Importância e aproveitamento da organização informal

Ao lado da organização formal, reconhece-se hoje a existência de uma organização informal bastante influente nos destinos de qualquer instituição. Há uma série de semelhanças entre os dois tipos de instituição, merecendo destaque a estrutura de relacionamentos, os sistemas de contrôle e comunicação, a existência de pessoas com autoridade, a permanência relativa de seus membros e a possibilidade de representação gráfica. Como essa organização informal é indestrutível, recomenda-se seja ela utilizada pela formal, o que, além de viável, é altamente vantajoso para a instituição como um todo. São expostas algumas formas de estudo e utilização da organização informal.

Condiciones de salud y de trabajo informal en recuperadores ambientales del área rural de Medellín, Colombia, 2008

OBJETIVO: Caracterizar las condiciones de trabajo, salud y riesgos ocupacionales de recuperadores ambientales del área rural de Medellín. MÉTODOS: Estudio transversal con cien recuperadores ambientales informales en cinco corregimientos de Medellín en 2008. La fuente de información fue primaria: una encuesta estructurada sobre condiciones de trabajo, salud, riesgos ocupacionales y morbilidad sentida, que permitió caracterizar los riesgos de la población mediante estadística descriptiva y un acercamiento a las relaciones y asociaciones de los riesgos con la morbilidad en la población. RESULTADOS: Ciento cuatro personas ejercían el reciclaje, y 100 de estos se incluyeron en el estudio: 34 personas agremiadas en organizaciones de base comunitaria y 66 personas que ejercían la labor independientemente. La afiliación a seguridad social, suplencia de necesidades básicas, satisfacción en la labor, recibir capacitaciones y suministro periódico de elementos para su trabajo presentaron diferencias según grupo (p < 0,05). Los riesgos biológicos, relacionados con postura corporal inadecuada, riesgos físicos y químicos, tuvieran frecuencia particular de exposición según grupo. El conocimiento y uso de las medidas de protección para los riesgos de la labor difirieron estadísticamente entre los grupos (p < 0,05). CONCLUSÕES: Los recuperadores son potencial apoyo para la gestión integral de residuos en áreas rurales de Medellín, aunque su carácter informal los expone a condiciones de trabajo que repercuten directamente en su salud y la de sus familias. El reconocimiento social del reciclaje va de la mano con la mejora de las condiciones laborales de las personas dedicadas a esta actividad. Los recuperadores ambientales, aun agremiados, tienen condiciones laborales y de salud precarias. La trasformación de estas condiciones debería ser una de las prioridades del Estado.

Environmental contamination by Toxocara spp. Eggs in a rural settlement in Brazil

In order to study the environmental contamination by Toxocara spp. eggs in a rural community from the Pontal do Paranapanema region, São Paulo State, Brazil, soil samples from 31 out of 121 plots were collected in eight different places on each house. The samples were submitted to flotation technique in sodium nitrate (d = 1.20g/cm³). Eggs of Toxocara spp. were recovered in nine (29.03%) out of the 31 plots. At least one dog was registered in 27 of the 31 plots examined (87.1%) and at least one cat in 17 (54.84%). The number of pets per plot ranged from one to six (mean of 2.3) for dogs and one to 14 (mean of 1.29) for cats. In 16 plots (51.61%), the presence of both dogs and cats was observed. There was no relation between the presence of pets in the plots and soil contamination (p > 0.05). However, the environmental contamination by Toxocara spp. eggs associated to the poor conditions of the inhabitants may be an important risk factor for the human population to ocular or visceral larva migrans.

High occurrence of giardiasis in children living on a 'landless farm workers' settlement in Araras, São Paulo, Brazil

Enteric parasitosis remains an important public health problem in many areas around the world including in Brazil, and it is frequently associated with poverty and lack of sanitation facilities. Research carried out over the course of a year revealed that 96.6% (28/29) of children randomly selected from a 'landless farm workers' settlement in Araras, São Paulo, aged 4 - 15 years, presented Giardia intestinalis cysts. After referral to the neighborhood Health Office, all the children received tinidazole, given as a single dose of 50 mg/kg and 12 months later, new fecal samples were collected and analyzed. Despite the low adherence to the study, a high percentage (64.3% - 9/14) of the children remained positive for the parasite. This study showed a high positivity of giardiasis in child residents of the settlement, even after treatment; adults were not sensitized to the study and did not collected and/or deliver children fecal samples. The precarious living conditions are consistent with a high susceptibility to parasitic diseases, suggesting that the treatment of the infected individuals without identifying and eradicating the means of contamination is simply a palliative measure.

