Occupational Health and Rural Community Education (Peru)

Pesticide intoxication is a major problem due to its severe toxic effects, the large number of people exposed to it, and the inadequacy of intervention models in the Third World.  The objective of this project is to do research into the pesticide and defoliant intoxication of humans in agricultural occupations in the coastal valleys of Peru, and evaluate changes which may be brought about by education of the population and by the creation of an epidemiological monitoring system.  Researchers will study exposure factors, practices, and knowledge in the use of pesticides; assess  the prevalence of intoxication in humans; assess the accuracy and  validity of pesticide self‑diagnosis done by the farmers; design, implement, and evaluate, jointly with the farmers and their families, a health education program of safe pesticide use and self-diagnosis; develop and test a community-based pesticide epidemiological monitoring program; and study government policy related to the problem.

 

Self-Medication Among the Urban Poor (Peru)

Previous research indicates that poor families in shantytowns of Lima act as therapeutic units, diagnosing and medicating themselves.  When outside help is sought, it is often from a pharmacist or a drugstore employee.  This project will examine the role of pharmacists as health agents and the importance of pharmacy consultations in the health strategy of the urban poor. Also researchers will examine the implications of these consultations and prepare public health policy recommendations.  The specific objectives are to reconstruct the typical process of consultation on the basis of the disease involved and the economic, cultural, and demographic characteristics of the patients and their families; and identify the factors which play a part in the consultation and the role which pharmacists play as health agents at both the cultural and clinical‑medical levels.  Results will be broadly disseminated through the extensive network of schools of social work in the region.

Post-Project Summary:

Data was generated on health and self-medication practices and on the use of consultancies at pharmacies. A methodology for the analysis of health behaviour was developed. A social intervention was attempted to test some of the results. It consisted of an evaluation of a local campaign for the use of anti-diarrhoetic drugs. The results were acceptable. It was noted that project prepared social workers to be aware and give appropriate advice on drug consumption problems. At the end of the project, an attempt was made to integrate the research team with the researchers of another IDRC‑supported project "85-0269 Infant Morbidity among the Urban Poor". They worked together in the experimental social intervention phase. It was noted that the project's results will increase awareness of policymakers and public officials on public health problems relative to drug consumption in popular sectors and the role of pharmacies as an alternative to formal health services. One of the project leaders took over an important position in the Ministry of Health as Director of the Drug Control Area.

 

Demographic Projections in Colombia:  1985-2010

Population projections are a form of information important in planning economic and social activities.  They provide a general panorama of the population for whom programs to improve the national standard of living and distribution of resources are designed and directed. Present planning needs and the distribution of resources in Colombia make it urgent to establish demographic data bases at the level of smaller geographical areas.  This project will compile census data and demographic estimates from 1951 to 1985 so as to evaluate vital statistics and make projections of the future population. The specific objectives will be to:  project population at the national level by sex and age groups; derive projections for urban and rural areas, departments and municipalities; and hold an international seminar to discuss the methodology developed.

Post-Project Summary:

Researchers analysed data from the 1985 census, adjusting them for errors and omissions, and used various other sources of fertility, infant mortality, adult mortality, and migration data to make the following demographic projections for the period 1985-2025: a total population growth from 30 million in 1985 to 39.4 million by 2000 and 54.2 million by 2025; an increase in the median age from 20.12 in 1985 to 24.2 in 2000 and 31 in 2025; a decrease in the population under 15 years from 42.7% in 1950 and 37.8% in 1985 to a third and then a quarter of the total in 2000 and 2025; an increase in the proportion of elderly (over 65) from 3.9% in 1985 to 4.6% in 2000 and 9% in 2025; an increase in the economically active population (15‑64 years) from 58.3% in 1985 to 63% in 2000 and 66.3% in 2025; etc. The most significant demographic change in the country was the decline by half of the global fertility rate between 1965-70 and 1980-85. A further decline of 25% is expected by 2000 and 10% by 2025, at which time the country will still be above replacement level (1.0%). The project made a significant contribution to Colombia's basic planning data, and contributed to regional discussion and evaluation of demographic methods of population projection. The methodology and results were disseminated at an international seminar held in Girardot, 31 October to 2 November 1988.

 

Chagas Disease Prevention via Improved Housing

Chagas= Disease is one of the most serious tropical diseases found in Latin America, both in terms of its prevalence throughout the region and its impact on morbidity and potential employability.  About 65 million people are directly exposed to the risk of T.cruzi infection, a further 15 to 20 million are actually infected and, of infected individuals, approximately 10% develop chronic Chagas=disease.  In the absence of effective drugs and vaccines suitable for large scale treatment, the only real form of control lies in a preventive approach.  This focuses on the the control of triatomine insects that transmit the causative agent to man, within the domestic and peri-domestic environment.  Triatomine control strategies include insecticide spraying and housing improvements resulting from increased community awareness of the problem.  This multi disciplinary project will compare three types of intervention: insecticide application; housing improvement: and a combined insecticide / housing intervention, in three similar communities.  Evaluation of the effect of the interventions will be made using a pre and post intervention assessment of (1) change in human T.cruzi infection measured by serology (2) change in house triatomine infestation levels and (3) change in awareness and knowledge about the disease. The generated information will be invaluable not only to Paraguay=s health authorities, but also to the rest of the endemic region. 

   

Labour Migration and Employment Policies (Venezuela)

The frontier region between Colombia and Venezuela has experienced  labour migration flows since the turn of the century.  However, there is no information available at the district level on migration patterns and occupational characteristics of the labour force for policy purposes. This project will provide a diagnosis of the current labour conditions, labour demand, and training requirements of the industrial sector in two frontier districts.  Researchers will examine the migration patterns and occupation structure in the industrial sector of the districts Bolivar and Pedro Urena; determine the actual and potential labour force demand of the industrial production units in both districts; determine the training needs related to the industrial sector needs; project the migration patterns and occupational structure of the industrial sector at the short-term; and elaborate policy recommendations related to frontier migration, industrial employment and training.

Post-Project Summary: