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By March 3, 2022, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused more than 399 million infections and claimed the lives of more than five million people worldwide. To reduce infection rates, a series of prevention measures indicated by the World Health Organization (WHO) were adopted by countries, including the use of masks. This study aims to describe mask use in Brazil via data analysis from the EPICOVID19-BR, a population-based study conducted in 133 cities in the country in four phases between March and August 2020. The proportion of individuals who reported wearing a mask when they left their homes was 97.9% (95%CI: 97.8-98.0). The interviewer did not see interviewees' mask in 50% (95%CI: 49.9-51.1) of the cases at the time of the interview. However, between phase one and four of the survey, we observed a 4.4% decrease in the proportion of interviewees who failed to wear masks at the time of the interview. Mask non-visualization was more prominent in women, participants aged 10-19 and 20-29 years of indigenous, black, and brown skin color, and those with elementary and high school education and in the Central-West Region. The use of cloth masks showed a 91.4% predominance (95%CI: 91.2-1.5) with a 4.9% increase between phases 1 and 4. The results of the study bring important information to reinforce COVID-19 control policies in Brazil. The high percentage of people who failed to wear masks at the time of the interview suggests that it is still important to reinforce prevention and self-care, rather than relating mask wear to a mandatory measure.A pandemia de COVID-19 já causou mais de 399 milhões de infecções e custou a vida de mais de cinco milhões de pessoas no mundo, até 3 de março de 2022. Para reduzir a taxa de infecção, uma série de medidas de prevenção indicadas pela Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS) foram adotadas pelos países, entre elas, o uso de máscara. O objetivo deste estudo é descrever a utilização de máscara na população brasileira, através da análise de dados do EPICOVID19-BR, um estudo de base populacional realizado em 133 cidades do país, em quatro fases entre março e agosto de 2020. A proporção de indivíduos que preferiram usar máscara quando saíam de casa foi de 97,9% (IC95%: 97,8-98,0). O entrevistador não visualizou a máscara do entrevistado em 50% (IC95%: 49,9-51,1) dos casos no momento da entrevista, no entanto, entre a fase uma e quatro da pesquisa, observou-se uma diminuição de 4,4 pontos percentuais na proporção de entrevistados que não usaram máscara no momento da entrevista. A não visualização da máscara foi mais observada em mulheres, participantes com idade entre 10-19 e 20-29 anos, de cor de pele indígena, preta, e parda, entre as pessoas com Ensinos Fundamental e Médio e na Região Centro-oeste. O uso de máscara de tecido foi predominante 91,4% (IC95%: 91,2-91,5) com um aumento de 4,9 pontos percentuais entre as fases 1 e 4. Os resultados do estudo trazem informações importantes para reforçar as políticas de controle de COVID-19 no Brasil. O alto percentual de pessoas sem máscara na hora da entrevista sugere que ainda é importante reforçar o aspecto preventivo e de autocuidado, não fazendo do uso da máscara algo apenas ligado à obrigatoriedade.La pandemia del COVID-19 ha provocado más de 399 millones de infecciones y se ha cobrado la vida de más de cinco millones de personas en todo el mundo hasta el 3 de Marzo de 2022. Para reducir la tasa de contagios, los países adoptaron una serie de medidas de prevención indicadas por la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS), entre ellas el uso de mascarillas. El objetivo de este estudio es describir el uso de mascarillas en la población brasileña, utilizando el análisis de datos de EPICOVID19-BR, un estudio de base poblacional realizado en 133 ciudades del país, en cuatro fases entre marzo y agosto de 2020. La proporción de personas que informaron usar mascarillas al salir de casa fue del 97,9% (IC95%: 97,8-98,0). El entrevistador no vio la mascarilla del entrevistado en el 50% (IC95%: 49,9-51,1) de los casos al momento de la entrevista, sin embargo entre las fases uno y cuatro de la investigación se observó una disminución de 4,4 puntos porcentuales en la proporción de los encuestados que no llevaban mascarilla durante la entrevista. Se observó una mayor visualización de falta de uso de mascarillas en las mujeres, en participantes con edades entre 10-19 y 20-29 años, de color de piel indígena, negra y parda, entre personas con educación primaria y secundaria y en la Región Centro-oeste. Hubo un mayor predominio de uso de mascarillas de tela en el 91,4% (IC95%: 91,2-91,5) con un aumento de 4,9 puntos porcentuales entre las fases 1 y 4. Los resultados muestran la importancia de fortalecer las políticas de prevención del COVID-19 en Brasil. El alto porcentaje de personas sin mascarilla al momento de la entrevista sugiere que es importante reforzar la prevención y el autocuidado en general no solo relacionado a la obligatoriedad en el uso de mascarillas.