Mapping the learning styles of medical students in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Medical education has evolved based on the application of pedagogical actions that place the student as the protagonist of the learning process through the use of active teaching methodologies. Within this context, higher education teachers should use strategies that focus on the student and his/her context and avoid traditional teaching methods. Specifically in medical schools, there is an even greater challenge since the teaching methods of medical curricula differ from those used in previous schooling. Consequently, students acquire their own style of processing information that is often incompatible with the profile of medical schools. This may be one of the factors responsible for the lack of motivation among undergraduates. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to characterize the learning styles of students enrolled in a Brazilian medical school using the Felder-Soloman Index of Learning Styles (ILS). METHODS: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive, quantitative study that included students from the 1st to the 6th year of a Brazilian medical school. The students participating in this study voluntarily answered 44 questions about learning styles of the Felder-Silverman instrument validated in Brazil. The instrument was divided so that each domain consisted of 11 questions with two response options in which only one could be selected. For each domain, a score (1 point) was assigned to the selected option (a, b) of the question and the learning style category was determined as the difference between these values. For data collection and tabulation, we used the Learning Syle Platform (EdA Platform) developed based on Felder's studies since this system processes information about the dimension analyzed, the preferred style, and the most striking characteristics of each style. RESULTS: The results showed that sensing was the preferred learning style of the students, followed by the sequential and visual styles. It was not possible to determine whether gender or age influences the choice of learning methods because of the homogeneity of the results. CONCLUSIONS: The present data will enable teachers of the institution involved in this study to plan pedagogical actions that improve the students' self-awareness, as well as their teaching-learning skills, by choosing the most adequate active methodologies for the medical education programs considering the individuality of each student and class.

Perception and knowledge of pharmacogenetics among Brazilian psychiatrists.

Pharmacogenetics (PGx) can optimize drug therapy in psychiatry and is particularly important in admixed populations. Here we developed and successfully validated a questionnaire for assessing the perception and knowledge of PGx among Brazilian psychiatrists. Overall, the participants showed some familiarity with PGx. Most psychiatrists reported to have knowledge of PGx and recognized its usefulness in psychiatry; however, they declared concerns regarding PGx education, the request of tests and their interpretation, cost-effectiveness, and ethical issues. PGx testing is relatively prevalent in their clinical practice, but education on the topic is lacking. Bivariate analysis revealed significant associations. Psychiatrists > 40 years of age more frequently had a positive perception of other clinicians' familiarity with PGx. Psychiatrists in private health services showed less self-reported competency in the use of PGx testing. Furthermore, women had better perception of PGx education. The present study adds knowledge about PGx in psychiatry and encourages the development of educational and training resources for PGx to improve its clinical implementation.

To Combine or Not to Combine Physical Therapy With tDCS for Stroke With Shoulder Pain? Analysis From a Combination Randomized Clinical Trial for Rehabilitation of Painful Shoulder in Stroke.

Purpose: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) is an intervention that seems to be an ideal tool to enhance the effects of rehabilitation therapies given it facilitates generation of plasticity in the stimulated brain area. In stroke this strategy has been highly utilized; however, the results have been mixed. In this trial we have evaluated the analgesic and functional effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) combined with physiotherapy in stroke survivors with shoulder pain. Methods: Twenty-six stroke surviving adults with shoulder pain received 10 sessions of passive mobilization and performed upper limb exercises using a cycle ergometer, combined with active or sham tDCS. The intensity of pain in the hemiplegic shoulder was measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS); secondary outcomes were the level of motor impairment, handgrip strength, range of motion, motor function of the upper limbs, and quality of life (QOL) assessed before and after 10 sessions and 1 month after the end of the treatment. Results: A clinically important pain reduction (3 points) was found in both groups and was maintained at follow-up; there was no significant difference between groups (p = 0.3). Similarly, the shoulder range of motion improved, motor function and quality of life improved showed no significant differences between groups. One result that needs to be underscored is that both groups had a significant effect size toward improvement in all of these outcomes. Conclusions: We discuss in this study that tDCS is not a useful combination strategy when the physical therapy has a large effect by itself and we also review other negative trials of combined therapy under this framework of ceiling effect of the main physical therapy. Trial registry: Trial registration: Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials, RBR-8F5MNY (http://www.ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-8f5mny/). Registered on June 2, 2017. Beginning of the recruitment of the volunteers: august, 2017.

