RESUMEN
Ochlerotatus albifasciatus (Macquart) (Diptera: Culicidae) is the main vector of the western equine encephalomyelitis (WEE) virus and potentially of other arboviruses in Argentina. Surges of adult population abundance during the rainy season are a nuisance, affecting milk and beef production. Larvae develop in short periods in shallow temporary ground pools on fresh or brackish water. Although adults seem to disperse long distances from larval habitats, little is known about their habitat preferences. This work studied factors affecting the spatial pattern of adult Oc. albifasciatus abundance. Adult mosquitoes were collected using CDC miniature light traps baited with CO2 at 28 sites located to the south of Mar Chiquita Lagoon, from November 1997 to April 1998. Each site was typified according to its predominating vegetation cover, potential breeding site occurrence, land slope and cattle density. The spatial and temporal patterns of abundance suggested that Oc. albifasciatus prefers prairies and natural grasslands subject to periodic flooding vs. woodland and farm land. A discriminant function based on the proximity to potential larval habitats, distance to woodland and land slope accurately classified 95% of the data categorized as having an average high (>500 mosquitoes) or low (<500 mosquitoes) abundance, and was validated using six sites located away from the study area. An analysis of the temporal variation of mosquito abundance highlighted the influence of the dynamics of the larval habitats on adult mosquito abundance.
Asunto(s)
Culicidae/fisiología , Ambiente , Animales , Femenino , Agua Dulce , Dinámica Poblacional , Reproducción , Factores de TiempoRESUMEN
Spatial and temporal changes in the abundance of adult female Aedes (Ochlerotatus) albifasciatus (Macquart) were studied using CDC miniature light traps at 7 sites along an 80-km transect parallel to the southern shore of Mar Chiquita Lake (central Argentina) during the rainy seasons between 1994 and 1997. Abundance was greatest and most variable at sites near larval habitats. Rainfall and an index combining rainfall and temperature predicted adult female abundance near larval habitats 7-15 d in advance. The spatial distribution of population abundance seemed to be influenced strongly by local factors, because temporal change at sampling sites located >10 km apart was asynchronous.
Asunto(s)
Aedes , Aedes/crecimiento & desarrollo , Animales , Argentina , Ambiente , Geografía , Larva , Dinámica Poblacional , Análisis de Regresión , Agua/parasitologíaRESUMEN
PIP: A questionnaire was devised to determine whether abortion is a matter which affects men. 104 men were interviewed, almost all resident in Genoa, a few in Venice and Milan, Italy, aged 19-67 years. The best represented group was the 30-40 age group with 42 men (40.38%). There were only 4 men under 20 and only 2 over age 60. Clerical workers and civil servants were the dominant group (34.6%), followed by the professional and managerial class (23%) and workers (21%); there were fewer craftsmen, traders, and students. 61.5% indicated they had a "direct" experience of abortion (of their women partners). 43.7% stated that the choice was made by both partners; the initiative was the couple's. In 34.3% of the cases, the woman took the initiative on her own. If there were quite a few men who still spoke with resentment of this imposition, the silence of most of them in this regard is thought to be because the woman's decision also could have been a painful necessity dictated by the man's absence. The situation is reversed in the 21.8% cases where the man made the decision. Among these cases there emerged a sort of counterdecision, that of 1 man who forbade his wife absolutely to proceed with an abortion which she wanted, and conquently the abortion did not occur. According to the men, they accompanied their wives or companions, encourage them, and helped them with the housework. 59.3% of the 64 men who indicated they had this experience stated that they played an active role; 31.2% felt that the abortion was something totally to do with the woman, and they let her do everthing. Almost all men reported fear, anxiety, and tension. 9.3% indicated that the matter did not affect them. That abortion leaves a long-lasting memory was confirmed by 17.8% of those men who had experienced it. In 46.8% of the cases, the relationship suffered serious aftereffects, and in a further 15.6% of cases the final breakup was attributed to the abortion itself.^ieng
Asunto(s)
Aborto Inducido , Factores de Edad , Actitud , Conducta , Comunicación , Toma de Decisiones , Relaciones Interpersonales , Ocupaciones , Características de la Población , Población , Psicología , Clase Social , Factores Socioeconómicos , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Recolección de Datos , Demografía , Economía , Servicios de Planificación Familiar , Fuerza Laboral en SaludRESUMEN
PIP: A survey was conducted through personal interviews among 82 adult men, with the purpose of analyzing their attitudes toward female and male contraception. Most men were married, lower middle class, and aged 20-35. The great majority, i.e. 53.1%, seemed to be favorable to the use of the pill, while only 1.5% favored only the use of the IUD, and 15.6% favored both methods; 70.2% were favorable to male contraception, while 29.7% were against it. People against contraception were generally older; as to the use of contraception 52.2% used coitus interruptus, 22.5% the pill, and 14.9% the condom. The refusal of the IUD was attributed to a false perception of aggressiveness against one's genitals, while the refusal of hormonal contraception was attributed to a false belief in a negative action of the pill on sexual functions.^ieng