"Closer to the Unfair Reality": Magnitude and Spatial Analysis of Femicides in Ecuador.

During the last 5 years, Ecuador has published a series of progressive laws aiming to protect girls and women against any type of violence. While these efforts are of extreme importance, concerns were raised by national nongovernmental organizations that the official numbers might be biased due to the restricted definition of femicide applied. The main objective of this study was to assess the magnitude and spatial distribution of the femicide rate by province in Ecuador in 2017. Data on cases were collected by a national network of nongovernmental organizations. Age-specific population data were obtained from the National Institute of Statistics for the year 2017. Thematic maps of overall and age-specific femicide rates were also constructed. Moran's index was used to identify clusters of provinces with similar risks for the occurrence of the outcome. The total number of femicides during 2017 was 155, but age could not be recorded in 9 of those cases. More than one-third of the cases (36.99%) occurred in young women aged 15 to 24 years. The total rate was 1.99/100,000 women. When the femicide definition was restricted to women 15 years and above, the total rate increased to 2.41 cases/100,000. The femicide rate in Orellana boosted to 10.21 cases/100,000 in the age group of 15 years and older, the highest in the country. No pattern of spatial autocorrelation was observed. Femicides in Ecuador is a big public health problem, particularly in certain Amazon provinces. The observed rate for women above the age of 15 years (2.41) places Ecuador among the countries in the Latin American and the Caribbean region with the highest femicide rates. While progressive policies have been implemented in the last years, more educational interventions are needed at all societal levels to eradicate this kind of violence.

Comparing Oral Health Services Use in the Spanish and Immigrant Working Population.

We aim to analyze oral health services use and related factors in the immigrant working population compared to the Spanish counterparts. Cross-sectional study of working population (n = 8591) that responded Spanish National Health Survey (SNHS), 2011-2012. The association between oral health services use and migration status was estimated using logistic regression. Immigrant men presented a greater probability of oral health service use a year or more prior (aOR 1.63; 95% CI 1.26-2.02), independently of oral health, sociodemographic and socioeconomic characteristics. In immigrant women, greater probability of use of oral health services one year or more prior disappeared after adjusting for the same variables (aOR 1.15; 95% CI 0.91-1.45). Occupational social class and education level could explain better a high percentage of oral health service use one year or more prior in immigrant women but there is a persistent inequality in oral health service use in immigrant men.

Help-Seeking Behavior Among Moroccan, Romanian, and Ecuadorian Women Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence in Spain.

This study aims to identify different types of response to intimate partner violence (IPV) and help-related seeking behavior among Spain's most numerous immigrant groups-Moroccans, Romanians, and Ecuadorians. Women reporting physical, sexual and/or psychological violence by a current or former intimate partner (n = 194) were selected from a cross-sectional study based on 1,607 surveys (2011). There are 84% of surveyed battered women who reported seeking help through informal and/or formal channels. The most frequently reported informal help-seeking behavior was talking with the abusive partner (from 63% to 83%). Moroccans identified social services (29.6%) and health care (25.9%) professionals as their most frequently used formal resources when seeking help. Approximately 32% of Ecuadorians and Romanians declared having reported their partners to the police. Among all of the women, seeking help through formal channels was more probable in cases where the severity of IPV was high (adjusted odds ratio = 5.69, 95% confidence interval [2.29, 14.12]). It is needed to increase professionals' opportunities to intervene in cases of IPV before they become severe.

Social and immigration factors in intimate partner violence among Ecuadorians, Moroccans and Romanians living in Spain.

