RESUMO
Pesticide poisoning is a major public health concern in developing countries. The authors conducted a population survey among farmers in 3 parishes of northwestern Jamaica to determine the occurrence of acute pesticide poisoning and to identify factors associated with pesticide poisoning. Approximately 16% of 359 farmers who participated in the study reported 1 or more incidents of acute pesticide poisoning within the last 2 years. Only 25% of the farmers reported ever receiving training in pesticide handling or safety. The majority (68%) of farmers who reported pesticide poisoning never sought medical attention for poisoning. The factors found to be associated with pesticide poisoning in this study indicate that implementation of specific intervention strategies and education of farmers is needed in order to improve safe handling, use, and disposal of pesticides and reduce incidents of acute pesticide poisoning.
Assuntos
Doenças dos Trabalhadores Agrícolas/epidemiologia , Poluentes Ambientais/intoxicação , Exposição Ocupacional/efeitos adversos , Praguicidas/intoxicação , Doença Aguda , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Doenças dos Trabalhadores Agrícolas/etiologia , Doenças dos Trabalhadores Agrícolas/terapia , Países em Desenvolvimento , Feminino , Conhecimentos, Atitudes e Prática em Saúde , Inquéritos Epidemiológicos , Humanos , Jamaica/epidemiologia , Modelos Logísticos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Exposição Ocupacional/estatística & dados numéricos , Razão de Chances , Fatores de Risco , Autorrelato , Inquéritos e QuestionáriosRESUMO
The Haitian people are facing serious problems of environmental degradation that threaten the economic livelihoods of many resource-poor farmers. Structures to retard the process of soil loss have been adopted reluctantly and, even when adopted, the management and maintenance have been less than desirable. We evaluate the factors that influence the adoption and management of alley cropping in Haiti. Results of the adoption model show that institutional factors, such as membership in a local peasant organization and training in soil conservation practices, favorably influence adoption. Socio-economic factors such as gender, per capita income, and interaction between education and per capita income also significantly influence adoption of alley cropping in Gaita and Bannate. The management of alley cropping is influenced by demographic, socio-economic, institutional, and physical factors. The relative importance of each factor on the probability of adoption and management of alley cropping varies from one variable to another. The study generates important information for resource allocation in the establishment of alley cropping as a soil conservation structure.
Assuntos
Agricultura/economia , Agricultura/métodos , Conservação dos Recursos Naturais , Pobreza , Solo , Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Escolaridade , Meio Ambiente , Características da Família , Feminino , Haiti , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Responsabilidade Social , Fatores SocioeconômicosRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Tourism is important to the Jamaican economy accounting for approximately 25% of the gross domestic product. Health problems in tourists could have significant impact on the health of the local population, the scarce health service resources, and the tourist industry. This study was conducted to identify health problems most commonly occurring in tourists visiting Jamaica and examine how these problems are managed. METHODS: Records of health problems occurring in tourists who visited principal tourist areas on the north coast from June 1998 to June 2002 were reviewed for the type of illness and how the problem was handled. The data were analyzed using Epi-Info software (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA) and Statistical Analysis System software (SAS Institute, Cary, NC). RESULTS: Accidents were the most common health crises reported by tourists. Gastrointestinal, respiratory, and cardiovascular problems occurred less frequently. Those less than 40 years of age more frequently reported accidents or injury, gastrointestinal problems, and drug abuse, whereas respiratory and cardiovascular problems were more common among those above 40 years of age. Cardiovascular problems, drug abuse, and death were more common in men than in women. Hotel nurses handled most of the cases and were more likely to refer patients to private physicians or hospitals than to public hospitals (p <.05). Factors influencing the way the crisis was handled were age (p =.0441); who handled the crisis (p <.0001); and the method of payment (p =.0072). The factors that influenced hospitalization were gender (p =.0615); who handled the crisis at the onset (p =.0497); how the crisis was dealt with (p =.0336); and previous health problems (p =.0056). Men were more likely to be hospitalized and to be referred to a public hospital than women. Medical insurance covered the costs for 11% of tourists, and 75% paid out of pocket. CONCLUSION: The information provided by this study can be used to implement changes to reduce health problems in tourists and improve emergency health services in tourist areas.
Assuntos
Acidentes/estatística & dados numéricos , Doença Aguda/epidemiologia , Acessibilidade aos Serviços de Saúde , Viagem , Adolescente , Adulto , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Feminino , Hospitalização/estatística & dados numéricos , Humanos , Incidência , Jamaica/epidemiologia , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Fatores Sexuais , Inquéritos e QuestionáriosRESUMO
The aim of this study was to evaluate foods microbiological quality in food-service establishments. A total of 620 food samples were obtained from four establishments and analyzed for aerobic mesophilic (AM), yeasts, moulds, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli counts and the presence of Salmonella spp. Drinking water, equipment, surfaces, environment and food handlers were also sampled. E. coli was found in raw vegetables (76.2%), cooked vegetables (15.2%), beef and pork (15.9%), poultry (16.7%), fish (11.8%), desserts (27.3%), equipments (57.9%), surfaces and environment (53.6%) and in 21.9% of food handlers. Survey results were compared with the recommended maximum microbial levels. Our results demonstrate the need for the adoption of more effective hygienic measures in this kind of establishment in order to avoid any risk to consumers.
Assuntos
Microbiologia de Alimentos , Serviços de Alimentação , Setor Privado , Escherichia coli/isolamento & purificação , Manipulação de Alimentos/métodos , Humanos , Controle de Qualidade , Venezuela , Microbiologia da ÁguaRESUMO
In 1992, an outbreak of chronic diarrhea occurred among passengers on a cruise ship visiting the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador. Passengers (548) were surveyed, and stool and biopsy specimens from a sample who reported chronic diarrhea were examined. On completed questionnaires, returned by 394 passengers (72%), 58 (15%) reported having chronic diarrhea associated with urgency (84%), weight loss (77%), fatigue (71%), and fecal incontinence (62%). Illness began 11 days (median) after boarding the ship and lasted 7 to >42 months. Macroscopic and histologic abnormalities of the colon were common, but extensive laboratory examination revealed no etiologic agent. No one responded to antimicrobial therapy. Patients were more likely than well passengers to have drunk the ship's unbottled water or ice before onset of illness and to have eaten raw sliced fruits and vegetables washed in unbottled water. Water handling and chlorination on the ship were deficient. Outbreaks of a similar illness, Brainerd diarrhea, have been reported in the United States. Although its etiology remains unknown, Brainerd diarrhea may also occur among travelers.
Assuntos
Diarreia/epidemiologia , Antibacterianos/uso terapêutico , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Diarreia/diagnóstico , Diarreia/etiologia , Surtos de Doenças , Equador/epidemiologia , Microbiologia Ambiental , Fezes/microbiologia , Fezes/parasitologia , Fezes/virologia , Frutas/microbiologia , Frutas/parasitologia , Frutas/virologia , Humanos , Navios , Viagem , Abastecimento de ÁguaRESUMO
Ataxia-telangiectasia is a genetic syndrome with progressive cerebellar ataxia, oculocutaneous telangiectasias and other skin manifestations, variable immune system defects, chronic progressive sinopulmonary disease, and a high incidence of cancer. Cutaneous granulomas developed and persisted in eight patients with ataxia-telangiectasia, despite treatment with intravenously administered immune globulin, topical antibiotic therapy, and potent topical corticosteroid therapy. We were unable to identify an infectious agent; the granulomas may develop in an attempt to localize antigen in the presence of a dysfunctional immune system.