ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND AIM: Dengue is a viral febrile infectious disease characterized by mild symptoms that can progress to dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF). Due to socioeconomic and environmental reasons, it is a significant public health problem in Brazil with high morbidity rates among children. The objective is to analyze the epidemiological behavior of dengue and DHF hospitalizations in Brazil and point out the importance of health surveillance. METHOD(S): Data were collected from the Sistema de Informacoes Hospitalares of the Brazilian Ministry of Health. The study population was children from zero to 14 years old diagnosed with classic dengue and/or DHF from January 2008 to November 2021 in Brazil. The variables analyzed were hospitalizations and deaths over the years, hospitalization time and expenses. RESULT(S): A total of 192,424 hospitalizations for dengue and DHF were reported, of which 95.3% were considered medical emergencies. Its epidemiological behavior has fluctuated over the years, with an increase of 162.0% between 2017 and 2019, followed by a decreasing trend starting in 2020. Despite the low mortality rate (0.24%), this scenario was responsible for $12,347,942.38 in expenses and a total of 652,552 hospitalization days. CONCLUSION(S): Dengue is responsible for a major socioeconomic impact on Brazilian's public health system since its severe cases require intensive care to avoid shock, organ failure and death. Due to COVID-19 pandemic and population's fear of contamination in medical facilities, underreporting of arboviruses cases was observed. Since early diagnosis and monitoring are predictors of good prognosis, it is crucial to encourage notification, epidemiological surveillance and sanitary hygiene measures.
ABSTRACT
The number of persons with 60 years and more worldwide is estimated to triple by 2050. With the raising burden of the mental health conditions that accompany population ageing, mental health care for older adults has to be under pined by a dignity and human rights based approach. The extraordinary number of human rights violations of the older population during the COVID-19 pandemic has come to the forefront, as consequence of this population vulnerability, the lack of political will to give prior attention to this group needs and the disseminated ageistic attitudes. Discrimination based on age can lead to catastrophic social consequences such as elder abuse, neglect and all forms of violences. Their access to services become reduced, including health, social and justice services. These negative attitutdes, more than only morally unacceptable, are source of unnecessary suffering and increase morbidity and mortality rate. Intersecting across psychiatric diagnoses and interventions are the principles of dignity, autonomy, respect and equality which are all at the base of the call for an United Nations Convention of Rights of the Older People. Keeping all thes points in mind, the World Pschiatric Association Section of Old Age Psychiatry and the International Psychogeriatric Association are working together to promote the Human Rights of Older Adults. The presentation of a webinar, the publication of joint position statements, the organization of symposia in several international congress and the publication of a recent special issue of the America Jornal of Geriatric Psychiatry (October 2021 - https:// www.ajgponline.org/issue/S1064-7481(21)X0010-3) are some examples of this common effort.
ABSTRACT
Suicide in old age is a multidimensional problem with several interrelated factors involved that vary with age, gender and culture. Stigma of being old (ageism) and human rights violations may contribute to increase the potential factors underlying suicidal ideation or behavior in older persons. The number of suicides is highest in those aged 70 years or older in almost all regions of the world. With the increase in life expectancy, and the decrease in mortality due to other causes of death, we could expect the absolute number of older adults' suicide continue increasing. COVID-19 is a new global health threat that increases the risk of isolation, fear, stigma, abuse and economic fallout, which are well known risk factors for suicide. This pandemic has also led to increase in risk of psychiatric disorders, chronic trauma and stress, which may increase suicidality and suicidal behavior too. Suicide can be prevented in old age: Improvements on social determinants of health and the timely detection and early treatment of affective disorders are key interventions. Prevention based on community actions and training of gatekeepers may have positive impact. Community programs that promote a sense of usefulness, belonging and that contribute to preserve social integration should be encouraged. Governments should develop the improvement of retirement programs and the development of support systems. The access to general health and mental health services should be facilitated and Primary Care professionals should receive proper training to detect and manage older persons at risk. Actively promoting a culture of coping to different stages of life and to the changes imposed by the advancing of age should form the essential part of a process bringing to better successful aging avenues. © 2022 Nova Science Publishers, Inc.
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INTRODUCTION: The covid-19 pandemic has made it necessary to study the impact of the pandemic and the new work routines imposed on workers on the health status of health professionals, especially hospital-based physical therapists. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the quality of sleep and daytime sleepiness of hospital-based physical therapists during the covid-19 pandemic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is an observational, cross-sectional, prospective study conducted in a public hospital in northeastern Brazil. The research had as target audience, hospital-based physical therapists working or not in covid sectors during the covid-19 pandemic. We applied the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and questionnaires with demographic, work, health, and stress perception characteristics. RESULTS: Forty-five physical therapists participated in the study, and it was observed that 62.2% were female, 66.7% reported working 60h per week, and 55.6% worked in the covid and non-covid sectors. A high frequency of poor sleep quality (68.9%) was observed regardless of workload or work sector. In addition, there was a higher prevalence of excessive daytime sleepiness (43.3%) among physical therapists who worked 60h per week. CONCLUSION: Hospital-based physical therapists in a public institution have poor sleep quality, and those who work more hours have a higher prevalence of excessive daytime sleepiness. © 2021, BAHIANA - School of Medicine and Public Health. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Background and Objectives: A novel type of coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, is responsible for an unprecedented pandemic with profound socioeconomic consequences. Owing to its recent discovery still represents a great unknown to researchers. Thus, this study aims to establish the spatio-temporal associations of the incidence, mortality, and the rate of both rapid and RT-PCR tests in Minas Gerais. Methods: This is a quantitative analysis of secondary data based on a cross-sectional research design. Incidence, mortality, date of the first notification of COVID-19 and number of rapid and RT-PCR tests were obtained from the sources: "GAL", "e-SUS VE" and "SES-MG". Pearson coefficient for correlation was calculated to establish the level of association between the relevant data. Descriptive statistical procedures were used to provide a comprehensive understanding of the distribution of incidence, mortality and test rates in the territory. Results: Positive correlations were found between the rate of rapid tests and incidence;rate of RT-PCR tests and incidence/mortality. At the municipal level, incidence, mortality, rate of rapid tests and RT-PCR revealed a negative correlation with days elapsed since the First Notified Case. The same effect occurs at the level of health macro-regions. Conclusion: The heterogeneity of the incidence and mortality of COVID-19 in the territory of Minas Gerais, as well as the rate of tests may be caused, in part, due to the different dates of introduction of the virus in the municipalities/macro-regions. It is speculated that this phenomenon occurs due to the dynamics of regional and inter-regional flows of people.