Invisibilização e preconceitos velados: barreiras para o acesso aos serviços de atenção básica pela população trans / Invisibilization and veiled prejudices: barriers to access to primary care services for the transgender population / Invisibilización y prejuicios velados: barreras para el acceso de la población trans a los servicios de atención primaria

Introdução: No processo de edificação da Política Nacional de Saúde Integral LGBT+, a Atenção Básica ganha importante destaque, pois deveria funcionar como o contato preferencial dos usuários transgênero (trans). Objetivo: Investigar quais as percepções dos profissionais da Atenção Básica quanto às situações de vulnerabilidade enfrentadas pelas pessoas trans, bem como pesquisar os impedimentos que eles consideram existir na busca dessa população por acesso a esses serviços. Métodos: Utilizou-se uma abordagem qualitativa por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas com 38 profissionais de saúde atuantes das Estratégias Saúde da Família de dois municípios do interior do estado de São Paulo. O material obtido foi submetido à análise de conteúdo de Bardin. Resultados: Os resultados apontaram para o desconhecimento quanto aos reais empecilhos que dificultam o acesso e seguimento de pessoas trans nos serviços de saúde. Observou-se ainda a manutenção de preconceitos e ideias que reforçam estereótipos ligados ao tema e que se estendem ao exercício da profissão. Isso se relaciona diretamente com a falta da abordagem de assuntos relacionados à sexualidade humana na graduação desses profissionais, além da falta de atualização quanto ao tema, o que impacta a qualidade do serviço que é ofertado à população em estudo. Conclusões: As normativas e portarias já existentes precisam ser efetivamente postas em prática, fazendo-se imperativas a ampliação e difusão do conhecimento a respeito da temática trans no contexto dos serviços públicos de saúde, o que pode servir como base para subsidiar a formação dos profissionais que atuam nesse setor, bem como políticas públicas efetivas.

Introduction: In the process of creating the National LGBT+ Comprehensive Health Policy, primary care has important prominence as it must work as the preferential contact of transgender (trans) users. Objective: To investigate the perceptions of primary care professionals about the vulnerability situations faced by trans persons and also hindrances they consider existing in this population's search for access to these services. Methods: A qualitative approach was used through semi-structured interviews with 38 health care professionals working in the Family Health Strategy of two cities in the countryside of the state of São Paulo. The material obtained was submitted to analysis of Bardin content. Results: The results pointed to a lack of knowledge about real hindrances that obstruct the access to and follow-up by health services for trans persons. It was also observed the maintenance of prejudices and ideas that reinforce stereotypes connected to the matter and extend to the practice of professionals. It is directly related to the lack of approach of issues related to human sexuality in the education of those professionals, in addition to lack of update about it, which impacts the quality of service offered to the population under study. Conclusions: The standards and ordinances already existing need to be effectively practiced, being crucial the extension and spread of knowledge about trans matters in the context of public health services. It can be the basis for subsidizing the education of professionals who work in this field, as well as effective public policies.

Introducción: En el proceso de edificación de la Política Nacional de Salud Integral LGBT+, la Atención Básica tiene importante destaque, pues debería funcionar como contacto preferente de los usuarios transgénero (trans). Objetivo: Investigar las percepciones de los profesionales de Atención Básica sobre las situaciones de vulnerabilidad que enfrentan las personas trans, así como investigar los impedimentos que consideran que existe en la búsqueda de esta población por el acceso a estos servicios. Métodos: Se utilizó un abordaje cualitativo por medio de entrevistas semiestructuradas con 38 profesionales de salud actuantes de las Estrategias de Salud de la Familia de dos municipios del interior del estado de São Paulo. El material obtenido fue sometido a análisis de contenido de Bardin. Resultados: Los resultados apuntaron al desconocimiento sobre los reales obstáculos que dificultan el acceso de personas trans a los servicios, además del segmento de los cuidados en las unidades. Se observó además que se mantienen los prejuicios e ideas que refuerzan estereotipos vinculados al tema y que se extienden al ejercicio de la profesión. Esto se relaciona directamente a la falta da abordaje de asuntos relacionados a la sexualidad humana en la graduación de estos profesionales, además de la falta de actualización sobre el tema, lo que impacta en la calidad del servicio que se ofrece a la población en estudio. Conclusiones: Las normas y ordenanzas ya existentes deben ser efectivamente puestas en práctica, por lo que es imperativo ampliar y difundir el conocimiento sobre la temática trans en el contexto de los servicios públicos de salud, que pueda servir de base para apoyar la formación de profesionales que actúan en este sector, así como políticas públicas efectivas.

