Andreza Cristina de Lima Targino Massoni

Orofacial aspects of childhood abuse and dental negligence

The aim of this paper was to identify the main oral and dental aspects of childhood abuse and dental neglect, contributing to the identification of these victims in a dental office. A bibliographic research was carried out, in ADOLEC, MEDLINE, LILACS and BBO databases. The following key words were used: child abuse, oral manifestations, dentists; role; liability, legal. It was verified that violence against children happens in general at home and the resulting orofacial injuries encompass: injuries, burns and lacerations on soft and hard tissues, bite marks and gradually-healed wounds. It can have wounds in other parts of the body next to the oral cavity, such as periorbital wound and nasal injury. Regarding sexual abuse, many victims do not present any associated physic signs; therefore, behavioral indicators must be observed. The immediate recognition and report of childhood abuse and dental negligence by dental surgeon are essential for children protection. Therefore, it is critical to define more effective action from those professionals, by registration and denunciation of suspect cases to child protection agencies.

Knowledge of occupational diseases and immunization among healthcare students

Purpose: To investigate the knowledge and practices of immunization against occupational diseases and its associated factors among health students. Methods: An exploratory cross-sectional study was carried out with a random sample of 275 graduate students from the Schools of Dentistry, Physiotherapy, Pharmacy, Psychology and Nursing. During data collection we carried out individual interviews on issues related to immunization coverage, diseases and occupational accidents and sociodemographic variables. The statistical tests used were the Pearson’s chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests (α=0.05). Results: Most students considered influenza (65.5%) and hepatitis B (58.5%) occupational diseases. Almost 30% of the students reported having attended to patients with infectious diseases, especially AIDS. Contact with body fluids or accidental exposure was reported by 12.7% being 34.3% by accident with drills; 88.2% of the students had incomplete immunization coverage due to lack of time in most cases (27%). None of the variables was significantly associated with vaccination coverage. Conclusion: The students’ knowledge of occupational diseases and vaccination coverage was poor, which reflects the need for motivational policies through activities for clarification and expansion of vaccination coverage.

Child abuse in childhood and adolescence: knowledge and attitudes on the part of health professionals

Objective: To verify the knowledge and attitudes on the part of healthcare professionals from the Family Health Strategy (FHS) and the Family Healthcare Center (NASF) from the city of Patos, Pernambuco, Brazil, concerning suspected cases of child abuse in children and adolescents. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study, carried out with 200 professionals who responded to a questionnaire on this topic. A comparative analysis was performed using descriptive and inferential statistics, using Pearson’s Chi-square test and Fisher’s Exact test (p < 0.050). Results: Most of the professionals reported having knowledge on child abuse (85.0%); considered themselves able to diagnose cases of child abuse (67.5 %) and stated that they knew how to act when faced with a suspect case (76.5%), with the most reported action being the filing of a complaint with the Child Protection Agency (49.0%). Professionals with a higher education level showed a better performance regarding the knowledge of the main signs of child abuse (p = 0.001), as well as a more favorable conduct in relation to the non-failure to report a suspected case (p = 0.010). This same group received more information about abuses during their professional training (p = 0.010). The interest in attending training courses on the subject was higher among those with up to a technical education level (p = 0.002). Conclusion: The professionals presented a satisfactory knowledge on the subject, with a better performance observed among those with a higher education level. Comments from participants denoted interest in the subject, as well as a desire to empower themselves on the subject. What stands out, therefore, is the need for a greater inclusion of this issue in professional training courses professionals, especially among those with up to a technical education. Uniterms: Health knowledge, attitudes, practice. Child abuse. REFERÊNCIAS 1. Fundo das Nações Unidas para a Infância. Situação da infância brasileira 2006: crianças de até 6 anos: o direito à sobrevivência e ao