Evaluation of Etest for Susceptibility Testing of Multidrug-Resistant Isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

To prescribe effective treatment schemes for patients with tuberculosis, more-efficient susceptibility testing techniques for Mycobacterium tuberculosis are needed, especially in regions with multidrug resistance. Etest (AB BIODISK, Solna, Sweden) is a simple technique that provides quantitative drug susceptibility results for M. tuberculosis in 5 to 10 days from a culture grown at low cost. The performance of Etest was compared to that of the reference proportion method, using 95 M. tuberculosis clinical isolates of which 42.1% (40 of 95) were resistant to at least one antibiotic by the reference method. Overall agreement between Etest and the reference method was 98.9% (94 of 95) for detection of multidrug resistance; for resistance to individual drugs, agreement was 97.9% (93 of 95) for rifampin, 96.0% (92 of 95) for ethambutol, 94.7% (90 of 95) for isoniazid, and 85.3% (81 of 95) for streptomycin. This study supports the utility of Etest for timely detection of drug resistance in M. tuberculosis and for use in tuberculosis control programs

Conocimientos y prácticas de métodos anticonceptivos en una población universitaria en el año 2010.: Un estudio descriptivo.

Introduction: Birth control is an important element of Sexual and Reproductive Health as it allows couples to exercise their sexual and reproductive rights, in order to decide in a responsible way the number of children and the spacing between them. According to the National Demographic and Health Survey of 2010, in Colombia the knowledge that university students have about contraceptive methods, and to identify its way of use will show flaws regarding this topic, which will allow the creation of strategies to overcome those flaws. Methods: A transversal descriptive quantitative study was conducted with students of the undergraduate programs in-person of the University of Cauca from the second academic period 2010, a population of 14.000 students. With the software Epi Info V.6 a sample of 600 students was calculated. The sampling type is multistage, which included stratified sampling by proportional assignation and random simple. A semi-structured interview was used, which included sociodemographic data, sexual behavior, knowledge and use of contraceptive methods. For the tabulation and analysis of data, the statistic package SPSS 14.0 was used. Results: Of 600 students who participated, 51.5% correspond to male students and 48.5% to female students; the average age was 22.27, with standard deviation of 3.9 and a range of 32 (15-47). From the social security system, 43.2% belonged to the contributive scheme, 25.2% subsidized and 10.8 to affiliate. 89.3% had started having sexual relations, from which 83.1 declared that they have used a contraceptive method. The most used method was the barrier 43 and the less used were the natural methods 0.7; 29.8% declared that they use several methods. 88% had a deficient knowledge. Discussion: Despite that in Colombia there have been many birth control programs, also campaigns to promote the exercise of sexual and reproductive rights, and to allow access to information and contraceptive methods, this has not been enough to guarantee the knowledge and appropriate use of such methods. It is suggested to create politics and strategies to fill the knowledge gap and to guarantee and optimal use of contraceptive methods.Introducción: La planificación familiar como elemento importante de la Salud Sexual y Reproductiva, permite a las parejas el ejercicio de sus derechos sexuales y reproductivos decidir de manera responsable el número y espaciamiento de sus hijos. Según la Encuesta Nacional de Demografía y Salud 2010, en Colombia se ha logrado un aumento en el uso de métodos de planificación familiar de 20% en 1969 a 80% en 2010 en la población general. Determinar los conocimientos y prácticas de los jóvenes universitarios tienen respecto a los métodos anticonceptivos, permitirá la formulación de estrategias para superar las dificultades presentadas. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo de corte transversal en estudiantes de pregrado de la Universidad del Cauca, segundo periodo académico 2010, población de 14.000 estudiantes, con el programa Epi Info V. 6 se calculó una muestra de 600 estudiantes. El tipo de muestreo fue multietápico e incluyó muestreo estratificado por asignación proporcional y aleatorio simple. Se utilizó una encuesta semi-estructurada que incluyó datos sociodemográficos, comportamiento sexual, conocimiento y uso de métodos anticonceptivos. Para la tabulación y análisis de los datos se utilizó el paquete estadístico SPSS 14.0. Resultados: De los 600 estudiantes que participaron 51.5% correspondían al género masculino y 48.5% al femenino; la edad promedio fue 22.27 años, con desviación estándar de 3.9 y un rango de 32 (15 - 47 años). Del régimen de seguridad social en salud, 43.2% pertenecía al régimen contributivo, 25.2% subsidiado y 10.8% al vinculado. 89.3% habían iniciado relaciones sexuales, los cuales refirieron haber usado algún método anticonceptivo 83.1%. El método más utilizado fue el de barrera 43% y el menos utilizado los naturales 0.7%; el 29.8% refirió utilizar varios métodos. 88% tuvo un conocimiento deficiente. Conclusión: A pesar de que en Colombia desde los años 60`s se vienen liderando múltiples iniciativas para el control de la fecundidad, así como para implementar los derechos sexuales y reproductivos, permitir el acceso a la información y a los métodos anticonceptivos, esto no ha sido suficiente para garantizar un conocimiento y uso adecuado de dichos métodos. Se sugiere formular políticas y estrategias para llenar el vacío del conocimiento y así garantizar un óptimo uso los métodos anticonceptivos