Effectiveness of immediate appointment scheduling in smoking cessation clinics for patients with chronic airway diseases: Preliminary results from a randomized trial.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with airway diseases who bear the burden of smoking need access to smoking cessation support. We aimed to investigate the impact of immediately scheduled appointments on access to smoking cessation clinics compared with usual care in this patient group. METHODS: This multicenter, prospective, randomized, open-label study was conducted between November 2022 and June 2023 at pulmonary outpatient clinics. The study included adult patients who were current smokers and had a diagnosis of asthma, COPD, or bronchiectasis for at least six months. Sequentially randomization was used for the allocation of patients in a 1:1 ratio to two study arms: the usual support arm (representing the current standard care procedure) and the immediate support arm (involving intensive brief cessation advice followed by the immediate arrangement of an appointment at the same clinic's smoking cessation service). After one week, both patient groups were contacted by phone to assess their quit attempts and whether they had sought assistance from smoking cessation outpatient clinics (SCCs). RESULTS: A total of 397 patients were enrolled in the study, with 199 allocated to the usual support arm and 198 allocated to the immediate support arm. Within the first week, 18.1% of patients in the usual support arm and 77.3% of patients in the immediate support arm sought assistance from the smoking cessation clinic (p<0.001). The rate of smokers without an intention to quit was 56.7% in the usual support arm and 27.7% in the immediate support arm in the first week of follow-up. Immediate appointment scheduling was significantly associated with a 13-fold (OR=13.38; 95% CI: 8.00-22.38) increase in referral rates in the multivariate logistic regression model. CONCLUSIONS: Arranging instant appointments has increased access to SCCs by 13 times compared to the usual care, this group of patients should be given an immediate appointment to SCCs.

Enabling equitable and affordable access to novel therapeutics for pandemic preparedness and response via creative intellectual property agreements.

The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated that the current purely market-driven approaches to drug discovery and development alone are insufficient to drive equitable access to new therapies either in preparation for, or in response to, pandemics. A new global framework driven by equity is under negotiation at the World Health Organization to support pandemic preparedness and response. Some believe that the global intellectual property (IP) system itself is part of the problem and propose a purely Open Science approach. In this article, we discuss how existing IP frameworks and contractual agreements may be used to create rights and obligations to generate a more effective global response in future, drawing on experience gained in the COVID Moonshot program, a purely Open Science collaboration, and the ASAP AViDD drug discovery consortium, which uses a hybrid, phased model of Open Science, patent filing and contractual agreements. We conclude that 'straight to generic' drug discovery is appropriate in some domains, and that targeted patent protection, coupled with open licensing, can offer a route to generating affordable and equitable access for therapy areas where market forces have failed. The Extended Data contains a copy of our model IP policy, which can be used as a template by other discovery efforts seeking to ensure their drug candidates can be developed for globally equitable and affordable access.

Drug discovery and development organizations usually recoup their investment in this risky and expensive process by filing patents on drug candidates which, if granted, give them a time-limited monopoly on the manufacture, sale or licensing of the drug. This means they can negotiate its price and terms of distribution, which creates distortions in access globally. In an alternative 'Open Science' approach, R&D organizations publish all the information about a prospective drug without applying for patents, meaning that anyone can use this knowledge to make and sell the drug, while the R&D organizations have no control over how it is priced or distributed. In a pandemic, fast-spreading viruses must be rapidly contained by delivering drugs to where they are most needed. This requires innovation and global access, but this is stifled in both models ­ in the first because of patent abuses, in the second because the lack of control may jeopardize the most efficient development. The authors share a model that prioritizes globally fair and affordable pricing by creating 'maximally permissive licenses' based on 'minimally defensive patents'. They explain the practical and bioethical background to their proposals and share an example of collective management of intellectual property and licensing agreement that is being used in the AI-driven Structure-enabled Antiviral Platform (ASAP) Center's Pandemic Preparedness work.

