Mauro Virgílio Gomes de Barros

Health risk behaviors, health status self-assessment and stress perception among industrial workers

OBJECTIVE To identify the prevalence and association among health risk behaviors, stress perception, and health status self-assessment among industrial workers. METHODS A cross-sectional study was performed using a questionnaire previously tested in a pilot study in the State of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Data on smoking, alcohol consumption, fruit and vegetables intake, physical activity, stress perception, and self-assessment of health status were available for 4,225 workers (67.5% males and 32.5% females). Subjects were selected using a 3-stage cluster sampling (5% error margin). Statistical analysis was performed using Chi-square, and logistic regression analysis (p<0.05). RESULTS The mean age was 29.7 years old (SD=8.6). The prevalence of smokers was 20.6%, higher among males (23.1%) than females (15.6%). The proportion of heavy drinkers was high (57.2% among males and 18.8% among females). Almost half of the subjects (46.2%) reported no leisure-time physical activity (67% females and 34.8% males). Approximately 14% of subjects reported high levels of stress and difficulty to cope with daily tasks. About 15% of the workers perceived their health status as regular or poor. Gender, age, marital status, number of children, educational level and economic status were significantly associated with the prevalence of health risk behaviors. CONCLUSIONS Despite the limitations of cross-sectional studies, based on self-report assessments, the study results suggest a high prevalence of alcohol consumption and physical inactivity during leisure time. The observed association between gender and health risk behavior suggests that both sexes engage in risk behaviors: for men these behaviors are direct or active (smoking, alcohol consumption) and for women, they are more indirect or passive (physical inactivity, stress).

Comportamentos de risco à saúde em adolescentes no Sul do Brasil: prevalência e fatores associados

OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence of health risk behaviors and to analyze factors associated with exposure to such behaviors among adolescents in the state of Santa Catarina in the south of Brazil. METHODS Adolescents attending 240 high school classes at the states public schools answered a questionnaire that collected demographics (sex, age, area of residence, and day versus night classes), social and economic data (working status and monthly family income), and information on health risk behaviors (insufficient levels of physical activity, low intake of fruits/vegetables, smoking, alcohol abuse, illicit drug use, involvement in physical fights, and irregular use of condoms). RESULTS The completed questionnaires of 5 028 adolescents (2 984 females and 2 044 males), 15-19 years of age (mean = 17.0; standard deviation = 1.12), were considered valid. The most prevalent health risk behaviors were insufficient levels of physical activity (36.5%), low intake of fruits/vegetables (46.5%), and irregular use of condoms (38.3%). Approximately 7 of 10 adolescents (64.7%) were exposed to two or more risk behaviors simultaneously. The following risk subgroups were identified: male adolescents, adolescents from 18-19 years of age, living in urban areas, studying at night, and having a higher family income. CONCLUSIONS The percentage of adolescents exposed to health risk behaviors was high, especially when simultaneous exposure to different behaviors was considered. These results can contribute to developing health promotion campaigns for the school setting that are specifically aimed at the risk subgroups identified.

Obesity, overweight and thinness in schoolchildren of the city of Florianópolis, Southern Brazil

Objective:To assess the prevalence of obesity, overweight (including obesity) and thinness in children of the city of Florianopolis (southern Brazil).Design:Cross-sectional study.Subjects:Representative sample of 7–10-y-old schoolchildren of the first four grades of elementary schools (1432 girls, 1504 boys).Methods:Measurements of weight, height and triceps skinfold thickness (TSF) were taken following standard techniques. The body mass index (BMI) was computed as weight/height2. Nutritional status was defined using two references: (1) the Must et al reference for BMI and TSF to define thinness, overweight and obesity (5th, 85th and 95th percentiles, respectively); (2) the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) BMI cutoffs to define overweight and obesity.Results:Using BMI, according to the Must et al, and IOTF references, the prevalence of obesity was 10.6 and 5.5%, respectively; overweight (including obesity) affected 26.2 and 22.1% of children, respectively. According to the Must et al reference, the prevalence of thinness was 3.2%. Using TSF rather than BMI, according to the Must et al references, fewer children were classified as obese (8.0%) or overweight (20.2%) and more children were classified as thin (4.9%).Conclusion:This study supports the previously reported high frequencies of childhood overweight and obesity in developing countries. The data allow comparisons with other studies carried out in Brazil and other parts of the world.

