The aim the thesis was to investigate, the prevalence of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS). Moreover, we examine symptom severity and different levels of distress and describe how different symptoms from the lower urinary tract affect the self-assessed health, sadness, happiness and the quality of life in men. The studies are based on two data collections. In the first data collection, all men aged 40 – 80 years (n=2571) living in the Swedish community received a postal questionnaire. Twelve months later, 504 men who had earlier reported LUTS and 504 who had not reported symptoms were asked to complete the DAN-PSS and the SF-36 questionnaires. The overall prevalence of LUTS was 24%. Post-micturition dribbling (21%) was the most frequent symptom, and stress incontinence (2%) was the least frequent symptom. Urge incontinence, stress incontinence and “other” incontinence cause a high level of distress, even if the symptoms do not occur very often. Men experiencing mild, moderate or severe urge, stress or “other incontinence” had lower mean scores for all of the eight dimensions measured by the SF-36 than men without the same symptoms. Men experiencing a moderate/severe degree of weak stream or nocturia reported a poorer quality of life in all dimensions compared to men with a mild level of the same symptoms. The total burden of moderate/severe LUTS is related to self-assessed health, sadness and happiness. For each of the 12 specific LUTS, men with mild, moderate or severe symptoms had lower scores for self-assessed health and happiness, and higher scores for self-assessed sadness, than men without the same symptoms. In conclusions, one of every four men reports LUTS. Urinary incontinence causes high level of distress even to men who experience this symptom rarely. LUTS have a negative impact on quality of life, health, sadness and happiness.

The overall aim was to study factors that affect behaviour related to CVD (cardiovascular diseases). Study I tested whether gender, education and so-cioeconomic status correlated to knowledge about risk factors, and Study II studied knowledge and risk behaviour from a national perspective (Sweden versus Poland). Furthermore, Study III examined whether obese people dif-fered from people of normal weight regarding knowledge about risk factors, and Study IV examined whether risk behaviour is affected by personal ex-perience of illness and family history of CVD. The studies are population-based with cross-sectional design. Data were obtained by questionnaires and by screening results of risk factors related to CVD. The studies were carried out among 50-year old men and women in Västmanland, Sweden (n=1011) and in Wroclaw, Poland (n=1043). The results show that women are more knowledgeable than men about the risk factors for CVD, and that low education is associated with insufficient knowledge about CVD (Study I). The discrepancy between knowledge and behaviour was greater among the Poles than it was among the Swedes (Study II). Obese individuals did not differ significantly from individuals with a normal weight regarding knowledge of cardiovascular risk factors when education was controlled for (Study III). Individuals with a personal experience of illness may be more inclined to change smoking behaviour than the average person (Study IV). In conclusion, knowledge about risk factors for CVD varies with education, gender and, to a certain degree, nationality. However, knowledge does not only consist of the conditions of behaviour change. The results in the thesis substantiate theories suggesting that change in risk behaviour is a process over time. Predictors of risk behaviours on the individual level as well as national level are of importance, and needs to be considered in the every day practice of health care professionals.

The understanding of the mesorectal spread in rectal cancer has lead to wide acceptance of total mesorectal excision (TME) as the surgical technique of choice for carcinoma in the lower and mid rectum. While oncological results and survival have improved with TME-surgery, morbidity and mortality remain important issues. The most feared complication is symptomatic anastomotic leakage. The aim of this thesis was to focus on the role of the defunctioning stoma, risk factors, and postoperative monitoring in regard to anastomotic leakage in sphincter saving resection of the rectum. Intraoperative adverse events were analysed in a retrospective population based case-control study in which all patients who underwent elective anterior resection in Sweden between 1987 and 1995, and who died within 30 days or during the initial hospital stay (n=140), were compared with patients chosen at random (n=423) who underwent the same operation during the same period, but survived the operation. Intraoperative adverse events were more frequent in those who died, and reconstruction of an anastomosis judged unsatisfactory by the surgeon improved the outcome. In a population based retrospective case-control study, risk factors for symptomatic anastomotic leakage were investigated in randomly chosen sample of patients who underwent anterior resection in Sweden between 1987 and 1995 (n=432). Twelve per cent of the patients developed symptomatic leakage, and 25% of the patients with leakage ended up with a permanent stoma. In multivariate regression analysis, low anastomosis, preoperative radiotherapy, male gender and intraoperative adverse events were independent riskfactors for anastomotic leakage. In a randomised multicentre trial patients operated with sphincter saving TME¨surgery for rectal cancer were randomised to a defunctioning stoma (n=116) or not (n=118). The overall rate symptomatic leakage was 19%. Patienst without a defunctioning stoma leaked in 28% and patients with a defunctioing stoma in 10%, a statistically significant difference (p<0.001) not previously demonstrated in any randomised trial of adequate size. Postoperative monitoring with computed tomography scan (CT-scan) on postoperative day 2 and 7, and C-reactive protein (CRP) daily in 33 patients operated on with anterior resection of the rectum, demonstrated larger pelvic fluid collections in patients with leakage before the leakage was clinically diagnosed. CRP was increased from postoperative day 2 and onwards in patients in whom clinical leakage was diagnosed on median postoperative day 8. In 23 patients who underwent anterior resection of the rectum, intraperitoneal metabolism was investigated using microdialysis technique measuring the carbohydrate metabolites lactate, pyruvate and glucose. Intraperitoneal cytokines IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-α were collected through a pelvic drain and analysed. In patients who developed leakage, the latate/pyruvate ratio was increased near the anastomosis on postoperative day 5 and 6, as well as IL-6 and IL-10 which were increased postoperatively day 1 and 2, while TNF-α was higher on day 1.

Background Screening by cytology has been highly effective in reducing the incidence and mortality from squamous invasive cervical cancer (ICC), but the effectiveness is less established regarding non-squamous ICC and regarding women above screening ages and below 30 years of age. Cervical cancer still occurs despite the presence of an organised screening programme. A substantial proportion of screened women with ICC are reported to have had previous abnormal cytology findings. The significance of negative cytology with limited evaluation is not quite determined, the most effective management of women with low-grade abnormalities is controversial, and evaluation of long-term effect of different treatment methods is limited. Aims To identify possible areas of improvements in the prevention of cervical cancer by evaluating the effectiveness of the Swedish cervical screening programme, and by exploring risk factors for ICC in the cytological screening histories and in the management of women with abnormal cytology findings. Methods The screening histories of all ICC cases in Sweden 1999-2001 (n=1230) and of five population-based control women per case were reviewed, using data from the Swedish Cancer Registry, the national population register, the Swedish national cervical screening quality register, histopathological reports and questionnaires to clinicians. The risk of cervical cancer according to screening histories 0.5-6.5 years before cancer diagnosis was estimated as odds ratios (ORs) in logistic regression models with 95% confidence interval (CI) (Paper I). Risk related to different cytological reports was assessed in women below 67 years of age with cytology (n=572, n=3569) in Paper II. The initial follow-up of women with abnormal or unsatisfactory cytology reports (n=159, n=258) was evaluated in Paper III, and further investigation and treatment of abnormalities (n=143 cases, n=176 controls) in Paper IV. Results The cancer cases were above screening ages (31%), had not been screened according to recommendations (33%), had negative cytology (23%), or had previous positive screening tests (13%). No screening within the recommended interval increased the risk of squamous (OR 2.97, 95% CI 2.51-3.50) as well as non-squamous cancer (OR 1.59, 95% CI 1.20-2.11), and increased the risk in all ages. Negative cytology with partially obscuring factors and unsatisfactory cytology increased the risk of subsequent early stage ICC. All cytological abnormalities increased the risk of ICC, and women with glandular atypia or atypia in cells of uncertain origin carried a particularly high risk (OR 11.69, 95% CI 7.02-19.46). After a low-grade squamous abnormal smear finding, further investigation with biopsy was more effective than repeated cytology (OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.24-0.89). Lack of biopsy increased the risk in women with both low-grade and high-grade squamous abnormalities. Neither repeat cytology, nor biopsy, decreased the risk in women with glandular atypia or atypia in cells of uncertain origin. Treatment decreased the risk, even when the biopsy before treatment was negative or showed low-grade atypia only. Ablative therapy was less effective than excision and laser conisation was the most effective therapy. Conclusions Improved adherence to screening recommendations and including older women at increased risk in the programme would have significant cancer preventive gains. Women with negative cytology with limited evaluation and with unsatisfactory cytology may need further evaluation. Assessment with biopsy should be recommended for women with low-grade as well as high-grade squamous abnormalities. The diagnosing of precancer lesions and the identification of women in need of treatment warrant improvements, in particular in cases of glandular or “other” atypia in cytology. Treatment techniques need further evaluation.

