ABSTRACT
Las estadísticas de centros de atención de salud son la fuente principal de datos sobre el peso al nacer en los países en desarrollo, si bien en la mayor parte de esos países no se producen estimaciones anuales de la incidencia de bajo peso al nacer a partir de esos datos. Si se produjeran, las estimaciones serían propensas al sesgo de selección ya que los datos están limitados en general a los niños nacidos en centros de salud y, por lo tanto, representan un subgrupo decididamente diferente de la población general de neonatos. Desde 1990, el programa de Encuestas Demográficas y de Salud ha realizado 15 encuestas nacionales en las que se incluyeron preguntas sobre el peso y el tamaño relativo al nacer tal como los recordaban las madres. Este artículo muestra que las encuestas transversales pueden constituir una fuente útil de datos para estimar la media nacional de peso al nacer y la incidencia de bajo peso. Sin embargo, la clasificación errónea del peso al nacer es demasiado extensa para emplear los datos de tamaño relativo al nacer como indicador de bajo peso a escala individual
The professionals and patients involved in dental examinations are at risk for infection by various disease-causing bacteria, viruses, and fungi, such as those responsible for hepatitis, tuberculosis, herpes, and AIDS. It is known that aerosols and spatter containing pathogenic microorganisms can spread during an examination. Nevertheless, some dental clinics are designed to have multiple examination areas in the same room, with no physical barriers between them. The objective of this study was to verify the reach of spatter resulting from the use of a triple syringe and high-rotation turbine during five simulated exams in a collective clinic, bearing in mind that spattercan contain the patient's saliva and blood. To facilitate tracking of the spatter, aniline dye (pink, blue, yellow, green, and brown) was added to the water in the appropriate receptacle in each of the five units. The room, the equipment, and the patient's and operator's clothing were covered with white paper. A high concentration of spatter was observed on the chair, the operator, and the floor of each unit, and it also appeared on the chairs and trays of the surrounding units. The maximum distance reached by spatter was 1.82 m from a point on the chair corresponding to the position of the patient's mouth. During real simultaneous examinations, the surrounding chairs and their patients and operators, as well as the trays containing sterilized instruments, are within spatter range. Therefore, there is a real possibility of crossinfection, and physical barriers should be placed between the units. This study also confirmed the need for protection of the operator's face, body, hair, and arms, since these regions were heavily affected by spatter.