Text in English / Monthly breast self-examination (BSE) is an extremely important part of health care for all women in every stage of life as a primary tool in the prevention of breast cancer. The purpose of this study was to determine the knowledge and practice of BSE among women at a private clinic in Zimbabwe. A non-experimental cross-sectional descriptive research design was used. The accessible population was one hundred women admitted to the selected private clinic. Data collection was done using a questionnaire which consisted of three parts: socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge about BSE and practices of BSE. Data obtained was analysed using EPI INFO version 3.3.2. Results showed that respondents were knowledgeable about breast cancer early warning signs and symptoms and BSE. About 28% of the respondents were aware of when to initiate BSE and 74% performed BSE, but their practice was poor. Educational materials should be freely available at hospitals and schools to enhance BSE awareness. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)

Thesis (MTech (Biomedical Sciences))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2015. / BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Group B Streptococci (GBS) can asymptomatically colonise the vagina and rectum of women. Studies have shown that this bacterium is the leading cause of septicemia, meningitis and pneumonia in neonates. In Namibia no known studies have investigated GBS colonisation and the antibiotic resistance profile of GBS isolates in pregnant women. This study accessed the GBS colonisation rate amongst the pregnant women who attended the Windhoek Central Hospital Antenatal Clinic (Khomas region), in Namibia for a period of 13 months. Furthermore, using the VITEK 2 system, the GBS isolates were tested against the following antimicrobial substances; benzylpenicillin, ampicillin, clindamycin, erythromycin, tetracycline, vancomycin, cefotaxime, ceftriaxone, linezolid and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. Penicillin G is the drug of choice in the majority of studies, and seems to be the most effective drug for intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP). All the GBS isolates found in this study were also analysed for the presence of selected genes known to be associated with resistance to key antibiotics using specific primers within a polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Submitted by JÚLIO HEBER SILVA (julioheber@yahoo.com.br) on 2016-11-21T16:52:28Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Gustavo Osório Zanina - 2016.pdf: 3503922 bytes, checksum: 4b683ac9dbebb4ad7d33602351c475fc (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Cláudia Bueno (claudiamoura18@gmail.com) on 2016-11-21T20:19:40Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Gustavo Osório Zanina - 2016.pdf: 3503922 bytes, checksum: 4b683ac9dbebb4ad7d33602351c475fc (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-11-21T20:19:40Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Gustavo Osório Zanina - 2016.pdf: 3503922 bytes, checksum: 4b683ac9dbebb4ad7d33602351c475fc (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-11-01 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Background: Physical exercise training is a non-drug alternative from treatment morbidites related body mass excess. The aim study was to evaluate effect of 24 weeks circuit-based exercise with low-cost equipment over anthropometric and biochemical risk factors for cardiovascular disease in body mass excess women assisted for basic health program attention. Methods: Thirty three women (42,7 ± 8,9 old) body mass excess (body mass index 34,6 ± 7,2 kg/m²) underwent at 24 weeks circuit-based free weight training combined with aerobic exercise. Was evaluated participation frequency, metabolic equivalent, body mass, body mass index, sum skin fold, waist circumference, waist-rip ratio, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, glycemia, insulin and HOMA-IR. Was not considered minimum participation percentage from statistical analysis, however sample group was splited into tertiles according exercise program aderence. ANOVA from repetead measures with Bonferroni post hoc evaluated intragroup comparisions. ANOVA one-way with Bonferroni post hoc evaluated comparisions among groups at baseline, three and six months. Risk factors that indicated no statistical alterations, but clinical alterations were expressed as variation. Was regarded p<0,05 from statistical significance. Results: Sum skin fold