Prevalence and factors associated with syphilis in parturient women in Northeast, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Congenital syphilis is a major public health concern, even after the implementation of intervention protocols in several countries. This study aimed to analyze the prevalence and socio-demographic, behavioral and institutional factors associated with syphilis in parturient women attending public maternity hospitals in Northeast, Brazil. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from June to September 2010 with a proportionate stratified sampling of 222 parturient women using a structured questionnaire. The study analyzed socio-demographic, behavioral and institutional variables. The structured questionnaire was conducted with parturient women and complementary information was obtained through hospitals records, admission forms and prenatal cards. Data were stored using the Statistical Package SPSS version 18. A descriptive statistical analysis was performed using frequency distribution, central tendency and measures of spread for the variables. A bivariate analysis was done using chi square test and Fisher's exact test, with a significance level of 5% and a 95% confidence interval, in order to analyze the relation between the variables and risk factors for syphilis. The multivariate logistic regression analysis was done in the statistical package STATA, version 11.0. RESULTS: The prevalence of syphilis in parturient women was 7.7%. The bivariate analyses showed that the rate was higher among women who: were from Fortaleza (p = 0.019), studied for less than nine years (p = 0.044), had more than one sexual partner in life (p = 0.021), did not live with partner (p = 0.022), used illegal drugs (p < 0.0001), whose partner used illegal drugs and had diagnosis of syphilis (p = 0.001 and p < 0.0001 respectively). The non-adjusted analysis found significant positive association between syphilis and the following variable: being from Fortaleza (OR = 7.26; CI 95% = 1.49-100.20), having studied for less than nine years (OR = 7.97; CI 95% = 0.87-12.89), having more than one sexual partner in life (OR = 3.75; CI 95% = 1.59-107.11), not living with partner (OR = 3.75; CI95% = 1.03-12.15), and parturient women and partner used illegal drugs (OR = 7.34; CI95% = 1.69-27.57; OR = 4.93; CI95% = 1.58-16.05), respectively. The adjusted multiple logistic regression analysis showed that none of the variables remained significant. CONCLUSION: This study enabled to identify a high prevalence of syphilis in parturient women and that this situation is associated with socio-demographic, behavioral and institutional variables.

[Nursing care systematization for outpatient treatment care of patients with multiple sclerosis]. / Sistematização da assistência de enfermagem para acompanhamento ambulatorial de pacientes com esclerose múltipla.

An experience report of nurses in the implementation of care systematization in ambulatory care in an interdisciplinary care center for patients with multiple sclerosis of a public hospital in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil. This implementation is based on the NANDA International, Inc., Nursing Interventions Classification, and Nursing Outcomes Classifications. One of the results concerns systemized nursing care, which has enabled the identification and understanding of the responses of MS patients to potential and current health problems. Systematization entails expanding knowledge through a practice based on approach and encourage further research scientific evidence, in addition to promoting the role of the nurse in acomprehensive approachand encourage further research.

Preventive behavior for toxoplasmosis in pregnant adolescents in the state of Ceara, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: When toxoplasmosis is acquired during pregnancy, it can be transmitted to the fetus causing severe lesions in the first two gestational trimesters. This study analyzed the main factors associated with the preventive behavior for toxoplasmosis among pregnant adolescents in the city of Fortaleza in northeast Brazil. METHODS: It is a cross-sectional study conducted from March 2009 to November 2010, with a sample of 320 pregnant adolescents, ages ranging from 12 to 19 years old, receiving prenatal care in the Public Health Care System. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression model analyses were used to identify the association between preventive behavior for toxoplasmosis, and the independent variables and 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: We observed that 16.3% of the pregnant adolescents showed preventive behavior for toxoplasmosis. The factors positively associated to the preventive behavior for toxoplasmosis were: age group between 12 and 14 years old (OR = 2.75; 95%CI 1.23-6.12) and more than two prenatal consultations (OR = 2.19; 95%CI 1.17-4.09). CONCLUSIONS: Noteworthy is the importance of a serologic follow-up for pregnant adolescents with clearer and more precise information about risk factors and the importance of adopting preventive behaviors. Thus, it is necessary to establish educational measures for handling food and raising kittens during prenatal care.

