Prevalence And Treatment Of Hypertension In Urban And Riverside Areas In Porto Velho, The Brazilian Amazon.

Abstract Introduction: Hypertension (HTN) is a preventable cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. To compare the prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of HTN among urban and riverside populations in Porto Velho, Amazon region. We conducted a cross-sectional study between July and December 2013 based on a household survey of individuals aged 35-80 years. Interviews by using a standardized questionnaire, and blood pressure (BP), weight, height, and waist circumference measurements were performed. HTN was defined when individuals reported having the disease, received antihypertensive medications, or had a systolic BP ≥ 140 mm Hg or diastolic BP ≥ 90 mm Hg. Awareness was based on self-reports and the use of antihypertensive medications. Control was defined as a BP ≤ 140/90 mm Hg. Among the 1410 participants, 750 (53.19%) had HTN and 473 (63.06%) had diagnosis awareness, of whom 404 (85.41%) received pharmacological treatment but with low control rate. The prevalence and treatment rates were higher in the urban areas (55.48% vs. 48.87% [p = 0.02] and 61.25% vs. 52.30% [p < 0.01], respectively). HTN awareness was higher in the riverside area (61.05% vs. 67.36% ; p < 0.01), but the control rates showed no statistically significant difference (22.11% vs. 23.43% ; p = 0.69). HTN prevalence was higher in the urban population than in the riverside population. Of the hypertensive individuals in both areas, <25% had controlled HTN. Comprehensive public health measures are needed to improve the prevention and treatment of systemic arterial HTN and prevent other cardiovascular diseases.

Brazilian multicentre study of common mental disorders in primary care: rates and related social and demographic factors

Mental health problems are common in primary health care, particularly anxiety and depression. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of common mental disorders and their associations with socio-demographic characteristics in primary care in Brazil (Family Health Strategy). It involved a multicenter cross-sectional study with patients from Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Fortaleza (Ceará State) and Porto Alegre (Rio Grande do Sul State), assessed using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD). The rate of mental disorders in patients from Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Fortaleza and Porto Alegre were found to be, respectively, 51.9%, 53.3%, 64.3% and 57.7% with significant differences between Porto Alegre and Fortaleza compared to Rio de Janeiro after adjusting for confounders. Prevalence proportions of mental problems were especially common for females, the unemployed, those with less education and those with lower incomes. In the context of the Brazilian government's moves towards developing primary health care and reorganizing mental health policies it is relevant to consider common mental disorders as a priority alongside other chronic health conditions.

Composição florística de uma floresta ripária na Reserva Estadual de Porto Ferreira, SP

The point-centred quarter method (63 points) was applied in Porto Ferreira State Reserve (21º49'S and 47º25'W) in an area (1.08ha) on the right margin of Moji Guaçu river, including two woody individuals per quarter - one with DBH < 10cm and at least 130cm high, the other with DBH > 10cm. The results obtained were compared with those published by other authors for a riparian forest (Mata da Figueira) at Moji Guaçu Ecological Station (about 100 km upstream on the same river). At Porto Ferreira 107 species were found, of which 80 were exclusive, compared with the Mata da Figueira where of the 59 species listed, 31 were exclusive. The two area shared 27 common species, thus accounting for a low Sørensen similarity of 48.6%. The great environmental heterogeneity of the floodplains, as well as the degree of anthropic disturbance, could account for this floristic variation. The greatest numbers of species were shown by Leguminosae (20), Myrtaceae (17), Rutaceae (9), Euphorbiaceae (7), and Lauraceae, Meliaceae, Moraceae and Rubiaceae (6 species each). There appears to be little difference at the family level among the periodically flooded and non-flooded forests of the State of São Paulo, but the species show different degreees of preference for habitat. The floristic composition of the two areas presented a mixture of typical species with others of non-flooded forests. The latter would occur on the floodplain probably by a) adaptation of the root system to relatively short flooding periods; b) shorter periods of flooding on the higher points of the microrelief of the floodplain, and c) greater aeration due to running water.

Politicas publicas de lazer e participação cidadã : entendendo o caso de Porto Alegre

Universidade Estadual de Campinas. Faculdade de Educação Física