Risk of Femicide and Quality of Life Assessment of Women Victims of Intimate Partner Violence in Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.

Background: Violence against women is a public priority issue for epidemiological and public health sciences. Severe consequences of violence affect the quality of life of women victims. The objective of this study was to quantify the impact in the quality of life of the strengthening group in women victims of intimate partner violence who attend a reference violence center in Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil. Method: Quasi-experimental before and after the study was designed. The danger assessment and WHOQOL-BREF scales were applied at admission, after 3 and 6 months. Descriptive and statistical analysis of the variables was carried out to verify the difference between the measurements in the quality of life domains. Results: Seventy-eight victims of intimate partner violence participated in the study. The most prevalent violence was psychological (96.2%), physical (79.5%), and moral (67.7%). Three months after participating in the strengthening group, there was an improvement in the 4 domains of quality of life, significantly in the psychological (p=0.032) and physical (p=0.006) domains. More than half of the participants were classified at the extreme level of risk of femicide (51.3%). The study was stopped early because of the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion: With the available data collected, the strengthening group proved to be a strategy that positively impacts the quality of life of women victims of intimate partner violence.

Occupational exposures and health-related quality of life in the Manaus Metropolitan Region, Amazonas State, Brazil: a cross-sectional study.

We aimed to investigate the association between occupational exposures and health-related quality of life among both informal and formal workers in the Brazilian Amazon. We conducted a cross-sectional study with working adults in the Manaus Metropolitan Region, Amazonas State, in 2015. Participants were selected through a three-step probabilistic sampling. The primary outcome was the health-related quality of life indicator, measured by the Brazilian validated version of the European Quality of Life 5-Dimensions 3-Levels (EQ-5D-3L) tool. Adjusted multivariate analysis was performed by Tobit regression and considered the complex sampling design. Results were converted to odds ratio (OR). Out of the 1,910 working individuals from the sample, 60.2% were formal workers. Informal workers were significantly more exposed to occupational risks than formal workers (p ≤ 0.05). Mean utility score for informal and formal workers was 0.886 (95%CI: 0.881; 0.890). Quality of life of informal workers was negatively impacted by exposure to noise (OR = 1.28; 95%CI: 1.13; 1.52), occupational stress (OR = 1.95; 95%CI: 1.65; 2.21), and industrial dust (OR = 1.46; 95%CI: 1.28; 1.72), while formal workers were negatively associated with exposure to chemical substances (OR = 1.58; 95%CI: 1.28; 1.87), noise (OR = 1.40; 95%CI: 1.23; 1.65), sun (OR = 1.65; 95%CI: 1.09; 1.40), occupational stress (OR = 1.65; 95%CI: 1.46; 1.87), biological material (OR = 2.61; 95%CI: 1.72; 3.97), and industrial dust (OR = 1.46; 95%CI: 1.28; 1.65). Exposure to occupational risks among workers from the Manaus Metropolitan Region was high, affecting both informal and formal workers. Brazilian policies need to be enforced to reduce the impacts on quality of life among workers in this region.

Occupational exposures and health-related quality of life in the Manaus Metropolitan Region, Amazonas State, Brazil: a cross-sectional study / Exposições ocupacionais e qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde na Região Metropolitana de Manaus, Estado do Amazonas, Brasil: um estudo transversal / Exposiciones ocupacionales y calidad de vida relacionada con la salud en la región metropolitana de Manaus, estado del Amazonas, Brasil: estudio transversal

Abstract: We aimed to investigate the association between occupational exposures and health-related quality of life among both informal and formal workers in the Brazilian Amazon. We conducted a cross-sectional study with working adults in the Manaus Metropolitan Region, Amazonas State, in 2015. Participants were selected through a three-step probabilistic sampling. The primary outcome was the health-related quality of life indicator, measured by the Brazilian validated version of the European Quality of Life 5-Dimensions 3-Levels (EQ-5D-3L) tool. Adjusted multivariate analysis was performed by Tobit regression and considered the complex sampling design. Results were converted to odds ratio (OR). Out of the 1,910 working individuals from the sample, 60.2% were formal workers. Informal workers were significantly more exposed to occupational risks than formal workers (p ≤ 0.05). Mean utility score for informal and formal workers was 0.886 (95%CI: 0.881; 0.890). Quality of life of informal workers was negatively impacted by exposure to noise (OR = 1.28; 95%CI: 1.13; 1.52), occupational stress (OR = 1.95; 95%CI: 1.65; 2.21), and industrial dust (OR = 1.46; 95%CI: 1.28; 1.72), while formal workers were negatively associated with exposure to chemical substances (OR = 1.58; 95%CI: 1.28; 1.87), noise (OR = 1.40; 95%CI: 1.23; 1.65), sun (OR = 1.65; 95%CI: 1.09; 1.40), occupational stress (OR = 1.65; 95%CI: 1.46; 1.87), biological material (OR = 2.61; 95%CI: 1.72; 3.97), and industrial dust (OR = 1.46; 95%CI: 1.28; 1.65). Exposure to occupational risks among workers from the Manaus Metropolitan Region was high, affecting both informal and formal workers. Brazilian policies need to be enforced to reduce the impacts on quality of life among workers in this region.

