Andrea Donatti Gallassi

Rape is a multidimensional public health and human rights concern with profound and lasting effects. This census-based, cross-sectional study examined 3,375 police-reported cases of rape crimes in the Brazilian Federal District (2018–2021), assessing victim profiles, perpetrator characteristics, contextual factors, and spatial distribution. Vulnerable victims, predominantly children under 14 years (82.1%), comprised 67.3% of cases. Most events occurred indoors (81.0%) and were perpetrated by family members or acquaintances (83.5%). Regions with higher rape crimes rates generally exhibited lower human development indices. Notably, 17.8% of cases were classified as continued crimes, with over half persisting for over a year. Significant differences emerged between vulnerable and non-vulnerable victims across case characteristics. Through principal component analysis, five distinct patterns of rape crimes were identified: ( i ) family abuse of children in indoor settings; ( ii ) acquaintance abuse without weapon use; ( iii ) intimate partner rape among adults; ( iv ) nighttime vulnerability associated with weekends, psychoactive substances use, and severe acts; and ( v ) socioeconomic vulnerability linked to low educational status and daytime occurrences. These findings highlight the complexity of rape crimes dynamics and underscore the need for tailored, multisectoral strategies – integrating education, healthcare, social assistance, public security, and justice – to prevent and address sexual violence effectively. Further research and coordinated policy implementation remain essential to improving outcomes for victims.

Introduction: Health, according to the WHO, includes physical, mental, and social well-being

The study aimed to describe the victim’s sociodemographic characteristics and the circumstances in all rape crimes in 2018 and 2019 in the Brazilian Federal District (BFD), comparing cases when the offender was known and unknown to the victim to identify high-risk situations. A population-based, observational, cross-sectional study was performed with rape collected by the local police. The log-binomial regression model was used to compare groups with/without victim-author relationships; variables with more than two categories were analyzed using the chi-square test. A 5% significance level was adopted. There were 1,681 cases analyzed. The results showed that rape occurred more often on weekends, in the evening, and in the BFD’s most socioeconomic and educational vulnerable region. In the cases of offender victims’ relationships, crimes occurred in residences, children/adolescents were the victims, with elementary school education, and the presence of libidinous acts (no penetration) was greater. When there was no victim-author relationship, the threat and physical violence as approach strategies and the use of alcohol/drugs were more common; adults are the largest proportion of these victims.

There is concern about the quality of cannabis-based products used in Brazil, mainly cannabidiol (CBD). This study aimed to evaluate the quality of labeling on CBD products marketed in Brazil authorized by two regulations – N660/2022 on imported products and N327/2019 on products with temporary trade permits – and whether there were differences between them concerning four domains: prescription, good manufacturing practices (GMP), laboratory tests, and safety of use. Determined labeling quality was based on a score of 45 criteria divided per domain and weights from 1 to 3 (according to the relevance for users' and prescribers' safety) built by public information provided by product manufacturers/representatives on websites and e-mail consultations. The quality score was classified as very satisfactory, satisfactory, or not very satisfactory, represented in median and interquartile range. Between the N327 and N660 products, the quality scores were compared using the Mann–Whitney U-test. All tests considered two-tailed hypotheses and a significance level of 5%. After applying the inclusion criteria, from 148 products selected, 105 were evaluated. Most of the evaluated CBD products were classified as satisfactory (47), followed by not very satisfactory (39) and very satisfactory (19). The N327 products presented information that was more accessible than the N660 products. Similarly, there was a significant difference between the two groups concerning the domains of prescription and safety of use; products in the N327 showed better results than those in the N660. This study contributes to the urgent debate on the quality of labeling and the risks of CBD widely marketed in Brazil.

Cannabidiol (CBD) has been studied for substance use disorders treatment due to its anxiolytic effects, for sleep, appetite, reduction of craving, and maintenance of abstinence. The study aims to assess CBD’s feasibility, safety/tolerability, and preliminary efficacy compared to pharmacological treatment as usual for reducing crack use in people with crack use disorder (CUD) and investigate other parameters: adverse events, physical health symptoms, and craving. A double-blind, randomized clinical trial (RCT) with two treatment arms (CBD and control group) was conducted. Ninety participants were randomized and 73 were allocated: 37 control group and 36 CBD group for a 10-week treatment, comparing CBD (600 mg) with three drugs (fluoxetine, valproic acid, and clonazepam). The per-protocol analysis of participants who did not deviate from the study protocol compared the control and CBD treatment groups. Thirty-four completed at least half of the study and 25 finished. Participants attended weekly meetings for the study procedures (e.g., to receive the medication and provide urine for toxicological tests). Inter-group differences were performed with the Mann–Whitney test, the Wilcoxon test for differences intra-group, and Pearson’s Chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test to compare inter-group demographic data. The significance level was 5%. A “veracity index” (VI) was created as counterevidence (questionnaire data vs. the toxicological test result). Medications were considered safe/tolerable. The CBD group presented significantly fewer adverse events compared to the control group [e.g., dizziness (p = 0.001), memory impairment (p = 0.043)], which performed better in the reduction of clinical and psychiatric complaints (p = 0.008). In the intra-group analyses, the CBD group performed better in more parameters than the control group [e.g., reducing crack use (p = 0.016; T0 to T1)]. Data questionnaires were reliable regarding the use/non-use of crack (VI = 0.787). CBD is a safe/tolerable product. The CBD group manifested fewer adverse events than the control group, which had better clinical and psychiatric complaints results. There are some advantages for the CBD group in the intra-group analysis. Drug use self-report methodologies can be reliable. Trial registration details: This study is registered with Universal Trial Number (UTN) code: U1111-1234-0806. Available at https://ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-4stgs8 (Effect of cannabidiol in the treatment of crack dependents)

Objective: The objective of this study is to analyse the relationship and psychosocial issues between working during the COVID-19 pandemic in primary healthcare (PHC) facilities located in the most vulnerable health region (HR) of the Federal District of Brazil (FDB) compared with a lesser region. Design: Mixed-method study data. The questionnaire was based on the World Health Survey and the Convid Behavioural Survey. Quantitative data were described in absolute and relative frequency. Pearson’s χ ² test verified differences according to the region (significance level <5%). A margin of error of 8% with 95% CI defined the sample. The content analysis (by Bardin) analysed the qualitative data. Setting: A representative sample of PHC professionals working at the Western HR and Central HR of the FDB. Participants: 111 women and 27 male PHC professionals, aged ≥ 18 years. Outcome measures: Psychosocial variables—personal emotions towards the clients, social relationships and use of psychoactive substances (PAS). Intervention: An online questionnaire (27 questions) and 1 open-ended question. Results: The sample comprised 138 PHC professionals; 80.40% were female aged between 40 and 49 years old (27.3%); declared themselves as black/pardo (58.7%); were married (53.60%), and worked in family healthcare teams (47.80%). No association between working in the most vulnerable HR compared with the least one and presenting psychosocial issues, except for anger towards clients (p=0.043). 55.10% worked much more than usual, 60.80% reported being depressed, 78.20% anxious, 76.80% stressed, 77.50% had no empathy and 78.30% felt isolated from family/friends. Towards the clients, 59.40% reported empathy and 72.5% no affection/care. The consume of psychotropic medications was reported by 34.80%, and 14.50% increased alcohol/PAS use. Qualitative data leverage quantitative findings: work overload, the indifference of the Federal Government and distance from family/friends. Conclusion: Working in the most vulnerable region and in the least one affects the psychosocial aspects of the PHC professionals equally.

In order to describe and analyze teachers’ perceptions and attitudes regarding the use of alcohol/drugs (AD) by High School students from public schools in Águas Lindas-GO/Brazil, this mixed study was carried out in 11 schools, with 91 teachers, using a sociodemographic questionnaire, a semi-structured interview about the perception of AD use by students, and questions about the judgment of those who use it. Most (57%) were male, average age 37.2 years; most participants believed that students who use AD are morally weak (51%), a danger to society (47%), and may commit crimes in their own families (98%); on the other hand, they consider them as important as anyone else (98%). They claim that they do not feel qualified to address the DA theme, nor to deal with students who use it. The study reveals and reinforces that health education should form part of teacher training for a preventive and welcoming approach.