Online participatory intervention to promote and support exclusive breastfeeding: Randomized clinical trial.

The support offered to mothers after hospital discharge can be decisive in maintaining exclusive breastfeeding during the first 6 months post-partum. The objective of this study was to assess the impact on the duration of exclusive breastfeeding of a participatory intervention using an online social network. A randomized clinical trial was performed involving 251 mother-child pairings in a university hospital in the Northeast of Brazil, 123 of which assigned to the intervention group and 128 to the control group. After hospital discharge, the intervention group was followed through a closed group of an online social network, where weekly posters were published on topics related to breastfeeding and an active communication was established with the mothers. The groups were interviewed monthly over the phone until the child reached 6 months of age. The duration of exclusive breastfeeding was calculated through survival analysis, and the effect of the intervention was estimated through the Cox regression model. The exclusive breastfeeding frequencies were higher in the intervention group in all follow-up months, reaching 33.3% in the sixth month versus 8.3% in the control group. The median exclusive breastfeeding duration was 149 days (95% CI [129.6, 168.4]) in the intervention group and 86 days (95% CI [64.9, 107.1]) in the control group (P < 0.0001). The proportional risk of early interruption of exclusive breastfeeding was 0.38 (95% CI [0.28, 0.51], P < 0.0001). This intervention had a positive impact on the duration and frequency of exclusive breastfeeding.

Association between maternal vitamin E status and alpha-tocopherol levels in the newborn and colostrum.

Vitamin E is important because of its antioxidant activity in situations of oxidative stress, especially postnatally. Hence, the objective was to verify whether maternal alpha-tocopherol level is associated with the alpha-tocopherol levels of the newborn and colostrum. This is a cross-sectional study of 58 women and their term newborns from a public hospital. Blood and colostrum were collected to measure alpha-tocopherol levels by high-performance liquid chromatography. Mothers with serum alpha-tocopherol levels <16.2 mmol L(-1) and newborns <11.6 mmol L(-1) were indicative of deficiency or low levels. Mothers were divided into two groups: <16.2 mmol L(-1) and those with levels ≥16.2 mmol L(-1) . The mean (95% confidence interval) serum alpha-tocopherol levels of mothers, umbilical cords and colostrum were 28 (24-32), 6 (5-8) and 39 mmol L(-1) (32-45), respectively (P < 0.001); 19% of the women and 90% of the newborns had low alpha-tocopherol levels. Maternal alpha-tocopherol level was associated with that of the umbilical cord. Newborns from mothers at risk of deficiency had low alpha-tocopherol levels (P < 0.001). Colostrum levels of vitamin E were not influenced by maternal serum. Maternal deficiency influenced the vitamin E level of the umbilical cord but does not in the colostrum, evidencing distinct transfer mechanisms via the mammary gland.

Temporal trends and anaemia-associated factors in 6- to 59-month-old children in Northeast Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the trends and factors associated with anaemia in 6- to 59-month-old children in Northeast Brazil. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study assessed information from the second and third Pernambuco State Health and Nutrition Surveys carried out in 1997 and 2006. A multiple regression analysis was performed from a conceptual model addressing biological and socio-economic factors, housing and sanitation conditions, maternal factors, health care and nutrition, consumption, morbidity and nutritional status. Poisson's regression with robust variance was used. SETTING: Pernambuco, Brazil. SUBJECTS: A total of 777 and 993 children, respectively, in the second and third Pernambuco State Health and Nutrition Surveys. RESULTS: The prevalence of anaemia (Hb < 11 g/dl) decreased by 19·3 % (40·9 % down to 33·0 %) between surveys. Maternal education level (less than 8 years in school), households ranked in the lowest environmental index tertile and children between 6 and 23 months of age were the variables common to the final models in the surveys of 1997 and 2006. Elements like living in rural areas, household income less than two minimum official wages and low birth weight were still present in the final model of the 1997 survey. Households ranked in the lowest economic index tertile were associated with anaemia in the model of the 2006 survey. CONCLUSIONS: The study results are quite encouraging from the perspective of reducing the prevalence of anaemia. Maternal education level, environmental conditions and child age were determinant factors in both surveys, and economic factors were determinant in 2006.

[Adherence to school food and associated factors among adolescents in public schools in the Southern region of Brazil]. / Adesão à alimentação escolar e fatores associados em adolescentes de escolas públicas na região Sul do Brasil.

The scope of this study was to analyze adherence to school food and associated factors among adolescents from public state schools in the municipality of Lapa, Paraná, in the Southern region of Brazil. The study uses a cross-sectional and analytical design and includes 492 male and female adolescents aged 10 to 19 years from five urban and five rural schools in the municipality. The students underwent anthropometric assessment and answered a questionnaire about school food and alternative food intakes (purchased or home-cooked). Their parents/guardians answered a questionnaire about their demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. An adjusted proportional odds regression model investigated the associations. The effective adherence to school food was 30.1% in rural schools and 23.7% in urban schools. Dislike of the food preparation was the main reason for non-adherence. The results showed lesser adherence among adolescents with higher per capita family income who consumed alternative food products four to five times per week. Adolescents who considered school food healthy showed higher adherence. Low adherence to school food indicates the inadequate universality of the program. The factors revealed may help to improve program planning and execution.

