Subjective well-being, happiness, and environmental health factors related to women planning a pregnancy or pregnant, using mobile health intervention.

Objectives: To compare the environmental health results in women trying to get pregnant or pregnant using a mobile health application (Green Page) through healthcare professionals or self-completed by women, and to explore the relationship between the subjective well-being of these women with their lifestyles and environmental factors. Methods: A descriptive study with mixed methods was conducted in 2018. A mobile health survey was used in two phases. Phase 1 was a cross-sectional study through professionals (n = 1100) followed by phase 2, a convenience sampling through women's self-reporting (n = 3425). A personalized report was downloadable with health recommendations for the well-being of the mother and child. Results: Of the 3205 participants (mean age = 33 years, SD = 0.2 years), 1840 were planning a pregnancy and 1365 were pregnant. One in five pregnant women had a low level of happiness. Globally, subjective well-being and happiness were found to be negatively associated with lack of contact with nature, sedentary lifestyle, excess weight, environmental exposure, and older age in pregnancy. Precisely 45%, 60%, and 14% of women were exposed to tobacco, alcohol, and illegal drugs, respectively. The women self-reported levels of risk factors higher than when the tool was used by or through professionals. Conclusions: The use of mobile health interventions focused on environmental health during planning or pregnancy periods could help improve the quality of healthcare and foster greater involvement of women in their self-care process, thus promoting empowerment, healthier environments, and lifestyles. Ensuring equity of access and data protection are global challenges to be addressed.

Revisión de los cuestionarios utilizados para la detección del consumo de alcohol durante el embarazo y la Hoja Verde / Review of the questionnaires used to detect alcohol consumption during pregnancy and the Green Page

El consumo de alcohol en el embarazo es la causa del trastorno del espectro alcohólico fetal (TEAF). La información aportada por las mujeres en edad fértil o embarazadas es el estándar para la detección temprana del consumo de alcohol. La Hoja Verde (HV) es una herramienta de cribado de salud medioambiental que incluye el registro de la ingesta de alcohol durante el embarazo y/o lactancia. El objetivo del presente trabajo es revisar las características de los distintos cuestionarios de detección del consumo de alcohol durante la gestación y de la HV, así como hacer una comparación entre ellos. Revisión de la literatura científica publicada en los últimos 10 años de los artículos indexados en Medline. Estrategia de búsqueda combinada con los descriptores MeSH: ‘pregnancy, alcohol drinking, surveys and/or questionnaires’. AUDIT, AUDIT-C y SUPR-P se realizan mayoritariamente autoadministrados y no requieren entrenamiento. SUPR-P y 4P´s Plus están validados en embarazadas. Otros detectan cantidad y frecuencia, requieren entrenamiento previo y se realizan cara a cara: TLFB, RD, ACOG antepartum record y la HV. ACOG antepartum record y la HV son específicos para embarazadas. La HV detecta el consumo de alcohol al inicio del embarazo tanto en la gestante como en su pareja con un enfoque holístico y global de la salud medioambiental. Un cuidadoso registro de la ingesta de alcohol de forma presencial, con profesionales entrenados y con un enfoque holístico y global de la salud medioambiental durante el embarazo ayudaría a mejorar la prevención y cribado de embarazos en riesgo de TEAF. (AU)

Alcohol consumption during pregnancy is a leading cause of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). Maternal reporting in childbearing women or pregnant women is the standard for the early detection of alcohol consumption. The Green Page (GP) is a screening questionnaire of environmental health which includes the alcohol intake record during pregnancy and/or lactation period. The aim of this paper is to review the features of the different questionnaires for the detection of alcohol consumption during the gestation period and the GP, as well as to make a comparison between them. Review of the scientific literature published over the last 10 years of indexed articles in Medline. Combined searching strategy with MeSH descriptors: ‘pregnancy, alcohol drinking, surveys and/or questionnaires. AUDIT, AUDIT-C and SURP-P are mainly self-administered and do not require training. SURP-P and 4P´s are validated in pregnant women. Others detect quantity and frequency of exposure, need specific training and are administered face to face: TLFB, RD, ACOG antepartum record and the GP. ACOG antepartum record and GP are specific for pregnant population. GP detects alcohol consumption at the beginning of pregnancy in both women and their partner on a holistic and global environmental health approach. A careful face-to-face recording of alcohol exposure with trained staff, with an integrative and global environmental health focus throughout pregnancy, may help improve prevention and screening of pregnancy at risk for FASD. (AU)

Review of the questionnaries used to detect alcohol consumption during pregnancy and the Green Page. / Revisión de los cuestionarios utilizados para la detección del consumo de alcohol durante el embarazo y la Hoja Verde.

Alcohol consumption during pregnancy is a leading cause of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). Maternal reporting in childbearing women or pregnant women is the standard for the early detection of alcohol consumption. The Green Page (GP) is a screening questionnaire of environmental health which includes the alcohol intake record during pregnancy and/or lactation period. The aim of this paper is to review the features of the different questionnaires for the detection of alcohol consumption during the gestation period and the GP, as well as to make a comparison between them. Review of the scientific literature published over the last 10 years of indexed articles in Medline. Combined searching strategy with MeSH descriptors: 'pregnancy, alcohol drinking, surveys and/or questionnaires. AUDIT, AUDIT-C and SURP-P are mainly self-administered and do not require training. SURP-P and 4P´s are validated in pregnant women. Others detect quantity and frequency of exposure, need specific training and are administered face to face: TLFB, RD, ACOG antepartum record and the GP. ACOG antepartum record and GP are specific for pregnant population. GP detects alcohol consumption at the beginning of pregnancy in both women and their partner on a holistic and global environmental health approach. A careful face-to-face recording of alcohol exposure with trained staff, with an integrative and global environmental health focus throughout pregnancy, may help improve prevention and screening of pregnancy at risk for FASD.

El consumo de alcohol en el embarazo es la causa del trastorno del espectro alcohólico fetal (TEAF). La información aportada por las mujeres en edad fértil o embarazadas es el estándar para la detección temprana del consumo de alcohol. La Hoja Verde (HV) es una herramienta de cribado de salud medioambiental que incluye el registro de la ingesta de alcohol durante el embarazo y/o lactancia. El objetivo del presente trabajo es revisar las características de los distintos cuestionarios de detección del consumo de alcohol durante la gestación y de la HV, así como hacer una comparación entre ellos. Revisión de la literatura científica publicada en los últimos 10 años de los artículos indexados en Medline. Estrategia de búsqueda combinada con los descriptores MeSH: 'pregnancy, alcohol drinking, surveys and/or questionnaires'. AUDIT, AUDIT-C y SUPR-P se realizan mayoritariamente autoadministrados y no requieren entrenamiento. SUPR-P y 4P´s Plus están validados en embarazadas. Otros detectan cantidad y frecuencia, requieren entrenamiento previo y se realizan cara a cara: TLFB, RD, ACOG antepartum record y la HV. ACOG antepartum record y la HV son específicos para embarazadas. La HV detecta el consumo de alcohol al inicio del embarazo tanto en la gestante como en su pareja con un enfoque holístico y global de la salud medioambiental. Un cuidadoso registro de la ingesta de alcohol de forma presencial, con profesionales entrenados y con un enfoque holístico y global de la salud medioambiental durante el embarazo ayudaría a mejorar la prevención y cribado de embarazos en riesgo de TEAF.

Enfermería Medioambiental: recuperando el vínculo con la salud reproductiva / Environmental Nursing: Recovering the link with the reproductive health / Enfermagem Ambiental: Recuperando a ligação com a saúde reproductiva

