Consumption of minimally processed and ultra-processed foods among students from public and private schools / Consumo de alimentos minimamente processados e ultraprocessados entre escolares das redes pública e privada

ABSTRACT Objective: To compare and analyze the consumption of minimally processed and ultra-processed foods among students from public and private schools. Methods: Study conducted in Uberlândia, MG, with fifth-grade students from three private and six public schools, selected by stratified cluster sampling. We collected data on food consumption using the 24-hour recall. Foods were classified into four groups (G) according to extent and purpose of processing: fresh/minimally processed foods (G1) culinary ingredients (G2), processed foods (G3), and ultra-processed foods (G4). Total energy intake (kcal) of each group, amount of sugar (g), sodium (mg), and fiber (g) were quantified and compared according to administrative affiliation (private or public). Results: Percentage of total energy intake was: G1 - 52%; G2 - 12%; G3 - 5%; e G4 - 31%. Energy intake from G1 (53 vs. 47%), G2 (12 vs. 9%), and G3 (6.0 vs. 0.1%), and amount of sodium (3,293 vs. 2,724 mg) and fiber (23 vs. 18 g) were higher among students from public schools. Energy intake from G4 (36 vs. 28%) and amount of sugar (20 vs. 14%) were higher among students from private schools. The consumption of foods from G1 in the school environment was higher among students from public schools (40 vs. 9%). Conclusions: Foods from G1 represent the highest percentage of total energy intake, while those from G4 constitute a third of calories consumed. Processed juice, sandwich cookie, processed cake, and breakfast cereals are more frequent among private school students; snacks and juice powder are more common for students from public schools.

RESUMO Objetivo: Comparar e analisar o consumo de alimentos minimamente processados e ultraprocessados entre escolares das redes pública e privada. Métodos: Estudo realizado em Uberlândia, MG, com escolares do quinto ano do ensino fundamental em nove escolas (três privadas e seis públicas), selecionados por amostragem estratificada por conglomerado. O consumo alimentar foi analisado utilizando recordatório de 24 horas. Os alimentos foram classificados segundo extensão e propósito do seu processamento em quatro grupos (G): alimentos in natura/minimamente processados (G1), ingredientes culinários (G2), alimentos processados (G3) e ultraprocessados (G4). Os valores energéticos totais (kcal) provenientes de cada grupo, quantidade de açúcar (g), sódio (mg) e fibras (g) foram quantificados e comparados segundo dependência administrativa. Resultados: O consumo de energia foi: G1, 52%; G2, 12%; G3, 5%; e G4, 31%. Os valores energéticos provenientes de G1 (53 vs. 47%), G2 (12 vs. 9%) e G3 (6,0 vs. 0,1%), a quantidade de sódio (3.293 vs. 2.724 mg) e a de fibras (23 vs. 18 g) foram superiores em escolares da rede pública. O valor percentual energético do G4 (36 vs. 28%) e a quantidade de açúcar (20 vs. 14%) foram superiores em escolares da rede privada. O consumo do G1 na escola foi superior nos escolares da rede pública (40 vs. 9%). Conclusões: Alimentos do G1 representam o maior percentual do valor energético total e do G4, um terço das calorias ingeridas. Suco pronto, biscoito recheado, bolo industrializado, cereais matinais são mais frequentes em escolares da rede privada e salgadinhos e suco em pó nos da rede pública.

Illegal psychoactive substance consumption amongst older schoolchildren in the city of Tunja, Colombia / Consumo de sustancias psicoactivas ilegales en adolescentes escolarizados de Tunja, Colombia

Objectives Assessing lifetime prevalence of illegal substance use and accessibility to such substances. Determining risk factors and the protective factors linked to them. Methods This was a cross-sectional study using descriptive and bivariate analysis. A survey was applied to 1,515 students from 8th to 11th grades in the city's schools, ages ranging from 12 to 18. Results An increase in lifetime prevalence and lower age for consumption onset were found. The main risk factors were determined to be academic environment and attitudes towards school authorities, linked to recreational and sports groups without control by elders, gang membership and engaging in risky and dangerous activities. Conclusions The results showed the need for a critical review of current promotion and prevention strategies aimed at controlling the use of psychoactive substances amongst children and adolescents, according to the current reality of trafficking and domestic consumption in Colombia.

