Associação entre o contexto escolar e a ocorrência de múltiplos parceiros sexuais: um estudo transversal com análise multinível / Association between school context and occurrence of multiple sexual partners: cross-sectional study with multilevel analysis

Resumo O estudo investiga a associação entre o contexto escolar e a ocorrência de múltiplos parceiros entre adolescentes, considerando as variáveis individuais. Estudo transversal com análise multinível, realizado no período de fevereiro a junho de 2018 com estudantes de 14 a 19 anos. A variável desfecho (múltiplos parceiros sexuais) foi coletada com base no questionário Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS). As variáveis do contexto escolar foram tempo na escola (escola regular vs escola integral/semi-integral) e índice de vulnerabilidade social (IVS) do bairro onde a escola está localizada. De 2.500 participantes, 1.044 foram analisados por serem sexualmente ativos. A maioria dos adolescentes (63,89%) teve dois ou mais parceiros. Estudantes de escola regular (mínimo de 4h diárias) tiveram mais chances (OR 1.47, IC 1.10-1.97) de terem múltiplos parceiros sexuais quando comparados àqueles de escola integral/semi-integral (mínimo de 7h diárias). Porém, não houve associação em relação ao IVS dos bairros das escolas (OR 1.18, IC 0.82-1.70). Maior tempo na escola esteve associado a menor chance de múltiplos parceiros sexuais, enquanto estudar em escolas localizadas em bairro de alta vulnerabilidade não esteve associado à ocorrência de múltiplos parceiros sexuais entre adolescentes.

Abstract The objective was to investigate the association between the school context and the occurrence of multiple partners among adolescents, considering individual variables (age, gender, Bolsa Família, LGB, early sexual initiation and use of alcohol or drugs in the last sex). Cross-sectional study with multilevel analysis carried out in 2018 with adolescent students from Olinda, Brazil. The variable (multiple partners) was collected based on the 'Youth Risk Behavior Survey' questionnaire. School context variables were time in school (regular school vs. full/semi-full school) and the Social Vulnerability Index of the school district. Of 2,500 participants, 1,044 were analyzed for being sexually active and most had two or more partners (63.89%). Regular school students were more likely (OR 1.47, CI 1.10-1.97) to have multiple sexual partners compared to those in full-day schools/half-day schools. However, no association was found in relation to the SVI of the schools' neighborhoods (OR 1.18, IC 0.82-1.70). More time spent at school was associated with fewer chances of multiple sexual partners, while studying in schools located in highly vulnerable neighborhoods was not associated with the occurrence of multiple sexual partners among adolescents.

Multidimensional Machine Learning Model to Calculate a COVID-19 Vulnerability Index.

In Colombia, the first case of COVID-19 was confirmed on 6 March 2020. On 13 March 2023, Colombia registered 6,360,780 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19, representing 12.18% of the total population. The National Administrative Department of Statistics (DANE) in Colombia published in 2020 a COVID-19 vulnerability index, which estimates the vulnerability (per city block) of being infected with COVID-19. Unfortunately, DANE did not consider multiple factors that could increase the risk of COVID-19 (in addition to demographic and health), such as environmental and mobility data (found in the related literature). The proposed multidimensional index considers variables of different types (unemployment rate, gross domestic product, citizens' mobility, vaccination data, and climatological and spatial information) in which the incidence of COVID-19 is calculated and compared with the incidence of the COVID-19 vulnerability index provided by DANE. The collection, data preparation, modeling, and evaluation phases of the Cross-Industry Standard Process for Data Mining methodology (CRISP-DM) were considered for constructing the index. The multidimensional index was evaluated using multiple machine learning models to calculate the incidence of COVID-19 cases in the main cities of Colombia. The results showed that the best-performing model to predict the incidence of COVID-19 in Colombia is the Extra Trees Regressor algorithm, obtaining an R-squared of 0.829. This work is the first step toward a multidimensional analysis of COVID-19 risk factors, which has the potential to support decision making in public health programs. The results are also relevant for calculating vulnerability indexes for other viral diseases, such as dengue.

Vulnerabilidade social e ocorrência de doenças diarreicas agudas em uma Região de Saúde de Pernambuco / Social vulnerability and occurrence of acute diarrheal diseases in a Health Region of Pernambuco / Vulnerabilidad social y presencia de enfermedades diarreicas agudas en una Región de Salud de Pernambuco

