STATUS OF SANITARY WORKERS IN NALLAGOUNDAMPATTY VILLAGE PANCHAYAT IN OMALUR TALUK OF SALEM DISTRICT IN TAMIL NADU: A CASE STUDY ANALYSIS

Sanitation is one of the essential aspects of everyone's life. Sanitation ensures the people to stay healthy and happy. Similarly sanitation is also ensuring one aspects of quality life of the people. In order to provide good sanitation the central and state governments are allocating huge amount of money in their budget. For providing adequate sanitation facility to the people the government appoints the sanitary workers in every village, town, city and corporation. Because of their important role during COVID-19 pandemic, they are treated as front line workers like doctors, nurses and other medical personnel. The present paper aims to understand the status of sanitary workers in Nallagoundampatty village panchayat in Omalur taluk. The results show that the sanitary workers are getting poor reputation from the people in general.

Percepção pública da ciência em tempos de pandemia: algumas questões / Public perception of science in times of pandemic: some questions / Percepción pública de la ciencia en tiempos de pandemia: algunas preguntas

Nesta nota de conjuntura, destaca-se um pouco do histórico das pesquisas de percepção pública da ci-ência no Brasil e no mundo, como forma de dar subsídios a uma reflexão sobre o cenário atual, após o início da pandemia de covid-19. São ressaltados os indicadores que tais pesquisas conseguem elucidar e os possíveis impactos da pandemia nos mesmos, trazendo alguns dados mais recentes. Ademais, a conjuntura exige que se faça uma ponderação sobre o contexto de desinformação, pós-verdade e info-demia que estamos vivenciando, exacerbado pelo contexto de crise política no Brasil. Em especial, as críticas à mídia tradicional e à própria ciência precisam ser levadas em consideração quando se trata da 'politização da pandemia' e do combate às narrativas travado no país, mas não apenas aqui. Busca-se, assim, refletir sobre os possíveis caminhos da percepção pública que os brasileiros têm da ciência, após todas as mudanças causadas pela pandemia

In this conjuncture note, we highlight some of public perception of science's history in Brazil and in the world, as a way of providing subsidies for a reflection on the current scenario, after the start of the covid-19 pandemic. We present the indicators that such research can elucidate and the possible impacts of the pandemic on these indicators, bringing some recent data. Furthermore, the conjuncture requires that we consider the context of disinformation, post-truth and infodemic that we are experiencing, exacerbated by the context of Brazilian political crisis. In particular, criticisms of traditional media and science itself need to be taken into account when it comes to the 'politicization of the pandemic' and the fight against narratives waged in the country, but not just here. Thus, we seek to reflect on possible paths of public perception of science by Brazilians after all the changes caused by the pandemic

En esta nota de coyuntura, se destaca un poco del histórico de las investigaciones sobre la percepción pública de la ciencia en Brasil y en el mundo, como una forma de subsidiar una reflexión sobre el escenario actual, después del inicio de la pandemia de covid-19. Se señalan los indicadores que pueden dilucidar y los impactos de la pandemia en ellos, trayendo algunos datos más recientes. Además, la coyuntura requiere que se haga una reflexión sobre el contexto de desinformación, posverdad e infodemia que estamos viviendo, exacerbado por el contexto de crisis política en Brasil. En particular, las críticas a los medios tradicionales y a la propia ciencia deben tenerse en cuenta cuando se trata de la 'politización de la pandemia' y la lucha contra las narrativas que se ocurre en el país, pero no solo aquí. Así, buscamos reflexionar sobre los posi-bles caminos de percepción pública que los brasileños tienen de la ciencia, después de todos los cambios provocados por la pandemia

Confiança, atitudes, informação: um estudo sobre a percepção da pandemia de COVID-19 em 12 cidades brasileiras / Trust, attitudes, information: a study on the perception of the COVID-19 pandemic in 12 Brazilian cities

Resumo Neste estudo, analisamos a percepção de brasileiros e brasileiras sobre a COVID-19 em 12 cidades do país. Foram abordadas questões sobre a gravidade e os perigos da doença, fontes de informações e confiabilidade, checagem de informações, atitudes, precauções e prioridades para o enfrentamento e relações de confiança na ciência. Este estudo foi realizado no contexto de uma pesquisa mais ampla sobre como brasileiros e brasileiras veem a Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz). A survey foi aplicada no período de 18 de maio e 10 de junho de 2020 com 1.643 moradores com mais de 16 anos nas cidades brasileiras em que a Fiocruz possui unidade ou escritório técnico. Os resultados revelam que boa parte dos entrevistados reconhece a gravidade da pandemia, a importância de se informar corretamente, considera as medidas indicadas por autoridades de saúde válidas e confia em cientistas e instituições científicas como fontes de informação. Com o senso de urgência e a potencialização e vivência das incertezas acerca do presente e do futuro, o fortalecimento da confiança nas instituições se faz presente.

