MeTA-Edu: a new methodology for enhancing validation of health education technologies applied to COVID-19 prevention in adults with cancer

Introdução: O uso de tecnologias educacionais validadas favorece o acesso às informações confiáveis e adequadas e representa uma importante ferramenta de comunicação de risco para portadores de câncer durante emergências em saúde pública.Objetivo: Avaliar a validade e confiabilidade de uma cartilha eletrônica sobre a COVID-19 para adultos portadores de câncer. Métodos: Estudo metodológico de validação por 22 juízes especialistas residentes vinculados à plataforma nacional de curriculum vitae do Brasil. A amostragem foi realizada por conveniência e bola-de-neve, e a seleção, conforme os critérios de Jasper. A validade da cartilha foi avaliada por questionário eletrônico através do índice de validade de conteúdo (CVI), coeficiente de correlação intraclasse (ICC), o instrumento de avaliação da adequabilidade de materiais (SAM) e a análise temática metalinguística para tecnologias educacionais (MeTA-Edu) de proposições dissertativas. Resultados: A banca avaliadora foi composta por 22 doutores com características sociodemográficas homogêneas e elevado especialização na área de educação (86,4%) e experiência docente (média = 17,8 anos). De modo geral, a tecnologia educacional foi validada pelos juízes especialistas quanto ao conteúdo (CVI global = 0,953) com alto grau de concordância (ICC= 0,958) e adequação de conteúdo, literacia necessária para a compreensão, desenho gráfico, layout e tipografia, estimulação e motivação de aprendizagem e adequação cultural (SAM= 90,6%). Após análise temática, foram identificadas 94 proposições dissertativas, principalmente no tipo de linguagem visual (47,9%), e função referencial/informativa (68,1%). Assim, 83,0% das sugestões foram acatadas e 17,0%, rejeitadas mediante justificativa. Conclusão: A validade e confiabilidade da cartilha "Descomplicando a COVID-19 para pessoas com câncer" foi ratificada pelos juízes especialistas. Estes achados podem contribuir para a otimização metodológica da validação de tecnologias educacionais e inovação de estratégias de educação em saúde, subsidiando a assistência oncológica em tempos de crise.

Introduction: validated educational technologies favor access to reliable and adequate information, representing a critical risk communication tool for cancer patients during public health emergencies.Objective: to assess the validity and reliability of an electronic booklet on COVID-19 for adults with cancer. Methods: methodological validation by a panel of 22 experts linked to Brazil's national curriculum vitae database. Sampling was performed by convenience, snowball, and selection techniques according to Jasper's criteria. The validity of the booklet was evaluated by an electronic questionnaire using the content validity index (CVI), intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), the suitability assessment of materials (SAM) instrument, and the metalinguistic thematic analysis for educational technologies (MeTA-Edu) of dissertation proposals. Results: the expert panel consisted of 22 doctors with homogeneous sociodemographic characteristics, high specialization in education (86.4%), and teaching experience (mean = 17.8 years). In general, the educational technology was validated by experts for content (overall CVI = 0.953) with a high degree of agreement (ICC = 0.958) and suitability of the content, literacy demand, graphics, layout, and typography, learning stimulation and motivation, and cultural appropriateness (SAM = 90.6%). After thematic analysis, 94 dissertation proposals were identified, mainly of the visual language type (47.9%) and referential/informative function (68.1%). Most expert suggestions were accepted (83.0%), and only 17.0% were rejected.Conclusion: the validity and reliability of the booklet "Uncomplicating COVID-19 for people with cancer" were ratified by experts. These findings can contribute to the methodological optimization of the validation of educational technologies and innovation of health education strategies, subsidizing cancer care in times of crisis

Overweight and Obesity in Brazilian Immigrants in Massachusetts, USA: A Time Series Analysis (2009-2020).