El período periconcepcional, embrionario/fetal y lactancia/crianza constituyen una de las ventanas de vulnerabilidad a exposiciones medioambientales más importante de la vida de un individuo. Enfermeras y matronas por su forma de entender el binomio salud/enfermedad ocupan un lugar estratégico para el desarrollo de tareas relacionadas con la salud medioambiental en general y durante estos periodos en particular. Diferentes asociaciones enfermeras, así como instituciones sanitarias internacionales instan a los profesionales de enfermería a ejercer tareas que permitan reconocer y manejar factores de riesgo medioambiental (riesgos físicos, químicos, biológicos, sociales y psicosociales) y a promover factores de protección en sus comunidades, en la pareja embarazada y en su descendencia. Existen experiencias enfermeras como la consulta de enfermería de salud medioambiental reproductiva y la hoja verde como herramienta clínica de cribado medioambiental que permiten, de manera sistemática y organizada, identificar, modificar y promover estilos de vida más sanos y más saludables. La capacitación de los profesionales de enfermería y el aumento de la conciencia medioambiental en los cuidados, tiene un impacto positivo en la calidad de los embarazos, su descendencia, sus familias y la comunidad que los rodea

The periconcepcional and prenatal periods, as well as breastfeeding and breeding periods, constitute the most important windows of vulnerability for environmental exposures. Midwifes and nurses have an specific and insight regarding the duality of health and illness. They are strategic health professionals to develop the environmental health approach during these vulnerable periods of life. International institutions and nursery asociations urge nurse professionals to recognise environmental risk factors (physicochemical, biologic and psychosocial) and to promotives factors in communities, during pregnancy and childhood. There are environmental health experiences, such as the use of "Green Page questionnaire" during the reproductive environmenral health assessment. This questionnaire is a sistematic screening that promotes healthier lifestyles. Incresing the general awareness about environmental health as well as health professionals further education have a positive impact in pregnancies, their offspring, families and communities in a broader perspective

O periconcepcional, período embrionário / fetal e amamentação / parentalidade constituem uma das mais importantes opções/ possibilidades de vulnerabilidade às exposições ambientais na vida de um indivíduo. Enfermeiras e parteiras, para sua compreensão do binômio saúde / doença, ocupam um lugar estratégico para o desenvolvimento de tarefas relacionadas à saúde ambiental em geral e durante esses períodos em particular. Diferentes associações de enfermagem, bem como instituições internacionais de saúde, eles pedem os profissionais de enfermagem a realizar tarefas que lhes permitam reconhecer e gerenciar os fatores de risco ambientais (físicos, químicos, biológicos, sociais e psicossociais) e promover fatores de proteção em suas comunidades, no casal grávido e sua prole. Há experiências de enfermeiros como a da consulta de enfermagem em saúde reprodutiva ambiental e a "Folha Verde" como ferramenta clínica de triagem ambiental que permite, de forma sistemática e organizada, identificar, modificar e promover estilos de vida mais saudáveis e saudáveis. A capacitação dos profissionais de enfermagem e o aumento da conscientização ambiental no cuidado têm impacto positivo na qualidade das gestações, seus filhos, suas famílias e a comunidade que os cerca

An Integrative Screening Tool of Alcohol Exposure During Early Pregnancy: Combining of the CDT Biomarker with Green Page Questionnaire.

AIMS: In current clinical practice, prenatal alcohol exposure is usually assessed by interviewing the pregnant woman by applying questionnaires. An alternative method for detecting alcohol use is to measure the biomarker carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT). However, few studies measure CDT during pregnancy. This study examines the utility of CDT biomarker in the screening of alcohol exposure during early pregnancy. METHODS: A cohort of 91, first-trimester pregnant women assigned to a public reference maternity hospital, was screened using the Green Page (GP) questionnaire, an environmental exposure tool. CDT levels and other biomarkers of alcohol use were measured and compared with questionnaire data. RESULTS: About 70% of the mothers in the study consumed alcohol during early pregnancy and 22% met high-risk criteria for prenatal exposure to alcohol. CDT measurement showed a statistically significant area under the receiver operating characteristic curve with a value of 0.70. For a value of 0.95% of CDT, a specificity of 93% was observed. The most significant predictors of CDT were the number of binge drinking episodes, women's body mass index and European white race. CONCLUSION: Pregnant women with a CDT value >0.95% would be good candidates for the performance of the GP questionnaire during early pregnancy in order to detect potential high-risk pregnancy due to alcohol exposure.

Sociocultural aspects of drug dependency during early pregnancy and considerations for screening: Case studies of social networks and structural violence.