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the prevalence of reports of symptoms of COVID-19 among individuals with and without antibodies and identify those with greater capability to predict the presence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. METHODS The study uses data collected in phases 5 to 8 of Epicovid-19-RS. The presence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 was evaluated by a rapid test. The occurrence of cough, fever, palpitations, sore throat, difficulty breathing, changes in taste and smell, vomiting, diarrhea, body pain, shaking, and headache since March 2020 was also evaluated. Then, the capability to predict the evaluated symptoms concerning the presence of antibodies was calculated. RESULTS A total of 18,000 individuals were interviewed and 181 had antibodies against COVID-19 in phases 5 to 8. The proportion of asymptomatic individuals was 19.9% among participants with antibodies and 49.7% among those without antibodies. All symptoms were reported more frequently by individuals with antibodies. The division of the prevalence of symptoms among individuals with antibodies by the prevalence among individuals without antibodies showed the following prevalence ratios: for changes in smell or taste (9.1), fever (4.2), tremors (3.9), breathing difficulty (3.2) and cough (2.8 times). Anosmia and fever were the symptoms with a greater capability to predict the presence of antibodies. CONCLUSION The prevalence of symptoms was higher among individuals with antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. The proportion of asymptomatic individuals was low. Altered smell or taste and fever were the symptoms that most predict the presence of antibodies. These results can help to identify probable cases, contributing to the clinical diagnosis and screening of patients for testing and isolation guidance in positive cases, especially in scenarios of the scarcity of diagnostic COVID-19 tests. RESUMO OBJETIVO Avaliar prevalência de relato de sintomas característicos de covid-19 entre indivíduos com e sem anticorpos e identificar aqueles com maior capacidade de predição da presença de anticorpos contra o SARS-CoV-2. MÉTODOS O presente estudo usa dados coletados nas fases de 5 a 8 do Epicovid-19-RS. A presença de anticorpos contra o SARS-CoV-2 foi avaliada por um teste rápido. Avaliou-se também a ocorrência dos sintomas tosse, febre, palpitações, dor de garganta, dificuldade para respirar, alterações no paladar e olfato, vômito, diarreia, dor no corpo, tremedeira e dor de cabeça, desde março de 2020. Então, calculou-se a capacidade de predição dos sintomas avaliados em relação a presença de anticorpos. RESULTADOS Nas fases de 5 a 8, 18 mil indivíduos foram entrevistados e 181 apresentaram anticorpos contra covid-19. A proporção de indivíduos assintomáticos foi de 19,9% entre participantes com anticorpos e 49,7% entre aqueles sem anticorpos. Todos os sintomas foram relatados com maior frequência por indivíduos com presença de anticorpos. A divisão da prevalência de sintomas entre indivíduos com anticorpos pela prevalência entre indivíduos sem anticorpos evidenciou as seguintes razões de prevalência: para alterações de olfato ou paladar (9,1), febre (4,2), tremedeira (3,9), dificuldade respiratória (3,2) e tosse (2,8 vezes). Anosmia e febre foram os sintomas com maior capacidade de predizer a presença de anticorpos. CONCLUSÃO A prevalência de sintomas foi maior entre indivíduos com anticorpos contra SARS-CoV-2. A proporção de indivíduos assintomáticos foi baixa. Alteração de olfato ou paladar e febre foram os sintomas que mais predizem a presença de anticorpos. Esses resultados podem auxiliar a identificação de casos prováveis, contribuindo para o diagnóstico clínico e triagem de pacientes para testagem e orientação de isolamento em casos positivos, especialmente em cenários de escassez de testes diagnósticos de covid-19.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the evolution of seropositivity in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, through 10 consecutive surveys conducted between April 2020 and April 2021. METHODS: Nine cities covering all regions of the State were studied, 500 households in each city. One resident in each household was randomly selected for testing. In survey rounds 1–8 we used the rapid WONDFO SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Test (Wondfo Biotech Co., Guangzhou, China). In rounds 9–10, we used a direct ELISA test that identifies IgG to the viral S protein (S-UFRJ). In terms of social distancing, individuals were asked three questions, from which we generated an exposure score using principal components analysis. RESULTS: Antibody prevalence in early April 2020 was 0.07%, increasing to 10.0% in February 2021, and to 18.2% in April 2021. In round 10, self-reported whites showed the lowest seroprevalence (17.3%), while indigenous individuals presented the highest (44.4%). Seropositivity increased by 40% when comparing the most with the least exposed. CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of the population already infected by SARS-Cov-2 in the state is still far from any perspective of herd immunity and the infection affects population groups in very different levels.

