Time series analysis: trend in late maternal mortality in Brazil, 2010-2019.

To analyze the temporal trend of the late maternal mortality ratio (LMMR) in Brazil and its geographic regions in the period from 2010 to 2019, an ecological time series study was conducted. Data related to late maternal mortality from information systems of the Brazilian Ministry of Health were used. Statistical analysis used Prais-Winsten autoregressive models. A total of 1,470 late maternal deaths were reported in Brazil, resulting in an LMMR of 5 deaths per 100,000 live births. The late maternal mortality records revealed regional disparities, with the lowest index in the North (3.5/100,000 live births) and the highest in the South (8.3/100,000 live births). The LMMR showed an increasing trend in the country, with a general increase in the LMMR in the period and a mean annual percentage variation of 9.79% (95%CI: 4.32; 15.54). The Central-West region led this increase, with a mean annual percentage change of 26.06% (95%CI: 16.36; 36.56), followed by the North and Northeast regions, with 23.5% (95%CI: 13.93; 33.88). About 83% of the reported late maternal deaths were investigated, and 65.6% were corrected by the Maternal Mortality Committees. These findings highlight the relevance of late maternal mortality as an important indicator for maternal health, which is often invisible. The increase in the LMMR result from the improvement in the quality of the registration of these deaths in recent years in Brazil, and especially from the work of investigating deaths. The fragility of reporting with regional disparities points to the need for a more comprehensive approach that promotes equity and prevention of avoidable late maternal mortality.

Seroprevalence of Protective Antibodies Against Influenza and the Reduction of the Influenza Incidence Rate: An Annual Repeated Cross-Sectional Study From 2014 to 2019.

BACKGROUND: Seroepidemiological studies provide estimates of population-level immunity, prevalence/incidence of infections, and evaluation of vaccination programs. We assessed the seroprevalence of protective antibodies against influenza and evaluated the correlation of seroprevalence with the cumulative annual influenza incidence rate. METHODS: We conducted an annual repeated cross-sectional seroepidemiological survey, during June-August, from 2014 to 2019, in Portugal. A total of 4326 sera from all age groups, sex, and regions was tested by hemagglutination inhibition assay. Seroprevalence and geometric mean titers (GMT) of protective antibodies against influenza were assessed by age group, sex, and vaccine status (65+ years old). The association between summer annual seroprevalence and the difference of influenza incidence rates between one season and the previous one was measured by Pearson correlation coefficient (r). RESULTS: Significant differences in seroprevalence of protective antibodies against influenza were observed in the population. Higher seroprevalence and GMT for A(H1N1)pdm09 and A(H3N2) were observed in children (5-14); influenza B seroprevalence in adults 65+ was 1.6-4.4 times than in children (0-4). Vaccinated participants (65+) showed significant higher seroprevalence/GMT for influenza. A strong negative and significant correlation was found between seroprevalence and ILI incidence rate for A(H1N1)pdm09 in children between 5 and 14 (r = -0.84; 95% CI, -0.98 to -0.07); a weak negative correlation was observed for A(H3N2) and B/Yamagata (r ≤ -0.1). CONCLUSIONS: The study provides new insight into the anti-influenza antibodies seroprevalence measured in summer on the ILI incidence rate in the next season and the need for adjusted preventive health care measures to prevent influenza infection and transmission.

Diabetes Mellitus Family Assessment Instruments: A Systematic Review of Measurement Properties.

Although many instruments are used to assess the families of people with diabetes, their measurement properties have not been systematically reviewed. We aimed to identify and evaluate the psychometric properties of the instruments used to assess family functioning in adults with diabetes. METHODS: A systematic literature review, according to the JBI systematic reviews of measurement properties, was conducted using different databases, including gray literature. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42021239733. Two independent reviewers searched, screened, and assessed the risk of bias among the articles according to the COSMIN methodology. The quality of each included instrument was assessed using the updated criteria for good measurement properties. RESULTS: Eighty-one studies were included, and thirty-one eligible instruments were identified. The psychometric properties frequently assessed were structural validity, internal consistency, and construct validity. CONCLUSIONS: Although 31 instruments were included, none of their psychometric properties were scored as "very good". From the instruments scored as adequate on development and content validity, five stood out for their quality appraisal.. The development of new instruments is not recommended. More studies should be conducted on the existing instruments to assess the less commonly evaluated psychometric properties. Using valid instruments to develop and evaluate interventions is essential to promote health literacy and the effectiveness of diabetes management.

HIV-associated dementia in older adults: clinical and tomographic aspects.

