Mortalidad Infantil en las comunas de la Región Metropolitana, periodo 2005-2014 / Infant Mortality in the Metropolitan Region, Chile 2005-2014

Resumen: Introducción: La mortalidad infantil depende del nivel de desarrollo económico, social y cultural del área de residencia. Objetivo: Describir las tasas de mortalidad infantil (TMI) y mortalidad infantil tardía (TMIT) de las comunas de la Región Metropolitana (RM) y evaluar su tendencia en el perio do 2005-2014. Material y Método: Estudio ecológico que describe las tasas en las 52 comunas de la Región Metropolitana (RM). Para el análisis se construyó la TMI y TMIT para cada año y comuna y se compararon mediante riesgo atribuible poblacional (RAP), Riesgo atribuible porcentual (RAP%) y razón de tasas (RT). Las tendencias se evaluaron con el modelo Prais-Winsten. Se consideró una tendencia estadísticamente significativa un valor p < 0,05. Resultados: La comuna de Independencia mostró la TMI y TMIT más altas con 12,7 y 4,05 por mil RNV respectivamente; 1,75 y 2,05 veces comparado con la TMI y TMIT de la RM. Las tasas más bajas se observaron en Las Condes (TMI) y en Vitacura (TMIT). La tendencia de la TMI respecto al 2005 aumentó en Lo Barnechea, Lo Espejo y Recoleta y disminuyó en Las Condes, Macul, Pudahuel y San Bernardo. La TMIT disminuyó en Peñalolén, Puente Alto, Las Condes, Providencia, San Bernardo, Macul, Pudahuel, Talagante, Pedro Aguirre Cerda y Quilicura y aumentó en Peñaflor. Conclusión: La TMI y la TMIT regional ocultan el leve incremento de las tasas y la persistencia de la heterogeneidad entre las comunas, lo que obliga a explorar las causas de estas inequidades en estudios analíticos a futuro.

Abstract: Introduction: Infant mortality depends on the economic, social, and cultural level of development of the place of residence. Objective: To describe the infant mortality rates (IMR) and the late infant mortality rates (LIMR) of the Metropolitan Region (MR) communes and to evaluate their trend between 2005 and 2014. Material and Method: Ecological study that describes the rates of the 52 communes of the MR. For the analysis, the IMR and LIMR were elaborated for each year and com mune and were compared using population attributable risk (PAR), attributable risk percent (AR%), and rate ratio (RR). Trends were analyzed through the Prais-Winsten model. A value p < 0.05 was considered a statistically significant trend. Results: The commune 'Independencia' presented the hig hest IMR and LIMR with 12.7 and 4.05 per 1000 live births respectively, 1.75 and 2.05 times more compared with the IMR and LIMR of the MR. The commune 'Las Condes' and 'Vitacura' presented the lowest IMR and LIMR respectively. The IMR trend regarding 2005 increased in Lo Barnechea, Lo Espejo, and Recoleta, and decreased in Las Condes, Macul, Pudahuel and San Bernardo. The LIMR decreased in Peñalolén, Puente Alto, Las Condes, Providencia, San Bernardo, Macul, Pudahuel, Tala- gante, Pedro Aguirre Cerda, and Quilicura, and increased in Peñaflor. Conclusion: The regional IMR and LIMR hide the slight increase in rates and the persistence of heterogeneity among communes. This forces us to explore the causes of these inequities through future analytical studies.

Consumo de alcohol en entornos urbanos alrededor de una universidad en Bogotá. Resultados de un estudio piloto / Consume of Alcohol in Urban Settings around a University in Bogotá. Results of a Pilot Study

