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Background: The COVID-19 fatality rate exhibited significant variations during the first year of the pandemic, and such divergences seem to show different levels of risk of death among populations. Very few studies stratified fatality based on the presence or absence of risk factors. Objective: To identify COVID-19 fatality rates conditioned by risk factors. Material and methods: Secondary analysis using an open health database from the Secretariat of Health of Mexico (Secretaría de Salud), covering patients studied from January 1, 2020, to January 6, 2021. Patients with confirmed COVID-19 result were included; those with 5 risk factors or more, or with rare combinations of factors were excluded. The final sample consisted of 394,537 patients. The database was segmented into groups based on 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 risk factors. The fatality rate conditioned by risk factors was estimated (83 combinations). Results: Among patients with 0 risk factors, the fatality rate was 2.1%. In those aged = 50 years alone or more, the fatality rate was 20.2%. The combination of factors with the highest fatality rate was age = 50 years + diabetes + obesity (57.1%). Conclusions: COVID-19 fatality rates conditioned by risk factors ranged from 1.7% to 57.1%, according to the presence or absence of specific comorbidities. Studies like this are necessary to address more precisely the risk of death among subpopulations exposed to different risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To document the state of lead poisoning in the pediatric population in Mexico, to identify populations at greater risk, and present public policy recommendations to address the problem. Materials and methods. Integrated analysis of 1 747 children aged 1-4 years from the Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición Continua 2022-2023. Lead concentrations were measured in capillary blood by anodic stripping voltammetry. The prevalence of lead poisoning (PbS>5µg/dL) adjusted for different sociodemographic and social vulnerability level was estimated. Populations with a higher risk of lead poisoning were identified. Results. The national prevalence of poisoning was 17.2%, reaching 29% in the indigenous population, 25% in those with chronic malnutrition, 25% with higher levels of socioeconomic deprivation; 20% in rural and urban areas, 12% in metropolitan areas. No differences were found by sex. The highest risk of lead poisoning (52%) occurs in the indigenous population, with chronic malnutrition, residing in rural areas and using glazed clay; a risk 15 times greater than the lowest vulnerability profile (3.5%). Conclusions. Lead poisoning is an environmental justice issue. It is necessary to implement a national strategy to remove the main source of exposure; an epidemiological surveillance system for the identification and care of cases and population biomonitoring in the pediatric population and pregnant women; Monitoring of current regulations is imperative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Científica de Enfermería (2071-5080) is the property of Colegio de Enfermeros del Peru and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Cardiovascular risk and diseases among patients recovered from COVID-19 is a recent field of study in the world medical literature and is also of vital importance because a large number of patients develop complications once the acute phase of the disease is over. The broad spectrum of myocardial injury in cardiovascular diseases can range from the asymptomatic elevation of cardiac troponin levels to the development of fulminant myocarditis and/or circulatory shock, which can leave significant sequelae. Despite the fact that there is no clear strategy to treat cardiac events that occur during COVID-19 infection and taking into account that treatment is mainly aimed at relieving patients' symptoms as they arise, the objective of this work was to find out and collect current evidence on this subject, so that readers can be offered a reference guide in Spanish that contributes to the development of their health profession. The methodology used was a literature search in databases including Medline, Scopus and ScienceDirect within a time window between 2019 and 2022. The main results revealed that the molecular and pathophysiological mechanisms involved in post-COVID-19 syndrome include the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system since SARS-CoV-2 tropism is linked to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2. This causes an alteration of the neurohumoral response of the cardiovascular, renal and digestive systems, generating deficits in the signaling pathways and causing direct damage to the heart, lungs and other organs. Post-COVID-19 syndrome, in general, is defined as the occurrence or persistence of symptoms three or four weeks after the acute phase of the disease. This could then be considered as a time window of risk and strict follow-up to assess in a personalized way the risk among the different groups of patients, especially those with a past history of cardiovascular disease. The main results revealed disorders such as heart failure, arrhythmias, pericarditis and myocarditis, which require early detection and occur days or even weeks after the acute phase of COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista de Ciencias Médicas