decreased from all group (p< 0,001). Regular participation group showed waist circumference (p=0,023) and waist hip circumference (p=0,046) decrease and LDL-c and total cholesterol showed clinical reduction after six months. Low participation group indicated HDL-c reduction after three (p=0,024) and six months (p=0,035). Intergrop analysis showed HDL-c reduction from lower group when compared with higher tertil after three (p=0,008) and six months (p=0,001). Conclusion: Training program frequency participation is determinant from anthropometric and biochemical factor risk improvement in excess body mass women. Higher active group showed waist circumfereccen, waist-hip circumference, LDL-c and total cholesterol improvement, besides prevent HDL-c lowering. Trial registration: RBR-8rw7dz. / Introdução: O exercício físico é uma alternativa não medicamentosa para o tratamento de morbidades associadas ao excesso de massa corporal. O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar o efeito de 24 semanas de um programa de exercício em circuito com utilização de equipamentos de baixo custo sobre indicadores antropométricos e bioquímicos de risco para doenças cardiometabólicas em mulheres com excesso de massa corporal assistidas por um programa de atenção básica em saúde. Métodos: Participaram do estudo trinta e duas mulheres (42,7 ± 8,9 anos) com excesso de massa corporal (índice de massa corporal 34,6 ± 7,2 kg/m²). Foram submetidas a 24 semanas de treinamento em circuito com pesos livres combinado com exercício aeróbio. Foi avaliada frequência de participação, equivalente metabólico, massa corporal, índice de massa corporal, somatória de dobras cutâneas, circunferência de cintura, relação cintura/quadril, colesterol total, LDL-colesterol, HDL-colesterol, triglicerídeos, glicemia, insulina e HOMA-IR. Não foi considerado percentual mínimo de participação para inclusão das análises estatísticas, porém o grupo amostral foi dividido em três grupos (atividade física regular, atividade física irregular e grupo controle) de acordo com a distribuição, em tercis, da adesão ao programa de exercícios. As alterações intragrupo foram avaliadas por teste ANOVA para medidas repetidas com post hoc de Bonferroni. As comparações entre grupos foram realizadas pelo teste ANOVA de um fator com post hoc de Bonferroni nos momentos incial, após três e seis meses. Os fatores de risco que não indicaram redução estatística, mas que indicaram redução clínica foram expressos em forma de variação. Foi considerado p< 0,05 para significância estatística. Resultados: A somatória de dobras cutâneas reduziu em todos os tercis (p< 0,001). O grupo que teve participaão regular apresentou redução da circunferência de cintura (p = 0,023) e da relação cintura/quadril (p = 0,046), e houve redução clínica dos níveis de LDL-c e colesterol total após seis meses. O grupo que teve baixa participação indicou redução do nível de HDL-c após três meses (p=0,024), e seis meses (p=0,035) Na comparação intergrupos, as mulheres do grupo controleapresentaram redução do nível de HDL-c quanto comparado com o tercil superior (p=0,001). Conclusão: A frequência de participação no programa de treinamento é determinante para melhoras de fatores de risco antropométricos e bioquímicos em mulheres com excesso de massa corporal. O grupo mais ativo apresentou redução da circunferência de cintura, relação cintura/quadril, LDL-c e colesterol total, além de evitar a piora nos níveis de HDL-c. Registro da pesquisa: RBR-8rw7dz

O transplante cardíaco representa a última alternativa de tratamento e única possibilidade de sobrevivência do paciente com insuficiência cardíaca (IC) terminal. É indicado quando todos os procedimentos foram considerados ou excluídos no tratamento da cardiopatia grave. Atualmente, os resultados obtidos com a cirurgia de enxerto indicam possibilidade de aumento de sobrevida do transplantado que, de outro modo, iria a óbito. Em aproximadamente 80% dos transplantes de coração hoje realizados, os pacientes estão vivos dois anos após a cirurgia. Devido à escassez de trabalhos encontrados na literatura, a presente pesquisa foi realizada com mulheres cardiopatas indicadas à cirurgia de enxerto. Questiona-se a interferência de relações objetais estabelecidas pelas pacientes na decisão de submissão à cirurgia e adesão aos cuidados do pós-operatório. O objetivo principal foi verificar a dinâmica emocional de mulheres candidatas ao transplante cardíaco. Foram utilizados como instrumentos o Teste de Relações Objetais de Phillipson (TRO), interpretado através de investigações