Análisis de los indicadores de salud infantil en argentina, en relacion a los objetivos de desarrollo del milenio / Analysis of child health indicators in Argentina, in connection with millennium development goals set by the United Nations / Análise dos indicadores de saúde infantil naArgentina, em relação com os objecivos do milniotraçados pela organização das Nações Unidas

Objetivos: A la luz del 4° Objetivo de Desarrollo del Milenio trazado por Naciones Unidas, este trabajo tuvo como objetivos analizar la epidemiología de la mortalidad de menores de 1 año y menores de 5 años en la Argentina entre los años 1990 y 2011, y describir la cobertura de vacunación antisarampionosa en niños de 1 año entre 1990 y 2009.Método: Se midieron indicadores epidemiológicos con datos nacionales de fuentes secundarias: Tasa de mortalidad infantil y tasa de mortalidad en menores de 5 años; y porcentaje de cobertura de vacunación antisarampionosa en Argentina.Resultados: Los resultados muestran un descenso del 54,2% en la tasa de mortalidad infantil, y del 54,5% en la mortalidad de menores de 5 años. Las causas de muerte más frecuentes durante los primeros 5 años de vida están asociadas principalmente a las afecciones perinatales y anomalías congénitas. En relación a la cobertura de vacunación antisarampionosa, se observa una evolución positiva de ese indicador llegando en el año 2009 al 100% de cobertura.Conclusiones: La mortalidad infantil representa un indicador indiscutible de muertes evitables e innecesarias, que pueden prevenirse mediante acciones sanitarias y políticas sociales orientadas a influir sobre los determinantes sociales y económicos, en ese sentido se torna indispensable avanzar hacia la reducción prevista entre los compromisos que las Naciones Unidas establecieron en el marco de los Objetivos de Desarrollo del Milenio

Aim: In view of the 4th Millennium Development Goal set by the UN, this study aimed at analyzing the epidemiology of mortality of children under age 1 and under age 5 in Argentina between 1990 and 2009. Methods: Epidemiological indicators were measured using national data from secondary sources: Infant mortality rate and mortality rate in children under 5; and percentage of coverage in measles vaccination in Argentina Results: Results show a 54.2% decrease in infant mortality rate, and 54.5% in mortality of children under 5. The most common causes of death during the first five years of life are usually associated to perinatal problems and congenital anomalies. In relation to measles vaccination coverage, there is a positive evolution of this indicator, reaching 100% coverage in 2009.Conclusions: Infant mortality represents an undeniable indicator of avoidable and unnecessary deaths that can be prevented by health actions and social policies designed to influence social and economic determinants. In this regard, it becomes essential to move towards the reduction considered among the commitments established by the United Nations within the framework of the Millennium Development Goals

Strategic planning in a health leadership sector: a report from UNESCO chair in health education, Iran

Strategic planning defines the formal decision of a company for its future. Like all organizations, health care sectors need to prepare their strategic planning and act according to it. UNESCO chair in health education as a leader health sector, describes the course and steps for preparing its strategic planning based on SWOT analysis technique

La dignidad como fundamento de la biopolítica / The dignity as basis of the Biopolitics

La dignidad humana representa desde la perspectiva social, jurídica y política, el imperativo categórico de nuestro tiempo, tal y como versa en el artículo nº 1 de la Declaración Universal de los Derechos Humanos (ONU, 1948): ®Todos los seres humanos nacen libres e iguales en dignidad y derechos¼. La persona tiene que ser contemplada desdeel punto de vista holístico y reconocer que es un ser dotado de principios y derechos que lo deben proteger de cualquier arbitrariedad por el abuso del poder o situación de indignidad e iniquidad. Derechos y deberes que a lo largo de la historia se han conformado y positivado progresivamente, más sin embargo, no logra permear a los diversosestratos sociales y constituirse en forma integral, a pesar de ser norma común en las diversas constituciones del planeta. Epistemológicamente, la dignidad constituye un auténtico hilo conductor primario entre los ámbitos éticos, jurídicos y políticos. La dignidad humana se erige como el principio de los principios, el eje modulador de los criterios de justicia ylegalidad. De la dignidad se genera la necesaria y responsable libertad que permite al hombre y a la mujer, ser seres en busca de su autenticidad, de su comprensión de ser seres-para-la-vida, capaces de autorrealizarse con esperanza y con miras a la convivencia armónica y justa. Una dignidad que no puede disociarse del principio de individualidad, y por ende, de su integridad, privacidad e intimidad. Fundamentos que a su vez no pueden ser separados de su relación existencial con-los-otros y con-el-ambiente, en una relación homeostática social y de supervivencia de la humanidad.

