The relationships between selected anthropometric and socio-economic data in schoolchildren from different social strata in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The nutritional status according to anthropometric data was assessed in 756 schoolchildren from 5 low-income state schools and in one private school in the same part of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The prevalence of stunting and wasting (cut-off point: <90% ht/age and <80% wt/ht) ranged in the public schools from 6.2 to 15.2% and 3.3 to 24.0%, respectively, whereas the figures for the private school were 2.3 and 3.5%, respectively. Much more obesity was found in the private school (18.0%) than in the state schools (0.8 - 6.2%). Nutritional problems seem to develop more severely in accordance with the increasing age of the children. Therefore it appears advisable to assess schoolchildren within the context of a nutritional surveillance system.

A decisão política em educação. O partenariado socio educativo como modelo decisional: o caso das escolas profissionais

Dissertação de mestrado em Ciências da Educação: área de Educação e Desenvolvimento

Human papillomavirus status and cervical abnormalities in women from public and private health care in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil

This article reports the HPV status and cervical cytological abnormalities in patients attended at public and private gynecological services from Rio de Janeiro State. It also comments the performance of each HPV DNA tests used. A set of 454 women from private health clinics was tested by routine Capture Hybrid II HPV DNA assay. Among these, 58.4% presented HPV and nearly 90% of them were infected by high risk HPV types. However, this group presented few premalignant cervical lesions and no invasive cervical cancer was registered. We also studied 220 women from low income class attended at public health system. They were HPV tested by polymerase chain reaction using My09/11 primers followed by HPV typing with E6 specific primers. The overall HPV prevalence was 77.3%. They also showed a high percentage of high squamous intraepithelial lesion-HSIL (26.3%), and invasive cervical carcinoma (16.3%). HPV infection was found in 93.1% and 94.4% of them, respectively. The mean ages in both groups were 31.5 and 38 years, respectively. In series 1, HPV prevalence declined with age, data consistent with viral transient infection. In series 2, HPV prevalence did not decline, independent of age interval, supporting not only the idea of viral persistence into this group, but also regional epidemiological variations in the same geographic area. Significant cytological differences were seen between both groups. Normal and benign cases were the most prevalent cytological findings in series 1 while pre-malignant lesions were the most common diagnosis in the series 2. HPV prevalence in normal cases were statistically higher than those from series 1 (p < 0.001), indicating a higher exposure to HPV infection. Women from both samples were referred for previous abnormal cytology. However, socio-demographic evidence shows that women from series 1 have access to treatment more easily and faster than women from series 2 before the development of pre-malignant lesions. These data provides baseline support for the role of social inequalities linked to high risk HPV infection leading to cervical cancer. Broadly screening programs and the development of safe and effective vaccines against HPV would diminish the toll of this disease that affect mainly poor women.

