Biomedical subjects

Denise Pimentel Bergamaschi

Publications and source records attributed to Denise Pimentel Bergamaschi.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

[Prevalence and factors associated with vitamin A deficiency in preschool children from Teresina, Piauí, Brazil].

Vitamin A deficiency is a public health problem in the Northeast of Brazil. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency and associated factors among preschool children in Teresina, Piauí, Brazil. We studied the serum retinol levels and socioeconomic and demographic characteristics of 631 children from 36 to 83 months of age. The statistical association between each of the above characteristics and serum retinol levels was investigated by univariate and multivariate linear regression analysis. Mean serum retinol was 1.21 mmol/L (95%CI: 1.17-1.25 micromol/L) and was independent of gender (p = 0.259). Prevalence of vitamin A deficiency (retinol < 0.69 micromol/L) was 15.4% (95%CI: 12.7-18.4), with a tendency to decrease with age. Acceptable but not adequate retinol levels (0.70 to 1.04 micromol/L) were observed in 29% of children (95%CI: 25.2-32.4). There were positive associations between retinol levels and age, income, vitamin A supplementation, and maternal schooling. Vitamin A deficiency appeared as a moderately serious public health problem, emphasizing the importance of strategies to combat this problem in the region.

Brazil↗

PubMed2005

[Anthropophilic activity of Aedes aegypti and of Aedes albopictus in area under control and surveillance].

OBJECTIVE: To describe the hematophagous activity of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus in an area under control and surveillance. METHODS: The study was conducted during 18 months, from April, 1993 to October, 1994, in Cosmopolis, Sao Paulo state, Brazil. Human baits were used to collect mosquitoes. The number of females captured is presented monthly by area of the city and local in the household. The rainfall was measured and indices are presented without model adjustment. RESULTS: The presence of females of both species was observed in 83% (Ae albopictus) and 61% (Ae. aegypti) of the period studied. The months of January, February and March presented the highest rates of activity for females of both species, with Ae. albopictus being more frequently captured than Ae. aegypti. Both species were captured in central and peripheral areas of the city, during the day from 9 to 12 am and from 4 to 7 pm. By a Poisson regression, it was observed that Ae. albopictus females were more frequently captured in the peri-housed area, in an independent way considering the area of the city. CONCLUSIONS: It has been identified difference on the hematophagous activity only for Ae. albopictus, being of importance the outside area of the house.

Aedes↗

PubMed2004

[Lower extremity amputations in diabetic patients: a case-control study].

OBJECTIVE: Lower extremity amputation is an increasing problem among diabetic patients and an important public health problem. The study purpose was to identify factors associated with lower extremity amputation. METHODS: A matched case-control study was carried out among diabetic patients. Cases were selected in public health programs of the city of São Paulo, Brazil. One hundred and seventeen cases of diabetics with lower extremity amputation were compared to 234 controls of diabetics without amputation, matched by sex, age, and duration of disease. Sociodemographic variables, life habits (smoking and alcohol drinking), clinical aspects, and health education in diabetes were included. Univariate analyses and conditional logistic regression method were applied to data. RESULTS: Data showed evidence of association for: smoking, last glucose test > or = 200 mg/dl, presence of peripheral somatic neuropathy and vibratory perception (tuning fork 128 Hz), and peripheral vascular disease. Diabetes treatment and attending nursing appointments for diabetes education were important factors for preventing lower extremity amputation in diabetic patients. CONCLUSIONS: The knowledge of determinants and intervening factors for this condition will lead to cost reduction and better quality of care delivered in public health services.

Aged↗