Quality of life of Venezuelan migrants in Brazil during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The economic, social, and health crisis in Venezuela has resulted in the largest forced migration in recent Latin American history. The general scenario in host countries influence migrants' self-perception of quality of life, which can be understood as an indicator of their level of integration. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated socioeconomic and health vulnerabilities, especially for forced migrants. We hypothesized that the adverse circumstances faced by Venezuelan migrants during the pandemic have deepened their vulnerability, which may have influenced their perception of quality of life. This study aims to evaluate the quality of life of Venezuelan migrants in Brazil during the COVID-19 pandemic. We assessed the quality of life of 312 adult Venezuelan migrants living in Brazil using the World Health Organization WHOQOL-BREF quality of life assessment, which was self-administered online from October 20, 2020, to May 10, 2021. The associations of quality of life and its domains with participants' characteristics were analyzed via multiple linear regression models. Mean quality of life score was 44.7 (±21.8) on a scale of 0 to 100. The best recorded mean was in the physical domain (66.2±17.8) and the worst in the environmental domain (51.1±14.6). The worst quality of life was associated with being a woman, not living with a partner, lower household income, and discrimination based on nationality. Factors associated with overall quality of life and respective domains, especially income and discrimination, were also observed in other studies as obstacles to Venezuelan migrants. The unsatisfactory quality of life among Venezuelans living in Brazil may have been worsened by the pandemic during the study period.

Partial recovery of tuberculosis preventive treatment in Brazil after pandemic drawback.

Brazil was heavily affected by COVID-19 both with death toll and economically, with absence of a centralized Federal Government response. Tuberculosis (TB) notifications decreased in 2020 but partial recovery was observed in 2021. We have previously shown a sharp (93%) reduction in TB preventive treatment notifications among five Brazilian cities with more than 1,000 notifications in 2021. We hypothesized TB preventive treatment would also recover. We updated the previous analysis by adding other cities that hold more than a 1,000 notifications until 2022. Data aggregated by 2-week periods were extracted from the Information System for Notifying People Undergoing Treatment for LTBI (IL-TB). Biweekly percentage change (BPC) of notifications until October 2022 and outcomes until July 2022 (in the two weeks of TB preventive treatment initiation) were analyzed using Joinpoint software. A total of 39,701 notifications in 11 cities were included, 66% from São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. We found a significant increase of TB preventive treatment notifications in the beginning of 2021 (BPC range 1.4-49.6), with sustained progression in seven out of the 11 cities. Overall, median completion rates were 65%. In most cities, a gradual and steady decrease of treatment completion rates was found, except for Rio de Janeiro and Manaus (Amazonas State, Brazil), where a BPC of 1.5 and 1.2, respectively, was followed by a sustained increase. Notifications and completion proportions of TB preventive treatment were heterogeneous, which partly reflects the heterogeneity in local response to the pandemic. We found that notifications were recovered, and that the sharp 2021 decrease was no longer observed, which suggests delays in notification. In conclusion, the sharp reductions in TB preventive treatment completion rates in most cities might have been caused by delays in reporting; however, the sustained and progressive decrease are a concern.

Factors associated with tuberculosis treatment initiation among bacteriologically negative individuals evaluated for tuberculosis: an individual patient data meta-analysis.

Background: Globally, over one-third of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) disease diagnoses are made based on clinical criteria after a negative diagnostic test result. Understanding factors associated with clinicians' decisions to initiate treatment for individuals with negative test results is critical for predicting the potential impact of new diagnostics. Methods: We performed a systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis using studies conducted between January/2010 and December/2022 (PROSPERO: CRD42022287613). We included trials or cohort studies that enrolled individuals evaluated for TB in routine settings. In these studies participants were evaluated based on clinical examination and routinely-used diagnostics, and were followed for ≥1 week after the initial test result. We used hierarchical Bayesian logistic regression to identify factors associated with treatment initiation following a negative result on an initial bacteriological test (e.g., sputum smear microscopy, Xpert MTB/RIF). Findings: Multiple factors were positively associated with treatment initiation: male sex [adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) 1.61 (1.31-1.95)], history of prior TB [aOR 1.36 (1.06-1.73)], reported cough [aOR 4.62 (3.42-6.27)], reported night sweats [aOR 1.50 (1.21-1.90)], and having HIV infection but not on ART [aOR 1.68 (1.23-2.32)]. Treatment initiation was substantially less likely for individuals testing negative with Xpert [aOR 0.77 (0.62-0.96)] compared to smear microscopy and declined in more recent years. Interpretation: Multiple factors influenced decisions to initiate TB treatment despite negative test results. Clinicians were substantially less likely to treat in the absence of a positive test result when using more sensitive, PCR-based diagnostics.

Long-Term Protective Effect of Tuberculosis Preventive Therapy in a Medium/High Tuberculosis Incidence Setting.

