Síntesis de la situación y respuesta al VIH e ITS en CABA: abril 2024 / Summary of the situation and response to HIV and STI in CABA: april 2024

Documento que agrupa los siguientes temas: situación epidemiológica del VIH; gestantes con VIH y transmisión vertical; respuesta preventivo-asistencial: prevención combinada de VIH e ITS; acceso al diagnóstico de VIH y sífilis; atención de la salud de las personas trans, travestis y no binarias; profilaxis posexposición al VIH (PPE); profilaxis pre-exposición al VIH (PrEP); tamizaje del virus del papiloma humano (VPH); y atención y seguimiento de las personas con VIH.

Salud sexual y reproductiva en la Ciudad de Buenos Aires: Situación y respuesta: Actualización 2022 / Sexual and reproductive health in the City of Buenos Aires: Situation and response 2022

Esta 5ª actualización del informe sistematiza la información que se viene produciendo a través de las acciones de monitoreo iniciadas en 2016 e incorpora aquella referida al año 2022. Se entiende que las acciones de monitoreo y evaluación son valiosas para cinco objetivos complementarios, que son: a. disponer de un basamento para la planificación de las necesidades de insumos (estimar necesidades de compras); b. identificar las mejoras/cambios de escenario que se van produciendo con el trabajo cotidiano y las nuevas necesidades o desafíos que van surgiendo; c. planificar acciones novedosas basadas en diagnósticos afinados; d. valorizar y visibilizar el trabajo que realizan los equipos todos los días en los establecimientos públicos de salud donde se brinda respuesta a la población y e. producir información de utilidad tanto para los actores del subsistema público de salud como para otros actores interesados en la temática. (AU)

Paternidade entre homens jovens: vivências, mudanças e possibilidades / Paternity on the younger men's: experiences, changes and possibilities / Paternidad entre hombres jovenes: experiências, câmbios y posibilidades

Objetivo: apresentar as percepções de homens jovens sobre a vivência da paternidade. Método: estudo qualitativo, realizado através de entrevista com 12 jovens de idade entre 18 e 24 anos, captados pela técnica de bola de neve e saturação teórica. O tratamento dos dados deu-se pela análise de conteúdo. Resultados: os jovens pais encontravam-se em cenário socioeconômico desfavorecido. A paternidade foi associada a isolamento e perdas, mas também à renovação e novas perspectivas. O provimento financeiro do filho foi um aspecto relacionado a exigências do modelo de masculinidade e paternidade vigentes, o que pode dificultar a vivência de outras formas de ser pai. Considerações finais: é necessária a implementação de políticas públicas que possibilitem aos rapazes gerenciarem sua vida reprodutiva de forma saudável e responsável, estabelecendo discussões quanto a gênero e masculinidade, para favorecer a vivência de uma paternidade menos calcada nas normas de masculinidade vigentes.

Objective: present the perceptions of young men about the experience of fatherhood. Method: qualitative study, carried out by interviews with 12 young people aged between 18 and 24 years, captured by the snowball technique and the theoretical saturation. Data processing was performed by content analysis. Results: the younger fathers were in a disadvantaged socioeconomic scenario. Fatherhood was associated with isolation and losses, but also with renovations and new perspectives. The financial provide of the child was one of the aspects related to the demands of the current model of masculinity and paternity, which can be difficult to experience in the other ways of being a father. Finalconsiderations: it is necessary to implement public policies that allow boys to manage their reproductive lives with health and responsibility, establishing discussions about gender and masculinity, to favor the experience of a fatherhood less grounded in the current norms of masculinity.

Objetivo: presentar las percepciones de hombres jóvenes sobre la experiencia de la paternidad. Método: estudio cualitativo, realizado a través de entrevistas a 12 jóvenes con edades comprendidas entre los 18 y los 24 años, captados por la técnica bola de nieve y saturación teórica. El tratamiento de los datos se realizó mediante análisis de contenido. Resultados: los padres jóvenes se encontraban en un escenario socioeconómico desfavorecido. La paternidad estaba asociada con aislamiento y pérdidas, pero también con la renovación y nuevas perspectivas. La provisión financiera del hijo fue un aspecto relacionado con las exigencias del modelo de masculinidad y paternidad actual, que puede dificultar la experiencia de otras formas de ser padre. Consideracionesfinales: es necesario implementar políticas públicas que permitan a los jóvenes gestionar su vida reproductiva de forma sana y responsable, estableciendo debates sobre el género y la masculinidad, para promover la experiencia de una paternidad menos basada en las normas de masculinidad actuales.