Abstract In this study, the perception of Brazilians regarding COVID-19 in 12 cities in the country was analyzed. Issues about the severity and dangers of the disease, sources of information and reliability, checking information, attitudes, precautions, and priorities for coping and trusting relationships in science were addressed. This study was carried out in the context of broader research on how Brazilians perceive the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz). The survey was applied between May 18 and June 10, 2020, with 1,643 residents over 16 years of age in Brazilian cities where Fiocruz has a technical unit or office. The results reveal that the majority of the interviewees appreciate the seriousness of the pandemic, the importance of being properly informed, considers the measures indicated by health authorities important and trusts scientists and scientific institutions as sources of information. With the sense of urgency and experience of uncertainties about the present and the future, the need for strengthening of trust in institutions is present.

Public perceptions, individual characteristics, and preventive behaviors for COVID-19 in six countries: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND@#Public perceptions and personal characteristics are heterogeneous between countries and subgroups, which may have different impacts on health-protective behaviors during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. To assess whether self-reported perceptions of COVID-19 and personal characteristics are associated with protective behaviors among general adults and to compare patterns in six different countries.@*METHODS@#This cross-sectional study uses the secondary data collected through an online survey between 15 and 23 April 2020 across six countries (China, Italy, Japan, Korea, the UK, and the USA). A total of 5945 adults aged 18 years or older were eligible for our analysis. A logistic regression model was used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) of three recommended behaviors (wearing a mask, handwashing, and avoiding social gatherings).@*RESULTS@#In most countries except for China, the participants who perceived wearing a mask as being extremely effective to curtail the pandemic were more likely to wear a mask (OR, 95%CI: Italy: 4.14, 2.08-8.02; Japan: 3.59, 1.75-7.30; Korea: 7.89, 1.91-31.63: UK: 9.23, 5.14-17.31; USA: 4.81, 2.61-8.92). Those who perceived that handwashing was extremely effective had higher ORs of this preventive behavior (OR, 95%CI: Italy: 16.39, 3.56-70.18; Japan: 12.24, 4.03-37.35; Korea: 12.41, 2.02-76.39; UK: 18.04, 2.60-152.78; USA: 10.56, 2.21-44.32). The participants who perceived avoiding social gathering as being extremely effective to curtail the pandemic were more likely to take this type of preventive behavior (OR, 95%CI: China: 3.79, 1.28-10.23; Korea: 6.18, 1.77-20.60; UK: 4.45, 1.63-11.63; USA: 4.34, 1.84-9.95). The associations between personal characteristics, living environment, psychological status, and preventive behaviors varied across different countries. Individuals who changed their behavior because of recommendations from doctors/public health officials were more likely to take preventive behaviors in many countries.@*CONCLUSIONS@#These findings suggest that higher perceived effectiveness may be a common factor to encourage preventive behaviors in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These results may provide a better understanding of the homogeneity and heterogeneity of factors related to preventive behaviors and improve public health policies in various countries and groups.

Actitud emprendedora de médicos especialistas en un hospital de Huancavelica, Perú / Entrepreneurial attitude of medical specialists at a hospital in Huancavelica, Peru

RESUMEN Objetivo Medir la actitud emprendedora de los médicos especialistas en un hospital de Huancavelica, Perú. Determinar si la edad, sexo, tiempo de trabajo, modalidad de contrato, estado civil, ingresos económicos y especialidad influyen en su actitud emprendedora. Materiales y métodos Estudio observacional, prospectivo y transversal. Se aplicó un cuestionario calificado a escala de Likert a 32 médicos especialistas sobre actitud emprendedora y también se evaluaron la edad, el sexo, el tiempo de trabajo, el tipo de contrato, el estado civil, los ingresos económicos y la especialidad. Se hicieron análisis descriptivos e inferenciales. Resultados El 85 % mostró una sólida actitud emprendedora, y el 15 % podría ser emprendedor. Ningún participante descartó el emprendimiento como una opción. En la asociación de la actitud emprendedora y los factores estudiados no se encontraron diferencias significativas con ninguna variable. Conclusiones El 85 % de los médicos participantes tienen una actitud positiva hacia el emprendimiento, independientemente de los factores asociados estudiados.

ABSTRACT Objective To measure the entrepreneurial attitude of medical specialists at a hospital in Huancavelica, Peru. To determine if age, sex, job tenure, type of contract, marital status, income and medical specialty influence their entrepreneurial attitude. Materials and methods An observational, prospective and cross-sectional study. A Likert-scale questionnaire on entrepreneurial attitude was administered to 32 medical specialists. Also age, sex, job tenure, type of contract, marital status, income and medical specialty were assessed. Descriptive and inferential analyses were performed. Results Eighty-five percent (85 %) of the study population showed a solid entrepreneurial attitude, while the remaining 15 % might be an entrepreneur. No participant rejected entrepreneurship as an option. Regarding the association between the entrepreneurial attitude and the studied factors, no significant differences were found in any variable. Conclusions Eighty-five percent (85 %) of the study population showed a positive attitude towards entrepreneurship regardless of the studied associated factors.