INTRODUCTION: Obesity is considered a growing public health problem by the Brazilian Ministry of Health and a global epidemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). In 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated the prevalence of adult obesity at 31.9% in the USA. The USA is one of the main destinations for Brazilian immigrants in search of better living conditions, and Massachusetts is one of the states with the highest presence of Brazilians. Changes in lifestyle and eating habits are often associated with increases in overweight and obesity in immigrants in the USA, especially Hispanics, an official classification that does not, however, include Brazilians. The aim of this study was to describe the temporal trend of overweight and obesity in Brazilian immigrants assisted by the Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA) healthcare network in Massachusetts. METHODS: This was an ecological time series study of 128,206 records of Brazilians aged between 18 and 60 years based on hospital data from 2009 to 2020. RESULTS: Mean age was 38.9 (SD = 10.6), and 61% of the sample were women. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 38.4% and 25.4%, respectively. Obesity exhibited an increasing trend, while eutrophy and overweight decreased during the study period. CONCLUSION: As little is known about the health of Brazilian immigrants in the USA, this study contributes to the literature on the subject. The observed increasing trends agree with the worldwide increase in obesity and indicate the need for future research exploring individual factors associated with immigrant acculturation.

Cardiac Behavior and Heart Rate Variability in Elderly Hypertensive Individuals during Aerobic Exercise: A Non-Randomized Controlled Study.

BACKGROUND: High blood pressure is an important public health problem due to its high prevalence, the difficulty to control it, and its high contribution to morbidity. A series of changes may be linked to the aging process, compromising cardiac conduction, and reducing cardiovascular baroreceptor function. Advancing age promotes a decline in heart rate variability and this decrease can increase the probability of cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to analyze the autonomic modulation of heart rate in hypertensive elderly individuals during and after a session of aerobic exercise, and to compare it with elderly individuals without cardiovascular or metabolic disease. Our study was a non-randomized controlled study with hypertensive elderly (HBP group) and elderly without cardiovascular and/or metabolic diseases (control group). Data on blood pressure and heart rate variability (HRV) were collected before, during, and after 30 min of aerobic physical exercise on a treadmill. There was a reduction in HF (ms2) and SD1 (ms) in the 5 min of recovery for the elderly in the control group. The elderly in the control group also had greater RMSSD and SD1 30 min post-exercise when compared to the initial mins of recovery. We concluded that there was no difference in autonomic modulation and global heart rate variability between elderly individuals without cardiovascular and metabolic diseases and hypertensive individuals after a bout of aerobic exercise. Elderly individuals without metabolic diseases showed a decrease in parasympathetic modulation and global variability between the time of rest and 5 min of recovery. However, up to 30 min of post-exercise recovery, they restored parasympathetic activity.

Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Metabolic Syndrome and Its Components in Latino Immigrants to the USA.

The Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is an increasingly prevalent condition globally. Latino populations in the USA have shown an alarming increase in factors associated with MetS in recent years. The objective of the present systematic review was to determine the prevalence of MetS and its risk factors in immigrant Latinos in the USA and perform a meta-analysis of those prevalence. The review included cross-sectional, cohort, or case−control studies involving adult immigrant Latinos in the USA, published during the period 1980−2020 in any language. Studies involving individuals who were pregnant, aged <18 years, immigrant non-Latinos, published outside the 1980−2020 period, or with other design types were excluded. The Pubmed, Web of Science, Embase, Lilacs, Scielo, and Google Scholar databases were searched. The risk of bias was assessed using the checklists of the Joanna Briggs Institute. The review included 60 studies, and the meta-analysis encompassed 52 studies. The pooled prevalence found for hypertension, diabetes, general obesity, and abdominal obesity were 28% (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 23−33%), 17% (95% CI: 14−20%), 37% (95% CI: 33−40%), and 54% (95% CI: 48−59%), respectively. The quality of the evidence of the primary studies was classified as low or very low. Few studies including immigrants from South America were identified. Further studies of those immigrants are needed due to the cultural, dietary, and language disparities among Latin American countries. The research protocol was registered with the Open Science Framework (OSF).

