Design and implementation of AMBAR: an innovative evidence-based training program for childbirth and newborn care.

OBJECTIVE: To present the development of a training model called AMBAR (Atención a la mujer embarazada y al recién nacido [Care for pregnant women and newborns]), which was designed to improve the quality of attention of health personnel responsible for obstetric care. MATERIALS AND METHODS: AMBAR was designed based on the results of a qualitative study exploring public health providers' needs and experiences. It was implemented in three health networks, and a total of 339 health personnel participated. RESULTS: The educational design of the course was appealing to the trained personnel, and the inclusion of simulations in all modules encouraged interest, participation, as well as the integration of new knowledge and skills into practice. CONCLUSION: AMBAR can promote better practices and increase the quality of birth care. With the proper support and willingness of staff and management, AMBAR can be implemented in all health services, both public and private.

Barriers to achieving quality birth care under the Sentinel Care model in Mexico.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the use of birth care in a Sentinel Unit. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We interviewed eight health providers and 12 female users of health services to explore the main reasons to use birth care in a Sentinel Unit. RESULTS: Findings indicate that the reasons for which health providers do not attend births were fear of legal claims by users, lack of institutional support if complications arise, lack of training, not feeling confident in obstetric care, and the lack of necessary supplies. Female users mentioned the perception of a lack of trained physicians and a lack of necessary materials and medicines. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the strengthening of the infrastructure and human resources, as well as a 24/365 model attention and the increase of health personnel in the sentinel units, there are still significant barriers in certain units to achieve compliance with coverage of quality obstetric care focused on the needs of women.

How to deal with the suffering: Utility of an emotional containment strategy to collect data for verbal autopsies in Mexico.

Verbal autopsies are often used to establish cause of death but can be emotionally taxing on the interviewers. We conducted focus groups with interviewers (N = 15) who collected data for verbal autopsies in Mexico in order to explore the utility of an emotional containment strategy designed to boost self-confidence and resilience. The interviewers reflected on broader cultural perspectives on illness and death and described the strategy as helpful in developing strategies to manage emotionally stressful situations and develop their confidence in their work performance. This type of intervention may be useful for field personnel who perform verbal autopsy interviews.KEY MESSAGESIn low- and middle-income countries with less reliable statistics systems, a significant proportion of deaths is not certified by a professional doctor. This complicates the registration of causes of death, which is a crucial issue for health systems. In the absence of reliable vital statistics systems, verbal autopsies (VA) offer an alternative for establishing cause of death.In response to emotional crises leading to resignations among the interviewers while testing an instrument for collecting VA, we designed an emotional containment strategy (ECS). It was specifically crafted to boost the self-confidence and resilience of participants in addition to enhancing their capacity for emotional recovery and to regain a functional state. In order to explore ECS results we conducted a qualitative cross-sectional study with four focus groups of interviewers who collected VA.The results obtained were positive, the interviewers were able to perform their work better by overcoming the emotional crisis that occurred both in them and in the people they interviewed.We recommend developing this type of intervention with all field staff performing verbal autopsy interviews, not only as a resource for emotional health, but also as a means of achieving better-quality data collection.

Los Grupos de Ayuda Mutua como posible estrategia de apoyo emocional para personas indígenas que padecen diabetes / Mutual Aid Groups as a possible emotional support strategy for indigenous people with diabetes

Resumen: Objetivo: Reflexionar sobre el apoyo emocional que los Grupos de Ayuda Mutua (GAM) dan a personas indígenas con diabetes y su importancia en el apego al tratamiento. Material y métodos: Estudio cualitativo: 25 entrevistas semiestructuradas; tres grupos focales (17 participantes); y observación no participante. Se realizó análisis de contenido con el apoyo del programa Atlas-ti. Resultados: Se identificaron expresiones emocionales relacionadas con el padecimiento. La opinión sobre el trabajo grupal fue positiva. El GAM es un espacio de catarsis, pero no funciona como soporte para enfrentar las restricciones del tratamiento y el impacto emocional en caso de complicaciones mayores. Conclusiones: Con la debida capacitación del personal de salud a cargo de los grupos, los GAM pueden llegar a ser espacios de soporte emocional para las personas indígenas y contribuir a su bienestar.

