Urban Areas Of Argentina Research Articles

La Confederación Anticomunista Latinoamericana. Las conexiones civiles y militares entre Guatemala y Argentina (1972-1980)

El ejercicio de la represión política en las zonas urbanas en Argentina y Guatemala desde mediados de los años setenta hasta mediados de los años ochenta, específicamente la desaparición forzada de personas, presenta varias similitudes. Nuestra hipótesis es que dichas similitudes se explican por la colaboración argentina en la lucha contrasubversiva en Guatemala a los órganos vertebrales que producen la desaparición forzada, como la inteligencia civil y militar. A nuestro juicio, la transferencia de recursos, conocimientos y experiencias de Argentina hacia Guatemala se realizó no solamente a través de canales diplomáticos y oficiales, sino también a través de las conexiones civiles y militares (secretas, informales y clandestinas), como la red transnacional de extrema derecha denominada Confederación Anticomunista Latinoamericana (cal). En este artículo nos propusimos mostrar una de las condiciones de posibilidad para esa transferencia de recursos: la participación de la extrema derecha guatemalteca en la red latinoamericana de la cal y sus conexiones con Argentina. Para ello utilizamos, sobre todo, documentos desclasificados del Archivo Histórico de la Cancillería Argentina y del Centro de Documentación y Archivo para la Defensa de los Derechos Humanos de Paraguay.

Prevalencia y características clínicas del asma en adultos jóvenes en zonas urbanas de Argentina

ObjectiveTo investigate the burden of asthma in a young adult population in urban areas of Argentina. DesignA nationwide telephone survey in subjects aged 20-44 years was performed in urban areas in Argentina. The European Community Respiratory Health Survey questionnaire was used. Asthma was defined as an exacerbation in the last year or use of asthma medications. ResultsIn total, 1,521 subjects responded (62.4% females, mean age 33 years), of whom 91 were classified as asthmatics (5.9%, 95% CI 4.7-7.1). Prevalence adjusted for age, sex and education level was 6.4% (95% CI 5.1-7.7). Wheezing was reported by 13.9% (95% CI 15.6-12.2) and a diagnosis of asthma by 9.5% (95% CI 8.0-11.0). Among individuals with a diagnosis of asthma (n=154), 71.3% had undergone spirometry. Among those treated (n=77), 51.9% used medications daily and 46.8% as a rescue measure. Of those reporting an exacerbation in the last year (n=60), 55% had attended an emergency department and 23% were admitted. Asthma was associated with rhinitis (OR 11.1, 95% CI 6.2-19.9) and family history (OR 3.6, 95% CI 2.3-5.5). ConclusionAsthma prevalence in young adults in Argentina is similar to Europe. Although attacks and admissions were common, regular use of medications was reported by half of those treated. These results may be useful for other Latin American countries.

Crowdsourced data for flood hydrology: Feedback from recent citizen science projects in Argentina, France and New Zealand

New communication and digital image technologies have enabled the public to produce large quantities of flood observations and share them through social media. In addition to flood incident reports, valuable hydraulic data such as the extent and depths of inundated areas and flow rate estimates can be computed using messages, photos and videos produced by citizens. Such crowdsourced data help improve the understanding and modelling of flood hazard. Since little feedback on similar initiatives is available, we introduce three recent citizen science projects which have been launched independently by research organisations to quantitatively document flood flows in catchments and urban areas of Argentina, France, and New Zealand. Key drivers for success appear to be: a clear and simple procedure, suitable tools for data collecting and processing, an efficient communication plan, the support of local stakeholders, and the public awareness of natural hazards.

Lay Definitions of Happiness across Nations: The Primacy of Inner Harmony and Relational Connectedness.

