Brazilian National Survey Research Articles

Association between sociodemographic characteristics and sexual behaviors among a nationally representative sample of adolescent students in Brazil.

Although low socioeconomic status (SES) adolescents suffer from higher rates of adverse sexual and reproductive health outcomes, evidence on the association between SES and sexual behaviors has been less consistent. A cross-sectional analysis of the association between sociodemographic characteristics (household wealth, maternal education and race/ethnicity) and sexual behaviors (sexual initiation, multiple sexual partners, inconsistent condom use and inconsistent contraceptive use) of Brazilian adolescents was carried out using the 2015 Brazilian National Survey of School Health (PeNSE), a nationally representative school-based survey of 102,301 adolescents. Analyses included multivariable logistic models, which accounted for geographic and family characteristics. About 27.5% of adolescents were sexually initiated. Household wealth was associated with female sexual initiation, while race/ethnicity was associated with condom use and multiple sexual partners among males. For instance, black males had 35% higher odds of having multiple partners (aOR = 1.35, 95%CI: 1.13-1.62), but 22% lower odds of condom use (aOR = 0.78, 95%CI: 0.65-0.94), compared to white males. Frequent parental supervision was positively related to condom use (females, aOR = 1.28, 95%CI: 1.10-1.49; and males, aOR = 1.33, 95%CI: 1.18- 1.49). Results show the complex relationship between SES and sexual behaviors. Researchers should pay attention to gender, racial and social norms salient to adolescent sexual behaviors, as they can influence data collection and results. National policies should also support active parental supervision, since it can be a protective factor.

A influência das informações da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde sobre a estimativa atual e a trajetória do aleitamento materno exclusivo no Brasil

The study aimed to discuss the consistency of estimates of maternal breastfeeding in the Brazilian National Health Survey (PNS) and the implications for the analysis of trends in these indicators from 1986 to 2013. The main limitation for the current estimate (2013) of breastfeeding indicators based on the PNS and their trend (1986-2013) is the absence of the interview date in the microdata, thus hindering a precise calculation of age. Previous studies have shown different scenarios for exclusive breastfeeding based on the PNS: 36.6% (stabilization of prevalence in comparison to 2006 [Brazilian National Survey of Demography and Health - PNDS]) and 20.3% (downward prevalence). Simulations of the interview date using the date of data collection in the PNS (August 2013 to February 2014) indicated a variation of prevalence 25.3% to 42.8% (exclusive breastfeeding); 54% to 61.5% (breastfeeding); and 32.7% to 40.5% (breastfeeding, second), respectively. The discrepancy in the scenario for breastfeeding status calls attention to the unfeasibility of the exclusive breastfeeding estimate for 2013, pending clarification of the interview date.

Trends in verbal bullying, domestic violence, and involvement in fights with firearms among adolescents in Brazilian state capitals from 2009 to 2015

This study analyzes time trends in verbal bullying, domestic violence, and involvement in fights with firearms among adolescents in Brazilian state capitals from 2009 to 2015. The study of trends uses data from the Brazilian National Survey of School Health (PeNSE) in 2009, 2012, and 2015 among ninth-graders enrolled in public and private schools in the country's 26 state capitals and the Federal District. The analysis focused on domestic violence, verbal bullying, and involvement in fights with cold steel weapons and firearms in the 30 days prior to the interview. Logistic regression was performed, adjusted for sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics, with analysis of each type of violence in Brazil and in the capital cities, according to sex. The trends were spatialized. For the capital cities as a whole, from 2009 to 2015 there was an increase of 12% (95%CI: 1.11-1.14) in domestic violence, 10% (95%CI: 1.08-1.11) in verbal bullying, and 7% (95%CI: 1.05-1.09) and 7% (95%CI: 1.05-1.08) in involvement in fights with firearms and cold steel weapons, respectively. Domestic violence increased in all the capital cities. In 96.3%, 70.4%, and 62.9% of the capital cities, respectively, there were increases in verbal bullying and involvement in fights with cold steel weapons and firearms, while there were stationary trends in the other capital cities. There was an upward trend in these forms of violence in the majority of the capital cities, evidencing the need to implement public policies to mitigation the different types of violence among adolescents.

Brazilian Foodborne Disease National Survey: Evaluating the Landscape after 11 Years of Implementation to Advance Research, Policy, and Practice in Public Health.

