A treatment with a boiled aqueous extract of Hancornia speciosa Gomes leaves improves the metabolic status of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

BACKGROUND: Hancornia speciosa is usually used in Brazilian folk medicine to treat diabetes. The hypothesis of the present study is that this medicinal plant exerts beneficial effects on hyperglycemia, preventing diabetic complications. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the treatment effect of the aqueous extract of H. speciosa leaves on metabolic parameters of diabetic rats. METHODS: The H. speciosa extract (400 mg/Kg) was administered to both nondiabetic and severely diabetic female Wistar rats by gavage. The Oral Glucose Tolerance Test was performed and the area under the curve (AUC) was estimated on day 17 of pregnancy. After 21 days of treatment, the animals were anesthetized and killed to obtain organ weights. Blood samples were collected for an analysis of serum biochemical parameters. RESULTS: After treatment with the H. speciosa extract, the parameters of nondiabetic rats remained unchanged. In treated diabetic rats, glycemia, AUC, dyslipidemia parameters, and relative organ weights were decreased compared with nontreated diabetic rats. Severely diabetic rats showed decompensated hyperglycemia, polydipsia, hyperphagia and dyslipidemia. However, the aqueous extract of H. speciosa leaves decreased diabetes complications (indicating a lack of toxicity), reduced blood glucose levels, and exerced lipid-lowering effects. CONCLUSION: Based on or findings, the H. speciosa leaf extract may be a safe and promising candidate treatment for diabetes and other diseases.

Planning pathways in the transfer of Directly Observed Treatment of Tuberculosis.

OBJECTIVE: to investigate the planning pathways in the transfer of Directly Observed Treatment of tuberculosis. METHOD: a qualitative study conducted using interviews and a semi-structured guide, administered to five subjects who were among the coordinators and managers of the tuberculosis control programs, and the secretary of health of a municipality in the south of Brazil. Situational Strategic Planning and Discourse Analysis of the French matrix were the theoretical and analytical references used, respectively. RESULTS: three reflexive axes were identified: weaknesses in the process of planning the Directly Observed Treatment transfer, antagonism between planning and daily requirements and formulation of planning and execution. Lack of systematization regarding the planning and execution for transfer the Directly Observed Treatment policy, demonstrates the fragility and incipience of this activity, and the possibility of its non-existence. CONCLUSION: the urgent need for managers and coordinators to better appropriate the theoretical framework for changing public policies, and the related planning mechanisms, includes a proposal for reorganization and qualification of the diffusion process, both practical-operative and political-organization.

Directly Observed Treatment: planning perspectives, improvisation and transfer of policy.

OBJECTIVE: to investigate the possibilities of positive and negative association of improvisation and the understanding of what will be the planning by managers and coordinators of tuberculosis control programs, in a context of transference of the Directly Observed Treatment policy. METHOD: this is a qualitative study, developed through semi-structured interviews analyzed in the light of French Discourse Analysis. RESULTS: there was a weakening of the constructive and operational planning process, which is at the mercy of political will and the need of putting out fires. This, in turn, along with achômetro (Brazilian popular expression used on unsubstantiated point of view or opinion that is based solely and exclusively on the intuition of the person who says it), composed the metaphor of improvisation in its negative perspective, understood by automatism and unsystematization process. Improvisation, however, emerged as a representation of innovation, creativity, and contextual change. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: both the planning and the transfer of public policies constitute processes that need to be strengthened and qualified in the field of public health.

Directly Observed Treatment: planning perspectives, improvisation and transfer of policy / Tratamiento Directamente Observado: perspectivas de la planificación, improvisación y transferencia de la política / Tratamento Diretamente Observado: perspectivas do planejamento, improviso e transferência da política

ABSTRACT Objective: to investigate the possibilities of positive and negative association of improvisation and the understanding of what will be the planning by managers and coordinators of tuberculosis control programs, in a context of transference of the Directly Observed Treatment policy. Method: this is a qualitative study, developed through semi-structured interviews analyzed in the light of French Discourse Analysis. Results: there was a weakening of the constructive and operational planning process, which is at the mercy of political will and the need of putting out fires. This, in turn, along with achômetro (Brazilian popular expression used on unsubstantiated point of view or opinion that is based solely and exclusively on the intuition of the person who says it), composed the metaphor of improvisation in its negative perspective, understood by automatism and unsystematization process. Improvisation, however, emerged as a representation of innovation, creativity, and contextual change. Final considerations: both the planning and the transfer of public policies constitute processes that need to be strengthened and qualified in the field of public health.

