Significancia Estadística en Ciencias de la Salud: Limitaciones y Alternativas / Statistical significance in the field of health sciences: limitations and alternatives

Introducción. La prueba de significancia de la hipótesis nula (PSHN) constituye la herramienta más usada para evaluar hipótesis científicas y tomar decisiones al respecto, en especial en ciencias de la salud. Sin embargo, por décadas ha estado en el centro del debate, ya que se han identificado varios problemas conceptuales y de interpretación. Se realizó una revisión de artículos científicos que ilustran las críticas de esta controversia y su relevancia en el ámbito de la investigación en salud. Algunas alternativas para la PSHN son una adecuada interpretación del valor p, uso de intervalos de confianza, incluir el tamaño del efecto y adoptar un marco de inferencia bayesiana. En todos los casos en que se utilice PSHN, su uso debe ser claramente justificado.

Background. Null hypothesis significance testing (NSHT) constitutes the most widely applied tool for the evaluation of scientific hypotheses and decision making in health sciences. However, the method has been the centre of a heated debate where various criticisms related to conceptual and interpretational problems. A review of scientific articles that illustrate the criticisms of this controversy and its relevance in the field of health research was carried out. Some alternatives for the NSHT are an adequate interpretation of the p-value, use of confidence intervals, including the effect size and adopting a Bayesian inference framework. In all cases where NSHT is used, its use should be clearly justified.

Identificação dos potenciais doadores de órgãos no Paraná (2011-2019) em razão dos óbitos hospitalares / Identification of potential organ donors in Paraná (2011-2019) per hospital deaths

Milhares de pessoas aguardam a disponibilização de órgãos para transplante. Estima-se que 2,2% dos óbitos hospitalares são potenciais doadores de órgãos, razão adotada como padrão ouro pelo modelo espanhol, benchmark mundial dos sistemas de busca de órgãos para transplante. Estudo transversal da razão entre os óbitos hospitalares e potenciais doadores identificados no Paraná de 2011 a 2019, assim denominada Índice Paraná. A média do índice em 2019 foi de 1,34±0,98.Inicialmente 13,63%e ao fim do período 59,09% das Regionais de saúde superavam o padrão-ouro, não havendo diferença no número de leitos hospitalares disponíveis entre as regionais. Todas as Organizações de Procura de Órgãos do Paraná apresentaram Índices Paraná semelhantes, sendo o maior (1,78±0,57)atingido pela OPO Cascavel. Concluímos que sob a métrica do Índice Paraná, o estado suplanta o padrão ouro preconizado pelo modelo espanhol. (AU)

Thousands of people await the availability of organs for transplantation. It is estimated that 2.2% of hospital deaths are potential organ donors, reason adopted as the gold standard by the Spanish model, a world benchmark in systems for searching organs for transplantation. Cross-sectional study of the ratio between hospital deaths and potential donors identified in Paraná from 2011 to 2019, thus called Paraná Index. The index average in 2019 was 1.34±0.98. Initially 13.63% and at the end of the period 59.09% of the Health Regionals exceeded the gold standard, with no difference in the number of hospital beds available between the Regionals. All Paraná Organ Procurement Organizations presented similar Paraná Indexes, the highest (1.78±0.57) being reached by OPO Cascavel. We conclude that under the Paraná Index metric, the state surpasses the gold standard recommended by the Spanish model. (AU)

Aspectos de saúde mental investigados em policiais: uma revisão integrativa / The aspects of mental health investigated in the police: an integrative review

Resumo Esta revisão integrativa teve por objetivo identificar quais aspectos de saúde mental dos policiais têm sido mais investigados na literatura, considerando o período de 2012 a 2018. Foram realizadas buscas nas bases de dados PubMed, LILACS, SciELO e PePSIC. Foram analisados 84 artigos, quanto a 4 categorias: características dos estudos; saúde mental dos policiais; fatores de risco para problemas mentais; e fatores protetivos e para desenvolvimento da saúde. A análise dos artigos mostrou que Estados Unidos e Brasil produziram mais sobre o tema e que depressão, estresse e transtornos de ansiedade foram as patologias mais frequentes nos artigos analisados. Fatores individuais e do trabalho associaram-se ao adoecimento e fatores protetivos e intervenções foram pouco investigados. Estudos futuros poderão abordar essas lacunas.

