Hurdles at work: perceptions of hospital food handlers.

Background: Food handlers have a very important role in preventing food contamination during its preparation and distribution. This responsibility is even greater in hospitals, since a large number of patients have low immunity and consequently food contamination by pathogenic bacteria could be particularly harmful. Therefore, a good working environment and periodic training should be provided to food handlers by upper management.

Treatment and prevention of anemia with ferrous sulfate plus folic acid in children attending daycare centers in Goiânia, Goiás State, Brazil: a randomized controlled trial.

The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of anemia and the therapeutic and prophylactic response to ferrous sulfate and folic acid. A double-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial was conducted with 196 children 6 to 24 months of age enrolled in municipal daycare centers in Goiânia, Goiás State, Brazil. The children were assigned to two treatment groups that received a daily dose (5 times a week) of either 4.

[Anthropometric assessment of Kamayurá adolescents in the Upper Xingu, Central Brazil (2000-2001)].

Despite the proximity between indigenous groups in the Upper Xingu Region and Brazilian national society, studies have shown adequate weight-for-height and low height-for-age in indigenous children. Little is known about the nutritional status of indigenous adolescents. The present study aimed to evaluate the nutritional status of Kamayurá adolescents.

A training course on food hygiene for butchers: measuring its effectiveness through microbiological analysis and the use of an inspection checklist.

The effectiveness of food hygiene training for a group of retail butchers was evaluated with the aim of verifying whether the butchers modified their behavior in the light of knowledge gained and whether their acquired knowledge or behavior change was sustained over a period of time. Microbiological analysis (enumeration of mesophilic and coliform bacteria and Escherichia coli) of a raw semiprocessed product (stuffed rolled beef) was conducted, and an inspection checklist was issued before the training course (T0). Initial results were later compared with results obtained 1 month (T1) and 6 months (T6) after the training.

Bacterial contamination and nutrient content of home-prepared milk feeding bottles of infants attending a public outpatient clinic.

To evaluate the bacterial contamination and the nutrient content of home-prepared milk feeding bottles, 48 samples of their lacteal contents were collected; of these, 29 samples were cultured and 48 were analyzed to determine their macronutrients composition by chemical analyses. The medians (percentiles 25 and 75) of the counts (bacteria/ml) were mesophilic bacteria, 78,000 (500-1,125,000) and coliforms, 600 (0-44,000). Adding sugar (41/48) and cereals (39/48) to the milk was a common practice.

[Protective factors for iron deficiency anemia: prospective study in low-income infants].

This study was performed to assess both risk and protective factors associated with iron deficiency anemia in 130 infants with age below 24 months, with low socio-economic status and followed since their births by a primary health care program in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. Growth, morbidity and dietary factors were analysed as well as hemoglobin levels (Hb) at regular intervals (6, 9, 12, 18 and 24 months). The portable Hemocue photometer was employed to measure hemoglobin levels and anemia was considered when Hb values were below 11 g/dL.

[Comparison of nutritional status of low-income children in the second year of life, before and after primary health care program implantation].

The so-called "Slum Project" or Projeto Favela at the São Paulo School of Medicine, Federal University in São Paulo, conducts numerous primary health care activities in low-income communities in the city of S o Paulo to prevent and control nutritional deficiencies. The aim of this study was to compare the nutritional status of children from 12 to 26 months of age before and after preventive intervention. The study was conducted with two groups, before and after intervention, with 57 and 65 children, respectively.

[Food composition tables: laboratory comparative analysis].

Objective: To evaluate the agreement between macronutrients and food energy values analyzed in laboratory and data of food composition tables and software available in Brazil.

Methods: Eleven types of food were analyzed totaling 701 samples. Student's t-test was performed consisting of the comparison between the mean values obtained in laboratory and the unique constant value of each table or software at 5% confidence level.

Effects of an oxalate load on urinary oxalate excretion in calcium stone formers.

Objective: To investigate the oxalate intake and the effect of an oxalate load on urinary oxalate excretion in calcium stone-forming (CSF) patients.

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: University-affiliated outpatient Renal Lithiasis Unit.

Determination of macronutrients, by chemical analysis, of home-prepared milk feeding bottles and their contribution to the energy and protein requirements of infants from high and low socioeconomic classes.

Objectives: To determine the macronutrients composition of home-prepared milk feeding bottles, by chemical analysis, and assess their contribution to the energy and protein requirements of children under two years of age from high (HSE) and low (LSE) socioeconomic classes.

Methods: 72 samples were analyzed for energy density and protein, fat and carbohydrate content: 41 from the LSE group and 31 from the HSE group. The assessment of the percentages of the energy and protein requirements met by the consumption of the milk bottles was calculated as follows: the energy and protein per 100 mL obtained through chemical analysis were multiplied by the volume consumed at each feeding, then by the number of feedings per day, the results divided by the energy and protein requirements and multiplied by 100.