Introducción: El objetivo de este estudio piloto fue caracterizar las percepciones de estudiantes universitarios sobre el consumo de alcohol y la disponibilidad de establecimientos que expenden licor en el perímetro urbano de una universidad de Bogotá. Métodos: Se llevó a cabo un estudio transversal y mixto en 201 estudiantes seleccionados por una muestra no probabilística. Se usó una encuesta autodiligenciada para evaluar percepciones respecto al consumo de alcohol alrededor de la universidad y sistemas de información geográfica para identificar los establecimientos que vendían alcohol. Resultados: El 66% de los participantes informó haber consumido alcohol alrededor del campus universitario. El 26% se mostraba de acuerdo o muy de acuerdo con la implementación de medidas estrictas para restringir el consumo, siendo mayor en personas que no consumieron (41,2%). El análisis geográfico encontró un patrón de concentración de oferta y consumo de alcohol en las inmediaciones de la universidad. Conclusión: Este estudio muestra la potencial relevancia que tiene la oferta y consumo de alcohol alrededor de un campus universitario para la salud pública. Se deben llevar a cabo estudios complementarios para entender, de mejor manera, posibles vínculos entre contextos urbanos universitarios y consumo de alcohol.

Background: The aim of this pilot study was to characterize the perceptions of university students in relation to alcohol consumption and the availability of alcohol outlets in the urban perimeter of a university in Bogotá. Methods: A mixed cross-sectional study was conducted among 201 undergraduate students ages 18 to 27 years using a non-probabilistic sampling design. The perceptions regarding alcohol consumption in the university's surroundings were assessed via a self-reported questionnaire. Geographic Information Systems were used to identify the outlets that sell alcohol. Results: 66% of participants reported alcohol consumption in in the university's surroundings. The proportion of students who agreed with implementing strict measures to control alcohol consumption was 26%, with higher percentages in those who didn't consume alcohol (41,2%). Geographic analysis showed that several urban attributes were correlated with alcohol consumption. Conclusión: The results of this study show the potential relevance that has the availability' of alcohol outlets near a university' campus as a public health issue. Further studies should be conducted in order to better understand the links between urban contexts around universities and alcohol consumption.

Síndrome metabólico y actividad física en adultos mayores de la sierra ecuatoriana / Metabolic syndrome and physical activity in elderly people from the Ecuadorian highlands

RESUMEN Objetivo Determinar la prevalencia del síndrome metabólico, el nivel de actividad física y la asociación de estos factores en los adultos mayores de la sierra ecuatoriana. Métodos Estudio transversal que evaluó 387 adultos mayores de Cuenca-Ecuador, quienes desearon participar y firmaron el consentimiento informado. El diagnóstico de síndrome metabólico se realizó mediante los criterios del Programa Nacional de Educación sobre el Colesterol y el Panel de Tratamiento del Adulto III, para el valor de la Circunferencia Abdominal se consideró los criterios usados para la población asiática. El nivel de actividad física fue evaluado por la versión corta del Cuestionario Internacional de Actividad Física. Se compararon los grupos con y sin síndrome metabólico mediante el test Chi-cuadrado y el test t de student. El análisis de variancia fue usado para evaluar la asociación entre los componentes del síndrome metabólico y el nivel de actividad física. Resultados La prevalencia de síndrome metabólico fue alta (59,9 %), así como el nivel alto de actividad física (45 %), sin embargo no se evidenció asociación significativa entre el síndrome metabólico y nivel de actividad física. Conclusión Los adultos mayores diagnosticados con síndrome metabólico presentaron el mismo nivel de actividad física que los individuos sin este diagnóstico. Es necesario confirmar los presentes hallazgos usando instrumentos de medición directa de actividad física.(AU)

ABSTRACT Objective Determine the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome, the level of physical activity and the association with these factors in the elderly from the Ecuadorian highlands. Methods Cross-sectional study that evaluated 387 older adults from Cuenca-Ecuador, who wished to participate and signed the informed consent. The diagnosis of metabolic syndrome was made using the criteria of the National Program of Education on Cholesterol and the Adult Treatment Panel III, for the value of Abdominal Circumference the criteria used for the Asian population was considered. The level of physical activity was evaluated by the short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. The groups with and without metabolic syndrome were compared using the chi-square test and student's t-test. The analysis of variance was used to evaluate the association between the components of the metabolic syndrome and the level of physical activity. Results The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was high (59.9 %), as well as the high level of physical activity (45 %), however, there was no significant association between the metabolic syndrome and physical activity level. Conclusions Older adults diagnosed with metabolic syndrome presented the same level of physical activity as individuals without this diagnosis. It is necessary to confirm the present findings using direct measurement instruments of physical activity.(AU)