Sexually transmitted infections associated syndromes assisted in the primary health care in Northeast, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: The lack of information on the care for sexually transmitted infections (STI) associated syndromes may contribute for its non-inclusion as prevention and control strategy for STI in Brazil. This study aims to analyze the cases of STI - Associated Syndromes assisted in primary health care center in a city in Northeast Brazil associating them with socio-demographic and behavioral variables. METHODS: This is a retrospective study that analyzed 5148 consultation forms and medical records of patients assisted in a primary health care center who presented at least one genital syndrome from 1999 to 2008. Was considered as dependent variables the genital syndromes and serologies for syphilis and HIV and as independent variables the socio-demographic and behavioral aspects. It was used Pearson's chi-square test to analyze the differences between the categorical variables, with a significance level of 5%. It was performed a multivariate analysis through the multivariate logistic regression model with the variables with p <0.05. We used odds ratio with a confidence interval of 95%. RESULTS: The most frequent syndromes were vaginal discharge and/or cervicitis (44%) and genital wart (42.2%). Most people were between 20 and 39 years old (70%) and women (74.2%). Genital ulcer was most prevalent among men (OR = 2.67; CI 95% 1.99-3.58) and people who studied more than eight years (OR = 1.33; CI 95% 1.00-1.75) and wart prevailed among men (OR = 3.92; IC 95% 3.36-4.57), people under 29 years old (OR = 1.81; CI 95% 1.59-2.07) and who studied more than eight years (OR = 1.75; CI 95% 1.54-1.99). The Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) was positive in 7.3% of men and in 7.1% of women and the Anti-HIV in 3.1% of men and 0.7% of women. CONCLUSION: Vaginal discharge was the most frequent syndrome assisted in primary health care, followed by genital wart. The high prevalence of genital wart justifies the greater effort for the proper follow-up of these cases. Men presented more genital wart and ulcer and reported having more sexual partners, showing their need for a greater access and inclusion in health activities developed in primary health care in Brazil.

Saúde mental infantojuvenil: análise do discurso das conferências de saúde e saúde mental do município de Fortaleza-Ce / Child and adolescent mental health: discourse analysis of health and mental health conferences in the municipality of Fortaleza-Ce / Salud mental infanto-juvenil: análisis del discurso de las conferencias de salud y salud mental en el municipio de Fortaleza-Ce

Analisamos de que modo questões relacionadas com a saúde mental infantojuvenil estão sendo abordadas em conferências de saúde e de saúde mental no município de Fortaleza, Estado do Ceará, Brasil, desde a criação do Sistema Único de Saúde, com o objetivo de analisar o impacto desses discursos no estabelecimento da Rede de Atenção Psicossocial Infantojuvenil (RAPSij). Trata-se de uma pesquisa documental dos relatórios das conferências municipais realizadas entre 1991 e 2019, na qual se utilizou o método de análise de discurso, sendo mobilizados os conceitos de condições de produção e formação discursiva. A análise das formações discursivas centrou-se em três aspectos: a visão sobre a criança, a visão sobre a Saúde Mental e as temáticas abordadas nas propostas. Os relatórios revelaram não só pouca visibilidade da saúde mental infantil no município, mas também contradições das práticas assistenciais, que ora reforçam o modelo biomédico, ora se propõem a superá-lo. Denotaram igualmente a dificuldade de identificação do papel da atenção básica na RAPSij, assim como o moroso processo de implementação dos serviços substitutivos, que continuam sendo apontados como insuficientes no atendimento das demandas municipais.

We analyze how issues related to child and adolescent mental health are being addressed in health and mental health conferences in the municipality of Fortaleza, State of Ceará, Brazil, since the creation of the Unified Health System, with the aim of analyzing the impact of these discourses on the establishment of the Child and Youth Psychosocial Care Network (RAPSij). This is a documentary research of the reports of the municipal conferences held between 1991 and 2019, in which the method of discourse analysis was used, and the concepts of conditions of production and discursive formation were mobilized. The analysis of the discursive formations focused on three aspects: the view on the child, the view on Mental Health, and the themes addressed in the proposals. The reports revealed not only little visibility of the child mental health in the municipality, but also contradictions of the care practices, which sometimes reinforce the biomedical model, and sometimes propose to overcome it. They also denoted the difficulty in identifying the role of primary care in the RAPSij, as well as the slow process of implementation of substitutive services, which continue to be pointed out as insufficient in meeting municipal demands.