Abstract: Objective: To think about the emotional support that Mutual Aid Groups (MAG) offer up to indigenous people with diabetes and their importance in adherence to treatment. Materials and methods: Qualitative study: 25 semi-structured interviews; 3 focus groups (17 participants); and non-participant observation. Content analysis was carried out with the support of the Atlas-ti program. Results: We identified emotional expressions related to the disease. The opinion about MAGs and group work was positive. The MAG is a catharsis space, but it does not work as a support to face the restrictions of the treatment and the emotional impact in case of major complications. Conclusions: With proper training of the health personnel in charge of the groups, MAGs can become emotional support spaces for indigenous people and contribute to their well-being.

Health needs of indigenous Mayan older adults in Mexico and health services available.

Current data indicate that inequitable health service access is one of the major problems faced by indigenous people in Mexico and around the world. The aim of this study was to analyse the perceived health needs of indigenous older adults in a Mayan region of Mexico and the health services provided to address these needs. It used a qualitative design which explored health needs, perceptions of well-being, experiences with public health services and obstacles in accessing services through semi-structured interviews with 20 older adults, nine traditional healers and seven public healthcare providers from Mayan municipalities in southeastern Mexico during 2013-2014. We identified that cultural differences related to the language, values, beliefs and worldview of indigenous populations are ignored or incorporated only minimally by health services. The provision of services does not correspond to the health needs of indigenous Mayan older adults, and wide gaps still undermine their human rights and health status; despite the establishment of favourable regulations, healthcare services are organised for the non-indigenous population. The conditions of social vulnerability affecting indigenous older adults require that healthcare institutions incorporate an intercultural approach in order to improve the quality of care according to the necessities of the population.

Training in obstetric and neonatal emergencies in Mexico: effect on knowledge and self-efficacy by gender, age, shift, and profession.

BACKGROUND: Continuing education is essential for healthcare workers. Education interventions can help to maintain and improve competency and confidence in the technical skills necessary to address adverse events. However, characteristics of the health provider such as age (related to more critical and reflexive attitude); sex (relationship with gender socialization), profession and work conditions might have an influence on the effect of continuing education efforts. METHODS: A training in the management of obstetric and neonatal emergencies (PRONTO, Spanish acronym for Neonatal and Obstetric Rescue Program: Optimal and Timely treatment) was implemented in 14 hospitals in six Mexican states between 2013 and 2014, with a before-after evaluation design. A total of 351 health providers including physicians, interns, nurses and midwives completed the training and were included in the analytic sample. Mixed-effects regression models were fitted to model changes in knowledge and self-efficacy scores after the training for each training topic. Interaction terms of training with age, gender, profession, and shift were included to evaluate possible heterogeneities of effect. All models considered the within-hospital clustering of participants. RESULTS: After training, all participants showed a significant knowledge gain by an average of 19 percentage points for hemorrhage, 23 for neonatal resuscitation, 19 for shoulder dystocia, and 15 for preeclampsia/eclampsia (p < 0.001). Participants who worked night shifts showed lower scores for overall knowledge, compared with morning shift workers. Interns perceived the lowest self-efficacy while they scored very high in knowledge. Self-efficacy in managing obstetric and neonatal emergencies increased significantly by 16 percentage points in average. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that PRONTO is generally successful in increasing knowledge and self-efficacy on all topics but knowledge and self efficacy levels vary greatly by factors such as work shift. Training should be particularly aimed at personnel working during weekends and night shifts, as well as interns and nurses.

Respectful and evidence-based birth care in Mexico (or lack thereof): An observational study.

