Determination of multiclass pesticides in river sediments via matrix solid-phase dispersion extraction and gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

A fast and environment-friendly analytical method was implemented to determine multiclass pesticides in river sediments. Twenty-three pesticides-organochlorine pesticides, organophosphorus pesticides, and triazines-were extracted via matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) and analyzed by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). Florisil demonstrated excellent analytes uptake capability as the extractant phase, with suitable selectivity for treating complex sediment samples. Under defined extraction conditions, the MSPD-GC-MS/MS method demonstrated robustness in the n inter-day analysis of sediments from different sources, providing limit of quantifications (LOQs) between 5 and 15 ng/g, linear responses in the range between LOQs and 150 ng/g, extraction recoveries of 71%-106%, and precision, assessed as relative standard deviation below 20%. The MSPD significantly reduced samples and solvents' consumption, providing critical environmental gains compared to traditional extraction methods like Soxhlet. Finally, the method was applied to analyze sediment samples from three different collection areas of the Subachoque River (Cundinamarca, Colombia), demonstrating a fast, efficient, confident, and profitable analytical tool for pollution control and monitoring in environmental samples. The method allowed us to determine the current use in Colombia of banned pesticides under the 2001 Stockholm Convention.

Childhood-onset Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Patients features and their transition into adulthood. / Caracterización de pacientes con Lupus Eritematoso Sistémico Infantil y su transición a etapa adulta.

INTRODUCTION: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune, multisystemic, chronic disease that is diffi cult to diagnose. Few studies describe its features in the South American pediatric population. Ob jective: to describe clinical and laboratory features, course, and treatment of childhood-onset SLE patients and their transition into adulthood. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Retrospective study of patients diagnosed with SLE in a Children's Rheumatology Unit of a hospital in Santiago de Chile between 2001 and 2017. Epidemiological, clinical, laboratory, treatment received, evolution, complications and hospitalizations data were registered. It was considered severe SLE the cases with renal or cen tral nervous system involvement. RESULTS: 31 patients were studied, all with the disease longer than 6 months. The female/male ratio was 5.2/1. The median age of presentation was 12.5 years. In 94% of cases, the diagnostic delay was less than 6 months. The most frequent clinical characteristics were arthritis (87%), skin lesions (58%), and renal involvement (58%). The most frequent laboratory findings were positive antinuclear antibodies (100%), positive anti-dsDNA antibodies (74%), and hypocomplementemia (71%). Corticosteroids, hydroxychloroquine, and mycophenolate were the most commonly used drugs. There was no mortality in this group. 97% of patients had "satisfactory check-ups" during pediatric care and 59% in the adult one. The transition was scheduled in most cases. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study were similar to other publications and is one of the few studies describing SLE in the Chilean pediatric population. In addition, it describes the transition into adulthood.

Culmina el primer ciclo de la formación de especialistas para la atención primaria y el sistema público de atención de salud: qué hacer en adelante? / Training program of specialists incorporated in the primary health care teams: at the end of the first six year cycle, which goals for the next stage?

El Programa de formación de especialistas para la atención primaria de salud y el sistema público, fue iniciado por el Ministerio de Salud de Chile en el año 2007 y se implementa en ocho facultades de Medicina. El Programa dura seis años; la mitad del período transcurre en centros de salud familiar. La primera cohorte de médicos se graduará a comienzos del año 2014. Participan 498 médicos jóvenes, estudiando en hospitales de nivel universitario y trabajando en 73 centros de salud que atienden una población de cerca de dos millones de usuarios potenciales. Actualmente hay suficiente evidencia de que las autoridades, los profesores de clínica, los residentes, las municipalidades y los evaluadores externos consideran que el Programa es necesario y efectivo. El Ministerio proporciona el financiamiento adecuado; pero todavía preocupa su estatus legal y organizacional. Las actividades se orientan a la consolidación de la gestión clínica, al fortalecimiento de las funciones de promoción y prevención en los centros de salud, al progreso en la equidad y efectividad del sistema y a la educación de los usuarios y de las comunidades. Durante la formación también se desarrolla un curso (diploma) de Salud Pública. Los objetivos de mayor alcance incluyen: la planificación de la cobertura a alcanzar durante el próximo ciclo de seis años, la definición de las condiciones deseables para ejecutar la atención primaria, y la evaluación del costo efectividad de las acciones, incluyendo el destino ulterior de los egresados.

