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Copyright of Revista Ciência & Saúde Coletiva is the property of Associacao Brasileira de Pos-Graduacao em Saude Coletiva and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The majority of the women in prisons comes from the poorest strata of society with limited access to education, income and health services. This contributes to the fact that female prisoners have a higher burden of adverse health events than both male prisoners and women in general population We objectived to estimate the prevalence of different morbidities and risk factors among female prisoners in Brazil. A total of 1,327 women were recruited in this cross-sectional study. Data were collected using a using audio computer-assisted self-interviewing questionnaire, rapid antibody tests and physical examination. The higher prevalences was of syphilis, infection sexually disease, arterial hypertense, asthma, common mental disorders and severe physical violence. Regarding risk factors, 36.3% have good knowledge about HIV, 55.8% were smokers, 72.3% had ever used any illicit drug, 92.1% are sedentary and 92.1% maintained an unhealthy diet. Female prisoners are disproportionately affected by various adverse health conditions. There is a need for an effective surveillance system inside prisons for early diagnosis and treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Ciência & Saúde Coletiva is the property of Associacao Brasileira de Pos-Graduacao em Saude Coletiva and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Ciência & Saúde Coletiva is the property of Associacao Brasileira de Pos-Graduacao em Saude Coletiva and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Ciência & Saúde Coletiva is the property of Associacao Brasileira de Pos-Graduacao em Saude Coletiva and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The evaluation of vaccine effectiveness is conducted with real-world data. They are essential to monitor the performance of vaccination programmes over time, and in the context of the emergence of new variants. Until now, the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines has been assessed based on classic methods, such as cohort and test-negative case-control studies, which may often not allow for adequate control of inherent biases in the assignment of vaccination campaigns. The aim of this review was to discuss the study designs available to evaluate vaccine effectiveness, highlighting quasi-experimental studies, which seek to mimic randomized trials, by introducing an exogenous component to allocate to treatment, in addition to the advantages, limitations, and applicability in the context of Brazilian data. The use of quasi-experimental approaches, such as interrupted time series, difference-in-differences, propensity scores, instrumental variables, and regression discontinuity design, are relevant due to the possibility of providing more accurate estimates of COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness. This is especially important in scenarios such as the Brazilian, which characterized by the use of various vaccines, with the respective numbers and intervals between doses, applied to different age groups, and introduced at different times during the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Ciência & Saúde Coletiva is the property of Associacao Brasileira de Pos-Graduacao em Saude Coletiva and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The COVID-19 pandemic has been most severe in the poorest regions of Brazil, such as the states of the Northeast Region. The lack of national policies for pandemic control forced state and municipal authorities to implement public health measures. The aim of this study is to show the effect of these measures on the epidemic. The highest incidence of COVID-19 among the nine states in the Northeast was recorded in Sergipe, Paraíba and Ceará. Piauí, Paraíba and Ceará were the states that most tested. Factors associated with transmission included the high proportion of people in informal work. States with international airports played an important role in the entry of the virus and the initial spread, especially Ceará. All states applied social distancing measures, banned public events and closed schools. The response was a significant increase in social distancing, especially in Ceará and Pernambuco, a decline in the reproduction rate (Rt), and a separation of the curve of observed cases versus expected cases if the non-pharmacological interventions had not been implemented in all states. Poverty, inequality, and the high rates of informal work provide clues to the intensity of COVID-19 in the region. On the other hand, the measures taken early by the governments mitigated the effects of the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to analyze the association between sociodemographic, programmatic and contextual factors and the receipt of money in exchange for sex among men who have sex with men (MSM). This is a multicenter, cross-sectional study conducted in ten Brazilian cities between 2008 and 2009. Adult MSM recruited through the Respondent Driven Sampling (RDS) were interviewed. Weighted Odds Ratio (ORw) was obtained through logistic regression, retaining the variables associated with the event (p < 0.05) in the final model. Of the total sample, 33.3% reported receiving money in exchange for sex in the last 12 months before the interview. The variables that were independently associated with the event were age less than or equal to 25 years, lower education, lower social classes, previous history of syphilis, using sites or services to find sexual partners in the previous month, very high risk behavior, using illicit drugs in the previous six months, self-identifying as heterosexual or bisexual, having suffered physical violence due to sexual orientation and having suicidal thoughts always or most of the time. It was observed that MSM who received money in exchange for sex had greater socioeconomic, programmatic and contextual vulnerability, potentially increasing the risk of HIV infection than the other MSM in the sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Ciência & Saúde Coletiva is the property of Associacao Brasileira de Pos-Graduacao em Saude Coletiva and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Ciência & Saúde Coletiva is the property of Associacao Brasileira de Pos-Graduacao em Saude Coletiva and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The article presents the discussion on vaccination strategy for children and young people. Topics include vaccines responsible for substantial reductions in child mortality and are among the most cost-effective interventions in the health area; and considering the largest continuous reduction in childhood immunizations in a generation.

