Housing conditions as a social determinant of low birthweight and preterm low birthweight

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between housing conditions and low birthweight and preterm low birthweight among low-income women. METHODS: A case-control study was conducted with post-partum women living in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Southeast Brazil, in 2003-2005. Two groups of cases, low birthweight (n=96) and preterm low birthweight infants (n=68), were compared against normal weight term controls (n=393). Housing conditions were categorized into three levels: adequate, inadequate, and highly inadequate. Covariates included sociodemographic and anthropometric characteristics, risk behaviors, violence, anxiety, satisfaction during pregnancy, obstetric history and prenatal care. RESULTS: Poor housing conditions was independently associated with low birthweight (inadequate - OR 2.3 [1.1;4.6]; highly inadequate - OR 7.6 [2.1;27.6]) and preterm low birthweight (inadequate - OR 2.2 [1.1;4.3]; highly inadequate - OR 7.6 [2.4;23.9]) and factors associated with outcomes were inadequate prenatal care and previous preterm birth. Low income and low maternal body mass index remained associated with low birthweight. CONCLUSIONS: Poor housing conditions were associated with low birthweight and preterm low birthweight

Sexual dysfunction in Brazilian patients with multiple sclerosis

Background People with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) show an increased risk of sexual dysfunction (SD), both in women and men. Objective The aim of the present study was to apply the Multiple Sclerosis Intimacy and Sexuality Questionnaire-19 (MSISQ-19) and evaluate our results by comparing them with those in in the literature, as well as to assess the ease of applying the scale and the engagement of the patients in discussing the topic of sexuality. Methods We developed and applied a web-based Google form questionnaire that the respondents completed online, which included the MSISQ-19, for the assessment of sexual function. Baseline characteristics were reported as proportions and mean ± standard deviation (SD) or median ± interquartile range (IQR) as appropriate according to data distribution. Categorical variables were stratified by sex and compared with chi-squared tests. Statistical analyses were performed using STATA v. 16 (StataCorp., College Station, TX, USA). Results Of the 621 respondents, 541 were included in the analysis. Among the patients with MS, a total of 347 (64.14%) exhibited SD. When stratified by gender, the frequencies of SD were not significantly different. Conclusion There is a high incidence of sexual dysfunction among PwMS and we need to identify the reasons for this and implement strategies to treat and counsel our patients. The MSISQ-19 can be used to help clinicians to assess sexual functioning in a quick and easy way and give patients the possibility to address this topic and receive appropriate help and support

Novas curvas de crescimento da Organização Mundial da Saúde: comparação com valores de crescimento de crianças pré-escolares das cidades de Taubaté e Santo André, São Paulo New World Health Organization growth standards: comparison with growth data of preschool children of the cities of Taubaté and Santo André, São Paulo, Brazil

OBJETIVO: Em 2007, a Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS) propôs um referencial de crescimento de cinco a 19 anos, a ser utilizado em continuidade ao referencial de menores de cinco anos (de 2006), que, entre outras características, aos cinco anos de idade mostra um bom ajuste com a curva de 2006. Este estudo visa comparar os referenciais da OMS com o crescimento observado em pré-escolares brasileiros. MÉTODOS: A partir dos dados antropométricos de 2.830 crianças com idade entre três e seis anos de duas amostras das cidades de Taubaté e Santo André, em São Paulo, foram calculados os valores dos percentis (P) 5, 50 e 95 de peso, estatura e índice de massa corpórea (IMC). Os valores dos novos referenciais da OMS foram comparados a esses resultados de acordo com o sexo e a faixa etária. RESULTADOS: Nos percentis de estatura, o referencial apresentou valores próximos ou pouco superiores aos dos pré-escolares até os cinco anos. Nessa idade, a tendência se inverte, obtendo-se valores progressivamente inferiores até os sete anos. Para peso e IMC, em todas as idades consideradas, o P5 e 50 dos referenciais são pouco menores que os das crianças, mas o P95 indica uma tendência de crescimento progressivamente menor, fazendo com que, próximo aos sete anos, o P95 de IMC dos pré-escolares da amostra seja cerca de 4kg/m² maior. CONCLUSÕES: Os referenciais da OMS apontam uma prevalência menor de magreza (desnutrição) e baixa estatura entre cinco e sete anos e, ao mesmo tempo, uma elevação importante da prevalência de obesidade entre três e sete anos de idade.<br>OBJECTIVE: The World Health Organization (WHO), in 2007, proposed a growth reference standard from five to 19 years to be used in continuation to the 2006 one (for children younger than five years-old). This growth chart shows a satisfactory adjustment at five years with the 2006 curve. This study aims to compare WHO references with the growth observed in Brazilian preschool children. METHODS: 2,830 children between three and six years old from Taubaté and Santo André cities, in São Paulo State, Brazil, were studied regarding weight, height and body mass index (BMI). The 5th, 50th and 95th percentiles (P) were calculated in several ages for both genders and compared to the WHO reference values. RESULTS: Concerning height, the WHO reference values were closer to or a little higher than the Brazilian studied samples until five years. At this time, an opposed tendency was noticed with WHO height percentiles becoming progressively below the Brazilian samples until the age of seven. For weight and BMI in all considered ages, the 5thP and the 50thP of the WHO referential were slightly lower than the children's ones, but the 95thP shows a trend of a progressively lower growth close to seven years: the BMI 95thP from the preschool samples were around 4kg/m² higher than WHO values. CONCLUSIONS: The use of WHO reference growth chart will produce a lower prevalence of malnutrition and short stature between five and seven years and, at the same time, an important rise of obesity prevalence between ages three and seven