Medellín y el sueño de Ciudad Saludable: construcción técnica y colectiva / Medellín and the dream of a healthy city: a technical and collective construction

RESUMEN Objetivo Definir para Medellín el alcance del concepto y de la estrategia de Ciudad Saludable. Material y Métodos Estudio mixto con revisión de literatura, análisis documental y participación de actores. Resultados En la construcción del concepto se llega a "una ciudad para vivir más y mejor" y se identifican quince características atribuidas a Medellín Ciudad Saludable. La población califica la situación actual como regular y da mayor importancia a las características de medio ambiente, seguridad, acceso a servicios de salud, vivienda y empleo. Aun así, la ciudad presenta avances y esfuerzos importantes para ser reconocida como Ciudad Saludable, pues mantiene programas y proyectos en estas y otras características que contribuyen a elevar el estado de salud. Discusión La construcción de una Ciudad Saludable es particular a cada contexto y en cualquier caso demanda la combinación de trabajo técnico y participación ciudadana en aras de elaborar su propio imaginario e identificar prioridades. En el caso de Medellín, es necesario asumir la estrategia de manera sistemática para que se mantenga en el futuro y hacer explícitas metas y acciones a emprender con el concurso de diferentes sectores del desarrollo local.(AU)

ABSTRACT Objective To define the scope and the strategy of the Healthy City concept for Medellín. Material y Methods Mixed study with literature review, document analysis and involvement of actors. Results The construction of the concept leads to "a city to live more and better". Fifteen characteristics were identified and attributed to "Medellín, a Healthy City". The population assesses the current situation as average and gives more importance to the environment, safety, access to health services, housing and employment. In spite of this perception, and due to the programs and projects directed to increase health quality, the city has advanced towards the implementation of efforts to be acknowledged as a Healthy City. Discussion The construction of a Healthy City is specific for each context, and, in any case, it demands a combination of technical work and citizen participation, with the purpose of creating an own imaginary and identifying priorities. In the case of Medellín, assuming the strategy in a systematic manner is necessary to continue in the long term and to propose explicit goals and take actions to work along with different sectors of social development.(AU)

Tendencias de la resistencia a antibióticos en Medellín y en los municipios del área metropolitana entre 2007 y 2012: resultados de seis años de vigilancia / Trends in antibiotic resistance in Medellín and municipalities of the Metropolitan Area between 2007 and 2012: Results of six years of surveillance

Introducción. La resistencia bacteriana es un fenómeno mundial, pero su comportamiento varía en el tiempo y el espacio, confiriéndole importancia a los sistemas de vigilancia locales. Objetivo. Determinar las tendencias de la resistencia a antibióticos entre 2007 y 2012 en instituciones hospitalarias de Medellín y del Área Metropolitana del Valle de Aburrá. Materiales y métodos. Entre 2007 y 2012 se obtuvieron los porcentajes de resistencia a antibióticos marcadores en 22 instituciones, utilizando el programa Whonet 5.6. Se empleó la guía del Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) de los años 2009 y 2012 para interpretar los resultados de las pruebas de sensibilidad. Con el programa Epi-Info 6.04 se analizaron tendencias por medio de la prueba de ji al cuadrado de tendencia lineal con un nivel de confianza de 95 %; se consideró significativo un valor de p=0,05. Resultados. Se observó una disminución de la resistencia a oxacilina en S taphylococcus aureus (p=0,0006) y un incremento de la resistencia a vancomicina en Enterococcus faecium (p=0,0000). En Escherichia coli y Serratia marcescens se observó un incremento de la resistencia a ceftazidima, en contraste con una disminución en Klebsiella pneumoniae (p=0,0000) y Enterobacter cloacae (p=0,058). Para K. pneumoniae, S. marcescens y E. cloacae se observó un incremento de la resistencia a carbapenémicos, en contraste con una disminución en Pseudomonas aeruginosa y Acinetobacter baumannii. Conclusiones. La vigilancia de la resistencia permitió obtener hallazgos importantes como la emergencia de E. faecium resistente a la vancomicina y enterobacterias resistentes a los carbapenémicos. Es indispensable conocer el uso de antibióticos en la región para establecer su influencia en los perfiles encontrados, además de garantizar la calidad de la información emanada de los laboratorios de microbiología.

