Child health vulnerabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil and Portugal

Abstract

Objective: to analyze the vulnerabilities of children in the access to primary health care during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil and Portugal. Method: documentary study based on Brazilian and Portuguese governmental guidelines issued between March and August 2020 regarding access of children to primary health care. Thematic analysis was based on the precepts of health vulnerability. Results: 13 documents were issued in both countries addressing access to vaccination and childcare. Due to the SARS-CoV-2, restrictions were imposed on the circulation of people in social environments, health services, and social protection, decreasing the demand for health services. Both countries continued programs to promote the health of breastfeeding infants. In-person childcare consultations were suspended for low-risk children in both countries. Portugal maintained routine vaccination while Brazil interrupted vaccination in the first 15 days of the pandemic. The countries adopted remote care strategies - telemonitoring, teleconsultation, and mobile applications - to maintain the bond between children and health services. Conclusion: longitudinality was affected due to restricted access of children to health promotion actions, determining greater programmatic vulnerability. Individual vulnerabilities are related to exposure to preventable and primary health care-sensitive diseases.

Physical Distancing and Mental Well-Being in Youth Population of Portugal and Brazil during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…The physical distancing in Brazil ranged between the regions, and the average was 6 months, a time considerably long compared to other countries. In both Brazil and Portugal, it has been identified that children and young people have had restrictions on health promotion services during the pandemic [21].…”

Health inequalities among homeless adolescents

“…The fact that society has values of equality and social justice, as well as health services to fight against health inequities, are clear indicators that these aspects must be analyzed in scientific studies in order to produce evidence for public policies and internal coherence of these policies and their implementation in various sectors 28 - 30 .…”

“…Thus, understanding the concept of health inequalities is essential for health care. Self-care is strongly related to fulfilling health needs, which are seen not as the absence of illnesses 30 , but within the intercultural logic and intersubjectivity of human existence and dignity.…”

Covid-19 Outbreak in Brazil: Health, Social, Political, and Economic Implications

“…18 Neves and Guerrero (2020) 19 proposed a model to predict the evolution of the virus in Brazil, and Cotta and colleagues (2020) 20 evaluated the impact of public health measures during the COVID-19 pandemic. The impact of the virus on the eating habits and physical activity of health care professionals are also explored, 21 as well as symptoms of depression, 22 child health vulnerabilities, 23,24 and SARS-CoV-2 mutations in Brazil. 25 Although many studies have explored the COVID-19 outbreak in the Brazilian context, most work has focused on analyzing specific issues related to the spread of SARS-CoV-2, drugs, and symptoms.…”