sobre o Sistema Tensional Inconsciente Dominante (STID), e a entrevista clínica classificada a partir da Escala Diagnóstica Adaptativa Operacionalizada (EDAO), aplicados em sete pacientes encaminhadas à avaliação psicológica pelo Setor de Transplante Cardíaco do Instituto Dante Pazzanese de Cardiologia (IDPC), em São Paulo. A análise dos achados se deu à luz da teoria psicanalítica das Relações Objetais de Melanie Klein. Constatou-se que as mulheres indicadas ao transplante de coração, participantes da presente pesquisa, estabelecem relações objetais persecutórias correspondentes às fases mais arcaicas do desenvolvimento esquizoparanóide e viscocárica. Agindo como fator tensional, a doença cardíaca terminal pode ser vivida como perigo interno, induzindo a excessiva pressão das forças de morte e agravando tendências à negação e abandono do tratamento. / The cardiac transplantation represents the last alternative of treatment and an unique possibility of surviving for the patient with terminal cardiac insufficiency (CI). It is indicated when all other procedures were considerate or excluded for the treatment of serious cardiomyopathy. Currently, the results archieved with the graft surgery indicate the possibility of growth in overlife of patients that submitted for a transplant which, otherwise, would die. In approximately 80% of the cases of heart transplantations today, the patients are still alive two years after the procedure. Due to the lack of studies found in literature, the current research was made with cardiomyopathy women that submitted for a graft surgery. It is questioned the interference of object relations established by the patients in the decision to submit for the surgery and in the adhesion to the pos-operatory cares. The main objective was to verify the emotional dynamic of women applying for a cardiac transplantation. Where used as instruments the Object Relations Test (ORT), by Herbert Phillipson, interpreted by investigations over Unconscious Tensional System, and clinical interviews using the Adaptive and Operationalized Diagnostic Scale (AODS), applied in seven patients sent to psychological analysis at the cardiac transplantation sector of Dante Pazzanese Institute (IDPC), in São Paulo. The analyses of the results were made using Melanie Klein´s psychoanalytical theory. The women investigated who applied to the transplantation established persecutory object relations corresponding to the more archaic phases of the development. Acting as a tensional factor, the terminal cardiac disease can be lived as an intern danger, inducting to excessive pressure of forces of death and aggravating tendencies to treatment denial and abandonment.

La santé des femmes au travail doit être envisagée comme une question collective, déterminée par les rapports sociaux de sexe. La vision médicale traditionnelle du corps des femmes y voit un corps toujours défaillant, ce qui constitue un obstacle à la reconnaissance des atteintes à la santé des femmes liées au travail. Le champ empirique de l’aide aux personnes âgées nous offre l’opportunité d’observer les pénibilités du travail d’aide à domicile. Nous pouvons également prendre connaissance des pathologies qui en découlent. Tous ces éléments confirment la pénibilité du métier d’auxiliaire de vie, visible même dans les données de reconnaissance de l’assurance maladie. Lire ces résultats à l’aune des rapports sociaux de sexe nous permet de comprendre comment l’ignorance de cette pénibilité amène un bénéfice collectif. Ils indiquent également tout l’enjeu qu’il y a à proposer une vision de la santé dégagée de la lecture strictement biomédicale, construite au masculin neutre. / Women occupational health should be seen as a collective issue, determined by social relations of sex. The traditional medical view of women's bodies refers to an understanding of an ever-failing body, and this is an obstacle to the recognition of attacks on women's health related to work. The empirical field of elderly home care gives us the opportunity to observe the physical and psychological discomforts for health care workers. We can also take note of the diseases linked to this work hardness. All these facts confirm the hardness of health care worker job, visible even in the recognition data of health insurance. Read those results in terms of social relation of sex allows us to understand how the ignorance of this hardship brings a collective benefit. It also indicates how important it is to offer a vision of health away from the strictly biomedical point of view, masculine neutral built.

