Uso de la diversidad biológica de grupos indicadores para evaluar la compensación ecológica: el caso del Embalse Río Piedras, Costa Rica

Introducción: Cerca de 113 hectáreas dentro de la Reserva Biológica Lomas de Barbudal (RBLB) se inundarían si se llegara a establecer el embalse de riego Río Piedras en el noroeste de Costa Rica. Ante ese impacto inevitable, la legislación costarricense requiere evaluar la pérdida de diversidad en el sitio y compensarla siguiendo el principio de equivalencia ecológica. Objetivo: Nuestro objetivo fue evaluar la pérdida de diversidad en el sitio y, valorar esta condición en una propiedad privada adyacente considerada como sitio potencial para compensar por esas pérdidas. Metodología: La diversidad, composición y prioridad de conservación de plantas vasculares, fauna vertebrada y artrópodos del sotobosque fueron evaluadas en el sitio de inundación en RBLB y en una propiedad privada adyacente identificada como sitio potencial de compensación. La equivalencia en diversidad entre ambos sitios se valoró mediante un procedimiento que asigna puntajes a los diferentes indicadores del sitio de compensación respecto a los observados en RBLB. La suma de esos puntajes representa la condición de diversidad del sitio de compensación y puede utilizarse como criterio para fundamentar acciones resarcitorias. Resultados: Todos los grupos sustitutos registraron un alto número de especies, aunque la información aportada por las plantas herbáceas, los mamíferos no voladores y los reptiles fue limitada. En contraste, los otros grupos indican una mayor diversidad en el sitio potencial de inundación, atribuida a sutiles diferencias ambientales y a su mejor conservación. En consecuencia, se valoró sustituir el área afectada por un área mayor del sitio de compensación para resarcir las perdidas en diversidad estimadas. Conclusión: Nuestro análisis muestra que grupos sustitutos pueden ser empleados en estudios ambientales a corto plazo. Sin embargo, los grupos a utilizar deben seleccionarse cuidadosamente, considerando los objetivos y el alcance del proyecto. Cuantificar la condición de diversidad del sitio de compensación respecto a la que se encuentra en un sitio de referencia parece ser un procedimiento válido, repetible y evaluable que permite establecer criterios sobre los cuales basar medidas resarcitorias.

Introduction: About 113 hectares within the Lomas de Barbudal Biological Reserve (RBLB) would be flooded if the Río Piedras irrigation reservoir were established in northwestern Costa Rica. Given this inevitable impact, Costa Rican legislation requires evaluating the loss of diversity in the site and compensating for it following the principle of ecological equivalence. Objetive: Our goal was to assess the loss of diversity at that site and evaluate the condition of an adjacent private property as a potential site to compensate for those losses. Methodology: The diversity, composition, and conservation priority of vascular plants, vertebrate fauna, and understory arthropods were assessed at the RBLB flood site and on an adjacent private property identified as a potential offset site. The equivalence in diversity between both sites was evaluated by assigning scores to the different indicators at the compensation site concerning those observed in RBLB. The sum of these scores represents the diversity condition of the compensation site and can be used as a criterion to support compensatory actions. Results: All surrogate groups recorded a high number of species, although the information provided by herbaceous plants, non-flying mammals, and reptiles was limited. In contrast, the other groups indicate a greater diversity in the potential flood site, attributed to subtle environmental differences and the better conservation at this site. Consequently, it was assessed to replace the affected area with a larger offset site area to compensate for the estimated losses in diversity. Conclusion: Our analysis shows that surrogate groups can be used in short-term environmental studies. However, the groups to be used must be carefully selected, considering the objectives and scope of the project. Quantifying the diversity condition of the compensation site concerning that found in a reference site seems to be a valid, repeatable, and evaluable procedure that allows establishing criteria on which to base compensatory measures.

HISTORY OF ECONOMIC THOUGHT A FORGOTTON SUBJECT: AN APPRAISAL OF PHYSIOCRACY WITH REFERENCE TO INDIA

History of Economic Thought is different from Economic History and History of Economics. While History of Economic Thought deals with the development of economic ideas, Economic History is a study of the economic development of a country. On the other hand, History of Economics deals with the science of economics. Even though Economic History and History of Economic Thought constitute separate branches of study, they are closely related. Economic ideas are directly and indirectly motivated by the economic conditions and environment of the country. Physiocracy is also known as the “Agricultural System”. Economic thinkers who contributed to the growth and development of Physiocracy have been called as Physiocrats. The Physiocrats have been regarded as the founders of economic science because they were the first to grasp the general principles under-lying the economic phenomena and to evolve a theoretical system. Physiocracy is also remarked as the first school of economic thought. The term Physiocracy means “Rule of Nature”. Physiocracy may be defined as a reaction against Mercantilism and its concepts. The Physiocrats believed that the mercantile policies instead of doing any good have done great harm to the nations. So they revolved against the mercantile policies. According to Gide and Rist,“Physiocrats must be credited with a foundation of the earliest school of economists in the fullest sense of the term. The entrance of this small group of men into the arena of history is a most th touching one”. The influential French School of thinkers of the early 18 century was led by “Quesnay and Turgot”. They believed in the existence of natural law which governs the universe. Their emphasis on agriculture has earned for their system of thought, the name agricultural school. The present paper deals with evaluation of “History of Economic Thought a Forgotton subject: An Appraisal of Physiocracy with reference to India” keeping in view the agriculture sector contribution towards national income since independence

