Oral habits, sociopsychological orthodontic needs, and sociodemographic factors perceived by caregivers impact oral health-related quality of life in children with and without autism?

BACKGROUND: Caregivers play a crucial role in assessing the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of young individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). AIM: This study assessed the impact of sociodemographic and oral conditions on OHRQoL and family dynamics in young individuals with and without autism, as perceived by guardians. DESIGN: This comparative cross-sectional study included young individuals aged 6 to 14 years and their guardians. Data were collected at a specialized institution and dental schools. Guardians completed the Parental-Caregiver Perceptions Questionnaire (P-CPQ), Family Impact Scale (FIS), and sociodemographic and oral habits questionnaires. The sociopsychological need for orthodontic treatment was assessed using the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN). RESULTS: The sample included 144 youths and caregivers. The ASD group had higher P-CPQ and FIS scores. Factors associated with poorer perceived OHRQoL included higher youth age, lower caregiver education, higher IOTN scores, teeth clenching (RR = 1.20; 95% CI: 1.01-1.41), and lip sucking. Lower parental education (RR = 1.75; 95% CI: 1.10-2.80) and higher IOTN scores from the caregiver's perspective impacted family dynamics. CONCLUSION: Caregivers of young individuals with ASD perceived a lower OHRQoL, and families in this group were more affected by sociodemographic and oral conditions.

Comparative cross-sectional study of socio-psychological orthodontic needs and oral habits in Autism Spectrum Disorder.

OBJECTIVE: This cross-sectional study analyzed the socio-psychological need for orthodontic treatment in children and adolescents with and without Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and its association with deleterious oral habits. METHODS: Children/adolescents aged 6-14 years old, with and without ASD, and their respective caregivers were included. Caregivers completed a questionnaire addressing children and adolescents' deleterious oral habits. To assess the socio-psychological need for orthodontic treatment, we utilized the aesthetic component of the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Needs (IOTN). Caregivers and an orthodontist independently used the standardized IOTN aesthetic attractiveness scale containing ten intraoral photographs and compared them with the most similar condition of the child/adolescent. Data collection occurred at two universities in northeastern Brazil and at an ASD referral center. Statistical analyses encompassed descriptive statistics, Shapiro-Wilk, Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney, and Chi-squared tests with linear trend (α5%). RESULTS: The study involved 144 participants, evenly divided into two groups (ASD and non-ASN). The ASD group showed higher average IOTN-AC scores as evaluated by both professionals (mean score = 4.78 [± 2.34], p = .182) and caregivers (mean score = 4.31 [± 2.71], p = .992). Caregivers reported notably elevated IOTN-AC scores in cases where onychophagy was absent (p = .049). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with ASD are indicated as having a relatively higher socio-psychological need for orthodontic treatment.

Spatial-temporal distribution of maxillofacial injuries resulting from intimate partner violence against women.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Maxillofacial trauma resulting from intimate partner violence (IPV) represents an important oral health problem. In this sense, the aim of this study was to investigate the spatial-temporal distribution of maxillofacial trauma resulting from IPV against women, using a geostatistical approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An ecological study was carried out including the analysis of confirmed IPV cases against women treated at a Center for Forensic Medicine and Dentistry over a four-year observation period, as well as the evaluation of population data from the victims' places of residence extracted from the last demographic census of the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics. Statistical analysis included: (i) finite mixture modeling to establish incidence trajectory patterns; (ii) Getis-Ord indicator (Gi*) for spatial autocorrelation; (iii) spatial regression analysis (p < .05). RESULTS: Two distinct trajectory patterns (TP1 and TP2) related to IPV incidence were identified using finite mixture modeling, suggesting spatial-temporal disparities at the regional level. In TP1, it was observed that IPV incidence was relatively low and remained stable over time, covering almost two-thirds (62.0%) of investigated spatial units. TP2 was characterized by higher IPV incidence with a tendency to increase in the last year, including more than one-third of neighborhoods (38.0%). Autocorrelation analysis showed a predominance of hot areas (hotspots) in the Eastern zone (p < .05) and in the Western zone (p < .05); and cold areas (coldspots) in the Northern zone (p < .05). In addition, statistically significant association was observed among neighborhoods with higher percentage of households with family householder without income and higher incidence of maxillofacial trauma resulting from IPV against women (ß = 5.305; SE = 1.741; p = .002). CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate an association between higher IPV incidence against women, maxillofacial trauma, and socio-spatial vulnerability.