Abstract This integrative review aimed to identify which aspects of the police officers' mental health have been more investigated in the literature, considering the period from 2012 to 2018. We searched the PubMed, LILACS, SciELO and PePSIC databases. A total of 84 articles were analyzed in four categories: characteristics of the studies; mental health of police officers; risk factors for mental problems; and protective and health development factors. The analysis of the articles showed that the United States and Brazil were the countries with most production on the subject, and that depression, stress, and anxiety disorders were the most frequent pathologies in the analyzed articles. Individual and work factors were associated with illness and protective factors and interventions were scarcely investigated. Future studies may address these shortcomings.

Extrahepatic causes of death in cirrhosis compared to other chronic conditions in the United States, 1999-2017.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Cirrhosis-related mortality is underestimated and is increasing; extrahepatic factors may contribute. We examined trends in cirrhosis mortality from 1999-2017 in the United States attributed to liver-related (varices, peritonitis, hepatorenal syndrome, hepatic encephalopathy, hepatocellular carcinoma, sepsis) or extrahepatic (cardiovascular disease, influenza and pneumonia, diabetes, malignancy) causes, and compared mortality trends with congestive heart failure (CHF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) populations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A national mortality database was used. Changes in age-standardized mortality over time were determined by joinpoint analysis. Average annual percentage change (AAPC) was estimated. RESULTS: Cirrhosis cohort: From 1999-2017, both liver-related (AAPC 1.3%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.7-1.9) and extrahepatic mortality (AAPC 1.0%; 95% CI 0.7-1.2) increased. Cirrhosis vs other chronic disease cohorts: changes in all-cause mortality were higher in cirrhosis (AAPC 1.0%; 95% CI 0.7-1.4) than CHF (AAPC 0.1%; 95% CI -0.5- 0.8) or COPD (AAPC -0.4%; 95% CI -0.6- -0.2). Sepsis mortality was highest in cirrhosis (AAPC 3.6%, 95% 3.2- 4.1) compared to CHF (AAPC 0.6%, 95% CI -0.5- 1.7) or COPD (AAPC 0.8%, 95% CI 0.5- 1.2). Cardiovascular mortality increased in cirrhosis (AAPC 1.3%, 95% CI 1.1- 1.5), declined in CHF (AAPC -2.0%, 95% CI -5.3- 1.3) and remained unchanged in COPD (AAPC 0.1%, 95% CI -0.2- 0.4). Extrahepatic mortality was higher among women, rural populations, and individuals >65 years with cirrhosis. CONCLUSIONS: Extrahepatic causes of death are important drivers of mortality and differentially impact cirrhosis compared to other chronic diseases.

Assessing antiretroviral therapy success in HIV/AIDS morbidity and mortality trends in Brazil, 1990-2017: an interrupted time series study.

To describe the trends of HIV/AIDS metrics related to the burden of disease for Brazil between 1990 and 2017 we conducted a timeseries analysis for HIV/AIDS indicators by extracting data from the Global Burden of Disease study. We calculated traditional prevalence, incidence and mortality rates, the number of years lost by HIV-related deaths (YLL) and disability (YLD), and disability-adjusted life years (DALY). We estimated time series models and assessed the impact of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on the same indicators. In the set of disability-adjusted life years (DALY), the highest weight of its magnitude was due to YLL. There was a decline, especially after 1996, of DALY, mortality and YLL for HIV/AIDS. However, YLD, incidence, and prevalence increased over the same period. Also, the analysis of interrupted time series showed that the introduction of HAART into health policy had a significant impact on indicators, especially for DALY and YLL. We need to assess the quality of life of people living with HIV, especially among older adults. In addition, we need to focus on primary prevention, emphasizing methods to avoid infection and public policies should reflect this.

