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Objective: To document the process of introducing COVID-19 vaccines in a selection of Latin American and Caribbean countries, including the lessons learned and the strengths and weaknesses, and similarities and differences among programs. Methods: This descriptive study is based on a systematic evaluation of the process of introducing COVID-19 vaccines in Argentina, Belize, Brazil, Costa Rica, Panama and Peru. Data were collected through a questionnaire distributed to key stakeholders. Six informants from each of the included countries participated in this study. The period of the study was from December 2021 through September 2022. Results: The main strengths reported by countries were health workers' commitment to delivering vaccinations, evidence-based decision-making, the development of plans for vaccine introduction, the participation of national immunization technical advisory groups, the availability of economic resources and positive actions from the respective Ministry of Health. The main challenges were the actions of antivaccination groups, problems with electronic immunization registries, a lack of vaccines, delays in the delivery of vaccines and the scarcity of health personnel at the local level. Conclusions: Commitment, the participation of multiple sectors, the availability of resources and preparedness planning were some of the many strengths shown by countries introducing COVID-19 vaccines. Weaknesses included third parties' interests, the lack of information systems and difficulty in accessing vaccines and vaccine services. There is a window of opportunity for countries to maintain the good practices that allowed for the processes' strengths and to assess the identified weaknesses to invigorate immunization programs and prepare for future health crises.

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ABSTRACT Objective. To document the process of introducing COVID-19 vaccines in a selection of Latin American and Caribbean countries, including the lessons learned and the strengths and weaknesses, and similarities and differences among programs. Methods. This descriptive study is based on a systematic evaluation of the process of introducing COVID-19 vaccines in Argentina, Belize, Brazil, Costa Rica, Panama and Peru. Data were collected through a questionnaire distributed to key stakeholders. Six informants from each of the included countries participated in this study. The period of the study was from December 2021 through September 2022. Results. The main strengths reported by countries were health workers' commitment to delivering vaccinations, evidence-based decision-making, the development of plans for vaccine introduction, the participation of national immunization technical advisory groups, the availability of economic resources and positive actions from the respective Ministry of Health. The main challenges were the actions of antivaccination groups, problems with electronic immunization registries, a lack of vaccines, delays in the delivery of vaccines and the scarcity of health personnel at the local level. Conclusions. Commitment, the participation of multiple sectors, the availability of resources and preparedness planning were some of the many strengths shown by countries introducing COVID-19 vaccines. Weaknesses included third parties' interests, the lack of information systems and difficulty in accessing vaccines and vaccine services. There is a window of opportunity for countries to maintain the good practices that allowed for the processes' strengths and to assess the identified weaknesses to invigorate immunization programs and prepare for future health crises.

RESUMEN Objetivo. Documentar el proceso de introducción de las vacunas contra la COVID-19 en un algunos países de América Latina y el Caribe, incluidas las enseñanzas extraídas y sus puntos fuertes y débiles, así como las similitudes y diferencias entre los distintos programas. Métodos. Este estudio descriptivo se basa en una evaluación sistemática del proceso de introducción de las vacunas contra la COVID-19 en Argentina, Belice, Brasil, Costa Rica, Panamá y Perú. Los datos se recopilaron mediante un cuestionario distribuido a las principales partes interesadas. El estudio contó con la participación de un informante de cada uno de los seis países incluidos. El período de estudio fue de diciembre del 2021 a septiembre del 2022. Resultados. Los países indicaron como puntos fuertes principales el compromiso del personal de atención de salud con la vacunación, la toma de decisiones basada en la evidencia, la formulación de planes para la introducción de las vacunas, la participación de grupos técnicos asesores nacionales sobre inmunización, la disponibilidad de recursos económicos y las medidas favorables adoptadas por respectivos los Ministerios de Salud. Los retos más importantes fueron las acciones de los grupos contrarios a las vacunas, los problemas con los registros electrónicos de vacunación, la falta de vacunas, los retrasos en la entrega de vacunas y la escasez de personal de atención de salud a nivel local. Conclusiones. Se observó que el compromiso, la participación de múltiples sectores, la disponibilidad de recursos y la planificación de la preparación eran algunos de los puntos fuertes de los países que introdujeron las vacunas contra la COVID-19. Los puntos débiles fueron los intereses de terceros, la falta de sistemas de información y las dificultades para acceder a las vacunas y a los servicios de vacunación. Los países disponen ahora de una oportunidad para mantener las buenas prácticas que propiciaron los puntos fuertes de los procesos y evaluar los puntos débiles identificados a fin de fortalecer los programas de inmunización y prepararse para futuras crisis de salud.

