A multifaceted education intervention for improving family physicians' case management.

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.

[Pertussis: a case study by PCR and culture]. / Indentificación de un caso de tos ferina y estudio de sus contactos. Utilidad y estudio de la PCR y del cultivo.

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.-

[Health needs in marginalized urban areas in Mexico]. / Necesidades de salud en áreas urbanas marginadas de México.

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.

[Health risks for adolescents in underserved areas]. / Riesgos para la salud de los adolescentes en áreas marginadas.

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.

Introducción: : los adolescentes son un grupo con vulnerabilidad y necesidades de salud poco conocidas en México, principalmente en áreas de pobreza urbana. El objetivo de esta investigación fue identificar los riesgos para la salud de los adolescentes en las áreas urbanas marginadas en cinco regiones del país. Métodos: análisis secundario de una encuesta de salud para adolescentes realizada en áreas urbanas marginadas del Distrito Federal y regiones norte, centro, sur y sureste del país; se analizó consumo de tabaco, alcohol y drogas; historia de accidentes y violencias, edad de inicio de vida sexual y uso de métodos anticonceptivos; se calcularon frecuencias absolutas y relativas. Resultados: los consumos más altos fueron para tabaco (27.8 %) y alcohol (35.2 %), ambos en el grupo de 16 a 19 años de edad; 5 % sufrió algún accidente y 1.7 %, violencia; el inicio de la vida sexual tuvo una mediana de 16 años y 50 % utilizaba algún método anticonceptivo. Conclusiones: al comparar nuestros datos con los de otras encuestas nacionales, se encontró que los riesgos para la salud son mayores en los adolescentes de áreas urbanas marginadas que en adolescentes de la población general, sin embargo, la frecuencia de accidentes y violencias fue similar.

Necesidades de salud en áreas urbanas marginadas de México / Health needs in marginalized urban areas in Mexico

OBJETIVO: Evaluar las necesidades de salud de la población residente en áreas urbanas marginadas de México. MÉTODOS: Encuesta poblacional a familias residentes en colonias urbanas pobres de cinco regiones geográficas de México (Norte, Centro, Sur, Sureste y Ciudad de México), seleccionadas mediante un muestreo polietápico. Se realizaron entrevistas y mediciones antropométricas en sus domicilios a todos los integrantes de las familias seleccionadas y se analizaron las características de salud positiva, nutrición, salud reproductiva, daños a la salud y salud mental por grupos de análisis formados por edad y sexo. RESULTADOS: Participaron 24 707 personas. En los entrevistados se observó una baja escolaridad (6 años o menos) y solo 46,8 por ciento tuvo cobertura de servicios de salud, ya fuera en instituciones públicas o privadas. De los niños, 19,8 por ciento presentaba desmedro y el sobrepeso predominó a partir de la adolescencia. En los adolescentes de 12 a 19 años, 15,7 por ciento tenía vida sexual activa, pero solo 57,7 por ciento de los hombres y 41,9 por ciento de las mujeres de ese grupo de edad usaban algún método anticonceptivo. De los adultos, 5,9 por ciento padecía diabetes y 11,5 por ciento hipertensión arterial. En la muestra de adolescentes, adultos y adultos mayores, el tabaquismo fue de 21,2 por ciento, el consumo de alcohol de 36,0 por ciento, el uso de drogas de 9,5 por ciento y la depresión de 20,2 por ciento. CONCLUSIONES: La vulnerabilidad sanitaria de las personas que viven en las áreas urbanas marginadas de México se manifiesta en la existencia de una población joven, con pocas redes de apoyo familiar y de servicios de salud, que sufre trastornos y enfermedades, como la desnutrición infantil, el alto riesgo reproductivo y las adicciones en adolescentes y adultos, producto del rezago en el desarrollo social. La prevalencia de enfermedades crónicas fue similar a la de la población mexicana no marginada.

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 percent had health care coverage, be it public or private. Among the children, 19.8 percent were malnourished; overweight was prevalent from adolescence onwards. Of adolescents 12-19 years of age, 15.7 percent were sexually active, but only 57.7 percent of the males and 41.9 percent of the females in this age group were using some method of contraception. Of the adults, 5.9 percent suffered from diabetes and 11.5 percent, from high blood pressure. In the sample of adolescents, adults, and elderly adults, tobacco use was 21.2 percent; alcohol consumption, 36.0 percent; illicit drug use, 9.5 percent; and depression, 20.2 percent. 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.

Cumplimiento del manejo en el hogar a niños con diarrea aguda atendidos en un centro docente asistencial / Compliance of home management of children with acute diarrhea seeking advise at a teaching assitence center

Se estudiaron 71 madres de niños menores de un año con diarrea aguda atendidos en un Centro Docente Asistencial (CDA) interinstitucional en la ciudad de Tlaxcala, para evaluar el cumplimiento en el hogar de las indicaciones de hidratación oral y dieta otorgadas por el médico. Los casos se captaron en la sala de espera del CDA, se observó el desarrollo de la consulta y se registraron las características clínicas del padecimiento. Tres a siete días posteriores se efectuó visita domiciliaria donde se obtuvo información acerca de la evolución de la enfermedad, de los conceptos y comprensión de la madre acerca de las indicaciones recibidas y de su cumplimiento. Hubo correcta comprensión de las indicaciones de alimentación en casi todas las madres, pero solamente 38 por ciento entendió la indicación de hidratación oral. Se encontró una frecuencia de uso de terapia de hidratación oral de 84.5 por ciento, de Vida Suero Oral 66.2 por ciento, continuación de alimentación normal 90.5 por ciento y continuación del seno materno 100 por ciento. Menos de 15 por ciento de los casos recibió líquidos no recomendados en el CDA. Cuando las indicaciones médicas dadas en un CDA sobre hidratación oral y dieta son proporcionadas adecuadamente y por personal convencido, es posible lograr un cumplimiento satisfactorio. Sin embargo, la administración de Vida Suero oral debe mejorarse en base a lograr una mejor comprensión de su uso por parte de la madre