Fear of COVID-19 among professional caregivers of the elderly in Central Alentejo, Portugal.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has infected many institutionalised elderly people. In Portugal, the level of pandemic fear among professional caregivers of the elderly is unknown, as are its predictive factors. This study aimed to investigate predictors of fear of COVID-19 among workers caring for institutionalised elderly people in nursing homes. This is a cross-sectional study using multiple linear regression applied to a population of 652 caregivers located in 14 municipalities in Central Alentejo, Portugal, at March 2021. The criterion variable was the fear of COVID-19. Standardised regression coefficients showed that the higher the level of education, the lower the level of fear (ß = - 0.158; t = - 4.134; p < .001). Other predictors of the level of fear were gender, with women having higher levels (ß = 0.123; t = t = 3.203; p < 0.001), higher scores on COVID-19-like suspicious symptoms (ß = 0.123; t = 3.219; p < 0.001) and having received a flu vaccine (ß = 0.086; t = 2.252; p = 0.025). The model explains 6.7% of the variation in fear of COVID-19 (R2Adj = 0.067). Health literacy can minimise the impact on the physical and mental health of these workers. In Central Alentejo, caregivers of the elderly play a fundamental role in social balance. Further studies are needed to better understand the factors that can improve their personal and professional well-being.

Long-term care facilities' response to the COVID-19 pandemic: An international, cross-sectional survey.

AIMS: To (i) assess the adherence of long-term care (LTC) facilities to the COVID-19 prevention and control recommendations, (ii) identify predictors of this adherence and (iii) examine the association between the adherence level and the impact of the pandemic on selected unfavourable conditions. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. METHODS: Managers (n = 212) and staff (n = 2143) of LTC facilities (n = 223) in 13 countries/regions (Brazil, Egypt, England, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Norway, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Spain, Thailand and Turkey) evaluated the adherence of LTC facilities to COVID-19 prevention and control recommendations and the impact of the pandemic on unfavourable conditions related to staff, residents and residents' families. The characteristics of participants and LTC facilities were also gathered. Data were collected from April to October 2021. The study was reported following the STROBE guidelines. RESULTS: The adherence was significantly higher among facilities with more pre-pandemic in-service education on infection control and easier access to information early in the pandemic. Residents' feelings of loneliness and feeling down were the most affected conditions by the pandemic. More psychological support to residents was associated with fewer residents' aggressive behaviours, and more psychological support to staff was associated with less work-life imbalance. CONCLUSIONS: Pre-pandemic preparedness significantly shaped LTC facilities' response to the pandemic. Adequate psychological support to residents and staff might help mitigate the negative impacts of infection outbreaks. IMPACT: This is the first study to comprehensively examine the adherence of LTC facilities to COVID-19 prevention and control recommendations. The results demonstrated that the adherence level was significantly related to pre-pandemic preparedness and that adequate psychological support to staff and residents was significantly associated with less negative impacts of the pandemic on LTC facilities' staff and residents. The results would help LTC facilities prepare for and respond to future infection outbreaks. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No Patient or Public Contribution.

Determinants of socioeconomic factors for quality of life and depressive symptoms in community-dwelling older people: A cross-sectional study in Brazil and Portugal.

Our aim was to analyze the association between socioeconomic status and quality of life (QoL) among older people with depressive symptoms treated through the Primary Health Care (PHC) system in Brazil and Portugal. This was a comparative cross-sectional study with a nonprobability sample of older people in the PHC in Brazil and Portugal conducted between 2017 and 2018. To evaluate the variables of interest, the socioeconomic data questionnaire, the Geriatric Depression Scale and the Medical Outcomes Short-Form Health Survey were used. Descriptive and multivariate analyses were performed to test the study hypothesis. The sample consisted of n = 150 participants (Brazil n = 100 and Portugal n = 50). There was a predominance of woman (76.0%, p = 0.224) and individuals between 65 and 80 years (88.0%, p = 0.594). The multivariate association analysis showed that in the presence of depressive symptoms, the QoL mental health domain was most associated with the socioeconomic variables. Among the prominent variables, woman group (p = 0.027), age group 65-80 years (p = 0.042), marital status "without a partner" (p = 0.029), education up to 5 years (p = 0.011) and earning up to 1 minimum wage (p = 0.037) exhibited higher scores among brazilian participants. The portuguese participants showed an association between the general health status domain and woman group (p = 0.042) and education up to 5 years (p = 0.045). The physical functioning domain was associated with income of up to 1 minimum wage (p = 0.037). In these domains, the portuguese participants exhibited higher scores than the brazilian participants. We verified the association between socioeconomic profile and QoL in the presence of depressive symptoms, which occurred mainly among woman, participants with low levels of education and low income, with QoL aspects related to mental, physical and social health and self-perceived health. The group from Brazil had higher QoL scores than the group from Portugal.

Difficulties in Caring for the Older Adults: Perspective of Brazilian and Portuguese Caregivers.

