Modeling spatial pattern of dengue in North Central Mexico using survey data and logistic regression.

Dengue is a major public health concern mainly in tropical and subtropical environments worldwide. Despite several attempts to prevent this disease occurring in tropical regions of Mexico, it has not yet been controlled. This work focused on spatial modeling of confirmed dengue fever cases that occurred during the period 2010-2014 in the Huasteca Potosina region of Mexico. Multivariable Logistic Regression Modeling (MLRM) was used to determine the relationship between explanatory variables and the presence/absence of dengue. Model performance was evaluated using the area under curve (AUC) of the relative operating characteristic (ROC); AUC > 0.95. A high spatial resolution map was created to reveal the most probable patterns of dengue risk. Our results can be used for targeted control and prevention programs at local and regional levels. This methodology can be applied to other major diseases that are spatially distributed in accordance with environmental factors.

Consumo de tabaco y alcohol en estudiantes universitarios cubanos / Tobacco and alcohol consumption in Cuban university students

Introducción: El alcohol y el tabaco constituyen las drogas legales que con mayor frecuencia consume la población joven. Objetivo: Caracterizar el consumo de alcohol y tabaco en una muestra de estudiantes universitarios cubanos. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, no experimental, transversal (ex-post-facto). La muestra quedó conformada por 1377 estudiantes universitarios cubanos. Se utilizó el Cuestionario para la evaluación del nivel de dependencia a la nicotina y el Cuestionario para la identificación de trastornos asociados con el alcohol. Se empleó la estadística descriptiva y el análisis multivariado, específicamente el procedimiento de conformación de conglomerados en dos pasos. Resultados: El inicio del consumo de alcohol y tabaco se desarrolla fundamentalmente en la adolescencia alrededor de los 17 años. No se evidenció un alto consumo de tabaco en los estudiantes universitarios, el 76.9 por ciento(N=1090) de los estudiantes declararon no consumirlo y solo el 20.4 por ciento (N=279) declaran ser consumidores de tabaco. En el caso del alcohol predominó su consumo de forma social o normal (94.2 por ciento, N=1211), el 5.1 por ciento (N=66) se puede clasificar como bebedores de riesgo y solo un 0.7 por ciento (N=9) consumen de forma perjudicial. Se evidenció un mayor consumo en hombres que en mujeres. Conclusiones: Es necesario tener en cuenta el trabajo diferenciado con los diferentes grupos del riesgo e incluir el género, como variable de análisis, en el diseño de acciones preventivas dirigidas al contexto universitario(AU)

Introduction: Alcohol and tobacco are the legal drugs of most frequent consumption among the young population. Objective: To characterizing alcohol and tobacco consumption in a sample of Cuban university students. Methods: It was carried out a descriptive, non-experimental, and transverse study (ex-post-facto). The sample was constituted by 1377 Cuban university students. It was used the questionnaire to evaluate nicotine dependence level and the questionnaire for identification of alcohol related disorders. Descriptive statistics and multivariate analyze was used, specifically the procedure of forming clusters in two steps.Results: The beginning of alcohol and tobacco consumption develops fundamentally in the adolescence around 17 years. A high tobacco consumption in the university students, was not evidenced, 76.9 percent of the students declare non-consumption and only 20.4 percent reported tabacco consumption. In relation with alcohol consumption was mainly social or of normal form (94,2 percent), 5.1 percent can be classified asrisk consumer and only 0,7 percent have harmful bigger consumption. Higher consumption rates were evidenced in men than in women. Conclusions: It is necessary to take into account the differentiated work with the different groups at risk and to include gender as a variable to be analyzed in the design for preventive actions addressed to university context(AU)