Factors related to low birth weight in Indonesia

@#Introduction: Previous studies have reported that low birth weight (LBW) correlates with neonatal death and 15 - 20% of all births worldwide are LBW. This research aimed to analyse the factors related to LBW in Indonesia. Methods: The authors collated secondary data from the 2017 Indonesian Demographic and Health Survey (IDHS). The sample consisted of 17,443 respondents. Besides LBW as the dependent variable, the independent variables consisted of maternal age, residence, wealth, education, employment, marital status, health insurance, antenatal care (ANC) visits, smoking behaviour, and gender of the baby. The final stage employed binary logistic regression. Results: Women aged 35-39 years were 0.688 times less likely than women aged 15-19 years to give birth to LBW babies. The wealthiest women were 0.712 times less likely than the poorest women to give birth to LBW babies. Women with higher education levels were 0.670 times less likely to have a LBW baby than women with no education level. Women who attended ≥4 ANC visits were 0.829 times less likely to have LBW babies than women who attended <4 ANC visits. Baby girls were 1.161 times more likely than baby boys to be born with LBW. Conclusion: The study concluded that the factors related to LBW in Indonesia were maternal age, wealth, education, ANC, and gender of the baby.

O eu e o mundo: por uma ética para o século XXI / The self and the world: for ethics in the 21st century / El yo y el mundo: por una ética para el siglo XXI / Le moi et le monde: pour une éthique pour le XXIe siècle

RESUMO O autor propõe tratar de uma ética para o século XXI. Ressalta a contradição entre as conquistas alcançadas nos últimos 100 anos - como o aumento da expectativa de vida, a diminuição da mortalidade infantil, o aumento da produção de riqueza e o desenvolvimento tecnológico - e a difusão dessas conquistas. Houve avanço na capacidade de gerar riqueza, mas não na capacidade de distribuí-la. Reconhece que avançamos em série, no desenvolvimento econômico, nas condições do trabalho e no cuidado com o ambiente, sem, no entanto, termos uma visão integrada na qual o modo de produção se torne sustentável. Destaca o impacto ambiental deletério causado por um modo de desenvolvimento que não se coloca limites. Propõe, por fim, rever o papel e o perfil das lideranças governamentais, de maneira a levar o homem a compreender a relação entre produção, preservação da natureza e distribuição de riqueza.

ABSTRACT This work aims at covering ethics for the 21st century. It highlights the contradiction between achievements in the last one hundred years, such as the increase of life expectancy, decrease of infant mortality rate, higher production of wealth and the technological development besides its distribution among people and population. There has been an improvement on the ability to create wealth, but not on the way it is distributed. It recognizes that we have progressed as a group, watching the economic development, work conditions and the environment. However, we haven't achieved an integrated vision on sustainable production. It also points out the detrimental impact on the environmental caused by the way development is happening, without limit control. It proposes that governmental leadership roles and profile are reviewed so that people understand the relation among production, nature preservation and wealth distribution.

RESUMEN El trabajo propone tratar de una ética para el siglo XXI. Destaca la contradicción entre las conquistas alcanzadas en los últimos cien años, tales como el aumento de la esperanza de vida, la disminución de la mortalidad infantil, el aumento de la producción de riqueza y del desarrollo tecnológico, y, su distribución entre las personas. Hubo un avance en la capacidad de generar riqueza, pero no en la capacidad de distribuirla. Reconoce que avanzamos en serie cuidando del desarrollo económico, de las condiciones de trabajo y con el cuidado del ambiente, no obstante, sin una visión integrada, en la que el modo de producción sea sostenible. Destaca el impacto ambiental negativo generado por el desarrollo sin límites. Propone finalmente revisar el papel y el perfil de los líderes gubernamentales de manera que faciliten al hombre a comprender la relación entre producción, preservación de la naturaleza y distribución de riqueza.

RÉSUMÉ L'auteur propose de discuter d'une éthique pour le XXIe siècle. Il souligne la contradiction entre les progrès atteints pendant les dernières cent ans - telles que l'augmentation de l'espérance de vie, la diminution de la mortalité infantile, l'augmentation de la production de richesses et le développement technologique - et la diffusion de ces réussites. Il y a eu des avancements dans la capacité de générer des richesses, mas pas dans la capacité de les distribuer. Il reconnaît que nous progressons en série, dans le développement économique, dans les conditions du travail et dans la protection de l'environnement, sans pourtant en avoir une vision intégrée dont le processus de production devienne durable. Il met en relief l'impact environnemental délétère provoqué par un mode de développement qui n'établit pas de limites. Pour finir, il propose de revoir le rôle et le profil des responsables gouvernementaux, de façon à mener l'homme à comprendre le rapport entre la production, la préservation de la nature et la répartition des richesses.

Inventarios e índices de diversidad agrícola en fincas campesinas de dos municipios del Valle del Cauca, Colombia / Inventories and indices of agricultural diversity in peasant farms in two municipalities of Valle del Cauca, Colombia / Inventários e índices de diversidade agrícola em fazendas camponesas em dois municípios de Valle del Cauca, Colombia

Resumen Con el objetivo de conocer la diversidad de especies y variedades manejadas a nivel de finca por los agricultores de 2 municipios del Valle del Cauca, Colombia y el uso que las familias le dan a estas, se realizaron inventarios de agrobiodiversidad y se estimaron índices de riqueza y abundancia de dichas especies. Se evaluaron siete fincas de las veredas El Diamante, Alto del Oso y San Pablo en el Municipio de Restrepo y dos fincas en los corregimientos Fenicia y Puerto Fenicia, en el Municipio de Riofrío. Los inventarios e índices evaluados en los dos municipios muestran que existe gran riqueza y abundancia específica, y que no hay especies dominantes. Los inventarios de agrobiodiversidad y la aplicación de índices se deben constituir como herramientas indispensables para el diseño de la estructura de los sistemas sostenibles como clara estrategias para la mitigación al cambio climático basados en el uso y manejo de la agrobiodiversidad local y la generación de medios de vida para los agricultores, y como aporte para la seguridad y soberanía alimentaria.