Alternativa didáctica para estimular el pensamiento creativo de los profesores y estudiantes / Didactic alternative to stimulate the creative thinking of teachers and students

RESUMEN Fundamento: actualizar de forma constante los métodos, procedimientos y vías para resolver problemas, cuyas soluciones constituyen estereotipos de la estadística inferencial, los cuales no estimulan el pensamiento creador de profesores y estudiantes. Objetivo: ilustrar a través de la resolución de problemas de la estadística inferencial como estimular el pensamiento creador de los profesores de Bioestadística y los estudiantes de la carrera de Medicina. Métodos: se emplean los métodos teóricos: análisis-síntesis, inducción-deducción y abstracción-concreción. Construcción de curvas de la distribución normal, procesos de comprensión, explicación e interpretación. Se aplican métodos, procedimientos y algoritmos matemáticos y estadísticos. Resultados: se elabora una alternativa didáctica para estimular el pensamiento creativo de los profesores y estudiantes de la carrera de Medicina, la cual ilustra la importancia del tema: Introducción a la inferencia estadística. Se integran y se sistematizan conceptos de variable aleatoria, distribución normal, probabilidad, dominio de aceptación, dominio de rechazo, estimaciones puntuales, entre otras. Conclusiones: mediante situaciones de salud a enfrentar por el Médico General en su quehacer profesional, en las cuales se evidencien las necesidades de interpretar los errores de primero y segundo género: α y β. Se consolidan los conocimientos y habilidades relacionadas con los conceptos abordados en el tema: introducción a la estadística inferencial, mediante programas informáticos profesionales se visualizan los resultados alcanzados, según la modelación y la simulación matemática.

ABSTRACT Background: constantly update the methods, procedures and ways to solve problems, whose solutions constitute stereotypes of the inferential statistics, which do not stimulate the creative thinking of teachers and students in general. Objective: to illustrate, through the resolution of problems of inferential statistics, how to stimulate the creative thinking of the Biostatistics professors and the students of the Medicine degree. Methods: the theoretical methods used are analysis-synthesis, induction-deduction and abstraction-concretion. Construction of curves of the normal distribution, comprehension processes, explanation and interpretation. Mathematical and statistical methods, procedures and algorithms are applied. Results: a didactic alternative is elaborated to stimulate the creative thought of the professors and students of the Medicine degree, which illustrates the importance of the topic: Introduction to the statistical inference. Concepts of random variable, normal distribution, probability, acceptance domain, rejection domain, point estimates, among others, are integrated and systematized. Conclusions: health situations are created to be faced by the General Practitioner in his professional work that evidences the needs to interpret the errors of first and second gender: α and β. The knowledge and skills related to the concepts addressed in the subject are consolidated: Introduction to Inferential Statistics, through professional computer programs visualize the results achieved, according to modeling and mathematical simulation.

Vitals: A quarterly report of the Ministry of Health, Jamaica 2018

This document looks at health trends and statistics in Jamaica. This issue focuses on data collected in the September 2016 to August 2017 quarter along with annual comparisons. Data, utilization of the health sector complaints for the period January to December 2017

Vitals: A quarterly report of the Ministry of Health, Jamaica 2017

This quarterly report integrates a special feature on surgeries in public hospitals and presents comparative data for January to March 2016 and 2017. It also looks at utilization data for health facilities and health centres, notifiable diseases and health sector complaints for the period.

Características sociodemográficas y motivos de consulta de las personas atendidas en el Centro de Atención Psicológica de la Universidad de Costa Rica (2004-2013) / Socio-demographic Characteristics and Consultation Motives of Persons Attending the Psychological Services Center at the University of Costa Rica (2004-2013)

Resumen En este estudio se tuvo como objetivo sistematizar la información sociodemográfica y los motivos de consulta de las personas atendidas en el Centro de Atención Psicológica (CAP) de la Escuela de Psicología de la Universidad de Costa Rica. Para ello, se analizaron 743 expedientes correspondientes a personas atendidas entre los años 2004 y 2013. Se encontró un aumento del 1700% en la cantidad de casos atendidos, así como una mediana de 10 sesiones y de 56.5 días en cuanto al tiempo de espera. Poco más de la mitad de los expedientes pertenecieron a mujeres, y en su mayoría, correspondieron a personas en la adultez joven, infancia y adultez media, residentes de los cantones cercanos al CAP tales como San José, Montes de Oca, Goicoechea, Desamparados, Cartago y La Unión, y con diversidad de ocupaciones, aunque con preponderancia de quienes se dedicaban al estudio. Se encontró una amplia variedad de motivos de consulta que se agruparon en 20 categorías. Aunque ninguna de estas aglutinó más del 10%, los motivos de consulta en la mayoría de los expedientes correspondieron a las categorías relacionadas con el ámbito de familia o pareja (problemas familiares, problemas de disciplina o crianza, problemas de pareja, y separación o divorcio) y a las relacionadas con el componente emocional (alteración emocional, tristeza o depresión, y agresividad). Se presentan análisis adicionales de los motivos de consulta según sexo y edad.

