Relationship Between Low Education and Poor Periodontal Status among Mexican Adults Aged ≥50 Years.

PURPOSE: To examine the association between educational level and the presence of periodontal disease in adults ages ≥ 50 years in Mexico. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 2098 Mexican adults, using data from the annual reports of the Epidemiological Monitoring System for Oral Pathologies from 2019-2022. Data were collected on sociodemographic characteristics such as gender, age, educational level, oral hygiene, and diabetes. Periodontal status was evaluated using the Community Periodontal Index (CPI) and was classified into: CPI = 0 (healthy); CPI = 1 (bleeding on probing); CPI = 2 (calculus); and CPI = 3 or 4 (pocket depth ≥ 4 mm). A multinomial regression model was used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) and the 95% confidence intervals (CI), using periodontal status as the result. RESULTS: 39.9% of subjects presented periodontal pockets of ≥ 4 mm, 20.8% presented calculus, and 12.8% presented bleeding, while only 26.4% were classified as healthy. A low level of education (≤ 9 years) (OR = 4.84; p 0.001), age ≥ 65 years (OR = 1.33; p = 0.025), poor oral hygiene (OR = 6.86; p 0.001), smoking (OR = 1.51; p = 0.025), and diabetes (OR = 1.73; p 0.001) were statistically significantly associated with the presence of periodontal pockets ≥ 4 mm. CONCLUSIONS: A low level of education is associated with worse periodontal status in adults aged 50 years or more. These findings reiterate the importance of implementing effective strategies and the incorporation of interventions for improving the access to and quality of services targeted at aging communities.

Oral health-related quality-of-life scores differ by socioeconomic status, mother's level of education, dental visits and severity of malocclusion in mixed dentition of eight-to-ten-year-old schoolchildren.

OBJECTIVE: To determinate the association among socioeconomic status subject's mother's level of educational attainment, dental visits, and malocclusion in mixed dentition with on the OHRQoL of eight-to-ten-year-old children. METHODS: A cross-sectional study conducted, in 2019, on Mexican children from households of different socioeconomic status (SES). The prevalence of malocclusion was evaluated using the Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI), while the SES of the participants' households was evaluated using the three categories (corresponding to a high, middle, or low-income household) stipulated by the Consejo Nacional de Población (CONAPO or National Population Council). Oral Health-related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) was evaluated using the Child Perceptions Questionnaire (CPQ8-10). Poisson regression models were performed for the analysis of the data obtained. RESULTS: A total of 79.4% of the subjects presented some type of malocclusion in mixed dentition, which was, by severity, as follows: definite (31.3%); severe (25.6%); and, very severe (22.5%). The Poisson regression model revealed a greater negative impact on the following four CPQ8-10domains for children with severe/very severe malocclusion [RR]: oral symptoms [2.78]; functional limitations [2.72]; emotional well-being [2.59]; and, social well-being [3.99]. A greater impact on the four CPQ8-10domains was found for children from a low-income household than for children from a high-income (p < 0.001) household. Furthermore, poor oral hygiene, lack of dental visits, and the mother's level of educational attainment (<9 years) were found to have a negative impact on OHRQoL. CONCLUSION: The findings of the present study demonstrated that the severity of malocclusion was associated with a greater negative impact on the OHRQoL of children, while those children who face greater health inequalities are likely to report a greater negative impact on their OHRQoL.

Influencia de la modalidad de respuesta, edad y nivel de educación en el cuestionario internacional de síntomas prostáticos (IPSS) / Influence of the response modality, age and level of education in the international prostate symptoms questionnaire (IPSS)

OBJETIVOS: evaluar la influencia de la modalidad de respuesta (paciente vs. asistido por urólogo) en el cuestionario IPSS (International Prostate Symptom Score) y su relación con la edad y nivel de educación. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Análisis prospectivo de 74 pacientes que acudieron a la consulta de urología por síntomas de Hiperplasia Prostática Benigna (HPB) con o sin tratamiento para su patología y que no hayan completado anteriormente el cuestionario internacional de síntomas prostáticos (IPSS). Los cuestionarios fueron completados en la misma consulta urológica, primero por el paciente y luego con ayuda del urólogo. Se categorizó por edad y nivel de educación. Se evaluó la diferencia entre los puntajes de IPSS obtenidos con la forma autocompletada y con asistencia del urólogo y si esta diferencia estaba relacionada con la edad y con el nivel de educación. Los datos fueron analizados utilizando test no paramétrico para datos apareados de Wilcoxon. RESULTADOS: no se encontró diferencia estadísticamente significativa entre el cuestionario completado por el paciente y el asistido por el urólogo. La media del score total fue de 13,66, y 13,67, respectivamente (p: 0.86). Al analizar los subgrupos, con respecto a la edad y al nivel de educación, tampoco se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas. CONCLUSIÓN: en nuestra población de estudio, el cuestionario IPSS no fue influenciado por la modalidad de administración, tampoco por la edad ni por el nivel de educación.

