Effectiveness of a Prevention Program for Gender-Based Intimate Partner Violence at a Colombian Primary School.

Intimate partner violence, particularly against women, is widely studied owing to its high rates, based on transnational data. Colombia, where this form of violence is considerably common, is no exception, and such violence is occurring more and more often in increasingly younger couples (10-14 years old). Further, risk factors such as wide acceptance, the justification of intimate partner violence, extremely rigid traditional gender roles, and poor socio-emotional skills play a crucial role. In accordance with this reality, a gender-based intimate partner violence prevention program was designed, implemented, and evaluated for primary school children in Colombia based on a review of successful preventive programs and an identification of the main predictors of intimate partner violence. The program was evaluated using a quantitative study with a quasi-experimental design that included an experimental and a control group. In total, 344 participants were involved in the study: 195 boys (56.7%) and 149 girls (43.4%) from the second and third grades of a primary school (average age: 7.8 years) at a Colombian educational institution. The experimental group consisted of 200 participants and the control group of 144 participants. The program's effectiveness was evaluated by measuring three groups of variables (gender stereotypes, the acceptance of violence, and socio-emotional skills) using reliable scales. To analyze the program's effectiveness, mixed ANOVAs with a within-subjects factor (when the group was measured), two between-subjects factors (group and gender), and a covariate (age) were used. The results showed that the participants in the experimental group had lower scores in gender stereotypes, acceptance of peer aggression, and acceptance of physical violence against women compared to the control group. Conversely, they had higher scores in affective empathy after the intervention; both groups showed no significant differences before the intervention. This program is highly relevant because it has proven to have a positive impact on the participants and is innovative due to the lack of preventive programs that have been implemented in primary education and evaluated within the Colombian context.

Sexuality in old age: key issues,gender differences and future proposals / Sexualidade na velhice: questões-chave, as diferenças de gênero e propostas futuras

This work presents a brief overview of some of the most important issues related to sexuality during old age. First, it presents the state of the current situation, in order to later explore some of the elements that have been considered key factors in experiencing sexuality, specifically in this stage of life, while exploring certain needs and difficulties. Similarly, some of the differences between men and women, within this context, are presented. Finally, future proposals aimed at better understanding this topic in old age are presented, with suggestions on how to improve wellbeing and care in regard to sexuality among the aging population.(AU)

Este trabalho apresenta uma breve descrição de algumas das questões mais importantes relacionadas com a sexualidade durante a velhice. Primeiro, apresenta-se o estado da situação atual, para depois explorar alguns dos elementos que foram considerados fatores-chave na vivência da sexualidade, especificamente nesta fase da vida, ao explorar certas necessidades e dificuldades. Do mesmo modo, algumas das diferenças entre homens e mulheres, neste contexto, são apresentadas. Finalmente, as propostas futuras que visam a uma melhor compreensão deste tema na terceira idade são expostas, com sugestões sobre como melhorar o bem-estar e cuidados em relação à sexualidade da população idosa.(AU)

Sexuality in old age: key issues,gender differences and future proposals / Sexualidade na velhice: questões-chave, as diferenças de gênero e propostas futuras

This work presents a brief overview of some of the most important issues related to sexuality during old age. First, it presents the state of the current situation, in order to later explore some of the elements that have been considered key factors in experiencing sexuality, specifically in this stage of life, while exploring certain needs and difficulties. Similarly, some of the differences between men and women, within this context, are presented. Finally, future proposals aimed at better understanding this topic in old age are presented, with suggestions on how to improve wellbeing and care in regard to sexuality among the aging population.

Este trabalho apresenta uma breve descrição de algumas das questões mais importantes relacionadas com a sexualidade durante a velhice. Primeiro, apresenta-se o estado da situação atual, para depois explorar alguns dos elementos que foram considerados fatores-chave na vivência da sexualidade, especificamente nesta fase da vida, ao explorar certas necessidades e dificuldades. Do mesmo modo, algumas das diferenças entre homens e mulheres, neste contexto, são apresentadas. Finalmente, as propostas futuras que visam a uma melhor compreensão deste tema na terceira idade são expostas, com sugestões sobre como melhorar o bem-estar e cuidados em relação à sexualidade da população idosa.

Elimination of Onchocerca volvulus Transmission in the Huehuetenango Focus of Guatemala.

In Latin America, onchocerciasis is targeted for elimination by 2012 through twice-yearly mass treatment of the eligible population with ivermectin. In Guatemala, two of the four historical endemic foci have demonstrated elimination of transmission, following World Health Organization guidelines. Using established guidelines ophthalmological, serological, and entomological evaluations were conducted in 2007-8 to determine the transmission status of onchocerciasis in the Huehuetenango focus. The prevalence of Onchocerca volvulus microfilariae in the anterior segment of the eye in 365 residents was 0% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0-0.8%), the prevalence of infection of O. volvulus in Simulium ochraceum among 8252 flies collected between November 2007 and April 2008 was 0% (95% CI 0-0.02%), and the prevalence of antibodies to a recombinant O. volvulus antigen in 3118 school age children was 0% (95% CI 0-0.1%). These results showed transmission interruption; thus, in 2009 mass treatment was halted and posttreatment surveillance began. To verify for potential recrudescence an entomological evaluation (from December 2010 to April 2011) was conducted during the 2nd and 3rd year of posttreatment surveillance. A total of 4587 S. ochraceum were collected, and the prevalence of infection of O. volvulus was 0% (95% CI 0-0.04%). Transmission of onchocerciasis in the Huehuetenango focus has been eliminated.

