Browsing by Author "Parra Ullauri, Mayra Alejandra"

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Análisis de factores ambientales asociados a la presencia de metales pesados en aire alrededor de centros de educación inicial en la ciudad de Cuenca
(2020) Mejía Coronel, Julio Danilo; Parra Ullauri, Mayra Alejandra; Rodas Espinoza, Claudia; Andrade Tenesaca, Dolores Susana; Zegarra Peña, Ronny Rafael
Particulate matter (PM) air pollution, as a consequence of increasing traffic, is of high concern for public health in urban areas. The PM draws major attention, first because by its micrometric sizes can particles penetrate the lungs and hinder the gas exchange, and secondly due to its chemical composition including the presence of heavy metals, which can damage the biological systems. Despite its detrimental effects for the entire population, kids are more vulnerable because of its developing stage. It is known that PM concentrations can be influenced by street characteristics, meteorology, and the presence of surrounding vegetation, which constitute environmental factors related to the generation, dispersion, and deposition of PM. Due to the necessity of reducing population exposure to this type of pollution, the present study analyzed the correlation of environmental factors of generation, dispersion and deposition based on the available secondary information with the concentration of PM10, and metals (lead, cadmium, copper, and zinc) in air samples collected at 21 initial education centers in the city of Cuenca. The obtained results indicate low relationships between pollutants and environmental factors, the presence of high variability in pollutant concentrations, and PM10 levels often exceeding the limits established by the World Health Organization and national law.
Implementar el sistema de modelación WEAP como herramienta que determine el impacto del cambio climático sobre la disponibilidad del agua en la cuenca del río Machángara
(2016) Parra Ullauri, Mayra Alejandra; Avilés Añazco, Alex Manuel
There are different aspects that may impair the quantity and quality of water in a basin, such as population growth, the change of use of soil, climate, etc. However, the greatest concern and most sensitive aspect are the change in the climate that could lead to the increase of extreme events hydro meteorological that could jeopardize the supply of water for different demands.Therefore, this thesis analyzed future climatic scenarios of changes in precipitation and temperature and its impact on the availability of water in a river basin. In the present study, which will raise was analyzing the WEAP (Water Evaluation and Planning) planning model as a tool that will determine the impact of climate change on water availability in the basin of the Machángara River. The implementation of the model consisted of collecting historical data climatological and hydrological; in addition to the cartography of the zone of study so that they served as support for the same obtaining models that can be compared with the current reality. In addition, the software allowed the use of climate scenarios ECHAM A2 and B2, to for results to the changes brought by the variations of climate on water supply, and water managers could define and formulate future strategies for planning and management of water in the short and medium term.Among the results obtained from a cross between the supply and demand for water in the future, is that in the case of demand for human consumption for the months between June and August there will be a deficit of water for your needs.This study could serve as the water managers to take a decision based on a better use of the current and future water resource and its proper administration in the permanent search for a sustainable development of the population of the Machángara River basin.
Prevalence and risk factors for asthma, rhinitis, eczema, and atopy among preschool children in an andean city
(2020) Ochoa Avilés, María Cristina; Morillo Argudo, Diana Alexandra; Rodriguez, Alejandro; Cooper , Philip John; Andrade Tenesaca, Dolores Susana; Molina Cando, Maria Jose; Parra Ullauri, Mayra Alejandra; Parra Ullauri, Andrea; Mejía Coronel, Julio Danilo; Neira Molina, Vivian Alejandra; Rodas Espinoza, Claudia Rosana; Ochoa Avilés, Angélica María
Background: Limited data are available on prevalence and associated risk factors for atopy and allergic diseases from high-altitude urban settings in Latin America. Objective: To estimate the prevalence of atopy, asthma, rhinitis, and eczema, and associations with relevant risk factors in preschool children in the Andean city of Cuenca. Methods: A cross-sectional study was undertaken using a representative sample of 535 children aged 3-5 years attending 30 nursery schools in the city of Cuenca, Ecuador. Data on allergic diseases and risk factors were collected by parental questionnaire. Atopy was measured by skin prick test (SPT) reactivity to a panel of relevant aeroallergens. Associations between risk factors and the prevalence of atopy and allergic diseases were estimated using multivariable logistic regression. Results: Asthma symptoms were reported for 18% of children, rhinitis for 48%, and eczema for 28%, while SPT reactivity was present in 33%. Population fractions of asthma, rhinitis, and eczema attributable to SPT were 3.4%, 7.9%, and 2.9%, respectively. In multivariable models, an increased risk of asthma was observed among children with a maternal history of rhinitis (OR 1.85); rhinitis was significantly increased in children of high compared to low socioeconomic level (OR 2.09), among children with a maternal history of rhinitis (OR 2.29) or paternal history of eczema (OR 2.07), but reduced among children attending daycare (OR 0.64); eczema was associated with a paternal history of eczema (OR 3.73), and SPT was associated with having a dog inside the house (OR 1.67). Conclusions: A high prevalence of asthma, rhinitis, and eczema symptoms were observed among preschool children in a high-altitude Andean setting. Despite a high prevalence of atopy, only a small fraction of symptoms was associated with atopy. Parental history of allergic diseases was the most consistent risk factor for symptoms in preschool children.