BACKGROUND: Intimate partner violence (IPV) against women occurs in all countries, all cultures and at every level of society; however, some populations may be at greater risk than others. The aim of this study was to explore IPV prevalence among Ecuadorian, Moroccan and Romanian immigrant women living in Spain and its possible association with their personal, family, social support and immigration status characteristics. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of 1607 adult immigrant women residing in Barcelona, Madrid and Valencia (2011). Prevalence rates and adjusted odds ratios (AORs) were calculated, with current IPV being the outcome. Different women's personal (demographic), family, social support and immigration status characteristics were considered as explicative and control variables. All analyses were separated by women's country of origin. RESULTS: Current IPV prevalence was 15.57% in Ecuadorians, 10.91% in Moroccans and 8.58% in Romanians. Some common IPV factors were found, such as being separated and/or divorced. In Romanians, IPV was also associated with lack of social support [AOR 5.96 (1.39-25.62)] and low religious involvement [AOR 2.17 (1.06-4.43)]. The likelihood of current IPV was lower among women without children or other dependents in this subgroup [AOR 0.29 (0.093-0.92)]. CONCLUSION: The IPV prevalence rates obtained for Moroccan, Romanian and Ecuadorian women residing in Spain were similar. Whereas the likelihood of IPV appeared to be relatively evenly distributed among Moroccan and Ecuadorian women, it was higher among Romanian women in socially vulnerable situations related to family responsibilities and the lack of support networks. The importance of intervention in the process of separation and divorce was common to all women.

Application of the Putting Women First protocol in a study on violence against immigrant women in Spain.

In this paper, we describe our experience of using the Putting Women First protocol in the design and implementation of a cross-sectional study on violence against women (VAW) among 1607 immigrant women from Morocco, Ecuador and Romania living in Spain in 2011. The Putting Women First protocol is an ethical guideline for VAW research, which includes recommendations to ensure the safety of the women involved in studies on this subject. The response rate in this study was 59.3%. The prevalence of VAW cases last year was 11.7%, of which 15.6% corresponded to Ecuadorian women, 10.9% to Moroccan women and 8.6% to Romanian women. We consider that the most important goal for future research is the use of VAW scales validated in different languages, which would help to overcome the language barriers encountered in this study.

Legislation on violence against women: overview of key components / Legislación sobre la violencia contra la mujer: panorama de los elementos fundamentales

This study aimed to determine if legislation on violence against women (VAW) worldwide contains key components recommended by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the United Nations (UN) to help strengthen VAW prevention and provide better integrated victim protection, support, and care. A systematic search for VAW legislation using international legal databases and other electronic sources plus data from previous research identified 124 countries/territories with some type of VAW legislation. Full legal texts were found for legislation from 104 countries/territories. Those available in English, Portuguese, and Spanish were downloaded and compiled and the selection criteria applied (use of any of the common terms related to VAW, including intimate partner violence (IPV), and reference to at least two of six sectors (education, health, judicial system, mass media, police, and social services) with regard to VAW interventions (protection, support, and care). A final sample from 80 countries/territories was selected and analyzed for the presence of key components recommended by PAHO and the UN (reference to the term "violence against women" in the title; definitions of different types of VAW; identification of women as beneficiaries; and promotion of (reference to) the participation of multiple sectors in VAW interventions). Few countries/territories specifically identified women as the beneficiaries of their VAW legislation, including those that labeled their legislation "domestic violence" law ( n = 51), of which only two explicitly mentioned women as complainants/survivors. Only 28 countries/territories defined the main forms of VAW (economic, physical, psychological, and sexual) in their VAW legislation. Most highlighted the role of the judicial system, followed by that of social services and the police. Only 28 mentioned the health sector. Despite considerable efforts worldwide to strengthen VAW legislation, most VAW laws do not incorporate the key recommended components. Significant limitations were found in the legislative content, its application, and the extent to which it provided women with integrated protection, support, and care. In developing new VAW legislation, policymakers should consider the vital role of health services.

