Impact of the program life in traffic and new zero-tolerance drinking and driving law on the prevalence of driving after alcohol abuse in Brazilian capitals: An interrupted time series analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Driving under the influence of alcohol is one of the main factors for morbidity and mortality from traffic accidents. In 2010 and 2013, the Program Life in Traffic was implemented in Brazil, including the international initiative "Road Safety in Ten Countries", which established actions to reduce one of the main risk factors for road traffic injuries, the driving under the influence of alcohol. In 2012, a new zero-tolerance drinking and driving law (new dry law) was implemented, establishing a zero-tolerance limit for the drivers' blood alcohol concentration, and increasing punitive measures. This study aimed at analyzing the impact of these measures on the prevalence of driving under the influence of alcohol abuse in Brazilian capitals. METHODS: An interrupted time series study was conducted using the models of autoregressive integrated moving average or seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average. The main outcome was the prevalence of driving after alcohol abuse in the adult population (≥ 18 years). The model's predictors were the interventions "Program Life in Traffic" and "New Dry Law". The former was implemented in the first quarter of 2011, initially in five capitals: Belo Horizonte, Campo Grande, Palmas, Teresina, and Curitiba, being expanded to the other capitals in the first quarter of 2013. The latter was implemented in the country on the first quarter of 2013. Data source for the study was the records of the surveillance system for risk and protection factors of chronic diseases through telephone survey (Vigitel) from 2007 to 2016. RESULTS: The time intervals considered in the study were the quarters. Thirty-eight units were considered in the analysis, corresponding to time series points. It was found that after the implementation of the Program Life in Traffic, in the first quarter of 2011, there was a reduction in the prevalence in Belo Horizonte and Curitiba. Because the introduction of the New Dry Law and the Program Life in Traffic took place in similar periods in the other cities, there was a significant reduction in the outcome prevalence in the cities of Aracaju, Belo Horizonte, Boa Vista, Fortaleza, João Pessoa, Maceió, Manaus, Palmas, Porto Alegre, Recife, Teresina, Rio Branco, and Vitória following the law application. CONCLUSION: The present study identified an immediate impact of the Program Life in Traffic in two capitals (Belo Horizonte and Curitiba) and a joint impact of the New Dry Law in 13 capitals. The results of this study have implications for strengthening interventions aimed at reducing the burden of morbidity and mortality from traffic accidents in Brazil.

RT-qPCR-based pool testing for the diagnosis of COVID-19.

This study proposes a strategy for large-scale testing among a large number of people for the early diagnosis of COVID-19 to elucidate the epidemiological situation. Pool testing involves the analysis of pooled samples. This study aimed to discuss a reverse transcription technique followed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction using pool testing to detect SARS-CoV-2 in nasopharyngeal swab samples. The study proposes an innovative diagnostic strategy that contributes to resource optimization, cost reduction, and improved agility of feedback from results. Pool testing is simultaneously performed on multiple samples to efficiently and cost-effectively detect COVID-19. Pool testing can optimize resource utilization and expand diagnostic access, and is a viable alternative for developing countries with limited access to testing. To optimize resources, the pool size was determined by estimating COVID-19 prevalence in the study population.

A decreased trajectory of loneliness among Brazilians aged 50 years and older during the COVID-19 pandemic: ELSI-Brazil.

This study aimed to estimate prevalence of loneliness among older Brazilian adults over the first seven months of the COVID-19 pandemic and to identify the predictors of loneliness trajectories. Pre-pandemic data derived from face-to-face interviews of participants of the 2019-2020 Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI-Brazil), which is a nationally representative study of community-dwelling individuals aged 50 years and over. Pandemic data were based on three rounds of telephone interviews among those participants, conducted from May to October 2020. Loneliness was measured by a single-item question, considering those who had at least two repeated measures. Explanatory variables included depression, living alone, leaving home in the last week, and virtual connectedness in the last month. Mixed-effects logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios with their 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) and to investigate loneliness trajectories and their predictors. In total, 5,108 participants were included. The overall prevalence of loneliness in the pre-pandemic period was 33.1% (95%CI: 29.4-36.8), higher than the pandemic period (round 1: 23.6%, 95%CI: 20.6-26.9; round 2: 20.5%, 95%CI: 17.8-23.5; round 3: 20.6%, 95%CI: 17.1-24.6). A significant interaction (p ≤ 0.05) was evidenced only between depression and time; participants with depression showed a greater reduction in loneliness levels. Although loneliness levels in Brazil have decreased during the pandemic, this pattern is not present for all older adults. Individuals with depression had a more significant reduction, probably due to feeling closer to their social network members during the stay-at-home recommendations.

[Discrimination perceived by elderly adults in the use of health services: an integrative review]. / Discriminação percebida por adultos mais velhos no uso de serviços de saúde: uma revisão integrativa.

This paper analyzes the current evidence on discrimination perceived by elderly adults (> 50 years) in the use of health services and identifies factors associated with this discriminatory experience. It involved an integrative literature review, carried out on the Biblioteca Virtual de Saúde, CINAHL, Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science search websites, in June/2021. The key words used were social discrimination or ageism; middle-aged, or aged 80 and over or elderly; health services or health services for the elderly, including synonyms, in Portuguese, English, and Spanish. The search strategy identified 1,165 articles; 19 met the eligibility and inclusion criteria and were included in this integrative review. They comprise quantitative and qualitative studies published between 2002 and 2021; about 60% carried out in the United States and Australia. The prevalence of discrimination in the use of health services ranged from 2% to 42%. The report of discriminatory practices was associated with ethnic-racial characteristics, sex, age, sexual orientation, physical appearance, and social class. By giving visibility to the theme, this work aims to stimulate the definition of concrete ways to tackle discrimination, in an attempt to interrupt the perpetration of inequities in the health care area.

Este trabalho analisa as evidências atuais sobre a discriminação percebida por adultos mais velhos (> 50 anos) no uso de serviços de saúde e identifica os fatores associados a essa experiência. Trata-se de uma revisão integrativa da literatura, realizada a partir de pesquisa nos sítios eletrônicos Biblioteca Virtual de Saúde, CINAHL, Medline, Scopus e Web of Science, em junho de 2021. Foram utilizados os descritores: discriminação social ou ageismo; pessoa de meia-idade ou idoso de 80 anos ou mais ou idoso; e serviço de saúde ou serviço de saúde para idosos, incluindo sinônimos, nos idiomas português, inglês e espanhol. A estratégia de busca identificou 1.165 artigos; 19 cumpriram os critérios de elegibilidade e inclusão. O acervo inclui estudos quantitativos e qualitativos publicados entre 2002 e 2021; cerca de 60% realizados nos Estados Unidos e Austrália. A prevalência de discriminação no uso de serviços de saúde variou de 2% a 42%. O relato de práticas discriminatórias se mostrou associado a características étnico-raciais, sexo, idade, orientação sexual, aparência física e classe social. Ao dar visibilidade ao tema, este trabalho visa estimular a definição de formas concretas de enfrentamento à discriminação e interromper a perpetração de iniquidades no âmbito da atenção à saúde.

Discriminação percebida por adultos mais velhos no uso de serviços de saúde: uma revisão integrativa / Discrimination perceived by elderly adults in the use of health services: an integrative review

Resumo Este trabalho analisa as evidências atuais sobre a discriminação percebida por adultos mais velhos (> 50 anos) no uso de serviços de saúde e identifica os fatores associados a essa experiência. Trata-se de uma revisão integrativa da literatura, realizada a partir de pesquisa nos sítios eletrônicos Biblioteca Virtual de Saúde, CINAHL, Medline, Scopus e Web of Science, em junho de 2021. Foram utilizados os descritores: discriminação social ou ageismo; pessoa de meia-idade ou idoso de 80 anos ou mais ou idoso; e serviço de saúde ou serviço de saúde para idosos, incluindo sinônimos, nos idiomas português, inglês e espanhol. A estratégia de busca identificou 1.165 artigos; 19 cumpriram os critérios de elegibilidade e inclusão. O acervo inclui estudos quantitativos e qualitativos publicados entre 2002 e 2021; cerca de 60% realizados nos Estados Unidos e Austrália. A prevalência de discriminação no uso de serviços de saúde variou de 2% a 42%. O relato de práticas discriminatórias se mostrou associado a características étnico-raciais, sexo, idade, orientação sexual, aparência física e classe social. Ao dar visibilidade ao tema, este trabalho visa estimular a definição de formas concretas de enfrentamento à discriminação e interromper a perpetração de iniquidades no âmbito da atenção à saúde.

Abstract This paper analyzes the current evidence on discrimination perceived by elderly adults (> 50 years) in the use of health services and identifies factors associated with this discriminatory experience. It involved an integrative literature review, carried out on the Biblioteca Virtual de Saúde, CINAHL, Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science search websites, in June/2021. The key words used were social discrimination or ageism; middle-aged, or aged 80 and over or elderly; health services or health services for the elderly, including synonyms, in Portuguese, English, and Spanish. The search strategy identified 1,165 articles; 19 met the eligibility and inclusion criteria and were included in this integrative review. They comprise quantitative and qualitative studies published between 2002 and 2021; about 60% carried out in the United States and Australia. The prevalence of discrimination in the use of health services ranged from 2% to 42%. The report of discriminatory practices was associated with ethnic-racial characteristics, sex, age, sexual orientation, physical appearance, and social class. By giving visibility to the theme, this work aims to stimulate the definition of concrete ways to tackle discrimination, in an attempt to interrupt the perpetration of inequities in the health care area.

Examining the mental health of the academic community at an institution for higher education during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Higher Education Institutions had to suspend their on-site activities and adapt to the new scenario. Therefore, the objective of the research was to investigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of the academic community of a Brazilian public university. This is a cross-sectional study, at a Brazilian public university, that used the baseline data from a longitudinal study carried out with employees and students. Participants answered a self-administered and confidential questionnaire in online platform, composed of sociodemographic, economic, lifestyles and mental health issues. 1,353 students and 372 employees participated. The prevalence of anxiety disorder symptoms among students and employees was 46.12% and 17.47%, depression 54.62% and 22.85% and stress 47.45% and 22.58%, respectively. The co-occurrence of symptoms was 33.56% among university students and 10.75% among employees. Falling family income, having stopped smoking and negative self-rated health, during the COVID-19 pandemic, may be the reasons for the high prevalence of co-occurrence of anxiety, depression and stress disorders among the academic community.