Abstract This study aimed to systematize the socio-demographic information and consultation motives of those persons who attended the School of Psychology Psychological Services Center (CAP) at the University of Costa Rica. For this purpose, 743 files of patients who attended the CAP between 2004 and 2013 were analyzed. An increase of 1700% in the number of cases was found, along with a median of 10 sessions per consulting patient and 56.5 days of waiting time. Just over half of the cases were women, and most were from young adults, children and middle-aged adults, residents of cities nearby CAP such as San José, Montes de Oca, Goicoechea, Desamparados, Cartago and La Union, and with a variety of occupations, but with a preponderance of students. Furthermore, a wide variety of consultation motives was found, and they were grouped into 20 categories. Although none of these categories contains more than 10% of cases, most consultation motives correspond to categories related to the fields of the family or the couple (family problems, discipline problems or parenting, relationship problems, and break-up or divorce) and those related to the emotional component (emotional disturbance, sorrow or depression, and aggressiveness). Additional analysis of consultation motives by sex and age are presented.

Criação de um banco de dados personalizado de baixo custo em um serviço público de reprodução humana / Created a customized database for human reproduction at a low cost for the public service

Todo serviço de reprodução humana necessita de um banco de dados para arquivar e manejar avaliações estatísticas. O serviço público de Reprodução Humana do Hospital Pérola Byington usava uma planilha Excel™ que se mostrou insuficiente para o adequado gerenciamento de informações, evidenciou a necessidade de um programa específico que facilitasse uma consulta rápida ao resumo dos ciclos de FIV, sem que houvesse qualquer probabilidade de erro no preenchimento e nas estatísticas posteriormente feitas. Considerando a inexistência de recursos para compra de um programa, tornava­se necessária a criação de uma plataforma a partir de um software de uso livre. Optamos por usar a plataforma fornecida pelo Centers for Disease Control and Prevention e assim originou­se o CRSMinfo, composto de formulários com subdivisões dos procedimentos, incluindo todas as informações relevantes para consulta e levantamento automatizado de dados. Seu uso mostrou­se extremamente eficiente, aprimorou os protocolos laboratoriais e possibilitou estudos e pesquisas.(AU)

Efficient software it's absolutely necessary for any human assisted reproduction (ART) lab. Perola Byington Public Hospital's ART center has used a spreadsheet in Excel with more than 200 columns for data storage of all in vitro fertilization cycles for years, making it very difficult to create complex statistics to analyze data and lead to quick statistic evaluation. Since we are working with a very tight budget, we selected an open source software created by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and after months of programming we created CRSMinfo, which contains a form with subdivision of procedures, including all the information for research and automatic sorting of the data. The use of CRSMinfo software at Perola Byington Hospital has been extremely efficient, improving the protocols for the realization of studies and researches.(AU)

The inner state differences of preterm birth rates in Brazil: a time series study.