In well-being research the term happiness is often used as synonymous with life satisfaction. However, little is known about lay people's understanding of happiness. Building on the available literature, this study explored lay definitions of happiness across nations and cultural dimensions, analyzing their components and relationship with participants' demographic features. Participants were 2799 adults (age range = 30–60, 50% women) living in urban areas of Argentina, Brazil, Croatia, Hungary, India, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, and United States. They completed the Eudaimonic and Hedonic Happiness Investigation (EHHI), reporting, among other information, their own definition of happiness. Answers comprised definitions referring to a broad range of life domains, covering both the contextual-social sphere and the psychological sphere. Across countries and with little variation by age and gender, inner harmony predominated among psychological definitions, and family and social relationships among contextual definitions. Whereas relationships are widely acknowledged as basic happiness components, inner harmony is substantially neglected. Nevertheless, its cross-national primacy, together with relations, is consistent with the view of an ontological interconnectedness characterizing living systems, shared by several conceptual frameworks across disciplines and cultures. At the methodological level, these findings suggest the potential of a bottom-up, mixed method approach to contextualize psychological dimensions within culture and lay understanding.

Diferentes obstáculos financieros en la consulta con profesionales de la Salud en Argentina

In this article we analyze the different financial obstacles the population has to go through in order to have access to a doctor, a dentist, a psychologist or a psychiatrist in urban areas in Argentina. The work is based on a Survey about Use and Expenditure on Health Services carried out in the year 2010 together by CEDOP (UBA) and DEIS (MSAL). As a result, we see that there are differential financial obstacles to make appointments with different health professionals. Those who see a dentist, a psychologist or a psychiatrist have to spend more of their “own” money than those who see a doctor. The main reason explaining this differential expenditure is the different coverage the Argentine system provides for the appointments with professionals.

Aceptabilidad de una intervención basada en salud móvil para modificar estilos de vida en prehipertensos de Argentina, Guatemala y Perú: un estudio piloto

To evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of an intervention based on mobile health, for the adoption of healthy lifestyles in prehypertensive people living in low-income urban areas in Argentina, Guatemala and Peru. Prehypertensive people aged 30-60 years were recruited for a pilot study. The intervention included two counseling calls made by a nutritionist followed by a weekly customized text message. An internet-based platform offered support for the implementation of the intervention. Using semi-structured interviews, we evaluated the reach and acceptability of the intervention in the participants and ease of use for the nutritionists. It was possible to contact 43 of the 45 participants (95%). The average number of calls to contact a subject was two, with a range of 1-9 calls. Two participants could not be reached on their cell phone; five did not receive complete exposure to the intervention. Based on semi-structured interviews, the results showed good acceptability for the intervention by the participants. Nutritionists perceived the platform as friendly and easy to use. Barriers to deliver this intervention were related to difficulties in obtaining an adequate cellular signal. Given the high penetration of mobile phones in developing countries, it is concluded that it is feasible and acceptable to offer a mobile health based intervention oriented towards lifestyle modification in people with prehypertension or high risk of chronic disease intervention.

From a lag in vector activity to a constant increase of translocations: invasion of Callosciurus squirrels in Argentina

Arboreal squirrels of the Asiatic genus Callosciurus have shown high likelihood of establishment from few released animals, in particular, C. erythraeus has established wild populations in Argentina, Belgium, France, Hong Kong, Japan, and The Netherlands. We report the invasion process of C. erythraeus in Argentina in the last four decades and suggest management actions for each foci. Between February 2011 and November 2014 we conducted field surveys and interviews in nine sites in central Argentina to confirm the presence of C. erythraeus, describe their history of introduction, and estimate range expansion and squirrel relative abundance. We report a two decades lag-phase until the onset of translocations of C. erythraeus within national boundaries that resulted in a constant increase of the cumulative number of releases. We confirm nine new release events between 1995 and 2012 and six new invasion foci that yields a total of 13 deliberate releases and 10 invasion foci established in rural and urban areas of Argentina. Spread rate ranged from 0.12 to 0.66 km/year. An intermediate relative density of squirrels (2–7 ind/ha) was found close to release sites except in one case. All introduction events involved squirrels translocated from the first, 40 years old invasion focus, occasionally involving illegal trade. The rate of introduction events in the last decades and the translocation-lag phase described in this study should call the attention in all countries dealing with charismatic, introduced species. Translocation disruption requires urgent attention to slow down the invasion of this and other species.

