Leprosy in urban space, areas of risk for disability and worsening of this health condition in Foz Do Iguaçu, the border region between Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina.

BACKGROUND: Leprosy is a public health problem and a challenge for endemic countries, especially in their border regions where there are intense migration flows. The study aimed to analyse the dynamics of leprosy, in order to identify areas of risk for the occurrence of the disease and disability and places where this health condition is worsening. METHOD: This ecological study considered the new cases of leprosy reported in the municipality of Foz do Iguaçu from 2003 to 2015. Spatial and spatial-temporal scan statistics were used to identify the risk areas for the occurrence of leprosy, as well as the Getis-Ord Gi and Getis-Ord Gi* methods. Areas of risk for disabilities were identified by the scan statistic and kernel density estimation. RESULTS: A total of 840 cases were reported, of which 179 (21.3%) presented Grade 1 or 2 disabilities at the time of diagnosis. Leprosy risk areas were concentrated in the Southern, Eastern and Northeastern Health Districts of the municipality. The cases of Grade 2 disability were observed with higher intensity in regions characterized by high population density and poverty. CONCLUSION: The results of the study have revealed changes in the pattern of areas at risk of leprosy according to the investigated periods. In addition, it was possible to verify disabilities as a condition present in the investigated cases, or that may be related to the late diagnosis of the disease. In the areas of risk identified, patients have reported worse physical disability after diagnostic confirmation, or indicate inadequate clinical examination, reinforcing the need for structuring leprosy control services in a qualified manner.

Factors related to the adoption of the Brazilian National Immunization Program Information System.

BACKGROUND: One way to optimize the adoption and use of technological innovations is to understand how those involved perceive, assess and decide to use them. This study aims to analyze the attributes that influence the adoption and use of the Brazilian National Immunization Program Information System (NIPIS) from the perspective of vaccination room workers. METHODS: This is a mixed method research, and a quantitative cross-sectional analytical study, with concomitant triangulation of data, carried out in a region of Brazil by using the Diffusion of Innovation Theory. We used a questionnaire with 183 nursing professionals who work at vaccination rooms in 12 municipalities. To test the research model, partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) and SmartPLS 2.3.0 have been applied to estimate the model. The qualitative research had a descriptive-exploratory character, using interviews (n = 18) analyzed through thematic analysis. RESULTS: The model proposed showed a mean correlation between the perceived attributes in the adoption and use of NIPIS. The results of the multiple regression indicated that the attributes "relative advantage" and "image" have a significant effect at 5% level (T > 1.97), positively influence the adoption and use of NIPIS; the attribute "voluntary use" negatively influences the adoption and use of the system; the attributes "experimentation", "compatibility", "profitability", and "ease of use" did not influence the adoption and use of NIPIS. Emphasis has been placed on aspects that weaken the adoption and use of NIPIS such as lack of good quality internet and resistance to use the technology by some professionals. Workers perceive the importance of NIPIS for the municipality and point out that technological innovation provides data at an individual level, inserted in real time, which makes it possible to assess vaccination coverage. Lack of an unstable internet compromises data release due to system slowness. CONCLUSIONS: The mixed method allowed an in-depth analysis of the adoption and use of NIPIS in the Western Health Macroregion of Minas Gerais State, and similarities were observed in the results. The attribute "relative advantage" is the one that most influences the adoption and use of NIPIS, which is the strongest predictor of innovation adoption rate.

National Immunization Program Information System: implementation context assessment.