Analizamos cómo se abordan los temas relacionados con la salud mental infanto-juvenil en las conferencias de salud y salud mental en el municipio de Fortaleza, Estado de Ceará, Brasil, desde la creación del Sistema Único de Salud, con el objetivo de analizar el impacto de estos discursos en la creación de la Red de Atención Psicosocial Infanto-Juvenil (RAPSij). Se trata de una investigación documental de los informes de las conferencias municipales realizadas entre 1991 y 2019, en la que se utilizó el método de análisis del discurso y se movilizaron los conceptos de condiciones de producción y formación discursiva. El análisis de las formaciones discursivas se centró en tres aspectos: la mirada sobre el niño, la mirada sobre la Salud Mental y los temas abordados en las propuestas. Los relatos revelaron no sólo poca visibilidad de la salud mental infantil en el municipio, sino también contradicciones de las prácticas asistenciales, que a veces refuerzan el modelo biomédico, a veces proponen superarlo. También denotaron la dificultad para identificar el papel de la atención primaria en la RAPSij, así como el lento proceso de implantación de los servicios sustitutivos, que siguen siendo señalados como insuficientes para atender las demandas municipales.

Trackers for Adverse Events in Child Mental Health: descriptive analysis using the global trigger tool

Abstract The goal of this study is to identify the global trigger tool trackers used to place the adverse drug events presented in children that use psychotropic drugs accompanied by Child-adolescent Psychosocial Care Centers. This is a descriptive study carried out with the secondary data of 112 child care records that began in January 2017 in two Child-adolescent Psychosocial Care Centers. A median of medicine per child was 1.71 and among the most used we were to risperidone 100%, followed by valproic acid and periciazine with 16% each. A total of 42 adverse drug events were found in 36 medical records, being agitation 29.7% and agressive 16.2%, being the most frequent, and in 45.2% of infants presenting only one event. 50 were trackers detected in 83.3%, two records that identified adverse drug events. In 38.8% were found only one tracker, the most found ones were: combination of psychotropic medicines 32%, abrupt reduction of medicine dose 22% and abrupt cessation of medicine 12%. Finally, the present study showed that the global trigger tool evidenced adverse drug events by means of the detection of trackers in children and that it had to offer interventions to improve the quality of psychiatric therapy within two community services.

[Evaluation of Brazilian online pharmacies]. / Avaliação das farmácias virtuais brasileiras.

The growing number of Internet users brought forth an increase in the search for Brazilian online pharmacy services. Aiming at evaluating the validity of information disseminated in these websites, a descriptive study was carried out in 18 virtual pharmacies concerning legal aspects, accessibility, sources of information and drug advertising. It was found 15 pharmacies did not have authorization of the Brazilian National Health Surveillance Agency; the manager pharmaceutical officer's name could not be found in 17 of them; 17 pharmacies marketed drugs with no registration, especially herbal medicines, and did not show either information on adverse drug reactions or this agency's alerts and health recommendations. Since health control and drug commerce in Brazilian online pharmacies have not been yet regulated by proper government agencies, these gaps found in the sites can pose risk to the users' health.

THERAPEUTIC APPROACH AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF USERS OF CENTERS FOR PSYCHOSOCIAL CARE FOR CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS. / ABORDAGEM TERAPÊUTICA E SUA RELAÇÃO ENTRE AS CARACTERÍSTICAS SOCIAIS E ECONÔMICAS DE CRIANÇAS NOS CENTROS DE ATENÇÃO PSICOSSOCIAL INFANTOJUVENIS.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the therapeutic approach and its relationship with the economic and social characteristics and the care of children in Centers for Psychosocial Attention. METHODS: Descriptive study with a sample of 294 children monitored in two Centers for Psychosocial Attention to Children and Adolescents in Fortaleza, Ceará, Northeast Brazil. The study was conducted from February to December, 2012. Participants were accompanied by their parents or caregivers. Data were collected in a structured questionnaire containing social, economic and care variables. The bivariate analysis used the χ2 test to test the association between variables. RESULTS: In this study, 292 children aged 3-12 were selected, following the order of attendance at the service, most of them male (74.3%) and belonging to social classes D and E (89.3%). The most frequent diagnosis referred to by the caregivers was mental disorders. Three different therapeutic approaches were identified: pharmacological approach (44.5%); non-pharmacological approach (11.6%); association of both techniques (43.8%). For all therapeutic approaches, there was association with the variable living situation (p=0.021), as well as with the variables, "improving" with the treatment (p=0.002) and "problems" with the treatment (p=0,004). CONCLUSIONS: It was possible to highlight that the associated therapeutic approach (pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment) provides more benefits to children. Therefore, associating the medicines to the psychotherapeutic practices may be recommended as a strategy in the mental health policy directed to children and adolescents.

