COVID-19 was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11th, 2020. Many states issued stay-at-home orders to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Any non-essential clinical services were canceled or postponed to decrease in-person visits at clinics, which led to clinics having decreased patient volume. Telehealth was used as a way to continue clinical care to patients in an alternate form. Health departments (HD) provide fundamental services to patients based on a sliding fee scale. Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) provide a wide variety of health care services to underserved communities. Policies on the implementation of telehealth varied between the two systems. The concentration of this study is on the characteristics of telehealth service provision before and during the COVID-19 pandemic and future considerations for clinic service provision. A quantitative analysis was conducted through statewide surveys. The statewide surveys assessed clinic characteristics and contraceptive care service provision among HD family planning clinics and FQHC clinics in two Southeastern states, South Carolina (SC) and Alabama (AL), with similar clinic structures. The survey was conducted from July- November 2020. Survey items included evaluating the impact of COVID-19 on clinical service provision, including services provided prior to (2019) and during (March-June 2020) the pandemic. The response rate was 86.8% (N=112) among HD clinics and 53.8% (N=127) among FQHC clinics. Chi-Squared tests of independence were used to assess differences in service provision among HD and FQHC clinics in SC and AL. Fischer’s Exact test was applied where categorical responses were fewer than five. Among survey respondents, 64.9% (N=72) of HD clinics and 38.9% (N=49) of FQHC clinics indicated no telehealth services were provided prior to the pandemic (p < .0001). Nearly 35% (N=85) of all clinics reported introducing at least one telehealth service during the pandemic. The most prevalent telehealth service provided by HD clinics during the pandemic was prescribing refills of hormonal contraceptive methods at 58.2% (N=64). FQHC clinics’ most prevalent telehealth service provided during the pandemic was primary health care at 89.8% (N=114). Regarding the future of telehealth, 12.4% (N=12) of HD clinics plan to continue all telehealth services offered during March-June 2020, whereas 52.5% (N=62) of FQHC clinics plan to continue all telehealth services offered during March-June 2020 (p < .001). These findings highlight the significance of policy and procedures among the HD clinics in states that have a centralized health department structure. The telehealth services adopted by HD clinics and FQHC clinics varied and further research is needed to understand the barriers to telehealth provision in each state. The importance of reimbursement policy for telehealth services plays a vital role in providing contraceptive services, thus it may be critical to expand billing options and maintain reimbursement of telehealth through Medicaid.

Introduction Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death for women in the United States, causing one in every five female deaths, and high blood pressure is a precursor to CVD. Approximately half a million people attend the emergency departments with complications arising from substance use, many of which are concerned with cardiovascular events. The higher the number of substances used, the greater the risk of cardiovascular heart diseases; this association is even stronger among women than men. The purpose of this study is to determine the extent to which women's substance-related behavior impacts high blood pressure, which in turn is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease in the US. Methods This cross-sectional study used the 2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) to examine the relationship between having blood pressure and women who smoke and engage in binge drinking. Women who responded yes, yes during pregnancy and were told borderline high or pre-hypertensive to the question of "ever been told by a doctor, nurse or another health professional that you have high blood pressure” were categorized as having high blood pressure. Those who responded no, don’t know/not sure, and refused were considered as not having high blood pressure. Smoking and binge drinking were the two key independent variables for this study. Women were categorized into 4-level smoker status: everyday smoker, someday smoker, former smoker, and non-smoker. Binge drinkers were women who takes four or more drinks on one occasion, with responses being "yes, no or don't know/refused/missing.” A chi-square test for independence was examined to determine the association between having high blood pressure and smoking or binge drinking. Multivariable regression analysis was also performed to account for other factors (such as age, race, educational attainment, income, body mass index and blood cholesterol) potentially associated with high blood pressure among women. Results Approximately 418, 264 individuals responded to the survey items. Among respondents are 227,706 women, who are the study population of interest. The women included in this study are 18-34, 35-64, and above 65 years old. Among the study population, 33% reported having high blood pressure with no record of high blood pressure, amongst 67%. Among women who reported binge drinking, 22.9% reported high blood pressure compared to 34.6% of women who did not binge drink (p= Conclusion This study found that substance abuse was not associated with having high blood pressure. It is possible that women with high blood pressure quit or reduced these behaviors due to a high blood pressure diagnosis. Notwithstanding the high prevalence of high blood pressure and substance use, further research is needed to examine this association among women overall and subpopulations at high risk. This research should support prioritizing interventions and informing public health programs.

