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ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze time trends and prevalence of physical activity and sedentary behavior among adults of Brazilian capitals between 2006 and 2021, including the pandemic period. Methods: This is a time-series of cross-sectional surveys based on the National Surveillance System for Risk and Protective Factors for Chronic Diseases by Telephone Survey. Trends of sufficient leisure-time physical activity, sufficient physical activity while commuting, insufficient practice of physical activity, and total screen time were estimated by using Prais-Winsten regression. Annual prevalences and time trends were estimated for each indicator by sex, age group and education. Results: For total population, significant time trends were found for leisure-time physical activity (β=0.614) and total screen time (β=1.319). As for prevalence, leisure-time physical activity increased from 29% in 2009 to 39% in 2019, followed by a reduction of 2.3% between 2020 and 2021. Total screen time prevalence increased considerably between 2019 and 2020 (4.7%). Though physical inactivity tended to reduce along the series, its prevalence increased by 3.4% between 2019 and 2021, as well as physical activity while commuting decreased by 3,7% in the same time period. Conclusion: Whereas leisure-time physical activity increased over the years, it is uncertain whether this trend will be the same in the years following COVID-19. Not only did people alter their leisure-time habits, but also there was an increasing dominance of screen time due to the change in work and social patterns. More strategies need to be addressed to tackle physical inactivity and sedentary behavior, and to review the post-pandemic national targets.
RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar as tendências temporais e a prevalência dos indicadores de atividade física e comportamento sedentário em adultos das capitais brasileiras entre 2006 e 2021, incluindo o período de pandemia. Métodos: Trata-se de estudo de série temporal de inquéritos transversais baseado no Sistema de Vigilância Telefônica de Doenças Crônicas. As tendências de atividade física suficiente no lazer, atividade física suficiente no deslocamento, prática insuficiente de atividade física e tempo total de tela foram estimadas por meio da regressão de Prais-Winsten. As tendências temporais e as prevalências anuais foram calculadas por sexo, faixa etária e escolaridade. Resultados: Na população total, foram encontradas tendências temporais significativas para atividade física suficiente no lazer (β=0,614) e tempo total de tela (β=1,319). Quanto à prevalência, a atividade física suficiente no lazer aumentou de 29% em 2009 para 39% em 2019, seguida de redução de 2,3% entre 2020 e 2021. A prevalência do tempo total de tela aumentou consideravelmente entre 2019 e 2020 (4,7%). Embora a inatividade física tendesse a diminuir ao longo da série, sua prevalência aumentou 3,4% entre 2019 e 2021, assim como a atividade física no deslocamento diminuiu 3,7% no mesmo período. Conclusão: Enquanto a atividade física suficiente no lazer aumentou ao longo dos anos, é incerto se essa tendência se manterá nos anos seguintes à COVID-19. Não apenas as pessoas alteraram seus hábitos de lazer, mas também há um domínio crescente do tempo de tela em razão da mudança nos padrões sociais e de trabalho. Mais estratégias precisam ser abordadas para o enfrentamento da inatividade física, do comportamento sedentário e para a revisão das metas nacionais pós-pandemia.
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ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the temporal trends of prevalence of morbidities, risk and protection factors for noncommunicable diseases in elderly residents in Brazilian capitals between 2006 and 2021. Methods: A time series study with data from the Surveillance System of Risk and Protective Factors for Chronic Diseases by Telephone Inquiry. The variables analyzed were: high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, overweight, obesity, consumption of alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, fruits and vegetables, and the practice of physical activity. Prais-Winsten regression and Interrupted Time Series from 2006 to 2014 and 2015 to 2021 were used. Results: From 2006 to 2021, for the total elderly population, there was an increase in diabetes (19.2 to 28.4%), alcohol consumption (2.5 to 3.2%), overweight (52.4 to 60.7%) and obesity (16.8 to 21.8%), and a reduction in the prevalence of smokers (9.4 to 7.4%) and in soft drink consumption (17 to 8.7%). By the interrupted series, between 2015 and 2021, there was stability in the prevalence of diabetes, female smokers, overweight among men, obesity in the total and male population, and soft drink consumption. Conclusion: Over the years, there have been changes and worsening in the indicators analyzed, such as an increase in diabetes, alcohol consumption, overweight, and obesity, which reinforces the importance of continuous monitoring and sustainability programs to promote the health, especially in the context of economic crisis, austerity, and COVID-19 pandemic.
RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar as tendências temporais das prevalências de morbidades e dos fatores de risco e de proteção para as doenças crônicas não transmissíveis em pessoas idosas residentes nas capitais brasileiras entre 2006 e 2021. Métodos: Estudo de série temporal com dados do Sistema de Vigilância de Fatores de Risco e Proteção para Doenças Crônicas por Inquérito Telefônico. Analisaram-se as variáveis: hipertensão arterial; diabetes; tabagismo; excesso de peso; obesidade; consumo de bebidas alcoólicas, refrigerantes, frutas e hortaliças; e prática de atividade física. Empregaram-se o modelo de regressão de Prais-Winsten e a séries temporais interrompidas (de 2006 a 2014 e de 2015 a 2021). Resultados: De 2006 a 2021, para a população total de idosos, houve aumento de diabetes (19,2 para 28,4%), do consumo de álcool (2,5 para 3,2%), do dexcesso de peso (52,4 para 60,7%) e da obesidade (16,8 para 21,8%), e redução do tabagismo (9,4 para 7,4%) e consumo de refrigerantes (17,0 para 8,7%). Pelas séries interrompidas, entre 2015 e 2021, houve estabilidade da prevalência de diabetes, fumantes do sexo feminino, excesso de peso nos homens, obesidade na população total e no sexo masculino e consumo de refrigerante. Conclusão: Ao longo dos anos houve mudanças e piora dos indicadores analisados, como aumento de diabetes, do consumo de álcool, do excesso de peso e da obesidade, o que reforça a importância do monitoramento contínuo e da sustentabilidade de programas de promoção da saúde, especialmente no contexto de crise econômica, austeridade e pandemia decorrente da COVID-19.
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The present study investigates the association between the self-reported diagnosis of noncommunicable disease (NCD) and the adherence to social distancing and the use of health services during the COVID-19 pandemic. This was a cross-sectional study with Brazilian adults who participated in the ConVid- Behavior Survey, conducted online between April 24 and May 24, 2020(n = 45.161). This studyconsidered the following NCDs: diabetes, hypertension, respiratory disease, heart disease, and cancer, and evaluated the use of health services and the adherence to social distancing, as well as estimated the prevalences and adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR); 33,9% (95% CI: 32,5-35,3) referred to one or more NCD. Individuals with NCDsshowed a greater adherence to intense social distancing (aPR: 1,07;95% CI: 1,03-1,11), sought out health services more often (aPR:1,24; 95% CI:1,11-1,38), and found greater difficultyin scheduling doctor's appointments (aPR:1.52; 95% CI 1,35-1,71), receiving healthcare treatment (APR:1,50;95% CI:1,22-1,84) and medication (APR:2,17;95% CI:1,77-2,67), and performing examinations (APR:1,78;95% CI:1,50-2,10) and scheduled interventions (APR:1,65;95% CI:1,16-2,34). The presence of NCDs was associated with social distancing, seeking out health care, and difficulty in using health services.
Este estudo investiga a associação entre diagnóstico autorreferido de Doença Crônica Não Transmissível (DCNT) e adesão ao distanciamento social e utilização dos serviços de saúde durante a pandemia de COVID-19. Estudo transversal com adultos brasileiros que participaram da ConVid Pesquisa de Comportamentos, realizada de 24 de abril a 24 de maio de 2020, via web (n = 45.161). Considerou as DCNT: diabetes, hipertensão, doença respiratória, doença do coração e câncer. Avaliou a utilização de serviços de saúde e a adesão ao distanciamento social. Estimou as prevalências e razões de prevalências ajustadas (RPa). 33,9% (IC95%: 32,5-35,3) referiu uma ou mais DCNT. Indivíduos com DCNT tiveram maior adesão ao distanciamento social intenso (RPa:1,07; IC95%:1,03-1,11), procuraram mais o serviço de saúde (RPa:1,24; IC95%:1,11-1,38) e tiveram mais dificuldades para marcar consulta (RPa:1,52; IC95%:1,35-1,71), conseguir atendimento de saúde (RPa:1,50; IC95%:1,22-1,84) e medicamentos (RPa:2,17; IC95%:1,77-2,67), realizar exames (RPa:1,78; IC95%:1,50-2,10) e intervenções programadas (RPa:1,65; IC95%:1,16-2,34). A presença de DCNT associou-se à maior adesão ao distanciamento social, procura por atendimento de saúde e dificuldade na utilização dos serviços de saúde.
