Long-term outcomes (2 and 3.5 years post-intervention) of the INFANT early childhood intervention to improve health behaviors and reduce obesity: cluster randomised controlled trial follow-up.

BACKGROUND: The few health behavior interventions commencing in infancy have shown promising effects. Greater insight into their longer-term benefits is required. This study aimed to assess post-intervention effects of the Melbourne INFANT Program to child age 5y on diet, movement and adiposity. METHODS: Two and 3.5y post-intervention follow-up (2011-13; analyses completed 2019) of participants retained in the Melbourne INFANT Program at its conclusion (child age ~ 19 m; 2008-10) was conducted. The Melbourne INFANT Program is a 15-month, six session program delivered within first-time parent groups in Melbourne, Australia, between child age 4-19 m. It involves strategies to help parents promote healthy diet, physical activity and reduced sedentary behavior in their infants. No intervention was delivered during the follow-up period reported in this paper. At all time points height, weight and waist circumference were measured by researchers, children wore Actigraph and activPAL accelerometers for 8-days, mothers reported children's television viewing and use of health services. Children's dietary intake was reported by mothers in three unscheduled telephone-administered 24-h recalls. RESULTS: Of those retained at program conclusion (child age 18 m, n = 480; 89%), 361 families (75% retention) participated in the first follow-up (2y post-intervention; age 3.6y) and 337 (70% retention) in the second follow-up (3.5y post-intervention; age 5y). At 3.6y children in the intervention group had higher fruit (adjusted mean difference [MD] = 25.34 g; CI95:1.68,48.99), vegetable (MD = 19.41; CI95:3.15,35.67) and water intake (MD = 113.33; CI95:40.42,186.25), than controls. At 5y they consumed less non-core drinks (MD = -27.60; CI95:-54.58,-0.62). Sweet snack intake was lower for intervention children at both 3.6y (MD = -5.70; CI95:-9.75,-1.65) and 5y (MD = -6.84; CI95:-12.47,-1.21). Intervention group children viewed approximately 10 min/day less television than controls at both follow-ups, although the confidence intervals spanned zero (MD = -9.63; CI95:-30.79,11.53; MD = -11.34; CI95:-25.02,2.34, respectively). There was no evidence for effect on zBMI, waist circumference z-score or physical activity. CONCLUSIONS: The impact of this low-dose intervention delivered during infancy was still evident up to school commencement age for several targeted health behaviors but not adiposity. Some of these effects were only observed after the conclusion of the intervention, demonstrating the importance of long-term follow-up of interventions delivered during early childhood. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN Register ISRCTN81847050 , registered 7th November 2007.

Análisis del gasto de bolsillo ante la enfermedad de menores de 5 años según su condición de pobreza en Paraguay / Analysis of out-of-pocket expenses in the face of the disease of children under 5 according to their poverty status in Paraguay

Introducción: Reducir la pobreza, reducir la mortalidad de menores de 5 años (< 5 años) y lograr cobertura universal de salud son parte de los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible (ODS). Objetivo: determinar el gasto de bolsillo de salud (GBS) ante la enfermedad de < 5 años y su inci-dencia económica en los hogares según su condición de pobreza en Paraguay. Material y Método: se analizó la Encuesta Permanente de Hogares del 2014, considerando la defi-nición oficial de pobreza y la referencia de enfermedad o accidente en un trimestre. Se calculó el promedio de GBS por hogar, la incidencia sobre el ingreso monetario trimestral (IM), sobre los sub-sidios estatales por pobreza (IS) y el equivalente de subsistencia o alimentación (EA). Resultados: Entre los hogares no pobres: 41,1% (IC 37,3 a 45,0) tuvo al menos 1 enfermo < 5 años, de los cuales 76,6% (IC 71,5 a 81,0) tuvo GBS, siendo en promedio 223.455 Gs. (DE 37.445). Los medicamentos fueron 68,9% (IC 61,7 a 76,1) del total. La IM fue 1,7% (IC 1,1 a 2,3). Entre los ho-gares pobres: 50,0% (IC 44,7 a 52,2) tuvo al menos 1 enfermo < 5 años, de los cuales 71,2% (IC 64,7 a 76,9) tuvo GBS, siendo en promedio 125.545 Gs. (DE 14.749). Los medicamentos fueron 77,5% (IC 69,2 a 85,7) del total. La IM fue 4,0% (IC 2,3 a 5,8). La IS fue 54,6% (IC 13,0 a 96,2) y el EA fue el equivalente a 7 días de alimentación en promedio (DE 1,5). Conclusión: Ante los retos de los ODS, Paraguay requiere de mayor protección financiera en salud para niñas y niños < 5 años, mediante sinergias de las políticas de reducción de pobreza y de salud. Palabras Clave: gasto de bolsillo de salud, cobertura universal de salud, derecho a la salud, pobreza, menores de 5 años.

