Autocorrelación espacial de mortalidad por cáncer de mama en la Región Metropolitana, Chile: estudio ecológico / Spatial autocorrelation of breast cancer mortality in the Metropolitan Region, Chile: an ecological study

INTRODUCCIÓN El cáncer de mama es la neoplasia maligna más común en las mujeres en todo el mundo y en Chile, siendo la primera causa de muerte oncológica femenina. Se ha reportado amplia variación en la mortalidad, con focos geográficos de mayor riesgo. OBJETIVO Analizar espacialmente la mortalidad por cáncer de mama en mujeres de la Región Metropolitana en 2015. MÉTODOS Estudio ecológico. Se utilizaron los datos de los registros de defunciones del año 2015 (C50 según CIE10), y las proyecciones poblacionales del Instituto Nacional de Estadísticas. Se calcularon tasas de mortalidad por cáncer de mama brutas y razones de mortalidad estandarizadas. Se realizó un análisis epidemiológico espacial estimando el índice I de Moran Global y Local para evaluar autocorrelación espacial. Los resultados se presentan en mapas (cartografía precenso 2016). RESULTADOS Se registraron 622 defunciones por cáncer de mama en la Región Metropolitana en 2015. La edad promedio de las mujeres fallecidas fue de 66 años (desviación estándar: 15,5). El 92,4% de las muertes se registró en zonas centrales o urbanas. Sin embargo, las mayores tasas de mortalidad se observaron en comunas periféricas. No se observó autocorrelación espacial global en la región (I de Moran de 0,007; p = 0,134). A nivel local, cuatro comunas se diferencian de forma significativa de sus vecinas. CONCLUSIONES El riesgo de morir por cáncer de mama en la Región Metropolitana de Chile se concentra en comunas periféricas. Cuatro comunas de la región presentan riesgos diferentes de sus comunas vecinas, por lo que es necesario explorar factores que explican la desigual distribución de las muertes.

INTRODUCTION Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women worldwide and Chile, being the leading cause of female cancer death. A wide variation in mortality has been reported, with geographic clusters of higher risk. OBJECTIVE To spatially analyze mortality from breast cancer in women in the Metropolitan Region in 2015. METHODS Ecological study of location. We used death records in 2015 (C50 according to ICD10) and population projections of the Statistics Institute to estimate mortality rates. We calculated crude breast cancer mortality rates and standardized mortality ratios and performed a spatial epidemiological analysis of breast cancer mortality in women, estimating the global and local Moran I index to assess spatial autocorrelation. We present the results in maps according to the 2016 pre-census cartography. RESULTS There were 622 deaths from breast cancer in the Metropolitan Region in 2015. The mean age was 66 years (SD: 15.5). 92.4% of deaths were registered in urban or central areas. However, the highest mortality rates were observed in peripherical districts. No global spatial autocorrelation was observed in the region (Moran's I 0.007 p = 0.134). However, at the local level, four districts differ significantly from their neighbors. CONCLUSIONS The risk of dying from breast cancer in the Metropolitan Region of Chile is concentrated in women from peripherical communes. Four districts in the region present different risks from their neighboring districts. It is necessary to investigate local realities to prevent deaths from this pathology.

Practice of exclusive breastfeeding and its associated factors in a suburban area in Angola: a cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Exclusive breastfeeding for six months is one of the measures with highest impact on prevention of child deaths. The determinants of breastfeeding practices are complex and differ between populations. This study aimed to identify factors associated with the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding in a suburban area in Angola. DESIGN AND SETTING: Population-based cross-sectional study in the municipality of Cacuaco, Luanda. METHODS: A random sample of children under two years of age and their mothers was included. ­Prevalence ratios (PR) were estimated using Poisson regression based on a hierarchical model. RESULTS: 749 children and their mothers were surveyed, including 274 children under six months. Theprevalence of exclusive breastfeeding among children under six months was 51.5% (95% confidence interval, CI, 46.3-56.6%). Four variables were positively associated with exclusive breastfeeding at ages of under six months: number of prenatal visits (PR 1.11 for each visit after the first one; 95% CI 1.04-1.18), maternal occupation (other occupations versus self-employed) (PR 1.54; 95% CI 1.05-2.26), younger child age (PR 0.77 for each month; 95% CI 0.71-0.84) and female child (PR 1.34; 95% CI 1.02-1.76). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings showed that the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding at six months was satisfactory, according to international recommendations. Factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding practices that had never been surveyed before in Angola were identified through this study. These data are particularly relevant in the context of high infant mortality and may be useful in planning actions aimed at improving child health through promotion of exclusive breastfeeding, in Angola and other countries.

The peri-urban interface and house infestation with Triatoma infestans in the Argentine Chaco: an underreported process?

Peri-urban infestations with triatomine bugs, their sources and their dynamics have rarely been investigated. Here, we corroborated the reported occurrence of Triatoma infestans in a peri-urban area and in neighbouring rural houses in Pampa del Indio, in the Argentine Chaco, and identified its putative sources using spatial analysis and demographic questionnaires. Peri-urban householders reported that 10% of their premises had triatomines, whereas T. infestans was collected by timed manual searches or community-based surveillance in only nine (3%) houses. Trypanosoma cruzi-infected T. infestans and Triatoma sordida were collected indoors only in peri-urban houses and were infected with TcV and TcI, respectively. The triatomines fed on chickens, cats and humans. Peri-urban infestations were most frequent in a squatter settlement and particularly within the recently built mud houses of rural immigrants, with large-sized households, more dogs and cats and more crowding. Several of the observed infestations were most likely associated with passive bug transport from other sources and with active bug dispersal from neighbouring foci. Thus, the households in the squatter settlement were at a greater risk of bug invasion and colonisation. In sum, the incipient process of domestic colonisation and transmission, along with persistent rural-to-urban migratory flows and unplanned urbanisation, indicate the need for active vector surveillance and control actions at the peri-urban interface of the Gran Chaco.

Tuberculose nos municípios amazonenses da fronteira Brasil-Colômbia-Peru-Venezuela: situação epidemiológica e fatores associados ao abandono / Tuberculosis in Amazonian municipalities of the Brazil-Colombia-Peru-Venezuela border: epidemiological situation and risk factors associated with treatment default

OBJETIVO: Descrever a situação epidemiológica da tuberculose, mapear a sua incidência e investigar fatores associados ao abandono do tratamento nos municípios do Amazonas que integram o Arco Norte da faixa de fronteira internacional do Brasil. MÉTODOS: Este estudo retrospectivo analisou características sociodemográficas e clínico-epidemiológicas dos casos de tuberculose notificados no Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (SINAN) entre 2001 e 2010. Utilizou-se regressão logística para identificação de fatores associados ao abandono do tratamento. RESULTADOS: Houve predomínio de casos em indígenas (51,9%), em homens (57,9%) e em indivíduos na faixa de 25 a 44 anos (31,4%) de idade. A forma clínica predominante foi a pulmonar (89,7%). Mesmo assim, 24,5% dos casos não realizaram baciloscopia de escarro, e somente metade realizou tratamento supervisionado. A alta por cura representou 70,0% das notificações, e o abandono, 10,0%. Óbitos por tuberculose e por outras causas somaram 4,1%, e a tuberculose multirresistente somou 1,7%. A incidência média segundo raça/cor revelou-se maior entre os indígenas, variando de 202,3/100 000 em 2001 a 65,6/100 000 em 2010. O abandono do tratamento esteve associado à não realização das baciloscopias de acompanhamento no segundo, quarto e sexto mês (OR = 11,9; IC95%: 7,4 a 19,0); ao reingresso pós-abandono (OR = 3,0; IC95%: 1,5 a 5,9); e à residência em algumas sub-regiões, sobretudo no Alto Solimões (OR = 6,7; IC95%: 4,6 a 9,8). CONCLUSÕES: Na porção amazonense do Arco Norte da fronteira internacional do Brasil, predominam elevadas taxas de incidência por tuberculose, sobretudo em indígenas. As especificidades socioculturais dessas populações e o precário controle da tuberculose na região determinam a necessidade urgente de integrar os diferentes sistemas nacionais de saúde.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the epidemiological situation and the incidence of tuberculosis and to investigate the factors associated with treatment default in the Amazonian municipalities located in the northern Brazilian international border. METHODS: This retrospective study employed sociodemographic, clinical, and epidemiological tuberculosis data recorded in the Brazilian Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN) between 2001 and 2010. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with treatment default. RESULTS: Tuberculosis affected mostly indigenous peoples (51.9%), males (57.9%), and people aged 25-44 years (31.4%). The predominant clinical presentation was pulmonary (89.7%), yet in 24.5% of the cases the patients did not undergo sputum smear microscopy, and only half received supervised treatment. In 70.0% of the cases notified, patients were discharged as cured. Treatment default was recorded in 10.0% of the patients. Of all deaths, 4.1% were by tuberculosis and other causes, and 1.7% by multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. The average incidence by race/color was greater among indigenous peoples, ranging from 202.3/100 000 in 2001 to 65.6/100 000 in 2010. Treatment default was associated with failure to perform the follow-up smear at the second, fourth, and sixth months (OR = 11.9, 95%CI: 7.4-19.0); with resuming treatment after default (OR = 3.0, 95%CI: 1.5-5.9); and with living in specific subregions, particularly the Alto Solimões region (OR = 6.7, 95%CI: 4.6-9.8). CONCLUSIONS: The present results show a high incidence of tuberculosis in the Amazon portion of the northern Brazilian international border, especially among indigenous peoples. Considering the socio-cultural specificities of these populations and the poor tuberculosis control in this area, the authors of the study conclude that the integration of different national health systems is both necessary and urgent.

