Avaliação do processo da assistência nutricional no pré-natal em sete unidades de saúde da família do Município do Rio de Janeiro

A assistência nutricional tem grande relevância no pré-natal e as equipes de saúde da família têm papel importante na ampliação da cobertura do cuidado pré-natal. Desta forma, este estudo teve o objetivo de avaliar o processo da assistência nutricional no pré-natal em sete unidades de saúde da família do Município do Rio de Janeiro. Um estudo transversal foi conduzido em 2008 e foram entrevistadas 230 gestantes e obtidas as cópias dos cartões de pré-natal. Avaliou-se a conformidade do processo com critérios e normas pré-determinados pelo Ministério da Saúde. Os resultados indicaram que a aferição e o registro no cartão de pré-natal da pressão arterial e do peso, bem como a prescrição de suplementos e exames de sangue estão estabelecidos como rotinas do pré-natal. Também indicaram que, no cartão, há sub-registro de: estatura, peso inicial, edema, IMC por semana gestacional e resultados de exames. Verificou-se a carência de orientações específicas sobre utilização do sulfato ferroso, consumo de alimentos e ganho de peso. Os resultados revelaram uma grande necessidade de assistência nutricional e deficiências no seu processo, o que aponta para a importância do treinamento da equipe mínima e da implantação dos Núcleos de Apoio à Saúde da Família.Nutritional care is of great importance in the prenatal period and the family health teams play a significant role in expanding the coverage of prenatal care. In this manner, the scope of this study was to evaluate the prenatal nutritional care process in seven family health units in the city of Rio de Janeiro. In 2008, a cross-sectional study was conducted and 230 pregnant women were interviewed and copies of their prenatal cards were obtained. The compliance of the process with the pre-established norms and criteria of the Ministry of Health was evaluated. Measurement and recording of blood pressure and weight and prescription of supplements and blood tests on the prenatal card are established steps in routine prenatal care. However, the results indicated that there was under-recording of stature, initial weight, edema, BMI by gestational age and laboratory tests results on the prenatal card. A lack of specific instruction on adequate use of the iron supplement, food consumption and weight gain was observed. The results indicated a pressing need for prenatal nutritional care and revealed deficiencies in this process, stressing the importance of minimum training for the health teams and the implementation of Family Health Support Centers

Initial impact and cost of a nationwide population screening campaign for diabetes in Brazil: A follow up study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In 2001 Brazilian citizens aged 40 or older were invited to participate in a nationwide population screening program for diabetes. Capillary glucose screening tests and procedures for diagnostic confirmation were offered through the national healthcare system, diagnostic priority being given according to the severity of screening results. The objective of this study is to evaluate the initial impact of the program.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Positive testing was defined by a fasting capillary glucose ≥ 100 mg/dL or casual glucose ≥ 140 mg/dL. All test results were tabulated locally and aggregate data by gender and clinical categories were sent to the Ministry of Health. To analyze individual characteristics of screening tests performed, a stratified random sample of 90,106 tests was drawn. To describe the actions taken for positive screenees, a random sub-sample of 4,906 positive screenees was actively followed up through home interviews.</p> <p>Main outcome measures considered were the number of diabetes cases diagnosed and cost per case detected and incorporated into healthcare.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Of 22,069,905 screening tests performed, we estimate that 3,417,106 (95% CI 3.1 – 3.7 million) were positive and that 346,168 (290,454 – 401,852) new cases were diagnosed (10.1% of positives), 319,157 (92.2%) of these being incorporated into healthcare. The number of screening tests needed to detect one case of diabetes was 64. As many cases of untreated but previously known diabetes were also linked to healthcare providers during the Campaign, the estimated number needed screen to incorporate one case into the healthcare system was 58. Total screening and diagnostic costs were US$26.19 million, the cost per diabetes case diagnosed being US$ 76. Results were especially sensitive to proportion of individuals returning for diagnostic confirmation.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This nationwide population-based screening program, conducted through primary healthcare services, demonstrates the feasibility, within the context of an organized national healthcare system, of screening campaigns for chronic diseases. Although overall costs were significant, cost per new case diagnosed was lower than previously reported. However, cost-effectiveness analysis based on more clinically significant outcomes needs to be conducted before this screening approach can be recommended in other settings.</p

Factors associated with gestational weight gain in pregnant women in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2008

Inadequate weight gain during pregnancy is an important predictor of complications for the mother and infant. This cross-sectional study assessed factors associated with inadequate weight gain among women in the third trimester of pregnancy who received prenatal care under the Brazilian Unified National Health System (SUS) in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from November 2007 to July 2008. A total of 1,079 pregnant women were interviewed, and adequacy of weight gain was obtained by calculating weight gain as recommended by the U.S. Institute of Medicine. Social, demographic, and obstetric factors were analyzed as independent variables. A multinomial logistic regression model was used, and pregnant women with weight gain below or above the recommended levels were compared to those with adequate weight gain. Low schooling was associated with insufficient weight gain, while excessive gain was observed in women with hypertension and pre-gestational underweight, overweight, and obesity. Nutritional assessment during prenatal care is essential, and interventions should target cases of inadequate weight gain in order to prevent complications for the mother and infant

Epidemiology of Invasive Fungal Infections in Latin America

The pathogenic role of invasive fungal infections (IFIs) has increased during the past two decades in Latin America and worldwide, and the number of patients at risk has risen dramatically. Working habits and leisure activities have also been a focus of attention by public health officials, as endemic mycoses have provoked a number of outbreaks. An extensive search of medical literature from Latin America suggests that the incidence of IFIs from both endemic and opportunistic fungi has increased. The increase in endemic mycoses is probably related to population changes (migration, tourism, and increased population growth), whereas the increase in opportunistic mycoses may be associated with the greater number of people at risk. In both cases, the early and appropriate use of diagnostic procedures has improved diagnosis and outcome