Sergio Baxter Andreoli

Situations related to drug misuse in public schools in the city of São Paulo, Brazil

OBJECTIVE To explore situations, attitudes and behavior of public elementary school education supervisors concerning psychoactive substance misuse. METHODS The study was carried out in the city of São Paulo, Southeastern Brazil, in 2002. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire applied to eight key informants in the administrative area experienced in education supervision. Qualitative content analysis with ethnographic reference was conducted. RESULTS Most discourses show that knowledge transmission is thought as essential for drug use prevention, though supervisors reported being ill-informed on this subject. The most frequent attitudes toward drug users are impotence and inability to act and sometimes a repressive attitude. These are motivated by misinformation and fear due to mistaken association of drug users and criminals. In situations indirectly related to drug abuse (family and behavior problems) more understanding and inclusive attitudes are reported, following the harm reduction paradigm. CONCLUSIONS Theoretical capacity building of educators for preventive attitudes would support their skills developed through dealing with situations (in)directly related to drug abuse in schools. Thus, educators would feel more confident to make interventions for harm or risk reduction among drug users.

Sintomas de estresse pós-traumático em profissionais durante ajuda humanitária no Haiti, após o terremoto de 2010

The scope of this article is to screen the symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among the professionals who provided humanitarian aid for the Haitian population after the 2010 earthquake. It involvess a cross-sectional study. The Impact of Event Scale - Revised (IES-R) was used for screening symptoms of PTSD. The participants included 32 Brazilians (mean age = 37.58 +/-7.01), 22 Americans (mean age =33.67 +/-8.03) and 12 Ecuadorians (mean age = 44.80 +/- 15.88). The professionals did not have PTSD symptoms. The relationship between prior experience variables in disaster situations and the total score of the IES-R (F (2) = 4.34, p = 0.017), as well as prior experience in disaster situations and the intrusion subscale (F (2) = 3.94, p = 0.024) were significant in linear regression models. The number of prior experiences was revealed as a significant predictor for the total score of IES (p < 0.05). The results showed that current experiences can be exacerbated by memories of prior experiences, increasing the likelihood of developing PTSD. Therefore the mental health care of the professionals should foster the early identification of prior experience risk factors, thereby not permitting voluntary initiative to transcend selective criteria and specific care.Acidentes que ocorrem entre duas motocicletas tem sido esquecidos na imensidao dos acidentes de trânsito no Brasil, carecendo de serem melhor analisados. Este estudo buscou analisar epidemiologicamente os acidentes que ocorrem entre duas motocicletas, comparando com os outros tipos, a partir de dados do estado do Parana. Foram capturadas informacoes do sitio eletronico da Corporacao de Bombeiros relativas ao periodo de um ano (julho/2010 a junho/2011), sobre o numero e tipo de acidente, dia da semana, periodo do dia, numero de vitimas, genero, idade e gravidade das lesoes. Ocorrencias moto x moto representaram 3,4% do total de acidentes de trânsito registrados e 6,2% dos acidentes envolvendo motocicleta; as vitimas deste tipo de acidente corresponderam, respectivamente, a 4,4% do total de vitimados e a 8,5% daquelas em acidentes com motocicleta. Acidentes ocorridos aos sabado, sexo masculino e idade entre 20 a 29 anos foram mais frequentes neste tipo de eventos. Dentre as dez cidades mais populosas do estado, algumas se destacaram pelo alto indice destes acidentes, que parece guardar relacao com o indice de motorizacao de motos das localidades. Assim, torna-se fundamental a constante avaliacao destes indices e a implantacao de medidas que visem proporcionar um trânsito mais seguro.

2075 – Prevalence of mental disorders among prisoners in the state of São Paulo - Brazil

Epidemiological studies conducted with prisoners in several countries have shown a high prevalence of mental disorders. Objective To determine the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in the prison population in the State of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Methods Through stratified random sampling, 1,192 men and 617 women prisoners were evaluated for the presence of psychiatric disorders by the Composite International Diagnostic Interview, 2.1 version, according to definitions and criteria of International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10). The prevalence estimates of mental disorders and their respective 95% confidence intervals were calculated and adjusted for sample design through complex sample analysis. Results Lifetime and 12-month prevalence rates differed between genders. Lifetime and 12-month prevalence of any mental disorder was, respectively, 68.9% and 39.2% among women, and 56.1% and 22.1% among men. Lifetime and 12-month prevalence of anxious-phobic disorders was, respectively, 50% and 27.7% among women and 35.3% and 13.6% among men, of affective disorders was 40% and 21% among women and 20.8% and 9.9% among men, and of drug-related disorders was 25.2% and 1.6% among women and 26.5% and 1.3% among men. For severe mental disorders (psychotic, bipolar disorders, and severe depression), the lifetime and 12-month prevalence rates were, respectively, 25.8% and 14.7% among women, and 12.3% and 6.3% among men. Conclusions This study, which was performed with a representative prison population, showed high rates of psychiatric disorders among men and women. Epidemiological studies on mental health needs of prisoners are crucial for planning and development of appropriate health care programs for specific prison populations.

