Health-related quality of life in patients with diabetic foot ulcers in the Arab world: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To conduct a systematic review to identify the impact of diabetic foot ulceration (DFU) on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in individuals within the Arab world. METHOD: A PRISMA-guided systematic search for HRQoL studies in Arab populations was conducted in CINAHL, PubMed, Scopus and EBSCO. Relevant studies were critically appraised using the STROBE statement checklist. RESULTS: A total of five studies were included. Three studies originated from Saudi Arabia, one from Jordan and one from Tunisia. The studies consistently demonstrated lower (poorer) HRQoL in patients with DFU, and worse HRQoL compared with both patients with diabetes and no DFU, and with healthy subjects. CONCLUSION: This review confirmed the negative impact of DFU on HRQoL in individuals with diabetes. It also highlights the scarcity of HRQoL studies from the Arab world. However, given that all studies included were conducted between 2013-2019, this could reflect a growing interest in DFU and HRQoL in the Arab world, and could potentially indicate that more studies will follow. In light of this, there is a need for a renewed focus on the completion of a high-quality standardised approach to research in this region.

The health-related quality of life in patients with diabetic foot ulcers in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

AIMS: The aims of this study were to assess the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of adult Bahraini patients with diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) and to explore factors associated with poor HRQoL. METHODS: Cross-sectional HRQoL data were obtained from a sample of patients in active treatment for DFU at a large public hospital in Bahrain. Patient-reported HRQOL was measured using the following instruments: DFS-SF, CWIS and EQ-5D. RESULTS: The patient sample included 94 patients, with a mean age of 61.8 (SD: 9.9) years, 54 (57.5%) were males, and 68 (72.3%) were native Bahrainis. Poorer HRQoL was found among patients who were unemployed, divorced/widowed, and those with a shorter duration of formal education. Additionally, patients with severe DFUs, persisting ulcers, and a longer duration of diabetes reported statistically significantly poorer HRQoL. CONCLUSIONS: Findings from this study demonstrate a low level of HRQoL among Bahraini patients with DFUs. A longer duration of diabetes, in addition to ulcer severity and status statistically significantly influence HRQoL.

Investigating the pathways from preconception care to preventing maternal, perinatal and child mortality: A scoping review and causal loop diagram.

In recent years, there has been a growing recognition that developing preconception care provides an opportunity to significantly reduce maternal and child mortality and morbidity. This involves targeting multiple risk factors through a large array of medical, behavioural and social interventions. In this study, we created a Causal Loop Diagram (CLD) to describe several pathways by which a set of preconception interventions may lead to women's improved health and better pregnancy outcomes. The CLD was informed by a scoping review of meta-analyses. It summarises evidence on the outcomes and interventions related to eight preconception risk factors. The authors reviewed literature from two databases (PubMed and Embase) and used the framework developed by Arksey and O'Malley. The CLD includes 29 constructs categorised into five different levels (mortality, causes of death, preconception risk factors, intermediate factors, interventions or policies). The model indicates interconnections between five sub-systems and highlights the role of preventing early and rapidly repeated pregnancies, as well as optimising women's nutritional status in the preconception period. It also shows the prevention of preterm birth as a privileged route for lowering child mortality and morbidity. The CLD demonstrates the potential benefits of strategies that address multiple preconception risk factors simultaneously and can be used as a tool to promote the integration of preconception care into efforts to prevent maternal and child mortality. With further improvements, this model could serve as a basis for future research on the costs and benefits of preconception care.

Factors associated with adolescent pregnancy and public health interventions to address in Nigeria: a scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Adolescent pregnancy is a global public health and social problem that affects both developed and developing countries. Reducing adolescent pregnancy is central to achieving sustainable development goals. In 2021 Nigeria's Adolescent pregnancy was 106 per 1000 and showed an increasing rate. This study, therefore, aims to explore the literature to map the risk factors and interventions against adolescent pregnancy in Nigeria. METHOD: A scoping review of studies published between January 2007 and December 2022 using PubMed, Web of Science and Africa Journals Online were searched using the keywords' adolescent pregnancy' AND 'Nigeria'. Studies were screened using the eligibility criteria. RESULTS: A total of 241 articles, of which 229 were identified through the databases and 12 were identified through hand search. After the full-text review, 28 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the final review. In Nigeria, the prevalence of adolescent pregnancy is between 7.5 and 49.5%. Associated factors for adolescent pregnancy in Nigeria are multifactorial, including individual, community, societal, school, family, and peer factors. Policies on adolescent sexual and reproductive health exist in Nigeria. Still, the policies need more sponsorship, implementation, and monitoring, while only some interventions on adolescent pregnancy majorly based on contraceptives and education of health providers are available in Nigeria. CONCLUSION: Associated factors for adolescent Pregnancy in Nigeria are multidimensional, with educational attainment and wealth index being the highest associated factor. Intervention strategies aimed at the educational level have been identified as a critical factor in curbing adolescent pregnancy. Thus, policies on sexual, reproductive, and mental health development specifically targeting adolescents to reduce the cycle of societal dependence by empowering this group economically and educationally are justifiably warranted.

The need for standardised methods of data collection, sharing of data and agency coordination in humanitarian settings.

