Gender disparities in lost productivity resulting from non-communicable diseases in Mexico, 2005-2021.

Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) cause long-term impacts on health and can substantially affect people's ability to work. Little is known about how such impacts vary by gender, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where productivity losses may affect economic development. This study assessed the long-term productivity loss caused by major NCDs among adult women and men (20-76 years) in Mexico because of premature death and hospitalisations, between 2005 and 2021. Methods: We conducted an economic valuation based on the Human Capital Approach. We obtained population-based data from the National Employment Survey from 2005 to 2021 to estimate the expected productivity according to age and gender using a two-part model. We utilised expected productivity based on wage rates to calculate the productivity loss, employing Mexican official mortality registries and hospital discharge microdata for the same period. To assess the variability in our estimations, we performed sensitivity analyses under two different scenarios. Results: Premature mortality by cancers, diabetes, chronic cardiovascular diseases (CVD), chronic respiratory diseases (CRD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) caused a productivity loss of 102.6 billion international US dollars (Intl. USD) from 2.8 million premature deaths. Seventy-three percent of this productivity loss was observed among men. Cancers caused 38.3% of the productivity loss (mainly among women), diabetes 38.1, CVD 15.1, CRD 3.2, and CKD 5.3%. Regarding hospitalisations, the estimated productivity loss was 729.7 million Intl. USD from 54.2 million days of hospitalisation. Men faced 65.4 and women 34.6% of these costs. Cancers caused 41.3% of the productivity loss mainly by women, followed by diabetes (22.1%), CKD (20.4%), CVD (13.6%) and CRD (2.6%). Conclusions: Major NCDs impose substantial costs from lost productivity in Mexico and these tend to be higher amongst men, while for some diseases the economic burden is higher for women. This should be considered to inform policymakers to design effective gender-sensitive health and social protection interventions to tackle the burden of NCDs.

Gender and non-communicable diseases in Mexico: a political mapping and stakeholder analysis.

BACKGROUND: Mexico and other low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) present a growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), with gender-differentiated risk factors and access to prevention, diagnosis and care. However, the political agenda in LMICs as it relates to health and gender is primarily focused on sexual and reproductive health rights and preventing violence against women. This research article analyses public policies related to gender and NCDs, identifying political challenges in the current response to women's health needs, and opportunities to promote interventions that recognize the role of gender in NCDs and NCD care in Mexico. METHODS: We carried out a political mapping and stakeholder analysis during July-October of 2022, based on structured desk research and interviews with eighteen key stakeholders related to healthcare, gender and NCDs in Mexico. We used the PolicyMaker V5 software to identify obstacles and opportunities to promote interventions that recognize the role of gender in NCDs and NCD care, from the perspective of the political stakeholders interviewed. RESULTS: We found as a political obstacle that policies and stakeholders addressing NCDs do not take a gender perspective, while policies and stakeholders addressing gender equality do not adequately consider NCDs. The gendered social and economic aspects of the NCD burden are not widely understood, and the multi-sectoral approach needed to address these aspects is lacking. Economic obstacles show that budget cuts exacerbated by the pandemic are a significant obstacle to social protection mechanisms to support those caring for people living with NCDs. CONCLUSIONS: Moving towards an effective, equity-promoting health and social protection system requires the government to adopt an intersectoral, gender-based approach to the prevention and control of NCDs and the burden of NCD care. Despite significant resource constraints, policy innovation may be possible given the willingness among some stakeholders to collaborate, particularly in the labour and legal sectors. However, care will be needed to ensure the implementation of new policies has a positive impact on both gender equity and health outcomes. Research on successful approaches in other contexts can help to identify relevant learnings for Mexico.

Adolescent use of outpatient health services in Mexico: their health needs and associated factors.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate adolescent use of outpatient services, identifying their health needs and associated socioeconomic factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using data from Ensanut 2018-2019, adolescents (ages 10-19) with health needs and those receiving care from health personnel (users) were identified. Needs were analyzed by sex and socioeconomic status (SES). Logistic models were used to assess the factors associated with the use of health care and choice of provider. RESULTS: 6% of adolescents reported health needs, of whom 64% used outpatient services. Respiratory and gastrointestinal infections were the principal health needs prompting use of services overall. However, by SES, motivations centered on pregnancy for the poor and accidental injuries for the wealthy. One in three adolescents with health needs, particularly the poorest, received no care. Living with a partner and having health insurance were the main predictors of use. Greater schooling among household heads and higher SES correlated with the use of private services. CONCLUSIONS: Despite being aware of their health needs, adolescents are the group that uses health services the least in Mexico. Promoting preventative and timely treatment for this population would encourage youths to seek care more often.

