Housing status and accidental substance-related acute toxicity deaths in Canada, 2016-2017. / Recherche quantitative originale Statut résidentiel et décès accidentels attribuables à une intoxication aiguë liée à une substance au Canada, 2016-2017.

INTRODUCTION: There is a complex relationship between housing status and substance use, where substance use reduces housing opportunities and being unhoused increases reasons to use substances, and the associated risks and stigma. METHODS: In this descriptive analysis of people without housing who died of accidental substance-related acute toxicity in Canada, we used death investigation data from a national chart review study of substance-related acute toxicity deaths in 2016 and 2017 to compare sociodemographic factors, health histories, circumstances of death and substances contributing to death of people who were unhoused and people not identified as unhoused, using Pearson chi-square test. The demographic distribution of people who died of acute toxicity was compared with the 2016 Nationally Coordinated Point-In-Time Count of Homelessness in Canadian Communities and the 2016 Census. RESULTS: People without housing were substantially overrepresented among those who died of acute toxicity in 2016 and 2017 (8.9% versus <1% of the overall population). The acute toxicity event leading to death of people without housing occurred more often in an outdoor setting (24%); an opioid and/or stimulant was identified as contributing to their death more frequently (68%-82%; both contributed in 59% of their deaths); and they were more frequently discharged from an institution in the month before their death (7%). CONCLUSION: We identified several potential opportunities to reduce acute toxicity deaths among people who are unhoused, including during contacts with health care and other institutions, through harm reduction supports for opioid and stimulant use, and by creating safer environments for people without housing.

Local government interventions for improving the health and wellbeing of tenants in private rented housing: developing initial program theory to inform evaluation in the United Kingdom.

BACKGROUND: Housing is an important wider determinant of health. Private Rented Sector (PRS) housing is generally the worst quality of housing stock across tenures. Although a wide range of interventions are available to local governments to manage and improve the quality of PRS housing and therefore the health of tenants, there is limited evidence about the extent to which these are used. This study aims to explore what drives the use of different interventions in different local governments, to better understand and inform local strategies. METHODS: As the first realist evaluation on this topic, the range of available interventions was informed by a Local Government Association toolkit. Consistent with realist approaches, retroductive analysis of intervention-context-mechanism-outcome configurations helped to develop and refine Initial Programme Theories (IPTs). Data sources included local government housing documents, a survey and eleven semi-structured interviews with housing officers. RESULTS: Using data for 22 out of the 30 local governments in the South West region of the United Kingdom, eight IPTs were developed which act on different levels from individual PRS team leaders to system wide. The IPTs include a belief in market forces, risk adverse to legal challenge, attitude to enforcement, relational approaches to partnership working, job security and renumeration, financial incentives drive action, and system-level understanding of the drivers of poor health, inequalities and opportunities for cost-savings. The findings suggest that limited objective health outcomes are being used to understand impact, which hinders interpretation of the effectiveness of all mechanisms. CONCLUSION: Interventions that bring about positive outcomes in managing PRS housing are unlikely to be universal; they depend on the context which differs across place and over time. The proposed IPTs highlight the need for strategies to be tailored considering the local context and should be evaluated in subsequent phases of study.

Improvements in habitability and housing satisfaction after dwelling regeneration in social housing complexes. The RUCAS study.

Housing is a pressing problem worldwide and a key determinant of health and wellbeing. The right to adequate housing, as a pillar of the right to an adequate standard of living, means more than a roof to live under. Adequate means the dwelling must fulfill material functions and psychosocial functions, thus contributing to dwellers health and wellbeing. Social housing policies aim to fulfill the right to housing, but frequently fail in fulfilling the right to it being adequate. This study capitalizes on the implementation of a national urban regeneration program in two social housing villas in central Chile (one in Santiago, in the central valley, the other in Viña del Mar, a coastal city) to run a natural experiment assessing the impact of dwelling renovation on several dimensions of perceived habitability and housing satisfaction among the -mostly female-household homemakers. We use 5 waves of survey data collected with a step-wedge design to estimate the association between a time-varying exposure status (the intervention) and 7 binary outcomes for habitability and 5 for housing dissatisfaction, including overall housing satisfaction. We use Poisson regression models with robust variance and a random intercept at the respondent level. At baseline, reports of poor habitability and dissatisfaction across all features were markedly high, the highest levels of dissatisfaction being with acoustic insulation and dwelling size in both villas, and with indoor temperature in Santiago. The intervention resulted in statistically significant and markedly large improvements in reported habitability and dissatisfaction relative to those housing components targeted by the intervention, as well as with overall dwelling satisfaction in both study cases. Implications are, first, that the policy response to quantitative housing deficits must not overlook housing quality; second, that housing renovation appears as a promising intervention for qualitative housing crises; third, that while improvements in habitability and satisfaction are specific to the interventions in place, overall housing satisfaction can improve in more limited, tailored, dwelling renovation interventions. Social housing renovation in Latin America appears as a promising intervention to improve quality of life among the urban poor dwellers and reduce inequalities in health related to housing conditions.