Humanitarian crises and emergencies are prevalent all over the world. With a surge in crises in the last decade, humanitarian agencies have increased their presence in these areas. Initiatives such as the Sphere Project and the Minimum Initial Service Package known as MISP were formed to set standards and priorities for humanitarian assistance agencies. MISP was initiated to coordinate and standardise data and collection methods and involve locals for programme sustainability. Developing policies and programmes based on available data in humanitarian crises is necessary to make evidence-based decisions. Data sharing between humanitarian agencies increases the effectiveness of rapid responses and limits duplication of services and research. In addition, standardising data collection methods helps alleviate the risk of inaccurate information and allows for comparison and estimates among different settings. Big data is a new collection method that can help assemble timely data if resources are available and turn the data into information. Further research on setting priority indicators for humanitarian situations can help guide agencies to collect quality data.

Community cohesion and violence against women in Ghana, Pakistan, and South Sudan: A secondary data analysis.

BACKGROUND: Much knowledge has been accumulated on individual-level risks and protective factors of violence against women. However, the influence of factors operating at the community level, such as community cohesion, remains unclear, especially in low- and middle-income countries. This study examined whether community cohesion, a combined measure of mutual trust and tolerance, affects women's likelihood of experiencing intimate partner violence, violence perpetrated by a family member, and violence occurring in public spaces. METHODS: Data on 4785 women aged between 18 and 60 years in Ghana, Pakistan, and South Sudan, initially collected by the 'What Works to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls' Research and Innovation Programme, were used for this study. Binary logistic regression analyses were used to assess the association between a composite measure of community cohesion and recent experience of physical, sexual, and psychological violence while controlling for different individual-, community-, and state-level variables. RESULTS: Multivariate analyses revealed that community cohesion was associated with lower risks of public spaces violence (adjusted odds ratio = 0.396, 95% confidence interval = 0.312-0.503, P < 0.001) and family member violence (adjusted odds ratio = 0.839, 95% confidence interval = 0.754-0.934, P < 0.001). There was no statistically significant association between intimate partner violence and community cohesion, but adjusted models showed that women with more developed social networks were at higher risks of experiencing intimate partner violence (adjusted odds ratio = 1.104, 95% confidence interval = 1.062-1.148, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that community cohesion may have a protective effect against the most visible forms of violence against women. However, this effect may be attenuated or even eliminated by other individual- or household-level mechanisms in the case of violence between intimates or family members.

The case for investing in the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases in the six countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council: an economic evaluation.

BACKGROUND: While the non-communicable disease (NCD) burden in the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates) has surged over the past decades, the costs and return on investment (ROI) of implementing cost-effective, WHO-recommended NCD interventions have not been established. METHODS: We performed an economic analysis to estimate the ROI from scaling up four sets of NCD interventions over 15 years. We estimated the direct costs of the four main NCDs (cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and chronic respiratory diseases) using a prevalence-based, bottom-up cost-of-illness approach. We estimated indirect costs based on productivity loss due to absenteeism, presenteeism and premature deaths. We costed the scaling up of interventions using the WHO Costing Tool and assessed the health impact of interventions using the OneHealth Tool. We calculated ROI by comparing productivity and social benefits with the total costs of implementing the interventions. RESULTS: The four main NCDs cost the GCC economy nearly US$50 billion in 2019, equal to 3.3% of its gross domestic product. The indirect costs are estimated at US$20 billion or 40% of the total burden. Implementing the four modelled intervention packages in the six GCC countries over 15 years will cost US$14 billion, with an ROI of US$4.9 for every US$1 invested and significant health and social benefits, including 290 000 averted premature deaths. CONCLUSION: Based on the results of these six investment cases, we recommend actions to scale up current WHO-recommended cost-effective interventions, strengthen whole-of-government action, drive the NCD legislative agenda, build out the evidence base, generate additional advocacy material, and increase regional collaboration and data-sharing to establish best practices and monitor impact.

Trends in COVID-19 lethality and mortality rates in the State of Pernambuco, Brazil: a time series analysis from april 2020 to june 2021

Introduction: continual mutations of the sars-cov-2 virus, with the possibility of reinfection or reactivation of the virus, can lead to a further spread of the virus and consequently new infection periods. The state of pernambuco, brazil, has faced many adversities amidst the pandemic, requiring studies and new spatiotemporal techniques to understand the pandemic development and planning actions to reverse the current situation.Objective: the aim was to evaluate the mortality and lethality trends of covid-19 from april 2020 to june 2021 in the state of pernambuco, brazil, with the division into two periods according to the waves of infection to date (1st period and 2nd period).Methods: an ecological time-series study was carried out with population data from the pernambuco state health department. We collected the number of confirmed cases and deaths for covid-19. The trends were analyzed according to the prais-winsten regression model in two moments from march 2020 to september 2020 and the second from october 2021 to june 2022. Differences were considered significant when p<0.05.Results: the state of pernambuco had 581,594 confirmed cases of covid-19, where 51,370 were severe cases, and 530,224 were mild cases, in addition to 18,444 deaths. Given the trends analyzed, mortality was increasing in the second period (april/2020 to june/2021), while lethality decreased in the first period and was stationary in the second period.Conclusion: this study found an increasing trend in mortality of covid-19 in the state of pernambuco, brazil in the second period, highlighting an urgent need to develop surveillance measures as well as public policies for vulnerable populations, in addition to continuing preventive measures.

