Browsing by Author "Dias, Sara"
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- Cohort Profile: The Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases Cohort (EpiDoC)Publication . Rodrigues, Ana Maria; Gregório, Maria João; Sousa, Rute Dinis de; Branco, Jaime Cunha; Canhão, Helena; Dias, Sara
- Dietary Patterns Characterized by High Meat Consumption Are Associated with Other Unhealthy Life Styles and Depression SymptomsPublication . Gregório, Maria João; Rodrigues, Ana M.; Eusébio, Mónica; Sousa, Rute Dinis; Dias, Sara; André, Beate; Grønning, Kjersti; Coelho, Pedro S.; Mendes, Jorge M.; Graça, Pedro; Espnes, Geir A.; Branco, Jaime C.; Canhão, HelenaObjective: We aimed to identify dietary patterns (DPs) of Portuguese adults, to assess their socioeconomic, demographic, lifestyle determinants, and to identify their impact on health. Design: EpiDoC 2 study included 10,153 Portuguese adults from the EpiDoC Cohort, a population-based study. In this study, trained research assistants using computer assisted telephone interview collected socioeconomic, demographic, dietary, lifestyles, and health information from March 2013 to July 2015. Cluster analysis was performed, based on questions regarding the number of meals, weekly frequency of soup con sumption, vegetables, fruit, meat, fish, dairy products, and daily water intake. Factors associated with DP were identified through logistic regression models. results: Two DPs were identified: the “meat dietary pattern” and the “fruit & vegetables dietary pattern.” After multivariable adjustment, women (OR = 0.52; p < 0.001), older adults (OR = 0.97; p < 0.001), and individuals with more years of education (OR = 0.96; p = 0.025) were less likely to adopt the “meat dietary pattern,” while individuals in a situation of job insecurity/unemployment (OR = 1.49; p = 0.013), Azores island residents (OR = 1.40; p = 0.026), current smoking (OR = 1.58; p = 0.001), daily alcohol intake (OR = 1.46; p = 0.023), and physically inactive (OR = 1.86; p < 0.001) were positively and significantly associated with “meat dietary pattern.” Moreover, individuals with depres sion symptoms (OR = 1.50; p = 0.018) and the ones who did lower number of medical appointments in the previous year (OR = 0.98; p = 0.025) were less likely to report this DP. conclusion: Our results suggest that unhealthy DPs (meat DP) are part of a lifestyle behavior that includes physical inactivity, smoking habits, and alcohol consumption. Moreover, depression symptoms are also associated with unhealthy DPs.
- Estimating risk factors for HIV infection among women in Mozambique using population-based survey dataPublication . Dias, Sara; Mbofana, Francisco; Cassy, Sheyla R.; Dias, Sónia; Augusto, Gonçalo F.; Agadjanian, Victor; Martins, Maria R. O.The use of population-based survey data together with sound statistical methods can enhance better estimation of HIV risk factors and explain variations across subgroups of the population. The distribution and determinants of HIV infection in populations must be taken into consideration. We analysed data from the HIV Prevalence and Behaviour Survey in Mozambique aiming to find risk factors associated with HIV infection among Mozambican women. The paper provides a complex survey logistic regression model to explain the variation in HIV seropositivity using demographic, socio-economic and behavioural factors. Results show that women aged 25–29 years, living in female-headed households, living in richer households and those widowed, divorced or not living with a partner have higher odds of being HIV-positive. Findings from our study provide a unique and integrated perspective on risk factors for being HIV-positive among Mozambican women and could support the implementation of programmes aiming to reduce HIV infection in Mozambique.
- Food Insecurity Is Associated with Low Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and Adverse Health Conditions in Portuguese AdultsPublication . Gregório, Maria João; Rodrigues, Ana M.; Graça, Pedro; Sousa, Rute Dinis de; Dias, Sara; Branco, Jaime C.; Canhão, HelenaBackground: Food insecurity is a limited or uncertain access to the adequate food and is a significant public health problem. We aimed to assess determinants of food insecurity and the corresponding health impact in Portugal, a southern European country that faced a severe economic crisis. Methods: Data were derived from the Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases Cohort Study (EpiDoC), a population-based cohort of 10,661 individuals that were representative of the Portuguese adult population and followed since 2011. A cross-sectional analysis of the third wave of evaluation (EpiDoC 3) was performed between 2015 and 2016. Food insecurity was assessed with the household food insecurity psychometric scale. Socioeconomic, demographic, lifestyle, adherence to Mediterranean diet (MD), self-reported non-communicable disease, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) (EQ-5D-3L), physical function (HAQ score), and health resource consumption information was also collected. Results: The estimated proportion of food insecurity was 19.3% among a total of 5,653 participants. Food insecure households had low adherence to the MD (OR = 0.44; 95% IC 0.31-0.62). In addition, diabetes (OR = 1.69; 95% IC 1.20-2.40), rheumatic disease (OR = 1.67; 95% IC 1.07-2.60), and depression symptoms (OR = 1.50; 95% IC 1.09-2.06) were independently associated with food insecurity. On average, food insecure households had a lower HRQoL (OR = 0.18; 95% IC 0.11-0.31) and a higher disability (OR = 2.59; 95% IC 2.04-3.29). A significantly higher proportion of food insecure households reported being hospitalized (OR = 1.57; 95% IC 1.18-2.07) and had more public hospital medical appointments (OR = 1.48; 95% IC 1.12-1.94) in the previous 12 months. Conclusion: We found that food insecurity is highly prevalent in Portugal. Food insecurity was associated with low adherence to the MD, non-communicable chronic diseases, lower quality of life, and higher health resource consumption. Therefore, this study provides valuable insight into the relationship between food security and the diet and health of the population during an economic crisis.