OBJETIVO: Descrever a abordagem terapêutica e estabelecer a relação entre características sociais, econômicas e o cuidado de crianças nos Centros de Atenção Psicossocial Infantojuvenis. MÉTODOS: Estudo descritivo com cálculo amostral de 294 crianças em acompanhamento nos dois Centros de Atenção Psicossocial Infantojuvenis em Fortaleza, no Ceará, no período de fevereiro a dezembro de 2012. Os participantes estavam acompanhados por seus cuidadores, pais ou responsáveis. Os dados foram coletados mediante aplicação de formulário validado para os cuidadores, contendo as variáveis sociais, econômicas e cuidado. A análise bivariada utilizou o teste χ2 para verificar diferenças entre as proporções, com nível de significância 5%, intervalo de confiança 95%. RESULTADOS: Foram selecionadas 292 crianças de 3 a 12 anos, por ordem de atendimento no serviço, a maioria do sexo masculino (74,3%) pertencentes às classes D e E (89,3%). A hipótese diagnóstica mais frequente referida pelo cuidador foi a de transtornos mentais. Três formas de abordagens terapêuticas foram identificadas: abordagem medicamentosa (44,5%), abordagem não medicamentosa (11,6%) e combinação da abordagem medicamentosa com as técnicas psicoterapêuticas (43,8%). Houve significância estatística entre a presença de abordagem terapêutica e a situação de moradia (p=0,021), bem como com as variáveis, "melhora" com o tratamento (p=0,002) e "problemas" com o tratamento (p=0,004). CONCLUSÕES: O estudo permitiu evidenciar que a abordagem terapêutica combinada (tratamento medicamentoso e não medicamentoso) proporciona maior efeito benéfico às crianças. Desse modo, associar o medicamento às técnicas psicoterapêuticas pode constituir-se como uma das principais estratégias terapêuticas da política de saúde mental infantojuvenil.

Suicide attempts by exposure to toxic agents registered in a Toxicological Information and Assistance Center in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil, 2013. / Tentativas de suicídio por exposição a agentes tóxicos registradas em um Centro de Informação e Assistência Toxicológica em Fortaleza, Ceará, 2013.

Objective: to describe cases of suicide attempts by exposure to toxic agents registered by the Toxicological Information and Assistance Center in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil. Methods: this is a descriptive study using secondary data of the cases registered in 2013. Results: 410 cases were registered; 56.2% of the individuals were female and 79.7% were between 12 and 39 years old; most of them (86.4%) lived in urban areas and 67.2%, in Fortaleza; in 94.9% of the cases, the exposure took place in the individual's own home; the toxic agents most commonly used were pesticides (42.9%), especially for agricultural use (30.2%), medicines (39.5%) and house cleaning products (3.4%); of 16 suicide attempts that resulted in death, 15 were caused by agricultural pesticides. Conclusion: the study shows that the intake of toxic agents, especially of agricultural pesticides, is a common method used in suicide attempts; the integration between actions of promotion and prevention are essential.

Formação, provimento e fixação na estratégia saúde da família de um município do nordeste brasileiro / Formation, provision and placement of the family health strategy of a municipality in the northeast Brazil

A formação, o provimento e a fixação dos médicos na Estratégia Saúde da Família (ESF) são pontos relevantes para o fortalecimento da Atenção Básica no Brasil. O objetivo do trabalho é avaliar a formação e os fatores relacionados ao provimento e à fixação dos médicos da ESF de um município do Nordeste do Brasil, estabelecendo um comparativo com dentistas e enfermeiros. Trata-se de estudo descritivo quantitativo com aplicação de questionário estruturado com 119 profissionais de saúde. Os médicos apresentaram bom índice (68%) de especialização em saúde da família, tempo médio na ESF de 5,2 anos, além de considerarem a bonificação para prova de títulos e a necessidade financeira as principais razões para atuação na ESF. Oitenta por cento da categoria médica advinha do Programa Mais Médicos, sendo esta a grande diferença entre os profissionais não médicos, que são concursados em sua maioria.