Introdução: mutações contínuas do vírus SARS-CoV-2, com possibilidade de reinfecção ou reativação do vírus, podem levar a uma maior disseminação do vírus e, consequentemente, novos períodos de infecção. O estado de Pernambuco, Brasil, tem enfrentado muitas adversidades em meio à pandemia, exigindo estudos e novas técnicas espaço-temporais para entender o desenvolvimento da pandemia e planejar ações para reverter a situação atual.Objetivo: o objetivo foi avaliar as tendências de mortalidade e letalidade do COVID-19 de abril de 2020 a junho de 2021 no estado de Pernambuco, Brasil, com a divisão em dois períodos de acordo com as ondas de infecção até o momento (1º Período e 2º Período).Método: foi realizado um estudo ecológico de série temporal com dados populacionais da Secretaria Estadual de Saúde de Pernambuco. Coletamos o número de casos confirmados e óbitos por COVID-19. As tendências foram analisadas segundo o modelo de regressão Prais-Winsten em dois momentos de março de 2020 a setembro de 2020 e o segundo de outubro de 2021 a junho de 2022. As diferenças foram consideradas significativas quando p<0,05.Resultados: o estado de Pernambuco teve 581.594 casos confirmados de COVID-19, sendo 51.370 graves casos, sendo 530.224 casos leves, além de 18.444 óbitos. Dadas as tendências analisadas, a mortalidade foi crescente no segundo período (abril/2020 a junho/2021), enquanto a letalidade diminuiu no primeiro período e ficou estacionária no segundo período.Conclusão: este estudo encontrou uma tendência crescente na mortalidade por COVID-19 no estado de Pernambuco, Brasil no segundo período, destacando a necessidade urgente de desenvolver medidas de vigilância e políticas públicas para populações vulneráveis, além de continuar com as medidas preventivas adotadas até o momento.

Design and Evaluation of Interprofessional Training Program for Healthcare Students from Collectivistic Culture.

Background: Healthcare is team-based, and with increased mobility of healthcare workers, most of them will work with team members from all over the globe. Interprofessional education (IPE) research has mostly focused on specially designed programs in academic health institutions to prepare students for multidisciplinary work. Few IPE programs aim to integrate students with mixed disciplines from collectivist cultures. Methods: This mixed-methods study was conducted between June and August 2019. Surveys and an e-portfolio were recorded of 33 final-year and graduated health professional students' participation in an 8-week IPE summer program at a medical school in Ireland. Survey results are described, and the content of portfolios was analyzed based on the deductive analysis of qualitative data derived from questions. Results: Students reported the greatest improvement in presentation skills (63.6%), followed by communication (54.5%), team working skills (93.9%), and interprofessional learning (42.4%), respectively. Qualitative findings highlighted challenges for students from a collectivist culture adapting to an IPE: uncomfortable verbally expressing themselves in problem-based learning (PBL) and how to work with other sex. Positive themes about IPE that emerged were enjoyment in sharing ideas and building trust with PBL groups. We learned that the program had to be flexible enough to meet the educational requirements of a target community with mixed English language ability and adaptability to IPE. Conclusion: The authors propose that an international PBL-based summer program is effective in improving healthcare students' attitudes towards IPE. This study provides valuable insights to facilitate the development of further IPE programs to increased collaboration between students across various healthcare disciplines. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40670-022-01536-7.

Developing a tool for the measurement of social exclusion in healthcare settings.

BACKGROUND: Social exclusion is a complex concept that is recognised as a key determinant of health. Many measurement tools developed looked at people from single excluded groups in isolation. We know from experience and literature that exclusion is often intersectional and multi-layered. Therefore, the aim of this research was to develop a social exclusion measurement tool for use in healthcare settings with individuals from any excluded group that would include questions to investigate socioeconomic elements and subjective experiences in their lives. METHODS: Inductive and deductive methods were used to develop the tool. Early drafts were tested with experts (both academic and experts by experience) and modified in line with feedback received. The tool was then piloted with people in the community, and this allowed us to assess the internal consistency and validity of the tool. Exploratory factor analysis was carried out as part of this evaluation. RESULTS: The measurement tool was initially evaluated by 17 academic and 'real world' experts. It was then piloted with seven experts by experience, two gatekeepers and two participants who were presumed not to be excluded, resulting in the development of the final tool. This was then tested with 276 participants (127 presumed excluded, 149 presumed not excluded). The socioeconomic characteristics of these participants were documented, and exploratory factor analysis was carried out on data relating to subjective items. A four-factor structure emerged comprising 22 items. Internal consistency of the factors was high, and their ability to discriminate between the two groups was notable. CONCLUSIONS: A tool for measuring the social exclusion of individuals has been developed by engaging with people from a variety of excluded groups. Socioeconomic indicators were combined with subjective items. The input of experts by experience, academics and others was sought to enhance the tool. The tool was applied to two distinct samples, showing obvious differences both in the socioeconomic items, and the items included in the factor analysis. The potential use of this tool could have positive implications for people who are excluded.

Deciphering Multifactorial Correlations of COVID-19 Incidence and Mortality in the Brazilian Amazon Basin.