This study aims to understand the difficulties in caring for the older adults with functional dependence from the perspective of Brazilian and Portuguese caregivers. This is a study based on the Theory of Social Representations, based on the Thematic Content Analysis proposed by Bardin, carried out with 21 informal caregivers of older adults in Brazil and 11 informal caregivers of older adults in Portugal. The instrument consisted of a questionnaire with sociodemographic data and data on health conditions along with an open interview with guiding questions on the theme of care. Data were analyzed using the Content Analysis technique proposed by Bardin, with the help of the QRS NVivo® Version 11 software (QSR International, Burlington, MA, USA). Three categories emerged from the speeches: "Caregiver burden", "Caregiver support network" and "Older adults resistance". The main difficulties mentioned by caregivers were associated with family articulation in meeting the needs of their older adults, whether due to the excessive demand of tasks, which results in overloading the caregiver, or the behaviors of the older adults themselves, or even the availability of a truly supportive and effective network.

Resources for health maintenance in persons deprived of liberty with arterial hypertension: a salutogenic approach / Recursos para el mantenimiento de la salud en prisioneros con hipertensión arterial: un enfoque saludgénico / Recursos para manutenção da saúde em pessoas presas com hipertensão arterial: uma abordagem salutogênica

ABSTRACT Objective: to know the generalized resistance resources of people deprived of liberty with systemic arterial hypertension in a triple border region. Method: a qualitative study based on the theoretical framework of Salutogenesis, in which 38 people deprived of liberty in Foz do Iguaçu, Paraná, Brazil, participated from February to July 2022. Guiding questions were used in the interviews which were submitted to thematic content analysis. Results: 12 generalized resistance resources emerged in the reports of people deprived of liberty with systemic arterial hypertension: health team; access to medications; work; lifestyle habits: food, physical activity and restriction of access to drugs/cigarettes/alcoholic beverages; stress/anxiety control; reading and games; religiosity; family; self-care; cellmates; and employees. Conclusion: people deprived of liberty with systemic arterial hypertension have generalized resistance resources to manage their life and health, which are related to personal care, the social group and the environment. It is noteworthy that once they are identified, the generalized resistance resources can be used by health professionals to manage SAH, other chronic diseases and aid in health promotion.

RESUMEN Objetivo: conocer los recursos generalizados de resistencia de las personas privadas de libertad con hipertensión arterial sistémica en una región de la triple frontera. Método: investigación cualitativa basada en el referencial teórico de la Salutogénesis, en la que participaron 38 personas privadas de libertad de Foz do Iguazú, Paraná, Brasil, de febrero a julio de 2022. Se utilizaron preguntas orientadoras en las entrevistas, que fueron sometidas al análisis de contenido en la modalidad temática. Resultados: 12 recursos generalizados de resistencia surgieron en los relatos de detenidos con hipertensión arterial sistémica: equipo de salud; acceso a medicamentos; trabajar; hábitos de vida: alimentación, actividad física y restricción de acceso a drogas/cigarrillos/bebidas alcohólicas; control del estrés/ansiedad; lectura y juegos; religiosidad; familia; cuidados personales; compañeros de cubículo y empleados. Conclusión: las personas privadas de libertad con hipertensión arterial sistémica poseen recursos generalizados de resistencia para el manejo de su vida y salud, los cuales están relacionados con el cuidado personal, el grupo social y el medio ambiente. Se destaca que, una vez identificados, los recursos generalizados de resistencia pueden ser utilizados por los profesionales de la salud en el manejo de la HAS, otras enfermedades crónicas y promoción de la salud.

RESUMO Objetivo: conhecer os recursos generalizados de resistência das pessoas privadas de liberdade com hipertensão arterial sistêmica de uma região de tríplice fronteira. Método: pesquisa qualitativa pautada no referencial teórico da Salutogênese, da qual participaram 38 pessoas privadas de Liberdade de Foz do Iguaçu, Paraná, Brasil, no período de fevereiro a julho de 2022. Utilizou-se de questões norteadoras nas entrevistas, as quais foram submetidas a análise de conteúdo na modalidade temática. Resultados: emergiram 12 recursos generalizados de resistência nos relatos das pessoas presas com hipertensão arterial sistêmica: equipe de saúde; acesso às medicações; trabalho; hábitos de vida: alimentação, atividade física e restrição ao acesso a drogas/cigarro/bebida alcóolica; controle do estresse/ansiedade; leitura e jogos; religiosidade; família; autocuidado; companheiros de cubículo e funcionários. Conclusão: as pessoas privadas de liberdade com hipertensão arterial sistêmica apresentam recursos generalizados de resistência para manejar sua vida e saúde, os quais se relacionam ao cuidado pessoal, ao grupo social e ao ambiente. Destaca-se que, uma vez identificados, os recursos generalizados de resistência podem ser utilizados pelos profissionais de saúde no gerenciamento da HAS, outras doenças crônicas e promoção da saúde.

Therapeutic Futility in Nursing: A Focus Group.

