João Feliz Duarte de Moraes

Factors associated with the successful aging of the socially-active elderly in the metropolitan region of Porto Alegre.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the factors associated with aging of the socially-active elderly in the metropolitan region of Porto Alegre. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving a sample of 400 elderly subjects. Through a conglomerate analysis using the combined results of the Flanagan Scale and the quality of life assessment instrument developed by the World Health Organization (WHOQOL-100), the subjects classified as presenting a higher quality of life were considered to have aged successfully. RESULTS: After having been adjusted for the variables gender, age, level of depression, despair, perceived health status, meaning that personal beliefs give to life, satisfaction with social activities and relations, the following factors maintained their independent and meaningful effect on successful aging: family relations and friendships (OR = 4.93; 95% CI: 2.83-8.60), health and perceived well being (OR = 1.66; 95% CI: 1.07-2.59), functional capacity (OR = 23.70; 95% CI: 10.98-51.06) and psychosocial support (OR = 7.36; 95% CI: 4.00-13.54). CONCLUSIONS: Independence in performing daily life activities and autonomy, as well as satisfaction with family relations and friendships, were independent predictive factors of successful aging for both men and women. For women in particular, there were various predictive factors: material comfort; feeling physically well; body image and appearance; self-esteem; positive feelings; interpersonal relationships; social support; participation in recreational activities; sexuality; spirituality; and beliefs. The elderly maintain a relationship with themselves, with others and with their beliefs. Family is the main social support system.OBJETIVO: Identificar fatores associados ao envelhecimento bem-sucedido de idosos socialmente ativos da Regiao Metropolitana de Porto Alegre. METODOS: Estudo transversal com 400 idosos. Pela analise de conglomerados, utilizando os resultados simultâneos da escala de Flanagan e do instrumento de avaliacao da Qualidade de Vida, elaborado pela Organizacao Mundial de Saude (WHOQOL-100), foram considerados com envelhecimento bem-sucedido os idosos classificados com qualidade de vida superior. A analise das variaveis associadas ao envelhecimento bem-sucedido foi realizada por meio da regressao logistica multipla. RESULTADOS: Apos ajustamento por genero, idade, nivel de depressao, desesperanca, saude percebida, sentido que as crencas pessoais dao a vida, satisfacao com atividades e relacoes sociais, verificou-se que mantiveram um efeito independente e significativo com o envelhecimento bem-sucedido os fatores: relacoes familiares e de amizade (OR = 4,93; IC: 2,83-8,60), saude e bem-estar percebido (OR = 1,66; IC:1,07-2,59), capacidade funcional (OR = 23,70; IC: 10,98-51,06) e suporte psicossocial (OR = 7,36; IC: 4,00-13,54). A analise realizada com o grupo separado por genero apresentou diferencas significativas. CONCLUSOES: A manutencao da independencia para as atividades da vida diaria, autonomia e satisfacao com relacionamento familiar e amizades foram fatores preditivos independentes do envelhecimento bem-sucedido, tanto para homens como para mulheres. Conforto material, sentir-se fisicamente bem, imagem corporal e aparencia, auto-estima, sentimentos positivos, relacoes interpessoais, suporte social, participacao em atividades recreativas, sexualidade, espiritualidade e crencas foram preditivos para as mulheres. O idoso e um ser de relacao consigo mesmo, com os outros e com as suas crencas. A familia e o principal suporte social.

Intensidade de uso de crack de acordo com a classe econômica de usuários internados na cidade de Porto Alegre/Brasil

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether a relationship exists between the intensity and frequency of crack consumption and the economic level of the drug addicts, and verify if there is a relationship between economic class and frequency and intensity of crack consumption in adult men during a psychiatric hospitalization. METHOD: This is quantitative study. Instruments: structured interview, Brazil Economic Classification Criteria and Mini Mental State Examination. Statistical analysis: descriptive and inferential analysis (Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis test - significance level of 5%). RESULTS: Two hundred and twenty one participants were divided into two groups: (1) Higher socioeconomic status group (classes A and B) and (2) lower socioeconomic status group (Classes C, D and E). There was no significant difference (p = 0.893 - Mann-Whitney) between the groups regarding the intensity and frequency of crack use. There was also no significantly relationship (p = 0.549 - Kruskal-Wallis) between economic class (A, B, C, D and E) and frequency and intensity of crack use. CONCLUSION: The crack-dependent higher and lower buying power did not differ significantly with respect to intensity and frequency of drug use. There was no relationship between socioeconomic status and frequency and intensity of crack use in this sample.

Psychosocial factors associated with adherence to treatment and quality of life in people living with HIV/AIDS in Brazil

Objective: The objective of this article was to investigate the biopsychosocial factors that influence adherence to treatment and the quality of life of individuals who have been successfully following the HIV/AIDS treatment. Methods: It is a cross-sectional study carried out with 120 HIV positive participants in the south of Brazil. Among the variables studied, of note are: perceived stress, social support, symptoms of anxiety and depression and quality of life. Results: The results show that a moderate to high adherence to the treatment paired with a strong sense of social support indicate a higher quality of life. Conclusion: The combination of social support and antiretroviral treatment have an impact on physical conditions, improving immune response and quality of life.

Anxiety and depression symptoms in women with and without binge eating disorder enrolled in weight loss programs

OBJECTIVES 1) To investigate the association between binge eating scores, anxiety and depression symptoms, and body mass index (BMI), and 2) to assess the presence of differences in severity of anxiety symptoms, severity of depression symptoms, and BMI in women with and without binge eating disorder. METHOD The sample comprised 113 women aged between 22 and 60 years (39.35±10.85) enrolled in weight loss programs in Porto Alegre, southern Brazil. The following instruments were used: structured interview, Brazilian Economic Classification Criteria, Beck Anxiety Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory, and Binge Eating Scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. RESULTS A positive association was found between binge eating scores and the severity of anxiety symptoms (p < 0.001) and depression symptoms (p < 0.001). No significant association was observed between BMI and binge eating scores (p = 0.341). There were significant differences between women with and without binge eating disorder with regard to severity of anxiety symptoms (p < 0.001) and severity of depression symptoms (p < 0.001). Conversely, no significant differences were observed between the groups concerning BMI (p = 0.103). CONCLUSION Our findings showed that binge eating is associated with symptoms of anxiety and depression, but not with BMI.

Análise de atitudes de alunos universitários em relação à estatística por meio da teoria de resposta ao item

In this study we analyze the responses provided by a sample of 360 students at a private university in a Scale of Attitudes towards Statistics (EAE) test. The fit of the Graded Response Model of the Item Response Theory was made using the software PARSCALE. The scale showed the discrimination of items (ai) going from moderate to high level. The parameters of difficulty of the items (bi) showed that the proposition of easy agreement on the part of students was effected by the tension felt doing statistics classes. The variables that showed significance in the level of influence attitudes were: area of study, self-perception of performance in the discipline and the applicability of statistics. These results suggest that strategies have to be adopted to develop an environment for teaching and learning that is exciting and enjoyable, and to enhance the applications of statistics in the context of the subject for each student.