Social determinants of leprosy in a hyperendemic State in North Brazil

Objective: To identify the socioeconomic, demographic, operational, and health service-related factors associated with the occurrence of leprosy in a hyperendemic State in North Brazil. Methods: This is an ecological study based on secondary data from the Sistema de Informacoes de Agravos de Notificacao in municipalities of the State of Tocantins from 2001 to 2012. Units of analysis were the 139 municipalities of the State. Negative binomial log linear regression models were used to estimate incidence rate ratios. Results: In bivariate analysis, the incidence rate ratios were significantly higher for municipalities with higher income ratio of the poorest 20.0% (1.47; 95% CI 1.19-1.81) and better Municipal Human Development Index (1.53; 95% CI 1.14-2.06). In multivariate analysis, the incidence rate ratios were significantly higher in municipalities with higher proportion of immigrants (1.31; 95% CI 1.11-1.55) and higher proportion of households with waste collection (1.37; 95% CI 1.11-1.69). There was a significant reduction in the incidence rate ratio with increased coverage of the Bolsa Familia Program (0.98; 95% CI 0.96-0.99). Conclusions: Control programs need to focus on activities in municipalities of greater social vulnerability with intersectoral investment for the improvement of the living conditions of the population

VIOLÊNCIA INTRAFAMILIAR: AUTORELATO DE ADOLESCENTES QUE SOFRERAM AGRESSÃO FÍSICA INTRAFAMILIAR

Introdução: A violência intrafamiliar vem ganhado ênfase nos últimos anos, prinicpalmente a infantojuvenil, visto que costumaser prepetrada pelos cuidadores, pessoas que eram para cuidar, educar e proteger. Objetivo: Analisar a prevalência do autorrelatoda exposição à agressão física efetuada por um adulto da família entre escolares do 9º ano do Ensino Fundamental na cidadede Fortaleza - CE nos anos de 2012 e 2015. Métodos: Estudo transversal, base populacional, utilizando dados da PesquisaNacional de Saúde do Escolar (PeNSE), 2012 e 2015. Amostra composta por estudantes do 9º ano do Ensino Fundamental dacidade de Fortaleza/CE. Utilizou-se o software SPSS®, versão 20®, por meio do módulo survey analisys. Resultados: Aumentona prevalência do autorrelato de agressão física por adulto da família entre os escolares ao comparar 2012 com 2015 (2,8%,p=0,003). A frequência com que os joves estão sendo agredidos (2 vezes ou mais) revelou aumento tanto para frequência mensal(283,3%) quanto semanal (117,4%), no entanto, quando se analisa os jovens que foram agredidos apenas um vez nos últimos30 dias mostrou decréscimo de 30,5%. Conclusão: Detectou-se aumento no número de agressões fisicas perpetrada pelo umadulto da familia entre os dois anos estudados, assim como frequência com que ocorreu a agressão no mesmo período. A violênciano público juvenil é algo frequente, logo se faz necessário mais pesquisas para que possam embasar politicas públicas depromoção e proteção voltadas para o agravo.Palavras-chave: Violência doméstica. Adolescente. Inquéritos epidemiológicos