Copyright of Revista Ciência & Saúde Coletiva is the property of Associacao Brasileira de Pos-Graduacao em Saude Coletiva and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Ciência & Saúde Coletiva is the property of Associacao Brasileira de Pos-Graduacao em Saude Coletiva and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objective: To analyze the factors associated with the individual use of insect repellent by women of childbearing age living in area endemic for arboviruses in Fortaleza, Brazil., Methods: This is a cohort study carried out between 2018 and 2019 with women aged between 15 and 39 years in Fortaleza, state of Ceará, Brazil. A total of 1,173 women users of one of the four selected primary health care units participated in the study. The outcome was divided into: continued use, discontinued use, and nonuse of insect repellent. Crude and adjusted multinominal logistic regression analysis was carried out guided by a hierarchical model, with presentation of the respective odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). The independent variables include: socioeconomic and demographic data, environmental and sanitary characteristics, knowledge of the insect repellent, and behavioral and pregnancy-related aspects., Results: Only 28% of the participants reported using insect repellent during the two waves of the cohort. Women with higher education (OR=2.55; 95%CI 1.44-4.51); who are employed (OR=1.51; 95%CI 1.12-2.03); who received guidance from healthcare professionals (OR=1.74; 95%CI 1.28-2.36) and the media (OR=1.43; 95%CI 1.01-2.02); who intensified precautions against mosquitoes during the epidemic (OR=3.64; 95%CI 2.29-5.78); and who were pregnant between 2016 and 2019 (OR=2.80; 95%CI 1.83-4.30) had increased odds for continued use of insect repellent., Conclusion: The use of insect repellent among women of childbearing age was associated with a higher level of education, employment, guidance on insect repellent provided by healthcare professionals and the media, behavioral changes to protect against mosquitoes during the Zika virus epidemic, and pregnancy when occurring as of the beginning of the epidemic period.

Objective: To verify the association between sociodemographic factors and the time until the occurrence of new cases of COVID-19 and positive tests for SARS-CoV-2 in Brazil, during the period from May to November 2020, based on a cohort of Brazilians participating in the COVID-19 National Household Sample Survey., Methods: A concurrent and closed cohort was created using monthly data from the PNAD COVID-19, carried out via telephone survey. A new case was defined based on the report of the occurrence of a flu-like syndrome, associated with loss of smell or taste; and positivity was defined based on the report of a positive test, among those who reported having been tested. Cox regression models were applied to verify associations. The analyzes took into account sample weighting, calibrated for age, gender and education distribution., Results: The cumulative incidence of cases in the overall fixed cohort was 2.4%, while that of positive tests in the fixed tested cohort was 27.1%. Higher incidences were observed in the North region, in females, in residents of urban areas and in individuals with black skin color. New positive tests occurred more frequently in individuals with less education and healthcare workers., Conclusion: The importance of prospective national surveys is highlighted, contributing to detailed analyzes of social inequalities in reports focused on public health policies.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate factors associated with inconsistent condom use with casual partners in a population of men who have sex with men (MSM) in Brazil., Methods: In 2016, 4,176 MSM >18 years were enrolled in 12 capitals of Brazil using a Respondent Driven Sampling (RDS) method. For the construction of the outcome, we evaluated questions about condom use in all anal intercourse (receptive and insertive) in the previous six months and the last sexual intercourse. Estimates were calculated using a weighted complex sample design. We performed a logistic regression analysis to determine the associations between sociodemographic and behavioral factors and inconsistent condom use in sexual relationships with casual male partners., Results: More than half of our sample (50.8%) had not used condoms consistently with casual partners in the previous six months. Inconsistent condom use was significantly associated with: low education (weighted odds ratio - wOR: 1.55; 95% confidence interval - CI 0.99-2.40), lack of counseling on sexually transmitted infections STI (wOR: 1.51; 95%CI 1.05-2.17), non-use of condoms at sexual debut (wOR: 3.05; 95%CI 2.12-4.40) and moderate and high perceived risk for HIV (wOR: 1.51; 95%CI 1.07-2.14). Higher age was negatively associated with inconsistent condom use (wOR=0.97, 95%CI 0.89-0.99)., Conclusion: Despite being an individual behavior, condom use is related to factors beyond the individual scope. HIV/Aids prevention policies should focus on younger MSM, providing qualified information about condom use, preferably before the beginning of their sexual life.

