Association of social determinants with the severity of congenital heart disease.

BACKGROUND: Congenital heart diseases are the most prevalent congenital malformations and cause greater morbi-mortality in newborns and infants. The aim of this study was to analyze the social determinants in families with children with the severity of congenital heart disease. METHODS: Analytical cross-sectional study in 140 families of children with congenital heart disease to whom a structured survey was applied addressing topics related to family structure, health, economic conditions, exposure factors, and other social conditions relevant to the study, during 1 year. RESULTS: In all, 53.7% of the studied population belonged to low socioeconomic levels. No association was found between the severity of the heart disease and the presence of pathological antecedents in the parents. The families resided in urban areas. Also, 28.3% of the mothers had four or fewer prenatal controls during pregnancy. Only 22% of heart diseases were diagnosed during pregnancy. It was found that exposure to cigarette and wood smoke during pregnancy, in addition to low socioeconomic status, was associated with greater severity of heart disease (RACHS-1 and STS-Score), when evaluated by pathophysiological groups (cyanotic/non-cyanotic/single ventricle). CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to cigarette smoke, wood smoke during pregnancy, and low socioeconomic status turned out to be social determinants associated with the severity of heart disease analyzed by pathophysiological groups. IMPACT: The social component has not been well characterized as a cause of congenital heart disease, especially in countries like ours, where the existence of gaps and social inequities have a high impact. The findings of this study could have an impact on public health to the extent that policies are implemented to reduce exposure to cigarettes, especially during pregnancy. Knowledge of these changes and their measurement in this type of pathology could open the door to the creation of policies aimed at their prevention, focusing on the local risk factors found, which can impact the disease.

Genetic Instability among Hitnü People Living in Colombian Crude-Oil Exploitation Areas.

Oil exploitation, drilling, transportation, and processing in refineries produces a complex mixture of chemical compounds, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which may affect the health of populations living in the zone of influence of mining activities (PZOI). Thus, to better understand the effects of oil exploitation activities on cytogenetic endpoint frequency, we conducted a biomonitoring study in the Hitnü indigenous populations from eastern Colombia by using the cytokinesis micronucleus cytome assay (CBMN-cyt). PAH exposure was also measured by determine urine 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) using HPLC. We also evaluated the relationship between DNA damage and 1-OHP levels in the oil exploitation area, as well as the modulating effects of community health factors, such as Chagas infection; nutritional status; and consumption of traditional hallucinogens, tobacco, and wine from traditional palms. The frequencies of the CBMN-cyt assay parameters were comparable between PZOI and Hitnü populations outside the zone of influence of mining activities (POZOI); however, a non-significant incremental trend among individuals from the PZOI for most of the DNA damage parameters was also observed. In agreement with these observations, levels of 1-OHP were also identified as a risk factor for increased MN frequency (PR = 1.20) compared to POZOI (PR = 0.7). Proximity to oil exploitation areas also constituted a risk factor for elevated frequencies of nucleoplasmic bridges (NPBs) and APOP-type cell death. Our results suggest that genetic instability and its potential effects among Hitnü individuals from PZOI and POZOI could be modulated by the combination of multiple factors, including the levels of 1-OHP in urine, malnutrition, and some traditional consumption practices.

Síntomas depresivos en familiares cuidadores de recién nacidos en una Unidad de Cuidado Intensivo Neonatal y factores asociados / Depressive symptoms and associated factors in caregivers of newborn infants hospitalized in a neonatal intensive care unit

Introducción. Se hanreportado altas prevalencias de síntomas depresivos en familiares de recién nacidos hospitalizados en unidades de cuidado intensivo neonatal. Esto ocasiona un alto impacto negativo para el vínculo familiares-recién nacido. Objetivo. Determinar la prevalencia de síntomas depresivos y sus factores asociados en cuidadores de recién nacidos hospitalizados en una Unidad de Cuidado Intensivo Neonatal en Colombia. Materiales y métodos. Estudio de corte transversal analítico en una institución de salud de alto nivel de complejidad especializada en patologías cardiovasculares. Se aplicó el Inventario de Depresión de Beck-II al ingreso y ocho días después. Se consideró presencia de síntomas depresivos cuando los cuidadores presentaban depresión intermitente, moderada, grave o extrema. Se realizaron análisis bivariados y multivariados usando modelos de regresión binomial. Resultados. Se analizó un total de 107 niños con sus cuidadores. La prevalencia de síntomas depresivos fue 20,56% (IC 95%: 12,77-28,34) en la medición basal y 12,86% (IC 95%: 4,120,89) al octavo día. Los cuidadores de sexo masculino y de 30 años de edad o más tuvieron menor riesgo de presentar síntomas depresivos, mientras que ser cabeza de familia, tener nivel de primaria o ningún grado de escolaridad y que sus hijos hubieran tenido Apgar al nacer de 1-6 representaron factores de riesgo para síntomas depresivos. Conclusiones. La prevalencia de síntomas depresivos fue alta. Ser cabeza de familia, tener baja escolaridad y Apgar al nacer entre 1 y 6 fueron factores asociados a síntomas depresivos en los cuidadores.

