[Social network and social support measures from the Pró-Saúde Study: pre-tests and pilot study]

Associations of academic environment, lifestyle, sense of coherence and social support with self-reported mental health status among dental students at a university in Brazil: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES

The study evaluated the association of academic environment, lifestyle, sense of coherence (SOC) and social support with self-reported mental health status among dental students.

DESIGN

Secondary analysis of data from a cross-sectional, questionnaire-based survey conducted from August to October 2018.

SETTING

Dental school of a public-funded university in the south-eastern region of Brazil.

PARTICIPANTS

233 undergraduate dental students recruited across all years of the course.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, city of origin and student's academic semester were obtained through self-completed questionnaires. Perception of the academic environment (Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM)), individual lifestyle (Individual Lifestyle Profile Questionnaire (ILPQ)), SOC (SOC Scale (SOC-13)), social support (Medical Outcomes Study Scale (MOS)), and depression, anxiety and stress (Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21)) were assessed using validated instruments. The relationships between variables were investigated through multivariable negative binomial regression to obtain the rate ratios (RRs) and 95% CIs.

RESULTS

Female sex was associated with greater scores of anxiety (RR 1.74, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.97) and stress (RR 1.52, 95% CI 1.12 to 2.06). Students who perceived a better academic environment and those reporting a greater SOC had a lower probability of depression, anxiety and stress. Furthermore, a favourable lifestyle was associated with lower depression scores (RR 0.99, 95% CI 0.97 to 0.99). Social support did not remain associated with depression, anxiety and stress after adjustment.

CONCLUSIONS

The present findings suggest that self-reported mental health status is associated with students' sex, academic environment, SOC and lifestyle. Enhancing the educational environment and SOC, and promoting a healthy lifestyle may improve the psychological health of dental students.

[Do depressive symptoms, anxiety and stressful symptoms during pregnancy affect gestational weight gain?]

The scope of this article is to estimate the effects of symptoms of mental disorders during pregnancy (depressive symptoms, anxiety and stress) on gestational weight gain (kg). It is a longitudinal study, carried out with data from the BRISA Birth Cohort, which was launched in 2010 in São Luís, Maranhão. Gestational weight gain was classified according to the Institute of Medicine. The independent variable was a construct (latent variable) referred to as symptoms of mental disorders, made up of the depressive symptoms, anxiety and stressful symptoms variables (all on an ongoing basis). Structural equation modeling was used to investigate the association between mental health and weight gain. Regarding the association between symptoms of mental disorders and weight gain during pregnancy, no total effect was found (PC=0.043; p=0.377). Regarding indirect effects, no effect was found either through risk behaviors (PC=0.03; p=0.368) or through physical activity (PC=0.00; p=0.974). Finally, the data did not show a direct effect of symptoms of mental disorders during pregnancy such as gestational weight gain (PC=0.050; p=0.404). Gestational weight gain had no direct, indirect or total effect on symptoms of mental disorders in pregnant women.

The Different Roles of Structural and Cognitive Social Capital on Oral Health-Related Quality of Life among Adolescents

This study evaluated the relationship of structural and cognitive dimensions of social capital with oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among adolescents. This was a cross-sectional study nested in a cohort of adolescents from southern Brazil. OHRQoL was evaluated using the short version of the Child Perceptions Questionnaire 11-14 (CPQ11-14). Structural social capital was measured by attendance of religious meetings and social networks from friends and neighbours. Cognitive social capital was evaluated through trust in friends and neighbours, perception of relationships in the neighbourhood, and social support during hard times. Multilevel Poisson regression analysis was performed to estimate the association between social capital dimensions and overall CPQ11-14 scores; higher scores corresponded to worse OHRQoL. The sample comprised 429 adolescents with a mean age of 12 years. Adolescents who attended religious meetings less than once a month or never presented higher overall CPQ11-14 scores. Adolescents who did not trust their friends and neighbours, those who believe that their neighbours did not have good relationships, and those reporting no support during hard times also presented higher overall CPQ11-14 scores. OHRQoL was poorer in individuals who presented lower structural and cognitive social capital, with the greatest impact related to the cognitive dimension.

The relationship of dental students’ characteristics to social support, psychosocial factors, lifestyle, and quality of life

Objective

To examine the relationships between sociodemographic characteristics, student academic information, social support, sense of coherence, anxiety, lifestyle, and quality of life among dental students.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study among 233 dental students in Brazil. We captured data on sociodemographic and socioeconomic characteristics, social support through Social Support Appraisal, psychosocial factors (sense of coherence and anxiety based on SOC-13 and Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 – anxiety subscale, respectively), lifestyle as per individual Lifestyle Profile and quality of life based on VERAS-Q. Data was analysed through Structural Equation Modelling.

Results:

Greater social support, higher sense of coherence, lower anxiety, better lifestyle directly predicted better quality of life. Male gender, city of origin did not differ from the city of the campus, higher social support and greater sense of coherence were indirectly linked with better quality of life via better lifestyle. Lower academic semester and higher social support indirectly predicted better quality of life via lower anxiety.

Conclusion:

Social support, sense of coherence, anxiety, and lifestyle were relevant factors directly associated with dental student’s quality of life. Indirect pathways were observed between gender, moved home to attend dental course, academic semester, social support, sense of coherence, and quality of life.

Protective factors against depressive symptoms among Brazilian healthcare workers during the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to assess the prevalence of depressive symptoms among healthcare workers and possible factors associated with this outcome (resilience, spirituality, social support, quality of life, among other individual variables). Our hypothesis is that some of these factors can have a protective effect on depressive symptoms.

DESIGN

Web-based cross-sectional survey.

SETTING

Participants were recruited online from 16 April to 23 April 2020.

PARTICIPANTS

1043 healthcare workers, predominantly Brazilians, aged 18 years or older.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

Depression was the primary outcome, measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Possible protective factors were measured in the following ways: social support was assessed by the modified Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey (mMOS-SS); spirituality, religiousness and personal beliefs (SRPB) were evaluated using the 9-item SRPB module of the brief WHO Quality of Life instrument (WHOQoL-SRPB-bref); quality of life was assessed using the brief EUROHIS instrument for Quality of Life (EUROHIS-QoL 8-item); resilience was assessed using the 10-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC 10).

RESULTS

23% met the criteria for depression according to the PHQ-9 scale. Quality of life (B=-3.87 (-4.30 to -3.43), β=-0.37, p<0.001), social support (B=-0.32 (-0.59 to -0.05), β=-0.04, p=0.022), resilience (B=-0.19 (-0.23 to -0.15), β=-0.20, p<0.001), SRPB (B=-0.03 (-0.05 to -0.02), β=-0.01, p<0.001) and physical exercise (B=-0.95 (-1.40 to -0.51), β=-0.08, p<0.001) demonstrated protective effects against depression.

CONCLUSION

Healthcare workers have a high risk of developing depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially those working in the front line. However, there are factors that seem to work as protective mechanisms against depression, notably perceived quality of life.

Decreased self-reported receiving of social touch and social support predict loneliness in healthy adults

Loneliness has emerged as a public health concern. Previous research has reported its deleterious effects on physical and mental health; however, some specific psychophysiological mechanisms in healthy adults remain to be elucidated. The aim of the current study is to investigate whether self-reported social support and social touch (giving and receiving social touch), as well as resting heart rate variability (HRV), are significant negative predictors of loneliness in healthy adults. The study sample consists of 120 healthy students (50% female) with a mean age of 21.85 years old (DP= 2.21). The students were asked to complete a psychiatric screening questionnaire utilizing loneliness, social support, and social touch scales. HRV was derived from an electrocardiographic signal recorded for 15 min, with the participant relaxed in a supine position. Linear regression analyses were conducted to evaluate loneliness as a function of social support, social touch (giving or receiving touch), and resting HRV. The results show that social support (p< 0.001) and social touch, specifically receiving touch (p< 0.002), accounted for a significant proportion of the variance in loneliness. However, neither giving touch nor resting HRV was a significant predictor of loneliness. The current study highlights specific psychosocial factors in healthy adults that should be considered as promising pathways in order to reduce or work toward preventing loneliness, thus promoting better health and well-being.

