ALFESIO LUIS FERREIRA BRAGA
Projetos de Pesquisa
Unidades Organizacionais
LIM/05 - Laboratório de Poluição Atmosférica Experimental, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina
6 resultados
Resultados de Busca
Agora exibindo 1 - 6 de 6
- Influence of environmental contamination on pregnancy outcomes(2015) GUIMARAES, Mariana Tavares; CUNHA, Michele Granato; CARVALHO, Daniele Pena; RIBEIRO, Tatyana Sampaio; MARTINS, Lourdes Conceicao; BRAGA, Alfesio Luis Ferreira; PEREIRA, Luiz Alberto AmadorThis study aims to compare pregnancy outcomes in four contaminated areas to those observed in a non-contaminated area of similar socioeconomic status. A cross-sectional study was carried out. A structured and pre-tested questionnaire was administered to population-based samples of 788-920 families in each of the five studied areas. The exposure assessment used was an ecological measure. Using logistic regression, odds of several pregnancies outcomes (pregnancy occurrence, miscarriage, stillbirth, prematurity, low birth weight, congenital malformation, and multiple births) were estimated after adjustment for potential confounders such as socioeconomic, demographic, and substance abuse factors. We adopted a statistical significance level of 5 %. In three of the four exposed areas, pregnancy occurrence was reduced in comparison to the control area (Area 2, odds ratio (OR) = 0.68, 95 % CI = 0.54-0.86; Area 3, OR = 0.76, 95 % CI = 0.60-0.97; Area 4, OR = 0.71, 95 % CI = 0.56-0.90). Also, a significantly increased odds of miscarriage for living in Area 3 (OR = 1.83, 95 % CI = 1.07-3.12) was found. The other pregnancy outcomes were not significantly elevated in the exposed areas. In conclusion, this study shows evidence of reduced pregnancy occurrence and increased miscarriage occurrence in some of the contaminated areas, compared to the control area.
- Self-reported prevalence of asthma symptoms in adults living in a port city(2022) MATOS, Janara de Camargo; BOTELHO, Monica Luiza De Arruda; PAMPLONA, Ysabely De Aguiar Pontes; PEREIRA, Luiz Alberto Amador; BRAGA, Alfesio Luis Ferreira; MARTINS, Lourdes ConceicaoAir pollution is a worldwide health problem, and exposure to the pollution can cause damage to the human body, especially to the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Asthma is the third most common chronic disease in Brazil, presenting high prevalence in some areas. The aim of this study was to evaluate the self-report the prevalence of asthma symptoms in Santos city, Brazil, and its associated factors in the adult population (between 18 and 59 years old). A cross-sectional study was applied in two different areas of the city. The participants of this study were selected by zip code estimated on a random sample. The ECHRS and a demographic questionnaire were used to collect data. Associations between categorical variables were tested using Pearson's chi-square test or Fisher's exact test. Single and multiple logistic regression models were applied to evaluate the risk factors for asthma. Georeferencing was implemented to distribute the cases. The highest prevalence of asthma was found in Ponta da Praia neighborhood (16.4%; p=0.019), as well as waking up with a coughing crisis in the last 12 months (26.4%; p <0.001). The risk factors for asthma were the following: living next Santos Port area (OR: 2.90; 95%CI 1.13-7.44); and the presence of O-3 (OR = 2.63; 95%CI 0.86-7.96). This pioneering study demonstrated that living near the port area increases the chances of adults having self-reported asthma symptoms.
- Dental enamel as biomarker for environmental contaminants in relevant industrialized estuary areas in Sao Paulo, Brazil(2017) OLIVEIRA, Vera Lucia Ferreira de; GERLACH, Raquel Fernanda; MARTINS, Lourdes Conceicao; GUERRA, Carolina de Souza; FRAZAO, Paulo; BRAGA, Alfesio Luis Ferreira; PEREIRA, Luiz Alberto AmadorHeavy metal contamination is a long-standing and very well-known public health problem, and its exposure can cause damage to several organs of human body, especially on the central nervous system of young children and teenagers. The aim of this article is to evaluate lead, cadmium, and manganese contamination in 125 children from 6 to 13 years old living in contaminated areas during the period from 2006 to 2009 (Sao Vicente, Cubatao Downtown, Bertioga and Cubatao Piloes/Agua Fria). This estuary area is the most important example of environmental degradation by chemicals from industrial sources. This is a cross-sectional study through clinical examinations and dental enamel tests. All mothers from these children lived in the area since before the pregnancy. Lead, cadmium, and manganese levels (mu g/g) were measured on dental enamel samples through graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry, searching for the occurrence of heavy metals. The mean lead concentrations were 139.48 mu g/g in Cubatao Piloes/Agua Fria, 170.45 mu g/g in Cubatao Downtown, 213.52 mu g/g in Sao Vicente, and 151.89 mu g/g in Bertioga. The mean cadmium concentrations were 10.83 mu g/g in Cubatao Piloes/Agua Fria, 12.58 mu g/g in Cubatao Downtown, 10.92 mu g/g in Sao Vicente, and 14.57 mu g/g in Bertioga. The mean manganese concentrations were 23.49 mu g/g in Cubatao Piloes/Agua Fria, 30.90 mu g/g in Cubatao Downtown, 41.46 mu g/g in Sao Vicente, and 42.00 mu g/g in Bertioga. Dental surface enamel may be used as an efficient biomarker of past environmental exposure to lead, manganese, and cadmium which are associated to well-known sources of heavy metal contamination. The results suggest that the evaluated children were exposed to sources of lead, cadmium, and manganese since before their conceptions. Although Bertioga initially was chosen as a control area of this study, it was also was verified to have heavy metal contamination on examined children.