The Training Program of specialists incorporated in the primary health care teams and in the public medical care system was started by the Ministry of Health of Chile in 2007 and is carried out in cooperation with eight Medical Faculties. The program lasts six years; half of the time is spent in primary care clinics. The fist cohort will graduate as specialists beginning of 2014. In all, 498 young physicians are now participating in the Program in 73 clinics that cover nearly 2 million potential users. It is generally agreed by all concerned – authorities, faculty, residents, municipalities, external evaluators - that the Program is necessary and effective. However, at this stage and in spite of the financial and administrative support so far provided, there is a concern regarding the legal and organizational status of the Program. Current efforts are being directed towards consolidating the clinical management of patients, strengthening promotion and prevention in the clinics, improving the equity and effectiveness of the system and educating the users and the communities. This is supported by a public health course delivered during the entire duration of the Program. Broader objectives include: planning the coverage to be attained during the next six-year cycle; defining the required type of PHC facilities, and evaluating the cost-effectiveness of the Program, including the subsequent destination of its graduates.

[Children with special health care needs: prevalence in a pediatric hospital and associated risks]. / Niños y adolescentes con necesidades especiales de atención en salud: prevalencia hospitalaria y riesgos asociados.

BACKGROUND: "Children with special health care needs" (CSHCN) is a novel definition for pediatric patients with chronic diseases, adopted by the Chilean Pediatric Society in 2008. As life expectancy in Chile increases, prevalence of CSHCN is progressively growing, leading to higher health costs. AIM: To describe the epidemiological profile and clinical characteristics of hospitalized CSHCN, and compare the risk assessment of adverse events during hospitalization using two definitions for CSHCN. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cohort of hospitalized CSHCN in a Pediatric Center at Santiago, Chile, was followed from September to December 2009. Clinical and demographic data were registered in a database, including admission to intensive care unit (ICU), nosocomial infections and prolonged hospitalization (> 7 days). Incidence ratios for these events were compared between CSHCN and non-CSHCN, and between children attended by three or more health care professionals (CSHCN-3) and non-CSHCN. RESULTS: Nine hundred twenty patients were included (54% male), with a median age 14 months (0-221) and median days of hospitalization 4 days (1-229). Prevalence of CSHCN was 60.8% of hospitalized children. When using CSHCN definition and comparing with non-CSHCN, no excess of risk was documented. On the other hand, prevalence of CSHCN-3 was 19.9%. Compared to non-CSHCN, these patients had a higher risk of ICU admission (relative risk (RR) 1.58; 95% confidence intervals (CI) = 1.22-2.05; p < 0.01), nosocomial infections (RR 2.28; 95% CI = 1.54-3.39; p < 0.001) and prolonged hospitalization (RR 1.99; 95% CI = 1.52-2.60; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: One in five hospitalized children met CSHCN-3 definition. These patients had an increased risk of adverse events during their hospitalization compared to non-CSHCN.

Niños y adolescentes con necesidades especiales de atención en salud: prevalencia hospitalaria y riesgos asociados / Children with special health care needs: prevalence in a pediatric hospital and associated

Background: "Children with special health care needs" (CSHCN) is a novel definition for pediatric patients with chronic diseases, adopted by the Chilean Pediatric Society in 2008. As life expectancy in Chile increases, prevalence of CSHCN is progressively growing, leading to higher health costs. Aim: To describe the epide-miological profile and clinical characteristics of hospitalized CSHCN, and compare the risk assessment of adverse events during hospitalization using two definitions for CSHCN. Patients and Methods: A cohort of hospitalized CSHCN in a Pediatric Center at Santiago, Chile, was followed from September to December 2009. Clinical and demographic data were registered in a database, including admission to intensive care unit (ICU), nosocomial infections and prolonged hospitalization (> 7 days). Incidence ratios for these events were compared between CSHCN and non-CSHCN, and between children attended by three or more health care professionals (CSHCN-3) and non-CSHCN. Results: Nine hundred twenty patients were included (54% male), with a median age 14 months (0-221) and median days of hospitalization 4 days (1-229). Prevalence of CSHCN was 60.8% of hospitalized children. When using CSHCN definition and comparing with non-CSHCN, no excess of risk was documented. On the other hand, prevalence of CSHCN-3 was 19.9%. Compared to non-CSHCN, these patients had a higher risk of ICU admission (relative risk (RR) 1.58; 95% confidence intervals (CI) = 1.22-2.05; p < 0.01), nosocomial infections (RR 2.28; 95% CI = 1.54-3.39; p < 0.001) and prolonged hospitalization (RR 1.99; 95% CI = 1.52-2.60; p < 0.001). Conclusions: One in five hospitalized children met CSHCN-3 definition. These patients had an increased risk of adverse events during their hospitalization compared to non-CSHCN.

