Mediation role of anxiety on social support and depression among diabetic patients in elderly caring social organizations in China during COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes has become a prominent global public health problem, which is an important cause of death, disease burden, and medical and health economic burden. Previous studies have reported that majority of persons diagnosed with diabetes later presented with psychological and mental health diseases. The study aimed to explore the mediation role of anxiety on social support and depression among diabetic patents in elderly caring social organizations (SOs). METHODS: A multi-stage stratified cluster random sampling method was used in this cross-sectional study, and a questionnaire consisting of demographic questionnaire, MSPSS, GAD-7, and CES-D-10 was utilized to gather data. SPSS 22.0 and MPLUS 7.4 were used for statistical analysis. Spearman correlation analysis was employed to investigate correlations of key variables. A generalized linear model was used to exam factors associated with depression. Finally, the mediation effect among study variables was investigated by structural equation modeling (SEM). RESULTS: The average scores of social support, anxiety, and depression were 58.41 ± 14.67, 2.95 ± 3.95, and 7.24 ± 5.53, respectively. The factors of gender, social support, and anxiety were identified as significantly influential factors related to depression among diabetic patients in elderly caring SOs. The effect of social support on depression was significantly mediated by anxiety (ß = -0.467, 95%CI: -0.813 to -0.251). Furthermore, anxiety partially mediated the relationship between family support and depression (ß = -0.112, 95%CI: -0.229 to -0.012), and anxiety functioned as a complete mediator in the effect of significant others' support and depression (ß = -0.135, 95%CI: -0.282 to -0.024). CONCLUSIONS: The indirect effect of social support on depression through anxiety among diabetic patients in elderly caring SOs was elucidated. Social support played a key role in maintaining and regulating their mental health, particularly from family and significant others. Social support provided by both family and significant others exerted an important influence on maintaining and regulating their mental health. In light of this pathway, the elderly caring SOs should enhance the magnitude of social support from these two sources, thereby diminishing the likelihood of experiencing anxiety and depression.

The satisfaction of elderly people with elderly caring social organizations and its relationship with social support and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: With the deepening of China's aging population, higher demands have been placed on the supply of elderly care services. As one of the main sources of providing elderly care services, the quality of service provided by elderly caring social organizations (SOs) directly affects the quality of life of the elderly. In recent years, mental health issues among the elderly have become increasingly prominent, especially with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Necessitating the need to pay much more attention to the social support and mental health of this population. This study, therefore, explores the mediating role of institutional satisfaction between the social support and anxiety levels of elderly people in Chongqing's elderly caring SOs. METHOD: This study employed a multi-stage stratified random sampling method to survey 1004 service recipients in elderly caring social organizations from July to August 2022. The self-made sociodemographic questionnaire, institutional satisfaction questionnaire, MSPSS, and GAD-7 were used to collect data on sociodemographic characteristics, institutional satisfaction, social support, and anxiety levels of older adults. Exploratory Factor Analysis and Cronbach's alpha were used to test construct validity and scale reliability, respectively. Data features were described with One-Way Analysis of Variance, while Multiple Linear Regression and Structural Equation Modeling were used to evaluate relationships between social support, institutional satisfaction, and anxiety levels. RESULTS: The average institutional satisfaction score for elderly people in elderly caring SOs was 48.14 ± 6.75. Specifically, the satisfaction score for environmental quality and the satisfaction score for service quality were 16.63 ± 2.56 and 31.52 ± 4.76, respectively. In terms of socio-demographic variables, the presence of visits from relatives, personal annual average income, and self-rated health status all have significant effects on anxiety. Elders who receive visits from relatives have lower levels of anxiety compared to those who do not. Personal annual average income and self-rated health status are negatively correlated with anxiety levels. Social support had significant positive effect on institutional satisfaction, while institutional satisfaction had significant negative effect on anxiety. Institutional satisfaction partially mediated the relationship between social support and anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: Our research demonstrates that improving the quality of organizational services in elderly caring SOs and increasing institutional satisfaction among the elders has significant potential for reducing anxiety levels among the elderly. Additionally, the social support by visits from family members cannot be overlooked. We encourage increasing the frequency of family visits through various means to enhance the support provided to elderly individuals.

