Mariza Miranda Theme-Filha

Socio-demographic characteristics, treatment coverage, and self-rated health of individuals who reported six chronic diseases in Brazil, 2003

The Brazilian World Health Survey, carried out in 2003, included questions about diagnosis of six chronic diseases: arthritis, angina, asthma, depression, schizophrenia and diabetes mellitus. The probabilistic sample of 5,000 adults was selected in 250 census tracts. We analyzed the socio-demographic profile, the coverage of treatment, and self-rated health of the individuals that reported diagnosis of one of these diseases. To control for age and sex, logistic regression models were used. Among the 5,000 participants, 39.1% reported medical diagnosis of at least one of the six diseases. Depression was the most prevalent (19.2%), followed by asthma (12.0%), arthritis (10.5%), angina (6.7%), diabetes (6.2%) and schizophrenia (1.7%). Significant differences by age were found for all diseases, except for asthma. All diseases were more prevalent among women, except angina. Analysis by educational level showed that the diabetes prevalence rate was significantly larger among those with incomplete schooling. Although the six diseases presented different treatment coverage rates, for individuals with diagnosis of any one of the six diseases, the self-rated health was always worst, even after controlling for age and sex.

[Maternal mortality in the city of Rio de Janeiro 1993-1996]

The maternal mortality rate is considered an important indicator of quality of care during the gravid-puerperal cycle. To shed light on the maternal mortality pattern in the city of Rio de Janeiro, maternal deaths from 1993 to 1996 among residents of the city were analyzed, based on data from death certificates. The maternal mortality rate was calculated according to cause, age, and schooling. High annual mortality rates were detected throughout the period analyzed (74.3, 47.9, 51.5, and 55.3 per 100,000 live births, respectively). Main causes of death were hypertension, hemorrhage, and puerperal complications. Greatest risk of death was among the youngest and oldest women and those with less schooling. The study discusses strategies to decrease under-recording of deaths and increase quality and results of care.

Internações por condições sensíveis à atenção primária em Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil, 2000 a 2009

This study analyzed the correlation between evolution in coverage of the Family Health Strategy (FHS) and the hospital admissions rate for primary care-sensitive conditions (PCSC) in Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil, from 2000 to 2009. This was an ecological study using data from the Hospital Information System (SIH), available from the Information System of the Brazilian Unified National Health System (DATASUS) and the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE). Statistical analysis used Pearsons linear correlation coefficient and its significance. Campo Grande showed an inverse correlation, following the trend for the country as a whole, with a reduction in such admissions. The analysis of categories of hospital admissions showed a direct correlation with pulmonary tuberculosis, angina pectoris, and conditions related to prenatal care and childbirth. The results suggest that increased coverage of the FHS has contributed to a reduction in hospitalization rates for PCSC.

Provider-Initiated Late Preterm Births in Brazil: Differences between Public and Private Health Services.

Background A large proportion of the rise in prematurity worldwide is owing to late preterm births, which may be due to the expansion of obstetric interventions, especially pre-labour caesarean section. Late preterm births pose similar risks to overall prematurity, making this trend a concern. In this study, we describe factors associated with provider-initiated late preterm birth and verify differences in provider-initiated late preterm birth rates between public and private health services according to obstetric risk. Methods This is a sub-analysis of a national population-based survey of postpartum women entitled “Birth in Brazil”, performed between 2011 and 2012. We included 23,472 singleton live births. We performed non-conditional multiple logistic regressions assessing associated factors and analysing differences between public and private health services. Results Provider-initiated births accounted for 38% of late preterm births; 32% in public health services and 61% in private health services. They were associated with previous preterm birth(s) and maternal pathologies for women receiving both public and private services and with maternal age ≥35 years for women receiving public services. Women receiving private health services had higher rates of provider-initiated late preterm birth (rate of 4.8%) when compared to the ones receiving public services (rate of 2.4%), regardless of obstetric risk–adjusted OR of 2.3 (CI 1.5–3.6) for women of low obstetric risk and adjusted OR of 1.6 (CI 1.1–2.3) for women of high obstetric risk. Conclusion The high rates of provider-initiated late preterm birth suggests a considerable potential for reduction, as such prematurity can be avoided, especially in women of low obstetric risk. To promote healthy births, we advise introducing policies with incentives for the adoption of new models of birth care.