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COVID-19 , Noncommunicable Diseases , Adult , Brazil/epidemiology , Cross-Sectional Studies , Health Services , Humans , Noncommunicable Diseases/epidemiology , Pandemics , Physical Distancing , SARS-CoV-2ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The social distancing measures during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic resulted in mental suffering among adolescents, leading to risky consumption of psychoactive substances such as tobacco. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the factors associated with tobacco use among adolescents during the COVID-19 social distancing period in Brazil. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study used data from ConVid Adolescentes survey in Brazil. METHODS: Tobacco use was assessed before and during social distancing. The explanatory variables investigated were sex, age, race/skin color, type of school, maternal education, region of residence, adherence to social restriction measures, number of close friends, sleep quality during the pandemic, mood, passive smoking, use of alcoholic beverages during the pandemic, sedentary behavior, and physical activity. A logistic regression model was used for the data analysis. RESULTS: Tobacco use by adolescents did not change during the pandemic (from 2.58% to 2.41%). There was a higher chance of tobacco use among adolescents aged between 16 and 17 years, self-reported black ones, residing in the South and Southeast regions, reported feeling sad and loneliness, had sleeping problems that worsened, were using alcoholic beverages during the pandemic, and were passive smokers at home. Adolescents whose mothers had completed high school or higher, had strict social restrictions, and increased their physical activity during the pandemic had a lower chance of tobacco use. CONCLUSION: Tobacco uses during the COVID-19 pandemic was higher in vulnerable groups, such as black adolescents and those with mental suffering.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Humans , Adolescent , Cross-Sectional Studies , Brazil/epidemiology , Pandemics , Smoking/epidemiologyABSTRACT
Objective: To describe the prevalence of alcohol consumption before and during the COVID-19 pandemic and to analyze the factors associated with this behavior during the period of social distancing among Brazilian adolescents. Methods: Cross-sectional study using data from the ConVid Adolescents survey, carried out via the Internet between June and September 2020. The prevalence of alcohol consumption before and during the pandemic, as well as association with sociodemographic variables, mental health, and lifestyle were estimated. A logistic regression model was used to assess associated factors. Results: 9,470 adolescents were evaluated. Alcohol consumption decreased from 17.70% (95%CI 16.64–18.85) before the pandemic to 12.80% (95%CI 11.85–13.76) during the pandemic. Alcohol consumption was associated with the age group of 16 and 17 years (OR=2.9;95%CI 1.08–1.53), place of residence in the South (OR=1.82;95%CI 1.46–2.27) and Southeast regions (OR=1.33;95%CI 1.05–1.69), having three or more close friends (OR=1.78;95%CI 1.25–2.53), reporting worsening sleep problems during the pandemic (OR=1.59;95%CI 1.20–2.11), feeling sad sometimes (OR=1,83;95%CI 1,40–2,38) and always (OR=2.27;95%CI 1.70–3.05), feeling always irritated (OR=1,60;95%CI 1,14–2,25), being a smoker (OR=13,74;95%CI 8.63–21.87) and a passive smoker (OR=1.76;95%CI 1.42–2.19). Strict adherence to social distancing was associated with lower alcohol consumption (OR=0.40;95%CI 0.32–0.49). Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic led to a decrease in consumption of alcoholic beverages by Brazilian adolescents, which was influenced by sociodemographic and mental health factors, adherence to social restriction measures and lifestyle in this period. Managers, educators, family and the society must be involved in the articulation of Public Policies to prevent alcohol consumption.
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Objective: To analyze time trends and prevalence of physical activity and sedentary behavior among adults of Brazilian capitals between 2006 and 2021, including the pandemic period. Methods: This is a time-series of cross-sectional surveys based on the National Surveillance System for Risk and Protective Factors for Chronic Diseases by Telephone Survey. Trends of sufficient leisure-time physical activity, sufficient physical activity while commuting, insufficient practice of physical activity, and total screen time were estimated by using Prais-Winsten regression. Annual prevalences and time trends were estimated for each indicator by sex, age group and education. Results: For total population, significant time trends were found for leisure-time physical activity (β=0.614) and total screen time (β=1.319). As for prevalence, leisure-time physical activity increased from 29% in 2009 to 39% in 2019, followed by a reduction of 2.3% between 2020 and 2021. Total screen time prevalence increased considerably between 2019 and 2020 (4.7%). Though physical inactivity tended to reduce along the series, its prevalence increased by 3.4% between 2019 and 2021, as well as physical activity while commuting decreased by 3,7% in the same time period. Conclusion: Whereas leisure-time physical activity increased over the years, it is uncertain whether this trend will be the same in the years following COVID-19. Not only did people alter their leisure-time habits, but also there was an increasing dominance of screen time due to the change in work and social patterns. More strategies need to be addressed to tackle physical inactivity and sedentary behavior, and to review the post-pandemic national targets.