de Pinar del Río is the property of Editorial Ciencias Medicas and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objective: To systematically review and analyze the health effects derived from occupational exposure to hazardous substances in pregnant working women. Methods: Critical analysis of studies retrieved by systematic review of MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Web of Science, LILACS and MEDES, through January 2021. The search strategy was developed by means of the descriptors "pregnancy", "hazardous substances" and "occupational exposure", as well as by using related entry terms and the filters "humans" and "adult: 19+ years". Study quality was assessed using the STROBE questionnaire, and the level of evidence and grade of recommendation via the SIGN criteria. Results: Out of 420 references identified (366 digitally and 54 manually) and after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 35 articles were selected. The STROBE evaluation yielded a median score of 15.32, and the SIGN criteria a 2+ level of evidence and a C grade of recommendation. Article obsolescence was high (Burton-Kebler half-life: 22.0; Price index: 0%). In 25 out of 35 studies, the exposure evaluated was to organic solvents. In 22 articles, congenital abnormalities were identified as a health effect. Conclusions: This systematic review revealed a high level of obsolescence and a degree of evidence and recommendation that limit the validity and reliability of the observations. Results indicated an association between exposure to hazardous substances and the occurrence of different adverse health effects in pregnant workers and their offspring. The most common exposure was to organic solvents and the most common observed effect were congenital abnormalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To establish medical criteria for return to work to people with increased risk of severe illness from Covid-19. Materials and methods. We performed a systematic review to identify the conditions and clinical characteristics that influence the risk of developing severe Covid-19. Results. Increased risk has been shown in obesity, age >60 years old, diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease and cancer. Only in diabetes it has been studied whether prior control influences. Specific medical conditions and epidemiological risk level for return to work are proposed. Conclusions. Return to work of vulnerable groups should be prioritized, seeking to promote disease control, identifying health conditions that increase risk, and protecting the right to work. We present recommendations to guide the return to work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista de Ciencias Médicas de Pinar del Río is the property of Editorial Ciencias Medicas and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista de Ciencias Médicas de Pinar del Río is the property of Editorial Ciencias Medicas and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Universidad Médica Pinareña is the property of Editorial Ciencias Medicas and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Universidad Médica Pinareña is the property of Editorial Ciencias Medicas and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Universidad Médica Pinareña is the property of Editorial Ciencias Medicas and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Archivos Latinoamericanos de Nutrición is the property of Sociedad Latinoamericana de Nutricion and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Salud Bosque is the property of Universidad El Bosque and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The aim of this paper was to analyze selected variables that could be involved in vaccination coverage of children in different communal territories of Chile, including the vaccines bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) at birth, pentavalent at 6 months and measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) at 12 months and 6 years, in the period 2008-2011. The methodology includes three phases. The first corresponds to the operationalization of twenty socio-territorial variables that account the general life contexts of the target population. The second phase involves the definition of a scale of values through a panel of experts to weigh the importance of each of the variables. The third phase integrates the information into a spatial decision support system for the identification of territorial patterns, through multi-criteria evaluation and multivariate cluster analysis. The results indicate that it is feasible to group territories into four types. In general terms, it is possible to observe that as the life context improves, higher levels of coverage can be found for each vaccine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using data from Argentina's National Study on Violence Against Women [Estudio nacional sobre violencias contra las mujeres] carried out in 2015, the article identifies the risk factors that increase women's vulnerability to psychological abuse. Findings show that women who are more prone to be victims of this kind of partner violence are those who are less educated, older, do not earn a wage for their work, live with children at home, are involved in less "formal" long-term relationships, as well as those whose male partners have a lower educational level than their own and/or have alcohol problems and/or were victims or witnesses