This paper describes the construction and application of a social deprivation index that was created to explore the relationship between lymphatic filariasis and socioenvironmental variables in the municipality of Jaboatão dos Guararapes, Pernambuco, Brazil, thereby contributing towards identifying priority areas for interventions. This indicator was obtained from principal-component factor analysis. Variables available from the national census representing socioenvironmental conditions, household characteristics and urban services were used. Epidemiological data came from a parasitological survey on lymphatic filariasis. 23 673 individuals were examined and 323 were positive (1.4%). Two factors that together explained 80.61% of the total variance were selected. The social deprivation strata were capable of indicating a risk gradient, with 74.9% of the microfilaremia cases situated in the high-risk stratum. Principal-component factor analysis was shown to be sensitive for selecting indicators associated with the risk of lymphatic filariasis transmission and for detecting areas potentially at risk. The capacity of the social deprivation index for picking up social inequalities qualifies it as a new tool for use in planning interventions aimed at controlling lymphatic filariasis in urban spaces.

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Summaryobjective To evaluate composite living conditions as indicators of urban areas with a higher risk of filariasis transmission.methods This was an ecological study in the municipality of Jaboatã o dos Guararapes, in Brazil. The analysis units were census tracts. The study was divided into three phases. First, data gathered during an epidemiological investigation were analysed. Secondly, living condition indicators were drawn up and the relationship between these indicators and microfilaremia prevalence rates was analysed. Thirdly, positive cases were georeferenced with a view to identifying spatial concentration using kernel intensity estimates. Two composite living condition indicators were calculated: a socio-environmental risk index (in the form of scores) and a social deprivation index (through principal-component factor analysis).results Of 23 673 individuals examined, 1.4% had microfilaremia. According to the two indicators, greater prevalence was found in the high-risk strata, and this association was confirmed by the kernel intensity estimates.conclusions Classification of census tracts into risk strata showed the relevance of socio-economic factors and environmental conditions in identifying priority areas in urban spaces for interventions by the surveillance services and in planning filariasis control. Spatial analysis also proved to be an important tool for building up a territorially based surveillance system. These indicators, used in association with spatial analysis, are an instrument to be used by the Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis.keywords lymphatic filariasis, spatial analysis, socio-economic factors, risk index, control programs

ResumoObjetivo: Estimar a prevalência de sintomatologia depressiva e avaliar sua associação com fatores sociodemográficos e condições de saúde em idosos atendidos em serviço ambulatorial especializado geronto-geriátrico. Métodos: Estudo epidemiológico, descritivo, quantitativo, de corte transversal. A amostra foi composta por 301 idosos com 60 anos e mais, de ambos os sexos. Realizou-se entrevista face a face com cada participante, sendo o diagnóstico de sintomatologia depressiva definido pela utilização da Escala de Depressão Geriátrica em versão reduzida de Yesavage (GDS-15). Processaram-se os dados com programa SPSS 13.0, realizando-se estatística descritiva, teste de associações, utilizando o Qui-quadrado de Pearson, o Teste Exato de Fisher e o teste de comparação entre duas médias. Para verificação do efeito independente das variáveis, foi utilizado um modelo de regressão linear. Resultados: A prevalência global de sintomatologia depressiva correspondeu a 16,3%, seguindo a tendência epidemiológica atual descrita na literatura. Quando analisadas através do modelo linear generalizado binomial, apenas autopercepção da saúde, comparação com a saúde e handicap auditivo se mostraram associadas. Conclusão: Estratégias voltadas à identificação dos fatores associados à depressão podem ajudar os diversos profissionais dos serviços de saúde, inseridos em qualquer nível de atenção, a compreender a realidade destes indivíduos, bem como diagnosticar e propor intervenções mais precoces e adequadas possíveis. Palavras-chave:Envelhecimento. Saúde Mental. Depressão. Estudos Transversais.http://dx

Análise espacial da mortalidade infantil e adequação das informações vitais: uma proposta para definição de áreas prioritárias Spatial analysis of infant mortality and the adequacy of vital information: a proposal for defining priority areas

The indicator used is a promising tool that enables the precise measurement of the relationship between social deprivation and the prevalence of filarial infection among children. Thus, it can be used to plan control and elimination actions.

The allergic response pattern in group with filarial infection was similar to that of the groups with and without allergic diseases, but the response to IL-5 in the culture stimulated by D. pteronyssinus was an exclusive characteristic of the allergic group.

Background: Time perspective can be an important variable for the understanding the quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS. Aims: The objective was to examine the relation between quality of life and time perspective among persons living with HIV receiving care from public health services in Brazil. Methods: Data were collected at four public health services in Brazil. Hierarchical regression analyses were then performed for each of six quality of life domains. Results: The subscales associated with high quality of life in physical and level of independence domains were low past-negative and high future orientation; psychological and environmental domains were low past-negative, high past-positive and high future orientations; social relations domain were high past-positive and high future orientations; and spirituality, religion and personal beliefs domain was low past-negative orientation. Conclusion: The hypothesis that time constructs have implications for the experience of the disease and for evaluation of quality of life was proven determined by positive orientations like future and past-positive and past-negative orientation.