Maria Helena Ruzany

[Violent relationship in young people and STD/AIDS risk].

To verify whether affective relationships involving violence are associated with increased risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including AIDS, we conducted a survey among youth 14 to 22 years of age residing in two low-income communities in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. We used a qualitative methodology with focal groups and individual interviews. Violence is part of the routine among these youth in both their community and families. The following factors were associated with violence in interpersonal relations: lack of money, unemployment, drug and alcohol use, jealousy, and infidelity. The young people reported that condom use is not negotiated with violent partners, resulting in increased risk of STD/AIDS. The results indicate that violence is multi-factorial, and when present in interpersonal relationships it intervenes negatively in relation to protection against STD/AIDS.To verify whether affective relationships involving violence are associated with increased risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including AIDS, we conducted a survey among youth 14 to 22 years of age residing in two low-income communities in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. We used a qualitative methodology with focal groups and individual interviews. Violence is part of the routine among these youth in both their community and families. The following factors were associated with violence in interpersonal relations: lack of money, unemployment, drug and alcohol use, jealousy, and infidelity. The young people reported that condom use is not negotiated with violent partners, resulting in increased risk of STD/AIDS. The results indicate that violence is multi-factorial, and when present in interpersonal relationships it intervenes negatively in relation to protection against STD/AIDS.

Avaliação das condições de atendimento do Programa de Saúde do Adolescente no Município do Rio de Janeiro

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and severity of dental caries and need for treatment among 18 years-old males in Florianópolis, Southern Brazil. In addition, the associations between dental caries and socioeconomic conditions were tested. A cross sectional study was carried out. A random sample of 300, was selected from a list of Brazilian Army conscripts. Clinical data were collected according to World Health Organization criteria. Socioeconomic data (years of education of the subjects, their fathers and mothers and family income) were collected through interviews. The statistical significance of associations between socioeconomic indicators and dental caries prevalence were tested using the chi-square test whilst for severity of dental caries Mann-Whitney test was used. The prevalence of dental caries was 81% and the mean DMF-T was 4.5. The mean number of teeth that needed treatment was 1.2. Both dental status and treatment need were statistically significantly associated with socioeconomic indicators. Those with low levels of education and income experienced more disease and needed more treatment than those from high levels of education and income.

Atenção integral à saúde de adolescentes em situação de trabalho: lições aprendidas

Este artigo apresenta a experiencia do Programa de Saude do Trabalhador Adolescente (PSTA) do Nucleo de Estudos da Saude do Adolescente da Uerj. Na area assistencial, a equipe multidisciplinar do Nucleo vem desenvolvendo um modelo de atencao integral aos adolescentes trabalhadores, buscando analisar as questoes ligadas ao nexo causal entre os agravos a saude e o processo produtivo em que estao envolvidos. No que se refere a extensao, os profissionais, em associacao com alguns adolescentes trabalhadores, vem desenvolvendo uma metodologia de educacao em saude resgatando a discussao sobre o potencial produtivo de maneira abrangente, abordando temas que vao alem da questao do trabalho. Devido ao conhecimento adquirido, a equipe, em parceria com a OIT, recebeu a incumbencia de elaborar materiais pedagogicos para a formacao e capacitacao de recursos humanos sobre saude e seguranca no trabalho infanto-juvenil. Conclui-se que, diante das politicas publicas para a eliminacao do trabalho infantil e protecao do trabalhador adolescente, ja em vigencia em nivel nacional, a experiencia relatada aponta para a necessidade da criacao de programas semelhantes para a garantia dos direitos desta populacao.

[Occupational risks in childhood and adolescence: a review].

The authors present a brief bibliographic review of the health risks to which children and youth are often exposed in the workplace. The concern regarding these risk factors is justified based on the fact that children and youth comprise a large portion of the work force and begin working at early ages. At the same time these children and youth are undergoing profound biological, psychological and social changes and therefore are susceptible to occupational illnesses. With this in mind, the article seeks to alert health professionals regarding possible occupational health risks to children and youth in the workplace.

[Adolescent mortality in the city of Rio de Janeiro from 1981 to 1995: how many deaths could be prevented?]

OBJECTIVE: This paper examines the main causes of mortality among adolescents ages 10 to 19 in the city of Rio de Janeiro with a focus on mortality prevention. METHODS: Mortality data from 1981 to 1995 were taken from the Mortality Information System of the Brazilian Ministry of Health. Age and sex specific mortality rates were calculated for the main causes of death covering three discrete time periods (1981-85, 1986-90 and 1991-95). RESULTS: Rates of homicides and fatal injuries by firearms have increased for adolescents of both sexes during the period studied. Among adolescent males the increase was from 46.5 /100,000 (between 1981 and 1985) to 105.8/100,000 (1991- 1995). Among adolescent females, mortality rates attributable to the same external causes presented a growth from 3.1/100,000 (1981-1985) to 7.8/ 100,000 (1991-1995). Geographic analysis indicates that the harbor area of the city and vicinities reflect higher indices of firearmsrelated deaths. For the same time period, non-external causes of death declined. Malignant neoplasias and pneumonia, the most frequent non-external causes of death, are decreasing. The rates of complications involving immune deficiencies have increased from nonexistent to 1.2 /100,000 during the last period (1991-1995) studied. CONCLUSION: The main causes of deaths among adolescents in the city of Rio de Janeiro are preventable. We propose that health professionals be attentive to this fact to prevent unnecessary deaths through health promotion.

Projeto MAISA II modelo de atenção integral à saúde do adolescente da UERJ por uma equipe multidisciplinar

The purpose of this paper has been to describe a proposal concerning the Clinioal Unit for Adolescents assistance-teaching for building a Model of Integral Health Care Adolescents (MAISA II Project), integrated and hierarchically organized