BACKGROUND: The duration of the protective effect of tuberculosis preventive therapy (TPT) is controversial. Some studies have found that the protective effect of TPT is lost after cessation of therapy among people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in settings with very high tuberculosis incidence, but others have found long-term protection in low-incidence settings. METHODS: We estimated the incidence rate (IR) of new tuberculosis disease for up to 12 years after randomization to 4 months of rifampin or 9 months of isoniazid, among 991 Brazilian participants in a TPT trial in the state of Rio de Janeiro, with an incidence of 68.6/100 000 population in 2022. The adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) of independent variables for incident tuberculosis were calculated. RESULTS: The overall tuberculosis IR was 1.7 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01- 2.7) per 1000 person-years (PY). The tuberculosis IR was higher among those who did not complete TPT than in those who did (2.9 [95% CI, 1.3-5.6] vs 1.1 [.4-2.3] per 1000 PY; IR ratio, 2.7 [1.0-7.2]). The tuberculosis IR was higher within 28 months after randomization (IR, 3.5 [95% CI, 1.6-6.6] vs 1.1 [.5-2.1] per 1000 PY between 28 and 143 months; IR ratio, 3.1 [1.2-8.2]). Treatment noncompletion was the only variable associated with incident tuberculosis (aHR, 3.2 [95% CI, 1.1-9.7]). CONCLUSIONS: In a mostly HIV-noninfected population, a complete course of TPT conferred long-term protection against tuberculosis.

Interleukin-6 and -27 as potential novel biomarkers for human pleural tuberculosis regardless of the immunological status.

Tuberculosis (TB) is the leading cause of pleural exudative effusions. Inflammatory markers, such as IFNγ and ADA, have been used as proxies for its diagnosis. We evaluated ex vivo levels of several cytokines in 83 pleural effusion specimens from patients with TB (including 10 with HIV co-infection) and 26 patients with other pleuritis using multiplex and ELISA assays. IL-6 and IL-27 levels were higher (p ≤ 0.04) in TB patients, regardless of the HIV status and the approach. IL-2, IL-4, IL-8, IFNγ, TNF and G-CSF showed variable results depending on the assay. This warranty these markers to be further validated.

Association of indicators of extensive disease and rifampin-resistant tuberculosis treatment outcomes: an individual participant data meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Indicators of extensive disease-acid fast bacilli (AFB) smear positivity and lung cavitation-have been inconsistently associated with clinical rifampin-resistant/multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (RR/MDR-TB) outcomes. We evaluated the association of these indicators with end-of-treatment outcomes. METHODS: We did an individual participant data meta-analysis of people treated for RR/MDR-TB with longer regimens with documented AFB smear and chest radiography findings. We compared people AFB smear-negative without cavities to people: (1) smear-negative with lung cavities; (2) smear-positive without lung cavities and (3) AFB smear-positive with lung cavities. Using multivariable logistic regression accounting for demographic, treatment and clinical factors, we calculated adjusted ORs (aOR) for any unfavourable outcome (death, lost to follow-up, failure/recurrence), and mortality and treatment failure/recurrence alone. RESULTS: We included 5596 participants; included participants significantly differed from excluded participants. Overall, 774 (13.8%) were AFB smear-negative without cavities, 647 (11.6%) only had cavities, 1424 (25.4%) were AFB smear-positive alone and 2751 (49.2%) were AFB smear-positive with cavities. The median age was 37 years (IQR: 28-47), 3580 (64%) were male and 686 (12.5%) had HIV. Compared with participants AFB smear-negative without cavities, aOR (95% CI) for any unfavourable outcome was 1.0 (0.8 to 1.4) for participants smear-negative with lung cavities, 1.2 (0.9 to 1.5) if smear-positive without cavities and 1.6 (1.3 to 2.0) if AFB smear-positive with lung cavities. Odds were only significantly increased for mortality (1.5, 95% CI 1.1 to 2.1) and failure/recurrence (2.2, 95% CI 1.5 to 3.3) among participants AFB smear-positive with lung cavities. CONCLUSION: Only the combination of AFB smear-positivity and lung cavitation was associated with unfavourable outcomes, suggesting they may benefit from stronger regimens.

Partial recovery of tuberculosis preventive treatment in Brazil after pandemic drawback / Recuperação parcial do tratamento preventivo da tuberculose no Brasil após o recuo pandêmico / Recuperación parcial del tratamiento preventivo de la tuberculosis en Brasil tras el retroceso pandémico

