Autoeficácia, características sociodemográficas e capacitação profissional: um estudo com servidores de uma Universidade Federal

Self-efficacy, the construct developed by Albert Bandura in 1977 and widely studied around the world, means the individual's belief in his own capacity to successfully perform a certain activity. This study aims to determine the degree of association between sociodemographic characteristics and professional training to the levels of Self-Efficacy at Work (SEW) of the Administrative Assistants in a federal university. This is a descriptive research submitted to and approved by the Ethics Committee of UFRN. The method of data analysis, in quantitative nature, was accomplished with the aid of the statistical programs R and Minitab. The instrument used in research was a sociodemographic data questionnaire, variables of professional training and the General Perception of Self-efficacy Scale (GPSES), applied to the sample by 289 Assistants in Administration. Statistical techniques for data analysis were descriptive statistics, cluster analysis, reliability test (Cronbach's alpha), and test of significance (Pearson). Results show a sociodemographic profile of Assistants in Administration of UFRN with well-distributed characteristics, with 48.4% men and 51.6% female; 59.9% of them were aged over 40 years, married (49.3%), color or race white (58%) and Catholics (67.8%); families are composed of up to four people (75.8%) with children (59.4%) of all age groups; the occupation of the mothers of these professionals is mostly housewives (51.6%) with high school education up to parents (72%) and mothers (75.8%). Assistants in Administration have high levels of professional training, most of them composed two groups of servers: the former, recently hired public servants (30.7%) and another with long service (59%), the majority enter young in career and it stays until retirement, 72.4% of these professionals have training above the minimum requirement for the job. The analysis of SEW levels shows medium to high levels for 72% of assistants in administration; low SEWclassified people have shown a high average of 2.7, considered close to the overall mean presented in other studies, which is 2.9. The cluster analysis has allowed us to say that the characteristics of the three groups (Low, Medium and High SEW) are similar and can be found in the three levels of SEW representatives with all the characteristics investigated. The results indicate no association between the sociodemographic variables and professional training to the levels of self-efficacy at work of Assistants in Administration of UFRN, except for the variable color or race. However, due to the small number of people who declared themselves in color or black race (4% of the sample), this result can be interpreted as mere coincidence or the black people addressed in this study have provided a sense of efficacy higher than white and brown ones. The study has corroborated other studies and highlighted the subjectivity of the self-efficacy construct. They are needed more researches, especially with public servants for the continuity and expansion of studies on the subject, making it possible to compare and confirm the results

Síndrome de Burnout : um estudo com guias de turismo regional em Natal-RN

Burnout is a psychological syndrome triggered in response to continuous exposure to interpersonal stressors. It is considered a multifactorial construct, which is commonly characterized by three dimensions: emotional exhaustion, dehumanization, and lack of personal accomplishment.This study aimed to verify if the three characteristics of burnout (exhaustion, lack of dehumanization and personal accomplishment) are present in people working as guides Tourism in Natal - RN. It is a descriptive and quantitative study. 109 subjects were surveyed. Data collection was done through the use of questionnaires, the instrument used was the characterization of the Burnout Scale (ECB) created and validated in Brazil by Trocoli and Tamayo (2000). In order to analyze data we used descriptive statistics, analysis of core measures, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, reliability analysis, cluster analysis, multiple discriminant and Spearman correlation. Factor analysis identified four factors that explain 58.3% of the total variance. Those factors were named exhaustion, deception, avoidance, and dehumanization. The reliability of the instrument, as measured by Cronbach's Alpha was 0.918, which is considered excellent reliability. The 109 subjects were grouped into three cluster, which had the deception, avoidance, and dehumanization as discriminant. It is possible to conclude that the characteristics of burnout syndrome are present in the studied population where 19 people are on the high level of burnout, moderate in 32 and 56 in the light. The correlations between socio-demographic variables studied and the dimensions of burnout, were few and weak. The variable leave for health reasons in the study appeared to be related to feelings of exhaustion and avoidance behavior appeared related to younger individuals and who work only in the activity of Receptive Tourism Guide. Verification of the incidence of burnout in individuals surveyed suggest the need to adopt intervention strategies are individual, organizational and / or combined

