Establishing the health and wellbeing needs of mining host community in Brazil, Chile and Peru: a mixed-method approach to identify priority areas for action to help communities meet their SDG3 targets.

BACKGROUND: The global mining industry is an important partner in advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In 2018, Anglo American plc published their Sustainable Mining Plan, containing a goal for improving health and wellbeing aligned with the Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG3) targets. Having formed an independent multidisciplinary research consortium, we designed and implemented a mixed-methods approach to attain a deeper understanding of SDG3 priorities within the local context of communities hosting Anglo American mining operations located in Latin America. METHODS: In 2019, within the host communities of three mining operations in Chile, three in Brazil, and one in Peru, we conducted a qualitative study which included stakeholder workshops and key informant interviews. We also quantitatively appraised existing health data. Findings emerging from the qualitative and quantitative assessments were compared to identify health and wellbeing priority areas for action relevant to each community. RESULTS: Across the three countries, 120 people took part in workshops and 35 in interviews. In these workshops and interviews, non-communicable diseases (SDG3.4), harmful alcohol consumption (SDG3.5), and pollution, particularly air pollution (SDG3.9), were consistently identified as areas for priority action. There were similarities in the reporting of individual, interpersonal, community, societal, and structural factors underlying these priority areas across the different communities. The availability of quantitative data was generally good at the state level, becoming increasing sparse as we focused on smaller geographies. The priorities identified in the quantitative assessments generally aligned with those highlighted in the qualitative data. CONCLUSIONS: We highlight the importance of engaging with local populations to understand and address health needs. To address the priorities identified, intervention packages tailored to the specific needs of host communities, that tackle associated upstream societal level factors, are required. To facilitate this, appropriate monitoring systems and epidemiological investigations should be implemented to better understand the local context and quantify health issues. In the host communities, it is essential for the mining sector to be a key health partner in promoting integrated programmes that contribute to achieving the priority objectives and targets aligned with the SDG3 agenda.

Analysis of the Financial Costs of a Health Promotion Program for Sexually Exploited Adolescents and Youngsters: The Case of the Vira Vida Program in Brazil.

The Vira Vida program promotes the health of adolescents and young adults, ages 16 to 24, who have been sexually exploited. It has served more than 3000 individuals in 18 Brazilian states. The objective of this research was to estimate the costs of Vira Vida and compare them with the costs of detention policies for juveniles under 18. This program cost study considers two periods: 2008 to 2012 (Cycle 1) and 2013 to 2014 (Cycle 2). The System S perspective and time horizon for one year were adopted. Direct costs incurred by the National Council of Industry Social Services, which coordinates Vira Vida, and by the Regional Departments (RD), responsible for the direct execution of Vira Vida, were analyzed. The cost of detention measures for adolescents and youngsters under the age of 18 was obtained from the literature. The annual cost per student enrolled in Vira Vida varied between US$ 3754.93 and US$27,244.48, depending on the cycle and the state. Most of the costs of the program were lower than those reported for detention measures for adolescents in Brazilian states. Evidence indicates that health promotion interventions targeting sexually exploited children and adolescents can help their recovery; on the other hand, studies indicate that detention measures do not help adolescents recover.

Hyperglycemia Enhances Cancer Immune Evasion by Inducing Alternative Macrophage Polarization through Increased O-GlcNAcylation.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) significantly increases the risk for cancer and cancer progression. Hyperglycemia is the defining characteristic of DM and tightly correlates with a poor prognosis in patients with cancer. The hexosamine biosynthetic pathway (HBP) is emerging as a pivotal cascade linking high glucose, tumor progression, and impaired immune function. Here we show that enhanced glucose flow through the HBP drives cancer progression and immune evasion by increasing O-GlcNAcylation in tumor-associated macrophages (TAM). Increased O-GlcNAc skewed macrophage polarization to a M2-like phenotype supporting tumor progression. Finally, we found an upregulation of M2 markers on TAMs in DM2 patients with colorectal cancer compared with nondiabetic normoglycemic patients. Our results provide evidence for a new and targetable mechanism of cancer immune evasion in patients with hyperglycemia, advocating for strict control of hyperglycemia in patients with cancer.

Determinant factors of knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding STD/AIDS and viral hepatitis among youths aged 18 to 29 years in Brazil. / Fatores determinantes de conhecimentos, atitudes e práticas em DST/Aids e hepatites virais, entre jovens de 18 a 29 anos, no Brasil.

