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...

Objective: To investigate the socioeconomic and sexual profile of prisoners. Methods: A study using a quantitative approach, transversal and descriptive, involving 155 prisoners. Data collection was performed from January to March, 2010, in the female penitentiary in the State of Ceará (Brazil), and included data on socioeconomic and sexual characteristics. Results: Most of the young Brazilian women were single with low educational levels and family income, imprisoned for drug trafficking. There was early first sexual intercourse, with stability and little variety of sexual partners. Being a prisoner, using drugs and possessing tattoos / piercings represented common aspects of the participants and their partners. The homo / bisexuality, and prostitution were strongly present. STDs before or after the arrest showed little expression. The guarantee of achievement of conjugal visits and the obtaining of preventive screening still faces major obstacles. Conclusion: Despite the vulnerabilities encountered, it was concluded that strategies to promote sexual health in the prison environment should encompass the complexity of the peculiarities experienced by prisoners. Keywords: Prisoners; Sexual and reproductive health; Socioeconomic analysis RESUMOObjetivo: Investigar o perfil socioeconômico e sexual de presidiárias. Métodos: Estudo com abordagem quantitativa, transversal, descritivo, quantitativa envolvendo 155 presidiárias. A coleta de dados realizou-se de janeiro a março de 2010 na penitenciária feminina do Estado do Ceará, e contemplou dados de caracterização socioeconômica e sexual. Resultados: a maioria das jovens brasileiras era solteira com baixa escolaridade e renda familiar mensal, reclusas por tráfico de drogas. Coitarca precoce, estabilidade e pouca variedade de parceiros sexuais. Ser presidiário(a), usar drogas e possuir tatuagens/piercings representaram aspectos comuns às participantes e suas parcerias. A homo/bissexualidade e a prostituição estiveram fortemente presentes. As DST antes ou após a prisão apresentaram pouca expressividade. A garantia da visita íntima e a realização do exame preventivo ainda enfrenta grandes entraves. Conclusão: Diante das vulnerabilidades encontradas concluiu-se que as estratégias de promoção da saúde sexual em ambiente prisional devem englobar a complexidade das peculiaridades vivenciadas pelas presidiárias. Descritores: Prisioneiros; Saúde sexual e reprodutiva; Análise sócioeconômica RESUMEN Objetivo: Investigar el perfil socioeconómico y sexual de presidiarias. Métodos: Estudio con abordaje cuantitativo, transversal, descriptivo que involucró a 155 presidiarias. La recolección de los datos se realizó de enero a marzo del 2010 en la penitenciaría femenina del Estado de Ceará, y contempló datos de caracterización socioeconómica y sexual. Resultados: la mayoría de las jóvenes brasileñas era soltera con baja escolaridad e ingreso familiar mensual, recluidas por tráfico de drogas. Primera relación sexual precoz, estabilidad y poca variedad de compañeros sexuales. Ser ...

Introduction: The postpartum period can have a significant physical, emotional, and social impact on the quality of a woman's life. Most postpartum research has focused on physical complications and only a few studies have specifically investigated quality of life. The purpose of this study was to explore predictors affecting the quality of life of postpartum Brazilian mothers. Study Design and Methods: A cross-sectional Quality of Life survey was performed in 210 Brazilian mothers during the early postpartum period. Data were collected using an interview technique and two instruments: 1) a maternal questionnaire and the 2) Maternal Postpartum Quality of Life tool/Brazilian version. The association between maternal characteristics and quality of life in the postpartum period was investigated with bivariate and multivariable analyses. Results: Mothers who had the best Quality of Life were white, registered students, 30-40 years of age, who were married or living with a partner, and without physical complaints; in addition, they had at least an 8th grade education, more than 4 children, and had attended more than 8 prenatal visits with a nurse. The stepwise model indicated that white race (p < 0.05) and married or living with a partner (p < 0.05) were the best predictors of Quality of Life in postpartum women. Conclusions and Clinical Implications: Marital status and race conditions may predict quality of life in postpartum Brazilian mothers. In addition, improved knowledge concerning the postpartum, maternal experience may help develop health interventions to enhance the quality of life of this population.

