Journal of Human Growth and Development

Motivations of overweight adolescents participating in a multidisciplinary health promotion program

Isabella Santos — 2023-03-23

Introduction: The perception of individuals about their own health is a strong indicator of their real state, as well as their behaviors related to the prognosis in case of presence of pathologies, besides being proportional to their motivations to acquire healthy habits.

Objective: To describe the motivations of overweight adolescents when participating in a multidisciplinary health promotion program and their perceptions about habits related to physical and emotional well-being.

Methods: This is a qualitative study, using the Bardin content analysis technique. The tool used for data collection was the semi-structured interview, analyzed with the help of the software QSR NVivo 11 through grouping of the speech into clusters. These in turn were evaluated in three categories: (1) motivation; (2) food; and (3) physical exercise.

Results: The average age of the participants was 13.8 ± 2.4, with an average body mass index of 31.8 ± 8.5 kg/m². Regarding family income, 41.66% had monthly income of 3 to 6 minimum wages. Regarding the educational level of parents, 70.83% of mothers had completed higher education, while 29.16% had completed high school. According to the respondents’ answers, the greatest motivation to participate in a multidisciplinary obesity treatment program was weight loss. In category 2, it was observed that adolescents associated the act of eating with feelings such as anxiety and nervousness. In category 3, the impact of the pandemic was found under the modalities of physical exercise practiced.

Conclusion: The results prove the importance of understanding the perception of adolescents about their own health and related habits, in order to elaborate effective strategies for health promotion and consequent improvement of the quality of life of these individuals.

Food and nutrition actions to face Noncommunicable Diseases from the perspective of Primary Health Care in Brazil: a scoping review

Islla Silva de Freitas — 2023-03-23

Introduction: Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) are considered a major public health problem, which makes it essential to develop interventions for promotion, prevention and treatment.

Objective: To synthesize and evaluate the evidence on food and nutrition actions for coping with NCDs in adults and the elderly from the perspective of PHC in Brazil.

Methods: This is a literature scoping review, guided by JBI guidelines and following the steps of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Extended Meta-Analyses for Scoping Reviews. The search took place in 5 electronic databases: MEDLINE, Web of Science, EMBASE, Central Cochrane Library and LILACS, and the gray literature, including the official government websites and the SUS Food and Nutrition Network.

Results: A total of 1844 articles were identified and only 42 articles met the eligibility criteria of the proposed methodology. It was identified that, among the available scientific evidence, food and nutrition actions in PHC are concentrated in education strategies and guidance on healthy habits for the treatment of NCD based on Public Nutrition Policies and Guidelines, mostly designated by a population composed of adults and a small proportion of elderly people.

Conclusion: there is a need for more studies published on food and nutrition actions in PHC, as the available scientific evidence does not correspond to 50% of the Brazilian states, being insufficient to positively impact the country’s nutritional situation. In addition, more research with a preventive approach to NCDs is essential, since PHC is characterized by a set of health-related actions that have as their main focus the promotion and protection of health.

Prevalence of diabetic foot and its risk factors in the State of Espirito Santo, Brazil

Wendel Jose Teixeira Costa — 2023-03-23

Introduction: Diabetic Foot (DF) is the leading cause of non-traumatic amputations in Western countries, causing death or physical and mental disability, poor quality of life and high cost to society.

Objetive: To analyze the prevalence of DF and related risk factors in the diabetic population residing in Espírito Santo State, Brazil.

Methods: Cross-sectional, descriptive study with time series design, using secondary data on morbidity of individuals with DF living in the State of Espírito Santo, registered and followed by the Hypertensive and Diabetic Registration and Monitoring System.

Results: From 64,196 diabetic patients, 3.9% had Type 1 DM, 10.9% Type 2 DM and 85.2% had hypertension. The prevalence of DF was 2.9% in type 1 DM, 3.3% in type 2 DM and 4.5% in DM with hypertension. Higher rates of DF were observed in males, aged over 60 years in type 1 and type 2 DM, and up to 19 years in DM with hypertension, smoking, sedentary lifestyle, Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI), stroke and Cronic Kidney disease (CKD). In overweight individuals, the prevalence of DF was higher only in type 1 DM. There was a significant association in all variables except overweight in both types of DM, sedentary lifestyle and stroke in type 1 DM.