Introduction: Reducing poverty, reducing the mortality of children under 5 years (<5 years) and achieving universal health coverage are part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Objective: to determine the out-of-pocket health expenditure (GBS) for the disease of <5 years and its economic impact on households according to their poverty status in Para-guay. Material and Method: the 2014 Permanent Household Survey was analyzed, considering the official definition of poverty and the reference of illness or accident in a quarter. The average of GBS per household, the incidence on quarterly monetary income (IM), on state subsidies for poverty (IS) and the equivalent of feeding (EA) were calculated. Results: Among non-poor households: 41.1% (CI 37.3 to 45.0) had at least 1 <5 years ill or injured, of which 76.6% (CI 71.5 to 81.0) had GBS , being on average 223,455 Gs. (DE 37,445). The medications were 68.9% (CI 61.7 to 76.1) of the total. The IM was 1.7% (CI 1.1 to 2.3). Among poor households: 50.0% (CI 44.7 to 52.2) had at least 1 <5 years ill or injured, of which 71.2% (CI 64.7 to 76.9) had GBS, being in average 125,545 Gs. (DE 14,749). The medications were 77.5% (CI 69.2 to 85.7) of the total. The IM was 4.0% (CI 2.3 to 5.8). The IS was 54,6% (IC 13,0 a 96,2) and the EA was the equivalent of 7 days of feeding on av-erage (SD 1.5). Conclusion: Given the challenges of the SDGs, Paraguay requires greater financial protection in health for children under 5 years, through synergies of poverty reduction and health policies. Keywords: out-of-pocket health expenditure, universal health coverage, right to health, pov-erty, children under 5 years.

An approach for evaluating early and long term mother-to-child transmission of HIV (MTCT) in low and middle income countries: a South African experience.

BACKGROUND: Eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV is a global public health target. Robust, feasible methodologies to measure population level impact of programmes to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) are needed in high HIV prevalence settings. We present a summary of the protocol of the South African PMTCT Evaluation (SAPMTCTE) with its revision over three repeated rounds of the survey, 2010-2014. METHODS: Three cross sectional surveys (2010, 2011-2012 and 2012-2013) were conducted in 580 primary health care immunisation service points randomly selected after stratified multistage probability proportional to size sampling. All infants aged 4-8 weeks receiving their six-week immunisation at a sampled facility on the day of the visit were eligible to participate. Trained research nurses conducted interviews and took infant dried blood spot (iDBS) samples for HIV enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and total nucleic acid polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing. Interviews were conducted using mobile phones and iDBS were sent to the National Health Laboratory for testing. All findings were adjusted for study design, non-response, and weighted for number of South African live-birth in each study round. In 2012 a national closed cohort of these 4 to 8-week old infants testing EIA positive (HIV Exposed Infants) from the 2012-2013 cross-sectional survey was established to estimate longer-term PMTCT impact to 18 months. Follow-up analyses were to estimate weighted cumulative MTCT until 18 months, postnatal MTCT from 6 weeks until 18 months and a combined outcome of MTCT-or-death, using a competing risks model, with death as a competing risk. HIV-free survival was defined as a child surviving and HIV-negative up to 18 months or last visit seen. A weighted cumulative incidence analysis was conducted, adjusting for survey design effects. DISCUSSION: In the absence of robust high-quality routine medical recording systems, in the context of a generalised HIV epidemic, national surveys can be used to monitor PMTCT effectiveness; however, monitoring long-term outcomes nationally is difficult due to poor retention in care.

The relationship between burden of childhood disease and foreign aid for child health.

