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Abstract Background Exposure to violence in youth may be associated with substance use and other adverse health effects. This study examined cigarette smoking in two middle-income areas with different levels and types of exposure to violence. Methods Association of exposure to verbal and physical violence with cigarette smoking in the West Bank oPt (2008) and in Jujuy Argentina (2006) was examined using cross-sectional surveys of 14 to 17-year old youth in 7th to 10th grade using probabilistic sampling. Results Violence exposure rates were more than double for Palestinian girls (99.6% vs. 41.2%) and boys (98.7% vs. 41.1%) compared with Argentinians. The rate of current cigarette smoking was significantly higher among Argentinian girls compared with Palestinian girls (33.1% vs. 7.1%, p

Abstract Background Cultivation of tobacco raises concerns about detrimental health and social consequences for youth, but tobacco producing countries only highlight economic benefits. We compared sociodemographic and health-related characteristics of school-age youth who worked and did not work in tobacco farming and assessed the effects on smoking behavior and health at 1 year. Methods We used existing data collected in the province of Jujuy, Argentina where 3188 youth 13 to 17 years of age from a random middle school sample responded to longitudinal questionnaires in 2005 and 2006. Multivariate logistic regression models predicted association of tobacco farming work with health status and smoking behavior at 1 year. Results 22.8% of youth in the tobacco growing areas of the province were involved in tobacco farming. The mean age of initiation to tobacco farming was 12.6 years. Youth working in farming had higher rates of fair or poor versus good or excellent self-perceived health (30.3% vs. 19.0%), having a serious injury (48.5% vs. 38.5%), being injured accidentally by someone else (7.5% vs. 4.6%), being assaulted (5.5% vs. 2.6%), and being poisoned by exposure to chemicals (2.5% vs. 0.7%). Youth working in tobacco farming also had higher prevalence of ever (67.9% vs. 55.2%), current (48.0% vs. 32.6%) and established smoking (17.8% vs. 9.9%). In multivariate logistic regression models tobacco farming in 2005 was associated with significant increased reporting of serious injury (OR = 1.4; 95%CI 1.1–2.0), accidental injury by someone else (OR = 1.5; 95% 1.0–2.1), assault (OR = 2.2; 95% CI 1.3–3.8), and poisoning by exposure to chemicals (OR = 2.5; 95% CI 1.2–5.4). Tobacco farming in 2005 predicted established smoking 1 year later (OR = 1.5; 95% CI 1.1–2.0). Conclusion Youth who work in tobacco faming face a challenging burden of adversities that increase their vulnerability. Risk assessments should guide public policies to protect underage youth working in tobacco farming. (298 words).

Abstract Background Pre- and perinatal nutritional status defines the development of adult metabolism and energy balance in humans. Young children in poor households are disproportionately more vulnerable to food insecurity given the cumulative impact of chronic stress on susceptibility to chronic diseases as an adult. Qualitative studies focusing on the experience of food insecurity in Latin America are scarce. In Argentina, although socioeconomic indicators improved in the aftermath of the 2001ecomomic crisis, the disadvantaged provinces in the north continue to bear the burden of historical inequities. The study was conducted among Primary Health Care patients in the city of San Salvador de Jujuy, Argentina. It analyzes environmental and household level stressors through the narratives of mothers with young children living with food insecurity, from the perspectives of eco-developmental conceptual frameworks. Methods We conducted 11 semi-structured interviews with mothers of children

Background Cigarette smoking increases the risk of perinatal disorders like premature rupture of membranes, placenta previa, abruptio placenta, stillbirth, preterm delivery, and low-birth weight. Rates of smoking during pregnancy (SDP) vary, from 9.9% in Japan to 17% in Australia and 30-35% in Spain. To determine variations in the risk of SDP and tailor interventions, understanding predictors is crucial. Methods This study was conducted in 2014, among participants of free maternal-child health services in four cities of Northwest Argentina. Mothers of children from birth to 5 years of age responded to a questionnaire (N=1107) in 16 randomly selected clinics. We conducted bi- and multivariate analysis of SDP by psychosocial risk factors. Results A 10.3% of respondents reported SDP, with lower rates among Indigenous vs. non-Indigenous women (4.7% vs. 11%). A greater percentage of mothers who did not report SDP had full term babies, and reported that the child's health was excellent or very good, but no significant differences were reported regarding child's health problems at birth. In bivariate analysis, educational level, occupational status, concern about household income, externalizing behavior, number of smokers in the household and the number of cigarettes smoked in the previous month, were significant risks. In multivariate analysis, Indigenous women were less likely to report SDP (OR 0.2); complete elementary or incomplete high school education were protective factors (OR 0.3) but higher educational status was not significant, compared with having less than elementary education. Students (OR 2.8), the unemployed or those with informal work (OR 9.6) were at risk compared with the formally employed. Conclusions Understanding social norms, resources and stressors among women of different ethnic groups or educational and occupational status, could increase the efficacy of prevention strategies. We propose that close to zero exposure to cigarette smoke in utero is achievable and should be a Tobacco Free Generations primordial objective.

OBJETIVO: Examinar los patrones de consumo y los problemas relacionados con el alcohol en jóvenes de la provincia de Jujuy, Argentina. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: En el año 2005 se aplicó una encuesta a una muestra representativa de 2924 jóvenes de noveno grado (12-17 años), incluidas la información sociodemográfica y de consumo y la prueba AUDIT-C. RESULTADOS: Hasta 9% de las mujeres y 11% de los varones refirieron consumo de riesgo; asimismo, 12% de las mujeres y 19% de los varones notificaron síntomas de dependencia. Las mujeres presentaban menor probabilidad que los varones de experimentar síntomas de dependencia (RM ajustada 0.7; IC95% 0.6-0.8) o de consumo perjudicial (RM ajustada 0.7; IC95% 0.6-0.8). Tener mayor edad, trabajar y asistir al turno nocturno fueron factores de riesgo para el consumo de riesgo, síntomas de dependencia y consumo perjudicial. CONCLUSIONES: Los resultados ponen de relieve la importancia de instituir intervenciones de prevención y tratamiento para los adolescentes.OBJECTIVE: To examine drinking patterns and alcohol-related problems among youth in Jujuy, Argentina. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A survey was conducted in 2005 with a representative sample of 9th grade youth (12 to 17 years old) including sociodemographic and consumption data, and the AUDIT-C test. RESULTS: Nine percent of girls and 11% of boys reported hazardous drinking; 12% of girls and 19% of boys reported dependence symptoms. The odds ratio for dependence symptoms (adjusted OR 0.7; 95%CI: 0.6-0.8) and for hazardous drinking (adjusted OR 0.7; 95%CI: 0.6-0.8) was significantly lower for girls compared with boys. Older age, working, and attending night school were risk factors for hazardous drinking, dependence symptoms, and harmful drinking. CONCLUSIONS: A significant proportion of youth reported problematic patterns of alcohol drinking, highlighting the need to implement prevention and treatment interventions tailored to the adolescent population.