BACKGROUND: Preterm birth is a serious public health problem, as it is linked to high rates of neonatal and child morbidity and mortality. The prevalence of premature births has increased worldwide, with regional differences. The objective of this study was to analyze the trend of preterm births in the state of Paraná, Brazil, according to Macro-regional and Regional Health Offices (RHOs). METHODS: This is an ecological time series study using preterm births records from the national live birth registry system of Brazil's National Health Service - Live Birth Information System (Sinasc), for residents of the state of Paraná, Brazil, between 2000 and 2013. The preterm birth rates was calculated on a yearly basis and grouped into three-year periods (2000-2002, 2003-2005, 2006-2008, 2009-2011) and one two-year period (2012-2013), according to gestational age and mother's Regional Health Office of residence. The polynomial regression model was used for trend analysis. RESULTS: The predominance of preterm birth rate increased from 6.8 % in 2000 to 10.5 % in 2013, with an average increase of 0.20 % per year (r(2) = 0.89), and a greater share of moderate preterm births (32 to <37 weeks), which increased from 5.8 % to 9 %. The same pattern was observed for all Macro-regional Health Offices, with highlight to the Northern Macro-Regional Office, which showed the highest average rate of prematurity and average annual growth during that period (7.55 % and 0.35 %, respectively). The trend analysis of preterm birth rates according to RHO showed a growing trend for almost all RHOs - except for the 7(th) RHO where a declining trend was observed (-0.95 a year); and in the 20(th), 21(st) and 22(nd) RHOs which remained unchanged. In the last three-year of the study period (2011-2013), no RHO showed preterm birth rates below 7.3 % or prevalence of moderate preterm birth below 9.4 %. CONCLUSIONS: The results show an increase in preterm births with differences among Macro-regional and RHOs, which indicate the need to improve actions during the prenatal period according to the specificities of each region.

Edentulism in Brazil: trends, projections and expectations until 2040 / Edentulismo no Brasil: tendências, projeções e expectativas até 2040

Abstract The aim of this study was to examine the edentulism rates in Brazil and make projections for the next years. Data were collected from three national oral health surveys. The percentage of edentulous jaws was calculated. Projections were made for the years 2020, 2030 and 2040, assuming that edentulism follows a logistic function. Population projections were also performed. Annual change in proportion of edentulous jaws was -0.04% for teenagers, -0.96% for adults and 0.76% for the elderly. By 2040, edentulous jaws will be virtually zero among teenagers, 1.77% among adults and 85.96% among the elderly. Teenagers will slightly decrease in number; adults will increase and subsequently decrease; the elderly will continue to increase. In teenagers and adults, the number of edentulous jaws will decrease, being approximately 616,000 in 2040. In the elderly, it will increase alarmingly, reaching over 64 million in 2040. Edentulism is declining in Brazil among teenagers and middle-aged adults, but is still increasing and will continue to increase for the next decades among the elderly.

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi examinar as taxas de edentulismo no Brasil e fazer projeções para os próximos anos. Os dados foram coletados de três censos nacionais de saúde bucal. O percentual de arcadas edêntulas foi calculado. Foram feitas projeções para 2020, 2030 e 2040, assumindo que o edentulismo segue uma função logística. Também foram realizadas projeções populacionais. A variação anual da proporção de arcadas edêntulas foi de -0,04% para jovens, -0,96% para adultos e 0,76% para idosos. Até 2040, o percentual de arcadas edêntulas será virtualmente zero entre jovens, 1,77% entre adultos e 85,96% entre idosos. O número de jovens vai diminuir levemente; o de adultos vai aumentar e depois diminuir; e o de idosos vai continuar aumentando. Para jovens e adultos, o número de arcadas edêntulas vai diminuir, aproximando-se de 616.000 em 2040. Para os idosos, este número vai aumentar alarmantemente, alcançando mais de 64 milhões em 2040. O edentulismo está diminuindo no Brasil entre jovens e adultos, mas está aumentando e continuará a aumentar nas próximas décadas entre os idosos.

Tendencias y pronósticos de la hipertensión arterial en la provincia de Santiago de Cuba (2001-2015) / Tendencies and prognosis of high blood pressure in Santiago de Cuba (2001-2015)

Se realizó una investigación observacional, descriptiva y aplicada sobre los pacientes hipertensos de Santiago de Cuba, con análisis de series temporales, que abarcó desde enero de 2001 hasta diciembre de 2014. Las variables analizadas fueron la edad y el año de ocurrencia del proceso. Toda la información utilizada se obtuvo a través de los registros de pacientes dispensarizados en el modelo 241-476, certificados de defunción y bases de datos de mortalidad MortaProf, concernientes a los años de estudio y disponibles en el Departamento de Estadísticas de la Dirección Provincial de Salud del territorio. el diagnóstico de la hipertensión arterial en Santiago de Cuba constituye un gran problema de salud, evidenciado por una disminución de la incidencia y un aumento de las tasas de prevalencia, mortalidad y letalidad atribuibles a esa afección, cuyo pronóstico en cuanto a los indicadores de morbilidad y mortalidad apunta hacia un incremento en 2015.

