Fertility and fertility preservation knowledge in Portuguese women.

BACKGROUND: Knowledge about fertility and factors affecting it, for example, the impact of age, seem to be lacking, even in highly educated populations. The same applies to fertility preservation knowledge, pointing to the relevance of increasing fertility preservation awareness and education among young women. OBJECTIVE: To describe general fertility knowledge and factors affecting fertility, fertility preservation knowledge and attitudes, and the desire to access more information on this topic in a sample of reproductive-age Portuguese women. METHODS: The sample comprised 257 Portuguese women aged 18-45, mostly single and nulliparous. A questionnaire was developed explicitly for this study and disseminated through social media advertisements. RESULTS: Career building/development and financial stability were the more endorsed options for delaying childbearing, with 90 (35%) and 68 (26.5%), respectively. Most participants considered becoming a mother important (n = 185; 72%). More than halve provided an incorrect answer regarding the age range of women being more fertile (n = 132; 51.4%) and the age range of fertility decline (n = 168; 65.4%). Participants were aware of the influence of lifestyle and sexual health factors as well as the effect of age. Oocytes cryopreservation was the technique participants knew more (n = 206; 80.1%), but 177 (68.9%) showed no interest in using it. Most participants agreed that fertility and fertility preservation information should be provided during medical consultations or at school. CONCLUSIONS: More information regarding fertility and fertility preservation is relevant to ensure that more women can make informed decisions concerning their reproductive life.

A Pilot Study Testing the Effectiveness of a Mindfulness-Based Program for Portuguese School Children.

Objectives: Research into the effectiveness of mindfulness-based programs (MBPs) in school settings has grown substantially. However, studies in the field are still scarce, present methodological limitations, and fail to examine how children's characteristics influence MBPs' effects. The twofold aim of this study was to analyze the effectiveness of an MBP on children's attention and emotional regulation, writing performance, and school grades, and to evaluate the moderating role of baseline scores, age, gender, and socioeconomic status. Methods: Fifty-seven third graders received the MBP (n = 28) or a health-based program (n = 29), which is the active control group, for 8 weeks. In each week, both programs were composed of two 30-min sessions delivered by psychologists and three 5-min sessions delivered by teachers. Before and after the implementation of the programs, we assessed teacher-rated children's attention and emotional regulation, performance-based attention networks (alerting, orienting, and conflict monitoring), writing performance (handwriting fluency, spelling, and text quality), and school grades in Portuguese, Mathematics, and Social Studies. Results: Compared to the control group, after the program, the mindfulness group displayed higher teacher-rated attention and emotional regulation, as well as better Portuguese, Mathematics, and Social Studies grades. Emotional regulation and alerting baseline scores as well as age were found to moderate the MBP's effects. Conclusions: These findings provide preliminary evidence on the effectiveness of a MBP on children's behavior and school grades. This means that students may benefit from the integration of mindfulness practices into the educational setting as a complement to the school curriculum.

Percutaneous injection of ethanol for thyroid nodule treatment: a comparative study

ABSTRACT Objective: Percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) is an alternative to surgery for the treatment of thyroid nodules (TNs). However, size reductions of treated (TTNs) and untreated TN (UTNs) have not been compared. Volumetric reductions in TTNs with PEI were evaluated by comparing TTNs and UTNs in the same patient, and independent variables predicting good post-PEI outcomes were analyzed. Materials and methods: Overall, 282 patients with multinodular goiters were selected. Two nodules located in different lobes were compared for common disease behaviors. Overall, 150 nodules were selected from 75 patients (6 M: 69 F) with a mean age of 50.1 ± 17.4 years. This prospective nonrandomized intervention study prioritized treating TNs of greater volume or single hyperfunctioning TNs. A single observer experienced in PEI and an ultrasound specialist performed the interventions. Results and discussion: TTNs (mean volume: 14.8 ± 16.2 mL) were reduced by 72.6 ± 27.3% of their initial volume, while UTNs increased by a mean of 365.7 ± 1.403.8% (p < 0.00001). The patients underwent a mean of 4.0 ± 3.1 outpatient PEI sessions without relevant complications. Logistic regression analysis showed that the magnitude of the PEI induced reduction was associated with the number of treatment sessions (p = 0.03, CI [1.1-38.2]) and not with ultrasonographic characteristics of the nodules. Each PEI session increased the rate of TN reduction by a factor of 6.7. Conclusions: PEI is a well-tolerated outpatient procedure that effectively reduces the volume of TNs and is noticeably superior to conservative treatment for all ultrasonographic classifications.

