Audiological and noise exposure findings among members of a Brazilian folklore music group

BACKGROUND

Musicians and dancers can be considered an at-risk population for developing noise-induced hearing loss.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the audiological profile of members of a folklore-related music group and quantify noise exposure at their rehearsal venue.

METHODS

This was a quantitative and descriptive study. The musicians and dancers were evaluated in two stages: an interview about their working life, followed by high frequency tonal audiometry. The sound pressure level in the group's rehearsal venue was measured using a BEK 2270 Noise Analyzer.

RESULTS

A total of 7.2% of the subjects had noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) and 39% of the audiometric tests were notch type. During the interview 31.7% of the subjects mentioned discomfort from loud noise, although none of them used ear protection. The environmental assessment showed inadequate humidity and oscillating temperature. Twenty sound pressure level measurements were performed for Leq (equivalent sound pressure levels) and the results ranged from 88 dB (A) to 99 dB (A) with a mean of 97.05.

CONCLUSIONS

Exposure to high levels of sound pressure has led to NIHL in some members of the group. Some of those with normal hearing also presented a notch configuration characteristic of NIHL. Tinnitus, indicating that a change in hearing has occurred, was the most frequent auditory symptom.

Conservação de vacinas na Atenção Primária à Saúde: realidade em capital do nordeste brasileiro

O objetivo deste trabalho é avaliar a qualidade da conservação das vacinas em Unidades da Atenção Primária à Saúde em uma capital do Nordeste brasileiro. Trata-se de um estudo descritivo e avaliativo, transversal, com abordagem quantitativa. Aplicou-se parte do instrumento PAISSV 2.0 do Programa Nacional de Imunização, com profissionais da enfermagem entre agosto de 2016 e janeiro de 2017. Utilizou-se análise estatística descritiva. Avaliou-se 48 (92,3%) salas de vacinas. Na dimensão estrutura, destaca-se a ausência de câmaras refrigeradas e de instrumentos de monitoramento e controle da temperatura em 100% das salas avaliadas. Quanto ao processo de conservação, evidenciou-se que nenhuma das salas realizava a distribuição das vacinas nas prateleiras, conforme recomendações técnicas. 43 (89,6%) salas foram classificadas como não adequadas e nenhuma considerada adequada. A prática da conservação de vacinas ainda é incipiente, com inadequação da estrutura e processo de trabalho. Estas lacunas podem comprometer a erradicação e o controle das doenças imunopreveníveis.

Translation, cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Finnish Diabetes Risk Score (FINDRISC) for use in Brazilian Portuguese: questionnaire validity study

BACKGROUND

The Finnish Diabetes Risk Score (FINDRISC) is a questionnaire that was developed by Finnish researchers to track the risk of diabetes.

OBJECTIVE

To translate, cross-culturally adapt and validate the FINDRISC for use in Brazilian Portuguese.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Questionnaire validity study conducted at a private university.

METHODS

The Brazilian version of the FINDRISC was developed through the processes of translation, back-translation, committee review and pre-testing. Test-retest reliability was measured using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), kappa coefficient, standard error of measurement (SEM) and minimum detectable change (MDC). Internal consistency was measured using Cronbach's alpha. For construct validity, the total score of the FINDRISC was correlated with the Diabetes Knowledge Scale (DKN-A) and Diabetes Mellitus Risk Questionnaire (QRDM). Ceiling and floor effects were also evaluated in the present study.

RESULTS

For construct validity and floor and ceiling effect measurements, a total sample of 107 participants was used. For reliability, a subsample of 51 participants out of the total sample was used. We identified adequate values for reliability (kappa ≥ 0.79 and ICC = 0.98) and internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.84). Regarding the error inherent in the FINDRISC, we found SEM = 8.02% and MDC = 22.44%. There were significant correlations between the FINDRISC and the QRDM (r = 0.686) and DKN-A (r = -0.216). No ceiling or floor effects were found.

CONCLUSION

The Brazilian version of the FINDRISC has adequate psychometric properties that are in accordance with the best international recommendations.

MAIS MÉDICOS (MORE DOCTORS) PROGRAM: NARRATIVES, CHANGES AND LIMITS

ABSTRACT Objective: to analyze the narrative of users about the assistance received by the professionals of the Mais Médicos (More Doctors) Program. Method: qualitative, exploratory, descriptive, comprehensive research carried out from August to December 2015. 16 interviews were carried out in four Basic Health Units that hired doctors who spoke the Spanish language. Systematic observation was performed with 30 hours of registration, and the respondents answered a socio-demographic questionnaire and a semi-structured interview. The analysis followed the triangulation of data from participant observation, interviews and the theoretical framework, using thematic analysis in the light of dialectical hermeneutics. Three operational categories have been developed: Quality and welcoming in consultation, Doctor-patient communication and foreign Doctor Results: the interviewees stated that making an appointment for a medical appointment, unlike before, became possible and less time consuming with the arrival of new doctors. The interviewees were satisfied with the medical care received, highlighting the quality of care. Conclusion: the medical reception received at the consultation, and the prescribed medications, seem to have a greater weight for the perception of the quality of the consultation, and to be more important for users than the understanding of the foreign language and the doctor's language. The low structural and operational competence of Primary Care remains the limit for the Mais Médicos Program.

Ministério Público, Conselhos Municipais de Saúde e as práticas do diálogo interinstitucional

Resumo Este estudo tem como objetivo analisar o relacionamento entre o Ministério Público e os Conselhos Municipais de Saúde (CMS), buscando refletir de que maneira aquela instituição pode contribuir para a efetividade do controle social exercido no Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) no estado do Maranhão. Foi utilizada metodologia qualitativa, dividida em pesquisa documental e entrevistas semiestruturadas. Da pesquisa participaram promotores de justiça e conselheiros de saúde que atuam nos CMS de uma região de saúde naquele estado. Os resultados evidenciaram que o controle institucional no SUS realizado pelo Ministério Público do Maranhão é marcado por práticas frágeis e não uniformes, apesar das possibilidades, capacidades e atribuições conferidas pela Constituição Federal de 1988. Os CMS pesquisados apresentam deficiências e limitações conhecidas do Ministério Público, que ainda não orientou sua política institucional para o fortalecimento do controle social a partir do diálogo interinstitucional. A democratização e a efetivação da política de saúde nos municípios da região de saúde pesquisada dependem, entre outras coisas, do aprimoramento da interlocução entre o Ministério Público e os CMS, tendo o potencial de qualificar e fortalecer o controle social no SUS.

Climate drivers of hospitalizations for mycoses in Brazil

Climate can modulate human health at large spatial scales, but the influence of global, regional, and local environments remains poorly understood, especially for neglected diseases, such as mycoses. In this work, we present the correlation between climatic variables and hospitalizations for mycoses in Brazilian state capitals, evaluating the period of 2008 to 2016 at different time scales. The results indicate that climate modulates the hospitalizations for mycoses differently at annual and monthly time scales, with minimum temperature as a key climatic variable during periods of high prevalence in the 10 Brazilian capitals with the highest hospitalizations for mycoses rates. The greatest number of hospitalizations coincided with La Niña events, while a reduction was observed during El Niño events, thereby demonstrating the influence of the Pacific Interdecadal Climate Oscillation on the prevalence of mycoses in Brazil. At a regional scale, the mycoses burden in Brazil appears to respond differently to local and global climatic drivers.

O Ministério Público e o controle social no Sistema Único de Saúde: uma revisão sistemática

Resumo A Constituição Federal de 1988 ampliou as atribuições do Ministério Público e possibilitou a participação popular por meio de conselhos gestores na construção de políticas públicas e na efetivação do controle social. Realizou-se uma revisão sistemática da literatura com o intuito de conhecer o panorama nacional sobre a interação entre o Ministério Público e os Conselhos de Saúde e a importância desse relacionamento para o fortalecimento do controle social no Sistema Único de Saúde, buscando refletir criticamente sobre a atuação do Ministério Público para o bom funcionamento desses instrumentos democráticos de poder. Consultaram-se as bases: PubMed, BVS, Periódicos CAPES e BDTD. Para a composição da amostra de 17 artigos e dissertações, selecionados entre 2006 e 2015, foram associados os descritores: Ministério Público, Controle Social, Participação Popular e Conselhos de Saúde. A análise dos resultados demonstra que existe diálogo entre Ministério Público e Conselhos de Saúde, e ele traz benefícios recíprocos que são imprescindíveis para o fortalecimento e efetivação do controle social no SUS. Na área da saúde, a atuação do Ministério Público sobre a matriz resolutiva e extrajudicial estimula a participação popular e a superação das deficiências enfrentadas pelos Conselhos de Saúde.

