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Objective: To apprehend the factors related to the onset and/or worsening of urinary incontinence in the hospitalized elderly patient, considering the Donabedian's triad., Method: This is a qualitative, descriptive study, conducted with nurses and nursing technicians from a public university hospital. Data were collected using the focus group technique; content analysis was used for treatment and analysis, with subsequent coding of the registration units in the software WebQDA, relating the corpus obtained with the Donabedian's pillars., Results: The most reported factors related to the onset and/or worsening of urinary incontinence in hospitalized elderly patients were linked to the pillar structure, with emphasis on the attribute human resources, followed by the attributes material resources and physical structure; the second Donabedian's pillar with the greatest association with the reports was process and, finally, the pillar outcome., Conclusion: The identification of factors related to the outcome investigated in the hospital environment provided the participants with reflection and awareness about the problem, therefore allowing the proposition of measures and interventions to minimize it and ensure safe and quality care to the hospitalized elderly patient.

Objective: To analyze the planning and implementation of the care offered by nurses to elders with coronary disease during the hospital-house transition., Methods: Qualitative research that used the Transitions Theory as a theoretical reference. The participants were 12 nurses who work in a hospital that specializes in cardiology, in the city of Salvador-BA. A semistructured interview was carried out from January to February 2018, and the data was analyzed using the Content Analysis technique., Results: Transition care takes place on the day of discharge. The presence of the family was found to be a facilitator; low adherence, poor financial situations, the low educational levels inhibited its implementation. The rehospitalization is an indicator of the results of the transition of care., Final Considerations: The planning and implementation of transition care is not effective. It must provide safety in the management of self-care in the home of elders with coronary disease and their families.

Objective: To analyze the trend of leprosy indicators in Goiás between 2001 and 2017., Methods: An ecological time series study was conducted. Leprosy morbidity and operational indicators were calculated using Notifiable Health Conditions Information System data. Prais-Winsten regression was used for trend analysis., Results: There was a falling trend in the detection rate in the general population (Annual Percent Change [APC] = -6.8 - 95%CI -8.2;-5.4) and in children under 15 years old (APC = -7.2 - 95%CI -8.5;-5.9); a rising trend in the proportion of grade 2 disability (APC = 3.7 - 95%CI 2.0;5.3) and in the proportion of examined physical disability (APC = 0.6 - 95%CI 0.3;0.8); healing and examined contacts proportions were stable., Conclusion: Detection rates decreased while the proportions of grade 2 physical disability and examined physical disability increased.

Objective: to build and validate an instrument for structural assessment of wards for the preservation of urinary continence in hospitalized older adults., Method: this is a methodological study divided into two stages. The first corresponded to an integrative literature review that guided the construction of the instrument. The second consisted of the content validation stage of the instrument, by means of expert consensus, using the Delphi technique. The selected experts were recognized in the field and authors of the articles included in the integrative review., Results: six experts participated in the content validation, which resulted in the "Instrument for Structural Assessment of Wards for the Preservation of Urinary Continence in Older Adults", composed of 27 items, distributed in three dimensions: "physical structure", "human resources", and "material resources". Two Delphi rounds were carried out for validation, resulting in a final version with 83% agreement among the experts., Conclusion: the instrument reached content validity, requiring application for clinical validation. However, it can be used by researchers and health staff in hospital settings, in order to identify structural weaknesses and guide the priority of interventions for the quality and safety of this care.

Objectives: reflect about education in health and work process on three programs of multiprofessional residency in Florianópolis/SC., Method: Reflexive study about Multiprofessional Residency Health Programs of Florianópolis., Results: Multiprofessional Residency characterizes training health professionals through service education. Developing these professionals' specialization with assignments that promote professional exercise and magnifies multiprofessional work at the same time, for excellency in unabridged healthcare., Final Considerations: Multiprofessional Residency Programs make interdisciplinary education, sharing knowledge between residents and other professionals stimulating development of innovation skills.