Income and mental health

RESUMO: A enorme carga e o sofrimento provocado pelas doenças mentais no mundo tornam imperioso conhecer melhor os seus determinantes. Combater as desigualdades em saude tornou-‐se uma prioridadade de saúde publica, mas e necessário estabelecer as suas vias causais para ser possível implementar intervenções e politicas efetivas. A literatura cientifica tem sugerido a importância dos determinantes sociais na etiologia e evolucao das principais doenças mentais e do suicidio, com especial enfase no papel da desvantagem social. Ainda assim, o papel dos factores psicossociais na saúde mental, e especificamente o papel do rendimento e da sua distribuição não tem sido investigado no meu pais, Portugal. No meu projecto de investigação proponho‐me a estudar se em Portugal existe uma associação entre as doenças mentais e o rendimento absoluto e relativo. Pretendo usar os dados do primeiro inquérito epidemiológico sobre saude mental realizado em Portugal,um inquérito nacional transversal no domicilio que foi conduzido em 2009, integrado no WHO World Mental Health Survey Consortium. Nesta tese de mestrado apresento os resultados da minha revisão da literatura Sobre a relação entre oestatuto socio-economico e a saúde mental e esboço uma proposta de pesquisa para continuar a investigar estetema. A evidencia que apresento mostra que a exposição aum vasto leque de riscos psicossociais, como o baixo rendimento, a educação limitada e o estatuto ocupacionalbaixo,aumenta a probabilidade de desenvolver problemas de saúde mental.. As diferencas em saúde seguem um gradiente social, com piores resultados de saúde a medida que a posição na hierarquia social diminui. Tambem sumarizo a literatura sobre o papel do contexto na produção de desigualdades em saúde para alem das características individuais. Tem especial interesse o potencial efeito na saúde do rendimento relativo e a importância da distribuição dos rendimentos como determinante de saude. Finalmente, delineio os possíveis mecanismos através dos quais o estatuto socio-economico contribui para as disparidades em saúde.-------------------ABSTRACT: The enormous burden and suffering from mental disorders worldwide makes it imperative to better understand its determinants. Tackling nhealth inequalities has become a public health priority, but it is necessary to establish their causalpathways in order to implement effective interventions and policies. Scientific literature has suggested the importance of social determinants in the aetiology and course of major mental disorders and suicide, with special emphasis on the role of social disadvantage. Nevertheless, the role of psychosocial factors on mental health, and specifically the role of income and its distribution, has not been researched in my home country, Portugal. In my research project I propose to study whether in Portugal there is an association between mental disorders and absolute and relative income. I intend to use data from the first Portuguese Mental Health Survey, a national cross-sectional household survey that was conducted in 2009, integrated in the WHO World Mental Health Survey Consortium. In this masters thesis I present the results of my literature review on the relation between Socioeconomic status and mental health and outline a research proposal to further nvestigate this topic. The body of evidence that I present shows that exposure to a wide range of psychosocial risks, such as low income, limited education, and low occupational status, increases the likelihood of mental health problems. Differences in health follow a social gradient, with worsening health as the position in the social ladder decreases. I also summarize the literature on the role of context in producing health inequalities beyond individual characteristics. Of special interest is the potential health effect of relative income and the importance of income distribution as a health determinant. Finally, I outline the various possible mechanisms for health disparities associated with socioeconomic status.

Contributos para a análise espacial em sistemas de informação geográfica da vulnerabilidade socio-territorial no município de Humpata (Angola)

A pesquisa tem como objectivo contribuir para a discussão do conceito de vulnerabilidade socio-territorial em países em desenvolvimento e dar contributos de análise espacial para a construção de um modelo geográfico de vulnerabilidade socio-territorial, tendo como estudo caso o município de Humpata-Angola. A metodologia recorreu a vários instrumentos, nomeadamente organização bibliográfica e documental, discussão do conceito de vulnerabilidade socio-territorial e outros complementares, recolha de informação diversa, através de levantamentos urbanísticos, realização de inquéritos aos chefes de famílias (usando indicadores de domínios social, económico e territorial) e de entrevistas aos governantes ou representantes da Administração Municipal. Foram tomadas as coordenadas dos equipamentos sociais (Saúde e Educação) e todos os dados recolhidos inseridos numa Geodatabase e, com recurso aos Sistemas de Informação Geográfica (análise espacial), foi possível a construção de um modelo de vulnerabilidade socio-territorial para o município de Humpata. O modelo representa um contributo para o futuro ordenamento do município, permitindo uma melhor visão geográfica das áreas mais carenciadas e das áreas melhor equipadas, constituindo um instrumento de apoio a tomada de decisão em políticas públicas, procurando assegurar em simultâneo melhor distribuição dos recursos e beneficiação das condições de vida das comunidades.

Changes in institutional governance and management of higher education in Laos: National University of Laos

PhD thesis in Educational Sciences (specialization in Politics of Education).

Relaciones interculturales, mercado de trabajo y localización socio-espacial de los inmigrantes bolivianos que residen en áreas urbanas y periurbanas de la ciudad de Córdoba.