As doenças diarreicas agudas (DDA) são consideradas um grave problema de saúde pública mundial. No Brasil, elas afetam de forma desproporcional a população, majoritariamente as que se encontram expostas a condicionantes de determinação social que expressam sua vulnerabilidade. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a ocorrência de casos de DDA nos municípios da XII Região de Saúde do estado de Pernambuco e sua correlação com os indicadores de vulnerabilidade social de seus municípios. Trata-se de um estudo de natureza epidemiológica e de caráter analítico ecológico realizado na XII Região de Saúde do estado de Pernambuco, no período de 2016 a 2020. Os dados foram coletados no Sistema de Informação da Vigilância Epidemiológica de Doenças Diarreicas Agudas e no Atlas da Vulnerabilidade Social do Instituto de Pesquisa Econômica Aplicada. Foram utilizados o coeficiente de correlação de Pearson e a regressão linear simples. Verificou-se correlação negativa estatisticamente significante entre a ocorrência de casos de DDA e os índices de vulnerabilidade social de renda e trabalho (p = 0,029). Concluiu-se que a alta vulnerabilidade social de renda e trabalho da população comprova sua relação com as DDA, sendo necessária a criação de políticas públicas mais eficientes para sua prevenção e controle.

Acute diarrheal diseases (ADD) are considered a serious public health problem worldwide. In Brazil, they disproportionately affect the population, mostly those that are exposed to conditions of social determination that express their social vulnerability. The objective of this study was to analyze the occurrence of ADD cases in the municipalities of the XII Health Region of the state of Pernambuco and its correlation with the indexes of social vulnerability in their municipalities. This is an epidemiological study with an ecological analytical character carried out in the XII Health Region of the state of Pernambuco, from 2016 to 2020. Data were collected from the Information System of the Epidemiological Surveillance of Acute Diarrheal Diseases and the Atlas of Social Vulnerability of the Institute of Applied Economic Research. Pearson's correlation coefficient and simple linear regression were used. There was a statistically significant negative correlation between the occurrence of ADD cases and the indexes of social vulnerability of income and work (p = 0.029). In conclusion, the population's high social vulnerability in terms of income and work proved its relationship with ADD, making it necessary to create more efficient public policies for its prevention and control.

Las enfermedades diarreicas agudas (EDA) son un grave problema de salud pública a nivel mundial. En Brasil, afectan de manera desproporcionada a la población, en su mayoría las que están expuestas a condicionantes de determinación social que expresan su vulnerabilidad. El objetivo de este estudio es analizar la ocurrencia de casos de EDA en los municipios de la XII Región Sanitaria del estado de Pernambuco (Brasil) y su correlación con los indicadores de vulnerabilidad social en sus municipios. Se trata de un estudio epidemiológico con carácter analítico ecológico, realizado en la XII Región Sanitaria del estado de Pernambuco, en el período de 2016 a 2020. Los datos se recolectaron del Sistema de Información de Vigilancia Epidemiológica de Enfermedades Diarreicas Agudas y del Atlas de Vulnerabilidad Social del Instituto de Investigaciones Económicas Aplicadas. Se utilizaron el coeficiente de correlación de Pearson y la regresión lineal simple. Hubo una correlación negativa estadísticamente significativa entre la ocurrencia de casos de EDA y los indicadores de vulnerabilidad social ingreso y trabajo (p = 0,029). Se concluye que la alta vulnerabilidad social de ingresos y trabajo de la población demuestra su relación con las EDA, lo que hace necesario implementar políticas públicas más eficientes para su prevención y control.

Potential Epidemic Vulnerability and Socioepidemiological Profile of SARS-CoV2 in the Brazilian Northeast Region.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 is a significant public health problem that can have a negative impact, especially in vulnerable regions. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to provide evidence that could positively influence coping with COVID-19 based on the relationship between the potential epidemic vulnerability index (PEVI) and socioepidemiological variables. This could be used as a decision-making tool for the planning of preventive initiatives in regions with relevant vulnerability indices for the spread of SARS-CoV-2. METHODOLOGY: We performed a cross-sectional study, with the analysis of the population characteristics of COVID-19 cases associated with neighborhoods' PEVIs in the conurbation region of Crajubar, northeastern Brazil, through the mapping of socioeconomic-demographic factors and spatial autocorrelation. RESULTS: The PEVI distribution indicated low vulnerability in areas with high real estate and commercial value; as communities moved away from these areas, the vulnerability levels increased. As for the number of cases, three of the five neighborhoods with a high-high autocorrelation, and some other neighborhoods showed a bivariate spatial correlation with a low-low PEVI but also high-low with indicators that make up the PEVI, representing areas that could be protected by public health measures to prevent increases in COVID-19 cases. CONCLUSIONS: The impact of the PEVI revealed areas that could be targeted by public policies to decrease the occurrence of COVID-19.

Social Vulnerability of Brazilian Metropolitan Schools and Teachers' Absence from Work Due to Vocal and Psychological Symptoms: A Multilevel Analysis.

