Dysphagia Perception Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults from a Municipality in Southern Brazil.

To analyse the prevalence of dysphagia perception and associated factors among community-dwelling older adults in Pelotas, Brazil. A total of 1447 community-dwelling individuals aged 60 and older participated in a cross-sectional population-based study carried out in 2014. Dysphagia perception was assessed using the following question: "Do you have swallowing difficulties? (Yes/No)". Independent variables included sociodemographic, behavioural and health characteristics. Poisson regression was used to obtain prevalence ratios. Dysphagia perception prevalence was 8.1%, higher among women (PR 1.63, 95% CI 1.07; 2.46) and in subjects older than 80 years (PR 1.88, 95% CI 1.16; 3.03). Older adults with 1-7 years of schooling were more likely to present dysphagia (PR 1.62; 95% CI 1.09; 2.40). Those who did not use dental prosthesis (PR 1.85; 95% CI 1.08; 3.16), who presented dry mouth sensation (PR 4.10; 95% CI 2.59; 6.51) and multimorbidity (PR 30.0; 95% CI 4.09; 219.45) were more likely to present dysphagia perception. The participants who consumed alcohol were 60% less likely to report dysphagia perception (PR 0.43; 95% CI 0.22; 0.86). One out of twelve older adults presented dysphagia perception, and associations with sociodemographic characteristics and other health problems were found. Early identification of dysphagia should be a public health and clinical concern.

Objective and Self-Reported Physical Activity and Risk of Falling Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults From Southern Brazil.

This study evaluated prospective associations between self-reported and objectively measured physical activity (PA) and risk of falls among older adults. A cohort study started in 2014 with 1,451 community-dwelling older adults living in Pelotas, Brazil. Leisure-time PA was obtained by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and 7-day raw accelerometer data evaluated for total, light PA, and moderate to vigorous PA. In 2016-2017, participants recorded their falls in the previous 12 months. Around 23% of the 1,161 participants followed-up in 2016-2017 experienced a fall in the last 12 months. Participants who did not spend any time in self-reported leisure-time PA at baseline had on average 34% higher risk of falls, and individuals in the lowest tertile for moderate to vigorous PA had on average 51% higher risk of falls compared to those in the highest tertile. Low levels of self-reported and objectively measured moderate to vigorous PA were related to higher risk of falling among Brazilian older adults.

Body mass index and mortality among community-dwelling elderly of Southern Brazil.

This study aims to measure the association between body mass index (BMI), comparing two different classifications, and mortality among community-dwelling elderly considering myopenia in Pelotas, Brazil. This is a longitudinal study started in 2014, we followed 1451 elderly people (≥ 60 years) enrolled in the "COMO VAI?" study. BMI was classified according to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the classification with specific cutoff points for older adults. Myopenia was measured by calf circumference (≤33 cm for women and ≤34 cm for men). Cox proportional-hazards models were used to test associations controlling for sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics and number of morbidities. Nearly 10% (N = 145) of the elderly died during almost three years of follow-up. We observed a L-shaped relation between BMI and mortality. Elderly with underweight had a higher mortality risk compared to those with adequate BMI in both classifications. According to the WHO classification, overweight elderly presented protection for mortality (HR: 0.58; 95% CI 0.38-0.87) when compared to those with adequate BMI. Among elderly with myopenia, overweight by WHO continued to protect against mortality, although not significantly, while those with the specific classification underweight presented a higher risk of death compared to those with normal weight (HR: 2.09; 95% CI 1.06-4.14). In conclusion the underweight increased the risk of death in community-dwelling elderly people during a follow-up of three years. The specific classification seemed to be more adequate to indicate risk of mortality in this population. Higher BMI protect against mortality when muscle mass was not considered.

Assessment of a Brazilian public policy intervention to address schistosomiasis in Pernambuco state: the SANAR program, 2011-2014.

BACKGROUND: Brazil is an endemic country for schistosomiasis in the Latin American and Caribbean countries. Pernambuco is a higher-endemic Brazilian state among the 19 states reporting the disease in the country; schistosomiasis affects 102 (55%) of its 185 municipalities. Our objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment cycles of the SANAR Program (Plan to Reduce and Eliminate Neglected Diseases) in Pernambuco State in Northeast Brazil. METHODS: A cross-sectional population-based study was conducted in 2014 via a household survey in 117 hyperendemic locations in the state of Pernambuco. We compared the schistosomiasis prevalence rates in hyperendemic locations, aggregated by geographical region, before and after the intervention. The dependent variable was a positive stool test result by the Kato-Katz method, and the main exposure variable was the number of treatment cycles (one/two). The covariables were the regions of the state and socioenvironmental, socioeconomic, demographic and behavioral characteristics. RESULTS: In all, 12,969 individuals were interviewed, 8932 of whom had stool tests. Of these, 4969 (55.6%) underwent two cycles of collective treatment. Changes in the environmental conditions since 2011 were minimal. Comparison before (2011) and after (2014) treatment showed an average schistosomiasis prevalence of 18.6%, decreasing to 4.1% and 2.0% in locations with one and two treatment cycles, respectively. In 2014, the highest schistosomiasis prevalence was found in the forest area (2.8%), while the lowest was found in the northern region (1.2%) of the state. The adjusted analysis showed a lower occurrence of schistosomiasis in individuals living in areas with two treatment cycles than in individuals from areas with just one cycle (PR 0.65, 95% CI: 0.47-0.89). CONCLUSIONS: The political decision made in Pernambuco to implement the SANAR Program in 2011 greatly impacted the burden of schistosomiasis. This program was effective in reducing the occurrence of schistosomiasis in hyperendemic areas in Pernambuco, with a stronger response in areas with two cycles of collective treatment.

