Prevalence and factors associated with tea consumption in the first month of life in a birth cohort in the Northeast Region of Brazil / Prevalência e fatores associados ao uso de chá no primeiro mês de vida em uma coorte de nascimento na Região Nordeste do Brasil

Abstract Objectives: to determine the prevalence and analyze the factors associated with newborns drinking tea in a birth cohort. Methods: A cross-sectional study with nested prospective cohort was conduct with 329 puerperal women and their newborns in Vitória da Conquista, Bahia. Sociodemographic and information about the newborn's diet and mothers/babies was obtained at a maternity and 30 days after birth, at home visits. The prevalence ratios (PR) and its respective confidence intervals (CI95%) were estimated with Poisson regression models according to the hierarchical conceptual model. Results: the prevalence of tea consumption up to 30 days of life was 34.6% (CI95%=29.7; 40.0%). The sociodemographic and maternal characteristics associated with the outcome were not having a partner (PR = 1.39; CI95%=1.03-1.88), more than eight years of schooling (PR=1.38; CI95%=1.03-1.84), lower income (PR=2.21; CI95%=1.31-3.73), primiparous (PR=1.48; CI95%=1.01-2.17) and does not have any experience with breastfeeding before (PR=2.25; CI95%=1.48-3.41). As for the child, there was a higher prevalence of tea consumption than among those who received artificial milk in the first month of life (PR= 2.10; CI95%=1.62-2.73). Conclusions: the offer of tea in the first month of life was high. Tea consumption was positively associated with sociodemographic, maternal and newborn feeding factors.

Resumo Objetivos: determinar a prevalência e analisar fatores associados ao uso de chá em recém-nascidos em uma coorte de nascimento. Métodos: estudo transversal aninhado a uma coorte prospectiva conduzida em 329 puérperas e recém-nascidos em Vitória da Conquista, Bahia. Informações sociodemográficas, relativas à alimentação do recém-nascido e relacionadas aos pares mães-bebês foram obtidas na maternidade e aos 30 dias de nascimento, durante visita domiciliar. As razões de prevalência (RP) e seus respectivos intervalos de confiança (IC95%) foram estimados em modelos de regressão de Poisson conforme modelo conceitual hierárquico. Resultados: a prevalência do uso de chá até os 30 dias de vida foi de 34,6% (IC95%=29,7; 40,0%). As características sociodemográficas e maternas associadas ao desfecho foram não possuir companheiro (RP = 1,39; IC95%= 1,03-1,88), ter até oito anos de estudo (RP=1,38; IC95%= 1,03-1,84), menor renda (RP = 2,21; IC95%= 1,31-3,73), ser primípara (RP=1,48; IC95%= 1,01-2,17) e não possuir experiência anterior com amamentação (RP=2,25; IC95%= 1,48-3,41). Quanto à criança, houve maior prevalência de uso de chá entre as que receberam leite artificial no primeiro mês de vida (RP = 2,10; IC95%=1,62-2,73). Conclusões: a oferta do chá no primeiro mês de vida foi elevada. O uso do chá associou-se positivamente a fatores sociodemográficos, maternos e da alimentação do recém-nascido.

Prevalência de anemia e determinantes da concentração de hemoglobina em gestantes / Prevalence of anemia and determinants of hemoglobin concentration in pregnant women

Resumo Introdução A anemia é caracterizada pela reduzida concentração de hemoglobina e, durante a gestação, está associada à maior morbimortalidade fetal e materna. Objetivo Avaliar a prevalência de anemia e os fatores determinantes da concentração de hemoglobina em gestantes. Método Estudo transversal com uma amostra de 328 gestantes atendidas nas unidades de saúde urbanas de Vitória da Conquista, na Bahia. Foram realizadas a aplicação de questionário, a avaliação antropométrica e a coleta de sangue por punção capilar para dosagem de hemoglobina em β-hemoglobinômetro portátil. Foram consideradas anêmicas as gestantes com hemoglobina < 11 g/dL. Os determinantes da concentração de hemoglobina sérica foram identificados por meio da regressão linear múltipla. Resultados A prevalência de anemia foi de 18,9%, e a média de hemoglobina, de 11,9 g/dL (desvio-padrão: 1,2). Foram observadas menores médias de concentração de hemoglobina entre as gestantes que iniciaram o pré-natal no segundo trimestre (β: -0,28; IC95%: -0,54 a -0,02) e que não usavam suplemento de ferro (β: -0,51; IC95%: -0,79 a -0,23), enquanto a maior média foi verificada entre as mulheres primigestas (β: 0,34; IC95%: 0,06 a 0,62). Conclusão A anemia nas gestantes avaliadas é um leve problema de saúde pública, e as concentrações de hemoglobina foram associadas aos fatores obstétricos e à assistência pré-natal.

