Adolescent pregnancy, prenatal care, and perinatal outcomes in Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil

The aim of the present study was to measure the proportion of adolescent pregnancies in Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil. From a total of 7,672 live births in 2001, the estimated proportion of births by adolescent mothers was 21.5%. In addition to the limited presence of adequate frequency in prenatal visits, especially in the 10-14-year bracket (12.0%), the study identified an increase in the number of complications, inversely related to age, and these differences were significant in relation to prematurity and low birth weight, which did not occur with the 5-minute Apgar score. Confirming the hypothesis of greater frequency of these complications when the number of prenatal visits was inadequate, the outcomes also signal an age-associated risk, particularly in early adolescence (10-14 years). These results, together with the data on an increase in adolescent pregnancy in the region from 1997 to 2001, point to teenage pregnancy as a public health problem.     

Population dynamics and the profile of mortality in the municipality of Montes Claros, Minas Gerais State, Brazil

This study is an ecological study of time trend. The objective of this study is to assess the population dynamics as the 1980 Census, 1991 and 2000, and the profile of mortality in the period between 1996 and 2005, in Montes Claros, Minas Gerais State. We used the information systems database of Datasus and IBGE. The main results indicate that the elderly group increased from 4.1% in 1980, 5.0% in 1991 to 6.6% in 2000. On the proportional mortality by cause, diseases of the circulatory system were the first cause of death, and 23.05% in 1996 and 28.26% in 2005, followed by cancer 14.13% in 1996 and 15.69% in 2005, external causes of morbidity and mortality 11.87% in 1996 and 12.74% in 2005 and infectious and parasitic diseases 8.42% in 1996 and 5.43% in 2005. The profile of mortality followed the population dynamics of the city observed a reduction of infectious diseases and an increase in chronic diseases, consistent with the process of population aging.     

Assessment of sand fly (Diptera, Psychodidae) control using cypermethrin in an endemic area for visceral leishmaniasis, Montes Claros, Minas Gerais State, Brazil

Montes Claros in Minas Gerais State, Brazil, was considered an intense transmission area for visceral leishmaniasis. This study evaluated sand fly fauna after insecticide application. Captures were performed in 10 districts from September 2005 to August 2006 with CDC light traps inside and outside each residence. Cypermethrin was sprayed in two cycles during November/2005 and May/2006. The 636 specimens collected, belonging to 10 species, were predominantly Lutzomyia longipalpis (79%), and most frequently males (70%). The highest percentage of specimens were captured in areas surrounding domiciles (85.8%). The main species were observed to be sensitive to treatment with the insecticide. The results showed a reduction in the number of sand flies collected after use of cypermethrin in homes and annexes, and with residual effect lasting from two to four months.     

Coronary heart disease risk factors in urban bus drivers

The purpose of this study was to determine the risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD) in 2297 bus drivers and skilled workers from the Taipei Municipal Bus Administrative Bureau. Data for this study were compiled from the medical records of annual physical examinations for bus drivers and skilled workers conducted at Taipei Municipal Chronic Disease Hospital during the period from July 1998 to June 1999. The results showed that, after adjustment for age, hypertension rates for bus drivers (56.0%, 986/1361) were significantly greater than for skilled workers (30.6%, 164/536). All age groups demonstrated a similar difference. Significant differences were also noted in body mass index, serum cholesterol, serum triglyceride and ischemic heart disease between bus drivers and skilled workers. Among bus drivers, the prevalence of obesity was 9.6%, hypercholesterolemia 34.0%, hypertriglyceridemia 69.4% and ischemic heart disease 1.7%. By contrast, among skilled workers, the prevalence of obesity was only 4.6%, hypercholesterolemia 29.9%, hypertriglyceridemia 30.6% and ischemic heart disease 0.9%. These findings suggest that exposure to the occupation of driving a bus may carry an increased risk of CHD and that drivers who develop signs of cardiovascular illness should be transferred to non-driving occupations within the company.     

Rural work and risk factors associated with pesticide use in Minas Gerais,Brazil

This paper aimed to characterize the rural work process in nine counties in Minas Gerais State, considering socio-demographic indicators, the land tenure structure of farm operations, and work practices related to pesticide use and poisoning Data were obtained through the Jorge Duprat Figueiredo Foundation for Workers' Safety and Occupational Medicine, which applied a questionnaire to 1,064 rural workers from 1991 to 2000. Through a logistic regression, risk factors associated with pesticide poisoning were obtained for the carbamate and organophosphate groups. Some 50% of interviewees displayed at least moderate pesticide toxicity. Risk factors for pesticide poisoning were: last contact with pesticides less than two weeks before the blood cholinesterase test; no use of personal protective equipment by workers applying pesticides; having received instructions from the pesticide salesperson; report of carbamates/organophosphates as the main pesticides used; and working in the counties of Te foli Otoni, Guidoval, or Piraúba. The results emphasize the high level of health risk associated with pesticide use among these rural workers.     

