Health-Related Quality of Life among Artisanal Fisherwomen/Shellfish Gatherers: Lower than the General Population

Quality of life is an indicator of how well one perceives that he/she is functioning physically and mentally. The aim of this paper is to determine the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of artisanal fisherwomen/shellfish gatherers from the Saubara municipality in Bahia, Brazil in comparison to the general population. A structured questionnaire was administered to a sample of 209 artisanal fisherwomen selected at random. The HRQOL questionnaire, known as the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey version 1 (SF-36v01), was also used, having been translated and verified cross-culturally for the Brazilian population. Sociodemographic, lifestyle and comorbidity information was also collected. Chronic diseases and indicators of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) were self-reported. The study population consisted primarily of individuals between 30 and 45 years of age (78%), of self-classified races black or brown (96.2%), with no more than an elementary school education (77%) and married (64.6%). In all the SF-36v01 dimensions, the values in the sample were lower than in the general population of Brazil, which was used as the reference population. In the “Physical Health” domain (Physical Functioning; Physical Role Limitations; Bodily Pain; General Health Perception) a tendency toward a lower health-related quality of life was observed among those who were older, had a lower education level, and had a prevalence of MSDs, hypertension or arthritis. The interference of health conditions linked to the fisherwomen’s work activities may contribute to lower HRQOL in all analyzed aspects, in comparison to the general population. In light of these findings, public health policies must consider these informal workers who contribute greatly to Brazil’s economy and food system

Artisanal fisherwomen/shellfish gatherers: analyzing the impact of upper limb functioning and disability on health-related quality of life

Abstract The aim is to analyze upper limb functioning and disability, and its association with health-related quality of life among artisanal fisherwomen from Bahia, Brazil. Cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted with a sample of 209 fisherwomen. Structured questionnaires were used for socio-demographic and comorbidity information, as well as the instruments Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) and Short-Form Healthy Survey (SF-36) respectively, to evaluate the upper limbs and health-related quality of life. The results demonstrated that the presence of musculoskeletal disorders in the upper limbs directly affects the values of the DASH instrument and the SF-36v01 questionnaire scores, while also generating a negative correlation between the DASH and SF-36v01. The varying functioning abilities, pain and social aspects negatively affect upper limb function, and the daily activities and work of fisherwomen. The presence of chronic disease and the absence of intervention and rehabilitation for these professionals, that could produces, in a long-term, cases of disability

Esquistossomose: uma doença negligenciada no estado de Alagoas / Schistosomosis: a negligenced disease in the state of Alagoas

Notoriamente doenças infecciosas que se disseminam e se perpetuam em meios em que há precária estrutura sanitária, condição de moradia e alimentação além da dificuldade em se acessar o sistema de saúde pelas pessoas. A esquistossomose é considerada uma patologia infecto-parasitária provocada por vermes do gênero Schistosoma, que têm como hospedeiros intermediários, caramujos. No Brasil ela é um importante problema de saúde pública e segundo a Organização Mundial de Saúde (2014). Trata-se de um estudo descritivo-exploratório e retrospectivo, com abordagem quantitativa, construído pelo Grupo de Estudo e Pesquisa em Enfermagem (GEPEnf) do Centro Universitário Cesmac. No Estado de Alagoas de acordo informações do DataSUS dentre os anos de 2013 e 2016 tiveram casos positivos a quantia de 36.808, como exposto no Quadro 1. Os municípios com maior incidência foram: União dos Palmares, Capela, São José da Laje, Viçosa e Branquinha. Tendo como elevadíssimo, o índice desta infecção parasitária, é notável que se configura um problema de saúde pública e que se necessita de um reforço em ações educativas nestas comunidades sobre este tema. Observa-se que apesar dos avanços, esta patologia ainda se encontra com números alarmantes, fortalecendo a falta de saneamento e educação continuada para comunidade.

Avaliação do estado de hidratação de um time de atletas de futebol americano do sertão brasileiro

O Futebol americano é caracterizado como um esporte que proporciona uma demanda física específica aos atletas e suas necessidades de água durante o treinamento e os jogos aumentam. O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o estado nutricional e o estado de hidratação de atletas de uma equipe de futebol americano do Sertão Brasileiro. A amostra foi composta por 28 atletas amadores saudáveis. Os parâmetros de hidratação foram avaliados com a intervenção de água mineral e água de coco, coleta pré e pós-treinamento de urina para averiguar parâmetros bioquímicos como pH, densidade, Coloração e pré e pós-treino e verificação de peso, para cálculo de % perda de peso e temperatura e umidade relativa do ar.  A avaliação nutricional foi realizada por meio de medidas de peso, IMC, circunferências, Razão-Cintura-Quadril, percentual de gordura e músculo. Também foram avaliados pressão arterial, frequência cardíaca, saturação de oxigênio e glicemia. O estudo mostrou hidratação dos atletas de acordo com a perda de peso menor que 1%, contudo, os aspectos de densidade e pH urinário após intervenção com água mineral e água de coco, possibilitaram identificar o estado de desidratação dos atletas no, pós treino. Além disso, as condições climáticas da região podem ter impactado diretamente os resultados obtidos. Ambos os grupos de atletas, apresentaram-se com peso e IMC elevado de acordo com sexo e idade, assim como o percentual de gordura e o de massa muscular. Sendo necessário o acompanhamento individual destes atletas, a fim de evitar o desenvolvimento de agravos à saúde