RESUMO Objetivo. Documentar o processo de introdução da vacina contra a COVID-19 em alguns países da América Latina e do Caribe, incluindo as lições aprendidas e os pontos fortes e fracos, bem como semelhanças e diferenças entre os programas. Métodos. Este estudo descritivo baseia-se em uma avaliação sistemática do processo de introdução das vacinas contra a COVID-19 na Argentina, em Belize, no Brasil, na Costa Rica, no Panamá e no Peru. Os dados foram coletados por meio de um questionário distribuído às principais partes interessadas. Seis informantes de cada um dos países incluídos participaram do estudo, que foi realizado entre dezembro de 2021 e setembro de 2022. Resultados. Os principais pontos fortes relatados pelos países foram o comprometimento dos profissionais de saúde com a vacinação, a tomada de decisões baseadas em evidências, o desenvolvimento de planos para a introdução de vacinas, a participação de grupos técnicos assessores nacionais sobre imunização, a disponibilidade de recursos econômicos e ações positivas dos respectivos ministérios da Saúde. Os principais desafios foram as ações de grupos antivacina, problemas com os registros eletrônicos de imunização, a falta de vacinas, atrasos na entrega das vacinas e a escassez de pessoal de saúde em nível local. Conclusões. O comprometimento, a participação de vários setores, a disponibilidade de recursos e o planejamento de preparação foram alguns dos muitos pontos fortes demonstrados pelos países ao introduzirem as vacinas contra a COVID-19. Entre os pontos fracos estavam os interesses de terceiros, a falta de sistemas de informação e a dificuldade de acesso às vacinas e aos serviços de vacinação. Há uma janela de oportunidade para que os países mantenham as boas práticas que viabilizaram os pontos fortes dos processos e avaliem os pontos fracos identificados a fim de revigorar os programas de imunização e preparar-se para futuras crises sanitárias.

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[ABSTRACT]. Objective. To document the process of introducing COVID-19 vaccines in a selection of Latin American and Caribbean countries, including the lessons learned and the strengths and weaknesses, and similarities and differences among programs. Methods. This descriptive study is based on a systematic evaluation of the process of introducing COVID-19 vaccines in Argentina, Belize, Brazil, Costa Rica, Panama and Peru. Data were collected through a questionnaire distributed to key stakeholders. Six informants from each of the included countries participated in this study. The period of the study was from December 2021 through September 2022. Results. The main strengths reported by countries were health workers’ commitment to delivering vaccinations, evidence-based decision-making, the development of plans for vaccine introduction, the participation of national immunization technical advisory groups, the availability of economic resources and positive actions from the respective Ministry of Health. The main challenges were the actions of antivaccination groups, problems with electronic immunization registries, a lack of vaccines, delays in the delivery of vaccines and the scarcity of health personnel at the local level. Conclusions. Commitment, the participation of multiple sectors, the availability of resources and preparedness planning were some of the many strengths shown by countries introducing COVID-19 vaccines. Weaknesses included third parties’ interests, the lack of information systems and difficulty in accessing vaccines and vac- cine services. There is a window of opportunity for countries to maintain the good practices that allowed for the processes’ strengths and to assess the identified weaknesses to invigorate immunization programs and prepare for future health crises.

