Epidemiological Assessment of African Swine Fever Spread in the Dominican Republic.

Since African Swine Fever (ASF) was detected in the Dominican Republic in July 2021, it has negatively impacted the country's swine industry. Assessing the epidemiological situation is crucial to helping local authorities and industry stakeholders control the disease. Here, data on 155 reported outbreaks in the Dominican Republic from November 2022 to June 2023 were evaluated. Descriptive spatiotemporal analysis was performed to characterize disease distribution and spread, and between-herd R0 was calculated for the study period. The Knox test and a space-time permutation model were used to evaluate clustering. Data on clinical presentation, biosecurity measures, and suspected reasons for introduction were categorized and summarized. The majority (78%) of outbreaks occurred on backyard farms which generally had low biosecurity. Across farm types, the majority of pigs were still alive at the time of depopulation. Spatiotemporal findings and R0 estimates suggest an endemic pattern of disease geographically located centrally within the country. Clustering was detected even at small temporal and spatial distances due to outbreaks amongst neighboring backyard farms. These results provide critical information on the current state of the ASF epidemic in the Dominican Republic and will aid government officials and swine industry leaders in developing effective ASF control strategies.

A qualitative assessment of alternative eradication strategies for African swine fever in the Dominican Republic.

Since its recent detection in July 2021, the reintroduction of African swine fever (ASF) in the Dominican Republic (DR) has generated much discourse on various measures for its effective control. Strategies range from complete depopulation of the swine population, as was done in 1978, to a system of passive surveillance with endemicity, with many in-between. Currently, ASF-decision makers need a peer evaluation and comparison and contrast of these potential strategies that incorporates both private and public perspectives. To achieve this, we used strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis to evaluate three different theoretical ASF control scenarios with the aim of contributing evaluations of alternatives strategies to mitigate the epidemic's impact. These included total depopulation of all pigs in the DR, partial depopulation, and continuation of current control measures. Relevant experts from the DR private swine industry were identified through "snowball sampling" techniques. Five experts completed the SWOT questionnaire and additional questions considering aspects of financial cost, social impact, feasibility, animal welfare, and regional policy. The summarized responses were presented to the full group of experts initially nominated for final review and later to representatives of the DR government. The SWOT analysis highlighted that although there are certain benefits associated with each of the proposed strategies, there are also important drawbacks and disadvantages for all. This analysis is a tool for facilitating cooperating between the private-public industries, and ultimately it supports the development of strategies that will reduce ASF burden in the DR in a way suitable for all relevant stakeholders.

Actitudes hacia el uso del condón masculino para la prevención del VIH/sida en estudiantes de medicina / Attitudes related to the use of male condoms to the prevention of HIV/AIDS in medical students

El síndrome de inmunodeficiencia adquirida se ha convertido en un fenómeno complejo, que afecta un número importante de adolescentes y jóvenes, reducir su transmisión requiere acciones de promoción de salud y prevención, dirigidas al establecimiento de hábitos y conductas sexuales seguras, así como instrumentar acciones para modificar las actitudes y prácticas de riesgo de infección. Se realizó un estudio con un diseño descriptivo de corte trasversal, con el objetivo de describir las actitudes hacia el uso del condón masculino para la prevención del VIH/sida en los estudiantes de medicina de la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Pinar del Río. El universo estuvo constituido por 300 estudiantes de primer año. La información se obtuvo a partir de una encuesta. Las variables cualitativas nominales fueron resumidas mediante frecuencias absolutas y relativas. El componente cognitivo de las actitudes en los estudiantes se caracterizó por las dificultades en los saberes relacionados con la conservación del condón masculino y su eficacia para la prevención del VIH/sida. Estos conocían diferentes marcas de condón y las vías de obtención de la información más mencionadas fueron los medios de difusión masiva, la carrera de medicina y los materiales escritos. El componente afectivo-conductual en relación VIH/sida de los estudiantes se caracterizó por un comienzo de su vida sexual activa a edades tempranas, el no uso del condón masculino para su protección, a pesar de que la mayoría emitió criterios de aceptación hacia su uso.