Conclusion: Findings showed important prevalence of DF, with higher concentration in men older than 60 years, on smoking, sedentary lifestyle, AMI, stroke and CKD, with significant statistical association in the analized variables, except for overweight in both types of DM, as well as sedentary lifestyle and stroke in type 1 DM.

Effect of acupuncture on heart rate variability in individuals with multiple sclerosis: a protocol for a double-blinded randomized controlled trial

Luciana Nagato — 2023-03-23

Backgroung: the growing of patients with multiple sclerosis seeking acupuncture treatment is based on clinical reports of improvements in symptoms. Considering that autonomic impairment, including cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction, is not uncommon in patients with MS, neuromodulation with acupuncture could be an interesting tool to change heart rate variability in this population.

Objective: to evaluate heart rate variability in patients with multiple sclerosis, during the application of acupuncture, in order to analyze the behavior of the autonomic nervous system before, during and after therapy and changes in condition after a longitudinal intervention.

Methods: a double-blinded randomized sham-controlled crossover trial with a 1:1 allocation ratio will be conducted, with 40 individuals without a previous illness, who will constitute the control group, and 40 individuals with Multiple Sclerosis, who will constitute the experimental group, paired by age and sex. All participants will undertake active or sham acupuncture sessions.

Discussion: according to the studies found, cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction is expected, with alterations in heart rate variability. Although neuromodulation with acupuncture can control pain and inflammation, there are still difficulties in affirming whether the balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems can be changed by acupuncture.

Trial registration: We registered this trial on ClinicalTrials.gov, ID: NCT05523466

Epidemiological profile of Adolescents living with HIV/AIDS in Espirito Santo, Brazil: A cross-sectional study

Camila Bruno Fialho — 2023-03-23

Introduction: The AIDS epidemic has undergone several transformations, and, in recent years, there has been an increase in cases of HIV/AIDS among adolescents and young people. Thus, it is essential to know this population to base health actions scientifically.

Objective: This study aims to analyze the epidemiological profile of adolescents living with HIV/AIDS in Espírito Santo, Brazil.

Methods: A descriptive, sectional study in which notifications of HIV/AIDS among adolescents aged 13 to 19 between 2010 and 2020 were analyzed.

Results: 523 adolescents with HIV/AIDS were found in the analyzed period (an average of 47 cases/year). There was a predominance of male adolescents (68.8%), older than 16 years (mean=18.0 years), of mixed race/colour (54.6%), living in the metropolitan region near the capital. It was observed that the schooling of females is lower, with 47.2% of them in elementary school, while 45.0% of the boys are in high school. In most cases, the infection occurred via sexual intercourse, among men, through homosexual relations (55.0%), and among women, through heterosexual relations (82.2%). The HIV viral load was detectable in almost all (84.8%) cases, and 11 (6.8%) of these adolescents died.

Conclusion: The epidemiological profile of HIV and AIDS cases among adolescents in Espírito Santo shows a higher frequency of cases in males aged 16 to 19 years, with incomplete high school education, who acquired HIV through unprotected sex in homosexual relationships. We highlight the high percentage of young people with detectable viral loads and deaths due to complications of AIDS.

Glaucoma and aging: therapeutic difficulties experienced by the elderly

Maria Clara Palitot Galdino — 2023-03-23

Introduction: among the chronic-degenerative visual diseases, glaucoma is a public health problem due to its high incidence and for causing disability. Thus, the Glaucoma Patient Assistance Program was created to improve follow-up and avoid bleak prognoses.

Objectives: to verify the difficulties of the glaucomatous elderly as they use eye drops and their socioeconomic/demographic profile.

Methods: an exploratory research was carried out where the population was composed of elderly patients with glaucoma treated at the Integrated Unit of Ipiranga linked to Basic Care in District III of João Pessoa-PB, a questionnaire was the instrument for data collection for the 61 participants.

