The objective of this cross-sectional study is to examine the association between religious involvement and tobacco use in a large representative sample of users of primary healthcare units of Ribeirão Preto, Southeast Brazil. Current and past smoking habits were determined among 1055 users of primary healthcare units. Participants' religiosity was measured using the DUREL questionnaire. The prevalence of smoking among men was 16.8% [95% confidence interval (CI) 12.0-22.5] and among women was 12.6% (95% CI 10.4-15.0). Among the current smokers, 40.9% were light smokers, 24.6% were moderate smokers, and 34.5% were heavy smokers. The mean number of cigarettes smoked per day was 13.5. Respondents who have a religion had a lower smoking prevalence than people who had no religion. Current smoking prevalence tended to be higher among people who do not practice their religion than people who practice their religion. Smoking status is also associated with self-reported religiosity, organizational religious activity and some aspects of intrinsic religiosity. Religiosity is an important factor in influencing the smoking behavior in Brazilian users of the public health services.

Objective To assess the psychometric properties of the Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey (MOS-SSS) considering a sample of elderly users of the primary healthcare facilities of Ribeirão Preto, state of São Paulo, southeast Brazil. Methods The MOS-SSS is a widely used measurement of social support in different contexts, consisting of 19 items with answer categories that range on a 7-point rating scale. Data collection regarding the psychometric properties of the MOS-SSS was performed in a stratified sample of elderly users of primary healthcare facilities of Ribeirão Preto. Data were collected at five district basic health units located in the city through face-to-face interviews. Polychoric correlation matrix and exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory (CFA) factor analyses were performed. Results A total of 357 elderly subjects aged 60 years or older participated in the study (62.7% females). According to the polychoric correlation matrix, higher coefficients of correlation (> 0.90) were detected among 12 pairs of items and grouped into four factors, as suggested for EFA. The results of the CFA confirmed the construct validity of the four-factor structure of the MOS-SSS when applied to our sample, as well as the stability of this model in distinct subsamples. Conclusion The four-factor structure of the MOS-SSS was found to be suitable and presented adequate construct validity for the assessment of social support in elderly users of primary healthcare facilities.

Background A number of studies have been reported on the role of religiosity in health beliefs and behaviors. Objective The objective of this cross-sectional study is to examine the association between religious involvement and patterns of alcohol consumption in a large representative sample of users of primary healthcare facilities in Ribeirão Preto, Southeast Brazil. Method Data were collected through personal interviews. Religiosity was measured using the Duke University Religion Index (DUREL) and the alcohol consumption was measured using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) questionnaire. Multinomial logistic regression models were used to evaluate the associations between the participant characteristics, the AUDIT risk levels, and the drinking groups. Results The sample was composed of 841 women with a mean age of 39.5 years old and 214 men with a mean age of 45.1 years old. A significant relationship between patterns of alcohol consumption and the multiple dimensions of religiosity was detected, such as religious affiliation, religious practices, self-perception of the level of religiosity and the ORA, NORA and IR components of DUREL. Lower levels of drinking risk were detected among religious individuals and among those who practice their religions compared to individuals who have no religion and/or non-practicing individuals, respectively. Conclusion A lifestyle motivated by religious concerns is associated with alcohol use habits among the Brazilian users of the public healthcare facilities.

The objective of this cross-sectional study was to estimate the self-reported prevalence of falls among elderly users (older than 60 years) of the Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil, primary healthcare services in the past six months and to identify associated factors. Data were collected from five healthcare districts by means of personal interviews with the users while they waited for the appointment. Log-binomial regression models adjusted for confounding variables and prevalence ratios were used to measure the association between independent and dependent variables. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), adapted to elderly, was used to assess their physical activity. A total of 357 adults were interviewed, with 62.7% being women and mean age of 69.9 years old. The prevalence rates of falls in the past six months were 19.6% (95%CI: 13.2–27.3) and 32.6% (95%CI: 26.4–39.2), respectively, for men and women. e prevalence of falls among users with lower level of physical activity was 2.3 times higher than that among those with higher level of physical activity (RP = 2.3; 95%CI: 1.4–3.8) after adjustment for gender, age group and socio-economical class. In conclusion, falls are frequent among the elderly and the practice of physical activities can improve their health condition, thus preventing the occurrence of falls.

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to estimate the prevalence of self-reportedhypertension and diabetes among elderly users of primary healthcare facilities in Ribeirão Preto, Brazil, and to investigate the association between these chronic conditions and physical activity and the degree of independence on the performance of activities of daily living. The study included 357 subjects aged 60 years or older. The classification of physical activity was based on the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and the Pfeffer FunctionalActivities Questionnaire (PFAQ) was applied to assess activities of daily living. Prevalence of diabetes was associated with the level of physical activity, the self-perception of health and the degree of independence on the performance of activities of daily living. No significant associations were found between the prevalence of hypertension and these variables. These findings reinforce the relevance of continuous strategies of management of diabetes in the primary healthcare facilities based on the promotion of physical and occupational activities.

