Influenza vaccination in older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic: a population-based study in 133 Brazilian cities. / Vacinação para influenza em idosos na pandemia COVID-19: estudo de base populacional em 133 cidades brasileiras.

Routine immunization during pandemics can be harmed. This study estimated the influenza vaccination coverage in older adults during the COVID-19 through the EPICOVID-19, a population-based study conducted in 133 cities from the 26 Brazilian states and Federal District. We selected 25 census tracts per city, with probability proportional to the tract's size, ten households by census tract, and one random individual interviewed. A total of 8,265 older adults (≥60 years old) were interviewed and asked whether they had been vaccinated against flu in 2020. Vaccination coverage was 82.3% (95% CI: 80.1-84.2) with no difference by gender, age, and region; higher vaccination coverage was observed among the wealthiest (84.7% versus 80.1% in the poorest) and among the more educated (87.3% versus 83.2% less educated); lower coverage among indigenous (56.9% versus > 80% among other ethnic groups). A positive association was identified with the number of comorbidities among men but not among women. Most of the population was vaccinated (97.5%) in the public health system. The private network was chosen mainly in the South by the wealthiest and more educated. Vaccination coverage was seven percentage points lower than the government target (90%), and inequalities should be reversed in future campaigns.

Imunizações de rotina durante pandemias podem ser prejudicadas. Este estudo estimou a cobertura vacinal para influenza em idosos durante a COVID-19 através do EPICOVID-19, inquérito populacional realizado em 133 cidades sentinelas dos 26 estados brasileiros e Distrito Federal. Selecionou-se 25 setores censitários por cidade, amostragem proporcional ao tamanho, dez domicílios por setor e uma pessoa por domicílio, aleatoriamente. O quantitativo de 8.265 idosos (≥ 60 anos) foram entrevistados e responderam se haviam sido vacinados contra gripe em 2020. A cobertura foi 82,3% (IC95% 80,1; 84,2), sem diferenças por sexo, idade ou região. Maiores coberturas ocorreram nos mais ricos (84,7% versus 80,1% nos mais pobres) e nos mais escolarizados (87,3% versus 83,2% nos menos escolarizados). Menor cobertura nos indígenas (56,9% versus coberturas superiores a 80% nos demais grupos étnicos). Houve associação positiva com número de comorbidades entre homens, mas não entre mulheres. A maioria vacinou-se na rede pública (97,5%), sendo a rede privada mais utilizada na região Sul, pelos mais escolarizados e mais ricos. Conclui-se que a cobertura vacinal ficou sete pontos percentuais abaixo da meta governamental (90%), e que desigualdades devem ser revertidas em futuras campanhas.

Vacinação para influenza em idosos na pandemia COVID-19: estudo de base populacional em 133 cidades brasileiras / Influenza vaccination in older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic: a population-based study in 133 Brazilian cities

Resumo Imunizações de rotina durante pandemias podem ser prejudicadas. Este estudo estimou a cobertura vacinal para influenza em idosos durante a COVID-19 através do EPICOVID-19, inquérito populacional realizado em 133 cidades sentinelas dos 26 estados brasileiros e Distrito Federal. Selecionou-se 25 setores censitários por cidade, amostragem proporcional ao tamanho, dez domicílios por setor e uma pessoa por domicílio, aleatoriamente. O quantitativo de 8.265 idosos (≥ 60 anos) foram entrevistados e responderam se haviam sido vacinados contra gripe em 2020. A cobertura foi 82,3% (IC95% 80,1; 84,2), sem diferenças por sexo, idade ou região. Maiores coberturas ocorreram nos mais ricos (84,7% versus 80,1% nos mais pobres) e nos mais escolarizados (87,3% versus 83,2% nos menos escolarizados). Menor cobertura nos indígenas (56,9% versus coberturas superiores a 80% nos demais grupos étnicos). Houve associação positiva com número de comorbidades entre homens, mas não entre mulheres. A maioria vacinou-se na rede pública (97,5%), sendo a rede privada mais utilizada na região Sul, pelos mais escolarizados e mais ricos. Conclui-se que a cobertura vacinal ficou sete pontos percentuais abaixo da meta governamental (90%), e que desigualdades devem ser revertidas em futuras campanhas.