RESUMEN Objetivo: investigar las posibilidades de asociación positiva y negativa del improviso y la comprensión de lo que venga a ser la planificación por gestores y coordinadores de los programas de control de la tuberculosis, en un contexto de transferencia de la política del Tratamiento Directamente Observado. Método: estudio cualitativo, desarrollado por medio de entrevistas semiestructuradas analizadas a la luz del Análisis de Discurso de línea francesa. Resultados: se observó una debilitación del proceso constructivo y operacional de la planificación, que está a merced de la voluntad política y de la necesidad de apagar el fuego. Esta, a su vez, junto con el creometro, compuso la metáfora del improviso en su perspectiva negativa, comprendida por el automatismo y la asistematización de procesos. En otro momento, sin embargo, el improviso surgió como representación de la innovación, de la creatividad y del cambio contextual. Consideraciones finales: tanto la planificación como la transferencia de políticas públicas se constituyen en procesos que necesitan ser fortalecidos y calificados en el ámbito de la salud pública.

RESUMO Objetivo: investigar as possibilidades de associação positiva e negativa do improviso e a compreensão do que venha a ser o planejamento por gestores e coordenadores dos programas de controle da tuberculose, num contexto de transferência da política do Tratamento Diretamente Observado. Método: estudo qualitativo, desenvolvido por meio de entrevistas semi-estruturadas analisadas à luz da Análise de Discurso de linha francesa. Resultados: observou-se uma fragilização do processo construtivo e operacional do planejamento, que fica à mercê da vontade política e da necessidade de apagar incêndio. Esta, por sua vez, juntamente com o achômetro, compôs a metáfora do improviso em sua perspectiva negativa, compreendida pelo automatismo e assistematização de processos. Num outro momento, entretanto, o improviso surgiu como representação da inovação, da criatividade e da mudança contextual. Considerações finais: tanto o planejamento quanto a transferência de políticas públicas constituem-se em processos que precisam ser fortalecidos e qualificados no âmbito da saúde pública.

Transferência de política: perspectiva do tratamento diretamente observado da tuberculose / Transferencia de política: perspectiva del tratamiento directamente observado de la tuberculosis / Policy transfer: perspective of the directly observed treatment of tuberculosis

RESUMO Objetivo: investigar como se desenvolveu a transferência da política do Tratamento Diretamente Observado da Tuberculose na ótica/para dos/os profissionais de saúde comunitária do Grupo Hospitalar Conceição. Método: trata-se de uma pesquisa de abordagem quantitativa do tipo inquérito epidemiológico, que se baseou na aplicação de um instrumento validado e autodirigido para os profissionais de saúde pertencentes às 12 Unidades de Atenção Primária à Saúde do Serviço de Saúde Comunitária do Grupo Hospitalar Conceição. Para a análise,foram utilizados a beta regressão, a descrição das frequências das variáveis, a distribuição da média, mediana e o desvio-padrão. Além disso, foram criados a média padronizada e os escores padronizados. Resultados: participaram do estudo 109 profissionais de saúde, a maioria do sexo feminino (77,06%), com idade entre 30 e 59 anos (87,16%) e pertencentes à categoria médica (37,61%). Em relação às três dimensões analisadas do processo de transferência da política, observou-se que a dimensão Conhecimento foi a que obteve maior escore (77,8%), sendo seguida pelas dimensões Informação (72,7%) e Inovação (67,7%). A necessidade de envolvimento e participação da população nas discussões do Tratamento Diretamente Observado, de melhoria da infraestrutura dos serviços de saúde e a complexificação do processo de realização dessa prática foram alguns, dentre outros, aspectos importantes apontados. Conclusão: urgem medidas de reformulações e melhorias nas ações vinculadas à operacionalização e transferência do Tratamento Diretamente Observadoda Tuberculose.

RESUMEN Objetivo: investigar cómo se desarrolló la transferencia de la política del Tratamiento Directamente Observado de la Tuberculosis desde la óptica de los profesionales de la salud comunitaria del Grupo Hospitalario Conceição. Método: se trata de una investigación de abordaje cuantitativa del tipo averiguación epidemiológica basada en la aplicación de un instrumento validado y autodirigido para los profesionales de la salud pertenecientes a las doce (12) Unidades de Atención Primaria para la Salud del Servicio de Salud Comunitario del Grupo Hospitalario Conceição. Para el análisis se utilizaron la regresión lineal, la descripción de las frecuencias de las variables, la distribución de la media, mediana y el desvío-estándar. Además, se crearon la media estandarizada y los resultados estandarizados. Resultados: participaron del estudio 109 profesionales de la salud, la mayoría del sexo femenino (77,06%), con edades entre 30 y 59 años (87,16%) y pertenecientes a la categoría médica (37,61%). En relación a las tres dimensiones analizadas del proceso de transferencia de la política, se observó que la dimensión Conocimiento fue la que obtuvo el mayor resultado (77,8%), seguida por las dimensiones Información (72,7%) e Innovación (67,7%). La necesidad de envolvimiento y participación de la población en las discusiones del Tratamiento Directamente Observado, de la mejoría de la infraestructura de los servicios de salud y la complejidad del proceso de realización de esa práctica fueron algunos de los aspectos importantes señalados, entre otros. Conclusión: son urgentes las medidas de reformulaciones y mejorías en las acciones vinculadas con la operacionalización y transferencia del Tratamiento Directamente Observado de la Tuberculosis.