Optimizing central venous access devices insertion in thrombocytopenic patients: Balancing efficacy and safety.

INTRODUCTION: Recently, the rising incidence of trauma, cancer, and critical illnesses has led to a growing necessity for Central Venous Access Devices (CVADs). Inserting CVADs in thrombocytopenic patients is still challenging. This study tries to shed light on the safety and associated risks of CVADs insertion in this high-risk group, with the ultimate goal of informing clinical practice and aiding in decision-making processes. METHODS: This study was conducted as prospective cohort study from September 2020 to September 2023 in Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Individuals aged 18-80 years with a platelet count of less than 50,000/dL included and those designated for subcutaneous port procedures or on anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy, excluded. Ultrasound-guided CVAD insertion using the Seldinger technique and SIC/FIC strategies performed for participants. Incidence of hemorrhagic complications post-CVAD insertion, requirement for blood product transfusions to amend platelet counts, frequency of non-bleeding complications, and complications related to blood product transfusions monitored. RESULTS: The study comprised 137 participants, 54% of whom were men, with an average age of 46.90 ± 15.70 years. No significant correlation was found between the site of CVAD placement (jugular vs femoral) and the incidence of major or minor bleeding. Femoral catheters were associated with a higher rate of infection. No complications related to transfusion of blood products or mortality seen, indicating that CVAD implantation can be safely performed in patients with thrombocytopenia or coagulation disorders. CONCLUSION: CVAD insertion in thrombocytopenic patients, even with platelet counts below 10 × 109/L, is safe and associated with minimal complications when performed under ultrasound guidance by experienced surgeons. This finding supports the use of a lower platelet count threshold for CVAD insertion than currently recommended in guidelines, potentially reducing the need for platelet transfusions prior to CVAD placement.

Comparison of Early Clinical and Long-Term Oncological Outcomes of Laparoscopic Versus Converted Rectal Cancer Resection: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Aim The effects of conversion to open surgery during laparoscopic resection in rectal cancer on perioperative clinical and long-term oncological outcomes are still controversial. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the impact of conversion to laparoscopic resection for rectal cancer on perioperative and long-term oncological outcomes. Material and methods Between January 2019 and December 2023, 84 consecutive patients who underwent curative surgery for rectal cancer at a single academic center were evaluated retrospectively. Patients were classified and compared as the laparoscopic (LAP-G) and converted (CONV-G) groups. Perioperative, pathological, and long-term oncological outcomes were compared. Results Of the 84 consecutive patients included, 18 were converted to open surgery, leading to a 21.4% conversion rate. Intraoperative blood loss was higher in CONV-G (180 ml vs. 80 ml, p<0.001), but early clinical outcomes were similar in both groups. The median follow-up period was 23.5 (range 3-65) and 30.5 (range 6-61) months in the LAP-G and CONV-G, respectively, and recurrence occurred in 11 (16.7%) and 3 (16.6%) patients, respectively. Three-year overall survival was 96.9% and 89.4% (p=0.609) and 3-year disease-free survival was 92.4% and 83.3% (p=0.881) in LAP-G and CONV-G, respectively, and the results were similar. Conclusion Conversion from laparoscopic rectal resection to open surgery does not have a significant negative impact on morbidity and long-term oncological outcomes.

Prevention and treatment of coronary catheter kinking.

Coronary catheter kinking is an uncommon but potentially catastrophic complication of cardiac catheterization. Although simple maneuvers can often result in resolution of a kink, tighter knots may not respond to such measures. We provide a systematic, stepwise approach to the prevention and treatment of catheter kinking.

Laser ablation for preventing coronary obstruction and maintaining coronary access in redo-TAVR: A proof of concept.