Immunodeficiency Acquired Syndrome has become into a complex phenomenon affecting an important number of adolescents and young population; the reduction of its transmission requires that actions of health promotion and health promotion to be taken in order to accomplish sexual safe habits and behaviors as well as organizing actions to modify attitudes and risky practices of infection. A descriptive study having a cross-sectional design was conducted; it was aimed at describing the attitudes related to the use of male condom to prevent HIV/AIDS in medical students at Medical University in Pinar del Rio. The target group was comprised of 300 students in the first academic course. The information was collected from a survey. Nominal qualitative variables were summarized through absolute and relative frequencies. Cognitive component of the students’s attitude was characterized by difficulties with knowledge related to the management of male condom and its efficacy in the prevention of HIV/AIDS. Students knew about the different trades of condoms and the ways to collect information was through the mass media, medical studies and other written materials. Affective-behavioral component of the students in relation to HIV/AIDS was characterized by an active sexual life in early ages, where the no use of male condoms as protection was observed; despite the majority of students accepted their use.

Comportamiento sexual de riesgo de infección por VIH/sida en estudiantes de primer año de medicina / HIV/AIDS infection and risky sexual behavior in 1st academic- year- medical students

Se realizó un estudio descriptivo de corte trasversal con el objetivo de describir algunos comportamientos de riesgo de infección por el VIH/sida en los estudiantes de la carrera de Medicina que ingresaron a primer año en el curso 2006/2007, en la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Pinar del Río. El universo estuvo constituido por 300 estudiantes. La información se obtuvo por una encuesta previamente diseñada y validada. Las variables fueron resumidas mediante frecuencias absolutas y relativas. Se concluye que la mayoría de los estudiantes de medicina estudiados tenían conductas sexuales de riesgo, teniendo en consideración el hecho de que comenzaron sus relaciones sexuales con penetración a edades tempranas y sin protección con condón. Las relaciones sexuales en los últimos 12 meses fueron con parejas estables, pero desprotegidas y el criterio personal de riesgo de infectarse por el VIH/sida era bajo o nulo.

A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted with 1st academic year medical students (2006-2007), aimed at describing some risky sexual behaviors of HIV/AIDS infection at Medical University, Pinar del Rio. The target group was comprised of 300 students, collecting the information from a previous designed and validated survey along with the variables that were summed up by means of absolute and relative frequencies. The majority of the medical students included into the study showed unsafe sexual behaviors, considering the fact that they started their sexual relations with penetration at early ages without wearing condoms. The last 12 months they had sexual relations with stable couples but without protection, their personal opinion about the risk of unprotected sexual infection (HIV/AIDS) was so low or null.

Intervención educativa en adultos mayores para una longevidad satisfactoria. San Luis / Educational intervention in the elderly to a satisfactory long life. San Luis

Se realizó una investigación descriptiva y longitudinal en adultos mayores pertenecientes al Consultorio Médico 40 del Policlínico "Epifanio Rojas Gil" del Municipio San Luís, Provincia Pinar del Río durante el 2007. Con el objetivo de aplicar un programa de intervención educativa a los ancianos, para modificar conocimientos y estilos de vida. El universo estuvo constituido por 129 adultos mayores y la muestra por 109 que cumplieron los requisitos de inclusión. La información se obtuvo a partir de una encuesta y el instrumento para evaluar el funcionamiento familiar. Los resultados obtenidos fueron llevados a tablas estadísticas para realizar un análisis, a los cuales se les aplicó Técnicas de Estadística Descriptiva (números absolutos, porcientos) y prueba de hipótesis de comparación de proporción para el nivel de significación 0,05, para demostrar que se reducen las actividades perjudiciales relacionadas con el ritmo de vida después de la intervención educativa. Se incrementaron los conocimientos relacionados con los hábitos perjudiciales para la salud con la estrategia intervencionista. Disminuyeron los estilos de vida dañinos al incrementar los conocimientos sobre temas de salud con la capacitación. Se logró disminuir la ingestión de alimentos dañinos e incrementar la de los alimentos saludables con la intervención educativa y el funcionamiento familiar moderadamente funcional resultó ser la mayor percepción en los ancianos. La Intervención Educativa se considero muy satisfactoria por los resultados estadísticos obtenidos para lograr una Longevidad Satisfactoria.

