ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Vaccination programs among health care workers are based on seroprevalence studies, which seldom include medical residents or students. The objective of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of antibodies against measles, rubella, varicella, hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among medical residents. METHODS: This study was designed as a prospective survey. A self-reported questionnaire was used to obtain the information. Serum samples were tested for antibodies by commercial immunoenzymatic assays. Statistical analysis was descriptive; history of exposure was evaluated as a diagnostic test and sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values were calculated according to Bayes theorem. RESULTS: Eighty-nine residents were included, the median age was 27 years, and 58 (65.2%) were female. Seventy-two (79.7%) had been vaccinated against HBV, but vaccination was complete in only 30/72 (41.6%). All were positive for measles and varicella, with the exception of one case for each. The serology for rubella was negative in 12 residents (10 women). Three residents had anti-core against HBV, with negative surface antigen. One positive case for HCV was confirmed by Western blot. All were negative for HIV. A history of prior varicella had a 100% positive predictive value; in contrast, the negative predictive value was quite low (7%). CONCLUSIONS: Negative serology for rubella among women and incomplete vaccination against HBV support the implementation of vaccination programs in medical schools in Mexico.
Subject(s)
Antibodies, Viral/blood , Biomarkers/blood , HIV Antibodies/blood , Internship and Residency/statistics & numerical data , Personnel, Hospital/statistics & numerical data , Seroepidemiologic Studies , Adult , Female , Hepacivirus/immunology , Hepatitis B virus/immunology , Herpesvirus 3, Human/immunology , Hospitals, Pediatric , Humans , Male , Measles virus/immunology , Mexico , Prospective Studies , Rubella virus/immunology , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
A system of evaluation applied to pediatric residents at the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS) is presented. Historical precedents; deficiencies and modifications of the system are commented. Also institutional system of evaluation is described, with emphasis in education strategies: teaching-attendance-research. Usefulness of knowledge tests, supervision, and assessment of evaluation, are mentioned. Finally extrainstitutional evaluation strategies are considered.