El estudio se centró en determinar si la legislación sobre la violencia contra la mujer en el mundo contiene los elementos fundamentales que recomiendan la Organización Panamericana de la Salud (OPS) y las Naciones Unidas (NU) para ayudar a fortalecer la prevención de la violencia contra la mujer y brindar mejor protección, apoyo y atención integrados a las víctimas. Se llevó a cabo una búsqueda sistemática de la legislación sobre la violencia contra la mujer utilizando bases de datos jurídicas internacionales y otras fuentes electrónicas, además de los datos de investigaciones anteriores, y se identificaron 124 países o territorios con algún tipo de legislación sobre la violencia contra la mujer. Se encontraron textos jurídicos completos con legislación de 104 países o territorios. Se descargaron y compilaron aquellos disponibles en inglés, portugués y español, y se sometieron a los criterios de selección (uso de alguno de los términos frecuentes relacionados con la violencia contra la mujer, inclusive la violencia de pareja, y referencia al menos a dos entre seis sectores de servicios [educación, salud, sistema judicial, medios masivos de comunicación, policía y servicios sociales] respecto de las intervenciones relacionadas con la violencia contra la mujer [protección, apoyo y atención]). Se seleccionó una muestra final de 80 países o territorios y se analizó en ella la presencia de los componentes clave recomendados por la OPS y las NU (referencia a la "violencia contra la mujer" en el título; definiciones de diferentes formas de violencia contra la mujer; identificación de las mujeres como beneficiarias; y promoción de [referencia a] la participación de múltiples sectores en las intervenciones relacionadas con la violencia contra la mujer). Pocos países o territorios identificaron específicamente a las mujeres como beneficiarias de su legislación sobre violencia contra la mujer, incluidos los que denominaban su legislación como ley de "violencia doméstica" (n = 51), de los cuales solo dos mencionaban explícitamente a las mujeres como demandantes o supervivientes. Solo 28 países o territorios definieron las formas principales de violencia contra la mujer (económica, física, psicológica y sexual) en su legislación sobre la violencia contra la mujer. La mayoría destacaron la función del sistema judicial, seguida por la función de los servicios sociales y la policía. Solo 28 hicieron mención al sector de la salud. A pesar de los considerables esfuerzos que se han hecho en todo el mundo para fortalecer la legislación sobre la violencia contra la mujer, la mayoría de las leyes relativas a la violencia contra la mujer no incorporan los componentes clave recomendados. Se han encontrado importantes limitaciones en el contenido legislativo, en su aplicación y en la medida en que se proporcionó a las mujeres protección, apoyo y atención integrados. A la hora de elaborar la nueva legislación sobre la violencia contra la mujer, las instancias normativas deben considerar la función vital de los servicios de salud.

A metasynthesis of qualitative studies regarding opinions and perceptions about barriers and determinants of health services' accessibility in economic migrants.

BACKGROUND: Access to health services is an important health determinant. New research in health equity is required, especially amongst economic migrants from developing countries. Studies conducted on the use of health services by migrant populations highlight existing gaps in understanding which factors affect access to these services from a qualitative perspective. We aim to describe the views of the migrants regarding barriers and determinants of access to health services in the international literature (1997-2011). METHODS: A systematic review was conducted for Qualitative research papers (English/Spanish) published in 13 electronic databases. A selection of articles that accomplished the inclusion criteria and a quality evaluation of the studies were carried out. The findings of the selected studies were synthesised by means of metasynthesis using different analysis categories according to Andersen's conceptual framework of access and use of health services and by incorporating other emergent categories. RESULTS: We located 3,025 titles, 36 studies achieved the inclusion criteria. After quality evaluation, 28 articles were definitively synthesised. 12 studies (46.2%) were carried out in the U.S and 11 studies (42.3%) dealt with primary care services. The participating population varied depending mainly on type of host country. Barriers were described, such as the lack of communication between health services providers and migrants, due to idiomatic difficulties and cultural differences. Other barriers were linked to the economic system, the health service characteristics and the legislation in each country. This situation has consequences for the lack of health control by migrants and their social vulnerability. CONCLUSIONS: Economic migrants faced individual and structural barriers to the health services in host countries, especially those with undocumented situation and those experimented idiomatic difficulties. Strategies to improve the structures of health systems and social policies are needed.

