Brazilian Context Research Articles

Pharmaceutical care effectiveness in brazilian healthcare setting: PrEP knowledge and adherence

PrEP is a globally effective and safe healthcare technology that substantially reduces HIV incidence. Pharmacists have played a crucial role in promoting PrEP scale-up, however, there is a lack of studies in the Brazilian context. This intervention study, conducted in Central Brazil from 2021 to 2022, assessed pharmaceutical care's effectiveness in enhancing PrEP knowledge and adherence among high-risk individuals for HIV acquisition. Over 80% of 150 participants, were predominantly male, homosexual, averaging 31.4 years old, single, and highly educated, and showed normal liver and kidney function with no HIV seroconversions. The Intervention Group (IG) displayed significant statistical differences in PrEP knowledge (p<0.001) and adherence (p<0.008) compared to the control group. The clinical pharmacist effectively resolved 27 drug-related problems with no adverse effects on participants. This study is pioneering within the Brazilian context, making a significant contribution to the advancement of scientific understanding regarding the role of pharmaceutical services in fostering PrEP utilization in Brazil.

Adaptation and validation of the Psychologist and Counsellor Self-Efficacy Scale (PCES) among Brazilian psychologists and psychology students

This study aimed to: (i) Translate, adapt, and evaluate the linguistic and semantic properties of the Psychologist and Counsellor Self-Efficacy Scale (PCES) for use among psychology students and psychologists in Brazil; (ii) Assess the psychometric attributes of the adapted PCES, including its construct validity and other related psychometric properties. A total of 2,139 participants, comprising psychologists and psychology students (Mage = 25.36 years; SD = 9.46), partook in this study. The PCES exhibited commendable fit indices (CFI = .990; TLI = .989; SMR = .043), and multigroup confirmatory factor analysis revealed a consistent level of invariance between students and practicing psychologists, as well as between male and female participants. Network analysis offered significant insights into the distribution of factors, while the convergent validity of PCES was corroborated by its correlations with the subscales of the General Perceived Self-Efficacy Scale (GPSS). These findings unequivocally affirm the reliability and suitability of PCES as an assessment instrument for both psychologists and psychology students in the Brazilian context.

The relationship between the use of technologies and digitalization strategies for digital transformation in family businesses

PurposeAnalyzing the effect of digitalization strategies and barriers to digital transformation (DT) on the use of technologies, in the Brazilian context, is necessary to broaden the understanding of topics in emerging economies. Thus, empirical research to evaluate and analyze aspects related to DT in small and medium-sized family businesses in an emerging economy is necessary, as it is a necessary strategic alternative in the current context.Design/methodology/approachUsing data from a survey conducted with 210 managers of Brazilian family businesses, the authors analyzed the positive cause and effect relationship between digitalization strategy and technology use. In addition, the authors seek to explore the moderating effect of barriers to digital development on the relationship between digitalization strategy and technology use. This analysis was conducted using the structural equation modeling technique, with the help of SmartPLS 4.0 software.FindingsThe findings confirm the positive relationship between the implementation of digitalization strategies and technology usage in small family businesses, thereby contributing to the broader analysis of how small family businesses employ and define their digitalization strategies. Furthermore, the authors identified barriers that hinder the development and utilization of technology for digitalization purposes.Originality/valueThis study fills gaps in empirical research by explaining the factors that drive barriers to DT in small family businesses. It contributes to advancing the understanding of digitalization strategies used by family SMEs and identifies the real strategic value opportunities that DT represents for businesses.

Organizational studies in brazilian context: new directions of knowledge or epistemic dependence?

Organizational studies incorporate the political, socioeconomic and historical-cultural transformations of a nation. In Brazilian context, such research brought greater autonomy through the work of Alberto Guerreiro Ramos and Maurício Tragtenberg, precursors of the onto-epistemological construction prior to the Anglo-Saxon criticism based on mainstream of administration. The objective of the study was to understand the evolution of organizational studies in Brazilian context. For this, a systematic review of the literature was used to map the studies that bring a legitimate idea for a national theorization. The relevance of national researchers and the influence of their studies in Latin America and in the world contributed to a disentangling of dominant theories. Finally, the national constructs allowed a dialogue with the theme, and bequeathed pluriverse lenses in the analysis of discourses and contexts that keep organizational studies in evidence.