BACKGROUND: Elderly adults with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are at greater risk of developing cognitive impairment. The purpose of this study was to describe clinical and tomographic characteristics of HIV-1 associated dementia (HIVD) in older adults. METHODS: A descriptive study was carried out involving eight HIVD patients. Seven tests were employed for cognitive assessment and transformed to whole number z-scores using appropriate normative sets. RESULTS: The average age of the patients was 71 years; seven cases described the route of HIV infection as being heterosexual; and mean schooling was 6.5 years. Six subjects were using highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART), with an average CD4 count of 407.8 cells/mm3. Mild dementia was detected in most cases (87.5%). Deficits on neuropsychological tests showed results similar to multi-center transversal studies on HIVD. The classic HIVD triad observed in younger adults was also seen in this population: i.e. cognitive changes, psychiatric changes and motor impairment. Cortical injury shown by dyscalculia, visual-spatial change and language deficits were frequent. Brain images showed cortical atrophy in all patients but was restricted to frontal lobes in five cases. CONCLUSION: The findings on brain imaging were non-specific, revealing images similar to those of the elderly brain and to HIVD in younger adults. HIVD in the elderly is a challenge and become an increasingly significant differential diagnosis for cognitive loss in old age. This dementia must be clinically suspected and image exams are useful in excluding other central disorders. Prospective studies of HIV-positive elderly people are warranted to better understand HIVD.

Time series analysis: trend in late maternal mortality in Brazil, 2010-2019 / Análisis de serie temporal: tendencia de la mortalidad materna tardía en Brasil, 2010-2019 / Análise de série temporal: tendência da mortalidade materna tardia no Brasil, 2010-2019

Abstract: To analyze the temporal trend of the late maternal mortality ratio (LMMR) in Brazil and its geographic regions in the period from 2010 to 2019, an ecological time series study was conducted. Data related to late maternal mortality from information systems of the Brazilian Ministry of Health were used. Statistical analysis used Prais-Winsten autoregressive models. A total of 1,470 late maternal deaths were reported in Brazil, resulting in an LMMR of 5 deaths per 100,000 live births. The late maternal mortality records revealed regional disparities, with the lowest index in the North (3.5/100,000 live births) and the highest in the South (8.3/100,000 live births). The LMMR showed an increasing trend in the country, with a general increase in the LMMR in the period and a mean annual percentage variation of 9.79% (95%CI: 4.32; 15.54). The Central-West region led this increase, with a mean annual percentage change of 26.06% (95%CI: 16.36; 36.56), followed by the North and Northeast regions, with 23.5% (95%CI: 13.93; 33.88). About 83% of the reported late maternal deaths were investigated, and 65.6% were corrected by the Maternal Mortality Committees. These findings highlight the relevance of late maternal mortality as an important indicator for maternal health, which is often invisible. The increase in the LMMR result from the improvement in the quality of the registration of these deaths in recent years in Brazil, and especially from the work of investigating deaths. The fragility of reporting with regional disparities points to the need for a more comprehensive approach that promotes equity and prevention of avoidable late maternal mortality.

Resumen: Con el objetivo de evaluar la tendencia temporal de la tasa de mortalidad materna tardía (TMMT) en Brasil y sus regiones geográficas para el período de 2010 a 2019, se realizó un estudio de serie temporal ecológica. Se utilizaron datos relacionados con la mortalidad materna tardía de los sistemas de información del Ministerio de la Salud de Brasil. El análisis estadístico empleó modelos de regresión de Prais-Winsten. Hubo 1.470 muertes maternas tardías en Brasil, lo que resultó en una TMMT de 5 muertes por cada 100.000 nacidos vivos. Los registros de mortalidad materna tardía revelaron disparidades regionales con la tasa más baja en la Región Norte (3,5/100.0000 nacidos vivos) y la más alta en la Región Sur (8,3/100.000 nacidos vivos). Hubo una tendencia a aumento de TMMT en el país, con un incremento general de TMMT para el período y una variación media porcentual anual de un 9,79% (IC95%: 4,32; 15,54). La Región Centro-oeste presentó las tasas más elevadas, con una variación media porcentual anual de un 26,06% (IC95%: 16,6; 36,56), seguida de las regiones Norte y Nordeste, con un 23,5% (IC95%: 13,93; 33,88). Aproximadamente el 83% de las muertes materna tardía reportadas fueron investigadas, y el 65,6% fue corregido por los Comités de Mortalidad Materna. Estos hallazgos muestran la relevancia de la mortalidad materna tardía como un indicador de importancia para la salud materna, muchas veces invisibilizada. El incremento en la TMMT encontrada puede deberse a la mejora en la calidad del registro de estas muertes en los últimos años en Brasil, especialmente de la investigación de las muertes. La debilidad de las notificaciones con disparidades regionales apunta a la necesidad de un enfoque más integral que promueva la equidad y la prevención de la mortalidad materna tardía evitable.

