Ruth Fernández

Trypanosoma cruzi in Persons without Serologic Evidence of Disease, Argentina

Current diagnosis of chronic Chagas disease relies on serologic detection of specific immunoglobulin G against Trypanosoma cruzi. However, the presence of parasites detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in patients without positive conventional serologic testing has been observed. We determined the prevalence and clinical characteristics of persons with seronegative results for T. cruzi DNA detected by PCR in a population at high risk for chronic American trypanosomiasis. We studied a total of 194 persons from two different populations: 110 patients were recruited from an urban cardiology clinic, and 84 persons were nonselected citizens from a highly disease-endemic area. Eighty (41%) of persons had negative serologic findings; 12 (15%) had a positive PCR. Three patients with negative serologic findings and positive PCR results had clinical signs and symptoms that suggested Chagas cardiomyopathy. This finding challenges the current recommendations for Chagas disease diagnosis, therapy, and blood transfusion policies.

Análisis de la frecuencia de experimentación y consumo de drogas de alumnos de escuelas de nivel medio

En el presente trabajo se analiza la frecuencia de experimentacion y consumo de drogas, en alumnos de escuelas de nivel medio de Cordoba, Argentina, en relacion a variables sociodemograficas. De caracter analitico, la investigacion se baso en los registros de la Secretaria de Programacion para la Prevencion de la Drogadiccion y la Lucha contra el Narcotrafico. El procesamiento estadistico fue analisis bivariado, razon de riesgo e intervalos de confianza para cada variable. El consumo de alcohol fue mas frecuente en los hombres, el 12,2% de los adolescentes probo algun tipo de droga ilicita, y los tranquilizantes son los psicofarmacos mas utilizados. El valor del consumo de drogas aumenta segun aumenta el rango de edad, ano de estudio y disponibilidad de dinero. Los hallazgos del presente trabajo identificaron una realidad epidemiologica que permitira elaborar estrategias de prevencion de adiccion en los adolescentes.The aim of this study was to survey the frequency of experimentation and consumption of drugs in high-school students in Cordoba, Argentina, relating it to socio-demographic variables. An observational-analytical method was employed, on the basis of the records of the Secretary for the Planning of Drug-Addiction Prevention and Fighting of Drug-Trafficking. Statistical. Bivariate analysis, odds ratio and confidence interval were applied in the processing of each variable. Alcohol consumption was found to be more frequent among males. Of the subjects 12.2% had tried some type of illicit substance. Tranquilizers were the most commonly used psycho-medicine. Drug consumption increased with age, years of schooling and availability of money. Our detection of an epidemiological situation is deemed useful for prevention strategies for drug addiction among teenagers.

Cognition and Vascular Risk Factors: An Epidemiological Study

We conducted an epidemiological approach to identify the negative impact of the vascular risk factors (such as hypertension, diabetes and hypercholesterolemia) over cognition. The interesting aspect of this study was that the survey was conducted in all age groups through a voluntary call (n = 1365; ≥18 years old, both sexes; age 49 ± 15 y, female 75.7%). Thus, we demonstrated that the use of a Minimum Cognitive Examination (MCE), a brief, simple, and easy managed neuropsychological evaluation, detected a greater number of people with cognitive decline surpassing to the Minimal Mental Statement Examination alone (14.5% of the participants showed MMSE ≤24, 34,6% showed dys-executive function, and 45,8% memory impairment. Out of the 4 studied RF, the only one that was not related to cognitive impairment was dyslipemia. Finally, we noted the importance of cognitive state early detection in all age groups, even in the youngest group. Acting in the middle of the life stages, we can prevent or delay the onset of a disease in adults, nowadays incurable: dementia.

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.

Transmisión transgeneracional del trauma psicosocial en comunidades indígenas de Argentina: percepción del daño en el pasado y presente y acciones autoreparatorias

El presente articulo indago desde la perspectiva de los sujetos, con respecto a la transmision transgeneracional del trauma psicosocial sufrido por comunidades Wichi del Norte Argentino. Se propuso identificar las experiencias percibidas como traumaticas por las comunidades Wichi, tanto pasadas como presentes, describiendo los relatos respecto a la vivencia del trauma y a las formas de socializacion generadas en dicha comunidad. Esto tuvo presente las situaciones o acciones llevadas adelante en los ultimos anos, que pudieran ser consideradas como autoreparatorias. Se trata de un trabajo exploratorio de tipo cualitativo, realizado en comunidades Wichi de la Provincia de Salta, durante los anos 2009, 2010, y 2011. Fueron realizadas 30 entrevistas a caciques, mujeres, dirigentes y personas de las comunidades Wichi. Entre los resultados se reconoce la permanencia del dano en los grupos originarios y los mecanismos utilizados tanto por el Estado como por la sociedad para mantener esta situacion, tambien se advierte un comportamiento de aislamiento y evasion ante el trauma, ademas se identifican secuelas y la manera en que estas reproducen la situacion de trauma. Fue tambien observado en la comunidad Wichi mecanismos de autoreparacion en torno a la situacion de trauma. La experiencia especifica en relacion con el pueblo Wichi reafirma los mecanismos de la transmision transgeneracional del trauma psicosocial, surgiendo nuevas formas de organizacion de manera espontanea que develan el camino hacia la superacion del trauma.

