Laura Débora Acosta

Inequidades en salud entre países de Latinoamérica y el Caribe (2005-2010)

OBJECTIVE To identify health inequalities among Latin American and Caribbean countries in recent years (2005-2010), based on the view that measurement of inequalities is the first step in identifying health inequities. METHOD We performed an ecological study, whose units of analysis were 20 Latin American and Caribbean countries. These units were used to build the Inequalities in Health Index. This index summarizes, in a value ranging from 0 to 1, a set of socio-economic and health indicators, developed by international organizations. These indicators are considered as proximal and contextual determinants of health. RESULTS According to the index calculated, the five countries with the worst health status were Haiti, Guatemala, Bolivia, Venezuela and Honduras. In contrast, the five countries with the most favorable health status were Cuba, Argentina, Uruguay, Chile and Mexico. CONCLUSION Even today, there are wide health inequalities in Latin America and the Caribbean. The country with the most favorable health indicators was Cuba and that with the least favorable was Haiti. We recommend systematic evaluation of health inequalities in Latin America and the Caribbean through the Inequalities in Health Index and other indices, in order to analyze actions, policies and programs to reduce inequities in this region.

ANÁLISIS DE LA SATISFACCIÓN DEL USUARIO EN CENTROS DE SALUD DEL PRIMER NIVEL DE ATENCIÓN EN LA PROVINCIA DE CÓRDOBA, ARGENTINA.

Objective: To identify userssatisfaction about services provide for health centers in the province of Cordoba.

Analysis of mortality from suicide in children, adolescents and youth. Argentina, 2005-2007

Objective. To analyze mortality from suicide in children, adolescents and youth aged 5 to 24 years by gender, method used, place where the incident occurred and residence (province) in Argentina over the period 2005-2007. Method. Data of Statistical Death Reports were used. Mortality rates from suicide were estimated per 100 000 inhabitants using ICD-10 (X60- X84). The statistical method included categorical data analysis. Results: Total deaths from suicide in the 5 to 24 year old group were 861 in 2005, 897 in 2006, and 815 in 2007. During the period 2005-2007, 6 deaths occurred in children younger than 10 years old. In the 10 to 24 year old group males had higher rates than females (p Language: es

Estudio de muertes por causas violentas: un análisis de tendencia en jóvenes, Argentina, 2000-2008

INTRODUCTION: Violence is the leading cause of death among young people in Latin America. The objective of this study was to analyze the trends of youth (ages 10 to 24) mortality resulting from violence, over the period 2000-2008, in the context of the socioeconomic crisis that started in Argentina, in 2001. METHODOLOGY: Databases of the Statistical Reports of Death and Vital Statistics Yearbooks were used. Violent deaths were defined by the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10), and violent mortality rates for every 100,000 inhabitants were calculated. Statistical analysis was performed according to the nature of the variable involved. RESULTS: Violent mortality rates were 42.48o/0000 deaths for 2000, and 43.09o/0000 for 2008, with the incidence being higher for males (p=0.0015). For both sexes, there was an increase of violent deaths due to car accidents. There was also an increase of deaths by aggression in males. The highest suicide rate corresponded to the period 2000-2005. CONCLUSIONS: Since these violent deaths are preventable, reflection on public health policies is urgent.

Condiciones de vida, estado nutricional y estado de salud en adultos mayores, Córdoba, Argentina

OBJETIVO: Describir y comparar el estado nutricional y el estado de salud en dos grupos de adultos mayores de diferentes condiciones de vida, residentes en la ciudad de Cordoba, Argentina. MATERIAL Y METODOS: Estudio transversal, llevado a cabo en dos grupos: adultos mayores concurrentes a Comedores Sociales de la Provincia de Cordoba CSPC; n=308 y adultos mayores afiliados a la obra social universitaria Direccion de Asistencia Social del Personal Universitario DASPU; n=134. Se determinaron parametros antropometricos: indice de masa corporal IMC, circunferencia de cintura CC e indice cintura cadera ICC. Para la determinacion del estado de salud se utilizaron indicadores subjetivos autopercepcion de salud, autoinforme de enfermedades cronicas, obtenidos a traves de encuesta. Para la corroboracion de hipotesis se utilizo Test de X2, calculo de Odds Ratio OR, y Prueba T. RESULTADOS: En hombres, se observo mayor sobrepeso y obesidad en el grupo DASPU; mientras que en las mujeres no se encontraron mayores diferencias entre ambas instituciones, salvo un promedio menor de IMC en el grupo DASPU. En relacion a los indicadores del estado de salud, se observo en ambos sexos, una mejor percepcion de la salud en el grupo DASPU, mayor prevalencia de diabetes en hombres del grupo CSPC, hipertension en mujeres de CSPC y tumor maligno en hombres del grupo DASPU. CONCLUSIONES: Se observa que las condiciones sociales de vida influyen en el estado nutricional y de salud de los adultos mayores, en especial en hombres. Esto implica riesgos diferentes para ambos grupos.

Análisis de la mortalidad por suicidio en niños, adolescentes y jóvenes. Argentina, 2005-2007

OBJECTIVE To analyze mortality from suicide in children, adolescents and youth aged 5 to 24 years by gender, method used, place where the incident occurred and residence (province) in Argentina over the period 2005-2007. METHOD Data of Statistical Death Reports were used. Mortality rates from suicide were estimated per 100 000 inhabitants using ICD-10 (X60- X84). The statistical method included categorical data analysis. RESULTS Total deaths from suicide in the 5 to 24 year old group were 861 in 2005, 897 in 2006, and 815 in 2007. During the period 2005-2007, 6 deaths occurred in children younger than 10 years old. In the 10 to 24 year old group males had higher rates than females (p < 0.01). Analysis by gender and age group showed an increase of suicide in males in the group aged 20-24 years old (p < 0.01), while females had the highest rates of suicide in the 15 to 19 year old group. Hanging and use of firearms were the most frequent methods (p < 0.01). The home was the most frequent place where the incident occurred (p< 0.01). Santa Cruz, Salta and Jujuy had the highest rates of suicide in Argentina, whereas Santiago del Estero, Capital Federal and Misiones showed the lowest ones. CONCLUSION Suicide in Argentinean adolescents and youth is a public health problem, especially among males. The provinces in the North and South of Argentina had the highest rates in the country.