Exploring the "Urban Advantage" in Access to Immunization Services: A Comparison of Zero-Dose Prevalence Between Rural, and Poor and Non-poor Urban Households Across 97 Low- and Middle-Income Countries.

Urban children are more likely to be vaccinated than rural children, but that advantage is not evenly distributed. Children living in poor urban areas face unique challenges, living far from health facilities and with lower-quality health services, which can impact their access to life-saving vaccines. Our goal was to compare the prevalence of zero-dose children in poor and non-poor urban and rural areas of low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Zero-dose children were those who failed to receive any dose of a diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus (DPT) containing vaccine. We used data from nationally representative household surveys of 97 LMICs to investigate 201,283 children aged 12-23 months. The pooled prevalence of zero-dose children was 6.5% among the urban non-poor, 12.6% for the urban poor, and 14.7% for the rural areas. There were significant differences between these areas in 43 countries. In most of these countries, the non-poor urban children were at an advantage compared to the urban poor, who were still better off or similar to rural children. Our results emphasize the inequalities between urban and rural areas, but also within urban areas, highlighting the challenges faced by poor urban and rural children. Outreach programs and community interventions that can reach poor urban and rural communities-along with strengthening of current vaccination programs and services-are important steps to reduce inequalities and ensure that no child is left unvaccinated.

Occupational solar exposure and basal cell carcinoma. A review of the epidemiologic literature with meta-analysis focusing on particular methodological aspects.

BACKGROUND: Numerous epidemiologic studies and a few systematic reviews have investigated the association between occupational solar exposure and basal cell carcinoma (BCC). However, previous reviews have several deficits with regard to included and excluded studies/risk estimates and the assessment of risk of selection bias (RoSB). Our aim was to review epidemiologic studies with a focus on these deficits and to use meta-(regression) analyses to summarize risk estimates. METHODS: We systematically searched PubMed (including MEDLINE) and Embase for epidemiologic studies. Study evaluation considered four main aspects of risk of bias assessments, i.e. Selection of subjects (selection bias); Exposure variables; Outcome variables; Data analysis. RESULTS: Of 56 identified references, 32 were used for meta-(regression) analyses. The overall pooled risk estimate for BCC comparing high/present vs. low/absent occupational solar exposure was 1.20 (95% CI 1.02-1.43); among studies without major deficits regarding data analysis, it was 1.10 (95% CI 0.91-1.33). Studies with low and high RoSB had pooled risk estimates of 0.83 (95% CI 0.73-0.93) and 1.95 (95% CI 1.42-2.67), respectively. The definitions of exposure and outcome variables were not correlated with study risk estimates. Studies with low RoSB in populations with the same latitude or lower than Germany had a pooled risk estimate of 1.01 (95% CI 0.88-1.15). CONCLUSION: Due to the different associations between occupational solar exposure and BCC among studies with low and high RoSB, we reason that the current epidemiologic evidence base does not permit the conclusion that regular outdoor workers have an increased risk of BCC.

E. coli contamination of drinking water sources in rural and urban settings: an analysis of 38 nationally representative household surveys (2014-2021).

The world is not on track to achieve universal access to safely managed water by 2030, and access is substantially lower in rural areas. This Sustainable Development Goal target and many other global indicators rely on the classification of improved water sources for monitoring access. We aimed to investigate contamination in drinking water sources, comparing improved and unimproved sources in urban and rural settings. We used data from Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys, which tested samples from the household water source and a glass of water for Escherichia coli contamination across 38 countries. Contamination was widespread and alarmingly high in almost all countries, settings, and water sources, with substantial inequalities between and within countries. Water contamination was found in 51.7% of households at the source and 70.8% in the glass of water. Some improved sources (e.g., protected wells and rainwater) were as likely to be contaminated as unimproved sources. Some sources, like piped water, were considerably more likely to be contaminated in rural than urban areas, while no difference was observed for others. Monitoring water contamination along with further investigation in water collection, storage, and source classification is essential and must be expanded to achieve universal access to safely managed water.

Prevalence and Sociodemographic Correlates of Meeting the 24-Hour Movement Guidelines Among Low-Income Brazilian Older Adults With Chronic Diseases.

