Epidemiology of Suicide Mortality in Paraguay from 2005 to 2019: A Descriptive Study.

Suicide is an important public health problem, fundamentally affecting the younger population and responding to multiple biological, psychological, and social causes. The objective of this study was to characterize changes in suicide mortality, suicide methods, and years of potential life lost from 2005 to 2019 in Paraguay. This observational, descriptive study used data from the Vital Statistics Information Subsystem of the Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare. The average mortality rate from suicide was 4.9 per 100,000 inhabitants, with an increase from 4.2 between 2005 and 2009 to 5.8 from 2014 to 2019. Suicide was more common in men (75%) than in women. In men, the highest mortality rate was observed among those 20-24 years old, whereas in women, the ages most affected were the 15-19-year-old age group. The most-used method for suicide was hanging. The most frequent place of suicide occurrence was at home (73%). The seasonality of suicide occurrence showed a slight increase in the spring-summer months compared with autumn-winter (53% vs. 47%). The rate of potential years of life lost statistically significantly increased from 2005 to 2019. Public health measures need to be implemented to investigate the underlying reasons and implement interventions in the population to decrease suicide mortality in Paraguay.

The epidemiological burden of reducing salt intake in Paraguay: A modeling study / A carga epidemiológica da redução do sal no Paraguai: um estudo de modelagem

ABSTRACT Objective This study aims to estimate the epidemiological burden of excessive salt intake reduction and achieve the World Health Organization salt reduction target for 2025 in Paraguay, in 2019. Methods We used the Preventable Risk Integrated Model, a comparative risk assessment macro-simulation model, to estimate the averted deaths, disease incidence, and disability-adjusted life years from cardiovascular disease attributable to salt intake in the population of Paraguay for different salt reduction policy scenarios. Results As a result, in Paraguay, excessive salt intake (over 5 g/day) is responsible for approximately 2,656 cardiovascular disease deaths (95% Uncertainty Interval: 1,250-3,765), 4,816 cardiovascular disease cases (95% UI: 2,251-6,947), and 60,529 disability-adjusted life years (95% UI: 27,828-86,258) per year. By reducing salt consumption by 30%, as recommended by the World Health Organization until 2025, approximately 1,188 deaths (95% UI: 520 to 1,820), 2,100 incident cases (95% UI: 923-3,234), and 27,272 disability-adjusted life years (95% UI: 11,999-41,675) from cardiovascular disease could be averted every year. Conclusion In conclusion, the burden of cardiovascular disease attributable to excessive salt intake is significant and salt reduction policies must become a priority in Paraguay.

RESUMO Objetivo Este estudo visa estimar a carga epidemiológica do consumo excessivo de sal e o alcance da meta da Organização Mundial de Saúde para 2025 no Paraguai, em 2019. Métodos Foi usado um modelo de avaliação comparativa de risco (Preventable Risk Integrated Model) para análise comparativa de risco para estimar mortes, casos incidentes e anos de vida ajustados por incapacidade (DALYs) por doenças cardiovasculares atribuíveis ao consumo excessivo de sal na população paraguaia em diferentes cenários. Resultados No Paraguai, o consumo excessivo de sal é responsável por aproximadamente 2.656 mortes (Intervalo de Incerteza 95%: 1.250-3.765), 4.816 casos incidentes (95% II: 2.251-6.947) e 60.529 DALYs (95% II: 27.828-86.258) por doenças cardiovasculares por ano. Com uma redução de 30% no consumo de sal, como recomendado pela Organização Mundial de Saúde até 2025, aproximadamente 1.188 mortes (95% II: 520-1.820), 2.100 casos incidentes (95% II: 923-3.234) e 27.272 DALYs (95% II: 11.999-41.675) por doenças cardiovasculares poderiam ser prevenidos ou adiados por ano. Conclusão Concluiu-se que a carga de doenças cardiovasculares atribuível ao consumo excessivo de sal no Paraguai é significante e políticas de redução deveriam ser priorizadas no país.

Patrones de actividad física y comportamiento sedentario en adolescentes de 13 a 15 años en Paraguay / Patterns of physical activity and sedentary behaviors in adolescents aged 13 to 15 in Paraguay

