PERFIL DE CUIDADORES DE LA TERCERA EDADE EN UNA INSTITUCIÓN DE LARGA PERMANENCIA EN IMPERATRIZ, MA

Diante do aumento da oferta de trabalho dos profissionais cuidadores de idosos e da escassez de literatura sobre seu perfil foi realizado um estudo observacional, do tipo transversal com cuidadores formais de uma instituição de longa permanência para idosos no munícipio de Imperatriz – MA. Os objetivos do trabalho foram descrever variáveis sociodemográficas, identificar as dificuldades enfrentadas durante o exercício das atividades laborais, além de avaliar o estado de saúde dos cuidadores. A amostra foi composta por 14 profissionais que auxiliavam os idosos na realização das atividades diárias e aceitaram participar do estudo. Os resultados obtidos sugerem que os cuidadores avaliados são em sua maioria mulheres solteiras, com menos de 50 anos de idade, com baixa renda salarial, que receberam algum tipo capacitação para o cuidado dos idosos. Pela análise dos resultados foi possível concluir que os cuidadores necessitam de suporte dos serviços de saúde para prevenir e/ou minimizar a sobrecarga de trabalho e possíveis enfermidades. O estudo também evidencia a importância de se conhecer as dificuldades institucionais vivenciadas pelos cuidadores, buscando enfoque para a reorganização dos serviços de assistência ao idoso institucionalizado.Faced with increased labor supply of caregivers for elderly and the scarce literature about their sociodemographic and clinical profile, observational research was carried out with formal caregivers in a long-term care facility in the city of Imperatriz – MA. The goals were to describe sociodemographic variables, identify difficulties during work activities, and evaluate the health status of caregivers. The sample was composed of 14 professionals who helped the elderly carry out daily activities. Data collection was carried out from April to May 2015 through questionnaires answered individually by caregivers, following a structured script previously tested. The questions were read to the respondents and the answers were filled out by the interviewers. A descriptive technique was used In the statistical analysis. The results evidenced that 42.8% of participants were between 31 and 40 years old, 64.2% were women, 42.8% were single, 50% had personal income of up to one minimum wage, 50% had no complete high school, and 71.42% received some kind of training to care for the elderly. In addition, 64.3% of respondents considered it necessary to receive medical care to check their health status. For the analysis of the results it was concluded that caregivers need support of health services to prevent and/or minimize the workload and possible illnesses. The study also highlights the importance of knowing the institutional difficulties experienced by caregivers, seeking to approach the reorganization of support services for institutionalized elderly.Ante el aumento de la oferta de trabajo de los cuidadores de de la tercera edad y la escasez de su perfil sociodemográfico y clínico, se llevó a cabo un estudio observacional con los cuidadores formales de una Institucione de Larga Permanencia para Mayores en el municipio de Imperatriz – MA. Los objetivos fueron describir las variables sociodemográficas, identificar las dificultades enfrentadas durante la realización de las actividades de trabajo y evaluar el estado de salud de los cuidadores. La muestra se compone de 14 profesionales que ayudaron a las personas mayores en la realización de las actividades diarias y aceptaron participar em el estudio. La recolección de datos se llevó a cabo entre abril y mayo de 2015 mediante cuestionarios respondidos de forma individual por el cuidador, a raíz de la escritura estructurada previamente probado. Las preguntas fueron leídas a los encuestados y las respuestas llenas, por extensión, en la forma. En el análisis estadístico, se utilizó la técnica descriptiva. Los resultados mostraron que 42,8% tenía entre 31 y 40 años, 64,2% de los cuidadores eran mujeres; 42,8% eran solteros; 50% tenía ingresos personales de hasta un salario mínimo; 50% no había completado la escuela secundaria y 71,42% recibido algún tipo de formación para el cuidado de los ancianos. Además, 64,3% de los encuestados consideró necesario recibir atención médica para comprobar su estado de salud. Para el análisis de los resultados se concluyó que los cuidadores necesitan apoyo de los servicios de salud para prevenir y/o reducir al mínimo la carga de trabajo y las posibles enfermedades. El estudio también muestra la importancia de conocer las dificultades institucionales que experimentan los cuidadores y centrarse en la reorganización de los servicios de atención para los ancianos institucionalizados

