The Catalan Surveillance Network of SARS-CoV-2 in Sewage: design, implementation, and performance.

Wastewater-based epidemiology has shown to be an efficient tool to track the circulation of SARS-CoV-2 in communities assisted by wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). The challenge comes when this approach is employed to help Health authorities in their decision-making. Here, we describe the roadmap for the design and deployment of SARSAIGUA, the Catalan Surveillance Network of SARS-CoV-2 in Sewage. The network monitors, weekly or biweekly, 56 WWTPs evenly distributed across the territory and serving 6 M inhabitants (80% of the Catalan population). Each week, samples from 45 WWTPs are collected, analyzed, results reported to Health authorities, and finally published within less than 72 h in an online dashboard ( https://sarsaigua.icra.cat ). After 20 months of monitoring (July 20-March 22), the standardized viral load (gene copies/day) in all the WWTPs monitored fairly matched the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases along the successive pandemic waves, showing a good fit with the diagnosed cases in the served municipalities (Spearman Rho = 0.69). Here we describe the roadmap of the design and deployment of SARSAIGUA while providing several open-access tools for the management and visualization of the surveillance data.

Removal of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase-Producing Escherichia coli, ST98, in Water for Human Consumption by Black Ceramic Water Filters in Low-Income Ecuadorian Highlands.

Fecal contamination in natural water sources is a common problem in low-income countries. Several health risks are associated with unprotected water sources, such as gastrointestinal infections caused by parasites, viruses, and bacteria. Moreover, antibiotic-resistant bacteria in water sources have become an increasing problem worldwide. This study aimed to evaluate the bacterial pathogens present in water within a rural context in Ecuador, along with the efficiency of black ceramic water filters (BCWFs) as a sustainable household water treatment. We monitored five natural water sources that were used for human consumption in the highlands of Ecuador and analyzed the total coliforms and E. coli before and after BCWF installation. The results indicated a variable bacterial contamination (29-300 colony-forming units/100mL) in all unfiltered samples, and they were considered as high risk for human consumption, but after filtration, no bacteria were present. Moreover, extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing E. coli with blaTEM, blaCTX-M9, and blaCTX-M1 genes, and two E. coli classified in the clonal complex ST10 (ST98) were detected in two of the locations sampled; these strains can severely impact public health. The clonal complex ST10, found in the E. coli isolates, possesses the potential to spread bacteria-resistant genes to humans and animals. The results of the use of BCWFs, however, argue for the filters' potential impact within those contexts, as the BCWFs completely removed even antibiotic-resistant contaminants from the water.

SARS-CoV-2 in river water: Implications in low sanitation countries.

Since the beginning of COVID-19 pandemic studies on viral shedding have reported that this virus is excreted in feces in most patients. High viral loads are found at the sewage pipeline or at the entrance of wastewater treatment plants from cities where the number of COVID-19 cases are significant. In Quito (Ecuador) as in many other cities worldwide, wastewater is directly discharged into natural waters. The aim of this study was to evaluate SARS-CoV-2 presence in urban streams from a low sanitation context. Three river locations along the urban rivers of Quito were sampled on the 5th of June during a peak of COVID-19 cases. River samples were evaluated for water quality parameters and afterwards, concentrated for viral analysis using skimmed milk flocculation method. The viral concentrates were quantified for SARS-CoV-2 (N1 and N2 target regions) and Human Adenovirus as a human viral indicator. The results showed that SARS-CoV-2 was detected for both target regions in all samples analyzed in a range of 2,91E+05 to 3,19E+06 GC/L for N1 and from 2,07E+05 to 2,22E+06 GC/L for N2. The high values detected in natural waters from a low sanitation region have several implications in health and ecology that should be further assessed.

Planificación familiar en mujeres de una institución educativa de la Ciudad de Popayán, Colombia / Contraceptive practices in women of an educational institution in the City of Popayán, Colombia / Contraceptive practices in women of an educational institution in the City of Popayán, Colombia

RESUMEN Introducción . En el mundo, se calcula que al menos 200 millones de mujeres no tienen acceso a servicios de planificación familiar, a pesar de que las condiciones relacionadas con el embarazo, parto y puerperio constituyen un tercio de la morbimortalidad en mujeres en edad reproductiva. Objetivo . Determinar las prácticas de planificación familiar en mujeres de una institución educativa de la ciudad de Popayán, Colombia. Métodos . Se realizó un estudio de corte transversal. Se incluyeron 204 mujeres, a quienes se les aplicó un cuestionario estructurado, de acuerdo a las variables objeto de medición. Resultados . Aproximadamente 90% de las participantes refirió vida sexual activa, 59% tenía pareja esTable y 53% planificaba actualmente, mientras 21% mencionó tener interés en la concepción. El método de planificación más común fue el condón, seguido de los anticonceptivos orales y los métodos hormonales inyecTables. Conclusiones . En la población estudiada, la receptividad respecto a los métodos de planificación familiar fue limitada. En contraste con la literatura disponible, las prácticas de planificación familiar estuvieron influenciadas por las características sociodemográficas de cada población, siendo diferentes en los diversos contextos socioculturales.

