Challenges to Detecting and Addressing Intimate Partner Violence Among Roma Women in Spain: Perspectives of Primary Care Providers.

The objective of this study is to identify challenges and facilitators for detecting and addressing cases of intimate partner violence (IPV) against Roma women, from the perspectives of health personnel and representatives of Roma organizations, and to compare both perspectives. A total of 28 semi-structured interviews were carried out between November 2014 and February 2015 in different Spanish cities. A thematic analysis was carried out, guided by Aday and Andersen's model regarding barriers to access to health services. Both groups signaled the following as principal challenges: (a) consideration of IPV as a private problem among the Roma population, (b) little use of primary care providers for prevention, (c) distrust of Roma women toward primary care professionals as resources for seeking help, (d) the inexistence of Roma professionals in health services, (e) health professionals' lack of cultural sensitivity related to Roma people, and (f) the focus of health protocols for action against IPV on filing a police report. Potential facilitating factors included Roma women's trust in nurses, social workers, and pediatricians and ethnic heterogeneity. There is need to promote action to address the identified challenges through a health equity approach that includes greater training and awareness raising among health professionals about Roma culture and the specific needs of Roma women.

Free clinic utilisation by immigrants after the introduction of a restrictive health policy in the Basque Country (Spain).

OBJECTIVES: Policies restricting healthcare access for immigrants were applied in times of reduced public funding for welfare in Spain. This study aimed to assess the impact of the implementation of a more restrictive health policy in the Basque Country region, Decree 114/2012, on the number of consultations attended at a free clinic, where the majority of patients are undocumented immigrants. STUDY DESIGN: Interrupted time series. METHODS: A negative binomial regression model was applied in two phases to the number of healthcare consultations during the period 2007-2017 (n = 9272) to estimate the level and trend changes associated with the implementation of the policy. Data were analysed separately by sex and adjusted for consultations' seasonality and unemployment rate and the sex-specific percentage of migrant population in Biscay province as confounding factors. RESULTS: Different trends of attendance between men and women were observed during the whole period, constituting 76.94% and 23.06% of all consultations, respectively. After the implementation of the decree, the number of consultations for women per trimester decreased and increased for men by 1%, although it was not statistically significant in either of the trends. CONCLUSIONS: No clear relationship between the implementation of the Basque Decree 114/2012 and an increase in the attendance of immigrants in a free clinic during the studied period was found.

Social Distance and Community Attitudes Towards People with Psycho-Social Disabilities in Uttarakhand, India.

Stigma is an important contributor to the large treatment gap for people with mental and psycho-social disabilities (PPSD) in India. Social distance as assessed by willingness to engage in relationships with PPSD is a proxy measure of stigma and potential discrimination. In North India, investigations of community attitudes towards PPSD have been limited. To describe attitudes towards people with depression and psychosis, a community sample of 960 adults in Dehradun district, India from 30 randomised clusters, was surveyed using a validated tool to assess social distance, beliefs and attitudes related to mental illness. Participants preferred greater social distance from a person with psychosis than a person with depression. Beliefs and attitudes around mental illness were diverse reflecting a wide spread of belief frameworks. After controlling for confounding, there was increased social distance among people who believed PPSD were dangerous. Factors that reduced social distance included familiarity with PPSD, and belief that PPSD can recover. Attitudes to PPSD, stigma and social distance are complex and likely to require complex responses that include promoting awareness of mental health and illness, direct contact with PPSD and increasing access to care for PPSD.

No effect of unemployment on intimate partner-related femicide during the financial crisis: a longitudinal ecological study in Spain.

