Methodology for a Comprehensive Health Impact Assessment in Water Supply and Sanitation Programmes for Brazil.

Based on the broader concept of health proposed by the Pan-American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/ WHO), 2018, and the absence in the literature of indices that translate the causal relationship between sanitation and health, a methodology for assessing the health impact of a water and sanitation programmes, known as a Health Impact Assessment (HIA), was developed, specifically in the Brazilian context, and focused on a school in the northeast of the country. Through exploratory and descriptive evidence, and using documentary research as a method, a retrospective survey was carried out from 2000 to 2022 using documents proposing evaluation methodologies. A single document was found to fit the research objective, which was used to develop the proposed HIA methodology. Development of the methodology consisted of two stages: definition of the health dimensions and selection of the indicators making up each dimension. The HIA methodology was then applied to a school in northeast Brazil to test its use, before a water-efficient management intervention was going to be used. The overall score of 46% indicated that there was room for improvement, which the new management approach could facilitate. This methodology is therefore proposed to be an instrument for the evaluation of public water and sanitation policies, thus assisting managers in the decision-making process and in guiding sanitation programs and plans.

Desastre de Brumadinho: contribuições para políticas públicas e gestão do saneamento em períodos emergenciais / Brumadinho disaster: contributions to public policies and sanitation management in emergency periods

RESUMO Este artigo objetivou analisar a vulnerabilidade do saneamento pós-desastre, adotando como estudo de caso a experiência de Brumadinho, no estado de Minas Gerais, em janeiro de 2019. Desenvolveu-se a partir da pesquisa qualitativa, de natureza descritiva e exploratória, realizada por meio de análise documental e de um estudo de caso, mediante coleta de dados publicados em sítios eletrônicos institucionais. A análise dos componentes se deu depois da leitura crítica, pautada em aspectos relevantes para a abordagem do artigo. Após a apreciação do material coletado, concluiu-se que a falta de planejamento urbano assim como a precariedade de investimentos nas ações que envolvem o saneamento básico e a ausência de fiscalização na barragem Córrego do Feijão foram fatores determinantes no desfecho do desastre. A mineradora Vale S.A. não dispôs de um plano emergencial, que poderia auxiliar na redução dos danos e na tomada de decisões pós-desastre. Medidas de saneamento são fundamentais para evitar a propagação de doenças e, assim, minimizar os impactos na população atingida. Os desastres provenientes das áreas de mineração acentuam a importância da adoção de políticas ambientais mais rígidas, que possibilitem a promoção de ambientes saudáveis e mais seguros.

ABSTRACT This article aimed to analyze the vulnerability of post-disaster sanitation, adopting as a case study the experience of Brumadinho, in the state of Minas Gerais, in January 2019. It was developed from qualitative, descriptive and exploratory research, carried out through documentary analysis and a case study, through the collection of data published on institutional websites. The analysis of the components took place after the critical reading, based on aspects relevant to the approach of the article. After assessing the material collected it was concluded that the lack of urban planning as well as the precarious investment in actions involving basic sanitation and the lack of inspection at the Córrego do Feijão dam were determining factors in the outcome of the disaster. The mining company Vale S.A. did not have an emergency plan, which could assist in the reduction of damages and in making post-disaster decisions. Sanitation measures are essential to prevent the spread of diseases and thus minimize impacts on the affected population. Disasters from mining areas underline the importance of stricter environmental policies that promote healthy and safe environments.

Biosafety in autopsy room: an systematic review / Bioseguridad en la sala de autopsia: una revisión sistemática

ABSTRACT Objective To discuss the risks related to the possibilities of accidents and contamination in autopsy rooms, especially the biological risk. Methods This is an exploratory study. The databases Lilacs, MEDLINE and SciELO virtual library were searched; from 2000 until 2017; from the following inclusion criteria: articles available in full, in Portuguese, English and Spanish languages; and those that portrayed the central theme of the article. Results 53 articles were analyzed, to following the sub-themes: chemical, ergonomic, biological and accident agents; exposure to radioactive materials; electrical and electronic equipment. Conclusions The death cause is essential for epidemiological surveillance. The prevalence of diseases in the population poses risk to autopsy room professionals. Often these diseases are not detected before death; can coexist with other conditions and be ignored; or don't have morphological evidence at autopsy. M.tuberculosis, hepatitis virus, HIV and prions were the main pathogens identified. They can be transmitted by blood and aerosols; but there are other risks such as sharps, chemicals and radioactive materials.(AU)

