[Avoidable infant deaths in the 1993 and 2004 Pelotas birth cohorts, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil.] / Óbitos infantis evitáveis nas coortes de nascimentos de Pelotas, Rio Grandedo Sul, Brasil, de 1993 e 2004.

Infant mortality classified as avoidable (through immunization, adequate prenatal, childbirth, and neonatal care, adequate diagnostic and therapeutic measures, and adequate health promotion associated with appropriate health care) was compared in the 1993 and 2004 Pelotas Birth Cohorts, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. Deaths were monitored by visits to hospitals, notary public offices, cemeteries, and the Regional Health Division and by a search in the Mortality Information System database. There were 5,249 live births and 111 infant deaths in the 1993 cohort and 4,231 live births and 82 infant deaths in 2004. The avoidable infant mortality rate was 15.2:1,000 live births in 1993 and 15.4 in 2004. Avoidable neonatal and post-neonatal mortality rates were 11.2 and 4.0, respectively, in 1993, and 10.9 and 4.5 in 2004. Preterm births were the main variable associated with avoidable mortality in both cohorts. Strategies to prevent preterm birth may help reduce infant mortality in this context.

Óbitos infantis evitáveis nas coortes de nascimentos de Pelotas, Rio Grandedo Sul, Brasil, de 1993 e 2004 / Avoidable infant deaths in the 1993 and 2004 Pelotas birth cohorts, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil / Muertes infantiles evitables en las cohortes de nacimiento de 1993 y 2004 de Pelotas, Río Grande do Sul, Brasil

Comparou-se a mortalidade infantil por causas evitáveis (óbitos reduzíveis por ações de imunoprevenção; por adequada atenção à mulher na gestação e parto e ao recém-nascido; por ações adequadas de diagnóstico e tratamento; e por ações adequadas de promoção à saúde vinculadas às ações adequadas de atenção à saúde) nas coortes de nascimentos de Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, de 1993 e 2004. Os óbitos foram monitorizados mediante visitas aos hospitais, cartórios, cemitérios, Delegacia Regional de Saúde e rastreio à base de dados do Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade (SIM) do Rio Grande do Sul. Na coorte de 1993, houve 5.249 nascidos vivos e 111 óbitos infantis; na de 2004, 4.231 nascidos vivos e 82 óbitos infantis. O coeficiente de mortalidade infantil evitável foi 15,2:1.000 nascidos vivos em 1993 e 15,4 em 2004. Os coeficientes de mortalidades neonatal e pós-neonatal evitáveis foram, respectivamente, 11,2 e 4,0 em 1993 e 10,9 e 4,5 em 2004. Estratégias que visem à prevenção da prematuridade poderão ajudar a reduzir a mortalidade infantil em nosso meio.

Infant mortality classified as avoidable (through immunization, adequate prenatal, childbirth, and neonatal care, adequate diagnostic and therapeutic measures, and adequate health promotion associated with appropriate health care) was compared in the 1993 and 2004 Pelotas Birth Cohorts, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. Deaths were monitored by visits to hospitals, notary public offices, cemeteries, and the Regional Health Division and by a search in the Mortality Information System database. There were 5,249 live births and 111 infant deaths in the 1993 cohort and 4,231 live births and 82 infant deaths in 2004. The avoidable infant mortality rate was 15.2:1,000 live births in 1993 and 15.4 in 2004. Avoidable neonatal and post-neonatal mortality rates were 11.2 and 4.0, respectively, in 1993, and 10.9 and 4.5 in 2004. Preterm births were the main variable associated with avoidable mortality in both cohorts. Strategies to prevent preterm birth may help reduce infant mortality in this context.

La mortalidad infantil evitable (por acciones adecuadas de inmunización, cuidados maternos durante el embarazo y parto, cuidados a la salud del recién nacido, diagnóstico y tratamiento, y acciones de promoción de salud) fue comparada en las cohortes de nacimiento de Pelotas, Río Grande do Sul, Brasil, de 1993 y 2004. Las muertes fueron monitorizadas mediante visitas a hospitales, oficinas de registro de nacimientos y muertes, cementerios y Delegaciones de Salud Regionales, así como mediante una búsqueda en el banco de datos de muertes ocurridas en el país. Se registraron 5.249 nacidos vivos con 111 muertes infantiles en la cohorte de 1993 y 4.231 nacidos vivos con 82 muertes infantiles en 2004. El coeficiente de mortalidad infantil evitable fue 15,2:1.000 nacidos vivos en 1993 y 15,4 en 2004. Los coeficientes de mortalidad neonatal y post-neonatal evitable fueron, respectivamente, 11,2 y 4,0, en 1993 y 10,9 y 4,5 en 2004. El nacimiento prematuro fue la principal variable asociada con mortalidad evitable en ambas cohortes. Estrategias para prevenir el nacimiento de prematuros podrá ayudar a reducir la mortalidad infantil en la ciudad.