The scope was to estimate the prevalence of arterial hypertension (AHT) and associated risk factors among female prisoners. Data from the National Health Survey of the Female Prison Population and Prison Guards were used, investigating sociodemographic variables, prison characteristics, health behaviors and conditions. Information was collected through a self-administered questionnaire, and the magnitude of the association was estimated by the odds ratio and 95% confidence interval. Of the 1,327 prisoner participants, 24.4% were hypertensive, the majority were 31 years of age or older (54.6%), and 51.5% self-reported mixed race. After adjustment for associated risk factors in the bivariate analysis, a direct relationship between age and AHT was observed, in which age equal to/over 41 years was independently associated with a 7-fold greater chance of having AHT, compared to those under 25 years of age. Those who self-reported mixed race, had high cholesterol, were obese and were also independently associated with a higher prevalence of AHT. The greater the number of people with whom the inmate shares a cell was associated with a higher prevalence of AHT, but without a dose-response relationship. The conclusion drawn is that age, race, obesity, physical inactivity and stress are risk factors for AHT in female prisoners.

The majority of the women in prisons comes from the poorest strata of society with limited access to education, income and health services. This contributes to the fact that female prisoners have a higher burden of adverse health events than both male prisoners and women in general population We objectived to estimate the prevalence of different morbidities and risk factors among female prisoners in Brazil. A total of 1,327 women were recruited in this cross-sectional study. Data were collected using a using audio computer-assisted self-interviewing questionnaire, rapid antibody tests and physical examination. The higher prevalences was of syphilis, infection sexually disease, arterial hypertense, asthma, common mental disorders and severe physical violence. Regarding risk factors, 36.3% have good knowledge about HIV, 55.8% were smokers, 72.3% had ever used any illicit drug, 92.1% are sedentary and 92.1% maintained an unhealthy diet. Female prisoners are disproportionately affected by various adverse health conditions. There is a need for an effective surveillance system inside prisons for early diagnosis and treatment.

To estimate the prevalence of leprosy among Brazilian female prisoners and identify factors associated with the disease. Cross-sectional study conducted between 2014 and 2015 in 15 Brazilian female prisons. The data of 1,327 women were collected using Audio Computer-Assisted Self-Interviewing and dermatological and neurological examination to identify suspicious lesions of leprosy. The average age was 33.4 years. Suspicion of leprosy was identified in 5.1% of women in prison, and lifetime self-reported prevalence was 7.5%. The variables that were associated with lifetime self-reported leprosy were: women in prison once being twice as likely to have leprosy; white women were 1.4 time more likely to have leprosy than non-white women; women who knew someone with leprosy was 1.9 time more likely to have leprosy; and women who shared a cell with 11 or more women were 2.5 times more likely to have leprosy than women who shared a cell with two or fewer people. The leprosy prevalence among female prisoners in Brazil were greater than that found in a Brazilian woman of the general population and show the extremely high vulnerability of this population generated through pre-incarceration poverty, as well as potential transmission in prison.

This study's objective was to analyze the spatial distribution pattern of new leprosy cases under 15 years and their contacts. A cross-sectional descriptive study covering sociodemographic characteristics and spatial analysis was carried out. The participants were from the city of Sobral, Ceará and the study was conducted between August 2014 and September 2015. Contacts were identified by the persons responsible for the children. Seropositivity was determined with the NDO-LID antigen, and positive cases were plotted on Voronoi polygons. Nine new cases of leprosy under 15 years of age have been found. The average number of people living with the cases was higher than the number of people living with non-household contacts. All household contacts were aware of other leprosy cases and had a higher rate of seropositive tests than non-household contacts. The index cases lived in the poorest regions of the municipality and hyper-endemic areas. Spatial analysis revealed a cluster of subclinical infection within a radius of 102 meters, suggesting that non-household transmission is related to proximity with seropositive individuals. In conclusion, the search for new leprosy cases cannot be restricted to household contacts.

