Positive self-rated health in the elderly: a population-based study in the South of Brazil Autopercepção positiva de saúde em idosos: estudo populacional no Sul do Brasil Autopercepción positiva de salud en ancianos: estudio poblacional en el Sur de Brasil

The prevalence of urinary incontinence was high among the investigated elderly. Sociodemographic variables and those related to lifestyle and health conditions were associated with higher prevalence of urinary incontinence. Knowledge of the factors associated with urinary incontinence in aged individuals can guide actions to reduce and prevent this important issue, which affects the elderly.

O objetivo foi estimar a prevalência e investigar os fatores associados à pressão arterial elevada, seu conhecimento e tratamento em idosos de Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brasil. Trata-se de estudo transversal de base populacional e amostra complexa. A pressão arterial elevada foi definida pela medida do nível pressórico ou uso de anti-hipertensivo, ou diagnóstico prévio. A associação dos desfechos com as variáveis independentes foi verificada pela regressão de Poisson. Foram entrevistados 1.705 idosos. Desses, 84,6% apresentaram pressão arterial elevada, 77,5% estavam cientes da doença e 79,1% a tratavam. A prevalência associou-se à dependência funcional e idade e índice de massa corporal (IMC) elevados. Idosos do sexo feminino, idade e IMC elevados, pior percepção em saúde e consulta médica recente estavam mais cientes da doença. O tratamento associou-se a sexo masculino, dependência funcional, pior percepção em saúde e consulta médica recente. Ainda que políticas públicas em saúde devam ser universais, é preciso considerar a desigual distribuição da pressão arterial elevada na população, direcionando-se ações de prevenção, diagnóstico e garantia de tratamento.

The perceived environment may affect walking for specific purposes among older adults. Investments in the environment may increase physical activity levels of older adults in Brazil.

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of violence among the elderly and to analyze its association with demographic, socioeconomic and health conditions. Method: A cross sectional population-based study was conducted of 1,705 individuals aged 60 years or older living in the city of Florianópolis in the state of Santa Catarina, between 2009 to 2010. Verbal, psychological, physical and financial violence was evaluated with a questionnaire used in the Pesquisa Saúde Bem-estar e Envelhecimento (Health and Wellbeing in Aging Survey) (SABE). Prevalence was calculated for each type of violence and the overall prevalence of violence was identified using the categories of the explanatory variables. Logistic regression was used to identify the factors associated with violence. Results: The general prevalence of violence was approximately 13.0%, while verbal violence occurred among 11.0% of respondents. The adjusted analysis showed that being female (OR=2.08) and elderly persons who were single or divorced were 66% more likely to suffer violence. Those who lived with their children or grandchildren were twice as likely to suffer violence (95% CI: 1:40 to 3:40). Conclusions: Although the results showed that the prevalence of violence against the elderly was greater than predicted by the WHO, we suspect that this number may be even higher. Due to the complexity of the theme, it is possible that elderly persons are afraid to reveal that they are victims of violence, as in most cases, the aggressors are family members.Keywords: elderly; violence; domestic violence; abuse of the elderly; violence against the elderly; cross-sectional studies.http://dx

O objetivo foi identificar os fatores associados à realização anual de mamografia em mulheres de 40 a 69 anos residentes em Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brasil. Os dados foram obtidos em dois inquéritos populacionais, um com adultas e outro com idosas, em 2009-2010. Foi estimada a prevalência de realização anual de mamografia e se empregou regressão univariada e multivariada de Poisson para identificar os fatores associados. Participaram do estudo 447 adultas e 510 idosas. A prevalência de realização anual entre adultas foi 43,5% (IC95%: 38,8-48,2), e possuir plano de saúde privado aumentou esta prevalência. Para as idosas, 38,3% (IC95%: 34,0-42,6) realizaram mamografia anual e os fatores associados foram ter companheiro, mais de cinco anos de estudo e pertencer ao quartil de renda mais alto. A utilização do exame de mamografia deve ser independente de qualquer condicionante social, em qualquer faixa etária, promovendo assim redução da mortalidade por câncer de mama.

Improving the neighborhood built environment is an important step for achieving higher levels of walking in the elderly population in a middle-income country.

OBJECTIVE To describe the sample plan, operational aspects, and strategies used in the 2009/2010 and 2013/2014 EpiFloripa Aging Study.METHODS The EpiFloripa Aging is a population-based longitudinal study with 1,705 older adults (60 years or more) living in the municipality of Florianópolis, State of Santa Catarina, Brazil, in 2009/2010 (baseline). The research was conducted with a face-to-face interviews, organized into blocks of identification, socioeconomic, mental health, health and life habits, global functionality, falls, physical activity, morbidities, use of health services, use of medications, food, oral health, and violence, evaluated in the first (2009/2010) and in the second wave (2013/2014). Additionally, in the second wave, we investigated the issue of discrimination and quality of life.RESULTS The response rate of the first wave was 89.2% (n = 1,705). The baseline sample, with predominance of women (63.9%), was similar to the 2010 Census regarding age for women and slightly different for younger men. In the second wave, 1,197 participants were interviewed (response rate of 70.3%). Follow-up losses were only observed for the variable age group (p = 0.003), and predominantly for those aged 80 years or more. Mortality data linkage and active search for participants were used as a follow-up strategies.CONCLUSIONS This study used strategies that were able to help locate the participants and maintain adherence, which ensured a good response rate during investigations.