The poor control of public and private agencies regarding the quality of foods offered to populations has a significant impact on the occurrence of foodborne diseases. Precise information about foodborne diseases (FBD) can adequately inform policy-makers and help to allocate appropriate resources for the control of food safety. This study aimed to evaluate the Brazilian foodborne disease landscape after 11 years of implementation of the Epidemiological Surveillance System of Foodborne Diseases. The study analyzed secondary data from the National System of Injuries and Notifications (SINAN-NET), available from the Health Department. We evaluated the characteristics of FBD, such as the food involved, the location of ingestion, the total time to the outcome investigation, the microorganism involved and deaths. We also calculated the global incidence, mortality and lethality rates of the country. There were 7630 FBD outbreaks in the National Epidemiological Surveillance System of Foodborne Diseases (VE-DTA). Of the registered reports, a total of 134,046 individuals were sick with FBD; 19,394 were hospitalized, and there were 127 registered deaths. We found a coefficient of incidence of FBD of 67.57 per 100,000 inhabitants; a mortality coefficient of 0.06 per 100,000 inhabitants and lethality of 0.09% over the 11 years investigated. Data are probably underreported since the VE-DTA system lacks completeness, and because FBD symptoms are mostly mild, a large part of the population does not seek care from health services.

Familiar factors and illicit drug use among Brazilian adolescents: an analysis of the Brazilian National Survey of School Health (PeNSE, 2015).

Illicit drug use is related to individual characteristics; however, social and family environments seem to be associated with this consumption. The aim of this study was to analyze the association of the relationships between parents or guardians and Brazilian adolescents that use illicit drugs. This is a cross-sectional study with data from the Brazilian National Survey of School Health (PeNSE, 2015), in which the target population was school children from the ninth grade (eighth year). A total of 102,072 students were included in the current research, being 52,782 females and 49,290 males. Illicit drug use was the outcome and family relationship factors were the exposure. For adjustments, factors as sociodemographic characteristics, mental health, as well as tobacco and alcohol use were established. Univariate and multivariate analysis stratified by sex was conducted through Poisson regression, with a robust variance estimator to calculate the prevalence ratio and the 95% confidence interval. The general prevalence of illicit drug use was 3.8%; 3.3% among females and 4.4% among males. The following factors increase the prevalence ratio for illicit drug use in adolescents: not living with their parents, not feeling supervised by parents, and skipping classes without parents' consent. Never feeling understood by parents and frequent physical aggressions by family members were also associated with illicit drug use. Family relationships collaborate to illicit drug use among Brazilian adolescents, considering their sociodemographic factors, alcohol and smoking habits and parents and friends' profiles.

Iron salts and vitamins: use, purchase and sources of obtainment among children in Brazil

To verify the prevalence of use, purchase and sources of iron salts and vitamins by children aged from 0 to 12 years in Brazil. Population-based transversal study (Brazilian National Survey on Access, Utilization, and Promotion of Rational Use of Medicines - PNAUM), including 7,528 children up to 12 years of age. Information was obtained through questionnaires answered by the children's tutors, about the use of iron salts and vitamins 15 days before the interview; forms of financing, and sources of obtainment, sociodemographic characteristics, and presence of chronic disease. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were performed and the main variables were expressed by relative frequencies and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). The prevalence of use of iron salts was 1.6% (95%CI: 1.2-2.1), with higher prevalence among children under 1 year old (8.5%; 95%CI: 6.3-11.5) and residents of the southeastern region (2.3%; 95%CI: 1.5-3.4). Prevalence of use of vitamins was 4.8% (95%CI: 4.2-5.6), with higher prevalence among children under 1 year old (24.3%; 95%CI: 20.3-28.7) and residents of the northern region (8.6%; 95%CI: 6.2-11.7). Purchase occurred by direct reimbursement for 41.6% (95%CI: 27.9-56.7) of the iron salts, and for 82.4% (95%CI: 76.3-87.2) of the vitamins. The iron salts were predominantly obtained from SUS pharmacies (51.5%; 95%CI: 36.4-66.4), and the vitamins from commercial pharmacies (80.6%; 95%CI: 77.4-85.6). The results suggested the use of iron salts in the Brazilian pediatric population was low, with reduction in use as age increased, regional differences and free-of-charge obtainment, predominantly from SUS.

Prevalence of influenza vaccination in adults and elderly with chronic respiratory diseases.