Introduction: Bacterial resistance is a global phenomenon, but it presents geographic and temporal variations; this is the importance of local surveillance programs. Objective: To determine trends in antibiotic resistance in hospitals between 2007 and 2012 in Medellín and its Metropolitan Area. Materials and methods: Percentages of antibiotic resistance between 2007 and 2012 in 22 institutions were obtained using WHONET 5.6 program. For interpretation of susceptibility results, CLSI standards of 2009 and 2012 were used. Using the Epi-Info 6.04 program a trends analysis of antibiotic resistance was done using the chi-square for linear trend with a confidence level of 95%, a value of p=0.05 was considered significant. Results: In six years of surveillance of antibiotic resistance we found a decrease of oxacillin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus (p=0.0006) and an increase of vancomycin resistance in Enterococcus faecium (p=0.0000). In Escherichia coli and Serratia marcescens an increase of resistance to ceftazidime was found, in contrast to a decrease in Klebsiella pneumoniae (p=0.0000) and Enterobacter cloacae (p=0.058). K. pneumoniae , S. marcescens and E. cloacae showed an increase of carbapenem resistance in contrast to a reduction of carbapenem resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii . Conclusions: The resistance surveillance identified important findings as the emergence of E. faecium resistant to vancomycin and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae . It is essential to determine the antibiotic use in the region to establish their influence on the resistance profiles, as well as ensuring the quality of information and microbiological procedures in the microbiology laboratories.

Saúde urbana, ambiente e desigualdades / Urban health, environment, and inequalities / Salud urbana, ambiente y desigualdades

Os ambientes psicossocial, econômico e físico, nos quais se nasce, cresce, vive e trabalha, afetam a saúde e a longevidade, tanto quanto o fumo, o exercício e a dieta. A atenção individual à saúde não é suficiente para prevenir ou controlar os efeitos das más condições ambientais. Evidências históricas e atuais apontam para o agravamento das condições de saúde das populações mais pobres, acompanhando processos de urbanização rápida. Esperadamente, o envelhecimento populacional num ambiente urbano de desigualdade social deverá agravar a situação de saúde da população mais pobre, resultando em mais sofrimento e em perdas econômicas para o país. Com base nestas justificativas, um grupo de professores da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul se organizou, via extensão universitária, para contribuir com a discussão e as iniciativas nacionais de intervenção sobre a saúde urbana. Os projetos do grupo abarcam: o debate sobre o impacto potencial de iniciativas privadas e políticas públicas setoriais (de habitação, saneamento, transporte, educação, inovação tecnológica, sustentabilidade ambiental etc.) na saúde urbana; a produção e divulgação de conteúdos sobre determinantes sociais e ambientais da saúde; a produção e disseminação dos indicadores de desigualdade social dos determinantes da saúde; a formação de recursos humanos; e a participação em redes sociais. A apresentação pública deste projeto cumpre o objetivo de contribuir desde já com essa discussão.

The psychosocial, economic, and physical environment where we were born, and now are growing, living, working, and reproducing affect health and longevity as much as do smoking, exercise, and diet. Individual attention to health is not enough to prevent or control the effects of bad environmental conditions. Historical and current evidence show that a decline in the health condition of the poorest is associated with rapid urbanization. Population aging in an urban environment of social inequalities is expected to make the health situation of the poorest even worse, resulting in more human suffering and economic losses for the country. Based on these observations, a group of professors from the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) organized themselves, through an extension program, to contribute on the discussion and national initiatives of intervention in urban health. The group's projects are comprised of: discussions about the potential impact of private initiatives and sector public policies (housing, sanitation, transportation, education, technological innovation, environmental sustainability, and so on) on urban health; the production and dissemination of information about social and environmental determinants of health; the production and dissemination of new indicators of inequality as determinants of health; human resources development; and the participation in social networks. The public presentation of this project satisfies the objective of initiating the group's contribution to this discussion.

