Percepción del personal médico de atención primaria de salud acerca de sus funciones, formación y conocimientos en materia de salud laboral

ObjetivosEvaluar la percepción que el profesional médico de atención primaria de salud (PMAPS) tiene sobre sus funciones en prevención de riesgos laborales (PRL), así como sus conocimientos y habilidades en materia de salud laboral (SL).DiseñoEstudio descriptivo, transversal.EmplazamientoDepartamento de Salud 20 de la provincia de Alicante.ParticipantesTodos los PMAPS (n=104), con una participación del 80% (n=83).Mediciones principalesLos participantes autocumplimentaron un cuestionario específicamente desarrollado para el estudio. Se establecieron 16 cuestiones que abarcaban funciones en PRL y capacitación para desarrollarlas, así como cantidad y utilidad de formación recibidas en materia de SL.ResultadosEl PMAPS no percibe que tenga funciones en materia de PRL (mediana [Me], 2; rango intercuartílico [RI], 1-3). En mayor medida se consideró capacitado para identificar el origen laboral o no de una enfermedad atendida en su consulta (Me, 3; RI, 3-4). La formación en SL durante la licenciatura de medicina junto con la vía MIR se han identificado como las de menor cuantía (el 55,4 y el 60% de los entrevistados puntuaron en el valor 1 del cuestionario). EL PMAPS claramente ha considerado que una mayor formación en SL le ayudaría en su actividad diaria profesional; se obtuvieron puntuaciones de tipo alto (opciones de respuesta mayores o iguales a 4) en más del 70% de los entrevistados.ConclusionesEs necesario que se fomente la formación en SL para que el PMAPS se sienta parte integrante del personal sanitario con funciones en PRL y pueda adquirir los conocimientos y habilidades necesarios en materia de SL para su práctica médica habitual.ObjectivesTo evaluate the perception of primary health care medical staff (PHCMS) have on their functions in occupational risk prevention (ORP), as well as their knowledge and skills on the subject of occupational health (OH).DesignDescriptive cross-sectional study.SettingHealth Department 20 of Alicante province, Spain.ParticipantsAll PHCMS (N=104), with a participation of 80% (N=83).Primary MeasurementsThe participants self-completed a questionnaire specifically developed for the study. Sixteen questions were established and covered functions in ORP and skills for developing them, as well as the amount and usefulness of training received on the subject of OH.ResultsThe PHCMS did not perceive that they had functions as regards ORP (median [Me], 2; interquartile range [IR], 1-3). To a greater extent they considered themselves capable of identifying whether an illness seen in their clinic was of work origin or not (Me, 3; IR, 3-4).Training in OH as a medical student and in their medical internship (MIR) was identified as of minor importance (55.4% and 60%, respectively, of those surveyed scored a value of 1 in the questionnaire). The PHCMS obviously considered that better training in OH would help them in their daily professional activity. High scores were obtained for this (response options greater than or equal to 4) in more than 70% of the interviewees.ConclusionsTraining in OH must be encouraged so that PHCMS are seen to be health personnel with functions in ORP and are able to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills in OH for their routine medical practice

Knowledge, attitudes and practices on HIV/AIDS and prevalence of HIV in the general population of Sucre, Bolivia

Background: To analyse knowledge, attitudes and sexual practices on HIV/AIDS, and estimate HIV prevalence among residents of Sucre (Bolivia).Methodology: Population-based survey of residents aged 15-49 randomly selected during 2008/2009. Blood samples were collected on Whatman-&#64257;lter paper and tested with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Knowledge on HIV/AIDS, sexual risk practices and discriminatory attitudes against people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) were modelled with multiple logistic regression.Results: Of 1499 subjects, 59% were women. All subjects were HIV-negative. Inadequate knowledge of HIV/AIDS transmission and prevention was observed in 67% and risk factors varied by gender (interaction p-value < 0.05). Discriminatory attitudes were displayed by 85% subjects; associated factors were: rural residence, low educational level and low income. Unsafe sex was reported by 10%; risk factors varied by residence area (interaction p-value < 0.05). In urban areas, risk factors were male sex, younger age and being in common-law union.Conclusions: Prevalence of HIV infection is very low and unsafe sex is relatively uncommon. Inadequate knowledge on HIV/AIDS and discriminatory attitudes towards PLWHA are extremely high and are associated to gender, ethnic and economic inequalities