Towards a better understanding of real-world home-visiting programs: a large-scale effectiveness study of parenting mechanisms in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: The scale-up of parenting programmes to support early childhood development (ECD) is poorly understood. Little is known about how and when early interventions are most effective. Sustainability of ECD programming requires a better understanding of the mechanisms of real-world interventions. We examined the effects on caregiving practices of Primeira Infância Melhor (PIM), a state-wide home-visiting programme in Brazil. METHODS: This propensity score matched, longitudinal, quasiexperimental study uses data from the 2015 Pelotas Birth Cohort. We matched children who received PIM at any age with other cohort children on 25 key covariates. Sensitivity, guidance and responsiveness were assessed using video-recorded play tasks. Coerciveness and the parent-child relationship were assessed using the Parenting and Family Adjustment Scales. All parenting outcomes were examined at age 4 years. Separate moderation analyses were conducted for each effect modifier: family income, child age and duration of participation. RESULTS: Out of 4275 children in the cohort, 797 were enrolled in PIM up to age 4 years. 3018 children (70.6%) were included in the analytic sample, of whom 587 received PIM and 2431 were potential controls. We found a positive effect of PIM on responsiveness (ß=0.08, 95% CIs 0.002 to 0.16) and sensitivity (ß=0.10, 95% CIs 0.02 to 0.19). No effect was found for any secondary outcomes. Moderation analyses revealed a stronger positive effect on sensitivity for low-income parents (ß=0.18, 95% CIs 0.03 to 0.34). CONCLUSION: A state-wide, home-visiting programme in Brazil improved aspects of responsive caregiving. Effects were more pronounced for low-income families, suggesting benefits of purposeful targeting.

Changes in the diagnosis of depression among nursing professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic: A longitudinal study.

AIMS: To identify changes in mental health status among nursing professionals in a Brazilian municipality during the COVID-19 pandemic. DESIGN: An observational and longitudinal study. METHODS: Using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, the presence of depressive symptoms was evaluated among 690 nursing professionals in the city of Pelotas, Brazil, at two moments: June/July 2020 and June/July 2021. RESULTS: 13.0% incidence of depressive symptoms was identified; as well as 12.2% remission; 24.1% persistence and 50.7% absence. Among the factors associated with the worst prognoses we can mention female gender, greater workload, feeling of overload, illness of family members or friends due to COVID-19 and use of psychotropic drugs CONCLUSIONS: There was significant mobility in the diagnosis of depression among the professionals studied during the period analysed, with incidence of new cases of significant depression and greater than the number of remissions. In addition to sociodemographic aspects, traumatic experiences and exposure to continuous overload were associated with persistence and incidence of new cases. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION AND/OR PATIENT CARE: With the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, several studies have shown an increase in depressive symptoms among nursing professionals; however, understanding the long-term effects of this scenario is still a challenge. IMPACT: What problem did the study address? This study investigates changes in the mental health status of nursing professionals working at different care levels, taking the prevalence of screening for depression as a proxy, during a period of a year during the COVID-19 pandemic. What were the main findings? Between both data collection moments, 2020 e 2021, there was a significant percentage of professionals with persistent depression, in addition to a significant proportion of incident cases that slightly exceeded the number of remissions and the factors associated with the worst prognoses were sociodemographic aspects such as gender and emotional stressors like illness of family members or close friends due to COVID-19, in addition to those related to the organisation and support provided by the services, such as workload and feeling of overload. Where and on whom will the research have an impact? This study will impact the nursing professionals and in role of the health services in order to establishing actions that contribute to minimising the deleterious effects of the pandemic on the mental health of their Nursing teams. REPORTING METHOD: The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines were adopted in this study. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No Patient or Public Contribution.

A nationwide school-based study of violence in Brazil (PeNSE, 2015). / Violência contra escolares no Brasil: Pesquisa Nacional da Saúde do Escolar (PeNSE, 2015).

