Belo Horizonte City Research Articles

A prática do trabalho infantil entre os beneficiários do Programa Bolsa-Escola Belo Horizonte: um estudo sobre os determinantes sociodemográficos

O trabalho infantil atinge mais de cinco milhões de crianças e adolescentes no Brasil e é atribuído principalmente à pobreza. Este artigo tem por objetivo estudar as características das famílias com e sem registro de trabalho infantil inscritas no Programa Bolsa-Escola de Belo Horizonte e comparar os dois grupos para se detectar fatores possivelmente associados ao trabalho infantil. Foi realizado estudo transversal com 9.252 famílias participantes do programa, de 2003 a 2006, com enfoque nas características do domicílio, da mãe e da família. Entre as 9.252 famílias estudadas, 1.293 (13,9%) apresentaram registro de trabalho infantil. Observou-se relação positiva entre a ocorrência de trabalho infantil e o maior número de pessoas na casa, ausência do cônjuge no domicílio, baixa escolaridade da mãe e inserção trabalhista da mãe. Apesar da consolidação do programa, o trabalho infantil continua presente entre os bolsistas. Além da pobreza, outros fatores podem contribuir para o trabalho infantil.

Economical and Environmental Analysis of an Urban Consolidation Center for Belo Horizonte City (Brazil)

The urban freight transportation is a fundamental factor to the development of big cities with a significant importance in the support of people stay of life, besides it plays a role in the maintenance and conservation of industrial and commercial activities and it contributes to industrial competitiveness. However, it impacts the products cost, the regional economic efficiency and the environment as energy consume, pollutant emission, noise and visual intrusion. Starting from a brief review about UCC, it was developed a methodology to analyze the economical and environmental impacts of an urban consolidation center (UCC) that was applied on the Belo Horizonte city (Brazil). The results show a substantial reduction of number of vehicles at congestion area and a decreasing of pollutant emission in the urban environment.

A novel Rickettsia infecting Amblyomma dubitatum ticks in Brazil

A total of 130 adult free-living ticks of Amblyomma cajennense and 9 free-living Amblyomma dubitatum were collected in the surroundings of the Pampulha Lake, within Belo Horizonte city, state of Minas Gerais, south-eastern Brazil. Each adult tick was tested for rickettsial infection by PCR protocols targeting the rickettsial genes gltA, htrA, and ompA. All the 130 A. cajennense ticks were negative by PCR. In contrast, all 9 A. dubitatum ticks were shown to contain rickettsial DNA. PCR products were sequenced, generating identical sequences for each gene among the 9 ticks, which were shown to contain a novel agent, here designated as Rickettsia sp. strain Pampulha. Phylogenetic analyses inferred from the 3 rickettsial genes ( gltA, htrA, ompA) showed that Rickettsia sp. strain Pampulha segregated in the same cluster with R. tamurae, R. monacensis, and several other unclassified rickettsial strains; however, strain Pampulha is a unique Rickettsia strain for the New World, since its closest relatives, according to 3 genes ( gltA, htrA, and ompA), are all from the Old World. Because A. dubitatum eventually bites humans, further studies are necessary to determine the potential pathogenicity of Rickettsia sp. strain Pampulha to humans.

Validade de estimativas obtidas por inquérito telefônico: comparação entre VIGITEL 2008 e inquérito Saúde em Beagá

To assess the validity of the estimates obtained through telephone survey and to measure the impact of the post-stratification weighting factor to adjust estimates. The same questionnaire was completed by two independent samples of the population living in the municipality of Belo Horizonte city (Barreiro and West regions). One sample (n=440) completed the questionnaire of VIGITEL 2008 (telephone survey), and the other (n=4,048) of Saúde em Beagá (face to face household interview). The results of the two samples for 18 health-related variables were compared by means of test statistics. At first, residents who had a landline telephone line were compared to those who reported not having a telephone line; then, VIGITEL estimates, with and without post-stratification weight, were compared with Saúde em Beagá estimates. Subjects who owned a landline telephone line had indicators for better economic conditions (housing, schooling, and skin color); higher prevalence of chronic diseases; lower exposure to risk factors for chronic diseases; and improved access to health services, compared to the those who reported not having a telephone line. Most VIGITEL estimates (without post-stratification weight) were similar to the sample of Saúde em Beagá that reported owning a residential landline, showing no major impact of the methodology to obtain this data (lower information bias). Even without post-stratification weight, VIGITEL estimates were similar to those of Saúde em Beagá. With post-stratification weight, the estimates of "number of residents", "skin color" and "physical activity" did not differ from those obtained by the face to face survey. The results of both surveys were very similar. Because of the lower cost, the telephone interview is a good option in public health for the behavioral risk-factor surveillance system.