Results: it was shown that 38 (62.3%) were female, 53 (87%) received 1-2 minimum wages, and 23 (37.7%) studied only until primary school. As for administration, 37 (60.7%) had no problems remembering if they had already used the eye drops, 39 (63.9%) had no difficulty using it, and 34 (55.7%) were unable to follow its use in the basic assistance.

Discussion: Most revealed to be female, with low income, and unaccompanied by basic assistance in this regard. A significant portion also showed low education. However, despite the limitations, the predominance was revealed to comply with the therapy.

Conclusion: respondents have their obstacles to medication adherence regardless of the disease, the lack of follow-up in basic care only adds another one, so that’s why educating them would enable lower dropout rates and better prognoses.

Percutaneous lumbar discectomy: a systematic review

Marcelo Ferraz de Campos — 2023-03-23

Introduction: low back pain is a clinical condition with a multifactorial etiopathogenesis, which has a high socioeconomic impact, especially in the economically active population, as it is associated with frequent absenteeism and reduced quality of life. Through intervertebral disc degeneration, a progressive instability of the compromised region is observed, triggering a harmful positive feedback mechanism that further promotes intervertebral disc disease. Built by the interaction between the predisposing biopsychosocial components, a multidisciplinary therapeutic proposition is suggested. In persistent low back pain, treatment involves surgical procedures such as Percutaneous Lumbar Discectomy.

Objective: to evaluate the scientific evidence regarding the clinical outcomes and safety of this surgery.

Methods: systematic review duly registered in Prospero (CRD42022370811), based on the PICOD question, elaborated from a Boolean search in different databases for scientific articles, evaluated and selected in a paired way based on the eligibility criteria. In addition to extracting data related to the proposed objectives, the articles included were evaluated in relation to their level of evidence and strength of recommendation.

Results: among the 12 articles included, it was observed that it is a clinically effective and safe procedure. In the set of evidences gathered, they are of high and moderate level of evidence with respective strength of recommendation strong/good and weak/moderate.

Conclusion: Percutaneous Lumbar Discectomy promotes significant reduction of pain and increase in body functionality, in addition to preserving local musculoskeletal structures and preventing post-surgical joint instability. It is, therefore, a safe and clinically effective minimally invasive procedure for patients with herniated discs.

MeTA-Edu: a new methodology for validating educational technologies applied to COVID-19 prevention in adults with cancer

Isabella Portugal — 2023-03-23

Introduction: validated educational technologies favor access to reliable and adequate information, representing a critical risk communication tool for cancer patients during public health emergencies.

Objective: to assess the validity and reliability of an electronic booklet on COVID-19 for adults with cancer.

Methods: methodological validation by a panel of 22 experts linked to Brazil’s national curriculum vitae database. Sampling was performed by convenience, snowball, and selection techniques according to Jasper’s criteria. The validity of the booklet was evaluated by an electronic questionnaire using the content validity index (CVI), intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), the suitability assessment of materials (SAM) instrument, and the metalinguistic thematic analysis for educational technologies (MeTA-Edu) of dissertation proposals.

Results: the expert panel consisted of 22 doctors with homogeneous sociodemographic characteristics, high specialization in education (86.4%), and teaching experience (average = 17.8 years). In general, the educational technology was validated by experts for content (overall CVI = 0.953) with a high degree of agreement (ICC = 0.958) and suitability of the content, literacy demand, graphics, layout, and typography, learning stimulation and motivation, and cultural appropriateness (SAM = 90.6%). After thematic analysis, 94 dissertation proposals were identified, mainly of the visual language type (47.9%) and referential/informative function (68.1%). Most expert suggestions were accepted (83.0%), and only 17.0% were rejected.

Conclusion: the validity and reliability of the booklet “Uncomplicating COVID-19 for people with cancer” were ratified by experts. These findings can contribute to the methodological optimization of the validation of educational technologies and innovation of health education strategies, subsidizing cancer care in times of crisis.