The study aims to describe victimization for domestic violence (DV), knife-related violence (KV), firearm-related violence (FV) and sexual violence (SV). This was a nationwide Brazilian survey with school-based interviews. All 9th grade students from public and private schools in Brazil were invited to participate. The sampling process was at random and cluster-based and performed in three stages: municipalities, schools, and classrooms. Univariate, bivariate and multivariate analyses were carried out considering the sample weights. A total of 100,540 individuals were assessed and the prevalence of victimization for DV, KV, FV and SV was 14.5%, 7.9%, 5.7% and 4.0%, respectively. The DV was more frequent in the South-eastern region, FV was more frequent in the Central-Western region and the KV and SV were more frequent in the Northern region. The victimization for DV and SV was higher among the girls, while the FV and KV were greater among the boys. All forms of victimization were more frequent among public school students, among those at age 16 or older, for those whose mothers have a lower educational level and those who have used alcohol or illegal drugs.

Objetivou-se descrever o perfil de escolares brasileiros acometidos por situações de violência física intrafamiliar (VFI), por objeto perfurocortante (VOC), arma de fogo (VAF) e violência sexual (VS). Trata-se de um estudo transversal de base escolar. Foram avaliados escolares do 9° ano do ensino fundamental em todo Brasil. A amostragem foi realizada em três estágios: seleção dos municípios, posteriormente das escolas, e por fim as turmas. Análises univariadas, bivariadas e multivariadas foram realizadas considerando-se os pesos amostrais. Foram analisadas informações de 100.540 escolares. Foi observada prevalência de 14,5%, 7,9%, 5,7% e 4,0% para a vitimização por VFI, VOC, VAF e VS, respectivamente. A VFI foi mais frequente na região Sudeste, a VAF foi mais frequente na região Centro-oeste e a VOC e VS foram mais frequentes na região Norte do país. A vitimização por VFI e VS foi maior entre as meninas, enquanto a VAF e VOC foi maior entre os meninos. Todas as formas de vitimização por violência foram mais frequentes em escolares das escolas públicas, entre aqueles com 16 anos ou mais, filhos(a) de mães com nenhuma ou baixa escolaridade e que fizeram uso de álcool ou substâncias ilícitas no mês anterior a entrevista.

Prematurity and body composition at 6, 18, and 30 years of age: Pelotas (Brazil) 2004, 1993, and 1982 birth cohorts.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to investigate the association between preterm birth and body composition at 6, 18, and 30 years of age using data from three population-based birth cohort studies. METHODS: Gestational age (GA), defined by the date of the last menstrual period (categorized in ≤33, 34-36, and ≥ 37 weeks), was gathered in the first 24-h after delivery for all live births occurring in the city of Pelotas, Brazil, in 2004, 1993 and 1982. Body composition was assessed by air-displacement plethysmography. Outcomes included fat mass (FM, kg), percent FM (%FM), FM index (FMI, kg/m2), fat-free mass (FFM, kg); percent FFM (%FFM), FFM index (FFMI, kg/m2), body mass index (BMI, kg/m2 at 18 years in the 1993 cohort and 30 years in the 1982 cohort), and BMI Z-score (at 6 years in the 2004 cohort). We further explored the association of birth weight for GA with body composition indicators and BMI. Crude and adjusted linear regressions provided beta coefficients with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). RESULTS: A total of 3036, 3027, and 3369 participants, respectively, from the 2004, 1993, and 1982 cohorts were analyzed. At 6 years, preterm boys (born at 34-36 weeks) presented lower adjusted mean of FM (ß = - 0.80 kg, - 1.45;-0.16, p = 0.046), %FM (ß = - 2.39%, - 3.90;-0.88, p = 0.008), FMI (ß = - 0.70 kg/m2, - 1.13;-0.27, p = 0.004) as well as lower FFM (ß = - 0.4 kg, - 0.77; - 0.12, p = 0.010) and FFMI (ß = - 0.3 kg/m2, - 0.46;-0.10, p < 0.001), and BMI Z-score (ß = - 0.69,; - 0.99;-0.40, p < 0.001); but higher %FFM (ß = 2.4%, 0.87;-3.90, p = 0.008), when compared to boys born at term (≥37). At 30 years, FM (15.7 kg, 0.25;31.1, p = 0.102) was higher among males born at ≤33 weeks. No association was observed for females from the three cohorts and for 18-year-old males. The association of birth weight for GA with body composition and BMI was not significant in any cohort. At 6 years, SGA boys had lower FFMI than boys AGA. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that preterm birth is associated with decreased body fat and fat-free mass in childhood but higher fat mass in adulthood. Nevertheless, results were only significant for males. SGA boys also showed lower FFMI.