ABSTRACT Objective: to investigate how the policy transfer of the Directly Observed Treatment of Tuberculosis was developed from the perspective of the community health professionals of the Conceição Hospital Group. Method: it is a quantitative research of the epidemiological inquiry type, which was based on the application of a validated and self-directed instrument to the health professionals belonging to the 12 Primary Health Care Units to the Community Health Service of the Conceição Hospital Group. For the analysis, the beta regression, the description of the frequencies of the variables, the distribution of the mean, median and the standard deviation were used. In addition, the standardized mean and standardized scores were created. Results: 109 health professionals participated in the study, most of them female (77.06%), aged between 30 and 59 years old (87.16%) and belonging to the medical category (37.61%). Regarding the three analyzed dimensions of the policy transfer process, it was observed that the Knowledge dimension was the one that had the highest score (77.8%), followed by the dimensions Information (72.7%) and Innovation (67.7%). The need for involvement and participation of the population in the discussions of Directly Observed Treatment, improvement of the infrastructure of the health services and the complexity of the process of accomplishment of this practice were some, among others, important aspects pointed out. Conclusion: it is necessary to reformulate and improve the actions related to the operationalization and transfer of the Directly Observed Treatment of Tuberculosis.

Planning pathways in the transfer of Directly Observed Treatment of Tuberculosis / Vias do planejamento na transferência do tratamento diretamente observado da tuberculose / Vías de la planificación en la transferencia del Tratamiento Directamente Observado de la tuberculosis

ABSTRACT Objective: to investigate the planning pathways in the transfer of Directly Observed Treatment of tuberculosis. Method: a qualitative study conducted using interviews and a semi-structured guide, administered to five subjects who were among the coordinators and managers of the tuberculosis control programs, and the secretary of health of a municipality in the south of Brazil. Situational Strategic Planning and Discourse Analysis of the French matrix were the theoretical and analytical references used, respectively. Results: three reflexive axes were identified: weaknesses in the process of planning the Directly Observed Treatment transfer, antagonism between planning and daily requirements and formulation of planning and execution. Lack of systematization regarding the planning and execution for transfer the Directly Observed Treatment policy, demonstrates the fragility and incipience of this activity, and the possibility of its non-existence. Conclusion: the urgent need for managers and coordinators to better appropriate the theoretical framework for changing public policies, and the related planning mechanisms, includes a proposal for reorganization and qualification of the diffusion process, both practical-operative and political-organization.

RESUMO Objetivo: investigar o processo de planejamento da transferência da política do Tratamento Diretamente Observado da tuberculose. Método: estudo qualitativo, realizado por meio de entrevistas e roteiro semiestruturado aplicado a cinco sujeitos, dentre coordenadores e gestores dos programas de controle da tuberculose e o secretário de saúde de um município do Sul do Brasil. O Planejamento Estratégico Situacional e a Análise de Discurso de matriz francesa foram os referenciais teórico e analítico utilizados, respectivamente. Resultados: três eixos reflexivos sobressaíram: as fragilidades no processo de planejamento da transferência do Tratamento Diretamente Observado; o antagonismo entre o planejamento e as exigências cotidianas; e a formulação do planejamento e sua execução. A assistematização do planejamento para a execução da transferência do Tratamento Diretamente Observado indica não apenas a fragilidade e incipiência dessa atividade, mas também a possibilidade de sua inexistência. Conclusão: é notória a premente necessidade de os gestores e coordenadores se apropriarem melhor tanto do referencial teórico da transferência de políticas públicas quanto dos próprios mecanismos de planejamento em si, incluindo, nesse sentido, uma proposta de reorganização e qualificação do processo difusor, prático-operativo e político-organizativo.

RESUMEN Objetivo: investigar el proceso de planificación de la transferencia de la política del Tratamiento Directamente Observado de la tuberculosis. Método: estudio cualitativo realizado por medio de entrevistas y con guión semiestructurado, aplicado en cinco sujetos: coordinadores y gestores de los programas de control de la tuberculosis y el secretario de salud de un municipio del sur de Brasil. La Planificación Estratégica Situacional y el Análisis de Discurso de matriz francesa fueron los referenciales teóricos y analíticos utilizados, respectivamente. Resultados: tres ejes reflexivos se destacaron: las fragilidades en el proceso de planificación de la transferencia del Tratamiento Directamente Observado; el antagonismo entre la planificación y las exigencias cotidianas y la formulación de la planificación; y su ejecución. La falta de sistematización, de la planificación para la ejecución de la transferencia del Tratamiento Directamente Observado, nos indica no apenas la fragilidad e insipiencia de esta actividad, pero además la posibilidad de que este no exista. Conclusión: es notaria la urgente necesidad de los gestores y coordinadores de conocer mejor tanto el referencial teórico de la transferencia de políticas públicas como los propios mecanismos de planificación, incluyendo con ese propósito una propuesta de reorganización y calificación del proceso difusor, práctico operativo y político organizativo.