Dengue virus 1 in Buenos Aires from 1999 to 2010: towards local spread.

Dengue virus (DENV) is a public health problem representing the most important arthropod-borne viral disease in humans. In Argentina, Northern provinces have reported autochthonous cases since 1997, though these outbreaks have originated in bordering countries, where co-circulation of more than one serotype has been reported. In the last decade, imported dengue cases have been reported in Buenos Aires, the urban area of Argentina with the highest population density. In 2009, a dengue outbreak affected Buenos Aires and, for the first time, local transmission was detected. All cases of this outbreak were caused by DENV-1. In this report, we present the full-length sequences of 27 DENV-1 isolates, corresponding to imported cases of 1999–2000, as well as local and imported cases of the 2009 and 2010 outbreaks. We analyzed their phylogenetic and phylodynamic relationships and their global and local spread. Additionally, we characterized their genomic and phenotypic features. All cases belonged to DENV-1 genotype V. The most recent ancestor for this genotype was dated ∼1934, whereas that for the 2009 outbreak was dated ∼2007. The mean rates of nucleotide substitution were 4.98E-4 and 8.53E-4 subs./site/yr, respectively. We inferred an introduction from Paraguay in 1999–2000 and mainly from Venezuela during 2009–2010. Overall, the number of synonymous substitutions per synonymous site significantly exceeded the number of non-synonymous substitutions per site and 12 positively selected sites were detected. These analyses could contribute to a better understanding regarding spread and evolution of this pathogen in the Southern Cone of South America.

The Preservation of the Solar Potential in Cities of Hispanic Trace. Analysis of the Current Situation, and Future Potential in Urban Areas of Argentina

To achieve urban sustainability, the access to solar radiation must be a guaranteed right in the cities. There is an urgent need to review designs, patterns and constructive technologies to obtain energy efficient buildings providing thermal and lighting comfort for their occupants through the maximum utilization of available renewable resources of energy.Although solar radiation is one of the most valuable resources of clean and renewable energy, the access to the same seldom constitutes a social right.When analyzing the viability of a bioclimatic design in a new building or in the recycling of an existing one, it is fundamental to know what the solar available potential is, especially in urban consolidated areas where the characteristics of the structure significantly determine the access and availability of the resources. This problem is present in all Latin American cities, emerging from a Spanish colonial grid layout.In order to reverse this tendency, it is necessary to ensure the future free utilization of solar power destined for central and water heating in urban surroundings regardless of their densities. However, the reality indicates that the legal existing frame in many countries of Latin America does not consider the renewable resources as appropriable.This paper presents the evaluation of the impact of regulations in medium scale Argentine cities, in relation to the solar potential of buildings located in consolidated areas. If the present patterns continue, the application of rules orientated toward the utilization of solar resources, will be viable only with great difficulty.

Income and Beyond: Multidimensional Poverty in Six Latin American Countries

This paper studies multidimensional poverty for Argentina, Brazil, Chile, El Salvador, Mexico and Uruguay for the period 1992–2006. The approach overcomes the limitations of the two traditional methods of poverty analysis in Latin America (income-based and unmet basic needs) by combining income with five other dimensions: school attendance for children, education of the household head, sanitation, water and shelter. The results allow a fuller understanding of the evolution of poverty in the selected countries. Over the study period, El Salvador, Brazil, Mexico and Chile experienced significant reductions in multidimensional poverty. In contrast, in urban Uruguay there was a small reduction in multidimensional poverty, while in urban Argentina the estimates did not change significantly. El Salvador, Brazil and Mexico, and rural areas of Chile display significantly higher and more simultaneous deprivations than urban areas of Argentina, Chile and Uruguay. In all countries, deprivation in access to proper sanitation and education of the household head are the highest contributors to overall multidimensional poverty.