Cancer surveillance in Mato Grosso, Brazil: methodological and operational aspects of a university extension/research project

OBJECTIVE

To describe the methodological and operational aspects of the "Project for surveillance of cancer and its associated factors: population-based and hospital-based registry" (VIGICAN), in the state of Mato Grosso (MT), Brazil.

METHODS

VIGICAN was divided into two projects: a university extension one, which updated the data from the Population-based Cancer Registry (PBCR) of MT in the 2008-2016 period; and a research project, which collected primary data, through individual interviews and analysis of medical records of people with a diagnosis of cancer, aged 18 years or older, treated at reference hospitals for oncology. To analyze the factors associated with cancer, the following variables were collected: socioeconomic and demographic, social support, health status and behavior, and environmental exposure.

RESULTS

In the 2008-2016 period, approximately one hundred thousand cases of cancer (incident and prevalent) were reported in the PBCR Cuiabá and PBCR Interior. After validation procedures, 50 thousand incident cases were elected. The survey interviewed 1,012 patients, 38.2% living in the municipalities of Cuiabá and Várzea Grande, 60.4% in small cities of the state, and 1.4% in other states. Preliminary data showed that the majority were women (55.0%) and younger than 60 years of age (54.3%). Among the interviewees, 7.2% reported smoking tobacco, 15.5% consumed alcoholic beverages (15.5%), and 32.7% lived nearby crops.

CONCLUSION

The development of these projects allowed the integration of education with health services and will enable the recognition of specificities and different exposure scenarios and factors associated with cancer in the Mato Grosso territory.

Pathways between Social Capital and Oral Health from Childhood to Adolescence

This study aimed to evaluate the theoretical pathways by which social capital can influence dental caries and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of children over time. This 10-y prospective cohort started in 2010 with a sample of 639 preschoolers aged 1 to 5 y from the southern Brazil. Community and individual social capital were assessed at baseline through the presence of formal institutions in the neighborhood and social networks, respectively. In the 10-y follow-up, the individual social capital was evaluated by social trust and social networks. Dental caries was measured by the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS), and the short version of the Child Perception Questionnaire (CPQ11-14) was used to assess OHRQoL. Demographic, socioeconomic, behavioral (frequency of toothbrushing and use of dental services), and psychosocial (sense of coherence) characteristics were also assessed. Structural equation modeling was used to evaluate the associations between variables over time. About 429 children were reassessed at 10-y follow-up (67.1% cohort retention rate). High community social capital at baseline directly predicted lower occurrence of dental caries and better OHRQoL after 10 y. Social capital at community level also indirectly predicted lower occurrence of dental caries through sense of coherence, frequency of toothbrushing, and use of dental services. Individual social capital at follow-up was indirectly linked to OHRQoL via the psychosocial pathway (sense of coherence). Community-level social capital was associated with dental caries and OHRQoL over time. The relationship between individual social capital and oral health was mediated through the psychosocial pathway.

Do changes in income and social networks influence self-rated oral health trajectories among civil servants in Brazil? Evidence from the longitudinal Pró-Saúde study

BACKGROUND

Social factors are important determinants of health. However, evidence from longitudinal studies on the possible role of changes in socioeconomic circumstances on adult's oral health is scarce. This study aimed to test whether changes in income and changes in social networks of family members and friends were associated with trajectories of self-rated oral health (SROH) among adults over a 13-year period.

METHODS

A prospective cohort study (Pro-Saude Study) was conducted involving non-faculty civil servants at university campi in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Individual data was collected through self-completed questionnaires in four waves (1999, 2001, 2007 and 2012). SROH trajectories between 2001 and 2012 were "Good-stable SROH", "Changed SROH", "Poor-stable SROH". Per capita family income and social networks of family members and friends data obtained in 1999 and 2012 were grouped into "High stable", "Increase", "Decrease", "Low stable". Ordinal logistic regression using complete data of 2118 participants was used to estimate odds ratio (OR) and 95% CIs of changes in income and changes in social networks with SROH trajectories, adjusted for age, sex, skin colour and marital status.

RESULTS

Participants in the low income-stable and small social networks-stable groups showed 2.44 (95% CI 1.68-3.55) and 1.98 (95% CI 1.38-2.85) higher odds for worst trajectory of SRHO than those in the respective high-stable groups. Those in the decrease income group and decrease social networks group were 78% (95% CI 1.25-2.54) and 58% (95% CI 1.07-2.34) more likely to worst trajectory of SRHO than those in the high income-stable and high social networks-stable groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Adults reporting low income and low social networks of family members and friends over 13 years and those with income and social networks decrease during the study period were at higher risk of having worsened their self-rated oral health.

Low back pain: biopsychosocial aspects of chronic and acute pain

Abstract: Chronic low back pain is a highly prevalent pathology, which has unclear associations with psychosocial aspects. This study investigated differences between patients with chronic low back pain (n = 25) and acute low back pain (n = 20) and verified the effect of the variables assessed on the pain mean. The design was cross-sectional, and the instruments applied were: sociodemographic interviews, Brief Pain Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory II, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, Personality Factor Battery, Social Support Scale and Pain Catastrophizing Scale. The chronic pain group had significantly higher means of pain intensity, anxiety and catastrophic thoughts. In the regression analysis, the factor Depression of the Personality Factor Battery and belonging to the chronic pain group were found as predictors of the mean pain in the sample studied. It is understood that psychological factors are associated with the pain condition and require further investigation.

Vigilância do câncer em Mato Grosso, Brasil: aspectos metodológicos e operacionais de um projeto de extensão/pesquisa

RESUMO: Objetivo: Descrever os aspectos metodológicos e operacionais do projeto “Vigilância do câncer e seus fatores associados: registro de base populacional e hospitalar” (VIGICAN), em Mato Grosso (MT). Métodos: O VIGICAN desdobrou-se em dois projetos: um de extensão, que atualizou os dados dos Registros de Câncer de Base Populacional (RCBP) de Mato Grosso no período de 2008 a 2016; e um de pesquisa, que coletou dados primários por meio de entrevistas individuais e análise de prontuários de pessoas com diagnóstico de câncer, com 18 anos ou mais, atendidas em hospitais de referência para oncologia. Para analisar os fatores associados ao câncer, foram coletadas as seguintes variáveis: socioeconômicas e demográficas, suporte social, situação e comportamentos de saúde e exposição ambiental. Resultados: No período de 2008 a 2016, foram notificados nos RCBP Cuiabá e Interior, aproximadamente, 100 mil casos de câncer (incidentes e prevalentes). Após os procedimentos de validação, foram eleitos 50 mil casos incidentes. A pesquisa entrevistou 1.012 pacientes, sendo 38,2% residentes nos municípios de Cuiabá e Várzea Grande, 60,4% no interior do Estado e 1,4% em outros Estados. Os dados preliminares revelaram que a maioria era do sexo feminino (55,0%) e tinha menos de 60 anos (54,3%). Entre os entrevistados, 7,2% relataram fumar tabaco, 15,5% consumiam bebidas alcoólicas (15,5%) e 32,7% moravam próximo a lavouras. Conclusão: O desenvolvimento desses projetos permitiu a integração do ensino com os serviços de saúde e possibilitará o reconhecimento das especificidades e dos diferentes cenários de exposição ao câncer, bem como fatores associados a ele, no território mato-grossense.

