Evaluation of economies of scale in eco-efficiency of municipal waste management: an empirical approach for Chile.

In the circular economy context, improving the eco-efficiency of the management of municipal solid waste (MSW) occupies a prominent role. The aim of this study was to evaluate the eco-efficiency of MSW services provided by a sample of 142 Chilean municipalities using data envelopment analysis (DEA), a method that integrates both economic and environmental variables into a single performance index. This study also investigated whether the MSW facilities are affected by economies of scale. In a second stage of analysis, the effects of some exogenous variables on the eco-efficiency of MSW services were explored. The results demonstrated that 92.3% of the municipalities evaluated were not eco-efficient and presented notable room for improvement as the average eco-efficiency score was 0.58. In addition, 40.4% of the municipalities presented negative economies of scale; i.e. their operational size was not optimum and joint organization of MSW management systems should be promoted. Finally, the population served, population density, tourism and waste generated per capita were shown to have a significant impact on the eco-efficiency of MSW services. The results of this study will be beneficial for policymakers to formulate effective public policies to make the provision of MSW services more cost- and environmentally effective.

Prevalencia del consumo de sustancias psicoactivas en estudiantes universitarios de la salud y ciencias sociales / Prevalence of use of psychoactive substances in university students of the health and social sciences

Introducción: la prevalencia de vida de alguna sustancia psicoactiva ilícita o lícita de uso indebido en estudiantes universitarios de Colombia es del 29.3%. Materiales y Métodos: Se condujo un estudio descriptivo de corte transversal, el tamaño de la muestra fue calculado por programa académico con una frecuencia esperada del 2%, error estándar del 0.5% y una confianza del 95%. Se empleó el cuestionario “factores de riesgo y de protección para el consumo de drogas en jóvenes” desarrollado por Varela Arévalo M.T. y colaboradores, del Grupo de investigación Psicología, Salud y Calidad de Vida de la Pontificia Universidad Javeriana Cali. Resultados: Se evaluaron 995 estudiantes de la Facultad de Salud y de Ciencias Sociales, 76.71% eran mujeres, la mediana de edad fue de 21 años, el 93.90% de los estudiantes eran solteros. Las sustancias psicoactivas de mayor consumo dado la prevalencia de vida fueron en orden: el alcohol 83.73%, tabaco 34.08%, marihuana 11.87%, alucinógenos 4.59% y cocaína 2.33%; además, con una prevalencia actual del 61.69%, 16.40%, 3.05%, 1.60% y 0.42% para cada sustancia, respectivamente. Los hombres presentan mayor prevalencia de consumo en la vida y actual de cigarrillo, marihuana, cocaína y alucinógenos que las mujeres, (valor de p<0.01). Dentro de los problemas provocados por el consumo de sustancias psicoactivas se destacan los interpersonales, conflictos personales, económicos, académicos y/o laborales. Discusión y Conclusiones: Es necesario desarrollar e implementar programas o estrategias de promoción de la salud mental y prevención del consumo de sustancias psicoactivas en los estudiantes universitarios, vinculando a bienestar universitario, con el propósito de evitar que la prevalencia del consumo aumente, afecte el proyecto de vida de los estudiantes y problemas biopsicosociales.

Introduction: the lifetime prevalence of any illicit or licit psychoactive substance misuse in college students from Colombia is 29.3%. Objective: We determined the magnitude of psychoactive substance use among students in the Faculty of Health Sciences and Social Sciences at the University of Santander. Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study; the sample size was calculated by academic program with an expected frequency of 2%, standard error of 0.5% and a 95% confidence. Questionnaire was used “risk factors and protective for youth drug use” developed by Varela Arévalo MT and collaborators, Psychology Research Group, Health and Quality of Life at the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana Cali. Results: A total of 995 students from the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences were evaluated, 76.71% were women, the median age was 21 years, 93.90% were single. The most widely consumed psychoactive substance given the prevalence of life were in order: 83.73% alcohol, snuff 34.08%, 11.87% marijuana, hallucinogens 4.59% and cocaine 2.33%, also with a current prevalence of 61.69%, 16.40%, 3.05 %, 1.60% and 0.42% for each substance, respectively. Men have a higher prevalence of use in life and current cigarette, marijuana, cocaine and hallucinogens than women (p <0.01). Among the problems caused by the consumption of psychoactive substances highlights interpersonal, personal conflicts, economic, academic and employment. Discussion and Conclusions: It is necessary to develop and implement programs and strategies to promote mental health and prevention of psychoactive substance use in college students, linking university welfare, in order to prevent the prevalence increases, affecting the life project students and biopsychosocial problems.