Malária na fronteira do Brasil com a Guiana Francesa: a influência dos determinantes sociais e ambientais da saúde na permanência da doença / Malaria in the borders between Brazil and French Guiana: social and environmental health determinants and their influence on the permanence of the disease

Resumo O objetivo deste artigo é analisar a influência dos determinantes socioambientais da saúde na incidência de malária por Plasmodium vivax na fronteira franco-brasileira. O estudo foi realizado entre 2011 e 2015, no município de Oiapoque (AP), na Amazônia brasileira. Foram incluídos na amostra 253 indivíduos de ambos os sexos, de 10 a 60 anos de idade. Houve predominância de 63,64% (161/253) de casos de malária em adultos do sexo masculino. A faixa etária mais acometida foi de 20 a 29 anos, com 30% (76/253); 84,6% (214/253) dos pacientes não concluíram o ensino médio, e 29,6% (75/253) não concluíram o ensino primário. No aspecto ambiental, houve correlação negativa entre as precipitações pluviométricas e a incidência da malária por P. vivax (p=0,0026). Em termos de mobilidade, constatou-se considerável proporção de migrantes provenientes dos estados do Pará e do Maranhão (55,73%; 141/253). Por fim, os dados apontaram que 31,23% (79/253) dos casos de malária foram importados da Guiana Francesa. Em síntese, a transmissão da malária na fronteira franco-brasileira envolve fatores ecológico-ambientais, biológicos e sociais que se expressam na elevada vulnerabilidade social da população que vive e circula na zona fronteiriça, favorecendo a ocorrência de surtos e a permanência da enfermidade.

Abstract This study analyzes the influence of socio-environmental health determinants on the maintenance of Plasmodium vivax malaria at the borders between French Guiana and Brazil. This study was carried out between 2011 and 2015 in the city of Oiapoque, Amapá, situated in the Brazilian Amazon region. The sample included 253 individuals of both sexes aged between 10 and 60 years. The disease was predominant in 63.64% (161/253) adult males. The most affected age group was 20 to 29 years old, with 30% (76/253). About 84.6% did not complete high school, while 29.6% (75/253) of the cases had not finished the first degree. Concerning the environmental aspect, negative correlation was observed between rainfall and the incidence of P. vivax malaria (p=0.0026). In terms of mobility, there was a considerable influx of migrants from the states of Pará and Maranhão, with 55.73% (141/253). Lastly, the data indicated that 31.23% (79/253) of malaria cases were imported from French Guiana. In summary, the transmission of malaria in these particular borders involved ecological, environmental, biological and social factors, which are expressed in the high social vulnerability of the population living and circulating in the border zone, favoring the occurrence of outbreaks and the maintenance of the disease.

ANÁLISE DOS ASPECTOS CLÍNICOS E EPIDEMIOLÓGICOS DE PACIENTES COM MEDIASTINITE / ANALYSIS OF CLINICAL AND EPIDEMIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF PATIENTS WITH MEDIASTINITIS / ANÁLISIS DE LOS ASPECTOS CLÍNICOS Y EPIDEMIOLÓGICOS DE PACIENTES CON MEDIASTINITIS

A mediastinite é uma complicação inflamatória e infecciosa grave do tecido conectivo do mediastino associada à osteomielite do esterno com ou sem instabilidade. Objetivou-se analisar os aspectos clínicos e epidemiológicos dos pacientes que desenvolveram mediastinite após cirurgia cardíaca. Estudo retrospectivo de abordagem quantitativa realizado entre 2008 e 2012. A amostra constituiu-se de 68 casos de mediastinite, na qual identificou- -se uma prevalência de 3,6% de casos desse tipo de inflamação. O antibiótico utilizado em profilaxia nas cirurgias foi a cefalosporina-cefalotina e, na higiene corporal, a clorexidina degermante foi realizada nas 24 horas que precederam a cirurgia. Os resultados indicaram que a mediastinite foi mais frequente na população masculina, acima de 30 anos, antecedentes de hipertensão arterial e tabagismo, submetidos à revascularização do miocárdio, duas pontes cardíacas e tempo transoperatório de três a quatro horas. O principal exame para o diagnóstico de mediastinite foi à tomografia de tórax. O principal agente etiológico foi o Staphylococcus aureus e o antibiótico utilizado foi o glicopéptidico-vancomicina. O tempo de internação hospitalar variou de 16 a 45 dias. As complicações mais frequentes foram a insuficiência respiratória, pneumonia, sangramento e rebaixamento do nível de consciência. A mediastinite foi de baixa prevalência. Concluiu-se que existe necessidade de um acompanhamento criterioso dos pacientes, com antibioticoterapia, exames, reabordagem cirúrgica e utilização de coberturas adequadas para reepitalização do tecido. Destaca-se o papel da equipe multiprofissional na identificação precoce dos sinais e sintomas clínicos da mediastinite para a tomada de decisão terapêutica e de condutas assertivas durante o tratamento.