Teachers' voices and psychological symptoms are the main reasons for absence from work. The objectives of this study were: (i) to spatially represent, through a webGIS, the standardized rates of teachers' absences due to voice (outcome 1) and psychological symptoms (outcome 2) in each Brazilian Federative Unit (FU = 26 states plus Federal District) and (ii) to analyze the relationship between each national outcome rate and the Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) of the municipality where urban schools are located, adjusted for sex, age, and working conditions. This cross-sectional study comprised 4979 randomly sampled teachers working in basic education urban schools, of which 83.3% are women. The national absence rates were 17.25% for voice symptoms and 14.93% for psychological symptoms. The rates, SVI, and school locations in the 27 FUs are dynamically visualized in webGIS. The multilevel multivariate logistic regression model showed a positive association between voice outcome and high/very high SVI (OR = 1.05 [1.03; 1.07]), whereas psychological symptoms were negatively associated with high/very high SVI (OR = 0.86 [0.85 0.88]) and positively associated with intermediate SVI (OR = 1.15 [1.13; 1.16]), in contrast with low/very low SVI. Being a woman (voice: OR = 1.36 [1.35; 1.38]; psychological: 1.22 [1.21; 1.24]) and working in schools with various precarious conditions (17 variables) increased the odds of being absent due to voice and psychological symptoms. The results confirm the need for investments to improve working conditions in schools.

Mortality from diseases of the circulatory system in Brazil and its relationship with social determinants focusing on vulnerability: an ecological study.

BACKGROUND: Deaths from diseases of the circulatory system and ischemic heart diseases are declining, but slowly in developing countries, emphasizing its probable relationship with determinants of social vulnerability. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the temporal progression of mortality rates of diseases of the circulatory system and ischemic heart diseases from 1980 to 2019 and the association of the rates with the Municipal Human Development Index and Social Vulnerability Index in Brazil. METHODS: We estimated the crude and standardized mortality rates of diseases of the circulatory system and ischemic heart diseases and analyzed the relationship between the obtained data and the Municipal Human Development Index and Social Vulnerability Index. Data on deaths and population were obtained from the DATASUS. The Municipal Human Development Index and the Social Vulnerability Index of each federative unit were extracted from the websites Atlas Brazil and Atlas of Social Vulnerability, respectively. RESULTS: The age-standardized mortality rates of diseases of the circulatory system and ischemic heart diseases showed a downward trend nationwide, which was unequal across the federative units. There was an inversely proportional relationship between the standardized mortality rates of diseases of the circulatory system and ischemic heart diseases and the Municipal Human Development Index. The downward mortality trend was observed when the indices were greater than 0.70 and 0.75, respectively. The Social Vulnerability Index was directly proportional to the standardized mortality rates of diseases of the circulatory system and ischemic heart diseases. An upward mortality trend was observed with a Social Vulnerability Index greater than 0.35. CONCLUSIONS: Social determinants represented by the Municipal Human Development Index and the Social Vulnerability Index were related to mortality from diseases of the circulatory system and ischemic heart diseases across the Brazilian federative units. The units with most development and least social inequalities had the lowest mortality from these causes. The most vulnerable die the most.

Multiscale spatial analysis of headwater vulnerability in South-Central Chile reveals a high threat due to deforestation and climate change.

Headwaters represent an essential component of hydrological, ecological, and socioeconomical systems, by providing constant water streams to the complete basin. However, despite the high importance of headwaters, there is a lack of vulnerability assessments worldwide. Identifying headwaters and their vulnerability in a spatially explicit manner can enable restauration and conservation programs. In this study, we assess the vulnerability of headwaters in South-Central Chile (38.4 to 43.2°S) considering multiple degradation factors related to climate change and land cover change. We analyzed 2292 headwaters, characterizing multiple factors at five spatial scales by using remote sensing data related to Land Use and Cover Change (LUCC), human disturbances, vegetation cover, climate change, potential water demand, and physiography. We then generated an index of vulnerability by integrating all the analyzed variables, which allowed us to map the spatial distribution of headwater vulnerability. Finally, to estimate the main drivers of degradation, we performed a Principal Components Analysis with an Agglomerative Hierarchical Clustering, that allowed us to group headwaters according to the analyzed factors. The largest proportion of most vulnerable headwaters are located in the north of our study area with 48.1 %, 62.1 %, and 28.1 % of headwaters classified as highly vulnerable at 0, 10, and 30 m scale, respectively. The largest proportion of headwaters are affected by Climate Change (63.66 %) and LUCC (23.02 %) on average across all scales. However, we identified three clusters, in which the northern cluster is mainly affected by LUCC, while the Andean and Coastal clusters are mainly affected by climate change. Our results and methods present an informative picture of the current state of headwater vulnerability, identifying spatial patterns and drivers at multiple scales. We believe that the approach developed in this study could be useful for new studies in other zones of the world and can also promote Chilean headwater conservation.

