COVID-19 Pandemic In Brazil Research Articles

A nationwide survey on health resources and clinical practices during the early COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil.

To evaluate clinical practices and hospital resource organization during the early COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. This was a multicenter, cross-sectional survey. An electronic questionnaire was provided to emergency department and intensive care unit physicians attending COVID-19 patients. The survey comprised four domains: characteristics of the participants, clinical practices, COVID-19 treatment protocols and hospital resource organization. Between May and June 2020, 284 participants [median (interquartile ranges) age 39 (33 - 47) years, 56.3% men] responded to the survey; 33% were intensivists, and 9% were emergency medicine specialists. Half of the respondents worked in public hospitals. Noninvasive ventilation (89% versus 73%; p = 0.001) and highflow nasal cannula (49% versus 32%; p = 0.005) were reported to be more commonly available in private hospitals than in public hospitals. Mechanical ventilation was more commonly used in public hospitals than private hospitals (70% versus 50%; p = 0,024). In the Emergency Departments, positive endexpiratory pressure was most commonly adjusted according to SpO2, while in the intensive care units, positive end-expiratory pressure was adjusted according to the best lung compliance. In the Emergency Departments, 25% of the respondents did not know how to set positive end-expiratory pressure. Compared to private hospitals, public hospitals had a lower availability of protocols for personal protection equipment during tracheal intubation (82% versus 94%; p = 0.005), managing mechanical ventilation [64% versus 75%; p = 0.006] and weaning patients from mechanical ventilation [34% versus 54%; p = 0.002]. Finally, patients spent less time in the emergency department before being transferred to the intensive care unit in private hospitals than in public hospitals [2 (1 - 3) versus 5 (2 - 24) hours; p < 0.001]. This survey revealed significant heterogeneity in the organization of hospital resources, clinical practices and treatments among physicians during the early COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil.

A nationwide survey on health resources and clinical practices during the early COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil

Objective:To evaluate clinical practices and hospital resource organization during the early COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil.Methods:This was a multicenter, cross-sectional survey. An electronic questionnaire was provided to emergency department and intensive care unit physicians attending COVID-19 patients. The survey comprised four domains: characteristics of the participants, clinical practices, COVID-19 treatment protocols and hospital resource organization.Results:Between May and June 2020, 284 participants [median (interquartile ranges) age 39 (33 - 47) years, 56.3% men] responded to the survey; 33% were intensivists, and 9% were emergency medicine specialists. Half of the respondents worked in public hospitals. Noninvasive ventilation (89% versus 73%; p = 0.001) and highflow nasal cannula (49% versus 32%; p = 0.005) were reported to be more commonly available in private hospitals than in public hospitals. Mechanical ventilation was more commonly used in public hospitals than private hospitals (70% versus 50%; p = 0,024). In the Emergency Departments, positive endexpiratory pressure was most commonly adjusted according to SpO2, while in the intensive care units, positive end-expiratory pressure was adjusted according to the best lung compliance. In the Emergency Departments, 25% of the respondents did not know how to set positive end-expiratory pressure. Compared to private hospitals, public hospitals had a lower availability of protocols for personal protection equipment during tracheal intubation (82% versus 94%; p = 0.005), managing mechanical ventilation [64% versus 75%; p = 0.006] and weaning patients from mechanical ventilation [34% versus 54%; p = 0.002]. Finally, patients spent less time in the emergency department before being transferred to the intensive care unit in private hospitals than in public hospitals [2 (1 - 3) versus 5 (2 - 24) hours; p < 0.001].Conclusion:This survey revealed significant heterogeneity in the organization of hospital resources, clinical practices and treatments among physicians during the early COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil.

