Comparación del desempeño técnico-asistencial en programas escolares con diferentes modalidades de implementación / Comparison of technical-assisstance performance in school programs with different implementation modalities

Se comparó el desempeño técnico-asistencial de 2 programas de atención odontológica con iguales protocolos de atención y diferente modalidad de implementación. Ambos programas se caracterizaron por un perfil preventivo-promocional; uso de protocolos validados según riesgo biológico, atención odontológica adaptada a sedes no convencionales, recursos asignados por método de necesidades; ejecución por recurso humano pre-profesional supervisado y modulación por altas. La modalidad de implementación difirió en la densidad/concentración de las actividades realizadas: en el Programa Extensivo (PE) las acciones se implementaron con frecuencia semanal; en el Programa Intensivo (PI) las acciones se concentraron en una semana en el año. Cobertura anual: PE = 120 escolares de 6 a 9 años de edad; PI = 180 escolares y preescolares de 3 a 12 años de edad. Se midió la cantidad de prestaciones, sesiones y tiempo -en minutos- hasta alcanzar el Alta Básica Operativa (ABO). Para comparar grupos (PI y PE) se utilizaron los tests: U de Mann Whitney, t de Student para mues-tras independientes, chi cuadrado y comparación de proporciones. La razón de prestaciones/sesión fue significativamente mayor (p=0,000) en el programa intensivo. El número de prestaciones hasta el alta (ABO) y la razón tiempo/sesión no mostraron diferencias entre programas (p=0,8 p=0,087), mientras que se evidenció una mayor razón tiempo/prestación y tiempo en alcanzar el alta (ABO) en la modalidad extensiva (p=0,000). La modalidad intensiva mostró mayor eficiencia en el desempeño técnico asistencial que la extensiva (AU)

Aim: To compare technical-care performance of 2 dental care programs with the same care protocols and different implementation modalities. Both programs shared the following features: preventive-promotional profile; use of validated clinical protocols according to biological risk, dental care adapted to non-conventional settings, allocation of resources by needs method; supervised pre-professional human resource and modulation by discharges. The implementation mode differed in the density/concentration of the activities: in the extensive program (EP) the actions were implemented on a weekly basis along the year; in the intensive program (IP) the actions were concentrated in one week in the year. Annual coverage of the programs: 180 schoolchildren and preschoolers (3 -12 years old); EP = 120 schoolchildren (6 - 9 years old). We measured the following variables: the number of dental services performed, the number of sessions and the time, in minutes, to reach the basic operating discharge (BOD). We used the following tests to compare groups (IP and EP): Mann Whitney U; Student's t for independent samples, chi square and comparison of proportions test. The action per session ratio was significantly higher (p=0.000) in the intensive program. The number of actions performed until discharge (BOD) and the time per session ratio did not show differences between programs (p=0.8 p=0.087). In the extensive mode, compared to intensive mode, it took longer to reach discharge (BOD) (p=0.000) The program implemented with intensive modality (PI) showed greater efficiency regarding technical-care performance when compared to the extensive mode (AU)

Satisfação de vida, clima familiar e participação de crianças em atividades extracurriculares / Life satisfaction, family climate, and involvement of children in extracurricular activities / Satisfacción de vida, clima familiar y participación de niños en actividades extracurriculares

Trata-se de um estudo que investigou as relações entre as atividades extracurriculares, vinculadas ou não a programas de tempo integral, a satisfação de vida e o clima familiar de estudantes. Participaram da investigação 97 discentes de uma escola pública. Os participantes responderam ao Inventário do Clima Familiar para Crianças (ICF-C), a Escala Multidimensional de Satisfação de Vida para Crianças (EMSVC) e a uma Escala de Envolvimento em Atividades Extracurriculares (EEAE). Os resultados indicaram que os meninos se envolvem mais em atividades livres, enquanto as meninas realizam mais atividades acadêmicas/responsáveis e se vinculam mais com a escola. As ações ligadas ao programa de tempo integral garantem o direito à proteção social, bem como o acesso a atividades artísticas e recreativas, o que destaca a relevância do Estado investir em políticas públicas para a infância.