Evaluating the association between receipt of a winter fuel cash transfer and older people's care needs, quality of life, and housing quality: Evidence from England.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to cold temperatures is known to be associated with deterioration of physical and mental health as well as poorer well-being in many countries. The Winter Fuel Payment, an unconditional direct cash transfer of value between £250-£300, was designed to help older people in England cover heating costs during the winter months, to counteract the particular vulnerability of older people to the effects of cold weather. AIMS: We evaluated the impact of the Winter Fuel Payment scheme on subsequent prevalence of care needs such as being unable to eat or shower independently, quality of life and the likelihood of having cold-related housing conditions. We also explored the potential effects of the Winter Fuel Payment across different sub-samples (poorer/richer individuals, those living in newer/older properties, and in the North/South of England) to explore whether its benefits (if any) are spread equally across the eligible population. DATA AND METHODS: We used a regression discontinuity design approach with age as running variable to analyse seven waves of a nationally representative sample, the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, covering the period 2002/2003 to 2016/2017, and consisting of 24,651 observations. RESULTS: The Winter Fuel Payment had no overall effect on the outcomes of interest (care needs, quality of life, and cold-related housing problems). However, the Payment increased quality of life for poorer individuals, for those living in Northern regions of England, and for those living in newer dwellings. The likelihood of living in a property with at least one cold-related housing problem also decreased for those living in newer properties. CONCLUSIONS: Findings from this research provide important insights into the effectiveness of a winter cash transfer among the older population in England, and they are potentially relevant for other nations looking for strategies to deal with cold seasons and poorly insulated homes. In particular, this evaluation contributes to the 'universality versus targeting' policy debate and has implications for the development of energy-efficient policies.

Orthopaedic Nurse Navigators and Total Joint Arthroplasty Preoperative Optimization: Mental Health and Housing Status-Part Five of the Movement Is Life Special ONJ Series.

Mental health and housing status have the potential to impact total joint arthroplasty (TJA) outcomes and are common TJA eligibility criteria that prevent patients from receiving surgery. Our aim was to formulate recommendations for how nurse navigators can assist patients with managing mental health and housing concerns. Through discussions with nurse navigators and a literature search across two databases, we gathered information regarding the optimization of mental health and housing status among TJA patients. We observed a lack of standardized protocols for addressing these concerns and literature supporting an increased focus on mental health and housing status, indicating the potential for greater nurse navigator involvement in developing and implementing protocols. We recommend nurse navigators use screening tools to identify mental health and housing concerns and offer the suggested resources to support patients in an effort to improve postoperative outcomes and decrease surgical risks.

Vulnerabilidade social e incidência de COVID-19 em uma metrópole brasileira / Social vulnerability and COVID-19 incidence in a Brazilian metropolis

Resumo A vulnerabilidade é um fator chave no enfrentamento da COVID-19 tendo em vista que pode influenciar no agravamento da doença. Desse modo, ela deve ser considerada no controle da COVID-19, prevenção e promoção da saúde. O objetivo deste artigo é analisar a distribuição espacial da incidência de casos de COVID-19 em uma metrópole brasileira e sua associação com indicadores de vulnerabilidade social. Estudo ecológico. Foi utilizada a análise de varredura espacial (scan) para identificar aglomerados de COVID-19. As variáveis para identificação da vulnerabilidade foram inseridas em um modelo de Regressão Espacial Geograficamente Ponderado (GWR) para identificar sua relação espacial com os casos de COVID-19. A incidência de COVID-19 em Fortaleza foi de 74,52/10 mil habitantes, com notificação de 3.554 casos, sendo pelo menos um caso registrado em cada bairro. A regressão espacial GWR mostrou relação negativa entre incidência de COVID-19 e densidade demográfica (β=-0,0002) e relação positiva entre incidência de COVID-19 e percentual de ocupados >18 anos trabalhadores autônomos (β=1,40), assim como, renda domiciliar per capita máxima do quinto mais pobre (β=0,04). A influência dos indicadores de vulnerabilidade sobre a incidência evidenciou áreas que podem ser alvo de políticas públicas a fim de impactar na incidência de COVID-19.

Abstract Vulnerability is a crucial factor in addressing COVID-19 as it can aggravate the disease. Thus, it should be considered in COVID-19 control and health prevention and promotion. This ecological study aimed to analyze the spatial distribution of the incidence of COVID-19 cases in a Brazilian metropolis and its association with social vulnerability indicators. Spatial scan analysis was used to identify COVID-19 clusters. The variables for identifying the vulnerability were inserted in a Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) model to identify their spatial relationship with COVID-19 cases. The incidence of COVID-19 in Fortaleza was 74.52/10,000 inhabitants, with 3,554 reported cases and at least one case registered in each neighborhood. The spatial GWR showed a negative relationship between the incidence of COVID-19 and demographic density (β=-0,0002) and a positive relationship between the incidence of COVID-19 and the percentage of self-employed >18 years (β=1.40), and maximum per capita household income of the poorest fifth (β=0.04). The influence of vulnerability indicators on incidence showed areas that can be the target of public policies to impact the incidence of COVID-19.