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Objective: To analyze the temporal trends of prevalence of morbidities, risk and protection factors for noncommunicable diseases in elderly residents in Brazilian capitals between 2006 and 2021. Methods: A time series study with data from the Surveillance System of Risk and Protective Factors for Chronic Diseases by Telephone Inquiry. The variables analyzed were: high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, overweight, obesity, consumption of alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, fruits and vegetables, and the practice of physical activity. Prais-Winsten regression and Interrupted Time Series from 2006 to 2014 and 2015 to 2021 were used. Results: From 2006 to 2021, for the total elderly population, there was an increase in diabetes (19.2 to 28.4%), alcohol consumption (2.5 to 3.2%), overweight (52.4 to 60.7%) and obesity (16.8 to 21.8%), and a reduction in the prevalence of smokers (9.4 to 7.4%) and in soft drink consumption (17 to 8.7%). By the interrupted series, between 2015 and 2021, there was stability in the prevalence of diabetes, female smokers, overweight among men, obesity in the total and male population, and soft drink consumption. Conclusion: Over the years, there have been changes and worsening in the indicators analyzed, such as an increase in diabetes, alcohol consumption, overweight, and obesity, which reinforces the importance of continuous monitoring and sustainability programs to promote the health, especially in the context of economic crisis, austerity, and COVID-19 pandemic.
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Abstract Fundament: Telemedicine for follow-up in heart failure (HF) patients is effective in reducing hospitalizations, total and cardiovascular mortality. However, few studies were conducted in low and middle income, where lower access to technology and illiteracy could impact the results. Objective: To assess the effectiveness of associating telemedicine strategies, when compared to usual care, in reducing hospitalizations related to HF in patients discharged from the hospital due to HF. Methods: Controlled, randomized, multicenter, parallel-arm clinical trial, with an allocation ratio of 1:1, blinded to outcome evaluation, in which 340 patients who were discharged from public hospitals in Belo Horizonte due to HF will be randomized. Patients will be followed for 6 months and the intervention group will receive, in addition to the usual care, Structured Telephone Support (STS) from a nurse, a doctor, and an educational program. Counseling will be according to a clinical decision tree. The level of significance in the statistical analysis will be 5%. Expected results: Reduction in the number of hospital readmissions and/or in hospitalization time, in addition to developing a software with a clinical decision tree for remote follow-up and patient education about HF adapted to local culture. Conclusions: The intention of this study is to develop a telemedicine strategy and assess whether or not, in addition to the usual care, it is effective in reducing hospitalizations and mortality from HF. If effective, the aforementioned strategy could reduce costs and hospital needs in the Unified Health System (SUS, in Portuguese) for patients with HF. These results will be even more relevant considering the pandemic of COVID-19.
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The article aims to estimate the incidence and worsening of back pain (BP) during the first wave of COVID-19 in Brazil, as well as to investigate demographic, socioeconomic factors and associated changes in living conditions. ConVid - Behavior Research, applied between April and May 2020, was used as data source. The number and distribution of respondents who developed BP and those who had a worsening of the preexisting problem, their 95% confidence intervals and Pearson's Chi-square test were estimated. The odds ratio of developing BP or worsening a preexisting problem was also estimated using multiple logistic regression models. Pre-existing BP was reported by 33.9% (95%CI 32.5-35.3) of respondents and more than half (54.4%; 95%CI 51.9-56.9) had worsened. The cumulative incidence of BP in the first wave of the pandemic was 40.9% (95%CI 39.2-42.7). Being a woman, the perceived increase in housework and the frequent feeling of sadness or depression were associated with both outcomes. Socioeconomic factors were not associated with any of outcome. The high incidence and worsening of BP during the first wave reveal the need for studies in more recent periods, given the long duration of the pandemic.