Social inequalities in care for the elderly with diabetes in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To measure the prevalence of various care services offered to the elderly with diabetes mellitus in Brazil, and to assess the social inequalities in these services. METHODS: This cross-sectional, population-based study was carried out in 2013. The care services offered were evaluated in terms of the following eight indicators: recommendations to lower carbohydrates, to measure blood glucose, and to examine the feet; requests made for blood tests, for glycated hemoglobin tests, and for glycemic curve tests; and whether service users had had their eyes or feet examined in the previous year. We used the slope index of inequality and the concentration index to assess the inequalities among wealth quintiles. RESULTS: A total of 1 685 elderly persons with diabetes were evaluated. Overall, 41.7% of them had had their eyes examined in the preceding year, 35.4% had had their feet examined in the preceding year, and 10.9% had been offered all eight of the care services. The largest absolute differences (in percentage points) between the first (poorest) and fifth (richest) wealth quintiles in terms of the care services that were offered to the users were for: a recommendation to measure blood glucose (25.8), a glycated hemoglobin test request (27.4), a glycemic curve test request (31.9), having the eyes examined in the preceding year (29.3), and having the feet examined in the preceding year (27.0). CONCLUSION: There were notable inequalities in the prevalences of the care services. In the future, measurement of blood glucose and examination of the feet should be emphasized, especially for elderly persons in a lower socioeconomic level.

A Randomized, Controlled Trial of the Effectiveness of a Psychoeducational Intervention on Family Caregivers of Patients with Mental Disorders.

The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a psychoeducational intervention on caregivers of patients assisted by the Center for Psychosocial Health Care (CPHC) focusing on the patient's psychopathology. This was a randomized clinical trial with 130 caregivers with higher mean burden scores assessed using the Zarit Burden Interview Scale (ZBI) (66 caregivers in the intervention group and 64 in the control group). The intervention included six home visits of psychoeducational interventions according to each mental disorder identified in the CPHC records. The intervention group had a reduction of 4.8 points in ZBI mean score (p = 0.008) and in the control group, the reduction was 1.9 points, which was not significant (p = 0.305). It is possible to think that psychoeducation may have served to inform about the disease and how to deal with it, to give emotional support to caregivers and to implement coping strategies and stress management.

Structure and process in primary health care for children and spatial distribution of infant mortality.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the spatial patterns of the quality of the structure of primary health care services and the teams' work process and their effects on infant mortality in Brazil. METHODS: An ecological study of spatial aggregates, using the 5,570 municipalities in Brazil as the unit of analysis. Secondary databases from the Programa Nacional de Melhoria do Acesso e Qualidade da Atenção Básica (PMAQ-AB - National Program for Improving Access and Quality of Primary Care), the Mortality Information System (SIM), and the Live Birth Information System (SINASC) were used. In 2018, the infant mortality rate was the outcome of the study, and the exposure variables were the proportion of basic health units (BHU) with adequate structure and work processes. Global and local Moran's indices were used to evaluate the degree of dependence and spatial autocorrelation. Spatial linear regression was used for data analysis. RESULTS: In 2018, in Brazil, the infant mortality rate was 12.4/1,000 live births, ranging from 10.6/1,000 and 11.2/1,000 in the South and Southeast, respectively, to 14.1/1,000 and 14.5/1,000 in the Northeast and North regions, respectively. The proportion of teams with an adequate work process (ß = -3.13) and the proportion of basic health units with an adequate structure (ß = -0.34) were associated with a reduction in the infant mortality rate. Spatial autocorrelation was observed between smoothed mean infant mortality rates and indicators of the structure of primary health care services and the team's work process, with higher values in the North and Northeast of Brazil. CONCLUSIONS: There is a relationship between the structure of primary health care services and the teams' work process with the infant mortality rate. In this sense, investment in the qualification of health care within the scope of primary health care can have an impact on reducing the infant mortality rate and improving child health care.

The use of Information and Communication Technologies in Primary Health Care in Brazil - the period of 2014 to 2018. / O uso de Tecnologias de Informação e Comunicação em Saúde na Atenção Primária à Saúde no Brasil, de 2014 a 2018.

Information and Communication Technologies in Health allow the storage and processing of digital data, access to information and remote communications. The objective of this article was to describe the use of these Technologies to support clinical practice and continuing education by primary health care teams in Brazil the period of 2014 to 2018, within the scope of the Access and Quality Improvement Program Basic, according to characteristics of the geopolitical context. It's a cross-sectional study that analyzed the data collected from the teams of the Basic Health Units. A growing use by the teams of Telehealth resources, the Telemedicine University Network and the Open University of the Unified Health System was observed to aid clinical practice and permanent health education. In the North and Northeast regions, the use of these Technologies doubled, from cycle II to cycle III. The need for investments in infrastructure, human resources in Primary Health Care, qualification and professional training is a way to strengthen the Unified Health System and its Health Care Network, contributing to a continuous flow of care, with quality and access universal.

As Tecnologias da Informação e Comunicação em Saúde permitem o armazenamento e processamento de dados digitais, acesso a informações e comunicações à distância. O objetivo deste artigo foi descrever a utilização destas tecnologias para o apoio à prática clínica e educação permanente pelas equipes de saúde da atenção primária à saúde do Brasil no período de 2014 a 2018, no âmbito do Programa de Melhoria do Acesso e da Qualidade na Atenção Básica, segundo características do contexto geopolítico. É um estudo transversal que analisou os dados coletados junto às equipes das Unidades Básicas de Saúde. Foi observada uma crescente utilização pelas equipes dos recursos da Telessaúde, Rede Universitária de Telemedicina e Universidade Aberta do Sistema Único de Saúde para auxílio à prática clínica e educação permanente em saúde. Nas regiões Norte e Nordeste o uso destas tecnologias dobrou, do ciclo II ao ciclo III. A necessidade de investimentos em infraestrutura, recursos humanos na Atenção Primária à Saúde, qualificação e formação profissional é um caminho para o fortalecimento do Sistema Único de Saúde e sua Rede de Atenção em Saúde, contribuindo para um fluxo de atendimento contínuo, com qualidade e acesso universal.

Evolution of the availability of Information and Communication Technologies in primary health care in Brazil, 2012 to 2018.

OBJECTIVE: To verify the evolution of the availability of information and communication technology equipment and inputs in primary health care services that participated in the external evaluation of the Access and Quality Improvement Program in Primary Care and its distribution according to context characteristics social and geographic. METHODS: Cross-sectional study, analyzed the distribution of information and communication technology equipment in basic health units in Brazil, during the three cycles (2012 to 2018) of the Program for Improving Access and Quality in Primary Care. The variables were examined at the municipal level and stratified by geopolitical region. Univariate analysis was performed, using the chi-square test and testing the distributions of exposures among themselves and between the outcome and exposures. RESULTS: The availability of information and communication technology equipment increased from 9.4% (2012) to 17.5% (2018), with emphasis on the Southeast and South regions, in municipalities with a population size of up to 10,000 inhabitants², with greater family health coverage and high/very high HDI-M. Over the period from 2012 to 2018, basic units joined the program and increased availability of information and communication technologies, such as Internet access, which ranged from 45.2% (n=6,249) to 74.0% (n=21,423), with emphasis on the Northeast region, which increased from 19.1% (n=970) to 58.8% (n=7,087). CONCLUSION: Investment in technologies and constant evaluation of primary care in the country is necessary, contributing to its strengthening.

Trends in the quality of child health care in the first week of life in primary care services in Brazil. / Tendências na qualidade da atenção à saúde da criança na primeira semana de vida na Atenção Primária no Brasil.

The aim of this study was to assess temporal trends in the quality of health care during the first-week child check-up in primary care services stratified by municipal, health team and maternal characteristics. We conducted a cross-sectional study using data from the three cycles of the National Program for the Improvement of Access and Quality (PMAQ) (2012, 2014 and 2018). Adult service users with children aged up to 2 were interviewed. The outcome was "good quality health care in the first week of life". Descriptive and time trend analyses were performed using variance-weighted least squares regression. The frequency of good quality care during the first-week check-up was 47.9% (95%CI 46.6-49.3) in 2012, 52.5% (95%CI 51.3-53.7) in 2014 and 53.3% (95%CI 52.2-54.4) in 2018, with an annual increase of 0.73 pp (p<0.001). The annual increase was greater in the Northeast (2.06 pp) and in municipalities with very low/low HDI (1.48 pp) and 100% family health strategy coverage (0.98 pp). Trends in the frequency of good quality health care during the first-week child check-up were favorable.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a tendência temporal da qualidade da atenção à saúde da criança na consulta da primeira semana de vida no nível da Atenção Primária à Saúde, segundo características dos municípios, do processo de trabalho das equipes e das usuárias responsáveis pelas crianças. Foram realizadas análises transversais com dados dos três ciclos do Programa Nacional de Melhoria do Acesso e da Qualidade (PMAQ) (2012, 2014 e 2018). Usuá­rias adultas com filhos de até dois anos foram entrevistadas. O desfecho foi a "boa qualidade da atenção à saúde na primeira semana de vida". Foram realizadas análises descritivas e de tendência temporal por meio de regressão de mínimos quadrados ponderados por variância. A frequên­cia de boa qualidade na consulta da primeira semana de vida foi 47,9% (IC95% 46,6-49,3) em 2012, 52,5% (IC95% 51,3-53,7) em 2014 e 53,3% (IC95% 52,2-54,4) em 2018, com um aumento anual de 0,73 ponto percentual (p<0,001). O aumento anual foi maior na região Nordeste (2,06 pp) e com IDH muito baixo/baixo (1,48 pp) e com 100% de cobertura de ESF (0,98 pp). Ao longo dos três ciclos do PMAQ-AB houve uma evolução favorável na frequência da boa qualidade na atenção à saúde na primeira semana de vida.