[Teenager counselling in primary care]. / Consejería a adolescentes: descripción epidemiológica y motivos de consulta.

BACKGROUND: Teenager counseling to recognize risks and reinforce strengths is carried out in a primary care outpatient clinic since 2003. AIM: To describe the epidemiology and causes for consultation in this teenage counseling program. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective review of the records of 116 teenagers (median age 13 years, 67% females) that received teenager counseling. RESULTS: Seventy percent of women and 50% of men came from nuclear families. More than two thirds were primogenital. Most adolescents were accompanied by their mother, that were the main adult raw model. Fifty percent had dysfunctional families. All were attending school regularly and 21% of women and 29% of men had repeated a school level. Sixty eight percent of women and 62% of men declared to have a life project. Twenty percent were worried about their physical appearance. Seventy seven percent of women and 62% of men considered themselves as happy. Thirty six percent of women and 14% of men smoked. The figures for alcohol consumption were 21% and 14%, respectively. The causes for consultation were obesity, overweight, unspecific symptoms, behavioral problems, bad school achievement, communication problems or pregnancy. Reasons for counseling were family dysfunction, low self esteem, bad school achievement and information about sexuality. CONCLUSIONS: The information obtained could help to improve the interdisciplinary work and to coordinate counseling with the family and schools.

[Change in reproductive partner among women delivering at a Metropolitan Santiago public hospital]. / Cambio de pareja progenitora en puérperas de un hospital de la Región Metropolitana. Frecuencia y factores asociados.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies in Metropolitan Santiago, showed that at least 10% of mothers changed their reproductive partner. AIM: To study the frequency of reproductive partner change and its associated factors among women delivering in a public hospital. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We interviewed 859 non primiparous women that gave birth to a child in a public hospital of Metropolitan Santiago, between March 2001 and February 2002. RESULTS: Mean maternal age rose according to birth order from 27.4 to 33.6 years from the second to the fourth sibling. Married women were the largest group and single ones decreased from the second to the third sibling. Twenty two percent had some activity out of home and those with a high birth order (fourth or more) exhibited poorer schooling. Unwanted pregnancies increased with birth order, reaching 55% among "fourth and over" births. Thirty four percent of women delivering their second child, changed their partner. Among women delivering their third child, 38.6% had one sibling with a different father; 20.4% had changed partner during their second pregnancy and 20% during the current one. Among those in the "fourth and over, group, 56.1% had at least one sibling with a different father; 18.3% had changed partner in the second sibling; 15%, in the third and 27.8%, in the fourth and over. In all birth orders, mothers with activity out of home exhibited a higher frequency of partner change. The most common reasons to change partner were infidelity, abandon or a personal decision, while economic reasons were uncommon. CONCLUSIONS: A great number of children are exposed to bonding ruptures and to the consequential mental health or behavioral problems.

Transición de la infancia a la adolecencia: notas para la práctica pediátrica / From childhood to adolescence: notes for the pediatric practice

Con información encontrada en Internet, resultados de investigaciones hechas en Chile en las décadas de 1980 y 1990 y experiencia personal, se analiza la transición desde la infancia a la adolescencia para formular algunas proposiciones. Estas apuntan a facilitar la transición y prevenir problemas, así como a detectar en forma rápida y mejor, crisis mayores eventuales que pudiesen ocurrir. Se hace énfasis en la ventaja de considerar el entorno general y familiar del individuo; así como en la ventaja de irse preparando para este cambio. Se destacan herramientas potencialmente útiles para estos fines, como las guías anticipatorias y elempleo de actitudes adecuadas. En estas últimas se subraya la importancia de una buena comunicación y del empleo de estilos comunicacionales adecuados por parte de los padres.(AU)

