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- The influence of population aging in public healthPublication . Veiga, Nélio; Couto, Patrícia; Fernandes, Adélia; Oliveira, Alexia; Gomes, Daniela; Santos, Daniela; Amaral, Odete; Pereira, Carlos; Pereira, Pedro; Coelho, InêsIntroduction Population aging is one of the greatest challenges in contemporary public health. Thus, one of the consequences of this dynamic is a greater demand for health services. The aim of the present research consists in explaining the main topics that justify the fact that the increase of population-aging worldwide influences public health strategies applied. Materials and methods To carry out this review article the search strategies included electronic databases, such as PubMed, Cochrane Library and Science Direct, reference lists of articles, and selected textbooks. Articles and textbooks used in this study were mainly reached by using the following keywords: “Public health”; “Population-ageing “; “Global Aging”; “Elderly” and “Health”. Selection criteria included articles published from 1985 to the present year of 2018. At the end of the search, 11 scientific articles were selected. Results and Discussion The physical / biological, psychological and social changes associated with the elderly leads to decrease of health, withdrawal from the labor market and several unfavorable situations, which cannot be controlled. In this context, the elderly seek to find support in the family, neighborhood, friends and institutions that will influence their quality of life. Therefore, the path of Public Health has three essential points: first, health promotion and primary prevention, which requires a lot of health education to develop healthy living habits and improve understanding of the aging process; secondly, appropriate health treatments, including professionals trained in Geriatrics and Gerontology, aiming at early diagnosis and interdisciplinary administration of diseases, seeking to preserve functional capacity; and finally, the rehabilitation of the functions committed, aiming at functional independence and mental autonomy, in any type of incapacity or limitation. Conclusions Aging is a challenge to be integrated by Public Health and the vulnerability inherent in the elderly should never be seen in a unique way. Thus, we believe in the importance of different forms of support, not only in terms of assistance, clinical treatment and rehabilitation, but also in the implementation of public policies and disease prevention actions, as well as health promotion of the population of integral form.
- Perfil sociodemográfico e prevalência do Helicobacter Pylori em adultos portuguesesPublication . Amaral, Odete; Fernandes, Isabel; Pereira, Carlos; Veiga, Nélio; Nelas, Paula; Chaves, Claudia; Coutinho, EmíliaSociodemographic profile and the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in Portuguese adults Introduction: within the last decades, great importance has been given to the bacterium Helicobacter Pylori. The Helicobacter pylori infection is a public health problem and is recognized as one of the most common chronic infections, estimating that about half of the world’s population is infected with it. This bacterium, located in the gastric mucosa, is related to some pathologies: gastritis, gastric carcinoma, peptic ulcer. Methods: We carried out an observational cross-sectional study with a community sample of adults from the municipalities of Viseu and Satão. The final sample consisted of 166 adults, aged between 19 and 92 years (mean of 46.96 ± 3.17 years), and the majority female (56.6%). Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire with questions regarding sociodemographic aspects, the family household and daily habits and lifestyles. The H. pylori infection was identified using the urea breath test. The test was performed in the morning after at least 6 hours of fasting. Statistical analysis was performed using the statistical program SPSS 23.0. The prevalences were expressed in proportions and compared by the chi-square test with a level of significance of 0.05. Associations were calculated using the Odds Ratio (OR), with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Results: The prevalence of Helicobacter Pylori was 48.8% (50.0% in females and 47.2% in males). We found higher percentages in the female gender, for ages ≤ 50 years, married, with an education level inferior to 12th grade, with a greater number of siblings, and for those who were employed. Nonetheless, the differences were not statistically significant. Conclusion: Almost half of the sample was infected by the Helicobacter pylori bacteria. We found no association between the presence of Helicobacter pylori and gender; age; marital status; schooling, body mass index, professional situation, number of household members and the number of rooms.
- Quality of life, sleepiness and depressive symptoms in adolescents with insomnia: A cross-sectional studyPublication . Amaral, Odete; de Almeida Garrido, António José; de Figueiredo Pereira, Carlos; Veiga, Nélio; de Rosário Delgado Nunes, Carla; Sakellarides, Constantino TheodorTo determine the prevalence of insomnia in a sample of Portuguese adolescents and assess its repercussions on HRQoL, daytime sleepiness and depressive symptomatology.
- Living Conditions and Helicobacter pylori in AdultsPublication . Amaral, Odete; Fernandes, Isabel; Veiga, Nélio; Pereira, Carlos; Chaves, Claudia; Nelas, Paula; Silva, DanielInfection by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is transmissible and is considered a public health issue which affects people of all ages. The objective of this study was to identify factors (lifestyles, dietary factors, and hygiene conditions) related to the prevalence of H. pylori infection.
- Automedicação na comunidade : um problema de saúde públicaPublication . Amaral, Odete; Veiga, Nélio; Nelas, Paula; Coutinho, Emília; Chaves, ClaudiaIntrodução: A automedicação é um importante problema de saúde pública e constitui um desafio em diversos países europeus, designadamente em Portugal. Os objetivos deste estudo foram estimar a prevalência de automedicação numa amostra de adultos portugueses da Região Centro e Norte de Portugal e identificar fatores sociodemográficos e de saúde associados à automedicação. Participantes e métodos: Estudo transversal analítico. A amostra ficou constituída 197 indivíduos da comunidade, região centro e norte de Portugal, com uma média de idades de 38,26±14,20 anos e maioritariamente do género feminino (65,0%). Os dados foram recolhidos através da aplicação de um questionário, composto por questões de caracterização sociodemográfica, de contexto de saúde e questões referentes à automedicação. Resultados: No total da amostra a prevalência de automedicação ao longo da vida foi de 74,1% e nos últimos 6 meses foi de 59,9%. A automedicação ao longo da vida associou-se significativamente com a área de residência urbana (p=0,018). A automedicação nos últimos 6 meses relacionou-se positivamente com a idade ≤25 anos (OR=3,69; IC95% 1,04-12,14) e negativamente com a área de residência (rural OR=0,36; IC95% 0,15-0,84). Conclusões: Observámos elevadas prevalências de automedicação ao longo da vida e nos últimos 6 meses na comunidade norte e centro de Portugal. A automedicação associou-se com variáveis sociodemográficas e de saúde. Os resultados do presente estudo criam evidência para o planeamento de intervenções no âmbito do controlo da automedicação na comunidade.