Co-circulation of Chikungunya Virus during the 2015-2017 Zika Virus Outbreak in Pernambuco, Brazil: An Analysis of the Microcephaly Epidemic Research Group Pregnancy Cohort.

Co-circulation of arthropod-borne viruses, particularly those with shared mosquito vectors like Zika (ZIKV) and Chikungunya (CHIKV), is increasingly reported. An accurate differential diagnosis between ZIKV and CHIKV is of high clinical importance, especially in the context of pregnancy, but remains challenging due to limitations in the availability of specialized laboratory testing facilities. Using data collected from the prospective pregnancy cohort study of the Microcephaly Epidemic Research Group, which followed up pregnant persons with rash during the peak and decline of the 2015-2017 ZIKV epidemic in Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil, this study aims to describe the geographic and temporal distribution of ZIKV and CHIKV infections and to investigate the extent to which ZIKV and CHIKV infections may be clinically differentiable. Between December 2015 and June 2017, we observed evidence of co-circulation with laboratory confirmation of 213 ZIKV mono-infections, 55 CHIKV mono-infections, and 58 sequential ZIKV/CHIKV infections (i.e., cases with evidence of acute ZIKV infection with concomitant serological evidence of recent CHIKV infection). In logistic regressions with adjustment for maternal age, ZIKV mono-infected cases had lower odds than CHIKV mono-infected cases of presenting with arthralgia (aOR, 99% CI: 0.33, 0.15-0.74), arthritis (0.35, 0.14-0.85), fatigue (0.40, 0.17-0.96), and headache (0.44, 0.19-1.90). However, sequential ZIKV/CHIKV infections complicated discrimination, as they did not significantly differ in clinical presentation from CHIKV mono-infections. These findings suggest clinical symptoms alone may be insufficient for differentiating between ZIKV and CHIKV infections during pregnancy and therefore laboratory diagnostics continue to be a valuable tool for tailoring care in the event of arboviral co-circulation.

Neighbourhood-level income and Zika virus infection during pregnancy in Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil: an ecological perspective, 2015-2017.

Zika virus (ZIKV) infections during pregnancy can lead to adverse neurodevelopmental and clinical outcomes in congenitally infected offspring. As the city of Recife in Pernambuco State, Brazil-the epicentre of the Brazilian microcephaly epidemic-has considerable disparities in living conditions, this study used an ecological approach to investigate the association between income at the neighbourhood level and the risk of ZIKV infections in pregnant individuals between December 2015 and April 2017. The spatial distribution of pregnant individuals with ZIKV infection was plotted on a map of Recife stratified into four categories based on mean monthly income of household heads. Additionally, a Poisson regression model with robust variance was fitted to compare proportions of ZIKV infections among pregnant individuals in relation to the mean monthly income of household heads, based on the 2010 census data, across 94 neighbourhoods in Recife. The results provide evidence that the risk of ZIKV infection to pregnant individuals was higher among those residing in lower-income neighbourhoods: relative to neighbourhoods that had a mean monthly income of ≥5 times minimum wage, neighbourhoods with <1 and 1 to <2 times minimum wage had more than four times the risk (incidence rate ratio, 95% CI 4.08, 1.88 to 8.85 and 4.30, 2.00 to 9.20, respectively). This study provides evidence of a strong association between neighbourhood-level income and ZIKV infection risks in the pregnant population of Recife. In settings prone to arboviral outbreaks, locally targeted interventions to improve living conditions, sanitation, and mosquito control should be a key focus of governmental interventions to reduce risks associated with ZIKV infections during pregnancy.

Zika-related adverse outcomes in a cohort of pregnant women with rash in Pernambuco, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: While Zika virus (ZIKV) is now widely recognized as a teratogen, the frequency and full spectrum of adverse outcomes of congenital ZIKV infection remains incompletely understood. METHODS: Participants in the MERG cohort of pregnant women with rash, recruited from the surveillance system from December/2015-June/2017. Exposure definition was based on a combination of longitudinal data from molecular, serologic (IgM and IgG3) and plaque reduction neutralization tests for ZIKV. Children were evaluated by a team of clinical specialists and by transfontanelle ultrasound and were classified as having microcephaly and/or other signs/symptoms consistent with congenital Zika syndrome (CZS). Risks of adverse outcomes were quantified according to the relative evidence of a ZIKV infection in pregnancy. FINDINGS: 376 women had confirmed and suspected exposure to ZIKV. Among evaluable children born to these mothers, 20% presented with an adverse outcome compatible with exposure to ZIKV during pregnancy. The absolute risk of microcephaly was 2.9% (11/376), of calcifications and/or ventriculomegaly was 7.2% (13/180), of additional neurologic alterations was 5.3% (13/245), of ophthalmologic abnormalities was 7% (15/214), and of dysphagia was 1.8% (4/226). Less than 1% of the children experienced abnormalities across all of the domains simultaneously. Interpretation: Although approximately one-fifth of children with confirmed and suspected exposure to ZIKV in pregnancy presented with at least one abnormality compatible with CZS, the manifestations presented more frequently in isolation than in combination. Due to the rare nature of some outcomes and the possibility of later manifestations, large scale individual participant data meta-analysis and the long-term evaluation of children are imperative to identify the full spectrum of this syndrome and to plan actions to reduce damages.