Objetivou-se analisar o índice de adesão à alimentação escolar e os fatores associados entre adolescentes matriculados em escolas públicas estaduais do município da Lapa, Paraná, sul do Brasil. De caráter transversal e analítico, incluiu 492 adolescentes de 10 a 19 anos de cinco escolas urbanas e cinco rurais do município. Foi aplicado um questionário sobre o consumo da alimentação escolar e de alimentos competitivos (aqueles comprados ou trazidos de casa) e realizada a avaliação antropométrica nos adolescentes. Os seus pais/responsáveis responderam um questionário demográfico e socioeconômico. Foi utilizado modelo de regressão de "odds" proporcionais ajustado para verificar as associações. O índice de adesão efetiva à alimentação escolar foi de 30,1% nas escolas rurais e de 23,7% nas urbanas. Não gostar das preparações servidas foi o principal motivo apontado para a não adesão. Observou-se menor adesão entre os adolescentes que possuíam maior renda familiar per capita e entre os que consumiam alimentos competitivos de 4 a 5x/semana. A adesão foi maior entre aqueles que consideravam a alimentação escolar saudável. Diante do baixo índice de adesão à alimentação escolar, a universalidade do atendimento não está sendo atingida. Os fatores apontados podem auxiliar em melhoras na execução do programa.

Prenatal evaluation in primary care in Northeast Brazil: factors associated with its adequacy.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize prenatal care and verify possible factors associated with its adequacy. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study based on interviews with health care professionals and consultations on official documents of women attending prenatal of the primary health care in the city of João Pessoa, capital of Paraíba, in the Northeast region of Brazil. Prenatal care was evaluated by an index with criteria referring to aspects of structure, process and outcome, denominated IPR/Prenatal. The multivariate logistic regression method revealed that demographic, socioeconomic, reproductive and maternal morbidity variables were possible determinants for prenatal adequacy. RESULTS: The survey involved 130 services and 1,625 primary health care patients. Prenatal care was adequate in approximately 23% of the cases. Low prevalence of referral to maternity, educational strategies and examinations were observed. The analysis showed that non-adolescent women (OR = 1,390), with a longer period of schooling (OR = 1.750), higher per capita income (OR = 1,870) and primiparous women (OR = 1,230) were more likely to have an adequate prenatal. CONCLUSIONS: Prenatal care, when evaluated by broader criteria, showed a low percentage of adequacy. Strategies should be developed to ensure the referral to the maternity where the birth will take place and health education activities and examinations to provide adequate prenatal care in the municipality under study. In addition, factors associated with adequacy must be considered by managers and health professionals.

INTRAUTERINE GROWTH AND THE VITAMIN E STATUS OF FULL-TERM AND PRETERM NEWBORNS.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the concentration of alpha-tocopherol in umbilical cord serum of full-term and preterm newborns, in order to assess the nutritional status of both groups in relation to the vitamin and its possible correlation with intrauterine growth. METHODS: A cross-sectional observational study conducted with 140 newborns, of which 64 were preterm and 76 were full-term. They did not have any malformations, they came from healthy mothers, who were nonsmokers, and delivered a single baby. Intrauterine growth was evaluated by weight-to-gestational age at birth, using Intergrowth-21st. Thealpha-tocopherol levels of umbilical cord serum were analyzed by High Performance Liquid Chromatography. RESULTS: The mean concentration of alpha-tocopherol in umbilical cord serum for preterm and full-term infants was 263.3±129.5 and 247.0±147.6 µg/dL (p=0.494). In the preterm group, 23% were small for gestational age, whereas in the full-term group, this percentage was only 7% (p=0.017). Low levels of vitamin E were found in 95.3% of preterm infants and 92.1% of full-term infants. There was no correlation between alpha-tocopherol levels and weight to gestational age Z score (p=0.951). CONCLUSIONS: No association was found between alpha-tocopherol levels and weight to gestational age at birth. Intrauterine growth restriction was more frequent in preterm infants and most infants had low levels of vitamin E at the time of delivery.

[Factors associated with adherence to school meals by adolescents in State public schools in Colombo, Paraná State, Brazil]. / Fatores associados à adesão à alimentação escolar por adolescentes de escolas públicas estaduais de Colombo, Paraná, Brasil.

This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of adherence to school meals and associated factors among adolescent schoolchildren (N = 1,569). The adolescents completed an on-line questionnaire on adherence to school meals, and their parents answered another questionnaire on socioeconomic data. The chi-square test was used to assess the association between adherence to school meals and gender, nutritional status, per capita family income, maternal schooling, adolescents' opinions on the dining hall layout, whether they considered school meals healthy, and consumption of other foods. Variables with statistical significance for adherence to school meals were included in the multilevel proportional odds logistic regression model. The covariates for comprising the final model were defined by backward selection methods. The results of the adjusted model were presented as odds ratios with respective 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). Prevalence of adherence to school meals was low, especially effective adherence (19.8%). Adherence was associated with per capita family income less than one minimum wage, lower consumption of foods outside of school meals, the fact that adolescents considered the dining hall space adequate, and believing that school meals are healthy. Adherence to school meals in this study falls short of universal coverage for the program. Different factors contribute to incomplete program implementation, which may hinder achieving the food and nutritional security policy under the Brazilian National School Feeding Program (PNAE).