The objective was to estimate the prevalence of influenza vaccination in adults and elderly with chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs). The sample included individuals 20 to 59 years of age (n = 23,329) and ≥ 60 years (n = 9,019) that participated in the Brazilian National Survey on Access, Utilization, and Promotion of Rational Use of Medicines (PNAUM) in 2013-2014. We estimated influenza vaccination prevalence rates and respective 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). Associations were verified with the Rao-Scott chi-square test, with significance set at 5%. For all adults and elderly with CRD, prevalence of vaccination was 42.1% (95%CI: 37.2-47.1), with a statistically difference between the two age groups (p < 0.001). The adult population showed significant differences according to marital status (p < 0.05), and the elderly population showed higher vaccination prevalence in the South of Brazil compared to the Northeast (p < 0.05). For the sample as a whole, chronic bronchitis was the most frequently reported disease (43.5%). Considering each specific disease, the percentage of vaccinated adults was low, varying from 25% (other respiratory diseases) to 42% (chronic bronchitis), without a statistically significant difference (p = 0.330). Individuals with respiratory diseases and the elderly in general (≥ 60 years) are priority groups for influenza vaccination; in general, in all the subgroups, prevalence rates were below the target set by the Brazilian Ministry of Health. The recommendation that the vaccine should be applied by a health professional may explain this low adherence to vaccination by the elderly.

Prevalence and characteristics of adverse drug events in Brazil.

The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of adverse drug events (ADEs) and associated factors reported by users of medicines in Brazil. This was a cross-sectional population-based study conducted from September 2013 to February 2014 with data from the Brazilian National Survey on Access, Use, and Promotion of Rational Use of Medicines (PNAUM). The study included all individuals that reported the use of medicines and identified, among them, all those reporting at least one problem with the medicine's use. A descriptive analysis was performed to estimate ADE prevalence and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) among the target variables. Crude and adjusted prevalence ratios were calculated using Poisson regression to investigate factors associated with ADEs. Overall ADE prevalence in Brazil was 6.6% (95%CI: 5.89-7.41), and after multivariate analysis, higher prevalence was associated with female gender, residence in the Central and Northeast regions, consumption of more medicines, "bad" self-rated health, and self-medication. The drugs most frequently reported with ADEs were fluoxetine, diclofenac, and amitriptyline. The most frequent ADEs were somnolence, epigastric pain, and nausea. Most reported ADEs were mild, avoidable, and associated with medicines used frequently by the population. The study provided knowledge on the size of the problem with use of medicines in Brazil.

Assessing the relationship between smoking and abdominal obesity in a National Survey of Adolescents in Brazil

Abdominal obesity is even a stronger risk factor than overall obesity for noncommunicable chronic diseases. We examined the association between smoking and abdominal obesity among adolescents. Analyses were based on 38,813 subjects aged 15–17 years from the Study of Cardiovascular Risks in Adolescents (ERICA), a Brazilian school-based national survey. Abdominal obesity was defined considering waist circumference (WC) percentiles. Statistical analyses, stratified by sex, considered the sample complex design. Poisson regression with robust variance was used to estimate smoker-to-nonsmoker abdominal obesity prevalence ratio (PR), adjusting by sociodemographic and lifestyle variables. Higher prevalence of abdominal obesity was observed among adolescents who consumed >1 cigarettes/day, comparing to nonsmokers: considering WC >80th percentile, adjusted-PR for boys was 1.27 [95%CI:1.05,1.52] and, for girls, 1.09 [95%CI:1.00,1.19]; using the 90th percentile, adjusted-PR were 2.24 [95%CI:1.70,2.94] and 1.27 [95%CI:1.12,1.46], respectively for male and female adolescents. Our findings suggest a positive association between cigarette consumption and the prevalence of abdominal obesity, for both boys and girls. Although other studies had found this association in adults, our study contributes to this discussion by assessing it in adolescents using a nationwide representative sample of medium and large municipalities.

