Coverage and Acceptability of Mobile Phone Messages for Cancer Prevention: a Population-Based Study in a Latin American Country.

Mobile health (m-health) has shown positive effects on disease prevention; however, several factors might influence its effectiveness, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Randomized trials provide data with high internal validity but no major information on population impact. We conducted a pilot population-based study to assess the feasibility of cancer prevention through m-health in a Latin American population. A sample of affiliates to a health insurance company in Colombia was randomly selected and assigned to receive a short message service (SMS) or voice messages (VMS) during 4 weeks; weekly frequencies 2 and 7. Baseline and post-intervention surveys were conducted. Overall, 797 affiliates were contacted (SMS 393, VMS 404) but only 15.3% and 24.8% enrolled, respectively. Over 80% acceptability was observed among participants for all items evaluated (usefulness, understandability, timing, and frequency); however, 2-VMS per week was the only frequency consistent with the declared number of messages received and listened. Other frequencies resulted in high reception recall but low willingness to read/listen the messages. The willingness to be part of future programs was 20.0%. The gap between declared acceptability and practice, low participation rates, and low willingness to read/listen messages indicate m-health should be part of multicomponent interventions and should not be conceived as the sole intervention.

Detection of all four dengue serotypes in Aedes aegypti female mosquitoes collected in a rural area in Colombia.

The Aedes aegypti vector for dengue virus (DENV) has been reported in urban and periurban areas. The information about DENV circulation in mosquitoes in Colombian rural areas is limited, so we aimed to evaluate the presence of DENV in Ae. aegypti females caught in rural locations of two Colombian municipalities, Anapoima and La Mesa. Mosquitoes from 497 rural households in 44 different rural settlements were collected. Pools of about 20 Ae. aegypti females were processed for DENV serotype detection. DENV in mosquitoes was detected in 74% of the analysed settlements with a pool positivity rate of 62%. The estimated individual mosquito infection rate was 4.12% and the minimum infection rate was 33.3/1,000 mosquitoes. All four serotypes were detected; the most frequent being DENV-2 (50%) and DENV-1 (35%). Two-three serotypes were detected simultaneously in separate pools. This is the first report on the co-occurrence of natural DENV infection of mosquitoes in Colombian rural areas. The findings are important for understanding dengue transmission and planning control strategies. A potential latent virus reservoir in rural areas could spill over to urban areas during population movements. Detecting DENV in wild-caught adult mosquitoes should be included in the development of dengue epidemic forecasting models.

Schools as Potential Risk Sites for Vector-Borne Disease Transmission: Mosquito Vectors in Rural Schools in Two Municipalities in Colombia.

Dengue and other vector-borne diseases are of great public health importance in Colombia. Vector surveillance and control activities are often focused at the household level. Little is known about the importance of nonhousehold sites, including schools, in maintaining vector-borne disease transmission. The objectives of this paper were to determine the mosquito species composition in rural schools in 2 municipalities in Colombia and to assess the potential risk of vector-borne disease transmission in school settings. Entomological surveys were carried out in rural schools during the dry and rainy seasons of 2011. A total of 12 mosquito species were found: Aedes aegypti, Anopheles pseudopunctipennis, Culex coronator, Cx. quinquefasciatus, and Limatus durhamii in both immature and adult forms; Ae. fluviatilis, Cx. nigripalpus, Cx. corniger, and Psorophora ferox in immature forms only; and Ae. angustivittatus, Haemagogus equinus, and Trichoprosopon lampropus in adult forms only. The most common mosquito species was Cx. quinquefasciatus. Classrooms contained the greatest abundance of adult female Ae. aegypti and Cx. quinquefasciatus. The most common Ae. aegypti breeding sites were containers classified as "others" (e.g., cans), followed by containers used for water storage. A high level of Ae. aegypti infestation was found during the wet season. Our results suggest that rural schools are potentially important foci for the transmission of dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases. We propose that public health programs should be implemented in rural schools to prevent vector-borne diseases.

SIPIBEL observatory: Data on usual pollutants (solids, organic matter, nutrients, ions) and micropollutants (pharmaceuticals, surfactants, metals), biological and ecotoxicity indicators in hospital and urban wastewater, in treated effluent and sludge from wastewater treatment plant, and in surface and groundwater.

The Bellecombe pilot site - SIPIBEL - was created in 2010 in order to study the characterisation, treatability and impacts of hospital effluents in an urban wastewater treatment plant. This pilot site is composed of: i) the Alpes Léman hospital (CHAL), opened in February 2012, ii) the Bellecombe wastewater treatment plant, with two separate treatment lines allowing to fully separate the hospital wastewater and the urban wastewater, and iii) the Arve River as the receiving water body and a tributary of the Rhône River and the Geneva aquifer. The database includes in total 48 439 values measured on 961 samples (raw and treated hospital and urban wastewater, activated sludge in aeration tanks, dried sludge after dewatering, river and groundwater, and a few additional campaigns in aerobic and anaerobic sewers) with 44 455 physico-chemistry values (including 15 pharmaceuticals and 14 related transformation products, biocides compounds, metals, organic micropollutants), 2 193 bioassay values (ecotoxicity), 1 679 microbiology values (including microorganisms and antibioresistance indicators) and 112 hydrobiology values.