Atividade física e comportamento sedentário em adolescentes estudantes do ensino médio

OBJECTIVE To identify the prevalence of factors associated with insufficient physical activity levels and sedentary behavior among adolescents. METHODS In this cross-sectional study 4,210 students (14-19 years old) attending public high-schools were selected using random two-stage cluster sampling. Data were collected by using the Global School-based Student Health Survey. Subjects who reported performing 60 minutes or more of moderate to vigorous physical activity five days a week or more were classified as physically active, while the remainder was classified as insufficiently active. Subjects who reported watching TV three or more hours a day were considered to be exposed to sedentary behavior. Analyses were carried out by using Chi-square tests and binary logistic regression. RESULTS The prevalence of insufficiently active subjects was 65.1% (CI95% 63.7-66.6). Gender, place of residence (rural/urban), time of day attending school, occupational status, and enrollment in physical education were identified as factors significantly associated with exposure to insufficient levels of physical activity. Prevalence of exposure to sedentary behavior was 40.9% (CI95% 39.4-42.4) on week days and 49.9% (CI95% 48.4-51.4) on weekend days. Place of residence, time of day attending school, occupational status and enrollment in physical education were identified as factors significantly associated with exposure to sedentary behavior on week days, whereas on weekend days exposure to sedentary behavior was related to gender, age and time of day attending school. CONCLUSION This study showed a high prevalence of insufficient physical activity levels and exposure to sedentary behaviors among adolescents.

Enrollment in Physical Education Is Associated with Health-Related Behavior among High School Students.

BACKGROUND Physical education (PE) plays a critical role in the healthy development of youth; however, the influence of PE classes in helping to provide students with health-related behavior patterns is not clear. This study aims to analyze whether participation in PE classes is associated with health-related behavior among high school students. METHODS A total of 4210 students attending public high schools in Pernambuco (northeast of Brazil) were selected using random 2-stage cluster sampling. Data were collected by using the Global School-based Student Health Survey. The independent variable was the frequency of participation in PE classes, whereas physical activity, television viewing, smoking, and alcohol, fruit, vegetables and soda consumption were dependent variables. Logistic regressions were carried out to perform crude and adjusted analysis of the association between enrollment in PE classes and health-related behaviors. RESULTS Sixty-five percent of students do not take part in PE classes, with a significantly higher proportion among females (67.8%). It was observed that enrollment in PE classes was positively associated with physical activity, TV viewing, and fruit consumption, but was negatively associated with soda drinking. The likelihood of reporting being active and eating fruit on a daily basis was 27% and 45% higher, respectively, among those who participate in at least 2 classes per week in comparison with those who do not. Students who participate in PE classes had 28-30% higher likelihood of reporting lower TV viewing during week days. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest that higher levels of enrollment in PE classes could play a role in the promotion of health-related behaviors among high school students.

Post-dural (post-lumbar) puncture headache: Risk factors and clinical features

Objective: This is an analytic, interventional, cross sectional study to evaluate the risk factors of post-dural (post-lumbar) puncture headache (PDPH) and the validity of the diagnostic criteria for PDPH from the ICHD II. Methods: Six-hundred-and-forty patients (332 non-pregnant women and 308 men) aged 8–65 years underwent spinal anesthesia with Quincke 25G or 27G needles in elective surgery. Results: Forty-eight (7.5%) of the patients developed PDPH. The binary logistic regression analysis identified as risk factors: gender [11.1% female vs. 3.6% male, OR 2.25 (1.07–4.73); p = 0.03], age [11.0% 31–50 years of age vs. 4.2% others, OR 2.21 (1.12–4.36); p = 0.02], previous history of PDPH [26.4% positive vs. 6.2% negative, OR 4.30 (1.99–9.31); p < 0.01] and bevel orientation [16.1% perpendicular vs. 5.7% parallel, OR 2.16 (1.07–4.35); p = 0.03]. The period of latency between lumbar puncture and headache onset range from 6 to 72 hours and the duration from 3 to 15 days. In 34/48 (71%) patients with PDPH, at least one of the following was present: neck stiffness, tinnitus, hypoacusia, photophobia, or nausea. Conclusion: In conclusion, 14/48 patients (29%) suffered none of the above-mentioned symptoms, indicating that a significant number of patients may suffer from PDPH in the absence of any symptoms apart from the headache itself. This suggests that a further analyses of existing studies should be made to determine if a criteria change may need consideration.