Condições de vida de portadores de transtornos psicóticos vivendo em cortiços em Santos, SP

OBJETIVO: Descrever condicoes de vida e sociabilidade de portadores de transtornos mentais graves moradores de corticos. PROCEDIMENTOS METODOLOGICOS: Estudo qualitativo com moradores adultos de corticos da regiao central de Santos, SP, realizado em 2004-2006. Foram realizadas observacoes etnograficas em quatro corticos e entrevistas semi-estruturadas em profundidade com oito mulheres que conviviam com portadores de transtornos psicoticos. A forma de analise empregada foi a qualitativa fundamentada na Antropologia. ANALISE DOS RESULTADOS: Os corticos apresentaram caracteristicas especificas quanto a sociabilidade. As dificuldades com os pacientes psicoticos decorriam da quebra minima das regras minimas. Em um dos corticos, uma moradora agia como cuidadora dos pacientes e mantinha contato proximo com o servico de saude. Apesar do convivio cotidiano com os portadores, as participantes nao possuiam informacoes sobre o transtorno e os consideravam loucos, nervosos ou mentalmente fracos. Acreditavam que deveriam morar em outro local que nao o cortico. CONCLUSOES: A populacao moradora de corticos nao trata os portadores de transtorno psicotico de forma diferente da populacao geral, devido a desconhecimento, discriminacao e estigma. As condicoes de vida sao precarias para todos e nao sao diferentes para os moradores portadores de transtorno psicotico, exceto para aqueles que residiam na moradia coletiva com maior numero de pacientes, organizada em funcao deles e dependente economicamente de seus beneficios.OBJECTIVE To describe the living conditions and sociability among people with severe mental disorders living in slums. METHODOLOGICAL PROCEDURES A qualitative study was carried out among adults living in slums in the central region of Santos, Southeastern Brazil, conducted in 2004-2006. Ethnographic observations were made in four slum properties, and in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight women who were living with individuals with psychotic disorders. The analysis method used was qualitative, based on anthropology. ANALYSIS OF RESULTS The slum properties presented specific characteristics regarding sociability. The difficulties with psychotic patients came from breakage of the minimal rules. In one of the slum properties, one resident acted as a caregiver for the patients and kept closely in touch with the healthcare services. Despite day-to-day contact with such patients, the participants did not have any information about such disorders and believed that the patients were mad, nervous or mentally weak. They believed that such individuals should live in places other than the slum property. CONCLUSIONS The population living in these slum properties did not deal with the individuals with psychotic disorders any differently from the general population, because of lack of knowledge, discrimination and stigmatization. The living conditions were poor for everyone, without any difference for the residents with psychotic disorders, except for those living in the collective residence with a greater number of patients, which was organized around them and was economically dependent on their benefits.

Living conditions of people with psychotic disorders living in slums in Santos, Southeastern Brazil

OBJETIVO: Descrever condicoes de vida e sociabilidade de portadores de transtornos mentais graves moradores de corticos. PROCEDIMENTOS METODOLOGICOS: Estudo qualitativo com moradores adultos de corticos da regiao central de Santos, SP, realizado em 2004-2006. Foram realizadas observacoes etnograficas em quatro corticos e entrevistas semi-estruturadas em profundidade com oito mulheres que conviviam com portadores de transtornos psicoticos. A forma de analise empregada foi a qualitativa fundamentada na Antropologia. ANALISE DOS RESULTADOS: Os corticos apresentaram caracteristicas especificas quanto a sociabilidade. As dificuldades com os pacientes psicoticos decorriam da quebra minima das regras minimas. Em um dos corticos, uma moradora agia como cuidadora dos pacientes e mantinha contato proximo com o servico de saude. Apesar do convivio cotidiano com os portadores, as participantes nao possuiam informacoes sobre o transtorno e os consideravam loucos, nervosos ou mentalmente fracos. Acreditavam que deveriam morar em outro local que nao o cortico. CONCLUSOES: A populacao moradora de corticos nao trata os portadores de transtorno psicotico de forma diferente da populacao geral, devido a desconhecimento, discriminacao e estigma. As condicoes de vida sao precarias para todos e nao sao diferentes para os moradores portadores de transtorno psicotico, exceto para aqueles que residiam na moradia coletiva com maior numero de pacientes, organizada em funcao deles e dependente economicamente de seus beneficios.OBJECTIVE To describe the living conditions and sociability among people with severe mental disorders living in slums. METHODOLOGICAL PROCEDURES A qualitative study was carried out among adults living in slums in the central region of Santos, Southeastern Brazil, conducted in 2004-2006. Ethnographic observations were made in four slum properties, and in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight women who were living with individuals with psychotic disorders. The analysis method used was qualitative, based on anthropology. ANALYSIS OF RESULTS The slum properties presented specific characteristics regarding sociability. The difficulties with psychotic patients came from breakage of the minimal rules. In one of the slum properties, one resident acted as a caregiver for the patients and kept closely in touch with the healthcare services. Despite day-to-day contact with such patients, the participants did not have any information about such disorders and believed that the patients were mad, nervous or mentally weak. They believed that such individuals should live in places other than the slum property. CONCLUSIONS The population living in these slum properties did not deal with the individuals with psychotic disorders any differently from the general population, because of lack of knowledge, discrimination and stigmatization. The living conditions were poor for everyone, without any difference for the residents with psychotic disorders, except for those living in the collective residence with a greater number of patients, which was organized around them and was economically dependent on their benefits.

Condiciones de vida de portadores de trastornos psicóticos viviendo en habitaciones colectivas en Santos, Sureste de Brasil

OBJETIVO: Descrever condicoes de vida e sociabilidade de portadores de transtornos mentais graves moradores de corticos. PROCEDIMENTOS METODOLOGICOS: Estudo qualitativo com moradores adultos de corticos da regiao central de Santos, SP, realizado em 2004-2006. Foram realizadas observacoes etnograficas em quatro corticos e entrevistas semi-estruturadas em profundidade com oito mulheres que conviviam com portadores de transtornos psicoticos. A forma de analise empregada foi a qualitativa fundamentada na Antropologia. ANALISE DOS RESULTADOS: Os corticos apresentaram caracteristicas especificas quanto a sociabilidade. As dificuldades com os pacientes psicoticos decorriam da quebra minima das regras minimas. Em um dos corticos, uma moradora agia como cuidadora dos pacientes e mantinha contato proximo com o servico de saude. Apesar do convivio cotidiano com os portadores, as participantes nao possuiam informacoes sobre o transtorno e os consideravam loucos, nervosos ou mentalmente fracos. Acreditavam que deveriam morar em outro local que nao o cortico. CONCLUSOES: A populacao moradora de corticos nao trata os portadores de transtorno psicotico de forma diferente da populacao geral, devido a desconhecimento, discriminacao e estigma. As condicoes de vida sao precarias para todos e nao sao diferentes para os moradores portadores de transtorno psicotico, exceto para aqueles que residiam na moradia coletiva com maior numero de pacientes, organizada em funcao deles e dependente economicamente de seus beneficios.OBJECTIVE To describe the living conditions and sociability among people with severe mental disorders living in slums. METHODOLOGICAL PROCEDURES A qualitative study was carried out among adults living in slums in the central region of Santos, Southeastern Brazil, conducted in 2004-2006. Ethnographic observations were made in four slum properties, and in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight women who were living with individuals with psychotic disorders. The analysis method used was qualitative, based on anthropology. ANALYSIS OF RESULTS The slum properties presented specific characteristics regarding sociability. The difficulties with psychotic patients came from breakage of the minimal rules. In one of the slum properties, one resident acted as a caregiver for the patients and kept closely in touch with the healthcare services. Despite day-to-day contact with such patients, the participants did not have any information about such disorders and believed that the patients were mad, nervous or mentally weak. They believed that such individuals should live in places other than the slum property. CONCLUSIONS The population living in these slum properties did not deal with the individuals with psychotic disorders any differently from the general population, because of lack of knowledge, discrimination and stigmatization. The living conditions were poor for everyone, without any difference for the residents with psychotic disorders, except for those living in the collective residence with a greater number of patients, which was organized around them and was economically dependent on their benefits.