[Trends of bacterial resistance phenotypes in high-complexity public and private hospitals in Colombia]. / Tendencias de los fenotipos de resistencia bacteriana en hospitales públicos y privados de alta complejidad de Colombia.

OBJECTIVE: Describe and compare the frequency of bacterial resistance phenotypes of microorganisms obtained from patients in intensive care units (ICU) and other (non-ICU) high-complexity public and private hospital services in Colombia. METHODS: A retrospective observational, analytical, multicenter study was conducted. The records from January 2007 to December 2009 on bacterial isolates and bacterial resistance phenotypes of microorganisms obtained from ICU and non-ICU patients in 79 high-complexity public and private hospitals were consolidated. The information was analyzed with the WHONET(®) 5.5 (WHO) software, following the 2009 recommendations of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute, and summarized on an Excel(®) spreadsheet. A descriptive analysis with the calculation of proportions was performed. The trends were analyzed with Spearman rank correlation. RESULTS: The 2007-2009 trends for bacterial resistance phenotypes show increased percentages of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium, imipenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae, ciprofloxacin-resistant K. pneumoniae, ceftazidime-resistant Escherichia coli and cefotaxime-resistant Enterobacter cloacae (r = 1, P < 0.01), and reduced percentages of ciprofloxacin-resistant E. coli, ceftazidime-resistant K. pneumoniae, oxacillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, ceftazidime-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and ciprofloxacin-resistant P. aeruginosa (r = -1, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The trend analysis presented in this study is the baseline for establishing a national epidemiological surveillance subsystem. The trends observed reveal that bacterial resistance to antimicrobial drugs in hospitals in Colombia is a dynamic phenomenon, with evidence of the emergence of vancomycin-resistant E. faecium and imipenem-resistant K. pneumoniae phenotypes in the hospitals.

A Young Diabetic Patient With Sepsis After Gardening.

We report a case of soft tissue infection, sepsis, and bacteremia due to Burkholderia pseudomallei (melioidosis) in a diabetic young patient and the genomic characterization of Burkholderia pseudomallei isolate (COL-5428).

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices about dengue among pupils from rural schools in an endemic area in Colombia / Conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas sobre dengue en estudiantes de escuelas rurales de un área endémica en Colombia

INTRODUCTION: Dengue is a public health problem in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Studies on dengue in rural areas are scarce since the disease is considered mainly urban. OBJECTIVE: To determine the knowledge (K), attitudes (A) and practices (P) of dengue in an endemic area in Colombia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study with 515 pupils (7-16 years old) in 34 rural schools in Anapoima and La Mesa municipalities during 2011. Each KAP category was evaluated independently by a scoring system and then categorized into high, medium or low. RESULTS: Pupils recognized knowledge variables such as the symptoms (fever, bone pain), transmission route (mosquito bites), and mosquito breeding sites (uncovered water tanks, solid waste). Average scores on attitude were high in both municipalities indicating a well-developed perception of disease severity. Seeking treatment in medical centers and self-medication for fever management and the use of mosquito net and space-spraying of insecticides were the most frequently identified practices. DISCUSSION: This is the first KAP dengue study performed in a rural area in Colombia and as such it contributes to the understanding of dengue perceptions by the inhabitants of these areas. It showed a medium level of knowledge about dengue and a lower level of preventive practices in pupils from rural schools. It also showed that pupils considered space-spraying as crucial for vector control. The presence of the vector in rural areas of the country underlines the need to improve surveillance and education to more effectively control the vector and promote prevention methods including community participation.

Introducción. El dengue es un problema de salud pública en las regiones tropicales y subtropicales del mundo. Los estudios sobre la enfermedad en áreas rurales son escasos debido a que se presenta principalmente en los núcleos urbanos. Objetivo. Determinar los conocimientos, las actitudes y las prácticas sobre el dengue en un área rural endémica en Colombia. Materiales y métodos. Se hizo un estudio transversal con 515 estudiantes, entre los 7 y los 16 años de edad en 34 escuelas rurales de los municipios de Anapoima y La Mesa en el 2011. Cada categoría se evaluó por separado con un puntaje clasificado como alto, medio o bajo. Resultados. Los estudiantes reconocieron los síntomas (fiebre, dolor de huesos), la ruta de transmisión (picadura de mosquitos) y los criaderos (depósitos de agua destapados, residuos sólidos). El promedio de los puntajes de actitudes fue alto en ambos municipios, lo que indica que percibían la gravedad del dengue. Las prácticas más frecuentes de tratamiento de la fiebre fueron la consulta médica y la automedicación, en tanto que los métodos de control más frecuentes fueron el uso de mosquiteros y el rociamiento con insecticidas. Discusión. Este es el primer estudio de conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas sobre el dengue en un área rural de Colombia. Los resultados contribuyen a entender las percepciones de la enfermedad en sus habitantes y evidenciaron niveles medios de conocimiento y puntuaciones bajas en cuanto a las prácticas entre los estudiantes de las escuelas rurales. Los estudiantes consideraron que la fumigación es importante para el control del vector. La presencia del mosquito en áreas rurales del país resalta la necesidad de mejorar la vigilancia y la educación para lograr un control efectivo del vector y promover métodos de prevención que incluyan la participación comunitaria.

