COVID-19 Telehealth Service Can Increase Access to the Health Care System and Become a Cost-Saving Strategy.

Introduction: Data addressing the economic aspects of telehealth initiatives are incipient. This study aimed to evaluate the labor costs for running a COVID-19 telehealth system and its potential incremental access to health care service. Methods: From July 2020 to July 2021, data from a Brazilian teleconsultation service were analyzed. Labor costs were estimated by time-driven activity-based costing. A Generalized Reduced Gradient solving method was coded to maximize the mean incremental access rate and two scenarios were considered to compare the teleconsultation with the in-person consultation: (1) only the length of time that patients spent with a clinician in an in-person consultation was accounted and (2) in addition to the medical consultation, nursing screening was accounted. The mean incremental access rate of the teleconsultation service was defined as a maximization objective in the model. Results: Mean labor costs per medical and nursing teleconsultations are Int$ 24 and Int$ 10, based on data analyses from 25,258 patients. Telemonitoring a patient with a daily call for 7 days costs, on average, Int$ 14. COVID-19 teleconsultation service represents, on average, an incremental access to medical consultation rate of 35% to 52% (min 23% max 63%) for the scenarios (1) and (2), respectively, and considering the current consumed budget for this service. Discussion: A COVID-19 telehealth service contributes to increasing access to the health care system without increasing costs. These services can be included in the bundle of care strategies offered in a national public health care system that looks for more sustainable strategies to provide care.

Synchronous Teleconsultation and Monitoring Service Targeting COVID-19: Leveraging Insights for Postpandemic Health Care.

BACKGROUND: Although a great number of teleconsultation services have been developed during the COVID-19 pandemic, studies assessing usability and health care provider satisfaction are still incipient. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe the development, implementation, and expansion of a synchronous teleconsultation service targeting patients with symptoms of COVID-19 in Brazil, as well as to assess its usability and health care professionals' satisfaction. METHODS: This mixed methods study was developed in 5 phases: (1) the identification of components, technical and functional requirements, and system architecture; (2) system and user interface development and validation; (3) pilot-testing in the city of Divinópolis; (4) expansion in the cities of Divinópolis, Teófilo Otoni, and Belo Horizonte for Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais faculty and students; and (5) usability and satisfaction assessment, using Likert-scale and open-ended questions. RESULTS: During pilot development, problems contacting users were solved by introducing standardized SMS text messages, which were sent to users to obtain their feedback and keep track of them. Until April 2022, the expanded system served 31,966 patients in 146,158 teleconsultations. Teleconsultations were initiated through chatbot in 27.7% (40,486/146,158) of cases. Teleconsultation efficiency per city was 93.7% (13,317/14,212) in Teófilo Otoni, 92.4% (11,747/12,713) in Divinópolis, and 98.8% (4981/5041) in Belo Horizonte (university campus), thus avoiding in-person assistance for a great majority of patients. In total, 50 (83%) out of 60 health care professionals assessed the system's usability as satisfactory, despite a few system instability problems. CONCLUSIONS: The system provided updated information about COVID-19 and enabled remote care for thousands of patients, which evidenced the critical role of telemedicine in expanding emergency services capacity during the pandemic. The dynamic nature of the current pandemic required fast planning, implementation, development, and updates in the system. Usability and satisfaction assessment was key to identifying areas for improvement. The experience reported here is expected to inform telemedicine strategies to be implemented in a postpandemic scenario.

Spatial analysis of leisure-time physical activity in an urban area.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the spatial distribution of the prevalence of leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) in a Brazilian urban area and its association with the characteristics of the physical and social environments. METHODS: A cross-sectional study conducted with data from the Surveillance System for Risk and Protective Factors for Chronic Diseases from the years 2008-2010, in Belo Horizonte, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The outcome was the practice of LTPA and the independent variables were residential and population density, the density of places for physical activity, homicide rates, average family income, and health vulnerability index. The spatial scanning technique was employed to identify clusters with a high prevalence of PA at leisure time. The Mann-Whitney test was used to compare variables inside and outside the cluster. RESULTS: The sample included 5,779 participants, 33.3% (SE = 0.73) of whom reported sufficient PA during leisure time. We identified a significant cluster of a high prevalence of LTPA. After adjustments, the cluster presented a radius of 3,041.99 meters and 603 individuals, and 293 (48.6%) of them reported sufficient LTPA. The probability of performing sufficient LTPA in the cluster was 27% higher (PR = 1.27; p = 0.002) than in the coverage areas of primary healthcare units outside the cluster. There was a higher density of places for LTPA practice, higher population and residential density, and higher family income in the cluster. CONCLUSION: The results evidenced a cluster of high prevalence of LTPA in a privileged physical and socioeconomic environment in Belo Horizonte, even after adjustments, demonstrating that reducing inequalities can increase LTPA.