Relation of cardiovascular fitness and physical activity to cardiovascular disease risk factors in children and adults

The associations of physical activity and cardiovascular fitness with cardiovascular disease risk factors were studied in 88 male adults, 180 female adults, 148 male children, and 142 female children. Subjects were families recruited from elementary schools in San Diego, California. Fitness (VO2 max) was measured by a submaximal cycle ergometer test. Physical activity was assessed by seven-day recall interview, yielding caloric expenditure, and by a simple self-rating of activity level. Risk factors included blood pressure, high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, the ratio of high density lipoproteins to low density lipoproteins (LDL), and body mass index. For all subgroups, fitness was strongly and significantly correlated with virtually all risk factors. After adjustment for body mass index, most fitness-risk factor associations were no longer significant. Seven-day caloric expenditure was significantly correlated with HDL/LDL only in female adults and children. The activity rating was significantly correlated with body mass index in all subgroups and with HDL/LDL in female adults and male adults. The simple activity rating tended to be correlated with fitness. The pattern of association was similar for adults and children.     

Malaria in the state of Minas Gerais,Brazil, 1980-1992

Epidemiological analysis of malaria in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil, shows the need for permanent reporting of the endemic-related data in order to maintain clinical suspicion of the infection in any febrile patient. Moreover, it increases the possibility of early aetiological diagnosis. Such reporting aims at improving performance of the local health system. It is important to maintain a well-organized malaria epidemiological surveillance system even in non-endemic areas.     

Commuting physical activity is favourably associated with biological risk factors for cardiovascular disease

Background Little is known about the effects of commuting physical activity on biological cardiovascular risk factors although such knowledge may form an important basis for interventions aimed at reducing cardiovascular disease (CVD) by increasing physical activity. We examined the associations between commuting, leisure time and total physical activity and biological risk factors for CVD. Design A cross-sectional study of men and women, who participated in a health screening programme. Methods The study population comprised persons aged 30–60 years from a population-based random sample, response rate 53% (n = 6,906). Weight, height, waist circumference and blood pressure were measured and blood samples were collected. Physical activity was assessed by a self-administered questionnaire. Results Time spent on commuting, leisure time and total physical activity was positively associated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and negatively associated with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, waist circumference and body mass index. Time spent on total physical activity was negatively associated with total cholesterol and diastolic blood pressure. Among men there was no relationship between time spent on physical activity and systolic blood pressure. Time spent on commuting physical activity and total physical activity was negatively associated with systolic blood pressure among women. Conclusion Commuting physical activity, independent of leisure time physical activity, was associated with a healthier level of most of the cardiovascular risk factors. An increase in commuting physical activity in the population may therefore reduce the incidence of CVD.     

Relationship of physical activity to cardiovascular risk factors in an urban population of Nigerian adults

Background

The burden of chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease (CVD) is increasing rapidly in Nigeria, but fewer studies have evaluated the role of physical activity in the development of CVD in this country. We examined the relationship between health enhancing physical activity and risk factors of CVD in a working population of adults in Maiduguri, Nigeria.

Methods

In a cross-sectional study, we assessed health enhancing moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) among 292 government employees (age: 20–65 years, 40% female, 24% obese and 79.8% response) using the self-administered version of International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-SF). Time spent in walking and sitting during occupational activity was assessed as well. Anthropometric measurement of height, weight and waist circumference, and blood pressure were also measured. Independent t-test and One- Way ANOVA were conducted, and the relationships between MVPA and body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, blood pressure and heart rate were explored using Pearson correlations coefficients and multiple regression analyses.

Results

The mean time spent in health enhancing MVPA (116.4 ± 101.3 min/wk) was lower than the recommended guideline of 150 min/wk sufficient for health benefits. Compared with men, more women were less physically active, obese and reported more diagnoses of component of metabolic syndrome (p < 0.05). Participants whose work activities were highly sedentary tend to accumulate less minutes of MVPA compared with those who reported their work as moderately active or highly active (p < 0.001). Health enhancing MVPA was inversely related with body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, heart rate, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Physical activity level of the working population of Nigerian adults was low and was related with adverse risk factors for CVD. Promoting health enhancing physical activity at work places may be important for prevention and control of CVD among the working population in Maiduguri, Nigeria.     