Salud sexual y reproductiva en la Ciudad de Buenos Aires: Situación y respuesta: Actualización 2021 / Sexual and reproductive health in the City of Buenos Aires: Situation and response: 2021

Para esta edición del informe, se realizó un corte de los indicadores que permitan detenerse en el período 2016-2021, con la intención de recuperar el significado del trabajo de monitoreo y evaluación, al que se entiende con cuatro objetivos o sentidos complementarios: a. facilitar la toma de decisiones para la planificación de actividades y estimación de insumos con sustento; b. visibilizar y valorar el trabajo cotidiano de los equipos; c. evaluar cada cierto tiempo en qué medida el accionar permanente del trabajo ha generado cambios en la realidad y la necesidad de producir cambios donde fuera preciso; y d. brindar una herramienta que se confía sea de utilidad para los diferentes actores estatales y de la sociedad civil involucrados e interesados en conocer los logros y desafíos de la política. (AU)

Consultoría integral en salud sexual y reproductiva: Guía operativa para equipos de salud: Marzo 2021 / Comprehensive consulting in sexual and reproductive health: Operational guide for health teams: March 2021

Guía basada en el trabajo de la becaria María Pía Elissetche, que fue dirigido por la Lic. Graciela Giorgetti. El trabajo de campo de la beca "Consejerías integrales en salud sexual y salud reproductiva: articulación e integración intersectorial para garantizar derechos" fue realizado durante 2019-2020 en los centros de salud del primer nivel de CABA y tuvo como finalidad conocer la articulación intersectorial entre Salud y Educación con foco en las consejerías integrales en salud sexual y reproductiva en escuelas medias. Este documento está dirigido a los/as profesionales de los equipos de salud que trabajan en el primer nivel de atención de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires y propone el fortalecimiento y la creación de consejerías integrales en salud sexual y reproductiva en las escuelas medias, como un modo de ampliar la promoción y prevención en salud sexual integral y de fomentar la autonomía en la toma de decisiones de los/as adolescentes. (AU)

Viral infections and implications for male reproductive health.

Viral infections have haunted humankind since times immemorial. Overpopulation, globalization, and extensive deforestation have created an ideal environment for a viral spread with unknown and multiple shedding routes. Many viruses can infect the male reproductive tract, with potential adverse consequences to male reproductive health, including infertility and cancer. Moreover, some genital tract viral infections can be sexually transmitted, potentially impacting the resulting offspring's health. We have summarized the evidence concerning the presence and adverse effects of the relevant viruses on the reproductive tract (mumps virus, human immunodeficiency virus, herpes virus, human papillomavirus, hepatitis B and C viruses, Ebola virus, Zika virus, influenza virus, and coronaviruses), their routes of infection, target organs and cells, prevalence and pattern of virus shedding in semen, as well as diagnosis/testing and treatment strategies. The pathophysiological understanding in the male genital tract is essential to assess its clinical impact on male reproductive health and guide future research.

Salud sexual y reproductiva en la ciudad de Buenos Aires: Situación y respuesta 2020 / Sexual and reproductive health in the City of Buenos Aires: Situation and response 2019

Puesta al día sobre la situación de la salud sexual y reproductiva en la Ciudad de Buenos Aires, así como las acciones que han realizado los equipos de salud para garantizar los derechos de la población, aún en el contexto de pandemia que se inició en marzo de 2020 y continúa a la fecha de la elaboración de este documento. Como en las oportunidades anteriores, el eje de la publicación reconoce dos objetivos diferentes y complementarios: valorar el trabajo que se realiza de modo cotidiano en los establecimientos públicos de salud de la ciudad y brindar una herramienta que se confía sea de utilidad para los diferentes actores estatales y de la sociedad civil involucrados e interesados en conocer los logros y desafíos de la política. Se realiza una breve caracterización sobre el impacto de la pandemia en el subsistema público de salud y en la población, y se incluyeron además otros aspectos novedosos que tuvieron lugar en 2020. (AU)

Salud sexual y reproductiva en mujeres víctimas del conflicto armado / Sexual and reproductive health in women victims of the armed conflict