NEOTROPICAL ALIEN MAMMALS: a data set of occurrence and abundance of alien mammals in the Neotropics

Biological invasion is one of the main threats to native biodiversity. For a species to become invasive, it must be voluntarily or involuntarily introduced by humans into a nonnative habitat. Mammals were among first taxa to be introduced worldwide for game, meat, and labor, yet the number of species introduced in the Neotropics remains unknown. In this data set, we make available occurrence and abundance data on mammal species that (1) transposed a geographical barrier and (2) were voluntarily or involuntarily introduced by humans into the Neotropics. Our data set is composed of 73,738 historical and current georeferenced records on alien mammal species of which around 96% correspond to occurrence data on 77 species belonging to eight orders and 26 families. Data cover 26 continental countries in the Neotropics, ranging from Mexico and its frontier regions (southern Florida and coastal-central Florida in the southeast United States) to Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay, and the 13 countries of Caribbean islands. Our data set also includes neotropical species (e.g., Callithrix sp., Myocastor coypus, Nasua nasua) considered alien in particular areas of Neotropics. The most numerous species in terms of records are from Bos sp. (n = 37,782), Sus scrofa (n = 6,730), and Canis familiaris (n = 10,084); 17 species were represented by only one record (e.g., Syncerus caffer, Cervus timorensis, Cervus unicolor, Canis latrans). Primates have the highest number of species in the data set (n = 20 species), partly because of uncertainties regarding taxonomic identification of the genera Callithrix, which includes the species Callithrix aurita, Callithrix flaviceps, Callithrix geoffroyi, Callithrix jacchus, Callithrix kuhlii, Callithrix penicillata, and their hybrids. This unique data set will be a valuable source of information on invasion risk assessments, biodiversity redistribution and conservation-related research. There are no copyright restrictions. Please cite this data paper when using the data in publications. We also request that researchers and teachers inform us on how they are using the data

NEOTROPICAL XENARTHRANS: a data set of occurrence of xenarthran species in the Neotropics

Xenarthrans—anteaters, sloths, and armadillos—have essential functions for ecosystem maintenance, such as insect control and nutrient cycling, playing key roles as ecosystem engineers. Because of habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting pressure, and conflicts with domestic dogs, these species have been threatened locally, regionally, or even across their full distribution ranges. The Neotropics harbor 21 species of armadillos, 10 anteaters, and 6 sloths. Our data set includes the families Chlamyphoridae (13), Dasypodidae (7), Myrmecophagidae (3), Bradypodidae (4), and Megalonychidae (2). We have no occurrence data on Dasypus pilosus (Dasypodidae). Regarding Cyclopedidae, until recently, only one species was recognized, but new genetic studies have revealed that the group is represented by seven species. In this data paper, we compiled a total of 42,528 records of 31 species, represented by occurrence and quantitative data, totaling 24,847 unique georeferenced records. The geographic range is from the southern United States, Mexico, and Caribbean countries at the northern portion of the Neotropics, to the austral distribution in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay. Regarding anteaters, Myrmecophaga tridactyla has the most records (n = 5,941), and Cyclopes sp. have the fewest (n = 240). The armadillo species with the most data is Dasypus novemcinctus (n = 11,588), and the fewest data are recorded for Calyptophractus retusus (n = 33). With regard to sloth species, Bradypus variegatus has the most records (n = 962), and Bradypus pygmaeus has the fewest (n = 12). Our main objective with Neotropical Xenarthrans is to make occurrence and quantitative data available to facilitate more ecological research, particularly if we integrate the xenarthran data with other data sets of Neotropical Series that will become available very soon (i.e., Neotropical Carnivores, Neotropical Invasive Mammals, and Neotropical Hunters and Dogs). Therefore, studies on trophic cascades, hunting pressure, habitat loss, fragmentation effects, species invasion, and climate change effects will be possible with the Neotropical Xenarthrans data set. Please cite this data paper when using its data in publications. We also request that researchers and teachers inform us of how they are using these data