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Abstract Objective: To develop growth charts for weight-for-age, height-for-age, and body mass index (BMI)-for-age for both genders aged 2 to 18 years for Brazilian patients with Williams-Beuren Syndrome (WBS). Methods: This is a multicenter, retrospective, and longitudinal study, data were collected from the medical records of boys and girls with a confirmed diagnosis of WBS in three large university centers in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Growth charts stratified by gender and age in years were developed using LMSchartmaker Pro software. The LMS (Lambda Mu Sigma) method was used to model the charts. The quality of the settings was checked by worm plots. Results: The first Brazilian growth charts for weight-for-age, height-for-age, and BMI-for-age stratified by gender were constructed for WBS patients aged 2 to 18 years. Conclusion: The growth charts developed in this study can help to guide family members and to improve the health care offered by health professionals.

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OBJECTIVE: To develop growth charts for weight-for-age, height-for-age, and body mass index (BMI)-for-age for both genders aged 2 to 18 years for Brazilian patients with Williams-Beuren Syndrome (WBS). METHODS: This is a multicenter, retrospective, and longitudinal study, data were collected from the medical records of boys and girls with a confirmed diagnosis of WBS in three large university centers in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Growth charts stratified by gender and age in years were developed using LMSchartmaker Pro software. The LMS (Lambda Mu Sigma) method was used to model the charts . The quality of the settings was checked by worm plots. RESULTS: The first Brazilian growth charts for weight-for-age, height-for-age, and BMI-for-age stratified by gender were constructed for WBS patients aged 2 to 18 years. CONCLUSION: The growth charts developed in this study can help to guide family members and to improve the health care offered by health professionals.

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Background: Equity in vaccination against COVID-19 is a public health concern. The objective of this study was to analyze socioeconomic inequalities related to vaccination for the first and second doses from primary series against COVID-19 in Ecuador. Methods: Secondary database study in 12,743,507 respondents from 15 years and over. The COVID-19 section of the National Survey of Employment, Unemployment and Underemployment (ENEMDU) was analyzed. Socioeconomic characteristics and vaccination against COVID-19 were associated with the at least one dose and second dose. Poisson regressions for complex samples were obtained. Results: As of the date of the survey, 87.3% of the sample (95% CI 86.7%-87.8%) had received at least one vaccine against COVID-19. A lower probability of having received at least one vaccine against COVID-19 was found in rural areas (PR 0.82, 95% CI 0.74-0.91), indigenous population (PR 0.43, 95% CI 0.29-0.64), no level of education (PR 0.25, 95% CI 0.14-0.43), and the lowest economic income (PR 0.42, 95% CI 0.35-0.52). A significantly lower probability of vaccination with two or more doses was found in rural vs urban area (PR 0.88, 95% CI 0.80-0.96), women vs men (PR 0.85, 95% CI 0.77-0.91), indigenous population vs white (PR 0.44, 95% CI 0.33-0.59) and individuals in the lowest income quartile vs highest income quartile (PR 0.48, 95% CI 0.42-0.55). Underemployment, population economically inactive (PR 0.77, 95% CI 0.67-0.88 and PR 0.71, 95% CI 0.61-0.83) and individuals with no level of education (PR 0.39, 95% CI 0.27-0.58) also were less likely to complete the primary phase of vaccination compared with individuals in the highest income quartile, employment and postgraduate level of education. Conclusions: There were socioeconomic inequalities with the primary series of vaccine against COVID-19, with a greater disadvantage for rural residents, women, indigenous populations, lower economic income and lower levels of education.