Firearms, Violence-Related Injuries, and Victimization Profiles: An Approach Using Cluster Analysis.

The aim of this study was to characterize the profile of nonlethal victims of urban violence by firearms and to describe traumas suffered by victims, according to a medical-legal and forensic perspective. A cross-sectional and exploratory study was conducted at the Center of Forensic Medicine and Dentistry in northeastern Brazil. The sample consisted of 233 victims of urban violence by firearm who presented some type of trauma. Descriptive and multivariate statistics using cluster analysis (CA) were performed. The TwoStep Cluster method was chosen to characterize the profile of victims. The night shift (56.8%) and the period corresponding to Saturdays (20.0%) and Sundays (20.4%) concentrated the largest number of occurrences. Cases of trauma in more than one region of the body simultaneously prevailed (31.8%). Based on the CA results, the formation of two clusters with distinct victimization profiles was verified. Cluster 1 was mostly characterized by younger single victims who suffered violence by firearm in the urban area perpetrated by an unknown perpetrator, resulting in greater occurrence of isolated upper and lower limb traumas. In contrast, Cluster 2 consisted essentially of older, married, or stable-union victims who experienced firearm violence in the suburban area, perpetrated by a known aggressor, resulting in greater occurrence of multiple traumas, that is, affecting several regions of the body at the same time. These findings reveal different risk groups for urban violence by firearms and traumas, contributing to the planning of strategies with emphasis on health care, prevention, and promotion.

Facial Injuries and the Gender Issue: Expressions of Violence in a Metropolitan Region of Northeastern Brazil.

The aims of this investigation were to describe the profile of men and women victims of violence and identify factors associated with the severity of facial trauma. A retrospective study was carried out from 762 records of victims attended at the Institute of Legal Medicine and Dentistry located in a metropolitan region of Northeastern Brazil. The dependent variable was type of facial trauma suffered by victims. Independent variables were the sociodemographic characteristics of victims, characteristics of aggressors and circumstances of violence. Descriptive, bivariate (c2 test) and multivariate statistics were made through logistic regression. Level of significance was set at p < 0.05. The mean age of victims was 29.78 years (SD=13.33). Based on the final regression model, male subjects [odds ratio (OR)=2.22, 95% CI=1.08-4.57, p=0.030], assaulted by other male subjects (OR=4.88; 95% CI=1.12-21.26; p=0.035) through instrument (OR=6.67; 95% CI=2.85-15.60; p<0,001) or mixed aggressions (OR=4.34; 95% CI=1.44-13.02; p=0.009) were more likely to exhibit facial bone fractures or dentoalveolar fractures. The findings highlight that men and women present important victimization differentials in relation to interpersonal violence and facial trauma. Victim's gender, aggressor's gender and mechanism of aggression may exert influence on facial trauma patterns.

Head and face injuries in elderly patients victims of fall. A single trauma center analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to identify the profile of elderly victims of falls and the occurrence of injuries and fractures in the head and face regions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Overall, 426 medical records of individuals aged 60 years or older of both genders hospitalized due to fall were analyzed. Data on gender, age group, period of occurrence, type of fall, presence of head and face injury and fracture of facial bones were collected. Data were organized with SPPS, version 20, and presented through descriptive and inferential statistics (Chi-square test). Poisson regression analysis was used (α<0.05). RESULTS: The majority of victims were women (62.4%), aged 80 years or older (45.5%). Occurrences were more frequent in the daytime period (65.6%) and falls were mostly from the self-height (93.7%). Head and face lesions were found in 14.1% and 5.9% of victims, respectively. However, the presence of facial fracture was low (1.9%). Association between gender and occurrence of head (p=0.001) and face injury (p=0.017) was observed. The presence of "head injury" was associated with variables "type of fall" (p<0.001) and "existence of bone fracture" (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Women aged 80 or over are the main victims of falls. Occurrences are common in the daytime period and due to falls from self height. Although soft tissue injuries in head and face were common, facial fractures showed low frequency.