Abstract Background Anemia is characterized by reduced hemoglobin concentration and, during pregnancy is associated with increased fetal and maternal morbidity and mortality. Objective To evaluate the prevalence of anemia and the determinants factors of hemoglobin concentration in pregnant women. Methods Cross-sectional study with a sample of 328 pregnant women patients of the urban Health Units of Vitória da Conquista, Bahia. We applied a questionnaire, anthropometric evaluation, and collected blood by capillary puncture for dosage of haemoglobin using a portable β-hemoglobinometer. Were considered anemic those pregnant women with hemoglobin <11 g/dL. The determinants of serum hemoglobin concentration were identified through multiple linear regression. Results We observed anemia in 18.9% of the participants, and the mean hemoglobin concentration was 11.9 g/dL (standard deviation: 1.2). We observed lower mean of hemoglobin concentration among pregnant women who started prenatal care in the second trimester (β: -0.28; 95% CI: -0.54 to -0.02) and who did not used iron supplementation (β: -0.51, 95% CI: -0.79 to -0.23), while a higher mean was observed among primigavidae women (β: 0.34, 95% CI: 0.06 to 0.62). Conclusion Anemia in the population evaluated is a mild public health problem, and hemoglobin concentrations were associated to obstetric factors and prenatal care.

Prevalence and factors associated to vitamin A deficiency in children attending public day care centers in the Southwest of Bahia / Prevalência e fatores associados com deficiência de vitamina A em crianças atendidas em creches públicas do Sudoeste da Bahia

Abstract Objectives: to determine the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency and factors associated to children attending public day care centers in the Southwest of Bahia. Methods: a cross-sectional study involving 303 children aged 24 to 60 months attending public day care centers in the city of Vitória da Conquista, BA. A questionnaire was applied for the parents or legal guardians to answer and the children's height and weight were measured. Blood samples were collected to analyze serum retinol taking in consideration the values below 0.70 imol/L as inadequate. The vaccination card was verified in relation to the adequacy of vitamin A supplementation. Food weighting was done to evaluate the consuming of lipids and vitamin A. The association between the variables and vitamin A deficiency was verified by logistic regression. Results: the prevalence of inadequate serum retinol levels was 13.1% (1.99 ± 1.17 imol/L); 4.3% were low height and 1.2% of thinness. Most children (91.7%) had their vitamin A doses outdated on their vaccination cards. The variables associated to vitamin A deficiency were children aged less or equal to 34 months (OR: 2.66, 95% CI: 1.23 - 5.74) and maternal age was less than 26 years (OR: 2.39; 95% CI: 1.11 - 5.17). Conclusions: vitamin A deficiency configures as a moderate public health problem in children attending public day care centers in the Southwest of Bahia.

Resumo Objetivos: determinar a prevalência de deficiência de vitamina A e os fatores associados em crianças assistidas em creches do Sudoeste da Bahia. Métodos: estudo transversal envolvendo 303 crianças de 24 a 60 meses assistidas em creches públicas de Vitória da Conquista - BA. Aplicado questionário com pais ou responsáveis e aferidas medidas de peso e estatura das crianças. Amostras de sangue coletadas para análise do retinol sérico, considerando níveis inadequados inferiores a 0,70 imol/L. O cartão de vacina foi verificado em relação à adequação da suplementação de vitamina A. Realizou-se pesagem direta dos alimentos para avaliação do consumo de lipídio e vitamina A. Associação entre as variáveis estudadas e a deficiência de vitamina A foi verificada por meio de regressão logística. Resultados: prevalência de níveis inadequados de retinol de 13,1% (1,99 ± 1,17 fimol/L); 4,3% baixa estatura e 1,2% magreza. A maioria das crianças (91,7%) estava com as doses de suplementação de vitamina A desatualizadas. As variáveis associadas com deficiência de vitamina A foram a idade da criança inferior ou igual a 34 meses (OR: 2,66; IC95%: 1,23 - 5,74) e idade materna inferior a 26 anos (OR: 2,39; IC95%: 1,11 - 5,17). Conclusões: a deficiência de vitamina A configura-se como um moderado problema da saúde pública em crianças assistidas em creches públicas do sudoeste baiano.

Effectiveness of fortification of drinking water with iron and vitamin C in the reduction of anemia and improvement of nutritional status in children attending day-care centers in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Because of the high prevalence of iron-deficiency anemia in Brazil, individual control measures tend to be ineffective, and fortification of foods with iron is considered the most effective method to fight anemia. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of fortification of drinking water with iron and vitamin C in the reduction of anemia in children in day-care centers in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. METHODS: This before-and-after study evaluated 318 children aged 6 to 74 months. Identification data and data on socioeconomic variables were collected; anthropometric and biochemical measurements were performed before and after 5 months of fortification of water with 5 mg of elemental iron and 50 mg of ascorbic acid per liter. The fortified water was used for drinking and cooking at the day-care center. Wilcoxon's nonparametric test was used to evaluate the differences in continuous variables, and McNemar's test was used to compare the prevalence rates of anemia. RESULTS: The prevalence of anemia decreased significantly from 29.3% before fortification to 7.9% at the end of the study, with a significant increase in hemoglobin levels. Reductions in the prevalence rates of stunting and underweight were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Fortification of water with iron and vitamin C significantly reduced the prevalence of anemia and improved nutritional status among children attending day-care centers.

Iron fortification strategies for the control of childhood anemia in Brazil.

This article presents data on the fortification of foods, necessary as an important public health approach for the success in reducing anemia. The use of food vehicles, iron salts and their costs, as well as recent work on iron fortification of foods in Brazil are reviewed. Recent research serves as a cornerstone for countries that attempt to implement permanent, long-lasting iron fortification programs aimed at the prevention of anemia considering cultural habits, type of iron salts and at-risk groups.