[Contributions of epidemiology to the control of leishmaniasis].

Leishmaniasis despite government efforts, groups and individuals continues to be a major public health problem, it is estimated that globally occur between 50 000 and 90 000 new cases of visceral leishmaniasis and between 0.5 and 1 million tegumentary leishmaniasis, plus in some regions, this parasitism has an endemo-epidemic nature, and in recent years its frequency and distribution have increased. The purpose of this paper is to show some contributions of epidemiology to the control of leishmaniasis, as a result of the description and analysis of the distribution and determinants of this parasitism, extremely complex in terms of transmitter, etiological agent, reservoir and susceptible.

Detection of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in sexually active women in Venezuela.

Introduction: Genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection is one of the most frequent in the world; about 85 million new cases of this pathology are registered each year, which causes severe complications in women and newborns. Objective: To determine the clinical-epidemiological characteristics of C. trachomatis infection in sexually active Venezuelan women.

[Methodological perspectives of public health research. A brief look].

Research allows for the strengthening of disciplines, particularly those that draw on information from various specialties, such as public health. The objective of this report is to provide consolidated methodological perspectives to enrich public health as a science. The review highlights three key elements: the type of investigative approach, the evidence and competence approaches in the methodological context of the inquiry into collective health.

[Prehospital emergency care injuries from external causes in a region of Venezuela].

Background: Worldwide, approximately 3 500 000 people die every year as a result of injuries from external causes, in Venezuela these arte the third leading cause of overall morbidity. Nevertheless, in the country there are no records of the defining aspects of prehospital emergency care as a tool to address this socio-health problem, the aim of this investigation.

Methods: A descriptive, transversal, field study based on the information recorded daily for a year paramedics was performed.

Prevalence and molecular characterization of G6PD deficiency in two Plasmodium vivax endemic areas in Venezuela: predominance of the African A-(202A/376G) variant.

Background: Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency causes acute haemolytic anaemia triggered by oxidative drugs such as primaquine (PQ), used for Plasmodium vivax malaria radical cure. However, in many endemic areas of vivax malaria, patients are treated with PQ without any evaluation of their G6PD status.

Methods: G6PD deficiency and its genetic heterogeneity were evaluated in northeastern and southeastern areas from Venezuela, Cajigal (Sucre state) and Sifontes (Bolívar state) municipalities, respectively.

Prevalence of anemia and deficiencies of iron, folic acid and vitamin B12 in an indigenous community from the Venezuelan Amazon with a high incidence of malaria.

The objective of this work was to determine the prevalence of anemia and deficiencies of iron, folic acid and vitamin B12 in Betania del Topocho, a Piaroa community from Estado Amazonas, Venezuela, a zone with a high incidence of malaria. The group studied included 184 subjects of all ages that assisted to the local health center for malaria diagnosis. Analysis performed included hematology by coulter counter, ferritin quantification by ELISA with monoclonal antibodies and folic acid and vitamin B12 determinations by an immunoradiometric assay.