Traditional rural dietary pattern and all-cause mortality in a prospective cohort study of elderly Costa Ricans: the Costa Rican Longevity and Healthy Aging Study (CRELES).

BACKGROUND: Costa Rica is experiencing a fast demographic aging. Healthy diets may help to ameliorate the burden of aging-related conditions. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the association of a traditional dietary pattern and 2 of its major components (beans and rice) with all-cause mortality among elderly Costa Ricans. METHODS: The Costa Rican Longevity and Healthy Aging Study (CRELES), a prospective cohort study of 2827 elderly Costa Ricans (60+ y at baseline), started in 2004. We used a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to assess usual diet. We calculated dietary patterns using principal component analysis. Multivariate energy-adjusted proportional-hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: Over a 15-y follow-up, encompassing 24,304 person-years, 1667 deaths occurred. The traditional Costa Rican dietary pattern was more frequent in rural parts of the country, and it was inversely associated with all-cause mortality. Subjects in the fifth quintile of intake had 18% lower all-cause mortality than those in the first quintile (HR: 0.82; 95% CI: 0.69, 0.98; P-trend = 0.01), particularly among males (HR: 0.73; 95% CI: 0.56, 0.95). Bean intake was associated with lower all-cause mortality among all subjects (HR: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.68, 0.91, highest compared with lowest tertile) and in sex-stratified analysis. Rice consumption was inversely associated with all-cause mortality solely among males (HR: 0.75; 95% CI: 0.60, 0.94, highest compared with lowest tertile). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that a traditional Costa Rican rural dietary pattern is associated with lower all-cause mortality in elderly Costa Ricans. Beans, a major component of this traditional dietary pattern, was also associated with lower all-cause mortality. These findings could have important implications for public health, given the nutritional transition and the reduction of intake of traditional diets in Latin American countries.

Comfort with LGB people and attitudes toward same-sex parenting in Continental American Hispanic Nations.

Negative attitudes toward Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual (LGB) individuals leads to a perceived inability of LGB individuals to foster 'appropriate' family relationships, inciting negative attitudes specifically toward same-sex parenting. Intergroup and interpersonal relationships play a critical role in fostering attitudes toward others wherein type of contact, frequency, degree of closeness in the relationship, and the positivity/negativity of interactions are potential mediator of these relations, Moreover, the mechanism behind co-constructing positive relationships with sexual and gender minorities is comfort with contact with LGB individuals. The present study explored the effects of interpersonal contact and the mediator role of comfort with LGB people in explaining attitudes toward same-sex parenting in Spanish-speaking countries in North, Central, and South America. These countries are of particular interest given the dearth of research in the region on attitudes toward same-sex parenting as well as the varying degrees of acceptance of and protections for same-sex parented families. A non-probabilistic sample of 1955 heterosexual cisgender participants from 14 countries was asked to complete a series of sociodemographic questions, a questionnaire about their interpersonal contact/comfort experiences with LGB people, and the Attitudes Toward Gay and Lesbian Parenting Scale. Results showed that comfort was vital in fostering accepting attitudes toward Same-Sex Parenting across countries. Findings also suggested that comfort with LGB people has a particularly powerful influence in regions with less legal and cultural acceptance of LGB individuals. Policies are not enough to instill widespread change: we must encourage, facilitate, and supervise the formation of relationships with LGB people.

Low Levels of Lifetime Pap Test Receipt Among Vulnerable Guatemalans.

Low and middle-income countries, such as Guatemala, shoulder a disproportionate share of cervical cancer, a preventable disease in high income countries. Tangible obstacles, such as lack of access to health care, cultural differences, and insufficient infrastructure, and facilitators, such as being Ladino, married, and educated, have been identified in the literature related to cervical cancer prevention. The aim of this survey was to explore barriers and facilitators to cervical cancer prevention, comparing rural Indigenous and urban Ladino populations. We surveyed 139 women in two health clinics. Participants answered questions about demographic information, cervical cancer knowledge, and health care behaviors. We analyzed survey data with four bivariate models. Our results suggest vulnerable populations, such as rural Indigenous women who are single, illiterate, and lack education, face higher cervical cancer risk. Partnerships should be formed with health promotors and lay midwives to educate and encourage vulnerable populations to prevent cervical cancer.