O artigo tem como objetivo estimar a incidência e o agravamento do problema de coluna (PC) durante a primeira onda da COVID-19 no Brasil, bem como investigar os fatores demográficos, socioeconômicos e as mudanças nas condições de vida associadas. Utilizou-se a ConVid - Pesquisa de Comportamentos, realizada entre abril e maio de 2020, como fonte de dados. Estimou-se o número e a distribuição dos entrevistados que desenvolveram PC e a dos que tiveram agravamento no problema preexistente, seus intervalos de 95% de confiança e o teste qui-quadrado de Pearson. Estimou-se também a razão de chance de desenvolver PC ou ter piora de problema preexistente por meio de modelos de regressão logística múltipla. O PC preexistente foi reportado por 33,9% (IC95% 32,5-35,3) dos entrevistados e mais da metade (54,4%; IC95% 51,9-56,9) teve piora do quadro. A incidência cumulativa de PC na primeira onda da pandemia foi de 40,9% (IC95% 39,2-42,7). Ser mulher, o aumento percebido do trabalho doméstico e o sentimento frequente de tristeza ou depressão foram associados a ambos os desfechos. Os fatores socioeconômicos não foram associados a nenhum dos desfechos. A alta incidência e agravamento do PC durante a primeira onda revelam a necessidade de estudos em períodos mais recentes, dada a longa duração da pandemia.
Subject(s)
Back Pain , COVID-19 , Female , Humans , Back Pain/epidemiology , Back Pain/etiology , Brazil/epidemiology , COVID-19/epidemiology , Incidence , Logistic ModelsABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic may indirectly impact hospitalizations for other natural causes. Belo Horizonte is a city with 2.5 million inhabitants in Brazil, one of the most hardly-hit countries by the pandemic, where local authorities monitored hospitalizations daily to guide regulatory measures. In an ecological, time-series study, we investigated how the pandemic impacted the number and severity of public hospitalizations by other natural causes in the city, during 2020. We assessed the number and proportion of intensive care unit (ICU) admissions and in-hospital deaths for all-natural causes, COVID-19, non-COVID-19 natural causes, and four disease groups: infectious, respiratory, cardiovascular, and neoplasms. Observed data from epidemiological week (EW) 9 (first diagnosis of COVID-19) to EW 48, 2020, was compared to the mean for the same EW of 2015–2019 and differences were tested by Wilcoxon rank-sum test. The five-week moving averages of the studied variables in 2020 were compared to that of 2015–2019 to describe the influence of regulatory measures on the indicators. During the studied period, there was 54,722 hospitalizations by non-COVID-19 natural causes, representing a 28% decline compared to the previous five years (p<0.001). There was a concurrent significant increase in the proportion of ICU admissions and deaths. The greater reductions were simultaneous to the first social distancing decree or occurred in the peak of COVID-19 hospitalizations, suggesting different drivers. Hospitalizations by specific causes decreased significantly, with greater increase in ICU admissions and deaths for infectious, cardiovascular, and respiratory diseases than for neoplasms. While the first reduction may have resulted from avoidance of contact with healthcare facilities, the second reduction may represent competing causes for hospital beds with COVID-19 after reopening of activities. Health policies must include protocols to address hospitalizations by other causes during this or future pandemics, and a plan to face the rebound effect for elective deferred procedures.
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We evaluated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on excess mortality by race/skin colour in Brazil, between epidemiological weeks 12 and 50 of 2020. We compared the 2020 point estimate and the expected point estimate applying 2019 mortality rates to the 2020 population. There was an excess of 187 002 deaths (+20.2%) compared to the expected. Excess mortality was 26.3% (23.3-29.3%) among blacks/browns compared to 15.1% (14.1-16.1%) among whites (58.9% of excess among black/browns). Age-standardized rates increased from 377 to 419/100 000 among blacks/browns compared to 328 to 398/100 000 in whites, resulting in 9% relative risk. Excess mortality in Brazil depicts a considerable gap, with increased mortality in all age groups in the black/brown population.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Brazil/epidemiology , Humans , Mortality , Pandemics , SARS-CoV-2 , White PeopleABSTRACT
We aimed to assess the factors associated with frequent sadness and nervousness in Brazilian adolescents, during the Covid-19 pandemic, in 9470 adolescents (aged 12-17 years), interviewed from June 27 to September 17, 2020. Prevalences and prevalence ratios were estimated according to socio-demographic variables and factors related to family, school, friends, and health. Brazilian adolescents often felt sad (32.4%) and nervous (48.7%). Higher prevalences of these feelings were related to: being female; aged 15-17 year; from families with financial difficulties; having learned little or nothing with remote education; missing friends; having few friends; family disagreements; having regular/bad health before the pandemic; and worsened health and sleep during the pandemic. Higher prevalence of nervousness was also found in adolescents who worked before the pandemic and those who reported lack of concentration and not knowing if they had COVID-19. Sadness and nervousness in Brazilian adolescents is high and the need for action by the government, schools, health services, and parents to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on the physical and mental health of adolescents. Special attention must be paid to adolescents with previous health problems and those belonging to the most socially vulnerable population.