Filling out the compulsory notification in health services that care for women who suffer from sexual violence.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the proportion of health services that fill out the compulsory notification and what the main difficulties to fill it out are. METHODS: A study was carried out with two different approaches. For the quantitative approach, a cross sectional study was performed, with telephone data collection. In the state of São Paulo, 291 health services that had reported providing care to women who suffer from sexual violence were identified. The sample was composed of 172 services that reported providing emergency care to women. In the qualitative approach, case studies were conducted. Six cities were chosen by intention and convenience. For each of them, professionals from two health services were invited to participate. Forty-five semi-structured interviews were conducted. For quantitative data, a descriptive analysis was carried out. For qualitative data, a thematic analysis of content was performed. RESULTS: The proportion of health services which reported always filling out the notification in cases of sexual violence was 79.1%. More than half (53.5%) reported difficulties concerning the assisted women, one third reported reasons related to the form, and 29.7%, to the professionals. In the qualitative approach, the main difficulties were the size of the form, the problems to obtain the information about the woman and the difficulty for the professional to obtain this information. CONCLUSION: Although most health services claimed to fill out the compulsory notification, they also mentioned several difficulties to do so, especially with regard to the workload of professionals and the misunderstanding about the importance of the notification in the context of comprehensive care to women who suffer from sexual violence. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the proportion of health services that fill out the compulsory notification and what the main difficulties to fill it out are. METHODS: A study was carried out with two different approaches. For the quantitative approach, a cross sectional study was performed, with telephone data collection. In the state of São Paulo, 291 health services that had reported providing care to women who suffer from sexual violence were identified. The sample was composed of 172 services that reported providing emergency care to women. In the qualitative approach, case studies were conducted. Six cities were chosen by intention and convenience. For each of them, professionals from two health services were invited to participate. Forty-five semi-structured interviews were conducted. For quantitative data, a descriptive analysis was carried out. For qualitative data, a thematic analysis of content was performed. RESULTS: The proportion of health services which reported always filling out the notification in cases of sexual violence was 79.1%. More than half (53.5%) reported difficulties concerning the assisted women, one third reported reasons related to the form, and 29.7%, to the professionals. In the qualitative approach, the main difficulties were the size of the form, the problems to obtain the information about the woman and the difficulty for the professional to obtain this information. CONCLUSION: Although most health services claimed to fill out the compulsory notification, they also mentioned several difficulties to do so, especially with regard to the workload of professionals and the misunderstanding about the importance of the notification in the context of comprehensive care to women who suffer from sexual violence.

Dyspareunia in HIV-positive and HIV-negative middle-aged women: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether dyspareunia is associated with HIV status in menopausal women and also to assess which factors are associated with dyspareunia in a group of HIV-positive menopausal women. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 178 HIV-negative and 128 HIV-positive women aged 40-60 years. The Short Personal Experiences Questionnaire (SPEQ) was used to collect data. Sociodemographic, clinical, behavioural and reproductive factors were evaluated, as well as factors related to the HIV infection. Dyspareunia was defined as pain during intercourse. A bivariate analysis and Poisson multiple regression analysis were performed. RESULTS: Overall, 41.4% of the HIV-positive women reported dyspareunia compared with 34.8% of the HIV-negative women (p=0.242). In the HIV-positive women, bivariate analysis revealed an association between dyspareunia and having a steady partner (p=0.047); the woman's partner having undergone HIV testing (p=0.020); vaginal dryness (p<0.001); muscle/joint pain (p=0.021); physical/emotional violence (p=0.049); urinary incontinence (p=0.004); and the use of lamivudine/zidovudine (p=0.048). The Poisson multiple regression analysis found an association between dyspareunia and vaginal dryness (prevalence ratio (PR)=1.96, 95% CI 1.10 to 3.50, p=0.023) and urinary incontinence (PR=1.86, 95% CI 1.06 to 3.27, p=0.031). CONCLUSIONS: Dyspareunia was common in this group of HIV-positive women and was associated principally with vaginal dryness and urinary incontinence. The importance of treating dyspareunia within the context of sexual health in this group of women should be emphasised and appropriate management of this issue may reduce the likelihood of lesions on the vaginal wall, which may act as a portal of entry for other infections.