The first hundred days of COVID-19 in Pernambuco State, Brazil: epidemiology in historical context. / Cem dias de COVID-19 em Pernambuco, Brasil: a epidemiologia em contexto histórico.

The timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic began on December 31, 2019, in China, with SARS-CoV-2 identified as the etiological agent. This article aims to describe the COVID-19 epidemic's spatial and temporal dynamics in the first hundred days in the State of Pernambuco, Brazil. We present the evolution in cases and deaths according to epidemiological weeks. We analyzed the series of accumulated daily confirmed COVID-19 cases, with projections for the subsequent 15 days, using the JoinPoint app. This software allows identifying turning points, testing their statistical significance. We also analyze the trend in the spread of COVID-19 to the interior of the state, considering the percent distribution of cases in the state capital, Recife, municipalities in Greater Metropolitan Recife, and the state's interior, by sets of three weeks, constructing thematic maps. The first hundred days of the COVID-19 epidemic resulted in 52,213 cases and 4,235 deaths from March 12, or epidemiological week 11, until June 20, 2020 (epidemiological week 25). The peak in the epidemic curve occurred in epidemiological week 21 (May 23), followed by deceleration in the number of cases. We initially detected the spread of cases from the city center to the periphery of the state capital and Metropolitan Area, followed by rapid spread to the state's interior. There was a decrease in the mean daily growth starting in April, but with an average threshold of more than 6,000 weekly cases of COVID-19. At the end of the period, the state's case series indicates the persistence of SARS-CoV-2 circulation and community transmission. Finally, paraphrasing Gabriel Garcia Marques in One Hundred Years of Solitude, we ask whether we are facing "a pause in the storm or a sign of redoubled rain".

A pandemia de COVID-19 iniciou sua linha do tempo em 31 de dezembro de 2019 na China e o SARS-CoV-2 identificado como agente etiológico. O objetivo deste manuscrito é descrever a dinâmica espacial e temporal da epidemia de COVID-19 nos primeiros cem dias, no Estado de Pernambuco, Brasil. Apresentamos a evolução de casos e óbitos segundo semana epidemiológica. Realizamos a análise da série do acumulado diário de casos da COVID-19 confirmados, com projeções para os 15 dias subsequentes, utilizando o aplicativo JoinPoint. Esse programa possibilita identificar pontos de inflexão testando sua significância estatística. Analisamos também a tendência de interiorização da COVID-19 no estado, considerando a distribuição percentual de casos ocorridos no Recife, municípios da Região Metropolitana de Recife e do interior, por conjuntos de três semanas, com construção de mapas temáticos. Os 100 dias da epidemia de COVID-19 resultaram em 52.213 casos e 4.235 óbitos entre 12 de março, correspondendo se 11, até 20 de junho de 2020 (semana epidemiológica 25). O pico da curva epidêmica ocorreu na semana epidemiológica 21 (23 de maio), seguido por desaceleração do número de casos. Detectou-se, inicialmente, a periferização dos casos na capital e região metropolitana, seguida por rápida disseminação para o interior do estado. Houve redução das taxas de crescimento médio diário a partir de abril, mas com patamar de mais de 6.000 casos semanais de COVID-19, em média. Ao final do período, a série de casos do estado indica persistência da circulação e transmissão comunitária do SARS-CoV-2. Finalmente, questiona-se parafraseando Garcia Marques em Cem Anos de Solidão, se estaríamos diante de "uma estiagem ou prenúncio de recrudescimento".

La pandemia de COVID-19 inicia su línea del tiempo el 31 de dicembre de 2019 en China y el SARS-CoV-2 identificado como agente etiológico. El objetivo de este trabajo original es describir la dinámica espacial y temporal de la epidemia de COVID-19 en los primeros cien días de epidemia, en el estado de Pernambuco, Brasil. Presentamos la evolución de casos y óbitos según las semanas epidemiológicas. Realizamos el análisis de la serie del acumulado diario de casos de COVID-19 confirmados, con proyecciones para los 15 días subsiguientes, utilizándose la aplicación JoinPoint. Este programa posibilita identificar puntos de inflexión, probando su significancia estadística. Analizamos también la tendencia de interiorización de la COVID-19 en el estado, considerándose la distribución porcentual de casos ocurridos en Recife, municipios de la Región Metropolitana de Recife y del interior, por conjuntos de tres semanas, con unas construcciones de mapas temáticos. Los cien días de la epidemia de COVID-19 resultaron en 52.213 casos y 4.235 óbitos entre el 12 de marzo, correspondiendo a la semana epidemiológica 11, hasta el 20 de juno de 2020 (semana epidemiológica 25). El pico de la curva epidémica ocurrió en la semana epidemiológica 21 (23 de mayo), seguido de una desaceleración en el número de casos. Se detectó, inicialmente, la periferización de los casos en la capital y región metropolitana, seguido por la rápida diseminación hacia el interior del estado. Hubo una reducción de las tasas de crecimiento medio diario a partir de abril, pero con un nivel de más de 6.000 casos semanales de COVID-19 de media. Al final del período la serie de casos del estado indica la persistencia de la circulación y transmisión comunitaria del SARS-CoV-2. Finalmente, se cuestiona, parafraseando a García Márquez en Cien Años de Soledad, si estamos ante "un periodo de remisión o la antesala de un recrudecimiento".

