COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy (VH) has caused concerns due to the possible fluctuations that may occur directly impacting the control of the pandemic. In this study, we aimed to estimate the prevalence and factors associated with COVID-19 VH in Portuguese-speaking countries. We developed a web survey (N:6,843) using an online, structured, and validated questionnaire. We used Measurement Models, Exploratory Factor Analysis, Exploratory Structural Equation Models, and Confirmatory Factor Analysis for the data analysis. The overall prevalence of COVID-19 VH in Portuguese-speaking countries was 21.1%. showed a statistically significant direct effect for VH: vaccine-related conspiracy beliefs (VB) (β = 0.886), perceived stress (PS) (β = 0.313), COVID-19 Misinformation (MIS) (β = 0.259) and individual responses to COVID-19 (CIR) (β = −0.122). The effect of MIS and CIR for VH was greater among men and of PS and VB among women; the effect of PS was greater among the youngest and of VB and CIR among the oldest. No discrepant differences were identified in the analyzed education strata. In conclusion, we found that conspiracy beliefs related to the vaccine strongly influence the decision to hesitate (not to take or to delay the vaccine). Specific characteristics related to gender, age group, social and cognitive vulnerabilities, added to the knowledge acquired, poorly substantiated and/or misrepresented about the COVID-19 vaccine, need to be considered in the planning of vaccination campaigns. It is necessary to respond in a timely, fast, and accurate manner to the challenges posed by vaccine hesitancy.

Introduction: Children’s exposure to secondhand smoke is a cause of serious health problems and infant morbidity. This is the first nationally representative study conducted in Portugal to describe the prevalence of children exposed to secondhand smoke at home and in the car.Material and Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study with a representative sample of 2396 Portuguese children aged 0 to 9 years old, stratified by age and administrative region NUTS II. Questionnaires were administered between January and September 2016.Results: Results showed that 6.1% of mothers and 11.2% of fathers reported smoking at home. It was found that 4.5% of mothers and 8.3% of fathers reported smoking in the car. Results also showed that 5.4% of children were double exposed to secondhand smoke at home and in the car. Children whose parents were smokers and had a lower level of education were more exposed to secondhand smoke at home.Discussion: Children’s exposure to secondhand smoke has been decreasing in Portugal. Parental smoking and a low educational level were risk factors for children’s exposure to secondhand smoke at home.Conclusion: The main source of children’s exposure to secondhand smoke is parental smoking. As such, it is crucial to implement effective measures to control parental smoking. It is necessary to promote smoking cessation among parents and to ban smoking inside the car.

Introdução: O iodo é um oligoelemento essencial que tem como função primordial no organismo a síntese das hormonas da tiróide, as quais desempenham um papel determinante no crescimento e desenvolvimento, especialmente na maturação do sistema nervoso. Em 2012, um trabalho do Grupo de Estudos da Tiróide da Sociedade Portuguesa de Endocrinologia Diabetes e Metabolismo observou nas grávidas açorianas, uma mediana das iodúrias de 46,2 μg/L. Das mulheres, 98,6% apresentavam iodúrias insuficientes (<150 μg/L) e 55,7% valores <50 μg/L. Na Ilha de São Miguel, onde se registam mais de dois terços dos nascimentos dos Açores, a mediana das iodúrias observada foi de 49,7 μg/L. Face à situação, a Secretaria Regional da Saúde dos Açores implementou como medidas correctivas da carência a suplementação diária de iodo, a titulo gratuito, em mulheres durante a preconceção, gravidez e amamentação e a implementação da utilização do sal iodado na alimentação. No presente trabalho pretendeu-se avaliar o aporte iodado nas grávidas da ilha de S. Miguel, através da excreção urinária de iodo e também monitorizar o impacto das medidas corretivas para diminuição da carência de iodo após a implementação do uso de sal iodado e suplemento diário de iodo. Métodos: Numa amostra aleatória de 100 grávidas seguidas no Hospital do Divino Espírito Santo, foi recolhida uma amostra ocasional de urina. O aporte de iodo foi avaliado pelas suas iodúrias, determinadas por um método colorimétrico rápido. Resultados: Nas grávidas observadas a mediana das iodúrias foi de 77,4 μg/L. Observou-se um aporte iodado suficiente (>150 μg/L) em 9,1% das grávidas e insuficiente (<150 μg/L) em 90,9%. Iodúrias inferiores a 50 μg/L foram documentadas em 33,4% das grávidas. Conclusão: O presente estudo indica uma melhoria considerável no aporte iodado nas grávidas de S. Miguel, em relação ao obtido em 2012. No entanto, os resultados encontram-se muito aquém dos desejáveis segundo as indicações internacionais. Neste contexto, tendo em conta os efeitos indesejáveis do deficit de iodo na gravidez, recomenda-se a intensificação das medidas iniciadas com a iodização obrigatória do sal e a suplementação com iodo na gravidez.

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