RESUMEN Objetivo Mostrar las principales afecciones en salud sexual y reproductiva en mujeres víctimas del conflicto y posconflicto armado. Metodología Se hizo una revisión sistemática exploratoria de la literatura nacional e internacional, en idiomas inglés, español y portugués, entre los años 2000 al 2019, en PubMED, EMBASE, Google Scholar, LILACS, IBECS, SciELO; y consulta a informantes clave. Resultados Se encontró en el ámbito internacional que la principal afectación identificada se refirió a violencia sexual. Se encontraron factores de riesgo que la perpetúan, como el entorno familiar, acceso a educación, pobre infraestructura de servicios de salud entre otros. Otras afectaciones importantes derivaron en un aumento en la tasa de embarazos y matrimonios. En Colombia el panorama fue similar: las zonas con mayor afección por conflicto tienen más tasa de fecundidad, pobre acceso a atención obstétrica y pobre conocimiento de las ITS. Conclusión Se debe asegurar el acceso a servicios de salud sexual en el conflicto para prevención de enfermedades y asegurar el derecho a la salud sexual y reproductiva.(AU)

ABSTRACT Objetive Show the main conditions in sexual and reproductive health in women victims of the conflicts and armed post-conflicts. Methodology An scoping systematic review was conducted, about literature in English, Spanish, and Portuguese languages, between 2000 to the present, in PubMED, EMBASE, Google Scholar, LILACS, IBECS, SciELO and was consulted key informants. Results It was found in the international ambit, the main affectation identified referred to sexual violence, risk factors were found that perpetuate it, such as the family environment, access to education, poor infrastructure of health services among others. Other important effects derive from an increase in the rate of pregnancies and marriages. In Colombia the situation is similar: the areas with the greatest impact due to conflict have a higher fertility rate, poor access to obstetric care, and poor knowledge of STIs. Conclusion Access to sexual health services in the conflict, for disease prevention, and the right to sexual and reproductive health must be ensured.(AU)

The State of Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health.

In the 25 years since the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development, significant progress has been made in adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights (ASRHR). Trend analysis of key ASRHR indicators at global, national, and subnational levels indicates that adolescent girls today are more likely to marry later, delay their first sexual experience, and delay their first childbirth, compared with 25 years ago; they are also more likely to use contraceptives. Despite overall progress, however, unequal progress in many ASRHR outcomes is evident both within and between countries, and in some locations, the state of adolescents' lives has worsened. Population growth in countries with some of the worst shortfalls in ASRHR mean that declining rates, of child marriage, for example, coexist with higher absolute numbers of girls affected, compared with 25 years ago. Emerging trends that warrant closer attention include increasing rates of ovarian and breast cancer among adolescent girls and sharp increases in the proportion of adolescents who are overweight or obese, which has long-term health implications.

Reproductive and gynecological complication risks among thyroid cancer survivors.

PURPOSE: Thyroid cancer is the most rapidly increasing cancer in the USA, affects a young, mostly female population, and has high survival. The aim of this study was to determine if there is an increased risk of reproductive system adverse events or pregnancy complications among women diagnosed with thyroid cancer under the age of 50. METHODS: Up to five female cancer-free individuals were matched to each female thyroid cancer survivor diagnosed before the age of 50 based on birth year, birth state, and follow-up time, within the Utah Population Database. Medical records were used to identify disease diagnoses stratified over three time periods: 0-1, > 1-5, and > 5-10 years after cancer diagnosis. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) with adjustment on matching factors, race, BMI, and Charlson Comorbidity Index. RESULTS: There were 1832 thyroid cancer survivors and 7921 matched individuals. Thyroid cancer survivors had higher rates of having multiple health conditions associated with the gynecological system (15.4% vs. 9.4%) and pregnancy (14.3% vs 9.5%) > 1-5 years after cancer diagnosis. Increased risks persisted > 5-10 years after cancer diagnosis for menopausal disorders (HR = 1.78, 99% CI = 1.37, 2.33) and complications related to pregnancy (HR = 2.13, 99% CI = 1.14, 3.98). Stratified analyses showed these risks remained increased across different treatment types. CONCLUSIONS: There were significant risk increases in reproductive system and pregnancy complications among female thyroid cancer survivors within this study. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Although radiation has been linked to reproductive risks in previous studies, we found risks were increased in patients regardless of treatment.

Reproductive, maternal, neonatal and child health in the 30 years since the creation of the Unified Health System (SUS). / Saúde reprodutiva, materna, neonatal e infantil nos 30 anos do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS).

