Mortality by skin color/race and urbanity of Brazilian cities

Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain is Associated With Depressive Symptoms in Community-Dwelling Older Adults Independent of Physical Activity. Experimental Aging Research

BACKGROUND

Prevalence of chronic musculoskeletal pain and depressive symptoms in adults is high; however, whether there is an association between these conditions in older adults is unknown.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the association of depressive symptoms with chronic musculoskeletal pain, and specifically with chronic LBP and knee osteoarthritis (OA), in community-dwelling older adults. In addition, we explored whether physical activity can mitigate these associations.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study design. A cross-sectional study design. Participants recruited were older adults (age ≥60 years) living in the community. Chronic musculoskeletal pain was assessed by specific questions regarding the presence of chronic LBP and knee OA. Depressive symptoms were assessed with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Multivariable regression model adjusted for potential confounders (i.e., age, sex, economic status, body composition, and physical activity) was used to investigate the association between chronic musculoskeletal pain and depressive symptoms. Separate analyses were also conducted for older adults with LBP and with knee OA.

RESULTS

A total of 509 (69% women) older adults were recruited. The regression analysis showed that musculoskeletal pain was associated with higher depressive symptoms (β  = 2.52, 95% CI: 0.50 to 4.54; p-value < .05) compared with older adults without chronic musculoskeletal pain. Similarly, in the fully adjusted model, which included physical activity, LBP was associated with higher depressive symptoms (β  = 2.80, 95% CI: 0.82 to 4.79; p-value < .01). The association between knee OA and depressive symptoms was not statistically significant after adjusting for physical activity (β  = 2.00, 95% CI: -0.13 to 4.13; p-value = .06).

CONCLUSION

Older adults with chronic musculoskeletal pain have higher depressive symptoms scores, when compared to those without musculoskeletal pain. Physical activity does not seem to influence this association.

Ethnic Differences in Survival among Brazilian Modern-era Olympic Medalists from 1920 to 1992: A Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Disparities in health outcomes among racial groups warrant investigation, even among elite athletes. Therefore, understanding the impact of race upon post-medal survival in Brazilian Olympians becomes essential.

OBJECTIVE

To compare post-medal survival between white and non-white Brazilian Olympic medalists from 1920 to 1992.

METHODS

This study used publicly available data for a retrospective cohort study on all Brazilian Olympic medalists from 1920 to 1992 (males only). Athletes were classified into white and non-white groups using structured ethnicity determination. Kaplan-Meier analyses computed the restricted mean survival time (RMST) for each ethnic group. A Cox proportional hazards analysis assessed ethnicity-based survival differences, adjusting for medal-winning age and birth year (p<0.05).

RESULTS

Among 123 athletes (73.9% white), the mean age of medal achievement was 25.03±4.8 years. During the study, 18.7% of white and 37.5% of non-white athletes died (p=0.031). White athletes had a mean age at death of 75.10±18.01 years, while non-white athletes had an age of 67.13±14.90 years (p=0.109). The RMST for white athletes was 51.59 (95% CI 49.79-53.39) years, while for non-white athletes, it was 45.026 (95% CI 41.31-48.74) years, resulting in a ΔRMST of 6.56 (95% CI 2.43-10.70; p=0.0018). Multivariate analysis showed that non-white athletes had a higher mortality risk than did white athletes (HR 5.58; 95% CI, 2.18-14.31).

CONCLUSION

Following their first medal, white Brazilian Olympians typically enjoy a six-year longer lifespan than their non-white counterparts, illustrating a marked mortality gap and health disparities among healthy individuals in Brazil.