PROBLEM: In Mexico, women are often disrespected and abused during birth, evidence-based practices are seldom used, while outdated and dangerous procedures linger. BACKGROUND: Disrespectful and abusive practices in Mexico have been reported but are not necessarily well-documented; none of the reports so far have relied on direct observation of births. AIM: To describe birth practices and factors associated with respectful and evidence-based care at 15 referral hospitals in Mexico. METHODS: We observed 401 births from 2010-2016. We analysed woman, provider, and hospital characteristics and their association with the performance of 14 evidence-based and 15 respectful birth practices via descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression models. FINDINGS: Only in four births were all the analysed evidence-based and respectful-birth practices performed. Essential interventions like uterine massage was only given to 46.1% of women and the administration of a uterotonic soon after birth only occurred in 58.3% of births. Professionals who were trained in respectful birth care were more likely to address women by their name (Odds Ratio=3.34, p<0.05), allow consumption of liquids during labour (Odds Ratio=31.6, p<0.05), encourage skin-to-skin contact (Odds Ratio=31.82, p<0.05), and examine the placenta after birth (Odds Ratio=16.55, p<0.01); they were less likely to perform episiotomies (Odds Ratio=0.27, p<0.05). DISCUSSION: This study reveals low rates of evidence-based practices and respectful maternity care but shows training in the topic can have a considerable positive impact. Our results call for further efforts to improve the quality of maternal healthcare, a universal right.

Los Grupos de Ayuda Mutua como posible estrategia de apoyo emocional para personas indígenas que padecen diabetes.

Objetivo. Reflexionar sobre el apoyo emocional que los Grupos de Ayuda Mutua (GAM) dan a personas indígenas con diabetes y su importancia en el apego al tratamiento. Material y métodos. Estudio cualitativo: 25 entrevistas semiestructuradas; tres grupos focales (17 participantes); y observación no participante. Se realizó análisis de contenido con el apoyo del programa Atlas-ti. Resultados. Se identificaron expresiones emocionales relacionadas con el padecimiento. La opinión sobre el trabajo grupal fue positiva. El GAM es un espacio de catarsis, pero no funciona como soporte para enfrentar las restricciones del tratamiento y el impacto emocional en caso de complicaciones mayores. Conclusiones. Con la debida capacitación del personal de salud a cargo de los grupos, los GAM pueden llegar a ser espacios de soporte emocional para las personas indígenas y contribuir a su bienestar.

Is it possible to incorporate evidence-based professional midwifery practices into public health services in Mexico?

PROBLEM AND BACKGROUND: During the past two decades, Mexico has launched innovative maternal health initiatives to improve maternal and neonatal outcomes, placing emphasis on the incorporation of professional midwifery practices into the healthcare system. This study explored the perceptions of healthcare providers and women using public birth care services regarding professional midwifery practices and how can the inclusion of evidence-based midwifery techniques improve the quality of service. METHODOLOGY: We conducted a qualitative, cross-sectional study of three healthcare networks in Mexico. A content analysis was performed of data collected through 109 semi-structured interviews: 72 with healthcare providers and 37 with women. RESULTS: Healthcare providers and women had minimal knowledge of the competencies and skills of professional midwives. Medical personnel accepted the incorporation of some evidence-based midwifery practices. Women had experienced fear and anguish during childbirth so they considered that incorporating professional midwifery practices into maternal health services would be favourable in that it would render birth care more respectful. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Healthcare providers are willing to consider the inclusion of some evidence-based midwifery practices in health services and regard assistance from professional midwives. They believe that structural conditions will complicate their incorporation. Although the women interviewed had experienced fear, anxiety and loneliness during childbirth, most of them admitted to feeling "safer" in a hospital (secondary-care health centre) setting where possible complications could be resolved. This perception of safety served to justify the delivery of healthcare in a manner that is inattentive to women's needs, which go beyond biomedical issues and include emotions and the positive experience of childbirth.

Development and pilot testing of an educational intervention for parents, caregivers and teachers of children with verbal communication disabilities in Mexico.

