Does cognitive impairment precede self-reported poor hearing? Results from the English longitudinal study of ageing.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether cognitive impairment precedes self-reported poor hearing in adults aged 50 and older over a 14-year period. DESIGN: Biennial longitudinal study. STUDY SAMPLE: The data came from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing carried out in England between 2002 and 2016, with 11,391 individuals aged 50 years and older. For this study, ELSA participants who had a positive perception of hearing at the beginning of the analysis in 2002 (n = 8,895) were eligible. The dependent variable was self-reported poor hearing, and the exposure measure was cognitive impairment. The analyses were performed using Generalised Estimation Equations and adjusted for gender, age, educational level, household wealth, smoking, alcohol consumption, depressive symptoms, ADL/IADL disability, physical activity level, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. RESULTS: The results showed 33% increased odds of self-reported poor hearing in individuals with cognitive impairment. In the fully adjusted model, individuals who presented cognitive impairment in the previous wave had, over time, 10% increased odds (95% CI: 1.02; 1.19) of presenting self-reported poor hearing. CONCLUSIONS: The exposure to cognitive impairment was associated with a subsequent self-reported poor hearing. These data represent important tools for improving cognitive and hearing impairment diagnosis and treatment.

Factors Related to Dizziness in Workers With Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to describe the factors related to dizziness in workers with noise-induced hearing loss in Brazil. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was carried out with a sample from noise-induced hearing loss reports (2007-2019). The dependent variable in this study was dizziness, and the independent variables were sociodemographic characteristics, comorbidities, symptoms, and noise characteristics in the work environment. Logistic regression analysis was performed. RESULTS: A total of 3,824 individuals with noise-induced hearing loss in Brazil were analyzed. The prevalence of dizziness was 23.4% in the sample. Factors associated with dizziness were women (odds ratio [OR]: 2.10; 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.64, 2.69]), hypertension (OR: 1.68; 95% CI [1.38, 2.06]), headache (OR: 6.31; 95% CI [5.26, 7.57]), tinnitus (OR: 3.46; 95% CI [2.82, 4.25]), and continuous noise at the work environment (OR: 1.54; 95% CI [1.22, 1.94]). CONCLUSIONS: The factors associated with the outcome-dizziness-were gender (female), systemic arterial hypertension, headache, tinnitus, and continuous exposure to workplace noise. Such findings demonstrate the importance of promoting a multifactorial approach to understanding dizziness among workers exposed to occupational noise.

Excess deaths among adults in the state of Santa Catarina: an ecological study during the COVID-19 pandemic, Brazil, 2020-2021.

OBJECTIVE: to estimate excess deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic in the state of Santa Catarina and its macro-regions, Brazil, 2020-2021. METHODS: this was an ecological study, using data from the Mortality Information System; excess deaths in adults were calculated by the difference between the observed number of deaths and expected number of deaths, taking into account the average of deaths that occurred between 2015 and 2019; the variables "macro-region of residence", "quarter", "month", "sex" and "age group" were analyzed; data were analyzed in a descriptive manner. RESULTS: a total of 6,315 excess deaths in 2020 and 17,391 in 2021, mostly in males (57.4%) and those aged 60 years and older (74.0%); macro-regions and periods with the greatest excess deaths were those in which there were most deaths due to COVID-19; the greatest excess deaths occurred in March 2021 (n = 4,207), with a progressive decrease until the end of the year. CONCLUSION: there were excess deaths in the state of Santa Catarina and in all its macro-regions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Self-reported hearing loss and cognitive impairment: a cross-sectional analysis of the EpiFloripa Aging study.

This study aimed to investigate the association between self-reported hearing loss and cognitive impairment in older adults in a city in Southern Brazil. In this cross-sectional, population-based cohort study of older adults, data were collected in the third wave of the EpiFloripa Aging study (2017/2019), which had been performed since 2009 in the city of Florianópolis, Santa Catarina State. Cognitive impairment was the dependent variable analyzed by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and self-reported hearing loss, which was included in the cohort only in the last wave, was the main exposure variable. Logistic regression analyses were conducted, considering the study design and sample weights. Data from 1,335 older adults were evaluated. The prevalence was 20.5% for cognitive impairment and 10.7% for hearing loss. Older adults with hearing loss were 2.66 (95%CI: 1.08-6.54) times more likely to have cognitive impairment than older adults without hearing loss. The association between hearing loss and cognitive impairment highlights the need to integrate the early identification of these problems into primary care, as both are risk factors for healthy aging and potentially preventable and/or treatable conditions.

