Anais do Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical

The concept of “one health” in culture and memory

Paula Fortunato, Michael Goldblatt — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0700

From quality to new technologies: responding to changes in healthcare systems

Fri, 11 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0700

Teaching Quality at IHMT-NOVA: monitoring instruments for the period 2019 - 2024

Maria do Rosário Oliveira Martins, Miguel Viveiros, Patrícia Abrantes — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0700

Introduction: The evaluation of teaching quality is one of the fundamental components of the Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical da Universidade Nova de Lisboa's (IHMT-NOVA) pedagogical strategy and is anchored in the objectives of the NOVA Quality Council. This article describes the trend of the main Teaching Quality Indicators based on data collected between the 2019/2020 and 2023/2024 academic years at IHMT-NOVA.

Methods: We used instruments from NOVA's Internal Quality Monitoring and Evaluation System (NOVA SIMAQ), namely Teacher and Student Satisfaction Questionnaires, Curricular Unit Reports and graduate indicators. We calculated descriptive statistics and produced bar charts and frequency tables using Excel software.

Results: The analysis of the data suggests an improvement in the perception of teaching quality, highlighting a growing and high trend in the satisfaction of teachers and students with the functioning of the Curricular Units and with teaching practices. The indicators of academic success could still be improved, especially those relating to training efficiency. There was an increase in the average time taken to complete doctorates, probably due to the direct and indirect effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly those related to legal changes that allowed for additional extensions to the deadlines for submitting theses. Although graduate satisfaction levels have remained high over time, the biggest challenge faced in implementing the Teaching Quality Indicators at IHMT-NOVA was the low rate of student participation in filling in the satisfaction questionnaires.

Conclusion: We suggest that integrated and collaborative strategies be implemented to encourage student participation in teaching quality assessment processes. This study contributes to a critical reflection on the quality assurance mechanisms adopted by IHMT-NOVA over the last 5 years, identifying good practices, challenges and opportunities for improvement.

Use of ChatGPT among students of the Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine at NOVA University Lisbon – 2023-2024

Jesus Cortes, Paulo Ferrinho — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0700

Introduction: ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence (AI) tool integrated into generative artificial intelligence (GAI) since 2022, has exerted a notable influence on the landscape of educational discourse. This study aims to analyze the knowledge, practices, and attitudes of postgraduate students at the Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine of the Nova University of Lisbon (IHMT) regarding ChatGPT, during the academic year 2023-2024.

Materials and Methods: The sample under study represents a subset of a global study, to which one of the authors (PF) contributed. Data collection was carried out through an online questionnaire, in English, between October 2023 and February 2024. A descriptive analysis of the data was performed. Additionally, Pearson’s chi-squared test was applied to assess the existence of statistically significant associations. All statistical analyses were performed using Stata software, version 15.1. The study obtained approval from the Ethics Committee of the IHMT.

Results: The results presented exclusively reflect the experience of the students who responded to the questionnaire and participated in the survey. The two main groups of postgraduate students at the IHMT are of Portuguese or African nationality, predominantly from the Member States of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP). The studied population is characterized by an age balance (Portuguese students generally older), a predominance of the female sex (less pronounced among African students), a predominantly urban origin (more common among African students), financial independence (less frequent among African students), and an average or above-average economic situation (less common among African students). The majority of students dedicate themselves full-time to their studies (more common among African students), although not all observed differences reached statistical significance. Two-thirds of the students use ChatGPT. Usage among African students was 20 percentage points lower than that of Portuguese students. In general, students expressed a positive perception, both intellectually and emotionally, regarding ChatGPT.

Conclusions: The divergence of opinions regarding the integration of AI, specifically ChatGPT, in pedagogical practice, must take into account its rapid adoption by the student population and the recognition, as identified in this study, of the need for regulation of its use. In this context, we emphasize the need for an institutional approach aimed at combating the dissemination of misinformation and empowering teachers and students to use this technology in an ethical, transparent, responsible, thoughtful, and effective manner.

Oncology Education in PALOP: Challenges and Opportunities for Strengthening Health Systems

Fri, 11 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0700

This article analyzes the current landscape of Oncology education in Portuguese-speaking African countries (PALOP), identifying challenges and proposing strategies to strengthen oncology training. The rising incidence of oncological diseases in these countries, combined with the shortage of specialised professionals, highlights the urgent need for investment in oncology education. The article discusses approaches to integrate Oncology into undergraduate health curricula, developing structured postgraduate programs, and establishing quality assurance mechanisms in oncology education, taking into account concrete examples already being implemented in the region.

Healthcare Assistants in Portugal: five decades in private and social healthcare facilities (1971 - 2024)

André Beja, Tiago Correia, Cátia Sá Guerreiro, Isabel Craveiro — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0700

Introduction: Health systems are under pressure from demographic and epidemiological changes, imposing challenges on workforce management, particularly for Healthcare Assistants (HCAs). In Portugal, HCAs work within healthcare teams, but there is a gap in knowledge about their profile, activity, and qualifications. The expansion of private and socially-oriented healthcare institutions reinforces the need to broaden the knowledge base about these workers.