Relationship between social network and individual performance of core members from aged care services social organizations: cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The social network of core members can affect the performance of the organization, while there is a lack of research on the relationship between the social network of core members of social organizations and individual performance in the field of aged care services. This study aimed to explore the relationship between social network and individual performance of core members from social organizations engaged in aged care services and explore measures to promote the development of aged care services. METHODS: We used a multi-stage stratified sampling method to conduct a cross-sectional study and collected the required data in six cities in Anhui Province, China. Univariate analysis and binary logistic regression were used to estimate the relationship between social network and individual performance. RESULTS: Our results indicated that core members with higher social network scores were more likely to yield better individual performance, including receiving awards or recognitions related to aged care services (AOR=2.534; 95% CI: 1.397-4.596). Moreover, teams led by the core members were more likely to receive awards or recognitions related to aged care services (AOR=2.930; 95% CI: 1.740-4.933). The core members or the teams led by them were more likely to be reported by the media (AOR=1.748; 95% CI: 1.030-2.966) and participate in the drafting or discussion of local aged care service standards or service specifications (AOR=2.088; 95% CI: 1.093-3.911). In addition, demographic variables such as gender, marital status, and education of core members were significantly related to their performance (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The social network of core members of aged care service social organizations has an impact on their individual performance. To improve the performance of the core members of senior citizens services and organizations, relevant measures should be taken from the government, social organizations and core members to strengthen the social network construction of core members.

Healthcare and Social Organizations' Disaster Preparedness, Response, and Recovery Experience: Lessons Learned From Hurricanes Irma and Maria.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare and social organizations (HSOs) are first respondents after natural disasters. Hence, their preparedness and resilience are critical components for addressing future disasters. However, little is known about HSOs' experiences prior to, during, and after hurricanes. OBJECTIVE: To describe preparedness, response, and recovery experiences from hurricanes Irma/ Maria among HSOs in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. METHODS: Using a convenience sample, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 52 key-informants. Content analysis for common and recurring themes and patterns was performed by HSO type. RESULTS: Most HSOs (80.8%) had a preparedness plan and 55.8% responded providing emergency supplies. HSOs' human resources (61.2%) was the main recovery facilitator/ enabler, while 36.5% identified the lack of economic resources and the lack of an integrated emergency plan as the top barriers. The main lesson learned include understanding the need to make improvements to their emergency preparedness plans (56.3%), and to establish an integrated/ centralized plan between relevant parties. CONCLUSION: Lessons learned after hurricanes allowed HSOs to identify gaps and opportunities to become more resilient. Infrastructure capacity, human resources, communication systems, and economic support, as well as training, partnerships, and new policies should be defined, revised, and/ or integrated into the HSOs' preparedness plans to mitigate the impact of future disasters.

Promoting Sexuality Education for Children and Adolescents on a Large Scale: Program Design, Organizational Cooperation Network and Administrative Mobilization.

In China, the promotion of sexuality education for children and adolescents is hindered by a relatively conservative culture and insufficient drive from the government. With the government and the market failing to deliver in this area, social organizations, such as the third sector, are playing an important role. This paper mainly discusses how Chinese social organizations promote sexuality education for children and adolescents on a large scale. This paper studied NW, the largest sexuality education support platform in China at present, and 16 frontline implementing organizations in its cooperation network. This research collects empirical data through participatory observation and semi-structured interviews, involving a total of 37 interviewees, plus relevant text data. The study follows the analytical method of process tracking, trying to extract the key mechanisms of how social organizations promote sexuality education from the processes demonstrated by the specific cases. This paper focuses on the key phases of a standardized sexuality education program, from its design to promotion and then to implementation. It is found that, based on the large-scale operation strategy, the operation process of the sexuality education program exhibited three core mechanisms: standardized program design, organizational cooperation network and administrative mobilization. These three mechanisms have become the key force to break through many of the cultural and institutional obstacles and achieve large-scale implementation of sexuality education. Finally, this paper discusses the challenges of operationalizing the sexuality education program, with compromised teaching quality as a major one, and points to the direction for future research.