Salud Ocupacional y su enfoque social dentro de trabajos de grado en Universidades de Bogotá / Occupational health and its social approach in diploma papers from Bogota Universities

Introducción: La identificación de trabajos de grado con enfoque social en programas de Salud Ocupacional de Instituciones de Educación Superior, Bogotanas, permite establecer tendencias de profesionales en formación de estos Programas y su interés por el trabajo con población laboral informal. Objetivos: Identificar y examinar trabajos de grado con enfoque social realizados en Instituciones de Educación Superior Bogotanas durante 2016 y 2017. Métodos: Revisión sistemática donde se seleccionaron trabajos de grado de pregrado y postgrado, en repositorios físicos y virtuales de programas de salud ocupacional con enfoque social realizados en los años 2016-2017. Se trabajaron las categorías de revisión: Modalidad de grado social, estadísticas generales de trabajos de grado, uso de indicadores sociales, utilización de metodologías de investigación con enfoque social, alineación de productos propuestos con procesos de innovación y cambio social, en particular; a través de revisión bibliográfica apoyada en Resúmenes Analíticos Especializadosa. Resultados: Se revisaron trabajos de grado de 15 universidades con 2 programas técnicos, 1 programa tecnológico, 5 programas profesionales, 18 postgrados y 7 005 proyectos de grado totales, antes de aplicar criterios de selección. Conclusiones: Se describe la pertinencia de la investigación formativa en el contexto de la informalidad en Colombia y la preparación de las Instituciones de Educación Superior en este desarrollo, generando discusión alrededor de los resultados de la revisión. Se descubre que este problema estructural de salud pública en Colombia no ha encontrado aún una solución estructural(AU)

Introduction: The identification of diploma papers with a social approach in occupational health programs of higher education institutions in Bogota allows to establish trends of professionals in training under these programs and their interest in working with informal labor population. Objectives: To identify and examine diploma papers with a social approach carried out in higher education institutions in Bogota during 2016 and 2017. Methods: Systematic review where undergraduate and postgraduate studies were selected, in physical and virtual repositories of occupational health programs with social focus carried out in the years 2016-2017. The review categories were worked on: Modality of social degree, general statistics of degree work, use of social indicators, use of research methodologies with a social focus, alignment of proposed products with innovation processes and social change, in particular; through bibliographic review supported by Specialized Analytical Abstracts. Results: We reviewed diploma papers from 15 universities with two technical programs, one technological program, five professional programs, 18 postgraduate courses, and a sheer number of 7005 diploma papers, before applying the selection criteria. Conclusions: The relevance is described for the formative research in the context of informality in Colombia and the preparation of higher education institutions in this development, which generated discussion around the results of the review. It has been found out that this structural problem of public health in Colombia has not yet found a structural solution(AU)

Research Reporting Public Perception and Behavior with Regard to Skin Health: Results of a Survey from the Skin Health Expo in Korea / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: Healthy skin is an important determinant of the quality of life and physical and mental well-being. The demand for dermatological information is increasing not only in patients with skin diseases, but also in the general population with normal/healthy skin. However, public perception and behavior with regard to skin health among Koreans are not known. OBJECTIVE: To examine public perception and behaviors with regard to skin health in Koreans visiting the Skin Health Expo 2017. METHODS: A total of 597 participants completed a questionnaire that assessed demographics, status, and behavior for skin health and Expo satisfaction. RESULTS: Respondents with higher stress levels and a history of skin diseases showed lower satisfaction with self-skin health. Most participants considered adequate sleep and water intake to be important factors associated with healthy skin. One-on-one consultation with dermatologists was the most satisfactory among participants at the Expo. CONCLUSION: Educational tools using mass media and informative activities such as the Expo planned by dermatologists and the government are necessary to spread awareness and provide proper information to improve skin health in the general population and to emphasize the key role of dermatologists in skin disorders with a social burden.

Sedentarismo mata? Estudo dos comentários de leitores de um jornal brasileiro on-line / Does sedentarism kill? Study on comments by readers of a Brazilian online newspaper

Resumo O objetivo deste artigo foi analisar os comentários de leitores de um jornal brasileiro sobre o texto intitulado "Sedentarismo mata?", publicado em sua versão on-line, relacionando-os ao complexo debate sobre o tema no âmbito da saúde coletiva. Para tanto, os 46 comentários emitidos foram agrupados em categorias emanadas das ideias de (Giddens, 1991), da leitura isotópica (Greimas, 1987) e, por fim, analisados sob a perspectiva da semiótica. A variedade de opiniões sobre a mortalidade do sedentarismo denota a complexidade da vida humana e, por conseguinte, a dificuldade inerente à formulação de ações e políticas no campo da prevenção em saúde. Assim, para além de ações individualizantes e moralizadoras dos estilos de vida arriscados, a redução das desigualdades sociais deve ser o imperativo ético e pressuposto básico de toda ação e política de saúde.

