The Participation Guide provides simple tips and tools to involve affected individuals and groups in the various stages of health and development communication programs. This Guide provides examples of how to include those most marginalized that a health or development communication program is meant to empower. These people could include low-income women of reproductive age, youth, orphans and vulnerable children, people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA), or staff from organizations working with affected individuals or groups The Guide's intended audience includes program officers, program staff, and development practitioners interested in effectively involving those directly concerned in the health and development communication programs they support. (excerpt)
A religious oriented approach to addressing FGM / C among the Somali community of Wajir, Kenya.
The purpose of this approach is to educate the community on the harms of FGM/C, both religiously and medically, so that they question the rationale for its continuation. The first step in the approach is to de-link Islam and FGM/C. It is important for the community to understand the Shariah implications of this practice and be made aware of the fact that Islamic Shariah upholds human rights and dignity and that FGM/C violates these rights. As long as this practice is wrongly justified as Islamic, nothing else will make sense to the community, not even the many protocols and legislations that prohibit and outlaw the practice. These are man-made laws according to them and hence they cannot bind them. But are there any God-made laws that actually support this practice? We can answer this question by weighing the practice against Islamic teachings and prove that there is no sunnah 'cut' in Islam. Knowledge that the practice is traditional and is in conflict with Islamic principles is a sure convincingway that can help in questioning the practice. (excerpt)
Hormonal contraception and bone health.
Hormonal contraceptives, which include birth control pills, injections, implants, the patch and the vaginal ring, all use hormones to keep a woman from getting pregnant. These hormones can have other health effects for women, many of them beneficial, besides just preventing pregnancy. However, some questions have been raised about how particular hormonal contraceptives, DMPA (depot medroxyprogesterone acetate with trade names of Depo-Provera, Depo-Clinovir and others) and NET-EN (norethisterone enantate or Noristerat, Norigest, Doryxas and others), may affect the health of women's bone. (excerpt)
Does hormonal contraception modify the risk of STI acquisition?
There are many factors that increase the chance of developing an STI. The most common ones are: having multiple sexual partners, having sexual intercourse with partners who have more than one sexual partner, not using condoms during intercourse, the presence of genital ulcer disease, young age, and previously having had an STI. What is not established is whether a woman's use of hormonal contraceptives may increase her risk of developing an STI. Hormonal methods include combined pills, combined injections, progestin-only injections such as DMPA (depot medroxyprogesterone acetate), progestin-only pills, the patch, the vaginal ring and implants. Numerous studies have investigated this subject, however the answers are not clear. What is clear is that none of these methods protects a woman from acquiring an STI; therefore, providers should counsel women at risk of infection to use condoms during each act of intercourse, even if they are already using another contraceptive method. (excerpt)
Violence against women is any act of gender-based violence resulting in physical, sexual, or mental suffering to woman, including the threat of violence, pressure, or arbitary deprivation of freedom, both at the community or individuals level. In Indonesia, a country whose population is almost 90% Moslim, Islamic teachings are very often used to legitimize various acts of violence against women. Unfortunately, violence against women is also supported by the patriachal system present in almost all Indonesian ethnic groups. The Women's Rights Commission researched violence against women for three years, from 2003 to 2005. Cases of such violence were on the rise, from 5.934 cases in 2003, to 14.020 cases in 2004, to 20.391 cases in 2005. Of those, 4.886 cases ( 29.41%) were the result of domestic violence, 3.82% were of intimate partner violence, and 421 cases ( 2,53%) were against girl children. (excerpt)
Armenia 2005 Demographic and Health Survey. Key findings.
The 2005 Demographic and Health Survey in Armenia (ADHS) is the second undertaking of its kind. It is a nationally representative survey designed to provide information on fertility levels, sexual activity, fertility preferences, knowledge and use of contraception, breastfeeding practices, nutritional status of women and children under five years, childhood mortality, maternal and child health, abortion, adult health, women's empowerment, and knowledge, attitudes and behaviors related to HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. The information collected by the ADHS updates the health and demographic indicators collected during the previous DHS survey in 2000. The fieldwork for the ADHS was conducted from September through December 2005. The survey collected information from 6,707 households, 6,566 women age 15-49 and 1,447 men age 15-49. The data are statistically significant at the national level, for urban and rural residence, and for the eleven administrative regions (Yerevan, Aragatsotn, Ararat, Armavir, Gegharkunik, Lori, Kotayk, Shirak, Syunik, Vayots Dzor, and Tavush). (excerpt)
The effect of antenatal care on professional assistance at delivery in rural India.
Delivering births in a medical institution or at home with professional medical assistance has been shown to promote safe motherhood and child survival. Yet three-quarters of births in rural India continue to take place at home, most of them without the assistance of any trained health worker. This study examines the role of antenatal care (ANC) in promoting professional assistance at delivery, using data from India's 1992-93 and 1998-99 National Family Health Surveys (NFHS-1 and NFHS-2). We estimate the effect of number of antenatal care visits (0, 1-2, 3+) on professional assistance at delivery (no assistance, professional assistance at home, delivery in a medical institution), using multinomial logistic regression, controlling for demographic, geographic, and socioeconomic factors, pregnancy complications, and two measures of access to health facilities. The results indicate that, after controlling for other variables (including ANC), pregnancy complications and access to health facilities do not have much effect on assistance at delivery. By contrast, ANC has a large effect on assistance at delivery, even after all other variables are controlled. The effect of ANC on professional assistance at delivery is larger in South India than in North India, and predicted percentages receiving professional assistance are higher in South India than in North India. A policy implication is that increased antenatal care coverage can be an effective means of increasing professional assistance at delivery, especially delivery in a medical institution. (author's)
Egypt Demographic and Health Survey 2005.
The 2005 Egypt Demographic and Health Survey (2005 EDHS) interviewed a nationally representative sample of 19,474 ever-married women age 15-49. The survey is the eighth in a series of Demographic and Health Surveys conducted in Egypt. As in previous surveys, the main purpose of the 2005 EDHS was to provide detailed information on fertility, family planning, infant and child mortality, maternal and child health and nutrition. The survey also collected information on the levels of knowledge of infectious diseases including HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C. In addition, the 2005 EDHS included anemia testing and special modules on child labor, domestic violence, and female circumcision. (excerpt)
HIV / AIDS data from the 2005 Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey.
The 2005 Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) included HIV testing of over 10,000 women and men. The 2005 EDHS shows that 1.4 percent of Ethiopians age 15-49 are HIV positive. HIV prevalence is higher among women than men overall, and significantly higher in urban areas. Both male and female urban residents have higher rates of HIV infection than their rural counterparts. For the most part, HIV infection rises with age until age 35-39 for women and age 40-44 for men. With the exception of women age 30-34, HIV prevalence is higher among women than men in all age groups. The risk of HIV infection increases with higher levels of education. This relationship is especially true among women. Women with a secondary school education are more than five times as likely to have HIV as women with no education. (excerpt)
Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey 2005.
The 2005 Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) is a nationally representative survey of 14,070 women age 15-49 and 6,033 men age 15-59. The EDHS is the second comprehensive survey conducted in Ethiopia as part of the worldwide Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) project. The primary purpose of the EDHS is to furnish policymakers and planners with detailed information on fertility, family planning, infant, child, adult and maternal mortality, maternal and child health, nutrition and knowledge of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections. In addition, in one of two households selected for the survey, women age 15-49 and children age 6-59 months were tested for anaemia, and women age 15-49 and men age 15-59 were tested for HIV. The 2005 EDHS is the first survey in Ethiopia to provide population-based prevalence estimates for anaemia and HIV. (excerpt)
HIV-1 infection and fertility in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
The objective of this study was to examine the association of HIV-1 infection with rates of pregnancy and pregnancy loss in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. A retrospective cohort study of 1,006 HIV-infected women and 485 uninfected women was employed. In multivariate analyses controlling for other predictors of pregnancy, the association of HIV-seropositivity with a woman's reported number of pregnancies was of borderline significance (RR = 1.13, 95% CI =1 .00, 1.27). HIV infection was not associated with pregnancy loss in multivariate analysis. The adjusted pregnancy rate ratio comparing HIV-positive women at the earliest stages of infection to all uninfected women was 1.22 (95% CI = 1.04, 1.42). HIV infection was not associated with female fertility when comparing women in the most advanced stages of infection to all uninfected women. We conclude that HIV-1 infected women had higher pregnancy rates than uninfected women. This association disappeared when analyses were limited to women with advanced disease. Abstract word count: 150. (author's)
The aim was to develop a simple risk scoring scheme for the prediction of cesarean delivery due to cephalopelvic disproportion (CPD) in Lamphun Hospital, Thailand. A case-control study was conducted including 116 pregnant women with cesarean delivery due to CPD and 307 pregnant women delivering by normal labor. Obstetric information was retrieved from medical records. Risk indicators measurable at the time of admission were analyzed by a stepwise logistic regression to obtain a set of statistically significant predictors. Regression coefficients were transformed into item scores and added up to a total score. Risk of cesarean delivery due to CPD was analyzed using total scores as the only predictor. A risk scoring scheme was developed from five obstetric predictors: maternal age, height, parity, pregnancy weight gain and symphysis-fundal height. Item scores ranged from 0 up to 3.5 and the total score from 0-14.5. The scheme explained, by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 88% of cesarean delivery due to CPD. The likelihood of cesarean delivery due to CPD in pregnant women with low risk (scores below 5), moderate risk (scores 5-9.5) and high risk (scores 10 and over) were 0.09, 0.86 and 10.11, respectively. The risk of cesarean delivery due to CPD may be forecasted by a simple scoring scheme using five predictors that correctly identified women with low, moderate and high risk. This scheme may be applicable to physicians and midwives for identifying high-risk pregnant women in order to take appropriate action. (author's)
Considering the differing but potentially supplementary properties of visual inspection of the cervix with acetic acid (VIA) and the cytological examination (CYTO) of cervical smears for the screening of cervical cancers, we examined the performance of these two tests and their combinations for the screening of cervical cancer in different health care settings. In this cross-sectional diagnostic test performance evaluation study of 4235 female subjects in the reproductive age group, we assessed the screening performance of four strategies: VIA alone, CYTO alone, VIA and CYTO combined in a parallel fashion, and VIA and CYTO combined in tandem. Subjects were recruited from three settings: Hospital, Urban Community and Rural Community. Colposcopy was used as the reference standard. Screening performance was assessed using sensitivity, specificity, post-test probabilities and likelihood ratios (LR), diagnostic odds, area under receiver operating characteristic curve and LR x/2. Both VIA and CYTO when used alone had a low sensitivity but high specificity, especially in the Rural Community setting. A combination of the results of VIA and CYTO improved the diagnostic accuracy but the strategy using a parallel combination of VIA and CYTO was the most accurate. In general, all screening strategies using VIA and CYTO showed a modest screening performance. In the settings of varying levels of health care and low resources, caution is needed for a generalized use of VIA for cervical cancer screening. Further evaluation of the cost-effective ways of combining VIA and CYTO is needed in these circumstances. (author's)
Impact of use of combined oral contraceptive pill on the quality of life of Japanese women.
The aim was to evaluate the impact of combined oral contraceptive pill (OC) use on quality of life (QOL) among Japanese women, we performed a prospective study using the Japanese version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL) questionnaire. Women who consulted Chayamachi Lady's Clinic to get a prescription for OC for the first time were recruited for our questionnaire study and asked to complete the WHOQOL questionnaire twice, before taking OC and more than 3 months after beginning OC use. Two hundred and seventeen women responded to our questionnaire before taking OC and 110 patients completed the questionnaire. The patients were divided into six groups based on the reason they wanted to take OC: contraception, relaxation of dysmenorrhea, regulation of menstrual cycles, improvement of acne, remission of menorrhagia, and improvement of premenstrual tension syndrome (PMS). WHOQOL scores showed significant improvement in all domains of the dysmenorrhea group, all domains but the social of over all participants, the social and overall domain of the irregular cycle group, physical, environmental, and overall domain of the acne group, and psychological and overall domain of the PMS group. The WHOQOL score worsened in the social domain of the contraception group; however, the score in the overall domain of that group improved. These results indicate that OC can provide higher QOL for women with problems involving menstrual pain and/or hormonal abnormalities. However, those using OC for contraception only were found to be unsatisfied with taking OC in a relationship with their partners. (author's)
Sexual attitudes and risk-taking behaviors of high school students in Turkey.
The risk of sexually transmitted diseases is high but opportunities of sexual education for adolescents are limited in Turkey. The aim of this study was to evaluate sexual attitudes and behaviors and to determine the predictors of sexual initiation among adolescents. A questionnaire designed by the researchers was administered to 861 senior year high school students in their classrooms. The rates of masturbation and sexual intercourse and the median partner numbers among males were higher than females. The rates of having negative feelings after the first sex among females were higher than males. The rates of having sexual intercourse and the mean age at first sexual intercourse among males were similar to developed countries. However, the use of a condom at first intercourse was low. Lower academic performance and grade repetition experience among males and cigarette smoking among both gender groups were related to having sexual intercourse. This is one of the first studies about sexual risk-taking behaviors among high school students in Turkey. Differences found between gender groups regarding attitudes and behaviors reflect the social structure in Turkey. These findings may be helpful in producing effective solutions for improving education and preventive health care. (author's)
If proven effective, vaginal microbicides and diaphragms will likely be part of a larger HIV prevention model that includes condoms and other prevention strategies. It is, therefore, important to understand how introducing new prevention methods may affect overall patterns of sexual risk behavior. Data presented were collected as part of a safety and feasibility study of ACIDFORM gel with a diaphragm among 120 women in South Africa. Interviews were administered at enrollment and months 1, 3, 5, and 6 of the trial. Focus groups were conducted at trial exit. Frequency of sex increased significantly after enrollment. This increase appears to be owing to perceived protection from HIV and greater sexual pleasure afforded by the gel. Male condom use was high overall but increased significantly from enrollment. Data suggest this is because of increased partner involvement, increased negotiating power afforded by study participation, and provision of free condoms perceived to be of high quality. (author's)
This qualitative investigation explored the experiences and contexts of stigma and discrimination among HIV-positive and high-risk kothi-identified men who have sex with men (MSM) in Chennai, India, and ramifications for HIV prevention. MSM were recruited through community agencies (n = 10) and public sex environments (n = 8), along with three key informants. In-depth, semistructured interviews were conducted, audiotaped, and transcribed. Narrative thematic analysis and a constant comparative method were used to identify themes. Findings revealed multiple intersecting social and institutional contexts and experiences of stigmatization, discrimination, and violence across police, community, family, and health care systems, as well as illuminating consequences for MSM. Multisystemic structural violence places kothis at extreme vulnerability for HIV infection and AIDS. Public mass media antidiscrimination campaigns, education and training of health care providers and police, funding of indigenous MSMcommunity organizations, and decriminalization of consensual sex between same-sex adults may help to combat stigma, discrimination, and violence against MSM, which is fundamental to effective HIV prevention. (author's)
Effect of pregnancy on HIV disease progression and survival among women in rural Uganda.
The objective was to investigate the effect of pregnancy on HIV disease progression and survival among HIV-infected women in rural Uganda, prior to the introduction of anti-retroviral therapy (ART). From a clinical cohort established in 1990, we selected records from HIV-infected women of reproductive age. We conducted two analyses: (1) all HIV-infected cases contributing to analysis of CD4 decline, using a linear regression model with random intercepts and slopes; (b) incident cases with known date of seroconversion contributed to analyses of median time to CD4 less than 200 cells/microl, AIDS and death. A total of 139 women were included in the analysis of CD4 decline. Women who subsequently became pregnant had higher CD4 counts at enrolment and had a slower CD4 decline than those who did not become pregnant. In women who became pregnant, CD4 decline was faster after pregnancy than before (P less than 0.0001). The survival analyses showed no significant differences between women who became pregnant and those who did not with respect to median time to CD4 count less than 200, AIDS or death. The initial comparative immunological advantage possessed by fertile women before they become pregnant is subsequently lost as a result of their pregnancy. Women should be informed about the potential negative effect of pregnancy on their immunological status and should be offered contraception. In resource-limited settings, women determined to become pregnant should be given priority for ART if eligible. (author's)
The objective was to determine predictors of death among children 2-59 months old admitted to hospital with severe pneumonia. Prospective observational study from April 1994 to May 2000 to investigate serious infections in children less than 5 years old admitted to a tertiary care government hospital in a rural province in central Philippines. The quality of clinical and laboratory work was monitored. The WHO classification for severe pneumonia was used for patient enrolment. There were 1249 children with severe pneumonia and no CNS infection. Thirty children died. Using univariate analysis, the following factors were significantly associated with death: age 2-5 months, dense infiltrates on chest radiography and presence of definite bacterial pathogens in the blood. Stepwise logistic regression analysis revealed the following independent predictors of death: age 2-5 months, weight for age z-score less than)2 SD, dense infiltrates on chest radiography and definite pathogens isolated in the blood. When the results of chest radiographs and blood cultures were not included to mimic facilities available at first-level facilities, age 2-5 months and weight for age z-score less than)2 SD remained independent predictors of death. When resources are limited, children with lower chest wall indrawing (severe pneumonia) who are 2-5 months old or moderately to severely malnourished should be referred for immediate higher-level care. (author's)
The objective was to describe the implementation of a cost-sharing system for emergency obstetric care in an urban health district of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso and analyse its results after 1 year of activity. Service availability and use, service quality, knowledge of the cost-sharing system in the community and financial viability of the system were measured before and after the system was implemented. Different sources of data were used: community survey, anthropological study, routine data from hospital files and registers and specific data collected on major obstetric interventions (MOI) in all the hospitals utilized by the district population. Direct costs of MOI were collected for each patient through an individual form and monitored during the year 2005. Rates of MOI for absolute maternal indications (AMI) were calculated for the period 2003-2005. The direct cost of a MOI was on average 136US$, including referral cost. Through the costsharing system this amount was shared between families (46US$), health centres (15US$), Ministry of Health (38US$) and local authority (37US$). The scheme was started in January 2005. The rate of cost recovery was 91.3% and the balance at the end of 2005 was slightly positive (4.7% of the total contribution). The number of emergency referrals by health centres increased from 84 in 2004 to 683 in 2005. MOI per 100 expected births increased from 1.95% in 2003 to 3.56% in 2005 and MOI for AMI increased from 0.75% to 1.42%. The dramatic increase in MOI suggests that the cost-sharing scheme decreased financial and geographical barriers to emergency obstetric care. Other positive effects on quality of care were documented but the sustainability of such a system remains uncertain in the dynamic context of Burkina Faso (decentralization). (author's)
The objectives were to investigate the determinants of delay in seeking healthcare for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among Vietnamese women attending the National Institute of Dermatology and Venereology (NIDV), through assessing to what extent women's sociodemographic backgrounds and their knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) relating to STIs/STI prevention influence their delay in seeking healthcare for STIs. A face-to-face semistructured interview of 60 women over 18 years old attending the NIDV, who were diagnosed with an STI by clinicians from the NIDV and volunteered to participate in the study. The relationship between demographic and KAP variables and delay (7 days or more between onset of symptoms and seeking care) and the interval of delay were assessed using x/2, Fisher's exact, Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Of those women reporting delay before first seeking care, 82% delayed by greater than or equal to 7 days. Women with lower education and from rural or remoteareas waited significantly longer before first seeking care than those with higher education and from urban areas. Women who delayed in seeking care knew significantly less routes of STI transmission and engaged significantly more in sex while having symptoms than women who did not delay in seeking care. No relationships existed between delay behaviours and women's income, age or attitudes towards STIs/STI prevention. Early healthcare-seeking behaviour for STIs could be facilitated through improving women's basic knowledge regarding STIs, changing their sexual behaviour and creating a social support environment for early care-seeking. (author's)
The objectives were to determine whether the process of informing research participants that they would be tested for the presence of a biological marker of semen exposure would reduce bias in their reports of unprotected sex. A randomised trial of 210 female sex workers from Mombasa, Kenya, was conducted, where half the group had advance knowledge (via the request for informed consent) that they would be tested for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in their vaginal fluid before they reported on sex and condom use for the past 48 h. The other half were invited to participate (via additional informed consent) in the test for PSA after they had already consented to be questioned and reported on these sexual behaviours. A trained nurse instructed participants to self-swab to collect vaginal fluid specimens, which were tested for PSA using ELISA. Reporting of unprotected sex did not differ between those with advance knowledge of the test for PSA and those without this knowledge (14.3% v 11.4%, respectively; p = 0.27). Surprisingly, more women with advance knowledge (15.8%) had discrepant self reports and PSA results than women without advance knowledge (9.1%); however, the difference was not statistically significant (OR 1.9; 95% CI 0.8 to 4.5). Knowing that one's answers to a questionnaire could be verified with a biological marker of semen exposure did not make respondents more likely to report unprotected sex. (author's)
Challenging oral contraception after weight loss by bariatric surgery.
As surgical weight loss becomes more commonly performed in fertile women, adequate contraception is more frequently becoming an issue. The purpose of this article is to appraise the literature to ascertain whether the use of oral contraception is effective and adequate after bariatric surgery. The literature search revealed that the combination of lower oral contraception dosages and surgical gastrointestinal disturbances might place patients at higher risks of unintended pregnancy. Until clinical trials show its efficacy, physicians should use oral contraception with prudence after bariatric surgery. (author's)
Adolescents need to be aware that there is a method of preventing pregnancy even after an unprotected intercourse. Limited information is available on the awareness of young adolescents and the effects of selling emergency contraception (EC) over-the-counter, and the findings are controversial. The aims of this study were to investigate awareness and use of EC among Finnish girls aged 12-18 years in 1999-2003, and to assess the effect of the 2002 nonprescription status on the use. A self-administered questionnaire was sent to a population-based sample of 12-18-year-olds girls in 1999, 2001, and 2003. Response rate was 83% in 1999 (N=4,369), 79% in 2001 (N=4,024) and 77% in 2003 (N=3,728), altogether N=12,121. Logistic regression model was used to examine the association of unawareness and use of EC with socio-economic background and health behaviour. In 2001, nearly all 14-18-year-olds and a majority of 12-year-olds were aware of EC. Among 12-14-year-olds, a slight increase in awareness between 1999 and 2003 was observed but this was not related to non-prescription status. Health-compromising behavior (alcohol use, smoking), dating and having good school achievement were related to higher awareness of EC. Nine percent of 14-18-year-olds had used EC once and 1% three times or more. No statistically significant change in EC use was found after non-prescription status. EC use increased with increasing alcohol consumption, particularly at age 14. Smoking, dating, and poor school achievement were related to increased use as well as not living in nuclear family. A lower use was observed if living in rural area or father's education was high. Mother's education was not related to use. Adolescent girls were well aware of the existence of emergency contraception even before the non-prescription status. Over-the-counter selling did not increase the use. (author's)
Vulnerability and sexual and reproductive health among Zambian secondary school students.
The present study aimed to explore secondary school students' needs in relation to sexual and reproductive health in order to inform efforts to improve the quality of health services available to young people. The study involved data collection from 716 11-22-year-old students in four secondary schools in an urban area in Zambia. Students completed a questionnaire and were invited to write down any inquiries they had regarding sexuality and reproduction. Findings revealed that boys and girls lack adequate information about human reproduction and STIs, including HIV. To avoid misconceptions and myths, they also need clear information on contraceptives and masturbation. Responses indicate that young people would welcome guidance and support related to contraception, pregnancy, abortion and STIs/HIV, but also on love and relationships. Culture, religion and gender are important factors influencing sexuality and sexual abuse. These issues need to be taken into consideration when developing youth-friendly programmes for young people. (author's)
Passionate uprisings: young people, sexuality and politics in post-revolutionary Iran.
This paper examines the sexual and social practices of young people in contemporary Iran. Young people in urban areas live under the rubric of a fundamentalist, Islamist regime which restricts social freedoms such as premarital heterosexual contact, homosexual encounters, dancing, alcohol consumption and large group gatherings. Drawing on close focus research and individual and group inteviews, this paper seeks to analyse young people's responses to these constraints. Findings suggest that many young adults use their 'rebellious' social behaviour to make political statements against a regime that dissatisfies them; saying, in their own words, that they are enacting and bringing about a 'sexual revolution'. (author's)
This paper explores how contradictory social structures influence power relations between "Vietnamese brides" and their Taiwanese family members. By analyzing two aspects of interaction between "Vietnamese brides" and their husbands' families, i.e. , how the families require them to integrate into Taiwanese society and what strategies they employ to escape from these constraints, we argue that contradictory social relations together with commodified marriage and liminality help them to develop strategies of escape into the "hidden space." The development of these strategies indicates one thing: hegemony is never fully achieved - it is always negotiated and contested. (author's)
A Bayesian multinomial model to analyse spatial patterns of childhood co-morbidity in Malawi.
Children in less developed countries die from relatively small number of infectious disease, some of which epidemiologically overlap. Using self-reported illness data from the 2000 Malawi Demographic and Health Survey, we applied a random effects multinomial model to assess risk factors of childhood co-morbidity of fever, diarrhoea and pneumonia, and quantify area-specific spatial effects. The spatial structure was modelled using the conditional autoregressive prior. Various models were fitted and compared using deviance information criterion. Inference was Bayesian and was based on Markov Chain Monte Carlo simulation techniques. We found spatial variation in childhood co-morbidity and determinants of each outcome category differed. Specifically, risk factors associated with child co-morbidity included age of the child, place of residence, undernutrition, bednet use and Vitamin A. Higher residual risk levels were identified in the central and southern-eastern regions, particularly for fever, diarrhoea and pneumonia; fever and pneumonia; and fever and diarrhoea combinations. This linkage between childhood health and geographical location warrants further research to assess local causes of these clusters. More generally, although each disease has its own mechanism, overlapping risk factors suggest that integrated disease control approach may be cost-effective and should be employed. (author's)
'Isto foi sempre assim': The politics of land and human mobility in Chimanimani, central Mozambique.
