Dietary patterns, overweight and obesity from 1961 to 2011 in the socioeconomic and political context of Argentina.

To analyse the changes in eating patterns in Argentina from 1961 to 2011, and to assess changes in overweight and obesity in their socioeconomic and political context, we performed a hierarchical cluster analysis. We used the information from Food Balance Sheets of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation to identify dietary patterns of apparent consumption. Years were grouped into five patterns. The food group with the highest apparent consumption was cereals (30% of total kcal/person/day) although this decreased slightly. Meats were second and their contribution decreased by 12%. The following foods contribution increased during the period: Sugar and milk by 2% and vegetable oils by 6%. The changes observed in the number of kcal/person/day were in line with changes in real wage, and coincided with economic and political crises that Argentina experienced during that period. Changes in eating patterns allow us to interpret that they relate to the increase in overweight and obesity.

[Construction and validation of an instrument to assess primary care level patient satisfaction]. / Construcción y validación de un instrumento para medir la satisfacción de los pacientes del primer nivel de atención médica en la Ciudad de México.

OBJECTIVE: To develop an instrument to assess the satisfaction of patients using health services at the first care level of the city of Mexico (SSA), adapted to the socio-cultural characteristics of the population, and to examine its reliability and validity. METHODS: The instrument reagents were designed using the natural semantic networks technique. The dimensions used have been determined from the literature. Participants included 230 adults with type 2 diabetes attending eight SSA health centers. Subsequently, intelligibility was determined by conducting a pilot, then the construct validity of the instrument by means of exploratory factor analysis was evaluated and its internal consistency was determined by calculating Cronbach's alpha. RESULTS: The questionnaire is composed of six factors with a Likert-type scale. Its consistency showed a Crombach´s alpha of 0.94. The factor structure included 29 reagents that correlated with the six dimensions with factorial loads>0.581 that explained 66.8% of the total variance. CONCLUSIONS: The patient satisfaction questionnaire incorporates the sociocultural characteristics of the target population and has an adequate level of validity and reliability and is quick and easy in application.

Healthcare program for sex workers: a public health priority.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to propose a model of health care for sexual workers (SWs) and transvestites (Ts) groups who were historically excluded from health services. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective descriptive/analytical study with an intervention stage was performed, focusing on the health status of SWs and Ts. Access to health system, inclusion into social programs, beneficiaries' participation, and rate of risk behaviors were variables measured before and after intervention that consist in a program based on promotion/prevention activities and complete health care service suitable to SW-T needs. RESULTS: Nine hundred and fifty SW-Ts were included. At baseline, 99.7% lacked health insurance and 90.1% had no access to the health care. These data were compared with those obtained after attention quadruplicated among SW because of the implementation of the program. Risky sexual behaviors were reduced by 25 times. SWs have their own leader of health institutions and coordinate themselves with the program's activities. CONCLUSION: Responsibility of the state's authorities on vulnerable groups must focus on their inclusion. To this end, health services must adapt themselves in order to attend those community groups with special needs. Active participation of the target population contributes to viability of this type of proposals, and it is essential for the project's success.

[Type 2 Diabetes and Dietary Patterns 1961 to 2009: Some Social Determinants in Mexico]. / Diabetes tipo 2 y patrones de alimentación de 1961 a 2009: algunos de sus determinantes sociales en México.

In order to analyze whether the increase in mortality from diabetes in Mexico is related to changes in eating patterns over the period 1961 to 2009, and if they in turn could be explained in the Mexican socioeconomic context, we conducted an ecological study with information from the Food Balance Sheets FAO. A cluster analysis was performed to shape eating patterns (three) and some socioeconomic variables were analyzed. It was observed that the energy derived from cereals and legumes (beans) was significantly reduced, and simultaneously, energy from sugars, animal foods, and vegetable fats had a significant increase. Various socioeconomic conditions may have favored changes in diet and increased mortality from diabetes. These conditions are: trade liberalization, low growth, rising inequality and informal work, declining agriculture, falling real wages in relation to the value of what is called the "basic food and non-food baskets", increasing prices of healthy food,low cost of processed foods and beverages, and the lack of control in the food market.