An observational, descriptive and applied investigation on hypertensive patients in Santiago de Cuba was carried out with temporary series analysis that spanned from January, 2001 to December, 2014. The analyzed variables were the age and the year when the process occurred. All the used information was obtained through the patients records categorization in the 241-476 pattern, death certificates and MortaProf mortality databases, concerning the years of study and available in the Health Provincial Direction Statistics Department of the territory. The hypertension diagnosis in Santiago de Cuba constitutes a great health problem, evidenced by a decrease of the incidence and an increase of the prevalence, mortality and fatality rates attributable to that disorder whose prognosis as for the morbidity and mortality indicators points toward an increment in 2015.

[Prevalence of burnout syndrome among anesthesiologists in the Federal District]. / Prevalência de síndrome de burnout entre os anestesiologistas do Distrito Federal.

BACKGROUND: burnout syndrome is a result of chronic stress, characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and sense of low professional accomplishment. It affects workers under extreme responsibility or those who care for individuals at risk, including anesthesiologists who distanced themselves from the work, patients and colleagues because they feel safer in maintaining indifference. OBJECTIVE: evaluate the prevalence of burnout syndrome and the intensity of its components and identify the characteristics of those with the syndrome among anesthesiologists in the Federal District. METHOD: cross-sectional study with 241 anesthesiologists enrolled in the Society of Anesthesiology of the Federal District. A self-administered questionnaire was used, which included the Maslach Burnout Inventory, demographic, professional, and leisure data. RESULTS: of the 134 completed questionnaires (55.8%), there was a predominance of male (65.6%), aged 30-50 years (67.9%). Significant lower levels of job satisfaction (47.7%), depersonalization (28.3%), and emotional exhaustion (23.1%) were found. Burnout syndrome showed a prevalence of 10.4%, occurring mainly in men (64.2%), aged 30-50 years (64.2%), with over ten years of experience (64.2%), working in night shifts (71.4%), sedentary (57.1%), and not taking courses unrelated to medicine (78.5%). Of the participants, 50.7% had at least one of three criteria to develop the syndrome and only 8.2% have a low risk to manifest it. CONCLUSION: the prevalence of burnout is relevant among anesthesiologists in the Federal District. It is advisable to seek strategies for labor restructuring to reduce stress factors and loss of motivation and increase job satisfaction.

Registro para la localización y caracterización de la discapacidad, en relación a los marcos de referencia / Local de inscrição e caracterização de deficiência em conexão com quadros de referencia / Registration for location and characterization of disability in connection with frames of reference

Objetivo: Analizar el Registro para la Localización y la Caracterización de las personas con discapacidad, en relación a los marcos de referencia. Metodología: Investigación de tipo descriptiva transversal, desarrollada entre los años 2009-2010 en la Universidad de Boyacá, que contempla la aplicación del registro en los municipios del departamento y posterior interpretación de la información, con análisis de contenido y estadístico descriptivo; este último, realizado con base en los datos suministrados por el Departamento Nacional de Estadísticas y por el Ministerio de Salud y Protección Social, de los 123 municipios de Boyacá (42.705 registros), denominado “Análisis del Registro para la Localización y la Caracterización de las personas con discapacidad, en relación con los marcos de referencia en el departamento de Boyacá”. Resultados: La distribución de las preguntas del registro, se focalizan en detectar las características correspondientes al marco de protección social básica con el 58,42%, el cual se centra en la subsistencia, protección y afecto; con un 38,20% y en segunda instancia, se ubica el marco de compensación y cohesión social y finalmente, se encuentra el marco de equiparación y desarrollo local con un 3,37%. De igual forma, se observa que el predominio de las personas con discapacidad, es del sexo femenino mayor de 60 años, ubicada en el área rural dispersa, con bajos niveles de escolaridad y escasa participación laboral y social. Conclusiones: Se evidenció que la mayor cantidad de preguntas que contiene el registro, corresponden al marco denominado de protección social básica, que busca conocer las características sociodemográficas, funcionales y de salud de la población...

