Association between socioeconomic status and prolonged television viewing time in a general Japanese population: NIPPON DATA2010

BACKGROUND@#It has been pointed out that prolonged television (TV) viewing is one of the sedentary behaviors that is harmful to health; however, the association between socioeconomic status (SES) and prolonged TV viewing time has not been sufficiently investigated in Japan.@*METHODS@#The study population are the participants of NIPPON DATA2010, which is a prospective cohort study of the National Health and Nutrition Survey 2010 in Japan. They were residents in 300 randomly selected areas across Japan. This study included 2752 adults. SES was classified according to the employment status, educational attainment, living status, and equivalent household expenditure (EHE). Prolonged TV viewing time was defined as more than or equal to 4 h of TV viewing per day. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the association of SES with prolonged TV viewing time.@*RESULTS@#The mean TV viewing time was 2.92 h in all participants. Of 2752 participants, 809 (29.4%) prolonged TV viewing, and the mean TV viewing time of them was 5.61 h. The mean TV viewing time in participants without prolonged TV viewing time was 1.81 h. The mean TV viewing time was prolonged as age classes increased and significantly longer in aged ≥60 years. Prolonged TV viewing time was associated with not working for all age classes and sexes. Only among women, education attainment and living status were also associated with prolonged TV viewing time. For education attainment, the lower the received years of education, the higher odds ratios (OR) of prolonged TV viewing time. For living status, in women aged <60 years, living with others had a significantly higher OR compared to living with spouse. On the other hand, in women aged ≥60 years, living alone had a significantly higher OR. EHE did not have any significant associations with prolonged TV viewing time.@*CONCLUSIONS@#In a general Japanese population, it should be noted that the association between SES and prolonged TV viewing time differed by age and sex. Particularly, it must draw attention to the prolonged TV viewing in elderly. The intervention in order to shorten TV viewing time needs to consider these attributes.

The Analysis between the Socioeconomic Factor and the Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk: The 7th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1st Year), 2016

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to analyze the socioeconomic factors that affect atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk.METHODS: We used data from 3,704 individuals between 40 and 79 years of age, who participated in the Korean National Health Examination and Nutrition Survey in 2016. Socioeconomic groups were categorized by income and education level. We analyzed the odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) from logistic regression for the atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk in each group.RESULTS: Using logistic regression analysis, the odds ratios and 95% CIs of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk based on high, middle, and low socioeconomic factors were 1.0, 1.597 (95% CI, 1.279–1.993), and 5.689 (95% CI, 4.030–8.032), respectively. The results after adjusting for covariates (age, gender, obesity, alcohol consumption) also showed statistical significance.CONCLUSION: We conclude that socioeconomic factors such as income and education level are correlated with increased atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk.

Prospective Study for Evaluating Therapeutic Efficacy of Obese Patients of Low Socioeconomic Status in Korea

BACKGROUND: Recently, the prevalence of obesity and socioeconomic costs stemming from obesity are increasing steeply. Obesity, in particular, has a highly polarization caused by income levels. Obesity in low-income patients is expected to become a serious social problem in the future. This study aims to observe the effects of consistent consultation and drug therapy during a six months period, and to develop the treatment process of obesity for low-income people. METHODS: The body weight, waist circumference, body mass index (BMI), and blood pressure (BP) was measured every 2 weeks, and laboratory blood tests with a survey including Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and eating behavior index was checked at 0, 3, and 6 months. Paired t-test and linear mixed model was done to evaluate the difference between pre-treatment data and post-treatment data. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients (2 males, median age [interquartile range] of 39 years [29-46]) were analyzed. There were statistically significant reductions of body weight (P<0.01), BMI (P<0.01), waist circumference (P<0.01), low-density lipoprotein (P=0.01), BDI-I (P<0.01), eating behavior index (P<0.01). There was no statistically significant difference of safety outcome of the BP and blood tests. CONCLUSIONS: Proper obesity treatment of obese patients of low socioeconomic status was meaningful enough to affect depression and eating patterns as well as reducing body weight and decreased waist circumference.