It is a study that investigated relationships between extracurricular activities, whether or not linked to full-time programs, life satisfaction and the family climate of the students. Ninety-seven students from a public school participated in the study. Participants responded to the Family Climate Inventory for Children (ICF-C), the Multidimensional Life Satisfaction Scale for Children (EMSVC), and a Scale for Involvement in Extracurricular Activities (EEAE). The results indicated that boys engage more in free activities, while girls perform more academic/responsible activities and become more involved with school. The actions linked to the full-time program guarantee the right to social protection, as well as access to artistic and recreational activities, which highlights the importance of the State investing in public policies for children.

Se trata de un estudio que investigó relaciones entre las actividades extracurriculares, vinculadas o no a programas de tiempo completo, la satisfacción de vida y el clima familiar de los estudiantes. Participaron en la investigación 97 alumnos de una escuela pública. Los participantes respondieron al Inventario del Clima Familiar para Niños (ICF-C), la Escala Multidimensional de Satisfacción de Vida para Niños (EMSVC) y una escala de Participación en Actividades Extra-curriculares (EEAE). Los resultados indicaron que los niños se involucran más en actividades libres, mientras que las niñas realizan más actividades académi-cas/responsables y se vinculan más con la escuela. Las acciones vinculadas al programa de tiempo completo garantizan el derecho a la protección social, así como el acceso a actividades artísticas y recreativas, lo que destaca la relevancia del Estado de invertir en políticas públicas para la infancia.

Drug use prevention projects in schools in Vitória, Brazil: quality analysis and improvement proposals

Abstract Adolescents living in vulnerable regions are more exposed to risk factors for drug use. The prevention of such use in school is a public policy that needs evaluation. Based on technical criteria and derived from a mixed research, this article analyses the quality of school-based prevention of drug use in Vitória, state of Espírito Santo, Brazil, and proposes improvements. A checklist of quality elements was completed with data from 16 projects proposed by 99 teachers from public schools. In 10 projects (62.5%), the approximate quality index was above 0.50. The majority of projects fulfilled the requirement of theoretical foundation (81.25%) and some of the methodological (93.75%), design (75%) and implementation (62%) requirements. Other requirements were absent: the majority were not designed by the whole school community (87.5%), and the participation of the family (62.5%) or the students as mediators (62.5%) was not considered. In general, contents of life skills (87.5%), positive relationships and alternative activities to drug use (56.25%) were not included. Activities for reinforcing the content were not described in any of the projects, and evaluation activities were described in only a few (31.25%). Many projects did not describe the inclusion of the project in the school curriculum (62.5%). Although, considering all items of effectiveness, regardless of their weight, more than half of the projects had an above average quality. The present items provide quality to the projects, whereas absent items indicate shortcomings to be improved using some of the measures described in this study.

Validación de recursos humanos pre-profesionales para la detección de biofilm en niños en edad escolar / Validation of preprofessional resources for detecting biofilm in schoolchildren

Objetivo: Estimar la concordancia para la detección de biofilm dental entre recursos humanos que participan de programas de educación para la salud con diferente nivel de formación profesional. Métodos: Se seleccionó en forma intencionada un grupo deestudiantes de los primeros años de la carrera de odontología que participan como ayudantes en el curso Educación para la Salud (n= 8) (Grupo A). Los examinadores de referencia fueron odontólogos/docentes universitarios que desarrollan acciones sistemáticas de educación para la salud en escuelas públicas de Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires (C.A.B.A.) (n= 2) (Grupo B). Se examinaron 67 escolares (edades 7 a 9 años) previo consentimiento informado de los responsables legales y el asentimiento de los niños/as. Los diagnósticos se realizaron bajo condiciones estandarizadas en la sede escolar. Los pares de examinadores determinaron en cada escolar la presencia de biofilm dental, primero a simple vista y luego con solución reveladora (Índice de O`Leary, 1970). La concordancia se valoró utilizando el coeficiente de correlación intraclase para valores absolutos. La fuerza del grado de acuerdo se valoró según Landis y Koch, 1977. Resultados: El coeficiente de correlación intraclase fue: 1) para el índice de placa visible: medidas individuales = 0,71 IC95 por ciento [0,56-0,81]; promedios = 0,83 IC95 por ciento [0,71-0,90] b) para el índice de O´Leary: medidas individuales = 0,62 IC95 por ciento [0,44-0,75]; promedios = 0,77 IC95 por ciento [0,61-0,86]. Conclusión: los examinadores del Grupo A (recursos humanos pre-reprofesionales) respecto del Grupo B (recursos humanos profesionales) alcanzaron un grado considerable de concordancia para la detección de placa a simple vista y un grado moderado de concordancia para la detección de placa con solución reveladora.