SEROLOGICAL SURVEY OF Ehrlichia SPECIES IN DOGS, HORSES AND HUMANS: ZOONOTIC SCENERY IN A RURAL SETTLEMENT FROM SOUTHERN BRAZIL

SUMMARY The aims of this study were to determine the seroprevalence of Ehrlichia spp. and risk factors for exposure in a restricted population of dogs, horses, and humans highly exposed to tick bites in a Brazilian rural settlement using a commercial ELISA rapid test and two indirect immunofluorescent assays (IFA) with E. canis and E. chaffeensis crude antigens. Serum samples from 132 dogs, 16 horses and 100 humans were used. Fifty-six out of 132 (42.4%) dogs were seropositive for E. canis. Dogs > one year were more likely to be seropositive for E. canis than dogs ≤ one year (p = 0.0051). Ten/16 (62.5%) and 8/16 (50%) horses were seropositive by the commercial ELISA and IFA, respectively. Five out of 100 (5%) humans were seropositive for E. canis and E. chaffeensis. Rhipicephalus sanguineus (n = 291, 97.98%) on dogs and Amblyomma cajennense (n = 25, 96.15%) on horses were the most common ticks found. In conclusion, anti-Ehrlichia spp. antibodies were found in horses; however, the lack of a molecular characterization precludes any conclusion regarding the agent involved. Additionally, the higher seroprevalence of E. canis in dogs and the evidence of anti-Ehrlichia spp. antibodies in humans suggest that human cases of ehrlichiosis in Brazil might be caused by E. canis, or other closely related species.

MOLECULAR INVESTIGATION OF HEMOTROPIC MYCOPLASMAS IN HUMAN BEINGS, DOGS AND HORSES IN A RURAL SETTLEMENT IN SOUTHERN BRAZIL

SUMMARY The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of hemoplasmas in a rural Brazilian settlement's population of human beings, their dogs and horses, highly exposed to tick bites; to identify the tick species parasitizing dogs and horses, and analyze factors associated with their infection. Blood samples from 132 dogs, 16 horses and 100 humans were screened using a pan-hemoplasma SYBR green real-time PCR assay followed by a species-specific TaqMan real-time PCR. A total of 59/132 (44.7%) dog samples were positive for hemoplasmas (21 Mycoplasma haemocanisalone, 12 ' Candidatus Mycoplasma haematoparvum' alone and 21 both). Only 1/100 (1.0%) human sample was positive by qPCR SYBR green, with no successful amplification of 16S rRNA or 23 rRNA genes despite multiple attempts. All horse samples were negative. Dogs >1 year of age were more likely to be positive for hemoplasmas ( p= 0.0014). In conclusion, although canine hemoplasma infection was highly prevalent, cross-species hemoplasma transmission was not observed, and therefore may not frequently occur despite overexposure of agents and vectors.

Frequency of amoebiasis and other intestinal parasitoses in a settlement in Ilhéus City, State of Bahia, Brazil

Introduction: This study evaluated the frequency of intestinal parasites, emphasizing the identification and differentiation of Entamoeba spp. Methods: Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR), coproantigen tests and morphometric analysis were performed for Entamoeba spp. differentiation. Results: The overall frequency of intestinal parasites was 65%. Entamoeba histolytica was detected by the coproantigen test, and the PCR showed that Entamoeba dispar predominated in the population. In contrast, morphometric analysis was important for identifying Entamoeba hartmanni. Conclusions: It is possible to identify the causative agent of amoebiasis and to differentiate this agent from other species by combining techniques.