Estudo clínico-epidemiológico, laboratorial e de vulnerabilidade dos acidentes escorpiônicos atendidos no Hospital Municipal de Santarém - Pará / Epidemiological, clinical-laboratory and the vulnerability of patient hospitalized for scorpionism at the Municipal Hospital of Santarém (MHS), Pará

Escorpionismo é um problema de saúde no Brasil e em outras regiões do mundo. Em 2015, no Brasil, foram relatados 74.598 acidentes e 119 mortes. Neste estudo, foram descritos aspectos clínicos, epidemiológicos, laboratoriais e de vulnerabilidade nestes acidentes. Métodos: Trata-se de estudo clínico prospectivo e observacional conduzido no Hospital Municipal de Santarém (HMS), de Abril de 2008 a Janeiro de 2014. Os pacientes incluídos no estudo foram admitidos pelo autor e não representam o total de pacientes internados no HMS. Além disso, foi realizado estudo qualitativo com base teórica no conceito de vulnerabilidade que inclui as dimensões individual, social e programática. Resultados: Foram descritos 58 acidentes, presumivelmente, causados por T. obscurus na Amazônia Brasileira. A maioria dos acidentes ocorreu durante o trabalho, a maioria dos pacientes incluídos era do sexo masculino 39 (67,2%). Os principais locais de picada foram as extremidades (pés e mãos) com uma frequência de 51 (90%). Os pacientes relataram sensação de "choques elétricos" que podem durar horas. A grande maioria dos pacientes apresenta quadro clínico compatível com disfunção cerebelar aguda, que pode ter início minutos e durar até dois dias após a ocorrência do acidente. Apresentaram ataxia cerebelar, disdiadococinesia, dismetria, disartria, dislalia, naúseas e vômitos. Além disso, alguns pacientes, aprentaram mioclonias e fasciculações que também podem ser atribuídas à disfunção cerebelar aguda ou talvez à ação direta sobre o músculo esquelético. Seis pacientes apresentaram rabdomiólise e dois injúria renal aguda. O quadro clínico observado na maioria dos pacientes consiste, principalmente, em disfunção cerebelar aguda e manifestações neuromusculares anormais, que não foram descritos em qualquer outra região do mundo. Também foram realizadas 28 entrevistas quanti-qualitativas com pacientes vítimas de acidente escorpiônico, as quais foram submetidas à técnica de análise...

Scorpionism is a health problem in Brazil and in another regions of the world. In 2015, in Brazil 74,598 accidents and 119 deaths were reported. In this study, were described clinical, epidemiologic, laboratory and vulnerability aspects of these unique scorpion accidents. Methods: A prospective and observational study was conducted in the MHS, from April, 2008 to January, 2014. Patients included in the study were admitted by the authors and do not represent the total number of hospitalized patients in the MHS. In addition, a qualitative study was conducted with the theoretical basis of the vulnerability concept, that includes individual, social and programmatic dimension. Results: We described 58 accidents presumably caused by T. obscurus in Brazilian Amazonia. Most patients were stung during work activities and the majority was male 39 (67.2%). The main sites of stung were the extremities (feet and hands), with a frequency of 51 (90%).Patients reported a sensation of "electric shocks" which could last hours. The vast majority of patients presented a clinical picture compatible with acute cerebellar dysfunction, that started in minutes and could last up to two days after the accident. They presented cerebellar ataxia, dysdiadocokinesia, dysmetry, dysarthria, dyslalia, nausea and vomiting. Also, some patients presented myoclonus and fasciculation which can also be attributed to cerebellar dysfunction or perhaps the result of direct action on skeletal muscle. Six patients had developed rhabdomyolysis and two acute kidney injury. The clinical picture observed in most of our patients consisted mainly from an acute cerebellar dysfunction and abnormal neuromuscular manifestations which is not described in any other region of the world. Twenty-eight quantitative and qualitative interviews with scorpion sting victims. Each patient was submitted to discourse analysis technique. The majority patients were men who live in rural areas, small...

Desigualdade social, delinquencia e depressão: um estudo com adolescentes em conflito com a lei / Social inequality, delinquency and depression: a study with adolescents in conflict with the law / Desigualdad social, delincuencia y depresión: un estudio con adolescentes en conflicto con la ley

