Publications (36) View all
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Article: [Physical activity during commuting by adults and elderly in Brazil: prevalence and associated factors.]
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ABSTRACT: Evidence in the literature shows that physical activity associated with commuting (routine coming and going) can have a positive impact on health. The current study describes physical activity during commuting and some associated factors. A cross-sectional population-based study was conducted with 12,402 adults and 6,624 elderly in 100 municipalities (counties) from 23 States of Brazil. The outcome was based on the commuting section from the long version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Prevalence of insufficient physical activity during commuting (< 150 minutes per week) was 66.6% in adults and 73.9% in the elderly. Among the elderly, the very old showed 25 times higher odds of being insufficiently active as compared to younger elders. Individuals with self-reported "white" skin color were less active in commuting. The findings show that prevalence of physical activity in commuting in Brazil is low, and that encouraging physically active commuting can be an effective strategy for increasing levels of physical activity and improving health.Cadernos de saúde pública / Ministério da Saúde, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública 01/2013; 29(1):165-174. · 0.83 Impact Factor -
Article: [Pap test coverage and adequacy in the South and Northeast of Brazil].
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ABSTRACT: Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women both in Brazil and elsewhere in the world and can be averted through early detection of precursor lesions. Pap smear is still the most effective and efficient screening test. This study focused on the coverage and adequacy of Pap test and associated factors. The authors adopted a cross-sectional design with a sample of 3,939 women who had given birth in the two previous years in 41 municipalities (counties) of Brazil. Lifetime Pap test coverage was 75.3% (95%CI: 74.0-76.7), and prevalence of adequacy was 70.7% (95%CI: 69.3-72.1). Adequacy was positively associated with age over 25 years, schooling, prenatal care in the last pregnancy, and gynecological visit in the previous year, and was less frequent among primiparous women and those with lower socioeconomic status. It is thus necessary to strengthen preventive measures in vulnerable subgroups and maximize situations for use of health services.Cadernos de saúde pública / Ministério da Saúde, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública 12/2012; 28(12):2257-66. · 0.83 Impact Factor -
Article: Promotion, prevention and arterial hypertension care in Brazil.
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ABSTRACT: To estimate the prevalence of promotion, prevention and arterial hypertension care actions in adults and to identify their association with decompensated hypertension. A population-based cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted by interviewing 12,324 adults aged from 20 to 59 years, in 100 Brazilian cities. The independent variables considered as promotion, prevention and hypertension care were as follows: to have received guidance on ideal weight maintenance and physical activity practice; to have consulted a doctor; and to have had an electrocardiogram performed in the previous year. A blood pressure higher than 140/90 mm/Hg was considered to be decompensated, being the dependent variable adopted to assess quality of care. Of all participants, 16.3% (n = 2,004) reported a medical diagnosis of hypertension. The highest prevalences of hypertension were observed in the 50 to 59 year age group, primarily in the Southeast and Center-West regions. More than half (66.1%) of participants had a medical consultation about hypertension in the previous year, of which half (52.4%) had an electrocardiogram. Of all those with hypertension who had their blood pressure measured during interview (74.6%), less than half (42.4%) had decompensated values. There was no association between having consulted a doctor in the previous year and decompensated blood pressure values. The proportion of decompensated hypertensive participants was significantly lower among those who had received guidance on ideal weight maintenance and physical activity practice and those who had had an electrocardiogram performed. The following factors were associated with decompensated hypertension: to be male, to be aged more than 40 years and to live in the South region.Revista de saude publica 04/2012; 46(3):543-50. · 1.01 Impact Factor -
Article: [Prevalence of minor psychiatric disorders among primary healthcare workers in the South and Northeast regions of Brazil].
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ABSTRACT: Mental health problems are among the most prevalent conditions in health workers. We evaluated the prevalence of minor psychiatric disorders and associated factors among primary healthcare workers. The study design was cross-sectional and services-based, in 240 primary healthcare units in 41 municipalities (counties) with more than 100 thousand inhabitants in seven States in the South and Northeast regions of Brazil. A total of 4,749 primary healthcare workers were interviewed, and prevalence of minor psychiatric disorders was 16%, with no statistical differences according to region or primary care model. The rate was higher in community health workers and other workers with secondary education (18%) and lower in health professionals with university training (10%); while physicians (15%) and nurses and nurse technicians (14.6%) were in an intermediate situation (p < 0.001). Occupational characteristics showed the strongest association with the occurrence of minor psychiatric disorders according to the adjusted analysis, suggesting that their reduction requires improvements in work conditions in primary healthcare and in the management of the Unified National Health System.Cadernos de saúde pública / Ministério da Saúde, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública 03/2012; 28(3):503-14. · 0.83 Impact Factor -
Article: Predictive factors for institutionalization of the elderly: a case-control study.
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ABSTRACT: To identify predictive indicators of institutionalization of the elderly. A case-control study was carried out with 991 elderly individuals in the city of Pelotas, (Southern Brazil), from 2007 to 2008. The cases of institutionalized elderly adults (n = 393) were detected using a census of all long-stay institutions for the elderly in the city. The population controls (n = 598) were randomly selected using a comprehensive health survey. Pearson's chi-square test and linear trends were used to compare groups in the crude analysis; and the binary logistic regression model of the adjusted analysis, with the effects expressed as odds ratios. Institutionalization was more frequent in females (OR = 1.96, 95%CI 1.31, 2.95). Elderly with advanced age (OR = 3.23 and OR = 9.56 for age groups 70-79 and > 80 years, respectively), those who lived without a partner (single, divorced or widowed), and those who had no formal schooling or had a functional disability preventing them from performing basic activities for daily living were more likely to be institutionalized. An inverse trend between the incidence of elderly institutionalization and the level of physical activity was observed, where somewhat active and inactive subjects were more likely to be institutionalized (OR = 1.71 and OR = 4.73, respectively). Of the factors examined, age > 80 years, living without a partner and being physically inactive were the indicators most strongly associated with institutionalization. The encouragement of informal care through cultural and educational activities focused on the role of the family in caring for the elderly can prevent the institutionalization of these individuals.Revista de saude publica 02/2012; 46(1):147-53. · 1.01 Impact Factor
