Objective: Mental illness is an important public health concern, often starting early in life and particularly impacting children from low-and middle-income countries. Our aims were to 1) determine, in a representative sample of public preschool 4- to 5-year old children in Brazil, the prevalence of internalizing and externalizing disorders and socioemotional development delays; and 2) to identify modifiable risk factors associated with mental, behavioral, or developmental disorders (MBDD), such as microsystem (i.e., parent-child relationship), mesosystem (social support), and macrosystem contextual factors (neighborhood disadvantage). Methods: A random sample of public preschool children was recruited in the city of Embu das Artes (São Paulo metropolitan area) (n=1,292 from 30 public preschools). Six-month prevalence of MBDD was measured using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and the Ages and Stages Questionnaires: Social-Emotional (ASQ:SE). Results: Six-month prevalence estimates were 25.4% for internalizing disorders, 12.1% for externalizing disorders, and 30.3% for socioemotional development delays. MBDD prevalence estimates were higher in families with stressful relationships and parental depression or anxiety, and in families with lower social capital. Conclusion: At least 25% of preschool children living in an urban area in Brazil presented a mental health disorder. These mental disorder were associated with modifiable factors such as stressful family relationships and lower social capital. Prevention and intervention measures such as family therapy are needed to decrease such high prevalence.

Abstract Objective Construct validity for the Motor Development Scale (MDS) has not been established. The aim of this study was to examine whether the unidimensional model of MDS would be appropriate for children aged 4 to 6 years-old and provide construct validity for the items concerning this age group in Brazil. Methods A total of 938 children participated in the study (214 4-year-olds, 643 5-year-olds, and 81 6-year-olds). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to evaluate construct validity of the MDS using a unidimensional model. Results The CFA for the unidimensional model showed excellent adequacy indices for age 4: χ2(2) = 0.581, p = 0.748, comparative fit index (CFI) = 1.000, Tucker-Lewis index (TLI) = 1.090, root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.000 (90% confidence interval [90%CI] = 0.000 to 0.093, close fit [Cfit] = 0.841); age 5: χ2(2) = 2.669, p = 0.263, CFI = 0.993, TLI = 0.980, RMSEA = 0.023 (90%CI = 0.000 to 0.085, Cfit = 0.682), weighted root mean square residual (WRMR) = 0.407; and age 6: χ2(9) = 8.275, p = 0.506, CFI = 1.000, TLI = 1.010, RMSEA = 0.000 (90%CI = 0.000 to 0.118, Cfit = 0.653), WRMR = 0.495. Reliability was good: ω = 0.87 (95%CI = 0.81 to 0.92). Conclusion The proposed unidimensional solution for the MDS provides a concise, parsimonious and reliable way to assess motor development in children aged 4 to 6 years.

Resumo: O objetivo do estudo foi de investigar o papel da violência entre parceiros íntimos na interrupção precoce do aleitamento materno exclusivo nos três primeiros meses de vida. Usamos dados de uma coorte prospectiva de 564 crianças atendidas em quatro unidades de atenção primária no Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. A interrupção do aleitamento exclusivo foi definida como a ingestão pela criança de qualquer forma de líquido ou sólido, independente da ingestão de leite materno, nas 24 horas anteriores. Violência entre parceiros íntimos foi avaliada com a versão em português das Conflict Tactics Scales (CTS-1). As associações foram expressas como razões de prevalência e riscos relativos e os respectivos intervalos de 95% de confiança. Os filhos de mulheres que haviam vivenciado violência grave apresentavam uma probabilidade 30% maior de interrupção precoce do aleitamento exclusivo no segundo mês de vida, comparados com aqueles cujas mães não haviam vivenciado esse tipo de violência. Estratégias dos serviços de saúde para promover o aleitamento materno exclusivo devem levar em conta a identificação e enfrentamento da violência familiar.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the role of intimate partner violence in the early interruption of exclusive breastfeeding in the first three months of life. We used data from a prospective cohort of 564 children attending four primary health clinics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Interruption of exclusive breastfeeding was defined as a child receiving any kind of liquid or solid, regardless of breast milk intake, measured by a 24 hour recall. The Portuguese version of the Conflict Tactics Scales (CTS-1) was used to assess intimate partner violence. Associations were expressed as prevalence ratios and relative risks and their respective 95% confidence intervals. Children of mothers who experienced severe violence had 30% greater likelihood of early interruption of exclusive breastfeeding in the second month of life as compared to those who did not experience this type of violence. Strategies in health services for promoting exclusive breastfeeding should consider identifying and addressing family violence.

