Spatiotemporal trends of cases of pandemic influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 in Argentina, 2009-2012.

The aim of this paper was to analyze the spatiotemporal variations of cases of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 in Argentina. A space-time permutation scan statistic was performed to test the non-randomness in the interaction between space and time in reported influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 cases. In 2009, two clusters were recorded in the east of Buenos Aires Province (May and June) and in the central and northern part of Argentina (July and August). Between 2011 and 2012, clusters near areas bordering other countries were registered. Within the clusters, in 2009, the high notification rates were first observed in the school-age population and then extended to the older population (15-59 years). From 2011 onwards, higher rates of reported cases of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 occurred in children under five years in center of the country. Two stages of transmission of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 can be characterized. The first stage had high rates of notification and a possible interaction with individuals from other countries in the major cities of Argentina (pattern of hierarchy), and the second stage had an increased interaction in some border areas without a clear pattern of hierarchy. These results suggest the need for greater coordination in the Southern Cone countries, in order to implement joint prevention and vaccination policies.

Spatiotemporal rrends of cases of pandemic influenza a(h1n1)pdm09 in Argentina, 2009-2012 / Tendencias espacio-temporales en los casos de gripe A(H1N1)pdm09 en Argentina, 2009-2012

The aim of this paper was to analyze the spatiotemporal variations of cases of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 in Argentina. A space-time permutation scan statistic was performed to test the non-randomness in the interaction between space and time in reported influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 cases. In 2009, two clusters were recorded in the east of Buenos Aires Province (May and June) and in the central and northern part of Argentina (July and August). Between 2011 and 2012, clusters near areas bordering other countries were registered. Within the clusters, in 2009, the high notification rates were first observed in the school-age population and then extended to the older population (15-59 years). From 2011 onwards, higher rates of reported cases of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 occurred in children under five years in center of the country. Two stages of transmission of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 can be characterized. The first stage had high rates of notification and a possible interaction with individuals from other countries in the major cities of Argentina (pattern of hierarchy), and the second stage had an increased interaction in some border areas without a clear pattern of hierarchy. These results suggest the need for greater coordination in the Southern Cone countries, in order to implement joint prevention and vaccination policies.

El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar las variaciones espaciotemporales de los casos de gripe A(H1N1)pdm09 en Argentina. Se realizó un escaneo estadístico espacio-temporal por permutaciones para poner a prueba la no aleatoriedad en la interacción entre espacio y tiempo de los casos registrados de gripe A(H1N1)pdm09. Durante 2009 se identificaron dos conglomerados espacio-temporales, en el este de la provincia de Buenos Aires (mayo y junio) y en la mayor parte del centro-norte de la Argentina (julio y agosto). Durante 2011 y 2012 se registraron conglomerados próximos a zonas limítrofes con otros países. Al interior de los conglomerados, primero se observaron mayores tasas de notificación en población de edad escolar para luego extenderse a población mayor (15-59 años). A partir de 2011, las mayores tasas se observaron en menores de 5 años residentes en el centro del país. Se pudieron caracterizar dos etapas de transmisión espacio-temporal de la gripe A(H1N1)pdm09. La primera etapa se caracterizó por altas tasas de notificación y una posible interacción con individuos provenientes de otros países llegados a las grandes ciudades de la Argentina (patrón de jerarquía). La segunda etapa mostró una mayor interacción en algunas zonas fronterizas y sin un patrón claro de jerarquía. Estos resultados plantean la necesidad de generar una mayor coordinación en países del Cono Sur, con el objetivo de implementar políticas más efectivas de prevención y vacunación.

Residence place as a risk factor in different types of fatal car accidents.

The association between place of residence, population density, relief and type of event (collision or non-collision of the vehicle) has not been evaluated in developing countries. The main objective of this study is to determine the differential factors associated with the occurrence of deaths of collision and non-collision automobile users in Patagonia, Argentina. A multiple logistic regression analysis was performed using as the dependent variable death by car accident (collision or non-collision of the vehicle) and sex, age, place of residence of the victim, relief and population density as the independent variables. Collision fatalities were related to areas of high population density, while non-collision fatalities were related to areas of low population density, mountainous landscape and place of residence of the victims outside the Patagonian region. The results obtained in this study indicate the need to develop differential primary prevention policies by place of residence of car occupants, focusing on Patagonia non-resident drivers and by emphasising non-collision accidents.

Prevalencia de factores de riesgo cardiovascular en ingresantes universitarios / Prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in first year university students

Com o objetivo de conhecer a prevalência de fatores de risco para doenças cárdio-vasculares (ECV) e sua relaçäo com antecedentes familiares de doença, estudaram-se 3.357 ingressantes ao primeiro ano da Universidade de Mar del Plata, no ano de 1991, que completaram seu exame médico obrigatório. A prevalência de antecedentes familiares de hipercolesterolemia, hipertensäo, diabetes mellitus, obesidade, doenças cárdio-vasculares foi de 27,5 por cento, 42,1 por cento, 26,9 por cento, 27,2 por cento e 42,1 por cento, respectivamente. Orienta por cento dos alunos reportaram, ao menos, um dos antecedentes familiares estudados. A prevalência de hipertensäo (pressäo arterial sistólica > 140 mmhg e/ou pressäo arterial diastólica > ou = 90 mmhg) e de hipercolesterolemia (> ou = 210 mg/dl), nos participantes, foi de 7,0 por cento e 14,4 por cento. Observaram-se associaçöes de hipertensäo com índice de massa corporal (IMC), sexo masculino e idade. A prevalência do hábito de fumar foi de 27,1 por cento, näo apresentando diferenças entre sexos. O hábito correlacionou-se positivamente com idade e observaram-se diferentes prevalências segundo a carreira escolhida. A presença de colesterolemia aumentada correlacionou-se com a idade. O IMC e os antecedentes familiares de obesidade (OR=1,32 IC 95 por cento = 1,06 a 1,64) e hipercolesterolemia (OR=1,38 IC 95 por cento = 1,10-1,69). Detectaram-se 3,7 por cento anormalidades no aparelho cardiovascular. Observou-se associacäo com antecedentes de doença cardíaca familiar. A prevalência de fatores de risco-vasculares representa uma advertência, dada a juventude da populaçäo considerada, e mostra a necessidade de insistir em medidas educativas e de promoçäo de condutas preventivas