Low Physical Performance Could Be Associated with Adverse Health Outcomes over Time: Results from a Cohort of Older Adults.

A few studies on physical performance (PP) decline among community-dwelling older adults have simultaneously evaluated various outcomes in Brazil. This longitudinal cohort study aimed to verify the association between PP and health outcomes (negative health self-perception-NHSP; consultations with health professionals; disability; falls; and hospitalization) in older Brazilians (N = 476, 68 ± 6.7 years). PP assessments included Gait Speed (GS) and Timed Up and Go (TUG) tests, and changes were evaluated over time (2014 to 2019-2020). The association between the PP and the outcomes was estimated using Poisson's regression with robust variance. The physical tests were not associated with NSPH or with the number of consultations with health professionals. However, after adjustment (economic level, diet quality, physical activity, multimorbidity, depression, polypharmacy, and BMI), low PP at baseline (TUG and GS) was associated with disability at follow-up. A low TUG performance at baseline was also associated with subsequent falls (PR = 1.57, p = 0.007). A decline in GS was associated with hospitalization (PR = 1.86, p = 0.033). PP was associated with disability, falls, and hospitalization over a five- to six-year period in older Brazilians. Regular PP assessments should be conducted and low PP should be used as an indicator of the need for preventative measures to avoid poor health outcomes.

[Contextual characteristics and demand for health services among Brazilian adolescents: Brazilian National Health Survey, 2019]. / Características contextuais e procura por serviços de saúde entre adolescentes brasileiros: Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde, 2019.

This study aimed to describe the prevalence of demand for health services among Brazilian adolescents and to investigate its association with contextual characteristics of the territory. Study with data from the Brazilian National Health Survey, conducted in 2019, including 43,774 individuals aged from 10 to 19 years. Adolescent's information was obtained through a proxy resident of 18 years or more who answered for all the residents of the household. Poisson regression was used to assess the demand for health services according to geopolitical region, economic status, and type of municipality. The interaction of the health insurance was also evaluated in these associations. Of the total, 11.7% (95%CI: 11.1; 12.3) of the adolescents sought health services in the two weeks prior to the survey. Greater figures of demand were observed in the Southeast (PR = 1.32; 95%CI: 1.15; 1.52) and South regions (PR = 1.31; 95%CI: 1.13; 1.52) compared to the Northern Region of Brazil. Having a health insurance increased the demand for services by adolescents living in rural areas and in capitals and the municipalities of the Metropolitan Areas and/or Integrated Development Regions. The study showed a low prevalence of demand for health services among adolescents and contextual inequalities for the geopolitical region. Having a health insurance was an important marker to understand the disparities in the economic status and in the type of municipality.

Os objetivos foram descrever a prevalência de procura por serviços de saúde entre adolescentes brasileiros e investigar sua associação com características contextuais do território. O estudo utilizou dados da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde de 2019, realizada com 43.774 indivíduos de 10 a 19 anos. A informação do adolescente foi obtida por meio de um morador proxy de 18 anos ou mais que respondia por si e por todos os moradores da casa. A regressão de Poisson foi utilizada para avaliar a procura por serviços de saúde de acordo com região geopolítica, situação censitária e tipo de município. Também foi avaliada a interação da variável "plano de saúde" nessas associações. Do total, 11,7% (IC95%: 11,1; 12,3) dos adolescentes procuraram serviços de saúde nas duas semanas anteriores à pesquisa. Maiores prevalências de procura foram observadas nas regiões Sudeste (RP = 1,32; IC95%: 1,15; 1,52) e Sul (RP = 1,31; IC95%: 1,13; 1,52) em comparação à Região Norte do país. O acesso a plano de saúde aumentou a busca pelos serviços por adolescentes residentes nas áreas rurais e nas capitais e municípios das Regiões Metropolitanas e/ou Regiões Integradas de Desenvolvimento. O estudo evidenciou baixa prevalência de procura por serviços de saúde entre adolescentes e desigualdades contextuais para a região geopolítica. Ter plano de saúde foi um marcador importante para entender as disparidades na situação censitária e no tipo de município.