No description available.

Fecal Fermentation Profile, Nutrient Proximate Analysis and Well-being of Aerobic versus Anaerobically Trained Female Athletes Lindsey Stallworth1, Anna K Whitlock1, Sonja J Lafollette2, Laiken Lewis2, Kristy Thomas1,3, Amy E Wahlquist MS4, W. Andrew Clark PhD, RD, LDN1,3, Mary Andreae MS, RD, LDN1,3, Michael Stone PhD5 College of Clinical and Rehabilitative Health Science, Department of Rehabilitative Science1; College of Arts and Science, Department of Biological Science2; Quillen College of Medicine, Department of Biomedical Science3; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health; Clemmer College of Education4, Department of Sport, Exercise, Recreation, and Kinesiology5, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City Introduction: The human gut microbiome serves a role in health and disease prevention. The composition of intestinal bacteria and their metabolites (fecal fermentation profile, FFP) can influence mood, sleep, immune response, inflammation and the ability to digest and absorb nutrients. Current studies show that populations who are more physically active have a more diverse microbiome compared to sedentary groups, resulting in higher adaptability to physical exertion. There is a limited amount of research focusing on the microbiome of physically active groups with different training regimens. Therefore, we investigated if athletes under aerobic versus anaerobic based training express differences in fecal fermentation profile, nutrient proximate analysis and measures of well-being. We hypothesize that aerobically trained athletes will express a more diverse microbiome as measured by FFP. Materials and Methods: Members from the ETSU Women’s Track and Field Team were recruited to join a research study evaluating physiological differences between aerobically (n=9) and anaerobically (n=3) trained athletes. Research participants read and signed an informed consent document (ETSU IRB-0122.15s-ETSU), completed 2 surveys (anthropometric, well-being), provided fecal (stool) and salivary cortisol samples for analysis. A 1g aliquot of the stool sample was collected and stored at -80 C for future microbiome analysis (UT, Knoxville, TN). The remainder of the stool sample was frozen at -80 C, lyophilized and ground to a fine powder for FFP and nutrient proximate analysis (NPA). FFP isolated short chain volatile fatty acids from the stool were identified via gas chromatography (Shimadzu). NPA of the stool included total calories, total nitrogen, dry matter. Mental well-being in regard to training were assessed via an athlete well-being survey, sport training survey, and salivary cortisol test (taken the morning of providing fecal sample). Dietary habits were assessed using a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). Anthropometric data including height, weight, hydration status and lean body mass (Bio impedance Analysis (BIA)). Results: No statistical differences were noted between groups for FFP, dry matter, total calories or total nitrogen of the stool sample. Anthropometric measures of percent body fat (p < 0.0058), percent skeletal muscle (p < 0.0086) and body mass index (p < 0.0106) were lower for aerobically trained versus anaerobically trained athletes. Not enough surveys were completed for measures of well-being to be statistically analyzed. Conclusion: The hypothesis is rejected since there was no difference in the diversity of short chain volatile fatty acids. The data set is skewed because of the low number of anaerobic athlete participants to fairly evaluate the hypothesis. Additional samples are being sought to balance the data and data for salivary cortisol, food frequency questionnaire and fecal microbiome will be collected later.

No description available.

