Dietary risk behaviors for chronic non-communicable diseases in Brazilian medical students.

College students in general commonly present unhealthy habits and, as a result, they can develop chronic non-communicable diseases. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of clustering of dietary risk behaviors for chronic non-communicable diseases and associated factors among medical students. A cross-sectional study was carried out with 231 students in the 1st, 7th and 11th semesters of undergraduate medical courses at three institutions in northern Minas Gerais, Brazil. Information on food intake was obtained through a survey of risk and protection factors for chronic diseases conducted by telephone. Statistical analysis was carried out using Poisson regression with robust variance. With regard to the clustering of dietary risk behaviors for chronic diseases, 30.8% of the students had three or more such behaviors. In the multivariate analysis, it was found that the prevalence of dietary risk behaviors was significantly higher among first-semester students. It is believed that students in other semesters had a lower prevalence of clustering of dietary risk behaviors because they had in-depth knowledge about the benefits of a healthy diet.

Risk factors for perinatal death in two different levels of care: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: According to the World Health Organization, there are over 6.3 million perinatal deaths (PND) a year worldwide. Identifying the factors associated with PND is very helpful in building strategies to improve the care provided to mothers and their babies. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the maternal, gestational and neonatal factors associated with PND at two different levels of care. METHODS: Case-control study including 299 PND cases and 1161 infants that survived the early neonatal period (controls) between 2001-2006 in two hospitals at different care levels (secondary and tertiary) located in southeastern Brazil. Correlations between study variables and PND were evaluated by univariate analysis. PND-related variables were included in a multiple logistic regression model, and independent estimates of PND risk were obtained. RESULTS: Although five-minute Apgar score <7, low birthweight and maternal hemorrhage were associated with PND in the secondary care center, no independent risk factors were identified at this level of care. In the tertiary hospital, PND was positively associated with primiparity, male sex, prematurity, low 5-minute Apgar score, and pregnancy complicated by arterial hypertension or intrauterine infection. CONCLUSIONS: Several risk factors positively associated with PND were indentified in the tertiary, but not in the secondary care level hospital. Since most of the risk factors herein identified are modifiable through effective antenatal and intrapartum care, greater attention should be given to preventive strategies.

Prevalence and factors associated with inadequate work ability among community health workers in Montes Claros, Minas Gerais state, Brazil: a cross-sectional study, 2018.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence and analyze factors associated with inadequate work ability among community health workers (CHWs). METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted with CHWs, from July to October 2018, in Montes Claros, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil; work ability, sociodemographic, occupational, and clinical factors were investigated; prevalence ratios (PRs) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were calculated using Poisson regression. RESULTS: Of the 675 CHWs, 25.8% (95%CI 22.7;29.2) showed inadequate work ability; length of service greater than five years (PR = 1.64; 95%CI 1.24;2.18), poor health status (PR = 2.10; 95%CI 1.56;2.83), depressive symptoms (PR = 1.98; 95%CI 1.54;2.55) and voice disorders (PR = 1.85; 95%CI 1.26;2.73) were associated with the event. CONCLUSION: There was a high prevalence of inadequate work ability, associated with occupational and clinical factors. MAIN RESULTS: There was a high prevalence of inadequate work ability among community health workers (CHWs), associated with occupational and clinical factors. IMPLICATIONS FOR SERVICES: This study can contribute to the planning of preventive actions and the promotion of the work ability of CHWs, with repercussions on the quality of service provided by these professionals. PERSPECTIVES: Longitudinal studies are strongly recommended in order to establish cause-and-effect relationships between the variables investigated.

Factors associated with survival in patients with visceral leishmaniasis treated at a reference hospital in northern Minas Gerais - Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a public health problem and is a relevant cause of death in developing countries. This study aimed to evaluate the 20-year survival and predictors of worse prognosis in patients with VL admitted to a reference hospital for the treatment of infectious diseases between 1995 and 2016 in northern Minas Gerais, an area of high endemicity for VL. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study was conducted at a hospital in northern Minas Gerais, Brazil. All patients with VL were evaluated over a 20-year period. The medical records were thoroughly analyzed. Cox regression analysis was performed to estimate factors associated with the probability of survival. RESULTS: The cohort included 972 individuals, mostly male children <10 years old, from urban areas who presented at admission with the classic triad of fever, hepatosplenomegaly, and skin pallor. The mean hemoglobin level was 7.53 mg/dl. The mean interval between symptom onset and hospital admission was 40 days. The instituted therapies ranged from pentavalent antimonates to amphotericin, or both. The probability of survival was reduced to 78% one year after symptom onset. Hemoglobin levels and age were strongly associated with the probability of survival. CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of the mechanism underlying the reduction in hemoglobin and the non-modifiable factors of age, early initiation of drug treatment is the most appropriate strategy for increasing survival in patients with VL, which challenges health systems to reduce the interval between the onset of symptoms and hospital admission.