THE EFECTS OF SETTLEMENT ON THE PREVALENCE OF AscarisINFECTION IN TWO AMERINDIAN POPULATIONS OF THE BRAZILIAN AMAZON

Studies were made of the intestinal parasites of Amerindian populations of the Uaupes River basin of Brazil. Three groups were sampled: 1) Tukano fisher-agriculturalists who live in permanent riverine villages; 2) Maku hunter-horticulturalists who live in close contact with the Tukano fishing villages; and 3) Maku who inhabit the forest interior and have little contact with permanent settlements. Fecal samples were collected from 498 individuals of which 220 were from the first group, 135 from de second and 143 from the third. The samples were analyzed by means of microflotation and centrifugal sedimentation. A total of 18 protozoan and helminth species were recorded based on the presence of cysts or eggs. These included five nematode species that could not be identified. The three common pathogenic nematodes were found to be prevalent: the hookworm, Necator americanus(96%); the whipworm, Trichuris trichiura(77%) and the large roundworm, Ascaris lumbricoides(75%). The prevalence of Ascarisamong the villages was found to vary from 56 to 100%. Individuals living in, or associated with, permanent settlements had higher prevalence and intensity rates than those living in the nomadic hunter-gatherer way. This is shown to be directly related to fecal contamination of the environment in and around permanent settlements. The prevalence of Ascarisin a population can be used as an indicator of such environmental contamination.

Structure of Anopheles (Diptera: Culicidae) population in areas with different degrees of human settlement: Cantá - Roraima - Brazil

Malaria has still been one of the most important endemic diseases in the Amazonian region. This study presents the impact of human settlements on the structure of Anopheles population. Diversity, abundance, richness and distribution of the genus Anopheles were observed in two areas with different levels of human settlement in the Cantá city, Roraima State, Northern Brazil. The influence of the dry and rainy seasons on mosquito populations was also observed. Mosquito captures were performed between 6:00 and 10:00 pm during the dry (February and November) and rainy (May and August) seasons at four different sites of each area. Among the 11 species of Anopheles identified through the adults' characteristics, An. albitarsis s.l. (45.5%) and An. darlingi (19.2%) were the most abundant in the more intensively anthropized area while An. triannulatus (19.2%) was more common in the less modified area. Other species found were An. nuneztovari (10.9%), An. oswaldoi (2.0%), An. evansae (1.7%), An. brasiliensis (0.6%), An. intermedius (0.3%), An. mediopunctatus (0.5%), An. periassui (0.08%) and An. argyritarsis (0.04%). The highest mosquitoes' population density was observed in May and the lowest one was observed in February and November. These results demonstrate the existence of a high diversity of anophelines in the study areas, showing that anthropic changes in the environment and climate variability affect both the population density and relative abundance of these vectors.

Malaria control in an agro-industrial settlement of Rondônia (Western Amazon Region, Brazil)

A malaria control pilot project was developed in the Urupá agro-industrial farm that is situated in the State of Rondônia (Western Amazon Region, Brazil). Around 180 inhabitants had been surveyed for the past five years. The control measures were based on (1) training a community agent to perform on the spot microscopical diagnosis of malaria and to treat the uncomplicated cases of malaria; (2) limiting the use of insecticides to a short period before the high transmission season. This resulted in a significant reduction in the time between the onset of clinical symptoms and specific chemotherapy which fell from 3.5 to 1.3 days. In relation to the previous three reference years the total number of malaria cases was reduced to 50% in the first year and to 25% in the second year. The introduction of these measures coincided with pronounced reduction in the frequency of Plasmodium falciparum infections but this was less marked for P. vivax infections. In the second year of the pilot experiment there was no P. falciparum transmission on the farm. During the last decade there was a general decrease in the endemicity of malaria in the State of Rondônia. The linear regression coefficient values indicate that the decline was more pronounced in Urupá than in the general municipality and that the falciparum malaria API in Urupá farm is significantly lower than in the general municipality of Candeias were the farm is situated.

Taeniosis-cysticercosis complex in individuals of a peasants' settlement (Teodoro Sampaio, Pontal of Paranapanema, SP, Brazil)

In order to evaluate the taeniosis-cysticercosis complex in a population of a peasants' settlement, located at Teodoro Sampaio, state of São Paulo, Brazil (longitude 52° 36'12 ", latitude 22° 17'12 ") a series of laboratory markers were determined. After signing an informed consent, participants answered a standardized questionnaire. To determine anti-Taenia solium cysticercus antibodies, the samples were tested by enzyme linked immunoabsorbent assay using 18-and 14-kDa antigen proteins from vesicular fluid of Taenia crassiceps (VF-Tcra). The reactive and inconclusive ELISA samples were tested by immunoblotting. Total IgE levels were determined by chemmiluminescence's assay and hemogram by flow cytometer flux counter. A total of 84 individuals, 5.9% presented anti-T. solium cysticercus antibodies in ELISA and 3.6% were strongly reactive in the 18/14 kDa immunoblotting confirmatory test. All of the individuals with positive antibodies showed elevated Total IgE levels. We conclude that the frequency of anti-T. solium cysticercus antibodies in this population is higher than other regions considered endemic in São Paulo. Thus, it is important to carry out surveys in Peasants' settlement areas with the objective of establishing public health measures for prevention and control of infectious diseases such as taeniosis-cysticercosis.