Amazonas suffered greatly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The mortality and fatality rates soared and scarcity of oxygen and healthcare supplies led the health system and funerary services to collapse. Thus, we analyzed the trends of incidence, mortality, and lethality indicators of COVID-19 and the dynamics of their main determinants in the state of Amazonas from March 2020 to June 2021. This is a time-series ecological study. We calculated the lethality, mortality, and incidence rates with official and public data from the Health Department. We used the Prais-Winsten regression and trends were classified as stationary, increasing, or decreasing. The effective reproduction number (Rt) was also estimated. Differences were considered significant when p < 0.05. We extracted 396,772 cases of and 13,420 deaths from COVID-19; 66% of deaths were in people aged over 60; 57% were men. Cardiovascular diseases were the most common comorbidity (28.84%), followed by diabetes (25.35%). Rural areas reported 53% of the total cases and 31% of the total deaths. The impact of COVID-19 in the Amazon is not limited to the direct effects of the pandemic itself; it may present characteristics of a syndemic due to the interaction of COVID-19 with pre-existing illnesses, endemic diseases, and social vulnerabilities.

Outcome Measure Epidemiological of Female Inmates in West Amazon, Brazil / Medida Epidemiológica de Mulheres Reclusas na Amazônia Ocidental, Brasil

Introduction: the prison system in the Brazilian state of Acre, located in the Western region of the Amazon, is a branch of the criminal justice system that has been suffering from issues such as overcrowding and growth in internal organized crime. The prevalence of these matters directly affects the resocialization of prisoners and inhibits the successful re-engineering of their social values and beliefs.Objective: to analyze the epidemiological profile of jailed women in the State of Acre, Brazil.Methods: in a cross-sectional descriptive study, 129 participants were recruited from female penitentiaries in the state of Acre. Conducted between August and December of 2017, data was collected through a validated questionnaire, divided into modules, using both open and closed-ended items.Results: we found that most women who participated in the study were single (n = 86, 66.7%), had brown skin (n = 93, 72.1%), had children (n=102, 79.1%), resided in the state of Acre (n=117, 90.5%). The mean age of the sample was 27.69 years. Among those participants who reported having partners (n = 40, 31%), we found that half had partners who were also incarcerated (n = 20, 50%). The study results also indicate that drug trafficking (n = 86, 66.7%) was the major cause for female incarceration, followed by homicide crime (n = 16, 12.4%). Over half of the participants were in prison for the first time (n = 75, 58.1%), with a high recidivism rate observed in the total sample (n = 54, 41.9%). A majority of the participants (n = 97, 75.2%) kept in touch with members of their families and a smaller portion (n = 15, 11.6%) received conjugal visits. With regard to social activities, slightly more than half (n = 75, 58.1%) worked and the majority (n = 114, 88.4%) did not study while jailed.Conclusion: the difficulties associated with accessing inmate data and the lack of peer-reviewed studies on inmate health in Brazil suggests that the public policies recommended by the PNSSP and the National Policy for Comprehensive Health Care for Women should be reevaluated.

Introdução: o sistema prisional no estado brasileiro do Acre, localizado na região ocidental da Amazônia, é um ramo do sistema de justiça criminal que tem sofrido por situações como a superlotação e o crescimento do crime organizado interno. A prevalência destas questões afeta diretamente a ressocialização dos prisioneiros e inibe a preservação bem sucedida dos seus valores e crenças sociais.Objetivo: analisar o perfil epidemiológico das mulheres encarceradas no Estado do Acre, Brasil.Método: Estudo descritivo transversal, sendo que 129 participantes foram recrutadas em penitenciárias femininas no Estado do Acre. Conduzidos entre agosto e dezembro de 2017, os dados foram recolhidos através de um questionário validado, dividido em módulos, utilizando tanto artigos abertos como fechados.Resultados: verificamos que a maioria das mulheres que participaram no estudo eram solteiras (n = 86, 66,7%), tinham pele castanha (n = 93, 72,1%), tinham filhos (n = 102, 79,1%), residiam no estado do Acre (n = 117, 90,5%). A idade média da amostra foi de 27,69 anos. Entre os participantes que declararam ter parceiros (n = 40, 31%), descobrimos que metade tinha parceiros que também estavam encarcerados (n = 20, 50%). Os resultados do estudo indicam também que o tráfico de drogas (n = 86, 66,7%) foi a principal causa de encarceramento feminino, seguido do crime de homicídio (n = 16, 12,4%). Mais de metade dos participantes estiveram na prisão pela primeira vez (n = 75, 58,1%), com uma elevada taxa de reincidência observada na amostra total (n = 54, 41,9%). A maioria dos participantes (n = 97, 75,2%) manteve-se em contato com membros das suas famílias e uma parte menor (n = 15, 11,6%) recebeu visitas conjugais. No que respeita às atividades sociais, pouco mais de metade (n = 75, 58,1%) trabalhou e a maioria (n = 114, 88,4%) não estudou enquanto esteve presa.Conclusão: as dificuldades associadas ao acesso aos dados dos presos e a falta de estudos revistos por pares sobre a saúde dos presos no Brasil sugerem que as políticas públicas recomendadas pelo Plano Nacional de Saúde no Sistema Penitenciário - PNSSP e a Política Nacional de Atenção Integral à Saúde da Mulher - PNAISM devem ser reavaliadas.