Abstract With the objective of knowing the diversity of species and varieties managed at the farm level by the farmers of 2 municipalities of Valle del Cauca, Colombia and the use that families give them, agrobiodiversity inventories were carried out and wealth indices were estimated and abundance of these species. Seven farms of the El Diamante, Alto del Oso and San Pablo villages in the Municipality of Restrepo and two farms in the Fenicia and Puerto Fenicia districts, in the Municipality of Riofrío were evaluated. The inventories and indices evaluated in the two municipalities show that there is great wealth and specific abundance, and that there are no dominant species. Agrobiodiversity inventories and the application of indexes should be constituted as indispensable tools for the design of the structure of sustainable systems as clear strategies for climate change mitigation based on the use and management of local agrobiodiversity and the generation of means of life for farmers, and as a contribution to food security and sovereignty

Resumo Com o objetivo de conhecer a diversidade de espécies e variedades manejadas no nível da fazenda pelos agricultores de 2 municípios de Valle del Cauca, Colômbia e o uso que as familias lhes dão, foram realizados inventários de agrobiodiversidade e estimados índices de riqueza e abundância dessas espécies. Foram avaliadas sete fazendas das aldeias El Diamante, Alto del Oso e San Pablo no município de Restrepo e duas fazendas nos distritos de Fenicia e Puerto Fenicia, no município de Riofrío. Os inventários e índices avaliados nos dois municípios mostram que há grande riqueza e abundância específica e que não existem espécies dominantes. Os inventários de agrobiodiversidade e a aplicação de índices devem ser constituídos como ferramentas indispensáveis para o desenho da estrutura de sistemas sustentáveis, como estratégias claras para a mitigação das mudanças climáticas, baseadas no uso e gestão da agrobiodi-versidade local e na geração de meios de vida para os agricultores e como uma contribuição para a segurança e soberania alimentar.

Quem perde e quem ganha com a PEC 287/2016? Uma análise pela variação da riqueza atuarial do segurado urbano brasileiro do Regime Geral de Previdência Social / ¿Quién pierde y quién gana con la PEC 287/2016? Un análisis por la variación de la riqueza actuarial del beneficiario urbano del Sistema Brasileño de Seguridad Social / Who loses and who wins with the PEC 287/2016? An analysis of the pension wealth variation for the urban beneficiary of Brazilian Social Security System

Resumo Este estudo mensura a alteração de riqueza do segurado pela reforma da Proposta de Emenda à Constituição n. 287/2016 (PEC 287, 2016), com a criação do pedágio e alterações na idade mínima, fatores de reposição, média dos salários de contribuição e percentual de reversão das pensões. Propõe-se o uso do indicador valor presente líquido atuarial aplicado ao fluxo de caixa esperado das contribuições e benefícios de aposentadoria programada, por invalidez e pensão por morte, além da reversão a cônjuge com continuidade a filhos menores. Os mais atingidos negativamente são aqueles com idade próxima à aposentadoria por idade e pouco tempo de contribuição. Porém, para grupos com grande tempo de contribuição (mais de 29 anos para homens e 21 para mulheres) e idades entre 45 e 55 anos, para homens, e entre 40 e 54 anos, para mulheres, há um surpreendente ganho de riqueza atuarial.

Resumen Este estudio mensura la alteración de riqueza del asegurado por la reforma de la Propuesta de Enmienda a la Constitución (PEC) 287/2016, con la creación del peaje fiscal y alteraciones en el tiempo mínimo de contribución, factores de reposición, media de las contribuciones y porcentual de reversión de las pensiones. Se propone uso del indicador valor presente neto actuarial aplicado al flujo de caja esperado de las contribuciones y beneficios de jubilación programada, por invalidez y pensión por muerte, además de la reversión al cónyuge con continuidad a hijos menores. Los más afectados negativamente son aquellos con edad próxima a la jubilación por edad y poco tiempo de contribución. Sin embargo, para grupos con gran tiempo de contribución (más de 29 años para hombres y de 21 para mujeres) y edades entre 45 y 55 años para hombres y entre 40 y 54 para mujeres hay un sorprendente beneficio de riqueza actuarial.

Abstract This study calculates the impact of the changes in the individual pension wealth due to the proposed constitutional amendment 287/2016 that provides on the retirement eligibility age, benefit replacement rate, benefit accrual formula, and reduced percentage of family benefits. It uses the expected cash flow in actuarial net present value for the contributions and benefits of voluntary retirement, disability retirement, and death pension, in addition to family benefits. The results show that the most affected, are those of almost full retirement age with little contribution time. However, surprisingly, for groups with a high contribution period (more than 29 years for men and 21 for women) and aged between 45 and 55 years for men and between 40 and 54 for women there is an actuarial wealth gain.