A Gender-Based and Quasi-Experimental Study of the Catastrophic and Impoverishing Health-Care Expenditures in Mexican Households with Elderly Members, 2000-2020.

Latin America has experienced a rise in noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) which is having repercussions on the structuring of healthcare delivery and social protection for vulnerable populations. We examined catastrophic (CHE) and excessive (EHE, impoverishing and/or catastrophic) health care expenditures in Mexican households with and without elderly members (≥65 years), by gender of head of the households, during 2000-2020. We analyzed pooled cross-sectional data for 380,509 households from eleven rounds of the National Household Income and Expenditure Survey. Male- and female-headed households (MHHs and FHHs) were matched using propensity scores to control for gender bias in systematic differences regarding care-seeking (demand for healthcare) preferences. Adjusted probabilities of positive health expenditures, CHE and EHE were estimated using probit and two-stage probit models, respectively. Quintiles of EHE by state among FHHs with elderly members were also mapped. CHE and EHE were greater among FHHs than among MHHs (4.7% vs 3.9% and 5.5% vs 4.6%), and greater in FHHs with elderly members (5.8% vs 4.9% and 6.9% vs 5.8%). EHE in FHHs with elderly members varied geographically from 3.9% to 9.1%, being greater in less developed eastern, north-central and southeastern states. Compared with MHHs, FHHs face greater risks of CHE and EHE. This vulnerability is exacerbated in FHHs with elderly members, because of gender intersectional vulnerability. The present context, marked by a growing burden of NCDs and inequities amplified by COVID-19, makes key interlinkages across multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) apparent, and calls for urgent measures that strengthen social protection in health.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of interventions to increase physical activity in hypertensive patients / Análisis de costo-efectividad de intervenciones para incrementar la actividad física en hipertensos

Abstract Objective: To perform a cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) of two programs designed to increase the physical activity (PA) of hypertensive patients at the primary-care level: the first based on the Reference Scheme (RS) and the second on the Brief Counseling (BC) approach, both within the context of a Mexican social security institution: The Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS). Material and Methods: A CEA was undertaken from the perspective of service providers, with a time horizon of 24 weeks. Effectiveness was estimated in two ways: an increase in the minutes of moderate-vigorous PA (MVPA) and the percentage of patients engaging in ≥150 weekly minutes of MVPA at the end of each program. Results: RS patients performed 8.1 additional minutes of PA (week 24 = 169.29 minutes; week zero = 161.23). RS program proved approximately 1% more expensive and more effective and had an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of 299 US$ per increased percentage point of patients engaging in ≥150 weekly minutes of MVPA at the end of each program. The sensitivity analysis yielded an up to 56% probability that the RS program would be cost- effective in increasing the percentage of patients performing the targeted MVPA per week. Conclusions: Our results indicate that in the context of a social security institution such as the IMSS, it is not cost-effective to implement an RS-based program to increase physical activity levels in hypertensive patients. Further evidence is required on the cost-effectiveness of both programs regarding other effectiveness measures such as biochemical and physical condition parameters, as well as to other types of population, given that this was the first CEA of PA programs in Mexico.

Resumen Objetivo: Realizar un análisis de costo-efectividad (ACE) de dos programas diseñados para incrementar la actividad física (AF) de pacientes hipertensos: el primero basado en el Esquema de Referencia (ER) y el segundo con un enfoque de Asesoramiento o Consejería Breve (CB), ambos en el contexto de primer nivel de atención en una institución de seguridad social de México: El Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS). Material y métodos: Se realizó un ACE desde la perspectiva de los proveedores de servicios, con un horizonte temporal de 24 semanas. La efectividad se midió con dos indicadores: aumento en los minutos de AF moderada-vigorosa (AFMV) y en el porcentaje de pacientes que participaron en ≥150 minutos de AFMV semanales al final de cada programa. Resultados: Los pacientes con ER realizaron 8.1 minutos adicionales de AF (semana 24 = 169.29 minutos; semana cero = 161.23). El programa ER demostró ser aproximadamente 1% más costoso y efectivo, y tuvo una relación costo-efectividad incremental de 299 dólares por cada punto porcentual de incremento de pacientes que cumplían con ≥150 minutos de MVPA semanales al final de cada programa. El análisis de sensibilidad arrojó una probabilidad de hasta 56% de que el programa ER fuera costo-efectivo para aumentar el porcentaje de pacientes que cumplen con las recomendaciones de AF semanales. Conclusiones: Nuestros resultados indican que en el contexto de una institución de seguridad social como el IMSS, no es costo-efectivo implementar un programa basado en ER para aumentar los niveles de actividad física en pacientes hipertensos.Se requiere mayor evidencia sobre la relación costo-efectividad de ambos programas con respecto a otras medidas de efectividad como parámetros bioquímicos y de condición física, así como a otro tipo de población, dado que este fue el primer ACE de programas de AF en México.