BACKGROUND: Spain's financial crisis has been characterized by an increase in unemployment. This increase could have produced an increase in deaths of women due to intimate partner-related femicides (IPF). This study aims to determine whether the increase in unemployment among both sexes in different regions in Spain is related to an increase in the rates of IPF during the current financial crisis period. METHODS: An ecological longitudinal study was carried out in Spain's 17 regions. Two study periods were defined: pre-crisis period (2005-2007) and crisis period (2008-2013). IPF rates adjusted by age and unemployment rates for men and women were calculated. We fitted multilevel linear regression models in which observations at level 1 were nested within regions according to a repeated measurements design. RESULTS: Rates of unemployment have progressively increased in Spain, rising above 20 % from 2008 to 2013 in some regions. IPF rates decreased in some regions during crisis period with respect to pre-crisis period. The multilevel analysis does not support the existence of a significant relationship between the increase in unemployment in men and women and the decrease in IPF since 2008. DISCUSSION: The increase in unemployment in men and women in Spain does not appear to have an effect on IPF. The results of the multilevel analysis discard the hypothesis that the increase in the rates of unemployment in women and men are related to an increase in IPF rates. CONCLUSIONS: The decline in IPF since 2008 might be interpreted as the result of exposure to other factors such as the lower frequency of divorces in recent years or the medium term effects of the integral protection measures of the law on gender violence that began in 2005.

[Effect of antihypertensive combinations on arterial pressure, albuminuria, and glycemic control in patients with type II diabetic nephropathy: a randomized study]. / Efecto de dos combinaciones antihipertensivas sobre la presión arterial, albuminuria y control glucémico en pacientes con nefropatía diabética tipo 2: un estudio aleatorizado.

Type II diabetic patients with albuminuria are at high risk for cardiovascular complications; the intense antihypertensive treatment required often involves using drug combinations. The aim of the present study was to compare the effect of two different, renin-angiotensin blocking combinations, on blood pressure (BP), albuminuria and glycemic control. Its design was prospective, randomised, controlled, of parallel branches, and performed in one Endocrinology Department, in Spain. 77 type-II diabetic patients, with stable albuminuria (30-1,000 mg/day) were included. After a pre-inclusion time of 2 weeks, patients were randomised to verapamil SR/trandolapril 180/2 (VT) or losartan/hydrochlorothiazide (LH) 20/12.5 mg/day. Duration of treatment was 1 year. The evaluated parameters were changes in blood pressure, urinary albumin excretion for 24 hours, glycated hemoglobin and plasmatic urea. Overall BP significantly decreased from 161.6 +/- 18.7/83.6 +/- 10.2 mmHg to 137.2 +/- 15.7/70.9 +/- 8.3 mmHg (p < 0.0005). Values, by treatment, were: For VT, 164.3 +/- 18.5/87.2 +/- 10.7 mmHg at baseline and 135.0 +/- 15.1/71.3 +/- 8.4 mmHg at conclusion. For LH, 158.8 +/- 17.4/80.1 +/- 8.4 mmHg at baseline and 139.3 +/- 16.1/70.5 +/- 8.2 mmHg at conclusion. Albuminuria significantly decreased from 308.2 +/- 544.7 mg/day to 198.0 +/- 285.3 mg/day. Both parameters showed no significant difference between treatments. Glycated hemoglobin decreased from 7.59 +/- 1.3% to 7.14 +/- 1.2% in the VT group, and from 7.96 +/- 1.29% to 7.84 +/- 1.62% in the LH group (ANOVA, p = 0.022). Changes adjusted from baseline values showed a trend to the difference between both treatments (p = 0.092). Plasmatic urea increased from 39.8 +/- 12.7 to 40.5 +/- 11.1 mg/dL in the TV group and from 43.4 +/- 12.0 mg/dL to 52.4 +/- 19.4 mg/dL in the LH group (ANOVA, p = 0.028). In conclusion, both treatments reduce blood pressure and albuminuria in a similar way in type II diabetic patients. The verapamil/trandolapril combination contributes to a better carbohydrate metabolism than losartan/hydroclorothiazide.