Enablers of vitamin A coverage among children under five years of age from multi-country analyses of global demographic and health surveys in selected LMIC and LIC countries in Africa and Asia: a random forest analysis

Background: Vitamin A deficiency is a common form of micronutrient malnutrition. The estimated relative risks associated with vitamin A deficiency in children were 1.86 (95% CI 1.32–2.59) for measles mortality, 2.15 (95% CI 1.83–2.58) for diarrhoea mortality, 1.78 (95% CI 1.43–2.19) for malaria mortality, 1.13 (95% CI 1.01–1.32) for other infectious disease mortality. Vitamin A supplementation reduces night blindness, child morbidity and mortality.Methods: This paper tries to explore the socio-demographic causes of receipt of vitamin A in selected lower-middle-income and low income countries by analysing the data of the demographic and health surveys from 2012 and 2016 using PASW 18.0 software. Multivariate binary logistic regressions were conducted to explore the role of socio-demographic covariates in the receipt of vitamin A supplementation. In addition, random forest (RF) analyses were conducted using Python 3.6.Results: After adjusting for related socio-economic and demographic factors, mother’s work status and education and among mass media channels, exposure to television seems to play an important role in predicting receipt of vitamin A in the selected countries in Asia, while education of the mother was significantly associated with the receipt of vitamin A in the selected countries of Africa. In all the selected countries, the RF analyses revealed mother’s education followed by wealth index and mass media (TV), as the variable of most importance.Conclusions: It can be concluded that mother’s education and mass media seems to be working well in making the mothers aware about the vitamin A campaign, especially, the exposure to television. It also figures in the variable importance matrix in addition to wealth index.

Saber etnobotánico, riqueza y valor de uso de plantas medicinales en Monterrey, Villa Corzo, Chiapas (México) / Ethnobotanical knowledge, richness and use value of medicinal plants in the community "Monterrey", Villa Corzo, Chiapas (México)

Se registraron 73 especies de plantas medicinales naturalizadas o nativas de la comunidad Monterrey, municipio de Villa Corzo, Chiapas, México. Para el levantamiento de la información, se aplicó una entrevista semiestructurada a una muestra de 119 personas, categorizadas por edad y sexo. Se determinó la familia botánica de cada una de las plantas identificadas, así como el índice de riqueza de conocimiento, el valor de uso y la frecuencia de uso. Dentro de las especies más usadas se encuentran la Verbena (Verbena officinalis L.), la Manzanilla (Chamaemelum nobile L.) y la Albahaca (Ocimum basilicum L.), la Sábila (Aloe barbadensis Miller) y la Ruda (Ruta chalepensis L.), que presentan el mayor índice de riqueza de conocimiento, así como de valor de uso. Las familias más representadas por especies de uso botánico fueron Asteraceae con diez especies, Fabaceae, Lamiaceae, Poaceae con cuatro y Annonaceae, Apiaceae, Lauraceae y Rubiaceae, con tres especies.

Seventy-three species of naturalized or native medicinal plants of the Monterrey community, municipality of Villa Corzo, Chiapas, Mexico were registered. A semi-structured interview was applied to a sample of 119 people, categorized by age and sex. The botanical family of each identified plants was determined, as well as the index of knowledge richness, the use value and the frequency of use. Among the most used species are the Verbena (Verbena officinalis L), the Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile L.) and the Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.), the Aloe (Aloe barbedensis Miller) and the Rue (Ruta chalepensis L.), which showed the highest rate of richness of knowledge, as well as use value. The botanical families most represented by species of medicinal use were Asteraceae with ten species, Fabaceae, Lamiaceae, Poaceae with four and Annonaceae, Apiaceae, Lauraceae and Rubiaceae, with three species.

Influence of maternal autonomy and socioeconomic factors on birth weight of infants in India

Introduction: Child’s birth weight (BW) is an important aspect not only during childhood but also affects morbidity and mortality in adulthood. The focus of this study is to examine the role of different socioeconomic factors, along with women’s decision-making autonomy on the determination of infant BW. Methods: The dataset was obtained from the National Family Health Survey, India (2005-06). The respondents were women of reproductive age (15-49 years) having at least one living child at least five years old preceding the survey. This study considered only the last single live birth child having a recorded BW at the time of delivery. Results: The results showed that 19% of the infants were born with low birth weight (LBW) with regional variations ranging from 13% to 27%. The mean BW of infants of mothers from high autonomy category was 2.90±0.645 kg, while that of mothers with low autonomy was 2.75±0.702 kg. The proportion of LBW infants was significantly higher among mothers with low education, short stature, low BMI and poor wealth index category. Percentage of LBW infants were lower among mothers with autonomy including taking care of their own health (18% versus 21% who were not), making large purchases (17% vs 22%), visiting relatives (18% vs 22%), and allowed to go to the market (18% vs 22%). Conclusion: The findings indicated that the mother’s freedom of movement and financial independence were significantly associated with infant’s BW in India. Attention should be given to improving the socio-economic conditions and empowerment of Indian women.