Social support associated with restorative treatment, professionally applied fluoride and flossing: A cross-sectional analysis including recent immigrants from Central America and Mexico in the Midwest USA.

OBJECTIVES: This study examined how Mexican and Central American immigrants' social support was associated with three selected dental outcomes among recent immigrants, prior to the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Using baseline wave data from the 2017-2022 VidaSana study about the health and social networks of Mexican and Central American immigrants living in Indiana, this study utilized logistic and ordinal logistic regression to predict lifetime fluoride use, lifetime dental restoration and flossing frequency, across levels of social support and differences between Mexican and Central American immigrants. RESULTS: Data from 547 respondents were included in the present analysis (68% women; mean age 34.4 years [SD 11.2]; Central American 42%; Mexican 58%). Results show a high level of social support was associated with increased probability of fluoride use, dental restoration and higher flossing frequency for Mexican immigrants. However, social support for Central American immigrants was associated with a decreased likelihood of fluoride use, more infrequent flossing, and had no significant association with dental restorations experience. What would be a negative association between Central American immigrants and dental restoration was accounted for by education level and never having been to a dentist. CONCLUSIONS: While higher social support was linked to beneficial outcomes for oral health in Mexican immigrants, the opposite was found in Central Americans. These findings highlighted the complexities of social relationships among new immigrants, and potential heterogeneity within the Hispanic population, particularly regarding social and behavioural measures as they pertain to oral health. Further research is needed to identify the underlying mechanisms producing both differences in social support and oral health outcomes.

Predictors of Alcohol Use Among Latinx Men in South Florida: Machismo as a Correlate of Alcohol Use Frequency and Quantity.

Previous studies have found Latinx cultural values to be positively associated with healthy behaviors. This study aims to examine socioeconomic and cultural correlates of alcohol use among Latinx adult men living in Miami-Dade County, Florida. The study sample included 122 Latinx adult men (mean age = 44, SD = 10), predominantly of South and Central American origin. Data was collected using REDCap. Interviews included the Timeline Follow-Back scale for alcohol use. Results indicate that Caribbean participants were significantly less likely to report drinking in the past 90 days (aOR = 0.08, p = 0.042) compared to their Venezuelan counterparts. Higher machismo scores were associated with low drinking frequency (aRR = 0.67, p = 0.043), while no significant associations were found between machismo and other drinking outcomes. Drinking quantity and frequency are significantly associated with higher income and authorized immigration status in the US among Latinx men in South Florida. Higher machismo scores were associated with low drinking frequency.

Genetic substrates of bipolar disorder risk in Latino families.

Genetic studies of bipolar disorder (BP) have been conducted in the Latin American population, to date, in several countries, including Mexico, the United States, Costa Rica, Colombia, and, to a lesser extent, Brazil. These studies focused primarily on linkage-based designs utilizing families with multiplex cases of BP. Significant BP loci were identified on Chromosomes 18, 5 and 8, and fine mapping suggested several genes of interest underlying these linkage peaks. More recently, studies in these same pedigrees yielded significant linkage loci for BP endophenotypes, including measures of activity, sleep cycles, and personality traits. Building from findings in other populations, candidate gene association analyses in Latinos from Mexican and Central American ancestry confirmed the role of several genes (including CACNA1C and ANK3) in conferring BP risk. Although GWAS, methylation, and deep sequencing studies have only begun in these populations, there is evidence that CNVs and rare SNPs both play a role in BP risk of these populations. Large segments of the Latino populations in the Americas remain largely unstudied regarding BP genetics, but evidence to date has shown that this type of research can be successfully conducted in these populations and that the genetic underpinnings of BP in these cohorts share at least some characteristics with risk genes identified in European and other populations.

