PERFIL DOS FREQUENTADORES DAS ACADEMIAS DE GINÁSTICA DE UM MUNICÍPIO DO RIO GRANDE DO SUL

Objetivo: Traçar o perfil dos frequentadores das academias de ginástica do município de Canguçu-RS. Métodos: Estudo transversal, de caráter descritivo, com 177 frequentadores de academias de diversas modalidades. Utilizou-se um questionário estruturado, contendo 76 questões para mensurar variáveis sociodemograficas, antropométricas, nutricionais e comportamentais, além de informações relacionadas às praticas nas academias. Realizouse análise descritiva dos dados, com cálculo de médias ± desvios-padrão para as variáveis contínuas e cálculo de proporções para as variáveis categóricas. Resultados: Participaram 177 frequentadores das academias na cidade de Canguçu-RS (30±12,5 anos; 70,0±12,8 kg; 1,69±0,1m). Com relação às variáveis comportamentais, a maioria nunca fumou (71,8%), não bebia exageradamente (89,9%) e era ativa no lazer (87%). No tocante às variáveis nutricionais, 66,7% tinham índice de massa corporal normal e a maioria não alcançava as recomendações de consumo diário de frutas, verduras e legumes, e não usava suplementos (69,5%). No que diz respeito às variáveis relacionadas à academia, a maioria dos respondentes frequentava há mais de 12 meses (56,5%), quatro ou mais vezes por semana (52%), à noite (52,5%), relatando que o principal motivo para ir à academia foi permanecer saudável (78%). Os praticantes afirmaram satisfação com os objetivos alcançados (60%) e praticavam a modalidade de musculação (97,2%). Conclusão: A maioria dos frequentadores das academias era do sexo masculino, jovem, ativa no lazer, praticava a modalidade de musculação e estava satisfeita com os resultados buscados nas academias. Apesar disso, são necessárias estratégias de mudança de comportamento em relação ao consumo de frutas, verduras e legumes.

ANÁLISE MICROBIANA E DO TEOR DE FLÚOR ADICIONADO À ÁGUA DE ABASTECIMENTO EM UM ESTADO DO NORDESTE DO BRASIL

Objetivo: Analisar os teores de íons de fluoreto e o padrão microbiológico encontrado nas águas de abastecimento público dos municípios alagoanos que fluoretam suas águas. Métodos: Estudo transversal descritivo realizado no período de 2012 a 2014, no qual se analisaram todos os laudos emitidos pelo Laboratório Central de Saúde Pública de Alagoas (LACEN-AL) com os resultados da análise da qualidade da água para consumo humano dos onze municípios alagoanos que fluoretaram suas águas, totalizando 3.089 laudos. Avaliouse o número total de amostras enviadas para análise da qualidade da água, a quantidade de amostras em que foi solicitada a análise de fluoreto, teores e variações dos íons de fluoreto e o padrão microbiológico das amostras fluoretadas. Realizou-se a análise descritiva dos dados, obtendo-se as frequências absolutas e relativas percentuais. Resultados: Foram encontradas 429 (83,9%) amostras coletadas no intervalo 0,0-0,5 mgF/L, número considerado abaixo do recomendável, além de grande variação na concentração dos íons de fluoreto e 128 (26,3%) amostras de água fluoretada fora dos padrões de potabilidade. Conclusão: Os dados mostraram uma grande variação e um alto percentual de amostras com baixas concentrações de fluoreto, assim como a necessidade de melhoria da qualidade da água ofertada, de modo a garantir para a população o acesso contínuo à água potável.

ALCOHOL AS A SOCIAL MEDIATOR AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Objective: To identify the prevalence of alcohol consumption in Psychology students of a higher education institution in the city of Montes Claros, MG. Methods: Quantitative crosssectional descriptive research conducted from September to October 2014. The population consisted of 116 Psychology students from the city of Montes Claros, MG. Data were collected using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), the Inventário de Expectativas e Crenças Pessoais Acerca do Álcool – IECPA (Inventory of Expectations and Personal Beliefs about Alcohol), the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) and the Escala de Satisfação com o Suporte Social – ESSS (Social Support Satisfaction Scale). Descriptive analysis of data was performed using SPSS 19.0. Results: The sample had a predominance of female gender (82.75%, n=96), pardos (65.51%, n=76) and single (60.34%, n=70) individuals. Regarding the AUDIT risk classification, it was found that 49.13% (n=57) of the respondents were in the level 4, considered alcohol dependence. They reported occasional use of alcohol, smoking and other substances, which refer to ASSIST level 1 classification, with 94.82% (n=110). Regarding the IECPA, 87.06% (n=101) of the individuals were classified as level 1, with low vulnerability to the effects of alcohol. As to the ESSS, 68.10% (n=79) of the students showed high social support. Conclusion: Regarding the sample studied, it was found a high prevalence of dependence on alcohol and other legal and illegal drugs.

Prevalence of chronic diseases in private healthcare sector of South Africa: A threat to public health

Purpose: To evaluate the prevalence of patients suffering from registered chronic disease list (CDL) conditions in a section of the South African private health sector from 2008 - 2012. Methods: This study was a retrospective analysis of the medicine claims database of a nationally (South African) representative Pharmacy Benefit Management (PBM) company data between 2008 and 2012. Statistical analysis was used to analyse the data. Descriptive analysis was performed to calculate the prevalence of CDL conditions for the entire population, and stratified by age and gender. However, MIXED linear modelling was used to determine changes in the average number of CDL conditions per patient, adjusted for age and gender from 2008 - 2012. Results: An increase of 0.20 in chronic diseases was observed from 2008 - 2012 in patients having any CDL condition, with an average of 1.57 (1.57 - 1.58, 95 % CI) co-morbid CDL conditions in 2008 and 1.77 (1.77 - 1.78, 95 % CI) in 2012. This increase in average number of CDL conditions per patient between 2008 and 2012 was statistically significant (p < 0.05), but with no large practical significance (d < 0.8). Conclusion: Prevalence of patients with CDL conditions along with risk of co-morbidity has been increasing with time in the private health sector of South Africa. Risk of increased co-morbidity with age and among different genders was prevalent.

ANALYSIS OF FUNCTIONAL STATUS OF ELDERLY RESIDENTS IN LONG-TERM CARE INSTITUTIONS

Objective: To evaluate the functional status of elderly residents in long-term institutions. Methods: Exploratory-descriptive study, developed in two long-term care institutions for the elderly (LTC), in city of Fortaleza, Ceará. The instruments utilized were: 1) Sociodemographic form, 2) Functional Independence Measure (FIM), and 3) International Classification of Functioning (ICF). Data was descriptively analyzed through the calculation of frequency, mean and standard deviation. Results: There was a predominance of males (n=47; 59.49%), with mean age of 74.58 (± 8.89) years, 68.35% (n=54) have been or are married, and 49.37% (n=39) are illiterate. In reference to the FIM, it was observed that the elderly perform the activities in a complete or modified mode and 18.99% (n=15) have difficulty climbing stairs. As to the association between the FIM and the ICF, in relation to self-care, it was seen that 96.20% (n=76) have no difficulty in performing tasks; 92.40% (n=73) move around without difficulty; and 98.73% (n=78) have preserved the cognition. In relation to the capacity of maintaining and controlling social interactions, all exhibit this domain preserved. Conclusion: The surveyed elderly presented good cognitive status and little dependence in activities regarding personal care, mobility and communication. The use of the ICF allows the visualization of the functionality scenario among the elderly, what can facilitate more effective health promotion strategies for this population.

Pathologically confirmed breast cancer in Malawi: a descriptive study: Clinical profile of breast cancer

Background Breast cancer is the most common female cancer in Africa, yet no published studies have investigated breast cancer in Malawi. Understanding the clinical profile of breast cancer is important to develop early diagnosis efforts. Aim To describe clinical and pathological characteristics of breast specimens from a pathology laboratory at a national teaching hospital. Methods Secondary analysis of pathology reports from July 2011 to September 2013. Results Among 85 breast cancer cases, 55% were < 50 years. Median tumor size was 4 cm and 49% were grade 3. Median symptom duration was eight months. Conclusions Malawian women with breast cancer commonly have long symptom durations prior to diagnosis, young age, and poorly differentiated tumors. Improved clinical and pathological characterization, including hormone receptor status, are urgently needed to better understand this disease in Malawi.

Microbiology of chronic suppurative otitis media at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi: A cross-sectional descriptive study

Background Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) is still a significant health problem in developing countries. Therefore, it was pertinent to determine the local Malawian microbiology in order to guide adequate treatment, avoid complications, and provide records for future reference. Aim The study sought to determine the CSOM-causing microorganisms at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre, Malawi, and establish their relationship signs and symptoms, and with the demographic pattern of the study. Methods This was a hospital-based cross-sectional descriptive study carried out at the ENT outpatient clinic and the Microbiology Department of Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital.The sample comprised 104 patients with unilateral or bilateral active CSOM, who met the inclusion criteria. All patients were evaluated through a detailed history and clinical examination. Pus samples from draining ears were collected by aspiration with a sterile pipette. The specimens were immediately sent for microbiological analysis. Data were analyzed using SPSS.version 20. Results The study found that Proteus mirabilis , Pseudomonas aeruginosa , and Staphylococcus aureus were the most prevalent aerobic bacteria, while Bacteroides spp. and Peptostreptococcus spp. were the commonest anaerobic bacteria causing CSOM. These CSOM-causing microorganisms were predominant among males aged 18 years and below. Some CSOMcausing microorganisms were—significantly more so than the others— characteristically associated with each of the following clinical features: quantity of pus drainage, mode of onset, otalgia, hearing loss, location of tympanic membrane perforation, and mucosal appearance.

Odontometric analysis of molars for sex determination

Aim: To investigate the existence of sexual dimorphism between the first and second permanent molars. Methods: A cross-sectional, observational, blind study using comparative and statistical descriptive procedures. The sample included 50 pairs of plaster casts from undergraduate dental students (25 men/25 women) from the Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa/PB, Brazil, aged 20-26 years. Odontometric measurements of first and second maxillary/mandibular, right/left permanent molars were performed. Mesiodistal (MD) and buccolingual/palatal (BL/BP) widths and the distance between the lingual cusps of corresponding molars in opposite quadrants, were measured. The data were analyzed by Student’s t test and ANOVA with Bonferroni (p≤0.05). Results: The crowns of all first molars were statistically larger in men than in women (p<0.05). Maxillary and mandibular left second molars (#27 and #37) did not differ in their MD widths (p=0.66, p=0.75), whereas mandibular left and right second molars (#37 and #47) showed statistically different BL widths (p=0.007 and p=0.008). As to the distance between the lingual cusps, only the first left-to-right mandibular molars (#36-46) showed no sex dimorphism (p=0.107). Conclusions: Molars are larger in males than in females. Individually, first molars demonstrated higher evidence of sex distinction than second molars.