Anticoncepción posevento obstétrico y embarazo subsecuente en adolescentes: perspectivas del personal de salud en México.

OBJETIVO: Identificar cómo se implementa la estrategia de anticoncepción posevento obstétrico (APEO) y analizar las barreras, acciones y recomendaciones para prevenir embara-zos subsecuentes en adolescentes. Material y métodos. Estudio cualitativo a través de análisis de contenido de 21 en-trevistas semiestructuradas a personal de salud de instituciones de atención a población sin seguridad social de la Ciudad de México y Morelos. RESULTADOS: La APEO se promueve du-rante el embarazo, parto, posaborto, puerperio y hasta 12 me-ses después del evento obstétrico. La consejería debe abordar, además de información técnica sobre métodos anticonceptivos, otras temáticas clave en relación con los derechos sexuales y reproductivos de los adolescentes. Se identifican barreras personales, institucionales y sociales para la implementación de la estrategia; el personal refiere acciones y recomendaciones específicas para su consolidación. Conclusión. La estrategia de APEO se debe fortalecer para garantizar la oferta de un servicio acorde con las necesidades de las mujeres menores de 20 años, así como diseñar intervenciones basadas en las buenas prácticas y recomendaciones de los prestadores de salud para superar las barreras y lograr periodos intergenésicos más allá de la adolescencia.

Care friendliness in adolescent sexual and reproductive health services in Mexico and a characterisation of their clients.

BACKGROUND: Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) is a very important issue in public health programs in low -and middle-income countries (LMICs). Health services that meet specific and differentiated needs of adolescents are increasingly relevant in LMICs. To provide quality services, it is necessary to know the profile of its users and the perspective that adolescents have about SRH services aimed at them. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of primary data from a survey of 489 adolescents recruited in 11 primary-care facilities in the state of Morelos, Mexico. We followed the guidelines outlined in the World Health Organization Quality Assessment Guidebook: A guide to assessing health services for adolescent clients. Data on friendliness of services were obtained through 70 questions divided into 18 characteristics which, in turn, were grouped into five domains: equity, accessibility, acceptability, appropriateness, and effectiveness. The "friendliness" (a proxy for quality of care) of services was measured according to an additive index of friendliness (FI) ranging from 0 (no friendliness) to 1 (maximum friendliness). We also described the socio-demographic, SRH, and service utilization profiles of clients. RESULTS: The health services analysed were characterised as having low levels of accessibility (FI = 0.62) and effectiveness (FI = 0.77), moderate acceptability (FI = 0.84), and high levels of appropriateness (FI = 0.93) and equity (FI = 0.92). Of the total number of adolescents surveyed, 51% stated that they had initiated a sexual life, 37% did not use any method of protection during their first sexual intercourse and 64% of the adolescents had already experienced a pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: It is essential to improve the accessibility and effectiveness dimensions of adolescent-friendly services in Mexico. This requires the implementation of strategies specifically designed to promote well-informed, planned and healthy sexual behaviours that avert risk and vulnerability. Strategies need to consider the profile of the adolescent client population.

Public health insurance and ethnic disparities in maternal health care: the case of vulnerable Mexican women over the last 25 years.

