Ultra-processed food consumption and nutritional status in Uruguayan and Brazilian children between three to five years / Consumo de alimentos ultraprocesados y estado nutricional en niños de tres a cinco años uruguayos y brasileños

Introduction. There is growing consensus globally that the consumption of ultra- processed food (UPF) can negatively affect the nutritional status of children. Objective. The present study aims to evaluate associations between the consumption of UPF and the nutritional status in a sample of Uruguayan and Brazilian preschoolers belonging to two studies: the ENDIS Study and the Pelotas 2015 Birth Cohort. Materials and methods. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis. The main outcome measure was obesity defined as BMI for age and sex ≥ +3 z-scores. The score of UPF consumption was the main exposure measured. Each positive answer of habitual intake was added up to create a UPF score ranging from zero to six or more UPF. Crude and adjusted logistic regressions were performed for the associations between UPF consumption and nutritional status in preschoolers. Results. The final sample consisted of 8,687 preschool children, 50.8% belonging to the Uruguayan study, while the remaining 49.2% belonged to the Brazilian study. Nearly 5% of the sample of young children were obese. We didn't observe a relationship between the score of UPF consumption and obesity, the odds ratio (OR) was 1.04 (95% CI, 1.00­1.09). Adjustments resulted in modest attenuation of the relationship and a lack of statistical significance. However, in children under 48 months, the score of UPF consumption was directly associated with childhood obesity. Conclusions. Results suggest that higher consumption of UPF is associated with obesity in Uruguayan and Brazilian preschool children under 4 years of age. These findings suggest that actions to reduce ultra- processed food consumption could lead to diminish obesity patterns and bring important public health benefits(AU)

Introducción. Existe creciente consenso a nivel mundial de que el consumo de alimentos ultraprocesados puede afectar negativamente el estado nutricional de los niños. Objetivo. El presente estudio tiene como objetivo evaluar asociaciones entre el consumo de ultraprocesados y el estado nutricional en una muestra de preescolares uruguayos y brasileños pertenecientes a dos estudios: el Estudio ENDIS y la Cohorte de Nacimiento de Pelotas 2015. Materiales y métodos. Se realizó un análisis transversal. La principal medida de resultado fue la obesidad definida como el IMC/edad y sexo ≥ +3 puntuaciones z. La puntuación del consumo de ultraprocesados fue la principal exposición. Cada respuesta positiva de la ingesta habitual se sumó para crear una puntuación de ultraprocesados que oscilaba entre cero y seis o más. Se realizaron regresiones logísticas crudas y ajustadas. Resultados. La muestra final estuvo constituida por 8.687 niños, de los cuales el 50,8% pertenecía al estudio uruguayo, mientras que el 49,2% restante pertenecía al estudio brasileño. Casi el 5% de la muestra de niños pequeños eran obesos. No observamos relación entre la puntuación del consumo de ultraprocesados y la obesidad, el odds ratio (OR) fue de 1,04 (IC 95%, 1,00-1,09). Los ajustes dieron lugar a modesta atenuación de la relación y falta de significación estadística. Sin embargo, en menores de 48 meses la puntuación de consumo de ultraprocesados se asoció directamente con la obesidad infantil. Conclusiones. Los resultados sugieren que un mayor consumo de ultraprocesados se asocia con obesidad en prescolares uruguayos y brasileños menores de 4 años. Estos hallazgos sugieren que las acciones para reducir el consumo de alimentos ultraprocesados podrían conducir a una disminución de los patrones de obesidad y traer importantes beneficios para la salud pública(AU)

The effect of obstetric violence during childbirth on breastfeeding: findings from a perinatal cohort "Birth in Brazil".

