Homeopathy for COVID-19 Prevention: Report of an Intervention at a Brazilian Service Sector Company

Homeopathy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paulo Sergio Jordão Daruiche ◽  
Walter Swain Canoas ◽  
Katya Aparecida Gonçalves Figueira ◽  
Giovani Bravin Peres
Keyword(s):  
Service Sector ◽  
Cohort Analysis ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Health Department ◽  
Sao Paulo ◽  
Weekly Dose ◽  
São Paulo ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
At Home

Abstract Background COVID-19 quickly became a serious public health problem worldwide, with serious economic and social repercussions. Homeopaths around the world have been studying to find a genus epidemicus (GE) medicine that might help in the prevention and treatment of this disease. Objective To compare the incidence of COVID-19 between employees who received or did not receive a homeopathic GE medicine for disease prevention. Methods Retrospective cohort analysis. The study population comprised all employees of a service sector company in São Paulo, Brazil, and followed up by the corporate Occupational Health department. Intervention consisted of administering Arsenicum album 30cH in a one-weekly dose. Primary outcome was incidence of COVID-19 during 3-months' follow-up (April to July, 2020). Results We analyzed 1,642 of 1,703 employees without previous diagnosis of COVID-19 at onset of the study period: 53.34% of employees were referred to telework at home and did not receive intervention (Group 1, G1); 24.66% remained working on-premises in the state of São Paulo and received the intervention (Group 2, G2); 21.98% remained working on company premises in other states and did not receive intervention (Group 3, G3). Incidence rate of COVID-19 was respectively 13.35%, 0.74%, and 67.87% (p < 0.001). The odds ratio of being infected in (1) G3 versus G1 was 13.70 (95% confidence interval [CI], 10.21 to 18.39), (2) G3 versus G2 was 283.02 (95% CI, 88.98 to 900.18), and (3) G1 versus G2 was 20.66 (95% CI, 6.53 to 65.39). Limitations The present is a retrospective analysis of a real-world experience. We could not ensure direct observed treatment, and neither could we control adherence to general prevention measures outside company premises. Conclusion The incidence of COVID-19 was significantly lower amongst on-premises employees who received the GE medication in comparison to workers who did not receive the intervention (those either at other company premises or teleworking at home).

scholarly journals Evolution of bacterial meningitis diagnosis in Sao Paulo State-Brazil and future challenges

2013 ◽  
Vol 71 (9B) ◽  
pp. 672-676 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maristela Marques Salgado ◽  
Maria Gisele Goncalves ◽  
Lucila Okuyama Fukasawa ◽  
Fabio Takenori Higa ◽  
Juliana Thalita Paulino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Bacterial Meningitis ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Sao Paulo ◽  
Immunological Methods ◽  
Haemophilus Influenzae Type ◽  
Molecular Technique ◽  
São Paulo ◽  
Paulo State ◽  
São Paulo State

Bacterial meningitis (BM) is a severe disease and still represents a serious public health problem with high rates of morbidity and mortality. The most common cases of BM around the world, mainly in Brazil, have been caused by Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Haemophilus influenzae type b. Bacterial culture is the gold-standard technique for BM confirmation, but approximately 50% of suspected cases are not culture-confirmed, due to problems related to improper transportation and seeding or previous antibiotic treatment. Immunological methods present low sensitivity and have possibility of cross-reactions. Real time PCR (qPCR) is a molecular technique and has been successful used for BM diagnosis at Instituto Adolfo Lutz in São Paulo State, Brazil, since 2007. The incorporation of qPCR in the Public Health surveillance routine in our state resulted in diminishing 50% of undetermined BM cases. Our efforts are focused on qPCR implementation in the BM diagnostic routine throughout Brazil.

scholarly journals Space-time cluster analysis of American visceral leishmaniasis in Bauru, São Paulo State, Brazil

2012 ◽  
Vol 28 (10) ◽  
pp. 1949-1964 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanessa Aparecida Feijó de Souza ◽  
Luiz Ricardo Paes de Barros Cortez ◽  
Ricardo Augusto Dias ◽  
Marcos Amaku ◽  
José Soares Ferreira Neto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Visceral Leishmaniasis ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Sao Paulo ◽  
Space Time ◽  
São Paulo ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Paulo State ◽  
Positive Tendency ◽  
São Paulo State ◽  
The City