Violência contra escolares no Brasil: Pesquisa Nacional da Saúde do Escolar (PeNSE, 2015) / A nationwide school-based study of violence in Brazil (PeNSE, 2015)

Resumo Objetivou-se descrever o perfil de escolares brasileiros acometidos por situações de violência física intrafamiliar (VFI), por objeto perfurocortante (VOC), arma de fogo (VAF) e violência sexual (VS). Trata-se de um estudo transversal de base escolar. Foram avaliados escolares do 9° ano do ensino fundamental em todo Brasil. A amostragem foi realizada em três estágios: seleção dos municípios, posteriormente das escolas, e por fim as turmas. Análises univariadas, bivariadas e multivariadas foram realizadas considerando-se os pesos amostrais. Foram analisadas informações de 100.540 escolares. Foi observada prevalência de 14,5%, 7,9%, 5,7% e 4,0% para a vitimização por VFI, VOC, VAF e VS, respectivamente. A VFI foi mais frequente na região Sudeste, a VAF foi mais frequente na região Centro-oeste e a VOC e VS foram mais frequentes na região Norte do país. A vitimização por VFI e VS foi maior entre as meninas, enquanto a VAF e VOC foi maior entre os meninos. Todas as formas de vitimização por violência foram mais frequentes em escolares das escolas públicas, entre aqueles com 16 anos ou mais, filhos(a) de mães com nenhuma ou baixa escolaridade e que fizeram uso de álcool ou substâncias ilícitas no mês anterior a entrevista.

Abstract The study aims to describe victimization for domestic violence (DV), knife-related violence (KV), firearm-related violence (FV) and sexual violence (SV). This was a nationwide Brazilian survey with school-based interviews. All 9th grade students from public and private schools in Brazil were invited to participate. The sampling process was at random and cluster-based and performed in three stages: municipalities, schools, and classrooms. Univariate, bivariate and multivariate analyses were carried out considering the sample weights. A total of 100,540 individuals were assessed and the prevalence of victimization for DV, KV, FV and SV was 14.5%, 7.9%, 5.7% and 4.0%, respectively. The DV was more frequent in the South-eastern region, FV was more frequent in the Central-Western region and the KV and SV were more frequent in the Northern region. The victimization for DV and SV was higher among the girls, while the FV and KV were greater among the boys. All forms of victimization were more frequent among public school students, among those at age 16 or older, for those whose mothers have a lower educational level and those who have used alcohol or illegal drugs.

Maternal depression trajectories and offspring positive attributes and social aptitudes at early adolescence: 2004 Pelotas birth cohort.

There is growing evidence that adolescent positive attributes and social aptitudes are associated with beneficial outcomes, including higher educational attainment and lower risk of later psychiatric disorder. Although maternal depression is a well-known risk factor for a variety of offspring adverse outcomes, less is known on its repercussion on children's positive behavioral traits. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of maternal depression trajectories on offspring positive attributes and social aptitudes, testing sex-moderated models for the studied association. The 2004 Pelotas Birth Cohort is an ongoing cohort originally comprised by 4231 live births from Brazil. We included 3465 11-year-old adolescents (48.6% female; maternal self-reported skin color: 27.0% non-white). Maternal depressive symptoms were assessed by the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) at all follow-ups. Adolescent positive attributes and social aptitudes were ascertained by specific subscales of Development and Well-Being Assessment (DAWBA). Multivariate linear regression was used to examine the effect of maternal depression trajectories on offspring's outcomes, adjusting for potential confounding variables. Moderation was assessed with interaction terms. Adolescents from mothers who presented high-chronic levels of depressive symptoms during offspring's life have lower scores of positive attributes and social aptitudes. Boys exposed to maternal depression during their lifetime are more affected than girls regarding positive attributes, but this sex difference was not observed for social aptitudes. Interventions targeting the promotion of adaptive behavioral traits may represent an effective way to buffer the adverse impact of maternal depression on offspring development, especially for vulnerable groups such as male adolescents.