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Cilia, either motile or non-motile (a.k.a primary or sensory), are complex evolutionarily conserved eukaryotic structures composed of hundreds of proteins required for their assembly, structure and function that are collectively known as the ciliome. Ciliome gene mutations underlie a group of pleiotropic genetic diseases known as ciliopathies. Proper cilium function requires the tight coregulation of ciliome gene transcription, which is only fragmentarily understood. RFX transcription factors (TF) have an evolutionarily conserved role in the direct activation of ciliome genes both in motile and non-motile cilia cell-types. In vertebrates, FoxJ1 and FoxN4 Forkhead (FKH) TFs work with RFX in the direct activation of ciliome genes, exclusively in motile cilia cell-types. No additional TFs have been described to act together with RFX in primary cilia cell-types in any organism. Here we describe FKH-8, a FKH TF, as a direct regulator of the sensory ciliome genes in Caenorhabditis elegans. FKH-8 is expressed in all ciliated neurons in C. elegans, binds the regulatory regions of ciliome genes, regulates ciliome gene expression, cilium morphology and a wide range of behaviors mediated by sensory ciliated neurons. FKH-8 and DAF-19 (C. elegans RFX) physically interact and synergistically regulate ciliome gene expression. C. elegans FKH-8 function can be replaced by mouse FOXJ1 and FOXN4 but not by other members of other mouse FKH subfamilies. In conclusion, RFX and FKH TF families act jointly as direct regulators of ciliome genes also in sensory ciliated cell types suggesting that this regulatory logic could be an ancient trait predating functional cilia sub-specialization.

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This qualitative study aims to explore how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted healthcare access for patients with chronic conditions in Ecuador from the patient's perspective. We interviewed 19 patients diagnosed with arterial hypertension or type 2 diabetes in rural and urban areas of Ecuador during August and September 2020. We used the Framework Method to analyse the interview transcripts with ATLAS.Ti 8.4 and organised the ideas discussed using categories from the World Health Organization Commission on the Social Determinants of Health conceptual framework. Reorganization of health services during the pandemic meant that patients with arterial hypertension or diabetes could no longer attend face-to-face appointments for disease follow-up. System failures related to medication supply led to increased out-of-pocket payments, which, together with reduced or absent earnings, and in a context with limited social protection policies, meant that patients frequently went for prolonged periods without medication. Rural health initiatives, support from family and use of traditional medicine were reported as ways to manage their chronic condition during this time. Barriers to disease management disproportionately affected individuals with low socioeconomic positions. Stock shortages, lack of protective labour policies and limited reach of anticipatory policies for health emergencies likely worsened pre-existing health inequities in Ecuador.

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Constantly evolving drug-resistant "superbugs" have caused an urgent demand for novel antimicrobial agents. Natural products and their analogs have been a prolific source of antimicrobial agents, even though a high rediscovery rate and less targeted research has made the field challenging in the pre-genomic era. With recent advancements in technology, natural product research is gaining new life. Genome mining has allowed for more targeted excavation of biosynthetic potential from natural sources that was previously overlooked. Researchers use bioinformatic algorithms to rapidly identify and predict antimicrobial candidates by studying the genome before even entering the lab. In addition, synthetic biology and advanced analytical instruments enable the accelerated identification of novel antibiotics with distinct structures. Here, we reviewed the literature for noteworthy examples of novel antimicrobial agents discovered through various methodologies, highlighting the candidates with potent effectiveness against antimicrobial-resistant pathogens.

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Introducción: La desnutrición crónica es un problema de difícil erradicación con grandes repercusiones en la población infantil. En el Ecuador 1 de cada 5 niños menor de cinco años, presenta desnutrición crónica. El objetivo del presente estudio fue determinar incidencia y factores asociados al desarrollo de desnutrición crónica en una cohorte de niños menores de 5 años durante un periodo de seguimiento de un año, en la provincia de Chimborazo, 2018-2019. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio de cohorte prospectivo, con seguimiento de 2018-2019. La población estuvo conformada por 1228 niños, de los cuales se tomó una muestra de 138 niños. Se tuvieron en cuenta variables como la edad, sexo, ubicación geográfica, nivel socioeconómico, acceso a servicios de salud, servicios básicos y tierras, prácticas de alimentación, antropometría, desnutrición crónica, talla de la madre, infecciones, y parasitosis. Se calculó el Riesgo Relativo (RR) y sus respectivos intervalos de confianza al 95% usando modelos lineales generalizados (familia binomial). Resultados: La incidencia de desnutrición crónica fue de 20,3%. Los factores asociados fueron: dificultad para acceder a los servicios de salud [RR: 4.87; IC 95%: 1.89-12.55]; y LME < 6 meses [RR: 3.44, IC 95%: 2.14-5.55]. Conclusiones: La incidencia de desnutrición crónica en menores de cinco años en la provincia Chimborazo es elevada; por lo que se precisa de intervenciones que garanticen el acceso a los servicios de salud y educación nutricional para eliminar este problema de salud.