Este proyecto estudiará los procesos de segmentación del mercado laboral y de segregación socio-espacial de los inmigrantes bolivianos en áreas urbanas y peri-urbanas de la ciudad de Córdoba, y las maneras en que dichos procesos son justificados a través de estereotipos basados en distinciones culturales y/o raciales. Focalizaremos sobre las relaciones de desigualdad y de explotación que signan el mercado de trabajo y otros espacios de sociabilidad en el contexto actual de acumulación del capital. Nos planteamos las siguientes hipótesis: 1) Los inmigrantes bolivianos que residen en la ciudad de Córdoba se vinculan, como mano de obra no calificada, con un mercado laboral informal segmentado étnicamente, en el marco de procesos discriminatorios basados en estereotipos étnico-raciales. 2) Algunos inmigrantes bolivianos lograron cierta movilidad económico-productiva, convirtiéndose en patrones de sus co-nacionales en diferentes sectores (construcción, horticultura, comercio informal, industria de indumentaria), hecho que es facilitado por la activación de redes migratorias. 3) Los estereotipos sobre los bolivianos son re-significados y, a veces, confrontados por agentes vinculados con los medios y con organismos gubernamentales y no gubernamentales. 4) La segregación residencial es otro mecanismo discriminatorio que favorece la exclusión de los inmigrantes trabajadores. Nuestro objetivo principal es caracterizar los diferentes ámbitos laborales en los que se desempeñan los inmigrantes bolivianos en la ciudad de Córdoba y conceptualizar las relaciones inter e intra culturales que se dan en ese marco, teniendo en cuenta la incidencia de: las redes migratorias, las trayectorias migratorias y laborales, y la heterogeneidad de los capitales de los inmigrantes; la localización socio-espacial de los lugares de trabajo y de otros espacios de sociabilidad; y, las maneras en que diversos agentes reproducen o confrontan los estereotipos sobre los bolivianos. Se aplicará una estrategia de triangulación de métodos y de técnicas. Desde un enfoque cuantitativo analizaremos los aspectos socio-demográficos de la población de origen boliviano que reside en la ciudad de Córdoba, teniendo en cuenta su inserción laboral y ubicación socio-espacial en áreas urbanas y peri-urbanas. Se analizarán periódicos de edición provincial y aquellos editados por organizaciones de inmigrantes bolivianos en Córdoba y en Buenos Aires. Se caracterizarán las acciones y políticas destinadas a inmigrantes bolivianos. Se realizarán estudios etnográficos de casos en las áreas urbanas y peri-urbanas en donde residen y/o trabajan inmigrantes bolivianos. Se desarrollarán talleres destinados a inmigrantes bolivianos con el objetivo de reflexionar sobre sus derechos laborales y sus derechos como inmigrantes.

ESTRUCTURA DE GOVERNANCE Y DESEMPEÑO ECONÓMICO-SOCIAL EN LA PROVINCIA DE CÓRDOBA, 2003-2011. DESARROLLO DE INDICADORES Y EVALUACIÓN EN PERSPECTIVA COMPARADA

El presente proyecto pretende llevar adelante una caracterización de las estructuras de governance en dos áreas clave de política pública de la provincia de Córdoba como son el sistema previsional y el desarrollo vial. La hipótesis que guía la investigación es que estas dos áreas presentan una serie de ineficiencias que deben imputarse a factores institucionales que han impedido la generación de transacciones intertemporales eficientes y, en consecuencia, la adopción de políticas de largo plazo y de alta calidad. El objetivo general del proyecto es establecer los apectos fundamentales de las estructuras de governance que han dado lugar a la configuración y a los resultados en estas dos áreas con el fin de realizar recomendaciones de rediseño institucional orientados a mejorar la eficiencia en estos ámbitos de la gestión pública. Los objetivos particulares son: 1) establecer las características básicas que ha asumido el policy making en el área previsional y de desarrollo de la red vial en los últimos años; 2) especificar en estas áreas los resultados de las políticas públicas, evaluándolos en términos de los resultados y elaborando al respecto una serie de indicadores que permitan establecer las brechas de eficiencia existentes; 3) establecer en cada caso las instituciones políticas implicadas y la organización de las reglas bajo las cuales las decisiones son tomadas, elaborando una serie de indicadores de “calidad institucional”; 4) precisar en cada área los actores involucrados (políticos, electores, burócratas y grupos de interés), estableciendo en cada caso los incentivos que instituciones vigentes implican para cada uno de ellos; 5) desarrollar en cada una de estas dimensiones una estrategia comparativa con la provincia de Santa Fé, de tal modo de poder dar mayor precisión a las conclusiones y a los respectivos indicadores; 6) Desarrollar un modelo formal que de cuenta de las características del proceso de policy making en las dos áreas estudiadas. La estrategia metodológica es una combinación del método comparativo con estudio de caso. Los casos seleccionados para la comparación, siguiendo el criterio de la máxima similitud, son Córdoba y Santa Fe. En cada uno de ellos se seguirá una estrategia de process-tracing, a partir de la cual, y sobre la base de diferentes técnicas de recolección de datos que incluyen pricipalmente la consulta documental y la realización de entrevistas semi-estructuradas, se procederá a reconstruir el proceso de policy making en las áreas de políticas estudiadas. La comparación permitirá mantener bajo cierto control algunas variables contextutales de tipo económico y social. Los resultados que se esperan obtener son: 1) un conjunto de indicadores relativos a la eficiencia de los resultados de las políticas estudiadas; 2) un conjunto de indicadores relativos a la calidad de las estructuras de governance en las áreas analizadas; 3) una evaluación comparativa respecto de la provincia de Santa Fé, de los incentivos derivados de las estructuras de governance en las áreas de políticas públicas estudiadas; 4) la identificación de los actores relevantes y sus orientaciones de comportamiento; 5) criterios de evaluación de los contextos institucionales más amplios que los correspondientes a las áreas especificadas pero vinculados a ellas; 6) modelos formales que den cuenta de los procesos de policy making y que permitan formular hipótesis fundadas sobre áreas diferentes de política pública; 7) una serie de recomendaciones bien fundamentadas empírica y analíticamente sobre diseño y rediseño institucional orientadas a mejorar el proceso de policy making en las áreas examinadas. La importancia del proyecto surge de la ausencia casi total de este tipo de estudios a nivel provincial en la Argentina y la relevancia que sus resultados pueden tener en términos del diseño e implementación de políticas socio-económicas en la provincia de Córdoba.