Resumo: Com o propósito de analisar a tendência temporal da razão de mortalidade materna tardia (RMMT) no Brasil e suas regiões geográficas no período de 2010 a 2019, conduziu-se um estudo ecológico de série temporal. Foram utilizados dados relacionados à mortalidade materna tardia, provenientes de sistemas de informação do Ministério da Saúde. A análise estatística empregou modelos autorregressivos de Prais-Winsten. Foram notificados 1.470 óbitos maternos tardios no Brasil, resultando em uma RMMT de 5 óbitos a cada 100 mil nascidos vivos. Os registros de mortalidade materna tardia revelaram disparidades regionais com o menor índice na Região Norte (3,5/100 mil nascidos vivos) e o maior na Região Sul (8,3/100 mil nascidos vivos). Houve tendência crescente da RMMT no país, com aumento geral no período e variação percentual média anual de 9,79% (IC95%: 4,32; 15,54). A Região Centro-oeste liderou esse aumento, com variação percentual média anual de 26,06% (IC95%: 16,36; 36,56), seguida pelas regiões Norte e Nordeste, com 23,5% (IC95%: 13,93; 33,88). Cerca de 83% das mortes maternas tardias declaradas foram investigadas, sendo que 65,6% foram corrigidas pelos Comitês de Mortalidade Materna. Esses achados ressaltam a relevância da mortalidade materna tardia como um indicador de importância para a saúde materna muitas vezes invisibilizado. O aumento da RMMT verificado pode ser resultado da melhoria da qualidade do registro desses óbitos nos últimos anos no Brasil, sobretudo do trabalho de investigação dos óbitos. A fragilidade das notificações com as disparidades regionais aponta a necessidade de uma abordagem abrangente que promova equidade e prevenção de mortalidade materna tardia evitáveis.

Epidemiology and genetic variability of respiratory syncytial virus in Portugal, 2014-2018.

INTRODUCTION: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality since it is a predominant viral agent causing respiratory tract infections in infants, young children and the elderly. Considering the availability of the RSV vaccines in the coming years, molecular understanding in RSV is necessary. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study was to describe RSV epidemiology and genotype variability in Portugal during the 2014/15-2017/18 period. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Epidemiological data and RSV-positive samples from patients with a respiratory infection were collected through the non-sentinel and sentinel influenza surveillance system (ISS). RSV detection, subtyping in A and B, and sequencing of the second hypervariable region (HVR2) of G gene were performed by molecular methods. Phylogenetic trees were generated using the Neighbor-Joining method and p-distance model on MEGA 7.0. RESULTS: RSV prevalence varied between the sentinel (2.5%, 97/3891) and the non-sentinel ISS (20.7%, 3138/16779), being higher (P < 0.0001) among children aged <5 years. Bronchiolitis (62.9%, 183/291) and influenza-like illness (24.6%, 14/57) were associated (P < 0.0001) with RSV laboratory confirmation among children aged <6 months and adults ≥65 years, respectively. The HVR2 was sequenced for 562 samples. RSV-A (46.4%, 261/562) and RSV-B (53.6%, 301/562) strains clustered mainly to ON1 (89.2%, 233/261) and BA9 (92%, 277/301) genotypes, respectively, although NA1 and BA10 were also present until 2015/2016. CONCLUSION: The sequence and phylogenetic analysis reflected the relatively high diversity of Portuguese RSV strains. BA9 and ON1 genotypes, which have been circulating in Portugal since 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 respectively, predominated during the whole study period.

Patologia da hanseníase e a importância do diagnóstico histopatológico: uma entrevista com Dr. Cleverson Teixeira Soares / Pathology of leprosy and the importance of histopathological diagnosis: an interview with Dr. Cleverson Teixeira Soares

A revista Hansenologia Internationalis tem a honra de entrevistar o Dr. Cleverson Teixeira Soares, médico patologista, responsável pelo Laboratório de Anatomia Patológica do Instituto Lauro de Souza Lima, Bauru, São Paulo, Brasil. Dr. Cleverson é autor do livro Histopathological Diagnosis of Leprosy, publicado em 2021 pela editora Bentham Books, além de relevante publicação de artigos, em periódicos científicos nacionais e internacionais, com impacto nas áreas de patologia e hansenologia. Ele descreve sobre sua trajetória profissional, os desafios para o entendimento da hanseníase em suas múltiplas formas clínicas e como a patologia clássica e molecular tem contribuído para a construção do conhecimento sobre esta doença tão complexa.

[Late maternal mortality: comparison of maternal mortality committees in Brazil]. / Mortalidade materna tardia: comparação de dois comitês de mortalidade materna no Brasil.

