Factors associated with hepatitis A susceptibility among men who have sex with men using HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis in Northeastern Brazil: A cross-sectional study.

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection has disproportionately affected more men who have sex with men (MSM), occurring in outbreaks, despite being vaccine-preventable. We determined the prevalence and factors associated with HAV susceptibility among cisgender MSM on HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in Northeastern Brazil. From September 30, 2021 to June 19, 2023, 282 cisgender MSM receiving HIV PrEP were enrolled into this cross-sectional study. Sociodemographic and clinical information were collected. Blood samples were collected for screening of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and serum samples were tested for IgM and total anti-HAV antibodies. Non-reactive results for total anti-HAV antibodies were found in 106 of 282 (37.6%) participants. Factors associated with HAV susceptibility included age <30 years (prevalence ratio [PR]: 2.02; 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.61-2.53), having health insurance (PR: 1.39; 95% CI: 1.19-1.64), sex only with cisgender men (PR: 1.52; 95% CI: 1.23-1.89), non-steady partner (PR: 1.20; 95% CI: 1.01-1.43) and no lifetime history of STIs (PR: 1.25; 95% CI: 1.03-1.53). Identifying clinical correlates of HAV susceptibility in key populations is a fundamental step towards development of public policy focused on prevention, especially following the recent hepatitis A outbreak in Brazil.

Educommunication in nutrition and neurodegenerative diseases: a scoping review protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Neurodegenerative diseases affect the nervous system and are characterised by the deterioration and/or death of neurons. Nutrition care is essential for maintaining an adequate nutritional status, which influences the prognosis and survival of patients with neurological diseases. Caregivers participate assiduously in the care of these patients and must be integrated into the multidisciplinary team. They often need specific training or knowledge regarding food and nutrition to perform their roles with patients. Health educommunication is a learning tool that can positively influence the appropriation of the theme and the construction of care autonomy. This scoping review (ScR) will map educommunication actions/strategies in nutrition and neurodegenerative diseases. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This ScR will be designed based on the methodology of Arksey and O'Malley and will follow the methodological guidance for conducting a Joanna Briggs Institute ScR. The research question addressed by the scoping review will be: what actions/strategies for educommunication in nutrition and neurodegenerative diseases have been developed for patients or caregivers? Many search sites it will be used in this review, such as electronic databases (Embase, PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science), Google Scholar and grey literature sources. No restrictions of date or language will be applied to the search strategy. Two reviewers will independently screen all abstracts and full-text studies for inclusion. Data, including the study design, objective, study population, neurodegenerative diseases, nutrition topics and educommunication strategies will be logically organised and tabulated in Microsoft Excel. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The data used for this review are from secondary sources and available to the public; thus, no ethical approval and human consent will be required for this study. Dissemination of the results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at conferences.

Factors Associated with Hyposalivation in Brazilian Adults

ABSTRACT Objective: To determine the occurrence of hyposalivation in Brazilian adults and its association with individual determinants, such as the use of medications, systemic conditions, smoking, and alcohol consumption. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study with 402 adults was developed. Information was collected on sociodemographic and general health characteristics, and sialometry was performed with stimulated salivary flow. It indicated low salivary flow when ≤ 0.7 mL/min. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted using a decision tree (p<0.05). Results: The sample was comprised predominantly of women (68.2%) aged ≤ 29 years (25.4%). Most participants did not use medication (56.7%). Among systemic diseases, the most cited was hypertension (25.1%). More than a third of the participants presented hyposalivation (40.3%), being associated with the following variables: age between 50 to 59 years (p=0.011), female sex (p<0.001), menopause (p=0.001), use of alcohol (p=0.033), systemic disease (p=0.002) and medication use (p<0.001). In multivariate analysis, in addition to sex (p<0.001) and hypertension (p=0.005), an association was also found between hyposalivation and diabetes (p=0.014). Conclusion: Factors associated with hyposalivation in adults were sex and the presence of hypertension or diabetes.

Temporal trend in the incidence of human visceral leishmaniasis in Brazil.

