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ObjectivesIn this study, we aimed to systematically review the literature of the prevalence of systemic antibacterial use during pregnancy and to perform a descriptive analysis focused on methodological characteristics.Materials and methodsThis study was registered in PROSPERO under protocol number CRD42022376634. Medline, Embase, Scientific Electronic Library Online, Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and Web of Science databases were searched (published studies until November 3rd, 2022). Selected studies were population-based cross-sectional or cohort, carried out with pregnant women, and providing information about the prevalence of systemic antibacterial use at least in one trimester of pregnancy. Reviewers conducted in pairs the title and abstract screening, eligibility criteria check, and data extraction of selected studies. Quality appraisal was performed with an adapted version of the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist for Prevalence Studies. Data of included studies were pooled into a graphical and tabular summary.ResultsA total of 16,251,280 pregnant women and 5,169,959 pregnancy registers were identified. The prevalence estimates of systemic antibacterial use during pregnancy ranged from 2.0% (95%CI 2.0-2.0) to 64.3% (95%CI not reported) in the 79 included studies. The majority were performed in high-income countries (91.5%). Overall, the studies revealed considerable prevalence heterogeneity in terms of study type and dataset used. The 95% confidence intervals were not reported in 41% of studies.ConclusionThe disparities in the prevalence of systemic antibacterial use during pregnancy can be related to methodological issues and different health policies. Lack of uniform databases and changes in data collection methods over time should be taken into account in public health strategy planning. The scarce evidence in low- and middle-income settings hampers the comprehensiveness of the global prevalence of antibacterial use during pregnancy.

Introduction: Emergency Contraception (EC) is available in Brazil since 1996, when it was adopted as one if the family planning strategies and, in 1998, for use in services assisting victims of sexual violence. In the country, its use is regulated by guidelines. Its access through SUS (Unified Health System), however, does not seem to occur in a standardized manner.Methods: The aim of the study was to analyze the availability and barriers to accessing emergency contraception (levonorgestrel) in Brazilian municipalities with more than 500 thousand inhabitants. The survey was carried out by a form sent to the Municipal Health Departments (SMS) managers and a search on the list of standardized medicines by the hospitals in the same municipalities.Results: The Basic Health Units were identified as the standard access places to EC. However, one of the obstacles mentioned is the need for a prescription for dispensing in almost 80% of the analyzed cities. Access in emergency situations at night and on weekends is also uncertain, since although 67% of the places stated that they dispense at the hospital level, the item was only standardized in 21% of the hospital lists.Discussion: The difficult access this drug in the public system essentially tends to harm the poorest women, who are the ones who suffer most from the consequences of an unwanted pregnancy.

Resumo Introdução O Brasil conta com dois programas de financiamento governamental para a provisão de medicamentos, o Programa Farmácia Popular do Brasil (PFPB) e a provisão em Unidades do Sistema Único de Saúde, ambos possuindo itens em comum. Objetivo Explorar a relação entre o uso do PFPB por hipertensos e diabéticos com fatores relacionados ao atendimento nas Unidades Básicas de Saúde, à estrutura da farmácia destas Unidades e à disponibilidade dos anti-hipertensivos e antidiabéticos comuns ao PFPB e ao SUS em municípios brasileiros de médio e grande porte populacional. Método Delineamento ecológico transversal utilizando dados secundários do PFPB e do Programa Nacional de Melhoria do Acesso e Qualidade na Atenção Básica (PMAQ-AB), com dados referentes ao ano de 2012. Resultados Municípios de médio porte apresentaram uma proporção de Unidades de Saúde com disponibilidade de anti-hipertensivos e antidiabéticos superior aos de grande porte. A maioria dos respondentes do PMAQ-AB relataram disponibilidade dos anti-hipertensivos e antidiabéticos nos serviços públicos. A análise multivariada mostrou que o uso da Farmácia Popular pela população está mais relacionado às situações emergenciais e ocasionais. Conclusão Na ausência do SUS, o PFPB supre a necessidade da população para obter medicamentos, evidenciando o seu importante papel para a continuidade do tratamento de muitos indivíduos com hipertensão e diabetes.

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To verify whether folic acid supplementation during pregnancy is associated with the occurrence of maternal depressive symptoms at three months postpartum, in the 2015 Pelotas Birth Cohort. METHODS This study included 4,046 women, who were classified into three groups: did not use folic acid supplementation during pregnancy; used during only one trimester of pregnancy; and used for two or three trimesters. Depressive symptoms were assessed at three months postpartum using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), at cutoff points ≥ 10 (mild symptoms) and ≥ 13 (moderate to severe intensity). RESULTS The overall prevalence of mild symptoms was of 20.2% (95%CI 19.0–21.5), and moderate and severe was 11% (95%CI 10.0–12.0). The prevalence of EPDS ≥ 10 was of 26.8% (95%CI 24.0–29.5) among women who did not use folic acid and 18.1% for both those who used it during one trimester of pregnancy (95%CI 16.1–20.1) and those who used it for two or three trimesters (95%CI 16.0–20.2). The prevalence of EPDS ≥ 13 was of 15.7% (95%CI 13.5–17.9) in those who did not use folic acid, 9.1% (95%CI 7.5–10.6) in those who used it for one trimester, and 9.4% (95%CI 7.8–11.0) in those who used it for two or three trimesters. In the adjusted analyses, there was no statistically significant association between the use of folic acid during pregnancy and the occurrence of depressive symptoms at three months postpartum. CONCLUSION There was no association between folic acid supplementation during pregnancy and postpartum depression at three months.

ABSTRACT OBJETIVE To evaluate the association between the use of iron salts during the first two trimesters of gestation in non-anemic women and the development of gestational diabetes mellitus. METHODS The study used maternal data from the 2015 Pelotas Birth Cohort. All non-anemic women at the 24th week of gestation (n = 2,463) were eligible for this study. Gestational diabetes mellitus was self-reported by women. Crude and adjusted logistic regression were performed considering level of significance = 0.05. RESULTS Among the women studied, 69.7% were exposed to prophylactic iron supplementation in the first two trimesters of gestation. The prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus among those exposed was 8.7% (95%CI: 7.4–10.1) and 9.3% (95%CI: 7.4–11.6) among those who were not exposed. Iron supplementation was not associated with increased risk of gestational diabetes mellitus in crude (OR = 0.9; 95%CI: 0,7–1,3) and adjusted analysis (OR = 1.1; 95%CI :0,8–1,6). CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that routine iron use in non-anemic pregnant women does not increase the risk of developing gestational diabetes. This evidence supports the existing national and international guidelines, in which prophylactic iron supplementation is recommended for all pregnant women as soon as they initiate antenatal care in order to prevent iron deficiency anemia.

Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to systematically review literature on the use of iron supplements (not including iron derived from diet), increased levels of hemoglobin and/or ferritin, and the risk of developing gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Data source The following databases were searched, from the study's inception to April 2021: PUBMED, Cochrane, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, Cinahl and Lilacs. Selection of studies A total of 6,956 titles and abstracts were reviewed, 9 of which met the final inclusion criteria, with 7,560 women in total. Data collection Data extraction was performed by two independent reviewers and disagreements were resolved by a third researcher. Data synthesis Methodological quality in controlled trials were assessed according to the Cochrane Collaboration tools (ROB-2 and ROBINS-1) and for the observational studies, the National Institutes of Health's (NIH) quality assessment tool was used. Among the 5 observational studies, women with a higher hemoglobin or ferritin level were more likely to develop GDM when compared with those with lower levels of these parameters. Among the 3 randomized clinical trials, none found a significant difference in the incidence of GDM among women in the intervention and control groups. However, we identified many risks of bias and great methodological differences among them. Conclusion Based on the studies included in this review, and due to the important methodological problems pointed out, more studies of good methodological quality are needed to better establish the association between iron supplementation and GDM.

Objective: This study analyzed socioeconomic inequality in self-rated health for older adults (aged fifty or over) in Brazil. Methods: Data from the 2015-2016 Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI-Brazil). Socioeconomic inequality in self-rated health was measured using the concentration index, which was decomposed to analyze the contribution of different factors. Results: This study revealed that 11.5% of the older adults interviewed reported their health as poor and very poor. For the complete sample, the estimated concentration index, −0.2434, indicated that there is a concentration of poor and very poor self-rated health among older and poorer adults. Income, education and having a private health insurance plan are the factors that contributed most to the observed inequality. Discussion: The decomposition showed that there are avoidable inequalities in relation to socioeconomic status for older adults in Brazil. These factors can guide the formulation of social and health policies aimed at reducing health inequalities.