Changes in health behaviors in elderly Brazilians: data from the 2013 and 2019 National Health Surveys

Changes in health behaviors of elderly people (≥65 years old) in Brazil included in the National Health Survey 2013 (n=7,712) and 2019 (n=15,926) were analyzed. Cross-sectional study compared prevalence estimates and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) of current and past smoking; alcohol abuse; leisure-time physical activity; consumption of fruit and vegetables. Differences were considered statistically significant at the 5% level. All positive health behaviors increased significantly over the period. The consumption of fruit and vegetables was the most prevalent, and smoking cessation the one that grew the most. The consumption of fruit and vegetables, physical activity during leisure time and alcohol abuse prevailed in the capitals, with current and past smokers prevailing in the interior. Men had higher estimates of current and past smoking and alcohol abuse. In younger women, alcohol abuse significantly increased. Leisure-time physical activity did not differ between the sexes. Women consumed more fruit at all ages and years, but vegetables depended on age and year. The prevalence of healthy behavior has increased in Brazil. However, individual and contextual inequalities have remained and affect the achievement of more positive levels of health.

Association between history of academic failure during dental school and self-reported depression, anxiety, and stress: A retrospective cohort

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association between history of academic failure (HAF) and self-reported depression, anxiety, and stress among undergraduate dental students.

METHODS

This study involved 244 dental students from one university. An online questionnaire collected information on the following variables: socioeconomic status, behavior, use of licit/illicit drugs, and the choice of dentistry as an undergraduate field of study. The 21-item Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) was applied. HAF in at least one subject during a participant's undergraduate tenure was defined as the main outcome. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed using Poisson regression with robust variance. In addition, a subgroup analysis was performed for the variable "dentistry as the first choice for undergraduate studies."

RESULTS

The prevalence of HAF was 25.00% (n = 61). Among those students, the mean number of academic failures was 5.41 ± 6.38 (range: 1-33). Higher rates of HAF were observed among older and non-white dental students. Moreover, those who self-reported at least severe depression presented a 79% higher HAF prevalence ratio (PR) (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.15-2.80). Similar findings were detected among those who reported (PR: 1.79; 95% CI: 1.06-4.46) or did not report (PR: 2.21; 95% CI: 1.10-4.46) interest in dentistry as a first undergraduate option. Conversely, among women and students who did not choose dentistry as their first option, HAF was significantly lower (PR: 0.41; 95% CI: 0.21-0.80).

CONCLUSION

Higher HAF rates are observed in students who are older, non-white, and self-report at least severe depression. However, dentistry as a first option for undergraduate studies was not associated with HAF.

The Impact of COVID-19 on HIV Care in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 2019-2021: Disparities by Age and Gender

We evaluated COVID-19's impact on HIV care indicators among INI/FIOCRUZ's HIV Clinical Cohort in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: (1) Adequate care visits: two visits ≥ 90 days apart; (2) Adequate viral load monitoring: ≥ 2 viral load results ≥ 90 days apart; (3) Consistent viral suppression: all viral loads < 40 copies/mL; and (4) ART medication possession ratio (MPR) ≥ 95%. Chi-square tests compared the fraction of participants meeting each indicator per period: pre-pandemic (3/1/2019-2/29/2020) and post-pandemic (3/1/2020-2/28/2021). Logistic regression models were used to assess disparities in adequate care visits. Among 906 participants, care visits and viral load monitoring decreased pre-pandemic to post-pandemic: 77.0-55.1% and 36.6-11.6% (both p < 0.001), respectively. The optimal MPR rate improved from 25.5 to 40.0% (p < 0.001). Post-pandemic period (aOR 0.33, CI 0.28-0.40), transgender women (aOR 0.34, CI 0.22-0.53), and those aged 18-24 years (aOR 0.67, CI 0.45-0.97) had lower odds of adequate care visits. COVID-19 disrupted care access disproportionately for transgender women and younger participants.

Factors Associated with Leg Ulcers in Adults with Sickle Cell Disease in Brazil

OBJECTIVE

To define the prevalence of leg ulcers and identify the clinical and laboratory factors associated with leg ulcers in adult participants.

METHODS

The authors conducted a cross-sectional study of 1,109 patients who were 18 years or older with SS or Sβ0-thalassemia genotypes from a Brazilian cohort. Investigators assessed the prevalence of factors associated with leg ulcers from 2013 to 2017.