Formation, provision and placement of doctors in the Family Health Strategy (ESF) are relevant points for the strengthening of Primary Care in Brazil. The objective is to evaluate the formation and factors related to the provision and placement of the doctors of ESF in a municipality from the Northeast Region of Brazil, establishing a comparison with dentists and nurses. This is a quantitative descriptive study with a questionnaire structured with 119 health professionals. The doctors presented good index (68%) of specialization in family health, average time in the FHS of 5.2 years, besides considering the bonus of the public service examination the financial need the main reasons for participating in the FHS. 80% of the doctors belonged to the More Doctors Program (Programa Mais Médicos), which is the big difference between the non-medical professionals, who are predominantely public servants.

"Stuck in the muck": an eco-idiom of distress from childhood respiratory diseases in an urban mangrove in Northeast Brazil.

Situated in neo-democratic globalizing Northeast Brazil, this anthropological study probes the role of ecological context in framing, experiencing, and expressing human distress. Ethnographic interviews, narratives, and "contextualized semantic analysis" reveal the lived experience of childhood respiratory diseases among 22 urban mangrove dwellers. Informants speak an "eco-idiom of respiratory distress" based on a popular "eco-logic", reflecting the harsh reality of "living in dampness". "Higher-up" residents legitimize their feelings of superiority by stigmatizing "lowlanders" as taboo, diseased (with porcine cysticercosis, swine flu) "filthy pigs, stuck in the muck" (atolados na lama). Animalizing inhabitants' identities demotes them to nonpersons. Besides infections, children suffer social stigma, ostracism, and barriers for accessing care. Promoting a "favorable environment" requires reducing ecological risk, challenging class-based prejudice, and restoring human dignity.

Vigilância Sanitária: a necessidade de reorientar o trabalho e a qualificação em um município / Health Surveillance: the need to reorient work and qualification in a municipality

Introdução: O trabalho da vigilância sanitária deve ser ampliado para transpor a dimensão fiscalizatória, mediante o desenvolvimento de atividades multiprofissionais, educativas e comunicativas, com participação social, integração com a Estratégia Saúde da Família e baseadas nos sistemas de informação em saúde. Para isso, os trabalhadores da Vigilância Sanitária (VISA) precisam ser qualificados e as dificuldades do trabalho devem ser superadas. Objetivo: Verificar o desenvolvimento dessas atividades, relacioná-las com a qualificação profissional e identificar as dificuldades para o trabalho. Método: Estudo descritivo e quantitativo, realizado com a aplicação de um questionário aos 54 trabalhadores da VISA de um município. Realizou-se uma estatística descritiva simples com as variáveis qualificação profissional, atividades do processo de trabalho e dificuldades. Resultados: Constatou-se que as atividades não foram desenvolvidas pela maioria dos trabalhadores, exceto atuação multiprofissional (81,5%), e que as dificuldades relatadas, como a insuficiência de veículos (36,4%), existem em outros serviços. A qualificação profissional (46,3%) exprimiu relação apenas com a atuação multiprofissional. Conclusões: É necessária a reorientação do trabalho e da qualificação profissional no sentido de possibilitar o desenvolvimento das atividades que, além da fiscalização e do controle, compõem o trabalho da vigilância sanitária.

Introduction: The work of Health Surveillance should be expanded to transpose the inspection dimension, through the development of multiprofessional, educational and communicative activities, with social participation, integration with the Family Health Strategy and based on health information systems. To do this, Health Surveillance workers need to be qualified and work difficulties must be overcome. Objective: To verify the development of these activities, to relate them to the professional qualification and to identify the difficulties for the work. Method: Descriptive and quantitative study, carried out with the application of a questionnaire to 54 VISA employees of a municipality. A simple descriptive statistic was performed with the variables professional qualification, work process activities and difficulties. Results: It was verified that the activities were not developed by most workers, except for multiprofessional work (81.5%), and that the reported difficulties, such as the lack of vehicles (36.4%), exist in other services. The professional qualification (46.3%) expressed a relation only to the multiprofessional performance. Conclusions: It is necessary to reorient work and professional qualification to enable the development of activities that, in addition to supervision and control, make up the work of Health Surveillance.

Factors associated to the imposition of types of violence against women informed in sentry services.

OBJECTIVE: to identify the prevalence and the factors associated to the imposition of the different types of violence against women informed in sentry services. METHOD: transversal study accomplished through 939 notification forms of cases of violence against women, referring to the three years from 2006 to 2008 in Fortaleza, Ceará. Univariate and multiple analyses by logistic regression were realized. RESULT: the results showed a positive association between the imposition of types of violence against women with a schooling varying from illiterate to basic education and the aggression which had occurred other times. CONCLUSION: this knowledge contributes to the delineation of specific actions that aim at facing this problem, as well as generates subsidies for adequate attendance proposals and guidance for the victims who call on health services.

