Revista de sanidad e higiene publica最新文献

Background: A study was undertaken to determine the existing contamination of the parks and gardens of Tenerife, by ways of parasitic dispersal, owing to the fact that it might be an epidemiological factor important in the passing on of some zoonosis.

Methods: Several soil samples were analysed from each of the 54 play group areas chosen, according to the population density in different parts of the island. In the search for parasitic forms, a variation of the methodology recommended by the OMS was put into effect. At the same time, a survey was carried out with the aim of observing how well the legislation in force was known and applied.

Results: 85.2% of the parks undergoing investigation were found to be contaminated by one or more helminths and/or protozoa.

Conclusions: The predominating helminth was Toxocara sp. present in 37% of the parks investigated, followed by Toxascaris sp. at 18.5%. The survey undertaken concluded that there is an almost total lack of knowledge and non-fulfillment of the legislation in force.

Background: The existence of factors susceptible to modification which have a bearing upon the seric concentrations of cholesterol and other lipids linked to the appearance of arteriosclerosis and coronary cardiopathy, make it advisable to study their impact in the Autonomous Community of Extremadura as a first step towards programming strategies for community measures.

Method: A cross-section study was carried out on a random sampling of 1,060 people grouped by age and blood pressure, detecting the total concentration of cholesterol, HDL-C and triglycerides, on the one hand, and on the other the existing correlations of the variables; amount of alcohol and cigarettes consumed, obesity and overweight.

Results: The prevalence of hypercholesteremia (more than 240 mg/dl) is significantly higher in people with an index or corporal mass (ICM) greater than 25 (47% and 30%) among those with normal blood pressure. There is also a relationship between high cholesterol levels and excessive ingestion of alcohol and tobacco smoking in this group, with values of 59% in heavy drinkers and 46.7% in non-drinkers and an OR of 2. IC 95% (1.32-3.03). The relationship between the smoking habit and hypercholesteremia is also maintained among moderate smokers and those who smoke more than 20 cigarettes/day. OR = 2.83, IC 95% (1.19-6.7). An inverse relationship is detected between tobacco smoking and the level of HDL-C.

Conclusions: The correlation found between the variables included in this study and hypercholesteremia, and its significance, suggests the potential benefits that the modification of these habits through community measures would have for the Community, as part of the primary assistance within a programme for prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

The growing interest in the field of community nutrition and nutritional quality has originated a major demand on food composition information. This has made an increase in the number of food composition tables as well as in its applications. However, often the appropriate interpretation of the information obtained is misused. Food composition tables need to be considered as data systems, not only restricted to the tabulated information, that try to compile composition of most important representative food in the region. Difficulties arising from this method at different levels (sampling, analytical procedures, data presentation, etc.) make to the researcher the need to consider several risks. On the other hand, the application of food composition tables is subjected to many sources of variability. The present work tries to make clear the main considerations in using food composition tables appropriately, as well as in managing software and interpreting results from food consumption studies.

Background: Tuberculosis represents a major public health problem. In Spain, the incidence of tuberculosis is among the highest in the European Community, and shows an increasing trend. The aim of this study is to determine the incidence and temporal trends of tuberculosis in the catchment area of the "Hospital Juan Canalejo" (La Coruña, Spain), between 1982 and 1991.

Methods: Revision of all case records of tuberculosis with positive bacteriology and detected by the Epidemiological Vigilance System of the Preventive Medicine Unit of the "Hospital Juan Canalejo", diagnosed between January 1982 and December 1991. The incidence of tuberculosis as a function of age, sex, period, and county, was modeled with Poisson regression.

Results: 1120 cases were studied. The relative risk of tuberculosis in females with respect to males was 0.50 (95% confidence interval 0.44 to 0.56; p < 0.001) with a peak of increased risk between 15 and 35 years of age in both genders. With respect to temporal trends, the risk of tuberculosis increased from 1986 in females and from 1987 in males.

Conclusions: Over the last decade, the incidence of tuberculosis has increased in the study area, with higher risk in males and young adults.

Background: The specialized medical assistance knowledge improved in hospitals since the introduction of Clinical Documentation Services, but hardly anything is known about outpatient assistance, specially in otolaryngology.

Methods: In order to find out this information, during 1992 last quarter, we sampled 20 days of outpatient consult, studying the following variables in patients visited: age, sex, diagnosis, diagnostic-therapeutic procedures and motives for hospital attention.