O objetivo deste estudo é identificar a prevalência e os fatores associados à adesão à alimentação escolar de adolescentes, sendo avaliados 1.569 indivíduos. Foi aplicado um formulário on-line sobre adesão à alimentação escolar aos adolescentes, e outro com dados socioeconômicos, aos pais. O teste de χ² foi utilizado para avaliar a associação entre a adesão à alimentação escolar e sexo, estado nutricional, renda familiar per capita, escolaridade materna, opinião dos adolescentes sobre a estrutura do refeitório, se consideram a alimentação escolar saudável ou não e consumo de outros alimentos. As variáveis com significância estatística em relação à adesão à alimentação escolar foram incluídas no modelo de regressão logística de chances proporcionais pelo modelo multinível. O conjunto de covariáveis a compor o modelo final foi definido por métodos de seleção Backward. O resultado do modelo ajustado foi apresentado na forma de razão de chances, acompanhado dos respectivos intervalos de 95% de confiança (IC95%). A prevalência de adesão à alimentação escolar foi baixa, especialmente a adesão efetiva (19,8%). A adesão mostrou-se associada à renda familiar per capita inferior a um salário mínimo, ao menor consumo de alimentos que não os da alimentação escolar, ao fato de os adolescentes considerarem o espaço do refeitório adequado e acreditarem que a alimentação escolar era saudável. A adesão à alimentação escolar neste estudo está distante de atender a universalidade do programa. Diferentes fatores apontados contribuem para a sua não efetivação, o que pode dificultar a concretização da política de segurança alimentar e nutricional, uma perspectiva do Programa Nacional de Alimentação Escolar (PNAE).

El objetivo de este estudio es identificar la prevalencia y los factores asociados con la adhesión a la alimentación escolar por parte de adolescentes, siendo evaluados 1.569 individuos. Se aplicó un formulario on-line sobre adhesión a la alimentación escolar por parte de los adolescentes, y otro con datos socioeconómicos a los padres. El test de χ² se utilizó para evaluar la asociación entre la adhesión a la alimentación escolar y sexo, estado nutricional, renta familiar per cápita, escolaridad materna, opinión de los adolescentes sobre la estructura del comedor, si consideraban la alimentación escolar sana o no y el consumo de otros alimentos. Las variables con significancia estadística, en relación con la adhesión a la alimentación escolar, se incluyeron en el modelo de regresión logística de oportunidades proporcionales por el modelo multinivel. El conjunto de covariables para componer el modelo final fue definido por métodos de selección Backward. El resultado del modelo ajustado fue presentado en forma de razón de oportunidad, acompañado de sus respectivos intervalos de 95% de confianza (IC95%). La prevalencia de adhesión a la alimentación escolar fue baja, especialmente la adhesión efectiva (19,8%). La adhesión se mostró asociada a la renta familiar per cápita inferior a un salario mínimo, a un menor consumo de alimentos que no son los de la alimentación escolar, al hecho de que los adolescentes considerasen el espacio del comedor adecuado y creyeran que la alimentación escolar era sana. La adhesión a la alimentación escolar en este estudio está distante de atender la universalidad del programa. Diferentes factores apuntados contribuyen a su no efectivación, lo que puede dificultar la concretización de la política de seguridad alimentaria y nutricional, una perspectiva del Programa Nacional de Alimentación Escolar (PNAE).

VITAMIN E IN HUMAN MILK AND ITS RELATION TO THE NUTRITIONAL REQUIREMENT OF THE TERM NEWBORN. / VITAMINA E NO LEITE HUMANO E SUA RELAÇÃO COM O REQUERIMENTO NUTRICIONAL DO RECÉM-NASCIDO A TERMO.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the alpha-tocopherol concentration in breast milk at different periods of lactation and to estimate the possible supply of vitamin E to the infant. METHODS: A longitudinal observational study was carried out with 100 mothers at University Hospital Ana Bezerra (HUAB), at Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, in Santa Cruz (RN), Northeast Brazil. Samples of colostrum (n=100), transitional milk (n=77), and mature milk (n=63) were collected. Alpha-tocopherol was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Vitamin supply to the newborn was estimated by comparing the nutritional requirement of vitamin E (4 mg/day) with the potential daily intake of milk. RESULTS: The mean alpha-tocopherol concentration found in colostrum, transitional, and mature milk was 40.5±15.0 µmol/L, 13.9±5.2 µmol/L, and 8.0±3.8 µmol/L, respectively (p<0.001). The possible effect of these milks offered to the infant 6.2 mg/day of vitamin E in colostrum, 4.7 mg/day in transitional milk, and 2.7 mg/day in mature milk (p<0.0001), shows that only the mature milk did not guarantee the recommended quantity of this vitamin. CONCLUSIONS: Alpha-tocopherol levels in human milk decrease through the progression of lactation, and the possible intake of colostrum and transitional milk met the nutritional requirement of the infant. Mature milk may provide smaller amounts of vitamin E. Thus, it is important to study the factors that are associated with such low levels.