Los ambientes psicosocial, económico y físico en los cuales nacemos, crecemos, vivimos, trabajamos y nos reproducimos afectan la salud y la longevidad, tanto como el tabaco, el ejercicio y la dieta. La atención individual a la salud no es suficiente para prevenir o controlar los efectos de malas condiciones ambientales. Evidencias históricas y actuales muestran el agravamiento de las condiciones de salud de las poblaciones más pobres acompañando procesos de urbanización rápida. Previsiblemente, el envejecimiento de la población en un ambiente urbano de desigualdad social deberá agravar la situación de la salud de la población más pobre, resultando en más sufrimiento y en pérdidas económicas para el país. Con base en estas justificativas, un grupo de profesores de la Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) se organizó, a través de la extensión universitaria, para contribuir con la discusión y las iniciativas nacionales de intervención sobre la Salud Urbana. Los proyectos del grupo abarcan: el debate sobre el impacto potencial de iniciativas privadas y políticas públicas sectoriales (de habitación, saneamiento, transporte, educación, innovación tecnológica, sustentabilidad ambiental, etc.) en la Salud Urbana; la producción y divulgación de contenidos sobre determinantes sociales y ambientales de la salud; la producción y diseminación de indicadores de desigualdad social como determinantes de la salud; la formación de recursos humanos; y la participación en redes sociales. La presentación pública de este proyecto cumple con el objetivo de contribuir desde ya con esta discusión.

Exploração das possibilidades e limites do uso de geoprocessamento na gestão do SUS / Exploring the possibilities and limits of the use of geoprocessing in the SUS management

A heterogeneidade é inerente as metrópoles cujos territórios são fragmentados por diversas desigualdades socioespaciais. No caso do Rio de Janeiro, as singularidades históricas da formação social e urbana da Cidade desencadearam um modelo de segregação socioespacial onde há forte proximidade territorial entre as favelas e os bairros que formam as áreas superiores da cidade, fracassando, assim, a estratificação socioespacial do tipo centro-periferia. Para a identificação dos múltiplos territórios intraurbanos, objetos do planejamento em saúde, fica clara a crescente necessidade de produção, organização e atualização de informações mais detalhadas e desagregadas espacialmente. Esta dissertação explora as potencialidades da tecnologia de geoprocessamento na delimitação de “espaços-população” prioritários de atuação de políticas públicas em saúde na Cidade, a partir da espacialização de indicadores socioeconômicos e de saúde na menor unidade de análise geográfica. O estudo possibilitou verificar que a tecnologia espacial de análise de dados foi efetiva na identificação de desigualdades socioterritoriais, o que permite a gestão reagregar unidades espaciais mais homogêneas e reconstruir suas áreas de planejamento em saúde. Com relação à espacialização de dados de saúde, a tecnologia esbarrou em problemas quanto à qualidade dos dados de endereço coletados no sistema de informação hospitalar e na ausência de atualização de dados cartográficos digitais...