Factors associated with the onset of hypertension in women of 50 years of age or more in a city in Southeastern Brazil.

PURPOSE: To evaluate factors associated with hypertension in Brazilian women of 50 years of age or more. METHODS: A cross-sectional population based study using self-reports. A total of 622 women were included. The association between sociodemographic, clinical and behavioral factors and the woman's age at the onset of hypertension was evaluated. Data were analyzed according to cumulative continuation rates without hypertension, using the life-table method and considering annual intervals. Next, a Cox multiple regression analysis model was adjusted to analyze the occurrence rates of hypertension according to various predictor variables. Significance level was pre-established at 5% (95% confidence level) and the sampling plan (primary sampling unit) was taken into consideration. RESULTS: Median age at onset of hypertension was 64.3 years. Cumulative continuation rate without hypertension at 90 years was 20%. Higher body mass index (BMI) at 20-30 years of age was associated with a higher cumulative occurrence rate of hypertension over time (coefficient=0.078; p<0.001). Being white was associated with a lower cumulative occurrence rate of hypertension over time (coefficient= -0.439; p=0.003), while smoking >15 cigarettes/day was associated with a higher rate over time (coefficient=0.485; p=0.004). CONCLUSION: The results of the present study highlight the importance of weight control in young adulthood and of avoiding smoking in preventing hypertension in women aged ≥50 years.

Brazilians have different views on when abortion should be legal, but most do not agree with imprisoning women for abortion.

Unsafe abortions remain a major public health problem in countries with very restrictive abortion laws. In Brazil, parliamentarians - who have the power to change the law - are influenced by "public opinion", often obtained through surveys and opinion polls. This paper presents the findings from two studies. One was carried out in February-December 2010 among 1,660 public servants and the other in February-July 2011 with 874 medical students from three medical schools, both in São Paulo State, Brazil. Both groups of respondents were asked two sets of questions to obtain their opinion about abortion: 1) under which circumstances abortion should be permitted by law, and 2) whether or not women in general and women they knew who had had an abortion should be punished with prison, as Brazilian law mandates. The differences in their answers were enormous: the majority of respondents were against putting women who have had abortions in prison. Almost 60% of civil servants and 25% of medical students knew at least one woman who had had an illegal abortion; 85% of medical students and 83% of civil servants thought this person(s) should not be jailed. Brazilian parliamentarians who are currently reviewing a reform in the Penal Code need to have this information urgently.

[Sociocultural adaptation of the short personal experiences questionnaire (SPEQ) in Brazil]. / Adaptação sociocultural do short personal experiences questionnaire (SPEQ) no Brasil.

PURPOSE: to translate into Brazilian Portuguese and culturally adapt the Short Personal Experiences Questionnaire (SPEQ) to climacteric women. METHODS: the original English version from the University of Melbourne, Australia, was initially translated into Portuguese and back-translated into English. A sociocultural adaptation of vocabulary and linguistic constructions was performed to facilitate comprehension. The questionnaire was then pretested in successive stages in 50 women, until no doubts remained. The final version of the adapted instrument was self-responded by 378 Brazilian-born women, between 40 to 65 years old, with 11 years or more of schooling in a population-based study. The reliability (internal consistency as measured by Cronbach's alpha), the construct validity (correlation coefficients between the items comprising the SPEQ and selected variables) and the criterion validity (correlation coefficient between sexual dysfunction score and overall score of sexual life classification) were analyzed. RESULTS: one hundred and eight women answered all the questions of the SPEQ and were included in the study. Internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) for all the nine SPEQ items ranged from 0.55 to 0.77 and the general alpha was 0.68. In the construct validity analysis, most of the correlation coefficients were significant (p<0.005). The criterion validity analysis showed significant correlation coefficients in most cases. CONCLUSIONS: following the adaptation process, the Portuguese version of the SPEQ was deemed useful and appropriate for collecting data on sexual function and dyspareunia in Brazilian women, aged 45 to 65 years, with at least 11 years of schooling.

