Cláudia Chaves

Oral and Gastric Helicobacter Pylori: Effects and Associations

Introduction This study consisted in the comparison of the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) present in the stomach and in saliva of a sample of Portuguese adolescents and the assessment of the association between H. pylori infection with socio-demographic variables and prevalence of dental caries. Materials and Methods A cross-sectional study was designed including a sample of 447 adolescents aged 12 to 19 years old, attending a public school in Sátão, Portugal. A questionnaire about socio-demographic variables and oral health behaviors was applied. Gastric H. pylori infection was determined using the urease breath test (UBT). Saliva collection was obtained and DNA was extracted by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) in order to detect the presence of oral H. pylori. Results The prevalence of gastric H. pylori detected by UBT was 35.9%. Within the adolescents with a gastric UBT positive, only 1.9% were positive for oral H. pylori. The presence of gastric H. pylori was found to be associated with age (>15years, Odds ratio (OR)=1.64,95%CI=1.08-2.52), residence area (urban,OR=1.48,95%CI=1.03-2.29) and parents´ professional situation (unemployed,OR=1.22,95%CI=1.02-1.23). Among those with detected dental caries during the intra-oral observation, 37.4% were positive for gastric H. pylori and 40.2% negative for the same bacterial strain (p=0.3). Conclusions The oral cavity cannot be considered a reservoir for infection of H. pylori. Gastric H. pylori infection was found to be associated with socio-demographic variables such as age, residence area and socioeconomic status.

The Evidence-Based Practice: Breastfeeding as a Preventive Factor for Postpartum Depression

Post-partum is expected to be a time of joy. However, this is not always the case, as it can be a time marked by moments of sadness, fatigue and discouragement. This study intended to obtain the best scientific evidence to understand whether breastfeeding has a preventive effect on postpartum depression. For this, an integrative review of the literature was made on the relationship between breastfeeding and postpartum depression through the databases: EBSCO host, LILACS, PubMed, SciELO, institutional repositories and Google Scholar. Most studies identify breastfeeding as being preventive of postpartum depression, highlighting its importance for the puerperium’s mental health and consequently reducing the chances of developing postpartum depression. An informed and supported woman about breastfeeding will be able to feel confident in her new role. A constant investment by the health team, initiated during the couple’s planning process for pregnancy, is essential, and is maintained throughout pregnancy, delivery and postpartum.

The use of psychoactive substances and adolescents’ school performance

The use of psychoactive substances is a public health problem. The use of these substances usually starts during adolescence and is associated with school problems, namely poor school performance. Research Questions included which psychoactive substances interfere with school performance (learning environment, planning of studies, methods of studying, reading skills, study motivation, overall school performance) in adolescents. The purpose of the study was to analyse the relationship between the use of psychoactive substances and adolescents’ school performance. The Research Methods included a cross-sectional study. Data were collected through a questionnaire which included socio-demographic information, psychoactive substances and a school performance scale (adapted from Fermin, 2005). Non-probability sampling for convenience, with 380 students from 7, 8 and 9 grade. Data were collected in 2011/2012 among students from a Basic School in the Portuguese Municipality of Viseu. Results: There was a 4.2% of prevalence of drug use: 4,3% in boys and 4.1% in girls. For both genders, the most commonly used drugs were hashish and marijuana (43.8%). Girls (p<0.001), younger students (p<0.001), those whose parents graduated from high-school or who have a higher education (p=0.019) and students who do not use drugs (p=0.000) do better in school. We concluded that drug abuse is associated with adolescents’ poorer school performance. It is therefore important to identify risk groups and develop policies to prevent youngsters from using psychoactive substances because of the major impact they have on individual, family and social levels.

EPA-1439 - Determinants of depression among portuguese adolescents

Background The incidence of depressive symptoms among adolescents has been increasing in the last years and several risk factors have been associated with depression which has become a major public health issue. Objectives Assess the prevalence and determinants of depression in a Portuguese sample of adolescents. Methods A cross-sectional study was designed with a sample of 447 adolescents aged 12 to 19 years old, attending a public school in S tao, Portugal. A self-administered questionnaire with questions about socio-economic status, risk behaviours and sleep disorders was answered by adolescents. Depressive symptoms were assessed by the Portuguese validated version of the Beck Depression Inventory, and the cut-off point for depression was 13 points. We considered the following global scores: 0-13:minimal depression; 14-19:mild depression; 20-28:moderate depression; and 29-63:severe depression. Prevalence was expressed in proportions and compared by the Chi-square test. Results The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 13.2%. According to the severity of depressive symptomatology, the prevalence of minimum, slight and moderate depressive symptoms was 57.4%, 5.4% and 2.3%, respectively. Depression was associated with insomnia (yes, OR=7.9 95%CI=3.1-19.9), residence area (urban, OR=1.4 95%CI=1.1-2.1), father’s educational level ( Conclusions Adolescents who develop depression are also likely to develop insomnia. Depressive symptoms are associated with sociodemographic variables and addictive habits. Mental health promotion should be considered in school programmes in order to decrease the risk of depression and associated diseases.