Avoidable deaths in the first four years of life among children in the 2004 Pelotas (Brazil) birth cohort study.

Avoidable deaths have been employed as indicators of health care quality. The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with avoidable deaths from birth to four years of age among children from the 2004 Pelotas (Brazil) birth cohort study. From January 1st, 2004, to December 31st, 2005, deaths were monitored on a daily basis and the causes were investigated and classified according to avoidability. After the first year, deaths were monitored through the Mortality Information System. A total of 94 children died during this period. It was possible to classify 92 deaths, 70 of which were preventable. Low family income, fewer prenatal visits and poor-quality prenatal care, preterm birth, low 5-minute Apgar score, and no breastfeeding in the first 24 hours of life were associated with increased risk of death. Prematurity was present in 39 deaths, but only five of these would have been prevented by measures provided during prenatal care. Although limited, compliance with antenatal care program guidelines is still the most important strategy for preventing avoidable deaths in childhood, particularly among the poorest children.

Avoidable deaths in the first four years of life among children in the 2004 Pelotas (Brazil) birth cohort study / Óbitos evitáveis até os 4 anos de idade na coorte de nascimentos de Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, 2004

Avoidable deaths have been employed as indicators of health care quality. The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with avoidable deaths from birth to four years of age among children from the 2004 Pelotas (Brazil) birth cohort study. From January 1st, 2004, to December 31st, 2005, deaths were monitored on a daily basis and the causes were investigated and classified according to avoidability. After the first year, deaths were monitored through the Mortality Information System. A total of 94 children died during this period. It was possible to classify 92 deaths, 70 of which were preventable. Low family income, fewer prenatal visits and poor-quality prenatal care, preterm birth, low 5-minute Apgar score, and no breastfeeding in the first 24 hours of life were associated with increased risk of death. Prematurity was present in 39 deaths, but only five of these would have been prevented by measures provided during prenatal care. Although limited, compliance with antenatal care program guidelines is still the most important strategy for preventing avoidable deaths in childhood, particularly among the poorest children.

Os óbitos evitáveis têm sido utilizados como indicadores de qualidade da atenção à saúde. Este estudo teve como objetivo identificar os fatores associados aos óbitos evitáveis até os 4 anos de idade entre as crianças da Coorte de Nascimentos de Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, de 2004. De 1º de janeiro de 2004 a 31 de dezembro de 2005, os óbitos foram monitorados diariamente, as causes, investigadas e classificadas conforme a evitabilidade. Após o primeiro ano, os óbitos foram monitorados por meio do Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade. Até os 4 anos, ocorreram 94 óbitos, sendo possível classificar 92, dos quais 70 seriam evitáveis. Baixa renda, menor número de consultas pré-natais, pré-natal de pior qualidade, prematuridade, baixo Apgar no 5º minuto e não mamar nas primeiras 24 horas associaram-se a risco aumentado de morrer por cause evitável. Prematuridade estava presente em 39 óbitos, mas somente 5 desses teriam sido prevenidos por intervenções no pré-natal. Embora limitada, a adesão às normas do programa de atenção pré-natal, especialmente entre as mais pobres, ainda é a principal estratégia para a prevenção das mortes evitáveis na infância.

Helicobacter pylori and anemia: a community-based cross-sectional study among adults in Southern Brazil / Helicobacter pylori e anemia: um estudo transversal de base populacional entre adultos no Sul do Brasil

To investigate the association between Helicobacter pylori and anemia, a community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 18-45 year old users of the 31 primary health care units in Pelotas, Southern Brazil. Interviews using a structured questionnaire were carried out in waiting rooms during two work shifts. Anemia (hemoglobin < 11g/dL among pregnant women, < 12g/dL among women and < 13g/dL among men) was diagnosed from capillary blood (HemoCue) and H. pylori by means of a 13C-UBT. Information on socio-demographic, behavioral and biological characteristics was collected. Logistic and linear regression analyses were carried out, taking into account aggregated primary health care units. A total of 1,117 respondents fulfilled the inclusion criteria (losses/refusals: 8.1 percent). Prevalence of anemia was 20.6 percent (18.2-23.2 percent) and of H. pylori, 70.7 percent (68.0-73.6 percent). After allowing for age, sex and skin color the odds ratio for anemia among those who were diagnosed H. pylori positive was 0.94 (0.70-1.27). After allowing for sex, skin color, family monthly income, age, and smoking, the reduction in hemoglobin among H. pylori positive respondents was 0.07g/dL (-0.24-0.11; p = 0.4). There is no association between H. pylori and anemia among adults attending primary health care units in Southern Brazil.

