Health, illness and cancer in Mayotte: Multicultural experiences in a medically underserved French Territory.

The island of Mayotte is part of the French territory and one of the European Union's Outermost Regions but there is a significant lack of data and research on health and cancers in Mayotte. This article reviews the literature on health, disease and cancer in Mayotte, from the perspectives of social science and epidemiology. It starts by shedding light on the specificities of Mahoran demography and society, and shows the healthcare infrastructure is insufficient to meet the population's needs. It then reviews social science studies on health and illness in Mayotte and shows that the political issue of migration permeates the management and the experiences of health on the island. It ends with a focus on the epidemiology of cervical cancer and a review of the available data on screening, treatment and prevention. The article concludes with a quick review of ongoing research and urgently calls for more data and research on this critical public health issue.

Educação permanente em saúde como prática possível: uma experiência na atenção primária / Educación permanente en salud como práctica posible: experiencia en atención primaria / Permanent health education as a possible practice: an experience in primary care

RESUMO Objetivo: descrever o processo de análise de necessidades, execução e avaliação de um programa educativo na Atenção Primária à Saúde, na lógica da Educação Permanente em Saúde (EPS). Método: pesquisa-ação com abordagem mista, desenvolvida entre 2014 e 2016, com trabalhadores da saúde. A coleta de dados ocorreu nos encontros de grupo focal, oficinas do programa educativo e aplicação de questionários. Os dados qualitativos foram submetidos à análise de discurso do sujeito coletivo, e os dados quantitativos, à análise estatística descritiva. Resultados: a necessidade priorizada foi a comunicação prejudicada no ambiente de trabalho; e, durante a execução do programa educativo, os participantes pactuaram acordos para superação dos problemas identificados, a exemplo da criação de espaços de diálogo e fluxos definidos de comunicação. Sentiram-se satisfeitos em participar, e percebeu-se que o programa educativo causou impacto positivo no trabalho. Considerações finais: o objetivo de descrever todo processo da EPS foi alcançado. Houve maior estímulo para um movimento de transformação no processo de trabalho, em referência ao aprimoramento da comunicação na dimensão profissional da gestão do cuidado, a partir de um paradigma dialógico e crítico, capaz de ressignificar o processo de ensino-aprendizagem no trabalho. Como produto, tem-se um modo mais efetivo de operar a EPS.

RESUMEN Objetivo: describir el proceso de análisis de necesidades, ejecución y evaluación de un programa educativo en la Atención Primaria de Salud, en la lógica de la Educación Permanente en Salud (EPS). Método: investigación-acción con enfoque mixto, desarrollada entre 2014 y 2016, con trabajadores de la salud. La recolección de datos tuvo lugar en los encuentros de grupo focal, talleres del programa educativo y aplicación de cuestionarios. Los datos cualitativos fueron sometidos al análisis de discurso del sujeto colectivo, y los datos cuantitativos, al análisis estadístico descriptivo. Resultados: la necesidad priorizada fue la comunicación perjudicada en el ambiente de trabajo; y, durante la ejecución del programa educativo, los participantes pactaron acuerdos para superar los problemas identificados, a ejemplo de la creación de espacios de diálogo y flujos definidos de comunicación. Se sintieron satisfechos de participar, y se percibió que el programa educativo causó impacto positivo en el trabajo. Consideraciones finales: el objetivo de describir todo el proceso de EPS fue alcanzado. Hubo mayor estímulo para un movimiento de transformación en el proceso de trabajo, en referencia al perfeccionamiento de la comunicación en la dimensión profesional de la gestión del cuidado, a partir de un paradigma dialógico y crítico, capaz de resignificar el proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje en el trabajo. Como producto, se tiene un modo más efectivo de operar la EPS.

ABSTRACT Objective: to describe the process of needs analysis, execution and evaluation of an educational program in Primary Health Care, in the logic of Permanent Health Education (PHE). Method: action research with mixed approach, developed between 2014 and 2016, with health workers. Data collection occurred in focus group meetings, educational program workshops and questionnaire application. The qualitative data were submitted to discourse analysis of the collective subject, and quantitative data were submitted to descriptive statistical analysis. Results: the prioritized need was impaired communication in the work environment; and, during the implementation of the educational programme, participants agreed agreements to overcome the identified problems, such as the creation of dialogue spaces and defined communication flows. They were satisfied to participate, and it was noticed that the educational program had a positive impact on the work. Final considerations: the objective of describing the entire Process of PHE was achieved. There was a greater stimulus for a movement of transformation in the work process, in reference to the improvement of communication in the professional dimension of care management, from a dialogical and critical paradigm, capable of resignifying the teaching-learning process at work. As a product, there is a more effective way to operate PHE.