A utilização indiscriminada de antibacterianos no período gestacional pode aumentar a resistência antimicrobiana e colocar em risco a saúde da gestante e da criança. Atualmente, está em vigência no Brasil a Resolução da Diretoria Colegiada nº 20/2011, que controla a prescrição e fornecimento de antibacterianos. O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar o uso de antibacterianos pelas gestantes participantes das coortes de nascimentos de Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, de 2004 e 2015, considerando a regulamentação implementada entre as duas coortes. Foram utilizados dados coletados no período perinatal dos dois estudos. O desfecho principal foi o uso de antibacterianos na gestação. As prevalências de uso foram descritas a partir de variáveis independentes e diferenças em pontos percentuais (p.p.) entre as duas coortes. A prevalência do uso de antibacterianos foi de 41,9% (IC95%: 40,4; 43,3) em 2004 e 39,2% (IC95%: 37,7; 40,6) em 2015. Considerando-se as gestantes que relataram ter infecção durante a gestação, observou-se maior redução de uso em 2015, quando comparado a 2004, nas gestantes mais pobres (-15,4p.p., IC95%: 9,59; 21,20) e naquelas que foram a menos consultas (-17,1p.p., IC95%: 2,81; 31,36). Houve redução na proporção de antibacterianos usados, considerando o total de medicamentos de 20,6% (IC95%: 19,9; 21,4) em 2004 para 12,6% (IC95%: 12,1; 13,1) em 2015. As reduções encontradas, tanto nas prevalências de uso quanto na proporção dos antibacterianos sobre o total de medicamentos utilizados, podem ser reflexo da política de regulamentação implementada em 2011.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between maternal factors and dental visits of children within their first year of life. This study used data from the 2015 Pelotas Birth Cohort and included pregnant women and their children at 12 months of age, followed-up between May 2014 and December 2015. Socioeconomic and demographic data, information on the use of dental services during the last year, and information on dental fear were collected by interviewing the mothers. Information regarding dental caries and periodontal disease were collected during the mother’s clinical examination. The date of each child’s first visit to the dentist was recorded. Crude and adjusted Poisson regression models with robust variance were used. The sample comprised 2,287 mother-child dyads, of which 10.1% of children visited the dentist during the first year of life. Children whose mothers visited the dentist within the last year for preventive reasons (RR: 1.51; 95%CI: 1.12–2.03) or curative reasons (RR: 1.47; 95%CI: 1.08–2.01) were more likely to have visited the dentist during the first year of life compared to those whose mothers had not used dental services during this period. Maternal tooth loss was inversely associated with a child’s visit to the dentist during the first year of life (RR: 0.69; 95%CI: 0.54–0.89). Considering the mother’s history of using dental services, as well as their dental caries history, is necessary to understand and improve patterns of dental health care utilization and implement public oral health policies for young children.

Medication use is an important part of the health process and prevalence of its use among infants can reach up to 65% in their first months of life. The excessive use of medication could lead to an increase in their potential harm, surpassing their benefits. Considering this, this study aimed to describe medication use in children aged 3, 12, 24, and 48 months. Standardized questionnaires were applied to assess patterns and covariables of medication use. Medication use was investigated as an outcome and defined as the receipt of any medication within 15 days before the interview. Prevalence of medication use and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were described using chi-squared tests. Prescription source and frequency of use were also reported, along with the most frequent medication in each follow-up. Medication use prevalence was 67.2% (95%CI: 65.8; 68.6), 68.2% (95%CI: 66.8; 69.6), 52.4% (95%CI: 50.9; 54.0), 47.2% (95%CI: 45.7; 48.8), at 3, 12, 24, and 48 months, respectively. We observed a decrease in the proportion of medically prescribed medications and an increase in self-medication over the years. Drugs for gastrointestinal disorders (A03), vitamins (A11), analgesics (N02), anti-inflammatories (M01), and nasal formulations (R01) were the most frequently used medications. We found that children under four years of age comprised over 50% of the total use of medications and self-medication. These results highlight the need to warn caregivers on the importance of proper professional examination and prescription before they administer medications to children.

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To evaluate the utilization of benzodiazepines (BZD) in Brazilian older adults, based on the Pesquisa Nacional de Acesso, Utilização e Promoção do Uso Racional de Medicamentos (PNAUM - National Survey of Access, Use and Promotion of Rational Use of Medicines). METHODS The PNAUM is a cross-sectional study conducted between 2013 and 2014, representing the Brazilian urban population. In the present study, we included 60 years or older (n = 9,019) individuals. We calculated the prevalence of BZD utilization in the 15 days prior to survey data collection according to independent variables, using a hierarchical Poisson regression model. A semistructured interview performed empirical data collection (household interview). RESULTS The prevalence of BZD utilization in the older adults was 9.3% (95%CI: 8.3–10.4). After adjustments, BZD utilization was associated with female sex (PR = 1.88; 95%CI: 1.52–2.32), depression (PR = 5.31; 95%CI: 4.41–6, 38), multimorbidity (PR = 1.44; 95%CI: 1.20–1.73), emergency room visit or hospitalization in the last 12 months (PR = 1.42; 95%CI: 1.18–1.70 ), polypharmacy (PR = 1.26; 95%CI: 1.01–1.57) and poor or very poor self-rated health (PR = 4.16; 95%CI: 2.10–8.22). Utilization was lower in the North region (PR = 0.18; 95%CI: 0.13–0.27) and in individuals who reported abusive alcohol consumption in the last month (PR = 0.42; 95%CI: 0.19–0.94). CONCLUSION Despite contraindications, results showed a high prevalence of BZD utilization in older adults, particularly in those with depression, and wide regional and sex differences.

Abstract Background Maternal depression may be chronic and recurrent, with negative effects both on the health of mothers and children. Many studies have shown trajectories of postnatal depressive symptoms but few studies in low- and middle-income countries have evaluated the trajectories of depressive symptoms starting during pregnancy. This study aims to identify the different trajectories of depressive symptoms among mothers in the Pelotas 2015 birth cohort, from pregnancy to the second year of the child’s life. Methods This study used data from the 2015 Pelotas Birth Cohort, a longitudinal study of all live births occurred in 2015 in Pelotas, Brazil. Maternal depressive symptoms were assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Mothers who completed the EPDS on at least three follow-up visits beginning to the antenatal follow-up visit were included in the analyses. The trajectory of maternal depressive symptoms was estimated through group-based trajectory modeling. Results A total of 3040 women were included in the present analysis. We identified five groups of maternal depressive symptoms trajectories, with 23.4% of the mothers presenting persistent depressive symptoms and 3.9% showing chronic high depressive symptoms throughout the study period. The probability of having persistent depressive symptoms increased among mothers with greater socioeconomic vulnerability. Conclusions This study shown the persistence of maternal depressive symptoms since pregnancy until 2 years postnatal. Additionally, alongside the known risk factors, pre-gestational depression and antenatal depressive symptoms are important risk factors for the persistence and severity of depressive symptoms. These findings support the need to provide mental health evaluation and care for women from pregnancy to the late postnatal period.

Abstract Background Studies comparing the outcome of spontaneous versus assisted reproductive technologies (ART) pregnancies report heterogeneous results. Despite the success of ART to overcome infertility, concern is growing regarding both its safety and its effect on maternal and child health. The objective of this study was to compare maternal and child-health outcomes after ART relative to natural conception. Methods A population-based birth cohort study was carried out among pregnant women expected to deliver in 2015 in Pelotas, southern Brazil. Maternal outcomes included pregnancy complications and gestational weight gain. Gestational age, weight, intrauterine growth restriction, length and head circumference, and 1-min and 5-min Apgar, as well as health problems at birth and breastfeeding were defined as offspring outcomes. Statistical analyses were performed using linear and logistic regression. G-formula was used to perform mediation analysis. Results The study included 4252 babies born by spontaneously pregnancies and 23 babies born after ART. Adjusted analyses showed that children conceived from ART presented lower means of gestational age (p = 0.001), birth weight (p = 0.002), length (p

Abstract Background Increasing medicines availability and affordability is a key goal of Brazilian health policies. “Farmácia Popular” (FP) Program is one of the government’s key strategies to achieve this goal. Under FP, antihypertension (HTN) and antiglycemic (DM) medicines have been provided at subsidized prices in private retail settings since 2006, and free of charge since 2011. We aim to assess the impact of sequential changes in FP benefits on patient affordability and government expenditures for HTN and DM treatment under the FP, and examine their implications for public financing mechanisms and program sustainability. Methods Longitudinal, retrospective study using interrupted time series to analyze: HTN and DM treatment coverage; total and per capita expenditure; percentage paid by MoH; and patient cost sharing. Analyzes were conducted in the dispensing database of the FP program (from 2006 to 2012). Results FP has increased its coverage over time; by December 2012 FP covered on average 13% of DM and 11.5% of HTN utilization, a growth of over 600 and 1500%, respectively. The overall cost per treatment to the MoH declined from R$36.43 (R$ = reais, the Brazilian currency) to 18.74 for HTN and from R$33.07to R$15.05 for DM over the period analyzed, representing a reduction in per capita cost greater than 50%. The amount paid by patients for the medicines covered increased over time until 2011, but then declined to zero. We estimate that to treat all patients in need for HTN and DM in 2012 under FP, the Government would need to expend 97% of the total medicines budget. Conclusions FP rapidly increased its coverage in terms of both program reach and proportion of cost subsidized during the period analyzed. Costs of individual HTN and DM treatments in FP were reduced after 2011 for both patients (free) and government (better negotiated prices). However, overall FP expenditures by MoH increased due to markedly increased utilization. The FP is sustainable as a complementary policy but cannot feasibly substitute for the distribution of medicines by the SUS.