Nickel allergy is the most prevalent contact allergy and has been discussed as a possible riskfactor for hand eczema. However, hand eczema is one of the most frequently occurring skindiseases and has multifactorial origin. The aim of this thesis was to study the association between nickel allergy and hand eczema in the general population. There are only a fewpopulation-based studies previously published, that include patch testing. In addition, this thesis aimed to evaluate methods to follow the prevalence of nickel allergy.The study cohort consisted of 908 women who had been patch tested for the occurrence of nickel allergy as schoolgirls. Twenty years later, they were invited to participate in a follow-up questionnaire study. The response rate was 81%. In total, 17.6% of respondents reported handeczema after the age of 15 years and there was no statistically significant difference in the occurrence of hand eczema between those who were nickel-positive and those who were nickel negativeas schoolgirls. To further investigate possible links, another study was performed,which included a second questionnaire, a clinical investigation and patch testing. All schoolgirls from the baseline study who were still living in the area as adults were invited to participate and the participation rate was 77%. Patch test showed 30.1% nickel-positive individuals.When all participants were included in the analysis, there was no statistically significant difference between nickel-positive and nickel-negative women regarding occurrence of hand eczema. The most important risk factor for hand eczema was childhood eczema. Adjusted prevalence proportion ratio (PPR) for hand eczema after age 15 in relation to nickel patch testresults was 1.03 (95% CI 0.71--1.50) and in relation to childhood eczema 3.68 (95% CI 2.45--5.54). When women with and without history of childhood eczema were analyzed separately, the hand eczema risk was doubled in nickel-positive women without history of childhood eczema. In conclusion, the risk of hand eczema in nickel-positive women may previously havebeen overestimated. Next, the validity of self-reported nickel allergy was investigated. In the established cohort; two questions regarding nickel allergy were compared with patch test results. The validity of self-reported nickel allergy was low, and the questions regarding nickel allergy overestimated the true prevalence of nickel allergy. The positive predictive values were 59% and 60%. Another method for estimating the prevalence of nickel allergy, namely self-patch testing, was validated in the last study. In total, 191 patients from three different dermatology departments participated. The validity of self-testing for nickel allergy was adequate, with sensitivity 72%and proportion of agreement 86%. / Nickelallergi är vanligt förekommande. Prevalensen i Skandinavien är 15--25% hos kvinnor och cirka 3% hos män. Sambandet mellan nickelallergi och uppkomst av handeksem har tidigare diskuterats och i vissa studier anges att 30--45% av alla individer med nickelallergi får handeksem. Det finns dock endast ett fåtal publicerade studier där personer ur normalbefolkningen har lapptestats för nickel. Handeksem ärvanligt och har ofta flera olika kombinerade orsaker. Det övergripande syftet med avhandlingen var att studera nickelallergins betydelse för uppkomst av handeksem. Detfinns ett intresse av att följa förekomsten av nickelallergi över tid, speciellt sedan det i början av 2000-talet infördes ett EU-direktiv som begränsar nickelinnehåll i klockor,smycken, metallknappar etc. Ytterligare ett syfte med avhandlingen var att utvärderaepidemiologiska metoder för att följa förekomsten av nickelallergi.Den första studien var en uppföljningsstudie av 908 flickor ur normalbefolkningen,vilka i skolåldern lapptestats med nickel. Tjugo år senare skickades en enkät till dessa kvinnor, svarsfrekvensen var hög (81%). Förekomsten av självrapporterat handeksemefter 15 års ålder var 17.6%. Det förelåg ingen signifikant skillnad i förekomst avhandeksem mellan de kvinnor som var nickelallergiska som barn jämfört med dem som inte var nickelallergiska. År 2006 utfördes ytterligare en studie, som inkluderade de kvinnor som fortfarande bodde i Örebro län. Studien omfattade en klinisk undersökning av händerna samt ett lapptest. 