BACKGROUND: We sought to examine the relationship between child specific health aid (CHA) and burden of disease. Based on existing evidence, we hypothesized that foreign aid for child health would not be proportional to burden of disease. METHODS: In order to examine CHA and burden of disease, we obtained estimates of these parameters from established sources. Estimates of disability adjusted life years (DALYs) in children (0-5 years) were obtained from the World Health Organization for 2000 and 2012. The 10 most burdensome disease categories in each continent, excluding high-income countries, were identified for study. Descriptions of all foreign aid commitments between 1996 and 2009 were obtained from AidData, and an algorithm to designate the target diseases of the commitments was constructed. Data were examined in scatterplots for trends. RESULTS: The most burdensome childhood diseases varied by continent. In all continents, newborn diseases, vaccine-preventable diseases (lower respiratory diseases, measles, meningitis, tetanus, and pertussis), and diarrheal diseases ranked within the four most burdensome diseases. Infectious diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV were also among the ten most burdensome diseases in sub-Saharan Africa, and non-communicable diseases were associated with much of the burden in the other continents. CHA grew from $7.4 billion in 1996 to $17.7 billion in 2009 for our study diseases. Diarrheal diseases and malnutrition received the most CHA as well as the most CHA per DALY. CHA directed at HIV increased dramatically over our study period, from $227,000 in 1996 to $3.4 billion in 2008. Little aid was directed at injuries such as drowning, car accidents, and fires, as well as complex medical diseases such as leukemia and endocrine disorders. CONCLUSION: CHA has grown significantly over the last two decades. There is no clear relationship between CHA and burden of disease. This report provides a description of foreign aid for child health, and hopes to inform policy and decision-making regarding foreign aid.

Costs for Childhood and Adolescent Cancer, 90 Days Prediagnosis and 1 Year Postdiagnosis: A Population-Based Study in Ontario, Canada.

BACKGROUND: Childhood and adolescent cancers are uncommon, but they have important economic and health impacts on patients, families, and health care systems. Few studies have measured the economic burden of care for childhood and adolescent cancers. OBJECTIVES: To estimate costs of cancer care in population-based cohorts of children and adolescents from the public payer perspective. METHODS: We identified patients with cancer, aged 91 days to 19 years, diagnosed from 1995 to 2009 using cancer registry data, and matched each to three noncancer controls. Using linked administrative health care records, we estimated total and net resource-specific costs (in 2012 Canadian dollars) during 90 days prediagnosis and 1 year postdiagnosis. RESULTS: Children (≤14 years old) numbered 4,396: 36% had leukemia, 21% central nervous system tumors, 10% lymphoma, and 33% other cancers. Adolescents (15-19 years old) numbered 2,329: 28.9% had lymphoma. Bone and soft tissue sarcoma, germ cell tumor, and thyroid carcinoma each comprised 12% to 13%. Mean net prediagnosis costs were $5,810 and $1,127 and mean net postdiagnosis costs were $136,413 and $62,326 for children and adolescents, respectively; the highest were for leukemia ($157,764 for children and $172,034 for adolescents). In both cohorts, costs were much higher for patients who died within 1 year of diagnosis. Inpatient hospitalization represented 69% to 74% of postdiagnosis costs. CONCLUSIONS: Treating children with cancer is costly, more costly than treating adolescents or adults. Substantial survival gains in children mean that treatment may still be very cost-effective. Comprehensive age-specific population-based cost estimates are essential to reliably assess the cost-effectiveness of cancer care for children and adolescents, and measure health system performance.

Suboptimal breastfeeding in the United States: Maternal and pediatric health outcomes and costs.

The aim of this study was to quantify the excess cases of pediatric and maternal disease, death, and costs attributable to suboptimal breastfeeding rates in the United States. Using the current literature on the associations between breastfeeding and health outcomes for nine pediatric and five maternal diseases, we created Monte Carlo simulations modeling a hypothetical cohort of U.S. women followed from age 15 to age 70 years and their children from birth to age 20 years. We examined disease outcomes using (a) 2012 breastfeeding rates and (b) assuming that 90% of infants were breastfed according to medical recommendations. We measured annual excess cases, deaths, and associated costs, in 2014 dollars, using a 2% discount rate. Annual excess deaths attributable to suboptimal breastfeeding total 3,340 (95% confidence interval [1,886 to 4,785]), 78% of which are maternal due to myocardial infarction (n = 986), breast cancer (n = 838), and diabetes (n = 473). Excess pediatric deaths total 721, mostly due to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (n = 492) and necrotizing enterocolitis (n = 190). Medical costs total $3.0 billion, 79% of which are maternal. Costs of premature death total $14.2 billion. The number of women needed to breastfeed as medically recommended to prevent an infant gastrointestinal infection is 0.8; acute otitis media, 3; hospitalization for lower respiratory tract infection, 95; maternal hypertension, 55; diabetes, 162; and myocardial infarction, 235. For every 597 women who optimally breastfeed, one maternal or child death is prevented. Policies to increase optimal breastfeeding could result in substantial public health gains. Breastfeeding has a larger impact on women's health than previously appreciated.