Abstract The authors analyzed 46 readers' comments on a short article named "Does sedentarism kill?", published in the online version of a Brazilian newspaper. Their analysis considers the complexities of the debates on sedentarism taking place in the collective health fora. The comments were grouped according to categories based on Giddens' work (1991), Greimas's isotopic reading (1987), and were eventually analyzed under a semiotic perspective. The diversity of opinions on the causality between sedentarism and mortality demonstrates how complex human life is and thus how difficult it is to design health-related prevention action and policies. Therefore, beyond individualistic and moralizing measures against risky lifestyles, the reduction of social inequalities should be the health ethical imperative and basic premise underlying policies and public action.

A Comparative Analysis of the Official Crime Statistics of People with Mental Illness and Public Perception / 대한정신분열병학회지

OBJECTIVES: There exists only a limited number of studies on the people's perception of criminality of people with mental illness. People's fear of the dangerousness of people with mental illness may have been exaggerated, and yet there are few studies exploring whether people's view of the crime rates of mentally ill people are correct or not. METHODS: A total of 363 college students participated in the present study. The present study first compared the official statistics of the crime rates of the mentally ill with the public perception. In addition, the rates of mentally ill offenders with previous convictions across crime types are compared with people's perception. RESULTS: Compared to the official crime statistics, people's estimates of crime rates of mentally ill offenders were grossly exaggerated across crime types, including fraud, assault, rape, robbery, theft, homicide, and arson. Furthermore, the rates of mentally ill offenders with previous convictions across all crime types on the official crime statistics were actually higher than people's estimates. CONCLUSION: The present findings reveal that people's view of the crime rates of mentally ill people is considerably distorted. There is an urgent need to clarify these prejudices in order to help people with mentally illness adjust to society and to prevent them from committing crime.

Relación de la percepción del acudiente del menor sobre la calidad del servicio asistencial de vacunación y su adherencia al programa ampliado de inmunización / Relationship of the children caregiver perception on the quality of care vaccination service and its adherence to the expanded immunization program / Relacionamento de guardião da percepção da criança sobre a qualidade do serviço de vacinação e cuidados de sua adesão ao programa de imunização ampliada

Objetivo: determinar la relación de la percepción del acudiente del menor sobre la calidad del servicio asistencial de vacunación y su adherencia al Programa Ampliado de Inmunización en una institución de salud en Cúcuta. Materiales y Métodos: estudio descriptivo, corte transversal, con una muestra de 334 niños. Se aplicó el cuestionario de la Escala Servqual, evaluando las dimensiones de elementos tangibles: fiabilidad, capacidad de respuesta, seguridad y empatía. Se utilizó la escala de Linkert donde 1 es la menor calificación y 5 la mayor calificación. Resultados: los acudientes tienen una percepción de indiferencia del 55.7% e insatisfacción del 34.4% en la dimensión tangible porque en oportunidades carecen de información. Menor es el nivel de satisfacción en la fiabilidad con el 24.3% expresaron sentirse muy satisfechos con los tiempos de espera prolongados para el acceso al servicio. Mientras en la capacidad de respuesta, el 6.9% de los acudientes manifestaron estar satisfechos, opinión más frecuente en acudientes de niños entre los 2 y 5 años. Igualmente frente a la seguridad, la mayoría expresan un grado de satisfacción neutro, siendo más frecuentes en acudientes de menores de 1 año y medio de edad 61.2%. Para la empatía, se constata un nivel alto de insatisfacción donde solo el 5.1% se considera satisfecho frente a un 43.1% de insatisfacción. Conclusión: los usuarios se encuentran vinculados al servicio de vacunación por demanda y necesidad pero es evidente que se debe fortalecer todas las dimensiones de forma integral.

Objective: to determine the relationship of the child´s caregiver perception on the quality of care vaccination service and its adherence to the expanded immunization program in a health institution in Cucuta city. Materials and Methods: a descriptive, cross-sectional, with a sample of 334 children, Servqual Scale questionnaire was applied, testing the dimensions of tangibles, reliability, responsiveness, assurance and empathy. Linkert scale is used, where 1 is the lowest rating and 5 is the highest rating. Results: the caregivers have perceived indifference of 55.7% and 34.4% dissatisfaction in the tangible dimension opportunities because they have a certain lack of information. The lower level of satisfaction with the reliability 24.3% reporting a very good feeling of satisfaction with long waiting times for accessing to the service. While responsiveness 6.9% of caregivers were satisfied. That is the more frequent opinion of caregivers of children between 2 and 5 years old. Facing security, most of them have a neutral level of satisfaction, being more frequent in caregivers of children under 1 year and a half old 61.2%. For empathy, there is a high level of dissatisfaction where only 5.1% is satisfied compared to 43.1% of dissatisfaction. Conclusion: Users are attached to the vaccination service by demand and need but it´s evident to strengthen all dimensions integrally.