La cobertura periodística de la obesidad en la prensa española (2000-2005) / The coverage of obesity in the Spanish newspapers (2000-2005)

Antecedentes: la obesidad es un problema de salud pública en España. Los medios de comunicación son una herramienta útil para la salud pública. Objetivo: explorar el tratamiento periodístico de la obesidad en la prensa escrita española durante 2000-2005, frecuencia de aparición, fuentes de información y enfoques, en relación con el contexto social. Materiales y métodos: análisis de contenido cuantitativo de 690 noticias publicadas en El País, El Mundo y ABC. Cálculo de frecuencias y odds ratio (OR) con intervalos de confianza (IC) del 95% y significación estadística. Resultados: incrementaron las noticias de 2000 (n=25) a 2005 (n=185). Se centraron en denuncias (36,4%) y magnitud del problema (15,7%), en detrimento de aquellas sobre iniciativas-estrategias políticas (3,8%). Destacan los hombres como fuentes informativas principales (75,5%) y las mujeres como primeras firmantes de las noticias (56,1%). Los hombres del ámbito médico-sanitario (OR=1,98;IC95%,1,11-3,57) y las mujeres del ámbito político (OR=2,54;IC95%1,46-4,42) tienen mayor probabilidad de ser la fuente informativa principal. Conclusiones: la cobertura periodística de la obesidad durante 2000-2005 aumentó, coincidiendo con el desarrollo de respuestas políticas en torno al tema. Principalmente, se denuncia el problema. Destaca la escasa cobertura periodística de iniciativas-estrategias políticas, sugiriendo incipiente interacción entre la agenda política y mediática.

Antecedents: obesity is a public health problem in Spain. Mass media are considered a useful tool for public health. Objectives: to explore press coverage of obesity in Spanish newspapers between 2000-2005, taking into account the social context in relation to frequency of occurrence, main sources of information and focus. Materials and methods: quantitative content analysis of 690 news published in El Pais, El Mundo and ABC were performed. Calculation of frequencies and odds ratio (OR) with confidence intervals (CI) of 95% and statistical significance were performed. Results: press coverage of obesity increased between 2000 (n=25) to 2005 (n=185). Mainly it was focused on complaints (36,4%) and magnitude of the problem (15,7%) at the expense of news about initiatives-political strategies (3,8%). It was highlighted that men were the main sources of information (75,5%) and women as first signatories of the news (56,1%). Men from the medical/sanitary field (OR=1,98;CI95%,1,11-3,57) and women from the field of policy (OR= 2,54; CI95%,1,46-4,42) were more likely to be the main source of information. Conclusions: media coverage of obesity in the period 2000-2005 increased, coinciding with the development of policy responses on this issue. Mainly, the news has reported the existence of the problem. It highlights the limited coverage of initiatives-policy strategies that could be related to an incipient interaction between the political and the media agenda.

The effect of perceived discrimination on the health of immigrant workers in Spain.

BACKGROUND: Discrimination is an important determinant of health inequalities, and immigrants may be more vulnerable to certain types of discrimination than the native-born. This study analyses the relationship between immigrants' perceived discrimination and various self-reported health indicators. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted (2008) amongst a non-random sample of 2434 immigrants from Ecuador, Morocco, Romania and Colombia in four Spanish cities: Barcelona, Huelva, Madrid and Valencia. A factorial analysis of variables revealed three dimensions of perceived discrimination (due to immigrant status, due to physical appearance, and workplace-related). The association of these dimensions with self-rated health, mental health (GHQ-12), change in self-rated health between origin and host country, and other self-reported health outcomes was analysed. Logistic regression was used adjusting for potential confounders (aOR-95%CI). Subjects with worsening self-reported health status potentially attributable to perceived discrimination was estimated (population attributable proportion, PAP %). RESULTS: 73.3% of men and 69.3% of women immigrants reported discrimination due to immigrant status. Moroccans showed the highest prevalence of perceived discrimination. Immigrants reporting discrimination were at significantly higher risk of reporting health problems than those not reporting discrimination. Workplace-related discrimination was associated with poor mental health (aOR 2.97 95%CI 2.45-3.60), and the worsening of self-rated health (aOR 2.20 95%CI 1.73- 2.80). 40% (95% CI 24-53) PAP of those reporting worse self-rated health could be attributable to discrimination due to immigrant status. CONCLUSIONS: Discrimination may constitute a risk factor for health in immigrant workers in Spain and could explain some health inequalities among immigrant populations in Spanish society.