[Challenges to Performance Management: logical analysis of an Evaluation Policy in Health Surveillance]. / Desafios à Gestão do Desempenho: análise lógica de uma Política de Avaliação na Vigilância em Saúde.

Acknowledging the contributions of the assessment area in supporting the performance of health policies, is to admit it in an ongoing and permanent way in the management context. This requires a set of procedures that go beyond monitoring and evaluation practices, known as performance management. The goal of this study was to analyze the logic of the Health Surveillance (HS) Evaluation Policy of Pernambuco, comparing it with the corresponding Canadian policy. For this purpose, a qualitative study of logical analysis of the program theory was carried out, using as a tool the design of the logical model of performance management and its respective matrix of analysis and judgment with the criteria to be evaluated. In HS, 9 key-informants were interviewed, and documents were analyzed; the Canadian model was analyzed based on a paper written by Lahey (2010). Both policies analyzed by this study are convergent and have the necessary elements for performance management. While the evaluation featured largely in the Canadian model, monitoring was the driving force behind the institutionalization of assessment practices in HS. Some lessons learned in the Canadian model can be recommended, such as the development of an assessment plan, based on the strategic and decision-making level of HS.

Reconhecer as contribuições da área de avaliação no suporte ao desempenho das políticas de saúde, é admiti-la de forma contínua e permanente no contexto da gestão. Isso requer um conjunto de procedimentos, para além das práticas de monitoramento e avaliação, denominado gestão do desempenho. O objetivo desse estudo foi analisar a lógica da Política de Avaliação da Vigilância em Saúde (VS) de Pernambuco, comparando-a com a Política canadense correspondente. Para tal, foi realizado um estudo qualitativo, análise lógica da teoria do programa, utilizando-se como ferramenta o desenho do modelo lógico da gestão do desempenho, e sua respectiva matriz de análise e julgamento com os critérios a serem avaliados. Na VS, foram entrevistados 9 informantes-chave e analisados documentos; o modelo canadense foi analisado com base em um documento produzido por Lahey (2010). As duas políticas estudadas são convergentes, possuindo os elementos necessários à gestão do desempenho. Porém, enquanto a avaliação teve destaque no modelo canadense, o monitoramento constituiu-se o eixo condutor da institucionalização das práticas avaliativas na VS. Algumas lições aprendidas no modelo canadense podem ser recomendadas, como o desenvolvimento de um plano de avaliação, pautado no nível estratégico e decisor da VS.

Desafios à Gestão do Desempenho: análise lógica de uma Política de Avaliação na Vigilância em Saúde / Challenges to Performance Management: logical analysis of an Evaluation Policy in Health Surveillance

Resumo Reconhecer as contribuições da área de avaliação no suporte ao desempenho das políticas de saúde, é admiti-la de forma contínua e permanente no contexto da gestão. Isso requer um conjunto de procedimentos, para além das práticas de monitoramento e avaliação, denominado gestão do desempenho. O objetivo desse estudo foi analisar a lógica da Política de Avaliação da Vigilância em Saúde (VS) de Pernambuco, comparando-a com a Política canadense correspondente. Para tal, foi realizado um estudo qualitativo, análise lógica da teoria do programa, utilizando-se como ferramenta o desenho do modelo lógico da gestão do desempenho, e sua respectiva matriz de análise e julgamento com os critérios a serem avaliados. Na VS, foram entrevistados 9 informantes-chave e analisados documentos; o modelo canadense foi analisado com base em um documento produzido por Lahey (2010). As duas políticas estudadas são convergentes, possuindo os elementos necessários à gestão do desempenho. Porém, enquanto a avaliação teve destaque no modelo canadense, o monitoramento constituiu-se o eixo condutor da institucionalização das práticas avaliativas na VS. Algumas lições aprendidas no modelo canadense podem ser recomendadas, como o desenvolvimento de um plano de avaliação, pautado no nível estratégico e decisor da VS.

Abstract Acknowledging the contributions of the assessment area in supporting the performance of health policies, is to admit it in an ongoing and permanent way in the management context. This requires a set of procedures that go beyond monitoring and evaluation practices, known as performance management. The goal of this study was to analyze the logic of the Health Surveillance (HS) Evaluation Policy of Pernambuco, comparing it with the corresponding Canadian policy. For this purpose, a qualitative study of logical analysis of the program theory was carried out, using as a tool the design of the logical model of performance management and its respective matrix of analysis and judgment with the criteria to be evaluated. In HS, 9 key-informants were interviewed, and documents were analyzed; the Canadian model was analyzed based on a paper written by Lahey (2010). Both policies analyzed by this study are convergent and have the necessary elements for performance management. While the evaluation featured largely in the Canadian model, monitoring was the driving force behind the institutionalization of assessment practices in HS. Some lessons learned in the Canadian model can be recommended, such as the development of an assessment plan, based on the strategic and decision-making level of HS.