The Relationship between Social Support and Anxiety among Rural Older People in Elderly Caring Social Organizations: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Social support and anxiety have a major impact on later life quality in rural, older people in elderly caring social organizations (SOs). This study aimed to explore the relationship between social support and anxiety and their relevant influential factors among rural older people in elderly caring SOs in Anhui Province, China. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted through a multi-stage stratified cluster random sampling method. Independent t-tests, one-way ANOVA, Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis H test, and a generalized linear model were employed. RESULTS: A significantly negative association between friends' support and anxiety were found among rural older people in elderly caring SOs. Statistically significant relationships were found between social support and gender, marital status, education level, whether visited by relatives, and institutional satisfaction. Similarly, anxiety was associated with gender, institutional satisfaction, comorbid chronic diseases, and friends' support. CONCLUSIONS: Social support from friends plays an important role in preventing and regulating anxiety among rural older people, especially those from elderly caring SOs. To reduce the occurrence and level of anxiety among rural elderly in elderly caring SOs, an effort should be given to strengthening social support, improving institutional satisfaction, and emphasizing comorbid chronic diseases.

Factors related to the social network of core members of elderly care service social organizations: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The social network of the core members of elderly care service social organizations could affect the performance of the organization, while studies concerning its related factors are limited. We aimed to explore factors that are associated with the social network of core members from elderly care service social organizations and provide references and suggestions for improving elderly care services. METHODS: This cross-sectional study employed a multi-stage stratified sampling method, and collected data concerning social network, demographic information and occupation. Univariate analysis and binary logistic regression were used to analyze factors that could affect the social network of the core members. RESULTS: Our results demonstrated that there is low social network of core members of elderly care social organizations. Out of the total membership, men (AOR = 1.708; 95%CI: 1.034-2.823), those with senior high school education (AOR = 1.923; 95%CI: 1.053-3.511), those with a college degree and above (AOR = 3.010; 95%CI: 1.591-5.692) and those that receive awards related to elderly care services (AOR = 2.260; 95%CI: 1.285-3.976) were associated with higher social network scores. CONCLUSIONS: Our data successfully characterized the social status of core members of elderly care organizations. Therefore, health care professionals and policy makers in social organizations should use this knowledge in the care and service provision to the elderly; and implement actions that would promote networking in social organizations.

Relationship between social support and depression among older people from elderly care social organizations in Anhui Province, China.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between absent social support and depression among older adults from elderly care social organizations in Anhui Province, China. METHODS: A cross-sectional study using a multi-stage stratified random sampling method was conducted in six selected cities of Anhui Province, China. A linear regression model was employed to estimate the association between absent social support and depression. RESULTS: All in all, 1167 older people were included. Social support and the three dimensions studied were all negatively correlated with depression. These findings suggest that older people from elderly care organizations, who reported higher social support, were less likely to develop depression. This association also existed after stratified analysis in different areas: household (urban/rural), age and gender. DISCUSSION: A higher level of social support was correlated with lower chances of experiencing depression. These findings are consistent with the majority of previous literature having reported on social support among elderly populations. However, some of our findings differ from those of other studies. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that improved social support could help to prevent depression among older adults.

Adoption of AI-Enabled Tools in Social Development Organizations in India: An Extension of UTAUT Model.

Social development organizations increasingly employ artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled tools to help team members collaborate effectively and efficiently. These tools are used in various team management tasks and activities. Based on the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT), this study explores various factors influencing employees' use of AI-enabled tools. The study extends the model in two ways: a) by evaluating the impact of these tools on the employees' collaboration and b) by exploring the moderating role of AI aversion. Data were collected through an online survey of employees working with AI-enabled tools. The analysis of the research model was conducted using partial least squares (PLS), with a two-step model - measurement and structural models of assessment. The results revealed that the antecedent variables, such as effort expectancy, performance expectancy, social influence, and facilitating conditions, are positively associated with using AI-enabled tools, which have a positive relationship with collaboration. It also concluded a significant effect of AI aversion in the relationship between performance expectancy and use of technology. These findings imply that organizations should focus on building an environment to adopt AI-enabled tools while also addressing employees' concerns about AI.

Correlations of external social capital in social organizations providing integrated eldercare services with medical care in China.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to explore the external social capital of social organizations (SOs) providing integrated eldercare services with medical care in Anhui Province, China. Specifically, we studied the current situation and influencing factors of external social capital and its six dimensions. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study in Anhui Province, China using a multi-stage stratified random sampling method. We employed Pearson correlation analysis and a binary logistic regression model. RESULTS: The final analysis included 49 SOs. Most organizations had a high score in norm dimension (81.6%), participation (61.2%), trust (65.3%), common language (65.3%), and social capital (63.3%). After adjusting for all covariate variables, integrated eldercare services with medical care SOs which served more than 65 elderly people were likely to report lower score in social capital. CONCLUSIONS: By examining the current situation of integrated eldercare services with medical care SOs in China, this study enriched the relevant evidence of integrated medical and nursing SOs and provides a certain reference value for relevant management departments when formulating policies.