[Sustainability of interventions to prevent dengue and diarrhea in rural schools in two municipalities in Colombia: a two-year post-project evaluation]. / Sostenibilidad en intervenciones para la prevención de dengue y diarrea en escuelas rurales de dos municipios de Colombia: evaluación de dos años post-proyecto.

This study evaluated the sustainability of a set of interventions to prevent dengue and diarrhea in 33 rural schools in the municipalities (counties) of Anapoima and La Mesa, Colombia, two years post-project. The study measured sustainability in two categories: maintenance of the benefits and the interventions, and institutionalization and community capacity-building. The sustainability of the interventions was compared across four arms: interventions to prevent diarrhea, to prevent dengue, combined interventions to prevent diarrhea and dengue, and control. The final score for each arm was classified in five levels of sustainability: regressive, not sustainable, moderately sustainable, sustainable, and highly sustainable. The arms were compared with ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis test, with significance set at 0.05. At two years post-project, the overall sustainability for the prevention of diarrhea was moderate in the four arms, while dengue prevention was not sustainable in three of the four arms, without statistically significant differences. Sustainability levels also varied in terms of benefits, interventions, capacity-building, and institutionalization. Maintenance of benefits and interventions in both diseases was more sustainable than institutionalization and capacity-building. The analysis of these variables is important for identifying the different factors that influence projects' sustainability, related to their design and execution, organizational framework, and social context.

Este estudio evaluó la sostenibilidad de un conjunto de intervenciones para la prevención del dengue y la diarrea, en 33 escuelas rurales en los municipios de Anapoima y La Mesa, Colombia, dos años post-proyecto. Se midió la sostenibilidad en dos categorías: mantenimiento de los beneficios e intervenciones, e institucionalización y desarrollo de capacidades de la comunidad. Se comparó la sostenibilidad de las intervenciones que fueron distribuidas en cuatro brazos: intervenciones para prevenir la diarrea, para prevenir el dengue, combinadas para prevenir la diarrea y el dengue, y control. El puntaje final de cada brazo se clasificó en uno de cinco niveles de sostenibilidad: regresivo, no sostenible, moderadamente sostenible, sostenible y altamente sostenible. Se compararon los brazos mediante las pruebas ANOVA y Kruskal-Wallis, con un nivel de significancia de 0,05. A los dos años post-proyecto, se observa que el nivel total de sostenibilidad para la prevención de diarrea fue moderadamente sostenible en los cuatro brazos y para dengue no sostenible en tres de los cuatro brazos, sin encontrar diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre estos. También se observa que los niveles de sostenibilidad varían, en cuanto a los beneficios, intervenciones, desarrollo de capacidades e institucionalización. El mantenimiento de los beneficios y de las intervenciones en ambas enfermedades fue más sostenible que la institucionalización y desarrollo de capacidades. Es importante el análisis de estas variables para identificar los diferentes factores que influyen en la sostenibilidad de los proyectos, relacionados con el diseño y ejecución de estos, con el marco organizacional, y con el contexto social.

Este estudo avaliou a sustentabilidade de um conjunto de intervenções para a prevenção de dengue e diarreia, em 33 escolas rurais nos municípios de Anapoima e La Mesa, Colômbia, dois anos pós-projeto. A sustentabilidade foi medida em duas categorias: manutenção dos benefícios e intervenções, e institucionalização e desenvolvimento de capacidades da comunidade. Foi comparada a sustentabilidade das intervenções que foram distribuídas em quatro áreas: intervenções para prevenir a diarreia, e também o dengue, combinadas para prevenir a diarreia e o dengue, e o controle. A pontuação final de cada área foi classificada em um entre cinco níveis de sustentabilidade: regressivo, não sustentável, moderadamente sustentável, sustentável e altamente sustentável. As diferentes áreas foram comparadas através das provas ANOVA e Kruskal-Wallis, com um nível de significância de 0,05. Em dois anos pós-projeto, foi observado que o nível total de sustentabilidade para a prevenção de diarreia foi moderadamente sustentável nas quatro áreas e para dengue não sustentável em três das quatro áreas, sem encontrar diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre elas. Também foi observado que os níveis de sustentabilidade variam, em quanto aos benefícios, intervenções, desenvolvimento de capacidades e institucionalização. A manutenção dos benefícios e das intervenções em ambas as doenças foi mais sustentável do que a institucionalização e desenvolvimento de capacidades. É importante o análise destas variáveis para identificar os diferentes fatores que influem na sustentabilidade dos projetos, em relação com o desenho e execução destes, com o marco organizativo, e com o contexto social.

[Coinfection of dengue and chikungunya viruses. Narrative review]. / Co-infección por los virus del dengue y chikungunya. Revisión narrativa.

BACKGROUND: Dengue and chikungunya viruses are transmitted by the female Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, which are widely distributed in tropical and subtropical areas, facilitating coinfection. AIM: To determine the magnitude, geographical distribution and clinical picture of dengue and chikungunya coinfection. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Narrative review. A search in the PubMed and Lilacs databases was made, using the MeSH terms "Chikungunya", "CHIKV", "DENV", "Dengue" and "coinfection. The articles of the last 20 years were included. RESULTS: A total of 45 articles were included. The largest coinfection report was in Asia followed by Africa. In the Americas, the information is limited because of the recent circulation of chikungunya. The magnitude of coinfection varies between 0% and 31.9%. No differences were found in the distribution of coinfection by sex and age. The clinical picture of monoinfection and coinfection was similar. Some case reports show severe cases with central nervous system involvement, hemorrhagic manifestations and Still's disease. CONCLUSION: The clinical manifestations of coinfection by dengue and chikungunya viruses are similar to those due to monoinfection, which difficult the diagnosis and measurement of its magnitude.

