Measuring adherence to antiretroviral treatment: the role of pharmacy records of drug withdrawals.

This study aimed to evaluate adherence to antiretroviral treatment (ART) among HIV + adults, assess its association with HIV viral load (VL) and identify factors associated to adherence. A survey involving a random sample of adults followed at a HIV/AIDS reference center in São Paulo city, Brazil, from 2007 to 2009 was done. A questionnaire was applied and data were retrieved from the pharmacy and medical records. The study involved 292 subjects: 70.2% men; median age: 43 years; median duration of ART: 8 years. 89.3% self-reported taken all prescribed pills in the last 3 days but only 39.3% picked up ≥95% of the prescribed ART from the pharmacy in the last 12 months. At the multivariate analysis having symptoms prior to ART, taking fewer ART pills, and not missing medical appointments were independently associated to higher adherence. Adherence was strongly associated with undetectable HIV VL. Rates of undetectable HIV VL did not differ from 80 to ≥95% of adherence.

Factors associated with condom use inyoung people-A population-based survey. / Fatores associados ao uso de preservativoem jovens - inquérito de base populacional.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to identify the factors associated with condom use in the last sexual intercourse. METHODS: A population-based survey with young people aged 15-24, in the city of São Paulo, which collected sociodemographic data referring to knowledge about sex and sexual behavior. RESULTS: Among 821 sexually active young people interviewed in the last year, condom use in their last sexual intercourse was positively associated with: 1) not being married; 2) use of condom at sexual onset; and 3) receiving free condoms; additionally, among men: 4) casual partners in the previous year; and 5) partner of the same sex; and, amongwomen: 6) sexual onset after the age of 15. Having been tested for HIV was a negative association among women. Condoms are widely acknowledged, and there is a pattern of use for the first and last sexual intercourse. Access to free condoms is an important factor for use, and people use condoms according to standards that configure risk management. CONCLUSIONS: The strategy of primary prevention with the use of condoms is not yet exhausted. Based on this study, the city of São Paulo takes prevention as a public policy and allocates large condoms dispensers in 26 urban bus terminals, where 6million people circulate daily. In 2016, 75,546,720 free condoms were distributed, 30% in bus terminals alone.

INTRODUÇÃO: O objetivo do estudo foi identificar os fatores associados ao uso de preservativo na última relação sexual. MÉTODOS: Inquérito de base populacional com jovens de 15 a 24 anos, residentes no município de São Paulo (MSP), que obteve informações sociodemográficas sobre conhecimentos e comportamentos sexuais por meio de questionário. RESULTADOS: Entre os 821 jovens sexualmente ativos no último ano, o uso do preservativo na última relação foi positivamente associado a: 1) não ter sido casado; 2) uso de preservativo na primeira relação sexual; e 3) receber preservativos gratuitos; adicionalmente, em homens: 4) parceiro casual no último ano; e 5) parceiro do mesmo sexo; e em mulheres: 6) debut sexual após os 15 anos. Ter realizado teste anti-HIV mostrou associação negativa entre as mulheres. O preservativo é amplamente reconhecido; há um padrão de uso na primeira e na última relação sexual; o acesso ao preservativo gratuito é um importante fator para o seu uso pelos jovens; e as pessoas usam preservativo de acordo com padrões que configuram gestão de risco. CONCLUSÕES: A estratégia de prevenção primária com preservativos não está esgotada. A partir deste estudo, a cidade de São Paulo adotou a prevenção como política pública e alocou grandes dispensadores de preservativos nos 26 terminais de ônibus urbanos, por onde circulam 6milhões de pessoas diariamente. Em2016 foram distribuídos 75.546.720 preservativos gratuitos, entre os quais 30% apenas nos terminais de ônibus.

