Prwncwyj: drama social e resolução de conflito entre os Apãniekra Jê-Timbira.

This work considers a ethnography boarding on the Apãniekra Jê-Timbira group of Central Brazil - leaving of a proposal of agreement of the group in perspectives of historical situations, analyzing its social organization from situational approaches. Taking the ethnography as main tool of production of data, the focus of the research takes dimension, when in the course of the ethnography situation, they come out, from certain events, social dramas that if ramify in crises, conflicts, faccionalismo. I analyze the mechanisms elaborated for the group to neutralize these dramas , such as the constitution of a tribal court , composites for native mediators and external mediators, dynamics ritual processes and politicians.

Avaliação do desenvolvimento neuropsicomotor em crianças na rede básica de saúde utilizando o teste de Denver II: identificação de fatores de risco materno

Alterations in the neuropsychomotor development of children are not rare and can manifest themselves with varying intensity at different stages of their development. In this context, maternal risk factors may contribute to the appearance of these alterations. A number of studies have reported that neuropsychomotor development diagnosis is not an easy task, especially in the basic public health network. Diagnosis requires effective, low-cost, and easy - to-apply procedures. The Denver Developmental Screening Test, first published in 1967, is currently used in several countries. It has been revised and renamed as the Denver II Test and meets the aforementioned criteria. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to apply the Denver II Test in order to verify the prevalence of suspected neuropsychomotor development delay in children between the ages of 0 and 12 months and correlate it with the following maternal risk factors: family income, schooling, age at pregnancy, drug use during pregnancy, gestational age, gestational problems, type of delivery and the desire to have children. For data collection, performed during the first 6 months of 2004, a clinical assessment was made of 398 children selected by pediatricians and the nursing team of each public health unit. Later, the parents or guardians were asked to complete a structured questionnaire to determine possible risk indicators of neuropsychomotor development delay. Finally the Denver II Developmental Screening Test (DDST) was applied. The data were analyzed together, using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software, version 6.1. The confidence interval was set at 95%. The Denver II Test yielded normal and questionable results. This suggests compromised neuropsychomotor development in the children examined and deserves further investigation. The correlation of the results with preestablished maternal risk variables (family income, mother s schooling, age at pregnancy, drug use during the pregnancy and gestational age) was strongly significant. The other maternal risk variables (gestational problems, type of delivery and desire to have children) were not significant. Using an adjusted logistic regression model, we obtained the estimate of the greater likelihood of a child having suspected neuropsychomotor development delay: a mother with _75 4 years of schooling, chronological age less than 20 years and a drug user during pregnancy. This study produced two manuscripts, one published in Acta Cirúrgica Brasileira , in which an analysis was performed of children with suspected neuropsychomotor development delay in the city of Natal, Brazil. The other paper (to be published) analyzed the magnitude of the independent variable maternal schooling associated to neuropsychomotor development delay, every 3 months during the first twelve months of life of the children selected.. The results of the present study reinforce the multifactorial characteristic of development and the cumulative effect of maternal risk factors, and show the need for a regional policy that promotes low-cost programs for the community, involving children at risk of neuropsychomotor development delay. Moreover, they suggest the need for better qualified health professionals in terms of monitoring child development. This was an inter- and multidisciplinary study with the integrated participation of doctors, nurses, nursing assistants and professionals from other areas, such as statisticians and information technology professionals, who met all the requirements of the Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte

Influência de fatores biopsicossociais sobre a mortalidade de idosos no município de Santa Cruz/RN: um estudo prospectivo