Objective: to identify evidence concerning the contribution of health technologies used to prevent and control hemorrhaging in the third stage of labor., Method: systematic review with database searches. First, two researchers independently selected the papers and, at a second point in time, held a reconciliation meeting. The Kappa coefficient was used to assess agreement, while the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation was adopted to assess risk of bias and classify level of evidence., Results: in this review, 42 papers were included, 34 of which addressed product technologies, most referred to pharmacological products, while two papers addressed the use of blood transparent plastic bags collector and the contribution of birth spacing and prenatal care. The eight papers addressing process technologies included the active management of the third stage of labor, controlled cord traction, uterine massage, and educational interventions., Conclusion: product and process technologies presented high and moderate evidence confirmed in 61.90% of the papers. The levels of evidence confirm the contribution of technologies to prevent and control hemorrhaging. Clinical nurses should provide scientific-based care and develop protocols addressing nursing care actions.

Objective: analyze trends in fertility rates and associations with perinatal outcomes for adolescents in Santa Catarina, Brazil., Methods: a population-based study covering 2006 to 2013 was carried out to evaluate associations between perinatal outcomes and age groups, using odds ratios, and Chi-squared tests., Results: differences in the fertility rate among female adolescents across regions and time period were observed, ranging from 40.9 to 72.0 per 1,000 in mothers aged 15-19 years. Adolescents had fewer prenatal care appointments than mothers ≥20 years, and a higher proportion had no partner. Mothers aged 15-19 years were more likely to experience preterm birth (OR:1.1; CI:1.08-1.13; p<0.001), have an infant with low birthweight (OR:1.1; CI:1.10-1.15; p<0.001) and low Apgar score at 5 minutes (OR:1.4; CI:1.34-1.45; p<0.001) than mothers ≥20 years, with the odds for adverse outcomes greater for those aged 10-14 years., Conclusion: this study provides evidence of fertility rates among adolescents remaining higher in regions of social and economic deprivation. Adolescent mothers and their infants more likely to experience adverse perinatal outcomes. Nurses, public health practitioners, health and social care professionals and educators need to work collaboratively to better target strategies for adolescents at greater risk; to help reduce fertility rates and improve outcomes.

Introduction: Vitamin D reduces albuminuria in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) but its effects on glomerular podocytes are not entirely understood., Objective: To evaluate if cholecalciferol supplementation reduces the levels of podocyte-associated urine mRNAs in patients with CKD., Methods: A total of 27 patients with stages 2 to 4 CKD and suboptimal serum vitamin D [25(OH)D] levels were treated with cholecalciferol for 6 months. Serum 25(OH)D level, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), proteinuria, and urine mRNA of nephrin, podocin, podocalyxin, transient receptor potential cation channel 6, vascular endothelial growth factor A, and transforming growth factor beta were assessed before and after intervention., Results: eGFR declined at an average rate of -4.71 mL/min/1.73 m2 (p = 0.010 vs. baseline), being 28 ± 16 mL/min/1.73 m2 at six months. No changes in proteinuria or mineral and bone metabolism parameters were observed after cholecalciferol supplementation. Urinary podocyte-associated mRNAs did not change significantly after treatment. However, patients who achieved 25(OH)D level > 20 ng/mL at six months showed a trend of reduction of urinary nephrin and podocin mRNA levels; in patients with 25(OH)D that remained < 20 ng/mL there was a significant increase in urinary podocalyxin, and a trend of higher expression of urinary nephrin and podocin mRNA., Conclusion: Six months of cholecalciferol supplementation had no effect on urine podocyte-associated mRNA profile of patients with advanced CKD. The protective effect of vitamin D or its analogues on the glomerular podocyte should be investigated in early stages of CKD with a longer treatment period.

