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This paper analyzes the concept of health equity, drawing on ideas of social justice, of rights and values, and of the social and economic determinants which define living conditions and power relations among social groups. Differing schools of thought concerning health inequality and inequity in health are considered, highlighting contemporary approaches and the conceptual and operational diversity of definitions. We adopt the viewpoint of collective health and outline the elements which are essential to the understanding of inequity: the role of social, economic, political, cultural and ideological determinants on the equity of health outcomes, access to services and quality of care. We conclude that theoretical/conceptual frameworks must be formally spelled out before we can advance our understanding of health equity. The use and interpretation of terminology is made problematic by the abundance of definitions, although there appears to be a consensus on the need to further explore - in a varied, complementary and integrated manner - aspects of health care itself and of its environment. From a collective health perspective, we need to move beyond traditional approaches, a challenge which will enable better understanding of the social dynamics which, when expressed as inequalities in health, constitute social inequity.

Abstract Objective: to understand nurses’ perception about their role in reducing health inequalities in community contexts. Method: a qualitative study with a phenomenological approach addressed from Heidegger’s Interpretive Theory and the health inequality settings. A total of 18 in-depth interviews were conducted with nurses working in health institutions devoted to community interventions. The following five-phase process was adopted for the qualitative data analysis: Accumulation; Disassembling; Reassembling; Interpretation; and Conclusion. Results: four main topics that nurses mobilize to mitigate health inequalities in community settings were identified, namely: Competences to create, operationalize, monitor and assess health policies; Leadership and management for health and care processes at the individual and collective levels; Professionals that devise care strategies; and Care approach based on characteristics of the territory. Conclusion: nurses perceive that their role contributes significantly to reducing health inequalities in community settings based on the creation, operationalization, monitoring and assessment of health policies. From the sociocultural, economic and political characteristics of the territory, they prioritize actions in disadvantaged human groups in order to improve access, opportunities, continuity and quality in health.

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To analyze the factors associated with poor access to health services for the depression treatment in Brazil. METHODS This study used data from the Brazilian National Survey of Health, conducted in the years 2019 and 2020. The sample consisted of 8,332 individuals with a self-reported diagnosis of depression, and poor access to healthcare was identified from the question “what is the main reason for you to not visit the physician/health service regularly for your depression?” From which poor access was identified by the affirmative answer reporting distance of health services or difficulties with transportation; waiting time at the health service; financial difficulties; opening hours of the health service; Not being able to schedule a consultation via health insurance; does not know who to look for or where to go, among others. Sociodemographic aspects and health conditions were analyzed. Bivariate and multivariate analysis was performed using Poisson Regression. RESULTS The prevalence of poor access to health services for depression treatment was 14.9% (95%CI: 13.6–16.2), relating to individuals aged 15–29 years (PR = 1.52) and 30-59 years old (PR = 1.22), without education (PR = 1.43), who rate their health as regular/poor/very poor (PR = 1.26), who have some limitation in their usual activities (PR = 2.71), who had the last consultation within 6 months of less than 2 years (PR = 2.63) and for more than 2 years (PR = 2.25) and who do not undergo psychotherapy (PR = 4.28). CONCLUSION Poor access to health services for depression treatment was associated with individual factors and health conditions.

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To analyze inequalities in incidence, mortality, and estimated survival for neoplasms in men according to social vulnerability. METHODS Analysis of cases and deaths of all neoplasms and the five most common in men aged 30 years or older in the city of Campinas (SP), between 2010 and 2014, using data from the Population-Based Cancer Registry (RCBP) and the Mortality Information System (SIM). The areas of residence were grouped into five social vulnerability strata (SVS) using São Paulo Social Vulnerability Index. For each SVS, age-standardized incidence and mortality rates were calculated. A five-year survival proxy was calculated by complementing the ratio of the mortality rate to the incidence rate. Inequalities between strata were measured by the ratios between rates, the relative inequality index (RII) and the angular inequality index (AII). RESULTS RII revealed that the incidence of all neoplasms (0.66, 95%CI 0.62–0.69) and colorectal and lung cancers were lower among the most socially vulnerable, who presented a higher incidence of stomach and oral cavity cancer. Mortality rates for stomach, oral cavity, prostate and all types of cancer were higher in the most vulnerable segments, with no differences in mortality for colorectal and lung cancer. Survival was lower in the most social vulnerable stratum for all types of cancer studied. AII showed excess cases in the least vulnerable and deaths in the most vulnerable. Social inequalities were different depending on the tumor location and the indicator analyzed. CONCLUSION There is a trend of reversal of inequalities between incidence-mortality and incidence-survival, and the most social vulnerable segment presents lower survival rates for the types of cancer, pointing to the existence of inequality in access to early diagnosis and effective and timely treatment.

Abstract Objectives: to estimate the burden of parturients, fetuses and neonate’s severe morbidity and mortality and investigate the association between maternal and their conceptus outcomes. Methods: retrospective cohort of 546 parturients and their conceptus in a university hospital, reference for high-risk pregnancy, in the metropolitan region II of Rio de Janeiro State from 2015 to 2017. We classified parturients according to obstetric morbidity (OM) in direct, indirect, or mixed, and their outcomes as: 1) no severity, 2) severe complication (SC), 3) critical intervention/Intensive Care Unit, and 4) greater severity –maternal near-miss (MNM) or death. We evaluated the conceptus as neonatal near-miss (NNM) and fetal and neonatal deaths. We estimated morbimortality indicators and associated factors (multinomial logistic regression). Results: OM was frequent: 29.3% indirect, 22.3% direct, and 15.8% mixed. There were eight cases of NMM, seven with direct MO. Among the conceptus: 7.5% were NNM cases and 4.4%, deaths. The risk of severe maternal outcomes was 16.8 and neonatal, 102.6/1000 live births. Mixed race, inadequate prenatal care, CG and NMM/death, were associated with NNM. Inadequate prenatal care and maternal NM/death were associated with conceptus deaths. Conclusion: even in a reference unit, sociodemographic, and health care inequalities negatively affect mothers and, consequently, their children.

