External control of fluoridation in the Metropolitan Region of Curitiba in the years of 2014 and 2015

<p></p><p>Abstract Introduction External control is the monitoring of fluoride concentration in the water supply that must be done by state institutions, and has been motivated to ensure the efficacy and safety of fluoridation. This study aimed to analyze the external control of municipalities with more than 50.000 inhabitants in the metropolitan region of Curitiba in the years 2014 and 2015. Methodology Health surveillance services of the studied municipalities provided external control data, which were analyzed according to the technical criterion of the CECOL for fluoride content. Results Collection of water samples failed in some municipalities and months for an adequate number for the fluoride parameter. From the total samples analyzed, only 51.5% were in the best benefit-risk range for the fluoride concentration. Eight percent of the samples presented insignificant benefit and risk and 0.1% showed a high-risk fluoride concentration, without any benefit. Conclusion the analyzed municipalities performed the external control, with periods of inadequate sample collections. Fluoride concentrations in the supply water of the study municipalities presented an unsatisfactory result. The main goal of external control is to maintain fluoride levels at adequate levels.</p><p></p

The relation between human development indicators of maternal health in the cities of Metropolitan Region of Curitiba – PR

<p></p><p>Abstract Introduction Improving maternal health can be assessed and monitored by the health indicators, which not only reflect the quality of health promotion in public health but also social inequities. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between human development indicators and maternal health of municipalities in the metropolitan region of Curitiba - PR. Method This study is classified as descriptive, correlational, with the use of quantitative secondary data. Statistical analysis was performed using the Pearson correlation test with 95% significance level. Results The human development indicators showed a positive correlation with the percentage of live births with seven or more prenatal visits; negative correlation with the percentage of live births by natural childbirth; positive correlation with the percentage of live births by cesarean section; and a negative correlation with the percentage of children born to teenage mothers. Conclusion The worst indicators found in the municipalities with the lowest human development show the need to expand the actions aimed at the most vulnerable populations, reducing social inequities in order to expand access to health actions and services.</p><p></p