The Invisible Burden of Violence Against Girls and Young Women in Mexico: 1990 to 2015.

The increasing burden of interpersonal violence in women in Mexico is a neglected social and health problem that competes with other leading causes of premature death, disability, and health losses in young women. In this article, we focus on revealing the burden of violence in girls and young women and its implications for public policy. This study presents the subnational analysis of Mexico from the Global Burden of Disease study (1990-2015). The global study harmonized information of 195 countries and 79 risk factors. The study analyzed the deaths, years of life lost to premature death (YLL), years lived with disability (YLD), and the healthy years of life lost or disability-adjusted life year (DALY) related to violence. Nationwide, violence in young women accounts for 7% of all deaths in the 10 to 29 years age group and arises as the second most important cause of death in all age groups, except 10 to 14 years old, where it stands in the seventh position from 1990 to 2015. The health losses and social impact related to violence in young women demands firm actions by the government and society. It is urgent for health institutions to focus on the health of girls and young women because gender inequities have an enormous effect on their lives. Girls and women are nearly universally less powerful, less privileged, and have fewer opportunities than men.

Lactobacillus paracasei as a protective factor of obesity induced by an unhealthy diet in children.

This study examined the association between intestinal lactobacilli and obesity dependent on dietary patterns in children. A cross-sectional study was conducted including 1111 children, 6-12 years old. Obesity was determined according to the WHO cut-off points. Diet information from a Food Frequency Questionnaire identified three dietary patterns. Lactobacillus sp. were determined by a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The consumption of complex carbohydrates and a high abundance of L. paracasei were associated with a lower risk of obesity (0.35, Confidence Interval 95% 0.19-0.65). The same happened with a medium consumption of fats and a medium abundance of L. paracasei (0.43, CI95% 0.24-0.78). In contrast, an increased risk of obesity is observed with a medium and high consumption of simple carbohydrates (2.37, CI95% 1.29-4.34 and 2.52, CI95% 1.36-4.66, respectively, p-trend<0.05), and low consumption of complex carbohydrates (2.49, CI95% 1.35-4.58), in the presence of a high relative abundance of L. reuteri. A high relative abundance of L. paracasei decreased the risk of obesity, even when high-fat and simple carbohydrate diets were consumed; while a high relative abundance of L. reuteri was associated with a greater possibility of obesity with these types of diets. Our results provide evidence of diet implication in metabolism regulators like lactobacilli. This is helpful in strategies development to promote healthy diets during early stages of life.

Burden of injury along the development spectrum: associations between the Socio-demographic Index and disability-adjusted life year estimates from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017.

BACKGROUND: The epidemiological transition of non-communicable diseases replacing infectious diseases as the main contributors to disease burden has been well documented in global health literature. Less focus, however, has been given to the relationship between sociodemographic changes and injury. The aim of this study was to examine the association between disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) from injury for 195 countries and territories at different levels along the development spectrum between 1990 and 2017 based on the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2017 estimates. METHODS: Injury mortality was estimated using the GBD mortality database, corrections for garbage coding and CODEm-the cause of death ensemble modelling tool. Morbidity estimation was based on surveys and inpatient and outpatient data sets for 30 cause-of-injury with 47 nature-of-injury categories each. The Socio-demographic Index (SDI) is a composite indicator that includes lagged income per capita, average educational attainment over age 15 years and total fertility rate. RESULTS: For many causes of injury, age-standardised DALY rates declined with increasing SDI, although road injury, interpersonal violence and self-harm did not follow this pattern. Particularly for self-harm opposing patterns were observed in regions with similar SDI levels. For road injuries, this effect was less pronounced. CONCLUSIONS: The overall global pattern is that of declining injury burden with increasing SDI. However, not all injuries follow this pattern, which suggests multiple underlying mechanisms influencing injury DALYs. There is a need for a detailed understanding of these patterns to help to inform national and global efforts to address injury-related health outcomes across the development spectrum.

Dengue seroprevalence in a cohort of schoolchildren and their siblings in Yucatan, Mexico (2015-2016).