Implementing demand side targeting mechanisms for maternal and child health-experiences from national health insurance fund program in Rungwe District, Tanzania.

BACKGROUND: Low and middle income countries have adopted targeting mechanisms as a means of increasing program efficiency in reaching marginalized people in the community given the available resources. Design of targeting mechanisms has been changing over time and it is important to understand implementers' experience with such targeting mechanisms since such mechanisms impact equity in access and use of maternal health care services. METHODS: The case study approach was considered as appropriate method for exploring implementers' and decision-makers' experiences with the two targeting mechanisms. In-depth interviews in order to explore implementer experience with the two targeting mechanisms. A total of 10 in-depth interviews (IDI) and 4 group discussions (GDs) were conducted with implementers at national level, regional, district and health care facility level. A thematic analysis approach was adopted during data analysis. RESULTS: The whole process of screening and identifying poor pregnant women resulted in delay in implementation of the intervention. Individual targeting was perceived to have some form of stigmatization; hence beneficiaries did not like to be termed as poor. Geographical targeting had a few cons as health care providers experienced an increase in workload while staff remained the same and poor quality of information in the claim forms. However geographical targeting increase in the number of women going to higher level of care (district/regional referral hospital), increase in facility revenue and insurance coverage. CONCLUSION: Interventions which are using targeting mechanisms to reach poor people are useful in increasing access and use of health care services for marginalized communities so long as they are well designed and beneficiaries as well as all implementers and decision makers are involved from the very beginning. Implementation of demand side financing strategies using targeting mechanisms should go together with supply side interventions in order to achieve project objectives.

Getting It Right for Every Child: A National Policy Framework to Promote Children's Well-being in Scotland, United Kingdom.

POLICY POINTS: Getting It Right for Every Child (GIRFEC), a landmark policy framework for improving children's well-being in Scotland, United Kingdom, is a practice initiative signifying a distinct way of thinking, an agenda for change, and the future direction of child welfare policy. GIRFEC represents a unique case study of national transformative change within the contexts of children's well-being and universal services and is of relevance to other jurisdictions. Implementation is under way, with an understanding of well-being and the requirement for information sharing enshrined in law. Yet there is scope for interpretation within the legislation and associated guidance. Inherent tensions around intrusion, data gathering, professional roles, and balancing well-being against child protection threaten the effectiveness of the policy if not resolved. CONTEXT: Despite persistent health inequalities and intergenerational deprivation, the Scottish government aspires for Scotland to be the best country for children to grow up in. Getting It Right for Every Child (GIRFEC) is a landmark children's policy framework to improve children's well-being via early intervention, universal service provision, and multiagency coordination across organizational boundaries. Placing the child and family "at the center," this approach marks a shift from welfare to well-being, yet there is still a general lack of consensus over how well-being is defined and measured. As an umbrella policy framework with broad reach, GIRFEC represents the current and future direction of children's/family policy in Scotland, yet large-scale practice change is required for successful implementation. METHODS: This article explores the origins and emergence of GIRFEC and presents a critical analysis of its incremental design, development, and implementation. FINDINGS: There is considerable scope for interpretation within the GIRFEC legislation and guidance, most notably around assessment of well-being and the role and remit of those charged with implementation. Tensions have arisen around issues such as professional roles; intrusion, data sharing, and confidentiality; and the balance between supporting well-being and protecting children. Despite the policy's intentions for integration, the service landscape for children and families still remains relatively fragmented. CONCLUSIONS: Although the policy has groundbreaking potential, inherent tensions must be resolved and the processes of change carefully managed in order for GIRFEC to be effective. It remains to be seen whether GIRFEC can fulfil the Scottish government's aspirations to reduce inequalities and improve lifelong outcomes for Scotland's children and young people. In terms of both a national children's well-being framework within a universal public service context and a distinct style of policymaking and implementation, the Scottish experience represents a unique case study of whole-country, transformational change and is of relevance to other jurisdictions.