BACKGROUND: Redo-transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a promising treatment for transcatheter aortic valve degeneration, becoming increasingly relevant with an aging population. In redo-TAVR, the leaflets of the initial (index) transcatheter aortic valve (TAV) are displaced vertically when the second TAV is implanted, creating a cylindrical cage that can impair coronary cannulation and flow. Preventing coronary obstruction and maintaining coronary access is essential, especially in young and low-risk patients undergoing TAVR. This study aimed to develop a new leaflet modification strategy using laser ablation to prevent coronary obstruction and facilitate coronary access after repeat TAVR. METHODS: To evaluate the feasibility of the leaflet modification technique using laser ablation, the initial phase of this study involved applying a medical-grade ultraviolet laser for ablation through pericardial tissue. Following this intervention, computational fluid dynamics simulations were utilized to assess the efficacy of the resulting perforations in promoting coronary flow. These simulations played a crucial role in understanding the impact of the modifications on blood flow patterns, ensuring these changes would facilitate the restoration of coronary circulation. RESULTS: Laser ablation of pericardium leaflets was successful, demonstrating the feasibility of creating openings in the TAV leaflets. Flow simulation results show that ablation of index valve leaflets can effectively mitigate the flow obstruction caused by sinus sequestration in redo-TAVR, with the extent of restoration dependent on the number and location of the ablated openings. CONCLUSIONS: Laser ablation could be a viable method for leaflet modification in redo-TAVR, serving as a new tool in interventional procedures.

Social Determinants of Health Impact Complications Following Free-Flap Reconstruction for Head and Neck Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Head and neck cancers (HNCs) have increased in prevalence and often require free-flap reconstruction (FFR) after tumor ablation. Postoperative complications following FFR can be high, occurring in as many as 48% and 71% of cases. HNC patients also have many disparities in Social Determinants of Health (SDOH), but the potential impact of SDOH disparities on postoperative complications following FFR has not been formally assessed. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort review. SETTING: Academic Tertiary Care Institution in Northeast United States. METHODS: Patients that underwent head and neck FFR between January 2018 and December 2021 were analyzed to determine associations between quartiles of the national Area Deprivation Index (ADI), a proxy for SDOH disparity, and various medical and surgical postoperative complications. Associations were assessed using χ2 analysis. RESULTS: Two hundred four patients were included in the study, and 61 patients had 97 complications. Significant associations between higher national ADI quartile and incidence of several postoperative complications were identified, including any surgical complication (P = .0419), wound dehiscence (P = .0494), myocardial infarction (MI) (P = .0215), and sepsis (P = .0464). CONCLUSION: There are significant associations between SDOH disparities and postoperative surgical complications, wound dehiscence, MI, and sepsis following head and neck FFR. Addressing SDOH disparities in HNC is pivotal to enhance postoperative outcomes and promote holistic patient care.

Addressing dermatologic concerns and teledermatology in undomiciled and sheltered populations.

Homelessness in the United States is a significant public health issue, with dermatologic disease being the most prevalent health concern among the undomiciled and sheltered populations. Despite a growing need for dermatologic care, the supply of dermatologists remains insufficient, contributing to disparities in healthcare access for this vulnerable group. This review aims to detail the spectrum of dermatologic conditions experienced by homeless individuals, identify barriers to adequate care, and explore teledermatology as a potential solution to bridge these gaps. A comprehensive literature review was conducted, analyzing studies and reports on dermatologic issues prevalent among the homeless population and the efficacy of teledermatology in addressing these concerns. Homeless individuals face a wide range of dermatologic problems, from common conditions like acne and eczema to severe issues such as cellulitis, leg ulcers, and skin cancer. Drug abuse, domestic and sexual abuse, and parasitic infestations further complicate the dermatologic health of this population. Teledermatology has emerged as a promising tool to enhance access to dermatologic care, showing significant improvements in clinical outcomes and accessibility, especially in underserved urban settings. However, challenges remain, such as the digital divide affecting the elderly and low-income populations, which could potentially exacerbate disparities. Addressing the dermatologic needs of the homeless population requires a multifaceted approach. Teledermatology offers a viable solution to improve care access and efficiency, but additional efforts are necessary to ensure inclusivity and avoid further marginalization. Volunteer-driven multidisciplinary clinics also play a crucial role in providing care, though they face challenges in continuity and resource availability. Future strategies should focus on integrating teledermatology with other supportive services to create a comprehensive care model for this underserved population.