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.

Analysis of the frequency of experimentation with and consumption of drugs in high-school students

En el presente trabajo se analiza la frecuencia de experimentacion y consumo de drogas, en alumnos de escuelas de nivel medio de Cordoba, Argentina, en relacion a variables sociodemograficas. De caracter analitico, la investigacion se baso en los registros de la Secretaria de Programacion para la Prevencion de la Drogadiccion y la Lucha contra el Narcotrafico. El procesamiento estadistico fue analisis bivariado, razon de riesgo e intervalos de confianza para cada variable. El consumo de alcohol fue mas frecuente en los hombres, el 12,2% de los adolescentes probo algun tipo de droga ilicita, y los tranquilizantes son los psicofarmacos mas utilizados. El valor del consumo de drogas aumenta segun aumenta el rango de edad, ano de estudio y disponibilidad de dinero. Los hallazgos del presente trabajo identificaron una realidad epidemiologica que permitira elaborar estrategias de prevencion de adiccion en los adolescentes.The aim of this study was to survey the frequency of experimentation and consumption of drugs in high-school students in Cordoba, Argentina, relating it to socio-demographic variables. An observational-analytical method was employed, on the basis of the records of the Secretary for the Planning of Drug-Addiction Prevention and Fighting of Drug-Trafficking. Statistical. Bivariate analysis, odds ratio and confidence interval were applied in the processing of each variable. Alcohol consumption was found to be more frequent among males. Of the subjects 12.2% had tried some type of illicit substance. Tranquilizers were the most commonly used psycho-medicine. Drug consumption increased with age, years of schooling and availability of money. Our detection of an epidemiological situation is deemed useful for prevention strategies for drug addiction among teenagers.

Salud mental en la comunidad en situaciones de desastre. Una revisión de los modelos de abordaje en la comunidad

A review of narrative literature is performed, aimed at exploring psychosocial intervention models in disaster situations. The documents reviewed were retrieved from PubMed, SciELO, GoogleScholar, and Medline, correspond to the period 1980-2014, and are written in Spanish, English and French. Web pages of international and government organizations were also searched. Four types of psychosocial interventions in disaster situations were identified: based on time, centered on a specific type of disaster, by spheres or levels of action, and person-centered. This review detected differences and similarities arising from the theoretical conception of disasters and the integral vision of the phenomena. The importance of creating and supporting programs based on community empowerment and participation as the basis for psychosocial intervention is stressed.

Análise da frequência de experimentação e consumo de drogas em alunos de escolas de Ensino Médio

En el presente trabajo se analiza la frecuencia de experimentacion y consumo de drogas, en alumnos de escuelas de nivel medio de Cordoba, Argentina, en relacion a variables sociodemograficas. De caracter analitico, la investigacion se baso en los registros de la Secretaria de Programacion para la Prevencion de la Drogadiccion y la Lucha contra el Narcotrafico. El procesamiento estadistico fue analisis bivariado, razon de riesgo e intervalos de confianza para cada variable. El consumo de alcohol fue mas frecuente en los hombres, el 12,2% de los adolescentes probo algun tipo de droga ilicita, y los tranquilizantes son los psicofarmacos mas utilizados. El valor del consumo de drogas aumenta segun aumenta el rango de edad, ano de estudio y disponibilidad de dinero. Los hallazgos del presente trabajo identificaron una realidad epidemiologica que permitira elaborar estrategias de prevencion de adiccion en los adolescentes.The aim of this study was to survey the frequency of experimentation and consumption of drugs in high-school students in Cordoba, Argentina, relating it to socio-demographic variables. An observational-analytical method was employed, on the basis of the records of the Secretary for the Planning of Drug-Addiction Prevention and Fighting of Drug-Trafficking. Statistical. Bivariate analysis, odds ratio and confidence interval were applied in the processing of each variable. Alcohol consumption was found to be more frequent among males. Of the subjects 12.2% had tried some type of illicit substance. Tranquilizers were the most commonly used psycho-medicine. Drug consumption increased with age, years of schooling and availability of money. Our detection of an epidemiological situation is deemed useful for prevention strategies for drug addiction among teenagers.