Anti-PGL1 salivary IgA/IgM, serum IgG/IgM, and nasal Mycobacterium leprae DNA in individuals with household contact with leprosy.

OBJECTIVES: Leprosy household contacts represent a group at high risk of developing the disease. The aim of this study was to detect Mycobacterium leprae subclinical infection in this group through serological and molecular parameters. METHODS: Serum anti-PGL1 IgG/IgM and salivary anti-PGL1 IgA/IgM was investigated using an ELISA, and nasal carriage of M. leprae DNA was detected by PCR, in leprosy household contacts of paucibacillary (PB) and multibacillary (MB) household leprosy patients (n=135), their index cases (n=30), and in persons living in a low endemic city (n=17). RESULTS: Salivary anti-PGL1 IgA and IgM and serum anti-PGL1 IgG showed good correlation comparing contacts and index cases (p<0.01, p<0.005, and p<0.0001, respectively). This was not observed for serum anti-PGL1 IgM (p>0.05). A high frequency of anti-PGL1 IgM positivity was found in IgG-negative samples (p<0.0001). For IgG-positive samples, IgM antibodies were also positive in most of the samples. None of the 17 volunteers living in a low endemic city presented seropositivity for IgG; however, two of them showed positivity for anti-PGL1 IgM. M. leprae DNA was found in the nasal swabs of nine out of the 85 MB household leprosy contacts (10.6%) and in three out of the 50 PB household leprosy contacts (6.0%). CONCLUSION: We strongly suggest that serum IgG/IgM and salivary anti-PGL1 IgA/IgM measurements are used to follow leprosy household contacts.

Factors associated with adherence to immunomodulator treatment in people with multiple sclerosis

Abstract To determine the association between factors and adherence to immunomodulator treatment in people with multiple sclerosis treated in reference centers. Cross-sectional study conducted with 188 people who used immunomodulators in three reference centers in Ceará from March to July 2012. Adherence was assessed using the Moriskscale and factors were assessed using a questionnaire addressing socioeconomic and personal characteristics, the disease, the use of immunomodulator and educational activities. The determination of the association was expressed in crude and adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval. Adherence rate was 46% and after the logistic regression model the adherence to immunomodulator treatment was positively associated with the following factors: age 18-38 years, time of diagnosis and treatment between 6 and 24 months, 0-3.5 score in the Expanded Disability Status Scale, perception of treatment benefits, intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, phone contact with the doctor and not missing the return visit. This study is important because it allowed to determine the association between factors and adherence to immunomodulator treatment in multiple sclerosis, contributing to prevention and control actions.

Quality of health and medication information on Brazilian websites.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the quality of information about health and medication available on Brazilian websites. METHODS: A descriptive study with a quantitative approach regarding Brazilian websites, conducted from January to March 2011. The search sites were located using two search phrases: "medication information" and "health information." The choice of variables was based on the Internet information quality criteria of the World Health Organization and the International Code of Ethics for health and services sites on the Internet. The dependent variable was whether the site had information about health or medication. The independent variables were access, appearance, organization, honesty, transparency, responsibility and origin. For statistical analysis, the χ² and Fisher exact tests were applied, with a significance level of 5%. RESULTS: Of the 37 Brazilian sites analyzed, 24 (64.9%) contained health information and 13 (35.1%) contained medication information. Regarding appearance, organization and access criteria, most sites related to health and medication were easily accessible, easy to understand, used objective language, were updated and organized logically and provided accurate and scientifically grounded information. CONCLUSION: The honesty criterion differed significantly between sites, and the quality of information presented on health and medication websites showed significant differences, suggesting the need for a more systematic organization of these topics on the Internet.

Abordagem terapêutica e sua relação entre as características sociais e econômicas de crianças nos centros de atenção psicossocial infantojuvenis / Therapeutic approach and its relationship with social and economic characteristics of users of centers for psychosocial care for children and adolescents