Introduction: Chronic malnutrition is a problem that is difficult to eradicate with significant repercussions on the child population. In Ecuador, 1 in 5 children under five have chronic malnutrition. This trial aimed to determine the incidence and factors associated with the development of chronic malnutrition in a cohort of children under five years of age during a one-year follow-up period in the province of Chimborazo, 2018-2019. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted with a 2018-2019 follow-up. The population consisted of 1,228 children, from which a sample of 138 children was taken. Variables such as age, gender, geographic location, socioeconomic level, access to health services, essential services and land, feeding practices, anthropometry, chronic malnutrition, mother's height, infections, and parasitosis were taken into account. The Relative Risk (RR) and their respective 95% confidence intervals were calculated using generalized linear models (binomial family). Results: The incidence of chronic malnutrition was 20.3%. The associated factors were: difficulty in accessing health services [RR: 4.87; 95% CI: 1.89-12.55]; and EBF <6 months [RR: 3.44, 95% CI: 2.14-5.55]. Conclusions: The incidence of chronic malnutrition in children under five years of age in the Chimborazo province is high; therefore, interventions are needed to guarantee access to health services and nutritional education to eliminate this health problem.

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BACKGROUND: Despite the multiple initiatives implemented to reduce stunting in Ecuador, it continues to be a public health problem with a significant prevalence. One of the most affected groups is the rural indigenous population. This study aimed to analyze the prevalence of chronic malnutrition in indigenous children under 5 years of age and its association with health determinants, focusing on one of the territories with the highest prevalence of stunting. METHODS: A cross-sectional study in 1,204 Kichwa indigenous children under the age of five, residing in rural areas of the counties with the highest presence of indigenous in the province of Chimborazo-Ecuador. A questionnaire on health determinants was applied and anthropometric measurements were taken on the child and the mother. Stunting was determined by the height-for-age z-score of less than 2 standard deviations, according to the World Health Organization´s parameters. Data were analyzed using bivariate and multivariate Poisson regression. RESULTS: 51.6% (n = 646) of the children are stunted. Height-for-age z-scores were significantly better for girls, children under 12 months, families without overcrowding, and families with higher family income. The variables that were significantly and independently associated with stunting were: overcrowding (PR 1.20, 95% CI 1-1.44), the mother required that the father give her money to buy medicine (PR 1.33, 95% CI 1.04-1.71), the father did not give her money to support herself in the last 12 months (1.58, 95% CI 1.15-2.17), mother's height less than 150 cm (PR 1.42, 95% CI 1.19-1.69) and the child was very small at birth (PR 1.75, 95% CI 1.22-2.5). CONCLUSION: One out of every two rural indigenous children included in this study is stunted. The high prevalence of stunting in the indigenous and rural population is multicausal, and requires an intersectoral and multidisciplinary approach. This study identified three fundamental elements on which public policy could focus: (a) reduce overcrowding conditions, improving economic income in the rural sector (for example, through the strengthening of agriculture), (b) provide prenatal care and comprehensive postnatal care, and (c) promote strategies aimed at strengthening the empowerment of women.

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Digital health literacy influences decision-making in health. There are no validated instruments to evaluate the digital literacy about COVID-19 in Spanish-speaking countries. This study aimed to validate the Digital Health Literacy Instrument (DHLI) about COVID-19 adapted to Spanish (COVID-DHLI-Spanish) in university students and to describe its most important results. A cross-sectional study was developed with 2318 university students from Spain, Puerto Rico, and Ecuador. Internal consistency was measured with Cronbach's alpha and principal component analysis. Construct validity was analyzed using Spearman's correlations and the Kruskal−Wallis test. The internal consistency of the questionnaire was good for the global scale (Cronbach's alpha 0.69, 95% CI 0.67) as well as for its dimensions. A total of 51.1% (n = 946) of students had sufficient digital literacy, 40.1% (n = 742) had problematic digital literacy, and 8.8% (n = 162) had inadequate digital literacy. The DHLI was directly and significantly correlated with age, subjective social perception, sense of coherence, and well-being (p < 0.001). The average digital literacy was higher in men than in women, in students older than 22 years, and in those with greater satisfaction with online information (p < 0.001). The COVID-DHLI-Spanish is useful for measuring the digital literacy about COVID-19 in Spanish-speaking countries. This study suggests gaps by gender and socioeconomic perception.

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BACKGROUND: The indigenous child population in Ecuador has a high prevalence of stunting. There is limited evidence of the association between breastfeeding, feeding practices, and stunting in indigenous children. This study aimed to analyze the prevalence of breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices and explore their association with stunting in Ecuadorian indigenous children under two years of age. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of secondary data analysis using the 2012 Ecuador National Health and Nutrition Study, in 625 children aged 0-23 months (48,069 expanded sample), representative for the indigenous population. Breastfeeding and complementary feeding indicators were analyzed by age groups. Timely initiation of breastfeeding (within one hour after birth), exclusive breastfeeding (infants under six months who received only breast milk for the previous day), and other indicators were measured. Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test and logistic regression for complex samples were used to explore association with demographic and socioeconomic factors and stunting. RESULTS: Twenty-six-point eight percent of the children were stunted. Stunting occurred mainly in children with rural residence, on poor households, and where there were four or more children. Most of the children had a timely initiation of breastfeeding (69.5% for 0-12 months and 75.5% for 13-23 months) and exclusive breastfeeding up to six months (78.2%). Among children between 6-12 months of age, 99.3% continued to be breastfed. In children from ages 6 to 12 months, 32.5% received food with adequate dietary diversity. Lower percentages of complementary feeding occurred in the poorest, adolescent mothers or those with less education. Children who did not receive the minimum frequency of meals for their age had higher odds of stunting (OR 3.28; 95% CI 1.3, 8.27). Children from age 19 to 23 months who consumed foods rich in iron showed lower probabilities of stunting (OR 0.04; 95% CI 0.00, 0.51). CONCLUSIONS: Breastfeeding practices reached a prevalence of 70% or more, without being associated with stunting. Complementary feeding practices showed differences by socioeconomic condition. Not reaching the minimum meal frequency between 6 and 12 months of age was associated with stunting. Plans and strategies are necessary to promote adequate feeding and breastfeeding practices in the indigenous population.

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Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has generated an avalanche of information, which, if not properly addressed, generates uncertainty and limits healthy decision-making. On the other hand, the pandemic has exacerbated mental health problems among young people and adolescents, causing a worsening of their wellbeing. Previous studies have found that digital health literacy has a positive impact on people's attitudes toward the disease. This study aimed to analyze the association between digital health literacy on COVID-19 with subjective wellbeing in university students. Methods: A cross-sectional study was developed in 917 students from Ecuador. Subjective wellbeing was measured with the World Health Organization WellBeing Scale. Digital health literacy was assessed using the Spanish-translated version of the Digital Health Literacy Instrument adapted to the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Bivariate and multivariate linear regressions were performed. Results: Digital health literacy and subjective wellbeing proofed to be significantly higher among males and among students with higher social status. The association between digital health literacy and subjective wellbeing was significant; for each increase of one point in the digital health literacy scale, an average increase of 9.64 points could be observed on the subjective wellbeing scale (IC 95% 5.61 - 13.67, p-value <0.001). This correlation persisted after adjust by demographic and socioeconomic variables. Conclusion: Improving digital health literacy in health would improve the subjective wellbeing of university students. It is suggested strengthen the digital health literacy through public and university policies that promote access, search skills and discernment of digital information. Socioeconomic and gender inequalities related to digital health literacy need to be further investigated.

