Revista Panamericana de Salud Pública/Pan American Journal of Public Health

Chickenpox-related mortality trends in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, 1985–2004: a multiple cause approach

Objective. To study mortality trends related to chickenpox, as either the underlying or associated cause-of-death (recorded in any field of the medical section of the death certificate), in São Paulo, Brazil.
Methods. Mortality data for 1985–2004 were obtained from the multiple cause-ofdeath database maintained by the São Paulo State Data Analysis System (SEADE). Causes-of-death were processed using the Multiple-Causes-of-Death Tabulator.
Results. During this 20-year period, chickenpox was identified as the underlying cause-of-death in 1 037 deaths and an associated cause in 150. The mortality coefficients were higher for chickenpox as the underlying, as opposed to the associated cause, and these declined in the analyzed period; whereas a slight increase was observed in mortality due to chickenpox as an associated cause. Seventy-six percent of the deaths were of children under 10 years of age, with the highest incidence among those under 1 year. Most deaths occurred from July to January (86.8% of 1 187 deaths), with a peak in October. In the state’s capital city, the mortality coefficients for chickenpox as underlying cause and as associated cause were 47% and 50% higher, respectively, than in the rest of the state. Where chickenpox was identified as the underlying cause, pneumonias and septicemias were the major associated causes; where it was the associated cause, AIDS or neoplasia were most often the underlying cause.
Conclusions. Although chickenpox as the underlying cause-of-death has declined, the present study indicates that certain groups are at risk of chickenpox-related mortality, namely children 1–4 years of age and individuals with AIDS or neoplasia.

Objetivo. Estudar a tendência da mortalidade relacionada à varicela tanto como causa básica quanto como causa associada de morte (informada em qualquer linha ou parte do atestado médico da declaração de óbito).
Métodos. Os dados provieram dos bancos de causas múltiplas de morte da Fundação Sistema Estadual de Análise de Dados de São Paulo (SEADE) entre 1985 e 2004. As causas de morte foram processadas pelo Tabulador de Causas Múltiplas.
Resultados. Nesse período de 20 anos, ocorreram 1 037 óbitos em que a varicela foi identificada como causa básica e 150 nos quais foi causa associada. Os coeficientes de mortalidade pela causa básica foram superiores e declinaram, ao passo que a mortalidade por varicela como causa associada apresentou um pequeno aumento. Setenta e seis por cento das mortes ocorreram em menores de 10 anos de idade, especialmente nos menores de 1 ano. Ocorreu concentração de mortes entre os meses de julho e janeiro (86,8% do total de 1 187 óbitos), com valores máximos em outubro. Os coeficientes de mortalidade da capital para a varicela como causa básica e associada foram, respectivamente, 47,1 e 50,0% maiores do que os do interior do Estado. Para a varicela como causa básica, as pneumonias e septicemias foram as principais causas associadas, ao passo que para a varicela como causa associada, a AIDS e as neoplasias foram as principais causas básicas de morte.
Conclusões. Em que pese o declínio da varicela como causa básica de morte, este estudo permitiu evidenciar o impacto da mortalidade relacionada à varicela em grupos de risco específicos, entre os quais as crianças entre 1 e 4 anos e os indivíduos com AIDS e neoplasias.

Objectives. This study examined changes in knowledge and behavior after a communitybased cervical cancer education program in Honduras.
Methods. The program consisted of radio broadcasts targeting rural women and presentations to community nurses. The effectiveness of the radio broadcasts was assessed using a cross-sectional design (control groups n = 124, n = 243; intervention group n = 233). A pre-/ post-test design was used to evaluate the nurses’ training program (n = 32). A subset of nurses (n = 16) was retested two years later. Evaluation included t tests, chi-square and Fisher exact analyses.
Results. The radio broadcast increased the proportion of women who were familiar with the term “cervical cancer,” who could identify means of preventing cervical cancer, and who understood the purpose of the Pap smear. In addition, older and under-screened women were successfully recruited for screening via radio. The nurses’ program improved understanding of the correct use of the Pap smear, the age-related risk of dysplasia, and the proper triage of abnormal results. The nurses retained a significant amount of knowledge two years after this training.
Conclusions. In developing countries, inexpensive, community-based educational programs using radio broadcasts and lecture presentations can increase cervical cancer knowledge and improve screening behavior.

Programa educacional basado en la comunidad mejora el conocimiento sobre el cáncer cervicouterino y la conducta ante el tamizaje de mujeres en Honduras

Objetivos. Examinar los cambios ocurridos en el conocimiento sobre el cáncer cervicouterino y el comportamiento ante el tamizaje después de un programa educacional basado en la comunidad en Honduras.
Métodos. El programa consistió en transmisiones radiales dirigidas a mujeres de zonas rurales y conferencias a enfermeros de la comunidad. La eficacia de las transmisiones radiales se evaluó mediante un diseño transversal (grupos de control: n = 124 y n = 243; grupo de intervención: n = 233). Se utilizó una prueba previa y otra posterior para evaluar el programa de entrenamiento de enfermeros (n = 32). Después de dos años se repitió la prueba a un subgrupo de enfermeros (n = 16). Se emplearon las pruebas exacta de Fisher, de la t de Student y de la ji al cuadrado.
Resultados. Las transmisiones radiales elevaron la proporción de mujeres familiarizadas con el término “cáncer cervicouterino”, que podían identificar las vías para prevenir el cáncer cervicouterino y que comprendían los objetivos de la prueba de Papanicolau. Además, mediante el radio se reclutaron exitosamente para tamizar más mujeres de los grupos de mayor edad y menos tamizadas. Con el programa para enfermeros se mejoró la comprensión del uso correcto de la prueba de Papanicolau, del riego relativo de displasia según la edad y de la conducta apropiada a seguir ante resultados alterados. Los enfermeros retenían una cantidad importante de conocimientos dos años después del entrenamiento.
Conclusiones. En los países en desarrollo, el empleo de programas educacionales poco costosos basados en la comunidad mediante transmisiones radiales y conferencias puede elevar el conocimiento sobre el cáncer cervicouterino y mejorar el comportamiento ante el tamizaje.