El impacto del ejercicio físico adaptado en el índice de vulnerabilidad clínica funcional de los adultos mayores institucionalizados / The impact of adapted physical exercise on the functional clinical vulnerability index of institutionalized elderly / O impacto do exercício físico adaptado no índice de vulnerabilidade clínica funcional de idosos institucionalizados

RESUMEN Objetivos: Analizar el efecto del ejercicio físico adaptado sobre el índice de vulnerabilidad funcional clínica en ancianos de una institución de larga estancia. Materiales y Métodos: Este es un cuasi-experimental que se llevó a cabo en el Laboratorio de Investigación e Intervención Psicosocial (LAPIP), de la Universidad Federal de São João Del Rei (UFSJ). Se seleccionaron nueve ancianos, con una edad media de 77,6 años, con una desviación estándar de ± 5 años, quienes fueron evaluados mediante la prueba ¹ Clinical Functional Vulnerability Index (IVCF-20); ²Ponte y quítate la camiseta (VTC); ³ Realización de un lanzamiento de pelota de medicina y de levantarse y sentarse de la silla antes y después de la prueba. Resultados: Hubo una mejora significativa en las pruebas IVCF-20, con un resultado de 20.8 clasificando un puntaje de riesgo alto para 9.8 considerando personas mayores con riesgo moderado de vulnerabilidad p> 0.05; Se verificó VTC en la media preprueba de 43,2 segundos, y en la postprueba la media de 31,0 segundos, mostrando una reducción significativa, con p 0,05. Conclusiones: El ejercicio físico tiene un impacto positivo en la salud de los adultos mayores institucionalizados, proporcionando una mejora significativa en la autonomía funcional, y en el IVCF-20 posibilitando el cambio en el perfil de fragilidad.

ABSTRACT Objectives: To analyze the effect of adapted physical exercise on the index of clinical functional vulnerability in elderly of a long-stay institution. Materials and Methods: This is a quasi-experimental that was carried out in the Laboratory for Research and Psychosocial Intervention (LAPIP), of the Federal University of São João Del Rei (UFSJ). Nine elderly people were selected, with a mean age of 77.6 years, with a standard deviation of ± 5 years, who were evaluated using the ¹ Clinical Functional Vulnerability Index (IVCF-20) test; ² Putting on and taking off shirt (VTC); ³ Performing a medicine ball toss and getting up and sitting down from the chair before and after the test. Results: There was a significant improvement in the IVCF-20 tests, with a result of 20.8 classifying a high risk score for 9.8 considering older people with moderate risk of vulnerability p> 0.05; VTC was verified in the pre-test mean of 43.2 seconds, and in the post-test the mean of 31.0 seconds, showing a significant reduction, with p 0.05. Conclusions: Physical exercise has a positive impact on the health of institutionalized elderly people, providing a significant improvement in functional autonomy, and in the IVCF-20, enabling the change in the profile of frailty.

RESUMO Objetivos: Analisar o efeito do exercício físico adaptado no índice de vulnerabilidade funcional clínica em idosos de uma instituição de longa permanência. Materiais e Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo quase experimental realizado no Laboratório de Pesquisa e Intervenção Psicossocial (LAPIP), da Universidade Federal de São João Del Rei (UFSJ). Foram selecionados nove idosos, com média de idade de 77,6 anos, com desvio padrão de ± 5 anos, que foram avaliados pelo teste ¹ Índice de Vulnerabilidade Funcional Clínico (IVCF-20); ²Colocar e tirar a camisa (VTC); ³ Realizar um arremesso de bola medicinal e levantar e sentar da cadeira antes e depois do teste. Resultados: Houve melhora significativa nos testes do IVCF-20, com resultado de 20,8 classificando um escore de alto risco para 9,8 considerando idosos com risco moderado de vulnerabilidade p>0,05; A VTC foi verificada na média pré-teste de 43,2 segundos, e no pós-teste a média de 31,0 segundos, apresentando redução significativa, com p0,05. Conclusões: O exercício físico tem impacto positivo na saúde do idoso institucionalizado, proporcionando melhora significativa na autonomia funcional, e no IVCF-20, possibilitando alterar o perfil de fragilidade.

Space-time risk cluster and time trends of congenital syphilis in Brazil: an ecological study.

BACKGROUND: Congenital syphilis (CS) is a problem of great concern for public health, especially in Brazil. The aim of this study was to analyse the time trends and the space-time dynamics of morbidity and mortality from CS in Brazil. METHODS: An ecological and time series study, which included all cases and deaths from CS recorded in a national Brazilian database from 2013 to 2019 was performed. Time trends in CS incidence and mortality were assessed using segmented linear regression. Univariate global and local Moran indices and space-time scan statistics were used in the space and space-time analyses. RESULTS: A total of 183 171 cases and 2401 deaths from CS were recorded in Brazil, with the highest number of cases being observed in the Southeast Region (n=82 612 [45.1%]). Only 21.1% of pregnant mothers with syphilis received adequate treatment. There was an upward trend in CS rates among mothers ages 20-29 y (average annual percent change [AAPC] 1.4 [95% confidence interval {CI} 1.0 to 1.7]) and with <8 y of schooling (AAPC 6.6 [95% CI 5.3 to 7.9]). The primary space-time cluster involved 338 municipalities in the Southeast Region (relative risk 3.06, p<0.001) and occurred between 2017 and 2019. CONCLUSIONS: To reduce the trends in CS rates, it is necessary to develop actions to improve the quality of prenatal care and expand early diagnosis and adequate treatment of syphilis in pregnant women and their sexual partners, especially in groups with upward trends (mothers ages 20-29 y and <8 y of schooling) and living in higher-risk regions (Southeast, North and Northeast).