RESUMO Objetivo: Descrever a abordagem terapêutica e estabelecer a relação entre características sociais, econômicas e o cuidado de crianças nos Centros de Atenção Psicossocial Infantojuvenis. Métodos: Estudo descritivo com cálculo amostral de 294 crianças em acompanhamento nos dois Centros de Atenção Psicossocial Infantojuvenis em Fortaleza, no Ceará, no período de fevereiro a dezembro de 2012. Os participantes estavam acompanhados por seus cuidadores, pais ou responsáveis. Os dados foram coletados mediante aplicação de formulário validado para os cuidadores, contendo as variáveis sociais, econômicas e cuidado. A análise bivariada utilizou o teste χ2 para verificar diferenças entre as proporções, com nível de significância 5%, intervalo de confiança 95%. Resultados: Foram selecionadas 292 crianças de 3 a 12 anos, por ordem de atendimento no serviço, a maioria do sexo masculino (74,3%) pertencentes às classes D e E (89,3%). A hipótese diagnóstica mais frequente referida pelo cuidador foi a de transtornos mentais. Três formas de abordagens terapêuticas foram identificadas: abordagem medicamentosa (44,5%), abordagem não medicamentosa (11,6%) e combinação da abordagem medicamentosa com as técnicas psicoterapêuticas (43,8%). Houve significância estatística entre a presença de abordagem terapêutica e a situação de moradia (p=0,021), bem como com as variáveis, "melhora" com o tratamento (p=0,002) e "problemas" com o tratamento (p=0,004). Conclusões: O estudo permitiu evidenciar que a abordagem terapêutica combinada (tratamento medicamentoso e não medicamentoso) proporciona maior efeito benéfico às crianças. Desse modo, associar o medicamento às técnicas psicoterapêuticas pode constituir-se como uma das principais estratégias terapêuticas da política de saúde mental infantojuvenil.

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the therapeutic approach and its relationship with the economic and social characteristics and the care of children in Centers for Psychosocial Attention. Methods: Descriptive study with a sample of 294 children monitored in two Centers for Psychosocial Attention to Children and Adolescents in Fortaleza, Ceará, Northeast Brazil. The study was conducted from February to December, 2012. Participants were accompanied by their parents or caregivers. Data were collected in a structured questionnaire containing social, economic and care variables. The bivariate analysis used the χ2 test to test the association between variables. Results: In this study, 292 children aged 3-12 were selected, following the order of attendance at the service, most of them male (74.3%) and belonging to social classes D and E (89.3%). The most frequent diagnosis referred to by the caregivers was mental disorders. Three different therapeutic approaches were identified: pharmacological approach (44.5%); non-pharmacological approach (11.6%); association of both techniques (43.8%). For all therapeutic approaches, there was association with the variable living situation (p=0.021), as well as with the variables, "improving" with the treatment (p=0.002) and "problems" with the treatment (p=0,004). Conclusions: It was possible to highlight that the associated therapeutic approach (pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment) provides more benefits to children. Therefore, associating the medicines to the psychotherapeutic practices may be recommended as a strategy in the mental health policy directed to children and adolescents.

[Continuous-use medication and associated factors in the elderly living in Quixadá, Ceará, Brazil]. / Uso de medicamentos contínuos e fatores associados em idosos de Quixadá, Ceará

OBJECTIVE: To analyze polypharmacy (daily use of two or more) of continuous use medication and its associated factors in the elderly. METHODS: A cross sectional study conducted with elderly individuals living in an urban area of the municipality of Quixadá, Ceara, Brazil from May to December, 2009. The sample consisted of 384 individuals who were 60 years old or older and users of continuous medication. The variables studied were sociodemographic, economical, and health characteristics related to use of medications. For the analysis of the association between the dependent variable polypharmacy of continuous-use medication and the independent variables a logistic regression model was developed. RESULTS: Results showed a predominance of females, between 60 and 69 years old, married, with incomplete elementary school education, non-paid job, family income of one minimum salary, living in their own home and together with up to three individuals. A prevalence of 70.6% of polypharmacy in the elderly was found, and it was higher in women (66.4%). Factors positively associated with the use of two or more continuous-use medication were: family income over one minimum salary (OR 2.83; CI95% = 1.54-5.32); two or more self-reported chronic conditions (OR 17.71; CI95% = 9.80-31.990) and self-perception of regular to poor quality of life (OR 2.85; CI95% = 1.60-5.07). CONCLUSIONS: The study observed a practice of polypharmacy of continuous-use medications in the elderly with family income over one minimum wage, two or more chronic conditions and self-perception of regular to poor quality of life. Such status leads to questions on social, cultural, economic and health aspects.