Development and validity of a questionnaire to test the knowledge of primary care personnel regarding nutrition in obese adolescents.

BACKGROUND: In light of its epidemic proportions in developed and developing countries, obesity is considered a serious public health issue. In order to increase knowledge concerning the ability of health care professionals in caring for obese adolescents and adopt more efficient preventive and control measures, a questionnaire was developed and validated to assess non-dietitian health professionals regarding their Knowledge of Nutrition in Obese Adolescents (KNOA). METHODS: The development and evaluation of a questionnaire to assess the knowledge of primary care practitioners with respect to nutrition in obese adolescents was carried out in five phases, as follows: 1) definition of study dimensions 2) development of 42 questions and preliminary evaluation of the questionnaire by a panel of experts; 3) characterization and selection of primary care practitioners (35 dietitians and 265 non-dietitians) and measurement of questionnaire criteria by contrasting the responses of dietitians and non-dietitians; 4) reliability assessment by question exclusion based on item difficulty (too easy and too difficult for non-dietitian practitioners), item discrimination, internal consistency and reproducibility index determination; and 5) scoring the completed questionnaires. RESULTS: Dietitians obtained higher scores than non-dietitians (Mann-Whitney U test, P < 0.05), confirming the validity of the questionnaire criteria. Items were discriminated by correlating the score for each item with the total score, using a minimum of 0.2 as a correlation coefficient cutoff value. Item difficulty was controlled by excluding questions answered correctly by more than 90% of the non-dietitian subjects (too easy) or by less than 10% of them (too difficult). The final questionnaire contained 26 of the original 42 questions, increasing Cronbach's α value from 0.788 to 0.807. Test-retest agreement between respondents was classified as good to very good (Kappa test, >0.60). CONCLUSION: The KNOA questionnaire developed for primary care practitioners is a valid, consistent and suitable instrument that can be applied over time, making it a promising tool for developing and guiding public health policies.

Congenital syphilis: associated factors in a follow-up outpatient clinic.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe the characteristics of mothers and children assisted in a follow-up clinic for congenital syphilis and identify the factors associated with the confirmation of the diagnosis. METHODS: This is a prospective study conducted from 2016 to 2019 in Montes Claros, Northern Minas Gerais, Brazil. Specific forms addressing maternal sociodemographic, behavioral, and lifestyle habit characteristics, as well as characteristics related to access to healthcare, were used. Hierarchical Poisson regression analysis was performed to define the factors associated with diagnostic confirmation, including the calculation of the prevalence ratios (PR) and respective 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). RESULTS: A total of 200 binomials (mother-child) who attended at least one appointment as part of the follow-up after discharge from the maternity hospital were eligible for the study. The mothers were mostly young (79.0%), with a low educational level (43.0%), and black (89.5%). Nearly half of the mothers reported not having a steady sexual partner (42.5%). About a quarter attended less than six prenatal appointments (27.5%). Nearly half did not treat the disease adequately during pregnancy (24.5%). The diagnosis of congenital syphilis was confirmed for 116 children. The following factors were associated with the diagnostic confirmation after multiple analyses: low maternal educational level (PR 1.30; 95%CI 1.05-1.60), maternal risky sexual behavior (PR 1.34; 95%CI 1.07-1.66), inadequate treatment of the mother (PR 3.16; 95%CI 2.42-4.47), and lack of treatment of the partner (PR 1.44; 95%CI 1,18-1.81). CONCLUSIONS: Syphilis remains a major challenge. The results highlight the social inequities associated with congenital syphilis and the lack of proper management of pregnant women and their partners.