OBJECTIVE: To contribute in closing the current gap in literature that holistically examines sociocultural influences on perinatal drug dependency. This article draws from social network theory and structural violence to qualitatively consider the contextual components of addiction and substance use during pregnancy, which purposefully moves away from situating this issue from solely being within the contexts of pathologized disorders or products of social inequalities. DESIGN: Face-to-face semi-structured interviews with drug-dependent pregnant women identified during a reproductive environmental health consultation. SETTING: Interviews were conducted at a university hospital in southeastern Spain between October 2015 and June 2016. PARTICIPANTS: 10 pregnant women with confirmed perinatal substance use and/or drug dependency. FINDINGS: The sociocultural perspective offers a useful lens by which providers can understand the reasons for initial substance use and progress of multi-drug dependency as way of individually tailoring intervention strategies for expecting mothers. This perspective draws from the frameworks of social network analysis (SNA) and structural violence to dialectically examine drug dependency in this unique patient population not to be solely an individual occurrence, but rather a combination of macro and micro-level factors at play. KEY CONCLUSIONS: The sociocultural approach in examining maternal health allows for the holistic exploration of the already taboo and symbolically paradoxical phenomenon of drug dependency in pregnant women. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The "Hoja Verde" and similar perinatal screening methods that comprehensively assess for the potential of environmental risks can be a key instrument in the practice of preventing developmental issues of children as early as pregnancy and into adolescence.

Long term follow-up of a tobacco prevention and cessation program in cystic fibrosis patients. / Seguimiento a largo plazo de un programa de prevención y cesación tabáquica en pacientes con fibrosis quística.

This study evaluates the impact over time of a telephone-based intervention in tobacco cessation and prevention targeting patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) in the Mediterranean region of Murcia, Spain. We conducted an experimental prospective study with a cohort of CF patients using an integrative smoking cessation programme, between 2008 and 2013. The target population included family members and patients from the Regional CF unit. The study included an initial tobacco exposure questionnaire, measurement of lung function, urinary cotinine levels, anthropomorphic measures and the administered intervention at specific time intervals. Of the 88 patients tracked through follow-up, active smoking rates were reduced from 10.23% to 4.55% (p = 0.06). Environmental tobacco exposure was reduced in non-smoker patients from 62.03% to 36.90% (p < 0.01) during the five year follow-up. Significant reductions in the gradient of household tobacco smoke exposure were also observed with a decrease of 12.60%, from 31.65% (n = 25/79) to 19.05% (n = 16/84) in 2013 (p = <0.01). Cotinine was significantly correlated with both active and passive exposure (p<0.01) with a significant reduction of cotinine levels from 63.13 (28.58-97.69) to 20.56 (0.86-40.27) ng/ml (p<0.01). The intervention to significantly increase the likelihood of family quitting (smoke-free home) was 1.26 (1.05-1.54). Telephone based interventions for tobacco cessation and prevention is a useful tool when applied over time. Trained intervention professionals in this area are needed in the environmental health approach for the treatment of CF.

Este estudio evalúa el impacto en el tiempo de una intervención telefónica de prevención y cesación tabáquica dirigida a pacientes con fibrosis quística (FQ) en la Región de Murcia, España. Estudio prospectivo experimental en una cohorte de pacientes con FQ utilizando un programa integrativo de cesación tabáquica, entre 2008 y 2013. La población diana incluye a pacientes y familiares de la unidad regional de FQ. El estudio incluyó un cuestionario inicial de exposición al tabaco, medición de la función pulmonar, niveles de cotinina en orina, medidas antropomórficas y la intervención realizada en intervalos de tiempo.De los 88 pacientes seguidos, la tasa de fumadores activos se redujo de 10,23% a 4,55% (p = 0,06). La exposición al humo ambiental de tabaco se redujo en los pacientes no fumadores de 62,03% a 36,90% (p < 0,01) durante los cinco años de seguimiento. Se observaron reducciones significativas en la exposición al humo ambiental de tabaco en los hogares, de 31,65% (n = 25/79) a 19,05% (n = 16/84) en 2013 (p = <0,01). La cotinina se correlacionó significativamente con la exposición al tabaco activa y pasiva (p < 0,01) con una reducción significativa de los niveles de cotinina de 63,13 (28,58-97,69) a 20,56 (0,86-40,27) ng/ml (p < 0,01). La intervención para aumentar significativamente la probabilidad de abandono familiar (hogar libre de humo) fue de 1,26 (1,05-1,54). La intervención telefónica mantenida en el tiempo es una herramienta útil para la prevención y cesación tabáquica. Profesionales entrenados en este modelo de intervención con enfoque en salud medioambiental son necesarios para mejorar el tratamiento de FQ.