The aging process if characterizes for a complex events network, from multidimensional nature, that encloses biological, social, psychic and functional aspects. The alteration of one or more aspects can speed up the aging process, anticipating limitations and until the death in the aged. For an adjusted confrontation of this question is necessary an interdisciplinary vision, in which the some areas of the knowledge can interact and with this to intervenes of the best possible form. Then, information derived from studies of aspects related to incidence, morbidity-mortality and transition patterns, involved in the health-illness process can more accurately identify risk groups thereby establishing links between social factors, illness, incapacity and death. Thus, this study aimed to identify, by a multidimensional vision, the risk factors of mortality in a coorth of elderly in a city in the interior of the state of Rio Grande do Norte (RN), Brazil. A prospective study carried out in Santa Cruz RN, where 310 elderly were randomly selected to form a baseline. The follow-up was 53 months. The predictive variables were divided into sociodemographic, physical health, neuropsychiatric and functional capacity. The statistical analysis carried out by bivariate analysis, survival analysis, followed by binary logistic regression and Cox regression, in the multivariate analysis, considering significant levels p < 0.05 and confidence interval (CI) of 95%. A total of 60 (19.3%) elderly died during the follow-up, where cardiovascular disease was the main cause. The survival was approximately 24.8 months. The study of general survival showed, at 12, 24, 36, and 48 months of observation, a survival rate of 97%, 54%, 31%, and 5% respectively, with a statistical difference in survival only observed for the variables of cognitive function and Basic Activities of Daily Living. In the logistic regression analysis, the risk factors identified were cognitive deficits (OR = 8.74), poor perception of health (OR = 3.89) and dependence for Basic Activities of Daily Living (OR = 3.96). In the Cox analysis, as well as dependence for Basic Activities of Daily Living (HR = 3.17), cognitive deficit (HR = 4.30) and stroke (CVA) (HR = 3.49) continued as independent risk factors for death. The risk factors found in the study can be interpreted as the primary predictors for death among elderly members of the community. Therefore, improvements in health conditions, with actions towards sustaining an autonomous life with special attention for elderly with cognitive impairment, could mean additional healthy quality of life, resulting in the reduction of premature mortality in this population

Hiperidrose compensatória após simpatectomia toracoscópica: características, incidência e influência na satisfação do paciente

Hyperhidrosis is an idiopathic condition characterized by excessive sweating. Symptoms generally begin in childhood or early adolescence, and rarely improve with age. The excessive localized sweating generally occurs either spontaneously, or in association with stressful or emotionally charged situations. This prospective study aimed to investigate predictive factors for compensatory hyperhidrosis after thoracoscopic sympathicotomy. From 2000 to 2002, 80 patients (53 female and 27 male) underwent hyperhidrosis surgery. The patients, ranging from 12 to 56 years old, were studied and followed-up for 42.51 ±5.98 months. A satisfaction grading using a visual analogue scale -VAS (0 = not at all satisfied, and 10 = fully satisfied) was used. The surgical procedure was performed bilaterally on the second ganglion (T2) for facial hyperhidrosis, on the third and fourth ganglia (T3 and T4) for axillary hyperhidrosis, and on the third ganglion (T3) for palmar hyperhidrosis. The results showed that, 68 patients (85%) presented with compensatory sweating (CS), which was classified as mild (33.8%), moderate (33.8%) and severe (32.4%). Considering the final surgical results, 70 patients (87.5%) were satisfied with the outcome of the operation, while 10 patients (12.5%) were dissatisfied. Degrees of satisfaction varied according to sex, age, BMI and extent of denervation. Moreover, the compensatory hyperhidrosis was more severe in abdomen and back than in legs. In conclusion, although CS is a frequent adverse effect of sympathicotomy, the degree of patient satisfaction was high. Some factors were related to the occurrence and severity of CS and the most adequate patients to be submitted to this operation are young adult women whose BMI is less than 24.9

Apitidão funcional e comportamentos relacionados à saúde em mulheres idosas do município de Jequié-BA

