Socioeconomic and regional inequalities of pap smear coverage. / Desigualdades socioeconômicas e regionais na cobertura de exames citopatológicos do colo do útero.

Objectives To identify socioeconomic and regional inequalities of pap smear coverage in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. Methods An ecological study based on data of the 2011-2012 national health information system to estimate the annual coverage of pap smears for the overall female population of the state and for women without private health insurance. We estimated annual pap smear coverage according to the Municipal Social Vulnerability Index and health macro-regions and regions of the state. Results The percentage of women without private health insurance ranged from 38.1% to 94.2% in the health regions. Pap smear coverage was 17.3% for the overall female population and 23.8% for women without private health insurance. Pap smear coverage was higher in more socially vulnerable municipalities and regions with a higher percentage of women with private health insurance. Conclusions The prevalence of private health insurance should be considered in studies that address the coverage of the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS).

Chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) in adults: a qualitative study of perspectives from professional practice.

BACKGROUND: Chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) can cause profound and prolonged illness and disability, and poses significant problems of uncertainty for healthcare professionals in its diagnosis and management. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the nature of professional 'best practice' in working with people with CFS/ME. METHODS: The views and experiences of health care practitioners (HCPs) were sought, who had been judged by people with CFS/ME themselves to have been particularly helpful and effective. Qualitative semi-structured interviews following a topic guide were carried out with six health care practitioners. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and subject to thematic analysis. RESULTS: Five main themes were developed: 1) Diagnosis; 2) Professional perspectives on living with CFS/ME; 3) Interventions for treatment and management; 4) Professional values and support for people with CFS/ME and their families; 5) Health professional roles and working practices. Key findings related to: the diagnostic process, especially the degree of uncertainty which may be shared by primary care physicians and patients alike; the continued denial in some quarters of the existence of CFS/ME as a condition; the variability, complexity, and serious impact of the condition on life and living; the onus on the person with CFS/ME to manage their condition, supported by HCPs; the wealth of often conflicting and confusing information on the condition and options for treatment; and the vital role of extended listening and trustful relationships with patients. CONCLUSIONS: While professional frustrations were clearly expressed about the variability of services both in primary and specialist care and continuing equivocal attitudes to CFS/ME as a condition, there were also strong positive messages for people with CFS/ME where the right services are in place. Many of the findings from these practitioners seen by their patients as helping them more effectively, accord with the existing literature identifying the particular importance of listening skills, respect and trust for establishing a therapeutic relationship which recognises key features of the patient trajectory and promotes effective person-centred management of this complex condition. These findings indicate the need to build such skills and knowledge more systematically into professional training informed by the experience of specialist services and those living with the condition.

The expressed needs of people with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to review systematically the needs for support in managing illness and maintaining social inclusion expressed by people with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) METHODS: We carried out a systematic review of primary research and personal ('own') stories expressing the needs of people with CFS/ME. Structured searches were carried out on Medline, AMED, CINAHL, EMBASE, ASSIA, CENTRAL, and other health, social and legal databases from inception to November 2007. Study inclusion, data extraction and risk of bias were assessed independently in duplicate. Expressed needs were tabulated and a conceptual framework developed through an iterative process. RESULTS: Thirty two quantitative and qualitative studies, including the views of over 2500 people with CFS/ME with mainly moderate or severe illness severity, met the inclusion criteria. The following major support needs emerged: 1) The need to make sense of symptoms and gain diagnosis, 2) for respect and empathy from service providers, 3) for positive attitudes and support from family and friends, 4) for information on CFS/ME, 5) to adjust views and priorities, 6) to develop strategies to manage impairments and activity limitations, and 7) to develop strategies to maintain/regain social participation. CONCLUSIONS: Although the studies were heterogeneous, there was consistent evidence that substantial support is needed to rebuild lives. Gaining support depends - most importantly - on the ability of providers of health and social care, colleagues, friends and relatives, and those providing educational and leisure services, to understand and respond to those needs.

Some risk factors associated with overweight, stunting and wasting among children under 5 years old.

