Socioeconomic inequalities in health problems in the first two years of life: Pelotas (Brazil) birth cohort, 2015.

Brazil is characterized by an unfinished agenda of health inequalities, which impact health problems in the childhood. This study aimed to evaluate the socioeconomic inequalities of health problems in the early childhood. This is a prospective study, using data from the birth cohort carried out in the city of Pelotas (Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil) in 2015.

Difficulties in the use of medications by elderly people followed up in a cohort study in Southern Brazil.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the need for help by elderly people to take their medications, the difficulties related to this activity, the frequency of forgotten doses, and factors associated.

Methods: Cross-sectional study conducted with a cohort of elderly people (60 years and over - "COMO VAI?" [How do you do?] study), where the need for help to properly take medication and the difficulties faced in using them were evaluated. The Poisson regression model was used to estimate the crude and adjusted prevalence ratios (PR) of the outcomes and respective 95% confidence intervals according to the characteristics of the sample.

[Expenditures on childbirth care: a comparison of the 2004 and 2015 birth cohorts in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil].

Although most childbirth care in Brazil is financed by the Brazilian Unified National Health System (SUS), there are out-of-pocket expenditures (private personal costs) involved in births. This study aims to compare maternal out-of-pocket expenditures in births of children from the Pelotas Birth Cohorts of 2004 and 2015. The study drew on information collected right after birth and at three months of age.

Use of antibiotics in the health care unit: 2015 Pelotas Birth Cohort.

Objective: To estimate the use of the first dose of antibiotics in the health care unit in children from the 2015 Pelotas Birth Cohort at 24 months.

Methods: A total of 4,014 children were monitored. We used descriptive statistics and Poisson regression to analyze the association between socioeconomic and demographic variables, participation in daycare units, in the activities of the Pastoral da Criança and in the Primeira Infância Melhor program, low birth weight, hospitalization between 12 and 24 months, place of medical appointment, prevalence of medical appointment in the last 30 days, prescription of antibiotics, and administration of the first dose in the health care unit.

Repeated high blood pressure at 6 and 11 years at the Pelotas 2004 birth cohort study.

Background: We evaluated the prevalence and the factors associated with repeated high systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) at 6- and 11-year follow-ups of children from the Pelotas (Brazil) 2004 Birth Cohort.

Methods: All live births to mothers living in the urban area of Pelotas were enrolled in the cohort. Blood pressure (BP) values were transformed into Z-scores by sex, age, and height.

Assessment of Pharmaceutical Services in a Southern Brazilian City.

Introduction:: Well-planned and executed pharmaceutical services (PS) are important for proper treatment of the population's health needs, thus enabling the access to essential drugs and promoting their rational use.

Objective:: To assess the situation of PS in the city of Uruguaiana (State of Rio Grande do Sul), Brazil.

Methods:: This cross-sectional study was applied to 650 interviews between June and September of 2013 in 11 Basic Health Units (UBS) and in the Main Pharmacy of the city.

Impact of interventions to promote the use of generic drugs: a systematic review.

The need to increase access to medicines, coupled with the limited acceptance of generics has sparked the search for effective interventions to promote it. This systematic review aimed to conduct a survey on interventions to promote the use of generic drugs and its impact. Randomized clinical trials, non-randomized controlled trials, controlled before-after studies and interrupted time series were included.

Factors influencing the preference for purchasing generic drugs in a Southern Brazilian city.

Objective: The objective of this study is to identify factors associated with the preference for purchasing generic drugs in a medium-sized municipality in Southern Brazil.

Methods: We have analyzed data from a population-based cross-sectional study conducted in 2012 with a sample of 2,856 adults (≥ 20 years old). The preference for purchasing generic drugs was the main outcome.

[Perception, knowledge, and use of generic drugs in southern Brazil: what changed from 2002 to 2012?].

This study compared the perception, knowledge, and use of generic drugs by adults in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, using two cross-sectional population-based studies from 2002 and 2012. Study outcomes were: (a) prevalence of use of generics; (b) generics as a proportion of all medication; (c) users' perceptions of prices and quality; (d) users' knowledge of generics; and (e) strategies for acquisition of medicines. Prevalence of generics use increased from 3.

Sexual initiation among adolescents (10 to 14 years old) and health behaviors.

Objective: To assess the prevalence of sexual initiation until the age of 14 years old, as well as sociodemographic and behavioral factors.

Methods: In 2008, 4,325 from the 5,249 adolescents of the 1993 birth cohort in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, were interviewed. Sexual initiation was defined as the first intercourse up to the age of 14 years old.

Randomized controlled trial to evaluate the impact of pharmaceutical care on therapeutic success in HIV-infected patients in Southern Brazil.

A non-blinded randomized controlled trial evaluated efficacy of pharmaceutical care (PC) (Dáder method) on self-reported antiretroviral adherence and undetectable plasma viral load (UPVL), compared with usual care (UC) in HIV-positive patients in Brazil. Most were male (63 %), mean age 40.3 years (SD = 10).

Predictors of non-adherence to clinical follow-up among patients participating in a randomized trial of pharmaceutical care intervention in HIV-positive adults in Southern Brazil.

Pharmaceutical care (PC) has been shown to improve adherence to therapeutic interventions as well as improve clinical outcomes. We assessed the predictors of non-adherence to clinical follow-up (i.e.

Depressive symptoms in HIV-infected patients treated with highly active antiretroviral therapy.

Introduction: The prevalence of depressive disorders in HIV-infected patients ranges from 12% to 66% and is undiagnosed in 50% to 60% of these patients. Depression in HIV-infected individuals may be associated with poor antiretroviral treatment (ART) outcomes, since it may direct influence compliance.

Objective: To assess the presence of symptoms and risk factors for depression in patients on ART.