Determinantes da mortalidade neonatal: estudo caso-controle em Fortaleza, Ceará, Brasil Determinants of neonatal mortality: a case-control study in Fortaleza, Ceará State, Brazil

Este trabalho objetivou determinar os fatores preditores da mortalidade neonatal utilizando modelagem hierarquizada. Trata-se de estudo caso-controle, com 132 casos e 264 controles. Foram considerados casos os recém-nascidos que morreram antes de completar 28 dias, e os controles os sobreviventes, nascidos e filhos de mães residentes em Fortaleza, Ceará, Brasil. O modelo de análise de regressão logística hierarquizada identificou fatores associados ao óbito neonatal: raça materna com efeito protetor para raça parda/negra (OR = 0,23; IC95%: 0,09-0,56), tempo gasto entre o deslocamento de casa ao hospital > 30 minutos (OR = 3,12; IC95%: 1,34-7,25), tempo < 1h ou > 10h entre a internação e o parto (OR = 2,43; IC95%: 1,24-4,76) e pré-natal inadequado (OR = 2,03; IC95%: 1,03-3,99), baixo peso ao nascer (OR = 14,75; IC95%: 5,26-41,35), prematuridade (OR = 3,41; IC95%: 1,29-8,98) e sexo masculino (OR = 2,09; IC95%: 1,09-4,03). Nessa casuística, as mortes neonatais foram associadas à qualidade da assistência pré-natal e da assistência direta ao trabalho de parto.<br>This case-control study with 132 cases and 264 controls aimed to determine predictors of neonatal mortality using hierarchical modeling. Cases were defined as newborns that died within 28 days of birth, and controls as the survivors, among infants of mothers living in Fortaleza, Ceará State, Brazil. Hierarchical logistic regression identified factors associated with neonatal death: maternal race, with brown/black race showing a protective effect (OR = 0.23; IC95%: 0.09-0.56), time spent from home to the hospital > 30 minutes (OR = 3.12; 95%CI: 1.34-7.25), time < 1h or > 10 hours between hospital admission and delivery (OR = 2.43; 95%CI: 1.24-4.76), inadequate prenatal care (OR = 2.03; 95%CI: 1.03-3.99), low birth weight (OR = 14.75; 95%CI: 5.26-41.35), prematurity (OR = 3.41; 95%CI: 1.29-8.98), and male gender (OR = 2.09; 95%CI: 1.09-4.03). In this case series, neonatal deaths were associated with the quality of prenatal care and direct care during labor

Avaliação da adequação da assistência pré-natal na rede SUS do Município do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil Adequacy of prenatal care in the National Health System in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

A persistência de desfechos perinatais negativos no Município do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, sugere problemas na qualidade da assistência pré-natal. A última investigação realizada nessa cidade mostrou adequação de apenas 38% dessa assistência. O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar a adequação da assistência pré-natal na rede do SUS do Município do Rio de Janeiro. Foi realizado um estudo transversal, em 2007-2008, por meio de entrevistas com 2.422 gestantes em atendimento nos serviços de pré-natal de baixo risco. Para avaliação da adequação da assistência, foi utilizado o índice PHPN, com as recomendações do Programa de Humanização do Pré-natal e Nascimento, do Ministério da Saúde, e um índice PHPN ampliado, em que foram acrescentados procedimentos clinico-obstétricos, prescrição de sulfato ferroso suplementar e ações educativas. Foi encontrada adequação de 38,5% para o PHPN e 33,3% para o PHPN ampliado. Estratégias de ampliação da captação precoce das gestantes e melhor utilização dos contatos com os serviços para a realização de ações de atenção à saúde são prioritárias para a reversão desse quadro.<br>The persistence of negative perinatal outcomes in Rio de Janeiro suggests problems in the quality of prenatal care. The most recent study in the city showed that only 38% of prenatal care was adequate. This study aimed to evaluate the adequacy of prenatal care under the Brazilian Unified National Health System in the city of Rio de Janeiro. A cross-sectional study in 2007-2008 interviewed 2,422 women receiving prenatal care for low-risk pregnancy. Evaluation of care used the PHPN index, based on guidelines from the Program for Humanization of Prenatal Care and Childbirth (Brazilian Ministry of Health) and an expanded PHPN index, which included clinical-obstetric procedures, prescription of supplementary ferrous sulfate, and educational activities. According to the PHPN index, 38.5% of prenatal care was adequate, as compared to 33.3% based on the expanded PHPN index. Strategies to expand early entry of pregnant women into prenatal care and better use of their contact with the health services in order to promote healthcare measures are essential to correct this situation