Impacts and Regulations of Healthcare Solid Waste Management during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review

In a pandemic context, it is essential to intensify precautions related to healthcare solid waste, known as HCSW, ensuring the continuous search for safer management and handling protocols of these materials. In this sense, the aim of this paper is to conduct a comprehensive review of the literature about the management of healthcare waste during the COVID-19 pandemic. The current investigation was underpinned by the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) framework, selected to ensure the comprehensive and transparent presentation of the systematic review. In pursuit of this objective, three distinct keyword combinations were employed, namely, “solid waste management”, “medical waste”, and “COVID-19 pandemic”. Consequently, a total of 76 documents were incorporated into the analysis. The results of this analysis indicate that the amount and treatment of hospital solid waste were significantly affected by the pandemic, bringing impacts on social, economic, and environmental aspects. Recent studies have focused on mitigating these impacts by pursuing “green” solutions, such as implementing sustainable strategies, preserving biodiversity, adopting an eco-conscious lifestyle, improving healthcare infrastructure, raising public awareness, and changing HCSW management policies. In addition, alternative technologies have been explored for the adequate treatment of these wastes, as well as the replacement of harmful materials by safer substances. However, more scientific research on this topic is still needed, especially in the Brazilian context, in order to contribute to the development of strategies that minimize the impacts of the pandemic on both society and the environment.

Strategies for decommissioning small nuclear reactors in Brazil

The process of decommissioning nuclear reactors is a complex activity that involves various technical and administrative stages. Its main objective is to ensure the safety of the site, workers, the general public, and the environment during the execution of decommissioning activities, aiming for the release of the site from regulatory control. In the Brazilian context, it is essential to develop decommissioning strategies, taking into consideration the established technical and regulatory requirements, as well as following the guidelines of the Brazilian Nuclear Policy (BNP). Eight decommissioning strategies were proposed for small reactors, with different objectives and in different scenarios, encompassing 23 decommissioning approaches, divided into 6 groups: 1) decontamination and dismantling (DD); 2) radioactive waste (RW) management; 3) RW storage management; 4) human resources (HR) and knowledge management; 5) cost estimation; and 6) financial fund management. Additionally, 18 factors affecting the selection of these approaches were considered, taking into account particularities of the Brazilian context. A qualitative risk analysis was conducted using risk assessment techniques from the ABNT NBR ISO/IEC 31,010 standard, with a focus on the Multicriteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) technique. This qualitative analysis allowed for the evaluation of the approaches considering the current scenario and the future scenario, which includes possible changes in the BNP currently under discussion in the National Congress. The observations and results obtained in this study will be useful in guiding future efforts related to nuclear reactor decommissioning projects in Brazil. Based on the proposed strategies and considerations of safety, regulation, and governmental policies, it will be possible to plan and execute decommissioning activities more efficiently and safely.

Human Rights and Social Work in the Brazilian Context: Diversified Language Games

Abstract This article is the result of an exploratory bibliographic study that consists in provoking reflections and presenting discussions on the theme of human rights and social service in the Brazilian context, as well as on the guarantee of rights and diversified and divergent language games. The scenario of the world crisis, in Latin America and specifically in Brazil, causes social service to face a historical and structural process of social inequality, a crisis that deeply cuts across the welfare state and the ineffectiveness of public policies. The challenges faced by social work are unquestionable as the profession faces different language games in social and political contexts that diverge between human needs and ideological interests in a constant struggle for social advances and setbacks. The approach methodology is analytical and critical, part of the analysis of concepts and perspectives from theoretical frameworks on human rights, social work and language games.

