Increasing educational inequalities in self-rated health in Brazil, 1998-2013

Pointing out geographic and gender disparities related to productivity indicators among Brazilian ecotoxicologists

Policies and actions related to diversity, equity, and inclusion have been discussed recently in Brazil, but there is still limited information available for most academic and knowledge fields, including ecotoxicology. This study aimed to describe the profile of Brazilian ecotoxicologists and assess gender and geographical disparities, especially regarding productivity indicators. An ecological study was conducted using data of the researchers registered in the open-access database of the Brazilian Society of Ecotoxicology, along with their respective curriculum data available on the Lattes Platform, which is the main registry portal for Brazilian researchers. The target population of our study was ecotoxicology researchers in academic educational institutions with a focus on human resource training. The data, collected in 2021, led to the inclusion of a total of 177 researchers in this study, with 62 men and 115 women, and 42.37% working in the southeastern region. Female researchers generally showed lower rates of scientific productivity when the analyzed metrics included research productivity scholarships, the number of articles published in scientific journals, and the number of articles published with international collaborations, compared to male researchers. Researchers from the southeastern and southern regions also had higher rates of productivity and human resource training compared to those from other regions of the country. The proportion of funding grants received was significantly higher among men, and this profile was also observed among researchers from the southern and southeastern regions, although with a smaller disparity. This means that there is an uneven distribution of funding grants from funding organizations, which favors men and urban centers. Our findings highlight gender and geographic disparities in the scientific production of ecotoxicologists working in Brazil and reinforce the existence of complex obstacles that need to be addressed and combated within scientific societies. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;20:1209-1216. © 2024 SETAC.

Educational disparities in Brazil may interfere with the cognitive performance of Parkinson's disease patients

The prevalence of cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease (PD) is about 20% to 60%. The Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE) is the most used cognitive screening test.

Objective

To evaluate the influence of clinical and demographic characteristics, specifically the education level, on the MMSE score in PD patients of a northeast Brazilian sample.

Methods

We performed a cross-sectional study of 198 PD patients at a Movement Disorders outpatient clinic in Fortaleza, CE, Brazil. Participants were assessed by detailed clinical history, modified Hoehn and Yahr staging (HY), geriatric depression scale (GDS) and MMSE.

Results

We found that 68% of patients had MMSE scores below the Brazilian thresholds, which were based in Brucki et al. study (2003). There was a statistically significant difference in the bivariate analysis between educational level and cut-off classification for MMSE. More years of formal schooling were associated with more patients scoring below threshold. We found that 75%, 68.8%, and 79.7% of individuals with more than 11, 9 to 11, and 4 to 8 years of formal schooling, respectively, were below the suggested Brazilian Brucki's threshold. GDS and age were negatively correlated with total MMSE and all its domains. There was no correlation between disease duration and MMSE. Subjects with hallucinations had lower scores.

Conclusion

Most of the sample had lower performance according to Brazilian thresholds, but there was no control group and no neuropsychological test in this study. Further studies in northeast Brazil are needed to review MMSE cut-off values.

Is parenthood associated with self-rated health among women in Brazil?

BACKGROUND

Previous studies conducted in Europe and North America addressing the relationship between self-rated health and parenthood offer inconsistent results, with effects ranging from nonsignificant to significant and in opposite directions. The aim of the present study was to explore the relationship between parenthood and self-rated health (SRH) among women in Brazil (a country with strong inequalities) considering the time interval from the last delivery in the analyses, as proposed in previous studies set in Sweden.

METHODS

The study used data from cross-sectional National Health Surveys in Brazil conducted from 2013 to 2014 and 2019 to 2020 with selected groups of 20,046 and 25,100 women for whom complete data were available on the variables of interest. The primary outcome was self-rated health measured on a five-point scale. Partial proportional odds models were employed.

RESULTS

Compared to women that were not a parent, primiparous women whose delivery was within less than one year had a lower likelihood of worse SRH (OR (95% CI): 0.58-0.84 in 2013, and 0.64-0.94 in 2019), whereas multiparous women whose last delivery was more than one year earlier had greater likelihood of worse SRH (OR (95% CI): 1.08-1.27 in 2013, and 1.21-1.39 in 2019).

CONCLUSIONS

An association was found between parenthood and SRH among Brazilian women. Considering the epidemiological relevance of SRH, different aspects of parenthood concerning parity and time since the last delivery should be considered in further analyses.