ABSTRACT Introduction: At least 200 million women worldwide do not have access to family planning services despite the fact that conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium constitute one third of morbidity and mortality in women of reproductive age. Objective: To determine contraceptive practices in women of an educational institution in the city of Popayán, Colombia. Methods: A crosssectional study was conducted in 204 women, to whom a structured questionnaire was applied according to the variables measured. Results: Approximately 90% of the participants reported active sex life, 59% had a sTable partner and 53% were currently family planning, while 21% mentioned having interest in conceiving. The most common family planning method was the condom, followed by oral contraceptives and injecTable hormones. Conclusions: In the population studied, receptivity to contraceptive methods was limited. In contrast to the available literature, these practices were influenced by the sociodemographic characteristics of each population, being different among sociocultural contexts.

Congenital Malaria in Newborns Delivered to Mothers with Malaria-Infected Placenta in Blue Nile State, Sudan.

Diagnosis of congenital malaria is complicated by the low density of the parasite circulating in the cord blood and/or the peripheral blood of the newborns. Molecular techniques are significantly more sensitive than blood smears in detecting low-level parasitemia. This study investigated the prevalence of congenital malaria by the use of the real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR) in 102 babies born to mothers with microscopically confirmed infected placenta from Blue Nile state, Sudan. At delivery time, placental, maternal peripheral and cord blood samples in addition to samples collected from the newborns' peripheral blood were examined for malaria infection using Giemsa-stained thick smear and parasite DNA detection by real-time PCR. The overall prevalence of congenital malaria includes the total babies with cord blood parasitaemia and peripheral blood parasitaemia was 18.6 and 56.8% using microscopy and real-time PCR, respectively. Even though all the neonates were aparasitaemic by microscopy, 19 (18.6%) of the babies had congenital malaria detected by real-time PCR, 15 (25.9%) of the babies with congenital malaria were born to mothers with both placental and peripheral blood malaria infections detected using the two techniques. Congenital malaria was significantly associated with cord blood malaria infections, maternal age and maternal haemoglobin level (p < 0.001). This first study investigating congenital malaria in Blue Nile state, Sudan shows that malaria-infected placenta resulted in infant and cord blood infections.

Antimicrobial Susceptibility and Multilocus Sequence Typing of Listeria monocytogenes Isolated Over 11 Years from Food, Humans, and the Environment in Italy.

Due to the increasing number of studies reporting the detection of antimicrobial-resistant isolates of Listeria monocytogenes, we sought to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility of L. monocytogenes isolates collected in Italy and find potential correlations to their serotypes and multilocus sequence types (MLST). The antimicrobial susceptibility of 317 L. monocytogenes isolates collected from food, humans, and the environment from 1998 to 2009 was assessed by minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). Serotyping and MLST was also performed on all isolates. Potential correlations among antimicrobial resistance profiles, serotyping, and MLST were statistically evaluated. Twenty-four percent of L. monocytogenes isolates were resistant to oxacillin, 28.7% intermediate to clindamycin, and 24.3% to ciprofloxacin. The majority of isolates with elevated MIC to oxacillin was of environmental origin and belonged to serotype 4b/4e and ST2. Isolates with intermediate MIC values to clindamycin and ciprofloxacin were mostly of food and human origin and belonged to serotype 4b/4e and ST9. Regarding the time frame of isolate collection, comparing the last 3 years (2007-2009) to previous years (1998-2006), an increase was observed in the percentage of resistant and intermediate isolates per year. This trend strongly suggests the need for increasing attention on the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in L. monocytogenes in Italy. To predict future resistance trends, the monitoring of clinical intermediate resistance might represent a useful tool especially for antibiotics associated to multiple-step mechanisms of acquired resistance. A specific focus should be addressed to antimicrobial-resistant isolates of serotype 4b, repeatedly associated with food-borne outbreaks.