Guía de vivienda 2020: sistema público de vivienda / Housing guide 2020: public housing system

En la Guía de Vivienda podés encontrar todas las posibilidades que brinda el Sistema Público de Vivienda para que puedas acceder a tener su casa.

Peroxiredoxin isoforms are associated with cardiovascular risk factors in type 2 diabetes mellitus

The production of oxygen free radicals in type 2 diabetes mellitus contributes to the development of complications, especially the cardiovascular-related ones. Peroxiredoxins (PRDXs) are antioxidant enzymes that combat oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between the levels of PRDX isoforms (1, 2, 4, and 6) and cardiovascular risk factors in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Fifty-three patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (28F/25M) and 25 healthy control subjects (7F/18M) were enrolled. We measured the plasma levels of each PRDX isoform and analyzed their correlations with cardiovascular risk factors. The plasma PRDX1, -2, -4, and -6 levels were higher in the diabetic patients than in the healthy control subjects. PRDX2 and -6 levels were negatively correlated with diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood sugar, and hemoglobin A1c. In contrast, PRDX1 levels were positively correlated with low-density lipoprotein and C-reactive protein levels. PRDX4 levels were negatively correlated with triglycerides. In conclusion, PRDX1, -2, -4, and -6 showed differential correlations with a variety of traditional cardiovascular risk factors. These results should encourage further research into the crosstalk between PRDX isoforms and cardiovascular risk factors.

Fatores de Risco para Leishmaniose Tegumentar Americana (LTA) no município de Bandeirantes, Paraná, Brasil / Risk Factors for American Tegumentary Leishmaniasis (ATL) in Bandeirantes - Parana

A leishmaniose é uma ameaça para cerca de 350 milhões de pessoas em 88 países no mundo. No município de Bandeirantes, estado do Paraná, Brasil, foram notificados 183 casos de leishmaniose tegumentar americana (LTA) entre 2000 a 2013. Objetivos: Descrever e analisar os casos de LTA ocorridos no município de Bandeirantes Paraná, entre 2007 e 2013 e investigar os fatores de risco associados à ocorrência da doença, considerando-se fatores socioeconômicos, condições habitacionais e do entorno das residências, atividades ocupacionais e de lazer, conhecimento sobre a LTA na população de estudo e algumas práticas; investigar a presença de anticorpos anti Leishmania sp. na população canina e descrever as características socioeconômicas, condições habitacionais e do entorno das residências, atividades ocupacionais, de lazer nos casos que evoluíram para óbitos bem como as características clínicas. Métodos: estudo caso-controle não pareado. A amostra constou de 104 casos autóctones de LTA notificados na Secretaria Municipal de Saúde de Bandeirantes e 90 controles, residentes selecionados aleatoriamente que apresentassem reação de imunofluorescência indireta (RIFI) negativa. A amostra da população canina foi composta por animais presentes nas residências dos casos e dos controles. Foram investigados os óbitos entre os indivíduos que tiveram LTA no período do estudo. Resultados: O sexo feminino prevaleceu entre os casos (62,50 por cento ) e controles (68,89 por cento ), bem como a faixa etária maior ou igual a 60 anos em ambos os grupos (46,15 por cento e 33,33 por cento , respectivamente). Todavia estas condições não se mostraram como fatores de risco significante. Mostraram-se como fatores de risco significantes (p < 0,05) as seguintes variáveis: ser analfabeto (OR = 10,09), aposentados (OR = 2,35), praticar atividades de lazer relacionadas à zona rural (OR = 4,47), frestas na casa (OR = 2,15), presença de matos próximos ao domicílio (OR = 6,92), presença de plantas frutíferas no peridomicílio (OR=2,02), anexos peridomicilares (OR = 4,30), galinheiro (OR=2,15) e canil (OR = 3,90), dormir fora do quarto (OR=4,97), 8 combate a animais sinantrópicos (OR = 2,69), uso de repelente corporal (5,43) e conhecer o mosquito transmissor (OR = 3,48), a relação com outros animais (OR =2,51) e prevenção (OR = 2,24). Como fatores de proteção: renda familiar > 3 salários mínimo (OR = 0,22), casa de alvenaria e reboco (OR = 0,41), abastecimento de água de rede (OR = 0,41), presença de rede de esgoto (OR = 0,33), coleta de lixo pública (OR = 0,35). Os exames sorológicos realizados nos cães do estudo demonstraram que 38,23 por cento foram reagentes para os casos e 2,12 por cento nos controles. Os cães dos casos possuem 28,47 vezes mais chance de contrair a LTA quando comparados com os cães dos controles (p<0,0001). Foram investigados 14 óbitos, 35,71 por cento estavam em tratamento da LTA e 42,86 por cento apresentavam lesões compatíveis com a LTA. Conclusões: A ocorrência da LTA em Bandeirantes mostrou-se associada estatisticamente às variáveis: idade, escolaridade, renda familiar, atividades de lazer relacionadas à zona rural, presença de anexos domiciliares e vegetação próximo ao domicílio, assim como o uso de repelente corporal, dormir fora do quarto e conhecer o mosquito vetor da LTA e a sua forma de prevenção.