The transition from childhood to adolescence is analyzed based on information found in Internet, Chilean research results obtained in the decades of 1980 and 1990 and personal experience. Some guidelines are proposed to make this transition easier and softer as well as to prevent problems or to allow quick and better detection of eventual major crises. Emphasis is made on the advantage of taking into account individual general and family contexts and the convenience of preparedness. Anticipatory guides for parents and children are out lined as potentially useful tools while some practical management attitudes are suggested for preparation. The importance of good communication and advisable parentãs communication styles is emphasized.(AU)

Transición de la infancia a la adolecencia: notas para la práctica pediátrica / From childhood to adolescence: notes for the pediatric practice

Con información encontrada en Internet, resultados de investigaciones hechas en Chile en las décadas de 1980 y 1990 y experiencia personal, se analiza la transición desde la infancia a la adolescencia para formular algunas proposiciones. Éstas apuntan a facilitar la transición y prevenir problemas, así como a detectar en forma rápida y mejor, crisis mayores eventuales que pudiesen ocurrir. Se hace énfasis en la ventaja de considerar el entorno general y familiar del individuo; así como en la ventaja de irse preparando para este cambio. Se destacan herramientas potencialmente útiles para estos fines, como las guías anticipatorias y elempleo de actitudes adecuadas. En estas últimas se subraya la importancia de una buena comunicación y del empleo de estilos comunicacionales adecuados por parte de los padres.

The transition from childhood to adolescence is analyzed based on information found in Internet, Chilean research results obtained in the decades of 1980 and 1990 and personal experience. Some guidelines are proposed to make this transition easier and softer as well as to prevent problems or to allow quick and better detection of eventual major crises. Emphasis is made on the advantage of taking into account individual general and family contexts and the convenience of preparedness. Anticipatory guides for parents and children are out lined as potentially useful tools while some practical management attitudes are suggested for preparation. The importance of good communication and advisable parent’s communication styles is emphasized.

[Unwanted children after birth: frequency measurement and trends analysis]. / Hijo no deseado después del parto: medición de frecuencia y análisis de tendencia.

BACKGROUND: A significant proportion of pregnancies occurring in Metropolitan Santiago are unplanned and unwanted. It is reasonable to postulate that the frequency of unwanted children must be high. AIM: To measure the frequency of unwanted children in newborns of a public hospital of Santiago. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a period of fourteen months a score assigning survey to detect unwanted children was applied, after birth, to 741 women delivering at San Juan de Dios Hospital in Metropolitan Santiago. Women whose newborns were hospitalized or had congenital malformations were excluded from the survey. RESULTS: Forty children (5.4%) scored as unwanted while 52 (7%) qualified as being in a doubtful situation. When compared to desired children, unwanted infants had a lower frequency of suitable pregnancy controls (p < 0.0002) and a higher incidence of mothers declaring bad relations with children's father (p < 0.0002). A trend towards higher frequency of single mothers (p: 0.044) was observed. A lower frequency of first born children (p: 0.017) and a higher frequency of children born in the fourth place, was observed among unwanted newborns (p < 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: In the last 15 years, previous studies, carried out with similar methodologies, have showed a comparable frequency of unwanted children. These condition seems to be associated with poor pregnancy control, high birth order and bad relations with the child's father.

Características biológicas y sociales de los menores de un año muertos por neumonía en la Región Metropolitana de Chile, 1995 / Biological and social characteristics of infants who died from pneumonia in the Santiago Metropolitan Region of Chile, 1995