Based on recent field-work inside the Trans-Frontier Conservation Area (TFCA) of Chimanimani in Sussundenga District, Mozambique, this article tries to make sense of apparently contradictory dynamics in two rural communities of the northern Mozambican side of the TFCA. On the one hand, African traditional authorities are favouring immigration in the territories under their influence, while, on the other, the same authorities are agreeing with their communities to adopt controls on people's identity and movements of the kind reminiscent of colonial passes or Frelimo's guias de marcha. The article interprets this contradiction by placing current social processes in a historical perspective and by examining the impact of recent government reforms, particularly decentralisation, a new land law and new approaches to natural resource management. The article argues that in the context of the opportunities and challenges introduced by these policies, particularly traditional authorities' responsibilities for tax collection and notions of territorially bounded rural community, Chimanimani traditional authorities are making use of old and new instruments - community borders and guias - to preserve particular individual and group interests. (author's)
[Sexualities and HIV / AIDS vulnerability in China, an anthropological perspective]
Using an anthropological approach, sexuality is studied as a social object, and this idea which is pluralist and wide-ranging, depending location, plays the role of a heuristic in 'contextualised' studies on sexuality during a period when AIDS is spreading worldwide. The HIV/AIDS epidemic, which is recognised as one of the most pressing public health problems globally, and in particular in developing countries, and as a 'social' disease because of the implications and representations associated with it, has stimulated, or caused to be developed, studies on sexuality despite the risk that these studies will be used as a mere tool for epidemiology - which should be assessed in each context - and despite the risk associated with implicit moralisation of sexuality in terms of attempts by the scientific community to establish standards and thresholds of legitimacy for sexuality. The way the epidemic is treated in society is closely linked with medical care for it, and has facilitated recognition of thediversity of 'sexual cultures' which take shape in an open and dynamic context of affective, social, political and economic interactions and relationships. Following an introduction which provides pointers to the theory, methodology and Chinese context, the following are examined: 1) sexual transmission of HIV and the epidemic dynamic; 2) its situation within society and the position of sexual minorities; 3) the development of studies on sexuality. Discussion of such themes contributes to documentation, in a specific social context, the social phenomena of sexual commerce in the same way as emergence and recognition of groups of minority sexual orientation, and of their rights, although these rights are still timidly granted in a limited context, and the way in which these groups negotiate with other participants in traditional normative structures (the family) or official structures. Finally, we should note that, in the context of prevention and care of HIV/AIDS in China, the idea of 'sexual health' acts asa heuristic for studies of sexuality, which recently have been produced in ever-greater numbers and on increasingly diverse subjects, and in defending social and individual rights. (author's)
[Diarrhoea-causing agents in children aged less than five in Tunja, Colombia]
The objectives were determining the prevalence and type of infectious ADD-causing agents in a sample of children aged less than five who consulted the IPS in Tunja during 2004. A cross-sectional study was designed. Data was obtained by surveying 129 children younger than 5 suffering from ADD. Samples of faeces were obtained following outpatient consultation at San Rafael Hospital and SaludCoop's clinic in Tunja. Rotavirus was found in 48.1 % of cases, Shigella in 0.8 %, E. coli in 13.9 %, Campylobacter in 2.3 %, Giardia lamblia in 12.4 % and E. hitolytica in 7 %. The causative agent could not be identified in 15.5 % of cases. The statistical association grew with age for Rotavirus (p<0.01), E. coli (p<0.05) and campylobacter (p<0.001). Rotavirus is the major causative agent of ADD in children younger than one year and, generally, in children aged less than five. The prevalence found was similar to data reported in studies carried out in Facatatativá, Bogotá, Santander, Manizales and the Chocó in Colombia and studies carried out in Venezuela, Peru and Mexico. (author's)
[Cervical cytology in Soacha, Colombia: social representation, barriers and motivation]
A social representation of the Pap smear is given in this article, as are the barriers against it and the motivation for practicing it, aimed at adjusting preventative health services in a particular Colombian town. A phenomenological, qualitative study was carried out, using focal groups and workshops for validating the results. A theoretical sample was designed to find differences according to age, health system affiliation and dwelling place within the municipality in question. Atlas ti software was used for giving the analysis a narrative interpretation. The Pap smear is associated with infection and pre-cancer and cancer prevention. Cultural barriers, misinformation being spread by peers, a lack of social networks and the particularly poor quality of Colombian public health services were identified. Attempts to make the Pap smear as objective as possible were found to be satisfactory, even though no logical relationship was found between knowledge of the Pap smear and its practice. Older women have the social representation of risk implicit in an acute infection model. Lack of opportunity for a having a Pap smear appointment and delays in presenting the corresponding report have a negative impact on cancer control. (author's)
[Breast cancer in the Pedro Claver hospital in Bogota, 2004]
The objective was reviewing new cases of breast cancer attending Clinica San Pedro Claver, Bogotá, Colombia, during 2004. Patients were recruited from the meeting offered by the service which all new breast cancer patients attend. Hospitalised patients, outpatients, clinical meetings, consulting rooms, operating room schedules and pathology reports were consulted to ensure that a true crosssection was included. The information was recorded in an Excel file and analysed using EPIINFO software. Breast cancer was diagnosed in 220 patients. Average age was 59; 18 % were aged less than 40. Infiltrative ductal cancer (84,1 %) was the most frequently found histological type. Distribution by stage showed that most patients presented stage 0 to stage II (62.7 %). Tumours measured 2 or more centimetres in 78 % of the patients. 83 % of the patients had surgery and 60 % chemotherapy. However, these scores were lower in patients aged more than 69 (58.3 % for surgery and just 13.9 % for chemotherapy, p<0.05). Hormono-therapy was prescribed for 40.9 % of the patients. Breast cancer is the more frequent found carcinoma. Clinica San Pedro Claver's cancer records revealed the personal, clinical and therapeutic characteristics of new female breast cancer patients attending this hospital during 2004. Most patients were in early breast cancer stages; however, detecting a greater number of non-palpable lesions should still be stressed. Treating elderly patients (those older than 69 regarding that found for younger patients) and the quality of procedures, hormonal receptor reports and therapeutic decision should also be evaluated in an attempt to explain the low percentage of hormone treatment currently being used in the hospital. (author's)
[Basic standards for Colombian paternity testing laboratories, 2005]
The Commission for Accreditation and Surveillance of Laboratories Practicing DNA Paternity Tests (created by the Colombian Law 721/2001) set up a sub-commission to review the current basic Colombian standards required for paternity testing laboratories and make specific recommendations re the pertinent technical aspects in Colombia, taking ISO 17025 as current reference. This document contains such recommendations for Colombia. (author's)
The objective was evaluating the frequency of 17 practices being used in managing the main causes of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality in some hospitals in Bogotá between August 2004 and March 2005. A cross-sectional study was carried out. The data related to 3,108 women who gave birth at gestational age greater than 24 weeks. The following percentages were obtained for each variable evaluated: having a perinatal record card (79.4 %), taking iron and folic acid supplement (87.3 %), syphilis screening (69.5 %), bacteriuria screening (69,7 %), constant accompaniment during giving birth (42.0 %), not taking enemas (99.4 %), not shaving the perinea (93.0 %), selective episiotomy in first-time mothers (56,5 %), adopting a squatting or seated position when giving birth (7.9 %), active management of birth in gestation greater than 41 weeks (14.7 %), active management of birth (73.5 %), administering prophylactic antibiotics during a caesarean birth (61.2 %), treating severe pre-eclampsia (76.5 %) and eclampsia (20.0 %) with magnesium sulphate, administering corticoids for inducing foetal maturation in mothers having a high risk of predetermined birth (51.6 %), exclusive maternal lactation, having no restrictions (99.1 %) and joint mother-newborn accommodation (91.2 %). Effective methodologies are required for guaranteeing adherence to maternal and perinatal attention regulations and guidelines and those administrative and management decisions facilitating compliance with them. (author's)
[Choice of and preference for home child-birth in Callao, Peru]
The objective was to identify the personal factors and prenatal attention associated with choosing the home for giving birth. The study included 52 cases (fertile women whose last childbirth had been at home) and 208 controls (fertile women residing in the same geographical area). The study was carried out in the Pachacútec micro- network. Analysis was both bivariate and multivariate. The cases' average age was 28 (6.5 SD) and 26 for controls (6.1 SD). Bivariate analysis demonstrated a significant association for different factors but these they were not confirmed when multivariate analysis was applied. The risk factors were the home as foreseen place for childbirth w=34.8 (p=0,0); OR=31.7 (CI=10.1;99.8) and prenatal attention supplier w=7.0 (p=0.0); OR=0.1 (CI=0.0;0.5). The home as foreseen place for childbirth and prenatal attention supplier were the factors which were highly associated with home childbirth. (author's)
[Use and determinants of Pap smear in a rural Colombian municipality 1998-1999]
The objectives were to determine the prevalence of Pap smear use and identifying the factors associated with Pap test performance. A cross-sectional study was carried out on volunteer women recruited from a local programme for detecting cervical cancer in Mogotes, Colombia. Prevalence ratios (PR) were calculated. Papanicolau smear use was the outcome being measured. Information about demographic characteristics, clinical factors, history of cancer in the family, lifestyle factors and using birth control methods was collected. Pap smear use prevalence was 67.3 %. Age group, using birth control methods (PR:1.4; 95 % CI:1.2-1.7) and living in rural settings (PR:0.9; 95 % CI:0.8-1.0) were the factors associated with Pap test performance. This data suggests that living in rural settings is associated with decreased opportunities for performing Pap tests. (author's)
[Domestic violence against Mexican teenagers]
The objective was to assess students' perception of domestic violence. The study was carried out in a random sample representative (n=5,982) of high-school students aged between 13 and 19 years in Chiapas and San Luis Potosi, Mexico, in 2003. The students answered a self-administered questionnaire on sexual education, sexuality, pregnancy and risk behavior, and domestic violence. Considering the effects of the sample design, a logistic regression analysis was carried out in order to verify the association between socioeconomic and demographic characteristics and risk of domestic violence. The multivariate statistical analysis confirmed that female students are more vulnerable to domestic violence in both states studied (Chiapas: OR=1.87, p=0.01; San Luis: OR=1.53, p=0.00). Moreover, alcohol (Chiapas: OR=2.52, p=0.00; San Luis: OR=1.93, p=0.00) or drug use (Chiapas: OR=2.27, p=0.02; San Luis: OR=1.82, p=0.01) were the two most significant variables for students exposure to domestic violence. The association between alcohol consumption and student's age increases the risk of violence. The youngest students had 51% (Chiapas) and 73% (San Luis) more risk of experience violence by a relative than older students. Teenagers remain one of the most vulnerable population groups to domestic violence due to their physical, affective, economic and social dependence on other adults. The study was one of the first attempts to measure domestic violence against students. (author's)
[Co-occurrence of physical violence against partners and their children in health services]
The objective was to profile the co-occurrence of physical violence against partners and their children in a population attending a health care service, according to different socioeconomic and demographic characteristics. A cross-sectional study on family violence and pre-term delivery was carried out in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2000. Households of women living with a partner and at least one child (or stepchild) aged less than 18 years were eligible to the study (n=205). Socioeconomic, demographic, and life style variables for the family couple were considered as potential predictors of violence. The outcome variable was assessed at four levels: no physical violence in the household; physical violence against partners, physical violence against at least one child or co-occurrence of both. A multinomial logit model was used for projecting the respective prevalences according to a range of selected descriptors. The risk factors associated to greater risk of the outcome were: maternalage >/=25; partner with less than eight years of schooling; presence of >/=2 children under the age of five in the household; and alcohol/illicit drug abuse by the partner. In households with all those characteristics, the joint projected prevalence of violence against partners and their children was 90.2%, and as much as 60.6% accounted for the co-occurrence of both. In the absence of those factors, estimates were significantly lower (18.9% and 0.2%, respectively). Health providers should not only anticipate a situational gradient, but also be aware there is an increasingly higher risk of violence comprising the whole family group. (author's)
[Maternal knowledge about children's danger signs in acute diarrhoea in an IMCI's frame]
IMCI ( Integrated Management Childhood Illness) is a sort of strategy for childhood attention that aims to reduce mortality by prevalent diseases in population below 5 years old. In acute diarrhoea the IMCI's preventive activities are to promote the maternal knowledge about danger signs, to look for opportune care and to improve oral hydration therapy (ORT). The objectives were to establish maternal knowledge about children's danger signs in acute diarrhoea below 5 years old. To determine hydration practices in acute diarrhoea. A descriptive study was carried out in Hospital del Norte of Popayán, Colombia, first level of attention health centre for establishing mother's knowledge of danger signs in acute diarrhoea. A survey based of an instrument from IMCI to 204 mothers chosen consecutively was applied. Variables measured were: maternal age, sex, child age, region (urban-rural), socioeconomic status, bond to the Colombian Social Security National System, scholarship, number of sons, coexistence with partner, coexistence with child's grandmother. The knowledge variable was determined from a dichotomy way. The mother's knowledge was established if she knew 2 or more danger signs in acute diarrhoea. Only 54% of mothers knew at least 2 danger signs in diarrhoea. Mothers used: Homemade liquids, 49%; commercial ORT, 49%; homemade serum, 23%. The fact of living with the grandmother was independent associated with an increase in maternal knowledge (p < 0.05). Since nearly half of the mothers don't know a danger sign makes necessary an educational intervention in acute diarrhoea and to divulge IMCI's recommendations. In this intervention grandmothers must be included. (author's)
To assess the relationship between maternal body mass index (BMI) at early gestation and the newborns' anthropometry, 105 mother-infant dyads from a public Maternity Hospital in Valencia Venezuela, were studied during 1998-2000. Weight and height of adult women between 10 and 15 weeks of gestation were used to calculate BMI according to Atalah's reference (Low weight, Normal, Over weight). Term newborns were assessed using gestational age calculated according to the Capurro method. Their weight, height, and head circumference were recorded, and were characterized using a Venezuelan reference. Newborns whose birth weight (BW) was £ 10th percentile were considered "small for gestational age" (SGA), and those with BW³ 90th percentile as "large for gestational age" (LGA). One-way ANOVA and Tukey's Post Hoc test were used for group comparisons. There were 41.9% of "low weight" mothers, and 13.4% of SGA newborns. There were differences in the newborns' weight and height according to "Low weight" maternal BMI with "Normal" and "Over weight" maternal BMI (p<0.05). A high prevalence of nutritional deficit was observed from the beginning of the gestational period, as well as a relationship between maternal BMI and the newborn's anthropometry. (author's)
[Assessment of 24 years of infant growth monitoring in a rural area of Senegal (1969-1992)]
Undernutrition in young children in developing countries is associated with an increased risk of death. But in several studies, a decrease in mortality was not associated with any decrease in the prevalence of undernutrition. A rural population of Casamance (Senegal) has been under yearly demographic surveillance by The French National Institute of Demographic Studies (INED) since 1985. Between 1960-1964 and 1990-1994, under-5 and child (1-4 years) mortality rates dropped from 312 to 127 and from 201 to 68 per 1,000, respectively. Since 1961, French Catholic nuns who are also professional nurses have been in charge of a private village dispensary located in a rural area of Casamance. This dispensary delivers permanent, high quality service and is widely attended. Growth monitoring programme: A growth-monitoring programme, supported by Cathwell, was initiated in 1969 for 0-5-year-old children (0-3 from 1985). Children were weighed wearing light clothes to the nearest 10g. Weights were recorded in aregister that also contained information concerning identity (name, sex, date of birth) and address. All weights were plotted on growth charts kept by the mothers. During the sessions, the nurses provided nutrition education messages (i.e., preparation of high-energy and nutrient-dense infant gruels using local foods), advice on illness management (oral rehydration during diarrhoea) and hygiene (well and water-jar disinfection, construction of pit-latrines), importance of vaccination. From 1975, they also distributed free chloroquine during the malaria transmission season (May-November) for prevention and early presumptive treatment. Most likely thanks to this programme, infant and child mortality reached a low level at the end of the 1980s. In 1990, plasmodium resistance to chloroquine appeared, increasing malaria mortality. Methods: All weight measurements taken in 1969-1994 were entered into a database. This paper presents an analysis of weight measurements taken at 3-23 months of age from 1969-1992. A total of 4,636 infants were weighed at least once, but only 3,912 infants (1,983 boys and 1,929 girls) were available for the analysis, 724 being excluded due to missing data. The average coverage of the programme during the month of February was 88% for infants aged 3-23 months. Mean weight was examined at three target ages: 5, 11 and 15 months. Not only did the nutritional status not improve between 1969 and 1989, it even deteriorated in some years for all three age-cohorts. The nutritional status of infants in this community did not differ significantly from that of 12-23 month-old Senegalese children in the 1992-1993 Demographic and Health Survey (DHS). Seasonal differences in mean weight and the prevalence of underweight became significant in the rainy season since 1975. Underweight for the 15-month-old children increased over time during the rainy season. These findings were unexpected, since malaria morbidity is thought to be at least partially responsible for seasonal variations in the nutritional statusof young children, and despite the fact that the nurses began a malaria control programme in 1975. The rapid transition towards lower childhood mortality observed in this rural area of Casamance (Senegal), was not concomitant with any improvement in infants' nutritional status from 1969 through 1992. Focused public health interventions such as vaccinations and malaria prevention probably did not improve the nutritional status. Paradoxically, growth monitoring may have been more helpful in improving health than growth. Targeted specific nutritional interventions are needed to significantly improve growth of children in this community. (author's)
[Postpartum anxiety: prevalence and risk factors]
Postpartum anxiety (PPA) is highly prevalent and has important consequences on mother and newborn. The aim of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of PPA and its risk factors, in a sample of women attending a private setting. A cross-sectional study was performed with 299 women, at a routine gynecological visit, from August 2000 to May 2003. The Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAIT) and a questionnaire with sociodemographic data and obstetric data were used. Inclusion criteria were: women with no past or present history of depression, psychiatric treatment, alcohol or drug abuse and whose children were alive. The prevalences of PPA-trace and PPA-state, that evaluate characteristics of personality and transitory anxiety, respectively, were estimated with 95% confiance intervals (CI). Odds ratios and 95% CI were used to examine the association between PPA and exposure variables. Hypothesis testing was done by the x/2 test or x/2 test for linear trend, when categories were ordered. A p value < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. The prevalences of PPA-state and PPA-trace were 44.8% (CI 95%: 39.1 - 50.7) and 46.1% (CI 95%: 40.4 - 52.0, respectively). Formal agreement between scales was moderate (kappa = 0.55; p[Sexual violence: Recommended procedures and results of emergency care for women victims of rape]
Gender-based violence is related to the power imbalance between men and women that is present, to a greater or lesser degree, in all societies. It was recognized as a human rights problem by the UN relatively recently. It includes emotional, physical and sexual violence. Sexual violence is the extreme form of gender violence, usually accompanied by the other types of violence. Its prevalence is difficult to determine, but it most probably affects at least one third of women some time in their life. It has multiple consequences to women's physical and gynecological health, which depends in great part on the quality of the care the woman received immediately after the assault. Unfortunately, most emergency health services, including those in women's hospitals, are rarely prepared to provide the correct care for these women. Care should be multidisciplinary and involves crisis treatment, meticulous clinical examination with complementary auxiliary methods, treatment of physical lesions, prevention ofpregnancy and of sexually transmitted infections and AIDS, and follow-up for at least six months after the aggression. (author's)[Maternal and perinatal factors related to fetal macrosomia]
The purpose was to identify maternal and perinatal factors related to neonates with birthweight >/=4,000 g. Cross-section cohort study with 411 consecutive cases of fetal macrosomia (FM) which occurred from March 1998 to March 2005. Data were compared to 7,349 cases of fetal birthweight >/=2,500 and < 3,999 g which occurred in the same period. Maternal variables (maternal age, parity, diabetes, previous cesarean section, meconium-stained amniotic fluid, cephalopelvic disproportion, main cesarean section indications) and perinatal variables (birth injury,<71-min and 5-min Apgar score, fetal and early neonatal mortality range, need of neonatal intensive care unit) were analyzed. For statistical analysis the x/² test with Yates correction and Student's t test were used with the level of significance set at 5%. FM was significantly associated with older mothers, more parous and <71-min Apgar score (p<0.05; OR=1.8; 95% CI: 1,4-2.5) and <75-min Apgar score (p<0,05; OR=2.3; 95% CI: 1.3-4,1), diabetes mellitus (p<0.05; OR=4.2; 95% CI: 2.7-6.4), meconium-stained amniotic fluid (p<0.02; OR=1.3; 95% CI: 1.0-1.7), need of neonatal intensive care unit (p<0,05; OR=2.0; 95% CI: 1.5-2.7), early neonatal mortality (p<0,05; OR= 2.7; 95% CI: 1.0-6.7), cesarean section (p< 0.05; OR= 2.03; 95% CI: 1,6-2,5) and cephalopelvic disproportion (p< 0.05;OR= 2.8; 95% CI: 1.6-4,8). There was nostatistical difference between birth injury and fetal mortality range. In the FM group the main cesarean section indications were repeat cesarean sections (11.9%) and cephalopelvic disproportion (8.6%); in the normal birthweight group, repeat cesareans (8.3%) and fetal distress during labor (3.9%). In spite of the characteristic limitations of a retrospective evaluation, the analysis demonstrated which complications were associated with large fetal size, being useful in obstetric handling of patients with a diagnosis of extreme fetal growth. FM remains an obstetric problem of difficult solution, associated with important maternal and perinatal health problems, due to the significant observed rates of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality in developed and developing countries. (author's)[Breast cancer mammographic screening in public and private health care systems]
The purpose was to evaluate the characteristics of mammography use and the social demographic profile of women accessing public and private health care services. A cross-sectional study was carried out in the city of Taubaté, southeast Brazil. Six-hundred and forty-three women who under went mammographic examinations in the available healthcare services were interviewed, 472 of them in public and 171 in private health services. The social demographic and reproductive profiles of the women interviewed and the characteristics of the mammography use, such as the proportion of the women interviewed who had been previously screened, the age when the screening began, the interval between the screenings and their frequency, were evaluated by means of the Fisher exact, Wilcoxon and x/2 tests. The mean age of the interviewed women was similar in both studied groups. The proportion of women previously screened - 54.2 and 79.5% in public and private services, respectively - as well as the age when the screening began - 46.8 years (SD 10.2%) in public services and 40.2 years (SD 7.7) in private services - differed significantly (p<0.01). Twenty-five percent of women older than 50 years did not follow the adequate standards of periodic screening. The way of accessing health services has influenced the proportion of women previously screened and the age at which this screening began, being more adequate in the private health system. Although there was a later start in the public health services, the age when the mammographic screening began was earlier than the current official recommendations. There has been a failure of compliance with mammographic screening in women older than 50 years, in both researched groups. (author's)[Quality of life in breast cancer survivors]
Breast cancer is one of the most common malignancies among women. Its diagnosis and treatment have social, economic, physical, emotional/psychological and sexual repercussions. The main parameters used to assess the results of anticancer therapy are disease-free survival and overall survival. More recently, quality of life (QOL) has been considered an additional parameter. No consensus exists about the definition of QOL. However, most definitions take into account multidimensional and subjective aspects of QOL. The identification of factors related to QOL and comprehension of how these factors contribute to the perception of QOL are reasons for debate, since the concept of QOL is directly related to the social and cultural context in which the individual is inserted. Age at diagnosis, chemotherapy, type of surgery, climacteric symptoms, relationship between the couple, and sexuality are several factors associated with QOL in women with breast cancer. QOL associated with different antineoplastic therapies may help patients and physicians choose the best therapeutic modality. Towards this end, the current article addresses various aspects of QOL of breast cancer women, and presents the state-of-the-art knowledge on the topic. (author's)[Contraceptive methods in the public health service ("Sistema Unico de Saude") in Maringa-PR]
The purpose was to evaluate the contraceptive methods adopted by the public health system of Maringá County, Paraná, regarding the orientations for using them, indications, contraindications and reasons for interrupting these methods, as well as the profile of the female users. Transversal descriptive study, performed through 284 home interviews with women selected from the 62 groups of the Family Health Program, after their free and informed consent, and after the questionnaire had been approved by the Ethics in Research Committee involving human beings of the State University of Maringá (Universidade Estadual de Maringá - UEM). Before applying the questionnaires, they were pretested, focusing on the following sections: characterization of the interviewee, socioeconomical factors and contraceptive methods. Results were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software 12.0 version. Most women were white, married, between 35 and 49 years old, with high school education, working without salary, and from D and E economical classes. Of them, 22.5% were smokers and 4.9% alcohol users. Contraceptive pills were adopted by 50.3% of the women; condom by 28.1% and tubal ligature by 32%, following, in general, the health professional orientation. Reasons for interrupting the contraceptive methods were the wish to get pregnant, preference for a permanent method, and also because of the side effects of the pill. Smoking was the most prevalent risk factor for pill use. Only 35.9% of the interviewed women started using the pill after a previous medical visit, and almost in the same proportion, 33.6%, without visit before starting to use it. It was observed that the indications of the contraceptive method to be used, and the orientations accomplished by the health professionals were satisfactory, despite the high levels of tubal ligature and the detection of relative contraindications for pill users with more than 5 years of use. (author's)[Early placental maturation evaluated by ultrasound and perinatal prognosis]
The purpose was to describe perinatal and obstetric characteristics of pregnant women with ultrasonographic early placental aging. Using a retrospective, descriptive, series of cases, with group comparison, the authors analyzed the data of 146 pregnant women, whose diagnosis of placental early aging (presence of grade II placenta before 32 gestational weeks or grade III, before 35 gestational weeks), and maternal-fetal conditions had been recorded in the medical charts at the "Maternidade Prof. Monteiro de Moraes", Recife, Pernambuco - Brazil, from January 2000 to December 2002, where they had been attended as inpatients. The exclusion criteria were diagnoses of: premature amniorrhexis, multiple pregnancies, acute premature detachment of a normally located placenta, and fetal malformation. The clinical and obstetric complications were: hypertensive diseases, intrauterine growth restriction, changes of amniotic fluid volume, infections, maternal diabetes, falciform anemia, HIV seropositivity, drug addiction, renal lithiasis, epilepsy and bronchial asthma. In the medical records, 106 pregnant women were identified as having clinical and obstetric complications (Gwith group) and 40 as not having any of these complications (Gwithout group). For group comparisons, x/2 and exact Fisher statistical tests were used, with significance level of 0.05. Gwith group was associated with higher incidence of oligoamnion (27.3%), intrauterine growth restriction (44.3%) and caesarean section prior to labor (36.8%). Compared to Gwithout, the Gwith group was characterized by high incidence of: fetal death, prematurity (58.8% versus 40%), lower 5th minute Apgar index, birth weight less than 2.500g (67.9% versus 40%); small body size for gestational age (39.2% versus 10%) and more severe intercurrents events. Perinatal prognosis does not depend upon placental early aging, but on clinical and obstetric maternal complications. (author's)[Prenatal diagnosis and vaginal delivery in osteogenesis imperfecta: a case report]
Osteogenesis imperfecta is a connective tissue disorder due to quantitative and qualitative anomalies in type 1 collagen, genetically transmitted by a dominant or recessive autosomal gene, leading to bone fragility. We report a case of a 19-year old G1PO patient referred to our institution following a screening ultrasound that demonstrated short limb fetal extremities. A level 3 scan was performed which evidenced an irregular cranial shape and compression of the cephalic pole with moderate transducer pressure. Limb shortening, decreased echoes and fractures of long bones were found on our scan evaluation. A vaginal delivery occurred at 35 weeks of gestation. The male newborn, weighing 1.990 grams had 6 and 8 in Apgar scores. The neonate was clearly abnormal, presenting irregular cranial shape, with poor ossification on X-ray, blue sclera, fractures and limb deformities. Postnatal evaluation was satisfactory and the neonate was discharged in good conditions. Prenatal diagnosis is important for an adequate pregnancy follow-up. Postnatal outcome was not related to vaginal delivery, as there were no recent fractures in the newborn. (author's)[Low educational level as a limiting factor in the fight against anemia in pregnant women]
