Potential Of Primary Health Care Research Articles

Trem das cores, estação Valença/RJ: itinerário pela saúde LGBTQIA+ no SUS e seus significados

ABSTRACT Even in the face of recent achievements, access to healthcare for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transvestite, Transsexual and Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, and other (LGBTQIA+) population. Therefore, this article’s objective is to shed light on aspects related to the health of these individuals based on their therapeutic itineraries and thereby contribute to the reorientation of care practices with a focus on the potential of Primary Health Care (PHC) as a health system device. This exploratory and descriptive study seeks to understand aspects of health and its meanings for the LGBTQIA+ population based on analyzing answers to a questionnaire and narratives obtained through semi-structured interviews. The analysis is in line with the findings of other authors with whom the study dialogued and highlighted primary care as fundamental equipment in the public network to guarantee the right to health for this population, considering the guiding principles of the SUS and the attributes of the primary care network.

Early childhood development practices in a remote Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services setting.

Supporting Early Childhood Development (ECD) is an Australian national priority. Aboriginal children in Western Australia's Kimberley region have much higher rates of developmental concerns at school entry than non-Aboriginal children. We aimed to describe ECD practices in the participating service; document follow-up of identified developmental concerns; and identify barriers and enablers to incorporating ECD practices into clinic activity. Mixed-method design incorporating clinical audit and staff interviews. An Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service (ACCHS) in the Kimberley region. A total of 176 children receiving primary health care through the participating ACCHS; interviews with five ACCHS staff members. Frequency of developmental enquiry by age and domain; follow-up of identified developmental concerns; and barriers and enablers to ECD practices. Developmental enquiry was documented for 114 of 176 eligible children (65%), including in 80% of ACCHS child health assessments. Standardised ECD assessments were less common. Staff were aware of the importance of developmental enquiry, however, barriers to increasing ECD practices included a lack of resources and structured staff education, time pressures and a lack of role clarity between the ACCHS and government community health clinic. This study provides insight into ECD practices in an ACCHS setting, highlighting the potential of primary health care to have an enhanced role in ECD if appropriate systems, training and tools are provided. A lack of role clarity across services, combined with poor communication between services, creates a potential risk for missed opportunities to support ECD.

Introducing The Lancet Global Health Commission on financing primary health care: putting people at the centre

Introducing The Lancet Global Health Commission on financing primary health care: putting people at the centre

O impacto da pandemia pela COVID-19 na saúde mental

Introdução: Em momentos como a pandemia causada pela COVID-19, há evidências de que a morbimortalidade relacionada à saúde mental tende a superar a relacionada diretamente à infecção, sendo resultado da própria pandemia e também das medidas de distanciamento social. Objetivo: Apresentar uma proposta para a atuação das equipes de Atenção Primária no enfrentamento ao adoecimento mental relacionado à pandemia. Métodos: Revisando os fatores de risco e estressores, e resgatando os atributos e potencialidades da atenção primária à saúde, foi escrito um ensaio científico apresentando propostas do papel da APS. Resultados e Discussão: Os principais fatores de risco para adoecimento mental identificados incluem: vulnerabilidade social, contrair a doença ou conviver com alguém infectado, existência de transtorno mental prévio, ser idoso e ser profissional de saúde. O isolamento físico e o excesso de informações nem sempre confiáveis somam estressores à crise. As especificidades do luto durante a pandemia também aumentam o risco de lutos complicados. No contexto brasileiro, há ainda a crise político-institucional aumentando a ansiedade e insegurança da população. Propõe-se que a Atenção Primária à Saúde, com suas características e atributos, deve: identificar as famílias com risco aumentado para adoecimento mental; articular intersetorialmente para que as demandas dos mais vulneráveis sejam atendidas; orientar a população sobre como minimizar os fatores geradores de ansiedade; apoiar as famílias para possibilitar o processo de luto. Conclusões: Este ensaio pretende qualificar a discussão sobre o papel da APS na saúde mental da população e, portanto, subsidiar ações que potencializem o cuidado prestado pelas equipes durante a pandemia de COVID-19.

Socioeconomic and demographic determinants in the provision of assistance to elderly people with a fractured femur.

Femur fracture affects the elderly with high morbidity and mortality. The purpose of the present study was to analyze the profile of the assistance given to the elderly who have femoral fractures, relating to their socioeconomic and demographic conditions, in the state of Paraná between the years 2008 to 2013. These relationships were obtained through factor analysis and the development and analysis of the following rates: PAE - the potential of primary health care to the elderly, whose variable was represented by the contribution of the elderly to the municipal GDP, PAP - the potential of the primary health care to the population, represented by GDP per capita and TE - treatment efficiency represented by the annual rate of fractures and annual rate of death per residence. The municipalities were classified according to the rate variation range. In relation to PAE, 10 municipalities were classified with low potential of care for the elderly, 357 with moderate potential and 32 had low potential. In relation to PAE, 12 municipalities were classified with low potential of primary care for the elderly, 303 with moderate potential and 84 had low potential. In relation to TE, 109 municipalities showed high treatment efficiency, 110 with moderate efficiency and 180 had low efficiency. Our conclusion was that the performance of the economy exerts significant influence on femoral fracture morbidity in the elderly.