Helicobacter pylori tem sido apontado como causa de anemia. Para investigar essa associação, estudo transversal de base populacional foi realizado entre adultos (18-45 anos de idade), usuários das 31 unidades básicas de saúde (UBS), em Pelotas, Sul do Brasil. Entrevistas com questionários estruturados foram feitas nas salas de espera, em dois turnos de trabalho. Anemia (hemoglobina < 11g/dL entre gestantes, < 12g/dL entre mulheres adultas e < 13g/dL entre homens) foi diagnosticada em sangue capilar (HemoCue). H. pylori foi identificado por 13C-Urea Breath Test. Foram coletadas informações sócio-demográficas, comportamentais e biológicas. Análise por regressão logística e linear, levando em conta a agregação por UBS. Dos 1.117 elegíveis, foram perdidos ou recusaram-se participar 8,1 por cento. A prevalência de anemia foi 20,6 por cento (18,2-23,2 por cento) e H. pylori, 70,7 por cento (68,0-73,6 por cento). Após ajuste para idade, sexo e cor, a odds ratio para anemia entre H. pylori positivos foi 0,94 (0,70-1,27). Na análise ajustada para sexo, cor, renda familiar, idade e tabagismo, o nível de hemoglobina foi 0,07g/dL menor (-0,24-0,11; p = 0,4) entre H. pylori positivos. Não há associação entre H. pylori e anemia entre adultos usuários de UBS no Sul do Brasil.

Validade de instrumento epidemiológico para rastrear H. pylori entre pacientes dispépticos / Validez del instrumento epidemiológico para rastrear H. pylori entre pacientes dispépticos / Validity of an epidemiologic instrument for H. pylori screening among dyspeptic patients

OBJETIVO:Validar um escore epidemiológico para identificar dispépticos positivos para Helicobacter pylori. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal realizado com 434 indivíduos entre 18 e 45 anos de idade, portadores de dispepsia não investigada, usuários de unidades básicas de saúde de Pelotas (RS), entre 2006 e 2007. Dispepsia foi diagnosticada conforme Roma-II. O padrão-ouro para presença de H. pylori foi o teste respiratório com 13C-uréia. Analisou-se a associação entre H. pylori e variáveis independentes por regressão logística. O escore foi construído a partir de odds ratios ajustadas. Foram calculadas a sensibilidade, especificidade e valores preditivos. RESULTADOS: Dentre os dispépticos, a prevalência de H. pylori foi 74 por cento (IC 95 por cento: 69;77,7) e esteve associada diretamente à idade e número de irmãos na infância e inversamente à escolaridade, sendo essas variáveis utilizadas na construção do escore. Os valores do escore variaram de 3-9. Escores entre 7, 8 e 9 apresentaram sensibilidade, respectivamente, de 36,6 por cento, 22,3 por cento e 11,1 por cento; e valores preditivos positivos 87,8 por cento, 90,9 por cento e 92,1 por cento. Sem a aplicação do escore, três de cada quatro dispépticos receberiam tratamento para H. pylori, com a aplicação, menor número de dispépticos seriam encaminhados para tratamento (um em cada três, seis e 11, respectivamente, com os pontos de corte entre 7 e 9), porém às custas de alta taxa de casos falso-negativos. CONCLUSÕES: O escore não foi válido para identificação seletiva de dispépticos candidatos a tratamento erradicador para H. pylori. Diferentemente do recomendado para países desenvolvidos, a alta prevalência de H. pylori torna a estratégia testar-e-tratar inapropriada para uso nos países em desenvolvimento.

Validity of an epidemiologic instrument for H. pylori screening among dyspeptic patients.

OBJECTIVE: To validate an epidemiological score for identifying dyspeptic patients at high risk of being H. pylori positive. METHODS: Cross-sectional study including 434 users of primary health care units in the city of Pelotas, Southern Brazil, aged 18-45 years, and with symptoms of non-investigated dyspepsia, between 2006 and 2007. Dyspepsia was diagnosed according to Roma-II. The gold standard for H. pylori infection was the (13)C-urea-breath-test. The association between presence of H. pylori and independent variables was assessed through Logistic Regression. The score was built based on adjusted odds ratios. Sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of different cutoffs were calculated. RESULTS: Prevalence of H. pylori dyspeptic subjects was 74% (95% CI: 69;77.7). Prevalence was directly associated with age and number of siblings during childhood, and inversely associated with schooling; these variables were used in the construction of the score. The score ranged from 3 to 9 points. Scores 7, 8, and 9 had sensitivity of 36.6%, 22.3%, and 11.1%, and positive predictive values of 87.8%, 90.9%, and 92.1%, respectively. Without the score, 3 in every 4 dyspeptic patients would have received H. pylori erradication therapy. This proportion would have been lower with the score (one in three, six, and 11, for the cutoff points betwewen 7 and 9, respectively), albeit at the expense of a high rate of false-negatives. CONCLUSIONS: The score was not valid for selectively identifying dyspeptic individuals candidate to eradication therapy for H. pylori. Contrary to the recommendation in developed countries, the test-and-treat strategy seems inappropriate for use in developing settings due to the high prevalence of H. pylori infection.

Helicobacter pylori is not associated with anaemia in Latin America: results from Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Cuba, Mexico and Venezuela.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between Helicobacter pylori infection and anaemia. DESIGN: Six cross-sectional studies. H. pylori infection was assessed by the [13C]urea breath test using MS or IR analysis. Hb was measured for all countries. Ferritin and transferrin receptors were measured for Argentina, Bolivia, Mexico, and Venezuela. SETTING: Health services in Argentina, Brazil and Mexico or public schools in Bolivia, Cuba and Venezuela. SUBJECTS: In Argentina, 307 children aged 4-17 years referred to a gastroenterology unit; in Bolivia, 424 randomly selected schoolchildren aged 5-8 years; in Brazil, 1007 adults (157 men, 850 women) aged 18-45 years attending thirty-one primary health-care units; in Cuba, 996 randomly selected schoolchildren aged 6-14 years; in Mexico, seventy-one pregnant women in their first trimester attending public health clinics; in Venezuela, 418 children aged 4-13 years attending public schools. RESULTS: The lowest prevalence of H. pylori found was among children in Argentina (25.1%) and the highest in Bolivia (74.0%). In Bolivia, Cuba and Venezuela children showed similar prevalence of H. pylori infection as in Brazilian and Mexican adults (range 47.5% to 81.8%). Overall anaemia prevalence was 11.3% in Argentina, 15.4% in Bolivia, 20.6% in Brazil, 10.5% in Cuba and 8.9% in Venezuela. Adjusted analyses allowing for confounding variables showed no association between H. pylori colonization and anaemia in any study. Hb, ferritin and transferrin receptor levels were also not associated with H. pylori infection in any country. CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed no evidence to support the hypothesis that H. pylori contributes to anaemia in children, adolescents, adults or pregnant women in six Latin American countries.

Helicobacter pylori and anemia: a community-based cross-sectional study among adults in Southern Brazil.

To investigate the association between Helicobacter pylori and anemia, a community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 18-45 year old users of the 31 primary health care units in Pelotas, Southern Brazil. Interviews using a structured questionnaire were carried out in waiting rooms during two work shifts. Anemia (hemoglobin < 11g/dL among pregnant women, < 12g/dL among women and < 13g/dL among men) was diagnosed from capillary blood (HemoCue) and H. pylori by means of a 13C-UBT. Information on socio-demographic, behavioral and biological characteristics was collected. Logistic and linear regression analyses were carried out, taking into account aggregated primary health care units. A total of 1,117 respondents fulfilled the inclusion criteria (losses/refusals: 8.1%). Prevalence of anemia was 20.6% (18.2-23.2%) and of H. pylori, 70.7% (68.0-73.6%). After allowing for age, sex and skin color the odds ratio for anemia among those who were diagnosed H. pylori positive was 0.94 (0.70-1.27). After allowing for sex, skin color, family monthly income, age, and smoking, the reduction in hemoglobin among H. pylori positive respondents was 0.07g/dL (-0.24-0.11; p = 0.4). There is no association between H. pylori and anemia among adults attending primary health care units in Southern Brazil.

