Cotinina urinaria en mujeres embarazadas fumadoras activas y pasivas / Urinary cotinine in pregnant active and passive smokers

Objetivo. Determinar el nivel de cotinina urinaria en embarazadas fumadoras activas y pasivas en centros de salud públicos (CPUB) y privados (CPRI) de Gualeguaychú para conocer su riesgo de exposición y contribuir a mejorar el diseño de las intervenciones en la prevención del hábito tabáquico durante el embarazo. Pacientes y método. Se evaluaron 280 embarazadas. Se analizó la muestra de orina de las fumadoras activas y pasivas para determinar el nivel de cotinina mediante una metodología quimioluminiscente. Resultados. En los CPUB, el 48% manifestó ser fumadoras pasivas y el 25% activas, mientras que en el CPRI fueron el 62% y 6%, respectivamente. La determinación de cotinina en fumadoras pasivas superó el valor de referencia (para no fumadores no expuestos) en el 83% y 42% en los CPUB y CPRI, respectivamente. El 95% de quienes se autodeclararon fumadoras activas presentó un valor de cotinina mayor que 100 ng/ ml, mientras que el 92% de las que manifestaron ser fumadoras pasivas presentaron niveles del indicador menores que 100 ng/ml. Conclusiones. Los resultados demuestran la utilidad de la determinación de cotinina para medir la exposición activa al tabaco y también para obtener datos fidedignos de la exposición involuntaria y su grado. El interés y la preocupación manifestada por las embarazadas indican que la implementación de este tipo de trabajo puede contribuir en las campañas de prevención antitabáquicas (AU)

Objective. To determine the level of urinary cotinine in pregnant women who are active and passive smokes in public health (CPUB) and private health (CPRI) centers of Gualeguaychú to know their risk of exposure and to contribute to the improvement of the design of smoking habit prevention interventions during pregnancy. Patients and methods. A total of 280 pregnant women were evaluated. Urine samples of active and passive smokes were analyzed to determine cotinine level using a chemoluminiscent methodology. Results. In the CPUB, 48% stated they were passive smokers and 25% active ones while in the CPRI 62% and 6% were passive and active smokers, respectively. Determination of cotinine in passive smokes exceeded the reference value (for non-exposed smokers) in 83% and 42% in the CPUB and CPRI, respectively. In 95% of those who stated they were active smokers, the cotinine value was greater than 100 ng/ml while in 92% of those who stated they were passive smokers, the indicator levels were below 100 ng/ml. Conclusions. The results show the utility of determining cotinine to measure active exposure to tobacco and also to obtain reliable data regarding involuntary exposure and its degree. The interest and concern manifested by pregnant women indicate that implementation of this type of work may contribute to the smoking cessation campaigns (AU)

[Prevalence of Giardia lamblia, its detection in water and its relationship with environmental factors in Gualeguaychú, Argentina]. / Prevalencia de Giardia lamblia, su detección en aguas y su relación con factores ambientales en Gualeguaychú. Argentina.

The increasing environmental contamination affects the water quality, and is going to raise the waterborne intestinal infections such as giardiosis. This study determined the prevalence of G.lamblia infection in 1201 persons of Gualeguaychú, Argentina. It was observed the relationship between giardiosis and the detection of G.lamblia in the recreational and drinking water and with homes environmental factors. General rate of infection was 19.7%. The group 2-11 years old was the highest (28.0%). No cysts of G.lamblia were found in drinking water, but recreational water was contaminated. Higher rate of infected persons lived in suburban dwellings with dirt floor, latrine, ground-water and close contact with dogs. It is concluded that to drink water is no risk-infection at present, but it will be if this community continues discharging excretsa into the river because this is the source of water for the habitants.