High mortality, violence and crime in alcohol dependents: 5 years after seeking treatment in a Brazilian underprivileged suburban community / Alta mortalidade, violência e crime em dependentes de álcool: seguimento após 5 anos de tratamento em periferia brasileira

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the results of alcohol-related consequences in an underprivileged area of São Paulo. METHOD: One hundred and ninety one adult patients who sought alcohol treatment in 2002 were reassessed in 2007 regarding alcohol use and involvement with crime. The interview consisted of demographic questions and questionnaires assessing alcohol dependence and pattern of alcohol use. Risk and protective factors and involvement with crime were further explored. RESULTS High mortality rate (16.9%, n = 41) was found in this sample and 97.4% were identified as being severe alcohol dependents. The sample consisted of a homogeneous group, average age of 42, 81.9% male, 57.5% black, 52.2% unemployed and 100% of low socioeconomic status. Individuals ageing 35 or younger, not engaged in religious activities and with intense alcohol consumption in the last month had 2.7 times more chance on committing crimes (95% CI = [1.22; 5.93] p = 0.014). Subjects who consumed alcohol in the last month also had a 4.1 greater chance of becoming involved in crime (95% CI = [1.2; 14.24] p = 0.024). CONCLUSION: Alcohol dependence within an underprivileged community was associated with high rates of crime and mortality. Religious affiliation was negatively associated with delinquent behavior.

OBJETIVO: Explorar as consequências relacionadas ao uso de álcool na periferia de São Paulo. MÉTODO: Pacientes que procuraram tratamento para alcoolismo em 2002 foram convidados para reavaliação em 2007 para estudo de seguimento retrospectivo. A entrevista consistiu de questões sociodemográficas e questionários que avaliaram a dependência alcoólica e o padrão do consumo. Pesquisa adicional sobre fatores de risco e de proteção e envolvimento com crime foi contemplada neste estudo. RESULTADOS: A alta taxa de mortalidade (16,9% n = 41) e a dependência grave de álcool foi confirmada em 97,4% da amostra. O grupo se mostrou homogêneo, média de idade (42 anos), sexo masculino (81,9%), raça negra (57,5%), desempregados (52,2%), proveniente de classe social E e D (100%). Indivíduos com até 35 anos sem afiliação religiosa e tendo consumido muito álcool no ultimo mês apresentaram 2,7 mais chances de cometer crimes (95% IC = [1,22; 5,93] p = 0,014). Indivíduos que consumiram álcool no ultimo mês também tiveram suas chances 4,1 vezes maiores de estarem envolvidos com o crime (95% IC = [1,2; 14,24] p = 0,024). CONCLUSÃO: O consumo alcoólico na periferia foi associado a altas taxas de criminalidade e mortalidade, e a afiliação religiosa foi associada negativamente com comportamento delinquente.

