Notifications of sexual violence against children and adolescents in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil: a descriptive study, 2014-2018

OBJECTIVE

to describe characteristics of notifications of sexual violence against children and adolescents according to race/skin color and their distribution in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, between 2014 and 2018.

METHODS

this was a descriptive study of data retrieved from the Notifiable Health Conditions Information System (SINAN). Frequency distributions, prevalence and statistical differences were analyzed using Pearson's chi-square test.

RESULTS

of the 8,716 notifications, most occurred in the state capital (48.2%) and related to female victims (82.2%) aged between 10 and 14 years (38.1%). There was a higher prevalence (370/100,000) and relative frequency of rape (84.5%), sexual exploitation (5.8%) and neglect/abandonment (4.6%) among victims of Black race/skin color (p-value < 0.05). Only 4.6% of notifications occurred in primary health care services.

CONCLUSION

notifications were more frequent among female pre-adolescents and prevalence was higher among Black people, who should be a priority target for protective measures. Surveillance of this form of violence needs to be strengthened in primary care.

Pediatric dentistry procedures performed within the Brazilian National Health System in the state of Rio Grande do Sul before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: difference between the years 2018 and 2021

OBJECTIVE

to analyze the difference in the number of primary teeth dental procedures performed within the Brazilian National Health System (SUS) in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

this was a descriptive ecological study, using secondary data from the SUS Outpatient Information System (SIA-SUS), from 2018 to 2021, in the state and in its seven health macro-regions; we calculated the relative and absolute frequencies and the percentage difference of the dental procedures performed.

RESULTS

94,443 and 36,151 dental procedures were recorded before and during the pandemic, respectively, corresponding to a 61.7% reduction; relevant percentage reductions were found in restorative procedures, which reached 20% in the southern region of the state; an increase in the percentage of exodontic and endodontic procedures was found.

CONCLUSION

the results suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic had negative repercussions on the performance of primary teeth dental procedures in Ro Grande do Sul.

Completeness of notifications of accidents involving venomous animals in the Information System for Notifiable Diseases: a descriptive study, Brazil, 2007-2019

OBJECTIVE

to describe the completeness of notifications of accidents involving venomous animals held on the Notifiable Health Conditions Information System (SINAN), in Brazil and its macro-regions, from 2007 to 2019.

METHODS

we analyzed essential and non-mandatory fields for snakebite, spider bite and scorpion sting notifications, considering the following completeness categories: Excellent (≤5.0% incompleteness), Good (5.0% to 10.0%), Regular (10.0% to 20.0%), Poor (20.0% to ≤50.0%) and Very Poor (>50.0%). Proportional change in completeness between 2007 and 2019 was estimated.

RESULTS

1,871,462 notifications were investigated. The "localized manifestations", "systemic manifestations", "case classification", "case progression" and "zone of occurrence" fields had excellent or good completeness. Completeness was regular or poor for the "schooling" and "race/color" fields. The "occupation" field was predominantly poorly or very poorly filled in. There was a proportional worsening in completeness (PC<0) in most regions for the "zone of occurrence", "case progression" and "schooling" fields.

CONCLUSION

completeness of most fields improved, although socioeconomic and occupational fields require more attention.

Spatial distribution and incidence of HIV/AIDS cases in Santa Cruz do Sul, state of Rio Grande do Sul, 2001 to 2020

OBJECTIVE

to describe the spatial distribution, treatment status and characteristics of cases of people infected with the human immunodeficiency virus HIV in Santa Cruz do Sul, RS, 2001 to 2020.

METHODS

descriptive study with data from individuals undergoing treatment for HIV/AIDS, in Santa Cruz do Sul, diagnosed from January 2001 to October 2020.

RESULTS

708 (94.4%) cases were analyzed, of these (58.2%) were male, with a mean age of 39 years, the maximum incidence rate was in 2019 (59.4/100,000 inhabitants), there was a high frequency of cases in the south and central region of the city, 92.9% of these individuals were still in active treatment and the dropout rate was 7.1% in the period.

CONCLUSION

a higher incidence of HIV was observed in adult male, from the central and southern regions of the city, with a treatment rate close to the goals of the World Health Organization and a low dropout rate.

Evaluation of histopathological examinations of the cervix diagnosed as "other neoplasms" on the Cancer Information System, Brazil, 2013-2020: a descriptive study

OBJECTIVE

to describe and reclassify cervical histopathology test result diagnoses recorded as other neoplasms on the Cancer Information System (SISCAN), Brazil, 2013-2020.