The purpose of this study was to implement and test an educational intervention aimed at training parents/caregivers and teachers in strategies to support children with verbal communication disabilities (VCDs). We carried out a descriptive observational research conducted in two phases during 2013-2014: a mixed-method diagnosis and intervention development. We used convenience sampling to select the parents/caregivers and teachers of first-to-third graders with VCDs across four public elementary schools in a suburban community in central Mexico. Diagnosis was based on questionnaires conducted with parents/caregivers (n = 38) and teachers (n = 16). The instruments focused not only on the respondents' socioeconomic characteristics and general knowledge about VCDs but also included open questions (24/42) about their common practices and support for children with VCDs. The intervention was built on data collected through the questionnaires, and was designed according to the Integral Intervention Model framework based on the ecosystemic approach. Participants were parents/caregivers and teachers of children with VCDs. Main results showed that the participants were trained in various support techniques, they gained knowledge about VCDs and changed their perception of their own ability to help children with language impairments. As an important upshot of the intervention, communication and networking among parents/caregivers and teachers increased. The main strengths of this research reside in its solid theoretical foundation and the fact that intervention design was based on the specific needs of the target group. In as much as the public health problem of VCDs in Mexico has barely been studied and has received minimal official support, it is essential to engage additional social actors, stakeholders and decision-makers in the implementation of permanent actions. Our study emphasises the importance of recognising this form of health impairment as a social responsibility and not as an individual family problem.

Consumo de alcohol y lesiones: estudio en población atendida en servicios de urgencias de la ciudad de Xalapa, Veracruz, México / Alcohol and injuries: study on the population treated in emergency departments in Xalapa, Veracruz, México

RESUMEN: Introducción: El abuso de bebidas alcohólicas ha aumentado en las últimas décadas, principalmente en la población mayor de 15 años, lo que puede provocar un incremento de los problemas sociales y de salud, entre los que destacan las lesiones intencionales por violencia o no intencionales por accidentes. Objetivo: Identificar la asociación entre consumo de alcohol, lesiones y características sociodemográficas en pacientes atendidos en el servicio de urgencias. Método: Estudio transversal, en el servicio de urgencias de dos hospitales de Xalapa, Veracruz (México), entre septiembre y diciembre de 2013. Se aplicó un cuestionario a pacientes lesionados mayores de 15 años. Como medida de asociación se realizaron análisis de regresión logística para estimar las probabilidades mediante Odds Ratio (OR). Resultados: Participaron 505 pacientes, 28.9% reportó haber consumido alcohol antes de la lesión. Quienes consumieron alcohol (OR = 2.42, IC95% 1.36-4.31) y los hombres (OR = 2.33, IC95% 1.12-4.84) presentaron mayor probabilidad de sufrir lesiones graves. Pacientes lesionados en horario nocturno (OR = 3.56, IC95% 2.20-5.77), con edad entre 15 a 29 años (OR = 1.68, IC95% 1.05-2.70) y el consumo de seis a 15 copas de alcohol (OR = 4.40, IC95% 2.17-8.90), mostraron mayor probabilidad de sufrir lesiones por violencia. Discusión y conclusión: Se demostró la asociación del consumo de alcohol con la producción de lesiones. Es necesario que las políticas públicas estén destinadas a fomentar un consumo responsable de alcohol y enfatizar en el control de su uso nocivo que se realiza particularmente en fines de semana y en horario nocturno, para coadyuvar a la prevención de lesiones y sus complicaciones, que en ocasiones pueden ser fatales.