Practices, knowledge, and attitudes about lithium treatment: Results of online surveys completed by clinicians and lithium-treated patients

BACKGROUND

Lithium remains the gold-standard medication for acute and prophylactic treatment of bipolar disorder. Understanding clinicians' practices and patients' experiences, knowledge and attitudes about lithium may improve its clinical use.

METHODS

Online anonymous surveys collected information about clinician's practices and level of confidence in managing lithium and patients' experiences with lithium treatment and information received about benefits and side effects. Knowledge and attitudes regarding lithium were assessed with the Lithium Knowledge Test (LKT) and the Lithium Attitudes Questionnaire (LAQ).

RESULTS

Among 201 clinicians, 64.2% endorsed often treating patients with lithium and reported high levels of confidence in assessing and managing lithium. Practices concerning clinical indications, drug titration, and serum levels were guideline-concordant, but compliance with monitoring recommendations was less frequent. Practitioners were interested in receiving more education about lithium. The patients' survey recruited 219 participants with 70.3% being current lithium users. Most patients (68%) found lithium helpful and 71% reported experiencing any kind of side effect. Most responders did not receive information about side effects or other benefits of lithium. Patients with higher scores on the LKT were more likely to have positive attitudes about lithium.

LIMITATIONS

Cross-sectional design with predominantly English-speaking participants from Brazil and North America.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a discrepancy between guidelines, clinician confidence and knowledge of lithium use and practice. A deeper understanding of how to monitor, prevent and manage long-term side effects and which patients are most likely to benefit from lithium may narrow the gap between knowledge and use.

Association between impairment and self-rated heath: a brazilian population study considering type, origin, and degree of limitation

BACKGROUND

Perceived health is a well-known, low-cost measure in public health, and has been used in several studies on individuals with impairment. Although many studies have related impairment to self-rated health (SRH), few have considered the origin and degree of limitation of the impairment. This study examined whether physical, hearing, or visual impairments-when analyzed according to origin (congenital or acquired) and degree of limitation (with or without)-are associated with the SRH status.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study used data of 43,681 adult individuals from the Brazilian National Health Survey (NHS, 2013). The outcome SRH was dichotomized into poor (including the regular, poor, and very poor responses) or good (including the good and very good responses). Crude and adjusted (for socio-demographic characteristics and chronic diseases history) prevalence ratios (PR) estimates were evaluated using Poisson regression models with the robust variance estimator.

RESULTS

Poor SRH prevalence was estimated at 31.8% (95%CI:31.0-33.0) among the non-impaired population, 65.6% (95%CI:60.6-70.0) among individuals with physical impairment, 50.3% (95%CI:45.0-56.0) for people with hearing impairment, and 55.3% (95%CI:51.8-59.0) for the visually impaired. Individuals with congenital physical impairment-with or without limitations-presented the strongest association with the poorest SRH status. Participants with non-limiting, congenital hearing impairment showed a protective factor to poor SRH (PR = 0.40 95%CI: 0.38-0.52). Individuals with acquired visual impairment with limitations demonstrated the strongest association with poor SRH (PR = 1.48 95%CI:1.47-1.49). Among the impaired population, middle-aged participants showed a stronger association with poor SRH than older adult participants.

CONCLUSIONS

Impairment is associated with poor SRH status, especially among people with physical impairment. The origin and degree of limitation of each type of impairment differently impacts SRH among the impaired population.

Negative Self-Assessment of Health in Women: Association with Sociodemographic Characteristics, Physical Inactivity and Multimorbidity

Introduction: Women present a higher prevalence of negative self-assessment of health (NSAH) when compared to men. However, there is a gap in the literature of factors associated with NSAH in women from developing countries such as Brazil. In addition, few studies have assessed the magnitude of the association between multimorbidity and NSAH in this population. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the association between NSAH and sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle and multimorbidity in women from the Midwest region of Brazil. Methods: A study based on data from the National Health Survey, a household survey that investigated health situation, lifestyle and risk factors for chronic diseases in the adult population of Brazil, was held. Sampling was performed in multiple stages. The selected women answered a standardized questionnaire on sociodemographic data, self-assessment of health and potential determinants. Poisson regression was used to analyze the association between NSAH and sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle and multimorbidity. A significance level of 0.05% was established. Results: The study included 4233 women. The prevalence of NSAH found was 6.0% (95% Confidence Interval [95% CI]: 5.1–7.0%). There was an association between NSAH and advancing age, low schooling, physical inactivity and multimorbidity. Furthermore, there was an association between NSAH and diseases/disorders such as chronic back pain, systemic arterial hypertension, mental disorders, depression, cardiovascular diseases, stroke, cancer, hypercholesterolemia and diabetes mellitus. Conclusion: The prevalence of NSAH was low. A strong association was found between this variable and multimorbidity. In addition, increased age, low schooling and physical inactivity were predictors of NSAH in women.

Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil) participant's profile regarding self-rated health: a multiple correspondence analysis

BACKGROUND

Self-rated health (SRH) - one of the most common health indicators used to verify health conditions - can be influenced by several types of socioeconomic conditions, thereby reflecting health inequalities. This study aimed to evaluate the participant profiles regarding the association between self-rated health and social and occupational characteristics of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil).

METHODS

Cross-sectional design, including 11,305 individuals. Self-rated health was categorized as good, fair, and poor. The relationship between socio-demographic, psychosocial work environment, health-related variables, and self-rated health was analyzed by multiple correspondence analysis (stratified by age: up to 49 years old and 50 years old or more).

RESULTS

For both age strata, group composition was influenced by socioeconomic conditions. Poor SRH was related to lower socioeconomic conditions, being women, black self-declared race/ethnicity, being non-married/non-united, low decision authority, low skill discretion, and obesity.

CONCLUSION

To promote health, interventions should focus on reducing existing socioeconomic, race, and gender inequalities in Brazil.

Physical Disorders and Poor Self-Rated Health in Adults Living in Four Latin American Cities: A Multilevel Approach

Considering that urban environments may affect self-rated health through behavioral and psychosocial mechanisms, the aim of this study was to investigate the association between self-rated health and perceived urban environment characteristics among adults living in four Latin American cities. Data is from a population-based survey by Development Bank of Latin America, encompassing adults between 20 and 60 years old in Buenos Aires, Lima, Mexico City, and Panama City. Self-rated health was measured using a single question and the response options were categorized as poor and good. The explanatory variables were empirical Bayes estimates of self-reported area physical disorder, social disorder, access to services, and access to leisure spaces derived from the survey. The covariates were: individual age, sex, education, wealth index, and length of residency in the neighborhood; and an area social environment index. Multilevel logistic regressions with two levels (individual and sub-city areas) were fitted. Poor self-rated health was reported by 34.73% (95% CI: 33.17 to 36.29) of the participants and was associated with physical disorder (OR = 1.16 per SD; 95% CI: 1.02 to 1.32). Our findings suggest that public policies to promote population health should consider area urban environment factors, especially those associated with disorder.

Factors associated with attitudes towards HIV cure research among transgender women and travestis: a cross-sectional survey in São Paulo, Brazil

OBJECTIVE

Characterising the perceptions of groups most affected by HIV is fundamental in establishing guidelines for biomedical advancement. Although Brazil has successfully fought HIV/AIDS through several measures, transgender women still have a likelihood of HIV infection 55 times higher than the general population. This study aimed to better understand the perception and awareness of HIV cure research among the trans-identifying population in São Paulo, Brazil, and to determine factors that motivate or discourage participation in HIV cure studies.

SETTING

This cross-sectional study analysed data collected from a questionnaire administered to 118 transgender women and travestis at 5 sites within the city of São Paulo. It uses quantitative methodology to describe the perspectives of transgender and travesti people in relation to HIV cure research and the context in which such perspectives are produced.

RESULTS

Of 118 participants, most participants (73%) had some knowledge of HIV cure research and were most willing to participate in online surveys (52%), interviews (52%), focus groups (52%) and studies involving blood draws (57%). Those with a higher education or employment status were more likely to agree that someone had been cured of HIV, people living with HIV are discriminated against, and more information about HIV cure research is needed before the community embraces it. Only 55% of participants completely trusted their physician. The biggest motivational factors included gaining additional knowledge about HIV infection (77%) and the potential for a longer, healthier life for all (73%).