Para determinar las características biológicas, socioculturales y de la atención de salud asociadas con las muertes por neumonía en menores de un año, se realizó un estudio de casos y controles para obtener información cuantitativa mediante un cuestionario semiestructurado a las madres y a 28 médicos jefes de servicios hospitalarios (n=15) o ambulatorios (n=13). Los casos se definieron como los menores de un año fallecidos por neumonía en 1995 en la Región Metropolitana de Chile (Santiago). Como controles se seleccionaron 118 niños que sobrevivieron a un ingreso por neumonía en el mismo período y en la misma región, apareados con los casos por edad, mes de hospitalización y comuna de residencia. Además se realizó un estudio cualitativo, consistente en entrevistas en profundidad con las madres de 20 casos y de 5 controles y con 12 informantes clave de los equipos de salud ligados a la atención primaria. De los 149 casos identificados, se estudiaron 113 (75,8 por ciento) que fueron divididos en dos grandes grupos: fallecidos en el hospital (69 por ciento) y fallecidos en el domicilio (31 por ciento). Cerca de dos tercios de las muertes (63,7 por ciento) ocurrieron en el primer trimestre. Tanto los casos como los controles tuvieron más riesgo biológico y social que la población chilena en general, aunque hubo diferencias significativas entre ellos. La incidencia de bajo (2 500 g) y muy bajo (1 500 g) peso al nacer, elevada en ambos grupos en comparación con la de la población en general, fue significativamente mayor en los casos (40,7 y 13,3 por ciento, respectivamente) que en los controles (18,8 y 1,7 por ciento). Lo mismo ocurrió con la prematuridad (edad gestacional 37 semanas), que fue particularmente elevada en los fallecidos en el hospital (40,3 por ciento, frente a 25,7 por ciento en los fallecidos en el domicilio y 17,1 por ciento en los controles). Los fallecidos en el hospital también tuvieron 10 veces más afecciones congénitas que los fallecidos en el domicilio y siete veces más que los controles. Según sus madres, más de la mitad (18/35) de los fallecidos en el domicilio no habrían presentado signos de neumonía, lo cual sugiere muerte súbita o por aspiración. En el aspecto socioeconómico, el nivel de vida de los controles fue inferior al de los casos. Durante 1995 o los 6 meses anteriores habían estado cesantes 58,6 por ciento de los padres de los casos y 60,3 por ciento de los padres de los controles. No hubo diferencias entre los dos grupos con respecto a la percepción de los signos de enfermedad por parte de las madres ni a sus conocimientos sobre la forma de prevenir las neumonías. Entre los médicos encuestados prevaleció la opinión de que el principal factor condicionante de las muertes era la alta frecuencia de problemas biológicos en los fallecidos. En conclusión, los menores de un año fallecidos por neumonía constituyeron dos grupos de tamaño y características diferentes (los fallecidos en el domicilio y los fallecidos en el hospital), que deben ser objeto de estrategias diferentes encaminadas a reducir estas muertes. Es importante efectuar la necropsia en todos los casos para poder determinar si la causa fue la neumonía, el síndrome de muerte súbita del recién nacido o la aspiración de alimentos

Características biológicas y sociales de los menores de un año muertos por neumonía en la Región Metropolitana de Chile, 1995 / Biological and social characteristics of infants who died from pneumonia in the Santiago Metropolitan Region of Chile, 1995

Para determinar las características biológicas, socioculturales y de la atención de salud asociadas con las muertes por neumonía en menores de un año, se realizó un estudio de casos y controles para obtener información cuantitativa mediante un cuestionario semiestructurado a las madres y a 28 médicos jefes de servicios hospitalarios (n=15) o ambulatorios (n=13). Los casos se definieron como los menores de un año fallecidos por neumonía en 1995 en la Región Metropolitana de Chile (Santiago). Como controles se seleccionaron 118 niños que sobrevivieron a un ingreso por neumonía en el mismo período y en la misma región, apareados con los casos por edad, mes de hospitalización y comuna de residencia. Además se realizó un estudio cualitativo, consistente en entrevistas en profundidad con las madres de 20 casos y de 5 controles y con 12 informantes clave de los equipos de salud ligados a la atención primaria. De los 149 casos identificados, se estudiaron 113 (75,8 por ciento) que fueron divididos en dos grandes grupos: fallecidos en el hospital (69 por ciento) y fallecidos en el domicilio (31 por ciento). Cerca de dos tercios de las muertes (63,7 por ciento) ocurrieron en el primer trimestre. Tanto los casos como los controles tuvieron más riesgo biológico y social que la población chilena en general, aunque hubo diferencias significativas entre ellos. La incidencia de bajo (<2 500 g) y muy bajo (<1 500 g) peso al nacer, elevada en ambos grupos en comparación con la de la población en general, fue significativamente mayor en los casos (40,7 y 13,3 por ciento, respectivamente) que en los controles (18,8 y 1,7 por ciento)

Medición de satisfacción de padres usuarios de un servicio de hospitalizacón pediátrica / Userïs satisfaction among parents of children admitted to a pediatric hospitalization service