The heterogeneity is inherent in the metropolitan which areas are fragmented by several spatial inequalities. In Rio de Janeiro, the unique historical and social formation of the urban model unleashed a spatial segregation of strong territorial proximity between the towns and neighborhoods that make up the upper areas of the city, failing, then, the stratification of socio - type center-periphery. For the identification of multiple urban territory, objects of health planning, it is clear the increasing need for production and update more detailed and disaggregated spatially information. This dissertation explores the potential of GIS technology in the definition of "space-population" areas of activity of public health policies in the City, from the spatial distribution of socioeconomic indicators and health in the smallest unit of geographic analysis. The study enabled us to verify that space technology for data analysis was effective in identifying inequalities socioterritoriais, which allows the management re-aggregates more homogeneous spatial units and rebuild their areas of health planning. With respect to spatial health data, the technology ran into problems with the quality of address data collected in the hospital information system and in the absence of updating digital map data. The technology of GIS, in health, despite the availability of databases of free programs available and the availability of trained personnel, has been showing its use limited by problems encountered. Recommend investments to the standardization efforts of the entry of addresses in information systems in health, in the update of mailing of the municipality and technological development programs relate to georeferencing databases, taking into account possible differences in spelling of streets.

Ocurrencia de Isospora belli, Cryptosporidium spp y Cyclospora cayetanenesis en pacientes urbanos evaluados por síntomas gastrointestinales con o sin imnunosupresión / Occurrence of Isospora belli, Cryptosporidium and Cyclospora cayetanenesis spp in urban patients evaluated for gastrointestinal symptoms with or without immunosuppresion

Este estudio de corte transversal, estimó la ocurrencia de infecciones por coccidias intestinales (CI) en pacientes urbanos procedentes de Caracas-Venezuela. Se analizaron, 1 831 referencias de pacientes externos de ambos sexos y con edad promedio ± desviación estándar de 28,8 ± 22,93 años. En la Sección de Geohelmintiasis del Instituto de Medicina Tropical (SGH-IMT), se evaluaron 4 650 muestras de heces seriadas, por examen directo, formol tritón éter y Baermann, pertenecientes a 1 550 pacientes. Adicionalmente, la prueba de Ziehl-Neelsen modificada, se aplicó a las muestras fecales de 150 pacientes, por solicitud del médico tratante o sugerencia de SGH-IMT. La eosinofilia (40,54 por ciento; 225/555) constituyó el principal motivo de referencia y consulta. El promedio ± DS de contaje absoluto de eosinófilo (3 151 ± 5 161) demostró eosinofilias leves (63/204) y moderadas (25/204). Otros motivos de consulta fueron: dolor abdominal (27,72 por ciento; 122/440), náuseas/vómitos (19,03 por ciento; 83/436), pujo/tenesmo (16,05 por ciento; 70/436) y por último, la consistencia líquida de las heces (4,87 por ciento; 74/1 477). Los parasitados (43,7 por ciento; 677/1 550) presentaron evacuaciones pastosa (81,25 por ciento; 494/608) y blandas (37 por ciento; 57/608). Sólo, 5,92. por ciento (36/608) presentaron consistencia líquida. La prueba de Ziehl-Neelsen modificada demostró 12 casos positivos (8 por ciento) para CI: Isospora belli (5,33 por ciento; 8/150), Cryptosporidium spp (2 por ciento; 3/150) y Cyclospora cayetanensis (0,66 por ciento; 1/150). El único caso de ciclosporiosis estaba co-infectado con Blastocystis hominis y no presentó cambios en la consistencia de las heces. Estos resultados apoya la idea de que los médicos interconsultantes soliciten la aplicación de exámenes coproparasitológicos adicionales, en forma seriada, de bajo costo, para evaluar pacientes inmunocompetentes urbanos, con síntomas gastrointestinales/ eosinofilia, ...

