Search

Objective: to describe an epidemiological study of one case of pertusis. Clinical case: a five-year old boy was diagnosed with pneumonia and he had incomplete DPT vaccination scheme; pertusis was diagnosed by using the PCR technique and culture. An epidemiological study with family contacts was carried out, in which 20 samples for both tests were obtained. These were taken twice. Results: The average age of the family members was 26.5 years, 50% were women, 62% did not have social security and 30% had three doses of DPT. 35% were positive to PCR and, 20% out of these had positive cultures. Conclusions: in children smaller than five years suffering from pneumonia, is relevant to ascertain about DPT vaccination status and to consider the possibility of carrying out an epidemiological study with the family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: adolescent population is an important age group, with vulnerability and health needs not well known, especially for those living in urban slums. Our objective was to identify health risks for adolescents living in poor urban areas in five geographical regions of Mexico., Methods: a secondary data analysis from a nationwide adolescents ́ survey was carried out from population living in poor urban areas of the north, center, DF, south and southeast of Mexico. Cigarette smoking, alcohol and drug consumption, as well as frequency of accidents and violence, age at sexual initiation and use of contraception methods were analyzed., Results: the highest frequencies of consumption were: 27.8 % for cigarette smoking and 35.2 % for alcohol, both in adolescents from 16 to 19 years; accidents (5 %) and violence (1.7 %); age (median) at sexual initiation was 16 years, about 50 % of adolescents with regular sexual activity reported use of a contraception method., Conclusions: comparing our data with National Health Surveys; in poor urban areas, most adolescents health risks are higher than those found for same group age in the general population, however, presentation of accidents and violence are similar.

Objective: To understand the health needs of the population living in Mexico's marginalized urban areas., Methods: A population-based survey of families residing in poor, urban neighborhoods, in five geographic areas in Mexico (northern, central, southern, south-east, and Mexico City), selected through multistage sampling. Interviews were conducted and anthropometric measurements were taken in the home, and included all members of the participating family. Analysis was carried out on positive health factors, nutrition, reproductive health, health problems, and mental health, and results were disaggregated by age and sex., Results: In all, 24,707 individuals participated. The interviewees were found to have minimal schooling (6 years or less). Only 46.8% had health care coverage, be it public or private. Among the children, 19.8% were malnourished; overweight was prevalent from adolescence onwards. Of adolescents 12-19 years of age, 15.7% were sexually active, but only 57.7% of the males and 41.9% of the females in this age group were using some method of contraception. Of the adults, 5.9% suffered from diabetes and 11.5%, from high blood pressure. In the sample of adolescents, adults, and elderly adults, tobacco use was 21.2%; alcohol consumption, 36.0%; illicit drug use, 9.5%; and depression, 20.2%., Conclusions: The health needs of people living in Mexico's marginalized urban areas proliferate in the context of a young population with weak ties and little support from family and health services. They face crisis and disease--infant malnutrition, high-risk pregnancy, and addictions--the byproducts of disparities in social progress. The rate of chronic conditions was similar to that of the general population of Mexico.

Background and Objectives: The Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS) is the largest public health care system in Mexico. IMSS family physicians' management of clinical problems is frequently not consistent with published evidence. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a multifaceted educational intervention to improve management of acute respiratory infections (ARI) by IMSS family physicians., Methods: A non-randomized pre-post intervention with comparison group design was conducted in eight IMSS family medicine clinics in which 106 family physicians practiced. An evidence-based clinical guideline for ARI management was developed, and clinical tutors were trained. The three-stage intervention comprised interactive workshops, individual tutorials, and round-table peer-review sessions. The main outcome was appropriate ARI case management. The intervention effect was calculated by using the differences-in-differences model, adjusting for cluster of physicians., Results: In the intervention group, the difference in mean proportion of improvement compared with baseline evaluation was 22.6% (95% confidence interval [CI]=10.3 to 34.9) for appropriate prescription of antibiotics, 29.8% (95% CI=17.2 to 42.4) for indication of worsening signs, and 19.6% (95% CI=11.2 to 28.0) for overall appropriate case management. The comparison group showed no significant changes., Conclusions: The educational intervention improved ARI management. Further studies are needed to analyze organizational implications, cost, sustainability, and effects on health outcomes.

Objective: To describe an epidemiological study of one case of pertusis., Clinical Case: a five-year old boy was diagnosed with pneumonia and he had incomplete DPT vaccination scheme; pertusis was diagnosed by using the PCR technique and culture. An epidemiological study with family contacts was carried out, in which 20 samples for both tests were obtained. These were taken twice., Results: The average age of the family members was 26.5 years, 50 % were women, 62 % did not have social security and 30 % had three doses of DPT. 35 % were positive to PCR and, 20 % out of these had positive cultures., Conclusions: In children smaller than five years suffering from pneumonia, is relevant to ascertain about DPT vaccination status and to consider the possibility of carrying out an epidemiological study with the family.-