Percutaneous injection of ethanol for thyroid nodule treatment: a comparative study.

OBJECTIVE: Percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) is an alternative to surgery for the treatment of thyroid nodules (TNs). However, size reductions of treated (TTNs) and untreated TN (UTNs) have not been compared. Volumetric reductions in TTNs with PEI were evaluated by comparing TTNs and UTNs in the same patient, and independent variables predicting good post-PEI outcomes were analyzed. METHODS: Overall, 282 patients with multinodular goiters were selected. Two nodules located in different lobes were compared for common disease behaviors. Overall, 150 nodules were selected from 75 patients (6 M: 69 F) with a mean age of 50.1 ± 17.4 years. This prospective nonrandomized intervention study prioritized treating TNs of greater volume or single hyperfunctioning TNs. A single observer experienced in PEI and an ultrasound specialist performed the interventions. RESULTS: TTNs (mean volume: 14.8 ± 16.2 mL) were reduced by 72.6 ± 27.3% of their initial volume, while UTNs increased by a mean of 365.7 ± 1.403.8% (p < 0.00001). The patients underwent a mean of 4.0 ± 3.1 outpatient PEI sessions without relevant complications. Logistic regression analysis showed that the magnitude of the PEI induced reduction was associated with the number of treatment sessions (p = 0.03, CI [1.1-38.2]) and not with ultrasonographic characteristics of the nodules. Each PEI session increased the rate of TN reduction by a factor of 6.7. CONCLUSION: PEI is a well-tolerated outpatient procedure that effectively reduces the volume of TNs and is noticeably superior to conservative treatment for all ultrasonographic classifications.

Inovações curriculares para formação em saúde inspiradas na obra de Anísio Teixeira / Syllabus innovations for health education inspired by Anísio Teixeira's work / Innovaciones curriculares para formación en salud inspiradas en la obra de Anísio Teixeira

Resumo Este artigo teve o objetivo de compartilhar questões e reflexões provocadas pelo desafio de organizar o projeto curricular, em regime de ciclos, dos cursos de saúde da Universidade Federal do Sul da Bahia. Inspirado no sistema universitário norte-americano, que tem os colleges como nível inicial de formação, o primeiro ciclo dos cursos de saúde da instituição compõe-se de um bacharelado interdisciplinar em saúde, com duração de três anos, e uma proposta de formação docente para o ensino médio com foco na promoção da saúde, qualidade de vida e educação inclusiva, ainda em fase preliminar de elaboração, o que reforça a integração da universidade no sistema geral de educação. A inspiração da obra e vida de Anísio Teixeira se revela em dois planos: em seu projeto de uma universidade popular e no conceito de escola democrática, incorporada como efeito prático no modelo de Escola Parque, especialmente nos temas da educação integral, inclusiva e fundada em práticas concretas. Em relação aos processos de ensino-aprendizagem presentes na obra anisiana, o artigo destaca a valorização de pedagogias críticas fundadas na capacidade de 'aprender fazendo' e o papel da ciência e da tecnologia como distintivo cultural da modernidade.

Abstract This text aimed to share questions and reflections provoked by the challenge of organizing the syllabus project, in cycle regime, of the health courses of the universidade Federal do Sul da Bahia. Inspired by the American University system, which has colleges as the initial level of training, the first cycle of the health course is composed of an Interdisciplinary Bachelor in Health, lasting three years, and a proposal for training teachers for high school with a focus on Health Promotion, Quality of Life and Inclusive Education, still in preliminary phase of elaboration, reinforcing the integration of the university into the general system of education. The inspiration is the work and life of Anísio Teixeira, which reveals itself in two planes: in his project of a Popular University and in the concept of the democratic school, incorporated as a practical effect in the model of Escola Parque, especially in the themes of integral, inclusive education, founded on concrete practices. Regarding the teaching-learning processes present in the Anisian work, the text highlights the value of critical pedagogies founded on the ability to 'learn by doing' and the role of science and technology as a cultural distinctive of modernity.