30% av kvinnorna var positiva för nickel.Det förelåg ingen signifikant skillnad i förekomst av handeksem mellan de som var positiva för nickel och de som var negativa. Vid separat analys av de kvinnor som angav tidigare barneksem jämfört med dem som aldrig hade haft barneksem visade det sig att risken för handeksem var dubbelt så stor hos nickelallergiker i den gruppen som aldrig hade haft barneksem. Båda studierna visade att barneksem var den största riskfaktorn för att få handeksem som vuxen, med en 3-4 gånger ökad risk. Den tredje studien var en validering av självrapporterad nickelallergi. Överensstämmelsen var låg mellan enkätfrågor gällande nickelallergi och lapptestverifierad nickelallergi. Av dem som själva bedömde sig vara nickelallergiska var endast 59% positiva enligt lapptest. För att följa förekomsten av nickelallergi i befolkningen behövs därför andra metoder. I den fjärde studien utvärderades ett självtest för nickelallergi. 191 patienter från tre olika hudkliniker i Sverige deltog i studien. Validiteten för metoden självtest var tillfredsställande, sensitiviteten var 72%och graden av överensstämmelse var 86%.

Cognitive functioning is important for managing work and life in general. However, subjective cognitive complaints (SCC), involving self-perceived difficulties with concentration, memory, decision making, and clear thinking are common in the general and in the working population and can be coupled with both lowered well-being and work ability. The present thesis investigated the extent to which SCC among people in the work force can be explained by objective cognitive functioning (study I &amp; II) and working conditions (study III), utilizing samples from the working population. The potential roles of other common psychological problems which often co-occur with SCC were also investigated in studies I-III. In Study I, high levels of SCC were associated with significantly poorer episodic memory performance during high executive demands and a trend was found towards poorer episodic memory, while not being associated with semantic memory. In Study II, high levels of SCC were associated with significantly poorer executive cognitive performance on all three executive cognitive tests used. Symptoms of depression, chronic stress and sleeping problems were found to play an important role in the relations between SCC and episodic memory during divided attention in study I and executive cognitive functioning in study II. In Study III, in all cross-sectional data analyses, high quantitative demands, information and communication technology (ICT) demands, underqualification in the work situation and inter-personal conflicts were positively associated with SCC, whereas social support, good resources at work and overqualification in the work situation were negatively associated with SCC. In all prospective data analyses, quantitative job demands, ICT demands and underqualification were positively associated with future SCC, including when adjusted for baseline cognitive complaints. The findings may guide prevention of and interventions for SCC among people in the work force. / <p>At the time of the doctoral defense, the following papers were unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 1: Submitted. Paper 2: Accepted.</p>

A previous population-based study of survival in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) patients in the province of Manitoba demonstrated a lower five-year relative survival among CLL patients compared with the age- and gender-adjusted general population. This decreased relative survival was most pronounced among elderly male CLL patients. In this study, we have demonstrated that the reduced five-year relative survival observed in CLL patients compared to the general population of Manitoba may partially be attributed to increased risk of second cancers and non-referral to specialized CLL clinics. The increased risk of second cancers in CLL patients compared to Follicular Lymphoma (FL), a similar indolent B cell malignancy, was only observed after CLL diagnosis indicating that a CLL-specific factor may be responsible for the increased risk of second cancers in these patients. The risk of second cancers is independent of treatment and surveillance bias but is further increased with chemotherapy. A superior outcome in CLL patients who have been referred to the CancerCare Manitoba (CCMB) specialized CLL clinic was observed that was independent of age, gender, treatment and history of previous cancers. This superior outcome was most pronounced in the elderly CLL patients. We propose that CLL patients should be referred to CLL-specific hematologists and, where not possible, that guidelines created by such experts be followed. Appropriate screening for second cancers should be performed during routine follow up of CLL patients.