Background: Recent literature has shown that many women worldwide are victims of obstetric violence during childbirth. Despite that, few studies are exploring the consequences of such violence on women's and newborn's health. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the causal association between obstetric violence during childbirth and breastfeeding. Methods: We used data from the study "Birth in Brazil", a national hospital-based cohort of puerperal women and their newborns in 2011/2012. The analysis involved 20,527 women. Obstetric violence was a latent variable composed of seven indicators (physical or psychological violence, disrespect, lack of information, privacy and communication with the healthcare team, inability to ask questions, and loss of autonomy). We worked with two outcomes: 1) breastfeeding at the maternity and 2) breastfeeding 43-180 days after birth. We applied multigroup structural equation modelling, based on the type of birth. Findings: Obstetric violence during childbirth may decrease the probability for women to leave the maternity ward breastfeeding exclusively, having a stronger effect on women who have vaginal birth. Also, being exposed to obstetric violence during childbirth could indirectly affect those women's ability to breastfeed 43-180 days after birth. Interpretation: This research concludes that obstetric violence during childbirth is a risk factor for breastfeeding discontinuation. Such knowledge is relevant so interventions and public policies can be proposed in order to mitigate obstetric violence and provide a better understanding of the context that may lead a woman into discontinuing breastfeeding. Funding: This research was funded by CAPES, CNPQ, DeCiT, and INOVA-ENSP.

Ultra-processed food consumption and the incidence of obesity in two cohorts of Latin-American young children: A longitudinal study.

PURPOSE: We evaluated the potential associations between the consumption of ultra-processed food (UPF) and the incidence of obesity among Uruguayan and Brazilian preschoolers. DESIGN AND METHODS: We conducted a longitudinal analysis using data from preschool children from Uruguay and Brazil. The "Health, child development and nutritional survey" (ENDIS) was conducted in Uruguay in 2013-2014 and 2015-2016. The Brazilian survey (Pelotas 2015 Birth Cohort) has measures from 2017 and 2019. The main outcome measure was obesity defined as body mass index (BMI) for age and sex ≥ +3 z-scores. The score of UPF consumption was the main exposure measured. Multilevel crude and adjusted Poisson regressions were performed to estimate risk ratios and the respective 95% Confidence Intervals (95% CI). RESULTS: The overall incidence of obesity in this group of young Latin-American children with a mean age of 48 months was 4.1%. We observed a relationship between UPF and obesity with statistical significance (RR: 1.10 (95% CI, 1.02-1.18). Adjustment for weight at birth, age, sex, breastfeeding, country, and time between waves resulted in a similar relationship but lack of statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Whilst in this study we did not find strong evidence of an association between the incidence of obesity and the intake at baseline and currently of UPF, results suggest that higher UPF consumption is more favorable than reduced consumption for the development of obesity. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The present study reinforces the importance of nutrition education and more effective public policies for promoting healthier food choices in early childhood.

Dental caries and depression in pregnant women: The role of oral health self-perception as mediator.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the role of oral health self-perception as mediator of association between dental caries and depression among pregnant women from the 2015 Pelotas Birth Cohort Study, Brazil. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Overall, 2,496 pregnant women participated of this oral health sub-study. Data related to demographic and socioeconomic conditions, lifetime and current depression, and oral health self-perception were collected. Participants were also assessed for dental caries (DMF-T index). Depression was assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. For analysis, six outcomes related to dental caries experience were considered. Causal mediation analysis was performed using parametric regression models. RESULTS: When it was assumed that all subjects had poor perception about oral health, it was observed that the presence of moderate/severe depressive signals and symptoms was higher in subjects with dental caries experience (OR 1.13; CI 95% 1.06-1.20), with severity of untreated dental caries (OR 2.08; CI 95% 1.16-3.78), untreated dental caries (OR 1.18; 95% CI 1.07-1.29), tooth loss (OR 1.08; 95% CI 1.02-1.14), and filled tooth (OR 1.07; 95% CI 1.02-1.16). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show the effect of dental caries on depression is mediated by self-perception about oral health in pregnant women.