Spatial analysis of leisure-time physical activity in an urban area / Análise espacial da prática de atividade física no lazer em área urbana

ABSTRACT: Objective: To analyze the spatial distribution of the prevalence of leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) in a Brazilian urban area and its association with the characteristics of the physical and social environments. Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted with data from the Surveillance System for Risk and Protective Factors for Chronic Diseases from the years 2008-2010, in Belo Horizonte, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The outcome was the practice of LTPA and the independent variables were residential and population density, the density of places for physical activity, homicide rates, average family income, and health vulnerability index. The spatial scanning technique was employed to identify clusters with a high prevalence of PA at leisure time. The Mann-Whitney test was used to compare variables inside and outside the cluster. Results: The sample included 5,779 participants, 33.3% (SE = 0.73) of whom reported sufficient PA during leisure time. We identified a significant cluster of a high prevalence of LTPA. After adjustments, the cluster presented a radius of 3,041.99 meters and 603 individuals, and 293 (48.6%) of them reported sufficient LTPA. The probability of performing sufficient LTPA in the cluster was 27% higher (PR = 1.27; p = 0.002) than in the coverage areas of primary healthcare units outside the cluster. There was a higher density of places for LTPA practice, higher population and residential density, and higher family income in the cluster. Conclusion: The results evidenced a cluster of high prevalence of LTPA in a privileged physical and socioeconomic environment in Belo Horizonte, even after adjustments, demonstrating that reducing inequalities can increase LTPA.

RESUMO: Objetivo: Analisar a distribuição espacial da prevalência da prática de atividade física (AF) no lazer suficiente em uma área urbana brasileira, no período de 2008 a 2010, e verificar se ela é influenciada por características dos ambientes físico e social. Métodos: Estudo transversal com dados do sistema de Vigilância de Fatores de Risco para doenças crônicas não transmissíveis, realizado em Belo Horizonte (MG), entre os anos 2008 e 2010. O desfecho foi a realização de AF no lazer e as exposições foram densidade residencial e populacional, densidade de locais de prática de AF no lazer, taxa de homicídio, renda familiar média e índice de vulnerabilidade da saúde. Foi empregada a técnica de varredura espacial para identificar clusters de alta prevalência de AF no lazer. Utilizou-se o teste de Mann-Whitney para comparar variáveis ambientais dentro e fora do cluster. Resultados: A amostra foi constituída de 5.779 participantes, dos quais 33,3% referiram praticar AF no lazer suficientemente. Identificou-se um cluster significativo de alta prevalência de prática de AF no lazer. Após ajustes, ele apresentou raio de 3.041,99 m e 603 indivíduos, dos quais 293 (48,6%) realizavam AF no lazer suficiente. A probabilidade de um indivíduo praticar AF no lazer suficiente no cluster foi 27% maior (razão de prevalência — RP = 1,27; p = 0,002) do que nas áreas de abrangência das unidades básicas de saúde não pertencentes a ele. Esse cluster teve maior densidade de locais para a prática de AF no lazer, maior densidade populacional e residencial e maior renda familiar. Conclusão: Constatou-se cluster de alta prevalência de AF no lazer em um contexto físico e econômico privilegiado de Belo Horizonte, o que demonstra que diminuir desigualdades pode aumentar a prática de AF no lazer.

