Evaluación de Presición y exactitud de los resultados de laboratorios de química clínica / Annual Reports 1992 / Evaluation of percision and accuracy of the results of laboratories of clinical chemistry

In 1990, the Health Sciences Research Institute (IICS) of the National Univercity of Asunción and the Paraguayan Association of Biochemists carried out a survey on the reliability of biochemists and or as customers of supply houses were offered participation. Control sera prepared in the IICVS were used in the survey to determine precision and accuracy of the results. The survey of precision yielded a response rate of 37 percent (60 of 163 laboratories responded), whereas the response rate on accuracy was 24 percent (39 of 163 loboratories). Responders were similar to the total sample in their geographic location, but dissimilar with respect to public or private status, response rate was clearly higher among public laboratories. In the study of precision, the participating laboratories had variation coefficients ranging from 38 percent to 84 percent, values far beyond the internationally accepted standard. Moreover, 41 percent of the loboratories showed important deficiencies in the accuracy of their results. The studies demostrate important deficiencies of both accuracy and precsion in the participating clinical laboratories. Although responders may not be representative of the total population (There is no information about non responders in this anonymous study), the results clearly show that educational programs to implement Quality Control Systems in Laboratories are urgently needed

Evaluación de una prueba simple de tamizaje de la calidad de sistemas de agua potable / Annual Reports 1992 / Evaluation of a simple screening test for the quality of drinking water systems

A simple and inexpensive assay for detection of H2S producing bacteria in drinking water was evaluated in Paraguay. Using an improved preparation procedure, results were basically temperature independent in the range of 22-37ºc and correlated well with the presence of total coliform bacteria (96 percent, 28ºc). The assay was not suitable for control of surface water and dug well water due to the frequent presence of non-faecal coliforms. However, it was very suitable for routine control of high quality water-systems, like treated community water systems or deeep-tube well water, where complete absence of coliforms is required a laboratory technician or special equipament. Its use permits a cost-effective routine control of high quality community water systems in developing countries. In addition, this test turned out to be an effective educational tool for heightening the awareness of people towards dangers of unclean drinking water

Control de calidad en el laboratorio de análisis clínico / Annual Reports 1992 / Quality control in the laboratory of clinical analysis

A quality conrol assesssment laboratories of clinical analysis was performed in March 1989. Glucose, urea, bilirubin, and GOT were determined in a sample of the same control serum. Statistical evaluation of the results showed that the coefficient of variation (CV) of each parameter was much higher than the internationally accepted values. A further evaluation included an internal precision control and an interlaboratory control. Urea, glucose and cholesterol were determined in twenty samples of the same serum lot per month by each laboratory. About 61 percent had an acceptable CV for glucose, 74.4 percent for urea and 65,6 percent for cholesterol

Riesgo de infeccón por HIV adquirida sexualmente en Paraguay / Annual Reports 1991 / The risk of sexually-acquired HIV Infection in Paragauy

From April 1987 to December 1990, a total of 3895 persons participated in our anonymous HIV-antybody prevalence study in groups at risk for sexually-acquired HIV infection. Male travestied prostitutes had the highest HIV-antibody seroprevalence (> 30 precent). Seventy five percent of all known male travestied prostitutes known participate in self-help groups. More than 3/4 were under 30 years of age and had a relatively high level of education for our cournty (none were illiterate). More than one half had been working the streets for over 5 years. Alcohol use was heavy with about one half of the group professing to drinking more than one liter of alcohlic beverages per day and nearly one half to consuming barbiturates at the same time. Consistent condom use was low, with only 7 percent claiming to use condoms all the time, while nearly 20 percent never use them and over 70 percent admitted to use condoms only some of the time. One half professed tpo have had from 50 to over 100 different clients in the 30 days preceding the interview and claimed that about 75 percent of those clients were currently married or had been married