Association between suicidal behavior and symptoms of other mental health problems in Mexican adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Suicidal behavior in adolescents is a growing public health problem. Knowing its risk factors is key for reducing it. OBJECTIVE: To identify the relationship between two suicidal behaviors (ideation and attempt) and eight mental health problems (MHPs) in Mexican adolescents. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Through an online survey of adolescent students from 20 states, the following information was screened: symptomatology of six MHPs (affective problems/depression, behavioral problems, somatic problems, inattention and hyperactivity problems, oppositional defiant problems and anxiety problems) and suicidal behavior (suicidal ideation and suicide attempts). MHP and suicidal behavior frequencies and percentages were analyzed, and associations were sought using binary logistic regression. RESULTS: Six-thousand seven hundred sixty-six adolescents completed the survey, out of whom 61.02% were females, with ages ranging between 11 and 19 years (16.38 ± 1.33); 10% reported suicidal behavior, and between 3 and 5%, MHPs. The predictors (χ2(8) = 387.13, p < 0.001) of suicidal behavior were affective problems/depression, behavioral problems, somatic problems, oppositional defiant problems and anxiety problems. CONCLUSION: Five mental health problems increased the risk of reporting suicidal behaviors.

ANTECEDENTES: Las conductas suicidas en adolescentes son un problema de salud pública que va en aumento. Conocer sus factores de riesgo es clave para reducirlas. OBJETIVO: Identificar la relación entre dos conductas suicidas (ideación e intento) y ocho problemas de salud mental (PSM) en adolescentes mexicanos. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Mediante una encuesta en línea a adolescentes escolarizados de 20 estados, se tamizó la siguiente información: sintomatología de seis PSM (problemas afectivos/depresión, problemas conductuales, problemas somáticos, problemas de inatención e hiperactividad, problemas oposicionistas desafianes y problemas de ansiedad) y conducta suicida (ideación e intentos de suicidio). Se analizaron frecuencias y porcentajes y se indagó asociación mediante regresión logística binaria. RESULTADOS: Completaron la encuesta 6766 adolescentes entre 11 y 19 años (16.38 ± 1.33), 61.02 % del sexo femenino. El 10 % reportó conducta suicida y entre 3 y 5 %, PSM. Los factores predictivos (χ2(8) = 387.13, p < 0.001) de la conducta suicida fueron problemas afectivos/depresión, problemas conductuales, problemas somáticos, problemas oposicionistas desafiantes y problemas de ansiedad. CONCLUSIÓN: Cinco problemas de salud mental incrementaron el riesgo de reportar conductas suicidas.

Asociación entre conducta suicida y síntomas de otros problemas de salud mental en adolescentes mexicanos / Association between suicidal behavior and symptoms of other mental health problems in Mexican adolescents

Resumen Antecedentes: Las conductas suicidas en adolescentes son un problema de salud pública que va en aumento. Conocer sus factores de riesgo es clave para reducirlas. Objetivo: Identificar la relación entre dos conductas suicidas (ideación e intento) y ocho problemas de salud mental (PSM) en adolescentes mexicanos. Material y métodos: Mediante una encuesta en línea a adolescentes escolarizados de 20 estados, se tamizó la siguiente información: sintomatología de seis PSM (problemas afectivos/depresión, problemas conductuales, problemas somáticos, problemas de inatención e hiperactividad, problemas oposicionistas desafianes y problemas de ansiedad) y conducta suicida (ideación e intentos de suicidio). Se analizaron frecuencias y porcentajes y se indagó asociación mediante regresión logística binaria. Resultados: Completaron la encuesta 6766 adolescentes entre 11 y 19 años (16.38 ± 1.33), 61.02 % del sexo femenino. El 10 % reportó conducta suicida y entre 3 y 5 %, PSM. Los factores predictivos (χ2(8) =387.13, p < 0.001) de la conducta suicida fueron problemas afectivos/depresión, problemas conductuales, problemas somáticos, problemas oposicionistas desafiantes y problemas de ansiedad. Conclusión: Cinco problemas de salud mental incrementaron el riesgo de reportar conductas suicidas.

Abstract Background: Suicidal behavior in adolescents is a growing public health problem. Knowing its risk factors is key for reducing it. Objective: To identify the relationship between two suicidal behaviors (ideation and attempt) and eight mental health problems (MHPs) in Mexican adolescents. Material and methods: Through an online survey of adolescent students from 20 states, the following information was screened: symptomatology of six MHPs (affective problems/depression, behavioral problems, somatic problems, inattention and hyperactivity problems, oppositional defiant problems and anxiety problems) and suicidal behavior (suicidal ideation and suicide attempts). MHP and suicidal behavior frequencies and percentages were analyzed, and associations were sought using binary logistic regression. Results: Six-thousand seven hundred sixty-six adolescents completed the survey, out of whom 61.02% were females, with ages ranging between 11 and 19 years (16.38 ± 1.33); 10% reported suicidal behavior, and between 3 and 5%, MHPs. The predictors (χ2(8) = 387.13, p < 0.001) of suicidal behavior were affective problems/depression, behavioral problems, somatic problems, oppositional defiant problems and anxiety problems. Conclusions: Five mental health problems increased the risk of reporting suicidal behaviors.

ACEs and mental health problems as suicidality predictors in Mexican adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Various factors, including mental health comorbidity, family dysfunction, interpersonal violence, and community and social violence, cause suicidal behavior. Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) encompass these risk factors and are correlated with mental health problems and suicidal behavior in Mexican adolescents. METHODS: A survey was conducted among Mexican school-aged adolescents to measure ACEs, MHP symptoms, and suicidal behavior. A binary logistic regression was used to examine the relationship between these variables. The study was conducted with IRB approval, and all participants provided informed consent. Those at risk of suicide were referred for online psychological care. RESULTS: 7325 adolescents participated; 60 % were women, with an average age of 16 years (SD + 1), 87 % of the participants reported at least one ACE, 13 % symptoms of at least one MHP and 10 % suicidal behavior. MHP predictors of suicidal behavior were: conduct problems (OR = 5.67), symptoms of depression (OR = 3.27), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OR = 2.11), somatic problems (OR = 1.98), and attention deficit (OR = 1.69). EAI predictors were: live sexual violence (OR = 2.53), physical violence (OR = 2.21), negligence (OR = 2.05), bullying (OR = 2.10), and a family member with a mental health diagnosis (OR = 1.35). The cumulative effect of ACEs and MHP significantly increased the risk (OR = 78.08). CONCLUSIONS: 5 ACEs and 4 MHP were associated with suicidal behavior; their cumulative effect increased the risk to 78 times.

ACE-IQ extended version validation and ACE's frequency in Mexican adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) may have short, middle, and long-term consequences on people's development and physical and mental health. There is a need for information on this subject in low- and middle-income countries and a need to reduce recall bias in ACEs research worldwide. OBJECTIVE: Hence our objectives were to translate, adapt and validate the Adverse Childhood Experiences extended version and to determine ACEs frequencies in a sample of Mexican adolescents. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: A convenience sample of 5835 schooled Mexican adolescents (age: M = 16.13, SD = 1.32; 61.01 % females) from 20 states in Mexico completed a survey. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted with an extended version of the ACE-International Questionnaire (ACE-IQ), which assesses 23 ACEs organized into five categories: situations that cause household dysfunction, exposure to violence, violence from parents or guardians, interpersonal violence, and sociodemographic context. RESULTS: Evidence of construct validity and reliability of the questionnaire was obtained, and 16 ACEs were included in the final ACE-IQ version. 90 % of adolescents had one or more ACEs. Neglect was the most experienced ACE reported by 73.30 % of the participants, with no significant difference by age, sex, or geographic region. CONCLUSION: ACE-IQ questionnaire is a reliable and valid instrument to recommend its use for generating information on ACEs in studies on Mexican adolescents. The results on the frequency of ACEs revealed that 90 % of this schooled Mexican adolescent sample had experienced one or more ACEs, and about a third had experienced six or more.

Victimization and factors related to polyvictimization in adolescents of Mexico City.

