Association of Socioeconomic Status and Oral Cancer Mortality in Brazil: Temporal Trends and Spatial Distribution.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this observational study was to evaluate the relationship between the oral cancer mortality rate and socioeconomic indicators throughout the Brazilian territory, between 2010 and 2019. METHOD: The variables used in this study were oral cancer mortality rates from the Mortality Information System (SIM) and population data from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) to calculate oral cancer mortality rates, along with the Human Development Index (HDI) and Social Vulnerability Index (SVI). The analysis was performed in tertile stratifications (Microsoft Excel 16.0), while temporal trends were examined by segmented linear regression (JoinPoint 4.9.0). RESULTS: High mortality rates were observed in more developed regions (South and Southeast), whereas temporal analysis showed significant increasing trends in the North (annual percentage changes [APC] = +3.9%; p < 0.05) and Northeast (APC = +2.4%; p < 0.05) regions. The greater HDI (APC = +1.7%; p < 0.05) and SVI (APC = +2.2%; p < 0.05) tertiles had the lowest annual percentage increase, showing an inverse relationship between the temporal trend of mortality and socioeconomic indicators. CONCLUSION: Despite the higher number of oral cancer deaths in regions with higher social indices, increasing temporal trends are more accentuated in regions with lower socioeconomic levels.

Spatial and spatiotemporal dynamics of visceral leishmaniasis in an endemic North-eastern region of Brazil.

Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) is a neglected disease with increasing incidence in Brazil, particularly in the North-eastern. The aim of this study was to analyze the spatial and spatiotemporal dynamics of VL in an endemic region of North-eastern Brazil, between 2009 and 2017. Using spatial analysis techniques, an ecological and time series study was made regarding VL cases in Sergipe filed as notifiable disease events. With data from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística, IBGE), a digital population and cartographic baseline was established. Segmented linear regression was used to examine the temporal trends. The statistical analysis methods of Global and Local Moran' I, local Bayesian empirical methodology and spatial-temporal scanning were used to produce thematic maps. High instances were found among adults, males, urban residents, non-Whites and persons with low levels of education. A decrease in the recovery rate and an increase in the proportion of urban cases and lethality was found. A heterogeneous VL distribution with spatiotemporal agglomeration on the seaside of the state was seen in Sergipe. To better manage the disease, new research is encouraged together with development of public health strategies. Further, improving health care networks, especially primary care, is suggested as this approach has a key role in health promotion, prevention and monitoring of the most prevalent diseases.

Coronavirus disease and basic sanitation: too early to be worried?

INTRODUCTION: Considering that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been detected in feces, this study aimed to verify a possible relationship between basic sanitation indices and coronavirus disease (COVID-19) numbers/rates. METHODS: Data of COVID-19 cases registered in Brazil until May 28, 2020, and independent variables associated with basic sanitation were analyzed. RESULTS: A significant correlation between the number of cases and sewage treatment index/population density was observed. In addition, COVID-19 incidence and mortality rates were significantly associated with the total water service index and lethality rate was significantly associated with the sewage treatment index. CONCLUSIONS: Precarious basic sanitation infrastructure may potentially increase the SARS-CoV-2 transmission in Brazil.

Quality of life and metamemory in higher education students during the COVID-19 pandemic / Qualidade de vida e metamemória em estudantes do nível superior durante a pandemia da COVID-19

ABSTRACT Purpose: to analyze the quality of life and metamemory and verify their predictors in students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: a cross-sectional survey carried out through online collection with the application of an initial questionnaire to characterize the sample, the WHOQOL-brief to investigate the quality of life, and the Metamemory Questionnaire in Adults (short version) - MIAr to evaluate metamemory in a group of undergraduate and postgraduate students. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Multiple linear regression was performed to verify the predictor variables. A significance level of 5% (p ≤ 0.05) was considered. Results: 977 university students participated in the study, the majority (70.73%) of whom were females and with an income range below three minimum wages (63.56%). For quality of life, income range, being in the risk group for COVID-19, and age were predictors for both the undergraduate and postgraduate groups. In contrast, on an excellent metamemory, the predictors were male gender and age. Conclusion: for students, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the main predictor of quality of life was having a higher income bracket, and the main predictor of metamemory was being a male.