RESUMEN Objetivo Discutir los riesgos relacionados con las posibilidades de accidentes y contaminación en las salas de autopsias, especialmente el riesgo biológico. Método Este es un estudio exploratorio. Se realizaron búsquedas en las bases de datos Lilacs, MEDLINE y la biblioteca virtual SciELO, desde 2000 hasta 2017, de los siguientes criterios de inclusión: artículos disponibles en su totalidad en portugués, inglés y español, y aquellos que retrataron el tema central del artículo. Resultados Se analizaron 53 artículos, siguiendo los subtemas agentes químicos, ergonómicos, biológicos y de accidentes; exposición a materiales radiactivos; equipos eléctricos y electrónicos. Conclusiones La causa de muerte es esencial para la vigilancia epidemiológica. La prevalencia de enfermedades en la población representa un riesgo para los profesionales de la sala de autopsias. A menudo, estas enfermedades no se detectan antes de la muerte; pueden coexistir con otras condiciones y ser ignoradas, o no se tiene evidencia morfológica en la autopsia. M. tuberculosis, virus de la hepatitis, VIH y priones fueron los principales patógenos identificados. Se pueden transmitir por sangre y aerosoles; pero existen otros riesgos como objetos punzantes, productos químicos y materiales radiactivos.(AU)

Hospital Seguro: contribuições à Resolução da Diretoria Colegiada nº 50, de 21 de fevereiro de 2002, da Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária / Safe Hospital: contributions to the Resolution nº 50, February 21, 2002 of the Collegiate Board of Directors, Brazilian Health Surveillance Agency

Introdução: Os Estabelecimentos Assistenciais de Saúde (EAS) proporcionam à população assistência médica integral, curativa e preventiva. São vitais para a recuperação após desastre. Estudo realizado pela Organização Pan-Americana da Saúde (OPAS), demonstrou que EAS danificados provocam danos significativos na infraestrutura e prestação de serviços do sistema de saúde pública, desarticulando o atendimento à população. A iniciativa Hospital Seguro da OMS/OPAS objetiva construir EAS mais seguros e recuperar a infraestrutura dos existentes, mantendo seus serviços funcionando na capacidade máxima e mesma infraestrutura, imediatamente após a ocorrência de um desastre. Objetivo: Avaliar a RDC nº 50/02 e as Resoluções que a atualizam, considerando a iniciativa Hospital Seguro. Método: Foi realizada pesquisa documental sobre as resoluções da Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (Anvisa) e as iniciativas de Hospital Seguro. Resultados: Na base de dados SAÚDE LEGIS, do Ministério da Saúde, foram encontradas quatro Resoluções. Na base WHOLIS (OMS/OPAS), foram encontradas 45 publicações. Conclusões: Não foi encontrado nas bases WHOLIS e SAÚDE LEGIS documento oficial que discutisse a iniciativa Hospital Seguro. O arcabouço da regulação sanitária brasileira desenvolvida pela Anvisa não considera, ainda, aspectos relativos a esta Iniciativa. É importante criar cultura de segurança, sensibilizando e qualificando gestores, objetivando estabelecer programas de gerenciamento de riscos específicos para cada EAS.

Introduction: Health Care Facilities (EAS) provide the population with comprehensive, curative and preventative medical care. They are vital for disaster recovery. A study carried out by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has shown that damaged EAS causes significant damage to the infrastructure and service delivery of the public health system, disrupting health care to the population. The WHO/PAHO Safe Hospital Initiative aims to build more secure EAS, and to recover the existing infrastructure, keeping its services running at full capacity, and the same infrastructure, immediately after a disaster strikes. Objective: To evaluate RDC nº 50/02 and Resolutions that update it, considering the Safe Hospital initiative. Method: Documental research on the resolutions of the National Agency of Sanitary Surveillance (Anvisa) and the initiatives of Safe Hospital. Results: In the "Health Legis" database of the Ministry of Health, four resolutions were found. In the WHOLIS database (WHO/PAHO), 45 publications were found. Conclusions: None official documents were found in the WHOLIS and Health Legis databases that discussed the Safe Hospital initiative. The framework of the Brazilian sanitary regulation developed by Anvisa (Brazilian Health Surveillance Agency) does not yet consider aspects related to this Initiative. It is important to create a safety culture, sensitizing and qualifying managers, aiming to establish specific risk management programs for each EAS.