Transexualidad y vejez: una realidad por conocer / Transsexuality and aging: an important reality to investigate

El presente trabajo hace un breve recorrido por algunas de las cuestiones de mayor relevancia para las personas transexuales durante la vejez. En primer lugar, expone el estado de la cuestión actual sobre la transexualidad durante la vejez y las líneas de trabajo que han abordado de manera específica la vejez de las personas transexuales, exponiendo cuáles son sus necesidades específicas y las dificultades encontradas. Finalmente refleja diversas propuestas de futuro destinadas a mejorar el bienestar de las personas transexuales mayores.(AU)

This paper makes a brief tour of some most important issues for transsexual people in old age. Firstly, it exposes the current needs and difficulties on transsexualism aging and focuses upon studies of age on transsexuals. Finally, this review propose several proposals to improve wellbeing of older transsexual people.(AU)

Transexualidad y vejez: una realidad por conocer / Transsexuality and aging: an important reality to investigate

El presente trabajo hace un breve recorrido por algunas de las cuestiones de mayor relevancia para las personas transexuales durante la vejez. En primer lugar, expone el estado de la cuestión actual sobre la transexualidad durante la vejez y las líneas de trabajo que han abordado de manera específica la vejez de las personas transexuales, exponiendo cuáles son sus necesidades específicas y las dificultades encontradas. Finalmente refleja diversas propuestas de futuro destinadas a mejorar el bienestar de las personas transexuales mayores...

This paper makes a brief tour of some most important issues for transsexual people in old age. Firstly, it exposes the current needs and difficulties on transsexualism aging and focuses upon studies of age on transsexuals. Finally, this review propose several proposals to improve wellbeing of older transsexual people...

Exposure of seasonal migrant workers to Onchocerca volvulus on coffee plantations in Guatemala.

Onchocerciasis (river blindness), which is close to being eliminated from Guatemala through semiannual administration of ivermectin, is still transmitted in one area of the country that coincidentally receives an annual influx of migrant workers to harvest coffee. Migrant workers generally are not included in semiannual ivermectin treatments, but if infected could serve as a reservoir. We report on two studies undertaken to measure the exposure to onchocerciasis (presence of IgG4 antibodies to a recombinant Onchocerca volvulus antigen, OV-16) among migrant workers. During two coffee harvest seasons, 170 migrant workers with a history of working in the disease-endemic area were tested and 1 (0.6%, 95% confidence interval = 0-3.2%) was seropositive. This low rate of exposure in migrant workers indicates that they are unlikely to play a significant role in transmission of onchocerciasis and may indicate that transmission in the last remaining disease-endemic area of Guatemala is decreasing significantly.

Successful interruption of transmission of Onchocerca volvulus in the Escuintla-Guatemala focus, Guatemala.

BACKGROUND: Elimination of onchocerciasis (river blindness) through mass administration of ivermectin in the six countries in Latin America where it is endemic is considered feasible due to the relatively small size and geographic isolation of endemic foci. We evaluated whether transmission of onchocerciasis has been interrupted in the endemic focus of Escuintla-Guatemala in Guatemala, based on World Health Organization criteria for the certification of elimination of onchocerciasis. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We conducted evaluations of ocular morbidity and past exposure to Onchocerca volvulus in the human population, while potential vectors (Simulium ochraceum) were captured and tested for O. volvulus DNA; all of the evaluations were carried out in potentially endemic communities (PEC; those with a history of actual or suspected transmission or those currently under semiannual mass treatment with ivermectin) within the focus. The prevalence of microfilariae in the anterior segment of the eye in 329 individuals (> or =7 years old, resident in the PEC for at least 5 years) was 0% (one-sided 95% confidence interval [CI] 0-0.9%). The prevalence of antibodies to a recombinant O. volvulus antigen (Ov-16) in 6,432 school children (aged 6 to 12 years old) was 0% (one-sided 95% IC 0-0.05%). Out of a total of 14,099 S. ochraceum tested for O. volvulus DNA, none was positive (95% CI 0-0.01%). The seasonal transmission potential was, therefore, 0 infective stage larvae per person per season. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Based on these evaluations, transmission of onchocerciasis in the Escuintla-Guatemala focus has been successfully interrupted. Although this is the second onchocerciasis focus in Latin America to have demonstrated interruption of transmission, it is the first focus with a well-documented history of intense transmission to have eliminated O. volvulus.