Introduction. A high prevalence of depressive symptoms has been reported in family members of newborn infants hospitalized in neonatal intensive care units. This causes a high negative impact on the newborn infant-family bond.Objective. To establish the prevalence of depressive symptoms and their associated factors in caregivers of newborn infants hospitalized in a neonatal intensive care unit in Colombia. Materials and Methods. Cross-sectional, analytical study conducted at a tertiary care health facility specialized in cardiovascular disease.The Beck Depression Inventory-II was administered upon admission to the NICU and on Day 8. Depressive symptoms were considered present if caregivers had intermittent, moderate, severe, or extreme depression. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were done using binomial regression models.Results. A total of 107 children and their caregivers were studied. The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 20.56% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 12.77-28.34) at baseline and 12.86% (95% CI: 4.1-20.89) on Day 8. Male caregivers and caregivers older than 30 years old had a lower risk of having depressive symptoms whereas being the head of the household, having completed primary education or no education at all, and having a baby with an Apgar score at birth of 1-6 were risk factors for developing depressive symptoms. Conclusions. The prevalence of depressive symptoms was high. Being the head of the household, having a low level of education, and an Apgar score at birth of 1-6 were associated with depressive symptoms among caregivers.

Riesgo de sobrepeso en niños preescolares beneficiarios de programas de ayuda alimentaria / Obesity risk in preschoolers beneficiaries of food aid programs

Objetivo Revisar la evidencia sobre el posible efecto de los programas alimentarios en el riesgo de sobrepeso de los niños beneficiarios. Métodos Se realizó la búsqueda de artículos en bases de datos usando términos en español y en inglés. Se incluyeron artículos con variables de interés, estudios de corte transversal, cohorte o ensayos comunitarios. Resultados Los programas alimentarios de transferencias podrían contribuir al aumento del sobrepeso en su población beneficiaria a través de una mayor disponibilidad y acceso a alimentos con alto contenido de energía, ya sea por medio de la entrega de despensas o de dinero en efectivo. Sin embargo, el impacto de los programas en este desenlace ha sido poco estudiado y las evaluaciones que se han realizado han sido, en su mayoría, en población adulta o en edad escolar. Conclusiones Esta revisión puede servir de referencia para el diseño, implementación y evaluación de programas de alimentación y nutrición en países de ingresos bajos y medios que enfrentan la doble carga de la mala nutrición.(AU)

Objective To review the evidence regarding the potential impact of food programs on the risk of obesity in beneficiary children. Methods The search was conducted in databases using terms in Spanish and English. Those items that included the variable of interest, cross sectional studies, cohort or community trials were selected. Results Food assistance programs could contribute to increased obesity rates in the target population due to the availability and easier access to food with high energy content, either through the delivery of provisions or cash. However, the impact of the programs on this outcome has been little studied and evaluations have been mostly in adults or school-age children. Conclusion This review contributes to knowledge about the possible effect that food programs have on the risk of obesity in beneficiary children. This review may also serve as a reference for the design, implementation and evaluation of food and nutrition programs in countries of low and middle income facing malnutrition.(AU)

[Obesity risk in preschoolers beneficiaries of food aid programs]. / Riesgo de sobrepeso en niños preescolares beneficiarios de programas de ayuda alimentaria.

Objective To review the evidence regarding the potential impact of food programs on the risk of obesity in beneficiary children. Methods The search was conducted in databases using terms in Spanish and English. Those items that included the variable of interest, cross sectional studies, cohort or community trials were selected. Results Food assistance programs could contribute to increased obesity rates in the target population due to the availability and easier access to food with high energy content, either through the delivery of provisions or cash. However, the impact of the programs on this outcome has been little studied and evaluations have been mostly in adults or school-age children. Conclusion This review contributes to knowledge about the possible effect that food programs have on the risk of obesity in beneficiary children. This review may also serve as a reference for the design, implementation and evaluation of food and nutrition programs in countries of low and middle income facing malnutrition.