PROJETO ESCUTA SOLIDÁRIA: UNIVERSIDADES NO APOIO ÀS PESSOAS IDOSAS NO CONTEXTO DA COVID-19

O relato refere-se a uma ação extensionista de escuta solidária a pessoas idosas durante a pandemia da COVID-19.  Os idosos são acompanhados por ligações telefônicas, mensagens e ligações pelo Whatsapp, por estudantes universitários, nos municípios de Viçosa (MG), Palmas (TO) e Campinas (SP). A escuta e o acolhimento à pessoa idosa contribuem sobremaneira para fortalecer a autoconfiança, a percepção da transitoriedade do momento, o compartilhamento de enfrentamentos e construção positiva e otimista de que dias melhores virão. The report refers to a solidarity extension action for the older adults during a COVID-19 pandemic. The older adults are accompanied by telephone contacts, messages and contacts via WhatsApp, by university students, in the cities of Viçosa (MG), Palmas (TO) and Campinas (SP). Listening to and welcoming the older adults contributes greatly to strengthening self-confidence, the perception of the transience of the moment, the sharing of confrontations and the positive and optimistic construction of better days. El informe se refiere a una acción de extensión solidaria para los ancianos durante una pandemia de COVID-19. Los ancianos están acompañados por contactos telefónicos, mensajes y contactos a través de WhatsApp, por estudiantes universitarios, en los municipios de Viçosa (MG), Palmas (TO) y Campinas (SP). Escuchar y dar la bienvenida a los ancianos contribuye en gran medida a fortalecer la autoconfianza, la percepción de la fugacidad del momento, el intercambio de confrontaciones y la construcción positiva y optimista de días mejores

COVID-Inconfidentes - SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in two Brazilian urban areas during the pandemic first wave: study protocol and initial results

Background: A population study is an important tool that can be used to understand the actual epidemiological scenario of the Covid-19 in different territories, identify its magnitude, understand its transmission dynamics, and its demographic, geographical, and social distribution. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the population of two Brazilian cities during the pandemic first wave and subsequent socioeconomic and health effects. Materials & methods: This paper described the methodological procedures adopted and the prevalence of the SARS-CoV-2 infection in the population. A household survey was conducted between October and December 2020, in two historic cities of Brazil's mining region. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody was detected using the Wondfo® rapid test. The face-to-face interview consisted of administration of a questionnaire containing registration data, sociodemographic and economic variables, living habits, general health condition, mental health, sleep habits, and eating and nutrition. Results: We evaluated 1,762 residents, of which 764 (43.4%) were in Mariana and 998 (56.6%) in Ouro Preto. For both cities, 51.9% of the interviewees were female, with a predominance of the age range 35 to 59 years old (47.2%). The prevalence of the SARS-CoV-2 infection was 5.5% in all cities, 6.2% in Ouro Preto, and 4.7% in Mariana. The prevalence was similar between cities (P>0.05). Conclusion: The study was effective in verifying the seroprevalence of infection by the virus and its findings will enable further analyses of the health conditions of the population related to social isolation and the risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2

PROJETO RONDON NACIONAL – UMA LIÇÃO DE VIDA E CIDADANIA

PONTIFICIA UNIVERSIDADE CATÓLICA DO RIO GRANDE DO SU

Multidimensional assessment of institutionalized elderly: the reality of a brazilian institution

Background: The population aging in Brazil is characterized by the accumulation of progressive disabilities in their functional activities and daily life. To consider the elderlies in his/her multiple dimensions turns out to be a critical issue to improvetheir assistance to an institu-tionalized level, improving their health and quality of life. To perform a mini-overall evaluation of institutionalized elderly person to trace their profile in relation to the socio-demographic, functional capacity, nutritional status and cognition. Methods: Descriptive study, with a cross-sectional design and quan-titative approach performed in a long - stay institution for the elderly in Natal, RN. The research was approved by the Research Ethics Com-mittee of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, under opinion number 164/2011.Results: 63.3% of the elderly were female, with ages varying from 61 to 103 years. 60.0% were single; 56.7% were literate. 66.7% had no children and 55% lived with their families before the institutio-nalization. As for the institutionalization time, 63.3% resided in the institution for four years. As what concerns the aspects of health, 73.3% of the elderly presented hearing difficulties, 90% make use of medicines predominantly to diabetes and hypertension. There is clear evidence that the institutionalization has been harmful to the elderly as with regards basic activities of daily living, nutritional status and cognitive aspects. Conclusion: The progressive disability in functional activities of daily life interferes directly in the quality of life, increasing dependency and minimizing the autonomy of these individuals. It is necessary to effec-tive implementation of public policies directed to the institutionalized elderly from the perspective of effective actions for improved attention and assistance