OBJECTIVE: To explore whether socioeconomic and sanitary conditions, maternal and child factors are associated with overweight, stunting, and wasting in children under five year old in the city of São Leopoldo, southern Brazil. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of 3,957 children aged 1 month to 5 years conducted in all primary care services of the city during the National Children's Vaccination Day in 2002. Maternal and child factors were assessed by a questionnaire. Children's height and weight were measured. Cluster analysis was used to group the areas served by the primary care services according to socioeconomic and sanitary conditions of the census tracts assessed by the 2001 National Census. RESULTS: Wasting was observed in 2.6% of children, stunting in 9.1% and overweight in 9.8%. The multivariable logistic regression model suggests that overweight was associated with higher socioeconomic status and better sanitation of the area (OR = 1.47; 95%CI 1.09-1.96), single child (OR = 1.44; 95%CI 1.00-2.07) and birth weight >or= 2,500 g (OR = 2.21; 95%CI 1.27-3.83). Wasting was associated with low birth weight (OR = 3.46; 95%CI 2.06-5.80) and mother's age < 20 years (OR = 1.99; 95%CI 1.09-3.62). Stunting was associated with low socioeconomic status and poor sanitation of the area (OR = 2.36; 95%CI 1.51-3.69), three or more siblings (OR = 3.12; 95%CI 2.18-4.47), low birth weight < 2,500 g (OR = 3.49; 95%CI 2.53-4.80), child age < 36 months (OR = 1.77; 95%CI 1.37-2.29) and mother's age < 20 years (OR = 1.60; 95%CI 1.09-2.35). CONCLUSIONS: Overweight and stunting were the major anthropometric problems and therefore should be a priority for public policies.

A randomized trial of the effectiveness of home visits in preventing early childhood caries.

OBJECTIVES: Assess the effectiveness of home visits for advising mothers about breast feeding and weaning on early childhood caries (ECC) at the age of 12 months. METHODS: A randomized field trial was conducted in mothers who gave birth within the public health system in the Brazilian city of Sao Leopoldo (intervention group = 200; controls = 300). The intervention group received the advice 10 days after the child's birth, monthly up to 6 months, at 8, 10 and 12 months, based on the 'Ten Steps for Healthy Feeding', a Brazilian national health policy for primary care, based on WHO guidelines. Both groups had research assessment at 6 and 12 months, with dental caries investigated in this last assessment; 122 children were lost in the 1-year follow-up; 378 were assessed for caries: two predentulous children were excluded from the analysis. Mann-Whitney U was used to test if the average number of decayed surfaces (DS; white spots and cavities) differed between the intervention and control groups, and logistic regression to estimate the effects of the intervention on the odds of ECC. Chi-square test was used to test for differences between the intervention and control groups in the distribution of feeding behaviours tackled by the dietary intervention. RESULTS: 10.2% of the children in the intervention group and 18.3% of the controls had caries. The odds of caries was 48% lower for the intervention group, adjusted for number of teeth (OR = 0.52, 95% CI = 0.27-0.97). Mean DS were lower for the intervention group (0.37) when compared with the control group (0.63), (Mann-Whitney U, P = 0.03). The intervention group had significantly longer duration of exclusive breast feeding (P = 0.000), later introduction of sugar (P = 0.005), and smaller probability of ever having eaten biscuits (P = 0.000), honey (P = 0.003), soft drinks (P = 0.02), fromage-frais (P = 0.001), chocolate and sweets (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: ECC is a public health problem in that population. The home visits for dietary advice appear to help reducing dental caries in infants. Greater efforts are needed to tackle cariogenic dietary behaviours even further, as a relevant proportion of children of the intervention group were shown to present with dental caries. Further studies should examine the effect of the intervention in the longer term.

[Risk factors for orthotopic liver transplantation failure in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil]. / Fatores de risco para a falência do transplante ortotópico de fígado no Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil.

Risk factors for failure of liver transplantation from cadaveric donors were investigated in this retrospective study using data from medical records of patients in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, who were submitted to liver transplantation for the first time from January 1999 to July 2003 and were over 15 years of age at the time of surgery. Some 13% of failures occurred in the first month, 11% from 2 to 12 months, and 5% after 12 months; 88% of failures resulted in death and 12% in retransplantation. In the multivariate models, rate ratios for failure were higher for total family income less than 10 times the minimum wage, recipient's age > 45 years, non-whites, high clinical risk, and donor's age > or = 56 years. Female gender showed an effect in the unadjusted model only. Special attention to patients at increased risk, with income support for those with low family income, and early diagnosis of the need for transplantation may improve the success of liver transplantation.