The purpose was to evaluate the impact of supplementary ferrous sulfate and dietary counseling on hemoglobin levels in pregnant women. A total of 197 pregnant women were evaluated during antenatal care at a health center. The treatment group consisted of 105 women who were prescribed 60 mg dietary iron per day, received dietary counseling and had hemoglobin measured by a portable photometer between the 14th and 20th week of pregnancy. The treatment group was reevaluated according to hemoglobin levels and food intake by a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire after the 34th week of pregnancy. The control group consisted of 92 women in a cross-sectional study, at no less than 34 weeks of pregnancy. Hemoglobin was analyzed by a portable photometer and anemia was defined concentrations of less than 11 g/dL. All pregnant women had their weight and height measured. Hierarchical logistic regression model was developed for the multivariate analysis. Prevalence of anemia at the end of the third trimester was 31.6% in the treatment group and 26.1% in the control group (p=0.43). Use of the prescribed supplement was reported by 65% of women in the treatment group, of which 67.7% interrupted the treatment at some point. Principal reasons for interrupting treatment were forgetting (43.2%) and nausea or vomiting (27.2%). Risk of anemia in the third trimester was three times higher in women with less than 8 years of schooling. Use of ferrous sulfate was not shown to be associated with lower prevalence of anemia. The results suggest that structural changes in socioeconomic conditions are needed in order to alter the current situation regarding iron deficiency anemia. (author's)[Beneficial interventions for maternal mortality prevention in the prenatal period]
Maternal mortality rate (MM) is a health quality indicator that is directly influenced by the economic, cultural and technological level of a country. Official data of MM in Brazil, although underestimated, point to the lack of quality in pregnancy, childbirth and puerperium care services. This characteristic is common in developing countries, where poorer pregnant women as well as those facing greater difficulty to quality care access are found. Prenatal care cannot prevent major childbirth complications, which are important causes of MM; however, some interventions during the prenatal period can favor maternal prognosis and prevent MM. In this setting, this study brings a scientifically based update concerning effective interventions for maternal mortality prevention during the prenatal period. The most important strategies consist of a tripod with specific interventions related to maternal health promotion, risk prevention and assurance of nutritional support during gestation, in addition to criteria to investigate gestational risk and inclusion of the pregnant woman in the basic component of the prenatal care model. It ends with the definition of priorities in the prevention of MM related to eclampsia/preeclampsia and reinforces the importance of normalization of reference systems for obstetric emergency cases. (author's)[Maternal factors and perinatal results in placental abruption: a comparative study of two periods]
The purpose was to compare the maternal factors, clinical aspects and perinatal results in placental abruption during two periods. Retrospective analysis of placental abruption cases that occurred from January 1, 1994 through December 31, 1997 (period 94-97), and from April 4, 2001 through March 3, 2005 (period 01-05), in singleton delivery with birthweight higher than 500 g and after 20 weeks of gestation. The following factors were analyzed: maternal age, previous obstetric history, prenatal care, premature rupture of membranes, obstetric and/or clinical intercurrent events, vaginal bleeding, uterine tonus, fetal anomaly, mode of delivery, hemoamnion and maternal complication (hysterectomy, uterine atony, disseminated intravascular coagulation, acute renal failure, and maternal death), and the perinatal results. The rate of placental abruption was 0.78% (60 cases) in the period 94-97 (n=7692 deliveries), and 0.59% (51 cases) in the period 01-05 (n=8644 deliveries), without significant difference. A significant difference was observed between the periods 94-97 and 01-05 regarding mean number of previous gestations (3.5±2.4 and 2.6±1.8, p=0.04), patients without prenatal care (13.3 and 2.0%, p=0.03) and maternal intercurrences (38.3 and 64.7%, p=0.01). No significant difference was observed related to vaginal bleeding, tonus abnormalities and perinatal results, between the periods, but a higher proportion of hemoamnion in 94-97 was found when compared to 01-05 (28.3 and 11.8%, p=0.03). In spite of obstetrical advances, maternal complications and perinatal results were similar in the analyzed periods. The severity and the unexpected results emphasize the importance of prevention and adequate control of associated factors, when this pathology is approached. (author's)The purpose was to evaluate association between CD4+ cell count and cervical intraepithelial lesion severity in HIV-infected women. Cross-sectional study of 87 HIV-infected patients which were confirmed by previous serologic examinations. All had cervical HPV diagnosed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). All patients underwent anamnesis, physical examinations and colposcopy. Cervix biopsy was performed when indicated by colposcopical examination. Histopathological results followed Richart's classification, adapted by Wright, and CD4+ cell count and cervical intraepithelial lesion severity association was analysed by comparison of means using analysis using analysis of variance (ANOVA).Among 60 biopsied women 24 were found (40.0%) with CIN I, eight (13.3%) with CIN II, three (5%) with CIN III, 14 (23.3%) with chronic cervicitis and 11 with cytopathic effect of HPV, without cell polarity loss. This corresponds to 35 (58.3%) women with intraepithelial lesion of low grade (CIN I + HPV) and 11 (18.3%) with intraepithelial lesion of high grade (CIN II + CIN III). There was no significant association between CD4+ cell count mean and cervical intraepithelial lesion severity (p=0.901).There was no association between CD4+ cell count and cervical intraepithelial lesion severity diagnosed by histopathological examination. (author's)[Stress and anxiety in infertile women]
The purpose was to assess the frequency of stress and anxiety levels in infertile women, in order to obtain data for specific psychological intervention. A cross-sectional study involving 152 infertile (mean age 30.3±5.4 years), and 150 healthy control women (25.7±7.9 years). All patients were evaluated with the Lipp's Inventory of Stress Symptoms and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Considered dependent variables were: stress frequency and anxiety scores (state and trait). Statistical analysis was performed by the 2 and Mann-Whitney tests, and logistical regression to test associations between response variables and considered risk factors. Statistical significance was defined as p<0.05. The stress was more frequent in the infertile group than in the control group (61.8 and 36.0%, respectively); however, no significant differences were observed between groups in relation to stress phases and predominant symptoms. With respect to anxiety, there were no significant differences between infertile and control groups as to median state scores (39.5 and 41.0, respectively) and anxiety trait scores (44.0 and 42.0, respectively). Factors significantly associated with greater risk for high anxiety scores in the infertile group were: unawareness of the causal factor, diagnostic phase investigation, and lack of children from other marriages. It can be concluded that infertile women are more vulnerable to stress; however, they are capable of adapting themselves to stressful events without serious physical or psychological compromise. (author's)The purpose was to compare the uterine cervix measurements and funneling obtained by two- and three-dimensional transvaginal sonography during pregnancy. A prospective, descriptive study, with group comparison, was carried out between April 2004 and February 2005 in 74 pregnant women, who were between the 19th and 24th week of pregnancy, regardless of risk factors for premature delivery. The ultrasound examination of the cervix was carried out only once in the same patient and by only one observer. The measurements of the cervix by two-dimensional ultrasound were made at the time of the test and by three-dimensional ultrasound at intervals of 7 to 15 days after the two-dimensional ultrasound. The measurements of cervical length, funnel width and length were taken by two-dimensional ultrasound in the sagittal plane and by three-dimensional in the sagittal plane as well as in coronal plane. There was no significant difference between the averages of the measurements of the cervix obtained by two- and three-dimensional ultrasound in the sagittal plane (p=0.23); however, there was a difference in the averages of the measurements of the cervix obtained by two-dimensional ultrasound in sagittal plane and three-dimensional ultrasound in the coronal plane (p=0.009) and between three-dimensional ultrasound in the sagittal and coronal planes (p=0.001). The kappa test (0.86) showed no superiority of either the two-dimensional and three-dimensional ultrasound in the visualization of the cervical funnel. No statistically significant difference was observed between the methods when the average of the measurements of funneling was compared (p>0.05). There were differences between two-dimensional and three-dimensional ultrasound of cervical length, only using the coronal plane of the three-dimensional ultrasound. (author's)[Comparative study of female surgery contraception access: microlaparoscopy versus minilaparotomy]
The purpose was to compare in a retrospective way, 51 women who underwent tubal ligation, 30 through microlaparoascopy (Gmicrol) and 21 through minilaparotomy (Gminil). The analyzed parameters were: total time for accomplishment of the procedure and the surgical technique, time of hospital stay and return to the habitual activities after the surgery, postoperative pain, morbidity, satisfaction degree and esthetic effect, considering values of p < 0.05 as significant, and also standard cost. Gmicrol took less time to accomplish the surgery than the Gminil (43 against 57 minutes respectively, p < 0.05), less time to accomplish the surgical technique (6.48 against 30.32 minutes respectively, p < 0.05), and lower hospital stay (9,90 hours as against 41,7 hours respectively, p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding time to return to the habitual activities after surgery. To evaluate postoperative pain, a scale of 0-10 it was applied. Gmicrol present a lower pain score on the 1st and 2nd postoperative days (1.13 and 0.26 to Gmicrol and 4.52 and 1.14 to Gminil, respectively, p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between immediate postoperative the most common complaint being pain at the site of pain and that on the 3rd postoperative day. Gminil presented a higher morbidity rate incision. To evaluate the satisfaction degree and esthetic effect, numeric values were attributed to as good, regular, poor and very bad as answered by the patiets. Gmicrol presented a higher satisfaction degree (p < 0.05) and better esthetic effect as compared to Gminil (p < 0.05). The microlaparoscopy standard cost was R$ 109.30 being lower than that of minilaparotomy. Tubal ligation by microlaparoscopy, under local anesthesia and conscious sedation presented some advantages compared to minilaparotomy. (author's)The purpose was to describe, in participants of the Brazilian Study of Gestational Diabetes (EBDG), the percentile distribution of uterine height by gestational age and to validate the use of percentiles of the chart derived by the "Centro Latino-Americano de Perinatologia" (CLAP), used as reference in predicting abnormal fetal growth. The EBDG is a cohort study of 5564 pregnant women older than 19 years, followed through and after delivery. Interviews and standardized anthropometry were performed at baseline between 20-28 weeks. Medical records covering prenatal and delivery periods were then reviewed following a standardized approach. Analyses pertain to 3539 women with gestational age confirmed by ultrasound. Diagnostic properties of the 10th and the 90th percentiles of both charts (EBDG and CLAP) as predictors of abnormal neonatal weight were determined. Uterine height was higher in EBDG than in the CLAP chart at every gestational week, being 1-4 and 2-6 cm greater, at the 10th and 90th percentiles respectively. The CLAP 10th percentile classified as small the uterine heights of only 0.3 to 1.7% of Brazilian women, while the 90th percentile classified as large the uterine heights of 42 to 57% of the sample. The sensitivity of CLAP percentile 10 in the prediction of small for gestational age varied from 0.8 to 6% and the specificity of CLAP percentile 90 in the prediction of large for gestational age, from 46 to 61%. The CLAP uterine height reference chart does not reflect the current uterine growth pattern of pregnant Brazilians, limiting its clinical applicability in the detection of abnormal fetal growth, especially intrauterine growth restriction. (author's)[Should semen analysis be requested for men with a history of previous fertility?]
The purpose was to determine if the previous fertility history can predict current fertility status of a patient examined for couple's infertility. Retrospective study involving semen analyses from 183 consecutive subfertile patients evaluated from September 2002 to March 2004. We excluded those patients who had undergone radio or chemotherapy, orchiectomy or vasectomy. Mean values of all analyses were used for patients with multiple semen analysis. Patients with more than 20x10/6 sperm/mL, motility higher than 50% and with normal strict sperm morphology higher than 14% were considered normal. Patients were divided into two groups, according to the fertility status: primary infertility (118 patients) and secondary infertility (65 patients). Data were analyzed according to the x/2 test and the Student t-test. No differences were detected in the mean age between patients with primary infertility, 37.3 ± 6.3, and secondary infertility, 38.1 ± 5.9; p=0.08. In the group of patients with primary infertility, 51.9% (61 patients) had a normal sperm concentration, 70.3% (83 patients) had normal sperm motility and 26.3% (31 patients) had normal sperm morphology. In the group of patients with secondary infertility, 53.8% (35 patients) had normal sperm concentration, 75.4% (49 patients) had normal sperm motility and 32.3% (21 patients) had normal sperm morphology. No significant differences were detected in sperm concentration (21.3x10/6/ml versus 23.1x10/6/mL; p=0.07), motility (45.2 versus 48.1%; p=0.08) and morphology (6.1 versus 6.4%; p=0.09) between groups of patients with primary and secondary infertility. Semen analysis should be requested even in cases of prior male fertility. Physicians should not presume a patient to have a normal semen analysis based on his previous history of initiating a pregnancy. (author's)[Hormonal contraception and antiretroviral therapy among HIV-infected women]
There is much controversy regarding the relationship between the use of hormonal contraceptives and the risk of acquiring Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and little is known about the effects of hormonal contraception in HIV-infected women (adverse events, menstrual disorders, disease progression, antiretroviral therapy interactions). The aim of the present study was to review available data regarding HIV vulnerability and transmission associated with hormonal contraceptives and the use of these contraceptives by women on antiretroviral therapy, with emphasis on drug interactions. In conclusion, it was not possible to offer evidence-based recommendations for the use of hormonal contraceptives among HIV-infected women under antiretroviral therapy. Infectious disease specialists and gynecologists providing care should be cautious about potential drug interaction leading to increase in adverse events, individualizing contraceptive drugs, route, and dosage, according to the antiretroviral therapy under use. (author's)[Management of chronic pelvic pain in women]
Chronic pelvic pain is a debilitating and highly prevalent disease with a major impact on quality of life and work productivity, beyond significant costs to health services. The dilemma of managing patients with chronic pelvic pain continues to frustrate physicians confronted with these complaints, in part because its pathophysiology is poorly understood. Consequently, its treatment is often unsatisfactory and limited to temporary symptom relief. In the present revision, we discuss the adequate management of chronic pelvic pain. We point out that a comprehensive medical history and physical examination should include special attention to gastrointestinal, urological, gynecological, muscle-skeletal, neurological, psychiatric, and endocrine systems. Thus, a multidisciplinary approach is recommended. Additionally, we emphasize that, although useful, specific surgical procedures, such as laparoscopy, should be indicated only to selected patients, mainly after excluding irritable bowel syndrome and pain of myofascial origin. (author's)[Growth of full term low and adequate birth weight infants during the first two years of life]
The objective was to assess the growth pattern of full term low and adequate birth weight infants during the first two years of life and to identify the determinants at the time of the greatest growth deceleration. A prospective cohort study was conducted with 148 full term infants in five small towns of the state of Pernambuco, Northeastern Brazil. Newborns were recruited from maternities between January 1993 and January 1994 and their anthropometric measurements were taken at one, two, four, six, 12 and 24 months of life. Risk factors were analyzed using multivariable linear regression. The increment of mean weight-for-age and length-for-age were more evident for low birth weight when compared with adequate weight infants, especially during the first two months after birth. From this point onward it was observed a progressive mean growth deceleration in both indexes up to 12 months of life. All infants had similar weight and length growth patterns. However, adequate birth weight infants remainedin an upper level. Socioeconomic variables explained 23% of variation for weight-for-age, followed by 4% for birth weight. Socioeconomic condition was also the factor mostly affecting length-for-age, explaining 28% of its variation, followed by birth weight, maternal height and diarrhea. The study results suggest that interventions aiming to adequate growth should focus on prenatal care and social and environmental factors during childhood as a way of ensuring full expression of the genetic potential of this population. (author's)[Low birth weight in Maniema (Democratic Republic of Congo)]
This study sought to examine birth outcomes in the general population in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Specifically we wanted to see if the proportion of low birth-weight infants (<2,500g), including preterm infants, differed from that of most developing countries in view of the political disturbances in DRC over the past eight years. We studied birth weight in two maternity units in the province of Maniema from November 2003 to October 2004: there were 938 births, 450 at Kama and 488 at Kipaka. The rate of low birth weight (LBW) (<2,500g) infants was 164 per 1,000 live births at Kama and 270 per 1,000 live births at Kipaka. This rate was higher at Kipaka than at Kama, probably because commerce has improved living conditions at Kama (x/2=16.79, p<0.001). The study also confirmed the importance of maternal age, especially the 14-17 year age group, in low birth weight (including preterm births). The relative risk associated with this age group was 2.2 at Kama (95% CI: 1.3-3.7) and 1.5 at Kipaka (95% CI: 1.1-2.1). These results suggest that low birth weight (including preterm birth) remains a public heath problem in DRC, as in other developing countries. They also confirm that very young mothers are most likely to have low birth-weight infants and they stress the importance of resources for preventing preterm birth and improving care of low birth-weight infants, born before or at term. (author's)[Vasovasostomy: our experience]
From August 1997 to December 2004 we performed 47 vasovasostomies for vasectomy reversal in the same number of patients. Only 42 patients are available for follow-up, with a mean follow-up of at least six months. Mean age is 40.7 years for the patients and 30.8 for the couples. The two-layer technique was applied under microscope magnification in the first 22 patients; single layer technique was performed in the others. Overall spermatozoid patency rate was 71.42%, and pregnancy rate was 32.45%. Surgical technique did not have influence on results. Better prognosis is expected in young men; the longer the interval between vasectomy and reversal, the lower the patency rate. Regarding pregnancy rate, it is not influenced by delay of reversal. (author's)[Knowledge about contraceptives in a population 15 years or older in a southern Brazilian city]
In Brazil, prevalence of contraceptive use is high, but incorrect and inappropriate use is frequent, suggesting limited knowledge about methods. This study thus evaluated the knowledge about the most widely used contraceptive methods, measured through a score (0-10) and related factors. A population-based cross-sectional study was performed, with 3,542 subjects ages 15 or older, residing in the urban area of Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul State. The mean overall knowledge score was 4.65 (sd = 2.07): 5.02 (sd = 2.10) for women and 4.18 (sd = 1.92) for men. Lower age, higher schooling, a report of unwanted pregnancy, and any lifetime use of contraceptive methods (exclusive or combined) were associated with higher knowledge scores among men, while for women, the determinants of higher knowledge were higher age, living with a partner, higher schooling, higher socioeconomic status, not reporting a religion, and any lifetime use of contraceptive methods (exclusive or combined). Despite high prevalence of any lifetime contraceptive use (75.3%), knowledge is still limited about the most widely used methods, as well as about the menstrual cycle and fertile period. (author's)[Ethical conflicts in health care for adolescents]
The goal of this research was to identify ethically conflicting situations experienced by health professionals during health appointments with adolescents in order to create a protocol for action to help professionals make decisions and to protect the clients. The study used an observational cross-sectional method through interviews with health professionals at the Center for Studies on Adolescent Health, Rio de Janeiro State University, to obtain data from cases involving bioethical, ethical, and legal conflicts. Seventy-four professionals reported 149 cases, in which there were 250 conflicts identified through posterior qualitative analysis. The conflicts were interconnected, but for didactic reasons they were mentioned here separately. They included: secrecy and confidentiality, illicit activities, violence, contraception in girls less than 15 years of age, negligence, autonomy, and recording of confidential information on patient medical records. We conclude that there are constant ethical conflicts during health appointments with adolescents, and that bioethics is a useful instrument for solving them. It is also essential to be familiar with the prevailing legislation, to consult pertinent organizations, and to evaluate situations individually. (author's)[Prevalence of physical inactivity in adult women in Sao Leopoldo, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil]
The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of physical inactivity and associated factors in adult women (20-60 years) in São Leopoldo, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. A cross-sectional population-based study was carried out in 40 census tracts of the city. Physical inactivity was defined as no leisure-time physical activity or light-intensity activities no more than once a week. Of the 1,026 women interviewed, 380 (37.0%; 95% CI: 34.0-40.0) were classified as inactive. Another 609 (59.3%) reported moderate or vigorous activities less than three times a week. In the crude analysis, physical inactivity was higher among non-white women, those with higher parity, with less schooling, low income, and obese. After adjustment, only the effect of body mass index remained statistically significant. Local and national policies for counseling and environmental improvements are necessary to reverse the high prevalence of physical inactivity observed in the community. (author's)In recent decades the Brazilian population has undergone intense changes in its nutritional conditions, especially with an increase in obesity. According to the National Survey on Health and Nutrition in 1989, 32.0% of adults were overweight. However, distribution of the problem is not homogeneous. The highest prevalence occurs among poor women in the Southeast. Understanding this apparent paradox requires the search for approaches capable of overcoming simplistic interpretations about eating practices. Thus, the objective of this study was to understand obesity combined with poverty, focusing beyond economic determinants on constraints of a cultural and symbolic nature. From this perspective, the study analyzed the daily lives of poor women who used a Municipal Health Center and resided in the Rocinha slum in Rio de Janeiro. The results showed the complexity of the relationship between obesity and poverty. Cultural and material life aspects as well as different concepts of eating and the body proved to be fundamental elements for the analysis of the multiple facets of obesity in Brazil. (author's)A prospective study was undertaken in 1,520 children less than 15 years of age in São José de Ribamar, Maranhão, Brazil, from June 1994 to January 1995, to evaluate the prevalence and characteristics (socioeconomic, environmental, and behavioral) associated with infection by Leishmania chagasi. Montenegro skin test (MST) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISArK39 and CRUDE) test were used to detect infection. The statistical analysis used the 2 test with Yates correction and a p value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Prevalence of infection was 61.7% as measured by MST, 19.4% according to ELISA (rK39), and 19.7% by ELISA (CRUDE). Association was detected between leishmaniasis in the family, water supply, application of insecticide, and infection by L. chagasi using MST. No association with infection by L. chagasi was detected using ELISA rK39 or CRUDE. More effective control measures are needed to reduce prevalence and to detect asymptomatic cases in this high percentage of infected children. (author's)This study investigates the concordance of clinical and demographic data under the Unified National Health System (SUS) in Brazil, comparing authorizations for high-complexity oncological procedures in breast cancer with a random sample of 310 corresponding medical records in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. Concordance was verified using kappa (K), prevalence-adjusted bias-adjusted kappa (PABAK), weighted-kappa (KW), intraclass correlation (ICC), and relative frequency statistics. 95% confidence intervals were estimated, and Landis and Koch criteria were applied for concordance interpretation. Assuming PABAK as the most appropriate statistic for the variables analyzed, we observed a moderate concordance for cancer staging, PABAK = 0.63 (95% CI: 0.56-0.70), and for morphological diagnosis, PABAK = 0.84 (95% CI: 0.72-0.96). For date of birth and date of diagnosis, ICCs were 0.96 (95% CI: 0.95-0.96) and 0.92 (95% CI: 0.90-0.94), respectively. Concordance regarding municipality of residence was 52.9%. The study indicates that, except for municipality of residence, the data concordance comparing authorizations for procedures and patient medical records in Rio de Janeiro allows its application to epidemiological and health services research, as well as for health planning purposes. (author's)The objective was to verify the occurrence of iron deficiency and associated factors in infants. This cross-sectional study included 365 infants (defined here as 6-24 months of age) treated at a primary care center in Belém, Pará, Brazil. Irondeficiency anemia (hemoglobin < 11g/dl and ferritin < 12µg/l) was diagnosed in 55.1% of the sample, depletion of body iron reserves (hemoglobin < 11g/dl and ferritin < 12µg/l) in 15.3%, and iron sufficiency (hemoglobin < 11g/dl and ferritin < 12µg/l) in 18.1%. The results of the logistic regression model showed associations between iron deficiency (ferritin < 12µg/l) and: 6-12 month age group, OR (odds ratio) = 3.67 and 95% CI: 1.93-7.04; non-utilization of iron-fortified formula as the first milk used after interrupting breastfeeding, OR = 1.93 and 95% CI: 1.04-3.60; and per capita income = 1 minimum wage, OR = 2.69 and 95% CI: 1.30-5.59. The occurrence of iron deficiency was high, showing the need to adopt effective measures to prevent this important publichealth problem. (author's)Community surveys are essential to estimate health indicators, evaluate health programs, and define health interventions. In 2002, a cross-sectional survey of children under five was conducted in 18 areas of the poorest counties in North and Northeast Brazil. Nine areas were visited by volunteer community health workers (CHW) under the Children's Mission, and the others were not visited. Using a standard questionnaire, trained interviewers collected information at the household level for 1,528 children, 782 of whom were visited monthly by CHWs and 772 were not. All the children and their families were living below the poverty line; 40.0% of the parents were illiterate, per capita daily income was about US$0.30, and household conditions were substandard. However, most were living less than 1km from a public health service and almost all children who were referred to these services received medical care. Prenatal care was also poor in terms of number of medical visits and laboratory tests. Children visited by CHWs from the Children's Mission received better care in terms of growth monitoring, number of medical check-ups, and prenatal iron supplementation. (author's)This article evaluates a policy for breastfeeding promotion, protection, and support in primary health care units in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, analyzing the assumptions, interventions, and results based on a log-frame model. A systematic review sought to identify effective procedures and strategies for extending breastfeeding duration, constituting the basis for creating "Ten Steps" in the "Breastfeeding-Friendly Primary Care Initiative" launched in Rio de Janeiro State in 1999. A corresponding evaluation method was developed and applied to verify the performance of 24 primary health care units from different parts of the State. A direct association was found between the practical implementation of these steps and prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding, as well as with mothers' satisfaction. An analysis of meanings ascribed by pregnant women and mothers to the support provided for breastfeeding identified five categories: "no support", "doubtful support", "encouragement", "guidance", and "partnership". The evaluation model allowed staff at the health care units to recognize opportunities for improving the program, in order to reverse the current low prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding. (author's)[Knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to the Pap smear among women with cervical cancer]
Despite screening programs, Brazil has a high cervical cancer mortality rate. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to analyze knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to the Pap smear and to understand why women fail to submit to this screening test. A structured questionnaire was used to interview 138 women: 90 with high grade intraepithelial neoplasia and 48 with invasive cervical cancer. Inadequate practices were more frequent among women with invasive cancer. In terms of difficulties in obtaining medical care, more than 80% of women reported lack of motivation, 60% reported that physicians failed to conduct a complete physical examination, and some 50% reported that physicians' schedules were busy. Having a Pap smear usually depended on a physician's request and the woman being symptomatic. Women over than 56 years old showed more frequent inadequate knowledge, attitudes and practices. However, those with more schooling were more knowledgeable of the Pap smear procedure. Age and less schooling could be barriers against women participating in screening programs , but socioeconomic problems must also be considered for improving practices related to the Pap smear. (author's)The objective was to determine the prevalence of lactose malabsorption and its association with skin color and age in children and teenagers attending public schools in Porto Alegre, Brazil. A cross-sectional study was performed with 225 subjects between 8 and 18 years attending two public schools in Porto Alegre, Brazil. Patients were randomly selected. Subjects were classified according to skin color (white and nonwhite) and age group (8 to 12 and 13 to 18 years). Lactose malabsorption was diagnosed using the breath hydrogen test after ingestion of 250 ml of whole cow milk. The test lasted for 3 hours, with collections after fasting and 60, 120, and 180 minutes after milk ingestion. Malabsorption was determined in the presence of increase of >20 ppm in hydrogen concentration regarding the basal levels. Two-hundred and twenty-five students were studied, with a mean age ± standard deviation of 12.2 ± 2.0 years. The subjects consisted of 134 females (59.6%); 154 white (68.4%); and 71 nonwhite. Lactose malabsorption was observed in 19/225 cases (8.4%). It was diagnosed in 8/154 white patients (5.2%) and in 11/71 nonwhite patients (15.5%) (P= 0.02). Regarding the age group, we found 15/143 cases of malabsorption in students between 8 and 12 years (10.5%), and 4/82 cases in students between 13 and 18 years (4.9%) (P = 0.227). The prevalence of lactose malabsorption in students attending public schools in Porto Alegre is significant, especially if we consider that the physiological doses (250 ml of milk) were used for diagnosis. The malabsorption rate was higher among nonwhite children, which confirms the influence of race on primary adult type hypolactasia. No association was observed between lactose malabsorption and age group. (author's)The objective was to compare two methods of iron supplementation (fortified formula versus medicinal iron drops) to prevent iron deficiency anemia in preterm infants. Sixty six premature infants weighing between 1000-2000g were included in the study. Forty infants completed the whole follow-up period, divided into 2 groups: Group A: 20 infants fed with iron fortified formula (11 mg Fe/l); Group B: 20 infants fed with powder cow's milk supplemented with 2 mg Fe/kg/day, as drops of ferrous sulfate. At two and 12 months 2 ml of blood were collected to measure hemoglobin, hematocrit, serum iron, total iron binding capacity (TIBC), serum ferritin and free erythrocyte porphyrins. At the 6th month, 1 ml of blood was drawn for hemoglobin and hematocrit determinations. Statistical analysis used the Student t test and x/2, with p<0.05. There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of body weight and weight gain; hemoglobin, hematocrit, serum iron levels and TIBC saturation indexes were similar in both groups at two months but significantly higher in group A at 12 months of age, while free erythrocite porphyrins levels remained stable in Group A and increased significantly in Group B (p< 0.05). Ferritin levels were normal in both groups at two months and declined sharply by 1 year of age, but only 4 (20%) infants of Group A showed levels < 10ng/ml, against 12 (60%) of the Group B (p< 0.02). The iron fortified formula was significantly more efficient than medicinal iron drops to prevent iron deficiency anemia of preterm infants. (author's)[Weight / length ratio: is it a good index to assess nutritional status of full-term newborns?]