Association between dietary patterns and mental disorders in pregnant women in Southern Brazil

Objective: To evaluate the association between dietary patterns and mental disorders among pregnant women in southern Brazil. Methods: Cross-sectional study with 712 pregnant women recruited from the Study of Food Intake and Eating Behaviors in Pregnancy (ECCAGe). Food intake assessment was performed using the Food Frequency Questionnaire. Dietary patterns were identified by cluster analysis. The Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders (PRIME-MD) was used to evaluate participants' mental health. Poisson regression models with robust variance were fitted to estimate prevalence ratios (PR). Results: In the adjusted models, there was a high prevalence of major depressive disorder among women with low fruit intake (43%, PR 1.43, 95%CI 1.04-1.95) and high sweets and sugars intake (91%, PR 1.91, 95%CI 1.19-3.07). Women with a common-Brazilian dietary pattern had higher prevalence of major depressive disorder compared to those with a varied consumption pattern (PR 1.43, 95%CI 1.01-2.02). Low intake of beans was significantly associated with generalized anxiety disorder (PR 1.40, 95%CI 1.01-1.93). Conclusions: Low consumption of fruits and beans and intake of the common-Brazilian dietary pattern during pregnancy were associated with higher prevalence of mental disorders. These results reinforce the importance of an adequate dietary intake to ensure better mental health in pregnancy.

Association between dietary patterns and mental disorders in pregnant women in Southern Brazil.

OBJECTIVE:: To evaluate the association between dietary patterns and mental disorders among pregnant women in southern Brazil. METHODS:: Cross-sectional study with 712 pregnant women recruited from the Study of Food Intake and Eating Behaviors in Pregnancy (ECCAGe). Food intake assessment was performed using the Food Frequency Questionnaire. Dietary patterns were identified by cluster analysis. The Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders (PRIME-MD) was used to evaluate participants' mental health. Poisson regression models with robust variance were fitted to estimate prevalence ratios (PR). RESULTS:: In the adjusted models, there was a high prevalence of major depressive disorder among women with low fruit intake (43%, PR 1.43, 95%CI 1.04-1.95) and high sweets and sugars intake (91%, PR 1.91, 95%CI 1.19-3.07). Women with a common-Brazilian dietary pattern had higher prevalence of major depressive disorder compared to those with a varied consumption pattern (PR 1.43, 95%CI 1.01-2.02). Low intake of beans was significantly associated with generalized anxiety disorder (PR 1.40, 95%CI 1.01-1.93). CONCLUSIONS:: Low consumption of fruits and beans and intake of the common-Brazilian dietary pattern during pregnancy were associated with higher prevalence of mental disorders. These results reinforce the importance of an adequate dietary intake to ensure better mental health in pregnancy.

High prevalence of diabetes and intermediate hyperglycemia - The Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil).

BACKGROUND: The global burden of diabetes mellitus and other chronic diseases is high, and 80% of those with diabetes now live in low and middle income countries. Yet, little information is available regarding prevalence of diabetes and intermediate hyperglycemia in these countries, especially when a full range of diagnostic tests is employed. The purpose of this study is to provide a full accounting of these prevalences in a large, free-living Brazilian population. METHODS: We report baseline data (2008-2010) from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil), a cohort study of 15,105 civil servants aged 35-74 years. Diabetes mellitus was ascertained by self-report of diagnosis, medication use, fasting glucose, an oral glucose tolerance test, and/or glycated hemoglobin. Cut-offs for diabetes and intermediate hyperglycemia followed the recommendations of the World Health Organization and the American Diabetes Association. Adjusted prevalences were estimated through logistic regression. FINDINGS: With this full accounting, 19.7% (19.0%-20.3%) had diabetes mellitus, 50.4% being previously undiagnosed. Frequencies of intermediate hyperglycemia according to various criteria ranged from 16.1% to 52.6%. Diabetes or intermediate hyperglycemia was present in 79.1% of participants when using the most comprehensive definitions. The burden was greatest in the elderly, the obese, non-whites, and those with less formal education (p < 0.001). INTERPRETATION: That four of every five free-living individuals aged 35-74 years working in selected public institutions in six Brazilian state capitals presented either diabetes or intermediate hyperglycemia highlights the advanced stage of the obesity - diabetes epidemic in urban Brazil and indicates the need for urgent action.