Objective: To investigate the occurrence of infectious morbidities according to day care attendance during the first year of life. Methods: This was a cross‐sectional analysis of data from the 12‐month follow‐up of a medium‐sized city birth cohort from children born in 2015, in the Southern Brazil. Main exposure variables were day care attendance from 0 to 11 months of age, type of day care center (public or private), and age at entering day care. Health outcomes were classified as follows: “non‐specific respiratory symptoms,” “upper respiratory tract infection,” “lower respiratory tract infection,” “flu/cold,” “diarrhea,” or “no health problem,” considering the two weeks prior to the interview administered at 12 months of life. Associations were assessed using Poisson regression adjusted by demographic, behavioral, and socioeconomic variables. Results: The sample included 4018 children. Day care attendance was associated with all classifications of health outcomes mentioned above, except for flu/cold. These were stronger among children who entered day care at an age closer to the outcome time‐point. An example are the results for lower respiratory tract infection and diarrhea, with adjusted prevalence ratios of 2.79 (95% CI: 1.67–4.64) and 2.04 (95% CI: 1.48–2.82), respectively, for those who entered day care after 8 months of age when compared with those who never attended day care. Conclusions: The present study consistently demonstrated the association between day care attendance and higher occurrence of infectious morbidities and symptoms at 12 months of life. Hence, measures to prevent infectious diseases should give special attention to children attending day care centers. Resumo: Objetivo: Investigar a ocorrência de morbidades infecciosas de acordo com a frequência em creches durante o primeiro ano de vida. Métodos: Esta foi uma análise transversal dos dados de uma coorte de nascimento, em uma cidade de tamanho médio, na visita aos 12 meses de idade de crianças nascidas em 2015 no Sul do Brasil. As principais variáveis de exposição foram frequência em creches de zero aos 11 meses de idade, tipo de creche (pública ou particular) e idade ao entrar na creche. Os resultados de saúde foram classificados como: “sintomas respiratórios não específicos”, “infecção do trato respiratório superior”, “infecção do trato respiratório inferior”, “gripe/resfriado”, “diarreia” ou “nenhum problema de saúde”, considerando as duas semanas anteriores à entrevista feita aos 12 meses de vida da criança. As associações foram avaliadas com a regressão de Poisson ajustada pelas variáveis demográficas, comportamentais e socioeconômicas. Resultados: A amostra incluiu 4.018 crianças. O ato de frequentar creches foi associado a todas as classificações de resultados de saúde mencionados, exceto gripe/resfriado. Esses resultados foram mais fortes entre as crianças que começaram a frequentar creches em uma idade mais próxima ao ponto de tempo do resultado. Um exemplo são os resultados para infecção do trato respiratório inferior e diarreia, índice de prevalência ajustado de 2,79 (IC de 95%: 1,67–4,64) e 2,04 (IC de 95%: 1,48–2,82), respectivamente, naqueles que ingressaram nas creches após os oito meses de idade, em comparação com aqueles que nunca frequentaram creche. Conclusões: O presente estudo mostra sistematicamente a associação entre a frequência em creches e a maior ocorrência de morbidades infecciosas e sintomas aos 12 meses de vida da criança. Assim, deve‐se dar atenção especial às medidas para prevenir as doenças infecciosas em crianças que frequentes creches. Keywords: Child day care centers, Child care, Respiratory infections, Diarrhea, Infectious disease transmission, Palavras‐chave: Creches, Cuidados infantis, Infecções respiratórias, Diarreia, Transmissão de doenças infecciosas

This paper investigates difficulties related to access to medicines in SUS and factors associated with the inability to obtain medicines in SUS by non-communicable chronic disease (NCCD) patients who used this source for health care. We analyzed data from the National Survey on Access, Use and Promotion of Rational Use of Medicines. First analysis included individuals aged 20 years and over, diagnosed with at least one NCCD, with indication of medicine treatment and follow up of this disease (s) with a physician from SUS, and who reported having obtained some of the medicines in use from the SUS. The difficulties of obtaining medicines from SUS were investigated based on dimensions of access to medicines. Among 5.155 individuals investigated, 65.4% were women, 40 years old or older and 54.3% residents of the Southeast region of Brazil. Aspects related to availability and waiting time to obtain medicines were the most significant reported barriers to access to medicines. Regional differences were found in basically all dimensions of access and the low availability of medicines in SUS pharmacies was the main reason cited for their search in private pharmacies.

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To investigate the association between child care attendance since birth and development in two-years-old Brazilian children. METHODS The study used longitudinal data from the 2015 Pelotas Birth Cohort. The childhood development (cognitive, fine and gross motor skills, and language) at two-years-old children was assessed using INTER-NDA (INTERGROWTH-21st Neurodevelopment Assessment). The child care attendance was measured at ages one and two years and categorized as: a) never attended child care; b) attended some child care (one or two years); and c) always attended child care (one and two years). Demographic, socioeconomic, health, and child stimulation variables were considered as confounders. Crude and adjusted analyses of child care attendance and development were carried out using linear regression. RESULTS Out of the 3,870 infants included in the analyses, around 1/3 attended center-based child care. In crude analyses, attending center-based child care was associated with positive developmental outcomes, except in motor domains. In adjusted analyses, compared to those children that have never attended child care, children who did attend presented higher scores for cognitive development (always in child care: β: 2.44, 95%CI: 0.83–4.05; some child care: β: 1.35, 95%CI: 0.17–2.53). CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that center-based child care may help improve child cognitive development in the Brazilian context. Furthermore, the association was higher for early and continued attendance. Considering the low prevalence of children in external care, it is recommended to improve child care opportunities in early childhood.

To analyze how socio-economic factors and behavioural characteristics are related to the failure of academic progress. Data of the 1993 Birth Cohort of the city of Pelotas, Brazil, were analyzed using four follow-up waves. As a measure of the failure of academic progress, we used indicators of the age-grade gap. We analyzed the association of demographic, socio-economic, and behavioural characteristics. Factors associated with failure of academic progress were assessed through logistic regression. There are a higher odds of the age-grade gap when the adolescent is not white, man, of low socio-economic status, whose parents have low schooling and living in large families. In relation to risk behaviours, alcohol and tobacco consumption represent higher odds of the age-grade gap at age 18. The results show that socio-economic factors and behavioural characteristics are important predictors of academic progress. Public policies that seek to promote education should be targeted at the most vulnerable groups, decreasing the observed inequalities.

Abstract Background Many low- and middle-income countries recommend micronutrient supplements for pregnant women to improve their nutritional status, prevent possible deficiencies and avoid fetal healgth consequences. This study evaluated the influence of socioeconomic status on the use of folic acid, iron salts and other vitamins and minerals among pregnant women in the 2015 Pelotas Birth Cohort. Methods This population-based birth cohort study was carried out with 4270 women. Participants were interviewed during pregnancy and at the maternity hospital about the antenatal period; including the use of iron salts, vitamins and other minerals. Descriptive analyses were performed to characterize the sample. The analyses were adjusted according to socioeconomic variables (maternal education, ethnicity, household income). Results The overall prevalence of the use of folic acid, iron salts or other vitamins and minerals was 91.0% (95% CI: 90.1–91.8). Specifically, 70.9% (95% CI: 69.5–72.3) used folic acid, 72.9% (95% CI: 71.5–74.3) used iron compounds, and 31.8% (95% CI: 30.3–33.2) used other vitamins or minerals. In the adjusted analysis, the use of iron salts was associated with nonwhite mothers, with ≤4 years of education and whose family income was less than or equal to the monthly minimum wage. The use of folic acid and other vitamins and minerals was associated with white mothers who were more highly educated and had a higher family income. Conclusion Although folic acid and other vitamins and minerals were more frequently used in white, richer and more educated mothers, which indicates inequality, iron supplements were more frequently used in the poorer, less educated nonwhite mothers, suggesting the opposite association for this supplement.