of violence during their childhood. The article suggests possible intervention strategies to eradicate abuse, which should be primarily targeted at empowering women and strengthening their independence from their partners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence and integration of qualitative research to the biomedical research protocols has become increasingly relevant, due to the importance of cultural anthropology. The particular case of ethnography acquires even more preeminence with regards to the definition of risk for the research subject. This paper presents the main characteristics of ethnographic research to be evaluated by a research ethics committee and defines a series of recommendations for risk assessment for subjects undergoing this type of study. The members of Research Ethics Committees must take ethnography into account in order to fully perform their duties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Biomédica: Revista del Instituto Nacional de Salud is the property of Instituto Nacional de Salud of Colombia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objective: To determine the total family risk and the degree of family health of displaced families resident in the municipality of Bugalagrande (Valle del Cauca, Colombia). Materials and Methods: Descriptive cross sectional study with a quantitative approach; the sample was n = 59 displaced families resident in the urban area of the municipality from socio-economic strata 1, 2, and 3. Family Risk instrument Total RFT was used: 5-33, prior informed consent. Results: The results indicate that more than half the participants are nuclear families (85%), with predominance of endangered families (59%) and at high risk (27%), influenced mainly by the subcategories of economic situation (46% in high risk and 54% threatened) and health services and practices (31% high risk and 69% threatened), management of children (17% in high risk and 83% threatened) housing and neighborhood (15% in high risk and endangered 85%) and psychological environment (10% in high risk and 90% threatened). Correlation was found between socio-economic status and health services and practices (0.483). Conclusions: All displaced families are threatened and at high risk, therefore they need health care at all levels, because of their vulnerability status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: to describe the anthropometric indicators of body mass index for age (BMI/A) and height for age (H/A) in children and adolescents living on the streets of Medellin, according to sociodemographic and drug abuse characteristics. Methodology: a descriptive study of 453 medical and nutritional records of homeless children and adolescents. The anthropometric indicators were categorized according to growth patterns accepted for Colombia. A bivariate descriptive analysis between anthropometric, sociodemographic and drug abuse variables was conducted. Results: 27.8% of children and adolescents had stunting and 35.3%, had risk of stunting. Stunting was higher for men (89.7%) than for women (10.3%) (p <0.05). As for BMI/A, 4.2% of the individuals had thinness, 14.1% risk of thinness and 2.2% had weight excess. Additionally, a statistically significant association (p <0.01) between BMI/A and age and between H/A and sex and educational level was found. Conclusions: the homeless children and adolescents assessed in this study had anthropometric indicators that show an unfavorable nutritional status, especially male adolescents. Besides having programs and policies for recovering this population's nutrition, it is also necessary to prevent the situation of street life in NNA, by addressing structural determinants that cause poverty, inequity and food insecurity in the city. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Salud Uninorte is the property of Fundacion Universidad del Norte and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Investigaciones ANDINA is the property of Fundacion Universitaria del Area Andina and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Influenza is a sickness of the respiratory tract, highly contagious, which can increase morbidity and mortality. A descriptive investigation was made with the objective to describe the epidemiological behaviour of morbidity causing by Influenza H1N1 in Sancti Spiritus Province during the period since May first till October 31, 2010. The sample was formed by 85 patients diagnosed with this disease. Jatibonico Municipality had the highest incidence rate 37,2 x 100 000 inhabitants. The predominant groups were ages between 21-30 years (31,7%), female sex (56,4%) students as occupational groups (41.2) and pregnant women as a risk group and the main symptom was fever (83,5%). The vulnerable groups linked to the occurrence of disease were: students, pregnant women and young adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. Develop a spatial model that includes environmental factors posing a health hazard, for application in the Matanza-Riachuelo River Basin (MRB) in Argentina. Methods. Multicriteria evaluation procedures were used with geographic information systems to obtain territorial zoning based on the degree of suitability for residence. Variables that characterize the habitability of housing and potential sources of basin pollution were geographically referenced. Health information was taken from the Risk Factor Survey (RFS) to measure the relative