Monitoramento do Desempenho da Gestão da Vigilância em Saúde: análise dos usos e da influência / Monitoring of Health Surveillance Management Performance: analysis of uses and influence

RESUMO O monitoramento e a avaliação vêm despontando crescente interesse nas organizações de saúde. Para que esses processos possam qualificar o desempenho, faz-se necessário analisar sua utilidade. Recorreu-se à experiência de Monitoramento do Desempenho da Gestão da Vigilância em Saúde (MDGVS), proposto pela Secretaria Estadual de Saúde do Estado de Pernambuco. O objetivo foi o de analisar fatores dificultadores e facilitadores do uso e influência, baseados nas dimensões de credibilidade, pertinência, fundamentação teórica e capacidade institucional. Trata-se de estudo exploratório, cujos dados foram coletados por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas com 21 informantes-chave, além de revisão de documentos. Calcularam-se a média e o respectivo desvio padrão das categorias de análise, revelando boa incorporação do monitoramento, com sua contribuição na aprendizagem organizacional. O processo não só apresentou legitimidade como está integrado à agenda política da Vigilância em Saúde. Por outro lado, houve ênfase nas fragilidades como: dificuldades de integração e na divulgação externa dos resultados.

ABSTRACT Health Organizations have showed increasing interest in monitoring and evaluation. In order for these processes to comply performance qualification, it is necessary to analyze its value. The experience of Monitoring the Health Surveillance Management Performance (MDGVS) proposed by the State Health Department of Pernambuco was applied. The goal was to analyze factors that hinder and facilitate the use and influence by adopting the dimensions credibility, pertinence, theoretical framework and institutional capacity. It's an exploratory study whose data were collected by means of semi-structured interviews with 21 key informants, as well as by means of the review of documents. The average and the standard deviation for each analysis category were calculated, showing a good monitoring incorporation and its contribution to organizational learning. The process presented legitimacy, being integrated into the HS political agenda. On the other hand, there was an emphasis on weaknesses, difficulties of integration, and external dissemination of results.

Spatiotemporal Analysis of the Population Risk of Congenital Microcephaly in Pernambuco State, Brazil.

Since an outbreak in Brazil, which started in 2015, Zika has been recognized as an important cause of microcephaly. The highest burden of this outbreak was in northeast Brazil, including the state of Pernambuco. The prevalence of congenital microcephaly in Pernambuco state was estimated from the RESP (Registro de Eventos em Saúde Pública) surveillance system, from August 2015 to August 2016 inclusive. The denominators were estimated at the municipality level from official demographic data. Microcephaly was defined as a neonatal head circumference below the 3rd percentile of the Intergrowth standards. Smoothed maps of the prevalence of microcephaly were obtained from a Bayesian model which was conditional autoregressive (CAR) in space, and first order autoregressive in time. A total of 742 cases were identified. Additionally, high and early occurrences were identified in the Recife Metropolitan Region, on the coast, and in a north-south band about 300 km inland. Over a substantial part of the state, the overall prevalence, aggregating over the study period, was above 0.5%. The reasons for the high occurrence in the inland area remain unclear.

Cem dias de COVID-19 em Pernambuco, Brasil: a epidemiologia em contexto histórico / Cien días de COVID-19 en Pernambuco, Brasil: la epidemiología en contexto histórico / The first hundred days of COVID-19 in Pernambuco State, Brazil: epidemiology in historical context

Resumo: A pandemia de COVID-19 iniciou sua linha do tempo em 31 de dezembro de 2019 na China e o SARS-CoV-2 identificado como agente etiológico. O objetivo deste manuscrito é descrever a dinâmica espacial e temporal da epidemia de COVID-19 nos primeiros cem dias, no Estado de Pernambuco, Brasil. Apresentamos a evolução de casos e óbitos segundo semana epidemiológica. Realizamos a análise da série do acumulado diário de casos da COVID-19 confirmados, com projeções para os 15 dias subsequentes, utilizando o aplicativo JoinPoint. Esse programa possibilita identificar pontos de inflexão testando sua significância estatística. Analisamos também a tendência de interiorização da COVID-19 no estado, considerando a distribuição percentual de casos ocorridos no Recife, municípios da Região Metropolitana de Recife e do interior, por conjuntos de três semanas, com construção de mapas temáticos. Os 100 dias da epidemia de COVID-19 resultaram em 52.213 casos e 4.235 óbitos entre 12 de março, correspondendo se 11, até 20 de junho de 2020 (semana epidemiológica 25). O pico da curva epidêmica ocorreu na semana epidemiológica 21 (23 de maio), seguido por desaceleração do número de casos. Detectou-se, inicialmente, a periferização dos casos na capital e região metropolitana, seguida por rápida disseminação para o interior do estado. Houve redução das taxas de crescimento médio diário a partir de abril, mas com patamar de mais de 6.000 casos semanais de COVID-19, em média. Ao final do período, a série de casos do estado indica persistência da circulação e transmissão comunitária do SARS-CoV-2. Finalmente, questiona-se parafraseando Garcia Marques em Cem Anos de Solidão, se estaríamos diante de "uma estiagem ou prenúncio de recrudescimento".