The leishmaniasis threat around 350 million people in 88 countries around the world. In Bandeirantes - Parana from 2000 to 2013 183 cases of American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL) were reported. Objectives: to describe and analyze the occurrence of ATL in human population in Bandeirantes - Parana, between 2007 and 2013; to investigate the risk factors associated with the disease considering socioeconomic factors, housing conditions and the surrounding residences, occupational and leisure activities, knowledge of the LTA in the study population and some practical; investigate the presence of antibodies against Leishmania sp. the canine population and describe the socio-economic characteristics, housing conditions and the surrounding residences, occupational activities, leisure in cases that evolved to death and the clinical characteristics. Methods: A not paired case-control study was performed in with 104 cases, individuals who had autochthonous ATL notified in the Municipal Health Department of Bandeirantes and 90 controls were randomly selected out of those who presented negative reaction of indirect immunofluorescence (IIF). The canine population was selected from the cases and controls. The deaths among those individuals who had ATL during the study period were investigated. Results: Females were more abundant in case (62,5 per cent ) and control groups (68.89 per cent ) with predominance of age equal or greater than 60 years in both groups (46,15 and 33.33 per cent respectively). However, these conditions were not significant risk factors. The significant risk factors (p < 0,05) were: illiterate people (OR = 10,09), those who receive one to three minimum wages (OR =4,48), retired people (OR=2,35), to practice leisure activities related to rural area (OR=4,47), openings on the house (OR=2,15), presence of forests near the domicilie (OR = 6,92), presence of fruit plants near the house (OR=2,02), attachments to the house (OR = 4,30), chicken stay (OR=2,15), kennel (OR = 3,90), to sleep out of the bedroom (OR=4,97), to combat urban plagues (OR = 2,69), to use repellent (5,43) and to know the phlebotomine (OR = 3,48) and its relation with other animals (OR =2,51), and prevention (OR = 2,24). The protective factors were house of masonry and plaster (OR = 0.41), water supply network (OR = 0.41), 10 presence of sewage (OR = 0.33), public garbage collection (OR = 0.35). The serological tests performed in dogs of the study showed that 38.23 per cent were reactive to the cases and 2.12 per cent to the controls. The dogs of the cases have 28.47 times more chance of catching the ATL when compared with the dogs of the controls (p< 0.0001). Fourteen deaths were investigated, out of which 35.71 per cent were in treatment of ATL and 42.86 per cent had lesions compatible with the ATL. Conclusions: The occurrence of ATL in Bandeirantes proved to be statistically associated with the variables: age, education, family income, leisure activities related to rural area, presence of attachments to the house and vegetation near the domicile, as well as the use of repellent, sleeping outside of the room and knowing the disease vector of ATL and its prevention.

Estimativas da prevalencia de desnutricao infantil nos municipios brasileiros em 2006 / Estimativas de la prevalencia de desnutricion infantil en los municipios brasilenos en 2006 / Estimates of the prevalence of child malnutrition in Brazilian municipalities in 2006

OBJETIVO: Estimar a prevalência da desnutrição infantil para os municípios brasileiros. MÉTODOS: Utilizou-se modelo de regressão logística multinível para estimar a probabilidade individual de desnutrição em 5.507 municípios brasileiros em 2006, em função de fatores preditivos agrupados segundo níveis hierárquicos. A variável resposta foi a desnutrição infantil (crianças de seis a 59 meses com estatura para idade e sexo inferior a -2 escores Z, segundo o padrão da Organização Mundial da Saúde). As variáveis preditivas foram determinantes da desnutrição aferidos de forma semelhante pela Pesquisa Nacional sobre Demografia e Saúde-2006 e pela Amostra do Censo de 2000. No nível 1 (individual): sexo e idade; no nível 2 (domiciliar): variáveis socioeconômicas, água com canalização interna, área urbana ou rural; e no nível 3 (municipal): localização do município e cobertura da Estratégia Saúde da Família em 2006. RESULTADOS: Detectou-se elevação estatisticamente significativa da chance de desnutrição nas crianças do sexo masculino, que moravam em domicílios com duas ou mais pessoas por cômodo, pertencentes aos quintos inferiores do escore socioeconômico, com três ou mais crianças < 5 anos, que não dispunham de água encanada ou localizados na Região Norte. Verificou-se associação dose-resposta negativa entre a cobertura da Estratégia Saúde da Família e a chance de desnutrição (p = 0,007). Cobertura municipal da Estratégia Saúde da Família > 70% mostrou redução de 45% na chance de desnutrição infantil. Estimativas da prevalência de desnutrição infantil mostraram que a maioria ...