Objective: To contribute to the understanding of the health workforce by characterizing the evolution of the profile, activity, and training of HCAs in private and social healthcare institutions in Portugal (1971-2024).

Materials and Methods: The professional careers of health institutions in the private and social sectors published in official government bodies were analysed, focusing on profile and activity descriptions and training requirements. The results were contrasted with literature and public sector data.

Results: The careers of HCAs were described for the period, revealing a lack of harmonisation in professional designations, profile and activity descriptions, and labour market entry criteria.

Conclusion: The evolution of HCA careers was marked by a lack of regulation in activity and training. The Health Care Assistant Technician qualification (2010) established a national framework, but its slow transposition into careers reflects the low importance given to HCAs, impacting their socio-professional affirmation.

Biomedicine and Artificial Intelligence in Postgraduate Education in Health Sciences in Angola

Miguel Viveiros, Albano Ferreira, Mauer Gonçalves, Filomeno Fortes — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0700

The scientific and technological evolution of contemporary medicine demands a new profile of professionals: up-to-date, ethical, multidisciplinary, and prepared to integrate biomedical knowledge with digital tools such as artificial intelligence (AI). NOVA University of Lisbon, Agostinho Neto University from Luanda and Katyavala Bwila University from Benguela have been adapting their educational programmes, positioning biomedicine as a central pillar in training doctors and other healthcare professionals. This commitment includes promoting biomedical and translational research and adopting evidence-based practices essential for addressing societal needs and the growing complexity of health systems.

The Man and the Environment

João Schwalbach, Mia Couto — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0700

Epidemiological Characteristics of American Tegumentary Leishmaniasis in human cases in Mato Grosso

Fri, 11 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0700

Introduction: Leishmaniases are protozooses which can be caused by 7 species of the genus Leishmania and present as American Tegumentary Leishmaniasis (ATL) or Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL).

Objective: To analyze the prevalence of Leishmania species isolated from patients diagnosed with ATL treated at a University Hospital in Cuiabá-MT.

Materials and methods: A retrospective study was carried out through the analysis of molecular results of samples evaluated in the histopathology laboratory of the Federal University of Mato Grosso, collected from patients with a clinical-epidemiological diagnosis of American Tegumentary Leishmaniasis. Data recorded in the medical records of these patients were used to describe epidemiological characteristics, such as residence, sex, skin color and location of the lesion.

Results: In 95 of the 120 samples from patients with ATL, it was possible to determine the species of the etiological agent. Of these, 88 (92.64%) were identified as L. brazilensis, 5 (5.26%) as the L. amazonensis complex and 2 (2.10%) as L. guyanensis. Of the 120 participants, 57 (47.5%) lived in rural areas, 54 (45%) lived in urban areas and 3 (2.5%) lived in urban/rural areas. Regarding occupation, 44 (36.66%) had essentially rural professions, 34 (28%) professions that work in an open environment, 26 (21%) essentially urban professions and 16 (13.3%) had no occupation or did not respond. There was a higher prevalence of cases in males (84.17%). Regarding ethnicity, 50 (41.67%) were mixed race, 41 (34.17%) white and 27 (22.5%) black. Histopathological analysis of the slides revealed that 65 (54.16%) samples presented an exudative cellular reaction, 15 (12.5%) an exudative and granulomatous reaction, 10 (8.33%) an exudative and necrotic reaction, and 4 (3.33%) %) exudative and necrotic-granulomatous reaction. Regarding the number of injuries, 117 (97.5%) had an ulcer in just one limb. Regarding the location of the injuries, 66 (55%) were on the lower limbs, 37 (30.83%) on the upper limbs and 10 (8.33%) on the trunk and head.

Conclusion: A higher prevalence of L. brazilensis was observed as the etiological agent of ATL cases in Mato Grosso. The risk factors identified were male gender, brown ethnicity, essentially rural profession and residence close to the deforestation region.

Temporal Analysis and Spatial Distribution of SARS-CoV-2 Variants

Fri, 11 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0700

Objective: This study aimed to analyze the temporal dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 variants in the municipality of Caruaru (Pernambuco, Brazil) from June 2020 to July 2022, correlating genomic data with vaccination coverage, mortality, and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) cases.

Methods: A total of 722 SARS-CoV-2 positive samples were sequenced. Data on vaccination coverage, deaths, and SARS cases were collected from the National Immunization Program (PNI) and the Caruaru Municipal Health Department.

Results: Lineage B was the most prevalent at the beginning of the pandemic, followed by the variants of concern (VOCs) Gamma, Delta, and Omicron (lineage B.1.1.529). A significant correlation was observed between increased vaccination coverage and a reduction in infection and death rates, particularly after the introduction of the second dose and booster doses. Although the Omicron variant led to a rise in SARS cases and deaths, its impact was less severe than that of previous VOCs.

Conclusion: Continuous genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 is essential for effective pandemic monitoring and for guiding public health decisions. Vaccination remains a key strategy for controlling COVID-19, even in the context of emerging new variants.