¿Qué sabemos sobre los factores de riesgo de la fibromialgia?: what do we know about risk factors? [revisión] / Understanding fibromyalgia: What do we know about risk factors? [review]

Objetivo El objetivo de este trabajo es describir las principales características de los artículos publicados en revistas científicas entre los años 1992 y 2007 que aborden el análisis de los factores etiológicos asociados a esta patología. Material y Método Revisión sistemática de artículos científicos sobre esta asociación, utilizando las bases de datos de ciencias de la salud y sociales: Medline, Cinhal, Web of Science, Lilacs, Sociological Abstracts, Cuiden, Embase, PsycoInfo e ISI Web of Knowledge. Resultados Se ha obtenido en el período de estudio 21 artículos, distribuidos así: 7 (33,3 por ciento) revisiones teóricas, 6 (28,5 por ciento) estudios transversales, 4 (19,0 por ciento) estudios de cohortes, 2 (9,5 por ciento) estudios de casos y controles y 1 (4,7 por ciento) revisión sistemática. De éstos, 7 (33,3 por ciento) consideraban como factor de riesgo el estrés, 3 (14,3 por ciento) la hepatitis C, 4 (19,0 por ciento) antecedente traumático, 3 (14,3 por ciento) la ocupación y en 4 (19,0 por ciento) se asoció la aparición a otros factores como los implantes de silicona, el tabaco, los factores sociodemográficos y factores hormonales. El período temporal más productivo fue 2000-2004. Se observa una gran dispersión temática en las revistas de publicación. Discusión La evidencia empírica existente en torno a los factores de riesgo de la fibromialgia es todavía escasa y dispersa. Estudios futuros deberían centrarse en generar más conocimiento sobre los factores de riesgo estudiados, para así poder contribuir a mejorar la atención, diagnóstico y tratamiento de la fibromialgia.

Objective This study was aimed at describing the main features of articles published in scientific journals between 1992 and 2007 addressing the analysis of the etiological factors associated with this condition. Materials and MethodsThis consisted of a systematic review of scientific articles regarding this association using the following health and social science databases: Medline, Cinhal, Web of Science, Lilacs, Sociological Abstracts, Embase, Psycoinfo and ISI web of Knowledge. Results 21 articles were obtained during the study period, distributed as follows: 7 theoretical reviews (33.3 percent), 6 cross-sectional studies (28.5 percent), 4 cohort studies, (19.0 percent) 2 case-control studies (9.5 percent) and 1 systematic review (4.7 percent). Of these, 7 (33.3 percent) considered the following to risk factors to be associated with the emergence of other factors such as silicone implants, socio-demographic and hormonal factors: 3 on stress (14.3 percent), 4 on hepatitis C (19.0 percent), 3 on traumatic antecedents (14.3 percent) and 4 on occupation (19.0 percent). The most productive time was 2000-2004. There was broad thematic dispersion in the published journals. Discussion Available empirical evidence about risk factors related to fibromyalgia is still scarce and scattered. Future studies should focus on generating more knowledge about the risk factors studied so as to help improve fibromyalgia care, diagnosis and treatment.

El debate parlamentario sobre inmigración y salud en España / The Parliamentary debate on immigration and health in Spain

Objetivo Describir y analizar el debate parlamentario español sobre inmigración y salud. Métodos Búsqueda sistemática de las iniciativas parlamentarias (IP) sobre inmigración e inmigración y salud desde el inicio del periodo democrático español en 1979 hasta 2007. Se aplicó un protocolo de recogida de información para identificar las características del debate parlamentario y los principales temas en las IP relacionadas con inmigración y salud. Se calcularon la proporción de IP de inmigración sobre el total de iniciativas y la proporción de población inmigrante sobre la población española por cada año de estudio. Resultados Se identificaron 4 022 IP sobre inmigración en el periodo estudiado. Se destaca la generación de datos estadísticos sobre aspectos que afectan a la población inmigrante (57,2 por ciento). En 116 IP sobre inmigración y salud, destaca la discusión sobre estrategias de atención sanitaria (25 por ciento) y el acceso a servicios de salud (24,1 por ciento). El 94 por ciento de estas IP fueron preguntas correspondientes a la función de control del gobierno. En 113 IP (97,4 por ciento) sobre inmigración y salud no se tomaron decisiones. Junto a la presencia cada vez mayor de población inmigrante por año, no se observan cambios notorios en las IP sobre inmigración hasta el año 1996 y en inmigración y salud hasta 1999. Conclusión El debate sobre inmigración y salud es heterogéneo. Seria conveniente fomentar la discusión sobre estrategias para el fomento de la salud basadas en las necesidades de la población inmigrante.