This article examines the coverage in the continuum of antenatal-postnatal care for vulnerable women in Mexico according to indigenous status and assesses the influence of public health insurance strategies on the evolution of coverage over the last 25 years. We studied a total of 19 613 567 Mexican women, aged 12-54 years at last birth, based on a pooled cross-sectional analysis of data from the 1997, 2009, 2014 and 2018 waves of the National Survey of Demographic Dynamics. After describing sociodemographic characteristics and maternal-health coverage by indigenous status, we constructed a pooled fixed-effects and interaction multivariable regression model to assess the influence of the Seguro Popular programme on continuum of care. We estimated adjusted continuum of care coverage between 1994 and 2018 according to Seguro Popular affiliation and indigenous status. Prior to the Seguro Popular programme, crude coverage in the continuum of care for non-indigenous women stood at 14.5% [95% confidence interval (CI): 13.2-15.8%] or 11 percentage points higher than for indigenous women. During the last period of the programme, it rose to 46.5% [95% CI: 45.6-47.5%] and 34.1% [95% CI: 30.7-37.4%], respectively. Our regression analysis corroborated findings that, on average, indigenous women faced lower odds of benefiting from continuum of care [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.40-0.57] than did their non-indigenous counterparts. It also revealed that coverage for indigenous women without Seguro Popular affiliation was 26.7% [95% CI: 23.3-30.1%] or 12 percentage points lower than for those with Seguro Popular affiliation (38.6%, 95% CI: 35.7-41.4%). Our regression results confirmed that the latter benefited from higher odds of continuum of care (aOR = 1.67, 95% CI: 1.36-2.26). Gaps between those of indigenous and non-indigenous status have persisted, but the Seguro Popular clearly contributed to reducing the coverage gaps between these two groups of women. Strategies yielding better outcomes are required to improve the structural conditions of indigenous populations.

Assessing the continuum of care for maternal health in Mexico, 1994-2018.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the temporal and geographical patterns of the continuum of maternal health care in Mexico, as well as the sociodemographic characteristics that affect the likelihood of receiving this care. METHODS: We conducted a pooled cross-sectional analysis using the 1997, 2009, 2014 and 2018 waves of the National Survey of Demographic Dynamics, collating sociodemographic and obstetric characteristics of 93 745 women aged 12-54 years at last delivery. We defined eight variables along the antenatal-postnatal continuum, both independently and conditionally. We used a pooled fixed-effects multivariable logistic model to determine the likelihood of receiving the continuum of care for various properties. We also mapped the quintiles of adjusted state-level absolute change in continuum of care coverage during 1994-2018. FINDINGS: We observed large absolute increases in the proportion of women receiving timely antenatal and postnatal care (from 48.9% to 88.2% and from 39.1% to 68.7%, respectively). In our conditional analysis, we found that the proportion of women receiving adequate antenatal care doubled over this period. We showed that having social security and a higher level of education is positively associated with receiving the continuum of care. We observed the largest relative increases in continuum of care coverage in Chiapas (181.5%) and Durango (160.6%), assigned human development index categories of low and medium, respectively. CONCLUSION: Despite significant progress in coverage of the continuum of maternal health care, disparities remain. While ensuring progress towards achievement of the health-related sustainable development goal, government intervention must also target underserved populations.

Tackling maternal mortality by improving technical efficiency in the production of primary health services: longitudinal evidence from the Mexican case.

Ensuring regular and timely access to efficient and quality health services reduces the risk of maternal mortality. Specifically, improving technical efficiency (TE) can result in improved health outcomes. To date, no studies in Mexico have explored the connection of TE with either the production of maternal health services at the primary-care level or the maternal-mortality ratio (MMR) in populations without social security coverage. The present study combined data envelopment analysis (DEA), longitudinal data and selection bias correction methods with the purpose of obtaining original evidence on the impact of TE on the MMR during the period 2008-2015. The results revealed that MMR fell 0.36% (P < 0.01) for every percentage point increase in TE at the jurisdictional level or elasticity TE-MMR. This effect proved lower in highly marginalized jurisdictions and disappeared entirely in those with low- or medium-marginalization levels. Our findings also highlighted the relevance of certain social and economic aspects in the attainment of TE by jurisdictions. This clearly demonstrates the need for comprehensive, cross-cutting policies capable of modifying the structural conditions that generate vulnerability in specific population groups. In other words, achieving an effective and sustainable reduction in the MMR requires, inter alia, that the Mexican government review and update two essential elements: the criteria behind resource allocation and distribution, and the control mechanisms currently in place for executing and ensuring accountability in these two functions.

Government Expenditure on Maternal Health and Family Planning Services for Adolescents in Mexico, 2003-2015.