El propósito de este trabajo fue medir el grado de satisfacción usuaria, en los padres de los niños hospitalizados en el Servicio de Pediatría del Hospital San Juan de Dios. Para ello se elaboró un cuestionario, aplicado previa validación, entre el 15 de junio y el 30 de julio de 1998. Se realizaron 197 encuestas, descartando 19 por problemas metodológicos y analizando 178 de ellas. Otorgaron trato deseable el 60 por ciento de los médicos, destacando la diferencia (no significativa) encontrada entre internos de la carrera de medicina y médicos pediatras. También brindaron un trato adecuado el 56 por ciento de las enfermeras, el 44 por ciento de los técnicos paramédicos y el 50 por ciento de los auxiliares de servicio. En el rubro ambiente hospitalario, llamó la atención la inexistencia de servicio higiénico para los padres y visitas. La limpieza, la iluminación y la calefacción al igual que la disponibilidad de recursos diagnósticos y terapéuticos con que cuenta el hospital fueron considerados adecuadas para satisfacer las demandas de los usuarios. Se concluye que la satisfacción de los usuarios, si bien mejorables, no es mala y que uno de los aspectos cruciales para avanzar en la calidad de la atención radica en mejorar el trato brindado a los usuarios del servicio

Primera relación sexual y primer embarazo en puérperas de un hospital de la región metropolitana / First sexual intercourse and pregnancy in women hospitalized at a metropolitan region hospital

One thousand women hospitalized at a maternity were surveyed after their delivery or abortion about their first intercourse and pregnancy. Mean age at the first sexual intercourse was 18,7 years and only 9,2 percent used a contraceptive method in spite that 20 percent were not willing to become pregnant. The mean age of sexual partners was 22 years old. Women of less than 32 years old generally had older sexual partners, but among those older than 25 years old the proportion of younger partners increased. The first pregnancy occured at 20 years old as a mean, 62 percent of women were single, only 1,3 percent used a contraceptive method and 27,3 percent of resultant pregnancies were not desired

Salud reproductiva en adolescentes escolares: conocimientos, actitudes y conductas en ambos sexos en una comuna de Santiago de Chile / Reproductive health in school adolescents: knowledge, actitud and behaviour in both sexs in a community at Santiago de Chile

Nine hundred forty eight teenagers (600 female) from a public school of the poorest communities of Santiago were surveyed about knowledge and practice on sexuality and reproductive health. Twenty four percent of females and 40 percent of males did not talk about their problems at home, instead they talked preferentially with their friends. Half of the sample attributed a risk of pregnancy to the first sexual intercourse; 67 percent did not know the infertile phase of the menstrual cycle and 20 percent did not identify 2 sexually transmitted diseases. Sixty percent considered rhyth technique as a safe fertility control method, 60 percent of males and 50 percent females considered masturbation as risk, 57 percent of males and 49 percent of females estimated that condoms could be reused and between 5 and 16 percent of the sample correctly identified AIDS modes of transmission. Fifty percent had a couple and 23 percent of males and 17 percent of females had a sexual intercourse in the last six months; of these, 45 percent of women and 27 percent of men used a contraceptive method. Four percent of women and 6 percent of men became involved in a pregnancy and 57 percent of these terminated in abortions. It is concluded that knowledge about sexuallity and reproductive biology among low income teenagers is scanty

Primogénitos urbanos: características en el Area Metropolitana Occidente / Urban first borns: characteristics in the west metropolitan area

Para precisar algunas características importantes en salud se encuestaron, en las 72 horas postparto, las madres de 627 primogénitos nacidos en el Hospital San Juan de Dios, de Santiago Occidente, entre diciembre de 1988 y abril de 1989. El 13,1% de las madres fueron menores de 18 años y sólo el 7,4% eran mayores de 35 años. El 96,2% de las madres y 91,2% de los padres tenían más de 4 años de escolaridad. El 48,6% de las madres eran casadas y el 15,8% eran convivientes. La proporción de solteras (35,6%) mostró tendencia a disminuir al aumentar la edad. Hubo un 23,3% de nacidos vivos por cesárea y un 14,7% por fórceps. Se registró un 0,2% de niños con peso de nacimiento bajo 1.500 g; un 7,3% con peso inferior a 2.500 g y un 4,0% de 4.000 g y más. La sensación de apoyo familiar sentida por las madres se midió mediante la prueba de Apgar de Smilkstein. Los puntajes más bajos (0 a 6 puntos), fueron más frecuentes en madres que vivían separadas del padre, pero manteniendo relaciones con él (21,8%). Se concluye que aunque el área biológica es relativamente satisfactoria en los aspectos explorados, el área sociológica presenta problemas de importancia derivados del estado civil y de la sensación de apoyo familiar deficiente