[Determinants of infant mortality in Colombia. Path Analysis]. / Determinantes de la mortalidad infantil en Colombia. Path Análisis.

OBJECTIVE: To disentangle the singular effects of biological, environmental, socioeconomic, and medical factors on the probability for infants to die. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Apply a Path Analysis to Colombia's complete records of infant births and deaths, and the availability of maternal and child health services, during 2003-2009. RESULTS: From a biological perspective, a high birth weight resulting from a normal gestational age is the most important variable to ensure the infant's survival. Prenatal care is key to reduce infant mortality. From a socioeconomic perspective, high levels of education and relative access to high quality care in the contributory social health insurance regime for maternal residence, contribute to higher chances of infant survival. CONCLUSIONS: Related findings suggest that augmenting access to maternal, child and intensive care beds supported by the subsidized regime can reduce infant mortality.

OBJETIVO: Separar y analizar los efectos de los factores biológicos, ambientales, socioeconómicos, de atención médica y servicios de salud; y su probabilidad de generar una muerte infantil. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Se aplica el Path análisis utilizando las características del niño y de la madre en los registros individuales de nacimiento y defunción infantil, y la disponibilidad de camas materno infantil entre 2003 y 2009. RESULTADOS: El efecto biológico más importante para asegurar la supervivencia infantil fue el peso al nacer cerca de las 37 semanas de gestación. La principal intervención para reducir la mortalidad infantil fue el control prenatal. Variables socioeconómicas para la supervivencia infantil fueron la educación de la madre, acceso a servicios materno infantil para el régimen contributivo en el mismo municipio de residencia, el cual se encontró asociado a la calidad de los servicios de salud. CONCLUSIONES: El estudio sugiere que, además de participar en acciones de promoción de la salud, las madres del régimen subsidiado deben tener acceso a camas de cuidado intensivo neonatal, disponibles en el mismo departamento de residencia, para contribuir a reducir la mortalidad infantil.

Determinantes de la mortalidad infantil en Colombia: path análisis / Determinants of infant mortality in Colombia: path analysis

RESUMEN Objetivo Separar y analizar los efectos de los factores biológicos, ambientales, socioeconómicos, de atención médica y servicios de salud; y su probabilidad de generar una muerte infantil. Materiales y Métodos Se aplica el Path análisis utilizando las características del niño y de la madre en los registros individuales de nacimiento y defunción infantil, y la disponibilidad de camas materno infantil entre 2003 y 2009. Resultados El efecto biológico más importante para asegurar la supervivencia infantil fue el peso al nacer cerca de las 37 semanas de gestación. La principal intervención para reducir la mortalidad infantil fue el control prenatal. Variables socioeconómicas para la supervivencia infantil fueron la educación de la madre, acceso a servicios materno infantil para el régimen contributivo en el mismo municipio de residencia, el cual se encontró asociado a la calidad de los servicios de salud. Conclusiones El estudio sugiere que, además de participar en acciones de promoción de la salud, las madres del régimen subsidiado deben tener acceso a camas de cuidado intensivo neonatal, disponibles en el mismo departamento de residencia, para contribuir a reducir la mortalidad infantil.(AU)

ABSTRACT Objective To disentangle the singular effects of biological, environmental, socioeconomic, and medical factors on the probability for infants to die. Materials and Methods Apply a Path Analysis to Colombia's complete records of infant births and deaths, and the availability of maternal and child health services, during 2003-2009. Results From a biological perspective, a high birth weight resulting from a normal gestational age is the most important variable to ensure the infant's survival. Prenatal care is key to reduce infant mortality. From a socioeconomic perspective, high levels of education and relative access to high quality care in the contributory social health insurance regime for maternal residence, contribute to higher chances of infant survival. Conclusions Related findings suggest that augmenting access to maternal, child and intensive care beds supported by the subsidized regime can reduce infant mortality.(AU)

Standard Health Level Seven for Odontological Digital Imaging.