Contexte : La pré-éclampsie (PE) est une pathologie ischémique placentaire se manifestant par un syndrome materno-fœtal pendant la grossesse, et dont seul l’accouchement peut interrompre la progression. La PE peut survenir dans le post-partum et cette forme atypique de PE n’est pas expliquée par notre compréhension actuelle de la maladie. L’objectif de ce travail est de formuler des hypothèses physiopathologiques et de les explorer par l’étude des facteurs de risques, des potentiels facteurs déclencheur et de les corréler à l’étude de l’histopathologie des placentas. Méthode : Il s’agit d’une étude cas-témoins, comparant les caractéristiques démographiques et obstétricales des cas de PE du post-partum (n=50), à celles des cas de PE ante-partum précoce (n=100) et tardive (n=100), et à des grossesses normotensives (n=100). Pour l’étude de l’histopathologie placentaire, 30 placentas par groupe ont été étudiés. Les patientes ont été recrutées sur la base de registres de patientes avec troubles hypertensifs, tenus par les centres participants et sur la base des codes diagnostiques issus de la classification internationale des maladies (CIM). Résultats : Aucune différence statistiquement significative n’a été observée entre les groupes en terme d’âge, d’indice de masse corporelle, de primiparité, de recours aux techniques de procréation médicalement assistée et de décès néonataux. La PE du post-partum est associée à l’ethnie afro-caribéenne (OR 3.0, IC 95% 1.3-6.7 ; p <0.01), l’hypertension artérielle (HTA) pré-gestationnelle (OR 46.3, IC 95% 7.4-∞; p <0.01), la gémellité (OR 7.7, IC 95% 1.4-78.7) ; p<0.01), un état infectieux péri-partum (OR 6.5, IC 95% 1.8-29.7 ; p<0.01), la provocation du travail (OR 6.0, IC 95% 1.8-21.4 ; p <0.01), et des valeurs de tension artérielle (TA) avant la sortie de la maternité normales-hautes, tant pour la valeur systolique (OR 10.2, IC 95% 4.3-25.4 ; p<0.01) que pour la valeur diastolique (OR 30.2, IC 95% 8.3-168.3 ; p<0.01). Au niveau placentaire, 40% des placentas des cas de PE post-partum présentaient une déciduite aiguë (PE précoce: 5.7% (2), p<0.01; PE tardive: 16.7% (5), p=0.046; normotendues: 3.2% (1), p<0.01), 39.4% (13) démontraient une anomalie de la maturité villositaire (PE précoce: 77.2% (27), p<0.01; PE tardive: 26.7% (8), p=0.3; normotendues: 3.2% (1), p<0.01), 18.2% (6) montraient une vasculopathie déciduale (PE précoce: 34.3% (12), p=0.13; PE tardive: 10% (3), p=0.35; normotendues: 9.7% (3), p=0.33) et 9.1% (3) présentaient des signes d’ischémie et d’infarctus (PE précoce: 51.4% (18), p<0.01; PE tardive: 13.3% (4), p=0.6; normotendues: 16.1% (5), p=0.4). Conclusions : Les résultats de nos travaux suggèrent que les patientes présentant une PE dans le post-partum ont un profil de risque similaire à celui de la PE typique de l’ante partum, en particulier des PE tardives survenant au delà de 34 SA. La modification de la date de l’accouchement par l’intervention médicale et la provocation du travail pourrait agir comme facteur déclencheur de la PE dans le post-partum, de même qu’une infection aiguë. Les premiers signes de PE post-partum peuvent être détectés par la mesure de la TA avant la sortie de la maternité. Aucune différence significative n’a été observée au niveau placentaire, en terme de vasculopathie déciduale et de signes d’ischémie placentaire. Le taux de déciduite aiguë était plus important dans la PE du post-partum. Au total, la PE du post-partum