BACKGROUND: The implementation of vector control interventions and potential introduction new tools requires baseline data to evaluate their direct and indirect effects. The objective of the study is to present the seroprevalence of dengue infection in a cohort of children 0 to 15 years old followed during 2015 to 2016, the risk factors and the role of enhanced surveillance strategies in three urban sites (Merida, Ticul and Progreso) in Yucatan, Mexico. METHODS: A cohort of school children and their family members was randomly selected in three urban areas with different demographic, social conditions and levels of transmission. We included results from 1,844 children aged 0 to 15 years. Serum samples were tested for IgG, NS1 and IgM. Enhanced surveillance strategies were established in schools (absenteeism) and cohort families (toll-free number). RESULTS: Seroprevalence in children 0 to 15 years old was 46.8 (CI 95% 44.1-49.6) with no difference by sex except in Ticul. Prevalence increased with age and was significantly lower in 0 to 5 years old (26.9%, 95% CI:18.4-35.4) compared with 6 to 8 years old (43.9%, 95% CI:40.1-47.7) and 9 to 15 years old (61.4%, 95% CI:58.0-64.8). Sharing the domestic space with other families increased the risk 1.7 times over the individual families that own or rented their house, while risk was significantly higher when kitchen and bathroom were outside. Complete protection with screens in doors and windows decreased risk of infection. Seroprevalence was significantly higher in the medium and high risk areas. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of antibodies in children 0 to 15 years in three urban settings in the state of Yucatan describe the high exposure and the heterogenous transmission of dengue virus by risk areas and between schools in the study sites. The enhanced surveillance strategy was useful to improve detection of dengue cases with the coincident transmission of chikungunya and Zika viruses.

Global Mortality From Firearms, 1990-2016.

Importance: Understanding global variation in firearm mortality rates could guide prevention policies and interventions. Objective: To estimate mortality due to firearm injury deaths from 1990 to 2016 in 195 countries and territories. Design, Setting, and Participants: This study used deidentified aggregated data including 13 812 location-years of vital registration data to generate estimates of levels and rates of death by age-sex-year-location. The proportion of suicides in which a firearm was the lethal means was combined with an estimate of per capita gun ownership in a revised proxy measure used to evaluate the relationship between availability or access to firearms and firearm injury deaths. Exposures: Firearm ownership and access. Main Outcomes and Measures: Cause-specific deaths by age, sex, location, and year. Results: Worldwide, it was estimated that 251 000 (95% uncertainty interval [UI], 195 000-276 000) people died from firearm injuries in 2016, with 6 countries (Brazil, United States, Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, and Guatemala) accounting for 50.5% (95% UI, 42.2%-54.8%) of those deaths. In 1990, there were an estimated 209 000 (95% UI, 172 000 to 235 000) deaths from firearm injuries. Globally, the majority of firearm injury deaths in 2016 were homicides (64.0% [95% UI, 54.2%-68.0%]; absolute value, 161 000 deaths [95% UI, 107 000-182 000]); additionally, 27% were firearm suicide deaths (67 500 [95% UI, 55 400-84 100]) and 9% were unintentional firearm deaths (23 000 [95% UI, 18 200-24 800]). From 1990 to 2016, there was no significant decrease in the estimated global age-standardized firearm homicide rate (-0.2% [95% UI, -0.8% to 0.2%]). Firearm suicide rates decreased globally at an annualized rate of 1.6% (95% UI, 1.1-2.0), but in 124 of 195 countries and territories included in this study, these levels were either constant or significant increases were estimated. There was an annualized decrease of 0.9% (95% UI, 0.5%-1.3%) in the global rate of age-standardized firearm deaths from 1990 to 2016. Aggregate firearm injury deaths in 2016 were highest among persons aged 20 to 24 years (for men, an estimated 34 700 deaths [95% UI, 24 900-39 700] and for women, an estimated 3580 deaths [95% UI, 2810-4210]). Estimates of the number of firearms by country were associated with higher rates of firearm suicide (P < .001; R2 = 0.21) and homicide (P < .001; R2 = 0.35). Conclusions and Relevance: This study estimated between 195 000 and 276 000 firearm injury deaths globally in 2016, the majority of which were firearm homicides. Despite an overall decrease in rates of firearm injury death since 1990, there was variation among countries and across demographic subgroups.

