Factors associated with multibacillary leprosy in a region of northeastern Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: The analysis of factors associated with multibacillary leprosy is important for the development of strategies to mitigate the disease, which persists as a public health problem in Brazil and the world. The objective of this study was to verify the associations between sociodemographic and clinical-epidemiological variables and multibacillary leprosy in the state of northeastern Brazil. METHODOLOGY: This is a cross-sectional, analytical, and retrospective study, with a quantitative approach, carried out in 16 municipalities in the southwest of Maranhão State, northeastern Brazil. All cases of leprosy reported between January 2008 and December 2017 were considered. Sociodemographic and clinical-epidemiological variables were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The identification of the risk factors associated with multibacillary leprosy was conducted using Poisson regression models. The prevalence ratios and respective 95% confidence intervals were estimated using regression coefficients at a 5% significance level. RESULTS: A total of 3,903 leprosy cases were analyzed. Individuals older than 15 years, males, with less than 8 years of education, with level I, II, or "not evaluated" disability, and with type 1 or 2 or both reactional states were more likely to have multibacillary leprosy. Therefore, these characteristics may be considered risk factors. No protective factors were identified. CONCLUSIONS: The investigation revealed important associations between risk factors and multibacillary leprosy. The findings can be considered during the creation of strategies to control and combat the disease.

Visceral leishmaniasis and HIV coinfection in Brazil: epidemiological profile and spatial patterns.

BACKGROUND: Geographical overlap of human visceral leishmaniasis (HVL) and HIV infection favors occurrences of HVL/HIV coinfection. The increasing numbers of cases of HVL/HIV coinfection are a worldwide concern and knowledge of the factors involved can help in developing preventive measures. METHODS: We aimed to identify spatial patterns and describe the epidemiological profile of HVL/HIV coinfection in Brazil from 2007 to 2015. This was an ecological study, in which thematic maps were created through geoprocessing tools, based on secondary data obtained from open-access platforms, to identify priority areas for interventions for controlling HLV/HIV coinfection, using the TerraView 4.2.2 software. RESULTS: We found spatial autocorrelations between the HVL/HIV rates of neighboring municipalities according to the global Moran index (0.10; p<0.01). The highest HVL/HIV rate was in the central-western region. Among the epidemiological characteristics according to the regions, an increasing trend in the annual variation rate was observed, with positive values over the years and statistical significance (p<0.05) in the North with 1.62 (95% CI 0.57 to 2.69; p=0.02) and Northeast with 6.41 (95% CI 2.60 to 10.37; p=0.006). Similarly, increasing trends were observed in the states of Maranhão with 21.34 (95% CI 13.99 to 9.16; p<0.001) and Sergipe with 5.44 (95% CI 0.61 to 10.50; p=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed spatial overlap between occurrences of HVL and HIV with spatial patterns of HVL/HIV coinfection, thus revealing that the numbers of cases reported are increasing. Identifying areas with higher coinfection indices contributes to applying interventions and control measures among targeted populations, to prevent new cases.

Avaliação do uso de álbum seriado sobre amamentação como estratégia de intervenção educativa no puerpério / Evaluation of the use of a flipchart about breastfeeding as an educational intervention strategy in the puerperium

Introdução: A amamentação é um ato que vai além de nutrir a criança. A implementação de tecnologias educacionais pode favorecer a promoção do aleitamento materno. Objetivo: Avaliar o uso de álbum seriado sobre amamentação com estratégia de intervenção educativa no puerpério imediato entre puérperas de maternidade pública de acordo com o perfil sociodemográfico e obstétrico. Materiais e métodos: Estudo quase-experimental de modelo pré e pós-teste com único grupo, realizado entre novembro de 2019 e março de 2020. Dados coletados através da escala de autoeficácia em aleitamento materno Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale ­ short form. Avaliou-se a quantidade de mulheres em alta autoeficácia antes e depois da intervenção. Por não apresentarem normalidade e/ou homogeneidade de variância, foram realizados testes não paramétricos de Kruskal-Wallis com post-hoc de Nemenyi. Resultados: Os resultados demonstraram que houve aumento da autoeficácia após a intervenção, sobretudo em puérperas menores de 18 anos, com Ensino Fundamental, donas de casa, com menos de seis consultas, as orientadas sobre amamentação no pré-natal e as que não amamentaram anteriormente. Discussão: O perfil sociodemográfico das genitoras pode representar influência sobre a autoeficácia na amamentação. Conclusão: a tecnologia educativa foi eficaz no aumento da autoeficácia materna em amamentar no puerpério imediato.