Abrir gavetas, tramar redes: dos impactos ressonantes da educação pelo trabalho na saúde / Open drawers, weave networks: the resonant impacts of education through work on health

Objetivo: Este artigo objetiva trazer a cena uma pesquisa relativa ao impacto do Programa de Educação pelo Trabalho na Saúde, o qual estabelece uma trama entre ensino universitário, política pública e demandas sociais em saúde. Método: O tema do impacto, tão frequente nas discussões envolvendo avaliação e monitoramento em políticas e ações em educação e saúde, foi tomado em consideração, não apenas como uma pergunta a responder, mas como uma construção de pensamento sobre o que uma política pública "faz" na realidade (como uma política pública "impacta" uma realidade) e como uma prática de ensino e aprendizagem é afetada por esta. Antes de avaliá-lo, medi-lo, primeiramente, foi necessário tematizá-lo, em diálogo aberto com quem participou do Programa. Resultados: o impacto que ressoou tem a ver com a convocação ao movimento; o borramento de fronteiras disciplinares; a produção de outras possibilidades aos saberes e fazeres, e no deslocamentos nos modos de ser profissional, docente e discente. O impacto se mostrou no entre, nos novos pactos postos a funcionar. Nesta perspectiva, foi necessário apurar os sentidos para encontrá-lo, para perceber o que ressoa como efeito do encontro. Conclusões: Uma vez assim, uma "pesquisa de impacto" não atesta este ou qualquer programa, ou política, ela cartografa movimentos. O impacto seria relativo àquilo que resta inacabado: não o que aconteceu, mas aquilo que entrou em acontecimento, em construção de realidades possíveis, imprevisíveis, invisíveis e inaudíveis, que ao entrarem em movimento produzem realidades, impactos.

Factors associated with post-diagnosis pregnancies in women living with HIV in the south of Brazil.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the factors associated with the occurrence of pregnancies after the diagnosis of infection by HIV. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with women of a reproductive age living with HIV/AIDS cared for in the public services of the city of Porto Alegre, in southern Brazil. The data was analyzed from a comparison between two groups: women with and women without pregnancies after the diagnosis of HIV. Poisson regression models were used to estimate the reasons of prevalence (RP). RESULTS: The occurrence of pregnancies after the diagnosis of HIV is associated with a lower level of education (RP adjusted = 1.31; IC95%: 1.03-1.66), non-use of condoms in the first sexual intercourse (RP = 1.32; IC95%: 1.02-1.70), being 20 years old or less when diagnosed with HIV (RP = 3.48; IC95%: 2.02-6.01), and experience of violence related to the diagnosis of HIV (RP = 1.28; IC95%: 1.06-1.56). CONCLUSIONS: The occurrence of pregnancies after the diagnosis of infection by HIV does not indicate the exercise of the reproductive rights of the women living with HIV/AIDS because these pregnancies occurred in contexts of great vulnerability.

[Nutritional status and social determinants of child height in the Guarita Indigenous Territory, Southern Brazil]. / Estado nutricional e fatores associados à estatura de crianças da Terra Indígena Guarita, Sul do Brasil.

The nutritional status of under-five children and the association between social conditions and child stature were examined using data from the program to control malnutrition and mortality in the Guarita Indigenous Territory, southern Brazil, 2001-2002. Anthropometric indices were calculated in z-scores of the CDC 2000 reference. At entrance into the program, 34.7% of the children presented stunting, 12.9% low weight for age, 4.2% wasting, and 8.7% overweight. Stunting was most prevalent among boys and children older than one year. Multivariate linear regression showed that, on average, children were shorter when the drinking water was collected directly in the environment (p = 0.046), there was no refrigerator for food preservation (p = 0.021), maternal age was less than 16 years at the birth of the oldest child among the under-fives (p = 0.019), and the mother was illiterate (p = 0.083). Sewage facilities only had an effect on the unadjusted model. There was no evidence that the number of under-five children had an effect on stature. Social inclusion policies and health and social provision which takes these factors into account are potentially relevant for improving health and nutrition in this population.

The Scale of Self-Efficacy Expectations of Adherence to Antiretroviral Treatment: A Tool for Identifying Risk for Non-Adherence to Treatment for HIV.

