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As the COVID-19 pandemic progresses, understanding its sustained impact on healthcare access and utilization represents a vital task for decision-makers and health systems. This study investigates how three aspects of health care utilization (i.e., consultations for COVID-19 related symptoms, cancelation of previously scheduled care and hospitalisation in the past 30 days) relate to individual and municipal factors in a nationally-representative sample of Brazilians aged 50 and over.Data were obtained for 6584 participants from the second wave of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSI-Brazil in Portuguese) who were administered supplemental telephone interviews between September and October 2020. Descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis and multivariate analysis using survey-weighted Poisson regression were applied to evaluate all three outcomes of interest (consultation, care cancelation, and hospitalisation). Predicted probabilities were also calculated to understand the overall effect of relevant covariates.Women were 76% less likely to seek care for COVID-19 symptoms (Odds Ratio [OR] = 0.24, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] = 0.10, 0.53) and 82% more likely to have healthcare cancelled due to the pandemic (OR = 1.82, 95% CI = 1.43, 2.33) than men. Those who live in municipalities with low coverage (40%) of community-based primary care (the Family Health Strategy) were more likely (OR = 1.80, 95% CI = 1.00, 3.22) to be hospitalised for any reason in the past 30 days and more likely to experience healthcare cancelation (OR = 1.43, 95% CI = 1.01, 2.02). Living in the Southeast and Midwest regions was associated with 62% and 78%, respectively, lower odds of previously scheduled care being cancelled due to the pandemic, in comparison to the North region (OR = 0.38, 95% CI = 0.21, 0.67, and OR = 0.22, 95% CI = 0.14, 0.36). Living in the Southeast region was associated with over 7.61 higher odds of having sought care for COVID-19-related symptoms, relative to those living in the North (OR = 7.61, 95% CI = 2.16, 26.85).Results highlight the uneven impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on health care utilization between males and females, and across Brazilian municipalities and regions.

Os jovens da America Latina e do Caribe (LAC) sao desproporcionalmente afetados pela violencia interpessoal, incluindo o bullying. Os governos da ALC adotaram legislacao anti-bullying, mas nenhuma analise aprofundada dessas leis foi realizada. Este estudo fornece uma analise quantitativa e descritiva das legislacoes da regiao. Dos 33 paises na regiao, 11 promulgaram leis anti-bullying. A maioria dos paises nao possui legislacao. Entre as leis identificadas, o escopo e os comportamentos de bullying foram amplamente definidos. As medidas corretivas careciam de mais detalhes e poucas leis abordavam explicitamente os servicos de saude mental. Estudos futuros devem se concentrar na avaliacao da implementacao e eficacia dessas leis.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused over half a million deaths worldwide. Brazil has been particularly impacted, registering more than 1.3 million infections and 57,000 deaths by late June 2020. Aggregate numbers of cases are essential in modeling the epidemic and planning responses; however, more detailed analysis of risk factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection are needed. Our study provides an initial examination of characteristics associated with receiving a doctor’s diagnosis of COVID-19 among a nationally representative sample of Brazilians aged 50 and over. Data are derived from the second wave of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI-Brazil) and a telephone follow-up survey to ELSI-Brazil participants, known as the ELSI-COVID-19 initiative. The telephone survey was conducted between 26 May and 8 June 2020. Results show that about 2.4% (n = 70) of the sample reported being told by a doctor they had COVID-19, however, only about half of these individuals (n = 37) reported receiving a diagnostic confirmation from viral testing (RT-PCR). Demographic factors (aged 50-60 years), socioeconomic factors (lower household income), health-related factors (obesity, three or more chronic conditions), and geography (living in the Northern region of the country) were positively associated with reporting a COVID-19 diagnosis. Despite the descriptive and preliminary nature of these findings, results reported here suggest the need for more targeted approaches to enhance personal protection and provide greater viral testing options, especially for older, sicker and more vulnerable adults in Brazil.