Delay in the provision of adequate care to women who died from abortion-related complications in the principal maternity hospital of Gabon.

Deaths resulting from unsafe induced abortions represent a major component of maternal mortality in countries with restrictive abortion laws. Delays in obtaining care for maternal complications constitute a known determinant of a woman's risk of death. However, data on the role of delays in providing care at health care facilities are sparse. The association between the cause of maternal death (abortion versus post-partum haemorrhage or eclampsia) and the time interval between admission to hospital and the initiation of treatment were evaluated among women who died at the Maternité du Centre Hospitalier de Libreville, Gabon, between 1 January 2005 and 31 December 2007. The women's characteristics and the time between diagnosis of the condition that led to death and the initiation of treatment were compared for each cause of death. After controlling for selected variables, the mean time between admission and treatment was 1.2 hours (95% CI: 0.0-5.6) in the case of women who died from post-partum haemorrhage or eclampsia and 23.7 hours (95% CI: 21.1-26.3) in the case of women who died of abortion-related complications. In conclusion, delay in initiating care was far greater in cases of women with complications of unsafe abortion compared to other pregnancy-related complications. Such delays may constitute an important determinant of the risk of death in women with abortion-related complications.

Association between characteristics of current menses and preference for induced amenorrhea.

BACKGROUND: Several studies suggest that many women would prefer to avoid menses altogether, but few studies have examined the social or clinical predictors of such preference. STUDY DESIGN: In total, 1224 healthy women of reproductive age were surveyed in Brazil, Germany and the United States regarding social, menstrual and reproductive characteristics and preferences for various dimensions of menstruation, including the ideal interval between menses. The extent to which a preference to never bleed was predicted by current experiences with menses was evaluated. RESULTS: Long menses, menstrual pain and a perceived high cost of pads and tampons were predictive of preferring amenorrhea over all other menstrual patterns after controlling for age, parity and education. Independent significant associations were also found with increasing degrees of life stress and ever use of injectable contraceptives. CONCLUSION: A negative experience with menstruation, a high ranking of life stress and ever use of injectable contraception were independently associated with a preference to avoid menses altogether.

Oral and maxillofacial manifestations of familial adenomatous polyposis (Gardner's syndrome): a report of two cases.

AIM: The aim of this case report is to emphasize the importance of an early diagnosis of Gardner's syndrome through the detection of lesions appearing in the oral and maxillofacial area as well as to present two cases of the disease. BACKGROUND: Gardner's syndrome is an autosomal dominant disease characterized by gastrointestinal polyps that develop in the colon as well as in the stomach and upper intestine, along with multiple osteomas, skin, and soft tissue tumors. Cutaneous findings may include desmoid tumors, epidermoid cysts, and other benign tumors. Early diagnosis and therapy of the disease are critical because polyps have a 100% risk of undergoing malignant transformation. Craniomaxillofacial manifestations (osteoma formation, tooth impaction, diffuse opacities in the skull, mandible and maxilla, scalp tumors) usually precede polyposis. REPORT: Case 1: Gardner's syndrome was diagnosed in a 25-year-old Caucasian man who was referred by his endodontist for evaluation of an uncommon radiographic image in the mandibular molar area. Further investigation revealed a familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) complicated by adenocarcinoma of the colon. A colectomy and an ileorectal anastomosis were performed. Case 2: A 12-year-old Caucasian girl, who is a niece of the patient described in Case 1, presented with progressive difficulty with mouth opening but no complaints of digestive problems. Radiographic examination revealed multiple radiopacities in the maxilla, mandible left temporomandibular joint, and in the left mandibular angle. Multiple impacted teeth were present. A colonoscopy was suggested, but the patient's parents decided to continue the investigation and treatment with their own physician in their home town. SUMMARY: Since an early diagnosis is essential and general dental practitioners may be the first healthcare professionals to suspect the diagnosis, it is important for them to be familiar with the features of Gardner's syndrome.