This study presents an overview of public sector interventions and progress made on the women's and child health front in Brazil between 1990 and 2015. We analyzed indicators of antenatal and labor and delivery care and maternal and infant health status using data from the Live Birth Information System and Mortality Information System, national surveys, published articles, and other sources. We also outline the main women's and child health policies and intersectoral poverty reduction programs. There was a sharp fall in fertility rates; the country achieved universal access to antenatal and labor and delivery care services; access to contraception and breastfeeding improved significantly; there was a reduction in hospital admissions due to abortion and in malnutrition. The rates of congenital syphilis, caesarean sections and preterm births remain excessive. Under-five mortality decreased by more than two-thirds, but less pronounced for the neonatal component. The maternal mortality ratio decreased from 143.2 to 59.7 per 100 000 live births. Despite worsening scores or levelling off across certain health indicators, the large majority improved markedly.

Este estudo apresenta um sumário das intervenções realizadas no âmbito do setor público e os indicadores de resultado alcançados na saúde de mulheres e crianças, destacando-se os avanços no período 1990-2015. Foram descritos indicadores de atenção pré-natal, assistência ao parto e saúde materna e infantil utilizando dados provenientes de Sistemas de Informação Nacionais de nascidos vivos e óbitos; inquéritos nacionais; e publicações obtidas de diversas outras fontes. Foram também descritos os programas governamentais desenvolvidos para a melhoria da saúde das mulheres e das crianças, bem como outros intersetoriais para redução da pobreza. Houve grande queda nas taxas de fecundidade, universalização da atenção pré-natal e hospitalar ao parto, aumento do acesso à contracepção e aleitamento materno, e diminuição das hospitalizações por aborto e da subnutrição. Mantém-se em excesso a sífilis congênita, taxa de cesarianas e nascimentos prematuros. A redução na mortalidade na infância foi de mais de 2/3, mas não tão marcada no componente neonatal. A razão de mortalidade materna decresceu de 143,2 para 59,7 por 1000 NV. Embora alguns poucos indicadores tenham demonstrado piora ou mantido a estabilidade, a grande maioria apresentou acentuadas melhoras.

Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors and Male Reproductive Health.

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are a targeted class of cancer therapies effective against a range of malignancies and their use is growing significantly each year. Many men taking TKIs desire children, yet very little is known about the potential for reproductive harm of these medications. The mechanism of action of TKIs suggest a possible route to impairment of sperm functional properties or spermatogenesis.

Tendencias recientes y características de la fecundidad adolescente en la Ciudad de Buenos Aires / Recent trends and characteristics of adolescent fertility in the City of Buenos Aires

El presente informe tiene como objetivo analizar las tendencias de fecundidad adolescente en la Ciudad de Buenos Aires en las últimas décadas y su comparación con lo acontecido en el total del país y el resto de las jurisdicciones. También se aborda, sobre la base de los datos del último año disponible, algunos de los principales aspectos relacionados −tales como el peso al nacer, el tiempo de gestación, el lugar de ocurrencia del parto, el nivel educativo, la cobertura médica y la situación de convivencia de la madre− que ayudan a una mejor caracterización actual del fenómeno. Para ello, se contemplan las diferencias que se expresan en su territorio, focalizando el análisis a nivel de las divisiones político-administrativas que lo componen, como son las Comunas. (AU)

Reproductive health indicators and fetal medicine - many things will change.

