Search

This paper studies multidimensional poverty for Argentina, Brazil, Chile, El Salvador, Mexico and Uruguay for the period 1992-2006. The approach overcomes the limitations of the two traditional methods of poverty analysis in Latin America (income-based and unmet basic needs) by combining income with five other dimensions: school attendance for children, education of the household head, sanitation, water and shelter. The results allow a fuller understanding of the evolution of poverty in the selected countries. Over the study period, El Salvador, Brazil, Mexico and Chile experienced significant reductions in multidimensional poverty. In contrast, in urban Uruguay there was a small reduction in multidimensional poverty, while in urban Argentina the estimates did not change significantly. El Salvador, Brazil and Mexico, and rural areas of Chile display significantly higher and more simultaneous deprivations than urban areas of Argentina, Chile and Uruguay. In all countries, deprivation in access to proper sanitation and education of the household head are the highest contributors to overall multidimensional poverty.

This paper analyzes the context of Spanish language teaching in Brazil. We examine the representations of and attitudes toward Rioplatense/Argentinean Spanish and Peninsular Spanish--and toward the speakers of each of these varieties--held by Brazilian learners of Spanish as a foreign language. To provide the context in which Spanish learning takes place in Brazil, we report on the changes that the teaching of Spanish language has undergone since the 1990s in that country. We used two complementary research methodologies--matched guise and open questionnaires--to measure the representations and attitudes of learners taking Spanish classes in the state of Sao Paulo. Findings suggest that attitudes were impacted primarily by the sounds characterizing each different language variety. From there the participants moved toward their representations of the people and their nationalities. Based on these findings, we propose changes in the treatment of linguistic varieties in the classroom.

This paper analyses the types, timing and perceived causality of SLEs experienced during childhood and adolescence and throughout the lives of women experiencing homelessness in Buenos Aires (n = 72). A structured interview was used to collect the information. Findings showed that interviewees had experienced a high number of SLEs during their childhood and adolescence. These SLEs were qualitatively severe and experienced from very early ages. Interviewees had also suffered from a large number of SLEs throughout their lives, mainly before becoming homeless. Interviewees attributed their homelessness largely to their experience with SLEs in their family environment, primarily during their childhood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the relationships among maize prices for four countries to determine if newly emerging exporters, Brazil and Ukraine, influence the international price of maize. Our work focuses on each market's participation in the price discovery process rather than trying to determine a price leader. We find that the United States plays the largest role in price discovery, followed by Argentina, Brazil, and Ukraine. We also search for export thresholds and find that Ukraine's contribution to price discovery rises slightly when an export threshold of 2.3 million tons is reached. No export thresholds were found for Brazil. Export thresholds for Argentina were found but only have a minor impact on price relationships. We also found that price relationships vary considerably across seasons of the year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Irrational antimicrobial consumption (AMC) became one of the main global health problems in recent decades. Objective: In order to understand AMC in Latin-American Region, we performed the present research in 6 countries. Methods: Antimicrobial consumption (J01, A07A, P01AB groups) was registered in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Paraguay, and Peru. Source of information, AMC type, DDD (Defined Daily Doses), DID (DDD/1000 inhabitants/day), population were variables explored. Data was analyzed using the Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System (GLASS) tool. Results: Source of information included data from global, public, and private sectors. Total AMC was highly variable (range 1.91-36.26 DID). Penicillin was the most consumed group in all countries except in Paraguay, while macrolides and lincosamides were ranked second. In terms of type of AMC according to the WHO-AWaRe classification, it was found that for certain groups like "Reserve," there are similarities among all countries. Conclusion and Relevance: This paper shows the progress that 6 Latin-American countries made toward AMC surveillance. The study provides a standardized approach for building a national surveillance system for AMC data analysis. These steps will contribute to the inclusion of Latin-America among the regions of the world that have periodic, regular, and quality data of AMC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Accurate symptom monitoring is vital when managing pediatric asthma, providing an opportunity to improve control and relieve associated burden. The CHILDHOOD ASTHMA CONTROL TEST (C-ACT) has been validated for asthma control assessment in children; however, there are concerns that response option images used in the C-ACT are not culturally universal and could be misinterpreted. This cross-sectional, qualitative study developed and evaluated alternative response option images using interviews with children with asthma aged 4–11 years (and their parents/caregivers) in the United States, Spain, Poland, and Argentina. Interviews were conducted in two stages (with expert input) to evaluate the appropriateness, understanding and qualitative equivalence of the alternative images (both on paper and electronically). This included comparing the new images with the original C-ACT response scale, to provide context for equivalence results. Results: Alternative response option images included scale A (simple faces), scale B (circles of decreasing size), and scale C (squares of decreasing quantity). In Stage 1, most children logically ranked images using scales A, B and C (66.7%, 79.0% and 70.6%, respectively). However, some children ranked the images in scales B (26.7%) and C (58.3%) in reverse order. Slightly more children could interpret the images within the context of their asthma in scale B (68.4%) than A (55.6%) and C (47.5%). Based on Stage 1 results, experts recommended scales A (with slight modifications) and B be investigated further. In Stage 2, similar proportions of children logically ranked the images used in modified scales A (69.7%) and B (75.7%). However, a majority of children ranked the images in scale B in the reverse order (60.0%). Slightly more children were able to interpret the images in the context of their asthma using scale B (57.6%) than modified scale A (48.5%). Children and parents/caregivers preferred modified scale A over scale B (78.8% and 90.9%, respectively). Compared with the original C-ACT, most children selected the same response option on items using both scales, supporting equivalency. Following review of Stage 2 results, all five experts agreed modified scale A was the optimal response scale. Conclusions: This study developed alternative response option images for use in the C-ACT and provides qualitative evidence of the equivalency of these response options to the originals. Plain English summary: Accurate monitoring of the symptoms associated with pediatric asthma is important when managing the condition. The CHILDHOOD ASTHMA CONTROL TEST (C-ACT) is a questionnaire widely used to measure asthma severity in young children (aged 4–11 years). Each question answered by the child in the C-ACT has four possible answer choices. To help children answer, each choice is presented alongside an image of a male child's face ranging from sad to happy. However, there are concerns that the images used are not culturally universal and could be misinterpreted—due to difficulties translating to electronic formats and a lack of differentiation between the images used. Through interviewing children with asthma, we aimed to address these concerns by developing and testing new images. Alternative image options developed included simpler faces, circles of decreasing size and squares of decreasing quantity. Children aged 4–11 years old were interviewed to test whether they understood the response scale using the new images and if they answered in the same way as with the original images. Interviews were conducted in two stages, with expert guidance at key stages. Results showed that children can interpret and understand the newly developed images and that they answer the questions the same as they would using the original images. These new images have the advantages of being culturally neutral and easier to implement on an electronic device. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author presents a critique of a study on the long-term impact of extending school days in Aergentina. According to the author, the matching estimation methodology used by the researchers did not identify the variables that would have determined the probability of attending a double-shift school and whether they are good predictors of the latter. She adds that it would have been more enriching to show more details about the policy and its implementation including the relevance of the control variables.