This study examined the prevalence and sociodemographic correlates of meeting individual behavior and 24-hr movement behavior guidelines among Brazilian older adults with chronic diseases. The sample comprised 273 older adults aged ≥60 years (80.2% women) with chronic diseases from Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil. Sociodemographic variables were self-reported, while 24-hr movement behaviors were assessed by accelerometry. Participants were classified as meeting (or not meeting) individual and integrated recommendations for moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), sedentary behavior, and sleep duration. No participant met the 24-hr movement behavior guidelines, while only 8.4% met integrated MVPA/sleep recommendations. The prevalence of meeting recommendations of MVPA, sedentary behavior, and sleep was 28.9%, 0.4%, and 32.6%, respectively. Discrepancies according to sociodemographic variables on meeting MVPA recommendations existed. The findings show the need for dissemination and implementation strategies to foster adoption of the 24-hr movement behavior guidelines among Brazilian older adults with chronic diseases.

Birth registration coverage according to the sex of the head of household: an analysis of national surveys from 93 low- and middle-income countries.

BACKGROUND: Within-country inequalities in birth registration coverage (BRC) have been documented according to wealth, place of residence and other household characteristics. We investigated whether sex of the head of household was associated with BRC. METHODS: Using data from nationally-representative surveys (Demographic and Health Survey or Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey) from 93 low and middle-income countries (LMICs) carried out in 2010 or later, we developed a typology including three main types of households: male-headed (MHH) and female-led with or without an adult male resident. Using Poisson regression, we compared BRC for children aged less than 12 months living the three types of households within each country, and then pooled results for all countries. Analyses were also adjusted for household wealth quintiles, maternal education and urban-rural residence. RESULTS: BRC ranged from 2.2% Ethiopia to 100% in Thailand (median 79%) while the proportion of MHH ranged from 52.1% in Ukraine to 98.3% in Afghanistan (median 72.9%). In most countries the proportion of poor families was highest in FHH (no male) and lowest in FHH (any male), with MHH occupying an intermediate position. Of the 93 countries, in the adjusted analyses, FHH (no male) had significantly higher BRC than MHH in 13 countries, while in eight countries the opposite trend was observed. The pooled analyses showed t BRC ratios of 1.01 (95% CI: 1.00; 1.01) for FHH (any male) relative to MHH, and also 1.01 (95% CI: 1.00; 1.01) for FHH (no male) relative to MHH. These analyses also showed a high degree of heterogeneity among countries. CONCLUSION: Sex of the head of household was not consistently associated with BRC in the pooled analyses but noteworthy differences in different directions were found in specific countries. Formal and informal benefits to FHH (no male), as well as women's ability to allocate household resources to their children in FHH, may explain why this vulnerable group has managed to offset a potential disadvantage to their children.

Rural-urban differences in physical activity and TV-viewing in Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: This study aims to compare differences regarding physical activity (PA) indicators and TV viewing according to location of residence and sociodemographic variables in Brazil. METHODS: This cross-sectional study with individuals aged 18 years or older using data from the Brazilian National Health Survey was carried out in 2013. PA (total and domains) and TV viewing (≥3 hours) were measured by self-report. Stratifiers were location of residence, sex, age, wealth quintiles and regions of the country. RESULTS: This study included 60 202 individuals (49 245 from urban areas). In general, total PA was not different according to location of residence (urban 59.4%; rural 57.4%). Higher differences were found for leisure-time PA (urban 24.1%; rural 13.9%), work-based PA (urban 12.9%; rural 21.1%) and TV viewing of more than 3 hours (urban 30.1%; rural 21.4%). The differences between urban and rural areas were enhanced according to sex, age and wealth quintiles. CONCLUSION: The differences between urban and rural areas vary according to PA domains and population groups. To explore specific domains of PA in each location of residence may improve the understanding of the analyzed outcomes in different communities and consequently guide future interventions.

Sleep duration trajectories from adolescence to emerging adulthood: Findings from a population-based birth cohort.