Eating disorders symptoms in pregnancy and postpartum: a prospective study in a disadvantaged population in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To assess eating disorder symptoms (EDS) from prepregancy through postpartum. METHOD: Seven hundred and twelve women with gestational age ranging from 16th to 36th week completed the eating disorder examination questionnaire (EDE-Q). A shortened version of the EDE-Q was used to assess, retrospectively, EDS during the last 28 days of the pregestational period. Follow up assessment occurred at the 4th-5th month postpartum (n = 427). Generalized structural equation models were used to estimate risk of EDS in pregestation, gestation, and postpartum. RESULTS: Women who did not participate in follow up (n = 285) were not significantly different in sociodemographic characteristics. In postpartum, a higher number of women referred shape (RR = 1.65; 95% CI 1.19-2.30) and weight concerns (RR = 1.64; 95% CI 1.16-2.31) than in pregestation. Binge eating (BE) and self-induced vomiting diminished during pregnancy (RR = 0.70, 95% CI 0.57-0.85; RR = 0.21, 95% CI 0.10-0.44, respectively) and postpartum (RR = 0.62, 95% CI 0.48-0.80; RR = 0.38, 95% CI 0.19-0.76, respectively) compared with pregestation DISCUSSION: Shape and weight concerns are highly prevalent in postpartum and may confer risk for the development of inappropriate eating behaviors. Health professionals should be trained on how to recognize these symptoms.

Health-related quality of life in Brazil: normative data for the SF-36 in a general population sample in the south of the country.

The objective of this study was to provide normative SF-36 scores in a general population sample in Brazil and to describe differences in mean scores according to socio-demographic characteristics. The SF-36 questionnaire was distributed to a randomly selected sample of the general population of Porto Alegre in the State of Rio Grande do Sul. The response rate was 68% and 755 subjects were included (38% male, 62% female). Lower health status was revealed among females in the 30 to 44 year age bracket, from the lower income class, with less education and self-reported chronic medical conditions. The results and percentiles of scores of the SF-36 are reported as normative data for the general population. The SF-36 was an acceptable and practical instrument for measuring health-related quality of life in a sample of Brazilians. The results of this study can be useful for researchers using the SF-36 questionnaire in other groups to compare the scores with normative data. The SF-36 may prove a valuable tool for discovering vulnerable groups in epidemiological studies due to the ability to discriminate between different population subgroups.

Health-related quality of life in Brazil: normative data for the SF-36 in a general population sample in the south of the country / Qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde no Brasil: dados normativos para o SF-36 em uma amostra da população geral do sul do Brasil

The objective of this study was to provide normative SF-36 scores in a general population sample in Brazil and to describe differences in mean scores according to socio-demographic characteristics. The SF-36 questionnaire was distributed to a randomly selected sample of the general population of Porto Alegre in the State of Rio Grande do Sul. The response rate was 68% and 755 subjects were included (38% male, 62% female). Lower health status was revealed among females in the 30 to 44 year age bracket, from the lower income class, with less education and self-reported chronic medical conditions. The results and percentiles of scores of the SF-36 are reported as normative data for the general population. The SF-36 was an acceptable and practical instrument for measuring health-related quality of life in a sample of Brazilians. The results of this study can be useful for researchers using the SF-36 questionnaire in other groups to compare the scores with normative data. The SF-36 may prove a valuable tool for discovering vulnerable groups in epidemiological studies due to the ability to discriminate between different population subgroups.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi disponibilizar escores normativos do SF-36 em uma amostra da população geral no Brasil e descrever as diferenças de escores médios de acordo com características sociodemográficas. O questionário SF-36 foi aplicado a uma amostra aleatória da população geral de Porto Alegre. A taxa de resposta foi de 68% e 755 indivíduos foram incluídos, 38% homens e 62% mulheres. O pior estado de saúde foi visto em mulheres, em indivíduos na faixa etária de 30 a 44 anos, de uma classe econômica mais baixa, com menor escolaridade e com autorrelato de uma condição médica crônica. Os resultados dos escores do SF-36 são apresentados como dados normativos para a população geral. O SF-36 foi um instrumento aceitável e prático para medir a qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde. Os resultados deste estudo podem ser úteis para pesquisadores utilizando o SF-36 em outros grupos para comparar os escores com dados normativos, ele pode ser uma boa ferramenta para detectar grupos vulneráveis em estudos epidemiológicos, pela capacidade de discriminar diferentes subgrupos da população.

Dietary patterns during pregnancy and the association with sociodemographic characteristics among women attending general practices in southern Brazil: the ECCAGe Study.

The assessment of the relationship between food intake and sociodemographic factors is crucial for developing effective public health policies. The present study aimed to examine dietary patterns in pregnant women and the association between these patterns and sociodemographic characteristics. Pregnant women attending general practices in southern Brazil (n = 712) answered a questionnaire and a food-frequency questionnaire with 88 items. Three dietary patterns were identified using cluster analysis. The association between the dietary patterns and sociodemographic variables was analyzed using the chi-square test and adjusted standardized residuals (p < 0,05). The restricted pattern was associated with lower maternal age, not living with a partner and being a non-working student. The varied pattern was associated with older maternal age, living with a partner, being employed and higher levels of education and income. The common-Brazilian dietary pattern included traditional Brazilian food items and was associated with lower levels of education and income, being unemployed and being a non-student.