Conocimientos, percepciones y comportamientos relacionados con el consumo de sal, la salud y el etiquetado nutricional en Argentina, Costa Rica y Ecuador

To identify the knowledge, perceptions, and behavior related to the consumption of salt and sodium in food and its relationship to health and the nutritional labeling of food in three countries of the Region. Qualitative-exploratory study based on semi-structured interviews, according to the categories of the Health Belief Model. Thirty-four interviews and six focus groups were conducted with community leaders (71 total respondents) in rural and urban areas of Argentina, Costa Rica, and Ecuador. Salt consumption varies in the rural and urban areas of the three countries. Most interviewees felt that food could not be consumed unsalted and that only people who consume an excessive amount of salt would have health risks. They did not know that processed food contains salt and sodium. Although they did not measure the amount of aggregate salt in foods, the participants believed that they consumed little salt and did not perceive that their health was at risk. The majority of the participants did not review nutritional information, and those who did said that they did not understand it. There is public awareness about salt, but not about the term "sodium." More salt and sodium are consumed than what is reported and there are no prospects of reducing that consumption. Although it is understood that excessive consumption of salt is a health risk, participants do not perceive that they are at risk. Replacing the word "sodium" with the word "salt" would facilitate food selection.

Knowledge and perceptions on high blood pressure risk, healthy lifestyles, and use of mobile phone in 3 Latin American countries

BackgroundPreventive interventions for high blood pressure (HBP) are urgently needed in developing countries.ObjectiveFormative research to assess perceptions and knowledge on HBP risk, healthy lifestyle and use of mobile phone for health advice among adults living in urban areas in Argentina, Peru and Guatemala.MethodsFocus group discussion segmented by gender (4/country, 5–13 subjects each) with healthy men and women, 30–59 yrs old. Qualitative analysis was done by topic (HBP, healthy lifestyles, use of mobile phone), country and sex.ResultsWomen related HBP to salt intake, menopause, pregnancy and breastfeeding; men related HBP to salt intake, being over 50 yrs and to a cause of death. Barriers identified to follow a healthy diet were: income, knowledge, overeating and time. Men also mentioned eating away from home as a barrier. Women saw physical activity as a group event and men as a structured activity (e.g. gym workouts). All subjects perceived their mobile phone as a daily necessity. Men tended to be more possessive with their mobile phone, while women more often shared it with other family members. No relevant differences were found among countries.ConclusionsGender differences in perceived HBP risk, food preparation, eating habits and physical activity choices should be specifically addressed. Mobile phones seem to be a useful tool to deliver health advice.Funding: NHLBI HHSN 268200900028C

Epidemiological study of shigellosis in an urban area of Argentina

Shigellosis represents one of the main causes of bloody diarrhoea in South America. This study aimed to establish the incidence of shigellosis in an urban zone of Buenos Aires, Argentina, by examining the type of Shigella and living conditions associated with this infection. Between January 2009 and December 2010 we analyzed shigellosis in children admitted to the public health service with bloody diarrhoea from La Plata, the capital of Buenos Aires, Argentina. A total of 372 children under 15 years old with Shigella present in their stool samples were admitted to the study. Variables studied were patient age, type of Shigella, family economic status, and access to sewage services and safe drinking water. Shigella flexneri was found to be present in 66.8% of the cases. Incidence was 187 cases/year/100,000 children under 15 years old. Cases were mainly observed during the summer (38.5%) in the population of under 5 years old (69.1% of all cases). The risk of shigellosis increased 12 times in those children who lacked safe drinking water and this risk increased 1.5 times in the population without sewage services. Fewer cases of shigellosis were noted in downtown areas, while hot spots were identified in the suburbs. Treating one case of shigellosis has a local cost of US $976 while assuring safe drinking water and sewage services for one family costs US $634. Incidence of shigellosis in urban areas is associated with quality of water and sewage services. Policies aimed at providing education and improving public utilities networks can help to reduce the incidence of shigellosis.