Introduction: The implementation of futile nursing interventions seems to be a persistent problem in adult intensive care units. Understanding this phenomenon can contribute to its prevention and all deleterious effects associated with it. Objective: To identify the perceptions of expert nurses from adult intensive care units about therapeutic futility in nursing. Methods: This study consists of a conventional content analysis. Data was collected through a focus group interview that included five expert nurses in adult intensive care, with a minimum of fifteen years of professional experience in intensive care. To analyze the information, the technique of thematic categorical analysis was used, according to Bardin. Results: Four central categories were identified for the topic under study, for which several subcategories were identified that allow a better understanding of this phenomenon. Conclusion: Adult intensive care expert nurses advocate that therapeutic futility in nursing is a reality perceived by teams and families, which should be avoided due to the risk of potentiating the implementation of ethically reprehensible care.

Quality of Life in Community-Dwelling Older People with Functional and Nutritional Impairment and Depressive Symptoms: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study in Brazil and Portugal.

BACKGROUND: The interaction of quality of life (QoL) with functionality, nutrition and depression has been studied, but few studies have compared different realities. Our objective was to compare the associations of QoL with impaired functionality, nutritional status and depressive symptoms among older people patients treated in primary health care (PHC) in Brazil and Portugal. METHODS: Cross-sectional, comparative study was conducted with primary data from PHC services in Brazil and Portugal with users over 65 years old. Participants' scores were classified as "impaired" and "preserved" for QoL, functional decline, nutrition and depression. We used Pearson's chi-square test, Fisher's exact test and the Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: Our sample had a total of 150 PHC users. We found lower QoL scores in Brazil, which were associated with the risk of functional decline for the domains Physical Functioning, General Health Perceptions, Mental Health dimensions and Physical Health. Nutritional impairment in the group from Portugal included the domains of Vitality and Social Role Functioning. For depressive impairment, Portugal showed an association with the domains Mental Health, Vitality and Social Role Functioning. CONCLUSIONS: QoL was associated with functional and nutritional impairment and depressive symptoms, highlighting physical, mental and social characteristics related to the perception of well-being.

The relationship between depression and risk of violence in portuguese community-dwelling older people.

BACKGROUND: Mental disorders are highly prevalent in older people, being depression a predominant disorder. Evidence points to a possible relationship between depression and violence against older people. Nonetheless, the role of the depressive symptomology severity in the risk of violence against older people remains unclear. Thus, this study's main objective was to analyze the relationship between geriatric depressive symptomatology and the risk of violence against older people. METHODS: This exploratory study involved 502 community-dwelling older persons aged 65 to 96 years (73.3 ± 6.5). Measures were performed using the Geriatric Depression Scale and the Risk Assessment of Violence against the Non-Institutionalized Elderly scale. RESULTS: One hundred nineteen older people (23.7%) had mild/moderate depressive symptomology, and twenty-six (5.2%) had severe depressive symptomology. There were significant relationships between the severity of depressive symptomatology and the risk of violence (p < 0.05). The presence of depressive symptomatology increased the likelihood of being victims of violence, particularly among women (odds ratio: 2-8, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The severity of depressive symptomatology plays an essential role in the risk of violence against community-dwelling older people. Moreover, it was found that older persons with depression symptomatology were at higher risk of being victims of violence. Our study findings support the need for protective measures within mental health national or regional policies to prevent depression and violence against community-dwelling older people.

Care to the dependent older person: motivations of caregivers in Brazil and Portugal / O cuidado ao idoso dependente: motivações de cuidadores do Brasil e Portugal / Cuidando a los dependientes mayores: motivaciones de cuidadores en Brasil y Portugal

In an attempt to fulfill care needs to the elderly, the family usually assumes this function. In order to understand the social representations of informal caregivers of Brazilian and Portuguese elderly people about the motivations for care, a qualitative, exploratory-descriptive research was carried out, based on the Social Representations Theory, in which 21 informal Brazilian caregivers and 11 informal Portuguese caregivers of elderly dependents were interviewed. Thematic Content Analysis and QSR NVivo® software were used in the treatment of the data, and the results showed care as the main motivation: family relationships, in which marriage, parenting, and the affections resulting from these relationships led to the function; the negative representation of Portuguese caregivers on the home, as a place of abandonment and action contrary to the cultural norm; and the representation of the elderly as frail and dependent, who, like children, constantly need care and attention.

Na tentativa de suprir as necessidades de cuidado destinado ao idoso, a família comumente é a instituição que assume tal função. Com o objetivo de compreender as representações sociais dos cuidadores informais de idosos brasileiros e portugueses acerca das motivações para o cuidado, realizou-se uma pesquisa qualitativa, exploratória e descritiva, fundamentada na Teoria das Representações Sociais, em que foram entrevistados 21 cuidadores informais brasileiros e 11 cuidadores informais portugueses de idosos dependentes. Utilizaram-se a análise de conteúdo temática e o software QSR NVivo® no tratamento dos dados, e os resultados evidenciaram como principais motivações o cuidado: as relações familiares, em que o matrimônio, a parentalidade e os afetos decorrentes dessas relações conduziram a função; a representação negativa dos cuidadores portugueses sobre o lar como local de abandono e ação contrária à norma cultural; e a representação da pessoa idosa como frágil e dependente, que, assim como as crianças, precisa constantemente de cuidados e atenção.