Estudio multicéntrico nacional sobre la organización de las consultas de Pediatría de Atención Primaria en España durante la primera ola de la pandemia de COVID-19 / Nationwide multicentre study on the organization of primary care paediatrics services in the first wave of the COVID-19

Introducción: la pandemia de COVID-19 ha originado cambios organizativos en los centros de Atención Primaria (AP). El objetivo de este estudio es conocer los cambios producidos en las consultas de Pediatría de AP durante la primera ola de la pandemia por COVID-19. Material y métodos: estudio observacional, descriptivo, retrospectivo, multicéntrico y de ámbito nacional, a través de una encuesta dirigida a los pediatras de Atención Primaria (PAP) distribuida en junio de 2020. Se recogieron datos desde el 16 de marzo al 10 de mayo de 2020, dividido en cuatro periodos de dos semanas cada uno. Se preguntó sobre la forma de trabajar en los centros durante ese periodo: existencia de sistema de triaje, modalidad de atención, presencial o telefónica, y volumen de consultas atendidas. Resultados: se consideraron válidas 105 encuestas de las 110 contestadas por PAP. Participaron pediatras de 17 comunidades autónomas (el 72,4% de medio urbano). Cubrían una población de 107 715 pacientes. Realizaron consulta telemática el 90,5% (38,1% antes de la pandemia). En todos los centros se realizó triaje. La media de pacientes atendidos por profesional en cada uno de los periodos considerados fue de 144, 114, 123, 136 (277, 214, 207 y 233 en los mismos periodos del año 2019). En el 88,6% de cupos se realizaron visitas presenciales del programa de salud infantil (PSI). De toda la población atendida, los PAP notificaron ingresos por cualquier motivo de 79 pacientes y en la unidad de cuidados intensivos (UCI) de siete. No se les notificó ningún fallecimiento. Conclusiones: durante el periodo inicial de pandemia COVID-19 se registró en las consultas de Pediatría de AP un aumento muy importante de la consulta telemática y, paralelamente, una disminución significativa de la consulta presencial. Se instauraron sistemas de triaje. Se mantuvo una actividad muy alta en el PSI. Hubo un número muy bajo de ingresos y casos graves (AU)

Introduction: the COVID-19 pandemic has driven changes in the organization of care delivery in primary care (PC) centres. The objective of our study was to describe the changes in PC paediatric care that took place in the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Material and methods: we conducted a nationwide, multicentre, retrospective, observational and descriptive study through a survey of PC paediatricians with distribution of the questionnaire in June 2020. We collected data from March 16 to May 10, 2020, divided in four 2-week periods. We asked about care delivery in these centres during this period: use of triage systems, modalities of care delivery (in person or by telephone) and volume of visits. Results: we received 105 responses by PC paediatricians, of which 110 were considered valid. We obtained responses from paediatricians in 17 autonomous communities (72.4% in urban settings). Respondents served a cumulative population of 107 715 patients. A total of 90.5% provided remote care (38.1% did before the pandemic). Triage was conducted in all centres. The mean number of patients managed per paediatrician in each of the time intervals under study was 144, 114, 123 and 136 (compared to 277, 214, 207 and 233 in the same periods in 2019). In 88.6% of the caseloads, in-person appointments were conducted as part of the child health programme (CHP). The total number of hospital admissions for any reason in the cumulative catchment population was of 79 patients, and the number of admissions to the intensive care unit was 7. The respondents did not report any deaths. Conclusions: in the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a substantial increase in remote primary care paediatric visits parallel to a significant decrease in in-person visits. Triage systems were implemented. There was still substantial activity in the CHP. The number of hospital admissions and cases of serious disease was very low (AU)

Are we just dishing out pills constantly to mask their pain? Kaiawhina Maori health workers' perspectives on pain management for Maori.