Condições de trabalho na atenção primária à saúde na pandemia de COVID-19: um panorama sobre Brasil e Portugal

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has put pressure on public health systems worldwide since 2020. This article aims to discuss working conditions in Primary Health Care (PHC) in Brazil, while dialoguing with primary health care (CSP, Cuidados de Saúde Primários) in Portugal in the pandemic scenario. For that purpose, data from the study “Working conditions of health professionals in the context of COVID-19 in Brazil” are presented, for further discussion with the report produced by “Family Health Units - National Association (USF-AN, Unidades de Saúde Familiar - Associação Nacional)” on the CSP in Portugal. In Brazil, regarding the sample of 3,895 PHC health professionals, it was observed: multiple employment relationships, lack of institutional support and specific training, living with fake news and the lack of political cohesion between health authorities, with significant changes in these workers’ mental health. In Portugal, the increase in the workload and the presence of Burnout Syndrome among FHU professionals was emphasized. The pandemic had a significant impact on the health and daily work of health professionals in PHC and CSP. However, the Brazilian context was more adverse due to fake news and divergences regarding conducts related to the fight against the pandemic, due to the actions and denialism by the federal government.

Working conditions in primary health care in the COVID-19 pandemic: an overview of Brazil and Portugal.

The COVID-19 pandemic has put pressure on public health systems worldwide since 2020. This article aims to discuss working conditions in Primary Health Care (PHC) in Brazil, while dialoguing with primary health care (CSP, Cuidados de Saúde Primários) in Portugal in the pandemic scenario. For that purpose, data from the study "Working conditions of health professionals in the context of COVID-19 in Brazil" are presented, for further discussion with the report produced by "Family Health Units - National Association (USF-AN, Unidades de Saúde Familiar - Associação Nacional)" on the CSP in Portugal. In Brazil, regarding the sample of 3,895 PHC health professionals, it was observed: multiple employment relationships, lack of institutional support and specific training, living with fake news and the lack of political cohesion between health authorities, with significant changes in these workers' mental health. In Portugal, the increase in the workload and the presence of Burnout Syndrome among FHU professionals was emphasized. The pandemic had a significant impact on the health and daily work of health professionals in PHC and CSP. However, the Brazilian context was more adverse due to fake news and divergences regarding conducts related to the fight against the pandemic, due to the actions and denialism by the federal government.

Social justice movements in the expansion of the Afro-Brazilian fashion market

Fashion in the twenty-first century has been heavily impacted by social justice movements. Given this scenario, this article aims to discuss the reflexes that the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement caused in the global fashion industry from the year 2020, especially in Brazil. From the analysis of the events that motivated this movement, as well as a critical reading of the Brazilian historical-social formation context, I seek to present the emerging brands of racialized creators that are being highlighted at São Paulo Fashion Week, one of the most important fashion events in the country and Latin America.

Impactos da infodemia sobre a COVID-19 para profissionais de saúde no Brasil

Abstract This article aims to analyze the effects of the COVID-19 infodemic from the perspective of Brazilian health workers regarding the patients, measure the impacts of fake news on health professionals, and verify the perception of health multidisciplinary teams regarding the authorities’ stance. This cross-sectional study is nested in the research “Health Professionals’ Working Conditions in the Brazilian Context of COVID-19”. The nationwide non-probability sampling included 15,132 professionals who worked in the COVID-19 frontline in health institutions of 2,200 Brazilian municipalities. Approximately 91% of respondents believed that fake news is an obstacle in fighting the SARS-CoV-2 virus; 76.1% declared they had seen patients who expressed faith in fake news about COVID-19; 29.3% agreed that the health authorities’ stance about COVID-19 was consistent and enlightening, and 62.6% disagreed about this. The respondents believe that the COVID-19 infodemic confused patients, impaired adherence to PHC measures, and stirred people’s negative behavior vis-à-vis the pandemic. The lack of clarity of the authorities’ stance influenced the COVID-19 infodemic process.

Impacts of the infodemic on COVID-19 for Brazilian health professionals.

