Brazilian Minimum Wage Research Articles

Climate Change and Ecosystem Services: A Participatory Approach in a Brazilian Mountainous Region

Climate change is present in all sectors of global societies, causing various damages, including to agriculture. In this process, understanding the perception of the most affected population and including them in decision-making is a matter of social justice and a more assertive path. Aiming to obtain subsidies for better adaptation to climate change in family farming, this study established a methodology for evaluating the risks of climate change impacts on ecosystem services, related to water and food security, under the perception of rural actors in the mountainous region of the Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. The methodology consisted of five steps, including the application of the questionnaire to 29 rural actors and ending with validation of the results in a focus group. The main results obtained were that the interviewees perceive the risks of the impacts of climate change in ES, both related to water and food security. Additionally, 24.14% of interviewees mentioned that their family has a monthly income below the Brazilian minimum wage, which exposes their food insecurity. In relation to water security, the risks classified as Very High were mainly in relation to low per capita investments in adaptation policies and infrastructure for environmental protection, between others. The use of many chemical inputs in agriculture also highlighted as a risk to water and food security. Regarding the methodology, it concluded that it was effective in obtaining the perception of the rural actors interviewed regarding the impacts of climate change on ecosystem services at a local scale.

Aesthetic Perceptions Regarding a Thyroidectomy Scar and Transvestibular Approach in Brazil.

We investigated motivation levels across the general Brazilian population and subgroups and their willingness to spend for surgery without a cervical scar. This random-sample survey was performed by a specialized third-party research institute. In this study, we created a hypothetical thyroidectomy scenario, and the transcervical and transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA) were used. The survey included sociocultural data and questions regarding participants' surgical preferences. Data were obtained from 1250 participants; 42.4% were of the opinion that a cervical scar affects social or professional life. Young and childless women were most likely to be affected (p <0.001). All respondents accepted the transoral approach to avoid cervical scarring. However, 30.7% and 31.9% of respondents maintained their preference for TOETVA despite understanding the risks of a hypothetical increase in complications and unfavorable oncological outcomes and 98.6% were of the opinion that this approach was likely associated with greater postoperative pain. Only 16.2% were unwilling to spend for TOETVA. The variable that most affected patients' willingness to spend was a salary greater than 10 Brazilian minimum wages (odds ratio 9.797, 95% confidence interval, p <0.005). Upper class respondents were 10 times more likely to spend for TOETVA than lower class patients. This study highlights patients' interest in TOETVA. Cervical scar perception is affected by concerned about appearance, particularly in certain societal subgroups. Our study population showed significant motivation to undergo TOETVA, which was emphasized by their acceptance of the complication rate, poor postoperative outcomes, greater postoperative pain, and willingness to spend on surgery with an invisible scar. 4 Laryngoscope, 134:3862-3867, 2024.

Coating mortars produced with recycled PET aggregates: A technical, environmental, and socioeconomic approach applied to Brazilian social housing

Plastic is one of the most used materials worldwide, and its final destination constitutes an environmental liability. Clean technologies aiming to reuse plastic waste are imperative from a socioeconomic and environmental perspective. In this sense, this work assesses a technical, thermal, and socioeconomic performance analysis of coating mortars produced entirely with recycled polyethylene terephthalate aggregates (PET), applied to a social housing prototype. The coating mortars’ bulk density was reduced by 30 %, and the compressive strength was impaired between 45 % and 65 % due to hydrophobicity, morphology, and specific gravity of PET aggregates. The PET-containing mortar that exhibited the most suitable properties for masonry coating was characterized in terms of thermal properties and adopted for building the energy simulation. In the sensitive analysis conducted for all bioclimatic zones in Brazil, the PET-containing mortar reduced the energy demand for home air conditioning by up to 12 %, which equals up to 92 % of the Brazilian minimum wage over one year. The socioeconomic analysis indicated that it is viable to use PET-containing mortars for masonry coating, with payback times between 2.4 months and 5.6 years, for one of the cities analyzed. The technical and economic feasibility of using PET-containing mortars for social housing internal and external masonry coating was also explored. This research highlights the benefits of reusing plastic waste in civil construction. This approach can contribute to developing other economic sectors, mitigate the housing deficit, and enhance the dignity of vulnerable populations worldwide.

