RESUMO

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of caprine brucellosis in goat herds in a region known as 'The Impenetrable' in Chaco Province, Argentina, in order to prevent the occurrence of the disease in people consuming goats' milk. There are high levels of child malnutrition and difficulties in accessing high-quality protein in this region; therefore, goats' milk is a valuable nutrition source. We travelled with Patricia Sosa's foundation 'Little gestures, big results' to Villa Río Bermejito, Chaco, in October 2010 with the laboratory equipment needed to carry out field tests. The foundation is staffed by voluntary workers, including doctors, dentists, experts in social issues, psychologists, who encourage the community to consume goats' milk in their meals after cooking or pasteurizing it to avoid contamination. Blood samples were taken from 273 goats distributed in 13 herds established in the depth of Chaco dry forest that had not been vaccinated against brucellosis. Samples were analysed using the buffered plate antigen test, and positive results were confirmed using the slow agglutination test. Animals were identified using small plastic ear tags. We found only one positive case, with a titre of 1/50. This was considered suspicious and the owner was advised to take the animal out of the herd. Our results indicate that the isolation of these herds in the depths of the forest has protected them from brucellosis, and therefore, they are a good source of high-quality protein, which the people of this region need.

Assuntos

RESUMO

OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed at investigating the timing of birth across the day in a rural population of indigenous and nonindigenous women in the province of Formosa, Argentina in order to explore the variation in patterns in a non-Western setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study utilized birth record data transcribed from delivery room records at a rural hospital in the province of Formosa, northern Argentina. The sample included data for Criollo, Wichí, and Toba/Qom women (n = 2421). Statistical analysis was conducted using directional statistics to identify a mean sample direction. Chi-square tests for homogeneity were also used to test for statistical significant differences between hours of the day. RESULTS: The mean sample direction was 81.04°, which equates to 5:24 AM when calculated as time on a 24-hr clock. Chi-squared analyses showed a statistically significant peak in births between 12:00 and 4:00 AM. Birth counts generally declined throughout the day until a statistically significant trough around 5:00 PM. DISCUSSION: This pattern may be associated with the circadian rhythms of hormone release, particularly melatonin, on a proximate level. At the ultimate level, giving birth in the early hours of the morning may have been selected to time births when the mother could benefit from the predator protection and support provided by her social group as well as increased mother-infant bonding from a more peaceful environment.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Las variaciones demográficas de una población están frecuentemente asociadas a cambios ambientales. Por lo tanto, las particularidades sociales, económicas y culturales de poblaciones indígenas producirían una gran variedad de regímenes demográficos. Si bien en América Latina, en general, y Argentina, en particular, se registró un importante descenso de la fecundidad, las poblaciones indígenas exhiben cambios demográficos que difieren de esta tendencia. Este trabajo analiza parámetros de fecundidad y sus determinantes de la población Toba Cacique Sombrero Negro del norte argentino, la cual atraviesa cambios en su estilo de vida. Se entrevistaron 336 mujeres calculando las tasas de fecundidad, la probabilidad de agrandamiento de la familia y la tasa de esterilidad primaria para las mujeres nacidas entre 1920 y 1966. Se estimó la edad materna al primer hijo, el intervalo intergénesico, la edad materna al último hijo. Los resultados indican que, respecto a las mujeres nacidas entre 1920 y 1945, las mujeres nacidas entre 1946 y 1966, muestran un incremento de la fecundidad, una disminución de la edad materna al primer hijo, un mayor ritmo reproductivo y un incremento de la edad materna al último hijo. Estos resultados sugieren cambios sociales, sanitarios, biológicos y económicos favorables que habrían determinado el incremento de la fecundidad para la cohorte más joven...

As mudanças demográficas na população, muitas vezes, respondem às mudanças ambientais. Portanto, as características sociais, econômicas e culturais das populações indígenas produzem uma variedade de regimes demográficos. Enquanto na América Latina, em geral, e na Argentina, em particular, registrou-se um declínio significativo da fecundidade, as populações indígenas apresentam mudanças demográficas que diferem dessa tendência. Este artigo analisa os determinantes da fecundidade e da população Toba Cacique Black Hat, do norte da Argentina, por meio dos quais ocorreram mudanças em seu estilo de vida. Foram entrevistadas 336 mulheres, calculando-se as taxas de fecundidade, a probabilidade de uma família ampliada e a taxa de esterilidade primária para mulheres nascidas entre 1920 e 1966. Estimaram-se idade materna no primeiro parto, intervalo de nascimento e idade da mãe no último filho. Foram registrados aumento na fecundidade, diminuição na idade materna no primeiro filho, taxa de reprodução mais elevada e um aumento da idade materna no último filho na coorte de nascidas entre 1946 e 1966. Os resultados sugerem mudanças sociais, de saúde, biológicas e econômicas favoráveis, que têm proporcionado o aumento da fecundidade em coortes mais jovens...