[The nutrition transition and the double burden of malnutrition: changes in dietary patterns 1961-2009 in the Mexican socioeconomic context]. / La transición alimentaria y la doble carga de malnutrición: cambios en los patrones alimentarios de 1961 a 2009 en el contexto socioeconómico mexicano.

The purpose of this study was to identify whether there were changes in the composition of dietary patterns from 1961 to 2009, if food patterns by income level and the increase in the price of certain basic foods of the diet in the socioeconomic Mexican context, could explain the nutrition transition and the double burden of malnutrition. We conducted an ecological study with data from FAO balance sheets. To construct eating patterns cluster analysis was performed. Engel curves were developed with data from the 2012 INEGI ENGH survey and evolution of the relative price of some foods was calculated. The diet was defined in three dietary patterns. The increase in the total availability of energy increased from 2316 kcal/person/day in 1961 to 3146 in 2009. Dietary pattern modifications are in line with the nutrition transition and the double burden of malnutrition. It was observed that the energy derived from cereals and from legume (common beans) was significantly reduced, and simultaneously, the energy from sugars, animal foods and vegetable fats had a dramatic increase. Spending on food was differential according to income level. Malnutritionis mediated by the unequal distribution of income, the relatively low cost of energy-dense foods, the increased cost of nutritious foods, and limited support to agriculture.

Healthcare model based on personalised attention: impact on maternal mortality and health system quality.

BACKGROUND: Latin America's public healthcare model has traditionally offered health services on demand including provision for the most deprived inhabitants. However, this care model has not provided the expected improvement in health conditions or equity for the indigent population. AIM: To compare maternal health indicators between previous services and a new healthcare model based on personalised care and a named healthcare worker. METHODS: Pregnant women in La Plata, Argentina were observed during two periods: a control period using a historical model and an intervention period where a new healthcare model was provided, each period lasting 12 months. Indicators of the quality of antenatal care services were measured, including mortality rate, number of pregnancy related consultations, vaccination coverage, gestational age at delivery, newborn weight, laboratory and scan monitoring, early pregnancy detection and type of delivery. RESULTS: The number of patients undergoing antenatal surveillance increased almost five-fold during the period of the new healthcare model. Also the rate of early detection of pregnancy, average number of health consultations and vaccination coverage were significantly higher with the new model compared with previous care. Maternal gestation at delivery increased from 37.4±3.8% to 39.3±2.5% weeks (P<0.001) and neonatal weight increased from 3048 AE 612 g to 3301 AE 580 g (P=0.003). There were no maternal deaths in the intervention group compared with seven deaths in the control group. Child mortality rate was 13.7 and 11.8 per 1000 for control and intervention groups respectively (P=0.039). CONCLUSIONS: A named responsible health worker and personalised care helped contribute to improvements in quality of antenatal care in the health system.

Hospitalized population diagnosed with Covid-19 in public health centers in the southeastern region of Greater Buenos Aires / [Población hospitalizada con diagnóstico de Covid-19 en los centros de salud públicos de la región sudeste del Gran Buenos Aires]

Introduction: The present work describes the clinical characteristics and interventions to minimize morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients diagnosed with COVID-19. Methods: It is a prospective cohort investigation of patients who received a response from the Health Centers in the southeast region (RS) of the metropolitan area (AMBA) from April 8 to September 30, 2020. A Situation Room was used epidemiological with two monitoring and follow-up boards, one for bed management and the other for patient management. Results: During the analyzed period, 2,588 patients with confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis were admitted, 1,943 with suspected COVID-19 pathology, and 1,464 subjects with other pathologies. 55% of the patients were men and the mean age was 51 years. There were 82.8% patients with pre-existing diseases, hypertension and diabetes were the most frequent. 14% were hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit. The mortality of the cohort was 15.05%, mortality was higher for men, with a mean age of 60 years, 92.65% had some pre-existing disease. Conclusion: Our cohort is younger than other published works. Older people, men, and people with comorbidities are at increased risk for COVID-19-related mortality. The public health system was able to respond to the demand without collapsing the hospital institutions.