Introduzindo o tema da corrupção nas análises sobre mudanças dos modelos de gestão da saúde / Introducing the theme of corruption into analysis of changes in health management models

O trabalho, recorte de uma pesquisa sobre privatização da saúde no município do Rio de Janeiro, aborda a principal questão levantada na literatura nacional e internacional sobre os resultados das reformas gerencialistas da Administração pública no contexto do neoliberalismo, que é a falta de controle sobre as parcerias público-privadas e os contratos de gestão. No caso, as Organizações Sociais de Saúde (OSS) têm frequentemente sido envolvidas em processos de corrupção. Faz-se uma breve revisão sobre a corrupção, abordando suas dimensões quantitativas e as concepções correntes. O marco teórico adotado é o marxismo, em especial, a partir de análises de formações econômico-sociais pós ou semicoloniais, onde tem sido encontrado, na contemporaneidade, níveis significativos de corrupção. O caso do Rio de Janeiro abordou 14 OSS que estabeleceram contratos com a prefeitura entre 2009 e 2015 utilizando fontes públicas oficiais, jornais e processos do Ministério Público. Em somente quatro OSS não se identificaram irregularidades, a partir das fontes citadas. As mais comuns envolveram irregularidades na prestação de contas, sobrepreços e pagamento de propinas a agentes públicos. Aponta ao final, que, a contrarreforma do Estado na saúde, ao contrário do proposto nos anos 1990, parece estar facilitando a corrupção, indo contra os princípios da administração pública que orientaram a Constituição de 1988

The work is an excerpt from a research on the privatization of health in the city of Rio de Janeiro. It addresses the main issue raised in the national and international literature on the results of managerial reforms in Public Administration in the context of neoliberalism, which is the lack of control over public-private partnerships and management contracts. In this case, Social Health Organizations/OSS have often been involved in corruption processes. A brief review of corruption is carried out, approaching its quantitative dimensions and current conceptions. The theoretical framework adopted is Marxism, especially from the analysis of post- or semi-colonial economic-social formations, where, in contemporary times, significant levels of corruption have been found. The case of Rio de Janeiro addressed 14 OSSs that established contracts with the City Hall between 2009 and 2015 using official public sources, newspapers and Public Ministry processes. In only four OSSs, no irregularities were identified, based on the sources cited. The most common ones involved irregularities in the rendering of accounts, overpricing and payment of bribes to public officials. It points out at the end that the State counter-reform in health, contrary to what was proposed in the 1990s, seems to be facilitating corruption, going against the principles of public administration that guided the 1988 Constitution

Institutional Satisfaction and Anxiety Mediate the Relationship Between Social Support and Depression in Hypertension Patients in Elderly Caring Social Organizations: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Depression is a prevalent health condition among hypertension patients in elderly caring social organizations (SOs). Patients with hypertension and depression symptoms have worse health outcomes than those without depression. As the population ages, chronic and mental health issues such as depression of hypertension patients in elderly caring SOs have become prominent. However, the combined effects of social support, institutional satisfaction, and anxiety on depression among hypertension individuals in elderly caring SOs remain unclear. This study aimed to explore the mediating effects of institutional satisfaction and anxiety on the relationship between social support and depression among hypertension patients in elderly caring SOs in Anhui Province, China. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a multi-stage stratified random sampling method. A questionnaire was used to collect data on demographic characteristics, the satisfaction of elderly caring SOs, social support, anxiety, and depression. A multiple linear regression model was utilized to investigate depression-related factors, and structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to examine the relationships between social support, institutional satisfaction, anxiety, and depression among patients with hypertension in elderly caring SOs. Results: Our results indicated that the mean scores of social support were 20.19 ± 6.98 and 1.92 ± 3.18 for anxiety, and 6.24 ± 5.03 for depression; besides, 33.3% of participants were very satisfied with elderly caring SOs, 48.5% were satisfied, and only 6.0% were dissatisfied or very dissatisfied. Comorbid chronic diseases were significantly associated with depression. Institutional satisfaction was directly negatively related to depression, whereas anxiety was directly positively correlated with depression. Social support had an indirect negative association with depression by the mediating effects of institutional satisfaction and anxiety. Conclusions: The study highlights the importance of social support in maintaining mental health among hypertension patients residing in elderly caring SOs. To alleviate depression among hypertension patients in elderly caring SOs, strategies that target enhancing social support, institutional satisfaction, and anxiety reduction should be prioritized. More importantly, more attention should be paid to patients with comorbid chronic diseases.