This population-based study included all the late maternal deaths from the case series of the Maternal Mortality Committees in the city of São Paulo and the state of Paraná, Brazil. The study compared 134 deaths identified by the São Paulo committee and 124 from the Paraná committee in 2004-2013, aimed at demonstrating the magnitude and causes of late maternal mortality. Late maternal deaths accounted for 13.4% of all maternal deaths in the case series of the São Paulo committee and 12.1% in the cases series of the Paraná committee. Direct obstetric causes accounted for 32.1% of the late maternal deaths in São Paulo and 42.1% in Paraná, with postpartum cardiomyopathy as the principal cause in both case series. Death occurred between 43 and 69 days postpartum in 44% of the cases in São Paulo and 39.5% in Paraná. The correction factor for late maternal death was 3.3 in São Paulo and 4.3 in Paraná. Late maternal death had a relevant impact on overall maternal mortality, and postpartum cardiomyopathy was the principal cause of late direct obstetric death.

Executive Function Is Selectively Impaired in Old Age Bipolar Depression.

Background: Little is known about the cognitive signature of bipolar disorder (BD) in elderly brains. The neuropsychological features of depressive elderly with early-onset BD are largely unknown. This issue is relevant because cognitive impairment can produce an additional impact on the already compromised functionality of elderly with BD. The aim of this study is to assess executive functions (EFs) in the depressive phase of elderly outpatients with early-onset BD. Methods: Forty-nine elderly outpatients with early-onset BD were assessed with several neuropsychological tests for EF in the depressive phase of the disorder. Results: Executive dysfunction is very common in old age bipolar depression. Thirteen patients (26.5%) had a pseudodementia presentation. The worst performances were observed in the following tests: Trail Making B, Stroop Test 3, Backward Digit Span and Wisconsin Card Sorting Test. Conclusion: Executive dysfunction profile in elderly BD is complex and heterogeneous, but most cases display difficulties in working memory, inhibitory control, mental flexibility, and information processing speed. The performance of elderly with bipolar depression in executive assessment can be divided into two main categories: (1) Single EF domain impairment; and (2) Multiple EF domain impairment with or without a pseudodementia syndrome. Executive dysfunction in old age bipolar depression may be explained by lack of sufficient mental energy to run those cognitive processes that require larger amounts of effort to be performed.

[Committees for the prevention of infant mortality in the State of Paraná, Brazil: implementation and operation]. / Comitês de prevenção da mortalidade infantil no Paraná, Brasil: implantação e operacionalização.

This article reports on the implementation and operation of committees for the prevention of infant mortality in the State of Paraná, Brazil, with the operational strategies, formation, and relations at three levels: State, regional, and municipal. To implement the committees it was necessary to train professionals to investigate infant deaths. In two years the committees analyzed 50% of the infant deaths occurring in the State. The goal is to increase the number of cases analyzed and to continue to monitor the committees' work, seeking improved performance, agility, and data quality.

National Policy on Health Care Hearing: an evaluative study from covering services and diagnostic procedures.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the National Policy on Hearing Health Care (PNASA) based on the coverage of specialized services and diagnostic procedures in hearing health care in Brazil. METHODS: This is an evaluation study focused on the coverage of specialized services that offer moderate- and high-complexity diagnostic procedures by region and in Brazil as a whole. We analyzed the data for the period of 2004-2011 collected from the Unified Health System's Informatics Department database (DATASUS), under the link "Information on health" and tabulated using the software Tabwin. While collecting data from this platform, we selected "procedures for diagnostic purposes", and the selected way of organization was "diagnoses in otorhinolaryngology/audiology" of moderate and high complexity. We estimated coverage and evolution of the number of procedures according to the country's five geographic macroregions. RESULTS: We identified an increase of 113% in service coverage and of 61% in the quantity of moderate- and high-complexity hearing health diagnostic procedures throughout the country. The northern region had an increase of 78% in the number of procedures, higher than all other regions. However, a proportionally larger number of procedures were performed in the southeast. We identified a significant increase in the number of examinations of otoacoustic emissions (OAE) for hearing triage, transient-evoked OAE and distortion product, as well as of diagnostic reassessments of hearing loss in patients older than 3 years. CONCLUSION: There has been an increase in services and actions in hearing health care in Brazil since PNASA was implemented, but regional inequalities in the distribution of these services still persist.

[The profile of women with high fertility in a major urban center in Brazil]. / Perfil de mulheres com alta fecundidade em um grande centro urbano no Brasil.

A quantitative, descriptive study sought to identify the socio-demographic, reproductive and social protection conditions of women in a large city in Brazil. The target population consisted of women living in Curitiba with the last of five or more children born in the year 2005, identified by the registration system of newborn babies. Interviews in households were carried out with 441 women from 2006 to 2008 using a semi-structured questionnaire. Data obtained from the study were presented in tables with absolute and relative frequencies, averages and standard deviations. The following profile was derived from the results: migrant women from the state interior, living for over ten years in the capital, coming from large families, with a mean age of 35 years and five years of schooling, with more than one marriage, living in consensual union, underemployed, with an average income of around US$ 352 to cover the needs of seven or more dependents. This profile clearly confirms the social vulnerability of these women and their families. The study concludes that a proactive search by family health teams for women with high fertility, in order to prioritize their needs, would assist in reducing their social and health inequalities.

