Sociodemographic, behavioral, obstetric, and healthcare factors associated with low weight at birth: a case-control study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Understanding social determinants is crucial for implementing preventive strategies, especially for low birth weight (LBW)—a public health issue that severely increases the risk of morbimortality in children. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify the factors associated with LBW among newborns, assisted by the Brazilian Unified Health System. DESIGN AND SETTING: It analyzed data from newborns and their mothers. The sample was selected by convenience from users of the public health system in Francisco Beltrão (Paraná, Brazil). METHODS: Cases (n = 26) were babies weighing ≤ 2,500 g and controls (n = 52) > 2,500 g. All babies were assessed and paired by sex and date of birth in a 1:2 proportion. Statistical power was computed a posteriori, revealing a power of 87% (α = 0.05). RESULTS: Strong and significant differences were found in the bivariate analysis, in which the number of current smokers or those who quit during pregnancy was higher among mothers of babies with LBW. Moreover, the gestational weeks were lower among these cases. Logistic regression models indicated that the gestational week (odds ratio [OR] = 0.17, 95% confidence interval [CI]:0.05-0.54) and fathers' educational level (high school or above; OR = 0.22, 95% CI:0.06-0.99) were related to lower chances of low birth weight. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings confirm previous investigations on LBW's multi-causality, showing that the gestational week could reduce up to 82% chances of a baby being born with ≤ 2,500 g. Its association with paternal education underlines the importance of comprehensive policies to protect newborns.

Prevalence and factors associated to cervical changes in units from the Single Health System / Prevalencia y factores asociados a las alteraciones cervicales en unidades del Sistema Único de Salud / Prevalência e fatores associados às alterações cervicais em unidades do Sistema Único de Saúde

ABSTRACT Objective: To estimate the prevalence and risk factors associated with cytopathological changes in the uterine cervix of women treated by the Unified Health System. Method: This is a cross-sectional study carried out with 350 women, between 14 and 79 years old who underwent pap smear tests in heath units in Francisco Beltrão, Paraná. Cervical cytopathological analyses and a questionnaire were applied to obtain socioeconomic information, as well as data on sexual behavior, gynecological aspects, and life habits. Chi-square test and logistic regression with p <0.05 were applied for statistical analysis. Results: The prevalence of cervical changes was 3.4% and the main categories found were low-grade cervical intraepithelial lesion, high-grade cervical intraepithelial lesion, and atypical cells of undetermined significance. From these, the first were present in 16.6% of women under 25 years old. The multivariate analysis pointed at associations between previous results of the cytopathology test (OR = 25.693), smoking (OR = 7.576), and oral contraceptives (OR = 5.265) and the outcome. Conclusion: Women with a history of previous cervical cytopathological abnormality, use of oral contraceptives, and smokers were more likely to have an abnormal result in the pap smear test.

RESUMEN Objetivo: estimar la prevalencia y los factores de riesgo asociados con las alteraciones citopatológicas en cuello uterino de mujeres atendidas por el Sistema Único de Salud. Método: Estudio transversal realizado con 350 mujeres, entre 14 y 79 años, que se sometieron a una prueba de Papanicolaou en unidades de salud de Francisco Beltrão, Paraná. Se realizó análisis citopatológicos cervicales y se aplicó un cuestionario para obtener informaciones socioeconómicas, ginecológicas, sobre conducta sexual y hábitos de vida. La prueba de chi-cuadrado y la regresión logística con p <0.05 fueron aplicadas para el análisis estadístico. Resultados: La prevalencia de alteraciones cervicales fue del 3,4% y las principales categorías encontradas fueron lesión intraepitelial de bajo grado, lesión intraepitelial de alto grado y atipias de significado indeterminado. De estos, el primero estuvo presente en el 16,6% de las mujeres menores de 25 años. El análisis multivariante señaló asociaciones entre el resultado citopatológico previo (OR = 25.693), el tabaquismo (OR = 7.576) y el consumo de anticonceptivos (OR = 5.265) con el resultado. Conclusión: Las mujeres con antecedentes de alteraciones cervicales previas, uso de anticonceptivos orales, y fumadoras tienen más probabilidades de alterar el cuello uterino.