Resumen: La pandemia de COVID-19 inicia su línea del tiempo el 31 de dicembre de 2019 en China y el SARS-CoV-2 identificado como agente etiológico. El objetivo de este trabajo original es describir la dinámica espacial y temporal de la epidemia de COVID-19 en los primeros cien días de epidemia, en el estado de Pernambuco, Brasil. Presentamos la evolución de casos y óbitos según las semanas epidemiológicas. Realizamos el análisis de la serie del acumulado diario de casos de COVID-19 confirmados, con proyecciones para los 15 días subsiguientes, utilizándose la aplicación JoinPoint. Este programa posibilita identificar puntos de inflexión, probando su significancia estadística. Analizamos también la tendencia de interiorización de la COVID-19 en el estado, considerándose la distribución porcentual de casos ocurridos en Recife, municipios de la Región Metropolitana de Recife y del interior, por conjuntos de tres semanas, con unas construcciones de mapas temáticos. Los cien días de la epidemia de COVID-19 resultaron en 52.213 casos y 4.235 óbitos entre el 12 de marzo, correspondiendo a la semana epidemiológica 11, hasta el 20 de juno de 2020 (semana epidemiológica 25). El pico de la curva epidémica ocurrió en la semana epidemiológica 21 (23 de mayo), seguido de una desaceleración en el número de casos. Se detectó, inicialmente, la periferización de los casos en la capital y región metropolitana, seguido por la rápida diseminación hacia el interior del estado. Hubo una reducción de las tasas de crecimiento medio diario a partir de abril, pero con un nivel de más de 6.000 casos semanales de COVID-19 de media. Al final del período la serie de casos del estado indica la persistencia de la circulación y transmisión comunitaria del SARS-CoV-2. Finalmente, se cuestiona, parafraseando a García Márquez en Cien Años de Soledad, si estamos ante "un periodo de remisión o la antesala de un recrudecimiento".

Abstract: The timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic began on December 31, 2019, in China, with SARS-CoV-2 identified as the etiological agent. This article aims to describe the COVID-19 epidemic's spatial and temporal dynamics in the first hundred days in the State of Pernambuco, Brazil. We present the evolution in cases and deaths according to epidemiological weeks. We analyzed the series of accumulated daily confirmed COVID-19 cases, with projections for the subsequent 15 days, using the JoinPoint app. This software allows identifying turning points, testing their statistical significance. We also analyze the trend in the spread of COVID-19 to the interior of the state, considering the percent distribution of cases in the state capital, Recife, municipalities in Greater Metropolitan Recife, and the state's interior, by sets of three weeks, constructing thematic maps. The first hundred days of the COVID-19 epidemic resulted in 52,213 cases and 4,235 deaths from March 12, or epidemiological week 11, until June 20, 2020 (epidemiological week 25). The peak in the epidemic curve occurred in epidemiological week 21 (May 23), followed by deceleration in the number of cases. We initially detected the spread of cases from the city center to the periphery of the state capital and Metropolitan Area, followed by rapid spread to the state's interior. There was a decrease in the mean daily growth starting in April, but with an average threshold of more than 6,000 weekly cases of COVID-19. At the end of the period, the state's case series indicates the persistence of SARS-CoV-2 circulation and community transmission. Finally, paraphrasing Gabriel Garcia Marques in One Hundred Years of Solitude, we ask whether we are facing "a pause in the storm or a sign of redoubled rain".

Translação do Conhecimento na qualificação da gestão da Vigilância em Saúde: contribuição dos estudos avaliativos de pós-graduação / Knowledge Translation in qualification of Health Surveillance management: contribution of postgraduate evaluative studies

Resumo São muitos os desafios no sentido de minimizar as lacunas existentes entre evidências científicas e melhores resultados de saúde. A translação do conhecimento (TC) é o movimento que o conhecimento faz em um contexto organizacional em prol da sua efetiva aplicação. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a ocorrência da TC na Secretaria Executiva de Vigilância em Saúde de Pernambuco (SEVS/PE), tomando como objeto dez pesquisas avaliativas sobre programas da Vigilância em Saúde, produzidas no Mestrado de Avaliação em Saúde do Instituto de Medicina Integral Prof. Fernando Figueira, de 2011 a 2015. Para tanto, utilizou-se um roteiro de entrevista semiestruturada, abordando sete gestores e dez técnicos da SEVS-PE. Na análise deste estudo de caso, qualitativo, foi utilizado um modelo de TC, e sobrepondo-se a ele, uma estrutura teórica de uso-influência da avaliação. Em oito pesquisas analisadas, foram categorizadas evidências em cinco fases da TC. Apenas a etapa de avaliação do uso do conhecimento não foi evidenciada. Diferentes tipos de uso, dimensões e níveis de influência das avaliações foram relatados. Dentre as mudanças ocorridas, foram relatadas: criação de novas agendas, elaboração de protocolos, mudança do processo de trabalho, instituição de novos fluxos, contratação de novos profissionais.

Abstract There are many challenges in minimizing the gaps between scientific evidence and better health outcomes. The translation of knowledge (TC) is the movement that knowledge makes in an organizational context in favor of its effective application. This study aimed to analyze the occurrence of CT in the Executive Secretariat of Health Surveillance of Pernambuco (SEVS / PE), focusing on 10 evaluative surveys on Health Surveillance programs, produced in the Master's Degree in Health Evaluation of the Institute of Comprehensive Medicine Prof. Fernando Figueira, from 2011 to 2015. For this purpose, a semi-structured interview script was used, addressing 7 managers and 10 SEVS-PE technicians. In the analysis of this qualitative case study, a CT model was used, and overlapping it, a theoretical structure of use-influence of the evaluation. In eight studies analyzed, evidence was categorized into five phases of CT. Only the evaluation stage of the use of knowledge was not evidenced. Different types of use, dimensions and influence levels of the evaluations were reported. Among the changes occurred, the following were reported: creation of new agendas, elaboration of protocols, change of work process, creation of new flows, hiring of new professionals.