Different criteria for body mass index classification for excess weight screening in children aged six to ten years.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the agreement between body mass index (BMI) parameters applied to children aged six to ten years in the city of Montes Claros (MG), Brazil with national and international criteria, also calculating their sensitivity and specificity regarding excess weight screening. METHODS: A sample comprising 4151 children aged six to ten years was assessed, with height and body mass determined for BMI calculation. The obtained values were classified according to cutoff points established by the World Health Organization (WHO), International Obesity Task Force (IOTF), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Conde & Monteiro, and a recent local proposal. The agreement index between the mentioned criteria was calculated and thereafter the sensitivity and specificity. RESULTS: The local proposal was proven to be highly consistent in most combinations, especially concerning the excess weight criteria of the World Health Organization (WHO) (k=0.895). Regarding excess weight, the local proposal presented sensitivity and specificity values of 0.8680 and 0.9956, respectively, indicating high BMI discrimination power. CONCLUSIONS: The locally applied BMI parameters for children aged six to ten years represent a valid, highly viable and practical proposal for excess weight screening in this population group, improving professional decision-making in their follow-up.

Working conditions and mental health of community health workers in the COVID-19 pandemic. / Condições de trabalho e saúde mental de agentes comunitários de saúde na pandemia de COVID-19.

This study examined the prevalence of anxiety and depression associated with Community Health Workers' (CHWs') working conditions in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-sectional study was carried out in the north of Minas Gerais, Brazil by applying a questionnaire addressing sociodemographic conditions, command of technologies and working conditions during the pandemic, as well as the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Patient Health Questionnare-9 (PHQ-9). Descriptive and multiple Poisson regression analyses were performed with robust variance, to a 5% level of significance (p < 0.05) for the final model. A total of 1,220 CHWs from 36 municipalities participated in the study. Prevalences were 41.8% and 31.6% for anxiety and depression, respectively, while 22.5% of the group displayed symptoms of both conditions. Being female, up to 40 years old, having more than 500 users registered for monitoring, and inadequate supply of personal protective equipment were associated with anxiety and depression among the CHWs. Prevalence of anxiety and depression was high among CHWs during the pandemic and working conditions figured prominently among the associated factors.

O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a prevalência de ansiedade e depressão associada às condições de trabalho dos agentes comunitários de saúde (ACS) no contexto da pandemia de COVID-19. Estudo transversal, realizado no norte de Minas Gerais. Foi aplicado um questionário que abordava condições sociodemográficas, domínio de tecnologias e condições de trabalho durante a pandemia, além do Inventário de Ansiedade Traço-Estado e do Patient Health Questionnare-9 (PHQ-9). Foram realizadas análises descritivas e de regressão múltipla de Poisson com variância robusta, considerando um nível de significância de 5% (p < 0,05) para o modelo final. Participaram do estudo 1.220 ACS de 36 municípios. A prevalência foi de 41,8% e 31,6% para ansiedade e depressão, respectivamente, e 22,5% para ambas as condições. O sexo feminino, idade até 40 anos, ter mais de 500 usuários cadastrados para acompanhamento e oferta inadequada de equipamentos de proteção individual estiveram associados à ansiedade e à depressão. Registrouse uma elevada prevalência de ansiedade e depressão entre ACS no período da pandemia, com destaque para as condições de trabalho entre os fatores associados.

Psychometric properties of the Providers Survey in the Brazilian context of mental health: a validation study.

BACKGROUND: Precisely determining the aspects related to an instrument's validity and reliability measures allows for greater assurance of the quality of the results. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the psychometric properties of The Providers Survey in the Brazilian context of mental health services. DESIGN AND SETTING: The instrument validation study was conducted in Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil. METHODS: The validation study was conducted using the Consensus-based Standards for the Selection of Health Measurement Instruments checklist to analyze its validity and reliability. RESULTS: A committee of expert judges performed content validation after which the Content Validity Index was calculated. Construct validation took place through Exploratory Factor Analysis using the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin Test criterion and Bartlett's Sphericity Test. Reliability was verified using test-retest reliability. The significance level adopted for the statistical tests was 5% (P < 0.05). The final instrument comprised 54 questions. The Content Validity Index was 97%. Exploratory Factor Analysis identified a Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin index of 0.901 and Bartlett's Sphericity Test with P < 0.001. We obtained a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.95 and an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.849. CONCLUSIONS: The Providers Survey, translated and adapted into Portuguese, was named the Work Assessment Instrument for the Recovery of Mental Health. It presented adequate psychometric properties for evaluating work-related practices for the recovery of psychosocial care network users.

