¿Cómo es la alimentación de la población inmigrante residente en España? Resultados a partir de una revisión sistemática / What is the diet of the immigrant population resident in Spain? Results based on a systematic review

La alimentación es uno de los determinantes fundamentales de la salud y se relaciona con factores socioeconómicos y aculturación en inmigrantes. El objetivo de este trabajo es describir la evidencia existente sobre alimentación, nutrición y dieta en población inmigrante en España, según procedencia, valorando la calidad metodológica de los estudios. Se realizó una revisión sistemática que incluyó diecisiete artículos de diseño transversal, el 71% de calidad media y solo uno de calidad excelente; siete sobre población adolescente y diez sobre adultos, con un total de 9.871 participantes. La alimentación de la población inmigrante es heterogénea porque procede de países con características culturales y geográficas diferentes. Los adolescentes tienen una dieta de menor calidad, positivamente asociada con el nivel socioeconómico; la aculturación y el tiempo de residencia se asociaron con aspectos tanto positivos (adquisición de patrones alimentarios más saludables, mejor cumplimiento de algunas recomendaciones de consumo) como negativos (mayor ingesta de carne o bollería, menor consumo de verduras o pescado, entre otros). Los adultos mostraron una distribución más aceptable de macronutrientes pero baja ingesta de micronutrientes e incumplimiento de recomendaciones; el aumento de la aculturación y el tiempo de residencia se relacionó con un patrón dietético más saludable, significativamente asociado con el tipo de trabajo. Los inmigrantes de países mediterráneos muestran una alimentación más saludable que otros grupos, aunque la calidad de su dieta es peor que en el país de origen, mientras que los no mediterráneos mejoran la calidad de su dieta al residir en España

Diet is a principal determinant of health and is interrelated with socioeconomic factors and the acculturation of immigrants. The aim of this study was to examine the existing evidence on food, nutrition, and diet amongst immigrant populations in Spain, its relationships with their countries of origin, and to evaluate the methodological quality of these studies. A systematic review was carried out that included seventeen cross-sectional studies, 71% of them were of average quality and only one was excellent; seven dealt with adolescents and ten dealt with adults, with a total of 9,871 participants. Insights on immigrant diet and nutrition were heterogeneous because the participant groups in these studies were from several different countries, each of which has distinct cultural and geographical characteristics. Adolescent diet was of lower quality, positively correlated to socioeconomic level; acculturation and length of residence were related to both positive (such as healthier dietary patterns, better adhesion to intake recommendations) and negative aspects (higher intake of meat or bakery products, lower intake of vegetables or fish, among others). Adults show a better intake of macronutrients, but a lower intake of micronutrients and non-observance of some intake recommendations; acculturation and length of residence were related to healthier dietary patterns, significantly related to type of employment. Immigrants from Mediterranean countries show a healthier diet than other immigrants, although the quality of their diet is worse than that of their peers in their countries of origin. Finally, the quality of the diet of non-Mediterranean immigrants improves when they become resident in Spain

[What is the diet of the immigrant population resident in Spain? Results based on a systematic review]. / ¿Cómo es la alimentación de la población inmigrante residente en España? Resultados a partir de una revisión sistemática.

Diet is a principal determinant of health and is interrelated with socioeconomic factors and the acculturation of immigrants. The aim of this study was to examine the existing evidence on food, nutrition, and diet amongst immigrant populations in Spain, its relationships with their countries of origin, and to evaluate the methodological quality of these studies. A systematic review was carried out that included seventeen cross-sectional studies, 71% of them were of average quality and only one was excellent; seven dealt with adolescents and ten dealt with adults, with a total of 9,871 participants. Insights on immigrant diet and nutrition were heterogeneous because the participant groups in these studies were from several different countries, each of which has distinct cultural and geographical characteristics. Adolescent diet was of lower quality, positively correlated to socioeconomic level; acculturation and length of residence were related to both positive (such as healthier dietary patterns, better adhesion to intake recommendations) and negative aspects (higher intake of meat or bakery products, lower intake of vegetables or fish, among others). Adults show a better intake of macronutrients, but a lower intake of micronutrients and non-observance of some intake recommendations; acculturation and length of residence were related to healthier dietary patterns, significantly related to type of employment. Immigrants from Mediterranean countries show a healthier diet than other immigrants, although the quality of their diet is worse than that of their peers in their countries of origin. Finally, the quality of the diet of non-Mediterranean immigrants improves when they become resident in Spain.

