ABSTRACTAimTo evaluate the use of the network of oral health services by children and adolescents with leukemia, according to the phase of cancer treatment, type of dental treatment received, and access barriers.Methods and ResultsAn exploratory cross‐sectional study carried out in a referral hospital in cancer in northeast of Brazil, with all children and adolescents (3–16 years old) with leukemia who used dental services and who attended the medical consultation in the outpatient clinic between March and August 2016. The analysis of the medical records and a structured interview with caregivers were performed. The majority who used only the specialized network were in a single phase of cancer treatment (49.1%), had oral mucositis treatment (79.2%), and had a time of displacement for oral health services greater than 40 minutes (92.6%). In addition, dental care was centered in the specialized network (76.8%) and during hospitalization (37.7%).ConclusionsThe findings suggest that the oral health care of these individuals is centered on tertiary care, reflecting a deficiency in communication between the network services, as well as the nonrecognition of the basic network as a caregiver source by its users. Despite this, more research is needed.
Objetivo. Presentar los primeros datos de un estudio de base poblacional sobre sordera y deficiencia auditiva en Brasil. Métodos. Se realizó una encuesta transversal de hogares en 2003 en la que participaron 2 427 personas de 4 años de edad o más. La población de estudio estuvo compuesta por 1 040 hogares escogidos de manera sistemática en 40 sectores censales (conglomerados de viviendas) escogidos al azar en la ciudad de Canoas, estado de Rio Grande do Sul, en el sur de Brasil. Se evaluó la función auditiva de los participantes mediante audiometría tonal liminar y examen físico, según el Protocolo para el Estudio de Trastornos Óticos y Auditivos y las definiciones de niveles auditivos, ambos de la Organización Mundial de la Salud. Entre los datos socioeconómicos colectados estaban los años de escolaridad de las personas estudiadas y los ingresos del jefe del hogar. Resultados. Se encontró que 26,1% de la población estudiada mostró algún grado de deficiencia auditiva y 6,8% (intervalo de confianza de 95% [IC95%]: 5,5% a 8,1%) se clasificó en el grupo con deficiencia auditiva incapacitante. La prevalencia de pérdida auditiva moderada fue de 5,4% (IC95%: 4,4% a 6,4%); de pérdida auditiva grave, 1,2% (IC95%: 0,7% a 1,7%); y de pérdida auditiva profunda, 0,2% (IC95%: 0,03% a 0,33%). Los grupos en mayor riesgo de pérdida auditiva fueron los hombres (razón de posibilidades [odds ratio, OR] = 1,54; IC95%: 1,06 a 2,23); los participantes de 60 años de edad o más (OR = 12,55; IC95%: 8,38 a 18,79); los que tenían menos años de escolaridad formal (OR = 3,92; IC95%: 2,14 a 7,16); y los que tenían menores ingresos (OR = 1,56; IC95%: 1,06 a 2,27). Conclusiones. Estos resultados respaldan las recomendaciones de los planificadores de políticas sanitarias y de los proveedores de servicios de salud sobre la prevención de la sordera y la deficiencia auditiva. Además, pueden contribuir a aumentar el nivel de conciencia de la comunidad, las universidades y las agencias gubernamentales acerca de las necesidades de atención sanitaria que generan los problemas auditivos. ; Objective. To provide the first population-based data on deafness and hearing impairment in Brazil. Methods. In 2003, a cross-sectional household survey was conducted of 2 427 persons 4 years old and over. The study population was composed of 1 040 systematically chosen households in 40 randomly selected census tracts (dwelling clusters) in the city of Canoas, which is in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, in southern Brazil. Hearing function was evaluated in all subjects by both pure-tone audiometry and physical examination, using the World Health Organization Ear and Hearing Disorders Survey Protocol and definitions of hearing levels. The socioeconomic data that were gathered included the amount of schooling of all individuals tested and the income of the head of the household. Results. It was found that 26.1% of the population studied showed some level of hearing impairment, and 6.8% (95% confidence interval (CI) = 5.5%–8.1%) were classified in the disabling hearing impairment group. The prevalence of moderate hearing loss was 5.4% (95% CI = 4.4%–6.4%); for severe hearing loss, 1.2% (95% CI = 0.7%–1.7%); and for profound hearing loss, 0.2% (95% CI = 0.03%–0.33%). The groups at higher risk for hearing loss were men (odds ratio (OR) = 1.54; 95% CI = 1.06–2.23); participants 60 years of age and over (OR = 12.55; 95% CI = 8.38–18.79); those with fewer years of formal schooling (OR = 3.92; 95% CI = 2.14–7.16); and those with lower income (OR = 1.56; 95% CI = 1.06–2.27). Conclusions. These results support advocacy by health policy planners and care providers for the prevention of deafness and hearing impairment. The findings could help build awareness in the community, in universities, and in government agencies of the health care needs that hearing problems create.