Resumen Este artículo tuvo como objetivo compartir preguntas y reflexiones causadas por el desafío de organizar el proyecto curricular, en un régimen de ciclos, de cursos de salud en la Universidade Federal do Sul de Bahía. Inspirado por el sistema universitario estadounidense, que tiene a los colleges como el nivel inicial de educación, el primer ciclo de los cursos de salud de la institución consiste en una licenciatura interdisciplinaria de salud, con una duración de tres años, y una propuesta de capacitación docente para escuela secundaria con enfoque en la promoción de la salud, calidad de vida y educación inclusiva, aún en las etapas preliminares de preparación, lo que refuerza la integración de la universidad en el sistema educativo general. La inspiración de la obra y vida de Anísio Teixeira se revela en dos planos: en su proyecto de una universidad popular y en el concepto de escuela democrática, incorporado como un efecto práctico en el modelo de Escuela Parque, especialmente en los temas de educación integral e inclusiva fundada en prácticas concretas. Respecto a los procesos de enseñanza-aprendizaje presentes en el trabajo anisiano, el artículo destaca la apreciación de las pedagogías críticas basadas en la capacidad de 'aprender haciendo' y el papel de la ciencia y la tecnología como un distintivo cultural de la modernidad.

Implantação da acreditação pedagógica de cursos lato sensu em Saúde Pública no Brasil: desafios e perspectivas / Implementation of pedagogical accreditation of lato sensu courses in Public Health in Brazil: challenges and perspectives

RESUMO O objetivo do artigo foi analisar a implantação da acreditação pedagógica no Brasil, no período de 2014 a 2018. Realizou-se análise documental para produção dos dados, a partir dos relatórios elaborados no período, buscando identificar os principais problemas referentes a essa implantação na dimensão da gestão mais ampla e quanto aos processos de acreditação. Os resultados apontaram problemas de várias ordens e efeitos positivos para o processo, para os atores institucionais e para o Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). Os resultados mostram que há problemas de ordem gerencial, pedagógica e de infraestrutura, entretanto as acreditações produziram efeitos positivos para as escolas, para os trabalhadores e para o SUS.

ABSTRACT The purpose of the article was to analyze the implementation of Pedagogical Accreditation in Brazil, from 2014 to 2018. A documentary analysis was carried out to produce the data, based on the reports elaborated in the period, seeking to identify the main problems related to this implementation in both the broader management dimension, as well as regarding the accreditation processes. The results pointed to problems of several orders and positive effects for the process, for the institutional actors and for the Unified Health System (SUS). The results show that there are management, pedagogical and infrastructure problems. However, accreditation has produced positive effects for schools, for workers and for the SUS.

"Homework Should Be but We Do Not Live in an Ideal World": Mathematics Teachers' Perspectives on Quality Homework and on Homework Assigned in Elementary and Middle Schools.

Existing literature has analyzed homework characteristics associated with academic results. Researchers and educators defend the need to provide quality homework, but there is still much to be learned about the characteristics of quality homework (e.g., purposes, type). Acknowledging that teachers play an important role in designing and assigning homework, this study explored teachers' perspectives regarding: (i) the characteristics of quality homework and (ii) the characteristics of the homework tasks assigned. In the current study, mathematics teachers from elementary and middle schools (N = 78) participated in focus group discussions. To enhance the trustworthiness of the findings, homework tasks assigned by 25% of the participants were analyzed for triangulation of data purposes. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis for elementary and middle school separately. Teachers discussed the various characteristics of quality homework (e.g., short assignments, adjusted to the availability of students) and shared the characteristics of the homework tasks typically assigned, highlighting a few differences (e.g., degree of individualization of homework, purposes) between these two topics. Globally, data on the homework tasks assigned were consistent with teachers' reports about the characteristics of the homework tasks they usually assigned. Findings provide valuable insights for research and practice aimed to promote the quality of homework and consequently students' learning and progress.