The identification of the factors that interfere in the decline of functional conditions is useful in the planning of actions addressing the improvement in the conditions of the lives of elderly people. The purpose of this investigation was to analyze the relationship between social demographics and health aspects of the functional condition in elderly women of low income of the Brazilian northeast. This crosssectional study involved a representative sample of 222 women with an average age of 70 years (± 7.1), belonging to coexisting groups and that were resident in the urban area of the municipal district of Jequié /Bahia. In order to achieve this objective, a battery of physical tests of functional aptitude was carried out previously tested in pilot study, anthropometric measurements collected with a comparison of the measures referred to the reported weight and height as well as the application of an interview with questions containing subjects related to social demographic variables, clinical conditions and health, physical conditions and behaviors. Descriptive statistics Proceedings (frequency, average, standard deviation and percent distribution) were used for statistic analysis, and the calculation of the respective odds ratio by binary logistics regression, for the analysis of factors hierarchically grouped; p<0.05. The prevalence of 56% (n=122) of women considered with moderated or serious type of functional limitations was found, In which from multi-varied hierarchical analysis, significant association was verified with the age group over 80 years (p=0.02), conditions of widowhood (p=0.04), presence of arterial hypertension (p=0.001), and physical inactivity during leisure time (p=0.03). On the other hand for functional incapacities the prevalence was of 46.8% (n=104) being associated to the increase of the age (p=0.01), hospitalization (p=0.02), absence of physical activities along their lives (p=0.001) and the occurrence of alterations in the cognitive function (p=0.001). The normative table for the parameters of physical fitness generated conducive to health professionals in the diagnosis of health conditions and the prescription of physical exercises. The identified characteristics that are associated with the functional limitations / functional incapacities suggest a complex causal net in the determination of the functional condition in elderly women. However, actions addressed to the incentive of the practice of physical activities in the leisure time and the preservation of the cognitive function can contribute to a life with more quality for these people. This research was multidisciplinary approach to involve elements of psychology, nutrition and Physical Education in the elucidation of the object of study related to the functional condition of elderly women

Terapia ocupacional em ação interdisciplinar: jogos educativo-nutricionais na prevenção da obesidade infantil

The inter-subjectivity is the answer in the search for the solution of complex problems, which concerns interfaces of knowledge, respecting their borders. This paradigm is essential in the author's work. So, the search on screen is based on this perspective, by using inter-subject groups of work conduced by professionals of Computer Science, Social Communication, Architecture and Urbanism, Pedagogy, Psicopegagogy, Nutritional Science, Endocrinology, Occupational Therapy and Nursing, it was also part of this group an 8 year old child, daughter of one of the professional who took part of the group. This thesis aims to present the course of investigation developed, analyzing the action of inter-subject Occupational Therapy and Nutrition on the promotion of learning nutritional concepts through educative-nutritional games in order to prevent child's obesity in an educative context. The research was analytic, interventionist and almost experimental. It took place in a public school in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil, between August and December 2004. It was selected a sample non-probabilistic, by convenience, of 200 children, born from 1994 to 1996. It was selected almost nonprobabilistically, by convenience, 200 children born between 1994 and 1996. To analyze the results it was used a triangulation, associated by quantitative and qualitative approaches. The basis collect happened through games specially manufactured to these research- video-games, board games, memory games, puzzles, scramble, searching words and iterative basics. There were semi-structured interviews, direct and structured observations and focus in-groups. It was noticed the efficiency of educativenutritional games in the learning process, which lead to a changing of attitude towards the eating choices. These games gave similar results in relation to the compared variations preferences, experience and attitudes, theses attitudes were observed through the game; and the categories to compare the possibility of learning by playing, the fantasy in the learning process, learning concepts of nutritional education and the need of help in the learning process (mediation). It was proved that educativenutritional games could be used to teach nutritional concepts, in an inter-subjective action of Occupational Therapy and Nutrition in schools. The simultaneous application of these games lead to the optimization of child s learning process. It should be emphasized the need of studies about the adaptation of tools used in a child s Nutritional Education, with the help of inter-subjective action. Because just one subject, in a fractionated way can give an answer to complex problems and help to a change of the reality with effectiveness and resolution

A saúde psíquica de quem faz saúde: uma análise crítica sobre a humanização direcionada ao profissional de saúde