El objetivo de este estudio fue estimar la prevalencia de la demanda de servicios de salud entre los adolescentes brasileños e investigar su asociación con las características contextuales del territorio. Estudio con datos de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud, realizada en 2019 con 43.774 individuos de entre 10 y 19 años de edad. La información del adolescente se obtuvo de un residente proxy de 18 años o más que era responsable de sí mismo y de todos los residentes de la casa. La regresión de Poisson se utilizó para evaluar la demanda de servicios de salud según la región geopolítica, la situación en el censo y el tipo de municipio. También se evaluó la interacción de la variable seguro médico en estas asociaciones. Del total, el 11,7% (IC95%: 11,1; 12,3) de los adolescentes buscaron servicios de salud en las dos semanas previas a la encuesta. Se observó mayor prevalencia de demanda en las regiones Sudeste (RP = 1,32; IC95%: 1,15; 1,52) y Sur (RP = 1,31; IC95%: 1,13; 1,52) en comparación con el Norte del país. Tener un seguro médico incrementó la búsqueda de servicios por parte de los adolescentes que viven en áreas rurales y en las capitales y municipios de de las Regiones Metropolitanas y/o Regiones de Desarrollo Integrado. El estudio apuntó a una baja prevalencia de demanda de servicios de salud entre los adolescentes y desigualdades contextuales según la región geopolítica. Tener un seguro médico fue un marcador importante para comprender las disparidades según la situación del censo y el tipo de municipio.

[Complications due to diabetes mellitus in Brazil: 2019 nationwide study]. / Complicações por diabetes mellitus no Brasil: estudo de base nacional, 2019.

Inadequate management of diabetes mellitus (DM) can lead to complications that affect quality of life. The prevalence of DM and its complications is increasing, presenting an uneven distribution in the population. The objective was to estimate the prevalence of complications due to DM and to assess inequalities in the Brazilian population. It involved a cross-sectional study, with data from the 2019 National Health Survey (NHS). The complications evaluated were: diabetic coma, heart attack/cerebrovascular accident/stroke; kidney problem; vision problem and foot ulcer or amputation. The related factors were schooling and income. The prevalence of complications was calculated separately, combination in pairs, presence of any complications and number of complications. Inequality was estimated through adjusted analysis and the slope index (SII) and concentration index (CIX) indices. The sample consisted of 6,317 people with DM. More than a third (37.8%) reported having some complication. Vision problems (30.6%) and kidney problems (9.7%) were the most prevalent. The prevalence of having "one" and "two or more" complications were 25.4% and 12.4%, respectively. Inequalities were found with a higher prevalence of complications among the least educated and the poorest.

O manejo inadequado da diabetes mellitus (DM) pode levar a complicações que afetam a qualidade de vida. A prevalência da DM e suas complicações está aumentando, apresentando distribuição desigual na população. O objetivo foi estimar a prevalência de complicações devido à DM e avaliar as desigualdades na população brasileira. Estudo transversal, com dados da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde (PNS), de 2019. As complicações avaliadas foram: coma diabético, infarto/Acidente Vascular Cerebral/derrame, problema nos rins, problema na visão e úlcera nos pés ou amputação. As exposições foram a escolaridade e renda. Foram calculadas as prevalências das complicações separadamente, combinação em duplas, presença de alguma complicação e número de complicações. A desigualdade foi estimada por meio de análise ajustada e dos índices: slope index (SII) e o concentration index (CIX). A amostra foi composta por 6.317 pessoas com DM. Mais de um terço (37,8%) referiu ter alguma complicação. O problema na visão (30,6%) e nos rins (9,7%) foram os mais prevalentes. As prevalências de ter "uma" e "duas ou mais" complicações foram 25,4% e 12,4%. Foram evidenciadas desigualdades com maior prevalência de complicações entre os menos escolarizados e mais pobres.

Quality of care for children under two years of age in Brazil's basic network in 2018: indicators and associated factors. / Qualidade da atenção a crianças menores de dois anos na rede básica do Brasil em 2018: indicadores e fatores associados.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the quality of care for children under two years of age in the primary health care network with data from the external evaluation of the Program for the Improvement of Access and Quality of Primary Care in 2018. METHODS: Users who had children under two years of age who were in the unit at the time of data collection were eligible for the study. The quality of care was evaluated using a synthetic indicator built with questions from the users' module. The exposure variables were: region, structure of basic health units, and staff process. A univariate analysis was performed and crude and adjusted prevalence ratios were estimated. RESULTS: The sample was composed of 15.745 users who had children under the age of two years. Only 36.8% (95%CI 36,0-37,6) of users were classified as having received good quality care for their children, with a downward trend in prevalence as the child's age increased. Better results were observed in the Northeast region, in units that presented all the inputs and vaccines and for teams that used protocols and materials, kept records, performed active search and healthy eating actions. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of good quality of care for children under two years of age was low. These data can be useful for managers' decision-making and for the implementation of actions aimed at professionals, that encourage a higher quality of care to children, mainly the child leaving a consultation with the next appointment scheduled and a first consultation being carried out until their seventh day of life.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a qualidade da atenção a menores de dois anos na rede básica, com dados da avaliação externa do Programa de Melhoria de Acesso e Qualidade da Atenção Básica em 2018. MÉTODOS: Foram elegíveis para o estudo usuários com filhos menores de dois anos que estavam na unidade no momento da coleta de dados. A qualidade de atenção foi avaliada por meio de um indicador sintético construído com questões do módulo de usuários. As exposições foram: região, estrutura das unidades básicas de saúde e processo de trabalho das equipes. Realizou-se análise univariada e estimaram-se as razões de prevalências brutas e ajustadas. RESULTADOS: A amostra foi composta de 15.745 usuários que possuíam filhos menores de dois anos. Apenas 36,8% (intervalo de confiança ­ IC95% 36,0­37,6) dos usuários foram classificados como tendo recebido atenção de boa qualidade para as crianças, com redução das prevalências de acordo com o aumento da idade da criança. Observaram-se melhores resultados para a Região Nordeste, em unidades que apresentaram todos os insumos e vacinas e nas equipes que utilizavam protocolos e materiais, realizavam os registros, a busca ativa e ações de alimentação saudável. CONCLUSÃO: A prevalência de qualidade de atenção a menores de dois anos foi baixa. Os dados podem ser úteis para decisões de gestores e para a execução de ações voltadas para os profissionais, que incentivem maior qualidade de cuidado com a criança, principalmente com relação a, após a consulta, a criança já sair com a próxima marcada e à realização de consulta até os sete dias de vida.