Negative self-perception of hearing and depression in older adults: a population-based study.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the association between negative self-perception of hearing and depression in older adults in Southern Brazil. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study conducted with data from the third wave of the EpiFloripa Idoso 2017/19 study, a population-based cohort of older adults (60+). A total of 1,335 older adults participated in this wave. The dependent variable was self-reported depression, and the main exposure was self-perception of hearing (negative; positive). For both the crude (bivariate) and adjusted analysis, the odds ratio (OR) was used as a measure of association and estimated by means of binary logistic regression analysis. The exposure variable was adjusted by sociodemographic and health covariates. A p value < 0.05 was adopted as statistically significant. RESULTS: The prevalence of negative self-perception of hearing and depression was 26.0% and 21.8%, respectively. In the adjusted analysis, the older adults with negative self-perception of hearing were 1.96 times more likely to report depression when compared to the ones with positive self-perception of hearing (p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: The association between negative self-perception of hearing and depression reflects the importance of reviewing health care actions for older adults, incorporating hearing-related issues, to ensure comprehensive care for this growing segment of the population.

Tuberculosis incidence rate time series in the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil: analysis of a decade, 2010-2019. / Série histórica da taxa de incidência de tuberculose em Santa Catarina: análise de uma década, 2010-2019.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the profile of tuberculosis cases and analyze the temporal trend of tuberculosis incidence rate in Santa Catarina, by sex, from 2010 to 2019. METHODS: This was a time series study conducted using data from the Notifiable Health Conditions Information System (SINAN). The Prais-Winsten regression model was used. RESULTS: There were 16,446 new cases of tuberculosis. Most cases occurred in males (68.5%), people aged 20 to 49 years (70.3%), in Greater Florianópolis (25.1%) and in individuals with incomplete elementary education (40.0%). A falling trend in tuberculosis incidence rates was found for males (APC: -1.86%; 95%CI -2.68;-1.03), females (APC: -1.92%; 95%CI -2.63;-1.20) and both sexes (APC: -1.77%; 95%CI -2.37;-1.17). CONCLUSION: In the decade analyzed, there was a significant reduction in the tuberculosis incidence rate in Santa Catarina, in both sexes. There was a predominance of males, people of economically active age and with low schooling.

Congenital syphilis associated with hearing screening failure in southern Brazilian newborns.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the association between congenital syphilis and neonatal hearing screening failure in the state of Santa Catarina between 2017 and 2019. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional, retrospective, analytical study with secondary data of neonates from the state of Santa Catarina born between January 2017 and December 2019. We used logistic regression analysis to estimate the association between the main exposure (congenital syphilis) and the study outcome (failure in the Neonatal Hearing Screening). RESULTS: The study included 21,434 newborns evaluated in a Brazilian hearing health care service. A total of 351 (1.6%) newborns failed the Neonatal Hearing Screening, and 364 (1.7%) had congenital syphilis. In the adjusted analysis, newborns with congenital syphilis were 3.25 times as likely to fail the Neonatal Hearing Screening as neonates without this disease (95% CI: 2.01; 5.26). As for maternal age, the sample had a higher prevalence (53.5%) of mothers aged 20-29 years. CONCLUSION: There was an association between congenital syphilis and failure in Universal Neonatal Hearing Screening in the sample studied. There is a need for investments in public policies to value and strengthen the hearing screening program in the state to provide early diagnosis and intervention.

Self-reported hearing difficulty in workers exposed to industrial dust in southern Brazil. / Dificuldade auditiva autorreferida em trabalhadores expostos à poeira industrial no sul do Brasil.

PURPOSE: To investigate the association between self-reported hearing difficulties and occupational exposure to industrial dust in workers in southern Brazil. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional analytical study conducted with data from the National Health Survey (Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde, 2013). The dependent variable was self-reported hearing impairment, and the primary independent variable was occupational exposure to industrial dust. The covariables were: sex, skin color, age in complete years, exposure to noise, and exposure to chemical substances. The variables of occupational exposure to noise and chemical substances were used as adjustment variables (confounding variables), and the analyses were stratified per state (Santa Catarina, Paraná, and Rio Grande do Sul) to verify the difference in magnitude results per region. For the crude and adjusted analysis, the odds ratio (OR) was used as a measure of association, estimated through the logistic regression analysis. The data were analyzed through the software Stata, version 14. RESULTS: Regarding the main exposure, 10.1% of the sample (n = 490) reported being exposed to industrial dust in an occupational environment, while 7.0% reported hearing impairment. In the final analysis, workers exposed to industrial dust were 1.77 times more likely to report hearing impairment when compared to individuals not exposed to this agent. CONCLUSION: There was an association between hearing impairment and exposure to industrial dust in workers in the southern region of Brazil.

