[Prevalence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, amongst inmates of the Preventive Reclusion Center in Arica]. / Prevalencia de Neisseria gonorrhoeae, en reclusos del Centro de Detención Preventiva de Arica.

BACKGROUND: Sex workers, people with drug addiction, early onset of sexual activity population, and criminal population, are considered the groups most at risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections (STIs). AIM: To determine the prevalence of infection by Neisseria gonorrhoeae in inmates of the Preventive Detention Center (CDP) at Arica and Parinacota Region, Chile. The Scientific Ethical Committee of Universidad de Tarapacá approved this study. METHOD: 140 inmates participated, who voluntarily agreed to be part of the study and signed an informed consent. A sample of urethral meatus was taken to investigate N. gonorrhoeae, and an epidemiological survey was applied, which included age, drug use, overcrowding, among others. RESULTS: The prevalence of the agent was 16.4% in inmates of the Arica CDP, a result lower than that reported in other similar studies. CONCLUSION: Knowing the reality of the prevalence of this STI and some risk factors associated with the situation of deprivation of freedom in a tri-border area of northern Chile, contributes to the proposals for prevention programs in this vulnerable and at-risk population.

Prevalencia de Neisseria gonorrhoeae, en reclusos del Centro de Detención Preventiva de Arica / Prevalence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, amongst inmates of the Preventive Reclusion Center in Arica

Resumen Introducción: Los/as trabajadores/as sexuales, personas con adicción a drogas, población de inicio sexual precoz y población penal son considerados los grupos de mayor riesgo de contraer infecciones de transmisión sexual (ITS). Objetivo: Determinar prevalencia de infección por Neisseria gonorrhoeae, en reclusos del Centro de Detención Preventiva (CDP) de la Región de Arica y Parinacota, Chile. Este estudio contó con la aprobación del Cómité Ético Científico de la Universidad de Tarapacá. Material y Método: Participaron 140 reclusos, que aceptaron ser parte del estudio en forma voluntaria y firmaron un consentimiento informado. Se tomó una muestra del meato uretral para pesquisa de N. gonorrhoeae y se aplicó una encuesta epidemiológica que consignó edad, consumo de drogas, hacinamiento, entre otros. Resultados: La prevalencia del agente fue de 16,4% en reclusos del CDP de Arica, resultado menor a lo reportado en otros estudios similares. Conclusiones: Conocer la realidad de la prevalencia de esta ITS y algunos factores de riesgo asociados a la situación de privación de la libertad en una zona tri-fronteriza del norte de Chile, contribuye a las propuestas de programas de prevención en esta población vulnerable y de riesgo.

Abstract Background: Sex workers, people with drug addiction, early onset of sexual activity population, and criminal population, are considered the groups most at risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Aim: To determine the prevalence of infection by Neisseria gonorrhoeae in inmates of the Preventive Detention Center (CDP) at Arica and Parinacota Region, Chile. The Scientific Ethical Committee of Universidad de Tarapacá approved this study. Method: 140 inmates participated, who voluntarily agreed to be part of the study and signed an informed consent. A sample of urethral meatus was taken to investigate N. gonorrhoeae, and an epidemiological survey was applied, which included age, drug use, overcrowding, among others. Results: The prevalence of the agent was 16.4% in inmates of the Arica CDP, a result lower than that reported in other similar studies. Conclusion: Knowing the reality of the prevalence of this STI and some risk factors associated with the situation of deprivation of freedom in a tri-border area of northern Chile, contributes to the proposals for prevention programs in this vulnerable and at-risk population.

Prevalencia del virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana, virus de la hepatitis B y Treponema pallidum en reclusos del Centro de Detención Preventiva de Arica, Chile / Prevalence of HIV, hepatitis B virus and Treponema pallidum in inmates in the Preventive Detention Center of Arica, Chile

Resumen Introducción: Los grupos de riesgo para las infecciones de transmisión sexual (ITS) son trabajadores sexuales, drogadictos, la población joven de inicio sexual precoz, así como la población penal. Objetivo: Determinar la prevalencia de infección por virus de inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH), Treponema pallidum y virus de hepatitis B (VHB) en reclusos (hombres) del Centro de Detención Preventiva (CDP) de Arica. Material y Métodos: El estudio se efectuó en 140 reclusos, con consentimiento informado. Se realizó encuesta epidemiológica y toma de muestra sanguínea. Los exámenes positivos se enviaron al Hospital Regional de Arica para confirmación y posteriormente al Instituto de Salud Pública. Resultados: La prevalencia de ITS fue de 13,6%. La mayor frecuencia se observó en VDRL positivos (7,1%), seguido por infección por VIH (5,7%) y VHB (2,9%). Por edad, la mayor frecuencia (57,9%) se presentó en individuos bajo 31 años. El 63,2% se encontraban en situación de hacinamiento, en 42,1% la edad de inicio de la actividad sexual fue antes de los 15 años y 94,7% declaró ser consumidor de drogas. Conclusiones: El estudio reafirma los factores predisponentes a la transmisión de las ITS, como edad, inicio sexual precoz, consumo de drogas y hacinamiento, destacando que las prisiones son ambientes altamente vulnerables, donde la sobrepoblación, condición sexual, inicio sexual precoz, alto consumo de drogas y la carente visita conyugal proporcionan un contexto epidemiológico favorable para el incremento de ITS.