En un intento por atender las necesidades de cuidado de las personas mayores, la familia suele ser la institución que asume esta función. Para comprender las representaciones sociales de los cuidadores informales de ancianos brasileños y portugueses sobre las motivaciones del cuidado, se realizó una investigación cualitativa, exploratoria-descriptiva, basada en la Teoría de las Representaciones Sociales, en la que 21 cuidadores informales brasileños y 11 informales portugueses Se entrevistó a los cuidadores de ancianos dependientes. En el tratamiento de los datos se utilizó el software de Análisis de Contenido Temático y QSR NVivo® y los resultados se mostraron como las principales motivaciones: las relaciones familiares, en las que el matrimonio, la paternidad y los afectos resultantes de estas relaciones condujeron a la función; la representación negativa de los cuidadores portugueses en el hogar, como lugar de abandono y acción contraria a la norma cultural; y la representación de los ancianos como frágiles y dependientes, quienes, como los niños, necesitan cuidados y atenciones constantes.

Depression and quality of life in Brazilian and Portuguese older people communities: Analysis of association.

ABSTRACT: We aimed to compare the association of depression with aspects of quality of life (QoL) among older people users of primary health care (PHC) living in Brazil and Portugal.We carried out an observational, cross-sectional and comparative study with a quantitative approach in the PHC scope in Brazil and Portugal, where we obtained a nonrandom sample of 150 participants aged 65 years or older (100 Brazilians and 50 Portuguese). We used the socioeconomic and health data questionnaire, the Medical Outcomes Short-Form Health Survey QoL (SF-36) questionnaire and the Beck Inventory.Among the socioeconomic profiles, most were females aged between 65 and 80 years in both countries. There was a significant difference between groups in the income variable, with 100.0% of Portuguese people earning up to 1 minimum wage (P value <.001), and the presence of chronic diseases in 92.0% of respondents in Portugal (P value = .033). In the association analysis, most aspects of QoL had a higher median score (>50.0) within the categorical variables of "absent" and "mild" depression. The Emotional role functioning, Physical role functioning, Physical functioning, Mental health, Total score domains and the Mental health and Physical health summary measures stood out with this behavior in Brazil and in Portugal, where these latter 2 presented moderate to strong correlation values (ρ > 0.400) in Portugal. Greater associations of depression on QoL were revealed in Portugal than in Brazil. Among their most expressive associations, the Physical role functioning (odds ratio [OR] = 4.776; 95.0% confidence interval [CI]: 2.41-9.43), Physical functioning (OR = 3.037; 95.0% CI: 3.037), Vitality (OR = 6.000; 95.0% CI: 1.56-23.07) and Total score (OR = 3.727; 95.0% CI: 2.24-6.17) domains and the Mental health summary measure (OR = 3.870; 95.0% CI: 2.13-7.02) stood out.Aspects related to the emotional, physical, functional and mental health components stood out. The association and correlation with depression were more expressive in Portugal compared to Brazil. However, similar results were obtained in Brazil but with less relevance.

Key factor cutoffs and interval reference values for stratified fall risk assessment in community-dwelling older adults: the role of physical fitness, body composition, physical activity, health condition, and environmental hazards.

BACKGROUND: Fall risk assessment and determination of older adults' individual risk profiles are crucial elements in fall prevention. As such, it is essential to establish cutoffs and reference values for high and low risk according to key risk factor outcomes. This study main objective was to determine the key physical fitness, body composition, physical activity, health condition and environmental hazard risk outcome cutoffs and interval reference values for stratified fall risk assessment in community-dwelling older adults. METHODS: Five-hundred community-dwelling Portuguese older adults (72.2 ± 5.4 years) were assessed for falls, physical fitness, body composition, physical (in) activity, number of health conditions and environmental hazards, and sociodemographic characteristics. RESULTS: The established key outcomes and respective cutoffs and reference values used for fall risk stratification were multidimensional balance (low risk: score > 33, moderate risk: score 32-33, high risk: score 30-31, and very high: score < 30); lean body mass (low risk: > 44 kg, moderate risk: 42-44 kg, high risk: 39-41 kg, and very high: < 39 kg); fat body mass (low risk: < 37%, moderate risk: 37-38%, high risk: 39-42%, and very high: > 42%); total physical activity (low risk: > 2800 Met-min/wk., moderate risk: 2300-2800 Met-min/wk., high risk: 1900-2300 Met-min/wk., and very high: < 1900 Met-min/wk); rest period weekdays (low risk: < 4 h/day, moderate risk: 4-4.4 h/day, high risk: 4.5-5 h/day, and very high: > 5 h/day); health conditions (low risk: n < 3, moderate risk: n = 3, high risk: n = 4-5, and very high: n > 5); and environmental hazards (low risk: n < 5, moderate risk: n = 5, high risk: n = 6-8, and very high: n > 8). CONCLUSIONS: Assessment of community-dwelling older adults' fall risk should focus on the above outcomes to establish individual older adults' fall risk profiles. Moreover, the design of fall prevention interventions should manage a person's identified risks and take into account the determined cutoffs and respective interval values for fall risk stratification.