Objetivo Avaliar a autopercepcão do estado de saúde de adolescentes em confronto com a lei, obter informações relativas ao relacionamento desses adolescentes e a instituição destinada a oferecer atividades socioeducacionais e propor urna intervenção de reintegração social. Métodos Estudo qualiquantitativo incluindo um estudo transversal e uma observação de processo entre fevereiro e julho de 2006 com 51 adolescentes em confronto com a lei, atendidos no Centro de Desenvolvimento Social de Ceilándia (CDSC), Distrito Federal, Brasil. Jovens de 14 a 19 anos completaram questionários auto-respondíveis contendo variáveis sócio-demográficas e variáveis referentes ao estado de saúde. Durante a coleta de dados foram feitas observações sobre a opinião dos profissionais, dos pais e dos adolescentes, utilizando-se um diário de campo a fim de entedendermos a relação entre instituição, cuidadores e usuários do referido Centro. Resultados 78,4 por cento dos entrevistados referiram estado de saúde muito bom ou bom. No entanto, 70,6 por cento dos jovens referiram algum agravo á saúde. Irritabilidade fácil foi o agravo mais referido (25,5 por cento), seguido por problemas para dormir (19,6 por cento), dificuldade de concentração (13,7 por cento) e alergia (13,7 por cento). Os dados qualitativos sugeriram possível desconfiança mutua entre usuários e profissionais do CDSC e os adolescentes nele atendidos. Conclusão Os resultados sugerem alta prevalência de sintomas de depressão. É possível que a irritabilidade fácil esteja relacionada á delinqüência na amostra, no entanto, essa relação não foi investigada, merecendo pesquisas futuras para subsidiar políticas públicas em países da América Latina, onde a violência juvenil tornou-se um problema de saúde pública.

Objective Evaluating self-perception regarding health status in adolescents released on parole and observing the attitudes of professionals, parents or guardians and the adolescents themselves. Methods This was quali-quantitative research lasting from February to July 2006 which included a cross-sectional and observational study using a sample of 51 adolescents in conflict with the law who had been released on parole and who were attending a Social Development Centre in Ceilândia (SDCC), Distrito Federal, Brazil. Adolescents aged 14 to 19 completed self-administered questionnaires covering sociodemographic and health status-related variables. Process observation was also conducted so as to obtain qualitative information concerned with the relationship between adolescents and the professionals in charge to provide socio-educational measures in the aforementioned Centre. Results It was found that 78.4 percent of the interviewees mentioned good or very good health status; however, 76.6 percent of the sample mentioned at least one health problem. Becoming easily irritated (anger) was the most referred to health problem, followed by sleeping problems (19.6 percent), poor concentration (13.7 percent) and allergy (13.7 percent). Observation suggested that adolescents and parents had a poor relationship with the professionals in charge of caring for them. Conclusion The results suggested a high prevalence for symptoms of depression. Easy irritability may have been related to delinquency in the sample; however, such association was not investigated and deserves future research to develop appropriate public policy in Brazil and other Latin-American countries as violence becomes a public health problem in the region.

Objetivo Evaluar la percepción del estado de salud de los adolescentes en conflicto con la ley, la información relativa a la relación de estos adolescentes con la institución diseñada para ofrecer actividades socio-educativas, y proponer una intervención para su reintegración social. Métodos Estudio cuali-cuantitativo incluyendo un estudio de corte transversal y la observación de un proceso entre febrero y julio de 2006 con 51 adolescentes en conflicto con la ley, al que asistieron el Centro de Desarrollo Social Ceilândia, Distrito Federal, Brasil. Jóvenes de 14 a 19 años completaron los cuestionarios que contienen las variables socio-demográficas de auto-respuesta y las variables relacionadas con el estado de salud. Durante la recolección de datos, se hicieron observaciones sobre la opinión de los profesionales, padres y adolescentes, utilizando un diario para entender la relación entre las instituciones, los médicos y los usuarios del Centro. Resultados Aproximadamente el 78,4 por ciento de los encuestados informó un estado de salud muy buena o buena. Sin embargo, cuando se le preguntó acerca de las enfermedades específicas, el 70,6 por ciento de los jóvenes reportaron algunos daños a la salud. Irritabilidad fácil fue la afección más frecuentemente mencionada (25,5 por ciento), seguido de los problemas del sueño (19,6 por ciento), dificultad para concentrarse (13,7 por ciento) y alergia (13,7 por ciento). Los datos cualitativos sugieren desconfianza recíproca entre los usuarios y profesionales del Centro de Desarrollo Social y los adolescentes tratados en él. Conclusión Los resultados sugieren una alta prevalencia de síntomas depresivos. Es posible que la irritabilidad fácil esté relacionada con la delincuencia en la muestra, sin embargo, esta relación no se ha investigado y merece más investigación para apoyar las políticas públicas en Brasil y otros países de América Latina, donde la violencia juvenil se ha convertido en un problema de salud pública.