Seguimiento a largo plazo de un programa de prevención y cesación tabáquica en pacientes con fibrosis quística / Long term follow-up of a tobacco prevention and cessation program in cystic fibrosis patients

Este estudio evalúa el impacto en el tiempo de una intervención telefónica de prevención y cesación tabáquica dirigida a pacientes con fibrosis quística (FQ) en la Región de Murcia, España. Estudio prospectivo experimental en una cohorte de pacientes con FQ utilizando un programa integrativo de cesación tabáquica, entre 2008 y 2013. La población diana incluye a pacientes y familiares de la unidad regional de FQ. El estudio incluyó un cuestionario inicial de exposición al tabaco, medición de la función pulmonar, niveles de cotinina en orina, medidas antropomórficas y la intervención realizada en intervalos de tiempo. De los 88 pacientes seguidos, la tasa de fumadores activos se redujo de 10,23% a 4,55% (p = 0,06). La exposición al humo ambiental de tabaco se redujo en los pacientes no fumadores de 62,03% a 36,90% (p < 0,01) durante los cinco años de seguimiento. Se observaron reducciones significativas en la exposición al humo ambiental de tabaco en los hogares, de 31,65% (n = 25/79) a 19,05% (n = 16/84) en 2013 (p = <0,01). La cotinina se correlacionó significativamente con la exposición al tabaco activa y pasiva (p < 0,01) con una reducción significativa de los niveles de cotinina de 63,13 (28,58-97,69) a 20,56 (0,86-40,27) ng/ml (p < 0,01). La intervención para aumentar significativamente la probabilidad de abandono familiar (hogar libre de humo) fue de 1,26 (1,05-1,54). La intervención telefónica mantenida en el tiempo es una herramienta útil para la prevención y cesación tabáquica. Profesionales entrenados en este modelo de intervención con enfoque en salud medioambiental son necesarios para mejorar el tratamiento de FQ

This study evaluates the impact over time of a telephone-based intervention in tobacco cessation and prevention targeting patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) in the Mediterranean region of Murcia, Spain. We conducted an experimental prospective study with a cohort of CF patients using an integrative smoking cessation programme, between 2008 and 2013. The target population included family members and patients from the Regional CF unit. The study included an initial tobacco exposure questionnaire, measurement of lung function, urinary cotinine levels, anthropomorphic measures and the administered intervention at specific time intervals. Of the 88 patients tracked through follow-up, active smoking rates were reduced from 10.23% to 4.55% (p = 0.06). Environmental tobacco exposure was reduced in non-smoker patients from 62.03% to 36.90% (p < 0.01) during the five year follow-up. Significant reductions in the gradient of household tobacco smoke exposure were also observed with a decrease of 12.60%, from 31.65% (n = 25/79) to 19.05% (n = 16/84) in 2013 (p =<0.01). Cotinine was significantly correlated with both active and passive exposure (p<0.01) with a significant reduction of cotinine levels from 63.13 (28.58-97.69) to 20.56 (0.86-40.27) ng/ml (p<0.01). The intervention to significantly increase the likelihood of family quitting (smoke-free home) was 1.26 (1.05-1.54). Telephone based interventions for tobacco cessation and prevention is a useful tool when applied over time. Trained intervention professionals in this area are needed in the environmental health approach for the treatment of CF

