Syphilis in Adolescents
Introduction: Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease cause by Tepronema pallidum. The first cases were reported over 500 years ago, in Italy. Even though the worldwide efforts to eradicate the disease until the end of the 20th centure, the numbers of infections have increased in the last years, mostly among teenagers. In addiftion of the cronic complications that can remain if the infection is not properly treated, it subserves the HIV coinfection. The recent increase of reports shows that it is still a public health threat. The purpose of this article is to describe and discuss the increase of syphilis infection among adolescents, as well as its rick factors. Methodology: Cases reported to the Epidemiological Bulletin of the Health Department of the State of Pernambuco, between 2011 and 2015, were analyzed and compared. The range age was 10 to 49 years. Results: There was an increase in the number of reported cases of syphilis in all age groups. The highest proportional increase was found among adolescents, 6 times higher in 2015 than in 2011. There was also a prevalence in females due to asymptomatic genital infections, female recipient anatomy in the sexual act and gender inequality. The main risk factors are infrequent condom use, sexual abuse, school backwardness, the use of licit and illicit drugs, and low socioeconomic conditions. Concurrently with the outbreak of syphilis, there is a lack of benzathine penicillin, standard antimicrobial used for proper treatment. Pregnant adolescents are the second group with the highest incidence of the disease. This fact, along with the lack of penicillin, may predispose to an increase in newborns with congenital syphilis. It is important to emphasize that there can still be great underreporting. Conclusion: The number of cases has increased over the last years. Adolescents are by themselves a vulnerable group. It…
STOPFUMO: a tool to combat smoking
Introduction: The use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) has been a tool increasingly used by health professionals strengthening the construction of knowledge, helping in the accomplishment of technical procedures and development of skills. The construction of quick consultation applications helps the individual who will use it, remove their doubts and, in the case of patients, assist them in their treatment. Objective: To build a health application to help combat smoking. Methodology: This is the construction of a health application with a focus on smoking. An integrative literature review was carried out to build the theoretical basis, using the BVS and Scielo health libraries, and the Lilacs database. For the construction of the application was used the Thunkable tool available online and for free. Discussion: Developed through the Thunkable platform, the application seeks to interactively encourage the user of the smoke to drop the addiction gradually. It allows knowing the exact time that has passed since the person made the decision to abandon the habit, how much money has saved and what are the repercussions in his body, with indicators based on the World Health Organization (WHO) on the process of health improvement. It also allows a network of users to exchange information and one helps the other by talking to each other through the chat. You are still able to indicate a nearer psychological support center if that is your need. Conclusion: With application development, users are expected to be able to find a 24-hour incentive within their reach, assisting in the smoking cessation process, as well as providing information on the benefits of the decision taken by them, control their own challenges and see their achievements.