OBJETIVOS: Determinar a concentração de alfa-tocoferol no leite materno em diferentes períodos de lactação e estimar o provável fornecimento de vitamina E ao lactente. MÉTODOS: Estudo longitudinal observacional realizado com 100 puérperas atendidas para o parto no Hospital Universitário Ana Bezerra (HUAB) da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), em Santa Cruz (RN). Foram coletados leite colostro (n=100), leite de transição (n=77) e leite maduro (n=63) no seguimento da lactação. O alfa-tocoferol foi analisado por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência. O fornecimento de vitamina E para o neonato foi estimado comparando-se o requerimento nutricional de vitamina E (4 mg/dia) com a ingestão diária de leite. RESULTADOS: A concentração média de alfa-tocoferol encontrada nos leites colostro, de transição e maduro foi 40,5±15,0 µmol/L, 13,9±5,2 µmol/L e 8,0±3,8 µmol/L, respectivamente (p<0,001). A possível ingestão desses leites pelo lactente forneceu 6,2 mg/dia de vitamina E no colostro, 4,7 mg/dia no de transição e 2,7 mg/dia no maduro (p<0,0001), evidenciando que apenas o último não garantiu a quantidade recomendada dessa vitamina. CONCLUSÕES: Os níveis de alfa-tocoferol no leite diminuíram com a progressão da lactação, e a provável ingestão dos leites colostro e de transição conseguiu atender ao requerimento nutricional do lactente. O leite maduro pode fornecer menores quantidades da vitamina E, o que torna importante o estudo dos fatores que se associam a esses baixos níveis.

[Hemoglobin level and anemia in children in the State of Pernambuco, Brazil: association with socioeconomic and food consumption factors]. / Concentração de hemoglobina e anemia em crianças no Estado de Pernambuco, Brasil: fatores sócio-econômicos e de consumo alimentar associados.

This study aimed to assess hemoglobin level and anemia prevalence and their association with food-consumption and socioeconomic variables. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in the State of Pernambuco, Brazil, in 1997, using three-stage sampling which included 746 6-to-59-month-old children. Hemoglobin testing and a 24-hour food recall interview were performed. The anemia rate was 40.6% and was higher in the rural area and inversely proportional to age, income, and maternal schooling. Most children (88.9%) consumed cow's milk. Anemia was associated directly with the proportion of calories from cow's milk and indirectly with the iron level. Child's age, geographic area, per capita family income, maternal schooling, iron density (total, heme, and non-heme), and the proportion of calories from cow's milk in the diet were determinants for anemia.

Impact of educational strategies in low-risk prenatal care: systematic review of randomized clinical trials. / Impacto de estratégias educacionais no pré-natal de baixo risco: revisão sistemática de ensaios clínicos randomizados.

This study aimed to analyze the impact of educational strategies developed in low-risk prenatal care on obstetric outcomes from a systematic literature review. This review consulted databases PubMed, Medline, SciELO and Lilacs, analyzing randomized clinical trials with the following birth outcomes: birth weight, prematurity and breastfeeding, using the following combination of keywords: pre-natal, antenatal visits, education, health education, pregnancy outcomes, birth weight, prematurity, breastfeeding and randomized clinical trial. Nine studies were included following quality evaluation. Actions prove to be more effective when extended to the postpartum period. Most of them occurred during home visits and had a positive impact on breastfeeding and birth weight. The establishment of groups of pregnant women contributed to lower prevalence of prematurity. Breastfeeding was found to be the outcome most sensitive to educational strategies. Educational practices during the prenatal period contributed to favorable obstetric outcomes as they minimized pregnant women concerns and anxiety during the pregnancy process, preparing them for childbirth and postpartum, and should be incorporated into health services' work process.

Prevalence and risk factors of anemia in children.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the prevalence and factors associated with anemia in children attending Municipal Early Childhood Education Day Care Center (Centros Municipais de Educação Infantil [CMEI]) nurseries in Colombo-PR. METHODS: Analytical, cross-sectional study with a representative sample of 334 children obtained by stratified cluster sampling, with random selection of 26 nurseries. Data collection was conducted through interviews with parents, assessment of iron intake by direct food weighing, and hemoglobin measurement using the finger-stick test. Bivariate association tests were performed followed by multiple logistic regression adjustment. RESULTS: The prevalence of anemia was 34.7%. Factors associated with anemia were: maternal age younger than 28 years old (p=0.03), male children (p=0.02), children younger than 24 months (p=0.01), and children who did not consume iron food sources (meat+beans+dark green leafy vegetables) (p=0.02). There was no association between anemia and iron food intake in CMEI. However, iron intake was well below the recommended levels according to the National Education Development Fund resolution, higher prevalence of anemia was observed in children whose intake of iron, heme iron, and nonheme iron was below the median. CONCLUSIONS: In terms of public health, the prevalence of anemia is characterized as a moderate problem in the studied population and demonstrates the need for coordination of interdisciplinary actions for its reduction in CMEI nurseries.

