Feasibility of using Determine TB-LAM to diagnose tuberculosis in HIV-positive patients in programmatic conditions: a multisite study.

Background: Determine TB-LAM is a urine-based point-of-care assay for diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB). Objective: To assess the feasibility of using LAM to diagnose TB in adult HIV-positive patients in resource-limited settings. Methods: We performed a multi-centric mixed-methods cross-sectional descriptive study in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, and Mozambique. We used the study and program monitoring tools to estimate user workload, turn-around time (TAT), and proportion of patients with LAM and sputum-based results. We conducted semi-structured interviews to assess the user acceptability of the LAM. Results: The duration of the LAM testing activity per patient was 27 min (IQR 26-29); staff continued with other duties whilst waiting for the result. More patients had a LAM versus a sputum-based result: 168/213 (78.9%) vs 77/213 (36.1%), p < 0.001 in DRC; 691/695 (99.4%) vs 429/695 (61.7%), p < 0.001 in Malawi; and 646/647 (99.8%) vs 262/647 (40.5%), p < 0.001 in Mozambique. The median TAT in minutes when LAM was performed in the consultation room was 75 (IQR 45-188) in DRC, 29 (IQR 27-39) in Malawi, and 36 (IQR 35-41) in Mozambique. In comparison, the overall median TAT for sputum-based tests (smear or GeneXpert) was 2 (IQR 1-3) days. The median time to the first anti-TB drug dose for LAM-positive patients was 155 (IQR 90-504) minutes in DRC and 90 (IQR 60-117) minutes in Mozambique. The overall inter-reader agreement for the interpretation of the LAM result as positive or negative was 98.9%, kappa 0.97 (95%CI 0.96-0.99). Overall, LAM users found the test easy to perform. Major concerns were use of the reading card and the prior requirement of CD4 results before LAM testing. Conclusion: It is feasible to implement the LAM test in low resource settings. The short TAT permitted same day initiation of TB treatment for LAM-positive patients.

High attrition among HIV-infected patients with advanced disease treated in an intermediary referral center in Maputo, Mozambique.

BACKGROUND: In Mozambique, antiretroviral therapy (ART) scale-up has been successfully implemented. However, attrition in care remains a major programmatic challenge. In 2009, an intermediary-level HIV referral center was created in Maputo to ensure access to specialized care for HIV-infected patients with complications (advanced clinical-immunological stage, Kaposi sarcoma, or suspected ART failure). OBJECTIVE: To determine the attrition from care and to identify risk factors that lead to high attrition among patients referred to an intermediary-level HIV referral center. DESIGN: This was a retrospective cohort study from 2009 to 2011. RESULTS: A total of 1,657 patients were enrolled, 847 (51%) were men, the mean age was 36 years (standard deviation: 11), the mean CD4 count was 27 cells/µl (interquartile range: 11-44), and one-third were severely malnourished. The main reasons for referral were advanced clinical stages (WHO stages 3 and 4, and CD4 count <50 cells/µl) in 70% of the cases, and 19% had Kaposi sarcoma. The overall attrition rate was 28.7 per 100 person-years (PYs) - the mortality rate was 5.0 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.2-5.9) per 100 PYs, and the loss-to-follow-up rate was 23.7 (95% CI: 21.9-25.6) per 100 PYs. There were 793 attritions - 137 deaths and 656 lost to follow-up (LTFU); 77% of all attrition happened within the first year. The factors independently associated with attrition were male sex (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 1.15, 95% CI: 1.0-1.3), low body mass index (aHR: 1.51, 95% CI: 1.2-1.8), WHO clinical stage 3 or 4 (aHR: 1.30, 95% CI: 1.0-1.6; and aHR: 1.91, 95% CI: 1.4-2.5), later year of enrollment (aHR 1.61, 95% CI 1.3-1.9), and 'being already on ART' at enrollment (aHR 13.71, 95% CI 11.4-16.4). CONCLUSIONS: Attrition rates among HIV-infected patients enrolled in an intermediary referral center were high, mainly related to advanced stage of clinical disease. Measures are required to address this, including innovative strategies for HIV-testing uptake, earlier ART initiation and nutritional supplementation, and special attention to men and those who are already on ART at enrolment. Qualitative research is required to understand the reasons for being LTFU and design informed evidence-based interventions.

