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L Poletto

Publications and source records attributed to L Poletto.

24 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

[Prevalence of smoking in young people and their parents. Important associations with education and occupation].

Rosario, with a million inhabitants, is the second major urban concentration in Argentina and serves as the commercial and industrial center for a large area. In view of the lack of information on the present prevalence of smoking in this area as for the country as a whole, a study was performed on random samples of young people and university students of medicine and economics, as well as on their parents. Information was obtained on their life smoking habits, education and occupation. The prevalence of the habit was higher: a) in men, both in the youngsters and their parents; b) in medical students than in those of the economic sciences; c) in parents with university education. The smoking habit of these subjects and parents was highly associated (p less than 0.001) in the sample of young people, although no association was found between the prevalence of smoking among university students and their parents. Peer smoking was the main factor influencing the onset of cigarette smoking given by 69% of the subjects. Knowledge of specific adverse health effects of smoking was poor. Attitudes toward restrictive measures were highly associated (p less than 0.001) with the non-smoker category. Based on these findings, we conclude that while there is a need for educational programs for the population in general, the university as a whole and specifically the school of medicine should implement a program to increase knowledge and awareness on this public health problem.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Cancer mortality and some socio economic correlates in Rosario, Argentina.

The age-standardized mortality rates by sex for cancer of all sites and some specific sites were calculated in the 22 areas of Rosario (Argentina). The rates by area were correlated with education, occupation, housing quality and population density, applying Kendall's tau. Cervical cancer rates showed the strongest correlations, which were positive with illiteracy, unqualified occupations and poor housing. These variables presented positive correlations with stomach cancer also, which were more significant in males than in females. Colon and breast cancer rates had positive correlations with the highest levels of education, occupational status, housing conditions and population density.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Cluster analysis with constraints: its use with breast cancer mortality rates in Argentina.

One approach to analyse geographic variations of a disease within a country is through mortality rates in administrative areas. In some geographical areas the rates can be unstable due to their low population. Thus, the statistical analysis of the rate could be not significant due to low population, not because of the real value. An alternative approach to this problem is to set a minimum level of population that enables valid statistical comparisons with the national rate to be made. It is decided to apply an algorithm that groups neighbouring geographical units that reach the minimum population. In the resulting regions, mortality rates are calculated, and the geographic patterns are analysed through the Moran's I coefficient of spatial clustering. This paper presents an application of this approach to mortality rates from breast cancer by Argentine departments, political administrative units into which a province is divided. Applying this procedure, 217 regions were obtained. In two of the regions the rates were significantly higher than the national rate, while in 40 regions they were significantly lower. Significant spatial grouping, reflected by a Moran I coefficient of O-47, was observed.

Algorithms↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The correlation of arterial pressure with weight and body mass index].

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the influence of weight and different body mass indexes on blood pressure (BP) values. The study was carried out in 823 volunteers (345 males, 478 females), aged 25/80 years. A standardized protocol, based on the recommendations provided by the V Joint National Committee was set up. The means of three consecutive readings taken at 2-min. intervals on three occasions were used. Weight and height were determined and the indexes were calculated. Correlations between weight and the selected indexes, with SBP and DBP, respectively, by sex and age interval were performed. The most representative indexes were body mass index (BMI) followed by lean BMI and weight. Analysis of BP values are BMI, for a period starting at 25 years and ending at 74 year, for both SPB and DBP, in comparison with the Humboldt Study data was performed, showing a strikingly similar pattern of behavior with our data. Additionally, weight and BMI are more closely associated with DBP in males than in females. Conversely, this association is closer in women with SBP. The importance of the ethnic factor is emphasized in order to establish body mass index cut-off values regarding the population under study, because the values proposed by the American Heart Association are probably rather high for our population.

Adult↗