Knowledge and practices of contraceptive methods in a university population in 2010. A descriptive study

Introduction: Birth control is an important element of Sexual and Reproductive Health as it allows couples to exercise their sexual and reproductive rights, in order to decide in a responsible way the number of children and the spacing between them. According to the National Demographic and Health Survey of 2010, in Colombia the knowledge that university students have about contraceptive methods, and to identify its way of use will show flaws regarding this topic, which will allow the creation of strategies to overcome those flaws. Methods: A transversal descriptive quantitative study was conducted with students of the undergraduate programs in-person of the University of Cauca from the second academic period 2010, a population of 14.000 students. With the software Epi Info V.6 a sample of 600 students was calculated. The sampling type is multistage, which included stratified sampling by proportional assignation and random simple. A semi-structured interview was used, which included sociodemographic data, sexual behavior, knowledge and use of contraceptive methods. For the tabulation and analysis of data, the statistic package SPSS 14.0 was used. Results: Of 600 students who participated, 51.5% correspond to male students and 48.5% to female students; the average age was 22.27, with standard deviation of 3.9 and a range of 32 (15-47). From the social security system, 43.2% belonged to the contributive scheme, 25.2% subsidized and 10.8 to affiliate. 89.3% had started having sexual relations, from which 83.1 declared that they have used a contraceptive method. The most used method was the barrier 43 and the less used were the natural methods 0.7; 29.8% declared that they use several methods. 88% had a deficient knowledge. Discussion: Despite that in Colombia there have been many birth control programs, also campaigns to promote the exercise of sexual and reproductive rights, and to allow access to information and contraceptive methods, this has not been enough to guarantee the knowledge and appropriate use of such methods. It is suggested to create politics and strategies to fill the knowledge gap and to guarantee and optimal use of contraceptive methods

Conocimientos y prácticas de métodos anticonceptivos en una población universitaria en el año 2010. un estudio descriptivo.