Abstract Background Unintentional child poisoning represents a significant public health problem across the globe, placing a substantial burden on health services emergency departments. Around the world, every year, thousands of children die as a result of physical injuries, most of which involve children under 5 years old. Medicines are the main products involved in poisoning, and children under 5 years old are the most vulnerable age group. The objective of this study was to measure the prevalence of unsafe storage of medicines in households with a 4-year-old child. Methods We used data from the follow-up of 4-year-old in the 2004 Pelotas Birth Cohort Study in Brazil (N = 3799). “Unsafe storage” was considered present when medicines were stored unlocked and within reach of children (at a height below the eye level of the average adult). Independent variables included maternal and family socioeconomic and demographic characteristics and the child’s health care. All information was collected during household interviews with the mothers using a standardized questionnaire. The overall prevalence rate with a 95% confidence interval (95% CI) and the prevalence associated with various independent variables were determined. Results The storage of medicines in unlocked areas was reported by 80.9% of the mothers, and, within reach of children for 26.5%. The overall prevalence rate of unsafe storage of medicines was 21.4% (20.1–22.7%). The main storage locations used were the kitchen (57.0%) and bedroom (53.3%). Conclusions The results indicate that medicines were unsafely stored in a 21.4% number of homes, which can contribute to the vulnerability of children to poisoning from medicines. To minimize this risk, education about the safe storage of medicines should be reinforced by health professionals.

Abstract Background Non-supine infant sleep position is an important modifiable risk factor for sudden unexpected death in infancy. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of supine sleep position and associated factors among 3-month-old infants from a birth cohort in the city of Pelotas, southern Brazil. Methods The present study evaluated longitudinal data from the 2015 Pelotas Birth Cohort. Study outcome was supine infant sleep position, defined as the appropriate position, among 3-month-old children. Demographic, socioeconomic, behavioral, and health characteristics collected at birth and at the 3-month follow-up were investigated as possible associated factors. The prevalence of each associated factor was investigated, and crude and hierarchical adjusted analyses were performed using Poisson regression. Results Among the 4108 infants assessed in this study, 2274 (55.4%) slept in supine position at 3 months and only 66 (1.6%) in prone position. Maternal white skin color, higher family income and maternal schooling, advanced maternal age, maternal cohabiting with a partner, receiving counseling from health care professionals and non-bed-sharing were associated with higher prevalence of infants sleeping in supine position at 3 months. All these variables remained associated in our hierarchical adjusted analyses except maternal cohabitation with a partner. Participants with white mothers were more likely to sleep in supine position (PR: 1.23; 95%CI: 0.75–0.89) compared to participants with black mothers. Those belonging to the richest quintile were more likely to sleep in supine position (PR: 1.49; 95%CI: 1.35–1.65) compared to those who belong to the poorest. Mothers aged 31–36 years were more likely to choose supine sleep position (PR: 1.65; 95%CI: 1.42–1.92) compared to mothers younger than 19 years. Conclusions The findings of the present study showed the influence of maternal age, socioeconomic status, and counseling on infant sleep habits as predictors of choice of infant sleep position in a Brazilian population. It is recommended to implement informative campaigns and public policies to at-risk population and to improve recommendations from health care professionals.

Abstract Background Longitudinal studies have consistently reported that prenatal exposure to acetaminophen can to lead to an increased risk of attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder during childhood. This study aimed to investigate the association between intrauterine exposure to acetaminophen and the presence of emotional and behavioral problems at the ages of 6 and 11 years in a low-middle income country. Methods We performed a prospective longitudinal population-based study using data from the 2004 Pelotas birth cohort. From the 4231 initial cohort participants, 3722 and 3566 children were assessed at 6 and 11 years of age, respectively. The outcomes were assessed using the parent version of Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). The cut-off points established for the Brazilian population were used to categorize the outcomes. Crude and adjusted odds ratio were obtained through logistic regression. Results Acetaminophen was used by 27.5% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 26.1–28.9) of the mothers at least once during pregnancy. The prevalence of emotional problems at 6 and 11 years was 13.6 and 19.9%, respectively. For hyperactivity problems, prevalence was 13.9 and 16.1%, respectively. Intrauterine exposure to acetaminophen increased the odds of having emotional (odds ratio [OR] = 1.47; 95% CI: 1.07–2.02) and hyperactivity/inattention (OR = 1.42; 95% CI: 1.06–1.92) problems in 6-year-old boys. At the age of 11, a small decrease in the effect was observed for both outcomes after adjustment: OR = 1.31 (95% CI: 0.99–1.73) for emotional problems and OR = 1.25 (95% CI: 0.95–1.65) for hyperactivity/inattention in boys. No association for any phenotypes at both ages was observed for girls. Conclusion The effect of intrauterine exposure to acetaminophen in emotional and hyperactivity symptoms was dependent on sex in a Brazilian cohort. While it seemed to be important for boys, mainly at 6 years of age, for girls, no association was observed.

ABSTRACT: Objective: To evaluate all-cause mortality in approximately three years of follow-up and related sociodemographic, behavioral and health factors in community-dwelling older adults in Pelotas, RS. Methods: This was a longitudinal observational study that included 1,451 older adults (≥ 60 years) who were interviewed in 2014. Information on mortality was collected from their households in 2016–2017 and confirmed with the Epidemiological Surveillance department of the city and by documents from family members. Associations between mortality and independent variables were assessed by crude and multiple Cox regression, with hazard ratio with respective 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). Results: Almost 10% (n = 145) of the participants died during an average of 2.5 years of follow-up, with a higher frequency of deaths among males (12.9%), ?80 years (25.2%), widowhood (15.0%), no education (13.8%) and who did not work (10.5%). Factors associated with higher mortality were: being a male (HR = 2.8; 95%CI 1.9 – 4.2), age ?80 years (HR = 3.9; 95%CI 2.4 – 6.2), widowhood (HR = 2.2; 95%CI 1.4 – 3.7), physical inactivity (HR = 2.3; 95%CI 1.1 – 4..6), current smoking (HR = 2.1; 95%CI 1.2 – 3.6), hospitalizations in the previous year (HR = 2.0; 95%CI 1.2 – 3.2), depressive symptoms (HR = 2.0; 95%CI 1.2 – 3,4) and dependence for two or more daily life activities (HR = 3.1; 95%CI 1,7 – 5.7). Conclusion: The identification of factors that increased the risk of early death makes it possible to improve public policies aimed at controlling the modifiable risk factors that can lead to aging with a better quality of life.

Objective: To examine the association between antenatal and postnatal maternal depression symptoms, and child hospitalization during the first 2 years of life in the 2015 Pelotas Birth Cohort Study. Study design: This is an observational study. Maternal depressive symptoms of 4275 mothers were measured using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Hospitalization of the child for any reason was assessed using maternal report. Bivariate analysis and multivariate Poisson regressions were used to assess the association between maternal depressive symptoms and child hospitalization. Results: Compared with children of mothers with low depressive symptoms, children whose mothers experienced significant antenatal depressive symptoms were 1.74 (95% CI, 1.16-2.60) times more likely to be hospitalized by 3 months of age, and 2.14 (95% CI, 1.46-3.14) times more likely up to 24 months. For children whose mothers experienced severe postnatal depressive symptoms at 3 months, the risks for hospitalization by age 12 months were 1.84 (95% CI, 1.39-2.45) higher than children whose mothers had low depressive symptoms. There was an increased risk of hospitalization for children according to the severity of depressive trajectories across time. Conclusions: Maternal depressive symptoms are a risk factor for hospitalization in children up to 2 years of age, and this risk increases with increased severity of depression. These results have public health relevance for decreasing the risk factors in mothers that can lead to hospitalization in children.

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of multimorbidity among Brazilian adults and its association with socioeconomic indicators. METHODS: Cross-sectional study that used data from the Pesquisa Nacional Sobre Acesso, Utilização e Promoção do Uso Racional de Medicamentos no Brasil (PNAUM – Brazilian National Survey on Access, Use and Promotion of Rational Use of Medicines), carried out between 2013 and 2014. The definition of multimorbidity was the coexistence, in a single individual, of two or more chronic diseases, measured through a list of 14 morbidities (self-reported medical diagnosis throughout life). Economic status and educational level were the socioeconomic indicators used, being the inequalities assessed through the Slope Index of Inequality (SII) and the Concentration Index, stratified by gender. RESULTS: The study comprehended 23,329 adults (52.8% of which were women), with an average age of 37.9 years. Hypertension and high cholesterol levels were the most prevalent conditions. The prevalence of multimorbidity was of 10.9% (95%CI 10.1–11.7) representing nearly 11 million individuals in Brazil, of which 14.5% (95%CI 13.5–15.4) were women and 6.8% (95%CI 5.9–7.8) were men. The occurrence of multimorbidity was similar according to the socioeconomic indicators. In the inequality analysis, we observed absolute and relative differences in men with a higher purchasing power (SII = 3.7; 95%CI 0.3–7.0) and higher educational level (CIX = 7.1; 95%CI 0.9–14.7), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of comorbidities in Brazilian adults is high, especially in absolute terms. We only observed socioeconomic inequalities in multimorbidities among men.