Factors related to turnover intention among staff of elderly caring social organizations in Anhui Province, China: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: Turnover intention of employees in elderly caring social organizations has a significant impact on elderly care service delivery. This study investigated the associated factors of turnover intention among employees of elderly caring social organizations in Anhui Province, China. METHODS: A total of 605 participants were selected using a multi-stage stratified random sampling method. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect information on socio-demographic, social support, and turnover intention from the participants. The data was analyzed through descriptive statistical analysis, one-way variance analysis, Spearman correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression were used to analyze the factors related to turnover intention. RESULTS: Results of our study showed that the total score of turnover intention, turnover intention I (possibility of quitting a current job),turnover intention II (motivation to find other jobs) and turnover intention III (obtaining the external possibility of work) were 8.84, 2.32, 2.38, and 4.14, respectively. Social support negatively correlated with turnover intention I and turnover intention II. However, it showed positive correlation with turnover intention III and total turnover intention scores; turnover intentionI (coefficient: - 0.082), turnover intention II (coefficient: - 0.071), turnover intention III (coefficient: 0.19), Total score of turnover intention (coefficient: 0.093). Ethnic group, age, education level, and job satisfaction were associated with turnover intention. CONCLUSION: Improvement of social support play an important role in reducing the turnover intention of employees in elderly caring social organizations. It is important to increase organizational commitment and strengthen psychological empowerment, combined with decreasing job burnout for stability.

Social Accounting as an Enabling Tool to Develop Collective Organizational Citizenship Behavior in the Diocese of Bilbao.

Religious oriented organizations (ROOs) have frequently higher levels of motivation among their employees, because the aims of ROOs and those of collaborators and stakeholders are usually aligned. However, sometimes, when the management of ROOs becomes professionalized, tensions between aims and efficiency are more frequent, and productivity levels start to decline. The most widespread current management theories are focused on profit maximization and are not especially helpful to religious organizations which try to enhance their productivity levels and, at the same time, achive their mission and aims. In order to fill this gap, in this research, we will develop two main concepts: social accounting and organizational citizenship behavior (OCB). We will propose the use of social accounting to calculate the social value generated by ROOs and, from that point, build new indicators able to measure the organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) of collaborators working in ROOs. We will exemplify this theoretical development with the actual case of the diocese of Bilbao. In short, the main objectives of this work are two. The first objective is the development of a theoretical framework able to enhance the levels of social value creation inside religious (and socially oriented) organizations using social accounting. The second objective is the use of data from the 16 educative centers of the diocese of Bilbao to ilustrate that social accounting is a valid tool to measure social value. Additionally, we will show that social accounting can be a tool to assess management decisions in order to enhance organizational and individual OCB in ROOs and, in this way, generate moral satisfaction for employees and collaborators in their organizations.

Membership, Neighborhood Social Identification, Well-Being, and Health for the Elderly in Chile.

The world's elderly population is growing, and in Chile they represent 16.2% of the total population. In Chile, old age is marked by retirement, with a dramatic decrease in income that brings precariousness. Older adults are economically, socially, and psychologically vulnerable populations. This condition increases their likelihood of disengaging from their usual social environment, facilitating their isolation, sadness, and discomfort. From the perspective of social identity, well-being (WB) can be explained by two principles: social groups' importance for health and people's psychological identification with those groups. This study analyzes the relationships between belonging to the neighborhood and extra-neighborhood groups and neighborhood social identification with WB. Urban or rural location and gender are measured, and the sample is 1,475 older Chilean adults of both sexes. The results show that the majority are not members of social groups (52%), and the remaining 48% are members of one or two groups or organizations (42.65%). Only 4.47% belong to three groups or organizations. Those who belong to groups obtain higher scores, emotional-mental WB, and positive emotions than older adults who do not belong to any organization. Urban and rural older adults have the same level of WB. Membership in close social organizations (neighborhood councils) or distant ones (clubs for the elderly and religious groups) causes different WB associations. Membership in neighborhood councils reduces gender differences in self-assessment of health. This result supports the idea that participation in heterogeneous groups with a shared sense of belonging to the neighborhood is associated with higher WB and lower perceived loneliness. Social identification with the neighborhood, rather than belonging to the group, had the most widespread impact on WB and health indicators. The variable social identification with the neighborhood was consistently associated with indicators of hedonic WB.