Abstract: Brazil was heavily affected by COVID-19 both with death toll and economically, with absence of a centralized Federal Government response. Tuberculosis (TB) notifications decreased in 2020 but partial recovery was observed in 2021. We have previously shown a sharp (93%) reduction in TB preventive treatment notifications among five Brazilian cities with more than 1,000 notifications in 2021. We hypothesized TB preventive treatment would also recover. We updated the previous analysis by adding other cities that hold more than a 1,000 notifications until 2022. Data aggregated by 2-week periods were extracted from the Information System for Notifying People Undergoing Treatment for LTBI (IL-TB). Biweekly percentage change (BPC) of notifications until October 2022 and outcomes until July 2022 (in the two weeks of TB preventive treatment initiation) were analyzed using Joinpoint software. A total of 39,701 notifications in 11 cities were included, 66% from São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. We found a significant increase of TB preventive treatment notifications in the beginning of 2021 (BPC range 1.4-49.6), with sustained progression in seven out of the 11 cities. Overall, median completion rates were 65%. In most cities, a gradual and steady decrease of treatment completion rates was found, except for Rio de Janeiro and Manaus (Amazonas State, Brazil), where a BPC of 1.5 and 1.2, respectively, was followed by a sustained increase. Notifications and completion proportions of TB preventive treatment were heterogeneous, which partly reflects the heterogeneity in local response to the pandemic. We found that notifications were recovered, and that the sharp 2021 decrease was no longer observed, which suggests delays in notification. In conclusion, the sharp reductions in TB preventive treatment completion rates in most cities might have been caused by delays in reporting; however, the sustained and progressive decrease are a concern.

Resumo: O Brasil foi fortemente atingido pela COVID-19 tanto com número de mortes quanto economicamente, com ausência de uma resposta centralizada do Governo Federal. As notificações de tuberculose (TB) diminuíram em 2020, mas se recuperaram parcialmente em 2021. Já mostramos uma redução acentuada (93%) nas notificações de tratamento preventivo de TB nas cinco cidades brasileiras com mais de 1.000 notificações em 2021. Hipotetizamos que o tratamento preventivo de TB também recuperar-se-ia. Atualizamos a análise anterior acrescentando outras cidades que apresentaram mais de 1.000 notificações até 2022. Os dados agregados por períodos de duas semanas foram extraídos do Sistema de Informação para Notificação das Pessoas em Tratamento de ILTB (IL-TB). As notificações quinzenais de variação percentual até outubro de 2022 e os desfechos até julho de 2022 (nas duas semanas de início do tratamento precoce de TB) foram analisados usando o software Joinpoint. Foram incluídas 39.701 notificações em 11 cidades, sendo 66% delas de São Paulo e do Rio de Janeiro (Brasil). Encontramos um aumento significativo das notificações de tratamento preventivo de TB no início de 2021 (faixa de variação quinzenal percentual 1,4-49,6), com progressão sustentada em 7/11 cidades. No geral, as taxas medianas de conclusão foram de 65%. Na maioria dos municípios, houve queda gradual e constante das taxas de conclusão de tratamento, com exceção do Rio de Janeiro e Manaus (Amazonas, Brasil), onde a variação quinzenal percentual de 1,5 e 1,2, respectivamente, foi acompanhada de aumento sustentado. As notificações e proporções de tratamento preventivo de TB completados foram heterogêneas, o que reflete em parte a diversidade na resposta local à pandemia. No geral, as notificações se recuperaram e a queda acentuada de 2021 não é mais observada, o que sugere atrasos na notificação. Em conclusão, a redução das taxas de conclusão do tratamento preventivo da TB na maioria das cidades pode refletir atrasos na notificação, mas a diminuição sustentada e progressiva das notificações preocupa.

Resumen: Brasil fue seriamente afectado por el COVID-19, tanto con el número de muertes como económicamente, con la ausencia de una respuesta centralizada del Gobierno Federal. Las notificaciones de la tuberculosis (TB) redujeron en 2020, pero aumentaron parcialmente en 2021. Ya mostramos una reducción drástica (el 93%) en las notificaciones del tratamiento preventivo de la TB en las cinco ciudades brasileñas con más de 1.000 notificaciones en 2021. Nuestra hipótesis es que el tratamiento preventivo de la TB también aumentaría. Actualizamos el análisis anterior añadiendo otras ciudades que presentaron más de 1.000 notificaciones hasta 2022. Los datos agregados durante períodos de dos semanas se extrajeron del Sistema de Información de Notificaciones para Personas en Tratamiento por ILTB (IL-TB). Las notificaciones quincenales de cambio porcentual hasta octubre de 2022 y os resultados hasta julio de 2022 (en las dos semanas iniciales del tratamiento precoz de la tuberculosis) se analizaron a través del software Joinpoint. Se incluyeron 39.701 notificaciones en 11 ciudades, siendo el 66% de ellas en São Paulo y Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Encontramos un aumento significativo de las notificaciones del tratamiento preventivo de la TB a principios de 2021 (rango de cambio porcentual quincenal 1,4-49,6), con progresión sostenida en siete de las once ciudades. En general, las tasas medias de finalización fueron del 65%. En la mayoría de los municipios, hubo una reducción gradual y constante de las tasas de finalización de tratamiento, salvo en Rio de Janeiro y Manaus (Amazonas, Brasil), donde el cambio porcentual quincenal de 1,5 y 1,2, respectivamente, estuvo acompañado de un aumento sostenido. Las notificaciones y proporciones de cumplimentación del tratamiento preventivo de la TB fueron heterogéneas, lo que refleja la heterogeneidad en la respuesta local a la pandemia. En general, las notificaciones aumentaron y ya no se observa la fuerte caída de 2021 lo que refleja en parte retrasos en la notificación. En conclusión, la reducción en las tasas de finalización del tratamiento preventivo de la TB en la mayoría de las ciudades puede reflejar retrasos en la notificación, pero la reducción sostenida y progresiva es una preocupación.