It is an ecological study that analyzed the time trend of visceral leishmaniasis incidence rates in Brazil using segmented time regression by joinpoints. There was a decreasing incidence rate of this disease in the country with an average annual percent change (AAPC) of -5 (CI95%: -9.1; -0.6) and a reduction of 1.69 cases/100 thousand inhabitants in 2007, and 0.91/100 thousand inhabitants in 2020. The Central-West region showed the highest reduction percent (AAPC: -9.1; CI95%: -13.8; -4.3), followed by the Southeast region (AAPC: -8.7; -14.6; -2.5). The North and South regions showed the largest number of joinpoints in the time series. The highest incidences were recorded in the male population, however, stable (AAPC: 2.14; CI95%: -8.3; 0). In the age group analysis, the trend was decreasing for the groups from 0 to 4 years old (AAPC: -7.7; CI95%: -12.6; -2.4), 5 to 9 years old (AAPC: -7.3; CI95%: -13.6; -0,4) and 10 to 14 years old (AAPC: -5.5; CI95%: -10.3; -0.3). It was found that although Visceral Leishmaniasis is an endemic disease in Brazil, there was a decrease in its incidence rate from 2007 to 2020.

Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy in the treatment of oral erythematous candidiasis: a controlled and randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical and microbiological efficacy of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) in patients with erythematous candidiasis (EC). METHODS: This study was a controlled and randomized clinical trial in patients diagnosed with EC, who were allocated into a control group (CG) and experimental group (EG) treated with nystatin oral suspension and aPDT with methylene blue 0.1%, respectively. A clinical index was used to classify the EC lesions from mild to severe and assess the treatment efficacy. Microbiological samples were collected before and after aPDT session and analyzed by counting colony-forming units (CFUs) of Candida and Staphylococcus sp. RESULTS: A total of 41 patients (CG (n = 18); EG (n = 23)) were analyzed in our research. Of these, 16 (94.1%) of the CG and 16 (84.2%) of the EG exhibited complete remission of the lesions. Regarding the degree of the lesion, it was observed that the severe lesions were more difficult to present remission, while all the mild and moderate lesions showed complete regression (p = 0.001). The microbiological analysis showed that Candida albicans and Staphylococcus sp. were the most prevalent microorganisms, and the aPDT group showed a decrease in CFUs of these microorganisms after the first aPDT session (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: aPDT proved to be a clinically and microbiologically effective therapy for treating EC. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Registered at ClinicalTrials.gov; Set 12th, 2019; No. RBR-8w8599. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: aPDT is a promising alternative treatment since it presents satisfactory results and does not cause damage to oral tissues or develop resistance to the treatment.

Temporal trend in the incidence of human visceral leishmaniasis in Brazil / Tendência temporal da incidência de leishmaniose visceral humana no Brasil

Abstract It is an ecological study that analyzed the time trend of visceral leishmaniasis incidence rates in Brazil using segmented time regression by joinpoints. There was a decreasing incidence rate of this disease in the country with an average annual percent change (AAPC) of -5 (CI95%: -9.1; -0.6) and a reduction of 1.69 cases/100 thousand inhabitants in 2007, and 0.91/100 thousand inhabitants in 2020. The Central-West region showed the highest reduction percent (AAPC: -9.1; CI95%: -13.8; -4.3), followed by the Southeast region (AAPC: -8.7; -14.6; -2.5). The North and South regions showed the largest number of joinpoints in the time series. The highest incidences were recorded in the male population, however, stable (AAPC: 2.14; CI95%: -8.3; 0). In the age group analysis, the trend was decreasing for the groups from 0 to 4 years old (AAPC: -7.7; CI95%: -12.6; -2.4), 5 to 9 years old (AAPC: -7.3; CI95%: -13.6; -0,4) and 10 to 14 years old (AAPC: -5.5; CI95%: -10.3; -0.3). It was found that although Visceral Leishmaniasis is an endemic disease in Brazil, there was a decrease in its incidence rate from 2007 to 2020.

Resumo Trata-se de um estudo ecológico que analisou a tendência temporal das taxas de incidência de leishmaniose visceral no Brasil mediante regressão temporal segmentada por pontos de inflexão. Observou-se tendência de decréscimo na taxa de incidência dessa patologia no país, com variação variação percentual média anual (average annual percent change - AAPC) de -5 (IC95%: -9,1; -0,6) e redução de 1,69 casos/100 mil habitantes em 2007, para 0,91/100 mil habitantes em 2020. A região Centro-Oeste apresentou a maior redução do AAPC (AAPC: -9,1; IC95%: -13,8; -4,3), seguida da região Sudeste (AAPC: -8,7; -14,6; -2,5). As regiões Norte e Sul apresentaram o maior número de pontos de inflexão (joinpoint) na série temporal. As maiores incidências foram registradas na população masculina, porém com tendência estacionária (AAPC: 2,14; IC95%: -8,3; 0). Na análise por faixa etária, a tendência foi decrescente nos grupos de 0 a 4 anos (AAPC: -7,7; IC95%: -12,6; -2,4), 5 a 9 anos (AAPC: -7,3; IC95%: -13,6; -0,4) e de 10 a 14 anos (AAPC: -5,5; IC95%: -10,3; -0,3). Verificou-se que, apesar de a leishmaniose visceral se tratar de uma doença endêmica no Brasil, houve declínio na sua taxa de incidência no período de 2007 a 2020.

