Risk assessment study of dioxins in sanitary napkins produced in Japan

A risk assessment study of dioxins in sanitary napkins produced in Japan was performed. The daily estimated exposure volume to dioxins was compared with the tolerable daily intake (TDI). The concentrations of dioxins such as polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (DL-PCBs) in seven sanitary napkins were measured using gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy analytical methods. Among the seven napkins, a range of 0.0044–0.076 pg TEQ/g dioxins was measured. Daily estimated exposure volume from sanitary napkins was calculated as follows: (dioxin volumes in a sanitary napkin (0.0044–0.076 pg TEQ/g) × pulp weight in a sanitary napkin (11.2 g) × used napkin numbers/d (7.5) × the number of days/month that women use sanitary napkins (7) × skin absorption rate (0.03) × used years (40))/(average body weight of women (50 kg) × the number of days in the month (30) × life years (86)). Daily exposure volumes were estimated to be 0.000024–0.00042 pg TEQ/kg/d. For hazard assessment, we used 0.7 pg TEQ/kg/d which was the lowest level of TDI among TDI values reported by international agencies. When the daily exposure volume was compared with the TDI, the former was approximately 1666–29,166 times less than the latter. This fact indicated that the risk of exposure to dioxins from sanitary napkins produced in Japan was negligible.     

风险管理在基层医院手术室中的应用

目的 探讨基层医院手术室应用风险管理防范手术风险的效果.方法 将2012年9月至2013年5月的1124例手术作为对照组,回顾性调查护理风险事件,分析风险因素,寻找管理对策;把2013年6月至2014年2月的1182例手术作为观察组,运用风险管理防范手术护理风险.前后对比护理风险事件发生率及手术医师满意率和护理人员风险意识评价.结果 对照组护理风险发生率为16.10％,观察组为5.16％;对照组手术医师对护理综合质量满意率为65.6％,观察组为91.7％;实施前手术室护理人员风险意识评分：风险因素的一般认识为（16.25±1.04）、对风险管理认识为（15.50±0.93）、对风险管理态度为（15.25±1.04）、对风险管理行为意向为（14.75±1.28）,实施后评分：风险因素的一般认识为（22.00±2.07）、对风险管理认识为（19.63±2.13）、对风险管理态度为（21.37±2.33）、对风险管理行为意向为（21.88±2.30）.结论 在基层医院实行风险管理有利于防范手术风险,提高手术护理质量.     

Risk assessment of vector-borne diseases for public health governance

ObjectivesIn the context of public health, risk governance (or risk analysis) is a framework for the assessment and subsequent management and/or control of the danger posed by an identified disease threat. Generic frameworks in which to carry out risk assessment have been developed by various agencies. These include monitoring, data collection, statistical analysis and dissemination. Due to the inherent complexity of disease systems, however, the generic approach must be modified for individual, disease-specific risk assessment frameworks.Study designThe analysis was based on the review of the current risk assessments of vector-borne diseases adopted by the main Public Health organisations (OIE, WHO, ECDC, FAO, CDC etc…).MethodsLiterature, legislation and statistical assessment of the risk analysis frameworks.ResultsThis review outlines the need for the development of a general public health risk assessment method for vector-borne diseases, in order to guarantee that sufficient information is gathered to apply robust models of risk assessment. Stochastic (especially spatial) methods, often in Bayesian frameworks are now gaining prominence in standard risk assessment procedures because of their ability to assess accurately model uncertainties.ConclusionsRisk assessment needs to be addressed quantitatively wherever possible, and submitted with its quality assessment in order to enable successful public health measures to be adopted. In terms of current practice, often a series of different models and analyses are applied to the same problem, with results and outcomes that are difficult to compare because of the unknown model and data uncertainties. Therefore, the risk assessment areas in need of further research are identified in this article.     

Factors associated to persistence with hormonal therapy in women with breast cancer

OBJECTIVE

To analyze factors associated with persistence to breast cancer hormone therapy in order to contribute to the quality of care improvement.