Prevalence of apical periodontitis in people living with HIV in southern Brazil

This cross-sectional study aimed to describe the prevalence of apical periodontitis (AP) in people living with HIV (PLHIV) over 50 years old and explore its association with sociodemographic, medical, and oral characteristics. Data from 59 PLHIV were collected, and the periapical area of 1018 teeth was evaluated through periapical radiographs (Rx) using Periapical Index (PAI). Presence and quality of root fillings and restorations (coronal fillings and crowns) were also assessed in the Rx; presence of caries was based on Rx and clinical data. Viral load (VL) and T-CD4 count were also evaluated. The prevalence of AP in individuals was 71%, and 8% of the teeth presented AP. Family income &gt;5 Brazilian minimum wage (OR=0.06, 95% CI=0.005-0.62) and having at least one root-filled tooth (OR=14.55, 95% CI=1.45-145.72) were associated with the prevalence of AP, whereas VL and T-CD4 were not. The presence of caries, root filling, and restorations were associated with the presence of AP in a tooth. PLHIV presented a high prevalence of AP, but intrinsic factors related to HIV infection were not associated with AP in the studied subjects. PLHIV would benefit from oral health policies to prevent AP, as the results indicates that the endodontic disease in the present sub-population could be related to social problems.

Evaluation of Functional and Joint Health and Associated Factors in Adults With Hemophilia From a Developing Country With Government-Backed Efforts to Improve Hemophilia Care.

Introduction Hemophilic arthropathy affects people with hemophilia (PwH) and causes joint dysfunction and disability. Brazil has a unique situation and implemented policies to improve health care for PwH. The aim of this study was to evaluate the Functional Independence Score in Hemophilia (FISH), Hemophilia Joint Health Score (HJHS), and associated factors among adult PwH attending a Hemophilia Comprehensive Care Center in Brazil. Methods A post hoc analysis was conducted, including 31 patients who had submitted to a physical evaluation during a previously published cross-sectional study performed from June 2015 to May 2016 at the Brasília Blood Center Foundation, Brazil. Results The mean age was 30.8±9.4 years, and 80.6% had severe hemophilia. FISH was 27.0±3.8, and HJHS 18.0±10.8. The ankle was the most often affected joint (25/31, 80.6%). There were significant correlations between FISH and HJHS scores and the Hemophilia Quality of Life Questionnaire for Adults. Patients with severe hemophilia (P = 0.029) and PwH aged ≥ 30 years (P = 0.049) had lower FISH scores. Monthly household income > 2 Brazilian minimum wages was independently associated with improved HJHS (P = 0.033). The factors simultaneously associated with better HJHS and FISH were age < 30 years (P = 0.021) and monthly household income < 2 minimum wages (P = 0.013). Conclusion FISH and HJHS showed favorable scores despite being performed in a country with unfavorable socioeconomic conditions. In addition to hemophilia severity and age, monthly household income was independently associated with functional and articular state of PwH. The results highlight the importance of the free provision of coagulation factors in Brazil.