This study aimed to describe longitudinal trajectories of sleep duration, among adolescents and adults from the Pelotas (Brazil) 1993 Birth Cohort, as well as characterize different trajectories groups according to socioeconomic, demographic and behavior characteristics. Sleep duration, hours per day (from Monday to Friday), bedtime and wake-up time were self-reported by participants at ages 11, 18 and 22 years. Covariables included socioeconomic, demographic, health and behavior characteristics. Trajectory analysis was performed using a semi-parametric, group-based modelling approach. Prevalence and 95% confidence interval were obtained to describe covariables and sleep trajectory groups. Chi-square test was employed in statistical analysis and all analyses were stratified by sex. A total of 3.395 individuals were included in the analysis. In both sexes, bedtime became later across years, while wake-up time presented little variation. Differences according sex were more pronounced from 18 years onwards. Three trajectories of sleep duration from 11 to 22 years were identified for males: "increase and maintenance" (3.4%), "fast reduction and maintenance" (45.0%) and "constant reduction" (51.6%). While in females the trajectories identified were: "increase and decrease" (2.4%), "fast reduction and maintenance" (25.6%) and "constant reduction" (72.0%). Men and women who belong to trajectories with longer sleep durations were more likely to present higher percentages of some risk behaviors and poor socioeconomic condition. Our results have provided longitudinal information regarding sleep duration trajectories in a medium-sized city in Brazil, aiming at filling an existing gap in literature from low- and middle-income countries.

Social inequalities in care for the elderly with diabetes in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To measure the prevalence of various care services offered to the elderly with diabetes mellitus in Brazil, and to assess the social inequalities in these services. METHODS: This cross-sectional, population-based study was carried out in 2013. The care services offered were evaluated in terms of the following eight indicators: recommendations to lower carbohydrates, to measure blood glucose, and to examine the feet; requests made for blood tests, for glycated hemoglobin tests, and for glycemic curve tests; and whether service users had had their eyes or feet examined in the previous year. We used the slope index of inequality and the concentration index to assess the inequalities among wealth quintiles. RESULTS: A total of 1 685 elderly persons with diabetes were evaluated. Overall, 41.7% of them had had their eyes examined in the preceding year, 35.4% had had their feet examined in the preceding year, and 10.9% had been offered all eight of the care services. The largest absolute differences (in percentage points) between the first (poorest) and fifth (richest) wealth quintiles in terms of the care services that were offered to the users were for: a recommendation to measure blood glucose (25.8), a glycated hemoglobin test request (27.4), a glycemic curve test request (31.9), having the eyes examined in the preceding year (29.3), and having the feet examined in the preceding year (27.0). CONCLUSION: There were notable inequalities in the prevalences of the care services. In the future, measurement of blood glucose and examination of the feet should be emphasized, especially for elderly persons in a lower socioeconomic level.

A critical review of the relationship between occupational exposure to diesel emissions and lung cancer risk.

In 2012, a working group of the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified diesel exhaust (DE) as a human carcinogen (Group 1). This decision was primarily based on the findings of the Diesel Exhaust in Miners Study (DEMS). The disparity between the results of various methodological approaches applied to the DEMS led to several critical commentaries. An expert panel was subsequently set up by the Health Effects Institute to evaluate the DEMS results, together with a large study in the trucking industry. The panel concluded that both studies provided a useful basis for quantitative risk assessments (QRAs) of DE exposure. However, the results of both studies were non-definitive as the studies suffer from several methodological shortcomings. We conducted a critical review of the studies used by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) working group to evaluate the relationship between DE and lung cancer. The aim was to assess whether the available studies support the statement of a causal relationship and, secondarily if they could be used for QRA. Our review highlights several methodological flaws in the studies, amongst them overadjustment bias, selection bias, and confounding bias. The conclusion from our review is that the currently published studies provide little evidence for a definite causal link between DE exposure and lung cancer risk. Based on two studies in miners, the DEMS and the German Potash Miners study, QRA may be conducted. However, the DEMS data should be reanalyzed in advance to avoid bias that affects the presently published risk estimates.

Eating out is different from eating at home among individuals who occasionally eat out. A cross-sectional study among middle-aged adults from eleven European countries.

