Background : The objective of this observational survey was to evaluate after one year, a dental sealants intervention conducted in New Caledonia, within an health promotion program. A greater or at least equivalent impact of the intervention was expected in socially deprived sectors with highest health needs. Methods : The study population was the schoolchildren, aged 6 years in 2016, who benefited from the dental sealant program (n=2532). The study sample was randomly selected in 2017 from that population (n=550). The children's dental status was evaluated at school and compared with that recorded in 2016 during the sealant intervention allowing the calculation of the retention rates and one year carious increment (∆DT 1rst molars ). Socio-demographic variables (gender, region, public/private school) and conditions of sealants placement (school/dental office, presence of a dental assistant) were recorded. The carious increment was explained using a mixed multiple random-effects regression. A mediation analysis was conducted to assess the respective contributions of the retention rates and the region on caries increment. Results : The participation rate was very high (89%) and 80% of the dental sealants were present after one year; 30% totally and 60% partially present. Caries increment varied depending on the sealant retention rate as well as on the region (North, South, Islands). The mediation analysis showed that living in a deprived area (The Islands) was a strong determinant for high caries increment particularly when the retention rates were low. Conclusions : This survey showed a high participation rate and good effectiveness as measured with the one-year retention rates, for a sealant intervention integrated in a large health promotion program. Nevertheless, the program was not effective enough to balance the influence of other health determinants in socially deprived sectors characterized by high dental needs.

IntroductionThe International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations of Brazil (IFMSA Brazil) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan and non-governmental organisation representative of Brazilian medical students. IFMSA Brazil was founded in 1991 and it is currently present in 95 medical schools around the country, at 26 Brazilian states. IFMSA Brazil envisions promoting a positive impact in society by allowing medical students to become leaders in health advocate, to find and to develop their potential. IFMSA Brazil acts through priority areas, defined by Standing Committees, developing projects and programs that may impact on society aiming health promotion and education. The Standing Committee on Sexual and Reproductive Health including HIV/AIDS (SCORA) brings the subject to discussion and engages Brazilian medical students to advocate on this specific field. MethodsWe analysed IFMSA Brazil’s Online System of Activities and Reports (SOLAR), which archives all projects and activities held by the Federation in its 95 Local Committees. We considered all the post-projects submitted to the platform of SCORA in 2016. ResultsWe received 108 activities submissions related to HIV, HPV and syphilis. The main activities developed were Candlelight Memorial Day, Health Care Blitzes, ”Adolescer” - a Comprehensive Sexual Education Project for Teenagers, Campaigns of Act Against AIDS, Sexual Education Projects directed to elderly and sex workers and general events related to sexual and reproductive health in medical education. ConclusionDeveloping new strategies of health promotion and education in sexual and reproductive theme may help different communities and improve education of Brazilian medical students. IFMSA Brazil is acting in a volunteering work to raise medical students’ voice and engage advocacy in health, allowing the health care attention to neglected populations and preventing the increase of sexually transmitted infections and other diseases.

IntroductionHIV and AIDS represent one of the greatest concerns in global health in the last three decades. In Brazil, the percentage of people living with HIV and dying with AIDS increases every year. The number of cases in the south of Brazil is bigger than in the rest of the country, particularly in Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina as the second and third states with the largest numbers. Medical students from the International Federation of Medical Students Association of Brazil (IFMSA Brazil) in the south of the country conducted this study to better comprehension of Brazilian citizens’ understanding about the subject. MethodsThis study investigated the profile of general population in three Brazilian cities (Curitiba, Londrina and Tubarão), identifying the sociodemographic aspects and knowledge level related to HIV and AIDS, in a descriptive and quantitative analysis. Data was collected through a questionnaire with nine questions, in November 2016. Results343 individuals, 57% female and the majority of them between 21 and 30 years old. The answers showed an alarming situation in the south region of Brazil. Almost half of them (49.6%) did not know about their serology for HIV, meanwhile 60.6% revealed already being worried about that. Regarding HIV and AIDS definition, 71.7% did not know the difference between the virus and the syndrome. When asked about a method of prevention for HIV and other STIs, more than 90% knew how to prevent themselves and most of them mentioned condoms as the method used. Only 41.4% reported using condoms regularly. When asked about social interaction with people living with HIV, 74.6% would not have sexual relations and 16.9% would not be friends with someone living with the virus. ConclusionOne of the reasons for the massive numbers of HIV cases in the south of Brazil is the lack of knowledge of the population. Knowing the social determinants and population profile allows integrative practices, as the development of new action strategies to improve health promotion and health education regarding HIV and AIDS.