River Plate Adventist University

About: River Plate Adventist University is a based out in . It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Context (language use). The organization has 182 authors who have published 196 publications receiving 1340 citations.

Intestinal parasitoses and environmental factors in a rural population of Argentina, 2002-2003

Abstract: We evaluate the prevalence of intestinal parasites in 504 people and the degree of association between environmental variables and parasites found in population, soil and water in a rural area of Argentina during 2002-2003. A structured survey was used to evaluate the environmental variables and fecal-human, soil and water samples were analyzed. The prevalence of parasites was 45.4%. Most prevalent protozoa were Blastocystis hominis (27.2%) and Giardia lamblia (6.9%), while the most prevalent helminth was Ascaris lumbricoides (3.8%). The analyzed environmental variables showing association (p < 0.05) with presence of parasites in population were: cardboard-tin or wooden house, dirt floor, home or communal water pump, faucet outside the house or public faucet and cesspool or latrine. Parasite forms were found in 82.3% of the soil samples and in 84.2% of the water samples. In both samples we found parasites that were also found in people. In this study we have found deficient sanitary conditions associated with presence of parasites in population and we have evidenced that contaminated soil and water were the source of these parasites.

Factor Structure of the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking Figural Form B in Spanish-Speaking Children: Measurement Invariance Across Gender

Abstract: Fil: Krumm, Gabriela Liliana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Oficina de Coordinacion Administrativa Saavedra 15. Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigaciones En Psicologia Matematica y Experimental; Argentina. Universidad Adventista del Plata; Argentina

Physical fitness and future cardiovascular risk in argentine children and adolescents: an introduction to the ALPHA test battery

Abstract: Introduction. A high level of physical fitness is associated with cardiovascular health in children and adolescents. At present, there is no systematic implementation of a test battery to assess physical fitness at schools in Argentina. The main objective of this study was to implement the ALPHA test battery to determine the physical fitness of a sample made up of Argentine children and adolescents and to establish the proportion of subjects whose aerobic capacity is indicative of future cardiovascular risk. Population and methods. A sample of 1867 participants (967 girls) aged 6 to 19.5 years old assessed using the ALPHA test battery. Four components of physical fitness were measured: 1) morphological component: height, body weight, and waist circumference; 2) musculoskeletal component: standing long jump test; 3) motor component: speed/agility test (4x10 m shuttle run); 4) cardiorespiratory component: coursenavette 20 m, shuttle run test and estimation of maximal oxygen consumption. The 5 th , 25 th , 50th, 75th, and 95th percentiles were estimated for the main tests. Results. The mean body mass index was 20.8 kg/ m2, and 7.8% of participants were classified as obese. In addition, male participants had a better performance in all physical fitness tests when compared to girls (p< 0.001). An aerobic capacity indicative of cardiovascular risk was observed in 31.6% of all participants. Conclusions. Argentine male children and adolescents included in the sample showed higher levels of physical fitness. Such differences increase with age. Approximately one every three participants had an aerobic capacity indicative of

Reduction in surgical antibiotic prophylaxis expenditure and the rate of surgical site infection by means of a protocol that controls the use of prophylaxis.

Abstract: Objective. To evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention based on training and the use of a protocol with an automatic stop of antimicrobial prophylaxis to improve hospital compliance with surgical antibiotic prophylaxis guidelines. Design. An interventional study with a before-after trial was conducted in 3 stages: a 3-year initial stage (January 1999 to December 2001), during which a descriptive-prospective survey was performed to evaluate surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis and surgical site infections; a 6-month second stage (January to June 2002), during which an educational intervention was performed regarding the routine use of a surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis request form that included an automatic stop of prophylaxis (the “automatic-stop prophylaxis form”); and a 3-year final stage (July 2002 to June 2005), during which a descriptive-prospective survey of surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis and surgical site infections was again performed. Setting. An 88-bed teaching hospital in Entre Rios, Argentina. Patients. A total of 3,496 patients who underwent surgery were included in the first stage of the study and 3,982 were included in the final stage. Results. Comparison of the first stage of the study with the final stage revealed that antimicrobial prophylaxis was given at the appropriate time to 55% and 88% of patients, respectively (relative risk [RR], 0.27 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 0.25-0.30]; P < .01); the antimicrobial regimen was adequate in 74% and 87% of patients, respectively (RR, 0.50 [95% CI, 0.45-0.55]; P < .01); duration of the prophylaxis was adequate in 44% and 55% of patients, respectively (RR, 0.80 [95% CI, 0.77-0.84]; P < .01); and the surgical site infection rates were 3.2% and 1.9%, respectively (RR, 0.59 [95% CI, 0.44-0.79]; P < .01). Antimicrobial expenditure was US7,686.05 per 1,000 patient-days during the final stage (RR, 0.87 [95% CI, 0.86-0.89]; P<.01). Conclusion. The intervention based on training and application of a protocol with an automatic stop of prophylaxis favored compliance with the hospital's current surgical antibiotic prophylaxis guidelines before the intervention, achieving significant reductions of surgical site infection rates and substantial savings for the healthcare system.