OBJETIVO: Investigar a associação entre dificuldade auditiva autorreferida e exposição ocupacional à poeira industrial em trabalhadores do sul do Brasil. MÉTODO: Trata-se de um estudo transversal analítico, realizado com dados do inquérito da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde (2013). A variável dependente foi a dificuldade auditiva autorreferida e a variável independente principal foi a exposição ocupacional à poeira industrial. As covariáveis foram: sexo, cor da pele, idade em anos completos, exposição a ruído e exposição à substâncias químicas. As variáveis de exposição ocupacional a ruído e substâncias químicas foram utilizadas como variáveis de ajuste (variáveis de confusão) e as análises foram estratificadas por cada estado (Santa Catarina, Paraná e Rio Grande do Sul), com o intuito de verificar a diferença na magnitude dos resultados por região. Tanto para a análise bruta quanto para a ajustada, a razão de chance foi utilizada como medida de associação, estimada por meio da análise de regressão logística. Os dados foram analisados no software Stata, versão 14. RESULTADOS: Com relação a exposição principal, 10,1% da amostra (n=490) afirmou estar exposta à poeira industrial em ambiente ocupacional, ao passo que 7,0% afirmou ter dificuldade auditiva. Na análise final, trabalhadores expostos a poeira industrial apresentaram 1,77 vezes mais chance de mencionar dificuldade auditiva, quando comparados a indivíduos não expostos a este agente. CONCLUSÃO: Houve associação entre dificuldade auditiva e exposição à poeira industrial em trabalhadores da região Sul do Brasil.

Correlation of overweight condition and obesity with mortality by COVID-19 in Brazil's state capitals.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the correlation between the prevalence of overweight condition and obesity with mortality rates due to COVID-19 in Brazil's state capitals. METHODS: This is an ecological study, whose units of analysis were the 26 state capitals and the Federal District of Brazil. Prevalence was estimated by the results of the Vigilância de Fatores de Risco e Proteção para Doenças Crônicas por Inquérito Telefônico 2019 (VIGITEL). The general mortality rates due to COVID-19 were collected on the official website of the Brazilian Ministry of Health (MH) and stratified by the same Brazilian capitals evaluated in the VIGITEL survey. The rates included the period between the 1st and 29th Epidemiological Weeks of 2020. The Partial Correlation Test (r) was used, controlled for confounding factors, to evaluate the correlation between the prevalence of overweight/obesity and the overall mortality rates due to COVID-19. RESULTS: The mean mortality rate for COVID-19 in the period was 65.1 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants. Regarding the prevalence of obesity and overweight, 20.2% and 54.7% were the mean values observed in the state capitals, respectively. The prevalence of obesity was positively correlated with the overall mortality rate due to COVID-19, with mean positive correlation (r=0.380) and statistically significant correlation (p=0.034). CONCLUSION: This study pointed out that, at the aggregate level, there is a concomitant and correlated increase in mortality rates due to COVID-19 and prevalence of obesity in Brazilian capitals. The data found may contribute to actions to cope with the pandemic aimed at this population.

[Self-reported hearing impairment and occupational exposure to hazardous noise and ototoxic agents: a population-based study]. / Dificuldade auditiva autorreferida e exposição ocupacional a agentes otoagressores: um estudo de base populacional.

This study's objective was to estimate the association between self-reported hearing impairment and occupational exposure to hazardous noise and ototoxic agents in Brazilian workers. This was a cross-sectional study with data from the Brazilian National Health Survey (PNS-2013). The dependent variable was self-reported hearing impairment, and three principal exposures were analyzed: noise, industrial dust, and chemical substances. Logistic regression was performed, estimating crude and adjusted odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). The principal exposure variables were adjusted for each other and by covariables sex, age, workplace, time on the job, and hypertension. 36,442 workers participated in the study. Higher prevalence of hearing impairment was seen in workers exposed to industrial dust (9.9%) (p < 0.001). The older the worker and the longer the time on the job, the higher the prevalence of hearing impairment (p < 0.001). In the adjusted analysis, workers exposed to noise showed 1.65 higher odds of reporting difficulty hearing, when compared to unexposed individuals (p < 0.001). The same was true for workers exposed to industrial dust (OR = 1.36) (p = 0.012). No association was observed between the outcome and exposure to chemical substances (p = 0.120). There was an association between hearing impairment and occupational exposure to noise and industrial dust in Brazilian workers. This emphasizes the importance of strengthening public policies for hearing health and the development of measures for prevention and auditory monitoring in the workplace.

O objetivo deste estudo foi estimar a associação entre dificuldade auditiva autorreferida e exposição ocupacional a agentes otoagressores em trabalhadores brasileiros. Trata-se de um estudo transversal realizado com dados da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde (PNS-2013). A variável dependente foi a dificuldade auditiva autorreferida, e foram analisadas três exposições principais: ruído, poeira industrial e substâncias químicas. Realizou-se análise de regressão logística, estimando-se as odds ratio (OR) brutas e ajustadas, com intervalos de 95% de confiança (IC95%). As variáveis principais de exposição foram ajustadas entre si e pelas covariáveis sexo, idade, ambiente de trabalho, tempo de trabalho e hipertensão arterial. Participaram deste estudo 36.442 trabalhadores. Maior prevalência de dificuldade auditiva foi observada em indivíduos expostos à poeira industrial (9,9%) (p < 0,001). Além disso, quanto maior a idade do trabalhador e tempo de trabalho, maior foi a prevalência do desfecho (p < 0,001). Na análise ajustada, trabalhadores expostos a ruído apresentaram 1,65 vez mais chance de referir dificuldade auditiva, quando comparados aos indivíduos não expostos (p < 0,001). O mesmo ocorreu com trabalhadores expostos à poeira industrial (OR = 1,36) (p = 0,012). Não foi observada associação entre o desfecho e a variável exposição a substâncias químicas (p = 0,120). Observou-se associação entre dificuldade auditiva e exposição ocupacional a ruído e à poeira industrial em trabalhadores brasileiros. Reforçam-se a importância do aprimoramento de políticas públicas em saúde auditiva e o desenvolvimento de ações voltadas à prevenção e ao monitoramento auditivo em ambiente ocupacional.