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Introducción: La enfermedad renal crónica es uno de los grandes retos para los profesionales de la salud; constituye un problema que causa discapacidad funcional, disminución de la calidad de vida y elevados costos a los sistemas sanitarios. Objetivo: Determinar el nivel de conocimiento sobre la enfermedad renal crónica de los pacientes atendidos en el Hospital Provincial General Docente de Riobamba, sus familiares y el personal de enfermería. Métodos: Investigación básica, no experimental, descriptiva, de corte transversal y con enfoque mixto. El universo estuvo constituido por 96 pacientes con diagnóstico de enfermedad renal crónica y la muestra quedó conformada por un total de 78 pacientes. Igualmente se investigaron 78 familiares y 40 profesionales de enfermería que atienden pacientes con esta enfermedad. Se aplicaron cuestionarios para identificar características clínicas y nivel de conocimiento sobre el manejo de la enfermedad en las personas participantes en el estudio. Resultados: Existe un porciento elevado de pacientes con enfermedad renal crónica inferior a 40 años (15,38 por ciento). La totalidad de los familiares y del personal de enfermería no han recibido cursos de capacitación sobre el manejo de la enfermedad. Conclusiones: Existe un nivel de conocimiento medio en el personal de enfermería y bajo en los pacientes y sus familiares en relación con el manejo de pacientes con enfermedad renal crónica. Se necesita realizar actividades de capacitación orientadas a cada uno de los grupos de personas incluidas en el estudio(AU)

Introduction: Chronic kidney disease is one of the great challenges for health professionals; it constitutes a health problem that generates functional disability, decreased quality of life and high costs to health systems. Objective: To determine the level of knowledge about chronic kidney disease in patients treated at the Riobamba Provincial General Teaching Hospital, their families and the nursing staff. Methodology: A basic, non-experimental, descriptive, cross-sectional research with a mixed approach was developed. The universe consisted of 96 patients with a diagnosis of chronic kidney disease and the sample was made up of a total of 78 patients. Likewise, 78 family members and 40 nursing professionals who care for patients with this disease were investigated. Questionnaires were applied to identify clinical characteristics and level of knowledge about the management of the disease in the people participating in the study. Results: There is a high percentage of patients with chronic kidney disease less than 40 years old (15.38 percent). All the family members and the nursing staff have not received training courses on disease management. Conclusions: There is a medium level of knowledge in the nursing staff and low in the patients and their families in relation to the management of patients with chronic kidney disease. Training activities aimed at each of the groups of people included in the study need to be carried out(AU)