[Maternal and perinatal outcomes of an alongside hospital birth center in the city of São Paulo, Brazil]. / Resultados maternos e neonatais em centro de Parto Normal peri-hospitalar na cidade de São Paulo, Brasil.

The aim of this study was to describe the maternal and perinatal results of care in the alongside hospital birth center Casa de Maria (CPN-CM), located in the city of São Paulo. The random sample included 991 women and their newborns, attended between 2003 and 2006. The results showed that 92.2% of women had a companion of her choice during childbirth and the practices commonly used were shower or immersion bath (92.9%), amniotomy (62.6%), walking (47.6%), massage comfort (29.8%) and episiotomy (25.7%). Regarding newborns, 99.9% of them had Apgar scores =7 in the fifth minute, 9.3% received aspiration of the upper airway, no one needed to be intubated and 1.4% were removed to the hospital. The model of care in the CPN-CM provides maternal and perinatal outcomes expected for low obstetric risk women, and means a safe option and less interventionist model in normal childbirth.

Resultados maternos e neonatais em Centro de Parto Normal peri-hospitalar na cidade de São Paulo, Brasil / Maternal and perinatal outcomes of an alongside hospital Birth Center in the city of São Paulo, Brazil / Resultados maternos y neonatales en un Centro de Parto Normal perihospitalario en la ciudad de São Paulo, Brasil

O objetivo foi descrever os resultados maternos e perinatais da assistência no Centro de Parto Normal Casa de Maria (CPN-CM), na cidade de São Paulo. A amostra probabilística foi de 991 parturientes e seus recém-nascidos, assistidos entre 2003 e 2006. Os resultados mostraram que 92,2 por cento das parturientes tiveram um acompanhante de sua escolha e as práticas mais utilizadas no parto foram banho de aspersão ou imersão (92,9 por cento), amniotomia (62,6 por cento), deambulação (47,6 por cento), massagem de conforto (29,8 por cento) e episiotomia (25,7 por cento). Com relação aos recém-nascidos, 99,9 por cento apresentaram índice de Apgar = 7 no quinto minuto; 9,3 por cento receberam aspiração das vias aéreas superiores; nenhum necessitou ser entubado; e 1,4 por cento foram removidos para o hospital. O modelo de assistência praticado no CPN-CM apresenta resultados maternos e perinatais esperados para mulheres com baixo risco obstétrico, sendo alternativa segura e menos intervencionista no parto normal.

The aim of this study was to describe the maternal and perinatal results of care in the alongside hospital birth center Casa de Maria (CPN-CM), located in the city of São Paulo. The random sample included 991 women and their newborns, attended between 2003 and 2006. The results showed that 92.2 percent of women had a companion of her choice during childbirth and the practices commonly used were shower or immersion bath (92.9 percent), amniotomy (62.6 percent), walking (47.6 percent), massage comfort (29.8 percent) and episiotomy (25.7 percent). Regarding newborns, 99.9 percent of them had Apgar scores =7 in the fifth minute, 9.3 percent received aspiration of the upper airway, no one needed to be intubated and 1.4 percent were removed to the hospital. The model of care in the CPN-CM provides maternal and perinatal outcomes expected for low obstetric risk women, and means a safe option and less interventionist model in normal childbirth.

