The objective of this study was to evaluate factors associated with women's satisfaction with vaginal delivery at the Leila Diniz Maternity Hospital in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A cross-sectional study was conducted from March 1 to 30, 1999, using interviews with women who had undergone vaginal delivery. In order to analyze women's satisfaction, the following were used: (a) a scale to evaluate overall satisfaction with the birthing process; (b) description of the woman's reasons for this evaluation; and (c) analysis of factors associated with the evaluation of childbirth satisfaction. Chi-square for trend with a 5% significance level was used to analyze the results. The results of the study showed high satisfaction with childbirth care (67%), determined mainly by short labor time, good treatment by staff, low level of distress, absence of complications for the mother and baby, and presence of a family companion. The study also verified the association between women's satisfaction with information received during perinatal care and positive perceptions of the professionals responsible for providing care.

Protein reengineering of cellular retinoic acid binding protein II (CRABPII) has yielded a genetically addressable system, capable of binding a profluorophoric chromophore that results in fluorescent protein/chromophore complexes. These complexes exhibit far-red emission, with high quantum efficiencies and brightness and also exhibit excellent pH stability spanning the range of 2–11. In the course of this study, it became evident that single mutations of L121E and R59W were most effective in improving the fluorescent characteristics of CRABPII mutants as well as the kinetics of complex formation. The readily crystallizable nature of these proteins was invaluable to provide clues for the observed spectroscopic behavior that results from single mutation of key residues.

This study describes the work performed by garbage collectors in the Rio de Janeiro City Street Cleaning Company (COMLURB) (Rio Comprido division) and its consequences

This text presents the results of a study aimed to address the discourses on obesity control published in the magazine

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ResumoTrata-se de estudo descritivo e exploratório baseado na análise das taxas de mortalidade padronizadas por aids no Brasil entre 1982 a 2002. A análise do perfil de mortalidade por aids contemplou as seguintes variáveis do Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade: sexo; faixa etária; estado civil; escolaridade; e ocupação habitual. Os resultados evidenciaram queda da mortalidade a partir de 1996, ano de introdução do tratamento com anti-retrovirais pelo serviço público de saúde, embora haja importante desaceleração dessa queda nos três últimos anos. A redução da taxa de mortalidade é mais expressiva no sexo masculino que no feminino; e os adultos jovens e os de menor nível socioeconômico são, ainda, os mais afetados. Concluiu-se que a desaceleração da queda da mortalidade por aids no país sugere a necessidade de aumento do acesso ao diagnóstico precoce e à assistência, melhoria da qualidade da atenção de quem vive com HIV/aids e aprimoramento dos sistemas de vigilância epidemiológica e monitoramento dos óbitos por aids, para um controle mais efetivo da epidemia.Palavras-chave: mortalidade; vigilância; aids; monitoramento. Summary This descriptive and exploratory study was based on the analysis of AIDS standardized mortality rates in Brazil along the period of 1982 to 2002. The analysis of the AIDS mortality profile considered the following variables of the

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This study evaluates access by people living with HIV/AIDS to pharmaceutical care provided by public health care facilities in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, focusing on availability, accessibility, and accommodation. The evaluation was conducted using the implementation analysis approach, assessing the process of producing intervention outcomes, considering its relationship to the organizational context. A case study was performed in 11 public health facilities selected according to: different health program areas; diverse levels of complexity; and more than 100 HIV/AIDS patients registered. The degree of implementation (89%) was considered acceptable. Problems with human resources skills and lack of a quality program were identified. Some limitations of the indicators are discussed. Finally, the study highlights the importance of this kind of evaluation as a methodology for continuous monitoring of quality in pharmaceutical care.