Risk Factors Associated with Head Louse Infestation in Korea

Head louse infestation (HLI) is one of the most frequently occurring parasitic diseases in children. This study was conducted to investigate the socioeconomic and personal factors influencing HLI in the Republic of Korea. A total of 2,210 questionnaires about various factors related to HLI were obtained from children in 17 primary schools throughout the country. The rate of HLI was significantly lower in children who lived together with mother or in a family where both parents worked. In addition, HLI was lower in children whose fathers or mothers were public officers or teachers. However, HLI was higher in children who had small families and washed their hair less often. Education levels of parents and the number of children in family were not significant. Improvement of socioeconomic factors and personal hygiene will be helpful for reducing HLI.

Changes in Contribution of Causes of Death to Socioeconomic Mortality Inequalities in Korean Adults / 예방의학회지

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to analyze long-term trends in the contribution of each cause of death to socioeconomic inequalities in all-cause mortality among Korean adults. METHODS: Data were collected from death certificates between 1990 and 2004 and from censuses in 1990, 1995, and 2000. Age-standardized death rates by gender were produced according to education as the socioeconomic position indicator, and the slope index of inequality was calculated to evaluate the contribution of each cause of death to socioeconomic inequalities in all-cause mortality. RESULTS: Among adults aged 25-44, accidental injuries with transport accidents, suicide, liver disease and cerebrovascular disease made relatively large contributions to socioeconomic inequalities in all-cause mortality, while, among adults aged 45-64, liver disease, cerebrovascular disease, transport accidents, liver cancer, and lung cancer did so. Ischemic heart disease, a very important contributor to socioeconomic mortality inequality in North America and Western Europe, showed a very low contribution (less than 3%) in both genders of Koreans. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the contributions of different causes of death to absolute mortality inequalities, establishing effective strategies to reduce socioeconomic inequalities in mortality is warranted.

Inequidades sociales en atención materna / Social inequity in maternal care

Introducción y objetivo: el presente artículo tiene como objetivo reflexionar sobre las inequidades sociales que afectan la salud de las mujeres embarazadas. Las inequidades, definidas como desigualdades injustas y evitables, son frecuentes a pesar de los acuerdos internacionales, políticas y programas que promueven la equidad en salud. Existen enfoques teóricos y metodológicos para realizar investigación sobre inequidades sociales que ameritan ser probados en el contexto para obtener evidencia y orientar las intervenciones.

Introduction and objective: this article was aimed at reflecting on the social inequities affecting pregnant women’s health. Inequities are defined as being unfair and avoidable disparities which are prevalent in spite of international agreements, policies and programmes promoting equity in health. Some theoretical and methodological approaches for conducting research on social inequities deserve to be tested within the context of providing evidence and guiding interventions.

Newly detected hypertension in an Iranian population: an epidemiological study

Background: Early detection of undiagnosed hypertension may prevent or reduce the onset and progression of many diseases.Objective: To investigate the prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension in an Iranian population and its relation with socio-demographic, anthropometric, and biochemical factors.Methods: Four thousand five hundred nineteen subjects, aged 15-65 years, were eligible for the study. They were entered into the study through the cluster sampling method.Results: The overall prevalence of previously unknown hypertension was 24.2%. It was higher among urban dwellers who were poorly educated, married, and were manual laborers by occupation compared to other groups.Conclusion: Poor literacy status as well socioeconomic conditions may be positively associated with hypertension. Undiagnosed hypertension can be lowered by increasing access to routine blood pressure measurement, pre-employment medical examination, and improvement of the health seeking behavior in these groups.

Analysis for the Impact of Adulthood and Childhood Socioeconomic Positions and Intergenerational Social Mobility on Adulthood Health / 예방의학회지

OBJECTIVES: There are at least three conceptual models for the effects of the childhood social environment on adult health: the critical period model, the social mobility model, and the cumulative risk model. However, few studies have investigated all three different models within the same setting. This study aims to examine the impact of childhood and adulthood socioeconomic positions and intergenerational social mobility over the life course on the health in adulthood based both on the critical period model and the social mobility model. METHODS: This study was conducted on 9583 adults aged between 25 and 64 years old and they were the respondents to the Korea Welfare Panel Study (2006). A multivariate logistic regression analysis was carried out, using the critical period model and the social mobility model out of the life course approaches, to look into the impact of childhood and adulthood socioeconomic positions and intergenerational social mobility on the health status in adulthood. RESULTS: Household income and occupation out of the adulthood socioeconomic position indicators had an independent influence on the adulthood health status. The childhood socioeconomic position indicators, except for the place of childhood residence, affected the adulthood health status even after adjustment for the adulthood socioeconomic position. The effect of intergenerational social mobility was also statistically significant even after adjusting for the adulthood socioeconomic position, but it became insignificant when the childhood socioeconomic position was additionally adjusted for. CONCLUSIONS: Adulthood health is indeed affected by both the childhood and adulthood socioeconomic positions as well as intergenerational social mobility. This result shows that a life course approach needs to be adopted when dealing with health issues.