[RESUMEN]. Objetivo. Documentar el proceso de introducción de las vacunas contra la COVID-19 en un algunos países de América Latina y el Caribe, incluidas las enseñanzas extraídas y sus puntos fuertes y débiles, así como las similitudes y diferencias entre los distintos programas. Métodos. Este estudio descriptivo se basa en una evaluación sistemática del proceso de introducción de las vacunas contra la COVID-19 en Argentina, Belice, Brasil, Costa Rica, Panamá y Perú. Los datos se recopilaron mediante un cuestionario distribuido a las principales partes interesadas. El estudio contó con la participación de un informante de cada uno de los seis países incluidos. El período de estudio fue de diciembre del 2021 a septiembre del 2022. Resultados. Los países indicaron como puntos fuertes principales el compromiso del personal de atención de salud con la vacunación, la toma de decisiones basada en la evidencia, la formulación de planes para la introducción de las vacunas, la participación de grupos técnicos asesores nacionales sobre inmunización, la disponibilidad de recursos económicos y las medidas favorables adoptadas por respectivos los Ministerios de Salud. Los retos más importantes fueron las acciones de los grupos contrarios a las vacunas, los problemas con los registros electrónicos de vacunación, la falta de vacunas, los retrasos en la entrega de vacunas y la escasez de personal de atención de salud a nivel local. Conclusiones. Se observó que el compromiso, la participación de múltiples sectores, la disponibilidad de recursos y la planificación de la preparación eran algunos de los puntos fuertes de los países que introdujeron las vacunas contra la COVID-19. Los puntos débiles fueron los intereses de terceros, la falta de sistemas de información y las dificultades para acceder a las vacunas y a los servicios de vacunación. Los países disponen ahora de una oportunidad para mantener las buenas prácticas que propiciaron los puntos fuertes de los procesos y evaluar los puntos débiles identificados a fin de fortalecer los programas de inmunización y prepararse para futuras crisis de salud.

[RESUMO]. Objetivo. Documentar o processo de introdução da vacina contra a COVID-19 em alguns países da América Latina e do Caribe, incluindo as lições aprendidas e os pontos fortes e fracos, bem como semelhanças e diferenças entre os programas. Métodos. Este estudo descritivo baseia-se em uma avaliação sistemática do processo de introdução das vacinas contra a COVID-19 na Argentina, em Belize, no Brasil, na Costa Rica, no Panamá e no Peru. Os dados foram coletados por meio de um questionário distribuído às principais partes interessadas. Seis informantes de cada um dos países incluídos participaram do estudo, que foi realizado entre dezembro de 2021 e setembro de 2022. Resultados. Os principais pontos fortes relatados pelos países foram o comprometimento dos profissionais de saúde com a vacinação, a tomada de decisões baseadas em evidências, o desenvolvimento de planos para a introdução de vacinas, a participação de grupos técnicos assessores nacionais sobre imunização, a disponibilidade de recursos econômicos e ações positivas dos respectivos ministérios da Saúde. Os principais desafios foram as ações de grupos antivacina, problemas com os registros eletrônicos de imunização, a falta de vacinas, atrasos na entrega das vacinas e a escassez de pessoal de saúde em nível local. Conclusões. O comprometimento, a participação de vários setores, a disponibilidade de recursos e o planejamento de preparação foram alguns dos muitos pontos fortes demonstrados pelos países ao introduzirem as vacinas contra a COVID-19. Entre os pontos fracos estavam os interesses de terceiros, a falta de sistemas de informação e a dificuldade de acesso às vacinas e aos serviços de vacinação. Há uma janela de oportunidade para que os países mantenham as boas práticas que viabilizaram os pontos fortes dos processos e avaliem os pontos fracos identificados a fim de revigorar os programas de imunização e preparar-se para futuras crises sanitárias.