Aging safely in Alentejo - understanding for action - preventing falls and violence against older people: study rationale, aims, design, and preliminary results.

BACKGROUND: Falls and violence against older people might represent a joint public health problem, as both may result in injury, fear, social isolation, sedentary behavior and dependence or even death. The ESACA project "Aging safely in Alentejo - Understanding for action" was designed to promote the healthy aging of older people in Alentejo by preventing the occurrence of falls and violence. This study aimed to report the ESACA protocol and the preliminary outcomes. METHODS: The ESACA study has a twofold design as a cross-sectional study that included retrospective and prospective surveys. The participants were 508 community-dwelling older people. Assessments included falls, the risk of violence against older people, sociodemographic characteristics, health-related measurements, fear of falling, anthropometric measures and body composition, functional physical fitness, physical activity, and environmental hazards. RESULTS: Among the participants, 43% were fallers, 21% were recurrent fallers, and 22% were victims of one or more kinds of violence (psychological: 17.1%, physical: 5.6%, and patrimonial: 3.0%). Moreover, the cumulative results suggested high risk on several risk factors for falling (7 factors: 0.6% to 2 factors: 17.4%) and of  violence (26.7%). CONCLUSIONS: In the ESACA project, a wide range of potential influencing factors on falls and violence risk factors were measured, and comprehensive quality control measures were applied. Overall, the results suggest that for falls and violence prevention strategies to be effective, it is essential to evaluate, diagnose, and inform all stakeholders in a directed and useful way. Moreover, we believe that our project outcomes may help change mindsets and behaviors by involving people in active aging and well-being programs that promote exercise and avoid isolation.

Representações sociais de cuidadores de idosos brasileiros e portugueses sobre o cuidar / Social representations of brazilian and portuguese elderly caregivers about caring

A demanda pelos cuidados se estabelece e, com isso, a instituição familiar é requisitada a prestar assistência ao seu familiar. O objetivo foi analisar as Representações Sociais de cuidadores de idosos com dependência funcional do Brasil e de Portugal sobre o ato de cuidar. Trata-se de um estudo exploratório-descritivo com abordagem qualitativa fundamentada na Teoria das Representações Sociais. Os participantes foram 21 cuidadores familiares brasileiros e 11 cuidadores informais portugueses de idosos dependentes. A coleta foi realizada por meio da entrevista e utilizou-se a Análise de Conteúdo proposta por Bardin (2011), com auxílio do software QSR NVivo® versão 11 A partir da análise, emergiram duas categorias: "Suprir necessidade e ser vigilante" e "Dedicação e amor". Percebeu-se como a influência histórico-cultural e até mesmo moral-religiosa das construções sociais incidem sobre a família e os seus posicionamentos.(AU)

The demand for care is established and, as a result, the family institution is required to provide assistance to its family member. The objective was to analyze the Social Representations of caregivers of elderly people with functional dependence in Brazil and Portugal on the act of caring. This is an exploratory-descriptive study with a qualitative approach based on the Theory of Social Representations. Participants were 21 Brazilian family caregivers and 11 informal Portuguese caregivers of dependent elderly people. The collection was carried out through the interview and the Content Analysis proposed by Bardin was used with the aid of the QSR NVivo® software version 11. From the analysis, two categories emerged: "Supply needs and vigilancy" and "Dedication and love". It was perceived how the influence of historical-cultural and even moral-religious in the social constructions affects the family and its positions.(AU)

Trajetória de vida de doadores renais: memórias, resiliência e altruísmo / Renal donor's life path: memories, resilience and altruism

OBJETIVO:analisar as narrativas que marcam a trajetória de vida dos doadores renais. METODOLOGIA:pesquisa exploratória, descritiva e de abordagem qualitativa. Após a apreensão e preparo analítico dos relatos gravados em áudio, por meio da técnica da história oral de vida, realizou-se a análise de conteúdo de Bardinque consiste das etapas: pré-análise, exploração do material ou codificação, tratamento dos resultados, inferência e interpretação dos eixos temáticos que emergiram. RESULTADOS:a amostra de 12 doadores renais que se submeteram ao transplante no Hospital Universitário Onofre Lopes-UFRN, respondeu às questões norteadoras: como era sua vida antes da doação renal? Como é sua vida após a doação renal? As narrativas convergiram para as temáticas "experiências vividas antes da doação renal" e "experiências vividas após a doação renal". Os colaboradores enredaram o acometimento da doença como um momento trágico e a doação renal como meio de minimizar o sofrimento vivido pela família.CONCLUSÃO:os colaboradores reconhecem mais interferências positivas da doação renal, principalmente a melhoria na qualidade de vida dos doadores e o reconhecimento social da nobreza do ato da doação renal