Temporal Trends in Mortality from Ischemic and Hemorrhagic Stroke in Mexico, 1980-2012.

BACKGROUND: Over the past decades, the decline in mortality from stroke has been more pronounced in high-income countries than in low- and middle-income countries. We evaluated changes in temporal stroke mortality trends in Mexico according to sex and type of stroke. METHODS: We assessed stroke mortality from Mexico's National Health Information System for the period from 1980 to 2012. We analyzed age-adjusted mortality rates by sex, type of stroke, and age group. The annual percentage change and the average annual percentage change (AAPC) in the slopes of the age-adjusted mortality trends were determined using joinpoint regression models. RESULTS: The age-adjusted mortality rates due to stroke decreased between 1980 and 2012, from 44.55 to 33.47 per 100,000 inhabitants, and the AAPC (95% confidence interval [CI]) was -.9 (-1.0 to -.7). The AAPC for females was -1.1 (-1.5 to -.7) and that for males was -.7 (-.9 to -.6). People older than 65 years showed the highest mortality throughout the period. Between 1980 and 2012, the AAPC (95% CI) for ischemic stroke was -3.8 (-4.8 to -2.8) and was -.5 (-.8 to -.2) for hemorrhagic stroke. For the same period, the AAPC for intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) was -.7 (-1.6 to .2) and that for subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) was 1.6 (.4-2.8). CONCLUSIONS: The age-adjusted mortality rates of all strokes combined, ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, and ICH, decreased between 1980 and 2012 in Mexico. However, the increase in SAH mortality makes it necessary to explore the risk factors and clinical management of this type of stroke.

Dissonant health transition in the states of Mexico, 1990-2013: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2013.

BACKGROUND: Child and maternal health outcomes have notably improved in Mexico since 1990, whereas rising adult mortality rates defy traditional epidemiological transition models in which decreased death rates occur across all ages. These trends suggest Mexico is experiencing a more complex, dissonant health transition than historically observed. Enduring inequalities between states further emphasise the need for more detailed health assessments over time. The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2013 (GBD 2013) provides the comprehensive, comparable framework through which such national and subnational analyses can occur. This study offers a state-level quantification of disease burden and risk factor attribution in Mexico for the first time. METHODS: We extracted data from GBD 2013 to assess mortality, causes of death, years of life lost (YLLs), years lived with disability (YLDs), disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), and healthy life expectancy (HALE) in Mexico and its 32 states, along with eight comparator countries in the Americas. States were grouped by Marginalisation Index scores to compare subnational burden along a socioeconomic dimension. We split extracted data by state and applied GBD methods to generate estimates of burden, and attributable burden due to behavioural, metabolic, and environmental or occupational risks. We present results for 306 causes, 2337 sequelae, and 79 risk factors. FINDINGS: From 1990 to 2013, life expectancy from birth in Mexico increased by 3·4 years (95% uncertainty interval 3·1-3·8), from 72·1 years (71·8-72·3) to 75·5 years (75·3-75·7), and these gains were more pronounced in states with high marginalisation. Nationally, age-standardised death rates fell 13·3% (11·9-14·6%) since 1990, but state-level reductions for all-cause mortality varied and gaps between life expectancy and years lived in full health, as measured by HALE, widened in several states. Progress in women's life expectancy exceeded that of men, in whom negligible improvements were observed since 2000. For many states, this trend corresponded with rising YLL rates from interpersonal violence and chronic kidney disease. Nationally, age-standardised YLL rates for diarrhoeal diseases and protein-energy malnutrition markedly decreased, ranking Mexico well above comparator countries. However, amid Mexico's progress against communicable diseases, chronic kidney disease burden rapidly climbed, with age-standardised YLL and DALY rates increasing more than 130% by 2013. For women, DALY rates from breast cancer also increased since 1990, rising 12·1% (4·6-23·1%). In 2013, the leading five causes of DALYs were diabetes, ischaemic heart disease, chronic kidney disease, low back and neck pain, and depressive disorders; the latter three were not among the leading five causes in 1990, further underscoring Mexico's rapid epidemiological transition. Leading risk factors for disease burden in 1990, such as undernutrition, were replaced by high fasting plasma glucose and high body-mass index by 2013. Attributable burden due to dietary risks also increased, accounting for more than 10% of DALYs in 2013. INTERPRETATION: Mexico achieved sizeable reductions in burden due to several causes, such as diarrhoeal diseases, and risks factors, such as undernutrition and poor sanitation, which were mainly associated with maternal and child health interventions. Yet rising adult mortality rates from chronic kidney disease, diabetes, cirrhosis, and, since 2000, interpersonal violence drove deteriorating health outcomes, particularly in men. Although state inequalities from communicable diseases narrowed over time, non-communicable diseases and injury burdens varied markedly at local levels. The dissonance with which Mexico and its 32 states are experiencing epidemiological transitions might strain health-system responsiveness and performance, which stresses the importance of timely, evidence-informed health policies and programmes linked to the health needs of each state. FUNDING: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública.