Intenções de graduandos de Medicina em face dos preditores de fixação: Programa Mais Médicos na Bahia / Medicine graduates intentions in the face of establishment predictors: Bahia's Mais Médicos Program

Resumo: Introdução: O déficit quantitativo e as desigualdades na distribuição de médicos agravam a crise global da força de trabalho em saúde. Muitas políticas têm sido adotadas para enfrentamento do problema, destacando-se pela sua abrangência o Programa Mais Médicos. Objetivo: Este estudo objetivou caracterizar, entre graduandos de Medicina do estado da Bahia, as intenções de especialidade médica futura e de fixação em áreas prioritárias definidas pelo Programa Mais Médicos, conforme os preditores apontados na literatura. Método: Trata-se de um estudo de corte transversal com caráter exploratório, realizado com estudantes dos cursos de Medicina de quatro universidades federais da Bahia. Resultado: Predominaram estudantes de 20 a 24 anos, com perfil socioeconômico mais baixo em relação aos estudos anteriores, naturais dos pequenos e médios municípios baianos, que afirmaram, em sua maioria, a opção pela residência médica em especialidades de outras áreas, que não as áreas básicas, após a graduação. Verificou-se uma disparidade entre o percentual de estudantes com intenção de trabalhar na atenção primária à saúde e aqueles que desejaram especialidades básicas, sendo ainda consideravelmente menor a opção pela medicina de família e comunidade. As estudantes do sexo feminino predominaram de modo evidente entre aqueles que desejaram as especialidades de áreas básicas e que vislumbraram um futuro trabalho na atenção primária à saúde, nesse estado. De modo contrário, os estudantes do sexo masculino escolheram, na sua maioria, especialidades de outras áreas, especialmente aqueles que tiveram os aspectos financeiros como motivação principal para escolha de carreira. Conclusão: O estudo acrescentou conhecimento ao corpo de literatura sobre as mudanças na formação médica no país e os efeitos de políticas indutoras de um perfil profissional generalista que atenda às necessidades sociais da população.

Abstract: Introduction: The quantitative deficit and inequalities in the distribution of doctors exacerbate the global health workforce crisis. Many policies have been adopted to face the problem, with the 'Mais Médicos' Program standing out due to its scope. Objective: This study aimed to characterize, among undergraduate medical students in the state of Bahia, the intentions of future medical specialty and professional retention in priority areas defined by the More Doctors Program (PMM), according to the predictors indicated in the literature. Methods: This is a cross-sectional exploratory study conducted with medical students from four federal universities in the state of Bahia. Results: The study predominantly included students aged 20 to 24 years, with a lower socioeconomic profile in relation to previous studies, born in small and medium-sized municipalities in the state of Bahia, who mostly stated their option for medical residency in specialties other than the basic areas after graduation. An inequality was observed between the percentage of students who intended to work in Primary Care and those who wanted basic specialties, with the option for Family and Community Medicine being even lower. Female students clearly predominated among those who desired basic specialties and who envisioned a future employment in Primary Care in this state. Conversely, male students mostly chose specialties in other areas, especially those who had financial aspects as the main motivation for career choice. Final considerations: The study added knowledge to the body of literature on changes in medical training in the country and the effects of policies leading to a generalist professional profile that meets the social needs of the population.

[Following the money: an analysis of financial transfers from the municipality of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to social health organizations]. / Seguindo o dinheiro: análise dos repasses financeiros do Município do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, para as organizações sociais de saúde.

This article analyzed the activity of Social Health Organizations (OSS) in the Brazilian Unified National Health System (SUS) and the use of management contracts and contract addenda as instruments of privatization. The article aimed to understand the processes that legitimize privatization, based on quantification of the amounts transferred through management contracts and contract addenda to organizations that signed contracts with the Rio de Janeiro Municipal Health Department, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 2009 to 2018. A descriptive, exploratory, mixed-methods study was developed to analyze the amounts transferred to the OSS. The study used secondary public data available on the Health Department's websites and other official documents. A total of 268 documents were identified, 61 of which were contracts and 207 addenda, related to 15 institutions. The funds transferred to these organizations totaled BRL 15.94 billion (USD 2.9 billion). The OSS that received the most public funds was IABAS (Institute of Primary and Advanced Health Care), with a total of BRL 4.021 billion (USD 731 million). In 2014, Rio de Janeiro's total health budget was approximately BRL 4 billion (USD 727 million), of which BRL 2.5 billion (USD 455 million) was transferred to OSS, representing 62% of the municipal health budget. The data show that management contracts and contract addenda serve as instruments for privatization of the SUS. This privatization does not employ the conventional model but a functional and fluctuating one.