Appropriate household water treatment methods in Ethiopia: household use and associated factors based on 2005, 2011, and 2016 EDHS data

BACKGROUND@#Diarrheal disease attributable to water and sanitation can be prevented using point-of-use water treatment. In Ethiopia, a small number of households treat water at point-of-use with appropriate methods. However, evidence on factors associated with household use of these treatment methods is scarce. Therefore, this study is intended to explore the household use of appropriate point-of-use water treatment and associated factors in Ethiopia.@*METHODS@#The data of 2005, 2011, and 2016 Ethiopian demographic and health surveys were used for analysis. Households reportedly treating water with bleach, boiling, filtration, and solar disinfection in each survey are considered as treating with appropriate treatment methods. Household water treatment with these treatment methods and factors associated was assessed using bivariate and multivariable regression. In addition, a region level difference in the treatment use was assessed by using multilevel modeling.@*RESULTS@#The number of households that reported treating water with appropriate water treatment methods was 3.0%, 8.2%, and 6.5% respectively in 2005, 2011, and 2016. Household heads with higher education had 5.99 (95% CI = 3.48, 10.33), 3.61 (95% CI = 2.56, 5.07), and 3.43 (95% CI = 2.19, 6.37) times higher odds of using the treatment methods respectively in 2005, 2011, and 2016 compared to household heads who had no education. There was a significantly high number of households that used appropriate water treatment methods in 2011 (AOR = 2.78, 95% CI = 2.16, 3.57) and 2016 (AOR = 2.18, 95% CI = 1.64, 3.89) compared to 2005 data. In pooled data analysis, the reported use of the treatment methods is associated with household head education, residency, drinking water sources, and owning radio and television. From a multilevel modeling, within-region variation is higher than between-region variations in the use of treatment methods in each survey.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Below 10% of households reportedly treating water at point-of-use in each survey attributable to different factors. Designing intervention strategies for wide-scale use of treatment methods at the country level is fundamental.

Minería ilícita: incidencia en la convivencia y seguridad ciudadana en diez departamentos de Colombia / Illicit mining activities: its influence on citizen coexistence and security in ten Colombian departments / Mineração ilícita: incidência na convivência e na segurança cidadã em dez departamentos da Colômbia

El desarrollo del delito de minería ilícita tiene amplia incidencia en el incremento de los índices de violencia en municipios mineros de Colombia, como se deduce de la presente investigación, que se realizó con el objetivo de explicar el impacto de la minería ilícita en la convivencia y seguridad ciudadana en los citados municipios. Método. La investigación fue de tipo mixto, de alcance exploratorio descriptivo, constituida por una muestra de 129 funcionarios públicos y particulares, distribuidos en 42 municipios de diez departamentos. Los resultados se analizaron desde la teoría integradora del delito, y revelan altos niveles de deterioro de la convivencia y seguridad ciudadana en municipios con vocación minera, evidenciados por elevadas tasas de homicidio, lesiones personales y extorsión, situación que es aprovechada por los grupos armados organizados al margen de la Ley para perpetuar las espirales de violencia y subdesarrollo en las áreas donde delinquen.

The evolution of illicit mining offenses has wide influence on the increasing violence indices in mining municipalities in Colombia, as deducted from the present research carried out with the objective of explaining the impact of illegal mining on coexistence and citizen security in the cited municipalities. Method. Research was of a mixed type, with a descriptive exploratory scope, composed by a sample of 129 public and private officers distributed into 42 municipalities belonging to 10 departments. Results were analyzed from the integrating theory of crime, and they revealed high deterioration levels for coexistence and citizen security in municipalities with a mining vocation, as evidenced by high homicide rates, personal injuries and extortion, this situation being well exploited by illegal armed groups to perpetuate violence and underdevelopment spirals in the areas where they commit their offenses.

O desenvolvimento do crime da mineração ilícita tem ampla incidência no aumento dos índices da violência em municipalidades mineiras da Colômbia, como se deduz da pesquisa atual, que foi feita com o objetivo de explicar o impacto da mineração ilícita na convivência e na segurança cidadã nas municipalidades mencionadas. Método: A pesquisa foi de tipo misturado, de alcance exploratório descritivo, constituído por uma amostra de 129´funcionários públicos, distribuídos em 42 municipalidades de dez departamentos. Os resultados foram analisados da teoria integradora do crime, e revelam níveis altos da deterioração da convivência e da segurança cidadã nas municipalidades com vocação mineira, demonstrada pelas elevadas taxas do homicídio, os ferimentos pessoais e a extorsão, situação que é alavancada pelos grupos armados organizados à margem da lei para perpetuar as espirais da violência.

Wealth index and maternal health care: Revisiting NFHS-3.

The third National Family Health Survey (NFHS-3) is a large dataset on indicators of family welfare, maternal and child health, and nutrition in India. This article using NFHS-3 data is an attempt to bring out the impact of economic status, i.e., the wealth index on maternal health. The study was based on an analysis of the NFHS-3 data. Independent variables taken were the wealth index, literacy, and age at first child birth. Effects of these variables on the maternal health care services were investigated. Out of the total 124,385 women aged 15-49 years included in the NFHS-3 dataset, 36,850 (29.6%) had one or more childbirth during the past 5 years. The number of antenatal care (ANC) visits increased as the wealth index increased and there was a pattern for choice of place of delivery (for all deliveries during the last 5 years) according to the wealth index. Logistic regression analysis of the abovementioned variables were sought to find out the independent role of key determinants of the different aspects of maternal health care. It showed that the wealth index is the leading key independent determinant for three or more ANC received: Tetanus toxoid (TT) received before delivery, iron tablet/syrup taken for more than 100 days, and institutional delivery. Mother's literacy was the leading independent key determinant for early antenatal registration. The study suggested that along with the mother's literacy, the wealth index that is an important predictor of maternal health care can be added for categorization of the districts for providing differential approach for maternal health care services.

Socio-economic & demographic determinants of hypertension & knowledge, practices & risk behaviour of tribals in India.

Background & objectives: An increase in prevalence of hypertension has been observed in all ethnic groups in India. The objective of the present study was to estimate prevalence and determinants of hypertension among tribals and their awareness, treatment practices and risk behaviours in nine States of India. Methods: A community based cross-sectional study adopting multistage random sampling procedure was carried out. About 120 Integrated Tribal Development Authority villages were selected randomly from each State. From each village, 40 households were covered randomly. All men and women ≥ 20 yr of age in the selected households were included for various investigations. Results: A total of 21141 men and 26260 women participated in the study. The prevalence of hypertension after age adjustment was 27.1 and 26.4 per cent among men and women, respectively. it was higher in the states of Odisha (50-54.4%) and Kerala (36.7-45%) and lowest in Gujarat (7-11.5%). The risk of hypertension was 6-8 times higher in elderly people and 2-3 times in 35-59 yr compared with 20-34 yr. Only <10 per cent of men and women were known hypertensives and more than half on treatment (55-68%). Men with general and abdominal obesity were at 1.69 (CI: 1.43-2.01) and 2.42 (CI: 2.01-2.91) times higher risk of hypertension, respectively, while it was 2.03 (CI=1.77-2.33) and 2.35 (CI 2.12-2.60) times higher in women. Those using tobacco and consuming alcohol were at a higher risk of hypertension compared with the non users. Interpretation & conclusions: The study revealed high prevalence of hypertension among tribals in India. Age, literacy, physical activity, consumption of tobacco, alcohol and obesity were significantly associated with hypertension. Awareness and knowledge about hypertension and health seeking behaviour were low. Appropriate intervention strategies need to be adopted to increase awareness and treatment practices of hypertension among tribals.

Study on issues of wealth index for measurements of living standard / 中国卫生政策研究

Objective: To study the agreement of wealth index constructed using different methods, and the comparison of living standard measurements by the wealth index and traditional indicators. Methods:The data used in the study come from Rural Household Survey in Ningxia region, and the sample of this household survey included 6612 households, 28886 people. Using different weighting methods, such as principal component analysis and equal weighting, and data coded in different ways to construct 4 wealth indexes, and analyzing the agreement of these 4 wealth indexes. Respectively comparing the wealth indexes with the living standard measurements by total, per cap-ital and per adult household consumption. Results:The wealth indexes showed strong agreement with each other, and similarly weak agreement with consumption indicators. Conclusion: the indicators of living standard measurements each had advantages and disadvantages, and there was weak agreement between these indicators. Thus, when living standard was the main study result or the social determinant of study results, the appropriate indicator in the study should be selected according to the study results by different indicators and professional knowledge and experiences.

Impact of choice of living standard indicators on the equality index of health and health service utilization / 中国卫生政策研究

Objective:To evaluate outcomes and differences of the equality indexes of health and health service utilization in different living standard indicators. Methods: Using multi-phase stratified random sampling to select samples of rural families in Ningxia region and collect data about sample families' income, consumption, wealth and some relevant data on family members' health status and health services utilization. Using concentration index to measure the equality of health and health services utilization with income, consumption or wealth index as living standard indicators respectively and discuss the differences of the outcomes. Results:For different living standard in-dicators, the correlation between each other was weak. The differences of concentration indexes with different living standard indicators between 0. 01 to 0. 21 , and most of whichweresignificant on the level of 0. 05. Conclusion: The impact of choice of living standard indicators on the equality index of health and health service utilization was signifi-cant. In a limited area, living standards measured by wealth index could be more accurate and objective than by in-come or consumption, but the condition of this method wasmore strict.

Convergencia de los grupos armadosorganizados al margen de la ley en laminería aurífera aluvial en la subregióndel Bajo Cauca antioqueño / Convergence of illegal organized armed groups in alluvial goldmining at the Department of Antioquia’s Bajo Cauca subregion / A convergência dos grupos armados organizados à margem dalei na mineração aurífera aluvial na sub-região do Baixo Caucaem Antioquia (Colômbia)

Se tuvo como propósito describir la minería aurífera aluvialy la convergencia de los grupos armados organizados almargen de la ley en la subregión del Bajo Cauca antioqueño.Los resultados obtenidos se centran en identificar el marcoteórico, proponer un concepto y describir los rasgos característicosde esta actividad desde la perspectiva criminal. Loanterior se logró a partir de una aproximación conceptual yla representación fáctica de la información obtenida, a travésde la revisión teórica, la consulta bibliográfica y el trabajode campo, en el que se aplicaron diferentes técnicas de recolección,como la entrevista semiestructurada, el grupo focaly la observación no participante. El precedente para comenzarla indagación se centró en la ausencia de un concepto que delimitelos tipos de minería y la confusión que existe al colocar atodos los mineros ilegales, informales y criminales dentro unamisma categoría. Además, se busca suscitar una reflexión críticarespecto a los posibles riesgos y amenazas que genera laconvergencia de estos grupos en los tipos de minería, con elcontrol social y territorial, el poder, la coacción y la institucionalizaciónde actividades económicas criminales.

The purpose of this article was to describe alluvial goldmining and the convergence of the organized illegal armedgroups in the Department of Antioquia’s Bajo Caucasubregion. The results obtained are focused on identifyingthe theoretical framework, suggesting a concept, and describingthe characteristic features of this activity from thecriminal perspective. This was achieved on the basis of aconceptual approach and the factual representation ofthe information obtained through theoretical review, bibliographicconsultation and field work in which differentgathering techniques such as semistructured interviews, focusgroups and non-participant observation were applied.The precedent for starting the inquiry was focused on theabsence of a concept serving to delimit mining types andthe confusion created by placing all illegal miners, either informalor criminal, within the same category. In addition, itis intended to raise a critical reflection with respect to thepotential risks and threats that the convergence of thesegroups in these types of mining can create with social andterritorial control, power and coercive power, and the institutionalizationof criminal economic activities.