Breastfeeding Behavior in Brazilian Children with Congenital Zika Syndrome.

Congenital Zika Syndrome (CZS) is a condition that has emerged only recently, bringing together multiple changes, including significant changes in the stomatognathic system, which may compromise sucking behavior and consequently the breastfeeding practice. The aim of this study was to investigate the breastfeeding behaviors in children with CZS. A longitudinal study was carried out in two reference centers in Northeastern Brazil. The nonprobabilistic sample consisted of 79 children diagnosed with physical, neurological, and behavioral alterations compatible with CZS. Information regarding the child, nutritive, and nonnutritive sucking behavior and changes related to the sucking reflex was collected. Data were presented through descriptive and inferential statistics. In the bivariate analyses, the chi-squared test was used and 5% significance level was adopted. The majority of children had severe microcephaly (59.7%). Breastfeeding was performed at birth in most of CZS children (89.9%) but only 36.6% of them presented exclusive breastfeeding in the six months of life. Bottle feeding and pacifier were used in 89.9% and 55.7%, respectively. Sucking and swallowing difficulties and occurrence of gastroesophageal reflux were observed in 27.8%, 48.0%, and 29.2% of children, respectively. Early weaning was associated with bottle feeding (p=0.005) and pacifier sucking (p=0.003). Although breastfeeding practice at birth constitutes a behavior adopted by most of mothers, adherence to this exclusive habit until the first six months of life was low since the children presenting a large number of comorbidities with direct interference in the suction reflex, sucking, and swallowing difficulty.

Access to oral healthcare services of adolescents of a large-size municipality in northeastern Brazil.

The aim of this study was to describe and evaluate access to oral health services among adolescents enrolled in public schools of Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brazil, a large-size municipality in the Northeast of Brazil. An observational, descriptive, analytical, quantitative, and cross-sectional study was carried out through a school survey, in which four validated questionnaires were applied to 438 adolescents aged 12 to 19 years. Data were processed using the SPSS statistical software version 20.0, with bivariate analysis and multivariate analysis through Poisson regression. About 90.9% of adolescents reported having visited the dentist at least once; however, when considering the last 6 months, this percentage fell to 48.4%. Adolescents used private services (50.2%) or the public service (49.8%). About 70.6% of interviewees reported dental treatment (61.1%) as the main reason for seeking the service. Through multivariate analysis, it was observed that the demand for the service was higher among female adolescents (60.5%, p <0.001); the other variables did not present statistically significant differences. In conclusion, the access to oral healthcare services reported by adolescents was good, but there is still a considerable part of this population with no access. Variables that presented significant associated with dental services were gender and toothache history, but only gender remained significant in the multivariate model.

Tooth pain and associated factors among adolescents of a large population municipality in Northeastern Brazil. / Dor de dentes e fatores associados entre adolescentes de um município de grande porte populacional no Nordeste brasileiro.

The aim of this study was to describe and analyze history of toothache and associated factors among adolescent students enrolled in public schools of a city in Northeastern Brazil. An observational, descriptive, quantitative and cross-sectional study was conducted through the application of 4 questionnaires with 458 adolescents. By bivariate analysis, the prevalence of toothache in life was higher among younger adolescents (76.9%; p = 0.004), who have visited the dentist at least once (74.8%; p = 0.001) and who reported fear (74.9%; p = 0.006). The occurrence of dental pain in the last 6 months was low, where male (77.4%; p = 0,001) and older adolescents (73.1%; p = 0.031) reported no occurrence of pain. Through multivariate analysis, the highest prevalence of dental pain in life remained among younger adolescents (76.9%; p = 0.003) and who reported dental fear (74.9%; p = 0.006). The prevalence of toothache in the last 6 months remained low through multivariate analysis, among male and older adolescents. It could be concluded that the prevalence of toothache in life was higher than in the last 6 months, showing significant association with gender, age, visit to the dentist and dental fear.