Introduction: Breastfeeding is an act that goes beyond nourishing the child. The implementation of educational technologies can favor the promotion of breastfeeding. Objective: To evaluate the use of a flipchart about breastfeeding as an educational intervention strategy in the immediate postpartum period among mothers in a public maternity hospital according to their sociodemographic and obstetric profile. Materials and Methods: Quasi-experimental study of a pre- and post-test model with a single group, carried out between November 2019 and March 2020. Data collected through the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale ­ short form. The number of women with high self-efficacy before and after the intervention was evaluated. As they did not show normality and/or homogeneity of variance, non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis tests with post-hoc Nemenyi tests were performed. Results: The results showed that there was an increase in self-efficacy after the intervention, especially in puerperal women under 18 years of age, with Elementary Education, housewives, with less than six consultations, those oriented about breastfeeding during prenatal care and those who had not previously breastfed. Discussion: The sociodemographic profile of mothers may influence self-efficacy in breastfeeding. Conclusion: educational technology was effective in increasing maternal self-efficacy in breastfeeding in the immediate puerperium.

Introducción: La lactancia materna es un acto que va más allá de nutrir al niño. La implementación de tecnologías educativas puede favorecer la promoción de la lactancia materna. Objetivo: Evaluar el uso de un rotafolio sobre lactancia materna como estrategia de intervención educativa en el puerperio inmediato en puérperas de una maternidad pública según su perfil sociodemográfico y obstétrico. Materiales y Métodos: Estudio cuasiexperimental de un modelo de pre y post test con un solo grupo, realizado entre noviembre de 2019 y marzo de 2020. Datos recolectados a través de la Escala de Autoeficacia en Lactancia Materna ­ forma corta. Se evaluó el número de mujeres con alta autoeficacia antes y después de la intervención. Debido a que no mostraron normalidad y/u homogeneidad de varianza, se realizaron pruebas no paramétricas de Kruskal-Wallis con pruebas post-hoc de Nemenyi. Resultados: Los resultados mostraron que hubo un aumento en la autoeficacia después de la intervención, especialmente en las puérperas menores de 18 años, con Educación Primaria, amas de casa, con menos de seis consultas, las orientadas sobre lactancia materna durante el prenatal y las que tenían no amamantado previamente. Discusión: El perfil sociodemográfico de las madres puede influir en la autoeficacia en la lactancia. Conclusión: la tecnología educativa fue efectiva para aumentar la autoeficacia materna en la lactancia materna en el puerperio inmediato.

Tuberculosis/HIV co-infection in Northeastern Brazil: Prevalence trends, spatial distribution, and associated factors.

INTRODUCTION: The objective was to analyze the prevalence trend, spatial distribution, and TB-HIV co-infection-associated factors in an endemic scenario for TB in Northeastern Brazil. METHODS: An ecological and temporal series study was conducted based on secondary data obtained from the Brazilian Notifiable Diseases Information System between January 2008 and December 2019. The prevalence rates were determined for each year and the average for the period. Prais-Winsten regressions were used for temporal variation analysis, scanning techniques were used to detect spatial clusters, and the Poisson regression model was used to explore the factors associated with the outcome. RESULTS: A total of 947 TB cases were reported, of which 501 (52.9%) underwent HIV testing, and of these, 73 were positive. The average prevalence was 20.0%, ranging from 1.5% in 2018 to 44.4% in 2009. A decreasing trend was found. Sixty-seven cases (92%) were geocoded, and two statistically significant (p < 0.005) high relative risk (RR) spatial clusters were detected. Statistically significant associations (p < 0.05) between the co-infection and variables such as male gender, living in the urban area, entry due to relapse, and case closure due to loss to follow-up were evidenced, and these variables constituted risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: A decreasing prevalence of TB-HIV co-infection has been found, as well as a heterogeneous spatial distribution with the formation of spatial clusters in urban areas characterized by socio-spatial inequalities associated with clinical-epidemiological factors. Such findings provide subsidies for rethinking health care activities and improving public policies for vulnerable populations.

Effects of Cashew Nut (Anacardium occidentale L.) Seed Flour in Moderately Malnourished Children: Randomized Clinical Trial.

The monitoring and combined use of dietary supplements to restore adequate growth are paramount and highly recommended in child malnutrition, an important public health problem. The objective of this study was to analyze the effects of cashew nut seed flour in children with moderate malnutrition, treated at primary healthcare services. This is a randomized clinical trial conducted from April to October 2017 in the city of Imperatriz, Brazil. The sample comprised 30 children born at term, aged between 2 and 5 years, and newly diagnosed with malnutrition (60 days or less), randomized into experimental and control groups. The intervention consisted of daily intake of cashew nut seed flour. There was intragroup statistically significant difference in the glucose levels of children who were assigned to the control group (p=0.02) and in the glycated hemoglobin in the experimental group (p < 0.01). Intergroup analysis of glycated hemoglobin levels showed statistically significant differences in favor of the experimental group (p=0.01). HDL and LDL had, respectively, increased and decreased in the experimental group. The use of cashew nut seed flour in a 24-week period had positive effects on glycated hemoglobin, HDL, and LDL parameters in moderately malnourished children.