Management of horizontal root-fractured teeth: report of three cases.

Horizontal root fractures frequently occur at the maxillary anterior region and sometimes may be healed without endodontic treatment. Diagnosis of horizontal root fractures is mainly reached by the information obtained in clinical and radiographic examinations. The report of three cases presents horizontal root-fractured teeth, at different thirds, which were healed satisfactory with and without endodontic treatment, rigid splint and carefully monitored.

Research on severe maternal morbidities and near-misses in Brazil: what we have learned.

The occurrence of complications during pregnancy depends less on the degree of human development than differences in the way complications in pregnancy are detected and managed. It is the quick diagnosis and correct management that really contribute to the enormous differences in maternal mortality ratios between countries and regions. Understanding of the determinants of maternal mortality may be improved by studying cases of severe maternal morbidity. In this paper, various approaches to the concept of severe maternal morbidity and near-misses are discussed, and the relationship between these and maternal deaths. Although no consensus has been reached on a strict definition of near-miss or severe maternal morbidity, we show that the definitions used may be tailored to support diverse objectives, including monitoring progress, epidemiological surveillance and auditing of health care. We conclude that the versatility of the concept, the greater frequency of cases available for study and the possibility of interviewing the survivors of severe complications all support the value of studying severe maternal morbidity to help guide local efforts to reduce maternal mortality. Although this may almost be a reality in developed countries, it continues to represent an important and difficult challenge to overcome in places where its benefits would be most evident.

Osteochondroma of the mandibular condyle: literature review and report of a case.

AIM: The intent of this report is to present a brief review of the literature on osteochondroma and to present a case involving the surgical removal and replacement of a major portion of the condyle and angle of the mandible using free autogenous mandibular bone. BACKGROUND: While osteochondroma is the most common tumor of skeletal bones, it is relatively uncommon in the jaws occurring at the condyle or the tip of the coronoid process. This benign cartilage-capped growth is usually discovered incidentally on radiographic examination or on palpation of a protruding mass in the affected area. Malocclusion and progressive facial asymmetry are common findings in most cases of condylar osteochondroma. REPORT: A case of a 29-year-old woman with an osteochondroma of the mandibular condyle is presented. Surgical treatment was tumor resection, grafting, and reshaping of the mandibular angle and ramus. As this lesion is usually asymptomatic and discovered incidentally on radiographic examination, the general practitioner usually is the first professional to make the diagnosis. SUMMARY: Condylectomy cannot be recommended as routine in all cases.37 Common surgical treatments include condylectomy and reconstruction.24 If the tumor involves only a limited area of the condylar surface, then preservation of the remaining portion of the condyle and reshaping should be done. Reasons for not taking such a conservative approach are the possibilities of malignancy and the risk of recurrence. In this case report the extraoral vertical ramus osteotomy, associated with free autogenous mandibular bone, presented several advantages.

Factors associated with safe sex among public school students in Minas Gerais, Brazil.

A cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate factors associated with safe sex among sexually active public school students in Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The study focused on correlations between the variables gender, age, schooling, current grade, ethnicity, religion, importance attributed to religion, mothers' education, prior exposure to any sex education, promotion of juvenile protagonism, and participation by health professionals in school activities and consistent condom use with casual or stable partners and with use of other modern contraceptive methods. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used. Male gender and participation by health professionals in school activities were positively associated with all indicators of safe sex, and maternal schooling of more than eight years was positively associated with consistent condom use with casual and stable partners. Secondary (versus elementary) schooling and age (older) were inversely associated with consistent condom use with casual and stable partners, respectively. Ascribing greater importance to religion and Evangelical religion were negatively associated with use of modern contraceptives in the last sexual intercourse.

[Family planning in Brazil today: an analysis of recent research]. / Atenção ao planejamento familiar no Brasil hoje: reflexões sobre os resultados de uma pesquisa.

