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AIM: To describe the findings of implementing May Measurement Month 2017 in the adult Colombian population to raise awareness of the importance of blood pressure measuring, monitoring, and awareness. MATERIALS AND METHODS: May Measurement Month is a cross-sectional survey that follows the directives of the International Society of Hypertension and the World Hypertension League, which gathers information on cardiovascular risk factors and blood pressure readings. Its implementation in Colombia was lead by the Santander Ophthalmological Foundation (FOSCAL) and the Latin American Society of Hypertension (LASH) with the support of the Colombian Network for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases and Diabetes (RECARDI). RESULTS: Data was collected from 11 departments on 21,797 people, 58.7% of whom were female, with an average age of 40.5±17.7 years. The overall prevalence of high blood pressure (HBP) was 20.8% (self-reported antihypertensive treatment or systolic blood pressure reading [systolic blood pressure≥140mmHg]). Of the total number of hypertensives, 46.5% had systolic blood pressure readings classified as uncontrolled (systolic blood pressure<140mmHg), and 26.4% were unaware that they were hypertensive who, in this report, we consider to be new cases of HBP. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of (elevated) blood pressure is high in this young adult population, whose lack of awareness of HBP is also high, and HBP in those aware of their condition is poorly controlled. These results highlight the need to implement effective detection programmes for hypertensive patients and to establish standardised treatments to improve HBP control as a strategy to reduce cardiovascular events.

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Toxoplasmosis is caused by infection with the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii, which has the capacity to infect all warm-blooded animals worldwide. Toxoplasmosis is a major cause of visual defects in the Colombian population; however, the association between genetic polymorphisms in cytokine genes and susceptibility to ocular toxoplasmosis has not been studied in this population. This work evaluates the associations between polymorphisms in genes coding for the cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) (rs1799964, rs1800629, rs1799724, rs1800630, and rs361525), interleukin 1ß (IL-1ß) (rs16944, rs1143634, and rs1143627), IL-1α (rs1800587), gamma interferon (IFN-γ) (rs2430561), and IL-10 (rs1800896 and rs1800871) and the presence of ocular toxoplasmosis (OT) in a sample of a Colombian population (61 patients with OT and 116 healthy controls). Genotyping was performed with the "dideoxynucleotide (ddNTP) primer extension" technique. Functional-effect predictions of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were done by using FuncPred. A polymorphism in the IL-10 gene promoter (-1082G/A) was significantly more prevalent in OT patients than in controls (P = 1.93e-08; odds ratio [OR] = 5.27e+03; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.18 to 8.739; Bonferroni correction [BONF] = 3.48e-07). In contrast, haplotype "AG" of the IL-10 gene promoter polymorphisms (rs1800896 and rs1800871) was present at a lower frequency in OT patients (P = 7e-04; OR = 0.10; 95% CI = 0.03 to 0.35). The +874A/T polymorphism of IFN-γ was associated with OT (P = 3.37e-05; OR = 4.2; 95% CI = 2.478 to 7.12; BONF = 6.07e-04). Haplotype "GAG" of the IL-1ß gene promoter polymorphisms (rs1143634, rs1143627, and rs16944) appeared to be significantly associated with OT (P = 0.0494). The IL-10, IFN-γ, and IL-1ß polymorphisms influence the development of OT in the Colombian population.

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La investigación se desarrolló desde los parámetros conceptuales de la psicología comunitaria, el tema central fue el fortalecimiento. Se pretendieron explicar las representaciones sociales de un grupo de exhabitantes de calle, acerca de los procesos de fortalecimiento para la inclusión social: La metodología de análisis fue cualitativa, utilizándose la técnica de la triangulación, en la recolección de datos, se emplearon las entrevistas semiestructuradas y un muestreo de cinco hombres exhabitantes de calle. El Atlas Ti se empleó como complemento al análisis de información, haciéndose lectura de los textos y elaboración de categorías, en los diagramas se describió el texto interpretativo narrándose lo encontrado. Los resultados, evidencian diferencias entre pensamientos pasados y actuales, caracterizados por un interés por si mismo, recuperar a la familia, mantener relaciones afectivas duraderas y no hacer daño a otros. En el fortalecimiento son importantes los factores de: 1. reconocimiento de las familias al ver cómo han sido capaces de salir de la calle 2. Desarrollo de pautas de convivencia en la conformación del grupo Asoantorcha, permitiéndoles generar relaciones sociales de apoyo y equidad. 3. Perseverancia, para asumir día a día sin droga. 4. Creencias religiosas que proporcionaron pautas de comportamiento y reencuentro espiritual. Se concluye que son muchos los factores que los limitan: la situación actual del país, la violencia, el desplazamiento y el desempleo influyen negativamente en la implementación de programas sociales duraderos que ofrezcan oportunidades reales a las personas en condición de habilitabilidad en calle.

