Patterns of drug combinations used by men who have sex with men in Brazil.

Background: The practice of using drugs to modulate experiences is a well-documented phenomenon worldwide, particularly among men who have sex with men (MSM). This study aims to describe patterns of drug combinations used by Brazilian MSM, embracing a detailed examination of the Brazilian context, which may inspire research elsewhere while enriching the global panorama on MSM drug use. By focusing on Brazilian MSM, the study sheds light on specific drug use combinations, which may help in the development of effective, culturally sensitive public health strategies.

Comprehensive scoping review of palliative care development in Africa: recent advances and persistent gaps.

Worldwide 56·8 million people need palliative care (PC), and Africa shows the highest demand. This study updates the 2017 review of African PC development, using a scoping review methodology based on Arksey and O'Malley's framework and the PRISMA-ScR checklist. The review was conducted across PUBMED, CINAHL, Embase, government websites, and the African PC Association Atlas, from 2017 to 2023, charting its progress using the new WHO framework for PC Development, which, in addition to Services, Education, Medicines, and Policies, two new dimensions were incorporated: Research and Empowerment of people and Communities.

Hepatitis A, B, and C in Brazilian Afro-Descendant Communities from Northeast Brazil: A Seroepidemiological Survey.

Background: Viral hepatitis is a disease that is more prevalent among individuals residing in remote regions and in contexts of social vulnerability. The objective of this study was to ascertain the seroprevalence of hepatitis A (HAV), B (HBV), and C (HCV) in vulnerable communities in the rural area of São João do Piauí (SJP), northern Brazil.

Methods: Immunoenzymatic assays were employed to detect the presence of anti-HAV (total and IgM), HBsAg, anti-HBc, anti-HBs, and anti-HCV serological markers in serum samples.

Implementing the WHO Indicators for Assessing Palliative Care Development in Three Countries: A Do-It-Yourself Approach.

Context: Palliative care is an essential health service, with over 56.8 million people needing it yearly, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The World Health Assembly has recognized palliative care as an ethical responsibility and called for comprehensive primary health care.

Alcohol use disorder in people with infectious and chronic diseases and mental disorders: Brazil, 2015.

The study aimed to estimate the prevalence of alcohol use disorder (AUD) and associated factors in Brazilian adults that reported chronic noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), mental disorders (MDs), and infectious diseases (IDs). This was a secondary analysis of the 3rd National Survey on Drug Use by the Brazilian Population in which the principal outcome was presence of AUD. Prevalence of AUD was estimated for three subgroups: individuals that reported NCDs, MDs, and IDs.