Functional dentition and edentulism associated with mortality: A cohort study of older adults in Southern Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between the lack of a functional dentition and edentulism with mortality in a cohort of older adults in a Southern Brazilian city. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a longitudinal study carried out with community-dwelling older adults (≥60 years old) from Pelotas, Brazil, using data from the baseline (2014) and the first follow-up (2017). Main exposures were functional dentition (20+ teeth present) and edentulism (absence of all teeth), derived from self-reported number of teeth. All-causes mortality was evaluated according to the city's Epidemiological Surveillance Department. Potential confounders were age, sex, socioeconomic position, smoking, diabetes, hypertension, and body mass index (BMI). To test the association between functional dentition and edentulism with mortality, Poisson regression models with robust variance were used, to estimate Relative Risks and 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: A total of 1289 older adults had information on all variables of interest and comprise the analytical sample (from 1451 at baseline). When analysing the presence of functional dentition, only 222 individuals (17.2%) had 20 or more teeth in their mouth, while 490 older adults were edentulous (38.0%). Crude analysis showed an association between tooth loss indicators and mortality. Models adjusted for sociodemographic variables and health conditions and behaviours revelled no association between the exposures and mortality. CONCLUSIONS: With the findings of this study, we did not identify an association between edentulism and functional dentition with mortality, after considering important shared risk factors.

Validation of dysphagia perception to predict the risk for dysphagia in non-institutionalized older adults.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Dysphagia is a swallowing disorder that affects mainly the older adults and can compromise quality of life, and increase the risk for malnutrition and aspiration. Early diagnosis is, therefore, essential to prevent adversities. We aimed to evaluate the validity of self-perceived dysphagia in community-dwelling older adults (60 years or older) from Pelotas, Brazil, participants in the "COMO VAI?" METHODS: The Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10) was used as the reference tool to identify the risk for dysphagia and the self-perception of dysphagia was assessed using the following question: "Do you have swallowing difficulties?" (Yes/No). The parameters of sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy were described with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) and according to independent variables (sex, age, economic level, and education). RESULTS: The prevalence of dysphagia risk according to EAT-10 and self-perception was 12.9% (95% CI 10.2-16.1) and 8.8% (95% CI 6.6-11.6), respectively. Sensitivity was 34.8% (95% CI 23.5-47.6) and the highest values were observed in women and the older individuals (80 years or older). Specificity was 95.1% (95% CI 92.6-96.9). PPV was 51.1% (95% CI 35.8-66.3), NPV 90.8% (95% CI 87.8-93.2) and accuracy 87.3%. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the low sensitivity and PPV, the self-perception of dysphagia analyzed with a single question should be used with caution, as an individual at risk for dysphagia may not realize their condition.

Age is the most important factor for change in body mass index and waist circumference in older people in southern Brazil.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to assess the changes in body mass index and waist circumference (WC) and their associations with sociodemographic, behavioral, and health characteristics in non-institutionalized older people in southern Brazil over a period of ≤6 y. METHODS: This is a prospective study, with interviews conducted in 2014 and in 2019 to 2020. Of the 1451 individuals from Pelotas, Brazil, aged >60 y and interviewed in 2014, 537 were reevaluated in 2019 to 2020. An increase or decrease was defined as a variation of ≥5% in body mass index and WC in the second visit compared with the first. The association with changes in outcomes was assessed according to sociodemographic, behavioral, and health characteristics using multinomial logistic regression. RESULTS: Approximately 29% of the older participants lost body mass. Regarding WC, there was an increase in 25.6% in the older participants. The older participants ages ≥80 y had greater odds of losing body mass (odds ratio [OR] = 4.73; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.29-9.76) and of reducing WC (OR = 2.84; 95% CI, 1.59-6.94). Former smokers had, on average, 41% and 64% lower odds of losing and gaining body mass (95% CI, 0.37-0.95 and 95% CI, 0.19-0.68, respectively), and those who were on ≥5 medications had greater odds of gaining body mass (OR = 1.92; 95% CI, 1.12-3.28) and WC (OR = 1.79; 95% CI, 1.18-2.74). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the high proportion of older people who kept their body mass index and WC stable during this period, many of them lost body mass and gained WC. The findings also highlighted the importance of age in the nutritional changes observed in the population.