Abstract Routine immunization during pandemics can be harmed. This study estimated the influenza vaccination coverage in older adults during the COVID-19 through the EPICOVID-19, a population-based study conducted in 133 cities from the 26 Brazilian states and Federal District. We selected 25 census tracts per city, with probability proportional to the tract's size, ten households by census tract, and one random individual interviewed. A total of 8,265 older adults (≥60 years old) were interviewed and asked whether they had been vaccinated against flu in 2020. Vaccination coverage was 82.3% (95% CI: 80.1-84.2) with no difference by gender, age, and region; higher vaccination coverage was observed among the wealthiest (84.7% versus 80.1% in the poorest) and among the more educated (87.3% versus 83.2% less educated); lower coverage among indigenous (56.9% versus > 80% among other ethnic groups). A positive association was identified with the number of comorbidities among men but not among women. Most of the population was vaccinated (97.5%) in the public health system. The private network was chosen mainly in the South by the wealthiest and more educated. Vaccination coverage was seven percentage points lower than the government target (90%), and inequalities should be reversed in future campaigns.

Age patterns in overweight and wasting prevalence of under 5-year-old children from low- and middle-income countries.

OBJECTIVES: To describe how overweight and wasting prevalence varies with age among children under 5 years in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). METHODS: We used data from nationally representative Demographic and Health Surveys and Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys. Overweight and wasting prevalence were defined as the proportions of children presenting mean weight for length/height (WHZ) more than 2 standard deviations above or below 2 standard deviations from the median value of the 2006 WHO standards, respectively. Descriptive analyses include national estimates of child overweight and wasting prevalence, mean, and standard deviations of WHZ stratified by age in years. National results were pooled using the population of children aged under 5 years in each country as weight. Fractional polynomials were used to compare mean WHZ with both overweight and wasting prevalence. RESULTS: Ninety national surveys from LMICs carried out between 2010 and 2019 were included. The overall prevalence of overweight declined with age from 6.3% for infants (aged 0-11 months) to 3.0% in 4 years olds (p = 0.03). In all age groups, lower prevalence was observed in low-income compared to upper-middle-income countries. Wasting was also more frequent among infants, with a slight decrease between the first and second year of life, and little variation thereafter. Lower-middle-income countries showed the highest wasting prevalence in all age groups. On the other hand, mean WHZ was stable over the first 5 years of life, but the median standard deviation for WHZ decreased from 1.39 in infants to 1.09 in 4-year-old children (p < 0.001). For any given value of WHZ, both overweight and wasting prevalence were higher in infants than in older children. CONCLUSION: The higher values of WHZ standard deviations in infants suggest that declining prevalence in overweight and wasting by age may be possibly due to measurement error or rapid crossing of growth channels by infants.

RPS Brazilian Birth Cohorts Consortium (Ribeirão Preto, Pelotas and São Luís): history, objectives and methods.

This paper describes the history, objectives and methods used by the nine Brazilian cohorts of the RPS Brazilian Birth Cohorts Consortium (Ribeirão Preto, Pelotas and São Luís) Common thematic axes are identified and the objectives, baseline periods, follow-up stages and representativity of the population studied are presented. The Consortium includes three birth cohorts from Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo State (1978/1979, 1994 and 2010), four from Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul State (1982, 1993, 2004 and 2015), and two from São Luís, Maranhão State (1997 and 2010). The cohorts cover three regions of Brazil, from three distinct states, with marked socioeconomic, cultural and infrastructure differences. The cohorts were started at birth, except for the most recent one in each municipality, where mothers were recruited during pregnancy. The instruments for data collection have been refined in order to approach different exposures during the early phases of life and their long-term influence on the health-disease process. The investigators of the nine cohorts carried out perinatal studies and later studied human capital, mental health, nutrition and precursor signs of noncommunicable diseases. A total of 17,636 liveborns were recruited in Ribeirão Preto, 19,669 in Pelotas, and 7,659 in São Luís. In the studies starting during pregnancy, 1,400 pregnant women were interviewed in Ribeirão Preto, 3,199 in Pelotas, and 1,447 in São Luís. Different strategies were employed to reduce losses to follow-up. This research network allows the analysis of the incidence of diseases and the establishment of possible causal relations that might explain the health outcomes of these populations in order to contribute to the development of governmental actions and health policies more consistent with reality.