Resumen: El objetivo del estudio era investigar el papel de la violencia en la pareja en la interrupción precoz de la lactancia materna exclusiva durante los tres primeros meses de vida. Usamos datos de una cohorte prospectiva de 564 niños, atendidos en cuatro unidades de atención primaria en Río de Janeiro, Brasil. La interrupción de la lactancia materna exclusiva fue definida como la ingestión por parte del bebé de cualquier forma de líquido o sólido, independientemente de la ingestión de leche materna, durante las 24 horas anteriores. La violencia en la pareja fue evaluada con la versión en portugués de las Conflict Tactics Scales (CTS-1). Las asociaciones fueron expresadas como razones de prevalencia y riesgos relativos con sus respectivos intervalos de confianza de un 95%. Los hijos de mujeres que habían experimentado violencia grave presentaban una probabilidad un 30% mayor de interrupción precoz de la lactancia materna exclusiva durante el segundo mes de vida, comparado con aquellos cuyas madres no habían experimentado ese tipo de violencia. Las estrategias de los servicios de salud para promover la lactancia materna exclusiva deben tener en cuenta la identificación y combate a la violencia familiar.

Resumo: O objetivo do estudo foi de investigar o papel da violência entre parceiros íntimos na interrupção precoce do aleitamento materno exclusivo nos três primeiros meses de vida. Usamos dados de uma coorte prospectiva de 564 crianças atendidas em quatro unidades de atenção primária no Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. A interrupção do aleitamento exclusivo foi definida como a ingestão pela criança de qualquer forma de líquido ou sólido, independente da ingestão de leite materno, nas 24 horas anteriores. Violência entre parceiros íntimos foi avaliada com a versão em português das Conflict Tactics Scales (CTS-1). As associações foram expressas como razões de prevalência e riscos relativos e os respectivos intervalos de 95% de confiança. Os filhos de mulheres que haviam vivenciado violência grave apresentavam uma probabilidade 30% maior de interrupção precoce do aleitamento exclusivo no segundo mês de vida, comparados com aqueles cujas mães não haviam vivenciado esse tipo de violência. Estratégias dos serviços de saúde para promover o aleitamento materno exclusivo devem levar em conta a identificação e enfrentamento da violência familiar.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the role of intimate partner violence in the early interruption of exclusive breastfeeding in the first three months of life. We used data from a prospective cohort of 564 children attending four primary health clinics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Interruption of exclusive breastfeeding was defined as a child receiving any kind of liquid or solid, regardless of breast milk intake, measured by a 24 hour recall. The Portuguese version of the Conflict Tactics Scales (CTS-1) was used to assess intimate partner violence. Associations were expressed as prevalence ratios and relative risks and their respective 95% confidence intervals. Children of mothers who experienced severe violence had 30% greater likelihood of early interruption of exclusive breastfeeding in the second month of life as compared to those who did not experience this type of violence. Strategies in health services for promoting exclusive breastfeeding should consider identifying and addressing family violence.

Resumen: El objetivo del estudio era investigar el papel de la violencia en la pareja en la interrupción precoz de la lactancia materna exclusiva durante los tres primeros meses de vida. Usamos datos de una cohorte prospectiva de 564 niños, atendidos en cuatro unidades de atención primaria en Río de Janeiro, Brasil. La interrupción de la lactancia materna exclusiva fue definida como la ingestión por parte del bebé de cualquier forma de líquido o sólido, independientemente de la ingestión de leche materna, durante las 24 horas anteriores. La violencia en la pareja fue evaluada con la versión en portugués de las Conflict Tactics Scales (CTS-1). Las asociaciones fueron expresadas como razones de prevalencia y riesgos relativos con sus respectivos intervalos de confianza de un 95%. Los hijos de mujeres que habían experimentado violencia grave presentaban una probabilidad un 30% mayor de interrupción precoz de la lactancia materna exclusiva durante el segundo mes de vida, comparado con aquellos cuyas madres no habían experimentado ese tipo de violencia. Las estrategias de los servicios de salud para promover la lactancia materna exclusiva deben tener en cuenta la identificación y combate a la violencia familiar.