El objetivo fue describir los resultados de la atención materna y perinatal en el Centro de Parto Normal Casa de María (CPN-CM), en la ciudad de São Paulo, Brasil. La muestra probabilística se constituyó de 991 madres y sus recién nacidos, atendidos entre 2003 y 2006. Los resultados mostraron que 92,2 por ciento de las madres tenía un acompañante de su elección y las prácticas más utilizadas en el parto fueron el baño de aspersión o inmersión (92,9 por ciento), la amniotomía (62,6 por ciento), ambulación (47,6 por ciento), masaje de confortación (29,8 por ciento) y episiotomía (25,7 por ciento). Con respecto a los recién nacidos, el 99,9 por ciento presentaba índice de Apgar = 7 en el minuto cinco, el 9,3 por ciento recibió aspiración de las vías aéreas superiores, ninguno necesitó ser entubado y el 1,4 por ciento fue trasladado a un hospital. El modelo de atención practicado en el CPN-CN presenta resultados maternos y perinatales esperados para mujeres con bajo riesgo obstétrico, demostrando ser una alternativa segura y menos invasiva en el parto normal.

Centros de Parto no Brasil: revisão da produção científica / Centros de Nacimiento en Brasil: revisión de la producción científica / Birth Centers in Brazil: scientific production review

Este artigo consiste em uma revisão narrativa com o objetivo de identificar a produção científica brasileira relacionada ao processo assistencial e aos resultados maternos e perinatais em centro de parto normal (CPN). As publicações foram recuperadas nas bases de dados e portais de periódicos PubMed/MEDLINE, CINAHAL, SciELO e REVENF. Incluíram-se, também, publicação em livro e produção não publicada de grupo de pesquisa. Foram selecionados oito estudos do tipo descritivo, dois transversais e dois casos-controle, realizados com 5.407 mulheres e 5.395 recém-nascidos, divulgados entre 2005 e 2009. Os estudos analisaram variáveis sócio-demográficas e obstétricas, práticas na assistência ao parto e nascimento e remoções maternas e neonatais para o hospital. A produção científica sobre CPN apresenta dados da última década, relativos a sete serviços. São, principalmente, estudos descritivos, com foco nas práticas obstétricas e nos resultados maternos, com ênfase menor na assistência neonatal.

This article is a narrative review with the aim of identifying the Brazilian scientific production related to the care process and maternal and perinatal outcomes in birth centres (BC). The papers were recovered in the databases and portals PubMed/MEDLINE, CINAHAL, SciELO and REVENF. There were also included one book and the non published studies from a researcher group. There were selected eight descriptive, two cross-sectional and two case-control studies conducted with 5,407 women and 5,395 newborns, which were reported in the period from 2005 to 2009. These studies analyzed socio-demographic and obstetric outcomes in childbirth and maternal and neonatal transfers to the hospital setting. BC scientific production presents data about seven services, from the last decade. There are mainly descriptive studies, with focus on obstetric practices and maternal outcomes, with less emphasis on neonatal care.

Este artículo es una revisión narrativa, con el objetivo de identificar la producción científica brasileña relacionada con la atención y los resultados maternos y perinatales en centros de nacimiento (CN). Las publicaciones fueron recuperadas en las bases de datos y portales PubMed/MEDLINE, CINAHAL, SciELO y REVENF. Fueron incluidos también libro publicado y los trabajos no publicados de un grupo de investigadores. Fueron seleccionados ocho estudios de tipo descriptivo, dos transversales y dos casos-control, realizados con 5.407 mujeres y 5.395 recién-nacidos, divulgados en el período de 2005 a 2009. Los estudios analizaron variables socio-demográficas y obstétricas, prácticas en la atención al parto y nacimiento y el traslado materno y neonatal hacia al hospital. La producción científica sobre CN presenta datos de la última década, relativos a siete servicios. Son estudios principalmente descriptivos, con enfoque en las prácticas obstétricas y en los resultados maternos, con menos énfasis en la atención neonatal.