BACKGROUND: Identification of risk for non-adherence to treatment is a challenge for personalized care for people living with HIV. Standardized questionnaires of patients' expectations of their capability to overcome obstacles for treatment adherence may be used as a pre-screening for risk identification. A scale of self-efficacy expectations of adherence to antiretroviral treatment (SEA-ART scale) was previously developed. This study assesses the scale validity in predicting non-adherence to ART in adults living with HIV. METHODS AND FINDINGS: A prospective cohort study applied a 21-item SEA-ART scale to 275 adults in ART treatment at an outpatient public service for HIV in Southern Brazil. ART medications taken were assessed at one-month follow-up; ART adherence was devised as an intake of 95% and more of the prescribed medication. A SEA-ART score was calculated by adding up the scores of all items. Multivariable logistic regression and the Area Under the Receiver-Operating-Characteristic Curve (AUROC) were applied to examine the ability of the SEA-ART score to predict non-adherence at follow-up. The SEA-ART score varied from 21 to 105; mean 93.9; median 103.0. Non-adherence was 30.3% (n = 81/267). The odds of non-adherence was 8% lower for each unit increase of the SEA-ART score; after adjustment for age, sex, formal education and time in treatment (OR = 0.92; 95%CI 0.90-0.95; LRT for linear trend, p = 0.002). The AUROC was 0.80 (95%CI 0.73-0.87; p<0.001). The SEA-ART optimal cut-off value was 101, providing a sensitivity of 76.5%, a specificity of 73.1%, a positive predictive value of 55.4% and a negative predictive value of 87.7%. There was no evidence of difference in sensitivity, and specificity among groups organized by age, gender, formal education and time in treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The SEA-ART scale appears to have a good capacity to discriminate between adherents and non-adherents at one-month follow-up. Further studies should confirm these results in other populations.

[Impacts of the 10 Steps to Healthy Feeding in Infants: a randomized field trial]. / Impactos da implementação dos dez passos da alimentação saudável para crianças: ensaio de campo randomizado.

This study assesses the impact of an intervention known as the Ten Steps to Healthy Feeding: A Nutritional Guide for Children under Two on nutritional conditions and infant health in low-income families. Two hundred newborns were randomized to the intervention group and three hundred to the control group. Parents of the intervention group received nutritional orientation during the child's first year of life. Both groups received visits at 6 and 12 months and routine follow-up by their pediatricians. The results (n = 397) showed that the intervention was associated with a higher proportion of exclusive breastfeeding at 4 months (RR = 1.58; 95%CI: 1.21-2.06) and 6 months (RR = 2.34; 95%CI: 1.37-3.99) and breastfeeding at 12 months (RR = 1.26; 95%CI: 1.02-1.55) and a lower proportion of children with diarrhea (RR = 0.68; 95%CI: 0.51-0.90), respiratory problems (RR = 0.63; 95%CI: 0.46-0.85), use of medication (RR = 0.56; 95%CI: 0.34-0.91), and dental caries (RR = 0.56; 95%CI: 0.32-0.96) in the 12-16 month bracket. The intervention had no effect on the occurrence of anemia, hospitalization, or nutritional status. The results suggest that the nutritional orientation program led to positive changes in infant feeding practices and health conditions, but that it was insufficient to prevent iron deficiency anemia.

[Social inequalities in cesarean section rates in primiparae, Southern Brazil]. / Desigualdade social nas taxas de cesariana em primíparas no Rio Grande do Sul.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of social inequalities in cesarean section rates among primiparae having single pregnancy and delivering in maternity hospitals. METHODS: The study was carried out in Southern Brazil in 1996, 1998 and 2000. Data from the Live Birth National Information System were used to estimate annual rates and crude and adjusted odds ratios (OR) of cesarean sections according to social conditions (maternal age and education, newborn skin color/ethnicity and macro-regions), duration of pregnancy, and number of prenatal visits. RESULTS: The overall cesarean section rate was 45%, and above 37% in all macro-regions. Increased rates were seen among native and black mothers, aged 30 years or more, living in metropolitan, river valley and mountain macro-regions and having attended to more than six prenatal visits. Crude and adjusted OR show that cesarean rates were negatively associated with all categories of skin color/ethnicity when compared to white newborns, particularly those of native Brazilian (ORadj=0.43; 95% CI: 0.31-0.59), and they were positively associated with higher maternal education (ORadj=3.52; 95% CI: 3.11-3.99), older age (ORadj=6.87; 95% CI: 5.90-8.00) and greater number of prenatal visits (ORadj=2.16; 95% CI: 1.99-2.35). The effects of age and education were partly mediated by the greater number of prenatal visits among higher educated older women. The OR varied among macro-regions but were greater for the wealthier mountain region. CONCLUSIONS: High rates of cesarean section rates in Southern Brazil are a public health concern. They are associated with social, economic and cultural factors which can lead to misuse of medical technology during labor and delivery.

Characteristics of HIV antiretroviral regimen and treatment adherence.