OBJETIVO: Estimar la prevalencia de la desnutrición infantil para los municipios brasileños MÉTODOS: Se utilizó modelo de regresión logística multinivel para estimar la probabilidad individual de desnutrición en 5.507 municipios brasileños en 2006, en función de factores predictivos agrupados según niveles jerárquicos. La variable respuesta fue la desnutrición infantil (niños de seis a 59 meses con estatura para edad y sexo inferior a -2 escores z, según el patrón de la Organización Mundial de la Salud). Las variables predictivas fueron determinantes de la desnutrición estimados de forma semejante por la Investigación Nacional sobre Demografía y Salud-2006 y por la muestra de censo de 2000. En el nivel 1 (individual): sexo y edad, en el nivel 2 (domiciliar): variables socioeconómicas, agua con tubería interna, área urbana o rural y en el nivel 3 (municipal): localización del municipio y cobertura de la Estrategia Salud de la Familia en 2006. RESULTADOS: Se detectó elevación estadísticamente significativa de la probabilidad de desnutrición en los niños del sexo masculino, que vivían en domicilios con dos o más personas por cuarto, pertenecientes a la quinta parte inferior del escore socioeconómica, con tres o más niños ˂ 5 años, que no disponían de agua en tuberías o localizados en Región Norte. Se verificó asociación dosis-respuesta negativa entre la cobertura de la Estrategia Salud de la Familia y la probabilidad de desnutrición (p=0,007). Cobertura municipal de Estrategia Salud de la Familia > 70% mostró reducción de 45% en la probabilidad de desnutrición infantil. Estimativas de prevalencia de desnutrición infantil mostraron que la mayoría de los municipios estudiados presentó riesgo de ...

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of malnutrition in children for all Brazilian municipalities. METHODS: A multilevel logistic regression model was used to estimate the individual probability of malnutrition in 5,507 Brazilian municipalities in 2006, in terms of predictive factors grouped according to hierarchical levels. The response variable was child malnutrition (children aged from six to 59 months with height for age and sex below -2 z-scores, according to the World Health Organization standard). The predictive variables were determinants of malnutrition measured similarly by the National Demographics and Health Survey-2006 and the Sample from the 2000 Demographic Census. At level 1 (individual): sex and age, level 2 (household): socioeconomic variables, water and indoor plumbing, urban or rural area and level 3 (municipal): location of the municipality and coverage of the Family Health Strategy (FHS) in 2006. RESULTS: The study detected a statistically significant chance of malnutrition in male children, those living in households with two or more individuals per room, those belonging to the lowest quintiles of the socioeconomic score, those with three or more children under five in the household, those with no access to running water or located in the North. There was a negative dose-response association between FHS coverage and the chance of malnutrition (p = 0.007). FHS coverage in the municipality equal to or greater than 70% showed a 45% reduction in the chance of infant malnutrition. Estimates of the prevalence of child malnutrition show that most of the cities have the risk of malnutrition under control, very low or low. Risks of greater magnitude exist only in 158 municipalities in the North Region. CONCLUSIONS: Childhood malnutrition as a public health problem is concentrated in the cities of the North region, where FHS coverage is lower. A protective effect of FHS in relation to child malnutrition was ...

Elaboração de um roteiro para avaliação do ambiente e do mobiliário no domicílio de idosos / Developing a roadmap for evaluating environmental and furniture in the home of elderly

As dificuldades apresentadas com o avanço da idade trazem reflexos na manipulação do ambiente, especialmente no domicílio. Os cuidados com a avaliação ambiental são requisitos importantes, porém ainda existem poucas escalas a serem utilizadas no Brasil. O objetivo do trabalho foi elaborar um checklist para avaliar condições espaciais da residência de idosos. O instrumento, elaborado em duas partes, foi testado na residência de 12 idosos, com idade entre 60 e 75 anos, sendo verificadas dificuldades no preenchimento e necessidade de ajustes. O referencial teórico da primeira parte foram os parâmetros da Norma Brasileira de Acessibilidade NBR 9050 (ABNT, 2004), e da segunda parte o questionário adaptado por Ferrer et al. (2004) e as medidas da posição sentada descritas por Chaffin, Anderson e Martin (2001). Os resultados apontam que a versão final do checklist possibilita uma investigação sintética e de fácil preenchimento, que contém dados gerais sobre o ambiente físico (primeira parte) e informações sobre mobiliários e medidas antropométricas do idoso (segunda parte). Além de contemplar temas relevantes, apresenta critérios reconhecidos em acessibilidade, tornando-se uma ferramenta para os profissionais avaliarem aspectos que envolvem segurança e funcionalidade na residência, bem como para direcionar as ações de adequação ambiental.

Difficulties with advancing age brings reflections on the manipulation of the environment, especially at home. The care of the environmental assessment requirements are important, but there are still a few scales to be used in Brazil. The objective was to develop a checklist to assess spatial conditions of residence for the elderly. The instrument, made in two parts, was tested at the residence of 12 elderly aged 60 and 75 years, and noted difficulties in filling the need for adjustments. The theoretical part of the fi rst were the parameters of the Brazilian Accessibility NBR 9050 (ABNT, 2004), and the second part of the questionnaire adapted by Ferrer et al. (2004) and measures the sitting position described by Chaffin, Anderson and Martin (2001). The results indicate that the final version of the checklist provides a summary investigation and easy filling, which contains general data about the physical environment (first part) and information about securities and anthropometric measurements of the elderly (second part). Besides viewing relevant topics, presents recognized criteria for accessibility, making it a tool for professionals assess aspects involving safety and functionality in residence, and to direct the actions of environmental adaptation.