Avaliou-se a cobertura vacinal para influenza em idosos na pandemia COVID-19 através do EPICOVID-19, inquérito de base populacional realizado em 133 cidades sentinela dos 26 estados brasileiros e Distrito Federal. Selecionou-se 25 setores censitários por cidade com amostragem proporcional ao tamanho, 10 domicílios por setor e uma pessoa por domicílio, aleatoriamente. Foram entrevistadas 33.250 pessoas, sendo 8.265 idosos. Perguntou-se aos idosos se haviam sido vacinados contra gripe em 2020. A cobertura foi de 82,3% (IC 95% 80,1–84,2), sem diferenças por sexo, idade ou região. Foram observadas maiores coberturas no quintil mais rico (84,7% contra 80,1% no mais pobre; p

Objectives. To evaluate the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) over 6 months in the Brazilian State of Rio Grande do Sul (population 11.3 million), based on 8 serological surveys. Methods. In each survey, 4151 participants in round 1 and 4460 participants in round 2 were randomly sampled from all state regions. We assessed presence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 using a validated lateral flow point-of-care test; we adjusted figures for the time-dependent decay of antibodies. Results. The SARS-CoV-2 antibody prevalence increased from 0.03% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.00%, 0.34%; 1 in every 3333 individuals) in mid-April to 1.89% (95% CI = 1.36%, 2.54%; 1 in every 53 individuals) in early September. Prevalence was similar across gender and skin color categories. Older adults were less likely to be infected than younger participants. The proportion of the population who reported leaving home daily increased from 21.4% (95% CI = 20.2%, 22.7%) to 33.2% (95% CI = 31.8%, 34.5%). Conclusions. SARS-CoV-2 infection increased slowly during the first 6 months in the state, differently from what was observed in other Brazilian regions. Future survey rounds will continue to document the spread of the pandemic.

Background Prenatal and postnatal depression have been well studied in recent decades, but few studies address their relationship with hospitalization and mortality in one-year-old children. Objective Review the literature about the effects of maternal depression on hospitalization and mortality of the child from birth to one year of age and conduct a meta-analysis. Methods A systematic search was performed in the PubMed and LILACS databases. We included original studies that evaluated the effect of prenatal and/or postnatal depressive symptoms on child hospitalization or mortality up to one year of age. Meta-analyses were conducted according to the outcome and stratified by prenatal and postnatal depression, using random effects models. Results Six studies were included in this review (170,371). Children of mothers with prenatal and postnatal depressive symptoms or depression had 1.44 (CI95% 1.10 – 1.89) greater risk of hospitalization, and children of mothers with postnatal depressive symptoms or depression had 1.93 (CI95% 1.02–3.64) greater risk of death before one year of age than those whose mothers did not have the disorder. Limitations Small number of studies (n Conclusion Maternal depressive symptoms or depression have an unfavorable effect on hospitalization and mortality in children up to one year of age. This finding is relevant to public health and should stimulate the systematic screening of prenatal and postnatal depressive symptoms, so that adequate care can be provided for women and their children.