semble être une pathologie maternelle, survenant dans un contexte d’état inflammatoire accru, possiblement déclenchée par une infection aiguë, où la maladie ischémique placentaire joue peu ou aucun rôle. / Background: Pre-eclampsia (PE) is an ischemic placental disease that is clinically expressed by a maternal-fetal syndrome. Only delivery can stop the progression of the disease. PE can occur after delivery and this atypical from of PE is not explained by our current understanding of the physiopathology. The objective of this work was to formulate physiopathological hypotheses for post-partum PE, to explore them by identifying the risk factors, potential triggers and to correlate them to a histological study of the placenta of women who would later present with post-partum pre-eclampsia. Methods: This is a case-control study, comparing the demographic and obstetrical characteristics of cases of post-partum PE (n=50) with cases of early-onset PE (n=100), late-onset PE (n=100) and normotensive pregnancies (n=100). For the pathological study, 30 placentas per group were included. Patients were identified on a registry of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and through the codification of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD). Results: There was no difference in term of age, body mass index, primiparity, use of reproductive technology and neonatal death between groups. Post-partum PE was associated with Afro-Caribbean ethnicity (OR 3.0, CI 95% 1.3-6.7; p <0.01), pre-gestationnal hypertension (OR 46.3, CI 95% 7.4-∞; p <0.01), twin pregnancies (OR 7.7, CI 95% 1.4-78.7); p<0.01), peri-partum infectious diseases (OR 6.5, IC 95% 1.8-29.7; p<0.01), induction of labor (OR 6.0, IC 95% 1.8-21.4; p <0.01), and normal-high blood pressure value before discharge of the maternity ward, for the systolic value (OR 10.2, IC 95% 4.3-25.4; p<0.01) as well as for the diastolic value (OR 30.2, IC 95% 8.3-168.3 ; p<0.01). Forty percent of placenta of post-partum PE had acute deciduitis (early PE: 5.7% (2), p<0.01; late PE: 16.7% (5), p=0.046; normal: 3.2% (1), p<0.01), 39.4% (13) had abnormal maturation of the villi (early PE: 77.2%(27), p<0.01; late PE: 26.7%(8), p=0.3; normal: 3.2 %(1), p<0.01), 18.2% (6) had decidual arteriolopathy (early PE: 34.3% (12), p=0.13; late PE: 10% (3), p=0.35; normal: 9.7% (3), p=0.33) and 9.1% (3) had villous ischemia and infarction (early PE: 51.4% (18), p<0.01; late PE: 13.3% (4), p=0.6; normal: 16.1% (5), p=0.4). Conclusions: Our work suggests that patients presenting with post-partum PE have similar risk profile than the typical antepartum PE, in particular with late-onset PE (after 34 weeks of gestation). Modification of the delivery date by medical intervention and induction of labor, might act as a trigger, as well as an acute infection. First signs of post-partum PE can be detected through measurement of blood pressure before discharge of the maternity. There were no significant differences in the placentas in terms of decidual arteriolopathy and villi ischemic changes between post-partum PE, late onset PE and the controls. There was a higher level of acute deciduitis in the placenta of post-partum PE. Altogether, our results suggests that post-partum preeclampsia is more of a maternal disease, characterized by an increased inflammatory state, potentially triggered by infection, and in which placental ischemic disease has little or no role to play.