Introducción: La actividad física insuficiente es uno de los principales problemas de salud pública a nivel global. Los patrones de conducta en los adolescentes, y el estilo de vida, podrían afectar su salud física y mental. Objetivos: El objetivo de este estudio fue conocer los patrones de actividad física y los comportamientos sedentarios en la población de adolescentes a nivel nacional. Materiales y métodos: Estudio cuantitativo, observacional, descriptivo de corte transverso, se aplicó el cuestionario de la Encuesta Global de Salud Escolar en adolescentes escolares del octavo y noveno grados del 3° ciclo de la Educación Escolar Básica y al 1°, 2° y 3° cursos de la Educación Media de 49 escuelas y colegios del país. En este estudio fueron incluidos 1.803 estudiantes de edades comprendidas entre 13 a 15 años. Resultados: El 27% de los adolescentes de 13 a 15 años de Paraguay son activos, siendo significativamente mayor en hombres que en mujeres (p-valor 0,000) y el 22% son inactivos con mayor frecuencia en mujeres que en hombres (p-valor 0,000). Se observo que el 33,5% de los adolescentes tenían comportamiento sedentario, el 43,4% de los adolescentes no utilizo el desplazamiento activo para asistir a la escuela. Los adolescentes que no participaron de las clases de educación física en la escuela representaron el15,6%. Conclusión: Si bien en un 27% los adolescentes de 13 a 15 años son activos, es preocupante el gran porcentaje de adolescentes inactivos y con comportamiento sedentario.

Introduction: Insufficient physical activity is one of the main public health problems globally. Teen behavior patterns and lifestyle may affect their physical and mental health. Objectives: The objective of this study was to know the patterns of physical activity and sedentary behaviors in the adolescent population nationwide. Materials and methods: A quantitative, observational, descriptive cross-sectional study, the questionnaire of the Global School Health Survey was applied in school adolescents of the eighth and ninth grades of the 3rd cycle of Basic School Education and the 1st, 2nd and 3rd year of Secondary Education in 49 schools and colleges in the country. 1,803 students aged 13 to 15 years were included in this study. Results: 27% of adolescents between the ages of 13 and 15 in Paraguay are active, being significantly higher in men than in women (p-value 0.000) and 22% are inactive more frequently in women than in men (p-value 0.000). It was observed that 33.5% of the adolescents had sedentary behavior, 43.4% of the adolescents did not use active displacement to attend school. Adolescents who did not participate in physical education classes at school accounted for 15.6%. Conclusion: Although 27% of adolescents between the ages of 13 and 15 are active, the large percentage of inactive adolescents with sedentary behavior is worrying.

Características de consumo de tabaco en jóvenes estudiantes en Paraguay / Characteristics of tobacco use in young students in Paraguay

Introducción: Actualmente el tabaquismo es una de las mayores amenazas para la salud pública a nivel mundial. La muerte atribuida al tabaco en Paraguay representa el 12,2% de todas las muertes y el costo de la enfermedad asociada al consumo de tabaco en el sistema de salud es elevado. Objetivos: El objetivo de este estudio es describir las características del consumo de tabaco en jóvenes en Paraguay. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal no probabilístico de muestreo estandarizado con representatividad nacional en estudiantes matriculados del 7° al 9° grado de la educación escolar básica, de 13 a 15 años de ambos sexos que incluyo a 6.518 estudiantes, correspondiente a 25 escuelas de la capital y 25 escuelas en el resto del país. Resultados: La prevalencia actual de consumo de productos de tabaco fue del 7%, fumadores actuales de 3,9% y fumadores de cigarrillos electrónicos de 3,7%. La prevalencia de fumadores de segunda mano fue más del 20% en todos los escenarios estudiados. Alto porcentaje de adolescentes con acceso fácil a la compra de cigarrillos sin verificación de la edad. Más del 50% con acceso a mensajes publicitarios sobre tabaco. Casi un 30% tenían conocimiento del efecto dañino del tabaco y más del 80% se manifiestan favorables a la prohibición de fumar en espacios cerrados y abiertos. Conclusión: Aunque la prevalencia de fumadores en adolescentes no es muy elevada, es un problema de salud pública creciente. Se requiere fortalecer las medidas de prevención y control.

Introduction: Currently, smoking is one of the greatest threats to public health worldwide. Death attributed to tobacco in Paraguay represents 12.2% of all deaths and the cost of the disease associated with tobacco consumption in the health system is high. Objectives: The objective of this study is to describe the characteristics of tobacco consumption in young people in Paraguay. Materials and methods: A non-probabilistic descriptive cross-sectional study of standardized sampling was carried out with national representativeness in students enrolled from 7th to 9th grade of basic school education, from 13 to 15 years old of both sexes that included 6,518 students, corresponding to 25 schools in the capital and 25 schools in the rest of the country. Results: The current prevalence of tobacco product use was 7%, current smokers 3.9%, and electronic cigarette smokers 3.7%. The prevalence of second-hand smokers was more than 20% in all the scenarios studied. High percentage of adolescents with easy access to the purchase of cigarettes without age verification. More than 50% with access to advertising messages about tobacco. Almost 30% were aware of the harmful effect of tobacco and more than 80% are in favor of the prohibition of smoking in closed and open spaces. Conclusion: Although the prevalence of smoking in adolescents is not very high, it is a growing public health problem. It is necessary to strengthen prevention and control measures.