Objective Describing and analysing the Spanish Parliamentary debate on immigration and health. Methods A systematic search regarding parliamentary initiatives (PI) on immigration and immigration and health was conducted from the beginning of the Spanish democratic period (1979 to 2007). A protocol for collecting information was used to identify the parliamentary debate’s main characteristics and the main topics related to PI concerning immigration and health. The PI immigration rate was calculated regarding the total rate of PI about the immigrant population based on the Spanish population per year. Results 4,022 PI concerning “immigration” were identified. The main content concerned statistical information about the immigrant population (57.2 percent). 116 PI about “immigration and health” were analysed. The most frequently recurring topics were health-care strategies (25 percent), health-service access (24.1 percent) and epidemiological information (19.8 percent). Most PI concerned questions related to the function of government control (94 percent). No decisions were taken in 113 PI (97.4 percent). Immigrant population rates increased per year; however, notable changes in PI regarding immigration were not observed until 1996 and PI about immigration and health until 1999. Conclusion The immigration and health debate on the parliamentary agenda is heterogeneous. It would seem necessary to increase parliamentary debate about strategies and action for promoting immigrant-based needs in health.

[The parliamentary debate on immigration and health in Spain]. / El Debate Parlamentario sobre Inmigración y Salud en España.

OBJECTIVE: Describing and analysing the Spanish Parliamentary debate on immigration and health. METHODS: A systematic search regarding parliamentary initiatives (PI) on immigration and immigration and health was conducted from the beginning of the Spanish democratic period (1979 to 2007). A protocol for collecting information was used to identify the parliamentary debate's main characteristics and the main topics related to PI concerning immigration and health. The PI immigration rate was calculated regarding the total rate of PI about the immigrant population based on the Spanish population per year. RESULTS: 4,022 PI concerning "immigration" were identified. The main content concerned statistical information about the immigrant population (57.2 %). 116 PI about "immigration and health" were analysed. The most frequently recurring topics were health-care strategies (25 %), health-service access (24.1 %) and epidemiological information (19.8 %). Most PI concerned questions related to the function of government control (94 %). No decisions were taken in 113 PI (97.4 %). Immigrant population rates increased per year; however, notable changes in PI regarding immigration were not observed until 1996 and PI about immigration and health until 1999. CONCLUSION: The immigration and health debate on the parliamentary agenda is heterogeneous. It would seem necessary to increase parliamentary debate about strategies and action for promoting immigrant-based needs in health.

[Understanding fibromyalgia]. / ¿Qué sabemos sobre los Factores de Riesgo de la Fibromialgia? What do we know about risk factors?

OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed at describing the main features of articles published in scientific journals between 1992 and 2007 addressing the analysis of the etiological factors associated with this condition. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This consisted of a systematic review of scientific articles regarding this association using the following health and social science databases: Medline, Cinhal, Web of Science, Lilacs, Sociological Abstracts, Embase, Psycoinfo and ISI web of Knowledge. RESULTS: 21 articles were obtained during the study period, distributed as follows: 7 theoretical reviews (33.3 %), 6 cross-sectional studies (28.5 %), 4 cohort studies, (19.0 %) 2 case-control studies (9.5 %) and 1 systematic review (4.7 %). Of these, 7 (33.3 %) considered the following to risk factors to be associated with the emergence of other factors such as silicone implants, socio-demographic and hormonal factors: 3 on stress (14.3 %), 4 on hepatitis C (19.0 %), 3 on traumatic antecedents (14.3 %) and 4 on occupation (19.0 %). The most productive time was 2000-2004. There was broad thematic dispersion in the published journals. DISCUSSION: Available empirical evidence about risk factors related to fibromyalgia is still scarce and scattered. Future studies should focus on generating more knowledge about the risk factors studied so as to help improve fibromyalgia care, diagnosis and treatment.