Preventable COVID-19 cases and deaths by alternative vaccination and non-pharmacological intervention policies in Brazil / Casos e mortes evitáveis de COVID-19 por políticas de vacinação alternativas e intervenções não farmacológicas no Brasil

ABSTRACT Objective: This work aimed to estimate the avoidable COVID-19 cases and deaths with the anticipation of vaccination, additional doses, and effective non-pharmacological interventions in Brazil. Methods: We developed a susceptible-exposed-infectious-recovered-susceptible model based on epidemiological indicators of morbidity and mortality derived from data obtained from the Health Information System of the Ministry of Health of Brazil. The number of cases and deaths was estimated for different scenarios of vaccination programs and non-pharmacological interventions in the states of Brazil (from March 8, 2020, to June 5, 2022). Results: The model-based estimate showed that 40 days of vaccination anticipation, additional vaccine doses, and a higher level the nonpharmacological interventions would reduce and delay the pandemic peak. The country would have 17,121,749 fewer COVID-19 cases and 391,647 avoidable deaths Conclusion: The results suggest that if 80% of the Brazilian population had been vaccinated by May 2021, 59.83% of deaths would have been avoided in Brazil.

RESUMO Objetivo: Este trabalho visou estimar os casos e óbitos evitáveis de COVID-19 com a antecipação da vacinação, doses adicionais de vacinas e intervenções não farmacológicas eficazes no Brasil. Métodos: Propôs-se um modelo suscetível-exposto-infectado-recuperado-suscetível baseado em indicadores epidemiológicos de morbidade e mortalidade obtidos de Sistemas de Informação em Saúde do Ministério da Saúde do Brasil. O número de casos e mortes evitáveis foi estimado para diferentes cenários de programas de vacinação e intervenções não farmacológicas nos estados do Brasil (de 8 de março de 2020 a 5 de junho de 2022). Resultados: A estimativa baseada no modelo mostrou que 40 dias de antecipação da vacinação, doses adicionais de vacina e um nível mais alto de intervenções não farmacológicas reduziriam e retardariam o pico da pandemia. Haveria 17.121.749 casos a menos de COVID-19 e 391.647 mortes evitáveis no país. Conclusão: Os resultados sugerem que, se 80% da população brasileira tivesse sido vacinada até maio de 2021, haveria 59,83% de mortes evitadas no Brasil.

O trabalho terceirizado e por turnos está associado ao aumento do risco de COVID-19? Descobertas de um estudo com trabalhadores da mineração / Is outsourced and shift work associated with an increased risk of COVID-19? Findings from a study about mining workers

Resumo Objetivos: investigar os fatores de risco sociodemográficos e ocupacionais associados à infeção por COVID-19 em trabalhadores da mineração. Métodos: estudo de coorte retrospectivo com dados secundários dos trabalhadores de uma empresa multinacional de mineração, de março de 2020 a abril de 2021. Casos de COVID-19 foram definidos por meio do resultado do teste reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) positivo para SARS-CoV-2. Riscos relativos (RR) para testes positivos foram obtidos por regressão de Poisson. Resultados: dos 10.484 trabalhadores testados, 2.578 (24,6%) tiveram pelo menos um resultado positivo. Foi realizada uma média de 4,0 (desvio-padrão: 3,6) testes para cada trabalhador, totalizando 41.962 testes. A maioria dos trabalhadores eram do sexo masculino (88,3%), com idade entre 30 e 39 anos (38,7%), terceirizados (74,1%) e que não trabalhavam em turnos (70,5%). No modelo múltiplo, os trabalhadores terceirizados (RR: 1,39; intervalo de confiança de 95% [IC95%]: 1,27;1,51) e trabalhadores por turnos (RR: 1,10; IC95%: 1,01;1,20) apresentavam maior risco de infecção quando comparados com seus homólogos. Conclusões: os trabalhadores terceirizados e por turnos exibiram maior risco de infecção pelo SARS-CoV-2 quando comparados com seus homólogos. Portanto, é necessário fornecer monitoramento contínuo com oferta regular e adequada de testes para mitigação e prevenção da COVID-19 nestes grupos ocupacionais.