Number of health care teams and hospitalizations due to primary care sensitive conditions. / Número de equipes assistenciais e internações por condições sensíveis à atenção primária.

This study aimed to analyze the correlation between the number of health care teams of the Family Health Strategy (FHS) and the number of hospitalizations due to primary care sensitive conditions (HPCSC) taking into account rates, costs and hospital days in a large municipality of the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, between 2010 and 2019. We performed an ecological time series correlation study on HPCSC of patients hospitalized by the public health system. Data were obtained from the Hospital Information System of the IT Department of the Public Health System (DATASUS) and from the Primary Care Information and Management System. The correlation analysis was performed based on the number, gross and standardized rates, percentages, costs and hospital days of HPCSC and health care coverage (average number of teams) using Spearman's correlation coefficient at a significance level of 5% (p < 0.05). No satisfactory correlation was found in the entire period between the increase in the number of health care teams and HPCSC (except for the standardized hospitalization rate). However, during the period in which the FHS coverage of the population was greater than 70%, all correlations were inversely proportional and statistically significant.

Objetivou-se analisar a correlação entre o número de equipes de saúde da Estratégia Saúde da Família (ESF) e o número de internações de causas sensíveis à atenção primária (ICSAP), considerando ainda taxas, custos e diárias hospitalares em um município de grande porte em Minas Gerais entre 2010 e 2019. Trata-se de um estudo ecológico de correlação de série temporal sobre as ICSAP de pacientes internados no sistema público de saúde. Os dados são do Sistema de Informação Hospitalar do Departamento de Informática do Sistema Único de Saúde (DATASUS) e do Sistema de Informação e Gestão da Atenção Básica. A análise de correlação foi realizada a partir de número, taxas brutas e padronizadas, percentuais, custos e diárias das ICSAP e cobertura assistencial (número médio de equipes), utilizando-se o coeficiente de correlação de Spearman, assumindo-se nível de significância de 5% (p < 0,05). Para todo o período, não se registrou correlação satisfatória para o aumento do número de equipes sobre as ICSAP (exceto para taxa padronizada de internações). Quando se avalia exclusivamente o período em que o município apresenta cobertura populacional superior a 70% para ESF, todas as correlações são inversamente proporcionais e estatisticamente significantes.

[Work context and the occupational health cost for community health workers]. / Contexto de trabalho e custo humano no trabalho para agentes comunitários de saúde.

The scope of this study was to evaluate the work context and the occupational health cost among Community Health Workers (CHWs). It is a cross-sectional, census study, using a socioeconomic questionnaire, the Work Context Assessment Scale (WCAS) and the Human Cost at Work Scale (HCWS), which make up the Inventory of Work and Illness Risk (IWIR). Descriptive analyses of mean factor scores were performed and comparison of means between items and sociodemographic characteristics of the group, through Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis's tests with a 5% significance level. A total of 675 CHWs participated in the study. All factors related to working conditions and human cost at work presented a moderate/critical evaluation. Age, length of service and employment ties were variables associated with all factors of WCAS, while only length of service was associated with all factors for CHWs. More negative assessments of the work context and the occupational health cost were more evident among CHWs with longer experience. The results highlight the need to improve working conditions and professional relationships related to CHW.

Este estudo objetivou avaliar o contexto de trabalho e o custo humano no trabalho entre Agentes Comunitários de Saúde (ACS). Trata-se de estudo transversal, censitário, com aplicação de questionário socioeconômico, Escala de Avaliação do Contexto de Trabalho (EACT) e Escala de Custo Humano no Trabalho (ECHT), que compõem o Inventário sobre Trabalho e Risco de Adoecimento (ITRA). Foram realizadas análises descritivas das médias dos escores fatoriais, comparação de médias entre os itens e entre as características sociodemográficas do grupo, por meio dos testes de Mann-Whitney e Kruskal-Wallis e nível de significância de 5%. Participaram do estudo 675 ACS. Todos os fatores relativos às condições de trabalho e custo humano no trabalho apresentaram avaliação moderada/crítica. Idade, tempo de serviço e vínculo empregatício foram as variáveis associadas a todos os fatores da EACT, enquanto para a ECHT, apenas o tempo de serviço se mostrou associado a todos os fatores. Avaliações mais negativas do contexto de trabalho e do custo humano no trabalho foram mais evidentes entre ACS com maior tempo de atuação. Os resultados destacam a necessidade de melhoria das condições de trabalho e das relações profissionais relativas aos ACS.