Identification of virulence and antibiotic resistance factors in Arcobacter butzleri isolated from bovine milk by Whole Genome Sequencing.

Arcobacter butzleri is a pathogenic aerobic bacterium responsible for diarrhea and septicemia in humans. It is frequently isolated from food products of animal origin, including milk and dairy products. To data, few reports are currently available on the genetic characteristics and virulence profiles of A. butzleri. The aim of this study was to investigate the genetic diversity and to characterize the virulence and antibiotic resistance profiles of 10 A. butzleri strains isolated from bovine milk samples by Whole Genome Sequence (WGS). Multi-Locus Sequence Typing (MLST) revealed that three isolates belonged to the ST66, two to the ST420 and the remaining five strains to the ST627, ST629, ST630, ST633 and ST637, respectively. The 100% of the strains carried cadF, pldA, ciaB, cj1349, mviN and tlyA virulence factors genes; 60% iroE; 50% irgA; 10% hecB. Resistome prediction showed a multidrug resistance: 100% of isolates resulted resistant to fluoroquinolones and tetracycline; 90% of strains to rifampicin and cephalosporins and a minor percentage to other antibiotics. Furthermore, the 50% of strains harbored four mutations in Mycobacterium tuberculosis katG gene conferring resistance to isoniazid. The study provided interesting data on the virulence characteristics and on the genetic endowment related to the antimicrobial resistance of A. butzleri isolates from milk. The determination of the STs also added information concerning the genetic variability of this microorganism. To date, a very limited number of studies have been published on the typing of A. butzleri using WGS, so this paper proposes an innovative methodological approach that allows a rapid and complete characterization of pathogenic microorganisms.

VirWaTest, A Point-of-Use Method for the Detection of Viruses in Water Samples.

Viruses excreted by humans and animals may contaminate water sources and pose a risk to human health when this water is used for drinking, food irrigation, washing, etc. The classical fecal bacteria indicator does not always check for the presence of viral pathogens so the detection of viral pathogens and viral indicators is relevant in order to adopt measures of risk mitigation, especially in humanitarian scenarios and in areas where water-borne viral outbreaks are frequent. At present, several commercial tests allowing the quantification of fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) are available for testing at the point of use. However, such commercial tests are not available for the detection of viruses. The detection of viruses in environmental water samples requires concentrating several liters into smaller volumes. Moreover, once concentrated, the detection of viruses relies on methods such as nucleic acid extraction and molecular detection (e.g., polymerase chain reaction [PCR]-based assays) of the viral genomes. The method described here allows the concentration of viruses from 10 L water samples, as well as the extraction of viral nucleic acids at the point of use, with simple and portable equipment. This allows the testing of water samples at the point of use for several viruses and is useful in humanitarian scenarios, as well as at any context where an equipped laboratory is not available. Alternatively, the method allows concentrating viruses present in water samples and the shipping of the concentrate to a laboratory at room temperature for further analysis.

MRSA in swine, farmers and abattoir workers in Southern Italy.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an important medical issue, since it causes serious and sometimes fatal infections in humans. Intensively reared swine may serve as reservoirs for MRSA that can infect swine workers, and also consumers (via contaminated meat). In this study, MRSA strains were isolated from 55 of the 85 (64.7%) intensive pig farms surveyed, and prevalence was greater on pig fattening farms than on breeding farms. In addition, we included in the study 63 foreign pigs imported for slaughter. Overall, the prevalence of MRSA in the 418 sampled swine was 59.1%; 12 genotypes were identified among the isolates; ST398 (96.4%) was most prevalent, followed by ST97 (2%), ST9 (0.8%) and ST1 (0.8%). MRSA isolates were also detected in 26 (17.3%) of the 150 operators included in the study; the genotypes detected were ST398 (85%), ST9 (7.6%), ST5 (3.8%) and ST1 (3.8%). All the strains were pvl negative and pia positive. Both swine and human strains displayed a multi-resistance pattern, and almost all were resistant to tetracycline. The results obtained in this study confirm the high prevalence of MRSA in swine reared and slaughtered in Italy, and underline the public health risk linked to the spread of antimicrobial-resistant Staphylococcus aureus among intensively reared pigs.

Quito's virome: Metagenomic analysis of viral diversity in urban streams of Ecuador's capital city.

