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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Estimated occurrence of tobacco, alcohol, and other drug use among 12- to 18-year-old students in Panama: results of Panama's 1996 National Youth Survey on Alcohol and Drug Use.

This report provides the first epidemiological evidence on tobacco, alcohol, and other drug use among school students in Panama, using data from a student survey completed in 1996. Specifically, we examine sex, age, grade level, type of school, and urban-rural variations in the occurrence of tobacco, alcohol, and other drug use. Estimates of lifetime prevalence and past-year use of these products were obtained using data from Panama's 1996 National Youth Survey on Alcohol and Drug Use (n = 6,477). To account for the multistage sampling design of the survey, all estimates and respective standard errors are derived by the Taylor series approximation method using Epi Info 6.0 CSAMPLE software. In general, more males, more older students, and more students in higher grades have used licit and illicit drugs, even though male-female differences tend to be small. Public-private school differences and urban-rural trends vary depending on the drug. The findings of this study are discussed in relation to the epidemiology and prevention of drug use in Panama. Based on these data, we seek to provide information to be used by the Government of Panama in its planning for prevention programs directed toward students in Panamanian schools.

Adolescent↗

Assessment of the risk of introducing foot-and-mouth disease into Panama via a ferry operating between Cartagena, Colombia and Colon, Panama.

It should be emphasized that the proposed ferry hazard categorizations do not represent absolute risks for introducing FMD into Panama, but instead provide a systematic method for comparing and estimating risks in the absence of quantitative data. A hazard rating of high may not necessarily represent a high quantitative risk for the introduction of FMD, but is high when compared to other scenarios. A low hazard rating may estimate a low quantitative risk of importing FMD, but economic consequences of a potential outbreak should also be considered. When further data become available, a more complete assessment of the risks of the Crucero Express compared to airplanes, cargo boats, and small boats can be performed. At present, the risk of the Crucero Express is at least as low as the other transport modes described above. Since vehicles are not presently allowed transport from Colombia to Panama, they present no risk to Panama, but with proper cleaning and disinfection procedures, vehicles can be permitted with low risk. However, the Crucero Express can carry 125 vehicles, and thorough cleaning and disinfection of this many cars will require modern and efficient facilities not yet present at either port.

Animals↗

[Synopsis of the Seminar on Breast Feeding Promotion in Central America, Panama and the Dominican Republic. Isla Contadora, Panama, 1983].

The most recent and reliable information on the status of breast-feeding in Central América, Panama and the Dominican Republic indicates that during the last decades, in all of these countries there has been a decrease in the prevalence and duration of breast-feeding. In some of them, this situation would seem to be reverting. Considering the importance that breast-feeding has on children's health and nutrition, the Institute of Nutrition of Central America and Panama (INCAP), organized a Regional Seminar on the Promotion of Breast-feeding, which was held in Contadora Island, Panama, in April, 1983. Based on the discussions of the working groups, sectoral and integrated recommendations were formulated for the purpose of promoting breast-feeding. This document contains specific recommendations for each of the sectors represented in the Seminar.

Breast Feeding↗

A comparative study of Norinyl 1/35 versus Brevicon in Panama City, Panama.

A comparative study of Norinyl 1/35 and Brevicon was conducted at the APLAFA clinic in Panama City, Panama. The study sought to evaluate the differences in continuation rates and the frequency of selected side effects which might contribute to method discontinuation. The 300 subjects were randomly allocated to one of the two oral contraceptives. Women in the Brevicon group reported significantly more (p less than 0.05) intermenstrual bleeding, nausea, headaches, dizziness and vaginal discharge than women in the Norinyl 1/35 group. The total discontinuation rate at 12 months was 28.0 for the Norinyl 1/35 group and 46.7 for the Brevicon group, and this difference was significant (p less than .01). Also, significantly more women (p less than .01) in the Brevicon group discontinued for menstrual problems than women in the Norinyl 1/35 group. No pregnancies were reported during this study. While both oral contraceptives appear safe and effective, Norinyl 1/35 was more acceptable to this group of Panamanian women.

Actuarial Analysis↗

Behavior of resting Aedes aegypti (Culicidae: Diptera) and its relation to ultra-low volume adulticide efficacy in Panama City, Panama.

The resting behavior of Aedes aegypti (L.) adults was investigated in 14 districts of Panama City, Panama, in relation to ground ultra-low volume (ULV) applications of malathion. Adults primarily rested inside the premises (75.1%) at a distance > 6 m from the street (86.4%). Both sexes rested mainly in bedrooms, living rooms, and bathrooms. The small ULV aerosol droplets (2-4 microns) penetrated all indoor resting sites of Ae. aegypti, but in low amounts. Because of the low amount of insecticide reaching the primary resting sites within the premises, limited control of the Ae. aegypti was obtained. This limited the potential effectiveness of ground vehicle ULV applied insecticide as a dengue epidemic control method.

Aedes↗

Transmission of Toxoplasma gondii in Panama City, Panama: a five-year prospective cohort study of children, cats, rodents, birds, and soil.

A cohort of more than 500 children from Panama City, Panama was studied prospectively over five years for acquisition of antibody to Toxoplasma gondii. The direct agglutination test showed that 72 of 571 children seroconverted between one and six years of age, for a cumulative incidence of 12.6%. Children were examined by pediatricians quarterly, and illnesses that had occurred in the interval and their activities were noted on questionnaires. Thirty-eight variables were examined for their role as risk factors for seroconversion. There was a higher correlation between children's seroconversion and contact with dogs than with cats. Combinations of significant predictors without dogs explained only 67% of the seroconversions, but the same factors with dogs explained 90%. On the other hand, ingestion of raw or rare meat or eggs appeared to play no role in transmission. Cats were examined and 110 (45.6%) of 241 had Toxoplasma antibody on the first bleeding. Only two (0.5%) of 383 cat fecal specimens, when tested in mice, resulted in seroconversion. Ten (1.1%) of 924 soil samples resulted in seroconversion in mice that had been injected. Antibody to Toxoplasma was found in 52 (23.3%) of 226 rats (Rattus norvegicus) and two (0.035%) of 571 mice (Mus musculus). Two hundred sixteen birds of 16 different species were bled. Antibody to Toxoplasma was found in 13.4% of these birds, mostly in grackles, blue-gray tanagers, and doves. The rate of isolation of Toxoplasma was low: one of 23 in rats and three of 201 in birds. High relative risks (RRs) of transmission to children were predicted by contact histories with nursing dogs (RR = 5.8), weaned dogs (RR = 4.7), many flies (RR = 3.6), 6-12-month-old dogs (RR = 3.4), weaned cats (RR = 3.0), 6-12-month-old cats (RR = 2.7), nursing cats (RR = 2.5), much garbage (RR = 2.4), and many roaches (RR = 2.2). The high statistical correlation of dog contact with seroconversion in children suggests the possibility that dogs, by eating and rolling in cat feces, are instrumental in mechanically transmitting Toxoplasma infection. In addition, flies, and to a lesser extent, cockroaches, may have practically important roles in transmission.

Animals↗

Human trypanosome infection and the presence of intradomicile Rhodnius pallescens in the western border of the Panama Canal, Panama.

An entomologic search was carried out to collect intradomicile triatomines in dwellings from rural communities in the western border of the Panama Canal, Panama. Sixty-nine triatomines were collected inside 20 houses of 67 houses investigated. Rhodnius pallescens was the only triatomine species found and included adults of both sexes and nymphs. A significantly high Trypanosoma cruzi (72.7%) and T. rangeli (40%) vector infection rate was detected. Blood meal analysis showed that 68% of R. pallescens had fed on humans. Human serologic analysis and hemoculture performed on inhabitants from triatomine-infested houses showed that 32.1% (18 of 56) of the samples were trypanosome infected. Thirteen samples (23.2%) had antibodies against T. cruzi. Six of these seropositive samples were from children less than 15 years old. Trypanosoma rangeli was isolated in five hemoculture samples, all from children less than 11 years old. The epidemiologic implications of these findings in terms of human infection are discussed.

Animals↗

Clusters of drug involvement in Panama: results from Panama's 1996 National Youth Survey.

This report is based on the first epidemiological investigation of clustering of tobacco, alcohol, inhalant, and other drug involvement within individual schools using data from Panama's 1996 National Youth Survey on Alcohol and Drug Use. Clustering was estimated with the Alternating Logistic Regression method. Adjusted estimates of pair-wise cross-product ratios (PWCPR), a measure of clustering, show modest clustering (i.e. PWCPR>1.0) at the school level for tobacco smoking (PWCPR=1.41; 95% confidence interval, CI=1.22-1.64), alcohol consumption (PWCPR=1.33; 95% CI=1.22-1.45), use of inhalants, (PWCPR=1.35; 95% CI=1.07-1.69), and other drug use (PWCPR=1.38; 95% CI=1.14-1.68). These findings provide preliminary evidence that the odds of drug use among school-attending youths increase when another youth in the same school uses drugs, and suggest a new line of research on within-school diffusion that should include the identification of school-level factors that contribute to student drug use.

Adolescent↗

Seasonal and spatial distributions of adult screwworms (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in the Panama Canal area, Republic of Panama.

The distribution of screwworms, Cochliomyia hominivorax, (Coquerel) was studied in a seasonally moist lowland tropical forest in the Republic of Panama using a combination of field collections and satellite imagery. We found that different forest types could be distinguished and mapped using remotely sensed data. To determine the temporal and spatial distribution of flies, we collected flies coming to rotted liver at 82 sites in ten vegetation types (open areas, edge forest, dry scrub forest, forest successional stage 1, forest successional stage 2, forest successional stage 3, forest successional stage 4, forest successional stage 5, mature forests, palm swamp forest, and forest along streams) over three seasons (dry, transitional, wet). Nine of the vegetation types (excluding dry scrub forest) were identified and mapped using SPOT XS and Landsat 5 TM satellite data. Screwworm flies were most abundant during the transition from wet to dry season. Fly numbers were consistently higher in forest habitats, particularly those with trees 20-30 m in height and a fairly open canopy composed of many deciduous species that shed their leaves during the dry season. Screwworm numbers were also high in palm swamp forest, edge forest, and mature growth forest. Traps sampled in open areas had fewer flies and were unrelated to proximity to cattle. Females accounted for 88% of the total fly counts. This study further substantiates the importance of forests in the ecology and behavior of screwworm flies and demonstrates that remotely sensed data can be used to construct the spatial distribution of these flies in a tropical landscape. We discuss implications of this information to the screwworm eradication program.

Animals↗

Blood parasites of birds from Chiriqui and Panama Provinces in the Republic of Panama.

Blood smears were examined from 3,715 birds from four areas in the Republic of Panama. Hematozoa were present in at least 142 (50%) of the 281 species examined. An overall prevalence of 18% of the individual birds was noted: Haemoproteus 9%, Plasmodium 5%, Leucocytozoon less than 1%, Trypanosoma 2%, Atoxoplasma/Lankesterella less than 1% and microfilariae 3%. Prevalence in each of the four study areas varied from 13% to 28%. Distribution is analyzed by orders, families and individual species of Plasmodium are tabulated. New host records from 170 species of birds are recorded.

Animal Population Groups↗

Aseptic meningitis due to echovirus 4 in Panama City, Republic of Panama.

Between September 23 and November 30, 1981, 1,032 children from Panamá City, Republic of Panamá were hospitalized with aseptic meningitis. Forty-four per cent of the cases were in the age group 5-9 years old; the disease was mild and self-limiting with an average hospital stay of five days. Echovirus 4 isolates were obtained from 48 of 160 patients. To identify risk factors associated with the epidemic, the authors randomly selected 10 per cent of hospitalized cases and conducted a family-based seroepidemiologic study. The closest neighboring house with at least one child younger than 15 years was similarly studied as a control. In total, 182 households and 1,083 of 1,177 residents were included. No risk factors ascertained by the study were associated with aseptic meningitis; however, several factors were related to recent echovirus 4 infection. Overall, 56 per cent of cases had echovirus 4 antibody, as did 29 per cent of their family members and 19 per cent of control family members. Children who attended kindergarten or primary school were more likely to have antibody than other household members and, within case families, individuals involved in child-care had an excess risk for infection.

Adolescent↗