It is noticeable that pressure, tension and overwork are frequent in health professionals routine. The work related to the ward area demands deep attention and surveillance. Because of that, it is essential to have a specific look at the humanization directed at health professionals, considering that taking care of other human beings is the essence of their job. This study has analyzed the psychic health levels, as well as the stress health professionals are submitted to, providing a debate about the humanization in 06 public hospitals (03 of them awarded by actions of humanization, and 03 not awarded) in Rio Grande do Norte state, Brazil. A study with 126 active health professionals (doctors, nurses, psychologists, nutritionists and social workers) in ward areas in their respective institutions was carried out. The thesis presented, with multi-disciplinary characteristic, counted on the support of statisticians (to calculate samples and data analysis), psychologists, social workers and administrators (linked to the human resources sector in each hospital). A cross-sectional study was performed, taking into consideration both quantitative and qualitative factors. The tools used for that were a semistructured questionnaire with socio-demographic characteristics, work and humanization; Lipp's Stress Symptoms Inventory for Adults (ISSL), and the Goldberg s General Health Questionnaire (QSG). The workers are predominantly women (84,9%), married (54,8%), between 46 and 55 years old (40,5%), working in the same institution for more than 20 years (22,2%), and between 16 and 20 years (20,6%), respectively. They work 40 hours a week (71,4%) and have multiple jobs (61,9%). Although most of these individuals global psychic health is in a good level, there are a significant number of people that is gradually getting worse concerning psychic stress (F1) showed by QSG (54,7%), and stress showed by ISSL(42,1%). Observing the categories, nurses (41,5%). Nutritionists (20,8%), doctors and social workers (18,9%), were among the most affected. About general health (F6), 63% of the awarded hospitals and 70% of the not awarded ones, presented good health levels (ranging from 5 to 50%). It was also noticed that, in the groups mentioned above, 25 and 20% respectively, were inserted in scores between 55 to 90%, what means that they are in worsening phase. The fact that the hospital is awarded or well recognized doesn t interfere in health professionals stress level and in their psychic health. Through what was heard from these individuals, it was possible to verify that they know little about humanization, once few of them identify or know that the service they offer is in an adoption process by Ministerial Policies. It was also detected the necessity of developing actions aimed at worker s health. Such results showed the importance of have more investments in programs that are directed to workers well-being, because they deal with other people s health and it is known that it is difficult for them to offer high-quality assistance if there are not suitable physical, psychological and material conditions to help them develop their jobs. As a warning, it is fair to say that investments in actions that provide humanized care to health professionals, mainly concerning preventive care for their health and life quality in their work

Hospital humano: etnografia da humanização hospitalar na perspectiva de usuários

This ethnographic work studies the experiences of patients admitted in public (PUH) and private (PRH) hospitals in the Brazilian northeastern region. 28 adult patients of different clinics participated in the study. Data were analyzed by the patient path method, consisting in a combination of complemented and articulated techniques free observation, participating observation, ethnographic interview and patient testimonials collected prospectively during the patients admissions, from their arrival and until their discharge. The analysis was carried out according to the Thematic Categories Analysis Technique and the data were interpreted pursuant to medical anthropology, healthcare humanization and healthcare promotion theoretical references. The ethical principles of Resolution 196/96 were followed. The human hospital, as revealed by the patient, highlights the significance of subjectivity. 225 (54.7%) out of 411 mentioned concepts were collected in a public hospital (PUH) and 186 (45.3%) in a private institution (PRH). The results show that the patient at the PUH and PRH ethnoevaluates different aspects of the healthcare professionals´ human and technical competence, the hospital´s functioning structure, the access to and the ethics in the financial management, and develops overcoming strategies for his stay at the hospital. This ethnoevaluation is mediated by different factors, namely: social and economic status, personality, religiosity, ironic speech, somber diagnosis and satisfied needs, prior hospital experiences and the conditions under which the interview was carried out. A pedagogic proposal for the hospital humanization must include structural, managerial and organizational changes of the offered services and use active methodologies aimed to the political resolution of problematic situations at work and the inclusion of affective and subjective factors, and become as well a tool for the collective learning. This study shows the importance for the user´s ethnoevaluation to be incorporated into the hospital management and care as a guideline in the decision making and clinical action, thus promoting practices that shall lead to a decent and humanized care. The multidisciplinary nature of this study allowed a wide understanding of the user´s perspective as a socially critical ethnoevaluator