These two years follow up; cross-sectional study estimates the occurrence of intestinal coccidias in urban patients from the metropolitan area of Caracas-Venezuela. One thousand eight hundred thirty one outpatient case reports were analyzed, both sex and 28.8 ± 22.93 years. Soil-transmitted helminthes laboratory of the Tropical Medicine Institute (SGH-IMT) evaluated 4 650 feces samples from 1 550 outpatients by direct, formol triton ether and Baermann techniques, Additionally, modified Ziehl-Neelsen, were done because of clinicians or SGH-IMT suggestion for 150 outpatients. Eosinophilia (40.54 percent; 225/555) was the major cause of referral and consultation. The mean of the absolute count of eosinophils (3 151+ 5 161) showed low (63/204) and moderate (25/204) eosinophila. Other causes of consultation were: abdominal pain (27.72 percent; 122/440), nausea/ vomiting (19.03 percent; 83/436), tenesmus/constipation (16.05 percent; 70/436) and finally, liquid fecal consistency (4.87 percent; 74/1477). Parasite infected patients (43.7 percent; 677/1550) had normal (81.25 percent; 494/608) and semi liquid feces (37 percent; 57/608). Only, 5.92 percent (36/608) had liquid consistency. Modified Ziehl-Neelsen demonstrates 12 positive IC (8 percent) for: Isospora belli (5.33. percent; 8/150), Cryptosporidium spp (2 percent; 3/150) and Cyclospora cayetanensis (0.66 percent; 1/150). The only case of cyclosporidiosis was co-infected with Blastocystis hominis and had normal feces. These results agrees with the idea for clinicians to ask for additional, low cost, serial parasitological test in feces, to evaluate urban inmunocompetent outpatients, with gastrointestinal symptoms/eosinophilia, even without diarrhea, because the basic feces techniques, used routinely, fails to make the precise parasite diagnostic, underestimating coccidiosis

Rodas de conversa sobre o trabalho na rua: discutindo saúde mental / Conversation groups on outreach work: discussing mental health

O artigo narra uma experiência de ensino com agentes comunitários de saúde em uma unidade do Programa de Saúde da Família da periferia de São Paulo. Com o objetivo de discutir temas de Saúde Mental relevantes para o trabalho cotidiano desses profissionais, criou-se um espaço de aprendizagem e construção de sentido para esses agentes. Em grupos de encontro quinzenais com uma psiquiatra e cerca de 20 agentes, discutiam-se casos clínicos e situações de vida e trabalho a partir dos quais era possível aprender conceitos básicos de Saúde Mental e pensar o papel e a identidade desses profissionais na comunidade. Ao final de um ano de experiência, avaliou-se que tal atividade é fundamental como apoio para o desenvolvimento do trabalho desses profissionais, e para o aprendizado de como lidar com aspectos subjetivos próprios e dos usuários, especialmente na periferia de grandes centros urbanos.

This article describes a teaching experience with health community agents in a Family Health Program unit. In order to discuss important everyday mental health themes, a space for these agents was created, intended for learning and building up senses. Groups of 20 agents and a psychiatrist met every two weeks, to discuss clinical cases, and life and work situations which helped apprehend basic Mental Health concepts and to reflect on the role and identity of these professionals in the community. After one year, this activity was considered fundamental to support the work developed by the agents and to help them learn how to deal with their and the users' subjective aspects, especially in the periphery of large urban centers.

Produçäo de doenças em contextos urbanizados: desigualdades intra-urbanas de Saúde em Belém / Production of illness en urban contexts: Healht inter-urban inequalities in Belém city, Brazil

Afirma que o avanço da ciência e d tecnologia permitiu o controle e a erradicaçäo de muitas doenças, mas näo impediu o aparecimento das "infecçöes emergentes", um sério problema de saúde pública atribuído a fatores demográficos, comportamentais, técnico-industriais e outros. Ressalta a necessidade de se rever os conhecimentos epidemiológicos e buscar suporte nos conceitos e noçöes de diversas disciplinas.

A cultura do medo e as tensões do viver a cidade: narrativa e trajetória de velhos moradores em Porto Alegre / The fear culture and the tensions to live in a city: narrative and trajectory of old dwellers in Porto Alegre

Este artigo trata do cotidiano de velhos habitantes de Porto Alegre, com base em suas reconstruções narrativas das experiências temporais que delineiam trajetórias de vida. Refere-se a uma populaçäo de segmentos médios que, de alguma forma, experimentou as transformações urbanas da localidade e compartilhou de interpretações sócio-históricas e políticas em numerosas modalidades de simbolizaçäo: meios de comunicaçäo de massa, focos de sociabilidade formais e informais

Overweight and obesity among Saudi Arabian children and adolescents between 1994 and 2000

