Sexual violence against women is a form of gender violence and both a severe human rights violation and public health problem. This ecological, descriptive, and temporal series study aims to analyze sexual violence against pre-adolescent, adolescent, and adult females in Santa Catarina State, Brazil, based on data from the Information System for Notifiable Diseases, in order to describe the characteristics of cases of sexual violence perpetrated against women, reported by health professionals from 2008 a 2013. A total of 15,508 cases of violence were reported, including 2,010 cases of sexual violence (12.9%). Cases of violence totaled 950 reports in the 10 to 14 year bracket (47.3%), 450 in the 15 to 19 year bracket (22.4%), and 610 (30.3%) in women 20 years or older (adults). Adolescent females suffered violence by a single aggressor, at home, at night, with vaginal penetration, and with greater tendency to repeated assault and pregnancy as a result. For females 10 to 14 and 15 to 19 years of age, the aggressors were unknown in 32.9% and 33.1% of the reports, respectively. Adult women were sexually assaulted either at home or on public byways, at night or in the early morning hours, by a single aggressor, with vaginal penetration in more than half of the cases, with more physical injuries, and with more subsequent suicide attempts. The information should contribute to awareness-raising of policymakers, health professionals, researchers, and health field professors concerning the importance of reporting violence in order to help develop interventions to prevent such violence against women.

Health literacy, a more complex concept than knowledge, is a required capacity to obtain, understand, integrate and act on health information [1], in order to enhance individual and community health, which is defined by different levels, according to the autonomy and personal capacitation in decision making [2]. Medium levels of Health literacy in an adolescent population were found in a study conducted in 2013/2014, being higher in sexual and reproductive health and lower in substance use. It was also noticed that the higher levels of health literacy were in the area adolescents refer to have receipt more health information. The health literacy competence with higher scores was communication skills, and the lower scores were in the capacity to analyze factors that influence health. Higher levels were also found in younger teenagers, but in a higher school level, confirming the importance of health education in these age and development stage. Adolescents seek more information in health professionals and parents, being friends more valued as a source information in older adolescents, which enhance the importance of peer education mainly in older adolescents [3]. As a set of competences based on knowledge, health literacy should be developed through education interventions, encompassing the cultural and social context of individuals, since the society, culture and education system where the individual is inserted can define the way the development and enforcement of the health literacy competences [4]. The valued sources of information should be taken into account, as well as needs of information in some topics referred by adolescents in an efficient health education. Schizophrenia is a serious and chronic mental illness which has a profound effect on the health and well-being related with the well-known nature of psychotic symptoms. The exercise has the potential to improve the life of people with schizophrenia improving physical health and alleviating psychiatric symptoms. However, most people with schizophrenia remains sedentary and lack of access to exercise programs are barriers to achieve health benefits. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of exercise on I) the type of intervention in mental health, II) in salivary levels of alpha-amylase and cortisol and serum levels of S100B and BDNF, and on III) the quality of life and selfperception of the physical domain of people with schizophrenia. The sample consisted of 31 females in long-term institutions in the Casa de Saúde Rainha Santa Isabel, with age between 25 and 63, and with diagnosis of schizophrenia according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR). Physical fitness was assessed by the six-minute walk distance test (6MWD). Biological variables were determined by ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay). Psychological variables were assessed using SF-36, PSPP-SCV, RSES and SWLS tests. Walking exercise has a positive impact on physical fitness (6MWD -p = 0.001) and physical components of the psychological test...

BackgroundDiabetic retinopathy (DR) is the major cause of blindness among working age adults. The aim of the study was to investigate risk factors for development of DR.MethodsA case–control study was performed based on data from 240 individuals (80 cases and 160 controls) attending the Outpatient Specialty Clinic of the University of South Santa Catarina (UNISUL), between Mar/2010 and May/2014. Data collection occurred through review of medical charts for presence or absence of DR, determined by an ophthalmologist. Study protocol included demographic characteristics, metabolic control, diabetes mellitus (DM) profile and comorbidities. Statistical analysis used Chi square test for qualitative variables and multivariate logistic regression analysis to select independent variables (SPSS®18.0 software). Odds ratio (OR) was used as measure of association. The study was approved by research ethics committee of UNISUL.ResultsMean age of group case was 59.5 years with a slight female predominance. Gender, age, body mass index were not associated with outcome. Individuals with poor glycemic control were more likely to DR (OR 3.83; 95 % CI 1.57–9.37). It was observed a positive relationship between duration of DM and DR, with higher chances in 11–15 years of disease (OR 7.52, 95 % CI 3.03–18.68) and >15 years (OR 9.01, 95 % CI 3.58–22.66). Regarding comorbidities, only diabetic nephropathy showed higher chance for DR (OR 3.32; 95 % CI 1.62–6.79).ConclusionsDiabetic patients after 10 years of disease with poor glycemic control and nephropathy have a higher chance of DR.