OBJECTIVE:to analyze how narratives that mark the life trajectory of renal donors.METHODOLOGY: Exploratory, descriptive research and a qualitative approach. After the apprehension and analytical preparation of the audio recorded reports, using the oral life history technique, Bardin's content analysis was carried out, which consists of the stages: pre-analysis, exploration of the material or coding, treatment of results, inference and interpretation of the thematic axes that emerged. RESULTS:The sample of 12 kidney donors who underwent transplantation at Hospital UniversitarioOnofre Lopes-UFRN, answered the guiding questions: How was your life before kidney donation. How is your life after kidney donation. The narratives converged on the themes "experiences lived before kidney donation" and "experiences lived after kidney donation".Employees identified the disease as a tragic moment and kidney donation as a means of minimizing the suffering experienced by the family. CONCLUSION:Employees recognize more positive interferences from kidney donation, mainly the improvement in the quality of life of donors and the social recognition of the nobility of the kidney donation act.

Análise do discurso dos gestores do Programa de Controle da Hanseníase / Speech analysis of the managers of leprosy control program

Objetivo: analisar o discurso dos gestores do Programa Nacional de Controle da Hanseníase (PNCH). Método: estudo descritivo, qualitativo, de abordagem discursiva. Os coordenadores dos pólos da PNCH do Rio Grande do Norte (RN), os coordenadores regionais e o coordenador estadual compuseram a população, foram incluídos aqueles com vínculo com o serviço por pelo menos seis meses, 12 gestores foram considerados adequados como amostra. O material empírico, coletado de novembro de 2015 a junho de 2016, foi analisado por meio da análise do discurso. Resultados: os enunciadores construíram discursos em torno de dois eixos: a questão dos médicos, com ênfase no centro de atenção à saúde, e a questão da gestão, apoiada nos princípios burocráticos com componentes legados do regime autoritário, tendo, ambos os eixos, influência do modelo sanitarista/ativista. Conclusão: entende-se que o PNCH pode melhorar a partir da profissionalização da gestão e da ênfase na promoção da saúde e no trabalho em equipe. (AU)

Objective: This study aimed to analyze the discourse of the managers of the National Leprosy Control Program (NLCP). Method: a descriptive and qualitative study with a discursive approach.The coordinators of the NLCP host cities of Rio Grande do Norte, the regional coordinators and the state coordinator composed the population, witch included those with bond to the service for at least six months, 12 managers were considered suitable as a sample. The empirical material, collected from November 2015 to June 2016, was investigated through discourse analysis. Results: The enunciators built speeches around two axes: the subject of the phisicyans, emphasizing the center of Health Care, and the subject of management, supported by the bureaucrats principles with legacy components of the authoritarian regime, with both axes having influence of the sanitary/activist model. Conclusion: It is understood that the NLCP can improve from the professionalization of management and the emphasis on health promotion and teamwork. (AU)

Objetivo: Este estudio tuvo como objetivo analizar el discurso de los gerentes del Programa Nacional de Control de la Lepra (PNCL). Método: estudio descriptivo e cualitativo con enfoque discursivo. Los coordinadores de las ciudades sede del PNCL en Rio Grande do Norte (RN), los coordinadores regionales y el coordinador estatal componían la población, se incluyeron aquellos con vínculos al servicio durante al menos seis meses, 12 gerentes se consideraron adecuados como muestra. El material empírico, recopilado desde noviembre de 2015 hasta junio de 2016, fue investigado mediante análisis del discurso. Resultados: Los enunciadores formularon discursos en torno a dos ejes: la cuestión de los médicos, con énfasis en el centro de atención de la salud, y la cuestión de la gestión, respaldada por principios burocráticos con componentes heredados del régimen autoritario, con ambos ejes influenciados por el modelo sanitario/activista. Conclusión: Se entiende que el PNCL puede mejorar en función de la profesionalización de la gestión y el énfasis en la promoción de la salud y el trabajo en equipo. (AU)

Conceptual Models of Nursing in Critical Care.

INTRODUCTION: Intensive care units are systems organized for the provision of care to patients in critical situations. In general, it is suggested that intensive care consists of a multidisciplinary and interprofessional specialty. Nevertheless, the predominance, relative to the professions that incorporate these units, falls on nurses. A conceptual model of nursing provides a framework for reflection, observation, and interpretation of phenomena and, specifically, it provides guidelines and guidance for aspects of clinical practice. OBJECTIVE: To understand the applicability of conceptual models of nursing in intensive care units. METHOD: Review of the literature following the Scoping Review protocol of the Joanna Briggs Institute. The research was performed in CINAHL, Cochrane, Pubmed, Scopus, and Web of Science to identify studies published prior to 2021. Fourteen studies were selected. RESULTS: There is no conceptual model of nursing universally accepted as ideal for intensive care units. However, there is unanimity in the identification of several benefits associated with the application of a conceptual model of nursing in the care of critically ill patients. CONCLUSION: For the selection of a conceptual model of nursing for these contexts, the focus should be on the person and the choice should fall on the model that is most appropriate to the patient, and not on the philosophy that supports the model. Considering the nature of care, the nursing team can select a model or a combination of models.