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Introduction: The social distancing imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic influenced lifestyle and modified dietary patterns. Our objective was to evaluate the consumption of fruits and vegetables (FV), and ultra-processed foods (UPF), before and after the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as to identify the sociodemographic factors associated. Methods: This study used data from the "Convid Adolescents", a survey on health behaviors that were collected through an online questionnaire self-completed by 9.470 adolescents between 12 and 17 years of age during the pandemic in Brazil in 2020. Individuals were invited to participate through a chain-sampling procedure called "virtual snowballing". Information about FV, and UPF consumption before and during the pandemic period were reported. The independent variables used were sex, age group, race/color of skin, kind of school, education level of the mother, region of Brazil, financial difficulties during the pandemic, food insecurity, and social restrictions. Logistic regression models were used. Results: There was a reduction in the low consumption of FV (83.5% to 80.3%) and there was no significant difference in the high consumption of UPF (38.9% to 38.1%) before and during the pandemic. The incidence of low consumption of FV and high consumption of UPF during the pandemic was 20% and 13.8%, respectively. Girls, private school adolescents, who reported having food insecurity and financial difficulties during the pandemic were the most affected subgroups. Conclusions: Despite little change in the prevalence of FV and UPF consumption before and during the pandemic, the incidence of high consumption of UPF and low FV consumption was high, and it identified in specific population subgroups.
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BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic brought countless challenges to public health and highlighted the Brazilian health system vulnerabilities in facing the emergency. In this article, we analyze data on COVID-19-related deaths in 2020-21 to show the epidemic consequences in Brazil. METHODS: The Mortality Information System and the Live Birth Information System were the primary information sources. We used population estimates in 2020-21 to calculate COVID-19 specific mortality rates by age, sex, and educational level. Considering the total number of COVID-19 deaths in 2020-21, the COVID-19 proportional mortality (%) was estimated for each age group and sex. A graph of the daily number of deaths from January 2020 to December 2021 by sex was elaborated to show the temporal evolution of COVID-19 deaths in Brazil. In addition, four indicators related to COVID-19 mortality were estimated: infant mortality rate (IMR); maternal mortality ratio (MMR); number and rate of orphans due to mother's COVID-19 death; the average number of years lost. RESULTS: The overall COVID-19 mortality rate was 14.8 (/10,000). The mortality rates increase with age and show a decreasing gradient with higher schooling. The rate among illiterate people was 38.8/10,000, three times higher than a college education. Male mortality was 31% higher than female mortality. COVID-19 deaths represented 19.1% of all deaths, with the highest proportions in the age group of 40-59 years. The average number of years lost due to COVID-19 was 19 years. The MMR due to COVID-19 was 35.7 per 100,000 live births (LB), representing 37.4% of the overall MMR. Regarding the number of orphans due to COVID-19, we estimated that 40,830 children under 18 lost their mothers during the epidemic, with an orphans' rate of 7.5/10,000 children aged 0-17 years. The IMR was 11.7 per 1000 LB, with 0.2 caused by COVID-19. The peak of COVID-19 deaths occurred in March 2021, reaching almost 4000 COVID-19 deaths per day, higher than the average number of deaths per day from all causes in 2019. CONCLUSIONS: The delay in adopting public health measures necessary to control the epidemic has exacerbated the spread of the disease, resulting in several avoidable deaths.