Depression, suicidal motivation and suicidal ideation among individuals with asthma: a cross-sectional study

Background

Asthma is a chronic disease associated with risk of depression and suicidal events. The present study estimated the frequency of depression, suicidal motivation (SM) and suicidal ideation (SI) and identified clinical and psychosocial factors associated with these outcomes among individuals with asthma.

Methods

Cross-sectional study of a non-probabilistic sample of 1,358 adults with asthma and controls without asthma. Asthma severity and asthma control were assessed by a physician according to WHO (2009) and GINA (2012) criteria. Depression, SM and SI were screened by Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Psychosocial factors were evaluated by a Community Violence Questionnaire, a Social Support Scale, a Stress Perceived Scale and a Resilience Scale. Chi-Square Test, and logistic regression models were performed to evaluate association between variables and outcomes.

Results

Among all participants, 222 (16.30%) had depression, 331 (24.40%) SM and 73 (5.40%) SI. There were 138 (12.10%) individuals with mild depression and SM, and 14 (1.20%) with mild depression and SI. After adjustment, severe asthma (SA) increased the chance of depression by 53.00% whereas mild to moderate asthma (MMA) increased by eleven-fold the likelihood of SI. Perception of low social support increased the chance of depression (OR 3.59; 95% CI, 2.44-5.28) and low resilience by (OR 2.96; 95% CI, 2.00-4.38); distress increased the odds of SM by 37.00%, and low affective support perception raised the likelihood of SI by (OR 6.82; 95% CI, 1.94-2.90).

Conclusions

Asthma, whether mild to moderate or severe, increased the chance of depression and SI. It is noteworthy that individuals with mild depression and MMA are at greater risk for SM and SI. Among the psychosocial variables, perception of low social support and low resilience were the variables associated with depression; distress impacted on SM, and the perception of low affective support raised the chance of SI.

Demographics, Socioeconomic Status, Social Distancing, Psychosocial Factors and Psychological Well-Being among Undergraduate Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic impacted on academic routine because of the social distancing measures. This study examined the relationships of sociodemographic characteristics, social distancing aspects and psychosocial factors on psychosocial well-being among undergraduate students during the social distancing period due to COVID-19. A web-based survey was conducted of undergraduate students at a public university in Brazil (n = 620). Demographics, socioeconomic status (SES), social distancing factors, negative affectivity (DASS-21), sense of coherence (SOC-13), social support and psychosocial well-being (GHQ-12) were measured. The direct and indirect links between was variables was tested using structural equation modelling. The estimated model showed that greater social support, higher sense of coherence and lower negative affectivity were directly associated with better psychological well-being. Female gender, higher SES, not working during the social distancing period and availability of online modules were indirectly associated with psychological well-being through psychosocial factors. Working during the social distancing period and availability of online modules mediated the link of age, gender, SES with psychological well-being. Our findings suggest the need to provide psychological support, online teaching and financial aid to undergraduate students during the social distancing period due to COVID-19 pandemic to improve their psychological well-being.

The impact of orthognathic surgery on quality of life in individuals with oral clefts

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the relationships between individual, environmental, clinical factors and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in patients with cleft lip and palate (CLP) following orthognathic surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A follow-up study was conducted involving 69 adults with unilateral and bilateral CLP under orthodontic treatment. Interviews and oral examinations were conducted prior to orthognathic surgery (T0) to evaluate age, gender, psychological well-being, dental caries, malocclusion, social support, social networks, family income and education and OHRQoL. All participants were reviewed after 6 months (T1) to re-assess psychological well-being, malocclusion and OHRQoL. Structural equation modeling estimated the associations between the variables.

RESULTS

OHRQoL total scores reduced following orthognathic surgery, from 11.7 to 6.9 (P < 0.01). Occlusal characteristics and psychological well-being improved between T0 and T1. In the structural equation modeling, reduction of malocclusion (β = 0.02) between T0 and T1 directly predicted poor OHRQoL at T1. Improvement of psychological well-being between T0 and T1 was associated with better OHRQoL at T1 (β = -0.07). Dental caries and malocclusion at T0 were indirectly linked to poor OHRQoL at T1 (β = 0.02).

LIMITATIONS

The short follow-up period of 6 months after orthognathic surgery.

CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS

This represents the first prospective study examining the interrelationships of predictors of OHRQoL in patients with CLP after orthognathic surgery. OHRQoL and psychological well-being improved after orthognathic surgery. Clinical and psychological characteristics were important determinants of OHRQoL. These findings suggest the importance of the biopsychosocial model of health and the patient-centered approach in oral health care in individuals with CLP.

Intimate partner violence, breastfeeding, breastmilk substitutes and baby bottle use in the first year of life

This article aims to investigate the relationship between intimate partner physical violence (IPPV) and breastfeeding (BF), use of breastmilk substitutes (BMS) and bottle-feeding among children aged 12 to 15 months. This is a cross-sectional study with mothers in primary care facilities of the city of Rio de Janeiro. IPPV was identified by the Brazilian version of the Conflict Tactics Scales 1-Form R and feeding practices were identified by a 24-hour Dietary Recall. Associations were verified by logistic regression with odds ratio (OR) estimates and 95% confidence intervals. BF was offered to 58.5% of the children and BMS to 88.5%. Also, 70.5% of the children used a baby bottle. Physical violence was observed in 26.7% of couples. Households where couples physically abuse each other are more likely to not breastfeed (OR=2.14, p-value=0.030), to use breastmilk substitutes (OR=5.15, p-value=0.03) and bottle-feed (OR=2.71; p-value=0.01), when compared to households without physical violence. The results highlight the need to investigate intrafamily relationships in cases where inadequate breastfeeding practices are identified, and to enable health professionals to support families in conflict situations.

Potential predictors of depressive symptoms during the initial stage of the COVID-19 outbreak among Brazilian adults

BACKGROUND

In early 2020, Sars-Cov-2 was identified in China as a new coronavirus. Due to its transmission, Sars-Cov-2 has spread rapidly across the world. In the early stage of the disease outbreak, psychiatric symptoms have been reported, including depressive symptoms. In this study, we assessed the prevalence of depressive symptoms in quarantine and its association with sociodemographic variables and known protective factors for depression, such as spirituality, social support, resilience, and quality of life.

METHODS

A cross-sectional web-based questionnaire was distributed via social media. The instruments consisted of the 8-item EUROHIS-QOL, PHQ-9, Social Support Questionnaire, WHOQoL-SRPB, and CD-RISC.

RESULTS

A total of 3,274 participants were included in this study. 23.67% of the participants met the criteria for a depressive episode. Higher age, spirituality, social support, resiliency, and quality of life were associated with less depressive symptoms. Quarantine length; mental health treatment; chronic disease; age; sex; lower levels of spirituality, social support, resilience, quality of life, physical exercise, and education; and unpaid occupation were found to be predictors of depressive symptoms during COVID-19 quarantine.

LIMITATIONS

The data are limited to the pandemic initial period, the sample isn't random and the use of self-reported questionnaires are some limitations of our study.

CONCLUSIONS

During the initial phase of the COVID-19 outbreak in Brazil, quarantine time, treatment for mental health, chronic illness, lower levels of education, and unpaid occupation were positively associated with depressive symptoms. Age, sex, spirituality, social support, resilience, quality of life, and physical exercise showed a negative relationship with depressive symptoms.

Posttraumatic stress disorder among adolescents in Brazil: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

The frequency of trauma and different types of violence exposure in urban areas and their effects on the mental health of adolescents in developing countries are poorly investigated. Most information about traumatized young people comes from war scenarios or disasters. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of PTSD in trauma-exposed students in a low-resource city of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The effects of sociodemographic and individual and family factors in the development of PTSD were also investigated.