Violence against women and gastroschisis: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Gastroschisis, a birth defect characterized by herniated fetal abdominal wall, occurs more commonly in infants born to teenage and young mothers. Ischemia of the vascular vitelline vessels is the likely mechanism of pathogenesis. Given that chronic stress and violence against women are risk factors for cardiovascular disease we explored whether these may represent risk factors for gastroschisis, when they occur during pregnancy. A case-control study was conducted, with 15 incident cases of children born with gastroschisis in the Region of Murcia, Spain, from December 2007 to June 2013. Forty concurrent controls were recruited at gestation weeks 20-24 or post-partum. All mothers of cases and controls completed a comprehensive, in-person, 'green sheet' questionnaire on environmental exposures. RESULTS: Mothers of children with gastroschisis were younger, smoked more cigarettes per week relative to controls, were exposed to higher amounts of illegal drugs, and suffered from domestic violence more frequently than the controls. Multivariable logistic regression analysis highlights periconceptional 'gender-related violence' (OR: 16.6, 95% CI 2.7 to 101.7) and younger maternal age (OR 1.1, 95% CI 1.0-1.3). CONCLUSIONS: Violence against pregnant women is associated with birth defects, and should be studied in more depth as a cause-effect teratogenic. Psychosocial risk factors, including gender-based violence, are important for insuring the health and safety of the pregnant mother and the fetus.

Smoking prevention and cessation programme in cystic fibrosis: integrating an environmental health approach.

BACKGROUND: There have been several studies assessing the epidemiology and effects of tobacco smoke in the cystic fibrosis (CF) population, but few address the efforts of smoking cessation interventions. Our objective is to present one tobacco prevention and cessation programme targeting patients with CF in the Mediterranean region of Murcia (Spain). METHODS: All registered patients in the Regional CF unit (n=105) in 2008 were included in a cross-sectional and prospective uncontrolled study of tobacco use and exposure in CF patients using a baseline and 1-year follow-up. Target population includes both patients and other family members living at home. The study included an initial telephone questionnaire, measurement of lung function, urinary cotinine levels, and several telephone counselling calls and/or personalised smoking cessation services. RESULTS: Of the 97 contacted patients, 59.8% (n=58) were exposed to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), 12.4% (n=12) had smoked at one time, and 14.3% (n=8) of patients over the age of 15 actively smoked. The mean age was 31.13 (range: 19-45). Of the non-smokers (n=89), 56.2% reported ETS and 26.9% live with at least one smoker at home. 49.2% had urinary cotinine levels >10 ng/ml. The correlation found between patients' cotinine levels and their reported tobacco exposure was (0.77, p<0.0001). Active smoking by mothers during pregnancy was associated with significantly lower lung function in young CF patients (-0.385, p=0.04). At the 1-year follow-up, 13 individuals made attempts to stop smoking, 6 of which are now ex-smokers (12.5% of all smokers). CONCLUSIONS: Smoking during pregnancy adversely affects lung function in individuals with CF. Tobacco prevention and cessation programmes are an effective and vital component for CF disease management. The trained professionals in prevention and smoking cessation services could provide patients with adequate follow-up, integrating an environmental health approach into CF patients' healthcare.

Case control study of periconceptional folic acid intake and nervous system tumors in children.

PURPOSE: Since 1992, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that women of childbearing age consume 400 µg of folic acid per day to reduce the risk of neural tube defects (NTD). It has been speculated that both NTD and nervous system tumors (NST) may share common mechanisms of altered development. It examines the association between folic acid supplementation and the risk for childhood NST. METHODS: Incident cases of children with cancer in Spain registered between 2004 and 2006 were identified through the MACAPE Network Group. Tumors were classified as tumors derived from the neuroectoderm (cases) and those with a mesoderm origin (controls). In a second analysis, NST were further divided into central nervous system tumors (CNST) and sympathetic nervous system tumors (SNST). We compared folic acid supplementation between the groups. RESULTS: Overall, folic acid supplementation any time during pregnancy was similar between cases and controls (odds ratio (OR)=1.05; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.92-1.20). However, supplementation before the 21st and 36th days of gestation resulted in significantly lower NST than in children with mesoderm tumors (OR=0.34; 95% CI 0.17-0.69 and OR=0.58; 95% CI 0.37-0.91, respectively). Preconceptional intakes of folic acid were also lower in NST although marginally nonsignificant (OR=0.44; 95% CI 0.10-1.02). When NST were divided into CNST and SNST, significant differences between tumors of mesoderm origin were only found for CNST. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support the hypothesis that folate supplementation reduces the risk of childhood NST, especially CNST. The specific mechanism and cellular role that folate may play in the development of CNST have yet to be elucidated.