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze premature mortality due to noncommunicable chronic diseases (NCDs) in Brazilian capitals and the Federal District (DF) after redistribution of garbage causes and the temporal evolution according to social deprivation strata in the 2010 to 2012 and 2017 to 2019 triennia. Methods: Corrections were applied to the Mortality Information System (Sistema de Informação sobre Mortalidade – SIM) data such as the redistribution of garbage codes (GC). Premature mortality rates due to NCDs were calculated and standardized by age. The differences among NCDs mortality rates were analyzed according to the Brazilian Deprivation Index (Índice Brasileiro de Privação – IBP) categories and between the three-year periods. Results: In the capitals as a whole, rates increased between 8 and 12% after GC redistribution and the greatest increases occurred in areas of high deprivation: 11.9 and 11.4%, triennia 1 and 2, respectively. There was variability between the capitals. There was a reduction in rates in all strata of deprivation between the three-year periods, with the greatest decrease in the stratum of low deprivation (-18.2%) and the lowest in the stratum of high deprivation (-7.5%). Conclusion: The redistribution of GC represented an increase in mortality rates, being higher in the strata of greater social deprivation. As a rule, a positive gradient of mortality was observed with increasing social deprivation. The analysis of the temporal evolution showed a decrease in mortality from NCDs between the triennia, especially in areas of lower social deprivation.

Copyright of Archives of Dental Science / Arquivos em Odontologia is the property of Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Faculdade de Odontologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Abstract Objectives: to investigate sociodemographic and economic factors associated with food insecurity among pregnant women assisted by the universal healthcare network of Lavras, Minas Gerais. Methods: a cross-sectional study investigated socioeconomic and demographic, obstetric, and nutritional conditions experienced by pregnant women. Households in which pregnant women lived were classified as food secure or food insecure using the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale. Prevalence estimates and prevalence ratios with 95% confidence intervals were generated to test for associations between food insecurity and several socioeconomic and demographic indicators using Poisson regression analysis. Results: among 173 pregnant women who participated in the study, 48% lived in households with some level of food insecurity. Adjusted models showed that pregnant women living in food-insecure households had higher prevalence ratios of lower education attainment (aPR = 1.43, CI95% = 1.07-1.91), woman being the head of the household (aPR = 1.39, CI95% = 1.02-1.87), having family monthly income lower than 1 ½ MW (aPR = 1.68, CI95% = 1.11-2.52) and participating in the government cash transfer program (aPR = 1.47, CI95% = 1.08-1.99). Conclusions: the high prevalence of food insecurity in pregnant women assisted by the public healthcare system was associated with structural social factors. Results of this study will contribute to develop an intersectoral health and nutrition policy in order to promote food security among marginalized communities and vulnerable populations, such as pregnant women.

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To analyze health inequalities in cause-specific mortality in Costa Rica from 2010 to 2018, observing the main causes for inequality in the country. METHODS The National Electoral Rolls were used to follow-up all Costa Rican adults aged 20 years or older from 2010 to 2018 (n = 2,739,733) in an ecological study. A parametric survival model based on the Gompertz distribution was performed and the event death was classified according to the ICD-10. RESULTS After adjustment for urbanicity, the poorest districts had a higher mortality than the wealthier districts for most causes of death except neoplasms, mental and behavioral disorders, and diseases of the nervous system. Urban districts showed significantly higher mortality than mixed and rural districts after adjustment for wealth for most causes except mental and behavioral disorders, diseases of the nervous system, and diseases of the respiratory system. Differences according to wealth were more frequent in women than men, whereas differences according to urbanicity were more frequent in men than in women. CONCLUSIONS The study’s findings were consistent, but not fully similar, to the international literature.

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the association of hospital case fatality rate and care received by children and adolescents hospitalized for COVID-19 with the gross domestic product (GDP) per capita of Brazilian municipalities and regions of residence. Methods: Data were collected from the Influenza Epidemiological Surveillance Information System and the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics. The dichotomous outcomes analyzed were hospital case fatality rate of COVID-19, biological samples collected for COVID-19 diagnosis, X-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans, use of ventilatory support, and intensive care unit hospitalization. The covariates were municipal GDP per capita and the Brazilian region of residence. Poisson regression was used for the outcomes recorded in 2020 and 2021 in Brazil, covering the two COVID-19 waves in the country, adjusted for age and gender. Results: The hospital case fatality rate was 7.6%. In municipalities with lower GDP per capita deciles, the case fatality rate was almost four times higher among children and twice as high in adolescents compared to cities with higher deciles. Additionally, residents of municipalities with lower GDP per capita had fewer biological samples collected for diagnosis, X-ray examinations, and CT scans. We found regional disparities associated with case fatality rate, with worse indicators in the North and Northeast regions. The findings remained consistent over the two COVID-19 waves. Conclusion: Municipalities with lower GDP per capita, as well as the North and Northeast regions, had worse indicators of hospital case fatality rate and care.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated social, economic, and health-related disparities, which disproportionately affect persons living in conditions of vulnerability. Such populations include ethnic groups who face discrimination and experience barriers to accessing comprehensive health care. The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed these health disparities, and disruptions of essential health services have further widened the gaps in access to health care. Noncommunicable diseases are more prevalent among groups most impacted by poor social determinants of health and have been associated with an increased likelihood of severe COVID-19 disease and higher mortality. Disruptions in the provision of essential health services for noncommunicable diseases, mental health, communicable diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria, and maternal and child health services (including sexual and reproductive health), are projected to also increase poor health outcomes. Other challenges have been an increased frequency of interpersonal violence and food insecurity. Countries in the Americas have responded to the disruptions caused by the pandemic by means of health service delivery through telemedicine and other digital solutions and stepping up social service support interventions. As vaccinations for COVID-19 create the opportunity to overcome the pandemic, countries must strengthen primary health care and essential health services with a view to ensuring equity, if the region is to achieve universal health coverage in fulfillment of the Sustainable Development Goals.