Abstract Objectives: to investigate the sociodemographic and occupational risk factors associated with COVID-19 infection in mining workers. Methods: a retrospective cohort study, using secondary workers' health data from a multinational mining company, from March 2020 to April 2021. A COVID-19 case was defined based on a SARS-CoV-2 positive result in a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. Risk ratios (RRs) for positive testing were estimated using Poisson's regression model. Results: of 10,484 workers, 2,578 (24.6%) had at least one positive result for COVID-19. Each worker underwent an average of 4.0 (standard deviation: 3.6) tests, totaling 41,962 PCR tests. Most of the evaluated workers were male (88.3%), aged from 30 to 39 years (38.7%), outsourced (74.1%) and non-shift workers (70.5%). Our multivariate model showed that outsourced (RR: 1.39; 95% confidence interval [95%CI]: 1.27;1.51) and shift workers (RR: 1.10; 95%CI: 1.01;1.20) had a higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection than their counterparts. Conclusions: outsourced and shift workers have a higher risk of COVID-19 infection than their counterparts. Therefore, it is necessary to provide continuous monitoring with regular and adequate testing for mitigation and prevention of COVID-19 in these occupational groups.

COVID-19: perfil de trabalhadores brasileiros em uma companhia de mineração e a dinâmica dos casos comunitários / COVID-19: profile of Brazilian workers of a mining company and the dynamic of community cases

Resumo Objetivo: descrever o perfil de desfechos de COVID-19 em trabalhadores da mineração e a dinâmica dos casos nas unidades de mineração e seus respectivos municípios. Métodos: estudo de coorte e ecológico, com dados secundários clínico-epidemiológicos, sociodemográficos e ocupacionais de trabalhadores de mineradora multinacional no Brasil e de casos de COVID-19 nos cinco municípios onde as unidades estavam localizadas, de março de 2020 a abril de 2021. A incidência acumulada e média móvel (MM) de 7 dias dos casos foram calculadas e comparadas na unidade e respectivo município. Resultados: foram incluídos 17.523 trabalhadores; 88,4% eram do sexo masculino; e 22,6% tiveram pelo menos um resultado positivo. Os trabalhadores mais testados, com casos positivos, colocados em quarentena e com sintomas foram do sexo feminino, de meia-idade, morando e trabalhando no Rio de Janeiro, diretamente contratados pela mineradora, em turnos e ocupações de alto risco. Todas as unidades apresentaram uma incidência acumulada superior aos seus respectivos municípios. Três municípios apresentaram picos de COVID-19 com MM coincidindo com o aumento de casos entre trabalhadores de mineração. Conclusão: aproximadamente um quinto dos trabalhadores foram diagnosticados com COVID-19, e a distribuição temporal dos casos nas unidades de mineração foi semelhante àquela dos municípios onde estavam localizadas.

Abstract Objective: to describe the COVID-19 clinical outcomes profile from mining workers and the cases dynamic within the mining units and their respective municipalities. Methods: a cohort and ecological study using workers clinical-epidemiological, sociodemographic, and occupational secondary data of a multinational mining company, and of COVID-19 cases from five municipalities where the mining units were located, in Brazil, between March 2020 to April 2021. We calculated the cases cumulative incidence and the 7-day moving average (MA), and compared at the mining unit and respective municipality. Results: the study included 17,523 workers, 88.4% male, and 22.6% had at least one positive result for COVID-19. The workers most tested, with positive results, placed in quarantine, and with symptoms were female, middle-aged, living and working in Rio de Janeiro state, directly hired by the mining company, in shift-work, and in high-risk occupations. All mining units presented a cumulative incidence higher than their respective municipalities. Three municipalities showed peaks of COVID-19 with MA cases coinciding with an increase in cases among mining workers. Conclusion: approximately one-fifth of workers were diagnosed with COVID-19. The mining units had a similar temporal distribution of COVID-19 cases to the municipalities where they were located.

Commuting and work-related accidents among employed Brazilians, National Survey of Health 2013 and 2019 / Acidentes no deslocamento e no trabalho entre brasileiros ocupados, Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde 2013 e 2019

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the prevalence of work-related accidents, according to sociodemographic and occupational variables, in 2013 and 2019. Methods: Cross-sectional study using data from the National Survey of Health (PNS) 2013 and 2019. Typical work accidents (WA), commuting accidents (CA), and Total Work Accidents (TWA) were evaluated. Prevalence values and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) of TWA in 2013 and 2019 were estimated according to the explanatory variables and for Federative Units and capitals. In 2019, the prevalence and 95%CI according to explanatory variables were estimated using prevalence ratios (PR), both crude and adjusted for sex and age group. Results: TWA prevalence decreased from 4.96% (95%CI 4.55-5.38) in 2013 to 4.13% (95%CI 3.80-4.46) in 2019. In 2013, the state of Pará prevailed in TWA, and the state of Mato Grosso in 2019. The prevalence of WA and CA in 2019 were: 2.64% (95%CI 2.37-2.91) and 1.60% (95%CI 1.40-1.80). In 2019, the prevalence for TWA were higher for men (PR: 1.92; 95%CI 1.62-2.27); in the 18-29 age group (PR: 2.71; 95%CI 1.99-3.68); people with elementary school and some high school (PR: 2.09; 95%CI 1.57-2.78); and Black individuals (PR: 1.43; 95%CI 1.12-1.84). People without formal employment contract had a lower prevalence of TWA (PR: 0.77; 95%CI 0.66-0.90). WA was higher in rural areas (PR: 1.32; 95%CI 1.09-1.60). Conclusion: There was a reduction in TWA between 2013 and 2019. Men, young people, Black people, and individuals with lower level of education, residents in rural areas had higher prevalence of WA in 2019, demonstrating a relationship between health-disease-accident processes.