A space-time analysis of American visceral leishmaniasis (AVL) in humans in the city of Bauru, São Paulo State, Brazil was carried out based on 239 cases diagnosed between June 2003 and October 2008. Spatial analysis of the disease showed that cases occurred especially in the city's urban areas. AVL annual incidence rates were calculated, demonstrating that the highest rate occurred in 2006 (19.55/100,000 inhabitants). This finding was confirmed by the time series analysis, which also showed a positive tendency over the period analyzed. The present study allows us to conclude that the disease was clustered in the Southwest side of the city in 2006, suggesting that this area may require special attention with regard to control and prevention measures.

scholarly journals Building a "Smiling Brazil"? Implementation of the Brazilian National Oral Health Policy in a health region in the State of São Paulo

2015 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 82-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aline Guerra Aquilante ◽  
Geovani Gurgel Aciole
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Policy ◽  
Oral Health ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Health Department ◽  
Work Conditions ◽  
Oral Health Care ◽  
Sao Paulo ◽  
São Paulo ◽  
Oral Health Policy

This paper is a case study on the implementation of the Brazilian National Oral Health Policy (PNSB), known as "Smiling Brazil", in the cities of the Regional Health Department of Araraquara (DRS III) in São Paulo State. A structured questionnaire was given to the municipal oral health coordinators, an interview with oral health care professionals and managers was conducted, and the official data provided by the Brazilian Ministry of Health were coded to assess the policy's scope: (i) expansion and qualification of actions; (ii) work conditions; (iii) care; (iv) access; and (v) planning and management. The quantitative and qualitative analyses were linked by methods triangulation. In terms of PNSB implementation, the majority of the cities (52.6%) were classified as "good", with 42.1% classified as "bad". Approximately 10 years after launching the PNSB, despite strides in oral health care and access to different levels of care, the cities still experience difficulties in implementing the policy's principles.

scholarly journals SEROPREVALENCE OF CHAGASIC INFECTION IN YOUNG INDIVIDUALS IN A BLOOD CENTER IN THE STATE OF SAO PAULO, BRAZIL

2013 ◽  
Vol 55 (4) ◽  
pp. 245-250 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elaine Cristina Navarro ◽  
Renata Leme Goto ◽  
Isabella Silva Ricoboni ◽  
Jose Eduardo Corrente ◽  
Rita Maria Saccomano Henriques ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Chagas Disease ◽  
Blood Donors ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Sao Paulo ◽  
São Paulo ◽  
Blood Center ◽  
Negative Results ◽  
Central Regions ◽  
The City

SUMMARY This study aimed at estimating the number of cases of non-negative serological reactions to Chagas disease in blood donors at the Blood Center of Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil, from 2003 to 2010 and at relating them to their cities of origin. Five hundred and seventy-four non-negative results for Chagas disease were evaluated. Of these, 371 (64.8%) were reagent, and 203 (35.4%) were inconclusive. The prevalence of Chagas disease in blood donors was 0.05%. There were, on average, 72 cases/year, and a prevalence of males was observed (64.8%). Forty-three (7.49%) individuals were 18 to 30 years old; 92 (16.02%) were 31 to 40; 147 (25.61%) 41 to 50, and 292 (50.87%) were older than 50 years. It was observed that 29.3% of females with reagent serology were at their fertile age (18 and 45 years). The majority of donors were originally from cities in the southwestern and central regions of São Paulo, but individuals from other states contributed with 20%. The provenance of most donors was the city of Botucatu/SP, followed by the city of Taquarituba/SP. Therefore, the profile of donors at this blood center favors the occurrence of a larger number of non-negative serological reactions. Although there has been a significant reduction in the number of new cases/year for this disease, it is still a public-health problem, and results suggest the need for new epidemiological assessments in the studied region.

scholarly journals Impact of noise pollution during the COVID-19 pandemic in a hospital area in Sorocaba city, São Paulo State, Brazil

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (71) ◽  
Author(s):  
Erik de Lima Andrade ◽  
Eligelcy Augusta de Lima ◽  
Paulo Henrique Trombetta Zannin
Keyword(s):  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Noise Pollution ◽  
Environmental Noise ◽  
Sao Paulo ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
São Paulo ◽  
Heavy Vehicles ◽  
Paulo State ◽  
Sensitive Areas ◽  
São Paulo State