A descriptive and longitudinal research was conducted with the elderly belonging to the Medical Office (No-40) at "Epifanio Rojas Gil" outpatient clinic in San Luis municipality, Pinar del Rio province during 2007. This research was aimed at applying a program of educational intervention to the elderly in order to increase knowledge and modify life styles. The target group was comprised of 129 old people and the sample with 109 having the criteria of inclusion. The information was collected from a survey and the tool to evaluate family function. The results obtained were described in statistical tables to complete the analysis. Descriptive statistics (absolute numbers, percentages) and the hypothesis test for the comparison of proportion to 0,05 level of significance were used to demonstrate that risky activities related to the pace of life after the educational intervention decreased . Knowledge related to the recognition of harmful health habits increased with the application of this intervention strategy. Negative life styles decreased with the increase of knowledge. Hazardous food consumption decreased and the ingestion of healthy food increased with the educational intervention. Moderately family function resulted in a major perception of the elderly. The educational intervention was very satisfactory due to the results achieved to accomplish a satisfactory long life.

Comportamiento sexual de riesgo de infección por VIH/sida en estudiantes de primer año de medicina / HIV/AIDS infection and risky sexual behavior in the first academic- year- medical students

Se realizó un estudio descriptivo de corte trasversal con el objetivo de describir algunos comportamientos de riesgo de infección por el VIH/sida en los estudiantes de la carrera de Medicina que ingresaron a primer año en el curso 2006/2007, en la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Pinar del Río. El universo estuvo constituido por 300 estudiantes. La información se obtuvo por una encuesta previamente diseñada y validada. Las variables fueron resumidas mediante frecuencias absolutas y relativas. Se concluye que la mayoría de los estudiantes de medicina estudiados tenían conductas sexuales de riesgo, teniendo en consideración el hecho de que comenzaron sus relaciones sexuales con penetración a edades tempranas y sin protección con condón. Las relaciones sexuales en los últimos 12 meses fueron con parejas estables, pero desprotegidas y el criterio personal de riesgo de infectarse por el VIH/sida era bajo o nulo...(AU)

A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted with 1st academic year medical students (2006-2007), aimed at describing some risky sexual behaviors of HIV/AIDS infection at Medical University, Pinar del Rio. The target group was comprised of 300 students, collecting the information from a previous designed and validated survey along with the variables that were summed up by means of absolute and relative frequencies. The majority of the medical students included into the study showed unsafe sexual behaviors, considering the fact that they started their sexual relations with penetration at early ages without wearing condoms. The last 12 months they had sexual relations with stable couples but without protection, their personal opinion about the risk of unprotected sexual infection (HIV/AIDS) was so low or null...(AU)

Intervención educativa en adultos mayores para una longevidad satisfactoria, San Luis / Educational intervention in the elderly to a satisfactory long life, San Luis

Se realizó una investigación descriptiva y longitudinal en adultos mayores pertenecientes al Consultorio Médico 40 del Policlínico Epifanio Rojas Gil del Municipio San Luís, Provincia Pinar del Río durante el 2007. Con el objetivo de aplicar un programa de intervención educativa a los ancianos, para modificar conocimientos y estilos de vida. El universo estuvo constituido por 129 adultos mayores y la muestra por 109 que cumplieron los requisitos de inclusión. La información se obtuvo a partir de una encuesta y el instrumento para evaluar el funcionamiento familiar. Los resultados obtenidos fueron llevados a tablas estadísticas para realizar un análisis, a los cuales se les aplicó Técnicas de Estadística Descriptiva (números absolutos, porcientos) y prueba de hipótesis de comparación de proporción para el nivel de significación 0,05, para demostrar que se reducen las actividades perjudiciales relacionadas con el ritmo de vida después de la intervención educativa. Se incrementaron los conocimientos relacionados con los hábitos perjudiciales para la salud con la estrategia intervencionista. Disminuyeron los estilos de vida dañinos al incrementar los conocimientos sobre temas de salud con la capacitación. Se logró disminuir la ingestión de alimentos dañinos e incrementar la de los alimentos saludables con la intervención educativa y el funcionamiento familiar moderadamente funcional resultó ser la mayor percepción en los ancianos. La Intervención Educativa se considero muy satisfactoria por los resultados estadísticos obtenidos para lograr una Longevidad Satisfactoria...(AU)