Objetivo: para determinar a relação do guardião percepção da criança sobre a qualidade do serviço de vacinação e cuidados de sua adesão ao Programa Alargado de Vacinação em uma instituição de saúde em Cucuta. Materiais e Métodos: estudo descritivo, transversal, com uma amostra de 334 crianças, questionário Servqual Escala foi aplicada, avaliando as dimensões de tangibilidade, confiabilidade, receptividade, segurança e empatia. Linkert escala em que 1 é a classificação mais baixa e 5 a mais alta classificação é usado. Resultados: os cuidadores têm percebido a indiferença de 55,7% e 34,4% insatisfação nas oportunidades dimensão tangíveis por falta de informação. Quanto mais baixo o nível de satisfação com a fiabilidade com 24,3% relataram sentir-se muito satisfeito, com longos tempos de espera para o acesso ao serviço. Enquanto a capacidade de resposta, 6,9% dos cuidadores estavam satisfeitos, guardiões de opinião mais freqüentes de crianças entre 2 e 5 anos. Também contra mais segurança, expressando um grau de satisfação neutra, sendo mais freqüente em cuidadores de crianças menores de 1 ano e meio de idade 61,2%. Para empatia, um alto nível de insatisfação onde apenas 5,1% está satisfeito em comparação com 43,1% de insatisfação é encontrado. Conclusão: Utilizadores estão ligados à demanda de serviços de vacinação e precisa, mas claramente deve ser reforçada todas as dimensões de forma holística

Public perception of risk-reducing salpingectomy for preventing ovarian cancer

OBJECTIVE: The fallopian tube is considered as the site of origin of serous ovarian cancer, and risk-reducing salpingectomy (RRS) has been proposed as a new and safe strategy for preventing ovarian cancer. However, little is known about the public perception of RRS. METHODS: We performed a questionnaire survey of 100 healthy female volunteers in November 2014. Questionnaire for this survey included questions on demographics, medical history, knowledge of and belief about RRS, and barrier to its application. RESULTS: Among 100 respondents, 71% did not realize the seriousness of ovarian cancer, 79% were unaware of the fact that salpinx was the origin of ovarian cancer, and 87% stated that they had never heard of RRS as a preventive method for ovarian cancer. Also, 98% of respondents replied that they had the right to be informed about RRS and the choice given. The respondents' fears about RRS included increased risk of surgical complications (68%), no benefit (8%), and increased surgical costs (3%). CONCLUSION: Most general women were unaware of RRS as a method for preventing ovarian cancer in women at average risk. Therefore, physicians should discuss RRS with patients and consider this procedure at the time of abdominal or pelvic surgery.

Perspectivas de sujeitos envolvidos em movimentos sociais sobre a hanseníase e seu controle em uma área endêmica / Perpectives of thoseinvolved in social movements about the leprosy and its control in an endemic area

A hanseníase, apesar dos investimentos no desenvolvimento de novas tecnologias de tratamento, diagnóstico e da adoção de novas estratégias de controle da doença no Brasil, permanece como um problema de saúde pública no país. O município de Almenara, localizado no Vale do Jequitinhonha – MG é prioritário para o controle da hanseníase por apresentar um coeficiente de detecção considerado alto pelo Ministério da Saúde. O serviço de saúde do município tem apresentado dificuldades para a realização das ações propostas pelo Programa Nacional de Controle da Hanseníase, uma vez que estudo na região demonstrou que a população, mesmo convivendo com a doença ao longo de anos, tem dificuldade para compreender aspectos importantes da doença que podem influenciar na detecção precoce de novos casos. Os conselheiros de saúde e os líderes comunitários são sujeitos sociais importantes do município que podem contribuir com o serviço de saúde no controle da hanseníase, por possuírem uma grande representatividade dentro das comunidades e/ou grupos em que atuam. A fim de envolver os sujeitos sociais do município de Almenara no controle da hanseníase, este estudo teve como objetivo analisar a hanseníase como um problema de saúde pública na perspectiva dos conselheiros de saúde e dos líderes comunitários do município de Almenara. Trata-se de pesquisa de abordagem qualitativa. Foi realizada com dez conselheiros de saúde e sete líderes comunitários do município de Almenara. A coleta de dados utilizou a técnica de entrevista com roteiro semiestruturado. O tratamento dos dados foi realizado a partir da analise qualitativa de conteúdo proposta por Laville e Dione (1999), que permitiu a construção de duas categorias de análise. A análise dos dados foi realizada à luz dos recortes analíticos deste estudo. Os resultados apontam que os sujeitos sociais identificam as manchas com perda de sensibilidade como as características da doença, mas confundem as reações e as...