Existing research demonstrates that sexual trauma victims experience increased risk of adverse health outcomes including cardiovascular disorders, increased risk of chronic pain, and somatic health complaints. Similarly, sexual trauma is correlated with increased risk of adverse psychological effects including PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Perceived stigmatization as a result of sexual trauma has been hypothesized to be a mechanism through which sexual trauma affects health. Sexual trauma stigma (STS) has been found to mediate the relationship between sexual trauma and psychological distress. The experience of stigmatization has also been linked to somatization and is associated with increased anxiety. Similarly, among a sample of participants with a trauma history, adversity and resultant discrimination predicted somatic health complaints with post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) partially mediating this relationship. However, the experience of STS specifically and its effect on somatic health complaints and anxiety has not yet been examined. As anxiety is associated with somatic symptoms, and is often comorbid with PTSS, it may be a mechanism through which STS effects somatic health complaints. Therefore, the current study seeks to examine the relationship between STS and somatic health complaints as well as the potential mediating effect of anxiety. It was hypothesized that STS would predict somatic health complaints, and that anxiety would mediate this relationship. An international sample of 528 women with a sexual trauma history was recruited via social media (Reddit) and mediation results were found using the “psych” package for RMarkdown (Version 5.2.2) with bootstrapping (5000 samples). Overall, the model was significant R2 = .19, (F(2,1230) = 148.53, p < .01). Regression analyses revealed that sexual trauma stigma was a significant predictor of both anxiety (b = .21, SE = .01, p < .01) and somatic health symptoms (b = .13, SE =.01, p < .01), and that anxiety also predicted somatic symptoms (b = .39, SE = .03, p < .01). Anxiety was found to significantly mediate the relationship between sexual trauma and somatic health symptoms, b = .08, SE = .01, 95% CI [0.06, 0 .11]. Current findings confirm the relationship between sexual trauma stigma and somatic health complaints and identify anxiety as an important mediator of this relationship. Providers should be aware that experiences of sexual victimization are related to feelings of stigmatization and may increase anxiety, impacting somatic health complaints. These findings indicate future clinical implications for trauma informed care within medical settings to better serve women who may experience stigma related to sexual trauma and highlights anxiety as a key target for interventions to reduce somatic symptoms.

Em decorrência do aumento da expectativa de vida, um número cada vez maior de mulheres tem oportunidade de vivenciar o climatério e a menopausa. O climatério deve ser compreendido como evento biológico determinado pelo contexto sócio-cultural. Para muitas mulheres, em função da desinformação e de mitos, este período é visto negativamente. Este estudo teve como objetivos caracterizar um grupo de mulheres no climatério quanto ao nível de informações, ansiedade, depressão e qualidade de vida, e verificar os resultados de uma intervenção psicológica, sobre estes aspectos. Os sujeitos foram 45 mulheres com idades entre 45 e 60 anos, divididas em 6 grupos, pacientes do Ambulatório de Ginecologia do Centro Médico Social e Comunitário de Vila Lobato e do Centro de Saúde Escola Prof. Dr. Joel Domingos Machado da FMRP-USP. Foi desenvolvida uma intervenção psicológica, em contexto grupal, com o objetivo de informar sobre a síndrome do climatério, apoiar e preparar psicologicamente as pacientes. A intervenção consistiu em 12 encontros semanais com duração de 1:30 h cada. Visando facilitar a discussão e vivência dos temas propostos (definição de climatério e menopausa, sexualidade, envelhecimento, relacionamentos familiares e processo de envelhecimento), foram utilizadas técnicas de dinâmica de grupo. As participantes, ao início e ao final da intervenção, foram avaliadas quanto ao nível de informações, ansiedade, depressão e qualidade de vida. Os instrumentos utilizados foram: Inventário de Ansiedade Traço-Estado (IDATE), Inventário de depressão de Beck, Instrumento de Avaliação de Qualidade de Vida (WHOQOL-Bref) e um questionário, elaborado pelo pesquisador, sobre conhecimentos a respeito do climatério, menopausa, sexualidade, envelhecimento e hábitos de vida saudáveis. Na avaliação inicial do questionário de conhecimentos, as questões referentes ao climatério, menopausa e sexualidade apresentaram os maiores percentuais de respostas incorretas. Nas questões sobre envelhecimento, os resultados apontaram que a maioria das participantes acredita que a velhice é uma fase possível de ser vivida de maneira positiva. Esse dado é contraditório, quando comparado com o resultado da questão que considera a