A qualitative study about immigrant workers' perceptions of their working conditions in Spain.

BACKGROUND: Spain has recently become an inward migration country. Little is known about the occupational health of immigrant workers. This study aimed to explore the perceptions that immigrant workers in Spain had of their working conditions. METHODS: Qualitative, exploratory, descriptive study. Criterion sampling. Data collected between September 2006 and May 2007 through semi-structured focus groups and individual interviews, with a topic guide. One hundred and fifty-eight immigrant workers (90 men/68 women) from Colombia (n = 21), Morocco (n = 39), sub-Saharan Africa (n = 29), Romania (n = 44) and Ecuador (n = 25), who were authorised (documented) or unauthorised (undocumented) residents in five medium to large cities in Spain. RESULTS: Participants described poor working conditions, low pay and health hazards. Perception of hazards appeared to be related to gender and job sector. Informants were highly segregated into jobs by sex, however, so this issue will need further exploration. Undocumented workers described poorer conditions than documented workers, which they attributed to their documentation status. Documented participants also felt vulnerable because of their immigrant status. Informants believed that deficient language skills, non-transferability of their education and training and, most of all, their immigrant status and economic need left them with little choice but to work under poor conditions. CONCLUSIONS: The occupational health needs of immigrant workers must be addressed at the job level, while improving the enforcement of existing health and safety regulations. The roles that documentation status and economic need played in these informants' work experiences should be considered and how these may influence health outcomes.

Conocimientos y prácticas de odontólogos, auxiliares e higienistas dentales frente a los riesgos biológicos / Knowledge and practices of the dentist, dental assistant dental hygienist to control occupational biological risk

Objetivo. A diferencia de lo que ocurre en otros ámbitos sanitarios, en España existen pocas investigaciones sobre los profesionales de odontología y los riesgos biológicos debido principalmente a que es una profesión ejercida en el sector privado.El objetivo de este trabajo es valorar los conocimientos y prácticas de los odontólogos, auxiliares e higienistas dentales sobre este tipo de riesgos.Métodos. Estudio transversal descriptivo con información obtenida mediante entrevista personal a odontólogos y auxiliarese higienistas dentales (junio-octubre 2004) en ejercicio de su actividad en la ciudad de Alicante seleccionados a través del Anuario Dental Español de 2003.Resultados. Se completaron 91 entrevistas (53 a odontólogos y 38 a auxiliares e higienistas dentales). Del total de encuestados,el 80% considera que el VHB y VHC son los principales agentes de enfermedades infecciosas ligados a exposiciónlaboral. El 92% desconoce el riesgo promedio de infección por VIH entre el personal sanitario y el 75% el periodo de seguimiento post-exposición por VIH. La utilización de guantes (93%), gafas (98%), mascarilla (93%) y vacunación frente al VHB (90%) es elevada. Solo el 5,5% de los encuestados cumplía con todas las recomendaciones preventivas para el controlde infecciones.Conclusiones. Los resultados evidencian problemas de desconocimiento sobre riesgos biológicos, en especial en relacióncon la infección por VIH, que pueden generar miedos y prácticas erróneas. Causa preocupación la escasa aplicación de los procedimientos recomendados para el control de infecciones, siendo un elemento indispensable para la prevención de infecciones

Objective. In Spain, in contrast to other health professionals, there have been few studies on the biological risks of dental personnel, possibly because their profession is largely based in the private sector. The objective of this research is to assess the knowledge and practices of dentists, dental assistants and dental hygienists in relation to biological risks. Methods. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out with data obtained through face-to-face interviews with dentists, dental assistants and hygienists working in Alicante (June-October 2004). Interviewees were selected through the 2003 Spanish Dental Yearbook. Results. Ninety one interviews were conducted (53 with dentists, 38 with dental assistants and hygienists). Among dental assistants and hygienists).Among). Among all interviewees, 80% considered that hepaitis Band hepatitis C viruses are the main infectious agents related to their 80% considered that hepaitis B and hepatitis C viruses are the main infectious agents related to their occupational exposures. Also, 92% did not know the average risk of occupational HIV transmission for health personnel, and 75% was unaware of post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV. The use of gloves (93%), glasses (98%), masks (93%) and compliance with hepatitis B vaccination (90%) was high, but only 5.5% fulfilled all the preventive recommendations for the control infections. Conclusions. These results indicate a lack of knowledge among dental personnel about biological risks, particularly with respect to HIV infection, which may generate fear and erroneous practices. The limited compliance with all of the recommended proceduresfor infection control is cause for concern, as this is an essential element for the prevention of infections among health professionals