METHODS

this was a descriptive study based on diagnoses input to the "other malign neoplasms" field on the SISCAN; a pathologist assessed the diagnoses and reclassified them based on the categories existing on the standardized record form; absolute and relative frequencies of incorrectly recorded diagnoses were calculated.

RESULTS

histopathology test results registered as "other malign neoplasms" accounted for 2.4% (n = 5,778) of all records, 67.4% of which in fact fell into categories already existing on the form, 8.9% were indeed other neoplasms and 24.5% were results not compatible with other neoplasms and were not covered by the form categories, such as benign findings or findings outside the cervix.

CONCLUSION

the "other malignant neoplasms" field is frequently misused on the SISCAN; the analysis highlighted the need to train professionals to use the system properly, as well as the need to include new categories on the form.

Hospital admissions for treatment of ruptured and unruptured cerebral aneurysms within the Brazilian National Health System, 2009-2018: a descriptive study

OBJECTIVE

To analyze hospital admissions for treatment of ruptured and unruptured cerebral aneurysms with embolization and brain microsurgery performed within the Brazilian National Health System (SUS), 2009-2018.

METHODS

This was a descriptive study, using data from the SUS's Hospital Information System. Frequency of hospital admissions, procedures, use of intensive care unit (ICU), case fatality ratio and expenditures were described.

RESULTS

Of the 43,927 hospital admissions, 22,622 (51.5%) resulted in microsurgery. Embolization and cerebral microsurgery were more frequent among females. Length of hospital stay with embolization procedure was 7.7 days (±9.0), and with microsurgery, 16.2 (±14.2) days, frequency of ICU admission, 58.6% and 85.3%, and case fatality ratio, 5.9% and 10.9% respectively. Of the total expenditure, USD 240 million, 66.3% corresponded to hospitalizations with embolization procedure.

CONCLUSION

Hospital admissions with embolization procedure for treatment of cerebral aneurysms within the SUS showed a shorter length of stay, less frequent use of ICU and lower case fatality ratio, but higher expenditure when compared to brain microsurgery.

Supply/demand ratio for medical consultations, diagnostic tests and chronic kidney disease monitoring in the Brazilian National Health System: a descriptive study, state of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019

OBJECTIVE

To determine the supply/demand ratio for procedures related to diagnosis and treatment for chronic kidney disease in the Brazilian National Health System (SUS), in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019.

METHODS

This was a descriptive study, using data from the SUS outpatient and hospital information systems. The numbers of medical consultations, diagnostic and chronic kidney disease monitoring tests, performed in the period, were compared with the demand estimation, obtained through ministerial guidelines.

RESULTS

Exclusive SUS users were 28,791,244, and individuals with arterial hypertension and/or diabetes mellitus, 5,176,188. The number of procedures performed and the ratio between this number and the needs of the population were 389,414 consultations with nephrologists (85%); 11,540,371 serum creatinine tests (223%); 705,709 proteinuria tests (14%); 438,123 kidney ultrasounds (190%); and 1,045 kidney biopsies (36%).

CONCLUSION

In the chronic kidney disease care in the SUS it could be seen simultaneous existence of lack of supply, waste and inadequate screening of important procedures.

Description of human anti-rabies post-exposure prophylaxis care notifications in Brazil, 2014-2019

OBJECTIVE

To analyze human anti-rabies post-exposure prophylaxis notifications in Brazil.

METHODS

This was a descriptive study using data from the Notifiable Diseases Information System in Brazil, from 2014 to 2019.

RESULTS

A total of 4,033,098 anti-rabies medical consultations were notified, averaging 672,183 a year. Percentage care was higher among males (n = 2,111,369; 52.4%), those under 19 years old (n = 1,423,433; 35.3%), living in urban areas (n = 3,386,589; 88.1%), attacked by dogs (n = 3,281,190; 81.5%) and bitten (n = 3,575,717; 81.9%), mainly on the hands and feet (n = 1,541,201; 35.3%). The most frequent prophylactic procedure was observation plus vaccination (n = 1,736,036; 44.2%). Prophylactic procedure was appropriate in 57.8% (n = 2,169,689) of cases and inappropriate in 42.2% (n = 1,582,411) of cases.

CONCLUSION

Although there were appropriate prophylactic procedures, we also found procedures that were inappropriate and which, when insufficient, can result in cases of human rabies and, when unnecessary, can result in waste, including shortage of immunobiological products.