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The COVID-19 pandemic may indirectly impact hospitalizations for other natural causes. Belo Horizonte is a city with 2.5 million inhabitants in Brazil, one of the most hardly-hit countries by the pandemic, where local authorities monitored hospitalizations daily to guide regulatory measures. In an ecological, time-series study, we investigated how the pandemic impacted the number and severity of public hospitalizations by other natural causes in the city, during 2020. We assessed the number and proportion of intensive care unit (ICU) admissions and in-hospital deaths for all-natural causes, COVID-19, non-COVID-19 natural causes, and four disease groups: infectious, respiratory, cardiovascular, and neoplasms. Observed data from epidemiological week (EW) 9 (first diagnosis of COVID-19) to EW 48, 2020, was compared to the mean for the same EW of 2015-2019 and differences were tested by Wilcoxon rank-sum test. The five-week moving averages of the studied variables in 2020 were compared to that of 2015-2019 to describe the influence of regulatory measures on the indicators. During the studied period, there was 54,722 hospitalizations by non-COVID-19 natural causes, representing a 28% decline compared to the previous five years (p<0.001). There was a concurrent significant increase in the proportion of ICU admissions and deaths. The greater reductions were simultaneous to the first social distancing decree or occurred in the peak of COVID-19 hospitalizations, suggesting different drivers. Hospitalizations by specific causes decreased significantly, with greater increase in ICU admissions and deaths for infectious, cardiovascular, and respiratory diseases than for neoplasms. While the first reduction may have resulted from avoidance of contact with healthcare facilities, the second reduction may represent competing causes for hospital beds with COVID-19 after reopening of activities. Health policies must include protocols to address hospitalizations by other causes during this or future pandemics, and a plan to face the rebound effect for elective deferred procedures.
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Introduction: The impact of COVID-19 pandemics on cardiovascular diseases (CVD) may be caused by health system reorganization and/or collapse, or from changes in the behaviour of individuals. In Brazil, municipalities were empowered to define regulatory measures, potentially resulting in diverse effects on CVD morbimortality. Objective: To analyse the impact of COVID-19 pandemics on CVD outcomes in Belo Horizonte (BH), the sixth greater capital city in Brazil, including: mortality, mortality at home, hospitalizations, intensive care unit utilization, and in-hospital mortality; and the differential effect according to sex, age range, social vulnerability, and pandemic's phase. Methods: Ecological study analysing data from the Mortality and Hospital Information System of BH residents aged ≥30 years. CVD was defined as in Chapter IX from ICD-10. Social vulnerability was classified by a composite socioeconomic index as high, medium and low. The observed age-standardized rates for epidemiological weeks 10-48, 2020, were compared to the expected rates (mean of 2015-2019). Risk ratios (RiR) were analysed and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for all estimates. Population projected to 2020 for BH and its census tracts were used to calculate rates. Results: We found no changes in CVD mortality rates (RiR 1.01, 95%CI 0.96-1.06). However, CVD deaths occurred more at homes (RiR 1.32, 95%CI 1.20-1.46) than in hospitals (RiR 0.89, 95%CI 0.79-0.99), as a result of a substantial decline in hospitalization rates, even though proportional in-hospital deaths increased. The rise in home deaths was greater in older adults and in had an increasing gradient in those more socially vulnerable (RiR 1.45); for high (RiR 1.45), medium (RiR 1.32) and low vulnerability (RiR 1.21). Conclusion: The greater occurrence of CVD deaths at home, in parallel with lower hospitalization rates, suggests that CVD care was disrupted during the COVID-19 pandemics, which more adversely affected older and more socially vulnerable individuals, exacerbating health inequities in BH.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Cardiovascular Diseases , Adult , Aged , Brazil/epidemiology , Cardiovascular Diseases/epidemiology , Cities/epidemiology , Humans , PandemicsABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a great impact on the behavior of individuals and the organization of health systems. This study analyzed the COVID-19 pandemic's effect on public hospitalizations for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in a large city in Brazil, Belo Horizonte, MG, with approximately 2.5 million inhabitants. METHODS: In a time-series analysis, this study used administrative data from the national "Hospital Information System" from 2010 to February 2020 to estimate the expected number of hospitalizations for CVD by month during the COVID-19 pandemic in Belo Horizonte in 2020 using the Auto-Regressive Integrated Moving Average model. For CVD, this study compared the expected number of hospital admissions, intensive care use, deaths during hospitalization, and mean length of stay with the observed number during the period. RESULTS: There were 6,517 hospitalizations for CVD from March to December 2020, a decrease of 16.3% (95% CI: 4.7-25.3) compared to the projected. The number of intensive care hospitalizations for CVD fell 24.1% (95% CI 13-32.7). The number of deaths also decreased (17.4% [80% CI: 0 - 0.30]), along with the reduction in hospitalizations, as did the length of stay for CVD hospitalizations. These reductions, however, were not significant. CONCLUSIONS: Hospitalizations for CVD were 16.3% lower than expected in a large Brazilian city, possibly due to the fear of getting infected or going to hospitals. Public campaigns informing how to proceed in case of CVD show that prompt urgent attention is essential to mitigate the indirect effects of the pandemic on CVD.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Cardiovascular Diseases , Brazil/epidemiology , Cardiovascular Diseases/epidemiology , Hospitalization , Hospitals , Humans , Pandemics , SARS-CoV-2ABSTRACT