Introducción: En el presente trabajo se describen las características clínicas y las intervenciones para minimizar la morbimortalidad en pacientes hospitalizados con diagnóstico de COVID-19. Métodos: Es una investigación de cohorte prospectiva de pacientes que recibieron respuesta de los Centros de Salud en la región sudeste (RS) del área metropolitana (AMBA) desde el 8 de abril hasta el 30 de septiembre de 2020. Se utilizó una Sala de Situación epidemiológica con dos tableros de monitoreo y seguimiento, uno de gestión de camas y otro de gestión de pacientes. Resultados: Durante el periodo analizado se internaron2.588pacientes con diagnóstico COVID-19 confirmados, 1.943 con sospecha de patología COVID-19, y 1.464sujetos con otras patologías. El 55% de los pacientes eran hombres y la edad media fue de 51 años. Hubo 82,8% pacientes con enfermedades preexistentes, hipertensión y diabetes fueron las más frecuentes. El 14% fue hospitalizado en la Unidad de Terapia Intensiva. La mortalidad de la cohorte fue del 15,05%, la mortalidad fue mayor para los hombres, con una edad media de 60 años, el 92,65% tenía alguna enfermedad preexistente. Conclusión: Nuestra cohorte es más joven que otros trabajos publicados. Las personas mayores, los hombres y las personas con comorbilidades tienen mayor riesgo de mortalidad relacionada con COVID-19. El sistema de salud público pudo responder a la demanda sin llegar a colapsar las instituciones hospitalarias.

Oral health in 6-year-old schoolchildren from Berisso, Argentina: falling far short of WHO goals.

OBJECTIVES: Dental diseases in children have been reduced in recent decades in developed countries, although trends remain unclear in other countries. Oral healthcare in Argentina is based on demand and depends on a patient's health insurance coverage. The objective of this study was to determine the oral health situation of the population of six-year-olds in Berisso, Buenos Aires province (Argentina). STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional observational study was performed on schoolchildren from public and private schools. The following factors were evaluated: DMFT, DMFS, dft, dfs, significant caries (SiC), filled, decayed and missing teeth, and the prevalence of caries in both primary and permanent teeth. Data was recorded concerning malocclusion, ankylosis, dental fluorosis, DDE index modified, urgent healthcare needs, healthcare system use, orthodontic treatments, filling materials, school type and socioeconomic position. RESULTS: The study was carried out on 804 schoolchildren. The overall prevalence of caries was 70% (temporary dentition 67.9%, permanent dentition 16.3%). The dft index was 4.52 for males and 4.77 for females. For males, dfs index scored 8.78 and for females, it scored 9.27. DMFT index was 0.45 for males and 0.51 for females. DMFS index scored 0.68 for males and 0.80 for females. There were differences between socioeconomic groups (employees and manual workers) in DMFT and DMFS indexes. Of the study population, 54% had never been seen by a dentist prior to the study. For children who had visited a dentist, 71% attended state public services. CONCLUSIONS: Oral indices in Berisso were worse than in other Argentinean studies and were far from the World Health Organization global goals. There is an urgent need to strengthen the effectiveness of preventive care.

The quality of primary care health centres in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

BACKGROUND: Primary healthcare strategies have been included in the health policies of many countries since the 1970s. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of care provided by primary care health centres (PCHCs) in Buenos Aires, Argentina. METHODS: We surveyed 20% of PCHCs in Buenos Aires State to investigate the structure, process and results of care. Variables related to 'structure' included human resources, qualifications and skills, geographical coverage and buildings. 'Process' variables were: shift handling, service organisation and demand planning. 'Outcome' or 'results' indicators included vaccination coverage, percentage of pregnant women attending before the 12th week, percentage of children consulting, and patient satisfaction. RESULTS: Our evaluation showed deficiencies in the structure and processes of care, and serious shortfalls in outcomes. Health teams in PCHCs lacked knowledge about the demography, health needs, and population statistics relating to their area of responsibility. Valid information was only available for the 13% of the population who sought help from the PCHC. As a result, there was low vaccination coverage (63.6%), low levels of child health surveillance (38.8%), and poor early detection of pregnancy (6.9%). CONCLUSION: Attention to these areas of deficiency could improve the quality of health care and outcomes for the communities of Buenos Aires.