Tendencia de la mortalidad por trastornos mentales: un panorama epidemiológico en México (1980-2011) / Tendency of mortality due to mental disorders: an epidemiologic view (Mexico, 1980-2011)

Resumen Se presentan resultados que buscan caracterizar el panorama epidemiológico sobre la tendencia de la mortalidad derivada de enfermedades mentales, específicamente psicosis alcohólica, ocurrido en los últimos 30 años, en la República Mexicana.

Abstract Here we present the results that show the tendency in mortality due to mental disorders, specifically alcohol-related psychosis, in the last 30 years in Mexico.

La carga de enfermedad, lesiones, factores de riesgo y desafíos para el sistema de salud en México / Burden of disease, injuries, risk factors and challenges for the health system in Mexico

Objetivo. Presentar los resultados de la carga de enfermedad en México de 1990 a 2010 para las principales enfermedades, lesiones y factores de riesgo, por sexo. Materiales y métodos. Se realizó un análisis secundario del estudio de la carga mundial de la enfermedad 2010. Resultados. En 2010 se perdieron 26.2 millones de años de vida saludable (AVISA), 56% en hombres y 44% en mujeres. Las principales causas de AVISA en hombres fueron violencia, cardiopatía isquémica y los accidentes de tránsito. En las mujeres fueron la diabetes, la enfermedad renal crónica y la cardiopatía isquémica. Los trastornos mentales y musculoesqueléticos concentran 18% de la carga. Los factores de riesgo que más afectan a los hombres son sobrepeso/obesidad; niveles de glucosa en sangre y de presión arterial elevados; y el consumo de alcohol y tabaco (35.6% de AVISA perdidos). En las mujeres, el sobrepeso y la obesidad; glucosa elevada; hipertensión arterial; baja actividad física; y el consumo de alcohol y tabaco fueron responsables de 40% de los AVISA perdidos; en ambos sexos, la dieta contribuye con 12% de la carga. Conclusiones. El panorama epidemiológico en México demanda una urgente adecuación y modernización del sistema de salud.

Objective. To present the results of the burden of disease, injuries and risk factors in Mexico from 1990 to 2010 for the principal illnesses, injuries and risk factors by sex. Materials and methods. A secondary analysis of the study results published by the Global Burden of Disease 2010 for Mexico performed by IHME. Results. In 2010, Mexico lost 26.2 million of Disability adjusted live years (DALYs), 56 % were in male and 44 % in women. The main causes of DALYs in men are violence, ischemic heart disease and road traffic injuries. In the case of women the leading causes are diabetes, chronic kidney disease and ischemic heart diseases. The mental disorders and musculoskeletal conditions concentrate 18% of health lost. The risk factors that most affect men in Mexico are: alcohol consumption, overweight/obesity, high blood glucose levels and blood pressure and tobacco consumption (35.6 % of DALYs lost). In women, overweight and obesity, high blood sugar and blood pressure, lack of physical activity and consumption of alcohol are responsible for 40 % of DALYs lost. In both sexes the problems with diet contribute 12% of the burden. Conclusions. The epidemiological situation in Mexico, demands an urgent adaptation and modernization of the health system.

[Burden of disease, injuries, risk factors and challenges for the health system in Mexico]. / La carga de enfermedad, lesiones, factores de riesgo y desafíos para el sistema de salud en México.

