Objective The aim of the present study was to assess the association between smoking and both behavioral and environmental factors among adolescents in the public school system in the city of Campina Grande (northeastern Brazil). Methods An analytical cross-sectional study was carried out involving 574 schoolchildren between 10 and 19 years, with the use of a structured questionnaire addressing behavioral factors, environmental factors and smoking. The chi-squared test and Fisher's exact test were used for the statistical analysis (5 % level of significance). Results The prevalence of smoking was de 3.3 %. The lowest age regarding the use of tobacco for the first time was eight years and the age group with the greatest frequency of initiation into this habit was 11 to 14 years (44.3 %). A total of 84.3 % of tobacco users smoked between one and 10 cigarettes per day. Smoking was associated with delays in schooling (p=0.047), gender (p=0.016), alcohol use and frequency of alcohol use (p<0.001) and the relationship with one's father (p=0.014) and mother (p=0.004). Conclusions Despite the low prevalence, an early initiation into smoking was found, suggesting that educational campaigns should be directed at earlier ages. Alcohol use stood out among the variables studied, suggesting that smoking is influenced by both the use and intensity of this substance.

Objetivo El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar la asociación entre el tabaquismo, los factores comportamentales y los factores ambientales entre adolescentes de escuelas públicas de Campina Grande- Paraíba. Métodos El estudio realizado fue de tipo transversal analítico, en el cual participaron 574 adolescentes, entrevistados por medio de un cuestionario estructurado que contenía preguntas relacionadas con factores comportamentales y ambientales y con el tabaquismo. Las pruebas estadísticas utilizadas fueron el Chi-Cuadrado y la prueba exacta de Fisher (5 % nivel de significancia). Resultados La prevalencia del tabaquismo fue de 3,3 %. La menor edad relacionada con el inicio del uso del cigarro fue de 8 años y el grupo de edad con la mayor frecuencia de inicio fue entre 11 y 14 años (44,3 %). Se estimó que 84,3 % de los fumadores consumía entre 1 a 10 cigarros por día. El tabaquismo fue asociado al fracaso escolar (p=0,047), al sexo (p=0,016), al consumo y frecuencia de uso de alcohol (p<0,001) y a la relación con el padre (p=0,014) y con la madre (p=0,004). Conclusiones A pesar de la baja prevalencia encontrada, se observó un inicio prematuro en el tabaquismo sugiriendo que las campañas educativas deben ser enfocadas en edades más tempranas. Entre las variables analizadas se destaca el uso de alcohol, lo que también sugiere que el tabaquismo puede ser influenciado tanto por el consumo, como por la intensidad del uso de esta sustancia.

Objetivo El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar la asociación entre el tabaquismo, los factores comportamentales y los factores ambientales entre adolescentes de escuelas públicas de Campina Grande- Paraíba. Métodos El estudio realizado fue de tipo transversal analítico, en el cual participaron 574 adolescentes, entrevistados por medio de un cuestionario estructurado que contenía preguntas relacionadas con factores comportamentales y ambientales y con el tabaquismo. Las pruebas estadísticas utilizadas fueron el Chi-Cuadrado y la prueba exacta de Fisher (5 % nivel de significancia). Resultados La prevalencia del tabaquismo fue de 3,3 %. La menor edad relacionada con el inicio del uso del cigarro fue de 8 años y el grupo de edad con la mayor frecuencia de inicio fue entre 11 y 14 años (44,3 %). Se estimó que 84,3 % de los fumadores consumía entre 1 a 10 cigarros por día. El tabaquismo fue asociado al fracaso escolar (p=0,047), al sexo (p=0,016), al consumo y frecuencia de uso de alcohol (p<0,001) y a la relación con el padre (p=0,014) y con la madre (p=0,004). Conclusiones A pesar de la baja prevalencia encontrada, se observó un inicio prematuro en el tabaquismo sugiriendo que las campañas educativas deben ser enfocadas en edades más tempranas. Entre las variables analizadas se destaca el uso de alcohol, lo que también sugiere que el tabaquismo puede ser influenciado tanto por el consumo, como por la intensidad del uso de esta sustancia.

Objective The aim of the present study was to assess the association between smoking and both behavioral and environmental factors among adolescents in the public school system in the city of Campina Grande (northeastern Brazil). Methods An analytical cross-sectional study was carried out involving 574 schoolchildren between 10 and 19 years, with the use of a structured questionnaire addressing behavioral factors, environmental factors and smoking. The chi-squared test and Fisher's exact test were used for the statistical analysis (5 % level of significance). Results The prevalence of smoking was de 3.3 %. The lowest age regarding the use of tobacco for the first time was eight years and the age group with the greatest frequency of initiation into this habit was 11 to 14 years (44.3 %). A total of 84.3 % of tobacco users smoked between one and 10 cigarettes per day. Smoking was associated with delays in schooling (p=0.047), gender (p=0.016), alcohol use and frequency of alcohol use (p<0.001) and the relationship with one's father (p=0.014) and mother (p=0.004). Conclusions Despite the low prevalence, an early initiation into smoking was found, suggesting that educational campaigns should be directed at earlier ages. Alcohol use stood out among the variables studied, suggesting that smoking is influenced by both the use and intensity of this substance.