Factors influencing physical activity: A cross-sectional study of the community-dwelling older adults in a Portuguese rural area.

BACKGROUND: There are a variety of intrinsic determinants which are key to understand the reasons for older people to stay (or not) active. OBJECTIVES: To identify and analyse the factors underlying the physical activity engagement in older Portuguese living in a rural area. METHODS: A total of 504 community-dwelling older adults (aged ≥65 years) were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Sociodemographic data, physical activity levels, physical fitness and body composition were analysed. RESULTS: Gender, age, income level, lower body strength, overweight, muscle mass and sedentarism (sitting time) were significantly associated with different physical activity levels. The multinomial logistic regression pointed out that dynamic balance, BMI and sitting time for moderate levels, as well as muscle mass for high levels, were the main independent factors that seem to influence the engagement in these levels compared to low physical activity levels. Additionally, classification tree analysis confirmed sitting time, dynamic balance and gender as discriminating factors for physical activity levels. CONCLUSION: Physical fitness-related variables seem to mainly determine the levels of physical activity in the studied population. Thus, nursing care must promote the integration of physical activity into daily life routines of community-dwelling older adults, especially in rural areas. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The diverse nature of factors influencing physical activity must be taken into account in primary health care, particularly in rural areas. Nursing care for older people must promote the integration of physical activity into daily life routines of community-dwelling older adults.

Impacto da dor do câncer na saúde holística de pacientes / Impact of cancer pain on patients' holistic health / Impacto del dolor por cáncer en la salud holística de los pacientes

Objetivo: compreender o impacto da dor do câncer na saúde holística de pacientes. Método: revisão integrativa da literatura, a partir da questão norteadora: qual o impacto da dor do câncer na saúde holística de pacientes? A pesquisa dos artigos científicos foi desenvolvida nas bases de dados LILACS e MEDLINE, de 2008 a 2019. Selecionaram-se sete artigos como corpus de análise. Resultados: a dor do câncer limita a pessoa doente nas atividades cotidianas, altera a dinâmica familiar e afeta a pessoa de forma holística. Alguns doentes visualizam a dor oncológica como sintoma que os impulsiona a continuar a viver e expressam uma aprendizagem pessoal. Conclusão: a dor do câncer não afeta somente a dimensão física, como também as dimensões psicológica, social e espiritual, sendo caraterizada como dor total. Em virtude da natureza multidimensional da dor oncológica, o sucesso para o tratamento requer abordagem de equipa multidisciplinar.(AU)

Objective: to understand the impact of cancer pain on the holistic health of patients. Method: integrative literature review, based on the guiding question: what is the impact of cancer pain on patients' holistic health? The research of scientific articles was carried out in the LILACS and MEDLINE databases from 2008 to 2019. Seven articles were selected as the corpus of analysis. Results: cancer pain limits the sick person in daily activities, changes family dynamics, and holistically affects the person. Some patients see cancer pain as a symptom that drives them to continue living and express personal learning. Conclusion: cancer pain does affect not only the physical dimension but also the psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions, being characterized as total pain. Due to the multidimensional nature of cancer pain, successful treatment requires a multidisciplinary team approach.(AU)

Objetivo: comprender el impacto del dolor por cáncer en la salud holística de los pacientes. Método: revisión integradora de la literatura, basada en la pregunta orientadora: ¿cuál es el impacto del dolor por cáncer en la salud holística de los pacientes? La búsqueda de artículos científicos se llevó a cabo en las bases de datos LILACS y MEDLINE de 2008 a 2019. Se seleccionaron siete artículos como corpus de análisis. Resultados: el dolor por cáncer limita la persona enferma en sus actividades diarias, cambia la dinámica familiar y afecta de manera integral a la persona. Algunos pacientes ven el dolor del cáncer como un síntoma que los impulsa a seguir viviendo y a expresar su aprendizaje personal. Conclusión: el dolor por cáncer afecta no solo la dimensión física sino también la psicológica, social y espiritual, caracterizándose como dolor integral. Debido a la naturaleza multidimensional del dolor por cáncer, el tratamiento exitoso requiere un enfoque de equipo multidisciplinario.(AU)

Perfil de pacientes que concluíram o tratamento poliquimioterápico da hanseníase: um estudo transversal / Perfil de pacientes que concluyeron el tratamiento poliquimioterapéutico de la lepra: un estudio transversal / Profile of patients who completed multidrug therapy treatment for leprosy: a cross-sectional study