Healthy eating index for pregnancy: adaptation for use in pregnant women in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate dietary quality in a sample of pregnant women based on one simple and objective parameter. METHODS: Pregnant women (n = 712), between 16 and 36 weeks, attending primary care clinics in Porto Alegre and Bento Gonçalves, Southern Brazil, in 2010 were recruited to take part. The Healthy Eating Index for Brazilian Pregnancy (HEIP-B) was created, derived from the American instrument called Alternate Healthy Eating Index for Pregnancy (AHEI-P). Questionnaires on frequency of consumption and on socio-demographic factors were completed. Focused principal component analysis (ACPF) was used to assess the relationship between the index and nutrients relevant to pregnancy. RESULTS: The median (interquartile range) of AHEI-P and HEIP-B were 66.6 (57.8-72.4) and 67.4 (60.0-73.4), respectively. The HEIP-B showed a good positive correlation with nutrients which are specifically recommended for pregnancy: folate (r = 0.8; p < 0.001), calcium (r = 0.6; p < 0.001) and iron (r = 0.7; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The quality of the diet of the pregnant women in this study was classified as within the "improvements needed" cut off point, which demonstrates the need for more specific education on nutrition for this stage of life. The index showed good correlations and, thus, may be considered an effective tool for assessing the quality of nutrition during pregnancy.

Dietary patterns during pregnancy and the association with sociodemographic characteristics among women attending general practices in southern Brazil: the ECCAGe Study / Padrões alimentares na gestação e associação com características sociodemográficas em mulheres atendidas em unidades básicas de saúde no Sul do Brasil: Estudo ECCAGe / Padrones alimentarios en la gestación y su asociación con características sociodemográficas en mujeres atendidas en unidades básicas de salud en el sur de Brasil: estudio ECCAGe

The assessment of the relationship between food intake and sociodemographic factors is crucial for developing effective public health policies. The present study aimed to examine dietary patterns in pregnant women and the association between these patterns and sociodemographic characteristics. Pregnant women attending general practices in southern Brazil (n = 712) answered a questionnaire and a food-frequency questionnaire with 88 items. Three dietary patterns were identified using cluster analysis. The association between the dietary patterns and sociodemographic variables was analyzed using the chi-square test and adjusted standardized residuals (p < 0,05). The restricted pattern was associated with lower maternal age, not living with a partner and being a non-working student. The varied pattern was associated with older maternal age, living with a partner, being employed and higher levels of education and income. The common-Brazilian dietary pattern included traditional Brazilian food items and was associated with lower levels of education and income, being unemployed and being a non-student.

A avaliação do consumo alimentar e das condições sociodemográficas é crucial para o desenvolvimento de políticas públicas. Este estudo examinou os padrões alimentares em gestantes e sua associação com características sociodemográficas. Gestantes (n = 712) atendidas em unidades básicas de saúde no sul do Brasil, responderam a um questionário sobre as características sociodemográficas e a um outro de frequência alimentar. Foram identificados três padrões alimentares por análise de cluster. Utilizando-se o teste qui-quadrado com resíduos ajustado verificou-se a associação dos padrões alimentares com as variáveis sociodemográficas (p < 0,05). O padrão restrito foi associado com gestantes mais jovens, que não moram com o companheiro e só estudam; o padrão variado com mulheres mais velhas que moram com o companheiro, trabalham e têm níveis de escolaridade e renda mais altos. Mulheres que não trabalham nem estudam e possuem níveis de renda e escolaridade mais baixos estiveram associadas ao padrão comum-brasileiro, caracterizado por alimentos tradicionais da população brasileira.

La evaluación del consumo alimentario y de las condiciones sociodemográficas es crucial para el desarrollo de políticas públicas. Este estudio examinó padrones alimentarios en gestantes y su asociación con características sociodemográficas. Las gestantes (n = 712) atendidas en unidades básicas de salud en el sur de Brasil, respondieron a un cuestionario sobre características sociodemográficas y a un cuestionario de frecuencia alimentaria. Se identificaron tres padrones alimentarios por análisis de clúster. A través del test chi-cuadrado ajustado con residuos se verificó la asociación de los padrones alimentarios con las variables sociodemográficas (p < 0,05). El padrón restringido fue asociado con gestantes más jóvenes, que no viven con un compañero y sólo estudian; el padrón variado con mujeres más viejas, que viven con compañero, trabajan y tienen niveles de escolaridad y renta más altos. Mujeres que no trabajan ni estudian, y poseen niveles de renta y escolaridad más bajos, estuvieron asociadas al padrón común-brasileño, caracterizado por alimentos tradicionales de la población brasileña.