Characterizing global satellite-based indicators for coastal vulnerability to erosion management as exemplified by a regional level analysis from Northeast Brazil.

The detection of coastal vulnerability to erosion is crucial for decision-making regarding the economy, ecology, health, security, among other issues. Most of the studies gather a large data set about physical and anthropogenic interference's on the vulnerability of coastal erosion regions around the world. However, for developing nations like Brazil, with extensive shoreline, it is challenging to develop and maintain an in situ infrastructure to offer a systematical scientific data set. In this context, several methods like Coastal Vulnerability Index (CVI) for monitoring the dynamic behavior of coastal systems require in situ collected data. Therefore, this contribution explores the use of global open source satellite-based indicators to assess coastal vulnerability to erosion at a regional level adopting an uncorrelated orthogonal basis set of Principal Component Analysis (PCA). For this, the data set covers many spheres of the environment like biophysical and social factors, adopting the Pernambuco State's coast, Brazil, as a case study. The results showed the direct relationship between a high level of urbanization and low vegetation with the high coastal vulnerability to erosion. PC1 revealed built-up and surface temperature vary inversely to the soil organic carbon and vegetation cover along about 20 km (≈10% of the shoreline extension). The hotspots were in the urban cluster (Paulista, Olinda, Recife, and Jaboatao dos Guararapes), combined with high shoreline change around -2 m/yr. PC2 showed the natural action of wind on wave heights combined with sediment removal and the backshore settlement along 10 km of extension (≈5.5% of the shoreline), with the highly vulnerable sites concentrated in Itamaraca Island and C. S. Agostinho. This approach benefits from the multi-satellite and multi-resolution data sets integration to unravel the statistical influence of each variable able to guide stakeholders.

COVID-19 vulnerability among Brazilian sexual and gender minorities: a cross-sectional study / Vulnerabilidade à COVID-19 entre as minorias sexuais e de gênero no Brasil: um estudo transversal / Vulnerabilidad al COVID-19 entre minorías sexuales y de género en Brasil: un estudio transversal

Minority groups are more prone to worsen their personal and social vulnerabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to identify factors associated with the highest COVID-19 vulnerability in the Brazilian sexual and gender minorities. This is a cross-sectional study based on 826 respondents of the Brazilian LGBT+ Health Survey, conducted online from August to November 2020. The COVID-19 vulnerability was based on a previous vulnerability index created by an LGBT+ institution, which comprises three dimensions (income, COVID-19 exposure, and health). The outcome was the highest score quartile. Statistical analysis was based on logistic regression models. The COVID-19 vulnerability was higher in heterosexual and other scarce sexual orientations (OR = 2.34; 95%CI: 1.01-9.20, vs. homosexual), cisgender men (OR = 3.52; 95%CI: 1.35-4.44, vs. cisgender women), and those aged ≥ 50 years (OR = 3.74; 95%CI: 1.24-11.25, vs. 18-29 years old). A negative association was found with complete graduate education (OR = 0.06; 95%CI: 0.02-0.22, vs. complete high school), being white (OR = 0.44; 95%CI: 0.23-0.83), and proper facemask use (OR = 0.31; 95%CI: 0.13-0.76). Except for proper facemask use, factors associated with higher COVID-19 vulnerability are structural determinate and suggest overlapping vulnerabilities, as described by the syndemic model. It guides strategies to deal with the pandemic, which includes a joint approach to the common epidemic that affects sexual and gender minorities, broadening the intersectoral approach to decrease inequalities.