METHODS

Retrospective longitudinal study, based on secondary data. A cohort of 5,861 women with breast cancer registered in different datasets of the Brazilian National Cancer Institute and the Brazilian Unified Health System were analyzed. All women were treated at this hospital, which provides free medication, and the follow-up period was from January 2004 to October 2010. Sociodemographic, behavioral, and clinical variables, as well as aspects of lifestyle and health care, were considered in the explanation of variations in the persistence to hormone therapy, applying the Kaplan-Meier method and the Cox proportional hazard model.

RESULTS

Overall persistence to hormone therapy was 79.0% at the end of the first year, and 31.0% in five years of treatment. The risk of discontinuing hormone therapy was higher among women under 35 years old, with more advanced disease (stages III and IV), alcohol drinkers, those undergoing chemotherapy, and for each additional hospitalization, exam performed, and month between diagnosis and beginning of treatment. In the opposite direction, the risk of discontinuity was lower among women who had at least finished high school, those with partner, with a family history of cancer, those who had undergone breast surgery, and who had outpatient visits to a Mastologist, and a Clinical Oncologist.

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of the women with breast cancer (69.0%) do not persist with hormone treatment for the five years recommended, increasing the risk of inadequate clinical results. The results show aspects of care that can provide better results.     

Back pain in adults living in quilombola territories of Bahia,Northeastern Brazil

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the factors associated with back pain in adults who live in quilombola territories.

METHODS

A population-based survey was performed on quilombola communities of Vitória da Conquista, state of Bahia, Northeastern Brazil. The sample (n = 750) was established via a raffle of residences. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to investigate sociodemographics and employment characteristics, lifestyle, and health conditions. The outcome was analyzed as a dichotomous variable (Poisson regression).

RESULTS

The prevalence of back pain was of 39.3%. Age ≥ 30 years and being a smoker were associated with the outcome. The employment status was not related to back pain.

CONCLUSIONS

The survey identified a high prevalence of back pain in adults. It is suggested to support the restructuring of the local public service in order to outline programs and access to healthy practices, assistance, diagnosis, and treatment of spine problems.     

Temporal evolution and spatial distribution of maternal death

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the temporal evolution of maternal mortality and its spatial distribution.

METHODS

Ecological study with a sample made up of 845 maternal deaths in women between 10 and 49 years, registered from 1999 to 2008 in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Southern Brazil. Data were obtained from Information System on Mortality of Ministry of Health. The maternal mortality ratio and the specific maternal mortality ratio were calculated from records, and analyzed by the Poisson regression model. In the spatial distribution, three maps of the state were built with the rates in the geographical macro-regions, in 1999, 2003, and 2008.

RESULTS

There was an increase of 2.0% in the period of ten years (95%CI 1.00;1.04; p = 0.01), with no significant change in the magnitude of the maternal mortality ratio. The Serra macro-region presented the highest maternal mortality ratio (1.15, 95%CI 1.08;1.21; p < 0.001). Most deaths in Rio Grande do Sul were of white women over 40 years, with a lower level of education. The time of delivery/abortion and postpartum are times of increased maternal risk, with a greater negative impact of direct causes such as hypertension and bleeding.

CONCLUSIONS

The lack of improvement in maternal mortality ratio indicates that public policies had no impact on women’s reproductive and maternal health. It is needed to qualify the attention to women’s health, especially in the prenatal period, seeking to identify and prevent risk factors, as a strategy of reducing maternal death.     

Impact of school-based health promotion interventions aimed at different behavioral domains: a systematic review

Objective

Given that lifestyleshave similar determinants and that school-based interventions are usually targeted at all the risks that affect adolescents, the objective of this systematic review was to summarize the characteristics and effects of school-based interventions acting on different behavioral domains of adolescent health promotion.

Methods

The review process was conducted by two independent reviewers who searched PubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO, and ERIC databases for experimental or observational studies with at least two measures of results published from 2007 to 2011, given that the research information available doubles every 5 years. Methodological quality was assessed with a standardized tool.

Results

Information was extracted from 35 studies aiming to prevent risk behaviors and promote healthy nutrition, physical activity, and mental and holistic health. Activities were based on theoretical models and were classified into interactive lessons, peer mediation, environmental changes, parents’ and community activities, and tailored messages by computer-assisted training or other resources, usually including multiple components. In some cases, we identified some moderate to large, short- and long-term effects on behavioral and intermediate variable.