HIV-infected youths transitioning from pediatric to adult outpatient care in a teaching tertiary care hospital in São Paulo city, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: HIV-infected children surviving until adulthood have been transitioning to adult outpatient health care service in Brazil since the late 2000's. Deterioration of clinical condition is expected during this period, as reported among youths with non-communicable chronic diseases. Despite their young age, they are long-term hosts of the virus, have prolonged exposure to antiretroviral therapy and have suffered from the social determinants and stigma of HIV infection since early childhood. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to 1) describe demographic and clinical characteristics at the first appointment at adult care service following pediatric care of a cohort of Brazilian youths living with HIV since childhood; and 2) retrospectively address adherence and clinical variables in the last two years of pediatric follow-up. METHODS: Descriptive study. RESULTS: 41 consecutive patients referred to adult outpatient care from a pediatric HIV unit were enrolled, median age 19 years, and median lifetime CD4+nadir 117 cell/mm3; 89% reported previous AIDS-defining conditions. At first laboratory assessment in adult care, only 46% had undetectable (<400 copies/ml) HIV viral load and the median CD4+count was 250 cell/mm3. CONCLUSION: Youths living with HIV at the transition from pediatric to adult care had poor treatment adherence, low lifetime CD4+cell nadir, low CD4 cell count and detectable HIV viral load. Health care providers should closely monitor these adolescents in a youth friendly environment, prepared for open communication about all aspects of their health.

Occurrence of early adverse events after vaccination against influenza at a Brazilian reference center.

INTRODUCTION: Since 1999, the Ministry of Health in Brazil has conducted campaigns of vaccination against influenza targeted towards the elderly, chronically-diseased people and health care workers. The vaccine against influenza is associated with adverse events of minor importance. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the early adverse events related to the vaccine against influenza. CASUISTICS AND METHODS: One hundred and ninety seven elderly individuals and health care workers vaccinated against influenza were included. An inquiry regarding adverse events related to the vaccine was applied seven days after the vaccination. RESULTS: Local adverse events were reported by 32.5% and systemic effects by 26.4% of the vaccinated subjects. Pain in the region of the injection, headache, myalgia, malaise, and coryza were more frequent in the workers than in the elderly (p<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the occurrence of fever. CONCLUSIONS: The belief of part of the population that credits frequent and uncomfortable adverse events to the vaccine was not confirmed. The subjective adverse events were more frequent in the health care workers, which can influence, in a negative way, the disclosure of the benefits of this vaccine due to their role as opinion makers.

Factors associated with sexually transmitted infections: a population based survey in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. / Fatores associados às infecções sexualmente transmissíveis: inquérito populacional no município de São Paulo, Brasil.

We determined the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), the factors associated with infection and types of counseling received by men and women from health professionals in the City of São Paulo. The investigation consisted of a cross-sectional study conducted with men and women aged between 15 and 64 years living in the City of São Paulo. Of 4,057 individuals who had engaged in sexual activity, 6.3% reported previous history of a STI: 4.3% of women and 8.2% of men. The factors associated with STI were being aged over 34 years and not using a condom during first sexual intercourse, among men, and being aged over 25 years among women. Protective factors included not having had sexual intercourse with someone from the same sex, among men, and having initiated sexual activity after the age of 15 years and not having a casual sex partner over the last 12 months, among women. Counseling about the importance of HIV and syphilis testing was received by 72.1% and 64.7% of women, respectively, while fewer than half of the men received this type of counseling (40.2% and 38.6 %, respectively). The prevalence of previous history of a STI was high among the population of the City of São Paulo. The findings of this study informed the development, implementation, and evaluation of STI policies, including those directed at HIV, leading to a reduction in the barriers that hinder access to and use of condoms and the creation of STI prevention app.

Descrevemos a frequência de infecções sexualmente transmissíveis (IST), os fatores associados e as orientações recebidas dos profissionais de saúde entre homens e mulheres no município de São Paulo. Estudo de corte transversal, com inquérito populacional, com indivíduos de 15 a 64 anos residentes em São Paulo. De 4057 indivíduos que iniciaram a vida sexual, 6,3% relataram IST durante a vida, 4,3% das mulheres e 8,2% dos homens. As IST mostraram associação, entre os homens, com: idade > 34 anos, não uso de preservativo na primeira relação sexual; e entre as mulheres idade > 25 anos. Mostraram-se fatores de proteção, entre os homens: não ter tido relações sexuais com pessoa do mesmo sexo; e entre as mulheres: início sexual > 15 anos de idade e não ter tido parceria casual no último ano. Quanto às orientações, 72,1% e 64,7% das mulheres as receberam sobre a importância de realizar testes para HIV e sífilis, respectivamente, enquanto foram ofertadas para menos da metade dos homens (40,2% e 38,6%). A elevada proporção de antecedentes de IST entre a população do município e os resultados deste estudo possibilitaram a construção, implementação e avaliação de políticas públicas de saúde para o enfrentamento das IST incluindo o HIV, com diminuição de barreiras de acesso aos preservativos e criação de um app para prevenção.