Difficulties in the use of medications by elderly people followed up in a cohort study in Southern Brazil. / Dificuldades no uso de medicamentos por idosos acompanhados em uma coorte do Sul do Brasil.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the need for help by elderly people to take their medications, the difficulties related to this activity, the frequency of forgotten doses, and factors associated. METHODS: Cross-sectional study conducted with a cohort of elderly people (60 years and over - "COMO VAI?" [How do you do?] study), where the need for help to properly take medication and the difficulties faced in using them were evaluated. The Poisson regression model was used to estimate the crude and adjusted prevalence ratios (PR) of the outcomes and respective 95% confidence intervals according to the characteristics of the sample. RESULTS: In total, 1,161 elderly people were followed up. The prevalence of participants who reported requiring help with medication was 15.5% (95%CI 13.5-17.8), and the oldest subjects, with lower educational levels, in worse economic situations, on four or more medications and in bad self-rated health were the ones who needed help the most. Continuous use of medication was reported by 83.0% (95%CI 80.7-85.1) of the sample and most participants (74.9%; 95%CI 72.0-77.5) never forgot to take their medications. CONCLUSION: The need for help to use medications was shown to be influenced by social and economic determinants. Studies assessing the difficulties in medication use by the elderly are important to support policies and practices to improve adherence to treatment and the rational use of medications.

OBJETIVO: Este estudo visou avaliar a necessidade de ajuda dos idosos para tomar seus medicamentos, bem como as dificuldades relacionadas com a sua utilização, e a frequência de esquecimento de doses. Ainda, avaliar fatores associados à necessidade de ajuda dos idosos com os medicamentos. MÉTODOS: Corte transversal em uma coorte de idosos (60 anos ou mais ­ estudo "COMO VAI?"), em que foi avaliada a necessidade de ajuda para tomar medicamentos de forma adequada e as dificuldades apresentadas na sua utilização. Utilizou-se regressão de Poisson para estimar as razões de prevalência (RP) brutas e ajustadas dos desfechos e seus intervalos de confiança de 95% (IC95%) de acordo com as características da amostra. RESULTADOS: Participaram 1.161 idosos. A prevalência de idosos que relataram necessidade de ajuda com os medicamentos foi de 15,5% (IC95% 13,5­17,8), sendo que os mais idosos, com menor escolaridade e em pior situação econômica, em uso de quatro medicamentos ou mais e com pior autoavaliação de saúde foram os que mais necessitaram de ajuda. O uso contínuo de medicamentos foi referido por 83,0% (IC95% 80,7­85,1) e a maioria (74,9%; IC95% 72,0­77,5) nunca se esqueceu de tomar seus medicamentos. CONCLUSÃO: Observou-se a influência de determinantes sociais e econômicos e de saúde sobre a necessidade de ajuda para a utilização dos medicamentos. Estudos que estimem as dificuldades no uso de medicamentos por idosos são importantes para subsidiar políticas e práticas norteadoras de ações para melhorar a adesão e o uso racional de medicamentos.

[Incidence of depression and associated factors in older adults in Bagé, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil]. / Incidência de depressão e fatores associados em idosos de Bagé, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil.

To evaluate the cumulative incidence of depression and its associated factors in the older population living in the urban area of the municipality of Bagé, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, a prospective cohort study was conducted from 2008 to 2016/2017. The analysis was restricted to 615 older adults with complete information on the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15), both at baseline and at follow-up, and who did not present depression in 2008. To calculate crude and adjusted incidence ratios and 95% confidence interval, Poisson regression with robust variance adjustment was used, including the baseline variables. A hierarchical model of four levels of determination was used. The variables were controlled for those of the same or of higher levels, and the p-value ≤ 0.20 was established to remain in the analysis model. In 2008, 523 older people did not have depression and 92 had been screened with the disease. In 2016/2017, of the 523 individuals without depression in the baseline measure, 10.3% tested positive at screening (incident cases), whereas 89.7% of the older adults remained free of the condition. Of the 92 older adults with depression in 2008, 32.6% continued to present depressive symptoms at follow-up and 67.3% had remission of symptoms. Leaving home once or never and being incapable of doing functional and instrumental activities of daily living were associated with a higher risk of positive screening for depression. The results reinforce the multidimensional and dynamic character of depression, which alternates short and long episodes, and may become recurrent and chronic.