El objetivo de este estudio fue estimar la asociación entre dificultad auditiva autoinformada y la exposición ocupacional a agentes otoagresores en trabajadores brasileños. Se trata de un estudio transversal, realizado con datos de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud (PNS-2013). La variable dependiente fue la dificultad auditiva autoinformada y se analizaron tres exposiciones principales: ruido, polvo industrial y substancias químicas. Se realizó un análisis de regresión logística, estimándose las odds ratio (OR) brutas y ajustadas, con intervalos de un 95% de confianza (IC95%). Las variables principales de exposición fueron ajustadas entre sí y por las covariables: sexo, edad, ambiente de trabajo, tiempo de trabajo e hipertensión arterial. Participaron en este estudio 36.442 trabajadores. La mayor prevalencia de dificultad auditiva se observó en individuos expuestos al polvo industrial (9,9%) (p < 0,001). Asimismo, cuanto mayor era la edad del trabajador y tiempo de trabajo, mayor fue la prevalencia del desenlace (p < 0,001). En el análisis ajustado, los trabajadores expuestos a ruido presentaron 1,65 veces más oportunidad de informar de dificultad auditiva, cuando se comparan con los individuos no expuestos (p < 0,001). Lo mismo sucedió con trabajadores expuestos a polvo industrial (OR = 1,36) (p = 0,012). No se observó una asociación entre el desenlace y la variable exposición a sustancias químicas (p = 0,120). Se observó una asociación entre dificultad auditiva y exposición ocupacional a ruido y polvo industrial en trabajadores brasileños. Se refuerza la importancia del perfeccionamiento de políticas públicas en salud auditiva y desarrollo de acciones dirigidas a la prevención y monitoreo auditivo en el entorno laboral.

Temporal trend of mortality by suicide among adults in Brazil: 2000 to 2015.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze temporal trends of mortality due to suicide among adults in Brazil, by macroregion and gender, from 2000 to 2015. METHODS: A retrospective study of temporal trends in suicide mortality rates in adults aged 20 to 64 years, by macroregion and gender, from 2000 to 2015. Data from the Brazilian Mortality Database (SIM) and from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) were used. The mortality rate trends analysis was performed using simple linear regression, with Stata 14 software. RESULTS: There was an upward trend in mortality due to intentionally inflicted self-harm in the Brazilian adult population in the North, Northeast, and Southeast regions for both genders (p<0.001), with predominance in the male population in these three regions and throughout the country (p<0.001). A downward trend was observed in the South and Midwest (p=0.003 and p=0.040). CONCLUSION: Mortality due to intentionally inflicted self-harm has increased in Brazil, but has undergone important variations in different parts of the country. Even a regional analysis is insufficient to achieve a thorough evaluation of these contrasts because of the country's continental proportions and data collection biases. Further studies focused on this topic are required.

Mortality from malignant skin melanoma in elderly Brazilians: 2001 to 2016.

BACKGROUND: Malignant skin melanoma is a serious public health problem, especially among the elderly population. Knowing the dynamics of the mortality rates of this disease in Brazil is essential to support the creation of public health policies. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the temporal trend of mortality from malignant skin melanoma in elderly people in Brazil, from 2001 to 2016. METHODS: This was a descriptive analytical study of mortality rates from malignant skin melanoma in the elderly. The data were obtained from the Mortality Information System, and information related to the population was obtained from the 2010 population census and population estimates from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics. Mortality coefficients were calculated and simple linear regression analysis of the coefficients was performed by sex and macro-region. RESULTS: A total 12,712 deaths due to malignant skin melanoma in the elderly were registered. The majority (56.8%) occurred in the male population. In females, a tendency of increase in mortality rates due to malignant skin melanoma was observed in the Northeast (p ≤ 0.001), Midwest (p = 0.002), and Brazil as a whole (p = 0.003). In males, an upward trend was observed in all regions, except for the Southeast region. For both sexes, there was also an upward trend in all regions, with the exception of the Southeast region. STUDY LIMITATIONS: Secondary databases are directly influenced by the quality of death certificate completion and their heterogeneous scope in Brazilian regions. CONCLUSION: The increase in mortality indicates a potential public health challenge for the coming decades. The prevention of skin cancer among the elderly should become a priority, mainly through the implementation of preventive measures.