COVID-19 in northeast Brazil: first year of the pandemic and uncertainties to come

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the epidemic of COVID-19 in northeastern Brazil, one of the regions most affected by the virus.

METHODS

The official data for COVID-19, from March 2020 to March 2021 in the states of the Northeast Region (NE), were used. The analysis of capital cities and states for accumulated weekly cases and confirmed deaths was made using the JoinPoint Trend Analysis application.

RESULTS

In one year, the Northeast region reported 22.9% of the cases and 21.5% of the deaths in the country due to COVID-19. At the beginning of the pandemic, all states showed a growing number of cases, first in the capitals and then in the interior. Following this wave, decreases are observed in all states and their capitals, but with many still reporting a large number of cases. In the middle of the 2nd semester of 2020 the number of cases begins to increase again simultaneously in states and their capitals-some at explosive speed-especially in late 2020 and early 2021. A similar pattern is observed in deaths, which exceed or approach the peak seen in the first wave. In the first wave, all capitals and northeastern states adopted intense isolation measures. Fortaleza, Recife and Teresina reached the highest isolation index of all capitals, close to 0.60. This index decreases, with a slight growth trend until the end of December. With the exception of Fortaleza and Salvador, the other capitals fell to less than 0.40.

CONCLUSION

The Brazilian NE and the country are in increasingly complicated health, social and economic situations. It is necessary to speed up vaccinations and maintain non-pharmacological measures: face masks, social distancing measures and hygiene care, in addition to policies to protect workers who have lost their incomes and to subsidize small business owners.

[Possible oral transmission of Chagas disease among hydrocarbons sector workers in Casanare, Colombia, 2014]

INTRODUCTION

Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent for Chagas disease, can be transmitted by oral intake of contaminated food or drinks. During epidemiological week 14 of 2014, two cases of acute Chagas disease were notified among hydrocarbons sector workers in Paz de Ariporo, Casanare.

OBJECTIVE

To characterize the affected population, to establish control and prevention measures and to confirm the outbreak.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted an outbreak investigation that included the following components: a) Search for symptomatic people compatible with Chagas disease according to the case definition for their referral to medical services; b) entomological survey (192/197 houses); c) sanitary inspection and microbiological analysis of food samples; and d) study of reservoirs. Data management and analysis were done with Epi-Info 7.1.5 using descriptive statistics. We also calculated intradomicile and peridomicile triatomine infestation indexes.

RESULTS

We detected 552 exposed people; 40 had the disease (7.2%), of whom seven were women (17,5%) and 33, men (82.5%), i.e., a male-female ratio of 5:1. The mean age was 39.1 ± 10.8 years; the attack rate was 7.2% and lethality, 5% (2/40). Symptoms included fever (100% of cases), headache (80%), myalgia and arthralgia (65%), facial edema (55%), and abdominal pain (37.5%). The mean incubation time was 17 days (range: 3-21). Rhodnius prolixus domiciliary infestation index was 3.3 % and 2.2% in the peridomicile. In the five restaurants inspected sanitary conditions were deficient and food samples were microbiologically non-conforming. We found a dog and two opossums positive for IgG antibodies by ELISA.

CONCLUSIONS

Environmental, sanitary and epidemiological conditions at the place confirmed an outbreak of Chagas diseases related to occupational exposure, possibly by oral transmission, which may be the largest to date in Colombia.

Zinc deficiency: descriptive epidemiology and morbidity among preschool children in peri-urban population in Delhi, India

Community-based data relating to factors influencing zinc deficiency among preschool children in India are inadequate. Data of a large, double-blinded, randomized, controlled zinc-supplementation trial were used for assessing the descriptive epidemiology of zinc deficiency among children aged 6-35 months (n = 940). In total, 609 children were followed up for 120 days for information on morbidity. Of these children, 116 from the control group belonging to the upper and the lower 25th quartile of plasma zinc status at baseline were selected for assessing the association of zinc deficiency with prospective morbidity. At baseline, demographic, socioeconomic and dietary information was collected, and anthropometric measurements and levels of plasma zinc were assessed. At baseline, 73.3% of the children were zinc-deficient (plasma zinc < 70 microg/dL), of which 33.8% had levels of plasma zinc below 60 microg/dL. A significantly higher risk of morbidity was prevalent among the subjects with lower plasma zinc compared to those with higher levels of plasma zinc.