Prevalence of trachoma and associated factors in students from the Jequitinhonha Valley, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Trachoma is the leading cause of blindness in the world, especially in undeveloped countries, due to its association with poor socioeconomic and sanitation conditions. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of trachoma among students from the Jequitinhonha Valley, Minas Gerais, one of the poorest regions in Brazil, and to identify associated factors. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study that utilized clinical evaluation and a socioeconomic questionnaire applied to a random and representative sample of elementary school students from the Jequitinhonha Valley, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Participants underwent conjunctival scraping and direct immunofluorescence was used to confirm the presence of the bacteria. Five or more elementary bodies in the conjunctival scrape was considered a positive result. In the study, 36.6% positive samples were detected. A culture of the conjunctival scrape, considered to be the "gold standard", was not performed due to cost and complexity. Bivariate analyses were performed, followed by binary logistic regression analysis to define the associated variables. RESULTS: In the present study, 478 students comprised the sample. The prevalence of trachoma was 6.3% and was higher among students who lived in unfinished houses (no plastering, painting, flooring, and unfinished bathrooms) (OR, 2.27; 95% CI, 1.12-6.48) without sewage systems (OR = 9.49; 95% CI = 3.52-25.60) and studied in rural areas (OR, 3.37; 95% CI, 1.53-7.35). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of trachoma among the students aged 7 to 16 years old, from public and private schools, is not negligible and is especially associated with inadequate living conditions.

Mutirão de saúde como ação extensiva e integrativa com a atenção primária / Health task force as extensive and integrative action with primary attention

Este trabalho buscou descrever uma das ações extensiva e interdisciplinar da LASEM da Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, os Mutirões de Saúde. A liga acadêmica, firmada no tripé ensino, pesquisa e extensão, pretende aproximar o estudante da prática da atenção à saúde, com foco na vivência, para auxiliar o entendimento de como os fatores socioeconômicos e culturais influenciam no processo saúde-doença. Além disso, tem por objetivo descrever sua proposta e dinâmica, incentivar sua realização como uma atividade de Atenção Primária à Saúde, visto a sua importância para a formação médica. Os mutirões de saúde foram mobilizações coletivas, planejadas pela liga e pelo gestor de saúde local, com intuito de promover uma aproximação com a comunidade, permitir a aplicação do conhecimento construído nas reuniões da liga e ofertar serviços de saúde à população local. A inserção precoce do aluno de medicina na prática médica permite uma aproximação entre a instituição de ensino e a comunidade, de forma que é construído um ambiente de crescimento mútuo, tanto para a educação do aluno, quanto para a saúde da população. Isso permite que o estudante se desenvolva como agente transformador do meio. A experiência com os mutirões de saúde mostrou que são atividades eficazes para o aperfeiçoamento do ensino, para o compartilhamento de saberes entre profissionais, estudantes e a comunidade, bem como para o fortalecimento da liga acadêmica de semiologia médica dentro da instituição universitária de ensino. (AU)

This work sought to describe one of the extensive and interdisciplinary actions of LASEM of the Federal University of the Jequitinhonha and Mucuri Valleys, the Health Task Force. The academic league, signed on the tripod teaching, research and extension, aims to bring the student closer to the practice of attention to health, with a focus on the experience, to help the understanding of how socioeconomic and cultural factors influence the health-disease process. In addition, it aims to describe its proposal and dynamics, to encourage its realization as a Primary Health Care activity, given its importance for medical training. The health efforts were collective mobilizations, planned by the league and the local health manager, in order to promote a rapprochement with the community, to allow the application of knowledge built in league meetings and to offer health services to the local population. The precocious insertion of the medical student in medical practice allows an approximation between the educational institution and the community, so that an environment of mutual growth is built, both for the students education and for the health of the population. This allows the student to develop as an agent that transforms the environment. The experience with health efforts showed that they are effective activities for the improvement of teaching, for the sharing of knowledge among professionals, students and the community, as well as for the strengthening of the academic league of medical semiology within the university teaching institution. (AU)