Objective: To describe the deaths of children with sickle cell disease (SCD) in Minas Gerais, Brazil, and followed up at the Fundação Hemominas. (March/1998 -February/2005). Deaths were identified by searching for children who did not attend scheduled consultations at hemocenters. Clinical and epidemiological data were abstracted from death certificates, the newborn screening database, individual medical records, and from interviews with families. Methods: Cohort of children diagnosed by the Neonatal Screening Program in Minas GeraisResults: During the period, 1,833,030 newborns were screened; 1,396 had SCD (1:1,300). There were 78 deaths: 63 with SS genotype, 12 with SC genotype, and three with Sß + thalassemia genotype. Fifty-six children (71.8%) died before 2 years of age; 59 died in hospitals and 18 at home or during transportation. Causes of death according to certificates (n = 78): infections, 38.5%; acute splenic sequestration, 16.6%; other causes, 9%; did not receive medical care, 15.4%; and not identified on certificates, 20.5%. According to interviews (n = 52), acute splenic sequestration was responsible for one third of deaths, in contrast with 14% recorded on death certificates. Survival probabilities at 5y (SEM) for children with SS, SC, and Sß + thalassemia were 89.4 (1.4), 97.7 (0.7), and 94.7% (3.0), respectively (SS vs. SC, p < 0.0001). Conclusions:Even with a carefully controlled newborn screening program, the probability of SS children dying was still found to be high. Causes not identified on death certificates may indicate difficulties recognizing SCD and its complications. Educational campaigns directed at health professionals and SCD patients' families should be boosted in order to decrease SCD mortality. Resultados: Foram triadas 1.833.030 crianças no período, sendo 1.396 com DF (1:1.300). Ocorreram 78 óbitos: 63 em crianças com genótipo SS, 12 em crianças com genótipo SC e três em crianças com genótipo S/ß + talassemia. Cinquenta e seis crianças (71,8%) morreram antes dos 2 anos de idade; 59 morreram em hospitais e 18 no domicílio ou trânsito. Causas de óbito pelo atestado (n = 78): 38,5% infecção; 16,6% sequestro esplênico agudo; 9% outras causas; 15,4% sem assistência médica; e 20,5% indeterminada. Segundo as entrevistas (n = 52), o sequestro esplênico foi responsável por quase 1/3 dos óbitos, contrastando com a porcentagem de apenas 14% registrada nos atestados de óbito. As probabilidades de sobrevida aos 5 anos (erro padrão da média) para crianças SS, SC e Sß + talassemia foram: 89,4 (1,4), 97,7 (0,7) e 94,7% (3,0), respectivamente (SS versus SC, p < 0,0001). J Pediatr (Rio J) Conclusões:Mesmo em um programa de triagem neonatal com rigoroso controle do tratamento, a probabilidade de óbito em crianças com genótipo SS ainda é elevada. Os óbitos com causa indeterminada indicam dificuldades no reconhecimento da DF e das suas complicações. Esforços educativos dirigidos a profissionais da saúde e familiares devem ser incrementados para diminuir a mortalidade pela DF. J Pediatr (Ri...

Even with a carefully controlled newborn screening program, the probability of SS children dying was still found to be high. Causes not identified on death certificates may indicate difficulties recognizing SCD and its complications. Educational campaigns directed at health professionals and SCD patients' families should be boosted in order to decrease SCD mortality.

ObjectiveTo assess the impact of the distance education course “Sickle Cell Disease: Primary Health Care Line” on knowledge acquisition of professional healthcare providers.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted with a quantitative approach at the Educational and Support Center for Hemoglobinopathies (Cehmob-MG), state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, in 2016. One hundred and fifty-three out of 300 professional healthcare providers were invited to participate in the proposed distance course. Of the participating professional healthcare providers, 72 (47%) successfully concluded the course (Group A), whereas 81 (53%) did not complete their course assignments and did not meet the minimum requirements for regular attendance (Group B). Knowledge acquisition was assessed with the Knowledge of Sickle Cell Disease Instrument, DFConhecimento, applied using the web tool eSurv. Univariate analysis by Poisson regression was employed to assess the influence of sociodemographic variables on the DFConhecimento score and to select variables to compose the initial multivariate regression model (p-value < 0.20). The analysis was performed in the statistical programming environment R.ResultsThe average score was 9.76 for Group A and 6.54 for Group B. The two groups were considered statistically different (p-value < 0.05) for all items with the proportion of correct items being greater in Group A. Professional healthcare providers who concluded the course had a significantly higher DFConhecimento score (45%) when compared to those who did not successfully conclude the course.ConclusionParticipation in a distance education course on sickle cell disease had a positive impact on the acquisition of knowledge about the disease by professional healthcare providers.

