Search

Global consumption of vegetables and fruits is currently below recommendations, impacting the prevalence of obesity and non-communicable diseases. In addition to environmental factors, mothers' feeding practices influence children's eating patterns.Questionnaires were conducted with mothers of children 7 months to 7 years of age (n = 727), in 12 Primary Health Care Centers in the capital cities of three Argentine provinces. Fruit and vegetable consumption was evaluated with the Children's Dietary Questionnaire (CDQ). We tested the association with maternal feeding practices distributed across three domains: role modeling, accessibility, and socialization of the products in the home. We tested 11 practices separately and a variable summing the 11 practices.The majority of children (86%) had low fruit and vegetable intake. In regression models, each of the 11 practices showed a significant association with children's fruit and vegetable intake (beta 0,6-1,8). However, the variable testing the sum of the 11 practices showed a larger association parameter with intake, even in multiple regression (beta 3,9). Proximity of sale points and cost of products also showed a significant association with intake.Results provide information on home based strategies to promote children's fruit and vegetable intake that do not require complex resources and can be incorporated into community health education programs.Introducción: El consumo de vegetales y frutas a nivel global está por debajo de lo recomendado, incidiendo sobre la prevalencia de obesidad y enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles a corto y largo plazo. Además de factores ambientales, las prácticas maternas influyen sobre los patrones alimentarios de hijos e hijas. Métodos: Se aplicaron cuestionarios a 727 madres con hijos/hijas de 7 meses a 7 años de edad, en 12 Centros de Atención Primaria de Salud en las ciudades capitales de Tucumán, Santiago del Estero y Jujuy, Argentina. La ingesta de vegetales y frutas se evaluó mediante el Cuestionario de Dieta para Niños (CDQ por sus siglas en inglés) y se evaluó su asociación con prácticas maternas en 3 dominios conceptuales, rol modélico, accesibilidad, y socialización de esos alimentos en el hogar. Con regresión simple se analizaron 11 prácticas en forma separada, y con regresión multivariada una variable compuesta por la sumatoria de las 11 prácticas. Resultados: El 86% de niños/niñas tenía un bajo consumo de vegetales y frutas. Cada una de las 11 prácticas alimentarias mostró una asociación significativa con el consumo (beta 0.6 a 1.8). Sin embargo, la sumatoria de las distintas prácticas, su utilización en forma combinada, mostró un mayor efecto (beta 3.9). Cercanía a locales de venta y costo también estaban asociados significativamente con el consumo. Conclusión: Los resultados informan sobre estrategias para promover el consumo de vegetales y frutas, que pueden aplicarse en el contexto del hogar no requieren de recursos complejos y pueden incorporarse a programas de educación para la salud a nivel comunitario.

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 < 1 to 6 years of age who participated in maternal-child health programs in Primary Health Care clinics and lived in food insecure households. Interviews focused on the environmental context and the resources and processes for obtaining and preparing daily meals. Results: The Eco-bio-developmental (EBD) framework and the vulnerability-assets approach, provided a basis for conceptualizing the significance of findings. Our results indicated the need to understand pathways in the association of stressors, vulnerability and ill health, as well as the mitigating role of social relationships. For example, understanding the link between the stress of being exposed to environmental contaminants and the capacity to overcome food insecurity, or developing strategies to integrate the support provided by kinship networks like extended families into food security programs. The results also indicate the importance of developing support mechanisms for vulnerable family members like grandmothers in food insecure households who play instrumental roles as providers and caretakers of younger relatives. Conclusion: The empirical evidence generated by this study may inform community based strategies and public health policies to address food insecurity in vulnerable population groups who face health effects from multiple stressors. Fil: Alderete, Ethel del Carmen. Ctro Científico Tecnológico Salta. UE CISOR; Argentina Fil: Sonderegger, Lauren. No especfica; Estados Unidos Fil: Pérez-Stable, Eliseo J.. No especifica

