Prevalencia de Hipertensión Arterial y factores asociados: municipio Matanzas 2009-2010 / Arterial hypertension prevalence and associated factors: municipality of Matanzas 2009-2010

Se realizó un estudio observacional analítico de tipo transversal de base poblacional para estimar la prevalencia de la hipertensión arterial en la población matancera y determinar la presencia de los factores de riesgo atribuibles a esta enfermedad durante el año 2009-2010. El universo estuvo constituido por la población del municipio Matanzas entre 15 y 74 años de edad que corresponde a 112 348 habitantes. La muestra quedó conformada por 2 640 personas. En la recolección de la información se aplicó un cuestionario validado por la Organización Panamericana de la Salud para la vigilancia de factores de riesgos de las enfermedades no transmisibles. Los datos fueron procesados en el programa EpiInfo 3.4.3 2007. Para el análisis de los datos se emplearon medidas de frecuencias absolutas y relativas, medidas de tendencia central como la media, mediana, y moda; se utilizó el enfoque de riesgo en análisis bivariado, con cálculo de Odds Ratio con sus intervalos de confianza. Se utilizó la prueba de Chi Cuadrado. También Fracción Atribuible de riesgo con sus Intervalos de Confianza del 95 por ciento. Se consideraron diferencias significativas cuando los valores p fueron menores que 0.,05 y los intervalos de confianza del Odds Ratio no incluyera el valor de 1. Se obtuvo una prevalencia de hipertensión arterial de 31,3 por ciento, siendo los controlados de un 67,4 por ciento. De las nueve variables que resultaron significativas en el análisis bivariado, ocho de ellas se mostraron como verdaderos factores asociados al hipertenso al ser analizadas mediante la regresión logística: el colesterol alto, la edad mayor de 50 años, la diabetes mellitus, el hábito de fumar (tabaquismo), la obesidad, los antecedentes familiares de hipertensión arterial, el sobre peso y el bajo nivel escolar.

We carried out a cross-sectional analytic observational research on the population basis to estimate the arterial hypertension prevalence in the Matanzasan population and determine the presence of risk factors that could be attributed to this disease during the year 2009-2010. The universe was formed by the population of the municipality of Matanzas whose age ranged from 15 to 70 years, corresponding to 112 348 inhabitants. The sample was formed by 2 640 persons. In collecting information we applied a questionnaire validated by the Pan-American Health Organization for the surveillance of the non- transmissible disease risk factors. Data were processed in the program EpiInfo 3.4.3 2007. For the data analysis there were used measures of absolute and relative frequencies, central tendency measures like average, medium, and fashion; we used the risk approach in bi-variable analysis, calculating the odds ratio with their confidence intervals. In this case we used the Chi square test. We also used the attributed risk fraction with its confidence intervals 95 per cent. We considered significant differences when the value p were less than 0.05 and the confidence interval did not included the value 1. From the nine variables that were significant in the bi-variable study, 8 were shown true factors associated to the hypertensive persons when they were analyzed through the logistic regression: high levels of cholesterol, people aged more than 50 years, Diabetes Mellitus, the habit of smoking, obesity, arterial hypertension familiar antecedents, overweight, and low level of scholarship.

Tuberculosis prevention questionnaire: common practices among pulmonary medicine and infectious disease specialists in Puerto Rico

A survey about tuberculosis infection status, surveillance and protection practices among pulmonologists and infectologists was performed.A fourteen-item questionnaire was mailed. The survey was addressed to 108 pulmonologists and 61 infectologists. Responses were collected from 35 pulmonologists (32 percent) and 18 infectologists (29 percent). Sixteen out 35 pulmonologists had a positive tuberculin test (TST) (46 percent). Nine of fourteen took at least 6 months of preventive therapy with isoniazid when converted. Three out of eighteen infectologists had a positive TST. 63 percent of the pulmonologists and 38 percent of the infectologists evaluate their TST every 12 months. 40 percent of the pulmonologists and 66 percent of the infectologists answered that they treat more than ten patients with tuberculosis annually. Interestingly, 50 percent of the responder bronchoscopists use surgical masks instead of recommended HEPA filter masks. 73 percent of the responders reported not having negative pressure rooms when performing procedures. Despite stamped-addressed envelopes and the relation of these professionals with the related issue, low participation was observed.Among the responders a low frequency of TST was observed, especially in those exposed to higher-risk procedures. Non-adequate facilities and lack of use of protective equipment was reported. Even though not representative of the entire medical community the results of this survey are concerning regarding educational and safety policies of our professionals and institutions