Introduction: Birth control is an important element of Sexual and Reproductive Health as it allows couples to exercise their sexual and reproductive rights, in order to decide in a responsible way the number of children and the spacing between them. According to the National Demographic and Health Survey of 2010, in Colombia the knowledge that university students have about contraceptive methods, and to identify its way of use will show flaws regarding this topic, which will allow the creation of strategies to overcome those flaws. Methods: A transversal descriptive quantitative study was conducted with students of the undergraduate programs in-person of the University of Cauca from the second academic period 2010, a population of 14.000 students. With the software Epi Info V.6 a sample of 600 students was calculated. The sampling type is multistage, which included stratified sampling by proportional assignation and random simple. A semi-structured interview was used, which included sociodemographic data, sexual behavior, knowledge and use of contraceptive methods. For the tabulation and analysis of data, the statistic package SPSS 14.0 was used. Results: Of 600 students who participated, 51.5% correspond to male students and 48.5% to female students; the average age was 22.27, with standard deviation of 3.9 and a range of 32 (15-47). From the social security system, 43.2% belonged to the contributive scheme, 25.2% subsidized and 10.8 to affiliate. 89.3% had started having sexual relations, from which 83.1 declared that they have used a contraceptive method. The most used method was the barrier 43 and the less used were the natural methods 0.7; 29.8% declared that they use several methods. 88% had a deficient knowledge. Discussion: Despite that in Colombia there have been many birth control programs, also campaigns to promote the exercise of sexual and reproductive rights, and to allow access to information and contraceptive methods, this has not been enough to guarantee the knowledge and appropriate use of such methods. It is suggested to create politics and strategies to fill the knowledge gap and to guarantee and optimal use of contraceptive methods.Introducción: La planificación familiar como elemento importante de la Salud Sexual y Reproductiva, permite a las parejas el ejercicio de sus derechos sexuales y reproductivos decidir de manera responsable el número y espaciamiento de sus hijos. Según la Encuesta Nacional de Demografía y Salud 2010, en Colombia se ha logrado un aumento en el uso de métodos de planificación familiar de 20% en 1969 a 80% en 2010 en la población general. Determinar los conocimientos y prácticas de los jóvenes universitarios tienen respecto a los métodos anticonceptivos, permitirá la formulación de estrategias para superar las dificultades presentadas. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo de corte transversal en estudiantes de pregrado de la Universidad del Cauca, segundo periodo académico 2010, población de 14.000 estudiantes, con el programa Epi Info V. 6 se calculó una muestra de 600 estudiantes. El tipo de muestreo fue multietápico e incluyó muestreo estratificado por asignación proporcional y aleatorio simple. Se utilizó una encuesta semi-estructurada que incluyó datos sociodemográficos, comportamiento sexual, conocimiento y uso de métodos anticonceptivos. Para la tabulación y análisis de los datos se utilizó el paquete estadístico SPSS 14.0. Resultados: De los 600 estudiantes que participaron 51.5% correspondían al género masculino y 48.5% al femenino; la edad promedio fue 22.27 años, con desviación estándar de 3.9 y un rango de 32 (15 - 47 años). Del régimen de seguridad social en salud, 43.2% pertenecía al régimen contributivo, 25.2% subsidiado y 10.8% al vinculado. 89.3% habían iniciado relaciones sexuales, los cuales refirieron haber usado algún método anticonceptivo 83.1%. El método más utilizado fue el de barrera 43% y el menos utilizado los naturales 0.7%; el 29.8% refirió utilizar varios métodos. 88% tuvo un conocimiento deficiente. Conclusión: A pesar de que en Colombia desde los años 60`s se vienen liderando múltiples iniciativas para el control de la fecundidad, así como para implementar los derechos sexuales y reproductivos, permitir el acceso a la información y a los métodos anticonceptivos, esto no ha sido suficiente para garantizar un conocimiento y uso adecuado de dichos métodos. Se sugiere formular políticas y estrategias para llenar el vacío del conocimiento y así garantizar un óptimo uso los métodos anticonceptivos

Evaluation of Etest for Susceptibility Testing of Multidrug-Resistant Isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

To prescribe effective treatment schemes for patients with tuberculosis, more-efficient susceptibility testing techniques for Mycobacterium tuberculosis are needed, especially in regions with multidrug resistance. Etest (AB BIODISK, Solna, Sweden) is a simple technique that provides quantitative drug susceptibility results for M. tuberculosis in 5 to 10 days from a culture grown at low cost. The performance of Etest was compared to that of the reference proportion method, using 95 M. tuberculosis clinical isolates of which 42.1% (40 of 95) were resistant to at least one antibiotic by the reference method. Overall agreement between Etest and the reference method was 98.9% (94 of 95) for detection of multidrug resistance; for resistance to individual drugs, agreement was 97.9% (93 of 95) for rifampin, 96.0% (92 of 95) for ethambutol, 94.7% (90 of 95) for isoniazid, and 85.3% (81 of 95) for streptomycin. This study supports the utility of Etest for timely detection of drug resistance in M. tuberculosis and for use in tuberculosis control programs

International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortiu (INICC) report, data summary of 43 countries for 2007-2012. Device-associated module

We report the results of an International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) surveillance study from January 2007-December 2012 in 503 intensive care units (ICUs) in Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Europe. During the 6-year study using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) U.S. National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) definitions for device-associated health care–associated infection (DA-HAI), we collected prospective data from 605,310 patients hospitalized in the INICC's ICUs for an aggregate of 3,338,396 days. Although device utilization in the INICC's ICUs was similar to that reported from ICUs in the U.S. in the CDC's NHSN, rates of device-associated nosocomial infection were higher in the ICUs of the INICC hospitals: the pooled rate of central line–associated bloodstream infection in the INICC's ICUs, 4.9 per 1,000 central line days, is nearly 5-fold higher than the 0.9 per 1,000 central line days reported from comparable U.S. ICUs. The overall rate of ventilator-associated pneumonia was also higher (16.8 vs 1.1 per 1,000 ventilator days) as was the rate of catheter-associated urinary tract infection (5.5 vs 1.3 per 1,000 catheter days). Frequencies of resistance of Pseudomonas isolates to amikacin (42.8% vs 10%) and imipenem (42.4% vs 26.1%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates to ceftazidime (71.2% vs 28.8%) and imipenem (19.6% vs 12.8%) were also higher in the INICC's ICUs compared with the ICUs of the CDC's NHSN