Neighbourhood environment and transport-related and leisure-time sedentary behaviour amongst women in a city in Southern Brazil: a multilevel analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the association between neighbourhood environmental variables and excessive transport-related and leisure-time sedentary behaviour (ETSB and ELSB, respectively) amongst adult women in Southern Brazil. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a representative sample of 1079 women 20 to 69 years of age who lived in 44 neighbourhoods. Each neighbourhood was determined by drawing a 400-m buffer around the median point of the participants' homes. Neighbourhoods were assessed by audit and by using government data. Sedentary behaviour (SB) and the remaining individual variables were assessed via questionnaire that was administered as an interview. Multilevel logistic regression analysis was conducted. RESULTS: In the adjusted analysis, women who lived in neighbourhoods with a higher percentage of terrain slope and fewer public recreation areas per resident had significantly (p ≤ 0.05) increased odds of exhibiting ETSB and ELSB, with 50% and 40% increases, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The results show that some aspects of the neighbourhood environment such as terrain slope and total public recreation areas per resident are related to specific SBs, indicating that improvements in neighbourhoods can reduce SB in women.

Do people accept brain death as death? A study in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Although the term brain death has been clinically and legally accepted as a death criterion, few data are published about public attitudes and beliefs concerning this topic. OBJECTIVES: To examine public understanding of brain death and how the term brain death affects decisions about organ donation. METHODS: Population-based cross-sectional study, with individuals aged 20 years or older in the urban area of Pelotas, State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The instrument used was a structured questionnaire, completed in individual interviews. chi2 and t test were used in the univariate and logistic regression in multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Of 3159 participants, 80.1% would authorize organ donation from a relative who had previously declared a willingness to do so. However, when the words "brain death" were used as death, only 63% would authorize organ donation. When the subject had not been discussed, only a third of the participants would authorize the donation of a relative's organs. CONCLUSIONS: When the term death was substituted with brain death, the willingness to donate decreased by 20%, suggesting that some individuals do not understand or accept the term brain death. Increasing comprehension about the concept of brain death and adopting educational strategies are essential to obtain higher rates of organ donation in developing countries.

Organ donation: a population-based study.

OBJECTIVE: Through a population-based study, it was identified the prevalence of people's willingness to donate their own organs and from their relatives, evaluating associated factors in an adult population. It was also identified their understanding of cerebral death. METHODOLOGY: Cross-sectional study, with people aged 20 yr or older in the urban area of Pelotas, State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The instrument used was a structured questionnaire, filled out in individual interviews. Chi-squared and linear trend test were used in the bivariated analysis. Multivariated analysis was conducted according to a hierarchical classification model using Poisson regression. It was considered meaningful the value for p < or = 0.05 two-sided. RESULTS: Amid 3159 participants, the prevalence to donate organs was 52%, amongst which 58% had expressed such willingness to a relative. Most respondents (80.1%) would authorize the donation of relative's organs who had previously declared their willingness to do so. When the subject had not been discussed, only a third of the total number of people interviewed would authorize the donation of a relative's organ. After adjustment to confusing factors, higher willingness was characterized among the youngest, the higher educated and those belonging to families with income over 10 minimum wages. The Evangelical and Jehovah's Witnesses practitioners showed to be less prone to donate. CONCLUSION: According to the study, when the peoples had not enough information regarding family member's donation wishes the rate of willingness to donate organs is lower. Sociodemographic characteristics influence the rate of public willingness to donate organs and campaigns educational should be directed to improve rates of donation the organs.

Prevalence and risk factors for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease according to symptoms and spirometry.

The burden of COPD is quite high and its prevalence is increasing. Few data are available from Latin America. There is no consensus on what criteria should be the gold standard for the definition of this disease. A population-based study was carried out in a southern Brazilian city, including adults aged 40-69 years. The aim was to measure the prevalence of COPD according to several criteria. From the 1,046 subjects chosen from a multiple-stage sampling protocol, a sub-sample of 234 subjects was systematically selected to undergo spirometry. Percentages of COPD according to different criteria were: chronic bronchitis by questionnaire (7.8%); GOLD stage 0 (7.3%); fixed ratio (15.2%); GOLD stage II (9.9%); ERS (27.7%). The relationship among the three lung functional measurements showed that around 70% of all subjects had negative results with all three criteria, and around 10% were positive according to all three. Utilization of symptom-based or spirometry definitions of COPD provide different prevalence estimates. Use of different spirometric criteria also resulted in different percentages of COPD. According to spirometry, COPD was higher among men, elderly, those with low education and ex-smokers. On the other hand, current smokers were more likely to present symptoms of chronic bronchitis. The fixed ratio criterion is recommended when population-specific reference curves are not available, while the GOLD definition is recommended to evaluate severity of COPD.