The relationship between characteristics of HIV antiretroviral regimens and treatment adherence was studied in adolescent and adult patients who underwent antiretroviral therapy from January 1998 to September 2000, at the Service for Specialized Assistance in Pelotas. The patients were interviewed on two occasions, and the use of antiretrovirals during the previous 48 hours was investigated by a self-report. Adherence was defined as use of 95% or more of the prescribed medication. Social-demographic variables were collected through direct questionnaires. The antiretroviral regimen and clinical data were copied from the patients' records. Associations between the independent variables and adherence were analyzed by means of logistic regression. The multivariate analysis included characteristics of the antiretroviral regimens, social-demographic variables, as well as perception of negative effects, negative physiological states, and adverse effects of the treatment. Among the 224 selected patients, 194 participated in our study. Their ages varied from 17 to 67 years; most patients were men, with few years of schooling and a low family income. Only 49% adhered to the treatment. Adherence to treatment regimens was reduced when more daily doses were indicated: three to four doses (odds ratio of adherence to treatment (OR)=0.47, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.22-1.01) and five to six (OR=0.24, 95% CI 0.09-0.62); two or more doses taken in a fasting state (OR=0.59, 95% CI 0.11-0.68), and for patients who reported adverse effects to the treatment (OR=0.39, 95% CI 0.19-0.77). Most of the regimens with more than two daily doses of medication included at least one dose apart from mealtimes. The results suggest that, if possible, regimens with a reduced number of doses should be chosen, with no compulsory fasting, and with few adverse effects. Strategies to minimize these effects should be discussed with the patients.

Determinants of growth retardation in Southern Brazil.

A cross-sectional population-based study of determinants of growth retardation in under-five children (3,389) in the city of Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil estimated odds ratios (OR) for stunting, defined as height-for-age < -2 zeta-scores of the NCHS standards. Hierarchical modeling based on a framework of the process of stunting was used. Stunting prevalence was 6.8%; the main determinants were per capita family income < 0.8 times the minimum wage (OR: 3.95; 95%CI: 2.10-7.42), maternal illiteracy (OR: 17.17; 95%CI: 4.43-66.54), living in a wooden or mixed-construction house (OR: 2.33; 95%CI: 1.35-4.01), inadequate housing (OR: 2.75; 95%CI: 1.70-4.43), maternal age at the child's birth < 20 years (OR: 1.73; 95%CI: 1.11-2.70), being an adopted child (OR: 3.28; 95%CI: 1.52-7.07), third-born child or greater (OR: 2.04; 95%CI: 1.15-3.62), birth interval < 24 months since previous child (OR: 1.69; 95%CI: 1.13-2.53), subsequent sibling (OR: 1.91; 95%CI: 1.16-3.13), multiple birth (OR: 2.40; 95%CI: 1.04-5.50), low birth weight (OR: 3.79; 95%CI: 2.38-6.02), and hospitalization in the first year of life (OR: 1,65; 95%CI: 1.01-2.68). The findings can be used by primary healthcare services to design specific interventions to prevent stunting.

[Social inequalities and other determinants of height in children: a multi-level analysis]. / Desigualdade social e outros determinantes da altura em crianças: uma análise multinível.

A cross-sectional household survey of height among children under five years of age (n = 2,632) was conducted in the city of Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. Multi-level linear regression was applied to investigate the effect of socioeconomic and demographic factors, physical and social environment, and health conditions on children s height, measured by the height-for-age z-scores of the National Center for Health Statistics standards. Area of residence (census tract) was classified as good versus poor in terms of housing and sanitation standards. On average, children s height was -0.18 z-score. Average height increased with maternal and paternal schooling, parents work skills, per capita family income, improved housing, maternal age, birth intervals, and birth weight. Height decreased with hospitalization in the first two years of life, number of under-five children in the household, and preterm birth. In the poor residential areas, the effect of maternal schooling was twice as great as in the better-off areas. The effect of parental work skills was only evident in the more deprived areas. Area of residence modified the effects of socioeconomic conditions on children s growth. Housing and sanitation programs are potentially beneficial to offset the negative effect of social disadvantage on children's growth.

[Risk factors for overweight in children from Southern Brazil]. / Fatores de risco para sobrepeso em crianças no Sul do Brasil.