Validity of physical activity and food consumption questionnaire for children aged seven to ten years old

OBJECTIVES: assess reproducibility and concurrent validity of the questionnaire focusing on a typical physical activity and food intake day (DAFA) to measure physical activity and food intake in children between seven and ten years old. METHODS: sixty nine children recruited in a public school located in Florianopolis, Santa Catarina participated of the survey. Reproducibility was determined by comparing measures of two DAFA applications in a two week interval while concurrent validity of physical activity was assessed by comparing DAFA with a questionnaire filled by parents/teachers. As for food intake, the reference method was a 24 hour recordatory. Analysis included concordance coefficient determination, intraclass correlation, adjusted kappa coefficient and Wilcoxon and Kruskal-Wallis tests. RESULTS: concordance coefficient was of 88% (school commuting) and 68% (physical activity related attitude) while intraclass correlation was of 0.85 for the general measure for physical activity. Using the report of parents/teachers, the children were broken into three groups of physical activities (low/medium/high), it should be considered that DAFA scores differed significantly. As for food intake measuring, 80% of concordance was determined between DAFA applications. Interinstrument convergence was substantial/moderate in relation to 17 food items. CONCLUSIONS: DAFA allows for physical activity and food intake measures in children with good reproducibility and moderate validation evidence.

Prevalence of overweight and obesity and associated factors among public high school students in Pernambuco State, Brazil

This study aims to analyze the association between demographic, socioeconomic, school-related, and behavioral factors and overweight and obesity in adolescents. The sample included 4,210 public high school students (14-19 years old) in Pernambuco State, Brazil, selected by two-stage cluster sampling. Obesity and overweight were assessed using anthropometric measurements, and the Global School-Based Health Survey was used to collect personal and behavioral data. The cutoff points for defining overweight and obesity were those recommended by the International Obesity Task Force. Prevalence rates for overweight and obesity were 11.5% (95%CI: 10.7-12.8) and 2.4% (95%CI: 1.9-2.9), respectively. Overweight and obesity were more common in males who reported residing in urban areas and were not enrolled in physical education classes. Watching television 3+ hours/day was associated with obesity in females. Reducing TV time and encouraging enrollment in physical education could be effective measures to counteract the growing obesity trends.

Self-perceived health and associated factors in industrial workers from Santa Catarina State, Brazil

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of negative self-perceived health and associated factors among industrial workers in Santa Catarina State, in southern Brazil. A cross-sectional investigation was conducted with a representative sample of 2,574 subjects (62.5% men). Negative self-perceived health (fair or poor) was the outcome investigated in association with demographic, socioeconomic, and other health indicators. Multivariate analysis was performed through logistic regression based on a hierarchical model. Negative self-perceived health was exceptional (11.8%), but positively associated with age, leisure physical activity, perceived quality of sleeping, perceived stress, and sex. Meanwhile, the outcome was negatively associated with family income and schooling. Workers with higher physical demands and BMI < 18.5 and > 30 showed increased odds of negative self-perceived health. No significant differences were found for marital status, binge drinking, or smoking. Few associations were observed for females.

Obesidade abdominal em adolescentes: prevalência e associação com atividade física e hábitos alimentares

BACKGROUND: Abdominal obesity in adolescents is associated with cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, but its prevalence and the factors associated with its occurrence are unknown. OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of abdominal obesity in adolescents, and to evaluate whether the indicators of physical activity and dietary habits are associated with the occurrence of abdominal obesity in adolescents. METHODS: The sample included 4138 high school students (14-19 years), selected by cluster sampling in two stages. We obtained data using the Global School-based Health Survey, and anthropometric measurements were taken for determination of overweight and abdominal obesity. Logistic regression was used for analysis of behavioral factors associated with the occurrence of abdominal obesity. The identification of cases of abdominal obesity was performed by waist circumference analysis, using age- and gender-related cutoff points as reference. RESULTS: The mean age was 16.8 years (s = 1.4), and 59.8% of subjects were female. The prevalence of abdominal obesity was 6% (95%CI: 5.3-6.7), and it was significantly higher among girls (6.7%, 95%CI: 5.8-7.8) than among boys (4.9%, 95%CI: 3, 9-6, 0). In the crude analysis, gender and overweight were associated with the occurrence of abdominal obesity. The analysis adjustment by logisic regression allowed us to observe that physical activity was significantly associated with the occurrence of obesity in this group (OR = 0.7; 95% CI: 0.49-0.99), regardless of the presence of overweight. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of abdominal obesity was low compared to that observed in international studies, and physical activity was a factor associated with the occurrence of this event in adolescents.