Oferta de servicios de salud sexual y reproductiva a personas migrantes centroamericanas en Tijuana / Provision of sexual and reproductive health services to Central American migrants in Tijuana / Oferta de serviços de saúde sexual e reprodutiva para migrantes da América Central em Tijuana

RESUMEN Objetivo. Caracterizar la oferta de servicios en salud sexual y reproductiva (SSR) para la población migrante centroamericana que se encuentra en albergues de Tijuana, México; e, identificar las barreras y facilitadores del acceso a estos servicios para esta población, desde la perspectiva de los proveedores. Métodos. Se realizó un estudio con un diseño observacional, mixto, transversal. Se consideró una triangulación de técnicas de recolección de información que consistió en 16 entrevistas semiestructuradas a proveedores de servicios de SSR de la sociedad civil para población en movilidad, y observación directa en 10 albergues de Tijuana. Se realizó una doble codificación, abierta y selectiva. El tipo de análisis fue de contenido con un enfoque interpretativo a partir de cinco dimensiones: accesibilidad, aceptabilidad, disponibilidad, asequibilidad y oportunidad. Resultados. El tipo de oferta de servicios en SSR se compone de cuatro elementos: población objetivo, orientación de las asociaciones y organizaciones (religiosa o laica), servicios ofertados y lugar de atención. Las principales barreras durante el proceso de acceso son: la condición migratoria irregular, la escasa prioridad al cuidado de la SSR y la discrepancia entre las preferencias de usuarios y los servicios ofertados. Entre los elementos facilitadores destaca la orientación laica de proveedores y la coordinación interinstitucional. Conclusiones. La oferta de servicios de SSR por parte de asociaciones y organizaciones civiles es amplia y heterogénea. Abarca servicios de atención estrictamente médica y otros que indirectamente inciden en la SSR con miras a la integralidad de la atención. Esto, representa una oportunidad en términos de aspectos facilitadores de acceso.

ABSTRACT Objective. To characterize the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services on offer to the Central American migrant population residing in shelters in Tijuana, Mexico, and identify barriers and facilitators of access to these services by this population, from the provider perspective. Methods. An observational, mixed, cross-sectional study was conducted. Different information collection techniques—consisting of 16 semi-structured interviews with civil-society providers of SRH services to the migrant population, as well as direct observation in 10 shelters in Tijuana—were employed and triangulated. A two-stage, open, selective coding process was carried out. Content analysis was then performed, using an interpretive approach based on five dimensions: approachability, acceptability, availability, affordability, and appropriateness. Results. The provision of SRH services is composed of four elements: target population, nature of providing organization (religious or secular), services offered, and venue of care. The main barriers to access involve irregular migrant status, the low priority given to SRH services, and the discrepancy between user preferences and the services offered. Among facilitating elements, lay/secular orientation of providers and inter-institutional coordination stood out. Conclusions. The provision of SRH services by civil society organizations is wide-ranging and heterogeneous. It ranges from strictly medical attention to other services that affect SRH indirectly, with a view to providing comprehensive care. This represents an opportunity in terms of aspects to facilitate access.

RESUMO Objetivo. Caracterizar a oferta de serviços de saúde sexual e reprodutiva (SSR) para a população migrante da América Central residente em abrigos em Tijuana, México; e identificar as barreiras e os facilitadores de acesso a esses serviços, para essa população, partindo da perspectiva dos prestadores. Métodos. Foi utilizado um delineamento observacional, misto e transversal. Diferentes técnicas de coleta de informações - consistindo em 16 entrevistas semiestruturadas com prestadores de serviços de SSR da sociedade civil para a população migrante, bem como observação direta em 10 abrigos em Tijuana - foram utilizadas e trianguladas. A codificação dos dados foi realizada em duas etapas, aberta e seletiva. Seguiu-se uma análise de conteúdo com uma abordagem interpretativa baseada em cinco dimensões: acessibilidade, aceitabilidade, disponibilidade, exequibilidade e oportunidade. Resultados. O tipo de oferta de serviços de SSR é composto por quatro elementos: população-alvo, orientação das associações e organizações prestadoras (religiosa ou laica), serviços oferecidos e local de atendimento. As principais barreiras durante o processo de acesso relacionam-se com a situação migratória irregular, a baixa prioridade dada à atenção à SSR e a discrepância entre as preferências dos usuários e os serviços ofertados. Entre os elementos facilitadores, destacaram-se a orientação leiga dos prestadores e a coordenação interinstitucional. Conclusões. A oferta de serviços de SSR por associações e organizações da sociedade civil é ampla e heterogênea. Abrange desde serviços assistenciais estritamente médicos até outros que incidem indiretamente na SSR, com vistas à integralidade do cuidado. Isso representa uma oportunidade em termos de aspectos facilitadores do acesso.