Comportamiento alimentario en adolescentes, en el marco de la encuesta global de salud escolar Paraguay, 2017 / Eating behavior in adolescents, in the framework of the global school health survey

Introducción: Comer saludablemente puede contribuir a disminuir la frecuencia de enfermedades crónicas evitables y a mejorar la calidad de vida en la edad avanzada. El objetivo fue describir el comportamiento alimentario de los adolescentes escolares de escuelas públicas, subvencionadas y privadas a nivel nacional. Materiales y Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal cuantitativo no probabilístico, como instrumento se utilizó el cuestionario de la Encuesta Global de Salud Escolar, a adolescentes de 12 departamentos, la encuesta fue aplicada en marzo del 2017, fueron incluidos 3149 estudiantes matriculados sistemáticamente con una probabilidad proporcional a los grados Octavo-Tercer curso. Resultados: El comportamiento alimentario se caracterizó por el bajo consumo de frutas y verduras en porciones de cinco o más veces al día que fue solo del 7,5%. El 61,7% consumieron bebidas gaseosas azucaradas una o más veces al día, y 15% de los estudiantes consumieron tres días o más comidas rápidas en los últimos 7 días. Conclusión: El comportamiento alimentario de los adolescentes se caracteriza por un elevado consumo de los alimentos marcadores de una alimentación no saludable con mayor proporción entre los más jóvenes.

Introduction: Eating healthy can help reduce preventable chronic diseases and improve quality of life in old age. The objective was to describe the eating habits of school adolescents from public, subsidized and private schools nationwide. Materials and Methods: It is a non-probabilistic quantitative cross-sectional descriptive study, the instrument used was the Global School Health Survey, for adolescents from 12 departments, the survey was applied in March 2017. 3149 systematically enrolled students were included with a proportional probability to grades Eight-Third year. Results: The eating behavior was characterized by the low consumption of fruits and vegetables in portions of five or more times a day, which was only 7.5%. 61.7% consumed sugary soft drinks one or more times a day, and 15% of the students consumed fast foods three or more days a week. Conclusion: The eating behavior of adolescents is characterized by a high consumption of foods that are markers of an unhealthy diet, with a higher proportion among the youngest.

Nivel de actividad física en la población adulta del Paraguay. Prevalencia y factores asociados / Level of physical activity among adult population in Paraguay. Prevalence and associates factors

Introducción: Los niveles de actividad física determinan las condiciones de salud y enfermedad de las poblaciones. El estudio pretende determinar la prevalencia de los niveles de actividad física (AF) en la población adulta en el Paraguay e identificar los factores asociados a la inactividad física. Métodos: Estudio transversal tipo encuesta poblacional con representatividad nacional, incluyó personas con edades de 15 a 74 años. El muestreo fue probabilístico, trietápico sin reemplazo. STEPSwise fue la metodología y encuesta aplicada durante junio-setiembre 2011. Se consideraron los niveles de actividad física según el cuestionario Mundial sobre Actividad Física. Los valores de AF fueron estimados en MET. Los valores determinados se distribuyeron según las variables sociodemográficas y clínicas. Por regresión logística se estimó asociación entre las variables, en odd ratios con intervalos de confianza del 95%. Resultados: Se incluyeron 2536 participantes. Resultaron inactivos el 27,2% de la población, 20,1% y 31,3% hombres y mujeres, respectivamente. Los grupos que mostraron una mayor prevalencia de inactividad física con diferencias estadísticamente significativas fueron las mujeres, el grupo de edad superior a 55 años, vivir en área urbana, contar con un mayor nivel de estudios, así como un mayor nivel de ingresos. El sobrepeso y la obesidad se asociaron a una mayor prevalencia de inactividad física, principalmente en los varones. Conclusiones: El estudio además de la prevalencia de AF, aporta datos que serán de gran utilidad como línea de referencia para la vigilancia de los factores de riesgos de las enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles. Además contribuye a identificar los subgrupos prioritarios para intervenciones en salud pública.

Introduction: Physical activity levels determine health conditions and diseases in whole populations. The study attempts to determine the prevalence of physical activity (PA) levels in Paraguay and to identify factors associated with physical inactivity. Methods: A cross-sectional population-type survey with national representatively, included people aged between 15 and 74 years old. Sampling was probabilistic, tri-stage without replacement. STEPSwise was the methodology and survey applied during June-September 2011. The levels of physical activity were considered according to the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ). The PA values were estimated in MET. The determined values were distributed according to sociodemographic and clinical variables. Logistic regression was made for estimate the association between the variables in odd ratios with 95% confidence intervals. Results: 2536 participants were included. 27,2% of the population was inactive, 20,1% and 31,3% men and women, respectively. The groups that showed a higher prevalence of PA with statistically significant differences were: women, the age group over 55 years old, living in the urban area, having a higher level of studies and a higher level of income. Overweight and obesity were associated with a higher prevalence of physical inactivity, mainly in males. Conclusions: The study is the first to present the prevalence and differences of levels of global physical activity in Paraguay and related factors. This first step of surveillance of chronic diseases is very useful to provide a baseline for new interventions in public health.