[A personalised health care programme (PANDELAS) operating in Buenos Aires , Argentina , during 2006]. / Programa de Atención Personalizada y Nominal de la Salud-PANDELAS Buenos Aires, Argentina, 2006.

OBJECTIVE: Identifying families having health risks using GIS technology to plan health care action which would include the whole community and not just that part of the population demanding attention. METHODS: 48,800 inhabitants from Ensenada county near Buenos Aires, Argentina were registered and questioned regarding socio-economic-sanitary aspects and their data was georeferenced to cadastral maps (using Arc-GIS-ESRI-2002 software). Health teams (HT) from each local health centre (LHC) were instructed in how to identify the population at risk and plan and carry out preventative health action using the software. Variables such as the quality of attention received, knowledge of the area and its inhabitants, the effectiveness of LHC action, the amount of extramural activities engaged in, community participation and the degree of satisfaction were evaluated pre- and post-PANDELAS. RESULTS: PANDELAS led to focusing attention on homes having structural disadvantages (i.e. the absence of drinking water or drains), vulnerable inhabitants having special characteristics or sick people suffering from a chronic pathology. Children aged <1 year, patients affected by chronic disease, the aged, pregnant women and people lacking routine controls (such as Papanicolau, etc) were georeferenced. Controls were increased by 300 % based on this information. LHC tripled their knowledge of the area for which they were responsible and the needs of their target population; outdoor community activities increased 6-fold and community participation increased from 0 ,1 % to 3,9 %. LHC satisfaction and that of the community with the work done was reflected in 89 % and 85 % favourable answers, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: PANDELAS brought greater LHC commitment towards their community, planning their activities on the basis of preventative action and increasing accessibility to the heath care system.

Trends in frequency of type 2 diabetes in Mexico and its relationship to dietary patterns and contextual factors.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the evolution of the frequency of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and its relationship to eating patterns in Mexico from 1961 to 2013, and the Gini coefficient, Human Development Index (HDI) and Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Mexico ranked sixth in world prevalence of diabetes in 2015 with an estimated 11.4 million Mexicans affected. METHOD: Using data from the Balance Sheets Food published by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the means of apparent food consumption (kcal/person/day) were grouped by decades. Data for mortality rate for diabetes were obtained from 1990 until 2015. Spearman's correlation coefficient was calculated between the diabetes mellitus mortality rate and all food groups. Pearson's correlation explored the relationship between socio economic indicators and the prevalence of T2D diabetes. RESULTS: The mortality rate for T2D has increased over the last decades. An increase of 647.9kcal/person/day in apparent food consumption was observed. Cereal and legume consumption decreased, while apparent sugar, animal food and animal fat and vegetable oil consumption increased substantially. HDI and GDP showed a directly proportional relationship to diabetes. Spearman's correlation coefficient was statistically significant only for sugar. The Gini coefficient suggests that in lower inequalities there is an increased frequency of diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: The increase in the mortality rate of type 2 diabetes was constant during the study period, which coincides with the increase in energy density of Mexican eating patterns from 1961 to 2013. The higher the Gini coefficient, HDI and GDP, the higher the mortality observed for diabetes.