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Due to its anticonvulsant properties, cannabidiol can be supportive as an adjuvant therapy in the management of drug resistant epilepsy. This retrospective observational study evaluates the intensity and frequency of the seizures of patients with drug-resistant epilepsy that have been treated with antiepileptic medication associated with CBD in low doses for at least 12 months. Thirty-four patients were included in the study. The most frequent diagnosis of epilepsy was focal symptomatic epilepsy and Lennox−Gastaut syndrome (35.2%). During the follow-up, there was a statistically significant decrease in the seizure frequency (t student p < 0.001). A high proportion of patients, 16, concluded the study with a total control of the seizures reaching a 100% improvement, 12 reported ≥ 75% improvement, 3 ≥ 50%, and 2 ≥ 25%; only 1 patient had an improvement of less than 25%. This is the first Latin American study that demonstrates that long-term CBD added to the usual drugs significantly reduces the frequency, duration, and type of seizures in the different etiologies of epilepsy, being especially effective on the seizures that are the most incapacitating, improving the quality of life of the individual and their family.

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Background: Soft-tissue sarcomas (STSs) are rare tumors; they represent 1% of all tumors in adults. There are new diagnostic techniques to differentiate tumor types, and surgery continues to be the most important treatment for STS. Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed the morbidity and mortality caused by STS in adults between 2010 and 2020 using national databases. Results: A total of 8,393 patients hospitalized due to STS were reported. The total number of deaths in Ecuador due to STS was 7,088 over the last decade, the provinces of Pichincha and Guayas registered the highest number of cases, and the mortality rate was 1.2 to 2.0 per 100,000 people. It is noteworthy that the lowest point of registered cases was in 2012. Conclusion: Soft-tissue sarcomas are rare tumors in Ecuador. The morbidity and mortality caused by these tumors have not changed in the last decade. National studies are needed to determine the prevalence of this illness and study intervention to lower mortality.

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INTRODUCTION: We hypothesize that high altitudes could have an adverse effect on neonatal health outcomes, especially among at-risk neonates. The current study aims to assess the association between higher altitudes on survival time among at-risk neonates. METHODS: Retrospective survival analysis. Setting: Ecuadorian neonates who died at ≤28 days of life. Patients: We analyzed the nationwide dataset of neonatal deaths from the Surveillance System of Neonatal Mortality of the Ministry of Public Health of Ecuador, registered from 126 public and private health care facilities, between January 2014 to September 2017. Main outcome measures: We retrospectively reviewed 3016 patients. We performed a survival analysis by setting the survival time in days as the primary outcome and fixed and mixed-effects Cox proportional hazards models to estimate hazard ratios (HR) for each altitude stratum of each one of the health care facilities in which those neonates were attended, adjusting by individual variables (i.e., birth weight, gestational age at birth, Apgar scale at 5 minutes, and comorbidities); and contextual variables (i.e., administrative planning areas, type of health care facility, and level of care). RESULTS: Altitudes of health care facilities ranging from 80 to <2500 m, 2500 to <2750m, and ≥2750 m were associated respectively with 20% (95% CI: 1% to 44%), 32% (95% CI:<1% to 79%) and 37% (95% CI: 8% to 75%) increased HR; compared with altitudes at <80 m. CONCLUSION: Higher altitudes are independently associated with shorter survival time, as measured by days among at-risk neonates. Altitude should be considered when assessing the risk of having negative health outcomes during neonatal period.

