Importance of Triatoma pallidipennis (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) as a vector of Trypanosoma cruzi (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae) in the state of Morelos, Mexico, and possible ecotopes.

We performed a transversal-type epidemiological study in the state of Morelos, Mexico, to determine the presence of triatomines, their ecotopes, and importance in transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi Chagas. Sampling sites included domestic, peridomestic, and wild areas with collection based on the person per hour technique. We determined the entomological indices related to infestation, density, overcrowding, colonization, infection, and dispersion, which were used to calculate transmission risk. During the study, observations were made on the predominant building material, presence of cracks and illumination as factors fostering colonization. The most important results were related to infection indices, which were higher for domestic type triatomines (29%), whereas it was 4% for peridomestic sites, and 20% for sylvatic areas. The actual risk of human contact with the vector was of 0.51%, and the predominating ecotopes were stone heaps.

[Validation of data collection for an American trypanosomiasis epidemiologic study in the State of Morelos, México]. / Validación del proceso de obtención de datos para un estudio sobre trypanosomiasis americana en el estado de Morelos, México.

The purpose of this paper is to show up the importance of the standardization concepts in American Trypanosomiasis epidemiological studies. The consistence in the measurement of some dwelling characteristics was evaluated. A validation of the Queretaro antigen for indirect hemagglutination reaction as a diagnostic test and the interobserver concordance for the serologic readings were also made. The observers were instructed in some sessions. The pretests were made in the laboratory with positive and negative sera, with sera from the studied population. Results show that the interobserver concordance after the instruction, for the dwelling variables ranged from 70% to 100%. Sensitivity of the Queretaro antigen was 100%, specificity 55%, the predictive value of a positive test 55%, and the predictive value of a negative test 93%. The interobserver concordance was 47%. The pretest and the pilot study are very important in getting the objectives of the principal study.

Prevalence of high blood pressure and associated coronary risk factors in an adult population of Mexico City.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have addressed arterial hypertension prevalence in Mexico. However, few include an analysis of other types of hypertension and their associated risk factors. The present work describes the prevalence of high blood pressure (HBP), isolated systolic hypertension (ISH) and diastolic hypertension (DH) and their association to certain risk factors of cardiovascular disease in an adult population of Mexico City. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed on 825 subjects aged between 20 and 90 years, selected by multistage cluster sampling. HBP was diagnosed by previous history if systolic blood pressure was > or = 140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure > or = 90 mmHg. The measurements taken included body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, levels of insulin, glucose, trigylycerides, total cholesterol, high and low density lipoprotein cholesterol, and lipoprotein(a). RESULTS: Prevalence adjusted by age for HBP was 19.4%, for ISH, 4.7%, and for DH, 4.1%. Age had an important influence on HBP and ISH with a highly significant X2t. The profile of metabolic variables was modified according to sex and type of hypertension. Thus, in DH, metabolic variables were more affected than in other types of hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: Results in HBP prevalence in the present study were lower than in other surveys performed in Mexico. It must be noted, however, that much care should be taken to choose the strategy of subject selection, since results of the prevalence of a disease depend on it to a great extent. The ISH and DH and their association to risk factors must be studied thoroughly because they constitute different clinical entities.

Cigarette smoking; knowledge and attitudes among Mexican physicians.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of the smoking habit among Mexican physicians as well as some of their attitudes and information on specific issues concerning smoking. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In 1993, a survey was carried out among 3,568 physicians of the three major official health care institutions in Mexico City. A questionnaire designed for The Mexican National Survey of Addictions (ENA 1993) was used. Prevalence of cigarette smoking, age of onset, number of cigarettes per day; also information and attitudes concerning smoking were assessed. RESULTS: The mean age was 37, 66% were males. Of the 3,488 (98%) surveyed, 26.9% were smokers (62% daily), 20.6% were ex-smokers and 52.5% non-smokers. There were differences related to age and sex (p < 0.05). Of daily smokers, 36% smoked between 1 and 5 cigarettes. There was a significant trend among ex-smokers that linked the time they had ceased smoking with the fear to start smoking again. Physicians were well informed of the relationship between cigarette smoking and lung cancer. Over 80% considered tobacco an addictive drug but only 65% were in favor of banning smoking from their workplaces and over 10% were not aware that it is forbidden to smoke inside health care facilities. CONCLUSIONS: These results differ from other studies that find the prevalence of smoking among physicians lower than in the general population. Our study revealed a greater prevalence of the smoking habit among female physicians and the number of cigarettes smoked per day was greater than in the general population regardless of sex.

[Normal values of arterial pressure in adolescent students in the Federal District, Mexico]. / Valores normales de tensión arterial en escolares adolescentes en el Distrito Federal, México.

The studies of blood pressure (BP) in the adolescence are important because the growth and development, as well as the exposure to risk factors that begins in this period gives a good opportunity to make research on the behavior of BP and its modification in adulthood. We carried out a transversal study. Our sample was made by random conglomerates, multistage; we studied 1,123 children from 12 to 15 years on Mexico City. The behavior of the BP cifers for the males was that as age increases they increase at an average of 3 mmHg per year, in females we did not find this. When we compared the percentilar values by age and sex with studies carried out in the US, we had similar results.