Pediatric weaning practices—Brazilian national survey

Pediatric weaning practices—Brazilian national survey

The role of city income inequality, sex ratio and youth mortality rates in the effect of violent victimization on health-risk behaviors in Brazilian adolescents

This study integrates insights from evolutionary psychology and social epidemiology to present a novel approach to contextual effects on health-risk behaviors (unprotected sex, drunkenness episodes, drugs and tobacco experimentation) among adolescents. Using data from the 2012 Brazilian National Survey of Adolescent Health (PeNSE), we first analyzed the effects of self-reported violent victimization on health-risk behaviors of 47,371 adolescents aged 10–19 nested in the 26 Brazilian state capitals and the Federal District. We then explored whether the magnitude of these associations was correlated with cues of environmental harshness and unpredictability (youth external mortality and income inequality) and mating competition (sex ratio) from the city level. Results indicated that self-reported violent victimization is associated with an increased chance of engagement in health-risk behaviors in all Brazilian state capitals, for both males and females, but the magnitude of these associations varies in relation to broader environmental factors, such as the cities' age-specific mortality rates, and specifically for females, income inequality and sex ratio. In addition to introducing a novel theoretical and empirical approach to contextual effects on adolescent health-risk behaviors, our findings reinforce the need to consider synergies between people's life experiences and the conditions where they live, when studying health-risk behaviors in adolescence.

Primary dental care evaluation in Brazil: an item response theory approach.

Item response theory (IRT) is a method used to design, analyze, and score tests, questionnaires, and similar instruments measuring abilities, attitudes, or other variables. The aim of this study was to assess the psychometric properties of dental care questions in the "Programa Nacional de Melhoria do Acesso e Qualidade da Atenção Básica-PMAQ-AB," Brazil, using IRT. Dentists in primary health care units in Brazil (n = 12,403) were interviewed face-to-face using a structured questionnaire. The questions were primarily dichotomous, with a no answer/do not know option. The items about dental care from a Brazilian national evaluation survey were analyzed using the IRT model (20 items). Oral health teams (OHTs) received scores that varied from the lowest performance level to the highest performance level. Scores for the Brazilian states and the Federal District were calculated to evaluate the regional distribution of OHT performance. The questions about dental care exhibited higher discrimination power for OHTs with below average performance. In general, the teams, including those with low performance, performed the actions, and procedures included in the questionnaire. Actions such as making prostheses and tracking and monitoring oral cancer cases characterized the high-performing teams. The performance of the teams distributed throughout the Brazilian states indicated that OHTs in the south and southeast performed better than OHTs in the rest of the country. Although the analyzed items are insufficient to determine the performance of OHTs, the items related to prosthesis and oral cancer tend to discriminate high-performing OHTs from other OHTs.

Food Insecurity and the Negative Impact on Brazilian Children's Health-Why Does Food Security Matter for Our Future Prosperity? Brazilian National Survey (PNDS 2006/07).

Food insecurity (FI) refers to limited or uncertain access to food resulting from financial constraints. Numerous studies have shown association between FI and adverse health outcomes among adults and children around the world, but in Brazil, such information is scarce, especially if referring to nationally representative information. To test for an independent association between FI and health outcomes. Most recent Brazilian Demographic and Health Survey using nationally representative complex probability sampling. Participants were 3923 children <5 years of age, each representing a household. Data from the validated Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale were dichotomized as food secure (food security/mild FI) or food insecure (moderate FI/severe FI). Poisson regression was used to test for associations between FI and various health indicators. Models adjusted for socioeconomic and demographic variables showed that children hospitalized for pneumonia or diarrhea were 30% more prevalent in FI households (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR]: 1.3; 1.1-1.6). Underweight children were 40% more prevalent in FI households (aPR: 1.4; 1.1-1.7). Children who didn't eat meat and fruits and vegetables every day were 20% and 70% more prevalent in FI households (aPR: 1.2; 1.1-1.4 and aPR: 1.7; 1.3-2.3), respectively. Children who grow up in food-insecure households have been shown to have worse health conditions than those in food-secure households. Consequently, their human capital accumulation and work-life productivity are likely to be reduced in the future, leading them into adulthood less capable of generating sufficient income, resulting in a cycle of intergenerational poverty and FI.

Equivalence between solar irradiance and solar simulators in aging tests of sunglasses.