Atenção ao pré-natal e parto em mulheres usuárias do sistema público de saúde residentes na Amazônia Legal e no Nordeste, Brasil 2010

Objectives: to describe the adequacy of healthcare among women undergoing prenatal and/or childbirth care in the Brazilian National Health System, SUS, in municipalities that have been earmarked for reduction of infant mortality in Amazonia Legal and the Northeast Region. Methods: secondary data from a populationbased survey involving mothers and children aged under one year of age attended by the 2010 vaccination campaign were analyzed. The sample under study comprised 13.205 women who had received prenatal care and 13,044 whose deliveries had been accompanied, in 252 earmarked municipalities. The adequacy of prenatal and childbirth care was classified according to process indicators proposed by the National Program for the Humanization of Prenatal Care and Childbirth. Results: of the women studied, 75.4% had attended six or more prenatal consults, but only 3.4% had access to prenatal care classified as adequate. Access to ultrasound was reported by 96.1% of the women, an HIV exam by 91.8% and a syphilis test by 68.7%. Only 44.2% of the women were told which maternity hospital they should give birth in and only 8.6% were in fact admitted to the recommended facility. Childbirth care was considered adequate for only 1% of those interviewed. The results varied from one State to another and according to the socioeconomic status of the women. Conclusions: shortcomings were identified in prenatal and childbirth care, which is inadequate and socially unjust in these regions, thereby contributing to poor indicators for maternal and child health in Legal Amazonia and the Northeast Region of Brazil.

Burden of early-term birth on adverse infant outcomes: a population-based cohort study in Brazil

Objectives To estimate the national rate of early-term live births in Brazil and to evaluate the effect of birth at 37 and 38 weeks’ gestation, as compared with 39 and 40 weeks’ gestation on infant outcomes according to precursors of birth and the existence of maternal/fetal medical conditions. Design National perinatal population-based cohort study. Setting 266 maternity services located in the five Brazilian macroregions. Participants 18 652 singleton live newborns from 37 0/7 to 40 6/7 weeks of gestation. Main outcome measures Resuscitation in delivery room, oxygen therapy, transient tachypnoea, admission to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), hypoglycaemia, use of antibiotics, phototherapy, phototherapy after hospital discharge, neonatal death and breastfeeding. Results Early terms accounted for 35% (95% CI 33.4% to 36.7%) of all live births. Among provider-initiated births in women without medical conditions, infants of 37 and 38 weeks’ gestation had higher odds of oxygen therapy (adjusted OR (AOR) 2.93, 95% CI 1.72 to 4.98 and AOR 1.92 95% CI 1.18 to 3.13), along with admission to NICU (AOR 2.01, 95% CI 1.18 to 3.41 and AOR 1.56, 95% CI 1.02 to 2.60), neonatal death (AOR 14.40, 95% CI 1.94 to 106.69 and AOR 13.76,95% CI 2.84 to 66.75), hypoglycaemia in the first 48 hours of life (AOR 7.86, 95% CI 1.95 to 31.71 and AOR 5.76, 95% CI 1.63 to 20.32), transient tachypnoea (AOR 2.98, 95% CI 1.57 to 5.65 and AOR 2.12, 95% CI 1.00 to 4.48) and the need for phototherapy within the first 72 hours of life (AOR 3.59, 95% CI 1.95 to 6.60 and AOR 2.29, 95% CI 1.49 to 3.53), yet lower odds of breastfeeding up to 1 hour after birth (AOR 0.67, 95% CI 0.53 to 0.86 and AOR 0.87, 95% CI 0.76 to 0.99) and exclusive breastfeeding during hospital stay (AOR 0.68, 95% CI 0.51 to 0.89 and AOR 0.84, 95% CI 0.71 to 0.99). Conclusion Birth at 37 and 38 weeks’ gestation increased the risk of most adverse infant outcomes analysed, especially among provider-initiated births and should be avoided before 39 weeks’ gestation in healthy pregnancies.