scholarly journals Young university students have insufficient knowledge about preventive measures against Toxoplasma gondii infection in a region of Southern Brazil

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. e3941012220206
Author(s):  
Priscilla de Laet Sant’Ana ◽  
Fernada Ferreira Evangelista ◽  
Cibelle Marques Lima ◽  
Thaiane da Silva Candido ◽  
Guilherme Galerani Mossini ◽  
...  

A representative cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the knowledge about toxoplasmosis prevention, transmission routes, clinical features, and who can be infected among students from seven teaching areas of the State University of Maringá, Southern Brazil, using a self-administrated questionnaire. A total of 600 students participated in the study, 86 students did not answer or did not know about toxoplasmosis (14.3%), the other 514 (86.2%) had some information about toxoplasmosis and answered the questionnaires and most of them are unaware of the routes of transmission and prevention of this zoonosis. Less than 50% considered correct the options "do not feed cats with raw meat" (39.9%), "eat only well-cooked meats" (40.1%), and "ingest only filtered or boiled water" (42.6%). Also, misconceptions about prevention were identified when statements such as "doing fecal exams regularly" were considered correct by 20.0% of participants. Students' average of correct answers in the health and biological areas was statistically higher than in other areas. The agricultural sciences area had the worst performance. In conclusion, there is a critical need for effective educational programs to increase the population's awareness of toxoplasmosis since correct preventive practices are critical to control and reduce one disease's infection without definitive treatment.

2008 ◽  
Vol 126 (5) ◽  
pp. 252-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maristela Bohlke ◽  
Diego Leite Nunes ◽  
Stela Scaglioni Marini ◽  
Cleison Kitamura ◽  
Marcia Andrade ◽  
...  

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Quality of life (QoL) is considered important as an outcome measurement, especially for long-term diseases such as chronic renal failure. The present study searched for predictors of QoL in a sample of patients undergoing dialysis in southern Brazil. DESIGN AND SETTING: This was a cross-sectional study developed in three southern Brazilian dialysis facilities. METHODS: Health-related QoL of patients on hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis was measured using the generic Short Form-36 (SF-36) health survey questionnaire. The results were correlated with sociodemographic, clinical and laboratory variables. The analysis was adjusted through multiple linear regression. RESULTS: A total of 140 patients were assessed: 94 on hemodialysis and 46 on peritoneal dialysis. The mean age was 54.2 ± 15.4 years, 48% were men and 76% were white. The predictors of higher (better) physical component summary in SF-36 were: younger age (β-0.16; 95% confidence interval, CI: -0.27 to -0.05), shorter time on dialysis (β-0.06; 95% CI: -0.09 to -0.02) and lower Khan comorbidity-age index (β 5.16; 95% CI: 1.7-8.6). The predictors of higher mental component summary were: being employed (β 8.4; 95% CI: 1.7-15.1), being married or having a marriage-like relationship (β 4.56; 95% CI: 0.9-8.2), being on peritoneal dialysis (β 4.9; 95% CI: 0.9-8.8) and not having high blood pressure (β 3.9; 95% CI: 0.3-7.6). CONCLUSIONS: Age, comorbidity and length of time on dialysis were the main predictors of physical QoL, whereas socioeconomic issues especially determined mental QoL.


2015 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 679-690 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafael Haeffner ◽  
Leila Maria Mansano Sarquis ◽  
Rita Maria Heck ◽  
Vanda Maria da Rosa Jardim

OBJECTIVE: To describe the prevalence and to analyze the factors associated with hearing problems in an agricultural company. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study, and the participants consisted entirely of employees of an agricultural company in southern Brazil. The workforce of the company was composed of several different occupations. The research instrument was a semi-structured questionnaire administered by interview. RESULTS: Of the 326 workers of the company, there were 273 (83.8%) respondents, and the prevalence of hearing problems was n = 42 (15.4%) among the participants of the study. The hearing problems were associated with lower schooling, with the operating occupational group, the technical assistance group and the general services group. The self-reported health conditions associated with hearing problems were depression and nervousness or irritation. The occupational exposures associated with hearing problems were noise, dust, vibration, oils and solvents, and toxic gases. CONCLUSION: There was an intermediate prevalence of hearing problems in relation to other studies. It was possible to observe the need to implement strategies aiming at the prevention of hearing problems that primarily contemplate modifiable aspects, such as the use of personal protective equipment, as well as improvements in the conditions, organization and work environment.