Quality of life of Venezuelan migrants in Brazil during the COVID-19 pandemic / Calidad de vida de los inmigrantes venezolanos en Brasil durante la pandemia del COVID-19 / Qualidade de vida de imigrantes venezuelanos no Brasil durante a pandemia da COVID-19

The economic, social, and health crisis in Venezuela has resulted in the largest forced migration in recent Latin American history. The general scenario in host countries influence migrants' self-perception of quality of life, which can be understood as an indicator of their level of integration. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated socioeconomic and health vulnerabilities, especially for forced migrants. We hypothesized that the adverse circumstances faced by Venezuelan migrants during the pandemic have deepened their vulnerability, which may have influenced their perception of quality of life. This study aims to evaluate the quality of life of Venezuelan migrants in Brazil during the COVID-19 pandemic. We assessed the quality of life of 312 adult Venezuelan migrants living in Brazil using the World Health Organization WHOQOL-BREF quality of life assessment, which was self-administered online from October 20, 2020, to May 10, 2021. The associations of quality of life and its domains with participants' characteristics were analyzed via multiple linear regression models. Mean quality of life score was 44.7 (±21.8) on a scale of 0 to 100. The best recorded mean was in the physical domain (66.2±17.8) and the worst in the environmental domain (51.1±14.6). The worst quality of life was associated with being a woman, not living with a partner, lower household income, and discrimination based on nationality. Factors associated with overall quality of life and respective domains, especially income and discrimination, were also observed in other studies as obstacles to Venezuelan migrants. The unsatisfactory quality of life among Venezuelans living in Brazil may have been worsened by the pandemic during the study period.

La crisis económica, social y sanitaria en Venezuela ha provocado la mayor emigración forzada en la historia reciente de América Latina. Las circunstancias imperantes en los países de acogida influyen en la calidad de vida autopercibida de los inmigrantes, lo que puede entenderse como un indicador de su nivel de integración. La pandemia del COVID-19 ha intensificado las vulnerabilidades socioeconómicas y sanitarias, especialmente para los inmigrantes forzados. Se plantea la hipótesis de que las circunstancias adversas que enfrentaron los inmigrantes venezolanos durante la pandemia profundizaron su vulnerabilidad, lo que puede haber influido en su percepción de la calidad de vida. Este estudio tiene como objetivo evaluar la calidad de vida de los inmigrantes venezolanos en Brasil durante la pandemia del COVID-19. Se evaluó la calidad de vida de 312 inmigrantes venezolanos adultos viviendo en Brasil mediante una herramienta desarrollada por la Organización Mundial de la Salud (WHOQOL-BREF), autollenada en línea del 20 de octubre de 2020 al 10 de mayo de 2021. Las asociaciones de la calidad de vida y sus dominios con las características de los participantes se analizaron mediante modelos de regresión lineal múltiple. La puntuación media de la calidad de vida fue de 44,7 (±21,8) en una escala de 0 a 100. La mejor media registrada fue en el dominio físico (66,2±17,8), y la peor en el dominio medio ambiente (51,1±14,6). La peor calidad de vida se asoció al sexo femenino, no convivir con pareja, menores ingresos y discriminación por nacionalidad. Los factores asociados con la calidad de vida general y sus respectivos dominios, especialmente ingresos y discriminación, coinciden con lo presentado por otros estudios como obstáculos para los inmigrantes venezolanos. La calidad de vida insatisfactoria entre los venezolanos que viven en Brasil debió de ser empeorada por la pandemia en el período estudiado.

