Health Interventions for Preventing Climate-Sensitive Diseases: Scoping Review.

Climate variations cause public health problems, but the literature is still scarce on studies involving health interventions against climate-sensitive diseases. The objective of this review was to identify health interventions for the prevention of such diseases. We conducted a scoping review using the JBI Methodology. Six large research databases were searched (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Lilacs, Embase, and Cochrane). The following inclusion criterion was used: studies addressing health interventions to prevent climate-sensitive diseases or consequences of climate on people's health. The exclusion criteria consisted of thesis, dissertations, conference proceedings, studies with unclear information/methodology, and studies not addressing climate-related health interventions. No language or date restrictions were applied. Of 733 studies identified and screened by title and abstract, 55 studies underwent full-text screening, yielding 13 studies for review. The health interventions identified were classified into three levels of management. The macro level included the use of epidemiological models, renewable energy, and policies sensitive to climate change. The meso level comprised interventions such as the creation of environmental suitability maps, urban greening, chemoprophylaxis, water security plans, and sanitation projects, among other measures. Some interventions are at the intersection, such as educational campaigns and the modification of artificial larvae sites. Finally, the micro level contained interventions such as the inspection of window screens and the use of light-colored clothing and repellents. The health interventions at the macro, meso, and micro levels and the intersection may serve as a basis for public managers to implement appropriate interventions against climate-sensitive diseases.

Accuracy of the clinical indicators for Readiness for enhanced health management.

PURPOSE: to analyze accuracy measures of the clinical indicators of Readiness for enhanced health management in patients with arterial hypertension and/or diabetes mellitus METHODS: prospective diagnostic accuracy study conducted with 359 patients with hypertension and/or diabetes mellitus, followed up in primary healthcare. Stratified random sampling was used to recruit participants. An assessment form was applied with sociodemographic data, health conditions, and information related to the clinical indicators under investigation. Sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, and likelihood ratios were analyzed FINDINGS: the sample was composed of 359 participants. The prevalence of Readiness for enhanced health management was 93.8%. There was a statistically significant association between the diagnosis and age under 60 years (p < 0.001), having only one chronic condition (p < 0.001), having normal blood pressure (p = 0.017) and blood glucose (p = 0.013) values, and having a nonsedentary (p = 0.026) and nonalcoholic (p = 0.044) lifestyle. All clinical indicators had high predictive values in predicting the nursing diagnosis under investigation. The indicator expresses desire to enhance management of symptoms was the most sensitive (99.7%) and specific (100%). The indicator expresses desire to enhance management of prescribed regimens was also highly specific (100%) CONCLUSION: all clinical indicators were accurate in predicting Readiness for enhanced health management IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: knowing which clinical indicators and sociodemographic/clinical characteristics best predict Readiness for enhanced health management, nurses in primary care can better plan nursing interventions and direct their goals.

Effectiveness of the fall prevention intervention in older adults with arterial hypertension: randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of the nursing intervention Fall Prevention in reducing falls in older adults with arterial hypertension. METHODS: Pilot clinical trial, with 118 participants with arterial hypertension from a city in the Northeast of Brazil. Participants were allocated by simple randomization into two groups: intervention (n = 58) and control (n = 60). The intervention was carried out at the participants' homes and consisted of guidelines for modifying environmental and behavioral risk factors for falls. A protocol with nursing activities associated with the Fall Prevention intervention proposed in the Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC) taxonomy was used. The outcome was the self-reported occurrence of falls. RESULTS: There was a significant difference between the groups in the frequency of self-reported falls (p=0.38) with fewer falls occurring in the intervention group. Sixteen participants fell, of which 5.1% attributed the fall to difficulty walking, 6.8% fell in the living room, 3.4% had a sprain, and 6.8% reported to be afraid to fall again. CONCLUSION: The nursing intervention Fall Prevention was effective in reducing the occurrence of falls in older adults with arterial hypertension. These findings contribute to the advancement of clinical protocols for the prevention of falls in older adults, as the educational intervention investigated is applicable to different sociodemographic and cultural scenarios.

Climate and climate-sensitive diseases in semi-arid regions: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: We aim to describe the relationships between climate variables and climate-sensitive diseases (CSDs) in semi-arid regions, highlighting the different main groups of CSDs and their climate patterns. METHODS: This systematic review considered Medline, Science Direct, Scopus and Web of Science. The data collection period was August and September 2019 and included studies published between 2008 and 2019. This study followed a protocol based on the PRISMA statement. Data analysis was done in a qualitative way. RESULTS: The most of works were from Africa, Asia and Iran (71%), where temperature was the main climatic variable. Although the studies provide climatic conditions that are more favorable for the incidence of vector-borne and respiratory diseases, the influence of seasonal patterns on the onset, development and end of CSDs is still poorly understood, especially for gastrointestinal disorders. Moreover, little is known about the impact of droughts on CSDs. CONCLUSIONS: This review summarized the state of art of the relationship between climate and CSDs in semi-arid regions. Moreover, a research agenda was provided, which is fundamental for health policy development, priority setting and public health management.