Development and validation of predictive workable weight equations for Brazilian older adult residents in long-term care institutions.

BACKGROUND: Weight measurement is important in the nutritional anthropometric monitoring of older adults. When this measurement is not possible, estimates may be used. AIM: Developing and validating weight predictive equations for older adult residents in long-term care institutions in Brazil. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The sample comprised 393 older adult residents in long-term care institutions. Data were collected in two stages, with 315 older adults in the first and 78 in the second. We have measured the arm, calf, and waist circumferences, as well as the triceps and subscapular skinfold and knee height. Multiple linear regression was used to develop the equations, which were evaluated through the coefficient of determination, standard error of estimation, Akaike information criterion, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and Bland-Altmann plot. RESULTS: Five models with different anthropometric measurements were developed, (1) arm circumference as a discriminant variable (ICC: 0.842); (2) best statistical fit for men and women (ICC: 0.874) and its stratification by sex (3) (ICC: 0.876); (4) easy-to-perform measurement for men and women (ICC: 0.842) and its stratification by sex (5) (ICC: 0.828). CONCLUSION: Five models for estimating the weight of older adult residents in long-term care institutions were developed and validated. The choice to use the models should be based on the physical capacity of the older adults to be evaluated.

Microcephaly as a risk factor for dental alterations: A case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess whether microcephaly is a risk factor for alterations in the chronology and sequence of tooth eruption and for developmental defects of enamel. MATHERIALS AND METHODS: In this case-control study, 81 children aged 30-36 months, including 40 normoreactive children and 41 with microcephaly, were submitted to oral clinical examination to determine the frequency of alterations in the chronology and sequence of tooth eruption and developmental enamel defects. The sample was matched for sex and age (1:1) and allocated to the case (presence of dental alterations) and control (absence of dental alterations) groups. Gestational age, birthweight and socioeconomic characteristics were also analyzed. Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test were applied (α = 0.05). RESULTS: Microcephaly was significantly associated with delayed tooth eruption, alterations in the sequence of tooth eruption, and defects in dental enamel (p < 0.001). Low birthweight also showed a significant association with this alterations (p < 0.005) and prematurity was associated with defects in enamel development (p < 0.005). CONCLUSION: Microcephaly is a risk factor for alterations in the tooth eruption process and enamel formation in primary teeth.

Impact of educational policies on access to health care in Brazil: A cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Various initiatives to improve access to health care have been implemented internationally. In Brazil, this has included policies intended to expand access to higher education for underrepresented socio-economic groups. These measures have reduced inequalities in access to medical education, but it is not known whether they influence career choices. We examine the effect of these educational policies on physician practice patterns in primary care and/or in medically underserved areas. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study that analysed the association between affirmative educational policies and the career choices of physicians who graduated between 2010 and 2015. Multivariate binary regression analysis was used to evaluate the impact of affirmative educational policies on physician career choices, including primary care practice, practice in cities with ≤20 000 inhabitants, and practice in less developed municipalities 4 years after graduation. RESULTS: We identified the practice patterns of 65 304 (82.8%) physicians 4 years after their graduation. Most physicians included in our analysis were female (54.5%), aged ≤27 years (72.4%), born in developed cities and studied in private medical schools. Physicians admitted to medical school based on racial or social access policies were more likely to practice in municipalities with fewer than 20 000 inhabitants (odds ratio [OR]: 1.64; 1.36-1.98) and in primary care (OR: 1.55; 1.35-1.53). Physicians who benefited from scholarships for under-represented socio-economic groups were more likely to practice in small cities (OR: 1.24; 1.07-1.43) and primary care (OR: 1.23; 1.11-1.37). The provision of financial aid also improved the likelihood of practice in primary care and underserved areas. Graduation from medical schools located in smaller cities was associated with practice in municipalities ≤20 000 inhabitants and primary care. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrated that educational policies implemented in the Brazilian context are effective in reducing inequities in physician distribution and led to an increase in the number of physicians practicing in primary care.

