Suicide attempts: epidemiologic trends towards geoprocessing.

In order to study data about suicide attempts and do the mapping of occurrence areas, it was developed an ecologic and exploring study, making use of techniques of geoprocessing, based on confirmed cases of suicide attempts. Cases of self-poisoning were included in the urban area of Campina Grande county, in the period of 2010-2013. A total of 446 suicide attempts were geo-referred, pointing up an incidence of 120 cases out of each 100,000 inhabitants. The sample was mostly feminine (66.4%), and 62.3% being up to 30 years old. Kernel's map remarked hot spot areas. Compared to surrounding areas the suicide risk of populations within the hot spots was increased (38%; Relative Risk = 1.38; p= 0.0029), with an average estimative of 165 suicide attempts out of 100,000 inhabitants. Through identification of hot spots and index of living conditions of the neighborhoods, it is possible to set priorities in terms of public policies for the prevention of suicide attempts and control of the marketing of substances that are potentially toxic.

Suicide attempts: epidemiologic trends towards geoprocessing / Tentativas de suicídio: tendências epidemiológicas quanto ao geoprocessamento

Abstract In order to study data about suicide attempts and do the mapping of occurrence areas, it was developed an ecologic and exploring study, making use of techniques of geoprocessing, based on confirmed cases of suicide attempts. Cases of self-poisoning were included in the urban area of Campina Grande county, in the period of 2010-2013. A total of 446 suicide attempts were geo-referred, pointing up an incidence of 120 cases out of each 100,000 inhabitants. The sample was mostly feminine (66.4%), and 62.3% being up to 30 years old. Kernel's map remarked hot spot areas. Compared to surrounding areas the suicide risk of populations within the hot spots was increased (38%; Relative Risk = 1.38; p= 0.0029), with an average estimative of 165 suicide attempts out of 100,000 inhabitants. Through identification of hot spots and index of living conditions of the neighborhoods, it is possible to set priorities in terms of public policies for the prevention of suicide attempts and control of the marketing of substances that are potentially toxic.

Resumo Para estudar os dados sobre tentativas de suicídio e mapear as áreas de incidência foi desenvolvido um estudo do tipo ecológico e exploratório, usando técnicas de geoprocessamento, com base em casos confirmados. Foram incluídos os casos de autoevenenamento, ocorridos na zona urbana do município de Campina Grande, para o período 2010-2013. Um total de 446 tentativas de suicídio foi georreferenciado, apontando uma incidência de 120 casos a cada 100.000 habitantes. A amostra foi majoritariamente feminina (66,4%), com 62,3% possuindo até 30 anos de idade. O mapa de Kernel evidenciou areas de hot spots. Populações dentro dos hot spots apresentaram um risco de suicídio 38% maior (Risco Relativo= 1,38; p = 0,0029), com uma estimativa média de 165 tentativas de suicídios por 100.000 habitantes. Através da identificação das áreas de hot spots e do índice de condições de vida dos bairros, pode-se estabelecer as prioridades em termos de políticas públicas de prevenção das tentativas de suicídio e de controle da comercialização de substâncias com potencial tóxico.

Spatial distribution of scorpions according to the socioeconomic conditions in Campina Grande,State of Paraíba, Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: Due to its frequency and morbidity, such as that caused by scorpions have achieved public health importance in certain regions of the world. The present exploratory ecological study aimed to characterize the epidemiological profile and spatial distribution of scorpion stings in Campina Grande, State of Paraíba in Northeastern Brazil. METHODS: Geographical information system techniques were used to record the scorpion stings, and Google Earth software, Track Maker, and ArcGIS 10 Esri were used as geocoding databases. The Moran test was used to evaluate spatial correlation, and the Pearson chi-square test was used to analyze associations between scorpion stings and socioeconomic variables. RESULTS: The study evaluated 1,466 scorpion stings. Envenomations were more frequent among women (n = 908, 61.9%), and most patients were aged 13-28 years (n = 428, 29.2%). The Southern region of the city had the largest number of registered cases (n = 548, 37.4%), followed by the Western region (n = 510, 34.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Spatial analysis of scorpionism revealed an irregular occurrence in Campina Grande. Further, no association was observed between the socioeconomic factors analyzed and the geographic location of the scorpion envenomations. Detection of spatial areas with an increased risk of scorpionism can help prioritize adoption of preventive measures in these regions to reduce the associated incidence and morbidity.

