Objective: to identify scientific evidence on the effectiveness of using cloth masks as safe protectors against COVID-19. Method: an integrative review of articles available in full obtained at PubMed, CINAHL, and Web of Science. Controlled, non-controlled descriptors and keywords such as “mask”, “home-made” and “cloth” or “cotton” and “infection control” or “infection prevention” were used. Results: thirty-eight articles were selected; of these, seven studies made up the sample. Evidence shows that cloth masks do not have the same protective characteristics as surgical masks, indicating an increased risk of infection due to humidity, diffusion of fluids, virus retention, and improper preparation. Considering the shortage of surgical masks during the pandemic, cloth masks could be proposed as a last resort. Conclusion: cloth masks should be used together with preventive measures, such as home insulation, good respiratory conduct, and regular hand hygiene.

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of syphilis and associated factors in riverine communities. Method: This is a cross-sectional and analytical study carried out with 250 riverside dwellers living in five communities in the city of João Pessoa, state of Paraíba. Data were collected through interviews and rapid screening tests to investigate syphilis. Bivariate, logistic regression and weight of evidence analysis were performed to identify the association between risk factors and behavior variables and rapid test positivity. Results: he prevalence of syphilis was 11.6% (95%CI: 7.5–15.6). Riverside dwellers who have a previous history of Sexually Transmitted Infection (OR 8.00; 95%CI: 2.76–23.2), history of imprisonment (OR 7.39; 95%CI: 1.61–33.7) and who reported having more than two sexual partners in the last 12 months (OR 4.31; 95%CI: 1.55–11.9) were more likely to be positive for syphilis. Conclusion: High prevalence of syphilis among riverside dwellers and the presence of behavioral factors that increase vulnerability to acquiring the infection. The need to invest in preventive and screening strategies for syphilis in populations considered vulnerable is highlighted.

Objective: To synthesize scientific literature published on the control of pain, exudation, odor and bleeding of neoplastic wounds.Methods: This is an integrative review of the literature in the databases CINAHL, SciELO, MEDLINE, LILACS and Portal of Periodicals of CAPES with articles that approached the theme. Twenty-two articles were included, of which 18 were written in the English language and three in the Spanish language, published between 2004 and 2016.Results: From the articles studied, categories were constructed: Interventions for pain control; Interventions for the control of exudate; Interventions for the control of odor and Interventions for the control of bleeding.

Introduction: The riparians population is considered vulnerable to Sexually Transmitted Infections due to restrictions related to access to health, information and education.Objective: To analyze the prevalence of self-reported Sexually Transmitted Infections among the riparians population and associated sociodemographic and behavioral factors.Material and Method: Cross-sectional, analytical study, conducted with 250 riparians dwellers from João Pessoa, Paraiba state, from June to October 2019. Data were collected through interviews using a structured questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis was performed. The research was approved by the Research Ethics Committee under opinion number 3,340,273.Results: The prevalence of Sexually Transmitted Infections was 20.8%. Male ribs (OR=3.27; CI95%:1.74-6.15), who reported sexual intercourse with sex workers (OR=6.54; CI95%:3.05-14.0) and illicit drug use (OR 2.13; CI95%:1.10-4.13) were more likely to develop sexually transmitted infection.Conclusions: High prevalence of sexually transmitted infections and presence of risk behaviors among riparians. Screening, early diagnosis and health education is essential for discontinuation of the transmission chain. Introducción: La población ribereña se considera vulnerable a las infecciones de transmisión sexual debido a cambios relacionados con el acceso a la salud, la información y la educación.Objetivo: Analizar la prevalencia de infecciones de transmisión sexual autoinformadas en una población ribereña y los factores sociodemográficos y conductuales asociados.Material y Método: Estudio transversal, analítico, realizado con 250 habitantes ribereños de João Pessoa, en el estado de Paraíba, de junio a octubre de 2019. Los datos fueron recolectados a través de entrevistas mediante un cuestionario estructurado. Se realizó un análisis de regresión logística. La investigación fue aprobada por el Comité de Ética en Investigación con el dictamen número 3.340.273.Resultados: La prevalencia de Infecciones de Transmisión Sexual fue de 20,8%. Hombres habitantes de la ribera (OR = 3,27; IC del 95%: 1,74-6,15), que informaron haber tenido relaciones sexuales con una trabajadora sexual (OR = 6,54; IC del 95%: 3,05-14,0) y uso de drogas ilícitas (OR 2,13; IC del 95%: 1.10-4.13) disipación mayores posibilidades de desarrollar una infección de transmisión sexual.Conclusiones: Alta prevalencia de riesgo de transmisión sexual y presencia de tendencia de riesgo entre los habitantes de las riberas. El cribado, el diagnóstico precoz y la educación sanitaria son fundamentales para interrumpir la transmisión. Introdução: A população ribeirinha é considerada vulnerável às Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis devido às restrições relacionadas ao acesso à saúde, informação e educação.Objetivo: Analisar a prevalência de Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis autorreferidas entre a população ribeirinha e fatores sociodemográficos e comportamentais associados. Material e Método: Estudo transversal, analítico, realizado com 250 ribeirinhos de João Pessoa, no estado da Paraíba, no período de junho a outubro de 2019. Os dados foram coletados por meio de entrevista com a utilização de questionário estruturado. Realizou-se análise de regressão logística. A pesquisa foi aprovada pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa sob número de parecer 3.340.273.Resultados: A prevalência de Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis foi de 20,8%. Ribeirinhos do sexo masculino (OR=3,27;IC95%: 1,74-6,15), que relataram relação sexual com profissional do sexo (OR=6,54;IC95%:3,05-14,0) e uso de droga ilícita (OR 2,13; IC95%: 1,10-4,13) apresentaram maiores chances de desenvolver alguma infecção sexualmente transmissível. Conclusões: Alta prevalência de infecções sexualmente transmissíveis e presença de comportamentos de risco entre os ribeirinhos. Rastreio, diagnóstico precoce e educação em saúde é fundamental para descontinuação da cadeia de transmissão.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is caused by SARS-COV2, a highly transmissible and pathogenic viral infection, and was identified in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. Three months later, it became a severe pandemic. OBJECTIVE: To identify scientific evidence on the use of face shields by health professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic period. METHOD: An integrative literature review of articles obtained from PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), and Web of Science databases was undertaken. For the search, controlled, non-controlled descriptors and specific keywords: “face shield,” “fluid resistance procedure,” “respiratory infections,” “healthcare workers,” “COVID-19,” “aerosols,” and “personal protection infection” were used. RESULTS: The sample comprised seven studies. The available evidence has shown that face shields do not have a defined standard for their production—their effectiveness depends on the quality of the visor, structure, and fixation system. They must be used as adjuvants to other personal protective equipment (PPE), and their isolated use is not recommended due to the fragilities of peripheral face sealing, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic period. CONCLUSION: Due to the shortage of this equipment, domestic face shields can be indicated if they meet production requirements, based on scientific evidence for their efficient use.