Characteristics of HIV patients who missed their scheduled appointments.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze whether sociodemographic characteristics, consultations and care in special services are associated with scheduled infectious diseases appointments missed by people living with HIV. METHODS: This cross-sectional and analytical study included 3,075 people living with HIV who had at least one scheduled appointment with an infectologist at a specialized health unit in 2007. A secondary data base from the Hospital Management & Information System was used. The outcome variable was missing a scheduled medical appointment. The independent variables were sex, age, appointments in specialized and available disciplines, hospitalizations at the Central Institute of the Clinical Hospital at the Faculdade de Medicina of the Universidade de São Paulo, antiretroviral treatment and change of infectologist. Crude and multiple association analysis were performed among the variables, with a statistical significance of p ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: More than a third (38.9%) of the patients missed at least one of their scheduled infectious diseases appointments; 70.0% of the patients were male. The rate of missed appointments was 13.9%, albeit with no observed association between sex and absences. Age was inversely associated to missed appointment. Not undertaking anti-retroviral treatment, having unscheduled infectious diseases consultations or social services care and being hospitalized at the Central Institute were directly associated to missed appointments. CONCLUSIONS: The Hospital Management & Information System proved to be a useful tool for developing indicators related to the quality of health care of people living with HIV. Other informational systems, which are often developed for administrative purposes, can also be useful for local and regional management and for evaluating the quality of care provided for patients living with HIV.

Autopsy-proven determinants of death in HIV-infected patients treated for pulmonary tuberculosis in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

The aim of this work is to describe and compare pulmonary pathology and proven causes of death in HIV-infected and non-HIV patients treated for tuberculosis, to identify the presence and extension of the lesions, and to suggest appropriate interventions based on the results. Of 246 adult patients (aged > 15) autopsied with tuberculosis and tested for HIV infection at Hospital das Clinicas, School of Medicine, São Paulo University, from January 1994 to December 1996, 100 HIV-infected patients were matched with 44 non-HIV-infected patients. Demographic determinants influencing patients' death were as follows: 1. Age and sex were not found to be important for the histological outcome, but do seem to correlate with HIV infection. Older patients with tuberculosis are less likely to be HIV-infected; 2. Previous tuberculosis and its treatment had no influence on the course of secondary or reinfection tuberculosis; 3. The efficiency of the diagnostic criteria used at the time of death was very low (59.2%); 4. Tuberculosis was more frequently investigated in HIV-infected than in non-HIV-infected patients; 5. Only 79 (56%) of the patients received first line agents for treatment; 6. Patients presented with advanced disease; 7. Their mortality is high, and death occurs early. Morphological determinants with influence on patient's death were related to differences in the spectrum of tuberculosis presentation and time of treatment. Noncaseating generalized multibacillary tuberculosis was likely to be the primary cause of death in HIV-infected patients who died during therapy, whereas deaths of patients occurring after the second course of treatment because of recurrence or incomplete treatment were increased for other manifestations of HIV disease (pyogenic pneumonia, Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, cerebral toxoplasmosis, wasting syndrome). In these patients, dimorphic tuberculosis, an intermediate reactive spectrum form of presentation, was the predominant histological finding. In the opposite spectrum, paucibacillary tuberculosis, a reactive form of tuberculosis presentation, was equally regarded in non-HIV-infected patients as the primary cause of death after four months of therapy. In the same spectrum, non-HIV-infected patients with tuberculosis, who completed all or most of their treatment, died of associated diseases after therapy (alcoholism, cancer, diabetes mellitus). Autopsy-proven determinants of death were associated with HIV status, the spectrum of tuberculosis presentation, and time of treatment. Early treatment for tuberculosis and associated diseases can improve survival and the quality of life even of highly immunosuppressed patients.

Human paraoxonase-1 activity is related to the number of CD4+ T-cells and is restored by antiretroviral therapy in HIV-1-infected individuals.