Demographic variations in a given population are frequently associated to environmental changes. The social, economic, and cultural particularities of indigenous populations would then produce a great variety of demographic regimes. Although Latin America, in general, and in Argentina, in particular, have experienced an important decline in fertility, indigenous populations in this region show demographic changes that are at odds with this trend. This study evaluates fertility parameters and their determinants in the Toba population of Cacique Sombrero Negro, in northern Argentina, which is undergoing a significant lifestyle change. A total of 336 Toba women were interviewed, allowing the calculation of age-specific fertility rates, total fertility rates, parity progression ratios and primary infertility rates for women born between 1920 and 1966. For these women, we also estimated age of the mother at first birth, interbirth intervals and mother's age at last birth. Our results indicate that, compared to women born between 1920 and 1945, those born between 1946 y 1966 show an increase in fertility values, a decline in age at first birth, a faster reproductive pace and an increase in age at last birth. These results suggest favorable social, sanitary, biological and economic changes that would have determined an increase in fertility parameters in the younger cohort...

Assuntos

RESUMO

Introducción y objetivo: Los pueblos originarios del Gran Chaco han sido en su gran mayoría cazadores-recolectores-pescadores. En la actualidad, estos pueblos están atravesando una rápida transición hacia una economía de mercado. Este estudio es parte de un proyecto que evalúa la prevalencia de riesgos de enfermedades cardiovasculares en una población Toba periurbana de la ciudad de Formosa. El objetivo de este estudio fue describir las prácticas alimentarias y el nivel de actividad física de la población. Material y Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo simple, de diseño transversal entre marzo y diciembre del 2010. Se seleccionaron al azar 275 individuos mayores de 20 años de edad (141 mujeres y 134 hombres). Se obtuvieron datos de prácticas alimentarias y de nivel de actividad física habitual. Se respetaron las normas bioéticas correspondientes. Resultados: Los resultados indican que la alimentación es monótona, a base de guisos y tortas fritas, rica en grasas y mate cebado o tereré, con pocas verduras, frutas y lácteos. El consumo de bebidas alcohólicas es significativamente superior en hombres que en mujeres. El sedentarismo es marcado en ambos sexos,pero los hombres exhiben un nivel de actividad física mayor que las mujeres.Conclusión: El tipo de alimentación hipercalórica y los bajos niveles de actividad física actuales contribuyen a crear un ambiente obesogénico, lo que hace pronosticar un panorama desalentador respecto a los riesgos de enfermedades cardiovasculares en esta población. (AU)

Assuntos

RESUMO

Introducción y objetivo: Los pueblos originarios del Gran Chaco han sido en su gran mayoría cazadores-recolectores-pescadores. En la actualidad, estos pueblos están atravesando una rápida transición hacia una economía de mercado. Este estudio es parte de un proyecto que evalúa la prevalencia de riesgos de enfermedades cardiovasculares en una población Toba periurbana de la ciudad de Formosa. El objetivo de este estudio fue describir las prácticas alimentarias y el nivel de actividad física de la población. Material y Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo simple, de diseño transversal entre marzo y diciembre del 2010. Se seleccionaron al azar 275 individuos mayores de 20 años de edad (141 mujeres y 134 hombres). Se obtuvieron datos de prácticas alimentarias y de nivel de actividad física habitual. Se respetaron las normas bioéticas correspondientes. Resultados: Los resultados indican que la alimentación es monótona, a base de guisos y tortas fritas, rica en grasas y mate cebado o tereré, con pocas verduras, frutas y lácteos. El consumo de bebidas alcohólicas es significativamente superior en hombres que en mujeres. El sedentarismo es marcado en ambos sexos,pero los hombres exhiben un nivel de actividad física mayor que las mujeres.Conclusión: El tipo de alimentación hipercalórica y los bajos niveles de actividad física actuales contribuyen a crear un ambiente obesogénico, lo que hace pronosticar un panorama desalentador respecto a los riesgos de enfermedades cardiovasculares en esta población.

Assuntos

RESUMO

In this paper we outline the activities of young girls in a Toba community of northern Argentina and examine the effect of girl helpers on time allocation of nursing women. Activity budgets were obtained for 41 girls aged 3 to 15 using spot observations. Girls spent substantial portions of observations engaged in helping behaviors. Individual values varied with age, anthropometric characteristics, and birth order. Activity budgets of 21 nursing women were obtained through focal observation sessions. Women living in households with girls aged 7 to 15 allocated 17% less time to domestic work and 9% more time to socializing during afternoon observation sessions. For nursing women in this community, direct childcare (provided by the infant's own mother) seemed to be a priority. Living with a girl helper did not have any measurable effect on the frequency or duration of nursing, or on the time that women spent caring for their infants. Based on these findings, hypotheses are outlined for future work on the effect of girl helpers on women's fertility.