METHODS

Through multi-stage cluster sampling, 862 adolescents (Mage = 15 years old, 65% female) from public and private schools in the city of São Gonçalo were selected for the study. Self-rating structured questionnaires were applied to assess sociodemographic profile, exposure to physical and psychological violence (family, school, community), sexual abuse, social support, social functional impairment, resilience, and posttraumatic stress disorder. The data were grouped in blocks regarding sociodemographic, individual, family, and community variables. For statistical analysis, chi-square, Fisher's exact test, and logistic regression were performed.

RESULTS

The PTSD prevalence was 7.8% among adolescents. Boys were exposed to significantly higher number of events of community violence, while girls to family violence. The adjusted odds ratio (OR) for PTSD were statistically significant for age (OR, 1.45, [95% CI, 1.043-2.007]), social functional impairment (OR, 4.82, [95% CI, 1.77-13.10]), severe maternal physical violence (OR, 2.79, [95% CI, 0.79-9.93]), psychological violence by significant people (OR, 3.96, [95% CI, 1.89-8.31]) and a high number of episodes of community violence (OR, 3.52, [95% CI, 1.47-8.40).

CONCLUSIONS

There was a high prevalence of PTSD within this population associated with exposure to violence. Not only physical, but also psychological violence contributed to PTSD. The results also raise awareness to the differences in life trajectories between boys and girls regarding violence. These differences need to be better understood in order to enable the development of effective preventative interventions. Treating and preventing mental health disorders presents a challenge for countries, especially those with a lower degree of social and economic development and high community violence.

Fatores associados ao sofrimento psíquico de agentes penitenciários do estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

Resumo Objetivos: analisar o sofrimento psíquico de agentes penitenciários do estado do Rio de Janeiro e apontar os fatores a ele associados no âmbito social, destacando o ambiente de trabalho. Métodos: estudo quantitativo e qualitativo. As unidades prisionais foram selecionadas por meio da amostragem estratificada. Utilizou-se a escala de sofrimento psíquico Self-Reported Questionnaire (SRQ20) e uma escala de apoio social. Variáveis explicativas foram relacionadas tanto ao perfil profissional como aos fatores de âmbito social e do trabalho e foram utilizados modelos de regressão logística (stepwise). Resultados: participaram 217 homens e 100 mulheres, em nove unidades prisionais femininas e masculinas. A prevalência de sofrimento psíquico foi de 27,7%, sem diferenças segundo o gênero. Os sintomas mais frequentes foram: dormir mal (53,0%) e sentir-se nervoso, tenso ou agitado (52,0%). Entre os possíveis fatores que propiciam o sofrimento psíquico, estão: relacionamento interpessoal entre agentes e presos; ameaças constantes; superlotação; poucos profissionais e sobrecarga de trabalho. E entre os possíveis fatores protetores, estão: praticar alguma religião; ter apoio social; contar com a compreensão dos colegas; ter o reconhecimento de seu trabalho e relacionar-se bem com superiores. Conclusão: a superlotação e a insalubridade do ambiente trazem consequências negativas para a saúde mental dos trabalhadores; no entanto, formas de apoio social e valorização profissional podem protegê-los.

Severity levels of physical punishment of children/adolescents: cluster analysis

Abstract Physical punishment – corporal punishment – of children/adolescents is highly prevalent. The objective of this study was to verify if, in a sample of parents/caregivers, there would be subgroups that would differentiate themselves regarding the behavior of physically punishing the children, in terms of modalities, frequency, body parts of the child affected, and presence of parental anger in the act of punishing, denoting severity levels associated with differences in the psychosocial variables pointed out in the literature as risk factors for physical abuse. A quantitative approach was adopted, with a cross-sectional design and cluster method. The study included 87 parents/caregivers who practice physical punishment. The analyses indicated the existence of three clusters that differed in the level of severity of corporal punishment and some of the psychosocial variables, denoting the importance of developing services/programs to cope with violence against children/adolescents and specific psychosocial intervention strategies.

Lesão com infecção secundária e sequelas graves causadas por um peixe-robalo (Centropomus spp.) em um pescador

Resumo Introdução: ferimentos causados por peixes são comuns entre pescadores e, se não forem adequadamente assistidos, podem levar a complicações significativas. Objetivo: reportar o caso de um pescador que se acidentou com um camurim/robalo (Centropomus spp.) e apresentou infecção secundária com sequelas graves. Métodos: as informações foram obtidas por meio de revisão de prontuários, entrevista com o paciente e registro fotográfico. Resultados: um pescador de 48 anos se acidentou, com a espícula da base da nadadeira do peixe, na falange do quinto quirodáctilo da mão esquerda, apresentando sinais flogísticos em todo o membro. O serviço de saúde não dispunha de condições para identificar o agente da infecção e diferentes antibióticos foram administrados. Sem resultados expressivos, a terapia antibiótica foi suspensa e foi adotado tratamento sintomático. Após 32 dias de hospitalização, o paciente teve alta. No entanto, dois meses após o acidente, a vítima desenvolveu abscesso do membro com limitação de movimentos dos quirodáctilos, necessitando de procedimento cirúrgico. Após o controle da infecção, apresentou sequelas como atrofia muscular, perda parcial de movimento, redução da capacidade motora, sensibilidade local e aparência da mão em garra. Conclusão: lesões causadas por peixes em pescadores podem resultar em consequências graves e irreversíveis e mais atenção deve ser dada ao tema.

Propriedades Psicométricas da Versão Reduzida da Escala de Percepção de Suporte Social

Resumo O suporte social é um processo relacional no qual ajudas informacionais, instrumentais e afetivas são oferecidas por grupos e/ou pessoas, capaz de produzir efeitos positivos no bem-estar, na saúde e no estresse. O estudo avaliou as propriedades psicométricas da versão reduzida da Escala de Percepção de Suporte Social (EPSS) para pessoas que vivem em pobreza. Participaram da pesquisa 1.113 adultos (questionários válidos) com idade média de 42,25 anos (DP = 17,57), homens (29,7%) e mulheres (70,3%), dos estados brasileiros Ceará, Amazonas e Paraná. Realizaram-se análises de confiabilidade, fatoriais exploratória e confirmatória. Verificou-se adequação de estrutura bifatorial do instrumento, além dos índices de confiabilidade e consistência interna. Os fatores apresentam satisfatórias cargas fatoriais e itens agrupados de maneira diferente da escala original. Originalmente compunha-se pelos fatores Suporte Prático e Suporte Emocional, propõe-se nova nomeação para Suporte Cognitivo-Instrumental e Suporte Emocional-Cooperativo. A versão reduzida da EPSS é adequada para populações que vivem em pobreza.

Construct validity of the Brazilian version of the Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey (MOS-SSS) in a sample of elderly users of the primary healthcare system

OBJECTIVE

To assess the psychometric properties of the Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey (MOS-SSS) considering a sample of elderly users of the primary healthcare facilities of Ribeirão Preto, state of São Paulo, southeast Brazil.

METHODS

The MOS-SSS is a widely used measurement of social support in different contexts, consisting of 19 items with answer categories that range on a 7-point rating scale. Data collection regarding the psychometric properties of the MOS-SSS was performed in a stratified sample of elderly users of primary healthcare facilities of Ribeirão Preto. Data were collected at five district basic health units located in the city through face-to-face interviews. Polychoric correlation matrix and exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory (CFA) factor analyses were performed.

RESULTS

A total of 357 elderly subjects aged 60 years or older participated in the study (62.7% females). According to the polychoric correlation matrix, higher coefficients of correlation (> 0.90) were detected among 12 pairs of items and grouped into four factors, as suggested for EFA. The results of the CFA confirmed the construct validity of the four-factor structure of the MOS-SSS when applied to our sample, as well as the stability of this model in distinct subsamples.

CONCLUSION

The four-factor structure of the MOS-SSS was found to be suitable and presented adequate construct validity for the assessment of social support in elderly users of primary healthcare facilities.

Factors influencing delay in symptomatic presentation of breast cancer in Brazilian women

The aim of this study was to evaluate delays in the presentation of symptomatic breast cancer in women (time interval between the perception of their first sign or symptom until the first medical appointment) and its risk factors. A cohort study composed of patients with breast cancer (symptomatic) admitted to an oncological centre in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil was performed. The patients were interviewed during their first hospital visit. To assess time interval as a continuous variable, the median and interquartile ranges (IQR) were calculated. The outcome comprised delay in breast cancer presentation when time from the first sign or symptom perception to the first medical appointment was ≥90 days. A descriptive analysis was performed. The association between independent variables (epidemiological, social and demographic data, related to individual healthcare, clinical and current disease) and the outcome (delay in symptomatic presentation) was assessed by a univariate analysis applying odds ratios (OR). Associations with p < .20 in the univariate analysis were included in the multiple logistic regression model. Variables with a p < .05 were retained in the final model. A total of 388 women were included. The median time was of 41 days (interquartile range - IQR: 13.2-130.0); 34.3% delayed presentation at ≥ 90 days. After adjustment, the variables associated with a delay in presentation were frequency of gynaecological examination of over than 1 year (OR: 2.59, 95% CI: 1.67-4.05), no family history of breast cancer (OR: 1.96, 95% CI: 1.15-3.35), and income lower than the minimum wage (OR: 1.62, 95% CI: 1.03-2.55). A higher score in tangible support (OR: 0.98; 95% CI: 0.96-0.99) was associated with a lesser chance of delay in presentation. Thus, delay in presentation was associated with social barriers, access to health service, health information and individual factors.

Food insecurity and social support in families of children with sickle-cell disease

OBJECTIVE

To examine the associations between food insecurity (IA) and social support in families of children with sickle-cell disease (DF).

METHODS

This cross-sectional study in families of 190 children from five to nine years old in follow-up at a hematology referral hospital in Rio de Janeiro State. IA was measured using the Brazilian food insecurity scale and social support was measured using the Brazilian version of the MOS social support survey instrument. The relation between IA and social support was analyzed by way of a multinomial logistic model.

RESULTS

There was IA in 62.2% of the families, in moderate and severe form in, respectively, 11.1% and 7.9% of cases. In families of children with DF, levels of mild and severe food insecurity (IALe and IAGr) were found to relate inversely to levels of social support in the following dimensions: informational support (IALe OR=0.98; 95% CI 0.96-0.99 and IAGr OR=0.95; 95% CI 0.92-0.98); social interaction (IALe OR=0.98; 95% CI 0.96-0.99 and IAGr OR=0.96; 95% CI 0.93-0.99) and tangible social support (IALe OR=0.97; 95% CI 0.96-0.99 and IAGr OR=0.97; 95% CI 0.94-0.99).

CONCLUSION

Considering the positive effects of social support on IA, public policies should be encouraged to assure food and nutritional security and social assistance for care for people with DF. Also, social support groups for people with DF should be strengthened.

Violence and depressive symptoms during pregnancy in BRISA cohort: using structural equation modeling approach

Abstract Objectives: to analyze associations among violence against pregnant women, depressive symptoms during pregnancy and maternal depression symptoms. Methods: a sample of 1,139 mothers was conducted on a prenatal cohort study in the municipality of São Luís in Brazil. Psychological and physical violence against pregnant women were measured by the World Health Organization Violence Against Woman. Depressive symptoms during pregnancy were measured by the Escala de Depressão do Centro de Estudos Epidemiológicos (CES-D) (Depression Scale for Epidemiological Studies Center) and maternal depression symptoms were measured by the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). The conceptual model of the structural equation modeling contained socioeconomic situation, social support, psychological and physical violence and depression during pregnancy as determinants of the maternal depression symptoms. Results: maternal depression symptoms were more frequently reported by pregnant women who suffered psychological violence (Standardized Coefficient, SC=0.256; p-value, p<0.001), physical violence (SC=0.221 p<0.001) and those who presented depressive symptoms during pregnancy SC=0.322, p<0.001). Depressive symptoms during pregnancy mediated the effects on physical and psychological violence on maternal depression. Conclusions: pregnant women who were submitted to psychological and physical violence and presented depressive symptoms during pregnancy frequently reported more of having maternal depression symptoms.

Longitudinal Investigation of Psychotherapy Outcomes (LIPO): Description of the Study Protocol

Background: Despite extensive research in the field of psychotherapies, few studies have compared the primary psychotherapies of naturalistic design, which represents real-life situations. Objective: The objectives of this study were to evaluate three modalities of evidence-based psychotherapy for clinical, psychosocial, and biological outcomes and to identify the mediators and confounders of this process. Our primary hypothesis is that all psychotherapies will improve clinical and psychosocial outcomes and will increase BDNF levels. Methods: Design: longitudinal, naturalistic. Participants: One hundred twenty-six patients who underwent one of three evidence-based modalities of individual psychotherapy [psychodynamic psychotherapy (PDT), interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT), and cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy (CBT)] were included. Measure: Primary outcomes are divided into three domains of variables: clinical (general psychiatric symptoms), biological (serum BDNF levels), and psychosocial (resilience, quality of life, coping strategies, social support, and quality of life-adjusted years of life). Confounding/mediator variables included clinical (personality traits, type of psychotherapy, number of sessions, concomitant use of pharmacological treatment, history of previous psychotherapeutic treatment, medical and psychiatric comorbidities, and psychiatric diagnosis), psychosocial (psychosocial stressors, therapeutic alliance, and defense mechanism style), and other (religiosity) factors. Procedure: The follow-up period will be baseline and 6 months and 1 year after entering the study. The study will include 42 controls for biological variables only. Sample size calculation considered a significance level of 5% and a power of 80% to detect a difference of 0.22 with a standard deviation of 0.43, assuming losses of 20-30% of patients. The comparison between the modalities of psychotherapy will be by generalized estimating equations (GEE) model, the analysis of mediators by the Hayes method, and confounders by multivariate logistic regression. Discussion: The findings of this study are intended to demonstrate the outcomes of evidence-based psychotherapies for clinical, psychosocial, and biological parameters and to understand the mediators and confounders of this process in a real-life setting for patients with severe mental illness, thus contributing to the establishment of evidence-based public health policies in the field of psychological interventions.

Validation of the Farsi version of the medical outcomes study-social support survey for mammography

BACKGROUND

Social support can provide psychosocial benefits to promote positive health behaviors such as mammography screening. The purpose of this study was to assess the psychometric properties of the Mammography Social Support (MSS) scale among Iranian woman.

METHODS

Participants were selected from women referring to healthcare centers in Sanandaj, Iran. A total of 434 questionnaires were completed (response rate 91%). The study sample for study 1 included 204 participants for the Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA). Construct validity was determined by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) using a study sample of 230 women in study 2. The reliability coefficient for each scale was calculated using Cronbach's alpha, corrected item-total correlations and test-retest respectively.

RESULTS

CFA affirmed the three-factor structure of the MSS in measuring the functional dimensions of social support for mammography behavior consisting of 19 items. Initial results of the CFA did not fully support the proposed three-factor model. After the model was modified, the fit indices indicated, x² was 2.3, Comparative Fit Index (CFI) = 0.96, Tucker- Lewis Index (TLI) = 0.95 providing a strong fit to the data. Cronbach's alphas for the subscales ranged from 0.82 and 0.90, whereas the alpha for the overall scale was 0.91. The 2-week test-retest reliability of MSS was 0.95.

