The accelerated aging of the Brazilian population will certainly increase the number of institutionalized elderly. Based on this focus, this descriptive and exploratory study was carried out at three asylum institutions in Natal (RN), Brazil, with a view to characterizing the elderly living there, as well as identifying the socioeconomic and health problems and causes that took them to the asylum. The sample consisted of 30% of the total number of elderly in each asylum. These are philanthropic institutions and give shelter to poor elderly persons. Results showed that the three institutions' socioeconomic and health characteristics were similar to what is found in literature, with few financial conditions, family contact marked by conflict, lack or absence of leisure activities, precarious health, restricted medical and nursing care and absence of private health plans. Our reflections on the socioeconomic and health conditions of these persons led to the conclusion that public bodies need to take actions to safeguard their civil rights.

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The study objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of non-pharmacological strategies to relieve pain in parturients in labor. This is a before and after therapeutic intervention clinical trial, performed at a public maternity in the city of Natal, in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, with 100 parturients applying breathing exercises, muscle relaxation, lumbosacral massage, and showers. A visual analogue scale was used for data collection. Most parturients were between 20- and 30-years-old (60%), had incomplete primary-level education (85%), family income of up to 2 minimum salaries (74%), and 78% had a companion with them at the hospital. Oxytocine was administered in 81% of cases, but 15% did not receive any medication. A significant difference was observed in pain relief after using non-pharmacological strategies, showing reduced pain as cervix dilation increased. It was concluded that the strategies were effective in reducing the intensity of pain in the studied parturients in labor.

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OBJECTIVES: to compare the quality of life of patients with chronic venous disease with and without ulcer and to identify the most affected aspects. METHOD: cross-sectional study with a sample of 204 patients with chronic venous disease. The quality of life was assessed with the help of the SF-36 questionnaire. To compare the scores between the groups, the Mann-Whitney test was used, considering a statistically significant difference when p<0.05. RESULTS: the quality of life score of patients with ulcer was lower when compared to that of patients without ulcer, in all domains and dimensions of the SF-36, particularly in the domains physical aspect and functional capacity, with very low scores. CONCLUSION: all aspects of quality of life were more compromised in people with ulcers. These findings can contribute towards a better understanding of the effects of chronic venous disease on the quality of life and towards a better orientation of therapeutic interventions in this population.

RESUMOTrata-se de uma pesquisa descritiva quantitativa, desenvolvida em uma Unidade Básica de Saúde em Natal/RN, objetivando identificar o conhecimento de mulheres quanto à importância, à freqüência do exame de Papanicolau, bem como seus cuidados antes de realizá-lo e causas que levam mulheres a não se submeterem a tal exame. Utilizou-se uma entrevista estruturada na coleta de dados antes da consulta ginecológica, com uma amostra intencional de 120 mulheres. Os resultados mostram que as pesquisadas conhecem a importância do exame, a maioria realiza-o anualmente e, no geral, apresentam conhecimento satisfatório sobre os cuidados antes do exame. A vergonha de fazer o exame de Papanicolau e o medo do seu resultado são as principais causas atribuídas para a sua não realização. Conclui-se que os projetos educativos sejam direcionados para a importância, a freqüência e os cuidados necessários antes do exame de Papanicolau, como também, para a interação profissionalcliente durante a consulta ginecológica, visando a reduzir a vergonha e o medo dessas mulheres. DESCRITORES Enfermagem. Saúde da mulher. Esfregaço vaginal. ABSTRACTThis is a descriptive quantitative research carried out at a Basic Health Unit in Natal, State of Rio Grande do Norte, aimed at measuring the knowledge that women have on the importance of the Pap test and the frequency in which they undertake it, as well as how they prepare themselves to undertake it and the causes that lead women to not submit to it. For data collection a structured interview prior to the gynecologic consultation was used, with an intentional sample of 120 women. The results show that the surveyed women are aware of the importance of the test, that most of them undertake it annually and that they generally have satisfactory knowledge as for the care they must take prior to undertaking it. Embarrassment and fear of the results are the main causes associated with the refusal to undertake the test. It can be concluded that the educative projects are to be focused on the importance, the frequency and the care that must be taken prior to the test, as well as on the professionalclient interaction during the gynecologic consultation, with the aim of reducing women's embarrassment and fear. KEY WORDSNursing. Women's health. Vaginal smears. RESUMENSe trata de una investigación descriptiva cuantitativa, desarrollada en una Unidad Básica de Salud en Natal/RN, con el objetivo de identificar el conocimiento de las mujeres en cuanto a la importancia y frecuencia del examen de Papanicolau, así como sus cuidados antes de realizárselo y causas que las llevan a no someterse a tal examen. Se utilizó una entrevista estructurada en la recolección de datos antes de la consulta ginecológica, con una muestra intencional de 120 mujeres. Los resultados muestran que las investigadas conocen la importancia del examen, la mayoría lo realiza anualmente y, en general, presentan conocimiento satisfactorio sobre los cuidados antes del examen. La vergüenza de hacerse el examen de Papanicolau y el miedo de su res...