Spatial analysis of leisure-time physical activity in an urban area / Análise espacial da prática de atividade física no lazer em área urbana

Objective: analyze the spatial distribution of the prevalence of leisure-time physical activity (LPA) in a Brazilian urban area and its association with the characteristics of the physical and social environment. Method: a cross-sectional study with data from the Risk Factors Surveillance system for chronic non-communicable diseases from the years 2008-2010, in Belo Horizonte, MG. The outcome was the performance of LPA and the independent variables were residential and population density, the density of places for physical activity, homicide rates, average family income, health vulnerability index. The spatial scanning technique was employed to identify clusters with a high prevalence of LPA at leisure. The Mann-Whitney test was used to compare variables inside and outside the cluster. Results: the sample included 5,779 participants, 33.26% (EP = 0.73) of whom reported practicing sufficient PA during leisure time. We identified a significant cluster of a high prevalence of LPA. After adjustments, the cluster presented a radius of 3,041.99 meters and 603 individuals, 293 (48.6%) of who practiced sufficient LPA. The probability of practicing sufficient LPA in the cluster was 32% higher (PR= 1.32; p= 0.0016) than in the AAUBS that do not belong to the cluster. There was a higher density of places for LPA practice, higher population and residential density and higher family income in the cluster. Conclusions: The results evidenced a cluster of a high prevalence of LPA in a privileged physical and socioeconomic environment in Belo Horizonte, even after adjustments, demonstrating that reducing inequalities can increase LPA.

Objetivo: analisar a distribuição espacial da prevalência da prática de atividade física suficiente no lazer (AFL) em uma área urbana brasileira, no período de 2008 a 2010, e verificar se esta é influenciada por características do ambiente físico e social. Método: estudo transversal com dados do sistema de Vigilância de Fatores de Risco para doenças crônicas não transmissíveis entre os anos 2008 e 2010, em Belo Horizonte, MG. O desfecho foi a realização de AFL e as exposições foram densidade residencial e populacional, densidade de locais de prática de AFL, taxa de homicídio, renda familiar média e índice de vulnerabilidade à saúde. Foi realizada técnica de varredura espacial para identificar clusters de alta prevalência de AFL. Utilizou-se o teste Mann-Whitney para comparar variáveis ambientais dentro e fora do cluster. Resultados: a amostra foi de 5.779 participantes, dos quais 33,26% referiram praticar AFL suficientemente. Foi identificado um cluster significativo de alta prevalência de prática de AFL. Após ajustes, o cluster apresentou raio de 3.041,99 metros e 603 indivíduos, sendo que 293 destes (48,6%) realizavam AFL suficiente. A probabilidade de um indivíduo praticar AFL suficiente no cluster foi 32% maior (RP=1,32; p=0,0016) do que nas AAUBS não pertencentes ao cluster. Esse cluster teve maior densidade de locais para prática de AFL, maior densidade populacional e residencial e maior renda familiar. Conclusões: foi evidenciado cluster de alta prevalência de AFL em um contexto físico e econômico privilegiado em Belo Horizonte, demonstrando que diminuir desigualdades pode aumentar prática de AF no lazer.

Fatores ambientais e autoavaliação de saúde: análise multinível a partir do sistema de vigilância de fatores de risco e proteção para DCNTs' em uma área urbana / Environmental factors and self-assessment of health: multilevel analysis from the system of surveillance of risk factors and protection for DCNTs' in an urban area

A autoavaliação da saúde mede o nível do estado de saúde individual, sendo considerado um indicador composto por várias dimensões que engloba aspectos físicos, mentais, e bem-estar social da população. Os fatores individuais tendem a ser o principal determinante na autoavaliação da saúde seguido por outros fatores como o ambiente social e físico. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os fatores ambientais e individuais associados à autoavaliação de saúde em adultos residentes no município de Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais (sudeste do Brasil). Trata-se de um estudo epidemiológico transversal, realizado com indivíduos com ≥18 anos de idade residentes em Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais. Utilizou-se a base de dados do Sistema de Vigilância de Fatores de Risco e de Proteção para Doenças Crônicas por Inquérito Telefônico nos anos de 2008 a 2010. Foram definidos dois desfechos: a declaração de saúde como ruim e muito ruim, e muito ruim. Para caracterizar o ambiente físico e social utilizaram-se dados georreferenciados dos locais públicos e privados para prática de atividade física, estabelecimentos de vendas de alimentos saudáveis, não saudáveis e mistos, densidade residencial e populacional, taxa de homicídio, renda total das áreas de abrangência em quintil e o índice de vulnerabilidade em saúde. Como unidade de análise foi utilizada as Áreas de Abrangência das Unidades Básicas de Saúde (AA-UBS). Para a análise dos dados foi utilizado à regressão multinível. Foram avaliados 5.779 adultos, desses 3,4% avaliaram sua saúde como ruim ou muito ruim e 0,8% declaram ter autoavaliação muito ruim da saúde. Observou-se variabilidade da autoavaliação de saúde ruim entre as áreas de abrangência. Os dados mostraram, após ajuste pelas variáveis individuais e comportamentais, que a maior renda entre as AA-UBS diminuíram a chance da avaliação negativa da saúde. Conclusão: Fatores individuais, comportamentais e a renda entre as AA-UBS podem influenciar a avaliação positiva da autoavaliação da saúde.(AU)