Healthcare services access challenges and determinants among persons with disabilities in Bangladesh.

Persons with disabilities in LMICs facing numerous challenges in accessing essential healthcare services. However, this understanding is lacking so far in LMICs and Bangladesh. This study aimed to explore the pattern and determinants of healthcare services access among persons with disabilities in Bangladesh. We analysed data from 4293 persons with disabilities extracted from the 2021 National Survey on Persons with Disabilities. The outcome variable was healthcare services access within three months of the survey, categorized as either "yes" or "no" based on perceived needs. Several individual, household, and community-level factors were considered as explanatory variables. We utilized a multilevel mixed-effect logistic regression model to explore the association of the outcome variable with explanatory variables. The analysis included stratification by age groups: 0-17 years and 18-95 years. One out of every four persons with disabilities in Bangladesh reported that they could not access healthcare services based on their needs within three months of the survey. The main reasons for not accessing services were healthcare costs (52.10%), followed by lack of family support (27.0%), and absence of healthcare facilities in their areas of residence (10.10%). Among those who did receive healthcare services, the majority reported accessing them from governmental hospitals (26.49%), followed by village practitioner (20.52%), and private healthcare centres (19.87%). There was a higher likelihood of accessing healthcare services among persons with disabilities residing in households with higher wealth quintiles and living in the Chattogram and Sylhet divisions. Unmarried or divorced/widowed/separated persons with disabilities reported lower likelihoods of accessing healthcare services. The findings of this study emphasize the need for policies and programs to ensure healthcare services for persons with disabilities in Bangladesh. This entails raising awareness about the importance of providing healthcare services for this demographic, as well as considering healthcare services as part of social safety net programs.

Ensemble Algorithm for Risk Prediction of Clinical Failure After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

Background: Patient-specific risk profiles of clinical failure after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) are meaningful for preoperative surgical planning and postoperative rehabilitation guidance. Purpose: To create an ensemble algorithm machine learning (ML) model and ML-based web-based tool that can predict the patient-specific risk of clinical failure after ACLR. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Included were 432 patients (mean age, 26.8 ± 8.4 years; 74.1% male) who underwent anatomic double-bundle ACLR with hamstring tendon autograft between January 2010 and February 2019. The primary outcome was the probability of clinical failure at a minimum 2-year follow-up. The authors included 24 independent variables for feature selection and model development. The data set was split randomly into training sets (75%) and test sets (25%). Models were built using 4 ML algorithms: extreme gradient boosting, random forest, light gradient boosting machine, and adaptive boosting. In addition, a weighted-average voting (WAV) ensemble model was constructed using the ensemble-voting technique to predict clinical failure after ACLR. Concordance (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUC]), calibration, and decision curve analysis were used to evaluate predictive performances of the 5 models. Results: Clinical failure occurred in 73 of the 432 patients (16.9%). The 8 most important predictors for clinical failure were follow-up period, high-grade preoperative knee laxity, time from injury to ACLR, participation in competitive sports, posterior tibial slope, graft diameter, age at surgery, and medial meniscus resection. The WAV ensemble algorithm achieved the best predictive performance based on concordance (AUC, 0.9139), calibration (calibration intercept, -0.1806; calibration slope, 1.2794; Brier score, 0.0888), and decision curve analysis (greatest net benefits) and was used to develop an web-based application to predict a patient's clinical failure risk of ACLR. Conclusion: The WAV ensemble algorithm was able to accurately predict patient-specific risk of clinical failure after ACLR. Clinicians and patients can use the web-based application during preoperative consultation to understand individual prediction outcomes.

A Dedicated Nephrology Daycare Unit: A Step Toward a Patient-Centered Approach.