This paper reflects on the vaccination campaign against COVID-19 in Brazil in light of the consideration of scientific evidence in the decision-making process. Brazil has one of the largest and most complete vaccination programs in the world, the National Immunization Program (Programa Nacional de Imunizações or PNI). Unfortunately, in the current context, with the political interference of the federal government, the PNI lost its role in conducting the vaccination campaign against COVID-19. Despite being a vaccination campaign with a lot of potential and one of the most accepted by the population among countries in the world, it presented many problems and left several gaps in the Brazilian scenario. In this sense, it is essential that the quality scientific evidence produced during this period can guide a constant remodeling of the vaccination strategy. Four points deserve to be highlighted: 1) the interval between doses; 2) the interchangeability between vaccines; 3) vaccination in children and adolescentes; and 4) the need for better evidence to define the vaccination strategy in certain groups and age groups.

The evaluation of vaccine effectiveness is conducted with real-world data. They are essential to monitor the performance of vaccination programmes over time, and in the context of the emergence of new variants. Until now, the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines has been assessed based on classic methods, such as cohort and test-negative case-control studies, which may often not allow for adequate control of inherent biases in the assignment of vaccination campaigns. The aim of this review was to discuss the study designs available to evaluate vaccine effectiveness, highlighting quasi-experimental studies, which seek to mimic randomized trials, by introducing an exogenous component to allocate to treatment, in addition to the advantages, limitations, and applicability in the context of Brazilian data. The use of quasi-experimental approaches, such as interrupted time series, difference-in-differences, propensity scores, instrumental variables, and regression discontinuity design, are relevant due to the possibility of providing more accurate estimates of COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness. This is especially important in scenarios such as the Brazilian, which characterized by the use of various vaccines, with the respective numbers and intervals between doses, applied to different age groups, and introduced at different times during the pandemic.

Even in the period when the Covid-19 pandemic was on the rise in the Northeast of Brazil, the relaxation of social distancing measures was introduced. The scope of the study is to assess, in the light of the epidemiological-sanitary situation in the region, the suitability of relaxation of social distancing measures. Based on the WHO guidelines for relaxation of social distancing, operational indicators were created and analyzed for each guideline in the context of the Northeast. To analyze the behavior of the epidemic, according to selected indicators, Joinpoint trend analysis techniques, heat maps, rate ratios and time trends between capitals and the state interior were compared. The weekly growth peak of the epidemic occurred in May-July 2020 (epidemiological weeks 19 to 31). In most capitals, there was no simultaneous downward trend in the number of cases and deaths in the 14 days prior to flexibilization. In all states the number of tests performed was insufficient. In epidemiological week 24, the state percentages of ICU/Covid-19 bed occupancy were close to or above 70%. The epidemiological situation of the nine Northeastern state capitals analyzed here did not meet criteria and parameters recommended by the World Health Organization for the relaxation of social distancing measures.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been most severe in the poorest regions of Brazil, such as the states of the Northeast Region. The lack of national policies for pandemic control forced state and municipal authorities to implement public health measures. The aim of this study is to show the effect of these measures on the epidemic. The highest incidence of COVID-19 among the nine states in the Northeast was recorded in Sergipe, Paraíba and Ceará. Piauí, Paraíba and Ceará were the states that most tested. Factors associated with transmission included the high proportion of people in informal work. States with international airports played an important role in the entry of the virus and the initial spread, especially Ceará. All states applied social distancing measures, banned public events and closed schools. The response was a significant increase in social distancing, especially in Ceará and Pernambuco, a decline in the reproduction rate (Rt), and a separation of the curve of observed cases versus expected cases if the non-pharmacological interventions had not been implemented in all states. Poverty, inequality, and the high rates of informal work provide clues to the intensity of COVID-19 in the region. On the other hand, the measures taken early by the governments mitigated the effects of the pandemic.

This study aimed to analyze the association between sociodemographic, programmatic and contextual factors and the receipt of money in exchange for sex among men who have sex with men (MSM). This is a multicenter, cross-sectional study conducted in ten Brazilian cities between 2008 and 2009. Adult MSM recruited through the Respondent Driven Sampling (RDS) were interviewed. Weighted Odds Ratio (ORw) was obtained through logistic regression, retaining the variables associated with the event (p < 0.05) in the final model. Of the total sample, 33.3% reported receiving money in exchange for sex in the last 12 months before the interview. The variables that were independently associated with the event were age less than or equal to 25 years, lower education, lower social classes, previous history of syphilis, using sites or services to find sexual partners in the previous month, very high risk behavior, using illicit drugs in the previous six months, self-identifying as heterosexual or bisexual, having suffered physical violence due to sexual orientation and having suicidal thoughts always or most of the time. It was observed that MSM who received money in exchange for sex had greater socioeconomic, programmatic and contextual vulnerability, potentially increasing the risk of HIV infection than the other MSM in the sample.