Processo de formulação estratégica sob a perspectiva dos decisores da CAERN

Os estudos sobre estratégia têm se difundido há muitos anos e seu processo de formulação também está inserido no cotidiano dos gestores. O objetivo do presente trabalho é constatar se há relação entre o pensamento, formulação e mudança estratégica e o nível acadêmico, hierárquico e tempo no cargo dos decisores da CAERN. A abordagem teórica é realizada com os seguintes pontos: estratégia, Decisão e liderança organizacional e o processo de formação da estratégia (Pensamento estratégico; Formulação da estratégia; Mudança estratégica). O estudo é de caráter exploratório descritivo. Para a tabulação e análise dos dados, utilizou-se um programa estatístico em que foi adotada a técnica de análise fatorial, e verificou-se a confiabilidade da escala de Likert utilizada no questionário através do teste Alfa de Cronbach e análise de Spearman a fim de constatar a correlação das variáveis e proporcionar uma abordagem quantitativa à pesquisa. Todos os respondentes da pesquisa são tomadores de decisão cujos níveis hierárquicos que obtiveram representatividade na amostra foram coordenadores, gerentes e chefes de seção. A partir das análises dos resultados do estudo, constatou-se que, das hipóteses levantadas, apenas uma se mostrou coerente com a realidade dos profissionais responsáveis pela estratégia organizacional da empresa: Há correlação entre a formulação estratégica e o nível acadêmico dos decisores (no constructo de formulação deliberada). Notouse também que o nível de formação acadêmica (nível superior) é importante e influencia diretamente no processo da formulação estratégica. Conclui-se que na organização em estudo o conhecimento dos gestores interfere na formulação estratégica

Análise do transcriptoma das glândulas venenosas do escorpião Tityus stigmurus

In Brazil, accidents with scorpions are considered of medical importance, not only by the high incidence, but also for the potentiality of the venom from some species in determining severe clinical conditions. Tityus stigmurus is a widely distributed scorpion species in Northeastern Brazil and known to cause severe human envenomations, inducing pain, hyposthesia, edema, erythema, paresthesia, headaches and vomiting. The present study uses a transcriptomic approach to characterize the molecular repertoire from the non-stimulated venom gland of Tityus stigmurus scorpion. A cDNA library was constructed and 540 clones were sequenced and grouped into 37 clusters, with more than one EST (expressed sequence tag) and 116 singlets. Forty-one percent of ESTs belong to recognized toxin-coding sequences, with antimicrobial toxins (AMP-like) the most abundant transcripts, followed by alfa KTx- like, beta KTx-like, beta NaTx-like and alfa NaTx-like. Our analysis indicated that 34% include other possible venom molecules , whose transcripts correspond to anionic peptides, hypothetical secreted peptides, metalloproteinases, cystein-rich peptides and lectins. Fifteen percent of ESTs are similar to cellular transcripts. Sequences without good matches corresponded to 11%. This investigation provides the first global view of cDNAs from Tityus stigmurus. This approach enables characterization of a large number of venom gland component molecules, which belong either to known or atypical types of venom peptides and proteins from the Buthidae family

Avaliação do potencial anti-inflamatório de composto tipo heparina (cCTH) extraído do caranguejo Goniopsis cruentata em modelo experimental de peritonite

Heparin, a sulfated polysaccharide, was the first compound used as an anticoagulant and antithrombotic agent. Due to their structural characteristics, also has great potential anti-inflammatory, though such use is limited in inflammation because of their marked effects on coagulation. The occurrence of heparin-like compounds that exhibit anticoagulant activity decreased in aquatic invertebrates, such as crab Goniopsis cruentata, sparked interest for the study of such compounds as anti-inflammatory drugs. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the potential modulator of heparin-like compound extracted from Goniopsis cruentata in inflammatory events, coagulation, and to evaluate some aspects of its structure. The heparin-type compound had a high degree of N-sulphation in its structure, being able to reduce leukocyte migration into the peritoneal cavity at lower doses compared to heparin and diclofenac sodium (anti-inflammatory commercial). Furthermore, it was also able to inhibit the production of nitric oxide and tumor necrosis factor alpha by activated macrophages, inhibited the activation of the enzyme neutrophil elastase in low concentrations and showed a lower anticoagulant effect in high doses as compared to porcine mucosal heparin. Because of these observations, the compound extracted from crab Goniopsis cruentata can be used as a structural model for future anti-inflammatory agents

Estudo do papel da proteína multifuncional APE1/Ref-1 sobre a resposta inflamatória na meningite bacteriana

Despite advances in antibiotic therapy, bacterial meningitis (BM) remains with high mortality and morbidity rates in worldwide. One important mechanism associated to sequels during disease is the intense inflammatory response which promotes an oxidative burst and release of reactive oxygen species, consequently leading to cell death. Activation of DNA repair enzymes during oxidative stress has been demonstrated in several neurological disorders. APE1/Ref-1 is a multifunctional protein involved in DNA repair and plays a redox function on transcription factors such as NFkB and AP-1.The aim of this study was assess the role of APE1/Ref-1 on inflammatory response and the possibility of its modulation to reduce the sequels of the disease. Firstly it was performed an assay to measure cytokine in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with BM due to Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseriae meningitides. Further, a cellular model of inflammation was used to observe the effect of the inhibition of the endonuclease and redox activity of APE1/Ref-1 on cytokine levels. Additionally, APE1/Ref-1 expression in cortex and hippocampus of rat with MB after vitamin B6 treatment was evaluated. Altogether, results showed a similar profile of cytokines in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients from both pathogens, although IFNy showed higher expression in patients with BM caused by S. pneumoniae. On the other hand, inhibitors of APE1/Ref-1 reduced cytokine levels, mainly TNF-α. Reduction of oxidative stress markers was also observed after introduction of inhibitors in the LPS-stimulated cell. In the animal model, BM increased the expression of the protein APE1/Ref-1, while vitamin B6 promoted reduction. Thereby, this data rise important factors to be considered in pathogenesis of BM, e.g., IFNy can be used as prognostic factor during corticosteroid therapy, APE1/Ref-1 can be an important target to modulate the level of inflammation and VIII oxidative stress, and vitamin B6 seems modulates several proteins related to cell death. So, this study highlights a new understanding on the role of APE1/Ref-1 on the inflammation and the oxidative stress during inflammation condition

Análise metagenômica da microbiota de ambientes aquáticos do estado do Rio Grande do Norte - Brasil

The screening for genes in metagenomic libraries from soil creates opportunities to explore the enormous genetic and metabolic diversity of microorganisms. Rivers are ecosystems with high biological diversity, but few were examined using the metagenomic approach. With this objective, a metagenomic library was constructed from DNA soil samples collected at three different points along the Jundiaí-river (Rio Grande do Norte-Brazil). The points sampled are from open area, rough terrain and with the direct incidence of sunlight. This library was analyzed functionally and based in sequence. For functional analysis Luria-Bertani solid medium (LB) with NaCl concentration varied from 0.17M to 0.85M was used for functional analysis. Positives clones resistant to hypersaline medium were obtained. The recombinant DNAs were extracted and transformed into Escherichia coli strain DH10B and survival curves were obtained for quantification of abiotic stress resistance. The sequences of clones were obtained and submitted to the BLASTX tool. Some clones were found to hypothetical proteins of microorganisms from both Archaea and Bacteria division. One of the clones showed a complete ORF with high similarity to glucose-6-phosphate isomerase which participates in the synthesis of glycerol pathway and serves as a compatible solute to balance the osmotic pressure inside and outside of cells. Subsequently, in order to identify genes encoding osmolytes or enzymes related halotolerance, environmental DNA samples from the river soil, from the water column of the estuary and ocean were collected and pyrosequenced. Sequences of osmolytes and enzymes of different microorganisms were obtained from the UniProt and used as RefSeqs for homology identification (TBLASTN) in metagenomic databases. The sequences were submitted to HMMER for the functional domains identification. Some enzymes were identified: alpha-trehalose-phosphate synthase, L-ectoina synthase (EctC), transaminase L-2 ,4-diaminobutyric acid (EctB), L-2 ,4-diaminobutyric acetyltransferase (EctA), L-threonine 3 dehydrogenase (sorbitol pathway), glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, inositol 3-phosphate dehydrogenase, chaperones, L-proline, glycine betaine binding ABC transporter, myo-inositol-1-phosphate synthase protein of proline simportadora / PutP sodium-and trehalose-6-phosphate phosphatase These proteins are commonly related to saline environments, however the identification of them in river environment is justified by the high salt concentration in the soil during prolonged dry seasons this river. Regarding the richness of the microbiota the river substrate has an abundance of halobacteria similar to the sea and more than the estuary. These data confirm the existence of a specialized response against salt stress by microorganisms in the environment of the Jundiaí river

