ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Gender is emerging as a significant factor in the social, economic, and health effects of COVID-19. However, most existing studies have focused on its direct impact on health. Here, we aimed to explore the indirect effects of COVID-19 on gender disparities globally. METHODS: We reviewed publicly available datasets with information on indicators related to vaccine hesitancy and uptake, health care services, economic and work-related concerns, education, and safety at home and in the community. We used mixed effects regression, Gaussian process regression, and bootstrapping to synthesise all data sources. We accounted for uncertainty in the underlying data and modelling process. We then used mixed effects logistic regression to explore gender gaps globally and by region. FINDINGS: Between March, 2020, and September, 2021, women were more likely to report employment loss (26·0% [95% uncertainty interval 23·8-28·8, by September, 2021) than men (20·4% [18·2-22·9], by September, 2021), as well as forgoing work to care for others (ratio of women to men: 1·8 by March, 2020, and 2·4 by September, 2021). Women and girls were 1·21 times (1·20-1·21) more likely than men and boys to report dropping out of school for reasons other than school closures. Women were also 1·23 (1·22-1·23) times more likely than men to report that gender-based violence had increased during the pandemic. By September 2021, women and men did not differ significantly in vaccine hesitancy or uptake. INTERPRETATION: The most significant gender gaps identified in our study show intensified levels of pre-existing widespread inequalities between women and men during the COVID-19 pandemic. Political and social leaders should prioritise policies that enable and encourage women to participate in the labour force and continue their education, thereby equipping and enabling them with greater ability to overcome the barriers they face. FUNDING: The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , COVID-19/epidemiology , COVID-19/prevention & control , Educational Status , Employment , Female , Gender Equity , Humans , Male , Pandemics/prevention & controlABSTRACT
The purpose of this paper was to analyze the food intake quality in one year-old children seen by a primary healthcare (PHC) service. This is a cross-sectional studied nested within a child oral health cohort study which collected data regarding children born in 2013 and monitored in Porto Alegre for two years. We applied a questionnaire on maternal variables and frequency of pediatric appointments, weight and height measurements, and children's food intake. To that end, a score was generated based on the points assigned according to SISVAN (meaning 'food and nutrition monitoring system,' run by the Brazilian Ministry of Health). A multivariate model was calculated using Poisson regression with robust variance. The sample comprised 249 children. We found 30.5% (76) of poor/regular dietary quality, which in the multivariate model was associated to the guardian's educational background, considering up to incomplete high school (PR = 2.14, CI95% = 1.03-4.44) and complete high school (PR = 1.70, CI95% = 0.81-3.54), as well as their failure to see a dentist (PR = 2.54, CI95% = 1.33-4.84) or having seen one before the age of four months (PR = 1.94, CI95% = 1.01-3.72). It is our conclusion that failing to see a dentist within the first year of life and lower maternal schooling negatively impact on children's dietary quality.
O objetivo foi analisar a qualidade do consumo alimentar de crianças com um ano de idade acompanhadas por um serviço de Atenção Primária à Saúde (APS). Trata-se de estudo transversal aninhado a uma coorte de saúde bucal infantil em que foram coletados dados de crianças nascidas em 2013 e acompanhadas por 2 anos, em Porto Alegre. Foi aplicado um questionário sobre variáveis maternas e frequência de consultas de puericultura, medidas antropométricas e consumo alimentar da criança. Para tal, foi gerado um escore a partir da pontuação criada conforme o SISVAN (Sistema de Vigilância Alimentar e Nutricional). Foi calculado um modelo multivariado, por meio da Regressão de Poisson com variância robusta. A amostra consistiu de 249 crianças. Encontrou-se 30,5% (76) de qualidade ruim/regular da alimentação, que no modelo multivariado esteve associada com nível educacional do responsável, sendo até ensino médio incompleto (RP = 2,14, IC95% = 1,03-4,44) e ensino médio completo (RP = 1,70, IC95% = 0,81-3,54), assim como não ter consultado com dentista (RP = 2,54, IC95% = 1,33-4,84) ou ter consultado até o quarto mês de idade (RP = 1,94, IC95% = 1,01-3,72). Conclui-se que não consultar com dentista no primeiro ano de vida e menor escolaridade materna repercutem negativamente na qualidade alimentar infantil.
Subject(s)
Eating , Primary Health Care , Brazil , Child , Cohort Studies , Cross-Sectional Studies , Humans , InfantABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To describe the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) projections for the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil and the Brazilian states, present their accuracy and discuss their implications. METHODS: The IHME projections from May to August 2020 for Brazil and selected states were compared with the ensuing reported number of cumulative deaths. RESULTS: The pandemic was projected to cause 182,809 deaths by December 1, 2020 in Brazil. An increase in mask use could reduce the projected death toll by ~17,000. The mean error in the cumulative number of deaths at 2, 4 and 6 weeks after the projections were made was 13%, 18% and 22%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Short and medium-term projections provide important and sufficiently accurate data to inform health managers, elected officials, and society at large. After following an arduous course up until August, the pandemic is projected to decline steadily although slowly, with ~400 deaths/day still occurring in early December.