RESUMO Introdução: a hanseníase é uma doença infectocontagiosa que prevalece como problema de saúde pública no Brasil. Objetivo: descrever o perfil sociodemográfico, de tratamento e clínico de pacientes que concluíram o tratamento poliquimioterápico para a hanseníase. Método: estudo transversal, desenvolvido de novembro de 2017 a fevereiro de 2018 no município de Natal. A população-alvo foi constituída por 113 indivíduos cadastrados no Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação e a amostra por 90, que foram notificados para a hanseníase e concluíram o tratamento poliquimioterápico, selecionados por sorteio. Os dados foram coletados por formulário, tabulados e analisados pelo SPSS 21. Quanto ao teste de Kolmogorov-Smirnov, não se observou uma distribuição de normalidade dos achados, optando-se por trabalhar com testes não paramétricos: qui-quadrado de Pearson (ou exato de Fisher) e o teste de Mann-Whitney. Resultados: predominaram indivíduos do sexo feminino, até 59 anos, com baixa renda, baixo grau de escolaridade, tratados nos centros de referência e classificados como paucibacilares. Conclusão: as condições de vulnerabilidade associada à predominância de casos tratados nos centros de referência reforçam a necessidade de organização da atenção básica para acompanhamento dos casos de hanseníase.

RESUMEN Introducción: la lepra es una enfermedad infectocontagiosa que prevalece como problema de salud pública en Brasil. Objetivo: describir el perfil sociodemográfico, de tratamiento y clínico de pacientes que concluyeron el tratamiento poliquimioterapéutico para la lepra. Método: estudio transversal, desarrollado de noviembre de 2017 a febrero de 2018 en el municipio de Natal. La población objetivo fue constituida por 113 individuos registrados en el Sistema de Información de Agravios de Notificación y la muestra por 90, que fueron notificados para la lepra y concluyeron el tratamiento poliquimioterapéutico, seleccionados por sorteo. Los datos fueron recogidos por formulario, tabulados y analizados por el SPSS 21. En cuanto a la prueba de Kolmogorov-Smirnov, no se observó una distribución de normalidad de los hallazgos, optándose por trabajar con pruebas no paramétricas: chi-cuadrado de Pearson (o exacta de Fisher) y la prueba de Mann-Whitney. Resultados: predominaron individuos del sexo femenino, hasta 59 años, con bajos ingresos, bajo grado de escolaridad, tratados en los centros de referencia y clasificados como paucibacilares. Conclusión: las condiciones de vulnerabilidad asociadas al predominio de casos tratados en los centros de referencia refuerzan la necesidad de organizar la atención básica para el seguimiento de los casos de lepra.

ABSTRACT Introduction: leprosy is an infectious and contagious disease that persists as a public health problem in Brazil. Objective: to describe the sociodemographic, treatment and clinical profile of patients who completed polychemotherapy treatment for leprosy. Method: cross-sectional study developed from November 2017 to February 2018 in the city of Natal. The target population consisted of 113 individuals registered in the Information System for Notifiable Diseases, and the sample consisted of 90, who were reported for leprosy and completed the multidrug therapy, selected by drawing lots. Data were collected using a form, tabulated and analyzed using SPSS 21. In the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, non-normal distribution of the findings was found, and thus non-parametric tests were used, namely, Pearson's chi-square (or exact Fisher test) and the Mann-Whitney test. Results: there was a predominance of female individuals, up to 59 years old, with low income, low level of education, treated in reference centers and cases classified as paucibacillary. Conclusion: the conditions of vulnerability associated with the predominance of cases treated in reference centers reinforce the need to organize primary care in order to monitor leprosy cases.

Stepping-forward affordance perception test cut-offs: Red-flags to identify community-dwelling older adults at high risk of falling and of recurrent falling.

The stepping-forward affordance perception test (SF-APT) fills an important gap within the screening of falls risk factors by considering the perception of affordances. The test showed to be a valid instrument for community-dwelling older adults falls risk assessment. The present study aimed to distinguish and test the key outcomes of the SF-APT usable for falls risk assessment in community-dwelling older adults to determine the respective cut-offs. This cross-sectional study enrolled 347 participants (73.1 ± 6.2 years; non-fallers: 57.9%; fallers: 42.1%; recurrent-fallers: 17.9%). Falls occurrence and SF-APT outcomes were assessed. Analyses were performed using multivariate binary logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC). The area under the ROC curve was computed (AUC) for each built model explaining falling or recurrent falling. Results distinguished the Estimated stepping-forward, and Absolute-error in interaction with Error-tendency as the SF-APT key outcomes for falls risk assessment [AUCfalling: 0.665 (CI 95%: 0.608-0.723); AUCfalling recurrently: 0.728 (CI 95%: 0.655-0.797)]. Computed cut-offs' analysis showed that (i) a boundary stepping-forward estimation >58 cm plus an underestimation bias >5 cm (>42nd percentile) avoid older adults to be recurrent-fallers, and (ii) a boundary stepping-forward estimation >62 cm plus an underestimation bias >6 cm (>54th percentile) avoid older adults to be fallers. In conclusion, results suggest that SF-APT is a valuable tool for falls risk assessment in community-dwelling older adults. Interventions targeting the prevention of falls should consider the above key outcomes and the respective cut-offs as alert red-flags.