Financing pediatric surgery in low-, and middle-income countries.

Congenital anomalies once considered fatal, are now surgically correctable conditions that now allow children to live a normal life. Pediatric surgery, traditionally thought of as a privilege of the rich, as being too expensive and impractical, and which has previously been overlooked and excluded in resource-poor settings, is now being reexamined as a cost-effective strategy to reduce the global burden of disease-particularly in low, and middle-income countries (LMICs). However, to date, global pediatric surgical financing suffers from an alarming paucity of data. To leverage valuable resources and prioritize pediatric surgical services, timely, accurate and detailed global health spending and financing for pediatric surgical care is needed to inform policy making, strategic health-sector budgeting and resource allocation. This discussions aims to characterize and highlight the evidence gaps that currently exist in global financing and funding flow for pediatric surgical care in LMICs.

The dynamic relationship between cash transfers and child health: can the child support grant in South Africa make a difference to child nutrition?

OBJECTIVE: Cash transfer programmes targeting children are considered an effective strategy for addressing child poverty and for improving child health outcomes in developing countries. In South Africa, the Child Support Grant (CSG) is the largest cash transfer programme targeting children from poor households. The present paper investigates the association of the duration of CSG receipt with child growth at 2 years in three diverse areas of South Africa. DESIGN: The study analysed data on CSG receipt and anthropometric measurements from children. Predictors of stunting were assessed using a backward regression model. SETTING: Paarl (peri-urban), Rietvlei (rural) and Umlazi (urban township), South Africa, 2008. SUBJECTS: Children (n 746), median age 22 months. RESULTS: High rates of stunting were observed in Umlazi (28 %), Rietvlei (20 %) and Paarl (17 %). Duration of CSG receipt had no effect on stunting. HIV exposure (adjusted OR=2·30; 95 % CI 1·31, 4·03) and low birth weight (adjusted=OR 2·01, 95 % CI 1·02, 3·96) were associated with stunting, and maternal education had a protective effect on stunting. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that, despite the presence of the CSG, high rates of stunting among poor children continue unabated in South Africa. We argue that the effect of the CSG on nutritional status may have been eroded by food price inflation and limited progress in the provision of other important interventions and social services.

Salud ambiental infantil en el contexto de la reubicación de familias de campamentos a viviendas sociales / Child health environment in the context of relocating of camp site families to social housing

Introducción: Intervenciones habitacionales destinadas a superar la pobreza pueden generar cambios en la situación de salud de la población infantil, modificando factores de riesgo en el entorno físico y social de niños y niñas. El objetivo fue identificar indicadores de salud ambiental infantil susceptibles de ser modificados con la reubicación de familias desde campamentos a vivienda social. Sujetos y método: Estudio transversal en niños de 2-8 años. Se comparó dos grupos de familias provenientes de campamentos. Un grupo fueron familias reubicadas en viviendas sociales entre 2001 y 2002 (n = 115). El otro grupo corresponde a niños cuyas familias permanecieron en campamentos (n = 88) de la zona poniente de Santiago. Se recolectó información sobre: características socioeconómicas, ambiente intradomiciliario y de barrios, y eventos en salud: síntomas respiratorios, accidentabilidad y cuidado materno infantil. Se emplearon pruebas de x², Fisher y Mann-Whitney para la comparación de los grupos. Resultados: Se identifican diferencias entre los grupos comparados en relación a la tenencia de mascotas, presencia de hongos/humedad en el hogar, tipo de combustibles utilizados y problemas de seguridad percibidos en los barrios (p<0,05). Las familias de campamentos reportan una mayor tenencia de mascotas (73,8% v/s 32,2%%), presencia de huellas de humedad/hongos en el hogar (43,2% v/s 18,3%), uso de leña (39,8% v/s 0,0%), en comparación con familias de viviendas sociales. Residentes de viviendas sociales perciben mayores problemas de seguridad en el barrio, mientras que los niños presentan mayor frecuencia de síntomas relacionados con asma y menor diversidad de accidentes en el hogar comparado con el grupo residente en campamentos. Conclusiones: Entre los factores estudiados, aquellos susceptibles de ser modificados con la reubicación de familias desde campamentos a vivienda social se vinculan a indicadores de calidad del aire interior y seguridad en los barrios. Lo anterior refuerza la necesidad de profundizar en las influencias positivas y negativas de la movilidad residencial de estos grupos, desde una perspectiva centrada en el bienestar infantil.