2022 ◽  
Vol 75 (suppl 1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Maria Müller de Magalhães ◽  
Denilse Damasceno Trevilato ◽  
Daiane Dal Pai ◽  
Amanda da Silveira Barbosa ◽  
Natascha Monteiro Medeiros ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Objective: to identify burnout and associated factors among nursing workers working in coping with COVID-19. Methods: a cross-sectional study, developed in four hospitals in a capital in southern Brazil. Sample (n=499) composed of nurses and nursing technicians/assistants, who answered an online form containing socio-occupational characterization and the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis was performed, including multiple comparison tests. Results: burnout was identified in 60 (12%) workers, with no significant difference between hospitals, but with a difference in dimensions between them. In the emotional exhaustion dimension, a higher proportion (52.9%) was found at a moderate level. Prevalence of high level of professional achievement of 95.4% was identified. Conclusion: the presence of burnout was significantly prevalent among nurses and females. It reinforces the need to develop strategies to promote the health of nursing workers, providing improvement in health services and reduction of care and labor risks.


2006 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 220-225 ◽  
Author(s):  
Humberto Rosa ◽  
Marcelo Zubaran Goldani ◽  
Thomas Scanlon ◽  
Antônio Augusto Moura da Silva ◽  
Elsa Justo Giugliani ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVE: To assess HIV testing rate and determine risk factors for not have been tested during pregnancy. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in Porto Alegre, Southern Brazil, from December 2000 to February 2001. Socioeconomic, maternal and healthcare variables were obtained by means of a standardized questionnaire. Crude and adjusted odds ratios and their 95% confidence intervals were obtained in logistic regression models. RESULTS: A total of 1,642 mothers were interviewed. Of them, 94.3% reported being offered HIV testing before or during pregnancy or during labor; 89 mothers (5.4%) were not tested or did not know if they were tested. Attending fewer than six prenatal visits, being single and younger than 18 years old were relevant barriers preventing HIV testing. There was found a relationship between maternal schooling and the category of prenatal care provider. Having low 22.20 (12.43-39.67) or high 3.38 (1.86-7.68). schooling and being cared in the private sector strongly reduced the likelihood of being HIV tested. CONCLUSIONS: The Brazilian Health Ministry's recommendation for universal counseling and HIV testing has been successfully implemented in the public sector. In order to improve HIV testing coverage, new strategies need to target women cared in the private sector especially those of low schooling.


Author(s):  
Hope Inegbenosun ◽  
Clement Chinedu Azodo ◽  
John Chukudi Anionye ◽  
Collins Usunobun Inegbenosun ◽  
Obinna Chukwunwike Njoku

Background: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infection rate and mortality among Nigerian health care workers appear to be on the increase. Aside from health workers, it has caused millions of infections and deaths worldwide.  This study determined the level of knowledge, attitude, and practices of nursing and midwifery students towards COVID-19 in a North-Eastern Nigerian state.Methods: A total of 156 respondents were involved in this institutional-based cross-sectional study, conducted after the lockdown period. A total of 17 questions were used to assess the KAP with knowledge appraised with 12 questions, attitudes with 2 questions, and practices with 3 questions.Results: The majority of the students (53.80%) possessed a good level of knowledge regarding COVID-19, while 40.4% had fair knowledge regarding COVID-19 with only 5.80% having poor knowledge of COVID-19. The mean knowledge of COVID-19 in this study was 9.40±1.353 with an overall 78% correct answer rate. A vast majority of the respondent (82.7% and 98.1%) had strong confidence in Nigeria and believed that the pandemic will soon be over, respectively. Only a few avoided large gatherings of people (30.8%) with the vast majority reporting to have worn a mask when going out (84.6%) and washing their hands with running water and soap frequently as recommended (73.1%). In multiple logistic regression analyses, the COVID-19 knowledge score (OR: 0.39-0.40, 95%CI: 0.26 – 0.62, P<0.05) was significantly associated with a lower likelihood of negative preventive practices towards COVID-19.Conclusions: The participants in this study showed good knowledge, positive attitudes, and good practices toward COVID-19. There is still a need to strategize and implement periodic educational interventions and training on infection control practices among healthcare workers including students. 


2007 ◽  
Vol 65 (3a) ◽  
pp. 581-586 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheple Roberto Abib ◽  
Raúl A. Mendoza-Sassi ◽  
Jaime Bech-Nappi ◽  
Airton Tetelbom Stein

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency and distribution of seizure in children under five, living in a deprived community. METHOD: This was a cross-sectional study, conducted in a probabilistic sample of 487 children aged 5 or less, resident in the rural and urban areas of São José do Norte, a poor municipality in southern Brazil, during the period 1998-99. Children were identified as having this disorder after the application of the three subsequent instruments, the screening questionnaire for epileptic seizures (SQES), the neurological diagnostic interview for epilepsy (NDIE) and the EEG. Statistical analysis included a multivariate analysis using Poisson regression. Prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. RESULTS: Diagnosis of epileptic seizures was confirmed in 22 children. Prevalence of seizure was 45.2/1000 (CI 2.9-6.8). Absence of tap water (PR 2.86; IC 1.15-7.10), and precarious housing (PR 2.50; CI 1.01-6.18) were significantly associated with the outcome. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of seizure in this deprived population is extremely high and related to socio-economic conditions.


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