A crise econômica, social e sanitária na Venezuela resultou na maior emigração forçada da história recente da América Latina. As circunstâncias prevalentes nos países de acolhimento influenciam a autopercepção da qualidade de vida dos imigrantes, o que pode ser entendido como um indicador do seu nível de integração. A pandemia da COVID-19 exacerbou as vulnerabilidades socioeconômicas e de saúde, especialmente para imigrantes forçados. Levantamos a hipótese de que as circunstâncias adversas enfrentadas pelos imigrantes venezuelanos durante a pandemia aprofundaram sua vulnerabilidade, o que pode ter influenciado sua percepção de qualidade de vida. Este estudo tem como objetivo avaliar a qualidade de vida de imigrantes venezuelanos no Brasil durante a pandemia da COVID-19. Avaliamos a qualidade de vida de 312 imigrantes venezuelanos adultos vivendo no Brasil por meio de um instrumento desenvolvido pela Organização Mundial da Saúde (WHOQOL-BREF), autoadministrado online de 20 de outubro de 2020 a 10 de maio de 2021. As associações da qualidade de vida e seus domínios com as características dos participantes foram analisadas por meio de modelos de regressão linear múltipla. O escore médio de qualidade de vida foi de 44,7 (±21,8) em uma escala de 0 a 100. A melhor média registrada foi no domínio físico (66,2±17,8) e a pior no domínio do meio ambiente (51,1±14,6). A pior qualidade de vida associou-se ao sexo feminino, não viver com companheiro, menor renda familiar e discriminação por nacionalidade. Fatores associados à qualidade de vida geral e seus respectivos domínios, especialmente renda e discriminação, também foram observados em outros estudos como obstáculos aos imigrantes venezuelanos. A qualidade de vida insatisfatória entre os venezuelanos residentes no Brasil pode ter sido agravada pela pandemia no período estudado.

Racial inequalities in mental healthcare use and mortality: a cross-sectional analysis of 1.2 million low-income individuals in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 2010-2016.

INTRODUCTION: Mental health inequalities across racial and ethnic groups are large and unjust in many countries, yet these inequalities remain under-researched, particularly in low-income and middle-income countries such as Brazil. This study investigates racial and socioeconomic inequalities in primary healthcare usage, hospitalisation and mortality for mental health disorders in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. METHODS: A cohort of 1.2 million low-income adults from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil with linked socioeconomic, demographic, healthcare use and mortality records was cross-sectionally analysed. Poisson regression models were used to investigate associations between self-defined race/colour and primary healthcare (PHC) usage, hospitalisation and mortality due to mental disorders, adjusting for socioeconomic factors. Interactions between race/colour and socioeconomic characteristics (sex, education level, income) explored if black and pardo (mixed race) individuals faced compounded risk of adverse mental health outcomes. RESULTS: There were 272 532 PHC consultations, 10 970 hospitalisations and 259 deaths due to mental disorders between 2010 and 2016. After adjusting for a wide range of socioeconomic factors, the lowest PHC usage rates were observed in black (adjusted rate ratio (ARR): 0.64; 95% CI 0.60 to 0.68; compared with white) and pardo individuals (ARR: 0.87; 95% CI 0.83 to 0.92). Black individuals were more likely to die from mental disorders (ARR: 1.68; 95% CI 1.19 to 2.37; compared with white), as were those with lower educational attainment and household income. In interaction models, being black or pardo conferred additional disadvantage across mental health outcomes. The highest educated black (ARR: 0.56; 95% CI 0.47 to 0.66) and pardo (ARR: 0.75; 95% CI 0.66 to 0.87) individuals had lower rates of PHC usage for mental disorders compared with the least educated white individuals. Black individuals were 3.7 times (ARR: 3.67; 95% CI 1.29 to 10.42) more likely to die from mental disorders compared with white individuals with the same education level. CONCLUSION: In low-income individuals in Rio de Janeiro, racial/colour inequalities in mental health outcomes were large and not fully explainable by socioeconomic status. Black and pardo Brazilians were consistently negatively affected, with lower PHC usage and worse mental health outcomes.

[Asylum seekers' self-reported health conditions in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 2010 to 2017]. / Condições de saúde autorrelatadas por solicitantes de refúgio no Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, de 2010 a 2017.

From 2011 to 2022, 348,067 people applied for a refugee status in Brazil. The reasons that resulted in their migration, the risks during their journey, and the cultural transition upon arrival may be associated with different health problems. This study aimed to analyze the self-reported health conditions of asylum seekers in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro from 2010 to 2017. This is a cross-sectional study with secondary data. Data were collected from asylum application forms at the Brazilian National Committee for Refugees (Conare) from 2010 to 2017 and from social interviews in the Archdiocesan Caritas of Rio de Janeiro (Cáritas/RJ). The prevalence rates of health conditions, their respective 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) and odds ratio (OR) were calculated in a simple logistic regression model according to sociodemographic and migration variables. This study included 1,509 individuals. Upon arrival in Brazil, 620 (41%) reported having one or more health conditions. The chances of showing health problems were higher in people from the Congo (OR = 18.7) and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (OR = 9.5), in undocumented individuals (OR = 4.4), women (OR = 2.1), in people with elementary education (OR = 1.9), aged ≥ 45 years (OR = 1.8), and among those who live/lived maritally (OR = 1.8 and 2.5, respectively). Of those who reported a health condition, more than half claimed experiencing pain (52%). Physical pain may be related to post-traumatic stress and other mental health distress, manifesting itself by somatic pain symptoms.

