Population status of selenium in Colombia and associated factors: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate the population status of selenium in Colombia and other associated factors. METHODS: Cross-sectional study, in population of urban or rural origin (n=412). Main outcome measures were: median serum selenium, thyrotropin, the prevalence of and positivity of anti-thyroid peroxidase, anti-thyroglobulin, and anti-TSH receptor. RESULTS: This study found that 96.6% of the subjects had normal selenium levels, and no significant associations were found between the population median of selenium and overweight/obesity, sociodemographic variables, age, goiter, and thyroid antibody positivity. CONCLUSIONS: In Colombia, the population status of selenium is normal, and the geological characteristics may contribute to the state of selenium in this population. However, additional studies are required to evaluate the content of selenium in plants and other foods.

Comportamientos de salud y estilos de vida en adolescentes de tres colegios del municipio de Popayán / Healthcare patterns and life styles in adolescents from three schools in Popayán, Colombia

Objetivo Identificar las prácticas saludables y conductas de riesgo en estudiantes matriculados en colegios del municipio de Popayán, durante Junio y Diciembre de 2009. Método Estudio descriptivo de corte transversal en 3 colegios del municipio de Popayán que acogen una población de 1 495 estudiantes. La información se colecto a través de la Encuesta Mundial de Salud Escolar (GSHS) de la OMS. Resultados Los resultados arrojan que el 55,2 % de los adolescentes probaron el cigarrillo por primera vez entre los 10 y 12 años, la mayor frecuencia de inicio del consumo de alcohol se encuentra entre los 13 y 15 años, los episodios de soledad los experimentan alrededor de los 14 años y es preocupante la precocidad en el inicio de su actividad sexual. Conclusiones Los resultados obtenidos confirman la presencia de factores de riesgo para enfermedades crónicas, violencia e infección del VIH y otras ITS.

Objective Identifying healthy practice and risky behavior in students from Popayan in June and December 2009. Method This was across-sectional study in 3 schools in Popayan. The information was collected using the Global School Health Survey (GSHS), validated by the WHO. Results The results showed that 55.2 % of teenagers tried smoking for the first time between 10 and 12 years of age. The single largest group regarding trying/starting to drink alcohol was 13 to 15 years of age. Episodes of solitude were experienced around 14 years of age and the early onset of sexual activity was concerning. Conclusion The results confirmed the presence of risk factors for chronic diseases, violence and HIV infection in this study population.

[Healthcare patterns and life styles in adolescents from three schools in Popayán, Colombia]. / Comportamientos de salud y estilos de vida en adolescentes de tres colegios del municipio de Popayán.

OBJECTIVE: Identifying healthy practice and risky behavior in students from Popayan in June and December 2009. METHOD: This was across-sectional study in 3 schools in Popayan. The information was collected using the Global School Health Survey (GSHS), validated by the WHO. RESULTS: The results showed that 55.2 % of teenagers tried smoking for the first time between 10 and 12 years of age. The single largest group regarding trying/starting to drink alcohol was 13 to 15 years of age. Episodes of solitude were experienced around 14 years of age and the early onset of sexual activity was concerning. CONCLUSION: The results confirmed the presence of risk factors for chronic diseases, violence and HIV infection in this study population.