Objective: to describe the occurrence of the recording of mental disorders (MD) in primary health care (PHC) services in Brazilian municipalities and to analyze associated factors., Methods: an ecological study was conducted using PHC Information System secondary data for the year 2014; the magnitude of the occurrence of MD recording was assessed through indicators developed for this purpose; bivariate analysis was used., Results: 15,216 MD cases were recorded in 42 (0.8%) municipalities, corresponding to 16.9 MD cases/100,000 inhabitants for Brazil, with significant variations between the country's macro-regions; MD recording in PHC was most frequent in the Southeast and Southern macro-regions (p=0.001), in state capital cities (p<0.001), in municipalities with more than 200,000 inhabitants (p<0.001), those with PHC coverage greater than 75% (p=0.005) and those with Psychosocial Care Centers (p=0.001)., Conclusion: recording of MD in PHC is incipient, unequally distributed and possibly dependent on local initiatives.

After 2003, a new period of expansion of the sugarcane culture began in Brazil. Pre-harvesting burning of sugarcane straw is an agricultural practice that, despite the nuisance for the population and pollution generated, still persisted in over 70% of the municipalities of São Paulo State in 2010. In order to study the distribution of this risk factor, an ecological epidemiological study was conducted associating the rates of deaths and hospital admissions for respiratory diseases, for each municipality in the State, with the exposure to the pre-harvesting burning of sugarcane straw. A Bayesian multivariate regression model, controlled for the possible effects of socioeconomic and climate (temperature, humidity, and rainfall) variations, has been used. The effect on health was measured by the standardized mortality and morbidity ratio. The measures of exposure to the pre-harvesting burning used were: percentage of the area of sugarcane harvested with burning, average levels of aerosol, and number of outbreaks of burning. The autocorrelation between data was controlled using a neighborhood matrix. It was observed that the increase in the number of outbreaks of burning was significantly associated with higher rates of hospital admissions for respiratory disease in children under five years old. Pre-harvesting burning of sugarcane effectively imposes risk to population health and therefore it should be eliminated.

Objective: To compare the frequency of consumption of fruits, vegetables and soft drinks among adolescents living in urban and rural areas of Pernambuco State., Methods: A cross-sectional study based on secondary analysis of data from a representative sample of high school students in Pernambuco (n = 4,207, 14 - 19 years) was conducted. Data were collected through a previously validated questionnaire. Adolescents who reported a daily consumption of soft drinks and occasional consumption of fruits, juices and vegetables were classified as exposed to inadequate standard of consumption of these foods. The independent variable was the place of residence (urban/rural). Data were analyzed by frequency distribution, χ2 test and binary logistic regression., Results: It was observed that students residing in rural areas had a higher prevalence of occasional consumption of natural fruit juices (37.6%; 95%CI 36.1 - 39.0) than those living in urban areas (32.1%; 95%CI 30.7 - 33.6). The proportion of students exposed to daily consumption of soft drinks was higher among those who reported they lived in urban areas (65.0%; 95%CI 63.5 - 66.4) compared to those who reported living in rural areas (55.3%; 95%CI 53.8 - 56.9)., Conclusion: Adolescent students living in rural areas had a higher prevalence of low consumption of natural fruit juices while those residing in urban areas had a higher prevalence of daily consumption of soda drinks.

The aim of the study was to identify the prevalence of hepatitis B and C seropositivity in pregnant women attended in a public maternity hospital located in Catalao-GO from 2005 to 2009. Descriptive, exploratory study conducted through patients` hospital records. For data analysis, we used SPSS version 18.0. The confidence interval (CI) was calculated using the Person χ² test, considering a significance level of 5% (p <0.05). The prevalence of HBV was 5.64% and HCV 0.098%, predominantly in young pregnant women aged between 20 and 30 years old, single and in their first pregnancy.