BACKGROUND: The National Immunization Program Information System (SIPNI - Sistema de Informação do Programa Nacional de Imunização) in Brazil is a technological innovation management tool that enhances the performance of managers and health professionals in the evaluation and monitoring of immunization activities. In the country, the decentralization of the System is at an advanced stage, but it still faces challenges regarding its operation and use, impacting on its results. This study aims to evaluate the deployment of SIPNI in the state of Minas Gerais, in 2017. METHOD: Cross-section study performed in Primary Healthcare vaccination rooms in 54 municipalities in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, in 2017. A multidimensional questionnaire was used with nursing professionals who work in vaccination rooms, containing questions about the structure (presence of an internet-connected computer, instruction manual, software version, IT professional for technical support, trained healthcare professional, use of communication channels to obtain system information) and the process (activities performed by the staff to operate the immunization information system) of their work. Those questions refer to the components of the information system: system management, immunized-patient records, and Movement of Immunobiological. Implementation Degree (ID) was defined by a score system with different weights for each criterion, according to the importance level observed in it, with a rating of: adequate, partially adequate, inadequate and critically inadequate. For data analysis, median was used as the summary measure, and Pearson's Chi-Squared Test was used for proportion comparison. RESULTS: Municipal SIPNI is not adequately implemented and that results mainly from the actions performed in health service units, indicating problems in the use of technology by professionals working in vaccination rooms. The structure was better evaluated than the process, presenting IDs of 70.9 and 59.5%, respectively. Insufficient internet access, inadequate use of communication channels, and lack of professional qualification were some of the identified structural issues. "Movement of Immunobiological" was the best-ranked component (ID = 68.5%), followed by "immunized patient records" (ID = 59.3%) and "SIPNI management" (ID = 50.7%). Partial performance of SIPNI is independent of population size in the municipality and of FSH coverage. CONCLUSIONS: SIPNI is still an underutilized technological innovation. There are challenges that must be overcome, such as implementation of the final web version, internet connectivity, and capabilities aimed at the use of information generated by technology. Nevertheless, perspectives regarding SIPNI are positive, with functionalities to optimize activities in vaccination rooms.

Validity and reliability of the tuberculosis-related stigma scale version for Brazilian Portuguese.

BACKGROUND: Stigma associated with tuberculosis (TB) has been an object of interest in several regions of the world. The behaviour presented by patients as a result of social discrimination has contributed to delays in diagnosis and the abandonment of treatment, leading to an increase in the cases of TB and drug resistance. The identification of populations affected by stigma and its measurement can be assessed with the use of valid and reliable instruments developed or adapted to the target culture. This aim of this study was to analyse the initial psychometric properties of the Tuberculosis-Related Stigma scale in Brazil, for TB patients. METHODS: The Tuberculosis-Related Stigma scale is a specific scale for measuring stigma associated with TB, originally validated in Thailand. It presents two dimensions to be assessed, namely Community perspectives toward tuberculosis and Patient perspectives toward tuberculosis. The first has 11 items regarding the behaviour of the community in relation to TB, and the second is made up of 12 items related to feelings such as fear, guilt and sorrow in coping with the disease. A pilot test was conducted with 83 TB patients, in order to obtain the initial psychometric properties of the scale in the Brazilian Portuguese version, enabling simulation of the field study. RESULTS: As regards its psychometric properties, the scale presented acceptable internal consistency for its dimensions, with values ≥0.70, the absence of floor and ceiling effects, which is favourable for the property of scale responsiveness, satisfactory converging validity for both dimensions, with values over 0.30 for initial studies, and diverging validity, with adjustment values different from 100%. CONCLUSION: The results found show that the Tuberculosis-Related Stigma scale can be a valid and reliable instrument for the Brazilian context.

Integrated health service delivery networks and tuberculosis avoidable hospitalizations: is there a relation between them in Brazil?

