Consumption profile and factors associated with the ingestion of beer and distilled beverages among elderly Brazilians: Gender differences.

AIM: To estimate the prevalence of the consumption of beer and distilled beverages and associated factors among Brazilian older adults residing in a highly populated city in Brazil, highlighting the factors associated with frequent consumption and differences in consumption between men and women. METHODS: It was a cross-sectional, analytic study carried out by means of probability samples of conglomerates of older adults (aged 65-74 years). Descriptive analysis, univariate analysis and estimates of multivariate models through logistic regression (OR, 95% CI) were realized. RESULTS: 500 of the 736 evaluated seniors were included in the present analysis. 128 (27.3%), 103 (21.3%) and 167 (34.9%) of the seniors indicate past or current use of beer, distilled beverages and frequent use of alcohol, respectively. The consumption of beer was associated with use of tobacco between women; and with marital status and schooling between men. The consumption of distilled beverages was associated with schooling and use of tobacco between women; and age and use of tobacco in men. Daily or weekly use was associated with schooling and use of tobacco between women; age and the use of tobacco between men. CONCLUSION: In the elderly population studied, a noteworthy prevalence of the consumption of beer and distilled beverages was identified, and this use was associated with personal and behavioral determinants. Similar associations related to frequent (daily or weekly) consumption were also identified. Significant differences in the profile of consumption were identified between men and women, with more abusive use among men. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2016; 16: 810-820.

Associations between oral disorders and the quality of life of older adults in Brazil.

AIM: To evaluate the effect of oral disorders on the quality of life of older adults. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of older adults (aged ≥ 60 years) who reside in a small Brazilian city was carried out. Trained and calibrated academics and dentists collected the data. The analyses carried out were descriptive, univariate and multiple through logistic regression using pasw Statistics 18.0 software. RESULTS: A total of 351 older adults were included in the study. The majority of older adults did not express impacts as a result of oral disorders. The physical domain of quality of life was compromises more in older adults who had physical incapacities related to oral health (odds ratio 3.62, 95% confidence interval 1.34-9.73). CONCLUSION: In general, among the older adults evaluated, it was found that both the overall score and the individual scores for the four domains of quality of life were influenced by one of the seven domains of the impacts of oral disorders.

Functional and psychosocial impact of oral disorders and quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS.

PURPOSE: This study compared the Quality of Life (QOL) according to the presence of functional and psychosocial impact of oral disorders and evaluated the convergent validity between the dimensions of the WHOQOL and the OHIP-14 scores among people living with HIV. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study with patients enrolled in reference centres of a midsize Brazilian city. Interviews were conducted when the participants arrived at the centres seeking services for medical appointments and collecting medicines. The OHIP-14 was used to evaluate the functional and psychosocial impact of oral disorders. QOL was assessed using the general issues and six domains of the WHOQOL-HIV BREF. The Chi square test, Mann-Whitney test, and Spearman correlation analysis were used for analysis. RESULTS: The sample comprised 422 people living with HIV/AIDS (response rate: 81.2%). The prevalence of functional and psychosocial impact of oral disorders was 34.0%. The prevalence of very poor/poor QOL and those who were very dissatisfied/dissatisfied with their health was higher among those with functional and psychosocial impact of oral disorders. There was a negative correlation between the scores on the domains of QOL and the severity of the impact of the oral disorders (r-value ranged from -0.107 to -0.30). CONCLUSION: Individuals with functional and psychosocial impact of oral disorders were found to more frequently rate their QOL as poor/very poor, and were more often dissatisfied with health. The correlation between the scores of QOL and functional and psychosocial impact of oral disorders scores was weak, indicating that they represent different constructs. The measures of functional and psychosocial impact of oral disorders should be complemented by general measures of QOL.

Self-perception of the hearing-impaired elderly before and after hearing-aid fittings.

AIM: To evaluate the impact of hearing aid (HA) fittings among elderly patients through the Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly (HHIE). METHODS: The present study was carried out with 125 hearing-impaired individuals over aged 65 years in the northern region of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The instrument used was the HHIE self-assessment questionnaire. HHIE were completed before and after HA fittings. Data were analyzed using the non-parametric Wilcoxon test and the McNemar χ(2)-test. RESULTS: There were significant decreases in general, social and emotional handicap after HA use (P < 0.001). The percentage of patients with severe hearing handicap decreased from 45.6% to 8.8% with HA use. The greatest difficulty reported by respondents, both before and after HA use, was "hearing when someone whispers". CONCLUSIONS: Although HA use significantly improves the hearing handicap, some older adults still maintain social and emotional limitations. The HHIE instrument can be a great ally in helping professionals understand and rehabilitate the difficulties that remain after amplification.

Is vaccination against hepatitis B a reality among primary health care workers?

OBJECTIVE: To verify the prevalence and factors associated with vaccination against hepatitis B among Primary Health Care workers in Montes Claros/MG. METHOD: A cross-sectional, analytic study was undertaken. Data were collected through a form, which contained sociodemographic, occupational, general health and behavioral variables. Associations were investigated through bivariate analysis and Poisson's multivariate regression, using SPSS 17.0. RESULTS: 95.5% answered the question about vaccination; 47.5% did not complete the vaccination scheme. The prevalence of vaccinated professionals was lower among older workers, who were hired, did not participate in occupational health updates and consumed alcohol. Prevalence levels were higher among professionals with more years of education and who reported contact with piercing and cutting instruments . CONCLUSIONS: Professional education, knowledge and perception of infection risks are important determinants of the vaccination scheme. Instability at work may lead to negligence and negligent behaviors may repeat themselves. The characterization of professionals who did not get vaccinated will direct educative actions in occupational health.