An accurate assessment of the nutritional status of an infant at birth is very important, since it provides information on early identification of pathological events related to intrauterine growth acceleration or retardation. Anthropometric ratios such as weight/ length and mid-arm circumference/head circumference may be used as alternative tools for this purpose. The main objective of this study was to verify the correlation between triceps skinfold thickness with Rohrer Index, Body Mass Index, weight/length ratio, and mid-arm circumference/head circumference ratio. A cross-sectional study was carried out with 390 fullterm newborns delivered at the Maternity Ward of Instituto Materno Infantil of Pernambuco, from May to July 1999. The newborns had their birthweight, length, head and mid-arm circumferences and triceps skinfold thickness measured. The results showed that among the anthropometric indices studied the weight/length ratio showed the strongest correlation with triceps skinfold thickness(r = 0.63, P< 0.001) followed by mid-arm circumference/head circumference ratio (r = 0.59, P< 0.001). Rohrer index showed the weakest correlation (r = 0.43, P< 0.001). Multiple linear regression analyses revealed that weight/length ratio correlated best with skinfold thickness. We concluded that among the studied indices, weight/length ratio showed to be the best alternative to assess the nutritional status of infants at birth. (author's)[Determinant factors of anemia in children]
The objective was to present a review about the main determining factors of anemia in children under 5 years old. Information was collected from articles published in indexed national and international scientific journals, technical books and publications of international organizations. Anemia constitutes the world's nutritional problem of great magnitude, and children under 5 years old form the group with the highest risk. Similarly to any other public health problem, the origin of anemia is multi-causal. Therefore, in this article the attempt is to interpret its direct or indirect relation with possible determinant factors and the main concordant or discordant findings in epidemiological studies. Social and economic conditions, child's health care conditions, child's nutritional state, presence of morbidity, food consumption and biological aspects are among these factors. The role of the diet is emphasized with respect to the consumption and bioavailability of iron, and child's age as the main determinants. Bearing in mind the magnitude of the problem and the extent of its risk factors reviewed in this study, the implementation of urgent prevention and treatment measures for iron-deficiency anemia are required. It is important to highlight that a single strategy may have little success if other measures are not taken simultaneously; the role of nutritional education being relevant, together with other implemented actions. Children under 2 years old and children who live in rural and deprived areas should be considered as priorities in programs to combat anemia. (author's)[The use of CRIB score for predicting neonatal mortality risk]
The objective was to examine the clinical risk index for babies (CRIB) predictive value for hospital death; to identify the score variable with the best predictive value and to compare CRIB score capability to predict hospital mortality to birth weight, gestational age and base excess. CRIB score was obtained through a prospective way from 100 newborns with birthweight of 1,500 g or less or gestational age less than 31 weeks, who were admitted consecutively to the Neonatal Unit of Hospital das Clínicas, Universidade Federal do Paraná. Fifty-five newborns were female and 45 were male, the average of birthweight was 1,078 ± 0.277 g and gestational age was 29.2 ± 2.8 weeks. Twenty-one patients died. The mortality rate in the CRIB groups 1, 2, 3 and 4 was, respectively 6.6%; 46.2%; 87.5% and 100.0%. The score accuracy for mortality was confirmed (area under the ROC curve = 0.877) and the best score variable to predict hospital death was maximum base excess (area under the ROC curve = 0.795). Compared with birthweight and gestational age, CRIB was significantly better to predict mortality. Besides being useful to predict hospital death, CRIB was a simple score to be applied. Based on these results, we recommend its inclusion in the routine of neonatal units. (author's)[Growth of small for gestational age preterm infants]
The objective was to describe the linear growth and growth velocity of preterm infants born small for gestational age according to variables such as weight, length and head circumference, from birth to three months of corrected age. Prospective study of one hundred preterm infants born small for gestational age from 28 to 36 weeks after birth and classified as small according to the weight for their gestational age. The anthropometric data was obtained at birth, and continued to be measured weekly until the probable delivery date and monthly until three months of corrected age. Growth curves were calculated according to the mean values adjusted by the polynomial function of Count model. The infants' growth curves for the three variables were much below the ones of the preterm infants with adequate size for gestational age until the fortieth week. However, the head circumference growth reached the 10th percentile curve of the NCHS at the fortieth week, and the 25th percentile at three months of corrected age. The weight growth curve reached the 10th percentile curve around one month and a half for males and two months and a half for females. The length growth curve reached the 10th percentile for males at three months of corrected age and it almost reached that percentile for females after the same period of time A tendency of recovering weight and length related to preterm infants with adequate size and term newborns was observed. The head circumference showed an obvious and early recovery. (author's)[Adolescents' knowledge about adolescence, puberty and sexuality]
The objective of this research was to evaluate the level of knowledge about adolescence, pubertal development and sexuality among adolescents from 10 to 14 years old at municipal public schools in Feira de Santana-Bahia, 2000. Cross-sectional study, with a randomized and proportional sample out of a population of 6,419 students in the municipal Public System. The level of knowledge was analyzed according to age, sex and educational level. Data was collected by means of a specific confidential questionnaire, which was pre-tested. A scale of values (score - satisfactory, reasonable and unsatisfactory) was established according to the percentage and proportional number of right answers regarding general and specific topics. Statistical inference was calculated by chi-square (x/2) with a significance of 5% as well as the bivariate and multivariate analysis, calculating the simple and adjusted prevalence, through stratified analysis. Adolescents showed unsatisfactory level of information about terms, particularly those at the age of 10 (69.2%) and 11 years (70.6%), female (61.7%) and the ones in the 4th (82.8%) and 5th (61.1%) grades. The level of knowledge according to sex, adjusted by age and educational level, showed that females are 1.3 and 1.27 times more likely to present an unsatisfactory level of knowledge than males. The level of knowledge according to educational level, adjusted by age, showed that those subjects between 4th and 5th grades are 2.32 times more likely to present an unsatisfactory level of knowledge if compared to students of 6th and 8th grades, with significant differences (p<0.05). The high prevalence of unsatisfactory level of knowledge with significant association between 4th and 5th grades and females points to the necessity of educative actions regarding health and sexuality in the beginning of adolescence at municipal public schools. (author's)The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical, laboratory and histopathological characteristics and the response to immunosuppression in children and adolescents with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). The present research is a descriptive study consisting of 39 children and adolescents with AIH who receive care at the Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology of Hospital das Clínicas (UFMG) from 1986 to 1998. Children's age ranged from 1.6 to 17 years (mean 8.7 ± 3.49), most of them were females (87.2%). There were three types of clinical presentations: chronic (53.9%), acute (41%), and serious hepatic failure (5.1%). The most relevant laboratory parameters were the aminotransferases and g-globulin increase. Antinuclear antibodies were positive in 66.7% of the patients, while smooth muscle antibodies were positive in 52.8% and anti-LKM1 in 3% of the patients. In the histopathology the most important findings were the piecemeal necrosis (93.7%), moderate to severe portal inflammation (78.1%), definitive or incomplete cirrhosis (76.9%), absence of lesion of biliary ducts (93.7%) and presence of rosettes (90.6%). During the treatment, 77.8% obtained complete resolution, associated to side effects in 27.8% of them. Seven patients died (17.9%). During the treatment there was significant z score reduction (p< 0.05) for height/age. After carrying out this study, we observed that the typical characteristics of AIH were: female sex, several clinical presentations, increased aminotransferase, and hypergammaglobulinemia. Histopathology showed a predominance of incipient and/or definitive cirrhosis associated with moderate to severe portal inflammation and piecemeal necrosis. Treatment using corticosteroids and azathioprine, turned out to be effective. However, the reduction in the height/age z score probably represents an adverse effect of corticoid treatment. (author's)[Anemia in infancy: etiology and prevalence]
The objective was to verify the prevalence of anemia, iron deficiency anemia and iron deficiency in infants, at a Public Health Unit in the city of Goiânia - Brazil; to analyze and to correlate the hematologic and biochemical variables. A cross-sectional study was carried out. One hundred and ten full-term infants of the 120 mothers interviewed were included. The infants aged between six and twelve months and there were not twins. Socioeconomic and hematologic data was obtained. Venous blood was taken from fasting infants in order to carry out a complete hemogram through electronic cell counting, serum iron, serum ferritin and C-reactive protein, which were used in the evaluation of the etiology of iron deficiency in the anemic infants. Children with hemoglobin < 11g/dL were considered anemic. The prevalence of anemia was 60.9%. In the diagnosis of the iron deficiency etiology in infants without an inflammation process, when considering the alteration of hemoglobin plus two more indices among meancorpuscular volume (MCV) or mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) or serum ferritin or serum iron, the prevalence of the iron deficiency was 87%. Nevertheless, when red cell distribution width (RDW) was included in the indices, the prevalence was 97.8%. In the non-anemic infants, considering ferritin and RDW, the prevalence of iron deficiency observed was 28%. The best correlation among hematologic and biochemical variables were between hemoglobin and hematocrit (r = 0.946), and MCH with MCV (r = 0.950). The main etiology in infants was iron deficiency anemia and its prevalence varied according to different parameters and criteria. (author's)[Iron, copper and zinc in adolescents during pubertal growth spurt]
The objective was to examine iron, copper and zinc nutritional status and their correlation with Body Mass Index (BMI), serum and dietetic levels in adolescents during the pubertal growth spurt. A descriptive cross-sectional study involving a sample of 47 adolescents out of 360 patients (19 boys, whose ages ranged from 12.3 to 16 years and 28 girls, whose ages ranged from 11.1 to 13.6 years), who were seen at a clinic for adolescents from March to December 1999. The variables analyzed were: Diet (24 hours Dietary Recall, Food Frequency Intake Questionnaire and Food Register Methods) to determine iron, copper and zinc intake; anthropometry (weight and height) to check BMI; biochemistry (measure of serum iron level through a Diagnóstica kit in vitro; ferritin through Immulite kit, and atomic absorption spectrophotometry for biochemical evaluation of serum iron, ferritin, copper and zinc. Spearman coefficient correlation was used for statistical analysis. Forty seven adolescents during pubertal growth spurt showed adequate ingestion: iron (95% and 36%), copper (53% and 57%) and zinc (21% and 21%) in males and females, respectively. Most of them were eutrophic according to the BMI percentiles. Biochemically, boys presented normal values for serum iron and zinc in the whole sample, 95% for copper and 84% for ferritin. Girls also presented normal values for iron and zinc values in the whole sample, 96.4% for copper and 96% for ferritin. There were no statistically significant correlation between BMI and serum Fe, ferritin, Cu and Zn concentrations and between serum concentration and dietetic ingestion of the studied minerals, neither between serum iron and ferritin. It is not clear if serum levels of Zn and Cu are floating during the growth process or if each adolescent has a stable level of these minerals during the pubertal growth spurt. Normal Fe, Cu and Zn serum levels in most adolescents evaluated may reflect the organism ability to accomplish homeostatic adjustments. (author's)[AIDS mortality in the State of Rio de Janeiro, 1991-1995]
This article focuses on the AIDS mortality profile as related to socioeconomic and geographic variables, as well as evaluating the impact of deaths from AIDS in the State of Rio de Janeiro. The analysis included all death certificates for residents of the State from 1991-1995, 10,024 of which had AIDS recorded as the primary cause of death. In the 20-49-year age bracket, among individuals who had died of AIDS, the proportion of those with university schooling (14%) and the proportion of single individuals (75%) were greater than the respective proportions for all other causes of death (5.4% and 56.3%). For the population as a whole, the AIDS mortality rate increased from 1991 to 1995, from 20.6/100,000 to 30.2/100,000 for males and from 3.7/100,000 to 7.9/100,000 for females. For the year 1995 in the 20-49-year bracket, considering the 17 groups of causes from the ICD-9, AIDS was the third most common cause of death among men and the fifth most common among women. The proportion of Potential Loss of Life Years up to 65 years as a function of AIDS increased from 1991 to 1995, from 3.4% to 4.7% for men and from 1.4% to 2.9% for women. During this same period there was also an increase in the number of counties in the State of Rio de Janeiro with reported deaths from AIDS. (author's)[Maternal educational level: correlation with obstetric indicators]
The aim of this study was to estimate associations between level of maternal education as the dependent variable and several variables present in birth certificates under the official Brazilian Ministry of Health model. A total of 3,843 birth certificates were analyzed from Guaratinguetá, São Paulo State, for singleton hospital deliveries in 1998. Statistically significant associations were found between low maternal educational level and low birth weight, 3 or more live births, history of stillbirth, and prenatal care including up to 6 visits. No association was found between abortions and preterm delivery as described in other studies, perhaps due to insufficient information. Maternal educational level can thus be considered an obstetric marker for some risk factors for the mother and infant. (author's)[Mortality spatial patterns and socioeconomic differences in the city of Rio de Janeiro]
Health situation analysis has been used to understand complex health processes and to contribute to decision-making in public policies. This paper analyzes the spatial relationship between mortality patterns in the city of Rio de Janeiro (1996-1998) and socioeconomic profiles of neighborhoods. Mortality data were collected from the Municipal Health Department and population data were obtained from the National Census Bureau (IBGE) (1991 and 1996). Neighborhoods were aggregated through the K-means cluster method into 4 homogeneous socioeconomic groups, and the mortality indicators distribution was analyzed by different strata. General mortality, circulatory disease mortality, mortality from poorly defined causes, and mortality from violent causes all displayed large differences among socioeconomic groups. The spatial pattern of the socioeconomic strata allowed the identification of different living conditions, which involved specific mortality patterns. Higher socioeconomic strata presented low mortality figures for all causes. (author's)The aim of this study was to investigate the spatial pattern of neonatal and postneonatal mortality in the city of Goiânia, Central Brazil. Analyses were based on linked birth and death certificates relating to 101,000 in-hospital live births from mothers residing in the city of Goiânia over the 1992-1996 period. Overall neonatal and post-neonatal mortality probabilities were calculated using the linked database. The empirical Bayes method was applied to smooth the estimated rates and minimize random fluctuation. Spatial units of analysis were 65 urban districts, corresponding to the urban planning sectors. The following exploratory spatial analyses were applied: "global" Moran's I statistic, local Moran LISA map, and Gi local statistics. For both neonatal and post-neonatal mortality there was statistically significant spatial autocorrelation. Results of post-neonatal mortality showed a high-risk cluster located on the outskirts of the city. For the neonatal period, a heterogeneous mortality pattern was found with high-risk districts in all regions, including central areas. (author's)The goal of this article was to assess quality of case management for acute respiratory infection (ARI) in children and to detect barriers to proper management. A cross-sectional approach was used with a representative sample of primary and out-patient health care facilities under the Rio de Janeiro Municipal Health Department. Physicians were observed while attending children under five years of age with ARI, and the children were then evaluated according to standard criteria, and the results compared. Physicians were interviewed and health care facilities evaluated for availability of antibiotics. We studied 29 facilities (two hospitals, 20 health centers, and seven health posts), interviewed 46 physicians, and observed 267 children. Sensitivity of the classification used to detect pneumonia was 21.8 (95% CI: 9.3-40.4), specificity was 77.3 (95% CI: 70.3-82.4), and accuracy was 70.6 (95% CI: 64.7-75.5). Antibiotics were prescribed unnecessarily for 8.9% of ARI cases. Standard antibiotics were available in all the health care facilities. We conclude that quality of ARI case management in children can be improved substantially, especially with more training and supervision and better organization of services. (author's)Estimation and mapping of risk profiles are the main concerns of epidemiology. This paper analyzes spatial distribution of infant mortality cases as compared to live-born controls from Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul. The modeling framework adopted in this research work is a spatial point process. Under this structure, a risk measure which continuously varies over the study region is defined and estimated using generalized additive model methods. This approach has the advantage of allowing for risk factors that are simple and easy to interpret. The procedure also allows the construction of tolerance contours which help identify areas of significantly high/low risk and an overall test for the null hypothesis of constant risk over the region. Application of this method to infant mortality data showed a highly significant spatial variation in risk for neonatal mortality data and non-significant results for post-neonatal mortality data. (author's)This study focuses on a five-year profile (1990-1994) in the utilization of antiinfectives in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Total antiinfectives consumption, diversity, and possible determinants were analyzed. A descriptive, longitudinal, and retrospective drug utilization study design was adopted. Document research, observation, and semi-structured interviews provided information on the neonatal intensive care provided, and drug supply and daily hospital records provided data on antiinfectives use, based on the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification and the infant defined daily dose (DDDi) as units of measurement. The numerical results suggest an increase in total consumption of antiinfectives and a decrease in their diversity. Analyzed in view of the institutional profile and rational drug use, these results indicate that changes in the type of care provided during the study period were key determinants of antiinfectives use. (author's)This paper compares socioeconomic characteristics, prenatal care, and life styles of three groups of post-partum women, one consisting of adolescents (< 20 years) and the other two of women 20-34 years old, classified according to their history of pregnancy during adolescence. A sample of 3,508 post-partum women was selected from public hospitals in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and interviewed just after childbirth. To verify the hypothesis of homogeneity of proportions, chi-square tests ( 2) were used. Comparing the three groups, the most adverse conditions were found among the 20-34-year-old mothers with a history of pregnancy during adolescence. These women have the least schooling, the highest rates of smoking and use of illegal drugs during pregnancy, and the fewest prenatal appointments. According to this study, prenatal care proved to be an effective compensatory policy for the prevention of prematurity and low birth weight, especially among adolescent mothers. (author's)[Factors in training and participation in childbirth care by non-physicians]
This study aimed to characterize midwives according to current concepts among health professionals and to identify the ideological premises underlying proposals for their training. Data from interviews with nine midwives, nurses, and physicians were interpreted using discourse analysis. The resulting empirical categories were "The Situation of Maternity Care in Brazil", "The Ideal (or Necessary) Midwife and the Possible Midwife". When these empirical categories were interpreted, it was possible to "construct" an "emerging midwife" by dialectically overcoming the concept of "the ideal midwife". (author's)[Environmental sustainability of water resources in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil]
The objective was to propose an urban water sustainability index based on indicators that may serve as a foundation for developing planned actions concerning water resources. Eleven indicators (covering aspects of water and sewage) were selected based on the parameters of Brazil's National Water and Sanitation Information System (Sistema Nacional de Informação sobre Saneamento) for the years 2000 and 2001. A score and a weight were assigned to each indicator. Based on that, the urban water sustainability index (UWSI) was calculated, using the formula UWSI = product (Ii pi), where Ii is the score attributed to each indicator i, ranging from 0 to 100, and pi is the weight for each indicator Si=1 n pi = 1, where n is the number of indicators considered). The lowest water quality is indicated by an index value of 0, and the best by an index value of 100. The urban water sustainability index for the city of Rio de Janeiro was 58.99 in 2000, and it rose to 59.57 in 2001, indicating water of good qualityin both those years. The improvement in the quality of the water resources between 2000 and 2001 in the city of Rio de Janeiro is possibly the result of the implementation, in the 1990s, of an environmental management program in the Rio de Janeiro region. Environmental planning that includes rational use of water resources and methods to prevent their destruction is crucial to sustaining society. (author's)[Data quality of dengue epidemiological surveillance in Belo Horizonte, Southeastern Brazil]
The objective was to evaluate the quality of data from the Brazilian information system for mandatory reporting diseases, for the detection of cases notified as suspected dengue fever and hospitalized in the public and private hospitals associated to the Public Health System. The study was carried out in Belo Horizonte, Southeastern Brazil, during the years of 1996 to June 2002. The criterion of evaluation used were those recommended by the Guidelines for Evaluating Public Health Surveillance Systems. As a reference standard, medical charts recorded in the Unified System hospitalized discharge database system were revised and validated. A total of 266 (90%) of 294 medical charts were selected; 230 (86.5%) filled the suspect dengue fever criterion. To verify possible association between underreporting and selected variables, was used the odds ratio, with 95% of confidence interval in a logistic regression model. The sensitivity was defined as the proportion of hospitalized dengue cases registered in both systems. Predictive value positive was calculated as the proportion of confirmed cases and those recorded in the reporting system. Underreporting of suspected dengue fever was of 37% cases during 1997 to 2002, it was five times higher during the first three years (OR=5.93; 95% CI: 2.50-14.04) and eight times higher for patients hospitalized in private hospitals than in the public ones (OR=8.42; 95% CI: 2.26-31.27). Underreport was also associated to cases with no haemorrhagic episodes (OR=2.81; 95% CI: 1.28-6.15) and without denguespecific laboratory exams in medical charts (OR=4.07; 95% CI:1.00-16.52). Sensitivity was 63% and predictive value positive was 43%. Cases recorded in the reporting system were those more severe and did not represent the total of cases hospitalized in Unified Health System, thus the case fatality rate may be overestimated. The results indicate the necessity of changes in the evaluated surveillance model and in the implementation of the qualification of the health professionals, mainly those working in the private hospitals associated to Unified Health System. (author's)There has been a constant increase in the level of therapeutic failure of the sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) combination for treating uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria. The objective was to use high-performance liquid chromatography to quantify blood levels of SP in patients with good clinical response and in patients who did not respond to treatment. This experimental study was carried out in 2002 in Turbo and Zaragoza, two municipalities in the department of Antioquia in Colombia. There were 79 patients (45 in Turbo and 34 in Zaragoza), including both men and women, who ranged in age from 1 year to 60 years. All the patients had uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria, with a parasite density of 500 to 50 000 parasites/ìL. The patients were each randomly assigned to a treatment group. The treatment groups were not blinded; the physician who provided the medication also evaluated the therapeutic response. The treatment consisted of a single combination dose of sulfadoxine (25 mg/kg)and pyrimethamine (1.25 mg/kg) in tablets (500 mg of sulfadoxine and 25 mg of pyrimethamine). Clinical-parasitological follow-up was carried out for 21 days. Blood levels of sulfadoxine and pyrimethamine were measured two hours after the treatment was given and also the day of treatment failure, if that occurred. Two hours after the treatment was given, the median blood level of sulfadoxine was 136.6 µmol/L in the patients who later showed a good clinical response, and it was 103.4 ìmol/L among those who did not respond to treatment (P = 0.13). The medians for pyrimethamine were 848.4 nmol/L in patients with a good clinical response and 786.1 nmol/L in patients with treatment failure (P = 0.40). There were no significant differences in drug levels between the early-failure cases and the late-failure cases. The linear correlation between the blood levels of sulfadoxine and pyrimethamine was close to zero (r = 0.13). Between 1998 and 2002, treatment failure with the SP combination increased from 13% to 22% in Turbo, and from 9% to 26% in Zaragoza. The lack of response in 2002 could not be explained by lower blood levels of the medications. (author's)This article presents the results of a study that evaluated the knowledge and opinions of researchers and adolescents that served as their research subjects on the legal norms that regulate the participation of the latter as research subjects, the capacity of adolescents to make autonomous decisions regarding participation, and the adolescent experience after agreeing to take part in a study. This was a qualitative study with a convenience sample, the size of which was defined by the criteria of informational redundancy. Interviews were conducted with three researchers who had used adolescents as research subjects and nine of these subjects. This number of interviews was sufficient to reach informational redundancy. Data was collected through recorded semistructured interviews, with open questions. All the researchers were familiar with some legal document related to the participation of adolescents as subjects of research. On the other hand, the adolescents were surprised because they were not aware of the existence of such documents. However, they considered them necessary for their own protection. In general, researchers and adolescents believe that adolescents have the capacity to decide autonomously to participate as research subjects. The adolescents affirmed that they had decided to volunteer conscientiously. (author's)[Protective and risk factors related to vertical transmission of the HIV-1]
This study aimed to evaluate maternal and fetal factors related to vertical transmission of HIV-1. Participants included 47 mother-child pairs. Behavioral, demographic, and obstetric data were obtained through interviews. Data related to delivery and newborns were collected from registries in the maternity hospitals. During the third trimester of pregnancy, CD4+ T lymphocytes and maternal viral load were measured. Mean age of the mothers was 25 years and 23.4% of the pregnant women were primigravidae. The most prevalent behavioral factor was lack of condom use. 48.9% of the women presented a CD4+ count greater than 500 cells/mm3, and 93.6% belonged to clinical category A. 95.7% of the women received zidovudine prophylaxis during pregnancy or childbirth, and the medication was also administered to all the neonates. 50.0% of patients were submitted to elective cesareans. Despite several risk and protective factors, none of the children was infected. Vertical transmission is an outcome of an imbalance among factors, with a predominance of risk over protective factors. (author's)The purpose of this study was to analyze social representations of sexual violence against women, as constructed and reproduced in prenatal care settings in three municipal maternity hospitals in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This qualitative research explored two themes: ideas about and explanations of sexual violence committed against woman. The forty-five interviews conducted with health professionals were examined using thematic content analysis. The results show that social representations of sexual violence against women were associated with ideas of suffering, behavioral disturbances, and forced sexual intercourse. The explanations offered for why this type of violence occurs included gender relations, urban violence, and ascription of blame to the victim. It can be concluded that hegemonic patterns of asymmetrical relations persist, even in the discourse of maternity health professionals, who are the point of reference for attending to victims of sexual violence. Incorporating the analytical category of gender into healthcare professional training could make prenatal care an important gateway for the recognition and management of sexual violence against women. (author's)The objective of this study was to identify and analyze variables associated with shorter duration of breastfeeding in the Alto Jequitinhonha region, Minas Gerais, Brazil. This was a cross-sectional study, using retrospective data, in three cities of the region. All children up to 24 months of age were considered in the study, with a total sample of 450 children. Statistical analyses employed the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression model. Three variables were found to be associated with breastfeeding duration. Risk of premature interruption was 1.59 [1.08;2.36] times higher if the father had completed the second grade or greater in school, 1.52 [1.00;2.34] times higher if the father did not live with the child, and 3.07 [2.17;4.34] times higher if child had used a pacifier. Thus, greater education of fathers, use of pacifiers by children, and fathers not living with the children were factors associated with shorter duration of breastfeeding. (author's)This paper analyzes the association between perinatal mortality and factors related to hospital care during labor, considering that healthcare assessment is needed in order to reduce perinatal mortality. A population-based case-control study was conducted with 118 perinatal deaths (cases) and 492 births (controls) that took place in maternity hospitals of the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Male sex, prematurity, diseases during pregnancy, low birth weight, newborn diseases, lack of prenatal care, lack of partograph use during labor, and less than one fetus assessment per hour during labor were significantly associated with perinatal deaths. In the multiple regression analysis, lack of partograph use during labor and type of hospital were associated with perinatal deaths. These results indicate inadequate quality of care in maternity hospitals and show that health services structure and health care process are related to perinatal mortality due to preventable causes. (author's)The purpose of this study was to identify men's co-responsibility in the negotiation process of dual protection, according gender, in their first and most recent sexual relationships, and their perception of the risk of STD/AIDS .We surveyed 750 males from 19 to 29 years of age in 2,250 randomly selected households in metropolitan Lima, Peru. The majority mentioned condoms as a contraceptive technique (95%). Their first sexual relationships occurred with a female friend, with a stable partner, or with a known woman. Almost half used some type of protection, principally condoms in order to avoid pregnancy, but their consistent and correct use was low. For 39.5%, the most recent sexual relationship was with a stable partner, a female friend or "known" woman, a wife, or a female co-resident. Dialogue about protection increased between the first and the most recent sexual relationships. The perception of risk of acquiring STD/AIDS was low, and they tended to use protection only with an "unknown partner". (author's)[Prenatal care in an university hospital: evaluating the process]