A high demand for hospital care in children with sickle cell disease was evident. The number of hospitalizations increased from 1999 to 2012, suggesting that the disease has become more "visible." Knowledge of the characteristics of these admissions can help in the planning of care for these children in the SUS.

Introduction: The number of medical schools in Brazil, as well as the number of vacancies offered at these schools, has grown considerably in the last few years. Since 2013, this increasehas aimedat reaching especially the rural and underserved areas of the country. Objective: Considering that there are many different interests concerning this debate and that this reality directly influences the education and health policies of the country, the aim of this study was to evaluate the number and the distribution of the medical courses,as well as vacancies in these schools in 2020, presenting an updated overview of the Brazilian medical schools. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study, based on data gathered from the Brazilian Ministry ofEducation and Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) website. The utilized variables were the number of courses, number of vacancies offered in each course, characteristics of the cities where the medical schools are located, such as population size, Human Development Index (HDI) and distance to the capital city of each state. Results: Among the institutions that have already initiated their activities, there are 328 active courses, offering 35.480 vacancies for Medical School applicants. There is a difference when analyzing public or private institutions and paid or tuition-free institutions. There is a greater offer of paid courses (74,1%) and of courses located in the countryside (69,8%). Among the courses in the countryside, 27,8% of the vacancies are offered within 100 km of the capital city. Only 7,9% of the annual vacancies are offered in cities with a medium HDI, and the remainder are offered in cities with high or very high HDI. The increase in HDI is related to the higher proportion of private courses offering medical vacancies. It was observed that there is no correspondence between the absolute number of vacancies and the population of the North region, differentfrom what occurs in the other regions of the country. Conclusions: Medical training is under many influences, such as economic and political trends. This discussion needs to consider the regionalization and democratization of access. It was observed that public institutions tend to be located in municipalities that are farther away from the capitals. Even though there is now greater homogeneity between the regions, the Southeast still concentrates almost half of the vacancies in medical courses. Also, the increase in the number of vacancies in private courses brings up the reflection about the socioeconomic profile of medical students who have the opportunity to gain access to this level of education.

Objective To develop and validate DFConhecimento , an instrument to assess Brazilian healthcare professional providers’ knowledge on sickle cell disease. Method Study carried out in four stages: (1) instrument development; (2) content validation by an Expert Committee; (3) cultural adequacy check at pre-test; (4) instrument reliability analysis by healthcare professional providers supported by Intraclass Correlation Coefficient calculation. The data for content validation and reliability analyses were collected through the web tool eSurv and analyzed within the statistical software and environment R. Results The instrument, consisting of 13 multiple-choice questions, showed acceptability, with an average Content Validity Index of 0.88. The reliability analysis showed moderate agreement (0.67) indicating that test-retest reproducibility is acceptable. Conclusion The instrument DFConhecimento showed reliability and internal consistency, proving suitable for measuring Brazilian healthcare professional providers’ acquisition of knowledge on sickle cell disease.

Introduction: The number of medical schools in Brazil, as well as the number of vacancies offered at these schools, has grown considerably in the last few years. Since 2013, this increasehas aimedat reaching especially the rural and underserved areas of the country. Objective: Considering that there are many different interests concerning this debate and that this reality directly influences the education and health policies of the country, the aim of this study was to evaluate the number and the distribution of the medical courses,as well as vacancies in these schools in 2020, presenting an updated overview of the Brazilian medical schools. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study, based on data gathered from the Brazilian Ministry ofEducation and Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) website. The utilized variables were the number of courses, number of vacancies offered in each course, characteristics of the cities where the medical schools are located, such as population size, Human Development Index (HDI) and distance to the capital city of each state. Results: Among the institutions that have already initiated their activities, there are 328 active courses, offering 35.480 vacancies for Medical School applicants. There is a difference when analyzing public or private institutions and paid or tuition-free institutions. There is a greater offer of paid courses (74,1%) and of courses located in the countryside (69,8%). Among the courses in the countryside, 27,8% of the vacancies are offered within 100 km of the capital city. Only 7,9% of the annual vacancies are offered in cities with a medium HDI, and the remainder are offered in cities with high or very high HDI. The increase in HDI is related to the higher proportion of private courses offering medical vacancies. It was observed that there is no correspondence between the absolute number of vacancies and the population of the North region, differentfrom what occurs in the other regions of the country. Conclusions: Medical training is under many influences, such as economic and political trends. This discussion needs to consider the regionalization and democratization of access. It was observed that public institutions tend to be located in municipalities that are farther away from the capitals. Even though there is now greater homogeneity between the regions, the Southeast still concentrates almost half of the vacancies in medical courses. Also, the increase in the number of vacancies in private courses brings up the reflection about the socioeconomic profile of medical students who have the opportunity to gain access to this level of education.

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