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar as prevalências de acidentes de trabalho, segundo variáveis sociodemográficas e ocupacionais, em 2013 e 2019. Métodos: Estudo transversal utilizando dados da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde (PNS) 2013 e 2019. Avaliou-se os acidentes de trabalho típico (AT), de descolamento (AD) e de trabalho totais (ATT). As prevalências e os intervalos de confiança de 95% (IC95%) de ATT em 2013 e 2019 foram estimadas segundo as variáveis explicativas, unidades da Federação e capitais. Em 2019, foram calculadas as prevalências e IC95% segundo variáveis explicativas e razões de prevalência (RP) bruta e ajustada por sexo e faixa etária. Resultados: A prevalência de ATT passou de 4,96% (IC95% 4,55-5,38) em 2013 para 4,13% (IC95% 3,80-4,46) em 2019. Em 2013, o Pará liderou em prevalência de ATT e, em 2019, a maior prevalência foi em Mato Grosso. As prevalências de AT e AD em 2019 foram, respectivamente, 2,64% (IC95% 2,37-2,91) e 1,60% (IC95% 1,40-1,80). Em 2019, as prevalências para ATT foram mais elevadas para homens (RP: 1,92; IC95% 1,62-2,27); faixa etária de 18 a 29 anos (RP: 2,71; IC95% 1,99-3,68); pessoas com ensino fundamental completo/médio incompleto (RP: 2,09; IC95% 1,57-2,78); e pessoas de cor preta (RP: 1,43; IC95% 1,12-1, 84), e menor em pessoas sem carteira de trabalho (RP: 0,77; IC95% 0,66-0,90). AT foi maior na zona rural (RP: 1,32; IC95% 1,09-1,60). Conclusão: Houve redução dos ATT entre 2013 e 2019. Homens, jovens, pretos e indivíduos com menor escolaridade, trabalhadores da zona rural, apresentaram maiores prevalências de AT em 2019, demonstrando uma relação dos processos saúde-doença-acidente.

Age, skin color, self-rated health, and depression associated with co-occurrence of obesogenic behaviors in university students: a cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: The university context plays an important role in the health-disease process since students are potentially vulnerable to obesogenic behaviors that can influence long-term health. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of and factors associated with the co-occurrence of obesogenic behaviors among university students. DESIGN AND SETTING This was a cross-sectional study at a Brazilian public university. METHODS: This study was conducted with all university students in the first and second semesters of 2019 at Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Data were collected between April and September 2019, using a self-administered questionnaire. The outcome was the co-occurrence of obesogenic behaviors, measured as the sum of three risk behaviors: inadequate eating practices, leisure-time physical inactivity, and sedentary behavior. A Venn diagram was used to evaluate the simultaneous occurrence of risk behaviors. Pearson's chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression were used for statistical analyses. RESULTS: A total of 351 students participated in the study. Inadequate eating practices constituted the most prevalent isolated risk behavior (80.6%), which was also the most prevalent when combined with sedentary behavior (23.6%). University students aged 20 years or younger, with non-white skin color, poor self-rated health, and symptoms of depression had increased chances of simultaneous occurrence of obesogenic behaviors. CONCLUSION: These findings highlight the importance of developing and implementing actions to reduce combined obesogenic behaviors in the university environment. Institutions should focus on creating an environment that promotes health-protective behaviors such as physical activity and healthy eating.

RT-qPCR-based pool testing for the diagnosis of COVID-19

ABSTRACT This study proposes a strategy for large-scale testing among a large number of people for the early diagnosis of COVID-19 to elucidate the epidemiological situation. Pool testing involves the analysis of pooled samples. This study aimed to discuss a reverse transcription technique followed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction using pool testing to detect SARS-CoV-2 in nasopharyngeal swab samples. The study proposes an innovative diagnostic strategy that contributes to resource optimization, cost reduction, and improved agility of feedback from results.

Age, skin color, self-rated health, and depression associated with co-occurrence of obesogenic behaviors in university students: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The university context plays an important role in the health-disease process since students are potentially vulnerable to obesogenic behaviors that can influence long-term health. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of and factors associated with the co-occurrence of obesogenic behaviors among university students. DESIGN AND SETTING: This was a cross-sectional study at a Brazilian public university. METHODS: This study was conducted with all university students in the first and second semesters of 2019 at Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Data were collected between April and September 2019, using a self-administered questionnaire. The outcome was the co-occurrence of obesogenic behaviors, measured as the sum of three risk behaviors: inadequate eating practices, leisure-time physical inactivity, and sedentary behavior. A Venn diagram was used to evaluate the simultaneous occurrence of risk behaviors. Pearson's chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression were used for statistical analyses. RESULTS: A total of 351 students participated in the study. Inadequate eating practices constituted the most prevalent isolated risk behavior (80.6%), which was also the most prevalent when combined with sedentary behavior (23.6%). University students aged 20 years or younger, with non-white skin color, poor self-rated health, and symptoms of depression had increased chances of simultaneous occurrence of obesogenic behaviors. CONCLUSION: These findings highlight the importance of developing and implementing actions to reduce combined obesogenic behaviors in the university environment. Institutions should focus on creating an environment that promotes health-protective behaviors such as physical activity and healthy eating.