Prevalência de diarreia em crianças e condições de saneamento e moradia em áreas periurbanas de Guarulhos, SP / Diarrhea in children and sanitation and housing conditions in periurban areas in the city of Guarulhos, SP

Foi realizado estudo transversal em área periurbana do Município de Guarulhos, SP, atendida pelo Programa Saúde da Família (PSF) para verificar associação entre ocorrência de diarreia em crianças de 0-2 anos de idade e características da criança, condições de saneamento e tipo de moradia. Os dados foram coletados nas fichas de registro do PSF. Foi realizada análise de regressão logística multivariada, a qual indicou a interação Moradia*Esgoto (outros materiais e ausência de rede de esgoto, p < 0,001) e idade (4 - 9 meses, p = 0,054; e 10 meses e mais, p = 0,008) como fatores de risco para ocorrência de diarreia. Em localidades com falta de dados para compor indicadores de saneamento básico que permitem identificar populações que vivem situações de risco para a ocorrência de diarréia, as informações coletadas pelo PSF podem se constituir em excelente ferramenta para identificação de núcleos populacionais com precárias condições de habitação e saneamento.

A cross-sectional study was carried out to identify the association between diarrhea in 0-2 year-old children and children´s characteristics, access to sanitation and housing conditions in a periurban area served by the Family Health Program, in the city of Guarulhos, SP. Data were obtained from FHP registration forms. Multiple logistic regression showed interaction for Housing*Sewage (other materials and non collected wastewater, p < 0.001), age group (4 - 9 months old, p = 0.054; 10 months and older, p = 0.008) as risk factors for diarrhea. Information collected by the Family Health Program could be an excellent tool to identify populations with poor housing and sanitation conditions at locations where sanitation indicators are not efficient to identify populations living at risk.

Diferenciais intermunicipais de condições de vida e saúde: construção de um indicador composto / Diferencias intermunicipales de condiciones de vida y salud: construcción de un indicador compuesto / Differences in living conditions and health between cities: construction of a composite indicator

OBJETIVO: Descrever um índice para reconhecimento das desigualdades de condições de vida e saúde e sua relação com o planejamento em saúde. MÉTODOS: Foram selecionadas variáveis e indicadores que refletissem os processos demográficos, econômicos, ambientais e de educação, bem como oferta e produção de serviços de saúde. Esses indicadores foram utilizados no escalonamento adimensional dos indicadores e agrupamento dos 5.507 municípios brasileiros. As fontes de dados foram o censo de 2000 e os sistemas de informações do Ministério da Saúde. Para análise dos dados foram aplicados os testes z-score e cluster analysis. Com base nesses testes foram definidos quatro grupos de municípios segundo condições de vida. RESULTADOS: Existe uma polarização entre o grupo de melhores condições de vida e saúde (grupo 1) e o de piores condições (grupo 4). O grupo 1 é caracterizado pelos municípios de maior porte populacional e no grupo 4 estão principalmente os menores municípios. Quanto à macrorregião do País, os municípios do grupo 1 concentram-se no Sul e Sudeste e no grupo 4 estão os municípios do Nordeste. CONCLUSÕES: Por incorporar dimensões da realidade como habitação, meio ambiente e saúde, o índice de condições de vida e saúde permitiu identificar municípios mais vulneráveis, embasando a definição de prioridades, critérios para financiamento e repasse de recursos de forma mais eqüitativa.

OBJECTIVE: To describe an index to identify inequities in living conditions and health and its relationship with health planning. METHODS: Variables and indicators that would reflect demographic, economic, environment and education processes as well as supply and production of health services were applied for nondimensional scaling and clustering of 5,507 Brazilian municipalities. Data sources were the 2000 Census and the Brazilian Ministry of Health information systems. Z-score test statistic and cluster analysis were performed allowing to defining 4 groups of municipalities by living conditions. RESULTS: There was seen a polarization between the group with the best living conditions and health (Group 1) and the group with the worst living conditions (Group 4). Group 1 consisted of municipalities with larger populations while Group 4 comprised mainly the smallest municipalities. As for Brazilian macroregions, municipalities in Group 1 are clustered in the south and southeast and those in Group 4 are in the Northeast. CONCLUSIONS: The living conditions and health index comprises reality dimensions such as housing, environment and health which allows to identifying the most vulnerable municipalities and can provide input for setting priorities, and developing criteria for more equitable financing and resource allocation.