Background: Rio Grande do Sul, the southernmost state in Brazil, had a slow start in the pandemic compared to other regions of the country, but the number of new cases rose sharply in December 2020, with a huge spike in March 2021, when the number of new cases was close to 800 per million people. In this article, we describe the pandemic in the State through the lens of 10 consecutive surveys conducted between April 2020 and April 2021. Methods: We used a sentinel city approach, covering all regions of the State. In each city we selected 50 urban census tracts with probability proportional to size. In each tract, 10 households were selected using a systematic approach. Within each selected household, all residents were listed, and one was selected randomly. In the first rounds of the study, we used the rapid point-of-care lateral- flow WONDFO SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Test (Wondfo Biotech Co., Guangzhou, China). In rounds nine and 10, we used an in-house direct ELISA test that identifies the presence of IgG to the viral spike (S) protein from dried blood spot samples (S-UFRJ). In terms of social distancing, individuals were asked three questions, from which we generated an exposure score through principal components analysis. Findings: Antibody prevalence in early April 2020 was 0.07 (95% CI 0.01-0.32), increasing to 10.0% (95% CI 9.1-11.0) in February 2021, and to 18.2% (95% CI 16.9-19.5) in April 2021. Self-reported whites showed the lowest seroprevalences (9.3%, 95% CI 8.3–10.4 in round 9 and 17.3%, 95% CI 15.9–18.8 in round 10), while indigenous individuals presented the highest levels (20.0%, 95% CI 8.5– 40.3 in round 9 and 44.4%, 95% CI 22.5–68.7 in round 10), followed by blacks (14.4%, 95% CI 11.3– 18.1 in round 9 and 21.6%, 95% CI 17.4–26.4 in round 10). We found an increase in seropositivity in relation to our exposure score; the most exposed 10% of the population presented a 40% higher seropositivity. Interpretation: The proportion of the population already infected by SARS-Cov-2 in the State is still far from any perspective of herd immunity, suggesting that herd immunity will only be achieved through vaccination. Funding: the Brazilian Ministry of Health, Banco do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul (BANRISUL), Instituto Cultural Floresta, UNIMED Porto Alegre, “Todos pela Saude” Group, Instituto Serrapilheira, Brazilian Collective Health Association (ABRASCO) and the JBS S.A. initiative “Fazer o Bem Faz Bem”. Declaration of Interest: None to declare. Ethical Approval: Ethical approval was obtained from the Brazilian’s National Ethics Committee (30415520.2.0000.5313), and we obtained written informed consent from all participants.

OBJECTIVE Describing the prevalence of chronic diseases and associated socioeconomic and demographic factors, evaluating the patterns of social distancing and the antibodies prevalence against SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 symptoms in carriers and non-carriers of chronic diseases. METHODS Data from 77,075 individuals aged 20 to 59 from three steps of the EPICOVID-19 Brazil (a nationwide serological survey conducted between May and June, 2021) were assessed. The presence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 was examined by rapid tests. Self-reported prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, asthma, cancer, chronic kidney disease and heart disease were investigated. The prevalence of mask use, adherence to isolation measures and antibodies were evaluated separately amid carriers and non-carriers of chronic diseases. The prevalence of symptoms was analyzed among carriers and non-carriers of chronic diseases with antibodies. RESULTS The prevalence of at least one chronic disease was 43%, higher in the Southeast region, among white and indigenous individuals, women, less schooled and in lower socioeconomic position. The use of masks when leaving home was similar among carriers and non-carriers of chronic diseases (98%). The proportion of participants who reported adherence to isolation measures was higher amid carriers (15.9%) than non-carriers (24.9%) of chronic diseases. The prevalence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 was similar amongst carriers and non-carriers (2.4% and 2.3%). The prevalence of cough, dyspnea, palpitations and myalgia was significantly higher among carriers, but the proportion of symptomatic patients was similar between groups. CONCLUSION The prevalence of chronic diseases in Brazil is high and the COVID-19 pandemic affects carriers and non-carriers of chronic diseases similarly. Carriers present more severe forms of COVID-19 and higher prevalence of symptoms. Greater adherence to social distancing measures among chronic patients is disassociated from a lower incidence of COVID-19 in this group.

