The impact of implementing the 10-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine on hospitalizations for pneumonia among children

Pneumonia is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children, with pneumococcus as the main etiologic agent. In Brazil, the 10-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV-10) was introduced into the childhood immunization schedule in 2010. The aim of this study was to assess the impact caused by implementing PCV-10 on the hospitalizations of children with pneumonia, between 2005 and 2015, in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil. An ecological time series study and a forecasting analysis were conducted. A comparison was made between the hospitalizations of children aged between seven months and four years due to pneumonia in the Brazilian Unified Health System, in the 5 years before (2005-2009) and after (2011-2015) implementation of PCV-10. Descriptive analysis included absolute and relative values, means and rates of hospitalization. The chi-square test was used to compare the annual incidence of hospitalizations and the t-Student test to compare the five-year mean values. For the temporal modeling of hospitalizations, an autoregressive integrated moving average was used, adjusted with seasonal-SARIMA (Box-Jenkins methodology), with a prediction of the monthly number of hospitalizations for 2011-2015. The predicted and observed values for 2011-2015 were then compared. The number of hospitalizations after implementing PCV-10 was reduced by 24.5 %. The monthly average of hospitalizations dropped from 681 (2005-2009) to 514 (2011-2015). The hospitalization rate dropped from 56.1 per thousand live births in the five-year period prior to PCV-10 to 43.4 in the following five-year period (a 22.7% reduction). Comparing the values predicted by the SARIMA model for a scenario without PCV-10 in the second five-year period, with those reported after implementing PCV-10, the estimated number of prevented hospitalizations was 8,682 in the five years following the introduction of the vaccine. In conclusion, in the five years following implementation of PCV-10, hospitalizations of children with pneumonia in Pernambuco decrease by 22%.

Validação de tecnologia em libras para educação em saúde de surdos

Resumo Objetivo: Construir e validar um vídeo educativo em Libras para educação em saúde de surdos acerca da Aids e suas formas de transmissão. Métodos: Estudo de desenvolvimento metodológico, com referencial psicométrico, desenvolvido em uma escola de audiocomunicação. Participaram cinco juízes e 18 pessoas surdas. Na coleta dos dados utilizou-se escala Likert e, na análise, o Alfa de Cronbach e o Índice de Validade de Conteúdo (IVC). Resultados: O vídeo educativo “Comunicação em Libras: aprendendo sobre a Síndrome da Imunodeficiência Adquirida (Aids), tem duração de 20 minutos. O roteiro do vídeo foi dividido em três blocos e respectivos itens: Bloco A - Aids, formas de transmissão, sinais e sintomas, diagnóstico, tratamento, prevenção; Bloco B - Tipos de preservativos. Bloco C - Aids, um problema de saúde pública. Obteve-se entre os juízes IVC médio de 0,96 para os itens e de 0,90 para os critérios psicométricos de avaliação geral. Entre os surdos obteve-se IVC médio de 0,87. O Alpha de Cronbach Total para os juízes foi 0,989 e, para os surdos 0,634. Conclusão: O vídeo educativo apresenta evidências de validade e representatividade para ser utilizado na assistência e nos processos de educação em saúde do público-alvo.

Acquiring of knowledge about sexual health by blind people: an action research

Objective:

to evaluate knowledge about sexual health, with blind people, before and after educational intervention.

Method:

action research conducted with 58 blind people enrolled in a philanthropic educational institution. A form with sociodemographic and knowledge variables about Sexually Transmitted Infections was used. The Chi-square and Fisher tests were performed.

Results:

men presented higher frequency of alcoholism (p <0.001) and illicit drugs (p = 0.006). It was found that they used a male condom more frequently than women using a female condom (p = 0.003), although they had more knowledge about the prevention of Sexually Transmitted Infections (p = 0.006). Among these infections, Trichomonas vaginalis (52.4%) was more frequent. Knowledge gaps on risk factors and safe sex were identified. After the intervention, an increase in the knowledge about sexual health was detected.

Conclusion:

the educational intervention, in the light of problematizing pedagogy, (re) constructed the knowledge on sexual health, empowering the participants regarding the prevention of Sexually Transmitted Infections. Therefore, it is necessary that nurses carry out educational interventions with this clientele, aiming to soften deficits of knowledge about the thematic in screen.

Vulnerability associated with sexually transmitted infections in physically disabled people

Objective

to analyze the conditions that enhance the dimensions of individual, social and programmatic vulnerability associated with sexually transmitted infections in physically disabled people.

Methods

this transversal study, with a quantitative approach, was conducted in 2015 in conjunction with an association for disabled people in Campina Grande, PB, Brazil. Ninety-eight individuals participated in the study and answered a questionnaire regarding the dimensions of vulnerability in relation to sexually transmitted infections. The chi-square test, Fisher's test, contingency coefficient test and prevalence ratio test were all performed.

Results

an association was identified between the occurrence of sexually transmitted infections with the number of partners (p = 0.020); the belief that having few partners was a form of prevention (p = 0.044); the belief that poor hygiene was a risk factor; age (p = 0.007); the type of disability (p = 0.007); and having a consultation with a urologist (p = 0.030).

Conclusion

physically disabled people have conditions that enhance their vulnerability to sexually transmitted infections, which are linked to individual, social and programmatic dimensions. By characterizing the conditions of vulnerability it is possible to devise specific prevention linked to the reality of the social and health conditions of individuals.

Sociodemographic factors associated with the quality of work life of adults with physical disabilities

Background

The quality of work life (QWL) of individuals with physical disabilities is not satisfactory.

Objective

To investigate the relationship between sociodemographic factors and QWL among individuals with physical disabilities.