Prevalência e fatores associados à multimorbidade em pessoas idosas residentes na zona rural de um município do Nordeste brasileiro / Prevalence of multimorbidity and associated factors among older people in rural Northeast Brazil

Resumo Objetivo identificar a prevalência de multimorbidade em pessoas idosas residentes na zona rural e os fatores sociodemográficos, comportamentais e clínico-terapêuticos associados. Método estudo transversal, realizado com idosos residentes na zona rural de Araçagi, Paraíba, Brasil, vinculados à Estratégia Saúde da Família e selecionados aleatoriamente. A variável dependente do estudo foi a multimorbidade, entendida como a presença de duas ou mais condições crônicas em um só indivíduo. Os dados foram coletados através de um questionário sociodemográfico e um formulário sobre problemas de saúde autorreferidos, abordando 32 condições. Na análise dos dados, utilizou-se a estatística univariada, bivariada e regressão de Poisson. Resultados participaram do estudo 360 idosos com prevalência de multimorbidade de 54,2% (IC95%: 49,0-59,3). Após regressão, identificou-se que sexo feminino (RP=1,16; IC95%: 1,09-1,25), idade ≥ 70 anos (RP=1,08; IC95%: 1,01-1,15), sobrepeso (RP=1,19; IC95%: 1,10-1,29), acesso a água tratada e encanada (RP=1,09; IC95%: 1,00-1,18), histórico de tabagismo (RP=1,10; IC95%: 1,03-1,17), não fazer uso de álcool (RP=1,13; IC95%: 1,05-1,22), dor crônica (RP=1,18; IC95%: 1,10-1,26), hospital como primeira opção de serviço de saúde (RP=1,12; IC95%: 1,03-1,21) e consulta médica no último ano (RP=1,19; IC95%: 1,11-1,27) eram fatores associados à multimorbidade. Conclusão o estudo revelou alta prevalência de multimorbidade e seus fatores associados. Por fim, torna-se viável o planejamento de medidas que melhorem a condição de saúde desses indivíduos e pensar em possibilidades de promover um envelhecimento saudável.

Abstract Objective to identify the prevalence of multimorbidity in elderly people living in rural areas and associated sociodemographic, behavioral and clinical-therapeutic factors. Method cross-sectional study, conducted with randomly selected elderly residents in the rural area of Araçagi, Paraíba, Brazil, linked to the Family Health Strategy. The dependent variable of the study was multimorbidity, understood as the presence of two or more chronic conditions in a single individual. Data were collected through a sociodemographic questionnaire and a form about self-reported health problems, addressing 32 conditions. Univariate and bivariate statistics and Poisson regression were used in the data analysis, considering significant when p-value <0.05. Results 360 elderly subjects participated in the study, with a 54.2% (95%CI: 49,0-59,3) prevalence of multimorbidity. After regression, it was identified that female gender (PR=1,16; 95%CI: 1,09-1,25), age ≥70 years (PR=1,08; 95%CI: 1,01-1,15), overweight (PR=1,19; 95%CI: 1,10-1,29), access to treated and piped water (PR=1,09; 95%CI: 1,00-1,18), smoking history (PR=1,10; 95%CI: 1,03-1,17), not using alcohol (PR=1,13; 95%CI: 1,05-1,22), chronic pain (PR=1,18; 95%CI: 1,10-1,26), hospital as first choice of health service (PR=1,12; 95%CI: 1,03-1,21) and medical consultation in the last year (PR=1,19; 95%CI: 1,11-1,27) were factors associated with multimorbidity. Conclusion the study revealed a high prevalence of multimorbidity and its associated factors. Finally, it becomes feasible to plan measures that improve the health condition of these individuals and think of possibilities to promote healthy aging.

Comportamentos relacionados à saúde e fatores associados de pessoas idosas em atividade laboral no contexto de uma universidade pública brasileira / Health-related behaviors and associated factors among working older people within a Brazilian public university

Resumo Objetivo Analisar comportamentos relacionados à saúde e fatores associados em pessoas idosas em atividade laboral de uma Universidade pública brasileira. Método Estudo seccional, descritivo e inferencial, com abordagem quantitativa. Amostra composta por 113 indivíduos e, dados coletados entre os meses de maio/2021 a setembro/2022, em ambiente virtual, por chamadas telefônicas e/ou vídeo, e/ou de forma presencial. Foram realizadas análises descritiva e de cluster, além do teste qui-quadrado ou teste Exato de Fisher para o nível de significância de 95%. Resultados A maioria dos entrevistados foi do gênero masculino (n=70, 61,9%), a idade média foi 65 anos (±3,20), a cor/raça predominante foi branca (n=39, 34,5%) e parda (n=38, 33,6%). Foram identificados dois clusters, o cluster01-regular composto por 31 (27,4%) indivíduos e o cluster02-ótimo por 82 (72,6%), a partir das variáveis de comportamentos relacionados à saúde. Encontrou-se associação significativa entre gênero e os clusters (p<0,04). O gênero masculino compôs mais o cluster02-ótimo, cluster esse que apresentou indivíduos com melhores comportamentos relacionados à saúde. Conclusão Apesar do estudo mostrar que, em geral, os indivíduos que participaram da pesquisa apresentaram bons/ótimos comportamentos, ainda se observou uma parcela que relatou comportamentos de risco à saúde, o que evidencia os desafios sobre o autocuidado na população idosa em atividade laboral. É importante a sensibilização dos idosos sobre os comportamentos de risco à saúde, seus impactos na saúde e qualidade de vida, porquanto muitos idosos serem os provedores das suas famílias e a atividade laboral ser um ponto que influencia na saúde da pessoa idosa.