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BACKGROUND: Healthy ageing is a complex construct which involves multiple dimensions. Previous studies of healthy ageing have focused only on measuring the intrinsic capacity of the older person. The objectives of this study were to design a multidimensional model of healthy ageing and to identify its determinants from national data in Ecuador. METHODS: A cross-sectional analytical study was carried out from the National Survey of Health and Well-being of the Older Adult, 2010. Sample was 1797 adults aged 65 years or more. A multidimensional model was designed based on the World Health Organization's concept of healthy ageing. For the analysis, two groups were created: a healthy ageing and a less healthy ageing group. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were performed to analyze the probability of belonging to the healthy group according to sex, age, area of ​​residence, level of education, perceived health status, perceived life satisfaction, and poverty by income level. RESULTS: The 53.15% of the sample was classified in the healthy ageing group. Women and the poorest older adults were less likely to be in the healthy ageing group (OR 0.58; 95% CI 0.464-0.737; OR 0.44; 95% CI 0.343-0.564). Older adults with secondary education or higher, who considered their health as excellent and who were satisfied with their life, had a greater probability of being in healthy ageing group (OR 2.61; 95% CI 1.586-4.309; OR 28.49; 95% CI 3.623-224.02; OR 0.23; 95% CI 0.165-0.341). CONCLUSIONS: This study contributes with a multidimensional approach to healthy ageing. It proposes to evaluate the intrinsic capacity of the individual, the social and political environment and the interaction with it, through indicators that discriminate who are ageing in a healthy way and who are not. By using this model, it was identified that gender and economic situation seem to play an important role on heathy ageing of the Ecuadorian population. Public policies are necessary to promote healthy ageing, especially focused on improving socioeconomic conditions and gender equity.

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INTRODUCTION: Social capital is considered an important determinant of health and overall wellbeing; however, to the best of the authors' knowledge, literature relating social capital to malnutrition in developing countries is still relatively small. This article examines the relationships between social capital and chronic malnutrition and anemia in a population of rural coastal children in Ecuador. METHODS: A cross-sectional study in two groups of 246 and 282 children under 5 years and their families was performed. Anemia and chronic malnutrition were analyzed as outcome variables. Variables about social capital were identified on the basis of the Social Capital Assessment Tool of the World Bank. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted. RESULTS: The prevalences of anemia and chronic malnutrition in the children were 15.0% and 12.8%, respectively. At the multivariate analysis, the variable 'mother has borrowed money' had an inverse association with chronic malnutrition (prevalence ratio (PR) 0.43, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.20-0.90). Receiving and providing help after the earthquake of 2016 was significantly associated with a lower prevalence of chronic malnutrition (PR 0.52, 95%CI 0.28-0.97), but not with anemia. However, a mother being part of a community organization was associated with a 1.90 times higher prevalence of anemia (95%CI 1.04-3.48) in children than mothers who were not part of a community organization. CONCLUSION: The relationship between maternal social capital and the nutritional status of their children in rural communities seems to be positively related. However, a mother's participation in community organizations increases the prevalence of anemia in the children. These mixed results highlight the need for further studies focused on the different types of social capital and how they impact on health in deprived areas.

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The caffeine adsorptive performance and compatibility characteristics (Eisenia foetida Savigny) of rice husk, peanut shell, corn cob and coconut fiber were studied, aiming to assess the suitability of these residues for vermifilter beds. For this purpose, the agro-industrial residues were characterized and the E. foetida Savigny compatibility was determined by acute and chronic toxicity tests. Batch adsorption tests were performed using caffeine solutions. Optimal adsorption conditions, kinetic models, isotherm type and the influence of three particle sizes (120-150, 300-600, 800-2000 µm) in the caffeine removal were determined. Coconut fiber (120-150 µm) proved to be the most efficient residue for the caffeine removal (94.2%), requiring 4 g/L for 30 min. However, coconut fiber was the less compatible for earthworms (14d-LC50 = 82%). The results obtained allow to define adequate strategies, such as mixing highly adsorptive residues with the more compatible ones, to choose the most effective materials for vermifiltration technologies.