Methods

Cross-sectional study with quantitative approach conducted in 2014 at two institutions that help individuals with disabilities find jobs. A total of 38 subjects who responded a sociodemographic questionnaire and a QWL scale participated in the study. Cronbach's alpha, χ² and Fisher's tests were performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The ethical requirements in force were met.

Results

The internal consistency of the scale used was satisfactory (α=0.792); relative to QWL, 44.7% (n=17) participants reported dissatisfaction. Association was found between QWL and sociodemographic factors income (p=0.010), education (p=0.036) and race (p=0.027).

Conclusion

The participants' QWL was not satisfactory and was influenced by sociodemographic factors.

QUALIDADE DE VIDA NO TRABALHO DE PESSOAS COM DEFICIÊNCIA FÍSICA

Resumo Objetivou-se avaliar a qualidade de vida no trabalho e os principais fatores correlacionados em pessoas com deficiências físicas. Tratou-se de estudo transversal, realizado em 2012, em serviço de referência em reabilitação de pessoas com deficiência, localizado em João Pessoa, na Paraíba. A amostra foi composta por 110 indivíduos que responderam a um questionário sociodemográfico; utilizou-se uma escala validada para avaliar a qualidade de vida no trabalho. Para análise dos dados, efetuaram-se os testes Alfa de Cronbach, Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin e esfericidade de Bartlett. O índice de consistência interna da escala se mostrou satisfatório (α=0,85), atestando a confiabilidade do instrumento utilizado. A matriz de correlações entre os itens da escala revelou a possibilidade de sua fatorialização (KMO = 0,60) e Bartlett (p<0,001). Quanto à percepção da qualidade de vida no trabalho, 67,9% indicaram insatisfação; 21,4%, avaliação intermediária; e 10,7%, satisfação. Os fatores mais correlacionados foram: salário (0,74), capacidade de ascensão profissional (0,73), oportunidade de expressar suas opiniões (0,71), carga horária e quantidade de trabalho (0,66). Concluiu-se que a qualidade de vida no trabalho das pessoas com deficiência física não é satisfatória, principalmente em razão de aspectos como salário, carga horária e quantidade de trabalho inadequados, bem como dificuldade para ascensão profissional.

A content validity study of signs, symptoms and diseases/health problems expressed in LIBRAS

OBJECTIVES

To validate the content of signs, symptoms and diseases/health problems expressed in LIBRAS for people with deafness. Method: Methodological development study, which involved 36 people with deafness and three LIBRAS specialists. The study was conducted in three stages: investigation of the signs, symptoms and diseases/health problems, referred to by people with deafness, reported in a questionnaire; video recordings of how people with deafness express, through LIBRA, the signs, symptoms and diseases/health problems; and validation of the contents of the recordings of the expressions by LIBRAS specialists. Data were processed in a spreadsheet and analyzed using univariate tables, with absolute frequencies and percentages. The validation results were analyzed using the Content Validity Index (CVI).

RESULTS

33 expressions in LIBRAS, of signs, symptoms and diseases/health problems were evaluated, and 28 expressions obtained a satisfactory CVI (1.00).

CONCLUSIONS

The signs, symptoms and diseases/health problems expressed in LIBRAS presented validity, in the study region, for health professionals, especially nurses, for use in the clinical anamnesis of the nursing consultation for people with deafness.

Quality of life of caregivers of octogenarians: a study using the WHOQOL-BREF

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the quality of life of octogenarians and to identify the domains related to quality of life and health.

METHODOLOGY

A cross-sectional, quantitative study conducted in 2010 in the Family Health Units of Campina Grande/PB, Brazil. The study sample consisted of 52 subjects that met the eligibility criteria of: 18 years or older, being a lay caregiver of octogenarians, and having no apparent cognitive problem. A questionnaire containing a sociodemographic section and the WHOQOL-BREF that is composed of two questions about the perceptions of quality of life and health, and 24 on the physical, psychological, social relationships and environmental domains. The Cronbach's-alpha test and the logical regression analysis of the data were conducted using SPSS. The project was approved by the Research Committee of the Center for Development and Higher Education (CAAE nº0490.0.133.000-08).

RESULTS

The Cronbach's alpha was 0.72, attesting to the reliability of the instrument used. The domain scores were: environmental (59.43), psychological (59.01), social relationships (46.77) and physical (43.86), whose values indicate dissatisfaction of subjects with regard to aspects related to quality of life. The environmental domain was correlated with quality of life (p=0.014) and the physical domain with perceptions of health (p=0.019); the daily safety and pain aspects had the highest correlations with quality of life (p=0.001).

CONCLUSION

The perception of the caregivers regarding quality of life was not good. The environmental and physical domains had the highest correlations with quality of life and health.

Lifestyle and health conditions of adults with spinal cord injury

OBJECTIVE

. To describe the lifestyle of adults with spinal cord injury and explore its relation with some health conditions.

METHODOLOGY

Cross sectional study, in which a questionnaire containing sociodemographic, habits and health conditions variables was used. Forty-seven people with spinal cord injury participated and answered the self-report questionnaire.

RESULTS

The group under study was predominantly male (92%), under 40 years of age (47%), and had low educational level (76%). The most frequent risk factors related to the lifestyle were: smoking (28%), alcohol consumption (36%), coffee consumption (92%) and being physically inactive (64%). Association was found between having four or more risk factors related to lifestyle and the loss of appetite, as well as constipation.

CONCLUSION

. The actual inadequate lifestyle is associated with the health conditions of patients, and the nursing team should pay special attention to the education and promotion of health related to people with spinal cord injury.