OBJECTIVE: To present the results of the burden of disease, injuries and risk factors in Mexico from 1990 to 2010 for the principal illnesses, injuries and risk factors by sex. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A secondary analysis of the study results published by the Global Burden of Disease 2010 for Mexico performed by IHME. RESULTS: In 2010, Mexico lost 26.2 million of Disability adjusted live years (DALYs), 56 % were in male and 44 % in women. The main causes of DALYs in men are violence, ischemic heart disease and road traffic injuries. In the case of women the leading causes are diabetes, chronic kidney disease and ischemic heart diseases. The mental disorders and musculoskeletal conditions concentrate 18% of health lost. The risk factors that most affect men in Mexico are: alcohol consumption, overweight/obesity, high blood glucose levels and blood pressure and tobacco consumption (35.6 % of DALYs lost). In women, overweight and obesity, high blood sugar and blood pressure, lack of physical activity and consumption of alcohol are responsible for 40 % of DALYs lost. In both sexes the problems with diet contribute 12% of the burden. CONCLUSIONS: The epidemiological situation in Mexico, demands an urgent adaptation and modernization of the health system.

[Comparing pedestrian injury mortality in Mexico City: ¿have changes occurred over a decade?]. / Comparación de datos sobre mortalidad por atropellamientos en la Ciudad de México: ¿se han presentado cambios en una década?

OBJECTIVE: To compare and analyze the main characteristics associated with pedestrian injuries mortality in Mexico City. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A crossectional design was done using the mortality database related with pedestrian fatality during the periods 1994-1997 and 2004-2007. Variables as sex, age, residence, education and place of evento ccurrence were analyzed. Standardized mortality ratios by delegation were used to the analysis. RESULTS: There was a reduction during 2004-2007 at least 17.5% in deaths by pedestrian injuries and mortality rate of 1.9/100.000 inhabitants on the first period.The high decrease was in men (4,6/100.000) than in women (1,2/100.000). (p<0,05). Four delegations presented the highest risk of pedestrian injuries death during both periods. CONCLUSIONS: Results show significant changes among both periods. Differences by sex pointed out the need of a differential analysis of the problem. Contribute to elaborate new research questions to be addressed in the future to work on the prevention of this public health problem.

Comparación de datos sobre mortalidad por atropellamientos en la Ciudad de México: ¿se han presentado cambios en una década? / Comparing pedestrian injury mortality in Mexico City: ¿have changes occurred over a decade?

OBJETIVO: Comparar y analizar las principales características de los peatones asociadas con muertes por atropellamiento en la Ciudad de México. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Diseño transversal comparativo que emplea registros de muertes por atropellamiento en la Ciudad de México durante dos periodos iguales 1994-1997 y 2004-2007.Variables analizadas: sexo, edad, lugar de residencia y de ocurrencia,escolaridad y cohorte de nacimiento.Se elaboraron razones estandarizadas de mortalidad por delegación. RESULTADOS: La mortalidad por atropellamientos en 2004-2007 desciende 17.5 por ciento y la tasa en 1.9/100.000 habitantes respecto del primer periodo. El descenso es mayor en hombres (4,6/100.000) que en mujeres (1,2/100,000). El riesgo se concentra en cuatro delegaciones, para ambos períodos. CONCLUSIONES: La metodología permite observar cambios significativos entre los periodos analizados y genera la necesidad del análisis por sexo. Los resultados plantean nuevas preguntas a resolver con otros diseños encaminados a la prevención de este problema de salud pública.

OBJECTIVE: To compare and analyze the main characteristics associated with pedestrian injuries mortality in Mexico City. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A crossectional design was done using the mortality database related with pedestrian fatality during the periods 1994-1997 and 2004-2007. Variables as sex, age, residence, education and place of evento ccurrence were analyzed. Standardized mortality ratios by delegation were used to the analysis. RESULTS: There was a reduction during 2004-2007 at least 17.5 percent in deaths by pedestrian injuries and mortality rate of 1.9/100.000 inhabitants on the first period.The high decrease was in men (4,6/100.000) than in women (1,2/100.000). (p<0,05). Four delegations presented the highest risk of pedestrian injuries death during both periods. CONCLUSIONS: Results show significant changes among both periods. Differences by sex pointed out the need of a differential analysis of the problem. Contribute to elaborate new research questions to be addressed in the future to work on the prevention of this public health problem.