O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever e analisar o histórico de dor de dente e seus fatores associados, entre adolescentes de escolas públicas de um município do Nordeste do Brasil. Realizou-se uma pesquisa observacional, descritiva, quantitativa e transversal, através da aplicação de quatro questionários junto a 458 adolescentes. Pela análise bivariada, a prevalência de dor de dente na vida foi alta entre os adolescentes de menor idade (76,9%; p = 0,004), que visitaram o Cirurgião-Dentista alguma vez (74,8%; p = 0,001) e que relataram medo frente ao atendimento odontológico (74,9%; p = 0,006). Todavia, nos últimos 6 meses, a prevalência de dor de dente foi baixa, na qual os adolescentes do sexo masculino (77,4%; p < 0,001) e de maior idade (73,1%; p = 0,031) relataram justamente não terem sentido dor. Quando da análise multivariada, a maior prevalência de dor de dente na vida se manteve entre os adolescentes de menor idade (76,9%; p = 0,003) e que relataram medo (74,9%; p = 0,006). A prevalência de dor de dente nos últimos 6 meses se manteve baixa na análise multivariada, entre os adolescentes do sexo masculino e de maior idade. Conclui-se que a prevalência de dor de dente na vida foi maior do que nos últimos 6 meses, havendo associação significativa com os fatores: sexo, idade, visita ao Cirurgião-Dentista e sensação de medo.

Dor de dentes e fatores associados entre adolescentes de um município de grande porte populacional no Nordeste brasileiro / Tooth pain and associated factors among adolescents of a large population municipality in Northeastern Brazil

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever e analisar o histórico de dor de dente e seus fatores associados, entre adolescentes de escolas públicas de um município do Nordeste do Brasil. Realizou-se uma pesquisa observacional, descritiva, quantitativa e transversal, através da aplicação de quatro questionários junto a 458 adolescentes. Pela análise bivariada, a prevalência de dor de dente na vida foi alta entre os adolescentes de menor idade (76,9%; p = 0,004), que visitaram o Cirurgião-Dentista alguma vez (74,8%; p = 0,001) e que relataram medo frente ao atendimento odontológico (74,9%; p = 0,006). Todavia, nos últimos 6 meses, a prevalência de dor de dente foi baixa, na qual os adolescentes do sexo masculino (77,4%; p < 0,001) e de maior idade (73,1%; p = 0,031) relataram justamente não terem sentido dor. Quando da análise multivariada, a maior prevalência de dor de dente na vida se manteve entre os adolescentes de menor idade (76,9%; p = 0,003) e que relataram medo (74,9%; p = 0,006). A prevalência de dor de dente nos últimos 6 meses se manteve baixa na análise multivariada, entre os adolescentes do sexo masculino e de maior idade. Conclui-se que a prevalência de dor de dente na vida foi maior do que nos últimos 6 meses, havendo associação significativa com os fatores: sexo, idade, visita ao Cirurgião-Dentista e sensação de medo.

Abstract The aim of this study was to describe and analyze history of toothache and associated factors among adolescent students enrolled in public schools of a city in Northeastern Brazil. An observational, descriptive, quantitative and cross-sectional study was conducted through the application of 4 questionnaires with 458 adolescents. By bivariate analysis, the prevalence of toothache in life was higher among younger adolescents (76.9%; p = 0.004), who have visited the dentist at least once (74.8%; p = 0.001) and who reported fear (74.9%; p = 0.006). The occurrence of dental pain in the last 6 months was low, where male (77.4%; p = 0,001) and older adolescents (73.1%; p = 0.031) reported no occurrence of pain. Through multivariate analysis, the highest prevalence of dental pain in life remained among younger adolescents (76.9%; p = 0.003) and who reported dental fear (74.9%; p = 0.006). The prevalence of toothache in the last 6 months remained low through multivariate analysis, among male and older adolescents. It could be concluded that the prevalence of toothache in life was higher than in the last 6 months, showing significant association with gender, age, visit to the dentist and dental fear.