The use of serial casting in the treatment of children with cerebral palsy: a study protocol

Amanda Simcsik — 2023-03-23

Introduction: Cerebral Palsy (CP) is characterized by a disorder of posture and movement, commonly leading to disabling orthopedic alterations, including muscle shortening, especially in the lower limbs. Stretching methods, performed gradually, are necessary to delay the impairment in function from muscle shortening. The use of serial casting aims to promote proper alignment, and an ideal and stable support base, in addition to better bone and joint health, leading to better posture, mobility, muscle function, and, subsequently, increased fitness and health.

Objective: evaluate range of motion, postural control, and motor performance in children with CP, using serial casting, as well as to measure its effect on fitness through the autonomic nervous system (ANS).

Methods: Sixty children and adolescents with CP, of both sexes, 3 to 12 years of age, will be divided into three groups: Groups A, B, and C, with 20 individuals each. Group A will use serial casting, Group B will use the orthosis continuously (with removal only allowed for bathing), and Group C will use the orthosis in their daily routine. Range of motion of the ankle of first and second resistance levels (R1 and R2), gross motor function measure (GMFM), and balance (measured by BERG scale) will be used in the initial and final assessments, and after 6 months and one year of follow-up. Timed-up-and-go (TUG), load distribution (baropodometry), motor performance measured through a real basketball game and the virtual MoveHero game, analysis of body angulation with “mydartfish”, and cardiac autonomic modulation through heart rate variability will be assessed in three different situations: barefoot, with orthosis, and with casting.

Conclusion: Serial casting demonstrates the potential to produce positive results in the treatment of individuals with CP regarding better alignment, with consequent motor and autonomic improvement.

Clinical risk factors for predicting anti-Sars-CoV-2 antibody immunoreactivity duration after mild COVID-19 infection

Maria da Penha Gomes Gouvea — 2023-03-23

Introduction: coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a complex multisystem disorder. It is not yet well known whether symptoms in the acute phase correlate with the duration of the immune response and the persistence of chronic symptoms.

Objective: this study aimed to assess and monitor the clinical symptoms of COVID-19 and correlate them with the production of neutralizing antibodies.

Methods: a cohort of 69 health workers at the University Hospital of the Federal University of Espírito Santo (HUCAM-UFES/EBSERH) diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed via RT-PCR (Real-Time Reverse Transcription–Polymerase Chain Reaction) were evaluated from the onset of symptoms up to six months. SARS-CoV-2 IgG and IgM assays were used to detect the presence of IgG and IgM against the nucleocapsid protein of SARS-CoV-2 in serum samples. IgG and IgM antibody serology, pulmonary function via spirometry, and the clinical evolution of patients were performed at 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, and 180 days after the onset of COVID-19 symptoms.

Results: sixty-nine health workers (age, 40 ± 10 years; 74% women) were evaluated for six months. All subjects showed mild to moderate COVID-19. The mean number of symptoms was 5.1 (± 2.3). The most common initial symptoms were muscle pain (77%), headache (75%), anosmia (70%), ageusia (64%), runny nose (59%), fever (52%), and coughing (52%). After 30 days, the patients had anosmia (18%), asthenia (18%), adynamia (14%), muscle pain (7%), and ageusia (7%). Regarding lung function, 9.25% presented with an obstructive pattern, and all recovered after six months. Of all analyzed participants, 18/69 (26%) did not have any reactive IgG or IgM values in any of the assessments. The IgG serology curve showed a peak, whereas IgM had the highest mean value on the 15th day. There was a progressive decrease and levels similar to those at baseline after 90 days, and 15/53 (28%) remained with reactive IgG after six months. Sore throat and shortness of breath were found to be independent risk factors, and patients with these symptoms were 5.9 times more likely to have reactive IgG on the 180th day. Patients with diarrhea were four times more likely to have reactive IgM.

Conclusion: our findings showed that 26% of patients did not produce a humoral response post-mild COVID-19. Their antibody titers dropped significantly after 90 days, and only 28% maintained reactive IgG antibodies after six months. Sore throat and shortness of breath are predictors of a longer duration of the humoral immune response.