BACKGROUND: The early identification of the Breathing Symptoms within the scope of Primary Health Care is recommended, and is also one of the strategies of national sanitary authorities for reaching the elimination of tuberculosis. The purpose of this study is to consider which attributes and which territories have shown the most significant progress in Primary Health Care, in terms of coordination of Health Care Networks, and also check if those areas of Primary Health Care that are most critical regarding coordination, there were more or less cases of avoidable hospitalizations for tuberculosis. METHODS: This is an ecological study that uses primary and secondary data. For analysis, coropletic maps were developed through the ArcGIS software, version 10.2. There was also the calculation of gross annual and Bayesian rates for hospitalizations for tuberculosis, for each Primary Health Care territory. RESULTS: There were satisfactory results for attributes such as Population (n = 37; 80.4 %), Primary Health Care (n = 43; 93.5 %), Support System (n = 45; 97.8 %); the exceptions were Logistics System (n = 32; 76.0 %) and Governance System, with fewer units in good condition (n = 31; 67.3 %). There is no evidence of any connection between networks' coordination by Primary Health Care and tuberculosis avoidable admissions. CONCLUSION: The results show that progress has been made regarding the coordination of the Health Care Networks, and a positive trend has been shown, even though the levels are not excellent. It was found no relationship between the critical areas of Primary Health Care and tuberculosis avoidable hospitalizations, possibly because other variables necessary to comprehend the phenomena.

[Analysis of job satisfaction of the nursing staff of a primary health care unit]. / Anélise da satisfação profissional da equipe de enfermagem em uma unidade básica distrital de saúde.

This was a cross-sectional, observational study conducted in an outpatient specialty district health unit in the city of Ribeirão Preto, in the southeastern Brazilian state of São Paulo, with the aim to analyze the job satisfaction of the nursing staff. Data were collected using the Index of Work Satisfaction (IWS), a validated instrument which was applied to 23 members of the nursing team in January 2012. Among the components of job satisfaction, participants considered Interaction to be most important, followed by Professional Status, Job Requirements, Organizational Policies, Remuneration and Autonomy. The combined mean Index of Work Satisfaction obtained was 8.29, corresponding to poor job satisfaction among the studied population, as most of the studies in the literature that used the same instrument had scores between 12 and 37.

Prevalence and underreporting of immunization errors in childhood vaccination: results of a household survey.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate underreporting of immunization errors based on vaccination records from children under five years of age. METHOD: An epidemiological, cross-sectional analytical study, carried out through a household survey with 453 children aged 6 months to 4 years in three municipalities in Minas Gerais in 2021. A descriptive analysis was carried out, and the prevalence of the error was calculated per 100 thousand doses applied between 2016 and 2021. The magnitude was estimated of the association between variables by prevalence and 95% Confidence Intervals (95%CI). To analyze underreporting, State reporting records were used. RESULTS: A prevalence of immunization errors was found to be 41.9/100,000 doses applied (95%CI:32.2 - 51.6). The highest prevalence occurred between 2020 (50.0/100,000 doses applied) and 2021 (78.6/100,000 doses applied). The most frequent error was an inadequate interval between vaccines (47.2%) associated with adsorbed diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP) vaccine (13.7/100,000) administration. Vaccination delay was related to immunization errors (7.55 95% CI:2.30 - 24.80), and the errors found were underreported. CONCLUSION: The high prevalence of underreported errors points to a worrying scenario, highlighting the importance of preventive measures.

International Migration, Refugees, and Spread of Tuberculosis in Brazil: Analysis of Clusters, Trends, and Associated Factors (2010-2021).

BACKGROUND: International migration is a global phenomenon with significant implications on the health-disease process due to exposures along transit routes and local/destination epidemiological indicators. We aimed to analyze the transmission and spread of tuberculosis among international migrants and refugees from a spatiotemporal perspective and the associated factors. METHOD: This was an ecological study of cases of tuberculosis in international migrants in Brazil, between 2010 and 2021. Annual incidence rates were calculated and spatiotemporal scan techniques were used to identify municipalities at risk. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with tuberculosis in international migrants. RESULTS: A total of 4037 cases of tuberculosis were reported in Brazil in international migrants. Municipalities at risk for this event were identified using the spatiotemporal scan technique, and a cluster was identified with ITT: +52.01% and ETT: +25.60%. A higher probability of TB infection was identified in municipalities with a TB incidence rate >14.40 cases/100 inhabitants, population >11,042 inhabitants, Gini index >0.49, and illiteracy rate >13.12%. A lower probability was found in municipalities with average per capita household income >BRL 456.43. CONCLUSIONS: It is recommended that health authorities implement monitoring and rigorous follow-up in affected areas to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment completion for international migrants, preventing disease spread to other communities.