Objetivo Evaluar la prevalencia de vida del consumo de sustancias ilegales y la accesibilidad a sustancias ilegales. Determinar factores de riesgo y factores protectores relacionados con el consumo. Métodos Se realizó un estudio de corte transversal mediante el análisis descriptivo y bivariado. Se aplicó una encuesta a 1 515 estudiantes de los grados 8 al 11 en las escuelas de la ciudad, entre las edades de 12 a 18. Resultados Se encontró un aumento de la prevalencia de vida y una disminución en la edad de inicio al consumo. Los principales factores de riesgo encontrados fueron: ambiente académico y las actitudes hacia las autoridades escolares, la vinculación a los grupos de deportes recreativos, no respeto a los mayores, pertenecer a pandillas y participar en actividades riesgosas y peligrosas. Conclusiones Los resultados mostraron la necesidad de una revisión crítica de la promoción actual y las estrategias de prevención destinadas a controlar el uso de sustancias psicoactivas entre los niños y adolescentes, de acuerdo a la nueva realidad de la tráfico y consumo interno en Colombia.

Síntomas de ansiedad y depresión en adolescentes escolarizados de 10 a 17 años en Chía, Colombia / Symptoms of anxiety and depression in adolescents between 10 to 17 year-old attending schools in Chía, Colombia

Objetivo Estimar la prevalencia de síntomas ansiosos y depresivos en adolescentes escolarizados entre los 10-17 años, de la comunidad de Chía Cundinamarca, utilizando las escalas CDI y SCARED, durante los años 2008 a 2010. Metodología Estudio de corte transversal, realizado en 538 estudiantes. Se identificaron las variables socio demográficas: edad, sexo, seguridad social y centro educativo de procedencia (público, privado, oficial o urbano). Se aplicaron las escalas CDI y SCARED. Resultados Se detectaron síntomas ansiosos o depresivos en el 40,5 % de la población estudiada (538); de los cuales el 28,3 % presentó síntomas sugestivos de ansiedad exclusivamente, con síntomas depresivos exclusivamente en 3,3 % y síntomas tanto de ansiedad, como de depresión en 8,9 %. Los síntomas ansiosos fueron más frecuentes en las mujeres y los síntomas depresivos y mixtos se presentaron con más frecuencia en hombres. Se encontró mayor prevalencia de síntomas depresivos 6,9 % en hombres vs 5,4 % en mujeres, dato que no fue estadísticamente significativo. Conclusión Los síntomas ansiosos y depresivos son frecuentes en adolescentes, se hace indispensable sospecharlos y diagnosticarlos tempranamente, con el fin de poder brindar una atención oportuna. Se deben implementar estrategias que permitan detectar factores protectores y de riesgo para evitar que se desarrollen trastornos mayores, diseñando programas de educación encaminados hacia una buena salud mental de niños y adolescente.

Objective This study was aimed at estimating the prevalence of symptoms of depression and anxiety amongst 10 to 17 year-old adolescents still attending school using the CDI and SCARED questionnaires for early screening in Chía, a town near Bogota, from 2008 to 2010. Method This was a cross-sectional study of prevalence. Results 37 % of the 538 adolescents interviewed had anxiety symptoms, 12.3 % had depression symptoms and 9% presented anxiety and depression symptoms, males having greater prevalence for depression symptoms (6.9 % cf 5.4 % for females) but lacking statistical significance. There was a greater tendency for anxiety symptoms to be found in adolescents attending public schools. Concerning co morbidity, more anxiety symptoms were found in adolescents having depression symptoms. Conclusions It was concluded that anxiety and depression symptoms are real at this age, this being reason enough why it is necessary to suspect and detect them on time so that adolescents can receive suitable attention. Protective factors must be strengthened for this to happen and there must be real awareness by everybody to create educational and health programmes directed towards ensuring good mental health.