Spatial distribution of scorpions according to the socioeconomic conditions in Campina Grande,State of Paraíba, Brazil

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Due to its frequency and morbidity, such as that caused by scorpions have achieved public health importance in certain regions of the world. The present exploratory ecological study aimed to characterize the epidemiological profile and spatial distribution of scorpion stings in Campina Grande, State of Paraíba in Northeastern Brazil. METHODS: Geographical information system techniques were used to record the scorpion stings, and Google Earth software, Track Maker, and ArcGIS 10 Esri were used as geocoding databases. The Moran test was used to evaluate spatial correlation, and the Pearson chi-square test was used to analyze associations between scorpion stings and socioeconomic variables. RESULTS: The study evaluated 1,466 scorpion stings. Envenomations were more frequent among women (n = 908, 61.9%), and most patients were aged 13-28 years (n = 428, 29.2%). The Southern region of the city had the largest number of registered cases (n = 548, 37.4%), followed by the Western region (n = 510, 34.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Spatial analysis of scorpionism revealed an irregular occurrence in Campina Grande. Further, no association was observed between the socioeconomic factors analyzed and the geographic location of the scorpion envenomations. Detection of spatial areas with an increased risk of scorpionism can help prioritize adoption of preventive measures in these regions to reduce the associated incidence and morbidity.

Investigação sobre os Fatores de Risco da Prematuridade: uma Revisão Sistemática / Research on the Risk Factors of Prematurity: A Systematic Review

Avaliar os fatores de risco da prematuridade ou obaixo peso em decorrência do parto prematuro. Para tantorealizou-se uma revisão sistemática. Material e Métodos:Foram selecionados, por meio de busca eletrônica, artigosdas bases de dados MEDLINE, LILACS e SciELO publicadosde 2005 a 2011. Para o levantamento foram utilizados osdescritores prematuridade e premature birth. A força deassociação entre o objetivo de cada artigo e o objetivo destarevisão foi avaliada baseada nos seguintes critérios: relaçãotemporal, validade interna, força de associação eplausibilidade biológica da associação. Resultados: após aleitura dos resumos dos 122 artigos selecionados, foramselecionados 38 para a análise, incluindo-se apenas 10 napresente revisão. O baixo peso ao nascer foi analisado emassociação com a prematuridade (n=9) artigos. A busca porartigos para realizar esta revisão demonstrou a escassezde estudos variados que objetivaram analisar a relação entreprematuridade e os riscos para o desenvolvimento dedoenças em crianças ou a cronicidade em adultos.Conclusão: a prematuridade consiste em um tema deinteresse bastante recente...

To evaluate, by means of a systematic review,the risk factors of prematurity or low birth weight due topremature birth. Material and Methods: We carried outsearches of articles in the databases MEDLINE, LILACS andSciELO published from 2005 to 2011, using the descriptorsprematurity and premature birth. The strength of associationbetween the objective of each article and the purpose of thisreview was evaluated based on the following criteria:temporal relationship, internal validity, strength of association,and biological plausibility of the association. Results: Afterreading the abstracts of the 122 articles retrieved, 38 wereselected for analysis, of which 10 were included in thisreview. Low birth weight was analyzed in association withprematurity (n = 9). The findings of this review demonstrateda lack of varied studies that aimed to analyze the relationshipbetween prematurity and risk for developing diseases inchildren or chronicity in adults. Conclusion: prematurityconsists of a recent topic of interest...