This study explores and describes the perceived needs of women living with HIV/AIDS in Saskatchewan. A purposive sample was used to recruit women to participate in three focus groups. A total of eleven women from urban and rural areas of Saskatchewan participated. Based on seroprevalence estimates this number may represent one third to one half of all expected cases of women with HIV/AIDS in Saskatchewan. Recursive analysis was used to validate the themes identified in the first two focus groups with participants in a third focus group. Content analysis of the data identified four themes from the women's experiences: 1) medical needs, 2) economic needs, 3) mental health needs, and 4) service needs. The results support previous studies which indicate that women with HIV have a number of unmet heeds. Women from rural areas were found to have more unmet needs and limited access to appropriate services and supports than urban women. Three types of coping strategies were found to be used by the women in getting their needs met: avoidance, maintenance, and mastery. Those who utilized a mastery coping strategy were more successful in having their needs met than those who did not. A number of individual, organizational, systemic, and policy interventions are identified to assist women in moving towards mastery coping strategies. Social workers can work at the clinical, family group, and policy levels to improve the situation for women living with HIV/AIDS in Saskatchewan. / Arts, Faculty of / Social Work, School of / Graduate

Se basant sur un engagement bénévole prolongé dans une halte-accueil à Ottawa, l’étude examine les perceptions et les besoins en santé dentaire chez les clientes du centre, femmes francophones en situation minoritaire qui vivent dans un contexte particulier de vulnérabilité sociale. Deux méthodes de recherche ont été utilisées dans une approche participative: des entrevues semi-dirigées (n=7) et des ateliers de discussion en groupe (n=5) utilisant des moyens d’expression littéraires et artistiques. Les participantes font face à différentes barrières à l’accès aux soins dentaires: financières, structurales, émotionnelles, communicationnelles et relationnelles. Ces difficultés majeures interagissent de manière complexe et dynamique et affectent la santé dentaire, mentale et physique. Les résultats avancent la nécessité d’une offre active de communication, des services en français centrés sur le patient, prenant en considération les conséquences de l’abus, ainsi qu’une prise en charge universelle et interdisciplinaire de la santé dentaire dans un cadre communautaire. Relying on a five month volunteering commitment at an Ottawa drop-in, this study explores dental perceptions and needs among clients of the centre, francophone minority women living in a context of social vulnerability. In a participatory inquiry approach, two research methods were used: semi-structured interviews (n=7) and group discussion workshops using literary and artistic means of expression (n=5). The results show that participants face major access barriers to dental care: financial, structural, emotional, communicational and relational. Those major difficulties interact as a complex and dynamic web affecting dental, mental and physical health. The study argues for an active offer of communication, as well as a supply of patient centered services, offered in French, and accounting for the consequences of sexual and verbal abuse, all within the context of a community-based, universal and interdisciplinary provision of dental care.

One of the greatest social injustices is that people who are marginalized experience more illnesses, disability, and shorter lives than those who are more affluent (Benzeval, Judge, and Whitehead, 1995). In this dissertation I critique the notion that health is affected by poverty through primarily material factors. In fact, poor women are systematically excluded from resources and opportunities to pursue their health. This feminist action research project addressed how poverty and exclusion influenced poor women's health, examined how a group of women negotiated their experiences of poverty and health, and developed action strategies to address their shared concerns. For 1 V2 years I worked with a group of 30 poor women and gathered qualitative data from 15 meetings, 32 interviews, and 30 sets of fieldnotes. The women lived in material deprivation and could not afford the most basic living necessities. They felt stereotyped, excluded, and invisible in their every day lives. The stereotype of the "welfare recipient" fueled institutional stigmatization and surveillance. Welfare, health care, and community recreation workers were threatening, withheld important information, and limited the women's access to services through chscriminatory practices and policies. The women had limited access to health-promoting resources, and their interactions with authorities were shaming which negatively influenced their psychosocial health