El espacio europeo en educación superior y la salud laboral / European convergence in higher education and occupational health

Se presenta una experiencia realizada en la Universidad de Alicante para conocer la valoración del alumno sobre el tiempo y esfuerzo requerido para superar las asignaturas de salud laboral en las titulaciones de Enfermería y Relaciones Laborales como paso previo a la implantación del nuevo sistema universitario acorde con las directrices de convergencia europea en Educación Superior

As a preliminary step to the implementation of new European Union directives in higher education, this study, conducted at the University of Alicante (Spain), evaluated student feedback on the time and level of effort required to successfully pass subject matter in occupational health by students enrolled in nursing and labour relations programmes

El sistema general de riesgos profesionales en Colombia: objetivos, aplicación, limitaciones / General system of occupational risks in Colombia: objectives, application, limitations

En este trabajo se reflexiona sobre las limitaciones del Sistema General de Riesgos Profesionales en Colombia para la consecución de sus objetivos en la población laboral del país. Para ello se analizan los objetivos formulados en dicho Sistema General así como las estadísticas e indicadores relativos a la situación de empleo en el país, la población laboral afiliada al Sistema, los accidentes de trabajo y las enfermedades profesionales en el año 2004. Se valora la viabilidad del cumplimiento de los objetivos teniendo en cuenta el contexto laboral del país. Se concluye que los objetivos del Sistema General de Riesgos Profesionales en Colombia son inviables en base a las características de la población laboral colombiana

The aim of this research is to evaluate the limitations of the General System of Occupational Risks in Colombia for the attainment of its purposes regarding the working population of the country. A conceptual analysis of the objectives of the General System is carried out in comparison to national statistics and indicators on employment, the active population registered in the System, and work-related injuries and illnesses in 2004. The likelihood of achieving these objectives is assessed, taking into account the workforce context of the country. We conclude that, given the characteristics of the Colombian working population, these objectives are not attainable

Trabajo a domicilio: el caso de las aparadoras de calzado / Industrial homework: the case of shoe workers

Objetivo: El trabajo a domicilio que realizan un amplio número de mujeres en la industria del calzado es una actividad económica sumergida de larga implantación en la Comunidad Valenciana. El objetivo de este estudio es describir las condiciones laborales de estas mujeres que trabajan en Elche y los efectos en su salud y en la de su familia. Métodos: Investigación que combina metodología cuantitativa, estudio descriptivo transversal, y cualitativa, basada en entrevistas individuales semiestructuradas. Se seleccionaron mujeres que acudían al Centro de Salud el Plá de Elche (Alicante), con el criterio de haber trabajado o que trabajen en la actualidad a domicilio en la rama industrial del calzado. Para 30 mujeres. se obtuvo información sobre datos sociodemográficos, condiciones laborales, laborales y salud percibida. Las entrevistas fueron grabadas y transcritas para el posterior análisis en 6 mujeres. Resultados: De las 30 mujeres que participaron en el estudio, el 96,7% no utilizaban medidas protectoras frente a los factores de riesgo. La siniestralidad originada por la utilización de herramientas supone un 80,0% y los problemas osteomusculares se presentan en un 66,7%. El 26,7% ha tenido abortos. Conclusión: El trabajo productivo que realizan afecta a su salud. Estas mujeres carecen de cultura preventiva y anteponen el tener un contrato laboral a las condiciones desfavorables de su trabajo

Objective: Industrial homework undertaken by a large number of women in the footwear industry is part of the submerged economy with a long tradition in the Valencian region. The objective of this study is to identify and analyse the working conditions of women who make shoes in Elche and the effects on their heath and their family. Methods: The research combines quantitative methodology, cross-sectional descriptive study with qualitative methodology, based on semi-structural individual interviews. Women were selected from those who attend the Health Centre in Plá de Elche (Alicante), with the condition of having previously worked or are now working in industrial homework in the footwear industry. Information was obtained from 30 women about socio-demographic characteristics, working conditions and effects on health. The interviews were recorded and transcribed for the later analysis of 6 women. Results: 96. 7% of the women who took part in the study did not use protective measures against the toxicity of the adhesives. Accidents originating in the use of tools represents 80% and osteo-muscular complaints were evident in 67.7%. 26.7% had had abortions. Conclusion: The productive work they carry out causes health problems . These women lack knowledge about preventive and place more importance on having a job than on the unfavourable conditions of their work