https://paraguay.bvsalud.org/base_bdnpar?q=&filter=indexed_database%3A%22BDNPAR%22+AND+author%3A%22Galeano%2C+Rosa%22 Sat, 14 Mar 2026 09:19:52 UTC https://paraguay.bvsalud.org/base_bdnpar/resource/?id=biblioref.referenceanalytic.1591227
Introduction. Dengue is a highly prevalent and costly disease in Paraguay. Objective. To evaluate the dengue surveillance system in the department of Guairá in 2024. Materials and methods. Descriptive study evaluating dengue surveillance according to CDC guidelines. The structure and surveillance data were analyzed for the period 2019–2023, and a questionnaire was applied to the personnel involved in surveillance. Results. Between 2020-2023, 7,459 suspected cases were reported in the department of Guairá, with the highest number of reports in 2020 and 2023. According to the perception of 86.5% of respondents, the quality of the surveillance system was good, its usefulness was good for the diagnosis and recognition of epidemics for 72.6%, but decreased for vector control actions. Simplicity was considered good for the form and reporting flowchart, according to 68.5%of the respondents, and average for the dependence of reporting on the availability of diagnostic methods, according to 31.5% of the respondents; flexibility and acceptability were rated as good by 86.3% and 91.8%, respectively. Representativeness was rated as good in general by 78.1%, although 19.2% rated it as average for outpatient cases, subpopulations, or territories. Conclusion: To improve the dengue surveillance system in Guairá, staff should focus on the clinical and universal detection of suspected cases, regardless of severity or availability of diagnostic methods. Key words: evaluation study; health surveillance system; dengue; information systems]]> 1591227 Wed, 02 Apr 2025 00:00:00 UTC https://paraguay.bvsalud.org/base_bdnpar/resource/?id=biblioref.referenceanalytic.1568572
Introduction. The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed many of the inequalities in society and one of the most neglected vulnerable populations are those deprived of their liberty. Objective. Determine the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in the population deprived of liberty (PDL) in two penitentiary institutions in ParaguaybetweenApril-May 2022. Materials and methods. Cross-sectional descriptivestudy in two penitentiary institutions in Paraguay, one for men and the otheronefor women, using two-stage probabilistic sampling. The blood samples were taken by fingerprint for the determination of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies by a rapid IgG/IgM test (Orient Gene Biotech COVID-19 cassette). Descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation (SD), percentages) and analytical statistics (chi square test) were used for data analysis. Results. A total of 602 PDLwere included, 67%menand 33% women, the average age was 34 years (SD 10.71), 21% (n=124) with comorbidity, 31% (n=186) with complete vaccination. Of the 66 PPL (11%) who reported prior Covid-19 infection, 79% (n=52) developed symptoms and 6% (n=4) required hospitalization. In men,95% presented positive serology (IgG and/or IgM) for SARS-CoV-2 (95% CI: 92.18-96.58) and 94%(95% CI:89.65-96.83) in women. In the vaccinated group, seropositivity was 98.5% (95% CI: 97.11-99.25), and among the unvaccinated, 57% (95% CI: 53.22-70.29). Conclusion. The seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 was similar to that reported in other studies. The structural unhealthiness and overcrowdingare factors that enhance the spread of the virus and emphasize the importance of encouraging vaccination in these populations. Key words: seroepidemiologic studies; antibodies; SARS-CoV-2; prisons; Paraguay]]> 1568572 Wed, 04 Sep 2024 00:00:00 UTC https://paraguay.bvsalud.org/base_bdnpar/resource/?id=biblioref.referenceanalytic.1413372
ntroduction. Vaccine is one of the most effective public health strategies, however, it can produce adverse effects (AE). In Paraguay, in December 2020, the National Vaccination Plan was launched as part of the control and prevention measures against COVID-19, which contemplates the surveillance of events supposedly attributable to vaccination or immunization (ESAVI). Objective.to determine the AE of the vaccines against COVID-19 used in Paraguay in 2021. Methodology. Cross-sectional analytical study using Google Forms for a survey disseminated through social networks. Sociodemographic variables, type of vaccine, doses, AE were collected. Data were analyzed with Epi InfoTM, Odds Ratio was calculated with a 95% CI, at a significance level of p value <0.05. Results. A total of 641 people participated in the study (mean age: 27 ± 13 years), 69% women and 54% from the Central Department. Seventy-five percent received two doses of the vaccine, 56.3% had AE with the first dose and 45.7% AE with the second. AE in the first dose was associated with females (OR 1.73 (95%CI 1.23–2.42); p=0.001) and age under 30 years old (OR 1.73; 95%CI 1.30–2.46; p <0.001); presenting AEs in the first dose was associated with presenting them with the second dose (OR 3.84; 95%CI 2.39–5.09; p<0.001). Conclusion. Adverse reactions to vaccines were common but mild and self-limited. Those respondents who presented AE in the first dose had a high chance of presenting them again in the second dose.]]> 1413372 Mon, 30 Jan 2023 00:00:00 UTC https://paraguay.bvsalud.org/base_bdnpar/resource/?id=biblioref.referenceanalytic.1511711