O objetivo foi descrever a prevalência de ganho de peso gestacional e a retenção de peso após 3 e 12 meses do parto, e identificar possíveis desigualdades socioeconômicas no ganho de peso gestacional adequado. Realizou-se um estudo longitudinal com dados da coorte de nascimentos de Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, 2015. O ganho de peso gestacional foi classificado segundo o Instituto de Medicina dos Estados Unidos. A retenção de peso aos 3 e 12 meses foi calculada considerando-se o peso da mãe em cada período, subtraído do peso pré-gestacional. Para identificar as possíveis desigualdades, utilizou-se o Slope Index (SII) e o Concentration Index (CIX). A amostra analítica incluiu as mães com informações para o desfecho em estudo (n = 4.102). A prevalência de ganho de peso gestacional adequado foi de 33,5% (IC95%: 32,1; 35,0). Foram encontradas desigualdades discretas na prevalência de ganho de peso adequado entre as menos escolarizadas [CIX = 1,88 (IC95%: -0,76; 4,52); SII = 4,27 (IC95%: -0,87; 9,41)] e entre as mães pertencentes ao quinto mais pobre - 1º quinto - [CIX = 1,04 (IC95%: -1,60; 3,67); SII = 2,93 (IC95%: -2,06; 7,92)], porém, estas diferenças não foram estatisticamente significativas. A média de retenção de peso pós-parto foi de 2,3kg (DP = 6,4) e de 1,4kg (DP = 8,8) após 3 e 12 meses do parto, respectivamente. Um terço das mulheres apresentou ganho de peso considerado adequado. As desigualdades observadas na prevalência de ganho de peso gestacional adequado com relação à menor escolaridade materna e quinto mais pobre de renda não foram estatisticamente significativas.

ABSTRACT: Objective: Antidepressant use is increasing worldwide, but national data on psychotropic drug use by depressed patients in Brazil is lacking. Methodology: Between 2013 and 2014, a representative sample of urban adult individuals were asked if they had a diagnosis of chronic disease, had a medical indication for drug treatment, and were taking chronic medications at the time for each reported diagnosis. We analyzed the frequencies of reported depression and the medications related to this disease. Results: Overall, 6.1% of respondents reported depression. The prevalence increased with age - 9.5% among the elders - was higher among women (8.9%) and in the south of the country (8.9%). As a single disease, the prevalence of depression was higher among young people (17.6%). Among those with multimorbidity, the prevalence of depression rose to 25.7%. Of those who reported depression, 81.3% had medical indication for treatment and 90.3% were under treatment - this proportion was lower among young people (84.5%) and those living in the poorest region (78.6%). Antidepressants accounted for 47.2% of psychotropic drugs taken by respondents with depression, with regional differences - only 30% used antidepressants in the North. Polypharmacy was reported by 22% of those with depression and other chronic diseases. Conclusion: Depression in Brazil, is common among young adults as a single chronic disease and highly prevalent among people with chronic multimorbidity, especially the young. The treatment gap was larger among young people and in the less developed regions of the country.

RESUMO: Objetivo: Classificar os medicamentos usados durante o parto quanto aos riscos na amamentação, utilizando diferentes fontes e verificando suas discordâncias. Métodos: Estudo transversal inserido na coorte de nascimentos de Pelotas de 2015. Coletaram-se informações sobre o uso de medicamentos, classificando-os quanto ao risco de acordo com: manual do Ministério da Saúde (MS), Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS), classificação de Newton e Hale e Academia Americana de Pediatria (AAP). Resultados: Participaram 1.409 mães, utilizando 14.673 medicamentos, sendo 143 fármacos diferentes, dos quais 28 tiveram classificação de risco na amamentação discordante. Entre aqueles com classificação discordante estão morfina (64%), classificada pela AAP e OMS como compatível e pelo MS e por Newton e Hale como criterioso; hioscina (23%), criterioso pelo MS e compatível (A) pela AAP; e metoclopramida (18%), compatível pelo MS, de efeitos desconhecidos (D) pela AAP e evitado de acordo com a OMS. Do total de medicamentos, 49,7% foi classificado como compatível com a amamentação. Quase a totalidade das mulheres utilizou ocitocina (97,4%), seguida de lidocaína (75%), cetoprofeno (69%), cefalotina (66%) e diclofenaco (65%), classificados como compatíveis. Conclusão: Houve amplo uso de medicamentos pelas mães durante a internação para o parto, a maioria deles classificada no mesmo grau de risco, e quase a metade classificada como compatível com a amamentação, porém houve discordância entre as fontes para 19,6% dos medicamentos analisados, o que pode colocar em risco a saúde do lactente ou deixar dúvida quanto ao uso do medicamento ou à prática da amamentação.

RESUMO: Objetivo: Verificar a prevalência e os fatores associados à recomendação de uso de ferro a crianças aos 12 e aos 24 meses de idade. Metodologia: Todas as crianças nascidas nas maternidades de Pelotas em 2015 foram elegíveis para a coorte. Os desfechos foram a recomendação de uso de sulfato ferroso por profissional de saúde e a respectiva utilização. Resultados: A coorte acompanhou 4.275 crianças. Aproximadamente 65% receberam recomendação de suplementação de ferro até 12 meses. Destas, 68,8% fizeram a utilização recomendada. Dos 12 aos 24 meses, 39,4% das crianças receberam recomendação de suplementação de ferro e 26,2% fizeram o uso recomendado. Aos 12 meses, após ajuste, permaneceram associadas com recomendação de uso de ferro: maior escolaridade, maior renda, menor paridade e baixo peso ao nascer. Aos 24 meses, após ajuste, observou-se maior recomendação às mães com menor paridade e às crianças com baixo peso ao nascer. Conclusão: Houve baixa recomendação e baixa utilização de ferro. Esses achados são preocupantes diante da alta prevalência de anemia em crianças na faixa etária estudada. A baixa recomendação de profilaxia de ferro a crianças até 24 meses de idade, assim como a baixa utilização entre aquelas que receberam a orientação de uso refletem a necessidade de ações coordenadas entre profissionais de saúde e de ampliação do conhecimento entre as mães para possibilitar maior alcance dessa importante política pública.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0214329.].

Objectives To describe changes in the private market for selected originators, branded generics (‘similares’), and generic products during the 10 years following passage of the Brazilian Generics Law. Methods We analyzed longitudinal data collected by IQVIA® on quarterly sales by wholesalers to retail pharmacies in Brazil from 1998 through 2010, grouped by originators, branded generics, and generic products in three therapeutic classes (antibiotics, antidiabetics, and antihypertensives). Outcomes included market share (proportion of the total private market volume), sales volume per capita, prices and number of manufacturers by group. Results In the private market share, generics became dominant in each therapeutic class but the speed of uptake varied. Originators consistently lost most market share while branded generics varied over time. By the end of the study period, generics were the most sold product type in all classes, followed by branded generics. The number of generic manufacturers increased in all classes, while branded generics increased just after the policy but then decreased slowly through the end of 2010. For approximately 50% of the antibiotics analyzed, branded generics and generics had lower prices than originators. For antidiabetics, branded generic and generic prices were quite similar during the period analyzed. Price trends for the various subclasses of antihypertensive exhibited very different patterns over time. Conclusion Sales of branded generics and originators decreased substantially in the three therapeutic classes analysed following the introduction of the generics policy in Brazil, but the time to market dominance of generics varied by class.

Abstract Background Women are encouraged to be physically active during pregnancy. Despite available evidence supporting antenatal physical activity to bring health benefits for both the mother and child, the most effective way to prevent some maternal and fetal outcomes is still unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of an exercise intervention to prevent negative maternal and newborn health outcomes. Methods A randomized controlled trial (RCT) nested into the 2015 Pelotas (Brazil) Birth Cohort Study was carried-out with 639 healthy pregnant women, 213 in the intervention group (IG) and 426 in the control (CG) group. An exercise-based intervention was conducted three times/week for 16 weeks from 16-20 to 32-36 weeks’ gestation. The main outcomes were preterm birth and pre-eclampsia. Gestational age was calculated based on several parameters, including routine ultrassounds and/or last menstrual period and categorized as = 70% of the recommended exercise sessions. A total of 594 participants (IG:198; CG: 396) were included in the ITT and 479 (IG: 83; CG: 396) were included in the per protocol analyses. There were no significant differences in the incidence of preterm birth and pre-eclampsia between groups in the ITT and per protocol analysis. There were also no differences between the two groups in mean gestational weight gain, gestational diabetes, birth weight, infant length, and head circumference. Conclusions While the RCT did not support the benefits of exercise performed during pregnancy on preeclampsia and preterm birth, the exercise program also did not present adverse impacts on newborn health. Our findings may contribute to promote intervention strategies that motivate health providers to encourage pregnant women to be more physically active. Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT02148965 , registered on 22 May 2014.