Repercussões psico-sociais da síndrome dos ovários policísticos: estudo quali-quantitativo

BACKGROUND: Polycystic ovary syndrame (PCOS) has been shown to cause a reduction in quality of life. Little is known on the psychosocial aspects associated with PCOS, especially on women s own experiences regarding the syndrome. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the psychosocial impact of PCOS by measuring the health-related quality of life and exploring the women s own experiences of PCOS. METHODS: A two-phase model of combination of quantitative and qualitative research approaches was conducted, a crass-sectional survey to pravide quantitative data on the quality of life and a qualitative approach to understand the women s experience in relation to the PC OS sympt?ms. For the first phase, 109 women with PC OS and 104 healthy contrais were evaluated with the 36-item short-form health survey (SF-36). Additionally, semi-structured interviews (n=30) were conducted to facilitate in-depth exploration of PC OS women s experience. RESUL TS: PCOS patients showed significant reductions in almost ali SF-36 domains of quality of life when compared with healthy contrais (physical function 76.5:!:20.5 and 84.6:!:15.9, respectively; physical rale function 56.4:!:43.3 and 72.6:!:33.3; general health 55.2:!:21.0 and 62.5:!:17.2; vitality 49.6:!:21.3 and 55.3:!:21.3; social function 55.3:!:32.4 and 66.2:!:26.7; emotional rale function 34.2:!:39.7 and 52.9:!:38.2; mental health 50.6:!:22.8 and 59.2:!:20.2). Thematic analysis revealed reports of feeling abnormal , sadness, afraid and anxiety. These feelings were related to four symptoms commonly experienced by women with PCOS: excess hair grawth; irregular or absent menstruation, infertility and obesity. CONCLUSIONS: Polycystic ovary syndrame impacts women both physically and psychosocially. Owing to this, women with PCOS need not only medical treatment for. the reproductive, esthetic and metabolic repercussions, but also the care of a multidisciplinary team, since PCOS is not just a physical condition, but also an important psychosocial problem that affects various aspects of a woman s life

Abordagem psicossociologica das implicações legais da infecção hospitalar e de seu controle

Pesquisas acerca das Infecções Hospitalares mostram a gravidade do problema na saúde e a existência de poucos profissionais das áreas do Direito e da Saúde especializados nas implicações jurídicas relacionadas com o controle das Infecções Hospitalares. Assim, este estudo multidisciplinar tem como objetivos: apreender as Representações Sociais das Implicações Jurídicas das Infecções Hospitalares e de seu Controle, elaboradas pelos profissionais do direito e da saúde e analisar o impacto destas representações sobre Infecções Hospitalares e seu controle no âmbito do Hospital Getúlio Vargas, em Teresina, no Estado do Piauí. Trata-se de um estudo de caráter exploratório, desenvolvido em hospital público com profissionais do Direito e da Saúde, subsidiado na Teoria das Representações Sociais, de Serge Moscovici. Os dados foram coletados através de entrevista em profundidade e da observação. As informações apreendidas foram processadas no software Alceste 4.8, possibilitando a análise lexical e estatística pela Classificação Hierárquica Descendente, que permitiu identificar no discurso classes representativas de palavras de interesse da investigação. Os resultados indicaram que os sujeitos do estudo, através das suas representações sociais, defendem os direitos dos usuários da saúde e conhecem a prática das políticas de saúde, prevenção das Infecções Hospitalares e de seu Controle. Porém, demonstraram pouca preocupação com as implicações jurídicas inerentes às sua práticas mesmo estando sujeitos a responder civil e penalmente pelas ocorrências geradas por iatrogenia no exercício da profissão

Violência institucional no âmbito da saúde reprodutiva : a percepção de mulheres usuárias do SUS, na cidade de Natal/RN