COVID-19 and influenza: implications in the public health context / COVID-19 e influenza: implicações no contexto da saúde pública

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 continues to have a major impact on health and social systems around the world. The COVID-19 and influenza manifest themselves in a similar way, causing respiratory diseases that can present asymptomatically, as well as from the cold to severe respiratory problems until death. The form of transmission is similar, through contact with droplets or particles of saliva and secretions, which implies preventive actions that involve the same hygiene measures, use of masks and the need to cough using the elbow or disposable tissues. This characterizes a syndemic. It becomes necessary to monitor these diseases so that there are parameters for better decision-making on the appropriate clinical management of these respective diseases.

A pandemia de COVID-19 causada pelo novo coronavírus SARS-CoV-2 continua a ter um grande im-pacto nos sistemas de saúde e sociais em todo o mundo. torna-se necessário que haja monitoramento dessas doenças para que assim, tenha-se parâmetros para melhor tomada de decisão sobre a gestão clínica adequada sobre essas respectivas doenças. Os dois vírus se manifestam de forma semelhante, ao causarem doenças respiratórias que podem se apresentar de forma assintomáticas, assim como do resfriado a problemas respiratórios graves até a morte. A forma de transmissão são parecidas, por contato com gotículas ou partículas de saliva e secreções, o que implica nas ações de prevenção que perpassam pelas mesmas medidas higienização, uso de máscaras e a necessidade de tossir usando o cotovelo ou lenções descartáveis. Isto caracteriza uma sindemia.

A time-series ecological study protocol to analyze trends of incidence, mortality, lethality of COVID-19 in Brazil

INTRODUCTION: since the first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in February 2020, Brazil has reported more than 20 million cases and more than 600,000 deaths on October 31, 2021. The behavior of the pandemic was also different in the various states, from the less developed to the more developed, such as the state of São Paulo. OBJECTIVE: to describe step-by-step time series for analyzing trends in mortality, lethality and incidence of COVID-19 in Brazil. METHODS: a protocol for an ecological study of time series, covering the 26 states and the federal district (Brasilia). RESULTS: the descriptions have the potential to provide information for the government and society in decision-making about knowledge and conduct, clinical, epidemiological and research investments in health care services for the Brazilian people. It is focused on fully understanding the spread of SARS-COV-2 infection in the Brazilian territory and developing a database for public and universal access for comparative studies between countries and continents. CONCLUSION: databases built from ecological studies are essential for a full understanding of the virus behavior, its transmissibility, lethality and mortality, and a repository for data collected and integrated from multiple sources. They are relevant tools for the search of information and decision-making in global health.

INTRODUÇÃO: a Introdução: Desde que o primeiro caso de COVID-19 foi confirmado em fevereiro de 2020, o Brasil notificou mais de 20 milhões de casos e mais de 600.000 mortes em 31 de outubro de 2021. O comportamento da pandemia também foi diferente nas várias regiões do país, desde aquelas de menor desenvolvimento econômico à de maior desenvolvimento econômico, tal qual o Estado de São Paulo. OBJETIVO: descrever o passo a passo de séries temporais para análise das tendências de mortalidade, letalidade e incidência de COVID-19 no Brasil. MÉTODO: etapas de um protocolo para um estudo ecológico de séries temporais e com cobertura dos 26 Estados e Distrito Federal (Brasilia). RESULTADOS: as descrições possuem potencial de prover informações para o governo e sociedade nas tomadas de decisões acerca do conhecimento e conduta, clínica, epidemiológica e de investimentos em pesquisa cuidados à saude do povo brasileiro, com foco no pleno entendimento da disseminação da infecção pelo SARS-CoV-2 em território brasileiro, bem como desenvolver banco de dados para acesso público e universal para estudos comparativos entre países e continentes. CONCLUSÃO: banco de dados construídos a partir de estudos ecológicos são imprescindíveis ao pleno entendimento do comportamento do vírus, sua transmissibilidade, letalidade e mortalidade, bem como constitui-se em repositório para busca de informações e tomadas de decisão em saúde pública.

Analysis of COVID-19 mortality and case-fatality in a low- income region: an ecological time-series study in Tocantins, Brazilian Amazon / Análise da mortalidade e letalidade por COVID-19 em uma região de baixa renda: um estudo ecológico de série temporal no Tocantins, Amazônia Brasileira

INTRODUCTION: Inserted in the vulnerable context of the Brazilian Amazon, the state of Tocantins has suffered damages with the dissemination of COVID-19 in its territory; however, little evidence is published from this state. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to analyze the case-fatality, mortality, and incidence of COVID-19 in Tocantins. METHODS: This is an ecological study, population-based, time-series analysis of COVID-19 cases and deaths in the state of Tocantins from March 2020 to August 2021. RESULTS: During the examined period, 219,031 COVID-19 cases, and 3,594 deaths were registered due to disease. Two possible occurrence peaks were characterized in this time-series analysis. Remarkably, the Second Wave had the highest lethality rates (3.02% - April 2021), mortality (39.81 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants - March 2021), and incidence (1,938.88 cases per 100,000 inhabitants - March 2021). At the end of the period, mortality, incidence, and lethality showed flat trends, suggesting a positive outcome of the vaccination program. CONCLUSION: The prevention, surveillance, and control actions of COVID-19 cases in Tocantins State have been directed to mitigate the deleterious effects of the pandemic. Nevertheless, efforts are still needed to decrease lethality, mortality, and incidence trends, and ultimately to achieve control of the COVID-19 pandemic in the region