Produção da informação sobre mortalidade por causas externas: sentidos e significados no preenchimento da declaração de óbito / Production of information on mortality from external causes: meanings and significances in the filling out of death certificates

The study sought to understand the meanings and significances that physicians attribute to the Death Certificate (DO) and the implications of subjectivity in the production of information on mortality. Guided by qualitative research, semi-structured interviews and content analysis, techniques were chosen for understanding representations and experiences involved in the filling out of the DO. The results revealed that different meanings and significances are attributed to the DO depending on how death occurred, in accordance with the different attributes the document acquires from a practical standpoint, in terms of 'epidemiological' and 'legal' functions. The results suggest that the DO used as a technical and objective instrument for data collection and production of health statistics does not lack subjectivity, which turns it into an instrument that in the medical practice and social reality reflects cultural issues, the social position of the subjects who fill it out and their representations of death.

O estudo objetivou compreender os sentidos e os significados que os médicos atribuem à Declaração de Óbito (DO) e as implicações da subjetividade na produção da informação sobre mortalidade. Orientada pela pesquisa qualitativa, a entrevista semiestruturada e a análise de conteúdo foram eleitas como técnicas para compreensão das representações e experiências que envolvem o preenchimento da DO. Os resultados revelaram que diferentes sentidos e significados são imputados à DO dependendo da forma como o óbito ocorreu e de acordo com as distintas atribuições que esse documento adquire do ponto de vista prático, a exemplo das funções 'epidemiológica' e 'jurídico/legal'. Os resultados sugerem que a 'DO' utilizada como um instrumento técnico e objetivo para coleta de dados e produção de estatísticas de saúde, não é desconstituída de subjetividade, tornando-se, na prática médica e na realidade social, um instrumento que refletirá questões culturais, o lugar social do sujeito que a preenche e as suas representações sobre a morte.

Mortalidade masculina em três capitais brasileiras, 1979 a 2007 / Male mortality in three Brazilian State Capitals, 1979-2007

INTRODUÇÃO: No Brasil, verifica-se maior mortalidade masculina em praticamente todas as idades e na quase totalidade das causas. OBJETIVO: Estimar e descrever a tendência da mortalidade masculina, entre 1979 e 2007, em São Paulo (SP), Rio de Janeiro (RJ) e Porto Alegre (RS). MATERIAL E MÉTODO: As populações de estudo referem-se aos residentes nas três capitais, nos triênios 1979/81, 1990/92, 1999/2001 e 2005/07 e respectivos óbitos. As fontes de dados incluíram Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística e Sistemas de Informações em Saúde do Brasil. Calcularam-se os coeficientes de mortalidade gerais e específicos (brutos e padronizados). RESULTADOS: Verificaram-se declínio da proporção de crianças e de jovens e crescimento da proporção de idosos. Até 24 anos, os homens predominaram na população; a partir daí observaram-se maiores participações femininas e razões de sexos cada vez mais baixas, evidenciando, entre idosos, maior presença de mulheres, fato associado à elevada mortalidade masculina. Houve perda intensa de jovens por causas externas. Em 2005/07, este grupo correspondeu à principal causa de morte masculina até a faixa de 40-44 anos. Nos grupos etários seguintes, as doenças circulatórias foram a principal causa. CONSIDERAÇÕES FINAIS: As localidades evidenciam características de cidades em desenvolvimento, com redução da fecundidade, aumento da sobrevivência e envelhecimento populacional. As estimativas do elevado risco de morrer dos homens tornam clara sua vulnerabilidade, demandando ações que possibilitem redução da mortalidade por causas evitáveis, eliminando comportamentos de risco e incentivando ...