The double burden of malnutrition in under-five children at national and individual levels: observed and expected prevalence in ninety-three low- and middle-income countries.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether the observed prevalence of the double burden of malnutrition (DBM) would be higher than expected on the basis of chance, through analyses at national, wealth quintile and individual child levels. DESIGN: We selected nationally representative surveys from low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) carried out since 2005 with anthropometric measures on children under 5 years of age. Household wealth was assessed through asset indices. The expected prevalence of DBM was estimated by multiplying the prevalence of stunting (low height/length for age) and overweight (high weight for height/length). The WHO recommended cut-offs (20% for stunting and 10% for overweight) that were used to define DBM at national level. DBM at individual level was defined as co-occurrence of stunting and overweight in the same child. SETTING: Nationally representative surveys from ninety-three LMIC. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 825 633 children were studied. RESULTS: DBM at national level was observed in five countries, whereas it would be expected to occur in eleven countries. Six countries did not present evidence of DBM at national level but did so in at least one wealth quintile. At individual level, thirty countries (32·3%) showed higher prevalence of DBM than would be expected, but most differences were small except for Syria, Azerbaijan, Albania and Egypt. CONCLUSIONS: The observed number of countries or socio-economic subgroups within countries with the DBM using recommended thresholds was below what would be expected by chance. However, individual-level analyses showed that one-third of countries presented higher prevalence of DBM than would be expected.

"Registries are not only a tool for data collection, they are for action": Cancer registration and gaps in data for health equity in six population-based registries in India.

In India, population-based cancer registries (PBCRs) cover less than 15% of the urban and 1% of the rural population. Our study examines practices of registration in PBCRs in India to understand efforts to include rural populations in registries and efforts to measure social inequalities in cancer incidence. We selected a purposive sample of six PBCRs in Maharashtra, Kerala, Punjab and Mizoram and conducted semistructured interviews with staff to understand approaches and challenges to cancer registration, and the sociodemographic information collected by PBCRs. We also conducted a review of peer-reviewed literature utilizing data from PBCRs in India. Findings show that in a context of poor access to cancer diagnosis and treatment and weak death registration, PBCRs have developed additional approaches to cancer registration, including conducting village and home visits to interview cancer patients in rural areas. Challenges included PBCR funding and staff retention, abstraction of data in medical records, address verification and responding to cancer stigma and patient migration. Most PBCRs published estimates of cancer outcomes disaggregated by age, sex and geography. Data on education, marital status, mother tongue and religion were collected, but rarely reported. Two PBCRs collected information on income and occupation and none collected information on caste. Most peer-reviewed studies using PBCR data did not publish estimates of social inequalities in cancer outcomes. Results indicate that collecting and reporting sociodemographic data collected by PBCRs is feasible. Improved PBCR coverage and data will enable India's cancer prevention and control programs to be guided by data on cancer inequities.

RPS Brazilian Birth Cohorts Consortium (Ribeirão Preto, Pelotas and São Luís): history, objectives and methods / Consórcio RPS (Ribeirão Preto, Pelotas e São Luís) de coortes de nascimento brasileiras: história, objetivos e métodos / Consorcio RPS (Ribeirão Preto, Pelotas y São Luís) cohortes brasileñas de nacimiento: historia, objetivos y métodos

Abstract: This paper describes the history, objectives and methods used by the nine Brazilian cohorts of the RPS Brazilian Birth Cohorts Consortium (Ribeirão Preto, Pelotas and São Luís) Common thematic axes are identified and the objectives, baseline periods, follow-up stages and representativity of the population studied are presented. The Consortium includes three birth cohorts from Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo State (1978/1979, 1994 and 2010), four from Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul State (1982, 1993, 2004 and 2015), and two from São Luís, Maranhão State (1997 and 2010). The cohorts cover three regions of Brazil, from three distinct states, with marked socioeconomic, cultural and infrastructure differences. The cohorts were started at birth, except for the most recent one in each municipality, where mothers were recruited during pregnancy. The instruments for data collection have been refined in order to approach different exposures during the early phases of life and their long-term influence on the health-disease process. The investigators of the nine cohorts carried out perinatal studies and later studied human capital, mental health, nutrition and precursor signs of noncommunicable diseases. A total of 17,636 liveborns were recruited in Ribeirão Preto, 19,669 in Pelotas, and 7,659 in São Luís. In the studies starting during pregnancy, 1,400 pregnant women were interviewed in Ribeirão Preto, 3,199 in Pelotas, and 1,447 in São Luís. Different strategies were employed to reduce losses to follow-up. This research network allows the analysis of the incidence of diseases and the establishment of possible causal relations that might explain the health outcomes of these populations in order to contribute to the development of governmental actions and health policies more consistent with reality.