Drug addicts profile and associated factors in a southern Brazilian population

To investigate the drug addicts profile and associated factors in two southern Brazilian population. Material and methods: Data regarding sociodemographic characteristics, drug use and oral conditions were collected from 398 males admitted in two rehab hospitals, using a structured questionnaire and oral examination. Results: The mean age of the participants was 35 (± 9.6). The majority were white (63.6%), single (75.9%), employed (61.3%), had low schooling (68.6%) and received more than one Brazilian minimum wage (57.7%). The mean number of untreated decayed teeth was 4.6 (± 4.0), missing teeth, 4.3 (± 5.5) and filled teeth, 2.5 (± 3.1). The mean DMFT score was 11.4 (± 6.8). The most prevalent drugs consumed were tobacco (83.2%) followed by crack (81.2%) and alcohol (72.9%). Conclusion: The sociodemographic profile showed a population of young adults predominantly white, with low schooling, employed with reasonable income, and multi-drug users. Occurrence of decayed teeth and tooth loss was prevalent among them, reflecting on a precarious oral health.

Prevalence of HIV infection among transgender women and travestis in Brazil: data from the TransOdara study.

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection among transgender women and travestis and to analyze factors associated with HIV infection in Brazil. TransOdara was a cross-sectional study on sexually transmitted infections among transgender women and travestis in five Brazilian cities between 2019 and 2021. Self-identified transgender women and travestis aged ≥18 years were recruited using respondent-driven sampling, completed an interviewer-led questionnaire, and provided samples to detect HIV. The outcome was the result of the rapid antigen testing for HIV. Adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were obtained using Poisson regression with robust variance. Overall, this population was found to be especially vulnerable, with high levels of unstable housing and engagement in informal work. They usually resort to transactional sex as their main working activity. Half of them earned less than the Brazilian minimum wage, which characterizes a poor population living in dire conditions. The overall HIV prevalence was 34.40%. In the final model, the variables associated with the HIV prevalence were as follows: to be 31 years old or older, not studying at the moment they were interviewed, to be unemployed, and engaged in lifetime transactional sex. We found disproportionately high HIV prevalence among transgender women and travestis, compared with a low prevalence among respective segments of Brazil's general population, which highlights the context of vulnerability in this population. The data point to the urgency for intensification and expansion of access to HIV prevention and strategies to stop discrimination in health care (among other services and contexts) and provide comprehensive services for this population.

Who are the Older Adults’ Users or Non-Users of the Internet before the Pandemic? Analysis of the Epifloripaageing Cohort Study (2009-2019)

Background: This ageing demographic transformation has been happening simultaneously with technological immersion, especially internet use in communication and health monitoring applications. Objective: This study’s primary aim was to characterize the Internet’s socioeconomic and demographic factors of internet users and non-users. The second aim was to analyze which factor, modifiable or not, influenced the incidence of older adults’ Internet use over time. Methods: This study was done with 722 EpiFloripa Ageing Cohort Study follow-up of older adults. The outcome is internet use according to waves 1 to 3, and the exposures are sociodemographic. It described the characteristics of internet users and non-users, and it used a longitudinal analysis model (Generalized Estimating Equations) to estimate Incidence Rate Ratios (IRR) with 95% confidence intervals. Results: Internet users were younger, with higher education and higher income than non-users over time. Most non-users of the Internet were women (54%) and white (93%), with an average of 66.4 years old and 14 years of study. Conclusion: The incidence of internet use was 11, 4% in Wave 2 and 23.0% in Wave 3 and was 80% lower in older adults 80 years and over compared to other age groups. Regarding schooling and family income, the internet use incidence was higher according to the increase in education levels and income range, except for older adults with more than 10 Brazilian minimum wages. Public policies are needed to reduce inequalities in access to the Internet and promote the digital inclusion of older adults.

