolitana do Brasil / Adequacy of prenatal dental care: social and geographical inequalities in a metropolitan region of Brazil

Resumo Objetivou-se analisar as desigualdades sociais e geográficas na adequação da assistência odontológica pré-natal no Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) da Região Metropolitana da Grande Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brasil. Realizou-se um estudo seccional com 1.209 puérperas residentes na região, internadas no SUS para parto em 2010 e 2011. Coletaram-se dados sobre assistência médica-odontológica pré-natal, impacto da saúde bucal na qualidade de vida (Oral Health Impact Profile-14) e características contextuais, predisponentes e capacitantes. A assistência odontológica pré-natal foi adequada quando o cuidado prestado correspondeu ao tratamento preconizado. Analisou-se a chance de adequação da assistência odontológica pré-natal por meio de modelo logístico multivariado. Verificou-se que a saúde bucal impactou a qualidade de vida de 102 (8,4%) gestantes e a adequação da assistência odontológica pré-natal foi apenas de 15,4% (n=156). Houve maior chance de adequação da assistência odontológica pré-natal em Vitória (OR=2,44; IC=1,63-3,66), na presença de Estratégia Saúde da Família (OR=1,88; IC=1,22-2,89) e de pré-natal de qualidade (OR=3,59; IC=1,64-7,84). As desigualdades contextuais foram determinantes para inadequação da assistência odontológica no pré-natal.

Abstract This study set out to analyze social and geographical inequalities in the adequacy of prenatal dental care in the Unified Health System (SUS) of the Greater Vitória Metropolitan Region, Espírito Santo, Brazil. A cross-sectional study was carried out with 1209 postpartum women living in the region admitted to hospital at SUS facilities for childbirth between 2010 and 2011. Data were collected on prenatal medical-dental care, the impact of oral health on the quality of life of pregnant women (Oral Health Impact Profile-14), and predisposing characteristics. Prenatal care was adequate when care corresponded to the recommended treatment. The adequacy of dental care during prenatal care was analyzed using a multivariate logistic model. Oral health was found to have an impact on the quality of life of 102 (8.4%) pregnant women and the adequacy of dental care during prenatal care was only 15.4% (n=156). There was a greater chance of adequacy of prenatal dental care in Vitória (OR=2.44; IC=1.63-3.66), in regions covered by the family health strategy (OR=1.88; IC=1.22-2.89), and in areas with a higher proportion of pregnant women with access to quality prenatal care (OR=3.59; IC=1.64-7.84). Contextual inequalities were decisive for the inadequacy of dental care in prenatal care.

COVID-19 and the Digitalisation of Cardiovascular Training and Education-A Review of Guiding Themes for Equitable and Effective Post-graduate Telelearning.

The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had an unprecedented impact leading to novel adaptations in post-graduate medical education for cardiovascular and general internal medicine. Whilst the results of initial community COVID-19 vaccination are awaited, continuation of multimodality teaching and training that incorporates telelearning will have enduring benefit to post-graduate education and will place educational establishments in good stead to nimbly respond in future pandemic-related public health emergencies. With the rise in innovative virtual learning solutions, medical educators will have to leverage technology to develop electronic educational materials and virtual courses that facilitate adult learning. Technology-enabled virtual learning is thus a timely progression of hybrid classroom initiatives that are already adopted to varying degrees, with a need for faculty to serve as subject matter experts, to host and moderate online discussions, and to provide feedback and overall mentorship. As an extension from existing efforts, simulation-based teaching (SBT) and learning and the use of mixed reality technology should also form a greater core in the cardiovascular medicine curriculum. We highlight five foundational themes for building a successful e-learning model in cardiovascular and general post-graduate medical training: (1) digital solutions and associated infrastructure; (2) equity in access; (3) participant engagement; (4) diversity and inclusion; and (5) patient confidentiality and governance framework. With digitalisation impacting our everyday lives and now how we teach and train in medicine, these five guiding principles provide a cognitive scaffold for careful consideration of the required ecosystem in which cardiovascular and general post-graduate medical education can effectively operate. With due consideration of various e-learning options and associated infrastructure needs; and adoption of strategies for participant engagement under sound and just governance, virtual training in medicine can be effective, inclusive and equitable through the COVID-19 era and beyond.

An ecosystem service perspective on urban nature, physical activity, and health.

Nature underpins human well-being in critical ways, especially in health. Nature provides pollination of nutritious crops, purification of drinking water, protection from floods, and climate security, among other well-studied health benefits. A crucial, yet challenging, research frontier is clarifying how nature promotes physical activity for its many mental and physical health benefits, particularly in densely populated cities with scarce and dwindling access to nature. Here we frame this frontier by conceptually developing a spatial decision-support tool that shows where, how, and for whom urban nature promotes physical activity, to inform urban greening efforts and broader health assessments. We synthesize what is known, present a model framework, and detail the model steps and data needs that can yield generalizable spatial models and an effective tool for assessing the urban nature-physical activity relationship. Current knowledge supports an initial model that can distinguish broad trends and enrich urban planning, spatial policy, and public health decisions. New, iterative research and application will reveal the importance of different types of urban nature, the different subpopulations who will benefit from it, and nature's potential contribution to creating more equitable, green, livable cities with active inhabitants.