This paper summarizes the development and evaluation of an assessment instrument for children ages 7–12. The CHILD CARRE measure is a semi-structured interview with 7 domains. Children from the USA and Argentina (N = 134) completed baseline and follow-up assessments. Substance use occurred at an average age of 8. Almost 33% of the children were taking medications for medical issues, more than 50% of them said that medical problem gets in the way of doing things they like to to do and almost 64% of the children stated that they would like to feel better. On average, children completed third grade in school, 56% of them knew how to read and 26% of the children started making money at age 8. Most children (74%) saw someone drunk or high and 23% of children reported alcohol or psychoactive substance use. Among these children using substances, such substance use occurred at an average age of 8, and in the past 30 days they used these substances an average for 5 days. The rating of level of risk on the part of the interviewer placed these children in the "risky" to "very risky" categories. Most children reported seeing their family members smoking (83%) or using alcohol (67%), and 49% reported seeing their family members high on drugs. Few children (10%) had conflicts with the law, while 46% of their family members had legal problems. Some children (30%) reported having serious problems getting along with family members, neighbors, or friends. These results suggest that this measure can serve as the first comprehensive measure to assess multiple life domains for young children at risk for or using psychoactive substances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The 'Sponsoring National Processes for Evidence-Informed Policy Making in the Health Sector of Developing Countries' program was launched by the Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research, WHO, in July 2008. The program aimed to catalyse the use of evidence generated through health policy and systems research in policymaking processes through (1) promoting researchers and policy advocates to present their evidence in a manner that is easy for policymakers to understand and use, (2) creating mechanisms to spur the demand for and application of research evidence in policymaking, and (3) increased interaction between researchers, policy advocates, and policymakers. Grants ran for three years and five projects were supported in Argentina, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Nigeria and Zambia. This paper seeks to understand why projects in some settings were perceived by the key stakeholders involved to have made progress towards their goals, whereas others were perceived to have not done so well. Additionally, by comparing experiences across five countries, we seek to illustrate general learnings to inform future evidence-to-policy efforts in low- and middle-income countries.Methods: We adopted the theory of knowledge translation developed by Jacobson et al. (J Health Serv Res Policy 8(2):94-9, 2003) as a framing device to reflect on project experiences across the five cases. Using data from the projects' external evaluation reports, which included information from semi-structured interviews and quantitative evaluation surveys of those involved in projects, and supplemented by information from the projects' individual technical reports, we applied the theoretical framework with a partially grounded approach to analyse each of the cases and make comparisons.Results and Conclusion: There was wide variation across projects in the type of activities carried out as well as their intensity. Based on our findings, we can conclude that projects perceived as having made progress towards their goals were characterized by the coming together of a number of domains identified by the theory. The domains of Jacobson's theoretical framework, initially developed for high-income settings, are of relevance to the low- and middle-income country context, but may need modification to be fully applicable to these settings. Specifically, the relative fragility of institutions and the concomitantly more significant role of individual leaders point to the need to look at leadership as an additional domain influencing the evidence-to-policy process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Understanding how people interpret environmental change and develop practices in response to such change is essential to comprehend human resource use. In the cosmology of the American indigenous peoples, as among the Mapuche people, freshwater systems are considered a living entity, where animals have an enormous role to play in the universe of meaning. However, human adaptive responses to freshwater system dynamics are scarcely examined. In this work a survey is carried out in three Mapuche communities of Argentine Patagonia to assess their traditional knowledge of the fishes and other non-human living beings that inhabit lakes and rivers. Both material and symbolic aspects are included, as are the differences in knowledge and use of the fishes between past and present times. Methods: Our methods were based on a quali-quantitative fieldwork approach. In-depth interviews were carried out with 36 individuals from three rural Mapuche populations in Neuquén province (Patagonia, Argentina). Free listing was used for inquiring about fish knowledge and use. Fishes were identified scientifically and ethnotaxonomically. In-depth analysis of the discourses was conducted, documenting the recognition, perception, and cultural significance of fluvial environments and their inhabitants. Quantitative survey results were analyzed with categorical statistical methods. Results: The body of knowledge of the communities studied reflects the socio-environmental changes experienced by Patagonian freshwater bodies. According to local perception, non-human beings live in these water bodies, guarding the environment, and they should not be disturbed. At present, five different fish species are identified, three of which are exotic, having been introduced at the beginning of the 20th century by the white man. These exotic trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss and Salvelinus fontinalis) are considered ill omens, indicators of the white man's presence, and therefore their appearance presages negative events for the families. In addition, we found that Mapuche people differentiate fish species mainly by morphological, organoleptic and ecological attributes. Current consumption of fish by Mapuche communities is sporadic, in accordance with bibliography and ancient tales. Several fishing tools are used, including modern elements. Conclusions: Our data enable us to characterise dynamic traditional knowledge in these communities, which is flexible in nature and adaptable to new situations, demonstrated by the incorporation not only of new species but also new fishing tools. It also seems that new significances become absorbed in synchrony with the advance or arrival of exotic and invasive species. For the Mapuche, the presence of the white man heralded by exotic trouts speaks of how a recent event, such as the introduction of the salmonids, is already incorporated into Mapuche symbolism. Mapuche traditional knowledge and cosmovision on the use of fish and waters, a vision which promotes respect and the avoidance of actions that could disturb the beings (animals and sacred or mythological characters) that inhabit and take care of them should be fostered as part of management plans of regional natural resources. This paper contributes to the broader literature on freshwater resource management by providing empirical evidence of the critical role of local perceptions in promoting the sustainable management of natural resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista de la Facultad de Medicina Humana is the property of Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias Biomedicas de la Universidad Ricardo Palma and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objectives: To describe how patients with CKD negotiated assigned responsibilities in the management of their disease, resulting in potential relational nonadherence. Methods: Qualitative study performed in two healthcare facilities in Buenos Aires, Argentina, including 50 patients and 14 healthcare providers. We conducted semistructured interviews which were analysed using a frame of reference with concepts of Burden of Treatment and Cognitive Authority theories. Findings: Adherence to treatment defined "good patients". Patients needed to negotiate starting treatment, its modality and dialysis schedule, although most patients felt they did not participate in the decision process and that providers did not acknowledge implications of these decisions on their routine. Some patients skipped dialysis if concerns were not attended. Regularly, patients negotiated frequency of visits, doses, dietary restrictions and redefined relationships with their support networks, sometimes with devasting effects. As a result of overwhelming uncertainty some patients refused enrolling into a transplant program. When the frequency of complications increased, patients considered abandoning dialysis. Conclusion: When patients perceived demands were excessive or conflicting, they entered into negotiations. Relationally induced nonadherence may arise when professionals do not or cannot enter into negotiations over patients' beliefs or knowledge about what is possible for them to do. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper addresses forms of medical pluralism, studied from the microsocial perspective, among the Polish community in Misiones, Argentina. It shows different attitudes to health treatment within the field of home medicine, local non-biomedical specialists and biomedicine. It points out the relationship between the diversity of offers of medical assistance and community members' negotiations between various medical approaches. It also identifies the factors influencing these choices. While prior research examines Indigenous and Mestizo medical ethnobotany in this region, there has not been research on medical pluralism and very little study of complementary and alternative medicine among the inhabitants of Misiones. The study group comprises Polish peasants who settled in northern Misiones between 1936 and 1938 and their descendants born in Argentina. Field research was based on semi-structured, indepth and free-listing interviews. The analysis was carried out using both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The results show that Polish settlers tried to reconstruct bits and pieces of their familiar and traditional healing practices in the new environment. Phytotherapy plays the most important role among home therapies. It is at home that most treatments start. Members of the Polish community also treat folk illnesses at home and report them to local healers. The growing influence of biomedicine does not contribute to the elimination of home medicine or non-biomedical specialists in the study area. There has been a medicalization of childbirth and fractures, but folk experts such as curanderos, hueseros and naturistas are still very popular in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Claims of conscientious objection (CO) have expanded in the health care field, particularly in relation to abortion services. In practice, CO is being used in ways beyond those originally imagined by liberalism, creating a number of barriers to abortion access. In Argentina, current CO regulation is lacking and insufficient. This issue was especially evident in the country's 2018 legislative debate on abortion law reform, during which CO took center stage. This paper presents a mixed-method study conducted in Argentina on the uses of CO in health facilities providing legal abortion services, with the goal of proposing specific regulatory language to address CO based not only on legal standards but also on empirical findings regarding CO in everyday reproductive health services. The research includes a review of literature and comparative law, a survey answered by 269 health professionals, and 11 in-depth interviews with stakeholders. The results from our survey and interviews indicate that Argentine health professionals who use CO to deny abortion are motivated by a combination of political, social, and personal factors, including a fear of stigmatization and potential legal issues. Furthermore, we find that the preeminent consequences of CO are delays in abortion services and conflicts within the health care team. The findings of this research allowed us to propose specific regulatory recommendations on CO, including limits and obligations, and suggestions for government and health system leaders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Not long ago Eugene Hunn suggested using a combination of cognitive, linguistic, ecological and evolutionary theories in order to account for the dynamic character of ethnoecology in the study of folk classification systems. In this way he intended to question certain homogeneity in folk classifications models and deepen in the analysis and interpretation of variability in folk classifications. This paper studies how a rural culturally mixed population of the Atlantic Forest of Misiones (Argentina) classified honey-producing stingless bees according to the linguistic, cognitive and ecological dimensions of folk classification. We also analyze the socio-ecological meaning of binomialization in naming and the meaning of general local variability in the appointment of stingless bees. Methods: We used three different approaches: the classical approach developed by Brent Berlin which relies heavily on linguistic criteria, the approach developed by Eleonor Rosch which relies on psychological (cognitive) principles of categorization and finally we have captured the ecological dimension of folk classification in local narratives. For the second approximation, we developed ways of measuring the degree of prototypicality based on a total of 107 comparisons of the type "X is similar to Y" identified in personal narratives. Results: Various logical and grouping strategies coexist and were identified as: graded of lateral linkage, hierarchical and functional. Similarity judgments among folk taxa resulted in an implicit logic of classification graded according to taxa's prototypicality. While there is a high agreement on naming stingless bees with monomial names, a considerable number of underrepresented binomial names and lack of names were observed. Two possible explanations about reported local naming variability are presented. Conclusions: We support the multidimensionality of folk classification systems. This confirms the specificity of local classification systems but also reflects the use of grouping strategies and mechanisms commonly observed in other cultural groups, such as the use of similarity judgments between more or less prototypical organisms. Also we support the idea that alternative naming results from a process of fragmentation of knowledge or incomplete transmission of knowledge. These processes lean on the facts that culturally based knowledge, on the one hand, and biologic knowledge of nature on the other, can be acquired through different learning pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Variation in prescription of antibiotics in primary care can indicate poor clinical practice that contributes to the increase of resistant strains. General Practitioners (GPs), as a professional group, are expected to have a fairly homogeneous prescribing style. In this paper, we describe variation in prescribing style within and across groups of GPs from six countries. Methods: Cross-sectional study with the inclusion of 457 GPs and 6394 sore throat patients. We describe variation in prescribing antibiotics for sore throat patients across six countries and assess whether variation in “prescribing style” - understood as a subjective tendency to prescribe - has an important effect on variation in prescription of antibiotics by using the concept of prescribing style as a latent variable in a multivariable model. We report variation as a Median Odds Ratio (MOR) which is the transformation of the random effect variance onto an odds ratio; Thus, MOR = 1 means similar odds or strict homogeneity between GPs' prescribing style, while a MOR higher than 1 denotes heterogeneity in prescribing style. Results: In all countries some GPs always prescribed antibiotics to all their patients, while other GPs never did. After adjusting for patient and GP characteristics, prescribing style in the group of GPs from Russia was about three times more heterogeneous than the prescribing style in the group of GPs from Denmark - Median Odds Ratio (6.8, 95% CI 3.1;8.8) and (2.6, 95% CI 2.2;4.4) respectively. Conclusion: Prescribing style is an important source of variation in prescription of antibiotics within and across countries, even after adjusting for patient and GP characteristics. Interventions aimed at influencing the prescribing style of GPs must encompass context-specific actions at the policy-making level alongside GP-targeted interventions to enable GPs to react more objectively to the external demands that are in place when making the decision of prescribing antibiotics or not. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abortion stigma is experienced not only by women but also by providers and health professionals in a wide range of legal contexts. This paper analyses interviews with providers who work in the public health system in the Metropolitan Area of Buenos Aires, Argentina. A court ruling in 2012, FAL/12, changed the interpretation of abortion's legal status, clarifying the decriminalisation of abortion in cases of rape, and also requiring public policies and procedures to speed up access to legal abortion. Between 2014 and 2017, we conducted 27 in-depth, semi-structured interviews with abortion providers in public facilities across healthcare services in the Metropolitan Area of Buenos Aires. We found the way that health providers dealt with abortion stigma evolved over the course of time, as the abortion debate moved from the margins to the heart of political debate and public policies in Argentina between 2007 and 2017. Providers' experiences changed as the social and legal context changed. FAL/12 – as a clear, legal ruling – was a landmark and turning point in the way health professionals in public health facilities conduct their activities, making it possible for them to move from providing silent and hidden abortion care, to acknowledging it with pride. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: As reliable instruments are needed for longitudinal research on the development of nicotine addiction, we evaluated the test-retest reliability of eight survey measures (three scales and five individual item measures). Methods: A paper survey was administered to convenience samples of adolescents in two schools and adults in five workplaces in Argentina and re-administered 1-2 weeks later. Test-retest reliability was assessed with Pearson correlations for continuous measures and kappa statistics for dichotomous measures. Results: Both surveys were completed by 95 adolescent and 88 adult smokers. The modified Fagerström Tolerance Questionnaire ( r == 0.88-0.91), the Hooked on Nicotine Checklist ( r == 0.85-0.91), the Autonomy Over Smoking Scale (0.91-0.96) and items assessing latency to needing a cigarette ( r == 0.85-0.94), the pleasure obtained from smoking ( r == 0.84-0.94), and relaxation obtained from the first cigarette (κ == 0.63-0.67), all showed very good to excellent reliability in both populations. Items assessing experiencing the need to smoke more often than previously and the percent of time smoking because of need appear to be more reliable with adolescents (κ == 0.52 and r == 0.76, respectively) than with adults ( κ == 0.32 and r == 0.51, respectively). Conclusions: This is the first study to simultaneously compare the reliability of multiple smoking measures within individual adolescent and adult smokers. All the eight measures showed adequate reliability for use in longitudinal studies with adolescents and all but one were adequate for use with adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a version of the proportionally calibrated almost ideal demand system (PCAIDS) model, useful for merger simulations, which can be econometrically estimated using price data for two firms in a market. PCAIDS is therefore seen as a set of restrictions to be imposed in an econometric estimation, and not only as a pure calibration method. The proposed model is applied to a database of the Argentine gasoline market, and its results are compared to the ones obtained with other alternative specifications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Whether women should be able to decide on mode of birth in healthcare settings has been a topic of debate in the last few decades. In the context of a marked increase in global caesarean section rates, a central dilemma is whether pregnant women should be able to request this procedure without medical indication. Since 2015, Law 25,929 of Humanised Birth is in place in Argentina. This study aims at understanding the power relations between healthcare providers, pregnant women, and labour companions regarding decision-making on mode of birth in this new legal context. To do so, central concepts of power theory are used. Methods: This study uses a qualitative design. Twenty-six semi-structured interviews with healthcare providers were conducted in five maternity wards in different regions of Argentina. Participants were purposively selected using heterogeneity sampling and included obstetrician/gynaecologists (heads of department, specialists working in 24-h shifts, and residents) and midwives where available. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to inductively develop themes and categories. Results: Three themes were developed: (1) Healthcare providers reconceptualize decision-making processes of mode of birth to make women's voices matter; (2) Healthcare providers feel powerless against women's request to choose mode of birth; (3) Healthcare providers struggle to redirect women's decision regarding mode of birth. An overarching theme was built to explain the power relations between healthcare providers, women and labour companions: Healthcare providers' loss of beneficial power in decision-making on mode of birth. Conclusions: Our analysis highlights the complexity of the healthcare provider-woman interaction in a context in which women are, in practice, allowed to choose mode of birth. Even though healthcare providers claim to welcome women being an active part of the decision-making processes, they feel powerless when women make autonomous decisions regarding mode of birth. They perceive themselves to be losing beneficial power in the eyes of patients and consider fruitful communication on risks and benefits of each mode of birth to not always be possible. At the same time, providers perform an increasing number of CSs without medical indication when it is convenient for them, which suggests that paternalistic practices are still in place. Plain Language Summary: In the last few decades, there has been a debate on whether women should be able to choose if they haver a vaginal birth or a caesarean section. This debate has been framed by the fact that an increasing number of caesarean sections are being performed. Since 2015, Argentina has a Law of Humanised Birth. We conducted a study to understand the power relations between healthcare providers, pregnant women and labour companions in decision making on mode of birth in this new legal context. To do so, we used central concepts of power theory. We conducted 26 semi-structured interviews with healthcare providers in five maternity wards of Argentina. The interviewees were obstetrician/gynaecologists (heads of department, specialists working in 24-h shifts, and residents) and midwives where available. We used thematic analysis to build themes from the data. We discovered that healthcare providers perceive themselves to be losing beneficial power in decision-making on mode of birth. Even though they claim to want women to make autonomous decisions, they feel frustrated when this happens. They also perceive it to be more difficult to communicate with patients regarding the risks and benefits of vaginal birth and caesarean section. At the same time, providers carry out an increasing number of CSs without medical indication when it is convenient for them, which suggests that paternalistic practices are still in place. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The span of kidney failure (KF) has been extended by advances in treatment. To elucidate the lived experiences of people with KF, we draw on Glaser and Strauss's theory of status passage. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 50 patients with KF and 14 health professionals, from two healthcare facilities in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The theory informed on the temporal dimensions of people's passages and dimensions related to what actors know of this passage. We described the status passage as a sequence of transitions (starting dialysis, receiving a transplant, returning to dialysis) that have devastating effects on patient's roles, and are accompanied with fear and experience of wasting time. Temporal aspects were crucial and planning was useless; indeed, timing of statuses was uncertain. With a transplant, certain roles and capacities could be regained. Some patients were not aware of the chronic nature of the disease and the ultimate reversibility of the transplant. Control over the passage was minimal because of the unpredictable prognosis of the disease but patients employed strategies to regain it. Control was even more limited for people who migrated to receive a treatment; whose lives were completely altered. Status passage theory signaled the overwhelming impact of the passage on all aspects of people's lives, the uncertainty of the transitions, lack of control and awareness of essential aspects, and unexpected aspects of desirability, adding to our understanding of how people experience this disease and its treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to examine the efficacy of an integrated program (PIA‐2) to reduce the risk for problems related to eating, weight and body image in female adolescents from Argentina. Method: A quasi‐experimental study was conducted by comparing an experimental group versus a control group. The final sample included 509 girls aged 13–18 (M = 15.39 and SD = 1.30) from nine schools located in three geographical regions. They provided data at three assessment time points: baseline, post‐intervention and a 3‐month follow‐up. Dependent variables included skipping breakfast, physical activity, eating disorder risk and thin‐ideal internalization. The program was carried out in three 90‐minute sessions within usual school hours, at 1‐week intervals. Results: Participants who received the intervention decreased more than the control group in skipping breakfast month by month. However, a significant effect of the intervention was not found on physical activity, eating disorder risk, and thin‐ideal internalization. Discussion: The presence of mixed findings shows the need to adjust the intervention to enhance the results. The importance of working jointly with other Latin American countries is emphasized, in order to promote the growth of the field of prevention, regarding cultural particularities shared by our societies. Public Significance: Integrated programs aimed at reducing risk factors for the entire spectrum of problems related to eating, weight and body image could lead to beneficial and more efficient effects. However, their development is still incipient in Latin America. PIA‐2 Program, designed for female adolescents, produced positive results in one of the four variables studied, decreasing the weekly frequency of skipping breakfast among adolescents. This is pioneering research in Argentina and the region since very few studies on integrated prevention have been published in Latin America. It is crucial to continue with efforts aimed at developing programs that are suited to the specific needs of the population of Latin American countries. In this aspect, our study is undoubtedly an important contribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted global interdependencies, accompanied by widespread calls for worldwide cooperation against a virus that knows no borders, but responses were led largely separately by national governments. In this tension between aspiration and reality, people began to grapple with how their own lives were affected by the global nature of the pandemic. In this article, based on 493 qualitative interviews conducted between 2020 and 2021, we explore how people in Argentina, Austria, Bolivia, Ecuador, Ireland, Italy and Mexico experienced, coped with and navigated the global nature of the pandemic. In dialogue with debates about the parameters of the 'global' in global health, we focus on what we call people's everyday (de)bordering practices to examine how they negotiated (dis)connections between 'us' and 'them' during the pandemic. Our interviewees' reactions moved from national containment to an increasing focus on people's unequal socio-spatial situatedness. Eventually, they began to (de)border their lives beyond national lines of division and to describe a new normal: a growing awareness of global connectedness and a desire for global citizenship. This newfound sense of global interrelatedness could signal support for and encourage transnational political action in times of crises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a complex phenomenon, musical improvisation can be addressed from the perspective of different disciplines. In music therapy, improvisation is a central practice; however, as a technique, it lacks methodological guidelines and scientific evidence justifying its use. The aim of this study was to investigate the social interaction features that emerge during group