Factors associated with molecular diagnosis for COVID-19: a cross-sectional study, Espírito Santo/Brazil

João Paulo Cola — 2023-03-23

Backgroung: Brazil was slow to implement an expanded testing policy for COVID-19, which may have affected the most vulnerable population’s access to testing services.
Objective: to evaluate the factors associated with performing the molecular test for COVID-19.

Methods: cross-sectional study of secondary data from the COVID-19 panel in the state of Espírito Santo. COVID-19 suspicion notification forms were included between September 11, 2020 and March 2, 2021. Hierarchical logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI95%).

Results: 419,771 notification forms were analyzed. The prevalence of performing the molecular teste for COVID-19 was 81.1% (CI95% 81.0-81.2). Elderly (OR= 2.70 – CI95% 2.56-2.85), health professional (OR=1 .43 – CI95% 1.36-1.50), chronic cardiovascular disease (OR=1.13 – CI95% 1.09-1.17), diabetes mellitus (OR=1.07 – CI95% 1.01- 1.14) and hospitalization (OR=5.95 – CI95% 4.53;7.82) were more likely to have undergone the molecular test. Male sex (OR=0.96 – CI95% 0.94-0.98), black skin color (OR=0.75 – CI95% 0.73-0.78), yellow skin color (OR=0.74 – CI95% 0.71-0.77), residing in the northern health region (OR=0.37 – CI95% 0.36-0.39) and the homeless population (OR=0.76 – CI95% 0.67-0.85) had the lowest chance of having undergone the molecular test.

Conclusion: Social, economic, contextual factors and the risk of aggravation of the disease were associated with carrying out the molecular test for COVID-19 in the state of Espírito Santo. Actions are needed to guarantee the access of the most vulnerable population to molecular testing.

Challenges in the surgical treatment of a 8-year old child living with Prune Belly syndrome: case report

Rodrigo Alexandre Trivilato — 2023-03-23

Prune Belly syndrome, also known as Eagle-Barret syndrome, is a rare disease, with a prevalence of 3.8 live births per 100,000 births. Its main characteristic is the hypoplasia of the abdominal muscles, giving rise to the name “prune belly syndrome”. The gold standard treatment is surgery, ideally with correction of cryptorchidism and phimosis between 6 to 18 months of life. Correction of urinary malformations and abdominoplasty should be performed up to 4 years of age. Little evidence exists in the literature about late treatment and its implications for prognosis. The context mentioned above led us to present an uncommon case of a six years old child in which a surgical approach was performed later than usual.

Democratic formation of the 1988 constitution of the Federative Republic of Brazil (CRFB/1988)

Iêgo Rodrigues Coelho — 2023-03-23

Introduction: After the years of lead, as known, the military dictatorship that took part in the country, declaredly contrary to the democratic rule of law that existed in Brazil until then, and that took over power through the use of force between the years 1964 and 1985 , in 1988 the Citizen Constitution was promulgated, the Constitution of the Federative Republic of Brazil of 1988 (CRFB/1988), not without a struggle but as a possible, but not perfect, combination of the democratic and social need that was curbed by conservatism and the roots lying down from dictatorialism and the right-wing vision of the instituted powers of the elite, and that made amnesty possible for coup leaders and dictators, as well as those who fought for the democratic rule of law and for social justice through the widespread use of violence at the time, which became begins with the cowardly coup of 1964. The 1988 Constitution brought to society, on its side, important mechanisms for the protection of individuals and society against the will of the State and of society itself, declared and instituted fundamental rights and created legal instruments for the protection and guarantee of fundamental rights, such as, among many, we can highlight public civil actions, the collective writ of mandamus and popular action. However, social reality depends on the implementation of fundamental rights through the effective action of the State and society, and through the appreciation of democratic institutions, such as the CRFB/1988. On the other hand, the coup and the lack of appreciation for democracy and the democratic rule of law, however, live in the shadows and underworld of violence and fake news more recently, and during the more than thirty years of promulgation of the celebrated Constitution Federal of 1988, the institutions and the constitutionally established democratic regime have been questioned by the coup, of which the dantesque event of the attacks on democracy perpetrated by vandals, possible terrorists and financiers of chaos, and purely coupists, on January 8, 2023, at the headquarters of the three branches of government in Brasília, DF. fundamental rights, occurs with great emphasis in the scope of the realization of these same fundamental rights and affects more seriously, above all, the vulnerable, marginalized population, and the black majority, with a cowardly mechanism of structural racism sedimented over the nation in Brazil and which adds to the lack of appreciation for democracy on the part of the population, and which affects, notably, and with greater gravity the economically needy people who live in poverty.