through stress, depression, low self-esteem, and anger. Services that were meant to help them labelled them as poor and hurniliated them. The women's shame, material scarcity, and limited access to resources engendered feelings of lack of control and hopelessness and influenced their health. The women's varied discourses of poverty and health reflected attempts at finding legitimacy in a society that systematically excluded and de-legitimized them. Through their conversations and our feminist action research work together, they uncovered legitimate identities within experiences of poverty and ill-health and advocated action and social change. They cited a "livable" income, accessible health-promoting resources, and redressing stigmatizing practices and policies as changes required to improve their health. These findings confirmed that the social determinants of health must be reframed to better understand the effects of exclusion on poor women's health and that inclusion, respect, and dignity are fundamental conditions for promoting health. / Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies / Graduate

Orientadores: Fabio Husemann Menezes, João Poterio Filho / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciencias Medicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-07T12:22:37Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 FecuriJunior_Rubens_M.pdf: 5719185 bytes, checksum: e083a35f4647757fb28a54278b9718c6 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006 / Resumo: Introdução- A gestação é considerada como fator de desenvolvimento de varizes nas pernas e um dos fatores supostamente responsável por isso, seria o aumento de pressão nas veias das pernas devido ao aumento do útero e compressão das veias ilíacas. Para avaliar a pressão nas veias das pernas em posição ortostática nos ambulatórios, o método considerado como padrão ouro, é a punção da veia diretamente, mas isso é inconveniente. Objetivos- O propósito desse estudo foi o de utilizar um método não invasivo para medir a pressão nas veias das pernas em posição ortostática; o estudo foi aplicado em um grupo controle, em um grupo de varicosos e em um grupo de gestantes no 3º trimestre da gestação e comparar os valores obtidos entre os grupos. Método- Foram selecionadas para o estudo, 24 mulheres gestantes (média das gestações de 29,7 semanas) que foram avaliadas e comparadas com um grupo de 20 pacientes com varizes e 20 pessoas de um grupo controle. Os três grupos foram submetidos a medida da pressão venosa nas pernas em posição ortostática por meio de um pletismógrafico a ar, usando transdutor diferencial de pressão; a medida da pressão encontrada foi comparada com o valor da pressão hidrostática calculada a partir do segundo espaço intercostal até o local de aplicação do manguito. Resultados- Não houve diferença estatística entre a pressão calculada nos três grupos. A média da pressão no grupo de gestantes foi de 63,5 mmHg ± 5,4 SD, e foi comparada com a pressão encontrada no grupo controle 66,1 mmHg ± 8,0 SD, (p=0.1851). A pressão medida no grupo de gestantes foi estatisticamente diferente da pressão medida no grupo das varicosas (71,0 mmHg ± 6,6 SD) ? p<0,0003). Conclusão- Não foi verificado no estudo atual aumento dos valores de pressão hidrostática nas veias das pernas no 3º trimestre da gestação / Abstract: Introduction- Pregnancy is a predisposing factor to the development of varicose veins of the lower legs. One of the possible explanations is the compression of the iliac veins by the enlarged uterus, leading to a raise in the venous pressure (VP) and consequently to the enlargement of the venous system at the legs. To evaluate the VP the gold standard is Ambulatory Venous Pressure measured b+y the venipuncture, but it is inappropriate. The purpose of this study is to measure the VP at the legs, in the standing position, in a control group, varicose women and in a group of women in the third trimester of pregnancy, using a new non-invasive technique. Method- Twenty-four pregnant women (mean pregnancy age 29.7 weeks) were evaluated and compared to a group of 20 patients presenting with varicose veins and a group of 20 control volunteers. The three groups were submitted to VP measurement in the standing position by means of air-plethysmography using a pressure differential transducer; the measured pressures (MP) were compared to the hydrostatic pressures calculated (CP) from the second intercostal space to the level of the leg cuff. Results- There was no statistic difference between the mean CP of the three groups. The mean MP in the pregnancy group was 63.5 mmHg ± 5.4 SD, and it was comparable to the MP of the normal volunteers, 66.1 mmHg ± 8.0 SD, (p = 0.1851). The MP of the pregnancy group was statistically different from the mean MP of the varicose veins group (71.0 mmHg ± 6.6 SD, -p<0.0003). Conclusion- There is no increase in the hydrostatic pressure in the leg veins at the end of pregnancy / Mestrado / Cirurgia / Mestre em Cirurgia