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Objective: To determine the prevalence of Neisseria meningitidis (N. meningitidis) from healthy carriers and its resistance to penicillin in Cerdanyola population. To asses which risk factors were associated with healthy carriers and compare some epidemiologic characteristics between people with penicillin sensitive and penicillin resistant strains., Methods: Cross-sectional seasonal study of 1500 individuals selected from day care centers, schools, colleges, cultural and working centers, located in different areas of Cerdanyola. We performed throat smears and immediate culture onto selective media for isolation of N. meningitidis. Data were evaluated by univariate and multivariate statistical analysis using the SPSS statistical package., Results: One hundred and ninety-one (12.7%) individuals harbored N. meningitidis strains. In logistic regression multivariate analysis, meningococcal carriage significantly increased for the age group 14-18 years (OR = 4.55 with respect to the reference group, 0-3 years), in the spring (OR = 2.29), male sex (OR = 1.67), and active smoking (OR = 1.45, intervals of 10 cigarettes/day), while meningococcal carriage significantly decreased in the group under 4 years at age (OR = 0.55), with prior use of antibiotics (OR = 0.58) and with bigger housing space (OR = 0.84 for 10 m2/person). A 42% of N. meningitidis strains in carriers from this population showed decreased sensitivity to penicillin (MIC > 0.1 microgram/ml). We have not found significantly association between the variables studied and penicillin resistance among carriers of N. meningitidis., Conclusions: Age, spring season, sex, active smoking and overcrowded housing are significantly associated to carrier state. Prior use of antibiotics decreased to carrier state. According to our findings, reducing smoking habits and improving housing conditions may be useful measures to reduce the prevalence of carriers.

After describing the evolution of mortality from ischaemic cardiopathy (IC) in Spain from 1951 to 1986, which is tending to stabilize in some age groups, and from cerebrovascular accidents (CVA), which is clearly declining, an attempt is made to relate these developments to the prevalence of the main risk factors (hypertension, cholesterol, tobacco) associated with IC and CVA. Certain advances, though of a limited number, have been made in recent years in the control of arterial hypertension in Spain, although campaigns on a national scale as in other countries have not been carried out. Regarding alimentary factors, there is an obvious increase in the consumption of food rich in proteins and animal fats, abandoning to a great extent the traditional "Mediterranean diet", with health care action being limited to the improvement of nutrition education of the public. Furthermore, the consumption of tobacco has been increasing in Spain during the study period in spite of health legislation in force in recent years. It is therefore deduced that there is no obvious relationship between mortality due to IC and CVA and the prevalence of the main risk factors associated with these diseases, especially when taking into account that preventive actions on a public health level have been very limited.

This work gives a picture of the eating habits and nutritional state of children from the kindergarden of the Polytechnical University of Valencia. The data was obtained through a dietary survey and involved the weighing of foods as they were ingested. A high protein intake and a low intake of carbohydrate, iron, zinc, folic acid and vitamin D are observed. Proteins are mainly of animal origin owing to the high intake of dairy products, which on the other hand, are relatively poor in iron, zinc and folatos. The results obtained are similar in their main features to food tendencies observed in developed areas.

A low-energy diet can have an insufficient content of minerals and vitamins to meet nutritional requirements. We herein report on study of the contribution of the diet to mineral and vitamin intake in a Valencia pre-school children population. The results are compared with recommended daily intakes of energy, protein, lipid, carbohydrates, Ca, Fe, I, Zn, Mg and vitamins B1, B2, Niacin, Folic acid, B12, C, A and D. Our results show that the usual diet provides intakes below the recommended values in the case of Zn, Fe, Folates and vitamin D. Nevertheless, children studied do not show deficiency signs.