Raulison Vieira de Sousa

Prevalence and Associated Factors for the Development of Anterior Open Bite and Posterior Crossbite in the Primary Dentition

The aim of the study was to verify the prevalence of anterior open bite (AOB) and posterior cross-bite (PC) in the primary dentition and the association with sociodemographic factors, presence and duration of nutritive and non-nutritive habits. A cross-sectional study was carried out with 732 preschoolers in Campina Grande, PB, Brazil. Clinical exams were performed by three calibrated examiners (Kappa: 0.85-0.90). A questionnaire addressing sociodemographic data as well as nutritive and non-nutritive sucking habits was administered to parents/caregivers. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics and Poisson regression analysis (α=5%). The prevalence of AOB and PC was 21.0% and 11.6%, respectively. AOB was significantly associated with the three-year-old age group (PR: 1.37; 95%CI: 1.24-1.52), enrollment in public school (PR: 1.09; 95%CI: 1.01-1.17) and duration of pacifier sucking ≥ 36 months (PR: 1.41; 95%CI: 1.30-1.53). PC was associated with pacifier use (PR: 1.11; 95%CI: 1.05-1.17) and duration of breastfeeding <12 months (PR: 1.05; 95%CI: 1.00-1.10). Socioeconomic factors appear not to be related to AOB or PC in the primary dentition, except type of preschool. Breastfeeding should be encouraged for longer periods and the use of pacifier beyond 3 years of age represents a predisposing factor for both types of malocclusion, especially AOB.

Smoking among undergraduate students in the area of health

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between smoking and socio-demographic and behavioral factors among undergraduate students in the area of health at the State University of Paraíba, Brazil. An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted with a representative sample from each of the following courses: Dentistry, Nursing, Psychology, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy and Physical Education. A total of 492 students were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. The chi-square and Fishers Exact tests were used for statistical analysis at a 5% level of significance. Smoking prevalence was 5.7% and stress was the main reason for starting the habit (36.8%). In the multivariate analysis by logistic regression, the variables of gender, religious persuasion, semester attended in the course, and alcohol consumption were significantly associated with smoking (p<0.05). Although other studies reported a strong relationship between university students and smoking, the prevalence of smokers was low. Most of the variables studied revealed a correlation with smoking. Since smoking and alcohol consumption are the two major human addictions, this study suggests a bidirectional relationship between these variables.

Malocclusion and socioeconomic indicators in primary dentition

The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of malocclusion and associations with socioeconomic indicators among preschoolers. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 732 children 3 to 5 years of age in the city of Campina Grande, Brazil. Three dentists underwent a calibration exercise (K = 0.85–0.90) and diagnosed malocclusion based on the criteria proposed by Foster & Hamilton and Grabowski et al. Parents/guardians answered a questionnaire addressing sociodemographic aspects. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics and bivariate Poisson regression (PR; α = 5%). The prevalence of malocclusion was 62.4%. The most frequent types were increased overjet (42.6%), anterior open bite (21%) and deep overbite (19.3%). An association was found between malocclusion and age: the prevalence of malocclusion was greater among younger children, with the highest prevalence among 3-year-olds (PR = 1.116; 95%CI = 1.049–1.187). The prevalence of malocclusion was high. Mothers schooling and household income were not associated with malocclusion. Socioeconomic factors were also not associated with the occurrence of malocclusion.

Factors associated with early weaning at a Child-Friendly Healthcare Initiative Hospitall

PURPOSE: Considering the benefits of breastfeeding on childrens health, the aim of the present study was to determine factors associated with early weaning among children at a Child-Friendly Healthcare Initiative (CFHI) childrens hospital in the city of Campina Grande, state of Paraiba, Brazil. METHODS: An analytical, cross-sectional study was carried out involving 800 mothers of children between 0 and 24 months of age at the Elpidio de Almeida Health Institute. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered and contained questions on socio-demographic characteristics, eating habits and nonnutritive sucking habits. The chi-square test and Fishers exact test were employed for statistical analysis. A multivariate analysis was performed with variables that achieved a P-value < 0.25 in the bivariate analysis. RESULTS: The prevalence of early weaning was 13.5%. In the bivariate analysis, the factors associated with early weaning were income (P=0.001), childs birth weight (P=0.016), bottle feeding (P=0.003) and pacifier use (P<0.001). In the multivariate analysis, pacifier use remained significantly associated with early weaning (OR: 3.23; 95% CI: 1.871 to 5.591; P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Pacifier use was associated with early weaning, even when mothers were advised to avoid this habit.

Hábitos de alimentação e sucção de bebês assistidos em Hospital Amigo Da Criança, Campina Grande/PB, Brasil

Resumen pt: Objetivo: Verificar a prevalencia e a associacao de habitos de alimentacao e de succao de bebes, na faixa etaria de zero a 24 meses, atendidos no Institu...

Knowledge of occupational diseases and immunization among healthcare students

Purpose: To investigate the knowledge and practices of immunization against occupational diseases and its associated factors among health students. Methods: An exploratory cross-sectional study was carried out with a random sample of 275 graduate students from the Schools of Dentistry, Physiotherapy, Pharmacy, Psychology and Nursing. During data collection we carried out individual interviews on issues related to immunization coverage, diseases and occupational accidents and sociodemographic variables. The statistical tests used were the Pearson’s chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests (α=0.05). Results: Most students considered influenza (65.5%) and hepatitis B (58.5%) occupational diseases. Almost 30% of the students reported having attended to patients with infectious diseases, especially AIDS. Contact with body fluids or accidental exposure was reported by 12.7% being 34.3% by accident with drills; 88.2% of the students had incomplete immunization coverage due to lack of time in most cases (27%). None of the variables was significantly associated with vaccination coverage. Conclusion: The students’ knowledge of occupational diseases and vaccination coverage was poor, which reflects the need for motivational policies through activities for clarification and expansion of vaccination coverage.

Feeding and Sucking Habits of Infants of 'Friend Of Children Hospital’, Campina Grande/PB, Brazil

Objective: The study aimed to determine prevalence and association of feeding habits and sucking habits of infants, aged 0-24 months, attended the Institute of Health Elpidio de Almeida (ISEA) in Campina Grande, PB, Brazil. Method: For this purpose, a probabilistic sample of 800 mothers, evaluating issues related to feeding pattern (breast-feeding and complementary feeding) and sucking habits (pacifier and bottle). Data analysis included descriptive statistics and inferential (Chi-square test, significance level of 5%) using the SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) v.13.0. Results: The percentage of early weaning was considered low (13.5%) and exclusive breastfeeding, high (61.9%). A significant portion of children was bottle-feeding (35.4%) and pacifier (38.0%). The milk powder was the most commonly used complementary feeding by mothers in the study (63.9%). There was significant association was observed both early weaning x bottle-feeding and mixed or artificial feeding x sucking a pacifier (p less than0.05). Conclusion: The percentage of early weaning was low and exclusive breastfeeding was high and there was an association between dietary patterns and sucking habits of infants. There is therefore need to maintain policies that encourage breastfeeding, which agrees with the increased quality of life of the child population of the municipality.