RESULTS

The prevalence of leg ulcers was 21%. Increasing age (odds ratio [OR], 1.07; range, 1.06-1.09), male sex (OR, 2.03; range, 1.44-2.87), treatment with chronic transfusion therapy (OR, 1.88; range, 1.15-3.03), higher indirect bilirubin levels (OR, 1.48; range, 1.02-2.16), and low hemoglobin levels (OR, 2.17; range, 1.52-3.11) were associated with leg ulcers. Participants who self-reported as Black (OR, 6.75; range, 2.63-21.32), mixed (OR, 3.91; range, 1.55-12.20), and other/unknown (OR, 3.84; range, 1.04-15.24) were more likely to have leg ulcers compared with those who self-reported as White.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of leg ulcers in this Brazilian cohort was higher than the prevalence reported in developed countries. Known factors such as age and male sex were corroborated. The increased bilirubin level and decreased hemoglobin levels among participants with leg ulcers support the hypothesis that hemolysis is correlated with leg ulcer pathogenesis. Self-reported black skin color was an independent predictor of leg ulcers and warrants further study to understand the etiology and implications of this finding.

Racial inequalities in multimorbidity: baseline of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil)

BACKGROUND

Evidence of multimorbidity has come mainly from high-income regions, while disparities among racial groups have been less explored. This study examined racial differences in multimorbidity in the multiracial cohort of the Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (Estudo Longitudinal de Saúde do Adulto), ELSA-Brasil.

METHODS

The study examined baseline (2008-2010) data for 14 099 ELSA-Brasil participants who self-reported being white, mixed-race, or black. A list of 16 morbidities was used to evaluate multimorbidity, operationalised by simple count into ≥ 2, ≥ 3, ≥ 4, ≥ 5 and ≥ 6 morbidities, in addition to evaluating the number of coexisting conditions. Prevalence ratios (PR) were estimated from logistic models and a quantile model was used to examine racial differences graphically in the distribution quantiles for the number of morbidities.

RESULTS

Overall prevalence of multimorbidity (≥ 2 morbidities) was 70% and, after controlling for age and sex, was greater among mixed-race and black participants - by 6% (PR: 1.06; 95% CI: 1.03-1.08) and 9% (PR: 1.09; 95% CI: 1.06-1.12), respectively - than among white participants. As the cutoff value for defining multimorbidity was raised, so the strength of the association increased, especially among blacks: if set at ≥ 6 morbidities, the prevalence was 27% greater for those of mixed-race (PR: 1.27; 95% CI: 1.07-1.50) and 47% greater for blacks (PR: 1.47; 95% CI: 1.22-1.76) than for whites. The disparities were smaller in the lower morbidity distribution quantiles and larger in the upper quantiles, indicating a heavier burden of disease, particularly on blacks.

CONCLUSIONS

Multimorbidity was common among adults and older adults in a Brazilian cohort, but important racial inequalities were found. Raising the cutoff point for defining multimorbidity revealed stronger associations between race/skin colour and multimorbidity, indicating a higher prevalence of multimorbidity among mixed-race and black individuals than among whites and that the former groups coexisted more often with more complex health situations (with more coexisting morbidities). Interventions to prevent and manage the condition of multimorbidity that consider the social determinants of health and historically discriminated populations in low- and middle-income regions are necessary.

Structural violence: An evolutionary concept analysis

AIMS

To enhance conceptual clarity and interdisciplinary understanding of structural violence, and to illuminate its implications for contemporary social justice and health equity research, by: (1) synthesizing scholarly literature pertaining to structural violence and health; (2) defining its key attributes, antecedents, consequences and characteristics; (3) contextually situating this phenomenon over time and across disciplines.

DESIGN

A comprehensive review of scholarly health literature pertaining to 'structural violence' or its surrogate term 'structural determinants of health' was guided by a Research and Education Librarian.

DATA SOURCES

In November 2019 and again in April 2021, CINAHL, Embase, Global Health, Medline, PsycINFO, PubMed and Scopus electronic databases were searched for peer-reviewed articles that described structural violence in the context of health. Of the 238 unique records identified, 32 articles were selected for inclusion and comprise the review sample.

REVIEW METHODS

Using Beth Rodgers' evolutionary concept analysis method, articles were comparatively analysed to identify key attributes, antecedents and consequences associated with the concept's use in health research.

RESULTS

The five interrelated attributes characterizing structural violence are: power, marginality, oppression, adversity and trauma. Hegemonic social, cultural, economic and political systems serve as antecedents, whilst the consequences of structural violence can be broadly classified as health inequity, injustice and indignity, and social disorganization.

CONCLUSION

This analysis contributes to conceptual clarity and mutual understanding of the usage, application and significance of structural violence across health disciplines and provides a strong foundation for continued concept development and operationalization. Further research is needed to substantiate the relationship between structural violence and health inequity.

The National Student Performance Examination and the quality of Brazilian higher education in health

OBJECTIVE

to analyze higher education in the health area in Brazil according to the results of the students' performance in the 2019 National Student Performance Examination.

METHOD

a cross-sectional and retrospective study with a quantitative approach and online data referring to 192,715 students from 3,712 health courses, collected in 2020. The students' performance was expressed in concepts, ordered on a scale of one to five. Box-plots were prepared, prevalence values of the concepts were estimated, and the differences were evaluated through statistical tests (α=5%) according to the administrative and management characteristics, as well as those of the cities where the courses were offered.

RESULTS

there was a satisfactory level of higher education in health (70.0% with a score ≥3). The Medicine courses were the most satisfactorily evaluated while Speech Therapy and Nursing obtained the worst scores. Public, face-to-face and university education were associated with better teaching quality. Lower levels were found in the North region states, in small towns, outside metropolitan areas and in those under private management.

CONCLUSION

heterogeneity in the quality of higher education across the health courses was verified, indicating its association with the characteristics of the teaching institutions and with the infrastructure of the cities where the courses are offered, pointing out challenges to the quality of health education in Brazil.

The Determinants of Complementary Feeding Introduction Vary According to the Type of Food and Infants' Ages: A Cohort Study-ClaB, Brazil

INTRODUCTION

Food inadequacies in the first 6 months of life are considered a global problem, with an emphasis on early complementary feeding introduction (CFI). This study aimed to identify the determinants of CFI.

METHODS

A birth cohort study (N = 641). Data on infant feeding was collected before 30 days, and at 2, 4, and 6 months of age and, at baseline, data regarding socioeconomic status, demographics, maternal and infant health, obstetric history, and infant care. The hypothesis was that the risk determinants for early CFI vary according to the type of food and the age range of this introduction. Twelve Cox regression models were fit with four outcomes (formula; other types of milk; other beverages; and solid/semi-solid foods) considering three different age ranges of the infant at their introduction (< 2 months, 2-4 months, and 4-6 months).

RESULTS

The introduction of the four food groups analyzed was early (median ages of introduction: formulas = 45 days; other milks = 135 days; other beverages = 120 days; solids and semi-solids = 135 days). The determinants that increased the risk of introducing formulas before 2 months were: primiparity, employed without maternity leave, mothers with unsatisfactory prenatal counseling and those who had cesarean sections. Not living with a partner, infant pacifier use at 2 months of age had a higher risk of introducing formula between 2 and 4 months of age. Non-white skin color, more than 35 years old, low maternal education, and lower family income increased the risk of introducing other types of milk between 2 and 4 months of age. Between 4 and 6 months of age, adolescent and low education level mothers had a higher risk of introducing other types of milk, unemployed was a protective factor against the introduction of other foods and beverages in this age group.

CONCLUSIONS

The determinants of early CFI varied according to the type of food and the age of introduction.

The National Student Performance Examination and the quality of Brazilian higher education in health

Objective:

to analyze higher education in the health area in Brazil according to the results of the students’ performance in the 2019 National Student Performance Examination.

Method:

a cross-sectional and retrospective study with a quantitative approach and online data referring to 192,715 students from 3,712 health courses, collected in 2020. The students’ performance was expressed in concepts, ordered on a scale of one to five. Box-plots were prepared, prevalence values of the concepts were estimated, and the differences were evaluated through statistical tests (α=5%) according to the administrative and management characteristics, as well as those of the cities where the courses were offered.

Results:

there was a satisfactory level of higher education in health (70.0% with a score ≥3). The Medicine courses were the most satisfactorily evaluated while Speech Therapy and Nursing obtained the worst scores. Public, face-to-face and university education were associated with better teaching quality. Lower levels were found in the North region states, in small towns, outside metropolitan areas and in those under private management.

Conclusion:

heterogeneity in the quality of higher education across the health courses was verified, indicating its association with the characteristics of the teaching institutions and with the infrastructure of the cities where the courses are offered, pointing out challenges to the quality of health education in Brazil.

Examen Nacional de Rendimiento Estudiantil y calidad de la educación superior brasileña en salud

Resumen Objetivo: analizar la educación superior en el área de la salud en Brasil en función de los resultados del desempeño de los estudiantes en el Examen Nacional de Rendimiento de los Estudiantes de 2019. Método: estudio transversal, retrospectivo con enfoque cuantitativo con datos online referentes a 192.715 estudiantes de 3.712 carreras de salud, recolectados en 2020. El desempeño de los estudiantes se expresó en conceptos, ordenados en una escala de uno a cinco. Se elaboraron box-plots y se estimaron y las prevalencias de los conceptos y se evaluaron las diferencias según las características administrativas, de gestión y de las ciudades sede de las carreras a través de pruebas estadísticas (α=5%). Resultados: se observó un nivel satisfactorio de educación superior en salud (70,0% con concepto ≥3). Las carreas de Medicina obtuvieron las mejores calificaciones, las de Fonoaudiología y Enfermería las peores. Se asoció la educación pública, presencial y universitaria con una educación de mayor calidad. Los niveles más bajos se encontraron en los estados de la región Norte, en los pueblos pequeños y fuera de las áreas metropolitanas, y en las carreras de gestión privada. Conclusión: se verificó que había heterogeneidad en la calidad de la educación superior en las carreras de salud, lo que indica que hay una asociación entre las características de las instituciones educativas y la infraestructura de las ciudades donde se dictan las carreras, y señala que la calidad de la educación en salud en Brasil enfrenta desafíos.

Gender and race inequalities in adolescent and young adult homicide mortality rates: a multilevel ecological analysis of Brazilian municipalities

ABSTRACT Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between adolescent and young adult homicide mortality rates in Brazilian municipalities according to gender, race, and contextual characteristics at the municipal and federation unit levels. Methods: This is an ecological study that used secondary data available from the death records of the Mortality Information System and socioeconomic data from the Brazilian Census. The dependent variables were homicide mortality rates among people aged 15–29 years by sex and race from 2015 to 2017. The contextual variables were related to education, income, schooling, and vulnerability. Multilevel linear regression was applied in an ecological model to verify the first- and second-level variables’ effect. Each variable’s effect was estimated using β and its respective confidence intervals (95%CI) and statistical significance. Results: There was a direct and significant relationship between the adolescent and young adult mortality rates and the homicide mortality rates among adults, regardless of sex and race/skin color. However, this relationship was more pronounced among black adolescents and young adults. At the federative unit level, the human development index was significantly related to the mortality rates of black men, white men, and white women. Conclusion: There is racial inequality in adolescent and young adult mortality from violence in Brazil; the rates are related to municipal characteristics, such as violence in the adult population and inequalities in education and social protection.

Association Between Socioeconomic and Demographic Characteristics and Non-fatal Alcohol-Related Injury in Maringá, Brazil

Background: Previous research has corroborated a high burden of alcohol-related injury in Brazil and the presence of socioeconomic disparities among the injured. Yet, individual-level data is scarce. To fill this gap, we examined the association between demographic and socioeconomic characteristics with non-fatal alcohol-related injury in Maringá, Brazil.

Methods: We used household survey data collected during a 2015 cross-sectional study. We conducted univariate and multivariate analyses to evaluate associations of demographic (age, gender, race) and socioeconomic characteristics (employment, education, income) with non-fatal alcohol-related injury.

Results: Of the 995 participants who reported injuries, 62 (6.26%) were alcohol-related. Fifty-three (85%) alcohol-related injuries were reported by males. Multivariate analysis indicated being male (OR = 5.98 95% CI = 3.02, 13.28), 15–29 years of age (OR = 3.62 95% CI = 1.72, 7.71), and identifying as Black (OR = 2.38 95% CI = 1.09, 4.95) were all significantly associated with increased likelihood of reporting an alcohol-related injury, whereas unemployment was significantly associated with decreased likelihood of reporting an alcohol-related injury (OR = 0.41 95% CI = 0.18, 0.88).

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that in Maringá, being male, between the ages of 15 and 29, employed, or identifying as Black were characteristics associated with a higher risk for non-fatal alcohol-related injury. Individual level data, such as ours, should be considered in combination with area-level and country-level data when developing evidence-based public-health policies.

Physical inactivity as risk factor for mortality by diabetes mellitus in Brazil in 1990, 2006, and 2016

BACKGROUND

The aims of this study were to estimate the mortality due to diabetes mellitus attributed to physical inactivity in Brazil, to analyze these estimate in three points in time (1990, 2006 and, 2016), and to analyze these estimates according to the socioeconomic status of Brazilian states.

METHODS

All deaths and diseases recorded in Brazil during this period were analyzed. Surveys of the general adult population using random sampling procedures evaluating self-reported physical activity in all life domains in Brazil were included. The total number and the age-standardized rates of deaths, and population-attributable fraction (PAF) for diabetes mellitus attributed to physical inactivity in the years 1990, 2006, and 2016 were estimated. Socioeconomic Development Index (SDI) was used as an indicator of socioeconomic status of Brazilian states.

RESULTS

In relation to mortality due to diabetes mellitus attributed to physical inactivity, 736 deaths were estimated in 1990, 1337 deaths were estimated in 2006, and 1897 in 2016, which represented, in 1990, an age-standardized mortality rate (per 100,000 inhabitants) of 1.2, 2.1 in 2006, and 1.1 in 2016. Approximately 3.0% (PAF) of deaths due to diabetes mellitus could be avoided if the Brazilian population were physically active. In 2006 and 2016, Brazilian states with worst socioeconomic indicators had higher age-standardized mortality rate by diabetes mellitus due to physical inactivity.

CONCLUSION

These findings are the first to estimate the burden of diabetes mellitus due to physical inactivity in Brazil and support the promotion of physical activity in the Brazilian population to prevent and manage diabetes mellitus.

Physical Activity and Sitting Time Are Specifically Associated With Multiple Chronic Diseases and Medicine Intake in Brazilian Older Adults

The purpose of the study was to clarify the independent association between sedentary behavior and physical activity with multiple chronic diseases and medicine intake in older individuals. Sedentary behavior and physical activity were measured by questionnaires. Diseases and medication use were self-reported. Poisson's regression was adopted for main analysis, through crude and adjusted prevalence ratio and confidence interval of 95%. For men, sedentary time >4 hr/day presented a 76% higher prevalence of ≥2 chronic diseases, while physical inactivity increases the likelihood of using ≥2 medicines in 95%. For women, sedentary behavior >4 hr/day presented an 82% and 43% greater prevalence for ≥2 chronic diseases and the intake of ≥2 medicines, respectively. Sedentary behavior represents an independent associated factor of multiple chronic diseases in older men and women. In addition, inactivity for men and sedentarism for women are associated with the amount of medicine intake.