Función de la pesquisa activa estudiantil en el enfrentamiento a la pandemia COVID 19 en la atención primaria de salud / Role of active student research in confronting COVID 19 pandemic in primary health care

Introducción: La pesquisa activa realizada por estudiantes de medicina en Cuba tiene la finalidad de descubrir tempranamente la morbilidad oculta. Esta permite un diagnóstico precoz y la garantía de una atención continuada. Objetivos: Conocer la valoración de los estudiantes en relación con la calidad de la capacitación recibida, la comunicación con el médico de la familia y la pesquisa de personas mayores en riesgo, así como sobre los aspectos positivos, negativos, interesantes e interrogantes en relación con la pesquisa. Identificar propuestas de mejoras en retroalimentación de la pesquisa. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo de corte transversal en el cual fueron encuestados 164 estudiantes que participaron en la pesquisa de casos sospechosos de enfermedad por coronavirus COVID 19, en tres policlínicos de dos municipios de la provincia La Habana, Cuba, en el periodo de tiempo entre mayo y junio del año 2020. Resultados: En los tres policlínicos predominó el sexo femenino entre los estudiantes. La edad promedio de los pesquisadores fue de 20,7 años, es decir, adolescentes casi adultos. La mayor cantidad de estudiantes eran de la carrera de medicina, seguido estomatología, en ambos casos entre los años primero a quinto y uno de cada cinco correspondió a tecnología de la salud de primero y segundo año. Conclusiones: Los estudiantes reconocen la importancia de la pesquisa al mismo tiempo que expresan preocupaciones que, aunque no son expresadas por todos ni en mayoría, cada una contribuye a retroalimentar esta tarea con mejoras en la actividad de capacitación. Además, debe tener en cuenta los pronósticos para los próximos meses sobre otras entidades que se pueden beneficiar con esta actividad(AU)

ABSTRACT Introduction: The active investigation carried out by medical students in Cuba aims to early discover hidden morbidity. This allows prompt diagnosis and the guarantee of continuous care. Objectives: To be acquainted with the assessment of the students in relation to the quality of the training received, the communication with the family doctor and the investigation of elderly people at risk, as well as the positive, negative, interesting aspects and questions in relation to the investigation, in addition to identify proposals for improvements in research feedback. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in 164 students, who participated in the investigation of suspected cases of COVID 19 coronavirus disease. They were surveyed in three polyclinics from two municipalities in Havana, Cuba, from May to June, 2020. Results: In the three polyclinics, the female sex predominated among the students. The average age of the researchers was 20.7 years, that is, almost adult adolescent. The largest number of students were from the medical career, followed by stomatology, in both cases between the first to fifth years and one in five corresponded to the first corresponded to the first and second year. Conclusions: The students recognize the importance of the research at the same time that they express concerns, which is not expressed by all or the majority, though. Each concern contributes to provide feedback on this task with improvements in the training activity. In addition, future forecasts on other entities that can benefit from this activity(AU)

Cuba's Aging and Alzheimer Longitudinal Study.

Aging and Alzheimer is a prospective, longitudinal cohort study involving 2944 adults aged ≥65 years from selected areas in Cuba's Havana and Matanzas Provinces. This door-to-door study, which began in 2003, includes periodic assessments of the cohort based on an interview; physical exam; anthropometric measurements; and diagnosis of dementia and its subtypes, other mental disorders, and other chronic non-communicable diseases and their risk factors. Information was gathered on sociodemographic characteristics; disability, dependency and frailty; use of health services; and characteristics of care and caregiver burden. The first assessment also included blood tests: complete blood count, blood glucose, kidney and liver function, lipid profile and ApoE4 genotype (a susceptibility marker). In 2007-2011, the second assessment was done of 2010 study subjects aged ≥65 years who were still alive. The study provides data on prevalence and incidence of dementia and its risk factors, and of related conditions that affect the health of older adults. It also contributes valuable experiences from field work and interactions with older adults and their families. Building on lessons learned, a third assessment to be done in 2016-2018 will incorporate a community intervention strategy to respond to diseases and conditions that predispose to dementia, frailty and dependency in older adults. KEYWORDS Dementia, Alzheimer disease, chronic disease, aging, chronic illness, frailty, dependency, cohort studies, Cuba.

Cuba's Strategy for Alzheimer Disease and Dementia Syndromes.

Dementia is a great challenge to public health in Cuba due to its impact on society and families. Cuba's National Intervention Strategy for Alzheimer Disease and Dementia Syndromes is designed to address this challenge. The Strategy includes working guidelines for primary and secondary care, education about rights of people with cognitive impairment, professional development, research, and health promotion and dementia prevention. An associated action plan, focused on primary care, includes proposals for creation of memory clinics, day centers and comprehensive rehabilitation services for cognitive stimulation. Short-term measures proposed include increasing early detection; creating a dementia morbidity and mortality registry; promoting professional training; providing support for families; and promoting basic and clinical research on dementia. Medium-term proposals aim to reduce dementia incidence and mortality by controlling risk factors and promoting healthy lifestyles, offering new treatment options and optimizing early detection. A set of indicators has been developed to evaluate strategy implementation. With this strategy, Cuba joins the small number of developing countries that have responded to WHO's call to improve care for patients with dementia and alleviate its impact on society and families. KEYWORDS Dementia, Alzheimer disease, aging, national health programs, social stigma, primary prevention, health promotion, civil rights, Cuba.