Prevalence of trachoma in the non-indigenous Baixo Jaguaribe micro-region, Ceará State, Northeast Brazil.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the current study was to estimate the population prevalence of trachoma in non-indigenous populations in the Baixo Jaguaribe micro-region, in the state of Ceará, northeast region of Brazil, 2021-2022. METHODS: A population-based prevalence survey focusing on detecting cases of trachomatous inflammation-follicular (TF) in children aged 1-9 y and trachomatous trichiasis (TT) 'unknown to the health system' in people aged ≥15 y, was conducted in rural areas of the Baixo Jaguaribe micro-region in the state of Ceará. Indigenous populations will be further researched. RESULTS: There was no detection of cases of TF and TT. In 900 households, 2234 people were examined. In the Baixo Jaguaribe micro-region, females (54.6%; 1219/2234) and the mixed/Pardo-Brazilian ethnicity (68.1%; 1521/2234) predominated. The most commonly reported educational level was elementary and middle school (41.8%; 702/1679). In 56.2% (506/900) of households, there was a source of water within the household. The monthly income range of 50%-100% of the minimum wage predominated in the families of the Baixo Jaguaribe micro-region (43.1%; 388/900). CONCLUSIONS: Although no cases of TF and TT were detected in the Baixo Jaguaribe micro-region in the state of Ceará during the study period, considering the historical endemicity, we emphasise the need for monitoring and sustainability of surveillance actions in areas at risk for trachoma, common contexts for neglected populations.

Weight-Gain Velocity in Newborn Infants Managed with the Kangaroo Method and Associated Variables.

Objectives The Kangaroo method helps promote maternal breastfeeding and adequate growth of low birthweight preterm infants. The objective of this study was to analyze the association between weight-gain velocity during use of the Kangaroo method and maternal and infant variables. Methods A nested cross-sectional study in a cohort of newborn infants managed using the Kangaroo method was carried out at a reference center for the method in Brazil. Data on low birthweight and preterm infants managed using the Kangaroo Method (n = 78) and on their respective mothers (n = 70) was collected between January and July 2014. Maternal and infant variables were associated and correlated with weight-gain velocity (g/kg/day) at each phase of the method (p < 0.05). Results Mean weight-gain velocity increased from 0.12 ± 11.11 g/kg/day in the first phase to 13.47 ± 4.84 g/kg/day in the third phase (p < 0.001), and percentage of adequate weight increased at phase 3 (p < 0.001). Birthweight was inversely correlated with weight-gain velocity at phases 1 and 2 of the Kangaroo method. Birthweight of under 1500 g was associated with a lower likelihood of inadequate weight-gain velocity of the newborn at phase 1 (OR = 0.1; 95 % CI 0.01-0.78; p = 0.012). In phase 3, maternal age was directly correlated with weight-gain velocity. Conclusions Weight-gain velocity was associated with maternal (age) and infant (gestational age at birth, birthweight, weight for gestational age at birth, length of hospital stay and five-minute Apgar score) variables. Knowledge of the factors influencing weight-gain velocity and its behavior at each phase of the method can help guide conduct toward potentializing factors that promote adequate weight-gain.

[Linkage between live birth and infant death records in a municipality in Northeast Brazil: quality of the information system]. / Linkage entre bancos de dados de nascidos vivos e óbitos infantis em município do Nordeste do Brasil: qualidade dos sistemas de informação.

The objective was to analyze the quality of the information systems for live births (SINASC) and mortality (SIM) based on database linkages. SINASC contained 11,182 certificates of live birth (CLB) from Jan. 1, 2000, to Dec. 31, 2002, and the SIM database recorded 233 death certificates (DC) for infants (< one year of age) from Jan. 1, 2000, to Dec. 31, 2003, 207 infant death investigations from Jan. 1, 2000, to Dec. 31, 2004, and 17 CLB attached to infant death investigations. Each DC was matched with a CLB through manual review. Of the 11,182 births in SINASC, 69 duplicate CLB and 3 CLB without the mother's name were eliminated. The 211 SIM/infant death investigations showed the following: 25 CLB (35.2% of deaths), 33 CLB (55.9% of deaths), 57 CLB (75% of deaths), and 4 CLB (80% of deaths). For 92 DC (43.6% of 211 deaths), matching was not possible, since there was no CLB. Infant death investigations were an important complementary source of 53 DC and 17 CLB. The study contributed to evaluation of the data quality and identification of flaws, favoring the reliability of birth and infant death records.