Grupos minoritários são mais propensos a fortalecer suas vulnerabilidades pessoais e sociais, aumentando a vulnerabilidade à COVID-19 durante a pandemia. Este estudo objetivou identificar fatores associados à maior vulnerabilidade à COVID-19 entre as minorias sexuais e de gênero no Brasil. Trata-se de um estudo transversal realizado com 826 entrevistados do Inquérito Nacional de Saúde LGBT+, realizado online de agosto a novembro de 2020. A vulnerabilidade à COVID-19 pautou-se em um índice de vulnerabilidade anterior criado por uma instituição LGBT+, compreendendo três dimensões (renda, exposição à COVID-19, e saúde). O resultado foi o quartil de maior pontuação. A análise estatística foi baseada em modelos de regressão logística. Vulnerabilidade à COVID-19 foi maior em heterossexuais e outras sexualidades menores (OR = 2,34; IC95%: 1,01-9,20, vs. homossexual), homens cisgênero (OR = 3,52; IC95%: 1,35-4,44, vs. mulheres cisgênero), e aqueles com 50 anos ou mais (OR = 3,74; IC95%: 1,24-11,25, vs. 18-29 anos). Verificou-se associação negativa entre ter pós-graduação (OR = 0,06; IC95%: 0,02-0,22, vs. até o Ensino Médio), ter cor de pele branca (OR = 0,44; IC95%: 0,23-0,83) e usar máscara adequada (OR = 0,31; IC95%: 0,13-0,76). Exceto pelo uso adequado da máscara, fatores associados à maior vulnerabilidade à COVID-19 são determinantes estruturais e sugerem vulnerabilidades que se sobrepõem, como descrito pelo modelo sindêmico. Ele orienta estratégias para lidar com a pandemia, que engloba uma abordagem conjunta da epidemia comum que afeta as minorias sexuais e de gênero, ampliando a abordagem intersetorial para diminuir as desigualdades.

Los grupos minoritarios son los más propensos a intensificar sus vulnerabilidades individuales y sociales, lo que aumenta la vulnerabilidad al COVID-19 durante la pandemia. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo identificar los factores asociados con mayor vulnerabilidad al COVID-19 entre las minorías sexuales y de género en Brasil. Se trata de un estudio transversal, realizado con 826 personas que respondieron la Encuesta Brasileña sobre la Salud LGBT+, aplicada en línea entre agosto y noviembre de 2020. La vulnerabilidad al COVID-19 se basó en un índice de vulnerabilidad anterior creado por una institución LGBT+, el cual comprende tres dimensiones (renta, exposición al COVID-19 y salud). El resultado fue el cuartil de mayor puntuación. El análisis estadístico se basó en modelos de regresión logística. La vulnerabilidad al COVID-19 fue mayor en heterosexuales y otras sexualidades menores (OR = 2,34; IC95%: 1,01-9,20, vs. homosexual), hombres cisgénero (OR = 3,52; IC95%: 1,35-4,44, vs. mujeres cisgénero), y los de 50 años o más (OR = 3,74; IC95%: 1,24-11,25, vs. 18-29 años). Hubo una asociación negativa entre tener un título de posgrado (OR = 0,06; IC95%: 0,02-0,22, vs. hasta la secundaria), tener color de piel blanca (OR = 0,44; IC95%: 0,23-0,83) y usar mascarilla adecuadamente (OR = 0,31; IC95%: 0,13-0,76). Excepto por el uso adecuado de mascarilla, los factores asociados con una mayor vulnerabilidad al COVID-19 son determinantes estructurales y apuntan vulnerabilidades superpuestas, tal como lo describe el modelo sindémico. Este orienta estrategias para enfrentar la pandemia, que constan de un enfoque conjunto de la epidemia común que afecta a las minorías sexuales y de género, ampliando el enfoque intersectorial para reducir las desigualdades.

Needs for a Curricular Change in Primary and Secondary Education From the One Health Perspective: A Pilot Study on Pneumonia in Schools.

This is the first pilot study on alternative conceptions and obstacles pertaining to pneumonia in adolescents of different school vulnerability indexes. Countries with low socioeconomic levels are disproportionately affected, with Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) being the second-most affected area in the world, after sub-Saharan Africa. In spite of this fact, pneumonia is not included as an important component within the contents of the microbiology curriculum unit in the natural science school program. Therefore, we wanted to study how students knew about this topic by putting One Health into action by building and validating qualitative and quantitative questionnaires, put together by different experts in pedagogy, didactics, microbiology, and veterinary to find out what students knew about pneumonia and their misconceptions about it. A total of 148 students (in 8th and 9th grade) participated in this survey. The results reveal that no statistically significant differences between the different scholar grades (p = 0.3360 Pearson chi∧2) or genders (p = 0.8000 Fisher's exact test) presented higher or lower School Vulnerability Index (SVI). Regardless of the social stratum or the level of vulnerability of the students, they have heard about this disease primarily through their family/relatives, maintaining a superficial notion of the disease, learning wrong ideas about microorganisms and treatments that can contribute to the risk to public health.

Socio-Environmental Vulnerability Index: An Application to Rio de Janeiro-Brazil.

Objectives: The concept of vulnerability has been used more frequently in several studies, in an attempt to better understand the specificities and needs of different population groups, both in environmental and socio-economical terms. The aim of this study is to identify, characterize and analyze populations in situations of socio-environmental vulnerability in the city of Rio de Janeiro, based on social, economic, environmental and public health indicators organized into a summary index - the Socio-Environmental Vulnerability Index. Methods: The methodology integrated 15 indicators in a Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis into a Geographic Information System. Results: According to our results, socio-environmental vulnerability in Rio de Janeiro is aggravated by at-risk situations and environmental degradation. These aspects are jeopardized by the population density in slum areas, where the most disadvantaged groups live in a process of environmental and urban exclusion. Conclusion: The study concludes about the importance of these tools in guiding resource allocation and their contribution to formulating and implementing more effective public policies.

