RESUMO Objetivo Determinar a prevalência de sífilis e fatores de risco associados no sistema prisional feminino. Métodos Foi realizado estudo transversal com 113 mulheres. A coleta de dados ocorreu em duas etapas: a primeira etapa correspondeu à coleta de sangue para verificar a soropositividade à sífilis e a segunda a um formulário para avaliar situações de risco para infecções sexualmente transmissíveis. Resultados A prevalência da doença foi de 22,1% (n=25). Quanto às gestantes, identificou-se prevalência de 28,6%. Foi verificada relação estatisticamente significativa entre a infecção pela sífilis e a história prévia de infecções sexualmente transmissíveis (p=0,04). Entretanto, a maioria das participantes diagnosticadas com a doença desconhecia um histórico de infecção sexualmente transmissível nos últimos 12 meses (n=20/80,0%). O uso de preservativo com parceiros fixos foi considerado fator de proteção (odds ratio de 0,76; intervalo de confiança de 95% de 0,68-0,85). Conclusão Foi alta a prevalência de sífilis na população carcerária feminina estudada, principalmente entre as gestantes. Medidas preventivas e de tratamento da doença, bem como cuidados pré-natais adequados, podem minimizar o impacto da sífilis nos sistemas prisionais e, consequentemente, melhorar esse indicador de saúde no país.

ABSTRACT Objective To determine the prevalence of syphilis and the associated risk factors in a female prison unit. Methods This was a cross-sectional study including 113 women whom data were collected in two stages: first, blood test to check for syphilis seropositivity; and then collection of information through a form to assess risk situations for sexually transmitted infections. Results Overall, syphilis prevalence was found to be 22.1% among the female prison population (n=25) and 28.6% among pregnant women. A statistically significant relationship was found between syphilis infection and previous history of sexually transmitted infections (p=0.04). However, most participants diagnosed with the disease were unaware of a history of sexually transmitted infection in the last 12 months (n=20/80.0%). The use of condom with fixed partners was considered to be a protective factor (odds ratio of 0.76; 95% of confidence interval 0.68-0.85). Conclusion The prevalence of syphilis among the female prison population was high, particularly among pregnant women. Preventive and therapeutic measures as well as appropriate prenatal care can minimize the impact of syphilis in prison systems and, consequently, improve such health outcomes nationwide.

Abstract Objective: To evaluate self-medication for toothache and its associated factors in children and adolescents. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out with 252 children/adolescents aged 6-16 years. A questionnaire was applied with questions related to demographic and socioeconomic characteristics; experience of, and self-medication for, toothache; as well as aspects related to the condition. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses (Pearson's Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test) were performed, with a 5% significance level. Results: The prevalence of toothache was 41.7%. In 96 cases analyzed, there was prevalence of 69.8% of self-medication for toothache. There were no statistically significant associations between self-medication for toothache and variables related to the children/adolescents (gender and age), their parents or guardians (age and schooling), socioeconomic characteristics (family income and number of people in the household) and aspects related to toothache (fever, crying and school absenteeism) (p>0.05). The most commonly used drug was paracetamol (60.7%), whose choice was based to its previous use by the study population for conditions not related to toothache (47.8%). Conclusion: There was a high prevalence of self-medication for toothache in the study population. No independent variable was associated with self-medication practice.

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: As disfunções temporomandibulares são altamente prevalentes e podem comprometer diversos aspectos relacionados à função oral. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o impacto da presença e gravidade dos sinais e sintomas de disfunção temporomandibular na qualidade de vida relacionada com a saúde oral. MÉTODOS: Cento e trinta e cinco estudantes de odontologia da Universidade Federal da Paraíba foram avaliados. A presença de disfunção temporomandibular foi determinada por meio de questionário anamnésico e por um protocolo resumido de avaliação clínica. A qualidade de vida relacionada com a saúde oral foi determinada por meio da versão resumida do Oral Health Impact Profile em sua versão traduzida e validada para o português. Comparações estatísticas entre as médias do Oral Health Impact Profile-14 relacionadas à presença de sinais e sintomas de disfunções temporomandibulares foram realizadas por meio dos testes de Mann-Whitney e Kruskal-Wallis. RESULTADOS: Os voluntários com disfunção temporomandibular (p<0,001), necessidade de tratamento (p<0,001) e maior gravidade (p<0,001) exibiram maior impacto na qualidade de vida relacionada com a saúde oral. Os voluntários com sinais clínicos de disfunção temporomandibular apresentaram maior comprometimento da qualidade de vida, sendo que os indivíduos com sinais de disfunção temporomandibular muscular e articular simultaneamente (p=0,034) apresentaram os maiores escores do Oral Health Impact Profile-14. Os domínios mais comprometidos foram dor física (p=0,045), limitação funcional (p=0,007) e desconforto psicológico (p=0,045). CONCLUSÃO: A gravidade da disfunção temporomandibular representa impacto negativo na qualidade de vida, especialmente em voluntários com sinais clínicos articulares e musculares simultâneos.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Temporomandibular disorders are highly prevalent and may impair several oral function- related aspects. This study aimed at evaluating the impact of the presence and severity of temporomandibular disorder signs and symptoms on oral health-related quality of life. METHODS: Participated in the study 135 dentistry students of the Federal University of Paraiba. The presence of temporomandibular disorder was determined by means of an anamnesis questionnaire and a summarized clinical evaluation protocol. Oral health-related quality of life was determined by the summarized Oral Health Impact Profile version translated and validated for the Portuguese language. Statistical comparisons between Oral Health Impact Profile-14 means related to the presence of temporomandibular disorder signs and symptoms were achieved with Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests. RESULTS: Volunteers with temporomandibular disorder (p<0.001), needing treatment (p<0.001) and higher severity (p<0.001) had higher impact on oral health-related quality of life. Volunteers with clinical temporomandibular disorder signs had further quality of life impairment, being that individuals with simultaneous muscle and joint temporomandibular disorders (p=0.034) had higher Oral Health Impact Profile-14 scores. Most impaired domains were physical pain (p=0.045), functional limitation (p=0.007) and psychological discomfort (p=0.045). CONCLUSION: Temporomandibular disorder severity has negative impact on quality of life, especially in volunteers with simultaneous joint and muscle clinical signs.