Objectives. The aims of this survey were (1) to assess the quality of asthma treatment and control in Latin America, (2) to determine how closely asthma management guidelines are being followed, and (3) to assess perception, knowledge and attitudes related to asthma in Latin America. Methods. We surveyed a household sample of 2 184 adults or parents of children with asthma in 2003 in 11 countries in Latin America. Respondents were asked about healthcare utilization, symptom severity, activity limitations and medication use. Results. Daytime asthma symptoms were reported by 56% of the respondents, and 51 % reported being awakened by their asthma at night. More than half of those surveyed had been hospitalized, attended a hospital emergency service or made unscheduled emergency visits to other healthcare facilities for asthma during the previous year. Patient perception of asthma control did not match symptom severity, even in patients with severe persistent asthma, 44.7% of whom regarded their disease as being well or completely controlled. Only 2.4% (2.3% adults and 2.6% children) met all criteria for asthma control. Although 37% reported treatment with prescription medications, only 6% were using inhaled corticosteroids. Most adults (79%) and children (68%) in this survey reported that asthma symptoms limited their activities. Absence from school and work was reported by 58% of the children and 31% of adults, respectively. Conclusions. Asthma control in Latin America falls short of goals in international guidelines, and in many aspects asthma care and control in Latin America suffer from the same shortcomings as in other areas of the world. / Revisión por pares

Made available in DSpace on 2014-08-20T13:57:55Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese_MARIA_LAURA_VIDAL_CARRET.pdf: 1263819 bytes, checksum: 538789308c1612e196f3cdb33f2eddd5 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007-09-19 / This study evaluated the demand of emergency health service. It was performed a descriptive analyses of 1647 adults that consulted at emergency public service of Pelotas, Brazil. Older subjects, with non white skin color, lower schooling, without partner, and smokers presented higher prevalence of consultations at this service when compared with the general population. Individuals waited, on average, 15 minutes to have their consultations, exams were requested in more than 40% of the visits, and intravenous medication were administered in one third of the visits. Elderly waited longer before searching the service, but they had lowest awaiting time after arriving at emergency service and had highest percentage of regular doctor and social support. Elderly had more diagnosis related to circulatory system, while among the youngest, external causes were the most frequent. Conclusion: The low waiting average for consultation suggest this service provide an immediate care while the great number of ill-defined signs or symptoms indicate that the provided care is provisional. It is necessary to train emergency professionals to reduce the number of tests requested and to assure that either professional as the population is conscious about the importance of a continuity of care. / Objetivo: Avaliar a demanda do serviço de saúde de emergência. Método: Foi realizada análise descritiva de 1647 indivíduos adultos que consultaram no serviço público de emergência de Pelotas, Brasil. Resultados: Pessoas com mais idade, de cor não branca, menor escolaridade, sem companheiro e tabagistas consultaram mais nesse serviço, quando comparados com a população em geral. Os indivíduos esperaram em média 15 minutos pra serem atendidos, foi solicitado exame em mais de 40% dos atendimentos e administrado medicamentos endovenosos em um terço das vezes. Idosos demoraram mais para procurar atendimento, mas foram atendidos mais rapidamente quando chegaram na emergência, e tiveram mais freqüentemente médico definido e suporte social. Tiveram também mais diagnósticos relacionados com o aparelho circulatório, enquanto os mais jovens consultaram mais por causas externas. Conclusão: A baixa média de espera pelo atendimento sugere que este serviço presta um atendimento imediato, enquanto a grande quantidade de diagnósticos mal definidos indica que o atendimento é provisório. É preciso treinar os profissionais da emergência para reduzir a solicitação de exames e assegurar que tanto profissional quanto população esteja consciente da importância de uma atenção continuada.