Major depressive episode among university students in Southern Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: Depression is the leading cause of disability around the world, and it has been increasingly affecting young people. This study evaluates the prevalence and factors associated with major depression in university students, with emphasis on the influence of the academic field, chosen study area and the environment they are inserted. METHODS: A census of students who entered the university in the first semester of 2017 was held at a university in Southern Brazil. The outcome of major depressive episode was evaluated using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, considered when the individual had five or more depressive symptoms for at least one week. Its prevalence was estimated, and the associated factors were examined by the hierarchical multivariable analysis using the Poisson regression model. RESULTS: A total of 32% (95% confidence interval 29.9-34.2) of university students presented a major depressive episode, and the problem was more frequent among women (prevalence ratio [PR] = 1.59); people aged 21 to 23 years (PR = 1.24); those with a family history of depression (PR = 1.27); minorities' sexual orientation (homosexuals, PR = 1.64, and bisexuals, PR = 1.69); who lived with friends or colleagues (PR = 1.36); students in the area of applied social and human sciences (PR = 1.28), and linguistics, language and literature, and art (PR = 1.25). The worst academic performance (PR = 2.61), alcohol abuse (PR = 1.25), and illicit drug use (PR = 1.30) were also positively associated with major depressive episode. CONCLUSION: In addition to individual, family, and behavioral aspects, already described as risk factors for major depressive episodes in the general population, academic aspects also influence the occurrence of depression among university students. Considering the high prevalence of major depressive episode and its negative impact on health, public and institutional policies are necessary to focus on students' mental health promotion and care.

Relative Age and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Data From Three Epidemiological Cohorts and a Meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of relatively younger age on attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms and diagnosis through three population-based cohorts and a meta-analysis. METHOD: This study included participants of three community-based cohorts in Brazil: 1993 Pelotas Cohort (N = 5,249), 2004 Pelotas Cohort (N = 4,231), and Brazilian High-Risk Study for Psychiatric Disorders (HRC study) (N = 2,511). We analyzed the effect of relatively younger age on ADHD symptoms and diagnosis. For the meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Web of Science from inception through December 25, 2018. We selected studies that reported measures of association between relative immaturity and an ADHD diagnosis. We followed the Meta-analysis Of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines. The protocol for meta-analysis is available on PROSPERO (CRD42018099966). RESULTS: In the meta-analysis, we identified 1,799 potentially eligible records, from which 25 studies including 8,076,570 subjects (164,049 ADHD cases) were analyzed with their effect estimates. The summarized relative risk of an ADHD diagnosis was 1.34 (95% CI, 1.26-1.43, p < .001) for children born in the first 4 months of the school year (relatively younger). Heterogeneity was high (I2 = 96.7%). Relative younger age was associated with higher levels of ADHD symptoms in the 1993 Pelotas Cohort (p = .003), 2004 Pelotas Cohort (p = .046), and HRC study (p = .010). CONCLUSION: Children and adolescents who are relatively younger compared with their classmates have a higher risk of receiving an ADHD diagnosis. Clinicians should consider the developmental level of young children when evaluating ADHD symptoms.

Major depressive episode among university students in Southern Brazil / Episódio depressivo maior entre universitários do sul do Brasil