Microcephaly epidemic related to the Zika virus and living conditions in Recife, Northeast Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Starting in August 2015, there was an increase in the number of cases of neonatal microcephaly in Northeast Brazil. These findings were identified as being an epidemic of microcephaly related to Zika virus (ZIKV) infection. The present study aims to analyse the spatial distribution of microcephaly cases in Recife (2015-2016), which is in Northeast Brazil, and its association with the living conditions in this city. METHODS: This was an ecological study that used data from reported cases of microcephaly from the State Health Department of Pernambuco (August 2015 to July 2016). The basic spatial unit of analysis was the 94 districts of Recife. The case definition of microcephaly was: neonates with a head circumference of less than the cut-off point of -2 standard deviations below the mean value from the established Fenton growth curve. As an indicator of the living conditions of the 94 districts, the percentage of heads of households with an income of less than twice the minimum wage was calculated. The districts were classified into four homogeneous strata using the K-means clustering algorithm. We plotted the locations of each microcephaly case over a layer of living conditions. RESULTS: During the study period, 347 microcephaly cases were reported, of which 142 (40.9%) fulfilled the definition of a microcephaly case. Stratification of the 94 districts resulted in the identification of four strata. The highest stratum in relation to the living conditions presented the lowest prevalence rate of microcephaly, and the overall difference between this rate and the rates of the other strata was statistically significant. The results of the Kruskal-Wallis test demonstrated that there was a strong association between a higher prevalence of microcephaly and poor living conditions. After the first 6 months of the study period, there were no microcephaly cases recorded within the population living in the richest socio-economic strata. CONCLUSION: This study showed that those residing in areas with precarious living conditions had a higher prevalence of microcephaly compared with populations with better living conditions.

Association between microcephaly, Zika virus infection, and other risk factors in Brazil: final report of a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: A Zika virus epidemic emerged in northeast Brazil in 2015 and was followed by a striking increase in congenital microcephaly cases, triggering a declaration of an international public health emergency. This is the final report of the first case-control study evaluating the potential causes of microcephaly: congenital Zika virus infection, vaccines, and larvicides. The published preliminary report suggested a strong association between microcephaly and congenital Zika virus infection. METHODS: We did a case-control study in eight public maternity hospitals in Recife, Brazil. Cases were neonates born with microcephaly, defined as a head circumference of 2 SD below the mean. Two controls without microcephaly were matched to each case by expected date of delivery and area of residence. We tested the serum of cases and controls and the CSF of cases for detection of Zika virus genomes with quantitative RT-PCR and for detection of IgM antibodies with capture-IgM ELISA. We also tested maternal serum with plaque reduction neutralisation assays for Zika and dengue viruses. We estimated matched crude and adjusted odds ratios with exact conditional logistic regression to determine the association between microcephaly and Zika virus infection. FINDINGS: We screened neonates born between Jan 15 and Nov 30, 2016, and prospectively recruited 91 cases and 173 controls. In 32 (35%) cases, congenital Zika virus infection was confirmed by laboratory tests and no controls had confirmed Zika virus infections. 69 (83%) of 83 cases with known birthweight were small for gestational age, compared with eight (5%) of 173 controls. The overall matched odds ratio was 73·1 (95% CI 13·0-∞) for microcephaly and Zika virus infection after adjustments. Neither vaccination during pregnancy or use of the larvicide pyriproxyfen was associated with microcephaly. Results of laboratory tests for Zika virus and brain imaging results were available for 79 (87%) cases; within these cases, ten were positive for Zika virus and had cerebral abnormalities, 13 were positive for Zika infection but had no cerebral abnormalities, and 11 were negative for Zika virus but had cerebral abnormalities. INTERPRETATION: The association between microcephaly and congenital Zika virus infection was confirmed. We provide evidence of the absence of an effect of other potential factors, such as exposure to pyriproxyfen or vaccines (tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis, measles and rubella, or measles, mumps, and rubella) during pregnancy, confirming the findings of an ecological study of pyriproxyfen in Pernambuco and previous studies on the safety of Tdap vaccine administration during pregnancy. FUNDING: Brazilian Ministry of Health, Pan American Health Organization, and Enhancing Research Activity in Epidemic Situations.

Programa de Controle da Hanseníase: uma avaliação da implantação no nível distrital / Leprosy Control Program: assessment of implementation in districts

RESUMO Constitui objetivo deste estudo o de avaliar a implantação das ações do Programa de Controle da Hanseníase (PCH) em nível distrital no município de Recife, Pernambuco. Trata-se de avaliação normativa, baseada em critérios e parâmetros orientados pela construção de um modelo lógico. O grau de implantação do PCH no distrito foi classificado como parcialmente adequado. Os critérios pior avaliados quanto à estrutura foram os recursos humanos e o espaço físico e quanto ao processo, o acolhimento, a educação permanente e a cogestão. A avaliação evidenciou que avanços ainda são necessários na descentralização das ações do PCH para o nível local.

ABSTRACT This study aimed at assessing the implementation of the actions predicted by the Control Program of Leprosy (CPL) in district level of the city of Recife, state of Pernambuco. It is a normative assessment based on criteria and parameters guided by the construction of a logic model. The CPL degree of implementation in the district was ranked as partially adequate as a whole. As for structure, human resources and premises were the worst assessed criteria, and when the process is concerned, user welcoming, permanent education and co-management received the worst assessments. The evaluation showed that improvements are still needed in the CPL decentralization to local level.

