Latin America Population Research Articles

Converter indivíduos, mudar culturas

Religiões diferentes concebem e tratam diversamente seus alvos: seus adeptos, antigos e novos. Procura-se neste texto analisar certas relações que distintas correntes religiosas estabelecem com as culturas e os indivíduos na América Latina, especialmente no Brasil. As religiões têm interpretações distintas do que seja a cultura, e essas definições ajudam a moldar suas estratégias de conversão e reação ao avanço de religiões oponentes. Para efeito de discussão, o artigo considera como um eixo hipotético um futuro não distante em que a América Latina teria uma maioria evangélica em sua população, perguntando-se o que aconteceria com a suposta cultura católica latino-americana se caso tal supremacia evangélica viesse de fato a se constituir.

Relación entre peso al nacer y algunas variables biológicas y socioeconómicas de la madre en partos atendidos en un primer nivel de complejidad en la ciudad de Manizales, Colombia, 1999 al 2005

Objetivo: describir la relación existente entre el peso al nacer y algunas variables socioeconómicas y biológicas de la madre.Materiales y métodos: se llevó a cabo un estudio de corte transversal. Se revisaron 1892 historias clínicas de partos atendidos entre enero de 1999 y diciembre del 2005 en la Clínica La Enea de ASSBASALUD, ESE. Las variables estudiadas fueron el peso y sexo del recién nacido; edad cronológica, escolaridad, nivel socioeconómico, procedencia, tipo de unión conyugal de la madre y el diligenciamiento de la hoja del Centro Latinoamericano de Perinatología.Resultados: la prevalencia de bajo peso al nacer fue de 4,4%. El tipo de unión conyugal inestable (p=0,03) y recién nacido de sexo femenino (p=0,00) fueron las variables de mayor significancia de estadística.Conclusión: la prevalencia de bajo peso al nacer es menor a las descritas en otras poblaciones en Latinoamérica. No se encontró asociación con otros factores previamente descritos.

Diagnóstico, manejo y tratamiento de la cardiopatía chagásica crónica en áreas donde la infección por Trypanosoma cruzi no es endémica

Chagas' disease, or American trypanosomiasis, is a parasitic zoonosis found only in the Americas. Under natural conditions, Trypanosoma cruzi is transmitted by insects belonging to different species of Triatoma. However, several routes of transmission that do not involve insect vectors have also been described, such as transmission via blood products or transplantation of infected organs, and vertical transmission. At present, the number of people infected with Chagas' disease worldwide is estimated to be about 10-12 million. The process of urbanization in Latin America and migratory population movements from endemic countries have led to the disease being diagnosed in non-endemic areas. It is estimated that 20-30% of individuals infected with T. cruzi will develop symptomatic heart disease at some point during their lives. The specific differential characteristics of chronic chagasic cardiopathy, lack of knowledge of the disease among many healthcare workers, and the fact that arrhythmia or sudden death is frequently the first manifestation of disease all make it essential that diagnostic and therapeutic protocols for the disease are developed and disseminated. The aim should be to improve patient care by increasing understanding of the condition by physicians and other healthcare professionals who may be involved in its detection and treatment.

TheBarbechoCrisis,La Plaga del Banco, and International Migration

Structural adjustment policies have had devastating effects on segments of Latin America's population, especially when environmental degradation has added to the squeeze. In Ecuador's Southern Amazonian region, the withdrawal of public subsidies for agricultural loans coincided with productivity declines related to environmental degradation. As oil wealth in the 1960s gave way to financial crisis, interest rates for agricultural loans to colonists were changed from fixed to floating rates, ending a tacit subsidy in an inflationary economy. At the same time soil fertility declines and pests reduced agricultural production. Unable to recover from economic losses through commercial crops, cattle ranching, or access to credit, colonists (especially young men) are leaving the community to seek work in Ecuador's cities or in the United States and Europe.

Diagnosis, Management, and Treatment of Chronic Chagas' Heart Disease in Areas Where Trypanosoma cruzi Infection Is Not Endemic

Chagas' disease, or American trypanosomiasis, is a parasitic zoonosis found only in the Americas. Under natural conditions, Trypanosoma cruzi is transmitted by insects belonging to different species of Triatoma. However, several routes of transmission that do not involve insect vectors have also been described, such as transmission via blood products or transplantation of infected organs, and vertical transmission. At present, the number of people infected with Chagas' disease worldwide is estimated to be about 10-12 million. The process of urbanization in Latin America and migratory population movements from endemic countries have led to the disease being diagnosed in non-endemic areas. It is estimated that 20-30% of individuals infected with T. cruzi will develop symptomatic heart disease at some point during their lives. The specific differential characteristics of chronic chagasic cardiopathy, lack of knowledge of the disease among many healthcare workers, and the fact that arrhythmia or sudden death is frequently the first manifestation of disease all make it essential that diagnostic and therapeutic protocols for the disease are developed and disseminated. The aim should be to improve patient care by increasing understanding of the condition by physicians and other healthcare professionals who may be involved in its detection and treatment.