[Environmental health nursing. Experience in a pediatric environmental health specialty unit]. / Enfermería en salud medioambiental. Experiencia en una unidad de salud medioambiental pediátrica.

Nursing occupies a strategic and privileged position to address many of the issues concerning children's environmental health. Nurses are the health professionals that work most closely with patients and their families and are in an excellent position to identify children at risk and advise their parents about the best practice to reduce or prevent environmental threats. Pediatric environmental health specialty units (PEHSU) can help to train and support nurses in this task. The activities of nurses in the PEHSU can be classified into five groups: nursing care, teaching, research, environmental management and school environmental health. Nursing associations and institutions should ensure that pediatric environmental health is compulsory in the undergraduate and postgraduate training of current and future nurses.

Enfermería en salud medioambiental. Experiencia en una unidad de salud medioambiental pediátrica / Environmental health nursing. Experience in a pediatric environmental health specialty unit

Enfermería ocupa un lugar estratégico y privilegiado para abordar muchas de las cuestiones de salud medioambiental (SMA) que afectan a la infancia. Los enfermeros/as son los profesionales con mayor cercanía al enfermo y a su familia, y están en una excelente posición para identificar a los niños en riesgo y aconsejar a sus padres acerca de la mejor forma para reducir o prevenir las amenazas medioambientales. Las unidades de salud medioambiental pediátrica (PEHSU) son centros de capacitación y apoyo para enfermería en estas tareas. Las actividades de enfermería en PEHSU se pueden resumir en 5 grupos: asistencia y cuidado, docencia, investigación, gestión medioambiental y salud medioambiental escolar. Las asociaciones e instituciones de enfermería deberían asegurar que el contenido de la SMA pediátrica sea obligatorio en la formación de los actuales y futuros enfermeros incluyendo asignaturas específicas desde el pregrado al posgrado(AU)

Nursing occupies a strategic and privileged position to address many of the issues concerning children's environmental health. Nurses are the health professionals that work most closely with patients and their families and are in an excellent position to identify children at risk and advise their parents about the best practice to reduce or prevent environmental threats. Pediatric environmental health specialty units (PEHSU) can help to train and support nurses in this task. The activities of nurses in the PEHSU can be classified into five groups: nursing care, teaching, research, environmental management and school environmental health. Nursing associations and institutions should ensure that pediatric environmental health is compulsory in the undergraduate and postgraduate training of current and future nurses(AU)

Estimated intake levels of methylmercury in children, childbearing age and pregnant women in a Mediterranean region, Murcia, Spain.

Methylmercury (MeHg) is a bioaccumulable toxin in the trophic chain and a powerful neurotoxin during fetal and child development. Consumption of contaminated fish and shellfish is a principal environmental source of MeHg exposure. This study was designed to assess the Hg and estimated MeHg intake in vulnerable groups of the Murcia region, a Mediterranean part of Spain, compared with international regulations. A validated food frequency questionnaire was used to assess seafood consumptions in 320 children younger than 10 years, 301 women of childbearing age, and 537 pregnant women. Hg concentrations were measured in the most consumed fish products by cold vapor generation-atomic fluorescence spectrometry. The weekly intake of MeHg (microg/kg bw/week) was 2.60 (95% CI = 2.10-3.10) in children 1-5 years, 2.65 (95% CI = 2.26-3.03) in children 6-10 years, 0.98 (95% CI = 0.89-1.07) in women of childbearing age, and 0.88 (95% CI = 0.81-0.95) in pregnant women. The main exposure to MeHg, especially in young children, is related to intake of bluefin tuna and swordfish. Fifty-four percent of children aged 1-10 years, 10% of pregnant women, and 15% of women of childbearing age exceed the Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives provisional tolerable weekly intake of MeHg. In the Murcia region, where fish is a central component of the diet, the focus should be on educating vulnerable populations to reorient fish consumption in order to lower the amount of Hg incorporated with the diet as well as to reduce Hg emissions into the environment.