Posterior cortical atrophy--a prototypical case of dementia beginning with visual symptoms: case report.

Dementia presenting with prominent higher order visual symptoms may be observed in a range of neurodegenerative conditions and is often challenging to diagnose. We describe a case of progressive dementia presenting with prominent visual cortical symptoms. A 55-year-old, right-handed, woman with early onset of visual impairment not associated with anterior visual pathology, presenting with dyslexia, visual agnosia, Balint's syndrome, and spatial disorientation. Ophthalmologists should consider this condition especially in presenile patients with slowly progressive higher-order visual symptoms. Although described in association with different conditions, it may also occur in Alzheimer disease.

Mortalidade materna tardia: comparação de dois comitês de mortalidade materna no Brasil / Late maternal mortality: comparison of maternal mortality committees in Brazil / Mortalidad materna tardía: comparación entre dos comités de mortalidad materna en Brasil

Resumo: Estudo de base populacional que incluiu todos os óbitos maternos tardios da casuística do Comitê de Mortalidade Materna do Município de São Paulo e do Comitê Estadual de Prevenção da Mortalidade Materna do Paraná, Brasil. Foram comparados 134 óbitos do comitê de São Paulo com os 124 do Paraná do período 2004-2013, visando a demonstrar a magnitude e as causas de mortalidade materna tardia. Os óbitos maternos tardios representaram 13,4% do total dos óbitos maternos na casuística do comitê de São Paulo e 12,1% na do Paraná. As causas obstétricas diretas representaram 32,1% dos óbitos maternos tardios segundo casuística do Município de São Paulo e 42,1% no Paraná, sendo a principal causa a cardiomiopatia no puerpério nas duas casuísticas. O óbito ocorreu entre 43 e 69 dias após o parto em 44% dos casos em São Paulo e 39,5% no Paraná. O fator de correção para morte materna tardia foi 3,3 na casuística de São Paulo e 4,3 na do Paraná. A morte materna tardia teve relevante impacto sobre a mortalidade materna geral e a cardiomiopatia no puerpério foi a principal causa de óbito obstétrico direto tardio.

Abstract: This population-based study included all the late maternal deaths from the case series of the Maternal Mortality Committees in the city of São Paulo and the state of Paraná, Brazil. The study compared 134 deaths identified by the São Paulo committee and 124 from the Paraná committee in 2004-2013, aimed at demonstrating the magnitude and causes of late maternal mortality. Late maternal deaths accounted for 13.4% of all maternal deaths in the case series of the São Paulo committee and 12.1% in the cases series of the Paraná committee. Direct obstetric causes accounted for 32.1% of the late maternal deaths in São Paulo and 42.1% in Paraná, with postpartum cardiomyopathy as the principal cause in both case series. Death occurred between 43 and 69 days postpartum in 44% of the cases in São Paulo and 39.5% in Paraná. The correction factor for late maternal death was 3.3 in São Paulo and 4.3 in Paraná. Late maternal death had a relevant impact on overall maternal mortality, and postpartum cardiomyopathy was the principal cause of late direct obstetric death.

Resumen: Estudio de base poblacional que incluyó todos los óbitos maternos tardíos de la casuística de los comités de mortalidad materna del municipio de São Paulo y del estado de Paraná, Brasil. Fueron comparados 134 óbitos del comité de São Paulo con los 124 de Paraná, durante el período 2004-2013, teniendo por objetivo demostrar la magnitud y las causas de mortalidad materna tardía. Los óbitos maternos tardíos representaron un 13,4% del total de los óbitos maternos en la casuística del comité de São Paulo y un 12,1% en la de Paraná. Las causas obstétricas directas representaron un 32,1% de los óbitos maternos tardíos, según la casuística del municipio de São Paulo y un 42,1% en Paraná, siendo la principal causa la cardiomiopatía pos-parto en las dos casuísticas. El óbito se produjo entre 43 y 69 días tras el parto en un 44% de los casos en São Paulo, y 39,5% en Paraná. El factor de corrección para la muerte materna tardía fue 3,3 en la casuística de São Paulo y 4,3 en la de Paraná. La muerte materna tardía tuvo un relevante impacto sobre la mortalidad materna general y la cardiomiopatía pos-parto fue la principal causa de óbito obstétrico directo tardío.

[Causes of maternal mortality according to levels of hospital complexity]. / Causas de mortalidade materna segundo níveis de complexidade hospitalar.