A descriptive and longitudinal research was conducted with the elderly belonging to the Medical Office (No-40) at Epifanio Rojas Gil outpatient clinic in San Luis municipality, Pinar del Rio province during 2007. This research was aimed at applying a program of educational intervention to the elderly in order to increase knowledge and modify life styles. The target group was comprised of 129 old people and the sample with 109 having the criteria of inclusion. The information was collected from a survey and the tool to evaluate family function. The results obtained were described in statistical tables to complete the analysis. Descriptive statistics (absolute numbers, percentages) and the hypothesis test for the comparison of proportion to 0,05 level of significance were used to demonstrate that risky activities related to the pace of life after the educational intervention decreased . Knowledge related to the recognition of harmful health habits increased with the application of this intervention strategy. Negative life styles decreased with the increase of knowledge. Hazardous food consumption decreased and the ingestion of healthy food increased with the educational intervention. Moderately family function resulted in a major perception of the elderly. The educational intervention was very satisfactory due to the results achieved to accomplish a satisfactory long life...(AU)

Una valoración integral del programa de la asignatura “Introducción a la Medicina General Integral” de la carrera de Medicina / A comprehensive assessment of the syllabus in the subject “Introduction to the comprehensive Medicine”: medical major

La disciplina integradora es aquella que tiene como objeto de estudio, el objeto de trabajo del egresado y el ejercicio de la profesión, para la carrera de medicina es la Medicina General Integral, y la primera asignatura impartida es la Introducción a la Medicina General Integral; constituyendo el primer vínculo del estudiante con su perfil de egresado. El objetivo de este trabajo es valorar integralmente el Programa de esta asignatura (diseño en general y pertinencia). Se utilizaron técnicas de investigación cualitativa, y en su valoración, los componentes personales y no personales del proceso docente educativo. Concluyendo que este programa responde al perfil del egresado al incorporar conocimientos y habilidades sobre la medicina familiar (promoción de salud y prevención de enfermedades relacionados con el individuo, la familia, la comunidad y el ambiente). La asignatura resulta pertinente, ya que constituye la puerta de entrada a la disciplina rectora y al plan de estudios de la carrera y propicia la capacidad del estudiante para realizar procederes prácticos relacionados con la profesión, desarrollando una identificación del mismo con su escenario futuro de desempeño profesional. Se recomienda definir el problema y objeto de estudio de la asignatura. Respecto a los contenidos se debe explicitar el sistema de habilidades y elaborar el sistema de valores. En cuanto al método debe enfatizarse en la preparación del profesor (tutor del estudiante) para lograr su capacidad de desarrollar los métodos heurísticos que preveé la asignatura, la evaluación debe establecer la metodología para la elaboración del trabajo referativo final (AU)

An integrated discipline is that one which objective of study is the future graduate and the exercise of profession. For the medical major Comprehensive Medicine is the main subject taught and it constitutes the first link of the student with the future job. The objective of this study is to assess the Syllabus of the subject ( general design and pertinence ). Methods of qualitative research were used and in its assessment personal and non-personal components on the educative-teaching process were taken into consideration. Concluding that this syllabus responds to graduate profile incorporating knowledge and skills about family medicine ( health promotion and disease prevention related to the individual, family , community and environment ). The subject is pertinent , it constitutes the introduction to the Main Subject , to the syllabus of the medical major which favors the capacity of the students to perform the practical procedures with regard to the profession and to develop an identification with the future professional setting. It is recommended to define the Problem and Object of the study. The contents must explain the system of skills and values. The method should emphasize the preparation of the professors ( tutors of the student) in order to achieve the ability to develop the heuristic methods the subject foresees, the evaluation establishes a methodology to create a final referential work (AU)