Socioeconomic aspects of sport fisheries in a neotropical reservoir

In economically emerging countries such as Brazil, sport fishing is emerging as an important social and economic contributor. However, despite its importance, some aspects still lack information, which jeopardizes the planning, mapping and proper management of the activity. Thus, the objective of this paper was to describe the socioeconomic profile of the sport fishermen of Itaipu Reservoir, Brazil, in order to provide subsidies for public and private investments in the promotion of regional fishing tourism. For this, semistructured socioeconomic questionnaires were given to sport fishermen (total respondents = 823 fishermen) participating in 19 sport fishing tournaments held at Itaipu Reservoir in 2015 and 2016. The majority of the fishermen that were interviewed were male (84%), married (65%), age 31-40 (31%) and had a high level of education (34%). The professional activities reported by the respondents were 43% entrepreneurs, 15% professionals, 15% public servants, 9% private sector workers and 7% students. The household income ranged from 3 to 6 times the Brazilian minimum wage (minimum wage R$ 954.00 = US$ 253.72, US$ 1 = R$ 3.76, October 2018) (34%). The expenditure on fishing events averaged US$ 140.33. The sport fishermen from Itaipu Reservoir demonstrated a high socioeconomic standard in relation to the fishermen from other regions of the country, which foments the local economy.

A public micro pension programme in Brazil: heterogeneity among states and setting up of a benefit age adjustment

Brazil is the 5th largest country in the world, despite having a “High Human Development”, it is the 9th most unequal country. The existing Brazilian micro pension programme is one of the safety nets for poor people. To become eligible for this benefit, each individual must have an income that is less than a quarter of the Brazilian minimum wage and be either over 65 or considered disabled. That minimum income corresponds to approximately US $\(\,2\) per day. This manuscript analyses quantitatively some aspects of this programme in the Public Pension System of Brazil. We look for the impact of some particular economic variables on the number of people receiving the benefit, and seek if that impact significantly differs among the 27 Brazilian Federal Units (UF). We search for heterogeneity. We perform a regression and spatial cluster analysis for detection of geographical grouping. We use a database that includes the entire population receiving the benefit. Afterwards, we calculate the amount that the system spends with the beneficiaries, estimate values per capita and the weight of each UF, searching for heterogeneity reflected on the amount spent per capita. In this latter calculation we use a more comprehensive database, by individual, that includes all people that started receiving a benefit under the programme between January and April 2018. We compute the expected discounted benefit and confirm a high heterogeneity among UF’s as well as by gender. We propose looking for a more equitable system by introducing “age adjusting factors” to change the benefit age.

Psychological Complaints at Psychological Emergency Service Associated with Referral to Extended Screening in a Psychology School Clinic

The Psychological Emergency Service (PES) at psychology school clinics is an unscheduled and free psychological service to meet urgent demands. From this service, some patients whose complaints require more time for clinical work are referred to the Extended Screening (ES), a modality composed of six extra appointments. This study aims to analyze the sociodemographic profile of patients seen on PES in a Brazilian Psychology School Clinic, and to identify the demands that motivated referral to the ES, for better qualification of the care offered. This is a descriptive analysis research, carried out based on data from the medical records of 46 patients who went through the PES and were referred to the ES at the institution, between the years 2019 and 2021. Sociodemographic data were collected and, from the session reports, a content analysis of the thematic analysis modality was performed to identify the complaints. The participants’ age ranged from 18 to 65 years, with a mean of 32.28 years (sd = 10.95). There was a predominance of female participants (71.74%), that completed High School (39.14%) and had an income from one to two Brazilian minimum wages (32.61%). The most frequent complaints were depressive symptoms (56.52%) and difficulties in interpersonal relationships (32.61%). The results obtained, besides allowing the survey of the social and demographic profile of the clientele of the PES at the Psychology School Clinic, and demonstrating its social relevance by providing free psychological care, also show to be of great importance for the definition of more accurate criteria for referral to the ES of patients seen on PES.