Abstract Background Low levels of leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) during pregnancy have been shown in studies conducted worldwide. Surveillance is extremely important to monitor the progress of physical activity patterns over time and set goals for effective interventions to decrease inactivity among pregnant women. The aim of this study was to evaluate time changes in LTPA among Brazilian pregnant women in an 11-year period (2004–2015) by comparing data from two birth cohort studies. Methods Two population-based birth cohort studies were carried out in the city of Pelotas, southern Brazil, in 2004 and 2015. A total of 4244 and 4271 mothers were interviewed after delivery. Weekly frequency and duration of each session of LTPA in a typical week were reported for the pre-pregnancy period and for each trimester of pregnancy. Trends in both recommended LTPA (≥150 min/week) and any LTPA (regardless of weekly amount) were analysed overtime. Changes were also calculated separately for subgroups of maternal age, schooling, family income, parity, pre-pregnancy body mass index and pre-pregnancy LTPA. Results The proportion of women engaged in recommended levels of LTPA pre-pregnancy increased from 11.2% (95%CI 10.0–12.2) in 2004 to 15.8% (95%CI 14.6–16.9) in 2015. During pregnancy, no changes were observed over the period for the first (10.6 to 10.9%) and second (8.7 to 7.9%) trimesters, whereas there was a decrease from 3.4% (95%CI 2.9–4.0) to 2.4% (95%CI 1.9–2.8) in the last trimester. Major decreases in LTPA in the last trimester were observed among women who were younger, with intermediate to high income, high schooling, primiparous, pre-pregnancy obese and, engaged in LTPA before pregnancy. Changes in any LTPA practice followed the same patterns described for recommended LTPA. Conclusions Despite the increase in the proportion of women engaged in LTPA before pregnancy between 2004–2015, LTPA levels remained stable during the first and second trimesters of pregnancy and declined during the third gestational trimester over the period. Interventions to encourage the maintenance of LTPA practice throughout pregnancy are urgently needed.

Resumo: O objetivo foi estimar a prevalência do uso de adoçantes pela população adulta brasileira e características dos usuários. Análise de dados da Pesquisa Nacional de Acesso, Utilização e Promoção do Uso Racional de Medicamentos (PNAUM, 2014), um inquérito nacional de base populacional. O desfecho de interesse foi o uso autorreferido de adoçantes entre brasileiros com 20 anos ou mais. As variáveis analisadas foram sexo, idade em anos completos, região do Brasil, escolaridade em anos completos e classificação econômica segundo o Critério Classificação Econômica Brasil da Associação Brasileira de Empresas de Pesquisa (ABEP). Os indicadores das condições de saúde foram: relato de doença crônica não transmissíveis (DCNT), número de DCNT e índice de massa corporal (IMC). A prevalência do uso de adoçantes na população adulta brasileira foi de 13,4% (IC95%: 12,5-14,3), sendo maior entre as pessoas do sexo feminino e no grupo com 60 anos ou mais, nas regiões Nordeste e Sudeste, entre pessoas da classe econômica A/B e entre indivíduos obesos. As pessoas com doenças crônicas (em especial diabetes) foram as que mostraram maior prevalência de uso de adoçantes, sendo o uso maior quanto maior o número de comorbidades relatadas. A prevalência de uso de adoçantes foi de 13,4% e mostrou-se associada a características sociodemográficas e de saúde.

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To evaluate trends in the use of generic and non-generic medicines to treat hypertension and diabetes under the Farmácia Popular Program (FP) and its impact on generic medicines sales volume and market share in the Brazilian pharmaceutical market. METHODS This longitudinal, retrospective study used interrupted time series design to analyze changes in monthly sales volume and proportion of medicines sales (market share) for oral antidiabetic and antihypertensive medicines for generic versus non-generic products. Analyses were conducted in a combined dataset that aggregate monthly sales volumes from the Farmácia Popular program and from the QuintilesIMS™ (IQVIA) national market sales data from January 2007 to December 2012. The Farmácia Popular program phases analyzed included: a) 2009 reductions in medicines reference prices (AFP-II) and b) 2011 implementation of free medicines program for hypertension and diabetes, the Saúde não tem preço (SNTP – Health has no price). RESULTS Patterns of use for FP-covered antidiabetic and antihypertensive medicines were similar to their use in the market in general. After one year of the decreases in government subsidies in April 2010, market share of antidiabetic and antihypertensive medicines experienced relative declines of -54.5% and -59.9%, respectively. However, when FP-covered medicines were made free to patients, overall market volume for antidiabetic and antihypertensive generics increased dramatically, with 242.6% and 277.0% relative increases by February 2012, as well as non-generics with relative increase of 209.7% and 279% for antidiabetic and antihypertensive medicines, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Ministry of Health policies on the amount of patient cost sharing and on the choice of medicines on coverage lists have substantial impacts on overall generic sales volume in retail pharmacies.

ABSTRACT: Introduction: The written information on medicines has been acknowledged as an important tool for health education. Objective: To analyze the use and understanding of medicine package inserts by users and assess sociodemographic and medical factors associated with their comprehension. Method: Data in this analysis are part of the PNAUM National Survey - a cross-sectional population-based study conducted in Brazil. Descriptive statistics and the Pearson χ2 tests were performed to compare proportions between sociodemographic and medical characteristics, as well as use and understanding of medicine package inserts. Results: A total of 28.427 individuals responded to questions related to medicine package inserts. From these, 59.6% (95%CI 57.7 - 61.5) said they usually read the inserts, and 98.4% (95%CI 98.0 - 98.8) considered them necessary. Among people who read the medicine package inserts, more than half indicated difficulties with legibility (57.4%; 95%CI 55,2 - 59,6) and readability (54.1%; 95%CI 52.1 - 56.1). People from a lower education level reported greater difficulty in understanding them. Conclusion: The larger portion of the population usually read medicine package inserts. Nevertheless, people have difficulty in reading and understanding them.

PurposeTo estimate the prevalence of use of analgesics in Brazil; and to characterize this use, according to sociodemographic and health-related characteristics.MethodsA cross-sectional population-based study (National Survey on Access, Use and Promotion of Rational Use of Medicines, PNAUM) was conducted between September 2013 and February 2014. A total of 41,433 people of all ages in Brazilian urban households were interviewed. Occasional use (within the last 15 days) and continuous use of non-opioid analgesics, opioid analgesics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were investigated, regardless of whether this use occurred through prescription or self-medication. The main outcome was the use of at least one analgesic.ResultsThe majority of the individuals were female (52.8%), aged between 20 and 59 years (57.2%), with 1 to 8 years of schooling (45.6%). The overall prevalence of analgesic use was 22.8% [95% CI: 21.4-24.2]. The use of analgesics was significantly higher among women, adults and elderly (20 years or more), highly educated individuals and respondents who referred: diagnosis of one or more chronic diseases, using three or more medications, possession of health insurance and with one or more emergency care admittances or hospitalizations within the last year. Non-opioid analgesics were the agents most used (18.5% of the sample), followed by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (6.9%) and opioid analgesics (0.5%). The most commonly used drugs were metamizole (37.8% of all analgesics), paracetamol (25.3%) and diclofenac (10.7%). These drugs were used mainly to manage occasional health conditions, particularly pain.ConclusionOne in five Brazilians used some analgesic, especially non-opioid analgesics, to manage acute health problems such as painful conditions.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0214329.].