INTRODUÇÃO: Inserido em vulnerável contexto da Amazônia Brasileira, o estado de Tocantis tem sofrido danos com a disseminação da COVID-19 em seu território; entretanto, escassas evidências têm sido publicadas sobre este estado. OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste estudo é analisar a letalidade, mortalidade e incidência da COVID-19 em Tocantins. MÉTODO: Este é um estudo ecológico, de base populacional, com análises de séries temporais de casos e óbitos de COVID-19 no estado do Tocantins de março de 2020 a agosto de 2021. RESULTADOS: No período examinado, foram registrados 219.031 casos de COVID-19 e 3,594 óbitos devido a doença. Foram caracterizadas nesta análise de série temporal a formação de duas possíveis ondas. Notavelmente, a segunda onda apresentou as maiores taxas de letalidade (3,02% - abril de 2021), mortalidade (39,81 óbitos por 100.000 habitantes - março de 2021) e incidência (1.938,88 casos por 100.000 habitantes - março de 2021). No final do período, a mortalidade, incidência e letalidade apresentaram tendências estacionárias, sugerindo um resultado positivo do programa de vacinação. CONCLUSÃO: As ações de prevenção, vigilância e controle dos casos de COVID-19 no Estado do Tocantins têm sido direcionadas para mitigar os efeitos deletérios da pandemia. No entanto, esforços ainda são necessários para diminuir as tendências da letalidade, mortalidade e, em última instância, para alcançar o controle da pandemia de COVID-19 na região.

Epidemiological profile of COVID-19 in the State of Espírito Santo, Brazil, from march 2020 to june 2021 / Perfil epidemiológico da COVID-19 no Estado do Espírito Santo, Brasil, de março de 2020 a junho 2021

INTRODUCTION: coronavirus 2019 Disease (COVID-19) was quickly declared a pandemic, and Brazil is facing the most significant health and hospital crisis in its history. From March to June 2021 represented 50.8% of all deaths in the State of Espirito Santo OBJECTIVE: to analyze the lethality and mortality by COVID-19 in the State of Espirito Santo from March 2020 to June 2021. METHODS: an ecological study was carried out, using a time series of public and official data available on the Health Department of the State of Espirito Santo, Brazil. Were considered information about cases and deaths (from March 2020 to June 2021) of COVID-19. Percentage case-fatality and mortality and incidence rates per 100,000 population were calculated. Time-series analyses were performed using the Prais-Winsten regression model, estimating the Daily Percent Change (DPC), and the trends were classified as flat, increasing, or decreasing. Significant differences were considered when p<0.05. RESULTS: 524,496 confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of June 30, 2021, and 11,516 progressed to death. The presence of cardiovascular diseases represents more than half of confirmed comorbidities (54.37%) in patients with COVID-19, followed by diabetes (19.95%) and obesity (9.34%). Men had higher mortality and lethality, especially in older age groups, but the incidence was higher among women. A characteristic profile of two waves was observed; the first wave was extended from March to October 2020 and the second complete wave from November 2020 to June 2021. During the second wave, high peaks of incidence, lethality, and mortality were recorded. At the end of the second wave, the incidence rate remained with increasing trends (p < 0.05), with a DPC of 2.06%. CONCLUSION: the peak concentration of cases, deaths, and indicators of lethality, mortality evidenced even after one year of pandemic, characterizes the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, still in entire evolution in the State Espirito Santo and Brazil.

INTRODUÇÃO: a doença do Coronavírus 2019 (COVID-19) foi rapidamente declarada pandemia, e o Brasil está enfrentando a crise hospitalar e de saúde mais significativa de sua história. De março a junho de 2021 representou 50,8% de todas as mortes no Estado do Espírito Santo. OBJETIVO: analisar a letalidade e mortalidade por COVID-19 no Estado do Espírito Santo no período de março de 2020 a junho de 2021. MÉTODO: foi realizado um estudo ecológico, utilizando uma série histórica de dados públicos e oficiais disponíveis na Secretaria de Saúde do Estado do Espírito Santo, Brasil. Foram consideradas informações sobre casos e óbitos (de março de 2020 a junho de 2021) da COVID-19. Foram calculadas as percentagens de letalidade e mortalidade e taxas de incidência por 100.000 habitantes. As análises de séries temporais foram realizadas usando o modelo de regressão de Prais-Winsten, estimando a variação percentual diária (DPC), e as tendências foram classificadas como estacionaria, crescentes ou decrescentes. Diferenças significativas foram consideradas quando p <0,05. RESULTADOS: 524.496 casos confirmados de COVID-19 até 30 de junho de 2021 e 11.516 evoluíram para óbito. A presença de doenças cardiovasculares representa mais da metade das comorbidades confirmadas (54,37%) em pacientes com COVID-19, seguida de diabetes (19,95%) e obesidade (9,34%). Os homens apresentaram maior mortalidade e letalidade, principalmente nas faixas etárias mais velhas, mas a incidência foi maior entre as mulheres. Observou-se um perfil característico de duas ondas; a primeira onda foi estendida de março a outubro de 2020 e a segunda onda completa de novembro de 2020 a junho de 2021. Durante a segunda onda, altos picos de incidência, letalidade e mortalidade foram registrados. Ao final da segunda onda, a taxa de incidência manteve-se com tendência crescente (p <0,05), com DPC de 2,06%. CONCLUSÃO: o pico de concentração de casos, óbitos e indicadores de letalidade, mortalidade evidenciados mesmo após um ano de pandemia, caracteriza a gravidade da pandemia COVID-19, ainda em evolução total no Estado do Espírito Santo e Brasil.