Organizações sociais e a gestão dos serviços do SUS / Social organizations and the management of SUS services

Resumo: O objetivo do artigo é apresentar como o modelo de gestão dos serviços do SUS por organização social se apresenta nos Planos Estaduais Plurianuais de Saúde nos quadriênios de 2012-5 e 2016-9, de onze estados brasileiros. A pesquisa evidenciou que poucos planos fazem referências explícitas aos serviços com gestão por organização social, mas a maioria dos estados propõe a adoção da gestão dos serviços por meio de organizações sociais ou estratégias que se vinculam à parceria público-privado.

Abstract: The goal of the article is to present how the model of management of SUS's services by Social Organization are presented in the Health Multiannual State Plans in the quadrennias of 2012-5 and 2016-9, from eleven Brazilian states. The research evidenced that few Plans have explicit references to services with management by Social Organization, but most of the States propose the adoption of the management of the services through Social Organizations or strategies that are linked to the public-private partnership.

Un modelo conceptual para los comités de ética: síntesis sociológicas preliminares / Um modelo conceitual para os comitês de ética: sínteses sociológicas preliminares / A conceptual model for ethics committees: preliminary sociological syntheses

Resumen: El texto propone un acercamiento conceptual inicial a la investigación sociológica empírica sobre los comités de ética, la cual se comprende como un campo de estudio actualmente subdesarrollado. El modelo pretende dar sustento a investigaciones cualitativas, cuantitativas o mixtas sobre la temática sobre la base de un conjunto de dimensiones y conceptos seleccionados de las obras más importantes de los sociólogos Émile Durkheim, Max Weber, Talcott Parsons, Jürgen Habermas y Niklas Luhmann. El texto concluye con una definición sociológica preliminar para los comités de ética y con sugerencias metodológicas para la investigación empírica.

Resumo: O texto propõe uma aproximação conceitual inicial à pesquisa sociológica empírica sobre os comitês de ética, a qual se compreende como um campo de estudo atualmente subdesenvolvido. O modelo pretende dar sustento a pesquisas qualitativas, quantitativas ou mistas sobre a temática, sobre a base de um conjunto de dimensões e conceitos selecionados das obras mais importantes dos sociólogos Émile Durkheim, Max Weber, Talcott Parsons, Jürgen Habermas e Niklas Luhmann. O texto conclui com uma definição sociológica preliminar para os comitês de ética e com sugestões metodológicas para a pesquisa empírica.

Abstract: The text proposes an initial conceptual approach to empirical sociological research on ethics committees, which is understood as a currently underdeveloped field of study. The model aims to support qualitative, quantitative or mixed researches on the subject based on a set of dimensions and concepts selected from the most important works of sociologists Émile Durkheim, Max Weber, Talcott Parsons, Jürgen Habermas and Niklas Luhmann. The text concludes with a preliminary sociological definition for the ethics committees and also methodological suggestions for empirical research.

Recursos humanos em hospitais estaduais gerenciados por organizações sociais de saúde: a lógica do privado / Human resources in state hospitals managed by health social organizations: the logic of the private / Recursos humanos en hospitales estatales administrados por organizaciones sociales de salud: la lógica del privado

Resumo Este estudo teve como principal objetivo analisar as políticas de recursos humanos em saúde nos hospitais estaduais gerenciados por organizações sociais de saúde no Espírito Santo. Para tal, efetuou-se uma pesquisa qualitativa, elegendo-se como campo de investigação as organizações sociais que gerenciam hospitais públicos no estado. Na coleta de dados, buscaram-se as normativas e os contratos de gestão firmados entre 2008 e 2016 e realizaram-se entrevistas individuais com os gestores de recursos humanos das instituições participantes. Na análise dos materiais de campo, lançou-se mão da técnica de análise de conteúdo, sendo eleitas cinco categorias empíricas de análise dos contratos: modelo de vínculo empregatício, permissão de contratação de pessoa jurídica, percentual de gastos com pessoal, procedimento de contratação de pessoal, metas relativas à gestão de pessoas. As entrevistas foram analisadas pelas unidades de significação como proposto por Kvale. Os resultados demonstraram que os contratos omitem informações exigidas legalmente e possuem aditivos em demasia. As práticas de gestão de pessoas são próprias de empresas privadas, atendendo a algumas orientações do trabalho em saúde, contudo não referenciando o Sistema Único de Saúde. Adotam métodos divergentes das regras do concurso público e da não precarização do trabalho.