Co-occurrence of alcohol, tobacco and illicit drug use among university students in Brazil / Uso concomitante de álcool, tabaco e drogas ilícitas entre estudantes universitários no Brasil / Uso concurrente de alcohol, tabaco y drogas ilícitas entre estudiantes universitarios de Brasil

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of co-occurrence of alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drug use among students at a public university in a municipality in Southern Brazil, and to evaluate the factors associated with this practice. Methods: Cross-sectional study conducted with undergraduate students between November 2017 and July 2018, to whom a digital self-administered questionnaire was applied. The relationship between the dependent variables co-occurrence of alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drug use and co-occurrence of alcohol and illicit drug use was analyzed using binary logistic regression with a 95% confidence interval. Results: Of the 1,824 university students, 92.0% consumed alcohol in their lifetime, 11.0% smoked, 43.9% used at least one illicit drug in their lifetime, and 23.3% used at least one illicit drug in the last 30 days. The rate of co-occurrence of alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drug use was 5.2%, and it was associated with belonging to the highest economic class (p = 0.0003), experimenting with drugs before the age of 18 (p = 0.0013), and attending an exact sciences or land/agricultural sciences program (p = 0.0386). The prevalence of co-occurrence of alcohol and illicit drug use was 13.6%, and it was associated with belonging to the highest economic class (p = 0.0000), male gender (p = 0.0323), depression (p = 0.0001), experimentation with alcohol before the age of 18 (p = 0.0000), attending a linguistics or arts and literature program (p = 0.0314) and living alone/with friends (p = 0.0000). Conclusion: The co-occurrence of alcohol and drug use was higher than the co-occurrence of use of the three substances, and factors such as experimenting with drugs before the age of 18 and being of higher economic status were associated with these patterns.

Objetivo: Estimar a prevalência do uso concomitante de álcool, tabaco e drogas ilícitas entre estudantes de uma universidade pública de um município do Sul do Brasil, bem como avaliar os fatores associados a essa prática. Métodos: Estudo transversal realizado com estudantes de graduação entre novembro de 2017 e julho de 2018, aos quais se aplicou questionário digital autopreenchido. A relação entre as variáveis dependentes uso concomitante de álcool, tabaco e drogas ilícitas e uso concomitante de álcool e drogas ilícitas foi analisada por meio de regressão logística binária com intervalo de confiança de 95%. Resultados: Dos 1.824 universitários, 92,0% consumiram álcool na vida, 11,0% fumavam, 43,9% utilizaram pelo menos uma droga na vida e 23,3%, pelo menos uma nos últimos 30 dias. O consumo concomitante de álcool, tabaco e drogas foi de 5,2%, associado à classe econômica mais alta (p=0,0003), experimentação de drogas antes dos 18 anos (p=0,0013) e frequentar cursos das áreas de exatas e terra/agrárias (p=0,0386). A prevalência do uso concomitante de álcool e drogas foi 13,6%, associado à classe econômica mais alta (p=0,0000), sexo masculino (p=0,0323), depressão (p=0,0001), experimentação de álcool antes dos 18 anos (p=0,0000), frequentar cursos de linguística, letras e artes (p=0,0314) e morar sozinho/com amigos (p=0,0000). Conclusão: O consumo concomitante de álcool e drogas foi superior ao consumo concomitante das três substâncias; e fatores como experimentar drogas antes dos 18 anos de idade e ser de classe econômica mais alta estiveram associados.

Objetivo: Estimar la prevalencia del uso concurrente de alcohol, tabaco y drogas ilícitas entre los estudiantes de una universidad pública de un municipio del Sur de Brasil así como evaluar los factores asociados con esa práctica. Métodos: Estudio transversal realizado con estudiantes de grado entre noviembre de 2017 y julio de 2018 a los cuales se les ha dado un cuestionario digital auto aplicado. La relación entre las variables dependientes uso concurrente de alcohol, tabaco y drogas ilícitas y uso concurrente de alcohol y drogas ilícitas ha sido analizada por la regresión logística binaria con intervalo de confianza del 95%. Resultados: De los 1.824 universitarios, el 92,0% ha consumido alcohol en la vida, el 11,0% fumaban, el 43,9% ha utilizado por lo menos una droga en la vida y el 23,3% por lo menos una en los últimos 30 días. El consumo concurrente de alcohol, tabaco y drogas ha sido del 5,2% y se ha asociado con la clase económica más alta (p=0,0003), la experiencia con la droga antes de los 18 años de edad (p=0,0013) y asistir a cursos de ciencias exactas y tierra/ciencias agrarias (p=0,0386). La prevalencia del uso concurrente de alcohol y drogas ha sido del 13,6% asociado con la clase económica más alta (p=0,0000), el género masculino (p=0,0323), la depresión (p=0,0001), la experiencia del alcohol antes de los 18 años de edad, asistir al curso de lingüística, letras y artes (p=0,0314) y vivir solo/con los amigos (p=0,0000). Conclusión: El consumo concurrente de alcohol y drogas ha sido más alto que el consumo concurrente de las tres sustancias; y factores como la experiencia con drogas antes de los 18 años de edad y ser de la clase económica más alta se han asociado.

Aptima Trichomonas vaginalis assay elucidates significant underdiagnosis of trichomoniasis among women in Brazil according to an observational study.

OBJECTIVES: Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) infection is the most common non-viral STI globally and can result in adverse pregnancy outcomes and exacerbated HIV acquisition/transmission. Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) are the most sensitive diagnostic tests, with high specificity, but TV NAATs are rarely used in Brazil. We investigated the TV prevalence and compared the performance of the US Food and Drug Association-cleared Aptima TV assay with microscopy (wet mount and Gram-stained) and culture for TV detection in women in Pelotas, Brazil in an observational study. METHODS: From August 2015 to December 2016, 499 consecutive asymptomatic and symptomatic sexually active women attending a Gynaecology and Obstetrics Outpatient Clinic were enrolled. Vaginal fluid and swab specimens were collected and wet mount microscopy, Gram-stained microscopy, culture and the Aptima TV assay performed. RESULTS: The median age of enrolled women was 36.5 years (range: 15-77). The majority were white, had a steady sexual partner and low levels of education. The TV detection rate was 4.2%, 2.4%, 1.2% and 0% using the Aptima TV assay, culture, wet mount microscopy and Gram-stained microscopy, respectively. The sensitivity of culture and wet mount microscopy was only 57.1% (95% CI 36.5 to 75.5) and 28.6% (95% CI 13.8 to 50.0), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A 4.2% positivity rate of T. vaginalis was found among women in Pelotas, Brazil and the routine diagnostic test (wet mount microscopy) and culture had low sensitivities. More sensitive diagnostic tests (NAATs) and enhanced testing of symptomatic and asymptomatic at-risk women are crucial to mitigate the transmission of TV infection, TV-associated sequelae and enhanced HIV acquisition and transmission.

Quality assessment indicators in antenatal care worldwide: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: To describe indicators used for the assessment of antenatal care (ANC) quality worldwide under the World Health Organization (WHO) framework and based on a systematic review of the literature. DATA SOURCES: Searches were performed in MEDLINE, SciELO, BIREME and Web of Science for eligible studies published between January 2002 and September 2016. STUDY SELECTION: Original articles describing women who had received ANC, any ANC model and, any ANC quality indicators were included. DATA EXTRACTION: Publication date, study design and ANC process indicators were extracted. RESULTS OF DATA SYNTHESIS: Of the total studies included, 69 evaluated at least one type of ANC process indicator. According to WHO ANC guidelines, 8.7% of the articles reported healthy eating counseling and 52.2% iron and folic acid supplementation. The evaluation indicators on maternal and fetal interventions were: syphilis testing (55.1%), HIV testing (47.8%), gestational diabetes mellitus screening (40.6%) and ultrasound (27.5%). Essential ANC activities assessment ranged from 26.1% report of fetal heart sound, 50.7% of maternal weight and 63.8% of blood pressure. Regarding preventive measures recommended by WHO, tetanus vaccine was reported in 60.9% of the articles. Interventions performed by health services to improve use and quality of ANC care, promotion of maternal and fetal health, and the number of visits to the ANC were evaluated in 65.2% of the studies. CONCLUSION: Numerous ANC content indicators are being used to assess ANC quality. However, there is a need to use standardized indicators across countries and efforts to improve quality evaluation.