velhice como uma etapa com consequências apenas negativas. As participantes demonstraram conhecer os comportamentos que podem contribuir para uma vida mais saudável no climatério. Entretanto, a maioria delas relatou não praticá-los. A avaliação inicial apontou que quanto à ansiedade traço e estado, as mulheres avaliadas apresentaram resultados considerados normais quando comparados à padronização. Na avaliação inicial da depressão, as participantes apresentaram alterações no estado de humor (disforia). Em relação à qualidade de vida, na avaliação pré intervenção, os escores apresentados pelas participantes, quando comparados ao estudo normativo, mostraram-se reduzidos nos aspectos psicológicos e sociais. A comparação dos resultados das avaliações pré e pós intervenção mostrou que, no questionário de conhecimentos, houve aumento significativo no percentual de respostas adequadas, nas questões referentes à diferença entre climatério e menopausa, conceitos de climatério e menopausa, finalidade da terapia de reposição hormonal, beleza e sensualidade no climatério. A avaliação final apontou diminuição na média da ansiedade estado comparada à aplicação inicial, o que pode indicar uma contribuição da intervenção neste sentido. Quanto à depressão, a diminuição média dos escores mostra que, após a intervenção, as participantes enquadraram-se na categoria sem depressão. A partir destes resultados, conclui-se que intervenções visando informar e preparar as mulheres para vivenciar o climatério podem contribuir para melhorar a qualidade de vida. / Because of the increase in life expectancy, an increasing number of women have the opportunity to experience the climacteric and menopause. The climacteric should be understood as a biological event determined by the sociocultural context . Because of lack of information and popular beliefs, many women have a negative vision of this period. The objective of the present study was to characterize a group of women in the climacteric in terms of extent of information, anxiety, depression and quality of life and to verify the results of a psychological intervention about these aspects. Forty-five women aged 45 to 60 years attended at the Gynecology Outpatient Clinic of the Medical Social and Community Center of Vila Lobato and at the Teaching Health Center Prof. Dr. Joel Domingos Machado, FMRP-USP, were divided into 6 groups. The intervention consisted of 12 weekly meetings lasting 1:30 h each. Group dynamics techniques were used in order to facilitate the discussion and experience of the proposed topics (definition of climacteric and menopause, sexuality, family relations, and aging process). The participants were evaluated at the beginning and at the end of the intervention in terms of level of information, anxiety, depression, and quality of life. The instruments used were the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Beck Depression Inventory, an Instrument for the Evaluation of the Quality of Life (WHOQOL-Bref), and a questionnaire elaborated by the investigator about knowledge concerning the climacteric, menopause, sexuality, aging, and healthy life habits. In the initial evaluation of the questionnaire, the questions referring to climacteric, menopause and sexuality presented the highest percentages of incorrect responses. The replies to the questions about aging indicated that most of the participants believed that old age is a phase of life that can be lived in a positive manner. This is a contradictory result when compared to the responses to the question that considers old age as a stage of life with only negative features. The participants showed that they were aware of the behaviors that can contribute to a healthier life during the climacteric. However, most of them reported that they did not practice these behaviors. The initial evaluation showed that the results obtained for the women studied were normal when compared to the reference standard with respect to state-trait anxiety. In the initial evaluation of depression, the participants showed changes in mood (dysphoria). With respect to quality of life, the scores obtained in the initial evaluation were found to be reduced in terms of psychological and social aspects when compared to normative studies. Comparison of the pre- and post-intervention evaluations showed that there was a significant increase in the percentage of adequate responses to the questions concerning the difference between climacteric and menopause, the purpose of hormonal replacement therapy, and beauty and sensuality during the climacteric. The final evaluation indicated a decrease in mean anxiety state compared to the initial evaluation, possibly indicating a contribution by the intervention. With respect to depression, the mean decrease in the scores showed that, after intervention, the participants fitted the category without depression. On the basis of these results, we conclude that interventions aiming at informing and preparing women about experiencing the climacteric can contribute to improving the quality of life.