- How Health Literacy impacts Polytechnic of Leiria Students?Publication . Teixeira Ascenso, Rita Margarida; Luis, Luis; Dias, Sara; Gonçalves, DulceIn 2021, aHealth Literacy(HL) evaluation among university students revealed notable limitations in HL. To assess the general HL of populations comprehensively, the European HLSurvey Questionnaire (HLS-EU-Q) was developed, encompassing 12 subdomains to provide a broad perspective on public health. In 2014, the questionnaire was adapted for use in Portugal, resulting in the HLS-EU-PT version, validated through a 16-question survey (HLS-EU-PT-Q16).Global HL andthreedomains’ indexes and levelswere determined, namely Healthcare (HC), Disease prevention (DP), and Health Promotion (HP). The HLSEU-Q16-PT assessment demonstrated satisfactory internal consistency, with 0.8834Cronbach's alpha coefficient.In this study, an online survey distributedbetween 2020-2021among Polytechnic of Leiria academia allowed data collection from various stakeholders, including 251 students, 109 professors, 15 researchers, and 55 other staff. From the430 responses,75 questions were analysed. The saved data wasthefocus of this work, regarding a thesis of the first edition of the master’s in data science to analysethe 251 surveyed studentsand their HL. The results revealed that thesestudents have lower HL index, and, in this case study,health areadegreeor school impactsHL.
- Is food insecurity related to health-care use, access and absenteeism?Publication . Dias, Sara; Gregório, Maria João; Melo, António; Matias, Maria Ana; Rodrigues , Ana M; Sousa, Rute Dinis de; Canhão,Helena; Perelman, JulianFood insecurity (FI) is defined as uncertain access to healthy food in quantity and quality. We hypothesize that FI may be associated with greater health-care use and absenteeism because it may amplify the effect of diseases; also, FI may be associated with reduced health-care access because it reflects economic vulnerability. The present study estimates the association between FI and health-care use and access, and absenteeism.Design: Cross-sectional data collected in 2015-2016. Health-care use was measured as the number of consultations, taking any drug and having been hospitalized in the past year. Health-care access was measured by the suspension of medication and having fewer consultations due to financial constraints. Absenteeism was measured by the weeks of sickness leave. Binary variables were modelled as a function of FI using logistic regressions; continuous variables were modelled as a function of FI using negative binomial and zero-inflated negative binomial regressions. Covariates were included sequentially.Setting: Portugal.Participants: Non-institutionalized adults from the EpiDoc3 cohort (n 5648).Results: FI was significantly associated with health-care use before controlling for socio-economic conditions and quality of life. Moderate/severe FI was positively related to the suspension of medicines (adjusted OR = 4·68; 95 % CI 3·11, 6·82) and to having fewer consultations (adjusted OR = 3·98; 95 % CI 2·42, 6·37). FI and absenteeism were not significantly associated.Conclusions: Our results support the hypothesis that FI reflects precariousness, which hinders access to health care. The greater use of health care among food-insecure people is explained by their worse quality of life and lower socio-economic condition, so that the specific role of poor nutrition is unclear.