Cardiovascular Risk and Its Associated Factors in Health Care Workers in Colombia: A Study Protocol.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of mortality worldwide, for this reason, they are a public health problem. In Colombia, cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of mortality, having a death rate of 152 deaths per 100,000 population. There are 80% of these cardiovascular events that are considered avoidable. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study is to determine the prevalence of the cardiovascular risk and its associated factors among the institution's workers in order to design and implement interventions in the work environment which may achieve a decrease in such risk. METHODS: An analytical cross-sectional study was designed to determine the cardiovascular risk and its associated factors among workers of a high complexity health care institution. A self-applied survey will be conducted considering sociodemographic aspects, physical activity, diet, alcohol consumption, smoking, level of perceived stress, and personal and family history. In a second appointment, a physical examination will be made, as well as anthropometric measurements and blood pressure determination. Also, blood samples for evaluating total and high density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and fasting blood sugar will be taken. A ten-year global risk for cardiovascular disease will be determined using the Framingham score. A descriptive analysis of the population's characteristics and a stratified analysis by sex, age, and occupation will be made. Bivariate and multivariate analysis will be made using logistic regression models to evaluate the association between cardiovascular risk and the independent variables. The research protocol was approved by the Scientific and Technical Committee and the Ethics Committee on Research of the Fundación Cardiovascular de Colombia. RESULTS: The protocol has already received funding and the enrollment phase will begin in the coming months. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study will give the foundation for the design, implementation, and evaluation of a program based on promoting healthy lifestyles, such as performing regular physical activity and healthy food intake in order to avoid and/or control the cardiovascular risk in the workers of a high complexity health care institution.

Patrón Alimentario y Estado Nutricional en Niños Desplazados en Piedecuesta, Colombia / Displaced and local children's alimentary patterns and nutritional state in Piedecuesta, Colombia

Objetivos: Determinar el patrón alimentario en la población de niños en edad escolar del sector Guatiguará (Piedecuesta), evaluar su estado nutricional y la asociación con los factores socioeconómicos y alimentarios. Metodología: Estudio descriptivo de corte transversal en 89 niños desplazados y no desplazados en edad escolar (6 a 12 años) del sector Guatiguará (población: 258), realizado en 2004. Se aplicó una Encuesta Sociodemográfica y Nutricional y un Formato de Consumo de Alimentos (SICI); Se utilizó el método recordatorio de 24 horas, juegos de menaje y gráficas representativas del tamaño de porción de alimentos. Se tomó el peso y la talla de los niños. Procesamiento en programas SICI, Excel, Epi Info 6.04d y Stata 8.0. Resultados: Estado Nutricional (P/E): Déficit 25,8 por ciento y Riesgo de Déficit 14,6 por ciento; déficit T/E 25,7 por ciento y déficit P/T 4,3 por ciento. Se observa un bajo consumo de verduras, frutas y alimentos proteicos. Los porcentajes más bajos de adecuación del consumo correspondieron a calcio, vitamina B6, hierro, cinc y niacina. Se encontró Asociación entre recibir ingresos familiares mensuales menores de $150 000 y déficit nutricional (OR=2,76 IC(95 por ciento) 0,92-8,44, p=0,040). Factores protectores para déficit nutricional: ser madre empleada (OR=0,29, IC(95 por ciento) 0,09-0,84, p=0,012) y familias con 2 o 3 miembros trabajadores y aportantes a los gastos del hogar (OR=0,17 IC(95 por ciento) 0,03-0,69 p=0,005). Conclusión: En la población de estudio, el factor socioeconómico es determinante del patrón alimentario y del estado nutricional.

Objectives This study was aimed at establishing displaced and local children's alimentary patterns amongst the school-age population from the Guatiguará area (Piedecuesta) and correlating their nutritional state with chosen socioeconomic and nutritional factors. Methods This descriptive transversal study of 89 displaced and local school-aged children (6 to 12 years of age) from the Guatiguará area (population=258) was carried out in 2004. Data was collected from socio-demographic and nutritional surveys as well as a food intake questionnaire (SICI). Twenty-four hour dietary recall, standardised kitchen item games and photographic models of the size of food portions were also used. The children's height and weight were measured. SICI, Excel, Epi Info 6.04d and Stata 8.0 software were used for processing the data. Results Nutritional state (weight per age - W/A) was as follows: 25,8 percent deficit and 14,6 percent risk of deficit. Low vegetable, fruit and protein consumption was found. The lowest percentages regarding consumption of needed items pertained to calcium, vitamin B6, iron, zinc and niacin. The relationship between receiving a monthly family income of less than Col $150 000 and nutritional deficit was (OR=2.76 CI(95 percent) 0,92-8,44, p=0,040). Nutritional deficit protection factors consisted of having an employed mother (OR=0.29 CI(95 percent) 0,09-0,84, p=0,012) and families having 2 or 3 employed members covering household expenses (OR=0.17 CI(95 percent) 0,03-0,69 p=0,0052). Conclusion Selected socioeconomic factors influenced the studied population's alimentary pattern and nutritional state.