Objective: to investigate socio-demographic factors associated with non-use of condoms, and to describe the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STI) in rural communities of Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil, 2014 to 2016. Methods: data were gathered from individual interviews and rapid tests were performed; associations were tested using Poisson regression, with a 95% confidence interval (95%CI). Results: we detected 3.8 cases/10,000 inhabitants for hepatitis B and syphilis, and 1.3 cases/10,000 inhabitants for hepatitis C; no HIV cases were detected; in the multivariate analysis we found higher prevalence rates of condom non-use among the group of individuals who were married, had common law partners or were widowed (PR=1.20 -95%CI 1.06;1.36). Conclusion: individuals in a stable relationship formed the group with the highest prevalence rate of condom non-use; new syphilis and viral hepatitis cases were detected using rapid tests during the survey.

Background: A population study is an important tool that can be used to understand the actual epidemiological scenario of the Covid-19 in different territories, identify its magnitude, understand its transmission dynamics, and its demographic, geographical, and social distribution. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the population of two Brazilian cities during the pandemic first wave and subsequent socioeconomic and health effects. Materials & methods: This paper described the methodological procedures adopted and the prevalence of the SARS-CoV-2 infection in the population. A household survey was conducted between October and December 2020, in two historic cities of Brazil's mining region. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody was detected using the Wondfo® rapid test. The face-to-face interview consisted of administration of a questionnaire containing registration data, sociodemographic and economic variables, living habits, general health condition, mental health, sleep habits, and eating and nutrition. Results: We evaluated 1,762 residents, of which 764 (43.4%) were in Mariana and 998 (56.6%) in Ouro Preto. For both cities, 51.9% of the interviewees were female, with a predominance of the age range 35 to 59 years old (47.2%). The prevalence of the SARS-CoV-2 infection was 5.5% in all cities, 6.2% in Ouro Preto, and 4.7% in Mariana. The prevalence was similar between cities (P>0.05). Conclusion: The study was effective in verifying the seroprevalence of infection by the virus and its findings will enable further analyses of the health conditions of the population related to social isolation and the risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2.

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Objective: To evaluate energetic contribution according to the degree of industrial food processing and its association with sociodemographic, anthropometric, biochemical, clinical and behavioural characteristics in adolescents. Design: Cross-sectional study (Adolescent Lifestyle Study). Food consumption was assessed using 24-h dietary recalls, with foods classified by degree of industrial progressing. The usual diet was estimated using the Multiple Source Method. In a linear regression model, the energy percentage (E %) was associated with sociodemographic, anthropometric, biochemical, clinical and behavioural characteristics, after adjustment for sex and age. Setting: Juiz de Fora, Brazil. Participants: Eight hundred and four adolescents, of both sexes, 14–19 years of age, enrolled in public schools. Results: The E % of unprocessed or minimally processed foods corresponded to 43·1 %, processed foods to 11·0 % and the ultraprocessed foods to 45·9 %. E % of unprocessed foods was associated with socio-economic stratum (adjusted β = −0·093; P = 0·032), neck circumference (adjusted β = 0·017; P = 0·049), screen time (adjusted β = −0·247; P = 0·036) and HDL-cholesterol (adjusted β = −0·156; P = 0·003). E % of ultraprocessed foods was associated with socio-economic stratum (adjusted β = 0·118; P = 0·011), screen time (adjusted β = 0·375; P = 0·003), BMI (adjusted β = −0·029; P = 0·025), neck circumference (adjusted β = −0·017; P = 0·028) and HDL-cholesterol (adjusted β = 0·150; P = 0·002). Conclusions: There was a high E % of ultraprocessed foods in the diet of the adolescents. Actions are needed to raise the awareness of adopting healthy eating habits.

Objective: Because SARS-CoV-2 infection can severely affect the lungs and persistent functional changes can occur after severe disease, we aimed to determine lung function parameters of COVID-19 patients at 45 days after hospital discharge and compare changes according to the severity of the disease. Methods: This was a prospective descriptive analytical multicenter study. The participants were allocated into three groups: ward admission (WA) group; ICU admission not on mechanical ventilation (ICU/MV-) group; and ICU admission on MV (ICU/MV+) group. Lung volumes, DLco, MIP, MEP, and six-minute walk distance (6MWD) were measured 45 days after discharge. Results: The sample comprised 242 patients (mean age = 59.4 ± 14.8 years; 52.1% of males), and 232 (96%) had altered lung function. In the total cohort, restrictive disorder was observed in 96%, as well as reductions in DLco (in 21.2% of the patients), FEV1/FVC (in 39.7%), and PEmax (in 95.8%), with no differences between the groups. Comparing the groups, the ICU/MV+ group had reduced DLco in 50% of the patients (p < 0.001) and a lower mean 6MWD % of the predicted value (p = 0.013). Oxygen desaturation in the six-minute walk test was observed in 32.3% of the cohort and was less frequent in the IE group. Conclusions: This is the first South American study involving severe COVID-19 survivors whose lung function was assessed 45 days after hospital discharge. Changes were frequent, especially in those on MV, which highlights the importance of lung function evaluation after severe COVID-19.