- A liderança responsável e sua relação com o turnover e o burnout: o efeito medidador do love of moneyPublication . Caçador, Mariana; Marques, Tânia; Dias, Sara
- Psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis impact on health-related quality of life and working life: a comparative population-based study.Publication . Rodrigues, Joana; Rodrigues, Ana Maria; Sousa, Rute Dinis; Branco, Jaime Cunha; Canhão, Helena; Dias, SaraPsoriatic arthritis (PsA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) are chronic disorders that significantly impact patients' quality of life (QoL), health care systems and society. There is very limited data on the epidemiology and the impact of PsA and AS in Portugal, so in this study we aim to: 1) estimate the prevalence of PsA and AS in the adult Portuguese population; 2) compare health-related quality of life (QoL) of PsA and AS with the one of other rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMD) and with subjects with no rheuma - tic diseases; 3) compare early retirement and productivity loss among PsA and AS with other RMD. Methods: We used data from EpiReumaPt, a population-based survey, conducted from 2011 to 2013, in which 10661 subjects, over 18 years old, were screened for RMD. Spondyloarthritis (SpA) was defined by a posi tive expert opinion combined with the fulfillment of the Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Socie ty (ASAS) criteria for axial and peripheral SpA. Estimates were computed as weighted proportions considering the study design. Logistic regressions were used to compare AS/PsA subjects with other RMD and the adult Portuguese population without rheumatic di - seases. Results: Prevalence rate of SpA was of 1.6% (95% CI 1.2% to 2.1%). Subjects with AS or PsA had worse QoL, reflected by EQ5D score when compared with the adult Portuguese population without rheumatic diseases (b=- 0.08; p=0.031). AS and PsA also had worse QoL when compared with participants with other RMD (b=-0.22; p>0.001). AS and in comparison to patients with other RMD, PsA subjects retired early due to their illness (OR=4.95; 95% CI 1.54% to 15.93%). A significant proportion of patients with SpA (13.6%) referred absenteeism in the previous 12 months to the interview. Conclusions: AS and PsA were found to be associated with poor QoL and a high rate of disease-related early retirement, emphasizing the burden of such rheuma tic conditions in Portugal.
- Regul-A: A Technological Application for Sensory Regulation of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Home ContextPublication . Reis, Helena; Eusébio, Inês; Sousa, Margarida; Ferreira, Mariana; Pereira, Raquel; Dias, Sara; Reis, Catarina I.Background: Sensory processing disorder is now recognised as a core feature of autism spectrum disorder that influences children’s adaptive behaviours, which, in turn, may interfere with their participation in life situations. This study describes the process of developing a technological platform, in the form of an app, to help families regulate children with ASD, aged 3–6 years old, by applying sensory strategies to improve the child’s participation in daily routines in the home context. (2) Methods: A focus group formed by four specialised occupational therapists who intervene with children with ASD was selected in order to understand and discuss content that should be included in the app. At a later stage, a group of three was involved to ensure quality and veracity in technological platform elaboration. (3) Results: The purpose of the app, named Regul-A, is to help parents regulate children with ASD regarding their participation in home routines. The sensory strategies provided by the focus group in the three major occupations of the child were the first results obtained, followed by the development of the app structure. (4) Conclusions: The next phase of the study will be the use of the platform by families of children with ASD and occupational therapists. It is believed that, in the future, Regul-A will be used as a tool to gather, analyse and manage data on the occupational performance of children with ASD in the home context, particularly for activities of daily living, sleep, rest and play, facilitating the implementation of strategies and the sharing of information between parents and occupational therapists
- Regul-A: Aplicação para Regular Crianças com PEA entre os 3-6 anos de idade, em Contexto de CasaPublication . Reis, Helena; Eusébio, Inês; Sousa, Margarida; Ferreira, Mariana; Pereira, Raquel; Dias, Sara; Reis, CatarinaIntrodução: Crianças com PEA são caracterizadas por apresentarem respostas atípicas aos estímulos sensoriais, tendo impacto no envolvimento e na participação funcional. Objetivo: O presente estudo descreve o processo de desenvolvimento de uma app com o intuito de ajudar as famílias a regular as crianças com PEA, entre os 3-6 anos, através da aplicação de estratégias sensoriais, para melhorar a participação nas rotinas diárias em contexto de casa. Material e Métodos: Para o estudo foi selecionado um focus group composto por quatro terapeutas ocupacionais com vários anos de experiência em trabalhar com crianças com PEA e com formação especializada na área da Integração Sensorial, de forma a desenvolver e a analisar o conteúdo da app. Estabeleceu-se uma colaboração com o Departamento de Engenharia Informática, e através de reuniões quinzenais conjuntas, foi possível desenvolver toda a configuração e programação da app de forma articulada. Resultados: “Regul-A” foi o nome atribuído à app, uma vez que apresenta como principal finalidade ajudar na regulação de crianças com PEA. Os resultados abrangem as diversas estratégias sensoriais selecionadas pelo focus group, assim como, a estrutura da app, desenvolvida em colaboração com o Departamento de Engenharia Informática. Conclusões: Acredita-se que a app “Regul-A” venha a constituir-se uma potencial ferramenta para reunir, analisar e gerir dados da criança relativos ao seu desempenho ocupacional, facilitando a implementação de estratégias e a partilha de informação entre os pais e os terapeutas ocupacionais.