[Effectiveness in the diagnosis of tuberculosis in Foz do Iguaçu, the triple-border area of Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina]. / Efetividade no diagnóstico da tuberculose em Foz do Iguaçu, tríplice fronteira Brasil, Paraguai e Argentina.

This study sought to assess the effectiveness of health services in the diagnosis of tuberculosis in Foz do Iguaçu-PR, the triple border region of Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina. In this epidemiologic, cross-sectional study, 101 persons with tuberculosis were interviewed in 2009 by using an instrument based on the Primary Care Assessment Tool . The analysis was based on proportions and respective 95% confidence intervals (95%) and means. Emergency units (37%) and primary health care units (26%) were the most sought units. Access to medical consultation on the same day reached 70%, but tuberculosis was suspected in less than 47% of patients; bacilloscopy was conducted in 50% of patients. We conclude that although these services provide rapid care, they do not determine the true diagnosis and lead the patient to seek specialized services. Specialty services are more effective in establishing the correct diagnosis. In the triple border region, seeking care at a primary health care unit led to extra time and more returns to the hospital for a tuberculosis diagnosis.

Performance indicators of Primary Care of the Previne Brasil Program. / Indicadores de desempeño de la Atención Primaria del Programa Previne Brasil.

OBJECTIVE: to analyze the scope of the performance indicators of the Previne Brasil Program of Primary Health Care. METHOD: an observational, descriptive study with a quantitative approach was carried out using secondary data, referring to the years 2020 and 2021, in the five Brazilian regions (North, Northeast, South, Southeast and Midwest), available in the Primary Health Care Information System. Descriptive statistics, relative frequencies and measures of central tendency and semiparametric modeling were used considering a 5% confidence interval. RESULTS: there was evidence of evolution in the rates of performance indicators in most Brazilian regions in 2021, compared to 2020, however, the North and Midwest regions had incipient or negative rates, compared to the Southeast region. Despite the evolution in the rates of the indicators, few States managed to reach the goals established by the Ministry of Health for the strategic actions of prenatal care and women's health; and no state achieved the goal in strategic action on chronic diseases. CONCLUSION: it is considered important to monitor the evolution of current indicators, envisioning their qualification so that they can evaluate primary health care and assistance, as well as guarantee the achievement of goals by ensuring funding for primary care actions.

Hospital discharge planning in care transition of patients with chronic noncommunicable diseases.

OBJECTIVE: to analyze care transition in hospital discharge planning for patients with chronic noncommunicable diseases. METHOD: a qualitative study, based on the Care Transitions Intervention theoretical model, with four pillars of intervention, to ensure a safe transition. Twelve professionals participated in a public hospital in the countryside of São Paulo. Data were collected through observation, document analysis and semi-structured interviews. RESULTS: there was a commitment of a multidisciplinary team to comprehensive care and involvement of family members in patient care. The documents facilitated communication between professionals and/or levels of care. However, the lack of time to prepare for discharge can lead to fragmented care, impairing communication and jeopardizing a safe transition. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: they were shown to be important elements in discharge planning composition, aiming to ensure a safe care transition, team participation with nurses as main actors, early discharge planning and family involvement.

Spatial and temporal analysis of tuberculosis incidence in Guinea-Bissau, 2018 to 2020.

OBJECTIVE: to analyze the epidemiological profile, spatial and temporal distribution of tuberculosis in Guinea-Bissau from 2018 to 2020. METHODS: an ecological study, carried out in Guinea-Bissau, considering new cases of tuberculosis. Spatial analysis of areas was used to verify tuberculosis distribution in the country, and time series were used to identify incidence evolution over the years of study. RESULTS: a total of 6,840 new cases of tuberculosis were reported. Tuberculosis incidence rate in the country ranged from 36.8 to 267.7 cases/100,000 inhabitants, with emphasis on the regions of Bissau and Biombo (over 90 cases/100,000). By using time series, it was possible to observe an increase in case incidence over the years of study. CONCLUSIONS: the study made it possible to identify the epidemiological profile of tuberculosis in Guinea-Bissau, spatial distribution heterogeneity, in addition to identifying the disease evolution over the years of investigation.