Este estudo teve como objetivos: descrever a qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde de um grupo de mulheres grávidas assistidas em um serviço de pré-natal e; identificar a influência da idade gestacional, do número de queixas, da renda per capita e da percepção da suficiência da renda na qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde das mulheres grávidas. A amostra constou de 202 gestantes matriculadas em um serviço filantrópico de pré-natal de baixo risco, de São Paulo, SP, no ano de 2005. Os dados sociodemográficos e obstétricos foram obtidos por meio de entrevista e o da avaliação da qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde por meio do questionário auto-aplicado, o “MEDICAL OUTCOMES STUDY 36-ITEM SHORT FORM HEALTH SURVEY (MOS-SF-36)". Os dados sociodemográficos das gestantes mostraram: idade média 24,97 anos, raça caucasiana (51,5%), escolaridade média de 8,88 anos, com parceiro fixo (89,6%), procedente de diferentes regiões da cidade de São Paulo; 52,5% exerciam atividades domésticas; 36,6% moravam em casas de alvenaria alugadas; renda familiar média de R$984,25 e per capita de R$312,80. Para 67,2% das gestantes a satisfação das necessidades básicas pela renda familiar foi percebida como pouco suficiente ou insuficiente. As características obstétricas foram: média de gestação de 2,09, 37,1% primigestas, 51,98% tinham filhos com idade média de 5,13 anos, idade gestacional média de 24,97 semanas, 85,1% citaram alguma queixa como dor em baixo ventre, náuseas e vômitos, lombalgia, pirose, dor em membros inferiores e cefaléia. Os coeficientes Alfa de Cronbach dos domínios variaram de 0,81 (Capacidade Funcional e Saúde Mental) a 0,41 (Aspecto Social). Em relação à qualidade de vida o maior escore médio foi em Estado Geral de Saúde e o menor em Aspectos Físicos. A idade gestacional apresentou uma fraca associação inversa com os domínios de Capacidade Funcional, Aspectos Físicos e Dor. Gestantes sem queixas diferiram das com três ou mais queixas nos domínios Dor, Estado Geral de Saúde, Vitalidade, Aspectos Sociais e Saúde Mental. A renda per capita não mostrou significância estatística em nenhum domínio. A percepção da suficiência da renda mostrou diferenças estatisticamente significantes nos domínios Dor, Vitalidade, Aspectos Emocionais e Saúde Mental. / The objectives of this study was to describe the health related quality of life of a group of pregnant women enrolled in a pre-natal service and identify the influence of the gestational period, number of complaints, per capita income and perception of sufficient income in the pregnant women’s health related quality of life. The sample consisted of 202 pregnant women registered in a low-risk prenatal philanthropic service of the city of Sao Paulo in the year 2005. The obstetric and demographic data were obtained through interviews and a self-administered questionnaire, the “MEDICAL OUTCOMES STUDY 36-ITEM SHORT FORM HEALTH SURVEY (MOS-SF-36)" to evaluate the health related quality of life. The demographic data showed an average age of 24.97; Caucasian (51.5%); average schooling of 8.99 years; 89.6% had a partner; coming from different regions of the city of Sao Paulo; 52.5% engaged in domestic activities; 36.6% lived in rented houses; and the average family income was R$984.25 and per capita was R$312.80. For 67.2% of the pregnant women, the satisfaction of basic necessities by the family income was perceived as barely sufficient or insufficient. The obstetric characteristics were: gestational average of 2.09; 37.1% primigravida; 51.98% had children with the average age of 5.13; average gestational age of 24.97 weeks; 85.1% reported complaints such as lower abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, lumbago, pyroses, legs pain and cephalalgia. The Alfa de Cronbach’s coefficients of the domains varied from 0.81 (Physical Functioning and Mental Health) to 0.41 (Social Functioning). In relation to the quality of life, the highest average score was in General Health and the lowest was in Role Limitation due to Physical Problems. The gestational ages showed a weak inverse relationship with the Physical Functioning, Role Limitation due to Physical Problems and Bodily Pain domains. The subjects without complaints differed from those with three or more complaints in the Bodily Pain, General Health, Vitality, Social Functioning and Mental Health domains. The per capita income did not show to be statistically significant in any category. Unlike the perception of sufficient income, which provided statistically significant differences in the Bodily Pain, Vitality, Role Limitation due emotions and Mental Health domains.