Although bullying involvement has been associated with adolescent substance use, most of this evidence comes from high-income countries. Little is known about substance use among perpetrator-victims in low- and middle-income countries. This study explores the association between types of bullying involvement and adolescent substance use in Brazil.Data for this cross-sectional study came from the 2015 Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar [National Adolescent School-based Health Survey] (PeNSE), a nationwide school-based survey of Brazilian ninth graders. Substance use was analyzed as any substance use (i.e., use of alcohol, cigarettes, or marijuana in the previous 30 days) and substance co-use (i.e., use of all three substances). Logistic regression analyses were conducted, and adjusted odds ratios (aORs) were calculated, adjusting for demographic characteristics and student loneliness.Odds of any substance use for bullying perpetrators-only and for perpetrator-victims, respectively, were significantly higher compared to no bullying involvement (aOR = 2.99, 95% CI = 2.71-3.30 and aOR = 2.52, 95% CI = 2.31-2.75). Adjusted odds of substance co-use were also significantly higher among perpetrators-only and perpetrator-victims (aOR = 4.04, 95% CI = 3.05-5.35 and aOR = 3.49, 95% CI = 2.71-4.51, respectively). Victimization-only was associated with a 14% increase in the odds of any substance use (aOR = 1.14, 95% CI = 1.07-1.22).The results underscore the complex relationship between adolescent bullying involvement and substance use. Findings also indicate the type of bullying involvement, as well as demographic and psychological factors, should be taken into consideration when assessing adolescent health-risk behaviors.Aunque la participación en el acoso escolar (Los datos para este estudio transversal provinieron de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud de los Escolares del 2015, una encuesta llevada a cabo en las escuelas a nivel nacional en los estudiantes brasileños del noveno curso. El consumo de sustancias se dividió en uso de una sola sustancia (a saber, consumo de alcohol, cigarrillos o marihuana en los 30 días anteriores) y uso concomitante (es decir, consumo de los tres tipos de sustancias). Se realizaron análisis de regresión logística y se calcularon las razones de posibilidades ajustadas (aOR), con ajustes para las características demográficas y la soledad de los estudiantes.Las probabilidades de consumo de cualquier sustancia en los perpetradores del acoso y los que eran a la vez perpetradores y víctimas, respectivamente, fueron más altas (con significancia estadística) en comparación con quienes no participaban en el acoso (aOR = 2,99, IC de 95% =2,71-3,30; y aOR = 2,52, IC de 95% = 2,31-2,75). Las probabilidades ajustadas de consumo concomitante de las sustancias también fueron significativamente más altas entre los perpetradores exclusivos y los perpetradores víctimas (aOR = 4,04, IC de 95% = 3,05-5,35; y RPa = 3,49, IC de 95% = 2,71-4,51, respectivamente). La victimización exclusiva se asoció con un aumento de 14% en las probabilidades de consumo de cualquier sustancia (aOR = 1,14, IC de 95% = 1,07-1,22).Los resultados subrayan la compleja relación entre la participación de los adolescentes en el acoso y el consumo de sustancias. Los resultados también indican que deben tenerse en cuenta el tipo de participación en el acoso, así como los factores demográficos y psicológicos, al evaluar los comportamientos de riesgo para la salud de los adolescentes.Apesar de a prática de bullying ter sido associada ao uso de substâncias psicoativas em adolescentes, grande parte das evidências obtidas é oriunda de países de alta renda. Pouco se sabe sobre o uso de substâncias psicoativas em agressor-vítimas em países de baixa e média renda. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a associação entre os tipos de prática de bullying e o uso de substâncias psicoativas em adolescentes no Brasil.Os dados para este estudo transversal foram obtidos da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar (PeNSE), um inquérito realizado com adolescentes do 9° ano do ensino fundamental em todo o país. O uso de substâncias psicoativas foi analisado como sendo o uso de qualquer tipo de substância psicoativa (como uso de álcool, cigarros ou maconha nos 30 dias anteriores à pesquisa) e o uso concomitante de substâncias psicoativas (ou seja, uso dos três tipos de substâncias). Foram realizadas análises de regressão logística e calculadas razões de chances ajustadas (OR aj) segundo características demográficas e grau de solidão dos estudantes.As chances de uso de qualquer tipo de substância psicoativa entre os exclusivamente praticantes de bullying e agressor-vítimas foram significativamente maiores em comparação aos que não praticam bullying (OR aj = 2,99, IC 95% = 2,71–3,30 e OR aj = 2,52, IC 95% = 2,31–2,75, respectivamente). As chances ajustadas do uso concomitante de substâncias psicoativas foram também significativamente maiores entre os exclusivamente praticantes de bullying e agressor-vítimas (OR aj = 4,04, IC 95% = 3,05–5,35 e OR aj = 3,49, IC 95% = 2,71–4,51, respectivamente). Exclusivamente vitimização foi associado a uma chance 14% maior de uso de qualquer tipo de substância psicoativa (OR aj = 1,14, IC 95% = 1,07–1,22).Os resultados deste estudo chamam atenção à complexa relação entre a prática de bullying e o uso de substâncias psicoativas em adolescentes. Os achados do estudo também indicam que o tipo de prática de bullying e fatores demográficos e psicológicos devem ser considerados ao serem avaliados os comportamentos de risco à saúde dos adolescentes.