Physical and geochemical characteristics of land mud volcanoes along Colombia's Caribbean coast and their societal impacts.

The Caribbean coast is characterized by the presence of mud volcanoes, a secondary phenomenon of volcanism similar to mud diapirs for its development and evolution, but different in terms of geological features and forms. These mud volcanoes are often located close to tectonic faults and oil and gas deposits. Their geological context is dominated by the presence of clay sediments and brackish water, that favors the decomposition of organic material and the formation of methane. Mud volcanoes can thus be an important reservoir of hydrocarbons. This paper aims to fill the existing gap in the knowledge of mud volcanoes (MVs) of Colombia. We analyze the physical and geochemical characteristics of nine onshore mud volcanoes located in the Departments of Atlántico (La Laguna), Bolívar (Las Palomas, La Bonga, Santa Catalina, Yerbabuena, Clemencia, and Membrillal), Cordóba (Los Olivos), and Magdalena (Cañaveral). These structures present a kaolinitic composition, except for La Laguna mud volcano in which smectite is predominant. Apart from tectonic processes, this influences the shape and size of MVs and, also, the type and frequency of eruptions. The abundance of methane in all sites confirms the thermogenic origin of these structures. MVs are often considered landscape attractions as well as a therapeutic resources, but unfortunately they also represent a serious risk for the local communities, due to the frequent unexpected, eruptions, sometimes accompanied by the release of toxic gases or by landslides, that can damage the infrastructures and hurt the population living in the area. The MVs are classified into five vulnerability classes using a novel synthetic index which could improve the understanding of risks associated with the presence of MVs in proximity to towns and infrastructures.

Spatiotemporal clustering, social vulnerability and risk of congenital syphilis in northeast Brazil: an ecological study.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the spatial distribution of congenital syphilis (CS) and its association to social vulnerability indexes in northeast Brazil. METHODS: This was an ecological study referring to all cases of CS and CS deaths recorded in the northeast region of Brazil from 2008 to 2015. Data were obtained from three Brazilian information systems. We examined statistical correlations between CS indicators by state and municipality and their socioeconomic and social vulnerability characteristics. We used Bayesian empirical local models to identify fluctuations of the indicators. Spatial statistical tests were used to identify spatial clusters and the municipalities at high risk of CS. RESULTS: The incidence of CS ranged from 2.1 cases/1000 live births (LB) in 2008 to 6.9/1000 LB in 2015, with an annual increase of 19.9% (p < 0.001). The mortality coefficient of CS ranged from 2.9/1000 LB in 2008 to 6.5/1000 LB in 2015, resulting in an annual increase of 15.1% (p < 0.001). Nine spatial clusters were identified. Cases of congenital syphilis occurred in well-defined spatiotemporal clusters and in areas with high levels of social vulnerability. CONCLUSIONS: CS incidence is associated with social vulnerability. CS control programmes should target spatial clusters and populations with high levels of social vulnerability.

COVID-19 in New Mexico Tribal Lands: Understanding the Role of Social Vulnerabilities and Historical Racisms.

The Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has disproportionally affected Indigenous Peoples. Unfortunately, there is no accurate understanding of COVID-19's impacts on Indigenous Peoples and communities due to systematic erasure of Indigenous representation in data. Early evidence suggests that COVID-19 has been able to spread through pre-pandemic mechanisms ranging from disproportionate chronic health conditions, inadequate access to healthcare, and poor living conditions stemming from structural inequalities. Using innovative data, we comprehensively investigate the impacts of COVID-19 on Indigenous Peoples in New Mexico at the zip code level. Specifically, we expand the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) to include the measures of structural vulnerabilities from historical racisms against Indigenous Peoples. We found that historically-embedded structural vulnerabilities (e.g., Tribal land status and higher percentages of house units without telephone and complete plumbing) are critical in understanding the disproportionate burden of COVID-19 that American Indian and Alaska Native populations are experiencing. We found that historically-embedded vulnerability variables that emerged epistemologically from Indigenous knowledge had the largest explanatory power compared to other social vulnerability factors from SVI and COVID-19, especially Tribal land status. The findings demonstrate the critical need in public health to center Indigenous knowledge and methodologies in mitigating the deleterious impacts of COVID-19 on Indigenous Peoples and communities, specifically designing place-based mitigating strategies.

The influence of urban heat islands and socioeconomic factors on the spatial distribution of Aedes aegypti larval habitats.