Mortality and case fatality rates of COVID-19 in the State of Goiás, Brazil / Taxas de mortalidade e fatalidade de casos da COVID-19 no Estado de Goiás, Brasil

INTRODUCTION: the initial spread of the pandemic in Brazil was mainly affected by patterns of socioeconomic vulnerability. It should be noted that the Central-West region of Brazil is one of the regions with the lowest number of cases, but the states of this region together have the highest mortality rate of COVID-19 in the country. Goiás was the most affected state of this region, with the highest number of deaths in the area. OBJECTIVE: to assess the incidence of mortality and lethality caused by COVID-19 from March 2020 to June 2021 in the State of Goiás, Brazil. METHODS: an ecological study, using a series of time series of public and official data of the Department of Health of the State of Goiás, Brazil. Information was collected on cases and deaths from COVID-19 from March 2020 to June 2021. Mortality, case fatality, and incidence rates were calculated. The Prais-Wisten regression model was used to build time series. The daily percent change (DPC) and the effective reproductive number (Rt) were estimated. RESULTS: Goiás had a predominance of a greater viral spread during the first and the beginning of the second wave, with Rt higher than 1. The second wave from December 2020 to June 2021 was more lethal and had higher mortality rates than the first wave. It was observed, higher scores of case fatality and mortality belonged to males and the elderly. CONCLUSION: an analysis of mortality and case fatality rates helps understand the COVID-19 pandemic behavior in Goiás. It is essential to monitor epidemiological indicators and strengthen intervention strategies to contain the pandemic in this state.

INTRODUÇÃO: a propagação inicial da pandemia no Brasil foi afetada principalmente por padrões de vulnerabilidade socioeconômica. Ressalta-se que a região Centro-Oeste do Brasil é uma das regiões com menor número de casos, mas os estados dessa região juntos apresentaram a maior taxa de mortalidade por COVID-19 do país. Goiás foi o estado mais afetado da região, com o maior número de óbitos. OBJETIVO: avaliar a incidência, mortalidade e letalidade por COVID-19 no Estado de Goiás, Brasil, no período de março de 2020 a junho de 2021. MÉTODO: estudo ecológico, utilizando séries temporais de dados públicos e oficiais da Secretaria de Saúde do Estado de Goiás, Brasil. As informações foram coletadas sobre casos e óbitos de COVID-19 de março de 2020 a junho de 2021. Mortalidade, letalidade e taxas de incidência foram calculadas. O modelo de regressão Prais-Wisten foi usado para construir séries temporais. A mudança percentual diária (DPC) e o número reprodutivo efetivo (Rt) foram estimados. RESULTADOS: Goiás teve predomínio de maior disseminação viral durante a primeira onda e o início da segunda onda, com Rt maior que 1. A segunda onda, dezembro de 2020 a junho de 2021, foi mais letal e apresentou taxas de mortalidade maiores que a primeira onda. Observou-se que os maiores escores de letalidade e mortalidade pertenciam ao sexo masculino e aos idosos CONCLUSÃO: uma análise das taxas de mortalidade e letalidade ajuda a entender o comportamento da pandemia do COVID-19 em Goiás. É fundamental monitorar indicadores epidemiológicos e fortalecer estratégias de intervenção para conter a pandemia neste estado.

Trends in COVID-19 mortality and case-fatality rate in the State of Paraná, South Brazil: spatiotemporal analysis over one year of the Pandemic / Tendências da mortalidade e letalidade por COVID-19 no Estado do Paraná, Sul do Brasil: análise espaço-temporal de um ano de Pandemia