Eating out has been linked to the current obesity epidemic, but the evaluation of the extent to which out of home (OH) dietary intakes are different from those at home (AH) is limited. Data collected among 8849 men and 14,277 women aged 35-64 years from the general population of eleven European countries through 24-h dietary recalls or food diaries were analysed to: (1) compare food consumption OH to those AH; (2) describe the characteristics of substantial OH eaters, defined as those who consumed 25 % or more of their total daily energy intake at OH locations. Logistic regression models were fit to identify personal characteristics associated with eating out. In both sexes, beverages, sugar, desserts, sweet and savoury bakery products were consumed more OH than AH. In some countries, men reported higher intakes of fish OH than AH. Overall, substantial OH eating was more common among men, the younger and the more educated participants, but was weakly associated with total energy intake. The substantial OH eaters reported similar dietary intakes OH and AH. Individuals who were not identified as substantial OH eaters reported consuming proportionally higher quantities of sweet and savoury bakery products, soft drinks, juices and other non-alcoholic beverages OH than AH. The OH intakes were different from the AH ones, only among individuals who reported a relatively small contribution of OH eating to their daily intakes and this may partly explain the inconsistent findings relating eating out to the current obesity epidemic.

Primary preventive potential of major lifestyle risk factors for acute myocardial infarction in men: an analysis of the EPIC-Heidelberg cohort.

The aim of this study was to assess the preventive potential of major lifestyle risk factors for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in middle-aged men. Among 10,981 men in the Heidelberg cohort of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition, aged 40.2-65.8 years when recruited, 378 developed first-ever AMI during a median follow-up period of 11.4 years. Current smoking, excess body weight, being physically inactive, but not high alcohol consumption, were identified as the major lifestyle risk factors for AMI using Cox regression analysis. A competing AMI risk model built from cause-specific Cox regression models and considering the risk of death predicted 353 AMI cases, 182 (51.6%) of which were estimated as preventable through adherence to a healthy lifestyle profile (never smoking, normal body weight, physically active, and moderate alcohol consumption). The calculated age-specific 5-year incidence rates for AMI in the actual cohort and in a hypothetical, comparable cohort with all men following the healthy lifestyle profile were 128 and 39, respectively, per 100,000 person-years for the age group 40-44, increasing to 468 and 307 per 100,000 person-years for the age group 65-69. The estimated AMI incidence rates for men with the healthy lifestyle profile are still somewhat higher than the average rates reported for documented low-incidence regions, such as parts of Japan. Our analysis confirms the strong primary preventive potential for AMI based on avoidance of smoking and excess body weight, and on regular physical activity.

Leisure-Time Physical Activity in a Southern Brazilian City (2004-2021): Applying an Equity Lens to Time-Trend Analyses.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to verify leisure-time physical activity trends over 15 years and monitor inequalities according to gender, self-reported skin color, and socioeconomic position in a Southern Brazilian city. A secondary aim is to evaluate intersectionalities in physical activity. METHODS: Trend analysis using 3 population-based surveys carried out in 2004, 2010, and 2021. Main outcome assessed was the prevalence of physical activity according to recommendations (150 min/wk). Inequalities dimensions measured were sex, self-reported skin color, and wealth. Intersectionalities were evaluated using Jeopardy index combining all inequality dimensions. Trend analysis was performed using least-squares weighted regression. RESULTS: We included data from 3090, 2656, and 5696 adults in 2004, 2010, and 2021, respectively. Prevalence of physical activity remains stable around 25% in the 3 years. In the 3 periods evaluated, men presented a prevalence in average 10 percentage points higher than women (SII2004 = -11.1 [95% confidence interval, CI, -14.4 to -7.8], SII2021 = -10.7 [95% CI, -13.7 to -7.7]). Skin color inequalities did not present a clear pattern. Richest individuals, in general presented a prevalence of leisure-time physical activity level 20pp higher than poorest ones (SII2004 = 20.5 [95% CI, 13.7 to 27.4]; SII2021 = 16.7 [95% CI, 11.3 to 22.0]). Inequalities were widely marked, comparing the most privileged group (represented by men, the wealthiest, and White) and the most socially vulnerable group (represented by women, the poorest, and Black/Brown). The Slope Index of Inequality for intersectionalities was -24.5 (95% CI, -31.1 to -17.9) in 2004 and -18.8 in 2021 (95% CI, -24.2 to -13.4). CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis shows that women, Black/Brown, and poor present lower leisure-time physical activity level. This group is often neglected regarding other health and social outcomes.

Inequalities in Leisure-Time Physical Activity and Television Viewing According to Age Among a Brazilian Adult Population.