Resumo: O artigo descreve a história, objetivos e métodos utilizados pelas nove coortes do Consórcio RPS de Coortes de Nascimento. São identificados eixos temáticos comuns, com apresentação dos objetivos, anos de linha de base, fases de seguimento e representatividade das populações de estudo. O Consórcio inclui três coortes de nascimento de Ribeirão Preto, Estado de São Paulo (1978/1979, 1994 e 2010), quatro de Pelotas, Estado do Rio Grande do Sul (1982, 1993, 2004 e 2015) e duas de São Luís, Estado do Maranhão (1997 e 2010). As coortes provêm de três regiões do Brasil, de três estados diferentes, com importantes diferenças socioeconômicas, culturais e de infraestrutura. As coortes foram iniciadas ao nascer dos participantes, exceto a mais recente em cada município, onde as mães foram recrutadas durante a gestação. Os instrumentos para a coleta de dados foram refinados para aproximar diferentes exposições na primeira infância e a influência, a longo prazo, no processo saúde-doença. Os investigadores das nove coortes realizaram estudos perinatais e depois examinaram o capital humano, saúde mental, nutrição e sinais percursores de doenças crônicas. Um total de 17.636 nascidos vivos foram recrutados em Ribeirão Preto, 19.669 em Pelotas e 7.659 em São Luís. Nas coortes que foram iniciadas durante a gestação, foram entrevistadas 1.400 gestantes em Ribeirão Preto, 3.199 em Pelotas e 1.447 em São Luís. Foram utilizadas diferentes estratégias para reduzir as perdas de seguimento. A rede de pesquisa do Consórcio permite analisar a incidência de doenças e identificar possíveis relações causais que podem explicar os desfechos de saúde nessas populações e contribuir para o desenvolvimento de medidas públicas e políticas de saúde que estejam mais de acordo com as respectivas realidades.

Resumen: El trabajo describe la historia, objetivos y métodos usados por nueve cohortes brasileñas del RPS Consorcio de Cohortes de Nacimiento. Se identificaron los ejes temáticos comunes y los objetivos, así como los periodos de referencia, la presentación del estadio de seguimiento y representatividad de la población estudiada. El consorcio incluye tres cohortes de nacimiento de Ribeirão Preto, Estado de São Paulo (1978/1979, 1994 y 2010), cuatro de Pelotas, Estado del Rio Grande do Sul (1982, 1993, 2004 y 2015), y dos de São Luís, Estado del Maranhão (1997 y 2010). Las cohortes cubren tres regiones de Brasil, de tres estados distintos, con marcadas diferencias socioeconómicas, culturales y de infraestructura. Las cohortes comenzaron con el nacimiento, excepto para la más reciente en cada municipio, donde las madres fueron reclutadas durante la gestación. Los instrumentos para la recogida de datos han sido depurados, con el fin de realizar una aproximación a diferentes exposiciones durante las fases tempranas de la vida y su influencia a largo plazo en el proceso de salud-enfermedad. Se incluyeron a los investigadores de las nueve cohortes, donde se llevaron a cabo estudios perinatales, así como los recursos humanos analizados posteriormente, al igual que la salud mental, nutrición y signos precursores de enfermedades no comunicables. Un total de 17.636 nacidos vivos fueron reclutados en Ribeirão Preto, 19.669 en Pelotas, y 7.659 en São Luís. En los estudios que comenzaron durante el embarazo, 1.400 mujeres embarazadas fueron entrevistadas en Ribeirão Preto, 3.199 en Pelotas, y 1.447 en São Luís. Se usaron diferentes estrategias para reducir pérdidas, con el fin de realizar el seguimiento. Esta red de investigación permite el análisis de la incidencia de enfermedades y el establecimiento de posibles relaciones causales que podrían explicar los resultados de salud de estas poblaciones, con el fin de contribuir al desarrollo de acciones gubernamentales y políticas de salud más consistentes con la realidad.

Prevalence, mortality and risk factors associated with very low birth weight preterm infants: an analysis of 33 years / Prevalência, mortalidade e fatores de risco associados ao prematuro de muito baixo peso ao nascer: uma análise de 33 anos

Abstract Objective: To assess the prevalence, mortality and risk factors associated with the birth of very low birth weight preterm infants over a period of 33 years. Methods: Four cross-sectional studies were analyzed, using data from perinatal interviews of birth cohorts in the city of Pelotas collected in 1982, 1993, 2004, and 2015. Based on perinatal questionnaires, anthropometric measurements of newborns and death certificates were analyzed to obtain the prevalence rate, neonatal mortality, and risk factors (maternal age, income and type of delivery) for very low birth weight. Results: A total of 19,625 newborns were included in the study. In the years 1982, 1993, 2004, and 2015, there were, respectively, 5909, 5232, 4226, and 4258 births. The prevalence of very low birth weight was, respectively, 1.1% (n = 64), 0.9% (n = 46), 1.4% (n = 61), and 1.3% (n = 54). There was no statistical evidence of an increasing trend over time (p = 0.11). Among the risk factors, family income in the three poorest quintiles was associated with prevalence rates that were approximately twice as high as in the richest quintile (p = 0.003). Mortality per 1000 live births for neonates weighing <1500 g decreased from 688 to 259 per thousand from 1982 to 2015 (p < 0.001), but still represented 61% of neonatal deaths in the latter year. Conclusion: Although mortality in very low birth weight decreased by more than 60% in recent years, this group still contributes with more than half of neonatal deaths. Low family income remains an important risk factor in this scenario.