Conocimiento sobre VIH-SIDA en estudiantes de secundaria de Cartagena, Colombia / Secondary students' knowledge about HIV-AIDS (Cartagena, Colombia)

Objetivo Determinar el nivel de conocimiento en VIH-SIDA en estudiantes de Cartagena, Colombia. Método Se diseñó un estudio transversal con una muestra de estudiantes de secundaria que completó el cuestionario de seis preguntas sobre conocimientos y mitos relacionados con VIH-Sida. Mediante regresión logística se ajustaron asociaciones. Resultados Participaron 2 625 estudiantes entre 10 y 20 años. Un total 249 (9,5 % IC95 % 8,4-10,6) respondieron en forma correcta el cuestionario. Ser estudiante de media vocacional (OR 2,62; IC95 % 4,82-13,29) y estudiar en colegio privado (OR 1,32; IC95 % 1,24-3,54), ajustados por edad, se asociaron a buen conocimiento en VIH-Sida. Conclusiones Los estudiantes de secundaria de Cartagena presentan un bajo conocimiento sobre el VIH-Sida. El nivel es superior en estudiantes de media vocacional y de colegios privados. Se necesita más investigación y fortalecer la formación en educación en salud sexual y reproductiva.

Objective Determining the level of HIV/AIDS knowledge amongst high-students living in Cartagena, Colombia. Method A cross-sectional study was designed using a sample of secondary school students who completed a six-question questionnaire about their knowledge of HIV/AIDS and the myths related to it. Logistic regression was used for adjusting associations. Results A total of 2,625 10- to 20-year-old students participated in the research. A group of 249 (9.5 OR; 8.4-10.6 95 %CI) answered the questionnaire properly. Being a high-school student (2.62 OR; 4.82-13.29 95 %CI) and studying in a private school (1.32 OR, 1.24 to 3.54 95 %CI), adjusted for age, were associated with having good HIV/AIDS knowledge. Conclusions Students from secondary schools in Cartagena were seen to have limited knowledge of HIV/AIDS. A higher level of knowledge was observed amongst high school and private school students. More research is needed to strengthen sexual and reproductive health education.

Comparative Study of Height, Weight and Chest Circumference among Children of Municipal Corporation School and Private School.

Aim: The present study was carried out to find out growth pattern in school children from different socio economic background. Study design: Cross sectional, school based study. Setting: Mukul Mandir and Pragati School in N – 7 CIDCO Aurangabad. Study variables: Age, Sex, Weight, Height and Chest circumference. Statistical analysis: Standard deviation, mean, unpaired “t” test. Result and conclusions: Height, weight and chest circumference of municipal school children are having less value as compared to height, weight and chest circumference of private school children.

Estado nutricional dos indígenas Kaingáng matriculados em escolas indígenas do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil / Nutritional status of Kaingáng Indians enrolled in 12 indigenous schools in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Caracterizar o estado nutricional de 3.254 Kaingáng de escolas indígenas de 12 terras indígenas do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Transversal de base escolar. Obtidas medidas de peso (P), estatura (E) e circunferência da cintura (CC) conforme Organização Mundial da Saúde - OMS (1995). Classificação do estado nutricional: crianças: índices E/I, P/I e P/E, de acordo com o National Center for Health Statistics (WHO, 1995) e E/I, P/I e índice de massa corporal/idade (IMC/I) de acordo com OMS (2006); adolescentes: IMC/I (OMS, 1995 e 2006) e E/I (OMS, 2006); adultos: IMC (OMS, 1995) e CC (OMS, 2003). Adolescentes representaram 56 por cento dos avaliados, crianças 42,5 por cento, adultos 1,4 por cento e idosos 0,1 por cento. Deficit estatural de 15,1 por cento (OMS, 1995) e 15,5 por cento (OMS, 2006) entre as crianças e de 19,9 por cento entre adolescentes. Freqüências de excesso de peso foram: crianças: 11 por cento (OMS, 1995) e 5,7 por cento (OMS, 2006); adolescentes: 6,7 por cento; adultos: 79,2 por cento. Entre adultos, 45,3 por cento estavam em risco aumentado para doenças metabólicas. Observada a transição nutricional no segmento, caracterizada por prevalências importantes de baixa estatura na infância e adolescência e sobrepeso proeminente em todas as faixas etárias.

The study's objective was to characterize the nutritional status of 3,254 Kaingáng Indians in indigenous schools in Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. This was a school-based study. Weight (W), height (H), and waist circumference (WC) were measured according to World Health Organization guidelines (1995). Children's nutritional status classification included H/A, W/A, and W/H according to the National Center for Health Statistics (WHO, 1995) and H/A, W/A, and body mass index/age (BMI/A) according to WHO (2006). Adolescents were classified for BMI/A (WHO, 1995 and 2006) and H/A (WHO, 2006). Adults were classified for BMI (WHO, 1995) and WC (WHO, 2003). Adolescents represented 56 percent of the sample, children 42.5 percent, adults 1.4 percent, and elderly 0.1 percent. Prevalence rates for stunting were 15.1 percent (WHO, 1983) and 15.5 percent (WHO, 2006) in children and 19.9 percent in adolescents. Prevalence rates for overweight were 11 percent (WHO, 1983) and 5.7 percent (WHO, 2006) in children, 6.7 percent in adolescents, and 79.2 percent in adults. 45.3 percent of adults were at increased risk of metabolic diseases. A nutritional transition was observed in the group, characterized by significant prevalence of stunting in children and adolescents and prominent overweight in all age groups.

