Motherhood in early adolescence: a case-control study in Southern Brazil.

This paper investigates factors associated with motherhood among adolescents from 14 to 16 years of age in Porto Alegre, Brazil. This is a case-control study with 431 adolescent mothers (cases) and 862 adolescents who had never given birth (controls). D.

Factors associated with first sexual intercourse among mothers with 14-16 years of age from Porto Alegre/RS, Brazil.

This study analyzed the factors associated with first sexual intercourse among 427 mothers with 14-16 years of age from Porto Alegre (RS), Brazil. Data on adolescent socio-demographic status (skin color, religion and schooling gap) and reproductive aspects (age at menarche, age at first sexual intercourse, partnership in first sexual intercourse and partner's age) were collected through household survey. Data analysis was performed using bivariate and multivariate analysis through Poisson regression with robust variance.

Analysis of the Association of Nonsynonymous Polymorphisms in ADH Genes with Hazardous Drinking in HIV-1-Positive Individuals.

Background: Hazardous drinking (HD) is a serious health problem in people infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) genes have been associated with HD in different populations, but there were no data about this in HIV-1-positive individuals. This study investigated the association of 4 nonsynonymous SNPs in ADH genes (Arg48His and Arg370Cys in ADH1B gene; Arg272Gln and Ile350Val in ADH1C gene) with HD in people living with HIV-1.

Interferon lambda 4 (IFNL4) gene polymorphism is associated with spontaneous clearance of HCV in HIV-1 positive patients.

Approximately one-third of the individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) are co-infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). Co-infected patients have an increased risk for developing end-stage liver diseases. Variants upstream of the IFNL3 gene have been associated with spontaneous and treatment-induced clearance of HCV infection.

Gains in children's dental health differ by socioeconomic position: evidence of widening inequalities in southern Brazil.

Unlabelled: Oral health inequalities are the measures by which equity in oral health is tracked. Despite widespread improvement in children's dental health globally, substantial socio-economic disparities persist and may be worsening.

Objectives: Quantify 10-year changes in child caries occurrence by socio-economic position in a Southern Brazilian city and compare oral health inequalities over time.

[Maternity during adolescence: negative emotional indicators and associated factors in 14 to 16-year-old mothers from Porto Alegre in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil].

The prevalence of negative emotional indicators and associated factors in 430 adolescent mothers between 14 to 16 years of age in Porto Alegre in the State of Rio Grande do Sul was detected. Socio-demographic variables, social and family relationships, reproductive aspects, abuse and violence were studied. The prevalence rate (PR) was obtained by Poisson regression using hierarchical analyses.

Short communication: Prevalence and risk factors for human T cell lymphotropic virus infection in Southern Brazilian HIV-positive patients.

HIV/human T cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV) coinfection has a large range of prevalence in the different risk groups and geographic regions of the world. Most of the HTLV-infected people live in geographic areas where the virus is endemic, as it happens in Brazil. The aim of this study was to identify HTLV prevalence and risk factors in HIV-positive patients.

Alcohol misuse and illicit drug use are associated with HCV/HIV co-infection.

We studied hepatitis C virus (HCV) prevalence and risk factors for HCV infection in a sample of Brazilian HIV-positive patients. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 580 HIV-positive patients from a specialized HIV/AIDS diagnosis and treatment centre in southern Brazil. All patients were interviewed for socio-demographic and risk factors and tested for HCV antibodies and HCV-RNA detection.

[The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding and associated factors: a cross-sectional study of teenage mothers between 14 and 16 years of age in the city of Porto Alegre in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil].

This is a cross-sectional study to verify the prevalence and associated factors related to exclusive breastfeeding in adolescent mothers between 14 and 16 years of age with 6-month-old or younger babies, born in Porto Alegre in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, in 2009. The sample was based on 50% of the newborn babies from the population surveyed. A total of 341 adolescent mothers were interviewed in their homes.

Family psychosocial characteristics, tobacco, alcohol, and other drug use, and teenage pregnancy.

The aim of this study was to analyze associations between demographic factors, family psychosocial characteristics, tobacco, alcohol, and other drug use, and adolescent motherhood. This was a case-control study in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, with 431 adolescents 14 to 16 years of age who gave birth in 2009 (cases) and 862 adolescents who had never given birth (controls). Three-stage hierarchical logistic regression was performed (demographic, family psychosocial, and lifestyle variables).

IL28B polymorphism associated with spontaneous clearance of hepatitis C infection in a Southern Brazilian HIV type 1 population.

About one-third of people infected with human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) are coinfected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) because of shared transmission routes. Studies report that HIV-1 complicates hepatitis C infection by increasing HCV viral load and reducing spontaneous clearance. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) upstream of the IL28B gene have been associated with spontaneous and treatment-induced clearance of HCV infection.

[Representations and use intention of phytotherapy in primary health care].

The current observational study of investigative characteristics aimed to identify the representations and the use of phytotherapy on the primary health care and the factors related to the intention of use of this therapy. The population for this study was composed by 27 physicians from the Family Health Program in the city of Canoas, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. This quality approach research was developed through a semi structured interviewing process embracing: conceptualization, experiences with phytotherapics and phytotherapy on primary health care.

[Prevalence of HIV-1 subtypes in patients of an urban center in Southern Brazil].