Submitted by Ana Maria Fiscina Sampaio (fiscina@bahia.fiocruz.br) on 2012-07-19T21:14:03Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Helana Cristina Alves V Lima Incidencia e fatores de risco associados... 2011.pdf: 793768 bytes, checksum: a96bd31b1f3f1ee9dcf815c3bc18e379 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2012-07-19T21:14:03Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Helana Cristina Alves V Lima Incidencia e fatores de risco associados... 2011.pdf: 793768 bytes, checksum: a96bd31b1f3f1ee9dcf815c3bc18e379 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011 / Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, Bahia, Brasil / A leptospirose é um problema de saúde pública em comunidades carentes do Brasil. As formas leves são subdiagnosticadas por causa da inespecificidade da apresentação clínica. São necessários estudos para determinar a frequência da leptospirose em comunidades carentes e identificar características que permitam predizer o risco de leptospirose entre pacientes com síndrome febril aguda (SFA). Este trabalho tem como objetivos determinar a prevalência da leptospirose em pacientes atendidos por SFA, determinar a incidência das formas leves e graves e identificar fatores preditores para a doença. Para tanto, de 01 de abril de 2009 a 31 de março de 2010, foi estabelecida uma vigilância de base populacional para atendimentos por SFA na comunidade de Pau da Lima, em Salvador, Bahia. Uma amostragem dos casos de SFA identificados foi investigada para leptospirose com o uso de microaglutinação (MAT) em amostras de sangue pareadas. Formas graves foram identificadas por um sistema de vigilância hospitalar. Os casos de SFA positivos e negativos foram comparados quanto ao perfil sociodemográfico, clínico e epidemiológico para identificar características preditoras da doença. A vigilância identificou 5.712 atendimentos por SFA em moradores com idade≥5 anos, sendo 1.729 (30%) recrutados e 1.479 (85%) avaliados quanto ao diagnóstico. Os recrutados foram semelhantes aos não recrutados quanto às características demográficas e clínicas. Dos pacientes avaliados, 1% foi confirmado como caso de leptospirose, sendo 14 casos leves autolimitados e 1 caso grave. A incidência anual de leptospirose leve estimada para a comunidade foi de 84/100.000 habitantes. No mesmo período foram identificados nove casos de leptospirose grave em residentes da comunidade estudada. A incidência de leptospirose grave foi de 14/100.000 habitantes. As seguintes características sociodemográficas e exposições ambientais nos 30 dias que precederam a doença foram associadas ao diagnóstico de leptospirose nos pacientes com SFA: sexo masculino; receber Bolsa Família; ter contato peridomiciliar com lama, com lixo, com esgoto; residir até 10 metros de esgoto aberto; presença de ratos no peridomicílio; ter contato ocupacional com esgoto; e trabalhar como agente de limpeza. Concluiu-se que carga da leptospirose é maior do que a identificada apenas com base nos casos graves. Características demográficas, clínicas e epidemiológicas devem ser utilizadas para predizer o risco de leptospirose. / Leptospirosis is a public health problem in Brazil's poor communities. The mild forms are underdiagnosed because of nonspecific clinical presentation. Studies are required to determine the incidence of leptospirosis in poor communities and identify characteristics that allow to predict the risk of leptospirosis among patients with acute febrile syndrome (AFS). This work aims to determine the prevalence of leptospirosis in patients served by AFS, determine the incidence of serious and light shapes and identify factors predictors for the disease. To this end, of the March 31, 2010, April 1, 2009 was established a population-based surveillance for attendances by SFA in the community of Pau da Lima, Salvador, Bahia. A sampling of cases identified SFA was investigated