Condição de saúde bucal em escolares de 12 anos de escolas públicas e privadas de Goiânia, Brasil / Oral health in 12 year-old students from public and private schools in the city of Goiânia, Brazil

OBJETIVO: Comparar os alunos de 12 anos das escolas públicas e privadas de Goiânia, Goiás, quanto à prevalência de cárie, condição periodontal, anomalia dentofacial e fluorose. MÉTODOS: Em 2003, o Projeto Condições de Saúde Bucal da População Brasileira 2002-2003 (SB Brasil) foi ampliado para Goiânia na forma de um estudo transversal, descrito neste trabalho. A amostra foi constituída por 1 947 escolares de 12 anos frequentando escolas da zona urbana do Município: 1 790 (91,9 por cento) eram de escolas públicas e 157 (8,1 por cento) de escolas privadas. Através de exame clínico, foram coletados dados sobre as seguintes condições bucais: cárie dentária (índice de dentes cariados, perdidos e obturado, CPOD), condição periodontal (índice periodontal comunitário, CPI), anormalidade dento-facial (índice de estética dental, DAI) e fluorose dentária (índice de Dean). Para comparação entre os grupos foram utilizados os testes do qui-quadrado e U de Mann Whitney. RESULTADOS: Houve diferença entre os tipos de escola para todas as variáveis investigadas. Os escolares de instituições públicas apresentaram índices mais elevados de cárie, condição periodontal e anomalia dentofacial do que aqueles de escolas privadas (P < 0,05). Os escolares de instituições privadas apresentaram maior prevalência de fluorose (P < 0,05). CONCLUSÕES: O tipo de escola foi associado à condição de saúde bucal dos escolares pesquisados. São recomendados investimentos em ações e serviços que busquem minimizar tais desigualdades e seus efeitos como parte das políticas de saúde bucal.

OBJECTIVE: To compare 12-year-old students from public and private schools in the city of Goiânia, Brazil, in terms of the prevalence of caries, periodontal conditions, dentofacial anomalies, and fluorosis. METHODS: In 2003, the 2002-2003 Oral Health Conditions in the Brazilian Population project (SB Brasil) was expanded to Goiânia as a cross-sectional study, as described in the present article. The sample included 1 947 students from urban schools: 1 790 (91.9 percent) attended public schools and 157 (8.1 percent) attended private schools. Data on the following oral conditions were collected through clinical examination: dental caries (decayed, missing, or filled teeth index, DMFT), periodontal condition (Community Periodontal Index, CPI), dentofacial anomaly (Dental Aesthetics Index, DAI), and dental fluorosis (Dean index). The groups were compared using the chi-square and Mann-Whitney U tests. RESULTS: There were differences between the public and private schools for all the variables. DMFT, CPI, and DAI indexes were higher in children from public schools (P < 0.05). Fluorosis was more prevalent in students from private schools (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The type of school was associated with the oral health condition of the children in this sample. Investments in actions and services to mitigate this inequality and its effects should be made as part of the policies to promote oral health.

Narrative competence among hearing-impaired and normal-hearing children: analytical cross-sectional study / Competência narrativa em crianças deficientes auditivas e ouvintes: estudo transversal analítico