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE Describe the temporal evolution of morbimortality due to Covid-19 and vaccination coverage during the health emergency in Brazil. METHODS Number of cases and deaths due to Covid-19 were extracted from the public panel of the Brazilian Ministry of Health, according to epidemiological week (EW) and geographic region. Data on vaccines and variants were obtained, respectively, from the Information System of the National Immunization Program and the Genomic Surveillance System of SARS-CoV-2. RESULTS Three peaks of deaths characterized the evolution of the Covid-19 pandemic: in EW 30 of 2020, in the EW 14 of 2021 and in the EW six of 2022; three case waves, starting in the North and Northeast regions, with higher rates in the third wave, mainly in the South region. Vaccination started in the epidemiological week three of 2021, rapidly reaching most of the population, particularly in the Southeast and South regions, coinciding with a reduction exclusively in the mortality rate in the third wave. Only from the beginning of the second wave, when Gama was the dominant variant, 146,718 genomes were sequenced. From the last EW of 2021, with vaccination coverage already approaching 70%, the Omicron variant caused an avalanche of cases, but with fewer deaths. CONCLUSIONS We noticed the presence of three waves of Covid-19, as well as the effect of immunization on the reduction of mortality in the second and third waves, attributed to the Delta and Omicron variants, respectively. However, the reduction of morbidity, which peaked in the third wave during the domination of the Omicron variant, remained the same. The national and centralized command of the pandemic confrontation did not occur; thus, public administrators took the lead in their territories. The overwhelming effect of the pandemic could have been minimized, if there had been a coordinated participation of three spheres of the Brazilian Unified Health System administration, in the joint governance of the pandemic fight.

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE Summarize the literature on the relationship between composite socioeconomic indicators and mortality in different geographical areas of Brazil. METHODS This scoping review included articles published between January 1, 2000, and August 31, 2020, retrieved by means of a bibliographic search carried out in the Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, and Lilacs databases. Studies reporting on the association between composite socioeconomic indicators and all-cause, or specific cause of death in any age group in different geographical areas were selected. The review summarized the measures constructed, their associations with the outcomes, and potential study limitations. RESULTS Of the 77 full texts that met the inclusion criteria, the study reviewed 24. The area level of composite socioeconomic indicators analyzed comprised municipalities (n = 6), districts (n = 5), census tracts (n = 4), state (n = 2), country (n = 2), and other areas (n = 5). Six studies used composite socioeconomic indicators such as the Human Development Index, Gross Domestic Product, and the Gini Index; the remaining 18 papers created their own socioeconomic measures based on sociodemographic and health indicators. Socioeconomic status was inversely associated with higher rates of all-cause mortality, external cause mortality, suicide, homicide, fetal and infant mortality, respiratory and circulatory diseases, stroke, infectious and parasitic diseases, malnutrition, gastroenteritis, and oropharyngeal cancer. Higher mortality rates due to colorectal cancer, leukemia, a general group of neoplasms, traffic accident, and suicide, in turn, were observed in less deprived areas and/or those with more significant socioeconomic development. Underreporting of death and differences in mortality coverage in Brazilian areas were cited as the main limitation. CONCLUSIONS Studies analyzed mortality inequalities in different geographical areas by means of composite socioeconomic indicators, showing that the association directions vary according to the mortality outcome. But studies on all-cause mortality and at the census tract level remain scarce. The results may guide the development of new composite socioeconomic indicators for use in mortality inequality analysis.

ABSTRACT Objective: To perform the cross-cultural adaptation of Intersectional Discrimination Index (InDI) into Brazilian Portuguese. InDI assesses the health impacts of intersectional experiences with anticipated (InDI-A), day-to-day (InDI-D), and major (InDI-M) discrimination. Methods: The following steps were taken: (1) independent translations; (2) synthesis of translations; (3) evaluation by an expert committee; (4) analysis by members of the target population; (5) back translation; and (6) pre-test. Based on the evaluation by the expert committee, the content validity coefficient (CVC) was calculated for each item and for the entire instrument. CVC helped identify which items needed adjustments according to the criteria of language clarity, theoretical relevance, and practical relevance. Results: Of the 31 items, 24 were considered adequate and seven required further language adjustments. CVC values were satisfactory for clarity (CVCt=0.86), practical relevance (CVCt=0.87), and theoretical pertinence (CVCt=0.87); a good level of understanding was reported by the target population (mean=4.44; standard deviation=1.36). The average response time was 15.5 minutes, and no additional difficulties in interpreting the items were reported. The back-translated InDI was approved by the original authors of the instrument. Conclusion: The initial stages of the cross-cultural adaptation process showed that the use of InDI looks promising in Brazil. Further studies still need to examine the psychometric properties of the instrument to confirm the positive results of our work, as well as its usefulness for assessing the health impacts of intersectional experiences with discrimination.

ABSTRACT: Objective: To assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mortality in Argentina, considering temporal trends in life expectancy at birth and premature mortality rate during 2010-2020. Methods: Based on demographic projections, this ecological time-series study compares a “normal” versus a “COVID-19” mortality scenario for 2020 over a set of 11 Argentine provinces. Annual life expectancy at birth and age-standardized rates of premature mortality were estimated from 2010 to 2020. Joinpoint regression and multilevel models were used. Results: A potential reduction in life expectancy at birth (a gap between scenarios >1 year) was observed. A significant (negative) point of inflection in temporal trends was identified for the country and most of the provinces, under the COVID-19 mortality scenario. However, our findings reveal disparities between provinces in the estimated life expectancy reduction toward 2020 (values range from -0.63 to -1.85 year in females and up to -2.55 years in males). While men showed more accentuated declines in life expectancy at birth in 2020 (a national gap between scenarios of -1.47 year in men vs. -1.35 year in women), women experienced more unfavorable temporal trends of premature mortality. In the absence of COVID-19, an improvement in both indicators was estimated toward 2020 in both sexes, while a return to levels reported in the past was observed under the COVID-19 scenario. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic might seriously affect the trends of mortality and exacerbate health disadvantages in Argentina. A temporal and contextual perspective of health inequities merits special attention in the COVID-19 research.

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Copyright of Revista Ciência & Saúde Coletiva is the property of Associacao Brasileira de Pos-Graduacao em Saude Coletiva and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This study compared indicators of care and access to health services by adults who self-reported hypertension in 2013 and 2019, analyzing those indicators according to gender, age group, schooling level, and race/color. This is an analytic study with data from the Brazilian National Health Survey (PNS), conducted in 2013 and 2019 in Brazil. The indicators to care and access to health services by individuals with arterial hypertension in both surveys were compared. For 2019, those indicators were analyzed according to sociodemographic characteristics. This study estimated the proportions, prevalence ratio (PR), and their respective 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). In total, 60,202 individuals were evaluated in 2013 and 88,531 in 2019, of these 24.4% reported arterial hypertension in 2013 and 23.9% in 2019. Women received more medical care for hypertension within the last year (PR = 1.07; 95%CI: 1.04; 1.11), had the last physician appointment at an basic health unit (PR = 1.11; 95%CI: 1.05; 1.17) than men. About race/color, black people had more hospitalization for hypertension or some complication (PR = 1.2; 95%CI: 1.05; 1.38) and intense or very intense degree of limitation in performing daily activities (PR = 1.37; 95%CI: 1.06; 1.76). In 2019, inequalities were evidenced and worse indicators were observed for males, black, with low education and young age. Therefore, investments in the Brazilian Unified National Health System, as well as public policies and strategic actions are essential to reduce inequalities, promote health care.

Copyright of Movimento (0104754X) is the property of Movimento, da Escola de Educacao, Fisica, Fisioterapia e Danca and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objective. To assess the association between intersectional disadvantage and clinically significant depressive symptoms (CSDS), describing the magnitude of social inequalities in the prevalence of symptoms among adult women in Tijuana, Mexico. Methods. This was a cross-sectional study. CSDS were assessed using the Centers for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale among a probability sample of 2 345 women from 18 – 65 years of age in 2014. CSDS prevalence was calculated according to categories of three social stratifiers: socioeconomic status (SES), educational attainment, and fertility (number of children). Social inequality was measured with the slope index of inequality (SII) and the concentration index (CIx). Intersectionality among stratifiers was explored descriptively and with multivariable regression analysis. Results. CSDS prevalence was 17.7% (95%CI: 15.1% – 21.0%). The SII and CIx showed inequity in all social stratifiers. The absolute difference in CSDS prevalence between the lowest and highest ends of the SES gradient was 21.9% (95%CI: 21.5% – 22.4%). Among the most disadvantaged women, i.e., those at the intersection of lowest SES, lowest educational attainment, and highest fertility, the CSDS prevalence was 39.5% (95% CI: 26.0% – 52.9%). Conclusions. Disadvantage along multiple axes was associated with CSDS. Efforts to improve the mental health of women should include equity-oriented policies that address its social determinants.

ABSTRACT OBJETIVE: To present some factors related to the mortality rates of WLHIV in the city of Porto Alegre-RS. METHODS: This is a spatial and spatio-temporal analysis of ecological data about all women monitored by the health care services for the vertical transmission (VT) of HIV, between 2007 and 2017, residing in the city that died during the period. The units of analysis were the 17 sanitary districts of the city. The dependent variable was the mortality rate. The independent territorial variables were the indicators of vulnerability to poverty, women householder proportion, lack of infrastructure, HDI, and GINI index. Still, the individual data collected were: age, race/color, level of education, and period since the HIV diagnosis. The analyses used SPSS 20.0, and QGIS 218.15. RESULTS: Regions with higher vulnerability to poverty and precarious local infrastructure registered higher WLHIV mortality rates, especially black/”pardo” women in fertile age with low education. The regions with most women householders presented a risk of mortality seven times higher. The population with vulnerability to poverty presented the same result. CONCLUSIONS: Regions with critical indicators of vulnerability presented higher mortality rates of WLHIV, which demonstrates social inequalities’ impact for these women.

Objective: to understand nurses' perception about their role in reducing health inequalities in community contexts., Method: a qualitative study with a phenomenological approach addressed from Heidegger's Interpretive Theory and the health inequality settings. A total of 18 in-depth interviews were conducted with nurses working in health institutions devoted to community interventions. The following five-phase process was adopted for the qualitative data analysis: Accumulation; Disassembling; Reassembling; Interpretation; and Conclusion., Results: four main topics that nurses mobilize to mitigate health inequalities in community settings were identified, namely: Competences to create, operationalize, monitor and assess health policies; Leadership and management for health and care processes at the individual and collective levels; Professionals that devise care strategies; and Care approach based on characteristics of the territory., Conclusion: nurses perceive that their role contributes significantly to reducing health inequalities in community settings based on the creation, operationalization, monitoring and assessment of health policies. From the sociocultural, economic and political characteristics of the territory, they prioritize actions in disadvantaged human groups in order to improve access, opportunities, continuity and quality in health.

The objective of this study was to identify indicators of social inequalities associated with mortality from neoplasms in the Brazilian adult population. A scoping review method was used, establishing the guiding question: What is the effect of social inequalities on mortality from neoplasms in the Brazilian adult population? A total of 567 papers were identified, 22 of which were considered eligible. A variety of indicators were identified, such as the Human Development Index and the Gini Index, which primarily assessed differences in income, schooling, human development and vulnerability. A single pattern of association between the indicators and the different neoplasms was not established, nor was a single indicator capable of explaining the effect of social inequality at all levels of territorial area and by deaths from all types of neoplasms identified. It is known that mortality is influenced by social inequalities and that the study of indicators provides an opportunity to define which best explains deaths. This review highlights important gaps regarding the use of non-modifiable social indicators, analysis of small geographical areas, and limited use of multidimensional indicators.

Latin America is one of the most unequal regions in the world. Due to colonization and occupation of the territory, structural inequalities mark people's living and health conditions. In health, we can observe how different dimensions of inequalities condition access and user experience in the service. This scoping review aimed to map and analyze the expressions of inequalities in access to health services in Latin American countries from the scientific production of the last ten years, from which 272 articles were selected. The categorical analysis classified articles into five dimensions, which characterize the expressions of inequalities in access to health services: socioeconomic, geospatial, ethnic/racial, gender, and people with disabilities. The most frequent access barriers were socioeconomic or ability to pay, geographic or transportation difficulty, availability of services, cultural/ethnic, communication, and architecture. The main conditioning factors of health inequalities were income, schooling, transportation, and living conditions. Combating health inequalities requires proposing structuring and sectorial policies.

Self-rated health is an indicator that can be easily identified in health surveys, widely used to measure physical, social, mental, and health aspects of the population, and predict premature mortality. In Venezuela, this information only began to be collected recently, in the National Survey of Living Conditions (ENCOVI). In this context, our study aims to analyze the demographic and socioeconomic factors associated with non-positive self-rated health among Venezuelan adults. The ENCOVI 2021 (n = 16,803) was used as a data source, assessing a probability stratified sample with questions about health, education, emigration, and other social and economic aspects. Crude and adjusted prevalence ratio analyses were performed using Poisson regression models with robust variance. The prevalence of fair/bad self-rated health among Venezuelans was 17.8%. The results indicated a strong association between outcome prevalence and age group, 3.81 times higher (95%CI: 3.29-4.41) among individuals aged 60 or more when compared to individuals aged 18 to 29 years. Also, participants experiencing severe food insecurity had a prevalence 2 times higher (95%CI: 1.61-2.47) than those who did not have any level of food insecurity. Factors such as poverty, education, recent emigration of family members, and sex also showed a significant influence, also when analyzed independently. The results show that special attention should be dedicated to the health of individuals facing hunger and of the older people.

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Background: In Brazil, the indigenous population presents the highest socioeconomic and epidemiological vulnerabilities. In 2010, 46.8% of the urban indigenous population lived in the Legal Amazon socio-geographic division. Objective: To analyze the basic sanitation infrastructure of urban dwellings inside and outside the Legal Amazon with a focus on indigenous people. Method: Descriptive study on the basic sanitation conditions of households whose heads were indigenous and non-indigenous individuals according to the 2010 Brazilian Census. Frequencies were calculated for water supply, sanitary sewage, and waste destination according to location in the Legal Amazon. Prevalence ratios were calculated to compare the groups. Results: In 2010, there were 114,600 urban indigenous domiciles in Brazil, and 17.4% of them were located in the Legal Amazon. Six out of 10 urban indigenous domiciles did not have adequate sewage treatment. Indigenous domiciles had higher chances of having precarious basic sanitation. In the Legal Amazon, indigenous domiciles presented a 2-fold chance of not having adequate sanitation facilities compared with that of other domiciles. Conclusion: Even in situations where the population groups are more expressive, indigenous people present important inequalities in relation to the rest of the population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Ciência & Saúde Coletiva is the property of Associacao Brasileira de Pos-Graduacao em Saude Coletiva and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

ABSTRACT: Objective: To investigate differences in sexual, reproductive health and health status indicators of female sex workers in 12 Brazilian cities. Methods: Cross-sectional study of biological and behavioral surveillance survey with a minimum sample of 350 female sex workers per city, recruited by respondent driven sampling, in 2016. Complex sample design was considered in the data analysis. Indicators and 95% confidence intervals related to sexual and reproductive health, and health status were described separately by city and for the total sample. Results: The total sample consisted of 4,328 female sex workers. The coverage of Pap smear exam, human immunodeficiency virus and syphilis tests and antenatal care indicators varied by 20 percentages points or more. Pap smear exam coverage ranged from 53.4% in Recife to 73.0% in Porto Alegre. The highest percentage of female sex workers who had never been tested for human immunodeficiency virus and syphilis was in Fortaleza (36.8 and 63.8%, respectively). Antenatal coverage ranged from 61.1% in Salvador to 99.0% in Curitiba. In five cities, the proportion of female sex workers who disclosed their sex work status in health services was over 20.0%. Conclusion: The differences between the indicators in the 12 cities followed the Brazilian population profile, with more vulnerable sex workers in the North and Northeast regions. The results show that it is essential to consider the barriers to accessing health, such as stigma and discrimination, which restrict the addressing of female sex workers specific needs.

ABSTRACT: Objective: To evaluate the effect of the distance between the place of residence and the specialized treatment service on the survival time of people living with HIV/Aids in Alagoas, Northeast Brazil. Methods: Data from the notification and mortality systems related to individuals aged 13 years or older diagnosed with the infection between 2007 and 2013 were used. The cases were observed for a period of follow-up until December 2017. For the analyses, the Pearson's χ2 test, Kaplan-Meier method, and Cox regression were adopted according to the outcome of the case, place of residence, distance to the health unit, population size of the municipality of residence, sex, skin color/ethnicity, and age. Results: Of the 2,732 analyzed cases, 760 individuals died of Aids-related causes. The average estimate of survival time for individuals residing in the capital was 98.6 months (95%CI 96.1–101). Among residents of inland cities, the estimate was 92.7 months (95%CI 89.3–96.1). There was a significant difference in curves throughout the period. The group residing in inland municipalities and those traveling a distance of >70 km had a higher average relative risk of death (RR=1.21, 95%CI 1.05–1.4 and RR=1.18, 95%CI 1.01–1.39, respectively). Conclusion: Living in or near the capital decreases the average relative risk of death. In order to increase the survival time of HIV/Aids patients in Alagoas, it is suggested to decentralize specialized health care, that is, to create regional centers to care for these people.

