Negative Self-Assessment of Health in Women: Association with Sociodemographic Characteristics, Physical Inactivity and Multimorbidity.

INTRODUCTION: Women present a higher prevalence of negative self-assessment of health (NSAH) when compared to men. However, there is a gap in the literature of factors associated with NSAH in women from developing countries such as Brazil. In addition, few studies have assessed the magnitude of the association between multimorbidity and NSAH in this population. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the association between NSAH and sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle and multimorbidity in women from the Midwest region of Brazil. METHODS: A study based on data from the National Health Survey, a household survey that investigated health situation, lifestyle and risk factors for chronic diseases in the adult population of Brazil, was held. Sampling was performed in multiple stages. The selected women answered a standardized questionnaire on sociodemographic data, self-assessment of health and potential determinants. Poisson regression was used to analyze the association between NSAH and sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle and multimorbidity. A significance level of 0.05% was established. RESULTS: The study included 4233 women. The prevalence of NSAH found was 6.0% (95% Confidence Interval [95% CI]: 5.1-7.0%). There was an association between NSAH and advancing age, low schooling, physical inactivity and multimorbidity. Furthermore, there was an association between NSAH and diseases/disorders such as chronic back pain, systemic arterial hypertension, mental disorders, depression, cardiovascular diseases, stroke, cancer, hypercholesterolemia and diabetes mellitus. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of NSAH was low. A strong association was found between this variable and multimorbidity. In addition, increased age, low schooling and physical inactivity were predictors of NSAH in women.

Prevalence and Risk Factors for Self-Report Diabetes Mellitus: A Population-Based Study.

The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence and risk factors for self-reported diabetes mellitus (DM) in the adult population of the Central-West region of Brazil. In 2013, a cross-sectional study using the data from the National Health Survey and comprising 7519 individuals aged ≥18 years from the Central-West region was conducted. Participants were interviewed at their homes about sociodemographic data and risk factors for DM. To verify the risk factors with DM, the Poisson regression model was used. The analyses were performed for the total sample and stratified according to sex. The prevalence of DM was 6.5% (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 5.7-7.3). The diagnosis of self-reported DM was 4.3% in men and 7.5% in women. In the global sample, it was found that age between 40-59 years and ≥60 years, previous smoking (former smoker), self-reported hypertension, self-reported dyslipidemia, overweight, and obesity were independently associated with self-reported DM. In men, risk factors were: Age ≥ 60 years, self-reported hypertension, self-reported dyslipidemia, and obesity. In women, risk factors were: Age 30-39 years, 40-59 years, and ≥60 years, previous smoking (former smoker), self-reported hypertension, self-reported dyslipidemia, overweight, and obesity. Conclusion: The prevalence of DM was 6.5%. DM was associated with advanced age; previous smoking (former smoker), hypertension, dyslipidemia, overweight, and obesity. Some differences in risk factors between men and women were noted.

Epidemiology of Self-Reported Diabetes Mellitus in the State of Maranhão, Northeastern Brazil: Results of the National Health Survey, 2013.

Objective: To estimate the prevalence and risk factors for self-reported diabetes mellitus (DM) in adults from the State of Maranhão, Northeastern Brazil. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out with 1774 individuals aged ≥18 years participating in the National Health Survey of 2013 in Maranhão. The adults were selected by probabilistic sampling and interviewed face-to-face by in-home visits. The Poisson regression model was used to verify the factors associated with DM. Results: The prevalence of DM was 5.39% (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 3.73⁻7.73). After adjustment of the regression model for age, gender, smoking, education, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia, DM was statistically associated with age ≥60 years, female sex, low educational level, and self-report hypertension. Conclusion: The present study found the prevalence of self-reported DM similar to that estimated in the general population of Brazil. Public policies for prevention and control should intensify control, especially in the subgroups most vulnerable to DM.

Acesso aos serviços de saúde nos municípios do entorno sul do Distrito Federal / Access to health services in the southern outskirts of the Brazilian Federal District

O estudo objetivou analisar a percepção de pessoas residentes sobre o acesso aos serviços de saúde, na região do Entorno Sul da Região Integrada de Desenvolvimento do Distrito Federal e Entorno ­ RIDE/DF. Pesquisa epidemiológica descritiva, transversal do tipo inquérito domiciliar de base populacional desenvolvida em 2010 e 2011. Utilizado questionário semiestruturado previamente validado. Foram entrevistados 605 residentes dos municípios do Entorno Sul, desses 311 (51, 4%) são do sexo feminino, 215 (35,8%) possuem ensino fundamental incompleto, 163 (40,9%) procuram por atendimento de saúde em Unidades de Saúde e 166 (45,5%) buscam por atendimento de saúde em outro município. Concluiu-se que o acesso aos serviços de saúde na região é influenciado pela condição social e econômica e pelo local onde as pessoas residem o que permite aos gestores estudarem melhor o cenário, reorientar a forma de atendimento e adequar a assistência à saúde àquela população

The aim of this study was to analyze people's perception on the access to health services in the southern outskirts of the Integrated Region for the Development of the Federal District (RIDE/DF, as per its acronym in Portuguese). A descriptive, cross-sectional, epidemiological and population-based study with a household survey design was carried out in 2010 and 2011. A semi-structured questionnaire, previously validated, was applied. A total of 605 individuals who lived in the southern outskirts of the Federal District were interviewed, of which 311 (51.4%) were female, 215 (35.8%) had incomplete primary education, 163 (40.9%) sought health services in Primary Care Units and 166 (45.5%) sought health services in another municipality. Access to health services in the region is influenced by social and economic conditions and by the place of living. These findings allow managers to better study the setting, review care services provided and meet health needs of that population.