Chlamydia trachomatis infection among HIV-infected women attending an AIDS clinic in the city of Manaus, Brazil

This was a cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence of and to identify risk factors for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected women attending the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) clinic in the city of Manaus, Brazil, in 2009-2010. Participants answered a questionnaire containing demographic, epidemiological, and clinical data. A genital specimen was collected during examination to detect CT-DNA by hybrid capture, and blood samples were taken to determine CD4+T and HIV viral load. There were 329 women included in the study. Median age was 32 years (IQR = 27-38) and median schooling was nine years (IQR = 4-11). The prevalence of CT was 4.3% (95%CI: 2.1-6.5). Logistic regression analysis showed that age between 18-29 years [OR = 4.1(95%CI: 1.2-13.4)] and complaint of pelvic pain [OR = 3.7 (95%CI: 1.2-12.8)] were independently associated with CT. The use of condom was inversely associated with CT [OR = 0.39 (95%CI: 0.1-0.9)]. The results showed that younger women who did not use condoms are at a higher risk for CT. Screening for sexually transmitted infections must be done routinely and safe sexual practices should be promoted among this population.

Níveis séricos de ferro, zinco e cobre em grávidas atendidas na rede pública de saúde no norte do Brasil / Serum levels of iron, zinc and copper in pregnant women assisted in the public health network in northern Brazil

O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar os níveis séricos dos minerais, ferro, cobre e zinco em mulheres grávidas. Trata-se de um estudo transversal com 663 mulheres grávidas, na faixa etária entre 16 e 32 anos, selecionadas de forma aleatória simples nos serviços de assistência pré-natal da rede pública, na cidade de Manaus, Estado do Amazonas, Brasil. Foi aplicado um questionário referente às condições de saúde das voluntárias e foram coletadas amostras de sangue para as análises laboratoriais. Por meio de metodologia espectrofotométrica automatizada ou espectroscopia de absorção atômica foram analisados os níveis séricos dos minerais ferro, zinco e cobre. Fez -se análise comparativa dos minerais com diversos parâmetros das grávidas como idade materna, idade gestacional e índice de massa corpórea anterior à gravidez. Os resultados apontaram que 36,9% das grávidas encontravam-se com níveis séricos abaixo dos valores recomendados para o zinco, este resultado também foi verificado em 25,4% para o ferro e 22,1% para o cobre. Os dados de deficiência de ferro e cobre foram significativos à medida que avançou a idade gestacional. O estudo sugere haver representativa deficiência destes elementos nesta população, o que carece de se conduzir políticas públicas visando erradicação destas possíveis deficiências nutricionais.

This paper aims to analyze serum levels of minerals iron, zinc and copper in pregnant women. The methodology used was a cross-sectional cohort study of a random sample of 663 pregnant women selected among expectant mothers receiving prenatal care from the public health network in the city of Manaus, Amazonas State, Brazil. Each pregnant woman was interviewed about her health condition, and blood samples were collected for analysis. Serum levels of iron, copper and zinc were analyzed through the automated spectrophotometric or atomic absorption spectroscopy methods. A comparative analysis of the analyzed minerals was performed on different parameters of the pregnant women, such as mother's age, gestational age and body mass index prior to pregnancy. The results showed that 36.9% of pregnant women had serum levels below the recommended values for zinc; this result was also observed in 25.4% of expectant mothers for iron, and 22.1% for copper. The data on copper and iron deficiency were significant as gestational age advanced. The study suggests a representative deficiency of these elements in this population, which needs be better investigated in order to drive public policies aimed at eradicating these possible nutritional deficiencies.