PRENATAL NURSING CONSULTATION: NARRATIVES OF PREGNANT WOMEN AND NURSES

ABSTRACT Objective: analyze the prenatal nursing consultation from the perspectives of pregnant women and nurses. Method: qualitative and descriptive study, involving 20 pregnant women and four nurses, at a primary health care service located in the city of São Luís/Maranhão (Brazil). The data were collected through semistructured interviews, participant observation and a focus group and analyzed based on the premises of thematic analysis. Results: the pregnant women expressed their satisfaction with the physical examination, highlighting that the welcoming. Complaints were made on the nurses’ technical competence, specifically regarding counseling on urinary tract infection. Some facilities were highlighted after the implementation of the Estratégia Rede Cegonha, mainly in the scheduling of appointments. The following difficulties were mentioned: lack of some prescribed drugs and long terms for carrying out and receiving preventive examinations. Conclusion: the pregnant women assessed the nursing consultation as very good, but they tend to attribute the logistic difficulties at the Health Center (lack of inputs) and even the forwarding to the medical professional (prescription of drugs to obtain outside the Health Center) to the nurses. Based on the research, relevant points could be identified that can influence positive criticism against the nursing consultation, as it constitutes more than half of clinical prenatal care in Brazil and can also change the conditions sensitive to hospitalization in primary care.

COMMUNICATION OF DEATH AND GRIEF SUPPORT TO THE WOMEN WHO HAVE LOST A NEWBORN CHILD

Objective:

To analyze the communication of a child’s death and the grief support provided to the women during puerperium.

Methods:

This is a qualitative study performed at a capital of the Northeast region of Brazil. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 15 women, whose children died from July 2012 to July 2014. The interviews contained questions about the child’s death and the grieving process. The content analysis was performed with a thematic approach.

Results:

The women expressed the suffering and the anguish of the loss of a child, sometimes aggravated by the way in which the news of death was delivered, and by the lack of support offered in the coping process. Two empirical categories were found: receiving the news of death and going back home empty-handed. The health care teams are not prepared to deliver bad news, nor to give support to women who lose a newborn child. According to the women, the support received from the family and religion helped them in the grieving process.

Conclusions:

The results indicate the need for professional qualification for the delivery of bad news and for grief support. They also showed the need for institutional policies that offer support to the professionals. Besides, the articulation with the primary health care team is imperative for the continuity of care.

Biosafety in beauty centers: knowledge and practices in a state capital in Northeast Brazil

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the knowledge and biosafety practices adopted by professionals of the beauty segment. METHODS Descriptive study, of survey type. 238 professionals of the beauty segment were interviewed between August 2014 and 2015. The variables were expressed by means of absolute and relative frequencies, as well as average and standard deviation. RESULTS 62.6% of the interviwed professionals reported having had contact with blood from customers when they were not wearing gloves; 74.4% said they washed their hands before and after each service, and only 16.8% of the respondents reported reusing nonsterilizable materials. None of them was able to inform the correct number of sets of tools needed , and 32.8% of the respondents did not use Personal Protective Equipment during their work activities. CONCLUSIONS The most frequently reported diseases associated with the risk of infection and transmission in the work activities were viral hepatitis, HIV and fungi. Regarding the biosafety procedures adopted, autoclave is the least used method for sterilizing devices.

Medicações ototóxicas utilizadas no tratamento oncológico pediátrico: uma revisão sistemática

RESUMO Objetivo Fazer um levantamento dos medicamentos ototóxicos utilizados no tratamento do câncer pediátrico, apontar os danos das drogas para o sistema auditivo e os métodos utilizados na identificação destes danos nessa população. Estratégia de pesquisa: Foram utilizados periódicos nacionais e internacionais pertinentes ao assunto, acessados eletronicamente em bases de dados da Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde - MS, PubMed, Biblioteca Digital Brasileira de Teses e Dissertações, que envolvessem a população pediátrica com histórico de tratamento oncológico, publicados entre 2007 e 2016, e no Banco de Teses e Dissertações da Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior. Critérios de seleção Foram selecionados estudos que contemplassem os seguintes critérios: estudos observacionais nas línguas portuguesa, inglesa ou espanhola e resumos disponíveis que informassem o método de avaliação do dano auditivo. Resultados A amostra final resultou em 12 artigos. Destes, a audiometria tonal limiar foi o método de avaliação auditiva mais utilizado, estando presente em 10 (84,61%) dos estudos, seguido das emissões otoacústicas (46,15%). Todos os estudos foram desenvolvidos com pacientes que fizeram uso de cisplatina ou derivados da platina e, quanto ao dano auditivo, apenas 1 dos estudos incluídos não relatou presença de alteração na população estudada. Conclusão Os derivados da platina expressam papel importante no tratamento do câncer em diversos níveis e são os agentes ototóxicos mais citados em pesquisas. A cóclea é o local mais afetado, mais especificamente as células ciliadas externas. Os métodos de investigação da alteração auditiva mais utilizados são a audiometria tonal limiar e as emissões otoacústicas.