An exploratory study of quasi-experimental approach that aimed to verify the impact of an educational intervention on attitudes and knowledge of nurses towards alcohol use and associated problems. The sample included 185 nurses, divided into two groups: 84 submitted to a training course and formed the experimental group. Data were collected through a knowledge survey and an attitude scale. The attitudes of the participants of both groups were positive. There were no significant differences between groups in relation to knowledge. The strongest predictors of positive attitudes were possessed preparation to act with chemical dependents (OR = 2.18), "have received increased workload during graduation on the theme, 'alcohol and other drugs'" (OR = 1.70), and "completed graduate school" (OR = 2.59). The educational intervention had a positive impact on the attitudes of nurses towards alcoholics, work and interpersonal relationships with such clientele.

Objective: To analyze mortality rates and to describe the demographic and epidemiological characteristics of suicides recorded in the state of Amazonas., Methods: A descriptive and retrospective study has been carried out with emphasis on municipalities, which have shown, simultaneously, a high mortality rates and a high proportion of self-reported indigenous population, based on 2005 - 2009 data as provided by the Informatics Department of the Unified National Health System., Results: Among the general population of the state of Amazonas, the mortality rate, by suicide, of 4.2/100.000 inhabitants has been reported, similar to that of Manaus (4.6/100.000 inhabitants). In contrast, at Tabatinga (25.2/100.000 inhabitants), at São Gabriel da Cachoeira (27.6/100.000 inhabitants) and at Santa Isabel do Rio Negro (36.4/100.000 inhabitants), municipalities, where the proportion of self-reported indigenous population is high, besides the taxes being notably higher, it was observed that most of the suicides has occurred among men; among young men aged between 15 - 24 years; at home; by hanging; during "weekend" and among the indigenous population., Discussion: Our findings have unveiled that suicide comes forth as a serious public health issue in some municipalities in the state of Amazonas, further indicating that the event occurs within very specific contexts, and that the dimension and the magnitude of the problem can be even more serious among populations or in territories exclusively inhabited by indigenous people.

Representations about youth vary historically and culturally. In the Upper Rio Negro, there are indigenous groups with over three centuries of contact with the non-indigenous world. In recent years, male initiation rites were suppressed and formal schooling was introduced. These events led to a redefinition of significance in forms of representation at different stages of life. This work sought to understand the construction of the Indian representation of youth; how they correlate with the other life cycle phases and how they contribute to configuring structured social practices in this social group. Several mythical stories dealing with intergenerational relationships have been reviewed; these were correlated with significant stages of life, with other local narratives, and with data gathered from direct observation. The study concludes that the representations about youth have been configured by the social roles of the initiating/initiated, in a currently contradictory fashion, under a generic and lengthy student phase, deprived of its own sociological markers, prolonging the threshold condition of this phase of life.

The interactions among the ways of life and drink of youths indigenous of a populous place of Upper Rio Negro were analyzed through an ethnographic research. It was used a theoretical model that allowed to decompose and to articulate the social reality in different levels. It was observed that there was a multiplication of the situations in which is possible to drink, that are associated to mechanisms as much of belonging demarcation as of exposition of differences inter-group. Nowadays, youths insert themselves in multiple interaction networks. Through these networks they can create juvenile atmospheres of alcohol consumption, drink far away from the parents and buy industrialized drinks. With the introduction of the school and the abandonment of the initiation rituals, the youth status became uncertain, and it occurs in an ambiguous way the social norms of alcohol consumption, in a context in which there is no consensus in daily practice respect of the possible strategies to regulate juvenile drinking. Through this research, theoretical-methodological alternatives could be suggested to investigate the relationships that are established between the ways of life and the production of the health and disease, incorporating in this analysis the culture (and its transformation), the daily life (and its contradictions), the people (and its subjectivities).