Educación superior y participación en el marco del presupuesto participativo en la comuna uno de medellín / Higher education and participation in the frame of the implementation of the participative budget in the commune 1 in medellin

Este texto es un producto de los desarrollos del proyecto “Evaluación y seguimiento al trabajo social y comunitario de los beneficiarios del fondo de presupuesto participativo destinado a cursar estudios de educación superior “Comuna Uno, Medellín”, en asocio con la Secretaría de Educación de la ciudad de Medellín, el cual pretende ir más allá de una evaluación de procedimientos, objetivos y resultados y profundizar en algunas dimensiones de la participación ciudadana, en la toma de decisión y beneficios comunitarios que esto trae para el caso específico del proyecto de Educación superior en la comuna Uno.

This text is the product of the developments of the project entitled: "Evaluation and Monitoring of the Social and Community Work of the Beneficiaries of the Participatory Budget Fund Aimed At Pursuing Higher Education Studies Belonging to Commune One, Medellin," in Partnership with the Secretariat of Education in the City of Medellin. It is aimed at going beyond an assessment of procedures, objectives, and outcomes, and in doing so; explore some dimensions of citizen participation in decision making and community benefits that this brings to the specific case of the Higher Education Project in the Commune One.

Tracoma em crianças do ensino fundamental no município de Bauru: Estado de São Paulo, Brasil / Prevalence of trachoma among school children in Bauru: São Paulo State, Brazil

OBJETIVO: Foi realizado um estudo transversal, por amostragem de escolares, frequentadores das escolas estaduais de Bauru, São Paulo, com o objetivo de detectar possíveis portadores de tracoma. MÉTODOS: Foram examinadas 1.749 crianças do ensino fundamental, de 6 a 14 anos, durante o ano de 2005. As escolas foram escolhidas por sorteio, de acordo com o número de estudantes e com a localização da escola dentro do setor da cidade (centro, região intermediária e periferia). O diagnóstico dos casos foi clínico, seguindo as normas da Organização Mundial de Saúde (OMS), confirmado laboratorialmente pelo método da imunofluorescência direta para detecção de Chlamydia trachomatis. RESULTADOS: A prevalência de tracoma inflamatório foi de 3,8 por cento, tendo sido diagnosticado tracoma folicular em 3,7 por cento e tracoma intenso em 0,06 por cento das crianças examinadas. As crianças com tracoma moravam principalmente na região intermediária e periférica da cidade, áreas onde o fornecimento de água pode ser descontínuo e o tratamento do esgoto pode estar ausente. Um programa de controle foi desenvolvido e os comunicantes foram diagnosticados e tratados. CONCLUSÃO: A prevalência de tracoma inflamatório em Bauru - Estado de São Paulo - é de 3,8 por cento. Além da oportunidade de reconhecer e tratar os portadores e contatantes, os autores realçam o fato positivo da mobilização da comunidade bauruense no sentido de prevenir a cegueira pelo tracoma.

PURPOSE: A survey was carried out with schoolchildren in Bauru, São Paulo State. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of trachoma. METHODS: One thousand, seven hundred and forty-nine children from 6 to 14 years old were examined during the year of 2005. The schools were randomly chosen, according to the number of schoolchildren and the school region according to the local of the city (downtown, middle and periphery). The diagnosis was performed according to the World Health Organization (WHO) protocol and patients with clinical trachoma detection were submitted to laboratory confirmation by direct smear fluorescent antibodies cytology for Chlamydia trachomatis. RESULTS: Trachoma prevalence was 3.8 percent. Follicular trachoma was diagnosed in 3.7 percent of children, and intense trachoma in one child (0.06 percent). Children with trachoma were living mainly in the middle and peripheral region of the city, places with discontinuous water supply and absence of sewerage system in part of the residences. CONCLUSION: Trachoma prevalence in Bauru - São Paulo State - is 3.8 percent. The authors point out the survey results and also treated trachoma carriers. Other positive aspect of the survey was the community mobilization to prevent trachoma blindness.

