RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A dor nas costas é uma das principais causas de incapacidade em todo o mundo, resultando em maiores taxas de absenteísmo no trabalho e anos vividos com incapacidade. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a prevalência de dor nas costas e seus fatores associados em usuários de Unidades Básicas de Saúde (UBS). MÉTODOS: Foi realizado um estudo transversal de base comunitária em UBS localizadas em Pelotas, Brasil. Foram entrevistados 15 indivíduos de cada UBS, com idade igual ou superior a 18 anos (n=540). A dor nas costas foi definida como dor em uma a três áreas das costas (pescoço, dorsal e lombar). Características demográficas, econômicas, comportamentais, nutricionais (índice de massa corporal) e de saúde foram avaliadas como covariáveis. A regressão de Poisson foi utilizada para estimar a razão de prevalência e os intervalos de confiança de 95%. RESULTADOS: A prevalência de dor nas costas em usuários de UBS foi de 20% (IC95% 16,8 - 23,6). Autopercepção de saúde regular (RP 2,66 IC95% 1,00 - 7,09) e ruim (RP 3,65 IC95% 1,31 - 10,16), doença musculoesquelética (RP 2,71 IC95% 1,84 - 3,98) e tabagismo atual (RP 1,71 IC95% 1,18 - 2,47) foram associados à dor nas costas. CONCLUSÃO: A dor nas costas é um problema comum em usuários de UBS. Pacientes com doença musculoesquelética, fumantes atuais e com autopercepção de saúde ruim são mais propensos a sentir dor nas costas.

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Back pain is one of the main causes of disability worldwide, resulting in higher rates of work absenteeism and years lived with disability. This study aimed to evaluate back pain prevalence and its associated factors in Primary Health Units (PHU) users. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted at PHU located in Pelotas, Brazil. Fifteen individuals of each PHU, aged 18 years or more, were interviewed (n=540). Back pain was defined as pain in one to three back areas (neck, dorsal and lumbar). Demographic, economic, behavioral, nutritional status (body mass index) and health characteristics were assessed as covariates. Poisson regression was used to estimate the prevalence ratio and 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Prevalence of back pain in PHU users was 20% (95%CI 16.8 - 23.6). Fair (PR 2.66 95%CI 1.00 - 7.09) and poor (PR 3.65 95%CI 1.31 - 10.16) self-perceived health, musculoskeletal disease (RP 2.71 95%CI 1.84 - 3.98) and current smoking (PR 1.71 95%CI 1.18 - 2.47) were associated with back pain. CONCLUSION: Back pain is a common problem in PHU users in Brazil. Patients with musculoskeletal disease, who are current smokers and have a poor self-perceived health, are more likely to experience back pain.

Abstract This study aimed to describe the effects of social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic on physical and mental health, chronic disease management, and economic situation in adults from a southern Brazilian state. Data from the baseline of the PAMPA (Prospective Study About Mental and Physical Health) cohort, a population-based, longitudinal study is presented. An online-based questionnaire was used to assess the variables pre- and during social distancing. Most of the respondents (N=2,321) were women (76.7%), white (90.6%), had at least university degree (66.7%), and were overweight or obese (53.3%). Nearly 40% were not able to work from home and 45.3% had monthly income reduced during social distancing. Moderate-to-severe symptoms of depression and anxiety increased 7.3x and 8.4x from before to during social distancing. Three quarters reported low back pain (74.2%; 95%CI: 71.9%, 76.3%) during the same period while the prevalence of physical inactivity increased 31.2%. Managing chronic conditions was harder during social distancing for 28.5% of the participants. Roughly 40% reported that did not seek medical assistance even when necessary during this period. COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the health of adults from a southern Brazilian state in several aspects.

Objective: To evaluate the association of leisure-time physical activity and sedentary behavior with body image concern and satisfaction in Brazilian adolescents. Methods: Data were extracted from the 2015 Brazilian National Adolescent School-based Health Survey (Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar [PeNSE]). Information regarding body image concern and satisfaction, as well as exposures (physical activity and sedentary behavior) and covariates (maternal education, age, smoking, and alcohol intake), were assessed through a questionnaire. Results: Logistic regression analysis revealed that engagement in recommended levels of physical activity (≥ 300 min/week) was associated with a decreased concern with body image and a high satisfaction in boys. Four or more hours spent in sedentary activities were associated with increased concern with body image and dissatisfaction among boys and girls. Conclusion: These findings support the relevance of programs aiming to promote physical activity and reduce sedentary behavior in the adolescent population. Such programs play a protective role against body dissatisfaction and are important for the development of a healthy body image in adolescence.

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic had an impact in several areas, and in scientific research was not different. Researchers are working from their homes since research facilities and universities were closed, and face-to-face interaction where limited to stop the virus spread. This brought a lot of changes in observational studies, especially in epidemiology research. Since most studies are being conducted through internet-based assessments, researchers are facing different challenges regarding data collection and participants recruitment, for example. In this paper, we share some of the challenges faced in a population-based study conducted in Southern Brazil, as well as possible alternatives to help researchers to overcome these issues.