Background: The risk groups for sexual transmitted diseases (STDs) are sex workers, drug addicts, young people in early sexual initiation, and population in prison. Aim: To determine the prevalence of HIV, Treponema pallidum and hepatitis B Virus (HBV) in male inmates at the Preventive Detention Center (CDP) of Arica. Methods: The study was conducted in 140 inmates, with informed consent. Epidemiological survey and blood sampling was conducted. The positive tests were sent to the Hospital Regional of Arica for confirmation and the National Reference Laboratory for confirmation. Results: STD prevalence was 13.6%. The most prevalent was VDRL positive (7.1%) followed by HIV infection (5.7%) and HBV (2.9%). The highest rate (57.9%) occurred in individuals under 31 years old. 63.2% were in an overcrowded situation, 42.1% of cases corresponded to those whose age of sexual activity onset of was before age 15 and 94.7% used drugs. Conclusions: The study reasserts the predisposing factors for the transmission of STDs as age, early sexual debut, drug abuse and overcrowding, noting that prisons are highly vulnerable environments where overcrowding, sexual condition, early sexual initiation, high drug abuse and the lacking spouses visits provide an epidemiological context favorable for increased STD.

[Prevalence of HIV, hepatitis B virus and Treponema pallidum in inmates in the Preventive Detention Center of Arica, Chile]. / Prevalencia del virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana, virus de la hepatitis B y Treponema pallidum en reclusos del Centro de Detención Preventiva de Arica, Chile.

BACKGROUND: The risk groups for sexual transmitted diseases (STDs) are sex workers, drug addicts, young people in early sexual initiation, and population in prison. AIM: To determine the prevalence of HIV, Treponema pallidum and hepatitis B Virus (HBV) in male inmates at the Preventive Detention Center (CDP) of Arica. METHODS: The study was conducted in 140 inmates, with informed consent. Epidemiological survey and blood sampling was conducted. The positive tests were sent to the Hospital Regional of Arica for confirmation and the National Reference Laboratory for confirmation. RESULTS: STD prevalence was 13.6%. The most prevalent was VDRL positive (7.1%) followed by HIV infection (5.7%) and HBV (2.9%). The highest rate (57.9%) occurred in individuals under 31 years old. 63.2% were in an overcrowded situation, 42.1% of cases corresponded to those whose age of sexual activity onset of was before age 15 and 94.7% used drugs. CONCLUSIONS: The study reasserts the predisposing factors for the transmission of STDs as age, early sexual debut, drug abuse and overcrowding, noting that prisons are highly vulnerable environments where overcrowding, sexual condition, early sexual initiation, high drug abuse and the lacking spouses visits provide an epidemiological context favorable for increased STD.

Prevalence of human papillomavirus in university young women.

Cervical cancer is the second most prevalent female cancer worldwide. The majority of cases appear between the age of 30 and 50. Human papillomavirus (HPV) plays a central role in cervical cancer with 99.7% of HPV DNA identified in invasive cervical carcinomas. The prevalence of the HPV infection varies substantially among countries and according to age and lifestyle. HPV is a common sexually transmitted infection among males and females with a 70% higher incidence in sexually active females. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of human papillomavirus in young university women by analyzing the correlation between Papanicolaou (PAP)-stained cervical tests and HPV detection by genotyping, as well as other risk factors. A total of 200 women aged between 18 and 25 years were enrolled in this study, which took place between September 2008 and May 2009 at the Universidad de Tarapacá, Arica, Chile. Results of the PAP smears showed that 97.5% of cells had normal characteristics, although an inflammatory pattern was noted. The prevalence of generic HPV infection was 3.5% when testing for HPV DNA using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. An analysis of the genotype of infected female individuals indicated that high-risk HPV types, such as HPV 16 and 31 were present in 42.84 and 14.29% of females, respectively, and low-risk types such as HPV 6, in 14.29%. Only one sample with differentiated non-HPV (14.29%) was found. A 95% correlation between PAP-stained cervical tests and the method of testing for HPV was observed. Using the PCR method, it was found that of the 195 negative PAP smears, 5 were positive for HPV and two of the samples that were positive for ASC-US were also positive. A significantly increased (P<0.05) HPV infection risk was observed in the 18-21 age group with a higher prevalence (71.40%) when compared to the 22-25 age group (28.6%). A significant (P<0.042) difference was found between smoking and HPV infection. In conclusion, a significant (P<0.05) correlation was found between PAP and PCR methods for HPV testing in young university women. A significant correlation between smoking and HPV was detected, whereas no difference was noted with other parameters.

Trichomona vaginalis en la mujer Aymara residente en zona urbana María Teresa / Trichomona vaginalis infection in Aymara woman residente in urban areas

En el altiplano de la I Región de Chile existe un grupo étnico aymara con características socioculturales bien definidas, con gran tendencia a la endogamia la que han mantenido sostenidamente en el tiempo y que en los últimos años ha emigrado al sector urbano. Este hecho hizo importante conocer la prevalencia de Trichomona vaginalis en este grupo étnico, que reside en la zona urbana de Arica. El estudio se efectuó en 95 mujeres aymaras en edad fértil que han emigrado al sector urbano. A cada una de ellas se le realizó examen ginecológico y toma de muestra de secreción vaginal para estudio de T. vaginalis. Los resultados obtenidos muestran un 10,5 por ciento de prevalencia de T. vaginalis. En relación al grado de infección según edad los mayores porcentajes se encuentran en mujeres entre 20 y 29 años. El 11,1 por ciento de la mujeres con T. vaginalis corresponde al grupo que inicio su actividad sexual entre los 16 y 25 años. La promiscuidad sexual es de un 40 por ciento y de ellas el 15,8 por ciento estaban infectadas. Las mujeres que mantienen vínculos con su lugar de origen están infectadas en un 4,9 por ciento. Se puede concluir que la mujer aymara que emigra al sector urbano y se radica en él, no manteniendo vínculos con su lugar de origen, recibe el impacto del medio urbano incidiendo en el aumento de T. vaginalis, ya que esta al ser una infección exclusivamente de transmisión sexual, hace suponer un cambio en su conducta sexual