Objective: To evaluate knowledge of and techniques for using prescribed inhalation devices among patients with asthma or COPD treated at a tertiary teaching hospital., Methods: Patients were assessed after medical visits, and their physicians were blinded to this fact. Patients were asked to demonstrate their inhaler technique and were then interviewed regarding their knowledge of inhalation devices, control of the disease and instructions received during medical visits., Results: We included 120 volunteers: 60 with asthma and 60 with COPD. All of the asthma patients and 98.3% of the COPD patients claimed to know how to use inhaled medications. In the sample as a whole, 113 patients (94.2%) committed at least one error when using the inhalation device. Patients committed more errors when using metered-dose inhalers than when using the dry-powder inhalers Aerolizer (p < 0.001) or Pulvinal (p < 0.001), as well as committing more errors when using the Aerolizer inhaler than when using the Pulvinal inhaler (p < 0.05). Using the metered-dose, Pulvinal and Aerolizer inhalers, the COPD group patients committed more errors than did the asthma group patients (p = 0.0023, p = 0.0065 and p = 0.012, respectively)., Conclusions: Although the majority of the patients claimed to know how to use inhalation devices, the fact that 94.2% committed at least one error shows that their technique was inappropriate and reveals a discrepancy between understanding and practice. Therefore, it is not sufficient to ask patients whether they know how to use inhalation devices. Practical measures should be taken in order to minimize errors and optimize treatment.

Chagas disease is a type of parasitosis caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, and it is transmitted by triatomine insects. This disease is found between the southern United States to Argentina and approximately 14 million people in Latin America are believed to be infected, predominantly with the chronic form of the disease. Reactivation of Chagas disease can occur among immunosuppressed patients, as has been observed among AIDS patients. In one such case, we observed cardiac decompensation with severe ventricular dysfunction and arrhythmias. This case was thought to be reactivation of Chagas disease in the myocardium, since the xenodiagnosis was positive. Specific treatment for Trypanosoma cruzi was administered, consisting of benznidazole, but the course of treatment was not completed because the patient died due to cardiopathic complications. The necropsy showed the usual stigmas of chronic Chagas cardiopathy, such as fibrosing myocarditis and a decreased number of neurons in the digestive system. There were no amastigote forms of Trypanosoma cruzi in any of the tissue samples studied. Therefore, reactivation of Chagas disease was not demonstrated but, rather, the natural evolution of chronic Chagas cardiopathy was demonstrated.

This paper analyzes the results of an evaluative study in the city of Manaus, Amazonas State, Brazil, on primary health care for patients with hypertension and/or diabetes. The ethnographic approach used access to services and comprehensiveness of health care as core analytical categories, comparing the health practices developed by Family Health Program (FHP) units with traditional non-FHP primary care units. Access to family health care units in low-income communities is limited by the precarious surrounding urban infrastructure. The main barrier to access to primary care units is distance. The lack of a referral system between the various levels of complexity jeopardizes patients' access to tests and specialists. The care supplied by the two units is limited to patient conditions that can be treated pharmacologically, thus compromising the comprehensiveness of care. The health professionals display a limited capacity to hear problems outside the immediate focus of the program activity. The paper highlights the potential for using ethnography in evaluative research on health systems and services.

The diagnosis of the metabolic syndrome (MS) according to the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III does not reflect necessarily the presence of insulin resistance (IR), a potential therapeutical target for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease prevention. Based on previous prevalence data, a cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the HOMA-IR relationship to the MS and some associated abnormalities. HOMA-IR > was higher in individuals with the MS (2.8+/-1.6 vs. 1.8+/-1.4) (p < 0.001). HOMA-IR >or= 2.5 allied good specificity and sensitivity levels for the association of MS and IR. Hyperglycemia, hypertrigliceridemia, and abdominal obesity, the MS components best related to IR, were statistically associated with HOMA-IR > 2.5, but not hypertension neither low HDL-c. The demonstration that some of MS phenotypes or associated abnormalities were more predictive for IR could point out to the possibility of the use of the index as a marker of the presence of IR associated to MS.