Clustering of behavioral risk factors for chronic noncommunicable diseases in climacteric women.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of clustering of behavioral risk factors for chronic non-communicable diseases, as well as the associated factors in climacteric women. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional, analytical study, with random selection of climacteric women, aged between 40 and 65 years, and registered in Family Health Strategy units. The dependent variable was clustering of three or more behavioral risk factors for chronic non-communicable diseases. The definition of associated variables was made after Poisson multiple regression analysis with robust variance. RESULTS: We evaluated 810 women, and 259 (32.0%) had a clustering of risk factors. The main risk behaviors were physical inactivity and low fruit consumption. The variables associated with clustering of behavioral factors were age group 52-65-years, marital status without a partner, overweight/obesity, moderate to severe anxiety and depression symptoms. CONCLUSION: There was a considerable prevalence of women with three or more behavioral risk factors for chronic non-communicable diseases. Demographic variables and those related to health conditions were shown to be associated. Considering the results recorded, health services must provide differentiated care policies to climacteric women, seeking to alleviate high morbidity and mortality of chronic non-communicable diseases.

Diagnostic performance of anthropometric indicators used to assess excess body fat in adolescence.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the performance of anthropometric indicators that identify excess body fat (BF) in adolescents. METHODS: This is a methodological study that used probability cluster sampling through school and class draws. Data collection included sociodemographic characteristics and anthropometric measures. Body mass index (BMI), waist-to-height ratio (WtHR), conicity index (C index), and waist circumference (WC) were calculated. Body fat percentage (BF%) was calculated from skinfold thickness and used as the gold standard. To analyze the data, descriptive statistics, Student's t-test, Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve, and Youden's index were used, in addition to correlation coefficient calculation between the indicators and BF%. RESULTS: A total of 997 adolescents enrolled in municipal secondary schools participated in the study. By calculating the BMI, we found that 10.6% of adolescents were overweight, and 4.7% were obese. BMI, WC, and WtHR had the highest accuracy to predict body fatness. All the anthropometric indicators had higher specificity than sensitivity to diagnose excess BF in males. WC had the highest sensitivity in both genders. C index had the smallest area under the ROC curve and the lowest sensitivity in both genders, but its specificity was equivalent to that of the other indicators. CONCLUSIONS: BMI, WtHR, and WC were the best anthropometric indicators to predict excess BF in adolescents and had the best correlation coefficients. These tools can be considered in the screening to detect excess BF in adolescents.

Accessibility and care pathways for children admitted to hospital for ambulatory care sensitive conditions. / Acessibilidade e trajetórias de cuidado para crianças com internações por condições sensíveis à atenção primária.

The aim of this study was to analyze health service accessibility and the care pathways of children admitted to hospital for ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSCs). A cross-sectional study was conducted of a random sample of children hospitalized over a period of one year in a town in the north of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The Primary Care Assessment Tool Child Edition, adapted and validated for use in Brazil (PCAT-CE), was used to assess accessibility and interviews were conducted with the children's carers to determine the pathway taken to hospitalization. Of the 376 pediatric hospitalizations assessed, 109 (28.9%) were classified as ACSC admissions. Health service accessibility and utilization scores were low for both the ACSC and non-ACSC groups. No statistically significant differences (p<0.05) were found between the two groups. The care pathways reveal that most families visited hospitals as the first service and that visits to other health services were frequent. Well over half (63.3%) of the families of children admitted for ACSCs did not seek primary health services at any time. Accessibility was poor among the study group, regardless of the reason that led to hospitalization. The care pathways reveal an irregular pattern of service utilization for children admitted for ACSCs, suggesting a fragile health care network.

Objetivou-se analisar a acessibilidade e trajetórias de cuidado para crianças com internações por condições sensíveis à atenção primária (ICSAP). Trata-se de estudo transversal de internações selecionadas ao longo de um ano, em cidade do norte de Minas Gerais. Utilizou-se o Instrumento de Avaliação da Atenção Primária (PCA-Tool Brasil, versão criança), para aferir a acessibilidade e entrevistas com os cuidadores para definição detalhada do percurso familiar até a internação. Entre as 379 hospitalizações avaliadas, 109 (28,9%) foram classificadas como ICSAP. Os escores de acessibilidade e utilização dos serviços de saúde foram baixos tanto para as ICSAP como para as demais internações e sem diferenças estatisticamente significantes (p<0,05). As trajetórias de cuidado revelam que a maioria das famílias procurou primeiramente o hospital, sendo frequente a busca por vários serviços de saúde, antes da hospitalização. Em 63,3% dos casos de ICSAP, as famílias não procuraram a atenção primária em nenhum momento. A acessibilidade se mostrou comprometida para o grupo estudado, independente do motivo que gerou a internação e as trajetórias de cuidado revelaram um padrão irregular de utilização dos serviços de saúde para crianças com ICSAP, sugerindo uma rede assistencial frágil.