The purpose of this study was to assess whether government policies to expand the coverage of maternal health and family planning (MHFP) services were benefiting the adolescents in need. To this end, we estimated government MHFP expenditure for 10- to 19-year-old adolescents without social security (SS) coverage between 2003 and 2015. We evaluated its evolution and distribution nationally and sub-nationally by level of marginalization, as well as its relationship with demand indicators. Using Jointpoint regressions, we estimated the average annual percent change (AAPC) nationally and among states. Expenditure for adolescents without SS coverage registered 15% for AAPC for the period 2003-2011 and was stable for the remaining years, with 88% of spending allocated to maternal health. Growth in MHFP expenditure reduced the ratio of spending by 13% among groups of states with greater/lesser marginalization; nonetheless, the poorest states continued to show the lowest levels of expenditure. Although adolescents without SS coverage benefited from greater MHFP expenditure as a consequence of health policies directed at achieving universal health coverage, gaps persisted in its distribution among states, since those with similar demand indicators exhibited different levels of expenditure. Further actions are required to improve resource allocation to disadvantaged states and to reinforce the use of FP services by adolescents.

Adolescent Friendly Services: quality assessment with simulated users.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the quality of adolescent friendly health services. METHODS: Qualitative assessment using the simulated user technique in first level clinics of Health Services of Morelos, Mexico, during 2018. Ten out of 17 facilities with non-exclusive adolescent friendly services were randomly selected. An additional facility with exclusive adolescent friendly services was included as an intensive subsample. Four adolescents served as simulated users interpreting different cases in the clinics. The total of 43 semi-structured exit interviews were conducted, and two nominal groups were made to assess the perceived quality from the adolescents' perception of friendliness and experience. Thematic analysis of the data obtained was performed. RESULTS: Staff attitude was highlighted as a key element in the adolescents' experience. Failures were found, such as the existence of bureaucratic barriers to access, lack of signage in clinics, lack of privacy and confidentiality, failure of physical examination during the appointment and lack of monitoring of the reasons for appointment. The exclusive clinic for adolescents offered more appropriate friendly services compared with nonexclusive clinics. CONCLUSION: Although the service is accessible in most of the clinics visited, it is still far from being friendly according to international recommendations. The exclusive clinic for adolescents stood out for having better structured mechanisms that can be implemented in nonexclusive clinics to improve the care process.

Adolescent friendly services: quality assessment with simulated users / Servicios amigables para adolescentes: evaluación de la calidad con usuarios simulados

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To assess the quality of adolescent friendly health services. METHODS Qualitative assessment using the simulated user technique in first level clinics of Health Services of Morelos, Mexico, during 2018. Ten out of 17 facilities with non-exclusive adolescent friendly services were randomly selected. An additional facility with exclusive adolescent friendly services was included as an intensive subsample. Four adolescents served as simulated users interpreting different cases in the clinics. The total of 43 semi-structured exit interviews were conducted, and two nominal groups were made to assess the perceived quality from the adolescents' perception of friendliness and experience. Thematic analysis of the data obtained was performed. RESULTS Staff attitude was highlighted as a key element in the adolescents' experience. Failures were found, such as the existence of bureaucratic barriers to access, lack of signage in clinics, lack of privacy and confidentiality, failure of physical examination during the appointment and lack of monitoring of the reasons for appointment. The exclusive clinic for adolescents offered more appropriate friendly services compared with nonexclusive clinics. CONCLUSION Although the service is accessible in most of the clinics visited, it is still far from being friendly according to international recommendations. The exclusive clinic for adolescents stood out for having better structured mechanisms that can be implemented in nonexclusive clinics to improve the care process.