The objective of this study was to evaluate the prenatal care process referring to the Prenatal Assistance to Low Risk Pregnant Women Program of the University Hospital of Maringá, Paraná State, Brazil. It was made a selection of quality criteria which evaluate the precocity in the process and the adequacy in the number of consultation during prenatal period, measured by the Humanization Program of Prenatal and Birth of the Health Ministry and the adequacy on the use of the prenatal care. The study showed that 44.5% of pregnant women started late the prenatal care suggest of the low offer and search to better quality care, which is manifested by spontaneous transference of pregnant women to other services to the program. The prenatal consultations were confirmed and the results showed a mean of 9.8 consultations per pregnant woman - higher than the recommended national parameters. The indicators used and developed to the evaluation of process still present some obstacles to the organizational access and need to define strategies which guarantee this fundamental policy of the Brazilian Unified Health System. (author's)[Critical aspects of dengue control in Brazil]
Dengue is now the main reemerging disease in the world. In the absence of an efficacious preventive vaccine and effective etiologic treatment and chemoprophylaxis, the only vulnerable link for reducing dengue transmission is the mosquito Aedes aegypti, its principal vector. There are many difficulties in combating this mosquito in large and medium-sized cities. The complexity of contemporary urban life generates factors that facilitate the mosquito's proliferation and constraints on the reduction of its infestation rates. The objectives of dengue control should be based on available scientific and technical knowledge. Thus, while it is not possible to avoid dengue in areas infested with A. aegypti, it is possible to prevent major epidemics by improving epidemiological surveillance, and it is both possible and feasible to reduce the disease's case fatality from the current 5 to 6% to some 1% in the severe forms. The elaboration and execution of strategic plans for the organization of medical care for suspected dengue cases have proven to be a highly useful instrument to reduce case fatality both in other countries and in some cities of Brazil. (author's)Data from the Brazilian Ministry of Health and the literature indicate that adolescents may be overrepresented in the prevalence of maternal morbidity and mortality and neonatal complications. This study focused on childbirth and live newborns among adolescent and young adult mothers in the municipality of Feira de Santana, Bahia, identifying risk factors for morbidity and mortality. A cross-sectional cohort study was conducted based on data from the Information System on Live Births (SINASC) in the municipality in 1998, totaling 5,279 live births among adolescent (10 to 19 years) and young adult mothers (20 to 24 years). Variables were age, schooling, prenatal care, gestational care, form of delivery, and birthweight. The authors measured the association between maternal age and the child's birthweight, while controlling potential confounders. Some 21.6% of live births were to adolescent mothers, 51.2% of whom had not finished primary school; there was an association between the 10 to 16-year agebracket and incomplete primary schooling, lack of prenatal care, and low and insufficient birthweight as compared to the other age brackets; there was also a high rate of underrecording in the SINASC. The results suggest the need for specific measures focusing on the reproductive health of adolescents in the municipality. (author's)[Dropout from tuberculosis treatment in Nicaragua: the results of a comparative study]
The objective was to identify factors related to dropping out from tuberculosis treatment in health centers in the departments of Managua and Matagalpa, in Nicaragua. This study matched cases and controls (1:1 ratio) by age and by municipality of treatment. The 251 cases were patients over 15 years of age who had dropped out of tuberculosis treatment, and the 251 controls were patients who had completed pharmacotherapy, during the period of January 1998 to December 2001. Data were obtained on demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, lifestyle habits, and treatment characteristics. The variables were chosen and grouped using a hierarchical theoretical model. Conditional logistic regression analysis was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). The risk factors for dropping out of tuberculosis drug treatment were: male gender (OR, 2.51; 95% CI, 1.63 to 3.94), an unstable living situation or being homeless (OR, 3.08; 95% CI, 1.57 to 6.49), changing residence during the treatment period (OR, 4.22; 95% CI, 2.06 to 9.93), consuming alcoholic beverages (OR, 5.25; 95% CI, 2.43 to 12.94), using illegal drugs (OR, 5.25; 95% CI, 2.43 to 12.94), difficulty in access to the health services (OR, 2.64; 95% CI, 1.39 to 5.29), and a negative opinion of the health care received (OR, 5.33; 95% CI, 1.52 to 28.56). It is essential for the health services in Nicaragua to develop measures to reduce the risk of dropout from treatment. In particular, it is important for the health sector to work with community groups that can support the health sector's activities. (author's)[Social inequalities in cesarean section rates in primiparae, Southern Brazil]
The objective was to investigate the effect of social inequalities in cesarean section rates among primiparae having single pregnancy and delivering in maternity hospitals. The study was carried out in Southern Brazil in 1996, 1998 and 2000. Data from the Live Birth National Information System were used to estimate annual rates and crude and adjusted odds ratios (OR) of cesarean sections according to social conditions (maternal age and education, newborn skin color/ethnicity and macro-regions), duration of pregnancy, and number of prenatal visits. The overall cesarean section rate was 45%, and above 37% in all macro-regions. Increased rates were seen among native and black mothers, aged 30 years or more, living in metropolitan, river valley and mountain macro-regions and having attended to more than six prenatal visits. Crude and adjusted OR show that cesarean rates were negatively associated with all categories of skin color/ethnicity when compared to white newborns, particularly those of native Brazilian (OR/adj=0.43; 95% CI: 0.31-0.59), and they were positively associated with higher maternal education (OR/adj=3.52; 95% CI: 3.11-3.99), older age (OR/adj=6.87; 95% CI: 5.90-8.00) and greater number of prenatal visits (OR/adj=2.16; 95% CI: 1.99-2.35). The effects of age and education were partly mediated by the greater number of prenatal visits among higher educated older women. The OR varied among macro-regions but were greater for the wealthier mountain region. High rates of cesarean section rates in Southern Brazil are a public health concern. They are associated with social, economic and cultural factors which can lead to misuse of medical technology during labor and delivery. (author's)[Public care for breast cancer women in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil]
New policies on oncology care implemented in the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) in November 1999 established substantial changes to cancer treatment in affiliate units. The objective was to describe the profile of these cancer services and their users after the implementation of new policies. A descriptive study was carried out on breast cancer care in health services covered by SUS in the state of Rio de Janeiro, from 1999 to 2002. Data was collected in the healthcare units from outpatient registries and from the patients' high-complexity cancer procedure authorizations and their medical records. A random sample of 310 medical records of breast cancer women treated in 15 cancer health units was analyzed. Data analysis was performed using the percentile distribution of data according to categories of interest and the Chi-square test to assess the association between variables. The study results show the predominance of breast cancer care in highly complex units (81.3%); public units (73.5%); and in the capital of the state (78.1%). There was also seen an imbalance among health units regarding patient attendance, where only one of them served 70% of women sampled. The use of interventions varied between patients with and without health insurance in lower complexity health services; noninsured patients were associated to lower use of interventions. It was also found underutilization of recommended interventions as well as utilization of contraindicated interventions. The characterization of population studied showed that 43.9% of the women were given a cancer diagnosis with no perspective of cure and 68.4% lived in cities having SUS-affiliated services. These results indicate relevant differences among health units and point out to the need of practical recommendations to the Brazilian national policy for cancer control. (author's)[Reasons why sterilized women refused reversive contraceptive methods]
The objective was to identify the representations of contraceptive methods within a group of sterilized women, aiming at understanding the reasons why they refused those methods. A descriptive qualitative study was carried out on 31 sterilized women, randomly selected from a list of patients attending the Family Planning Program of a university hospital. Data was collected through a semi-structured interview. Interview transcription was analyzed according to the Content Analysis method. Refusal to other contraceptive methods was based on representations formed from a mixture of technical information received at health service units, their previous experiences with contraceptive methods and information received in the social environment. Rejection of high efficacy methods (hormonal and IUD) was mostly based on their low innocuousness; refusal to fertility awareness methods (calendar calculation, Billings ovulation method) was due to their low efficacy; and rejection of barrier methods (condom, diaphragm) was due to a culturally patterned sexuality full of interdictions as well as to their low efficacy. The option for female sterilization may be indicative of the refusal to the contraceptive alternatives offered by health services. Reproductive health professionals should increase in their practice the knowledge about personal, socio-economic and cultural factors that affect women's choice of a contraceptive method that could guarantee a better control over their own reproductive life. (author's)[Internalized oppression and high-risk sexual practices among homosexual and bisexual males, Mexico]
The objective was to assess the relationship between engaging in high-risk sexual practices for HIV infection and the internalized oppression of homo and bisexual males due to the prejudice and discrimination they face. An observational cross-sectional study was carried out between September and November 2001. A questionnaire was applied to 318 males who sought services and institutions in Mexico City. The studied variables were: internalized homophobia, perception of stigma, concealing sexual orientation, and sexual practices in the six months prior to the survey. The relationship (odds ratios) between forms of internalized oppression with high-risk sexual practices was estimated using logistic regression models adjusted for confounders. Of all respondents, 256 reported having had at least one sexual relationship in the last six months, 50 reported having none, and 12 did not answer this question. More than 30% had not used condoms when they engaged in insertive or receptive anal sex. Internalized homophobia was associated with higher risk of drug consumption before or during sexual encounters, unprotected insertive/receptive anal sex, and swallowing semen from other men. Engaging in high-risk sexual practices is still frequent among homo and bisexual males. Of the three forms of internalized oppression studied, homophobia was associated with higher high-risk sexual practices. This information may be incorporated into the design of programs for promoting condom use among homo and bisexual males. (author's)The objectives were to determine the prevalence of some erythrocyte defects and to evaluate the relation that that has with parasitemia density in individuals diagnosed with Plasmodium falciparum malaria in a population in the Pacific coastal region of Colombia. This prevalence study was carried out with 242 persons with P. falciparum malaria who had gone for consultation at the Program of Tropical Diseases diagnostic center in the city of Buenaventura, Colombia. The parasitemia levels were measured, and also determined was the presence of congenital erythrocyte defects (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, abnormal hemoglobins, and thalassemias) and of other factors possibly related to parasitemia levels. The prevalence of erythrocyte defects was 26.4% (95% confidence interval, 21.0%-32.5%), which was similar to what had been found in previous studies in the same area of Colombia. In the multiple regression models, individuals with sickle cell anemia or a complete deficiency of G6PD had a lower density of parasitemia than did persons without any erythrocyte defect. After adjusting for other variables of interest, the risk of high parasitemias was lower in persons with sickle cell anemia (odds ratio = 0.30) and individuals with a complete deficiency of G6PD (odds ratio = 0.72). Our results confirm the high prevalence of erythrocyte defects in Colombia's Pacific coastal region, in a population with ethnic characteristics that are similar to those of some populations in West Africa. Our results also lend support for the existence of innate resistance to malaria among carriers of hemoglobin AS and in persons with G6PD deficiency. (author's)Predictive factors for noncompliance with tuberculosis treatment in an endemic region of Peru]
The objective was to identify factors that predict noncompliance with tuberculosis treatment in the province of Ica, Peru. Between 1998 and 2000 a case-control study (1:1 ratio) was conducted in the province of Ica, with 55 cases (persons who dropped out of treatment) being identified. The factors evaluated were chosen from Lalonde's model of the field of health. The respective odds ratios were calculated by means of univariate analysis and multivariate analysis. The following factors were identified as being predictive of noncompliance with tuberculosis treatment: thinking that the information that health workers provided on treatment was insufficient (odds ratio (OR) = 4.20; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.77-10.02), thinking that the office hours for receiving treatment were inadequate (OR = 9.95; 95% CI, 1.97-50.21), and consuming illegal drugs (OR = 7.15; 95% CI, 1.69-30.23). To improve compliance with tuberculosis treatment, it is necessary to provide patients with personalized information on the disease and its treatment, and to offer them flexible, appropriate times to receive treatment. Drug consumption is the most serious risk factor for noncompliance, and identifying and following up with drug users is crucial. (author's)[Pregnancies occurring during oral contraception: lessons from the GRECO study]
The GRECO study has collected data on pregnancies, regardless of their outcome, that occurred in women taking an oral contraceptive. The analysis concerned 551 women prospectively recruited in services of gynaecology or obstetrics, termination of pregnancy centres, family planning centres or consultations of gynaecology in France throughout 2002 and who were 12 weeks pregnant or less. Contraception used during the cycle of conception was an estroprogestative combination in 88% of cases, a microprogestative in 8.7%, a macroprogestative in 0.9% or another type of pill in 2.4%. Progestatives were levonorgestrel 59.0%, gestoden 17.2%, desogestrel 4.7%, norethisterone acetate 2.9%, norgestimate 1.8%, cyproterone acetate 2.0%, norgestrel 1.6%. When asked about the potential cause of the oral contraceptive failure, 76.9% of women reported events such as missed pills which were the most frequent cause of failure (60.8% of failures and 80.1% of events, 2.7 ± 2.7 missed pills), followed by vomiting and diarrhoea. 81.5% of women chose to terminate their pregnancy. The GRECO study, despite its limitations (retrospective collection of missed pills data, declaratory data) showed that missed pills, even once, were the most common reason for oral contraceptive failure. The most frequent decision was the termination of pregnancy. (author's)[Female condom or male condom: offer a choice!]
As in the entire Ile-de-France, the Val-de-Marne is facing an increase in female contamination by HIV, a clear increase in STI and furthermore the number of legal abortions is still high. Various recent studies have emphasized the decrease in condom use since 1998. Can the possibility of proposing another condom, more specifically controlled by women, boost condom use? The conseil général (local government authority) thus initiated a study in the general population, from January 1st 2001 to December 31st 2001, in order to study the criteria of acceptability of the female condom (FC). Although the women coming to consultation had no specific requests a quarter finally tested the female condom during sexual intercourse. Among them 4 out of 10 are ready to use it again. Curiosity was the primary motivation of those who accepted to test the female condom (77 %).Women who were more at ease with their sexuality were twice more likely to test the female condom. Three main advantages were put forward by the women who tested the FC: the strength of the FC, the fact that insertion was possible prior to the sexual act and the possibility of postponing removal, the latter being considered a supplementary advantage. The disadvantages most frequently cited before use were its appearance and difficult insertion process. The frequency of utilisation of the FC was multiplied by three when women practised putting the condom in place in a non-sexual context. However, even when they recognized one or several disadvantages women accepted to test it. In addition, whenever a woman finds at least one advantage before use she is twice more likely to test it. This is where counselling by professionals in charge of presenting the FC becomes a deciding factor. The chance of using at least one sort of condom is increased when a choice of condoms is available. When both male and female condoms are available, the responsibility for prevention is better balanced within the couple: each partner can then be in charge of his or her ownhealth. However the adoption of a barrier method such as the condom, means that the individual is conscious of such a need and finds that there are benefits mainly staying in good health. However the insufficient number of prevention and health promotion campaigns in France does not favour such an awareness. The availability of inexpensive female condoms in pharmacies, supermarkets as well as free distribution by certain institutions remains an unresolved question. (author's)The present investigation was carried out in order to study the process of metallic corrosion of copper IUD's in utero, to precise its dynamics and location along the IUD and to appraise the influence of eventual calcareous deposition. A total of 461 copper IUDs representing four standard models were screened by means of optical microscopy. Especially typical samples were studied at higher magnifications under the scanning electron microscope. The obtained data were considered in terms of statistics. It was possible to demonstrate a preferential corrosive activity in the lower part of the IUD without significant variations between the models. It was also possible to precise the steps of the process, to describe its most characteristic aspects and to study the eventual effect of severe calcareous deposition on corroded copper. Intrauterine copper corrosion is a normal process which occurs preferentially in the cervical portion of an IUD and can lead to the total metal loss. Both its initiation and evolution are submitted to strong individual variations. Thick and compact vaterite deposits may thwart copper erosion in case of drastic and rapid deposition. (author's)The aim of this study concerning the taking of the pill in France in 2001 was threefold, i.e. to assess its rate as well as its characteristics of use, and to appraise the most frequent side effects as reported by women. Three thousand six hundred and nine women representative of the French female population between 15 and 45 years of age were recruited thanks to a survey, which took place in 2001. The data were collected from self-questionnaires. Women on the whole have quite a good opinion of oral contraception and most of them are convinced of its efficiency. As far as pill tolerance is concerned, opinions do vary, more than half of the women judging that being on the pill is not without side-effects. Though, the rate of use of oral contraceptives has increased by 12% since 1994. Most women (48%) use first and second generation pills and this in all age brackets. Thirty per cent of women aged 30 to 45 keep loyal to the same patent medicine, which they keep using for more than 10 years. Among the side-effects that can be found, two of them - putting on weight (31%) and hydrosodium retention (26%) - are the most frequently quoted, in all age brackets. This accounts for the relatively low ratio of women who find their pill quite satisfactory (58% of the cases). Despite the diversity of all the different patented pills that are available, efforts are still to be made in order to reduce what side-effects are encountered when using them. (author's)The objectives were to study how often women put on weight when on the pill and to analyse the relationship between that gain in weight and the characteristics of the last 2 types of pill that had been used. Three thousand six hundred and nine women representative of the French female population, aged 15 to 45, were recruited thanks to a survey that took place in 2001. Our study mainly concerned the 1665 women who were actually taking the pill at the time of the survey. The data were collected from self-questionnaires. Thirty per cent of women declared to have gained weight since using their latest pill-only one more kg for 4% of them, 2 kg for 10% but 3 kg or more for the remaining 16%.Gain in weight was more frequent with women less than 25 years of age (35%) than with older ones (29%). This gain in weight did not vary according to either the type of pill, which was then used, or the length of time spent in using it, or the age of first using. It was more frequent when found with other side effects such as breast pain, skin disorders or metrorrhaegias; it was less frequent among women who had already been on the pill in the past than among women using an oral contraceptive for the first time (28% vs 34%; P = 0.008). The shorter the taking the latest pill had been, the greater the frequency of gain in weight was (P = 0.005), women who had presented the most side-effects in the past having changed their pill more rapidly than other women. Finally, a gain in weight was found far more often in women who "did" put on weight with their latest pill than in those who "did not" (53% vs 14%; P = 0.0001). All in all, 8% of women who had been previously been taking the pill had given up this method over a weight problem. Putting on weight when on the pill being in the long term independent of the type of patent medicine used, it would seem necessary to orientate new research centred both on a chemical and a biological as well as a nutritional approach, so as to answer one of the major preoccupations of oral contraceptive users to the fullest. (author's)[The HIV infection in pregnant women in French Guiana]
The aim of this study is to analyse the characteristics of HIV pregnant women in French Guiana then to evaluate the HIV mother to child transmission rate (MTCT) and determine the pronostic factors associated with MTCT. An epidemiological study has been led including all deliveries in French Guiana from January 1998 to December 2000. For each case a standardized questionnaire has been gathered including epidemiological, clinical and biological data and an univariate analysis has been realized. A hundred and forty-eight women have been included in the study among 135 women came for delivery. The factors associated with increased MTCT in our study were no antiretroviral therapy before delivery, the lack of follow-up during pregnancy and no antiretroviral therapy in children. The HIV mother to child transmission rate was 6,5% despite the availability of antiretroviral therapies. This rate may be explained by the difficulties of follow-up in HIV infected women. Much more needs to be done to improve access to care for women coming from foreign countries. This may be indispensable to reduce the HIV mother to child transmission rate in French Guiana. (author's)[Tamoxifen, endometrial cancer and levonorgestrel intra-uterine device]
Although the adjuvant tamoxifen benefit/risk rate is unquestionable in breast cancer treatment, the increase of endometrial cancer in chemoprevention is about to be a real problem. In the studies currently published metrorragia is the main signal. Levonogestrel intra-uterine device has not proved its efficacy for the decrease of this risk. (author's)[Interests and limits of immunocontraception]
Recent studies from WHO indicated that a large proportion of human contraceptive needs cannot be covered by the already existing means for different reasons (medical, economical, political, and cultural). Therefore, development of new effective methods targeting birth control methods affordable by under-privileged populations turns out to be necessary. Over the last 20 years, a large number of strategies have been used for contraceptive vaccines and thus multiple antigens have been identified as potential targets for immunocontraception. Nowadays, the most acute researches are based on suppression of the secretion and the activity of gonadotropic hormones (GnRH, LH/hCG, FSH) or the targeting of antibodies specific to sperm surface (RSA-1, SP10, SP17, TCLe-1, PH-20) and oocyte antigens (ZP1, ZP2, ZP3).We developed a contraceptive vaccine against FSH receptor. Adult male monkeys (Macaca radiata) were immunized with filamentous phages displaying at their surface N-terminal peptides of the FSH receptor. Long term male contraception has been achieved without any alteration of circulating testosterone levels, sexual behaviour or of any other discernable metabolic changes. Interruption of vaccination resulted in full recovery of sperm production and male fertility. Contraceptive vaccines are aimed to block an essential step in the reproductive process. From this point of view, efforts have to be focused on the challenge to raise is to ally our knowledge on reproductive physiology and protein biochemistry for a better understanding of the target antigen's function. (author's)[Isolated torsion of the Fallopian tube in a 15-year old adolescent. About one case]
Isolated torsion of the Fallopian tube is an uncommon event. Surgery is often necessary to establish the diagnosis. This report focuses on a 15-year old female who presented with acute pelvic pain. Pelvic ultrasound showed an adnexal mass. The laparoscopy performed confirmed the diagnosis of isolated tubal torsion. Based on this experience as well as on other similar reported cases, characteristics of isolated torsion of the Fallopian tube are discussed. This pathology should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute pelvic pain in the female patient. Prompt surgical intervention may allow for preservation of the tube. (author's)[Health behaviour of women attending child health clinics in health centers at Abidjan, Ivory Coast]
The objective was to describe the health behaviour of women attending child health clinics in four health centres (HC) in the Yopougon and Abobo districts of Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, in March 2000. Cross-sectional survey among women who came for infant consultations in the HC. Anonymous questionnaires filled in through interviews by social workers about the last pregnancy, delivery, and family planning (FP). Two hundred and forty-six women were interviewed in 1 month. The age (median: 25 years) and parity (median: two liveborn children) were comparable in the four HCs. A median of four prenatal consultations had been performed during the last pregnancy. The search of albumin and sugar in urine had been performed in >90% of women, like tetanus toxoid immunisation, anti-malaria and anti-anaemia prophylaxis. Blood group was checked in half of the women, syphilis infection status and haemoglobin level in less than one third. According to the HC, 3-23% of the women delivered at home. If delivery occurred in a HC, median duration between admission and delivery was 116 min while median stay at the HC after delivery was 11 h. Only 14% of the women had attended at least one post-partum consultation and 8.5% a FP consultation. Our observations have shown a relatively good management of pregnancy in these HC of Abidjan and some failures regarding delivery, post-partum follow-up and infant feeding. (author's)Phyllodes tumors of the breast (PTB) are rare fibro epithelial tumors. Their terminology, histological classification and their treatment are exposed to controversy. The aim of our work is to underline the epidemiological, clinical, histological, therapeutical, prognostic and evolutive features of these tumours through a retrospective study and a review of the literature. We reviewed at the National Institute of Oncology of Rabat, Morocco, between 1985 and 1998, all the files of patients with histological certainty of PTB, doubtful PTB were excluded. We collected epidemiological, clinical, histological, therapeutical, prognostic and evolutive features of these tumours. Statistics: quantitative parameters were represented by mean ± S.D. and qualitative parameters by percentage or effective. We studied nine cases of PTB, which represented 0.09% of all primitive tumors of the breast treated at our institution during the study period. All our patients were female. Mean age was 37.3 ± 10.07 years. Two of our patients (22.2%) had a history of fibroadenoma and 44.4% were nulliparous. Mean delay before consulting was 60.7 ± 17.56 months and the median tumour size was 13 ± 7.47 cm. Pathological findings were six benign or borderline phyllodes tumours (66.7%) and three cystosarcomas phyllodes (33.3%). The treatment consisted in simple mastectomy in seven cases (77.8%) and tumorectomy in two cases (22.2%). All the surgical margins were clear. Two of the three cystosarcomas phyllodes received adjuvant external bean radiation therapy 50 Gy on the thoracic chest wall. After a median outcome of 3 ± 2 years ranging from 3 to 74 months, we did not note any relapse or metastasis. In our series, PTB happened exclusively in females. History of fibroadenoma within 22.2% of the patients suggests the hypothesis of a filiation between these two entities. Their distinctive features were young age in diagnosis, long delay before consulting, important tumor size, predominant benign and borderline histological types, treatment mainly surgical and good local and distant control. (author's)The objective of this study is to answer the question: have we not been doing a lot of caesarean sections at University Teaching Hospital of Dakar? This is an analytic study about caesarean section in 1992, 1996 and 2001; it was a prospective and longitudinal data collection from the epidemiological survey program carried through in Senegal about its obstetrical and surgical cover. For each year concerned, we have analysed caesarean section rate, maternal mortality rate and perinatal mortality rate. To eliminate the random part in observed variation, we used the comparison of proportions observed as a statistical test with a significant threshold less or equal to 5%. Results. - Caesarean section has gone from 12% in 1992 to 17.5 in 1996 and 25.2% in 2001. Operative indications are dominated by foeto-pelvic disproportion with an average of 31% and foetal suffering with an average of 25%. The increasing trend has been statistically significant for information's such as foeto-pelvic disproportion andmaternal pathologies. The falling trend was statistically significant for indications in relation on relation to foetal suffering and scarred uterus. Gathering information has shown a stabilisation of "obligatory" caesarean rate around 41%, a decrease in "caution" caesarean rate from 50 to 37.2% and an increase in caesarean by "necessity" from 8.6 to 22.4%. The maternal mortality rate among women delivered has fallen from 1.4% to 0.8%, but postoperative surgery morbidity rate was still high around 10%, essentially due to infections. Reading of caesarean section rate has not a significant impact in perinatal prognosis. Today there is an inflation of caesarean section at University Teaching Hospital of Dakar, without any significant loss of the maternal and perinatal mortality rate. The high level of complications due to surgery incite to reverse trends in order to get reasonable rate around 10 to 15% of childbirths. (author's)[Vaginal virucides against HIV]
Despite intensive efforts to promote condoms as a means of preventing the spread of HIV, the rate at which the epidemic is expanding, highlights the need for additional prevention technologies, and in particular methods controlled by women. Virucides are anti-infective substances, formulated as gels, foams, creams, and suppositories and impregnated sponges, for vaginal application. Women will be able to insert them prior to sexual intercourse to protect themselves and their partners from infection with HIV. Unlike condoms, the woman will control them, and their use can be with or without her partner's consent or even knowledge. They will not create a physical barrier to reduce sexual pleasure, and it will be possible to apply them considerably in advance of sex so that there is no interruption to the natural course of events. Virucides will not necessarily be contraceptive; ideally, they will be available in a choice of contraceptive and non-contraceptive versions. Virucides are not intended to replace other prevention measures such as those based on male and female condoms-or vaccines when they become available-but will give people a wider choice of potentially life-saving methods of protection. About 60 candidate virucides are in the development pipeline, representing many different chemical categories and different mechanisms of action against infection. About half a dozen are scheduled to enter large-scale clinical trials in the near future. Virucides offer the prospect of a low-cost, woman-controlled option for self-administered, broad-spectrum protection against multiple HIV strains, other sexually transmitted pathogens and unwanted pregnancy. (author's)It is difficult to define pornography; it always proceeds from censure. Any representation of sexual relations forbidden by the law is considered as pornography. How can we evaluate its impact on teenagers? What are the possible consequences? Which image of woman is carried through pornography? (author's)[Obstetrical prognosis of labour induction with mifepristone after 41 weeks of gestation]
