Desigualdad en la prevalencia de parasitosis intestinal en escolares de una escuela urbana y dos rurales de la comuna de Puerto Montt / Inequality in the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among schoolchildren from urban and rural schools

Background: Parasitic infections in children reflect social inequalities throughout the world, especially in urban and rural territories. Aim: To assess inequalities in the prevalence of infections by protozoa and intestinal helminths and associated factors in children of different geographical areas from the commune of Puerto Montt. Material and Methods: Cross-sectional study carried out in 103 students from one urban and two rural schools in the commune of Puerto Montt. A socio-demographic survey was applied and the presence parasitic infections was evaluated in serial stool samples. Results: The prevalence of Protozoan and intestinal helminthic infections were 37.5 and 68.1% in urban and rural areas respectively. A regression analysis showed that the differences between rural and urban children, disappear when the results are adjusted by family income and the quality of sewage disposal. In urban children, the prevalence of parasitic infections increases along with the decrease in family income. Conclusions: Income and sanitary conditions rather than being or urban or rural origin explain the variations in rates of childhood parasitic infections. Infections with protozoa and intestinal helminths are an indicator of social inequality in health.

Edad de menarquia y ascendencia indígena: Un estudio poblacional en Chile / Age at menarche and indigenous ancestry: A population study in Chile

Background: The age at menarche may influence decisively health and disease in women. It also indicates the beginning of the reproductive period and, as a consequence, the possibility of biological continuity for the human species. Genetic and environmental determinants define the age of menarche and can explain differences found among different populations. Aim: To determine the age at menarche among adolescents with different levels of indigenous descent (parental indigenous surnames), considering the effect of socioeconomic and demographic factors. Material and Methods: An observational study of historic cohorts of8.624 girls from the Arauca-nía Region (central-southern Chile) was carried out. Data were collected by health professionals using a previously validated questionnaire. Occurrence of menarche was estimated through survival analysis and compared between groups (according to indigenous parental surnames) adjusted for parents' income and educational level and provenance (rural/urban). Results: Estimated median age of menarche was 151 months (95% Cl: 150-151). In female with four indigenous surnames, menarche occurred two months later than girls without indigenous surnames and with two indigenous surnames (p < 0,001). In girls whose parents had lowest level of schooling, the difference increased to eight months later (p < 0,005). Conclusions: Age at menarche in the group with higher indigenous descent is later even if socio-economic conditions remain stable. Genetic factors might play an important role, however conditions of vulnerability can influence and further delay the onset of reproductive competency.

Aprendizaje colaborativo a través de un ambiente virtual en la formación en salud: un enfoque cualitativo / Colaborative learning in health formation through a virtual environment: a qualitative approach

Las tendencias en Educación y Salud están provocando profundas reflexiones y cambios concretos en la manera de enfrentar la formación en salud. Cada vez más, se promueve el trabajo en equipo, en redes y el aprendizaje colaborativo y las herramientas informáticas utilizadas como base para lograr estas competencias. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar, desde una perspectiva cualitativa, la utilidad de un ambiente virtual para el aprendizaje colaborativo de un grupo de estudiantes durante su Internado Rural. Se utilizó un diseño de estudio de caso, en un grupo de 11 estudiantes y una docente de la carrera de Obstetricia y Puericultura. Se realizó triangulación por técnica de recolección de información y por investigador para asegurar la credibilidad de los datos. La información se agrupó en un sistema de ejes con cuadrantes valorados como positivos, negativos e intermedios positivo y negativo para la extracción de los resultados. Las principales percepciones fueron: desconocimiento de los estudiantes de las políticas institucionales relacionadas con metodologías colaborativas; satisfacción de necesidades pedagógicas entre los estudiantes y entre éstos y la docente a través del ambiente virtual, pero con algunos aspectos que obstaculizaron el proceso; existió aprendizaje en la utilización de herramientas informáticas y apertura hacia otras dimensiones posibles en su utilización desde la perspectiva profesional; cumplimiento desorganizado de roles en el trabajo colaborativo, pero con resultados positivos. El proceso se vio influenciado favorablemente, encontrando efectivo y motivador el intercambio a través del ambiente virtual.