Prevalence and Associated Factors of SARS by Covid-19 in Adults and Aged People with Chronic Cardiovascular Disease. / Prevalência e Fatores Associados à SRAG por COVID-19 em Adultos e Idosos com Doença Cardiovascular Crônica.

BACKGROUND: The presence of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) in individuals infected with COVID-19 may imply a worse prognosis. OBJECTIVE: To describe the prevalence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) by COVID-19 and to analyze the factors associated with this condition in adults and the elderly with cardiovascular disease in Brazil until the 30th Epidemiological Week of 2020. METHODS: Cross-sectional study conducted with data from the Influenza Epidemiological Surveillance Information System (Sistema de Informação de Vigilância Epidemiológica da Gripe - SIVEP-Gripe), referring to the SARS notification forms of hospitalized individuals in Brazil, between the 1st and 30th Epidemiological Week of 2020. Adults and the aged (≥ 18 years old) with CVD. The dependent variable was SRAG confirmation by COVID-19 and factors related to sociodemographic characteristics, signs and symptoms, and clinical factors were analyzed. Poisson regression with robust variance was applied. The level of significance adopted was 5%. RESULTS: Notifications from 116,343 individuals were analyzed. Of these, 61.9% were diagnosed with SARS by COVID-19. The prevalence of the outcome was 4% lower in women (95%CI: 0.94-0.99) and 18% lower in rural areas (95%CI: 0.77-0.87). There was a higher prevalence in the 50 to 59 age group (95%CI: 1.09-1.48) and in the northeast region (95%CI: 1.72-1.91). Fever, cough, admission to the ICU, use of ventilatory support, and nosocomial cases were also significantly associated with a higher probability of SRAS by COVID-19 in these individuals. CONCLUSION: There is a high prevalence of SARS by COVID-19 in adults and aged people with CVD in Brazil. Factors associated with sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, signs, and symptoms were associated.

FUNDAMENTO: A presença de Doença Cardiovascular (DCV) em indivíduos infectados pela COVID-19 pode implicar em um pior prognóstico. OBJETIVO: Descrever a prevalência da Síndrome Respiratória Aguda Grave (SRAG) por COVID-19 e analisar os fatores associados a essa condição em adultos e idosos com doença cardiovascular no Brasil até a 30ª Semana Epidemiológica de 2020. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal realizado com dados do Sistema de Informação de Vigilância Epidemiológica da Gripe (SIVEP-Gripe), referente às fichas de notificação de SRAG de indivíduos hospitalizados no Brasil, entre a 1a e 30a Semana Epidemiológica de 2020. Foram incluídos adultos e idosos (≥ 18 anos) com DCV. A variável dependente foi a confirmação de SRAG por COVID-19 e foram analisados fatores relacionados a características sociodemográficas, sinais e sintomas e fatores clínicos. Aplicou-se a regressão de Poisson com variância robusta. O nível de significância adotado foi de 5%. RESULTADOS: Foram analisadas as notificações de 116.343 indivíduos. Destes, 61,9% obtiveram diagnóstico de SRAG por COVID-19. A prevalência do desfecho foi 4% menor nas mulheres (IC95%: 0,94­0,99) e 18% menor em zonas rurais (IC95%: 0,77­0,87). Observou-se prevalência maior na faixa etária de 50 a 59 anos (IC95%: 1,09­1,48) e na região nordeste (IC95%: 1,72­1,91). Febre, tosse, internação em UTI, uso de suporte ventilatório e caso nosocomial também foram significativamente associados a uma maior probabilidade de SRAG por COVID-19 nesses indivíduos. CONCLUSÃO: Há alta prevalência de SRAG por COVID-19 em adultos e idosos com DCV no Brasil. Associaram-se fatores relacionados a características sociodemográficas, clínicas, sinais e sintomas.

Universal newborn hearing screening program and perinatal and congenital infections in neonates attended in South Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To verify the characteristics of neonates with perinatal/congenital infections (PCI) receiving care at a Universal Newborn Hearing Screening (UNHS) program of a university hospital. METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted with secondary data, obtained from records of neonates with diagnosis of and/or suspicion for PCI who received care between 2017 and 2019. RESULTS: The information analyzed referred to 164 neonates who attended the service and were submitted to Newborn Hearing Screening (NHS). The most prevalent infection was syphilis (67.7%), followed by HIV (20.1%). An expressive number of neonates failed NHS (11.5%). An association was verified between the cases of syphilis and HIV and older mothers (p < 0.035). CONCLUSION: An increase in the prevalence of PCI was observed, proving it to be an important indicator, whereas these infections can be prevented. In all the years analyzed, syphilis was the most recurrent RIHL. NHS is a means of early diagnosis and intervention that must necessarily be performed in the first months of the child's life.