The continent of the Americas has the greatest number of people infected and deaths associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in the world. Brazil occupies the 2nd position in numbers of infected cases and deaths, preceded only by the United States. Older adults and those with pre-existing chronic illnesses are more vulnerable to the consequences of the virus. The SARS-CoV-2 epidemic has serious consequences for health services. Therefore, an assessment of the pandemic’s effect on the older Brazilian population is urgently needed. The study examines the prevalence of COVID-19 related symptoms, care-seeking, and cancellation of surgery or other scheduled medical care among a nationally representative sample of Brazilians aged 50 and over derived from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI-Brazil) and a telephone follow-up survey (the ELSI-COVID-19 initiative) between late May and early June 2020. About 10.4% of older adults reported any fever, dry cough or difficulty breathing in the 30 days prior to the interview, with the highest prevalence in the North region (50%). Among individuals with symptoms, only 33.6% sought care. Individuals living in the South or Southeast regions were significantly less likely to seek care for COVID-19 related symptoms. Nearly one in six participants had to cancel scheduled surgery or other medical care; this proportion was higher among women, those with more education, and people with multiple chronic conditions. This paper is among the first to investigate the effect of COVID-19 on health care use in Brazil among older adults. Results highlight the need to adapt health care delivery (such as through telemedicine) to ensure the continuity of care as well as the urgent need for wide dissemination of information to guide the population on disease prevention measures and how to obtain healthcare when needed.

Although low socioeconomic status (SES) adolescents suffer from higher rates of adverse sexual and reproductive health outcomes, evidence on the association between SES and sexual behaviors has been less consistent. A cross-sectional analysis of the association between sociodemographic characteristics (household wealth, maternal education and race/ethnicity) and sexual behaviors (sexual initiation, multiple sexual partners, inconsistent condom use and inconsistent contraceptive use) of Brazilian adolescents was carried out using the 2015 Brazilian National Survey of School Health (PeNSE), a nationally representative school-based survey of 102,301 adolescents. Analyses included multivariable logistic models, which accounted for geographic and family characteristics. About 27.5% of adolescents were sexually initiated. Household wealth was associated with female sexual initiation, while race/ethnicity was associated with condom use and multiple sexual partners among males. For instance, black males had 35% higher odds of having multiple partners (aOR = 1.35, 95%CI: 1.13-1.62), but 22% lower odds of condom use (aOR = 0.78, 95%CI: 0.65-0.94), compared to white males. Frequent parental supervision was positively related to condom use (females, aOR = 1.28, 95%CI: 1.10-1.49; and males, aOR = 1.33, 95%CI: 1.18- 1.49). Results show the complex relationship between SES and sexual behaviors. Researchers should pay attention to gender, racial and social norms salient to adolescent sexual behaviors, as they can influence data collection and results. National policies should also support active parental supervision, since it can be a protective factor. Resumo: Ainda que adolescentes de estado socieconômico baixo tenham taxas mais altas de desfechos adversos de saúde sexual e reprodutiva, as evidências sobre a associação entre estado socieconômico e comportamentos sexuais é menos