Environmental noise is a public health problem that arises mainly from vehicular traffic. In noise-sensitive areas, such as hospitals, the harm is even greater, as noise affects the recovery of patients and causes stress and disturbance to employees. Noise control measures are usually restricted to simulations and mathematical modeling. Given this context, the present study assesses environmental noise around a public hospital in Sorocaba city, São Paulo State, Brazil, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, benefiting from measures to restrict the circulation of vehicles and people. Measurements were performed in triplicate, on weekdays, at four points around the hospital during the day, and followed the guidelines of standard NBR 10.151/2019. The number of light and heavy vehicles was counted manually. The equipment used was the BK 2260 analyzer and a tripod with adjustable height. The circulation of light and heavy vehicles decreased significantly during the pandemic. However, this decrease was not enough for sound levels to meet the 50 dB(A) recommended for noise-sensitive areas. This fact can be due to the speed of the remaining vehicles being above the established for the surrounding streets. Vehicles are the main responsible for the high levels of noise in the area, overlapping the levels generated by the different activities in the study site.

scholarly journals Brazilian union actions for workers' health protection

2005 ◽  
Vol 123 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodolpho Repullo Junior ◽  
Jorge da Rocha Gomes
Keyword(s):  
Health And Safety ◽  
Health Department ◽  
Sao Paulo ◽  
São Paulo ◽  
Work Processes ◽  
Unified Health System ◽  
Union Action ◽  
Study Setting ◽  
Health Objective ◽  
Work And Health

CONTEXT: Many authors have emphasized the importance of worker strength through unionized organizations, in relation to the improvement of working procedures, and have reported on the decisiveness of labor movement actions in achieving modifications within the field of work and health. OBJECTIVE: To describe the ways in which Brazilian unions have tried to intervene in health-illness and work processes, identifying the existence of commonality in union actions in this field. TYPE OF STUDY: Qualitative study. SETTING: Postgraduate Program, Environmental Health Department, Faculdade de Saúde Pública, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: Union health advisers and directors were interviewed. Documents relating to union action towards protecting workers' health were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: Unions articulate actions regarding workers' health of a technical and political nature that involve many aspects and high complexity. These have been divided into thematic categories for better analysis. DISCUSSION: Union actions regarding workers' health in Brazil are restricted to some unions, located mainly in the southern, southeastern and northeastern regions of the country. Nonetheless, the unions undertaking such actions represent many professions of great economic and political importance. CONCLUSIONS: The recent changes in health and safety at work regulations, recognition of professional diseases, creation of workers' health services and programs within the unified health system, and operational improvements in companies' specialized safety and occupational medicine services, all basically result from union action. There is commonality of union action in this field in its seeking of technical and political strengthening for all workers and their general and local representation. This has the objective of benefiting collective bargaining between employers and workers. Inter-institutional action on behalf of workers' rights guarantees and amplifies the improvement of health and working conditions.

scholarly journals The relationship between low birth weight and exposure to inhalable particulate matter

2013 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
pp. 1101-1108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodrigo Romão ◽  
Luiz Alberto Amador Pereira ◽  
Paulo Hilário Nascimento Saldiva ◽  
Patricia Matias Pinheiro ◽  
Alfésio Luiz Ferreira Braga ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Low Birth Weight ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Sao Paulo ◽  
São Paulo ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Paulo State ◽  
São Paulo State ◽  
Adverse Pregnancy ◽  
The Relationship

Atmospheric pollution is a global public health problem. The adverse effects of air pollution are strongly associated with respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and, to a lesser extent, with adverse pregnancy outcomes. This study analyzes the relationship between exposure to PM10 and low birth weight in the city of Santo André, São Paulo State, Brazil. We included babies born to mothers resident in Santo André between 2000 and 2006. Data on daily PM10 levels was obtained from the São Paulo State Environmental Agency. We performed descriptive analysis and logistic regressions. The prevalence rate of low birth weight was 5.9%. There was a dose-response relationship between PM10 concentrations and low birth weight. Exposure to the highest quartile of PM10 (37,50µg/m³) in the third trimester of pregnancy increased the risk of low birth weight by 26% (OR: 1.26; 95%CI: 1.14-1.40) when compared to the first quartile. The same effect was observed in the remaining trimesters. This effect was observed for ambient particle concentrations that met the current air quality standards.

scholarly journals Municipalities of higher vulnerability to Sylvatic Yellow Fever occurrence in the São Paulo State, Brazil

2011 ◽  
Vol 53 (6) ◽  
pp. 335-339 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eduardo Stramandinoli Moreno ◽  
Rita de Cássia Barradas Barata
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Yellow Fever ◽  
Environmental Variables ◽  
Multiple Correspondence Analysis ◽  
Sao Paulo ◽  
São Paulo ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Paulo State ◽  
São Paulo State ◽  
Yellow Fever Vaccination