Milk thickeners do not influence anthropometric indices in childhood.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric obesity is an important risk factor for chronic diseases in adulthood. Some infant feeding practices may contribute to childhood obesity. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the introduction of milk thickeners to bottle-fed infants between 3 and 6 months of age was associated with higher anthropometric measurements and indices at 1 and 4 years of age. METHODS: A population-based birth cohort study was conducted in 1993 in the urban area of Pelotas, Brazil. Information was obtained at birth, at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months, and at 4 years. Data were analyzed from the 596 children for whom information was available from all follow-up visits. The exposure of interest was the use of milk thickener (flour added to cow's milk) between the third and sixth months of life. The outcomes investigated were weight and length/height and the anthropometric indices weight-for-age, length/height-for-age, and weight-for-length/height z-scores at 1 and 4 years. RESULTS: The prevalence of use of milk thickener at any time between the third and sixth months was 44.6%. In the adjusted analysis, children who received milk thickener were, on average, 160 g heavier and 0.5 cm longer at I year than those who did not receive it. Weight-for-age and length-for-age z-scores were positively associated with use of milk thickener. No association was observed between this feeding practice and weight-for-length z-score. In the adjusted analysis, no effect of use of milk thickener on any of the anthropometric outcomes studied was observed at 4 years. CONCLUSIONS: No association was found between the use of milk thickeners and weight-for-length/height z-scores in the first and fourth years of life. Future studies in other contexts would be helpful to further test this hypothesis.

Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection and associated factors among adults in Southern Brazil: a population-based cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection is associated with several upper gastrointestinal disorders. Local data on the epidemiology of the infection are scarce in Brazil. The purpose of this study is to measure the prevalence rate and to explore the associated factors among the adult population living in Pelotas, a southern Brazilian city. METHODS: This was a population-based cross-sectional study. Through a multi-stage sampling method all individuals 20 years and over living at the selected households at the urban area of the city were interviewed regarding past and current socio-economic indicators; demographic characteristics; nutritional and behavioural habits; and history of upper gastrointestinal symptoms.Hp infection was ascertained through the 13C-UBT. Due to the high prevalence, data were analysed through robust Poisson regression. All analyses took into account the family clustering of the data. RESULTS: Among 563 eligible individuals, 363 agreed to perform the 13C-UBT (refusal rate of 35.5%). Refusals were associated with female sex, consumption of mate drinking, and presence of upper gastrointestinal symptoms. The prevalence rate of H. pylori infection was 63.4% (95%CI 59.3%-69.3%). In crude analyses, prevalence was associated with increasing age, non-white skin colour, lower current family income, lower education level, higher size of the family, low socio-economic conditions in childhood, higher number of siblings and attendance to day-care centres in childhood, and presence of dyspeptic symptoms. In adjusted analysis the level of education of the father was inversely associated with the infection, whereas number of siblings and attendance to day-care centre in childhood were directly associated with it. Non-white skin colour remained significantly associated with increased prevalence even after allowing for past and current socio-economic characteristics, age and sex. Compared to non-symptomatic individuals, those reporting dyspeptic symptoms presented a higher prevalence of the infection even after allowing for current and past socio-economic conditions, ethnicity, age, and sex. CONCLUSION: Hp infection is as common among adults in southern Brazil as it is in other developing countries. Socio-economic conditions in childhood besides ethnicity and presence of dyspeptic symptoms were the factors significantly associated with the infection.

Evaluation of the impact of a nutritional program for undernourished children in Brazil

Um estudo prospectivo, controlado foi realizado no Nordeste do Brasil para avaliar a efetividade de um programa de suplementação alimentar (Programa do Leite) sobre crescimento infantil e composição corporal. Ao ingressar no programa, crianças de dez municípios com as maiores taxas de cobertura do programa (intervenção) foram comparadas a crianças não-beneficiárias de dez municípios com as menores taxas de cobertura (controle). Um total de 219 crianças de 6-18 meses de idade foram arroladas. Ao entrar no estudo, ambos os grupos eram comparáveis quanto a sexo, idade e estado nutricional. Houve freqüentes falhas na entrega do suplemento, não foi fornecido leite para os familiares menores de cinco anos, a redistribuição intradomiciliar do leite foi alta e a adesão materna ao recomendado, baixa. Análises ajustadas por modelos multiníveis mostraram variações em peso, comprimento, escore Z peso-idade, comprimento-idade e água corporal (método deutério), em seis meses, respectivamente de 1,53kg; 6,34cm; 0,33; 0,05 e 1,11 por cento, entre as suplementadas; contra 1,54kg; 6,57cm; 0,26; 0,07 e 4,10 por cento entre as controles, sem diferença estatisticamente significativa entre os grupos. Conclui-se que o programa não foi efetivo para compensar deficiências nutricionais no nordeste brasileiro.