This article aims to analyze the effects of the COVID-19 infodemic from the perspective of Brazilian health workers regarding the patients, measure the impacts of fake news on health professionals, and verify the perception of health multidisciplinary teams regarding the authorities' stance. This cross-sectional study is nested in the research "Health Professionals' Working Conditions in the Brazilian Context of COVID-19". The nationwide non-probability sampling included 15,132 professionals who worked in the COVID-19 frontline in health institutions of 2,200 Brazilian municipalities. Approximately 91% of respondents believed that fake news is an obstacle in fighting the SARS-CoV-2 virus; 76.1% declared they had seen patients who expressed faith in fake news about COVID-19; 29.3% agreed that the health authorities' stance about COVID-19 was consistent and enlightening, and 62.6% disagreed about this. The respondents believe that the COVID-19 infodemic confused patients, impaired adherence to PHC measures, and stirred people's negative behavior vis-à-vis the pandemic. The lack of clarity of the authorities' stance influenced the COVID-19 infodemic process.

Temporal Analysis of COVID-19 Epidemiological Indicators in a Low-Income Brazilian Context: A Retrospective Analysis in Paraiba State.

Northeast Brazil is a region with great international tourist potential. Among the states that make up this region, Paraíba stands out due to the presence of vulnerable groups and factors that contribute to adverse outcomes of COVID-19. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the epidemiological data on the incidence, mortality, and case fatality of COVID-19 in Paraíba. An ecological, population-based study was performed, with data extracted from the Brazilian Ministry of Health database. All cases and deaths from COVID-19 from March 2020 to December 2022 were included. The time series was built by applying the Prais-Winsten regression model, and the daily percent change was calculated to analyze the trends. The highest case fatality of the entire period was in April 2020 (7.8%), but in March 2021, the state broke the dismal record of 1248 deaths and the highest mortality rate (30.5 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants). Stationary mortality and case fatality were better in 2022; however, in February 2022, the mortality rate was at levels similar to the same month of the previous year. These results illustrate that COVID-19 is evolving and needs to be constantly monitored.

Use of Geostatistics in the sugarcane context in Brazil: a review

Use of Geostatistics in the sugarcane context in Brazil: a review

Cross-cultural adaptation of the Parental Perceptions of Children’s Exposure to Tobacco Smoke instrument to the Brazilian context

ObjectiveTo perform a cross-cultural adaptation of the Parental Perceptions of Children’s Exposure to Tobacco Smoke (PPE) instrument to the Brazilian context.ResultsThe cross-cultural adaptation process was performed in 10 stages. Four translators, eight specialists, and 35 primary care users participated in the study. Both translations were similar. The synthesis version that was back-translated was equivalent to the original. The committee of experts scored all items in the content validity index as 3 or 4, suggesting only small changes such as changing “photo” to “image” and “service balcony” to “service area”. After the completion of the first sequence of pretests, some adjustments were required by the committee of experts for the second round. The form of application of the self-administered questionnaire for the interview was changed, the Likert scale was reduced from 7 to 5 points, and the option “I don’t know” was added to questions 18, 19, and 20. After these adjustments, the instrument was well accepted by the study population and presented good internal consistency (Cronbach’s α score = 0.82). The PPE instrument, which assesses the perception of parents about their children’s exposure to cigarette smoke, was satisfactorily translated and adapted to the Brazilian context.

Social policy in Brazil: notes about its configuration under the neoliberal support

This article aims to promote an analysis around the format assumed by social policies in Brazil in the face of the intensification of the neoliberal project, with a view to its contradictions and main characteristics. Therefore, a historical review of its foundations is essential, although brief, as well as an approach to the social issue and its deepening in the current scenario. In fact, through a bibliographic review, in the light of Marxist critical social theory, we also sought to discuss social policy in the Brazilian context of Bolsonaro’s government in the face of Covid-19 pandemic, taking as an example the welfare benefit emergency.