Population structure and genetic and phenotypic trends of Guzera in Northeast of Brazil / Estrutura populacional e tendências genéticas e fenotípicas da raça Guzerá no Nordeste do Brasil

The aim of this work was to evaluate the relationship of the population structure with the observed genetic progress for growth traits to Guzera beef cattle raised in the Northeast Region of Brazil. Pedigree data and weights adjusted to 205; 365 and 550 days of age of animals born from 1976 to 2007 were used. The intervals of generations per gamete passage were: 7.54.5 (Father-Son), 7.94.8 (Father-Daughter), 7.84.2 (Mother-Son), 7,93.9 (Mother-Daughter), with a mean interval of 7.9±4.4 years. The inbreeding coefficient showed the greatest growth from the second to the seventh generation, when increased from 0.17% to 2.06%, however, the average inbreeding in inbred animals decreased from 15.66% to 6.75% during the same period. The effective size presented values between 197 and 674 and along with the low inbreeding, they evidenced great potential for genetic gain. The generation interval was high, recommending the use of young bulls for decrease this interval and increase the genetic gains. The heritabilities indicate the possibility to reach genetic gains by selecting animals mainly for weights at 365 and 550 days of age. The significantly phenotypic gains should be attributed to improvements in the environment.

Objetivou-se avaliar a estrutura populacional e a relação desta com o progresso genético ocorrido em características de crescimento em rebanhos da raça Guzerá do Nordeste do Brasil. Foram utilizadas informações de pedigree e dados do peso corporal ajustado para 205, 365 e 550 dias de idade de animais nascidos no período de 1976 a 2007. O intervalo médio de geração por passagem gamética foi de 7,9 ± 4,4 anos, assim estratificado: Pai-Filho (7,54,5 anos); Pai-Filha (7,94,8); Mãe-Filho (7,84,2) e Mãe-Filha (7,93,9 anos). O coeficiente de endogamia apresentou tendência a crescer da segunda até a sétima geração, a passar de 0,17% para 2,06%, mas, ao se considerar apenas os animais endogâmicos, observou-se que o coeficiente médio de endogamia diminuiu, de 15,66% para 6,75% no período. O intervalo de geração foi alto. Para reduzi-lo é recomendável a utilização de touros jovens. O tamanho efetivo de população da raça na região foi entre 197 e 674 animais. Se analisado juntamente com a tendência de redução da endogamia nas últimas três décadas, evidencia existir potencial para ganho genético por seleção na raça, visto que o coeficiente de herdabilidade do peso corporal aos 365 e 550 dias de idade foi de tamanho moderado. Pela análise da tendência do ganho genético nas características do período avaliado, constatou-se que foi pequena diante de ganho fenotípico alto, o que indica qu

Population structure and genetic and phenotypic trends of Guzera in Northeast of Brazil / Estrutura populacional e tendências genéticas e fenotípicas da raça Guzerá no Nordeste do Brasil

The aim of this work was to evaluate the relationship of the population structure with the observed genetic progress for growth traits to Guzera beef cattle raised in the Northeast Region of Brazil. Pedigree data and weights adjusted to 205; 365 and 550 days of age of animals born from 1976 to 2007 were used. The intervals of generations per gamete passage were: 7.54.5 (Father-Son), 7.94.8 (Father-Daughter), 7.84.2 (Mother-Son), 7,93.9 (Mother-Daughter), with a mean interval of 7.9±4.4 years. The inbreeding coefficient showed the greatest growth from the second to the seventh generation, when increased from 0.17% to 2.06%, however, the average inbreeding in inbred animals decreased from 15.66% to 6.75% during the same period. The effective size presented values between 197 and 674 and along with the low inbreeding, they evidenced great potential for genetic gain. The generation interval was high, recommending the use of young bulls for decrease this interval and increase the genetic gains. The heritabilities indicate the possibility to reach genetic gains by selecting animals mainly for weights at 365 and 550 days of age. The significantly phenotypic gains should be attributed to improvements in the environment.

Objetivou-se avaliar a estrutura populacional e a relação desta com o progresso genético ocorrido em características de crescimento em rebanhos da raça Guzerá do Nordeste do Brasil. Foram utilizadas informações de pedigree e dados do peso corporal ajustado para 205, 365 e 550 dias de idade de animais nascidos no período de 1976 a 2007. O intervalo médio de geração por passagem gamética foi de 7,9 ± 4,4 anos, assim estratificado: Pai-Filho (7,54,5 anos); Pai-Filha (7,94,8); Mãe-Filho (7,84,2) e Mãe-Filha (7,93,9 anos). O coeficiente de endogamia apresentou tendência a crescer da segunda até a sétima geração, a passar de 0,17% para 2,06%, mas, ao se considerar apenas os animais endogâmicos, observou-se que o coeficiente médio de endogamia diminuiu, de 15,66% para 6,75% no período. O intervalo de geração foi alto. Para reduzi-lo é recomendável a utilização de touros jovens. O tamanho efetivo de população da raça na região foi entre 197 e 674 animais. Se analisado juntamente com a tendência de redução da endogamia nas últimas três décadas, evidencia existir potencial para ganho genético por seleção na raça, visto que o coeficiente de herdabilidade do peso corporal aos 365 e 550 dias de idade foi de tamanho moderado. Pela análise da tendência do ganho genético nas características do período avaliado, constatou-se que foi pequena diante de ganho fenotípico alto, o que indica qu