Evolution of COVID-19 in Santa Catarina, Brazil: state decrees and epidemiological indicators up until August 2020. / Evolução da COVID-19 em Santa Catarina: decretos estaduais e indicadores epidemiológicos até agosto de 2020.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the evolution of decrees and indicators related to COVID-19 in Santa Catarina, Brazil, up until August 2020. METHODS: This was an ecological study that analyzed epidemiological indicators and state decrees on social distancing. The decrees were grouped into restriction, maintenance and relaxation. The indicators were mortality, incidence and transmissibility. RESULTS: 179,443 cases and 2,183 deaths were recorded in the period. The incidence rate went from 20.4 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in March to 642.2 in August. Fifteen state decrees were issued. In August, when the highest mortality rate was observed (13.1 per 100,000 inhabitants), it was found that all decree categories, except one, had been relaxed. CONCLUSION: The decrees that relaxed social distancing measures were issued early and in disagreement with the epidemiological context in the state.

Self-Reported Hearing Loss and Associated Factors in Older Adults at a Memory Clinic.

Purpose The prevalence of dementia has increased in recent years and, along with hearing loss, can negatively impact the health of older adults. The purpose of this retrospective cross-sectional study was to establish self-reported hearing loss and associated factors in older adults at a memory clinic. Method Researchers conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study on factors associated with self-reported hearing loss (i.e., lifestyle, general health, cognition, functional capacity). Data were taken from medical records of older adults (≥ 60 years old) who received care between 2017 and 2018 at a memory clinic located at the Southern Santa Catarina University in Brazil. Analysis included the Pearson chi-squared test and logistic regression, estimation of the crude and adjusted odds ratios (OR), with respective confidence intervals of 95%. Results Researchers analyzed the medical records of 257 older adults and verified a prevalence of 13.2% of these adults with self-reported hearing loss. There was a higher prevalence of the outcome (i.e., self-reported hearing loss) in older adults who reported tinnitus (35.2%), those with mild cognitive impairment (14.7%), and those who were sedentary (19.2%). After adjustment for confusion factors, tinnitus (OR = 4.63; p = .019) and sedentarism (OR = 2.89; p = .029) were still associated with the outcome. Conclusions Tinnitus and sedentarism were associated with hearing loss in older adults receiving care at a memory clinic. As a public health issue, presbycusis needs to be included in the health planning and health promotion agendas, with effective control, prevention, and treatment measures.

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome due to COVID-19 among children and adolescents in Brazil: profile of deaths and hospital lethality as at Epidemiological Week 38, 2020. / Síndrome respiratória aguda grave por COVID-19 em crianças e adolescentes no Brasil: perfil dos óbitos e letalidade hospitalar até a 38ᵃ Semana Epidemiológica de 2020.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the profile of deaths and the lethality of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) due to COVID-19 in hospitalized children and adolescents in Brazil. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted with data from the SARS notification forms of children and adolescents (0 to 19 years old) with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19. Notifications with complete progression of SARS due to COVID-19 were included, up to the 38th Epidemiological Week of 2020. RESULTS: 6,989 hospitalizations were investigated, 661 died, resulting in 9.5% hospital lethality. Higher lethality rates were observed among children under 1 year of age (14.2%), female children and adolescents (9.7%), the indigenous (23.0%), and those living in rural areas (18.1 %), as well as in the Northeast (15.4%) and North (9.7%) regions of Brazil. CONCLUSION: Differences in hospital mortality were found according to sociodemographic characteristics and marked regional inequalities.

Attention to elderly: perceptions and practices of the Community Health Agents in a capital of the south of Brazil. / Atenção ao idoso: percepções e práticas dos Agentes Comunitários de Saúde em uma capital do sul do Brasil.

PURPOSE: To verify the perceptions and practices of Community Health Agents (CHAs) related to speech and language pathology issues, aiming at completeness of attention to the elderly. METHODS: The present work is a transversal and descriptive study, in which questionaries made to the CHAs in the city of Florianópolis were employed. The approach consisted in analysing recommendations given by the CHAs during house attendances for Elderly Health Promotion. Guidance on aspects such as hearing impairment, dysphagia and speech disorders were embraced. The results were analysed with STATA 11.0 program. RESULTS: 187 CHAs participated in this study. 88.24% claimed that never received adequate training from a speech therapist. The great majority (84.41%) give guidance to elderly people on hearing impairment, followed by dysphagia (57.84%) and speech disorders (56.99%). Concerning the training provided by Capital Idoso Program, only 46.77% declared to receive. Furthermore, it was found an association linking the Northern Sanitary District's CHAs to a better perception over hearing impairment and a growing number of reports related to general guidance over the analysed aspects. CONCLUSION: It becomes necessary to provide adequate orientation for CHAs, as well as training by qualified speech therapists. This tutoring represents a matter of great importance in order to achieve a more effective work along with the community.