O propósito era descrever a mineração aurífera aluvial e aconvergência dos grupos armados organizados à margem dalei na sub-região do Baixo Cauca em Antioquia (Colômbia).Os resultados obtidos focam-se em identificar o marco teórico,propor um conceito e descrever as características destaatividade desde a perspetiva criminal. Esses resultados foramobtidos de uma aproximação conceptual e a representaçãofática das informações obtidas, através da revisão teórica, aconsulta bibliográfica e o trabalho de campo. Utilizaram-setécnicas diferentes de colheita, como a entrevista semiestruturada,o grupo focal e a observação não participante.O precedente para começar a investigação foi centrado naausência de um conceito que limitasse os tipos de mineraçãoe da confusão que existe ao colocar a todos o mineiros ilegais,informais e criminosos dentro de uma mesma categoria.Além, procura-se provocar uma reflexão crítica com respeitoaos riscos e às ameaças possíveis que a convergência destesgrupos gera nos tipos de minaração, com o controle social eterritorial, o poder, do coação e a institucionalização de atividadeseconômicas criminosas.

Differentials and Correlates of Infants Mortality in Nigeria: A Comparative Survival Analysis between North East and South West Nigeria.

Aims: Infant mortality rate (IMR) is not only used as a demographic measure, but also as an important health indicator of a society as well as a measure of its living standard worldwide. The Nigeria Demographic and Household Survey (NDHS) declared a wide difference in the IMR among geographical zones in Nigeria with widest gap between the North East (NE) and South West (SW). This study assessed the differences in IMR viz-a-viz socio-demographic, sexual and reproductive factors and also determined factors affecting the IMR in the two zones. Place of Study: Rural and Urbanlocations across the NE and SW Nigeria Study Design: We used a nationally representative cross sectional data from the NDHS 2008 survey.Our analysis was based on the 23,995 and 11,546 births during five years preceding data collection from women aged 15-49 years in NE and SW Nigeria respectively. Methods: We censored the children who have not had their first birthday as of the day of interview and estimated the IMR with Life tables using West Models. Other analysis were carried out with descriptive statistics, bivariate and multivariate cox regression models at 5% significance level. Results: About 3 of every four NE children are from rural areas compared with 47.4% in SW, while nearly 78% of NE children are from mothers without formal education the rate was 20.9% in the SW. The IMR among children from teenager mothers was 121 and 82 per 1000 live births in NE and SW respectively, 87 for urban NE, 52 for urban SW, 115 for rural NE, and 66 for rural SW. In the NE, children from rural areas were about 30% times more likely than children from urban areas to die before their first birthday (HR=1.3 95% CI:1.1-1.6)while in the SW they were 40% times more likely to die (HR=1.6 95% CI:1.1-2.4). Children from wealthiest homes in the NE had lower IMR than children from wealthiest homes in the SW (37 vs 55) but wealth quintiles were not significant to IMR in the SW. Conclusion: The prevailing trend of early marriage, non-education, delayed initiation of breastfeeding, unsafe drinking water, unemployment and poverty among others should be averted so as to improve child survival in the Nigeria especially in the North East.

Construction of National Standards of Growth Curves of Height and Weight for Children Using Cross-sectional Data.

Objectives: Growth curves are the most important tools for the assessment of growth of children, which could further helps to develop preventive interventions. Geographical and physical differences necessitate using national growth curves. This study aims to construct growth curves using anthropometric measurements namely weight and height for Indian children using cross-sectional data from National Family and Health Surveys. Materials and Methods: Box- Cox power exponential, a flexible distribution, was used that offers to adjust kurtosis and improves the estimation of extreme percentiles. LMS-methods that fit skewed data adequately and generate fitted curves that follow closely the empirical data, with maximum penalized likelihood, Akaike information criteria (AIC) and generalized AIC with penalty 3 were used to construct the growth curves. Before fittings this model factors which influence the nutritional status of children were examined, similar to World Health Organization (WHO) (2006) factors, namely standard infant feeding practices, sanitation, non-smoking mothers additionally poverty (household consumable assets based). Results: Model fitted in LMS-model and standard based on height and weight for children aged 0–60 months was obtained after iteration for degrees of freedom for the parameters. Growth curves for mean Z-scores and percentiles were constructed for both sexes and significant lower values were noticeably found to be set as growth-standard compared to WHO-standards. Conclusion: Study showed the prospect of constructing regional/national growth curve and their need for the assessment of children’s growth, which could help to identify undernourished-children at national level. There is an urgent need to collect longitudinal data of children to fit the growth curve of children in India.

Waste to Wealth- Value Recovery from Agro-food Processing Wastes Using Biotechnology: A Review.