Incentives and barriers to HIV testing among female sex workers in Ceará

OBJETIVO: Estimar a prevalência do HIV e descrever os incentivos e barreiras à realização do teste para o HIV entre mulheres profissionais do sexo. MÉTODOS: Este estudo transversal recrutou 402 mulheres de 18 anos ou mais, residentes em Fortaleza, CE, que informaram ter tido relação sexual em troca de dinheiro nos últimos quatro meses. A amostra foi recrutada por meio da técnica Respondent Driven Sampling, entre agosto e novembro de 2010. RESULTADOS: A adesão ao teste de HIV foi de 84,1% e a prevalência estimada da infecção pelo HIV foi de 3,8%. A amostra era jovem (25 a 39 anos), solteira (80,0%), com um a três filhos (83,6 %), tinham oito anos ou mais de estudo (65,7%) e pertencia às classes sociais D/E (53,1%). A maioria exercia a profissão em locais fechados (bares, motéis, hotéis, sauna – 88,9%), e a prostituição era a única fonte de renda (54,1%). Cerca de 25% da amostra desconhecia onde o teste de HIV era realizado na rede pública e 51,8% nunca fez o teste ou se testou há um ano ou mais. As principais barreiras ao teste foram acreditar que não corre risco de se infectar (24,1%) e o medo da discriminação caso o teste fosse reagente (20,5%). Os incentivos foram relacionados à maior oferta de locais para o teste (57,0%) e de unidades de saúde com horários alternativos (44,2%). CONCLUSÕES: A prevalência foi semelhante à encontrada em outras cidades brasileiras de diferentes regiões do país, apesar de superiores a de mulheres não profissionais do sexo. A disponibilidade do teste em locais não relacionados à saúde e a oferta nas unidades básicas em horário não comercial são fatores que incentivam a realização do teste. Não se considerar sob-risco, medo de ser discriminada e desconhecimento dos locais onde o teste é realizado podem ser uma barreira para a realização do exame.OBJECTIVE: Estimating HIV prevalence and describing the incentives and barriers for HIV testing among female sex workers. METHODS: This cross-sectional study recruited 402 women aged 18 years or older, residing in Fortaleza, state of Ceará, Brazil, who reported having had sexual intercourse in exchange for money in last four months. The sample was recruited using Respondent Driven Sampling, between August and November 2010. RESULTS: The 84.1% of the sample tested and the estimated prevalence of HIV infection was 3.8%. The sample was young (25 to 39 years ), single (80.0%), with one to three children (83.6%), had eight or more years of schooling (65.7%), and belonged to social classes D/E (53.1%). The majority worked in fixed locations (bars, motels, hotels, sauna - 88.9%), and prostitution was their only source of income (54.1%). About 25% of the sample did not know where to test in the public health sector and 51.8% either never tested or hadn’t tested for over a year or more. The main reported barriers to testing were the perceptions that there was no risk of becoming infected (24.1%), and, alternatively, fear of discrimination if the test was positive (20.5%). Incentives for testing were the greater availability of testing sites (57.0%) and health facilities with alternative schedules (44.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence for HIV was similar to that found in other Brazilian cities in different regions of the country, although higher than the general female population. Non-traditional venues not associated with the health system and availability of testing in health units during non-commercial hours are factors that encourage testing. Not considering oneself to be at risk, fear of being discriminated against and not knowing testing locations are barriers

Widespread nasal carriage of Mycobacterium lepraeamong a healthy population in a hyperendemic region of northeastern Brazil.

A case-control study was conducted to determine the presence ofMycobacterium lepraeDNA in nasal secretions of leprosy cases and nonleprosy individuals in Fortaleza, Brazil. It included 185 cases identified by physicians at the Dona Libânia National Reference Centre for Sanitary Dermatology (CDERM). A control group (Co) (n = 136) was identified among individuals from CDERM not diagnosed as leprosy cases. To augment the spatial analysis of M. leprae specific repetitive element (RLEP) positive prevalence, an external group (EG) (n = 121), a convenience sample of healthy students, were included. Polymerase chain reaction for the RLEP sequence was conducted for all participants. Prevalence of RLEP positivity for cases and Co were 69.2% and 66.9%, respectively, significantly higher than for EG (28.1%), and reported elsewhere. Male sex, belonging to a lower socioeconomic status (D/E), history of a previous contact with a case and being older, were associated with being a leprosy case. Our geographical analysis demonstrated that the bacillus is widespread among the healthy population, with clusters of RLEP positive multibacillary cases concentrated in distinct areas of the city. Our results suggest that in endemic areas, as in Fortaleza, surveillance for both nonhousehold leprosy contacts and members of the general population living in cluster areas should be implemented

HIV prevalence among men who have sex with men in Brazil

This paper reports human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV) prevalence in the 2nd National Biological and Behavioral Surveillance Survey (BBSS) among men who have sex with men (MSM) in 12 cities in Brazil using respondent-driven sampling (RDS). Following formative research, RDS was applied in 12 cities in the 5 macroregions of Brazil between June and December 2016 to recruit MSM for BBSS. The target sample size was 350 per city. Five to 6 seeds were initially selected to initiate recruitment and coupons and interviews were managed online. On-site rapid testing was used for HIV screening, and confirmed by a 2nd test. Participants were weighted using Gile estimator. Data from all 12 cities were merged and analyzed with Stata 14.0 complex survey data analysis tools in which each city was treated as its own strata. Missing data for those who did not test were imputed HIV+ if they reported testing positive before and were taking antiretroviral therapy. A total of 4176 men were recruited in the 12 cities. The average time to completion was 10.2 weeks. The longest chain length varied from 8 to 21 waves. The sample size was achieved in all but 2 cities. A total of 3958 of the 4176 respondents agreed to test for HIV (90.2%). For results without imputation, 17.5% (95%CI: 14.7–20.7) of our sample was HIV positive. With imputation, 18.4% (95%CI: 15.4–21.7) were seropositive. HIV prevalence increased beyond expectations from the results of the 2009 survey (12.1%; 95%CI: 10.0–14.5) to 18.4%; CI95%: 15.4 to 21.7 in 2016. This increase accompanies Brazil's focus on the treatment to prevention strategy, and a decrease in support for community-based organizations and community prevention programs