Computational assessment of stomach tumor volume from multi-slice computerized tomography images in presence of type 2 cancer.

Background: The multi-slice computerized tomography (MSCT) is a medical imaging modality that has been used to determine the size and location of the stomach cancer. Additionally, MSCT is considered the best modality for the staging of gastric cancer. One way to assess the type 2 cancer of stomach is by detecting the pathological structure with an image segmentation approach. The tumor segmentation of MSCT gastric cancer images enables the diagnosis of the disease condition, for a given patient, without using an invasive method as surgical intervention. Methods: This approach consists of three stages. The initial stage, an image enhancement, consists of a method for correcting non homogeneities present in the background of MSCT images. Then, a segmentation stage using a clustering method allows to obtain the adenocarcinoma morphology. In the third stage, the pathology region is reconstructed and then visualized with a three-dimensional (3-D) computer graphics procedure based on marching cubes algorithm. In order to validate the segmentations, the Dice score is used as a metric function useful for comparing the segmentations obtained using the proposed method with respect to ground truth volumes traced by a clinician. Results: A total of 8 datasets available for patients diagnosed, from the cancer data collection of the project, Cancer Genome Atlas Stomach Adenocarcinoma (TCGASTAD) is considered in this research. The volume of the type 2 stomach tumor is estimated from the 3-D shape computationally segmented from the each dataset. These 3-D shapes are computationally reconstructed and then used to assess the morphopathology macroscopic features of this cancer. Conclusions: The segmentations obtained are useful for assessing qualitatively and quantitatively the stomach type 2 cancer. In addition, this type of segmentation allows the development of computational models that allow the planning of virtual surgical processes related to type 2 cancer.

[Prevalence of musculoskeletal injuries in racing skaters in Villavicencio, Colombia]. / Prevalencia de lesiones osteomusculares en patinadores de carreras de Villavicencio, Colombia.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal injuries and their relation to different presentation variables in inline speed skaters by age categories, between 8 and 23 years of age, from Villavicencio, Colombia. METHODS: An observational cross-sectional or prevalence analytical study was developed by applying an information collection instrument that was designed and validated qualitatively and quantitatively. The instrument included variables associated with the presentation of lesions organized in five domains. The information collected was analyzed with descriptive statistics. RESULTS: 66.7 % of the population studied were females, 39 % of skaters had between five and six years of sporting experience, and were in the transition category. Nine out of ten athletes trained more than five days a week, and the same proportion did three to five hours of daily training. The prevalence of musculoskeletal injuries was 53.7 % in the total population studied; 29.6 % had between one and two injuries, and 5.6% of injured skaters had between nine and ten injuries. CONCLUSIONS: Most of musculoskeletal injuries were related to the younger age categories, in precompetitive and specific preparation periods. The lower limbs were the most affected, to a greater extent, by bony and muscular lesions.

OBJETIVO: Determinar la prevalência de lesiones osteomusculares y su relación con las diferentes variables de presentación en la práctica del patinaje de carreras, en atletas por categorías de edad entre los 8 y los 23 años de edad, de la ciudad de Villavicencio, Colombia. MÉTODOS: Se desarrolló un estudio observacional analítico de corte transversal o de prevalencia, por medio de la aplicación de un instrumento de recolección de información que fue diseñado y validado cualitativa y cuantitativamente. El instrumento incluyó las variables asociadas a la presentación de lesiones organizadas en cinco dominios. La información recolectada se analizó con estadística descriptiva. RESULTADOS: El 66,7 % de la población estudiada pertenecía al sexo femenino, el 39 % de los patinadores tenía entre cinco y seis años de vida deportiva y se ubicó en la categoría de transición; nueve de cada diez atletas realizaron entrenamiento más de cinco días a la semana; la misma proporción realizó de tres a cinco horas de entrenamiento diario. La prevalencia de lesiones osteomusculares fue del 53,7 % del total de la población estudiada; el 29,6 % presentaron entre una y dos lesiones y el 5,6 % de patinadores lesionados tuvo entre nueve y diez lesiones. CONCLUSIONES: La mayoría de lesiones osteomusculares se relacionaron con las categorías de menor edad, en periodos precompetitivo y de preparación específica; afectaron miembros inferiores y fueron, en mayor proporción, lesiones óseas y musculares.

[Spatial distribution of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) in the rural area of two municipalities of Cundinamarca, Colombia].

