Multivariate Adaptive Regression Splines (MARS) is a non-parametric modelling method that extends the linear model, incorporating nonlinearities and interactions between variables. It is a flexible tool that automates the construction of predictive models: selecting relevant variables, transforming the predictor variables, processing missing values and preventing overshooting using a self-test. It is also able to predict, taking into account structural factors that might influence the outcome variable, thereby generating hypothetical models. The end result could identify relevant cut-off points in data series. It is rarely used in health, so it is proposed as a tool for the evaluation of relevant public health indicators. For demonstrative purposes, data series regarding the mortality of children under 5 years of age in Costa Rica were used, comprising the period 1978-2008.
The accreditation process of primary healthcare centers in Chile has not had the same progress as in hospitals, which show high levels of compliance. The purpose of this research is to characterize the communes that have accredited family healthcare centers (CESFAMs) through socio-economic, municipal management, clinical management, and population variables by performing a principal components analysis (PCA) with biplot analysis and a grouping of communes through a hierarchical analysis. The biplot analysis and hierarchical analysis yielded the formation of three large groups of communes with accredited CESFAMs, characterized mainly by population size, number of people registered in the municipal health system, socioeconomic indicators, and financial management and clinical management variables. It was found that the communes that have accredited CESFAMs are characterized by dissimilar behavior in relation to the variables analyzed. Through the model used, it was possible to establish at least three groups of communes according to their behavior against these variables. Of these, the variables of a municipal financial nature were not decisive in achieving the accreditation of the CESFAMs of these communes. Therefore, it is possible that there are other variables or factors that could be facilitating the achievement of accreditation processes.
Methodological approaches to the study of infant mortality study in ChileIntroduction: Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) is still considered a relevant population health indicator. Knowing related factors and implementation of specifi c policies positively impacts its reduction. Objective: To evaluate the evolution of the studies on infant mortality in Chile in the last three decades. Patients and Methods: A systematic search using Medline, Lilacs and Scielo databases was carried out. Global and component IMR was reviewed. Results: IMR has been reduced considerably since 1980. Sixty-eight papers were found, mostly in national journals and bulletins. Most of them (73.5%) were descriptive studies, although association studies have increased since 2000. The main data source was National Institute of Statistics (47%). The most frequently studied variables were: cause of death (42.6%), maternal age (30.9%) and site (17.6%). Analysis strategies are mostly descriptive, although studies of association most often utilize correlation indices. Conclusion: Infant Mortality continues to be a topic of interest to researchers, who use different strategies. Continued study is encouraged.
Señor editor: Enviamos los resultados preliminares de una investigación sobre salud mental y género llevada a cabo en Chile, según las puntuaciones obtenidas en una evaluación global de salud mental (para la cual se utilizó el cuestionario de resultados OQ-45.2, que mide sintomatología, rol social y relaciones interpersonales), realizada a hombres y mujeres con un diagnóstico de trastorno afectivo, tratados en el servicio de psiquiatría del Hospital del Salvador de Santiago de Chile...
Los trastornos musculoesqueléticos representan un 59% de todas las enfermedades profesionales registradas por las estadísticas europeas y principal causa de ausentismo laboral de más de tres días, sin que se apliquen medidas de prevención, protección y control adecuadas. 1
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