INTRODUCTION: By late 2019, China notified a new disease rising, and with the agent's identification, it was called COVID-19. Despite the efforts of the World Health Organization (WHO) and worldwide countries, the disease spread out of control; on March 11, WHO declared the pandemic state. Brazil is the biggest country in South America, demarcated into 26 states with different economic, cultural, and social aspects. Paraná is one of the Brazilian federative units, it is the sixth more economically important and ranks second in Education. Its first COVID-19 case was confirmed on March 12, 2020, and the first death was on March 27, two weeks after the first death in Brazil. OBJECTIVE: This study objective is to determine the mortality and case-fatality rates of COVID-19 in the State of Paraná, Brazil, from March 1, 2020, to March 31, 2021. METHODS: It is an ecological time-series study, using all cases (854,326) and deaths (17,229 deaths) of COVID-19 reported in public and official database of the State of Paraná Health Department. Case fatality and mortality rates were stratified by sex and age. For trend analysis, the period was divided into a first "wave" (March to November 2020) and a second "wave" (December 2020 to March 2021). The Prais-Winsten regression model for population mortality and case-fatality rates allowed classifying whether it increased, decreased, or was flat. RESULTS: Women were more affected by the number of cases, with 454,056 cases (53.15%) confirmed and 7,257 fatalities (42.12%). A total of 400,270 men (46.85%) were infected and 9,972(57.87%) died. For the first year of COVID-19, in the State of Paraná, the incidence was calculated as 7404.12/100,000 inhabitants, the mortality was 149.32/100,000 inhabitants, and the case-fatality rate was 2.02%. We saw a tendency for decreasing the case-fatality rate (DPC = -0,18; p<0,001). The mortality and incidence showed an increasing trend (DPC=1,13, p<0,001; DPC=1,58, p<0,001, respectively. CONCLUSION: The level and variability of transmission during this first year of pandemic suggest that the disease in the State of Paraná was never under control.

INTRODUÇÃO: no final de 2019, a China notificou o surgimento de uma nova doença, com a identificação do agente, passou a chamar-se COVID-19. Apesar dos esforços da Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS) e de países em todo o mundo, a doença se espalhou fora de controle; em 11 de março, a OMS declarou o estado de pandemia. O Brasil é o maior país da América do Sul, demarcado em 26 estados com diferentes aspectos econômicos, culturais e sociais. O Paraná é uma das unidades federativas brasileiras, é o sexto mais importante economicamente e o segundo em Educação. Seu primeiro caso de COVID-19 foi confirmado em 12 de março de 2020, e o primeiro óbito em 27 de março, duas semanas após o primeiro óbito no Brasil. OBJETIVO: o objetivo deste estudo é determinar as taxas de mortalidade e letalidade da COVID-19 no Estado do Paraná, Brasil, de 1º de março de 2020 a 31 de março de 2021. MÉTODO: trata-se de um estudo ecológico de série temporal que avaliou todos os casos (854.326) e óbitos (17.229 óbitos) da COVID-19 notificados em banco de dados público e oficial da Secretaria de Saúde do Estado do Paraná. As taxas de letalidade e mortalidade foram estratificadas por sexo e idade. Para análise de tendência, o período foi dividido em uma "primeira onda" (março a novembro de 2020) e uma "segunda onda" (dezembro de 2020 a março de 2021). O modelo de regressão de Prais-Winsten para taxas de mortalidade populacional e letalidade permitiu classificar as tendências em crescentes, decrescentes ou estacionárias. RESULTADOS: as mulheres foram as mais afetadas pelo número de casos, com 454.056 casos (53,15%) confirmados e 7.257 óbitos (42,12%). Um total de 400.270 homens (46,85%) foram infectados e 9.972 (57,87%) morreram. Para o primeiro ano da COVID-19, no Estado do Paraná a incidência foi calculada em 7.404,12/100.000 habitantes, a mortalidade foi de 149,32 / 100.000 habitantes e a letalidade foi de 2,02%. Observamos uma tendência de diminuição da taxa de letalidade (DPC= -0,18; p <0,001). A mortalidade e incidência apresentaram tendência crescentes (DPC=1,13, p <0,001; DPC= 1,58, p <0,001, respectivamente. CONCLUSÃO: o nível e a variabilidade da transmissão durante este primeiro ano de pandemia sugerem que a doença no Estado do Paraná nunca esteve sob controle.

A review of the inclusion of equity stratifiers for the measurement of health inequalities within health and social care data collections in Ireland.

BACKGROUND: Health equity differs from the concept of health inequality by taking into consideration the fairness of an inequality. Inequities may be culturally specific, based on social relations within a society. Measuring these inequities often requires grouping individuals. These groupings can be termed equity stratifiers. The most common groupings affected by health inequalities are summarised by the acronym PROGRESS (Place of residence, Race, Occupation, Gender, Religion, Education, Socioeconomic status, Social capital). The aim of this review was to examine the use of equity stratifiers in routinely collected health and social care data collections in Ireland. METHODS: One hundred and twenty data collections were identified from the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) document, "Catalogue of national health and social care data collections: Version 3.0". Managers of all the data collections included were contacted and a data dictionary was requested where one was not available via the HIQA website. Each of the data dictionaries available was reviewed to identify the equity stratifiers recorded. RESULTS: Eighty-three of the 120 data collections were considered eligible to be included for review. Twenty-nine data dictionaries were made available. There was neither a data dictionary available nor a response to our query from data collection managers for twenty-three (27.7%) of the data collections eligible for inclusion. Data dictionaries were from national data collections, regional data collections and national surveys. All data dictionaries contained at least one of the PROGRESS equity stratifiers. National surveys included more equity stratifiers compared with national and regional data collections. Definitions used for recording social groups for the stratifiers examined lacked consistency. CONCLUSIONS: While there has been much discussion on tackling health inequalities in Ireland in recent years, health and social care data collections do not always record the social groupings that are most commonly affected. In order to address this, it is necessary to consider which equity stratifiers should be used for the Irish population and, subsequently, for agreed stratifiers to be incorporated into routine health data collection. These are lessons that can be shared internationally as other countries begin to address deficits in their use of equity stratifiers.