[Validity and reproducibility of the clinical signs for the diagnosis of anemia in children]. / Validação e reprodutibilidade de sinais clínicos no diagnóstico de anemia em crianças.

This study aimed to assess the validity and reproducibility of clinical signs (palmar and conjunctival pallor) in the diagnosis of anemia in children 6-23 months of age in Northeast Brazil. This was a cross-sectional study with a sample of 421 children in the child care and pediatric outpatient wards at the Mother and Child Care Institute of Pernambuco. Two examiners evaluated clinical signs using the Kappa coefficient, and validation (sensitivity and specificity) was performed using hemoglobin as the standard. Clinical signs demonstrated low reproducibility (kappa 0.24-0.25). The highest sensitivity for diagnosing anemia (Hb < 11 g/dl) and moderate/ severe anemia (Hb < 9 g/dl), respectively, was provided by combining palmar and conjunctival pallor (39.7% and 53.5%), followed by palmar pallor alone (29.9% and 40.0%). The highest specificity was provided by palmar pallor in the child as compared to the mother (95.5% and 90.1%, Hb < 11 g/dl and Hb < 9 g/dl, respectively). Sensitivity of clinical signs was better in diagnosing moderate/severe anemia, especially when combining palmar and conjunctival pallor, suggesting that their utilization does not provide a good instrument for diagnosing mild anemia.

Adesão à alimentação escolar e fatores associados em adolescentes de escolas públicas na região Sul do Brasil / Adherence to school food and associated factors among adolescents in public schools in the Southern region of Brazil

Resumo Objetivou-se analisar o índice de adesão à alimentação escolar e os fatores associados entre adolescentes matriculados em escolas públicas estaduais do município da Lapa, Paraná, sul do Brasil. De caráter transversal e analítico, incluiu 492 adolescentes de 10 a 19 anos de cinco escolas urbanas e cinco rurais do município. Foi aplicado um questionário sobre o consumo da alimentação escolar e de alimentos competitivos (aqueles comprados ou trazidos de casa) e realizada a avaliação antropométrica nos adolescentes. Os seus pais/responsáveis responderam um questionário demográfico e socioeconômico. Foi utilizado modelo de regressão de "odds" proporcionais ajustado para verificar as associações. O índice de adesão efetiva à alimentação escolar foi de 30,1% nas escolas rurais e de 23,7% nas urbanas. Não gostar das preparações servidas foi o principal motivo apontado para a não adesão. Observou-se menor adesão entre os adolescentes que possuíam maior renda familiar per capita e entre os que consumiam alimentos competitivos de 4 a 5x/semana. A adesão foi maior entre aqueles que consideravam a alimentação escolar saudável. Diante do baixo índice de adesão à alimentação escolar, a universalidade do atendimento não está sendo atingida. Os fatores apontados podem auxiliar em melhoras na execução do programa.

Abstract The scope of this study was to analyze adherence to school food and associated factors among adolescents from public state schools in the municipality of Lapa, Paraná, in the Southern region of Brazil. The study uses a cross-sectional and analytical design and includes 492 male and female adolescents aged 10 to 19 years from five urban and five rural schools in the municipality. The students underwent anthropometric assessment and answered a questionnaire about school food and alternative food intakes (purchased or home-cooked). Their parents/guardians answered a questionnaire about their demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. An adjusted proportional odds regression model investigated the associations. The effective adherence to school food was 30.1% in rural schools and 23.7% in urban schools. Dislike of the food preparation was the main reason for non-adherence. The results showed lesser adherence among adolescents with higher per capita family income who consumed alternative food products four to five times per week. Adolescents who considered school food healthy showed higher adherence. Low adherence to school food indicates the inadequate universality of the program. The factors revealed may help to improve program planning and execution.

Perception of adolescents on healthy eating.

The objective in this article is to analyze how adolescents at a school in the interior of the State of Pernambuco, Brazil, perceive healthy eating. A descriptive and exploratory study was undertaken, based on the qualitative method. Forty adolescents between 10 and 14 years of age were investigated, using a semistructured interview. The interviews were analyzed using the software Alceste, which evidenced two thematic axes: Eating practices, divided in two classes (routine eating diary and Eating at weekends); and Education practices, consisting of four classes (Factors interfering in and facilitating the maintenance of healthy eating, Role of the school in the education process for healthy eating, Knowledge on healthy eating, The family and the promotion of healthy eating). Although the interviewed adolescents are familiar with healthy eating, they do not always put it in practice, due to the multiple factors that interfere in their preferred diet. The school and the family play a fundamental role in encouraging healthy eating. The school needs to accomplish eating education practices that encourage the consumption of locally produced foods.

[Time trends in anemia and associated factors in two age groups (6-23 and 24-59 months) in Pernambuco State, Brazil, 1997-2006]. / Tendência temporal e fatores determinantes da anemia em crianças de duas faixas etárias (6-23 e 24-59 meses) no Estado de Pernambuco, Brasil, 1997-2006.