Until 1999 the endemic cases of Sylvatic Yellow Fever were located in the states of northern, midwestern and pre-Amazon regions. Since then, the disease progressively expanded its territory of occurrence, cases being registered beyond the traditional boundaries of endemism. The São Paulo State is considered to be part of this context, since after decades without registration of autochthonous cases of the disease, it reported, in 2000 and 2008-2009, epizootic occurrence in non-human primates and 30 cases in humans. Facts like these, added to the increase in incidences of serious adverse effects resulting from the Yellow Fever vaccination, have highlighted the importance of defining priority municipalities for vaccination against the disease in the state. Two groups of municipalities, some affected and some non-affected by YF, were compared for environmental variables related to the eco-epidemiology of the disease according to literature. The Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) was used to pinpoint the factor able to differentiate the two groups of municipalities and define the levels of risk. The southeast region of the São Paulo State was considered to be the area with a higher number of municipalities classified as high risk and should be considered a priority for the application of prevention measures against Yellow Fever.

scholarly journals Prevalence of rubella antibodies in a non-immunized urban population, São Paulo, Brazil

1994 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 373-376 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanda A.U.F. Souza ◽  
José Cassio Moraes ◽  
Laura M Sumita ◽  
Maria Claudia C. Camargo ◽  
Maria Cristina D.S. Fink ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vaccination Campaign ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Sao Paulo ◽  
Mass Vaccination ◽  
São Paulo ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Important Public Health Problem ◽  
Rubella Infection ◽  
Cord Serum ◽  
Mass Vaccination Campaign

The prevalence of rubella antibodies was evaluated through a ramdom Seroepidemiological survey in 1400 blood samples of 2-14 year old children and in 329 samples of umbilical cord serum. Rubella IgG antibodies were detected by ELISA, and the sera were collected in 1987, five years before the mass vaccination campaign with measles-mumps-rubella vaccine carried out in the city of São Paulo in 1992. A significant increase in prevalence of rubella infection was observed after 6 years of age, and 77% of the individuals aged from 15 to 19 years had detectable rubella antibodies. However, the seroprevalence rose to 90.5% (171/189) in cord serum samples from children whose mothers were 20 to 29 years old, and reached 95.6% in newborns of mothers who were 30 to 34 years old, indicating that a large number of women are infected during childbearing years. This study confirms that rubella infection represents an important Public Health problem in São Paulo city. The data on the seroprevalence of rubella antibodies before the mass vaccination campaign reflects the baseline immunological status of this population before any intervention and should be used to design an adequate vaccination strategy and to assess the Seroepidemiological impact of this intervention.

scholarly journals Hepatitis B vaccination in adolescents living in Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil

2015 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 552-567 ◽  
Author(s):  
Priscila Maria Stolses Bergamo Francisco ◽  
Maria Rita Donalisio ◽  
Filomena de Jesus Oliveira Gabriel ◽  
Marilisa Berti de Azevedo Barros
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Hepatitis B ◽  
Vaccination Coverage ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Sao Paulo ◽  
Hepatitis B Vaccination ◽  
São Paulo ◽  
Important Public Health Problem ◽  
Cross Sectional

INTRODUCTION: Viral hepatitis is an important public health problem in Brazil and around the world. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate vaccination coverage against hepatitis B in adolescents and to identify the associated factors and reasons for non-adherence. METHODS: A cross-sectional population-based study with sampling by clusters and in two stages, carried out from records of 702 adolescents aged 11 to 19 years old, non-institutionalized, living in an urban area of Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil, in 2008/2009. The data were obtained from the Health Survey in the city of Campinas (ISACamp). RESULTS: The prevalence of vaccination (3 doses) was 72.2%. An independent and negative association with the vaccine was observed for the adolescents who were not born in the municipality. The orientation of a health care provider was positively and significantly associated with vaccination. The main reasons for non-adherence were the lack of orientation and not considering the vaccine necessary. Socioeconomic factors, health behaviors and conditions did not restrict the access to vaccination, but the coverage was below the target established by the Ministry of Health in Brazil. CONCLUSION: Health education programs, addressing the importance of vaccination to prevent the disease; strategies to actively reach out adolescents that did not complete the schedule; as well as orientation from the health care professional about the benefits of the vaccine to the adolescents, parents and guardians can extend the vaccination coverage.

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