Este artigo analisou a atuação das Organizações Sociais de Saúde (OSS) no Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) e o uso dos contratos de gestão e dos termos aditivos como instrumentos de privatização. O objetivo foi compreender os processos que legitimam a privatização, a partir da quantificação dos valores financeiros repassados por meio de contratos de gestão e termos aditivos para as organizações que firmaram contratos com a Secretaria Municipal de Saúde do Rio de Janeiro (SMS-RJ), Brasil, entre 2009 e 2018. Foi desenvolvido um estudo descritivo e exploratório com abordagem mista para analisar os valores repassados às OSS. Trabalhou-se com dados secundários públicos e disponíveis nos portais eletrônicos da SMS-RJ, além de outros documentos oficiais. Foram identificados 268 documentos, sendo 61 contratos e 207 aditivos, relacionados a 15 instituições. O volume financeiro total repassado a essas organizações foi de BRL 15,94 bilhões. A OSS IABAS (Instituto de Atenção Básica e Avançada à Saúde) foi a que mais recebeu recursos públicos, somando BRL 4,021 bilhões. Em 2014, o orçamento total da saúde do município do Rio de Janeiro foi de aproximadamente BRL 4 bilhões, sendo que desse montante BRL 2,5 bilhões foram repassados para as OSS, representando 62% do orçamento da saúde. Com base nos dados, podemos afirmar que os contratos de gestão e os termos aditivos são instrumentos de privatização do SUS. Essa privatização não se dá no modelo convencional, mas em um tipo funcional e flutuante.

Este artículo analizó la actuación de las Organizaciones Sociales de Salud (OSS) en el Sistema Único de Salud (SUS), así como el uso de los contratos de gestión y anexos como instrumentos de privatización. El objetivo fue comprender los procesos que legitiman la privatización, a partir de la cuantificación de los valores financieros transferidos mediante contratos de gestión y anexos a organizaciones que firmaron contratos con la Secretaría Municipal de Salud de Río de Janeiro (SMS-RJ), Brasil, entre 2009 y 2018. Se desarrolló un estudio descriptivo y exploratorio con un abordaje mixto para analizar los valores transferidos a las OSS. Se trabajó con datos secundarios públicos y disponibles en los portales electrónicos de la SMS-RJ, además de otros documentos oficiales. Se identificaron 268 documentos, siendo 61 contratos y 207 anexos, relacionados con 15 instituciones. El volumen financiero total transferido a esas organizaciones fue de BRL 15,94 mil millones. La OSS IABAS fue la que más recursos públicos recibió, sumando BRL 4,021 mil millones. En 2014, el presupuesto total de salud del municipio de Río de Janeiro fue de aproximadamente BRL 4 mil millones, siendo que de ese montante BRL 2,5 mil millones fueron transferidos a las OSS, representando un 62% del presupuesto de la salud. En base a estos datos, podemos afirmar que los contratos de gestión y los anexos son instrumentos de privatización del SUS. Esa privatización no se produce en el modelo convencional, sino en un tipo funcional y fluctuante.

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.

Seguindo o dinheiro: análise dos repasses financeiros do Município do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, para as organizações sociais de saúde / Following the money: an analysis of financial transfers from the municipality of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to social health organizations / Siguiendo al dinero: análisis de las transferencias financieras del municipio de Río de Janeiro, Brasil a las organizaciones sociales de salud

Este artigo analisou a atuação das Organizações Sociais de Saúde (OSS) no Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) e o uso dos contratos de gestão e dos termos aditivos como instrumentos de privatização. O objetivo foi compreender os processos que legitimam a privatização, a partir da quantificação dos valores financeiros repassados por meio de contratos de gestão e termos aditivos para as organizações que firmaram contratos com a Secretaria Municipal de Saúde do Rio de Janeiro (SMS-RJ), Brasil, entre 2009 e 2018. Foi desenvolvido um estudo descritivo e exploratório com abordagem mista para analisar os valores repassados às OSS. Trabalhou-se com dados secundários públicos e disponíveis nos portais eletrônicos da SMS-RJ, além de outros documentos oficiais. Foram identificados 268 documentos, sendo 61 contratos e 207 aditivos, relacionados a 15 instituições. O volume financeiro total repassado a essas organizações foi de BRL 15,94 bilhões. A OSS IABAS (Instituto de Atenção Básica e Avançada à Saúde) foi a que mais recebeu recursos públicos, somando BRL 4,021 bilhões. Em 2014, o orçamento total da saúde do município do Rio de Janeiro foi de aproximadamente BRL 4 bilhões, sendo que desse montante BRL 2,5 bilhões foram repassados para as OSS, representando 62% do orçamento da saúde. Com base nos dados, podemos afirmar que os contratos de gestão e os termos aditivos são instrumentos de privatização do SUS. Essa privatização não se dá no modelo convencional, mas em um tipo funcional e flutuante.