Objective: The translation and cross-cultural adaptation of a specific scoring instrument for the comprehensive control of asthma, the Asthma Control Scoring System (ACSS), for use in Brazil. Methods: The protocol included ten steps: acquisition of written permission from the author of the ACSS; translation of the instrument to Brazilian Portuguese, carried out by three separate translators; analysis and comparison of the three versions by a review committee; literal back-translation to English; review and harmonization of the back-translation; acquisition of the approval of the original author; review of the translation by specialists; cognitive debriefing: test of clarity to, understanding by, and acceptance of the target population (evaluation of the translation by 10 health care workers); second cognitive debriefing: review of the revised version by a second group of health care workers; and reconciliation and preparation of the final version by the review committee. Results: The Brazilian Portugueselanguage version of the ACSS showed clarity, understandability, and acceptability. The instrument was considered to be comprehensive because it includes the clinical manifestations of asthma, as well as the functional and inflammatory aspects of the disease. Conclusions: With the use of this careful methodology in the translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the ACSS, we have ensured its cultural adequacy for Brazil. The use of this instrument could facilitate future studies on asthma control.Keywords: Asthma/classification; Asthma/prevention & control; Questionnaires. ResumoObjetivo: Traduzir e adaptar culturalmente, para uso no Brasil, um instrumento específico de escore para o controle abrangente da asma, denominado Asthma Control Scoring System (ACSS). Métodos: O protocolo incluiu dez etapas: autorização escrita do autor do ACSS; tradução do instrumento para a língua portuguesa do Brasil por três tradutores; análise e comparação das três versões por um comitê revisor; retradução literal para o inglês; revisão e harmonização da retradução; aprovação do autor do ACSS; revisão da tradução por especialistas; desdobramento cognitivo: teste da clareza, compreensão e aceitabilidade junto à população alvo (avaliação da tradução por 10 profissionais da área da saúde); segundo desdobramento cognitivo: revisão da nova versão por um segundo grupo de profissionais da área de saúde; e reconciliação e elaboração da versão final pelo comitê revisor. Resultados: A versão do ACSS em português do Brasil apresentou clareza, compreensão e aceitabilidade. O instrumento foi considerado abrangente por englobar as manifestações clínicas, funcionais e inflamatórias da asma. Conclusões: Com o uso desta metodologia criteriosa empregada para a adaptação transcultural do ACSS, asseguramos sua adequação cultural para uso no Brasil. O uso desse instrumento poderá facilitar futuros estudos sobre o controle da asma. others by including airway inflammation as an additional determinant of asthma control. The ACSS includes three doma...

O estudo trata da análise da compreensão que as alunas do curso de graduação em enfermagem têm acerca dos significados da enfermagem enquanto profissão feminina, à luz das razões que as levaram a escolhê-la. O método é qualitativo e utiliza a representação social para análise dos dados. Os resultados mostram que a Enfermagem é percebida como uma profissão de amor ao próximo, uma forma de chegar perto de Deus, mas também como desafio e luta por uma profissão melhor.

Este artigo tem a intenção de iniciar um diálogo reflexivo sobre a enfermagem como ciência e como arte, contidas nas atividades dos enfermeiros, sejam elas de assistência, pesquisa e ensino. Baseado na ética e arte como forma de exercício do cuidar de enfermagem para a ação humana, este tem como objetivo contribuir para uma reflexão do "saber fazer" profissional de modo contextualizado, integralizado e atual.