BackgroundThis work is part of a broader research that focuses on ocular health. Three outlines are the basis of the pyramid that comprehend the research as a whole: authors’ previous work, which has provided the public to self-check their own sunglasses regarding the ultraviolet protection compatible to their category; Brazilian national survey in order to improve nationalization of sunglasses standards; and studies conducted on revisiting requirements of worldwide sunglasses standards, in which this work is inserted. It is still controversial on the literature the ultraviolet (UV) radiation effects on the ocular media, but the World Health Organization has established safe limits on the exposure of eyes to UV radiation based on the studies reported in literature. Sunglasses play an important role in providing safety, and their lenses should provide adequate UV filters. Regarding UV protection for ocular media, the resistance-to-irradiance test for sunglasses under many national standards requires irradiating lenses for 50 uninterrupted hours with a 450 W solar simulator. This artificial aging test may provide a corresponding evaluation of exposure to the sun.MethodsCalculating the direct and diffuse solar irradiance at a vertical surface and the corresponding radiant exposure for the entire year, we compare the latter with the 50-h radiant exposure of a 450 W xenon arc lamp from a solar simulator required by national standards.ResultsOur calculations indicate that this stress test is ineffective in its present form.ConclusionsWe provide evidence of the need to re-evaluate the parameters of the tests to establish appropriate safe limits for UV irradiance.SignificanceThis work is potentially significant for scientists and legislators in the field of sunglasses standards to improve the requirements of sunglasses quality and safety.

Food environments in schools and in the immediate vicinity are associated with unhealthy food consumption among Brazilian adolescents

BackgroundEvidence of the influence of the school food environment on adolescent diet is still little explored in low- and middle-income countries. We aimed to evaluate the association between food environment in schools and the immediate vicinity and the regular consumption of unhealthy food among adolescents. MethodsWe used cross-sectional data collected by the Brazilian National Survey of School Health (PeNSE) from a representative sample of adolescents attending 9th grade public and private schools in Brazil, in 2012. We estimated students' regular consumption (>5days/week) of unhealthy food (soft drinks, bagged salty snacks, deep fried salty snacks and sweets) and school availability, in the cafeteria or an alternative outlet, of the same food plus some healthy options (fruit and natural fruit juice). We performed multilevel logistic regression models. ResultsHaving a cafeteria inside school selling soft drinks (private schools OR=1.23; 95% CI=1.14–1.33; public schools OR=1.13; 95% CI=1.06–1.20) and deep fried salty snacks (private schools OR=1.41 95% CI=1.26–1.57; public schools OR=1.16 95% CI=1.08–1.24) was associated with a higher consumption of these unhealthy foods of among students. In private schools, cafeteria selling fruit and natural fruit juice was associated with lower student consumption of bagged salty snacks (OR=0.86; 95% CI 0.77–0.96) and soft drinks (OR=0.85; 95% CI=0.76–0.94). In addition, eating meals from the Brazilian School Food Program in public schools was associated with a lower consumption of unhealthy foods. ConclusionsFoods available in the school food environment are associated with the consumption of unhealthy food among adolescents in Brazil.

Social inequalities influence the quality and diversity of diet in Brazilian children 6 to 36 months of age

The objective of this study was to assess dietary patterns in Brazilian children and factors associated with better diet. The authors used data for 2,477 children 6 to 36 months of age from the Brazilian National Survey of Demographic and Health in 2006-2007. Diet was assessed and classified using a composite index. The results showed that 28.2% of the children received a high-quality diet and 20% had a diversified diet. Children from socioeconomically underprivileged families or with serious food insecurity were approximately 40% less likely to have high-quality diets. Children living in homes with food insecurity were 71% less likely to have diversified diets, and those whose mothers had limited education were 43% less likely. Children residing in the North of Brazil were less likely to have diversified and high-quality diets. The dietary quality of Brazilian children is inadequate, and social vulnerability is closely associated with this adverse dietary situation.

Dental prosthesis use and/or need impacting the oral health-related quality of life in Brazilian adults and elders: Results from a National Survey

ObjectivesThis study aimed to assess the impact of use of and need for dental prosthesis (DP) on oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL) among Brazilian adults and elders. MethodsThis cross-sectional, population-based study, used data from the Brazilian Oral Health National Survey performed in 2010. The sample was representative of adults (35–44 years of age) and elders (65–74 years) at national level. Oral Impact on Daily Performance (OIDP) questionnaire was used to assess the individuals’ OHRQoL. Interest variables included use of and need for DP and location of tooth losses. Covariates included socioeconomic, behavioral and clinical characteristics. Associations were performed using Negative Binomial regression models, estimating the rate ratios (RR) and respective 95% confidence intervals. ResultsFrom the total of 17,398 individuals evaluated, 68.3% needed some type of DP, while the prevalence of DP usage was 49.2%. After adjustments, those needing prosthesis, regardless of already using prosthesis presented an impact more than 50% higher on OHRQoL, and those needing a greater the number of teeth to be replaced and those presenting losses on anterior and posterior regions had higher impact on OHRQoL. ConclusionsThese findings suggest that improvement of strategies focused on oral rehabilitation of adults and elders are crucial to promote population oral health. Clinical significanceThe high prevalence of normative need for prosthetic rehabilitation in adult and elder Brazilian population impacts significantly on oral health-related quality of life highlighting the importance of providing prosthetic oral rehabilitation in this population.

