ABSTRACT
Background: Ultraviolet light exposure has a pathogenic effect on the development of skin cancer, whose prevalence increases worldwide. In Chile and the rest of the world, preventive educational campaigns are carried out to change high risk sun exposure behaviors. Aim: To study the behavior of the Chilean population towards skin cancer prevention and to identify erroneous preventive practices and concepts. Material and methods: A survey containing 17 questions about sun exposure behaviors, photoprotective measures and knowledge about ultraviolet radiation and skin cancer was used. It was applied during January and February 2004, to 1,143 subjects (mean age 30 years, 409 males), taking vacations in beach resorts in Chile. Results: The hours of higher sun exposure ranged from 12 AM to 4 PM. Thirty seven percent of subjects were exposed more than 2 hours during this high risk lapse. Women and subjects aged less than 25 years were those with the riskiest behaviors. Fifty four percent used some type of photoprotection and 50% used ocular protection. Seventy percent used creams with sun screen and 74% used a sun protection factor higher than 15. Seventy percent applied the sun screen as recommended. Thirty eight percent had at least one sun burn in the last two years. More than 90% of subjects were aware of the relationship between sun exposure and skin cancer but 60% did not know the hours of higher ultraviolet radiation. The information about sun exposure was obtained from television in 57% of surveyed individuals. Conclusions: More educational campaigns about the risk of sun exposure are needed to reduce risky behaviors in the Chilean population.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Infant , Male , Middle Aged , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Health Promotion , Skin Neoplasms/prevention & control , Sunburn/prevention & control , Ultraviolet Rays/adverse effects , Age Factors , Chile , Sex Factors , Skin Neoplasms/etiology , Sunburn/etiology , Sunscreening Agents/administration & dosage , Time FactorsABSTRACT
Background: In Chile, the emergence of drug-resistant strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae has complicated treatment decisions and may lead to treatment failures. Aim: to examine antimicrobial resistance trends among pneumococcal isolates from the Catholic University Hospital between 1997 and 2003. Material and methods: During a seven-year period, we examined 901 strains of S. pneumoniae isolated from sterile and non-sterile samples from adult and pediatric population. Results: Overall, 20percent of isolates showed intermediate resistance to penicillin (MIC: 0.12-1 µg/ml) y 10.8percent high level of resistance to penicillin (MIC 2 µg/ml). Pneumococcal resistance to penicillin did not change significantly during the study period, but it was more common in pediatric patients and isolates from non-sterile samples. No isolate had a MIC 8 µg/ml for penicillin. Twenty one percent of pneumococcal strains were resistant to erythromycin, 41.6percent to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and 3.6percent to chloramphenicol. Macrolides resistance tended to increase between 1997 and 2003. Fourteen percent of strains showed intermediate resistance (MIC: 1 µg/ml) and 2.5percent, a high level of resistance to cefotaxime (MIC: 2 µg/ml). No isolate had a CIM 4 µg/ml for cefotaxime. Among those isolates with intermediate or high level of resistance to penicillin, there were significantly more isolates highly resistant to erythromycin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and cefotaxime. Conclusions: Multidrug-resistant pneumococci are common and are increasing in our country, particularly in pediatric population, probably associated to indiscriminate ambulatory prescription of antimicrobials.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Adult , Male , Humans , Female , Child, Preschool , Child , Drug Resistance, Bacterial , Streptococcus pneumoniae/isolation & purification , Streptococcus pneumoniae , Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Chile , Prospective Studies , Penicillins/pharmacologyABSTRACT
La prevalencia de trastornos alimentarios (TA) ha presentado un aumento progresivo. Tanto la anorexia nerviosa (AN) como la bulimia nerviosa (BN) son consideradas una importante causa de morbilidad y mortalidad entre mujeres adolescentes y adultas. Las pacientes con AN y BN presentan signos dermatológicos particulares que pueden ser de gran valor en la evaluación clínica. Para una mejor comprensión de los hallazgos cutáneos, éstos han sido clasificados en cuatro grupos: secundarios a alteraciones en la dieta, secundarios a vómitos autoinducidos, secundarios a abuso de sustancias y causados por enfermedad psiquiátrica concomitante. Si bien ninguno de estos hallazgos tiene un valor predictivo de manera aislada, su combinación podría ayudarnos al oportuno diagnóstico y tratamientos de estas pacientes.