A multilevel analysis of tuberculosisassociated factors / Análisis multinivel de los factores asociados con Tuberculosis / Análise multinível dos fatores associados à tuberculosez

Objective Evaluating the association between TB and AIDS and estimating the determinant effects and factors for TB incidence rates in Brazilian metropolitan regions from 2001 to 2003. Methods A Poisson longitudinal multilevel model was fitted to the annual TB case number by municipality and year, including the population as an offset variable, and AIDS incidence by metropolitan region, percentage low-income households, demographic density and TB cure rate by municipality and Brazilian geographic area as independent variables. Results All variables were found to be significantly associated with tuberculosis (except for cure rate percent): low income, demographic density, AIDS and Brazilian area. Interaction between AIDS and low income was significant and modified the effect of AIDS on TB incidence. Empty model and full model variance reduction percentages from first to third levels were 40.2 percent, 42.2 percent and 77.3 percent, respectively. Conclusions AIDS has become an impressive morbidity factor due to tuberculosis; this has not been found in previous studies in Brazil. The interaction between income and AIDS and the metropolitan regions' important contribution towards tuberculosis distribution were heterogeneously manifest amongst large Brazilian areas.

Objetivo Evaluar la asociación entre las tasas de incidencia de tuberculosis y HIV y estimar los efectos y factores determinantes de la incidencia de tuberculosis en las regiones metropolitanas de Brasil, del 2001 al 2003. Método Los casos de tuberculosis por municipio y año fueron adaptados al modelo Poisson multinivel, incluyendo la población como variable offset. Como variables independientes se utilizaron la tasa de incidencia de HIV por región metropolitana, las grandes regiones geográficas del Brasil, la proporción de casas con ingreso bajo, densidad geográfica y tasa de enfermos curados de tuberculosis por municipio. Resultados Con excepción de la tasa de enfermos curados, todas las variables presentaron asociación significativa con la tuberculosis. La relación entre HIV e ingreso bajo es significativa y modifica el resultado de la incidencia de la tuberculosis. El porcentaje de disminución de la varianza entre el modelo vacío y el modelo lleno, del primer al tercer nivel fue respectivamente, 40,2 por ciento, 42,2 por ciento y 77,3 por ciento. Conclusiones HIV es un factor impactante de morbilidad por tuberculosis, no encontrado antes en otros estudios. La influencia entre renta y HIV, es una importante contribución de las regiones metropolitanas en la distribución de la tuberculosis, distribuida heterogéneamente en las grandes regiones del país.

Objetivo Avaliar a associação entre as taxas de incidência de Tuberculose (TB) e AIDS e estimar os efeitos e fatores determinantes da incidência de tuberculose nas regiões metropolitanas do Brasil, de 2001 a 2003. Métodos Os casos de tuberculose por município e ano foram ajustados em um modelo Poisson multinível, incluindo a população como variável offset. Como variáveis independentes utilizaram-se a taxa de incidência de AIDS por região metropolitana, as grandes regiões geográficas do Brasil, a proporção de domicílios com renda baixa, densidade demográfica e taxa de cura de tuberculose por município. Resultados Com exceção de cura, todas as variáveis apresentaram associação significante com a tuberculose. O termo de interação entre AIDS e renda baixa é significante e modifica o efeito da incidência de tuberculose. O percentual de redução da variância entre o modelo vazio e o modelo cheio, do primeiro ao terceiro nível, foram respectivamente, 40,2 por cento, 42,2 por cento e 77,3 por cento. Conclusões AIDS é um fator impactante da morbidade por tuberculose, anteriormente não encontrado em outros estudos. A interação entre renda e AIDS, e a importante contribuição das regiões metropolitanas na distribuição da tuberculose, distribui-se heterogeneamente nas grandes regiões do país.