Factors associated with avoidable hospitalisation of children younger than 2 years old: the 2006 Brazilian National Demographic Health Survey

IntroductionAmbulatory Care Sensitive Conditions (ACSC) are conditions for which hospitalisation is thought to be avoidable with the use of effective preventive care and early disease management. The objective of this study was to estimate the rate of avoidable hospitalisations in children younger than 24 months of age participating in a Brazilian national representative survey and to identify the risk factors for such hospitalisations.MethodsWe analysed data from a cross-sectional study of 1901 children from the 2006 Brazilian National Demographic Health Survey of Women and Children (NDHS). The children’s socioeconomic, biological and maternal characteristics, nutritional status, and access to healthcare were tested; variables with p < 0.20 were selected to fit a Poisson regression.ResultsThe prevalence of avoidable hospitalisation was 11.8 % (95 % Confidence Interval [CI], 9.0, 15.2); the prevalence was higher in the Southeast (40.1 %) and Northwest (21.7 %) macro-regions. The multivariate model identified five risk factors for avoidable hospitalisation: male gender (Prevalence Ratio [PR] = 1.48, p = 0.004), low socioeconomic level (PR = 1.51, p = 0.005), children from mothers younger than 20 years of age (PR = 1.41, p = 0.031), not breastfed within the first hour of life (PR = 1.29, p = 0.034), and neonatal hospitalisation (PR = 1.66, p = 0.043).ConclusionsTo decrease the costs associated with avoidable hospitalisations, health managers and professionals should focus their efforts on providing effective primary healthcare to families of low socioeconomic levels, particularly prenatal and paediatric care, as well as encouraging breastfeeding and supporting young mothers. Strategies to improve children’s health by controlling such hospitalisations in Brazil should consider all residence areas and geopolitical macro-regions.

Determinants of Female Sterilization in Brazil, 200112007

This study aims to investigate the determinants of female sterilization in Brazil. The analysis is innovative because it adds the time of exposure to the risk of sterilization into survival models. The models control for postpartum duration, age at delivery, parity at delivery, place of delivery, region of residence at the time of interview, color/race, and years of schooling at the time of interview. Data is from the 2006 Brazilian National Survey on Demography and Health of Children and Women (PNDS). The strongest probability that sterilization might occur was observed among women who gave birth at private hospitals and received support from health insurance companies at childbirth. The findings suggest years of schooling do not predict the risk of sterilization. The higher chances of getting sterilized among black women are specific to the public sector at higher-order postpartum duration (interval sterilization).

Prevalence and determinants of vitamin A deficiency among Brazilian children under 2 years of age from the 2006 National Demographic Health Survey.

Vitamin A deficiency is prevalent among infants, primarily in undeveloped communities, compromising immune system competence and raising morbidity and mortality rates. Understanding the risk factors associated with vitamin A deficiency is essential to create informed health policies. To identify and quantify risk factors for vitamin A deficiency in a probabilistic sample of children under 2 years of age participating in a national survey in Brazil and to provide a comprehensive risk factor model to inform health strategies and policies. We analyzed data from a cross-sectional study of 1,436 children from the 2006 Brazilian National Survey on Demography and the Health of Women and Children. Vitamin A deficiency was defined as retinol levels below 0.70 μg/dL. The prevalence of vitamin A deficiency was estimated at 16.1% (95% CI, 12.7 to 20.2). The Poisson regression model identified three risk factors for vitamin A deficiency: urban residence (prevalence ratio [PR] = 1.47, p = .023), no consumption of animal meat within the past week (PR = 1.41, p = .031), and a mother older than 25 years (PR = 1.31, p = .048). Strategies to control infant vitamin A deficiency should include health promotion and nutrition education for families from all socioeconomic levels. Improvements in lifestyle quality, based on adequate food consumption by all infants, must be achieved by communities, especially in urban areas and for older mothers.