The mediastinitis is an inflammatory and severe infectious complication of connective tissue of mediastinum associated with osteomyelitis of the sternum with or without instability. This work aimed to analyze the clinical and epidemiological aspects of patients who developed mediastinitis after heart surgery. Retrospective study with quantitative approach conducted between 2008 and 2012. The sample consisted of 68 mediastinitis cases, in which prevalence of 3.6% of cases of this infection were identified. The antibiotics used for prophylaxis in surgery was cephalosporin-cephalotin and for corporal hygiene it was chlorhexidine degermante along the 24 hours before the surgery. The results indicated that mediastinitis was most frequent within male population, over 30 years, with history of hypertension and smoking, undergoing myocardial revascularization, heart and perioperative period bridges from three to four hours. The main test for mediastinitis diagnosis was chest tomography. The primary aetiological agent was Staphylococcus aureus and the antibiotics used was the glycopeptide-Vancomycin. The time of hospitalization ranged from 16 to 45 days. The most frequent complications were respiratory failure, pneumonia, bleeding and lowered level of consciousness. The mediastinitis had low prevalence. In conclusion, there is a need for patients careful monitoring with antibiotic therapy, exams, surgical and surgical rapprochement and use of appropriate covers for tissue reepithelization. The role of multidisciplinary team on early identification of clinical signs and symptoms of mediastinitis to therapeutic decision-making and the probes during treatment is distinguished.

La mediastinitis es una inflamatoria y severa complicación infecciosa del tejido conjuntivo del mediastino asociado con osteomielitis del esternón con o sin inestabilidad. El objetivo fue analizar los aspectos clínicos y epidemiológicos de los pacientes que desarrollaron mediastinitis después de cirugía cardíaca. Estudio retrospectivo de enfoque cuantitativo llevado a cabo entre 2008 y 2012. La muestra se constituyó de 68 casos de mediastinitis, en el cual se identificó una prevalencia de 3.6% de casos de ese tipo de inflamación. El antibiótico usado en la profilaxis en las cirugías fue la cefalosporina-cephalotin y, en la higiene corporal, la clorhexidina degermante se llevó a cabo en las 24 horas antes de la cirugía. Los resultados indicaron que la mediastinitis fue más frecuente en la población masculina, con más de 30 años, antecedentes de hipertensión y tabaquismo, sometidos a revascularización del miocardio dos puentes cardíacos y transoperatorio de tres a cuatro horas. La principal prueba para la diagnosis del mediastinitis de tórax fue la tomografía de tórax. El principal agente etiológico fue el Staphylococcus aureus y el antibiótico usado fue la vancomicina glicopéptidica. El tiempo de hospitalización varió de 16 a 45 días. Las complicaciones más frecuentes fueron insuficiencia respiratoria, neumonía, hemorragia, y disminución del nivel de conciencia. La mediastinitis tuvo baja prevalencia. Se concluye que hay una necesidad de monitorización cuidadoso de los pacientes, con terapia de antibióticos, exámenes, cirugías y reabordaje quirúrgico y el uso de cubiertas apropiadas para reepitalización tejido. Destacase el papel del equipo multidisciplinario en la identificación temprana de signos clínicos y síntomas de mediastinitis para la tomada de decisión terapéutica y de conducto durante el tratamiento.

Influencia de los contaminantes atmosféricos sobre la salud / Atmospheric contaminants influence on health

El crecimiento urbano e industrial de las últimas décadas ha ocasionado un aumento de la contaminación atmosférica y por tanto un mayor riesgo para la salud. La mayoría de los contaminantes atmosféricos producen efectos perjudiciales en función de su concentración, por lo que se hace necesario identificar su existencia y el control de los niveles de cada uno de estos elementos potencialmente peligrosos. La contaminación atmosférica es un problema que afecta por igual a países desarrollados y en desarrollo. Las fuentes principales de contaminación de origen humano son el transporte, la producción de energía y las actividades industriales, así como los compuestos inorgánicos gaseosos, que son extremadamente peligrosos para la salud de la población. La contaminación atmosférica por diferentes sustancias químicas presenta en la actualidad, una gran connotación en el mundo entero, dado los efectos nocivos sobre los ecosistemas y en particular, sobre la salud humana y materiales metálicos. El desarrollo urbano, la modificación de la superficie de la tierra y el cambio climático son fenómenos derivados de una explosión demográfica mundial y están alterando la composición del aire lo que perjudica no solamente a las personas, sino también, a los animales y las plantas del ecosistema. Es por eso que el objetivo del trabajo consiste fue identificar los principales contaminantes atmosféricos y las fuentes antropogénicas que causan desviaciones a la salud (AU).