for leptospirosis using micro-agglutination test (MAT) in paired blood samples. Severe forms have been identified by a hospital surveillance system. The AFS cases were positive and negative compared to socio-demographic profile, to identify clinical and epidemiological characteristics of predictives of the disease. The surveillance identified 5,712 attendances by AFS in residents aged ≥ 5 years, 1,729 (30) recruited and 1,479 (85) evaluated with diagnosis. The recruited were similar to those not recruited as clinical and demographic characteristics. Of patients evaluated, 1% was confirmed as cases of leptospirosis, of which 14 being mild and 1 severe. The annual incidence of leptospirosis estimated for a community was light of 84/100.000 inhabitants. There is no same period were identified nine serious cases of leptospirosis in residents of the community studied. A severe leptospirosis incidence was of 14/100.000 inhabitants. As the following socio-demographic characteristics and environmental exposures. The following socio-demographic characteristics and environmental exposures during the 30 days preceding the disease were associated with the diagnosis of leptospirosis in patients with AFS: male, receiving Bolsa Familia, peridomestic have contact with mud, garbage, sewage, living within 10 meters of open sewage, presence of rats in animal sheds have contact with sewage occupational and work as a cleaning agent. In conclusions, the burden of leptospirosis is higher than identified based only in severe cases. Demographic, clinical and epidemiological research should be used to predict the risk of leptospirosis

Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-23T13:56:14Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Maria do Perpetuo Socorro Vendramini Orletti.pdf: 2872312 bytes, checksum: c043f9bf551219d5304da6f385e748f0 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-08-31 / Introdução: Existem poucos estudos realizados em amostras populacionais sobre a soroprevalência da infecção pelos vírus linfotrópicos de células T humanas tipo 1 e 2 (HTLV-1/2) e não se conhece a soroprevalência dessa infecção no Município de Vitória-ES. Objetivos: a) Determinar a prevalência sorológica da infecção por HTLV-1/2 em uma amostra de adultos, que procuram atendimento nos serviços de saúde do Município de Vitória-ES; b) Discriminar os tipos de HTLV encontrados; c) Investigar possíveis formas de transmissão dos tipos virais encontrados e fatores associados; d) Georeferenciar a população da amostra e os casos positivos. Métodos: Estudo transversal, de setembro de 2010 a dezembro de 2011, em indivíduos de ambos os sexos, com 18 anos ou mais, residentes no município de Vitória-ES. Amostras de sangue venoso foram coletadas e submetidas à pesquisa de anticorpos anti-HTLV-1/2 por meio de imunoensaio quimioluminescente (CMIA). Indivíduos com resultado CMIA reativo foram submetidos a nova coleta de sangue para repetição do CMIA, seguida por PCR em tempo real para confirmar e discriminar a infecção pelos tipos virais. Resultados: Foram testadas 1502 amostras, sendo 52,7% (791/1502) do sexo feminino e 47,3% (711/1502) do sexo masculino, distribuídas nas seis regiões de saúde, de acordo com a estimativa populacional do ano de 2009, no Município de Vitória-ES. A soroprevalência geral para HTLV-1/2 na amostra foi de 0,53% (8/1502; IC 95%; 0,2 - 0,9%). A taxa de infecção foi de 0,7% em homens (5/711; IC 95%; 0,1 - 1,3%), e 0,4% em mulheres (3/791; IC 95%; 0 - 0,8%). Sete amostras foram positivas para HTLV-1, uma amostra positiva para HTLV-2. Conclusões: A prevalência de HTLV-1/2 encontrada (0,53%) é considerada intermediária. Os dois tipos virais (HTLV-1 e HTLV-2) estão presentes na população estudada, com maior ocorrência do HTLV-1 (7:1). Nenhuma das variáveis testadas permaneceu associada ao HTLV-1/2 no modelo final de regressão logística, mas foi importante a infecção