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Oral narrative is a means of language development assessment. However, standardized data for deaf patients are scarce. The aim here was to compare the use of narrative competence between hearing-impaired and normal-hearing children. DESIGN AND SETTING: Analytical cross-sectional study at the Department of Speech-Language and Hearing Sciences, Universidade Federal de São Paulo. METHODS: Twenty-one moderately to profoundly bilaterally hearing-impaired children (cases) and 21 normal-hearing children without language abnormalities (controls), matched according to sex, age, schooling level and school type, were studied. A board showing pictures in a temporally logical sequence was presented to each child, to elicit a narrative, and the child's performance relating to narrative structure and cohesion was measured. The frequencies of variables, their associations (Mann-Whitney test) and their 95 percent confidence intervals was analyzed. RESULTS: The deaf subjects showed poorer performance regarding narrative structure, use of connectives, cohesion measurements and general punctuation (P < 0.05). There were no differences in the number of propositions elaborated or in referent specification between the two groups. The deaf children produced a higher proportion of orientation-related propositions (P = 0.001) and lower proportions of propositions relating to complicating actions (P = 0.015) and character reactions (P = 0.005). CONCLUSION: Hearing-impaired children have abnormalities in different aspects of language, involving form, content and use, in relation to their normal-hearing peers. Narrative competence was also associated with the children's ages and the school type.

CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: A narrativa oral constitui elemento de avaliação do desenvolvimento lingüístico, entretanto, são escassos os dados padronizados para pacientes surdos. O objetivo foi comparar o uso das competências narrativas entre crianças deficientes auditivas e ouvintes. TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL: Estudo transversal analítico no Departamento de Fonoaudiologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo. MÉTODO: Foram avaliadas 21 crianças com deficiência auditiva de grau moderado a profundo bilateral (casos) e 21 crianças ouvintes sem alterações de linguagem (controles) pareadas por sexo, idade, grau de escolaridade e tipo de escola frequentada. Foi apresentada uma prancha com figuras em sequência lógico-temporal para cada criança, para elicitar uma narrativa, e foi medido o desempenho na estrutura da narrativa e coesão. Foram analisadas as frequências das variáveis, suas associações (teste de Mann-Whitney) e intervalos de confiança de 95 por cento. RESULTADOS: As crianças surdas apresentaram desempenho pior, na estrutura da narrativa, uso de conjunções, medidas de coesão e pontuação geral da narrativa (P < 0,05). Não houve diferença no número de proposições elaboradas e especificação de referentes nos dois grupos. Os surdos produziram maior proporção de proposições do tipo orientação (P = 0,001) e menor proporção dos tipos ações complicadoras (P = 0,015) e reação do personagem (P = 0,005). CONCLUSÃO: Os deficientes auditivos possuem alterações nos diferentes aspectos da linguagem, envolvendo forma, conteúdo e uso em relação a seus pares ouvintes. A competência narrativa também está relacionada ao tipo de escola e idade das crianças estudadas.

Níveis de compreensão de leitura em escolares / Reading comprehension levels in scholars

TEMA: importantes medidas de desempenho de leitura estão relacionadas com o quanto e como a criança compreende um texto. OBJETIVO: estudar o desempenho de escolares do Ensino Fundamental em tarefas de compreensão de leitura, segundo as variáveis série e rede de ensino. MÉTODO: 160 escolares de 3ª a 6ª séries do Ensino Fundamental, foram triados e posteriormente avaliados por meio do reconto e respostas a questões sobre o texto. RESULTADOS: os escolares da rede particular apresentaram melhor desempenho nas questões relacionadas a informações implícitas do texto nas 5ªs e 6ªs séries quando comparados aos da rede pública. A análise geral do efeito da escolaridade mostrou, na tarefa de reconto, desempenho melhor das 6ªs séries quanto ao número de macroproposições presentes e desempenho pior das 5ªs séries quanto ao nível de compreensão alcançado, em ambas as redes de ensino. Os escolares de 4ª, 5ª e 6ª séries apresentaram melhor desempenho que os de 3ª nas respostas a questões explícitas. A 4ª série apresentou melhor desempenho nas questões implícitas que todas as outras séries, em ambas as redes. Estes resultados evidenciaram a influência dos diferentes textos utilizados em cada série. CONCLUSÃO: apenas nas 5ªs e 6ªs séries foi verificado melhor desempenho da rede particular em relação à pública, nas respostas a questões de conhecimento implícito. Todos os escolares mostraram ter alcançado algum nível de compreensão de leitura do texto.