This paper analyzes the development of alcoholism among Indian peoples in the Upper Rio Negro, Amazonas State, Brazil. Based on a comprehensive approach to what, how, and when individuals drink, this ethnography emphasizes the socio-cultural and historical context in which alcohol is consumed and interpretation of the issue by Indian people themselves. The article discusses historical transformations in the forms of drinking and their correlations with the status quo and changes in social standards of living. The article concludes that current forms of alcohol consumption are linked to the behaviors and values emerging on the frontier of interethnic relations and the resignification of the traditional culture, currently experiencing difficulties in offering parameters for action and symbolization of social life by the younger generations as they deal with challenges from the modern world.

This study had the aim of evaluating the clinical presentation of chronic Chagas disease among the elderly. It was a retrospective analysis of clinical records at an outpatient referral service. The sample was divided into two groups: elderly (>or= 60 years old) and non-elderly. Sex, comorbidities, clinical form, electrocardiogram and serological titers were evaluated. In the elderly group (61 cases), the mean age was 66.03+/-5 years; 67.2% were female; 59% presented comorbidities (most frequently systemic arterial hypertension, in 39.3%); 1.6% had the indeterminate clinical form, 88.5% the cardiac form and 36% the digestive form; and abnormalities were frequently found on electrocardiograms: 41% presented anterosuperior left bundle branch block (AS-LBBB), 32.8% presented right bundle branch block (RBBB) and 22.9% presented ventricular ectopic beats (VEB). In the non-elderly group (61 cases), the mean age was 39.30+/-8.36 years; 54.1% were female; 50.8% presented comorbidities (most frequently systemic arterial hypertension, in 26.2%); 18% had the indeterminate clinical form (p<0.05), 78.7% the cardiac form and 32.8% the digestive form; and abnormalities were frequently found on electrocardiogram: 24.6% presented AS-LBBB, 21.3% RBBB and 18% VEB. It was concluded that there were no clinical differences between elderly and non-elderly Chagas patients. The indeterminate clinical form predominated in patients less than 60 years old.

Background and Objectives: Isoflurane is considered a safe inhalational anesthetic. It has a low level of biotransformation, and low hepatic and renal toxicity. In clinical concentrations, it has minimal negative inotropic effect, causes a small reduction in systemic vascular resistance, and, rarely, can cause cardiac arrhythmias. The objective of this report was to present a case of severe hemodynamic instability in a patient with idiopathic scoliosis., Case Report: Male patient, 13 years old, ASA physical status I, with no prior history of allergy to medications, scheduled for surgical repair of idiopathic scoliosis. After anesthetic induction with fentanyl, midazolam, propofol, and atracurium, 1% isoflurane with 100% oxygen was initiated for anesthesia maintenance. After five minutes, the patient presented severe hypotension (MAP = 26 mmHg) associated with sinus tachycardia (HR = 166 bpm) that did not respond to the administration of vasopressors and fluids. Lung and heart auscultation, pulse oxymetry, capnography, nasopharyngeal temperature, and arterial blood gases did not change. The patient was treated for anaphylaxis and the surgery was cancelled. The clear temporal relationship between the administration of isoflurane and the symptoms suggested the diagnosis of cardiovascular intolerance to inhalational isoflurane. Two weeks later, total intravenous anesthesia was administered without complications., Conclusions: There are no reports of severe hemodynamic instability caused by isoflurane in previously healthy individuals. Anaphylaxis, supraventricular tachycardia with hemodynamic consequences, and increased cardiac sensitivity to isoflurane are discussed as possible causes of the hemodynamic instability. Currently, there is evidence that isoflurane can interfere in the coupling-uncoupling system of myocardial contractility by reducing cytosolic Ca2+ and/or depressing the function of contractile proteins. The fundamental molecular mechanisms of this process remain to be elucidated. This report suggests that the administration of isoflurane was the cause of the hemodynamic changes; the patient probably developed an unusual cardiovascular sensitivity to the drug.