Self-perceived health status and mental health outcomes in young adults born with less than 1000 g.

AIM: To assess self-perceived health status and mental health outcomes of former extremely low-birth-weight (ELBW) infants at young adulthood compared with community norms and to analyse predictors of poor outcome. METHODS: Fifty-five ELBW adults, 18 men (33%), with median (range) gestational age of 28.7 (25.0-34.0) weeks and birth weight of 930 (680-990) grams, born in Switzerland, were included. They self-rated their health status and mental health at a mean (range) age of 23.3 (21.8-25.9) years. Health status was measured by the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 questionnaire and mental health by the Brief Symptom Inventory. RESULTS: The mean scores for both outcome measures were in the normal range. However, the study group self-rated significantly higher physical health status and lower mental health status compared with the community norms, and scores for self-perceived mental health tended to be worse in the former. ELBW adults reported more problems in socio-emotional role functioning compared with the community norms. Female sex was associated with poorer and bronchopulmonary dysplasia with better mental health status. CONCLUSION: Health status and mental health of former ELBW adults were overall satisfying. However, the comparison with the community norms revealed differences, which may be important for parental and patient counselling and developing support strategies.

Stroke initial severity and outcome relative to insurance status in a universal health care system in Switzerland

Contexte et but de l'étude :Le statut socio-économique est suspecté d'avoir une influence significative sur l'incidence des attaques cérébrales (AVC), sur les facteurs de risque cardio-vasculaire, ainsi que sur le pronostic. L'influence de ce statut socio-économique sur la sévérité de l'AVC et sur les mécanismes physiopathologiques sous-jacents est moins connue.Méthode :Sur une période de 4 ans, nous avons collecté de manière prospective (dans un registre) des données concernant tous les patients avec AVC aigus admis à l'Unité Cérébrovasculaire du CHUV. Les données comprenaient le statut assécurologique du patient (assurance privée ou générale), les données démographiques, les facteurs de risque cérébrovasculaires, l'utilisation de traitements aigus de recanalisation vasculaire, le délai avant l'admission à l'hôpital, ainsi que la sévérité et le pronostic de l'AVC en phase aiguë, à 7 jours et à 3 mois des symptômes. Les patients avec assurance privée ont été comparés à ceux avec assurance générale.Résultats :Sur 1062 patients avec AVC, 203 avaient une assurance privée et 859 avaient une assurance générale. Il y a avait 585 hommes et 477 femmes. Les deux populations étaient similaires en âge. Les facteurs de risque cardio-vasculaire, la médication préventive, le délai d'arrivée à l'hôpital, l'incidence du taux de thrombolyse et l'étiologie de l'AVC ne différaient pas dans les deux populations. Le score de gravité de l'AVC en phase aiguë, mesuré par le NIHSS, était significativement plus élevé chez les patients avec assurance générale. Un pronostic favorable, mesuré par le score de Rankin modifié (mRS), était plus fréquemment obtenu à 7 jours et à 3 mois chez les patients avec assurance privée.Commentaires :Un statut socio-économique bas est associé à une incidence plus élevée de maladies cérébrovasculaires ainsi qu'à un plus mauvais pronostic, comme cela a été démontré dans différents pays. Il a été suspecté que l'accès à une prise en charge spécialisée en phase aiguë ou en rééducation soit différent selon le statut socio-économique. Comme la Suisse a un système de santé universel, avec une couverture assécurologique obligatoire pour chaque habitant, il y a là une occasion unique de comparer l'influence de l'aspect socio-économique sur la sévérité et le pronostic de l'AVC. De plus, les patients ont été admis dans la même Unité Cérébrovasculaire et pris en charge par la même équipe médicale.Conclusion et perspectives :Le lien entre le statut assécurologique et le statut socio-économique a déjà été prouvé par le passé dans d'autres pays. Nous avons mis en évidence une sévérité plus importante et un plus mauvais pronostic chez les patients avec assurance générale dans la population étudiée. L'étiologie de cette différence dans un système de santé à couverture universelle comme celui de la Suisse reste peu claire. Elle devrait être étudiée à plus grande échelle.