BACKGROUND: important reading performance measurements are related to how and to what extent a child understands a written text. AIM: to study the performance of primary school (Ensino Fundamental) students in reading comprehension tasks according to the variables grade and type of school. METHOD: 160 students from the 3rd to the 6th grades were screened and later evaluated based on the retelling and question answering about a given text. RESULTS: students of the 5th and 6th grades of private schools presented a better performance on issues related to implicit information when compared to students of public schools. The overall analysis of the educational level revealed, through the retelling task, a better performance of the 6th grade students in terms of the number of present macro propositions and a low performance of the 5th grade students in terms of the achieved comprehension level, in both types of school. When answering text-derived questions, the 4th, 5th and 6th grade students performed better than the 3rd grade students regarding explicit questions. When considering implicit questions, the 4th grade students performed better than all the other grades, in both types of school. These results gave evidence to the influence of the different texts used in each grade. CONCLUSION: the 5th and 6th grades from private schools were the only grades that performed better when compared to public schools in general, regarding answering implicit knowledge questions. All students achieved some level of reading comprehension.

Factors affecting scholastic performances of adolescents.

Objective. Recognizing the social influence, study habits and health factors affecting scholastic performances of adolescents and to compare these factors among the adolescents between two categories of school. Methods. A total of 1230 adolescents (13-18 yrs) were screened. Data was collected by personal interview, using the teenage screening questionnaire (Trivandrum). Results. A total 615 students from corporation and private schools were studied. 39.76% (489) were high achievers, 13.5% (166) were low achievers with p < 0.001. In the low achievers, 12.03% were from the corporation schools and 1.46% from private schools. The incidence of poor study habits and social factors were increased in low achievers of corporation schools. On multivariate analysis, the predictor variables for poor scholastic performance were adolescent having refractory error, not having help for study at home, not doing home work regularly, not solving question bank papers and reading only before examinations. Conclusion. It is feasible and worthwhile to identify the determinants of scholastic performance and plan intervention strategies at each school. The results highlight the importance of implementing newer strategies, focusing on strict study patterns and creating the conducive school and home environment for study, so as to achive better scholastic performances.

Tipologia dos estabelecimentos escolares brasileiros / Typology of Brazilian schools

A proposta central do trabalho é a construção de uma tipologia para os estabelecimentos escolares brasileiros, a partir de um amplo conjunto de informações que envolvem a infra-estrutura oferecida pelos mesmos, seu porte, indicadores de qualidade do ensino oferecido, entre outros aspectos. A construção da tipologia cristaliza-se no delineamento de perfis extremos de escolas, na verdade grupos com características marcantes. Uma outra dimensão investigada foi a eficácia escolar, tendo como principal interesse verificar sua distribuição segundo os perfis anteriormente gerados. A tipologia das escolas revelou três perfis extremos: um de escolas com precárias condições de infra-estrutura e indicadores deficientes de eficácia escolar; outro, em situação oposta, com grandes escolas, com boas condições de infra-estrutura e bons indicadores de eficácia; e um terceiro perfil, que ficou em uma posição de transição entre os dois primeiros. Preocupa o fato de que a maioria das escolas brasileiras aderiu ao perfil de precárias condições de infra-estrutura, quadro agravado pelas disparidades regionais.

The main objective of this article is to develop a typology of Brazilian schools using a broad set of information, such as school size, infrastructure, quality of educational offer, and many others. The typology is based on the establishment of extreme profiles of schools, clustering them by similar characteristics. School efficiency was also investigated, in order to observe its distribution according to the extreme profiles. The typology of the schools indicated three extreme profiles. The first profile is of schools with inadequate infrastructure and poor efficiency indicators, the second refers to large schools with high infrastructural level and good efficiency indicators. The third profile is at an intermediate range between the first and second. One cause for concern is that most Brazilian schools are classified in the category of having precarious infrastructures, which are worse in some regions than in others.

La propuesta central del trabajo es la construcción de una tipología para los establecimientos escolares brasileños, a partir de un amplio conjunto de informaciones que comprenden la infraestructura ofrecida por los mismos, su porte, indicadores de calidad de la enseñanza ofrecida, entre otros aspectos. La construcción de la tipología se cristaliza en el delineamento de perfiles extremos de escuelas, en verdad grupos con características distintivas. Otra dimensión investigada fue la eficacia escolar, teniendo como principal interés verificar su distribución según los perfiles anteriormente generados. La tipología de las escuelas reveló tres perfiles extremos: uno de escuelas con precarias condiciones de infraestructura e indicadores deficientes de eficacia escolar; otro, en situación opuesta, con grandes escuelas, con buenas condiciones de infraestructura y buenos indicadores de eficacia; y un tercer perfil, que quedó en una posición de transición entre los dos primeros. Preocupa el hecho que la mayoría de las escuelas brasileñas se encuadran en el perfil de precarias condiciones de infraestructura, cuadro agravado por las disparidades regionales.