Management of crises of brazilian brands on social networks

Consumer behavior in a digital environment is the central element of this study and represents a relevant theme and a challenge for marketing managers. The starting question of this study is related to concepts such as transparency and digital swarm proposed by the South Korean philosopher Byung-Chul Han. These concepts are relevant to understand the Brazilian context of brands involved in the digital environment. This study uses a qualitative approach for data collection, through the methodology of multiple case studies. For data collection, the netnography method of research and content analysis were used for the evaluation of results. The findings reject the theory proposed by Byung-Chul Han, since Brazilian consumers seem to be avid to engage in storms caused by online crises. In addition, they present enough capability to articulate the promotion of concrete negative effects from the point of view of economic losses, political pressures, and shocks in the stock market segment. For future studies, analyses in other international contexts are suggested to compare and discuss about the exercise of freedom by citizens in a digital environment and its negative impacts on the corporate assets of organizations.

POSSESSION AND CONSUMPTION: CLARICE LISPECTOR AND THE ETHICS OF MYSTICISM

Abstract Many critics have called Clarice Lispector a mystic. Lispector, however, was not a religious figure, but rather a 20th-century Brazilian writer who was influenced by both her Jewish background and her Catholic Brazilian context. There are various forms of Jewish and Christian mysticism that reject transcendent union with God and, by referencing them, I elucidate the complexity of Lispector’s mystical fiction. By looking at challenges to mystical union in these traditions, I aim to show the ethical complexity of this concept and how that complexity is deepened through Lispector’s writing as she problematises blurred boundaries between self and Other.

Public policies and the professional training of young people in rural areas: An integrative review

In recent years, researchers have studied the category of rural youth, that is, young citizens who have chosen to live in rural areas. The objective of the study was to identify, through an integrative literature review, public policies for access to education and professionalization of rural youth in the Brazilian context. The hypothesis is that public policies aimed at the rural environment allow rural youth access to teaching and learning and qualify them for the job market. As a methodological strategy, an integrative review research was used. Data collection was carried out in April and May 2022. In all, there were 14 works analyzed in this study. In addition, works with a time interval of 13 years, from 2009 to 2022, were considered. It is concluded that the objective of the article was achieved, since, through the analysis of the documents, it was possible to identify the public policies, as well as the programs of access to education and professionalization of rural youth in the Brazilian context, such as PRONAETC, PRONAF, EFA and CEFET.

Potential Factors for Retention and Intent to Drop-out in Brazilian Computing Programs

Motivation : Enrollments in Brazilian computing degrees are at an all-time high, but graduation numbers have not increased at the same rate. Moreover, enrollment growth has mainly attracted male students, steadily expanding the gender gap in Brazilian computing programs. Such high attrition rates have a great economic impact and may disproportionately affect women and students of color. Previous works investigated reasons for student drop-out and retention in specific courses or barriers to entrance in computing programs in narrower contexts or in a single institution. Objectives : We investigate potential actionable factors for intent to drop out in computing programs and what factors might lead students to remain in a computing program in several Brazilian institutions. We investigated how such factors may be affected by students’ race/ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic status. Method : We analyzed Likert-style answers from an online survey with 3,193 students currently enrolled in Brazilian computing programs. Results : The results show that students value salary/job-related factors as the most important factors to potentially remain in a computing program. The excess of theoretical courses and the difficulty of programming and mathematics courses are the top-ranked factors by students to potentially abandon a computing degree. However, while there is little effect of gender, race/ethnicity, or socioeconomic status in retention factors, potential drop out factors such as a the fact that it is a male-dominated field, harassment, and the difficulty of courses were rated as more important by women. Also, costs and the difficulty of courses are relevant factors for the intent to drop out when analyzing students’ race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status. Discussion : We explore the implications of our findings for Computing programs, particularly (but not restricted to) the Brazilian context. We conjecture reasons for such students’ perspectives regarding intent to drop out and retention factors and provide recommendations of actions for instructional designers, curriculum developers, and other key stakeholders to address issues related to gender, students’ wellness, perceived authenticity of courses, and other relevant factors. Since we only observed small interactions between race/ethnicity and retention and intent to drop out factors, which may indicate a lack of sensitivity from the instrument, we present suggestions to address such limitations in future work.