PURPOSES: To identify and to analyze maternal mortality causes, according to hospital complexity levels. METHODS: A descriptive-quantitative cross-sectional study of maternal deaths that occurred in hospitals in Paraná, Brazil, during the periods from 2005 to 2007 and from 2008 to 2010. Data from case studies of maternal mortality, obtained by the State Committee for Maternal Mortality Prevention, were utilized. The study focused on variables such as site and causes of death, hospital transfer, and avoidability. Maternal mortality rate, proportions, and hospital lethality ratio were calculated according to subgroups of low and high-risk pregnancy reference hospitals. RESULTS: Maternal mortality rate, including late maternal deaths, was 65.9 per 100.000 live-borns (from 2008 to 2010). Almost 90% of all maternal deaths occurred in the hospital environment, in both periods. The hospital lethality ratio at the high-risk pregnancy reference hospital was 158.4 deaths per 100,000 deliveries during the first period and 132.5/100,000 during the second, and the main causes were pre-eclampsia/eclampsia, puerperal infection, urinary tract infection, and indirect causes. At the low-risk pregnancy reference hospitals, the hospital lethality ratios were 76.2/100,000 and 80.0/100,000, and the main causes of death were hemorrhage, embolism, and anesthesia complications. In 64 (2005 - 2007) and in 71% (2008 - 2010) of the cases, the patients died in the same hospital of admission. During the second period, 90% of the casualties were avoidable. CONCLUSIONS: Hospitals of both levels of complexity are having difficulties in treating obstetric complications. Professional training for obstetric emergency assistance and the monitoring of protocols at all hospital levels should be considered by the managers as a priority strategy to reduce avoidable maternal deaths.

Atividade de grupo como estratégia de educação em saúde auditiva de trabalhadores de um serviço de manutenção hospitalar / Group activity as an educational hearing-health strategy with workers of a hospital maintenance service

RESUMO Introdução A perda auditiva induzida por ruído requer medidas de promoção à saúde auditiva e prevenção dos riscos, sendo a educação dos trabalhadores um fator primordial para redução desse agravo. Objetivo Descrever uma intervenção de educação em saúde auditiva com trabalhadores de um serviço de manutenção hospitalar, por meio de atividades em grupo, fundamentadas na pedagogia problematizadora. Métodos Para a ação educativa, adotou-se a técnica de atividades em grupo e desenvolveu-se a pedagogia problematizadora em suas três fases: síncrese, análise e síntese. Foram realizadas cinco atividades de grupo, com a participação de dez trabalhadores de um serviço de manutenção de um hospital de grande porte. Os dados foram obtidos de acordo com as falas dos participantes e avaliados com base na análise de conteúdo na modalidade temática. Resultados A prática educativa promoveu a interação entre os trabalhadores e moderadores, bem como o desejo comum de construírem uma proposta para a promoção da saúde auditiva no ambiente da manutenção hospitalar, com fundamento na realidade vivenciada. Foi possível ressignificar a prática no serviço de manutenção, identificando riscos e soluções e, a partir da reflexão, propor ações transformadoras, com vistas à promoção da saúde auditiva dos trabalhadores, principalmente o uso de protetores auditivos. Conclusão A intervenção contribuiu para a construção do conhecimento, a formação e o desenvolvimento da consciência crítica dos trabalhadores sobre a temática da saúde auditiva.

ABSTRACT Introduction Noise-induced hearing loss requires actions to promote hearing health and risk prevention, and education of workers, a major factor for reducing this disease. Purpose To describe an educational hearing-health intervention with workers of a hospital maintenance service through group activities grounded in the problem-solving pedagogy. Methods Intervention study with a qualitative approach. Group activity technique was adopted for the educational action, and the problem-solving pedagogy was developed in its three phases: synchresis, analysis and synthesis. Five group activities were carried out, having the participation of ten workers of a large hospital maintenance service. Data were collected from participants' accounts and analyzed by means of thematic content analysis. Results Educational intervention promoted the interaction between workers and moderators, as well as their joint desire of building a proposal for hearing health promotion from their experienced reality in the hospital maintenance settings. It was possible to re-mean maintenance practice by identifying risks and solutions, changing actions were also proposed through reflection, aiming at promoting workers' hearing health, mainly by the use of hearing protection. Conclusion The intervention contributed to knowledge building, education and development of workers' critical awareness on the hearing health theme.

