Macarena Valdés

A systematic review of socioeconomic position in relation to asthma and allergic diseases

The role of socioeconomic position (SEP) in the development of asthma and allergies is unclear, with some pointing to the risks of low SEP and other research pointing in the direction of higher SEP being associated with higher prevalence rates. The aim of this systematic review is to clarify associations between SEP and the prevalence of asthma and allergies. Out of 4407 records identified, 183 were included in the analysis. Low SEP was associated with a higher prevalence of asthma in 63% of the studies. Research on allergies, however, showed a positive association between higher SEP and illness in 66% of studies. Pooled estimates for the odds ratio of disease for the highest compared with the lowest SEP confirmed these results for asthma (unadjusted OR 1.38, 95% CI 1.37–1.39), allergies in general (OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.62–0.72), atopic dermatitis (unadjusted OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.61–0.83) and allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (unadjusted OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.46–0.59). Sensitivity analyses with a subsample of high-quality studies led to the same conclusion. Evidence from this systematic review suggests that asthma is associated with lower SEP, whereas the prevalence of allergies is associated with higher SEP. Lower socioeconomic position associated with higher prevalence of asthma and lower prevalence of allergies http://ow.ly/Oroan

Estudio de prevalencia del consumo de drogas en escolares de Enseñanza Básica, a través de la metodología de pares

Background: Peer methodology (PM) is an adaptation of the privileged access interviewer methodology and is used for prevalence studies. PM estimates higher drug consumption frequencies among school and college students than self reports, since it minimizes underreporting. Aim: To assess drug abuse among students using PM. Material and methods: A random sample of 234 school students of middle and low-middle socioeconomic status, aged 9 to 14 years (53% women) were interviewed using PM about drug consumption. Results: The frequency of licit drug consumption during the last year was 29% and 15% during the last month (current consumption). The consumption of tobacco and alcohol was 20% and 18% respectively during the last year. The figures for the last month were 11% and 8% respectively. The beginning age for smoking and alcohol consumption were 11.1 ±1.5 and 11.3± 1.8 years respectively. The frequency of illicit drug consumption was 3.5%. Illicit drug users began licit drug consumption at earlier ages their non user peers. Conclusions: There is a high frequency of illicit drug consumption among school age children.