Self-collected nasopharyngeal swab and molecular test using pool testing as strategies to detect severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2): feasibility in medical students at the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil, 2021. / Autocoleta de swab nasofaríngeo e teste molecular em pool testing como estratégias para detecção de coronavírus da síndrome respiratória aguda grave 2 (SARS-CoV-2): viabilidade em estudantes de medicina da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 2021.

OBJECTIVE: To show the feasibility of the combined use of self-collected nasopharyngeal swab and pool testing to detect SARS-CoV-2 in epidemiological surveys. METHODS: This experience included a sample of 154 students at the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, who performed self-collected nasopharyngeal swab in individual cabins and without supervision. The molecular test was performed using the pool testing technique. RESULTS: It took each person 5 minutes to collect the sample. An analysis was performed to detect endogenous RNA in 40 samples. The results showed that there were no failures resulting from self-collection. None of the pools detected the presence of viral RNA. The cost of molecular testing (RT-PCR), by pool testing, with samples obtained by self-collection was about ten times lower than the usual methods. CONCLUSION: The strategies that were investigated proved to be economically feasible and valid for the research on SARS-CoV-2 in epidemiological surveys.

A decreased trajectory of loneliness among Brazilians aged 50 years and older during the COVID-19 pandemic: ELSI-Brazil / Trajetória de diminuição da solidão entre brasileiros com 50 anos ou mais durante a pandemia de COVID-19: ELSI-Brasil / Trayectoria decreciente de la soledad entre los brasileños de 50 años o más durante la pandemia de COVID-19: ELSI-Brasil

This study aimed to estimate prevalence of loneliness among older Brazilian adults over the first seven months of the COVID-19 pandemic and to identify the predictors of loneliness trajectories. Pre-pandemic data derived from face-to-face interviews of participants of the 2019-2020 Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI-Brazil), which is a nationally representative study of community-dwelling individuals aged 50 years and over. Pandemic data were based on three rounds of telephone interviews among those participants, conducted from May to October 2020. Loneliness was measured by a single-item question, considering those who had at least two repeated measures. Explanatory variables included depression, living alone, leaving home in the last week, and virtual connectedness in the last month. Mixed-effects logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios with their 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) and to investigate loneliness trajectories and their predictors. In total, 5,108 participants were included. The overall prevalence of loneliness in the pre-pandemic period was 33.1% (95%CI: 29.4-36.8), higher than the pandemic period (round 1: 23.6%, 95%CI: 20.6-26.9; round 2: 20.5%, 95%CI: 17.8-23.5; round 3: 20.6%, 95%CI: 17.1-24.6). A significant interaction (p ≤ 0.05) was evidenced only between depression and time; participants with depression showed a greater reduction in loneliness levels. Although loneliness levels in Brazil have decreased during the pandemic, this pattern is not present for all older adults. Individuals with depression had a more significant reduction, probably due to feeling closer to their social network members during the stay-at-home recommendations.

Este estudo teve como objetivo estimar a prevalência de solidão entre idosos brasileiros nos primeiros sete meses da pandemia de COVID-19 e identificar os preditores das trajetórias de solidão, usando dados pré-pandemia oriundos de entrevistas presenciais de participantes do Estudo Longitudinal da Saúde dos Idosos Brasileiros (ELSI-Brasil) de 2019-2020, um estudo de representatividade nacional com residentes da comunidade com 50 anos ou mais. Os dados durante a pandemia foram coletados em três rodadas de entrevistas telefônicas com os participantes, realizadas de maio a outubro de 2020. A solidão foi medida por uma questão de item único, considerando os casos com pelo menos duas medidas repetidas. As variáveis explicativas incluíram depressão, morar sozinho, sair de casa na última semana e conexão virtual no último mês. A regressão logística de efeitos mistos foi utilizada para estimar as razões de chances com seus intervalos de 95% de confiança (IC95%) e investigar trajetórias de solidão e seus preditores. Foram incluídos 5.108 participantes. A prevalência global de solidão no período pré-pandemia foi de 33,1% (IC95%: 29,4-36,8), um valor superior ao período pandêmico (rodada 1: 23,6%, IC95%: 20,6-26,9; rodada 2: 20,5%, IC95%: 17,8-23,5; rodada 3: 20,6%, IC95%: 17,1-24,6). Uma interação significativa (p ≤ 0,05) foi encontrada apenas entre depressão e tempo; participantes com depressão apresentaram maior redução dos níveis de solidão. Embora os níveis de solidão no Brasil tenham diminuído durante a pandemia, esse padrão não se aplica a todos os idosos. Indivíduos com depressão tiveram uma redução mais significativa provavelmente por se sentirem mais próximos aos membros de suas redes sociais durante as recomendações de ficar em casa.