The self-rated health measures the level of individual health status, being considered an indicator composed of several dimensions that involve physical, mental, and social well-being of the population. Individual factors tend to be the main determinant in the perception of health followed by other factors such as the social and physical environments. The aim of this study was to evaluate the environmental and individual factors associated with the perception of health in adults living in the municipality of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais (southeastern of Brazil). This is a cross-sectional epidemiological study conducted with individuals with ≥18 years, living in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais. The database of the Sistema de Vigilância de Fatores de Risco e de Proteção para Doenças Crônicas por Inquérito Telefônico was used from 2008 to 2010. Two outcomes were defined: the declaration of health as bad and very bad, and very bad. To characterize the physical and social environments, it's used georeferenced data from public and private places for physical activity, healthy, unhealthy and mixed food sales establishments, residential and population density, homicide rate, total income from coverage areas in quintile and the health vulnerability index. As a unit of analysis, the Coverage areas of Health Units (CA-BU) were used. Data analysis was used for multilevel regression. A total of 5,779 adults were evaluated, of whom 3.4% rated their health as bad or very bad and 0.8% reported having very bad health perception. Variability on the perception of negative self-rated health among the areas analyzed was observed. The data showed, after adjusting for the individual and behavioral variables, that the higher income among CA-HU decreased the chance of negative health evaluation. Conclusion: Individual, behavioral and income factors among CA-HU can influence the positive evaluation of health perception.(AU)

Factors associated with the contraindicated use of oral contraceptives in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of the contraindicated use of oral contraceptives and the associated factors in Brazilian women. METHODS: 20,454 women who answered the VIGITEL survey in 2008 also participated in this study, of which 3,985 reported using oral contraceptives. We defined the following conditions for the contraindicated use of contraceptives: hypertension; cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack, stroke/cerebrovascular accident; diabetes mellitus; being smoker and 35 years old or older. We estimated the prevalence and 95% confidence intervals of contraindicated use in users of oral contraceptives and the factors associated with contraindication by prevalence ratio and 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: In the total population, 21% (95%CI 19.7-21.9) of women showed some contraindication to the use of oral contraceptives, of which 11.7% (95%CI 10.6-13.7) belonged to the group of users of oral contraceptives. The most frequent contraindication in users of oral contraceptives was hypertension (9.1%). The largest proportion of women with at least one contraindication was aged between 45 and 49 years (45.8%) and with education level between zero and eight years (23.8%). The prevalence of contraindication to oral contraceptives was higher in women less educated (zero to eight years of study) (PR = 2.46; 95%CI 1.57-3.86; p < 0.05) and with age between 35-44 years (PR = 4.00; 95%CI 2.34-6.83) and 45-49 years (PR = 5.59; 95%CI 2.90-10.75). CONCLUSIONS: Age greater than or equal to 35 and low education level were demographic and iniquity factors, respectively, in the contraindicated use of oral contraceptives. OBJETIVO: Estimar a prevalência de contraindicação ao uso de anticoncepcionais orais e os fatores associados em mulheres brasileiras. MÉTODOS: Participaram 20.454 mulheres que responderam ao inquérito Vigitel em 2008, das quais 3.985 reportaram uso de contraceptivos orais. Definiu-se como uso contraindicado de anticoncepcionais quando presente pelo menos uma condição: hipertensão; doenças cardiovasculares como infarto, derrame/acidente vascular encefálico; diabetes mellitus; ser tabagista e ter idade igual ou maior de 35 anos. Foram estimadas as prevalências e intervalos de 95% de confiança de uso contraindicado em usuárias de anticoncepcionais orais e fatores associados à contraindicação por meio de razões de prevalência e intervalos de 95% de confiança. RESULTADOS: Na população total, 21,0% (IC95% 19,7-21,9) das mulheres apresentaram alguma contraindicação ao uso de anticoncepcionais orais, das quais 11,7% (IC95% 10,6-13,7) pertenciam ao grupo de usuárias de anticoncepcionais orais. A contraindicação mais freqüente entre as usuárias de anticoncepcionais orais foi hipertensão (9,1%). A maior proporção de mulheres com pelo menos uma contraindicação tinha entre 45 a 49 anos (45,8%) e escolaridade entre zero e oito (23,8%). A prevalência de contraindicação de anticoncepcionais orais foi maior nas mulheres menos escolarizadas (zero a oito anos de estudos) (RP = 2,46; IC95% 1,57-3,86; p < 0,05) e idade entre 35-44 anos (RP = 4,00; IC95% 2,34-6,83) e 45-49 anos (RP = 5,59; IC95% 2,90-10,75). CONCLUSÕES: Idade maior ou igual a 35 e escolaridade baixa foram fatores demográficos e de iniquidade, respectivamente, no uso contraindicado de contraceptivos orais.