RESUMEN OBJETIVO Evaluar la calidad de los servicios de salud amigables para adolescentes. MÉTODOS Evaluación cualitativa utilizando la técnica de usuario simulado en clínicas de primer nivel de los Servicios de Salud de Morelos, México durante 2018. Se seleccionaron aleatoriamente 10 de 17 establecimientos con servicios amigables no exclusivos para adolescentes. Se incluyó adicionalmente un centro con servicios amigables exclusivo para adolescentes como submuestra de tipo intensivo. Cuatro adolescentes fungieron como usuarios simulados interpretando diferentes casos de consulta en las clínicas. Se realizaron 43 entrevistas semiestructuradas de salida y se hicieron dos grupos nominales para evaluar la calidad percibida a partir de la percepción de amigabilidad y la experiencia de los adolescentes. Se realizó análisis temático de los datos obtenidos. RESULTADOS La actitud del personal destacó como un elemento clave para la experiencia de los adolescentes. Se encontraron fallas como la existencia de barreras burocráticas para el acceso, falta de señalamientos en las clínicas, falta de privacidad y confidencialidad, fallas en la exploración física durante la consulta y falta de seguimiento de los motivos de consulta. La clínica exclusiva para adolescentes ofreció servicios amigables más adecuados en comparación con las clínicas no exclusivas. CONCLUSIÓN Aunque en la mayoría de los establecimientos visitados el servicio es accesible, aun distan de cumplir con las características de amigabilidad de acuerdo con las recomendaciones internacionales. La clínica exclusiva para adolescentes destacó al contar con mecanismos mejor estructurados que pueden ser implementados en clínicas no exclusivas para mejorar el proceso de atención.

[Inequalities in access to services, basis for policies to reduce the health gap]. / Desigualdades en el acceso a servicios, base de las políticas para la reducción de la brecha en salud.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate inequalities in access to health services among Mexican population living in localities of 100 000 or less inhabitants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional analysis using the National Health and Nu- trition Survey 100k 2018 survey data. Access was estimated using health insurance and care for the last health condition. As inequality measure, we estimated the concentration index using an imputation of household per capita income. RESULTS: Among studied population, health insurance was 82.42% and access to care 60.03%. We identified inequalities in both indicators; marginal and pro-poor for insurance and pro-rich for access to care. CONCLUSIONS: In Mexico, even within the popuation living in poverty there are inequalities in access to health care. More granular public interventions are needed to address inequalities in an effective way.

OBJETIVO: Estimar la desigualdad en acceso a servicios de salud en poblaciones de localidades menores de 100 000 habitantes en México. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Análisis de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición 100k 2018. Se estimó el acceso con base en la afiliación a un esquema de aseguramiento (acceso potencial) y la atención para el más reciente problema de salud (acceso a atención) mediante el índice de concentración, utilizando una imputación del ingreso per cápita. RESULTADOS: La afiliación a algún esquema de ase- guramiento en salud fue de 82.42% y el acceso a atención de 60.03%. Se identificaron desigualdades en ambos indicadores, marginales para acceso potencial y con mayor concentración entre la población de menor ingreso; para acceso a atención se encontró desigualdad con mayor concentración entre la población de mayor ingreso. CONCLUSIONES: En México prevalecen desigualdades en acceso a servicios de salud para la población en condiciones de pobreza. Es necesario desarrollar intervenciones públicas con mayor granularidad para incidir de forma efectiva en la desigualdad.

Desigualdades en el acceso a servicios, base de las políticas para la reducción de la brecha en salud / Inequalities in access to services, basis for policies to reduce the health gap

Resumen: Objetivo: Estimar la desigualdad en acceso a servicios de salud en poblaciones de localidades menores de 100 000 habitantes en México. Material y métodos: Análisis de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición 100k 2018. Se estimó el acceso con base en la afiliación a un esquema de aseguramiento (acceso potencial) y la atención para el más reciente problema de salud (acceso a atención) mediante el índice de concentración, utilizando una imputación del ingreso per cápita. Resultados: La afiliación a algún esquema de aseguramiento en salud fue de 82.42% y el acceso a atención de 60.03%. Se identificaron desigualdades en ambos indicadores, marginales para acceso potencial y con mayor concentración entre la población de menor ingreso; para acceso a atención se encontró desigualdad con mayor concentración entre la población de mayor ingreso. Conclusión: En México prevalecen desigualdades en acceso a servicios de salud para la población en condiciones de pobreza. Es necesario desarrollar intervenciones públicas con mayor granularidad para incidir de forma efectiva en la desigualdad.

Abstract: Objective: To estimate inequalities in access to health services among Mexican population living in localities of 100 000 or less inhabitants. Materials and methods: Cross-sectional analysis using the National Health and Nutrition Survey 100k 2018 survey data. Access was estimated using health insurance and care for the last health condition. As inequality measure, we estimated the concentration index using an imputation of household per capita income. Results: Among studied population, health insurance was 82.42% and access to care 60.03%. We identified inequalities in both indicators; marginal and pro-poor for insurance and pro-rich for access to care. Conclusion: In Mexico, even within the population living in poverty there are inequalities in access to health care. More granular public interventions are needed to address inequalities in an effective way.