CONCLUSION

This study provides evidence for the psychometric properties to support the Farsi version of the MSS when applied to Iranian women. Exploring the three-factor model in relation to related concepts is suggested for future studies.

Social Support patterns in Primary Health Care: differences between having physical diseases or mental disorders

The social support network is a health protective factor involving physical, mental and psychological aspects, providing a better quality of life, favoring better adaptation to adverse conditions, promoting resilience and mobilizing resources for a more effective coping with negative life events that can lead to illness. We aimed to analyze the association between physical diseases, common mental disorders and the social support network of patients serviced at primary care facilities in the cities of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo through a cross-sectional study with 1,466 patients in the 18-65 years age group. We used the Social Network Index (SNI) to assess the support network through the categories of isolation and integration. The doctor/nurse completed the questionnaire to evaluate the physical disease diagnosis, while the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale was used to detect mental disorders. We found that the pattern of social support was different depending on the presence of physical diseases or mental disorders. Negative associations were found between diabetes and isolation; integration and anxiety; integration and depression. Positive associations were identified between isolation and anxiety and isolation and depression.

Determinants of Health-Related and Oral Health–Related Quality of Life in Adults With Orofacial Clefts

Objectives:

To investigate the structural and intermediary determinants of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and oral health–related quality of life (OHRQoL) among adults with cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P).

Design and Participants:

A cross-sectional study was conducted with patients enrolled at the referral center for craniofacial anomalies in Manaus, Brazil. Adults aged 18 years or more with nonsyndromic CL/P were selected.

Main Outcome Measures:

Both HRQoL and OHRQoL were assessed using the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey and the Oral Impacts on Daily Performance, respectively. Individual interviews and oral examinations were conducted to collect data on socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, social ties, health-related behaviors, compliance of CL/P protocol, chronic diseases, type of CL/P, oral clinical measures, and CL/P-related measures. Poisson regression was used to test the association of independent variables with HRQoL and OHRQoL outcomes.

Results:

The mean age of the 96 participants was 29.4 ± 9.1 years. Low family income, female sex, low social support, type of CL/P, and dental caries were associated with poor HRQoL and poor OHRQoL ( P < .05). Poor HRQoL was also associated with chronic diseases ( P < .05). Adults with low education, low social network, and smokers were more likely to have worse OHRQoL ( P < .05).

Conclusions:

Structural and intermediary determinants were related to HRQoL and OHRQoL in adults with CL/P, suggesting the need for interdisciplinary approaches to improve the management of CL/P and intersectoral actions to reduce the impact of social inequalities.

Quality of life related factors for parents of children with hearing loss

Hearing loss among children, particularly those with severe and profound hearing impairment, has an effect on their communication and development, which in turn can have a significant impact on their parents. This study aimed to evaluate the quality of life of parents of children with hearing loss and identify the associated factors. A cross-sectional study was carried out involving parents of children that went through phonoaudiological therapy at a public university clinic in the city of São Paulo. The research instruments used were: the World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument, Short Form (WHOQOL-bref), the Social Support Questionnaire 6 (SSQ-6) and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). Inferential statistical analysis was performed using the Student's t-test. The study included 29 parents, 26 mothers and 3 fathers, of 27 children with severe and profound hearing impairment. The mean of the domain scores of the WHOQOL-bref, on a scale of 0-100, ranged between 40-60 and the overall score was 53. The best performance was achieved in the physical domain (60.3) and the worst in the environment domain (40.5). The main factor associated with all domains of the WHOQOL-bref, as well as overall score was being satisfied with social support.

[Gender and age differences in social support and body mass index in adults in Greater Metropolitan Rio de Janeiro, Brazil]

The objective was to investigate gender and age differences in the association between dimensions of social support and body mass index (BMI) in a sample of 1,465 adults (20 to 59 years) in a population-based study in Duque de Caxias, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. Anthropometry was conducted by trained evaluators and social support obtained by the Medical Outcomes Study, adapted and validated for the Brazilian population. The analyses were performed with multiple linear regressions, stratified by gender and age bracket, considering the sample's expansion factor and complex design. Obesity prevalence was 28% in women and 16.2% in men. After adjusting for confounders, a negative association was observed between social support and BMI in men 40-49 years of age, and in emotional support/information (β = -2.04), and positive social interaction (β = -2.40). There was a positive association for social support and BMI in men 50-59 years of age in emotional support/information (β = 1.84). The study indicates that social support can protect against obesity in men in some dimensions and age brackets. However, social support does not appear to be a protective factor in women.

Social support network, mental health and quality of life: a cross-sectional study in primary care

The objective of this study was to identify the association between emotional distress and social support networks with quality of life in primary care patients. This was a cross-sectional study involving 1,466 patients in the cities of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2009/2010. The General Health Questionnaire, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the brief version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument were used. The Social Support Network Index classified patients with the highest and lowest index as socially integrated or isolated. A bivariate analysis and four multiple linear regressions were conducted for each quality of life outcome. The means scores for the physical, psychological, social relations, and environment domains were, respectively, 64.7; 64.2; 68.5 and 49.1. In the multivariate analysis, the psychological domain was negatively associated with isolation, whereas the social relations and environment domains were positively associated with integration. Integration and isolation proved to be important factors for those in emotional distress as they minimize or maximize negative effects on quality of life.

Cross-cultural equivalence and psychometric proprieties of the social support scale for healthy eating habits

ABSTRACT Objective: To assess the cross-cultural equivalence and psychometric proprieties of the Brazilian version of the Eating Habits Social Support Scale. Methods: The scale was administered to 381 subjects aged 24 to 86 years from Recife and Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Cross-cultural equivalence was evaluated by expert agreement. The psychometric proprieties were assessed by factor validity (factor analysis), internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha), and reproducibility (intraclass correlation coefficient), using a test-retest with an interval of seven days. Results: Factor analysis identified two factors for each social support group (friends and family). The questions were clustered by type of social support (positive or negative comments). The eigenvalues for family social support were 3.22 and 3.00, corresponding to 62.2% of the total variance. For friend social support, the eigenvalues were 3.02 and 2.95, explaining 59.7% of the total variance. In the internal consistency analysis, the alpha values ranged from 0.83 to 0.75. The reproducibility intraclass correlation coefficient ranged from 0.676 to 0.873. All these values were acceptable, indicating the validity and reliability of the scale. Conclusion: The Brazilian version of the Eating Habits Social Support Scale presented cross-cultural equivalence and psychometric characteristics that were appropriate for Brazilian adults and older adults. This scale is easy to use and obtained high scores for question clarity and answer options.

Inverse association between social support and household food insecurity in a metropolitan area of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

OBJECTIVE

To verify the association between perceived social support and household food insecurity (HFI).

DESIGN

A cross-sectional survey.

SETTING

A population-based study with a representative sample of households from a metropolitan area of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, conducted in 2010. HFI was estimated with the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale (EBIA). Social support was assessed using the adapted and validated Brazilian version of the Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey. Multinomial logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between social support and HFI, adjusting for potential confounders.

SUBJECTS

Adults (n 1022) aged 19-60 years old (27% men, 73% women) who were responsible for feeding the household.

RESULTS

Individuals with high scores of social support were less likely to experience moderate HFI (OR=0·96; 95% CI 0·94, 0·99) and severe HFI (OR=0·96; 95% CI 0·94, 0·98).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicate that social support may contribute to reducing HFI in populations vulnerable to poverty. Strategies to increase social relationships should be encouraged in this group to enhance their perceived social support.