Caracterización del nivel de aptitud funcional de mujeres mayores residentes en comunidades de bajos ingresos / Characterizing the level of functional fitness of female senior-citizens residing in low-income communities

Objetivo Desarrollar una tabla descriptiva con el nivel de desempeño en parámetros de aptitud funcional en mujeres de 60 a 92 años, residentes en comunidades de bajos ingresos. Métodos La muestra se conformó con 222 mujeres de 16 grupos de convivencia para personas mayores en el municipio de Jequié, Bahia (IC=95 por ciento), Brasil. Se analizaron los parámetros de aptitud funcional (fuerza, resistencia aeróbica, flexibilidad, agilidad/equilibrio dinámico y el índice de masa corporal como estimación de la composición corporal), correspondientes a tres grupos etarios. Para el análisis de los datos se utilizaron procedimientos de estadística descriptiva (media, desviación media y distribución de percentiles) y análisis de varianza comparando las tres franjas etarias, categorizadas de acuerdo con los parámetros de aptitud funcional, por intermedio del test de Kruskal Wallis, con p<0.05. Resultados Se observaron diferencias entre los grupos de edad en cuanto a la aptitud funcional, excepto para la composición corporal. Sin embargo, en comparación con otros estudios que enfocaron la temática, se constató que los cambios ocurridos en el desempeño físico, al avanzar la edad cronológica, ocurren de manera más lenta. Conclusiones Los resultados alcanzados proveen una escala normativa específica a ser utilizada en poblaciones con características similares, la cual puede servir como parámetro para la elaboración de programas más efectivos en el mantenimiento de la aptitud funcional de personas mayores, residentes en comunidades de bajos ingresos.

Objective Developing a descriptive table regarding functional fitness parameters for women aged 62 to 92 residing in low-income communities. Methods The samples consisted of 222 women divided into 16 senior-citizen social groups in Jequié, Bahia, (95 percentCI) Brazil. Functional fitness parameters (force, aerobic resistance, flexibility, agility, dynamic equilibrium and body mass index for evaluating body composition) were analysed in women divided into three age-groups. Descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation and percent distribution) were used for data analysis and analysing variance by comparing the three age-groups classified in accordance with functional fitness parameters (Kruskal Wallis test, p<0.05). Results There was an expressed standard decline in the age-groups' ability classified in relation to the functional fitness parameters being evaluated (except for body composition). However, compared to other studies dealing with the subject, changes occurring in physical performance happened more gradually with advanced age. Conclusions The results achieved provide a specific normative scale which may be used on populations having similar characteristics in such a way that they can be used as a parameter for preparing more effective programmes for maintaining the functional fitness of senior-citizens living in low-income communities.

The equity-effectiveness loop as a tool for evaluating population health interventions / El asa de equidad-efectividad como una herramienta para la evaluación de intervenciones poblacionales

Population health is concerned with reducing health inequities, defined as being unfair and avoidable differences in health. The equity-effectiveness framework is described and illustrated; this is an evidence-based approach to assessing the effects of programmes and policies on health equity. Such framework also assesses barriers and facilitators for improving health equity using four factors: access, diagnostic accuracy, adherence and compliance. This framework emphasises the importance of transferring knowledge for designing and implementing clinical and public health interventions to improve health in all socioeconomic strata, based on the best available evidence. The World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre on Health Technology Assessment is now using this framework for organising the components of its equity-orientated, evidence-based toolkit.

La salud poblacional es concebida como la reducción de las inequidades en salud, definida como las diferencias evitables e injustas en salud. Nosotros describimos e ilustramos el marco de equidad-efectividad; una aproximación basada en evidencia para evaluar los efectos de programas y políticas sobre la equidad en salud. Este marco además evalúa las barreras y los facilitadores para mejorar la equidad a través de cuatro factores: acceso, exactitud diagnóstica, adherencia y conformidad. Este marco enfatiza la importancia de la transferencia de conocimiento para diseñar e implementar intervenciones en salud públicas y clínicas para mejorar la salud a través de todos los estratos socioeconómicos, basados en la mejor evidencia disponible. El Centro Colaborativo de la Organización Mundial de la Salud sobre Evaluación de Tecnologías Sanitarias está utilizando actualmente este marco para organizar su Paquete de Herramientas basadas en evidencia y orientadas por la equidad.

Prevalencia de parasitosis intestinales y factores asociados en un corregimiento de la Costa Atlántica Colombiana / Prevalence of intestinal parasitism and associated factors in a village on the Colombian Atlantic Coast