BACKGROUND: Paraoxonase-1 (PON1) activity is suggested to be altered in individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1). We investigated PON1 activity in individuals receiving different regimens of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). METHODS: PON1 activity was evaluated in 91 HIV-1 seronegative and 624 HIV-1 infected individuals (115 were not undergoing therapy (ART-naïve), and 509 were receiving HAART). HIV-1 infected individuals were treated with the following: efavirenz (EFV; n = 195) or nevirapine (NVP; n = 95) or lopinavir/ritonavir (LOP/r; n = 219). Serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), HDL, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) fractions and the atherogenic indices (AI, TC : HDL, and LDL : HDL ratios) were determined. RESULTS: PON1 activity (U/L) was lower in the ART-naïve group compared with the other groups. PON1 activity correlated with CD4+ T-cell number of ART-naïve group (r = 0,121; P = 0,014). The LOP/r group showed a reduction in HDL and an increase in AI (TC : HDL ratio) in comparison with other groups. CONCLUSION: PON1 activity was reduced in untreated individuals, but not in individuals receiving HAART. PON1 activity correlated with the number of CD4+ T-cells. The findings suggest that the activity of PON1 is associated with the immune status of HIV-1 infected individuals.

Fatores associados ao uso de preservativoem jovens - inquérito de base populacional / Factors associated with condom use inyoung people-A population-based survey

RESUMO: Introdução: O objetivo do estudo foi identificar os fatores associados ao uso de preservativo na última relação sexual. Métodos: Inquérito de base populacional com jovens de 15 a 24 anos, residentes no município de São Paulo (MSP), que obteve informações sociodemográficas sobre conhecimentos e comportamentos sexuais por meio de questionário. Resultados: Entre os 821 jovens sexualmente ativos no último ano, o uso do preservativo na última relação foi positivamente associado a: 1) não ter sido casado; 2) uso de preservativo na primeira relação sexual; e 3) receber preservativos gratuitos; adicionalmente, em homens: 4) parceiro casual no último ano; e 5) parceiro do mesmo sexo; e em mulheres: 6) debut sexual após os 15 anos. Ter realizado teste anti-HIV mostrou associação negativa entre as mulheres. O preservativo é amplamente reconhecido; há um padrão de uso na primeira e na última relação sexual; o acesso ao preservativo gratuito é um importante fator para o seu uso pelos jovens; e as pessoas usam preservativo de acordo com padrões que configuram gestão de risco. Conclusões: A estratégia de prevenção primária com preservativos não está esgotada. A partir deste estudo, a cidade de São Paulo adotou a prevenção como política pública e alocou grandes dispensadores de preservativos nos 26 terminais de ônibus urbanos, por onde circulam 6milhões de pessoas diariamente. Em2016 foram distribuídos 75.546.720 preservativos gratuitos, entre os quais 30% apenas nos terminais de ônibus.

ABSTRACT: Introduction: This study aimed to identify the factors associated with condom use in the last sexual intercourse. Methods: A population-based survey with young people aged 15-24, in the city of São Paulo, which collected sociodemographic data referring to knowledge about sex and sexual behavior. Results: Among 821 sexually active young people interviewed in the last year, condom use in their last sexual intercourse was positively associated with: 1) not being married; 2) use of condom at sexual onset; and 3) receiving free condoms; additionally, among men: 4) casual partners in the previous year; and 5) partner of the same sex; and, amongwomen: 6) sexual onset after the age of 15. Having been tested for HIV was a negative association among women. Condoms are widely acknowledged, and there is a pattern of use for the first and last sexual intercourse. Access to free condoms is an important factor for use, and people use condoms according to standards that configure risk management. Conclusions: The strategy of primary prevention with the use of condoms is not yet exhausted. Based on this study, the city of São Paulo takes prevention as a public policy and allocates large condoms dispensers in 26 urban bus terminals, where 6million people circulate daily. In 2016, 75,546,720 free condoms were distributed, 30% in bus terminals alone.

Fatores associados às infecções sexualmente transmissíveis: inquérito populacional no município de São Paulo, Brasil / Factors associated with sexually transmitted infections: a population based survey in the city of São Paulo, Brazil

Resumo Descrevemos a frequência de infecções sexualmente transmissíveis (IST), os fatores associados e as orientações recebidas dos profissionais de saúde entre homens e mulheres no município de São Paulo. Estudo de corte transversal, com inquérito populacional, com indivíduos de 15 a 64 anos residentes em São Paulo. De 4057 indivíduos que iniciaram a vida sexual, 6,3% relataram IST durante a vida, 4,3% das mulheres e 8,2% dos homens. As IST mostraram associação, entre os homens, com: idade > 34 anos, não uso de preservativo na primeira relação sexual; e entre as mulheres idade > 25 anos. Mostraram-se fatores de proteção, entre os homens: não ter tido relações sexuais com pessoa do mesmo sexo; e entre as mulheres: início sexual > 15 anos de idade e não ter tido parceria casual no último ano. Quanto às orientações, 72,1% e 64,7% das mulheres as receberam sobre a importância de realizar testes para HIV e sífilis, respectivamente, enquanto foram ofertadas para menos da metade dos homens (40,2% e 38,6%). A elevada proporção de antecedentes de IST entre a população do município e os resultados deste estudo possibilitaram a construção, implementação e avaliação de políticas públicas de saúde para o enfrentamento das IST incluindo o HIV, com diminuição de barreiras de acesso aos preservativos e criação de um app para prevenção.