OBJECTIVES: to evaluate the influence of the response modality (patient vs. urologist-assisted) in the IPSS questionnaire (international prostate symptom score) and its relationship with age and education level. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective analysis of 74 patients who came to the urology clinic for symptoms of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) with or without treatment for their pathology and who have not previously completed the international prostate symptoms questionnaire (IPSS). The questionnaires were completed in the same urological consultation, first by the patient and then with the help of the urologist. It was categorized by age and education level. The difference between the IPSS scores obtained with the self-completed form and with the assistance of the urologist and whether this difference was related to age and level of education was evaluated. The data were analyzed using non-parametric test for paired Wilcoxon data. RESULTS: no statistically significant difference was found between the questionnaire completed by the patient and the one assisted by the urologist. The average of the total score was 13.66, and 13.67, respectively (p: 0.86). When analyzing the subgroups, regarding age and level of education, no statistically significant differences were found. CONCLUSION: In our study population, the IPSS questionnaire was not influenced by the modality of administration, neither by age nor by level of education.

Parásitos intestinales en poblaciones infantojuveniles; ambiente y comportamiento social / Prevalence of intestinal parasites in child and youth populations; environment and social behavior

Introduction: The decreasing prevalence of parasitosis from north to south in Argentina has led the scientific community to focus the epidemiological studies on the most vulnerable areas and, consequently, neglect the populations of Patagonia (South Argentina). The objectives of the present study were (i) to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites in children and youth of Puerto Madryn (Chubut province, Patagonia), and (ii) to evaluate the parasitic infections found concerning socio-environmental factors and hygiene practices of the population. Materials and methods: Serial stool samples were processed using modified Ritchie and FLOTAC dual pellet techniques, and samples of anal swabs were examined by sedimentation. Socio-environmental variables and hygiene practices of the participants were surveyed using a semi-structured questionnaire. Results: Of all examined participants, 39.1% (68/174) were parasitized. A total of 6 parasite species were found and the most prevalent were Blastocystis sp (19.0%), Enterobius vermicularis (17.8%), and Giardia lamblia (6.3%). The risk of parasitosis and infection for Blastocystis sp was greater in participants who lived in houses without piped water (OR = 2.9 and OR = 3.2, respectively). The risk of infection for G. lamblia was positively associated with the lack of public waste collection service (OR = 5.6). Infection for E. vermicularis was higher in participants whose parents had a basic level of education (OR = 5.0). Conclusion: The parasitic infections observed reflect the environmental conditions of Patagonia and the need to focus studies on populations from peripheral areas to urban centers that are exposed to greater socio-economic vulnerability.

Introducción: La prevalencia de parasitosis decreciente de norte a sur en la Argentina, ha llevado a la comunidad científica a enfocar sus estudios epidemiológicos hacia las zonas más vulnerables y desatender a las poblaciones de la Patagonia (sur de Argentina). Los objetivos del presente estudio fueron: determinar la prevalencia de parásitos intestinales en niños y jóvenes de Puerto Madryn (Chubut, Patagonia), y evaluar las infecciones parasitarias en relación con los factores socioambientales y las prácticas de higiene de la población. Materiales y métodos: Se procesaron muestras seriadas de materia fecal mediante las técnicas Ritchie modificada y FLOTAC dual pellet, y muestras de escobillado anal por sedimentación. Se relevaron las variables socioambientales y las prácticas de higiene de los participantes mediante cuestionarios semiestructurados. Resultados: El 39.1% (68/174) de la población analizada estuvo parasitado. Se halló un total de 6 especies parásitas, las más prevalentes de las cuales fueron Blastocystis sp (19.0%), Enterobius vermicularis (17.8%) y Giardia lamblia (6.3%). El riesgo de parasitosis y de infección por Blastocystis sp fue mayor en los participantes que no poseían agua de red (odds ratio [OR] = 2.9 y OR = 3.2, respectivamente). La infección por G. lamblia se asoció de manera positiva con la falta de recolección pública de residuos (OR = 5.6). La infección por E. vermicularis fue superior en los participantes con padres que tenían un nivel de estudios primario (OR = 5.0). Conclusión: Las infecciones parasitarias observadas reflejan las condiciones ambientales de la Patagonia y la necesidad de orientar los estudios a poblaciones periféricas de los centros urbanos, las cuales están expuestas a mayor vulnerabilidad socioeconómica

Studies in the mentality of literates: 2. Conceptual structure, cognitive inhibition and verbal regulation of behavior.

