Paul Douglas Fisher

Sistema de Vigilância Alimentar e Nutricional (SISVAN) em crianças do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil: cobertura, estado nutricional e confiabilidade dos dados

This study aimed to evaluate: the coverage of the Food and Nutritional Surveillance System (SISVAN) in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, and it Regional Health Offices in 2006; the nutritional status of children 0-10 years of age; and the reliability of data on nutritional status recorded in the system. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted with secondary data on 63,320 children. Coverage was defined as the proportion of children younger than 10 years covered by the Family Health Strategy in the States various municipalities (counties). Height-for-age (H/A) and body mass index for age (BMI/A) were classified according to World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. Agreement between the nutritional classifications recorded in the system and those calculated in this study was evaluated with the weighted kappa coefficient (at 5%). The systems coverage in the State of Rio Grande do Sul was 10.5%. Low height-for-age was found in 7.1% of children and overweight in 8.4%. Agreement between the classifications showed a kappa coefficient of 0.43. The systems coverage and agreement between classifications were both low, and the study showed the coexistence of high overweight and stunting rates in this age group.

Sistema de Vigilância Alimentar e Nutricional (SISVAN) em crianças do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil: cobertura, estado nutricional e confiabilidade dos dados Food and Nutritional Surveillance System (SISVAN) in children from Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil: coverage, nutritional status, and data reliability

This study aimed to evaluate: the coverage of the Food and Nutritional Surveillance System (SISVAN) in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, and it Regional Health Offices in 2006; the nutritional status of children 0-10 years of age; and the reliability of data on nutritional status recorded in the system. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted with secondary data on 63,320 children. Coverage was defined as the proportion of children younger than 10 years covered by the Family Health Strategy in the States various municipalities (counties). Height-for-age (H/A) and body mass index for age (BMI/A) were classified according to World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. Agreement between the nutritional classifications recorded in the system and those calculated in this study was evaluated with the weighted kappa coefficient (at 5%). The systems coverage in the State of Rio Grande do Sul was 10.5%. Low height-for-age was found in 7.1% of children and overweight in 8.4%. Agreement between the classifications showed a kappa coefficient of 0.43. The systems coverage and agreement between classifications were both low, and the study showed the coexistence of high overweight and stunting rates in this age group.

Vínculos empregatícios de Médicos de Família e Comunidade no Brasil, 2004

Since it was introduced in Brazil in 1994, the Family Health Program (FHP) has been the main strategy for restructuring primary health care in the country. In this context, the work of family physicians in the community has been essential for the programs success. This study describes the geographical distribution of family physicians in Brazil, based on employment contracts listed in the National Registry of Health Institutions, and the relationship to the infant mortality rate, human development index, mean schooling, GDP, and monthly income in 2004. This was an ecological study presenting the variables geographically, by micro-region. The correlation coefficients between number of family physicians and infant mortality rate, human development index, and GDP were, respectively: 0.17, 0.18, and 0.74. Although nearly all the micro-regions had family physicians, fewer than 12% had three or more family physicians (as recommended by FHP guidelines). A decade into the Family Health Plan in Brazil, the distribution of family physicians was still uneven and insufficient in most micro-regions.