Objective: The aim of this study was to measure inter-observer agreement in the assessment of dental biofilm between subjectsparticipating in health education programs with different levels of professional training. METHODS: In order to perform thisvalidation procedure, a group of undergraduate students in the initial years of the career of dentistry engaged as teaching assistants for aHealth Education Course (n=8) was intentionally recruited (GROUP A). Freshmen dental graduates / teaching assistants whodevelop systematic health educational activities in public schools (n=2). 67 children (ages 7 to 9) were considered reference examiners(GROUP B). Clinical examinations were performed among 67 schoolchildren (ages 7 to 9 years old). Informed consent of children´slegal guardians and assent of children themselves as for participation in the study were obtained. At first, examiners set into pairs,assessed dental biofilm presence/absence in each child visually (Visual Plaque Index). The same procedure was repeated after applyingdisclosing solution (O´Leary Index). The intraclass correlation index (ICI) was used to establish interobserver agreement whereas theLandis-Koch criteria was used to interpret the results. RESULTS: The intraclass correlation index was 1) Visual Plaque Index:individual measures = 0,71 IC95% [0,56-0,81]; average measures = 0,83 IC95% [0,71-0,90] b) O´Leary Index: individualmeasures = 0,62 IC95% [0,44-0,75]; average measures = 0,77 IC95% [0,61-0,86]. CONCLUSION: examiners fromGROUP A (undergraduate students) respect to those from GROUP B (graduates) reached a substantial agreement in the assessment ofdental biofilm visually and a moderate degree of agreement in the assessment of dental biofilm using disclosing solution.

Programas de prevención de tabaquismo para mujeres adolescentes / Smoking prevention programs for girls