Modern-like deep water circulation in Indian Ocean caused by Central American Seaway closure.

Global overturning circulation underwent significant changes in the late Miocene, driven by tectonic forcing, and impacted the global climate. Prevailing hypotheses related to the late Miocene deep water circulation (DWC) changes driven by the closure of the Central American Seaways (CAS) and its widespread impact remains untested due to the paucity of suitable records away from the CAS region. Here, we test the hypothesis of the large-scale circulation changes by providing a high-resolution record of DWC since the late Miocene (11.3 to ~2 Ma) from the north-western Indian Ocean. Our investigation reveals a progressive shift from Pacific-dominated DWC before ~9.0 Ma to the onset of a modern-like DWC system in the Indian Ocean comprising of Antarctic bottom water and northern component water during the Miocene-Pliocene transition (~6 Ma) caused by progressive shoaling of the CAS and suggests its widespread impact.

The time course of behavioural phase change in the Central American locust Schistocerca piceifrons.

Locusts exhibit an extreme form of phenotypic plasticity and can exist as two alternative phenotypes, known as solitarious and gregarious phases. These phases, which can transform from one to another depending on local population density, show distinctly different behavioural characteristics. The proximate mechanisms of behavioural phase polyphenism have been well studied in the desert locust Schistocerca gregaria and the migratory locust Locusta migratoria, and what is known in these species is often treated as a general feature of locusts. However, this approach might be flawed, given that there are approximately 20 locust species that have independently evolved phase polyphenism. Using the Central American locust Schistocerca piceifrons as a study system, we characterised the time course of behavioural phase change using standard locust behavioural assays, using both a logistic regression-based model and analyses of separate behavioural variables. We found that for nymphs of S. piceifrons, solitarisation was a relatively fast, two-step process, but that gregarisation was a much slower process. Additionally, the density of the gregarisation treatment seemed to have no effect on the rate of phase change. These data are at odds with what we know about the time course of behavioural phase change in S. gregaria, suggesting that the mechanisms of locust phase polyphenism in these two species are different and may not be phylogenetically constrained. Our study represents the most in-depth study of behavioural gregarisation and solitarisation in locusts to date.

Avances en la formulación del plan estratégico de promoción de la salud para Centroamérica y República Dominicana 2019-2025 / Progress in the formulation of the Strategic Plan for Health Promotion for Central America and Dominican Republic 2019-2025

Los países de Centroamérica y República Dominicana se han propuesto proteger y fortalecer la salud de sus poblaciones desde una perspectiva social, innovadora, para lo cual destacan la importancia de incidir en una serie de determinantes y factores protectores en los ámbitos biológicos, ecológicos, económicos, socioculturales, políticos, de servicios de salud, que constituyen fortalezas y oportunidades que deben ser aprovechadas para fomentar los procesos sociales generadores de salud en nuestros países. Esto implica realizar una constante lectura y análisis de los cambios a impulsar de acuerdo a las características del entorno y sus situaciones favorables, con el fin de establecer las actuaciones y estrategias que deben ser reforzadas de manera proactiva, lo que a su vez constituye un reto tanto para las instituciones gubernamentales, como para las comunidades y organizaciones sociales, tendientes a unir esfuerzos y recursos a fin cambiar paradigmas tradicionales con los cuales se ha venido abordando la salud, trascendiendo de acciones enfocadas primordialmente a la atención y respuesta del riesgo y enfermedad, a impulsar acciones para maximizar y proteger los factores positivos existentes responsables de mantener la salud, el bienestar y la felicidad de una población.