The industrial and urban growth of the last decades has caused an increment of the atmospheric contamination, and therefore a higher risk for health. Most of the atmospheric contaminants produce harmful effects in dependence of their concentration, so it is necessary to identify their existence and to control the levels of each of these potentially dangerous elements. Atmospheric contamination is a problem affecting both, the developed and developing countries in the same way. The main human-originated contamination sources are transportation means, energy production and industrial activities, and also the gaseous inorganic compounds that are extremely dangerous for the population's health. Atmospheric contamination caused by different chemical substances has currently a great connotation around the world, due to the noxious effects on the ecosystems and particularly on the human health and on the metallic materials. The urban development, the modification of the earth surface and the climatic change are phenomena derived from a world demographic explosion that are harming not only people but also the ecosystem´s animals and plants. That is why the objective of the work was to identify the main atmospheric contaminants and the anthropogenic sources causing health deviations (AU).

Abandono de la lactancia materna exclusiva, causas y consecuencias. Policlínico José L. Dubrocq. Año 2015 / Exclusive breastfeeding discontinuation, causes and consequences. Policlinic José L. Dubrocq. Year 2015

Introducción: la superioridad de la leche materna en la alimentación del recién nacido humano, es incuestionable por ello es un objetivo esencial del Programa Materno Infantil en Cuba. Objetivo: identificar causas y consecuencias del abandono de la lactancia materna exclusiva. Materiales y Métodos: se realizó una investigación descriptiva en el Policlínico de Contreras "José Luis Dubrocq", de Matanzas, de enero 2013 a febrero 2015. La muestra fue de 255 madres con lactantes menores de 6 meses, que cumplieron los criterios de inclusión. Las variables estudiadas: tipo de lactancia, edad de abandono de la lactancia materna exclusiva, causas, consecuencias y valoración nutricional. Para la recogida de la información se aplicó un cuestionario y se revisaron las historias clínicas. Se tuvo en cuenta el consentimiento informado y la voluntariedad. Resultados: la lactancia artificial fue la más utilizada, con un 57,6 %. La edad de dos meses predominó en el abandono de la lactancia materna, para un 38,4 %. La hipogalactia prevaleció como causa para abandonarla (47,1 %). Hubo un 63,2 % de incidencia de enfermedades alérgicas en niños con lactancia artificial, mayor presencia de infecciones respiratorias agudas, con un 87,1 %; enfermedades diarreicas agudas (51,7 %), y malnutridos el 48,3 %. Se encontró el 63,8 % de niños normopeso con lactancia materna exclusiva. Conclusiones: predominó la lactancia artificial a partir de dos meses, con la hipogalactia como causa de abandono de la lactancia materna. De forma proporcional aumentó la aparición de enfermedades alérgicas, infecciones respiratorias agudas, enfermedades diarreicas agudas y niños mal nutridos (AU).

Introduction: it is unquestionable the superiority of breast milk in feeding the new-born human individual. Therefore, it is an essential objective of the Maternal-Infantile Program in Cuba. Objective: to identify causes and effects of the exclusive maternal breastfeeding. Materials and Methods: a descriptive study was carried out in the policlinic "José Luis Dubrocq" of Contreras, from January 2013 to February 2015. The sample was 255 mothers with nursing infants aged less than 6 months, who fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The studied variables were: kind of feeding, age of exclusive breastfeeding discontinuation, causes, consequences and nutritional assessment. For gathering information, a questionnaire was applied and clinical records were reviewed. The informed consent and voluntariness were taken into account. Results: the bottle feeding was the most used one, with 57,6 %. The age of two months predominated in maternal breastfeeding discontinuation, for 38,4 %. Hypogalactia prevailed as a cause for discontinuing it (47,1 %). There it was 63,2 % of allergic diseases incidence in children with bottle feeding, higher presence of acute respiratory infections, with 87,1 %, acute diarrheic infections (51,7 %), and malnutrition (48,3 %). It was found a 63,8 % of norm-weight children with exclusive maternal breastfeeding. Conclusions: bottle feeding predominated beginning form the age of two months, with hypogalactia the cause of discontinuing maternal breastfeeding. In a proportional way, allergic diseases, acute respiratory infections, acute diarrheic infections and malnourished children increased (AU).