Epidemiological characteristics and survival outcomes of children with medulloblastoma treated at the National Cancer Institute (INCA) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Medulloblastoma (MB),the most common malignant brain tumor of childhood has survival outcomes exceeding 80% for standard-risk and 60% for high-risk patients in high-income countries (HICs). These results have not been replicated in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where 80% of children with cancer live. This is a retrospective review of 114 children aged 3-18years diagnosed with MB from 1997 to 2016 at National Cancer Institute (INCA). Sociodemographic, clinical, and treatment data were extracted from the medical records and summarized descriptively. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. The male-to-female ratio was 1.32 and the median age at diagnosis was 8.2years. Headache (83%) and nausea/vomiting (78%) were the most common presenting symptoms. Five-year OS was 59.1% and PFS was 58.4%. The OS for standard-risk and high-risk patients was 69% and 53%, respectively. The median time to diagnosis interval was 50.5days and the median time from surgery to radiation therapy initiation was 50.4days. Patients who lived >40km from INCA fared better (OS=68.2% vs. 51.1%, p=.032). Almost 20% of families lived below the Brazilian minimum wage. Forty-five patients (35%) had metastatic disease at admission. Gross total resection was achieved in 57% of the patitents. Although there are considerable barriers to deliver effective MB treatment in countries like Brazil, the OS seen in the present study demonstrates that good outcomes are not only feasible but can and should be increased with appropriate interventions.

Family cohesion and attention deficit exert an influence on visits to the dentist in early adolescence.

To determine whether family environment, signs of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and oral health literacy (OHL) are associated with visits to the dentist in adolescents. A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted with a representative sample of 448 12-year-old adolescents enrolled at schools in the city of Cajazeiras, Brazil. The adolescents answered a validated questionnaire addressing family cohesion and adaptability (FACES III), an OHL measure (Brazilian Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Dentistry [BREALD-30]) and a questionnaire addressing the history of visits to the dentist and previous toothache experience. The parents answered a questionnaire addressing sociodemographic characteristics. Parents and teachers answered the inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity subscales of the Swanson, Nolan & Pelham (SNAP-IV) questionnaire for the detection of signs of ADHD. Multiple Poisson regression with robust variance was used for data analysis (α=5%). The prevalence of having visited a dentist some time in life was higher among adolescents with enmeshed (PR=1.08; 95% CI: 1.01-1.15) and connected (PR=1.06; 95% CI: 1.01-1.13) families and those with attention deficit according to parents' reports (PR=1.09; 95% CI: 1.04-1.14). A family income higher than the Brazilian minimum wage (PR=1.06; 95% CI: 1.01-1.12) and toothache in the previous six months (PR=1.05; 95% CI: 1.01-1.11) were also associated with the outcome. Family cohesion and attention deficit according to parental reports influenced visits to the dentist among adolescents. In contrast, OHL was not associated with the outcome.

Contextual and individual factors associated with dental pain in adolescents from Southeastern Brazil.

The aim of this study was to assess the factors associated with dental pain in adolescents from the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Individual data on adolescents aged 15 to 19 years were collected from the SB Minas survey secondary database. Dental pain over the past 6 months, assessed by a questionnaire, was used as the dependent variable. Sex, income, skin color, prevalence of untreated dental caries, periodontal health, dental treatment needs, and time of last dental appointment were analyzed as individual covariates. Allocation factor, Human Development Index (HDI), Gini coefficient, illiteracy rate, unemployment, 50% and 25% of the Brazilian monthly minimum wage, primary healthcare coverage, oral health team coverage, access to individual healthcare, and supervised toothbrushing average rate were the analyzed contextual variables. A multilevel analysis was conducted for the individual and contextual variables. Statistical analyses used hierarchical linear and nonlinear modeling to infer an association between the different levels. Male adolescents had a lower prevalence of dental pain (OR = 0.53; 95%CI = 0.37-0.75). There was an association between dental pain and low income (OR = 1.58; 95%CI = 1.07-2.33), prevalence of untreated dental caries (OR = 1.25; 95%CI = 1.11-1.40), periodontal health (OR = 1.80; 95%CI = 1.04-3.09), and dental treatment needs (OR = 6.93; 95%CI = 3.96-12.14). Sociodemographic and clinical factors at the individual level were associated with the outcome but not with contextual variables. These findings reinforce the need to address these factors for effective community health actions.