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of HIV-1 subtypes and analyze factors associated.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed with a convenience sample of 80 adult HIV-positive patients, users of an AIDS/STD specialized service, in the city of Canoas, Southern Brazil, between July 2008 and January 2009. Determination of HIV subtypes was performed with the amplification of viral genome fragment, using polymerase chain reaction, followed by sequencing of the amplified fragments.

Child sexual abuse in southern Brazil and associated factors: a population-based study.

Background: The prevalence of child sexual abuse (CSA) in the population has been poorly described in developing countries. Population data on child sexual abuse in Brazil is very limited. This paper aims to estimate lifetime prevalence of child sexual abuse and associated factors in a representative sample of the population aged 14 and over in a city of southern Brazil.

[Access by hearing-disabled individuals to health services in a southern Brazilian city].

This cross-sectional study aimed to compare access to health services and preventive measures by persons with hearing disability and those with normal hearing in Canoas, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. The sample included 1,842 individuals 15 years or older (52.9% of whom were females).

Posterior stabilization strategies following resection of cervicothoracic junction tumors: review of 90 consecutive cases.

Object: In this retrospective analysis the authors describe the assessment and outcomes of 90 patients who underwent placement of posterior instrumentation at the cervicothoracic junction following the resection of a primary or metastatic tumor during a 10-year period.

Methods: All patients underwent a posterolateral laminectomy including uni- or bilateral facetectomy, and 44 patients additionally required vertebral body resection and reconstruction. In patients who underwent C-6 or C-7 decompression, the posterior instrumentation strategies changed from the use of lateral mass plate systems (LMPSs) to lateral mass screw/rod systems (LMSRSs).

[Physical violence and associated factors: a population-based study in Southern Brazil].

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of physical violence and its association with sociodemographic aspects, stressful life events, and the use of health services due to emotional problems.

Methods: A cross-sectional population-based study was conducted with a sample of 1,954 14-year-old or older inhabitants of the city of Canoas (Southern Brazil). They were selected by means of conglomerate sampling according to a pre-established system.

Hearing impairment and socioeconomic factors: a population-based survey of an urban locality in southern Brazil.

Objective: To provide the first population-based data on deafness and hearing impairment in Brazil.

Methods: In 2003, a cross-sectional household survey was conducted of 2,427 persons 4 years old and over. The study population was composed of 1,040 systematically chosen households in 40 randomly selected census tracts (dwelling clusters) in the city of Canoas, which is in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, in southern Brazil.

Dental caries in 0- to 5-year-old Brazilian children: prevalence, severity, and associated factors.

Objective: This cross-sectional study investigated the prevalence and severity of dental caries and their association with demographic and socio-economic variables in Brazilian preschoolers.

Methods: The study population comprised 1487 0- to 5-year-old children attending government nurseries in Canoas, southern Brazil. Questionnaires regarding information related to the independent variables (age, gender, maternal level of education, and family income) were completed by the parents.

Gender differences in self-reported morbidity: evidence from a population-based study in southern Brazil.

This paper aims to assess variations in self-reported morbidity between men and women using six different measures of reported illness. The cross-sectional study was conducted in the municipality of Rio Grande, southern Brazil. Demographic, socioeconomic, and morbidity data were collected from a probabilistic sample of 1,260 persons aged 15 years or over, using a specific questionnaire.

[Prevalence and factors associated with hospital admissions in a population-based study in a southern Brazilian city].

This cross-sectional study investigates the use of health services and associated factors in individuals > or = 14 years of age in Canoas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. 1,954 persons were interviewed in 40 census tracts. One-year prevalence of hospital admissions was 9.

[Prevalence of signs and symptoms, associated sociodemographic factors and resulting actions in an urban center in southern Brazil].

Objective: To determine the prevalence of signs and symptoms in the adult population, the sociodemographic factors associated with them, and the actions taken as a result of these symptoms, according to sex.

Methods: A population-based cross-sectional study was carried out in the city of Rio Grande (state of Rio Grande do Sul), Brazil, in 2000. We interviewed 1 259 people > or = 15 years of age.

Factors associated with condom use in women from an urban area in southern Brazil.

This study investigated the prevalence of factors associated with condom use during last sexual intercourse in 15-49-year-old women in a probabilistic sample from the urban area of Pelotas, southern Brazil. A questionnaire administered by an interviewer, investigating socioeconomic characteristics and habits, and another (self-administered) questionnaire on sexual behavior-related variables were used. Poisson regression, following a hierarchical model, was used for data analysis.

[Factors associated with drug use among adolescent students in southern Brazil].

Objective: To assess factors associated with drug use among adolescent students from schools providing secondary education.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in Pelotas, Southern Brazil, in 1998. An anonymous, self-administered questionnaire was answered by a proportional sample of 10-19-year-old students, enrolled in primary (5th grade and further) and secondary classes in all public and private schools of the urban area which providing secondary education.

[Adolescent clients of primary health care services. How do they live? Why do they seek help, and how do they express themselves?].

The objective of this study was to characterize adolescent clients of community-based primary health care services in order to understand: 1) how they express themselves when they seek medical help; 2) the health care they receive; and 3) key social and family factors. Among 35 urban primary care services belonging to the municipal public health department in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, 10 were randomly selected, and all individuals between 13 and 19 years of age who had previously had an appointment with a non-psychiatric physician were interviewed during a three-month period (n = 463). Use of the services has more of a more curative than preventive focus.