ABSTRACT Objective To estimate the prevalence of syphilis and its associated factors in women who were treated at public maternity hospitals and received prenatal care in a primary healthcare unit. Methods This cross-sectional study included 399 postpartum women. Interviews were conducted, and additional data were extracted from the pregnant woman’s booklet, medical records, and printed tests. The dependent variable was a gestational syphilis diagnosis. The independent variables were grouped into socioeconomic and demographic, behavioral, reproductive, and prenatal blocks. The prevalence, prevalence ratios, and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were calculated. The χ 2 test was also performed (p≤0.05). Multivariate analysis was performed using Poisson regression models. Results The prevalence of gestational syphilis was 9.61% (95%CI: 7.14-12.83). We identified the following determining factors (adjusted prevalence ratios): history of sexually transmitted infections (2.3), first sexual intercourse by the age of 15 (2.42), partner having a history of syphilis (5.98), partner using crack/cocaine (6.42) and marijuana and others (3.02), not having a partner (3.07), low income (2.85), history of stillbirth (5.21), beginning prenatal care in the third trimester (3.15), and prenatal care received in a primary healthcare unit (without a Family Health Strategy team) (0.35). Conclusion Individual and prenatal factors were associated with gestational syphilis. To control congenital syphilis, targeted interventions are needed to control syphilis in the adult population including expansion of access to quality prenatal care with identification of risks for syphilis and connection between prevention and treatment actions, implementation of strategies focused on early sexual education, effective establish prenatal care involving both partners, and effective implementation of the National Men’s Health Policy (PNAISH - Política Nacional de Atenção Integral à Saúde dos Homens ).

Este artigo relata resultados de uma pesquisa, baseada em premissas empiricistas e positivistas, que investigou os discursos e práticas ambientais de empresas transnacionais (ETNs) no Brasil. Na conclusão da pesquisa original tornou-se claro que o uso de teoria crítica teria possibilitado melhor entendimento das práticas ambientais de ETNs. Dessa forma, demonstra-se, com base nos dados obtidos na pesquisa de campo realizada no Brasil, que o realismo crítico é uma abordagem mais útil para explicar as práticas ambientais de ETNs em países em desenvolvimento. Ao final, a autora sugere que análises baseadas em abordagens realistas são necessárias, visto que as ETNs são os principais responsáveis pela geração e disseminação de conhecimento gerencial e tecnológico relacionado às questões ambientais em inúmeros setores industriais.

This article reports results of a research, based on empirical and positivist premisses, that studied the environmental discourses and practices of transnational firms (TnFs) in Brazil. When the research was concluded, it became evident that the use of critical theory would have permitted a greater understanding of these TnFs' environmental practices. In this regard it is demonstrated that , based on data obtained in field research carried out in Brazil, critical realism is a more useful approach for explaining the environmental practices of TnFs in developing countries. Finally, it suggests that analyses based on realist approaches are necessary, since TnFs are the firms that are primarily responsible for generating and disseminating managerial and technological knowledge related to environmental issues in numerous sectors of industry.

Cet article rapporte les résultats d'une recherche basée sur des principes empiriques et positivistes, qui a étudié les discours et les réalisations environnementales de sociétés multinationales (SMN) au Brésil. Lors de la conclusion de la recherche originale, il fut évident que l'utilisation de théorie critique aurait pu améliorer la compréhension des actions environnementales des SMN dans des pays en développement. A la fin, il suggère que des analyses basées sur des approches réalistes sont nécessaires étant donné que les SMN sont les principaux responsables de la ! génération et de la dissémination du savoir de la gestion et de la technologie concernant les enjeux environnementaux dans des nombreux secteurs industriels.

This report describes a case of Toxoplasma encephalitis during pregnancy of an HIV infected woman who was severely immunosuppressed (CD4: 17 cells/mm3), had a high viral load (RNA PCR:230,000 copies/ml), was treated with sulfadiazine, pyrimethamine and folinic acid for toxoplasmosis and was being treated with highly potent antiretroviral drugs (AZT, 3TC and nelfinavir) for HIV infection. The newborn was born through an elective C-section, received six weeks of AZT according to the 076 protocol and was clinically normal at birth. Subsequently he had two RNA PCR negatives for HIV, seroreverted and had no clinical or laboratory evidence of congenital toxoplasmosis. Despite the concerns of the use of these combined therapies on the foetus during pregnancy, their efficacy illustrates that keeping the mother alive and in good health is an important strategy to protect the unborn child from acquiring these two infections.