ABSTRACT
Abstract INTRODUCTION: Malnutrition and kala-azar (or visceral leishmaniasis) are significant public health problems in different parts of the world. Immunity and susceptibility to infectious and parasitic diseases are directly linked to the host's nutritional state, but little is known about the interaction between nutrition and kala-azar. This study aimed to evaluate nutritional status with kala-azar and correlate these findings with the clinical and laboratory manifestations of the disease, and zinc and retinol levels. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of 139 patients with kala-azar. Nutritional status classification was performed according to international recommendations. Parametric or nonparametric tests were applied whenever indicated in a two-sided test with a 5% significance level. RESULTS: Weight loss and malnutrition were more frequent in adults. Body mass index-for-age, fat area of the arm, and upper arm muscle area were significantly associated with probability of death. The presence of human immunodeficiency virus, hepatomegaly, and splenomegaly was correlated with nutritional assessment. Blood leukocyte and lymphocyte, serum creatine, and vitamin A levels were significantly higher in adult men. Vitamin A levels were highly associated with the level of hemoglobin and C-reactive protein (CRP) in multivariate analysis. All patients had reduced plasma zinc levels, but this finding had no association with the outcome variables. CONCLUSIONS: Malnutrition was correlated with severe disease and was more prevalent in older people with kala-azar. Vitamin A deficiency was associated with hemoglobin and CRP. Zinc levels were reduced in patients with kala-azar.
Subject(s)
Vitamin A , Leishmaniasis, Visceral , Zinc , Brazil , Nutritional Status , Cross-Sectional StudiesABSTRACT
To identify the influences of the professional training process for action in the Family Health Strategy (FHS) related to the health of the elderly man. Exploratory descriptive research, carried out with 20 professionals, from a Brazilian Northeast municipality from October to December 2014. The data collection was performed through a questionnaire, following the statements were processed in the software IRaMuTeQ, analyzed by the Descending Hierarchical Classification. Three classes emerged: Influences of the professional training process on elderly health care; Health care for the elderly; Actions developed in the family health strategy in the implementation of the national policy of comprehensive health care for the elderly. The findings suggest improved knowledge, lack of resources and medical specialties, evidenced the complexity of the actions developed by health professionals
Identificar as influências do processo de formação profissional para atuação na Estratégia Saúde da Família (ESF) relacionada à saúde do homem idoso; expor ações desenvolvidas na ESF na implementação da Política Nacional de Atenção Integral à Saúde do Homem Idoso. Pesquisa descritiva exploratória, realizada com 20 profissionais, de um município do Nordeste brasileiro de outubro a dezembro de 2014. A coleta de dados foi realizada por meio de questionário, a seguir os depoimentos foram processados no software IRaMuTeQ, analisados pela Classificação Hierárquica Descendente. Emergiram três classes: Influências do processo de formação profissional na atenção à saúde do homem idoso; Assistência à saúde do homem idoso; Ações desenvolvidas na estratégia de saúde da família na implementação da política nacional de atenção integral à saúde do homem idoso. Os achados sugerem melhoria de conhecimento, dispõe sobre a falta de recursos e especialidades médicas, evidenciou a complexidade das ações desenvolvidas pelos profissionais de saúde.