Abstract Background The heterogeneity in detection rates of Human immunodeficiency virus, (HIV), Human T lymphotropic virus (HTLV) and Hepatitis B and C infections among pregnant women and the continuous exposure to risk factors limits the adoption of preventive and control actions. Objective To evaluate the HIV, HTLV, Hepatitis B and C seroprevalence rates, and associated risk factors in parturient women in Salvador, Brazil. Methods This was a cross-sectional study in 2099 parturient women attended in two public maternity hospitals in Salvador, Brazil. One blood sample was drawn for serological screening and socio-demographic, obstetric and clinical data were collected. Results HIV seroprevalence rate was 1.5% (of which 0.6% were new cases); seroprevalence rates for HTLV, HBV, and HCV were 0.4%, 0.4%, and 0.1%, respectively. Univariate analysis showed a significant association between socio-demographic and behavioral factors with retroviral infections, while viral hepatitis was mainly associated with parenteral exposure. In a multivariate analysis, multiple sexual partners (OR 3.3; 95% CI: 1.1–9.2), history of sexual/domestic violence (OR 2.8; 95% CI: 1.1–6.9), syphilis co-infection (OR 2.6; 95% CI: 1.0–6.9), use of alcohol or drugs (OR 2.5; 95% CI: 1.2–5.5), and low schooling level (OR 2.3; 95% CI: 1.1–4.9) were independent risk factors for HIV infection. History of stillbirth and low birth weight infants was significantly associated with HTLV positive status, showing a negative impact on gestation. Conclusions The seroprevalence rates for HIV, HCV, HBV, and HTLV were similar to that found in previous studies in other Brazilian regions. The high individual, socioeconomic, and social vulnerability detected in seropositive parturient women indicates the need to improve coverage and effectiveveness of STDs control with prevention, detection and monitoring strategies, focusing in pregnant women exposed to high biopsychosocial risk.

Objetivo: Introducir los conceptos clave sobre modelos de evaluación económica en salud como herramientas de toma de decisiones, sector donde la asignación eficiente de recursos se da en ambientes de escasez e incertidumbre. Método: Se desarrolló un análisis simplificado de los principales conceptos empleados en la construcción de un modelo de evaluación económica en salud a partir de las principales referencias sobre toma de decisiones en salud de acuerdo con los portales de evaluación económica como CEA Tufts University, CRD de la Universidad de York, Medline y Pubmed. Desarrollo: Se definieron modelos en el contexto de evaluación económica en salud, necesarios en un sistema cambiante y de incertidumbre. Se analizaron los pasos para el desarrollo de un buen modelo y la estructuración de una evaluación crítica de éstos. Se finalizó con la discusión y conclusiones de la actualización de la información. Como anexo se incluye una lista de revisión para verificar la confiabilidad de los modelos que se van a realizar. Conclusión: Los modelos en evaluación económica aparecen como herramienta de toma de decisiones en salud; por esta razón, y como simplificadores de la realidad, deben ser transparentes y reproducibles de manera que todos los elementos considerados estén respaldados sistemáticamente con descripciones claras y puntuales.

Objective: To introduce the key concepts of economic evaluation models as tools in health decision-making, a sector where the efficient allocation of resources is done in an environment of scarcity and uncertainty. Method: We developed a simplified analysis of the main concepts used in the construction of a model of economic assessment in health from the main references on decision-making in health according to economic assessment portals such as CEA Tufts University, CRD at University of York, Medline, and Pubmed. Development: Models were defined in the context of economic assessment in health as needed in a system of ever-changing requirements and uncertainty. It discusses the steps for developing a good model and the structure for a critical evaluation of it, ending with a discussion and the conclusions of the updated information. Attached is a checklist for verifying the reliability of the models to be executed. Conclusion: Economic evaluation models develop as a tool for decision making in health; for this reason and as simplifications of reality, they must be transparent and reproducible so that all elements are considered systematically backed with clear and precise descriptions.