Data from two health and nutrition surveys were used to analyze times trends in anemia and associated factors in children 6-23 and 24-59 months of age in Pernambuco State, Brazil. The samples totaled 777 and 993 children 6-59 months of age in the 2nd PESN/1997 and 3rd PESN/2006 surveys, respectively. The exploratory variables were grouped into five hierarchical levels: socioeconomic factors; economic index and environmental index; maternal factors; health and nutritional care; and morbidity and nutritional status, analyzed by Poisson logistic regression. From the first to the second survey, anemia prevalence decreased by 11.7% and 33.4%, respectively, for children 6-23 and 24-59 months of age. In the time trend analysis, only the lower tertile of the environmental index remained as a determinant factor for anemia in children 6-23 months of age, and the lower tertile of the economic index remained statistically significant in children 24-59 months of age. The study concludes that the decrease in anemia was more significant in the 24-59 month age group.

Adolescent fathers: knowledge of and involvement in the breast feeding process in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: to understand the ways in which adolescent fathers participate in the breast feeding process in the family environment in North-eastern Brazil. METHODS: a descriptive, exploratory, qualitative study was undertaken involving 10 couples with infants aged 6-8 months living in a single community in Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews with questions to guide the interviewer. Data were analysed using thematic content analysis, and interpreted under the theoretical reference of being an adolescent father within the context of breast feeding. FINDINGS: from the data collected, three themes were identified: knowledge of the benefits of breast feeding for the child's health; discontinued participation of the father in breast feeding during the pregnancy-childbearing cycle; and exclusion of the adolescent father from the breast feeding process. The adolescent fathers knew about the benefits of breast feeding in terms of the child's health, but did not mention benefits for the mother, the family or society. For some adolescent fathers, their participation in the breast feeding process started during pregnancy, whereas for others, it was only initiated after the infant was born. One of the fathers was prevented, by his wife and mother-in-law, from participating in the breast feeding process. CONCLUSIONS: the involvement of adolescent fathers in the breast feeding process oscillated during the pregnancy-childbearing cycle. This may be due to the patriarchal cultural heritage, Brazilian paternity laws, and the fact that these fathers were adolescents. This study showed that adolescent parents were knowledgeable about breast feeding. Finally, fathers want a new model of parenting in which the man participates in child care.

Intrauterine growth and the vitamin e status of full-term and preterm newborns / Crescimento intrauterino e status de vitamina e de recém-nascidos a termo e pré-termo

ABSTRACT Objective: To determine the concentration of alpha-tocopherol in umbilical cord serum of full-term and preterm newborns, in order to assess the nutritional status of both groups in relation to the vitamin and its possible correlation with intrauterine growth. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study conducted with 140 newborns, of which 64 were preterm and 76 were full-term. They did not have any malformations, they came from healthy mothers, who were nonsmokers, and delivered a single baby. Intrauterine growth was evaluated by weight-to-gestational age at birth, using Intergrowth-21st. Thealpha-tocopherol levels of umbilical cord serum were analyzed by High Performance Liquid Chromatography. Results: The mean concentration of alpha-tocopherol in umbilical cord serum for preterm and full-term infants was 263.3±129.5 and 247.0±147.6 µg/dL (p=0.494). In the preterm group, 23% were small for gestational age, whereas in the full-term group, this percentage was only 7% (p=0.017). Low levels of vitamin E were found in 95.3% of preterm infants and 92.1% of full-term infants. There was no correlation between alpha-tocopherol levels and weight to gestational age Z score (p=0.951). Conclusions: No association was found between alpha-tocopherol levels and weight to gestational age at birth. Intrauterine growth restriction was more frequent in preterm infants and most infants had low levels of vitamin E at the time of delivery.

RESUMO Objetivo: Determinar a concentração de alfatocoferol em soro de cordão umbilical de recém-nascidos a termo e pré-termo, a fim de avaliar o estado nutricional de ambos os grupos com relação a essa vitamina e sua possível correlação sobre o crescimento intrauterino. Métodos: Estudo observacional de caráter transversal realizado com 140 recém-nascidos, 64 pré-termo e 76 a termo, sem malformações, oriundos de mães saudáveis, não fumantes e com parto de concepto único. O crescimento intrauterino foi avaliado pelo índice peso por idade gestacional ao nascer, utilizando a Intergrowth-21st. Os níveis de alfatocoferol do soro do cordão umbilical foram analisados por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência. Resultados: A concentração média de alfatocoferol no soro do cordão umbilical para recém-nascidos pré-termo e a termo foi de, respectivamente, 263,3±129,5 e 247,0±147,6 µg/dL (p=0,494). Baixos níveis de vitamina E foram encontrados em 95,3% dos prematuros e em 92,1% dos neonatos a termo. Nogrupo pré-termo, 23% eram pequenos para a idade gestacional, enquanto no grupo a termo esse percentual foi de apenas 7% (p=0,017). Não houve correlação entre os níveis de alfatocoferol e o escore Z de peso para idade gestacional (p=0,951). Conclusões: Não foi encontrada associação entre os níveis de alfatocoferol e a adequação do peso à idade gestacional ao nascer. A restrição do crescimento intrauterino foi mais frequente nos nascidos pré-termo, e a maioria dos recém-nascidos apresentou níveis baixos de vitamina E no momento do parto.