The scope of this study was to evaluate the vulnerability of Brazilian youths to STDs/HIV&AIDS and Viral Hepatitis. Interviews were conducted with 1,208 youths aged 18 to 29 in 15 states and the Federal District. The regional and national adjusted margin of error of the research was 2.8%. The study was approved by the School of Medicine of Brasilia University with support from PAHO and the Ministry of Health. A scale with 35 questions (knowledge, attitudes and practices) was the main dependent variable. Adjusted linear regression models identified the demographic and social determinant factors that explain scale variations. The scale attained a satisfactory level of consistency (Cronbach's Alpha: 0.689). Sociodemographic factors associated to scale variations include gender, race, education and civil status. Social determinants associated to scale variations include frequency of discussions about sexuality with parents and health professionals, alcohol consumption, leisure and being part of a social movement, access to the internet, interest in learning and having the father and/or teacher as a personal reference. Brazilian youths are vulnerable to the transmission of STDs/HIV&AIDS. Public policies are needed to promote the engagement of parents and teachers in issues related to sexuality.

Fatores determinantes de conhecimentos, atitudes e práticas em DST/Aids e hepatites virais, entre jovens de 18 a 29 anos, no Brasil / Determinant factors of knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding STD/AIDS and viral hepatitis among youths aged 18 to 29 years in Brazil / Facteurs déterminants des connaissances, des attitudes et des pratiques en MST/SIDA et hépatites virales parmis les jeunes âgés de 18 à 29 ans au Brésil

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a vulnerabilidade dos jovens brasileiros às DSTs/Hiv Aids e Hepatites Virais. Foram entrevistados 1.208 jovens (18 e 29 anos em 15 Estados e DF). A margem de erro da pesquisa ponderada regional e nacionalmente foi 2,8%. O estudo foi aprovado pelo CEP da Faculdade de Medicina da UnB e teve apoio da OPAS e do Ministério da Saúde. Escala com 35 questões (-35 a +35 pontos) de conhecimentos, atitudes e práticas em DSTs/Hiv Aids e Hepatites Virais foi utilizada como variável dependente. Modelos de regressão linear ajustados identificaram fatores demográficos e determinantes sociais que explicam a variação na escala. A escala atingiu nível satisfatório de consistência (Alfa Cronbach: 0,689). Fatores sociodemográficos associados à variação na escala foram: gênero, etnia, escolaridade e estado civil. Determinantes sociais associadas à variação na escala foram: hábito de conversar sobre sexualidade com pais e profissionais de saúde, consumo de álcool, ter lazer e ser engajado, acesso à internet, interesse em aprender e ter pai e/ou professor como referência pessoal. Os jovens brasileiros estão vulneráveis à transmissão de DSTs/Hiv Aids. São necessárias políticas públicas que promovam engajamento dos pais e professores em assuntos sobre sexualidade.

Abstract The scope of this study was to evaluate the vulnerability of Brazilian youths to STDs/HIV&AIDS and Viral Hepatitis. Interviews were conducted with 1,208 youths aged 18 to 29 in 15 states and the Federal District. The regional and national adjusted margin of error of the research was 2.8%. The study was approved by the School of Medicine of Brasilia University with support from PAHO and the Ministry of Health. A scale with 35 questions (knowledge, attitudes and practices) was the main dependent variable. Adjusted linear regression models identified the demographic and social determinant factors that explain scale variations. The scale attained a satisfactory level of consistency (Cronbach's Alpha: 0.689). Sociodemographic factors associated to scale variations include gender, race, education and civil status. Social determinants associated to scale variations include frequency of discussions about sexuality with parents and health professionals, alcohol consumption, leisure and being part of a social movement, access to the internet, interest in learning and having the father and/or teacher as a personal reference. Brazilian youths are vulnerable to the transmission of STDs/HIV&AIDS. Public policies are needed to promote the engagement of parents and teachers in issues related to sexuality.