Multiplex PCR-based detection of Leptospira in environmental water samples obtained from a slum settlement

The aim of this study was to apply a molecular protocol to detect leptospiral DNA in environmental water samples. The study was carried out in a peri-urban settlement in Petrópolis, state of Rio de Janeiro. A multiplex PCR method employing the primers LipL32 and 16SrRNA was used. Three out of 100 analysed samples were positive in the multiplex PCR, two were considered to have saprophytic leptospires and one had pathogenic leptospires. The results obtained supported the idea that multiplex PCR can be used to detect Leptospira spp in water samples. This method was also able to differentiate between saprophytic and pathogenic leptospires and was able to do so much more easily than conventional methodologies.

The phlebotomine fauna (Diptera: Psychodidae) of Guaraí, state of Tocantins, with an emphasis on the putative vectors of American cutaneous leishmaniasis in rural settlement and periurban areas

Phlebotomine sandflies were captured in rural settlement and periurban areas of the municipality of Guaraí in the state of Tocantins (TO), an endemic area of American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL). Forty-three phlebotomine species were identified, nine of which have already been recognised as ACL vectors. Eleven species were recorded for the first time in TO. Nyssomyia whitmani was the most abundant species, followed by Evandromyia bourrouli, Nyssomyia antunesi and Psychodopygus complexus. The Shannon-Wiener diversity index and the evenness index were higher in the rural settlement area than in the periurban area. The evaluation of different ecotopes within the rural area showed the highest frequencies of Ev. bourrouli and Ny. antunesi in chicken coops, whereas Ny. whitmani predominated in this ecotope in the periurban area. In the rural settlement area, Ev. bourrouli was the most frequently captured species in automatic light traps and Ps. complexus was the most prevalent in Shannon trap captures. The rural settlement environment exhibited greater phlebotomine biodiversity than the periurban area. Ps. complexus and Psychodopygus ayrozai naturally infected with Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis were identified. The data identified Ny. whitmani as a potential ACL vector in the periurban area, whereas Ps. complexus was more prevalent in the rural environment associated with settlements.

A família na unidade de internação hospitalar: entre o informal e o instituído

Estudo de abordagem comparada que utilizou duas etnografias já concluídas com o objetivo de identificar como as famílias percebem suas inserções na unidade de internação e como são percebidas pela equipe de saúde, considerando-se as regras e as normas da cultura institucional. Os resultados obtidos revelam que tanto as equipes quanto as famílias se aproximam ou se distanciam em face da concordância ou não das regras vigentes na instituição. Embora as famílias, em muitas situações, submetam-se aos regulamentos impostos pelo hospital e pela equipe, também usam resistências individuais e coletivas para enfrentar os mecanismos reguladores. Os resultados contribuem para aumentar a compreensão sobre o tema, tanto para a equipe de saúde quanto para a prática de enfermagem com famílias, especialmente no sentido de reconhecer as famílias como unidades ativas, responsáveis e coparticipantes na atenção intra-hospitalar.

Modes of acquisition of health literacy skills in informal learning contexts

In this article we try to analyze the learning processes of health literacy skills in informal contexts. We intend to broaden the understanding of the learning process beyond the formal contexts, thus contributing to the elucidation of health professionals on how individuals acquire and manage their knowledge in health matters. Given our goal, we use an analytic corpus constituted by one hundred autobiographical narratives written between 2006 and 2011, in educational contexts but with recognized potential for use in different scientific fields, including health. The results reveal the existence of three different types of modes of learning health literacy skills in informal context: : i) learning that takes place in action, in achieving daily tasks; ii) learning processes that result from problem solving; iii) learning that occurs in an unplanned manner, resulting from accidental circumstances and, in some cases, devoid of intentionality.