Fatores associados à adesão à alimentação escolar por adolescentes de escolas públicas estaduais de Colombo, Paraná, Brasil / Factors associated with adherence to school meals by adolescents in State public schools in Colombo, Paraná State, Brazil / Factores asociados con la adhesión a la alimentación escolar por parte de adolescentes de escuelas públicas estatales de Colombo, Paraná, Brasil

O objetivo deste estudo é identificar a prevalência e os fatores associados à adesão à alimentação escolar de adolescentes, sendo avaliados 1.569 indivíduos. Foi aplicado um formulário on-line sobre adesão à alimentação escolar aos adolescentes, e outro com dados socioeconômicos, aos pais. O teste de χ² foi utilizado para avaliar a associação entre a adesão à alimentação escolar e sexo, estado nutricional, renda familiar per capita, escolaridade materna, opinião dos adolescentes sobre a estrutura do refeitório, se consideram a alimentação escolar saudável ou não e consumo de outros alimentos. As variáveis com significância estatística em relação à adesão à alimentação escolar foram incluídas no modelo de regressão logística de chances proporcionais pelo modelo multinível. O conjunto de covariáveis a compor o modelo final foi definido por métodos de seleção Backward. O resultado do modelo ajustado foi apresentado na forma de razão de chances, acompanhado dos respectivos intervalos de 95% de confiança (IC95%). A prevalência de adesão à alimentação escolar foi baixa, especialmente a adesão efetiva (19,8%). A adesão mostrou-se associada à renda familiar per capita inferior a um salário mínimo, ao menor consumo de alimentos que não os da alimentação escolar, ao fato de os adolescentes considerarem o espaço do refeitório adequado e acreditarem que a alimentação escolar era saudável. A adesão à alimentação escolar neste estudo está distante de atender a universalidade do programa. Diferentes fatores apontados contribuem para a sua não efetivação, o que pode dificultar a concretização da política de segurança alimentar e nutricional, uma perspectiva do Programa Nacional de Alimentação Escolar (PNAE).

This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of adherence to school meals and associated factors among adolescent schoolchildren (N = 1,569). The adolescents completed an on-line questionnaire on adherence to school meals, and their parents answered another questionnaire on socioeconomic data. The chi-square test was used to assess the association between adherence to school meals and gender, nutritional status, per capita family income, maternal schooling, adolescents' opinions on the dining hall layout, whether they considered school meals healthy, and consumption of other foods. Variables with statistical significance for adherence to school meals were included in the multilevel proportional odds logistic regression model. The covariates for comprising the final model were defined by backward selection methods. The results of the adjusted model were presented as odds ratios with respective 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). Prevalence of adherence to school meals was low, especially effective adherence (19.8%). Adherence was associated with per capita family income less than one minimum wage, lower consumption of foods outside of school meals, the fact that adolescents considered the dining hall space adequate, and believing that school meals are healthy. Adherence to school meals in this study falls short of universal coverage for the program. Different factors contribute to incomplete program implementation, which may hinder achieving the food and nutritional security policy under the Brazilian National School Feeding Program (PNAE).

El objetivo de este estudio es identificar la prevalencia y los factores asociados con la adhesión a la alimentación escolar por parte de adolescentes, siendo evaluados 1.569 individuos. Se aplicó un formulario on-line sobre adhesión a la alimentación escolar por parte de los adolescentes, y otro con datos socioeconómicos a los padres. El test de χ² se utilizó para evaluar la asociación entre la adhesión a la alimentación escolar y sexo, estado nutricional, renta familiar per cápita, escolaridad materna, opinión de los adolescentes sobre la estructura del comedor, si consideraban la alimentación escolar sana o no y el consumo de otros alimentos. Las variables con significancia estadística, en relación con la adhesión a la alimentación escolar, se incluyeron en el modelo de regresión logística de oportunidades proporcionales por el modelo multinivel. El conjunto de covariables para componer el modelo final fue definido por métodos de selección Backward. El resultado del modelo ajustado fue presentado en forma de razón de oportunidad, acompañado de sus respectivos intervalos de 95% de confianza (IC95%). La prevalencia de adhesión a la alimentación escolar fue baja, especialmente la adhesión efectiva (19,8%). La adhesión se mostró asociada a la renta familiar per cápita inferior a un salario mínimo, a un menor consumo de alimentos que no son los de la alimentación escolar, al hecho de que los adolescentes considerasen el espacio del comedor adecuado y creyeran que la alimentación escolar era sana. La adhesión a la alimentación escolar en este estudio está distante de atender la universalidad del programa. Diferentes factores apuntados contribuyen a su no efectivación, lo que puede dificultar la concretización de la política de seguridad alimentaria y nutricional, una perspectiva del Programa Nacional de Alimentación Escolar (PNAE).