Results: In the sample first visits are 63% and second visits 37%. Only 7.5% of patients were sent to hospital and we refer the diagnosis cause. In 5.6% of cases we couldn't establish any diagnosis, the 47% of cases presented otologic pathology and the rest 47% belonged to rhinologic pathology, pharyngeal and laryngeal troubles. The frequency of diagnosis were different in age groups. In 25% of patients diagnostic-therapeutic procedures were done.

Conclusions: This study supplies us interesting information about the features of ENT outpatient assistance respect sex and age, more frequent diagnostics, procedures and causes for hospital attention.

Background: To evaluate the efficiency of the school health test, by studying; the number of unknown anomalies detected; the number of children who went to confirm the anomalies; and the number of anomalies confirmed.

Methods: A descriptive observational study, with a subsequent followup, aimed at all students tested from the first, fifth and eighth years of EGB from the six schools in the basic area of "Molino de la Vega" in Huelva (714 in total).

Results: A total of 172 anomalies were detected (24% of the examined). Of those, 133 (77.3%) were followed and 112 (84.2%) came back to confirm the diagnosis, being the highest percentage (100%) for empty scrotum and the lowest (75%) for somatometric anomalies. A number of 73 (79.76%) of the anomalies detected were confirmed, reaching the maximum for visual alterations (86.48%) and the minimum for raquis deviations (65.21%). Of the children examined a 10.22% had anomalies not detected before.

Conclusions: The school test proved highly efficient. Given the high number of anomalies detected in our basic health area, the percentage of children who went to confirm the diagnosis together with the high percentage of anomalies confirmed.

Background: A trichinellosis outbreak was investigated (December 1992-January 1993). It occurred in the village of Huerta del Marquesado among people who consumed sausages made with pork, meat. The aim of this study is to show the consequences of consuming meat without a sanitary control on human health.

Methods: A case-control study was carried out. Information was obtained using a standardized questionnaire for Foodbornes. A descriptive study was done and the relationship between the intake of sausages and disease was also investigated.

Results: 19 cases were reported, median frequency: 11 of January. The outbreak lasted 21 days. The mean incubation period was 26.47 days (SD 4.45 days). Most frequent symptoms were fever, myalgia, eyelid's edema. The age of the patients varied from 5 to 65 years old, being the mean 33 years old. Proportionally more women than men were diseased (58%). No cases died or were hospitalized. A significant statistic association was show between trichinellosis and intake of sausages (OR = 54; 95% Confidence interval 3.1- 2622.43; p < 0.0006). Trichinella spiralis larvae have been shown in samples of the pork meat which had been eaten.

Conclusions: The disease did not last excessively and was not too severe, which suggest a low parasite density. After the laboratory confirmation the meat was confiscated and destroyed. The outbreak was controlled with the active collaboration of the public health veterinarians.

Background: The results of the school health examinations (SHE) carried out in school children attending P4 and 1st of EGB (aged between 4 and 8 years) from the public schools of Montcada y Reixac (Barcelona) during the academic year 1991-92 were evaluated.

Methods: 310 school children (157 boys and 153 girls) were studied. The following variables were analysed: weight and height by percentiles (using Tanner's standards): the percentage of vaccinations administered: and the prevalence of anomalies according to the current SHE program in Catalonia.

Results: From a general point of view, the weight and height values were higher than expected. The administering of vaccinations was poor (66%: 95% confidence interval (CI) = 61.5%-70.4%). A high prevalence of squinted vision (6.2%: 95% CI = 4.1%-8.2%) and a good absence of caries index (76.7%: 95% CI = 71.1%-82.2%) were observed. During the examination of male genital organs, a higher percentage of non-palpable testicles in the scrotum amongst boys aged 6-8 years versus boys aged 4-5 years was observed (14.9% vs 9.8%).

Conclusions: The weight-and-height standards used and the efficiency of the program for caries prevention were discussed. It was recommended that the reasons for some of the anomalies found be investigated and that more control over routine vaccination certificates be implemented.

In this article the concept of risk map is revised. It is considered as an instrument for the knowledge of risks and damages in a certain environment. A historic revision is made analyzing the birth and evolution of the concept. Different experiences and types of maps in different countries are described. Finally the operative steps, the data sources and the risk indicators which should be used in Spain are included.