Maltrato infantil y juvenil en una comuna de Santiago: parte III: características de maltrato infantil / Infant and adolescent abuse in a suburb of Santiago: part III: characteristics of child abuse

Objetivo: caracterizar los casos de maltrato intrafamiliar detectados en un estudio realizado en una comuna suburbana de Santiago metropolitano, en niños y adolescentes menores de 15 años. Material y método: pesquisa de maltrato entre 42.148 asistentes a las escuelas públicas, 81.796 beneficiarios de los servicios públicos de salud y 230 casos mensuales de procesos judiciales que afectan a niños en la comuna de Puente Alto, Chile, a partir de la información registrada durante tres meses en escuelas, consultorios, servicios de urgencia, policia y juzgados. Se obtuvo una muestra de 245 casos confirmados o de sospecha fundada de maltrato infantil intrafamiliar, en los que se estudió la existencia de seis tipos de maltrato: maltrato físico, abuso emocional, abuso sexual, abandono físico, abandono emocional y abandono educacional. Resultados: 69,7 por ciento de los niños víctimas reciben dos, tres o más tipos de maltrato simultáneamente; se encontraron los seis tipos de maltrato en estudio, predominando el abuso emocional (59,5 por ciento), seguido del maltrato físico (47,7 por ciento) y el abandono emocional (43,6 por ciento). En la mayoría de los casos no había lesión física actual (48,7 por ciento) o esta era leve (23,1 por ciento) o moderada (23,1 por ciento). Los perpetradores son en la gran mayoría el padre o la madre (96 por ciento). Discusión: la existencia frecuente de abandono como forma de maltrato encontrada, hace necesario incorporar esta modalidad a los programas de detección, prevención y manejo del maltrato infanto-juvenil. Estudios como este son complementarios a otros realizados en nuestro país, y a pesar de los posibles sesgos, ofrece una aproximación útil a las características de los casos detectados en la comunidad estudiada

Aspectos epidemiológicos y conocimiento del público sobre hipertensión arterial en un medio suburbano: (hipertensos vs. normotensos) / Epidemiologics aspects and knowing of the public on arterial hypertension in a suburban : (normotension vs hypertension)

Los autores analizan las respuestas de 500 personas interrogadas sobre la hipertensión arterial, en Centros Comerciales y plazas públicas de Guacara (Estado Carabobo, Venezuela) y comparan los resultados con un grupo similar de encuestados en la ciudad de Valencia (Venezuela). De los entrevistados en esta población suburbana, el 44,8 por ciento era hipertenso (conocidos o no como tal), hubo 20,2 por ciento de falsos positivos y un 24,6 por ciento de falsos negativos. De los hipertensos conocidos el 56 por ciento se encontraba bajo vigilancia médica pero sólo el 29 por ciento había alcanzado la normotensión. 24 por ciento habían abandonado la terapia argumentando el costo de los medicamentos y el creer que ya estaban curados por ser asintomáticos. El 54 por ciento tenía antecedentes de hipertensión en por lo menos uno de sus progenitores. El 50 por ciento de los fumadores y el 48 por ciento de los bebedores eran hipertensos. Fue más frecuentes la hipertensión arterial en los varones, en los mayores de 50 años, los bebedores y los fumadores y los que tenían antecedente familiar de hipertensión. El porcentaje de respuestas correctas a las preguntas específicas sobre la enfermedad y sus consecuencias fue bastante alto (entre 60 y 90 por ciento). Comparando todos estos resultados con los obtenidos de personas del medio urbano, encontramos más hipertensos, más fumadores y más bebedores en el medio suburbano; el conocimiento sobre la enfermedad, sus consecuencias y el riesgo de abandonar la terapia fue más acertado en los hipertensos del medio urbano

Enteroparasitosis en dos poblaciones periurbanas de La Plata, Argentina / Intestinal parasitosis in 2 periurban populations at La Plata, Argentina