Where did Brazilians get their diabetes drugs during the COVID-19 pandemic? DIABETESvid results

Access to diabetes medications is critical to disease control. However, social distancing in the COVID-19 pandemic may have limited the provision of medicines and supplies. Thus, the objective of this study was to analyze the sources of obtaining diabetes drugs in the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. The data came from the DIABETESvid survey, and this analysis considered a convenience sample of 1608 participants who responded to the questionnaire published on social media of scientific societies related to diabetes. This is a cross-sectional study, conducted in the form of a web survey, from September 1 to October 19, 2020. The outcome analyzed was the sources for obtaining diabetes drugs categorized in pharmacies of the "Sistema Único de Saúde", pharmacies of the “Aqui tem Farmácia Popular” program, as well as private pharmacies and drugstores and other sources. Most participants self-reported a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes mellitus (49.8%), used insulin (61.9%), and had a private health plan (68.7%). Private pharmacies and drugstores and other sources were the main places where medicines for diabetes were supplied (47.5%). Participants residing in the Midwest region of the country had a lower frequency of supply in pharmacies in the “Aqui tem Farmácia Popular” program (0.57; 95%CI 0.36-0.92). In the studied sample, there was a higher frequency of supply of diabetes drugs in private pharmacies and drugstores and other sources with a reduction in frequency in public pharmacies during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil.

Cercados, o documentário: entre fatos e mentiras, entre imprensa e discursos

Abstract In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil, the clash and resistance of the press to the attacks and aggression by the deniers was evident. The documentary Cercados, produced by Globoplay, object of analysis of this work, portrays the challenges behind the scenes of the news coverage in the first year of pandemic in Brazil. Supported by concepts of enunciation theory and television studies, this paper aims to reflect on the effects of meaning produced by the audiovisual text and its contribution to critical reflection about the disinformation scenario, as well as the relevance of journalism as an institution of the democratic system. The results indicate that the organization of the discourse, marked by the aesthetics of self-referentiality, allows the enunciatee to enter the universe of journalistic production and identify with the thematic roles played by journalists.

Forecasting electricity generation from renewable sources during a pandemic

Abstract Renewable sources are responsible for more than half of Brazilian electric generation, which basically correspond to hydropower, biomass and wind sources. This research aimed to verify if the Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) models present good performance in predicting electricity generation from biomass, hydropower and wind power for the first months of COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. The best forecasting models adjusted for biomass, hydropower and wind generation was the SARIMA, since this model was able to identify seasonal effects of climatic instability, such as periods of drought. Based on the seasonality of the largest generating sources, renewable generation needs to be offset by other sources, as non-renewable, and more efforts are needed to make Brazilian electric matrix more sustainable.

Teleconsultation at a public ophthalmic teaching hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic.

To analyze teleconsultation at a public ophthalmic teaching hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. Medical records of patients who requested ophthalmological teleconsultation between June 2020 and March 2021 were reviewed. The main outcomes included demographic data, eye disease symptoms, hypothesized diagnosis, and management. Moreover, the results of a satisfaction survey administered after the consultation were analyzed. Medical records of a total of 161 patients were reviewed. The mean age was 45.98 ± 17.57 (8-90) years, and most were women (113, 70.20%). Only 57 (35.60%) of the patients had made previous follow-up visits to the hospital. The most frequent reason for consultation was the need for a new eyeglass prescription (73, 45.34%), followed by dry eye symptoms (16, 9.93%) and pterygium (13, 8.07%). Other reasons were the monitoring of previously diagnosed eye diseases, such as glaucoma, retinopathies, strabismus, and keratoconus. Regarding the satisfaction survey, 151 (93.78%) patients answered the online questionnaire. Most reported that they were satisfied with the teleconsultation (94.03%) and would participate in a future teleconsultation (90.06%). Teleconsultation could be widely used to assist patients in public ophthalmology healthcare and teaching hospitals. Even though new eyeglass prescriptions are a frequent reason for ophthalmological appointments, patients tend to be satisfied with teleconsultation, as it also provides guidance.

COVID-19 incidence, severity, medication use, and vaccination among dentists: survey during the second wave in Brazil

Objective This cross-sectional study with dentists in Brazil assessed the COVID-19 incidence and severity, its vaccination status, and the level of confidence in vaccines in May 2021 (COVID-19 second wave). The medications used to prevent or treat COVID-19, including controversial substances (vitamin D, ivermectin, zinc, and chloroquine), were analyzed.Methodology Dentists were recruited by email and responded to a pretested questionnaire until May 31, 2021. Bivariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed (α=0.05). Prevalence ratios were calculated for the association between professional characteristics and two outcomes: SARS-CoV-2 infection and use of controversial substances.Results In total, 1,907 responses were received (return rate of 21.2%). One third of dentists reported intermediate levels of confidence in the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines, but 96% had received at least one vaccine dose, mainly CoronaVac. The effect of the pandemic on dental practice was classified as lower/much lower, in comparison with the first wave, by 46% of participants. Moreover, 27% of dentists had already tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 and about 50% had relatives or friends who had been hospitalized or died from COVID-19. At least one medication was used by 59% of participants and 43% used two or more substances. Vitamin D (41%), ivermectin (35%), and zinc (29%) were the most frequent substances. More experienced dentists (≥21 years of professional experience) were 42% more likely to use controversial substances than less experienced dentists. The prevalence of use of controversial substances was 30% higher among dentists with residency or advanced training, such as postgraduate degrees, in comparison with participants holding MSc or PhD degrees. Participants with low confidence in vaccines were 2.1 times more likely to use controversial substances than participants with a very high confidence.Conclusion The results of this study show the high severity of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil and raised questions about the use of scientific evidence by dentists in their decision to use controversial substances.

Challenges and Insights From Treating Psychotic Disorders During COVID-19 Pandemic in Brazil.

The COVID-19 pandemic mainly affected the most vulnerable individuals. Among those, patients with schizophrenia especially suffered from unexpected changes in their routines, barriers to treatment, and distress-related events. We conducted a narrative review using all available sources of information to describe the challenges faced by schizophrenia patients and their families in Brazil, including the strategies that have been adopted to tackle them. In addition, we analyzed public data on antipsychotic prescriptions and hospitalizations. It was found that digital prescriptions with extended expiration dates implemented during the pandemic in Brazil allowed patients to maintain their access to antipsychotics. Hospitalizations among patients with schizophrenia, schizotypal, and schizoaffective disorders decreased at the beginning of the pandemic. Nevertheless, in the following months, the admissions returned to a trend similar to the prepandemic period. The systematization of online resources will be one of the main legacies to mental health care, including schizophrenia. We believe one of the main limitations of the policies adopted was the decision to not prioritize COVID-19 vaccination in patients with severe psychiatric disorders, despite preliminary evidence of a higher risk of complications in this group. The coronavirus pandemic is still ongoing and a longer time will be required to have a better perspective of its effects, but we expect this record of challenges and insights about the lessons learned during the pandemic can help healthcare professionals to face similar situations in the future.

Factors associated with the reduction of dental care in Primary Health Care in Brazil after the emergence of COVID-19: a cross-sectional study, 2020.

To analyze factors associated with the reduction of dental care in Primary Health Care, during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. This was a cross-sectional study conducted with dentists in primary healthcare centers (PHCCs). The reduction of dental care was the outcome, and the exposure variables were sociodemographic data, availability of personal protective equipment (PPE) and measures adopted by PHCCs during the pandemic. Poisson regression was performed to determine the prevalence ratio and 95% confidence interval (95%CI). Of the total of 958 participants, 62.6% reported a reduction of over 50% in dental visits after the beginning of the pandemic. Adoption of biosafety protocols (PR = 1.04; 95%CI 1.01;1.07), availability of PPE recommended by new protocols (PR = 0.94; 95%CI 0.89;0.99) and adoption of tele-screening (PR = 0.90; 95%CI 0.85;0.96) were associated with the reduction. The availability of new types of PPE and implementation of tele-screening in PHCCs seem to have minimized the reduction of dental care after the beginning of the pandemic.

Differential impact on suicide mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil.

To compare suicide rates observed in Brazil after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic with the estimated rate based on suicide deaths between 2010 and 2020, and identify sociodemographic variables associated with this outcome. Ecological time-series study. Data were obtained from Brazilian Unified Health System Department of Information Technology (DATASUS), with the structural break of the data set in March 2020. The number of actual suicides observed and the number of expected suicides if there were no COVID-19 pandemic were analyzed through bayesian structural time series modeling. The overall incidence of suicides in Brazil remained stable after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic compared to what would be expected. However, there was a significant increase in suicide deaths among women (6.9%) and older adult (9.1%). Analysis by macro-regions of the country showed significant increases in suicide deaths in the Center-West (7.4%), Northeast (5.7%), and Southeast (10%). Stratified analyses revealed differences according to age, sex, education, and skin color. Despite stability in the overall number of suicides, this phenomenon occurs heterogeneously among different population groups and regions of Brazil. Rates have increased in populations with a history of poor access to health, which may have been more severely impacted by the pandemic.