Exposure to pesticides or agroecological practices: suicidal ideation among peasant farmers in Brazil's semi-arid region. / Exposição a agrotóxicos ou práticas agroecológicas: ideação suicida entre camponeses do semiárido no Brasil.

Health risks faced by peasant farmers may vary depending on the type of agriculture they practice. This study examined the association between suicide ideation and exposure to pesticides by comparing two groups of peasant farmers of both sexes living in the semi-arid region of the north of Minas Gerais, Brazil: exposed to pesticides and adopting agroecological practices without the use of pesticides. Group participants were selected using convenience sampling and data was collected using a previously validated questionnaire administered through face-to-face interviews. Bivariate analysis was performed, followed by logistic regression. A total of 547 peasant farmers were interviewed (311 in the group exposed to pesticides and 236 in the group adopting agroecological practices). Respondents from the group exposed to pesticides were more likely to report suicidal ideation (OR=2.30; 95%CI 1.16-4.56), harmful alcohol consumption (OR=2.30; 95%CI 1.18-4.48), and lifetime acute pesticide poisoning (OR=8.58; 95%CI 2.98-24.72). The findings suggest that agricultural practices that lead to chronic pesticide exposure are associated with a greater likelihood of suicide ideation, regardless of previous episodes of acute pesticide poisoning or harmful alcohol consumption.

Diferentes práticas agrícolas estão associadas a diferentes riscos para a saúde de camponeses. Objetivou-se analisar a associação entre ideação suicida e exposição a agrotóxicos, comparando camponeses vivendo sob exposição ambiental a agrotóxicos em relação a camponeses envolvidos com práticas agroecológicas, sem o uso de agrotóxicos, no semiárido norte mineiro. As famílias avaliadas foram amostradas, por conveniência, a partir da prática agrícola a qual estavam vinculadas, e os dados coletados por meio de entrevistas com instrumento previamente validado. Foram realizadas análises bivariadas seguidas de regressão logística. Foram entrevistados 547 camponeses, de ambos os sexos, sendo 311 sob exposição a agrotóxicos. Os camponeses expostos a agrotóxicos, em relação a camponeses envolvidos com práticas agroecológicas, tiveram maiores chances para ideação suicida (OR=2,30; IC95% 1,16-4,56), consumo problemático de álcool (OR=2,30; IC95% 1,18-4,48) e episódios prévios de intoxicação aguda por agrotóxicos (OR=8,58; IC95% 2,98-24,72).Conclui-se que as práticas agrícolas que implicam em exposição crônica a agrotóxicos se associam a maiores chances de ideação suicida, independentemente de episódios prévios de intoxicação aguda por agrotóxicos ou do uso problemático do álcool.

Positive self-perception of health among non-long-lived and long-lived older adults and associated factors. / Autopercepção positiva de saúde entre idosos não longevos e longevos e fatores associados.

This work aimed to identify the prevalence of positive self-perceived health among non-long-lived and long-lived older adults and associated factors. This is a study with older adults in the Family Health Strategy of Montes Claros. The Brazilian Older Americans Resources and Services Multidimensional Function Assessment Questionnaire was used. Bivariate and multiple analyses were performed using Poisson Regression. A total of 1,750 older adults participated in the study, of which 1,420 were non-long-lived older adults, and 330 were long-lived older adults. Positive self-perception was reported among 71.9% of the non-long-lived older adults and 67.8% of the long-lived older adults. Among the non-long-lived, positive self-perceived health was associated with five years of schooling (PR=1.12); household income from two to less than three minimum wages (PR=1.13) and ≥three minimum wages (PR=1.12); preserved vision (PR=1.13); proper chewing (PR=1.16); preserved sleep (PR=1.23); absence of polypathologies (PR=1.29); absence of diabetes (PR=1.15); falls in the last year (PR=1.13); and physical activity (PR=1.11). Among the long-lived older adults, it was associated with the use of prosthesis, sleeping disorders, and polypathologies and physical activities. Positive self-perception of health is associated with social and health determinants.