Objective: As a general objective, this manuscript aims to describe important mechanisms achieved for the defense and implementation of fundamental rights based on the Constitution of the Federative Republic of Brazil of 1988.

Methods: The present work was developed through bibliographical research, on the conquest of rights inserted in the context of the constitutionality and normative force of the Constitution of the Federative Republic of Brazil of 1988, representative of the sedimentation of democracy in Brazil. The research approach method is deductive.

Results: This research describes the evolution of generations of fundamental rights enshrined in the 1988 Constitution of the Federative Republic of Brazil, , among which the current stage of new fundamental rights, resulting from bioethics and technological advances.

Conclusion: It is concluded that fundamental rights had a great evolution in a short period of time, notably driven by the barbarism created by the warlike, coup-mongering and dictatorial movements that rested from the 20th century onwards, and notably by the incidence of technological evolution resulting from the advance of science in the same historical period, and which underlie the conquest of rights and the need to implement goals to avoid the social, economic and existential collapse of humanity, with the aim of perpetuating good social coexistence and guaranteeing and promoting the quality of life of people and societies, permeated by rights that are partly individual and partly collective.

Psychotropic drug use and suggestive depression symptoms associated with NR3C1 DNA methylation

Júlia de Assis Pinheiro — 2023-03-23

Introduction: Psychiatric disorders have become a global problem that leads millions of people to use psychotropic medications, especially benzodiazepines. The effects of these substances are widely known regarding tolerance and chemical dependence, however, from epigenetics perspective, there are still little known.

Objective: To evaluate the association between psychotropic drug use, NR3C1 gene methylation and its relation with symptoms suggestive of depression in adult individuals assisted in the public health system.

Methods: 385 adult volunteers (20-59 years) users of the Brazilian Unified Health System were recruited to evaluate socioeconomic, health, lifestyle conditions in a cross sectional study. BDI-II evaluated symptoms suggestive of depression and pyrosequencing evaluated NR3C1 DNA methylation. Bivariate and multivariate Poisson regression model with robust variance (p < 0.05) evaluated the association between psychotropic drug use and NR3C1 gene methylation.

Results: Specific depressive symptoms such as irritability, insomnia and fatigability were associated with psychotropic drug use. Symptoms of past failure, indecision and loss of appetite were associated with hypermethylation patterns in CpGs 40 to 47 of NR3C1 gene. Moreover, psychotropic drug use is associated with 50% reduction in NR3C1 gene methylation, through model adjusted with socioeconomic, health and lifestyle confounding variables.

Conclusions: Psychotropic drug use and depressive symptoms was associated with changes in NR3C1 DNA methylation. In this context, epigenetic modification resulting from psychotropic drug use and depressive symptoms could be considered, mainly in population studies with epigenetic evaluation, where these factors may be influencing the findings of future studies.

Child mortality remains a serious public health problem

Luis Fernando Barbosa Tavares — 2023-03-23

The identification of factors related to infant deaths can help in the planning of public health actions for the restructuring and improvement of maternal and child care, with a view to reducing infant mortality. The variables related to infant mortality continue to be incident in males, in those of brown color, with birth weight below normal and children of young mothers. Actions with technical and financial investment throughout prenatal care with a complete care network and strengthening childcare services for children by the Primary Care network at municipal level are necessary and urgent strategies to reduce the drama of preventable deaths of children in the first year of life.