P2-407 Perceived social support and leisure-time physical activity levels in adults living in a large urban center: SaÚde em BeagÁ Study - Belo Horizonte city, Brazil

IntroductionLeisure Physical Activity (LPA) is an important health determinant. Alarming rates of sedentarism are observed in world's population.ObjectiveTo investigate the influence of Social Support for Physical Activity (PASS) and individual...

P2-87 Effects of neighbourhood features on obesity: SaÚde em BeagÁ Study, Belo Horizonte, Brazil, 2008–2009

IntroductionThe prevalence of obesity seems to be increasing in most parts of the world. Some studies have examined the association between the environment and obesity.ObjectiveTo address how neighbourhood factors affect...

P1-208 Epidemiology into action: surveillance of deaths and monitoring quality of perinatal healthcare to reduce maternal and infant mortality in Belo Horizonte city, Brazil

Since 1999 a perinatal health commission was set in Belo Horizonte to establish a policy framework to reduce maternal and infant mortality. A comprehensive audit of maternity care was made...

P1-426 Assessing the psychometrics and the ecometrics measurements of neighbourhood scales: saÚde em beagÁ study, Belo Horizonte, Brazil, 2008–2009

IntroductionAlthough relevant, specific instruments are necessary to better understand the relationship between features of neighbourhood and health events, very few studies have developed instruments to measure neighbourhood features in developing...

Óxidos de manganês em solos do quadrilátero ferrífero (MG)

A mineralogia dos óxidos de Mn é muito variada e complexa, devido ao grande número de minerais e ao conhecimento inexato de algumas de suas estruturas. Devido à escassez de trabalhos que tratam especificamente de óxidos de Mn em solos brasileiros e seu conteúdo muito elevado em alguns solos do Quadrilátero Ferrífero (MG), este estudo objetivou caracterizar a química e a mineralogia desses óxidos nos solos dessa região, estratificando-os conforme os materiais de origem e posições na paisagem. O trabalho foi desenvolvido em uma área representativa do Quadrilátero Ferrífero, referente à Área de Proteção Ambiental da Região Metropolitana de Belo Horizonte - APA Sul RMBH, com extensão de 1.625,32 km²; a amostragem foi direcionada para a caracterização de solos com elevado teor de Mn, relacionados a três materiais de origem distintos: itabiritos, dolomitos ferruginosos e serpentinitos, tendo sido incluídos ainda alguns solos provenientes de outros materiais de origem, dentro do Quadrilátero. Alguns solos do Quadrilátero Ferrífero possuem teores de Mn na fração terra fina extraordinariamente elevados, principalmente aqueles relacionados aos dolomitos ferruginosos da Formação Gandarela. Foram identificados diversos minerais de Mn na fração argila dos solos, sem quaisquer pré-tratamentos de concentração, representados por todoroquita, litioforita e, ainda, pirolusita. A influência do material de origem no contexto deste estudo foi superior àquela da posição na paisagem e grau de intemperismo de solos ricos em Mn.

Perfil e desfecho clínico de pacientes em lista de espera por transplante renal, Belo Horizonte (MG, Brasil), 2000-2005

This is an observational, follow up study in order to characterize the patients profile in waiting list to kidney transplantation between 01/01/2000 and 12/31/2004 in Belo Horizonte (MG, Brazil) and their outcome in 12/31/2005. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of patients residents in Belo Horizonte city, 18 years of age or older was collected from State Transplantations Center of MG. Health professionals involved with transplantations answered to interviews to describe access barriers to it. Descriptive and comparative statistical analyses were performed with secondary data and qualitative analyses of the interviews were made. It was enrolled 835 patients. At the end of the study, 22.7% were transplanted, 15.6% died, 15.4% were drifted away and 46.2% remained on the waiting list. Transplanted patients were younger, professionally occupied, blood type A, have glomerulonephritis as basic ERSD cause, less diabetes prevalence and lower time between the beginning of the dialysis treatment until inclusion on the waiting list, compared with non-transplanted patients. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were associated with kidney transplantation access, described as a complex process which involves primary care determinants until kidney allocation.