Objetivos Determinar la prevalencia del parasitismo intestinal e identificar los factores de riesgo asociados a estos, en el corregimiento de Loma Arena, Departamento de Bolívar, Colombia Metodología Mediante encuesta aplicada a cada grupo familiar, fueron evaluadas las condiciones socio-sanitarias y educativas de la población. Para el estudio coproparasitológico se recolectó por cada persona, dos muestras de heces obtenidas por evacuación espontánea y en dos días diferentes. El análisis de las heces se realizó mediante un examen directo en solución salina fisiológica y coloración temporal con lugol y por el método de concentración formol-éter Resultados Se encontró que el 92 por ciento de las personas estaban parasitadas, 92 por ciento de ellas con al menos un patógeno. El poliparasitismo fue muy importante (89,2 por ciento) encontrándose hasta un máximo de 7 especies por hospedador. La coinfección de protozoarios y helmintos fue frecuente (64 por ciento). Solo se encontró una frecuencia de teniosis de 0,9 por ciento. Se observó una asociación significativa entre sintomatología y presencia de parásitos (p<0,05) no así, entre síntomas y parásitos potencialmente patógenos a excepción de Trichuris trichura y dolor abdominal. El análisis estadístico no mostró asociación entre las parasitosis y los niveles educativos o hábitos higiénicos sanitarios. Conclusión La distribución uniforme de la mayoría de las parasitosis intestinales en los cinco grupos de edad evaluados, da cuenta de la exposición a las fuentes de infección en todas las etapas de la vida de los pobladores de Loma Arena.

Objectives Determining the prevalence of intestinal parasitism and identifying the associated risk factors in the village of Loma Arena, Bolivar department, Colombia. Methodology The community's sanitary and educational conditions were evaluated by using a questionnaire which was applied to each family group. Two stool samples obtained by spontaneous evacuation, on two different days, were gathered from each participating person for the coproparasitological study. The coprological test involved direct examination in saline physiological solution and temporary staining with Lugol's solution and the formol-ether concentration method. Results It was found that 92 percent of the population was parasitised, 92 percent of them with at least one pathogenic parasite. Polyparasitism was very important (89,2 percent); a maximum of 7 species per host was found. Helminth and protozoa coinfection was frequent (64 percent). There was only 0,9 percent teniosis prevalence. There was a significant association between symptomatology and parasite presence (p< 0.05), though such relationship was not seen with potentially pathogenic parasites (with the exception of Trichuris trichura and abdominal pain). The statistical analysis did not reveal any relationship between parasitism and educational level or sanitary habits. Conclusion The uniform distribution of most intestinal parasites amongst the five age-groups evaluated showed that people in Loma Arena were evenly exposed to sources of infection in all age-groups.

Factors Associated with Short Height in School-aged Children

BACKGROUND: With the increasing mean height of children, concerns about stature seem to grow in Korea. However, most studies regarding short stature were performed in developing countries where population were likely to be exposed to malnutrition and poor hygienic environments and factors associated with height were seldom studied in well-nourished population. METHODS: Study participants were 449 Korean boys and girls enrolled in 2nd or 6th grade of a primary school. Height and weight were measured by standardized method and a questionnaire asking eating habits, birth weight, feeding method, physical exercise, household income, and height of parents was self-administered to each child and their parents. We classified participants into two groups according to the distribution of their height (lower 25% or upper 75%) and evaluated the factors associated with the short height (lower 25%) using multiple linear logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: In the analysis of the whole participants, short height of parents and normal body mass index were significantly associated with short height. Subgroup analysis stratified by gender and school grade showed that short height of father and normal body mass index, short height of mother, low household income, and not engaging in regular physical exercise were significantly associated with short height for 2nd grade boys, 6th grade boys, 2nd grade girls, and 6th grade girls, respectively. CONCLUSION: The factors associated with short height differed according to gender and school grades. In boys, parental height was significantly associated with and, in girls, environmental factors such as physical exercise or household income were significant factors of short stature.

Identificação das características associadas com a aprovação de candidatos de escolas públicas e privadas, Vestibular-2004, UFMG / Identification of the factors associated with the approval of candidates from public and private schools, Vestibular-2004, UFMG

Este trabalho visa a conhecer melhor o perfil dos candidatos oriundos de escolas das redes públicas e privadas de ensino que tentaram ingressar na UFMG em 2004. Busca-se identificar quais das características definidas no questionário socioeconômico e cultural aplicado no ato da inscrição do candidato podem estar mais associadas com a aprovação no vestibular. Conclui-se que o local de moradia e o conhecimento de língua estrangeira são as variáveis mais fortemente associadas com a aprovação do candidato de escolas particulares e escolas públicas, respectivamente. Verificou-se que, entre os candidatos que concluíram o ensino médio em escolas públicas, os que estudaram em escolas públicas federais tendem a se concentrar nos grupos com maiores chances de aprovação.