Abstract We determined the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), the factors associated with infection and types of counseling received by men and women from health professionals in the City of São Paulo. The investigation consisted of a cross-sectional study conducted with men and women aged between 15 and 64 years living in the City of São Paulo. Of 4,057 individuals who had engaged in sexual activity, 6.3% reported previous history of a STI: 4.3% of women and 8.2% of men. The factors associated with STI were being aged over 34 years and not using a condom during first sexual intercourse, among men, and being aged over 25 years among women. Protective factors included not having had sexual intercourse with someone from the same sex, among men, and having initiated sexual activity after the age of 15 years and not having a casual sex partner over the last 12 months, among women. Counseling about the importance of HIV and syphilis testing was received by 72.1% and 64.7% of women, respectively, while fewer than half of the men received this type of counseling (40.2% and 38.6 %, respectively). The prevalence of previous history of a STI was high among the population of the City of São Paulo. The findings of this study informed the development, implementation, and evaluation of STI policies, including those directed at HIV, leading to a reduction in the barriers that hinder access to and use of condoms and the creation of STI prevention app.

Characteristics of HIV patients who missed their scheduled appointments / Características dos pacientes com HIV que faltaram a consultas agendadas

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: To analyze whether sociodemographic characteristics, consultations and care in special services are associated with scheduled infectious diseases appointments missed by people living with HIV. METHODS: This cross-sectional and analytical study included 3,075 people living with HIV who had at least one scheduled appointment with an infectologist at a specialized health unit in 2007. A secondary data base from the Hospital Management & Information System was used. The outcome variable was missing a scheduled medical appointment. The independent variables were sex, age, appointments in specialized and available disciplines, hospitalizations at the Central Institute of the Clinical Hospital at the Faculdade de Medicina of the Universidade de São Paulo, antiretroviral treatment and change of infectologist. Crude and multiple association analysis were performed among the variables, with a statistical significance of p ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: More than a third (38.9%) of the patients missed at least one of their scheduled infectious diseases appointments; 70.0% of the patients were male. The rate of missed appointments was 13.9%, albeit with no observed association between sex and absences. Age was inversely associated to missed appointment. Not undertaking anti-retroviral treatment, having unscheduled infectious diseases consultations or social services care and being hospitalized at the Central Institute were directly associated to missed appointments. CONCLUSIONS: The Hospital Management & Information System proved to be a useful tool for developing indicators related to the quality of health care of people living with HIV. Other informational systems, which are often developed for administrative purposes, can also be useful for local and regional management and for evaluating the quality of care provided for patients living with HIV.

RESUMO OBJETIVO: Analisar se características sociodemográficas e consultas e atendimentos em especialidades estão associados à falta de pessoas vivendo com HIV em consultas agendadas de infectologia. MÉTODOS: Neste estudo transversal e analítico foram incluídas 3.075 pessoas vivendo com HIV, com pelo menos uma consulta de infectologia agendada em unidade de saúde especializada em 2007. Foi utilizada base de dados secundários do Sistema de Informação e Gestão Hospitalar. A variável desfecho foi a falta em consulta agendada. As variáveis independentes foram sexo, idade, consultas e atendimentos em especialidades e disciplinas disponíveis, internações no Instituto Central do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, tratamento antirretroviral e troca de médico infectologista. Realizada análise de associação bruta e múltipla entre as variáveis, com significância estatística se p ≤ 0,05. RESULTADOS: Mais de um terço (38,9%) dos pacientes faltaram em pelo menos uma consulta de infectologia; 70,0% dos pacientes eram do sexo masculino. A taxa de faltas foi de 13,9%, mas não foi observada associação entre sexo e falta. A idade foi inversamente associada à falta. Não estar em tratamento antirretroviral, comparecer à consulta de infectologia sem agendamento ou a atendimento de serviço social e ser internado no Instituto Central foram diretamente associados à falta. CONCLUSÕES: O Sistema de Informação e Gestão Hospitalar mostrou ser instrumento útil para a elaboração de indicadores relacionados à qualidade da atenção à saúde de pessoas vivendo com HIV. Outros sistemas de informação, frequentemente desenvolvidos para finalidades administrativas, também podem ser úteis para gestão local e regional e para avaliação da qualidade da atenção aos pacientes vivendo com HIV.