Resumo Objetivo: Verificar a prevalência, mortalidade e fatores de risco associados aos nascimentos de prematuros de muito baixo peso ao nascer (MBPN) ao longo de 33 anos. Métodos: Série de quatro estudos transversais com o uso de dados das entrevistas perinatais das coortes de nascimento da cidade de Pelotas coletados em 1982, 1993, 2004 e 2015. A partir de questionários perinatais, medidas antropométricas dos recém-nascidos e certidões de óbito, foram analisadas a prevalência, a mortalidade neonatal e os fatores de risco (idade materna, renda e tipo de parto) para prematuros de muito baixo peso ao nascer. Resultados: Foram incluídos no estudo 19.625 recém-nascidos. Em 1982, 1993, 2004 e 2015 ocorreram, respectivamente, 5.909, 5.232, 4.226 e 4.258 nascimentos. A prevalência de prematuros de muito baixo peso ao nascer naqueles anos foi, respectivamente, de 1,1% (n = 64), 0,9% (n = 46), 1,4% (n = 61) e 1,3% (n = 54). A tendência de aumento durante o período não alcançou significância estatística (p = 0,11). Entre os fatores de risco, a renda familiar nos três quintis mais pobres esteve associada a prevalências cerca de duas vezes mais altas do que no quintil mais rico (p = 0,003). A mortalidade por 1.000 nascidos vivos para os neonatos com peso < 1500 g caiu de 688 para 259 por mil ao longo dos anos (p < 0,001), mas ainda representa 61% dos óbitos neonatais em 2015. Conclusão: Embora a mortalidade nos prematuros de muito baixo peso ao nascer tenha diminuído em mais de 60% nos últimos anos, esse grupo ainda contribui com mais da metade dos óbitos neonatais. A baixa renda familiar continua a ser fator de risco importante nesse cenário.

Ciência & Saúde Coletiva - 25 years: contributions to pregnancy, delivery, and childhood studies. / Ciência & Saúde Coletiva - 25 anos: contribuição para os estudos sobre gestação, parto e infância.

We reviewed the scientific production on maternal health and the health of children under ten years of age, published in Journal Ciência & Saúde Coletiva during the last 25 years, focusing on quantitative studies. The authors' characteristics, populations under study, thematic areas, and methodology are described. A total of 170 publications were identified and grouped into 12 major themes. Pregnancy, delivery, and puerperium were the subject of 47 studies, followed by child anthropometric assessments (29), breastfeeding (24), and mortality (13). The selected publications represented 3.5% of the total original papers published by the Journal since its creation in 1996 and about 5% of the publications in the 2015-2020 period. The primary data sources were health service records, information systems, and population surveys. The cross-sectional design was used in 113 of the 170 articles, and 70% covered only one municipality. The Southeast and Northeast Regions of Brazil were the target of most studies, and the North Region was the least represented. The publications reflect the complexity of maternal and child health themes, with a particular focus on the importance of the Unified Health System and showing how open access data can contribute to public health research.

Revisamos a produção sobre saúde materna e de crianças menores de dez anos disseminada pela Revista Ciência & Saúde Coletiva, através de revisão sistemática de publicações dos últimos 25 anos, com foco em estudos quantitativos. Características de autores e populações sob estudo, eixos temáticos e metodologia são descritos. Foram selecionadas 170 publicações classificadas em 12 temas. Gestação, parto ou puerpério foram objeto de 47 estudos, seguidos de avaliação antropométrica (29 artigos), amamentação (24) e mortalidade (13). Os trabalhos selecionados representaram 3,5% do total de artigos originais publicados pela Revista desde 1996, com tendência crescente, constituindo cerca de 5% das publicações em 2015-2020. As principais fontes de dados foram registros de serviços de saúde, sistemas de informação e inquéritos populacionais. O delineamento transversal foi utilizado em 113 dos 170 artigos e 70% destes abrangeram apenas um município. As Regiões Sudeste e Nordeste foram alvo da maioria dos estudos, sendo a Região Norte a menos representada. As publicações refletem a complexidade de temas que perpassam a saúde materna e da criança, com especial foco na importância do Sistema Único de Saúde e demonstrando como dados em acesso aberto podem contribuir para a pesquisa em Saúde Coletiva.