Este estudo teve como objetivos: descrever a qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde de um grupo de mulheres grávidas assistidas em um serviço de pré-natal e; identificar a influência da idade gestacional, do número de queixas, da renda per capita e da percepção da suficiência da renda na qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde das mulheres grávidas. A amostra constou de 202 gestantes matriculadas em um serviço filantrópico de pré-natal de baixo risco, de São Paulo, SP, no ano de 2005. Os dados sociodemográficos e obstétricos foram obtidos por meio de entrevista e o da avaliação da qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde por meio do questionário auto-aplicado, o “MEDICAL OUTCOMES STUDY 36-ITEM SHORT FORM HEALTH SURVEY (MOS-SF-36)”. Os dados sociodemográficos das gestantes mostraram: idade média 24,97 anos, raça caucasiana (51,5%), escolaridade média de 8,88 anos, com parceiro fixo (89,6%), procedente de diferentes regiões da cidade de São Paulo; 52,5% exerciam atividades domésticas; 36,6% moravam em casas de alvenaria alugadas; renda familiar média de R$984,25 e per capita de R$312,80. Para 67,2% das gestantes a satisfação das necessidades básicas pela renda familiar foi percebida como pouco suficiente ou insuficiente. As características obstétricas foram: média de gestação de 2,09, 37,1% primigestas, 51,98% tinham filhos com idade média de 5,13 anos, idade gestacional média de 24,97 semanas, 85,1% citaram alguma queixa como dor em baixo ventre, náuseas e vômitos, lombalgia, pirose, dor em membros inferiores e cefaléia. Os coeficientes Alfa de Cronbach dos domínios variaram de 0,81 (Capacidade Funcional e Saúde Mental) a 0,41 (Aspecto Social). Em relação à qualidade de vida o maior escore médio foi em Estado Geral de Saúde e o menor em Aspectos Físicos. A idade gestacional apresentou uma fraca associação inversa com os domínios de Capacidade Funcional, Aspectos Físicos e Dor. Gestantes sem queixas diferiram das com três ou mais queixas nos domínios Dor, Estado Geral de Saúde, Vitalidade, Aspectos Sociais e Saúde Mental. A renda per capita não mostrou significância estatística em nenhum domínio. A percepção da suficiência da renda mostrou diferenças estatisticamente significantes nos domínios Dor, Vitalidade, Aspectos Emocionais e Saúde Mental. / The objectives of this study was to describe the health related quality of life of a group of pregnant women enrolled in a pre-natal service and identify the influence of the gestational period, number of complaints, per capita income and perception of sufficient income in the pregnant women’s health related quality of life. The sample consisted of 202 pregnant women registered in a low-risk prenatal philanthropic service of the city of Sao Paulo in the year 2005. The obstetric and demographic data were obtained through interviews and a self-administered questionnaire, the “MEDICAL OUTCOMES STUDY 36-ITEM SHORT FORM HEALTH SURVEY (MOS-SF-36)” to evaluate the health related quality of life. The demographic data showed an average age of 24.97; Caucasian (51.5%); average schooling of 8.99 years; 89.6% had a partner; coming from different regions of the city of Sao Paulo; 52.5% engaged in domestic activities; 36.6% lived in rented houses; and the average family income was R$984.25 and per capita was R$312.80. For 67.2% of the pregnant women, the satisfaction of basic necessities by the family income was perceived as barely sufficient or insufficient. The obstetric characteristics were: gestational average of 2.09; 37.1% primigravida; 51.98% had children with the average age of 5.13; average gestational age of 24.97 weeks; 85.1% reported complaints such as lower abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, lumbago, pyroses, legs pain and cephalalgia. The Alfa de Cronbach’s coefficients of the domains varied from 0.81 (Physical Functioning and Mental Health) to 0.41 (Social Functioning). In relation to the quality of life, the highest