Risk factors for overweight were investigated in a cross-sectional survey of children aged 12-59 months in the Southern Brazilian city of Porto Alegre (n = 2,660). Odds ratios (OR) for overweight, defined by weight/height > 2 z-scores of the NCHS standards, were estimated for socioeconomic and demographic conditions, social environment, and childhood health events. Prevalence of overweight was 6.5%. In the multivariate model, the odds of overweight were positively associated with maternal education (schooling > 12 years, OR = 2.36; 95%CI: 1.21-4.60; 9-11 years, OR = 2.07; 95%CI: 1.16-3.70) and family income per capita > 2 times the minimum wage (OR = 1.86; 95%CI: 1.13-3.08) and negatively associated with maternal work (OR = 0.72; 95%CI: 0.52-0.99). Odds were higher for children born large-for-gestational-age (OR = 2.29; 95%CI: 1.36-3.85) and lower for children born small (OR = 0.57; 95%CI: 0.33-0.99), as compared to those born with adequate birth weight for gestational age. Paternal schooling, parental occupation, and maternal age at the child's birth were associated with overweight in the unadjusted model only. Programs are needed to prevent overweight during childhood, with special attention to families and children at increased risk.

[Development and validation of a social vulnerability index applied to public policies of the Unified Health System (SUS)]. / Desenvolvimento e validação de um índice de vulnerabilidade social aplicado a políticas públicas do SUS.

The article outlines the development and initial validation of a Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) including five social determinants of risk to health and demonstrates its application in the financing of primary care by the Unified Health System (SUS) in the State of Rio Grande do Sul. Municipal indicators of vulnerability relating to poverty and population dispersion were obtained from the 2010 population census of the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics. Both exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis suggests that the five items can constitute a reliable and acceptable measurement scale. The SVI-5 was then generated based on the first main component, measuring municipal inequalities in social vulnerability relating to poverty and population in the territory in Z-scores. The external validity of SVI-5 was examined in relation to health outcomes using DATASUS 2007-2011 data, revealing that infant mortality and hospitalizations for conditions treatable by primary care are greater in more vulnerable municipalities The results suggest that the SVI-5 is a valid measure of inequalities in social vulnerability between municipalities, applicable to socially equitable policies in health.

Maternal perception and attitudes regarding healthcare professionals' guidelines on feeding practices in the child's first year of life.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the maternal perceptions and attitudes related to adherence to healthcare professionals' guidelines on breastfeeding and complementary feeding, and associated factors. METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis of data from a randomized field trial was performed, in which 20 health centers (HCs) were selected in the city of Porto Alegre, state of Rio Grande do Sul, from eight Health Management Districts of the city. Pregnant women were selected from these HCs, and when the children were aged between six and nine months, data regarding the maternal perception of adherence to professional advice and consequences of feeding practices on child health were obtained during home visits. Association analyses were performed using Poisson regression. RESULTS: Data were collected from 631 mother-child binomials. According to the mothers' perception, 47% reported not following instructions received in the HU. Among these, 45.7% did not recognize the importance of eating habits for the child's health. The perception of adherence to professional advice was associated with higher prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF), introduction of solid food (ISF) after four months, introduction of non-recommended foods after six months, and higher family income. A higher prevalence of EBF and ISF was observed after four months (p < 0.05) among mothers who believed in the importance of feeding habits for the child's health. CONCLUSION: There was a high prevalence of mothers who did not follow the advice of health professionals; the perception that food does not affect the child's health can be a barrier to the improvement of eating habits in childhood.

Motivation and adherence to psychosocial treatment for alcohol and drug use-related problems / Motivação e adesão ao tratamento psicossocial entre usuários de substâncias químicas

This is a prospective cohort study of 150 individuals attending a specialized health service for substance-related disorders. The study investigated the association between motivation to remain in treatment and treatment adherence. All service users were interviewed soon after admission to the treatment program and were followed-up during the first two months of treatment. A Cox Regression Model was used to estimate the hazard ratios for dropout during the two months following the admission interview. The results indicated that individuals with a primary-school education, lack of income, and low motivation toward treatment at the admission interview presented a higher risk of treatment dropout. This study showed the importance of motivation in changing addictive behavior and in adherence to treatment as essential factors for recovery.

A associação entre a motivação para manter-se em tratamento e a respectiva adesão foi estudada em uma coorte prospectiva de 150 usuários de um Centro de Atenção Psicossocial-Álcool e Drogas. Modelo de Regressão de Cox foi usado para estimar as razões de risco para o abandono do tratamento durante os dois primeiros meses após a entrevista de admissão. Os resultados sugerem que a pouca escolaridade (até a 9ª série), a ausência ou insuficiência de renda, bem como a baixa motivação no momento da entrevista de admissão são fatores de risco para o abandono do tratamento. As motivações para mudar o comportamento aditivo e para aderir ao tratamento foram identificadas como um dos fatores importantes para a recuperação de indivíduos com problemas relacionados ao uso de substâncias químicas.