Preterm Birth Rates and Caesarean Delivery Increased During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Brazil: Results from the National Database

Preterm Birth Rates and Caesarean Delivery Increased During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Brazil: Results from the National Database

Health Professionals and Perceptions in a Period of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Brazil

Health Professionals and Perceptions in a Period of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Brazil

Mask use during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil: results of the EPICOVID19-BR study

By March 3, 2022, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused more than 399 million infections and claimed the lives of more than five million people worldwide. To reduce infection rates, a series of prevention measures indicated by the World Health Organization (WHO) were adopted by countries, including the use of masks. This study aims to describe mask use in Brazil via data analysis from the EPICOVID19-BR, a population-based study conducted in 133 cities in the country in four phases between March and August 2020. The proportion of individuals who reported wearing a mask when they left their homes was 97.9% (95%CI: 97.8-98.0). The interviewer did not see interviewees' mask in 50% (95%CI: 49.9-51.1) of the cases at the time of the interview. However, between phase one and four of the survey, we observed a 4.4% decrease in the proportion of interviewees who failed to wear masks at the time of the interview. Mask non-visualization was more prominent in women, participants aged 10-19 and 20-29 years of indigenous, black, and brown skin color, and those with elementary and high school education and in the Central-West Region. The use of cloth masks showed a 91.4% predominance (95%CI: 91.2-1.5) with a 4.9% increase between phases 1 and 4. The results of the study bring important information to reinforce COVID-19 control policies in Brazil. The high percentage of people who failed to wear masks at the time of the interview suggests that it is still important to reinforce prevention and self-care, rather than relating mask wear to a mandatory measure.

Inequalities in the provision of hospital care in the Covid-19 pandemic in Brazil: an integrative review

RESUMO A pandemia da Covid-19 gera preocupações quanto à capacidade de resposta e resiliência dos sistemas de saúde. No Brasil, diversos estudos analisaram essa questão a partir da oferta de serviços e recursos de saúde para atender os casos de Sars-CoV-2. Este estudo objetivou compreender e analisar as desigualdades da oferta hospitalar do sistema de saúde brasileiro para atender os casos graves da Covid-19. Realizou-se revisão integrativa da literatura, no período de março a dezembro de 2020, funda- mentalmente na área da saúde coletiva, com foco na distribuição regional e na relação público-privada da oferta hospitalar. As bases utilizadas foram BVS e SciELO, além de fontes institucionais. No total, 42 estudos foram analisados a partir da categoria de espaço geográfico, visto pelas desigualdades socioes- paciais, e de sistema de proteção social em saúde, por meio das relações público-privadas. Apontam-se expressivas desigualdades nos arranjos público-privados e na distribuição regional da oferta dos recursos analisados nas mais diversas escalas espaciais. As desigualdades são significativas inclusive em regiões privilegiadas por recursos hospitalares. A segmentação e a interdependência na oferta entre os setores público e privado impõem sérias limitações para o enfrentamento da Covid-19 no Brasil e aprofundam as desigualdades em saúde do País.

Transfemicide and lesbocide in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil

Transfemicide and lesbocide in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil

Performance of Subnational Governments in the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Analysis of the Public and Private Health Services in Brazil

This article analyzes the differences between public and private health services regarding infrastructure and human resources at the state (subnational) and macro-regional levels in Brazil. The research collected monthly data on inpatient beds and the number of nurses, physiotherapists, and doctors from Brazilian states for 2020. Indicators were created following quarterly changes and comparing the actions of public and private healthcare entities. Variations were analyzed using temporal graphs based on means and standard deviation. The findings suggest: (1) exponential growth in health care infrastructure and human resources led by public sector investment in the second quarter, followed by a slowdown; (2) a more significant variation in the acceleration and deceleration of the public sector response in the North of Brazil and the states of Maranhão, Rio Grande do Norte, and the Federal District; (3) the public sector was the primary response mechanism to the pandemic considering the variations throughout the year. The study concludes that the government was the leading actor in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil in 2020, pointing out that responses were uneven in the states.