OBJETIVO: Verificar as percepções e práticas dos Agentes Comunitários de Saúde (ACS) relacionadas às questões fonoaudiológicas, visando integralidade da atenção ao idoso. MÉTODO: Trata-se de um estudo transversal, descritivo e com realização de inquérito com ACS do município de Florianópolis. Foram abordadas questões referentes às orientações realizadas pelos ACS durante as visitas domiciliares voltadas à promoção da saúde do idoso, que envolviam aspectos fonoaudiológicos (audição, disfagia e voz). Os resultados foram analisados através do programa STATA 11.0. RESULTADOS: Participaram desta pesquisa 187 ACS. Dos participantes, 88,24% afirmaram nunca ter recebido capacitação de um profissional da fonoaudiologia. A grande maioria (84,41%) orienta os idosos quanto a questões auditivas, seguidas da disfagia (57,84%) e voz (56,99%). Quanto à capacitação do Programa Capital Idoso, apenas 46,77% referiram ter recebido. Foi encontrada associação entre os ACS do Distrito Sanitário (DS) Norte e maiores relatos quanto a orientações gerais sobre aspectos fonoaudiológicos e maior percepção relacionada a questões auditivas. CONCLUSÃO: É necessário investir constantemente na formação dos ACS, bem como na capacitação deles por um fonoaudiólogo. A formação destes é de suma importância para o desenvolvimento de um trabalho cada vez mais resolutivo junto à comunidade.

Active urban mobility in adults with hearing loss and their perception of the environment: a multicenter study. / Mobilidade urbana ativa de adultos com perda auditiva e a percepção sobre o ambiente: um estudo multicêntrico.

This study aimed to estimate the association between hearing loss and active urban mobility (walking and/or bicycling), according to perception of the environment in adults in three Brazilian capital cities. This was a cross-sectional study of 2,350 adults (18-59 years) residing in Brasília (Federal District), Florianópolis (Santa Catarina), and Porto Alegre (Rio Grande do Sul), assessed by the multicenter study Healthy Urban Mobility (MUS) in 2017 and 2018. The outcome variable was active urban mobility (≥ 10 minutes/week), and the principal exposure was self-reported hearing loss. The analyses were stratified by the variable "perception of the environment" - perception of places for walking and bicycling (negative; positive). Logistic regression was used to estimate crude and adjusted odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). Prevalence rates for self-reported hearing loss and active urban mobility were 17% (95%CI: 15.4; 18.4) and 55.4% (95%CI: 53.4; 57.4), respectively. Adults with hearing loss and that perceived the environment negatively for walking and bicycling showed 34% lower odds of active urban mobility ≥ 10 minutes/week (OR = 0.66; 95%CI: 0.45; 0.97). In conclusion, there was an association between hearing loss and active urban mobility in adults in the three capital cities, according to negative perception of the environment. Persons with hearing loss that perceived the neighborhood negatively tend to circulate less by active means.

O objetivo deste estudo foi estimar a associação entre perda auditiva e mobilidade urbana ativa (a pé e/ou de bicicleta), segundo a percepção sobre o ambiente em adultos de três capitais brasileiras. Trata-se de um estudo transversal com 2.350 adultos (18-59 anos) residentes das cidades de Brasília (Distrito Federal), Florianópolis (Santa Catarina) e Porto Alegre (Rio Grande do Sul), avaliados pelo estudo multicêntrico Mobilidade Urbana Saudável (MUS), em 2017 e 2018. A variável de desfecho foi a mobilidade urbana ativa (≥ 10 minutos/semana), e a exposição principal foi a perda auditiva autorreferida. As análises foram estratificadas pela variável percepção do ambiente - percepção dos lugares para caminhar e andar de bicicleta (negativa; positiva). Utilizou-se a análise de regressão logística, estimando-se as odds ratio (OR) brutas e ajustadas, com intervalos de 95% de confiança (IC95%). A prevalência de perda auditiva autorreferida e de mobilidade urbana ativa foi de 17% (IC95%: 15,4; 18,4) e 55,4% (IC95%: 53,4; 57,4), respectivamente. Adultos com perda auditiva e que percebiam o ambiente de forma negativa para caminhar e andar de bicicleta possuíam 34% menos chance de realizar mobilidade urbana ativa ≥ 10 minutos/semana (OR = 0,66; IC95%: 0,45; 0,97). Conclui-se que houve associação entre perda auditiva e mobilidade urbana ativa dos adultos das três capitais brasileiras, segundo a percepção negativa sobre o ambiente. Pessoas com perda auditiva que percebem negativamente o bairro tendem a se deslocar menos por meios de transportes ativos.