via transfusão de sangue, ocorrida antes de 1993, em dois indivíduos. O georeferenciamento mostrou uma maior proporção de casos positivos nos naturais do Espírito Santo, originados de município do Norte do Estado, próximo à Bahia / Introduction: There are few studies in samples of the general population on the seroprevalence of infection by human T cell lymphotropic virus type 1 and 2 (HTLV-1/2) and the seroprevalence of this infection in the municipality of Vitoria-ES is not known. Objectives: a) To determine the prevalence of serological infection by HTLV-1/2 in a sample of adults who seek care in the health services of the municipality of Vitoria -ES, b) To discriminate the types of HTLV found c) To investigate possible ways of transmission and associated factors; d) To establish the location by geo-reference of the positive cases in the sample of the population. Methods: a cross sectional study performed from September 2010 to December 2011, in individuals of both sexes, aged 18 or older residing in Vitória-ES. Venous blood samples were collected and submitted to search for anti-HTLV-1/2 antibodies by chemiluminescent immunoassay (CMIA). Individuals with CMIA reactive results were submitted to new blood collection for retesting of the CMIA, followed by PCR in real time to confirm and discriminate the infection by viral types. Results: From the 1502 samples tested, 52,7% (791/1502) were female and 47,3% (711/1502) male, distributed in six health zones, according to the estimated population of the year 2009, in Vitória-ES. The general seroprevalence for HTLV-1/2 in the sample was 0,53% (8/1502; 95% CI; 0,2 0,9%). The infection rate was 0,7% in men (5/711; 95% CI; 0,1 1,3%), and 0,4% in women (3/791; 95% CI; 0 0,8 %). Seven samples were positive for HTLV-1, a positive sample for HTLV-2. Conclusions: The prevalence found (0,53%) is considered intermediate. The two viral types (HTLV-1 and HTLV-2) are present, with greater occurrence of HTLV-1(7:1). None of the tested variables remained associated with HTLV-1/2 in the final logistic regression model, but it was important the infection via blood transfusion, that occurred prior to 1993, in two individuals. The geo-reference location showed a higher proportion of positive cases in individuals born in Espirito Santo state originated from northern towns close to Bahia state

Esta tese inclui dois artigos que têm por objetivo apresentar um panorama das tendências e heterogeneidades do tabagismo nas capitais brasileiras e, assim, oferecer subsídios ao planejamento e avaliação de medidas de controle do tabaco no País. Utilizaram-se os dados da Pesquisa Nacional sobre Saúde e Nutrição (PNSN), e do Inquérito Domiciliar Sobre Comportamentos de Risco e Morbidade Referida de Doenças e Agravos Não Transmissíveis (InqDANT). No primeiro artigo estimou-se a diferença na prevalência de tabagismo em 14 capitais brasileiras entre pessoas de 15 anos ou mais em 1989 (PNSN) e 2002/2003 (InqDANT) relacionando as mudanças observadas às principais medidas de controle do tabaco desenvolvidas no período. O estudo mostrou que o percentual de fumantes diminuiu de 30,2% para 19,4% no período. Entre homens, a prevalência passou de 37,5% para 23,2% (1,1% /ano) e entre mulheres, de 24,3% para 16,5% (0,6% /ano). A avaliação cronológica sugere que as principais medidas de impacto refletidas no decréscimo observado foram a lei que obriga que haja advertências sobre os malefícios do tabagismo nas embalagens e propagandas de cigarros, a restrição e proibição da propaganda de produtos do tabaco e as intervenções relacionadas à proteção ao tabagismo passivo. O declínio da prevalência observado no estudo foi um dos maiores do mundo. No segundo artigo, fez-se uma descrição da situação do tabagismo no Brasil considerando heterogeneidades regionais e de subgrupos populacionais a partir de uma amostra de 24.681 indivíduos de 15 anos ou mais residentes