risk of living in unsuitable areas (exposed population) compared with suitable areas (unexposed population). Results. Sixty percent of the MRB area is in suitable condition, a situation that affects 40% of residents. The rest of the population lives in unsuitable territory, and 6% live in the basin's most unsuitable conditions. Environmental conditions that are detrimental to health in the unsuitable areas became evident during the interviews through three of the pathologies considered: diarrheal diseases, respiratory diseases, and cancer. Conclusions. A regional analysis that provides valid information to support decision-making was obtained. Considering the basin as a unit of analysis allowed the use of a single protocol to undertake comprehensive measurement of the magnitude of risk and, thus, set priorities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to identify the level of knowledge about HIV/AIDS in Colombia veterans of war in the year 2009, a questionnaire was designed, built and validated, using a mixed design, for which three stages were followed: 1) Bibliographic review and construction of items of the questionnaire using a focus group, 2) Evaluation of content validity by a pannel of experts, 3) APLICACION of the final questionnaire, we selected non-randomly 323 people who were part of group of veterans in Colombia, and 4) Validation of the questionnaire through the evaluation of internal consistency and principal component analysis. We found that the questionnaire explored three factors: forms of infection, inadequate beliefs, and HIV prevention, which accounted for 52% of the variance. The survey showed adequate internal consistency values (Cronbach's a = 0.77). These results suggest the use of the questionnaire to assess knowledge level related to the form of infection, inaccurate beliefs and prevention of HIV-AIDS in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mixed quali-quantitative methods allow the design of instruments that capture personal perceptions that quantify food and/or nutrition situations. The aim of this paper is to report how the use of mixed methods could be useful in constructing scales that identifies food and nutrition themes. We selected four scales based on mixed methods. A first qualitative phase in our construction: from in-depth-interviews, dimensions arose that were used to construct items similar to a Likert scale. A second quantitative phase, allowed to test and refine scales, using factor analysis and reliability test a-Cronbach. The scales designed let to measure household food security, food vulnerability in older people and the satisfaction of mothers/ caregivers of childcare centers. Each tool contains 12, 19, 11 and 19 items respectively, which explain 90, 61, 69 and 73 % of the variance in each scale, with a reliability of 0.92, 0.74, 0.77 and 0.77. These instruments are practical, easy to apply, valid and trustworthy. They are useful to measure and evaluate public nutrition programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. To determine the frequency and epidemiological factors related with the tuberculin test reactivity in household contacts of tuberculosis patients in four hospitals of the Andean city of Huanuco (Peru). Material and methods. An analytical cross-sectional study was carried out since April 2006 to January 2007 with 390 household contacts were considered. The tuberculin test was performed with induration reading at 48 hours, the Mantoux test was used. Patients with negative readings (induration < 10 mm) were subjected to another test four weeks later. Bivariate and multivariate associations were explored, tuberculin test reactivity was the outcome. Results. The reactivity frequency to the tuberculin test in the four hospitals amounted to 64.6% among household contacts. Only the presence of pulmonary TB [OR = 2.6 (95% CI = 1.35 - 4.84) p = 0.004], age ≥ 25 years [OR = 3.5 (95% CI = 2.15 - 5.67) p < 0.001] and time living together = 1 year [OR = 1.9 (95% CI = 1.11 - 3.33) p = 0.020] were related to tuberculin test reactivity. Conclusions. The frequency of the tuberculin test reactivity in household contacts in four hospitals of the city of Huanuco was 64.6%. Independently related factors were pulmonary TB, age ≥ 25 years, and time living together ≥ 1 year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To test th e efficacy of a behavioral intervention designed to decrease risk sexual behaviors for HIV/AIDS and unplanned pregnancies in Mexican adolescents. Material and Methods. Randomized controlled trial with four follow ups; 832 adolescents recruited from high schools, age 14-17, were randomly assigned to the experimental or control group. The six hour intervention used active learning strategies, and was delivered in two sessions on two consecutive Saturdays. The study was carried out in Monterrey, Mexico, 2002-2005. Results. GEE analysis indicated no differences in sexual relationships' intentions between the two conditions, however, the experimental group had higher intentions to use condoms and contraceptives (mean differences 0.15 and 0.16, CI 95%) in the next three months, as compared with the control group. Theoretical variables, such as control beliefs, were significant mediators of the intervention. Conclusions. The behavioral intervention represents an important effort in promoting safe sexual behaviors among Mexican adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]