ABSTRACT: Introduction: Excessive alcohol consumption has escalated in recent decades, primarily in adolescents over 15 years of age. This situation can lead to an increase in social and health problems such as intentional violence-related injuries or unintentional injuries caused by accidents. Objective: To identify the association between alcohol and injuries in patients treated in the emergency department and its relationship with certain sociodemographic characteristics. Method: Cross-sectional study conducted in the emergency department of two hospitals in Xalapa, Veracruz (Mexico), between September and December 2013. Injured patients aged 15 years and over were administered a questionnaire. Logistic regression analyses were performed in order to calculate the odds ratio. Results: Among the 505 patients surveyed, 28.9% reported having consumed alcohol prior to injury. Patients who used alcohol (OR = 2.42, 95% CI: 1.36-4.31) and those who were men (OR = 2.33, 95% CI: 1.12-4.84) had a higher probability of severe injuries. Patients injured during night hours (OR = 3.56, 95% CI: 2.20-5.77) aged 15 to 29 years old (OR = 1.68, 95% CI: 1.05-2.70), and in the range between 6 to 15 cups of alcohol consumed (OR = 4.40, 95% CI: 2.17-8.90) showed a higher probability of violence-related injuries. Discussion and conclusion: The study showed the relationship between alcohol consumption and injuries. It is necessary to develop public policies that promote responsible drinking. These policies should emphasize controlling the harmful use of alcohol, particularly during weekends and at night, in order to contribute to the prevention of injuries and its complications, which can sometimes be fatal.

[Social support and living conditions in poor elderly people in urban Mexico]. / Apoyo social y condiciones de vida de adultos mayores que viven en la pobreza urbana en México.

The aim of this paper was to analyze social support and living conditions among poor elderly people in Mexican cities. A qualitative study with eight focus groups was carried out in Guadalajara, Cuernavaca, Chilpancingo, and Culiacan, Mexico, in 2005. Forty men and 63 women participated in the study. The main support for the elderly in daily living came from their immediate family and in some cases from neighbors. Social support was basically material and economic, in addition to providing company and transportation for medical appointments. Daily emotional support, companionship, and social inclusion were minimal or absent. The study identified a significant lack of support from government and religious or civil society organizations. The family is still the main source of support for the elderly. Increased government collaboration is dramatically needed to combat the misconception that the needs of the elderly are the individual family's responsibility rather than a collaborative effort by society.

Apoyo social y condiciones de vida de adultos mayores que viven en la pobreza urbana en México / Social support and living conditions in poor elderly people in urban Mexico

The aim of this paper was to analyze social support and living conditions among poor elderly people in Mexican cities. A qualitative study with eight focus groups was carried out in Guadalajara, Cuernavaca, Chilpancingo, and Culiacan, Mexico, in 2005. Forty men and 63 women participated in the study. The main support for the elderly in daily living came from their immediate family and in some cases from neighbors. Social support was basically material and economic, in addition to providing company and transportation for medical appointments. Daily emotional support, companionship, and social inclusion were minimal or absent. The study identified a significant lack of support from government and religious or civil society organizations. The family is still the main source of support for the elderly. Increased government collaboration is dramatically needed to combat the misconception that the needs of the elderly are the individual family's responsibility rather than a collaborative effort by society.

El objetivo del artículo fue analizar el apoyo social y las condiciones de vida de adultos mayores en zonas urbanas empobrecidas. Estudio cualitativo con 8 grupos focales, realizado en Guerrero, Jalisco, Morelos y Sinaloa, México, durante 2005-2006. Participaron 40 varones y 63 mujeres. El principal apoyo para la vida cotidiana y la condición de salud de los adultos mayores proviene de los familiares cercanos, en algunos casos de vecinos. Los apoyos de los adultos mayores son básicamente materiales y económicos, así como cierto tipo de acompañamiento y traslado a consultas médicas. El apoyo emocional es mínimo o inexistente, igual la compañía cotidiana y la integración en la vida familiar. Se identificó una ausencia significativa de apoyo por parte del gobierno o de organizaciones religiosas o civiles. La familia continúa siendo la fuente fundamental de apoyo. Es necesario incrementar las acciones gubernamentales para la población adulta mayor y transformar la idea de que las necesidades de esta población es una responsabilidad individual más que colectiva.