em 16 capitais brasileiras incluídas no InqDANT. A prevalência de tabagismo no gênero masculino variou de 17,0% a 28,2% e no feminino, de 10% a 22,9%. Entre mulheres, menores prevalências foram observadas nas regiões Norte, Nordeste e Centro-Oeste. Este padrão não se repetiu entre homens. Independentemente de gênero, maiores percentuais de fumantes foram encontrados entre pessoas de menor escolaridade e faixa etária 40-49 anos. A cessação média entre homens e mulheres foi de 50%. Os dados indicaram que as políticas públicas de controle do tabaco têm sido efetivas particularmente na indução à cessação de fumar. Contudo, a elevada prevalência em jovens mostrou a importância de reforço a medidas que contenham a iniciação. As heterogeneidades observadas mostraram a necessidade de ações específicas por região. Além dos dois estudos referidos, esta Tese também descreveu novas pesquisas sobre tabagismo utilizando-se dados do InqDANT. Subsequentemente, com base na discussão prévia, delineou-se uma proposta sumária das principais linhas de investigação a serem desenvolvidas no Brasil a fim de subsidiar o Programa Nacional de Controle do Tabagismo e a implantação da Convenção Quadro Para o Controle do Tabaco. / This Thesis includes two papers that aim at describing tobacco use trends and heterogeneity in Brazilian regions and capitals. These data, in turn, aim at supporting tobacco control plan and evaluation. Data from two household surveys The Health and Nutrition National Survey (PNSN) and the Non-Communicable Disease and Self-Perceived Domiciliary Survey (InqDANT) - were used in this study. The first papers objective is to estimate the differences in tobacco use prevalence in Brazilian capitals between 1989 and 2002/2003, and their relationships to tobacco control actions during this period. The percentage of current smokers decreased from 30.2% to 19.4% from 1989 to 2002/2003. The prevalence changed from 37.5% to 23.2% (1.1% /year) in men and from 24.3% to 16.5% (0.6 % /year) in women. The timing of the principal public health actions related to smoking suggests that the declines were the result of the combined effects of cigarette package warning labels, tobacco products advertisement restriction and ban, and restriction of environmental tobacco smoke exposure in public places. The decline in smoking prevalence observed in the present study was one of the highest of the world. On the second paper, we described tobacco use in Brazil and its heterogeneity by region and other characteristics. The study included 24.681 participants selected through a multi-stage sampling strategy of individuals 15 years old or older living in 16 capitals and in the Federal District. The prevalence of smoking was greater in men than in women in all cities. The smoking prevalence ranged from 17.0% to 28.2% in men, and from 10% to 22.9% in women. The highest prevalences in women were found in the South and Southeast regions, a pattern that was not observed in men. Regardless of gender, the highest prevalences of smoking were found in those with lower educational levels and those aged 40- 49 years. Cessation average was approximately 50% in both men and women. These results suggest that tobacco control public policies have been effective, particularly with regard to cessation strategies. However, the high smoking prevalence in the young individuals underscores the importance of reinforcing smoking initiation control measures. The heterogeneity observed in this survey highlights the necessity of tailoring control actions to the different regions. In addition to these two study reports, this Thesis also described possible new studies on tobacco use using InqDANT data. Finally, a description is also presented of important research areas to be developed in Brazil aiming at supporting the National Tobacco Control Program and the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.