Institucionalizando a avaliação nas organizações e agências de pesquisas: um estudo de caso exemplar / Institutionalizing the evaluation in organizations and research agencies: an exemplary case study

RESUMO Este artigo analisa a estrutura organizacional e as ferramentas de suporte da política de avaliação do International Development Research Centre, visando a contribuir para a gestão e o uso do conhecimento no âmbito das pesquisas fomentadas pela Política de Ciência e Tecnologia em Saúde no Brasil. Parte do referencial sobre institucionalização da avaliação e apresenta contribuição para aprendizagem e aquisição de conhecimentos, valorizando a potencialidade em reforçar capacidades locais de pesquisa e inovação. Considera a relevância da avaliação na gestão de projetos de pesquisa e produção de resultados por meio de abordagem que nivela métodos rigorosos de avaliação, com utilização das constatações dela decorrentes.

ABSTRACT This article analyzes the organizational structure and the support tools of the evaluation policy of the International Development Research Centre, aiming to contribute to the management and use of knowledge in the context of researches stimulated by the Policy of Health Science and Technology in Brazil. It takes for granted the framework about institutionalization of evaluation and presents its contribution to learning and acquisition of knowledge, enhancing its potentiality to strengthen local capacities of research and innovation. It considers the relevance of evaluation in the management of research projects and production of results through an approach that levels rigorous evaluation methods, with the use of the findings resulting from them.

Association between Zika virus infection and microcephaly in Brazil, January to May, 2016: preliminary report of a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: The microcephaly epidemic, which started in Brazil in 2015, was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by WHO in 2016. We report the preliminary results of a case-control study investigating the association between microcephaly and Zika virus infection during pregnancy. METHODS: We did this case-control study in eight public hospitals in Recife, Brazil. Cases were neonates with microcephaly. Two controls (neonates without microcephaly), matched by expected date of delivery and area of residence, were selected for each case. Serum samples of cases and controls and cerebrospinal fluid samples of cases were tested for Zika virus-specific IgM and by quantitative RT-PCR. Laboratory-confirmed Zika virus infection during pregnancy was defined as detection of Zika virus-specific IgM or a positive RT-PCR result in neonates. Maternal serum samples were tested by plaque reduction neutralisation assay for Zika virus and dengue virus. We estimated crude odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs using a median unbiased estimator for binary data in an unconditional logistic regression model. We estimated ORs separately for cases with and without radiological evidence of brain abnormalities. FINDINGS: Between Jan 15, 2016, and May 2, 2016, we prospectively recruited 32 cases and 62 controls. 24 (80%) of 30 mothers of cases had Zika virus infection compared with 39 (64%) of 61 mothers of controls (p=0·12). 13 (41%) of 32 cases and none of 62 controls had laboratory-confirmed Zika virus infection; crude overall OR 55·5 (95% CI 8·6-∞); OR 113·3 (95% CI 14·5-∞) for seven cases with brain abnormalities; and OR 24·7 (95% CI 2·9-∞) for four cases without brain abnormalities. INTERPRETATION: Our data suggest that the microcephaly epidemic is a result of congenital Zika virus infection. We await further data from this ongoing study to assess other potential risk factors and to confirm the strength of association in a larger sample size. FUNDING: Brazilian Ministry of Health, Pan American Health Organization, and Enhancing Research Activity in Epidemic Situations.

Microcephaly in Pernambuco State, Brazil: epidemiological characteristics and evaluation of the diagnostic accuracy of cutoff points for reporting suspected cases. / Microcefalia no Estado de Pernambuco, Brasil: características epidemiológicas e avaliação da acurácia diagnóstica dos pontos de corte adotados para notificação de caso.

The increase in the number of reported cases of microcephaly in Pernambuco State, and Northeast Brazil, characterized an epidemic that led the Brazilian Ministry of Health to declare a national public health emergency. The Brazilian Ministry of Health initially defined suspected cases as newborns with gestational age (GA) ≥ 37 weeks and head circumference (HC) ≤ 33cm, but in December 2015 this cutoff was lowered to 32cm. The current study aimed to estimate the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of different cutoff points for HC, using ROC curves, with the Fenton and Intergrowth (2014) curves as the gold standard. The study described cases reported in Pernambuco from August 8 to November 28, 2015, according to sex and GA categories. The Fenton and Intergrowth methods provide HC growth curves according to GA and sex, and microcephaly is defined as a newborn with HC below the 3rd percentile in these distributions. Of the 684 reported cases, 599 were term or post-term neonates. For these, the analyses with ROC curves show that according to the Fenton criterion the cutoff point with the largest area under the ROC curve, with sensitivity greater than specificity, is 32cm for both sexes. Using the Intergrowth method and following the same criteria, the cutoff points are 32cm and 31.5cm for males and females, respectively. The cutoff point identified by the Fenton method (32cm) coincided with the Brazilian Ministry of Health recommendation. Adopting Intergrowth as the standard, the choice would be 32cm for males and 31.5cm for females. The study identified the need to conduct critical and on-going analyses to evaluate cutoff points, including other characteristics for microcephaly case definition.