Una valoración integral del programa de la asignatura "Introducción a la medicina general integral" de la carrera de Medicina / A comprehensive assessment of the syllabus in the subject " Introduction to the Comprehensive Medicine". Medical Major

La disciplina integradora es aquella que tiene como objeto de estudio, el objeto de trabajo del egresado y el ejercicio de la profesión, para la carrera de medicina es la Medicina General Integral, y la primera asignatura impartida es la Introducción a la Medicina General Integral; constituyendo el primer vínculo del estudiante con su perfil de egresado. El objetivo de este trabajo es valorar integralmente el Programa de esta asignatura (diseño en general y pertinencia). Se utilizaron técnicas de investigación cualitativa, y en su valoración, los componentes personales y no personales del proceso docente educativo. Concluyendo que este programa responde al perfil del egresado al incorporar conocimientos y habilidades sobre la medicina familiar (promoción de salud y prevención de enfermedades relacionados con el individuo, la familia, la comunidad y el ambiente). La asignatura resulta pertinente, ya que constituye la puerta de entrada a la disciplina rectora y al plan de estudios de la carrera y propicia la capacidad del estudiante para realizar procederes prácticos relacionados con la profesión, desarrollando una identificación del mismo con su escenario futuro de desempeño profesional. Se recomienda definir el problema y objeto de estudio de la asignatura. Respecto a los contenidos se debe explicitar el sistema de habilidades y elaborar el sistema de valores. En cuanto al método debe enfatizarse en la preparación del profesor (tutor del estudiante) para lograr su capacidad de desarrollar los métodos heurísticos que preveé la asignatura, la evaluación debe establecer la metodología para la elaboración del trabajo referativo final.

An integrated discipline is that one which objective of study is the future graduate and the exercise of profession. For the medical major Comprehensive Medicine is the main subject taught and it constitutes the first link of the student with the future job. The objective of this study is to assess the Syllabus of the subject ( general design and pertinence ). Methods of qualitative research were used and in its assessment personal and non-personal components on the educative-teaching process were taken into consideration. Concluding that this syllabus responds to graduate profile incorporating knowledge and skills about family medicine ( health promotion and disease prevention related to the individual, family , community and environment ). The subject is pertinent , it constitutes the introduction to the Main Subject , to the syllabus of the medical major which favors the capacity of the students to perform the practical procedures with regard to the profession and to develop an identification with the future professional setting. It is recommended to define the Problem and Object of the study. The contents must explain the system of skills and values. The method should emphasize the preparation of the professors ( tutors of the student) in order to achieve the ability to develop the heuristic methods the subject foresees, the evaluation establishes a methodology to create a final referential work.

Prevalence of clinical attachment loss in adolescents in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

BACKGROUND: Data on periodontal conditions in adolescents in the Dominican Republic are scarce. The aim of the present cross-sectional study was to estimate the prevalence of periodontal attachment loss among Dominican adolescents. This study did not attempt to classify the disease into aggressive and chronic periodontitis. METHODS: A random sample of 2,007 Dominican adolescents was obtained. A probability, weighted sample was selected using a complex, multi-stage probability sampling design. The study was clustered in 26 schools and 106 classes. The study subjects were clinically examined under field conditions by a single calibrated examiner who measured gingival recession and probing depth at six sites per tooth, with subsequent calculation of clinical periodontal attachment level for each site. RESULTS: The prevalence of clinical attachment loss > or = 1 mm was 49.5%, with the prevalence ranging between 48.7% and 50.2%, depending on age and gender. Clinical attachment loss > or = 2 mm was found in 15% of the students and attachment loss > or = 3 mm in 4.0% of the students. Logistic regression model revealed that only age significantly increased the probability of having clinical attachment loss. CONCLUSION: We conclude that clinical attachment loss is common in adolescents in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, suggesting the necessity for improved standards of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of these lesions.