Risk factors for death among critically ill elderly patients

OBJETIVO: A população idosa está aumentando em todo o mundo, assim como a necessidade de cuidados intensivos para os idosos. Existem poucos estudos que investiguem os fatores de risco para óbito em pacientes idosos gravemente enfermos. Este estudo teve o objetivo de investigar os fatores associados ao óbito em uma população de pacientes idosos gravemente enfermos admitidos a uma unidade de terapia intensiva no Brasil. MÉTODOS: Estudo retrospectivo de coorte que incluiu todos os pacientes idosos (idade &#8805; 60 anos) admitidos a uma unidade de terapia intensiva em Fortaleza, Brasil, de janeiro a dezembro de 2007. Foi realizada uma comparação entre os sobreviventes e os não sobreviventes, e os fatores de risco para óbito foram investigados por meio de análise univariada e multivariada. RESULTADOS: Foi incluído um total de 84 pacientes, com uma média de idade de 73 ± 7,6 anos, sendo 59% do gênero feminino. A mortalidade foi de 62,8%. A principal causa de morte foi disfunção de múltiplos órgãos (42,3%), seguido por choque séptico (36,5%) e choque cardiogênico (9,7%). As complicações durante a permanência na unidade de terapia intensiva associadas com óbito foram insuficiência respiratória (OR = 61; p<0.001), lesão renal aguda (OR =23, p<0,001), sepse (OR = 12; p<0,001), acidose metabólica (OR = 17; p<0,001), anemia (OR = 8,6; p<0,005), distúrbios da coagulação (OR = 5,9; p<0,001) e fibrilação atrial (OR = 4,8; P<0,041). Os fatores de risco independentes para óbito foram idade (OR = 1,15; p<0,005), coma (OR = 7,51; p<0,003), hipotensão (OR = 21,75; p=0,003), insuficiência respiratória (OR = 9,93; p<0,0001), e lesão renal aguda (OR = 16,28; p<0,014). CONCLUSÕES: A mortalidade é elevada em pacientes idosos gravemente enfermos. Os fatores associados ao óbito foram idade, coma, hipotensão, insuficiência respiratória e lesão renal aguda.BACKGROUND: The elderly population is increasing all over the world. The need of intensive care by the elderly is also increasing. There is a lack of studies investigating the risk factors for death among critically ill elderly patients. This study aims to investigate the factors associated with death in a population of critically ill elderly patients admitted to an intensive care unit in Brazil. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study including all elderly patients (&gt;60 years) admitted to an intensive care unit in Fortaleza, Brazil, from January to December 2007. A comparison between survivors and nonsurvivors was done and the risk factors for death were investigated through univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: A total of 84 patients were included, with an average age of 73 ± 7.6 years; 59% were female. Mortality was 62.8%. The main cause of death was multiple organ dysfunction (42.3%), followed by septic shock (36.5%) and cardiogenic shock (9.7%). Complications during intensive care unit ICU stay associated with death were respiratory failure (OR=61, p<0.001), acute kidney injury (OR=23, p<0.001), sepsis (OR=12, p<0.001), metabolic acidosis (OR=17, p<0.001), anemia (OR=8.6, p<0.005), coagulation disturbance (OR=5.9, p<0.001) and atrial fibrillation (OR=4.8, p<0.041). Independent risk factors for death were age (OR=1.15, p<0.005), coma (OR=7.51, p<0.003), hypotension (OR=21.75, p=0.003), respiratory failure (OR=9.93, p<0.0001) and acute kidney injury (OR=16.28, p<0.014). CONCLUSION: Mortality is high among critically ill elderly patients. Factors associated with death were age, coma, hypotension, respiratory failure and acute kidney injury.CNPq - Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológic

HISTOPLASMIN SURVEY IN HIV-POSITIVE PATIENTS: RESULTS FROM AN ENDEMIC AREA IN NORTHEASTERN BRAZIL

SUMMARY Background. Disseminated histoplasmosis is common in AIDS patients with advanced immunosuppression in Ceará, Northeastern Brazil. The goal of this study was to determine the prevalence of Histoplasma infection in patients with HIV/AIDS living in Fortaleza, the capital of Ceará. Methods. Intradermal tests with histoplasmin (mycelial phase) were performed in 161 HIV patients with CD4 ≥ 350 cells/mm 3 . Evidence of recent illness was evaluated with immunodiffusion (ID) tests in 76 of these individuals. Results. A total of 11.8% of patients reacted to histoplasmin and 2.63% had ID test positive to Histoplasma. The presence of mango trees (Mangifera indica) in the patient neighborhood (OR = 2.870; 95% CI = 1.081-7.617; p = 0.040) and past activity involving soil (OR = 2.834; 95% CI = 1.045-7.687; p = 0.045) or visits to a farm (OR = 3.869; 95% CI = 1.189-12.591; p = 0.033) were significantly associated with Histoplasma infection. Conclusions. Patients with HIV living in Fortaleza have an expressive prevalence of infection with Histoplasma.RESUMO Introdução: Histoplasmose disseminada ocorre com grande frequência em pacientes com aids e imunossupressão avançada no Ceará, Brasil. O objetivo deste artigo é determinar a prevalência da infecção por Histoplasma em pacientes com HIV/aids residentes em Fortaleza capital. Métodos. Testes intradérmicos com histoplasmina (fase micelial), foram realizados em 161 pacientes com CD4 ≥ 350 células/mm 3 . Doença recente foi estudada por imunodifusão em 76 desses indivíduos. Resultados. Reagiram à histoplasmina, 11,8% dos pacientes e à imunodifusão para Histoplasma: 2,63%. A presença da árvore mangueira (Mangifera indica) na vizinhança (OR = 2,870; IC 95% = 1,081-7,617; p = 0,040), atividade com o solo no passado (OR = 2,834; IC 95% = 1,045-7,687, p = 0,045) e visitar sítio no passado (OR = 3,869; IC 95% = 1,189-12,591; p = 0,033); foram significativamente associados com positividade para o teste. Conclusões. Pacientes com HIV que vivem em Fortaleza apresentam uma prevalência expressiva de infecção por Histoplasma

Association between dietary patterns and renal function in a cross-sectional study using baseline data from the ELSA-Brasil cohort

Previous analyses of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil) identified four main dietary patterns (DP). The aim of this study was to explore the association between the previously defined DP and renal function (RF). A crosssectional study using the ELSA-Brasil baseline data was carried out. DP (‘‘traditional’’, ‘‘fruits and vegetables’’, ‘‘bakery’’, and ‘‘low sugar/low fat), metabolic syndrome (MS) using the Joint Interim Statement criteria, microalbuminuria (MA), and glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) through the CKD-EPI equation were evaluated. Abnormal RF was defined as eGFRo60 mL min–1 (1.73 m2 ) –1 and MAX3.0 mg/dL. Factors associated with RF were determined and mediation analysis was performed to investigate the association between DP, MS, and RF. A total of 15,105 participants were recruited, with a mean age of 52±9 years; 8,134 participants (54%) were females. The mediation analysis identified indirect associations between ‘‘bakery’’ and ‘‘fruits and vegetables’’, and both were associated with decreased eGFR and albuminuria in both genders, compared with ‘‘traditional’’ and ‘‘low sugar/low fat’’ patterns in the general population. There was a direct association of the ‘‘bakery’’ pattern with MA in men (OR: 1.17, 95%CI: 1.92–1.48). The ‘‘fruits and vegetables’’ pattern also showed a direct association with reduced eGFR in women (OR: 1.65, 95%CI: 1.28–2.12), although there was no significance after adjustment. The ‘‘fruits and vegetables’’ and ‘‘bakery’’ DPs were associated with renal dysfunction. The only independent, direct association was between ‘‘bakery’’ DP and MA in men, raising concerns about DP and renal damage in men

Viral hepatitis in female sex workers using the Respondent-Driven Sampling

OBJECTIVE To estimate the prevalence of hepatitis B virus and C virus infections and their genotypes and analyze the risk factors for the markers of exposure to hepatitis B virus in female sex workers in a region of intense sex trade. METHODS This is a cross-sectional study performed with four hundred and two female sex workers in Goiânia, Brazil. Data have been collected using the Respondent-Driven Sampling. The women have been interviewed and tested for markers of hepatitis B and C viruses. Positive samples have been genotyped. The data have been analyzed using the Respondent-Driven Sampling Analysis Tool, version 5.3, and Stata 11.0. RESULTS The adjusted prevalence for hepatitis B virus and C virus were 17.1% (95%CI 11.6–23.4) and 0.7% (95%CI 0.1–1.5), respectively. Only 28% (95%CI 21.1–36.4) of the participants had serological evidence of vaccination against hepatitis B virus. Being older (>; 40 years), being single, having a history of blood transfusion and use of cocaine, and ignoring the symptoms of sexually transmitted infections were associated with positivity for hepatitis B virus (p < 0.05). We have detected the subgenotype A1 of hepatitis B virus (n = 3) and the subtypes of hepatitis C virus 1a (n = 3) and 1b (n = 1). CONCLUSIONS We can observe a low prevalence of infection of hepatitis B and C viruses in the studied population. However, the findings of the analysis of the risk factors show the need for more investment in prevention programs for sexual and drug-related behavior, as well as more efforts to vaccinate this population against hepatitis B. The genotypes of the hepatitis B virus and C virus identified are consistent with those circulating in Brazil