Condições e ambiente de trabalho em uma lavanderia hospitalar: percepção dos trabalhadores / Hospital laundry working and environment conditions: workers' perception

Resumo Introdução: os trabalhadores de lavanderia hospitalar estão amplamente expostos a diferentes situações de risco ocupacional pelas características peculiares desse ambiente de trabalho. Objetivo: identificar a vivência e a percepção dos trabalhadores sobre suas condições de trabalho. Método: pesquisa de abordagem qualitativa realizada com trabalhadores de uma lavanderia hospitalar de um hospital público de grande porte. Os dados foram coletados e analisados seguindo a técnica de grupo focal e de análise de conteúdo. Resultados: os riscos percebidos foram identificados e analisados em três categorias: 1. Riscos do trabalho diário, com as subcategorias Riscos ergonômicos (intensificação do trabalho, número excessivo de horas trabalhadas, exigência de produção e ausência de pausas), Riscos físicos (ruído, calor), Riscos biológicos (manuseio de material contaminado) e Estresse e perigo de acidentes com materiais perfurocortantes; 2. Organização do trabalho e controle sobre os trabalhadores; 3. Sugestões dos trabalhadores para melhorias nas condições de trabalho. Conclusão: os diversos riscos ocupacionais encontrados na lavanderia se relacionam diretamente às condições ambientais e organizacionais desse serviço. É necessário implantar medidas de controle coletivo e estratégias de mudanças na organização do trabalho para prevenir e promover a saúde dos trabalhadores que atuam nesse ambiente laboral.

Abstract Introduction: hospital laundry workers are widely exposed to different occupational hazards due to the peculiar characteristics of their work environment. Objective: to identify workers' experiences and perceptions of their working conditions. Method: qualitative research conducted with workers from the laundry of a large public hospital. The research data were collected and analyzed through focus group technique and content analysis. Results: the perceived hazards were identified and analyzed into three categories: 1. Daily work hazards, with the subcategories Ergonomic hazards (work intensification; excessive work hours; demand for production; and absence of breaks), Physical hazards (noise; heat), Biological hazards (handing of biological material), and Puncture or laceration accidents; 2. Work organization; 3. Workers' suggestions to improve working conditions. Conclusion: the several occupational hazards encountered in the hospital laundry were directly related to the environmental and organizational conditions. Implementing collective control measures and strategies to change work organization is necessary to prevent accidents and diseases and promote hospital laundry workers' health.

Percepções dos acadêmicos de fonoaudiologia e enfermagem sobre processos de envelhecimento e a formação para o cuidado aos idosos / Speech therapy and nursing undergraduates' perceptions on aging processes and education for elders' care

OBJETIVO: identificar as percepções dos acadêmicos de fonoaudiologia e enfermagem sobre o envelhecimento e a formação para o cuidado ao idoso. MÉTODOS: participaram do estudo vinte e cinco acadêmicos de Fonoaudiologia e Enfermagem, de faculdades públicas e privadas, situadas na região sul do Brasil. Para a obtenção das informações, utilizou-se de entrevista com roteiro temático, composto por questões abertas. A organização e análise das informações seguiram os passos propostos pela técnica do Discurso do Sujeito Coletivo, que utiliza quatro figuras metodológicas: ancoragem, ideia central, expressões chave e discurso do sujeito coletivo. RESULTADOS: emergiram das falas dos acadêmicos participantes da pesquisa, seis ideias centrais e seus respectivos discursos, que versam sobre o envelhecimento e o cuidado aos idosos na visão teórica e prática. CONCLUSÕES: os acadêmicos entendem o envelhecimento como um processo natural, porém permeado de modificações e transformações multidimensionais. Referem que o cuidado multiprofissional é essencial na atenção à saúde do idoso, contudo, a formação na graduação não é específica e tampouco suficiente para a prática profissional direcionada aos idosos. .

PURPOSE: to identify speech therapy and nursing undergraduates' perceptions on aging and education for elders' care. METHODS: twenty-five (25) speech therapy and nursing undergraduates participated in the study from public and private colleges located in southern Brazil. A thematic interview guide with open questions was used for data collection. Data organization and analysis followed the steps proposed by the technique of the Discourse of the Collective Subject, which uses four methodological figures - anchoring, central idea, key phrases and discourse of the collective subject. RESULTS: six central ideas and respective discourses emerged from the participants' accounts, which address aging and elders' care in a theoretical and practical view. CONCLUSIONS: undergraduates view aging as a natural process, however permeated by multidimensional modifications and changes. They point out that multiprofessional care is essential in elders' healthcare, however undergraduate education is neither specific nor sufficient for elderly-oriented professional practice. .

Empoderamento da pessoa com diabetes tipo 2: avaliação de um programa / Empowerment of people with type 2 diabetes: evaluation of a program

A Diabetes Mellitus (DM) é uma emergência global de saúde pública e de políticas de saúde (Boavida, 2016), com forte impacto na vida das pessoas diagnosticadas/ famílias, comunidades e sistemas de saúde (Internacional Diabetes Federation |IDF|, 2017). Torna-se imperioso o desenvolvimento de estratégias de educação terapêutica estruturadas com (e não para) as pessoas com DM e família tendo em vista a promoção da autogestão da patologia, aumentando a autonomia e autocontrolo sobre a sua saúde. O presente estudo de investigação pretende analisar os ganhos em saúde decorrentes da educação terapêutica em grupo, ao nível da autoeficácia, conhecimento, qualidade de vida relacionada com a saúde e de indicadores clínicos das pessoas com DM tipo 2, partindo da realidade da comunidade. Trata-se de um estudo "quasi experimental", longitudinal e prospetivo. A amostra é constituída por 34 pessoas com DM tipo 2, alvo de um programa de educação psicoterapêutica "Juntos é Mais Fácil". Foram utilizados 4 instrumentos: Questionário de caracterização sociodemográfica e clínica; Escala de Conhecimentos da Diabetes (Diabetes Knowledge Test- DKT; Diabetes Empowerment Scale- versão breve (DES-SF) e Questionário de Avaliação de Ganhos em Saúde (EQ-5D- 5L). A amostra maioritariamente masculina (58,8%), com idade média ± desvio padrão (dp) de 61,9 ± 7,4 anos, variando entre os 46 e 69 anos, baixa escolaridade (82,4% até ensino básico), submetido a antidiabéticos orais (76,5%), refere patologias associadas (91,2%), não cumpre/cumpre às vezes a dieta (67,6 %) e não pratica exercício (58,8%). Após a intervenção psicoterapêutica observam-se melhorias estatisticamente significativas no grupo experimental ao nível das variáveis: DKT (teste t-student= 6,648, p-value <0,001); IMC (teste t-student= 3,405, p-value= 0,004); HbA1c (teste Wilcoxon= -3,059, p-value= 0,002); perímetro da cintura (teste t-student= 3,034, p-value=0,008) e pressão arterial mínima (teste t-student= 2,695, p-value= 0,016). Neste grupo verificam-se melhorias ao nível da autoeficácia percebida (valor médio ± dp inicial de 75,55±24,09 e final de 78,31±18,50) e do índice global do EQ-5D-5L (pontuação média prévia de 83,8±15,7 e final de 85,0± 18,7), embora não estatisticamente significativas. No grupo de controlo não são observáveis diferenças estatisticamente significativas em nenhuma das variáveis em análise, no mesmo período de análise. As conclusões permitem evidenciar que a participação no programa de educação psicoterapêutica em análise, com recurso a estratégias individuais e de grupo, entrevistas motivacionais e envolvimento dos pares numa lógica de (co)criação, tem conduzido a ganhos em saúde aos diversos níveis.

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a global public and political health emergency (Boavida, 2016), with a strong impact on the lives of those diagnosed, their families, communities and healthcare systems (International Diabetes Federation | IDF |, 2017). It is imperative to develop strategies for therapeutic education structured with (and not for) people with DM and their family with a view in promoting pathology self-management, increasing autonomy and self-control of their health. This research study aims to analyse the health gains from group therapy education, in terms of self-efficacy, knowledge, health-related quality of life and clinical indicators of people with type 2 DM, based on the community's reality. It is a "quasi experimental", longitudinal and prospective study. The sample consists of 34 people with type 2 DM, part of a psychotherapeutic education program "Juntos é Mais Fácil". Four instruments were used: Sociodemographic and clinical characterization questionnaire; Diabetes Knowledge Test (DKT; Diabetes Empowerment Scale- short version (DES-SF) and Health Gain Assessment Questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L). The sample was majority male (58.8%), with mean age ± standard deviation (SD) of 61.9 ± 7.4 years, ranging from 46 to 69 years, low education (82.4% until basic education), submitted to oral antidiabetics (76.5%), reported associated pathologies (91.2%), sometimes does not / does comply with diet (67.6%) and does not exercise (58.8%). After the psychotherapeutic intervention, statistically significant improvements were observed in the experimental group at the level of the variables: DKT (student t-test = 6.648, p-value <0.001); BMI (t-student test = 3.405, p-value = 0.004); HbA1c (Wilcoxon test = -3.059, p-value = 0.002); waist circumference (t-student test = 3.034, p-value = 0.008) and minimum blood pressure (t-student test = 2.695, p-value = 0.016). In this group it was verified improvements in perceived self-efficacy (mean ± SD initial value 75.55 ± 24.09 and final 78.31 ± 18.50) and overall EQ-5D-5L index (previous average score 83.8 ± 15.7 and final of 85.0 ± 18.7), although not statistically significant. In the control group, no statistically significant differences were observed in any of the variables under analysis in the same analytical period. The conclusions show that participation in the psychotherapeutic education program under analysis, using individual and group strategies, motivational interviews and peer involvement in a (co) creation logic, has led to health gains at various levels.