Overweight and obesity trends were investigated for schoolchildren and adolescents in Jeddah using data from 1994 and 2000. Individuals aged 10-20 years were selected using multistage stratified random sampling and direct measurements were made of body weight and height. Percentiles were calculated for body mass index [BMI], body weight and height for specific age and sex strata. For both sexes, BMI increased between 1994 and 2000 at the 50th percentile but higher still at the 85th and 95th percentiles. The increase in body weight and BMI were marked for all age groups; however boys showed the largest increase aged 10-16 years, whereas girls showed the lowest at 14-16 years. Public health intervention is crucial to prevent or reduce overweight and obesity among youth

Review of trends of malaria in an urban community of Calcutta during 1984-1997.

The trends in the malaria situation over the last 14 years in an urban community of Calcutta with a population of 1,04,000 have been analysed with particular reference to the malaria epidemic which took place in Calcutta in November-December, 1995. Annual and monthwise data on malariometric indices pertaining to 1984-1997 were collected from health centre records. The total number of blood slides examined every year has steadily increased from around 8,000 in 1984 to more than 23,000 in 1996 with some decline in 1997. About 95% of the confirmed malaria cases were of the benign tertian type, while remaining 5% were of the malignant tertian type. The slide vivax rate has steadily declined over the years 1984-1997 from around 50 per cent in 1984 to between 20 to 30 per cent during 1993-1997. The slide falciparum rate over the same period varied between 0.5 to 2 per cent and did not show any clear secular trend. The annual parasite incidence (API) which varied cyclically between 40 to 60 per thousand during 1984-87 increased (with a cyclical trend superimposed on a secular increasing trend) to vary between 50 to 70 per thousand during 1994-97. The 1995 winter epidemic of malaria was characterised by an increased occurrence of both P vivax and P falcipanrum malaria.

Prevalence of hepatitis A antibodies in western Indian population: changing pattern.

This report pertains to a retrospective study conducted between 1983 and 1995 at three time points to evaluate the prevalence of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection in the population of Bhor Taluk, situated in western India. Serum samples from children and adults were tested for anti-HAV antibodies using blocking ELISA test. There was a significant decrease in anti-HAV prevalence among children aged 5-10 years in 1995 (87.36%) as compared to that of 1983 (97.58%) and 1987 (96.48%). All individuals >11 years of age were seropositive for anti-HAV antibodies. Anti-HAV prevalence was similar in the users of well water, but was significantly reduced in individuals supplied with piped water in 1995 (88.61%) compared with that in 1983 (98.77%). A significant decrease in anti-HAV positivity was noted in children from Bhor Taluk as compared to children from Pune bled in 1992. These results underline the need for periodic surveillance of seroepidemiology of hepatitis A to determine the measures for prevention and control of the disease.

La verosimilitud de transmision local de Malaria en areas urbanas y periurbanas de Santa Cruz-Bolivia / The truth about the local transmission of malaria in urban and suburbs of Santa Cruz

La aparicion de casos urbanos de malarias es un problema observado a nivel mundial. La informacion acerca del paludismo en la ciudad de Santa Cruz, Bolivia, es escasa y no permite distinguir entre casos importados y autoctonos. Por los antecedentes de brotes de cuadros febriles sospechosos de malaria, la notificacion esporadicas de casos con resistencia en Santa Cruz y las condiciones favorables para la reproduccion del vector en ciertas zonas periurbanas, se decidio investigar el problema de la malaria urbana mediante entrevista con personas claves y la revision de la informacion en registros de servicios de salud. Por un metodo de mapeo de los casos confirmados durante el año 1994 entre los residentes de Santa Cruz se documento posibles factores de riesgo geograficos y ecologicos. Se delimito de manera cualitativa la areas con un elevado potencial transmision local de malaria por Plasmodium vivax. Se recomienda a corto plazo realizar investigaciones clinicas, epidemiologicas y entomologicas a fin de comprobar o descartar la transmision local. A mediano plazo hay que optimizar el sistema de informacion sanitaria acerca de malaria