Experiencias de elaboración y presentación de informes alternativos ante comités de Naciones Unidas: aportes metodológicos / sss

Contiene: los derechos humanos, el contexto político de la experiencia, los derechos humanos y su diversidad DCP-DESC, pactos y convenciones, los primeros pasos en la elaboración de informes alternativos: un aprendizaje hacia la participación, aportes al seguimiento y exigibilidad del PIDESC desde la sociedad civil, el punto de partida; difusión y exigibilidad, metodología y coordinación recogiendo experiencias institucionales.

Normas bioéticas de UNESCO para evitar prácticas eugenésicas en investigaciones biomédicas / Bioethical standards of UNESCO to avoid eugenical practices in biomedical research

The author, member of the UNESCO Bioethics Committee, participated in the preparation of the Universal Declaration about Human Genoma and Human Rights, in 1997. The aim of this work is to analyze the initial articles of such Declaration, defining the bioethical principles that defend human dignity, freedom and rights, against the madness of the present biotechnological revolution. The development of genetics for the benefit of mankind will be guaranteed if these principles are honored. Genetic discrimination, reductionism and determinism, are identified by the author as perversions that, if used by biotechnologists, can lead to the rebirth of eugenism and racism, that were condemned by the Code of Nuremberg, in 1947. Investigators must assume their responsibility, respecting the principles of human dignity, the real freedom of research and solidarity among people. This attitude will avoid the use of genetics for purposes other than the welfare of mankind

Evaluation of the WHO/UNICEF algorithm for integrated management of childhood illness between the ages of one week to two months.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the utility of the WHO/UNICEF algoritham for integrated management of childhood illness (IMCI) between the ages of 1 week to 2 months. DESIGN: Prospective observational. SETTING: The Outpatient Department and Emergency Room of a medical college hospital. METHODS: 129 infants presenting to Outpatient Department (n=70) or Emergency Room (n=59) were assessed and classified as per 'IMCI' algorithm and treatment required was identified. A detailed evaluation with all relevant investigations was also done for these subjects. The final diagnoses made and therapies instituted on this basis served as 'gold standard'. The diagnostic and therapeutic agreement between 'gold standard and the 'IMCI' was computed. RESULTS: More than one illness was present in 97(75.2%) of subjects as per 'gold standard' (mean 2.1). Subjects having any referral criteria as per 'IMCI' algorithm had a greater (p=0.002) co-existence of illnesses (mean 2.3 vs. 1.8 illnesses per child, respectively. IMCI algorithm covered majority (81-84%) of the recorded diagnoses either partly (40-41%) or fully (40-44%). The referral criteria proved quite sensitive (86-87%) in predicting hospitalization but had a lower specificity (53-58%). a total agreement with IMCI was found in 60-66% cases. The mismatch (34-40%) was more commonly of overdiagnosis (21-23%) rather than underdiagnosis (15-21%). The sensitivity of the algorithm to identify serious bacterial infection was high (96.1-96.5%) while the specificity was relatively low (51. 8-59.7%). Upper respiratory infection (URI)emerged as an important cause resulting in unnecessary referrals (13 out of 21 cases). Of the 43 cases identified as diarrhea by the algorithm, 6 had breast fed stools, which do not require any therapy. The 'IMCI' algorithm had a provision for preventive services of immunization and breastfeeding counseling (18% possibility of availing missed opportunities in both). CONCLUSION: There is a sound scientific basis for adopting IMCI approach even in young infants as there is a need to improve the specificity of referral criteria. Two important conditions identified for possible refinement are URI and breast fed stools