Gender progress and government expenditure as determinants of femicide.

PURPOSE: We sought to explore the effect of economic/political factors and gender progress on femicide. METHODS: An ecological and retrospective study was undertaken that focused on 61 countries and analyzed the relationships of femicide with the following statistics from the period 1990 to 1999: economic indicators (domestic consumption, gross capital formation, imports and exports per capita, unemployment rate and percentage of urban population), political indicators (government final consumption expenditure, GINI coefficient--a summary measure of the extent to which the actual distribution of income or consumption expenditure or a related variable differs from a hypothetical distribution in which each person receives an identical share--civil liberties and political rights index), and gender progress indicators (female and male unemployment rates, percentage of girls in primary education, gender ratio for primary and secondary education, and percentage of parliamentary seats occupied by women). Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses (likelihood ratio) were performed to explore the relationships between these variables. RESULTS: The bivariate analysis revealed strong links between reductions in government final consumption expenditure per capita (odds ratio [OR] 20.83;95% confidence interval [95% CI] 5.622-77.205), domestic consumption and gross capital formation (both with OR 16.67, 95% CI 4.715-58.911), and the civil liberties and political rights index (OR 7.91, 95% CI 2.526-24.747). In the multivariate stage, statistically significant associations were only observed between government expenditure per capita (OR 61.75;95% CI 7.064-539.81) and occupation of parliamentary seats by women (OR 10.95;95% CI 1.26-95.06). CONCLUSION: The reduction in government final consumption expenditure and democratic backwardness in terms of gender equality appear to be relevant factors in deaths caused by gender-based violence. To fight femicide effectively, gender-related structural, political, and economic responses should be considered.

[A group of Colombian immigrants' self-perception regarding working conditions and health in Alicante, Spain]. / Percepción sobre Condiciones de Trabajo y Salud de la Población Inmigrante Colombiana en Alicante, España.

OBJECTIVE: Exploring the self-perceptions of a group of migrants from Colombia living in Alicante , Spain , regarding their working conditions and health. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a qualitative and descriptive research was conducted on a group of Colombian workers (with and without legal permission to work) having lived in Alicante ( Spain ) for more than 6 months. 11 interviews were carried out, plus 2 focal groups, from November 2006 to January 2007. The interviews were recorded and transcribed. A narrative analysis of the contents was carried out, a mixture of categories being obtained from different viewpoints. RESULTS: Immigration was understood as being an action for improving an immigrant worker and family's socioeconomic conditions. Work and social recognition should lead to avoiding exclusion and discrimination. The people interviewed had associated their health problems with their living conditions. Such problems were considered to be a limitation on carrying out their daily activities. CONCLUSIONS: Working and health situations were perceived from a multi-dimensional perspective associated with biological and socio-cultural conditions. More political action should be taken for improving immigrant people's economic, work and health conditions.

Percepción sobre condiciones de trabajo y salud de la población inmigrante Colombiana en Alicante, España / A group of Colombian immigrants' self-perception regarding working conditions and health in Alicante, Spain

Objetivo: Explorar la autopercepción sobre condiciones laborales y salud en inmigrantes colombianos en Alicante, España. Material y método Estudio cualitativo descriptivo mediante 11 entrevistas y 2 grupos de discusión en trabajadores con y sin permiso de trabajo y residencia de más de 6 meses en la provincia de Alicante (España), durante los meses de noviembre de 2006 a enero de 2007. Se realizó análisis narrativo de contenido y se obtuvieron categorías mixtas de acuerdo y disenso. Resultados: La inmigración es entendida como un proyecto para mejorar las condiciones socioeconómicas del trabajador inmigrante y su familia. El reconocimiento social y laboral puede evitar la aparición de fenómenos de exclusión y discriminación. Las personas entrevistadas asociaron sus problemas de salud con sus condiciones de vida, manifestando que constituyen limitaciones para la realización de actividades cotidianas. Conclusiones: La situación laboral y de salud es considerada desde una perspectiva multidimensional, asociada a condiciones biológicas y socioculturales. Sería necesaria una mayor acción política para mejorar la situación económica, laboral y de salud de la población inmigrante.