Abstract Objective To analyze health-related behaviors and associated factors in older people working at a Brazilian public university. Method A cross-sectional, descriptive, inferential study adopting a quantitative approach was conducted. The sample comprised 113 individuals and data were collected between May/2021 and September/2022 either remotely by telephone and/or video calls, and/or in person. Descriptive and cluster analysis were performed and the Chi-square or Fisher's Exact Tests were applied for a significance level of 95%. Results Respondents were predominantly male (n=70, 61.9%), had a mean age of 65 (±3.20) years, and were of white (n=39, 34.5%) or brown (n=38, 33.6%) ethnicity. Two clusters were identified: Cluster01-fair, comprising 31 (27.4%) individuals; and Cluster02-excellent, comprising 82 (72.6%) participants, based on health-related behavior variables. A significant association was found between gender and clusters (p<0.04). Cluster02 contained more males and individuals with better health-related behaviors. Conclusion Although the results revealed that, overall, study participants had good/excellent behaviors, there was a contingent that reported health risk behaviors, highlighting the challenges surrounding self-care in the working older population. It is important to raise awareness of older individuals about health risk behaviors and their impact on health and quality of life, especially given that many older people are providers for the family and that working influences the health of older individuals.

Aspectos determinantes para construção social da pessoa idosa a partir das políticas públicas no Brasil / Determining aspects for the social construction of the older adult based on public policies in Brazil

Resumo Apesar do envelhecimento ser uma realidade global, há, na velhice, um cerceamento das experiências individuais com a sua subjetivação, na qual o aperfeiçoamento passa a ser uma exigência moral. Objetivamos compreender os aspectos determinantes para a construção social da pessoa idosa a partir das políticas públicas no Brasil. Realizamos uma análise documental por meio da técnica de análise de conteúdo proposta por Laurence Bardin, operacionalizada pelo software IRAMUTEQ. O corpus textual foi constituído por 13 documentos que orientam as políticas destinadas à proteção social da pessoa idosa, posteriores à Constituição Federal de 1988. Observamos que os mecanismos de poder implícitos nas políticas são subordinados aos imperativos capitalistas e à racionalidade biomédica prescritiva, voltada aos aspectos estritamente biológicos que desnaturalizam e homogeneízam o envelhecimento à luz de um ideal de juventude ininterrupta. Ancora-se na "reprivatização" da velhice, culpabilizando os idosos por suas condições de vida. Essa ideologia produtivista estabelece a moralização dos atributos físicos que definem e moldam as subjetividades de uma sociedade refratária à própria velhice. Destacamos a importância de repensar o envelhecimento com base nas problemáticas sociais, ressaltando aspectos singulares da trajetória de vida da pessoa idosa, alheia à ideologia do envelhecimento sem velhice.

Abstract Despite aging being a global reality, old age has a restriction of individual experiences with their subjectivation, in which improvement becomes a moral requirement. We aim to understand the determinant aspects for the social construction of the older adults based on public policies in Brazil. We performed a document analysis based on the content analysis technique proposed by Laurence Bardin, operationalized by the IRAMUTEQ software. The textual corpus comprised 13 documents that guide policies aimed at the social protection of older adults, posterior to the Federal Constitution of 1988. We observe that the power mechanisms implicit in policies are subordinated to capitalist imperatives and to prescriptive biomedical rationality, focused on strictly biological aspects that denaturalize and homogenize aging in the light of an ideal of uninterrupted youth. It is anchored in the "reprivatization" of old age, which blames the older adults for their living conditions. This productivist ideology establishes the moralization of physical attributes that define and shape the subjectivities of a society refractory to old age itself. We highlight the importance of rethinking aging based on social issues, highlighting singular aspects of the life trajectory of the older person. unfamiliar with the ideology of aging without old age.