¿Cómo evolucionó la distribución de médicas y médicos especialistas en Argentina?: un análisis demográfico de la profesión médica al 2020 / How did the distribution of doctors and medical specialists evolve in Argentina?: a demographic analysis of the medical profession to 2020

Las políticas sobre trabajadores/as de salud deben garantizar su distribución adecuada. En Argentina dicha distribución es desigual, sobre todo en especialistas en atención primaria de la salud (APS). El objetivo de este trabajo fue describir la distribución de médicos/as, especialistas lineales y en APS en Argentina, durante el año 2020, teniendo en cuenta la situación económica y sanitaria de cada jurisdicción. Se trata de un trabajo descriptivo y analítico, que utilizó fuentes de datos primarias y secundarias. Se correlacionó la tasa de mortalidad infantil y el producto bruto per cápita de cada jurisdicción ordenándolas de mejores a peores indicadores. La tasa de médicos fue 3,88 médicos/as cada 1000 habitantes, 72% concentrándose en 4 jurisdicciones (Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Córdoba y Santa Fe). El 53% son especialistas y el 27,6% lo son en APS. CABA tuvo una tasa de 16,5 médicos/as por mil; Santiago del Estero y Formosa alcanzaron valores de 1,8 y 1,9 médicas/os por mil habitantes respectivamente. Con respecto a 2014, se observó disminución de especialistas en APS (-14,8%), registrándose las mayores pérdidas en Santiago del Estero, Formosa y Catamarca (-84,5%; -70,1% y -87,3%). La situación nacional sobre la distribución de médicos/as en Argentina desde 1954 a la actualidad fue empeorando en detrimento de las provincias con mayores necesidades. La baja adherencia al sistema de residencias a especialidades de APS pronostica un empeoramiento de la situación de no haber cambios estructurales. Será necesario un fortalecimiento del rol rector del estado en el abordaje de esta problemática (AU)

Policies on health workers must guarantee their adequate distribution. In Argentina, this distribution is unequal, particularly among primary care specialists (PHC).The objective of this article is to describe the distribution of physicians, PHC and non-PHC specialists in Argentina in 2020, considering the economic and health situation of each jurisdiction.We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study with an analytical stage using primary and secondary data sources. The jurisdictions were classified according to the correlation between infant mortality rate and gross product per capita.The rate of physicians in Argentina in 2020 was 3.88 physicians per 1,000 inhabitants. 72% are concentrated in 4 jurisdictions (City of Buenos Aires, Province of Buenos Aires, Córdoba and Santa Fe). 53% are specialists and 27.6% are PHC specialists. The City of Buenos Aires has a rate of 16.5 physicians per thousand; and Santiago del Estero and Formosa reach values of 1.8 and 1.9 physicians per thousand inhabitants, respectively.There was a decrease in PHC specialists (-14.8%), with major losses recorded in Santiago del Estero, Formosa and Catamarca (-84.5%; -70.1% and -87.3%, respectively).The distribution of physicians in Argentina from 1954 to the present has worsened to the detriment of the provinces with the greatest needs. The lack of adheren-ce to the specialty of PHC predicts a worsening of the situation if there are no structural changes. It is necessary to strengthen the leading role of the state in addressing this problem (AU)

Seroepidemiologicalmonitoring of SARS-CoV-2 IgG in main railway stations in the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina / Monitoreo seroepidemiológico de igg contra el sars-cov-2 en estaciones ferroviarias cabeceras de la ciudad autónoma de buenos aires, argentina

RESUMEN INTRODUCCIÓN : Los estudios de seroprevalencia permiten monitorear la circulación del SARS-CoV-2 y dan información para evaluar medidas sanitarias. El objetivo fue conocer la proporción y evolución de la seropositividad en puntos de gran circulación de la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires (CABA) y las características clínico-epidemiológicas de los seropositivos, de abril a octubre de 2020. MÉTODOS : Se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal de seis rondas de testeos rápidos serológicos y una encuesta de datos epidemiológicos. Se realizó un muestreo por conveniencia en tres estaciones ferroviarias cabeceras de CABA consideradas puntos de alto tránsito bidireccional del Área Metropolitana de Buenos Aires. RESULTADOS : Participaron 7339 personas. La proporción de seropositivos fue 0,6% (IC95%: 0,2-0,9) en la primera ronda y aumentó a 5,6% en la última (IC95%: 4,3-7). Al inicio aumentó la seropositividad en residentes de CABA y de la zona sur de la Región Metropolitana de Buenos Aires. El antecedente de haber presentado síntomas y el de contacto con personas con COVID-19 fueron las únicas variables relacionadas con el resultado de inmunoglobulina G positivo (p <0,05). El 56,1% (n = 97) de los seropositivos no tuvo síntomas. El 78,4% (n = 134) no fue diagnosticado en la etapa aguda. DISCUSIÓN : La seropositividad fue en ascenso en cada ronda, en coincidencia con la situación epidemiológica de la zona de residencia. Las características epidemiológicas como la proporción de seropositivos sin antecedentes de síntomas, reafirman la importancia de las medidas sanitarias poblacionales.

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION : Seroprevalence studies allow monitoring the circulation of SARS-CoV-2, providing information to evalúate public health measures. The aim of this study was to determine the proportion and evolution of seropositivity in high circulation points in the Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires (CABA) and clinical and epidemiological characteristics of seropositive individuals from April to October 2020. METHODS : A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted during six rounds, using rapid serological testing together with an epidemiological data survey. A convenience sample was selected in three CABA railway stations considered as high bi-directional traffic points in the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area (AMBA). RESULTS : 7,339 people participated. The seropositive proportion was 0.6% (95%CI: 0.2-0.9) in the first round, and rose to 5.6% in the last one (95%CI: 4.3-7). Initially, seropositivity increased in CABA residents and those living in the southern part of the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Region. Having presented symptoms and history of contact with COVID-19 cases were the only variables found to be related to positive IgG results (p<0.05). Among seropositive participantes, 56.1% (n=97) had no symptoms and 78.4% (n=134) didn't receive a COVID-19 diagnosis in the acute stage. DISCUSSION : Seropositivity increased between rounds, according to the epidemiological situation in the area of residence. Epidemiological characteristics, such as the proportion of seropositive individuals with no history of symptoms, reaffirm the importance of public health and social measures.

Monitoreo seroepidemiológico de IGG contra el SARS-COV-2 en estaciones ferroviarias cabeceras de la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires / Seroepidemiological monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 IgG in main railway stations in the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina

INTRODUCCIÓN: Los estudios de seroprevalencia permiten monitorear la circulación del SARS-CoV-2 y dan información para evaluar medidas sanitarias. El objetivo fue conocer la proporción y evolución de la seropositividad en puntos de gran circulación de la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires (CABA) y las características clínico-epidemiológicas de los seropositivos, de abril a octubre de 2020. MÉTODOS: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal de seis rondas de testeos rápidos serológicos y una encuesta de datos epidemiológicos. Se realizó un muestreo por conveniencia en tres estaciones ferroviarias cabeceras de CABA consideradas puntos de alto tránsito bidireccional del Área Metropolitana de Buenos Aires. RESULTADOS: Participaron 7339 personas. La proporción de seropositivos fue 0,6% (IC95%: 0,2-0,9) en la primera ronda y aumentó a 5,6% en la última (IC95%: 4,3-7). Al inicio aumentó la seropositividad en residentes de CABA y de la zona sur de la Región Metropolitana de Buenos Aires. El antecedente de haber presentado síntomas y el de contacto con personas con COVID-19 fueron las únicas variables relacionadas con el resultado de inmunoglobulina G positivo (p <0,05). El 56,1% (n = 97) de los seropositivos no tuvo síntomas. El 78,4% (n = 134) no fue diagnosticado en la etapa aguda. DISCUSIÓN: La seropositividad fue en ascenso en cada ronda, en coincidencia con la situación epidemiológica de la zona de residencia. Las características epidemiológicas como la proporción de seropositivos sin antecedentes de síntomas, reafirman la importancia de las medidas sanitarias poblacionales.