Despite investments in developing new technologies for the treatment, diagnosis and the adoption of new strategies for disease control in Brazil, Leprosy remains a public health problem in the country. Almenara, a municipal district located in the Jequitinhonha Valley - MG is a priority for leprosy control for presenting a detection rate considered high by the Ministry of Health. The county’s healthservices have presented difficulties for carrying out the actions proposed by the National Leprosy Control Programme, since a study has shown that the population, even living with the disease for years, has difficulty to understand important disease aspects that can influence the early detection of new cases. Health counsellors and community leaders are important social agents of the county who can contribute to the health service in leprosy control, for possessing a large representativeness within communities and/or groups they serve. In order to involve Almenara’s social agents in leprosy control, the study aimed to assess leprosy as a public health problem from the health advisors and community leaders’ perspective. This paper uses a qualitative research methodology conducted with ten health counsellors and seven community leaders from Almenaracounty where data collection has been done under a semi-structured interview technique. Data analysis has been carried out based on a qualitative content analysis as proposed by Laville and Dione (1999), which allowed the data to be analysed into two different categories. Data analysis has been performed according to the analytical approaches in this study. The results have pointed out that social agents identify the spots with sensitivityloss as the disease characteristics, but they mistake reactions and physical disabilities with the disease signs. The health service has had difficulty to perform early diagnosis of the disease, which has contributed to a scenario where leprosy is seen as a disease that has...

Percepción de la población respecto a los riesgos asociados a los estudios de imágenes / Public perception of radiation-related risks of imaging studies

Introduction: In recent years, diagnostic procedures using ionizing radiation have achieved a great boom, although patients are often unaware of the risks they involve. Objectives: To know how is ionizing radiation perceived by the population attending Clínica Dávila, Department of Radiology (DRCD).Methods: A voluntary and anonymous survey was conducted on patients and / or companions. Results: A total of 330 adults were surveyed. An 57 percent had completed higher education, whereas 7.9 percent had only finished elementary schooling; 78.8 percent had undergone three or more imaging tests. CT examination was considered to pose the highest levels of risk (42.4 percent), followed by Ultrasonography (30.6 percent). Discussion: The survey group was made up of young adults, mostly college graduates, and predominantly female. Surprinsingly enough, considering that obstetric sonography is commonly used during pregnancy, US was ranked second in terms of associated health risks. There is an evident interest in the subject, since 90 percent of responders would like to receive further information.

Introducción: Los procedimientos diagnósticos que usan radiación ionizante están en auge, aunque conllevan riesgos muchas veces desconocidos por los pacientes. Objetivos: Conocer la percepción de la población que acude al Departamento de Radiología de Clínica Dávila (DRCD) sobre la radiación. Material y métodos: Se aplicó una encuesta voluntaria y anónima a pacientes y/o acompañantes. Resultados: Se encuestó a 330 adultos. El 57 por ciento poseía estudios superiores y 7,9 por ciento sólo estudios básicos. El 78,8 por ciento se había efectuado 3 o más estudios radiológicos. La TC fue el examen considerado con mayor riesgo (42,4 por ciento), luego la US (30,6 por ciento). Discusión: El grupo encuestado fueron adultos jóvenes, con estudios superiores en su mayoría y con predominio femenino. Sorprendió que la US se considerara como el segundo examen de mayor riesgo, ya que las mujeres poseen mayor contacto con este estudio durante el embarazo. Hay interés en el tema, porque el 90 por ciento desea recibir información.

Public knowledge and attitudes towards the 60Co incident in Qixian County,Henan Province / 中华放射医学与防护杂志

Objective To investigate radiation risk perception and nuclear acceptance after the 60Co stuck source incident in June 2009 in Qixian County,Henan Province.Methods From March to April 2010,23 hamlets and 2 schools from 5 towns in Qixian County were selected,while 3 hamlets and 2 schools from 3 towns were used as control in Huixian County,1 35 km away where no any impact of the incident was found.Face-to-face questionnaire survey was conducted among three groups including mass public,elite public(representatives of public opinion,such as physicians,teachers,govemmental officials,administrative personnel,private entrepreneurs),and middie school students(the third grade students in junior middle schools and the first grade students in senior middle schools).Results A total of 1 340 valid questionnaires were collected.The public knowledge levels about radiation and nuclear power were low among all groups in two areas and public knowledge levels in Qixian County were higher than those in Huixian County.In both areas.the knowledge levels of the students were higher tIIan those among the elite public,and that among the general public were the lowest.The knowledge levels of males and those with higher educational levels were higher than those of females and those with lower educational levels.More than 40.0% of the respondents supported the idea to build nuclear power plants in China.but only a small part of them supported to build nuclear power plants in their own areas.The percentages of opponents against local nuclear power plant construction were especially higher among the students and those with higher educational levels.More than 60% of the mass public and elite public believed the explanation of the government.More than 80% of the respondents held negative attitudes towards the performance of the Qixian County Government in dealing with this incident.The student gave the lowest evaluation of the credibility and the specific performance of the local government,whereas the elite public placed themselves between the students and the mass public.The reasons why the local people left their homes to evade risk included rumors(67.2%),lack of radiation knowledge(61.9%),group psychology(59.2%),and failure of the government to inform the truth to the public in time(42.3%).Conclusions The public still fails to know enough about radiation and nuclear power.Although they trust the government,they are dissatisfied with the performance of the local government in dealing with the incident.The negative evaluation of the students is worth concerning.