This article analyzed the activity of Social Health Organizations (OSS) in the Brazilian Unified National Health System (SUS) and the use of management contracts and contract addenda as instruments of privatization. The article aimed to understand the processes that legitimize privatization, based on quantification of the amounts transferred through management contracts and contract addenda to organizations that signed contracts with the Rio de Janeiro Municipal Health Department, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 2009 to 2018. A descriptive, exploratory, mixed-methods study was developed to analyze the amounts transferred to the OSS. The study used secondary public data available on the Health Department's websites and other official documents. A total of 268 documents were identified, 61 of which were contracts and 207 addenda, related to 15 institutions. The funds transferred to these organizations totaled BRL 15.94 billion (USD 2.9 billion). The OSS that received the most public funds was IABAS (Institute of Primary and Advanced Health Care), with a total of BRL 4.021 billion (USD 731 million). In 2014, Rio de Janeiro's total health budget was approximately BRL 4 billion (USD 727 million), of which BRL 2.5 billion (USD 455 million) was transferred to OSS, representing 62% of the municipal health budget. The data show that management contracts and contract addenda serve as instruments for privatization of the SUS. This privatization does not employ the conventional model but a functional and fluctuating one.

Este artículo analizó la actuación de las Organizaciones Sociales de Salud (OSS) en el Sistema Único de Salud (SUS), así como el uso de los contratos de gestión y anexos como instrumentos de privatización. El objetivo fue comprender los procesos que legitiman la privatización, a partir de la cuantificación de los valores financieros transferidos mediante contratos de gestión y anexos a organizaciones que firmaron contratos con la Secretaría Municipal de Salud de Río de Janeiro (SMS-RJ), Brasil, entre 2009 y 2018. Se desarrolló un estudio descriptivo y exploratorio con un abordaje mixto para analizar los valores transferidos a las OSS. Se trabajó con datos secundarios públicos y disponibles en los portales electrónicos de la SMS-RJ, además de otros documentos oficiales. Se identificaron 268 documentos, siendo 61 contratos y 207 anexos, relacionados con 15 instituciones. El volumen financiero total transferido a esas organizaciones fue de BRL 15,94 mil millones. La OSS IABAS fue la que más recursos públicos recibió, sumando BRL 4,021 mil millones. En 2014, el presupuesto total de salud del municipio de Río de Janeiro fue de aproximadamente BRL 4 mil millones, siendo que de ese montante BRL 2,5 mil millones fueron transferidos a las OSS, representando un 62% del presupuesto de la salud. En base a estos datos, podemos afirmar que los contratos de gestión y los anexos son instrumentos de privatización del SUS. Esa privatización no se produce en el modelo convencional, sino en un tipo funcional y fluctuante.

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.

Mining Dam Failures in Brazil: Comparing Legal Post-Disaster Decisions.

Mining dam failures have increased worldwide since the 1980s. Two large mining dam failures occurred recently in Mariana and Brumadinho, both in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. We hypothesize that there were significant differences in legal post-disaster decisions. The aim of this article is to understand the similarities and differences of post-disaster actions and controversies in Mariana and Brumadinho. We reviewed 686 news reports about court decisions and settlement agreements from the websites of state and federal courts and judicial institutions. After classifying the reports using an adapted protocol from a media health observatory, we conducted a thematic analysis. Our analysis suggests that there were significant differences in legal post-disaster decisions in the cases of Mariana and Brumadinho. In Mariana, there was privatization of post-disaster management, with the creation of the Renova Foundation, a mediated indemnity program, lack of access to information for those affected, and uncertainties in health and resettlement issues. In Brumadinho, there was faster implementation of the recovery and compensation measures, faster recognition of affected parties, and stronger participation of the population since the first hearings. Even though there were particularities in post-disaster management, the ultimate goal of the corporations responsible for the disasters was to protect their profits.