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INTRODUCTION: We hypothesize that high altitudes could have an adverse effect on neonatal health outcomes, especially among at-risk neonates. The current study aims to assess the association between higher altitudes on survival time among at-risk neonates. METHODS: Retrospective survival analysis. Setting: Ecuadorian neonates who died at ≤28 days of life. Patients: We analyzed the nationwide dataset of neonatal deaths from the Surveillance System of Neonatal Mortality of the Ministry of Public Health of Ecuador, registered from 126 public and private health care facilities, between January 2014 to September 2017. Main outcome measures: We retrospectively reviewed 3016 patients. We performed a survival analysis by setting the survival time in days as the primary outcome and fixed and mixed-effects Cox proportional hazards models to estimate hazard ratios (HR) for each altitude stratum of each one of the health care facilities in which those neonates were attended, adjusting by individual variables (i.e., birth weight, gestational age at birth, Apgar scale at 5 minutes, and comorbidities); and contextual variables (i.e., administrative planning areas, type of health care facility, and level of care). RESULTS: Altitudes of health care facilities ranging from 80 to <2500 m, 2500 to <2750m, and ≥2750 m were associated respectively with 20% (95% CI: 1% to 44%), 32% (95% CI:<1% to 79%) and 37% (95% CI: 8% to 75%) increased HR; compared with altitudes at <80 m. CONCLUSION: Higher altitudes are independently associated with shorter survival time, as measured by days among at-risk neonates. Altitude should be considered when assessing the risk of having negative health outcomes during neonatal period.

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Introducción: Cuba cuenta con un Programa Nacional para el Desarrollo de la Medicina Natural y Tradicional. El diagnóstico del paciente hipertenso, según la perspectiva de la medicina tradicional china, es importante para su manejo. Objetivo: Caracterizar el comportamiento clínico-epidemiológico de la hipertensión arterial desde la perspectiva de la medicina tradicional china. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo longitudinal prospectivo. Se le confeccionó la historia clínica a cada uno de los 53 pacientes hipertensos que acudieron al Departamento de Medicina Natural y Tradicional del Hospital Universitario "Manuel Ascunce Domenech", de Camagüey, desde enero del 2019 hasta junio del 2020. A partir de la información recopilada, se determinó el síndrome tradicional de cada uno. Los datos se procesaron con el programa Statistical Package for Social Sciences versión 25.0 para Windows. Resultados: Predominó el sexo femenino (66 %), el grupo etario de 46 a 55 años (41,5 %). Los diagnósticos más frecuentes fueron agitación de viento interno por hiperactividad de yang de hígado (30,1 %), hiperactividad de yang de hígado (18,9 %) e hiperactividad de fuego de hígado (17 %). El 32,2 % de los pacientes hipertensos presentaron trastornos en los movimientos madera y agua. Más del 70 % de los pacientes presentaron síntomas como cefalea, irritabilidad, vértigos, trastornos visuales, y signos como alteraciones del pulso y de la lengua. Conclusiones: El sexo femenino fue el más afectado en las edades comprendidas entre 46 y 55 años. De los siete síndromes tradicionales identificados, prevaleció la agitación de viento interno por hiperactividad de yang de hígado. Palabras clave: medicina tradicional china; hipertensión arterial; síndromes tradicionales.

Introduction: Cuba has a National Program for the Development of Traditional and Natural Medicine. The diagnosis of the hypertensive patient, according to the perspective of the Chinese traditional medicine, is important for its management. Objective: Characterize the clinical-epidemiological behaviour of arterial hypertension from the perspective of Chinese traditional medicine. Methods: It was carried out a prospective, longitudinal and descriptive study. Clinical records were made for 53 hypertensive patients that attended to the Traditional and Natural Medicine´s Service in ´´Manuel Ascunce Domenech´´ University Hospital of Camagüey province, from January 2019 to June 2020. From the information collected, it was determined the traditional syndrome of each one. Results: There was a predominance of the female sex (66%), and the age group of 46 to 55 years (41,5%). The most frequent diagnoses were restlessness of internal wind by Yang´s hyperactivity of the liver (30,1%), Yang´s hyperactivity of the liver (17%). 32,2% of the hypertensive patients presented disorders in the wood and water movements. More than 70% of the patients showed cephalalgia, irritability, vertigo, visual disorders, as well as alterations in the pulse and the tongue. Conclusions: The female sex was the most affected in the ages between 46 to 55 years. From the seven traditional syndromes identified, restlessness of internal wind by Yang´s hyperactivity of the liver prevailed.