In recent years, the number of women who use tobacco has increased rapidly. Among youngsters, gender gap is closing, and the proportion of girls who smoke is already very similar to that of boys, with the added complication that the girls are more vulnerable to addiction, and tobacco use has severe consequences for their health and the well-being of their future children. The key to facing tobacco epidemic is prevention by strengthening protective factors and reducing risk factors that lead to smoking onset. School environment is the most valuable resource for anti-smoking programs. These efforts are commonly focused on elementary and secondary students because experimentation with tobacco and adoption of smoking behavior occur at this stage. There are three intervention models in schools: 1. Information model (or rational), 2. Social skills model (or affective), and 3. Social influence model, which emphasizes social environment as a critical factor in tobacco use. In this model the children are informed about the immediate negative effects of smoking (unfavorable effects on appearance, economic costs and social consequences such as rejection by others). The model also conveys a positive image of non-smokers as rational people, and a negative one of a smoker as someone vulnerable to advertising tricks. It uses the peer group for showing resistance to pressure and how to adopt and to maintain the decision not to smoke, and it teaches how to identify influences from tobacco advertising, peers and family. The social influence programs tend to be the most effective strategy for achieving at least some delay in onset of tobacco use. It is necessary to develop appropriate programs for each age and for a specific gender. Recently, researchers have begun using programs based on computer systems and Internet to prevent teen smoking. The aim of this study was to design, implement and evaluate two different types of tobacco prevention programs, tailored specifically for teenage girls. The programs were computer games and an interactive workshop, as well as the combination of both of them (games plus workshop). It was suggested that in treatment groups versus control group, smoking susceptibility scores (i.e., lack of a firm commitment to not smoke) would be lower in post test. It was also hypothesized that the games plus workshop group would affect the scores of the associated variables with susceptibility, and that changes would remain in the follow-up. Material and methods 537 student girls in the three grades of secondary school were asked to answer the Smoking Susceptibility Scale. Out of this group, 160 girls that obtained the highest scores were selected, because they were considered at risk of becoming regular smokers. Six variables related with smoking susceptibility were also measured: Belief in the addictive property of tobacco, beliefs in smoking benefits, empathy with smoking victims, negative attitudes toward tobacco industry, skills rejecting social pressure to smoke, and identification of diseases associated with smoking in women. The Smoking Susceptibility Scale was applied at three moments of the measurement: A pretest (one week before programs starting), a post test (the last day of the program or programs), and a follow-up (four months after implementing the post test). In the last two occasions, the instruments of variables related with susceptibility were also applied. The two types of prevention programs (computer games and interactive workshop) were based on the social influence model. The purpose of the games was that the girls acquire skills to recognize and resist social pressures to smoke exerted by both the tobacco industry through advertising strategies, and their peers. The interactive workshop was designed according to the strategies of anti-smoking messages that have proved to be effective in order to prevent smoking; the immediate negative consequences suffered by smokers and the physical and psychological vulnerability of women produced by smoking were also highlighted. A mixed 4 inter-groups X 3 intra-groups design was applied (4 treatments: Computer games, interactive workshop, games plus workshop, control, X 3 measurement times: Pretest, post test, follow-up). The 160 participants were randomly assigned to one of the four treatment groups. The study consisted of four phases: pre test, treatment (one week later), post test (on completion of program implementation) and follow-up (four months after the post test). Results There was an immediate effect of the three treatments on the smoking susceptibility by contrasting pre test versus post test, but games plus workshop group had more effect than games or workshop ones. When comparing post test and follow-up measurements in the games plus workshop group versus the control group, it was found that smoking susceptibility scores of the treatment group stayed unchanged. For related variables, the girls who participated in the games plus workshop group had higher scores than the control group in the belief of tobacco addictive property, in empathy with smoking victims, in the negative attitude toward the tobacco industry, in the refusal skills towards social pressure to smoke, and in the identification of diseases associated with smoking in women, and lower scores on beliefs in the benefits of smoking (attractive appearance, emotional well-being, popularity and social acceptance). At the follow-up, it was observed that attitudes toward tobacco companies became even more negative and that participants identified more diseases caused by smoking in women than in the post test, i.e., the treatment effect was strengthened. Discussion The main guideline in the construction of smoking behavior prevention programs evaluated in this study was its focus on adolescent girls. Furthermore, they were only addressed to those adolescents with high scores on smoking susceptibility, due to the intention of using the available resources more efficiently. Another criterion taken into a count in order to build these programs was the shortness of the intervention. The results showed that smoking susceptibility on the participants of each one of the three treatment groups decreased from the pre test to the post test, but the decline was even greater in the games plus workshop group. The smoking susceptibility of the games plus workshop group remained low in the follow-up after four months of its implementation, which did not occur with the workshop or games groups alone. It appears that the more elements used in the prevention programs the greater their impact will be. Compared with the control group, the majority of variables related with smoking susceptibility were affected by the games plus workshop treatment. In conclusion, the combination of preventive programs for smoking addiction constructed in this study specifically for girls with the implementation of psychosocial principles and the use of computer technology decreased the smoking susceptibility on participants, as well as most of the related variables. Moreover, their effects persisted at least for a period of four months. Computer games, which were of interest to participants, could be easily installed on computer rooms of secondary schools, and even uploaded in the Internet, and its effects could be enhanced by an interactive workshop, which promotes interpersonal contact and discussion of false beliefs regarding tobacco use that girls support. The girls at risk who change their smoking susceptibility as a result of their participation in these smoking prevention programs will avoid the severe consequences of using tobacco and will gain years of healthy life for themselves and their descendants.