El objetivo de este estudio fue estimar la asociación entre la pérdida auditiva y la movilidad urbana activa (a pie y/o en bicicleta), según la percepción sobre el ambiente en adultos de tres capitales brasileñas. Se trata de un estudio transversal con 2.350 adultos (18-59 años), residentes en las ciudades de Brasília (Distrito Federal), Florianópolis (Santa Catarina) y Porto Alegre (Rio Grande do Sul), evaluados por el estudio multicéntrico Movilidad Urbana Saludable (MUS), en 2017 y 2018. La variable de resultado fue la movilidad urbana activa (≥ 10 minutos/semana) y la exposición principal fue la pérdida auditiva autoinformada. Los análisis fueron estratificados por la variable percepción del ambiente -percepción de los lugares para caminar y montar en bicicleta (negativa; positiva). Se utilizó el análisis de regresión logística, estimando las odds ratio (OR) brutas y ajustadas, con intervalos de 95% de confianza (IC95%). La prevalencia de pérdida auditiva autoinformada y de movilidad urbana activa fue de un 17% (IC95%: 15,4; 18,4) y 55,4% (IC95%: 53,4; 57,4), respectivamente. Adultos con pérdida auditiva y que percibían el ambiente de forma negativa para caminar y montar en bicicleta poseían un 34% menos de oportunidad de realizar movilidad urbana activa ≥ 10 minutos/semana (OR = 0,66; IC95%: 0,45; 0,97). Se concluye que hubo asociación entre la pérdida auditiva y la movilidad urbana activa de los adultos de las tres capitales brasileñas, según la percepción negativa sobre el ambiente. Las personas con pérdida auditiva que perciben negativamente el barrio tienden a desplazarse menos a través de medios de transportes activos.

Prevalência e fatores associados a atividades que levam ao nervosismo no trabalho no Brasil: estudo com dados da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde, 2013 / Prevalence and factors associated with activities that lead to nervousness at work in Brazil: study with data from the National Health Survey, 2013

Resumo Objetivos: descrever a prevalência de atividades que levam ao nervosismo e analisar os fatores associados a essa condição em trabalhadores brasileiros. Métodos: estudo transversal realizado com dados da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde (PNS), edição de 2013. A variável dependente foi o envolvimento em atividades que levam ao nervosismo e as independentes foram características sociodemográficas, ocupacionais e situação de saúde. Empregou-se análise de regressão de Poisson com variância robusta. Resultados: participaram deste estudo 36.442 trabalhadores, 53,4% do sexo masculino. A prevalência de atividades que levam ao nervosismo no trabalho foi de 33,8% (Intervalo de Confiança de 95% [IC95%]: 33,2; 34,2). Na análise ajustada, raça/cor da pele preta (Razão de Prevalência [RP]: 0,84; IC95%: 0,77;0,92) e parda (RP:0,86; IC95%: 0,82;0,91), idade maior que 60 anos (RP:0,74; IC95%: 0,64;0,85) e trabalhar em ambientes abertos (RP: 0,82; IC95%: 0,77;0,87) foram significativamente associados a uma menor prevalência de atividades que levam ao nervosismo. Ruído (RP: 1,96; IC95%: 1,86;2,06), material radioativo (RP: 1,28; IC95%: 1,16;1,41), trabalho noturno (RP: 1,31; IC95%: 1,24; 1,38), idade de 30 a 39 anos (RP: 1,10; IC95%: 1,03;1,17) e depressão (RP: 1,36; IC95%: 1,26;1,47) associaram-se a uma maior probabilidade do desfecho. Conclusão: características sociodemográficas, ambientais e aspectos de saúde estão associados a atividades que levam ao nervosismo em trabalhadores brasileiros.

Abstract Objective: to describe the prevalence of activities leading to nervousness and analyze the factors associated with this condition in Brazilian workers. Methods: cross-sectional study using data from the National Health Survey (PNS) - 2013. The dependent variable was involvement in activities leading to nervousness, and the independent variables included sociodemographic, occupational, and health-related characteristics. We calculated the Poisson regression with robust variance. Results: 36,442 workers participated in this study, 53.4% male. The prevalence of activities leading to nervousness at work was 33.8% (95% of Confidence Interval [95%CI]: 33.2; 34.2). In the adjusted analysis, black (Prevalence Ratio [PR]: 0.84; 95%CI: 0.77;0.92) and mixed race (PR: 0.86; 95%CI: 0.82;0.91) individuals, aged over 60 years (PR: 0.74; 95% CI: 0.64;0.85), and those working in open environments (PR: 0.82; 95%CI: 0.77;0.87) were significantly associated with a lower prevalence of activities leading to nervousness. Noise (PR: 1.96; 95%CI: 1.86;2.06), radioactive materials (PR: 1.28; 95% CI: 1.16;1.41), night work (PR: 1.31; 95%CI: 1.24;1.38), age 30 to 39 years (PR: 1.10; 95%CI: 1.03;1.17), and depression (PR: 1.36; 95%CI: 1.26;1.47) were associated with a higher probability of the outcome. Conclusion: sociodemographic, environmental, and health-related characteristics are associated with activities leading to nervousness in Brazilian workers.