Trends of maxillofacial injuries resulting from physical violence in Brazil.

BACKGROUND/AIM: A large proportion of interpersonal violence results in maxillofacial injuries. The monitoring of maxillofacial injuries in the context of gender violence has been little explored. The aim of this study was to analyze trends in cases of maxillofacial injuries resulting from interpersonal physical violence considering the gender of the victim and perpetrator. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A time-series study was conducted. Data regarding maxillofacial injury cases due to interpersonal physical violence were collected from reports at a forensic institute of a city in northeastern Brazil, between 2008 and 2014 (84 months). Rates of interpersonal physical violence per 100 000 inhabitants were determined for each gender. A negative binomial regression model was used to evaluate trends. The cycle plot was used to investigate the occurrence of seasonality, considering subseries for each month. RESULTS: A total of 3561 reports were analyzed, revealing higher rates of female victims and male perpetrators throughout the series. There was no indication of seasonality. The annual percentage of injuries involving male victims reduced significantly by 6.8% (P < .001), while injuries involving female victims increased significantly by 4.5% (P = .002). Regarding perpetrators, rates remained constant over time, following the same pattern for both genders. CONCLUSIONS: The data demonstrate greater victimization involving maxillofacial injuries against women perpetrated more often by men, with a trend toward an increase in female victims and a reduction in male victims.

Attitudes and practices of professionals who working in the Family Health Strategy regarding the approach to drug users in the municipality of Campina Grande. Paraíba. Brazil. / Atitudes e práticas de profissionais atuantes na Estratégia Saúde da Família quanto à abordagem aos usuários de drogas no município de Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brasil.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the attitudes and practices of professionals of the Family Health Strategy regarding the approach to drug users in the municipality of Campina Grande. Paraíba. The cross-sectional and exploratory study carried out with 126 doctors. nurses and dentists of Primary Health Care (PHC). Variables investigated were related to sociodemographic data. professional profile. attitudes and practices about the approach to drug users according to the Integrated Plan to Confront Crack and Other Drugs. Descriptive and multivariate statistics were performed through Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA). Most professionals were female (88.9%) and reported questioning only sometimes about the use of drugs during the anamnesis (53.2%). Based on MCA results. variables with the greatest discriminatory power for dimension 1 were: training time (0.776). working time in the PHC (0.688). age group (0.656); while for dimension 2 were: professional category (0.383) and knowledge of drug users in their coverage area (0.166). There are important differences in attitudes and practices about the approach of drug users among professionals.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar as atitudes e as práticas dos profissionais da Estratégia Saúde da Família (ESF) quanto à abordagem aos usuários drogas no município de Campina Grande, Paraíba. Tratou-se de um estudo transversal e exploratório realizado com 126 médicos, enfermeiros e dentistas da Atenção Primária à Saúde (APS). As variáveis investigadas foram relacionadas a dados sociodemográficos, atuação profissional, atitudes e práticas sobre a abordagem aos usuários de drogas de acordo com o Plano Integrado de Enfrentamento ao Crack e outras Drogas. Foi realizada estatística descritiva e multivariada por meio da Análise de Correspondência Múltipla (ACM). A maioria dos profissionais era do sexo feminino (88,9%) e relatou questionar apenas às vezes quanto ao uso de drogas durante a anamnese (53,2%). Baseando-se na ACM, as variáveis com maior poder discriminatório para a dimensão 1 foram: tempo de formado (0,776), tempo de trabalho na APS (0,688), faixa etária (0,656); enquanto que para a dimensão 2 foram: categoria profissional (0,383) e se conhece os usuários de drogas em sua área de abrangência (0,166). Existem diferenças importantes nas atitudes e nas práticas acerca da abordagem dos usuários de drogas entre os profissionais.

Atitudes e práticas de profissionais atuantes na Estratégia Saúde da Família quanto à abordagem aos usuários de drogas no município de Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brasil / Attitudes and practices of professionals who working in the Family Health Strategy regarding the approach to drug users in the municipality of Campina Grande. Paraíba. Brazil

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar as atitudes e as práticas dos profissionais da Estratégia Saúde da Família (ESF) quanto à abordagem aos usuários drogas no município de Campina Grande, Paraíba. Tratou-se de um estudo transversal e exploratório realizado com 126 médicos, enfermeiros e dentistas da Atenção Primária à Saúde (APS). As variáveis investigadas foram relacionadas a dados sociodemográficos, atuação profissional, atitudes e práticas sobre a abordagem aos usuários de drogas de acordo com o Plano Integrado de Enfrentamento ao Crack e outras Drogas. Foi realizada estatística descritiva e multivariada por meio da Análise de Correspondência Múltipla (ACM). A maioria dos profissionais era do sexo feminino (88,9%) e relatou questionar apenas às vezes quanto ao uso de drogas durante a anamnese (53,2%). Baseando-se na ACM, as variáveis com maior poder discriminatório para a dimensão 1 foram: tempo de formado (0,776), tempo de trabalho na APS (0,688), faixa etária (0,656); enquanto que para a dimensão 2 foram: categoria profissional (0,383) e se conhece os usuários de drogas em sua área de abrangência (0,166). Existem diferenças importantes nas atitudes e nas práticas acerca da abordagem dos usuários de drogas entre os profissionais.

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the attitudes and practices of professionals of the Family Health Strategy regarding the approach to drug users in the municipality of Campina Grande. Paraíba. The cross-sectional and exploratory study carried out with 126 doctors. nurses and dentists of Primary Health Care (PHC). Variables investigated were related to sociodemographic data. professional profile. attitudes and practices about the approach to drug users according to the Integrated Plan to Confront Crack and Other Drugs. Descriptive and multivariate statistics were performed through Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA). Most professionals were female (88.9%) and reported questioning only sometimes about the use of drugs during the anamnesis (53.2%). Based on MCA results. variables with the greatest discriminatory power for dimension 1 were: training time (0.776). working time in the PHC (0.688). age group (0.656); while for dimension 2 were: professional category (0.383) and knowledge of drug users in their coverage area (0.166). There are important differences in attitudes and practices about the approach of drug users among professionals.

Exploring the effect of time and sex in family and community violence from 2008 to 2014.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of the time and the sex of victims and perpetrators on the rates of family and community physical violence in a Brazilian municipality over seven years (2008-2014). METHODS: We made a census analysis from non-fatal victims attended in the Forensic Institute of the Scientific Civil Police. The monthly and annual violence rates were calculated based on the population size of the municipality. Time series was evaluated by negative binomial regression models, based on the number of cases with population offset and considering the effect of the sex of victims and perpetrators. RESULTS: A total of 3,324 cases of family and 4,634 cases of community violence were analyzed. There was a significant increase in family violence rates for female victims and male perpetrators. Family violence rates were always higher for female victims than for male and it was always lower for female perpetrators than for male (p < 0.001). There was a lower risk of community violence for male victims after 2013 and a decrease of aggression perpetrated by men over time. Men and women were similarly affected by community violence; however, the perpetrators were more frequently men. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate a trend of increasing female victims in the family violence, mainly perpetrated by men. The reduction in community violence rates could be the result of policies to reduce crime.

Exploring the effect of time and sex in family and community violence from 2008 to 2014

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of the time and the sex of victims and perpetrators on the rates of family and community physical violence in a Brazilian municipality over seven years (2008-2014). METHODS We made a census analysis from non-fatal victims attended in the Forensic Institute of the Scientific Civil Police. The monthly and annual violence rates were calculated based on the population size of the municipality. Time series was evaluated by negative binomial regression models, based on the number of cases with population offset and considering the effect of the sex of victims and perpetrators. RESULTS A total of 3,324 cases of family and 4,634 cases of community violence were analyzed. There was a significant increase in family violence rates for female victims and male perpetrators. Family violence rates were always higher for female victims than for male and it was always lower for female perpetrators than for male (p < 0.001). There was a lower risk of community violence for male victims after 2013 and a decrease of aggression perpetrated by men over time. Men and women were similarly affected by community violence; however, the perpetrators were more frequently men. CONCLUSIONS The results indicate a trend of increasing female victims in the family violence, mainly perpetrated by men. The reduction in community violence rates could be the result of policies to reduce crime.

Social determinants of health and maxillofacial injuries in children and adolescents victims of violence: A novel GIS-based modelling application.

BACKGROUND: Physical violence against children and adolescents comprises a serious public health problem and often results in oral and maxillofacial traumas. Social determinants may favour the occurrence of these events, but few studies have critically evaluated the interaction between social and geographical risk factors. AIMS: To investigate the spatiotemporal distribution of oral and maxillofacial traumas resulting from violence against children and adolescents through geostatistical techniques. METHODS: This study was an ecological analysis of cases of trauma caused by violence against Brazilian children and adolescents using aggregated data from victims attended at a Center of Forensic Medicine and Forensic Dentistry between January 2012 and December 2015. Data were analysed through modelling based on geographic information system (GIS). RESULTS: Two distinct patterns of longitudinal trajectory of oral and maxillofacial trauma related to violence against children and adolescents were identified (TP1 and TP2, P < 0.05). The spatial regression analysis revealed a statistically significant association between higher incidence of cases and areas with worse socioeconomic conditions (ß = 0.047, SE = 0.020, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Neighbourhoods with considerable socio-spatial vulnerability for violence against children and adolescents and maxillofacial traumas were identified.

Traffic accidents, maxillofacial injuries and risk factors: A systematic review of observational studies.

AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the scientific evidence regarding the risk factors for maxillofacial injuries among victims of traffic accidents. METHOD: A systematic review of articles published until February 2017 was carried out in the following databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library. Studies were selected by two independent reviewers (Ï° = 0.841). The risk of bias in the selected studies was assessed using an adapted version of the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for observational studies. RESULTS: A total of 2703 records were found, of which only three articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were analyzed, including 422 244 patients. The male/female ratio ranged from 3.4: 1 to 6: 1. All eligible studies performed the multivariate statistical analysis. Eleven risk factors for maxillofacial traumas were identified: victim's gender (P < 0.05), age group (P < 0.05), residence region (P < 0.05), impact characteristics (P < 0.05), increased net change in velocity due to collision (P < 0.05), increase in occupant's height (P < 0.05), nonuse of protective equipment (P < 0.05), type of accident (P < 0.05), time of occurrence (P < 0.05), lesion severity (P < 0.05), and occurrence of concomitant lesions (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results suggest that sociodemographic characteristics, as well as those related to the collision patterns and circumstances of traffic accidents, may influence the occurrence of maxillofacial injuries. However, the results should be interpreted with caution due to the high heterogeneity among studies.

Characteristics of Brazilian Offenders and Victims of Interpersonal Violence: An Exploratory Study.

The aim of this study was to characterize the profile of Brazilian offenders and victims of interpersonal violence, following a medicolegal and forensic perspective. A cross-sectional and exploratory study was performed in a Center of Forensic Medicine and Dentistry. The sample was made up of 1,704 victims of nonlethal interpersonal violence with some type of trauma. The victims were subject to forensic examinations by a criminal investigative team that identified and recorded the extent of the injuries. For data collection, a specific form was designed consisting of four parts according to the information provided in the medicolegal and social records: sociodemographic data of the victims, offender's characteristics, aggression characteristics, and types of injuries. Descriptive and multivariate statistics using cluster analysis (CA) were performed. The two-step cluster method was used to characterize the profile of the victims and offenders. Most of the events occurred during the nighttime (50.9%) and on weekdays (66.3%). Soft tissue injuries were the most prevalent type (94.6%). Based on the CA results, two clusters for the victims and two for the offenders were identified. Victims: Cluster 1 was formed typically by women, aged 30 to 59 years, and married; Cluster 2 was composed of men, aged 20 to 29 years, and unmarried. Offenders: Cluster 1 was characterized by men, who perpetrated violence in a community environment. Cluster 2 was formed by men, who perpetrated violence in the familiar environment. These findings revealed different risk groups with distinct characteristics for both victims and offenders, allowing the planning of targeted measures of care, prevention, and health promotion. This study assesses the profile of violence through morbidity data and significantly contributes to building an integrated system of health surveillance in Brazil, as well as linking police stations, forensic services, and emergency hospitals.