Prevalence and factors associated with current smoking among high school adolescents in Karachi, Pakistan.

Our objective was to estimate the prevalence and evaluate factors associated with smoking among high school adolescents in Karachi, Pakistan. A school-based, cross-sectional survey was conducted in three towns in Karachi, namely, Gadap Town, Bin-Qasim Town and Malir Town, from January through May 2003. Two-stage cluster sampling stratified by school type was employed to select schools and students. We recruited and interviewed 772 male students regarding socio-demographic factors, smoking history of students, their families/friends, number of siblings, and place of residence. The prevalence of smoking (30 days) among adolescents was 13.7%. Final multiple logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting for age, ethnicity, and place of residence, being a student at a government school (OR=1.6; 95% Cl: 1.0-2.7), parental smoking (OR = 1.7; 95% Cl: 1.1-2.8), uncle smoking (OR = 1.7; 95% Cl: 1.2-2.8), peer smoking (OR = 6.2; 95% Cl: 3.9-9.9), and spending leisure time outside home (OR = 3.9; 95% Cl 1.2-13.2) were significantly associated with adolescent smoking.

Percepciones y experiencias en torno a la violencia en estudiantes de secundaria en la zona urbana de Jamaica

OBJECTIVE: To obtain information on the perceptions and experiences of violence among secondary school students in Kingston, Jamaica, and its environs. METHODS: Data collection was carried out from September through December 1998. Two researchers administered questionnaires in 11 randomly selected secondary schools, to a total of 1 710 students who were in either grade 7 or grade 9 and who were aged 9-17 years old (mean of 13.2 years). Frequency distributions of the responses were compared by gender, age, grade level, socioeconomic status, and school type. RESULTS: Seventy-five percent of the students thought that someone who was reluctant to fight would be "picked on" more, 89 percent thought it generally wrong to hit other people, and 91 percent thought it wrong to insult other people. Eighty-four percent knew of students who carried knives or blades from such items as a scalpel or a utility knife to school, and 89 percent were worried about violence at school. Thirty-three percent had been victims of violence, and 60 percent had a family member who had been a victim of violence. Eighty-two percent thought that violent television shows could increase aggressive behavior. Factor analysis of selected responses was carried out, yielding five factors: neighborhood violence, school violence, perceptions of acceptable behaviors, level of concern about violence, and general experiences and perceptions of violence. The factors varied with gender, age, grade level, socioeconomic status, and school type. CONCLUSIONS: These results will help focus interventions aimed at reducing violence, provide a baseline for later comparisons of perceptions and experiences of violence, and offer a basis for comparing the experiences of young people in urban Jamaica with those of young persons elsewhere.

Scholastic performance of adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: To find out the factors affecting scholastic performance of adolescents belonging to various groups and the determinants for poor scholastic performance. METHODS: 1892 adolescents of 13 to 19 years age group belonging to different category of schools were interviewed and assessed by a team consisting of pediatrician, psychologist and PG-DCCD* students using Teenage Screening Questionnaire--Trivandrum and Study Habit Rating Scale. Daily study pattern, Family environment, Education status of parents, Personal distractions, and Attitude towards studies were observed as factors affecting scholastic performance. RESULT: On multivariate analysis the predictor variables for poor scholastic performance were; lower studying daily lessons, poor concentration in studies, lower education status of father and unhappy family. CONCLUSION: It is feasible to identify determinants of scholstic performance and plan intervention strategies at school level.

Prevalencia y factores de riesgo de sobrepeso en colegialas de 12 a 19 años en una región semiurbana del Ecuador / Prevalence of and risk factors for overweight among school girls 12 to 19 years old in a semi-urban region of Ecuador