Endoparasite community of Rattus norvegicus captured in a shantytown of Buenos Aires City, Argentina

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of the brown rat (Rattus norvegicus) as a potential reservoir of zoonotic parasites in an urban area of Argentina. A parasitological survey in 40 brown rats trapped in a shantytown of Buenos Aires City was carried out. 97.5 % of the analyzed rats were parasitized with at least one of the 12 species of helminth or protozoan species recorded. Among the species identified, Hymenolepis nana is recognized as one of the most common human helminthes parasites. The average number of parasite species was higher in males than females rats, and in the last case, a direct relationship between parasite species richness and host’s body size was recorded. Variations in endoparasite community throughout the year seasons were recorded, probably related to environmental factors, which limits the performance of the life cycle of different parasite species. The presence of zoonotic endoparasites confirms R. norvegicus as a reservoir for different types of pathologies, which, therefore, represents a risk to the public health in an overcrowded urban area.

In School or at Work? Evidence from a Crisis

This paper examines the effect of labor market opportunities on schooling-employment decisions in 12 urban areas in Argentina over 12 years, emphasizing the recession/crisis years 1998-2002. The effects of macroeconomic swings on schooling decisions are examined with a focus on whether the income or substitution effect dominates as macroeconomic conditions change. I demonstrate that over typical years deteriorating job rates (or wages) increase the probability of attending school and decrease the probability of combining work and school, particularly for boys. After controlling for household and individual characteristics I find that the probability of being in school for secondary school youth was about 6 percentage points higher in 2002 than in 1998 (before the recession started). In fact, a 10 percent decrease in the job rate alone has been responsible for a 5.4 percentage point rise in the probability of school attendance since 2000. This effect is attenuated during the 2002 crisis when household expectations change in response to shocks. These estimates allow for the fact that a new Federal Education Law (FEL) in 1996 extended mandatory education to 10 years and might have affected schooling outcomes.

M1038 Prevalence of Celiac Disease in a Community Hospital Health Maintenance Organization

INTRODUCTION: Celiac disease (CD) is a gluten-sensitive enteropathy characterized by a chronic injury in the small bowel, caused by gluten intolerance in genetically predisposed individuals. CD's different forms of presentation resemble more a multisystem disorder than a primary gastrointestinal disease, frequently remaining underdiagnosed by primary care physicians. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of CD diagnosis within an heath maintenance organization (HMO) population composed, predominantly, of middle-class individuals who live in an urban area. MATERIAL AND METHODOLOGY: A cross sectional analysis of the electronic medical record system (EMR) of our HMO population between 1999 and 2006 was carried out. All patients in our adult population with clinical problems related to CD were identified by primary care physicians or specialists. People tested for IgA antitransglutaminasa antibodies (TG-ab) during the period were analyzed as well. The criteria used to define the case was based on a diagnosis of CD in the EMR and/or a TGab value >15U. RESULTS: According to these criteria, out of a total enrollment of 128,626 individuals in the HMO, 276 patients with CD diagnosis were identified. The prevalence of CD was 0.21%. The mean age of this group of people was of 40.8 years, of which 76.8% were female. The age distribution of the CD population was as follows: 26% under 18 years old, 50% between 18 and 60, and 24% over 60. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: In a previous study made in one of the largest urban areas of Argentina (La Plata city) using TG-ab as a detection method in blood samples of prenuptial tests, the serologic prevalence of CD was 1 in 143 individuals. In our HMO, using secondary databases we found the frequency of CD diagnosis to be 1 in 470. The rate between the assumed serological prevalence of CD in this urban population and the clinical diagnosis carried out in our center was 3 to 1. Although this level of diagnosis is among the highest rates published, there would still be 2/3 of the patients left without diagnosis. CD, thus, appears to be a widespread public health problem. An increased level of awareness and clinical suspicion is needed and physicians must learn how to recognize the various clinical presentations of CD.

