Since 1972, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared noise as a pollutant. Over the last decades, the quality of the urban environment has attracted the interest of researchers due to the growing urban sprawl, especially in developing countries. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of noise exposure in six urban soundscapes: Areas with high and low levels of noise in scenarios of leisure, work, and home. Cross-sectional study. The study was conducted in two steps: Evaluation of noise levels, with the development of noise maps, and health related inquiries. 180 individuals were interviewed, being 60 in each scenario, divided into 30 exposed to high level of noise and 30 to low level. Chi-Square test and Ordered Logistic Regression Model (P < 0,005). 70% of the interviewees reported noticing some source of noise in the selected scenarios and it was observed an association between exposure and perception of some source of noise (P < 0.001). 41.7% of the interviewees reported some degree of annoyance, being that this was associated with exposure (P < 0.001). There was also an association between exposure in different scenarios and reports of poor quality of sleep (P < 0.001). In the scenarios of work and home, the chance of reporting annoyance increased when compared with the scenario of leisure. We conclude that the use of this sort of assessment may clarify the relationship between urban noise exposure and health.

quality. Conclusion: This study represents a methodological advance in the measurement of urban noise, as it sought to produce reliable and comparable data on local and global level. The results regarding the effects on health of the population show the importance of reformulating the Brazilian public policies aiming to carry out actions towards the prevention, management and monitoring of noise in the urban space.

Purpose: to analyze the voice-related quality of life in totally laryngectomized patients in speech therapy for a support group. Methods: the studied population was composed of 11 totally laryngectomized subjects of both genders between 43 and 83 years of age, who speak using a trachoesophageal prosthesis or electronic larynx.

RESUMO Objetivo Conhecer a percepção dos Agentes Comunitários de Saúde (ACS) quanto aos agravos fonoaudiológicos. Método Estudo do tipo transversal que envolveu a aplicação de questionário com questões referentes ao conhecimento dos ACS sobre agravos fonoaudiológicos. Realizado com os ACS alocados no Distrito Sanitário Centro de Florianópolis. Resultados Foram entrevistados 35 ACS, sendo sua maioria (80%) do gênero feminino, com média de idade de 47 anos (desvio padrão = 2,09 anos). Dos ACS entrevistados, 57% afirmaram conhecer o trabalho do fonoaudiólogo, 57% acreditam que não há relação entre as doenças crônicas e fonoaudiologia e 97% acham importante a participação da fonoaudiologia na atenção básica. Quanto à capacitação, 88% dos ACS alegaram não ter tido nenhum tipo de capacitação realizada por fonoaudiólogo; 75% dos profissionais declararam ter feito capacitação da Estratégia Amamenta e Alimenta Brasil; 57%, do Programa Capital Criança; e 41%, do Programa Capital Idoso. Conclusão O conhecimento dos ACS sobre o trabalho do fonoaudiólogo ainda é limitado, mas a importância do trabalho fonoaudiológico é reconhecida na atenção básica. O desconhecimento, no que diz respeito aos agravos fonoaudiológicos, pode estar relacionado à falta de capacitação dos ACS em ações e/ou cursos de educação continuada que poderiam esclarecer e instruir esses profissionais a identificar e melhor orientar a população em suas visitas domiciliares. Destaca-se a necessidade de mais pesquisas voltadas a ações de capacitação desses profissionais.

Purpose: to assess the degree of knowledge of community health workers about speech disorders by means of a survey on the advice they give to patients. Methods: a cross-sectional study with Community Health Agents (CHAs) who work in Health Centers (HC) in the Eastern Health District, in the city of Florianópolis, State of Santa Catarina (SC). They answered a questionnaire on sociodemographic features and knowledge about speech disorders. The questionnaire included questions about the advice given to patients in visits for the purpose of health promotion in different life cycles. A descriptive and statistical analysis was performed with the STATA 11.0 software. Results: fifty-five CHAs answered the survey; their mean age was 44.56 years. Most of them were women (98.18%) and had finished high school (80%). Among the major health markers of HC, hypertension and diabetes were characterized as chronic non-communicable diseases. The advice given by CHAs on the promotion of maternal and child health showed that they had more knowledge about speech and hearing impaiments in comparison to the health of children and the elderly. Conclusion: the study showed that CHAs have knowledge about speech and hearing impairments, as evidenced by the advice they gave to patients. However, such knowledge can be considered as limited. Considering that CHAs are the main link between the community and the health staff, it is crucial that they gain knowledge about speech and hearing disorders, in order to implement effective procedures for health promotion and disease prevention, thus, providing comprehensive health care. Hipertensão arterial e a diabetes caracterizadas como doenças crônicas não transmissíveis. As orientações relacionadas à promoção da saúde materno infantil relatadas pelos ACS envolviam mais conhecimentos quanto aos agravos fonoaudiológicos em comparação com orientações a respeito da promoção da saúde da criança e do idoso. Conclusão: o estudo revelou que existe conhecimento por parte dos ACS com relação aos agravos fonoaudiológicos, já que são incorporados nas orientações realizadas pelos mesmos, porém este pode ser entendido como limitado. Considerando-se que o ACS é o principal elo entre a comunidade e a equipe de saúde torna-se essencial incorporar estes conhecimentos ao saber deste profissional como forma de efetivar as ações promoção e prevenção de saúde, configurando a integralidade do cuidado em saúde.