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of successful assisted reproductive technology and to identify the associated factors. METHODS: This population-based birth cohort study was carried out with 4,333 pregnant women expected to deliver in 2015 in the urban area of Pelotas, Southern Brazil. Use of an assisted reproductive technology procedure, type of assisted reproductive technology [in vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection or artificial insemination], number of embryos transferred, success of embryo transfer, number of attempts, and reported reasons for seeking assisted reproductive technology were the main outcomes measured. Use of an assisted reproductive technology procedure was analyzed according to sociodemographic, nutritional, reproductive history, and behavioral characteristics. Unadjusted and adjusted analyses were performed by logistic regression. RESULTS: Among the 4,275 newborns enrolled in the Pelotas 2015 Birth Cohort Study, 18 births (0.4%) were conceived by assisted reproductive technology. Most cases of assisted reproductive technology were by in vitro fertilization (70.6%). All cycles were performed in private clinics under direct out-of-pocket payment. Even after controlling for confounders, maternal age > 35 years, nulliparity and high family monthly income were strongly associated with assisted reproductive technology. CONCLUSIONS: The use of assisted reproductive technology services was reported by only a few women in the Pelotas 2015 Birth Cohort Study. Our study highlights sociodemographic factors associated to assisted reproductive technology procedures. To better understand the patterns and barriers in overall use of assisted reproductive technology services over time, national-level trend studies in assisted reproductive technology treatments and outcomes, as well as studies exploring the characteristics of women who have sought this kind of treatment are needed in low-middle income countries.

RESUMO: Objetivo: Descrever a prevalência de orientações sobre hábitos saudáveis recebidas de profissionais de saúde entre idosos e sua relação com indicadores socioeconômicos, demográficos, comportamentais, de saúde e do tipo de serviços. Métodos: Estudo transversal, de base populacional, com indivíduos de 60 anos ou mais da zona urbana de Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul. Foram avaliadas sete orientações sobre hábitos saudáveis: controlar o peso, reduzir o sal, açúcar e gordura, praticar atividade física, não fumar e não ingerir bebidas alcoólicas. Resultados: Entre os 1.451 idosos entrevistados, 1.281 (88,3%) consultaram no último ano. As orientações mais referidas foram para redução do consumo de gordura (61,7%), de sal (61,5%) e prática de atividade física (58,2%). Idosos que consultaram três vezes ou mais e em serviços financiados pelo Sistema Único de Saúde receberam mais orientações. Aqueles idosos de classificação econômica A/B tiveram maior probabilidade de receber orientação para controle de peso (RP = 1,27; IC95% 1,06 - 1,70) e para prática de atividade física (RP = 1,34; IC95% 1,06 - 1,69). Conclusão: As orientações, por profissionais de saúde, foram pouco frequentes e, em alguns casos, desfocalizadas.

To verify the prevalence of use, purchase and sources of iron salts and vitamins by children aged from 0 to 12 years in Brazil. Population-based transversal study (Brazilian National Survey on Access, Utilization, and Promotion of Rational Use of Medicines - PNAUM), including 7,528 children up to 12 years of age. Information was obtained through questionnaires answered by the children’s tutors, about the use of iron salts and vitamins 15 days before the interview; forms of financing, and sources of obtainment, sociodemographic characteristics, and presence of chronic disease. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were performed and the main variables were expressed by relative frequencies and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). The prevalence of use of iron salts was 1.6% (95%CI: 1.2-2.1), with higher prevalence among children under 1 year old (8.5%; 95%CI: 6.3-11.5) and residents of the southeastern region (2.3%; 95%CI: 1.5-3.4). Prevalence of use of vitamins was 4.8% (95%CI: 4.2-5.6), with higher prevalence among children under 1 year old (24.3%; 95%CI: 20.3-28.7) and residents of the northern region (8.6%; 95%CI: 6.2-11.7). Purchase occurred by direct reimbursement for 41.6% (95%CI: 27.9-56.7) of the iron salts, and for 82.4% (95%CI: 76.3-87.2) of the vitamins. The iron salts were predominantly obtained from SUS pharmacies (51.5%; 95%CI: 36.4-66.4), and the vitamins from commercial pharmacies (80.6%; 95%CI: 77.4-85.6). The results suggested the use of iron salts in the Brazilian pediatric population was low, with reduction in use as age increased, regional differences and free-of-charge obtainment, predominantly from SUS.

O objetivo deste estudo é investigar a validade do autorrelato de anemia e de uso terapêutico de sais de ferro, frente à informação de hemoglobina da carteira da gestante. O estudo utiliza dados da coorte de nascimentos de 2015 de Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Para a validação do autorrelato de anemia, foram incluídas todas as mães que tinham registro de hemoglobina na carteira da gestante (N = 3.419), ao passo que, para a validação do autorrelato de uso terapêutico de sais de ferro, foram incluídas as que tinham registro de exames de hemoglobina na carteira da gestante e que relataram haver utilizado algum medicamento com sulfato ferroso em sua composição durante a gestação. Anemia foi definida como, pelo menos, um registro de hemoglobina ≤ 11g/dL na carteira da gestante (padrão-ouro). A prevalência de anemia conforme padrão-ouro foi 35,9% (34,3-37,5), ao passo que a de anemia autorrelatada foi 42,2% (40,8-43,7), e o autorrelato de uso terapêutico de sais de ferro, 43,2% (41,3-45,1). A sensibilidade do autorrelato de anemia foi 75,2% (72,8-77,6) e a especificidade, 75,1% (73,3-76,9). Para o autorrelato de uso terapêutico de sais de ferro, a sensibilidade foi 66,4% (63,5-69,2) e a especificidade, 71,9% (69,7-74,0). A especificidade do autorrelato de anemia e do autorrelato de uso terapêutico de sais de ferro entre mães com ≥ 12 anos de escolaridade foi 78,4% (75,4-81,4) e 79,5% (76,1-82,9). Na população estudada, com alta prevalência de anemia, de cada cinco puérperas que relataram anemia ou uso terapêutico de sais de ferro, três relatavam a verdade. A especificidade de ambos os autorrelatos foi mais elevada entre mães com ≥ 12 anos de escolaridade.

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To describe the utilization of basic health units according to coverage by discount card or private health insurance. METHODS Household survey in the area covered by Family Health Strategy in Pelotas, state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, from December 2007 to February 2008, with persons of all age groups. The frequency of (medical or non-medical) healthcare seeking at the basic health units in the last six months and the prevalence of basic health unit utilization for the last medical consultation (in case it had been performed up to six months before, for a non-routine reason) were analyzed by Poisson regression adjusted for the sampling design. RESULTS Of the 1,423 persons, 75.6% had no discount card or private health insurance. The average frequency of (medical or non-medical) healthcare seeking was 1.6 times in six months (95%CI 1.3-2.0); this frequency was 55.8% lower (p < 0.001) among privately insured persons compared to those with no discount card or private health insurance. Among the last medical consultations, 35.8% (95%CI 25.4-47.7) had been performed at the basic health units; this prevalence was 36.4% lower (p = 0.003) among persons covered by discount card and 87.7% lower (p = 0.007) among privately insured persons compared to those without both coverages. CONCLUSIONS Private health insurance and, to a lesser degree, discount card coverage, are related to lower utilization of basic health units. This can be used to size the population under the accountability of each Family Health Strategy team, to the extent that community health workers are able to differentiate discount card from PHI during family registration.

Resumo: O presente trabalho tem como objetivo descrever a prevalência e fatores associados a eventos adversos a medicamentos (EAM) referidos por usuários de medicamentos no Brasil. Trata-se de um estudo transversal de base populacional, realizado no período de setembro de 2013 a fevereiro de 2014, com dados coletados na Pesquisa Nacional sobre Acesso, Utilização e Promoção do Uso Racional de Medicamentos (PNAUM). Foram consideradas todas as pessoas que referiram o uso de medicamentos; entre elas, foram identificadas as que referiram pelo menos um problema com o uso do medicamento. Realizou-se uma análise descritiva para estimar a prevalência e os intervalos de 95% de confiança (IC95%) de EAM entre as variáveis estudadas, e foram calculadas as razões de prevalência bruta e ajustada, pela regressão de Poisson, na investigação dos fatores associados aos EAM. A prevalência de EAM no Brasil foi de 6,6% (IC95%: 5,89-7,41), sendo maior e estatisticamente significante após a realização da análise multivariada, entre pessoas do sexo feminino; residentes nas regiões Centro-oeste e Nordeste; que consumiam maior número de medicamentos; que percebiam seu estado de saúde como “ruim”; e que se automedicavam. Os EAM foram mais relatados para os medicamentos fluoxetina, diclofenaco e amitriptilina. Os EAM mais referidos pelos entrevistados foram sonolência, dor epigástrica e náuseas. Os EAM mais referidos pelos entrevistados foram de natureza leve, considerados evitáveis e estiveram associados a medicamentos de uso frequente pela população. Em razão desse estudo, foi possível conhecer a dimensão do problema ocasionado pelo uso de medicamentos no Brasil.

