A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Self-Medication Patterns during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Ecuador.

Background and Objectives: Drug consumption is a widely developed practice around the world. However, sometimes medicines are acquired with or without prescription, a practice termed self-medication, which can have negative impacts on the health of the population. It has been observed that with the arrival of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, self-medicated drug consumption figures increased in several countries. To describe the patterns of medication, use and the prevalence of self-medication during the COVID-19 pandemic in inhabitants of the capital province of Pichincha, Ecuador. Materials and Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted based on a self-administered online questionnaire from April to June 2022, among residents of the province of Pichincha, Ecuador. Participants were invited through social networks (WhatsApp and Facebook). A total of 401 surveys were included in this study. Consumption patterns (prescription of and treatment with) of medicines during the pandemic were evaluated, as well as the prevalence of self-medication and variables that characterize the way of acquiring medicines. The Chi-square test was used to look for relationships between consumption patterns, self-medication, and the characteristics of the participants. Results: Most participants were female (53.4%), and 59.4% reported having had COVID-19. A total of 244 (60.9%) consumed medications during the pandemic, mostly for the purpose of treating the infection. About half (48.4%) self-medicated. The most used medications were paracetamol (87.3%) and ibuprofen (47.5%). Drugs consumption as a treatment and informal sources of information (TV, social networks, advice) were associated with the practice of self-medication (p < 0.05). Conclusions: A significant percentage of over-the-counter (OTC) and legal drug use was found to persist after the COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings highlight the effects that alternative forms of information sources other than medical personnel can have on drug consumption and self-medication practices.

Prevalencia de Fracturas de Pelvis en el Hospital de Especialidades Carlos Andrade Marín, 2017-2018 / Prevalence of Pelvic Fractures at the Carlos Andrade Marin Specialty Hospital, 2017-2018

INTRODUCIÓN. Las fracturas de pelvis se presentan con severidad variable, desde lesiones de baja energía, hasta lesiones secundarias a un traumatismo de alta energía, que llevan a una inestabilidad del anillo pélvico, con lesiones asociadas y altas tasas de morbimortalidad. El manejo inicial se sustenta en la aplicación de protocolos de soporte vital avanzado, disminuir el sangrado pélvico con medidas que reduzcan el volumen de perdida sanguínea en la cavidad pélvica y estabilización de la lesión. Tras la estabilización inicial del paciente el objetivo primordial radica en la restauración anatómica del anillo pélvico predictor de la recuperación funcional. OBJETIVO. Evaluar la prevalencia de pacientes con fracturas de pelvis que ingresaron a la Unidad de Ortopedia de un hospital de tercer nivel. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS. Se trató de un estudio observacional, descriptivo, de corte transversal, con población 44126, una muestra de 233 pacientes, criterios de inclusión: diagnóstico de fracturas de pelvis, ingresados a la unidad, criterios de exclusión: edad menor a 18 años, registros se encontraban incompletos, el estudio fue en pacientes que ingresaron al Servicio de Ortopedia y Traumatología del Hospital de Especialidades Carlos Andrade Marín, en el período comprendido del 1º de Enero, 2017 al 31 de Diciembre, 2018. Se realizó la revisión de Historia Clínica Única del sistema AS400 del Hospital, se analizó los datos con ayuda de SPSS v22. RESULTADOS. Se reportó una prevalencia anual del 0,255%. En promedio de edad global de 31 +/-5,6 años de edad, con un rango de 18 a 67 años. Afectación del 90,2% en población económicamente activa, la causa más común fueron los accidentes de tránsito 68,6% (160;233), el 81,61% (190;233) fue de sexo masculino, el 18,38% (43;233) femenino. CONCLUSIÓN. Las fracturas de pelvis representaron patologías de morbimortalidad elevada, con una prevalencia anual del 0,2% reportada en el Hospital de Especialidades Carlos Andrade Marín, afectación mayor en población económicamente activa, proporción de 3 a 1 en relación hombre y mujer, los accidentes de tránsito la etiología más prevalente. El tiempo de traslado al hospital de referencia es mayor a los 120 minutos en la mayoría de casos, el manejo quirúrgico en los pacientes que lo requirieron mejoró el pronóstico funcional en los mismos.

INTRODUCTION. Pelvic fractures occur with varying severity, from low energy injuries, to secondary injuries to high energy trauma, which lead to pelvic ring instability, with associated injuries and high morbidity and mortality rates. The initial management is based on the application of advanced life support protocols, reducing pelvic bleeding with measures that reduce the volume of blood loss in the pelvic cavity and stabilization of the lesion. After the initial stabilization of the patient, the primary objective lies in the anatomical restoration of the pelvic ring predictive of functional recovery. OBJECTIVE. To assess the prevalence of patients with pelvic fractures admitted to the Orthopedics Unit of a third level hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS. It was an observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study, with population 44126, a sample of 233 patients, inclusion criteria: diagnosis of pelvic fractures, admitted to the unit, exclusion criteria: age under 18 years, records were were incomplete, the study was in patients who entered the Orthopedics and Traumatology Service of the Carlos Andrade Marín Specialties Hospital, in the period from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2018. The review of the Unique Clinical History of the AS400 system of the Hospital, the data was analyzed with the help of SPSS v22. RESULTS. An annual prevalence of 0,255% was reported. On average global age 31 +/- 5.6 years old, with a range of 18 to 67 years. Affectation of 90,2% in economically active population, the most common cause was traffic accidents 68,6% (160;233), 81,61% (190;233) was male, 18,38% (43;233) female. CONCLUSION. Pelvic fractures represented pathologies of high morbidity and mortality, with an annual prevalence of 0,2% reported in the Carlos Andrade Marín Specialties Hospital, major affectation in economically active population, ratio of 3 to 1, in relation to men and women, traffic accidents the most prevalent etiology. The transfer time to the reference hospital is greater than 120 minutes in most cases, surgical management in patients who required it improved their functional prognosis.

Acanthamoeba belonging to T3, T4, and T11: genotypes isolated from air-conditioning units in Santiago, Chile.

Free-living amoebae (FLA) of the genus Acanthamoeba are widely distributed in the environment, in the air, soil, and water, and have also been isolated from air-conditioning units. The objective of this work was to investigate the presence of this genus of FLA in the air-conditioning equipment at the Institute of Public Health of Chile in Santiago, Chile. Water and air samples were collected from air-conditioning systems and were checked for the presence of Acanthamoeba spp. Positive samples were further classified at the genotype level after sequencing the highly variable diagnostic fragment 3 (DF3) region of the 18S rRNA gene. This is the first report of the T3, T4, and T11 genotypes of Acanthamoeba in air-conditioning units from Chile. Overall, the widespread distribution of potentially pathogenic Acanthamoeba strains in the studied source demands more awareness within the public and health professionals in Chile as this pathogen is emerging as a risk for human health worldwide.