Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 and Vaccination Coverage among Residents of a Lower-Middle-Class Population in the Federal District, Brazil.

Estimating seroprevalence and vaccination coverage against COVID-19 is crucial to the development of well-targeted public health policies at the local level. Here, we estimated seroprevalence and vaccination coverage in a lower-middle-class population in Brazil. We conducted an observational, cross-sectional, population-based survey from 24 September to 19 December 2021. CMIA tests were used to detect anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG against the N-protein. The overall seroprevalence was 24.15% (177/733), and vaccination coverage was 91.40% (670/733); 72.09% (483/670) were fully vaccinated. Among vaccinated participants, seroprevalence was 24.77% (95% CI 21.50-28.04; 166/670), with a prevalence ratio (PR) of 1.03 (95% CI 0.98-1.08; p-value 0.131). Among participants who received an mRNA vaccine with S-based epitope (485), seroprevalence was 16.29% (95% CI 13.04-19.85; 79/485). Among unvaccinated participants, seroprevalence was 17.46% (95% CI 10.04-28.62; 11/63). Finally, in spite of the political climate and other possible causes for vaccine hesitancy, the positive Brazilian culture towards vaccination might have curbed hesitancy.

A literatura de cordel como instrumento didático-pedagógico na educação, motivação e promoção da saúde bucal / The cordel (folk literature) as pedagogical-didactic tool in education, motivation and promotion of the oral health

Introdução: A Literatura de Cordel configura-se, desde sua chegada de Portugal na era colonial, até os dias atuais no Brasil, em uma ferramenta comunicativa e interativa que tenta perpetuar a cultura folclórica. Objetivo: Analisar a efetividade do cordel como estratégia pedagógica na aprendizagem em saúde bucal. Metodologia: Utilizou-se um questionário autoaplicável para sondagem dos conhecimentos prévios de escolares de 8 a 13 anos socialmente desfavorecidos, matriculados numa instituição pública de ensino de Natal-RN sobre saúde bucal e uma entrevista aberta com duas perguntas geradoras. A partir dos conhecimentos emergentes, foram confeccionados cinco cordéis. Fez-se um recital durante cinco dias e após este, foi reaplicado o mesmo questionário para aferir se os conhecimentos prévios foram acrescidos ou modificados após a intervenção. Resultados: A diferença entre os acertos do antes e após a intervenção foi avaliada pelo Teste de Wilcoxon para um nível de confiança de 95%. A mediana do nível de acertos foi significativa passando de 5,00 (antes) para 8,50 (após) para um valor de p<0,001. Conclusão: O cordel mostrou-se efetivo enquanto estratégia pedagógica criativa e dinâmica, na divulgação de conhecimentos, motivação, educação e promoção da saúde bucal (AU).

Introduction: The "CORDEL (Folk Literature)" configures itself, since its arrived from Portugal in the colonial era, to the present day in Brazil in a communicative and interactive tool that tries to perpetuate the folk culture. Objective: To analyze the effectiveness of the string as a pedagogical strategy in oral health learning. Methods: We used a self-administered questionnaire survey of school of previous knowledge about 9 to 14 years socially disadvantaged, enrolled in a public institution of Natal-RN ducation on oral health and an open interview with two generating questions. From the emerging knowledge were made five twine. There was a recital for five days after it was re-applied the same questionnaire to assess whether the prior knowledge were added or modified after the intervention. Results: The difference between the correct answers before and after the intervention was evaluated by Wilcoxon test for a 95% confidence level. The median level was significant hit going from 5.00 (before) to 8.50 (after) to a value of p <0.001. Conclusion: The "Cordel" was effective as a creative and dynamic teaching strategy, dissemination of knowledge, motivation, education and promotion of oral health.in the colonial age, in an interactive and communicative tool that tries to perpetuate the folk culture (AU).

Positive acute-phase inflammatory markers in different stages of chronic kidney disease.

BACKGROUND: An elevated serum level of acute-phase inflammatory markers is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. We hypothesized that elevated acute-phase inflammatory markers are directly associated with the different stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD). METHODS: We evaluated the relationship between serum levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and alpha1-acid glycoprotein (alpha1-AGP), as well as the renal function in 224 adult patients with CKD (mean age 56.6 years, 46% male, and 40% diabetics), stratified according to the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) (based on the National Kidney Foundation/Kidney Dialysis Outcomes Quality Initiatives), and in 94 hemodialysis patients. RESULTS: The mean hsCRP was 8.2 +/- 12.1 mg/l, and hsCRP levels were >5 mg/l in 44.4% of the patients; alpha1-AGP levels were >125 mg/dl in 33.3% of the patients. Mean hsCRP and alpha1-AGP were significantly higher in more severe stages of CKD. A weak inverse relationship was found between GFR and serum hsCRP (r = -0.2205; p = 0.0006) and between GFR and serum alpha1-AGP (r = -0.3266; p < 0.0001). There was a correlation between hsCRP and alpha1-AGP (r = 0.3417; p < 0.0001). No significant differences were detected between patients with CKD and those undergoing hemodialysis concerning hsCRP (8.2 +/- 12.1 vs. 6.8 +/- 7.4 mg/l; p = 0.2980) and alpha1-AGP (116.3 +/- 42.5 vs. 117.2 +/- 37.9 mg/dl; p = 0.8590). However, the level of hsCRP was significantly reduced in hemodialysis patients compared with patients with stage 5 predialytic disease (12.1 +/- 13.9 to 6.8 +/- 7.4 mg/l; p = 0.005). More patients with stage 5 predialytic CKD had an elevated hsCRP serum level compared with patients on hemodialysis (64.7 vs. 37.9%; chi2 = 6.230, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Approximately 50% of patients with CKD--even in the early phase of renal failure--exhibit an activated acute-phase response, which is closely related to the stages of CKD. Hemodialysis may partially correct the inflammatory process present in the immediate predialysis phase of CKD.