Social representations of mask wearing in the general population during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Introduction: Although one of the most prominent interventions against COVID-19, face masks seem poorly adopted by the general population. A growing body of literature has found that using face masks has social meaning. This qualitative study assessed the perceptions, representations and practices of mask wearing in the general population. Methods: A qualitative survey by short semi-structured walking interviews was carried out from April to December 2021 in 11 cities in France's Pays de la Loire region. Study locations were selected for their varied geographical, social, and economic characteristics, with urbanized and rural areas. Four domains linked to perceptions of masks and wearing them were explored: (i) evolution in mask wearing, (ii) decision-making methods for wearing and not wearing; (iii) incorporating the mask into way of life; (iv) projecting into the future. Results: A total of 116 people were interviewed. Masks marked a shift from the ordinary world to the pandemic. Overall, interviewees considered masks an obstacle to breathing, communication, and social interactions, leading to establishing strategies circumventing the mask mandate. Poor attention was paid to their medical usefulness as an obligatory clothing accessory. Mask-wearing decisions were driven by social relations, common sense, and vulnerability. The greater the feeling of security (i.e., being with close relatives), the less it was worn or worn properly, with decreased attention to others and their health. Most participants did not remember learning to wear a mask. Some were convinced that mask-wearing could not be learned (experiential knowledge). Institutions (school and work) played a central role by facilitating incorporation of masks into daily life. Conclusions: This study emphasizes the need to reinforce the individual medical values of face masks to prevent COVID-19. Ambitious education and training programmes should be planned to learn how and when to wear masks. Institutions (work and school) may be critical for this purpose.

Estudio cualitativo del Programa DiabetIMSS en una Unidad de Medicina Familiar de San Luis Potosí / DiabetIMSS Program qualitative study in a Family Medicine Unit in San Luis Potosi

Resumen

Introducción: las enfermedades no transmisibles son la principal causa de mortalidad en todo el mundo, pues cobran más vidas que la combinación de los fallecimientos por otras patologías. El IMSS diseñó un programa preventivo en el año 2008 y titulado: DiabetIMSS.

Objetivo: analizar las perspectivas de los actores directos e indirectos del equipo multidisciplinario de salud involucrado en el programa DiabetIMSS en una Unidad de Medicina Familiar. Metodología: estudio cualitativo con modelización sistémica, interpretativo de investigación-acción para evaluar la implementación del Programa DiabetIMSS. Se trata de un estudio de tipo cualitativo, realizado en la Unidad de Medicina Familiar No. 47 del IMSS de la Ciudad de San Luis Potosí, México. Se utilizó una cédula de datos sociodemográficos, observación participante, diario de campo, entrevista semiestructurada y grupo focal.

Resultados: los resultados del presente estudio permitieron identificar y describir cómo se implementa el Programa DiabetIMSS desde las perspectivas de los actores que lo operan tomando como referencia cinco categorías: 1) Contexto, 2) Estructura, 3) Actividades y funciones, 4) Roles y relaciones y 5) Áreas de oportunidad.

Conclusiones: el Programa DiabetIMSS continúa siendo una intervención educativa con énfasis en la atención médica integral; es decir, es el medio para un adecuado control de la diabetes a través de diversas acciones fundamentales, como una valoración y exploración física de los pacientes.

Abstract

Introduction: Non communicable diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide, claim more lives because the combination of deaths from other diseases. In response to this phenomenon the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) design a preventive program that was launched and implemented in 2008 and titled; DiabetIMSS.

Objective: Conduct a qualitative study of the DiabetIMSS program of a Family Medicine Unit in San Luis Potosí based on the analysis of the perspectives of the direct and indirect actors involved in the multidisciplinary health team.

Methods: Qualitative study with systemic, interpretative modeling of action research to evaluate the implementation of the DiabetIMSS Program. This is a qualitative study, carried out at the Family Medicine Unit No. 47 of the IMSS of the City of San Luis Potosí, Mexico.

Results: The results of this study allowed us to identify and describe how it implements the DiabetIMSS program from the perspectives of the actors who operate by reference to five categories: 1) Background, 2) Structure, 3) Activities and Functions, 4) Roles and Relationships and 5) Areas of opportunity.

Conclusions: The DiabetIMSS program remains an educational intervention with emphasis on comprehensive health care, is the means for adequate control of diabetes through various key actions.