Alarming patterns of moderate and high-risk alcohol use among transgender women in Goiás, Central Brazil

BackgroundScant studies have examined alcohol consumption among transgender women in Latin America. This cross-sectional study estimated the prevalence and associated factors of risky alcohol use among transgender women in Goiás, a state located in the center of Brazil.MethodsParticipants were 440 transgender women (median age = 35 years, interquartile range = 9) recruited through respondent-driven sampling. All participants were interviewed about sociodemographic characteristics, violence, and risk behavior. Alcohol use was assessed using the alcohol use disorders identification test (AUDIT). An AUDIT score greater than or equal to eight was considered as risky alcohol consumption. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine predictors of risky alcohol use, and p-values <0.05 were considered significant.ResultsThe majority were young, single, sex workers. Most transgender women had used alcohol in the previous year (85.7%), and more than half (56.6%) reported binge drinking and risky alcohol consumption (60.2%). There was a high overlap between sexual behavior, drugs, and alcohol use. Using alcohol during sex (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 2.9; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.7–4.8), cocaine/crack use (aOR: 2.3; 95% CI: 1.5–3.7) and having a drug user as a sexual partner (aOR: 2.9; 95% CI: 1.5–5.9) were independently associated with risky alcohol consumption.ConclusionAlcohol consumption was highly prevalent, and drugs seem to play an important role in risky alcohol consumption among transgender women Goiás. These findings support stakeholders to promote intervention strategies to reduce this pattern of alcohol consumption and reduce the burden of substance use disorders among transgender women

The user with respiratory symptoms of tuberculosis in the primary care: assessment of actions according to national recommendations

Objective : to investigate the evaluation of the user with respiratory symptoms of tuberculosis in Primary Health Care services according to the norms of the National Program for Tuberculosis Control. Methods : cross- sectional study with application of a form to 99 people with pulmonary tuberculosis. Results : a total of 87.9% participants reported cough as the symptom that motivated the search for Primary Care; from these, 27.3% sought Primary Care units, 96.3% received care in this service, of which 46.2% reported that sputum smear was requested by professionals in the units. Conclusion : more than half of participants sought secondary or tertiary services due to the symptoms of tuberculosis, and also less than half of patients assisted in Primary Care had diagnostic tests requested by professionals of that service

The user with respiratory symptoms of tuberculosis in the primary care: assessment of actions according to national recommendations

Objective : to investigate the evaluation of the user with respiratory symptoms of tuberculosis in Primary Health Care services according to the norms of the National Program for Tuberculosis Control. Methods : cross- sectional study with application of a form to 99 people with pulmonary tuberculosis. Results : a total of 87.9% participants reported cough as the symptom that motivated the search for Primary Care; from these, 27.3% sought Primary Care units, 96.3% received care in this service, of which 46.2% reported that sputum smear was requested by professionals in the units. Conclusion : more than half of participants sought secondary or tertiary services due to the symptoms of tuberculosis, and also less than half of patients assisted in Primary Care had diagnostic tests requested by professionals of that service