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION Depression is the leading cause of disability around the world, and it has been increasingly affecting young people. This study evaluates the prevalence and factors associated with major depression in university students, with emphasis on the influence of the academic field, chosen study area and the environment they are inserted. METHODS A census of students who entered the university in the first semester of 2017 was held at a university in Southern Brazil. The outcome of major depressive episode was evaluated using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, considered when the individual had five or more depressive symptoms for at least one week. Its prevalence was estimated, and the associated factors were examined by the hierarchical multivariable analysis using the Poisson regression model. RESULTS A total of 32% (95% confidence interval 29.9-34.2) of university students presented a major depressive episode, and the problem was more frequent among women (prevalence ratio [PR] = 1.59); people aged 21 to 23 years (PR = 1.24); those with a family history of depression (PR = 1.27); minorities' sexual orientation (homosexuals, PR = 1.64, and bisexuals, PR = 1.69); who lived with friends or colleagues (PR = 1.36); students in the area of applied social and human sciences (PR = 1.28), and linguistics, language and literature, and art (PR = 1.25). The worst academic performance (PR = 2.61), alcohol abuse (PR = 1.25), and illicit drug use (PR = 1.30) were also positively associated with major depressive episode. CONCLUSION In addition to individual, family, and behavioral aspects, already described as risk factors for major depressive episodes in the general population, academic aspects also influence the occurrence of depression among university students. Considering the high prevalence of major depressive episode and its negative impact on health, public and institutional policies are necessary to focus on students' mental health promotion and care.

RESUMO INTRODUÇÃO A depressão é a principal causa de incapacidade em todo o mundo, atingindo cada vez mais os jovens. Este estudo avalia a prevalência e fatores associados ao episódio depressivo maior em universitários, com ênfase na influência do meio acadêmico, área de estudo escolhida pelo universitário e ambiente onde ele está inserido. METODOLOGIA Realizou-se um censo dos universitários ingressantes do primeiro semestre de 2017 em uma universidade do sul do Brasil. O desfecho episódio depressivo maior foi avaliado a partir do questionário Patient Health Questionnaire-9, considerado quando o indivíduo apresentava cinco ou mais sintomas depressivos por pelo menos uma semana. Sua prevalência foi estimada e os fatores associados foram examinados pela análise multivariável hierarquizada utilizando a regressão de Poisson com seleção para trás. RESULTADOS Um total de 32% (intervalo de confiança de 95% 29,9-34,2) dos universitários apresentou episódio depressivo maior, e o problema foi mais frequente entre indivíduos do sexo feminino (razão de prevalências [RP] = 1,59), de 21 a 23 anos de idade (RP = 1,24), com histórico familiar de depressão (RP = 1,27), com orientação sexual de minorias (homossexuais, RP = 1,64, e bissexuais, RP = 1,69), que moravam com amigos ou colegas (RP = 1,36), estudantes da área das ciências sociais aplicadas e humanas (RP = 1,28) e de linguística, letras e artes (RP = 1,25). O pior desempenho acadêmico (RP = 2,61), o uso abusivo de álcool (RP = 1,25) e o consumo de drogas ilícitas (RP = 1,30) também estiveram positivamente associados ao episódio depressivo maior. CONCLUSÃO Além dos aspectos individuais, familiares e comportamentais, semelhantes aos já descritos como fatores de risco para episódio depressivo maior na população em geral, aspectos acadêmicos também influenciam a ocorrência de depressão entre universitários. Considerando a alta prevalência de episódio depressivo maior e seu impacto negativo na saúde, são necessárias políticas públicas e institucionais que enfoquem a promoção da saúde e atenção à demanda de saúde mental dos estudantes.

Gender differences in the effects of childhood maltreatment on adult depression and anxiety: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Child maltreatment has well-documented long-term, adverse effects on mental health, but it is not clear whether there are gender differences in these effects. We conducted a systematic review to investigate whether there are gender differences in the effects of maltreatment on adult depression and anxiety. Medline, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Lilacs were searched for relevant studies published up to May 2016. Eligible studies included population-based studies (with a cohort, case-control or cross-sectional design) which assessed maltreatment during childhood or adolescence (≤18 years) and its association with major depression or generalized anxiety disorder (DSM/ICD diagnostic criteria) in adulthood (>18 years) separately for females and males. Meta-analysis was performed to estimate the association between each exposure and outcome using fixed and random effects models. Pooled odds ratios (OR) were estimated separately for women and men and compared. Five studies of physical and sexual abuse were included in the meta-analyses. These provided twenty-two effects sizes estimates (11 for men, 11 for women) for associations between physical/sexual abuse and depression/anxiety. Exposure to each kind of abuse increased the odds of depression/anxiety. Associations were larger for women than for men, however, these gender differences were not statistically significant. Physical and sexual abuse in childhood/adolescence are risk factors for depression/anxiety in adulthood and the effect could be larger for women; however, currently there is insufficient evidence to definitively identify gender differences in the effects of maltreatment.