Copyright of Revista Bioetica is the property of Conselho Federal de Medicina and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The scope of this study was to estimate the prevalence of excess weight and a sedentary lifestyle among Brazilian students between 13 and 17 years of age and investigate the magnitude of the socioeconomic inequalities related to these outcomes. A cross-sectional study was carried out based on data from the National School Health Survey (PeNSE) conducted in 2015. Inequalities were evaluated using the Absolute and Relative Index of Inequality. The prevalence of excess weight in Brazil was 24.2%, ranging from 20.7% in the Northeast Region to 27.8% in the Southern Region. The prevalence of a sedentary lifestyle in Brazil was 67.8%, ranging from 61.8 % in the North Region to 70.3% in the Southeast Region. The direct and positive association between better socioeconomic conditions and the prevalence of excess weight and a sedentary lifestyle indicate health inequities in Brazil. The results of this study point to the need to restructure and reinforce public policies directed at adolescents, which should have as guidelines the promotion of a healthy lifestyle and the reduction of health inequities. O objetivo deste estudo foi estimar a prevalência de excesso de peso e sedentarismo em escolares brasileiros na faixa etária de 13 a 17 anos, e investigar a magnitude das desigualdades socioeconômicas relacionadas a esses desfechos. Realizou-se um estudo transversal com base nos dados da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar (PeNSE) do ano 2015. As desigualdades foram avaliadas por meio dos Índices Absoluto e Relativo de Desigualdade. A prevalência de excesso de peso no Brasil foi 24,2%, variou de 20,7% na região Nordeste a 27,8% na região Sul. Já a prevalência de sedentarismo no Brasil foi 67,8%, variou de 61,8% na região Norte a 70,3% na região Sudeste. A associação direta e positiva entre melhores condições socioeconômicas e as prevalências de excesso de peso e sedentarismo indicam iniquidades em saúde existentes no Brasil. Os resultados do presente estudo apontam a necessidade de reestruturação e fortalecimento das políticas públicas voltadas aos adolescentes, que devem ter como diretrizes a promoção de estilos de vida saudáveis e a redução das iniquidades em saúde. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: to describe the trend of mortality from general cancer and more frequent types among men and women living in the Capitals and other municipalities of the five macro-regions of Brazil between 1978 and 2017. METHODS: Time series study with mortality data corrected by redistribution of ill-defined causes. Proportional cancer mortality was calculated for Brazil and regions. The annual percentage change in rates for total cancer and specific types in each segment and in the selected unit of analysis was calculated by generalized linear regression with Gaussian binding. RESULTS: the proportion of cancer increased progressively for both sexes from 1978 to 2017. Important differences between the Capitals and the interior of the macro-regions were seen with disaggregated data. The greatest declines occurred for stomach cancer, except in the northern and interior regions of the Northeast, and for the cervix cancer, with a generalized fall, with the exception of the interior of the northern region. Lung cancer decreased among men in the Southeast and South regions and had a generalized increase among women. Breast and prostate cancers tended to decrease in the Southeast and South regions and among residents of the Capitals but showing an increase in the interior of the North and Northeast regions. Colorectal cancer had a general tendency to increase; with stability among men in the Capitals of the South region and among women of the Southeast and Midwest regions and, since 2007, a decrease among women in the South region. CONCLUSIONS: Cancer mortality showed great variation among residents of capitals and the interior of the country's major regions. Clear decrease in mortality was seen for the main types in the Southeast and South regions. The North and Northeast regions have patterns compatible with cancers associated with poverty, while the large increase of the cancers related to sedentary lifestyle stand out.

ABSTRACT Objective: To investigate the prevalence of mammography screening and the association among socio-demographic, behavior factors and non-adherence to mammography screening among women between 50 and 69 years old, using data from Vigitel 2016. Method: Cross-sectional, population-based study with data from Vigitel including 12,740 women in the 50-69 age group. The variables were analyzed using logistic regression. Results: Among the women studied, 21.8% had not had a mammography in the past 2 years. The characteristics associated with non-adherence to the test were having less than 12 years of education (p

Objective: To compare the quality of life of patients undergoing hemodialysis, who lived in the city where they underwent treatment with those who lived in other municipalities in the state of Sergipe. Methods: This is a cross-sectional, descriptive and comparative study, carried out in a dialysis clinic in Sergipe. The sample consisted of 170 adult patients undergoing hemodialysis with cognitive conditions to respond to the form. The quality of life outcome was measured using the Brazilian version of Kidney Disease and Quality-Of-Life Short-Form (KDQOL-SF). Sociodemographic and service access data were considered dependent variables for comparison between groups. Results: Regardless of the origin and sociodemographic characteristics of the participants, low scores for quality of life were found in all components of the assessment, especially means below 50. On the other hand, it was noticed that patients from the countryside had higher quality scores of life. Conclusion: Male patients, with an average age of 40 years, with higher education and coming from the interior had better scores for quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Movimento (0104754X) is the property of Movimento, da Escola de Educacao, Fisica, Fisioterapia e Danca and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To analyze the shortage of benzathine penicillin G (BPG), characterizing its temporal evolution and spatial distribution in the city of Rio de Janeiro from 2013 to 2017. METHODS This ecological study used gestational and congenital syphilis notifications, BPG distribution records, and sociodemographic data from the population of Rio de Janeiro. To quantify the shortage, a BPG supply indicator was estimated per quarter for each neighborhood between 2013 and 2017. Thematic maps were created to identify areas and periods with greater BPG shortage, described according to sociodemographic factors, health services network, and epidemiological features in the incidence of syphilis. RESULTS BPG shortage in Rio de Janeiro from 2013 to 2017 was not homogeneous in space nor in time. The temporal evolution and spatial distribution of BPG scarcity shows that the shortage affected the inhabitants of the municipality in different ways. Shortage was lower in 2013 and 2016 and more severe in 2014, 2015, and 2017, particularly in neighborhoods within the programmatic areas PA3 and PA5, poorer and with higher prevalence rates of gestational and congenital syphilis. CONCLUSIONS Analyzing BPG shortage and its temporal evolution and spatial distribution in Rio de Janeiro allowed us to realize that the inhabitants are affected in different ways. Understanding this process contributes to the planning of actions to face shortage crises, minimizing possible impacts on the management of syphilis and reducing inequality in access to treatment.