INTRODUCTION: It is difficult to adapt or create new strategies for dengue control in rural areas due to the dispersion of homes and the lack of knowledge about the presence and behavior of the vector in these areas. Spatial data analysis could help understand time and space dynamics related to the transmission of vector-borne diseases in rural areas and, thus, contribute to the prevention and control of dengue. OBJECTIVE: To determine the probability of the presence of the dengue vector Aedes aegypti in the rural area of the municipalities of Anapoima and La Mesa, in the central area of Colombia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The probability of the presence or absence of the vector in the study area was determined by means of the kriging spatial interpolation method. RESULTS: The region with the highest probability of the presence of the vector was located in the central part, close to the urban centers of both municipalities. CONCLUSION: This study shows the importance of geostatistics for the surveillance of vector-borne diseases and the analysis of time and space dynamics of vector insects and of diseases transmitted by them.

Estrategia educativa intercultural para la prevención del cáncer de cuello cérvico uterino en el resguardo de Paujil, Amazonia Colombiana / Intercultural educational strategy for the prevention of cervical cancer in Paujil Resguardo Amazonía colombiana

RESUMEN Los pueblos indígenas siguen sufriendo inequidades, a pesar de los avances relacionados con la protección de la diversidad étnica y cultural, siendo las mujeres uno de los grupos de mayor riesgo, sobre todo, en lo referente a la salud sexual y reproductiva, situación contemplada como un compromiso de acción en los objetivos de desarrollo sostenible. En ese contexto, esta investigación acción participativa buscó construir una estrategia educativa intercultural, sostenible y segura culturalmente que, a propósito de la prevención del cáncer de cuello uterino, aportará al empoderamiento y la conservación de la salud de las mujeres habitantes del resguardo de Paujil -Colombia. La iniciativa surgió de mujeres indígenas preocupadas por mejorar la salud de sus congéneres y un grupo de investigadores. La construcción de una estrategia educativa intercultural representa un reto, pues la pedagogía occidental no necesariamente corresponde a las concepciones de enseñanza aprendizaje de las indígenas del resguardo. Hay dificultades lingüísticas, pues cada etnia tiene su propia lengua. Las indígenas lideresas se convirtieron en las facilitadoras del proceso que se centró más en el uso de la oralidad y encuentros entre mujeres, que se conocen entre sí. Las mujeres prefieren estrategias didácticas basadas en compartir experiencias y el uso de cartillas y videos. El trabajo permitió concluir que cualquier estrategia educativa intercultural que se proponga debe ser específica y acorde a las necesidades de las comunidades.

ABSTRACT Despite the advances related to the protection of ethnic and cultural diversity, indigenous people continue to suffer inequities, with women being one of the groups most at risk, especially concerning sexual and reproductive health, a situation considered as a problem, a commitment to action in the sustainable development goals. In this context, this Participatory action research searched to build an intercultural educational strategy, sustainable and culturally safe, which, concerning the prevention of cervical cancer, would contribute to the empowerment and conservation of the health of the women who live in the Paujil reservation-Colombia. The initiative arose from indigenous women concerned about improving the health of their peers, and a group of researchers. The construction of an intercultural educational strategy represents a challenge since western pedagogy does not necessarily correspond to the teaching-learning conceptions of the indigenous people of the reservation. There are linguistic difficulties because each ethnic group has its language. The indigenous leaders became the facilitators of the process that focused more on the use of orality and meetings between women who know each other. Women prefer a didactic strategy based on sharing experiences, and the use of primers, and videos. The work allowed to conclude that any proposed of intercultural educational strategy must be specific and according to the needs of the communities.

Seroprevalence of human T-lymphotropic virus in blood bank donors at Fundación Valle del Lili, Cali, Colombia, 2008-2014.

INTRODUCTION: Human lymphotropic virus (HTLV I/II) is a retrovirus that is prevalent across the Colombian Pacific coast, and is potentially transmissible by transfusion. Blood bank screening has been regulated since 2004, in order to reduce transmission of HTLV I/II through donation. Information on the seroprevalence of the virus in southwestern Colombia is limited.  OBJECTIVE: To determine the seroprevalence and the behavior of reactivity to HTLV I/II before and after the introduction of Western blot, and the comorbidity of HTLV and other infectious markers in donors from a blood bank in Cali, Colombia.  MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 77,117 blood bank donors from the Fundación Valle del Lili by analyzing records of donors who had been tested with the reactive test for anti-HTLV I-II antibodies (IgG) between January, 2008, and December, 2014.  RESULTS: The cumulative seroprevalence during the study period was 0.24% (186/77,119). Reactivity was more common in women (61%), and the median age was 37 years (IQR: 24-48). The seroprevalence in the years before the introduction of Western blot was 0.13%, 0.19%, 0.31%, 0.32% and 0.18% (2008-2012), and thereafter it was 0.08% and 0.07% (2012-2014). Concomitant reactivity with other infectious markers was 11%: syphilis (57%), followed by HIV (19%), hepatitis B (14%) and hepatitis C (9%). The highest seroprevalence (0.38%) was reported in 2012.  CONCLUSION: We found a high prevalence of reactivity to HTLV I-II compared to that reported in other studies. The results of this study are a starting point for the development of population studies.

A Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial to Reduce Diarrheal Disease and Dengue Entomological Risk Factors in Rural Primary Schools in Colombia.