Resumo: O estudo buscou investigar a associação entre exposições ocupacionais e qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde entre trabalhadores informais e formais na Amazônia brasileira. Realizamos um estudo transversal com trabalhadores adultos na Região Metropolitana de Manaus, Amazonas, em 2015. Os participantes foram selecionados por amostragem probabilística em três estágios. O desfecho primário foi a qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde, medida pela versão brasileira validada do instrumento European Quality of Life 5-Dimensions 3-Levels (EQ-5D-3L). Foi realizada a análise multivariada ajustada por regressão de Tobit, considerando o desenho complexo da amostra. Os resultados foram convertidos em razão de chances (OR). Entre os 1.910 indivíduos na amostra que estavam trabalhando, 60,2% eram trabalhadores formais. Os trabalhadores informais foram mais expostos aos riscos ocupacionais (p ≤ 0,05). A média de utilidade para trabalhadores informais e formais foi 0,886 (IC95%: 0,881; 0,890). A qualidade de vida dos trabalhadores informais foi impactada negativamente pela exposição ao ruído (OR = 1,28; IC95%: 1,13; 1,52), estresse ocupacional (OR = 1,95; IC95%: 1,65; 2,21) e poeiras industriais (OR = 1,46; IC95%: 1,28; 1,72), enquanto trabalhadores formais mostraram uma associação negativa com exposição a substâncias químicas (OR = 1,58; IC95%: 1,28; 1,87), ruído (OR = 1,40; IC95%: 1,23; 1,65), luz solar (OR = 1,65; IC95%: 1,09; 1,40), estresse ocupacional (OR = 1,65; IC95%: 1,46; 1,87), material biológico (OR = 2,61; IC95%: 1,72; 3,97) e poeiras industriais (OR = 1,46; IC95%: 1,28; 1,65). A exposição a riscos ocupacionais entre trabalhadores na Região Metropolitana de Manaus é alta, afetando trabalhadores informais e formais. Políticas brasileiras devem ser implementadas para reduzir os impactos sobre a qualidade de vida dos trabalhadores nessa região do país.

Resumen: El objetivo era investigar la asociación entre exposiciones ocupacionales y calidad de vida relacionada con la salud entre trabajadores formales e informales en la Amazonia Brasileña. Realizamos un estudio transversal con trabajadores adultos en la región metropolitana de Manaus, estado del Amazonas, en 2015. Los participantes fueron seleccionados a través de una muestra probabilística en tres pasos. El resultado primario fue la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud, medida por la versión brasileña validada de la herramienta European Quality of Life 5-Dimensions 3-Levels (EQ-5D-3L). Se realizó un análisis ajustado multivariado mediante la regresión Tobit y se consideró el diseño complejo de la muestra. Los resultados se convertieron en odds ratio (OR). De los 1.910 trabajadores procedentes de la muestra, un 60,2% fueron trabajadores formales. Los trabajadores informales estuvieron significativamente más expuestos a los riesgos ocupacionales que los trabajadores formales (p ≤ 0,05). La puntuación media de utilidad para los trabajadores informales y formales fue 0,886 (IC95%: 0,881; 0,890). La calidad de vida de los trabajadores informales estuvo negativamente impactada por la exposición al ruido (OR = 1,28; IC95%: 1,13; 1,52), estrés ocupacional (OR = 1,95; IC95%: 1,65; 2,21), y polvos industriales OR = 1,46; IC95%: 1,28; 1,72), mientras que los trabajadores formales estuvieron negativamente asociados con la exposición a sustancias químicas (OR = 1,58; IC95%: 1,28; 1,87), ruido (OR = 1,40; IC95%: 1,23; 1,65), sol (OR = 1,65; IC95%: 1,09; 1,40), estrés ocupacional (OR = 1,65; IC95%: 1,46; 1,87), material biológico (OR = 2,61; IC95%: 1,72; 3,97), y polvos industriales (OR = 1,46; IC95%: 1,28; 1,65). La exposición a riesgos ocupacionales entre trabajadores en la región metropolitana de Manaus es alta, afectando tanto a trabajadores informales como formales. Se necesitan imponer políticas brasileñas para reducir los impactos en la calidad de vida entre trabajadores en esta región.

Inequity in utilizing health services in the Brazilian Amazon: A population-based survey, 2015.