INTRODUCTION: In Brazil, there is a higher male mortality in almost all ages and causes. The objective is to estimate and describe the trend in male mortality, between 1979/2007, in three State Capitals (São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Porto Alegre). METHODS: The study populations refer to the residents in the three cities, in 1979/1981, 1990/1992, 1999/2001 and 2005/2007, and their deaths. The data source was Health Information System of the Brazilian Ministry of Health. Overall (crude/standardized) and specific mortality coefficients were calculated. RESULTS: Up to 24 years, men predominate in the population; after, it has been observed higher female participation and gender ratios ever lower. This fact is associated with high male mortality and the intense involvement of young men with external causes. Throughout the series, these causes were responsible for large risk estimates of male death. In 2005/2007, this group was the leading cause of death in men until the age 40-44 years. In the following age groups, deaths by circulatory system diseases are the main cause. CONCLUSION: These capitals show features of a developing city, with reduced fertility, increased longevity and consequent trend to an aging population. Estimates of the men high risk of dying make clear their vulnerability. The intensity with these events occur demand actions that will reduce the mortality rates of preventable diseases and the men's risky behaviors. It is necessary that men adopt healthier lifestyles habits, thus increasing life expectancy and reducing the gender differences in mortalities. .

Mortalidade perinatal em hospitais do Estado de São Paulo: aspectos metodológicos e algumas características maternas e do concepto / Perinatal mortality in hospitals of the State of São Paulo: methodological aspects and some characteristics of mothers and conceptuses

OBJECTIVE: to verify perinatal mortality and its associated components in an investigation about the history of gestations/deliveries. METHODS: the study was carried out at six maternity hospitals in the State of São Paulo that were interested in participating in the research. The population was composed of 7,058 women, of whom 6,530 gave birth, the number of conceptuses was 6,602: 56 stillbirths and 6,546 live births, of which 28 died in the first week of life. Variables related to the mother, the pregnancy, the delivery and the conceptus were studied. RESULTS: the perinatal mortality coefficient was 12.7 per 1,000 births, 66.7% of the conceptuses were stillbirths and 33.3% were live births who died aged less than 7 days at the same hospital where they were born. Approximately 27% of the conceptuses were children of adolescent mothers and 44% of the mothers were primigravidae. Prenatal assistance was attended by 92% of the women, type of pregnancy showed 67.8% of preterm gestations with similar proportions for each one of the components. The coefficient for twin gestations was more than four times higher than the coefficient for mothers of singleton gestations. Regarding type of delivery, Cesarean sections corresponded to 31.1% of the total, and it is important to notice that there was a non-negligible amount of surgical deliveries in mothers whose product was a stillbirth. The coefficient according to sex was higher for males (1.8: 1), and as for birth weight, the highest proportion occurred among those who weighed less than 2,500g (67.9%). CONCLUSIONS: there was a relationship of the proportion of neonatal deaths in the first hours of life and the proportion of fetal deaths to the quality of the care offered in the women's pregnancy-puerperal cycle...

OBJETIVO: verificar a mortalidade perinatal e seus componentes associados em investigação sobre a história das gestações/partos. MÉTODO: o estudo foi feito em seis maternidades do Estado de São Paulo que manifestaram interesse em participar. A população foi composta de 7.058 mulheres, das quais 6.530 tiveram parto; o número de conceptos foi 6.602, sendo 56 nascidos mortos e 6.546 nascidos vivos, dos quais 28 morreram na primeira semana de vida. Variáveis relativas à mãe, à gravidez e ao parto e ao concepto foram estudadas. RESULTADOS: o coeficiente de mortalidade perinatal foi igual a 12,7 por mil nascimentos; 66,7% dos conceptos foram nascidos mortos e 33,3%, nascidos vivos, que morreram com menos de sete dias, no mesmo hospital em que nasceram. Cerca de 27% dos conceptos eram filhos de mães adolescentes e 44% eram primigestas. O pré-natal foi realizado por 92% das mulheres; o tipo de gestação mostrou 67,8% de gravidezes de pré-termo com proporções semelhantes para cada um dos componentes. O coeficiente para gestações duplas foi mais de quatro vezes o correspondente aos de mães de gestações únicas. Quanto ao tipo de parto, cesarianas corresponderam a 31,1% do total, sendo importante notar quantidade não desprezível de partos cirúrgicos em mães com produto nascido morto. O coeficiente segundo sexo mostrou-se maior no masculino (1,8: 1) e quanto ao peso ao nascer, a maior proporção ocorreu entre os que pesaram menos de 2.500g (67,9%). CONCLUSÕES: houve relação entre a proporção dos óbitos neonatais nas primeiras horas de vida e a de óbitos fetais com a qualidade da assistência oferecida no ciclo gravídico puerperal das mulheres...