A decreased trajectory of loneliness among Brazilians aged 50 years and older during the COVID-19 pandemic: ELSI-Brazil.

This study aimed to estimate prevalence of loneliness among older Brazilian adults over the first seven months of the COVID-19 pandemic and to identify the predictors of loneliness trajectories. Pre-pandemic data derived from face-to-face interviews of participants of the 2019-2020 Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI-Brazil), which is a nationally representative study of community-dwelling individuals aged 50 years and over. Pandemic data were based on three rounds of telephone interviews among those participants, conducted from May to October 2020.

How Is the Quality of Information in a Cancer Hospital Regarding the Completeness and Consistency? A Case Study of the Hospital Cancer Registry of the Brazilian Hospital Bom Pastor.

This study aimed to analyze the measurement of information quality in the Information System of the Brazilian Hospital in terms of data completeness and consistency. The quality of information is a fundamental factor in evaluating the performance of information systems. Its use is a reasonable condition in the management of the health service and attention to the care of patients.

Ecology of Rhodnius robustus Larrousse, 1927 (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae) in Attalea palm trees of the Tapajós River Region (Pará State, Brazilian Amazon).

Background: The rising number of acute cases of Chagas disease in the State of Pará, reported in the past two decades, has been associated, in part, with the ingestion of juice of local palm tree fruits, mainly açaí berry and bacaba. Near the study area, in Santarém, Pará State, an outbreak of Chagas disease has been notified and investigations suggest the consumption of bacaba juice as the main source of infection with T. cruzi.

Quality of life of leprosy sequelae patients living in a former leprosarium under home care: univariate analysis.

Introduction: Quality of life (QoL) is a broad concept that has become more important during the last decades. Despite this fact, few studies have been conducted to evaluate leprosy patients, none of which has specifically addressed patients with leprosy sequels submitted to home care.

Purpose: To evaluate the QoL of leprosy sequel bearers and the factors that may affect their perception of their condition.

Evaluation of two coproscopic techniques for the diagnosis of schistosomiasis in a low-transmission area in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil.

This population study, which evaluated two parasitological methods for the diagnosis of schistosomiasis mansoni, was performed in a low-transmission area in Pedra Preta, Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil. A total of 201 inhabitants of the rural area participated in this research. Four stool samples were obtained from all participants and analysed using the Kato-Katz method (18 slides) and a commercial test, the TF-Test®, which was performed quantitatively.

Evaluation of a 25-year-program for the control of schistosomiasis mansoni in an endemic area in Brazil.

Background: Various studies showed that chemotherapy can control schistosomiasis morbidity, but association of measures (water supply, sewage disposal and increase of socioeconomic conditions) is necessary for transmission control.

Methodology/principal Findings: A survey dealing with socioeconomic conditions, snail survey, contact with natural waters, and clinical and stool examinations was undertaken at an endemic area in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The methodology used was the same for both evaluations (1981 and 2005).

Factors related to transmission of and infection with Schistosoma mansoni in a village in the South-eastern Region of Brazil.

In this transversal study, factors related to infection with and transmission of Schistosoma mansoni were explored. Based on stool examinations of two Kato-Katz smears of a single sample, the prevalences of schistosomiasis and geohelminths were established. In a multivariable analysis, sets of demographic, socio-economic and water contact pattern variables were tested for strength of relation with infection.

Reduced protective effect of Plasmodium berghei immunization by concurrent Schistosoma mansoni infection.

Studies on concomitant schistosomiasis and human and experimental malaria have shown a variation in the immunospecific response, as well as an increase in the severity of both parasitoses. In the present study, a murine co-infection model was used to determine the effects of a co-infection with Schistosoma mansoni and Plasmodium berghei on the protective immunity acquired by repeated malarial infections and subsequent curative treatment with chloroquine. Our results have demonstrated that, compared to an infection with P.

The effect of the number of stool samples on the observed prevalence and the infection intensity with Schistosoma mansoni among a population in an area of low transmission.

Examination of faecal material by Kato Katz (KK) technique is a widely used approach for the diagnosis of intestinal schistosomiasis, particularly in epidemiological surveys. However, this technique lacks diagnostic sensitivity in individuals with low infection intensity or in low endemic areas. In the total population (TP) of 1265 individuals prevalence and infection intensity were established by examining two KK slides.

A combined strategy to improve the control of Schistosoma mansoni in areas of low prevalence in Brazil.

Results of stool examinations for infections with Schistosoma mansoni among schoolchildren, living in a village of Minas Gerais State, Brazil, were used as an indicator to identify schistosomiasis-positive individuals within the entire population. This new approach is based on dividing the community into schoolchildren, members of households of schistosomiasis-positive and -negative schoolchildren, and members of households without schoolchildren. Each subgroup was evaluated comparing different sampling efforts with the predetermined "gold standard" to find the best relationship between detection rate and sampling effort.

Evaluation of cultures of Saccharomyces cerevisae as baits for Triatoma dimidiata and Triatoma pallidipennis.

We tested the attraction of Triatoma dimidiata and T. pallidipennis to traps baited with yeast volatiles. Two traps were simultaneously presented in opposite sides of an experimental arena.