Résumé L'objectif de cette étude a été d'évaluer la vulnérabilité des jeunes brésiliens aux MST/VIH SIDA et aux Hépatites Virales. À cet effet, 1.208 jeunes (âgés de 18 à 29 ans dans 15 États brésiliens et le DF [Distrito Federal] ont été interviewés. La marge d'erreur de la recherche pondérée régionalement et nationalement était de 2,8%. L'étude a été approuvée par le CEP [Comité d'Éthique en Recherche] de la Faculté de Médecine de l'UnB et a eu le support de l'OPAS [Organisation Panaméricaine de la Santé] et du Ministère de la Santé. Une échelle de 35 questions (-35 à +35 points) évaluant les connaissances, les attitudes et les pratiques en MST/VIH SIDA et Hépatites Virales a été utilisée comme une variable dépendante. Des modèles de régression linéaire ajustés ont identifié les facteurs démographiques et les déterminants sociaux qui expliquent la variation dans l'échelle. L'échelle a atteint un niveau satisfaisant de consistance (Alpha de Cronbach: 0,689). Des facteurs socio-démographiques associés à la variation dans échelle ont été pris en compte, à savoir: le genre, l´ethnie, la scolarité et l´ état civil. Les déterminants sociaux associés à la variation dans l'échelle: l´habitude de discuter sur la sexualité avec les parents et des professionnels de la santé, la consommation d'alcool, profiter du loisir et être engagé, avoir accès à Internet, avoir intérêt à apprendre et avoir un parent et/ou un enseignant comme référence personnelle.

Determinants of Sexual and Reproductive Health among Brazilian youth (aged 18 to 29 years old) / Fatores determinantes da saúde sexual e reprodutiva dos jovens brasileiros de 18 a 29 anos

This study assessed the main determinants of sexual and reproductive health of Brazilian youth. It was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Medicine Faculty of the University of Brasília, and it received support from Paho and Brazilian Ministry of Health. 1.208 youngsters (18 to 29 years old) in 15 states and Federal District were interviewed at their residences, during the second semester of 2011. Margin of error, adjusted regional and nationally, was 2.8% (CI: 95%), regarding the assessed sample. A KAP scale (knowledge, attitudes, and practices) with 17 questions (-17 to +17 points) was generated. A questionnaire was pre -tested for consistency and validity analysis was performed. KAP scale was used as dependent variable in adjusted linear regression models. Mean KAP score was 5.65 points. Gaps in KAP were: 70% of the youth do not know when the fertility period of a woman is. 42% of youth do not recognize condoms as a method to prevent unwanted pregnancy and STDs. The main factors associated to explaining variances in KAP are gender, education, religion, access to health services, having had sexual intercourse in the last 12 months, and having friends as the main personal reference (p < 0.05). Youngsters with higher education, women, non-Protestant, who claim to know where to find health services have better KAP level of reproductive health. Studies are necessary to support public policies that increase the KAP levels in sexual and reproductive health of the most vulnerable groups, such as the segment comprising low education, men and Protestants.

Este estudo avaliou as determinantes de saúde sexual e reprodutiva da juventude brasileira. Aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética da UnB, apoiado pela Organização PanAmericana de Saúde e Ministério da Saúde. 1.208 jovens (18 a 29 anos) foram ouvidos em suas residências em 15 Estados e DF, no segundo semestre de 2011. Margem de erro, ponderada nacional e regionalmente, de 2,8% (IC: 95%). Escala CAP (conhecimentos, atitudes e práticas) com 17 questões (-17 a +17 pontos) foi gerada e questionário pré-testado para análise de consistência e validade. Escala foi usada como variável dependente em modelos de regressão linear ajustados. Média do nível de CAP de 5.65 pontos. 70% não sabem quando é o período fértil da mulher. 42% não reconhecem preservativos para prevenção de gravidez não desejada e DST. Fatores que explicam variações de CAP são: gênero, educação, religião, acesso aos serviços de saúde, ter tido relação sexual nos últimos 12 meses e ter amigos como referência pessoal (p < 0.05). Jovens de maior escolaridade, mulheres, não evangélicos, e que afirmam saber onde encontrar serviços de saúde têm CAP mais elevado. São necessários estudos que subsidiem políticas públicas para elevar níveis de CAP dos segmentos vulneráveis: indivíduos de baixa escolaridade, homens e evangélicos.

Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans May Promote or Inhibit Cancer Progression by Interacting with Integrins and Affecting Cell Migration.

The metastatic disease is one of the main consequences of tumor progression, being responsible for most cancer-related deaths worldwide. This review intends to present and discuss data on the relationship between integrins and heparan sulfate proteoglycans in health and cancer progression. Integrins are a family of cell surface transmembrane receptors, responsible for cell-matrix and cell-cell adhesion. Integrins' main functions include cell adhesion, migration, and survival. Heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) are cell surface molecules that play important roles as cell receptors, cofactors, and overall direct or indirect contributors to cell organization. Both molecules can act in conjunction to modulate cell behavior and affect malignancy. In this review, we will discuss the different contexts in which various integrins, such as α5, αV, ß1, and ß3, interact with HSPGs species, such as syndecans and perlecans, affecting tissue homeostasis.