Índice de alimentação saudável para gestantes: adaptação para uso em gestantes brasileiras / Healthy eating index for pregnancy: adaptation for use in pregnant women in Brazil / Índice de alimentación saludable para gestantes: adaptación para uso en gestantes brasileñas

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a qualidade global da dieta em uma amostra de gestantes, a partir de um parâmetro único, simples e objetivo. MÉTODOS: Gestantes entre a 16ª e 36ª semana de gestação (n = 712) foram arroladas em unidades básicas de saúde em Porto Alegre e Bento Gonçalves, RS, em 2010. Com base no índice americano Alternate Healthy Eating Index for Pregnancy (AHEI-P) foi criado o Índice de Alimentação Saudável para Gestantes Brasileiras (HEIP-B). Foram aplicados o questionário de frequência alimentar e o questionário sociodemográfico. Foi utilizada a análise de componentes principais focada para avaliar a relação entre os índices e os nutrientes relevantes à gestação. RESULTADOS: A mediana e o intervalo interquartílico dos índices AHEI-P e HEIP-B foram 66,6 (57,8-72,4) e 67,4 (60,0-73,4), respectivamente. O HEIP-B mostrou boa correlação positiva com os nutrientes que têm recomendação específica no período gestacional folato (r = 0,8; p < 0,001), cálcio (r = 0,6; p < 0,001) e ferro (r = 0,7; p < 0,001). CONCLUSÕES: A qualidade da dieta das gestantes do presente estudo foi classificada dentro do ponto de corte "precisando de melhorias", o que mostra a necessidade de se trabalhar mais especificamente com educação alimentar nesse ciclo da vida. O índice aplicado mostrou boas correlações e, portanto, pode ser considerado um bom instrumento de avaliação da qualidade da alimentação durante a gestação.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate dietary quality in a sample of pregnant women based on one simple and objective parameter. METHODS: Pregnant women (n = 712), between 16 and 36 weeks, attending primary care clinics in Porto Alegre and Bento Gonçalves, Southern Brazil, in 2010 were recruited to take part. The Healthy Eating Index for Brazilian Pregnancy (HEIP-B) was created, derived from the American instrument called Alternate Healthy Eating Index for Pregnancy (AHEI-P). Questionnaires on frequency of consumption and on socio-demographic factors were completed. Focused principal component analysis (ACPF) was used to assess the relationship between the index and nutrients relevant to pregnancy. RESULTS: The median (interquartile range) of AHEI-P and HEIP-B were 66.6 (57.8-72.4) and 67.4 (60.0-73.4), respectively. The HEIP-B showed a good positive correlation with nutrients which are specifically recommended for pregnancy: folate (r = 0.8; p < 0.001), calcium (r = 0.6; p < 0.001) and iron (r = 0.7; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The quality of the diet of the pregnant women in this study was classified as within the "improvements needed" cut off point, which demonstrates the need for more specific education on nutrition for this stage of life. The index showed good correlations and, thus, may be considered an effective tool for assessing the quality of nutrition during pregnancy.

OBJETIVO: Evaluar la calidad global de la dieta en una muestra de gestantes, a partir de um parámetro único, simple y objetivo. MÉTODOS: Gestantes entre 16ª y 36ª semana de gestación (n=712) fueron inventariadas en unidades básicas de salud en Porto Alegre y Bento Gonçalves, RS, Brasil, en 2010. Con base en el índice americano Alternate Healthy Eating Index for Pregnancy (AHEI-P) se creó en índice de Alimentación Saludable para Gestantes (HEIP-B). Se aplicaron el cuestionario de frecuencia alimentaria y el cuestionario sociodemográfico. Se utilizó el análisis de componentes principales para evaluar la relación entre los índices y los nutrientes relevantes para la gestación. RESULTADOS: La mediana y el intervalo intercuartil de los índices AHEI-P y HEIP-B fueron 66,6 (57,8-72,4) y 67,4 (60,0-73,4), respectivamente. El HEIP-B mostró buena correlación positiva con los nutrientes que tienen recomendación específica en el período gestacional folato (r = 0,8; p < 0,001), calcio (r = 0,6; p < 0,001) e hierro (r = 0,7; p < 0,001). CONCLUSIONES: La calidad de la dieta de las gestantes del presente estudio fue clasificada dentro del punto de corte "precisando de mejorías", lo que muestra la necesidad de trabajar más específicamente con educación alimentaria en ese ciclo de la vida. El índice aplicado mostró buenas correlaciones y, por tanto, puede ser considerado un buen instrumento de evaluación de la calidad de la alimentación durante la gestación.

Estimating the SF-6D value set for a population-based sample of Brazilians.

