Evidence-based decision making and promotion of physical activity among directors of local health departments.

Objective: To describe the steps involved in evidence-based decision making for the implementation of programs aimed at the promotion of physical activity.

Methods: It is a descriptive, cross-sectional study with quali-quantitative approach, held with municipal health secretaries chosen deliberately by regional health representatives of the state of Paraná. A total of 27 secretaries participated in a telephone interview consisting of 17 open questions.

[Access to information for evidence-based decision-making from the perspective of Municipal Health Secretaries in the State of Paraná, Brazil, 2014].

The study aimed to identify information sources for decision-making and barriers to access in the use of scientific journals by Municipal Health Secretaries in the State of Paraná, Brazil. Study participants included Secretaries of Health from 181 municipalities in the year 2014. Interviews focused on the frequency of consultation of resources for obtaining evidence, including from scientific journals.

Exploring political influences on evidence-based non-communicable disease prevention across four countries.

Implementation of evidence-based practices can improve efficiency and effectiveness of public health efforts. Few studies have explored the political contextual factors that impact implementation of evidence-based non-communicable disease prevention (EBNCDP). This study aimed to do so in Australia, Brazil, China and the United States.

[Barriers perceived by health directors for evidenced-based decision-makingObstáculos percibidos por los directores de servicios de salud para la toma de decisiones basada en la evidencia].

Objective: To identify the barriers to evidence-based decision-making regarding chronic noncommunicable diseases perceived by health administrators from the state of Paraná, Brazil.

Methods: Telephone interviews were performed with 20 health region directors using a semi-structured script. The interviews were performed in 2015 and had a mean duration of 23 minutes.