Tentativas de suicídio por exposição a agentes tóxicos registradas em um Centro de Informação e Assistência Toxicológica em Fortaleza, Ceará, 2013 / Perfil fármaco terapéutico y factores asociados a la polifarmacia en ancianos de Aiquara, Bahia, 2014 / Suicide attempts by exposure to toxic agents registered in a Toxicological Information and Assistance Center in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil, 2013

Objetivo: descrever casos de tentativa de suicídio por exposição a agentes tóxicos registrados pelo Centro de Informação e Assistência Toxicológica em Fortaleza, Ceará, Brasil. Métodos: estudo descritivo com dados secundários sobre casos registrados em 2013. Resultados: foram registrados 410 casos; 56,2% dos indivíduos eram do sexo feminino e 79,7% tinham de 12 a 39 anos de idade; a maioria (86,4%) residia em áreas urbanas e 67,2% em Fortaleza; em 94,9% dos casos o local de exposição foi o domicílio; os agentes tóxicos mais envolvidos nos casos foram praguicidas (42,9%), principalmente agrotóxicos (30,2%), medicamentos (39,5%) e saneantes de uso doméstico (3,4%); das 16 tentativas de suicídio que resultaram em óbito, 15 foram ocasionadas por agrotóxicos. Conclusão: o estudo evidencia que a ingestão de agentes tóxicos, especialmente os agrotóxicos, é um importante método utilizado em tentativas de suicídio, sendo fundamental a integração das ações de promoção e de prevenção nessas ocorrências.

Objetivo: describir los fármacos utilizados y analizar los factores asociados a la polifarmacia en ancianos de Aiquara, Bahía, Brasil. Métodos: se trata de un estudio transversal, censo, realizado en febrero de 2014, a través de entrevistas con formularios estandarizados. Resultados: entre los 272 ancianos entrevistados, 53,3% utilizaban la medicación prescrita y solamente 31,6% al menos un medicamento sin receta médica; la prevalencia de polifarmacia fue 29,0%; los medicamentos cardiovasculares fueron los más utilizados (n=390; 37,6%); en análisis ajustados, los factores asociados a la polifarmacia fueron sexo femenino (OR=2,20 - IC95% 1,11;4,35), seguro de salud privado (OR=2,18 - IC95% 1,05;4,55), haber sido hospitalizados en el último año (OR=2,34 - IC95% 1,1;4,65) y auto-reporte de cuatro o más enfermedades (OR=3,18 - IC95% 1,60;6,29). Conclusión: hubo una alta prevalencia de polifarmacia, asociada al sexo, plan de salud privado, tener cuatro o más enfermedades auto-reportados y haber sido hospitalizado en el último año, con un mayor uso de fármacos cardiovasculares.

Objective: to describe cases of suicide attempts by exposure to toxic agents registered by the Toxicological Information and Assistance Center in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil. Methods: this is a descriptive study using secondary data of the cases registered in 2013. Results: 410 cases were registered; 56.2% of the individuals were female and 79.7% were between 12 and 39 years old; most of them (86.4%) lived in urban areas and 67.2%, in Fortaleza; in 94.9% of the cases, the exposure took place in the individual's own home; the toxic agents most commonly used were pesticides (42.9%), especially for agricultural use (30.2%), medicines (39.5%) and house cleaning products (3.4%); of 16 suicide attempts that resulted in death, 15 were caused by agricultural pesticides. Conclusion: the study shows that the intake of toxic agents, especially of agricultural pesticides, is a common method used in suicide attempts; the integration between actions of promotion and prevention are essential.

[Self-medication in adolescence: a challenge to health education]. / Automedicação na adolescência: um desafio para a educação em saúde.

The study aims to examine the knowledge of students of public and private schools in the city of Fortaleza, Ceará State, Brazil on the use of medicine and their health implications. It is a descriptive study of 722 adolescents enrolled in ten schools in the city of Fortaleza. He got up aspects of consumption, indication and guidance medicine and influence of the media using a questionnaire. Seventy two percent of the participants reported use of medicine the last 60 days, and painkillers were the most cited (65.4%). The indications were responsible for the family (51.2%) and physicians (33.1%), and the self-medication by 20.8% of the students. Regarding the use of medicine 70.9% of the students were not instructed on the proper use of the medicine. Of the total, 34.1% had already been influenced by media in the purchase of medicine. It's possible to conclude that teenagers' knowledge about medicine and its implications on health is very weak and devoid of any basic notion of the rational use of medicine. In addition, public school students are more oriented on the proper use of medicines by professionals in the public health system, which demonstrates the efficiency of the promoter of health of the population enrolled in public schools in Fortaleza.