Knowledge of Zika Virus Transmission and Its Prevention among High-Risk Pregnant Women in Brazil.

Recent outbreaks of Zika virus (ZIKV) infection highlight the urgent need to evaluate the efficacy of current public health measures to educate susceptible groups about how to prevent infection, modes of viral transmission, and consequences of infection. We performed a cross-sectional study in the city of Jundiaí, São-Paulo, from March 2016 to August 2017. In 315 high-risk pregnant women we evaluated the rate of ZIKV infection, knowledge of pathways of ZIKV transmission, and the use of protective measures. Data were analyzed and correlated with sociodemographic variables. The rate of ZIKV infection was 10.8%. ZIKV transmission by mosquitoes was the best-known means of virus acquisition, while transmission of ZIKV by sexual intercourse as well as mother-fetus transmission was known by less than half of the women. The use of insect repellent, reported by 53% of participants, was correlated with higher education and personal directives from health professionals. Condom use was reported by 19.5% of subjects. Improved strategies to increase awareness of ZIKV infection and its consequences, designed to appeal to specific, targeted populations, are clearly necessary to more accurately prevent the spread of this infection and diminish adverse consequences in the pregnant population.

Children First Study II: an educational programme on cardiovascular prevention in public schools can reduce parents' cardiovascular risk.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze whether the implementation of a multidisciplinary educational programme for cardiovascular prevention in public schools can contribute to reducing the FramINGHAM CARDIOVASCULAR RISK SCORE OF THE CHILDREN'S PARENTS AFTER ONE YEAR. METHODS: This was a prospective, community-based, case-control study carried out in public schools in Sao Paulo, Brasil. Students were randomized to receive healthy lifestyle recommendations by two different approaches. The control group received written cardiovascular health educational brochures for their parents. The intervention group received the same brochures for the parents, and the children were exposed to a weekly educational programme on cardiovascular prevention with a multidisciplinary health team for one year. Clinical and laboratorial data were collected at the onset and end of the study. RESULTS: We studied 265 children and their 418 parents. At the baseline, the rate of parents with intermediate or high Framingham scores (risk of cardiovascular disease over the next 10 years greater than 10%) was 6.9% in the control group and 13.3% in the intervention group. After one year, the rate of parents with intermediate or high Framingham risk score was reduced by 22.2% in the intervention group and increased by 33.3% in the control group (p=0.031). The cardiovascular risk factors that improved in the intervention group were blood pressure, LDL-cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol), and glucose levels. CONCLUSION: An educational programme on cardiovascular prevention for school-age children in public schools can reduce the cardiovascular risk of their parents.

Children First Study II: an educational programme on cardiovascular prevention in public schools can reduce parents cardiovascular risk

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze whether the implementation of a multidisciplinary educational programme for cardiovascular prevention in public schools can contribute to reducing the Fram INGHAM CARDIOVASCULAR RISK SCORE OF THE CHILDREN'S PARENTS AFTER ONE YEAR. METHODS: This was a prospective, community-based, case-control study carried out in public schools in Sao Paulo, Brasil. Students were randomized to receive healthy lifestyle recommendations by two different approaches. The control group received written cardiovascular health educational brochures for their parents. The intervention group received the same brochures for the parents, and the children were exposed to a weekly educational programme on cardiovascular prevention with a multidisciplinary health team for one year. Clinical and laboratorial data were collected at the onset and end of the study. RESULTS: We studied 265 children and their 418 parents. At the baseline, the rate of parents with intermediate or high Framingham scores (risk of cardiovascular disease over the next 10 years greater than 10%) was 6.9% in the control group and 13.3% in the intervention group. After one year, the rate of parents with intermediate or high Framingham risk score was reduced by 22.2% in the intervention group and increased by 33.3% in the control group (p=0.031). The cardiovascular risk factors that improved in the intervention group were blood pressure, LDL-cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol), and glucose levels. CONCLUSION: An educational programme on cardiovascular prevention for school-age children in public schools can reduce the cardiovascular risk of their parents.

RESUMO OBJETIVO: Analisar se a implementação de um programa educacional multidisciplinar para prevenção cardiovascular em escolas públicas durante um ano pode contribuir para reduzir o escore de risco cardiovascular de Framingham dos pais das crianças. MÉTODOS: Estudo prospectivo, de base comunitária, caso-controle em duas escolas públicas de São Paulo, Brasil. Os alunos foram randomizados para receber recomendações de estilo de vida saudável por duas abordagens diferentes. O grupo controle recebeu folhetos educacionais de saúde cardiovascular encaminhados para seus pais. O grupo intervenção recebeu os mesmos folhetos e as crianças foram expostas a um programa educacional semanal, durante um ano, com uma equipe multidisciplinar em prevenção cardiovascular. Dados clínicos e laboratoriais foram coletados no início e no final do estudo. RESULTADOS: Foram sujeitos do estudo 418 pais das crianças das escolas. No início da pesquisa, o total de pais com escore de Framingham intermediário ou alto (risco superior a 10% de doença cardiovascular nos próximos dez anos) foi de 6,9% no grupo controle e de 13,3% no grupo intervenção. Após um ano, dentre os pais com escore de risco de Framingham intermediário ou alto, foi observada redução de 22,2% no grupo intervenção e aumento de 33,3% no grupo controle (p=0,031). Os fatores de risco cardiovascular que melhoraram no grupo de intervenção foram pressão arterial, LDL-colesterol (lipoproteína de baixa densidade) e glicemia. CONCLUSÃO: Um programa educacional de prevenção cardiovascular para crianças em idade escolar, em escolas públicas, pode reduzir o risco cardiovascular de seus pais.