consistente. Uma análise seccional da associação entre características sociodemográficas (renda familiar, escolaridade materna e raça/cor) e comportamentos sexuais (iniciação sexual, múltiplos parceiros sexuais, uso inconsistente de preservativo e uso inconsistente de contracepção) de adolescentes brasileiros foi realizada com base na Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar (PeNSE) de 2015, um inquérito de representatividade nacional baseado em escolas com 102.301 adolescentes. As análises incluíram modelos logísticos multivariáveis levando em consideração características geográficas e familiares. Cerca de 27,5% dos adolescentes já haviam tido a primeira relação sexual. A renda domiciliar estava associada com a iniciação sexual feminina, enquanto raça/cor estava associada com uso de preservativo e múltiplos parceiros sexuais para os adolescentes. Por exemplo, adolescentes pretos tinham uma probabilidade 35% maior de ter múltiplos parceiros (ORa = 1,35; IC95%: 1,13-1,62), mas uma probabilidade 22% menor de usar preservativo (ORa = 0,78; IC95%: 0,65-0,94), quando comparados a adolescentes brancos. A supervisão parental frequente estava positivamente associada ao uso de preservativo (sexo feminino: ORa = 1,28; IC95%: 1,10-1,49 e sexo masculino: ORa = 1,33; IC95%: 1,18-1,49). Os resultados demonstram as relações complexas entre estado socieconômico e comportamentos sexuais. Pesquisadores devem prestar atenção nas normas de gênero, raciais e sociais relevantes para comportamentos sexuais em adolescentes, dado que elas podem influenciar a coleta de dados e os resultados. Políticas públicas nacionais também devem apoiar supervisão parental ativa, dado que esse pode ser um fator protetor. Resumen: Pese a que los adolescentes que proceden de estratos socioeconómicos bajos sufren altas tasas relacionadas con problemas de su estado de salud reproductiva y sexual, las evidencias de asociación entre estratos socioeconómicos bajos y sus comportamientos sexuales han sido menos consistentes. En este estudio, se llevó a cabo un análisis trasversal de la asociación entre las características sociodemográficas (ingresos familiares, educación materna y raza/etnicidad) y comportamientos sexuales (iniciación sexual, múltiples parejas sexuales, uso ocasional del condón, al igual que de métodos anticonceptivos) con adolescentes brasileños, usando la Encuesta Nacional de Salud Escolar (PeNSE) del año 2015, una encuesta representativa a nivel nacional, basada en 102.301 adolescentes en edad escolar. Los análisis incluyeron modelos logísticos multivariables, que tuvieron en cuenta las características geográficas y familiares. Cerca de un 27,5% de los adolescentes ya estaban sexualmente iniciados. Los ingresos familiares estuvieron asociados con la iniciación sexual de la mujer, mientras que la raza/etnicidad estuvo asociada con el uso del condón y múltiples parejas sexuales entre los hombres. Por ejemplo, los hombres negros tenían un 35% mayores posibilidades de contar con múltiples parejas (aOR = 1,35; IC95%: 1,13-1,62), pero un 22% menos posibilidades de usar el condón (aOR = 0,78; IC95%: 0,65-0,94), comparados con los hombres blancos. La supervisión frecuente de los padres estuvo positivamente relacionada con el uso del condón (mujeres; aOR = 1,28; IC95%: 1,10-1,49, y hombres; aOR = 1.33; IC95%: 1.18-1,49). Los resultados muestran la compleja relación entre estratos socioeconómicos bajos y los comportamientos sexuales. Los investigadores deberían prestar atención al género, las pautas raciales y sociales para los comportamientos sexuales de los adolescentes, puesto que pueden influenciar la recogida de datos y resultados. Las políticas nacionales deberían apoyar la supervisión de los padres, puesto que puede tratarse de un factor protector.