La capacidad de las Organizaciones de la Sociedad Civil para mejorar la calidad de vida de los adultos mayores: un estudio cualitativo en zonas urbanas empobrecidas de México / The capacity of Civil Society Organizations to improve the quality of life of the elderly: a qualitative study in impoverished urban areas of Mexico

Recientemente en México se ha incrementado la proporción de adultos mayores (AM) y de Organizaciones de la Sociedad Civil (OSC) que ayudan a los pobres. Nuestro objetivo fue analizar la capacidad que tienen las OSC de implementar acciones para mejorar la calidad de vida de los AM pobres de zonas urbanas. En 2005 se realizaron 14 entrevistas al personal de diez OSC que trabajaban en colonias pobres de cuatro ciudades de México. La guía de entrevista y el análisis se basaron en la estructura interna y el contexto externo que afecta la capacidad de las OSC. Entre los principales logros se destacan una mayor participación y autogestión de la gente y el número de acciones realizadas para mejorar la calidad de vida de las personas. Los principales obstáculos identificados son una demanda poblacional que supera la capacidad de respuesta de las OSC, una población objetivo que generalmente no son los AM y un financiamiento insuficiente. La atención proporcionada por las OSC a los AM, aunque trascendental, es escasa, por tanto es necesario promover una cultura de prevención e interés en los AM y de apoyo a las OSC.

Recently, the proportion of elderly people (EP) has increased considerably in Mexico, as well as the number of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) dedicated to helping poor people. Our objective was to analyze the capacity of the CSOs to implement actions in order to improve the quality of life of the poor EP in urban areas. In 2005, fourteen interviews were conducted with personnel of ten CSOs who worked in poor zones of four Mexican cities. The interview guide and the analysis were based on the internal structure and the external context that affect CSO's capacity. Within the main achievements, we identified an the increase in the participation and self-management of people and in the number of actions carried out in order to improve quality of people's life. The main obstacles identified were: the CSOs responsiveness, which is always lower than the population demands; their target population is not only EP; and insufficient financing. The attention provided by CSOs to EP is scarce, but essential. It is necessary to promote a culture of prevention and interest in the EP, and support to CSOs.

[Road traffic injuries among youth: measuring the impact of an educational intervention]. / Accidentes de tránsito de vehículos de motor en la población joven: evaluación de una intervención educativa en Cuernavaca, Morelos.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the impact of an educative intervention intended to increase the knowledge of causes and risk factors associated with road traffic iinjries in the city of Cuernavaca. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A quasi-experimental study design was administered to students from 16 to 19 years old in colleges and universities in the city of Cuernavaca. The educative intervention included radio spots, banners, pamphlets, posters and cards. The measure of impact was established as changes in knowledge about speed, alcohol and the use of seat belts, using factor analysis methodologies. RESULTS: A significant change in the level of knowledge (p= 0.000) was observed in 700 students from 16 institutions. CONCLUSIONS: Educative interventions represent an initial strategy for changes in knowledge and population behaviours. The present study offers an appropriate methodology to measure short-term changes in knowledge about risk factors associated with a significant problem affecting Mexican youth.

Accidentes de tránsito de vehículos de motor en la población joven: evaluación de una intervención educativa en Cuernavaca, Morelos / Road traffic injuries among youth: measuring the impact of an educational intervention

OBJETIVO: Analizar el efecto de una intervención educativa dirigida a incrementar el conocimiento sobre causas y factores de riesgo de accidentes de tránsito de vehículos de motor (ATVM) en jóvenes de la ciudad de Cuernavaca. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se utilizó un diseño cuasi-experimental en estudiantes de 15 a 19 años inscritos en preparatorias y universidades. La intervención educativa incluyó mensajes de radio, trípticos, pendones, carteles y tarjetas postales. La medida del efecto se estableció en los cambios en el conocimiento de factores de riesgo: velocidad, alcohol y uso de cinturón de seguridad, con base en la metodología de análisis factorial. RESULTADOS: Se observó un cambio significativo en el nivel de conocimiento (p=0.000) en 700 alumnos de 16 planteles educativos. CONCLUSIONES: Las intervenciones educativas representan un primer grupo de medidas para lograr cambios de conocimiento y conducta poblacionales. El presente estudio aporta una metodología para medir a corto plazo los cambios en el conocimiento sobre riesgos relacionados con el principal problema que afecta a los jóvenes mexicanos.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the impact of an educative intervention intended to increase the knowledge of causes and risk factors associated with road traffic iinjries in the city of Cuernavaca. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A quasi-experimental study design was administered to students from 16 to 19 years old in colleges and universities in the city of Cuernavaca. The educative intervention included radio spots, banners, pamphlets, posters and cards. The measure of impact was established as changes in knowledge about speed, alcohol and the use of seat belts, using factor analysis methodologies. RESULTS: A significant change in the level of knowledge (p= 0.000) was observed in 700 students from 16 institutions. CONCLUSIONS: Educative interventions represent an initial strategy for changes in knowledge and population behaviours. The present study offers an appropriate methodology to measure short-term changes in knowledge about risk factors associated with a significant problem affecting Mexican youth.

[Aging experiences in rural Mexico]. / Experiencias de envejecimiento en el México rural.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the aging experience among men and women older than 60 years, living in rural areas from the states of Guerrero and Morelos, Mexico. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A qualitative study was conducted in poverty-stricken, underserved communities with less than 2,500 inhabitants. Semi-structured interviews were applied to collect data. RESULTS: The aging experience is different according to gender, being more positive for women. Loneliness, together with social networks and the health-illness process, make the difference in the aging experiences. The main fears associated with aging are loneliness, illness, poverty, and loss of independence. CONCLUSIONS: Gender identity plays a central role in different aging experiences because the chances for development and accompanying responsibilities foster the inequality between men and women. It is necessary to improve institutional responses tailored to the specific needs of this population.

Experiencias de envejecimiento en el México rural / Aging experiences in rural Mexico

OBJETIVO: Explorar la experiencia de envejecimiento de hombres y mujeres mayores de 60 años, que viven en contextos rurales de pobreza en los estados de Guerrero y Morelos, México. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se diseñó un estudio cualitativo basado en entrevistas semiestructuradas. Se trabajó en comunidades con menos de 2 500 habitantes, pobres y de alta marginación. RESULTADOS: La experiencia de envejecimiento es radicalmente diferente según la condición de género; esta vivencia resulta ser más positiva para las mujeres. La soledad es un factor que configura la experiencia diferencial del envejecimiento, así como las redes sociales y el estado de salud-enfermedad. Los principales temores asociados a la vejez fueron la soledad, la enfermedad, la pobreza y la pérdida de independencia. CONCLUSIONES: La identidad de género desempeña un papel fundamental en la configuración de la experiencia diferencial del proceso de envejecimiento, debido a que las oportunidades de desarrollo y las responsabilidades que se derivan de ella, promueven la desigualdad entre los sexos. Es necesario hacer más eficiente la respuesta institucional, de manera que responda a las necesidades específicas de esta población.

"Without money you're nothing": poverty and health in Mexico from women's perspective.

The objective of this qualitative study was to get to know poor Mexican women's experience of poverty in relation to health care. Forty-nine interviews were carried out with poor adult women in Mexico (between 35 and 65 years old). Three central elements were detected in relation to the women's experience of poverty and health care: their socio-economic dependence on their family; the notion of social belonging in their experience with health care rights, reflected in the idea and acceptance that, due to their poverty, they can only be attended at philanthropic institutions; and the existence of survival mechanisms when facing an illness. In recovering the experience of poor women in relation to their health care, we identified that there is a clear idea that, if women had had economic resources, their health problem would have been solved differently. They are also convinced that, due to being poor, they have to content themselves with bad-quality medical care. This conformity finally makes them resign to the fact of either loosing a part of their own body, or even just waiting for death.