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La insuficiencia renal crónica es una enfermedad no trasmisible que se caracteriza por una disfunción renal que causa complicaciones y alteraciones metabólicas, las cuales disminuyen la capacidad funcional y la percepción de la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud de los pacientes. La atención de los pacientes con esta enfermedad demanda de cuidados integrales; entre los cuales los cuidados de enfermería ocupan un papel fundamental. El proceso de atención de enfermería es una herramienta necesaria para ofrecer el máximo nivel de calidad en los cuidados que recibe el paciente con enfermedad renal crónica en tratamiento de hemodiálisis. El objetivo de la presente investigación es exponer las particularidades del programa de atención de enfermería incluidas en el proceso de atención de enfermería de pacientes con insuficiencia renal crónica sometidos a tratamiento de hemodiálisis(AU)

Chronic kidney failure is a non-communicable disease in which there is kidney dysfunction that generates a significant number of complications and metabolic disorders, these decrease the functional capacity and the perception of quality of life related to the health of patients. The care of patients with this disease demands comprehensive care; within which nursing care plays a fundamental role. The nursing care process is a necessary tool to offer the highest level of quality in the care received by patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis. The objective of the present investigation is to contribute the elements from the pedagogical teaching point of view that guarantee an adequate knowledge of the actions to be carry out during the nursing care of patients with chronic kidney disease(AU)

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Challenges remain for policy adoption and implementation to tackle the unprecedented and relentless increase in obesity, diabetes and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs), especially in low- and middle-income countries. The aim of this mixed-methods study is to analyse the contextual relevance and applicability to low-resource settings of a sample of evidence-based healthy public policies, using local knowledge, perceptions and pertinent epidemiological data. Firstly, we will identify and prioritise policies that have the potential to reduce the burden of diabetes in low-resource settings with a scoping review and modified Delphi method. In parallel, we will undertake two cross-sectional population surveys on diabetes risk and morbidity in two low-resource settings in Ecuador. Patients, community members, health workers and policy makers will analyse the contextual relevance and applicability of the policy actions and discuss their potential for the reduction in inequities in diabetes risk and morbidity in their population. This study tackles one of the greatest challenges in global health today: how to drive the implementation of population-wide preventative measures to fight NCDs in low resource settings. The findings will demonstrate how local knowledge, perceptions and pertinent epidemiological data can be used to analyse the contextual relevance and applicability of potential policy actions.

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OBJECTIVES: Chronic malnutrition and anemia are prevalent in developing countries. This research aimed to determine the prevalence of chronic malnutrition and anemia and their associated factors in children under five using a multi-causal model in a rural community in the coast of Ecuador. METHODS: The study included 314 children under 5 years old who were residents of San Isidro, Ecuador. Indicators of chronic malnutrition and anemia were identified. Mothers/caregivers were surveyed on socio-economic and environmental conditions, feeding and care practices, access to health services and biological characteristics. Bivariate and multivariable Poisson regression were performed. RESULTS: The prevalence was 12.42% (n = 39) for chronic malnutrition and 16.98% (n = 54) for anemia. There was a significant and independent association between chronic malnutrition and family income less than $80 USD per month (Prevalence Ratio [PR] = 2.74, 95% CI 1.04, 7.20), maternal height less than 150 cm (PR 3.00, 95% CI 1.69, 5.32) and residence in a household with more than 4 children (PR 3.05, 95% CI 1.48, 6.29). Anemia was 2.57 times higher (95% CI 1.17, 5.65) in children with more than two episodes of diarrhea in the last 6 months. Prenatal care (5 to 8 visits) provided a protective effect for anemia (PR 0.48, 95% CI 0.27, 0.89). CONCLUSIONS FOR PRACTICE: Findings support the need for comprehensive interventions targeted toward chronic malnutrition and anemia in children from rural coastal communities. Improvement of socioeconomic conditions, family planning, prenatal care and reduction of diarrheal diseases should be prioritized.

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