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). Fil: Alderete, Ethel del Carmen. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Salta. Unidad Ejecutora en Ciencias Sociales Regionales y Humanidades. Universidad Nacional de Jujuy. Unidad Ejecutora en Ciencias Sociales Regionales y Humanidades; Argentina Fil: Livaudais Toman, Jennifer. University of California; Estados Unidos Fil: Kaplan, Celia. University of California; Estados Unidos Fil: Gregorich, Steven E.. University of California; Estados Unidos Fil: Mejía, Raúl. Centro de Estudios de Estado y Sociedad; Argentina Fil: Pérez Stable, Eliseo J.. National Institutes of Health; Estados Unidos

OBJECTIVES:This study evaluated the effect of factors reflecting appreciation of Indigenous culture and racial insults on alcohol and drug use initiation among multi-ethnic youth in Jujuy, Argentina.METHODS:Students were surveyed from 27 secondary schools that were randomly selected to represent the province. A total of 3040 eligible students in 10th grade, age 14 to 18years were surveyed in 2006 and 2660 of these same students completed surveys in 11th grade in 2007. Multivariate logistic regression models assessed the effect of appreciation for Indigenous cultures and reported exposure to racial insults in 10th grade on incident current alcohol drinking in previous 30days, binge drinking (≥5 drinks at one sitting), and lifetime drug use (marijuana, inhalants or cocaine) in 11th grade among students not reporting these behaviors in 2006.RESULTS:In 2006, 63% of respondents reported high appreciation for Indigenous cultures and 39% had ever experienced racial insults. In 2007, incident current drinking was 24.4%, binge drinking 14.8%, and any drug use initiation was 4.1%. Exposure to racial insults increased the likelihood of binge drinking (OR=1.6; 95% CI 1.2-2.1) but was not significant for any drug use. Appreciation for Indigenous cultures reduced the risk of any drug use initiation (OR=0.5, 95% CI 0.3-0.7) but had no effect for alcohol drinking outcomes. These effects were independent of Indigenous ethnicity.CONCLUSIONS:Enhancing appreciation for Indigenous cultures and decreasing racial insults are achievable goals that can be incorporated into programs to prevent youth substance use. Fil: Alderete, Ethel del Carmen. Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología Regional; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Jujuy; Argentina Fil: Grerorich, Steven. University of California; Estados Unidos Fil: Monteban, Madalena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. University of Georgia; Estados Unidos Fil: Kaplan, Celia. University of California; Estados Unidos. Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center; Estados Unidos Fil: Mejia, Raul Mariano. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Centro de Estudio de Estado y Sociedad; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires; Argentina Fil: Jennifer Livaudais, Toman. University of California; Estados Unidos Fil: Pérez Stable, Eliseo. University of California; Estados Unidos. Centro de Estudio de Estado y Sociedad; Argentina

Introduction: We evaluated an intervention to teach physicians how to help their smoking patients quit compared to usual care in Argentina. Methods: Physicians were recruited from six clinical systems and randomized to intervention (didactic curriculum in two 3-hour sessions) or usual care. Smoking patients who saw participating physicians within 30 days of the intervention (index clinical visit) were randomly sampled and interviewed by telephone with follow-up surveys at months 6 and 12 after the index clinical visit. Outcomes were tobacco abstinence (main), quit attempt in the past month, use of medications to quit smoking, and cigarettes per day. Repeated measures on the same participants were accommodated via generalized linear mixed models. Results: Two hundred fifty-four physicians were randomized; average age 44.5 years, 53% women and 12% smoked. Of 1378 smoking patients surveyed, 81% were women and 45% had more than 12 years of education. At 1 month, most patients (77%) reported daily smoking, 20% smoked some days and 3% had quit. Mean cigarettes smoked per day was 12.9 (SD = 8.8) and 49% were ready to quit within the year. Intention-to-treat analyses did not show significant group differences in quit rates at 12 months when assuming outcome response was missing at random (23% vs. 24.1%, P = .435). Using missing=smoking imputation rule, quit rates were not different at 12 months (15.6% vs. 16.4% P = .729). Motivated smokers were more likely to quit at 6 months (17.7% vs. 9.6%, P = .03). Conclusions: Training in tobacco cessation for physicians did not improve abstinence among their unselected smoking patients. Fil: Mejia, Raul Mariano. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Centro de Estudios de Estado y Sociedad; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires; Argentina Fil: Stable, Eliseo J. Pérez. Universidad de California en San Francisco; Estados Unidos Fil: Kaplan, Celia P.. Universidad de California en San Francisco; Estados Unidos Fil: Gregorich, Steven E.. Universidad de California en San Francisco; Estados Unidos Fil: Livaudais Toman, Jennifer. Universidad de California en San Francisco; Estados Unidos Fil: Peña, Lorena. Centro de Estudios de Estado y Sociedad; Argentina Fil: Alderete, Mariela del Carmen. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Fundacion Interamericana del Corazón Argentina; Argentina Fil: Schoj, Veronica. Fundacion Interamericana del Corazón Argentina; Argentina Fil: Alderete, Ethel del Carmen. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