INTRODUCTION: Experiencing or being exposed to violence is called victimization; living it can generate repercussions on health, quality of life and life expectancy. OBJECTIVES: To describe victimization and identify factors related to polyvictimization (≥ 4 victimization incidents) in adolescents. METHODS: After informed consent and assent were obtained, the ICAST-C and Youth Self-Report validated self-report questionnaires were applied in nine public secondary schools, by means of which demographic data, six forms of victimization and symptoms related to eight mental health problems were investigated. Frequencies of the forms of victimization and polyvictimization were obtained and an ordinal regression was carried out to identify variables related to polyvictimization. RESULTS: The answers of 638 participants were included; 49.37% reported victimization throughout life, 53.37% before previous year and 68.86% during previous year; 47.65% reported polyvictimization, 21.75% before previous year and 17.53% during previous year. The factors related to polyvictimization were depression-introversion, attention deficit, rule-breaking behaviors, bullying and parental separation/divorce. CONCLUSIONS: Victimization and polyvictimization were frequent in this sample of adolescents; the factors that were related to polyvictimization included symptoms of mental health problems, bullying and parental divorce/separation.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Experimentar o exponerse a la violencia se denomina victimización; vivirla puede repercutir en la salud, calidad y esperanza de vida. OBJETIVOS: Describir la victimización e identificar los factores relacionados con la polivictimización (≥ 4 incidentes) en adolescentes. MÉTODOS: Se aplicaron los cuestionarios validados de autorreporte ICAST-C y Youth Self Report en nueve escuelas secundarias públicas, previo consentimiento y asentimiento informados, con los que se investigaron datos demográficos, seis formas de victimización y sintomatología relacionada con ocho problemas de salud mental. Se obtuvieron frecuencias de las formas de victimización y polivictimización y se realizó regresión ordinal para identificar variables relacionadas con la polivictimización. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron las respuestas de 638 participantes, 49.37 % indicó victimización a lo largo de la vida, 53.37 % antes del año anterior y 68.86 % durante el año anterior; 47.65 % reportó polivictimización, 21.75 % antes del año anterior y 17.53 % durante el año anterior. Los factores relacionados con la polivictimización fueron depresión-introversión, déficit de atención, conductas para romper las reglas, bullying realizado y separación/divorcio de los padres. CONCLUSIONES: La victimización y polivictimización fueron frecuentes en los adolescentes estudiados; la sintomatología de problemas de salud mental, bullying realizado y divorcio/separación de los padres se relacionaron con polivictimización.

Victimización y factores relacionados con polivictimización en adolescentes de la Ciudad de México / Victimization and factors related to polyvictimization in adolescents of Mexico City

Resumen Introducción: Experimentar o exponerse a la violencia se denomina victimización; vivirla puede repercutir en la salud, calidad y esperanza de vida. Objetivos: Describir la victimización e identificar los factores relacionados con la polivictimización (≥ 4 incidentes) en adolescentes. Métodos: Se aplicaron los cuestionarios validados de autorreporte ICAST-C y Youth Self Report en nueve escuelas secundarias públicas, previo consentimiento y asentimiento informados, con los que se investigaron datos demográficos, seis formas de victimización y sintomatología relacionada con ocho problemas de salud mental. Se obtuvieron frecuencias de las formas de victimización y polivictimización y se realizó regresión ordinal para identificar variables relacionadas con la polivictimización. Resultados: Se incluyeron las respuestas de 638 participantes, 49.37 % indicó victimización a lo largo de la vida, 53.37 % antes del año anterior y 68.86 % durante el año anterior; 47.65 % reportó polivictimización, 21.75 % antes del año anterior y 17.53 % durante el año anterior. Los factores relacionados con la polivictimización fueron depresión-introversión, déficit de atención, conductas para romper las reglas, bullying realizado y separación/divorcio de los padres. Conclusiones: La victimización y polivictimización fueron frecuentes en los adolescentes estudiados; la sintomatología de problemas de salud mental, bullying realizado y divorcio/separación de los padres se relacionaron con polivictimización.

Abstract Introduction: Experiencing or being exposed to violence is called victimization; living it can generate repercussions on health, quality of life and life expectancy. Objectives: To describe victimization and identify factors related to polyvictimization (≥ 4 victimization incidents) in adolescents. Methods: After informed consent and assent were obtained, the ICAST-C and Youth Self-Report validated self-report questionnaires were applied in nine public secondary schools, by means of which demographic data, six forms of victimization and symptoms related to eight mental health problems were investigated. Frequencies of the forms of victimization and polyvictimization were obtained and an ordinal regression was carried out to identify variables related to polyvictimization. Results: The answers of 638 participants were included; 49.37% reported victimization throughout life, 53.37% before previous year and 68.86% during previous year; 47.65% reported polyvictimization, 21.75% before previous year and 17.53% during previous year. The factors related to polyvictimization were depression-introversion, attention deficit, rule-breaking behaviors, bullying and parental separation/divorce. Conclusions: Victimization and polyvictimization were frequent in this sample of adolescents; the factors that were related to polyvictimization included symptoms of mental health problems, bullying and parental divorce/separation.

Toxocara canis: Analysis of the kinetics of antigen release and antibody production in an in vivo model for the detection of past or present infection.