average score was in General Health and the lowest was in Role Limitation due to Physical Problems. The gestational ages showed a weak inverse relationship with the Physical Functioning, Role Limitation due to Physical Problems and Bodily Pain domains. The subjects without complaints differed from those with three or more complaints in the Bodily Pain, General Health, Vitality, Social Functioning and Mental Health domains. The per capita income did not show to be statistically significant in any category. Unlike the perception of sufficient income, which provided statistically significant differences in the Bodily Pain, Vitality, Role Limitation due emotions and Mental Health domains.

Em decorrência do aumento da expectativa de vida, um número cada vez maior de mulheres tem oportunidade de vivenciar o climatério e a menopausa. O climatério deve ser compreendido como evento biológico determinado pelo contexto sócio-cultural. Para muitas mulheres, em função da desinformação e de mitos, este período é visto negativamente. Este estudo teve como objetivos caracterizar um grupo de mulheres no climatério quanto ao nível de informações, ansiedade, depressão e qualidade de vida, e verificar os resultados de uma intervenção psicológica, sobre estes aspectos. Os sujeitos foram 45 mulheres com idades entre 45 e 60 anos, divididas em 6 grupos, pacientes do Ambulatório de Ginecologia do Centro Médico Social e Comunitário de Vila Lobato e do Centro de Saúde Escola Prof. Dr. Joel Domingos Machado da FMRP-USP. Foi desenvolvida uma intervenção psicológica, em contexto grupal, com o objetivo de informar sobre a síndrome do climatério, apoiar e preparar psicologicamente as pacientes. A intervenção consistiu em 12 encontros semanais com duração de 1:30 h cada. Visando facilitar a discussão e vivência dos temas propostos (definição de climatério e menopausa, sexualidade, envelhecimento, relacionamentos familiares e processo de envelhecimento), foram utilizadas técnicas de dinâmica de grupo. As participantes, ao início e ao final da intervenção, foram avaliadas quanto ao nível de informações, ansiedade, depressão e qualidade de vida. Os instrumentos utilizados foram: Inventário de Ansiedade Traço-Estado (IDATE), Inventário de depressão de Beck, Instrumento de Avaliação de Qualidade de Vida (WHOQOL-Bref) e um questionário, elaborado pelo pesquisador, sobre conhecimentos a respeito do climatério, menopausa, sexualidade, envelhecimento e hábitos de vida saudáveis. Na avaliação inicial do questionário de conhecimentos, as questões referentes ao climatério, menopausa e sexualidade apresentaram os maiores percentuais de respostas incorretas. Nas questões sobre envelhecimento, os resultados apontaram que a maioria das participantes acredita que a velhice é uma fase possível de ser vivida de maneira positiva. Esse dado é contraditório, quando comparado com o resultado da questão que considera a velhice como uma etapa com consequências apenas negativas. As participantes demonstraram conhecer os comportamentos que podem contribuir para uma vida mais saudável no climatério. Entretanto, a maioria delas relatou não praticá-los. A avaliação inicial apontou que quanto à ansiedade traço e estado, as mulheres avaliadas apresentaram resultados considerados normais quando comparados à padronização. Na avaliação inicial da depressão, as participantes apresentaram alterações no estado de humor (disforia). Em relação à qualidade de vida, na avaliação pré intervenção, os escores apresentados pelas participantes, quando comparados ao estudo normativo, mostraram-se reduzidos nos aspectos psicológicos e sociais. A comparação dos resultados das avaliações pré e pós intervenção mostrou que, no questionário de conhecimentos, houve aumento significativo no percentual de respostas adequadas, nas questões referentes à diferença entre climatério e menopausa, conceitos de climatério e menopausa, finalidade da terapia de reposição hormonal, beleza e sensualidade no climatério. A avaliação