Background and Objectives: Single ventricle is a rare abnormality, affecting 1% of the patients with congenital cardiopathy. Only 11 cases of patients with unoperated univentricular heart older than 50 years were reported in the literature. The aim of this report was to describe the anesthetic conduct in a patient with univentricular heart undergoing pacemaker implant., Case Report: A female patient, 47 years old, with double outlet left ventricle, L-transposition of the great vessels, and pulmonary stenosis, without prior surgical correction, was scheduled for definitive implant of a sequential dual-chamber pacemaker. The ABPM demonstrated second degree atrioventricular block and a mean heart rate of 45 bpm. Preoperative exams showed a hematocrit of 57%, normal coagulation studies, and preserved ventricular function. Monitoring consisted of pulse oxymeter, ECG on D(II) and V5, IBP, capnograph, and gas analyzer. A temporary transcutaneous pacemaker was available in case of severe bradycardia. Anesthesia was induced with fentanyl (0.25 mg), etomidate (20 mg), and atracurium (35 mg). Four minutes after anesthetic induction, the heart rate decreased to 30 bmp and 1 mg of atropine was administered with reversal of the bradycardia. Anesthesia was maintained with 2.5% sevoflurane, 60% room air, and 40% oxygen. Hemodynamic parameters and oxygen saturation remained stable. The patient was transferred to the intensive care unit in stable condition and extubated at the end of the procedure., Conclusions: The anesthetic conduct for pacemaker implant in a 47-year old patient with non-operated double outlet left ventricle and pulmonary stenosis was appropriate, since it allowed the procedure to be performed.

The goal of this study was to determine the prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome (MS) in a semi-arid rural area in Bahia, motivated by the increase of impaired glucose tolerance in rural populations and the scant national data about the occurrence of MS. Total sample involved 240 adults > or = 25 years, randomly selected, 102 (42.5%) men and 138 (57.5%) women, mean age 49.5 +/- 14.9, ranging from 25 to 87 years. Diagnosis was based on the I Diretriz Brasileira de Diagnóstico e Tratamento da SM. Crude prevalence was 30.0% while the age-adjusted prevalence was 24.8%. MS frequency was higher in women (38.4%) than in men (18.6%), more elevated among individuals with age > or = 45 years (41.4%) than among those with age < 45 years (15.9%). Stratification performed according to sex and age revealed higher prevalence among women > or = 45 years (56.9%), probably associated to menopause. Presence of MS in the absence of impaired fasting glycemia and obesity, namely its best-established constituents, suggests the importance of the syndromic diagnosis, indicated by the high predictive value of some isolated metabolic alterations. High prevalence of MS requires attention for the treatment of the whole syndrome, retarding or preventing future consequences, like diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

The variety of problems related to the so-called hazardous patterns of alcohol use make the latter a prominent public health concern. Screening instruments associated with brief interventions in primary care provide one of the frequently recommended secondary prevention strategies. The objective of this study was to assess the implementation of this strategy as a routine practice in primary health care services in the city of Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. A qualitative design was employed, including the application of semi-structured interviews for managers and health care professionals in the city's public health system, in addition to content analysis and participant observation. Results point to difficulties in the effective implementation of such routines both by managers and health care professionals. Health care professionals limit the approach to alcohol-dependent patients and demonstrate lack of motivation for preventive work. Health services managers experience difficulties in the organization and administration of such instruments, despite affirming their interest in the project.