Omeprazole prescriptions for older adults in health care units in Curitiba, Brazil: an analysis based on Beers Criteria

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate omeprazole prescriptions for older adults based on the Beers Criteria, with an analysis of indications and duration of use longer than eight weeks. METHODS: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, data were collected from the electronic medical records of older adults with an omeprazole prescription seen at two health care units in Curitiba, Brazil, between June and August 2019. Data were subjected to descriptive statistical analysis, Student t and χ2 tests. RESULTS: Medical records of 386 patients were analyzed, and 69.95% were female. The mean age was 71 (SD, 8.15) years. Most patients had incomplete primary education (50.52%) and income level ranging from one to two Brazilian minimum monthly wages (39.90%). No indication for omeprazole prescription was found in 23.83% of medical records. Use longer than eight weeks was predominant for all indications in 96.60% of medical records. Duration of use more extended than the Beers Criteria recommendation was independent of sex (p = 0.327), education (p = 0.805), and income level (p = 0.629). A relationship between polypharmacy and long-term drug use was demonstrated (p &lt; 0.001). CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest the need for periodic review of omeprazole prescriptions considering deprescribing when they appropriate.

LINC-28. EPIDEMIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND SURVIVAL OUTCOMES OF CHILDREN WITH MEDULLOBLASTOMA TREATED AT THE NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE (INCA) IN RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL

BACKGROUNDMedulloblastoma (MB), the most malignant brain tumor of childhood has survival outcomes exceeding 80% for standard risk and 60% for high risk patients in high-income countries (HIC). These results have not been replicated in low-to-middle income countries (LMIC), where 80% of children with cancer live. Brazil is an upper-middle income country according to World Bank, with features of LMIC and HIC.METHODSWe conducted a retrospective review of 126 children (0–18 years) diagnosed with MB from 1997 to 2016 at INCA. Data on patients, disease characteristics and treatment information were retrieved from the charts and summarized descriptively; overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier Method.RESULTSThe male/female ratio was 1.42 and the median age at diagnosis was 7.9 years. Headache (79%) and nausea/vomiting (75%) were the most common presenting symptoms. The median time from onset of symptoms to surgery was 50 days. The OS for standard-risk patients was 69% and 53% for high-risk patients. Patients initiating radiation therapy within 42 days after surgery (70.6% versus 59.6% p=0.016) experienced better OS. Forty-five patients (35%) had metastatic disease at admission. Lower maternal education correlated with lower OS (71.3% versus 49% p=0.025). Patients who lived >40km from INCA fared better (OS= 68.2% versus 51.1% p=0.032). Almost 20% of families lived below the Brazilian minimum wage.CONCLUSIONSThese findings suggest that socioeconomic factors, education, early diagnosis and continuous data collection, besides oncological treatment must be adressed to improve the survival of children with MB.

Impacts of social inequalities on the survival of heart transplant recipients in a developing country.

Heart transplant (HT) is an alternative for patients with advanced heart failure (HF). Social inequalities may influence survival, but are still not well understood. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of social and clinical inequalities on the survival of HT recipients. Retrospective cohort study conducted at a Brazilian hospital from 2006 to 2018. Three hundred and two patients were analyzed. Most HT recipients were male (205, 67.9%), mixed race 146 (48.3%), retired (166, 56.5%), median age 47 (38-57) years, and had studied no more than eight years (191, 65.8%), were younger than 60years old (256, 84.7%). 149 (51.7%) had per capita monthly income inferior to one Brazilian minimum wage, equivalent to US$250. 123 (95.4%) out of 129 patients had allograft cellular rejection 2R or 3R. Median donor age was 32 (23-39) years. The overall survival was 76.6%, 62.2%, and 58.2%, at 1, 5, and 10years, respectively. Age <60years old and higher income were associated with a greater chance of survival (p-values .009 and <.001, respectively). Younger age and higher per capita income had positive impact on HT recipient survival. The level of education did not affect survival in this cohort.