This two-component study (descriptive cross-sectional and qualitative) assessed the availability of contraceptives in primary care clinics in Brazilian municipalities. The family planning program was also analyzed as part of the country's Family Health Strategy. Phone interviews were held with local health managers to obtain information on contraceptive supply in a selected sample of municipalities. Four municipalities were selected and visited for the qualitative analysis, using direct observation and semi-structured interviews with health professionals and managers. Descriptive statistical and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed. Content analysis technique was used for qualitative data. According to the results, family planning activities are often not integrated with other health activities. Health professionals and managers failed to understand family planning as part of primary health care and felt unable to assist patients. Family planning in Brazil is marked by the unavailability of contraceptives in public health programs.

Traumatic pseudolipoma of the oral cavity: report of a case.

An uncommon traumatic pseudolipoma of the oral cavity is presented. In this particular case there was evidence of previous trauma to the buccal fat pad during a difficult extraction of a maxillary premolar. Evidence is presented that iatrogenic trauma resulting in foreign body introduction might produce traumatic pseudolipoma in the oral cavity. The morphology of the buccal fat pad, the possible pathogenisis of the condition, as well as the diagnostic and the management of the case are presented.

[Systematic review of near miss maternal morbidity]. / Revisão sistemática sobre morbidade materna near miss.

This systematic literature review on maternal near miss aims to evaluate data on the incidence and different operational definitions of near miss. An electronic search was performed in databases of scientific journals and also in the references of the identified studies. Initially, 1,247 studies were identified, 35 of which were comprehensively assessed, with 17 excluded and 18 included. Review of reference lists from these articles identified an additional 20 articles, thus completing 38 studies included: 20 adopting definitions of near miss related to management complexity, 6 to organ dysfunction, 2 with a mixed definition, and 10 according to symptoms, signs, or specific clinical entities. The mean near miss ratio was 8.2/1,000 live births, the maternal mortality index was 6.3%, and the case/fatality ratio was 16:1. The study concluded that there was a trend towards higher incidence of near miss in developing countries and when using near miss definitions by organ dysfunction. The study of near miss maternal morbidity can help improve obstetric care and support the struggle against maternal mortality.

[Factors associated with condom use and knowledge about STD/AIDS among teenagers in public and private schools in São Paulo, Brazil]. / Fatores associados ao uso de preservativo masculino e ao conhecimento sobre DST/AIDS em adolescentes de escolas públicas e privadas do Município de São Paulo, Brasil.

This study aimed to compare knowledge about STD/AIDS and identify the factors associated with adequate knowledge and consistent use of male condoms in teenagers from public and private schools in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. We selected 1,594 adolescents ranging 12 to 19 years of age in 13 public schools and 5 private schools to complete a questionnaire on knowledge of STD/AIDS and use of male condoms. Prevalence ratios were computed with a 95% confidence interval. The score on STD knowledge used a cutoff point corresponding to 50% of correct answers. Statistical tests were chi-square and Poisson multiple regression. Consistent use of male condoms was 60% in private and 57.1% in public schools (p > 0.05) and was associated with male gender and lower socioeconomic status. Female gender, higher schooling, enrollment in private school, Caucasian race, and being single were associated with higher knowledge of STDs. Teenagers from public and private schools have adequate knowledge of STD prevention, however this does not include the adoption of effective prevention. Educational programs and STD/AIDS awareness-raising should be expanded in order to minimize vulnerability.

Sonographic identification and measurement of the epiphyseal ossification centers as markers of fetal gestational age.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to verify the predictive value of epiphyseal ossification center measurements in estimating gestational age. METHODS: Women with singleton pregnancies of 30-40 weeks gestation (n = 377) were enrolled in this prospective study. The distal femoral, proximal tibial, and proximal humeral ossification centers were identified and measured. A nomogram of fetal bone development was created using the sum of the three diameters. RESULTS: Gestational age correlated well with the diameters of the distal femoral and the proximal tibial epiphyseal ossification centers but even better with the sum of the three ossification centers. Positive predictive values of the fetus having gestational age of at least 37 weeks when the sum of the three centers was 7, 11, and 13 mm were 82%, 94%, and 100%, respectively. A nomogram was created using the sum of the ossification centers for 30-40 weeks' gestational age. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasonographic visualization of the epiphyses ossification centers may be a useful marker of fetal gestational age.