No Brasil, entre 2011 e 2022, 348.067 pessoas solicitaram o reconhecimento da condição de refugiado no país. Os motivos que resultaram na migração, os riscos durante o trajeto e a transição cultural ao chegar podem estar associados a diferentes problemas de saúde. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar as condições de saúde autorrelatadas por solicitantes de refúgio no Município do Rio de Janeiro no período de 2010 a 2017. Trata-se de um estudo transversal de dados secundários. Foram coletadas informações preenchidas nos formulários de solicitação de refúgio do Comitê Nacional para os Refugiados (Conare) de 2010 a 2017 e da entrevista social da Cáritas Arquidiocesana do Rio de Janeiro (Cáritas/RJ). Calcularam-se as taxas de prevalência de condições de saúde e respectivos intervalos de 95% de confiança (IC95%) e a razão de chances (RC) e IC95% em um modelo de regressão logística simples segundo variáveis sociodemográficas e de migração. O estudo incluiu 1.509 indivíduos. Na chegada ao Brasil, 620 (41%) relataram ter uma ou mais condições de saúde. As chances de apresentar problemas de saúde foram maiores em pessoas oriundas do Congo (RC = 18,7) e República Democrática do Congo (RC = 9,5), nos indocumentados (RC = 4,4), nas mulheres (RC = 2,1), em pessoas com Ensino Fundamental (RC = 1,9), com idade ≥ 45 anos (RC = 1,8) e entre os que vivem/viveram maritalmente (RC = 1,8 e 2,5, respectivamente). Entre as pessoas que relataram alguma condição de saúde, mais da metade informaram sentir dores (52%). É possível que as dores físicas tenham relação com estresse pós-traumático e outros sofrimentos em saúde mental, que podem se manifestar por meio de sintomas de dores somáticas.

En Brasil, entre el 2011 y el 2022, 348.067 personas solicitaron el reconocimiento de la condición de refugiado en el país. Los motivos que dieron lugar a la migración, los riesgos durante el trayecto y la transición cultural al llegar pueden estar asociados a diferentes problemas de salud. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo analizar las condiciones de salud autoinformadas de los solicitantes de refugio en el municipio de Río de Janeiro en el período del 2010 al 2017. Se trata de un estudio transversal de datos secundarios. Los datos se recopilaron de los formularios de solicitud de asilo del Comité Nacional para Refugiados de Brasil (Conare) del 2010 al 2017 y de la entrevista social de Caritas Arquidiocesana de Río de Janeiro (Cáritas/RJ). Se calcularon las tasas de prevalencia de las condiciones de salud y sus respectivos intervalos de 95% de confianza (IC95%) y la razón de posibilidades (RP) y el IC95% en un modelo de regresión logística simple según variables sociodemográficas y de migración. El estudio incluyó a 1.509 sujetos. A su llegada a Brasil, 620 (41%) informaron tener una o más condiciones de salud. Las posibilidades de presentar problemas de salud fueron mayores en personas procedentes de Congo (RP = 18,7) y República Democrática del Congo (RP = 9,5), en personas indocumentadas (RP = 4,4), mujeres (RP = 2,1), en personas con educación primaria (RP = 1,9), en ≥ 45 años (RP = 1,8), y entre los que viven/han vivido en una relación estable (RP = 1,8 y 2,5, respectivamente). Entre las personas que reportaron alguna condición de salud, más de la mitad relató sentir dolores (52%). Los dolores físicos pueden estar relacionados con el estrés postraumático y otros sufrimientos en salud mental que pueden presentarse mediante síntomas de dolores somáticos.

Associations between primary healthcare and infant health outcomes: a cohort analysis of low-income mothers in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Background: Expanding primary healthcare to urban poor populations is a priority in many low-and middle-income countries and is essential to achieve universal health coverage (UHC). Between 2008 and 2016 the city of Rio de Janeiro undertook an ambitious programme to rapidly expand primary care to low-income areas through the family health strategy (FHS). Infant health impacts of this roll out are unknown. This study examines associations between maternal FHS utilisation and birth outcomes, neonatal and infant mortality. Methods: A cohort of 75,339 live births (January 2009-December 2014) to low-income mothers in Rio de Janeiro was linked to primary care, birth, hospital and death records. The relationship between maternal FHS use and infant health outcomes was assessed through logistic regression with inverse probability treatment weighting and regression adjustment. Socioeconomic inequalities in the associations between FHS use and outcomes were explored through interactions. Primary outcomes were neonatal and infant death. Thirteen secondary outcomes were also examined to explore other important health outcomes and potential mechanisms. Results: A total of 9002 (12.0%) infants were born to mothers in the cohort who used FHS services either before pregnancy or in the first two trimesters. There was a total of 527 neonatal and 893 infant deaths. Maternal FHS usage during the first two trimesters was associated with substantial reductions in neonatal [adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 0.527, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.345; 0.806] and infant mortality (aOR: 0.672, 95% CI: 0.48; 0.924). Infants born to lower-income mothers and those without formal employment had larger reductions in neonatal and infant mortality associated with FHS use. Maternal FHS in the first two trimesters use was also associated with more antenatal care consultations and a lower risk of low birth weight and preterm birth. Interpretation: Expanding primary care to low-income populations in Rio de Janeiro was associated with improved infant health and health equity benefits. Funding: DFID/MRC/Wellcome Trust/ESRC.