Ciência & Saúde Coletiva - 25 anos: contribuição para os estudos sobre gestação, parto e infância / Ciência & Saúde Coletiva - 25 years: contributions to pregnancy, delivery, and childhood studies

Resumo Revisamos a produção sobre saúde materna e de crianças menores de dez anos disseminada pela Revista Ciência & Saúde Coletiva, através de revisão sistemática de publicações dos últimos 25 anos, com foco em estudos quantitativos. Características de autores e populações sob estudo, eixos temáticos e metodologia são descritos. Foram selecionadas 170 publicações classificadas em 12 temas. Gestação, parto ou puerpério foram objeto de 47 estudos, seguidos de avaliação antropométrica (29 artigos), amamentação (24) e mortalidade (13). Os trabalhos selecionados representaram 3,5% do total de artigos originais publicados pela Revista desde 1996, com tendência crescente, constituindo cerca de 5% das publicações em 2015-2020. As principais fontes de dados foram registros de serviços de saúde, sistemas de informação e inquéritos populacionais. O delineamento transversal foi utilizado em 113 dos 170 artigos e 70% destes abrangeram apenas um município. As Regiões Sudeste e Nordeste foram alvo da maioria dos estudos, sendo a Região Norte a menos representada. As publicações refletem a complexidade de temas que perpassam a saúde materna e da criança, com especial foco na importância do Sistema Único de Saúde e demonstrando como dados em acesso aberto podem contribuir para a pesquisa em Saúde Coletiva.

Abstract We reviewed the scientific production on maternal health and the health of children under ten years of age, published in Journal Ciência & Saúde Coletiva during the last 25 years, focusing on quantitative studies. The authors' characteristics, populations under study, thematic areas, and methodology are described. A total of 170 publications were identified and grouped into 12 major themes. Pregnancy, delivery, and puerperium were the subject of 47 studies, followed by child anthropometric assessments (29), breastfeeding (24), and mortality (13). The selected publications represented 3.5% of the total original papers published by the Journal since its creation in 1996 and about 5% of the publications in the 2015-2020 period. The primary data sources were health service records, information systems, and population surveys. The cross-sectional design was used in 113 of the 170 articles, and 70% covered only one municipality. The Southeast and Northeast Regions of Brazil were the target of most studies, and the North Region was the least represented. The publications reflect the complexity of maternal and child health themes, with a particular focus on the importance of the Unified Health System and showing how open access data can contribute to public health research.

Association between Breastfeeding and DNA Methylation over the Life Course: Findings from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC).

BACKGROUND: Breastfeeding is associated with short and long-term health benefits. Long-term effects might be mediated by epigenetic mechanisms, yet the literature on this topic is scarce. We performed the first epigenome-wide association study of infant feeding, comparing breastfed vs non-breastfed children. We measured DNA methylation in children from peripheral blood collected in childhood (age 7 years, N = 640) and adolescence (age 15-17 years, N = 709) within the Accessible Resource for Integrated Epigenomic Studies (ARIES) project, part of the larger Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) cohort. Cord blood methylation (N = 702) was used as a negative control for potential pre-natal residual confounding. RESULTS: Two differentially-methylated sites presented directionally-consistent associations with breastfeeding at ages 7 and 15-17 years, but not at birth. Twelve differentially-methylated regions in relation to breastfeeding were identified, and for three of them there was evidence of directional concordance between ages 7 and 15-17 years, but not between birth and age 7 years. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that DNA methylation in childhood and adolescence may be predicted by breastfeeding, but further studies with sufficiently large samples for replication are required to identify robust associations.

EPICOVID19 protocol: repeated serological surveys on SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in Brazil.

The first case of COVID-19 was reported in China in December 2019, and, as the virus has spread worldwide, the World Health Organization declared it a pandemic. Estimates on the number of COVID-19 cases do not reflect it real magnitude as testing is limited. Population based data on the proportion of the population with antibodies is relevant for planning public health policies. We aim to assess the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, presence of signs and symptoms of COVID-19, and adherence to isolation measures. A random sample comprising 133 sentinel cities from all states of the country will be selected. Three serological surveys, three weeks apart, will be conducted. The most populous municipality in each intermediate region of the country, defined by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, was chosen as sentinel city. In each city, 25 census tracts will be selected, and 10 households will be systematically sampled in each tract, totaling 33,250 participants. In each household, one inhabitant will be randomly selected to be interviewed and tested for antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, using WONDFO SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Test. By evaluating a representative sample of Brazilian sentinel sites, this study will provide essential information for the design of health policies.