Rede de Atenção à Saúde ao portador de Diabetes Mellitus: uma análise da implantação no SUS em Recife (PE) / Health Care Network to people with Diabetes Mellitus: an analysis of implementation in the SUS in Recife (PE)

O artigo avalia a implantação da Rede de Atenção à Saúde aos portadores de Diabetes Mellitus no SUS em Recife, Pernambuco. Trata-se de uma pesquisa avaliativa, do tipo análise de implantação nos níveis da atenção primária e especializada. Os resultados demonstram implantação parcial da Rede em relação às dimensões de estrutura e processo de trabalho. O contexto político de gestão mostrou-se favorável à implantação da Rede, muito embora ainda existam obstáculos a serem superados.

The article evaluates the implementation of the Health Care Network to diabetic patients in the SUS in the city of Recife, Pernambuco. It is an evaluative research, of the type implantation analysis in the levels of primary and specialized care. The results demonstrate partial implementation of the Network in relation to the dimensions of the structure and work process. The political context of management was favorable to the implementation of the Network, although there are still obstacles to be overcome.

Análise da implantação de um programa com vistas à institucionalização da avaliação em uma Secretaria Estadual de Saúde / Implementation analysis of an evaluation institutionalization program in a State health department

OBJETIVOS: avaliar a implantação do Projeto de Fortalecimento da Capacidade Técnica em Monitoramento e Avaliação da Atenção Básica em uma Secretaria Estadual de Saúde e para tanto estima o grau de implantação do Programa e analisa a influência do contexto político-institucional. MÉTODOS: trata-se de uma pesquisa avaliativa do tipo análise de implantação que articula as concepções teóricas propostas por Denis e Champagne (1997) e Matus (1987; 1996). Estas concepções sustentam a análise e proporcionam um diálogo entre teorias do campo da avaliação e do planejamento. RESULTADOS: apontam 80 por cento de implantação do projeto destacando-se as dimensões gestão técnico-financeira (91 por cento) e informação e comunicação (95 por cento), todavia a dimensão integração alcançou apenas 56 por cento. CONCLUSÕES: houve implantação satisfatória do Programa, corroborando para isto o Projeto de Governo e a Capacidade de Governo. Embora alcance certa Governabilidade, restrições foram identificadas pela insuficiente integração dos setores, dificuldades na relação com a secretaria da capital e mudanças eleitorais, que explicam a implantação parcial da Dimensão Integração das Práticas de Monitoramento e Avaliação.

OBJECTIVES: to evaluate the implementation of the Strengthening of Technical Capacity in Monitoring and Evaluation Project at a State Department of Health and thereby assessing the degree to which the program has been introduced and the influence of the political and institutional context. METHODS: an evaluative implementation analysis study was carried out using the theoretical concepts proposed by Denis & Champagne (1997) and Matus (1987; 1996). These concepts form the basis of the analysis and allow for dialogue between theories of evaluation and planning. RESULTS: 80 percent of the project was found to have been implemented, 91 percent in the field of technical financial management, 95 percent in information and communications, and only 56 percent in the field of integration. CONCLUSIONS: implementation of the program was found to be satisfactory, thereby corroborating the Government Project and the Government Capacity. Although a certain degree of governability had been achieved, limitations were identified regarding insufficient integration of sectors, difficulties in relation to the department in the capital city and electoral changes, which explain the partial implementation of the Integration component of Monitoring and Evaluation.

Um estudo sobre a avaliabilidade do Programa + Vida: política de redução de danos em álcool, fumo e outras drogas do município de Recife, Brasil / Evaluability assessment of the + Life Program: a policy of reducing the harm caused by alcohol, smoking and other drugs in the municipality of Recife, Brazil

OBJETIVOS: aferir a avaliabilidade do programa + Vida: política de redução de danos em álcool, fumo e outras drogas do município de Recife. MÉTODOS: foram analisados documentos oficiais da gestão, visando à apreensão dos pressupostos do programa, do problema que pretendia ser resolvido, da coerência entre o problema e os objetivos do programa, bem como de aspectos do programa a serem avaliados. Foram realizadas entrevistas com informantes-chave para conhecer o programa na prática dos atores envolvidos. RESULTADOS: o programa foi descrito e sua operacionalização sistematizada no modelo lógico, que foi submetido a um comitê de especialistas para apreciação da coerência interna e obtenção de consenso dos interessados na avaliação do programa. A partir do modelo lógico foi construída uma matriz de medidas com critérios/indicadores. CONCLUSÕES: esse processo possibilitou o julgamento a respeito das condições do programa a ser avaliado.

OBJECTIVES: to measure the evaluability of the + Life Program: a policy of reducing the harm caused by alcohol, smoking and other drugs, in the municipality of Recife, Brazil. METHODS: official management documents were examined with a view to understanding the presuppositions underlying the program, the problem it intended to solve, the coherence of the link between the problem and the program objectives, and the aspects of the program to be evaluated. Interviews were conducted with key-informants as a way of finding out about the way the program is put into practice by those involved in it. RESULTS: the program was described and its operationalization systematized according to a logical framework, which was submitted to a committee of specialists to analyze its internal consistency and obtain the consensus of those with a stake in evaluation of the program. The logical framework was used to build up a set of measures with criteria/indicators. CONCLUSIONS: this process made it possible to make judgments with regard to the conditions of the program under evaluation.