Resumo: Este artigo teve como objetivo identificar as fontes de obtenção de medicamentos utilizadas por usuários do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) com relato de doenças crônicas, caracterizando tal população quanto a variáveis demográficas, socioeconômicas e de saúde nas diferentes regiões do Brasil. Foram analisados dados da Pesquisa Nacional sobre o Acesso, Utilização e Promoção do Uso Racional de Medicamentos no Brasil (PNAUM), um estudo transversal de base populacional. A variável dependente foi a “fonte de obtenção de medicamentos” e foram analisadas associações com variáveis demográficas, socioeconômicas e com o estado de saúde. Os usuários que obtiveram cuidado e medicamentos unicamente no SUS foram aqui designados como SUS-exclusivos. Cerca de 39% das pessoas obtiveram seus medicamentos exclusivamente em farmácias do SUS e 28,5% recorreram a outras fontes. Foram encontrados 42,9%, 41,8%, 40,2%, 31%, usuários SUS-exclusivos, respectivamente, no Sudeste, Sul, Norte, e Nordeste. Os usuários do SUS têm como fonte primária de medicamentos o próprio SUS, entretanto há uma participação relevante de outras fontes de obtenção, indicando problemas no acesso dentro do SUS. No Sul e Sudeste, a população busca menos a farmácia privada do que no Nordeste e Norte do país.

Resumo Objetivo: analisar a associação entre recebimento de orientações por profissionais de saúde e comportamentos saudáveis entre idosos. Métodos: estudo transversal de base populacional com idosos (≥60 anos) entrevistados em 2014; utilizou-se regressão de Poisson para estimar razões de prevalência (RP) brutas e ajustadas das associações entre recebimento de orientações sobre redução do sal, açúcar e gordura, e prática de atividade física, disponibilizadas por profissionais de saúde no ano anterior à entrevista, e apresentação de comportamentos saudáveis. Resultados: foram incluídos 1.281 idosos; após os ajustes, idosos que referiram receber orientações de profissionais de saúde relataram redução do consumo de sal (RP 1,64; IC95% 1,41;1,91) e de açúcar e doces (RP 1,21; IC95% 1,08;1,36) e maior prática de atividade física (RP 1,21; IC95% 1,06;1,39), em comparação aos idosos que não receberam orientação. Conclusão: as orientações realizadas por profissionais de saúde parecem favorecer a prática de hábitos saudáveis em idosos.

O objetivo foi avaliar a prevalência do consumo de leite materno e os fatores associados em crianças brasileiras com menos de dois anos de idade. Estudo transversal, de base nacional, realizado em 2013. Os desfechos foram amamentação entre crianças menores de 24 meses e amamentação exclusiva entre aquelas menores de seis meses de idade. Realizou-se análise hierárquica para fatores associados. As análises foram estratificadas por idade (0-5 meses e 29 dias; 6-11 meses e 29 dias; 12-23 meses e 29 dias de idade). A prevalência de aleitamento materno foi de 56% para o total estudado e, segundo idade, foi de 80% (0-5 meses e 29 dias), 62,3% (6-11 meses e 29 dias) e 40,1% (12-23 meses e 29 dias). Nas análises ajustadas, em todas as faixas etárias, a maior prevalência de ingestão de leite materno esteve associada ao menor número de alimentos lácteos consumidos. Entre crianças de 6-11 meses e 29 dias, residir na Região Norte, ter cor da pele preta e situar-se no menor quinto de posse de bens associaram-se a maior prevalência de amamentação. Naquelas entre 12-23 meses e 29 dias, maior prevalência de consumo de leite materno foi associado à cor da pele preta, consumo de líquidos e de alimentos saudáveis, residência na zona urbana, maior escolaridade do chefe da família e posse de maior número de bens. A prevalência de aleitamento exclusivo foi de 20,6%, sendo maior na Região Sul, nos maiores níveis de escolaridade do chefe da família e naquelas crianças com maior número de bens. As prevalências de amamentação e amamentação exclusiva nas crianças brasileiras menores de dois anos podem ser consideradas baixas. As políticas já existentes para aumentar as prevalências de consumo de leite materno, em qualquer faixa etária, devem ser reforçadas.

Resumo: Este estudo foi desenhado para avaliar a cobertura por plano de saúde e seus motivos em uma população coberta pela Estratégia Saúde da Família. Nesta análise, descrevemos a cobertura por plano de saúde, total e por tipos, e analisamos sua associação com características de saúde e sociodemográficas. Entre os 31,3% (IC95%: 23,8-39,9) de pessoas que relatavam cobertura por “plano de saúde”, 57,0% (IC95%: 45,2-68,0) estavam cobertos por cartões de desconto, que não oferecem qualquer tipo de cobertura para assistência médica, apenas descontos em farmácias, clínicas e hospitais. Tanto no caso dos planos de saúde quanto no dos cartões de desconto, os motivos para cobertura mais frequentemente relatados foram “para a segurança” e “para ter melhor atendimento”. Ambas as coberturas se associaram à idade (65+ versus 15-24 anos: odds ratio ajustada, ORa = 2,98; IC95%: 1,28-6,90; e ORa = 3,67; IC95%: 2,22-6,07, respectivamente) e ao nível econômico (desvio padrão adicional: ORa = 2,25; IC95%: 1,62-3,14; e ORa = 1,96; IC95%: 1,34-2,97). Além disso, a cobertura por plano de saúde se associou à escolaridade (ORa = 7,59; IC95%: 4,44-13,00) para Ensino Superior completo e ORa = 3,74 (IC95%: 1,61-8,68) para Ensino Médio completo, em comparação a menos do que o Ensino Fundamental completo. Por outro lado, nem a cobertura por plano de saúde nem a por cartão de desconto se mostraram associadas ao estado de saúde ou ao número de doenças diagnosticadas. Em conclusão, estudos que pretendam avaliar a cobertura por saúde suplementar deveriam ser planejados de forma a poderem distinguir entre cartões de desconto e planos de saúde formais.

OBJECTIVE To analyze the variation in the proportion of households living below the poverty line in Brazil and the factors associated with their impoverishment. METHODS Income and expenditure data from the Household Budget Survey, which was conducted in Brazil between 2002-2003 (n = 48,470 households) and 2008-2009 (n = 55,970 households) with a national sample, were analyzed. Two cutoff points were used to define poverty. The first cutoff is a per capita monthly income below R$100.00 in 2002-2003 and R$140.00 in 2008-2009, as recommended by the Bolsa Família Program. The second, which is proposed by the World Bank and is adjusted for purchasing power parity, defines poverty as per capita income below US$2.34 and US$3.54 per day in 2002-2003 and 2008-2009, respectively. Logistic regression was used to identify the sociodemographic factors associated with the impoverishment of households. RESULTS After subtracting health expenditures, there was an increase in households living below the poverty line in Brazil. Using the World Bank poverty line, the increase in 2002-2003 and 2008-2009 was 2.6 percentage points (6.8%) and 2.3 percentage points (11.6%), respectively. Using the Bolsa Família Program poverty line, the increase was 1.6 (11.9%) and 1.3 (17.3%) percentage points, respectively. Expenditure on prescription drugs primarily contributed to the increase in poor households. According to the World Bank poverty line, the factors associated with impoverishment include a worse-off financial situation, a household headed by an individual with low education, the presence of children, and the absence of older adults. Using the Bolsa Família Program poverty line, the factors associated with impoverishment include a worse-off financial situation and the presence of children. CONCLUSIONS Health expenditures play an important role in the impoverishment of segments of the Brazilian population, especially among the most disadvantaged.

OBJECTIVE: To identify incorrect inhaler techniques employed by patients with respiratory diseases in southern Brazil and to profile the individuals who make such errors. METHODS: This was a population-based, cross-sectional study involving subjects ≥ 10 years of age using metered dose inhalers (MDIs) or dry powder inhalers (DPIs) in 1,722 households in the city of Pelotas, Brazil. RESULTS: We included 110 subjects, who collectively used 94 MDIs and 49 DPIs. The most common errors in the use of MDIs and DPIs were not exhaling prior to inhalation (66% and 47%, respectively), not performing a breath-hold after inhalation (29% and 25%), and not shaking the MDI prior to use (21%). Individuals ≥ 60 years of age more often made such errors. Among the demonstrations of the use of MDIs and DPIs, at least one error was made in 72% and 51%, respectively. Overall, there were errors made in all steps in 11% of the demonstrations, whereas there were no errors made in 13%.Among the individuals who made at least one error, the proportion of those with a low level of education was significantly greater than was that of those with a higher level of education, for MDIs (85% vs. 60%; p = 0.018) and for DPIs (81% vs. 35%; p = 0.010). CONCLUSIONS: In this sample, the most common errors in the use of inhalers were not exhaling prior to inhalation, not performing a breath-hold after inhalation, and not shaking the MDI prior to use. Special attention should be given to education regarding inhaler techniques for patients of lower socioeconomic status and with less formal education, as well as for those of advanced age, because those populations are at a greater risk of committing errors in their use of inhalers.