Odete Amaral

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.

Living Conditions and Helicobacter pylori in Adults

Introduction Infection by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is transmissible and is considered a public health issue which affects people of all ages. The objective of this study was to identify factors (lifestyles, dietary factors, and hygiene conditions) related to the prevalence of H. pylori infection. Methods We carried out an observational cross-sectional study with a community sample of adults from the municipalities of Viseu and Sátão, Portugal. The final sample resulted in 166 adults. The data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire with questions regarding sociodemographic aspects and lifestyles. H. pylori infection was identified using the 13C-urea breath test. Results No association was found between the prevalence of H. pylori infection and the use of tobacco, alcohol, or coffee or dietary factors. The prevalence of H. pylori infection was higher in adults who reported higher consumption of fried food and lower consumption of vegetables and fruit. H. pylori infection was significant for the variables of lower frequency of handwashing before going to the bathroom (p = 0.02) and well water consumption (p = 0.05). Conclusion A significant association was found for H. pylori infection with the lower frequency of handwashing before going to the bathroom and the consumption of well water.

The influence of population aging in Public Health

Introduction Population aging is one of the greatest challenges in contemporary public health. Thus, one of the consequences of this dynamic is a greater demand for health services. The aim of the present research consists in explaining the main topics that justify the fact that the increase of population-aging worldwide influences public health strategies applied. Materials and methods To carry out this review article the search strategies included electronic databases, such as PubMed, Cochrane Library and Science Direct, reference lists of articles, and selected textbooks. Articles and textbooks used in this study were mainly reached by using the following keywords: “Public health”; “Population-ageing “; “Global Aging”; “Elderly” and “Health”. Selection criteria included articles published from 1985 to the present year of 2018. At the end of the search, 11 scientific articles were selected. Results and Discussion The physical / biological, psychological and social changes associated with the elderly leads to decrease of health, withdrawal from the labor market and several unfavorable situations, which cannot be controlled. In this context, the elderly seek to find support in the family, neighborhood, friends and institutions that will influence their quality of life. Therefore, the path of Public Health has three essential points: first, health promotion and primary prevention, which requires a lot of health education to develop healthy living habits and improve understanding of the aging process; secondly, appropriate health treatments, including professionals trained in Geriatrics and Gerontology, aiming at early diagnosis and interdisciplinary administration of diseases, seeking to preserve functional capacity; and finally, the rehabilitation of the functions committed, aiming at functional independence and mental autonomy, in any type of incapacity or limitation. Conclusions Aging is a challenge to be integrated by Public Health and the vulnerability inherent in the elderly should never be seen in a unique way. Thus, we believe in the importance of different forms of support, not only in terms of assistance, clinical treatment and rehabilitation, but also in the implementation of public policies and disease prevention actions, as well as health promotion of the population of integral form.

A satisfação, realização e exaustão dos enfermeiros em Portugal

Background: Changes the level of the professional career and working conditions, implies impairment of physical and mental health, with prejudice on satisfaction, fulfillment and exhaustion of nurses in Portugal. Objectives: Verify if the socio-demographic and professional variables interfere with exhaustion, satisfaction, personal and professional fulfillment. Consider whether job satisfaction interfere with the exhaustion felt by nurses in Portugal. Methodology: It is a quantitative, descriptive, correlational and analytical, retrospective and cross study, whose non-probabilistic sample consists of 534 Portuguese Nurses (23.8% men and 76.2% women), aged between 21 and 57 years (m = 34.83). It was used as data collection the sociodemographic and professional questionnaire, Satisfaction and achievement Scale the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory and the Maslach Burnout Inventory. The data was processed with the SPSS program (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) version 24 for Windows. Results: The variables: sex, marital status; age; specialized training; time of service; weekly working hours and mode; rewards; public/private institution type, interfere with exhaustion, satisfaction, personal and professional fulfillment. Nurses who show emotional exhaustion and depersonalization are least satisfied (MW = 347.60); (OM = 299.79) respectively. In terms of personal achievement prevail manifested the ones who are very satisfied (MW = 301.40). The entire assessment of burnout level, there is a predominance of little satisfied Nurses (MW = 327.05). Conclusion: In the light of the results obtained and the specificity of the work is urgent implement measures in the management and direction of the health institutions in the sense to lessen the workload by hiring nurses and other measures as the development of intervention programs on time management, conflict, interpersonal relationship and communication; Encourage the recognition of work, valuation and delegation of powers and system of rewards of nurses.

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.

Qualidade de vida em mulheres com Incontinência Urinária

Background: Urinary Incontinence (UI) impacts the Quality of Life (QoL) of women, causing physiological, psychological, and socio- economic ...

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.

Determinants of quality-of-life among a portuguese sample of adolescents

Non-communicable disease epidemic: epidemiology in action (EuroEpi 2013 and NordicEpi 2013) Aarhus, Denmark from 11 August to 14 August 2013 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2013 Jørn Olsen, Ellen Aagaard Nøhr, Reimar Wernich Thomsen, Henrik Støvring Modern societies are increasingly challenged by the frequency of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as mental disorders, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease, cancer, COPD, and arthritis. These conditions affect large proportions of the population and lead to premature mortality and loss of healthy life, which later will lead to less productive societies and loss of European socio-economic development. Both incidence and prevalence of these NCDs increase with age, which translates into the challenge only mounting over the coming decades. At the same time injuries and infections remain important, because their risk is increased with NCDs. While this has been a European reality for at least threedecades, similar patterns are beginning to appear in many other parts of the world. Type 2 diabetes for example is a disease reaching near-Western prevalences in China and India. It is therefore reasonable to ask, what epidemiologists on a global scale can learn from the European experiences when trying to identify causes and risk factors for NCDs. Also when searching for costeffective interventions for NCD prevention and treatment at an individual and at a societal level. To address this challenge, many different and crossdisciplinary viewpoints needs to be embraced. There is urgent need for input from risk factor epidemiology, clinical sciences,—omics research, psychology and behavioral research, consumer studies, and statistics, while maintaining a public health perspective to identify credible action strategies. Proper use of European experiences might mean that something good could come out of past failures and mistakes. With this setting in mind, the EuroEpi 2013 and NordicEpi 2013 are held in Aarhus, Denmark, August 11–14, 2013, with a program with a dual focus on cutting edge methodological developments for the study of causal effects and effect modifiers, and with corresponding presentations of current applications and challenges when using these techniques. As an integrated part of the congress the NordicEpi focus on register-based epidemiologic research in Nordic countries. On the first day of the congress six pre-congress courses are offered with a very distinguished panel of senior epidemiologists. During the congress nine special symposia are held, of which one is dedicated to the overall theme of the congress. All parts of the congress are open to all interested. The congress had received 668 abstracts at the end of the deadline from 561 presenters. Interestingly more than 100 abstracts came from outside Europe (Table 1). 153 abstracts were selected for oral presentation in one of the 18 contributed sessions, while 491 were accepted for poster presentation. Topics of the submitted abstracts were broad, ranging from disease specific themes over exposures to methods and public health (Table 2). Table 2 Author-chosen topics of submitted abstracts, EuroEpi and NordicEpi 2013