From creation, man was charged to ‘increase, multiply, and subdue the earth’. Thus, man has continually sought to improve the quality of life by transforming nature to provide more food, and better living conditions for long life. Agriculture and technology are part of the tools used to accomplish this transformation and to achieve many of man’s goals. Through mechanization and other tools of modern technology man cultivates crops and rears animals for his food needs, processes same through industrial activities for value addition, and carries out other sundry activities- all in a bid to dominate his environment. Major fallout of all these is the generation of wastes, with their attendant implications for the environment generally. Generation of wastes demands that measures must be taken to manage them if the unpleasant consequences of their accumulation (and these are legions) must be averted. Hence, various waste management options have been adopted over time, most of which had tended to see waste as useless entity that must be disposed off wholesomely. However, modern concepts of waste management tend to see waste from a different perspective, since what is regarded as waste may not be truly totally so, at least, from the point of view of salvageable resources entrapped therein. This is particularly so for agro-food wastes in which reasonable percentage of biomass form major part of what is often considered as wastes consigned to the waste bins. Fortunately, the entrapped resources are bioconvertible into useful products: animal foods and feeds, biofertilizers, industrial chemicals/raw materials, biofuels, biogas and other energy renewable alternatives, etc. With respect to these, the role of biotechnology, in resource exploitation can hardly be overstated. Thus, this paper explores wastes as a veritable resource for wealth creation, with particular focus on resources recoverable from agrofood wastes using the tool of biotechnology.

Salud y trabajo de docentes de instituciones educativas distritales de la localidad uno de Bogotá / Health and work of district schools faculty of the district one of Bogotá

Las instituciones educativas constituyen un escenario importante para la promoción de la salud de docentes, estudiantes, personal administrativo e, incluso, las familias; pero para utilizarlo eficazmente, en particular para el caso de los(as) docentes, es necesario conocer sus condiciones de trabajo y salud. Objetivo: describir algunas de las condiciones de trabajo y salud del personal docente que labora en las Instituciones Educativas Distritales de la Localidad uno (I) de Usaquén, Bogotá, en el 2010. Metodología: Estudio de abordaje cuantitativo, descriptivo transversal. Se inició después de la obtención de la autorización por parte de las directivas de las instituciones y del aval del Comité de Ética de la Facultad de Enfermería de la Universidad Nacional; posteriormente se procedió a la presentación del estudio ante los docentes directivos de estas Instituciones, se inició la recolección de información. El tamaño de la muestra fue de 230 docentes. Resultados: El 68.7% del personal docente era de sexo femenino; el 51.7% realizaba extensión del trabajo docente; 37.8% reportó presencia del ruido dentro del aula, situación que les exigía elevar el volumen de la voz para lograr la atención de los estudiantes. En relación con las condiciones de salud, refirieron que la causa de mayor frecuencia en la consulta médica era el estrés, con un 40.9%; seguido de los problemas vasculares y várices en miembros inferiores, con un 29.1%; de colon irritable, 28.3, y disfonías o afonías, con un 27.8%. Conclusiones: En este contexto se ratifica la necesidad de comprender la actividad docente como un proceso laboral de interés para el área de la salud y seguridad en el trabajo, por el alto valor social que representa y el fuerte impacto que tiene en el desarrollo de la sociedad. Se plantea la necesidad de continuar con estudios de intervención en la población que participó del estudio.

Educational institutions are an important scenario for promoting faculty, students, administrative staff, and even families health. However, in order to use it effectively, particularly in the case of the faculty, it is necessary to know their work conditions and health status. Objective: To describe some of the working and health status of the staff working in the educational institutions of the District One (I) of Usaquén, Bogotá, in 2010. Methodology: Quantitative, cross-sectional and descriptive study that was started after obtaining authorization of the schools administrations and the endorsement of the Ethics Committee of the Nursing School of the National University. The study was then introduced to the schools principals, and the data collection was started. 230 teachers made up the sample. Outcomes: 68.7% of the faculties were female teachers; 51.7% perform extension activities; 37.8% reported that students made so much noise in the room, so they had to speak louder in order to get students` attention. Regarding health status, 40.9% reported that the main reason to see a doctor was stress, followed by vascular problems and varicose veins in lower limbs, with 29.1%; irritable bowel, 28.3, and dysphonias or aphonias, with 27.8%. Conclusions: on this basis, it was confirmed the need to understand teaching activities as a labor process of interest to the health field and work safety, due to the high social value it represents and its strong impact on the society`s development. It raises the need to carry out further studies of intervention on population participating in the trial.

As instituições de ensino são cenário importante para a promoção da saúde dos professores, estudantes, pessoal administrativo e até mesmo das famílias. No entanto, a fim de usá-lo de forma eficaz, especialmente no caso dos professores, é necessário conhecer suas condições de trabalho e nível de saúde. Objetivo. Descrever algumas das condições de trabalho e nível de saúde do pessoal que trabalhava nas Instituições de Ensino do Primeiro Distrito de Usaquén, Bogotá, em 2010. Metodologia: o estudo foi apresentado aos docentes diretores dessas instituições, e a coleta dos dados iniciou-se. A amostra foi composta de 230 docentes. Resultados: 68.7% do pessoal eram mulheres; 51.7% faziam trabalho de extensão; 37.8% indicaram que tinha muito barulho na sala de aulas, o que fez com elas falassem mais alto para chamar a atenção dos alunos. No que diz respeito ao nível de saúde, indicaram que o principal motivo para visitar o médico era estresse, com 40.9%; seguido dos problemas vasculares e varizes nas pernas, com 29.1%; de cólon irritável, 28.3, e disfonias ou afonias, com 27.8%. Conclusões: nesse contexto, verifica-se a necessidade de entender a atividade docente como um processo laboral de interesse para a área da saúde e segurança no trabalho, pelo elevado valor social que representa, bem como o forte impacto sobre o desenvolvimento da sociedade. Coloca-se a necessidade de continuar levando em diante pesquisas de intervenção na população que participou do estudo.