The health status of children without a resident permit consulting the Children's Hospital of Lausanne

Rapport de synthèseObjectif: Evaluer les données sociales, économiques et médicales concernant les enfants sans permis de séjour pris en charge à l'Hôpital de l'Enfance afin de pouvoir mieux comprendre leurs besoins spécifiques.Conclusions: La majorité des enfants ayant participé à l'étude sont originaires d'Amérique Latine et vivent dans des conditions de vie très précaires. Leur état de santé global est satisfaisant et la plupart bénéficient d'un suivi médical régulier. La prévention ciblée sur une meilleure hygiène de vie est particulièrement importante en raison de l'incidence élevée de sur poids et d'obésité dans cette population. Ce qui est connu et ce que l'étude apporte de nouveau: Cette étude est la 1ère qui analyse la situation socio-économique et l'état de santé d'enfants sans?papiers en Suisse. Les points forts de cette étude sont son caractère prospectif et le suivi de plus de la moitié de ces enfants à 1 an malgré une population particulièrement vulnérable et difficile à monitorer.Méthode: Etude exploratoire prospective par le biais d'un questionnaire incluant des données socio-démographiques, médicales et scolaires de 103 enfants sans permis de séjour ayant consulté pour la 1ère fois l'Hôpital de l'Enfance entre août 2003 et mars 2006. Ces enfants étaient ensuite reconvoqués pour une deuxième consultation 1 année plus tard afin d'obtenir un suivi médical.Résultats principaux: 87% des enfants sont originaires d'Amérique Latine, 36% ont moins de 2 ans. Cette population vit dans des conditions précaires avec un revenu familial sous le seuil de pauvreté (89% des familles vivent avec moins de 3100.- CHF/mois). Les raisons principales de consultation étaient des maladies infectieuses, un bilan de santé demandé par l'école ou un contrôle du nourrisson. La plupart des enfants étaient en bonne santé ou présentaient les mêmes pathologies retrouvées chez des enfants d'un âge similaire. 13% des enfants entre 2 et 16 ans sont obèses et 27% souffrent de surpoids. Tous les enfants en âge d'être scolarisés fréquentent l'école dans l'année suivant le 1er contrôle médical et 48% sont assurés auprès d'une assurance maladie.Biais: Au contrôle medical à 1 an, nous n'avions pas de donnée supplémentaire concernant 43% des enfants qui avaient été perdus de vue (courrier envoyé revenu en retour).

Socio-cultural determinants of adiposity and physical activity in preschool children: a cross-sectional study.

Both individual socio-cultural determinants such as selected parental characteristics (migrant background, low educational level and workload) as well as the regional environment are related to childhood overweight and physical activity (PA). The purpose of the study was to compare the impact of distinct socio-cultural determinants such as the regional environment and selected parental characteristics on adiposity, PA and motor skills in preschool children. Forty preschools (N = 542 children) of two culturally different urban regions (German and French speaking part of Switzerland) participated in the study (Ballabeina Study). Outcome measures included adiposity (BMI and skinfold thickness), objectively measured sedentary activities and PA (accelerometers) and agility performance (obstacle course). Parental characteristics (migrant status, educational level and workload) were assessed by questionnaire. Children from the French speaking areas had higher adiposity, lower levels of total and of more intense PA, were more sedentary and less agile than children from the German speaking regions (percent differences for all outcome parameters except for BMI ≥10%; all p ≤ 0.04). Differences in skinfold thickness, sedentary activities and agility, but not in PA, were also found between children of Swiss and migrant parents, though they were ≤8% (p ≤ 0.02). While paternal workload had no effect, maternal workload and parental education resulted in differences in some PA measures and/or agility performance (percent differences in both: ≤9%, p ≤ 0.008), but not in adiposity or sedentary activities (p = NS). Regional differences in skinfold thickness, PA, sedentary activities and agility performance persisted after adjustment for parental socio-cultural characteristics, parental BMI and, where applicable, children's skinfolds (all p ≤ 0.01). The regional environment, especially the broader social environment, plays a prominent role in determining adiposity, PA and motor skills of young children and should be implicated in the prevention of obesity and promotion of PA in children. clinicaltrials.gov NCT00674544.