[Blood glucose control in diabetes patients seen in primary health care centers]. / Controle glicêmico em pacientes diabéticos atendidos em centros de atenção primária à saúde.

OBJECTIVE: To identify factors associated to poor glycemic control among diabetic patients seen at primary health care centers. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in a sample of 372 diabetic patients attending 32 primary health care centers in southern Brazil. Data on three hierarchical levels of health unit infrastructure, medical care and patient characteristics were collected. RESULTS: The frequency of poor glycemic control was 50.5%. Multivariate analysis (multilevel method) showed that patients with body mass indexes below 27 kg/m2, patients on oral hypoglycemic agents or insulin, and patients diagnosed as diabetic over five years prior to the interview were more likely to present poor glycemic control when compared to their counterparts. CONCLUSIONS: Given the hierarchical data structuring, all associations found suggest that factors associated to hyperglycemia are related to patient-level characteristics.

Evaluation of the impact of a nutritional program for undernourished children in Brazil.

To assess the effectiveness on child growth and body composition of a supplementary feeding program (Milk Supplement Program), a prospective, controlled study was conducted in Northeast Brazil. When entering the Program, children from 10 municipalities with the highest coverage rates in the Program (intervention group) were compared to non-beneficiary children from 10 municipalities with the lowest coverage rates (control group). A total of 219 children aged 6-18 months were enrolled. At entry, both groups were comparable in terms of age, sex, and nutritional status. There were frequent gaps in delivery of the supplement, no extra milk was provided to siblings less than 5 years of age, intra-household redistribution of milk was high, and maternal compliance with recommendations was low. Adjusted analyses by multilevel modelling showed average changes in weight, length, weight-age and length-age Z-scores, and % body water (deuterium method), at 6 months, of 1.53 kg, 6.34 cm, 0.33, 0.05, and 1.11% respectively among supplemented children as compared to 1.54 kg, 6.5 cm, 0.26, 0.07, and 4.10% among controls, with no statistically significant difference between groups. Thus, the Program failed to compensate for nutritional deficiencies in undernourished children in Northeast Brazil.

Mate drinking during pregnancy and risk of preterm and small for gestational age birth.

Mate, a hot infusion of Ilex paraguayensis, is a beverage largely consumed in Southeast Latin America, including during pregnancy. To assess the effect of mate drinking during pregnancy on preterm and small for gestational age (SGA) birth, a cross-sectional study was done. From January 1st to December 31st, 1993, in the first 24 h after delivery, all 5304 mothers giving birth at the hospitals in Pelotas, Southern Brazil, were interviewed and several of their characteristics were gathered. Birthweight was recorded and gestational age at birth assessed using the Dubowitz score. All 5189 single births were analyzed. The prevalence of SGA and preterm birth was 8.0 and 9.1%, respectively. Mate intake at least once a week during the entire pregnancy period was reported by approximately 68% of the mothers. Crude analyses showed a 30% increase in the risk of SGA among daily mate drinkers compared with nonconsumers (prevalence ratio = 1.3; 95% CI 1.1-1.6), whereas no statistical association was detected with preterm births. After controlling for confounders, the significance of the association with SGA birth no longer held and the lack of association with prematurity remained unchanged. In conclusion, prevalence of daily mate drinking was high among pregnant women and, contrary to the hypothesis, no harmful effect on intrauterine growth or duration of pregnancy was detected.

Blood glucose control in diabetes patients seen in primary health care centers

OBJETIVO: Identificar fatores associados à falta de controle glicêmico em pacientes diabéticos atendidos em centros de atenção primária à saúde. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal em amostra de 372 pacientes diabéticos atendidos nos 32 centros de atenção primária de uma cidade do sul do Brasil. Foram coletados dados ordenados em três níveis hierárquicos: estrutura das unidades de saúde, características do processo do cuidado médico e pacientes diabéticos. RESULTADOS: A freqüência de falta de controle glicêmico foi de 50,5 por cento. A análise multivariada (método multinível) mostrou que pacientes com Indice de Massa Corporal abaixo de 27 kg/m2, em tratamento medicamentoso e com mais de cinco anos de diagnóstico de diabetes, tiveram maior probabilidade de apresentar hiperglicemia quando comparados a seus pares. CONCLUSÕES: Considerando a estrutura hierárquica dos dados, todas as associações encontradas sugerem que os fatores associados à hiperglicemia são relacionados a características dos pacientes.