How Do Crises Affect Schooling Decisions? Evidence from Changing Labor Market Opportunities and a Policy Experiment

This paper examines the effect of labor market opportunities on schooling and employment decisions in 12 urban areas in Argentina over 12 years, emphasizing the recession/crisis years of 1998-2002. In typical years deteriorating job rates boost the probability of attending school and decrease the probability of combining work and school, particularly for boys; the probability of being in school for secondary school children was about 6% higher in 2002 than in 1998. These estimates reflect a new 1996 Federal Education Law (FEL) that extended mandatory education to 10 years.

Obesity and central obesity in elderly people in Latin America and the Caribbean—Are we fat?

Purpose The objective of this work is to estimate and to compare the anthropometric measures with particular attention to those related to obesity and central obesity in elderly individuals in six countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. Methods Data come from SABE (Salud, Bienestar y Envejecimiento en America Latina y el Caribe Proyecto) which is a multicenter survey that investigates the health and well being of noninstitutionalized population of older people in principal urban areas of Argentina, Barbados, Brazil, Chile, Cuba, Mexico and Uruguay. Information was collected through personal interviews using a structured questionnaire, followed by physical examination to measure anthropometric characteristics. Statistical software program STATA version 8.0 SE was utilized for the analyses. Age and gender specific means and standard deviations were computed and compared across sites. Analysis of variance was performed. For multiple comparison tests, Bonferroni tests were used. Linear regression analysis was used to examine age trends. Results Levels of obesity are so high in this region that women in these countries are usually fatter than their counterparts in the United States. Elders from Uruguay have the highest obesity rate followed by those from Chile and Mexico. Elderly men and women from Cuba have the lowest average weight and the lowest prevalence of obesity. In terms of central obesity, Brazilians, Chileans and Mexicans have highest values of waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio, which implies that elderly in these countries are at higher risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Men are taller than women and heavier as well (Barbados is an exception), but average body mass index is higher among women (p Conclusion Current levels of obesity among elderly require changes in lifestyle, diets, and increase in physical activity, but in many cases professional help is necessary to reduce body weight.

Commensal and wild rodents in an urban area of Argentina

The aim of this study was to determine the rodent species, distribution, and abundance in an urban area, in relation to epidemiology risk or damage, so as to elaborate a control program. The first sampling was done between May and July of 1998 on 31 vacant lots, 5 rubbish dumps, 15 stream banks, 18 railway banks and 28 vacant areas. Between August 1999 and June 2000 seasonal samples were taken in the same habitats. At each capture site 20 snap traps and 10 live traps were installed. Of 1253 animals captured, 74% were commensal rodents (Mus domesticus, Rattus rattus and Rattus norvergicus) and 26% were wild rodents (Calomys musculinus, Akodon dolores, A. azarae and C. venustus). M. domesticus was the population that numerically predominated in every sampled habitat. C. musculinus was the second most abundant species and its distribution was related to open space (vacant areas, railway banks, stream banks and rubbish dumps). The basic information found by this work will allow us to consider and measure the risk of a possible human infection in a specific area. Thus, human diseases can be prevented by controlling rodent reservoirs and/or by avoiding contact between rodents and humans.

Prevalence of Neospora caninum infection in dogs from beef-cattle farms, dairy farms, and from urban areas of Argentina.

Prevalence of anti-Neospora caninum antibodies was determined in sera of 320 dogs from Argentina using the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Antibodies to N. caninum were found in 121 of 320 (37.8%) sera with titers of 1:50 (21 dogs), 1:100 (23 dogs), 1:200 (23 dogs), 1:400 (17 dogs), 1:800 (23 dogs), and > or = 1:1.600 (14 dogs). The seropositivity (IFAT, > or = 1:50) was higher in dogs from dairy (48% of 125) and beef (54.2% of 35) farms than in dogs from urban areas (26.2% of 160). Prevalence of anti-N. caninum antibodies was higher in dogs more than 12 mo of age (47.7%, 105 of 222) versus in 12-mo-old or younger dogs (12.7% of 86), suggesting postnatal exposure of N. caninum infection in dogs.