Evaluation of mass screening activity for cardiovascular disease risk factors in a rural environment

The aim of this study was to evaluate the immediate and short-term impacts of a cardiovascular mass screening activity in a rural environment. A posttest-only control group design was used. Concerning the immediate impact, the results showed that the participants of the experimental group had, compared to the participants in the control group, a higher intention to participate regularly in physical activities and a higher intention to reduce their fat consumption. The participants' intention to stop smoking was not modified by the screening activity. After four months, the results revealed an increase in participation in physical activities and a decrease in fat consumption. The proportion of participants who smoked did not decrease. In conclusion, it is suggested that a cardiovascular mass screening activity such as the one performed in this study could be effective in motivating a population to adopt heart health-related behaviours. Others studies are necessary however to confirm the short-term impact of this type of activity on behaviour modification with regard to cardiovascular health.     

Coronary heart disease risk factors in bus and truck drivers

Fifty-two bus and truck drivers and a control group of 52 male industrial workers were studied with regard to risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD) as well as some psycho-social and occupational indicators. The main results were: higher mean values for serum cholesterol, serum triglycerides and blood pressure in the driver group, indicating a markedly higher risk of CHD in the driver group. The two groups were matched for age, socio-economic status, dietary habits, smoking habits and alcohol consumption. In the study the groups were found to be equal as regards CHD-inheritance, physical activity in leisure time, and relative body weight, W/H2. No CO could be traced in the vehicles. The psycho-social and occupational indicators showed considerable differences. The average score for the exposure factor "tempo/time-limit/urgency in job" was 50% higher, and the number of persons with the characteristic "type-A coronary-prone behaviour" was 30% higher in the driver group than in the control group. The difference in blood lipids and blood pressure increased with age. It is suggested that the higher CHD-risk in the driver group is associated with two factors: (1) greater psychic pressure in the working situation; (2) the selection of more type-A persons to driver occupations. A probable, but not commonly accepted theory, is that these psychosocial indicators may influence the traditional risk factors in a harmful way.     

军队干部心血管疾病危险因素和临界危险因素调查分析

目的了解军队干部心血管疾病危险因素和临界危险因素的流行现状,为下一步实施有效个体化干预提供数据资料。方法采用心血管疾病流行病学调查表,整群调查陆军机关、院校、野战部队干部809人,分析军队干部心血管疾病危险因素及临界危险因素的流行现状。结果军队干部多数存在不健康生活方式,其中摄盐过多者为43.0%,喜欢食肉者为58.59%,不喜欢运动者为53.89%。心血管疾病危险因素患病率为43.51%,临界危险因素患病率为74.29%,17.06%的人无任何危险因素。其中心血管疾病危险因素患病率位居前3位的分别是吸烟(29.42%)、肥胖(10.38%)、高血压(10.01%);临界危险因素患病率位居前三位的分别是超重(50.56%)、临界高血脂(40.67%)、临界高血压(34.73%)。分组研究结果显示,心血管疾病危险因素,年龄每增加10岁就有显著性增多(P<0.05);临界危险因素,在50岁之前,年龄每增加10岁就有显著性增多(P<0.05),然后进入一个平台期。结论军队干部心血管疾病危险因素患病率明显低于社会普通人群,但临界危险因素存在现象较为普遍。     

邛崃市免费体检老年人群心血管病危险因素流行与聚集情况分析

目的 分析邛崃市基本公共卫生服务项目免费服务的65岁及以上老年人主要心血管病危险因素及其聚集情况,为促进老年人健康提供依据。 方法 利用2020年邛崃市基本公共卫生服务项目中65岁及以上老年人体检数据,采用χ²检验或χ²_趋势检验分析人群心血管病危险因素的流行情况,应用二元logistic回归分析不同人口社会学特征人群心血管病危险因素聚集情况。 结果 有96.00%的老年人具有1项及以上心血管病危险因素,心血管病危险因素聚集3项及以上占53.77%。单项心血管病危险因素的首位是高血压,患病率为64.51%,不同年龄组、不同职业、不同医疗支付方式人群高血压患病率差异有统计学意义(P＜0.001),以上3类人群中高血压患病率最高的分别是:75～岁组(68.19%),生产/运输/服务业人员(71.38%),商业/公费医疗人群(78.81%)。不同性别、不同职业、不同婚姻状况、不同医疗支付方式、不同年龄组人群3项及以上心血管病危险因素聚集风险差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05),3项及以上心血管病危险因素聚集风险:男性是女性的1.479倍,生产/运输/服务业人员是脑力劳动者的1.582倍,离异人群是在婚人群1.539倍,城镇职工基本医疗保险和商业/公费医疗人群分别是贫困救助医疗人群的1.814倍和1.994倍,65～79岁组和80岁以上年龄组发生3项及以上心血管病危险因素聚集比例分别为55.09% 、44.64%。 结论 邛崃市基本公共卫生服务项目服务的老年人心血管病危险因素流行及聚集暴露率较为严重,应通过项目对有重要人口社会学特征人群进行综合干预。