Com o objetivo de avaliar a incidência cumulativa de depressão e seus fatores associados na população idosa, residente na zona urbana do Município de Bagé, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, realizou-se um estudo de coorte, prospectivo, entre 2008 e 2016/2017. A análise foi restrita a 615 idosos com informações completas na Escala de Depressão Geriátrica (GDS-15), tanto na linha de base como no seguimento, que não apresentavam depressão no ano de 2008. Para calcular as razões de incidência bruta e ajustadas e intervalo de 95% de confiança, foi utilizada a regressão de Poisson com ajuste robusto de variância, incluindo as variáveis da linha de base. Empregou-se um modelo hierárquico de quatro níveis de determinação. As variáveis foram controladas para aquelas do mesmo nível ou dos níveis superiores, sendo estabelecido o valor de p ≤ 0,20 para permanecer no modelo de análise. Observou-se que, em 2008, 523 idosos não tinham depressão e 92 haviam sido diagnosticados com a doença. Em 2016/2017, dos 523 indivíduos sem depressão na medida de linha de base, 10,3% apresentaram resultado positivo no rastreamento (casos incidentes), enquanto 89,7% dos idosos permaneceram livres do problema. Dos 92 idosos com depressão em 2008, 32,6% continuaram referindo a sintomatologia depressiva no acompanhamento e 67,3% apresentaram remissão dos sintomas. Sair de casa uma ou nenhuma vez e apresentar incapacidades para o desenvolvimento de atividades funcionais e instrumentais da vida diária se associaram com maior risco de apresentar rastreamento positivo para depressão. Os resultados reforçam o caráter multidimensional e dinâmico da depressão, que alterna episódios curtos e longos, podendo se tornar recorrente e de curso crônico.

Con el objetivo de evaluar la incidencia acumulada de la depresión y sus factores asociados en la población anciana que vive en el área urbana de la ciudad de Bagé, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, se realizó un estudio de cohorte, prospectivo, en el período entre 2008 y 2016/2017. Se analizaron a 615 ancianos que tenían información completada en la Escala de Depresión Geriátrica (GDS-15), tanto en la línea de base como en el seguimiento, y aquellos que no tuvieron depresión en 2008. Para calcular los índices de incidencia brutos y ajustados y el intervalo de 95% confianza, se utilizó la regresión de Poisson con un ajuste robusto de la varianza, incluidas las variables de la línea de base. Se empleó un modelo jerárquico de cuatro niveles de determinación. Las variables se controlaron por aquellas del mismo nivel o niveles superiores, y se estableció un valor de p ≤ 0,20 para permanecer en el modelo de análisis. Se observó que 523 ancianos en 2008 no tuvieron depresión y 92 recibieron diagnóstico de la enfermedad. Para el 2016-2017, de los 523 individuos sin depresión en la medida de línea de base, el 10,3% de ellos se detectó con la enfermedad en el cribado (casos incidentes), mientras que el 89,7% no la manifestó. De los 92 ancianos con depresión en 2008, el 32,6% informaron tener síntomas depresivos en el seguimiento y el 67,3% presentó remisión de los síntomas. Salir de casa una sola vez o ninguna y sentir incapaz de realizar las actividades funcionales e instrumentales de la vida diaria estuvieron asociadas a un mayor riesgo de tener cribado positivo para la depresión. Los resultados evidenciaron el carácter multidimensional y dinámico de la depresión, que oscila entre episodios cortos y largos, y puede llegar a ser recurrente y crónica.

Prevalence of not receiving a home visit by Community Health Agents in Brazil and associated factors. / Prevalência do não recebimento de visita domiciliar pelo Agente Comunitário de Saúde no Brasil e fatores associados.

This article aimed to identify the prevalence of not receiving a home visit by a community health agent (CHA) and the factors associated with it. This was a cross-sectional study, conducted with 38,865 health teams and 140,444 users in the entire country, who participated in the external evaluation of the Program of Access and Quality Improvement in Primary Health (PMAQ-AB, in Portuguese) in 2017/2018. The association between not receiving a home visit by a CHA and the characteristics of the towns, teams, and individuals were estimated by the prevalence ratio (PR) with 95% confidence intervals. The prevalence of not receiving a home visit by a CHA was 18.6% and the main causes were: CHA did not visit the home, lack of knowledge of the existence of CHAs in the neighborhood or unit, and no one present at the home when the CHA visited. The probability of receiving a home visit was higher in poorer regions like the Northeast Region of the country; in towns with a smaller population; among older age users with a lower income, users with chronic health conditions, or users who have someone with a physical disability at home. The results showed that there is a need to increase the coverage of CHA visits in the country, considering that their home visits improve equity in health care.

O objetivo do artigo é identificar a prevalência de não recebimento de visita domiciliar por Agente Comunitário de Saúde (ACS) e os fatores associados. Trata-se de um estudo transversal realizado com 38.865 equipes e 140.444 usuários em todo o território nacional, que participaram da avaliação externa do Programa de Melhoria do Acesso e da Qualidade da Atenção Básica em 2017/2018. A associação de não recebimento de visita domiciliar por ACS e características dos municípios, equipes e indivíduos foi estimada pela razão de prevalência e intervalos de confiança de 95%. A prevalência de não recebimento de visita domiciliar pelo ACS foi de 18,6% e os principais motivos foram: ACS não realiza visita na casa, desconhecimento da existência de ACS no bairro ou unidade, e não tem ninguém em casa para atendê-lo. A probabilidade de receber visita domiciliar foi maior em regiões mais pobres como o Nordeste, em municípios com menor porte populacional, entre usuários com maior idade e menor renda, com condições crônicas de saúde ou que possuem alguém com dificuldade de locomoção no domicílio. Os resultados evidenciam a necessidade de aumento da cobertura de ACS no país, considerando que sua visita domiciliar promove equidade em saúde.