ABSTRACT
The pandemic nature of the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus requires extraordinary efforts in all areas of management and the formulation of public health policies to contain the number of contagion cases and deaths inflicted on the world population. However, it is possible to develop and encourage follow-up practices that can help reduce the number of contagion cases. This work aims to collect sociodemographic indicators associated by the scientific literature with the spatial distribution of COVID-19. Methodologically, it is a case study that aims to build a knowledge management model based on sociodemographic data collection. Their comparison with the viral RNA measurements in wastewater obtained at different points would allow managers to predict the possibility of an early warning of the onset of the disease, the future increase or decrease in the number of cases or the end of the pandemic in location. Regarding government action, associating the information related to the virus with the sociodemographic indicators of the region where the wastewater is collected, its managers can design preventive measures with greater precision and accuracy.
ABSTRACT
Background and Aims: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death globally and in Brazil. Evidence suggests that the risk of CVDs differs by race/ethnicity. Scarce information exists about the association between CVD risk, obesity indicators and sociodemographic characteristics in the Brazilian population. Objectives: We aimed to assess the CVD risk following the Framingham risk score in relation to the population's sociodemographic profile. Further, we examined the association between anthropometric markers and risk of CVDs. Methods: A total of 701 subjects aged ≥20 years from North-eastern Brazil were recruited randomly to participate in a population-based, cross-sectional survey. Age-adjusted data for CVD risk, sociodemographic characteristics, and anthropometric indices were assessed, and their relationships examined. Results: High CVD risk (Framingham risk score ≥10%) was observed in 18.9% of the population. Males (31.9 vs. 12.5%) and older subjects (age ≥45 years: 68.9% vs. age <45 years: 4.2%) had significantly higher risk of CVDs, whereas those employed in manual labor showed lower risk (7.6 vs. 21.7%). Central obesity measures like waist-to-hip ratio and waist-to-height ratio were more strongly associated with predicted CVD risk than body mass index. Conclusions: Our population had a high risk of CVDs using the Framingham risk score. Cost-effective strategies for screening, prevention and treatment of CVDs may likely reduce disease burden and health expenditure in Brazil. Central obesity measures were strongly associated with predicted CVD risk and might be useful in the clinical assessment of patients. Follow-up studies are warranted to validate our findings.