[Heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cr and Hg) in the general adult population near an urban waste treatment plant in Biscay, Spain, in 2006].

Background: The possible emissions from a municipal urban solid waste treatment plant (MUSWTP) include heavy metals. The purpose of this study is to ascertain the levels of heavy metals in the blood and urine of the general population of Biscay.

Methods: The level of Pb was measured in 95 blood samples (BPb) and Cd, Cr and Hg in 93 urine samples (UCd, UCr, UHg) taken from adults in the general population of Biscay, Basque Country, in 2006.

Exposure to extrinsic risk factors in prevalence surveys of hospital-acquired infections: a methodological approach.

The difficulties encountered in studying the presence of extrinsic risk factors in the framework of prevalence surveys of hospital-acquired infections (HAI) have led to the use of a variety of methodological approaches. This study examined the effect of retrospective approaches for obtaining data regarding exposure to extrinsic risk factors. The EPINE database for 1990 was used and a simulation model was created.

Increase of immunity to rubella and interruption of rubella transmission in Gipuzkoa (Basque Country, Spain) after an enhanced vaccination programme.

In Spain, vaccination against rubella was initiated in schoolgirls in the mid-1970s. In Gipuzkoa, subsequent extensions to the vaccination schedule culminated in 1992 with the introduction of the two-dose measles, mumps and rubella vaccine in children and adolescents of both sexes. Moreover, in 1985 a programme for the identification and vaccination of non-immune parturient women was implemented in the region's main hospital.

Nosocomial infections in Spain: results of five nationwide serial prevalence surveys (EPINE Project, 1990 to 1994). Nosocomial Infections Prevalence Study in Spain.

Objective: To determine trends in rates of nosocomial infections in Spanish hospitals.

Design: Prospective prevalence studies, performed yearly from 1990 through 1994.

Setting: A convenience sample of acute-care Spanish hospitals.

Anti-tetanus toxin titers in sera of the women who gave births in 1985 and 1989 in Gipuzkoa (Basque Country, Spain).

14.9% (208/1400) of the women who gave births in 1985 and 1989 in Gipuzkoa (Basque Country, Spain), was considered to have 'protective' levels (> or = 0.01 IU/ml) of tetanus antitoxin as measured by the passive haemagglutination test.