Ergonomics is the study of a workplace and the worker. Its aim is to better adapt the workplace to man by preserving the body for short and long term work. This helps to adjust and improve functionality, thus preserving the body for short and long term work. It was through the observation of SAMU´s (Mobile Emergency Unit) professional´s helpers that the interest to evaluate these individuals arose. In addition, the aim of this research is to investigate the work ability of health professionals that work for SAMU/JP. The population was composed of 97 health professionals who currently work for SAMU/JP. A sociodemographic questionnaire was used as data collection instrument and it was validated by the index of the Work Ability (WAI). The research took place in 2010, in the headquarters of SAMU, in the city of João Pessoa, state of Paraíba -Brazil. The data analysis was carried out by simple descriptive statistics followed by comparison of the results with the pertinent literature. The quantity of daily sleeping hours, the levels of satisfaction in the job and the number of diagnosed diseases were among the most worrying factors. In spite of this, the health professionals obtained a work ability average considered to be "good".

Respiratory disease in childhood is a factor of concern to health professionals, resulting in a primary determinant of lung function in adulthood. Studies indicate that people placed in areas with established industries, are exposed to pollutants from many industrial processes, thus increasing the risk of diseases. The aim was to examine the connection between exposure to cement and the incidence of respiratory diseases in the Jardins Community. It was a field study, descriptive, conducted in a community in the city of Cabedelo-PB, and result in a qualitative-quantitative approach. The sample comprised 51 children aged between 1 to 12 years who have symptoms or diagnosis of respiratory disease. The survey data was obtained by applying a semistructured interview, and analysed using chi-square, MacNemar and Mann-Whitney tests for statistical analysis. A high number of complaints about environmental pollution, small houses and subdued, lack of paving and sanitation, a high frequency of respiratory symptoms and especially the occurrence of the onset of symptoms after arrival in the community were found. There is a correlation between environmental exposure and the incidence of respiratory diseases in children; therefore the community requires specific actions to reduce the exposure.

Objetivo: identificar as variáveis associadas à laceração perineal durante a assistência ao parto. Método: estudo descritivo-retrospectivo, documental, analítico e quantitativo. A amostra de 2.217 registros de mulheres que passaram pelo parto eutócico em um serviço público no Nordeste. Procedeu-se a análise descritiva e inferencial dos dados e testes T-student, Qui-quadrado e Coeficiente Phi. Resultados: a realização de cesárea anterior, uso de ocitocina e misoprostol aumentam o risco de laceração. O teste T-student mostrou que existem diferenças entre as médias do grupo em que houve laceração com relação às variáveis “peso do RN” e “maior idade gestacional”, quando comparados ao grupo em que não houve laceração. As variáveis “uso de ocitocina” e “posição vertical” mostraram maior chance de laceração com base na medida Odds ratio. Conclusão: Os profissionais da saúde que prestam assistência à mulher durante a gestação, parto e nascimento devem utilizar estratégias viáveis para a redução da laceração perineal.