Adesão dos profissionais de saúde a práticas pré- e neonatais de redução da mortalidade neonatal: 2004 versus 2012 / Providers’ compliance with practice guidelines of prenatal and neonatal care to reduce neonatal mortality: 2004 versus 2012

RESUMO: Objetivo: Avaliar a adesão dos profissionais de saúde a práticas de assistência pré-natal e neonatal para reduzir a mortalidade neonatal. Métodos: Estudo não controlado, do tipo antes-e-depois, que avaliou a mudança ocorrida entre os anos 2004 e 2012, após as intervenções propostas pelo Comitê Municipal de Investigação de Óbitos Infantis, Fetais e de Morte Materna (COMAI) na cidade de Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, na frequência de indicadores de processo de melhoria na assistência perinatal. Foram estudados 254 pacientes no ano de 2004 e 259 no ano de 2012. Resultados: Foi observado aumento de 65% na frequência do uso de corticoide pré-natal entre gestantes em trabalho de parto prematuro com idade gestacional ≤ 34 semanas (frequência de uso de 38,0 e 62,8% em 2004 e 2012, respectivamente; p < 0,001) e de 35% no uso de surfactante entre recém-nascidos ≤ 34 semanas de idade gestacional (41,3 e 55,6% em 2004 e 2012, respectivamente; p = 0,025), assim como uma redução de 16% na presença de hipotermia (70,8 e 59,4% em 2004 e 2012, respectivamente; p = 0,009) na admissão à unidade de terapia intensiva neonatal. Conclusão: Houve melhora em algumas das práticas de assistência pré-natal e neonatal. Ao final do período estudado, as frequências de uso de corticoide pré-natal e de surfactante foram menores do que as relatadas internacionalmente. No mesmo sentido, a frequência de hipotermia na admissão à unidade de terapia intensiva neonatal foi maior do que a observada em países desenvolvidos.

ABSTRACT: Objective: To evaluate providers’ compliance with practice guidelines of prenatal and neonatal care in order to reduce neonatal mortality. Methods: Uncontrolled before-and-after study designed to evaluate changes that occurred between 2004 and 2012, after the interventions proposed by the Municipality Committee of Research on Child Deaths, Foetal and Maternal Death (COMAI) on the frequency of the process indicators for perinatal assistance improvement. A total of 254 patients were studied in 2004 and 259 patients in 2012. Results: During the study period, there was an increase of 65% in the use of prenatal corticosteroids among pregnant women in preterm labor with gestational age of ≤ 34 weeks (rate of use of 38.0 and 62.8% in 2004 and 2012, respectively; p < 0.001), 35% of increase in the use of surfactant among newborns with ≤ 34 weeks of gestational age (41.3 and 55.6% in 2004 and 2012, respectively; p = 0.025) and a reduction of 16% in the prevalence of hypothermia (70.8 and 59.4% in 2004 and 2012, respectively; p = 0.009) at the neonatal intensive care unit admission. Conclusions: Prenatal and neonatal care practices improved between 2004 and 2012. At the end of the study period, rates of use of antenatal steroids and surfactant were lower than figures reported internationally. Similarly, the frequency of hypothermia at the neonatal intensive care unit admission was higher than the occurrence observed in developed countries.

[Depressive symptoms among the elderly: a cross-sectional population-based study]. / Sintomas depressivos em idosos: estudo transversal de base populacional.