ABSTRACT. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to estimate the prevalence of self-reported hypertension and diabetes among the users of primary health care services of Southeast Ribeirão Preto, State of São Paulo, Brazil, and to identify variables which may be associated with these chronic conditions. A stratified sample of 1,055 adult individuals was surveyed, with the resulting associations being examined by using log-binomial regression models and then expressed as prevalence ratios (PRs). The prevalence of self-reported hypertension among women was 20.2% (95%CI: 17.5-23.1) and among men was 29.0% (95%CI: 22.9-35.5), while the prevalence of self-reported diabetes among women was 6.9% (95%CI: 5.2-8.8) and among men was 12.2% (95% CI: 8.1-17.3). The prevalence of both conditions increases significantly with age. Crude and adjusted PRs indicate no association between socioeconomic status and the self-reported chronic conditions. Keywords: multiple chronic conditions, health services, cross-sectional studies.Prevalência de diabetes e hipertensão arterial autorreferidas entre usuários de serviços de atenção primária de saúde RESUMO. O objetivo deste estudo transversal foi estimar a prevalência de hipertensão e diabetes autorreferidas entre os usuários dos serviços de atenção primária à saúde de Ribeirão Preto, sudoeste do Brasil, e identificar variáveis que possam estar associadas a estas condições crônicas. Uma amostra estratificada de 1.055 adultos foi utilizada. Associações foram examinadas por modelos de regressão logbinomial e expressas por razões de prevalência (RPs). A prevalência de hipertensão autorreferida entre as mulheres foi 20,2% (IC95%: 17,5 -23,1) e entre homens foi 29,0% (IC95%: 22,9 -35,5). A prevalência de diabetes entre as mulheres foi 6,9% (IC95%: 5,2 -8,8) e entre homens foi 12,2% (IC 95%: 8,1 -17,3). A prevalência de ambas as condições cresceu significativamente com a idade. RPs brutas e ajustadas não indicaram associação entre o estado socioeconômico e as condições autorreferidas.Palavras-chave: condições de saúde crônicas múltiplas, serviços de saúde, estudos transversais.

A fisioterapia ocupa um papel importante na promoção da saúde e da autonomia para os idosos, e o sistema de atenção à saúde deve estar apto a oferecer suporte adequado para as pessoas desta faixa etária. Objetivo: Determinar a prevalência de uso de fisioterapia entre idosos (60 anos ou mais) usuários de serviços de atenção primária à saúde de Ribeirão Preto, Brasil, e investigar suas associações com variáveis como sexo, idade, nível educacional e classe socioeconômica. Métodos: Os dados foram coletados por entrevistas pessoais. Os idosos foram convidados a participar do estudo enquanto aguardavam por um atendimento médico em uma unidade de saúde. Modelos de regressão log-binomiais foram utilizados para ajustar os dados. A amostra foi composta por 224 (63%) mulheres e 133 (37%) homens. Resultados: Ao todo, 141 (39,5%) idosos relataram ter usado fisioterapia em algum momento de suas vidas. A prevalência de utilização da fisioterapia entre as mulheres foi de 42,0% (IC 95%: 35,4%-48,7%) e entre homens foi de 35,3% (IC 95%: 27,2%-44,1%). A utilização de fisioterapia foi mais frequente entre pessoas idosas portadoras de plano de saúde, classe socioeconômica mais privilegiada e maior escolaridade. Isto sugere que grupos mais privilegiados da população possuem maior acesso à fisioterapia e maior possibilidade de pagar por atendimento que pessoas sem cobertura de planos de saúde. Conclusão: A participação de fisioterapeutas na atenção primária à saúde deve ser encorajada, objetivando reduzir as desigualdades no acesso a tais recursos.

The physiotherapy has an important role in the health promotion and autonomy for the elderly, and the healthcare system should be able to provide adequate support for older age groups. Objective: The objectives of this cross-sectional study were to determine the lifetime prevalence of physiotherapy utilization among elderly users (60 years of age or more) of primary healthcare facilities in Ribeirão Preto, Brazil, and to investigate its association with variables such as sex, age, educational level and socioeconomic status. Methods: Data were collected during face-to-face interviews. Participants were invited to participate in the study while they waited for their medical appointment in a primary healthcare facility. Log-binomial regression models were used for adjusting the data. The sample was composed of 224 (63%) women and 133 (37%) men. Results: Overall, 141 (39.5%) individuals reported undertaking physiotherapy sessions some time along their lifetimes. The prevalence of physiotherapy utilization among women was 42.0% (95% CI: 35.4 - 48.7) and among men was 35.3% (95% CI: 27.2 - 44.1). The utilization of physiotherapy was more frequent among elderlies who had health insurance coverage, higher socioeconomic status and higher educational level. This suggests that some groups of population have more access to physiotherapy due to a higher capacity to pay for healthcare when compared to uninsured people. Conclusion: The participation of physiotherapists in the primary care setting should be encouraged, in order to reduce inequalities in access to such resources.