Vitamina e no leite humano e sua relação com o requerimento nutricional do recém-nascido a termo / Vitamin e in human milk and its relation to the nutritional requirement of the term newborn

RESUMO Objetivos: Determinar a concentração de alfa-tocoferol no leite materno em diferentes períodos de lactação e estimar o provável fornecimento de vitamina E ao lactente. Métodos: Estudo longitudinal observacional realizado com 100 puérperas atendidas para o parto no Hospital Universitário Ana Bezerra (HUAB) da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), em Santa Cruz (RN). Foram coletados leite colostro (n=100), leite de transição (n=77) e leite maduro (n=63) no seguimento da lactação. O alfa-tocoferol foi analisado por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência. O fornecimento de vitamina E para o neonato foi estimado comparando-se o requerimento nutricional de vitamina E (4 mg/dia) com a ingestão diária de leite. Resultados: A concentração média de alfa-tocoferol encontrada nos leites colostro, de transição e maduro foi 40,5±15,0 µmol/L, 13,9±5,2 µmol/L e 8,0±3,8 µmol/L, respectivamente (p<0,001). A possível ingestão desses leites pelo lactente forneceu 6,2 mg/dia de vitamina E no colostro, 4,7 mg/dia no de transição e 2,7 mg/dia no maduro (p<0,0001), evidenciando que apenas o último não garantiu a quantidade recomendada dessa vitamina. Conclusões: Os níveis de alfa-tocoferol no leite diminuíram com a progressão da lactação, e a provável ingestão dos leites colostro e de transição conseguiu atender ao requerimento nutricional do lactente. O leite maduro pode fornecer menores quantidades da vitamina E, o que torna importante o estudo dos fatores que se associam a esses baixos níveis.

ABSTRACT Objectives: To determine the alpha-tocopherol concentration in breast milk at different periods of lactation and to estimate the possible supply of vitamin E to the infant. Methods: A longitudinal observational study was carried out with 100 mothers at University Hospital Ana Bezerra (HUAB), at Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, in Santa Cruz (RN), Northeast Brazil. Samples of colostrum (n=100), transitional milk (n=77), and mature milk (n=63) were collected. Alpha-tocopherol was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Vitamin supply to the newborn was estimated by comparing the nutritional requirement of vitamin E (4 mg/day) with the potential daily intake of milk. Results: The mean alpha-tocopherol concentration found in colostrum, transitional, and mature milk was 40.5±15.0 µmol/L, 13.9±5.2 µmol/L, and 8.0±3.8 µmol/L, respectively (p<0.001). The possible effect of these milks offered to the infant 6.2 mg/day of vitamin E in colostrum, 4.7 mg/day in transitional milk, and 2.7 mg/day in mature milk (p<0.0001), shows that only the mature milk did not guarantee the recommended quantity of this vitamin. Conclusions: Alpha-tocopherol levels in human milk decrease through the progression of lactation, and the possible intake of colostrum and transitional milk met the nutritional requirement of the infant. Mature milk may provide smaller amounts of vitamin E. Thus, it is important to study the factors that are associated with such low levels.

Impacto de estratégias educacionais no pré-natal de baixo risco: revisão sistemática de ensaios clínicos randomizados / Impact of educational strategies in low-risk prenatal care: systematic review of randomized clinical trials

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a partir de uma revisão sistemática o impacto de estratégias educacionais desenvolvidas no pré-natal de baixo risco em resultados obstétricos. Foi feita a busca nas bases de dados PubMed, Medline, SciELO e Lilacs por ensaios clínicos randomizados com os desfechos de nascimento: peso ao nascer, prematuridade e aleitamento materno. Foram utilizados os descritores em combinação: prenatal, antenatal visits, education, health education, pregnancy outcomes, birthweight, prematurity, breastfeeding e randomized clinical trials. Após a avaliação da qualidade, incluiu-se nove estudos. As ações mostraram-se mais eficazes quando estendidas até o período pós-parto. A maior parte delas aconteceu durante as visitas domiciliares e apresentou impacto positivo na prática do aleitamento materno e peso ao nascer. A formação de grupos de gestantes contribuiu para menor prevalência de prematuridade. A amamentação mostrou-se o desfecho mais sensível às estratégias educativas. Práticas educativas durante o pré-natal contribuem para resultados obstétricos favoráveis por minimizarem dúvidas e anseios da mulher durante o processo de gestação, preparando-a para o parto e pós-parto, devendo ser incorporadas no processo de trabalho dos serviços de saúde.

Abstract This study aimed to analyze the impact of educational strategies developed in low-risk prenatal care on obstetric outcomes from a systematic literature review. This review consulted databases PubMed, Medline, SciELO and Lilacs, analyzing randomized clinical trials with the following birth outcomes: birth weight, prematurity and breastfeeding, using the following combination of keywords: pre-natal, antenatal visits, education, health education, pregnancy outcomes, birth weight, prematurity, breastfeeding and randomized clinical trial. Nine studies were included following quality evaluation. Actions prove to be more effective when extended to the postpartum period. Most of them occurred during home visits and had a positive impact on breastfeeding and birth weight. The establishment of groups of pregnant women contributed to lower prevalence of prematurity. Breastfeeding was found to be the outcome most sensitive to educational strategies. Educational practices during the prenatal period contributed to favorable obstetric outcomes as they minimized pregnant women concerns and anxiety during the pregnancy process, preparing them for childbirth and postpartum, and should be incorporated into health services’ work process.