The purpose of this study was to identify Andean youth's beliefs regarding ceremonial tobacco use and to discuss potential applications of findings in tobacco control interventions. The study was conducted in the Province of Jujuy, Argentina among 202 boys and girls, 10 to 20 years of age, living in rural and urban areas. The world of beliefs and meanings became accessible by asking youth to focus on tangible experiences regarding the Pachamama ceremony, a ritual honoring Mother Earth. Concepts such as reciprocity, the unity of material and spiritual realms, and the complementary nature of opposite forces were linked to beliefs about ceremonial tobacco use. Three domains for understanding smoking behaviour beliefs and norms were identified including mechanisms of production, conceptual tenants and behavioural expressions. These findings suggest that tobacco control interventions based on solidarity, reciprocity, and non-rational ways of learning are more culturally appropriate for native populations in the Andes than the current individual behaviour change models and have the potential applications with other indigenous populations. The research methods also have the potential for generalized application in cross-cultural studies of health behaviours in understudied populations in middle and low-income countries.

Objective: To evaluate the processes and outcomes of tobacco litigation in Argentina and to analyse the strategies of the tobacco industry to oppose litigation using tobacco industry documents. Methods: A systematic search of tobacco industry documents on the internet dating from 1978 to 2002. Law library searches using Argentinean official and unofficial reports systems were combined with computerised online searches. Results: There have been at least 15 failed litigation cases in Argentina and the tobacco industry presented a concerted defence in every claim regardless of cost. We categorised 11 cases as product liability and nicotine addiction, two as health care reimbursement, and two as criminal law and secondhand smoke. Industry strategies included hiring legal consultants from prestigious international and Argentinean law firms and developing litigation prevention programmes. Industry monitored legal academic meetings, controlled the development of new product liability legislation, obtained favourable opinions from experts, and closely observed the development of litigation in Argentina. Conclusion: The strategies used by the industry have been successful in preventing recovery for tobacco injuries through litigation. Argentinean health advocates and lawyers need to be aware of the roles and strategies of the tobacco industry in order to develop effective litigation in Argentina.

An abnormal mammography finding constitutes a stressful event that may increase vulnerability by developing or intensifying pre-existing psychological morbidity. We evaluated depressive symptoms using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview among women of four ethnic groups who had an abnormal mammography result controlling for the effect of demographic, psychosocial and medical factors on recent onset of depressive symptoms. Telephone surveys were conducted among women aged 40–80 years recruited from four clinical sites in the San Francisco Bay Area after receiving a screening mammography result that was classified as abnormal but probably benign, suspicious or highly suspicious, or indeterminate using standard criteria. Among the 910 women who completed the interview, mean age was 56 (S.D.=10), 42% were White, 19% Latina, 25% African American, and 14% Asian. Prevalence of lifetime depressive symptoms was 44%, and 11% of women had symptoms in the previous month. Multivariate logistic regression models showed that Asian ethnicity, annual income >$10 000 and weekly attendance at religious services were significantly associated with decreased depressive symptoms. Having an indeterminate result on mammography and being on disability were significantly associated with more depressive symptoms. Reporting a first episode of depression more than a year before the interview was associated with significant increase in depressive symptoms in the month prior to the interview regardless of mammography result. Women with an indeterminate interpretation on mammography were at greater risk of depressive episode in the month prior to the interview compared to women with probably benign results (odds ratio=2.41; 95% CI=1.09–5.31) or with a suspicious finding. Clinicians need to consider depression as a possible consequence after an abnormal mammography result. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