Desafios para o funcionamento dos conselhos dos direitos da pessoa idosa e seus reflexos sociais / Challenges for the operation of councils for the rights of older people and their social consequences

Resumo Objetivo compreender as percepções dos conselheiros acerca do funcionamento dos conselhos dos direitos da pessoa idosa no estado do Rio Grande do Norte. Método Trata-se de um estudo de natureza transversal analítica com abordagem quantitativa realizado com os conselheiros municipais dos direitos da pessoa idosa do estado do Rio Grande do Norte. Participaram 109 conselheiros, havendo predominância de membros titulares, do sexo feminino, de representação governamental e com nível de escolaridade superior. Resultados Foram apontados diversos desafios para atuação e funcionamento dos conselhos, dentre os quais destacam-se: ações isoladas, baixa participação de membros governamentais e representação da sociedade civil, pouco tempo de discussão nas reuniões e necessidade de instrumentos válidos para monitorar as ações dos conselhos. Evidenciaram-se também baixo conhecimento técnico dos conselheiros e aversão às divergências e posicionamentos políticos. Conclusão é imprescindível assegurar políticas intersetoriais, maior independência perante o executivo e, prioritariamente, maior capacitação dos conselheiros e fortalecimento político democrático para que possam não só promover, mas exercer um protagonismo sociopolítico a partir de uma construção coletiva e representatividade social.

Abstract Objective to understand the perceptions of councilors about the functioning of councils for the rights of older people in the state of Rio Grande do Norte. Method This is an analytical cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach carried out with municipal councilors for the rights of older people in the state of Rio Grande do Norte. 109 councilors participated, with a predominance of full members, female, from government representation and with a higher education level. Results Several challenges were identified for the performance and operation of the councils, among which stand out: isolated actions, low participation of government members and representation of civil society, little time for discussion in meetings and the need for valid instruments to monitor the actions of the councils. Low technical knowledge of the councilors and aversion to divergences and political positions were also evidenced. Conclusion it is essential to ensure intersectoral policies, greater independence from the executive and, above all, greater training of councilors and democratic political strengthening so that they can not only promote, but exercise a socio-political protagonism based on a collective construction and social representation.

Avaliação da saúde bucal em uma coorte de idosos não institucionalizados / Oral health assessment in a cohort of non-institutionalized elderly

Resumo Introdução Sabe-se que os instrumentos epidemiológicos comumente utilizados para aferir as condições bucais, como o CPO-d e CPI, não são sensíveis o suficiente para discriminar idosos em relação à saúde bucal. Objetivo Identificar as alterações na progressão da condição de saúde bucal de idosos não institucionalizados, a partir da aplicação de um indicador multidimensional. Método Trata-se de um estudo longitudinal, realizado em uma coorte de 183 idosos do município de Macaíba/RN. Uma análise fatorial possibilitou que todas as variáveis coletadas, tanto as de saúde bucal quanto as socioeconômicas, demográficas e do estado geral de saúde, fossem consideradas para a produção do indicador multidimensional de saúde bucal. Ademais, foram utilizados o teste t de Student para amostras dependentes, o teste do Qui-Quadrado e o Risco Relativo (IC 95%), na busca de associações entre a saúde bucal dos idosos e as variáveis independentes. Resultados Observou-se que 22,2% dos idosos pioraram sua condição de saúde bucal ao longo do tempo, e que ser casado foi fator de proteção para evitar essa deterioração. Os fatores mais relacionados à mudança da condição de saúde bucal foram "cárie radicular e necessidade de extração", e "idosos jovens com maior densidade domiciliar". Conclusão O indicador proposto reforça a importância de buscar instrumentos que vão além das dimensões dentárias para discriminar a saúde bucal, facilitando o planejamento de ações em prol da saúde bucal dos idosos.

Abstract Background It is known that the epidemiological instruments commonly used to assess oral conditions, such as DMFT and CPI, are not sensitive enough to discriminate elderly people in relation to oral health. Objective To determine changes in the oral health status of non-institutionalized elderly over time, based on the application of a multidimensional indicator. Method This is a longitudinal study performed in a cohort of 183 elderly in the city of Macaíba/RN. A factor analysis allowed all variables collected, both oral health and socioeconomic, demographic, and general health status, to be considered to produce oral health multidimensional indicator. In addition, Student's T-test for dependent samples, Pearson's Chi-Square test and Relative Risk (CI 95%) were used in the search for associations between oral health of the elderly and the independent variables. Results It was observed that 22.2% of elderly worsened their oral health condition across time and that being married was a protective factor for such worsening. Among the factors that composed the indicator, those most related to the change in the oral health status were "root caries and need for extraction" and "young older people with higher home density". Conclusion The proposed indicator reinforces the importance of considering instruments that further study the dental dimensions to assess oral health, facilitating the planning of actions for the older people oral health.