OBJETIVO: Describir un índice para reconocimiento de las desigualdades de condiciones de vida y salud y su relación con la planificación en salud. MÉTODOS: Fueron seleccionados variables e indicadores que reflejasen los procesos demográficos, económicos, ambientales y de educación, bien como oferta y producción de servicios de salud. Esos indicadores fueron utilizados en el escalonamiento adimensional de los indicadores y agrupamiento de los 5.507 municipios brasileros. Las fuentes de datos fueron el censo de 2000 y los sistemas de informaciones del Ministerio de la Salud. Para análisis de los datos fueron aplicadas las pruebas z-score y cluster analysis. Con base en estas pruebas fueron definidos cuatro grupos de municipios según condiciones de vida. RESULTADOS: Existe una polarización entre el grupo de mejores condiciones de vida y salud (grupo 1) y el de peores condiciones (grupo 4). El grupo 1 es caracterizado por los municipios de mayor porte poblacional y en el grupo 4 están principalmente los menores municipios. Con relación a la macro región del País, los municipios del grupo 1 se concentran en el Sur y Sureste y en el grupo 4 están los municipios del Noreste. CONCLUSIONES: Por incorporar dimensiones de la realidad como habitación, medio ambiente y salud, el índice de condiciones de vida y salud permitió identificar municipios más vulnerables, acotando la definición de prioridades, criterios para financiamiento y repase de recursos de forma más equitativa.

An ecosystem perspective in the socio-cultural evaluation of dengue in two Colombian towns / Uma abordagem ecossistêmica à avaliação sócio-cultural da dengue em duas cidades da Colômbia

Despite extensive public health efforts, dengue is still a major health concern in Colombia. The objective of this study was to provide an ecosystem and cross-disciplinary perspective on the dengue situation in two Colombian towns. The article focuses on presenting the anthropological methodology and research findings. An interdisciplinary team gathered quantitative (cross-sectional), meteorological, entomological, and qualitative data (based on medical anthropology) through fieldwork and archival research. According to the qualitative data, dengue can be described as a point of convergence between public health policies, the affected population, the environment, and the social dynamics generated through this interaction. Dengue is illustrative as a disease, in that it has a negative impact on public health, but individuals in Colombia have learned to live and cope with it. Dengue prevalence and its on-going historical presence have made it part of everyday community life, viewed as a minor health issue.

Apesar dos esforços de saúde pública, a dengue continua sendo uma grande preocupação de saúde na Colômbia. O objetivo deste estudo é de fornecer uma perspectiva ecossistêmica e transdisciplinar em relação à situação da dengue em duas cidades colombianas. O foco principal do artigo é a apresentação da metodologia antropológica e dos achados da pesquisa. Uma equipe multidisciplinar coletou dados quantitativos (transversais), meteorológicos, entomológicos e qualitativos data (baseados na antropologia médica), através de trabalho de campo e pesquisa de arquivos. Com base nos dados qualitativos, a dengue pode ser descrita como ponto de convergência entre políticas de saúde pública, a população afetada, o meio ambiente e a dinâmica social gerada por essa interação. A dengue é um bom exemplo de uma doença com impacto negativo sobre a saúde pública, mas com a qual os indivíduos em um país como a Colômbia aprenderam a lidar e conviver. A prevalência da dengue e sua presença histórica persistente tornaram a doença parte da vida cotidiana da comunidade, vista como um problema de saúde menor.

House improvements and community participation in the control of Triatoma dimidiata re-infestation in Jutiapa, Guatemala / Melhorias habitacionais com participação comunitária no controle da re-infestação por Triatoma dimidiata em Jutiapa, Guatemala

The deterioration or absence of plaster walls in houses and poor hygienic conditions are the most important risk factors for indoor Triatoma dimidiata infestation in Guatemala. A cross-disciplinary study was conducted addressing T. dimidiata infestation, household hygiene, and housing construction. The study focused on local materials and cultural aspects (including gender roles) that could lead to long-term improvements in wall construction. A new plaster mix for walls was developed on the basis of laboratory studies on construction materials recommended by local villagers. Four villages with persistent (post-spraying) T. dimidiata infestation were studied. In two villages, an ecosystem approach was implemented, and the homeowners conducted wall improvements and household sanitation with the support of the interdisciplinary team (the ecosystem intervention). In the other two villages, a vector control approach based on insecticide spraying was adopted (traditional intervention). Both interventions were associated with a reduction in T. dimidiata infestation, but only the ecosystem approach produced important housing improvements (sanitation and wall construction) capable of preventing T. dimidiata re-infestation in the long term.

A degradação ou ausência de reboco nas paredes e as condições higiênicas deficientes são os fatores de risco mais importantes para a infestação intradomiciliar por Triatoma dimidiata na Guatemala. Realizamos um estudo transdisciplinar sobre infestação por T. dimidiata, higiene intradomiciliar e condições de construção. O estudo destacou as questões de materiais locais e aspectos culturais (inclusive papéis de gênero) que poderiam levar a melhorias nas condições das paredes no longo prazo. Formulou-se uma nova mistura de gesso para paredes, após estudos de laboratório sobre materiais de construção com base em recomendações dos residentes locais. Foram estudados quatro vilarejos com infestação por T. dimidiata que havia persistido mesmo após aplicação de inseticida. Em duas comunidades, foi implementada uma abordagem ecossistêmica, e os residentes implementaram melhorias nas paredes e no saneamento domiciliar, com o apoio da equipe interdisciplinar (intervenção ecossistêmica). Nas duas outras comunidades, adotou-se uma estratégia de controle com base na aplicação de inseticida (intervenção tradicional). Ambas as intervenções levaram a uma redução na infestação por T. dimidiata, mas apenas a abordagem ecossistêmica produziu melhorias importantes nas condições de moradia (saneamento e revestimento das paredes) capazes de prevenir a re-infestação por T. dimidiata no longo prazo.