Trichomonas Vaginalis Infection Among Women Attending in the Public Service in Rio Grande do Sul,Brazil: Frequency, Risk Factors and Clinical Signs / Infecção por Trichomonas Vaginalis em Mulheres a Tendidas pelo Serviço Público no Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil: Frequência, Fatores de Risco e Sinais Clínicos

Trichomoniasis is a cosmopolitan disease that can affect the female fertility, and is commonly underdiagnosed, both in private practices and in public health services, because of the low sensitivity of the wet mount exam used routinely. Objective: To understand the occurrence of T. vaginalis infection by means of in vitro culture in women receiving care in a public health unit, in the city of Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, as well as to identify the possible risk factors associated with this infection. Methods: Cross­sectional study was carried out, which included 201 women undergoing interview and gynecological exam, with the collection of vaginal discharge in the Gynecology Ambulatory at the School of Medicine of Universidade Federal de Pelotas. The material collected was examined in the form of fresh smears and cultivated in Diamond's medium. Epidemiological data were obtained by means of patient interviews and clinical trials, from the medical records. The results were statistically analyzed through χ 2 and Fisher's exact tests, using version 9.0 of the Statistix program. Results: The occurrence of T. vaginalis infection was 7% (14/201). In the wet mount exam, used routinely for the diagnosis of this agent, only 42.85% of the infected women (6/14) were positive. It was noted that 21.4% of the infected women were asymptomatic, and 89.05% were not aware of the existence of the Trichomonas vaginalis infection. Factors independently associated with the infection were the smoking habit (odds ratio [OR] = 11.8), not having a stable sexual partner (OR = 6.36), presence of vaginal discharge with odor (OR = 5.65), and altered vaginal microbiota (OR = 5.31). Conclusion : T. vaginalis infection was present among the women studied, being underestimated because of the diagnostic technique, and because many of them were asymptomatic. The smoking habit, not having a stable sexual partner, having fetid discharge, and altered vaginal microbiota are the risk factors for infection.

A tricomoníase é cosmopolita, pode afetar a fertilidade feminina, e geralmente é subdiagnosticada, tanto em consultórios particulares, quanto em serviços públicos, devido à baixa sensibilidade do exame a fresco, usado rotineiramente. Objetivo: Conhecer a ocorrência de infecção por Trichomonas vaginalis , através de cultivo in vitro , em mulheres atendidas em unidade pública, na cidade de Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, além de identificar os possíveis fatores de risco associados a essa infecção. Métodos: Estudo de corte transversal que incluiu 201 mulheres, submetidas a entrevista e exame ginecológico, com coleta de conteúdo vaginal, no Ambulatório de Ginecologia da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Pelotas. O material coletado foi examinado a fresco e cultivado em meio de Diamond. Foram obtidos dados epidemiológicos através de entrevista, e clínicos, nos prontuários. Os resultados foram analisados estatisticamente através dos testes do χ 2 e exato de Fisher, utilizando o programa Statistix versão 9.0. Resultados: A ocorrência da infecção por T. vaginalis foi de 7% (14/201). No exame a fresco, usado como rotina para o diagnóstico desse agente, apenas 42,85% das infectadas (6/14) foram positivas. Constat ou­se que 21,4% das mulheres infectadas são assintomáticas, e que 89,05% desconhecia a existência da tricomoníase. Os fatores independent emente associados com a infecção foram o hábito de fumar (OR=11,8), não ter companheiro fixo (OR=6,36), apresentar corrimento vaginal fétido (OR=5,65) e microbiota vaginal alterada (OR=5,31). Conclusão: A infecção por T. vaginalis está presente entre as mulheres estudadas, e sendo subestimada, devido à técnica de diagnóstico e por muitas serem assintomáticas. O hábito de fumar, não ter companheiro fixo, ter corrimento fétido e microbiota vaginal alterada são fatores de risco para a infecção.