Papel da localização da carga em determinação dos parâmetros do canal iônico

To aureus α-HL channel, we used the cysteine-scanning mutagenesis technique. Twenty-four mutants were produced from the substitution of a single aminoacid of the primary structure of the α-HL pro this yzed after the incorporation of a mutant channel in planar lipid bilayer membranes. The modified proteins were studied in the absence and presence of watersoluble specific sulphydryl-specific reagents, in order to introduce a strong positive or negative harge at positions of substitution. The introduction of a negative charge in the stem region onverted the selectivity of the channel from weak anionic to more cationic. However, the troduction of a positive charge increased its selectivity to the anion. The degree of these alterations was inversely dependent on the channel radius at the position of the introduced harge (selectivity). As to the asymmetry of the conductance-voltage, the influence of the harge was more complex. The introduction of the negative charge in the stem region (the trans art of the pore) provoked a decrease. The intensity of these alterations depended on the radius, and on the type of free charge at the pore entrance. These results suggest that the free charge at surrounds the pore wall is responsible for the cation-anion selectivity of the channel. The istribution of the charges between the entrances is crucial for determining the asymmetry of e conductance-voltage curves. We hope that these results serve as a model for studies with other nanometric channels, in biological or planar lipid bilayer membranes or in iotechnological applications

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

Marcadores nutricionais e inflamatórios e sua associação com a morbimortalidade em hemodiálise

Background: Malnutrition, inflammation and comorbidities are frequent in patients with chronic renal failure in hemodialysis (HD), contributing for morbidity and mortality. Aims: To evaluate the correlation between anthropometric, laboratory parameters, bioelectrical impedance (BIA) and inflammatory markers with the morbidity and mortality of patients in HD, as well as the impact of its alterations throughout 12 months. Methods: 143 patients of a dialysis facility in Northeast Brazil were evaluated throughout 18 months. Patients with more than 3 months on dialysis, older than 18 years, without amputation of hands and feet, were included in the study. We performed a clinical (subjective global assessment - SGA), anthropometric (BMI, percent of ideal weight, MAC, MAMC, MAMA, percent of fat mass and TSF), laboratory (albumin, creatinine, lymphocyte count as nutritional markers and CRP, IL-6 and TNF- as inflammatory markers) evaluation and BIA (reactance, phase angle and percent of body cell mass) at the beginning of study and after 3, 6 and 12 months of follow-up. The association between study variables and deaths and hospitalizations in 6 and 12 months was investigated. The variable with significance < 10% in the univariate analysis had been enclosed in a multivariate logistic regression analysis. We also investigated the risk of mortality and hospitalization associated with differences in measurements of the variables at baseline and six months later. Results: Patients were aged 52.2 ± 16.6 years on the average, 58% were male, and mean dialysis vintage was 5.27 ± 5.12 years. The prevalence of malnutrition varied from 7.7-63.6%, according to the nutritional marker. The variables associated with morbidity and mortality in 6 and 12 months had been creatinine ≤ 9.45 mg/dl, phase angle ≤ 4.57 degrees, BMI ≤ 23 kg/m2, age ≤ 64.9 years, reactance ≤ 51.7 ohms; Charlson´s index ≥ 4 and socioeconomic status ≤ 7. During six months of follow up, decrease in albumin was associated with significantly higher mortality risk. Conclusions: This study detected that the best predictors of morbidity and mortality between nutritional and inflammatory markers are phase angle, reactance, creatinine and BMI and that changes in albumin values over six 107 months provide additional prognostic information. The authors believe that parameters of BIA may detect early changes in nutritional status and emphasize that longitudinal studies with larger number of patients are necessary to confirm these data and to recommend BIA as a routine nutritional evaluation in HD patients