Institutional violence ranges from the most widespread lack of access to the poor quality of services provided. It includes abuses committed by virtue of the unequal power between patients and professionals within institutions. The aim of this study was to analyze the perception of women with regard to this type of violence, in the services offered at a reproductive health facility belonging to the National Health System (SUS) in Natal, Brazil. Interdisciplinary perspective is important, in that it provides interaction and complementarity between various disciplines, favoring, in an integrated way, a thematic approach in research activities, teaching and extension, involving professionals, students and researchers in medicine, social services, psychology, nursing, anthropology and physical therapy. A quantitative/qualitative approach was used, involving a sample of 401 women, as part of a transversal observational study. In the qualitative stage, which consisted of participatory observation and semi-structured interviews, we used an intentional sample of 10 individuals. The data were analyzed using logistic regression techniques, correspondence analysis and categorical thematic content analysis, showing that the 2 questions that investigated directly the perception of institutional violence obtained affirmative response frequencies of 28.2% and 31.8%, respectively. In regard to data collected in a field diary related to participatory observation, the main complaints referred to the health providerpatient relation, translated into dissatisfaction with the interpersonal relationship and with the resolution of the specific demand that required care. From content analysis, we classified 4 categories: Access; Information; Health professionalpatient relation; and Respect/dignity. We identified 6 subcategories: Impossibility of choice; Repressed demand; Communication difficulty; Asymmetric interpersonal relations; Privacy/confidentiality; Disrespect. We concluded, therefore, that the data presented show that in the reproductive health care programs, there are indicators of institutional violence. However, it is difficult to approach this phenomenon, mainly because of the power relations involved in the patient-health care provider interaction, resulting from unawareness that determinate situations violate sexual and reproductive rights. This can be explained by sociostructural questions that reveal marked inequalities, ratified by issues related to violation of the rights of National Health System (SUS) patients

Significados e percepções de puérperas sobre as síndromes hipertensivas da gravidez e parto prematuro

Hypertensive syndromes in pregnancy (HSP) are configured as one of the major complications in the pregnancy and postpartum period and can lead premature newborn and subsequent hospitalization of the newborn to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). This study aimed to analyze the perceptions, meanings and feelings of mothers on the hypertensive syndromes in pregnancy and premature obstetric labor. The research was qualitative and has a theoretical methodological the Social Representations Theory(SRT) in the approach to the Central Nucleus Theory. The study included 70 women, mean age 29 years, predominantly school to high school, most of them married or in consensual union, primiparous and prevalence of cesarean delivery occurred between 32 and 37 weeks of pregnancy.The data were collected from may to december 2008 in the Maternity School Januário Cicco in Natal , and obtained through the following instruments for data collection: questionnaire including questions about socio-demographic status; the Free Words Association Test (FWAT) and and verbalized mental image construction used three stimuli: such as pregnancy with high blood pressure, preterm birth and NICU, and interview with the following guiding question: what it meant for you to have a pregnancy with high blood pressure and consequently the birth of a premature baby? Data analysis was performed using multi-method obtained from the data processing by EVOC (Ensemble Programmes Permettant L 'Analyze des Évocations) and ALCESTE (Analyse Lexicale par Contexte d'un Ensemble de Segment de Texte) and thematic analysis in categories. The results will be presented in four thematic units under the following representative universes: HSP, prematurity as a result of HSP, NICU and the social representations of mothers on the hypertensive disorder of pregnancy sequenced premature birth and hospitalization of the child in the NICU. The results obtained by multimethod analyses showed similar constructions and point to death as the central nucleus and negative aspects, coping strategies, need of care, knowledge about the disease, fragility and meanings of the NICU as peripheral elements. It is considered that the perceptions, meanings and feelings of puerperal women in relation to HSPs and to premature delivery are a negative social representation, with representational elements that may have influenced the adverse effects on the disease and its consequences. We suggest action on the peripheral elements of this representation, with adequate orientation, early diagnosis, effective conduct, receptive attitude on the part of the team, health promotion measures and effective public policies, in order to improve the care provided to puerperal women, making them feel welcome and minimizing their suffering