RESUMO Objetivo: analisar a qualidade de vida e a metamemória e verificar seus preditores em estudantes durante a pandemia da COVID-19. Métodos: trata-se de uma pesquisa transversal realizada por meio de coleta online com a aplicação de um questionário inicial para caracterizar a amostra, do WHOQOL-bref para investigar a qualidade de vida e do Questionário de Metamemória em Adultos (versão reduzida) - MIAr para avaliar a metamemória, em um grupo de estudantes de graduação e outro de pós-graduação. Os dados foram analisados por meio de estatística descritiva e inferencial. Realizou-se a regressão linear múltipla para verificar as variáveis preditoras. Foi considerado o nível de significância de 5% (p≤0,05). Resultados: participaram do estudo 977 universitários, sendo a maioria (70,73%) do gênero feminino e com faixa de renda menor que três salários-mínimos (63,56%). Para a qualidade de vida, tanto para o grupo de graduandos quanto de pós-graduandos, a faixa de renda, o grupo de risco para COVID-19 e a idade foram preditores, enquanto para uma boa metamemória os preditores foram o gênero masculino e a idade. Conclusão: para os estudantes, durante a pandemia da COVID-19, o principal preditor da qualidade de vida foi possuir maior faixa de renda e o da metamemória foi ser do gênero masculino.

Seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in dogs from rural area of Nossa Senhora da Glória, Sergipe, Brazil / Soroprevalência de anticorpos anti-Toxoplasma gondii em cães de área rural de Nossa Senhora da Glória, Sergipe, Brasil

Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite with worldwide distribution. Dogs are considered sentinel animals, useful for the detection of environmental infections and outbreaks of disease through serological surveys. Considering this, we aimed to assess the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in dogs from rural areas of the hinterland of the state of Sergipe, Northeastern Brazil. A total of 77 blood samples were collected from dogs and analyzed by the Indirect Hemagglutination test for the detection of anti-T. gondii antibodies Samples were considered positive when titers greater than or equal to 1:16 were observed. In addition, an epidemiological questionnaire designed to identify characteristics of the animal was performed to owners regarding sex, breed, age, sterilization, access to areas outside the house, environmental hygiene, contact with other animals and dog food. A total of 49.3% of dogs (n = 38) were positive for anti-T. gondii antibodies, most with high titers (44.7%). A higher relative frequency of seropositivity was observed in male dogs, not sterilized, mixed breed, which were fed exclusively on homemade food and had access to the street and contact with other animals. Taken together, our data reinforce the importance of developing health education actions within the scope of public health aimed at preventing this zoonosis.

Toxoplasma gondii é um protozoário com distribuição mundial. Os cães são considerados animais sentinela, úteis para a detecção de infecções ambientais e surtos da doença por meio de levantamentos sorológicos. Portanto, o presente estudo teve como objetivo determinar a soroprevalência da toxoplasmose em cães da zona rural da região rural do Alto Sertão Sergipano, Brasil. Um total de 77 amostras de sangue de cães foram coletadas no município de Nossa Senhora da Glória, Sergipe e submetidas ao teste de Hemaglutinação Indireta para detecção de anticorpos anti-T. gondii, considerando títulos maiores ou iguais a 1:16 como positivos. Além disso, foi aplicado um questionário epidemiológico aos proprietários solicitando informações sobre sexo, raça, idade, esterilização, acesso às ruas, limpeza do ambiente, contato com outros animais e ração, além de dados do proprietário, como renda familiar e nível de educação. 49,3% dos cães (38/77) apresentaram anticorpos anti-T. gondii, a maioria com títulos elevados (44,7%). Foi observado maior frequência relativa de soropositividade em cães macho, não esterilizados, sem raça definida, que se alimentam exclusivamente de comida caseira e tem acesso a rua e contato com outros animais. Os dados obtidos reforçam a importância do desenvolvimento de ações de educação em saúde no âmbito da saúde pública voltadas à prevenção dessa zoonose.