This research was developed from the conceptual standpoint of Community Psychology, with Strengthening as its central axis. We intend to explain the Social Representations held by a group of former homeless persons, Asoantorcha, about strengthening processes for social inclusion. A qualitative strategy with triangulation was used, and semi structured interviews were used for data collection, with five formerly homeless male participants. Atlas. TI was used as a complement for information analysis and category creation. Results suggest clear differences between current and previous thoughts. Factors found in the process of strengthening include: 1) the recognition of made by families upon learning that the participants were able to abandon the streets and to face a new life; 2) perseverance, to embrace each day without drugs and without; and 3) religious beliefs, which gave them behavioral patterns and a spiritual meeting. As a conclusion, it must pointed out that many factors set limits to these people, not because they don’t want to move ahead, but because of the current situation of violence, forced migration and unemployment in the country. This situation has a negative influence on the implementation of social programs that may offer real opportunities for homeless people.

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INTRODUCTION: Up to 5% of the population suffers from neuropathic pain (NP). A bibliographical search in several databases revealed that, to date, there are no protocols to guide physicians who are not specialists in pain that enable them to treat NP and thus improve patients' quality of life. AIMS: The aim of this study is to provide Spanish-speaking physicians who are not specialists in pain with a set of guidelines for the treatment of NP. A bibliographical search was performed in order to base the results and conclusions on the evidence-based medicine methodology. DEVELOPMENT: First, we review the most effective clinical and paraclinical methods for diagnosing NP, and the LANSS pain scale is reported as the most appropriate method of clinically evaluating NP. The anatomical paths and the physiology of pain are then described and we review the molecular variables involved. Finally, we point out the current therapeutic options and propose an algorithm for the treatment of NP. CONCLUSIONS: There is no specific set of guidelines for the treatment of NP. At the present time, the keystone of NP treatment consists in the use of antidepressant and anticonvulsive drugs. There is a need for further clinical trials to prove the effectiveness of using combined medication.

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El proceso de Enfermería (PE) es una metodología creada por los profesionales de Enfermería para mejorar la calidad de atención que prestamos a nuestros usuarios. Este método de trabajo ha sufrido diferentes cambios desde sus inicios, modificaciones que han beneficiado a los enfermeros de ayer y de hoy al lograr la vinculación del paciente como ente participativo de su cuidado en los niveles de promoción, prevención, tratamiento y rehabilitación, para que el individuo adquiera el equilibrio entre mente y cuerpo que se traduce en el término de Salud. También el PE ha proporcionado ganancia profesional, ya que trabajar con un método estructuradoposibilita la unificación de criterios entre Enfermeros, nos encamina hacia el desarrollo y crecimiento de nuestra profesión "La Enfermería." Esta investigación determina cuál es la utilizacibn de esta metodología en seis instituciones prestadoras de salud en Santa fé de Bogotá con miras a que nuevos compañeros continúen una propuesta que lieve a su institucionalización por los beneficios descritos anteriormente y de otros contemplados dentro del marco teórico de este estudio

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Alcohol and drug use is a widespread and serious problem with deleterious consequences for the health and well-being of childbearing-age women and their children. Little information exists regarding etiological factors for substance use among Hispanic childbearing-age women immigrating to the United States (USA). This research provides a correlational analysis of factors associated with alcohol and drug use. The Social Stress Model for Substance Use Prevention provided the conceptual framework for this cross-sectional, interview-administered survey of 60 low-income predominantly Mexican-American women. The outcome variable was alcohol and drug use (alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana, cocaine and opiates). Independent variables included the major constructs of the model: stress, social support, social influences, personal competencies and community resource utilization patterns. Findings suggested that the levels of drug use were lower among this study sample than in the general USA population regardless of pregnancy status. Bivariate correlations demonstrate that women with higher drug use indices had more lenient attitudes regarding drug use and were more likely to have family and friends that used alcohol and drugs. Although drug use was relatively low among this sample of women, both women who used alcohol themselves and women whose partners used alcohol and drugs reported significantly higher levels of stress, weaker social support and poorer levels of self esteem. Implications for practice and future research are suggested.

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