"Homework Feedback Is ": Elementary and Middle School Teachers' Conceptions of Homework Feedback.

This study explored mathematics teachers' conceptions of the homework feedback focusing on four key aspects: definition, purpose, types, and perceived impact. Forty-seven teachers from elementary and middle schools participated in six focus groups. Data were analyzed using content analysis. To enhance the trustworthiness of findings, classroom observations were used for triangulation of data. Participants conceptualized homework feedback in three directions (i.e., teachers' feedback provided to students, students' feedback provided to teachers, and homework self-feedback), being teachers' monitoring of students' learning the purpose reported by most teachers. Participants also reported the types of homework feedback more frequently used in class (e.g., checking homework completion, checking homework on the board), and their perceived impact on students. Findings provide valuable information to deepen the understanding of the homework feedback process, which may help develop new avenues for future research.

Cuidados com a Saúde Autosselecionados pelos Usuários da Atenção Primária / Health Initiatives Self Selected by Users of Primary Healthcare

RESUMO Este estudo descreve as mudanças em cuidados com a saúde que usuários da atenção primária escolheram adotar após participarem de uma ação de educação em saúde sobre cuidados com a saúde e determinar o grau de comprometimento desses usuários com essas mudanças autoestabelecidas. Foi desenvolvida uma ação de educação em saúde com usuários da atenção primária sobre cuidados com a saúde. Os indivíduos foram avaliados imediatamente após esta ação e dois a três meses depois, por meio de um questionário semiestruturado. Os relatos foram analisados pela análise de conteúdo. Entre os participantes, 31% tiveram como objetivo praticar atividade física, 28% melhorar a alimentação, 22,9% cuidar da saúde mental, 12,6% emagrecer, 10,3% cuidar da saúde em geral, 6,9% consumir menos álcool, 4,6% parar de fumar, e 1,15% cuidar do meio ambiente. Após dois a três meses, 8,62% não se lembraram e não cumpriram as metas autoestabelecidas, 22,41% as cumpriram totalmente, e 68,97%, apesar de se lembrarem, não as cumpriram. Desses, 77,5% apontaram como motivo para o não cumprimento a falta de disciplina, 17,5% a falta de tempo e 5% problemas de saúde.

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to describe changes in self-care to be adopted by users of primary healthcare services in Brazil upon participation in a health education initiative, and to determine their involvement with these changes. A health education initiative was therefore developed with users of primary healthcare services in Brazil, with subjects assessed immediately afterwards and then two to three months apart (by means of a semi-structured questionnaire). Analyzed according to content analysis, reports showed that 31% of participants selected physical activity as a means of improving their health, 28% selected improving food habits, 22.9% improving mental care, 12.6% losing weight, 10.3% healthcare in general, 6.9% drinking less alcohol, 4.6% quitting smoking and 1.15% caring for the environment. After two to three months, 8.62% did not remember which they had selected to improve their health while 22.41% performed the selected initiative and 68.97% remembered their selection without going on to take the actions. Among participants, 77.5% claimed not to have been committed to the actions selected, 17.5% reported not having time and 5% said they suffered from health problems.

The effects of teachers' homework follow-up practices on students' EFL performance: a randomized-group design.

This study analyzed the effects of five types of homework follow-up practices (i.e., checking homework completion; answering questions about homework; checking homework orally; checking homework on the board; and collecting and grading homework) used in class by 26 teachers of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) using a randomized-group design. Once a week, for 6 weeks, the EFL teachers used a particular type of homework follow-up practice they had previously been assigned to. At the end of the 6 weeks students completed an EFL exam as an outcome measure. The results showed that three types of homework follow-up practices (i.e., checking homework orally; checking homework on the board; and collecting and grading homework) had a positive impact on students' performance, thus highlighting the role of EFL teachers in the homework process. The effect of EFL teachers' homework follow-up practices on students' performance was affected by students' prior knowledge, but not by the number of homework follow-up sessions.

