Predictors of common mental disorders and psychiatric medication use among faculty members.

PURPOSE: Identify the predictors of common mental disorders (CMD) and psychiatric medication use by faculty members in different teaching units of a public university. DESIGN AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study on 253 faculty. FINDINGS: Being single, not having children, and not practicing physical activity were identified as predictors of CMD. Relative to psychiatric medication use, the predictors were the following: being homosexual, teaching classes in the biological sciences field, using medication for the urinary tract and sexual hormones, presenting mental disorder/sleep disorder diagnoses, and being positive for CMD. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The findings of this study may subsidize more effective interventions aimed toward protecting the health and preventing aggravation in these professionals, as well as measures for promoting changes in the university work context. DESIGN AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study on 253 faculty. FINDINGS: Being single, not having children, and not practicing physical activity were identified as predictors of CMD. Relative to psychiatric medication use, the predictors were the following: being homosexual, teaching classes in the biological sciences field, using medication for the urinary tract and sexual hormones, presenting mental disorder/sleep disorder diagnoses, and being positive for CMD. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The findings of this study may subsidize more effective interventions aimed toward protecting the health and preventing aggravation in these professionals, as well as measures for promoting changes in the university work context.

Brazilian nurses' concept of religion, religiosity, and spirituality: A qualitative descriptive study.

Evidence points toward the impact of nurses' personal views and knowledge about religion, religiosity, and spirituality on health care. This qualitative research investigates nurses' concepts of religion, religiosity, and spirituality and how they use these concepts in practice. Thirty-four nurses were interviewed at a hospital in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Content analysis was used to organize and code the results. Three main themes generated from the interviews were (i) religiosity/spirituality as an important dimension in life; (ii) notions of religiosity and spirituality; (iii) formal knowledge of the concept of religion, religiosity, and spirituality. The results indicate that religion, religiosity and spirituality should be incorporated into nurse training to improve the comprehension and competence of nurses in these areas of practice. It is recommended that to ensure holistic and person-centered care, there must be constant reflection on these concepts.

Early childhood maltreatment experience and later sexual behavior in Brazilian adults undergoing treatment for substance dependence

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of early childhood maltreatment and associations with later sexual behavior among adult substance users. Methods: A cross-sectional study enrolled 134 substance dependents who sought outpatient care in São Paulo, Brazil. Childhood trauma prevalence was assessed using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). The Sexual Addiction Screening Test (SAST), drug of choice (DOC), and sexual behavior were also investigated. Results: The sample was composed predominantly of single adult males (76.1%), with alcohol as the DOC (73.9%). Experiences of emotional neglect (88.1%), emotional abuse (80.6%), physical neglect (78.4%), physical abuse (64.2%), and sexual abuse (31.3%) were prevalent. Women were more likely to have been sexually abused (OR 2.9, 95%CI 1.15-7.61) and physically abused (OR 3.7, 95%CI 1.31-10.6) in childhood. Those who were sexually abused in adulthood were more likely to have suffered physical abuse in childhood (OR 6.9, 95%CI 1.45-11.8). The odds of having been sexually abused in childhood were higher among subjects who reported to have exchanged sexual favors for drugs (OR 5.7, 95%CI 1.35-9.64) and to have been sexually abused in adulthood (OR 6.1, 95%CI 5.2-12.36). Conclusion: Physical and sexual abuse in childhood are highly prevalent in substance-dependent adults, and are associated with sexual revictimization and high-risk sexual behavior in adulthood.

Early childhood maltreatment experience and later sexual behavior in Brazilian adults undergoing treatment for substance dependence.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of early childhood maltreatment and associations with later sexual behavior among adult substance users. METHODS: A cross-sectional study enrolled 134 substance dependents who sought outpatient care in São Paulo, Brazil. Childhood trauma prevalence was assessed using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). The Sexual Addiction Screening Test (SAST), drug of choice (DOC), and sexual behavior were also investigated. RESULTS: The sample was composed predominantly of single adult males (76.1%), with alcohol as the DOC (73.9%). Experiences of emotional neglect (88.1%), emotional abuse (80.6%), physical neglect (78.4%), physical abuse (64.2%), and sexual abuse (31.3%) were prevalent. Women were more likely to have been sexually abused (OR 2.9, 95%CI 1.15-7.61) and physically abused (OR 3.7, 95%CI 1.31-10.6) in childhood. Those who were sexually abused in adulthood were more likely to have suffered physical abuse in childhood (OR 6.9, 95%CI 1.45-11.8). The odds of having been sexually abused in childhood were higher among subjects who reported to have exchanged sexual favors for drugs (OR 5.7, 95%CI 1.35-9.64) and to have been sexually abused in adulthood (OR 6.1, 95%CI 5.2-12.36). CONCLUSION: Physical and sexual abuse in childhood are highly prevalent in substance-dependent adults, and are associated with sexual revictimization and high-risk sexual behavior in adulthood.