Background Nephrology services encompass a wide range of day-care procedures. Securing beds for day admissions can be challenging and may lead to significant delays in patient management. Objective This study aims to describe the impact of establishing a dedicated nephrology daycare unit at a tertiary care center. Methods Since January 2021, a dedicated nephrology daycare unit has been operational at King Abdulaziz University Hospital (KAUH) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. This observational study retrospectively reviewed the admission records to the KAUH nephrology daycare unit from January 2021 to December 2023. Admissions with missing data were excluded from the analysis. The study outcomes included: 1. the number of patients served in the unit, 2. the scope of services provided, 3. the "time to completion" of immunosuppressive therapy administered in the unit, and 4. the rate of complications related to admission to the unit. Results There were 233 admissions for 157 patients. The scope of procedures included: 1. administration of immunosuppressive therapy (42 doses of cyclophosphamide, 70 doses of rituximab, three doses of methylprednisolone), 2. renal biopsies (25 procedures), 3. tunneled dialysis catheter procedures (40 procedures, both insertion and removal), 4. dialysis access angioplasty (three procedures), 5. IV iron therapy (45 admissions), and 6. other miscellaneous causes (five admissions). Ideal time to completion of cyclophosphamide therapy was achieved in 86% of patients, with the remaining 14% experiencing delays due to reasons other than bed availability. Time to completion of rituximab therapy was achieved without delay in 85% of patients, with a time interval of less than 21 days. There were no reported complications associated with admission to the unit. Conclusions Establishing a dedicated nephrology daycare unit facilitates the delivery of nephrology day-procedures and reduces delays in therapy.

Access to Medicines for Parkinson's Disease in Kenya: A Qualitative Exploration.

BACKGROUND: The accessibility of Parkinson's disease medicines is limited across sub-Saharan Africa, which can have negative health, social and financial consequences for people with Parkinson's disease and their families. However, there is a stark gap in the literature regarding the impact of poor access to medicines on individuals. OBJECTIVES: The study objective was to understand the accessibility of Parkinson's disease medicines in Kenya from the perspective of people with Parkinson's disease, their caregivers and neurologists. METHODS: In-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with 55 people with Parkinson's disease, 23 caregivers and 8 neurologists to understand their experience regarding challenges with accessing Parkinson's disease medicines and the health, social and financial impact of poor availability and affordability. RESULTS: Medicines for Parkinson's disease were deemed to be largely unavailable and unaffordable across Kenya. People with Parkinson's disease, caregivers and neurologists expressed the financial burden caused by long-term treatment in the absence of health insurance coverage. Further, barriers accessing medicines negatively impacted symptom control, social relations, and quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: Access to Parkinson's disease medicines in Kenya is limited, with severe implications for symptom management and quality of life. People with Parkinson's disease should be able to access and afford the medicines they need to manage their condition.

Digital access among a national sample of currently and formerly homeless veterans in 2022.

Background: Digital technologies are essential for connecting to the Internet and communicating with others. Methods: This study used data from the 2022 Project Community Homelessness Assessment, Local Education and Networking Groups (CHALENG) survey, which surveyed a national sample of 1992 homeless-experienced veterans (HEV) about use of cell phones, smart phones, computers, laptops, and the Internet. Data were analyzed to compare currently and formerly homeless veterans on digital access and to identify characteristics associated with never using the Internet. Results: Over 75% of HEV reported having a cellphone and over 65% reported having a smartphone. Internet use was common among HEV as 74% of currently homeless veterans and 77% of formerly homeless veterans reported using the Internet. Among HEV who used the Internet, over 70% used the Internet at least weekly. There was no significant difference between currently and formerly homeless veterans on their Internet use in the total sample and subsamples of only black and only Hispanic veterans. Overall, HEV who were older, black non-Hispanic, and living in the Southeast were more likely to never use the Internet. Conclusions: These findings highlight the potential for technology-based interventions among HEV, and suggest a digital divide based on age, race, and geography.