In Quito, the microbiological contamination of surface water represents a public health problem, mainly due to the lack of sewage treatment from urban wastewater. Contaminated water contributes to the transmission of many enteric pathogens through direct consumption, agricultural and recreational use. Among the different pathogens present in urban discharges, viruses play an important role on disease, being causes of gastroenteritis, hepatitis, meningitis, respiratory infections, among others. This study analyzes the presence of viruses in highly impacted surface waters of urban rivers using next-generation sequencing techniques. Three representative locations of urban rivers, receiving the main discharges from Quito sewerage system, were selected. Water samples of 500 mL were concentrated by skimmed-milk flocculation method and the viral nucleic acid was extracted and processed for high throughput sequencing using Illumina MiSeq. The results yielded very relevant data of circulating viruses in the capital of Ecuador. A total of 29 viral families were obtained, of which 26 species were associated with infections in humans. Among the 26 species identified, several were related to gastroenteritis: Human Mastadenovirus F, Bufavirus, Sapporovirus, Norwalk virus and Mamastrovirus 1. Also detected were: Gammapapillomavirus associated with skin infections, Polyomavirus 1 related to cases of kidney damage, Parechovirus A described as cause of neonatal sepsis with neurological affectations and Hepatovirus A, the etiologic agent of Hepatitis A. Other emergent viruses identified, of which its pathogenicity remains to be fully clarified, were: Bocavirus, Circovirus, Aichi Virus and Cosavirus. The wide diversity of species detected through metagenomics gives us key information about the public health risks present in the urban rivers of Quito. In addition, this study describes for the first time the presence of important infectious agents not previously reported in Ecuador and with very little reports in Latin America.

TNFAIP3 haploinsufficiency is the cause of autoinflammatory manifestations in a patient with a deletion of 13Mb on chromosome 6.

There is scarce literature about autoinflammation in syndromic patients. We describe a patient who, in addition to psychomotor and growth delay, presented with fevers, neutrophilic dermatosis, and recurrent orogenital ulcers. Comparative Genomic Hybridization (CGH) array permitted to identify a 13.13Mb deletion on chromosome 6, encompassing 53 genes, and including TNFAIP3 gene (A20). A20 is a potent inhibitor of the NF-kB signalling pathway and restricts inflammation via its deubiquitinase activity. Western blotting and immunoprecipitation assays showed decreased A20 expression and increased phosphorylation of p65 and IkBa. Patient's cells displayed increased levels of total K63-linked ubiquitin and increased levels of ubiquitinated RIP and NEMO after stimulation with TNF. We describe the molecular characterization of an autoinflammatory disease due to a large chromosomal deletion and review the phenotypes of patients with A20 haploinsufficiency. CGH arrays should be the first diagnostic method for comprehensive analysis of patients with syndromic features and immune dysregulation.

Arcobacter spp. in bovine milk: An emerging pathogen with potential zoonotic risk.

The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence and genetic characteristics of Arcobacter spp. in bovine bulk tank milk produced in Apulia Region (Italy). Samples collected from 396 dairy farms, after enrichment in a selective broth, were subjected to an Arcobacter genus - specific Real Time PCR. Positive broths, previously filtered, were seeded on Karmali, MCCD and Columbia Blood Agar plates; presumptive Arcobacter spp. colonies were identified using an amplification and sequencing method and then characterized by Multi-Locus Sequence Typing (MLST). Prevalence of Arcobacter spp. in bovine milk samples was 5% (20/396); A. butzleri was the only isolated species, in agreement with previous studies that reported A. butzleri as the most commonly recovered species in milk and dairy products. MLST analysis of the 20 A. butzleri strains identified 81 alleles and 16 STs. Consistent with previous studies, MLST revealed a high level of heterogeneity between the A. butzleri isolates and confirmed the high discriminatory power of this method and its suitability for epidemiological investigations. This study confirmed the importance of raw milk as a possible source of Arcobacter spp. for humans.

High Occurrence of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Horses at Slaughterhouses Compared with Those for Recreational Activities: A Professional and Food Safety Concern?

The epidemiology of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in horses and its zoonotic potential is poorly understood. The objective of this study is to provide data on the prevalence and genetic characteristics of MRSA isolated from horses on farms, at racecourses, and at slaughterhouses in Italy, using standard and molecular methods. In addition, we report the prevalence of MRSA in horse handlers. Among 388 horses tested by nasal swabs, 27 (7%) were positive for MRSA ST398 (t011, t899, t1255) and ST1 (t127). The prevalence of MRSA in horses tested at slaughterhouses was significantly higher (p < 0.001) compared with those tested on farms and racecourses. Five (7%) out of 67 staff members working in close contact with horses (2 from slaughterhouse, 2 from riding stable, and 1 from racecourse) were carriers of MRSA ST398 (t011, t034) and ST1 (t127). The isolates from horses and humans carried SCCmec IVa or V and were pvl negative and pia positive. All the isolates from both horses and humans were resistant to at least two antimicrobial classes. The circulation of MRSA in horses and in humans working in close contact with them should be considered an emerging public health issue. In fact, it represents a potential risk for people who work in close contact with horses, and for horse meat consumers.

Atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (aEPEC) in children under five years old with diarrhea in Quito (Ecuador)

Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) remain one the most important pathogens infecting children and they are one of the main causes of persistent diarrhea worldwide. In this study, we have isolated EPEC from 94 stool samples of children under five years old with diarrheal illness in the area of Quito (Ecuador), and we have determined the occurrence of the two subtypes of EPEC, typical EPEC (tEPEC) and atypical (aEPEC), by PCR amplification of the genes eae (attaching and effacing) and bfp (bundle- forming pilus). Typical EPEC is positive for eae and bfp genes while aEPEC is positive only for eae. Our results suggest that aEPEC is the most prevalent subtype in Quito (89.36 %), while subtype tEPEC is less prevalent (10.64 %) (AU)

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Development and Application of a Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) Approach for the Rapid Detection of Dirofilaria repens from Biological Samples.

Dirofilariasis by Dirofilaria repens is an important mosquito vector borne parasitosis, and the dog represents the natural host and reservoir of the parasite. This filarial nematode can also induce disease in humans, and in the last decades an increasing number of cases have been being reported. The present study describes the first loop mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay to detect D. repens DNA in blood and mosquitoes. Two versions of the technique have been developed and described: in the first, the amplification is followed point by point through a real time PCR instrument (ReT-LAMP); in the second, the amplification is visualized by checking UV fluorescence of the reaction mixture after addition of propidium iodide (PI-LAMP). The two variants use the same set of 4 primers targeting the D. repens cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. To assess the specificity of the method, reactions were carried out by using DNA from the major zoonotic parasites of the family of Onchocercidae, and no amplification was observed. The lower limit of detection of the ReT-LAMP assay was 0.15 fg/µl (corresponding to about 50 copy of COI gene per µl). Results suggest that the described assay is specific, and its sensitivity is higher than the conventional PCR based on the same gene. It is also provide a rapid and cost-effective molecular detection of D. repens, mainly when PI-LAMP is applied, and it should be performed in areas where this emerging parasitosis is endemic.

UV disinfection and flocculation-chlorination sachets to reduce hepatitis E virus in drinking water.

Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) is a major cause of waterborne outbreaks in areas with poor sanitation. As safe water supplies are the keystone for preventing HEV outbreaks, data on the efficacy of disinfection treatments are urgently needed. Here, we evaluated the ability of UV radiation and flocculation-chlorination sachets (FCSs) to reduce HEV in water matrices. The HEV-p6-kernow strain was replicated in the HepG2/C3A cell line, and we quantified genome number using qRT-PCR and infectivity using an immunofluorescence assay (IFA). UV irradiation tests using low-pressure radiation showed inactivation kinetics for HEV of 99.99% with a UV fluence of 232J/m(2) (IC 95%, 195,02-269,18). Moreover, the FCSs preparations significantly reduced viral concentrations in both water matrices, although the inactivation results were under the baseline of reduction (4.5 LRV) proposed by WHO guidelines.

Iudicium: An Educational Intervention for addressing Risk Perception of Alcohol Abuse in Adolescents.

Negative consequences of alcohol abuse during adolescence have been extensively described. Consequently, different interventions have been developed to address this issue. This article describes the implementation and evaluation of Iudicium, an educational drama-based intervention designed to increase risk perception of alcohol abuse. In this activity, high school students judge a case in which alcohol consumption had negative consequences (e.g., fights, unwanted pregnancy, and car accident). A trial is simulated and after that, a debriefing takes place during which the activity is discussed and informational materials on the effects of alcohol is provided and commented. A total of 318 students (55.7% females and 44.3% males) from five high schools participated in the study. Data regarding risk perception of alcohol abuse and adequacy of the activity was collected before and after the intervention. Results suggest that Iudicium was effective in increasing risk perception of abusive drinking, reaching a 34% of increase regarding risk perception. Participants highlighted the experiential component of Iudicium as a strength. The intervention was well-accepted, easy to understand and apparently an effective tool for increasing risk perception of alcohol abuse amongst high school students.