Motivos de uso y no uso de puentes peatonales en la Ciudad de México: la perspectiva de los peatones / Use and non-use of pedestrian bridges in Mexico City: the pedestrian perspective

OBJETIVO. Analizar los motivos de uso y no uso de puentes peatonales (PP). MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS. Se empleó un diseño transversal, a partir de una muestra de peatones usuarios y no usuarios de PP; se utilizó regresión logística para identificar los factores que influyen en el uso y no uso de PP. RESULTADOS. La prevalencia de no uso fue 50.5 por ciento en 813 peatones entrevistados; la principal razón para usar PP fue "seguridad", del no uso fue "flojera". Hubo diferencias significativas al analizar motivos de no uso de PP en las edades de 19 a 36 años, ajustando por escolaridad y características físicas del PP, con RMa. 1.7 (IC95 por ciento 1.06-2.86) y RMa. 1.9 (IC95 por ciento 1.14-3.33), respectivamente. CONCLUSIONES. Los resultados de este estudio permiten identificar aspectos importantes a considerar desde la perspectiva de los peatones, antes de construir nuevos PP, así como aquéllos que deben mejorarse para incrementar su uso en zonas de alto riesgo de lesiones por atropellamiento.

OBJECTIVE. To analyze the motives for using and not using pedestrian bridges (PB). MATERIAL AND METHODS. A cross-sectional survey was conducted of a sample of pedestrian users and non-users of PB; a logistic regression model was used to analyze the motives for use and non-use. RESULTS. The prevalence of non-use was 50.5 percent of 813 surveyed pedestrians; the principal reason to use a PB was safety, and not to use it was "laziness". There were significant differences when analyzing the reason of non-use in the age groups 19 to 36 years, adjusted for education and physical characteristics of the PB ([aOR=1.7; 95 percent CI=1.06-2.86] and [ORa.1.9; 95 percent CI=1.14-3.33], respectively). CONCLUSIONS. The results of this study allow us to identify important aspects to consider "from the perspective of the pedestrians" when constructing new PB and improving existing PB to increase use in areas with a high risk of pedestrian injuries.

Medidas de prevención primaria para controlar lesiones y muertes en peatones y fomentar la seguridad vial / Primary prevention measures for controlling pedestrian injuries and deaths and improving road safety

Dentro de las lesiones causadas por el tránsito (LCT) los atropellamientos representan a nivel mundial al menos la tercera parte de éstas; son eventos que habitualmente generan lesiones corporales incapacitantes e incluso pueden provocar la muerte. En Latino-América las personas afectadas, en general, son hombres entre 20 y 45 años, en edad productiva, jefes de hogar, personas que sostienen sus familias, su ausencia genera gran impacto en la economía de sus hogares. Se realizó una revisión sistemática sobre la carga que representan las LCT, en especial los atropellamientos y sobre las medidas de prevención primaria diseñadas e implementadas para el control de lesiones fatales y no fatales en peatones a través del mejoramiento de procesos de seguridad vial. En Latino- América los atropellamientos han sido poco estudiados; el grueso de intervenciones para reducir las LCT se han orientado hacia el conductor y ocupantes de vehículos y poco hacia los demás actores del tránsito, incrementando la desigualdad y vulnerabilidad de peatones; existe consenso mundial entre expertos, que es necesario investigaciones rigurosas, en especial en países de bajos y medianos ingresos orientados a evaluar la efectividad de intervenciones focalizadas hacia otros actores del tránsito; en la presente revisión se expone una variedad de estrategias de prevención primaria diferentes a puentes peatonales que según la evidencia disponible debe empezar a implementarse. Varias de éstas incluyen modificaciones al medio ambiente físico, educación, control de la velocidad, cumplimiento de la legislación y respeto por el peatón, valorando sus limitantes y vulnerabilidad.