Objetivou-se identificar a prevalência da autopercepção positiva de saúde entre os idosos não longevos e longevos e fatores associados. Pesquisa realizada com idosos cadastrados na Estratégia Saúde da Família de Montes Claros. Utilizou-se o instrumento Brazilian Older Americans Resources and Services Multidimensional Function Assessment Questionnaire. Realizaram-se análises bivariadas e múltiplas por meio da Regressão de Poisson. Participaram 1.750 idosos, sendo 1.420 idosos não longevos e 330 longevos. A autopercepção positiva foi referida entre 71,9% dos idosos não longevos e 67,8% dos longevos. Entre os não longevos, a autopercepção positiva de saúde foi associada: escolaridade a partir de 5 anos (RP=1,12); renda familiar entre 2 a menos de 3 salários mínimos (RP=1,13) e maior ou igual a 3 salários mínimos (RP=1,12); visão preservada (RP=1,13); boa mastigação (RP=1,16); sono preservado (RP=1,23); ausência de polipatologias (RP=1,29); ausência de diabetes (RP=1,15) e de quedas no último ano (RP=1,13) e prática de atividades físicas (RP=1,11) e entre os longevos: uso de prótese; ausência de alterações no sono e de polipatologias e prática de atividades físicas. A autopercepção positiva de saúde está associada aos determinantes sociais e de saúde.

[Factors associated with the cost of hospitalization for diseases sensitive to Primary Care in the Unified Health System]. / Fatores associados ao custo das internações hospitalares por doenças sensíveis à Atenção Primária no Sistema Único de Saúde.

The scope of this article is to identify the factors associated with the costs of hospital admissions for Conditions Sensitive to Primary Care (CSPC) in the Unified Health System (SUS). It involved a cross-sectional, analytical study with random samples of hospitalizations in the SUS over the period of two years. The distribution of costs and the duration of 414 hospitalizations were evaluated according to sex, age group and CSPC. The high cost had a prevalence of 37.8% and was associated with being over 40 years of age and unmarried, with an income below 1.5 minimum wages, hospitalization longer than 7 days and admission to the ICU. The average period of hospitalizations was 9.35 days, and the average cost was R$3,606.09. The hospitalization of youths had a cost/day of R$207.08, while for the elderly the cost/day was R$399.53. Men had a higher prevalence of hospitalizations and were responsible for the elevated average cost of hospitalization. Cardiac, pulmonary, and cerebrovascular diseases were prevalent, and cardiac diseases were responsible for the highest cost of hospitalization. These results point to the urgent need to bolster Primary Health Care, with constant monitoring of these diseases, thereby ensuring that available resources are sufficient to treat them, without the need for hospitalization and unnecessary expenses.

O objetivo deste artigo é identificar os fatores associados aos custos das internações hospitalares por Condições Sensíveis à Atenção Primária (CSAP) no Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). Trata-se de um estudo transversal, analítico, com amostras aleatórias de hospitalizações no SUS, ao longo de dois anos. Foram avaliadas a distribuição dos custos e a duração de 414 internações segundo sexo, faixa etária e CSAP. O alto custo teve uma prevalência de 37,8% e esteve associado à idade superior a 40 anos, não casados, renda menor que 1,5 salários mínimos, internação superior a sete dias e internação na unidade de tratamento intensivo (UTI). O período médio das internações foi de 9,35 dias e o custo médio de R$ 3.606,09. A internação do jovem teve um custo/dia de R$ 207,08, enquanto os idosos tiveram um custo/dia de R$ 399,53. Os homens tiveram maior prevalência de internações e foram responsáveis pelo maior custo médio de internação. Foram prevalentes as doenças cardíacas, as pulmonares e as cerebrovasculares, sendo que as cardíacas foram responsáveis pelo maior custo de internação. Esses resultados apontam a urgente necessidade de fortalecimento da Atenção Primária à Saúde, com monitorização constante dessas doenças, visto que os recursos disponíveis deveriam ser suficientes para tratá-las, sem que haja a necessidade de internação hospitalar e gastos desnecessários.