A cross-sectional population-based study was conducted in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, in 2014 with the aim of measuring the prevalence and factors associated with depressive symptoms among the elderly. Sampling was carried out by clusters in two stages. All the elderly people (≥ 60 years) living in the selected households were invited to participate. The occurrence of depressive symptoms was measured using GDS-10 (Geriatric Depression Scale) with ≥ 5cut-off. Information for 1,451 elderly people was obtained. The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 15.2% (95% CI 13.2 to 17.2). After multivariate analysis, the occurrence of depressive symptoms was higher among women, the elderly in economically straitened circumstances, those who were out of work, the physically inactive, those with worse self-reported health and those with functional disability. Greater attention should be given to the identification of depressive symptoms among the elderly and associated factors to inform policy and planning interventions for treatment and management of this ailment at the collective level.

Sintomas depressivos em idosos: estudo transversal de base populacional / Depressive symptoms among the elderly: a cross-sectional population-based study

Resumo Foi realizado um estudo transversal de base populacional na cidade de Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, em 2014, com o objetivo de medir a prevalência e identificar os fatores associados aos sintomas depressivos em idosos. A amostragem foi realizada por conglomerados em dois estágios. Todos os idosos (≥ 60 anos) residentes nos domicílios selecionados foram convidados a participar. A ocorrência dos sintomas depressivos foi medida utilizando-se a GDS-10 (Geriatric Depression Scale) com o ponto de corte ≥ 5. Foram obtidas informações de 1.451 idosos. A prevalência dos sintomas depressivos foi de 15,2% (IC95% 13,2-17,2). Após análise multivariável, a ocorrência de sintomas depressivos foi maior entre as mulheres, os idosos de pior situação econômica, aqueles que não trabalhavam, os fisicamente inativos, aqueles com pior autoavaliação de saúde e naqueles com incapacidade funcional. Maior atenção deve ser dada à identificação de sintomas depressivos em idosos e seus fatores associados para fundamentar políticas e planejamentos de intervenções para tratamento e manejo desta doença em nível coletivo.

Abstract A cross-sectional population-based study was conducted in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, in 2014 with the aim of measuring the prevalence and factors associated with depressive symptoms among the elderly. Sampling was carried out by clusters in two stages. All the elderly people (≥ 60 years) living in the selected households were invited to participate. The occurrence of depressive symptoms was measured using GDS-10 (Geriatric Depression Scale) with ≥ 5cut-off. Information for 1,451 elderly people was obtained. The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 15.2% (95% CI 13.2 to 17.2). After multivariate analysis, the occurrence of depressive symptoms was higher among women, the elderly in economically straitened circumstances, those who were out of work, the physically inactive, those with worse self-reported health and those with functional disability. Greater attention should be given to the identification of depressive symptoms among the elderly and associated factors to inform policy and planning interventions for treatment and management of this ailment at the collective level.

Providers' compliance with practice guidelines of prenatal and neonatal care to reduce neonatal mortality: 2004 versus 2012. / Adesão dos profissionais de saúde a práticas pré- e neonatais de redução da mortalidade neonatal: 2004 versus 2012.

OBJECTIVE:: To evaluate providers' compliance with practice guidelines of prenatal and neonatal care in order to reduce neonatal mortality. METHODS:: Uncontrolled before-and-after study designed to evaluate changes that occurred between 2004 and 2012, after the interventions proposed by the Municipality Committee of Research on Child Deaths, Foetal and Maternal Death (COMAI) on the frequency of the process indicators for perinatal assistance improvement. A total of 254 patients were studied in 2004 and 259 patients in 2012. RESULTS:: During the study period, there was an increase of 65% in the use of prenatal corticosteroids among pregnant women in preterm labor with gestational age of ≤ 34 weeks (rate of use of 38.0 and 62.8% in 2004 and 2012, respectively; p < 0.001), 35% of increase in the use of surfactant among newborns with ≤ 34 weeks of gestational age (41.3 and 55.6% in 2004 and 2012, respectively; p = 0.025) and a reduction of 16% in the prevalence of hypothermia (70.8 and 59.4% in 2004 and 2012, respectively; p = 0.009) at the neonatal intensive care unit admission. CONCLUSIONS:: Prenatal and neonatal care practices improved between 2004 and 2012. At the end of the study period, rates of use of antenatal steroids and surfactant were lower than figures reported internationally. Similarly, the frequency of hypothermia at the neonatal intensive care unit admission was higher than the occurrence observed in developed countries.