Trends in the prevalence of COVID-19 infection in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil: repeated serological surveys. / Evolução da prevalência de infecção por COVID-19 no Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil: inquéritos sorológicos seriados.

COVID-19, the disease produced by the virus SARS-CoV-2, has spread quickly throughout the world, leading the World Health Organization to first classify it as an international health emergency and, subsequently, declaring it pandemic. The number of confirmed cases, as April 11, surpassed 1,700,000, but this figure does not reflect the prevalence of COVID-19 in the population as, in many countries, tests are almost exclusively performed in people with symptoms, particularly severe cases. To properly assess the magnitude of the problem and to contribute to the design of evidence-based policies for fighting COVID-19, one must accurately estimate the population prevalence of infection. Our study is aimed at estimating the prevalence of infected individuals in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, to document how fast the infection spreads, and to estimate the proportion of infected persons who present or presented symptoms, as well as the proportion of asymptomatic infections. Four repeated serological surveys will be conducted in probability samples of nine sentinel cities every two weeks. Tests will be performed in 4,500 participants in each survey, totaling18,000 interviews. Interviews and tests will be conducted at the participants' household. A rapid test for the detection of antibodies will be used; the test was validated prior to the beginning of the fieldwork.

A COVID-19 é uma doença produzida pelo vírus SARS-CoV-2. Esse vírus se espalhou rapidamente pelo mundo, o que levou a Organização Mundial da Saúde a classificar a COVID-19 como uma emergência de saúde internacional e, posteriormente, a declará-la uma pandemia. O número de casos confirmados, no dia 11 de abril de 2020, já passa de 1.700.000, porém esses dados não refletem a real prevalência de COVID-19 na população, visto que, em muitos países, os testes são quase que exclusivamente realizados em pessoas com sintomas, especialmente os mais graves. Para definir políticas de enfrentamento, é essencial dispor de dados sobre a prevalência real de infecção na população. Este estudo tem por objetivos avaliar a proporção de indivíduos já infectados pelo SARS-CoV-2 no Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, analisar a velocidade de expansão da infecção e estimar o percentual de infectados com e sem sintomas. Serão realizados quatro inquéritos sorológicos repetidos a cada 15 dias, com amostragem probabilística de nove cidades sentinela, em todas as sub-regiões do Estado. As entrevistas e testes ocorrerão no âmbito domiciliar. Serão utilizados testes rápidos para detecção de anticorpos, validados previamente ao início da coleta de dados.

Prevalence, mortality and risk factors associated with very low birth weight preterm infants: an analysis of 33 years.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence, mortality and risk factors associated with the birth of very low birth weight preterm infants over a period of 33 years. METHODS: Four cross-sectional studies were analyzed, using data from perinatal interviews of birth cohorts in the city of Pelotas collected in 1982, 1993, 2004, and 2015. Based on perinatal questionnaires, anthropometric measurements of newborns and death certificates were analyzed to obtain the prevalence rate, neonatal mortality, and risk factors (maternal age, income and type of delivery) for very low birth weight. RESULTS: A total of 19,625 newborns were included in the study. In the years 1982, 1993, 2004, and 2015, there were, respectively, 5909, 5232, 4226, and 4258 births. The prevalence of very low birth weight was, respectively, 1.1% (n=64), 0.9% (n=46), 1.4% (n=61), and 1.3% (n=54). There was no statistical evidence of an increasing trend over time (p=0.11). Among the risk factors, family income in the three poorest quintiles was associated with prevalence rates that were approximately twice as high as in the richest quintile (p=0.003). Mortality per 1000 live births for neonates weighing <1500g decreased from 688 to 259 per thousand from 1982 to 2015 (p<0.001), but still represented 61% of neonatal deaths in the latter year. CONCLUSION: Although mortality in very low birth weight decreased by more than 60% in recent years, this group still contributes with more than half of neonatal deaths. Low family income remains an important risk factor in this scenario.