Introduction: Housing interventions aimed at overcoming poverty can lead to changes in the health status of children by modifying risk factors in their physical and social environment Objective: the aim was to identify children's environmental health factors to change with the relocation of families from slums to public housing. Subjects and method: A cross-sectional study was conducted in children ages 2-8 years old of families relocated to public housing (n=115) who were compared to children residing in slums (n=88) in Santiago, Chile. Family socioeconomic characteristics, indoor environment and neighborhoods were collected. It was included respiratory symptoms, accidents and maternal-child care of children. x², Fisher and Mann-Whitney test were used to compare groups. Results: There were differences in households related to pets keeping, presence of humidity/molds in homes, types of fuels, and perceived safety problems in neighborhoods (p<0.05). The families from slums reported higher tenancy of pets (73.8% v/s 32.2%%), humidity/molds in homes (43.,2% v/s 18.3%), use of wood for heating (39.8% v/s 0.0%), compared with families of public housing. Residents of public housing perceived more safety problems in neighborhood, and children have more asthma related symptoms and have lower diversity of accidents in home. Conclusion: Among the factors studied, indoor air quality and safety in neighborhoods could be linked to changes from the relocation of families. This reinforces the need to deepen the positive and negative influences of residential mobility of these groups focused on child welfare perspective.

Factores de riesgo asociados a déficit del desarrollo psicomotor en preescolares de nivel socioeconómico bajo: comuna urbano rural: Región Metropolitana, 2003 / Risk factors associated with developmental delay in pre-school children from a low income urban/rural community of Santiago, Chile

Introducción: La ciencia ha demostrado la importancia del desarrollo infantil temprano. En nuestro país se realizan evaluaciones seriadas y estandarizadas del desarrollo psicomotor (DSM) en lactantes y preescolares, con el propósito de pesquisar e intervenir precozmente trastornos del desarrollo. Objetivo: Identificar factores de riesgo (FR) para déficit DSM en preescolares de bajo nivel socioeconómico, pertenecientes a un centro de salud familiar (CESFAM), comuna urbano rural, área norte, Región Metropolitana. Metodología: Revisión retrospectiva de 159 fichas individuales y familiares de preescolares sanos, con TEPSI correspondiente a los 4 años, realizado, según programa, el 2003. Grupo estudio (GE): todos los niños con déficit del DSM. Grupo comparación (GC): selección secuencial de fichas con test normal realizado durante el último trimestre. Resultados: El 2003 se realizó TEPSI a 541/610 niños en control en el CESFAM. GE 76 niños con déficit, GC 83 preescolares con DSM normal. 23 por ciento GC tenía algún subtest alterado, generalmente lenguaje. FR déficit DSM: varones (p 0,0006), familias de mayor pobreza (p 0,0018), captación en CESFAM posterior a 12 meses de edad (p 0,0075), no asistencia a educación preescolar (p 0,0075), sospecha de déficit DSM en evaluaciones previas (p 0,0013) y madres analfabetas (p 0,018). Conclusiones: Se identifican los factores de riesgo de déficit del desarrollo psicomotor en la infancia, destacando el bajo nivel socioeconómico y las acciones de prevención y educación. La importancia de conocer los FR es identificar aquellos niños que requieren de una intervención más dirigida, para favorecer la expresión de su potencial.