Encuesta sobre dificultades del sueño en una población urbana latinoamericana

To report the results of the first regional survey on the prevalence of sleep disturbances in an urban Latin American population. Door-to-door and telephone interviews in main urban areas were performed in two phases. In phase one, 1776 adults, aged 18 to 70 were interviewed in Buenos Aires and São Paulo. In phase two, adults aged 18 to 77 were interviewed in Buenos Aires, São Paulo and Mexico City (n = 300 in each city). Two-thirds of those surveyed in phase 1, regardless of age and gender, reported some type of sleep problem within the last 12 months. Up to 25 % of individuals surveyed in phase 2 reported being severely affected or moderately affected by their sleep problems. The severity of the condition increased with age, women being more severely affected than men. On average, individuals reported suffering from sleep difficulties for a period of 5 years and were affected 15.5 nights per month. Although 8.2 hours of sleep was most desired, Latin Americans were sleeping on average 5.8 hours per night. Those severely affected lost about 3 hours per night. Individuals reported stress and worry as the primary trigger for their sleep problems, followed by health concerns. All respondents reported the negative impact of poor sleep on their health and quality of life. The survey indicates that the prevalence of sleep difficulties in an urban Latin America population is high.

The new business environment of latin america and the caribbean

Latin America and the Caribbean Region experienced dramatic changes in the 1990s. Politically, all but one country, are governed by a democratically elected government. Economically, import substitution industrialization policies (ISI) followed in the past, were replaced by liberalization programs aimed at reducing inflationary pressures and creating a competitive environment. The significant increase in capital flows to Latin America in one single year, 1990, buried the 1980s as the “lost decade,” and the successful implementation of privatization programs region-wide prompted to affirm that the 1990s might constitute the “Latin America's decade.” Where does the euphoria come from? Is there any implicit promise to be derived from such international capital flows? Will the pattern be sustained? Has Latin America begun a new era? Are unfolding events on defiance of fundamentals? These and many other questions can be raised regarding the spectacular transformation of Latin America and the Caribbean, particu...

Genetic structure of the global population of banana black leaf streak fungus, Mycosphaerella fijiensis

The genetic structure of Mycosphaerella fijiensis populations around the world was examined using DNA restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers. Allele frequencies at 19 nuclear RFLP loci were estimated in a sample of 136 M. fijiensis isolates from five geographical populations representative of banana‐producing areas (South‐East Asia including the Philippines and Papua New Guinea, Africa, Latin America and Pacific Islands). Within each population, gametic disequilibrium tests between the 19 nuclear RFLP loci were mainly non significant (P > 0.05), indicating that random sexual reproduction occurred in these populations. All M. fijiensis populations had a high level of genotypic and allelic diversity (H, gene diversity: 0.25–0.59). The highest levels of gene diversity were found in the two South‐East Asian populations (H: 0.57 and 0.59). Most of the alleles (> 88%) detected in Africa, Latin America and Pacific Islands populations were also detected in South‐East Asian populations. Furthermore, a high and significant (P < 0.05) level of genetic differentiation was observed among M. fijiensis geographical populations (overall estimate of Fst: 0.32). These results were consistent with the hypothesis that M. fijiensis originated in South‐East Asia and spread recently to other parts of the world. The level of allelic diversity in M. fijiensis populations from regions other than South‐East Asia was drastically reduced, indicating founder effects. The data also suggested rare occurrence of migration of M. fijiensis between continents.

Genetic structure of the global population of banana black leaf streak fungus, Mycosphaerella fijiensis

AbstractThe genetic structure of Mycosphaerella fijiensis populations around the world was examined using DNA restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers. Allele frequencies at 19 nuclear RFLP loci were estimated in a sample of 136 M. fijiensis isolates from five geographical populations representative of banana‐producing areas (South‐East Asia including the Philippines and Papua New Guinea, Africa, Latin America and Pacific Islands). Within each population, gametic disequilibrium tests between the 19 nuclear RFLP loci were mainly non significant (P > 0.05), indicating that random sexual reproduction occurred in these populations. All M. fijiensis populations had a high level of genotypic and allelic diversity (H, gene diversity: 0.25–0.59). The highest levels of gene diversity were found in the two South‐East Asian populations (H: 0.57 and 0.59). Most of the alleles (> 88%) detected in Africa, Latin America and Pacific Islands populations were also detected in South‐East Asian populations. Furthermore, a high and significant (P < 0.05) level of genetic differentiation was observed among M. fijiensis geographical populations (overall estimate of Fst: 0.32). These results were consistent with the hypothesis that M. fijiensis originated in South‐East Asia and spread recently to other parts of the world. The level of allelic diversity in M. fijiensis populations from regions other than South‐East Asia was drastically reduced, indicating founder effects. The data also suggested rare occurrence of migration of M. fijiensis between continents.