Factors associated with the contraindicated use of oral contraceptives in Brazil / Fatores associados ao uso contraindicado de contraceptivos orais no Brasil

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To estimate the prevalence of the contraindicated use of oral contraceptives and the associated factors in Brazilian women. METHODS 20,454 women who answered the VIGITEL survey in 2008 also participated in this study, of which 3,985 reported using oral contraceptives. We defined the following conditions for the contraindicated use of contraceptives: hypertension; cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack, stroke/cerebrovascular accident; diabetes mellitus; being smoker and 35 years old or older. We estimated the prevalence and 95% confidence intervals of contraindicated use in users of oral contraceptives and the factors associated with contraindication by prevalence ratio and 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS In the total population, 21% (95%CI 19.7–21.9) of women showed some contraindication to the use of oral contraceptives, of which 11.7% (95%CI 10.6–13.7) belonged to the group of users of oral contraceptives. The most frequent contraindication in users of oral contraceptives was hypertension (9.1%). The largest proportion of women with at least one contraindication was aged between 45 and 49 years (45.8%) and with education level between zero and eight years (23.8%). The prevalence of contraindication to oral contraceptives was higher in women less educated (zero to eight years of study) (PR = 2.46; 95%CI 1.57–3.86; p < 0.05) and with age between 35-44 years (PR = 4.00; 95%CI 2.34–6.83) and 45-49 years (PR = 5.59; 95%CI 2.90–10.75). CONCLUSIONS Age greater than or equal to 35 and low education level were demographic and iniquity factors, respectively, in the contraindicated use of oral contraceptives.

RESUMO OBJETIVO Estimar a prevalência de contraindicação ao uso de anticoncepcionais orais e os fatores associados em mulheres brasileiras. MÉTODOS Participaram 20.454 mulheres que responderam ao inquérito Vigitel em 2008, das quais 3.985 reportaram uso de contraceptivos orais. Definiu-se como uso contraindicado de anticoncepcionais quando presente pelo menos uma condição: hipertensão; doenças cardiovasculares como infarto, derrame/acidente vascular encefálico; diabetes mellitus; ser tabagista e ter idade igual ou maior de 35 anos. Foram estimadas as prevalências e intervalos de 95% de confiança de uso contraindicado em usuárias de anticoncepcionais orais e fatores associados à contraindicação por meio de razões de prevalência e intervalos de 95% de confiança. RESULTADOS Na população total, 21,0% (IC95% 19,7–21,9) das mulheres apresentaram alguma contraindicação ao uso de anticoncepcionais orais, das quais 11,7% (IC95% 10,6–13,7) pertenciam ao grupo de usuárias de anticoncepcionais orais. A contraindicação mais freqüente entre as usuárias de anticoncepcionais orais foi hipertensão (9,1%). A maior proporção de mulheres com pelo menos uma contraindicação tinha entre 45 a 49 anos (45,8%) e escolaridade entre zero e oito (23,8%). A prevalência de contraindicação de anticoncepcionais orais foi maior nas mulheres menos escolarizadas (zero a oito anos de estudos) (RP = 2,46; IC95% 1,57–3,86; p < 0,05) e idade entre 35-44 anos (RP = 4,00; IC95% 2,34–6,83) e 45-49 anos (RP = 5,59; IC95% 2,90–10,75). CONCLUSÕES Idade maior ou igual a 35 e escolaridade baixa foram fatores demográficos e de iniquidade, respectivamente, no uso contraindicado de contraceptivos orais.