COVID-19 Infodemic and Impacts on the Mental Health of Older People: Cross-sectional Multicenter Survey Study.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic received widespread media coverage due to its novelty, an early lack of data, and the rapid rise in deaths and cases. This excessive coverage created a secondary "infodemic" that was considered to be a serious public and mental health problem by the World Health Organization and the international scientific community. The infodemic particularly affected older individuals, specifically those who are vulnerable to misinformation due to political positions, low interpretive and critical analysis capacity, and limited technical-scientific knowledge. Thus, it is important to understand older people's reaction to COVID-19 information disseminated by the media and the effect on their lives and mental health. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to describe the profile of exposure to COVID-19 information among older Brazilian individuals and the impact on their mental health, perceived stress, and the presence of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). METHODS: This cross-sectional, exploratory study surveyed 3307 older Brazilians via the web, social networks, and email between July 2020 and March 2021. Descriptive analysis and bivariate analysis were performed to estimate associations of interest. RESULTS: Major proportions of the 3307 participants were aged 60 to 64 years (n=1285, 38.9%), female (n=2250, 68.4%), and married (n=1835, 55.5%) and self-identified as White (n=2364, 71.5%). Only 295 (8.9%) had never started or completed a basic education. COVID-19 information was mainly accessed on television (n=2680, 81.1%) and social networks (n=1943, 58.8%). Television exposure was ≥3 hours in 1301 (39.3%) participants, social network use was 2 to 5 hours in 1084 (32.8%) participants, and radio exposure was ≥1 hour in 1223 (37%) participants. Frequency of exposure to social networks was significantly associated with perceived stress (P=.04) and GAD (P=.01). A Bonferroni post hoc test revealed significantly different perceived stress in participants who were exposed to social networks for 1 hour (P=.04) and those who had no exposure (P=.04). A crude linear regression showed that "some" social media use (P=.02) and 1 hour of exposure to social media (P<.001) were associated with perceived stress. Adjusting for sociodemographic variables revealed no associations with this outcome variable. In a crude logistic regression, some social media use (P<.001) and 2 to 5 hours of exposure to social media (P=.03) were associated with GAD. Adjusting for the indicated variables showed that some social network use (P<.001) and 1 hour (P=.04) and 2 to 5 hours (P=.03) of exposure to social media were associated with GAD. CONCLUSIONS: Older people, especially women, were often exposed to COVID-19-related information through television and social networks; this affected their mental health, specifically GAD and stress. Thus, the impact of the infodemic should be considered during anamnesis for older people, so that they can share their feelings about it and receive appropriate psychosocial care.

Construction and validation of a matrix for normative evaluation of the integrated health system of the borders.

OBJECTIVE: to build and validate a matrix for normative evaluation of the Integrated Health System of Borders. METHOD: a methodological study, composed by the construction of an evaluation matrix elaborated in three stages: elaboration of the logical model, containing the triad of structure, process and result; definition of evaluative questions and appearance and content validation of the matrix. Appearance and content validation were performed simultaneously by seven judges. For data collection, an online questionnaire and the Delphi technique were used and, for analysis, the Content Validity Index and Content Validity Ratio. RESULTS: the evaluation matrix containing 24 questions was submitted to two evaluations for its appearance and content validation. In the first, the overall mean Content Validity Index was 99.40% and the Content Validity Ratio was 0.90. In the second, the Content Validity Index was 100% and the Content Validity Ratio, 1.0; there were no new proposals and the matrix was made up of 24 questions. The matrix was considered intelligible in terms of appearance validation. CONCLUSION: the evaluation matrix of the Integrated Health System of the Borders is validated in terms of appearance and content for analyzing the performance of public actions and policies in border regions.