Efecto de dos combinaciones antihipertensivas sobre la presión arterial, albuminuria y control glucémico en pacientes con nefropatía diabética tipo 2: un estudio aleatorizado / Effect of two different antihypertensive drug combinations over blodd pressure, albuminuria and glycemic control in patients with diabetic nephropathy type II

Los pacientes diabéticos tipo 2 con albuminuria presentan un elevado riesgo de complicaciones cardiovasculares; el intenso tratamiento antihipertensivo que precisan implica con frecuencia el uso de combinaciones. El objetivo del presente estudio fue comparar el efecto de dos diferentes combinaciones, basadas en el bloqueo del sistema renina-angiotensina, sobre la PA, albuminuria y control glucémico. El diseño fue prospectivo, aleatorizado, de ramas paralelas, controlado y llevado a cabo en un único Servicio de Endocrinología, en España. Se incluyeron 77 diabéticos tipo 2 con albuminuria estable entre 30 y 1.000 mg/día. Tras un período de pre-inclusión de dos semanas, las pacientes fueron aleatorizados a verapamil SR/trandolapril 180/2 (VT) o losartan/hidroclorotiazida (LH) 20/12,5 mg/día. La duración del tratamiento fue un año. Los parámetros evaluados fueron los cambios en la presión arterial, excreción urinaria de albúmina (24 horas), hemoglobina glicosilada y urea plasmática. La PA global descendió significativamente de 161,6 ñ 18,7 / 83,6 ñ 10,2 mmHg a 137,2 ñ 15,7 / 70,9 ñ 8,3 mmHg (p < 0,0005). Por tratamientos, los valores fueron: Para VT, 164,3 ñ 18,5 / 87,2 ñ 10,7 mmHg inicial y 135,0 ñ 15,1 / 71,3 ñ 8,4 mmHg final. Para LH, 158,8 ñ 17,4 / 80,1ñ 8,4 mmHg inicial y 139,3 ñ 16,1 / 70,5 ñ 8,2 mm Hg final. La albuminuria se redujo significativamente de 308,2 ñ 544,7 mg/día a 198,0 ñ 285,3 mg/día; en ambos parámetros sin diferencias significativas entre tratamientos. La hemoglobina glicosilada descendió de 7,59 ñ 1,30 por ciento a 7,14 ñ 1,20 por ciento en el grupo VT y de 7,96 ñ 1,29 por ciento a 7,84 ñ 1,62 por ciento en el grupo LH (ANOVA, p = 0,022).Los cambios ajustados por los valores basales alcanzaron diferencias casi significativas entre tratamientos (p = 0,092). La urea plasmática pasó de 39,8 ñ 12,7 mg/dL a 40,5 ñ 11,1 mg/dL en el grupo TV y de 43,4 ñ 12,0 mg/dL a 52,4 ñ 19,4 mg/dL en el grupo LH (ANOVA, p = 0,028). En conclusión, en NEFROLOGÍA. Vol. XXII. Número 2. 2002 pacientes diabéticos tipo 2 con albuminuria estable, ambos tratamientos reducen la presión arterial y la albuminuria de forma similar. La combinación verapamil/trandolapril contribuye mejor al control metabólico hidrocarbonado que losartan/hidroclorotiazida (AU)

Exploring women's needs in an Amazon region of Ecuador.

This study broadly explored women's perceptions of their most pressing problems and needs in the mostly rural Amazonian province of Orellana in Ecuador in mid-2000. In-depth interviews with community women and health and social service providers used two rapid structured, qualitative methods--free-listing and pile-sorting--to explore the 'insider's' perspective, with the participation of local organisations, and generated discussion on the emerging issues, giving an opportunity for action aimed at improving women's situation. Unequal gender relations, subordination of women, economic problems, men drinking too much and domestic violence were identified as the most pressing concerns. Several reproductive and sexual health problems were also identified and information about others elicited. This paper describes the methodology used in the research, reports on the 20 most cited problems and looks more closely at the findings in relation to violence against women, lack of access to contraception and ambiguities arising from the need to resort to clandestine abortion. Despite the existence of innovative national policies related to domestic violence and reproductive health, there is a scarcity of resources and poor infrastructure in Orellana. Patronising attitudes on the part of health service staff also greatly limit women's access to reproductive and sexual health services.

Improving immunization coverage in rural areas of Ecuador: a cost-effectiveness analysis.