AIM: To explore kaiawhina (Maori community health workers) perspectives on supporting whanau Maori with chronic pain, and to understand their views on the use of online resources for pain management. METHOD: A Maori-centred, qualitative design using focus groups as the primary data collection method. Analysis using the general inductive approach. RESULTS: Thirteen kaiawhina working in the Greater Wellington region took part in the focus groups. Four key themes were identified: (1) treatment of chronic pain in primary health relies exclusively on medication, (2) health literacy approaches to pain management are urgently required, (3) Maori have significant unmet need for culturally responsive pain management, and (4) the availability of, and referral practices to, specialist pain services are inadequate for Maori communities. CONCLUSION: Current chronic pain management was predominantly biomedical, and educational strategies lack health literacy approaches. Primary health services exclude traditional Maori methods of treating chronic pain and do not focus on whanau wellbeing. The lack of referral for Maori to specialist services highlights the existing health inequities for Maori. Developing new initiatives (both in-person and online) to address chronic pain management for Maori must be Maori-led and co-designed with whanau to result in holistic solutions for Maori.

State-Level Sexism and Women's Health Care Access in the United States: Differences by Race/Ethnicity, 2014-2019.

Objectives. To quantify racial/ethnic differences in the relationship between state-level sexism and barriers to health care access among non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Black, and Hispanic women in the United States. Methods. We merged a multidimensional state-level sexism index compiled from administrative data with the national Consumer Survey of Health Care Access (2014-2019; n = 10 898) to test associations between exposure to state-level sexism and barriers to access, availability, and affordability of health care. Results. Greater exposure to state-level sexism was associated with more barriers to health care access among non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic women, but not non-Hispanic White women. Affordability barriers (cost of medical bills, health insurance, prescriptions, and tests) appeared to drive these associations. More frequent need for care exacerbated the relationship between state-level sexism and barriers to care for Hispanic women. Conclusions. The relationship between state-level sexism and women's barriers to health care access differs by race/ethnicity and frequency of needing care. Public Health Implications. State-level policies may be used strategically to promote health care equity at the intersection of gender and race/ethnicity. (Am J Public Health. 2021;111(10):1796-1805. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2021.306455).

Global Burden of Orofacial Clefts and the World Surgical Workforce.

BACKGROUND: Orofacial clefts are one of the most common congenital anomalies, but this disease burden is unevenly distributed worldwide. The authors hypothesize that this burden falls disproportionately on the countries with the smallest surgical workforce or lowest Socio-Demographic Index, rather than those with the highest prevalence of disease. METHODS: The authors estimated the prevalence and disease burden of orofacial clefting from 1990 to 2017 in 195 countries using the Global Burden of Disease methodology. Prevalence and disability-adjusted life-years were compared geographically, temporally, and against the size of the national surgical workforce, Socio-Demographic Index, and income status. Linear and logarithmic regressions were performed. RESULTS: In 2017, the prevalence of orofacial clefting was estimated to be 10.8 million people, representing a disease burden of 652,084 disability-adjusted life-years, with most of this disease burden experienced by low- and middle-income countries (94.1%). From 1990 to 2017, there was a decrease in disease burden (-70.2%) and prevalence (-4.9%). There was negative logarithmic association between surgical workforce size and disease burden, with a surgical workforce of greater than six providers per 100,000 population (3.6 disability-adjusted life-years versus 22.4 disability-adjusted life-years per 100,000 population; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Burden of orofacial clefting has a strong negative association with the size of the surgical workforce, suggesting that strengthening the surgical workforce will help alleviate this burden. Epidemiologic data on countries and regions with inadequate surgical workforces and high disease burden should guide future research efforts and allocation of resources, and guide the treatment and educational goals of international charitable organizations.

Status and challenges for tuberculosis control in India - Stakeholders' perspective.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis is one of the ten major causes of mortality worldwide. The trend of increasing TB cases and drug resistance in India is very disturbing. The objectives of the study were to study the perspectives and opinions of different stakeholders on the status, challenges and the ways to tackle the issues of TB in India. METHODS: The online survey was done for the data collection from national and international experts. The data collection took place during October 2017. We received 46 responses. RESULTS: The experts had varied answers as to the menace of TB in India, effect of TB on individuals, family and society, failure of government plans in India, TB awareness campaign and ways to create awareness. Everyone believed that urgent action needs to be taken against the disease like improving the healthcare infrastructure of the country (improving the quality and quantity of medical facilities and doctors) and creating awareness about the TB. CONCLUSION: Government of India is making lot of efforts to bring down the problems associated with TB through. In spite of this, there is a long way to go to achieve significant reduction in high incidence and prevalence of TB in India. Factors like lack of awareness and resources, poor infrastructure, increasing drug resistant cases, poor notification and overall negligence are the major challenges. If we eradicate poverty and undernourishment, educate the masses and eliminate the stigma attached with TB, we can hope for a disease free future.