Worldwide, Toxocara canis is an important zoonotic nematode of public health concern. This soil-transmitted helminth causes visceral larva and ocular larva migrans in paratenic hosts. The detection of T. canis larva migrans is complicated because current immunological tests detect only IgG antibodies, which can cross-react with antigens from other parasites and cannot distinguish between the past and present infection. Analysis of antigen release and antibody production could help improve the detection of larva migrans. Here, we report the kinetics of antigen release, IgM and IgG production in an in vivo model for the detection of past or present infection. We used four groups of seven mice: two groups infected orally with 50 or 100 embryonated eggs, and the other two infected intraperitoneally with 50 or 100 live larvae. We obtained blood samples at 0, 3, 7, and 14days and, then, every two weeks until day 140. Sandwich ELISA and indirect ELISA were performed for antigen capture and the detection of immunoglobulins, respectively. Mice inoculated with larvae developed an immune response faster than those inoculated with eggs. In all groups, antigen capture was positive starting at 3days until 140days post-inoculation (dpi). Detection of immunoglobulins was at 14 or 28dpi in mice inoculated with larvae or eggs, respectively. Negative IgM values were detected at days 98 and 112. The samples remained positive for IgG until the last day of the experiment. Data suggest that in mice inoculated with T canis eggs, some larvae did not hatch, others died or never reached the bloodstream. Based on our model, we propose that there is early infection when only antigens are present, and active larva migrans when antigen and immunoglobulins are detected, implying an immune response of the host against the antigen. Our study offers a view into the parasite-host relationship and enables us to infer if there are live larvae. Additionally, these findings provide a foundation for the diagnosis and differentiation of recent infection and active larva migrans.

Successful capture of Toxocara canis larva antigens from human serum samples.

BACKGROUND: Toxocara canis is a nematode that parasitizes dogs, while humans are paratenic hosts. When humans are infected the migrating larvae damage the liver, lungs and even the nervous system. Larva migrans diagnosis is based on immunological techniques; however, the commercial immunodiagnostic kits detect anti-T. canis antibodies which may cross-react with other parasites, mainly nematodes with extra-intestinal migration. Moreover, antibodies do not necessarily reflect an active infection; so detection and quantification of circulating antigens may provide appropriate and timely information for treatment, which prevents irreversible damage. Here we report the standardization of a monoclonal antibody based antigen capture ELISA to diagnose human toxocariasis without cross-reaction. METHODS: We developed anti-T. canis polyclonal antibodies in rabbits and a monoclonal antibody in mouse which did not cross-react with 15 antigens from several parasites. The sandwich ELISA standardization was performed using sera from mice experimentally infected. We tested the method using 29 positive and 58 negative human sera previously typified with a commercial kit, which detects antibodies. RESULTS: Only 5.0 µg/mL and 10 µg/mL polyclonal antibodies and monoclonal antibody, respectively, were needed in the sandwich ELISA standardization, detecting since 440 pg/mL larva antigens. Nine out of 29 antibody-positive sera were also positive for antigens and no false positive were found. Taking the antibody kit as the reference standard, the sensibility and specificity of the antigen test were 31% and 100%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: With these tools we established a detection threshold as low as 440 pg/mL antigen. Monoclonal antibody is specific, and did not cross-react with antigens from other parasites. Detection of circulating antigens helps provide appropriate and timely treatment and prevents irreversible damage.

A simplified method for hatching and isolating Toxocara canis larvae to facilitate excretory-secretory antigen collection in vitro.

Human toxocariasis causes several dangerous syndromes that can involve the viscera, vision and central nervous system. Diagnosing toxocariasis requires the identification of antibodies against Toxocara canis or Toxocara cati excretions and secretions (ES). To obtain ES it is necessary to collect a large number of larvae. However, since the earliest work describing the culture of Toxocara larvae, few advances in the method have been made. It has been suggested that carbon dioxide triggers molecular mechanisms that enable nematode hatching. A similar hypothesis has been made regarding Giardia excystation. To test the hypothesis we used the Giardia excystation HBSS method to hatch embryonated T. canis eggs. We found that the HBSS method was more effective than the original De Savigny method. Our results suggest that both parasites require stimulation in an acidic environment, and the abrupt change to a basic milieu in duodenum. This physiological adaptation is successful to exploit the intestinal habitat.

A simple and inexpensive in vitro method for retrieving fertilized Toxocara canis eggs.

The erratic migration of nematode larvae is potentially deleterious for humans, especially those produced by Toxocara roundworms. Diagnosis of human toxocariosis: visceral larva migrans depends on antibody detection against excretions-secretions (E/S) from Toxocara larvae by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In the present work, we wish to propose a simple and cheap culture procedure for keeping T. canis female worms alive. We removed living worms from the small intestine of euthanized puppies at the Canine Control Centre "Culhuacan" in the Southern part of Mexico City. To ascertain the utility of the method, we compared the population size of fertilized eggs from both female worms kept in culture (FCM) and those obtained using uterus excision method (UEM). Operationally, a fertilized egg develops a larva after 1 month. Our results show that the culture method was superior at a ratio of 3:1 over UEM. FCM had advantages over UEM, such as (1) low probability of contamination with foreign antigens, (2) greater safety for infective egg manipulation, and (3) gave rise to a higher percentage of fertile eggs.