Association of congenital Zika syndrome with dental alterations in children with microcephaly.

The effects of congenital Zika syndrome (CZS) on the tooth development of infected children are not well known. The aim of this study was to analyze the association of CZS with dental alterations in children with microcephaly seen at a referral hospital in Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. The chronology and sequence of tooth eruption and the presence of dental alterations were evaluated by a single calibrated examiner (kappa > 0.80) in 62 children aged 7 to 35 months with microcephaly associated with CZS and other congenital infections. Medical data of the mother and child were collected from the records and the parents responded to a socioeconomic questionnaire. Descriptive analysis and Fisher's exact test were used (5% significance level). The mean age of the children was 26.4 months (SD = 7.52). The mean weight and head circumference at birth were 2,593 g (SD = 0.60) and 29.6 cm (SD = 2.48), respectively. Microcephaly was associated with congenital Zika virus infection in 79% of cases and with other congenital infections in 21%. No significant association was found between CZS and alterations in the chronology (p = 1.00) or sequence of tooth eruption (p = 0.16) or changes in enamel development (p = 1.00). In conclusion, children with microcephaly exhibit a delay and alterations in the sequence of tooth eruption of primary teeth, as well as developmental defects of enamel, which are not associated with Zika virus infection.

Políticas de ampliação do acesso ao ensino superior e mudança no perfil de egressos de medicina no Brasil: um estudo transversal / Policies for expanding access to higher education and changing the profile of medical graduates in Brazil: a cross-sectional study

Resumo Este estudo avalia o impacto de políticas de ampliação do acesso ao ensino superior na redução de iniquidades no perfil dos egressos de cursos médicos no Brasil. Estudo transversal que utiliza dados do Censo da Educação Superior de 2018. Foram realizadas análises para identificar associação entre ser beneficiário da Lei de Cotas, do Programa Universidade para Todos ou do Fundo de Financiamento Estudantil e três marcadores: nascimento em município de pequeno porte, ser não-branco ou ter cursado ensino médio em escola pública. Realizamos análises utilizando teste de qui-quadrado de Pearson e análise multivariada através de regressão de Poisson. Houve associação significativa entre ser beneficiário destas políticas e ser egresso não branco, ter nascido em município de pequeno porte e ser egresso de escola pública no ensino médio. Todas as políticas apresentaram resultados de Razões de Prevalências (RP) ajustadas superiores a um e com significância estatística. A Lei de Cotas foi a política mais efetiva com RP=1,92 para ser egresso não-branco, RP=6,66 para ter estudado ensino médio em escola pública e RP=1,08 para ter nascido em município de pequeno porte. Apesar destes resultados, estes grupos continuam sub-representados nos cursos médicos e na composição da força de trabalho.

Abstract This study assesses the effectiveness of policies to expand access to higher education in reducing inequities in the profile of graduates from medical courses in Brazil. This work consists of a cross-sectional study using data from the 2018 Higher Education Census. Analyses were carried out to identify the association between being a beneficiary of the Quota Law, the University for All Program, or the Student Financing Fund and three markers: born in a small-sized municipality, being non-white, or having attended high school in a public school. Analyses were performed using Pearson's chi-square test, and multivariate analysis was conducted using Poisson regression. A significant association was found between being a beneficiary of these policies and being a non-white graduate, who was born in a small town and who had studied in a public high school. All policies presented adjusted Prevalence Ratio (PR), which demonstrated an association with statistical significance. The Quota Law was the most effective policy, with RP=1.92 for non-white graduates, RP=6.66 for having studied in a public high school, and RP=1.08 for being born in a small town. Despite these results, these groups remain underrepresented in medical courses and in the workforce.

Policies for expanding access to higher education and changing the profile of medical graduates in Brazil: a cross-sectional study. / Políticas de ampliação do acesso ao ensino superior e mudança no perfil de egressos de medicina no Brasil: um estudo transversal.

This study assesses the effectiveness of policies to expand access to higher education in reducing inequities in the profile of graduates from medical courses in Brazil. This work consists of a cross-sectional study using data from the 2018 Higher Education Census. Analyses were carried out to identify the association between being a beneficiary of the Quota Law, the University for All Program, or the Student Financing Fund and three markers: born in a small-sized municipality, being non-white, or having attended high school in a public school. Analyses were performed using Pearson's chi-square test, and multivariate analysis was conducted using Poisson regression. A significant association was found between being a beneficiary of these policies and being a non-white graduate, who was born in a small town and who had studied in a public high school. All policies presented adjusted Prevalence Ratio (PR), which demonstrated an association with statistical significance. The Quota Law was the most effective policy, with RP=1.92 for non-white graduates, RP=6.66 for having studied in a public high school, and RP=1.08 for being born in a small town. Despite these results, these groups remain underrepresented in medical courses and in the workforce.