RESUMO Objetivo: Estimar a prevalência e fatores de risco associados as alterações citopatológicas do colo uterino de mulheres atendidas pelo Sistema Único de Saúde. Método: É um estudo transversal com 350 mulheres de 14 a 79 anos que realizaram exame Papanicolau em unidades de saúde de Francisco Beltrão, Paraná. Realizou-se análise citopatológica e aplicou-se um questionário com informações socioeconômicas, comportamento sexual, ginecológico e hábitos de vida. Para análise estatística foi feito teste Qui-quadrado e regressão logística (p<0,05). Resultados: Prevalência das alterações cervicais foi 3,4%, incluindo Lesão intraepitelial de baixo e alto grau e Atipias de significado indeterminado. Destas, a primeira teve 16,6% de frequência nas mulheres abaixo de 25 anos. A análise multivariada apontou associações entre resultado citopatológico anterior (OR=25,693), hábito de fumar (OR=7,576) e anticoncepcional (OR=5,265) com o desfecho. Conclusão: Mulheres com história de alteração cervical, uso de anticoncepcional e fumantes possuem maiores chances de alterações no colo uterino.

Characteristics associated with anti-HCV serological markers in prisoners in the state of Paraná, Brazil: a case-control study

ABSTRACT Background: The prison system in Paraná, Brazil, is experiencing serious problems related to the increasing number of prisoners. Control of hepatitis C virus (HCV) has become more intense because the incarcerated population is considered a high-risk group for contagious diseases due to the favorable conditions found in prisons for the spread of these morbidities. The objective of this study was to identify features associated with hepatitis C infection among male prisoners in correctional institutions of Paraná state, Brazil. Methods: This was a case-control study (27 cases and 54 controls) of men incarcerated in 11 penitentiaries in Paraná, Brazil. Information was obtained through a questionnaire in a cross-sectional epidemiological survey on HCV infection during the period from May 2015 to December 2016. Eligible men were recruited after testing positive for anti-HCV antibodies. Cases and controls were selected based on serological results of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and were matched by age, location of the penitentiary, and time in prison. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors for HCV seropositivity. Results: The main significant independent risk factor for the acquisition of HCV infection was the use of injectable drugs (OR = 4.00; 95%CI:1.41-11.35; p < 0.001). Conclusions: This study provides evidence that HCV infection is associated with drug use by this population. This information is pivotal for tailoring prevention programs and guiding specific socioeducational measures that aim to reduce or prevent HCV transmission within the prison setting.

Critical review of cancer mortality using hospital records and potential years of life lost / Revisão crítica da mortalidade por câncer usando registros hospitalares e anos potenciais de vida perdidos

ABSTRACT Objective To determine and discuss cancer mortality rates in southern Brazil between 1988 and 2012. Methods This was a critical review of literature based on analysis of data concerning incidence and mortality of prostate cancer, breast cancer, bronchial and lung cancer, and uterine and ovarian cancer. Data were collected from the online database of the Brazil Instituto Nacional de Câncer José Alencar Gomes da Silva. Results The southern Brazil is the leading region of cancer incidence and mortality. Data on the cancer profile of this population are scarce especially in the States of Santa Catarina and Paraná. We observed inconsistency between data from hospital registers and death recorded. Conclusion Both cancer incidence and the mortality are high in Brazil. In addition, Brazil has great numbers of registers and deaths for cancer compared to worldwide rates. Regional risk factors might explain the high cancer rates.

RESUMO Objetivo Investigar e discutir os indicadores de mortalidade por câncer na Região Sul do Brasil entre 1988 e 2012. Métodos Revisão crítica da literatura baseada na análise de dados referentes às estimativas de incidência e mortalidade dos cânceres de próstata, mama feminina, brônquios e pulmões, colo de útero e ovário, realizada por meio de consulta na base de dados online do Instituto Nacional de Câncer José Alencar Gomes da Silva. Resultados A Região Sul lidera no país a incidência e a mortalidade das neoplasias estudadas. Há escassez de dados sobre o perfil do câncer nesta população, especialmente nos Estados de Santa Catarina e Paraná. Notou-se, ainda, incoerência entre os dados de registros hospitalares e registros de óbito no período estudado. Conclusão Tanto a incidência quanto a mortalidade decorrentes dos cânceres estudados ainda são muito elevadas no Brasil, com significante número de registros da doença e de óbitos, quando comparado às taxas mundiais. Fatores de risco regionais podem explicar as elevadas taxas.