Abstract The main goal of the present study was to analyze the politics of human resources in health in state hospitals managed by health social organizations in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil. We conducted a qualitative research, choosing as the field of investigation the social organizations that manage public hospitals in the state. During the data collection process, we sought the regulations and management contracts signed between 2008 and 2016, and performed individual interviews with the human resources managers of the participating institutions. During the analysis of the fieldwork materials, we used the content analysis technique, and chose five empirical categories of analysis of the contracts: the employment relationship model, the permission to hire legal entities, the percentage of expenses with staff, the procedure used to hire staff, and the goals regarding people management. The interviews were analyzed through the units of meaning proposed by Kvale. The results showed that the contracts omit legally-required information and have too many amendments. The people management practices are typical of private companies, and follow some guidelines of the work in health, but without reference to the Brazilian Unified Health System (Sistema Único de Saúde, SUS, in the Portuguese acronym). They adopt methods that are different from the rules of the public service entrance exams and the non-precarization of labor.

Resumen Este estudio tuvo como principal objetivo analizar las políticas de recursos humanos en salud en los hospitales estatales administrados por organizaciones sociales de salud en el Estado de Espírito Santo. Para esto, se efectuó una investigación cualitativa, seleccionando como campo de investigación las organizaciones sociales que administran hospitales públicos en el estado. En la recolección de datos, se buscaron las normativas y los contratos de gestión firmados entre el 2008 y el 2016, y se realizaron entrevistas individuales con los gestores de recursos humanos de las instituciones participantes. En el análisis de los materiales de campo, se empleó la técnica de análisis de contenido, siendo elegidas cinco categorías empíricas de análisis de los contratos: modelo de vínculo laboral, permiso de contratación de persona jurídica, porcentaje de gastos de personal, procedimiento de contratación de personal, metas relativas a la gestión de las personas. Las entrevistas se analizaron a partir de las unidades de significado como propone Kvale. Los resultados demostraron que los contratos omiten información requerida por ley y presentan un alto número de condiciones adicionales. Las prácticas de gestión de personas son propias de empresas privadas, cumpliendo algunas de las orientaciones de trabajo de la salud, pero sin hacer referencia al Sistema Único de Salud. Adoptan métodos divergentes de las reglas de licitación o concurso público y de la no precarización del trabajo.

The impact of social organizations on HIV/AIDS prevention knowledge among migrants in Hefei, China.

BACKGROUND: There is a growing recognition of the need to provide HIV/AIDS prevention and care to migrant workers. Social involvement, a type of social capital, is considered a 'critical enabler' of effective HIV/AIDS prevention. Designated participation in formal community groups by the government (e.g., political parties) and informal, voluntary local networks by NGOs (e.g., alumni association, cultural & sports club) play different roles in HIV prevention. The objective of this study is to assess the impact of different types of social organizations on HIV/AIDS prevention knowledge among migrant workers. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 758 migrants was conducted in Hefei, Anhui Province, China. Data were collected through a self-reported questionnaire. Logistic regression was used to assess associations between different social organizations and HIV/AIDS prevention. RESULTS: Migrants who participated in social organizations had a higher awareness of HIV/AIDS knowledge than migrants who do not participate in social organizations. Higher levels of HIV/AIDS knowledge is associated with positive HIV/AIDS behaviors for people who attended political parties (odds ratio [OR] = 3.49, 95% CI: 1.22-9.99). This effect is not significant for alumni association. For both political parties and alumni association members (OR = 0.19, 95% CI: 0.06-0.66, OR = 0.20, 95% CI: 0.08-0.61, respectively), people who exhibited higher levels of HIV/AIDS knowledge had more negative attitudes than those with less knowledge. CONCLUSION: Social organizations play an important role in improving HIV/AIDS knowledge and behavior in migrants, providing a great opportunity for HIV/AIDS prevention.