Is there any association between Hashimoto's thyroiditis and thyroid cancer? A retrospective data analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) and papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The patients were evaluated by ultrasonography-guided fine needle aspiration cytology. Typical cytopathological aspects and/or classical histopathological findings were taken into consideration in the diagnosis of HT, and only histopathological results were considered in the diagnosis of PTC. RESULTS: Among 1,049 patients with multi- or uninodular goiter (903 women and 146 men), 173 (16.5%) had cytopathological features of thyroiditis. Thirty-three (67.4%) out of the 49 operated patients had PTC, 9 (27.3%) of them with histopathological features of HT. Five (31.3%) out of the 16 patients with non-malignant disease also had HT. In the groups with HT, PTC, and PCT+HT, the female prevalence rate was 100%, 91.6%, and 77.8%, respectively. Mean age was 41.5, 43.3, and 48.5 years, respectively. No association was observed between the two diseases in the present study where HT occurred in 31.1% of the benign cases and in 27.3% of malignant cases (p = 0.8). CONCLUSION: In spite of the absence of association between HT and PCT, the possibility of malignancy in HT should always be considered because of the coexistence of the two diseases already reported in the literature.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a associação entre tireoidite de Hashimoto (TH) e carcinoma papilífero da tireoide (CPT). MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Pacientes foram avaliados por punção aspirativa guiada pela ultrassonografia. Para TH consideraram-se aspectos característicos da citopatologia e/ou achados histopatológicos clássicos. O diagnóstico de CPT foi considerado apenas pela histopatologia. RESULTADOS: De 1.049 pacientes portadores de bócios uni-multinodulares (903 femininos e 146 masculinos), 173 (16,5%) tinham quadro citopatológico de tireoidite. Dos 49 pacientes operados, 33 (67,4%) revelaram CPT, dos quais 9 (27,3%) tinham a glândula com quadro histopatológico de TH. Dos 16 pacientes sem malignidade, 5 (31,3%) exibiam também TH. Nos grupos TH, CPT e CPT+TH, a proporção de acometimento do gênero feminino foi, respectivamente, 100%, 91,6% e 77,8%. A distribuição da média da idade (anos) nos três grupos foi 41,5, 43,3 e 48,5. Não houve associação entre as duas doenças, neste estudo, em que a TH esteve presente em 31,3% dos casos benignos e em 27,3% dos casos malignos (p = 0,8). CONCLUSÃO: Não houve associação entre TH e CPT, mas a possibilidade de malignidade em TH deve ser sempre lembrada em razão da concomitância das duas doenças, já revelada na literatura.

Is there any association between Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and thyroid cancer? A retrospective data analysis / Existe associação entre tireoidite de Hashimoto e câncer de tireoide? Análise retrospectiva de dados

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the association between Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) and papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Materials and Methods: The patients were evaluated by ultrasonography-guided fine needle aspiration cytology. Typical cytopathological aspects and/or classical histopathological findings were taken into consideration in the diagnosis of HT, and only histopathological results were considered in the diagnosis of PTC. Results: Among 1,049 patients with multi- or uninodular goiter (903 women and 146 men), 173 (16.5%) had cytopathological features of thyroiditis. Thirty-three (67.4%) out of the 49 operated patients had PTC, 9 (27.3%) of them with histopathological features of HT. Five (31.3%) out of the 16 patients with non-malignant disease also had HT. In the groups with HT, PTC, and PCT+HT, the female prevalence rate was 100%, 91.6%, and 77.8%, respectively. Mean age was 41.5, 43.3, and 48.5 years, respectively. No association was observed between the two diseases in the present study where HT occurred in 31.1% of the benign cases and in 27.3% of malignant cases (p = 0.8). Conclusion: In spite of the absence of association between HT and PCT, the possibility of malignancy in HT should always be considered because of the coexistence of the two diseases already reported in the literature. .