BACKGROUND: The present study aims to estimate leisure-time physical activity and television (TV) viewing curves according to age stratified by sex, area of residence, and socioeconomic position. METHODS: Using data from the Brazilian National Health Survey, we estimated the prevalence of leisure-time physical activity and TV viewing according to continuous age. The estimates were calculated using fractional polynomials and stratified by sex, wealth, skin color, and area of residence. RESULTS: The sample included 87,376 adults (aged 18 y or over). In general, leisure-time physical activity decreased according to age while TV viewing increased. Regarding behavior of curves according to stratifiers, for leisure-time physical activity the disadvantaged groups maintained a pattern of low physical activity across all age groups or presented the decrease earlier when compared to groups in social advantage. On the other hand, for TV viewing, women presented an increase in prevalence before men, and individuals living in the urban area and the wealthiest group were those with a higher increase according to age. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings may help researchers and policymakers further explore inequalities in physical activity across life in different settings, as well as develop sensitive cultural actions to support more vulnerable people to adopt public health recommendations.

Accelerometer-Derived Sleep Metrics in Adolescents Reveal Shared Genetic Influences with Obesity and Stress in a Brazilian Birth Cohort Study.

We aimed to test the association between sleep-related polygenic scores (PGSs) and accelerometer-based sleep metrics among Brazilian adolescents, and to evaluate potential mechanisms underlying the association through the enrichment of obesity, and cortisol pathway-specific polygenic scores (PRSet). Utilizing data from The 2004 Pelotas (Brazil) Birth Cohort, sleep time window and sleep efficiency were measured at the 11-year-old follow-up using ActiGraph accelerometers. Three sleep-PGSs were developed based on the most recent genome-wide association study (GWAS) of accelerometer-based sleep measures. PRSet, calculated using variants linked to body mass index (BMI) and plasmatic cortisol concentration, aimed to assess pleiotropic effects. Linear regression models, adjusted for sex and the first 10 principal components of ancestry, were employed to explore the impact of sleep-PGS and specific-PRSet on sleep phenotypes. The number of nocturnal sleep episodes-PGS was positively associated with sleep time window (ß =2.306, SE: 0.92, p=0.011). Nocturnal sleep episodes were also associated with sleep time window when restricted to BMI-PRSet (ß=2.682, SE: 0.912, competitive-p=0.003). Both number of sleep episodes and sleep time window cortisol-PRSets were associated (ß=0.002, SE: 0.001, p=0.013; ß=0.003, SE: 0.001, p=0.003, respectively) and exhibited enrichment in molecular pathways (competitive-p=0.011; competitive-p=0.003, respectively) with sleep efficiency. Sleep polygenetic components observed in European adults may partially explain accelerometer-based sleep time window in Brazilian adolescents. Specific BMI molecular pathway strengthened the association between sleep-PGS and sleep time window, while cortisol concentration pathway had a significant impact on the genetic liability for sleep efficiency. Our results suggest genetic overlap as a potential etiological pathway for sleep-related comorbidities, emphasizing common genetic mechanisms.

Is rest-activity rhythm prospectively associated with all-cause mortality in older people regardless of sleep and physical activity level? The 'Como Vai?' Cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to test the association of rest-activity rhythm (intradaily variability and interdaily stability) with all-cause mortality in an older adult cohort in Brazil. It also assesses whether the amount of time spent at each intensity level (i.e., physical activity and nocturnal sleep) interferes with this association. METHODS: This cohort study started in 2014 with older adults (≥60 years). We investigated deaths from all causes that occurred until April 2017. Rest-activity rhythm variables were obtained using accelerometry at baseline. Intradaily variability indicates higher rhythm fragmentation, while interdaily stability indicates higher rhythm stability. Cox proportional-hazard models were used to test the associations controlling for confounders. RESULTS: Among the 1451 older adults interviewed in 2014, 965 presented valid accelerometry data. During the follow-up period, 80 individuals died. After adjusting the analysis for sociodemographic, smoking, morbidity score, and number of medicines, an increase of one standard deviation in interdaily stability decreased 26% the risk of death. The adjustment for total sleep time and inactivity did not change this association. On the other hand, the association was no longer significant after adjusting for overall physical activity and moderate to vigorous physical activity. CONCLUSION: Rest-activity rhythm pattern was not associated with mortality when physical activity was considered, possibly because this pattern could be driven by regular exercise. Promoting physical activity remains a relevant strategy to improve population health.