The objective was to compare the mode of delivery in two groups of patients selected by their response after induction of labour with mifepristone. We studied retrospectively 89 cases of labour induction with viable children after 41 weeks of gestation. Bishop scores were less than 6. Patients were given 200 mg of mifepristone per day for 48 h. They were retrospectively divided into group 1 (spontaneous onset of labour or premature rupture of membranes before the third day) and group 2 (not in labour by that date). The mean Bishop score at inclusion was 3.1 ± 1.3. Among the 51 patients (53.9%) in group 1, one required prostaglandins and we performed 10 cesarean sections. In group 2, the mean Bishop score at the 3rd day was 4.4 ± 1.3 (P < 0.0001). Twenty-four patients required prostaglandins (P < 0.0001) and we performed 17 cesarean sections (P = 0.01). The number of cesarean sections increased with the dose of prostaglandins (P = 0.025).We observed no maternal or fetal complications. Mifepristone was successful in inducing labour spontaneously in over 50% of pregnancies after 41 weeks of gestation. In the other group, the probability of vaginal delivery was reduced especially when high doses of prostaglandins were required. After the use of mifepristone, we suggest to shorten the duration of prostaglandin administration (two applications of 2 mg dinoprostone) before performing cesarean section. (author's)Describe the initiation and follow-up of Implanon insertion in current office-based practice in France and estimate the rate and causes of early removals. A prospective cohort study of 1000 women having been inserted with Implanon by a representative national sample of prescribers (gynaecologists and general practitioners) was designed. The follow-up period was 3 years and the enrolment was planned for 2 years starting July 2002 according to a naturalistic design. The results are related to an intermediate analysis describing the situation of the cohort at the date 31 December 2003. 872 women were enrolled, of whom 784 (89.9%) by gynaecologists and 88 (10.1%) by GPs. Implanon was inserted in 691 (79.2%) and 360 (52.1%) had at least one follow-up visit at this date. The mean follow-up period after insertion was 10.5 months. 38 early removals were recorded (actuarial rate at 16 months of 8.8% [CI 95% 5.0-12.7]), integrating the distribution of follow-up duration and the assumption that women with nofollow-up visit the still had device. The estimated early removal rate was lower than the result of the meta-analysis of international clinical trials but this figure should be confirmed in the final analysis of the study. (author's)[Does AIDS have a race or color? Data interpretation and health policymaking in Brazil]
Over the last few years we have observed a growing emphasis on a supposed relationship between the AIDS epidemic and the "black population" in Brazil. After undertaking an analysis of the national data base of HIV/AIDS in Brazil, this study examines the sociopolitical context in which public policy with a focus on "race" has been defined. We argue that questions related to the quality of the data, the structuring of the information system itself and the use and interpretation of this information are all essential elements for understanding the process underway. Specifically we aim to show that the available epidemiological data are not sufficient to warrant the interpretation that there is in fact a relationship between the "black population" and AIDS in the country. We stress that the emphasis on this supposed association is part of a more general process of construction of the field of the "health of the black population" in recent years and that this is related to interrelationships between political activism and the State which go far beyond the field of health. (author's)Studies and recommendations by health agencies have emphasized the importance of education in HIV-AIDS prevention. Mexico has included topics on sexuality and HIV-AIDS in school programs, triggering resistance by some social actors. The current study seeks to clarify the various positions and interests and their influence on the textbook content. A literature search was conducted on the period during which the last educational reform was implemented in Mexico. The discourse analysis focused on the ethnography of communication, which identified: the various actors' positions, arguments, actions, economic and political power, and relations to others. The results show that those who oppose the inclusion of these themes in the school curriculum base their position on tradition, contrary to modernization and secularization of social life, and that their positions range from refusal to raising conditions. Networks have been formed that provide such groups with significant economic and political power. Government has given in to some demands by partially modifying the textbook contents. The current analysis proposes to reflect on the potential repercussions of such actions on the control of the epidemic. (author's)[Tuberculosis in Rio de Janeiro prisons, Brazil: an urgent public health problem]
The tuberculosis incidence rate in prisons in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, was 30 times higher in 2004 than in the general population and is probably underestimated, particularly given the difficult access to care in the prison setting. To obtain a better estimate, a survey used systematic X-ray screening and showed a prevalence rate of 4.6% in one such detention facility, A (n = 1,052). Two additional surveys, in facilities B (n = 590) and C (n = 1,372), showed even higher prevalence rates (6.3% and 8.6% respectively). A comparison of socio-demographic characteristics between A, B, and C showed a heterogeneous prison population. As compared to facility A, inmates in B and C come from poorer urban communities and have more frequent histories of incarceration and tuberculosis. These differences, consistent with the prevalence data, imply the necessary adaptation of tuberculosis control programs to each detention facility's epidemiological and socio-demographic profile. (author's)Breastfeeding has a major impact on public health, since human breast milk is the best food for infants up to six months of age. The lipid fraction in human milk is the main source of energy for the infant and supplies essential nutrients such as fat-soluble vitamins and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Essential fatty acids (EFA), specifically linoleic acid (LA, 18:2n-6) and a-linolenic acid (ALA, 18:3n-3), are precursors of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA), including docosahexaenoic (DHA) and arachidonic (ARA) acids. Quality of lipids in secreted milk is precisely related to maternal ingestion. LC-PUFAs protect against allergy and infection and are important for visual and cognitive development in infancy. Industrial food processing has introduced the trans fatty acids (TFA) among the nutrients available to the population. TFA can interfere with the metabolism of essential fatty acids by decreasing LC-PUFA synthesis. It is thus important to raise population awareness on the importance of adequate PUFA consumption and reduced TFA intake during prenatal and postnatal development. (author's)[Anxiety during pregnancy, prematurity, and low birth weight: a systematic literature review]
The purpose of this systematic literature review was to examine publications that had investigated the effect of anxiety on prematurity and/or low birth weight. The PubMed, BVS, CINAHL, and HEALTHSTAR databases, published from 1966 to 2006, were tracked using the following key words: "anxiety", "pregnancy", "low birth weight", and "prematurity". Thirteen studies were found: 11 cohorts, 1 cross-sectional, and 1 case-control. Most studies (7/13) were conducted in the United States. The most reliable results came from four studies, whose strengths were: exclusion of adolescents and/or women older than 34 years, studies that analyzed anxiety during the second and/or third trimester of pregnancy, used validated scales to measure anxiety, kept loss-to-follow-up rates below 30%, and applied adequate control of confounders. Anxiety during pregnancy was associated with prematurity and/or low birth weight in eight studies. Odds ratios and relative risks varied from 1.08 to 2.31. Carefully designed and well-conducted studies are still needed to clarify the relationship between anxiety during pregnancy, prematurity, and low birth weight considering that the accumulated evidence remains controversial. (author's)This study evaluates the quality of data in the Brazilian Live Births Information System (SINASC), focusing on the methodological clarity of documentation and adequate data completeness and consistency at the national, regional, and State levels in 2002. The variables analyzed were: skin color/race of newborn, maternal schooling, maternal marital status, maternal occupation, maternal age, prenatal visits, live births, stillbirths, and birth weight. For most of the variables, SINASC shows good data completeness and consistency, but there were serious problems with the quality of data on previous children and maternal occupation. Related to race, there were some methodological problems in the definition and incomplete filling-in for the Federal District (Brasilia) and the States of Sao Paulo, Bahia, and Sergipe. Statistical analysis confirmed a significant association between data completeness and indicators of poverty and inequality. The study showed that improvements in SINASC data quality could make this system a good epidemiological source for identifying risk factors and socioeconomic conditioning factors. (author's)The objective of this study was to analyze explanations in male discourse for men's relatively limited use of health services, using a qualitative methodology. Representation of caring as a female task, work-related issues, difficult access to services, and lack of services specifically targeting men's health were the main reasons for their limited use of health services. By way of conclusion, the social imaginary by which men are viewed as invulnerable leads them to take less care of their own health and expose themselves to greater risk. (author's)Following the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), the HIV-related morbidity-mortality profile has changed. Opportunistic infections are not as prevalent as before, and "pre-AIDS" diseases have become more common, related mostly to the side effects of HAART. This study focused on HIV/AIDS-related mortality, based on multiple causes of death among individuals who died of HIV-related causes in the cities of São Paulo and Santos, Brazil, in 2001. Grade of Membership (GoM) analysis was used. Three mortality profiles were detected: (1) causes of death normally observed before the introduction of HAART, marked by opportunistic infections; (2) causes of death with mixed characteristics, both pre- and post-HAART; and (3) a residual profile, which did not contemplate HIV disease, but incorporated causes of death associated with the pre and post-HAART periods. It is hoped that the current study will contribute to the understanding of the HIV/AIDS morbidity-mortality scenario and help improve the treatment and care provided by public health services. (author's)[Pap smear screening for the control of cervical cancer in Minas Gerais State, Brazil, 2002]
This article analyzes the implementation of Pap smears by the Cervical Cancer Control Program in 2002 in women 25-59 years of age residing in 850 municipalities (counties) in Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Cluster analysis was performed to classify municipalities by: number of Pap smears performed; test findings; and adequacy of slides. The variable "satisfactory slide, but limited by" was the principal factor for classifying municipalities into 5 clusters. Spatial representation of clusters indicated a more critical situation in the North, Jequitinhonha, Vale do Mucuri, and Vale do Rio Doce "meso-regions" of Minas Gerais and identified operational problems resulting from inadequate collection of material, with more "desiccated" slides observed in the North of the State and more slides with "absent endocervical cells" in the Center and South. The methodology allowed identifying clusters of municipalities with problems in the screening process, related to quality of sampling and fixing and reading of slides. (author's)[Food security in Terena indigenous families, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil]
This study aims to describe the food security situation among Teréna families in the villages of Água Azul, Olho D'Água, and Oliveiras in Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil. The Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale was adapted to 15 questions that reflect food insecurity at different levels of intensity. A survey was conducted in the villages with 49 families that had under-five children. Information was obtained on income, family size, maternal education, and children's food intake. 75.5% of families showed some level of food insecurity (22.4% low, 32.7% moderate, and 20.4% high). A large percentage (67.3%) of the families live with fear of lack of food. One-fourth of women had experienced hunger during the month prior to the survey, and 14.3% (7) reported the same condition for children in the household. More serious food insecurity was observed in families with lower per capita income and lower maternal education, more family members, and more children per family group in which the children's diet wasinsufficient, especially in protein and iron. (author's)HIV-positive patients are at increased risk of acquiring infections, particularly those related to water and food. The risk could be reduced by educational interventions in the clinical setting related to food safety for the prevention of food-borne diseases. The current study aimed to analyze food safety knowledge, perceptions, and practices among HIV-positive outpatients. A questionnaire was organized with five behavioral areas (cross contamination; personal hygiene; household hygiene; temperature control; and control of unsafe foods). The test-retest procedure demonstrated the questionnaire's reliability. Kappa values varied among the questions: high for 84.6% (33); moderate for 12.8% (5); and low for 2.5% (1). Based on the results, the instrument showed good reliability for most of the questions and can be used for surveys on food safety in HIV-positive outpatients. (author's)[Family planning services under the Family Health Program in Brazil]
This evaluative study was performed in eight counties in Ceará State, Brazil, from July to September 2003. Data were collected through interviews with 29 nurses and 50 users of the Family Health Program (FHP), besides observations at health units. The aim was to identify the nature of family planning services and verify the existence of barriers to services and provision of contraceptives with a view towards ensuring an appropriate services network. Five styles of services were identified, although none followed a formal protocol, which raises a legal and ethical dilemma regarding prescription of contraceptives by nurses; delivery of contraceptive methods requires a monthly return visit by users due to excessive and unnecessary technical requirements that create barriers to access by users; and there is a lack of appropriate services, with nurse- and doctor-centered treatment and lack of partnership with other reproductive health services or community groups. Future studies should be designed to identify distinct dynamics in the FHP that innovate in family planning, as well as to define the legal and ethical framework for nurses to prescribe the methods. (author's)This study aimed to evaluate the operative group as a preventive approach among men who have sex with men that use two public health services in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. One hundred volunteers were randomly allocated to two groups (intervention and control, with 50 each). All participants answered questionnaires in two phases: before the intervention and six months after its conclusion. Effect was measured by comparing the groups for the following outcomes: median number of anal sex acts without condoms and responses from the participants to questions about HIV infection. 69 participants completed the study (34 in the prevention group and 35 in the control group). Analysis showed a decrease in the number of unprotected anal sex acts (p = 0.029) and an increase in the number of answers favoring prevention in the intervention group. The results indicate that the study group was responsive to a safer sex operative group intervention. Further research is necessary to evaluate the feasibility of this prevention approach as a public health strategy, including other social groups. (author's)We report the first case of bacillary angiomatosis due to Bartonella quintana affecting a Chilean a HIV positive patient in Chile. He was a 27 years old, heterosexual male, indigentman known to be HIV positive serological status known from September, 2003, under irregular medical control. On April, 2005, he presented a progressive abscess in the frontal region and erythematous papules in the extremities, that extended to face, thorax and mucoses, becoming nodular and violaceous lesions. Bacillary angiomatosis diagnosis was initially sustained on account of the clinical manifestations, and was confirmed by serology and Warthin Starry staining from a skin biopsy. The etiological agent was identified as Bartonella quintana through universal RPC performed from a cutaneous nodule to detect 16S rRNA gen. Azithromycin plus ciprofloxacin was started, besides of anti retroviral therapy antiretroviral, with the lesions being progressively disappearing. (author's)[Neonatal sepsis in the era of antenatal antibiotic prophylaxis]
The aim of this study was to compare incidence, bacteriology and associated mortality of neonatal sepsis in a neonatal unit, after (2001-2004) and before (1995-1996) implementation of universal screening for prevention of Group B Streptococcus diseases. Early onset sepsis incidence decreased from 2.5 to 1 per 1000 live births (p = 0.03), with a decrease in the proportion of Group B Streptococcus cases from a 54% to 11% (p < 0.01). In late onset sepsis, coagulase-negative Staphylococci continued to be the predominant pathogen (49% of cases), and Candida albicans emerged as the second etiologic agent in the post-screening period. Sepsis associated mortality was low in both periods (2.2%). (author's)The association of HIV infection and lymphoma in patients attending at the South Health Metropolitan Reference Centre is presented. Objective: to analyse its incidence, clinical and pathologic manifestations, treatment and outcome. Period of study: January 1990 to December 2002. Results: 14 cases were detected, 10 non Hodgkin lymphoma patients (7 with high malignancy and 50 % in stages III-IVB) and 4 with Hodgkin lymphoma (3 with mixed cellularity, 2 in stage IVB). The annual incidence was 0.68%. Ten patients were classified under stage C3 of AIDS CDC criteria, the mean CD4 count was 139 cells/mm3 and mean CV was 5,32 log. Eighty six percent of patients presented with unique or multiples lymphonodes, with predominance of advanced lymphoma stage. Conventional CHOP chemotherapy was the treatment for high risk and extended non Hodgkin lymphomas and for extended Hodgkin lymphomas the ABVD protocol was administered. Six patients received antiretroviral therapy, 4 simultaneously with chemotherapy. Global mortality in this series was 71%, attributable to tumor disease per se or to sepsis. Four patients survived (18 to 50 months) in complete remission, 2 non Hodgkin lymphomas and 2 Hodgkin lymphomas. The low incidence of lymphoma and AIDS association and the high frequency of lymphomas with localized or generalized lymphonodes in this series are remarkable. (author's)[Vulvovaginal candidiasis: symptomatology, risk factors and concomitant anal colonization]
The purpose was to analyze patients with vulvovaginal candidiasis with respect to risk factors, symptomatology and results of anal culture, to identify the frequency of species of Candida albicans and non-C. albicans, and to correlate anal and vaginal colonization. A total of 99 patients were included with suspected vulvovaginal candidiasis, from Natal, Brazil, between May 2003 and May 2005, totalling 294 collections. The clinical material, obtained by vaginal and anal swabs, was seeded on CHROMagar Candida®. The yeasts were identified using the classic method, in addition to the growth test at 42º and 45ºC and the Hypertonic Saboraud broth test. Symptomatology, risk factors and anal colonization were assessed according to positive or negative culture for Candida spp. The cultures positive for C. albicans at the two sites were compared with other results encountered. Yates' ÷2 test and Fisher's exact test were used for statistical analysis. The most frequent was C. albicans in 69% of the cases. Wearing tight and/or synthetic underclothing, the presence of allergic diseases, the occurrence of itching, leukorrhea and hyperemia showed a significant association with positive culture for Candida spp in the vagina. The chance of a patient with positive anal colonization to present with concomitant positive vaginal colonization was 2.8 and 4.9 times greater for Candida spp and C. albicans, respectively. The risk of a patient with anal culture positive for C. albicans to present with positive vaginal colonization was 3.7 times greater when compared to non-C. albicans species. The most common species was C. albicans, and a relevant association between vaginal cultures positive for Candida spp and the use of tight and/or synthetic underclothing, allergic diseases, the occurrence of pruritus, leukorrhea and erythema was observed (p<0.05). Positive anal colonization concomitant with vaginal colonization was significant, suggesting possible vaginal contamination from the anus. (author's)[Risk factors for the indication of caesarean section in Campinas (SP)]
The purpose was to determine the cesarean section (CS) rate in Campinas (SP) and to identify its risk factors. A cross-sectional study that analyzed data obtained from Live Birth Certificates in 2001. The dependent variable was the type of delivery and the independent variables were: mothers' characteristics and those related to their pregnancies, deliveries and to newborns. The assessment of the association among variables was performed through the ÷2 test, and crude and adjusted odds ratio (OR) values were calculated. The CS rate was 54.9%. The chances of having CS increased 1.9 times for women from 20-34 years old (adjOR-1.9; 95% CI:1.7-2.1); 3.7 times for those over 35 years old (adjOR-3.8; 95% CI:3.2-4.5); 1.5 times for those who studied from 8-11 years (adjOR-1.5; 95% CI:1.4-1.6); 2.5 times for those who studied more than 11 years (adjOR-2.6; 95% CI:2.2-2.9); 1.3 times for those who were married (adjOR-1.3; 95 % CI:1.2-1.4); 1.6 times for those who had jobs (adjOR-1.6; 95% CI:1.5-1.8); 1.2 times for who had good living conditions (adjOR-1.2; 95% CI:1.0-1.3); 2.2 times for primiparous (adjOR-2.2; 95% CI:1.9-2.5), 1.6 times for multiparous (adjOR-1.6; 95% CI:1.4-1.9) and 2.7 times in twin gestations (adjOR-2.7; 95% CI:1.9-3.9). The women who had inadequate prenatal care were protected for CS (adjOR-0.6; 95% CI:0.5-0.7).The chance of having CS was greater among women with better socio-economic conditions, with adequate prenatal care, for primiparous, for multiparous and in twin gestations, suggesting that the basis for indication of cesarean sections were not restricted to clinical factors but influenced by non-medical reasons. (author's)The purpose was to evaluate the loco-regional response to primary chemotherapy in patients with breast cancer at stages II and III. A retrospective and analytical clinical study carried out in 97 patients with an average age of 52.2 years old, with breast cancer at stages II and III, attended from January 1993 to December 2004, and submitted to 3 to 4 cycles of primary chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil - 500 mg/m2, epirubicin - 50 mg/m2 and cyclophosphamide - 500 mg/m2 or doxorubicin - 50 mg/m2 e cyclophosphamide - 500 mg/m2, and then to loco-regional surgical conservative or radical surgical treatment. Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were used to study the association among the variables (age, menopausal state, pre-chemotherapy tumoral volume, axillary condition, stage, therapeutic scheme and number of cycles), while Pearson's correlation coefficient was used for the quantitative variables (tumoral volume according to the anatomo-pathological study and the post-chemotherapy clinical tumoral volume. The significance level was 5%. There were 56.8% of cases at stage II and 43.2% at stage III. Approximately 50% of the patients received FEC50 and 50% AC. Objective clinical response with primary chemotherapy was obtained in 64.9% of the cases. Full clinical response occurred in 12.3% of patients, while full pathological response occurred in 10.3% of the cases. There was a statistically significant correlation between the number of cycles and the response to primary chemotherapy. Patients who received 4 cycles had better response than those who received 3 cycles. There was also a statistically significant concordance between the evaluation through clinical examination of the response to primary chemotherapy and the pathological findings. No statistically significant correlation was observed concerning age, menopausal status, tumoral volume, and pretreatment of axillary damage. (author's)[Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in women with polycystic ovary syndrome]
The purpose was to evaluate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Forty six women with PCOS, in accord with Rotterdam criteria (2003), and 44 women with regular menses, without any clinical or laboratorial hyperandrogenism features, and no ultrasonographic ovarian microcysts (control group) were evaluated. For metabolic syndrome, the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP, 2002) and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF, 2005) guidelines were considered. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome were 30.4% (NCEP) and 32.6% (IDF) for the women with PCOS, nearly 4-fold higher than that reported for the control group (p<0.004), which were 6.8% (NCEP) and 9.1% (IDF). Women with PCOS had persistently higher prevalence rates of the metabolic syndrome, regardless of matched age and body mass index. The most prevalent factor of the metabolic syndrome among the PCOS subjects was low serum HDL cholesterol which was below 50 mg/dl (52.2%). Waist circumference above 88 cm (47.8%), blood pressure above 130/85 mmHg and fasting glycemia above 110 mg/dl (4.3%) were significantly more frequent among women with PCOS than among control women. The metabolic syndrome is significantly more frequent in women with PCOS, placing them at higher risk for cardiovascular disease. (author's)[Meanings of sexuality and reproductive health in adolescents from Bogota]
The objective was to describe and understand the meanings that adolescents give to sexuality and how they are created and influence adolescents' reproductive health and sexual practices. The research was conducted in three different regions within Bogotá city. Twenty focus groups were selected and 20 life stories of boys and girls between 10 and 14 years old were transcribed. From inductive and deductive categorization of the transcripts of the oral histories, an interpretative analysis was carried out in order to generate concepts and relations that comprise plausible hypotheses about the meanings that circulate in the adolescents' symbolic universe. There are notable differences between the meanings that boys and girls give to sexuality, the ways in which such meanings are created, and the factors that contribute to its configuration. These findings imply dissimilar constructions related with reproductive and sexual health risks. The cultural constructions resulting from sexual differences that is, gender suggest the meanings that are given to sexuality in the groups studied and define ways of interacting with the social environment. Girls relate sexuality with reproduction and they experience it as negative. For boys, the possibility of a positive and pleasant experience of sexuality exists, marked by a context that encourages having sexual relations as a way of maintaining manhood. (author's)The objective was to assess the impact of atmospheric pollutants on the respiratory health of children of different age groups in Juarez City, Chihuahua, Mexico. Data on emergency room visits between 1997 and 2001 for respiratory diseases in children less than 17 years old were obtained from hospitals in the Juarez City belonging to the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS). Diseases were classified into three groups according to ICD 9th and 10th codes: a) upper respiratory diseases, b) lower respiratory diseases, and c) asthma attacks. This information was stratified by age group ( 5 years). Daily air pollution data (ozone and PM10) and weather conditions were obtained from the Monitoring Network System in Juarez City. Statistical analysis was carried out using a Generalized Additive Model assuming a Poisson distribution. Ozone concentrations, but not PM10, were statistically associated with emergency room visits for respiratory diseases, mainly among children 5 years old or younger. In this group, an increase of 20 ppb 1-hr maximum for ozone was associated with an increase of 8.3% in the number of emergency room visits for upper respiratory diseases, with a 3-day exposure lag; and an increase of 12.7% in the number of emergency room visits for lower respiratory diseases when considering a 4-day exposure lag in a maximum 8-hr mobile average. The largest effect for the complete sample and for the group 6 to 16 years of age was observed for 3-day lag (5.1% for an increase of 20 ppb 1-hr maximum for ozone). For the 6 to 16 year old group we did not find a significant effect. The wide range of risk is quite important and might represent a substantial cost for the health system as well as for the society. Our results emphasize the need to implement preventive and control measures for air pollution and avoid the worsening of the present situation. (author's)[Heterogeneity in the expression of female sexual commerce in Mexico City]
The objectives were to evaluate the relationships among the socioeconomic, demographic, and sexual behavior characteristics of commercial sexual workers (CSW) and their work site. A sampling frame was constructed in the Delegación Cuauhtémoc, México City, which included massage parlors, bars, and street points. During 1993, women were selected who answered a questionnaire that inquired about socio-economic and demographic characteristics and sexual behavior, and who gave a blood sample for evaluating the seroprevalence of the herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), which was evaluated using a Western blot test. Characteristics such as age, education, socio-economic level, sexual behavior, and seroprevalence indicators were related with the work site variable. This last variable was associated with the women's sexual behavior and with the prevalence of antibodies against HSV-2. Socio-economic and sexual behavior characteristics of the women studied, measured at the individual level, were significantlyrelated with social processes such as the organization of commercial sex in Mexico City. This organization is heterogeneous, taking on different expressions depending on the type of work site. (author's)[Inconsistent condom use among sexual workers in Ecuador: results from a behavior survey]
Whilst existing data suggests that the HIV epidemic in Ecuador is concentrated amongst men who have sex with men (MSM), there is very little available information on the situation of key populations, i.e. those most at risk of HIV infection and/or transmitting the infection. In particular, there is very little known about sex workers (SWs), their rate of condom use and other behaviors and characteristics with respect to the risk of acquiring sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This study presents findings from a survey carried out with SWs in eight cities in Ecuador. Using a cross-sectional design, a questionnaire focusing on behaviours, attitudes and socio-economic and demographic characteristics was administered to SWs in eight cities in Ecuador. These eight cities together account for the majority of the population in the country, and they were also identified as the locations with high reported levels of HIV. Information from a total of 2867 SWs was obtained, the majority were captured in their workplaces. Most of SWs interviewed carry out their activities in closed settings dedicated to sex work (i.e. not in the street). The average age of respondents was 28 (95%CI 27-29), and around half of them live with a male partner (married or not). The rate of condom use with the last client was 88% (82% consistently with the last three), whilst with regular partners it was 6%. A high index of lifeskills, high socio-economic status and having an official document that allows them to work, were positively associated with condom use with clients (PR [CI 95%] 1.40 [1.40-1.40], 1.37 [1.36-1.37], y 7.26 [6.87-7.46], respectively). Whilst condom use with clients amongst Ecuadorian SWs is high, this diminishes if one analyzes consistent condom use and is notably low with respect to regular partners. Condom use appears to be related to variables that can be linked to interventions, e.g. life-skills and official permission to carry out sex work. It is, therefore, important to tailor interventions for this population so they maximize the likelihood to increase consistent condom use. (author's)[Seroprevalence of syphilis in pregnant women in San Luis Potosi]
The objective was to determine the seroprevalence of syphilis in pregnant women. A seroepidemiologic survey was conducted in 1 857 women giving birth at a general hospital in the city of San Luis Potosi, Mexico. Five women (0.27%) were diagnosed with syphilis at the time of delivery. Maternal factors associated with a greater likelihood of syphilis included older age, a higher number of pregnancies and living out of wedlock. The number of newborns exposed to syphilis during pregnancy in San Luis Potosi is underestimated. The results of this study support the need to identify syphilis in infected mothers at the time of delivery. (author's)[HIV / AIDS-related stigma and discrimination: the case of health care providers in Mexico]