Gasto federal com crianças e adolescentes: 1994 a 1997 / Federal expenditures with children and adolescents: 1994 to 1997

Síntese de estudo que objetivou levantar e analisar o gasto federal com crianças e adolescentes (0 a 18 anos), no período de 1994 a 1997, e que analisa o gasto federal por meio de informação orçamentária considerando os valores executados no perído. Considera os Ministérios da Educação, Saúde, Bem-Estar Social, Justiça e Previdência e Assistência Social. Estima o gasto total e 'per capita'com crianças e adolescentes. Detalha os programas mais relevantes em cada área. Identifica mudanças importantes nos montantes e na composição dos recursos destinados ao atendimento de crianças e adolescentes ao longo do período. Verifica que a área Saúde respondeu pela fatia maior dos gastos e sua proporção, no conjunto dos ministérios analisados, foi crescente ao longo do período compreendido por este estudo. Constata que a área Educação sofreu redução contínua, e que a área Assistência Social oscilou, apresentando tendência ascendente. Percebe que, em relação aos valores globais do gasto público federal e ao gasto social federal, o gasto com crianças e adolescentes teve importante redução de sua participação nesses agregados. Conclui que apesar, de as informações apontarem redução no aporte de recursos federais nas ações destinadas a crianças e adolescentes, estas não indicam necessariamente que houve redução no grau de cobertura dessas ações, existindo a possibilidade de ter ocorrido compensação, pelos estados e municípios, pela diminuição do gasto federal, ou, ainda, uma melhora na alocação dos recursos, resultando em maior eficácia do gasto.

A análise de projetos e o conceito de canal: sobre a política da criança e do adolescente / The analysis of projects and the concept of channel: on the policy for children and youth in Brazil

Nova perspectiva na teoria política com relaçäo ao entendimento de participaçäo política em sociedades do Terceiro Mundo e formulaçäo de demandas através de projetos e utilizaçäo do conceito de "canais". Apresenta o estabelecimento de canais pelas ligaçöes estabelecidas entre diferentes grupos sociais e a instituiçäo federal responsável pela política de bem-estar para crianças e jovens no Brasil

Estado nutricional de niños escolares de la parroquia Quimiag (Provincia de Chimborazo)

Se evaluó el estado nutricional de 438 niños escolares pertenecientes a 5 comunidades de la Parroquia Quimiag (Provincia de Chimborazo), utilizando los parámetros peso para la edad, talla para la edad e índice de masa corporal (BMI) o índice de Quetelet (IQ = pesokg/talla2 (m2)). La muestra estuvo contituída por 438 alumnos de los cuales 231 (52,7 por ciento) eran varones y 207 (47.3 por ciento) eran mujeres, con un promedio de edad de 8,2 años. En el análisis se encontró en relación a peso para la edad un porcentaje de niños de peso bajo del 32,4 por ciento; en ralación a talla para la edad un 70.8 por ciento de talla baja y en relación al IQ al 12.55 por ciento eras desnutridos y además aparece un 7.99 por ciento de niños obesos. Los índices de desnutrición en relación al sexo mostraron un comportamiento similar al de la población total: Mujeres peso bajo 30.91 por ciento talla baja 67.63 por ciento, IQ desnutridos 12,07 por ciento obesos 12.56 por ciento; varones Pb 33,76 por ciento Tb 73,59 por ciento, IQ desn 12,98 por ciento obesos 3,89 por ciento. Al analizar el estado nutricinal en relacióna las comunidades y la distancia de estas a la cabecera parroquial, se encontró igualmente un comportamiento similar al de la población total, pero aumenta el índice de desnutrición mientras más distante se encuentra la cabecera parroquial y por ende a los servicios de salud. Se discute sobre la influencia de los factores ambientales y socio-económicos sobre los indicadores de desnutrición, especialmente la talla que indica una desnutrición crónica que puede influir mayormente que los factores genéticos y hereditarios. Además se discute sobre el fenómeno de hemorresis que sufren estos niños al ser víctimas de una desnutrición crónica, ya que su peso se adapta a la talla baja con lo cual dejan de ser desnutridos, lo mismo que se demuestra al valorar el índice de masa corporal, que s un dicador de desnutrición actual. Se recomienda promover la autogestión comunitaria en colaboración para la prestación de servicios de salud en comunidades distantes...

Poverty among female-headed households in Brazil

It Documents the extent to which female-headed households (FHHs) are in fact over-represented among the poor. Investigates the proximate determinants of the relative greater poverty among FHHs and the consequences of living in FHHs upon children's labor force participation and school attendance. Study three Brazilian metropolitan areas using the 1984 version of the Brazilian annual household survey called PNAD (Pesquisa Nacional por Amostra de Domicílios).