The prevalence of intestinal parasites was studied in two urban neighborhoods with different socioecnomic conditions in La Plata, Argentina. Age, sex and enviroment factors were considered. One hundred and one hundred one children up to 14 years old were examinated by coproparasitologic analysis. Giardia lamblia was the most frequent species. Overall prevalences (73,0 and 54,4 percent), frequencies of polyparasitism (45,0 and 14,8 percent), and prevalences of helmithic infection (48,0 and 12,7 percent) were highest in the population having significantly inferior sanitary and enviromental conditions. A correlation with age was observed. It is necessary to apply management practices for the control of enteroparasitoses, in accordance with the corresponding characteristics of the enviromental and sociocultural ecosystem

Estudio de las infecciones por enteroparásitos en una comunidad periurbana de la provincia de Buenos Aires en Argentina / Study of enteroparasite infections in a periurban community at Buenos Aires, Argentina

A survey for intestinal parasites was performed on 38 individuals within the urban area of La Plata city (province of Buenos Aires, Argentina). This community is composed of brick-factory workers who also live in the factory premises. An analysis for intestinal parasites was done on fecal samples collected serially and by means of anal swabs and there after preserved in formol solution. At the same time, the ocurrence of the parasites under study as well as that of commensal organisms was investigated in water and soil samples within the factory environs. Information was also obtained from the members of this community as their age, sex, birthplace and recent travels, either abroad or to the interior of Argentina. The prevalence of the pathogens and commensal parasites was 89,5 percent. The frecuency of protozoans and helminths was: G. lamblia 26,3 percent; B. hominis 65,8 percent; A. lumbricoides 7,9 percent; H. nana 2,6 percent; uncinaria sp. 7,9 percent; S. stercoralis 2,6 percent and E. vermicularis 42,1 percent. None of these parasite or commensal organisms were present in the water samples investigated. Four out of 20 soil samples analyzed contained parasitic elements T. canis eggs (one); G. liamblia cysts (two) and A. lumbricoides eggs (one). These results indicated that most important factors causing such a high prevalence of coproparasites were the poor conditions of personal and community hygiene in combination with the frequent travels to the north and the northeast of the country, regions which are endemic parasitic areas. The implementation of programs on health education and communal sanitation would contribute in the control of this health problem

Some host factors and seasonal variations in the fatal road traffic accidents occurring in eastern suburban Calcutta.

An extensive study of road traffic accident cases occurring within eastern suburban Calcutta during April 1992 to March 1993 was done. Of which 276 fatal cases having minimum medical aids were taken into consideration to avoid erroneous interpretation. Male pedestrians of age group of 50 years and above were mostly involved during the time period of 5 A.M. to 12 Noon. Fatal Accidents mostly occurred during winter and on the broader roads (Highways) and in majority of cases victims were at fault.

Bacteriología del aborto séptico en una comunidad suburbana / Bacteriology of septic abortion in a suburbane community

Se presenta la identificación microbiológica de la flora local y sistémica de una población de 100 pacientes con aborto séptico. Este trabajo también compara la eficacia de 2 regímenes de antibióticos (clindamicina más gentamicina versus penicilina más cloramfenicol y gentamicina). El microorganismo más frecuentemente aislado de los hemocultivos fue escherichia coli, seguida de streptococcus grupo B y peptostreptococcus spp. Las especies aisladas con mayor frecuencia de las muestras intrauterinas fueron peptostreptococcus spp., escherichia coli, enterococcus faecalis, bacteroides melaninogenicus, bacteroides fragilis, clostridium perfringens y streptococcus grupo B

Presencia de triatoma spinolai en viviendas humanas / Presence of triatoma spinolai in human dwellings

Triatoma spinolai is a wild species of triatomine existing exclusively in Chile, with scarce epidemological importance in the transmission of trypanosoma cruzi to man. It has been found in enviroments from 3000 meters down to the sea level. Excepcionally it has been found in human dwellings. In order to clarify the possibility of an adaptation of T. spinolai to human dwellings a study was undertaken in 50 rural-periurban dwellings from regions III, IV, V and metropolitan in which this triatomine was found. The dwellings were clasiffied in houses (35) and huts (15). The insects was trapped in 35 dwellings (24 houses and 11 huts) located in declivities (70 for percent) and 15 dwellings (14 and 1) located in plains. This proportion is significantly higher than the average of 26,2 for percent for dwellings located in declivities. It is concluded tahat presence of T. spinolai in dwellings, more than a triatomine invasion is the result of the construction of huts or houses in the insect habitat