Physical intimate partner violence and low birth weight in newborns from primary health care units of the city of Rio de Janeiro

ABSTRACT Objective To investigate the association between physical intimate partner violence and low birth weight. Methods This cross-sectional study included 604 children with approximately 30 days of age who visited four primary health care units in the city of Rio de Janeiro , Brazil, for the second dose of hepatitis B vaccine. Children with a birth weight below 2.500 g were considered underweight. Information regarding physical intimate partner violence was obtained by the Portuguese version of the Conflict Tactics Scale. The study investigated the 12 months prior to interview. Physical intimate partner violence was analyzed as a dichotomous variable and cumulatively. Associations between physical intimate partner violence and low birth weight were verified by logistic regression models based on crude and adjusted odds ratios and their respective 95% confidence intervals. Results Some (7.1%) babies were born underweight, and 33.6% of the mothers had been exposed to physical intimate partner violence. Physical intimate partner violence was significantly associated with low birth weight (OR=3.69; 95%CI=1.57-8.66). Notably, the odds of low birth weight increase with the severity of violence. Conclusion These findings draw attention to the consequences of physical intimate partner violence on the nutritional status of newborns and emphasize the need of greater attention during prenatal care to improve women's quality of life and to reduce the rate of low birth weight.

Intimate partner violence, common mental disorders and household food insecurity: an analysis using path analysis

Objective

To investigate the direct and indirect associations between psychological and physical intimate partner violence and the occurrence of common mental disorders (CMD) and how they relate to the occurrence of household food insecurity (HFI).

Design

This was a population-based cross-sectional study. Intimate partner violence was assessed using the Brazilian version of the Revised Conflict Tactics Scale (CTS2) and HFI was assessed using the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale. The propositional analytical model was based on a review of the literature and was tested using path analysis.

Setting

Duque de Caxias, Greater Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (April–December 2010).

Subjects

Women (n 849) who had been in a relationship in the 12 months preceding the interview.

Results

Both psychological and physical violence were found to be major risk factors of HFI. Psychological violence was associated with HFI indirectly via physical violence and CMD, and directly by an unidentified path. The effects of physical violence seemed to be manifested exclusively through CMD. Most of the variables in the propositional model related to socio-economic position, demographic characteristics, degree of women’s social support and partner alcohol misuse were retained in the ‘final’ model, indicating that these factors contribute significantly to the increased likelihood of HFI.

Conclusions

The results reinforce the importance of considering domestic violence and other psychosocial aspects of family life when implementing interventions designed to reduce/eradicate HFI.

Face validity of an index of family vulnerability to disability and dependence

This study aimed to propose and validate an index to identify families in a vulnerable situation to disability and dependency. It was adapted from the Index of Family Development (IFD), by adding indicators associated with the emergence of disability and dependency. Delphi technique was used to validation and five experts were consulted in the matter. The adopted level of agreement between judges was 80%. After two rounds of evaluations, adjustments were made related to the form and content of the instrument. Items were transferred from one component to another, some were added, others, deleted. The resulting Index is composed of eight domains, 38 components and 103 questions. The resulting Index is composed of eight domains, 38 components and 103 questions. The multidisciplinary contribution to the construction of an index that aims to capture the physical and social vulnerability of the families to disability and dependence provided the first step for the development of a tool for diagnosis and intervention that can be used by health professionals enrolled in primary care.

[Resilience among the elderly cared for by the primary healthcare network in a city of northeast Brazil]

The objective of this study is to evaluate the capacity of resilience, self-esteem and social support among the elderly by means of an exploratory study. The convenience sample consisted of elderly users of the public healthcare network in Natal-RN, Brazil, who answered the questionnaire and the Resilience, Self-Esteem and Social Support Scales. Participants were 65 seniors, with a mean age of 71 years, 81% female, with poor socio-economic conditions. It was found that the elderly participants have resilient characteristics, positive self-esteem and social support perceived as satisfactory, despite their losses and decline due to aging. Furthermore, moderate and positive correlations were observed between resilience and self-esteem, because as one increased, the other also increased. Therefore, it appears that resilience, considered a resource that assists development, favors staying well through this critical period, as well as the protective factors, which are important health indicators.

Postpartum depression among women with unintended pregnancy

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the association between unintended pregnancy and postpartum depression.

METHODS

This is a prospective cohort study conducted with 1,121 pregnant aged 18 to 49 years, who attended the prenatal program devised by the Brazilian Family Health Strategy, Recife, PE, Northeastern Brazil, between July 2005 and December 2006. We interviewed 1,121 women during pregnancy and 1,057 after childbirth. Unintended pregnancy was evaluated during the first interview and postpartum depression symptoms were assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Screening Scale. The crude and adjusted odds ratios for the studied association were estimated using logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

The frequency for unintended pregnancy was 60.2%; 25.9% presented postpartum depression symptoms. Those who had unintended pregnancies had a higher likelihood of presenting this symptoms, even after adjusting for confounding variables (OR = 1.48; 95%CI 1.09;2.01). When the Self Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20) variable was included, the association decreased, however, remained statistically significant (OR = 1.42; 95%CI 1.03;1.97).

CONCLUSIONS

Unintended pregnancy showed association with subsequent postpartum depressive symptoms. This suggests that high values in Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Screening Scale may result from unintended pregnancy.

Unplanned pregnancy and risk of maternal depression: secondary data analysis from a prospective pregnancy cohort

PURPOSE

to evaluate the relationship between unplanned pregnancy (UP), a common problem in high and low income countries and maternal depression (MD).

METHODS

Secondary analysis of data from a prospective cohort study with pregnant women recruited from 10 primary care clinics of the public sector in São Paulo, Brazil. Participants were questioned about pregnancy intention at 20-30 weeks of gestation. The Self Report Questionnaire score >7 was used to evaluated the presence of depression during pregnancy and 11 months after childbirth. Four groups of MD were defined: never; antenatal only; postnatal only; persistent (both antenatal/postnatal). Multinomial logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between UP and MD, controlling for confounding.

RESULTS

Data were analysed for 701 at the postpartum period. Five hundred and sixty-two (67.8%) women did not plan the pregnancy. Women with UP had 2.5 more risk of being depressed during both assessments (during pregnancy and postpartum) when compared to women with a planned pregnancy (RR: 2.5; 95% CI: 1.47:4.30). In the adjusted models, women with UP were significantly more likely to have persistent depression (RR: 2.3; 95% CI: 1.2:4.3).

CONCLUSION

UP is an independent risk factor for persistent depression, but not for postpartum depression.

Qualidade de vida em pacientes da atenção primária do Rio de Janeiro e São Paulo, Brasil: associações com eventos de vida produtores de estresse e saúde mental

Resumo A qualidade de vida (QV) é um constructo subjetivo, que pode ser associado negativamente a fatores como os transtornos mentais e os eventos de vida produtores de estresse (EVPE). O objetivo deste artigo é identificar a associação entre variáveis demográficas, socioeconômicas, transtorno mental comum, sintomas sugestivos de ansiedade e depressão, EVPE com QV na Atenção Primária (AP). Estudo transversal realizado com 1.466 pacientes atendido na AP, nos munícipios de São Paulo e Rio de Janeiro, em 2009 e 2010. Realizou-se análise bivariada por meio do Teste-t e regressão linear múltipla para cada domínio de QV. Os escores de QV para os domínios físico, psicológico, relações sociais e meio ambiente foram, respectivamente de, 64,7, 64,2, 68,5 e 49,1. Pela análise multivariada foram encontradas associações do domínio físico com os problemas de saúde e discriminação, do psicológico com discriminação, das relações sociais com problemas financeiros/estruturais, causas externas e problemas de saúde, e do meio ambiente com problemas financeiros/estruturais, causas externas e discriminação. As variáveis de saúde mental, os problemas de saúde e os problemas/financeiros estruturais foram os que se associaram negativamente à QV.