This study describes the costs and outcomes of two different immunization strategies used by the district level of the Ministry of Health carried out between 1993 and 1995 in Low-Napo area, Napo, Ecuador. One was centrally planned and managed by the District Hospital (DH) and the other planned and implemented together with community health workers (CHW). Immunization costs were estimated directly from survey records and communication of the Ministry of Health. Outcomes information was abstracted from the vaccination statistics of the Napo Province Health Department for 1993/1995. Community health workers strategy immunized 113 children with an average cost of US $32 per child. District Hospital strategy had an average cost of US $777.6 per immunized child.Thus, CHWs strategy is more effective and less costly than the DH strategy. This study shows that in order to maximize the cost-effectiveness of immunization, it is important to involve community participation in both planning and implementation. Continuous follow-up and evaluation of the immunization programme and further research on vaccine efficacy are necessary in order to maintain these results.

Epidemiology of malaria in the Amazon basin of Ecuador.

Malaria is reemerging in most endemic countries of South America. In Ecuador, malaria is endemic on the Pacific coast, in the inter-Andean valleys, and in the Amazon River basin. In the Lower-Napo region of northeastern Ecuador, malaria was considered eliminated in the 1970s, but the disease has reemerged in recent years. Three organizations are involved in malaria-related work in the area, but they are not coordinating their efforts. This study was designed to describe the epidemiology of malaria incidence in the Lower-Napo region for the period of January 1992 through December 1995, and to determine the extent of seasonality in transmission in the area. To determine malaria incidence, data were collected for that 4-year period from the records of the three malaria-related organizations: the office of the National Center for Malaria Eradication (NCME) in the town of Coca, the district hospital in Nuevo Rocafuerte (DHNR), and an association of community health workers called Sandi Yura. Data on climatic conditions for the same period were collected from the Ecuadorian Air Force and civil aviation authorities. During the 1992-1995 period, NCME diagnosed a total of 773 malaria cases, DHNR diagnosed 485, and Sandi Yura clinically diagnosed 859. For the 4-year period, an annual parasite index of 40.4 was found with the DHNR data, 35.8 with the Sandi Yura data, and 6.2 with the NCME data. The predominant parasite in the area was Plasmodium vivax (92% of all the cases). Twenty-eight percent of the infected persons were under 10 years old. No discernible differences between the genders were found. There was also no seasonal variation among the cases. Further research is needed in order to confirm these findings and better understand malaria transmission in the region. The study highlights the need for a closer coordination among the area's malaria-control organizations so as to have an improved understanding of malaria epidemiology and to design and implement effective control strategies.

Determinants of development of microalbuminuria in normotensive patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

The purpose of this study was to identify the risk factors responsible for the development of microalbuminuria in diabetes. Two cohorts of 340 Type 1 and 258 Type 2 normotensive diabetic subjects were followed up for 24 months to evaluate progression to nephropathy. Sixteen Type 1 (4.7%) and 20 Type 2 (7.7%) patients developed persistent micro- or macroalbuminuria. Retinopathy, levels of glycated haemoglobin and the urinary albumin excretion rate (UAER) were indicative of progression in both cohorts. Cardiovascular disease in Type 1 and systolic blood pressure in Type 2 diabetes were the other risk factors. Logistic regression analysis showed that glycated haemoglobin levels [odds ratio (95% confidence interval) 2.08 (1.34, 3.21), p = 0.0007 in Type 1 and 1.77 (1.27, 2.45), p = 0.0005 in Type 2] and retinopathy [1.95 (1.09, 3.41), p = 0.02 in Type 1 and 2.87 (1.45, 5.69), p = 0.002 in Type 2] were risk factors in both cohorts. Male sex [2.06 (1.05, 4.03), p = 0.03] and the UAER [1.06 (1.001, 1.13), p = 0.04] in Type 1 patients, and systolic blood pressure [1.66 (1.05, 2.52), p = 0.02] in Type 2, were the other predictors. It is concluded that in normotensive Type 1 and Type 2 diabetic subjects glycemic control and retinopathy are the most important contributors to the development of incipient nephropathy.

[Course of diabetic retinopathy and metabolic control with subcutaneous insulin infusion pump: 18-month study]. / Evolución de la retinopatía diabética y control metabólico con bomba de infusión subcutánea de insulina: estudio a 18 meses.