OBJECTIVES: In this study, the prevalence of and risk factors for 12 psychiatric disorders were examined by sex and ethnicity (Indian vs non-Indian) among Mexican migrant farm-workers working in Fresno County, California. METHODS: Subjects aged 18 through 59 years were selected under a cluster sampling design (n = 1001). A modified version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview was used for case ascertainment. The effects of sociodemographic and acculturation factors on lifetime psychiatric disorders were tested. RESULTS: Lifetime rates of any psychiatric disorder were as follows: men, 26.7% (SE = 1.9); women, 16.8% (SE = 1.7); Indians, 26.0% (SE = 4.5); non-Indians, 20.1% (SE = 1.3). Total lifetime rates were as follows: affective disorders, 5.7%; anxiety disorders, 12.5%; any substance abuse or dependence, 8.7%; antisocial personality, 0.2%. Lifetime prevalence of any psychiatric disorder was lower for migrants than for Mexican Americans and for the US population as a whole. High acculturation and primary US residence increased the likelihood of lifetime psychiatric disorders. CONCLUSIONS: The results underscore the risk posed by cultural adjustment problems, the potential for progressive deterioration of this population's mental health, and the need for culturally appropriate mental health services.

The study examines the effects of time in the United States and Indian ethnicity on prevalence of 12 DSM-III-R psychiatric disorders among Mexican Americans in California. In Fresno County, primarily an agricultural area, 3012 participants of Mexican origin (18 to 59 years) were selected under a cluster sampling design and interviewed using a version of the World Health Organization's Composite International Diagnostic Instrument (WHO-CIDI). Lifetime prevalence of any psychiatric disorder was 46.4% for Indians and 32.9% for non-Indians. Alcohol dependence was the most prevalent disorder (Indians = 17.4%, non-Indians = 10.7%). Indians had significantly higher risk of affective disorders (adjusted OR = 2.9) and drug abuse/dependence (adjusted OR = 2.6) compared with non-Indians. Time in the United States was associated with higher risk of lifetime affective disorders and drug abuse/dependence. This effect was more pronounced among Indians. Mexican immigrants are ethnically heterogenous and Indians appear to be more vulnerable to negative effects of exposure to U.S. society.

Objective. Evaluate effect of gender role attitudes on tobacco and alcohol use among Argentinean girls. Method. Cross-sectional survey of 10th grade students attending 27 randomly selected schools in Jujuy, Argentina. Questions about tobacco and alcohol use were adapted from global youth surveys. Five items with 5-point response options of agreement–disagreement assessed attitude towards egalitarian (higher score) gender roles. Results. 2133 girls, aged 13–18 years, 71% Indigenous, 22% mixed Indigenous/European, and 7% European responded. Of these, 60% had ever smoked, 32% were current smokers, 58% ever drinkers, 27% drank in previous month, and 13% had ≥5 drinks on one occasion. Mean response to the gender role scale was 3.49 (95% Confidence Intervals = 3.41–3.57) out of 5 tending toward egalitarian attitudes. Logistic regression models using the gender role scale score as the main predictor and adjusting for demographic and social confounders showed that egalitarian gender role was associated with ever smoking (Odds Ratio = 1.25; 95% Confidence Intervals 1.09–1.44), ever drinking (Odds Ratio =1.24; 95% Confidence Intervals 1.10–1.40), drinking in prior month (Odds Ratio = 1.21; 95% Confidence Intervals 1.07–1.37) and ≥5 drinks on one occasion (Odds Ratio = 1.15; 95% Confidence Intervals 1.00–1.33), but was not significant for current smoking. Conclusion. Girls in Jujuy who reported more egalitarian gender role attitudes had higher odds of smoking or drinking. Fil: Mejia, Raul Mariano. Universidad de Buenos Aires; Argentina. Centro de Estudios de Estado y Sociedad; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Kaplan, Celia. University of California San Francisco. Department of Medicine. Medical Effectiveness Research Center for Diverse Populations. Division of General Internal Medicine; Estados Unidos Fil: Alderete, Ethel del Carmen. Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnologia Regional; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Gregorich, Steven E.. University of California San Francisco. Department of Medicine. Medical Effectiveness Research Center for Diverse Populations. Division of General Internal Medicine; Estados Unidos Fil: Pérez Stable, Eliseo J.. Centro de Estudios de Estado y Sociedad; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. University of California San Francisco. Department of Medicine. Medical Effectiveness Research Center for Diverse Populations. Division of General Internal Medicine; Estados Unidos