Indigenous people and poverty in Latin America: an empirical analysis

Indigenous people make up a large and distinct portion of Latin America's population. While the incidence of poverty is high in Latin America, it is particularly severe and deep among the indigenous population. There is a very strong correlation between schooling attainment and ethnicity, and between schooling attainment and poverty incidence. This report documents that equalization of income-generating characteristics would boost the productivity of the indigenous population in their market and non-market activities and lead to a considerable reduction in inequality and poverty. This suggests that the socioeconomic condition of indigenous people can be improved since policy-influenced variables such as eduction are largely responsible for differences in observed earnings. This unrealized potential provides considerable hope for the future. The challenge that remains, however, is to devise the means by which to enhance the human capital endowments of the indigenous population and create the circumstances by which the indigenous population can derive the maximum benefit from their productivity-enhancing attributes according to their individual and collective predisposition.

Perinatal Health and Regional Activities of the Latin-American Center For Perinatology and Human Development

Latin America and the Caribbean had about 370 million inhabitants in 1980 (8), and about 10 million births occurred in this population that year. Even if, as expected, the birth rate drops 14% between 1980 and the year 2000, the population exposed to reproductive risks would still increase by 26%, because Latin America's population is expected to rise to 600 million by the year 2000 (17). Thirteen million births are expected in the year 2000.

The never-to-be developed countries of Latin America

An examination of some of the specific reasons why what is known as development is unachievable in the nations of Latin America reveals that the most immediate reason is its demographic situation. This region has the highest population growth rate in the world--2.6% per year. The rural population is moving to the cities, and there are not enough jobs. If population control were to be implemented now, Latin America's population growth would continue for at least 70 years. More mothers having children, even if each has fewer, can still result in total births exceeding total deaths in a given population. The energy outlook is gloomy in South America--of the estimated 542 billion barrels of global oil reserves in 1973, Latin America had only 6.7%, with most of that in Venezuela. The author feels labor-intensive agriculture, including the building of dikes, dams, wells, irrigation canals, drainage ditches, feeder roads, bridges, terraces, and storage facilities will be seen as the only way to reduce unemployment, increase food production, stem the drain of foreign exchange, reverse the trend of cityward migration, halt the destruction of the carrying capacity of the countryside, and restore the eroded sense of dignity and efficacy of the poor.more » (MCW)« less

Nationalism and Social Discontent as Reflected in Spanish-American Literature

Between 1800 and 1830, the nationalistic spirit reflected in Spanish-American literature was continental in scope rather than centered about individual states. Between the middle 1830's and the 1870's and 80's, nationalism in lit erature became increasingly local, reflecting the concept of the nation-state and the political views of the rising bourgeoisie. Between the 1880's and the turn of the century, Spanish- American writers became as cosmopolitan in their writing as their more positivistic compatriots were in business affairs ruled by international capitalism. In the first years of the twentieth century, the writers, feeling that the United States, after the Spanish-American War and the interventions in Cuba and Panama, was a danger to the political and cultural independ ence of Latin America, fought back by re-emphasizing in their writings their Hispanic, Latin, and Indian traditions. By the 1920's and 30's, and up to the present day, with the emergence of hitherto submerged strata of Latin America's population, and reflecting the tenets of the Mexican Revolution and of other American and world revolutionary doctrines, many Span ish-American writers coupled continental patriotism with racial, political, social, and economic protest directed against their own ruling classes and against foreign capitalism. Discontent with their continent's present conditions has also led another group of writers into a search for national self-definition which, if successful, will, in their opinion, resolve today's frustrations and deficiencies

The Revolution in Death Control in Nonindustrial Countries

Latin America's population explosion is mainly the result of drastic declines in mortality, which have frequently matched or exceeded the maximum trends ever encountered in the low-mortality, industrial nations. The causes of the declines have been primarily noneconomic, suggesting that the traditional view of the relations between mortality and levels of living in economically un derdeveloped areas does not afford a reliable basis for explanation or prediction. Almost nothing of a quantitative nature is known about the social or economic implications of better health in underdeveloped regions. The usual statements on implications are accepted by presupposition rather than from documented evidence.