BACKGROUND: A guide for the implementation of dental digital imaging reports was developed and validated through the International Standard of Health Informatics-Health Level Seven (HL7), achieving interoperability with an electronic system that keeps dental records. INTRODUCTION: Digital imaging benefits patients, who can view previous close-ups of dental examinations; providers, because of greater efficiency in managing information; and insurers, because of improved accessibility, patient monitoring, and more efficient cost management. Finally, imaging is beneficial for the dentist who can be more agile in the diagnosis and treatment of patients using this tool. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The guide was developed under the parameters of an HL7 standard. It was necessary to create a group of dentists and three experts in information and communication technologies from different institutions. DISCUSSION: Diagnostic images scanned with conventional radiology or from a radiovisiograph can be converted to Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) format, while also retaining patient information. The guide shows how the information of the health record of the patient and the information of the dental image could be standardized in a Clinical Dental Record document using international informatics standard like HL7-V3-CDA document (dental document Level 2). Since it is an informatics standardized document, it could be sent, stored, or displayed using different devices-personal computers or mobile devices-independent of the platform used. CONCLUSIONS: Interoperability using dental images and dental record systems reduces adverse events, increases security for the patient, and makes more efficient use of resources. This article makes a contribution to the field of telemedicine in dental informatics. In addition to that, the results could be a reference for projects of electronic medical records when the dental documents are part of them.

Brechas regionales de la mortalidad infantil en Colombia / Regional disparities in infant mortality in Colombia

Objetivos. Estudiar las variaciones de la tasa de mortalidad infantil (TMI) en los departamentos de Colombia durante el período 2003-2009, examinar la persistencia de las variaciones entre los departamentos sobre el tiempo y relacionarlas con el impacto de las condiciones socioeconómicas y la disponibilidad de servicios de salud, sobre la mortalidad infantil. Materiales y métodos. Utilizando estadísticas vitales y relacionando datos socioeconómicos y de servicios de salud, se analizaron tres aspectos: la variación de la TMI departamental (2003-2009), la relación entre la TMI departamental y determinantes claves en el tiempo, y las líneas de causalidad e impacto relativo de los diferentes factores. Se emplearan ecuaciones estructurales. Resultados. Se encontró una razón de 4,7 entre la mayor y menor TMI departamental (2009), esta podría estar subestimada principalmente por el subregistros en departamentos de bajos ingresos. Hay una relación negativa entre la TMI departamental con el tiempo y variables altamente correlacionadas, como educación de la madre, ingreso per cápita, cobertura de aseguramiento y acceso a servicios. Conclusiones. El efecto del aseguramiento, disponibilidad de camas privadas y atención médica, es superior al impacto de mejores condiciones socioeconómicas sobre la TMI. La oferta de servicios no parece estar influenciada por una política racional, los recursos no se asignan de acuerdo con las necesidades, sino con el desarrollo general. Las camas privadas se hacen disponibles donde hay mejor aseguramiento en salud y menor TMI.

Objectives. To study the variations in infant mortality rate (IMR) across Colombia’s 33 administrative departments over the period 2003-2009, examine persistency of variations across departments over time, and relate those variations to the impact of socio-economic conditions and availability of care on IMR. Materials and methods. Using vital statistics and related socio-economic data we establish three types of analysis according to: (a) the variation of the departmental IMR (2003-2009), (b) the association between the departmental IMR and its key determinants over time, and (c) the lines of causality and relative impact of different factors, by using structural equations. Results. The 4.7 fold ratio between the highest and lowest departmental IMR (2009) may be underestimated considering underreporting, especially in low-income departments. There is a negative association between the departmental IMR with time and a set of highly correlated variables, such as the mother education, income per capita, health insurance level and access to services. Conclusions. The effect of better insurance, availability of private beds, and having doctors attending mothers, eclipse the impact of better socioeconomic conditions. The range of services does not appear to be influenced by a rational policy; resources are not allocated according to the need, but with the general development. Private beds are made available where there is better health insurance.

[Regional disparities in infant mortality in Colombia]. / Brechas regionales de la mortalidad infantil en Colombia.

OBJECTIVES: To study the variations in infant mortality rate (IMR) across Colombia's 33 administrative departments over the period 2003-2009, examine persistency of variations across departments over time, and relate those variations to the impact of socio-economic conditions and availability of care on IMR. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using vital statistics and related socio-economic data we establish three types of analysis according to: (a) the variation of the departmental IMR (2003-2009), (b) the association between the departmental IMR and its key determinants over time, and (c) the lines of causality and relative impact of different factors, by using structural equations. RESULTS: The 4.7 fold ratio between the highest and lowest departmental IMR (2009) may be underestimated considering underreporting, especially in low-income departments. There is a negative association between the departmental IMR with time and a set of highly correlated variables, such as the mother education, income per capita, health insurance level and access to services. CONCLUSIONS: The effect of better insurance, availability of private beds, and having doctors attending mothers, eclipse the impact of better socioeconomic conditions. The range of services does not appear to be influenced by a rational policy; resources are not allocated according to the need, but with the general development. Private beds are made available where there is better health insurance.