A transversal descriptive quantitative study, conducted with 50 people with Venous Ulcer (VU) at an University Hospital, that aimed to ascertain the level of psychosocial adaptation of the Roy Model of people with VU. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee. The data were collected with a structured form. After organizing the data, composed of changes in the lives of people with VU, we classified it according to Roy's psychosocial aspects. We found that in the self-concept mode, 36% felt dissatisfied with physical appearance, and 18% had negative feelings; in the role-function mode: change in the working role (52.0%), housework (34.0%), marital (6.0%), leisure, pain, social, educational and transportation restrictions (82.0%); interdependence mode: support in treatment (82.0%), discrimination (58.0%). The identification of the psychosocial aspects directs nursing actions to consider the whole of the person receiving care in its relations with the environment, thus promoting a better level of adaptation.

RESUMO RESUMO RESUMO RESUMO RESUMO Este estudo teve por objetivo analisar a influência da dor quanto à duração, localização e intensidade na capacidade funcional de idosos institucionalizados. Trata-se de um estudo tansversal a partir de uma amostra de 60 idosos. O instrumento foi composto por variáveis sociodemográficas, de saúde, escala numérica de dor e Índice de Barthel. Com a aplicação do Teste Qui-quadrado verificou-se diferença estatística significante entre presença de dor e as atividades: banho (p=0,015) vestir-se (p=0,041), transferência para higiene intima (p=0,001), transferência cama e cadeira (p=0,032), deambulação (p=0,010) e subir escadas (p=0,008) e a pontuação do Índice de Barthel e presença de dor, p<0,000. Diante dos resultados deste estudo constatou-se que a dor interfere de maneira negativa na capacidade funcional dos idosos. Descritores: Descritores: Descritores: Descritores: Descritores: Idoso; Dor; Atividades cotidianas. ABSTRACT ABSTRACT ABSTRACT ABSTRACT ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of pain, in terms of its duration, location and intensity, on the functional capacity of institutionalized elderly. That was a cross-sectional study carried out with a sample of 60 elderly patients. The instrument was composed by sociodemographic and health variables, the numerical pain scale and the Barthel scale. The Chi-square test showed a significant statistical difference between the presence of pain and the following activities: bathing (p=0.015) dressing (p=0.041), toilet use (p=0.001), bed-chair transfer (p=0.032), ambulation (p=0.010) and stairs climbing (p=0.008) and between total Barthel score and the presence of pain, p<0,000. The results of this study show that pain has a negative effect on the functional capacity of the elderly. Descriptors: Descriptors: Descriptors: Descriptors: Descriptors: Elderly; Pain; Activities of daily living. RESUMEN RESUMEN RESUMEN RESUMEN RESUMEN Este estudio tuvo como objetivo analizar la influencia del dolor cuanto a su duración, localización e intensidad en la capacidad funcional de ancianos internados en instituciones. Se trata de un estudio descriptivo con delineación transversal y una muestra de 60 ancianos. El instrumento se basa en variables sociodemográficas, de salud, escala numérica de dolor e Índice de Barthel. Con la aplicación del Test Chi-cuadrado se verificó que hay diferencia estadística significativa entre la presencia de dolor en las actividades: baño (p=0,015) vestirse (p=0,041), traslado para labores de higiene intima (p=0,001), traspaso a cama y silla (p=0,032), locomoción (p=0,010) y subir escaleras (p=0,008) y entre la puntuación total de Barthel y presencia de dolor, p<0,000. A la vista de los resultados de este estudio se constata que el dolor interfiere de manera negativa en la capacidad funcional de los ancianos. Descriptores Descriptores Descriptores Descriptores Descriptores: Anciano; Dolor; Actividades cotidianas. Submissão INTRODUÇÃO INTRODUÇÃO INTRODUÇÃO INTRODUÇÃO INTRODUÇÃOO crescente processo de en...