The prevalence of varicose veins (VV) and of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) was studied among 1755 adults over 15 years of age (443 men and 1312 women). These people attended the University Health Center in Botucatu, a country town in the State of Sao Paulo, Brazil, for routine examination or for any disease complaints. The prevalence of all grades of VV not including telangiectasis and reticular varices grade I was 47.6% (37.9% in men and 50.9% in non-pregnant women). The prevalence of VV recorded as moderate or severe was 21.2%. The more severe form of CVI with active or healed ulcer was present in 3.6% of the subjects (2.3% of men and 4% of women). For only 5.5% of the patients was VV or CVI the reason for medical consultation. The prevalence of VV increased with age and number of pregnancies and was greater among white than non-white people. Working posture or posture adopted for defaecation did not influence the prevalence of VV. Our data show the prevalence of VV and CVI to be higher or as high as the prevalence found in developed western countries. We therefore propose that studies of these conditions should be included in epidemiological surveys of other developing areas or countries, so that if data similar to ours are verified prophylaxis and early treatment could be included in health planning for these areas with the aim of reducing future morbidity and the related social onus.

RESUMO: O presente trabalho teve como finalidade, estudar o efeito de auxinas e do boro no enraizamento de estacas caulinares de Coffea arabica L. cv. "Mundo Novo". As estacas foram retiradas de ramos ortotrópicos semi-lenhosos de cafeeiro, as quais foram tratadas durante 24 horas com soluções de IBA ou NAA e boro, e a mistura das três substâncias, resultando um total de 14 tratamentos. Para a avaliação do objetivo em questão, foram realizadas as seguintes observações, mediante coleta após 90 dias de plantio: número de estacas enraizadas e número de estacas com calos. Através dos resultados obtidos, pode-se concluir que, para obter um maior número de estacas enraizadas, é conveniente o tratamento com NAA à 100 ou 200 ppm mais boro. Descritores: cafeeiro, estacas, enraizamento, boro, IBA e NAA. INTERACTIONS BETWEEN AUXINS AND BORIC ACID IN THE ROOTING OF STEM CUTTINGS Coffea arabica L. CV. "MUNDO NOVO"ABSTRACT: The present research had as purpose to study auxin and boron effects on rooting of Coffea arábica L. cv. "Mundo Novo" stem cuttings. The cuttings were taken from orthotropous semi-hardwood branches of coffee-tree, which were treated during 24 hours with IBA or NAA and boron solutions, and the mixture of the three substances, resulting a total of 14 treatments. The following observations were realized, taking the cuttings 90 days after planting: number of rooted cuttings and "callus" formation per cutting. It can be concluded that to obtain a higher number of rooted cuttings, the treatment with NAA at 100 or 200 ppm plus boron is the most suitable.