At least 30 percent of traffic-related injuries involve pedestrians. These events typically result in incapacitating physical injury and may even cause death. Productive-agedmen, aged 20 to 45, represent the people generally affected in Latin-America. They tend to be heads of household supporting their families and whose absence greatly affects the home's financial situation. A systematic review was conducted of the burden represented by traffic-related injuries, especially those involving pedestrians, and of the primary preventative measures designed and implemented for controlling fatal and non-fatal injuries to pedestrians by improving road safety. There have been few studies in Latin-America regarding these types of accidents and most interventions aimed at reducing traffic-related injuries have been directed towards vehicle drivers and passengers, little attention being focused on other traffic-related actors. This increases pedestrian inequality and vulnerability. There is a consensus among experts worldwide that rigorous investigation is needed (especially in low- and middle-income countries) to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions focused on other traffic-related actors. This review presents a variety of primary prevention strategies, other than pedestrian bridges, which (according to the available evidence) should start to be implemented. These would include modifying the physical environment, education, speed controls, enforcing legislation and imposing respect for pedestrians, valuing their limitations and vulnerability.

[Use and non-use of pedestrian bridges in Mexico City. The pedestrian perspective]. / Motivos de uso y no uso de puentes peatonales en la Ciudad de México. La perspectiva de los peatones.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the motives for using and not using pedestrian bridges (PB). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted of a sample of pedestrian users and non-users of PB; a logistic regression model was used to analyze the motives for use and non-use. RESULTS: The prevalence of non-use was 50.5 % of 813 surveyed pedestrians; the principal reason to use a PB was safety, and not to use it was "laziness". There were significant differences when analyzing the reason of non-use in the age groups 19 to 36 years, adjusted for education and physical characteristics of the PB ([aOR=1.7; 95 % CI=1.06-2.86] and [ORa.1.9; 95 % CI=1.14-3.33], respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study allow us to identify important aspects to consider--from the perspective of the pedestrians--when constructing new PB and improving existing PB to increase use in areas with a high risk of pedestrian injuries.

[Primary prevention measures for controlling pedestrian injuries and deaths and improving road safety]. / Medidas de prevención primaria para controlar lesiones y muertes en peatones y fomentar la seguridad vial.

At least 30 % of traffic-related injuries involve pedestrians. These events typically result in incapacitating physical injury and may even cause death. Productive-aged men, aged 20 to 45, represent the people generally affected in Latin-America. They tend to be heads of household supporting their families and whose absence greatly affects the home's financial situation. A systematic review was conducted of the burden represented by traffic-related injuries, especially those involving pedestrians, and of the primary preventative measures designed and implemented for controlling fatal and non-fatal injuries to pedestrians by improving road safety. There have been few studies in Latin-America regarding these types of accidents and most interventions aimed at reducing traffic-related injuries have been directed towards vehicle drivers and passengers, little attention being focused on other traffic-related actors. This increases pedestrian inequality and vulnerability. There is a consensus among experts worldwide that rigorous investigation is needed (especially in low- and middle-income countries) to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions focused on other traffic-related actors. This review presents a variety of primary prevention strategies, other than pedestrian bridges, which (according to the available evidence) should start to be implemented. These would include modifying the physical environment, education, speed controls, enforcing legislation and imposing respect for pedestrians, valuing their limitations and vulnerability.

Costs of medical care for acute myocardial infarction attributable to tobacco consumption.

BACKGROUND: Tobacco consumption is the principal modifiable risk factor causally associated with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). AMI has been an increasing and important cause of death in Mexico since 1980. METHODS: To estimate the direct health care costs of AMI, we carried out a cost of illness (COI) analysis, using data derived from an expert panel consensus and from medical chart review. We used the smoking attributable fraction (SAF) estimates to derive costs of tobacco consumption. We also estimated the benefits of a "Smoke-free Workplace" tobacco control policy in terms of avoidable deaths and health care costs savings. RESULTS: We estimated an annual average costs of 6,420 US dollars and 9,216 US dollars for non-ST segment elevation AMI (NSTEMI) and ST segment elevation AMI (STEMI), respectively. The total annual health care costs estimated for incident AMI for the IMSS state-level division of Morelos reached 2.9 million US dollars, of which 1.6 million US dollars was directly attributed to tobacco consumption. CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirm the high costs associated with smoking and show the potential benefits resulting from a tobacco control policy. Our estimates are only applicable to social security in the state-level division of Morelos and more likely represent a lower boundary of the total costs of cardiovascular diseases attributed to tobacco, because we based the costs estimation on incident cases, and we did not take into consideration the costs derived from prevalent cases, indirect costs or other intangibles.