Irregular water supply, household usage and dengue: a bio-social study in the Brazilian Northeast / Abastecimento irregular de água, seu uso domiciliar e dengue: uma pesquisa biossocial no Nordeste do Brasil

Despite increased vector control efforts, dengue fever remains endemic in Fortaleza, Northeast Brazil, where sporadic epidemic outbreaks have occurred since 1986. Multiple factors affect vector ecology such as social policy, migration, urbanization, city water supply, garbage disposal and housing conditions, as well as community level understanding of the disease and related practices. This descriptive study used a multi-disciplinary approach that bridged anthropology and entomology. A multiple case study design was adopted to include research in six study areas, defined as blocks. The water supply is irregular in households from both under-privileged and privileged areas, however, clear differences exist. In the more privileged blocks, several homes are not connected to the public water system, but have a well and pump system and therefore irregularity of supply does not affect them. In households from under-privileged blocks, where the water supply is irregular, the frequent use of water containers such as water tanks, cisterns, barrels and pots, creates environmental conditions with a greater number of breeding areas. In under-privileged homes, there are more possible breeding areas and environmental conditions that may improve the chances of Aedes aegypti survival.

Apesar do crescimento de esforços no controle, desde 1986, a dengue, em Fortaleza, Nordeste do Brasil, continua endêmica com esporádicos surtos epidêmicos. Diversos fatores influenciam a ecologia do vetor, como as políticas sociais, a migração, a urbanização, o abastecimento urbano de água, a coleta de resíduos sólidos, as condições das casas, assim como as interpretações e práticas da comunidade. Este estudo descritivo utiliza uma abordagem multidisciplinar conjugando a antropologia e a entomologia. Foi adotado um desenho de estudo de caso múltiplo em seis quarteirões da cidade. O abastecimento de água é irregular seja nas casas pobres, seja naquelas privilegiadas. Apesar disso, existem diferenças entre os quarteirões em áreas pobres e aqueles mais privilegiados. Nos quarteirões mais privilegiados, existem casas que não têm ligação com o sistema de abastecimento público mas têm sistemas com poço e bomba, por isso a irregularidade não os afeta. Nos domicílios mais pobres, onde o abastecimento de água é irregular, a utilização de reservatórios como caixas d'água, cisternas, tambores, potes, cria as condições ambientais para um maior número de criadouros potenciais que poderiam incrementar a sobrevivência do Aedes aegypti.

Fatores de risco para transmissão da Hanseníase / Factores de riesgo para la transmisión de la Lepra / Risk factors for Leprosy transmission

Estudo caso controle que objetivou identificar fatores individuais de risco relacionados à transmissão da doença. O grupo caso, composto por 90 pacientes de hanseníase notificados no SINAN entre 2003 e 2006; o grupo controle, constituído por 270 indivíduos sadios, pareados por sexo e faixa etária. Houve associação significativa entre a ocorrência da doença e a presença atual (OR= 2,9) e antiga (OR=5,0) de hanseníase entre parentes co-sangüíneos. Sabendo-se que o exame único dos contatos, no ato do diagnóstico, detecta uma parcela mínima dos casos, propõe-se a realização de exames periódicos dos contatos de hansenianos a fim de detectar os novos casos.

This case-control study aimed to identify individual risk factors regarding the transmission of leprosy. The group case represented by 90 cases of leprosy sick people pontificated at SINAN during 2003 and 2006 and a group control constituted by 270 healthy people, paired by gender and age. There was significant statistical between occurrence of the disease and its current presence (OR: 2,9) and old cases (OR= 5,0) of leprosy among co-sanguine relatives. Knowing that the only exam of the contact in the act of the diagnostic detects a minimum part of the new cases, it is proposed to execute periodical examinations of the contact of leprosy for detecting the new cases.

Estudio caso controle que objetivó identificar factores individuales del riesgo relacionados a transmisión de la enfermedad. El grupo caso, compuesto por 90 pacientes con lepra notificados en el SINAN entre 2003 y 2006; y el grupo controle, constituido por 270 individuos saludables, pareados por sexo y edad. Hubo asociación significativa entre la ocurrencia de la enfermedad y la presencia actual (OR= 2,9) y antigua (OR=5,0) de la lepra entre parientes co-sanguíneos. Sabiéndose que el examen único de los contactos en el acto del diagnóstico detecta una parcela mínima de los casos, se propone a la realización del examen periódico de los contactos de leprosos a fin de detectar los nuevos casos.