Avaliação do conhecimento e de habilidades clínicas em saúde sexual e reprodutiva na graduação de medicina

No Brasil, a despeito das conquistas obtidas a partir da implantação do Sistema Único de Saúde e dos avanços legais e institucionais na atenção a diversos problemas relacionados ao gênero, a incorporação de temas relacionados aos direitos humanos, sexuais e reprodutivos no contexto da formação profissional em saúde permanece deficiente. Este trabalho teve como objetivos avaliar a inserção da temática saúde sexual e reprodutiva no currículo do curso de graduação em Medicina, por meio do emprego de avaliações de conteúdo cognitivo, procedimental e atitudinal. Trata-se de estudo de intervenção educacional envolvendo alunos do internato do curso de Medicina da UFRN. Foram utilizados os seguintes métodos avaliativos: prova escrita, exame clínico objetivo estruturado (OSCE) e Mini-CEX. Como variáveis explicativas foram consideradas o sexo, idade e participação prévia no componente curricular optativo Saúde Reprodutiva . A avaliação do processo constou da aplicação de questionários de satisfação e entrevistas acerca dos métodos avaliativos utilizados. Considerando os três métodos avaliativos empregados, 183 estudantes participaram do estudo, com média de idade de 24,5 ± 2,2 anos, sendo 52,5% do sexo masculino e 47,5% do sexo feminino. No contexto geral, observamos concordância entre os desempenhos dos estudantes nas avaliações de conteúdo cognitivo, procedimental e atitudinal. A participação dos estudantes no componente curricular eletivo Saúde Reprodutiva mostrou-se associada com melhor desempenho em algumas dimensões da avaliação cognitiva e na avaliação com o Mini-CEX, em relação às competências de anamnese, profissionalismo e qualidades humanísticas, relação médico paciente e desempenho global. A análise da fidedignidade entre os avaliadores na avaliação com o método OSCE mostrou-se adequada (alfa de Cronbach superior a 70%) em relação ao desempenho global e aos aspectos técnicos das competências avaliadas, observando-se baixa confiabilidade na avaliação da comunicação médico-paciente. O presente trabalho constitui-se numa experiência educacional inovadora e pioneira no âmbito da educação médica brasileira no que tange à inserção da temática de saúde sexual e reprodutiva na graduação, sugerindo-se um impacto positivo da iniciativa na formação do médico generalista na UFRN. A avaliação de conhecimentos, habilidades e atitudes em saúde sexual e reprodutiva na graduação de Medicina mostrou-se factível, com alta concordância entre os diferentes métodos empregados. Os métodos OSCE e Mini-CEX podem ser aplicados ao contexto da saúde sexual e reprodutiva, possibilitando a avaliação de competências clínicas relevantes para a formação do médico generalista e que habitualmente não são contempladas nas avaliações rotineiramente realizadas na graduação

Associação dos níveis de motivação e autoestima na aderência à prática de atividade física de universitários