Aspectos históricos da visita de Marie Sklodowska Curie a Belo Horizonte

In the year 2011 it is celebrated the Marie Sklodowska Curie Nobel Prize centenary and the International Year of Chemistry. However, it is not generally known that Marie Sklodowska Curie, one of the greatest scientists of all time, visited Belo Horizonte, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. She arrived by train at Belo Horizonte city on 16 August 1926, coming from Rio de Janeiro and accompanied by her daughter Irene Joliot-Curie. The scientists visited the Institute of Radium of Belo Horizonte. The approach in this work emphasizes the presence of Marie Sklodowska Curie in Belo Horizonte, exploring the admiration and respect that people had for her.

Epiphytic lichens on air biomonitoring in Belo Horizonte City, Brazil: a preliminary assessment

Belo Horizonte is the fifth most populous city in Brazil and there is no data on the level of its atmospheric pollution concerning chemical elements. This study was conducted as a preliminary survey using lichens as biomonitors collected from two parks: Municipal Am?rico Ren? Giannetti, downtown, and Mangabeiras, far from the city centre, a place regarded as not polluted. Epiphytic lichens were collected and their elemental compositions were determined by neutron activation technique, k0–method. In this assessment, the local atmospheric condition could be assessed pointing out the presence of typical tracers of vehicular emissions, mainly in Municipal park. On the other hand, soil elements seem to be expressive in the air composition, mainly in Mangabeiras area. Being a perceptive differential, the high concentration of soil elements found in the Mangabeiras park samples seems to come from the surrounding mining areas. The mining dust may have been the source of these elements.

Telehealth in Primary Healthcare: An Analysis of Belo Horizonte's Experience

Telehealth resources were implemented in the city of Belo Horizonte, providing tools for the medical assistance model as well as strengthening the quality of primary healthcare attention. The objective of this study was to analyze the characteristics of the incorporation of telehealth resources in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, and its contribution to the structuring of primary healthcare. This study focused on a description of the telehealth projects related to primary healthcare in the city and the results of the implementation process. The sources for this analysis include documents presented to financing institutions, reports from the Belo Horizonte City Department of Health, and articles and technical reports related to the evaluations of the project. The BHTelehealth Project has been established in 148 basic health units in Belo Horizonte. It develops assistance and educational activities by using 3D modeling, interactive videos, and animations. The analysis of this implementation process identified both positive and negative aspects. Telehealth has strengthened the role of primary healthcare as the coordinator of attention. It has reinforced primary care units by widening the scope of attention offered at this level and has provided primary care staff with a powerful arsenal of up-to-date information and tools. BHTelehealth served as a model for implementing the National Telehealth Program, in course in Brazil, involving 900 cities. This is attributed to its positive impact on the training of primary care unit professionals.

Sleeping Site Selection by Urban Marmosets (Callithrix penicillata) Under Conditions of Exceptionally High Predator Density

Domestic cats are known to kill small mammals and birds, and represent a predatory threat to all small wildlife. We investigated whether a high cat density affects the choice of sleeping sites of urban marmosets (Callithrix penicillata). One group of marmosets and ≥115 domestic cats live in an 18-ha area in the Municipal Park of Belo Horizonte City, Minas Gerais, Brazil. We observed the selection of 105 consecutive sleeping sites by the marmosets between January and April, 2009. We observed predation of 3 juvenile marmosets by domestic cats and a mean of 3.24 attempted predation events per day. The park contains 3777 trees of 275 species, but the marmosets chose only 6 different species —3 palms, 2 eucalyptuses, and 1 fig— and a total of 12 different sleeping trees. Sleeping sites appeared to be chosen to minimize the risk of cat predation. Marmosets slept only in tall trees (mean±SD = 22.49 m ± 5.4) with high first branches (mean above-ground level = 10.36 m ± 4.7) and smooth or thorny bark. Marmosets reached sleeping trees from adjacent trees, and neither marmosets nor cats climbed into sleeping trees from the ground. These results suggest that domestic cat predation pressure influences the physical characteristics of marmoset sleeping site selection, e.g., height, to reduce predation rate.

