Psychometric properties of the Brazilian version of the fear of COVID-19 scale (FCV-19S).

COVID-19 can bring several psychological problems to patients and non-patients, which highlights the need for a better understanding of outcomes that can emerge due the occurrence of the virus. One of these variables is fear, present in situations of continuous uncertainty. Fear is a key variable for mental health and tracking it and its correlates might help to develop proper education and prevention programs. Currently, Brazil is one of the epicentres of the COVID-19 pandemic, with its public health system scrapped and not being able to contain the amount of infected people. Therefore, a proper measure to screen the fear of COVID-19 will help to provide improvements in mental health in such contexts. For that, two studies were performed. In Study 1 (N = 230) we assessed the factorial structure of the measure through exploratory factor analysis, and item parameters using item response theory. In Study 2 (N = 302), we assessed whether the structure would replicate in an independent sample and through confirmatory factor analysis, besides assessing convergent validity using Structural Equation Modelling and proposing a shorter version of the measure. Both long and short versions presented a reliable unidimensional structure and similar patterns of correlations with depression, anxiety, and stress. Overall, our results showed that the FCV-19S and its short version are useful measures to the assessment of fear of COVID-19 in Brazil.

Risk factors for breast cancer and their association with molecular subtypes in a population of Northeast Brazil.

BACKGROUND: The risk factors for breast cancer (BC) among women in Brazilian populations are poorly understood. To date, few Brazilian studies have addressed the potential association between risk factors and molecular BC subtypes. This case-control study aimed to identify risk factors for BC in a population of Northeast Brazil. METHODS: Data from 313 patients with invasive BC and 321 healthy controls were obtained from medical records from two cancer treatment centres and personal interviews. Of the 313 BC patients, 224 (71.6%) had reached menopause. The following distribution of subtypes was found among 301 patients: (1) Luminal A: 54 (17.9%); (2) Luminal B: 175 (58.1%); (3) HER2/neu: 29 (9.7%); and (4) triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC): 43 (14.3%). Odds ratios (ORs) and confidence intervals (CIs) were determined using regression analysis. RESULTS: Regression modelling indicated that family history, obesity (≥ 30.0 kg/m2), alcohol consumption and contraceptive use increased the overall risk of BC 1.78 (95% CI: 1.22-2.59), 1.69 (95% CI: 1.08-2.63), 2.21 (95% CI: 1.44-3.39) and 2.99 (95% CI: 2.09-4.28) times, respectively. After stratification for menopausal status, alcohol consumption increased the risk of BC 4.15 (95% CI: 2.13-8.11) times, and obesity, as a single variable, increased the risk of BC 2.02 (95% CI: 1.22-3.37) times, only among postmenopausal women. In a case-control analysis, the risk of TNBC and Luminal B breast cancer were 4.06 (95% CI: 1.58-10.42) and 1.87 times (95% CI: 1.13-3.11) higher, respectively, in obese women than in non-obese women. Furthermore, alcohol consumption increased the risk of Luminal A and B subtypes 7.08 (3.40-14.73) and 1.77 (1.07-2.92) times, respectively. CONCLUSION: Family history, contraceptive use, obesity and alcohol consumption increased the risk of BC. Obesity and alcohol consumption differentially increased risk of TNBC and Luminal molecular subtypes.

Diagnóstico da situação de morte materna / Diagnosis of the situation of maternal death / Diagnóstico de la situación de muerte materna

Objetivo: Analisar a situação do diagnóstico de morte materna na Paraíba, Brasil, segundo variáveis sociodemográficas e causas de óbito materno. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo retrospectivo realizado por meio do Sistema de Informações de Mortalidade (SIM) da Secretaria de Estado da Saúde da Paraíba (SES/PB). Os dados foram coletados pela ferramenta TabNet e a amostra compreendeu os óbitos de mulheres em idade fértil, residentes no estado, no período de 2006 a 2016. Na análise estatística foi utilizado o Software R e testes estatísticos. Resultados: Constatou-se que a razão de morte materna apresentou índice de 49,15/100.000 nv (nascidos vivos) alcançando 88,77/100.000 nv. Dos 355 óbitos maternos de residentes, 341 ocorreram na Paraíba, concentrando-se em Campina Grande (132; 38,7%) e João Pessoa (123; 36%). Além disso, 329 (93%) óbitos ocorreram no ambiente hospitalar. As mortes predominantes foram por causas obstétricas diretas, com 277 casos (81,9%) associados à cor das mulheres. Em relação às causas de morte do capítulo XV do CID-10, 87 (24%) ocorreram por transtornos hipertensivos na gravidez. Conclusão: O estudo identificou um alto índice de mortalidade materna por causas obstétricas diretas na Paraíba, concentrando os maiores percentuais na população de cor preta/parda e nas causas relacionadas aos transtornos hipertensivos.

Objective: To analyze the situation of the diagnosis of maternal death in Paraíba, Brazil, according to sociodemographic variables and causes of maternal death. Methods: This is a retrospective study conducted through the Mortality Information System (SIM) of the Paraíba State Department of Health (SES / PB). We used the TabNet tool to collect data, and the sample comprised the deaths of women of childbearing age, residing in the state, from 2006 to 2016. In the statistical analysis, Software R and statistical tests were used. Results: It was found that the maternal death rate had an index of 49.15 / 100,000 lb (live births), reaching 88.77 / 100,000 lb. Of the 355 maternal deaths of residents, 341 occurred in Paraíba, concentrating in Campina Grande (132; 38.7%) and João Pessoa (123; 36%). Besides, 329 (93%) deaths occurred in the hospital environment. The predominant deaths were due to direct obstetric causes, with 277 cases (81.9%) associated with the color of women. Regarding the causes of death in Chapter XV of ICD-10, 87 (24%) occurred due to hypertensive disorders during pregnancy. Conclusion: The study identified a high rate of maternal mortality from direct obstetric causes in Paraíba, concentrating the highest percentages in the black/brown population and the causes related to hypertensive disorders.

Objetivo: Analizar la situación del diagnóstico de muerte materna en Paraíba, Brasil, según las variables sociodemográficas y las cusas de óbito materno. Métodos: Se trata de un estudio retrospectivo realizado a través del Sistema de Informaciones de Mortalidad (SIM) de la Secretaria de Estado de Salud de Paraíba (SES/PB). Se recogieron los datos con la herramienta TabNet y la muestra incluyó los óbitos de mujeres fértiles, que vivían en el estado, en el período entre 2006 y 2016. Para el análisis estadístico se utilizó el Software R y pruebas estadísticas. Resultados: Se constató que la razón de la muerte materna presentó el índice de 49,15/100.000 nv (nacidos vivos) alcanzando 88,77/100.000 nv. De los 355 óbitos maternos de residentes, 341 se dieron en Paraíba, concentrándose en Campina Grande (132; 38,7%) y João Pessoa (123; 36%). Además de eso, 329 (93%) óbitos se dieron en el ambiente hospitalario. Las muertes predominantes fueron de causas obstétricas directas con 277 casos (81,9%) asociados al color de las mujeres. Respecto las causas de muerte del capítulo XV del CID-10, 87 (24%) se dieron por trastornos hipertensivos en el embarazo. Conclusión: El estudio ha identificado un alto índice de mortalidad de causas obstétricas directas en Paraíba con los mayores porcentajes en la población de color negro/pardo y las causas relacionadas con los trastornos hipertensivos.