A aderência à prática da atividade física se constitui na maior dificuldade encontrada pelos profissionais da área da saúde. É importante ter conhecimento de determinantes que podem influenciar na aderência. Os objetivos do presente estudo foram o de elaborar, desenvolver e validar uma escala para avaliar a Autoestima referenciada na aderência da prática da atividade física e verificar a associação da Motivação e Autoestima à prática de atividade física. A Escala de Autoestima proposta para validação é uma escala de auto-resposta com dezesseis itens, cinco dimensões e com respostas com três níveis de concordância. Os participantes no estudo de validação são 312 universitários de ambos os sexos, com idades compreendidas entre 18 e 35 anos. Metade deles é praticante regular de atividade física. A Análise Fatorial dos itens mostra cinco dimensões: Introspecção, Imagem Física, Satisfação com a vida, Aceitação e Confiança. As propriedades psicométricas são aceitáveis, com Alfa de Cronbach igual a 0,75. O estudo de validação baseado nas correlações entre esta escala e a de Rosenberg, segundo o teste Qui-quadrado de Pearson, com sig. p < 0, 001 nas classificações e na correlação sugere que a escala pode ser utilizada em estudos de investigação e programas de promoção da saúde. As escalas de Autoestima e de Motivação (MPAM-R) foram aplicadas a um grupo de 110 universitários, 65% do sexo feminino e 35% do sexo masculino, com idade média compreendida entre 18 e 35 anos. Segmentados em dois grupos de praticantes regulares e não regulares de atividade física. Foram controladas as variáveis demográficas, ambientais e antropométricas. Verificou-se associação significativa entre as variáveis Autoestima e Motivação pelo teste Qui-Quadrado, e que denotam que a dimensão da Autoestima Imagem Física, quando cruzada com as dimensões da Motivação, mostra-se em alto grau discricionário e associação direta. Motivação Diversão (sig.p = 0,002), Competência (sig.p = 0.007) e Social (sig.p = 0.016). Ainda, no cruzamento do Escore Total da dimensão Autoestima e a dimensão Diversão da variável Motivação, apresenta associação diretas e significativas (sig.p = 0.020). A síntese dos resultados denota ações combinadas de estímulo na melhora da percepção positiva da Imagem Física do indivíduo, tendo como plano de fundo, ambiente divertido, desafiador (competência) e social (interação com os pares), traduz em aderência a prática da Atividade Física

Tecnologia para banho no leito de idosos e usuários acamados: uma contribuição para o cuidar humanizado

This study aimed to validate the technology at Bed Bath System, in view of bedridden elderly and their caregivers, with a view to transforming the conventional paradigm regarding the practice of bodily hygiene held in bath chairs adapted in long-stay institutions for the elderly. This is an experimental study involving 51 (fifty one) elderly and 17 (seventeen) caregivers of three long-stay institutions for the elderly of the city of João Pessoa. For data collection, applied initially to cognitive assessment scale Mini Mental State Examination, with the aim of tracking the subject group of elderly cognitively able to participate in the study. In the second phase, to measure the percentage of agreement and disagreement about the attributes of the subjects of the shower chair and adapted the system for bed bath, used a questionnaire with closed questions, Likert scale model of four (4) points, with a good reliability index (0.728), estimated by alpha conbrach, evidenced by the Wilcoxon test a significant difference (P<0.05) between the responses of seniors and caregivers about the attributes involving technology system in bath bed and bath chair adapted, confirming the perspective of the subjects that the two systems differ significantly. However, the system bed bath got greater degree of agreement for their use, characterizing this system is a technology that makes the differential bed bath pleasurable action, quality and humanized

Construção e validação de instrumento simplificado para diagnóstico de disfunção temporomandibular em pacientes adultos