Caracterização da assistência ao parto e nascimento em um centro de parto normal do município de São Paulo / Characterization of labor and birthing care in a normal birth center in the city of São Paulo

A proposta de locais alternativos para assistência ao parto e nascimento, em nosso país, faz parte da abordagem deste evento como processos familiares e fisiológicos. Dentre esses locais destacam-se os Centros de Parto Normal, instituídos como uma política do Ministério da Saúde, desde 1999. Os objetivos deste estudo foram descrever as características sociodemográficas, as condições obstétricas na admissão, a prevalência das práticas obstétricas utilizadas no trabalho de parto e parto, as condições maternas e neonatais no parto e a prevalência das práticas utilizadas nos recém-nascidos, em um centro de parto peri-hospitalar do Município de São Paulo. Trata-se de um estudo transversal com coleta retrospectiva de dados, entre 2003 e 2006, com amostra probabilística de 991 prontuários. A coleta dos dados foi realizada no período de junho a outubro de 2007, pela pesquisadora e duas enfermeiras obstétricas. Os dados foram armazenados em um banco de dados com auxílio do programa Epi-info versão 2.000, sendo realizada análise descritiva. Este estudo foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa do Hospital Geral do Itaim Paulista. Os resultados demonstram as seguintes características sociodemográficas: média de idade de 23,6 anos, com desvio-padrão de 5,6 anos e maioria de oito ou mais anos de estudo (76,6% das mulheres). Na admissão, 46,3% eram nulíparas e 77,8% estavam com membranas íntegras, 53,0%, com 5 a 9 cm de dilatação cervical e 4,3% foram internadas no períodoexpulsivo. As práticas mais utilizadas no parto foram: banho de aspersão (71%), amniotomia (62,6%) e episiotomia (25,7%). Condições maternas no parto foram: períneo íntegro em 42,1%, laceração de primeiro grau em 22,4%; 92,2% tiveram acompanhante, sendo, mais frequentemente, o companheiro. O peso médio do neonato foi 3.221,4 gramas, com desvio-padrão de 392,9 gramas; 7,9% apresentaram mecônio no período ) expulsivo e 98,6% tiveram índice de Apgar 7 no primeiro minuto. Conclui-se que o modelo de assistência praticado no Centro de Parto Normal apresenta resultados maternos e perinatais esperados para mulheres com baixo risco obstétrico, sendo alternativa segura e um modelo menos intervencionista que pode auxiliar no resgate da fisiologia do parto e nascimento.

The proposed alternative places for the delivery and childbirth care, in Brazil, is a part of the approach of these events as family and physiological processes. Among these services there are the Normal Birth Centers, instituted as a policy of the Ministry of Health, since 1999. This study aimed to describe the sociodemographic characteristics, obstetric conditions at admission, the prevalence of obstetric practices used in labor and delivery, maternal and neonatal conditions in labor and prevalence of practices used in newborns, in an alongside Normal Birth Center in São Paulo. It is a cross-sectional study with retrospective data collection, between 2003 and 2006 with random sample of 991 records. Data collection was conducted during June-October 2007, by the researcher and two obstetric nurses. The data were stored in a database using Epi-Info 2000 version, with descriptive analysis. This study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the General Hospital of Itaim Paulista. The results show the following sociodemographic characteristics: average age of 23.6 years, with a standard deviation of 5.6 years and majority of eight or more years of study (76.6% women). On admission, 46.3% were nulliparous and 77.8% were with intact membranes, 53.0% with 5 to 9 cm of cervical dilation and 4.3% were hospitalized during expulsion period. The most widely practices used during the labor were: shower bath (71%), artificial rupture of the membranes (62.6%) andepisiotomy (25.7%). Maternal conditions during delivery were 42.1% with intact perineum, first-degree lacerations in 22.4%, 92.2% had birthing partner, most often the stable companion. The average weight of newborns was 3221.4 grams, with standard deviation of 392.9 g, 7.9% had meconium during expulsion period and 98.6% had Apgar index of 7 in the first minute. The conclusion was that the model of care practiced at the Normal Birth Center presents maternal and perinatal outcomes expected for women with obstetric low risk, it is a safe alternative and a less interventionist model that can help in the ransom of the physiology of labor and birth.