First report of infection of Lutzomyia longipalpis by Leishmania ( Leishmania) infantum from a naturally infected cat of Brazil

In recent years, cases of feline visceral leishmaniasis (FVL) have been described in different countries. In urban areas, domestic cats are suggested as possible alternative reservoirs of Leishmania ( L.) infantum, the causal agent of visceral leishmaniasis (VL). This paper reports the first case of infection of Lutzomyia longipalpis by L. infantum of a naturally infected cat from Brazil through xenodiagnosis. The presence of a cat with FVL and its infectivity to the natural vector in Belo Horizonte city, an endemic area of VL in Brazil, suggests the need for further studies to determine the rate of occurrence of FVL among domestic cats and the infectivity ratio of L. longipalpis in endemic areas, and what is the role of these animals in the epidemiology of the disease.

Prevalência de anticorpos anti-Rickettsia spp. em cães da cidade de Belo Horizonte, MG

ABSTRACT A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of anti- Rickettsia spp. in dogs from Belo Horizonte, MG. For this purpose, serum samples from 453 dogs were collected during the rabies vaccination campaign and tested by the indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) using five antigens: Rickettsia bellii , Rickettsia amblyommii , Rickettsia rickettsii , Rickettsia parkeri , and Rickettsia felis. The endpoint titer reacting with each antigen was determined and serum was considered positive if it reacted at the 1:64 dilution. Serum showing titer for a Rickettsia species at least four-fold higher than that observed for any other Rickettsia species was considered homologous to the first Rickettsia species. Only three (0.66%) dogs reacted positively to at least one Rickettsia species and one serum showed to be homologous to R. rickettsii. These results showed a low prevalence of antibodies anti- Rickettsia spp. in dogs from Belo Horizonte city. However, other serosurvey needs to be performed for surveillance of the endemic status of the disease in the municipal district. Keywords: dog,

Urban freight transport in a metropolitan context: The Belo Horizonte city case study

This paper presents the findings of a freight transport study carried out for Belo Horizonte city (Brazil). Based on surveys on the main accessing roads to the Belo Horizonte Metropolitan Region (RMBH), it was noted that 30% of the trucks circulated empty inside the Belo Horizonte Central Area, and among those that contained some load, one could observe the use of less than 50% of their load capacity. On the other hand, the largest trucks carried loads that weighted 23% above their nominal capacity. These facts suggest an approach based on the concept of City Logistics should be applied in the management of the freight transport for the whole metropolitan region.

PRESENÇA DE OVOS DE HELMINTOS INTESTINAIS EM ÔNIBUS DE TRANSPORT E PÚBLICO EM BELO HORIZONTE – MINAS GERAIS, BRASIL

The presence of intestinal helminths eggs was evaluated in the urban publictransportation system of Belo Horizonte city. Passenger compartments of thirtybuses of different lines, which circulate between three main stations, were examined.The modified method according to Graham (1941) was used for the analysis of thecollected material. The results indicated that 100% of the vehicles examined werecontaminated. Eggs of Ascaridae, Oxyuridae and Hymenolepis sp. were observed.Eggs of Hymenolepis sp. were present in 93% of the buses analyzed. These resultsshow the contamination of the passenger’s compartments and indicate a potentialrisk for the population using them.

O Fórum na Tela: Eleições, Debates Televisivos e Deliberação Mediada

This article examines the discursive characteristics of a TV debate between Leonardo Quintao (PMDB) and Marcio Lacerda (PSB) aired during the 2008 race for Belo Horizonte City Mayor. The study analyzed if and how the discursive practices observed in such a debate meet the five requirements suggested by Maia (2007) for evaluating the nature of a deliberative debate. The requirements are the following: accessibility; characterization of social actors; use of critical-rational arguments; reciprocity and responsiveness; reversibility of point of views. The research found out that TV political debates limit by their very nature the development of deep arguments. In addition, one points out evidences prone to reinforce the belief that these debates exert influence over other formal and informal arenas of discussion, what makes consistent the idea of an expanded deliberative system.

First report of vertical transmission of Leishmania ( Leishmania) infantum in a naturally infected bitch from Brazil

Dogs are the most important reservoir of Leishmania ( L.) infantum, the causal agent of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in Brazil. Vectorial infection is the main route of transmission of the parasites. This paper reports the first case of vertical transmission of L. infantum in Brazil, confirmed by PCR and immunohistochemistry techniques in samples from spleen and liver of two stillborn pups from a bitch naturally infected with L. infantum in Belo Horizonte city, endemic area of VL. This result confirms the existence of transplacental transmission of Leishmania between dogs, and suggests the need for further studies to determine the rate of occurrence of this fact in endemic areas and what is their role in the epidemiology of the disease.