Accelerometer-based sleep metrics and gut microbiota during adolescence: Association findings from a Brazilian population-based birth cohort.

BACKGROUND: Sleep and gut microbiota are emerging putative risk factors for several physical, mental, and cognitive conditions. Sleep deprivation has been shown to be linked with unhealthy microbiome environments in animal studies. However, in humans, the results are mixed. Epidemiological studies evaluating the effect of accelerometer-based sleep measures on gut microbiome are scarce. This study aims to explore the relationship between sleep duration and efficiency with the gut microbiota in adolescence. METHODS: A subsample of 352 participants from the 2004 Pelotas (Brazil) Birth Cohort Study with sleep and fecal microbiota data available were included in the study. Sleep duration and sleep efficiency were obtained from actigraphy information at 11 years old whereas microbiota information from fecal samples was collected at 12 years. The fecal microbiota was analyzed via Illumina MiSeq (16S rRNA V3-V4 region) and the UNOISE pipeline. Alpha was assessed in QIIME2. Association measures for sleep variables and microbial α-diversity, and bacterial relative abundance were assessed through generalized models (linear and logistic regression), adjusting for maternal and child variables confounders. RESULTS: Adjusted models showed that sleep duration was positively associated with Simpson index of α-diversity (ß = 0.003; CI95 %: 0.00004; 0.01). Both sleep duration (OR = 0.43; CI95 % 0.25; 0.74) and efficiency (OR = 0.55; CI95 % 0.38; 0.78) were associated with lower Bacteroidetes abundance. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that sleep duration and efficiency are linked to gut microbiota diversity and composition even with 1-2 years gap from exposure to outcome. The findings support the role of sleep in the gut-brain axis as well as provide insights on how to improve microbiota health.

Gender Gap for Accelerometry-Based Physical Activity Across Different Age Groups in 5 Brazilian Cohort Studies.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate the gender inequalities in accelerometer-based physical activity (PA) across different age groups using data from 5 Pelotas (Brazil) cohorts. METHODS: The data come from 4 birth cohort studies, covering all live births in the urban area of Pelotas for each respective year (1982, 1993, 2004, and 2015), and the Como vai? cohort study focusing on 60 years and above. Raw accelerometry data were collected on the nondominant wrist using GENEActive/ActiGraph devices and processed with the GGIR package. Overall PA was calculated at ages 1, 2, 4, 6, 11, 15, 18, 23, 30, and 60+ years, while moderate to vigorous PA was calculated from 6 years onward. Absolute (difference) and relative (ratio) gender inequalities were calculated and intersectionality between gender and wealth was also evaluated. RESULTS: The sample sizes per cohort ranged from 965 to 3462 participants. The mean absolute gender gap was 19.3 minutes (95% confidence interval, 12.7-25.9), with the widest gap at 18 years (32.9 min; 95% confidence interval, 30.1-35.7) for moderate to vigorous PA. The highest relative inequality was found in older adults (ratio 2.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.92-2.08). Our intersectionality results showed that the poorest men being the most active group, accumulating around 60 minutes more moderate to vigorous PA per day compared with the wealthiest women at age 18. CONCLUSIONS: Men were more physically active than women in all ages evaluated. PA gender inequalities start at an early age and intensify in transition periods of life. Relative inequalities were marked among older adults.

Time evolution of advice on healthy habits in Brazilians with hypertension and diabetes: National Health Survey.

To evaluate time evolution of receiving advice on healthy habits among Brazilians with hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Cross-sectional study with data from the 2013 and 2019 National Health Survey. We used linear regression weighted by least squares of variance to verify time evolution of the outcome estimating the annual percentage change (APC) presented according to sex, skin color, age group, and quintiles of wealth index. The analytical sample in 2013 was 11,129 individuals with hypertension and 3,182 individuals with diabetes, and in 2019 19,107 individuals with hypertension and 6,317 individuals with diabetes. For those with hypertension, there were statistically significant reductions in receiving advice for not smoking (APC: -1.49), not drinking excessive alcoholic beverages (APC: -1.48), ingesting less salt (APC: -0.56), and for all healthy habits (APC: -1.17). For those with diabetes, statistically significant reductions were observed only for not smoking (APC: -1.13) and not drinking excessive alcoholic beverages (APC: -1.11). The results suggest a reduction in all types of advice on healthy habits evaluated for hypertension and diabetes, with greater magnitude among individuals belonging to the richest quintiles.