Decrease in child abuse notifications during COVID-19 outbreak: A reason for worry or celebration?

Anecdotal reports have shown increased rates of domestic violence and child abuse as the result of the economic impact and stay-at-home orders in response to COVID-19.1 For children and adolescents, school closures and the disrupted provision of child protection services have been associated with a higher risk of maltreatment with physical outcomes especially for those living in low-income and crowded households.2-4 In this retrospective population-based study, we compared data on abuse of children and adolescents aged 0–17 years during the first half of 2019 and 2020 in Sergipe state, Northeast Brazil, which is recognised as the poorest region in the country. Information on child abuse was extracted from the official child maltreatment database of the Coordination of Statistics and Criminal Analysis of the Sergipe state. Our outcome of interest was non-accidental physical injury inflicted on a child by his or her parents or other person legally responsible for the child's care. Data also included gender, age and race/ethnicity and all cases were de-identified. Results were expressed in absolute and relative frequencies. Two-proportion Z-test was used to compare occurrences of child abuse between 2019 and 2020 according to children's characteristics. P values <0.05 were considered statistically significant. Sergipe has an estimated population of 2 298 696 people, Human Development Index of 0.665 and a monthly household income per capita of less than one Brazilian minimum wage (approximately USD 190/month). On 14 March 2020, the first case of COVID-19 in Sergipe state was identified and the first decree of the state government on the containment measures in response to the spread of COVID-19 was enacted on 24 March 2020 and included closure of all schools and universities. Until 10 September 2020, SARS-CoV-2 has infected 74 121 patients and resulted in 1920 deaths. From 1 January to 30 June 2020, 53 cases of child physical injury were notified, 15 (28.3%) in boys and 38 (71.7%) in girls. Most were aged 12–17 years (37 out of 53, 69.8%) and were either Blacks or Browns (mixed race) (39 out of 53, 73.6%). No differences were found in child abuse notifications according to gender, age and race/ethnicity between 2020 and 2019 (Table 1). However, compared to the first half of 2019, we found the reported rate of child physical injury decreased in 2020 by 24.3%. Decreasing rates were found in 4 (January, February, March and May) of the 6 months analysed (Fig. 1). Despite the lack of studies showing the influence of COVID-19 pandemic on registries of child abuse, social media reports suggest an increased risk of domestic violence during the social distancing period in Brazil.5 The reported surge in domestic violence including child abuse is alarming and may be associated with family financial constraints, increased burden on parents due to school closures, parent's stress and difficulty dealing with children's irritability during isolation, disruption of social support networks and reduction of child protective services. Recently, according to the Brazilian Ministry of Women, Family and Human Rights, the number of reports of violence against children fell 12% during the pandemic throughout the national territory. Similar results have been shown in some American states which reported double-digit percentage decreases in registries to child maltreatment hotlines.6 With child-helplines reducing staff and limiting child protection services due to imposition of curfew and reduction of funding especially in low- and middle-income countries, the incidence of child abuse may be unnoticed or under-reported.7 Measures to improve surveillance, identify risk factors, develop interventions and scale up effective policy and programmes8 must be implemented to support vulnerable people against domestic violence especially Black teenage girls in poor communities.9 This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Federal University of Sergipe (protocol number 33095120.4.0000.5546). We would like to thank the Criminal Analysis Statistics Coordination (CEACRIM), Sergipe state, Brazil for collaborating with the data collection, and CAPES and CNPq agencies. We dedicate this article to all the doctors, frontline health workers and other staff who are facing COVID-19. This study is part of the EpiSERGIPE project.