Aspectos clínicos, epidemiológicos y de tratamiento de cinco casos de envenenamiento por erizos de mar en Adícora, península de Paraguaná, estado Falcón, Venezuela / Clinical, epidemiological and treatment aspects of five cases of sea urchin envenomation in Adicora, Paraguaná peninsula, Falcón state, Venezuela

Se realizó un estudio descriptivo y prospectivo para analizar aspectos clínicos, epidemiológicos y de tratamiento de los envenenamientos ocasionados por erizos de mar (Equinodermata) en Adícora, Península de Paraguaná, estado Falcón, Venezuela. Entre Diciembre 2006 y Diciembre de 2007, se atendieron los pacientes que se presentaron en la emergencia ambulatoria por heridas de erizos de mar. Se hizo evaluación clínica e interrogatorio. El tratamiento consistió de aplicación tópica de solución antiséptica yodada; anestésico local, analgésico antiinflamatorio endovenoso, antibiótico terapia per os y toxoide tetánico. Se registró 1 (20%) individuo herido por Lytechinus variegatus (Lamarck, 1816) y 4 (80%) por Echinometra lucunter (Linneaus, 1758), todos los casos eran turistas foráneos: 4 (80%) varones y 1 (20%) del sexo femenino, siendo 3 (60%) niños escolares y 2 (40%) adultos jóvenes. Los accidentes ocurrieron durante los meses de Febrero (3/5; 60%), Agosto (1/5; 20%) y Junio (1/5; 20%), mayormente en horas vespertinas (80%) durante actividades recreativas. Los pacientes asistieron a la emergencia ambulatoria entre 10 a 15 minutos después del accidente, con un tiempo promedio de12 ± 2,74. Las heridas punzantes se presentaron de forma de “puntos negros” con 1-8 espinas, siendo localizadas todas en los miembros inferiores. Las manifestaciones clínicas observadas fueron: dolor intenso, eritema y edema, en 100% de los casos. Se obtuvo una evolución postratamiento satisfactoria entre 20-45 minutos. Los envenenamientos por erizos de mar en Adícora, estado Falcón, Venezuela, se presentaron en una frecuencia baja, con manifestaciones clínicas a nivel local, requiriendo tratamiento sintomático, las cuales si se atienden a tiempo y se retiran las espinas evolucionan sin complicaciones

A descriptive and prospective survey was conducted to investigate epidemiological, clinical and treatment profiles on injuries caused by sea urchins (Equinodermata). Between December 2006 and December 2007, patients with sea urchin injuries were attended in ambulatory emergency facilities at Adicora, Falcón state, Paraguaná peninsula, a semiarid north-western region from Venezuela.Subjects were clinically examined and interrogated. Treatment consisted of application of topical antiseptic povidona-iodine solution; local anesthetic, anti-inflammatory analgesic administered intravenously, antibiotic therapy per os and tetanus inmunization. Envenomations by the green sea urchin Lytechinus variegatus (Lamarck, 1816) (n=1, 20%) and the black sea urchin Echinometra lucunter (Linneaus, 1758) (n=4, 80%) were recorded. Visitors were involved in all cases: 4 (80%) males and 1 (20%) female, being 3 (60%) scholar age children and 2 (40%) young adults. The accidents occurred during February (3/5; 60%), August (1/5; 20%) and June (1/5; 20%), in the afternoon (80%) when individuals were bathing or swimming at the beach. The time between ambulatory medical assistance and the accident varied from 10 to 15 minutes, with a mean time of 12 ± 2.74. The puncture injuries were located on the lower limbs in all patients, with 1 – 8 spines. Clinical manifestations observed were: intense pain, edema and erythema in all cases, with no systemic compliance. All patients had a satisfactory post -treatment evolution, between 20 to 45 minutes. Injuries by sea urchins in Adicora, Paraguaná peninsula, Falcón state, Venezuela, appeared with a low frequency and local manifestations, requiring symptomatic treatment. Lesions with immediate medical treatment and the complete removal of spines evolved with no complications

Oil for health in sub-Saharan Africa: health systems in a 'resource curse' environment

Background In a restricted sense, the resource curse is a theory that explains the inverse relationship classically seen between dependence on natural resources and economic growth. It defines a peculiar economic and political environment, epitomised by oil extraction in sub-Saharan Africa. Methods Based on secondary research and illustrations from four oil-rich geographical areas (the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, Angola, southern Chad, Southern Sudan), I propose a framework for analysing the effects of the resource curse on the structure of health systems at sub-national levels. Qualitative attributes are emphasised. The role of the corporate sector, the influence of conflicts, and the value of classical mitigation measures (such as health impact assessments) are further examined. Results Health systems in a resource curse environment are classically fractured into tripartite components, including governmental health agencies, non-profit non-governmental organisations, and the corporate extractive sector. The three components entertain a range of contractual relationships generally based on operational considerations which are withdrawn from social or community values. Characterisation of agencies in this system should also include: values, operating principles, legitimacy and operational spaces. From this approach, it appears that community health is at the same time marginalised and instrumentalised toward economic and corporate interests in resource curse settings. Conclusion From a public health point of view, the resource curse represents a fundamental failure of dominant development theories, rather than a delay in creating the proper economy and governance environment for social progress. The scope of research on the resource curse should be broadened to include more accurate or comprehensive indicators of destitution (including health components) and more open perspectives on causal mechanisms.