BACKGROUND: Although Brazil has a public and universal healthcare system, utilization of health services is marked by social and regional discrepancies. OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence and factors associated with underutilization of healthcare services in the Brazilian Amazon. METHOD: Cross-sectional, population-based study. Adults aged over 18 years old were selected through probabilistic sampling. Underutilization of healthcare services was defined as never seeing a physician or a dentist. Poisson regression with robust variance was performed to calculate prevalence ratios (PRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). A complex sample design was considered. RESULTS: A total of 4001 individuals were included, of which 419 (10.4%; 95% CI, 9.5-11.4%) never visited a physician or a dentist. In the adjusted analysis, underutilization was higher among poorer people (PR = 3.32; 95% CI, 2.16-5.11), men (PR = 1.34; 95% CI, 1.10-1.65), people with brown skin color (Brazilian mixed race; PR = 1.34; 95% CI, 1.02-1.76), and people who are separated (PR = 1.40; 95% CI, 1.01-1.94) and widowed (PR = 1.55; 95% CI, 1.02-2.37), when compared with the reference categories. Individuals with informal jobs, those who are retired, students/housewives, and unemployed people were more vulnerable to underutilization than formal workers (P < .04). CONCLUSION: Underutilization of healthcare services occurs in one-tenth of adults in Manaus Metropolitan Region and is associated with social and economic inequities.

Health-related quality of life in the Brazilian Amazon: a population-based cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: To analyze perceptions of health-related quality of life and associated factors in populations from the Manaus Metropolitan Region. METHODS: We conducted a population-based cross-sectional study from May to August 2015. Adults aged 18 years and older were selected using probabilistic three-phase cluster sampling and stratified by sex and age, based on official estimates. Quality of life data were collected using the European Quality of Life 5-Dimensions 3-Levels (EQ-5D-3L) along with socioeconomic, demographic, and health perception data. Utility scores were calculated using the Brazilian version of the EQ-5D-3L. Descriptive statistics were derived, and a multivariate Tobit regression model with correction for complex sampling was performed to identify the variables that influence utility levels. RESULTS: A total of 4001 participants were included. The average utility score was 0.886 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.881-0.890) with significant differences according to living area (the capital (0.882 ± 0.144) or inner cities (0.908 ± 0.122; p < 0.001)). The dimension for which the highest proportion of people reported moderate to severe problems was pain/discomfort (39%), followed by anxiety/depression (18%). Men had a higher quality of life than women (ß = 0.041, p < 0.001). Not working was a factor that increased quality of life compared with being formally employed (ß = 0.031, p = 0.037). The poorest people had a lower quality of life than the richest people (ß = -0.118, p < 0.001). Better health perceptions increased utility scores (p < 0.001), while being separated decreased the scores (ß = -0.052, p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Health-related quality of life in the Manaus Metropolitan Region was high, as expected for the general population, and was higher among individuals who lived in the inner cities, men and those in higher social classes. Gender discrepancies and differences in quality of life between the capital and inner cities should be further investigated.

Prevalence and correlates of depressive symptoms among adults living in the Amazon, Brazil: A population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Depression is an affective disorder and one of the main contributors to the burden of disease worldwide. Our purpose is to estimate the prevalence of depressive symptoms and associated factors in the population of the Manaus Metropolitan Region. METHODS: We conducted a population-based, cross-sectional study with a probabilistic three-phase sampling in 2015, based on a previously calculated sample size. Adults living in Manaus and seven inner cities of the metropolitan region were surveyed for depressive symptoms using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and a cutoff score of ≥ 9. We performed a Poisson regression with robust variance using a hierarchical approach to calculate the prevalence ratio (PR) of depression and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: Among 4001 participants (response rate 76%), the prevalence of current depressive symptoms was 7% (95% CI: 6-8%). Depressive symptoms were more frequent in inhabitants of Manaus than in those from the countryside (PR = 6.13, 95% CI: 2.91-12.91); in women than in men (PR = 2.55, 95% CI: 1.96-3.33); in indigenous than in white people (PR = 2.56, 95% CI: 1.24-5.30); and in those with hypertension (PR = 1.47, 95% CI: 1.13-1.92), cardiac disease (PR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.12-2.33), and poor health status (fair: PR = 5.10, 95% CI: 2.50-10.37; bad: PR = 10.27, 95% CI: 4.92-21.44 very bad: PR = 21.14, CI 95%: 10.16-43.99). High school education (PR = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.32-0.95) and middle class economic status (PR = 0.33, 95% CI: 0.12-0.89) were protective factors. LIMITATIONS: Limitations include the lack of measurement of physical activity, religious beliefs, leisure time, and use of alcohol and other drugs since these factors can affect depression and health status. CONCLUSION: Seven out of every 100 adults from the Manaus Metropolitan Region have depressive symptoms. This rate is higher in women, individuals living in Manaus, indigenous people, people with hypertension or chronic cardiac disease, and those with a poor health status.