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To monitor the number of oral health teams implemented in the Family Health Strategy after National Primary Care Policy 2017. METHODS This is a study of quantitative, descriptive and analytical nature that used the data from the public reports of the history of oral health coverage available in the e-Manager platform of Primary Care of the Ministry of Health of all Brazilian municipalities (5,570). The survival rate of the municipalities that did not reduce the number of oral health teams was analyzed according to the region of the country, human development index, Gini inequality index and population size. Cox regression was used to analyze the factors associated with the decrease in the number of teams implanted after 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18 and 21 months of publication of the 2017 national policy ordinance, considering the hazard ratio (HR) and p < 0.05. RESULTS After 21 months of publication of the policy, 6.7% of Brazilian municipalities reduced the number of oral health teams. This reduction was higher in the South (6.7%) and Northeast (4.8%), in municipalities with the highest human development index, i.e., greater than or equal to 0.7 (5.6%), more unequal in terms of income distribution (Gini index > 0.62) and larger population size (more than 100,000 inhabitants). Municipalities in the Northeast (HR = 1.220) and South (HR = 1.771) regions had a higher chance of reducing the number of teams compared with those in the North region. More unequal municipalities (HR = 6.405) and with larger population size (HR = 4.273) were also more likely to reduce the coverage of oral health teams. CONCLUSION The municipalities that reduced the number of oral health teams in the Family Health Strategy are from the South and Northeast regions, with greater social inequality and larger population size. This scenario can significantly affect the population’s access to dental health services in the Unified Health System, especially among those in need.

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To evaluate the prevalence of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B infection among women deprived of liberty in the state of Roraima, Brazil, and its correlation with perceptions, knowledge and behavioral factors. METHOD This is a cross-sectional study, with simple systematic sampling, conducted at the Public Female Prison in Boa Vista, State of Roraima, in 2017. A total of 168 inmates (93.8% of the population) were evaluated by in-person interviews and rapid tests. RESULTS The prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STI) was 20.2%, being 4.7% HIV, 15.5% syphilis, and 0.0% hepatitis B. Multivariate analysis confirmed as risk factors for acquiring an STI: being over 30 years of age [adjusted odds ratio (OR): 2.57; 95%CI 1.03–6.40); low schooling (adjusted OR: 2.77; 95%CI 1.08–5.05); little knowledge about condom use (adjusted OR: 2.37; 95%CI 1.01–7.31); and believing that there is no risk of contracting syphilis (adjusted OR: 2.36; 95%CI 1.08–6.50). CONCLUSION The population deprived of liberty is a group of highly vulnerable to STI. The high prevalence of these infections can be explained by knowledge deficits on the subject, distorted perceptions and conditions peculiar to imprisonment, which result in risky behavior. We emphasize the need to implement educational programs for preventing, diagnosing and treating STI for this population.

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: To analyze the nutritional situation of children under five years old from both urban and rural areas of Colombia. METHOD: Analytical study, based on cross-sectional data, collected from ENSIN-2015. The sample consisted of 12,256 children aged between 0 and 4 years old. We calculated the prevalence ratios (PR) with their respective 95% confidence interval (95%CI). PR were assessed by binomial regression models with malnutrition or overweight as the dependent variable and geographic area as the explanatory variable. We used context variables to adjust the estimated PR and control the confounder within. RESULTS: Acute malnutrition (weight-for-height) had a prevalence of 1.6%, while overweight had a 5.6% rate. No differences per geographic zone in the weight-for-height indicator were found. Stunted growth – chronic malnutrition – was higher in the rural area (PR = 1.2; 95%CI 1–1.53; p = 0.050). Prevalences adjusted by variables related to structural, social and economic developement showed that both the household chief's educational level and the food insecurity of the area account for malnutrition. CONCLUSION: The height-for-age indicator works better to establish development level. Measures against coverage, relevance and quality of education and access to food can harm the nutritional status of the children.

The aim of this study was to analyze inequalities in depressive symptoms between natives and immigrant groups according to their length of residence in Europe, and to test the mediating role of social exclusion in explaining these differences. The study is based on cross-sectional data from the 7th round of the 2014 European Social Survey (sample of 1,792 immigrants and 22,557 native-born Europeans). Dependent variables: self-reported depressive symptoms. Independent variables: immigrant background and social exclusion factors that were classified into four groups. Socially excluded individuals were those less advantaged in each factor. All analyses were stratified by the length of residence. The independent and overall associations between Social Exclusion and health outcomes were examined using binary logistic regression models (OR; IC95%). Immigrants had a higher prevalence of self-reported depressive symptoms than natives; those residing in Europe for 1-10 years and > 20 years had the highest prevalence. Multidimensional social exclusion factors analyzed together completely explained these differences for immigrants residing in Europe for 1-10 years and partially for immigrants residing for > 20 years. The economic factors also explained these differences completely for 1-10 years and partially for immigrants residing for > 20 years. Policies should offer migrants the possibility to settle in good social and economic condition, promote efforts to eliminate social exclusion and prevent the associated health inequalities.