Spatial distribution of maxillofacial injuries caused by urban violence: An ecological analysis to identify high-risk areas.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the spatial and spatial-temporal distribution of oral and maxillofacial injuries caused by urban violence, as well as to identify underlying disparities at regional level through a geostatistical approach. METHODS: This was a historical ecological cohort study of trauma cases caused by urban violence using aggregate data from victims assisted in a Brazilian medical-forensic service between January 2012 and December 2015. The longitudinal patterns of change observed in each geographic area (neighbourhoods) were evaluated using the finite mixture model (FMM). The spatial autocorrelation of events was investigated using the Getis-Ord Indicator (Gi*) to identify significant hot and cold spatial clusters. With a spatial regression model, it was also found when socioeconomic variables, residential infrastructure and neighbourhood infrastructure were associated with high incidence rates. The significance level was set at P ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: The finite mixture model revealed three different patterns of longitudinal trajectory of the incidence of oral and maxillofacial trauma caused by urban violence (TP1 to TP3, P < 0.05). TP1 was characterized by an incidence that remained stable and high over time, comprising 17.4% of the city's neighbourhoods. In TP2, it was observed that the incidence was moderate, with a slightly increasing trend in the last year evaluated, representing around 41.8% of the sample. In contrast, in TP3, it was found that the incidence was relatively low and remained stable over time, accounting for about 40.8% of the sample. The Getis-Ord (Gi*) statistic identified significant high-risk clusters in the western (P < 0.05), southern (P < 0.05), and eastern regions (P < 0.05) and low risk in the northern region (P < 0.05). The spatial regression model indicated significant association between areas with unfavourable socioeconomic conditions and higher incidence of events (ß = 0.178, SE = 0.046, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Clusters demarcating areas with high socio-spatial vulnerability for urban violence and oral and maxillofacial injuries were identified. The findings highlight the need to improve living conditions in segregated urban areas and develop intersectoral actions to improve living conditions, employment, public safety, social support, health care and prevention.

Patterns of Oral-Maxillofacial Trauma and Determinant Factors among Brazilian Victims of Physical Aggression: A 4-Year Study.

PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of oral-maxillofacial trauma among Brazilian victims of physical aggression and identify its associated factors from a medico-legal and forensic perspective. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out involving the analysis of complete medico-legal and social reports of 3668 victims of physical aggression treated at a centre of legal medicine and forensic dentistry over the course of four years. The dependent variable was the occurrence of oral-maxillofacial trauma. The independent variables were sociodemographic status and characteristics of physical aggression. Statistical analyses included the chi-squared test (p < 0.05) as well as univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: Oral-maxillofacial trauma occurred in 1655 cases (45.1%). Individuals who lived in suburban areas (OR = 1.32; 95%CI = 1.11-1.58) and those who were victims of community violence (OR = 1.20; 95%CI = 1.03-1.40) perpetrated by someone known to them (OR = 1.24; 95%CI = 1.03-1.40) using physical force (OR = 2.31; 95%CI = 1.96-2.72) on weekends (OR = 1.19; 95%CI = 1.04-1.37) and during nighttime hours (OR = 1.23; 95%CI = 1.08-1.41) were more likely to exhibit oral-maxillofacial trauma. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of oral-maxillofacial trauma was high and the associated factors were area of residence, type of violence, type of offender, mechanism of violence, day, and period of occurrence.