Current professional practice in Brazilian mental healthcare services / Prácticas profesionales en servicios de salud mental / Praticas profissionais nos serviços de saúde mental

Objective Mental health reform in Brazil presupposes mental health becoming integrated into the Brazilian health system, involving multidisciplinary teams whose professional practice has yet to be defined. The present study forms part of a project aimed at understanding human resources practices in Brazilian mental healthcare services. Methods This was a descriptive, exploratory study using a sample of highly qualified practitioners involved in the Ribeirao Preto/SP public mental health network. The project was approved by the Ribeirao Preto College of Nursing/University of Sao Paulo's ethics committee. A semi-structured questionnaire was used and the data was statistically analyzed. Results One hundred and forty-four of the 193 practitioners from the 8public mental and psychiatric health care services agreed to participate. It was observed that current practice was mainly based on individual care, emphasizing medical, psychological and nursing care. Group activities were more frequently provided by community services. Conclusion Mental care was infrequently prescribed and a low value was placed on activities like observation, recording and therapeutic interaction. Mental care services were being structured; however, practitioners still had difficulties in implementing current policy.

Objetive La aplicación de la reforma de la salud mental en Brasil, supone la integración de la salud mental en el Sistema Nacional de Salud con los equipos multidisciplinarios cuyas prácticas se están definiendo. Esta investigación es parte de un proyecto que intenta comprender las prácticas de recursos humanos en servicios de salud mental. Método Se realizó un estudio descriptivo exploratorio con una muestra compuesta por profesionales de alto nivel de la red pública de salud mental, en Ribeirão Preto/SP. Proyecto aprobado por el Comité de Ética. Se utilizó un cuestionario estructurado y los datos fueron analizados estadísticamente. Resultados Un total de 144 de 193 profesionales de ocho servicios públicos de salud mental aceptaron participar. Se observó que las prácticas se basan principalmente en la asistencia individual, con énfasis en la atención médica, psicológica y de enfermería. Las actividades en grupo son más frecuentes en el servicio comunitario. Conclusión Hay muy poco valor de la prescripción y bajo valor para actividades como la observación, el registro y la interacción terapéutica. Se concluye que los servicios se están estructurando; sin embargo, los profesionales siguen teniendo dificultades para la implementación de las políticas.

Objetivo A implementação da reforma psiquiátrica no Brasil, pressupõe integração da saúde mental no Sistema Único de Saúde com equipes multiprofissionais cujas práticas ainda estão sendo definidas. A presente pesquisa é parte de um projeto que tem por objetivo conhecer a organização e as práticas dos recursos humanos em serviços de saúde mental. Método Trata-se de um estudo exploratório descritivo, com amostra composta pelos profissionais de nível superior da rede pública de saúde mental, do município de Ribeirão Preto/SP. Projeto aprovado por Comitê de Ética. Utilizou-se um questionário semi estruturado cujos dados foram estatisticamente analisados. Resultados Aceitaram participar 144 dos 193 profissionais dos oito serviços públicos de assistência em saúde mental e psiquiatria. Observou-se que as práticas são baseadas principalmente nos atendimentos individuais, com ênfase nos cuidados de enfermagem, médico e psicológico. As atividades grupais são mais freqüentes nos serviços comunitários. Há pouca prescrição e pouca valorização de atividades de observação, registro e interação terapêutica. Conclusão Conclui-se que os serviços estão se estruturando, porém, os profissionais ainda encontram dificuldades na implementação das atuais políticas.

Current professional practice in Brazilian mental healthcare services.

OBJECTIVE: Mental health reform in Brazil presupposes mental health becoming integrated into the Brazilian health system, involving multidisciplinary teams whose professional practice has yet to be defined. The present study forms part of a project aimed at understanding human resources practices in Brazilian mental healthcare services. METHODS: This was a descriptive, exploratory study using a sample of highly qualified practitioners involved in the Ribeirao Preto/SP public mental health network. The project was approved by the Ribeirao Preto College of Nursing/University of Sao Paulo's ethics committee. A semi-structured questionnaire was used and the data was statistically analyzed. RESULTS: One hundred and forty-four of the 193 practitioners from the 8 public mental and psychiatric health care services agreed to participate. It was observed that current practice was mainly based on individual care, emphasizing medical, psychological and nursing care. Group activities were more frequently provided by community services. CONCLUSION: Mental care was infrequently prescribed and a low value was placed on activities like observation, recording and therapeutic interaction. Mental care services were being structured; however, practitioners still had difficulties in implementing current policy.

Alternativas para o tratamento da sindrome de dependência alcoólica realizado por enfermeiros / Alternatives for Treating Alcohol Dependence Syndrome Performed by Nurses

O uso do álcool traz grandes perdas à saúde do indivíduo e alto custo para a sociedade. Um estudo americano mostra que as principais causas de mortalidade evitáveis, incluindo o álcool, correspondem cerca de 40 porcento dessas mortes. Uma das formas de intervencao com custos e benefícios satisfatórios que atinge um grande número de pacientes usuários ou dependentes do álcool, nos mais diversos locais de tratamento (clínicas, especializadas ou nao, hospitais e comunidade). A partir dos programas de desintoxicacao, independentemente do local de atuacao, o enfermeiro cada vez mais vem assumindo o papel de terapeuta na área da dependência química, prestando assistência de enfermagem por meio das mais abrangentes abordagens terapêuticas a essa clientela. A desintoxicacao alcoólica é uma das portas de entrada para o paciente no programa de tratamento; o enfermeiro deve estar preparado para identificar os problemas do uso e dependência e suas consequências; oferecer alternativas para o tratamento, evitando assim o processo de gravidade