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Introducción: Desarrollamos un servicio de visitas domiciliarias a pacientes confinados en sus hogares en un establecimiento de salud en Quito-Ecuador. Objetivos: (i) describir el proceso de atención en el servicio de visitas domiciliarias y evaluar su ajuste al modelo de atención primaria en salud, (ii) describir el flujo de procesos del servicio como una propuesta para replicar en otros ámbitos, (iii) identificar los determinantes de alta utilización del servicio; y (iv) validar un sistema de puntuación que incluya a esos determinantes como predictores de su uso. Sujetos y métodos: Estudio observacional longitudinal retrospectivo y desarrollo de un score. Se analizaron las características sociodemográficas y clínicas de los pacientes en la primera visita y contando el número de visitas domiciliarias por paciente 18 meses después. Mediante modelos de regresión binomial negativa se identificaron los determinantes de utilización de vivitas domiciliarias, cuyos ß-coeficientes ajustados y transformados en score, fueron validados internamente mediante el cálculo del área bajo la curva. Resultados: 120 pacientes recibieron 285 vistas domiciliarias después de 18 meses, 70% fueron mujeres con una media de edad de 83 años. Nueve pacientes recibieron 75 visitas domiciliarias. Edad, estado civil, multimorbilidad-polifarmacia y la realización inicial de procedimientos clínicos fueron determinantes independientes de ≥4 visitas domiciliarias por año. El área bajo la curva fue de 0.80 (IC 95%=0.78 a 0.82).Discusión y conclusión: Nuestro servicio de visitas domiciliarias a pacientes confinados se ajusta al modelo de atención primaria de salud. El flujograma podría adoptarse/adaptarse en contextos similares. Edad, estado civil, multimorbilidad-polifarmacia y requerimiento de procedimientos clínicos predijeron, de manera fiable, la utilización del servicio.

Background: We developed an innovative service of home health care visits (HV) for home-bound patients, assigned to a health care center in Quito-Ecuador.Objectives: (i) To describe the service and evaluate its adjustment to the primary care model, (ii) to describe the flow of service processes to subsequently adopt or adapt it in other healthcare facilities, (iii) to identify the determinants of HV utilization; and (iv) to internally validate the fiability of a scoring system, based on those determinants.Subjects and methods: We performed an observational longitudinal retrospective study and developing of a scoring system. We analyzed the sociodemographic and clinical charac-teristics of the patients during the first home visit and counted the number of home visits per patient 18 months later. Through negative binomial regression models, we identified the determinants of home visits utilization. The adjusted ß-coefficients were transformed into a score and validated internally by calculating the area under the curve.Results: 120 patients received 285 home visits after 18 months, 70% were women with a mean age of 83 years. Nine patients received 75 home visits. Age, marital status, multimorbi-dity-polypharmacy, and the initial performance of clinical procedures were independent deter-minants of ≥4 HV per year. The area under the curve score was 0.80 (95% CI = 0.78 to 0.82).Discussion y conclusion: Our home visit service to homebound patients resulted in an in-tervention that fit the primary care model. The flowchart allows it to be adopted or adapted in other health care facilities. Age, marital status, multimorbidity-polypharmacy and the perfor-mance of clinical procedures reliably predicted the service utilization.

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INTRODUCTION: Studies have shown that pneumococcal disease significantly increases morbidity and mortality rates in children 5 years old and under. These infections constitute the main cause of preventable deaths in the world, considering the availability of vaccination. Considering that Ecuador is in a high incidence region, despite the introduction of the vaccine, this study aims to describe the burden of hospitalized pneumococcal disease and related mortality in our country between 2005 and 2015, to help decision-making processes for the health authorities. METHODS: This cross-sectional study analyzes morbidity, mortality, and the situation in Ecuador caused by pneumococcal disease in children 5 years old and under between 2005 and 2015 using national databases. RESULTS: A total of 163,852 cases of children 5 years old and under were reported to have been hospitalized due to pneumococcal-related diseases. Males comprised 54.7% of the cases and females 45.3%. In 36% of the cases, the patients were 1 year old or under. The mortality rate due to pneumococcal disease in Ecuador in children aged 5 and under decreased in 48% during 2005-2015. CONCLUSION: The decrease in mortality can be related to the introduction of the vaccine and an increase in access to health care by the general population in the country. It is important to study the specific impact of the vaccine in the reduction of morbidity and mortality of children in Ecuador.