Quality of family planning services in Mexico: The perspective of demand.

INTRODUCTION: Family planning (FP) is one of the key services provided by health care systems. Extending beyond matters of sexual and reproductive health, its area of influence impacts directly on the development of individuals and nations. After 60 years of intense FP activities in Mexico, and in light of recent restructuring of health service supply and financing, services need to be assessed from a user perspective. OBJECTIVE: Based on a comprehensive conceptual framework, this article assesses the quality of the FP services provided by the Mexican Ministry of Health (MoH). Analysis considers not only accessibility and availability but also the users' perceptions of the care process, particularly as regards the interpersonal relations they experience with staff and the type of information they are provided. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study used a descriptive, qualitative design based on maximum variation sampling in six Mexican states. It included visits to 12 clinics in urban and rural areas. Thematic analysis was performed on 86 semi-structured interviews administered to FP service users. RESULTS: While access was described by users as "easy," their experiences revealed normalized barriers. One of our key findings referred to inverse availability, meaning that the contraceptive methods available were generally not the ones preferred by users, with their selection therefore being shaped by shortage of supplies. Challenges included disrespect for the free choice of FP users and coercion during consultations for contraception post obstetric event. Finally, information provided to users left considerable room for improvement. CONCLUSIONS: After six decades of FP service supply, results indicate a series of quality issues that may lie at the heart of the unmet demand reported in the literature. Based on a comprehensive conceptual scheme, the present study analyzes the quality of services, highlighting areas for improvement that should be considered by the MoH in future efforts.

Improving the effective maternal-child health care coverage through synergies between supply and demand-side interventions: evidence from Mexico.

BACKGROUND: Over the last two decades, the Mexican government has released several efforts to achieve universal health coverage (UHC), based on the principles of fairness and social protection, to reduce the inequities in utilization, access, and quality of care existing in the health system. Two of the most important social public policies that have targeted the population without access to social security include the 1997 conditional cash transfers (CCT) program known as Prospera (formerly Oportunidades or Progresa) and the Seguro Popular de Salud (SPS by its Spanish initials), launched in 2003. These two programs, so far, have survived changes in the federal administrations being the most longstanding social programs targeting poor (or unprotected) populations ever in the history of modern Mexico. We tested the existence of positive synergies between demand-side (or CCT-Prospera) and supply-side (or Seguro Popular de Salud, SPS) social programs in the achievement of effective coverage (EC) of maternal-child health interventions in Mexico. METHODS: We performed a retrospective-cohort analysis to 6413 women aged 12-49 years who participated in a probabilistic survey conducted in 2012. We calculated EC as the product of three indexes: need, utilization and quality of health care. Correlates of EC were identified estimating a logistic regression model. We also presented adjusted EC by specific women groups. RESULTS: EC among beneficiaries of both programs was similar to estimates in Social Security affiliates (54%). For those not affiliated to any of the programs or those who received benefits for only one of them, the EC was 47.6% and 45.5% respectively. Adjusted estimates of EC suggest that overall, having both programs (Prospera + SPS) has a positive effect on maternal and child care coverage, which makes the observed differences in EC not statistically significant between those affiliated to both programs in comparison with the observed in the population with social security. CONCLUSIONS: Results support positive synergies between Prospera and SPS in the reduction of the gaps in EC. The most vulnerable population groups need to be reached by the combination of these programs so that public health efforts translate into greater EC of maternal health services and better maternal-child outcomes.

Dissonant health transition in the states of Mexico, 1990-2013: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2013.