Factors associated with voice complaints in community health agents. / Fatores associados às queixas vocais autorreferidas por agentes comunitários de saúde.

PURPOSE: To verify the prevalence of vocal complaints and their association with sociodemographic, economic, occupational, and behavioral factors among the population of Community Health Agents (CHA). METHODS: This is a cross-sectional and analytical study conducted in the city of Montes Claros, MG, in which 674 CHA participated. Data were collected via a self-administered questionnaire that includes sociodemographic, economic, behavioral, occupational, and voice-use aspects based on the Screening Index for Voice Disorder (SIVD). Bivariate analysis was performed by Pearson's chi-square test and Poisson multiple regression with robust variance to verify the association between the variables. RESULTS: There was a high prevalence of vocal complaints, the most cited being dry throat, throat clearing, tiredness when talking, and hoarseness. We observed a significant association between female gender, lack of restful sleep, alcohol use, regular to very poor self-rated health, and anxiety. CONCLUSION: There was a significant percentage of vocal complaints, and the associated factors found will guide actions to promote vocal and general health.

OBJETIVO: Verificar a prevalência das queixas vocais e a associação com os fatores sociodemográficos, econômicos, ocupacionais e comportamentais entre a população de Agentes Comunitários de Saúde (ACS). MÉTODO: Trata-se de um estudo transversal e analítico, realizado no município de Montes Claros, MG, no qual participaram 674 ACS. Para os aspectos sobre o uso da voz foi aplicado o Índice de Triagem de Distúrbio de Voz (ITDV) e os demais dados contemplavam as condições sociodemográficas, econômicas, ocupacionais e comportamentais. Realizou-se a análise bivariada, pelo teste do qui-quadrado de Pearson, e a regressão múltipla de Poisson com variância robusta para verificar a associação entre as variáveis. RESULTADOS: Houve alta prevalência de queixas vocais, sendo as mais citadas: garganta seca, pigarro, cansaço ao falar e rouquidão. Verificou-se associação significativa entre: sexo feminino, falta de sono reparador, uso de bebidas alcóolicas, autoavaliação da saúde regular a muito ruim e ansiedade. CONCLUSÃO: Houve uma porcentagem significativa de queixas vocais e os fatores associados encontrados nortearão ações de promoção da saúde vocal e geral.

Impact of matrix support on older adults in primary care: randomized community trial.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effect of matrix support on health for older adults in primary care according to the dimensions of frailty measured with the Clinical-Functional Vulnerability Index-20 (IVCF-20). METHODS: This is a randomized controlled community trial, developed in the Northern Minas Gerais state, Brazil, in 2018. Initially, the stratification of clinical and functional vulnerability of older adults supported by six Family Health Strategy teams occurred with the IVCF-20. Subsequently, three teams were drawn to receive matrix support for six months, and the others for control. In this intervention, face-to-face educational activities were developed for health teams. Descriptive statistics were performed, followed by bivariate analysis by Pearson's chi-square test, to compare the variables of the IVCF-20 between the two moments (before and after the intervention), with a 5% significance level. Relative risks and respective 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were estimated. RESULTS: The groups were similar before intervention, and the effect of matrix actions was positive for most dimensions measured by IVCF-20 (instrumental daily living activity, cognition, mood, mobility, communication, and multiple comorbidities). At the end of the research, the percentage of frailty in the group assisted by professionals participating in matrix support was lower than that of the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Matrix support actions, such as pedagogical attribution and horizontal care for health teams, have the potential to contribute to the articulation of models of care for older adults. REBEC: registro BR-7b9xff.

Mortality in community-dwelling elderly: coefficient and associated factors.

OBJECTIVE: Analyze the coefficient, associated factors, and causes of mortality in community-dwelling elderly. METHOD: Longitudinal and analytical study. Data collection, at baseline, was performed in the elderly's home. The first wave occurred after 42 months. Complementary data collection identified the cause of death. Variables analyzed: demographic, social, economic, and clinical. Logistic regression was used for data analysis. RESULTS: The coefficient of mortality was 7.9%. The variables associated with mortality were longevity, inability to read, absence of religious practice, stroke, consultation, and hospitalization in the last 12 months. The main groups of primary causes of death were ill-defined and unspecified causes of mortality, respiratory system diseases, and neoplasms. CONCLUSION: The coefficient of mortality in community-dwelling elderly was lower than national and international studies investigated.