This paper aims to better understand the profile of the candidates for the UFMG entrance examination in 2004, coming from public and private schools. The objective is to identify which of the characteristics defined through a socioeconomic and cultural questionnaire answered by the candidates upon their application for the entrance examination may be associated with their approval at the University exams. It was found that the place where the candidates live and their knowledge of a foreign language are the variants more strongly related to the approval of the candidates of private schools and public schools, respectively. It was also found that, among the candidates who concluded high school at public schools that attained the highest chances of approval, there was a large percentage of candidates that attended high school in federal establishments.

Socioeconomic status and cancer screening in Japanese males: Large inequlaity in middle-aged and urban residents

<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>Cancer screening has become common in Japan. However, little is known about the socioeconomic factors affecting cancer screening participation. This study was performed to examine the association between socioeconomic status and cancer screening participation in Japanese males.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Using the data of 23,394 males sampled from across Japan, the associations between self-reported participation in screenings for three types of cancer (i.e., stomach, lung and colon) and socioeconomic variables, including marital status, types of residential area (metropolitan/nonmetropolitan), household income, and employment status, were examined using multilevel logistic regression by age group (40 to 64 and ≥65 years).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The cancer screening participation rates were 34.5% (stomach), 21.3% (lung), and 24.8% (colon) for the total population studied. Being married, living in a nonmetropolitan area, having a higher income and being employed in a large-scale company showed independent associations with a higher rate of cancer screening participation for all three types of cancer. Income-related differences in cancer screening were more pronounced in the middle-aged population than in the elderly population, and in metropolitan areas than in nonmetropolitan areas.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>There are notable socioeconomic differences in cancer screening participation in Japan. To promote cancer screening, socioeconomic factors should be considered, particularly for middle-aged and urban residents.</p>

Socioeconomic Status and Cancer Screening in Japanese Males: Large Inequlaity in Middle-Aged and Urban Residents

Objectives: Cancer screening has become common in Japan. However, little is known about the socioeconomic factors affecting cancer screening participation. This study was performed to examine the association between socioeconomic status and cancer screening participation in Japanese males. Methods: Using the data of 23,394 males sampled from across Japan, the associations between self-reported participation in screenings for three types of cancer (i.e., stomach, lung and colon) and socioeconomic variables, including marital status, types of residential area (metropolitan/nonmetropolitan), household income, and employment status, were examined using multilevel logistic regression by age group (40 to 64 and ³65 years). Results: The cancer screening participation rates were 34.5% (stomach), 21.3% (lung), and 24.8% (colon) for the total population studied. Being married, living in a nonmetropolitan area, having a higher income and being employed in a large-scale company showed independent associations with a higher rate of cancer screening participation for all three types of cancer. Income-related differences in cancer screening were more pronounced in the middle-aged population than in the elderly population, and in metropolitan areas than in nonmetropolitan areas. Conclusions: There are notable socioeconomic differences in cancer screening participation in Japan. To promote cancer screening, socioeconomic factors should be considered, particularly for middle-aged and urban residents.

A Study of Factors Affecting Bone Mineral Density in Children : Anthropometric Measurements, Socioeconomic Factors, Family History, and Other Environmental Factors

This study was conducted to investigate the bone mineral density (BMD) and the anthropometric measurements, socioeconomic factors, family history of osteoporosis and other environmental factors affecting BMD in children. One hundred sixty children (80 males, 80 females) in second grade of elementary school in Seoul were recruited; the mean age was 7.7 +/- 0.47 years. Bone mineral density was measured in the lumbar spine (LS), femoral neck (FN), femoral trochanter (FT), and Ward's triangle (WT) by Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA). Socioeconomic factors, family history of osteoporosis, and other environmental factors were assessed by questionnaire. Bone mineral densities of LS, FN, FT, and WT were 0.677, 0.637, 0.618, and 0.658 g/cm2. BMD of boys was higher than that of girls (LS: 0.685 vs. 0.669, FN: 0.660 vs. 0.614, FT: 0.632 vs. 0.604, WT: 0.678 vs. 0.639 g/cm2). Anthropometric measurements (height, weight, relative body weight, circumference of waist and hip) were positively correlated with BMD. With increasing family income, BMD of LS was significantly lowered, and negative correlation was observed between mother's age at birth of subject and the BMD of FN. And the BMD of children with a family history of osteoporosis was significantly lower. However BMDs were not different by educational level of parents, family pattern, delivery term, birth weight, and type of feeding. Further studies are needed to clarify the factors affecting BMD of children and earlier age, included infants and even prenatal life. If any association is revealed and persist until the attainment of peak bone mass, osteoporosis prevention programs are needed to be start very early in the life cycle.