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To verify the prevalence and factors associated with regular use of dental services in university students of the Universidade Federal de Pelotas (UFPel). METHODS This cross-sectional study interviewed 1,865 students aged 18 years or older, starting bachelor’s degrees in 2017, enrolled in the second academic semester of 2017 and in the first of 2018 in classroom courses at UFPel. We considered regular users those who reported regularly going to the dentist with or without perceived dental problems. To test factors associated with regular use of dental services, demographic, socioeconomic and oral health variables were collected. Statistical analyses were based on Poisson regression models. RESULTS The prevalence of regular use of dental services was 45.0% (95%CI 42.7–47.3). University students of high economic class (PR = 1.47; 95%CI 0.91–2.36), with last private dental appointment (PR = 1.29; 95%CI 1.03–1.61), positive self-perception of oral health (PR = 2.33; 95%CI 1.79–3.03) and no report of toothache in the last six months (PR = 1.22; 95%CI 1.03–1.45) showed higher prevalence of regular use of dental services. CONCLUSION The results point to inequalities in the regular use of dental services related to socioeconomic factors and a lower use among university students with worse oral health conditions. These results suggest that public health prevention and promotion policies in higher education institutions must be carried out to ensure quality of life among these young adults.

ABSTRACT Objectives: to analyze the association of socioeconomic level and obstetric characteristics with vaccine registration of pregnant women. Methods: cross-sectional study, performed with 480 women in puerperal. Vaccination of pregnant women was considered a dependent variable and as independent variables were age, skin color, education, steady union, paid work, and number of prenatal consultations. Association between variables was verified by the Poisson’s regression model. Results: from 480 pregnant women’s health cards, 10.63% had information on hepatitis B vaccination; 31.46% for tetanus; and 90% of the health cards had not register for influenza. There was an association of paid work and number of prenatal consultations with hepatitis B vaccination. Conclusions: lower percentages in absence of vaccination occurred in women who were in the job market and had a higher number of prenatal consultations. This suggests that socioeconomic inequalities may interfere with the vaccination of pregnant women in health services.

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To estimate maternal mortality ratio according to occupation in Brazil. METHODS This is a mortality study conducted with national data from the Mortality Information System (SIM) and the Live Birth Information System (SINASC) in 2015. Maternal mortality ratios were estimated according to the occupation recorded in death certificates, using the Brazilian Classification of Occupation (CBO), version 2002. RESULTS A total of 1,738 maternal deaths records were found, corresponding to a maternal mortality ratio of 57.6/100,000 live births. It varied among occupational groups, with higher estimates among service and agricultural workers, particularly for domestic workers (123.2/100,000 live births), followed by general agricultural workers (88.3/100,000 live births). Manicurists and nursing technicians also presented high maternal mortality ratio. Maternal occupation was not reported in 17.0% of SIM registers and in 13.2% of SINASC data. Inconsistent records of occupation were found.“Housewife” prevailed in SIM (35.5%) and SINASC (39.1%). CONCLUSIONS Maternal mortality ratio differs by occupation, suggesting a work contribution, which requires further research focusing occupational risk factors. Socioeconomic factors are closely related to occupation, and their combination with work exposures and the poor access to health services need to be also addressed.

Abstract Objective: To understand the social determinants of health from the perspective of the work of community health agents. Method: A qualitative study conducted in a Health District Management in the city of Porto Alegre/Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, through focus groups and semi-structured interviews with community health agents. The analysis took place through thematic categorization, and the social determinants of health were adopted as the analytical category. Results: Twenty-five (25) community health agent workers participated. Overlapping individual and collective themes emerged, from violence and drug trafficking to lack of sanitation, improperly disposed garbage, illiteracy and the health problems themselves. Conclusion: The study revealed a complex relationship between the work of community health agents and the social determinants of health, reinforcing the need for a cohesive health team with intersectoral initiatives to address the different demands of the territories which are worked and lived in.

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To compare the access to and effective use of health services available among international migrants and Chileans. METHODS Secondary analysis of the National Socioeconomic Characterization Survey (CASEN – Caracterización Socioeconómica Nacional ), version 2017. Indicators of access to the health system (having health insurance) and effective use of health services (perceived need, appointment or coverage, barriers and need satisfaction) were described in immigrants and local population, self-reported. Gaps by immigrant status were estimated using logistic regressions, with complex samples. RESULTS Immigrants were 7.5 times more likely to have no health insurance than local residents. Immigrants presented less perceived need than local residents, together with a greater lack of appointments (OR: 1.7 95%CI: 1.2–2.5), coverage (OR: 2.7 95%CI: 2.0–3.7) and unsatisfied need. The difference between immigrants and locals was not statistically significant in barriers to health care access (α = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS Disadvantages persist regarding the access to and use of health services by immigrants as opposed to Chileans compared with information from previous years. It is necessary to reduce the gaps between immigrants and people born in Chile, especially in terms of health system access. This is the first barrier to effective use of services. The generation of concrete strategies and health policies that consider an approach of social participation of the immigrant community is suggested to bring the health system closer to this population.

ABSTRACT: Objectives: To estimate the magnitude of gender differences in disability among adults aged 60 and older and to evaluate whether they can be associated with social gender inequality and socioeconomic contextual factors at the level of Brazilian federative units. Methods: This is a multilevel study that used data from 23,575 older adults of 27 federative units who participated in the 2013 Brazilian Health Survey. The activity limitation index was developed from the item response theory, using activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living variables. The association of individual and contextual variables with disability was estimated by assessing the magnitude of differences between genders, using cross-level interaction effects in multilevel generalized linear models, including only the variables that were statistically significant in the final model. Results: The prevalence of disability was higher among women (37.6%) than among men (26.5%), totaling 32.7% of the older adults. In the adjusted multilevel analysis, disability was influenced by income inequality (γgini = 0.022, p < 0.001) among federative units. In addition, gender differences in disability were associated with social gender inequalities (γmgiiXsex = 0.020, p = 0.004). Conclusion: Women had higher disability disadvantages compared to men, and those differences were associated with social gender inequalities among the Brazilian federative units influenced by income inequality.