Equitable and Holistic Public Health Measures During the Singaporean COVID-19 Pandemic.

This Covid-19 pandemic has been a trying time for all countries, governments, societies, and individuals. The physical, social, and organizational infrastructure of healthcare systems across the world is being stressed. This pandemic has highlighted that the healthcare of the country is as strong as its weakest link and that no aspect of life, be it social or economic, is spared from this pandemic. The authors would like to highlight some of the lessons learned from Singapores management of the Covid-19 pandemic. During the Singaporean Covid-19 pandemic, public health policy planning was all encompassing in its coverage, involving various stakeholders in government and society. The important role of individuals, governments, industry, and primary healthcare practitioners when tackling COVID-19 are highlighted. Singapores management of the Covid-19 pandemic involved an approach that involved the whole of society, with a particular focus on supporting the vulnerable foreign worker population, which formed the majority of Covid-19 cases in the country. Hopefully amidst the trying times, valuable lessons are learnt that will be etched into medical history and collective memory. We hope to highlight these lessons for future generations, both for members of the public and fellow healthcare practitioners.

Considering difference: clinician insights into providing equal and equitable burns care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.

OBJECTIVE: To better understand issues driving quality in burn care related to equity of outcomes and equality of provision for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. METHODS: Seventy-six interviews with team members who provide care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in six paediatric burn units across five Australian jurisdictions were completed. Interface research methodology within a qualitative design guided data collection and analysis. RESULTS: Three themes were identified: i) Burn team members who identify the requirement to meet the specific needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and deliver differential care; ii) Burn team members who believe in equal care, but deliver differential care based on the specific needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children; and iii) Burn team members who see little need for provision of differential care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and rather, value the provision of equal care for all. CONCLUSION: Burn team members conflate equitable and equal care, which has implications for the delivery of care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. Equitable care is needed to address disparities in post-burn outcomes, and this requires clinicians, healthcare services and relevant system structures to work coherently and intentionally to reflect these needs. Implications for public health: Changes in health policy, the embedding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander liaison officers in burn care teams and systems that prioritise critical reflexive practice are fundamental to improving care.

Social and economic consequences of the cost of obstetric and neonatal care in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo: a mixed methods study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to explore and measure the social and economic consequences of the costs of obstetric and neonatal care in Lubumbashi, the Democratic Republic of Congo. METHODS: We conducted a mixed qualitative and quantitative study in the maternity departments of health facilities in Lubumbashi. The qualitative results were based on a case study conducted in 2018 that included 14 respondents (8 mothers of newborns, 2 accompanying family members and 4 health care providers). A quantitative cross-sectional analytical study was carried out in 2019 with 411 women who gave birth at 10 referral hospitals. Data were collected for one month at each hospital, and selected mothers of newborns were included in the study only if they paid out-of-pocket and at the point of care for costs related to obstetric and neonatal care. RESULTS: Costs for obstetric and neonatal care averaged US $77, US $207 and US $338 for simple, complicated vaginal and caesarean deliveries, respectively. These health expenditures were greater than or equal to 40% of the ability to pay for 58.4% of households. At the time of delivery, 14.1% of women giving birth did not have enough money to pay for care. Of those who did, 76.5% spent their savings. When households did not pay for care, mothers and their babies were held for a long time at the place of care. This resulted in the prolonged absence of the mother from the household, reduced household income, family conflicts, and the abandonment of the home by the spouse. At the health facility level, the increase in length of stay did not generate any additional financial benefits. Mothers no longer had confidence in nurses; they were sometimes separated from their babies, and they could not access certain prescribed medications or treatments. CONCLUSION: The government of the DRC should implement a mechanism for subsidizing care and associate it with a cost-sharing system. This would place the country on the path to achieving universal health coverage in improving the physical, mental and social health of mothers, their babies and their households.