As disfunções temporomandibulares (DTM) representam a maior causa de dor não dentária da região orofacial. Dada sua alta prevalência na população em geral e a existência de inúmeros instrumentos diagnósticos não padronizados, buscou-se elaborar e validar um questionário simples, de acessibilidade ampla e aplicação prática, com vistas a contribuir para o diagnóstico e o estudo epidemiológico das mesmas. A estratégia utilizada na montagem do instrumento foi estabelecida com base na avaliação criteriosa de questionários já existentes na literatura, validação de expertos na área de DTM, validação fatorial, de face (na primeira fase do estudo) e, frente ao padrão ouro (RDC/TMD), na segunda fase do estudo. Na primeira fase, participaram 160 indivíduos. A consistência interna resultou num Coeficiente Alfa de Cronbach de 0,752 para o questionário com sete itens; enquanto que para o questionário com cinco itens, este resultado foi de 0,694, não sendo o mesmo, considerado baixo por avaliar apenas cinco questões e ainda, em razão do tema central da pesquisa ser bastante subjetivo. A análise fatorial confirmatória apontou para uma variância total dos fatores extraídos do questionário com sete itens, de 58,2 % e do questionário com cinco itens de 70,04%. Portanto, o questionário com cinco questões, apresentou resultados estatísticos superiores ao de sete questões. Na validação frente ao padrão ouro (RDC/TMD), foram avaliados 99 indivíduos tendo sido testados os dois questionários, com sete e com cinco questões. Na estrutura com sete questões, ao se categorizar as mesmas por totais de pontos obtidos, em quatro condições, obteve-se o melhor resultado quando se considerou com DTM a faixa entre 10 e 21 pontos, sendo 85,1% positivos também no RDC/TMD, com acurácia de 90,1% e Kappa 0,817. Nesta condição, a sensibilidade encontrada foi de 95% (IC 95%, 91 a 99), especificidade de 87% (IC 95%, 81 a 93), VPP 85%, VPN 96%, LR+ 7,3 e LR- 17,4. Quando os dados foram avaliados para o questionário com cinco questões (QST/DTM), pode-se observar que o melhor ponto de corte foi quando se considerou como portadores de DTM, os indivíduos na faixa entre 7 e 15 pontos, com acurácia de 85,8% e Kappa 0,817. Nesta condição, a sensibilidade foi 88% (IC 95%, 81,6 a 94,4), especificidade 84% (IC 95%, 76,8 a 91,2), VPP 80%, VPN 90,5%, LR+ 5,5 e LR- 7,0. A simplicidade do presente questionário (QST/DTM) com apenas cinco questões, possibilita seu uso como elemento de triagem inicial na área da dor orofacial em disfunção temporomandibular, com boa compreensibilidade, confiabilidade, reprodutibilidade e possibilidade de aplicação em pesquisas epidemiológicas. Concluiu-se que o questionário aqui validado, permite sua aplicação de forma simples tanto por profissionais e pesquisadores da Odontologia como de outras áreas da saúde

Conhecimentos, atitudes e práticas sobre contracepção para adolescentes

Conhecer o fenômeno da gravidez no contexto da adolescência, considerando a importância da contracepção como valioso recurso deprevenção, é uma abordagem que carece de atenção e norteia esta pesquisa, cujoobjetivo é avaliar a vivência sexual dos adolescentes e uso de métodos contraceptivos a partir do que eles conhecem sobre esses métodos e de suas atitudes frente à contracepção. Trata-se de um estudo exploratório, conduzido com estudantesdo 7º ao 9º ano de escolaridade. Os instrumentos de coleta de dados foram construídos e validados com análise das melhores condições para obtenção derespostas coerentes. As variáveis consideradas para análise foram: comunicação, atitudes, conhecimentos sobre contracepção, sexo, idade e comportamento sexual. As análises foram realizadas através dos cálculos de frequência, testes de qui-quadrado, t de student e regressão logística (considerou-se p<0,05). Os instrumentos foram validados com alfa de Cronbach de 0,70. Houve dificuldades para aobtenção de dados confiáveis nos auto-relatos dos sujeitos, verificando-se a necessidade de investigar a coerência das repostas mesmo utilizando instrumentos já validados. Dos 570 participantes, 68,8% tinha até 14 anos. Apresentaram pouco conhecimento e atitudes desfavoráveis ou ambivalentes à contracepção. Apenas 65% conversaram sobre o tema e 21,4% declararam iniciação sexual. Entre esses, a maioria (60,8%) tinha até 15 anos e 49,3% nunca usaram qualquer método contraceptivo. Não houve diferença significativa no uso da prevenção entre os que conversaram ou não sobre contracepção (p= 0,201). Os resultados apontam adolescentes expostos não só à gravidez, como à DST e alerta para a necessidade deintervenções que viabilizem uma orientação sexual capaz de promover competências para práticas sexuais mais seguras. Além disso, este estudo alerta para a dificuldade em obter dados confiáveis em pesquisas com adolescentes e evidencia a importância em se verificar a coerência das respostas mesmo utilizando instrumentos validados