ABSTRACT
Hansen's disease or leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, mainly affecting the skin and peripheral nerves. In recent years, a better control of the disease has been achieved globally. However, in Chile the incidence of leprosy has continued to increase. We present a case of a 40-year-old patient Haitian nationality with lesions and histopathology compatible with tuberculoid leprosy. We discuss the importance of education on less prevalent diseases in Chile, in conjunction with a review of the pathophysiology, clinic, and classification of Hansen's disease.
Subject(s)
Leprosy, Tuberculoid , Adult , Chile , Haiti , Humans , Leprosy , Leprosy, Tuberculoid/diagnosis , Leprosy, Tuberculoid/drug therapy , Mycobacterium lepraeABSTRACT
Resumen La enfermedad de Hansen o lepra es una enfermedad infecciosa crónica causada por Mycobacterium leprae, y que afecta principalmente la piel y nervios periféricos. En los últimos años, se ha logrado un mejor control de la enfermedad en forma global. Sin embargo, en Chile la incidencia de la lepra ha ido en aumento. Presentamos el caso clínico de un paciente de 40 años, haitiano, con lesiones e histopatología compatibles con una lepra tuberculoide. Se discute la importancia en la educación sobre enfermedades menos prevalentes en Chile y se hace una revisión sobre la fisiopatología, clínica y clasificación de la enfermedad de Hansen.
Abstract Hansen's disease or leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, mainly affecting the skin and peripheral nerves. In recent years, a better control of the disease has been achieved globally. However, in Chile the incidence of leprosy has continued to increase. We present a case of a 40-year-old patient Haitian nationality with lesions and histopathology compatible with tuberculoid leprosy. We discuss the importance of education on less prevalent diseases in Chile, in conjunction with a review of the pathophysiology, clinic, and classification of Hansen's disease.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Adult , Leprosy, Tuberculoid/diagnosis , Leprosy, Tuberculoid/drug therapy , Chile , Haiti , Leprosy , Mycobacterium lepraeSubject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Psoriasis/epidemiology , Patients , Psoriasis/therapy , Chile/epidemiology , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
Chile has become a popular destination for migrants from South America and the Caribbean (low- and middle-income countries migration). Close to 200.000 Haitian migrants have arrived in Chile. Infectious and non-infectious disease burden among the Haitian adult population living in Chile is unknown. This study aimed to acquire the basic health information (selected transmissible and non-transmissible conditions) of the Haitian adult population living in Chile. A cross-sectional survey was performed, inviting Haitian-born residents in Chile older than 18 years old. Common conditions and risk factors for disease were assessed, as well as selected transmissible conditions (HIV, HBV, and HCV). 498 participants (60.4% female) from 10 communities in two regions of Chile were surveyed. Most subjects had never smoked (91.5%), and 80% drank less than one alcohol unit per month. The mean BMI was 25.6, with 45% of participants having a normal BMI (20-25). Hypertension was present in 31.5% (33% in the 25-44 age group). Prevalence of HIV was 2.4% (95 CI 1.3-4.2%), hepatitis B (HBsAg positive) was 3.4% (95 CI 2.1-5.5%), and hepatitis C was 0% (95 CI 0.0-0.9%). Quality of life showed a significant prevalence of depression and anxiety markers, particularly in those arriving in Chile less than 1 year ago. Low prevalence of obesity, diabetes, smoking, and drinking and estimated cardiovascular risk were found. Nonetheless, hypertension at a younger age, disproportionately higher prevalence of HIV and HBV infection and frequent markers of anxiety and depression were also found. Public policies for detecting and treating hypertension, HIV, and HBV screening, offering HBV vaccination, and organizing mental health programs for Haitian immigrants, are urgently needed.
Subject(s)
HIV Infections/enzymology , Hepatitis B/epidemiology , Hepatitis C/epidemiology , Infections/epidemiology , Adolescent , Adult , Caribbean Region/epidemiology , Chile/epidemiology , Female , Global Burden of Disease , HIV Infections/genetics , HIV Infections/virology , Hepacivirus/pathogenicity , Hepatitis B/virology , Hepatitis B virus/pathogenicity , Hepatitis C/virology , Humans , Infections/virology , Male , Middle Aged , Noncommunicable Diseases/epidemiology , Quality of Life , Risk Factors , Young AdultABSTRACT
La adolescencia y juventud es una etapa muy susceptible a conductas de riesgo y a contraer infecciones de transmisión sexual. En Chile, en los últimos 8 años, se ha registrado un aumento en la incidencia del virus de inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH). Hay varias hipótesis sobre la causa de este aumento. Consideramos importante explorar en la percepción social y apreciación que tienen los jóvenes sobre el VIH/SIDA, para conocer su punto de vista sobre el tema. Por lo que se hizo una investigación cualitativa de revisión bibliográfica. Se propone estudiar la percepción que tiene la población joven respecto al VIH/Sida en la actualidad, indagar en los conocimientos que tiene la población joven respecto al VIH/Sida y su prevención, y explorar en las políticas públicas que existen en Chile relativas al VIH/Sida. Se obtuvo como resultado que los jóvenes asocian el VIH a la muerte y a conductas promiscuas. Sin embargo estas percepciones disminuyen cuando aumenta el conocimiento sobre la enfermedad. No obstante el conocimiento de jóvenes hacia esta enfermedad y prevención sobre esta misma es bajo. Es por esto que en Chile existen políticas públicas a nivel masivo, grupal y centradas en el individuo Conclusión: aún existen prejuicios acerca del VIH/Sida y los estigmas que conlleva. Es necesaria una reforma en la educación sexual. Además de que es necesario que los jóvenes se sientan cómodos, seguros y confíen en el personal de salud
Adolescence and youth are very susceptible to risky behaviors and to suffer sexually transmitted infections. In Chile, in the last 8 years, there has been an increase in the incidence of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). There are several hypotheses about the cause of this increase. We consider it important to explore the social perception and appreciation that young people have about HIV / AIDS, to find out their point of view on the subject. Therefore, we did a qualitative research of bibliographic review and studied the perception that the young population has regarding HIV / AIDS at present, inquired into the knowledge that the young population has regarding HIV / AIDS and its prevention, and explored in the public policies that exist in Chile regarding HIV / AIDS. The result was that young people associate HIV with death and promiscuous behavior. These perceptions decrease when knowledge about the disease increases. However, the knowledge of young people towards this disease and prevention about it is low. This is why in Chile there are public policies at the mass, group and individual-centered level. Conclusion: there are still prejudices about HIV / AIDS and the stigmas that it entails. A reform in sex education is necessary. In addition to the fact that it is necessary for young people to feel comfortable, safe and trust the health personnel.