This is a cross-sectional study investigating the factors affecting brazilians' self-rated health during the COVID-19 pandemic, based on data from the web-based behavior survey. Carried out from April 24 to May 24, 2020, the survey recruited participants by a chain sampling procedure. Its outcome was the worsening of self-rated health during the pandemic. Statistical analysis was based on a hierarchical model of determination. Logistic regression models were used to test the associations between sociodemographic characteristics, pre-existing health conditions, lifestyle indicators and intensity of social restraint measures, and biological and psychological issues during the pandemic. From the total sample of 45,161 participants, 29.4% reported worsening of health state during this period. After adjusting for hierarchical distal factors, the health problems mostly associated with worsening health state were: bad self-rated health (adjusted OR = 4.35, p < 0.001), health care seeking for mental health problem (adjusted OR = 3.95, p < 0.001), and for COVID-19 (adjusted OR = 3.60, p < 0.001). People who experienced sleep problems, worsening of back pain, depression and at least one flu symptom during the pandemic were twice as likely to report worsening of health status. Sedentary and eating behaviors and adherence to social distancing measures showed significant correlation with the outcome. There exists a relation between social, biological, and psychological factors, mediated by lifestyles and variables pertaining to confinement. Altogether, these factors have negatively affected self-rated health during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Pandemics , Brazil/epidemiology , Cross-Sectional Studies , Humans , SARS-CoV-2ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Quarantine periods change routines and behaviors with potential impact on different health outcomes. OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between changes in physical activity and sedentary behaviors with changes in back pain during the COVID-19 pandemic quarantine among Brazilian adults. METHODS: This was a nationwide survey through online questionnaires using data from 43,062 adults (≥ 18 years of age). Information on back pain was assessed using questions about episodes of back pain and worsening symptoms during the quarantine. The pattern of movement behaviors adopted before and during the pandemic were considered for physical inactivity (< 150 min/week of activity), high TV-viewing (≥ 4 h/d), and high computer/tablet use (≥ 4 h/d). Covariates included sex, age group, academic achievement, skin color, working status during the quarantine, and adherence to the quarantine. Logistic regression models were used for statistical analyses (weighted for national representativity). RESULTS: Becoming inactive (OR=1.76, 95% CI: 1.32, 2.37), with high TV-viewing (OR=1.35, 95% CI: 1.14, 1.61) and high computer/tablet use (OR=1.39, 95% CI: 1.11, 1.73) during the pandemic were associated with a higher incidence of back pain. The incidence of physical inactivity was also associated with increased back pain (OR=2.71, 95%CI: 1.64, 4.48). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that increased physical inactivity and sedentary behaviors due to the COVID-19 pandemic quarantine are associated with the incidence and worsening symptoms of back pain among Brazilian adults.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Pandemics , Adult , Back Pain/epidemiology , Brazil/epidemiology , Humans , SARS-CoV-2ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Our aim was to verify the incidence of physical inactivity and excessive screen time during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic among Brazilian adults, as well as to identify subgroups that are more affected by the quarantine actions. METHODS: The data of 39,693 Brazilian adults were collected through an online questionnaire between April 24th and May 24th, 2020. Information about physical activity (weekly frequency and daily duration), TV viewing, and computer/tablet use (daily duration) before and during the pandemic period were reported. The correlates adopted were sex, age group, highest academic achievement, skin color, per capita income, country macro region, working status during the quarantine, and adherence to the quarantine. Logistic regression models were used. RESULTS: The incidence of physical inactivity (<150 min/week), high TV viewing (≥4 h/d), and computer/tablet use (≥4 h/d), were, respectively, 70.4%, 31.4%, and 37.9% during the COVID-19 pandemic. The younger age group showed higher incidences of physical inactivity (78%) and high computer/tablet use (59%), while middle-age adults (30-59 years) showed a higher incidence of TV viewing (34%). People who adhered to stricter measures of quarantine presented a higher incidence of excessive screen time. CONCLUSION: High incidences of physical inactivity and excessive screen time were identified in specific population subgroups during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil.