Ciencia & Saude Coletiva 

About: Ciencia & Saude Coletiva is an academic journal published by Associação Brasileira de Saúde Coletiva. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Medicine & Population. It has an ISSN identifier of 1413-8123. It is also open access. Over the lifetime, 7536 publications have been published receiving 150003 citations. The journal is also known as: Ciência e Saúde Coletiva.

Qualidade de vida e saúde: um debate necessário

Abstract: This paper discusses the relationships between quality of life and health by applying the discourses emerging in the health sector to other fields and other disciplines. These relationships constitute social representation based on subjective parameters (well-being, happiness, love, pleasure, personal satisfaction), and on objective ones such as satisfaction of basic needs and of the needs created by the degree of economical and social development of a given society. The text presents the main instruments which have been constructed during the last years for measuring quality of life, as well as the debate they cause. It also debates the semantic field where the representations and actions in favour of quality of life - such as the concept of development, democracy, quality, way and conditions of life - develop. In relation to the field of health, this article discusses the tendency to restrict the concept of quality of life to the biomedical area, associated with an economic assessment. It shows the variety of instruments created for measuring quality of life in accordance with the concept. Health promotion is considered one of the most relevant strategies in this field in order to avoid medical reductionism and to develop an interdisciplinary dialogue. It is argued that this proposal, however, still needs to be refined and tested in sanitary practices.

Violence: a global public health problem

Abstract: This article is a version of the Introduction to the World Report on Violence and Health, published by the World Health Organization (WHO). It presents a general description about this phenomenon and points some basic questions: concepts and definitions about the theme; the state of knowledge about it; nature and typology on violence; proposal of a quantitative and qualitative approach of an ecological model; responsibilities and functions of the public health sector and its potentiality to prevent and reduce violence in the world; the responsibilities of the nations and the policy makers in a intersetorial point of view; difficulties and obstacles for actuation and challenges for the health sector.

Promoção da saúde e qualidade de vida

Abstract: Several scientific evidences show the contribution of health to the quality of life of either individuals or populations. Similarly, many of the social life components that contribute to quality in life are also essential for individuals and populations to attain an adequate health standard. For individuals and populations to achieve appropriate health standards it is necessary not only access to quality medical-health services. Health determinants must be considered widely, thus requiring healthy public policies (concerned with its impacts on health), an effective intersectoral articulation, and the population's engagement. In this paper, the author reviews the emergency and development of health promotion by focusing his analysis on the above strategies, which according to the health sector's propositions would be the most promising strategies to improve the quality of life, especially in social formations where social-public health inequities are so many, as in Brazil. These strategies are materialized in the bases and practices of the healthy towns movement, which are strictly associated with public management innovations for the integral and sustainable local development, as well as with the local Agenda 21.

Validade de conteúdo nos processos de construção e adaptação de instrumentos de medidas

Abstract: This study sought to conduct a review of content validity, which is an important phase of processes of construction and adaptation of measurement instruments. Research of comprehensive literature was conducted by means of a review of national and international databases. Initially, a description of the conceptual basis and the measurement methods used in content validity was made, with emphasis on its application in the healthcare area. It was seen that controversy exists in the literature on the terminology and concept of content validity. The recommended procedures used to check content validity during the construction and adaptation processes of instruments were described, especially the judges' assessment, which can involve qualitative and quantitative procedures. The number, selection and qualification of these judges were also described. The different methods used to quantify the level of agreement among the experts were verified, mainly the Content Validity Index (CVI). This study described aspects of the content validity process, one of the procedures to be considered by healthcare researchers and professionals who are interested in using reliable and appropriate measurements and instruments scales for given population groups.