OBJETIVO: Considerando os benefícios da amamentação para a saúde da criança, o objetivo do presente estudo foi determinar os fatores associados com o desmame precoce entre as crianças em um Hospital Amigo da Criança na cidade de Campina Grande, estado da Paraíba, Brasil. METODOLOGIA: Um estudo analítico e transversal foi realizado com 800 mães de crianças entre 0 e 24 meses de idade, no Elpídio de Almeida Instituto de Saúde. Um questionário semi-estruturado foi aplicado, contendo perguntas sobre características sócio-demográficas, hábitos alimentares e hábitos de sucção não nutritiva. O teste do qui-quadrado e teste exato de Fisher foram empregados na análise estatística. A análise multivariada foi realizada com as variáveis tendo atingido um valor de P<0,25 na análise bivariada. RESULTADOS: A prevalência de desmame precoce foi de 13,5%. Na análise bivariada, os fatores associados com o desmame precoce foram: renda (P=0,001), peso de nascimento da criança (P=0,016), uso de mamadeira (P=0,003) e uso de chupeta (P<0,001). Na análise multivariada, o uso de chupeta permaneceu significativamente associada com o desmame precoce (OR: 3,23 IC 95%: 1,871-5,591, P<0,001). CONCLUSÃO: O uso de chupeta foi associado com o desmame precoce, mesmo quando as mães foram aconselhadas a evitar esse hábito.

PURPOSE: Considering the benefits of breastfeeding on children's health, the aim of the present study was to determine factors associated with early weaning among children at a Child-Friendly Healthcare Initiative (CFHI) children's hospital in the city of Campina Grande, state of Paraíba, Brazil. METHODS: An analytical, cross-sectional study was carried out involving 800 mothers of children between 0 and 24 months of age at the Elpídio de Almeida Health Institute. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered and contained questions on socio-demographic characteristics, eating habits and nonnutritive sucking habits. The chi-square test and Fisher's exact test were employed for statistical analysis. A multivariate analysis was performed with variables that achieved a P-value < 0.25 in the bivariate analysis. RESULTS: The prevalence of early weaning was 13.5%. In the bivariate analysis, the factors associated with early weaning were income (P=0.001), child's birth weight (P=0.016), bottle feeding (P=0.003) and pacifier use (P<0.001). In the multivariate analysis, pacifier use remained significantly associated with early weaning (OR: 3.23; 95% CI: 1.871 to 5.591; P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Pacifier use was associated with early weaning, even when mothers were advised to avoid this habit.

Obesidade e Cárie Dentária em Pré-Escolares Brasileiros Objetivo Este estudo objetivou verificar a relação entre obesidade infantil e cárie dentária. Material e Métodos Neste estudo transversal um total de 2 651 pré-escolares, sendo 1 338 pertencentes a escolas públicas e 1 313 de escolas privadas foram examinadas em Recife, Pernambuco, Brasil. Os exames clínicos e antropométricos foram realizados de acordo com os critérios estabelecidos pela OMS. Os testes do Qui-quadrado de Pearson e Mann-Whitney foram empregados com margem de erros de 5 %. Resultados A prevalência de obesidade entre as crianças foi de 9 % (n=240). A maior prevalência foi observada entre as crianças de escolas públicas (p <0,0001). A prevalência de cárie dentária foi de 19 % (n=504). O índice ceo-d foi menor em crianças não obesas (p=0,0267). Os valores médios de cárie dentária, dentes perdidos e ceo-d foram significativamente mais elevados entre as crianças de escolas públicas do que entre as pertencentes às escolas particulares (p <0,0001). Conclusão Não foi observada relação entre cárie dentária e obesidade. Políticas adequadas de saúde devem ser adotadas objetivando minimizar a alta prevalência de cárie dentária nesta população.

Aim This study was aimed at verifying the relationship between childhood obesity and dental caries. Method A total of 2 651 preschool children were examined for this cross-sectional study in Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil; 1 338 of them attended public schools and 1 313 private schools. The clinical data and anthropometric measurements were obtained in line with WHO criteria. Pearson chi-square and Mann-Whitney tests were used, with a 5 % margin of error. Results The prevalence of child obesity was 9 % (n=240). The highest prevalence was observed amongst children in private elementary schools (p<0.0001). The prevalence of dental caries was 19 % (n=504). The DMFT index was smaller in non-obese individuals (p=0.0267). The average value of dental caries, lost teeth and DMFT were significantly higher among children in public elementary schools than amongst those in private pre-schools (p<0.0001). Conclusion No relationship was found between dental caries and obesity. Suitable health policies should be adopted so as to minimise the high prevalence of dental caries among this population.

Objetivo Verificar la relación entre obesidad infantil y caries dental. Métodos Estudio de corte transversal en Pernambuco, Brasil, con 2 651 niños preescolares, de los cuales 1 338 se encontraban en escuelas públicas y 1 313 en escuelas privadas. La información clínica y antropométrica se obtuvo de acuerdo con los criterios de la OMS. Se utilizaron las pruebas de Chi cuadrado de Pearson y Mann-Whitney con un error del 5 %. Resultados La prevalencia de obesidad infantil fue de 9 % (n=240). La prevalencia más alta se encontró en los niños de las escuelas primarias privadas (p <0.0001). La prevalencia de caries dental fue de 19 % (n=504). El dmf-t índice fue más pequeño en los individuos no obesos (p=0.0267). El valor promedio de caries dental, pérdida dental y dmf-t fueron significativamente más altas en los niños de las escuelas primarias públicas que en las privadas del mismo tipo (p <0.0001). Conclusiones No se encontró relación entre caries dental y obesidad. Políticas de salud adecuadas deben ser adoptadas para reducir la alta prevalencia de caries dental en esta población.