Sonia Maria Oliveira de Andrade

Spatial distribution and environmental factors associated to phlebotomine fauna in a border area of transmission of visceral leishmaniasis in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil

BackgroundMato Grosso do Sul has been undergoing a process of urbanization which results in loss of native vegetation. This withdrawal makes vectors of man and domestic animals closer, causing changes in the epidemiology of diseases such as American Visceral Leishmaniasis. The aim of the study was to evaluate the phlebotomine fauna and environmental issues related to the transmission of AVL in Ponta Porã, Mato Grosso do Sul, between 2009 and 2010.MethodsVegetation of the urban area was evaluated by Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI) and Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI).ResultsThe results showed that the phlebotomine fauna of the city consists of five species, especially Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lutz and Neiva, 1912), the vector of Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum. Predominance of males was observed. The insects were captured in greater quantity in the intradomicile. Lu. longipalpis was the most frequent and abundant species, present throughout the year, with a peak population after the rainy season. Vectors can be found in high amounts in forest and disturbed environments.ConclusionsThe finding of Lu. longipalpis in regions with little vegetation and humidity suggests that the species is adapted to different sorts of environmental conditions, demonstrating its close association with man and the environment it inhabits. The tourist feature of Ponta Porã reinforces its epidemiological importance as a vulnerable city. The geographical location, bordering Paraguay through dry border, makes possible the existence of a corridor of vectors and infected dogs between the two countries.

Seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus infection and associated factors among prison inmates in state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil

INTRODUCTION This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of HBV infection and associated factors among prison inmates in Campo Grande, MS. METHODS A total of 408 individuals were interviewed regarding sociodemographic characteristics, associated factors and HBV vaccination using a standardized questionnaire. Blood samples were collected from all participants and serological markers for HBV were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and/or antibodies against hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) positive samples were tested for HBV-DNA by polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS The overall prevalence of HBV infection was 17.9% (95%CI: 14.4-22.0). The HBsAg carrier rate was 0.5%; 56 (13.7%) individuals had been infected and developed natural immunity and 15 (3.7%) were positive for anti-HBc only. Ninety eight (24%) prisoners had only anti-HBs, suggesting that they had low vaccine coverage. An occult HBV infection rate of 0% was verified among anti-HBc-positive individuals. Multivariate analysis of associated factors showed that age > 35 years-old, low schooling level and illicit drug use are significantly associated with HBV infection. CONCLUSIONS Analysis of the data showed HBV infection prevalence similar or slightly lower than that reported in other of Brazilian prisons. Independent predictors of HBV infection in this population include older age, low schooling level and illicit drug use.

Vulnerability to AIDS among the elderly in an urban center in central Brazil

OBJECTIVE: As the world population ages with an improved quality of life and sexual longevity, the prevalence of AIDS is rising among the elderly. The purpose of this study was to estimate the vulnerability to AIDS among individuals attending senior community centers in Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. METHOD: This descriptive, exploratory investigation included 329 subjects selected in a probabilistic manner. Individuals with scores on the Mini-Mental State Examination indicating cognitive impairment were excluded from the analyses. Barthels and Lawtons functional assessment scales were applied. Interviews were conducted to evaluate the presence of cognitive and behavioral factors associated with HIV transmission. RESULTS: Most subjects were non-dependent, fell within the 60- to 69-year age bracket and were female. A majority of individuals reported having knowledge about AIDS and were aware that the elderly are vulnerable to the disease. More than a quarter (26.9%) of the sample reported previous HIV testing. No participants reported drug use, homosexual orientation, or alcohol abuse. A minority of participants reported using medication for erectile dysfunction. Casual and multiple partners accounted for 12% and 34% of reported intercourse experiences, respectively. Condom use was reported by 14% of respondents. CONCLUSION: Unprotected sex was the primary factor accounting for vulnerability to AIDS among the elderly.

Vulnerabilidade de homens que fazem sexo com homens no contexto da AIDS

The number of AIDS cases in men who have sex with men (MSM) decreased in the initial years of the epidemic, but the percentage of cases in this group has remained unaltered in the last five years. This study, aimed to improve knowledge on the impact of AIDS in the daily lives of MSM, was conducted in Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil, using a questionnaire and interviews. The results show that MSM perceive their vulnerability to HIV infection, referring to inconsistent condom use and multiple sex partners, given that 65% of homosexuals, 75% of bisexuals, and 33% of transvestites reported up to 5 partners in the previous month and emphasizing that 59% of the group reported more than 11 partners during the same period. The susceptibility of certain groups and the identification and understanding of their specificities pose a major challenge in any geographic context where such conditions are present.

Aliados do A. Aegypti: fatores contribuintes para a ocorrência do dengue segundo as representações sociais dos profissionais das equipes de saúde da família

Historicamente as politicas de saude e as acoes de combate ao dengue sao pautadas no controle vetorial, com atividades de campo, deixando em segundo plano as atividades de educacao em saude. Conhecer as representacoes sociais de profissionais de unidades de saude da familia, sobre os fatores que contribuem para a manutencao dos indices de ocorrencia do dengue e o objetivo desta pesquisa de forma a contribuir para a melhoria da comunicacao entre profissionais de saude e populacao, visando o controle da doenca. Foi realizado estudo qualitativo com profissionais da estrategia de saude da familia de seis municipios selecionados, sendo os dados tabulados pela tecnica do Discurso do Sujeito Coletivo. Os resultados mostraram quatro discursos referentes a aspectos que foram levantados atraves da pergunta sobre qual a causa da ocorrencia de dengue. Conclui-se que os profissionais atribuem a populacao parte importante da responsabilidade pela ocorrencia do dengue, mas tambem observam a falta de estrutura e organizacao dos servicos, bem como percebem dificuldades para que ocorra a mudanca dos comportamentos observados com os recursos disponiveis.