Objetivo. Presentar los primeros datos de un estudio de base poblacional sobre sordera y deficiencia auditiva en Brasil. Métodos. Se realizó una encuesta transversal de hogares en 2003 en la que participaron 2 427 personas de 4 años de edad o más. La población de estudio estuvo compuesta por 1 040 hogares escogidos de manera sistemática en 40 sectores censales (conglomerados de viviendas) escogidos al azar en la ciudad de Canoas, estado de Rio Grande do Sul, en el sur de Brasil. Se evaluó la función auditiva de los participantes mediante audiometría tonal liminar y examen físico, según el Protocolo para el Estudio de Trastornos Óticos y Auditivos y las definiciones de niveles auditivos, ambos de la Organización Mundial de la Salud. Entre los datos socioeconómicos colectados estaban los años de escolaridad de las personas estudiadas y los ingresos del jefe del hogar. Resultados. Se encontró que 26,1% de la población estudiada mostró algún grado de deficiencia auditiva y 6,8% (intervalo de confianza de 95% [IC95%]: 5,5% a 8,1%) se clasificó en el grupo con deficiencia auditiva incapacitante. La prevalencia de pérdida auditiva moderada fue de 5,4% (IC95%: 4,4% a 6,4%); de pérdida auditiva grave, 1,2% (IC95%: 0,7% a 1,7%); y de pérdida auditiva profunda, 0,2% (IC95%: 0,03% a 0,33%). Los grupos en mayor riesgo de pérdida auditiva fueron los hombres (razón de posibilidades [odds ratio, OR] = 1,54; IC95%: 1,06 a 2,23); los participantes de 60 años de edad o más (OR = 12,55; IC95%: 8,38 a 18,79); los que tenían menos años de escolaridad formal (OR = 3,92; IC95%: 2,14 a 7,16); y los que tenían menores ingresos (OR = 1,56; IC95%: 1,06 a 2,27). Conclusiones. Estos resultados respaldan las recomendaciones de los planificadores de políticas sanitarias y de los proveedores de servicios de salud sobre la prevención de la sordera y la deficiencia auditiva. Además, pueden contribuir a aumentar el nivel de conciencia de la comunidad, las universidades y las agencias gubernamentales acerca de las necesidades de atención sanitaria que generan los problemas auditivos. ; Objective. To provide the first population-based data on deafness and hearing impairment in Brazil. Methods. In 2003, a cross-sectional household survey was conducted of 2 427 persons 4 years old and over. The study population was composed of 1 040 systematically chosen households in 40 randomly selected census tracts (dwelling clusters) in the city of Canoas, which is in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, in southern Brazil. Hearing function was evaluated in all subjects by both pure-tone audiometry and physical examination, using the World Health Organization Ear and Hearing Disorders Survey Protocol and definitions of hearing levels. The socioeconomic data that were gathered included the amount of schooling of all individuals tested and the income of the head of the household. Results. It was found that 26.1% of the population studied showed some level of hearing impairment, and 6.8% (95% confidence interval (CI) = 5.5%–8.1%) were classified in the disabling hearing impairment group. The prevalence of moderate hearing loss was 5.4% (95% CI = 4.4%–6.4%); for severe hearing loss, 1.2% (95% CI = 0.7%–1.7%); and for profound hearing loss, 0.2% (95% CI = 0.03%–0.33%). The groups at higher risk for hearing loss were men (odds ratio (OR) = 1.54; 95% CI = 1.06–2.23); participants 60 years of age and over (OR = 12.55; 95% CI = 8.38–18.79); those with fewer years of formal schooling (OR = 3.92; 95% CI = 2.14–7.16); and those with lower income (OR = 1.56; 95% CI = 1.06–2.27). Conclusions. These results support advocacy by health policy planners and care providers for the prevention of deafness and hearing impairment. The findings could help build awareness in the community, in universities, and in government agencies of the health care needs that hearing problems create.