The objective was to analyze the social construction of stigma and discrimination processes associated with HIV/AIDS and people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA), based on the perceptions of health care providers in three states of the Mexican Republic. Qualitative and quantitative description. Observation at nine institutions; in-depth interviews (14) and surveys (373) directed to providers of health services. Seventy-five percent of providers reported having received training related to HIV/AIDS; however, notions persist as to patients being hopeless; discrimination due to the idea of risk groups; the immediate identification of living with the virus, having the syndrome and death; and specific lack of knowledge of forms of transmission. Twenty-three percent would not buy food from a PLHA and 16% think they should be banned from public services. With respect to confidentiality: 89% believe it should be maintained and 38% think that employers and administrators have the right to know about their employees' condition. Isolation, notes in clinical histories pointing to HIV, obligatory testing and delays in surgeries for PLHA were constant practices. The perception that men who have sexual relations with men and sexual workers decide their sexual practices marks the division between innocent victims and guilty ones, which determines the stigmatization and discrimination processes in health services. The design of strategies to decrease stigma and discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS demands the inclusion of an ethical debate about human rights and a structural focus regarding social conditions that go beyond the notion of risk behaviors. (author's)The objective was to determine the prevalence of secondary effects on lipid metabolism as a result of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), as well as the impact of different types of antiretroviral regimens on lipids and glucose in a group of patients in Yucatan, Mexico. A cross-sectional study was conducted. A questionnaire created for this study was administered to each patient and total cholesterol, triglycerides and fasting glucose values were determined. The presence of hyperlipidemia and alterations in glucose were determined as well as their relation to the epidemiological variables obtained from the questionnaire. A total of 211 subjects were studied [36 (17%) of which were women and 175 (83%) men]. Ninety-two patients (44%) were found to have hyperlipidemia. Of these, 43 (20%) had hypercholesterolemia (HC) and 82 (39%) hypertriglyceridaemia (HT). The presence of combined HC and HT was observed in 30 (14%) patients. Nineteen (9%) patients had alterations in glucose, six (3%) diabetes mellitus and 13 (6%) impaired glucose tolerance. The variables associated with the presence of hyperlipidemia were: levels of lymphocytes CD4 > 350 cells/µl (OR = 2.79 1.08-7.27, p = 0.03), male gender (OR = 3.6 1.4-9.12, p = 0.006) and the use of nucleoside-reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI) (OR = 3.1 1.2-8.1, p = 0.01). Patients with HIV infection who receive HAART have an increased risk of presenting hyperlipidemia. In this group of patients the presence of hyperlipidemia and impaired glucose tolerance was significant. Unlike what has been indicated in most published reports, the alterations of lipids were associated more frequently with INTR use, for which it is concluded that the pathogeny of these alterations is not unique, that it is probable that concurrent effects exist between different antiretroviral drug families and that other host factors are involved in the pathogenic mechanism of these alterations. (author's)[Iron deficiency anemia among Mexican women in reproductive age. History of an unresolved problem]
The objective was to describe the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia in the past 66 years among Mexican women on reproductive age, and to analyze the efficacy of interventions implemented for its prevention and control. Observational and clinical epidemiological studies as well as federal intervention programs published between 1939 and 2005 having original data related to anemia were reviewed using electronic databases (Medline and Artemisa) and manual searches. Keywords were anemia, iron deficiency, women, and Mexico. The quality of clinical trials was evaluated using the Jadad scale. Anemia prevalence tendency was analyzed using a linear regression weighted according to the sample size. Forty-six research studies were included, nine corresponded to clinical trials and four to federal-operative programs. Seventeen papers reported anemia prevalence in non-pregnant women and twenty-three in pregnant women. In the first group, weighted anemia prevalence had decreased from 39.6 to 15.5%, whereas in pregnant women it decreased from 35 to 25%. Of the clinical trials, 55% were considered to be good quality studies. Anemia in women on reproductive age, particularly in pregnant women, is still a public health problem in Mexico. If the current conditions continue, it would take 57 years to eradicate anemia in non-pregnant and 121 years in pregnant women. It is necessary to evaluate intervention policies and conduct consistent studies in order to enable appropriate steps to be taken to control anemia. (author's)[Maternal mortality in Guatemala: differences between hospital and non-hospital deaths]
The objective was to estimate the association between obstetric and socio-demographic characteristics and risk factors related to intra- and extra-hospital maternal mortality in Guatemala during the year 2000. A cross-sectional epidemiologic study was carried out in 649 maternal mortality (MM) cases that occurred in Guatemala during 2000, comparing characteristics of intra- and extra-hospital maternal deaths. Multivariate statistical analysis was conducted using Stata 7.0 software. Out of 649 registered MM cases, 270 (41.6%) were classified as intra-hospital MM and 379 (58.4%) as extra-hospital MM. A larger proportion of deaths occurred in women over 35 years of age (29.28%), those of indigenous ethnicity (65.49%), married or cohabiting (87.83%), who had unpaid employment (94.78%), and without formal education (66.56%). Compared with intra-hospital MM cases, the risk of extra-hospital MM was greater among indigenous women (OR 3.4; CI95% 2.8-5.3), those who had unpaid employment (OR 8.95; CI95% 1.7-46.4), a low level of formal education (OR 1.96; CI95% 1.0-3.8) and hemorrhaging as the immediate cause of death (OR 4.28; CI95% 2.3-7.9). Although some characteristics of intra- and extra-hospital MM cases are similar, a greater proportion of deaths were extra-hospital. This could be related to the high percentage of the population that lives in rural or marginalized areas, which in addition to certain cultural aspects (related to the fact that most of the population is indigenous) may impede access to health services. The results of this study can be useful for determining intervention strategies to prevent maternal mortality in intra- and extra-hospital contexts in Guatemala. (author's)[Assessment of HPV detection assays for use in cervical cancer screening programs]
Detection of high-risk human papillomavirus types (HPV) infection is an important tool in the screening of cervical cancer and triage of cytological abnormalities. The different techniques for detection of this cancer need to be contrasted and validated for use in population screening. Cervical cell samples were collected from 166 women attending a dermatology clinic in Oviedo (Spain). We evaluated the performance of three different assays for VPH detection. The methods utilized were 1) In-house PCR-EIA using L1 consensus primers MY09/ MY11, 2) A PCR-reverse line blot hybridization (PCR-LBH) that uses L1 consensus PGMY primers. 3) Hybrid Capture 2. All assays were performed blinded. The kappa statistic was used to test for global agreement between assay pairs. HPV DNA was detected in 24,7%, 25,3% and 29,5% of the women, respective to the assay. The overall agreement between the in-house PCR, PCR-LBH and HC2 was (73.5%) with all kappa values between assay pairs exceeding 0.56 (p<0.001). The three HPV assays were equally accurate in estimating high-risk HPV prevalence and HPV-related lesions. The method for HPV detection must be decided depending on the goals of the search (screening, follow-up or molecular studies). (author's)The objective was to introduce the study design of an HIV/AIDS and unplanned pregnancy prevention program targeting high school students, and to present the results from the baseline survey. A school curriculum was developed to inform adolescent students about HIV/AIDS/STD prevention, which included information on emergency contraception (EC) for adolescent students. A randomized controlled study was conducted to simultaneously evaluate the effect of this intervention. The baseline survey collected data on contraception knowledge and attitudes regarding sexual behaviors. A total of 11 117 students from 40 schools participated in the baseline (52% female, the mean age of both males and females was 15.5). A total of 10% of the females and 24% of the men surveyed were sexually active at baseline, but only 39% of those sexually active reported using a condom at the time of their first sexual intercourse. Among the sexually active students surveyed, a third of the males and a fifth of the females reported at least one condom slip or breakage. Most of the students were aware of EC. The low proportion of students that report using condoms accompanied by their incorrect use points to the need for HIV/AIDS and unplanned pregnancy prevention efforts. This novel approach offers adolescents EC, a backup method to the condom. The approach is feasible as students know what EC is and furthermore it appears that they are willing to use this method. (author's)The objective was to describe and compare household dynamics in terms of structure, beliefs and nutrition-related behavior in the homes of malnourished and well-nourished children less than five years of age. The authors carried out a qualitative ethnographic study using participant observation, and in depth interviews. Interviews were conducted with the child's caretaker or key informants, prior oral informed consent. Child care and childhood feeding practices at home and in the community were the focus of observations. The study included two periods of field work conducted in 2001, in three rural municipalities from the Río Balsas region, in Guerrero state, Mexico. The study's ethical and methodological aspects were approved by the National Research Commission of the Mexican Institute of Social Security. Households were differentially characterized by number of members, composition, type of relationship, source of income, and interactions among household members and with the community. Monoparental structures, in an early stage of the household cycle, give rise to conditions that render the child prone to malnutrition. Extended family structure represented more favorable household dynamics. (author's)[Validation of a household food security scale in Antioquia, Colombia]
The objective was to adapt and validate in households of Antioquia, Colombia, a food security scale previously applied in households of Caracas, Venezuela. The study was carried out in 44 municipalities in the department of Antioquia, Colombia, in 2003 and 2004, with a randomly selected sample of 1 624 rural and urban households with children under 10 years of age, representative for family units located in the department of Antioquia. The sample was selected using a confidence interval of 95% and an error of 3%. Household food security scale previously used by Paulina Lorenzana in Venezuela were validated for this survey. Internal consistency of the scale was determined using the Spearman correlation coefficient and Cronbach's Alpha coefficient. Construct validity was established through principal components analysis for categorical data. Prinqual procedure and Rasch modeling were used to define the components and items in the scale. Factor analysis showed two components: 1) variables related to "food insecurity without hunger", which is explained in 95%; 2) variables related to "food insecurity with hunger", which is explained in 89.4%. Cronbach's Alpha coefficients for "food insecurity without hunger" and "food insecurity with hunger" were 0.95 and 0.89, respectively. When analyzed using Rasch modeling, all items showed infit values within a range of 0.8 and 1.2. The scale correlated significantly (p<0.000) with food availability, begging, children's labor, household size, and occupation of the head of household. The scale can be considered a reliable instrument for assessing food insecurity in Antioquia households. (author's)The objective was to construct and validate a scale to assess violence by the male partner against women. An index of severity of the emotional and physical damage was also designed to assess the intensity of the violent actions against women. The sample consisted of a total of 26 042 women who participated as respondents in the National Survey on Violence against Women (ENVIM per its abbreviation in Spanish) conducted in Mexico during 2003. Respondents were all users of health services provided by the Mexican government. The questionnaire was organized into 17 sections, one of which was a 27-item scale to assess partner violence. The purpose of this scale was to measure the type (physical, emotional, sexual and financial) and degree of violence based on severity. A severity index was constructed based on two procedures: 1) the validity, reliability, and factor analyses of the scale and 2) the assessment of severity by expert judges who assigned a value to each item of the scale. The validity and reliability results indicated this scale has adequate internal validity (Cronbach's Alpha=0.99). The factor analysis with Varimax rotation yielded a four-factor solution. The factors were: 1) Psychological violence; 2) Physical violence; 3) Severe physical violence; and 4) Sexual violence. The combination of the four factors accounted for 62.2% of the variance in the scale. Using the ratings from the judges a table of values for each of the violent actions described was obtained. The scores assigned by the judges ranged from 0 to 354. Results revealed a prevalence of 21% partner violence in the last twelve months. The prevalence of psychological violence was 18.5%; of physical violence 10.1%; severe physical violence 6.7% and sexual violence 7.0%. The scale of violence described in this article is a very useful and reliable instrument to assess marital violence against women. It is suggested that this instrument be used in other settings to compare results with different samples. (author's)The objective was to characterize intimate partner abuse and identify the main factors associated with violence in pregnancy in four highly deprived States in Mexico. The data were taken from the National Survey on Violence against Women 2003 (ENVIM per its abbreviation in Spanish). Based on it a cross-sectional study was conducted on 1 949 women between 15 and 50 years of age, who were once pregnant and who utilized primary and secondary health care services from the Ministry of Health, Mexican Institute of Social Security, and the Institute for Social Security and Services for State Workers in Guerrero, Hidalgo, Oaxaca and Chiapas states, between November 2002 and March 2003. Logistic regression was used to assess the association between independent variables and violence during pregnancy. 250 women (13%) suffered a type of violence (physical, psychological, sexual or economical) during any of their pregnancies. Of these women 76 (30.40%) were battered on their abdomen. In most of these cases (91.39%) the husband was the aggressor. The variables significantly associated with violence in pregnancy were: woman's illiteracy (OR 2.2; CI 95:% .1, 4.4); history of violence in childhood (OR 3.2; CI 95% 1.9, 5.4) as well as sexual abuse in her childhood (OR 2.4, CI 95% 1.3, 4.4) and her partner's daily alcohol consumption (OR 6.5; CI 95% 3.3, 12.9). The results show that violence during pregnancy is a regular event in the impoverished context and that its expression is more severe. These results point to the importance of continued study of the problem of violence against pregnant women in Mexico and the importance of identifying battered women in prenatal care. (author's)[Gender violence prevalence in female users of health services in Mexico]
The objective was to identify the prevalence of violence against females among those who are health service beneficiaries in Mexico. The National Survey on Violence against Women (ENVIM, per its Spanish abbreviation) was applied in 2003 to female users of public primary and secondary health care services. The sampling framework was based on a stratified, probabilistic sample in two stages. First the health care units were selected with probability proportional to the number of physicians' offices in the unit, from a list of possible care units. Second, women 15 years and older who sought care at the health care unit were selected for participation in the study through systematic sampling. Univariate analysis and then bivariate analysis were carried out on the data collected with a questionnaire. The sample included 26 042 women between 15 and 92 years of age, with a mean age of 35.8 years. Physical violence during childhood was reported by 42% of the women. Only 7.8% answered yes to a general question about whether they experienced domestic partner violence, but 21.5% reported experiencing violence of any type during the last 12 months as measured by a scale including specific acts of psychological, economic, physical and sexual violence. The most frequently reported type of violence was psychological (19.6%). Of the women who had been pregnant, 14.1% reported having experienced violence during pregnancy, and 4.4% reported being hit in the abdomen. The prevalence of sexual violence was 17.3% and close to half reported being victims of this type of violence before age 15. Higher prevalence of violence was found among women with lower levels of formal education, living in a rented home, in areas with higher overcrowding indices, and users of Ministry of Health care services. Identifying and measuring violence is complex, given the diverse types of violence and how they are perceived and therefore reported by women themselves. This is an important public health problem, in view of the high frequency observed in this study and the immediate implications. These findings indicate the urgent need for interventions to prevent and treat violence. (author's)[Physical and sexual abuse during childhood and revictimization during adulthood in Mexican women]
The objective was to quantify the association between physical and sexual abuse during childhood and violence during adulthood in a representative sample of female health care users in Mexico. A questionnaire was administered to 26 042 women over 14 years of age who sought medical consultation from public health care services between October 2002 and March 2003, in all 32 states in Mexico. Two models were constructed: a) Multiple polytomic logistic regression models to explore the association between violent victimization by the partner during adulthood and violence during childhood. b) Multiple logistic regression models to explore the association between experiencing rape during adulthood and violence during childhood. Among women studied, an association was found between experiencing physical violence during childhood and suffering physical and sexual violence from the male partner or experiencing rape, during adulthood. When physical violence during childhood occurred "almost always", it was more likely that the woman undergo physical and sexual violence (OR=3.1; 95%CI 2.6-3.7) and rape (OR=2.9; 95%CI 2.4-3.6), during her adult life. In addition, when violence during childhood was more frequent, the likelihood of experiencing violence during adulthood was greater. A positive association was found between physical and sexual abuse before 15 years of age (OR=2.8; 95%CI 2.2-3.5). Experiencing rape during adulthood was also associated with sexual abuse before 15 years of age (OR=11.8; 95%CI 10.2-13.7). In this sample of Mexican women, both physical and sexual violence during childhood has negative results during adulthood, including a greater likelihood of revictimization by the male partner and rape. Physical and sexual abuse during childhood must be prevented or at least detected and treated. (author's)[Between denial and helplessness: health care providers facing domestic violence in Mexico]
The objective was to increase the knowledge of health care providers ´ understanding of and practices on domestic violence, in order to improve care. This study was conducted between May and November 2003, In Quintana Roo, Coahuila, and Mexico City, three Mexican states with a high prevalence of domestic violence. Sixty indepth interviews with health care providers in public health institutions and key informants of health service provision were completed. Health care providers were categorized based on the extent to which they reproduced four "discourses about violence". These discourses influence their daily practice and are related to the informants' gender values and social positions. Most informants expressed their willingness to address the issue of domestic violence. Attention to and care for domestic violence is insufficient in health services; this may be due more closely related to a predominant discourse tolerating domestic violence among decision-makers, than to the attitudes of healthcare providers; the latter demonstrated greater awareness of women's rights. (author's)The objective was to identify and describe the factors associated with emotional distress in a national sample of women users of public health services in Mexico, such a Secretaria de Salud (SSA), Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS), Instituto de Seguridad y Servicios Sociales de los Trabajadores del Estado (ISSSTE). This research study was conducted using the database of the National Survey of Violence against Women that consisted of the responses of a total of 26 042 female users of health care services provided by the Mexican government health agencies. The Personal Health Scale (ESP per its initials in Spanish) was used to assess emotional distress. To measure violence a 19-item scale which explores different types of violence as well as severity was used. The relationship between emotional distress and gender violence was determined through a binary logistic regression model, as were economic status and demographic variables. One of the most important findings of this study is the high prevalence of emotional distress (15.3%) among women seeking health care services from the public sector and the relationship of such emotional distress with the experience of marital physical, psychological, and sexual violence. Factors associated with emotional distress among female users of health care services were age (26 and older); activity (laborer); working hours (71 hours a week or more); alcohol intake (greater intake); abuse during childhood (frequency and types of abuse); severity of marital violence (severe violence); socioeconomic status (very low SES); and type of dwelling (urban). The principal predictor of emotional distress was intimate partner abuse, especially in severe expression. The next predictor was violence in childhood. Taking into consideration these predictors it is recommended to use screening instruments to identify emotional distress and gender violence in health setting. It is important to design and implement attention and reference programs in public health services for women suffering from emotional distress and gender violence. (author's)[The contribution of violence to maternal mortality in Morelos, Mexico]
The objective was to document the under-registration of violent deaths related to pregnancy and the importance of considering these violent deaths within the definition of maternal mortality. The study was carried out in the state of Morelos, based on the review of all death certificates (394) of reproductive aged women (12-49 years) who died during 2001. Based on a list of diagnostic criteria we eliminated 167 certificates that were neither violent deaths nor maternal deaths. The remaining 227 certificates were further evaluated through verbal autopsy and/or review of medical charts. Fifty-one violent deaths were found. Eighteen maternal deaths were officially reported in 2001, however, our study identified 23 direct maternal deaths and four violent deaths during pregnancy and the post-partum period. We found that this reproductive event was the direct trigger for the homicide or suicide of these four women, and only one of these cases was documented officially. Violent deaths related to pregnancy should be included in official maternal mortality statistics as indirect causes of maternal deaths. This would allow for a greater and more accurate understanding of violent maternal deaths and guide appropriate prevention and care policies, programs and services. Verbal autopsy is a useful technique for identifying cases of violent maternal deaths. (author's)[Violence in Mexican women using public health services]
The objective was to compare the prevalence of violence and determine its risk factors among women who use Mexican Social Services (IMSS) clinics and do not have access to social security services. Sociodemographic data linked to domestic violence reported by women attending the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS) health services was analyzed. Bivariate and multivariate analysis was performed using STATA V.7. Psychological violence in IMSS women was 18% followed by physical violence (9.1%), sexual (6.7%) and economic (5%). Prevalence of violence in women with no social security care was psychological (21.4%), physical (10.5%), sexual (7.5%) and economical (5%). Women between 25 and 44 years of age with basic schooling and married and with family background of violence were the most affected. The daily consumption of alcohol by their partners was an important predictor of domestic violence. Violence in women with no social security is higher. Partner's alcohol intake pattern is an importantrisk factor. Detection of domestic violence in the clinical setting is necessary to recognize its real magnitude as a social problem. (author's)The objective was to determine the prevalence of dating violence and its association with depression and various risk behaviors in a sample of female students from the state of Morelos. This is a baseline cohort study of a sample of 13 293 students from 12 to 24 years of age who attended public schools in the state of Morelos during the 1998-1999 school year. The participants were selected from a random sample of 260 junior high schools, 92 high schools and one university. For the purpose of this analysis, a total of 4 587 female students who had a previous dating relationship were selected. To control for possible confounding variables, multiple logistic regression analysis was used. The total prevalence of dating violence in females who attended public schools in Morelos was 28%. The following variables were associated with dating violence: depression (OR = 1.92; 95%CI 1.61-2.28); tobacco smoking (OR = 1.31; 95%CI 1.06-1.60); alcohol abuse (OR = 1.30, 95%CI 1.12-1.51); poor academic performance (low grades) (OR = 1.25; 95%CI 1.03-1.52); a history of sexual relations (OR = 1.52; 95%CI 1.26-1.82). The results of this study clearly indicate that women experience partner violence beginning with dating during adolescence. Health and education professionals need to establish intervention strategies to prevent or treat dating violence among female students. Such strategies should take into account the association between depression and violence, as well as other related risk behaviors. (author's)[Women's perceptions on intimate partner violence in Mexico]
The objective was to identify personal, cultural, and institutional factors that hinder the solution to domestic violence. In Quintana Roo, Coahuila, and Mexico City, 26 in-depth interviews with women currently suffering from intimate partner violence and others who had already found a solution were carried out, between May and November 2003. Among women's explanations to violence, it was possible to distinguish between causes (non intentional violence) and motives (intentional violence). Associated with these explanations, issues related to tolerance emerge, as well as attribution of responsibility. Moreover, the social ties of the women contribute to the acting out of gender roles and the justification or tolerance of conjugal abuse. The dominant values and norms of gender in society, shared by abused women and the community, are responsible for the perpetuation of intimate partner violence. (author's)The objective was to analyze the expectations of women who wait for Assisted Reproduction Treatment - RA in the public hospital chosen as the reference in the Public Health Network in the Federal District - HRAS, Brazil. For thirty days, 51 women of the 56 who went to the Hras for infertility treatment were interviewed by a questionnaire including 10 objective questions related to the topic. This trial was divided into two groups. The first, the "control group", comprised 27 patients recently sent to the reference public hospital from local health care centers or a regional hospital. The second, the "study group", comprising 24 women already diagnosed by the medical staff of HRAS and in the waiting line for "in vitro" fertilization. According to the input provided by the two groups, results show that the average waiting time for treatment is so long that women actually age during this time and face the risk of having a dangerous pregnancy before they receive treatment. These results show that women unable to pay for treatment in a private fertilization clinic have a poorer chance of achieving RA: the health problem concerning this specific population ignores redressing or income distribution processes. Data show that, notwithstanding, this waiting period imposed by the State, expectations of the patients waiting for RA are reinforced. There is basis to provide information about the waiting time. The unpredictable availability of the medication needed for in vitro fertilization, jeopardizes the future of this service offering the treatment. (author's)The objective was to study the association between first and last caesarian sections with tubal sterilization; to determine length of reproductive life after the first delivery. From February to October 2001 in a university hospital, interviews were carried out with 653 women having had at least two pregnancies. Of these women, 172 had a first caesarian section; 294 had a last caesarian section. Variables were social demographic characteristics, obstetric history and characteristics of the first and last deliveries and tubal sterilization. Bivariate analysis was performed, followed by multiple regression analysis calculating the adjusted odds ratio. Women who had undergone tubal sterilization were divided into age groups of 25 to 44 and >45 years in a percentile distribution. The Wilcoxon test was used to analyze age at tubal sterilization and length of reproductive life after the last delivery. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee. Of these women, 89% completed <8 years of school education and 78% were Caucasian. On multiple regression analysis, there was an association between the first and last caesarian section (OR=15.28, 95%CI 8.54 to 27.36), having a partner (OR=3.87, CI 95% 1.63 to 9.17) and giving birth in the '70s, '80s or '90s (OR=4.43, 95%CI 1.37 to 14.27), (OR=6.11, 95%CI 1.47 to 25.47) and (OR=6.67, 95%CI 1.21 to 40.26), respectively. The last caesarian section was associated with intrapartum tubal sterilization (OR=14.09, 95%CI 7.37 to 26.97), giving birth in the '70s, '80s or '90s (OR=1.81, 95%CI 1.06 to 3.09), (OR=5.53, 95%CI 3.18 to 9.61) and (OR=5.90, 95%CI 3.03 to 11.48), respectively, family income of >5 minimum wages (OR=2.41, 95%CI 1.42 to 4.08) and age at first delivery >25 years (OR=1.80, 95%CI 1.01 to 3.22). Mean age at sterilization was 29.0 and 33.2 years in women aged 25 to 44 years and >45 years, respectively (p<0.001). The duration of the reproductive period after the first delivery was 9.0 and 11.4 years for the same groups (p<0.001). The first caesarian section was associated with the last caesarian section. The last caesarian section was associated with intrapartum tubal sterilization. Age at sterilization was lower and the reproductive period was shorter among younger women. (author's)[Adolescent females' knowledge about pregnancy prevention methods and sexually transmitted diseases]
The objective was to evaluate knowledge about sexuality, contraceptive methods and sexually transmitted diseases (STD) by female adolescents from both rural and urban zone attending public school. A cross sectional study was made with 506 teenagers, 10 to 16 years old, attending Dr. Roberto Feijó Public School in Guararema, São Paulo. A semi-structured questionnaire with general questions about sexuality, contraceptive methods and STD was administered. The Chi-square test was used to verify the association between variables. Mean age of the girls from the rural zone was 13 years and 11 months and from the urban zone age was 13 years and 7 months, with no statistical difference. Of all the girls, 31% came from the rural and 69% from the urban zone. Adolescents from the rural zone looked for more information about sexuality (81.2%) when compared to those from the urban zone (72.2 %) (p<0.0568). Parents were the main source of information for both zones. The condom was the most familiar method in therural (44%) and the urban (45%) zones (p=0.0022). AIDS was the best known STD by girls from the rural (43%) and urban (39%) zones (p=0.7843). Most of the surveyed female adolescents sought information about sexuality, however their knowledge about STD and contraceptive methods was inadequate. (author's)[Relation between age at menarche and final height of women in the Pro-Saude Study]
The objective was to evaluate the relation between age at menarche and final height. Complete data were obtained for 1,940 participants of a cohort study (Pró-Saúde Study) of civil servants at a university in Rio de Janeiro. A self-administered questionnaire was used to obtain the date of birth, age of the first menstruation and parents' educational level. Height in centimeters was measured twice by trained anthropometrists. Data were analyzed using linear regression models with final height as the dependent variable. After adjusting for parents' educational level, it was observed that for each additional year in the age at menarche there was an increase in the final height of 0.91 cm for women aged 22 to 30 years, 0.44 cm for women aged 31 to 40 years and 0.40 cm for those between 41 and 50 years of age. In contrast, for women of 51 to 60 years of age, each additional year in the age at menarche was associated with a decrease of 0.64 cm in the final height. Focusing only on women between 22 and 50 years of age, no significant interaction was identified between age and age at menarche, however a strong negative confounding effect exerted by participants' age and by their parents' educational level was identified. Results of this study suggest that, for younger generations, a later age at menarche is directly associated with final height. Childhood socioeconomic conditions and generation effects can be important confounding factors and should be considered in analyses of this relationship. (author's)[Effects of recombinant human erythropoietin in preterm newborns with infectious diseases]
The objective was to study the effects of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEpo) in preterm newborns (PTNs) with serious infectious diseases. A not randomized case-control study was carried out in 34 preterm newborns with diagnosis of serious infectious pathologies, gestational age up to 35 weeks, birth weight less than 1500 g and clinical stability. Newborns selected for treatment with rHuEpo received 400 U/ kg erythropoietin ß, subcutaneously twice a week. Oral iron supplementation was initiated when the levels of serum ferritin were lower than 60 mcg/l. The study was continued for six weeks or until the patient was discharged from the hospital. Erythropoiesis, granulopoiesis, thrombocytopoiesis, the need for transfusions and the occurrence of new episodes of infectious disease were analyzed. In the treated group there was a significant increase in the number of reticulocytes, although there was no statistically significant difference between the groups with regard to the number or volume of transfusions. There was no significant difference in neutrophils and platelet values. The use of rHuEpo, 800 U/kg/week, in PTNs with infectious diseases was effective in inducing erythropoiesis, without significant changes in the number of neutrophils or platelets. This strategy, and the accurate control of the blood collected for laboratory exams, may be beneficial for prevention of the anemia in PTNs with serious infectious diseases. (author's)This work was aimed at constructing curves relating birth-weight to gestational age; these can be used as a standard for the newborn in Colombia. The curves were drawn up using birth-weights from pregnancies lasting 22-44 weeks. Three tables were drawn up; these are presented, along with their respective graphs. They were constructed using monotonic regression from the sample percentiles computed in strata defined by gender and the number of weeks. Percentile curves were built for 5, 10, 25, 50, 75, 90 and 95% percentiles for the newborn in the form of tables and graphs. Constructing birth-weight curves from data pertaining to the target population led to better classification of the newborn. (author's)[Caregivers and health workers' perceptions of neonatal disease alarm signals in Guapi, Colombia]
The objectives were to explore caregivers (CG) and health workers' (HW) perceptions of danger signals in the newborn and establishing the type of medical attention they require in rural and urban areas of Guapi on Colombia's Pacific coast. A descriptive design was used combining qualitative and quantitative methods. Three focus groups, three semi-structured interviews and two case-studies were employed. Some signals obtained from these data were used for constructing a structured interview. A survey was carried out with 200 CGs (mothers with newborn, grandmothers, community mothers, housewives) and 40 HWs (general practitioners, health promoters, nursing auxiliaries, traditional medicine healers, midwifes and FAMI-mothers). The data was analysed using MaxQDA 2.0 qualitative data software and ethnographic analysis. The first 5 signs of illness (in order of importance) perceived by CGs and HWs were: diarrhoea, dehydration, fever, vomiting and breathing problems. They coincided in their perceptions of the need for emergency consultation for convulsions, tetanus and dehydration. Significant differences were found between HW and CG perceptions regarding "type of consultation" for dehydration, fever, convulsions, breathing problems and tetanus (p<0.05). Cultural illnesses (i.e. the evil eye and ghosts) also emerged. CGs and HWs in Guapi were good at recognising danger signals for neonatal illness; however, there were differences regarding the search for attention. The finding of cultural illnesses must be taken into account in newborn attention strategies. This acceptable level of recognition was hindered by the lack of quality medical care services for the newborn encountering health problems. (author's)[Environmental tobacco smoke and pneumonia in children living in Monterrey, Mexico]
Acute respiratory diseases occupy the first 5 places in infantile morbidity and mortality around the world, two million children directly dying from such cause annually. Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) contains toxic and irritating compounds having an injurious effect on health, producing increased risk of morbidity and mortality in non-smoking adults and children. Our main objective was determining the association between ETS and pneumonia in children. This was an unmatched case and controls hospital-based study. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated. A total of 285 patients (142 cases and 143 controls) were studied; 47.4 % of the patients were female and average age was 4.5,+2.7. OR for patients being exposed to ETS developing pneumonia was 3.44 (CI: 2.11-5.6). Children being exposed to ETS increases the risk of developing pneumonia by more than threefold. (author's)[Sexually-transmitted infection in a high-risk group from Monteria, Colombia]
The objective was to identify the main aetiological agents of sexually transmitted infections (STI) in a high-risk population from the city of Montería, Colombia. The population consisted of 69 sex-workers (high-risk group) and 16 housewives (low-risk group) living in the city of Montería. Specimens were cultured by standard microbiological methods and by the AMPLICOR CT/NG molecular technique. Patients were aged 18-44 (26.1 average age). It was determined that 17.4% of the high-risk population were positive for G. vaginalis, 15.9 % for C. trachomatis, 4.3 % for N. gonorrhoeae and 2.9 % for T. vaginalis and Candida albicans and, in the low-risk population, 56.3 % for G. vaginalis, 12.5 % for C. trachomatis, 6.3 % for N. gonorrhoeae and 12.5 % for C. albicans. It was found that 70 % of the sex-workers had 5-10 sexual relationships per week, 10 % 11-15 per week and 20 % 16-20 per week (average above 1 000 annual partners). 15.4 % of the sex-workers did not use protection during their sexual relationships. The high rates of infection found in the populations studied presume a high risk of transmission, making it a priority to intervene in these groups to prevent the spread of HIV and STI. (author's)[Public health: knowledge, practice and training]
This paper presents a discussion regarding Public Health's main challenges: knowledge of it, professional practice and training human resources. It begins by recognising Latin-America's unequal and polar socio-sanitary context and the sanitary field's myriad single referents, paying special attention to essential public health functions, the Millennium development goals and the Latin-American Association of Public Health Education. Emphasis is placed on three components: knowledge of public health (levels, domains, disciplines, temporality, dimensions and complexity), social practice (state-public, collective general practice and group professional practice) and human resources' training (professional, technical, training and updating). An essential challenge is then identified for each of these components and a set of proposals to be launched from the Latin-American Association of Public Health Education is outlined (interchange, partnerships and advocacy). (author's)[Displaced and local children's alimentary patterns and nutritional state in Piedecuesta, Colombia]
This study was aimed at establishing displaced and local children's alimentary patterns amongst the school-age population from the Guatiguará area (Piedecuesta) and correlating their nutritional state with chosen socioeconomic and nutritional factors. This descriptive transversal study of 89 displaced and local school-aged children (6 to 12 years of age) from the Guatiguará area (population=258) was carried out in 2004. Data was collected from socio-demographic and nutritional surveys as well as a food intake questionnaire (SICI). Twenty-four hour dietary recall, standardised kitchen item games and photographic models of the size of food portions were also used. The children's height and weight were measured. SICI, Excel, Epi Info 6.04d and Stata 8.0 software were used for processing the data. Nutritional state (weight per age - W/A) was as follows: 25,8 % deficit and 14,6 % risk of deficit. Low vegetable, fruit and protein consumption was found. The lowest percentages regarding consumption of needed items pertained to calcium, vitamin B6, iron, zinc and niacin. The relationship between receiving a monthly family income of less than Col $150 000 and nutritional deficit was (OR=2.76 CI (95 %) 0,92-8,44, p=0,040). Nutritional deficit protection factors consisted of having an employed mother (OR=0.29 CI (95 %) 0,09-0,84, p=0,012) and families having 2 or 3 employed members covering household expenses (OR=0.17 CI (95 %) 0,03-0,69 p=0,0052). Selected socioeconomic factors influenced the studied population's alimentary pattern and nutritional state. (author's)Evaluating the frequency of mycobacterium infection in an HIV-positive population and its influence on medium-term survival, along with clinical and epidemiological factors associated with co-infection. Several clinical specimens were studied for mycobacteria in a sample of 92 HIV+ patients at the San Juan de Dios teaching-hospital in Bogota, Colombia, during 1996. Factors associated with infection were measured using a prevalence ratio (PR), CI=95%, and logistic regression was used in the multivariable models. The likelihood of survival for three months was measured using Kaplan-Meir curves and factors associated with survival were assessed using Rate ratios and Cox's model. Eight percent of the patients had tuberculosis and 6% of them were found to be infected with atypical mycobacterium. Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) was the most frequent species, followed by M. fortuitum and M. chelonae. Mixed infections with M. tuberculosis and MAC were diagnosed in one patient and two different species of atypical mycobacterium were isolated in other two cases. Patients suffering from tuberculosis and stages III or IV HIV infection had a 16% survival rate. Tuberculosis-HIV/AIDS frequency and atypical Mycobacterium-HIV/AIDS' association were very similar. The most frequently isolated atypical mycobacterium specie in this study was MAC. Survival rate was lower for patients infected by M. tuberculosis and even lower when a multi-resistant strain was involved. The most important clinical factor associated with M. tuberculosis was the presence of fever and loss of weight with mycobacterial infection. Blood provided the best samples for isolating mycobacteria. (author's)[Acceptance of chemotherapy by Brazilian women with breast cancer]
Breast cancer has the second highest incidence and is the first cause of death by cancer among Brazilian women. Under the physician's perspective chemotherapy should be indicated according to the risk benefit ratio in each case. However, from the Brazilian breast cancer patient's perspective this risk benefit ratio requires further classification. In patients with breast cancer who have already received chemotherapy evaluate the minimum benefit considered necessary for a renewed administration and learn which factors may influence this decision. we surveyed 53 patients comprising general, clinical and cancer related variables, as well as issues related to the minimal expected benefit which would induce the patient to agree to undergo chemotherapy. 75% would accept to receive chemotherapy again even if it would not change their probability of relapse, 50% would accept chemotherapy again, even though it would not increase survival rates. Similarly, 81.54% would submit once more to chemotherapy even though it would not increase their probability of cure. Acceptance of a new chemotherapy treatment yielding minimal benefits correlated significantly with more age, with a lower educational level and with no previous administration of Adriamycin. Even with a minimal benefit, the majority of formerly treated breast cancer patients are willing to submit to another chemotherapy treatment. (author's)The objective was to verify the relation between HPV 16/18 antibodies and the association with cervical cytology findings in adolescents and young women. A cross sectional study with 541 healthy and sexually active women from 15 to 25 years of age was carried on from September to November 2000. At gynecological examination, a cervical sample on liquid-base for cytology-testing and a blood sample for ELISA identification of HPV 16 and 18 antibodies were collected and sent to a reference laboratory in Belgium. Statistical analysis estimated the prevalence and prevalence ratio with a 95% confidence interval. Of these young women, 150 (27.7%) were seropositive: 79 (14.6%) to HPV 16 antibody; 35 (6.4%) to HPV 18 antibody and 36 (6.6%) to both HPV 16/18 antibodies. Cytological abnormalities were detected in 107 cases (20.5%): 63 presented with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS), 41 were suggestive of low grade squamous intra-epithelial lesion (LGSIL) and 3 of high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HGSIL). Prevalence of abnormal cytology with a positive serology was only 1.75 times that of prevalence of abnormal cytology with a negative serology. Detection of abnormal cytology was not correlated with positive serology. Results of this study indicate a high prevalence of HPV 16 and 18 in young healthy women which showed no relation to the abnormal findings of cytology smears. (author's)Assess weight variations in Brazilian users of the 20 µg/ day levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS, Mirena) for comparison with a cohort of users of the TCu 380A intrauterine device (IUD) and a cohort of users of the injectable contraceptive, depotmedroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) over a period of five years. A total of 163 users of the LNG-IUS, who had the device inserted in 1998, were admitted to the study. At the time of enrollment, each woman was matched by weight (± 1kg) and age (± 1year) to a woman using a TCu 380A IUD and to another woman using DMPA. All women were followed up for a period of five years. Each year weight was measured and the body mass index (BMI, kg/m2) was calculated. Age of the LNG-IUS users was 27.0 ± 6.7 years (mean ± SD), while age of the copper IUD users was 28.0 ± 6.6 years and that of DMPA users was 26.9 ± 6.5 years. Weight recorded at the onset of the study was 62.9 ± 0.8 kg, 62.8 ± 0.8 kg, and 62.5 ± 0.9 kg (Mean ± SD) for users of the LNG-IUS, the copper IUD, and DMPA, respectively. The BMI of women was initially 25.0 (±0.3), 26.4 (±0.3), and 25.5 (±0.4), (Mean ± SD), for users of the LNG-IUS, copper IUD, and DMPA, respectively. Weight increases of 3.1 kg, 4.9kg and 8.2kg were observed at the end of the fifth year among users of the LNG-IUS, copper IUD, and DMPA, respectively (p = 0.009). Increase of the BMI was also observed among all groups (final BMI was 26.3 ± 0.7, 28.5 ± 0.8 and 28.7 ± 1.3 for users of the LNG-IUS, copper IUD and DMPA, respectively). Multivariate analysis showed that there was a significant association between weight increase and length of use of the contraceptive method and of the DMPA. The use of a LNG-IUS during five years caused no significant weight increase and the difference in weight was of the same magnitude as that of copper IUD users. (author's)The objective of this study was to evaluate the association among physiotherapy exercises performed - directed or free - in case of post-operative complications in women who underwent radical mastectomy or quadrantectomy with axillary dissection. Sixty women were randomized. The directed group performed physiotherapy following a regimen of 19 exercises. The free group performed the exercises following the biomechanical physiological movements of the shoulder without a previously defined sequence or number of repetitions, exercises were done to the rhythm of music. In the average, the directed group remained 12.17 + 2.96 days with the drain, while the free group remained 11.96 + 2.32 days, with no significant difference between groups. The amount of secretion drained during the permanence of the drain also revealed resemblance between groups, with an average of 1308.71 + 562.6ml in the directed group and of 1391.62 + 644.65ml in the group of free exercises. Incidences of seroma and dehiscence of the surgical wound did not seem to be influenced by the type of exercise at any of the times evaluated. In the directed group, 7.4% and 3.4% of the women presented with seroma on the 28th and 42nd days, respectively, while at the same moments of evaluation the free group presented respectively. 3.6% and 3.6%. Incidence of dehiscence of the surgical wound also was similar in the two groups, in the directed group it was of 20% on the 14th day, 31% on the 28th day and 10.3% on the 42nd day of postoperative. In the free group the incidence was of 23.3% on the 14th day, of 33.3% on the 28th day and of 22.2% on the 42nd day of postoperative. The statistical difference observed in the averages of the hand and arm circumferences does not translate into clinical differences. The complications were not influenced by the physiotherapy exercises performed. (author's)[Prevalence of urinary symptoms in the third trimester of pregnancy]
This study evaluated the prevalence of irritative bladder symptoms of women in the third trimester of pregnancy and the correlation to parity and route of delivery. Between June and October 2003, 340 women attending the prenatal clinic at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, State University of Campinas (Unicamp) were selected for study. On the total, 80.6% presented nocturia, 70.3% presented urinary frequency and 44.4% presented urgency. No statistic correlation was observed between irritative bladder symptoms and route of delivery however, when considering parity, nocturia and urinary frequency were significantly more frequent in multiparous women. In the population under study pregnancy per se was associated to a high prevalence of irritative bladder symptoms. (author's)The purpose of this study is to determine factors associated to the interruption of antiretroviral treatment in adults with AIDS in the State of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. This was a population-based study, using data from the State's sources of vital statistics. Interruption was calculated using data on the number of programmed visits to the pharmacies, taking into account the date of the first prescription. It was considered that patients had adhered to the treatment if they came to at least 80% of the programmed visits. The overall percentage for non interruption of the antiretroviral therapy was 64.1%. No association was found with the following: gender, type of exposure, residence, nor with the type of antiretroviral combination prescribed. After multivariate analysis, significant associations continued to be found between interruption and in-hospital stay, use of drugs, psychiatric treatment, low level of education and age ranging from 25 to 34 years. These results point towards significant associations between interruption of antiretroviral treatment and the beginning of antiretroviral therapy during the in-hospital stay, the use of legal or illegal drugs, a history of psychiatric treatment, low level of education, and age ranging from 25 to 34 years. (author's)Retinol was determined spectrophotometrically in the blood of 291 mothers at delivery and in the umbilical cord of the newborn. The mothers came from different socioeconomic strata in Rio de Janeiro. Levels of retinol were determined using spectrophotometry (Bessey et al). The circulation levels of retinol were low (below 1.05 µmol/L) in 22.0% of the mothers and in 54.2% of the newborn. A close association was found between low levels in the mothers' serum and those in the children's' umbilical cord (p <0.0001). There was no association between maternal vitamin A deficiency (DVA) and socioeconomic stratum, family income or level of education. DVA is a distressing health problem among mothers and newborns and its diagnosis must be included in antenatal care. This reinforces the concept that intervention programs must emphasize changes in feeding practices and focus on the most vulnerable groups, of which pregnant women warrant special attention, regardless of socioeconomic stratum. (author's)[Profile of denounced physicians that practice obstetrics and gynecology in the state of Sao Paulo]
The objective was to evaluate the number of ethical and professional complaints involving obstetricians and gynecologists (OBGYNs) and the profile of the physicians denounced. Retrospective descriptive study of all 4,138 ethical and professional complaints registered at the medical board of the state of São Paulo between January 1, 1994 and December 31, 2004. The following variables were collected: number of complaints involving OBGYNs, number of OBGYNS involved gender and age (< 30, 31 to 45, 46 to 60, > 60 years) of the physicians denounced, number of involved physicians with residence training (RT) and with specialist certificates (TEGO). The last four variables were compared with a control group of 8,466 OBGYNs practicing in the state of São Paulo who were not denounced to the state medical board. Data collected was submitted to statistical analysis. A total of 503 complaints (12.16%) involved OBGYNs and 781 OBGYNs were denounced. The majority of these physicians were male (599, 76.70%). Regardless of their gender, most physicians denounced (505, 64.66%) were under 45 years of age. Most of the OBGYNs denounced had no residence training (487, 62.36%) and were not board certified specialists (572, 73.24%). Other relevant variables were analyzed and will be presented in future publications. Between January 1, 1994 and December 31, 2004, 4,138 formal complaints were registered at the medical board of the state of São Paulo A total of 503 complaints (12.16%) involved Obstetrics and Gynecology and 781 OBGYNs were denounced. The typical profile of the physicians denounced was: male, under 45 years of age, without residence training and with no specialist certificate. This study was the first of a series involving the complex investigation of OBGYNs involved in ethical or professional complaints. These preliminary results pointed out deficiencies and important information that probably will be useful for the implementation of actions to improve the practice of obstetrics and gynecology and consequently reduce the number of complaints. (author's)[Adverse postoperative effects in minor gynaecological and breast surgeries]
The objective was to analyze the occurrence of adverse effects in the first 24-hour postoperative/postanesthetic period in women undergoing minor gynecologic or minor breast surgeries and to identify main associated factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 159 women who underwent minor gynecologic or breast surgeries. The women were admitted to the hospital one day before surgery and remained hospitalized for at least 24 hours after surgery. The anesthetic techniques performed were intercostal nerve blockade, spinal anesthesia, and general anesthesia. The most frequent adverse effects were vomiting, nausea and pain that occurred in 40.3% of women. Of these effects, 60% were observed in the first four hours and 80% were observed in up to six hours after surgical intervention. Women submitted to intercostal blockade received earlier postanesthetic release. Spinal anesthesia was most frequently associated with postoperative pain, although with a lower incidence of nausea and vomiting when compared to general anesthesia and intercostal blockade. The incidence of pain was higher in women who smoked. A six-hour period of postoperative observation appeared to be adequate for assessment of most complications and adverse effects occurring in women who undergo minor gynecologic or minor breast surgeries. (author's)[Association between sonographic findings and histological diagnosis of 446 ovarian tumors]
The objective was to analyze the correlations between the sonographic features of the ovarian masses and the histological diagnosis. A retrospective study which involved 404 female subjects who had developed 446 ovarian masses was carried out. Patients who had been submitted to surgery due to uni or bilateral ovarian tumors were included and those presenting with an ectopic pregnancy or pelvic inflammatory process were excluded. Data from the patients' medical charts provided the information needed for a detailed study of the following variables: larger diameter, external borders and texture of the sonographic masses. This collected data was correlated to post surgery pathology diagnoses. The magnitude of the associations between pathology diagnoses and sonographic morphologic findings where estimated by the Odds Ratio with its respective confidence intervals of 95%. In their majority, masses were benign tumors (88.1%). Malign masses corresponded to 9.4 % of the total and only 2.5% were borderline. Patients' ages ranged from 13 to 63 years (with an average of 39.1). Regarding the irregular and poorly delimited borders of the masses, the odds ratio for malignancy was of 17.8. After analyses of the sonographic texture the odds ratio of complex texture masses proved to be extremely high (38.6). The anechoic masses with thickened septa had an odds ratio of 35.6, while that of the solid masses was of 15.5. Sonographic analyses of adnexal tumors having more than 7cm of diameter, irregular and poorly delimited external borders, presenting complex or anechoic textures with thickened septa or solid mass are highly suggestive of malignancy. (author's)[New formulation of sublingual misoprostol (25 mcg) for induction of labor]
The objectives were to determine effectiveness and safety of sublingual misoprostol in tablets of 25mcg, given every 6 hours for induction of labor in high-risk pregnant women hospitalized in two teaching hospitals in the Northeast of Brazil. An open, non-randomized clinical trial was conducted, including 40 women with high-risk pregnancies hospitalized at "Maternidade-Escola Assis Chateaubriand" and "Instituto Materno-Infantil de Pernambuco". All of them had gestational age >/= 37 weeks, alive fetus with good vitality and Bishop scores[Cox-2 and CD105 expression in breast cancer and disease-free survival]
The objective was to verify the expression of CD105 in primary breast cancer, and the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 in primary breast cancer and in the respective axillary lymph nodes. Seventy two women from 18 to 80 years of age, with a diagnosis of Ductal Infiltrative Breast Cancer, stage II, histological type non special, with their respective axillary lymph nodes were submitted to surgical treatment at the "Hospital Nossa Senhora da Conceição" between 2001 and 2002. Immunohistochemical analyses of CD 105 in the primary breast cancer and of COX 2 in the local axillary lymph node were compared for local recurrence. Of the 72 patients with primary tumors, 40 had positive axillary lymph nodes, while 32 were negative. For each primary tumor, only one lymph node was analyzed. . Fifteen patients had local recurrence after 26 months (CI 95% 24-28). Presence of COX-2 in the primary tumors was verified in 52 cases, and presence of CD105 in 34 cases. These independent prognostic factors were not correlated to local recurrence (P = 0.203 eP = 0.145, respectively). The period free of local recurrence for patients with positive expression of COX-2 in axillary lymph nodes (with metastasis or not) was of 19 months, while patients with negative expression had a 28.3 months long period free of local recurrence. The positive expression of COX-2 in axillary lymph nodes (either positive or negative) seems to be an independent prognostic factor for local recurrence. (author's)[Hysterosonography: evaluation of the uterine cavity in women with abnormal uterine bleeding]
The objective was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of sonohysterography with that of hysteroscopy and ultrasonography for the diagnosis of uterine alterations with abnormal uterine bleeding. Fifty three patients scheduled for hysteroscopy at the Hysteroscopy Sector of the Women's Hospital (CAISM) at the "Universidade Estadual de Campinas" (Brazil) were included in the study. Sensitivity and specificity of the three propaedeutic methods were compared using histology as the gold standard. Sensitivity of sonohysterography and of hysteroscopy was 94% and that of ultrasonography 83%. The specificity of sonohysterography was 77%, of hysteroscopy 91% and of ultrasonography 69%. There were no significant differences between sensitivities of the three methods. However, a significant difference was found between the specificity of ultrasonography and hysteroscopy. Sonohysterography demonstrated a much greater capability than ultrasonography to identify endometrial polyps. Sonohysterography may be used to complement ultrasonography and to substitute hysteroscopy, for the diagnosis of alterations that result in abnormal uterine bleeding. (author's)[Factors related to frequency of sexual activity of postmenopausal women]
The objective was to identify factors related to the frequency of sexual activity of postmenopausal women A cross-section study of 206 postmenopausal women between 45 and 60 years of age was made at a university health care service in the South of Brazil between June and October 2002. Evaluations were made of sexual activity according to the number of sexual intercourses in the previous month and the climacteric symptoms using the Kupperman index. Statistical analysis was performed with multiple linear regression analysis. Of those surveyed 176 (85%) women were sexually active. Although 60.6% reported a decrease in sexual activity after menopause, mostly attributing it to the husband's sexual impotence (41.7%). Approximately 25.7% stated they had no satisfaction with sexual intercourse. By means of multiple linear regression analysis the following aspects were associated to sexual activity: age (p<0.1), degree of sexual satisfaction (p=0.01), and climacteric symptomatology (p=0.02). As age increased the climacteric symptoms were more intense and sexual activity was less frequent with lower sexual satisfaction. The climacteric symptoms correlated with sexual activity were: hot flashes (p=0.05), irritability (p=0.04), melancholy/sadness (p=0.04), arthralgia/myalgia (p<0.01) and weakness/tiredness (p<0.01). Findings of this study were similar to those in literature. They agree with the hypothesis that sexuality of climacteric women is not only influenced by factors related to hypoestrogenism, but also by psychosocial and cultural aspects associated with aging itself. Nevertheless, longitudinal studies are necessary to provide more conclusive data. Special attention should be given to the sexual dysfunction of men. (author's)[Comparative study of manual vacuum aspiration and uterine curettage for treatment of abortion]
The objectives were to compare manual vacuum aspiration (MVA) and uterine curettage (D&C) for first trimester abortions, in terms of the efficiency of eliminating ovular remnants, frequency of complications, duration of the procedure, and duration of patients' hospitalization. In a prospective study, 50 patients in the MVA group and 50 in the D&C group were randomly included. Inclusion criteria were: spontaneous abortion, gestational age less than 13 weeks, patent cervix, endometrial thickness >15 mm, afebrile state, and hemoglobin >10 g/dl. Blood samples were collected before and after surgical procedures for control of hemoglobin levels. Anesthesia was performed in all cases. The time required for each surgical procedure was recorded. Groups were similar regarding gestational age (9.93 ± 2.40 vs 9.73 ± 2.58 weeks; p = 0.71) and endometrial thickness before surgery (22.14 ± 4.80 vs 22.68 ± 5.68 mm; p = 0.65). There were no surgical or anesthetic complications in either group. Durations of the procedure and of hospitalization were significantly shorter in the MVA group (3.71 vs 10.18 min, p < 0.001, and 14.18 vs 23.06 h, p = 0.03, respectively). Decrease of hemoglobin levels was greater after the surgical procedure in the D&C group (p = 0.02). MVA caused less blood loss, was less time consuming, and resulted in shorter hospitalization. However, both surgical procedures were found to be efficient for treatment of incomplete abortions during the first trimester of pregnancy, with no complications after both treatments. (author's)The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of uterine synechiae in patients with recurrent miscarriages and to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of transvaginal ultrasound and of hysterosonography. Sixty non-pregnant patients with a history of at least three previous consecutive miscarriages were evaluated by transvaginal ultrasound, hysterosonography and hysteroscopy to detect uterine synechiae. Hysteroscopy was considered the gold standard. Agreement of findings disclosed by transvaginal ultrasound and by the hysterosonography were evaluated according to the Kappa coefficient and their significance was tested. Significance was established at < 0. 05 (Alpha error = 5%). Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were determined for each method. Uterine synechiae were identified in 16 patients (26.7%). The accuracy of the transvaginal ultrasound and of the hysterosonography was 78.9% and 92.7%, respectively. When compared to the transvaginal ultrasound, hysterosonography had a much greater sensitivity (78. % vs. 20.0%) and a higher degree of agreement with hysteroscopy (Kappa = 80% vs. Kappa = 27%). For diagnosis of uterine synechiae, hysterosonography had a higher level of agreement with hysteroscopy than the transvaginal ultrasound. In patients with recurrent miscarriages transvaginal ultrasound is not recommended for the investigation of uterine synechiae because of its low sensitivity. Hysterosonography, on the other hand, seems to offer an important contribution especially because it is a simple, low-cost and accurate method for diagnosis of uterine synechiae. (author's)[Factors related to quality of life in post-menopause]
The objective was to assess quality of life of postmenopausal women. A cross-section study of 323 women between 45 and 60 years of age attended at a university climacteric clinic from June to October 2002 was carried out. Quality of life was assessed by the Women's Health Questionnaire (WHQ). Statistical analysis was performed with Student's t Test and analysis of variance, followed by multiple linear regression analysis. This study found quality of life impaired especially in the domains related to somatic symptoms, depressed mood, and anxiety. Multivariate analysis showed that lower educational level (p<0.01, frequency of sexual activity (p<0.01) and the confirmation of previous clinical co-morbidities (p=0.03) were associated to the worst scores of quality of life. On the other hand, regular physical activity was related to better quality of life (p=0.01). Hormone therapy, in particular, was not related to quality of life (p=0.48). Quality of life was found not only to be influenced by biological factors, but also by psychossocial and cultural factors. Middle aged women frequently attributed eventual symptoms associated to clinical co-morbidities or previous emotional difficulties to menopause, distorting their perception of this phase in their life. In this sense, the educational level contributed to a better understanding of body changes at this time, reducing anxiety levels and encouraging self-care. Sexuality was also an important aspect related to quality of life in the climacterium. (author's)[Ideal number of children and regret after tubal ligation in a cohort of women]
The purpose of this paper was to evaluate the relationship between the ideal number of children (INC) and post tubal ligation regret. A nested case-control study was carried out with a total of 3878 women interviewed. Of these 1012 had been surgically sterilized at the time of the interview of the original study and as such comprise the sample of this study. These are constituted by women who stated that they would not undergo tubal ligation again and who regretted the procedure (103 - 10.8%) if they were to face the same circumstances. The Ideal Number of Children INC was divided into two groups according to the relationship with the number of live births (LB): INC > LB and INC < LB. The proportion of women who regretted was calculated and the risk of regret estimated according to the relation INC/LB by means of Odds Ratios with the respective 95% confidence interval. Then the analysis was stratified according to control variables. Two multiple logistic regression models were developed in order to identify the independent risk factors associated with regret among women with INC > LB. The independent risk factors identified for post tubal ligation regret are INC > LB (OR=12.7), for performance of tubal ligation with the intention of just waiting some time before having more children (OR=8.0) and for having had more than two deliveries at the time of sterilization (OR=2.,4). Results suggest that a previous evaluation of the INC could help identify women with a higher risk for post ligation regret. (author's)