Women's marital status and use of family planning services across male- and female-headed households in low- and middle-income countries.

Background: As more households are being led by women, who are often seen as disadvantaged, more attention is being given to the potential association of female household headship with health. We aimed to assess how demand for family planning satisfied by modern methods (mDFPS) is associated with residence in female or male headed households and how this intersects with marital status and sexual activity. Methods: We used data from national health surveys carried out in 59 low- and middle-income countries between 2010 and 2020. We included all women aged 15 to 49 years in our analysis, regardless of their relationship with the household head. We explored mDFPS according to household headship and its intersectionality with the women's marital status. We identified households as male-headed households (MHH) or female-headed households (FHH), and classified marital status as not married/in a union, married with the partner living in the household, and married with the partner living elsewhere. Other descriptive variables were time since the last sexual intercourse and reason for not using contraceptives. Results: We found statistically significant differences in mDFPS by household headship among reproductive age women in 32 of the 59 countries, with higher mDFPS among women living in MHH in 27 of these 32 countries. We also found large gaps in Bangladesh (FHH = 38%, MHH = 75%), Afghanistan (FHH = 14%, MHH = 40%) and Egypt (FHH = 56%, MHH = 80%). mDFPS was lower among married women with the partner living elsewhere, a common situation in FHH. The proportions of women with no sexual activity in the last six months and who did not use contraception due to infrequent sex were higher in FHH. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that a relationship exists between household headship, marital status, sexual activity, and mDFPS. The lower mDFPS we observed among women from FHH seems to be primarily associated with their lower risk of pregnancy; although women from FHH are married, their partners frequently do not live with them, and they are less sexually active than women in MHH.

Factors associated with sleep quality in university students. / Fatores associados à qualidade do sono de estudantes universitários.

To investigate factors associated with poor sleep quality. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2019 with random sampling. Information on sleep was obtained using the Mini Sleep Questionnaire (MSQ). Independent variables included sociodemographic, behavioural, academic and psychological health characteristics. Adjusted analyzes were performed using Poisson regression. A total of 996 undergraduate students participated in the study. The poor sleep quality affected 23.1% of the sample (95%CI 20.5-25.9), ranging from 13.4% for those with little concern about violence in the neighbourhood to 36.5% for those with less social support. In the adjusted analysis, female sex [PR] 1.81; (95%CI 1.33-2.45), concern about violence in the neighbourhood [PR] 2.21; (95%CI 1.48-3.28), discrimination at university [PR] 1.42; (95%CI 1.08-1.86) and food insecurity [PR] 1.45; (95%CI 1.11-1.89) were associated with the presence of poor sleep quality, as well as having less social support and income and suffering psychological distress. The results highlight socioeconomic and mental health factors that affect sleep quality and demonstrate the need for reflection and interventions capable of minimizing this problem.

Investigar fatores associados a pior qualidade do sono. Estudo transversal realizado em 2019, com amostragem aleatória sistemática. Informações sobre sono foram obtidas através do Mini Sleep Questionaire (MSQ). Variáveis independentes incluíram características sociodemográficas, comportamentais, acadêmicas e de saúde psicológica. Análises ajustadas foram feitas com regressão de Poisson. Participaram 996 estudantes de graduação. A pior qualidade de sono atingiu 23,1% da amostra (IC95% 20,5-25,9), oscilando de 13,4% para os com pouca preocupação com violência no bairro a 36,5% para aqueles com menor suporte social. Na análise ajustada, sexo feminino [RP] 1,81; (IC95% 1,33-2,45), preocupação com violência no bairro [RP] 2,21; (IC95% 1,48-3,28), discriminação na universidade [RP] 1,42; (IC95% 1,08-1,86) e insegurança alimentar [RP] 1,45; (IC95% 1,11-1,89) associaram-se a presença de pior qualidade do sono, assim como ter menor suporte social e renda e apresentar sofrimento psicológico. Os resultados destacam fatores socioeconômicos e de saúde mental que interferem na qualidade do sono e demonstram a necessidade de reflexão e proposição de intervenções capazes de minimizar este problema.