Reproductive epidemiologists study disease outcomes over three time periods: (i) from conception, or before, to birth, (ii) from birth to death and (iii) from death and into the next generations. They have traditionally been short of data from the time of conception to birth, and we use data at birth to estimate fetal growth or the incidence of congenital malformations. Although we are interested in incidence data for defects that start early in gestation, we have to use prevalence data at birth. Cumulative incidence will only be similar to prevalence at birth given no competing risks - or no fetal death after the onset of the lesion. Routinely use of ultrasound methods in fetal medicine will change our monitoring of structural birth defects. We may now be able to link exposures to events with the right time sequence, for example on fetal growth deviations and get better data on fetal deaths also for twins and triplets. The scientific challenges will mainly come from induced abortions following ultrasound examinations. Ultrasound data from the time of pregnancy will be of crucial importance for studies on fetal programming or "developmental origins of health and disease" (DOHaD). In humans, babies that are small at birth have an increased risk of, eg, cardiovascular disease, as shown by DJ Barker in the 1980s (1), but this association is probably not a direct consequence of the low birth weight but rather caused by external or internal exposures during fetal life. DOHaD studies that use outcomes at birth, including weight, as exposures or intermediates may be biased. One notorious example is the apparent protective effect of smoking on the mortality of children with a low birth weight (2). This bias, partly related to collider stratification bias, is potentially less important in studies using direct ultrasound assessments. The risk of reverse causation may also be reduced in longitudinal studies based on ultrasound data. Fetal ultrasound examinations are also done to detect fetal structural abnormalities in order to start early treatment or terminate an effected pregnancy if that is permitted and requested by the parents. This change in timing and validity of determining congenital abnormalities (CA) will have substantial consequences for our monitoring of CA over time. Most of the existing monitoring systems are based on measuring prevalence of CA at time of birth, often allowing for a time period of detection from months to years since some of the CA are not detected at birth. They may be detected by ultrasound during gestation, but even for CA detectable in gestational weeks 20-24 and at birth, the sensitivity and specificity of times of diagnosing may differ so much that the measures are not comparable. Furthermore, the time from ultrasound to birth is sometimes interrupted by late fetal deaths and some of these deaths may be induced on indication. In any case, it will be difficult to reestablish long-term monitoring trends by applying birth correcting factors that will differ by the type of CA. We probably have to accept that long-term time trends need years to be reestablished and will have to be based on updated diagnostic facilities that will change over time. It may be difficult to spot increases in the incidence of CA in the future. An increase could be real or related to better diagnostic facilities operating in the time period from conception to birth. Fetal medicine will sometimes make it possible to study causes and events in the proper time sequence, which is important since a cause has to precede an event as the only sine qua non causal criteria. Measurements of recurrence "risks" of CA in families have always been complicated. It is well known that several CA have a tendency to be repeated in a subsequent pregnancy, most likely related to genetic factors or other time stable environmental exposures. Better diagnostic facilities with an option for an induced abortion may encourage high-risk parents to try to become pregnant and this may affect estimates of recurrence risk. In any case, calculating recurrence risk for newborns following siblings with the CA in question will probably no longer work (maybe it never worked) since the desire to reach a given family size depends on many factors, including the perceived risk of a CA. Access to prenatal diagnostic data may therefore well produce data closer to recurrence risk than data recorded at the time of birth. Pediatrics and Perinatal Epidemiology recently published a series of papers initiated by Olga Basso (3, 4) addressing in part the problem of moving from time scale one (starting at conception) to time scale two (starting at birth). Part of the addressed problems relate to a lack of options for starting observations on causal factors at the onset of exposure or, at best, before exposure. If that exposure happens early in fetal life, outcomes will be complicated by fetal deaths that probably end observation for ≥30% of subjects. That equals mortality rates we see for ≥95-year-olds or equals a cumulative death risk seen for newborns from birth to ≥65 years of age. If the exposure of interest is related to fetal death that opens up for strong collider stratification bias and selection when we condition on survival in our analyses for observations at the beginning of the second time scale (5). A negative association on that time scale need not reflect "prevention" in any sense other than suicides early in life will prevent later cancer deaths. It is difficult to imagine a counterfactual comparison to an exposed had he/she not been exposed and had survived fetal life. Those who were susceptible did not all survive. If we study fetal programming of adult diseases, we have to "condition on birth" in our studies, but we should be aware of the selection bias that follows. Fetal medicine will in many ways produce better data or data we never have had before, but it will change the conditions in many aspects of reproductive epidemiology. The main advantage in analytical epidemiology is to get the time sequence right from exposure to outcome to avoid the problem of reverse causation and to do proper mediation analyses. Conflict of interest The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Advantages of robotics in benign gynecologic surgery.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this article is to review the literature and discuss the advantages of robotics in benign gynecologic surgery. RECENT FINDINGS: Minimally invasive surgery has become the preferred route over abdominal surgery. The laparoscopic or robotic approach is recommended when vaginal surgery is not feasible. Thus far, robotic gynecologic surgery data have demonstrated feasibility, safety, and equivalent clinical outcomes in comparison with laparoscopy and better clinical outcomes compared with laparotomy. Robotics was developed to overcome challenges of laparoscopy and has led to technological advantages such as improved ergonomics, visualization with three-dimensional capabilities, dexterity and range of motion with instrument articulation, and tremor filtration. To date, applications of robotics in benign gynecology include hysterectomy, myomectomy, endometriosis surgery, sacrocolpopexy, adnexal surgery, tubal reanastomosis, and cerclage. Though further data are needed, robotics may provide additional benefits over other approaches in the obese patient population and in higher complexity cases. Challenges that arose in the earlier adoption stage such as the steep learning curve, costs, and operative times are becoming more optimized with greater experience, with implementation of robotics in high-volume centers and with improved training of surgeons and robotic teams. Robotic laparoendoscopic single-site surgery, albeit still in its infancy where technical advantages compared with laparoscopic single-site surgery are still unclear, may provide a cost-reducing option compared with multiport robotics. The cost may even approach that of laparoscopy while still conferring similar perioperative outcomes. SUMMARY: Advances in robotic technology such as the single-site platform and telesurgery, have the potential to revolutionize the field of minimally invasive gynecologic surgery. Higher quality evidence is needed to determine the advantages and disadvantages of robotic surgery in benign gynecologic surgery. Conclusions on the benefits and risks of robotic surgery should be made with caution given limited data, especially when compared with other routes. Route of surgery selection should take into consideration the surgeons' skill and comfort level that allows for the highest level of safety and efficiency. Ultimately, the robotic device is an additional minimally invasive surgical tool that can further the goal of minimizing laparotomy in gynecology.