- Prevalence of liver diseases as referred by people living in the Santos and So Vicente Estuary(2015) CARVALHO, Daniele Fernandes Pena; GUIMARAES, M. T.; RIBEIRO, T. S.; CAMPINA, N. N.; LOBARINHAS, M. R.; LOPES, A. L. J.; CUNHA, M. G.; SOUZA, I. B.; OLIVEIRA, V. L. F.; BRAGA, L. Braga E.; MARTINS, L. C.; GOMES, A.; PEREIRA, L. A. A.; BRAGA, A. L. F.The Santos and So Vicente Estuary has suffered extensively over the years from irregular industrial deposits. The present study aimed to evaluate liver disease prevalence and potential associated risk factors in four of the Estuary's areas (Piles and Agua-Fria, Cubato Center, Continental So Vicente, and Guaruja) and a reference area (Bertioga). This study consisted of a cross-sectional study design, in which a questionnaire was used to collect information in 820 households at each of the study areas. The proportion of total liver diseases, hepatitis, cirrhosis, and cancer (liver, biliary tract, and pancreas) per area were estimated. Pearson's chi-square test and two proportion differences test were applied in order to evaluate associations between disease occurrence and areas and to test differences between two proportions, respectively. Single and multiple logistic regression models were applied to assess associations between disease prevalence and the different study areas. Liver disease prevalence was 1.5 % among all inhabitants and 1.4 % among those without any type of exposure. Among those who reported the presence of liver disease, a higher percentage of the participants that reported hepatitis (27.7 %) or other liver disease (48.7 %) did not report occupational or alcohol exposures. Hepatitis (77.8 %) was the most reported disease, and a statistical association between living in Piles and Agua-Fria and the occurrence of hepatitis was observed (Pearson's chi(2): z = 18.1; p = 0.001). The consumption of locally-produced groceries (2.88; CI: 1.24-6.70) and water (5.88; CI: 2.24-15.45) were shown to be risk factors for the occurrence of liver disease. Thus, environmental exposure is still a public health problem present in the estuary region.
- Association between high-risk pregnancy and environmental contaminants in the Metropolitan Region of Baixada Santista, Brazil(2022) FERNANDES, Joice Maria Pacheco Antonio; PAMPLONA, Ysabely de Aguiar Pontes; VAZ, Jhonnes Alberto; PEREIRA, Amanda Rodrigues; BARBIERI, Carolina Luisa Alves; BRAGA, Alfesio Luis Ferreira; MARTINS, Lourdes ConceicaoThe Metropolitan Region of Baixada Santista (MRBS) is a highly contaminated area. High-risk pregnancy is one factor that leads to a higher chance of both morbidity and mortality of the mother-fetus binomial. The purpose of this study is to analyze the association between exposure to environmental contaminants and high-risk pregnancy. Case-control study, using a probabilistic and random sample composed of 201 high-risk pregnant women (cases) and 201 no high-risk pregnant women (control) followed up during prenatal care at a Public Hospital. The instrument used was a self-administered questionnaire. Contaminated areas data were obtained from the Environmental Company of the Sao Paulo State. The participants were georeferenced by their place of residence. Descriptive analysis, Chi-square test, and univariate and multiple logistic regression analysis were performed. The multiple logistic regression model demonstrated that living in a contaminated area (OR = 1.565; 95%CI: 1.033; 2.370), preterm delivery in the current pregnancy (OR = 1.989; 95%CI: 1.239; 3.194), and more than 35 years old (OR = 2.822; 95%CI: 1.692; 4.706) are factors jointly related to high-risk pregnancy. Environmental contaminants play an important role in high-risk pregnancy, and mitigating measures are needed to improve the environment and reduce high-risk pregnancy.
- Prevalence of hypertension and its associated factors in contaminated areas of the Santos-Sao Vicente Estuarine region and Bertioga, Brazil: 2006-2009(2016) RIBEIRO, T. S.; CARVALHO, D. P.; GUIMARAES, M. T.; CAMPINA, N. N.; LOBARINHAS, M. R.; LOPES, A. L. J.; CUNHA, M. G.; SOUZA, I. B.; OLIVEIRA, V. L. F.; MARTINS, L. C.; GOMES, A.; PEREIRA, L. A. A.; BRAGA, A. L. F.In Brazil, cardiovascular diseases account for 33% of deaths and the prevalence of hypertension is of approximately 22%. The Santos and So Vicente Estuarine System is the most important example of environmental degradation by chemicals from industrial sources. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of hypertension and its associated factors in the population of this estuary in the period 2006-2009. A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the aforementioned prevalence of hypertension in the evaluated areas, as well as risk factors for this disease in four contaminated areas located in the Estuary, and one area outside Estuary, the city of Bertioga. Associations between categorical variables were tested using Pearson's chi-square test incorporating Yates' correction, or Fisher's exact test. Single and multiple logistic regression models were applied to evaluate the risk factors for hypertension. The highest prevalence of hypertension was found in Continental So Vicente (28.4%). The risk factors for hypertension were the following: living in Center of Cubato (OR: 1.3; IC95%: 1.0 - 1.6) and Continental So Vicente (OR: 1.4; IC95%: 1.1 - 1.8); illiterate (OR: 1.9; IC95%: 1.1 - 3.2); living in the area for more than 20 years (OR: 1.2; IC95%: 1.0 - 1.5); group of people aged 36-60 years (OR: 3.9; IC95%: 3.3 - 4.6) and who have had past occupational exposure (OR: 1.3; IC95%: 1.1 - 1.6). Results indicate that living in contaminated areas, especially for a longer time, is a risk factor for hypertension.