El consumo de tabaco en las mujeres se ha incrementado aceleradamente. Entre los adolescentes, la brecha de género se está estrechando, ya que el porcentaje de fumadoras es ya muy similar al de los varones, con el agravante de que ellas son más vulnerables a la adicción al tabaco y su consumo tiene serias consecuencias para su salud y la de sus futuros hijos. La principal alternativa para enfrentar la epidemia de tabaquismo es la prevención. Existen básicamente tres modelos de intervención antitabaco en las escuelas: modelo de información, modelo de habilidades sociales y modelo de influencia social, el cual ha mostrado ser el más efectivo para lograr, al menos, retrasar el inicio del consumo. Se ha señalado que es necesario desarrollar programas adecuados específicos para cada edad y género. El propósito de la presente investigación fue construir, aplicar y evaluar dos diferentes tipos de programas de prevención del tabaquismo (juegos de computadora y taller interactivo) y la combinación de ambos (¡uegos+taller), dirigidos específicamente a mujeres adolescentes. Material y métodos De las 537 mujeres estudiantes de secundaria que contestaron la Escala de Susceptibilidad Tabáquica, las 160 adolescentes que obtuvieron los puntajes más altos fueron asignadas aleatoriamente a uno de cuatro grupos de tratamiento: Juegos de computadora, Taller interactivo, Juegos+taller y Control. Los programas se desarrollaron con base en el modelo de influencia social. El estudio constó de cuatro fases: premedición, tratamiento, pos-medición y seguimiento (cuatro meses después). Se evaluaron además seis variables precurrentes de la susceptibilidad tabáquica: creencia en la propiedad adictiva del tabaco, creencias en los beneficios de fumar, empatia hacia las víctimas del tabaco, actitud negativa hacia las tabacaleras, habilidades de rechazo ante la presión social para fumar e identificación de enfermedades asociadas con el tabaco en las mujeres. Resultados La susceptibilidad tabáquica de las participantes en los tres grupos de tratamiento disminuyó significativamente de la premedición a la post-medición, pero los efectos persistieron en el seguimiento sólo en el grupo de Juegos+taller. Respecto de las variables precurrentes, quienes participaron en el grupo Juegos+taller obtuvieron puntajes más altos que las del grupo control en la creencia en la propiedad adictiva del tabaco, en la empatia hacia las víctimas del tabaco, en la actitud negativa hacia las tabacaleras, en las habilidades de rechazo a la presión social para fumar y en la identificación de las enfermedades asociadas con el tabaco en las mujeres, y menores puntajes en las creencias en los beneficios de fumar (apariencia atractiva, bienestar emocional, popularidad y aceptación social). En el seguimiento se observó que las actitudes hacia las tabacaleras se hicieron aún más negativas y las participantes señalaron más enfermedades causadas por el tabaco en las mujeres, que en la posmedición, es decir, se reforzó el efecto del tratamiento. Discusión La combinación de los programas preventivos de la adicción al tabaco para mujeres adolescentes construidos en este estudio con la aplicación de principios psicosociales y la utilización de tecnología computacional, disminuyeron la susceptibilidad tabáquica de las participantes, así como la mayoría de las variables precurrentes. Además, sus efectos persistieron durante un periodo de cuatro meses. Los programas podrían aplicarse fácilmente en el ámbito escolar: los juegos de computadora podrían instalarse en los salones de cómputo o colocarse en Internet, y su efecto se reforzaría con el taller interactivo, el cual es de intervención breve y propicia el contacto interpersonal y la discusión de las creencias falsas respecto del consumo de tabaco que sostienen las adolescentes. Las chicas en riesgo tabáquico que cambien su susceptibilidad como consecuencia de su participación en estos programas evitarán las serias consecuencias del consumo de tabaco y ganarán años de vida sana para ellas y sus descendientes.