Perfil sociodemográfico de un grupo de trabajadoras sexuales de Puerto Rico / Sociodemographic profile of a group of sex workers in Puerto Rico

This research explored the sociodemographic characteristics, the health perceptions and the distinctive aspects of the sexual work of a group of women sexual workers (n = 311). The study interest was generating data relative to the use of injectable drugs, the prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases (STD), the prevalence of HIV and the risk behaviors of this population group. A remarkable characteristic of the group of women studied was their history of pregnancies at and early age. A high proportion of illness apparently related to the presence of sexually transmitted diseases and limited health care was observed

Mujer y salud en cifras. Puerto Rico, 1994 / Women and health in numbers. Puerto Rico, 1994

The purpose of this study was to explore the health situation of women in Puerto Rico through the analysis of the causes of deaths in medical certification contained in death certificates. The data source used was the computer tape containing the data on deaths occurred in Puerto Rico during 1994. This tape was produced by the Puerto Rico Department of Health. The analysis of the main causes of deaths in women showed a trend associated with chronic and degenerative diseases. This trend is compatible with the one found in women over 65 years old. In women under 65 years of age, this trend was also observed, although other causes were also relevant, like deaths by external causes and AIDS. For the age groups of under 15, 15 to 44, 45 to 64 and 65 and over, the principal causes of deaths were: conditions related to the perinatal period, AIDS, cancer and heart and heart related diseases respectively. The degree of vulnerability to death from certain causes of mortality which changes in importance from one age range to another in the female population of Puerto Rico is shown by the results of this research project

La receptividad hacia la integración de las artes liberales en el currículo de la Escuela de Medicina de la Universidad de Puerto Rico / Acceptance to the incorporation of liberal arts in the curriculum of the Medical School at the University of Puerto Rico

The acceptance of incorporating courses in liberal arts to the present curriculum of the School of Medicine was assessed. A survey was suministred to 400 subjects that belonged to academic and professional fields of medicine. The results from the survey showed that those who played an acting role in the current curriculum were receptive to innovations. The professors of the clinical aspect of medicine and the practicing physicians were more receptive to curricular change. First year medical students were more receptive than seniors. This positive view constitutes a strong argument for eliciting curricular creativity. These results allow future changes around the medical education of the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine