Sistema Regional de Información
en línea para Revistas Científicas de América Latina,
el Caribe, España y Portugal

INTRODUCTION: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the main causes of mortality in adults. In Argentina it is the second among tumors, and there are differences between province mortality rates. CRC screening is underutilized in Argentina, where there is an important fragmentation of the health care system. OBJECTIVES: To assess the cost-effectiveness (CE) of different screening strategies based on annual immunochemical fecal occult blood test (IFOBT) for different health subsectors in the country. METHODS: A Markov model was developed, which allowed to compare three different strategies: screening population aged 50 to 74 years, screening population aged 50 to 64 years, and no screening. RESULTS: Differences in costs and clinical variability were found. Screening the population aged 50 to 74 years showed a slightly higher incremental CE ratio than screening the population aged 50 to 64, with values lower than per capita gross regional product. This result was robust in the sensitivity analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The compared results from seven regional health subsectors in Argentina, with their differences in epidemiology, organization, installed capacity and resources, as well as clinical variability and differences in costs, are robust in showing that CRC screening remains cost-effective under different scenarios. In order to analyze the CE in Argentina, it is necessary to take into account the local context of different health subsectors.

INTRODUCTION: Medication errors cause adverse events in health care. OBJECTIVES: To characterize the medication process errors at Hospital Materno Infantil of Salta. METHODS: Errors were identified by pharmaceutical validation of prescriptions. Error rates were calculated, and associations between error and patient factors, drug treatment and human resource were determined. RESULTS: From November 1, 2012 to January 31, 2013 a total of 18 203 prescriptions were validated, identifying 2 989 (96.7%) errors of prescription, 79 (2.5%) of administration, 6 (0.2%) of transcription and 18 (0.6%) of dispensing. The error rate was 13.06 per 100 patient days for the Perinatology Area, with 30% of omission of doses and 23% of incorrect dose prescription. In the Pediatric Area, the rate was 8.6 per 100 patient days, with 55% of wrong doses, associated with child age. The pharmacotherapeutic groups involved were: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, digestive and circulatory system drugs, and anti-infectives. Most errors occurred with commonly used drugs, with potentially significant consequences for patients. The error rate was similar to doctors in training and permanent staff. CONCLUSIONS: Intensive pharmacovigilance allowed the identification of a large number of errors. Their characterization will permit to establish prevention strategies.

Desde su creación, la revista se ha adaptado a los criterios de calidad que exige actualmente el campo de las publicaciones científicas. En este artículo se describen y analizan algunas de las características más sobresalientes de su producción editorial y visibilidad.

El abordaje específico del Programa Nacional de Salud Integral en la Adolescencia del Ministerio de Salud de Argentina obligó a compilar y sistematizar la información disponible en ese campo. La publicación en 2016 de la obra Situación de salud de las y los adolescentes en Argentina plantea un panorama de desafíos sobre los cuales deben diseñarse las políticas de salud.

INTRODUCTION: The consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages is associated with an increased risk of obesity. OBJECTIVES: To compare the sugar content on food labels of different non-alcoholic beverages marketed in Argentina and Costa Rica. METHODS: Sugar data were collected from 13 categories of non-alcoholic beverages available in supermarkets in 2012 and 2013. Mean sugar levels were calculated in both countries, considering a standard serving of 200 ml. RESULTS: Among non-alcoholic beverages available in Argentina (n=287) and Costa Rica (n=495), sugar-sweetened ones were predominant (77.6%). The majority of them (56%; n=435) had sugar contents that were over 20% of the daily intake recommended by the World Health Organization. Costa Rica showed average levels higher than Argentina. The categories with the highest sugar content in Costa Rica were nectars (24.7 g/200 ml), fruit juices (22.5 g/200 ml) and regular soft drinks (22.5 g/200 ml); in Argentina, regular soft drinks (20.9 g/200 ml), fruit juices (18.5 g/200 ml) and soy-based drinks (14.9 g/200 ml). CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first analysis and comparison of sugar content in non-alcoholic beverages in two Latin American countries. The high sugar content found in soft drinks and the high prevalence of overweight and obesity in the region show the need to implement public health policies to reduce consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages.

INTRODUCTION: The functioning of the health system is based on the characteristics of the human resources and on how they coordinate and complement each other to cover the population’s needs. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the contractual characteristics of physician wages in Argentina as well as their amounts and composition, in the context of a decentralized public health system. METHODS: Case studies were performed in five jurisdictions in Argentina: Buenos Aires City, Chaco, La Rioja, Neuquén and Salta. In each of them, three public hospitals were selected. Multiple-choice surveys were conducted on a representative sample of medical personnel. Databases of medical wages were used as secondary source of information, they were provided by the Human Resources Department of each Ministry of Health. RESULTS: The capacity to define “game rules” relevant to contractual arrangements, wage levels and structure is extremely wide between jurisdictions and even between hospitals. The analysis showed a high level of formalization of labor contracts, diversity in management and incentive structures, and significant gaps between hospitals within each jurisdiction. CONCLUSIONS: The topic of medical remuneration in Argentina presents not only a wide variety of cases and peculiarities by jurisdiction, but also many alternative approaches.

INTRODUCTION: The intrauterine device (IUD) is the most cost-efficient reversible contraceptive method. Low utilization is reported in Argentina and the region under study. Knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of providers can strongly influence the choice of method among users. OBJECTIVES: To describe the KAP of healthcare providers in the urban conglomerate Neuquén/Plottier/Centenario as regards IUD in 2013, in order to characterize the determinants of promotion and possible barriers. METHODS: A descriptive observational cross-sectional study was performed with a non-probabilistic sample of 335 gynecologists, general practitioners and midwives, using an anonymous online survey. RESULTS: The response rate was 31% (N = 103), 80 of them working in the public sector. The knowledge was correct, and the opinions of providers were favorable to the method. In 9 out of 12 situations, more than 50% said they would not recommend or insert IUDs. Half of the people surveyed had inserted less than 10 IUDs in the previous year, and 12% had not inserted any. Two out of ten were concerned about some of the issues. CONCLUSIONS: The right knowledge and the favorable opinions do not correspond to the low number of IUDs inserted. There are barriers to eligibility and access, as well as little use of interventions validated by the evidence.