Background:To estimate the prevalence of and identify factors associated with physical activity in leisure, transportation, occupational, and household settings.Methods:This was a cross-sectional study aimed at investigating living and health conditions among the population of São Paulo, Brazil. Data on 1318 adults aged 18 to 65 years were used. To assess physical activity, the long version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire was applied. Multivariate analysis was conducted using a hierarchical model.Results:The greatest prevalence of insufficient activity related to transportation (91.7%), followed by leisure (77.5%), occupational (68.9%), and household settings (56.7%). The variables associated with insufficient levels of physical activity in leisure were female sex, older age, low education level, nonwhite skin color, smoking, and self-reported poor health; in occupational settings were female sex, white skin color, high education level, self-reported poor health, nonsmoking, and obesity; in transportation settings were female sex; and in household settings, with male sex, separated, or widowed status and high education level.Conclusion:Physical activity in transportation and leisure settings should be encouraged. This study will serve as a reference point in monitoring different types of physical activities and implementing public physical activity policies in developing countries.

The prevalence of common mental disorders has increased in many countries. Cases are often not identified and adequately treated because traditional health care services are rarely prepared to deal with this problem. The Family Health Program (FHP) has been implemented in Brazil since 1995-1996 and provides a new primary health care model with the potential for better care for these patients. This study investigates common mental disorders prevalence according to FHP coverage and associated socio-demographic factors. A large health and health care survey was conducted from January to March 2001 in areas partly covered by the FHP in a peripheral area of the city of Sao Paulo and included common mental disorders screening in 2,337 individuals > 15 years of age. There was no significant difference in common mental disorders prevalence according to FHP. Common mental disorders prevalence was significantly higher among females (PR = 1.34), elderly (PR = 1.56), and individuals with lower income (PR = 2.64) or less schooling (PR = 2.83). Common mental disorders was associated with indicators of social disadvantage, implying the need to focus on specific health problems and risk groups to improve the impact of care.

The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of reported hypertension among the elderly in Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil, identifying related factors, the use of healthcare services, and knowledge and practices related to treatment options. This was a cross-sectional population-based study, with stratified clustered multiple-stage sampling. Data analysis for the 426 individuals (60 years of age and older) considered the sampling design and outlining effect. Hypertension prevalence was 51.8% (46.4% in men and 55.9% in women) and was higher among the elderly with less education (55.9%), immigrants from other States (60.2%), and the overweight or obese (57.2%). The results indicate that healthcare services are ensuring access to medical care (71.6% have regular physician appointments) and medication (86.7% take their routine medication), without distinction as to socioeconomic status. However, social inequalities persist in knowledge and use of other measures to control blood pressure, like appropriate diet and exercise, which are also underused by more privileged socioeconomic strata.

OBJECTIVE To analyze the use of health services in the Brazilian population by sociodemographic factors, according to data from the 2013 Brazilian National Health Survey.METHODS The study analyzed data from 205,000 Brazilian citizens in all age groups who participated in the Brazilian National Health Survey, a cross-sectional study carried out in 2013. Prevalence and confidence intervals were estimated for indicators related to access to and use of health services according to age group, level of education of head of household, and Brazilian macroregions.RESULTS Among individuals who sought health services in the two weeks prior to the survey, 95.3% (95%CI 94.9–95.8) received care in their first visit. Percentages were higher in the following groups: 60 years of age and over; head of household with complete tertiary education; living in the South and Southeast regions. In addition, 82.5% (95%CI 81.2–83.7) of individuals who received health care and prescriptions were able to obtain all the necessary medicines, 1/3 of them from SUS. Less than half the Brazilian population (44.4%; 95%CI 43.8–45.1) visited a dentist in the 12 months prior to the survey, with smaller percentages among the following groups: 60 years of age or older; head of household with no education or up to incomplete elementary; living in the North region of Brazil.CONCLUSIONS People living in the South and Southeast regions still have greater access to health services, as do those whose head of household has a higher level of education. The (re)formulation of health policies to reduce disparities should consider differences encountered between regions and social levels.

The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of self-reported

The study detected a high prevalence of chronic diseases among the elderly population and found that the degree of impact on HRQOL depends on the type of disease. The results highlight the importance of preventing and controlling chronic diseases in order to reduce the number of comorbidities and lessen their impact on HRQOL among the elderly.

This study analyzes the prevalence of non-submittal to Pap smears according to socioeconomic, demographic, and health-related behavioral variables in women 40 years or older in Campinas, São Paulo State. This was a cross-sectional population-based study with a sample of 290 women. Based on multivariate analysis, factors associated with not having Pap smears were: age (40-59 years), race/ethnicity (black or mixed-race), and schooling (< 4 years). The following reasons were cited for not having Pap smears: considered unnecessary (43.5%), embarrassment (28.1%), and barriers related to health services (13.7%). The Unified National Health System performed 43.2% of the reported Pap smears. Health services should promote more equitable access to the health care system and improve the quality of care for women, since Pap smears are an effective tool against cervical cancer. The study confirmed that women's failure to obtain Pap smears is associated with social and racial inequality, placing these women at increased risk of cervical cancer.

ResumoObjetivo: Descrever o aumento do risco para aquisição de doenças infecciosas associado ao cuidado da criança fora do domicílio e a efetividade das medidas de controle para a prevenção da transmissão de doenças nas creches e pré-escolas. Fontes dos dados: Revisão das bases de dados MEDLINE, LILACS eCochrane Library, através dos descritores creches, infecção, controle de infecção e doenças infecciosas, focalizada em estudos que comparam o risco de doença infecciosa em crianças cuidadas dentro e fora de casa, associam o risco às características do cuidado fora de casa e avaliam a efetividade de medidas de prevenção. Síntese dos dados:As crianças cuidadas em creches ou pré-escolas apresentam risco de adquirir infecções aumentado em até duas a três vezes, com impacto na saúde individual e na disseminação das doenças à comunidade. O risco está associado, entre outros fatores, às características das creches, e medidas de prevenção simples são efetivas para diminuir a transmissão de doenças. Entre estas, recomenda-se: lavagem apropriada das mãos após exposição; utilização de precauções padrão; rotina padronizada para troca e descarte de fraldas usadas, localização e limpeza da área de troca, limpeza e desinfecção de áreas contaminadas; uso de lenços descartáveis para assoar o nariz; funcionários e área exclusivos para a manipulação de alimentos; notificação das doenças infecciosas; treinamento de funcionários e orientação dos pais. Conclusões:Diante da utilização crescente de creches e pré-escolas e da associação com risco aumentado de adquirir infecções, medidas de controle são imprescindíveis para a prevenção e controle das doenças transmissíveis.J Pediatr (Rio J). 2007;83(4):299-312: Creches, infecção, controle de infecção, doenças infecciosas. AbstractObjective: To describe the increased risk of acquiring infectious diseases associated with out-of-home childcare and the effectiveness of measures for the control and prevention of diseases transmission at daycare and preschool education centers. Sources: A review of literature in the MEDLINE, LILACS andCochrane Library databases, found using the descriptors daycare, infection, infection control and infectious diseases and focusing on studies that have compared the risk of infectious diseases for children cared for in and out of the home, related risk to the type of out-of-home care and assessed the effectiveness of preventative measures. Summary of the findings:Children cared for at daycare or in preschool education exhibit a two to three times greater risk of acquiring