El consumo abusivo de alcohol en la adolescencia se asocia a importantes consecuencias negativas y por tanto diversos programas e intervenciones se han desarrollado para tratar esta problemática. En este artículo presentamos Iudicium, una actividad realizada en contextos educativos y basada en una dramatización, cuyo objetivo es incrementar la percepción del riesgo del consumo abusivo de alcohol en adolescentes. En la actividad se realiza un juicio grupal a un caso ficticio, donde los protagonistas sufren consecuencias severas a causa del consumo excesivo de alcohol (p. ej., peleas físicas, embarazo no deseado, y accidente automovilístico). A continuación, se procede a una reflexión grupal y a la discusión de información sobre los efectos del consumo de alcohol. Participaron en la actividad 318 estudiantes (55,7% mujeres y 44,3% hombres) procedentes de 5 centros de bachillerato. La percepción de riesgo de consumo de alcohol fue evaluada pre y post intervención. Los resultados indican que la actividad tuvo un impacto positivo, observándose un aumento de un 34% en la percepción de riesgo de abuso de alcohol. La aceptación de la intervención fue buena y los participantes destacaron el componente experiencial como una de sus fortalezas. En suma, Iudicium parece ser una intervención eficaz para aumentar la percepción del riesgo de consumo abusivo de alcohol en estudiantes.

Atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (aEPEC) in children under five years old with diarrhea in Quito (Ecuador).

Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) remain one the most important pathogens infecting children and they are one of the main causes of persistent diarrhea worldwide. In this study, we have isolated EPEC from 94 stool samples of children under five years old with diarrheal illness in the area of Quito (Ecuador), and we have determined the occurrence of the two subtypes of EPEC, typical EPEC (tEPEC) and atypical (aEPEC), by PCR amplification of the genes eae (attaching and effacing) and bfp (bundle- forming pilus). Typical EPEC is positive for eae and bfp genes while aEPEC is positive only for eae. Our results suggest that aEPEC is the most prevalent subtype in Quito (89.36 %), while subtype tEPEC is less prevalent (10.64 %). [Int Microbiol 19(3):157-160 (2016)].

Iudicium: Una intervención educativa para abordar la percepción de riesgo del consumo problemático de alcohol en adolescentes / Iudicium: An Educational Intervention for addressing Risk Perception of Alcohol Abuse in Adolescents

El consumo abusivo de alcohol en la adolescencia se asocia a importantes consecuencias negativas y por tanto diversos programas e intervenciones se han desarrollado para tratar esta problemática. En este artículo presentamos Iudicium, una actividad realizada en contextos educativos y basada en una dramatización, cuyo objetivo es incrementar la percepción del riesgo del consumo abusivo de alcohol en adolescentes. En la actividad se realiza un juicio grupal a un caso ficticio, donde los protagonistas sufren consecuencias severas a causa del consumo excesivo de alcohol (p. ej., peleas físicas, embarazo no deseado, y accidente automovilístico). A continuación, se procede a una reflexión grupal y a la discusión de información sobre los efectos del consumo de alcohol. Participaron en la actividad 318 estudiantes (55,7% mujeres y 44,3% hombres) procedentes de 5 centros de bachillerato. La percepción de riesgo de consumo de alcohol fue evaluada pre y post intervención. Los resultados indican que la actividad tuvo un impacto positivo, observándose un aumento de un 34% en la percepción de riesgo de abuso de alcohol. La aceptación de la intervención fue buena y los participantes destacaron el componente experiencial como una de sus fortalezas. En suma, Iudicium parece ser una intervención eficaz para aumentar la percepción del riesgo de consumo abusivo de alcohol en estudiantes

Negative consequences of alcohol abuse during adolescence have been extensively described. Consequently, different interventions have been developed to address this issue. This article describes the implementation and evaluation of Iudicium, an educational drama-based intervention designed to increase risk perception of alcohol abuse. In this activity, high school students judge a case in which alcohol consumption had negative consequences (e.g., fights, unwanted pregnancy, and car accident). A trial is simulated and after that, a debriefing takes place during which the activity is discussed and informational materials on the effects of alcohol are provided and commented. A total of 318 students (55.7% females and 44.3% males) from five high schools participated in the study. Data regarding risk perception of alcohol abuse and adequacy of the activity was collected before and after the intervention. Results suggest that Iudicium was effective in increasing risk perception of abusive drinking, reaching a 34% of increase regarding risk perception. Participants highlighted the experiential component of Iudicium as a strength. The intervention was well-accepted, easy to understand and apparently an effective tool for increasing risk perception of alcohol abuse among high school students