musical improvisation. We conducted a mixed methods study with an exploratory sequential design comparing improvisation and imitation tasks, performed by groups of younger and older adults, separately, by generating and analyzing six categories of nonverbal communication and social interaction. Younger (n = 131) and older adults (n = 110) participated in one of two types of music activities: group musical improvisation or group rhythmic imitation. Eight group musical improvisation tasks – as implemented in music therapy settings – were compared with eight group rhythmic imitation tasks, according to six categories of analysis: visual contact, body movement, type of production, music interaction, vocal aspect, and leadership. Statistical analysis using a Chi-square test (χ2) showed greater social interaction among the participants of the improvisation groups than among those in the rhythmic imitation groups, in both age ranges. Our results provide specific evidence for this type of music task and a complementary approach to musical improvisation analysis, contributing to the knowledge of music therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyzes the dynamics in which structural vulnerabilities are shaped and expressed in the day-to-day lives of people making a living from a garbage dump in Argentina. It is a mixed methods case study, qualitative driven with a collaborative cycle (2016-2021). The study is embedded in medical anthropology, social epidemiology and Latin America Social Medicine, with the focus on the ways people respond to inequalities locally. The findings contribute to the field of health disparities in three directions: 1) the description of patterns of segregation in South America peripheries, shedding light on cumulative disadvantages and multiple exposures; 2) the experience of living enmeshed in places with strong stigmas, revising the ways this source of discrimination become social suffering; and 3) the detection of the impact of collective action and social capital in providing material and symbolic resources for restoring dignity and honour that challenge depreciated status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hormonal therapy is an integral component for breast cancer treatment in women with oestrogen receptor positive tumours in early-stage and advanced cases of the disease. Little is known about what factors influence oncologists' prescribing practices, especially non-biological factors, although this information may have important implications for understanding inequalities in health care quality and outcomes. This paper presents findings from research on factors influencing oncologists' prescribing hormonal therapy for women with early and advanced cases of breast cancer in the city of Córdoba, Argentina. Methods: A qualitative study using in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 16 oncologists was conducted. A stratified purposive sampling was used to recruit female and male participants and working at 3 health subsystems (private, social security, public). Data was analysed using the Framework approach. Results: According to the respondents, factors influencing prescribing practices of hormonal therapy are varied. Women's socio-economic status (poverty and wealth) and their level of health literacy can affect oncologists' prescribing practices. Overall, in comparison to male, female oncologists reported more awareness of patients' needs, more involvement in communicating drug side-effects, and in offering treatment options in private health settings. The 3 health subsystems provided a differential access to drugs and lines of hormonal treatment, which ranged from a limited availability in the public sector, to administrative restrictions imposed by the social security system, and to a lesser extent, the private sector. This happened in the backdrop of national legislation covering oncological treatments and drugs free of charge. Conclusions: Addressing prescribing practices for hormonal therapy as a distinct type of breast cancer treatment (chronic care) is fundamental in the understanding of breast cancer care and can shed light on inequalities in treatments. Identifying the underlying care gaps in the prescription of hormonal therapy can help in the design of tailored interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To determine the professional profile and the work conditions of nurses working in intensive care units (ICU) in Colombia, Argentina, Peru and Brazil. Background: ICUs require a differentiated professional profile to provide quality care, and appropriate working conditions, leading to a transformation of care and management practices. Design: Descriptive multicentre cross‐sectional observational study. Methods: An online survey was applied to identify both the characteristics of the professional profile and the working conditions. 1,427 ICU nursing professionals were included. RStudio statistical software was used for the analysis of the information. Descriptive statistics were used for the presentation of the results. The STROBE checklist for cross‐sectional studies was used in this study. Results: Only 33.6% of the professionals had a specialisation degree in intensive care. The skills that were most frequently put into practice were communication (68.5%) and care management (78.5%). The most predominant nurse‐to‐patient ratios were 1:2, and greater than 1:6. 59.1% of the nurses had an indefinite term contract, 38.8% worked 48 hours per week and 49.8% had rotating shifts. Only 50.4% of them received incentives. The average salary ranged between 348 and 1,500 USD. 64.5% of the participants were satisfied with their job. Conclusion: It is necessary to strengthen nurses' professional profile by promoting both postgraduate education and the development of troubleshooting and teamwork skills. It is necessary to standardise the nurse‐to‐patient ratio, improve wages and increase incentives to achieve greater job satisfaction. Relevance to practice: The knowledge and the improvement of both the professional profile and the work conditions of nurses working in intensive care units will improve the quality of the care given to critical patients and, therefore, the quality of health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Little is known about how people who have abortions describe high-quality interpersonal care in Argentina. This qualitative study aimed to understand preferences and priorities in their interactions with providers. Study design: We conducted 24 in-depth interviews with people who obtained abortions at a comprehensive reproductive health clinic or with support from a feminist accompaniment group in Buenos Aires and Neuquén, Argentina. We iteratively coded transcripts using a thematic analysis approach based on interpersonal domains present in current quality of care frameworks. Results: Participants described high-quality abortion care as feeling acompañamiento and contención from their providers – terms that imply receiving kind, caring, compassionate and emotionally supportive care throughout their abortion. They described four key elements of interpersonal interactions: attentive communication from providers and accompaniers, clear and understandable information provision, non-judgmental support, and individualized options for pain management. Conclusions: People obtaining abortions in Argentina consistently identified receiving compassionate and supportive care throughout an abortion as a key aspect of care. The findings have implications for incorporating people's perspectives in the development of care guidelines, training of providers, and monitoring and improving of services. This is particularly important as the government of Argentina prepares to expand legal access to abortion. Plain language summary: Little is known about how people who have abortions perceive the quality of the care they receive and what aspects of interpersonal interactions with providers matter to them. This qualitative study aimed to understand preferences of people who had abortions at both a reproductive health clinic and with an accompaniment group in Argentina. We interviewed 24 people who obtained abortion care in Buenos Aires and Neuquén, Argentina. We asked them about their preferences for and experiences of abortion care. Then we analyzed the interviews, specifically assessing aspects of interpersonal care based on quality of care frameworks from the literature. Participants described high-quality abortion care as feeling acompañamiento and contención from their providers—terms that imply receiving kind, caring, compassionate and emotionally supportive care throughout their abortions. They described four key elements of interpersonal interactions: attentive communication from providers and accompaniers, clear and understandable information provision, non-judgmental support, and individualized options for pain management. In conclusion, people obtaining abortions in two distinct models of care in Argentina consistently identified receiving compassionate and supportive care throughout an abortion as a key aspect of care. The findings have implications for incorporating people's perspectives in the development of care guidelines, training of providers, and monitoring and improving of services. This is particularly important as the government of Argentina prepares to expand legal access to abortion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To understand the factors influencing the implementation of salt reduction interventions in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC).Design: Retrospective policy analysis based on desk reviews of existing reports and semi-structured stakeholder interviews in four countries, using Walt and Gilson's 'Health Policy Triangle' to assess the role of context, content, process and actors on the implementation of salt policy.Setting: Argentina, Mongolia, South Africa and Vietnam.Participants: Representatives from government, non-government, health, research and food industry organisations with the potential to influence