BACKGROUND: Child and maternal health outcomes have notably improved in Mexico since 1990, whereas rising adult mortality rates defy traditional epidemiological transition models in which decreased death rates occur across all ages. These trends suggest Mexico is experiencing a more complex, dissonant health transition than historically observed. Enduring inequalities between states further emphasise the need for more detailed health assessments over time. The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2013 (GBD 2013) provides the comprehensive, comparable framework through which such national and subnational analyses can occur. This study offers a state-level quantification of disease burden and risk factor attribution in Mexico for the first time. METHODS: We extracted data from GBD 2013 to assess mortality, causes of death, years of life lost (YLLs), years lived with disability (YLDs), disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), and healthy life expectancy (HALE) in Mexico and its 32 states, along with eight comparator countries in the Americas. States were grouped by Marginalisation Index scores to compare subnational burden along a socioeconomic dimension. We split extracted data by state and applied GBD methods to generate estimates of burden, and attributable burden due to behavioural, metabolic, and environmental or occupational risks. We present results for 306 causes, 2337 sequelae, and 79 risk factors. FINDINGS: From 1990 to 2013, life expectancy from birth in Mexico increased by 3·4 years (95% uncertainty interval 3·1-3·8), from 72·1 years (71·8-72·3) to 75·5 years (75·3-75·7), and these gains were more pronounced in states with high marginalisation. Nationally, age-standardised death rates fell 13·3% (11·9-14·6%) since 1990, but state-level reductions for all-cause mortality varied and gaps between life expectancy and years lived in full health, as measured by HALE, widened in several states. Progress in women's life expectancy exceeded that of men, in whom negligible improvements were observed since 2000. For many states, this trend corresponded with rising YLL rates from interpersonal violence and chronic kidney disease. Nationally, age-standardised YLL rates for diarrhoeal diseases and protein-energy malnutrition markedly decreased, ranking Mexico well above comparator countries. However, amid Mexico's progress against communicable diseases, chronic kidney disease burden rapidly climbed, with age-standardised YLL and DALY rates increasing more than 130% by 2013. For women, DALY rates from breast cancer also increased since 1990, rising 12·1% (4·6-23·1%). In 2013, the leading five causes of DALYs were diabetes, ischaemic heart disease, chronic kidney disease, low back and neck pain, and depressive disorders; the latter three were not among the leading five causes in 1990, further underscoring Mexico's rapid epidemiological transition. Leading risk factors for disease burden in 1990, such as undernutrition, were replaced by high fasting plasma glucose and high body-mass index by 2013. Attributable burden due to dietary risks also increased, accounting for more than 10% of DALYs in 2013. INTERPRETATION: Mexico achieved sizeable reductions in burden due to several causes, such as diarrhoeal diseases, and risks factors, such as undernutrition and poor sanitation, which were mainly associated with maternal and child health interventions. Yet rising adult mortality rates from chronic kidney disease, diabetes, cirrhosis, and, since 2000, interpersonal violence drove deteriorating health outcomes, particularly in men. Although state inequalities from communicable diseases narrowed over time, non-communicable diseases and injury burdens varied markedly at local levels. The dissonance with which Mexico and its 32 states are experiencing epidemiological transitions might strain health-system responsiveness and performance, which stresses the importance of timely, evidence-informed health policies and programmes linked to the health needs of each state. FUNDING: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública.

Labor and delivery service use: indigenous women's preference and the health sector response in the Chiapas Highlands of Mexico.

BACKGROUND: Mexico has undertaken important efforts to decrease maternal mortality. Health authorities have introduced intercultural innovations to address barriersfaced by indigenous women accessing professional maternal and delivery services. This study examines, from the perspective of indigenous women, the barriers andfacilitators of labor and delivery care services in a context of intercultural and allopathic innovations. METHODS: This is an exploratory study using a qualitative approach of discourse analysis with grounded theory techniques. Twenty-five semi-structured interviews were undertaken with users and non-users of the labor and delivery services, as well as with traditional birth attendants (TBAs) in San Andrés Larráinzar, Chiapas in 2012. RESULTS: The interviewees identified barriers in the availability of medical personnel and restrictive hours for health services. Additionally, they referred to barriers to access (economic, geographic, linguistic and cultural) to health services, as well as invasive and offensive hospital practices enacted by health system personnel, which limited the quality of care they can provide. Traditional birth attendants participating in intercultural settings expressed the lack of autonomy and exclusion they experience by hospital personnel, as a result of not being considered part of the care team. As facilitators, users point to the importance of having their traditional birth attendants and families present during childbirth, to allow them to use their clothing during the attention, that the staff of health care is of the female sex and speaking the language of the community. As limiting condition users referred the different medical maneuvers practiced in the attention of the delivery (vaginal examination, episiotomy, administration of oxytocin, etc.). CONCLUSIONS: Evidence from the study suggests the presence of important barriers to the utilization of institutional labor and delivery services in indigenous communities, in spite of the intercultural strategies implemented. It is important to consider strengthening intercultural models of care, to sensitize personnel towards cultural needs, beliefs, practices and preferences of indigenous women, with a focus on human rights, gender equity and quality of care.