Previous BCG vaccination is associated with less severe clinical progression of COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: BCG vaccination, originally used to prevent tuberculosis, is known to "train" the immune system to improve defence against viral respiratory infections. We investigated whether a previous BCG vaccination is associated with less severe clinical progression of COVID-19 METHODS: A case-control study comparing the proportion with a BCG vaccine scar (indicating previous vaccination) in cases and controls presenting with COVID-19 to health units in Brazil. Cases were subjects with severe COVID-19 (O2 saturation < 90%, severe respiratory effort, severe pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, sepsis, and septic shock). Controls had COVID-19 not meeting the definition of "severe" above. Unconditional regression was used to estimate vaccine protection against clinical progression to severe disease, with strict control for age, comorbidity, sex, educational level, race/colour, and municipality. Internal matching and conditional regression were used for sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: BCG was associated with high protection against COVID-19 clinical progression, over 87% (95% CI 74-93%) in subjects aged 60 or less and 35% (95% CI - 44-71%) in older subjects. CONCLUSIONS: This protection may be relevant for public health in settings where COVID-19 vaccine coverage is still low and may have implications for research to identify vaccine candidates for COVID-19 that are broadly protective against mortality from future variants. Further research into the immunomodulatory effects of BCG may inform COVID-19 therapeutic research.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in tuberculosis preventive treatment in Brazil: a retrospective cohort study using secondary data.

Background: Disruptions in tuberculosis services have been reported around the world since the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the pandemic's effect on tuberculosis preventive treatment (TPT) has been poorly explored. We compared TPT-notified prescriptions and outcomes before and during the pandemic in Brazil. Methods: Retrospective cohort using secondary data from the Brazilian TPT information system in five cities with over 1000 notifications. The number of TPT prescriptions was analysed from 6 months after healthcare workers' training, in 2018, to July 2021. The proportion of TPT outcomes by the date of treatment initiation was analysed up to the end of 2020, as most outcomes of TPT started in 2021 were still unknown in July 2021. Joinpoint regression was used to evaluate trends. Findings: 14,014 TPT prescriptions were included, most from São Paulo (8032) and Rio de Janeiro (3187). Compared to the same epidemiological weeks in 2019, the number of TPT prescribed in 2020 increased in Rio de Janeiro (82%) and São Paulo (14%) and decreased in Recife (65%), Fortaleza (31%) and Manaus (44%). In 2021, however, there was a 93% reduction in TPT prescriptions in all cities. The proportion of completed TPT remained constant (median = 74%). Interpretation: The COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil was associated with a dramatic decrease in TPT prescriptions in 2021. Treatment adherence remained constant, suggesting that health services were able to keep people on treatment but did not perform well in providing opportunities for people to enter care. Efforts are needed to expand access to TPT. Funding: Brazilian Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, CNPq.

The incorporation of the 3HP regimen for tuberculosis preventive treatment in the Brazilian health system: a secondary-database nationwide analysis.

Introduction: The recommendation of rifampin-based shorter - and safer - regimens for tuberculosis preventive treatment (TPT) is progressively replacing monotherapy with isoniazid by different countries. The Brazilian Ministry of Health (MoH) approved the incorporation of the Rifapentine + isoniazid regimen (3HP) at the end of 2020, with free distribution in the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) started from the last quarter of 2021. The objectives were to describe the implementation of the IL-TB System (Information System of TPT Notification) and uptake of Rifapentine + isoniazid (3HP) and Isoniazid (6H or 9H) in Brazil. Methods: A quantitative observational and descriptive was performed using the IL-TB National System as the main data source, from January 2018 to December 2022. Results and discussion: There was a steady increase of the number of TPT prescription quarterly throughout the period, which reflects the implementation of the system itself and the progressive adherence of the health system to the non-compulsory notification of new TPT. The substitution of isoniazid (6H or 9H) by 3HP is progressing. The 3HP regimen represented less than 4% of the total administered by the end of 2021, reaching around 30% in the second half of 2022 and 40% in the last quarters of 2022. The study points not only to the need to expand TPT in the country, but also to accelerate 3HP uptake and to encourage the municipalities to notify to the IL-TB system, since there is still a high level of underreporting.

