ABSTRACT
Introducción: El adolescente que ingresa a la universidad, pasa a un sistema educativo altamente exigente a nivel intelectual, emocional e incluso físico en muchos casos. En esta complicada etapa, se enfrenta a nuevas y progresivas demandas académicas, fuera de su ambiente familiar y social, esto origina estrés y cambios en su alimentación y actividad física; esto conduce a una nutrición inadecuada y aumento de factores de riesgo para desarrollo de enfermedades metabólicas, cardiovasculares y endócrinas.Objetivo: Determinar las variaciones del régimen alimentario y actividad física en estudiantes de Laboratorio Clínico de la Universidad Central del Ecuador, 2021-2022.Material y Métodos: El presente estudio analítico transversal de periodo, determinó la varia-ción del régimen alimentario y actividad física en 46 estudiantes de ambos sexos de 18 a 22 años, al iniciar y finalizar el primer año de estudios universitarios.Resultados: Los hallazgos del estudio indicaron cambios significativos en la conducta alimentaria y física de los estudiantes universitarios (p-valor <0,05). Se observó una disminución en la actividad física y en el consumo de frutas y verduras, junto con un incremento en el sedentarismo e inclinación hacia la comida no casera. Estos cambios, a futuro, tendrían un impacto negativo en la salud de los estudiantes.Conclusiones: El estudio destaca variaciones negativas significativas en los hábitos de los estudiantes en su primer año universitario, enfatizando la necesidad de implementar estrategias de intervención, con promoción de prácticas saludables para reducir el riesgo de enfermedades crónico-degenerativas en este importante grupo demográfico
Introduction: The adolescent who enters university goes on to a highly demanding educational system on an intellectual, emotional and even physical level in many cases. In this complicated stage, he faces new and progressive academic demands, outside his family and social environment, this causes stress and changes in his diet and physical activity; This leads to inadequate nutrition and increased risk factors for the development of metabolic, cardiovascular and endocrine diseases.Objective: To determine the variations in the diet and physical activity in Clinical Laboratory students of the Central University of Ecuador, 2021-2022.Material and Methods: This cross-sectional analytical study assessed changes in dietary habits and physical activity among 46 students of both sexes, 18 to 22 years old, at the beginning and end of their first university year.Results: The findings indicate significant changes in dietary and physical behavior of univer-sity students (p-value <0,05). A decrease in physical activity and consumption of fruits and vegetables will be observed, along with an increase in sedentary behavior and a preference for non-home-cooked food. These changes could adversely affect student's health as they adapt to university life.Conclusions: The study highlights negative variations in the habits of students in their first year of university, emphasizing the need to implement intervention strategies, promoting of healthy practices to reduce the risk of chronic degenerative diseases in this demographic group.
Subject(s)
Humans , Adult , Young AdultABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to obtain nationally representative estimates of HIV and syphilis prevalence and coverage of preventive antenatal services in pregnant women in Ecuador, in order to develop a national strategy for the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis. METHODS: A national probability sample of 5988 women presenting for delivery or miscarriage services was selected from 15 healthcare facilities during 2011-2012, using a two-stage cluster sample technique. Biological specimens were collected and an interview and review of medical records were performed. Agreement between these last two sources was measured. Estimates were adjusted for the sampling design. RESULTS: Estimated national HIV prevalence (0.60%) was higher than confirmed syphilis infection prevalence (0.25%). In the coastal region, HIV prevalence (1.13%) exceeded the threshold that defines a generalised epidemic and syphilis prevalence reached 0.37%. An estimated 5.9% of women did not use antenatal care services while 73.0% completed at least four consultations. HIV testing coverage (89.9%) was higher than for syphilis (71.6%). Agreement between medical records and interviews was mostly moderate (0.40-0.75). Important variables were frequently not recorded, such as timing of syphilis testing, which was not recorded in 49.6%. CONCLUSIONS: The concentration of HIV and syphilis infections in the coastal region of Ecuador highlights the need for intensified prevention and a response tailored to local epidemic conditions. Major challenges for the elimination initiative include achieving universal, early access to antenatal care, improving coverage of HIV and syphilis testing, and improving the quality of medical records to support progress monitoring.