BACKGROUND: As many neglected tropical diseases are co-endemic and have common risk factors, integrated control can efficiently reduce disease burden and relieve resource-strained public health budgets. Diarrheal diseases and dengue fever are major global health problems sharing common risk factors in water storage containers. Where provision of clean water is inadequate, water storage is crucial. Fecal contamination of stored water is a common source of diarrheal illness, but stored water also provides breeding sites for dengue vector mosquitoes. Integrating improved water management and educational strategies for both diseases in the school environment can potentially improve the health situation for students and the larger community. The objective of this trial was to investigate whether interventions targeting diarrhea and dengue risk factors would significantly reduce absence due to diarrheal disease and dengue entomological risk factors in schools. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: A factorial cluster randomized controlled trial was carried out in 34 rural primary schools (1,301 pupils) in La Mesa and Anapoima municipalities, Cundinamarca, Colombia. Schools were randomized to one of four study arms: diarrhea interventions (DIA), dengue interventions (DEN), combined diarrhea and dengue interventions (DIADEN), and control (CON). Interventions had no apparent effect on pupil school absence due to diarrheal disease (p = 0.45) or on adult female Aedes aegypti density (p = 0.32) (primary outcomes). However, the dengue interventions reduced the Breteau Index on average by 78% (p = 0.029), with Breteau indices of 10.8 and 6.2 in the DEN and DIADEN arms, respectively compared to 37.5 and 46.9 in the DIA and CON arms, respectively. The diarrhea interventions improved water quality as assessed by the amount of Escherichia coli colony forming units (CFU); the ratio of Williams mean E. coli CFU being 0.22, or 78% reduction (p = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Integrated control of dengue and diarrhea has never been conducted before. This trial presents an example for application of control strategies that may affect both diseases and the first study to apply such an approach in school settings. The interventions were well received and highly appreciated by students and teachers. An apparent absence of effect in primary outcome indicators could be the result of pupils being exposed to risk factors outside the school area and mosquitoes flying in from nearby uncontrolled breeding sites. Integrated interventions targeting these diseases in a school context remain promising because of the reduced mosquito breeding and improved water quality, as well as educational benefits. However, to improve outcomes in future integrated approaches, simultaneous interventions in communities, in addition to schools, should be considered; using appropriate combinations of site-specific, effective, acceptable, and affordable interventions. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov no. ISRCTN40195031.

La intención y formación emprendedora en programas de administración de empresas / Entrepreneurial intention and training in business administration programs / Intenção empreendedora e treinamento em programas de administração de empresas

Resumen Introducción: las instituciones educativas y en especial las universidades, deben ser instituciones líderes en la formación para el emprendimiento en los jóvenes, sin embargo, diversas variables como la falta de un mayor interés en entender el emprendimiento como una cultura y una mayor planeación en su enseñanza, impide que se comprenda y se analice dicha intención como eje fundamental para predecir los comportamientos empresariales de los estudiantes en el futuro. Objetivo: el presente artículo tiene como propósito analizar la intención emprendedora de los estudiantes de administración de empresas del municipio de Tunja. Materiales y métodos: cualitativa se utiliza un análisis documental en torno a la formación sobre emprendimiento que se imparte en estos programas en Colombia, también se analizan las respuestas a preguntas abiertas realizadas a 245 estudiantes de la carrera en este municipio. Resultados: se encuentra que, a pesar de los esfuerzos realizados en el país, existe un sesgo en la formación, pues muchos de los programas asocian y enseñan el emprendimiento como la formulación de planes de negocios y no como una cultura, pues prevalece la desconexión entre la universidad - empresa-estado, sin hacer un análisis real del contexto. Por su parte, los estudiantes se quejan sobre la manera como sus programas enseñan este tema y la dificultad de llevar a la práctica sus ideas de negocios. Conclusión: es durante la niñez, la adolescencia y la época universitaria el momento ideal para la formación del emprendimiento en los niños y jóvenes.

Abstract Introduction: educational institutions, and especially universities, must be leading institutions in training for entrepreneurship in young people, however, various variables such as the lack of greater interest in understanding entrepreneurship as a culture and greater planning in its teaching, it prevents this intention from being understood and analyzed as a fundamental axis for predicting the entrepreneurial behaviors of students in the future. Objetive: to analyze the entrepreneurial intention of the business administration students of the municipality from Tunja. Materials and methods: from a qualitative methodology, is used a documentary analysis of the training to undertake these programs in Colombia, at the same time are analyzed the answers to open questions asked of 245 career students in this municipality. Results: it is found that despite the efforts made in the country, there is a bias in training, as many of the programs associate and teach entrepreneurship as the formulation of business plans and not as a culture, because when planning the study, prevails the disconnection between the university-company-state, without making a real analysis of the context. For their part, the students have many complaints about how their programs teach this topic and about the difficulty of implementing their business ideas. Conclusions: It is concluded that it is during childhood, adolescence and university time the ideal time for the formation of entrepreneurship in children and young people.

