Most individuals presented high mean Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire scores, indicating low health-related quality of life, especially individuals with low family income.

Prevalência de hábitos de sucção não nutritivos em pré-escolares e a percepção dos pais sobre sua relação com maloclusõesPrevalence of non-nutritive sucking habits in preschoolers and parents' perception of its relationship with malocclusions ). The conclusion is that the prevalence of oral habits of the population is high and, despite the majority of parents knowing that pacifier sucking can cause damage to oral health, they offer them to calm the child.

These results demonstrated a satisfactory knowledge about HCV infection amongst dental students, but some gaps were observed, suggesting the importance of continuous education about HCV in this population to prevent HCV infection as well as discrimination and prejudice towards patients with hepatitis C.

Objectives:Fluoride levels in the public water supplies of 40 Brazilian cities were analyzed and classified on the basis of risk/benefit balance.Material and Methods:Samples were collected monthly over a seven-year period from three sites for each water supply source. The samples were analyzed in duplicate in the laboratory of the Center for Research in Public Health - UNESP using an ion analyzer coupled to a fluoride-specific electrode.Results:A total of 19,533 samples were analyzed, of which 18,847 were artificially fluoridated and 686 were not artificially fluoridated. In samples from cities performing water fluoridation, 51.57% (n=9,720) had fluoride levels in the range of 0.55 to 0.84 mg F/L; 30.53% (n=5,754) were below 0.55 mg F/L and 17.90% (n=3,373) were above 0.84 mg F/L (maximum concentration=6.96 mg F/L). Most of the cities performing fluoridation that had a majority of samples with fluoride levels above the recommended parameter had deep wells and more than one source of water supply. There was some variability in the fluoride levels of samples from the same site and between collection sites in the same city.Conclusions:The majority of samples from cities performing fluoridation had fluoride levels within the range that provides the best combination of risks and benefits, minimizing the risk of dental fluorosis while preventing dental caries. The conduction of studies about water distribution systems is suggested in cities with high natural fluoride concentrations in order to optimize the use of natural fluoride for fluoridation costs and avoid the risk of dental fluorosis.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is transmitted mainly by parenteral route, although, some studies have pointed the potential of transmission by sharing infected instruments, like toothbrushes. The aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge about viral transmission among HCV infected individuals and attitudes regarding toothbrush care. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 112 HCV-infected individuals from Uberlandia City, Minas Gerais State (Southeast Brazil). Data were collected through a questionnaire containing demographic data and other questions (correct responses were given one point, incorrect and uncertain responses were given zero point) about knowledge of HCV transmission (6 items in total; scores lower than 4 points indicated poor knowledge level and scores equal or higher than 4 indicated good knowledge level); attitudes regarding toothbrush care (7 items; scores 0 to 3 indicated inadequate attitudes, and scores higher than 3 indicated adequate attitudes). The statistical analysis included Chi-square test, Exact Fisher's test and Maximum Likelihood Estimation (p < 0.05 was considered significant). Out of the 112 questionnaires distributed, 85 (response rate: 75.9%) were included. Most individuals were male (60%), Caucasian (69.4%), aged more than 51 years (51.7%), had attended pre-school (35.1%), and had incomes up to $525.2 per month (49.4%). Fifty four percent of individuals showed good Knowledge level of HCV transmission; 43.5% did not identify HCV transmission through toothbrushes and 80% did not believe in HCV transmission by saliva. A significant association were observed between Knowledge level of HCV and age (p= 0.020); and education level (p= 0.000). Forty-five HCV-infected individuals (64.70%) had adequate attitudes regarding toothbrushes care. Significant associations were observed between toothbrush care level and: age (p= 0.005); education level (p= 0.000); and family income (p= 0.038). HCV-infected individuals showed good knowledge level about main aspects of HCV infection and adequate attitudes regarding toothbrush care.

No abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a serious public health problem and is the leading cause of liver transplantation due to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. In Brazil, it is estimated that there are approximately 2 to 3 million HCV chronic carriers. Few data regarding HCV infection are available in West region of Minas Gerais State. Due to the absence of an effective vaccine against this important human pathogen and the high costs of antiviral treatment, it is important to conduct epidemiological studies with the purpose of carry out the planning and implementation of measures to prevent hepatitis C in different populations. Therefore, the aim of this study is to describe the epidemiological aspects of HCV patients from West region of Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Sociodemographic data and risk factors for HCV infection were determined from 74 HCV patients from Uberlândia city (Minas Gerais State). Reactive anti-HCV sera samples were submitted to HCV RNA and genotype detection. Most of individuals were male (63.5%) with mean age of 51 years and presenting low socioeconomic status. HCV genotype was determined among 40 samples and the frequencies were: genotype 2 (45%), 1 (37.5%) and 3 (17.5%). Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection was common among male and low socioeconomic status individuals.

O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a procedência, características e as preferências de alimentos consumidos por escolares, além de avaliar a presença de práticas educativas e preventivas em saúde bucal nas escolas. Trata-se de um estudo observacional, de caráter transversal, composto por 2250 escolares do ensino fundamental de seis escolas municipais de Uberlândia - MG, Brasil, sorteadas aleatoriamente, no período de agosto de 2009 a maio de 2010. Participaram do estudo alunos com faixas etárias entre seis a 14 anos e um diretor representante de cada escola. Os dados foram obtidos por meio da aplicação de questionários estruturados e semiestruturados e analisados por meio de estatística descritiva. Constatou-se que 46,66% dos alunos consomem a merenda escolar, 37,77% o compram na cantina e 13,86% levam o lanche de casa. Sobre a prática da escovação dos dentes após a refeição escolar, 84,09% dos alunos afirmaram não a realizar. Nem todas as escolas possuíam local adequado para escovação e nem recebiam doação de escovas de dente. Os resultados sugerem que a merenda escolar era consumida por menos da metade dos estudantes. A outra metade se dividia entre comprar lanche na cantina ou levar algum alimento de casa. Observou-se também que as práticas de educação e prevenção em saúde bucal não eram suficientes e nem realizadas igualmente entre as escolas municipais.