Landless Workers’ Movement and its contributions to food security during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil

Resumo A pandemia de covid-19 agravou a fome e a insegurança alimentar em todo o mundo, causando mobilização dos movimentos sociais para amenizar esse cenário. Este artigo objetiva caracterizar e analisar as ações e a contribuição do Movimento dos Trabalhadores Rurais Sem Terra para a promoção da Segurança Alimentar e Nutricional durante a pandemia no Brasil. A pesquisa documental foi a base para as informações do escopo do estudo. A coleta de dados foi realizada pela busca de documentos por meio de ferramentas de busca online. Os documentos encontrados foram verificados acerca de sua veracidade e examinados pela análise de conteúdo de Bardin. Dentre eles, a maioria são notícias. As ações realizadas foram de doações e vendas de alimentos e doações de sementes para plantio. Os alimentos doados advinham da produção orgânica e agroecológica do movimento. Tais ações ocorreram em diversas regiões do país e foram ao encontro da melhoria do acesso e disponibilidade de alimentos às populações vulnerabilizadas, o que promoveu o acesso a alimentos de qualidade e seguros. Isso demonstra que as ações realizadas pelo movimento contribuíram para o enfrentamento da fome durante a pandemia e destacam a importância dos movimentos do campo na promoção da Segurança Alimentar e Nutricional.

Self-care deficit among older men in the COVID-19 pandemic: implications for nursing.

to analyze self-care deficit among older men in the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil and to discuss the implications for nursing practice. web survey, multicentric, qualitative. A total of 120 older men participated, applying a form from April to June 2020 and April to August 2021. Reflective Thematic Analysis, interpreted by Orem's Self-Care Deficit Theory, was used. temporally, the self-care of older men was manifested in the self-care requirements - affective bonds, self-care for development - meditation and self-care with health deviations - remote consultations. Fully, partially compensatory, educational/support systems mobilized self-care. as care managers, nurses can strengthen the support network for older men by activating professionals from the multidisciplinary team, family members, caregivers and the community to promote self-care and correct health deviations in times of crisis.

Adoption of Non-Technological Health Innovations: The Case of Mask Use during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Brazil

Adoption of Non-Technological Health Innovations: The Case of Mask Use during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Brazil

Excess mortality according to group of causes in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil

RESUMO Objetivo: Estimar o excesso de mortalidade segundo causa de óbito no Brasil e estados em 2020. Métodos: O número de óbitos esperado foi estimado considerando análise de tendência linear com o número de mortes entre os anos de 2015 e 2019, para cada grupo de causas e cada unidade da federação. Calculamos as razões de mortalidade padronizadas, e os intervalos com 95% de confiança para cada SMR foram calculados assumindo uma distribuição Poisson. As análises foram realizadas no programa R, versão 4.1.3. Resultados: Observamos um excesso de 19% nos óbitos em 2020 (SMR=1,19; IC=1,18–1,20). O grupo de Doenças Infecciosas e Parasitárias obteve maior destaque entre as causas definidas (SMR=4,80; IC95% 4,78–4,82). As causas mal definidas apresentaram grande magnitude neste período (SMR=6,08; IC95% 6,06–6,10). Há, ainda, grupos que apresentaram número de óbitos abaixo do esperado: doenças do aparelho respiratório (10% abaixo do esperado) e causas externas (4% abaixo do esperado). Além da análise global para o país, identificamos grande heterogeneidade entre as unidades da federação. Os estados com maiores SMR estão concentrados na região norte, e os que possuem menores SMR estão concentrados nas regiões sul e sudeste. Conclusões: Há um excesso de mortalidade ocorrendo durante a pandemia de COVID-19. Este excesso é resultado não apenas da COVID-19 em si, mas da resposta social e da gestão do sistema de saúde em responder a uma miríade de causas que já possuíam um ritmo de tendência anterior a ela.