The effect of a good metabolic control in the natural history of diabetic retinopathy is discussed because, although the onset and the incidence are closely related to a bad metabolic control, there is no improvement related to a good control; progression having been reported with the good metabolic controls. 7 patients subjected to a strict control with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion were compared with a group of 10 patients with a good conventional treatment in an 18 month study. The best metabolic control of the first group was obtained at 9, 12, 15 and 18 months (p less than 0,05). The evolution of retinopathy in this group did not change with the treatment and there was no proof of progression with the use of continuous subcutaneous infusion. Further follow-up evaluation is necessary to confirm this affirmation.

The effect of insulin mixtures in type I diabetics: influence of the intermediate acting insulin on the action of short acting insulin.

We studied the effects of two insulin mixtures on glucose levels and plasma free insulin in 12 type I diabetic patients previously rendered normoglycaemic using an artificial pancreas (Biostator). Mixture Iwas made with 24.5 +/- 1.7 I.U. of isophane protamine insulin (Insulatard Nordisk), mixed with 9.8 +/- 0.78 I.U. of short-acting soluble insulin (velosulin Nordisk). Mixture II consisted of identical doses of an insulin zinc suspension (Monotard Novo) with soluble insulin (Actrapid Novo). 30 minutes after injection, all patients had a standard breakfast and blood samples for glycaemia and insulinemia were taken for the next 6 hours. Plasma glucose levels were significantly lower after the injection of mixture I at 30 and 180 minutes (p 0.01) and at 45, 60, 75, 90, 105, 150, 210 and 240 minutes (p 0.05). Free insulin levels were higher after mixture I, although no statistically significant difference was found at any point. We conclude that mixing insulin zinc suspensions in the same syringe with soluble insulin results in an impairment of the quick action of the soluble component.

Lifestyle, metabolic control and social implications of pump therapy in 54 routine type I diabetic patients.

Our aims were to evaluate the clinical and social implications of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) in ordinary type 1 diabetics, followed on a routine basis using a simple (Mill Hill) or a more complex (Microject MC20, Ames) pump. Fifty four type 1 diabetics were studied during 2 randomized periods of 4 months, one of conventional treatment (CT) (2 to 3 injections/day, self blood glucose (BG) monitoring) and the other of CSII. Each period was preceded by a 5 day training course. We studied clinical parameters, metabolic control (daily values of BG strips, urine analysis, insulin reactions, HbA1c), and acceptability of the treatment to the patient and their relatives. We also recorded all their unexpected phone-calls, consultations and admission to hospital. Thirty-four patients the initial cohort, completed the study, 7 dropped-out, 9 interrupted CSII, mainly because of skin problems and 4 refused to revert back to CT. During CSII, patients noted slight disturbance of sleep (30%), sexual activity (68%), and the wearing of clothes (26%). The main concern was with moderate skin problems (71%) whereas the main advantages were dietary liberalization, reduced numbers of insulin reactions and an improved feeling of well being. The type of pump used did not affect the results. Though acceptability was good in every patient trying the pump, it was better in those who asked to keep the pump after the trial (p less than 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Sucrose taken during mixed meal has no additional hyperglycaemic action over isocaloric amounts of starch in well-controlled diabetics.

The hyperglycaemic effect of 20 g sucrose taken at the end of a regular mixed meal by diabetic patients was measured in six adult type 1 diabetics, C-peptide negative, controlled by the artificial pancreas, and twelve adult type 2 diabetics, with fasting plasma glucose levels below 7.2 mmol/l (130 mg/100 ml) and post-prandial plasma glucose levels below 10.0 mmol/l (180 mg/100 ml), treated by diet alone or with glibenclamide and/or metformin. All the patients were given on consecutive days, in random order, two mixed meals of grilled meat, green beans, and cheese, as well as a cake made either of rice, skimmed milk, and saccharine (meal A) or rice, skimmed milk, and 20 g sucrose (meal B). The meals contained equal amounts of calories and of carbohydrate. There was no difference between the meals in plasma glucose curves and plasma insulin or insulin infusion rate variations whether in peak values, peaking times, or areas under the curves, in either group of patients. Sparing use of sucrose taken during mixed meals might help well-controlled diabetic patients to comply with their daily dietary prescription while maintaining good blood glucose control.