Resumo Objetivo: Avaliar a associação entre tireoidite de Hashimoto (TH) e carcinoma papilífero da tireoide (CPT). Materiais e Métodos: Pacientes foram avaliados por punção aspirativa guiada pela ultrassonografia. Para TH consideraram-se aspectos característicos da citopatologia e/ou achados histopatológicos clássicos. O diagnóstico de CPT foi considerado apenas pela histopatologia. Resultados: De 1.049 pacientes portadores de bócios uni-multinodulares (903 femininos e 146 masculinos), 173 (16,5%) tinham quadro citopatológico de tireoidite. Dos 49 pacientes operados, 33 (67,4%) revelaram CPT, dos quais 9 (27,3%) tinham a glândula com quadro histopatológico de TH. Dos 16 pacientes sem malignidade, 5 (31,3%) exibiam também TH. Nos grupos TH, CPT e CPT+TH, a proporção de acometimento do gênero feminino foi, respectivamente, 100%, 91,6% e 77,8%. A distribuição da média da idade (anos) nos três grupos foi 41,5, 43,3 e 48,5. Não houve associação entre as duas doenças, neste estudo, em que a TH esteve presente em 31,3% dos casos benignos e em 27,3% dos casos malignos (p = 0,8). Conclusão: Não houve associação entre TH e CPT, mas a possibilidade de malignidade em TH deve ser sempre lembrada em razão da concomitância das duas doenças, já revelada na literatura. .

[The implementation of undergraduate courses in public health: the viewpoint of the coordinators]. / Implantação do curso de graduação em saúde coletiva: a visão dos coordenadores.

Undergraduate courses in Public Health are now a reality in Brazil. The main goal of this article is to present the viewpoints of the coordinators of these courses on the process of their creation and implementation, emphasizing their contextual and procedural elements. Ten actors working in eight different institutions were interviewed and the interviews were submitted to content analysis as proposed by Bardin. The results showed that the creation of such courses resulted from a long process of discussion on the field of Public Health, and was hastened by some important decisions in Brazilian education, including the Program to Support Restructuring and Expansion Plans of Federal Universities. The testimonies of the coordinators enabled the researchers to understand the context prior to the proposal and the way it was developed by each university, making it possible to establish not only the aspects common to each institution, but also their specificities. Currently, these courses have the purpose of training professionals focused on the different areas of health services, especially those related to the Unified Health System (SUS), representing an irreversible advance in the field of Public Health.

[Undergraduate students in Public Health: a socio-demographic profile and motivations]. / Estudantes de graduação em saúde coletiva: perfil sociodemográfico e motivações.

Undergraduate Courses in Public Health (UCPH) feature a new way of teaching in the Public Health field that aims to educate professionals focused on the main health needs of the Brazilian population and on the Unified Health System. Thus, it is relevant to know the students' socio-demographic profile including their interests in relation to education and professional development. Adopting a quantitative approach with these objectives, a survey was conducted with 304 UCPH students who filled out a semi-structured questionnaire in 2010 in the following federal universities: Acre, Bahia, Minas Gerais, Mato Grosso, Paraná, Rio de Janeiro and Rio Grande do Norte. The overwhelming majority was female, around 26 years of age, single, living with their parents, mostly attended public school, came from lower classes with lower educational background, approved night classes, worked, and contributed to their family incomes. They aspired to work in public sector - preferably in the state capitals - and they saw UCPH as an opportunity to work in the public health field. This profile reveals challenges and advances in the intended education, reinforcing the need to monitor the UCPH development process.

Implantação do curso de graduação em saúde coletiva: a visão dos coordenadores / The implementation of undergraduate courses in public health: the viewpoint of the coordinators

INTRODUÇÃO: Os Cursos de Graduação em Saúde Coletiva são hoje uma realidade. OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste artigo é apresentar a visão dos coordenadores desses cursos sobre o processo de criação e de implementação dos mesmos, com destaque para seus elementos contextuais e processuais. MATERIAL E MÉTODOS: Foram entrevistados dez atores integrantes de oito instituições de ensino superior, e estas entrevistas foram submetidas à análise de conteúdo proposta por Bardin. RESULTADOS: Os resultados demonstraram que a criação dos cursos advém de longo processo de discussão no campo da Saúde Coletiva e foi impulsionada por alguns marcos na educação brasileira, entre eles o Programa de Apoio a Planos de Reestruturação e Expansão das Universidades Federais. Os depoimentos dos coordenadores permitiram resgatar os antecedentes da proposta e seu percurso nas diferentes instituições de ensino, além de estabelecer os pontos comuns e os específicos de cada processo. Atualmente, esses cursos, implantados e em andamento, se propõem a formar profissionais voltados para os diferentes níveis do sistema de saúde, em especial para aqueles integrantes do Sistema Único de Saúde, constituindo-se como um processo irreversível no campo da Saúde Coletiva.

INTRODUCTION: Undergraduate courses in Public Health are now a reality in Brazil. OBJECTIVE: The main goal of this article is to present the viewpoints of the coordinators of these courses on the process of their creation and implementation, emphasizing their contextual and procedural elements. METHODS: Ten actors working in eight different institutions were interviewed and the interviews were submitted to content analysis as proposed by Bardin. RESULTS: The results showed that the creation of such courses resulted from a long process of discussion on the field of Public Health, and was hastened by some important decisions in Brazilian education, including the Program to Support Restructuring and Expansion Plans of Federal Universities. The testimonies of the coordinators enabled the researchers to understand the context prior to the proposal and the way it was developed by each university, making it possible to establish not only the aspects common to each institution, but also their specificities. Currently, these courses have the purpose of training professionals focused on the different areas of health services, especially those related to the Unified Health System (SUS), representing an irreversible advance in the field of Public Health.

Estudantes de graduação em saúde coletiva: perfil sociodemográfico e motivações / Undergraduate students in Public Health: a socio-demographic profile and motivations

Introdução: Os Cursos de Graduação em Saúde Coletiva (CGSC) consistem em uma nova modalidade formativa no campo da Saúde Coletiva que visa formar profissionais focados nas principais necessidades em saúde da população brasileira e no Sistema Único de Saúde. Objetivos: Assim, torna-se relevante traçar o perfil sociodemográfico de seus alunos e conhecer seus interesses quanto à formação e atuação profissional. Materiais e métodos: Com esses objetivos, em 2010, adotando uma abordagem quantitativa ao tema, realizamos um inquérito, através da aplicação de um questionário semiestruturado aos alunos dos CGSC de universidades federais dos estados do Acre, Bahia, Minas Gerais, Mato Grosso, Paraná, Rio de Janeiro e Rio Grande do Norte. Resultados: Entre os 304 respondentes, encontramos uma população majoritariamente feminina, com 26 anos de idade, composta por indivíduos solteiros que moram com os pais, cursaram principalmente o ensino público, pertencem a famílias com baixa renda e escolaridade, aprovam o estudo noturno, trabalham e contribuem com a renda familiar, desejam trabalhar no setor público, preferencialmente em capitais e identificam no CGSC uma oportunidade para trabalhar na área da saúde. Conclusão: Esse perfil aponta para desafios e avanços presentes na formação pretendida, reforçando a necessidade de monitoramento do processo de implementação dos CGSC.

Introduction: Undergraduate Courses in Public Health (UCPH) feature a new way of teaching in the Public Health field that aims to educate professionals focused on the main health needs of the Brazilian population and on the Unified Health System. Objectives: Thus, it is relevant to know the students' socio-demographic profile including their interests in relation to education and professional development. Materials and methods: Adopting a quantitative approach with these objectives, a survey was conducted with 304 UCPH students who filled out a semi-structured questionnaire in 2010 in the following federal universities: Acre, Bahia, Minas Gerais, Mato Grosso, Paraná, Rio de Janeiro and Rio Grande do Norte. Results: The overwhelming majority was female, around 26 years of age, single, living with their parents, mostly attended public school, came from lower classes with lower educational background, approved night classes, worked, and contributed to their family incomes. They aspired to work in public sector - preferably in the state capitals - and they saw UCPH as an opportunity to work in the public health field. Conclusion: This profile reveals challenges and advances in the intended education, reinforcing the need to monitor the UCPH development process.