Epidemiology and predictors of occurrence of SCHISTOSOMA MANSONI infection in a low-endemicity area in northeast Brazil

In Latin America 96% of the cases of schistosomiasis occur in Brazil in low-socioeconomic status populations. The epidemiological characteristics and occurrence predictors of Schistosoma mansoni infection were determined in the Bananeiras community, located in Capistrano, a town in Ceará state, Brazil. Sanitary, environmental, socioeconomic, and behavioral data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. An investigation to assess S. mansoni infection was conducted using the Kato-Katz and Point-of-Care Circulating Cathodic Antigen (POC-CCA) methods. From the 258 subjects were analyzed, 54.3% (n=140) were women, median age 30 years. Thirty-three (12.8%) individuals were positive by either egg- and/or CCA-positivity. The highest positivity rate was found in the 30-39 year old group. There was no piped water supply, sewage network or municipal refuse collection service. Most individuals were illiterate or had not finished elementary school (66.3%). About 29.1% of the families had a monthly income below one Brazilian minimum wage and 91.1% reported contact with natural water sources. We found an association between infection and age group of 20-40 years, illiteracy, household with 7 inhabitants or more, household with up to 3 rooms and an outhouse. Contrarily, being 40 years old or older and household with up to 6 inhabitants were not risk factors. Schistosomiasis remains a public health problem in this municipality, evidencing a strong association with low socioeconomic conditions and high vulnerability. These findings reinforce the importance of identifying the factors associated with the infection for more effective guidance in actions in control programs targeting schistosomiasis prevention and control. &#x0D; KEY WORDS: Schistosomiasis; Schistosoma mansoni; epidemiology; predictors; low endemicity;urim antigen.

Fair wage potential as a tool for social assessment in building projects

PurposeThe fair wage potential (FWP) is a social assessment method that can serve as an important measure to estimate the related social impacts along a product's life cycle; however, it does not admit a direct relation to the functional unit. This research presents the weighted fair wage potential (WFWP) method that relates the functional unit to the FWP. It is a simplified method to connect the material inventory to social data. This study aims to develop an approach to assess and choose the best construction typology for buildings based on the social sustainability of workers involved in the sectors.Design/methodology/approachThe study is presented in phases. Phase 1 selected and identified two Brazilian house projects, which were considered for the following processes: extraction of raw materials, manufacture of building materials and housing construction. Phase 2 assembled the social life cycle inventories and executed them using the social life cycle assessment (SLCA). The inventory of materials followed the functional unit: “1.0 m² of the built housing”, and the social inventory observed data extracted from the National Household Sample Survey (PNAD). The study considered the stakeholder category “worker” and analysed the impact subcategory “fair salary”. The study also divided the social data into categories: worker gender, worker race/colour, worker union and worker formality to analyse the impact of subcategories: “equal opportunities/discrimination”, “freedom of association and collective bargaining” and “social benefits/social security”. Phase 3 compared the projects according to the results from the SLCA. The FWP considers the wage paid at supply chain sectors, and the WFWP relates the functional unit to the social data.FindingsThe results proved that the wages paid by the construction supply chain are fair. However, there are differences between the FWP of male and female workers, white and non-white workers, unionised and non-unionised workers and formal and informal workers. The study of the actual Brazilian minimum wage indicated that the FWP is sensitive to the reference wage to which the analysed wages paid are related. Considering the WFWP, the constructive typology employed in Project B can generate increased positive social impacts than Project A. The proposed study provides excellent results, and it can be adapted to different data to assess the social conditions of other countries and sectors.Research limitations/implicationsThere is not enough primary data available for the variables real wages and real working time; for this reason, these variables received secondary data. Another limitation is the data used for the year range, since Brazilian microdata do not include years before 2002 and years beyond 2015.Originality/valueThe WFWP differs from the existing social sustainability studies because it relates the material information to social data; also, it defines the best option among the analysed alternatives, taking into consideration social sustainability, which enables the project design to go beyond technical aspects. The constructive typology and materials take into account the social sustainability of the construction supply chain, generating more sustainable projects and improving the circumstances of affected stakeholders.