Soil-Transmitted Helminth Infections and Nutritional Status in School-age Children from Rural Communities in Honduras

Background: Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections are endemic in Honduras and efforts are underway to decrease their transmission. However, current evidence is lacking in regards to their prevalence, intensity and their impact on children’s health. Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence and intensity of STH infections and their association with nutritional status in a sample of Honduran children. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was done among school-age children residing in rural communities in Honduras, in 2011. Demographic data was obtained, hemoglobin and protein concentrations were determined in blood samples and STH infections investigated in single-stool samples by Kato-Katz. Anthropometric measurements were taken to calculate heightfor- age (HAZ), BMI-for-age (BAZ) and weight-for-age (WAZ) to determine stunting, thinness and underweight, respectively. Results: Among 320 children studied (48% girls, aged 7–14 years, mean 9.7661.4) an overall STH prevalence of 72.5% was found. Children .10 years of age were generally more infected than 7–10 year-olds (p = 0.015). Prevalence was 30%, 67% and 16% for Ascaris, Trichuris and hookworms, respectively. Moderate-to-heavy infections as well as polyparasitism were common among the infected children (36% and 44%, respectively). Polyparasitism was four times more likely to occur in children attending schools with absent or annual deworming schedules than in pupils attending schools deworming twice a year (p,0.001). Stunting was observed in 5.6% of children and it was associated with increasing age. Also, 2.2% of studied children were thin, 1.3% underweight and 2.2% had anemia. Moderate-to-heavy infections and polyparasitism were significantly associated with decreased values in WAZ and marginally associated with decreased values in HAZ. Conclusions: STH infections remain a public health concern in Honduras and despite current efforts were highly prevalent in the studied community. The role of multiparasite STH infections in undermining children’s nutritional status warrants more research.

Personal Support Workers' Experience of Collaboration in a Long-Term Care Facility in Rural Ontario

The growing complexity of healthcare needs of residents living in long-term care necessitates a high level of professional interdependence to deliver quality, individualized care. Personal support workers (PSWs) are the most likely to observe, interpret and respond to resident care plans, yet little is known about how they experience collaboration. This study aimed to describe PSWs’ current experiences with collaboration in long-term care and to understand the factors that influenced their involvement in collaboration. A qualitative approach was used to interview eight PSWs from one long-term care facility in rural Ontario. Thematic analysis revealed three themes: valuing PSWs’ contributions, organizational structure, and individual characteristics and relationships. Collaboration was a difficult process for PSWs who felt largely undervalued and excluded. To improve collaboration, management needs to provide opportunities for PSWs to contribute and support the development of relationships required to collaborate.

Soil-Transmitted Helminths, Poverty, and Malnutrition in Honduran Children Living in Remote Rural Communities

Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections are endemic in Honduras, but their prevalence according to the levels of poverty in the population has not been examined. The present cross-sectional study is aimed to determine the role of different levels of poverty in STH prevalence and infection intensity as well as the potential associations of STH infections with malnutrition and anemia. Research participants were children attending a medical brigade serving remote communities in Northern Honduras in June 2014. Demographic data were obtained, and poverty levels were determined using the unsatisfied basic needs method. STH infections were investigated by the Kato-Katz method; hemoglobin concentrations were determined with the HemoCue system; and stunting, thinness, and underweight were determined by anthropometry. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and univariate and multivariable logistic regression models. Among 130 children who participated in this study, a high prevalence (69.2%) of parasitism was found and the poorest children were significantly more infected than those living in less poor communities (79.6% vs. 61.8%; P = 0.030). Prevalence rates of Trichuris trichiura, Ascaris lumbricoides, and hookworms were 69.2%, 12.3%, and 3.85%, respectively. In total, 69% of children had anemia and 30% were stunted. Households’ earthen floor and lack of latrines were associated with infection. Greater efforts should be made to reduce STH prevalence and improve overall childhood health, in particular, among the poorest children lacking the basic necessities of life.

Prevalencia de factores de riesgo para cáncer de mama en mujeres de dos poblaciones: urbana y rural

Tesis (Maestría en Ciencias de Enfermería con Énfasisi en Salud Comunitaria) UANL

Obesidad y sedentarismo en poblaciones rural y urbana

Tesis (Maestría en Ciencias de Enfermería con Enfasis en Salud Comunitaria) UANL

Índice de masa corporal, actitudes y conductas de alimentación en adolescentes de área urbana y rural

Tesis (Maestría en Ciencias de la Enfermería con Énfasis en Salud Comunitaria) UANL .

Riesgo dietético aterogénico y presencia de hipercolesterolemia y obesidad en la población rural mayor de diez años de edad, Nuevo León, México, 1990

Tesis (Maestría en Salud Pública con Especialidad en Nutrición Comunitaria) UANL.

Lo urbano en lo rural : transformación del espacio periurbano y la creación de las necesidades

Tesis (Maestría en Ciencias con Orientación en Trabajo Social) U.A.N.L.

Ensayo bibliográfico sobre sociologia rural

UANL

Autoestima y consumo de alcohol y tabaco en estudiantes de secundaria del área rural

Tesis (Maestría en Ciencias de Enfermería con énfasis en Salud Comunitaria) U.A.N.L. Facultad de Enfermería.

De lo rural a lo urbano: las peleas de gallos en Monterrey.

Tesis (Maestría en Ciencias Sociales) UANL, 2014.

Los peces de Nuevo León y la pisicultura rural

UANL

Políticas y estrategias para el desarrollo rural de América Latina en la decada de los 80

UANL

Fecundidad en el área rural de México

UANL

Relación histórica de la campaña emprendida contra los salvajes en los meses de mayo y junio últimos, por orden del Cuartel General de la División del Norte, seguida del informe rendido al mismo Cuartel General, en que se exponen los medios más oportunos para evitar la internación e incursiones de los salvajes en los pueblos fronterizos, por el jefe del detall del 9o. Cuerpo Rural de la Federación, C. Blas M. Flores.

UANL