Conclusions

This exhaustive review found that well-implemented interventions can promote adolescent health. These findings are consistent with recent reviews. Implications for practice, public health, and research are discussed.     

健康体检人群脉搏波传导速度特征及其与心血管疾病危险因素关系的分析

目的　分析健康体检人群脉搏波传导速度特征,及其与心血管疾病危险因素的相关性。方法　选择四川省人民医院13841名健康体检人员,询问疾病史,测量身高、体重、BMI、血压等,检测FPG、血脂、UA等生化指标,应用动脉硬化仪检测踝臂脉搏波传导速度(baPWV)。结果　健康体检男女性人群baPWV值均随年龄增长而逐渐升高,<60岁男性baPWV值明显高于女性。多元线性回归分析显示年龄、SBP、BMI、FPG、UA和TG水平均为baPWV的影响因素,其中年龄、SBP对baPWV的影响最大,标准化回归系数>0．42。结论　健康体检人群的baPWV值随性别、年龄呈不同的分布特征。应加强对老年人群,尤其是老年女性的baPWV监测,早期预防高危人群心血管事件的发生。     

浙江省成年居民血压水平区域聚集性和危险因素的多水平模型分析

目的应用多水平模型分析浙江省成年居民血压水平的区域聚集性和危险因素。方法采用多阶段整群随机方法抽取浙江省60个街道／乡镇共17 437名成年人作为研究对象,使用2水平模型分别分析SBP和DBP。结果男性SBP为(125,14±17.90)mmHg、DBP(80.02±10.07)mmHg,女性SBP为(123.36±20.20)mmHg DBP(77.42 4-10.09)mmHg;城市人群SBP为(126.294-19.46)mmHg、DBP(79.64±10.20)mmHg,农村人群SBP为(122.82±18.86)mmHg、DBP(7799±10.08)mmHg,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.001);SBP和DBP与年龄的Pearson相关系数分别为0.44和0.21(P<0.001);在SBP和DBP的变异中,环境因素分别占5.24%和4.96%;个体水平的年龄、性别、高血压家族史、服用降压药、体育锻炼、吸烟、饮酒、BMl、WC、FPG、TG和TC对SBP和DBP均有影响(P<0.05),家庭经济收入对SBP有影响(Jp<0.05),文化程度、限盐摄人、职业强度只寸DBP有影响(P<0.05);FPG和TC水平与SBP之间的数量关系以及TC水平与DB之间的数量关系在街道／乡镇间存在变化(P<0.05)。结论浙江省成年居民血压分布具有地区聚集件,高血压的预防既需要考虑年龄、BMI、FPG、TG和TC等个体因素,还应考虑地区因素以及不同地区人群对危险因素的敏感性,从而制定针对不同区域的预防策略。     

低出生体重儿对产妇分娩后高血压患病率的影响

目的 探讨低出生体重儿（LBWI）对产妇分娩后高血压患病率的影响。方法 采用回顾性队列研究设计, 收集1976 年10 月至2008 年12 月间在开滦医疗集团住院分娩且参加2010－2011 年度健康体检的3 172 例女性资料, 根据是否有低体重出生儿史, 分为LBWI组与非LBWI 组。观察两组的高血压患病情况, 采用多因素logistic 回归方法分析患高血压的影响因素。结果 3 172 例女性的平均年龄为42.3 岁, 其中LBWI 组147 例, 非LBWI 组3 025 例, 所生婴儿平均体重分别为2.31 kg 和3.39 kg。LBWI组高血压患者为35 例, 患病率为23.8%, 非LBWI组高血压患者为511 例, 患病率为16.9%（P＜0.05）。多因素logistic 回归分析结果显示, 校正分娩年龄、产后血压及查体时BMI、FPG、HDL-C、LDL-C、TC、TG、高敏C 反应蛋白后, LBWI 组妇女远期发生高血压的风险是非LBWI 组的1.60（95%CI：1.02～2.53）倍。结论 有LBWI 史的妇女分娩后高血压的患病率高于无LBWI 史的妇女, 即有LBWI 史的妇女分娩后患高血压的风险增加。