salt reduction programmes.Results: Global targets and regional consultations were viewed as important drivers of salt reduction interventions in Mongolia and Vietnam in contrast to local research and advocacy, and support from international experts, in Argentina and South Africa. All countries had population-level targets and written strategies with multiple interventions to reduce salt consumption. Engaging industry to reduce salt in foods was a priority in all countries: Mongolia and Vietnam were establishing voluntary programs, while Argentina and South Africa opted for legislation on salt levels in foods. Ministries of Health, the WHO and researchers were identified as critical players in all countries. Lack of funding and technical capacity/support, absence of reliable local data and changes in leadership were identified as barriers to effective implementation. No country had a comprehensive approach to surveillance or regulation for labelling, and mixed views were expressed about the potential benefits of low sodium salts.Conclusions: Effective scale-up of salt reduction programs in LMIC requires: (1) reliable local data about the main sources of salt; (2) collaborative multi-sectoral implementation; (3) stronger government leadership and regulatory processes and (4) adequate resources for implementation and monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The order Hymenoptera comprises melliferous insects (bees, wasps and bumblebees); among them, stingless bees comprise a diverse group of eusocial insects present in tropical and subtropical areas. Of a total of approximately 500 species, 400 are found in the Neotropics. On the continent of America, before the introduction of Apis mellifera, these insects represented the main source of honey and wax. In Argentina, ethnobiological investigations had been carried out on this group of insects, principally in the Atlantic Forest and Chaco regions. Out of a total of 33 species, only 14 were recorded for use or breeding. In the Yungas, however, there are no ethnobiological studies analyzing this group of species, although the use of their products is mentioned in different ethnobotanical works. This paper studies the knowledge and uses of melliferous insects by the inhabitants of the village of Baritú and surrounding. Method: Information on location, management and duties assigned (e.g., preparation and administration) to deal with bee products like honey, pollen, wax and propolis was obtained through semi-structured interviews. Besides, reference material was collected to identify melliferous insects known and used in the region. Results: Fifteen ethnospecies were identified and grouped locally according to their defensive behavior. The culturally most important species is the stingless bee Plebeia sp. nov.—mansita-, in terms of frequency of citations and diversity of uses, and among those that sting, the honeybee Apis mellifera—extranjera-. Honey, pollen, wax, and propolis of Plebeia sp. nov. had the highest current frequency of use. Honey is used in food (incorporated at pure state, as a complement and in drinks), as nutraceutical food and in medicinal preparations. In addition, it is an important resource for marketing during the warm season, infusions being the main mode of administration. Pollen is used as a supplement for food and alcoholic drinks, wax mainly in candle making, and propolis. Conclusion: The data obtained in this study complements the information available in ethnobotanical studies carried out in the region. The present study is the first on melliferous insects in the area. A new species of stingless bee the genus Plebeia was registered, and it was observed that the known distribution of others has increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article documents, contextualizes, and theorizes the significance of technological divides and inequalities of access, along with diverse accommodations, adaptations, resistances, and alternatives to health and communications technologies that have unfolded in two South American countries during the COVID-19 emergency: Ecuador and Argentina. Based on a shared qualitative interview methodology that focused on issues of social inequality and digital divides, perceptions of and experiences with public health systems, and levels of trust relative to governmental, media, and other sources of information about the pandemic, our emergent comparative analysis demonstrates both shared and divergent patterns. While interview data from both countries emphasize deepening crises of poverty and inequality that reverberate in differential access and usage of communications technologies, there are distinct patterns with regard to confidence in medical systems and public health information. In Argentina, citizens may question or doubt official sources of information and public health systems but, on the whole, tend to maintain higher levels of cautious trust, while in Ecuador, an erosion of trust, along with higher levels of cultural diversity, drives an adaptive response towards systems and practices of medical pluralism, particularly in indigenous and rural contexts. Explanations for these differences may lie in the distinct forms the project of colonial modernity, and resistance or adherence to it, has taken in each country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evidence on sepsis screening and care in developing nations is insufficient to inform implementation practices in hospital wards. The aim of this multi‐method study was to describe and evaluate the implementation of a three‐step intervention (sepsis screening, alert activation, care) in five wards in Argentina in 2017. The implementation involved three stages: (1) context assessment, (2) development/participation in implementation strategies, and (3) evaluation of intervention adherence. Results were variable. The context assessment (Stage 1) demonstrated the value of education, proactivity towards care and team structures. Strategies developed (Stage 2) included sepsis screening and response guide, education, team rounding, posters, champions, audit/feedback and knowledge brokering. In Stage 3, staff screened 92% patients (506/547) for sepsis at ≥60% of set times; only 33% (21/64) patients had a sepsis alert activated when needed. A similar proportion of patients who had alerts activated (n = 16, 76%) or not (n = 32, 74%) received at least one element of care. The use of implementation strategies resulted in adherence to some aspects of the intervention. Future research is needed to improve sepsis screening and alert activation and care in this setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Trauma is a leading cause of mortality and comprises an important cause of functional impairment among young people worldwide. The trauma registry (TR) is an integral component of modern comprehensive trauma care systems. Nevertheless, TRs have not been yet established in most developing countries. The objective of this study was to summarize the challenges, results, and lessons learned from a trauma program including initial results from a TR at tertiary-care public hospitals of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Material and methods: This is a descriptive study of the implementation of a trauma program in 14 hospitals and analysis of the initial results in the period between January 2010 and December 2018, using data from Fundación Trauma TR. Patients fitting injury definition that remained in hospital for more than 23 h were included. Injured patients were divided by age groups. Data on patients' demographics, mechanism of injury and severity, complications, treatments, and in-hospital mortality were analyzed between groups. A descriptive analysis is presented. Results: There were 29,970 trauma cases during the study period. Median age was 23 years (RIC 12, 39) with a 2.4:1 male-to-female ratio. Road traffic injuries (RTI) were the leading mechanism (30.8%) of admission and head was the most frequently injured body region (33.2%). Two-thirds of RTIs were motorcycle-related. Overall in-hospital mortality was 6.1%. Intentional self-harm in adult males and burns in adult females had the highest mortality rates (17.6% and 17.9%, respectively). Conclusions and discussion: The implementation of a trauma program within a public–private collaborative program in a resource-limited environment is feasible. The hospital-based TR can be used as a tool for injury surveillance, monitoring of the quality of trauma care, development of a trauma system, and to guide public health policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Trypanosoma cruzi has been divided into Discrete Typing Units I and non-I (II-VI). T. cruzi I is predominant in Mexico and Central America, while non-I is predominant in most of South America, including Argentina. Little is known about congenital transmission of T. cruzi I. The specific aim of this study is to determine the rate of congenital transmission of T. cruzi I compared to non-I. Methods/design We are conducting a prospective study to enroll at delivery, 10,000 women in Argentina, 7,500 women in Honduras, and 13,000 women in Mexico. We are measuring transmitted maternal T. cruzi antibodies by performing two rapid tests in cord blood (Stat-Pak, Chembio, Medford, New York, and Trypanosoma Detect, InBios, Seattle, Washington). If at least one of the results is positive, we are identifying infants who are congenitally infected by performing parasitological examinations on cord blood and at 4-8 weeks, and serological follow-up at 10 months. Serological confirmation by ELISA (Wiener, Rosario, Argentina) is performed in cord and maternal blood, and at 10 months. We also are performing T. cruzi standard PCR, real-time quantitative PCR and genotyping on maternal venous blood and on cord blood, and serological examinations on siblings. Data are managed by a Data Center in Montevideo, Uruguay. Data are entered online at the sites in an OpenClinica data management system, and digital pictures of data forms are sent to the Data Center for quality control. Weekly reports allow for rapid feedback to the sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we introduce an innovative method to diagnose electoral fraud using vote counts. Specifically, we use synthetic data to develop and train a fraud detection prototype. We employ a naive Bayes classifier as our learning algorithm and rely on digital analysis to identify the features that are most informative about class distinctions. To evaluate the detection capability of the classifier, we use authentic data drawn from a novel data set of district-level vote counts in the province of Buenos Aires (Argentina) between 1931 and 1941, a period with a checkered history of fraud. Our results corroborate the validity of our approach: The elections considered to be irregular (legitimate) by most historical accounts are unambiguously classified as fraudulent (clean) by the learner. More generally, our findings demonstrate the feasibility of generating and using synthetic data for training and testing an electoral fraud detection system. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In the literature about children syntactic development, particularly during last four decades, it's been frequently read that studies sustain on spontaneous speech samples, i.e., daily dialogic instances between children or between children and adults, are problematic because it's necessary to have a considerable amount of children talk to pick up the syntactic forms in study and carry out a statistical analysis (Demuth, 1996). Besides some studies consider that samples does not represent child language uses but some specific usages (Chomsky, 1969), and so the results lacks of validity and are only descriptions of syntactic tendencies (Lust, Flynn, & Foley, 1996) or that the data are spurious because in spontaneous contexts is difficult to control the interference of contextual variables (Echeverría, 1978). However there is consensus about the fact that these samples provide rich qualitative data. In order to pose an alternative to this methodological controversy, this paper presents a semi-structured interview design that seeks to preserve the distinctive characteristics of conversational exchanges but allows obtaining a sizeable amount of children syntactic data, to make a comparison between subjects and statistical processing. The design takes into account the contributions of a group of cognitive perspectives about the processes by which the subjects produce, comprehend, acquire, and develop language: Cognitive Linguistic (Lakoff, 1987; Langacker, 1987), Mental cognitive frames and Spaces Theory (Fauconnier, 1985), Gramaticalization Theory (Hopper, 1998), and Language Usage Model (Toma sello, 2001). Also it considers some methodo logical criteria from Sociolinguistics (Labov, 1991; Lavandera, 1984), Ethnography of speaking (Gumperz, 1982), Functionalist perspective on language development (Karmiloff-Smith, 1986), and a set of criteria developed in a previous ex- ploratory research (Silva, 2001). We select interview because it's recognized that it's the situation which best reproduces the characteristics of everyday conversational interactions (Labov, 1991) and in it subjects (children or adults) tend to provide more information to a skilled interviewer than in questionnaires. We formulated a set of criteria that prevent reproducing experimental circumstances (i.e., children feel self-conscious and evaluated) and thus enable children to interact with the interviewer in the most natural and spontaneous way as possible. The results obtained by Silva (2008) provided empirical support to the effectiveness of the methodological instrument developed. The aim of the study was to identify and describe the different forms of Relative Clauses (Rcs.) produced by two groups of children of 5 and 7 years in adult-child interactions. Considering the particular purposes of this research adaptations were made to the classical interview. The first adaptation was to convert the interview into a semi-structured interaction. With this technique we could obtain sizeable children autonomous speech and functional uses of Rcs. The instrument promotes children productions of discursive sequences by focusing the interaction on different significant childhood topics. So we had to identify, in a preliminary screening study, the discursive nuclei in the children communities. With the semi-structured interview we were able to collect 860 Rcs. and identify seven different types of Rcs. The analysis of the data allows us to sustain that different forms of Rcs. coexist at a same age and that they distribute their contexts of usage and their discursive functions. These results do not coincide with those of obtained previously in experimental studies (Gili & Gaya, 1972; Múgica & Solana, 1999; Solana, 1996, 1997). We believe that this discrepancy is due to the methodological tool used because it allowed observing the interrelation between syntactic forms and others discursive competence factors, such as Media Length Utterance. In sum, the methodological resource proposed seems to be a valuable tool to preserve much of child language usage characteristics in context and to understand the complex dynamics of syntactic development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the preliminary results of ongoing research on the pertinence and social impact of science and technology in Argentina. As a part of the same, certain work has been done on the conjecture that the principal contributions of the scientific and technological system in social development and in attention to serious social problems that affect society, should be evident in the connections and interactions that occur between actors that operate in the social field, whether involved in design and decision making in the area of public policy, or as agents in charge of the execution of social actions and interventions, public or private. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Question: What are the causative genetic variants in patients with male infertility due to severe sperm motility disorders?Summary Answer: We identified high confidence disease-causing variants in multiple genes previously associated with severe sperm motility disorders in 10 out of 21 patients (48%) and variants in novel candidate genes in seven additional patients (33%).What Is Known Already: Severe sperm motility disorders are a form of male infertility characterised by immotile sperm often in combination with a spectrum of structural abnormalities of the sperm flagellum that do not affect viability. Currently, depending on the clinical sub-categorisation, up to 50% of causality in patients with severe sperm motility disorders can be explained by pathogenic variants in at least 22 genes.Study Design, Size, Duration: We performed exome sequencing in 21 patients with severe sperm motility disorders from two different clinics.Participants/materials, Setting, Method: Two groups of infertile men, one from Argentina (n = 9) and one from Australia (n = 12), with clinically defined severe sperm motility disorders (motility <5%) and normal morphology values of 0-4%, were included. All patients in the Argentine cohort were diagnosed with DFS-MMAF, based on light and transmission electron microscopy. Sperm ultrastructural information was not available for the Australian cohort. Exome sequencing was performed in all 21 patients and variants with an allele frequency of <1% in the gnomAD population were prioritised and interpreted.Main Results and Role Of Chance: In 10 of 21 patients (48%), we identified pathogenic variants in known sperm assembly genes: CFAP43 (3 patients); CFAP44 (2 patients), CFAP58 (1 patient), QRICH2 (2 patients), DNAH1 (1 patient) and DNAH6 (1 patient). The diagnostic rate did not differ markedly between the Argentinian and the Australian cohort (55% and 42%, respectively). Furthermore, we identified patients with variants in the novel human candidate sperm motility genes: DNAH12, DRC1, MDC1, PACRG, SSPL2C and TPTE2. One patient presented with variants in four candidate genes and it remains unclear which variants were responsible for the severe sperm motility defect in this patient.Large Scale Data: N/A.Limitations, Reasons For Caution: In this study, we described patients with either a homozygous or two heterozygous candidate pathogenic variants in genes linked to sperm motility disorders. Due to unavailability of parental DNA, we have not assessed the frequency of de novo or maternally inherited dominant variants and could not determine the parental origin of the mutations to establish in all cases that the mutations are present on both alleles.Wider Implications Of the Findings: Our results confirm the likely causal role of variants in six known genes for sperm motility and we demonstrate that exome sequencing is an effective method to diagnose patients with severe sperm motility disorders (10/21 diagnosed; 48%). Furthermore, our analysis revealed six novel candidate genes for severe sperm motility disorders. Genome-wide sequencing of additional patient cohorts and re-analysis of exome data of currently unsolved cases may reveal additional variants in these novel candidate genes.Study Funding/competing Interest(s): This project was supported in part by funding from the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (APP1120356) to M.K.O.B., J.A.V. and R.I.M.L., The Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (918-15-667) to J.A.V., the Royal Society and Wolfson Foundation (WM160091) to J.A.V., as well as an Investigator Award in Science from the Wellcome Trust (209451) to J.A.V. and Grants from the National Research Council of Argentina (PIP 0900 and 4584) and ANPCyT (PICT 9591) to H.E.C. and a UUKi Rutherford Fund Fellowship awarded to B.J.H. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article analyzes the Twitter conversations carrying the hashtag #NiUnaMenos produced in Argentina during the time of the marches in 2015, 2016, and 2017, by adopting a quali-quantitative method. After describing the origins of NiUnaMenos, we illustrate the mobilizing force of femicide in a context of technopolitical use of social media by women's movements. Data analysis diachronically shows to what extent and in what terms conversations on NiUnaMenos refer to gender violence and femicide. The conclusions highlight the effective combination of femicide narrative, the Argentinean human rights tradition, and Twitter usages in transforming violence against women into a general civic matter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article interrogates the linguistic construction of agency in accounts of endometriosis pain in English and Spanish. Endometriosis is a reproductive condition causing incapacitating pain which is often dismissed or normalised, leading to delayed diagnosis. We take a patient-centred qualitative approach and analyse data gathered from 10 semi-structured interviews with women with endometriosis in British English and Argentine Spanish, using the transitivity and social actor representation frameworks. The findings indicate that the women across the two settings represent pain as an agentive overpowering actor and themselves with varying degrees of decreased agency. However, pain is more closely related to mental representations of the patients' experiences in Spanish than in English, where it is construed as an actor performing physical actions. The findings of the study have implications for pain communication practices and cross-language healthcare communication and should inform local pain assessment measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Non-adherence to tuberculosis (TB) treatment jeopardizes the individual's health and contributes to disease transmission and drug resistance. New patient-centered strategies are needed to improve TB treatment outcomes.Purpose: To convert and expand a texting-based intervention into a mobile optimized application (app), evaluate the feasibility of an added self-administered paper-based drug metabolite test, and identify needs and preferences to inform their iterative design.Methods: Qualitative methods using focus groups and field testing with patients in active TB treatment were used to gather initial input on the converted intervention design, content and issues using at home test strips to report medication adherence. Seven participants were recruited from an outpatient clinic within a regional public reference hospital specialized in respiratory diseases in Argentina. Thematic analyses were conducted on the transcripts and session notes.Results: Participants considered interactive communication, access to answers to frequently asked questions, and tracking of progress in treatment as important. Participants reported having many questions and uncertainties at initiation of treatment and emphasized a need for reliable information, assurance and support from both providers and peers. Other suggestions included streamlining the graphical user interface for easier and shorter data entry times and usability.Conclusions: Overall feedback from the participants regarding the intervention was positive, reporting that it was useful and relevant, and they were eager to contribute their ideas for improvement and additional functionality. Valuable feedback to improve functionality and meet the needs of end-users were obtained to inform the generation of new design ideas for refinement and testing in a pilot study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is no consensus regarding assessment of the brain function functional system (FS) of the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). We sought to describe brain function FS assessment criteria used by Argentinian neurologists and, based on the results, propose redefined brain function FS criteria. Methods: A structured survey was conducted of 113 Argentinian neurologists. Considering the survey results, we decided to redefine the brain function FS scoring using the Brief International Cognitive Assessment for MS (BICAMS) battery. For 120 adult patients with MS we calculated the EDSS score without brain function FS (basal EDSS) and compared it with the EDSS score after adding the modified brain function FS (modified EDSS). Results: Of the 93 neurologists analyzed, 14% reported that they did not assess brain function FS, 35% reported that they assessed it through a nonstructured interview, and the remainder used other tools. Significant differences were found in EDSS scores before and after the inclusion of BICAMS (P < .001). Redefining the brain function FS, 15% of patients modified their basal EDSS score, as did 20% of those with a score of 4.0 or less. Conclusions: The survey results show the importance of unifying the brain function FS scoring criteria in calculating the EDSS score. While allowing more consistent brain function FS scoring, including the modified brain function FS led to a change in EDSS score in many patients, particularly in the lower range of EDSS scores. Considering the relevance of the EDSS for monitoring patients with MS and for decision making, it is imperative to further validate the modified brain function FS scoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mental disorders affect approximately 10–15% of children and adolescents worldwide. In South America these numbers are probably higher due to poverty and adverse life events that frequently affect this region. The availability of qualified services and well-trained professionals to care for those children are by far insufficient. The aim of this study was to assess and describe child and adolescent psychiatry (CAP) training in Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Chile, to support the development and strengthen training standards. The coordinators of CAP residency programs in Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Chile were invited to answer an online questionnaire about the characteristics of their training programs. Twelve programs from Brazil, three programs from Chile, two from Argentina, and one from Uruguay completed the questionnaires. In the last three countries, CAP is recognized as an independent specialty, while in Brazil it is considered a subspecialty of psychiatry. None of the countries have a national guideline for CAP residency training. Recently, there has been an increase in the number of professionals interested in pursuing a formal CAP training. This is the first study aiming to evaluate the current scenario of CAP training in South America. The results point to a great potential in the evaluated programs, but also to the need for homogeneous criteria for CAP training and evaluation of residents. A more efficient communication among programs would be an enriching strategy for their development, which may be facilitated by the results of this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Investigacion & Educacion en Enfermeria is the property of Universidad de Antioquia, Facultad de Enfermeria and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objective: The study aim to establish a debate on the different policies implemented at indigenous population in the American continent and their relationship with the presence of DiegoA antigen (AgDia) in blood phenotype of inhabitants of Buenos Aires,Argentina. Methods: It is a descriptive study with qualitative/quantitative approach. A comprehensive search of medical/social databases, using MeSH words. Limits were applied to include studies published after 1950 written in Portuguese, English and Spanish. Results: Dia antigen in the population of several American countries is relatively high, hence, it should be considered in screening panels perform to blood donors. Noteworthy, the exception of this panorama is Buenos Aires State, where the prevalence of this antigen is low. This data was correlated with indigenous policies carried out by former governments. The results showed in population living in regions where Dia is high policy performed by the colonizers towards the indigenous peoples was domination+integration+miscegenation. In Buenos Aires, however, that policy was annihilation of the natives which could explain the low presence of the antigen in the current population. Conclusion: The presence of Ag-Dia in the population of Buenos Aires is low compared to other Latin- American regions. The presence of Ag-Dia in Buenos Aires population is low compared to other regions of Latin-America. The reason could be explained by the distinctive indigenous policy performed in this area. It might be possible then to predict the prevalence Dia in the current population, taking into account the history of indigenous policy in colonization of American continent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pertussis resurgence had been attributed to waning vaccine immunity and Bordetella pertussis adaptation to escape vaccine-induced immunity. Circulating bacteria differ genotypically from strains used in production of pertussis vaccine. Pertactin-deficient strains are highly prevalent in countries that use acellular vaccine (aP), suggesting strong aP-imposed selection of circulating bacteria. To corroborate this hypothesis, systematic studies on pertactin prevalence of infection in countries using whole-cell vaccine are needed. We provide pertussis epidemiologic data and molecular characterization of B. pertussis isolates from Buenos Aires, Argentina, during 2000-2017. This area used primary vaccination with whole-cell vaccine. Since 2002, pertussis case incidences increased at regular 4-year outbreaks; most cases were in infants <1 year of age. Of the B. pertussis isolates analyzed, 90.6% (317/350) contained the ptxP3-ptxA1-prn2-fim3-2 allelic profile. Immunoblotting and sequencing techniques detected only the 2 pertactin-deficient isolates. The low prevalence of pertactin-deficient strains in Argentina suggests that loss of pertactin gene expression might be driven by aP vaccine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An abstract of the article "Weak D antigen expression caused by a novel RHD allele in Argentineans" by Carolina Trucco Boggione and colleagues is presented.