La región sudeste del Gran Buenos Aires frente a la pandemia Evaluación de la ampliación del sistema de salud en el marco de la COVID 19 / The Southeastern region of the Buenos Aires Province metropolitan area in the face of the pandemic: evaluation of the expansion of the health system in the framework of COVID-19

INTRODUCCIÓN: La región sudeste del Gran Buenos Aires (GBA) reformuló el sistema público de salud por la pandemia de COVID19. Entre las medidas que se tomaron, está la ampliación del número de camas mediante la construcción y puesta en marcha de tres hospitales. OBJETIVO: Evaluar el impacto de la ampliación del número de camas en los resultados de internación de los pacientes asistidos por los efectores públicos de salud durante el período de estudio (8 de abril de 2020 al 11 de septiembre de 2020). MÉTODOS: Estudio descriptivo a partir de información registrada en el Tablero COVID-19, software de gestión desarrollado por el equipo del Instituto del Cálculo de la Universidad de Buenos Aires, en el que se obtienen datos de cada paciente internado en la red de efectores de salud; se evalúan los resultados del efecto del aumento de la capacidad instalada. RESULTADOS: Se registraron 2 306 pacientes internados, de los cuales 266 (11,54%) requirieron internación en unidad de cuidados intensivos (UCO), 1 786 (77,4%) en cuidados intermedios y 254 (11%) pacientes en sala general. La media de edad fue de 50,63 y los pacientes de sexo masculino representaron el 55,5% del total. Se produjeron 253 muertes (10,97%), de las cuales el 64% fueron hombres. El 58,3% del total tenían enfermedades preexistentes, estos tienen un riesgo 90% más alto que quienes no las tenían. El promedio total de ocupación de camas en UCI fue del 40,7%, mientras que el de ocupación en cuidados intermedios fue de 61,5%. Sin los hospitales nuevos, 169 pacientes (9,46%) no hubieran tenido camas en cuidados intermedios y 31 pacientes (11,6%) no hubieran tenido cama en la UCI. DISCUSIÓN: El sistema de salud de la región sudeste del GBA se preparó de manera adecuada gracias a la ampliación del número de camas de internación.

Manager's leadership is the main skill for ambulatory health care plan success.

To demonstrate effectiveness of ambulatory health care plan implementation among institutions and variables associated with the differences observed. Randomized selection of primary health care (PHC) centers was done. Leadership ability of the plan manager was explored. Univariate/bivariate analyses were performed to observe correlation between variables. Two groups of PHC centers were established according to the efficacy of plan implementation: high and low performance. Differences between groups were observed (592%-1023% more efficacy in controls and practices; P < .001). Leadership was responsible for the main differences observed. Leadership of manager for implementation of the health care plan was the major important variable to reach the best efficacy standards.

Evaluation of a pedagogical proposal in teaching Medicine. / Evaluación de una propuesta pedagógica de enseñanza de la Medicina.

In this article we discuss the role that medical schools play in the creation of a particular profile of health professionals. To this end, we analyze the impact of two field experiences carried out in 2006 and 2009 with students in the Epidemiology course of the Faculty of Medical Sciences in the Universidad Nacional de La Plata (in the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina). Using individual semistructured questionnaires applied to students as well as focus group strategies, the study sought to obtain information about the ideas and representations of the students before and after these educational experiences. The ability of students to reconsider the explicative models of the health-disease-care process and the weight of social problems in the phenomena of sickness and health is highlighted as one of the study's primary results.

En el presente artículo nos proponemos discutir el papel que cumplen las escuelas de medicina en la formación del perfil de los profesionales. Para ello, se analiza el impacto de dos experiencias de prácticas en terreno realizadas en 2006 y 2009, por los alumnos de la cátedra de Epidemiología de la Facultad de Ciencias Médicas de la Universidad Nacional de La Plata (Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina). Mediante cuestionarios semiestructurados individuales aplicados a los alumnos y estrategias de grupos focales se buscó obtener información de las ideas y representaciones de los estudiantes, antes y después de las experiencias pedagógicas. Entre los principales resultados se destaca la posibilidad de que los alumnos se replanteen los modelos explicativos del proceso salud-enfermedad-atención y el peso real de los problemas sociales sobre los fenómenos de salud y enfermedad.

Epidemiological study of shigellosis in an urban area of Argentina.