Objectives: the aim was to translate and culturally adapt the Adherence Determinants Questionnaire scale for the Portuguese language in the Brazilian context, and to check its reliability and validity to analyze the elements of the adherence of patients to the clinical treatment for breast and cervical cancer. Method: this was a methodological study, carried out in two oncology reference centers. The sample consisted of 198 participants, with 152 being treated for breast cancer and 46 being treated for cervical cancer. The content validation was performed by a committee of experts. The construct validation was demonstrated through factor analysis and the reliability was analyzed using Cronbach's alpha. Results: the committee of experts made the necessary adjustments so that the scale was adapted to the Brazilian context. The factor analysis suggested a reduction from seven to five factors and the maintenance of 38 items similar to those of the original scale. The reliability, investigated through Cronbach's alpha, was .829, showing high internal consistency. Conclusion: it was concluded that the Brazilian version of the Adherence Determinants Questionnaire scale is a valid and reliable instrument that is able to measure the elements of adherence to the treatment for breast and cervical cancer.

Objetivou-se avaliar o conhecimento, a atitude e a prática de presidiárias quanto ao uso do preservativo masculino e feminino como medida preventiva às DST/HIV. Pesquisa quantitativa e avaliativa do tipo Conhecimento, Atitude e Prática (CAP), envolvendo 155 presidiárias. A coleta de dados realizou-se de janeiro a março de 2010 na penitenciária feminina do estado do Ceará. Embora tivessem ouvido falar e/ou soubessem as finalidades do uso, apenas 35 mulheres (22,6%) tinham conhecimento adequado sobre o preservativo masculino e 11 (7,1%) a respeito do feminino. As atitudes foram menos favoráveis quanto ao uso no sexo oral. A prática adequada apresentou pouca representatividade, em especial, do feminino. A homo/bissexualidade, as questões de gênero, a falta de conhecimento e o difícil acesso aos preservativos representaram obstáculos a serem considerados na promoção da saúde sexual do grupo estudado.

The objective of this study was to identify the gynecologic and obstetric profile of imprisoned females in the State of Ceará. This is a documental retrospective study with a quantitative approach, performed in the Female Prison Institute of the State of Ceará with 672 medical files. Regarding age, 62.3% of the women were 31 years old. The most prevalent age bracket for menarche was 10 to 13 years, (57.2%) and age of first sexual experience was 11 to 15 years (55.8%). The most common contraceptive method used was tubal ligation (29.5%). Homosexual behavior was found in 17.9% of inmates. Data also demonstrate an elevated number of pregnancies and abortions. In conclusion, these women require more care from health professionals and more specific health interventions in the prison context since they present high gynecologic and obstetrical risks.

We conclude that the Mother-Generated Index is a valid tool to measure quality of life among Brazilian postpartum mothers, as it allows a simple and understandable way of assessing the various dimensions involved in their quality of life. Moreover, the Mother-Generated Index can provide healthcare professionals the opportunity to become aware of all significant aspects of a woman's life after childbirth.

The study aimed to identify risk factors for the development of cervical cancer in women prisoners. Cross sectional study with a quantitative approach carried out in a female penal institute on the state of Ceará, Brazil. The selection of the sample occurred according to the availability of female prisoners at the time of collection, with a total of 36 women prisoners. Regard to the risks for cervical cancer, 16 (44,5%) women were smokers, 24 (70.5%) have made use of the oral contraceptive for a median of 46 months, 24 (66,6%) began their sexual lives with less than 15 years, and 26 (72,2%) reported use of condoms, but 10 (38,4%) of them used it rarely. These findings demonstrate that the prisoner female population is more vulnerable to the cervical cancer, requiring the health promotion in the correctional institution environment, since that time is configured as a unique opportunity.