Epidemiología de la enfermedad de Chagas en Chile: frecuencia de infección humana por trypanosoma cruzi por grupos de edad y por regiones / Epidemiology of Chagas's disease in Chile: frequency of trypanosoma cruzi human infection by age groups and regions

Chagas's disease is endemic in rural-periurban sections of the northern half of Chile which includes the first seven political-administrative regions of the country (18º30'-34º36' South lat.). Data concerning to the results of an indirect hemagglutination test for Chagas's disease performed to 15,418 rural-periurban and 45,119 urban inhabitants from the chagasic endemic regions are presented migrations from rural-periurban to urban areas have contributed to the dissemination of trypanosoma cruzi infection. General rates of infection for rural-periurban (r-p) and urban (u) sections were 16,7 for percent and 1,9 for percent respectively. The higher prevalence rates were detected in region III with 27,2 for percent (r-p) and 3,9 (u) and Region IV with 24,7 for percent (r-p) and 3,5 for percent (u), while the lower prevalence rates corresponded to Region VI with 7,0 for percent (r-p) and 0,8 for percent (u). Serological positivity increased parallelly with age in all regions

Pesquisa de maltrato infantil y juvenil / Detection of children and adolescent abuse

Como un aporte al conocimiento de la magnitud de problema del maltrato a niños y adolescentes en el país y a la organización de un sistema nacional de registro, se probó un método de detección de casos o sospecha fundada de maltrato en una comuna de Santiago. El cuestionario fue aplicado por personal capacitado en establecimientos de salud, educación y justicia. Se registraron las características de los niños, el tipo de maltrato y algunas variables de riesgo biológico, social y familiar. Se compararon las características de 145 casos y 125 controles, de subgrupos de maltrato y de madres adolescentes con otras edades, obteniendo diferencias significativas en las respectivas frecuencias de familiar con enfermedad mental (23,8 por ciento ante 11,2 por ciento) que vivía con el niño (67,6 por ciento ante 14,3 por ciento); ausencia de consumo de alcohol en la familia (21 por ciento ante 44 por ciento), bebedores problema (23,8 por ciento ante 7,2 por ciento); consumo de drogas en la familia (15,5 por ciento ante 7,2 por ciento); problemas conductuales del niño (54 por ciento ante 16,8 por ciento); utilización de servicio social (26,9 por ciento ante 12,8 por ciento); asistencia a escuela municipal (79,4 por ciento ante 66,3 por ciento); vivienda sólida (68,8 por ciento y 88,9 por ciento), transitoria (31,4 por ciento y 11,5 por ciento), participación de juntas de vecinos (6,2 por ciento ante 13,6 por ciento) y falta de participación en la red comunitaria (60,1 por ciento y 43,5 por ciento). Estos resultados iniciales deben ser ampliados y perfeccionados con estudios más amplios e instrumentos refinados

Comparación de la frecuencia de alteraciones electrocardiográficas en grupos de personas aparentemente sanas con serología positiva para enfermedad de Chagas, para toxoplasmosis o para ambas parasitosis / Comparison of the frequence of electrocardiographical alterations in groups of apparently healthy persons with positive serology for Chagas'disease, for toxoplasmosis or for both parasitoses

Comparison of the frequence of electrocardiographical alterations in groups of apparently helathy persons with positive serology for Chagas disease, for toxoplasmosis or for both parasitoses

Study of prevalence of chronic illness in a semiurban community in Pune Cantonment by household interview method.

A household interview survey of 200 households in a semiurban community in Pune Cantonment carried out during 1979 revealed a prevalence rate (persons, 109/1000 of chronic illness. Prevalence rate (No. of illnesses) was 140/1000. Multiple illnesses were found among 23.5 percent of ill persons. The present survey has been found to bring out the nature and extent of the problem of chronic illness as perceived by the community and relationship of chronic illness to social factors. The information, can be useful for public health and further research.