Accelerating reforms of primary health care towards universal health coverage in Sri Lanka.

Since the late 1920s, the Sri Lankan health system has been based on a firm foundation of primary health care, and it has been recognized internationally as a highly successful low-cost model. However, rethinking the future health-care model has been essential, owing to the country having one of the fastest ageing populations in the world, coupled with a high premature mortality from noncommunicable diseases. To sustain past gains and meet new challenges, several models centred on an expanded primary health-care system have been trialled and refined in the past decade. Primary health care was identified as a key priority in the National Health Strategic Master Plan 2016-2025, and in 2018 the Cabinet approved the Policy on healthcare delivery for universal health coverage. This policy introduces the "shared care cluster" system, whereby an apex specialist institution serves the local primary care referral institutions. The catchment population is divided into populations of approximately 5000, for which one family doctor is responsible. Strengthening and retaining human resources at these primary-level curative institutions will be essential, especially in rural locations. Also critical will be initiatives to orient the population's health-seeking behaviours. Sustained political commitment, an effective communication strategy, a tailored health workforce policy, performance monitoring and evaluation, coordination mechanisms, and changes in administrative and financial regulations are some of the future factors that will be critical to realizing the full potential of primary health care and accelerating universal health coverage in Sri Lanka.

Primary health care attributes assessment: children and adolescents living with HIV

Abstract Objectives: To evaluate the attributes derived from Primary Health Care (PHC) focusing on children and adolescents living with HIV, in the experience of health professionals, comparing traditional units (BHU) and Family Health Strategy (FHS). Method: Cross-sectional research in which 524 professionals from 25 cities of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil were interviewed. The Primary Care Assessment Tool Brazil was used from March through August 2014. Results: The PHC score attributed to FHS (7.8) was higher than that attributed to BHU (6.8). The higher scores contributed to the home visit, the professional qualification and the employment bond, the latter acting independently of the others. Conclusion: The satisfactory evaluation of the derived attributes approves the interaction with users and community and the potential of PHC to attend these children and adolescents, and the home visit qualifies the practice.

Aconselhamento sobre modos saudáveis de vida na Atenção Primária à Saúde

Introduction: Counseling is process guidance of health professionals that enables the construction of healthy lifestyles and health promotion. Aim: To check the performance of primary healthcare professionals on counseling healthy ways of living, according to the perception of users, and the factors associated with this practice. Method: A sectional study was conducted with users of the Basic Health Unit of Belo Horizonte, MG. Food consumption was assessed with the use of a food-frequency questionnaire. Sociodemographic data, morbidity, medication use, physical activity, and anthropometric measurements were collected, as were reported receipt of counseling about healthy ways of living (healthy eating and physical activity). Aspects associated with receiving counseling were identified by Poisson regression. Results and Discussion: There was an insufficient frequency of receiving counseling (40.8%), according to users (n=417). Individuals with hypertension (PR:1.30; 95%CI: 1.03; 1.66) or hypercholesterolemia (PR:1.62; 95%CI: 1.28; 2.05), presenting adequate intake of processed spices (PR:1.40; 95%CI: 1.11; 1.78) and participating in the Academia da Saude Program (PR:1.85; 95%CI: 1.45; 2.36) were more counseled. Conclusion: Counseling on healthy ways of living needs to be revised in order to promote equity and integrality of health care, given the role and the potential of primary health care.

Oral health technicians in Brazilian primary health care: potentials and constraints.

Different perspectives on the role of mid-level workers in health care might represent a constraint to health policies. This study aimed to investigate how different agents view the participation of oral health technicians in direct activities of oral healthcare with the goal of understanding the related symbolic dispositions. Theoretical assumptions related to inter-professional collaboration and conflicts in the field of healthcare were used for this analysis. A researcher conducted 24 in-depth interviews with general dental practitioners, oral health technicians and local managers. The concepts of Pierre Bourdieu supported the data interpretation. The results indicated inter-professional relations marked by collaboration and conflict that reflect an action space related to different perspectives of primary care delivery. They also unveiled the symbolic devices related to the participation of oral health technicians that represent a constraint to the implementation of oral health policy, thus reducing the potential of primary health care in Brazil.

Strengthening Primary Health Care in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Since the publication of the World Health Report 2008, there has been renewed interest in the potential of primary health care (PHC) to deliver global health policy agendas. The WHO Western Pacific Regional Strategy 2010 states that health systems in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) can be strengthened using PHC values as core principles. This review article explores the development of an evidence-based approach for assessing the effectiveness of PHC programs and interventions in LMICs. A realist review method was used to investigate whether there is any internationally consistent approach to evaluating PHC. Studies from LMICs using an explicit methodology or framework for measuring PHC effectiveness were collated. Databases of published articles were searched, and a review of gray literature was undertaken to identify relevant reports. The review found no consistent approach for assessing the effectiveness of PHC interventions in LMICs. An innovative approach used in China, which developed a set of core community health facility indicators based on stakeholder input, does show some potential for use in other LMIC contexts.