Social position, social ties and adult's oral health: 13 year cohort study

OBJECTIVES

This study explored different pathways by which social position and social ties influence adult's oral health over a 13-year period.

METHODS

A cohort investigation (Pro-Saúde Study) was conducted of non-faculty civil servants at a university in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (N=1613). Baseline data collected in 1999 included age, social position, social ties, and access to dental care. Psychological factors and smoking were assessed in 2001, whereas tooth loss and self-rated oral health (SROH) were collected in 2012. A hypothesised model exploring different direct and indirect pathways was developed and tested using structural equation modelling.

RESULTS

The model was a good fit to the data and accounted for 40% and 27% of the variance in tooth loss and SROH, respectively. A greater social position was linked to more social ties (β=0.31), health insurance (β=0.48), low psychological distress (β=0.07), less smoking (β=-0.21), more regular dental visiting (β=0.30), less tooth loss (β=-0.44) and better SROH (β=-0.25) over time. Social position (β=0.0005) and social ties (β=-0.0015) were linked indirectly with psychological distress, smoking and tooth loss. Social position was linked indirectly with social ties, psychological distress and SROH (β=-0.0071).

CONCLUSIONS

Poor social position and weak social ties were important predictors for tooth loss and poor SROH in adults over the 13-year period. Direct and indirect pathways via psychological factors and smoking on the aforementioned relationships were identified, suggesting different areas of intervention to promote adults' oral health.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Adult's oral health is influenced by social conditions through direct and indirect pathways, including via psychological factors and smoking.

Mães de recém-nascidos prematuros e a termo hospitalizados : avaliação do apoio social e da sintomatologia ansiogênica

O presente estudo tem como objetivo investigar se existe relação entre apoio social e sintomas de ansiedade em mães de bebês prematuros hospitalizados em Unidade de Terapia Intensiva Neonatal (UTIN). Além disso, objetiva-se comparar a prevalência de sintomas de ansiedade e o apoio social percebido por mães de recém nascidos prematuros hospitalizados em UTIN e mães de neonatos a termo. Trata-se de um estudo transversal, do qual participaram 70 genitoras de bebês a termo e 70 mães de recém-nascidos prematuros internados. Os instrumentos utilizados foram a Escala de Apoio Social e o Inventário de Ansiedade Traço-Estado. Na análise dos dados foi usado o Teste U de Mann-Whitney e o Teste de Correlação de Spearman. Os resultados das correlações investigadas no grupo de mães de neonatos pré-termo, demonstraram haver uma associação negativa de intensidade fraca entre a Ansiedade-Estado e o Apoio Emocional, assim como relação negativa de intensidade de fraca a moderada entre a Ansiedade-Traço e o Apoio Social. Ademais, foi encontrada uma diferença estatisticamente significativa entre os grupos pesquisados, tendo as genitoras de bebês prematuros apresentado uma mediana maior de Ansiedade-Estado. Destaca-se, portanto, a importância deste estudo ao constatar que existe relação entre sintomas de ansiedade e o apoio social percebido por mães de recém-nascidos prematuros hospitalizados. Também foi possível realizar a comparação entre genitoras que estavam vivendo o período do puerpério, sendo observado que a ansiedade do tipo situacional é mais prevalente em mães de neonatos pré-termo.

The different effects of neighbourhood and individual social capital on health-compromising behaviours in women during pregnancy: a multi-level analysis

Background

This study assessed clustering of three health-compromising behaviours and explored the association of neighbourhood and individual social capital with simultaneous health-compromising behaviours and patterns of those behaviours in women in the first trimester of pregnancy (baseline) and during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy (follow-up).

Methods

A longitudinal study was conducted on a representative sample of women recruited in antenatal care units grouped in 46 neighbourhoods from Brazil. Neighbourhood-level measures (social capital and socioeconomic status), individual social capital (social support and social networks) and socio-demographic variables were collected at baseline. Smoking, alcohol consumption and inadequate diet were assessed at baseline and follow-up. Clustering was assessed using an observed to expected ratio method. The association of contextual and individual social capital with the health-compromising behaviours outcomes was analyzed through multilevel multivariate regression models.

Results

Clustering of the three health-compromising behaviours as well as of smoking and alcohol consumption were identified at both baseline and follow-up periods. Neighbourhood social capital did not influence the occurrence of simultaneous health-compromising behaviours. More health-compromising behaviours in both periods was inversely associated with low levels of individual social capital. Low individual social capital predicted smoking during whole pregnancy, while high individual social capital increased the likelihood of stopping smoking and improving diet during pregnancy. Maintaining an inadequate diet during pregnancy was influenced by low individual and neighbourhood social capital.

Conclusions

Three health-compromising behaviours are relatively common and cluster in Brazilian women throughout pregnancy. Low individual social capital significantly predicted simultaneous health-compromising behaviours and patterns of smoking and inadequate diet during pregnancy while low neighbourhood social capital was only relevant for inadequate diet. These findings suggest that interventions focusing on reducing multiple behaviours should be part of antenatal care throughout pregnancy. Individual and contextual social resources should be considered when planning the interventions.

Prevalência de Transtornos Mentais e Percepção de Suporte Familiar em Policiais Civis

Este estudo transversal, exploratório-descritivo, verificou a prevalência de Transtorno Mental e Comportamental (TMC) e percepção do suporte familiar em Policiais Civis de Santa Catarina, afastados do trabalho pela Perícia Médica do Estado, no período entre 2009 e 2010. Utilizaram-se na coleta de dados: a) planilha de dados de prevalência de TMC da Secretaria de Estado da Administração/SC; b) inventário de percepção de suporte familiar; c) investigação das dimensões desse suporte e do processo de adoecimento relacionado ao trabalho, na perspectiva do policial e do familiar. Os dados de prevalência referem-se aos afastamentos por TMC (n = 148) no período mencionado e os de suporte familiar, aos policiais (n = 19) e familiares (n = 13) participantes da entrevista. Detectou-se que, para cada 100 policiais, 4,6 foram afastados por TMC. A percepção do suporte familiar por parte dos policiais indicou ser ele um recurso importante durante o período de afastamento do trabalho, na recuperação e no retorno à atividade, corroborando a existência de uma associação inversa entre nível de apoio social e sofrimento psíquico. Conclui-se que o incentivo à valorização do suporte familiar e o estímulo às relações interpessoais na família, no trabalho e nas relações sociais ampliadas, tornam-se ferramentas importantes para a percepção de bem-estar e se relacionam com o aumento da satisfação de vida, da autoestima e, por consequência, contribuem para o controle dos sintomas.

Effect of physical intimate partner violence on body mass index in low-income adult women

This study aimed to assess whether physical intimate partner violence affects the nutritional status of adult women with different levels of body mass index (BMI). This was a population-based cross-sectional study with 625 women selected through complex multistage cluster sampling. Information on physical intimate partner violence was obtained with the Revised Conflict Tactics Scales, and nutritional status was measured as BMI (kg/m2). A quantile regression model was used to assess the effect of physical intimate partner violence at all percentiles of BMI distribution. Physical intimate partner violence occurred in 27.6% of the women (95%CI: 20.0; 35.2). Mean BMI was 27.9kg/m2 (95%CI: 27.1; 28.7). The results showed that physical intimate partner violence was negatively associated with BMI between the 25th and 85th percentiles, corresponding to 22.9 and 31.2kg/m2. The findings support previous studies indicating that physical intimate partner violence can reduce BMI in low-income women.