Elderly People In Brazil Research Articles

Ballroom Dance as Therapy for the Elderly in Brazil

This paper discusses a dance action-research project developed with elderly people in Brazil. The meanings of ballroom dancing and its benefits are explored for 60 elderly Brazilians through participant observation and questionnaires. This study adds to the growing number of dance projects and research for older people, responding in part to evidence that dance is a form of therapy for its valuable means in augmenting mental, emotional and physical well-being and to counteract social isolation. The dance project took place through the Third Age Club, which was founded by The Vicosa County’s Social Assistance Department and the Federal University of Vicosa. At the end of one year taking the ballroom dance classes, the senior citizens were asked to answer a questionnaire in order to provide subjective information on the meanings of ballroom dancing and its benefits for them. The outcome of this inquiry was analyzed under a qualitative approach, phenomenological hermeneutics. Five major categories of therapeutic meanings of ballroom dancing for participants are: ballroom dancing is fun; it brings health benefits; it brings back good dancing memories; it allows participants to establish cultural connections to the larger Brazilian dancing culture; it provides opportunities for socializing. The article ends with reflective analysis of the researchers’ observations and field notes by suggesting that the ballroom dancing classes created a culture of inclusion that embraced both understanding and acceptance among senior citizens, which in turn might improve their quality of life.

Effect of a single tetanus-diphtheria vaccine dose on the immunity of elderly people in São Paulo, Brazil

Epidemiological data regarding tetanus and diphtheria immunity in elderly people in Brazil are scarce. During the First National Immunization Campaign for the Elderly in Brazil in April 1999, 98 individuals (median age: 84 years) received one tetanus-dyphtheria (Td) vaccine dose (Butantan Institute, lot number 9808079/G). Inclusion criteria were elderly individuals without a history of severe immunosuppressive disease, acute infectious disease or use of immunomodulators. Blood samples were collected immediately before the vaccine and 30 days later. Serum was separated and stored at -20 degrees C until analysis. Tetanus and diphtheria antibodies were measured by the double-antigen ELISA test. Tetanus and diphtheria antibody concentrations lower than 0.01 IU/mL were considered to indicate the absence of protection, between 0.01 and 0.09 IU/mL were considered to indicate basic immunity, and values of 0.1 IU/mL or higher were considered to indicate full protection. Before vaccination, 18% of the individuals were susceptible to diphtheria and 94% were susceptible to tetanus. After one Td dose, 78% became fully immune to diphtheria, 13% attained basic immunity, and 9% were still susceptible to the disease. In contrast, 79% remained susceptible to tetanus, 4% had basic immunity and 17% were fully immune. Although one Td dose increases immunity to diphtheria in many elderly people who live in Brazil, a complete vaccination series appears to be necessary for the prevention of tetanus.

Association of the apolipoprotein A‐IV: 360 gln/his polymorphism with cerebrovascular disease, obesity, and depression in a Brazilian elderly population

The identification of genetic polymorphisms as risk factors for complex diseases can be relevant for their prevention, diagnosis, and prognosis. The apolipoprotein A-IV: 360 Gln/His polymorphism was investigated in 383 elderly individuals, who were participants of a longitudinal study commenced in 1991. The major morbidities that affect elderly people, such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, low cognitive function, depression, and obesity, were extensively investigated. DNA was isolated from blood cells, amplified by PCR, and digested with Fnu4HI. In this population the frequency of the His allele was 0.056 and the genotypes were distributed according to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Logistic regression analysis showed a significant association between the presence of His allele and cerebrovascular disease and/or transitory ischemic attack (odds ratio) (OR = 3.070, P = 0.027), obesity (OR = 2.241, P = 0.047), and depression (OR = 2.879, P = 0.005). This study indicates that the presence of the rare allele in elderly people can play a significant role in the occurrence of multifactorial diseases. This is the first study analyzing this polymorphism in elderly people in Brazil. More studies should be encouraged to elucidate the mechanisms involved in these diseases.

Medication use patterns among elderly people in urban area in Northeastern Brazil

To identify medication use patterns among elderly people residing in areas with different socioeconomic status in the city of Fortaleza, Brazil. A total of 668 elderly (aged 60 years or older) residing in the city of Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil, selected from a multistage random sampling stratified by socioeconomic status (higher, intermediate, and lower areas), were interviewed in a household survey. Descriptive statistics for dichotomous variables were presented as percent of the respective totals, and those for continuous variables as mean +/- SD. Multivariate analyses were performed to identify factors associated with the use of prescription, non-prescription and inappropriate) drugs. Most (80.3% in the higher area) were on at least one non-prescription drug. More than one third (37.4%) were on at least one non- prescription drug and nearly 20% used at least one inappropriate in the lower area. PD use was associated with advanced age (OR=1.7, 95% CI=1.1-2.8); male sex (OR=0.5, 95% CI=0.3-0.7); health service visits (OR=2.5, 95% CI=1.9-3.1); chronic diseases (OR=4.0, 95% CI=2.5-6.2); and higher socioeconomic status (OR=2.0, 95% CI=1.5-2.6).Non- prescription drug use was associated with disability (OR=1.5, 95% CI=1.1-2.2), and higher socioeconomic status (OR=0.6; 95% CI=0.5-0.8). Inappropriate drugs use was mainly associated with male sex (OR=0.4, 95% CI=0.2-0.8); chronic diseases (OR=2.0, 95% CI=1.2-3.3); and higher socioeconomic status (OR=0.7, 95% CI=0.5-0.9). The proportions of elderly using prescription, non-prescription and inappropriate drugs were remarkable and inequalities were seen particularly among those from different socioeconomic status. These results emphasize the need for strategies to optimize the access and rationalize the use of drugs for elderly people in Brazil.