New paradigms in the diagnosis and management of endometriosis.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Endometriosis is a common gynecologic condition estimated to affect 10-15% of reproductive-aged women, 30% of women with subfertility, and 80% of women with chronic pelvic pain. Although mainstays of diagnosis and treatment are still commonly applied, there have been various advances in the modalities of diagnosis and management of this complex condition. This article provides an updated review of novel findings regarding the diagnosis and management of this challenging disease. RECENT FINDINGS: Despite an abundance of studies on noninvasive diagnostic markers for endometriosis, there is no single imaging study, biomarker or panel of biomarkers that has been validated for clinical diagnosis. New technologies, such as use of indocyanine green and fluorescence, which visualize neovascularization often associated with endometriosis may improve diagnostic detection of endometriosis at the time surgery, but have not been demonstrated to improve pain outcomes after surgery. Hormone suppression remains the mainstay therapy prior to and following surgery. Although most methods demonstrate similar efficacy in reducing endometriosis-associated pain, newer pharmacologic agents that may prove advantageous include oral gonadotropin receptor antagonists, selective progesterone receptor modulators, and angiogenesis inhibitors. SUMMARY: Although there have been some advances in the study of noninvasive imaging and biomarkers, more investigation into effective modalities are being conducted and are needed.

Sexual healing after cancer.

A pioneering Royal Marsden therapy service supports individuals and couples experiencing the sexual consequences of cancer and its treatment. Founder Isabel White was runner-up in the cancer nursing category of the 2015 Nursing Standard awards.

Gender equality and smoking: a theory-driven approach to smoking gender differences in Spain.

BACKGROUND: The intersection between gender and class can aid in understanding gender differences in smoking. AIM: To analyse how changes in gender inequality relate to differences in smoking prevalence by gender, education and birth cohort in Spain over the past five decades (1960-2010). METHODS: The Gender Inequality Index (GII) was calculated in 5-year intervals from 1960 to 2010. GII ranges from 0 to 1 (1=highest inequality) and encompasses three dimensions: reproductive health, empowerment and labour market. Estimates of female and male smoking prevalence were reconstructed from representative National Health Surveys and stratified by birth cohort and level of education. We calculated female-to-male smoking ratios from 1960 to 2010 stratified by education and birth cohort. RESULTS: Gender inequality in Spain decreased from 0.65 to 0.09 over the past 50 years. This rapid decline was inversely correlated (r=-0.99) to a rising female-to-male smoking ratio. The youngest birth cohort of the study (born 1980-1990) and women with high education levels had similar smoking prevalences compared with men. Women with high levels of education were also the first to show a reduction in smoking prevalence, compared with less educated women. CONCLUSIONS: Gender inequality fell significantly in Spain over the past 50 years. This process was accompanied by converging trends in smoking prevalence for men and women. Smoking prevalence patterns varied greatly by birth cohort and education levels. Countries in earlier stages of the tobacco epidemic should consider gender-sensitive tobacco control measures and policies.