Conceptual framework of a geographical information system for environment--public health surveillance in Goa.

This paper proposes a conceptual framework for establishing a multidiscipline Geographical Information System for environment public health surveillance in the state of Goa. Sectors networking for the Geographical Information System encompass Directorate of Health Services including peripheral health setup, Public Works Department, State Pollution Control Board, Irrigation Department, Inspectorate of Factories and Boilers, Town and Control Planning Department, Meteorological Department etc. the applications of which would predict potential outbreaks / epidemics of water borne diseases, malaria, diseases linked to pollution and would support disease control activities. In addition to health applications, the data generated would be used by the respective sectors for their other planning and programming needs.

The use of sweet rolls fortified with iron bis-glycinate chelate in the prevention of iron deficiency anemia in preschool children

The effectiveness of bread fortified with iron bis-glycinate chelate for the control of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia was evaluated in 89 preschool children from families of low socioeconomic level attending 2 day nurseries of the Sao Paulo City Council. During the intervention's time of 6 months the children received besides their usual center's diet, a daily supplement of two sweet rolls fortified with 2 mg each of iron from the chelate for a total daily iron intake of 4 mg. After six months of intervention there was a significant decrease in the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia from 62 to 22. There was a mean hemoglobin improvement of 1.1 g/dL, and in children with initial hemoglobin levels < 11 g/dL the mean increase in hemoglobin was 1.42 g/dL. The total mean plasma ferritin values increased from 11.34 to 20.2 micrograms/L, and in those children originally iron depleted the ferritin values normalized. A significant increase in the "z" score for weight/height was also observed. We concluded that the use of sweet rolls fortified with 2 mg of iron from the bis-glycinate chelate is highly effective for the control of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia in young children.

Comparaçäo do desempenho de pré-escolares, mediante teste de desenvolvimento de Denver, antes e após intervençäo nutricional / Comparison of preschool children's performance through Denver develomental test, before and after nutritional supplement

A analise de performance psicomotora dde crianças institucionalizadas é de fundamental importância no planejamento de atividades educativas. Estudos anteriores têm mostrado prejuízos desta funçao em crianças de creches. Objetivo. Comparar o desempenho no teste de triagem de Denver em crianças de 2 a 6 anos de idade, de creches conveniadas com a Prefeitura de Sao Paulo, antes e após seis meses de intervençao nutricional com suplemento alimentar enriquecido com ferro. Método. Foram analisadas 130 crianças de 2 a 6 anos de idade, em três creches municipais de Sao Paulo, aplicando-se o teste de Denver, por psicólogas treinadas, comparando-se os resultados de acordo com o sexo, faixa etaria e estado nutricional, antes e após período de suplementaçao alimentar. Resultados. A maior parte das crianças teve desempenho normal, tanto na primeira aplicaçao (70,80 por cento), como na segunda (80,80 por cento), sem modificaçao do estado nutricional. Na comparaçao dos resultados, 76,92 por cento nao modificaram o desempenho e 18,46 por cento melhoraram significativamente. Em relaçao ao sexo, nao foram encontradas diferenças significantes, enquanto que, para a faixa etaria, houve melhora significante entre as crianças de 4 a 6 anos. Conclusoes. Além do aspecto nutricional, fatores como prontidao para aprendizagem, organizaçao familiar e orientaçao psicopedagógica das creches devem estar favorecendo o desenvolvimento, mesmo considerando-se o baixo nível socioeconomico da populaçao estudada.