Implementation of the e-SUS Primary Care system: Impact on the routine of Primary Health Care professionals.

OBJECTIVE: to understand how the implementation of the e-SUS Primary Care system has been processed and its impact on the daily life of the health teams. METHOD: a qualitative research study, conducted in a municipality in the inland of the state of São Paulo with professionals who work in Primary Health Care and use the e-SUS Primary Care system as a work tool. Semi-structured interviews and thematic data analysis were used with Kotter's three-phase approach. RESULTS: a total of 17 professionals, nurses, physicians, dentists and community agents were interviewed. The implementation of e-SUS Primary Care and its impact on the daily life of health teams were understood in terms of mandatory implementation; weaknesses for implementation, such as absence of material resources and implicit imposition for the use of the system; fragile training for deployment and learning from experience. CONCLUSION: a harmful incentive process was observed, conducted from the perspective of institutional pressure, use of the system to justify the work performed and, on the other hand, there was the creation of collaborative learning mechanisms between the teams.

[Primary Healthcare e-SUS: determinant attributes for the adoption and use of a technological innovation]. / e-SUS Atenção Primária: atributos determinantes para adoção e uso de uma inovação tecnológica.

The study aimed to analyze the adoption and use of the Primary Healthcare e-SUS (PHC e-SUS) as a technological innovation from the perspective of workers in primary healthcare (PHC). This was a sequential exploratory mixed-methods study (QUAN → qual) in municipalities in the interior of São Paulo state, Brazil, drawing on Diffusion of Innovation Theory. The quantitative component was analytical cross-sectional, applying a validated questionnaire to 114 PHC workers. The model was tested by applying partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) using SmartPLS 2.3.0. The qualitative study was descriptive-exploratory, using interviews (n = 10) with thematic content analysis, aimed at understanding the attributes that did not influence the adoption and use of PHC e-SUS. The attributes "experimentation", "ease of use", "relative advantage", and "compatibility" did not display statistical significance, indicating that they were not determinant attributes for the adoption and use of PHC e-SUS. Integration of the data evidenced failures in connectivity; lack of time to feed the system in real time and training; lack of prior experimentation; abrupt presentation of the system; and lack of skill with the technology. The results can assist other municipalities in Brazil with the implementation of the PHC e-SUS in relation to the importance of the organizational infrastructure, as well as training in the technology's use and handling. The study contributes to reflections and proposals for interventions in the problems faced in daily work with the adoption and use of a technological innovation such as the PHC e-SUS.

O estudo objetivou analisar a adoção e o uso do e-SUS Atenção Primária (e-SUS APS) como inovação tecnológica na perspectiva dos profissionais da atenção primária à saúde (APS). Trata-se de um estudo de método misto explanatório sequencial (QUAN → qual) realizado em municípios do interior de São Paulo, Brasil, utilizando a Teoria da Difusão de Inovação. O estudo quantitativo foi do tipo transversal analítico, aplicando-se um questionário validado a 114 profissionais da APS. Para testar o modelo do estudo, aplicou-se a modelagem de equações estruturais de mínimos quadrados parciais (PLS-SEM) por meio do software SmartPLS 2.3.0. O estudo qualitativo teve caráter descritivo-exploratório, por meio de entrevistas (n = 10) analisadas por análise temática de conteúdo, visando entender os atributos que não influenciaram a adoção e o uso do e-SUS APS. Os atributos "experimentação", "facilidade de uso", "vantagem relativa" e "compatibilidade" não apresentaram significância estatística, indicando não serem atributos determinantes para adoção e uso do e-SUS APS. Na integração dos dados, evidenciaram-se: falhas de conectividade; ausência de tempo para alimentação do sistema em tempo real e de capacitação; não experimentação prévia; apresentação abrupta do sistema e ausência de habilidade com a tecnologia. Os resultados podem auxiliar os demais municípios do Brasil na implantação e/ou efetivação do e-SUS APS, no que tange à importância da infraestrutura organizacional, bem como na capacitação para utilização e manuseio da tecnologia. Este estudo contribui para reflexões e propostas de intervenções aos problemas enfrentados no cotidiano do trabalho quanto à adoção e ao uso de uma inovação tecnológica, como o e-SUS APS.