OBJECTIVES: SF-6D is a preference-based measure of health developed to estimate utility values from the SF-36. The aim of this study was to estimate a weighting system for the SF-6D health states representing the preferences of a sample of the Southern Brazilian general population. METHODS: A sample of 248 health states defined by the SF-6D was valued by a sample of the southern Brazilian population using the standard gamble. Mean and individual level multivariate regression models were fitted to the standard gamble valuation data to estimate preference weights for all SF-6D health states. The models were compared with those estimated in the UK study. RESULTS: Five hundred twenty-eight participants were interviewed, but 58 (11%) were excluded for failing to value the worst state. Data from 469 subjects producing 2696 health states valuations were used in the regression analysis. In contrast to the best performing model for the UK data, the best performing model for the Brazilian data was a random effects model using only the main effects variables, highlighting the importance of adopting a country-specific algorithm to derive SF-6D health states values. Inconsistent coefficients were merged to produce the final recommended model, which has all significant coefficients and a mean absolute difference between observed and predicted standard gamble values of 0.07. CONCLUSIONS: The results provide the first population-based value set for Brazil for SF-6D health states, making it possible to generate quality-adjusted life years for cost-utility studies using regional data. Besides, utility weights derived using the preferences of a sample from a southern Brazilian population can be derived from existing SF-36 data sets.

Quality of life in Brazil: normative values for the WHOQOL-bref in a southern general population sample.

PURPOSE: Normative data for WHOQOL-bref are scarce in the literature and unavailable in Latin American countries. The main objective of this study was to provide normative scores of WHOQOL-bref in a general population sample in Brazil and to describe differences in mean scores according to some socio-demographic characteristics. METHODS: WHOQOL-bref was applied to a randomly selected sample of the general population of Porto Alegre. Participants were literate people aged 20 to 64 years. The questionnaires were self-administered in the presence of an interviewer in the respondent's home. RESULTS: The response rate was 68%, and the final sample contained 751 respondents (38% men, 62% women). Low quality of life was observed in the following subgroups: female gender, lower economic class, lower educational level, and the subgroup reporting a chronic medical condition. The mean scores of the WHOQOL-bref and percentiles of scores are reported as normative data for the general population. CONCLUSION: Our results can be useful to researchers using the WHOQOL-bref to compare their results with normative data from a randomly selected sample of general population. Additionally, the ability of WHOQOL-bref to discriminate different population subgroups makes it an important tool to identify vulnerable groups in epidemiological surveys.

Nutrition, mental health and violence: from pregnancy to postpartum Cohort of women attending primary care units in Southern Brazil--ECCAGE study.

BACKGROUND: Woman's nutritional status, before and during pregnancy, is a strong determinant of health outcomes in the mother and newborn. Gestational weight gain and postpartum weight retention increases risk of overweight or obesity in the future and they depend on the pregestational nutritional status and on food consumption and eating behavior during pregnancy. Eating behavior during pregnancy may be the cause or consequence of mood changes during pregnancy, especially depression, which increases likelihood of postpartum depression. In Brazil, a study carried out in the immediate postpartum period found that one in three women experienced some type of violence during pregnancy. Violence and depression are strongly associated and both exposures during pregnancy are associated with increased maternal stress and subsequent harm to the infant. The main objectives of this study are: to identify food intake and eating behaviors patterns; to estimate the prevalence of common mental disorders and the experience of violence during and after pregnancy; and to estimate the association between these exposures and infant's health and development. METHODS/DESIGN: This is a cohort study of 780 pregnant women receiving care in 18 primary care units in two cities in Southern Brazil. Pregnant women were first evaluated between the 16th and 36th week of pregnancy at a prenatal visit. Follow-up included immediate postpartum assessment and around the fifth month postpartum. Information was obtained on sociodemographic characteristics, living circumstances, food intake, eating behaviors, mental health and exposure to violence, and on infant's development and anthropometrics measurements. DISCUSSION: This project will bring relevant information for a better understanding of the relationship between exposures during pregnancy and how they might affect child development, which can be useful for a better planning of health actions aiming to enhance available resources in primary health care.

Socioeconomic, demographic and nutritional factors associated with maternal weight gain in general practices in Southern Brazil.

In order to describe adequacy of weight gain during pregnancy and its association with pre-pregnancy nutritional status and other factors, a cohort study of pregnant women enrolled at 16-36 weeks of gestation and followed up until delivery was carried out in prenatal care in primary care services in Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. Maternal weight was recorded at each prenatal care visit. Weight gain was classified as "adequate," "insufficient" or "excessive" (Institute of Medicine). Poisson regression was used to measure the associations. The sample was comprised of 667 women, and insufficient and excessive weight gain incidences were 25.8% and 44.8%, respectively. Overweight and obese before pregnancy had a significant increased risk of excessive weight gain in pregnancy (RR: 1.75; 95%CI: 1.48-2.07, RR: 1.55; 95%CI: 1.23-1.96, respectively). Women with fewer than six prenatal visits had a 52% increased risk for weight gain below recommended values. Although insufficient weight gain may still be a public health problem, excessive gain is becoming a concern that needs immediate attention in prenatal care.