Biomedical subjects

G Maupomé-Carvantes

Publications and source records attributed to G Maupomé-Carvantes.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

[Soft drink consumption patterns in a Mexican population].

To evaluate soft drink consumption patterns in the Mexican population, the authors conducted a survey among people over 10 years of age in Mexico City (september-october 1993). Also, pH levels of commonly available beverages were measured using standard laboratory techniques. Results indicated that each one of the 33 soft drink brands and 15 brands of juices and beverages available, had markedly acidic pH values (between 2.46 and 3.96). Out of the 2,008 respondents (55.3% male, 44.7% female; response rate, 90.1%), 1,657 (82.5%) admitted drinking soft drinks daily, while 351 (17.5%) said they did not drink this type of beverages. Even though high consumption was frequent in all age groups, self-reported consumption was partially associated to age, being higher in the younger groups. The mean number of soft drinks ingested per day was reported to be 1.7, SD 1.3, and 9.3 per week SD 9.9. Self-reported consumption appeared to be independent of schooling level. Even though the largest proportion of non-consumers was found in the group that considered soft drinks to be a very important contributing factor to caries development, most interviewees agreed that soft drinks consumption was an important cariogenic factor. This attributed role was more prominent among interviewees with a higher level of schooling.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Attitudes and habits for the control of HIV and hepatitis B in dental students].

HIV infection has had great impact on dental practice, mainly because public and professional perceptions about HIV-AIDS contagion are conflictive due to fear and ignorance. Since the practices of infection control have not been adequately studied in Mexico, the present survey explored some attitudes towards HIV infection, stated knowledge on HIV transmission and manifestations, and infection control procedures reportedly used by dental students. A questionnaire was administered to 262 final-year students (95% were 20 to 30 years old; 71% female) in Mexico City (July-August 1992), with emphasis on the clinical risk posed by HIV and hepatitis B (HBV) infections. Data were analyzed with Student's t-test and one-way ANOVA (Scheffé test). Results showed a mixed response as a general rule, with most respondents believing they had a moral (83%) and professional (78%) duty to treat HIV+ patients but few having a sympathetic approach to them. Only a minority have had a direct experience with HIV+ patients (5%) or high-risk groups (24%). Students seemed to use adequate infection control barriers as most wore gloves, gowns, masks and glasses while treating patients, but only 20 per cent had been vaccinated against hepatitis. Some contradictions in the use of disinfecting/sterilization equipment and agents were detected. The most important reasons given to refuse to treat HIV+ patients were the lack of appropriate facilities and the risk of becoming infected. The sources of information on HIV most frequently resorted to were reported to be professional education and short courses of continuing education.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[The prevalence of caries in marginal rural and peripheral urban areas].

A descriptive study of caries prevalence in peripheral urban and rural underprivileged groups was undertaken in self-selected populations demanding basic dental therapy in seven states of Mexico. Dental therapy services were delivered as part of a mobile oral health care program in the Mexican countryside implemented by the Dental School of Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, during 1990 and 1991. Partial examination of clinical histories of 2,596 patients (mean age 21.8 years) revealed a mean DMFT (the sum of decayed, missing and filled teeth) of 9.21. Only 6.3 per cent of patients had DMFT = 0 and 10.7 per cent were caries-free. The largest component of DMFT were decayed teeth and the smallest one filled teeth. In general, results suggested that caries prevalence was high within the study populations, highlighting the little restorative treatment previously undertaken. The convenience of implementing oral health care schemes to deal with caries morbidity is discussed from the perspective of both the traditional dental treatment approach and preventive public health policies, taking into account the background of complex treatment needs present in these population groups.

Adolescent↗