Perinatal Mortality Analysis in Espírito Santo, Brazil, 2008 to 2017.

This is an ecological and time-series study using secondary data on perinatal mortality and its components from 2008 to 2017 in Espírito Santo, Brazil. The data were collected from the Mortality Information System (SIM) and Live Births Information System (SINASC) of the Unified Health System Informatics Department (DATASUS) in June 2019. The perinatal mortality rate (×1000 total births) was calculated. Time series were constructed from the perinatal mortality rate for the regions and Espírito Santo. To analyze the trend, the Prais-Winsten model was used. From 2008 to 2017 there were 8132 perinatal deaths (4939 fetal and 3193 early neonatal) out of a total of 542,802 births, a perinatal mortality rate of 15.0/1000 total births. The fetal/early neonatal ratio was 1.5:1, with a strong positive correlation early neonatal mortality rate, perinatal mortality rate, r (9) = 0.8893, with a significance level of p = 0.000574. The presence of differences in trends by health region was observed. Risk factors that stood out were as follows: mother's age ranging between 10 and 19 or 40 and 49 years old, with no education, a gestational age between 22 and 36 weeks, triple and double pregnancy, and a birth weight below 2499 g. Among the causes of death, 49.70% of deaths were concentrated in category of the tenth edition of the International Classification of Diseases, fetuses and newborns affected by maternal factors and complications of pregnancy, labor, and delivery (P00-P04), and 11.03% were in the category of intrauterine hypoxia and birth asphyxia (P20-P21), both related to proper care during pregnancy and childbirth. We observed a slow reduction in the perinatal mortality rate in the state of Espírito Santo from 2008 to 2017.

Vitamins A and D and Zinc Affect the Leshmanicidal Activity of Canine Spleen Leukocytes.

Canine leishmaniasis (CanL) is a chronic disease caused by Leishmania infantum, and the limitations of the current treatments have encouraged new alternatives, such as the use of immunomodulatory nutrients. The objective of this study was to determine the serum levels of vitamin A (retinol), vitamin D (25(OH)VD3), and zinc (Zn) in dogs with CanL and the effect of in vitro supplementation with the respective active forms ATRA, 1,25(OH)2VD3, and SZn on spleen leukocyte cultures. Serum retinol, 25(OH)VD3, and Zn were determined by HPLC, ELISA, and ICP-MS, respectively. Spleen leukocyte cultures were used for the detection of NO and ROS by flow cytometry; the IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-10 levels were determined by ELISA; and the parasite load was determined by microscopy. We detected low serum levels of retinol and Zn and high levels of 25(OH)VD3 in the CanL group. The in vitro supplementation of CanL spleen leukocytes with ATRA, 1,25(OH)2VD3, and SZn, in addition to a soluble leishmania antigen (SLA) treatment, increased the NO and ROS levels, while the treatments with only ATRA and SZn increased the TNF-a levels. Increased IL-10 and IFN-g levels were observed with the addition of SLA to the medium, although the addition of the three nutrients led to a reduction of the IL-10 levels, and the addition of 1,25(OH)2VD3 and SZn led to a reduction of IFN-g. A supplementation with 1,25(OH)2VD3 and SZn reduced the parasite load but only in the absence of SLA. We suggest that the nutrients we tested are involved in the leishmanicidal mechanism, showing a potential for investigation in future studies.

Nocturnal awakenings of Brazilian immigrants in Massachusetts.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between the quantity of jobs and nocturnal awakenings of Brazilians living in Massachusetts. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We sampled of 48 documented Brazilians around the age of 45.5 years old. 52.1% of them were women. Data gathering occurred for three weeks, using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Participants also wore wrist actigraph and filled sleep/wake diary for a week. RESULTS: The sleep quality of immigrants with one job (mean=8.58, SD=4.16) is better when compared to immigrants with 2-3 jobs (mean=12.7, SD=3.57) according to the PSQI scores. Immigrants with 2-3 jobs reported dissatisfaction on three components of the scale: sleep duration, sleep efficiency and sleep quality. DISCUSSION: There is a positive relationship between the quantity of jobs and nocturnal awakenings and between nocturnal awakenings and complaints related to sleep apnea among Brazilians in Massachusetts. The assessment of systemic morbidities associated with sleep pattern changes should be considered in future research.