Condições de saúde autorrelatadas por solicitantes de refúgio no Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, de 2010 a 2017 / Asylum seekers' self-reported health conditions in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 2010 to 2017 / Condiciones de salud autoinformadas por solicitantes de refugio en Río de Janeiro, Brasil, del 2010 al 2017

No Brasil, entre 2011 e 2022, 348.067 pessoas solicitaram o reconhecimento da condição de refugiado no país. Os motivos que resultaram na migração, os riscos durante o trajeto e a transição cultural ao chegar podem estar associados a diferentes problemas de saúde. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar as condições de saúde autorrelatadas por solicitantes de refúgio no Município do Rio de Janeiro no período de 2010 a 2017. Trata-se de um estudo transversal de dados secundários. Foram coletadas informações preenchidas nos formulários de solicitação de refúgio do Comitê Nacional para os Refugiados (Conare) de 2010 a 2017 e da entrevista social da Cáritas Arquidiocesana do Rio de Janeiro (Cáritas/RJ). Calcularam-se as taxas de prevalência de condições de saúde e respectivos intervalos de 95% de confiança (IC95%) e a razão de chances (RC) e IC95% em um modelo de regressão logística simples segundo variáveis sociodemográficas e de migração. O estudo incluiu 1.509 indivíduos. Na chegada ao Brasil, 620 (41%) relataram ter uma ou mais condições de saúde. As chances de apresentar problemas de saúde foram maiores em pessoas oriundas do Congo (RC = 18,7) e República Democrática do Congo (RC = 9,5), nos indocumentados (RC = 4,4), nas mulheres (RC = 2,1), em pessoas com Ensino Fundamental (RC = 1,9), com idade ≥ 45 anos (RC = 1,8) e entre os que vivem/viveram maritalmente (RC = 1,8 e 2,5, respectivamente). Entre as pessoas que relataram alguma condição de saúde, mais da metade informaram sentir dores (52%). É possível que as dores físicas tenham relação com estresse pós-traumático e outros sofrimentos em saúde mental, que podem se manifestar por meio de sintomas de dores somáticas.

From 2011 to 2022, 348,067 people applied for a refugee status in Brazil. The reasons that resulted in their migration, the risks during their journey, and the cultural transition upon arrival may be associated with different health problems. This study aimed to analyze the self-reported health conditions of asylum seekers in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro from 2010 to 2017. This is a cross-sectional study with secondary data. Data were collected from asylum application forms at the Brazilian National Committee for Refugees (Conare) from 2010 to 2017 and from social interviews in the Archdiocesan Caritas of Rio de Janeiro (Cáritas/RJ). The prevalence rates of health conditions, their respective 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) and odds ratio (OR) were calculated in a simple logistic regression model according to sociodemographic and migration variables. This study included 1,509 individuals. Upon arrival in Brazil, 620 (41%) reported having one or more health conditions. The chances of showing health problems were higher in people from the Congo (OR = 18.7) and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (OR = 9.5), in undocumented individuals (OR = 4.4), women (OR = 2.1), in people with elementary education (OR = 1.9), aged ≥ 45 years (OR = 1.8), and among those who live/lived maritally (OR = 1.8 and 2.5, respectively). Of those who reported a health condition, more than half claimed experiencing pain (52%). Physical pain may be related to post-traumatic stress and other mental health distress, manifesting itself by somatic pain symptoms.

En Brasil, entre el 2011 y el 2022, 348.067 personas solicitaron el reconocimiento de la condición de refugiado en el país. Los motivos que dieron lugar a la migración, los riesgos durante el trayecto y la transición cultural al llegar pueden estar asociados a diferentes problemas de salud. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo analizar las condiciones de salud autoinformadas de los solicitantes de refugio en el municipio de Río de Janeiro en el período del 2010 al 2017. Se trata de un estudio transversal de datos secundarios. Los datos se recopilaron de los formularios de solicitud de asilo del Comité Nacional para Refugiados de Brasil (Conare) del 2010 al 2017 y de la entrevista social de Caritas Arquidiocesana de Río de Janeiro (Cáritas/RJ). Se calcularon las tasas de prevalencia de las condiciones de salud y sus respectivos intervalos de 95% de confianza (IC95%) y la razón de posibilidades (RP) y el IC95% en un modelo de regresión logística simple según variables sociodemográficas y de migración. El estudio incluyó a 1.509 sujetos. A su llegada a Brasil, 620 (41%) informaron tener una o más condiciones de salud. Las posibilidades de presentar problemas de salud fueron mayores en personas procedentes de Congo (RP = 18,7) y República Democrática del Congo (RP = 9,5), en personas indocumentadas (RP = 4,4), mujeres (RP = 2,1), en personas con educación primaria (RP = 1,9), en ≥ 45 años (RP = 1,8), y entre los que viven/han vivido en una relación estable (RP = 1,8 y 2,5, respectivamente). Entre las personas que reportaron alguna condición de salud, más de la mitad relató sentir dolores (52%). Los dolores físicos pueden estar relacionados con el estrés postraumático y otros sufrimientos en salud mental que pueden presentarse mediante síntomas de dolores somáticos.