Objetivo: O estudo objetiva conhecer os fatores associados à realização da episiotomia no parto vaginal. Metodologia: Estudo transversal envolvendo 330 partos, de janeiro/2012 a dezembro/2013. Estudou-se a associação das variáveis independentes com a realização da episiotomia por meio de cálculo de razões de prevalência e seus respectivos intervalos de confiança, com nível de significância p < 0,05. Resultados: Na amostra estudada, 224 (67,9%) pacientes não realizaram episiotomia e 106 (32,1%) realizaram o procedimento. A idade média foi de 22,9 (± 5,9) anos e a episiotomia foi mais realizada naquelas com idade inferior a 20 anos [RP 1,61 (IC 95% 1,15; 2,25)] (p = 0,005). As mulheres com mais de 8 anos completos de estudo foram significativamente mais submetidas à episiotomia que as demais [RP 2,34 (IC 95% 1,70; 3,22)] (p < 0,001). Conclusão: A realização da episiotomia nesta população ocorreu com maior prevalência nas parturientes mais jovens e com maior escolaridade.Descritores: Episiotomia; Fatores associados; Parto vaginalEVALUATION OF THE DETERMINANT FACTORS TO EPISIOTOMY IN VAGINAL DELIVERYObjective: This study aims to evaluate the factors associated with its performance in vaginal delivery. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional study carried out with 330 births, from January / 2012 to December / 2013. The association of the independente variables with episiotomy was calculated by prevalence ratios and their respective confidence intervals, with significance level p < 0.05. Results: In the studied sample, 224 (67.9%) patients did not undergo episiotomy and 106 (32.1%) had the procedure. The mean age was 22.9 ± 5.9 years and the episiotomy was more frequently performed in those younger than 20 years old [PR 1.61 (95% CI 1.15; 2.25)] (p = 0.005). Women with more than 8 years of education were significantly more likely to undergo episiotomy than the others [PR 2.34 (95% CI 1.70; 3.22)] (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The episiotomy, in this population, occured more likely in younger and more educated parturients.Descriptors: Episiotomy; Associated factors; Vaginal birthEVALUACIÓN DE LOS FACTORES DETERMINANTES A LA REALIZACIÓN DE LA EPISIOTOMÍA EN EL PARTO VAGINALObjetivo: El estudio tiene como objetivo conocer los factores asociados a la realización de la episiotomía en el parto vaginal. Metodología: Estudio transversal que involucra 330 partos, de enero/2012 a diciembre/2013, para la asociación de las variables independientes con la episiotomía por razones de prevalencia y sus respectivos intervalos de confianza, con p <0,05. Resultados: En la muestra, 224 (67,9%) pacientes no realizaron episiotomía y 106 (32,1%) realizaron el procedimiento. La edad media fue de 22,9 (± 5,9) años y la episiotomía fue más realizada en aquellas con edad inferior a 20 años [RP 1,61 (IC 95% 1,15, 2,25)] (p = 0,005) ). Las mujeres con más de 8 años completos de estudio fueron significativamente más sometidas a la episiotomía que las demás [RP 2,34 (IC 95% 1,70; 3,22)] (p <0,001). Conclusión: La realización de la episiotomía ocurrió con mayor prevalencia en las parturientas más jóvenes y con mayor escolaridad.Descriptores: Episiotomía; Factores asociados; Parto vaginal

The objective of the study is to analyze the temporal trend of leptospirosis incidence, according to rainfall levels in Santa Catarina, according to seasonality, from 2005 to 2015. This is an ecological study of time series, with date of leptospirosis, rainfall levels and population. The incidence rates of leptospirosis, relative excess of incidence, Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) and an angular coefficient (β) were analyzed from the linear regression adjustment, with a 5% significance level. Distribution of leptospirosis cases, rainfall levels and cases reason/rainfall levels, stratified by month of occurrence were presented. There were 5,274 cases of leptospirosis, with the monthly average being 439 cases, ranging from 211 in September to 770 in January. The mean rate of leptospirosis was 7.03 per 100,000 habitants. The average rainfall level was 158.68 mm, with the lowest levels occurring in August, average of 124.9 mm, and the highest in January average of 213.20 mm. The positive correlation between leptospirosis rates and rainfall levels, during the period from January to December (r = 0.68, p = 0.023), indicates a positive temporal association between the amount of rainfall and the cases of the disease. The disease occurred all year round and presented a distinct seasonality from October to March.