Influência da dor na capacidade funcional de idosos institucionalizados

The aim of this study was to evaluate the pain influence regarding location, intensity and duration over functional capacity in institutionalized elderly (Fundacao Leur Brito). This is a descriptive exploratory study with a transversal design and quantitative approach. The population of the study was composed of 60 elderly, being 50% males with 60 years-old minimum age and 104 years-old maximum age, with mean age 77,6 (?}11,64) years-old. Data was collected by a structured query formulary divided in four parts: 1) Social, health and demographic characterization; 2) Pain related aspects (time and location); 3) Pain evaluation by numeric scale and 4) Functional capacity measured by Barthel Index. It was observed after evaluation by Squared-chi test (x2) statistical significant difference between pain presence and Barthel Index activities: bath (pvalue=0,015), dressing (p-value= 0,041), intimal hygiene transference (p-value=0,001), chair and bed transference (p-value=0,032), walking (p-value=0,010) and go upstairs (p-value=0,008). It was also observed statistical difference between total Barthel score (dependent/independent) and pain presence, p-value<0, 000. Through data obtained by this study, a multiprofessional approach is necessary to proper pain control and maintenance and/or regain of functional capacity, leading to an increase in life quality with more independence and autonomy to elderly

Relação entre ambiente familiar e capacidade funcional de idosos residentes no município de Jequié-BA

(Objective) Assess the functional capacity and determine the difference between the means of functional capacity (basic and instrumental activities of daily living) and the age groups of elderly residents in an outlying area in the hinterland of Bahia/Northeast of Brazil. (Methods) Analytical study with cross-sectional design and a sample of 150 elderly individuals enrolled in four Health Units in the municipality of Jequié, Bahia, Brazil. The instrument consisted of sociodemographic and health data, the Barthel Index and the Lawton scale. (Results) In all, 78.00% of the elderly were classified as dependent in the basic activities and 65.33% in the instrumental activities of daily living. Using the Kruskal- Wallis test, we found a statistically significant difference between the means of instrumental activities and the age groups (p= 0.011). (Conclusion) An elevated number of elderly were classified as dependent in terms of functional capacity and increased age is related to greater impairment in the execution of instrumental activities of daily living

Significados e percepções do homem diante da gravidez de sua companheira com síndromes hipertensivas

The general aim of the research was to comprehend the Social Representations constructed by the man in the face of his companion s risk pregnancy caused by hypertensive syndromes. The study is of exploratory and descriptive character in a qualitative approach developed at two public maternity hospitals, both located in Natal-RN, with 65 men whose wives had undergone high-risk pregnancy. The project was submitted to the Ethics on Research Committee of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil (CEP-UFRN), with favorable report no. 81/07. For data collection, the following multimethods were employed: a word free association test; a projective test for registering mental images; and a semistructured interview schedule. The speech contents were analyzed in accordance with the Theory of Social Representations and complemented by the Central Nucleus Theory. The discussion of the results was grounded on literary findings of the companion s participation in pregnancy as well as in risk pregnancy associated with hypertensive syndromes. The data showed fear as representation s central nucleus, while recollections of that feeling referred to death of both companion and child in addition to fear of the unknown. The categories preoccupation and carefulness, other feelings, and clinical picture of the disease represented components of the peripheral nucleus. The results concerning mental images followed the same category criteria of the word free association test fear, other feelings, preoccupation, carefulness, and clinical picture of the disease. After being processed in accordance with the principles of content analysis, the statements originated three thematic unities: fear and insecurity in the presence of the companion s risk pregnancy; attitudes of carefulness to the risk pregnancy of the partner; and humanized assistance during the companion s risk pregnancy. Considering the results, the conclusion is that the partner s risk pregnancy caused by hypertensive syndromes represents, for the man, feelings of fear, preoccupation, insecurity, lack of acceptance and information, as well as attitudes of carefulness. The results reveal necessity of reorganizing the obstetric assistance with an eye to including the man as participant in the reproductive process. That demands extension of humanized carefulness to the companion with a view to make him an active coadjutor in the assistance of high-risk pregnant