[Poverty, youth and consumption of tobacco in Mexico]. / Pobreza, jóvenes y consumo de tabaco en México.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize tobacco use according to level of poverty in a random, nationally representative sample of adolescents (10 to 21 years old), living in urban areas with less than 50,000 inhabitants. The study was done in 2001 as part of the baseline assessment of the evaluation of the governmental program, Oportunidades. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A questionnaire was applied to 29,548 adolescents living in 30 000 selected households and it included specific questions on individual tobacco use among other questions. RESULTS: The prevalence of smokers was 3.5% (95% CI: 3.3%-3.7%) and experimenters 9.9% (95% CI: 9.6%-10.2%). A logistic regression model for clustered data was constructed in order to evaluate the associated factors that distinguish a smoker from an experimenter. After adjusting for level of poverty of the household and use of alcohol and drugs, a significant association (OR = 1.5, p <0.01) was found with having a paid job and a differential association was found between gender and age group. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that the additional availability of money that an adolescent has, could increase the prevalence of tobacco smoking and that the program Oportunidades should include prevention campaigns directed specifically at this population group.

Pobreza, jóvenes y consumo de tabaco en México / Poverty, youth and consumption of tobacco in Mexico

OBJETIVO: Caracterizar el consumo de tabaco de acuerdo con el nivel de pobreza en una muestra probabilística nacional de jóvenes de 10 a 21 años de edad que viven en zonas suburbanas de México. El estudio forma parte de la evaluación del programa gubernamental Oportunidades (2001). MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se entrevistaron a 29 548 jóvenes residentes en 30 000 hogares. Se calcularon la prevalencia de fumar y los factores relacionados que diferencian al fumador habitual del experimentador. RESULTADOS: La prevalencia de fumadores y experimentadores fue de 3.5 por ciento (IC95 por ciento 3.3-3.7) y 9.9 por ciento (IC95 por ciento 9.6-10.2), respectivamente. El nexo entre los diferentes factores que se vinculan con las condiciones de fumador y experimentador se evaluó a través de modelos de regresión logística para datos agrupados. Después de ajustar por nivel de pobreza del hogar y consumo de alcohol y drogas, se detectó una relación significativa (RM = 1.5, p <0.01) con tener un trabajo remunerado y una diferencial entre el género y el grupo de edad. CONCLUSIONES: La disponibilidad de dinero por parte del joven es un factor que contribuye a explicar la transición entre experimentar y fumar. Dado que el programa Oportunidades incluye transferencias monetarias a los hogares incorporados al programa, es necesario instituir campañas de prevención para evitar que la disponibilidad adicional de dinero en los jóvenes se utilice en la compra de cigarillos.

Determinants of vaccination after the Colombian health system reform.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of individual, household and healthcare system factors on poor children's use of vaccination after the reform of the Colombian health system. METHODS: A household survey was carried out in a random sample of insured poor population in Bogota, in 1999. The conceptual and analytical framework was based on the Andersen's Behavioral Model of Health Services Utilization. It considers two units of analysis for studying vaccination use and its determinants: the insured poor population, including the children and their families characteristics; and the health care system. Statistical analysis were carried out by chi-square test with 95% confidence intervals, multivariate regression models and Cronbach's alpha coefficient. RESULTS: The logistic regression analysis showed that vaccination use was related not only to population characteristics such as family size (OR=4.3), living area (OR=1.7), child's age (OR=0.7) and head-of-household's years of schooling (OR=0.5), but also strongly related to health care system features, such as having a regular health provider (OR=6.0) and information on providers' schedules and requirements for obtaining care services (OR=2.1). CONCLUSIONS: The low vaccination use and the relevant relationships to health care delivery systems characteristics show that there are barriers in the healthcare system, which should be assessed and eliminated. Non-availability of regular healthcare and deficient information to the population are factors that can limit service utilization.