Resumo Introdução: as instituições de ensino, e principalmente as universidades, devem ser instituições líderes na formação para o empreendedorismo dos jovens, porém, variáveis diversas como a falta de maior interesse em compreender o empreendedorismo como cultura e maior planejamento no seu ensino, impede que essa intenção seja compreendida e analisada como eixo fundamental para a previsão do comportamento empreendedor dos alunos no futuro. Objetivo: analisar a intenção empreendedora de estudantes de administração de empresas do município de Tunja. Materiais e métodos: com base em uma metodologia qualitativa, é utilizada uma análise documental em torno da formação em empreendedorismo que é ministrada nesses programas na Colômbia, também são analisadas as respostas a perguntas abertas feitas a 245 alunos da carreira neste município. Resultados: apesar dos esforços realizados no país, existe uma tendência na formação, uma vez que muitos dos programas associam e ensinam o empreendedorismo como formulação de planos de negócios e não como cultura, desde o descompasso entre os universidade-empresa-estado, sem fazer uma análise real do contexto. Já os alunos reclamam da forma como seus programas ensinam o tema e da dificuldade de colocar em prática suas ideias de negócios. Conclusão: que é na infância, na adolescência e na universidade o momento ideal para a formação do empreendedorismo nas crianças e jovens.

Reasons for absenteeism in rural primary schools in two Colombian municipalities / Razones de ausentismo en escuelas primarias rurales de dos municipios colombianos / Razões do não comparecimento nas escolas primarias rurais nos municípios colombianos

Background: School absenteeism is a considerable problem generally related to higher dropout rates, poor academic achievement and school lag. This study determined the frequency and causes of overall and illness-related absenteeism of students in rural schools from two Colombian municipalities. Methods: A prospective and descriptive study was conducted in a population of 948 school children from 34 rural schools. Absenteeism data were collected for 2013 academic year consisted of the number of students registered and absent by grade, school, day and reason for absence. Absence rates (overall and illness-related absenteeism) were recorded, based on full or partial days absence, measured both as episodes, and accumulating the number of days. Results: From the students included in the study, 55.1% were male and 71.6% were between 5 and 9 years old. The overall absence rate was 5.7 episodes per child-year (95% confidence interval 5.5 to 5.8) and 8.6 days per child-year (8.4 to 8.9). The main reasons for non-attendance were illness (24.4%), medical or dental check-up (12.9%), travel (12.3%), lack of motivation to attend school (10.0%) and bad weather (9.3%). The illness- related absence rate was 1.4 episodes per child-year (95% confidence interval 1.3 to 1.5) and 2.5 days per child-year (2.4 to 2.6). The main reasons for illness-related absence were cold (37.0%), nonspecific fever (10.9%) and stomach pain or vomiting (8.4%). Conclusions: In this study, the most common reasons for non-attendance were illness-related. The importance of respiratory and gastrointestinal infections in absenteeism was evident, showing rates similar to other urban school studies. Then, the results of this study provide knowledge on the magnitude and reasons for absenteeism in rural schoolchildren.

Antecedentes. El ausentismo escolar es un problema importante relacionado con altas tasas de abandono escolar, bajo rendimiento académico y rezago escolar. Este estudio determinó la frecuencia y las causas del ausentismo general y el ausentismo relacionado con la enfermedad en estudiantes de escuelas rurales de dos municipios de Colombia. Métodos. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo en una población de 948 escolares de 34 escuelas rurales. Los datos de ausentismo recopilados para el año 2013 consistieron en el número de episodios y días de ausentismo por grado y motivo de ausencia general y por enfermedad. Se calcularon las tasas de ausentismo general y por enfermedad. Resultados. El 55,1% de la población participante eran hombres y el 71,6% tenían entre 5 y 9 años. La tasa de ausentismo general fue 5,7 episodios por niño-año, IC 95% (5,5-5,8) y 8,6 días por niño-año, IC 95% (8,4-8,9). Las principales razones del ausentismo fueron enfermedades (24,4%), chequeo médico u odontológico (12,9%), viajes (12,3%), falta de motivación para asistir a la escuela (10,0%) y mal clima (9,3%). La tasa de ausentismo por enfermedad fue 1,4 episodios por niño-año IC 95% (1,3-1,5) y 2,5 días por niño-año IC 95% (2,4-2,6). Las principales razones del ausentismo por enfermedad fueron el resfriado común (37,0%), la fiebre inespecífica (10,9%) y el dolor de estómago o vómito (8,4%). Conclusiones. Las razones más comunes para la no asistencia estuvieron relacionadas con la enfermedad. La importancia de las infecciones respiratorias y gastrointestinales en el absentismo fue evidente, mostrando tasas similares a las de otros estudios en escuelas urbanas. Los resultados de este estudio proporcionan conocimiento sobre la magnitud y las razones del absentismo en la población escolar rural.

Antecedentes. O absentismo escolar é um grande problema relacionado às altas taxas de evasão escolar, baixo desempenho acadêmico e atraso escolar. Este estudo determinou a frequência e causas do não comparecimento geral e por doenças em estudantes de escolas rurais de dois municípios da Colômbia. Métodos. Estudo descritivo, realizado em uma população de 948 escolares de 34 escolas rurais. Os dados de absentismo coletados para 2013 consistiram no número de episódios e dias de não comparecimento por grau e motivo da ausência geral e por doença, foram calculadas as taxas de cada evento. Resultados. 55,1% da população participante eram crianças masculinas do primeiro grau, 71,6% entre 5 e 9 anos de idade. A taxa geral de absentismo foi de 5,7 episódios por criança-ano, IC95% (5,5-5,8) e 8,6 dias por criança-ano, IC95% (8,4-8,9). Os principais motivos do não comparecimento foram doenças (24,4%), check-up médico ou odontológico (12,9%), viagens (12,3%), falta de motivação para frequentar a escola (10,0%) e mau tempo (9,3%). A taxa de absentismo da doença foi de 1,4 episódios por IC95% criança-ano (1,3-1,5) e 2,5 dias por IC95% criança-ano (2,4-2,6). Os principais motivos da ausência de doença foram resfriado comum (37,0%), febre inespecífica (10,9%) e dor de estômago ou vômito (8,4%). Conclusões. Os motivos mais comuns de não comparecimento foram relacionados à doença. A importância das infecções respiratórias e gastrointestinais no absenteísmo foi evidente, mostrando taxas semelhantes às de outros estudos em escolas urbanas. Os resultados deste estudo fornecem informações sobre a magnitude e as razões para evasão escolar na população escolar rural.

Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli carrying supplementary virulence genes are an important cause of moderate to severe diarrhoeal disease in Mexico.

Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) cause acute and persistent diarrhoea worldwide, but little is known about their epidemiology in Mexico. We determined the prevalence of bacterial enteropathogens in 831 children with acute diarrhoea over a four-year period in Yucatan, Mexico. Six DEC supplementary virulence genes (SVG), mainly associated with enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC), were sought in 3100 E. coli isolates. DEC was the most common bacterial enteropathogen (28%), surpassing Salmonella (12%) and Shigella (9%). Predominant DEC groups were diffusely adherent E. coli (DAEC) (35%), EAEC (24%), and enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) (19%). Among children with DEC infections, 14% had severe illness mainly caused by EPEC (26%) and DAEC (18%); 30% had moderate diarrhoea mainly caused by DAEC (36%), mixed DEC infections (33%) and EAEC (32%). DAEC was most prevalent during spring, while ETEC, EAEC and EPEC predominated in summer. EAEC was more frequent in children 6-24 months old than in those younger than 6 months of age (P = 0.008, OR = 4.2, 95% CI, 1.3-13.9). The presence of SVG dispersin, (aatA), dispersin-translocator (aatA), enteroaggregative heat-stable toxin 1 (astA), plasmid encoded toxin (pet), cytolethal distending toxin (cdt) was higher in DEC than non-DEC strains, (36% vs 26%, P <0.0001, OR = 1.5, 95% CI, 1.3-1.8). 98% of EAEC-infected children harboured strains with SVG; 85% carried the aap-aatA gene combination, and 33% of these also carried astA. 28% of both EPEC and ETEC, and 6% of DAEC patients had strains with SVG. 54% of EPEC patients carried pet-positive strains alone or in combination with astA; only this DEC group harboured cdt-positive isolates. All ETEC patients carried astA- or astA-aap-positive strains. astA and aap were the most common SVG in DAEC (3% and 2%) and non-DEC strains (21% and 13%). DEC carrying SVG are an important cause of moderate to severe bacterial diarrhoea in Mexican children.

[Clustering patterns of behavioral risk factors linked to chronic disease among young adults in two localities in Bogota, Colombia: importance of sex differences]. / Conglomeración de factores de riesgo de comportamiento asociados a enfermedades crónicas en adultos jóvenes de dos localidades de Bogotá, Colombia: importancia de las diferencias de género.

BACKGROUND: The characterization of clustering behavioral risk factors may be used as a guideline for interventions aimed at preventing chronic diseases. This study determined the clustering patterns of some behavioral risk factors in young adults aged 18 to 29 years and established the factors associated with having two or more of them. METHODS: Patterns of clustering by gender were established in four behavioral risk factors (low consumption of fruits and vegetables, physical inactivity in leisure time, current tobacco consumption and acute alcohol consumption), in 1465 young adults participants through a multistage probabilistic sample. Regression models identified the sociodemografic variables associated with having two or more of the aforementioned behavioral risk factors. RESULTS: Having one, 32.9% two and 17.7% three or four. Acute alcohol consumption was the risk factor most frequent in the combined risk factor patterns among males; physical inactivity during leisure time being the most frequent among females. Among the females, having two or more behavioral risk factors was linked to be separated or divorced, this having been linked to work having been the main activity over the past 30 days among males. CONCLUSIONS: The combinations of behavioral risk factors studied and the factors associated with clustering show different patterns among males and females. These findings stressed the need of designing interventions sensitive to gender differences.

Fisiopatología de las quemaduras eléctricas: artículo de revisión / Physiopathology of electrical burns

Electric burns are consider one of the most drastic traumas that an individual can be expose to, it compromise almost all systems of the human body. It is important to acknowledge all the general characteristics of electricity, the mechanism and the types of injuries, these are not well known by health providers. Our article is based on a bibliographic research to obtain an extend review that allows the reader comprehend the physiopathology of electric burns and apply it to the daily working basis.

Las quemaduras eléctricas son consideradas uno de los traumas más drásticos al cual puede exponerse un individuo; comprometiendo directa o indirectamente a casi todos los sistemas del cuerpo humano. Es importante conocer los aspectos generales de la electricidad, los mecanismos y tipos de lesiones generadas por las mismas, que son poco comprendidos por la mayoría del personal de salud. Nuestro artículo se basa en una revisión bibliográfica para ofrecer una explicación completa, que permita al lector entender mejor la fisiopatología de este tipo de trauma y, por lo tanto, se manifieste en el actuar diario del personal de salud.