CONCLUSIONS

As a primary analysis of HIV cure attitudes among the transgender and travesti population as well as the social context in which they are formed, this study identifies opportunities to strengthen the dialogue and develop more educational collaborations between scientific investigators, community educators and the trans-identifying population to ensure that HIV cure research is inclusive of diverse perspectives.

Overview of blood pressure measurement by Brazilian health professionals

Although automated monitors for blood pressure (BP) measurement are used increasingly worldwide, understanding of how such devices are used in Brazil is low. This study analyzed the status of BP measurement by Brazilian health professionals. A questionnaire regarding experience with BP measurement was sent electronically to Brazilian nurses, nursing assistants, and doctors. It had 2004 responses. Previous experience with use of automated monitors was most frequent in men (71.2%), nursing technicians (65.5%), specialists (61.1%), secondary care (71.9%), emergency care (70.6%), or the private sector (66.3%). The least complied aspects of the standardized measurement protocol were availability of various cuff sizes (53.9% and 72.9% for auscultatory and oscillometric methods, respectively) and proper calibration checks (21.5% and 46.8% for auscultatory and oscillometric methods, respectively). Brazilian health professionals report not adequately performing all the necessary aspects to measure BP in accordance with the standardized protocol in both methods, but mainly regarding the oscillometric.

Psychological Well-Being as an Independent Predictor of Exercise Capacity in Cardiac Rehabilitation Patients With Obesity

Objective: Exercise capacity (EC) is a well-established predictor of cardiovascular health. It is notoriously influenced by several factors, but the independent effect of psychological well-being (PWB) on EC has not yet been explored. The present study aims to investigate (1) whether PWB is an independent predictor of EC over and above selected demographic, behavioral, and biomedical parameters in a sample of CR patients with obesity and (2) whether PWB is a stronger predictor of EC than the other variables.

Methods: Data from 1968 patients were collected at the time of their inclusion in a cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program and retrospectively analyzed in a cross-sectional study. Since cardiorespiratory parameters defined in normal weight populations differ from those of their obese counterparts, an ad hoc validated formula taking body mass index (BMI) into consideration was used to predict EC.

Results: A multiple regression analysis revealed left ventricular eject fraction (LVEF) to be the strongest predictor of EC, followed by PWB, type 2 diabetes (DM), smoking status, atrial fibrillation (AF), and education. Bayesian evaluation of informative hypotheses corroborated LVEF as the best predictor of EC, and confirmed the superiority of PWB over and above DM and smoking status in influencing EC.

Conclusion: These findings strengthen the link between psychological and physical health, suggesting a better PWB is associated with greater EC. Prompt screening of a patient’s mood and readiness to perform an active lifestyle would therefore enhance the long-term health benefits of CR.

Inequalities in Life Expectancy With Frailty Among Brazilian Older Adults: A Multistate Approach

Background and Objectives

Frailty is considered one of the major conditions faced by aging societies. Little has been reported about the effect of becoming frail on life expectancy among older adults in developing countries. The aim was to estimate total life expectancy and life expectancy with or without frailty by age, sex, and education among older adults in Brazil.

Data and Methods:  The study was developed based on information provided by the Health, Well-being, and Aging (SABE) Study. The sample included 1,399 older adults (≥60 years old) followed up from 2006 to 2010. Frailty status was classified according to the Fried criteria. Additional variables include age (in years), gender, and years of education. Estimates of total life expectancy, frailty-free life expectancy, and frailty life expectancy were obtained using the multistate life table method.

Results

At the baseline, the proportion of individuals with frailty was 13.7% and participants had, on average, 4.0 years of education. Men had more years of education than women (4.6 vs. 3.7, p < .001). Older adults with higher education live fewer years with frailty. Compared with older adults with no education, those with 6 years of education have higher frailty-free life expectancy. At age 70, men with no education expect to live 9.1 years (95% confidence interval [CI] = 7.8, 10.4) without frailty compared with 10.6 years (95% CI = 9.4, 11.8) among those with 6 years of education. Among women age 70, frailty-free life expectancy reaches 11.7 years (95% CI = 10.6, 12.8) among those with no education, but 13.9 years (95% CI = 12.5, 15.3) among those with 6 years.

Implications

Given the recent changes in educational achievement in Brazil, we believe that educational policies are powerful ways in addressing inequalities in healthy life expectancy. Public health policies aimed at avoiding the development of frailty among elderly at risk should be encouraged.