O significado do pré-natal para mulheres grávidas: uma experiência no município de Campo Grande, Brasil

Este estudo qualitativo teve como objetivo conhecer o significado e a importância do pre-natal na opiniao das gestantes residentes na area de abrangencia da Unidade Basica de Saude da Familia do Jardim Maraba, municipio de Campo Grande, MS, Brasil, considerando que o senso comum e determinante no modo de vida das pessoas, requerendo atencao por parte dos profissionais de saude na perspectiva de conhecer o que circula atraves do saber popular, imbuido nos fatores socioculturais e que se imbricam com o conhecimento cientifico. Participaram da pesquisa 21 mulheres gravidas, em todos os trimestres de gravidez. Os dados foram coletados por meio de entrevistas abertas e individuais. Utilizou-se o discurso do sujeito coletivo para organizacao dos dados e a Teoria das Representacoes Sociais como referencial teorico. Os resultados evidenciaram que o pre-natal, para essas gestantes, e um ato prescritivo e a importância esta voltada a saude do bebe.

Representações sociais das enfermeiras sobre a integralidade na assistência à saúde da mulher na rede básica

Brazils Basic Healthcare Act establishes the principle of integral care in terms of networking between services and professional practices, to which we add a dimension: the configuration of public policies. Nurses were selected for this survey as they handle the initial contacts with women and also because we believe they are endowed with an across-the-board view of integral care during the various phases in the lives of this population. This paper examines the social representations of nurses on the scope of the integral care available to women through Brazils Basic Healthcare Network, explored through qualitative interviews with ten nurses in Mato Grosso do Sul State. These data were analyzed through the Collective Subject Discourse (CSD) approach, based on the Theory of Social Representations. The findings are presented in seven Collective Subject Discourses that describe the main ideas identified during the interviews. This leads to the conclusion that nurses have a fragmented view of womens healthcare, still guided by physical complaints; they cannot define integral care, repeating the discourse of the holistic approach without understanding what this really means; they work on an individualized basis, feeling that this area is not structured to offer integral care.

First report of natural infection of phlebotomines for Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi captured in Ponta Porã, on the border between Brazil and Paraguay

Objective Visceral leishmaniasis has been reported in all Brazilian regions and, in Mato Grosso do Sul State, the occurrence of cases has increased significantly. The objective of this study was to identify the natural infection of phlebotomines by Leishmania in Ponta Pora, a Brazilian county bordering Paraguay.

Prevalence and epidemiology of chronic hepatitis C among prisoners of Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil

In Mato Grosso do Sul state, Brazil, the number of prisoners has increased in the recent years and the control of hepatitis C virus (HCV) has become more complex. The aim of the present study was to estimate the prevalence and identify the genotypes of HCV in prisoners as well as the factors associated with this infectious disease. Thereby, 443 men and 243 women from prisons were interviewed and subjected to blood collection. Anti-HCV reactive samples were analyzed by RT-PCR and genotyped. The overall seroprevalence of HCV infection was 4.8% (95%CI: 3.4 to 6.8%). Furthermore, the prevalence was higher in: men, injecting drug users, tattooed persons, those who were more than 50 years old, individuals who have been arrested multiple times, people with previous history of sexually transmitted disease (STD), persons who received blood transfusions or those with HIV/AIDS. The prevalence of RNA HCV by PCR was 3.0% (95%CI: 1.7 to 4.2%). Moreover, the coinfection of HIV and HCV was 33.3%. In addition, genotype 1 was the most frequent (85%) followed by genotype 3 (15%). The screening strategy for HCV and other infectious diseases in inmates is important as it establishes an early diagnosis, opportunity for treatment and allows the breaking of the transmission chain.

Opções teórico-metodológicas em pesquisas qualitativas: representações sociais e discurso do sujeito coletivo

O presente estudo, de natureza bibliografica, objetivou apresentar a Teoria das Representacoes Sociais e o Discurso do Sujeito Coletivo como opcoes teorico-metodologicas para o desenvolvimento de pesquisas em enfermagem que tomam por base o saber comum. As Representacoes Sociais sao consideradas como saber popular, mitos, crencas, costumes, que convergem no senso comum e que sao socialmente compartilhados. O Discurso do Sujeito Coletivo e uma tecnica de organizacao do material resultante do trabalho de campo, geralmente de falas oriundas de entrevistas, questionarios, papers, materiais graficos etc. Realizou-se busca na literatura pertinente as Representacoes Sociais e ao Discurso do Sujeito Coletivo, de modo que pudesse contribuir com o entendimento da teoria e do metodo. Foram apresentados aspectos relevantes sobre tais referenciais, buscando identificar as relacoes entre ambos no processo de construcao da realidade dos participantes, permitindo conhecer o modo como as pessoas pensam, vivem, agem, reagem e compartilham esses saberes populares. As consideracoes finais apontam que as Representacoes Sociais e o Discurso do Sujeito Coletivo sao ferramentas essenciais em estudos de natureza qualitativa.