OBJECTIVE: To describe social distancing practices in nine municipalities of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, stratified by gender, age, and educational attainment. METHODS: Two sequential cross-sectional studies were conducted in the municipalities of Canoas, Caxias do Sul, Ijuí, Passo Fundo, Pelotas, Porto Alegre, Santa Cruz do Sul, Santa Maria, and Uruguaiana to estimate the population prevalence of COVID-19. The study was designed to be representative of the urban population of these municipalities. A questionnaire including three questions about social distancing was also administered to the participants. Here, we present descriptive analyses of social distancing practices by subgroups and use chi-square tests for comparisons. RESULTS: In terms of degree of social distancing, 25.8% of the interviewees reported being essentially isolated and 41.1% reported being quite isolated. 20.1% of respondents reported staying at home all the time, while 44.5% left only for essential activities. More than half of households reported receiving no visits from non-residents. Adults aged 20 to 59 reported the least social distancing, while more than 80% of participants aged 60 years or older reported being essentially isolated or quite isolated. Women reported more stringent distancing than men. Groups with higher educational attainment reported going out for daily activities more frequently. CONCLUSIONS: The extremes of age are more protected by social distancing, but some groups remain highly exposed. This can be an important limiting factor in controlling progression of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Introduction Hypnotics are one of the most prescribed drugs in the world and are related to several morbidity and mortality outcomes. Some risk factors such as sex, age, marital status, and also chronic pain e mental disorders have been described in medical papers. However, there are restrict data concerning the influence of occupational factors in the use of sleep drugs. Therefore this study aimed to evaluate the association between MSD and use of hypnotics in the Brazilian population. Methods Cross-sectional study with secondary data from the PNS 2013. We used descriptive statistics to present exposure and outcome variables. Chi-square was proceeded to test differences between groups and Logistic Regression controlling for covariates was made to analyse the main association. Results The general prevalence of hypnotics use was 7,1%. The prevalence was higher in women and in elder people, increasing according to the age. The general prevalence of MSD was 1,9%. Individuals with MSD presented 2 times higher prevalence of hypnotics use compared to controls, even after adjusting for covariates. Disscussion When we consider the problem of the use of medication to sleep, it should be attempted to MSD as a possible risk factor and focus of intervention. New researches are necessary to better elucidate the role of musculoskeletal disorders in the hypnotics use.

Objetivo. Descrever a atenção básica em saúde prestada às mulheres no Haiti e avaliar a equidade da atenção. Métodos. Neste estudo transversal, 114 mulheres atendidas na atenção básica nos 10 departamentos de saúde do país foram entrevistadas. Para analisar a equidade, foram utilizados dois grupos de indicadores: acesso (tempo de caminhada para chegar aos serviços, tempo de espera na fila de consultas e necessidade de pagamento) e qualidade (conhecer o nome do prestador de serviços, tempo de consulta e discriminação). Pagamento e preconceito foram escolhidos como desfechos respectivamente para acesso e qualidade da atenção. Resultados. A maioria das mulheres tinha menos de 30 anos (59,0%), era negra (92,1%) e migrante (63,2%); apenas 21,3% souberam informar a renda familiar e 47,4% eram alfabetizadas. A maioria das consultas foi realizada em menos de 10 minutos (68,3%). O nome do profissional que prestou o serviço não era conhecido por 72,7% das mulheres. As consultas foram pagas por 63,4%, especialmente na região Sul (P = 0,016). Ainda, as mulheres no Sul levaram mais tempo para chegar aos serviços. Aquelas que não pagaram tiveram consultas com menor duração (P < 0,001). A discriminação nos serviços de saúde foi detectada em 28,9% das entrevistadas. Conclusões. Esta pesquisa mostrou dificuldades no acesso e discriminação na atenção primária em saúde prestada a mulheres no Haiti e indica o gênero como uma categoria de análise importante para avaliar a equidade nos serviços de saúde. Objective. To describe primary health care provided to women in Haiti and evaluate equity in the care provided to this group. Methods. In this cross-sectional study, 114 women receiving primary health care services in the country’s 10 health departments were interviewed. Two groups of indicators were used for analysis of equity: access indicators (walking time to reach services, waiting time, and need to pay for the service) and quality (knowing the name of the healthcare provider, length of the consultation, and discrimination). Payment and discrimination were used as outcomes for access and quality, respectively. Results. Most women were younger than 30 years of age (59.0%), black (92.1%), and migrants (63.2%). Family income was known by only 21.3%, and 47,4% were literate. Most consultations lasted less than 10 minutes (68.3%). The provider’s name was not known by 72.7% of the women interviewed. Consultations were paid by 63.4%, especially in the South (P = 0.016). Also, women in the South spent more time walking to reach health services. Those who did not pay had shorter consultations (P < 0.001). Finally, discrimination was detected in 28.9% of the women interviewed. Conclusions. This research revealed difficulties in the access to and discrimination in the care provided to women in Haiti, and suggests that gender is an important category of analysis to evaluate health equity.