Este estudo avalia o impacto de políticas de ampliação do acesso ao ensino superior na redução de iniquidades no perfil dos egressos de cursos médicos no Brasil. Estudo transversal que utiliza dados do Censo da Educação Superior de 2018. Foram realizadas análises para identificar associação entre ser beneficiário da Lei de Cotas, do Programa Universidade para Todos ou do Fundo de Financiamento Estudantil e três marcadores: nascimento em município de pequeno porte, ser não-branco ou ter cursado ensino médio em escola pública. Realizamos análises utilizando teste de qui-quadrado de Pearson e análise multivariada através de regressão de Poisson. Houve associação significativa entre ser beneficiário destas políticas e ser egresso não branco, ter nascido em município de pequeno porte e ser egresso de escola pública no ensino médio. Todas as políticas apresentaram resultados de Razões de Prevalências (RP) ajustadas superiores a um e com significância estatística. A Lei de Cotas foi a política mais efetiva com RP=1,92 para ser egresso não-branco, RP=6,66 para ter estudado ensino médio em escola pública e RP=1,08 para ter nascido em município de pequeno porte. Apesar destes resultados, estes grupos continuam sub-representados nos cursos médicos e na composição da força de trabalho.

Actinic cheilitis: Proposal of a clinical index

Background: Actinic cheilitis is a potentially malignant lesion most commonly found in the lower lip of individuals with chronic exposure to ultraviolet radiation. The aim of this study was to develop and to test a clinical indexthat can be used to assess the severity of actinic cheilitis.Material and Methods: The clinical index of actinic cheilitis was applied to 36 patients. An incisional biopsy wasobtained to grade oral epithelial dysplasias following the World Health Organization (WHO) and binary systems,and to evaluate their association with clinical characteristics by Fisher’s exact test (P<0.05). The accuracy of theindex was evaluated based on sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and receiver operating curve.Results: The blurring between the border of the lip and the skin was significantly associated with cases withoutdysplasia/mild epithelial dysplasia (P=0.041) and with low risk of malignancy (P=0.005). Ulcers and crusts weresignificantly associated with moderate/severe epithelial dysplasia (P=0.002 and P=0.012, respectively) and highrisk of malignancy (P=0.005 and P=0.045, respectively). Erosion showed a significant association only with highrisk cases of malignancy (P=0.024). The cut-off values of the diagnostic test showing the best performance were10 for the WHO grading system and 11 for the binary system.Conclusions: The index cut-offs with the highest accuracy were considered indicators for a biopsy. Erosion, ulceration and crusts were associated with more severe oral epithelial dysplasias. (AU)

Mobility during walking and incidence and risk factors for mobility decline among institutionalized older adults: A two-year longitudinal study.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the trajectory of changes in mobility during walking (i.e., maintenance and recovery) of institutionalized older adults and verify the incidence and risk factors for mobility decline. METHODS: A two-year longitudinal prospective study was conducted with 358 participants aged ≥ 60 years and institutionalized in ten nursing homes in Natal-RN (Brazil). Mobility was assessed using the "walking" item of the Barthel index. Sociodemographic, institution-related, and health-related variables were considered at baseline. Poisson regression was used to build a multiple model. RESULTS: The incidence of mobility decline during walking was 10.6% (95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 7.4 to 13.8) after 12 months and 37.7% (95% CI = 18.0 to 26.6) after 24 months. Age ≥ 83 years (relative risk = 1.58; 95% CI = 1.24 to 2.02; p < 0.001) and hospitalization (relative risk = 3.16; 95% CI = 1.55 to 6.45; p = 0.002) were predictors of mobility decline. The rate of mobility maintenance was 31.8% after 12 months (95% CI = 31.8 to 42.9) and 23.2% after 24 months (95% CI = 26.8 to 38.5). Also, the rate of recovery was 2.5% (95% CI = 1.0 to 5.0) and 1% (95% CI = 0.2 to 2.6) after 12 and 24 months, respectively. CONCLUSION: The trajectory of mobility during walking of institutionalized older adults in northeastern Brazil was dynamic (i.e., increasing incidence of mobility decline after 24 months) and associated with advanced age and hospitalization. The chances of recovering walking performance are minimal, and maintenance of independent mobility is challenging.