El objetivo del estudio fue analizar la adopción y uso del e-SUS Atención Primaria (e-SUS APS), como innovación tecnológica, desde la perspectiva de los profesionales de la atención primaria en salud (APS). Se trata de un estudio de método mixto secuencial explicativo (CUAN → Cual) realizado en municipios del interior de São Paulo, utilizando la Teoría de la Difusión de Innovación. El estudio cuantitativo fue de tipo transversal analítico, aplicándose un cuestionario validado a 114 profesionales de la APS. Para probar el modelo del estudio se aplicó el modelado de ecuaciones estructurales de mínimos cuadrados parciales (PLS-SEM), a través del software SmartPLS 2.3.0. El estudio cualitativo tuvo carácter descriptivo-exploratorio, mediante entrevistas (n = 10), analizadas por análisis de contenido temático, con el objetivo de entender los atributos que no influenciaron en la adopción y uso de la e-SUS APS. Los atributos "probar", "facilidad de uso", "ventaja relativa" y "compatibilidad" no presentaron significación estadística, indicando no ser atributos determinantes para la adopción y uso de la e-SUS APS. En la integración de los datos se evidenciaron: fallos de conectividad; ausencia de tiempo para alimentación del sistema en tiempo real y de capacitación; no pruebas previas; presentación abrupta del sistema y ausencia de habilidad con la tecnología. Los resultados pueden ayudar a los demás municipios de Brasil en la implantación y/o efectuación de la e-SUS APS, en lo que atañe a la importancia de la infraestructura organizativa, así como la capacitación para la utilización y manejo de la tecnología. Este estudio contribuye a las reflexiones y propuestas de intervenciones, respecto a los problemas enfrentados en el día a día del trabajo, en cuanto a la adopción y uso de una innovación tecnológica, como la e-SUS APS.

Evaluation of the Psychometric Properties of the Immunobiological Agent Conservation Assessment Scale.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: The cold chain of immunobiological agent conservation occupies a strategic position in the immunization system and, therefore, needs to be evaluated. This study psychometrically evaluated the Immunobiological Agent Conservation Assessment Scale (Escala de Avaliação da Conservação de Imunobiológicos-EACI). METHODS: Methodological study carried out in Minas Gerais, Brazil, including 275 immunization rooms, divided into three stages: (a) pilot study; (b) internal consistency and temporal reproducibility; (c) criterion validity and structural validity. RESULTS: The EACI items were analyzed for comprehension and clarity; presenting internally consistency (Cronbach's alpha: 0.72 [95% CI: 0.666-0.763]) and temporal reproducibility (ICC: 0.948 [95% CI: 0.911-0.981]), in addition to explaining 72% of the variance and discriminating the groups criteria (p = .0025). CONCLUSION: The EACI is psychometrically reliable and valid and is the first assessment instrument available for this construct.