Primary school educational intervention r egarding schistosomiasis in a riverside community, northeastern Brazil

Schistosomiasis is still a serious public health concern in Brazil and Sergipe State presents the highest prevalence rate of the disease. Brazil implemented the Schistosomiasis Control Program (PCE) with several strategies to control the disease, including health education actions in endemic areas. Herein, we assessed the impact of an educational intervention on knowledge concerning schistosomiasis in students from a riverside village of Sergipe, Northeastern Brazil. The study was carried out in 3 phases. 1) A questionnaire was applied to assess the students' knowledge about the biological, clinical, and epidemiological aspects of schistosomiasis mansoni (pre-test). 2) Next, an educational intervention was conducted. Pamphlets about schistosomiasis were distributed to the entire school community, who were then invited to a lecture. 3) A post-test was performed using the questionnaire to assess acquired knowledge. 151 elementary school students were interviewed. 2.6% of the pre-test students and 4.3% of the post-test group had already been diagnosed with schistosomiasis. In the pre-test, only 24.5% knew the cause of the disease and 48.3% the transmission sites. In the post-test, 74.3% (OR= 8.9; p-value<0.0001) knew the etiology and 77.1% the possible transmission sites (OR= 3.6; p-value<0.0001). There was also significant improvement in knowledge regarding signs, symptoms and prophylactic measures. Most students were unaware of the risk of reinfection by Schistosoma mansoni after treatment. The educational intervention proved quite effective in increasing information on schistosomiasis. These results reinforce the importance of health education as an auxiliary tool in the control of schistosomiasis.

Coronavirus disease and basic sanitation: too early to be worried?

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Considering that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been detected in feces, this study aimed to verify a possible relationship between basic sanitation indices and coronavirus disease (COVID-19) numbers/rates. METHODS: Data of COVID-19 cases registered in Brazil until May 28, 2020, and independent variables associated with basic sanitation were analyzed. RESULTS: A significant correlation between the number of cases and sewage treatment index/population density was observed. In addition, COVID-19 incidence and mortality rates were significantly associated with the total water service index and lethality rate was significantly associated with the sewage treatment index. CONCLUSIONS: Precarious basic sanitation infrastructure may potentially increase the SARS-CoV-2 transmission in Brazil.

Conhecimento de enfermeiros da Estratégia Saúde da Família sobre a tuberculose / Nurses' knowledge of the family health strategy on tuberculosis

Objetivo: analisar o conhecimento de enfermeiros da Estratégia Saúde da Família sobre a tuberculose. Método: trata-se de estudo quantitativo, descritivo e transversal, com 22 enfermeiras. Utilizou-se, como instrumento de coleta, um questionário estruturado e adaptado. Descreveram-se as variáveis numéricas como média e desvio padrão e sumarizaram-se as variáveis categóricas em frequências simples e porcentagens a partir de tabelas. Resultados: revelou-se, quanto ao recebimento de capacitação sobre a temática da tuberculose, que 77,27% referiram nunca ter sido capacitados. Alerta-se, em relação aos sinais e sintomas para um provável caso de tuberculose, que 68,18% não responderam de forma correta. Identificou-se que 86,36% acertaram sobre a duração do esquema terapêutico e os medicamentos utilizados no tratamento. Destacou-se, no tocante aos efeitos medicamentosos, que todas as participantes responderam de maneira inadequada. Conclusão: evidenciou-se um conhecimento superficial por parte das enfermeiras na atuação contra a tuberculose, o que dificulta a estratégia de controle da doença no município, fazendo-se necessária a realização de capacitação sobre os diferentes aspectos relacionados à tuberculose.(AU)