Prevalencia de malnutrición y factores asociados en adultos mayores del cantón Gualaceo, Ecuador / Prevalence of malnutrition and associated factors among the elderly of Gualaceo, Ecuador

RESUMEN La malnutrición y los factores que la determinan preocupan a nivel mundial; pues muchos de ellos podrían modificarse e impactar en favor de un envejecimiento saludable. El objetivo fue determinar la prevalencia de malnutrición y factores asociados en adultos mayores del cantón Gualaceo, Ecuador, mediante un estudio transversal en 250 adultos mayores, con muestreo probabilístico, estratificado y aleatorizado. Se evaluó el estado nutricional con Mini Nutritional Assessment y factores asociados como: depresión con la Escala abreviada de Depresión Geriátrica de Yesavage, actividad física con el Cuestionario Internacional de Actividad Física, el nivel socioeconómico con la Encuesta de Estratificación del Nivel Socioeconómico del Instituto Nacional de Estadísticas y Censos, y parámetros de laboratorio. Se realizó estadística descriptiva y la asociación con razón de prevalencia y su intervalo de confianza al 95% y análisis multivariado. La prevalencia de malnutrición fue 20.4 %, el riesgo de malnutrición 47.2% y estado nutricional satisfactorio de 32.4%. La media de edad fue 76,3 (±8.2) años. Se evidenció que la quinta parte de la muestra tomada de adultos mayores del cantón Gualaceo tenía malnutrición y se asoció con: depresión, sedentarismo, bajo nivel socioeconómico y anemia, ratificando a la malnutrición como un problema de salud pública.

ABSTRACT Malnutrition and its underlying factors are a worldwide concern; as many of them can be modified, which in turn would positively impact healthy aging. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of malnutrition and associated factors among the elderly of Gualaceo, Ecuador, using a cross-sectional design with 250 elderly participants. Sampling was probabilistic, stratified and randomized in Gualaceo, Ecuador. Nutritional status was assessed using the Mini Nutritional Assessment; depression with the Yesavage Geriatric Depression Scale; physical activity with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, socioeconomic level with the Survey Of Stratification of the Socioeconomic Level of the National Institute of Statistics and Censuses, and laboratory parameters. Descriptive statistics, prevalence ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated and multivariate analysis was conducted. The prevalence of malnutrition was 20.4%, the risk of malnutrition 47.2%, and 32.4% had a satisfactory nutritional status. The mean age was 76.3 (±8.2) years. One fifth of the sample of elderly residents of the Gualaceo town had malnutrition and is associated with depression, sedentary lifestyle, low socioeconomic status and anemia, ratifying malnutrition as a public health problem.

Differences in antibiotic use and knowledge between adolescent and adult mothers in Ecuador.

OBJECTIVES:  To investigate the differences in antibiotic use and knowledge between adolescent and adult mothers of children under the age of 5 years in Ecuador. METHODS:  A cross sectional study was performed in four health centers and hospitals. Mothers of children under five years, seeking medical attention their child's upper respiratory tract infection (URI), were included. The data was collected through interviews, using a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire covered the topics knowledge of antibiotic treatment, risk and resistance.  RESULTS:  777 mothers were included in the study, of which 15.8% were adolescent and 84.1% adult mothers. There were significant differences in the social and economic characteristics of the mothers (p ≤ 0.05), with adolescent mothers being more likely to have an incomplete high school education and lack of basic services in their home. Significant differences between these groups were found in adherence to treatment, knowledge about risks associated with antibiotic use, and having heard of antibiotic resistance. Among the adult mothers, 83.5% reported correct adherence, 28.5% were knowledgeable about risks associated with antibiotic use, and 29.3% had heard of antibiotic resistance. Among the adolescent mothers, these numbers were 75.4%, 15.0%, and 19.8%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS:  To develop successful interventions, it is crucial to understand the factors causing differences in antibiotic use and knowledge between mothers.