Este estudio tuvo como objetivo estimar la prevalencia de la soledad entre los adultos mayores brasileños durante los primeros siete meses de la pandemia de COVID-19 e identificar los predictores de las trayectorias de la soledad. Los datos prepandémicos proceden de entrevistas cara a cara de los participantes del Estudio Longitudinal Brasileño sobre el Envejecimiento (ELSI-Brasil) de 2019-2020, que es un estudio nacionalmente representativo de los habitantes de la comunidad de 50 años o más. Los datos de la pandemia se basaron en tres rondas de entrevistas telefónicas entre esos participantes, realizadas de mayo a octubre de 2020. La soledad se midió con una pregunta de un solo ítem, teniendo en cuenta los que tenían al menos dos indicativos repetidos. Las variables explicativas incluían la depresión, el hecho de vivir solo, salir de casa en la última semana y la conexión virtual en el último mes. Se utilizó una regresión logística de efectos mixtos para estimar las odds ratios con sus intervalos del 95% de confianza (IC95%) y para investigar las trayectorias de la soledad y sus predictores. Se incluyeron 5.108 participantes. La prevalencia global de la soledad en el periodo prepandémico fue del 33,1% (IC95%: 29,4-36,8), superior a la del periodo pandémico (ronda 1: 23,6%, IC95%: 20,6-26,9; ronda 2: 20,5%, IC95%: 17,8-23,5, ronda 3: 20,6; IC95%: 17,1-24,6). Sólo se evidenció una interacción significativa (p ≤ 0,05) entre la depresión y el tiempo; los participantes con depresión mostraron una mayor reducción de los niveles de soledad. Aunque los niveles de soledad en Brasil han disminuido durante la pandemia, este patrón no se da en todos los adultos mayores. Aquellos individuos con depresión tuvieron una reducción más significativa, probablemente debido a que se sintieron más cerca de los miembros de su red social durante las recomendaciones de quedarse en casa.

Autocoleta de swab nasofaríngeo e teste molecular em pool testing como estratégias para detecção de coronavírus da síndrome respiratória aguda grave 2 (SARS-CoV-2): viabilidade em estudantes de medicina da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 2021 / Autocolección de hiopados nasofaríngeos y pruebas moleculares en pool testing como estrategias para la detección del Coronavirus Síndrome Respiratorio Agudo Severo 2 (SARS-CoV-2): viabilidad en estudiantes de medicina de la Universidad Federal de Minas Gerais, Brasil, 2021 / Self-collected nasopharyngeal swab and molecular test using pool testing as strategies to detect severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2): feasibility in medical students at the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil, 2021

Objetivo: Demonstrar a viabilidade da utilização combinada da autocoleta de swab nasofaríngeo e pool testing para detecção do SARS-CoV-2 em inquéritos epidemiológicos. Métodos: A experiência envolveu amostra de 154 estudantes da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, que realizaram a autocoleta do swab nasofaríngeo em cabines individuais e sem supervisão. O teste molecular foi realizado utilizando-se a técnica de pool testing. Resultados: A obtenção de amostras durou cerca de 5 minutos por pessoa. Realizou-se análise para detecção de RNA endógeno em 40 amostras e os resultados indicaram que não houve falhas decorrentes da autocoleta. Nenhum dos pools detectou presença de RNA viral. O custo da realização do teste molecular (RT-PCR) por pool testing com amostras obtidas por autocoleta foi cerca de dez vezes menor do que nos métodos habituais. Conclusão: As estratégias investigadas mostraram-se economicamente viáveis e válidas para a pesquisa de SARS-CoV-2 em inquéritos epidemiológicos.

Objetivo: Demostrar la viabilidad del uso combinado de la auto recolección de swabs nasofaríngeos y tests por agrupamiento (pool testing) para la detección del SARS-CoV-2 en encuestas epidemiológicas. Métodos: La prueba involucró a una muestra de 154 estudiantes de la Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, quienes realizaron e autorecolectado del hisopo nasofaríngeo en cabinas individuales sin supervisión. La prueba molecular se realizó utilizando la técnica de prueba de grupo. Resultados: La obtención de muestras duró unos 5 minutos por persona. Se realizó un análisis para detectar ARN endógeno en 40 muestras y los resultados indicaron que no hubo fallas derivadas de la autorecolección. Ninguno de los grupos detectó la presencia de ARN viral. El costo de realizar una prueba molecular (RT-PCR) por pool con muestras obtenidas por auto-recolección fue aproximadamente 10 veces menor que con los métodos habituales. Conclusión: Las estrategias investigadas demostraron ser económicamente viables y válidas para la investigación del SARS-CoV-2 en encuestas epidemiológicas.

Objective: To show the feasibility of the combined use of self-collected nasopharyngeal swab and pool testing to detect SARS-CoV-2 in epidemiological surveys. Methods: This experience included a sample of 154 students at the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, who performed self-collected nasopharyngeal swab in individual cabins and without supervision. The molecular test was performed using the pool testing technique. Results: It took each person 5 minutes to collect the sample. An analysis was performed to detect endogenous RNA in 40 samples. The results showed that there were no failures resulting from self-collection. None of the pools detected the presence of viral RNA. The cost of molecular testing (RT-PCR), by pool testing, with samples obtained by self-collection was about ten times lower than the usual methods. Conclusion: The strategies that were investigated proved to be economically feasible and valid for the research on SARS-CoV-2 in epidemiological surveys.

Detection of SARS-CoV-2 through pool testing for COVID-19: an integrative review.

INTRODUCTION: The pool testing technique optimizes the number of tests performed and reduces the delivery time of results, which is an interesting strategy for the health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This integrative review investigated studies in which pool testing was carried out for epidemiological or screening purposes to analyze its clinical or cost effectiveness and assessed the applicability of this method in high-, middle-, and low-income countries. METHODS: This integrative review used primary studies published in the MEDLINE, EMBASE, Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde (LILACS), and Cochrane Library databases. RESULTS: A total of 435 studies were identified: 35.3% were carried out in Asia, 29.4% in Europe, 29.4% in North America, and 5.9% in Oceania. CONCLUSIONS: This review suggests that pool testing in the general population may be a useful surveillance strategy to detect new variants of SARS-CoV-2 and to evaluate the period of immunogenicity and global immunity from vaccines.

Detection of SARS-CoV-2 through pool testing for COVID-19: an integrative review

Abstract INTRODUCTION: The pool testing technique optimizes the number of tests performed and reduces the delivery time of results, which is an interesting strategy for the health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This integrative review investigated studies in which pool testing was carried out for epidemiological or screening purposes to analyze its clinical or cost effectiveness and assessed the applicability of this method in high-, middle-, and low-income countries. METHODS: This integrative review used primary studies published in the MEDLINE, EMBASE, Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde (LILACS), and Cochrane Library databases. RESULTS: A total of 435 studies were identified: 35.3% were carried out in Asia, 29.4% in Europe, 29.4% in North America, and 5.9% in Oceania. CONCLUSIONS: This review suggests that pool testing in the general population may be a useful surveillance strategy to detect new variants of SARS-CoV-2 and to evaluate the period of immunogenicity and global immunity from vaccines.

Impact of clinical, sociodemographic and quality of life factors on dialysis patient survival: a nine-year follow-up cohort study.

Although renal replacement therapy has contributed to the survival of chronic kidney failure (CKF) patients, mortality remains a major concern. This study aimed to identify the factors associated with mortality in a prospective cohort of CKF patients. Sociodemographic, clinical, nutritional, lifestyle and quality of life data were collected from 712 patients. The instruments used were the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), Global Subjective Assessment (GSA) and Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) questionnaires. A total of 444 patients died during the study. After five years of follow-up, factors such as not being married (hazard ratio - HR = 1.289, 95%CI: 1.001; 1.660), a low frequency of leisure activities (HR = 1.321; 95%CI: 1.010; 1.727) and not being transplanted (HR = 7.246; 95%CI: 3.359; 15.630) remained independently associated with the risk of mortality. At the end of the follow-up period, factors such as not being married (HR = 1.337, 95%CI: 1.019; 1.756), not being transplanted (HR = 7.341, 95%CI: 3.829; 14.075) and having a worse nutritional status (HR = 1.363, 95%CI: 1.002; 1.853) remained independently associated with an increased risk of mortality, whereas a high schooling level (10 to 12 years, HR = 0.578, 95%CI: 0.344; 0.972; and over 12 years, HR = 0.561, 95%CI: 0.329; 0.956) and a better SF-36 physical functioning score (HR = 0.992, 95%CI: 0.987; 0.998) were protective factors associated with survival. The survival of patients with CKF is associated with factors not restricted to the clinical spectrum. The following factors were associated with high mortality: not being married, low schooling level, a limited social routine, a longer time on dialysis, worse nutritional status, and worse physical functioning.

Factors associated with non-use of condoms and prevalence of HIV, viral hepatitis B and C and syphilis: a cross-sectional study in rural communities in Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil, 2014-2016. / Fatores associados ao não uso de preservativo e prevalência de HIV, hepatites virais B e C e sífilis: estudo transversal em comunidades rurais de Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, entre 2014 e 2016.

OBJECTIVE: to investigate socio-demographic factors associated with non-use of condoms, and to describe the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STI) in rural communities of Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil, 2014 to 2016. METHODS: data were gathered from individual interviews and rapid tests were performed; associations were tested using Poisson regression, with a 95% confidence interval (95%CI). RESULTS: we detected 3.8 cases/10,000 inhabitants for hepatitis B and syphilis, and 1.3 cases/10,000 inhabitants for hepatitis C; no HIV cases were detected; in the multivariate analysis we found higher prevalence rates of condom non-use among the group of individuals who were married, had common law partners or were widowed (PR=1.20 - 95%CI 1.06;1.36). CONCLUSION: individuals in a stable relationship formed the group with the highest prevalence rate of condom non-use; new syphilis and viral hepatitis cases were detected using rapid tests during the survey.