INTRODUCTION: Shigellosis represents one of the main causes of bloody diarrhoea in South America. This study aimed to establish the incidence of shigellosis in an urban zone of Buenos Aires, Argentina, by examining the type of Shigella and living conditions associated with this infection. METHODOLOGY: Between January 2009 and December 2010 we analyzed shigellosis in children admitted to the public health service with bloody diarrhoea from La Plata, the capital of Buenos Aires, Argentina. A total of 372 children under 15 years old with Shigella present in their stool samples were admitted to the study. Variables studied were patient age, type of Shigella, family economic status, and access to sewage services and safe drinking water. RESULTS: Shigella flexneri was found to be present in 66.8% of the cases. Incidence was 187 cases/year/100,000 children under 15 years old. Cases were mainly observed during the summer (38.5%) in the population of under 5 years old (69.1% of all cases). The risk of shigellosis increased 12 times in those children who lacked safe drinking water and this risk increased 1.5 times in the population without sewage services. Fewer cases of shigellosis were noted in downtown areas, while hot spots were identified in the suburbs. Treating one case of shigellosis has a local cost of US $976 while assuring safe drinking water and sewage services for one family costs US $634.  CONCLUSION: Incidence of shigellosis in urban areas is associated with quality of water and sewage services. Policies aimed at providing education and improving public utilities networks can help to reduce the incidence of shigellosis.

La transición alimentaria y la doble carga de malnutrición: cambios en los patrones alimentarios de 1961 a 2009 en el contexto socioeconómico mexicano

El propósito de este trabajo fue identificar si existieron cambios en la composición de los patrones alimentarios de 1961 a 2009, si el gasto en algunos alimentos por nivel de ingresos y el aumento en el precio de ciertos alimentos básicos de la dieta en el contexto socioeconómico mexicano, podrían explicar la transición alimentaria y la doble carga de malnutrición. Se llevó a cabo un estudio ecológico con la información de las Hojas de Balance de la FAO. Para conformar los patrones alimentarios se realizó análisis de conglomerados. Además, con los datos de la Encuesta Nacional de Ingresos y Gastos en los Hogares 2012 del Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Geografía se construyeron curvas de Engel para calcular la evolución del precio relativo de algunos alimentos. La dieta se definió en tres patrones alimentarios. La disponibilidad total de energía aumentó de 2316 kcal/persona/ día en 1961 a 3146 en 2009. Las modificaciones del patrón alimentario están en consonancia con la transición alimentaria y nutricional y con la doble carga de malnutrición. Se observó que la energía derivada de los cereales y la proveniente de las leguminosa (frijol) se redujo considerablemente, y de manera simultánea la energía procedente de azúcares, alimentos de origen animal y grasas vegetales tuvieron un aumento notable. El gasto en alimentos fue diferencial de acuerdo al nivel de ingresos. La malnutrición está mediada por la inequitativa distribución del ingreso, el bajo costo relativo de los alimentos ricos en energía, el encarecimiento de alimentos nutritivos y el escaso apoyo a la agricultura.

The nutrition transition and the double burden of malnutrition: changes in dietary patterns 1961-2009 in the Mexican socioeconomic context.. The purpose of this study was to identify whether there were changes in the composition of dietary patterns from 1961 to 2009, if food patterns by income level and the increase in the price of certainbasic foods of the diet in the socioeconomic Mexican context, could explain the nutrition transition and the double burden of malnutrition. We conducted an ecological study with data from FAO balance sheets. To construct eating patterns cluster analysis was performed. Engel curves were developed with data from the 2012 INEGI ENGH survey and evolution of therelative price of some foods was calculated. The diet was defined in three dietary patterns. The increase in the total availability of energy increased from 2316 kcal/person/day in 1961 to 3146 in 2009. Dietary pattern modifications are in line with the nutrition transition and the double burden of malnutrition. It was observed that the energy derived from cereals andfrom legume (common beans) was significantly reduced, and simultaneously, the energy from sugars, animal foods and vegetable fats had a dramatic increase. Spending on food was differential according to income level.Malnutritionis mediated by theunequal distribution of income, the relatively lowcost ofenergy-dense foods, the increased cost of nutritious foods, and limited support to agriculture.