RESUMEN OBJETIVOS: Determinar la prevalencia y los factores de riesgo de sobrepeso en colegialas de 12 a 19 años de una región semiurbana del Ecuador e investigar la posible relación del índice de masa corporal (IMC) de cada adolescente con su actividad física e ingestión calórica y de macronutrientes, así como con el IMC estimado de los padres. MÉTODOS: De enero a abril de 2001 se realizó un estudio de corte transversal que incluyó a 302 alumnas adolescentes de 12 a 19 años de cuatro colegios secundarios de Cumbayá y Tumbaco (14 km al nororiente de Quito). Los colegios y las alumnas fueron seleccionados por muestreo aleatorio sistemático y a todas las participantes se les tomaron y registraron las medidas antropométricas (peso, talla, circunferencia de la cintura y circunferencia de la cadera) y su ingestión calórica total y de macronutrientes mediante un instrumento de recordatorio de 24 horas. También se les administró un cuestionario sobre su actividad física y se estimó el IMC de los padres. RESULTADOS: De las participantes, 8,3 por ciento presentaron sobrepeso y 0,7 por ciento, obesidad. En 40,7 por ciento de las primeras, el sobrepeso tenía distribución gluteofemoral; en 51,9 por ciento, distribución intermedia; y en 3,7 por ciento, distribución abdominal. Se observó una correlación inversa entre el IMC de las adolescentes y su actividad física e ingestión energética (P < 0,05), mientras que fue directa la correlación entre el IMC de cada adolescente y el IMC estimado de la madre (P < 0,05). CONCLUSIONES: Los resultados indicaron que la prevalencia de sobrepeso coincidía con la hallada en un estudio nacional pero que era menor que la correspondiente a informes de países industrializados y de otros países latinoamericanos. Los factores más influyentes sobre el IMC de la adolescente fueron la actividad física y el IMC de la madre, independientemente de la ingestión energética total y de la composición de la dieta

Secondary dengue infection in schoolchildren in a dengue endemic area in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Apos um periodo de epidemias sequenciais pelos virus dengue tipo 1 e 2 (DEN-1 e DEN-2), foi realizado um estudo soroepidemiologico e uma amostra de escolares da rede publica de ensino do municipio de Niteroi; 450 amostras de sangue foram obtidas atraves de puncao da polpa digital, coletadas sobre discos de papel de filtro e testadas para a deteccao de anticorpos inibidores da hemaglutinacao (IHA) para DEN-1 e DEN-2. Das amostras testadas, 66,0 por cento (297/450) apresentaram titulos de anticorpos IHA e as medias geometricas dos titulos de anticorpos foram de 1/182 e 1/71, para DEN-1 e DEN-2, respectivamente. Cerca de 61,0 por cento (181/297) daqueles com anticorpos IHA tiveram infeccao secundaria. Destes, 75 por cento (135/181) tinham idade igual a ou menor do que 15 anos...

Educacao em saude em escolas publicas de 1§ grau da periferia de Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil: I - Avaliacao de um programa relativo a esquistossomose / Health education in first level schools at the outskirts of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais State, Brasil: I - evaluation of health education program on schistosomiasis

O presente trabalho integra um amplo programa de pesquisa acerca da realidade educacional das escolas publicas de 1º grau, visando desenvolver e avaliar alternativas criativas que estimulem a inclusao da educacao em saude sob enfoque transdisciplinar, utilizando recursos ludicos como arte, literatura, jogos, teatro, etc. Este estudo foi realizado em 4 escolas municipais da periferia de Belo Horizonte com o objetivo de avaliar o impacto de um programa educativo em relacao ao conhecimento e prevalencia da esquistossomose. Os resultados demonstraram que, apos um ano de implantacao dos novos materiais e metodologias, o conhecimento sobre a doenca aumentou significativamente nas escolas experimentais, nao se verificando o mesmo nas de controle....

Educacao em saude em escolas publicas de 1§ grau da periferia de Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil: II - Conhecimentos, opnioes e prevalencia de helmintiases entre alunos e professores / Health education in first level schools at the outskirts of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais State, Brasil: II - awareness, knowledge and prevalence of helminthic diseases among first grade teachers and pupils

O presente trabalho integra um amplo projeto de educacao em saude, que visa desenvolver e avaliar estrategias e materiais para escolas de 1§ grau. Nesta parte do estudo, complementar ao artigo anterior (SCHALL et al.), atraves de entrevistas e exames parasitologicos de fezes realizados em quatro escolas municipais da periferia de Belo Horizonte, buscou-se investigar a pratica pedagogica e a prevalencia de helmintiases entre os escolares. Os resultados demonstraram que: a) tanto professores quanto alunos apresentaram escassas informacoes a respeito das helmintoses, assim como nocoes incorretas e desconhecimento de mecanismos de transmissao;...