Proyecto genética, genómica: percepción del público, estudiantes y profesores universitarios de las nuevas tecnologías biológicas / Project genetics, genomics: perception of the public, university students and teachers about new biological technologies

Objetivos. Describir la percepción del público y de los estudiantes sobre la genética, la genómica y sus aplicaciones biomédicas. Métodos. Se realizaron dos aproximaciones metodológicas que incluyeron grupos focales a madres con hijos afectados por enfermedades de origen genético, grupos focales a estudiantes universitarios y dos encuestas a estudiantes, una sobre la investigación en células madre y otra sobre pruebas genéticas presintomáticas.Resultados. Los grupos focales con los estudiantes universitarios describen narrativas en relación con los rasgos genéticos como la explicación de comportamientos humanos complejos, como la violencia y la homosexualidad, el conflicto entre educación e innatismo, y el aparente deseo de aplicación de la manipulación genética con fines eugenésicos. Las encuestas mostraron las posiciones de la población universitaria sobre la biotecnología aplicada a la investigación en células madre y la percepción de las pruebas genéticas presintomáticas...

Objectives: To describe the perception of public and students about genetics, genomics and biomedical applications.Methods: Two methodological approaches were included: focus groups to mothers with children affected by diseases of genetic origin and focus groups to university students about their perception on genetics and biotechnology. The second approach consisted in two surveys to students, one about stem cell research and the second about presymptomatic genetic test.Results: Focus groups conducted in university students described narratives about genetic traits as an explanation of complex human behavior, such as violence and homosexuality, the conflict between nurture and nature and the apparent desire of application of genetic engineering with eugenic purposes. The surveys showed the positions of the university population on biotechnology applied to research on stem cells and the perception of the pre-symptomatic genetic test...

Stroke awareness among cardiovascular disease patients / Nível de conhecimento sobre acidente vascular cerebral entre pacientes de uma clínica cardiológica

BACKGROUND: The early recognition of stroke signs and symptoms is of great relevance concerning the outcome, since it enhances the chances of thrombolytic therapy use. PURPOSE: To compare the knowledge of stroke among a community-based sample and patients treated in a cardiologic clinic. METHOD: We applied a questionnaire during one morning to people who were walking in a park (Pa) and spontaneously stopped at a health tent and during one week to patients of a cardiologic clinic (Ca). The survey assessed demographic details, awareness of stroke symptoms and signs, risk factors and general concepts of stroke. RESULTS: A total of 222 questionnaires were answered, 109 by the cardiologic clinic group and 113 by the park group. The park group recognized better three associated symptoms: headache (Ca: 39 percent; Pa: 61 percent; p: 0.001), loss of vision (Ca: 15.8 percent; Pa: 30.9 percent; p: 0.007) and unilateral paralysis/weakness (Ca: 26 percent; Pa: 41 percent; p: 0.026). The park group recognized better 3 risk factors: diabetes (Ca: 22.9 percent; Pa: 37.2 percent; p: 0.021), smoking (Ca: 51.4 percent; Pa: 67.2 percent; p: 0.011) and high cholesterol (Ca: 54.1 percent; Pa: 69.9 percent; p: 0.015). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that patients treated in a cardiologic clinic do not show a better knowledge of stroke when compared to a community-based sample. Campaigns to increase stroke knowledge can have a great impact on public health, especially among enhanced risk groups, such as cardiovascular patients.

FUNDAMENTO: O reconhecimento precoce dos sinais e sintomas de um acidente vascular cerebral (AVC) é relevante no prognóstico do paciente, pois aumenta a chance do uso da terapia trombolítica. OBJETIVO: Avaliar o conhecimento sobre AVC entre uma amostra de pacientes tratados em uma clínica cardiológica, comparando-o com o de uma amostra da população freqüentadora de um parque recreativo. MÉTODO: Aplicamos um questionário estruturado acerca de conhecimentos gerais sobre AVC a pacientes de uma clínica cardiológica durante uma semana. Aplicamos o mesmo questionário numa única manhã a freqüentadores de um parque recreativo que paravam espontaneamente em um stand de informações sobre saúde. Além de dados demográficos, o questionário avaliava conhecimento sobre sintomas e sinais de AVC, fatores de risco e conceitos gerais sobre a doença. RESULTADOS: Foram respondidos 222 questionários, 109 pelo grupo da clínica de cardiologia (Ca) e 113 pelo grupo do parque (Pa). O grupo do parque reconheceu melhor três sintomas: cefaléia (Ca: 39 por cento; Pa: 61 por cento; p: 0,001), déficit visual (Ca: 15,8 por cento; Pa: 30,9 por cento; p: 0,007) e hemiparesia (Ca: 26 por cento; Pa: 41 por cento; p: 0,026). O grupo do parque associou melhor três fatores de risco ao AVC: diabetes (Ca: 22,9 por cento; Pa: 37,2 por cento; p: 0,021), tabagismo (Ca: 51,4 por cento; Pa: 67,2 por cento; p: 0,011) e colesterol alto (Ca: 54,1 por cento; Pa: 69,9 por cento; p: 0,015). CONCLUSÃO: Nossos resultados sugerem que pacientes tratados em uma clínica cardiológica não têm melhor conhecimento sobre AVC quando comparados a uma amostra da população. Campanhas visando aumentar o conhecimento sobre o AVC podem ter grande impacto na saúde pública, especialmente entre grupos de alto risco para essa condição, como pacientes com doenças cardiovasculares.