Social inequalities associated with the onset of tuberculosis in disease-prone territories in a city from northeastern Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: Tuberculosis remains a major health problem worldwide, killing thousand adults and children every year mainly in developing countries as Brazil. The disease is socially determined, caused mainly by inequalities as overcrowding, bad conditions of housing, unemployment, and limited access to health care. The aim of this study was to identify the social inequalities associated with the onset of tuberculosis in disease-prone territories in a city from the Northeast. METHODOLOGY: This was an ecological study, which has gathered patients diagnosed with tuberculosis through secondary data source in a city from the northeast of Brazil. The GAMLSS statistical model has been applied considering as response variable the count of Tuberculosis cases and the independent variable, the social conditions. The double Poisson distribution was considered in the analysis. The best model fitted was selected according the Akaike information criterion value. For all tests, the p value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. RESULTS: 460 patients with diagnosis of tuberculosis were identified, which represents an incidence of 36.3 cases/100,000 in males and 20.7 cases/100,000 in females. Regarding social inequality associated with tuberculosis, income (households with per capita income between 1/8 and 3 minimum wages), gender and age (Proportion of males under 15 years of age) were associated with the disease. CONCLUSIONS: The findings evidenced the social determinants associated with tuberculosis, with a greater occurrence of the disease in areas with mostly male children and low-income families, these issues must be managed within and beyond the health sector, which is mandatory for the Tuberculosis elimination.

Social inequalities and their association with the leprosy burden in a Brazilian city of low endemicity: An ecological study.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the association between social inequalities and the leprosy burden in a low endemicity scenario in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: This ecological study was carried out in the city of Ribeirão Preto, state of São Paulo, Brazil, considering leprosy cases notified from 2006 to 2016. Regarding social inequalities, dimensions related to high household density, literacy, home occupation conditions, health conditions, household income, ethnicity and age were considered. The generalised additive model for location, scale and shape (GAMLSS) was used to verify the association between the social inequalities and leprosy burden. RESULTS: The increase in men and women with no education and people with an income of 1 to 2 minimum wages was associated with a relative increase in the number of leprosy cases (7.37%, 7.10% and 2.44%, respectively). Regarding the ethnicity variables, the increase in the proportion of men (black) and women (mixed race) with no schooling was associated with a relative increase in the number of cases of the disease (10.77% and 4.02%, respectively). Finally, for people of mixed race or ethnicity, the increase in the proportion of households with 1/2 to 1 minimum wage was related to a relative decrease in the total number of cases (-4.90%). CONCLUSION: The results show that the determinants associated with the increase in leprosy cases are similar to those in Brazilian hyperendemic regions, and that even in cities with low endemicity, social inequality is one of the main determinants of the disease.

Temporal trend of tuberculosis incidence and its spatial distribution in Macapá - Amapá.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the temporal trend of tuberculosis incidence after the implementation of the rapid molecular test (RMT-TB), to identify whether tuberculosis presents seasonal variation and to classify the territory according to case density and risk areas in Macapá, Amapá. METHODS: Ecological study of tuberculosis cases registered in the Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (SINAN - Information System for Notifiable Diseases) between 2001 and 2017. We used the Prais-Winsten test to classify the temporal trend of incidence and the interrupted time series to identify changes in the temporal trend before and after the implementation of the rapid molecular test, and to verify seasonality in the municipality. The Kernel estimator was used to classify case density and scan statistics to identify areas of tuberculosis risk. RESULTS: A total of 1,730 cases were identified, with a decreasing temporal trend of tuberculosis incidence (-0.27% per month, 95%CI -0.13 to -0.41). The time series showed no change in level after the implementation of the GeneXpert®MTB/RIF molecular test; however, the incidence increased in the post-test period (+2.09% per month, 95%CI 0.92 to 3.27). Regarding the seasonal variation, it showed growth (+13.7%/month, 95%CI 4.71 to 23.87) from December to June, the rainy season - called amazon winter season -, and decrease (-9.21% per month, CI95% -1.37 to -16.63) in the other periods. We classified areas with high density of cases in the Central and Northern districts using Kernel and identified three protection clusters, SC1 (RR = 0.07), SC2 (RR = 0.23) and SC3 (RR = 0.36), and a high-risk cluster, SC4 (RR = 1.47), with the scan statistics. CONCLUSION: The temporal trend of tuberculosis incidence was decreasing in the time series; however, detection increased after the introduction of RMT-TB, and tuberculosis showed seasonal behavior. The case distribution was heterogeneous, with a tendency to concentrate in vulnerable and risk territories, evidencing a pattern of disease inequality in the territory.