Background: Considering the increasing levels of psychoactive substance use in Brazil and around the world, it is necessary the development of an instrument to early detection, that could be considered valid, reliable and useful at primary health care settings. In order to do that, an international team of researchers, supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) developed the Alcohol Smoking and Substance Screening Test (ASSIST). The objective of the present study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Brazilian version of ASSIST, as well as its reliability and concurrent validity in the detection of psychoactive substance use and related problems., Methods: The ASSIST and three validated diagnostic instruments (Mini-Plus, AUDIT, RTQ) were applied to 99 patients of primary/secondary health care services and to 48 patients in treatment for alcohol and drug dependence in specialized services, at São Paulo and Curitiba cities., Results: The ASSIST' scores to alcohol showed good correlation with AUDIT' scores. The ASSIST presented high sensitivity and specificity in the detection of alcohol, cannabis and cocaine abuse/dependence, considering the MINI-Plus diagnostic the "gold-standard". The reliability of the instrument was good (Cronbach's alpha of 0.80 to alcohol, 0.79 to cannabis and 0.81 to cocaine)., Conclusions: The psychometric properties of the Brazilian version of the ASSIST seem to be satisfactory, recommending its use in patients of primary/secondary health care services.

Objectives: The pattern of use of energy drinks, alone or combined with alcoholic beverages, was evaluated in a criteria sample., Methods: 136 volunteers aged 24 +/- 6 years, who had reported at least one previous use of energy drinks, answered a questionnaire on their pattern of use of energy drinks and alcoholic beverages., Results: Most of the sample (76%) reported using energy drinks in combination with alcoholic beverages, preferably whisky (90%), vodka (37%) and beer (13%). Most of the sample (79%) also reported using energy drinks alone. In the latter case, 61% of them reported not feeling any effect, 10% reported happiness, 9% euphoria, 9% insomnia, 7% uninhibited behavior and 24% increase in physical vigor. Out of those who reported combined use with alcohol, 14% told not to feel different, 38% increase happiness, 30% euphoria, 11% insomnia, 27% uninhibited behavior and 24% increase of physical vigor. High level of variability was observed in the number of lifetime uses of energy drinks (14 +/- 16). However, there was certain constancy in the number of cans ingested per occasion (1.5 +/- 0.7)., Conclusions: It was observed that the effects of energy drinks are variable, probably depending on the dose and individual sensitivity. Some reports suggest interaction with alcohol, expressed as an increase in the excitatory effects or reduction in the depressive effects. The possible pharmacological mechanisms underlying this interaction are discussed.

Purpose: To determine the prevalence of dyslipidemia in non-hospital laboratory tests of adults from Salvador, Brazil., Methods: The study was carried out in subjects from a probabilistic sample of 25% of a total of 104 local laboratories that used the same enzymatic method for lipid analysis with the quality control as recommended by the Brazilian Society of Clinical Analyses. These represented 93% of all non-hospital laboratories of Salvador in 1995. The odd months of 1995 were selected for sampling in the present study. Criteria for dyslipidemias were: total cholesterol > or = 240; LDL > or = 160; HDL < 35 and triglycerides > or = 200 mg/dl. Prevalence rates and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) and chi 2 test were used in the analyses., Results: Tests from two of the 26 laboratories were not used in the analyses due to file problems or refusal. 7,392 adults were screened, 65% female. We observed prevalence (95% CI) of hypercholesterolemia in 30.0 (27.8; 32.2)%, high LDL in 30.1 (30.8; 35.4)% and hypertriglyceridemia in 30.4 (29.0; 31.4)% of the females. As to the male subjects, prevalences were; 24.0 (20.5; 27.5)% for hypercholesterolemia, 26.1 (22.4; 29.3)% for high LDL, 27.6 (25.7; 29.5)% for hypertriglyceridemia. All gender differences were significant. Low HDL occurred in 15.9 (14.2; 17.8)% of males and in 8.0 (7.1; 8.9)% of females., Conclusion: Dyslipidemia is an important risk factor observed in non-hospital laboratory tests of men and women in Salvador. Our data may provide physicians and other health care professionals with objective information to encourage life-style changes.

This paper discusses the problem of violence and its expression upon mortality due to external causes. A few indicators are offered, which have been worked upon it to emphasise the importance of the theme. In a general way, the study demonstrates violent death has had its magnitude increased along the years, not only throughout Latin America but also in Brazil and in Santa Catarina.