The present study aims to identify the prevalence of physical violence against female prisoners in Brazil, as well as related factors. This is a cross-sectional national survey conducted in 15 female prisons in five regions of Brazil selected in multiple stages. The following types of analysis were performed: univariate analysis; stratified analysis relating the outcome (suffer physical violence inside prison) to predictor variables, using the Pearson chi-square test; calculation of the Odds Ratio (O.R.); and multiple logistic regression. The Hosmer-Lemeshow test was used for analysis of goodness of fit and adequacy of the model. The prevalence of physical violence inside female prisons was 37.4%. There was a correlation between physical violence victimization in prison and the following variables: physical victimization prior to arrest (p = 0.013), solitary confinement (p = 0.000), mental suffering (p = 0.003), current or previous abusive intake of alcohol (p = 0.011), current or previous injection of cocaine (p = 0.002) and not performing prison labor (p = 0.003). Physical violence has become inherent in the Brazilian female prison system. Continued studies are needed to monitor the situation and to develop  interventions to prevent physical violence inside the facilities.

Introduction: Discrimination based on sexual orientation can influence vulnerability to HIV, increasing exposure to risky sexual behavior among men who have sex with men (MSM)., Objectives: To analyze data using latent class analysis (LCA) to identify groups of individuals with specific patterns of discrimination based on sexual orientation (DSO)., Methods: Cross-sectional study using respondent-driven sampling in 12 Brazilian cities in 2016. LCA was used to characterize discrimination among MSM based on 13 variables in the survey questionnaire. The proportions of men reporting DSO and other variables of interest were estimated using Gile's Successive Sampling estimator., Results: Most MSM were young, single, had a religion, had a high school or college degree, black or brown skin color, and socioeconomic status classified as average. More than half of the participants reported that they had been discriminated against during the last 12 months due to their sexual orientation (65%), more than a third said they had felt afraid of walking in public places during the past 12 months, and about one-fifth of participants reported having been victims of physical or sexual assault due to DSO. DSO was classified into four latent classes: "very high", "high", "moderate" and "low", with estimates of 2.2%, 16.4%, 35.1%, and 46.19%, respectively., Conclusion: We observed a high proportion of discrimination against MSM in this study. The use of LCA differentiated parsimoniously classes of discrimination.

Introduction: High level of HIV/AIDS knowledge is required for an effective adoption of preventive strategies., Objective: To assess HIV/AIDS knowledge among men who have sex with men (MSM) in 12 Brazilian cities., Methods: Respondent-Driven Sampling method was used for recruitment. HIV/AIDS knowledge was assessed by Item Response Theory. Difficulty and discrimination parameters were estimated, and the knowledge score was categorized in three levels: high, medium, and low. Logistic regression was used for analysis., Results: Among 4,176 MSM, the proportion of high level of knowledge was 23.7%. The following variables were positively associated with high knowledge (p < 0.05): age 25+ years old, 12+ years of schooling, white skin color, having health insurance, having suffered discrimination due to sexual orientation, having had a syphilis test, and having received educational material in the previous 12 months. Exchanging sex for money was negatively associated., Conclusions: The proportion of only 23.7% of high HIV/AIDS knowledge was low. We should note that the only potential source of knowledge acquisition associated with high level of knowledge was receiving educational materials. Our study indicates the need for expansion of public prevention policies focused on MSM and with more effective communication strategies, including the development of knowledge that involves motivation and abilities for a safer behavior.

