High prevalence of syphilis in a female prison unit in Northeastern Brazil / Alta prevalência de sífilis em unidade prisional feminina do Nordeste brasileiro

ABSTRACT Objective To determine the prevalence of syphilis and the associated risk factors in a female prison unit. Methods This was a cross-sectional study including 113 women whom data were collected in two stages: first, blood test to check for syphilis seropositivity; and then collection of information through a form to assess risk situations for sexually transmitted infections. Results Overall, syphilis prevalence was found to be 22.1% among the female prison population (n=25) and 28.6% among pregnant women. A statistically significant relationship was found between syphilis infection and previous history of sexually transmitted infections (p=0.04). However, most participants diagnosed with the disease were unaware of a history of sexually transmitted infection in the last 12 months (n=20/80.0%). The use of condom with fixed partners was considered to be a protective factor (odds ratio of 0.76; 95% of confidence interval 0.68-0.85). Conclusion The prevalence of syphilis among the female prison population was high, particularly among pregnant women. Preventive and therapeutic measures as well as appropriate prenatal care can minimize the impact of syphilis in prison systems and, consequently, improve such health outcomes nationwide.

RESUMO Objetivo Determinar a prevalência de sífilis e fatores de risco associados no sistema prisional feminino. Métodos Foi realizado estudo transversal com 113 mulheres. A coleta de dados ocorreu em duas etapas: a primeira etapa correspondeu à coleta de sangue para verificar a soropositividade à sífilis e a segunda a um formulário para avaliar situações de risco para infecções sexualmente transmissíveis. Resultados A prevalência da doença foi de 22,1% (n=25). Quanto às gestantes, identificou-se prevalência de 28,6%. Foi verificada relação estatisticamente significativa entre a infecção pela sífilis e a história prévia de infecções sexualmente transmissíveis (p=0,04). Entretanto, a maioria das participantes diagnosticadas com a doença desconhecia um histórico de infecção sexualmente transmissível nos últimos 12 meses (n=20/80,0%). O uso de preservativo com parceiros fixos foi considerado fator de proteção (odds ratio de 0,76; intervalo de confiança de 95% de 0,68-0,85). Conclusão Foi alta a prevalência de sífilis na população carcerária feminina estudada, principalmente entre as gestantes. Medidas preventivas e de tratamento da doença, bem como cuidados pré-natais adequados, podem minimizar o impacto da sífilis nos sistemas prisionais e, consequentemente, melhorar esse indicador de saúde no país.

Dental fluorosis treatment can improve the individuals' ohrqol? results from a randomized clinical trial

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the effect on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of two treatment protocols for dental fluorosis in individuals enrolled in a randomized clinical trial. Seventy volunteers, who lived in a fluorosis endemic area in Brazil, and had at least four maxillary anterior teeth showing fluorosis with a Thylstrup and Fejerskov index from 1 to 7, were randomized into two treatment groups (n= 35): GI- enamel microabrasion; or GII- microabrasion associated with at-home bleaching. Microabrasion was performed using 37% phosphoric acid and pumice, and at-home tooth bleaching with 10% carbamide peroxide in a tray. Volunteers completed a questionnaire at baseline and 1-month post treatment to assess changes in OHRQoL, using the Oral Impact on Daily Performance (OIDP). Differences in overall impact scores between and within treatment groups were analyzed with Wilcoxon (within) and Mann-Whitney (between) tests. Changes in performance scores were analyzed using Wilcoxon tests (a< 0.05). One month after treatment, subjects reported improvement in OHRQoL. Both groups showed lower OIDP scores (p< 0.001), but there was no difference between them. Eating, cleaning teeth, smiling and emotional state performance scores were lower after treatment for the whole sample. In conclusion, the treatment with microabrasion improved the OHRQoL in this sample of individuals living in a fluorosis endemic area regardless of the addition of at-home bleaching.

Resumo Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito na qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde bucal (QVRSB) de dois protocolos de tratamento para fluorose dentária, em indivíduos incluídos em um ensaio clínico randomizado. Setenta voluntários, os quais viviam em uma área de fluorose endêmica no Brasil, e que possuíam pelo menos quatro dentes ântero-superiores com índice de Thylstrup e Fejerskov de 1 a 7, foram randomizados em dois grupos de tratamento (n= 35): GI- microabrasão de esmalte; ou GII- microabrasão associada com clareamento caseiro. A microabrasão foi realizada com ácido fosfórico 37% e pedra pomes e, o clareamento caseiro com peróxido de carbamida 10% e uso de moldeira. Os voluntários responderam um questionário antes e 1 mês após o tratamento, visando avaliar mudanças na QVRSB através do instrumento Oral Impact on Daily Performance (OIDP). Diferenças nos escores de impacto geral entre e nos mesmos grupos de tratamento foram analisadas através dos testes Wilcoxon (mesmo grupo) e Mann-Whitney (entre grupos), respectivamente. Alterações no escores dos domínios foram analisadas usando o teste Wilcoxon (a<0.05). Um mês após o tratamento, os indivíduos relataram melhora na QVRSB. Ambos os grupos apresentaram menores escores do OIDP (p<0,001), sem diferença entre eles. Os escores dos domínios comer, limpar os dentes, sorrir e estado emocioal diminuíram após o tratamento para toda a amostra. Concluiu-se que o tratamento com microabrasão melhorou a QVRSB de indivíduos vivendo em uma área de fluorose endêmica independentemente da associação com o clareamento caseiro.

Reproducibility of caries diagnosis in permanent teeth according to WHO, ICDAS-II and Nyvad criteria

Aim: To assess inter-examiner reproducibility in the detection of 20 occlusal caries in permanentteeth using three diagnostic codes and criteria: WHO (1997), Nyvad and ICDAS-II. Methods:Three graduate students (G) and two undergraduate dental students (UG) without previousexperience in the use of Nyvad and ICDAS-II were trained by a reference examiner. Examinervalidity was assessed by consensus agreement between the investigators. Two cutoff pointswere used for ICDAS-II and Nyvad to represent reproducibility values: the A- lesion, B- cavitylesion. Results: According to the examiners consensus, the kappa values ranged from 0.71 to0.85 for G group and from 0.85 to 0.95 for UG group (ICDAS-II). For the Nyvad index valuesvaried from of 0.77 to 1.00 (G) and from 0.65 to 0.74 (UG), for the WHO index, values obtainedranged from 0.66 to 1.00 (UG) and 1.00 (G). Using a cutoff A, interexaminers reproducibility(ICDAS-II) ranged from 0.73 to 0.87 (G) and 1.00 (UG). According to Nyvad criteria, the kappavalue ranged from 0.78 to 1.00 (G) and from 0.70 and 0.90 (UG) when compared to theconsensus. The kappa values using the cutoff point B ranged from 0.66 to 1.00 (G), 0.76-0.89(UG) in ICDAS-II and the in Nyvad criteria varied from 0.87 to 1.00 (G) and from 0.65 to 0.88(UG). Conclusions: Reproducibility values ranged from good to perfect. The reproducibilityrevealed precise answers in the occlusal caries lesions diagnosis according to the criteria used.The best use of reliability tools for examiner training was important regardless of the examinersbeing undergraduate or graduate students.