A contribuição da Pesquisa de Conhecimentos, Atitudes e Práticas no Município de São Paulo para a reformulação do Programa Municipal de DST/Aids / The contribution of the Research about knowledge, Atitude and Practice in the town of São Paulo fot the reformulation of the Municipal Program on STD/AIDS

O Departamento Nacional de DST, Aids e hepatites Virais realizou a Pesquisa de Conhecimento, Atitudes e Práticas (PCAP) en três ocasiões, mas os resultados não podem ser desagregados para municípios. No município de São Paulo (MSP) com o maior número absoluto de pessoas vivendo com HIV no Brasil, a Secretaria Municipal de Saúde realizou a PCAP MSP para conhecer nossa realidade e planejar as ações de saúde.

Accidental exposure to biological material in healthcare workers at a university hospital: Evaluation and follow-up of 404 cases.

The care and follow-up provided to healthcare workers (HCWs) from a large teaching hospital who were exposed to biological material between 1 August 1998 and 31 January 2002 is described here. After exposure, the HCW is evaluated by a nurse and doctor in an emergency consultation and receives follow-up counselling. The collection of 10 ml of blood sample from each HCW and its source patient, when known, is made for immunoenzymatic testing for HIV, HBV and HCV. Evaluation and follow-up of 404 cases revealed that the exposures were concentrated in only a few areas of the hospital; 83% of the HCWs exposed were seen by a doctor responsible for the prophylaxis up to 3 h after exposure. Blood was involved in 76.7% (309) of the exposures. The patient source of the biological material was known in 80.7% (326) of the exposed individuals studied; 80 (24.5%) sources had serological evidence of infection with 1 or more agents: 16.2% were anti-HCV positive, 3.8% were HAgBs positive and 10.9% were anti-HIV positive. 67% (273) of the study population completed the proposed follow-up. No confirmed seroconversion occurred. In conclusion, the observed adherence to the follow-up was quite low, and measures to improve it must be taken. Surprisingly, no difference in adherence to the follow-up was observed among those exposed HCW at risk, i.e. those with an infected or unknown source patient. Analysis of post-exposure management revealed excess prescription of antiretroviral drugs, vaccine and immunoglobulin. Infection by HCV is the most important risk of concern, in our hospital, in accidents with biological material.

Occurrence of early adverse events after vaccination against influenza at a brazilian reference center

INTRODUCTION: Since 1999, the Ministry of Health in Brazil has conducted campaigns of vaccination against influenza targeted towards the elderly, chronically-diseased people and health care workers. The vaccine against influenza is associated with adverse events of minor importance. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the early adverse events related to the vaccine against influenza. CASUISTICS AND METHODS: One hundred and ninety seven elderly individuals and health care workers vaccinated against influenza were included. An inquiry regarding adverse events related to the vaccine was applied seven days after the vaccination. RESULTS: Local adverse events were reported by 32.5 percent and systemic effects by 26.4 percent of the vaccinated subjects. Pain in the region of the injection, headache, myalgia, malaise, and coryza were more frequent in the workers than in the elderly (p<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the occurrence of fever. CONCLUSIONS: The belief of part of the population that credits frequent and uncomfortable adverse events to the vaccine was not confirmed. The subjective adverse events were more frequent in the health care workers, which can influence, in a negative way, the disclosure of the benefits of this vaccine due to their role as opinion makers.

Effectiveness of influenza vaccination in elderly outpatients in Säo Paulo city, Brazil

To investigate the effectiveness of the influenza vaccine in a population of elderly outpatients, we compared the occurrence and frequency of influenza like illness (ILI), respiratory illness and hospitalization in vaccinated and non-vaccinated subjects. All the outcomes were clinically defined. The two groups were similar with respect to demographics, health situation and habits. The influenza vaccine contributed to the protection of the elderly investigated, since the vaccinated subjects referred a significantly lower number of ILI than the non-vaccinated. There is a need for more studies about the effectiveness of the influenza vaccine in our country in elderly and other groups of our population