Introduction: This paper details the methods used in the second national Biological and Behavioral Surveillance Survey (BBSS) of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B and C among men who have sex with men in Brazil., Methods: Respondent-driven sampling (RDS) was used in 12 cities in 2016. The targeted sample size was initiated with five to six seeds in each city. HIV, syphilis, and Hepatitis B and C rapid tests were offered to participants. RDS Analyst with Gile's successive sampling (SS) estimator was used to adjust results as recommended and a weight for each individual was generated for further analysis. Data for the 12 cities were merged and analyzed using Stata 14.0 complex survey data tools with each city treated as its own stratum., Results: Duration of data collection varied from 5.9 to 17.6 weeks. 4,176 men were recruited in the 12 cities. Two sites failed to achieve targeted sample size due to a six-month delay in local IRB approval. No city failed to reach convergence in our major outcome variable (HIV)., Conclusion: The comprehensive BBSS was completed as planned and on budget. The description of methods here is more detailed than usual, due to new diagnostic tools and requirements of the new STROBE-RDS guidelines.

This article aims to estimate the prevalence and violence-associated factors in the work environment of female correctional officers in Brazil. A cross-sectional, analytical study was conducted in 15 female correctional facilities in Brazil's five regions. Pearson's chi-square test was performed. The Odds Ratio and Confidence Intervals were estimated for factors that showed a significant association or were confounding factors. The prevalence of having experienced at least one violent occurrence during professional duty as an officer was 28.4%. An interesting factor is fact that agents themselves are identified as the main suspects of robbery (74.6%), moral violence (68.1%) and sexual harassment (66.8%) against their co-workers. Working in more than one correctional facility increased the chance of suffering from violence (OR = 3.23; CI = 1.51 - 6.9). The main associated factors are: working in temporary detention centers, age of admission to the prison system and low social support among co-workers. Violence in the Brazilian prison environment is of great magnitude and considered a complex phenomenon with multiple causes. To combat this, it is necessary to adopt intersectoral actions, capable of intervening both in the prison environment and in society.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) continues to disproportionately affect men who have sex with men (MSM); therefore, we investigated the sociodemographic, biological, and sexual behavioral risk factors associated with HIV infection in the city of Salvador, Bahia. This study is part of the national survey Behavior, Attitudes, Practices and Prevalence of HIV and Syphilis among men who have sex with men in 10 Brazilian Cities, which is a cross-sectional survey whose participants were selected by means of the respondent-driven sampling. Exact logistic regression analysis was used to measure the association of potential risk factors with HIV infection due to an HIV prevalence lower than 10% and a small sample size (383). The prevalence of HIV was 6.3% (95%CI 3.9-8.8) and the risk factors associated with HIV infection in our adjusted final model included having never been tested for syphilis (OR = 3.1; 95%CI 1.3 - 7.3) and having more than eight sexual partners (OR = 3.3; 95%CI 1.4 - 8.1). This study highlights the high prevalence of HIV among MSM in the sample compared with the general population and confirms the importance of testing for syphilis in the context of the HIV epidemic as early detection may provide opportunities to prevent sexually transmitted diseases.

This study describes the historic records on AIDS in the Brazilian state of Ceará, with analysis by gender, age group and race. It is a descriptive, retrospective, ecological study, analyzing 7,896 notifications of cases of AIDS, of people aged 13 and above, resident in the Ceará, over the period 2001 through 2011. Percentage occurrences and other data were calculated based on the variables gender, age group and race. Average and comparison tests were made, considering p < 0.05 and the trend line. There is a progressive increase in the number of cases. The majority of cases are in men. The ratio between the sexes falls from 2003 through 2007, but the number of women is still lower overall in the period. Higher rates of occurrence were found between the ages of 30 and 39, and of those with black-white mixed-race skin color (80%). Based on the variables studied in the series that was analyzed, the results indicate a need for differentiated strategies in prevention and control of the disease in the state.

This study sought to estimate the prevalence of eating disorders (ED) and identify risk factors among female adolescents in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil. It was conducted a sectional study with 652 high school students (14-20 years) using the Bulimic Investigatory Test of Edinburgh (BITE). A logistic regression model was applied. Approximately one quarter of participants showed risk eating pattern and control weight practices, among 1.2% signs of an installed ED were found. Fear of weight gain was reported by 62% of adolescents, independently if studying at public or private schools (p>0.05), but the use of risk practices was higher among private schools students (p<0.05). Not having a religion (OR: 2.2, 95%CI: 1.1-4.2) and studying in private school (OR: 1.7, 95%CI: 1.2-2.5) were associated with an increased risk of ED. The ED emerge as a public health problem even in the poor areas of Brazil and the desire for a thin body was not differentiated between different social strata, although the risk practices are significantly higher among respondents from private schools. Subjective and cultural aspects are presented not only as risk factors, but also as protectors.