final apontou diminuição na média da ansiedade estado comparada à aplicação inicial, o que pode indicar uma contribuição da intervenção neste sentido. Quanto à depressão, a diminuição média dos escores mostra que, após a intervenção, as participantes enquadraram-se na categoria sem depressão. A partir destes resultados, conclui-se que intervenções visando informar e preparar as mulheres para vivenciar o climatério podem contribuir para melhorar a qualidade de vida. / Because of the increase in life expectancy, an increasing number of women have the opportunity to experience the climacteric and menopause. The climacteric should be understood as a biological event determined by the sociocultural context . Because of lack of information and popular beliefs, many women have a negative vision of this period. The objective of the present study was to characterize a group of women in the climacteric in terms of extent of information, anxiety, depression and quality of life and to verify the results of a psychological intervention about these aspects. Forty-five women aged 45 to 60 years attended at the Gynecology Outpatient Clinic of the Medical Social and Community Center of Vila Lobato and at the Teaching Health Center Prof. Dr. Joel Domingos Machado, FMRP-USP, were divided into 6 groups. The intervention consisted of 12 weekly meetings lasting 1:30 h each. Group dynamics techniques were used in order to facilitate the discussion and experience of the proposed topics (definition of climacteric and menopause, sexuality, family relations, and aging process). The participants were evaluated at the beginning and at the end of the intervention in terms of level of information, anxiety, depression, and quality of life. The instruments used were the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Beck Depression Inventory, an Instrument for the Evaluation of the Quality of Life (WHOQOL-Bref), and a questionnaire elaborated by the investigator about knowledge concerning the climacteric, menopause, sexuality, aging, and healthy life habits. In the initial evaluation of the questionnaire, the questions referring to climacteric, menopause and sexuality presented the highest percentages of incorrect responses. The replies to the questions about aging indicated that most of the participants believed that old age is a phase of life that can be lived in a positive manner. This is a contradictory result when compared to the responses to the question that considers old age as a stage of life with only negative features. The participants showed that they were aware of the behaviors that can contribute to a healthier life during the climacteric. However, most of them reported that they did not practice these behaviors. The initial evaluation showed that the results obtained for the women studied were normal when compared to the reference standard with respect to state-trait anxiety. In the initial evaluation of depression, the participants showed changes in mood (dysphoria). With respect to quality of life, the scores obtained in the initial evaluation were found to be reduced in terms of psychological and social aspects when compared to normative studies. Comparison of the pre- and post-intervention evaluations showed that there was a significant increase in the percentage of adequate responses to the questions concerning the difference between climacteric and menopause, the purpose of hormonal replacement therapy, and beauty and sensuality during the climacteric. The final evaluation indicated a decrease in mean anxiety state compared to the initial evaluation, possibly indicating a contribution by the intervention. With respect to depression, the mean decrease in the scores showed that, after intervention, the participants fitted the category without depression. On the basis of these results, we conclude that interventions aiming at informing and preparing women about experiencing the climacteric can contribute to improving the quality of life.