Latin America has the highest prevalence of tobacco use by youth. Higher media literacy, defined as the ability to analyze and evaluate media messages, has been associated with lower smoking among youth in the United States. The objective of this study was to determine whether media literacy related to smoking is independently associated with current smoking and susceptibility to future smoking in a sample of mostly indigenous youth in Jujuy, Argentina.In 2006, a self-administered survey was conducted among 10th grade students sampled from 27 randomly selected urban and rural schools in Jujuy. Survey items measured smoking behavior (ever, never, and current), susceptibility to future smoking among never-smokers (definitely not accept a cigarette from a friend or to smoke in the future), 5 items assessing smoking media literacy (SML), and risk factors for smoking.Of the 3,470 respondents, 1,170 (34%) reported having smoked in the previous 30 days (current). Of the 1,430 students who had never smoked, 912 (64%) were susceptible to future smoking. High media literacy was present in 38%. Using multiple logistic regression, fully adjusted models showed that high media literacy was significantly associated as a protective factor of being a current smoker (odds ratio [OR] = 0.81; 95% CI = 0.67-0.97) and of being susceptible to future smoking (OR = 0.73; 95% CI = 0.58-0.92) among those who had never smoked.Among youth in Jujuy, higher SML was significantly associated with both lower current smoking and susceptibility to future smoking. Teaching SML may be a valuable component in a prevention intervention in this population.

Exposure to racial insults among youth in Jujuy, Argentina, was examined as a factor associated with smoking behavior.Youth sampled from eighth-grade classes in 27 randomly selected middle schools completed annual surveys in the ninth and tenth grades. Demographics, race/ethnicity (Indigenous/Amazonian, Indigenous/Andean, Indigenous unspecified group, Mixed European-Indigenous, European), cigarette smoking, and other attitudinal and behavioral factors were measured. Exposure to racial insults, measured in the ninth grade, was modeled to predict cigarette smoking in the previous 30 days (defined as current) in the tenth grade conditional on ninth grade smoking.Of the 3,122 respondents, 35.5% reported exposure to racial insults and 33.8% were current smokers. Factors associated with racial insults were being male, indigenous language spoken at home, ever and current smoking, smoking in a ceremonial context, exposure to second-hand smoke at home, number of friends who smoke, having low expectations for the future, low identification with conforming role models, high identification with defiant role models, and depressive symptoms. Reported exposure to racial insults increased the risk of current smoking in the 10th grade among Indigenous Amazonian respondents (OR = 3.8; 95% CI 1.4-10.4) and among the Indigenous-unspecified group (OR = 1.8; 95% CI 1.1-2.8), but not among European or Indigenous Andean youth.Exposure to racial insults is commonplace among youth in Jujuy. Evidence of a longitudinal effect of ninth-grade racial insults on tenth-grade smoking rates provides support for an association of racial insults with smoking behavior.

This study examines alternative tobacco use among Latin American youth. A self-administered survey in a random sample of 27 schools was administered in 2004 in Jujuy, Argentina (N = 3218). Prevalence of alternative tobacco product use was 24.1; 15.3 of youth used hand-rolled cigarettes, 7.8 smoked cigars, 2.3 chewed tobacco leaf and 1.6% smoked pipe. Among youth who never smoked manufactured cigarettes, alternative product use was rare (2.9), except for chewing tobacco (22). In multivariate logistic regression boys were more likely than girls to smoke pipe (OR=3.1; 95 CI 1.1-8.7); indigenous language was associated with smoking hand-rolled cigarettes (OR=1.4; 95 CI-1.1-1.9) and pipe (OR=2.2; 95 CI 1.5-3.4). Working in tobacco sales was a risk factor for chewing tobacco (OR=2.9; 95 CI: 1.7-4.9) and smoking hand-rolled cigarettes (OR=1.4; 95 CI 1.1-1.8). Having friends who smoked was associated with chewing tobacco (OR=1.8; 95 CI 1.0-3.2) and with smoking cigars (OR=2.1; 95 CI 1.5-2.9). Current drinking and thrill-seeking orientation were associated with cigars and pipe smoking. Findings highlight the importance of surveillance of alternative tobacco products use and availability among youth and for addressing identified risk factors. Copyright © 2010 Ethel Alderete et al. Fil: Alderete, Ethel del Carmen. Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología Regional; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Kaplan, Celia Patricia. University of California; Estados Unidos Fil: Gregorich, Steven E.. University of California; Estados Unidos Fil: Pérez Stable, Eliseo J.. University of California; Estados Unidos

Latin America is the world region with the highest rates of youth tobacco use and widest socioeconomic gaps, yet no data are available on smoking among Indigenous people, the largest disadvantaged group in the region. A self-administered survey of 3,131 8th grade youth enrolled in a random sample of 27 urban and rural schools was administered in 2004 in Jujuy, Argentina. Standard questions adapted from global surveys were used. Compared with youth of European background (11.4%; 95% CI 6.7-15.1), Indigenous (23.0%; 95% CI 21.0-25.0), and Mixed ethnicity (23%; 95% CI 18.9-27.1) youth had higher prevalence of current smoking. The odds of current smoking remained significantly elevated for Indigenous (OR 1.9; 95% CI = 1.1-3.3) and Mixed youth (OR 2.0; 95% CI 1.2-3.4) after controlling for confounders. Other risk factors that were associated with current smoking included: having any friends who smoke, repeating a grade in school, depressive symptoms in previous year, drinking any alcohol in the previous week and thrill seeking orientation. These results underscore the importance of social and cultural diversity aspects of the global tobacco epidemic.

We examined patterns of alcohol consumption and blood alcohol levels in emergency room patients. The study was conducted in a public hospital of the province of Jujuy, Argentina. A survey was conducted among all patients during the 24 hours of 4 consecutive days (N = 500) using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, short version (AUDIT-C). Blood samples were collected in 84% of participants. Results showed that 37% were hazardous drinkers (men 50% vs. women 23%), 29% had symptoms of dependence (men 48% vs. women 11%); 17% of men and 3% of women had high blood alcohol levels, equal or greater than 50 mg/dl. In multivariate logistic regression models men had increased likelihood of hazardous drinking (Adjusted OR 3.2; 95% CI 2.1-5.0), symptoms of dependence (Adjusted OR 7.5; 95% CI 4.4-12.7) and increased blood alcohol levels (Adjusted OR 8.0; 95% CI 2.2-28.8), compared with women. Patients admitted due to accidents, violence, or drug use, had increased likelihood of hazardous drinking (Adjusted OR 2.4; 95% CI 1.5-3.9), dependence symptoms (Adjusted OR 2.0; 95% CI 1.2-3.3) and increased blood alcohol levels (Adjusted OR 7.7; 95% CI 3.0-19.8), compared with those admitted for other reasons. Alcoholism has a significant impact on the occurrence of injuries and on the demand imposed on health services. Prevention programs can potentially reduce the negative health and social impact of alcoholism.

To examine drinking patterns and alcohol-related problems among youth in Jujuy, Argentina.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.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.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.

Aims. To examine the effects of gender and acculturation on illicit drug use among the Mexican-origin population in California. Design. The 3012 subjects between 18 and 59 years of age were selected under a stratified, multi-stage cluster sampling method. Setting. Fresno County in California is primarily agricultural, with only one metropolitan area. Over 30% of the total population of 764 800, are Hispanics, of Mexican origin. Measurements. A modified version of the World Health Organization's Composite International Diagnostic Instrument (WHO-CIDI) was used to ascertain drug use. Respondents were considered drug users if they had ever used marijuana, cocaine, hallucinogens, heroin or inhalants. Acculturation was measured with a Likert scale, assessing English vs. Spanish language preference. Other covariates of interest were nativity and place of residence. Findings. Men had higher rates of use than women for every drug (men = 46.3%, women = 23.2%). Urban rates were higher than rural rates, for both women (urban = 32.8% vs. rural = 16.6%) and men (urban = 57.0% vs. rural = 36.8%). In logistic regression models, men were more likely than women to have ever used illicit drugs or inhalants (adjusted OR = 4.8), cocaine (adjusted OR = 5.3) or marijuana (OR = 4.3). However, the combined effect of United States nativity and acculturation, on drug use, was greater among women (adjusted OR = 29.3) than among men (adjusted OR = 7.4). The effect of acculturation was stronger among urban, than among town or rural residents. Conclusions. Acculturation and United States nativity are risk factors for illicit drug use among Mexican origin men and women. However, women have increased vulnerability compared with men. Findings reinforce the need for culturally based public health interventions.

Background The Mexican American Prevalence and Services Survey presents lifetime prevalence rates for 12 DSM-III-R psychiatric disorders in a sample of 3012 adults of Mexican origin by place of residence and nativity, and compares these results with those of population surveys conducted in the United States and Mexico. Methods The stratified random sample included noninstitutionalized persons aged 18 to 59 years of Mexican origin, who were residents of Fresno County, California. Psychiatric disorders were assessed using a modified version of the World Health Organization Composite International Diagnostic Interview in face-to-face interviews. Results Mexican immigrants had lifetime rates similar to those of Mexican citizens, while rates for Mexican Americans were similar to those of the national population of the United States. This difference is attributable to a prevalence rate for any disorder among immigrants of 24.9%, compared with 48.1% among US-born respondents. A higher prevalence for any disorder was reported in urban (35.7%) compared with town (32.1%) or rural (29.8%) areas. Multivariate analyses showed an adjusted effect of country of birth, but not of urban residence. Conclusions Despite very low education and income levels, Mexican Americans had lower rates of lifetime psychiatric disorders compared with rates reported for the US population by the National Comorbidity Survey. Psychiatric morbidity among Mexican Americans is primarily influenced by cultural variance rather than socioeconomic status or urban vs rural residence.

To test the hypothesis that coffee consumption and cigarette smoking are associated with time to conception, we analyzed data collected from 1,341 primigravidas participating in the Child Health and Development Studies in the San Francisco Bay Area between 1959 and 1966. Women were interviewed in person about their reproductive and medical history, habits (smoking, coffee and alcohol consumption), and sociodemographic characteristics. Logistic regression models showed that after adjusting for covariates, women who smoked cigarettes had about one-half the fertility [odds ratio (OR) = 0.5-0.6] of nonsmoker-noncoffee drinkers for times to conception of 6 and 12 months, regardless of whether they drank coffee. On the other hand, coffee consumers who did not smoke did not have decreased fertility compared with nondrinkers who did not smoke (adjusted OR = 1.0-1.2). Coffee drinking did not increase the risk of delayed conception among smokers over the risk posed by the smoking exposure by itself (adjusted OR = 0.6-0.8). We observed an effect of smoking even at low doses (1-9 cigarettes per day). The present study adds to the evidence of an association between cigarette smoking and reduced fertility.