Derecho de acceso a la salud en los establecimientos penitenciarios de mujeres del Perú

Introducción: En el Perú las mujeres en los establecimientos penitenciarios carecen de acceso a la salud ante la falta de políticas públicas que conduce a una brecha de desigualdad en dicho acceso. La investigación tiene por objetivo diagnosticar la situación del acceso a los servicios de la salud en los establecimientos penitenciarios de mujeres del Perú durante el año 2021. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, transversal, con datos de los 13 establecimientos, que constituyen la totalidad de los establecimientos penitenciarios de mujeres en el Perú. Resultados: Los resultados señalan que las atenciones en salud se concentraron en la región penitenciaria de Lima, se encontró que las regiones que no presentaban profesionales de la salud permanentes carecían de atención adecuada. Discusión: el Estado peruano no ha cumplido con su rol como garante en relación con el derecho fundamental al acceso a los servicios de salud por parte de las entidades penitenciarias en beneficio de todas las mujeres internas que integran los Establecimientos Penitenciarios de Mujeres en el Perú. Se recomienda, bajo los principios de razonabilidad y proporcionalidad, es más que urgente definir nuevas directrices de acceso a la salud femenina, coadyuvando a que el personal de salud desempeñe un enfoque preventivo, con la capacidad de integrar la buena cultura de la institución penitenciaria.

Introduction: In Peru, women in prisons lack access to health due to the lack of public policies that lead to an inequality gap in said access. The objective of the research is to diagnose the situation of access to health services in women's penitentiary establishments in Peru during the year 2021. Method: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out with data from the 13 establishments, which constitute all of the women's penitentiary establishments in Peru. The results indicate that health care was concentrated in the prison region of Lima; it was found that regions that did not have permanent health professionals lacked adequate care. Results: Therefore, the importance of placing permanent health professionals in penitentiary centers is accentuated to guarantee care for women. Discussion: The peruvian state has not fulfilled its role as guarantor in relation to the fundamental right of access to health services by penitentiary entities for the benefit of all female inmates who make up the Women's Penitentiary Establishments in Peru. It is recommended, under the principles of reasonableness and proportionality, that it is more than urgent to define new guidelines for access to women's health, helping health personnel to carry out a preventive approach, with the ability to integrate the good culture of the penitentiary institution.

Information and health literacy policies during pandemics: A narrative review.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has compelled governments globally to formulate policies addressing the unique needs of their populations. These policies are critical in disseminating accurate information and enhancing health literacy during crises. OBJECTIVE: This narrative review aims to identify and assess effective information and health literacy policies implemented during pandemics. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was performed across five electronic information sources (PubMed, Science Direct, ProQuest, Emerald Insight, Scopus), supplemented by Google Scholar. The analysis employed Walt and Gilson's health policy triangle framework to categorize and evaluate the findings. RESULTS: The review revealed that the policies could be grouped into several key categories: educational programs, laws and regulations, knowledge sharing, national programs, and different information sources. The development of these policies involved multifaceted processes influenced by political, scientific, economic, cultural and social factors, as well as the involvement of multiple stakeholders. CONCLUSIONS: This review offers significant insights and actionable recommendations for policymakers and stakeholders. By understanding the dimensions and components of effective information and health literacy policies, stakeholders can better prepare for and respond to future pandemics and similar health crises.

Effects of access condition on substance use disorder-like phenotypes in male and female rats self-administering MDPV or cocaine.

Substance use disorder (SUD) is a heterogeneous disorder, where severity, symptoms, and patterns of use vary across individuals. Yet, when rats self-administer cocaine under short-access conditions, their behavior tends to be well-regulated, though individual differences can emerge with long- or intermittent-access. In contrast, significant individual differences emerge when rats self-administer 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), even under short-access conditions, wherein ~30 % of rats exhibit high levels of drug-taking. This study assessed SUD-like phenotypes of male and female rats self-administering MDPV or cocaine by comparing level of drug intake, responding during periods of signaled drug unavailability, and sensitivity to footshock punishment to determine whether: (1) under short-access conditions, rats that self-administer MDPV will exhibit a more robust SUD-like phenotype than rats that self-administer cocaine; (2) female rats will have a more severe phenotype than male rats; and (3) compared to short-access, long- and intermittent-access to MDPV or cocaine self-administration will result in a more robust SUD-like phenotype. Compared to cocaine, rats that self-administered MDPV exhibited a more severe phenotype, even under short-access conditions. Long- and intermittent-access to cocaine and MDPV temporarily altered drug-taking patterns but did not systematically change SUD-like phenotypes. Behavioral and quantitative autoradiography studies suggest phenotypic differences are not due to expression of dopamine transporter, dopamine D2 or D3 receptors, or 5-HT1B, 5-HT2A, or 5-HT2C receptors. This study suggests individuals who use synthetic cathinones may be at greater risk for developing a SUD, and short-access MDPV self-administration may provide a useful method to study the transition to disordered substance use in humans.

Is catheterization via distal transradial access feasible in children? From vessel diameter perspective.

Background: Distal radial artery (DRA) access is an infrequent alternative access for pediatric catheterization. The feasibility of using the DRA for arterial catheterization in children depends on the vessel's size. Objectives: This study aims to provide a reference for pediatric catheterization via DRA access by evaluating the diameter of the DRA in the anatomic snuffbox (AS). Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of clinical and vascular ultrasound data of 412 children (ages 3-12) who were scheduled for arterial blood gas analysis via the DRA due to serious respiratory diseases between June 2023 and October 2023. Results: The corrected DRA diameter in the AS was 1.97 ± 0.37 mm overall, with no significant difference between males (1.98 ± 0.38 mm) and females (1.95 ± 0.35 mm) (p = 0.457). The anteroposterior, transverse, and corrected DRA diameters increased significantly with age (p < 0.05). The DRA diameter was significantly smaller than the proximal radial artery (PRA) diameter (1.97 ± 0.37 mm vs. 2.05 ± 0.33 mm, p < 0.001) but larger than the ulnar artery (UA) diameter (1.97 ± 0.37 mm vs. 1.88 ± 0.33 mm, p < 0.001). The proportions of patients with a DRA diameter greater than 2.0 mm and 1.5 mm were 38.83% and 86.89%, respectively. The proportions of patients with DRA diameters >2.0 mm and >1.5 mm increased significantly with age (p < 0.01). The percentages of individuals with a DRA/PRA ratio ≥1.0 were 55.10% overall, 52.12% in males, and 58.60% in females. DRA diameter showed significant correlations with age (r = 0.275, p < 0.01), height (r = 0.319, p < 0.01), weight (r = 0.319, p < 0.01), BMI (r = 0.241, p < 0.01), wrist circumference (r = 0.354, p < 0.01), PRA diameter (r = 0.521, p < 0.01), and UA diameter (r = 0.272, p < 0.01). Conclusion: The DRA diameter in children increases with age and size, making cardiac catheterization is theoretically feasible. Preoperative evaluation of the vessel diameter and intraoperative ultrasound-guided intervention are recommended for paediatric catheterization via the DRA access.

Estimating effects of monsoon flooding on household water access.

The importance of climate in water resources management is well recognized, but less is known about how climate affects water access at the household level. Understanding this is crucial for identifying vulnerable households, reducing health and well-being risks, and finding equitable solutions. Using difference-in-differences regression analyses and relying on temporal variation in interview timing from multiple, cross-sectional surveys, we examine the effects of monsoon riverine flooding on household water access among 34 000 households in Bangladesh in 2011 and 2014. We compare water access, a combined measure of both water source and time for collection, among households living in flood-affected and non-flood-affected districts before and after monsoon flooding events. We find that households in monsoon flood-affected districts surveyed after the flooding had between 2.27 and 4.42 times higher odds of experiencing low water access. Separating geographically, we find that while households in coastal districts have lower water access than those in non-coastal districts, monsoon flood exposure is a stronger predictor of low water access in non-coastal districts. Non-coastal districts were particularly burdened in 2014, when households affected by monsoon flooding had 4.71 times higher odds of low water access. We also find that household wealth is a consistent predictor of household water access. Overall, our results show that monsoon flooding is associated with a higher prevalence of low water access; socioeconomically vulnerable households are especially burdened.

Correction: A Survey of Availability and Affordability of Polypills for Cardiovascular Disease in Selected Countries.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.5334/gh.1335.].