Risk perception of the public living in vicinity of nuclear power plant / 中华放射医学与防护杂志

Objective To investigate the attitude toward and perception of the risk of nuclear power plant among the public residing in vicinity of nuclear power plant,as well as the related factors.Methods A face-to-face interview on perceived radiation risks was conducted among 1408 individuals in Liangyungang City, Jiangsu Province.where the Tianwan nuclear power plant was under construction.The four groups was defined according to the distance between the residence of the subjects and the Tianwan nuclear power plant:<4 km,4- 8 km,8-30 km and 30-50 km.A was used to collect information on education,working history,religion, perception of major industries hazards especially nuclear power plant,and major factors may influence their perceptions.Ordinal logistic regression model was used to analyze the data.Results About 91.18% of the interviewee heard about the nuclear power plant,35.36% of them had knowledge about Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident,71.05% of them believed that the nuclear power plant had no negative effects on environments, 37.03% of them believed that the nuclear energy was safe.74.27% of them believed that it was necessary for China to develop nuclear energy.63.29% of them supported the construction of the nuclear power plant in local area.Ordinal logistic regression analysis revealed that the higher education,higher family annual income,male, economic benefits from the nuclear power plant construction,and trust in local government having competency to handling emergencies were positive factors;otherwise,impression on nuclear power plant of bad influences on environment and health were negative factors.An inverted U-shaped with a right tailing relationship between negative attitudes toward nuclear power plant and distance to the plant was found.Conclusions Education, gender,family annual income and expectation of economic benefit returns were the major factors influencing the perception of and attitudes toward nuclear power plant.More works needed to be done to mitigate the negative attitude of the residents in vicinity of nuclear power plant and enhance the public acceptability .

Managing agricultural biotechnology in Colombia

The international scenario for biotechnology shows a rapid tendency at industrialized countries in the increase of publications, patents, enterprises and novel solutions for the industry, the environment, health and agriculture. Nevertheless, Colombia has an important delay in relation to the international scientific development and the capacity to generate wealth and services for its productive systems. This delay has been one of the concerns of the country's policy during the last years, and more precisely since 2002, when for the first time biotechnology was included in a National Development Plan as one of the mechanisms for competitiveness and the use of biodiversity and genetic resources. This paper is the result of a survey conducted in 2005 aimed to provide an overview of agrobiotechnology in Colombia to be included in the compendium of case studies organized by the FAO's Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) and the Network for Technical Cooperation in Agricultural Biotechnology in Latin America and the Caribbean (REDBIO/FAO).

Strategic approaches to informing the public about biotechnology in Latin America

The benefits of today's biotechnology products are not evident to consumers. The public will accept biotechnology only when individuals decide for themselves that biotec products will contribute to their personal well-being. To make such a decision, people will need greater awareness and understanding of how biotechnology will affect the environment, human health, local and national economies, and the well-being of society. A low level of awareness and understanding about biotechnology is characteristic of Latin America and the Caribbean countries, as elsewhere, efforts to remedy poor public perception often seem inadequate and do not reflect a well-designed strategy. In order to improve the understanding of the biotechnology and their human applications, a strategic plan for public communications is required. Specific objectives for this initiative may include: (1) to make evident to decision makers that modern biotechnology can be an effective tool for increasing agricultural productivity, and thereby economic growth, without imposing unacceptable risk to the environment or human and animal health; (2) to enable members of the public to make informed decisions about appropriate uses of biotechnology by providing accurate information about benefits, risks and impacts; or (3) to incorporate modern biotechnology into science curricula for secondary schools, university and college students, and agriculture extension officers. A variety of specialized expertise, including communication specialists, technical writers, graphic artists and illustrators to design information materials and conduct training is needed to implement this. Ideally, members bring expertise in biotechnology and biosafety, public communications and project management. The plan will need to identify scientists and technical experts who can provide expertise in science writing for general audiences...

Percepción de la biotecnología en estudiantes universitarios de Costa Rica / Perception about biotechnology in university students in Costa Rica

A survey was carried out to determine the perception and knowledge about biotechnology and genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in a sample (n=750) of university students from three public universities in Costa Rica: Universidad de Costa Rica, Universidad Nacional and Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica. The study revealed that 88% of the students showed a satisfactory level of knowledge about modem biotechnology and 79% of them reported a favorable opinion and good acceptance of this technology. Students would accept some risks associated to biotechnology if it represents an improvement to the competitiveness of Costa Rica. Some differences were detected in the opinions from students of the three universities that can be associated to the area of study. Students from social disciplines showed a higher percentage of negative acceptances to biotechnology and GMOs when their opinions were compared with those of students from life sciences and technologies.