Evolução da prevalência de infecção por COVID-19 no Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil: inquéritos sorológicos seriados / Trends in the prevalence of COVID-19 infection in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil: repeated serological surveys

Resumo A COVID-19 é uma doença produzida pelo vírus SARS-CoV-2. Esse vírus se espalhou rapidamente pelo mundo, o que levou a Organização Mundial da Saúde a classificar a COVID-19 como uma emergência de saúde internacional e, posteriormente, a declará-la uma pandemia. O número de casos confirmados, no dia 11 de abril de 2020, já passa de 1.700.000, porém esses dados não refletem a real prevalência de COVID-19 na população, visto que, em muitos países, os testes são quase que exclusivamente realizados em pessoas com sintomas, especialmente os mais graves. Para definir políticas de enfrentamento, é essencial dispor de dados sobre a prevalência real de infecção na população. Este estudo tem por objetivos avaliar a proporção de indivíduos já infectados pelo SARS-CoV-2 no Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, analisar a velocidade de expansão da infecção e estimar o percentual de infectados com e sem sintomas. Serão realizados quatro inquéritos sorológicos repetidos a cada 15 dias, com amostragem probabilística de nove cidades sentinela, em todas as sub-regiões do Estado. As entrevistas e testes ocorrerão no âmbito domiciliar. Serão utilizados testes rápidos para detecção de anticorpos, validados previamente ao início da coleta de dados.

Abstract COVID-19, the disease produced by the virus SARS-CoV-2, has spread quickly throughout the world, leading the World Health Organization to first classify it as an international health emergency and, subsequently, declaring it pandemic. The number of confirmed cases, as April 11, surpassed 1,700,000, but this figure does not reflect the prevalence of COVID-19 in the population as, in many countries, tests are almost exclusively performed in people with symptoms, particularly severe cases. To properly assess the magnitude of the problem and to contribute to the design of evidence-based policies for fighting COVID-19, one must accurately estimate the population prevalence of infection. Our study is aimed at estimating the prevalence of infected individuals in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, to document how fast the infection spreads, and to estimate the proportion of infected persons who present or presented symptoms, as well as the proportion of asymptomatic infections. Four repeated serological surveys will be conducted in probability samples of nine sentinel cities every two weeks. Tests will be performed in 4,500 participants in each survey, totaling18,000 interviews. Interviews and tests will be conducted at the participants' household. A rapid test for the detection of antibodies will be used; the test was validated prior to the beginning of the fieldwork.

EPICOVID19 protocol: repeated serological surveys on SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in Brazil / Protocolo EPICOVID19: pesquisas sorológicas repetidas de anticorpos SARS-CoV-2 no Brasil

Abstract The first case of COVID-19 was reported in China in December 2019, and, as the virus has spread worldwide, the World Health Organization declared it a pandemic. Estimates on the number of COVID-19 cases do not reflect it real magnitude as testing is limited. Population based data on the proportion of the population with antibodies is relevant for planning public health policies. We aim to assess the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, presence of signs and symptoms of COVID-19, and adherence to isolation measures. A random sample comprising 133 sentinel cities from all states of the country will be selected. Three serological surveys, three weeks apart, will be conducted. The most populous municipality in each intermediate region of the country, defined by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, was chosen as sentinel city. In each city, 25 census tracts will be selected, and 10 households will be systematically sampled in each tract, totaling 33,250 participants. In each household, one inhabitant will be randomly selected to be interviewed and tested for antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, using WONDFO SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Test. By evaluating a representative sample of Brazilian sentinel sites, this study will provide essential information for the design of health policies.

Resumo O COVID-19 é causado pelo vírus SARS-CoV-2, sendo o primeiro caso relatado na China em dezembro de 2019. O vírus se espalhou pelo mundo, levando a Organização Mundial da Saúde a declarar uma pandemia. As estimativas do número de casos de COVID-19 não refletem sua magnitude real, pois os testes são limitados em muitos países. Dados populacionais sobre a proporção da população com anticorpos são relevantes para o planejamento de políticas públicas de saúde. Nosso objetivo é avaliar a prevalência de anticorpos SARS-CoV-2, a presença de sinais e de sintomas de COVID-19 e a adesão a medidas de isolamento. Uma amostra aleatória composta por 133 cidades sentinelas de todos os estados do país será selecionada. Serão realizados três levantamentos sorológicos, com três semanas de intervalo. Em cada cidade, serão selecionados 25 setores censitários e 10 famílias serão amostradas aleatoriamente em cada setor. Em cada domicílio, um habitante será selecionado aleatoriamente para ser entrevistado e testado para anticorpos contra SARS-CoV-2, usando o Teste de Anticorpo WONDFO SARS-CoV-2, que foi validado antes do trabalho de campo. Ao avaliar uma amostra representativa dos locais sentinela ao longo do tempo, este estudo fornecerá informações essenciais para o desenho de políticas de saúde.