Introduction. Characterizing the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in the community can provide useful data for the authorities in making decisions on the educational institutions in Paraguay. Objective.To describe the epidemiological characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the homes of schoolchildren from three institutions in Asunción and the Central Department. Materials and Methods. Cross-sectional descriptive study carried out between October 25 and November 5, 2021. Structured surveys were applied to parents or guardians of schoolchildren through a questionnaire in the format of the Google form sent through WhatsApp from the Directorate of the educational institutions. The questionnaire included questions about the number of household members, demographic data of the respondent, number of people with co-morbidity, people with COVID-19, need of hospitalization, number of death and vaccinated against COVID-19. Results.Data from 780 households were obtained, 379 (48.6%) from San Lorenzo, 217 (27.8) from Limpio, 93 (11.9%) from Asunción and 91 from other localities from Central (11.7%); 18.6% (731/3920) of household members had COVID-19, of them 9.7% (71/731) were hospitalized. Mortality rate was 0.79% (31/3920) and lethality 4.2% (31/731). 52.7% (2,340/3,920) were already vaccinated against COVID-19 and 88.2% (2,065/2,340) of them fully vaccinated. Conclusion.The prevalence of infection was within the expected range for symptomatic COVID-19 infections with a high rate of intradomiciliary transmission. Both the hospitalization and fatality rates were within the range for the country. Key words: COVID-19; schools; Paraguay; epidemiologic study characteristics]]> 1511711 Tue, 10 Oct 2023 00:00:00 UTC https://paraguay.bvsalud.org/base_bdnpar/resource/?id=biblioref.referenceanalytic.1400319
Introduction. Bacterial neurological diseases are a global health problem. In Paraguay, two types of epidemiological surveillance are used for meningococcal infections: universal and sentinel. Objetive.The objective was to evaluate the universal epidemiological surveillance system for meningoencephalitis. Methodology:Cross-sectional descriptive study, following the guidelines of the Updated Guidelines for Evaluating Public Health Surveillance Systems-CDC-2001. The database of the national system of 2016 was analyzed. To evaluate the attributes: data quality, acceptability, timeliness, sensitivity and positive predictive value (PPV) the sample size of a total population of 640 was calculated using EpiInfo7.2.2.2, confidence level 95%. The minimum size studied was 240 suspected cases. The grading scale was developed. Random samples of records, frequency measurements and central tendency (mean, median) were calculated in Excel. Results:Epidemiological files were evaluated, the quality of the data in terms of completeness was 95% and inconsistency 4.2%. The acceptability of the actors reached 92%. The opportunity to take a sample ≤ 24 hours (Me= 1 day; R= -31-35 days), diagnosis ≤72h (Me= 0 days; R= 0-61 days) and notification has exceeded the required 24h (Me= 3 days; R= 0-41 days). The sensitivity of thesystem was found to be 90% with a PPV of 7.5%. Conclusion.In conclusion, the system is sensitive in terms of clinical surveillance with a low PPV, the data quality is excellent, acceptable by the actors, timely for sampling and diagnosis. However, the timeliness of notification needs to be improved.]]> 1400319 Mon, 21 Nov 2022 00:00:00 UTC https://paraguay.bvsalud.org/base_bdnpar/resource/?id=biblioref.referenceanalytic.907831
Influenza (FLU) causes severe morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence, etiology and use of resources for influenza in a low-income neighborhood in Asunción, Paraguay through a prospective population base cohort with stratified random sampling of houses from July to October 2013. Monitoring of cases of influenza-like illness (ILI) was by telephone. In ETI cases, nasopharyngeal swabs were collected for RT-PCR and IFI. Risk factors for ETI were established using chi square test at p≤0.05; RR with CI 95% was also calculated. Of 8,279 homes, 401 families (2,065 people) were monitored; 141 ILI cases were identified, yielding an incidence of 6.8% (95% CI 5.5-7.6), 56% of cases sought medical attention, mostly (80%) in public health services. Among the ILIs, 84% of nasopharyngeal swabs were tested, 22% positive for respiratory viruses; 86% FLU (63% FLU A, 37% FLU B). An association (p<0.001) between ILI disease and aged less than 5 years (RR: 2.43 (1.68-3.49) was found. This is the first study that gives information on Influenza burden in Paraguay. Telephone monitoring was a good strategy for house monitoring in order to identify cases of ILI. Influenza virus was the most common pathogen identified, with a high demand for medical assistance, which results in a substantial burden for health services.]]> 907831 Wed, 25 Jul 2018 00:00:00 UTC https://paraguay.bvsalud.org/base_bdnpar/resource/?id=biblioref.referencesource.733503 733503 Fri, 01 Jul 2016 00:00:00 UTC