Prevalence of and Factors Associated with Metabolic Syndrome in Afro-Descendant Communities in a Situation of Vulnerability in Northern Brazil: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Quilombos are Brazilian communities developed by survivor groups following fight against slavery. They are found in the whole of the Brazilian territory, far from urban centers, living in vulnerable and poor socioeconomic situations and continuously suffering from influence of occidentalization. Based on the hypothesis that the way Quilombolas live may be associated with metabolic syndrome (MS), the objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of MS and to analyze the associated factors in adult residents of Quilombola communities in the northern region of Brazil. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted according to the guidelines of the STROBE Statement in five communities of Tocantins. Results: The study investigated 193 individuals who lived for at least 1 year in the communities. The prevalence of MS in this population was 32.12%. There was a higher prevalence of MS or metabolic disorders in women, as well as metabolic profiles related to low high-density lipoprotein and obesity among participants with MS. Conclusion: The prevalence of MS is higher compared with other Quilombola and African communities, indicating an opportunity to improve or develop new programs to reduce MS and metabolic disorders, by making changes in some habits, such as physical activities, because there were differences in metabolic disorders related to the presence of MS.

Association between primary care coverage and breast cancer mortality in Brazil.

Breast cancer early detection is the major strategy for mortality rates reduction. In Brazil, Primary Health Care is an important strategy for public health promotion. To analyse the association between breast cancer mortality and primary health care indicators in Brazilian municipalities, data on breast cancer mortality and primary healthcare coverage of the 5,700 Brazilian municipalities were collected from the Department of Informatics of the Brazilian Unified Health System. We collected data on the deaths of women living in Brazil in 2010 with breast cancer. Breast cancer mortality was calculated by 100,000 women and age-standardised from the World Health Organisation population. We studied the coverage of primary health care, family health team and community health agents. We found that increase of both primary care indexes was related to increasing of the breast cancer mortality. Additionally, improving the scholarly and reducing the income inequality was related to reducing the breast cancer mortality. Strategies to improve the quality of primary care, reduce the income inequality and improve elementary scholarly should be taken into account in the development of public policies in the Brazilian municipalities to reduce breast cancer in Brazilian municipalities.