Increasing prevalence of obesity in the Seychelles and association with socioeconomic status

Objective: We assessed the 15-year trends in the distribution of body mass index (BMI) categories in the Seychelles (Indian Ocean, African Region) and the relationship with sex, age and socio-economic status (SES). Methods: We conducted three population-based examination surveys in 1989 (n=1,081; participation rate: 86.4%), in 1994 (n=1,067; 87.0%), and in 2004 (n=1,255; 80.2%). Occupation was categorized as "laborer", "intermediate" or "professional". Results are adjusted to the population of 2002. Results: Between 1989 and 2004, mean BMI increased markedly in all sex and age categories (overall: ∼0.15 kg/m2/calendar year). The prevalence of overweight and obesity combined ("excess weight", BMI ≥25 kg/m2) increased from 29% to 52% in men and from 50% to 67% in women. The prevalence of obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m2) increased from 4% to 15% in men and from 23% to 34% in women. Mean BMI - respectively the prevalence of excess weight- was lower in laborers than professionals in men but higher in laborers that professionals in women and this pattern was similar in the three surveys. Odds ratios for excess weight in professionals vs. laborers were 2.10 (95% CI: 1.94-2.17) in men and 0.51 (0.48-0.53) in women, adjusting for calendar year and participants' age and smoking habits. Conclusion: The prevalence of overweight/obesity increased markedly during a 15- year period. Similar increase of BMI over time in all age and sex categories suggests common environment obesogenic factors. The association between SES and excess weight was in opposite directions in men and women. The study emphasizes the need for prevention measures in all sex, age and SES groups, and suggests that they should be tailored according to sex and SES categories.

Socio-economic inequalities in reported depression in Spain : a decomposition approach

Recent evidence questions some conventional view on the existence of income-related inequalities in depression suggesting in turn that other determinants might be in place, such as activity status and educational attainment. Evidence of socio-economic inequalities is especially relevant in countries such as Spain that have a limited coverage of mental health care and are regionally heterogeneous. This paper aims at measuring and explaining the degree of socio-economic inequality in reported depression in Spain. We employ linear probability models to estimate the concentration index and its decomposition drawing from 2003 edition of the Spanish National Health Survey, the most recent representative health survey in Spain. Our findings point towards the existence of avoidable inequalities in the prevalence of reported depression. However, besides ¿pure income effects¿ explaining 37% of inequality, economic activity status (28%), education (15%) and demographics (15%) play also a key encompassing role. Although high income implies higher resources to invest and cure (mental) illness, environmental factors influencing in peoples perceived social status act as indirect path as explaining the prevalence of depression. Finally, we find evidence of a gender effect, gender social-economic inequality in income is mainly avoidable.

The health status of children without resident permit consulting the Children's Hospital of Lausanne.

OBJECTIVE: To assess social, economic and medical data concerning children without a resident permit taken into care by the Children's Hospital of Lausanne (HEL) in order to evaluate their specific needs. METHODS: Prospective exploratory study by a questionnaire including the socio-demographic, medical and education data of 103 children without a resident permit, who consulted the HEL for the first time between August 2003 and March 2006. These children were then recalled for a second check-up one year later in order to allow a regular monitoring. RESULTS: Eighty-seven percent of the children were native of Latin America, 36% being less than two years old. This population of children lived in precarious conditions with a family income lower than the poverty level (89% of the families with less than 3100 CHF/month). Forty-five percent of the children had a health insurance. The main reasons for consultation were infectious diseases, a check-up requested by the school or a check-up concerning newborn children. Most of them were in good health and the others were affected by illnesses similar to those found in other children of the same age. At least 13% of the children were obese and 27% were overweight. All children who were of educational age went to school during the year after the first check-up and 48% were affiliated to a health insurance. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of the children from Latin America lived in very precarious conditions. Their general health status was good and most of them could benefit from regular check-ups. Prevention, focused on a healthier life style, was particularly important among this population characterised by a high incidence of overweight and obesity.