We addressed the potential associations among the temporal and spatial distribution of larval habitats of Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti, the presence of urban heat islands and socioeconomic factors. Data on larval habitats were collected in Santa Bárbara d'Oeste, São Paulo, Brazil, from 2004 to 2006, and spatial and temporal variations were analysed using a wavelet-based approach. We quantified urban heat islands by calculating surface temperatures using the results of wavelet analyses and grey level transformation from Thematic Mapper images (Landsat 5). Ae. aegypti larval habitats were geo-referenced corresponding to the wavelet analyses to test the potential association between geographical distribution of habitats and surface temperature. In an inhomogeneous spatial point process, we estimated the frequency of occurrence of larval habitats in relation to temperature. The São Paulo State Social Vulnerability Index in the municipality of Santa Barbára d'Oeste was used to test the potential association between presence of larval habitats and social vulnerability. We found abundant Ae. aegypti larval habitats in areas of higher surface temperature and social vulnerability and fewer larval habitats in areas with lower surface temperature and social vulnerability.

A heat vulnerability index to improve urban public health management in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Increased frequency and length of high heat episodes are leading to more cardiovascular issues and asthmatic responses among the population of San Juan, the capital of the island of Puerto Rico, USA. An urban heat island effect, which leads to foci of higher temperatures in some urban areas, can raise heat-related mortality. The objective of this research is to map the risk of high temperature in particular locations by creating heat maps of the city of San Juan. The heat vulnerability index (HVI) maps were developed using images collected by satellite-based remote sensing combined with census data. Land surface temperature was assessed using images from the Thermal Infrared Sensor flown on Landsat 8. Social determinants (e.g., age, unemployment, education and social isolation, and health insurance coverage) were analyzed by census tract. The data were examined in the context of land cover maps generated using products from the Puerto Rico Terrestrial Gap Analysis Project (USDA Forest Service). All variables were set in order to transform the indicators expressed in different units into indices between 0 and 1, and the HVI was calculated as sum of score. The tract with highest index was considered to be the most vulnerable and the lowest to be the least vulnerable. Five vulnerability classes were mapped (very high, high, moderate, low, and very low). The hottest and the most vulnerable tracts corresponded to highly built areas, including the Luis Munoz International Airport, seaports, parking lots, and high-density residential areas. Several variables contributed to increased vulnerability, including higher rates of the population living alone, disabilities, advanced age, and lack of health insurance coverage. Coolest areas corresponded to vegetated landscapes and urban water bodies. The urban HVI map will be useful to health officers, emergency preparedness personnel, the National Weather Service, and San Juan residents, as it helps to prepare for and to mitigate the potential effects of heat-related illnesses.

Assessment of groundwater vulnerability in the Daule aquifer, Ecuador, using the susceptibility index method.

The Guayas region in Ecuador is economically very important, producing 68% of the national crops. The main agricultural activities threaten the groundwater therein with nitrate contamination given the large fertiliser and water needs. The present work tests the applicability of the susceptibility index assessment method in evaluating the impact of agricultural activities on groundwater quality, using as a case study an aquifer of the Guayas river basin in Ecuador. The index adapts four parameters of the DRASTIC method and incorporated a new land use parameter. Results show that the areas highly vulnerable to contamination are located in irrigation perimeters of dominant paddy fields associated with the high recharge rates in the alluvial deposits. Respectively, moderately vulnerable and low-vulnerability areas correspond to aquatic environments and forests, semi-natural zones and water bodies. One of the main contributions of the Daule aquifer vulnerability is likely its wide, flat topography. A great part of the aquifer is at high risk of contamination by nitrates if a code of good agricultural practices is not applied. Therefore the implementation of a monitoring network to control the nitrates concentrations is the first step to assure groundwater quality for drinking purposes.

Spatial and statistical methodologies to determine the distribution of dengue in Brazilian municipalities and relate incidence with the Health Vulnerability Index.

Dengue fever is among the most important emerging infectious diseases in the world, and in recent years it has been a source of public concern for the public health control systems of many tropical and subtropical countries. Thus, the purpose of this study was to apply spatial and statistical methodologies to analyze the geographic distribution of dengue and to relate its incidence to the Health Vulnerability Index (HVI), an indicator that integrates different socioeconomic variables to estimate the degree of health vulnerability in different Brazilian cities. The cases of dengue, incidence rates and Bayesian incidence rates were determined using census tracts covering a period of 3 years in a city with socioeconomic and administrative characteristics typical of Brazilian municipalities. Distribution plots, descriptive statistics, kernel density maps, test of global and local spatial autocorrelation and Spearman correlation were used. No association was found between the incidence of dengue and the HVI. Conversely, statistically significant high-incidence clusters were found over the 3 years in an area identified as having lower health vulnerability. The finding that HVI was not a good indicator of dengue in the city studied may be explained by the complexity of the disease. Administrative and financial problems in the municipalities, environmental factors, cultural changes and the emergence of new serotypes are other factors that hinder the understanding and control of the disease. However, the spatial and statistical methodologies used here are suitable and useful tools for the accurate understanding of dengue and other infectious epidemiological processes.