We studied cognitive inhibitory processes and verbal regulation of behavior of individuals with different levels of education (including adult illiterates) in Brazil (N = 136) and in Estonia (N = 560) with person-oriented methods of data analysis. Our aim was to discover whether dominant type of word meaning structure (WMS) can define the "Great Divide", the single breaking point that universally defines certain direction of subsequent to it cultural evolution. We found that both cognitive inhibition of irrelevant for the task at hand information or actions as well as correct activation of relevant information or actions is significantly more common in individuals who rely predominantly on logical concepts in their thinking. The higher level of education was also associated with more efficient cognitive inhibition and activation. The patterns of test performance also suggest that there can be a qualitative difference in the efficiency of cognitive inhibition-activation processes between everyday conceptual and logical conceptual thinkers. The former group of individuals may achieve much higher performance levels than any individual in the former group. We also discuss cognitive similarities and differences between adults with low or no formal education on the one hand and children and educated adults with brain damage on the other. The results are in agreement with the theory of unilineal hierarchic cultural evolution. Individual psychic development and cultural evolution can be both understood in terms of the WMS development.

Studies in the Mentality of Literates: 1. Conceptual Structure and Aspects of Visual Perception.

We studied visual-perceptual abilities of individuals with different levels of education (including adult illiterates) in Brazil (N = 136) and in Estonia (N = 560) with person-oriented methods of data analysis. Our aim was to discover whether dominant type of word meaning structure (WMS) can define the "Great Divide", the single breaking point that universally defines certain direction of subsequent to it cultural evolution. We particularly focused on the everyday concept-logical concept shift that takes place in the formal education system. We found that logical concepts were rarely available for illiterates; availability of logical conceptual thought increases together with the level of education. Most illiterates were able to find figures of concrete objects from complex overlapping and embedded contour figures but none of them could find all abstract figures from the same complex figures. Also none of the illiterates could perform beyond chance level in both mental rotation tasks together. Ability to perform correctly on all visual-spatial tasks increased with the increase in logical concepts and with the increasing level of education. The distribution of respondents according to the WMS level, level of education, and performance on the visual-spatial tasks indicated that individuals are developmentally heterogeneous: achievement of the tertiary level of education and logical conceptual thinking mechanisms does not guarantee high level performance on the visual-spatial tasks. The results are in agreement with the theory of unilineal hierarchic cultural evolution. Individual psychic development and cultural evolution can be both understood in terms of the WMS development.

Violencia de Pareja y Alexitimia en Mujeres Neoleonesas / Couple Violence and Alexithymia in Women from Nuevo Leon

Esta investigación tuvo como objetivos estimar los niveles de alexitimia y violencia de pareja (recibida y ejercida) en mujeres, asimismo estudiar la relación entre alexitimia y violencia. La escala de alexitimia de Toronto (TAS-20) y el Cuestionario de Violencia en la Pareja fueron aplicados a una muestra no probabilística de 118 mujeres mexicanas con pareja heterosexual. Se encontró alexitimia (TAS-20 ≥ 61) en el 42% de las mujeres, violencia recibida en el 25% y de violencia ejercida en el 5%. La violencia recibida fue mayor que la ejercida. La alexitimia se asoció con la violencia, más con la violencia recibida que con la ejercida. Se observó un patrón de violencia reactiva en el que la alexitimia actúa como un factor de riesgo. Esto probablemente se deba a los problemas de ajuste y control que la alexitimia conlleva. Se aconseja evaluar la alexitimia en los estudios e intervenciones en violencia de pareja.

The aims of this paper were: 1) to estimate the levels of couple violence (received and exercised) and alexithymia among women, and 2) to study the relationship among alexithymia and violence. The Questionnaire of Couple Violence and the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) were applied to a non-probability sample of 118 Mexican women with a heterosexual partner. Mean of age was 35 years old (SD = 10) ranking from 18 to 57. Regarding marital status, 53 of 118 women (45%) reported being married, 28 (24%) separated, 21 (18%) in free union with a partner, 11 (9%) single, 4 (3%) divorced and 1 (1%) widow. Indices of received violence and exerted violence that vary from 0 to 100 were calculated multiplying reported frequency by reported damage. Comparisons of means for Student's t-test, linear correlations, linear regression and path analysis were use for data analysis. Alexithymia (TAS-20 total scores ≥ 61) was found in 42% of women, received violence in 25% (scores of received violence index ≥ 30), and exercised violence in 5% (scores of received violence index ≥ 30). The mean of index of received violence was higher than the one of index of exerted violence (t[117] = 4.15, p < .01). Alexithymia was associated to violence. Its correlation was higher with received violence than with exerted violence. A reactive violence pattern was observed in which alexithymia acts as a risk factor. In this path model, alexithymia (TAS-20 total score) determined both the received damage as the index of exerted violence. The received damage determined the index of exerted violence. The variable of level of education was added as a determinant of the index of exerted violence, owing to model ran out degrees of freedom with only one variable exogenous (alexithymia).The model explained 21% of the variance of exerted violence and 19% of the variance of received damage with a close fit to the data (χ2 [1, N = 118] = 0.14, p = .71, GFI = 1, AGFI = .99, NFI = 1, CFI = 1, and RMSEA = 0). This relationship among alexithymia and violence could probably be due to the adjustment and control problems that alexithymia involves. It is suggested to assess alexithymia in new studies and interventions in couple violence.