Objective: Exploring the self-perceptions of a group of migrants from Colombia living in Alicante , Spain , regarding their working conditions and health. Material and methods This was a qualitative and descriptive research was conducted on a group of Colombian workers (with and without legal permission to work) having lived in Alicante ( Spain ) for more than 6 months. 11 interviews were carried out, plus 2 focal groups, from November 2006 to January 2007. The interviews were recorded and transcribed. A narrative analysis of the contents was carried out, a mixture of categories being obtained from different viewpoints. Results: Immigration was understood as being an action for improving an immigrant worker and family's socioeconomic conditions. Work and social recognition should lead to avoiding exclusion and discrimination. The people interviewed had associated their health problems with their living conditions. Such problems were considered to be a limitation on carrying out their daily activities. Conclusions: Working and health situations were perceived from a multi-dimensional perspective associated with biological and socio-cultural conditions. More political action should be taken for improving immigrant people's economic, work and health conditions.

¿Qué sabemos sobre los hombres que maltratan a su pareja? Una revisión sistemática / What do we know about men who abuse their female partner? A systematic review

OBJETIVOS: Analizar los artículos publicados en revistas científicas entre los años 2000 y 2005 enfocados en los hombres que maltratan a sus parejas e identificar las características de los estudios empíricos cuantitativos. MÉTODOS:Revisión sistemática de los artículos publicados entre enero de 2000 y junio de 2005 que se centran en el tema de los hombres que maltratan a sus parejas. La búsqueda se realizó en las bases de datos EconLit, Embase, Eric, Francis, índice Médico Español, ISI Web of Knowledge -Web of Science y Current Contents-, Medline, Psicodoc, PsycInfo y Sociological Abstracts. RESULTADOS: Se identificaron 944 estudios, de los cuales 61 (6,5 por ciento) se centraron en el análisis. Treinta y cuatro (55,7 por ciento) se publicaron en revistas especializadas en la violencia y solamente 4 (6,6 por ciento) se publicaron en revistas de Ciencias Médicas; 47 (77,0 por ciento) procedían de instituciones norteamericanas -especialmente de los Estados Unidos de América (70,5 por ciento)- y solamente 1 (1,6 por ciento) artículo procedía de América Latina (Puerto Rico). De los 29 artículos que utilizaron métodos de análisis cuantitativo, 19 (65,5 por ciento) abordaron las causas o factores de riesgo relacionados con la violencia doméstica como eje central de su investigación y 10 (34,5 por ciento) centraron su atención en intervenciones dirigidas a los agresores. CONCLUSIONES: Se encontraron pocos estudios científicos que abordaran la etiología de la violencia contra la mujer en la pareja y los encontrados utilizaron diseños epidemiológicos sin el suficiente poder explicativo para establecer relaciones causales. Los estudios que se centran en el problema desde un punto de vista curativo no presentan suficiente evidencia acerca de la eficacia de los programas dirigidos a maltratadores. No se encontraron estudios publicados en revistas de salud pública. La carencia de mayor información científica puede estar impidiendo que se tomen decisiones...

OBJECTIVES: To analyze articles published in scientific journals from 2000 to 2005 that specifically focus on men who abuse their female partner, and to identify characteristics that the quantitative empirical studies have in common. METHODS: A systematic review of articles published from January 2000 to June 2005 on the topic of men who abuse their female partner was conducted by searching the following databases: EconLit, Embase, Eric, Francis, índice Médico Español, ISI Web of Knowledge (Web of Science and Current Contents), Medline, Psicodoc, PsycInfo, and Sociological Abstracts. RESULTS: Of the 944 studies identified, victim-specific articles were eliminated, and 61 (6.5 percent) were analyzed. Of these, violence-related journals had published 34 (55.7 percent); medical sciences journals had published only 4 (6.6 percent). North American institutions had published 47 of the 61 articles (77.0 percent), most of which were from the United States of America (70.5 percent), and only 1 article (1.6 percent) came from Latin America (Puerto Rico). Of the 29 articles that employed quantitative analysis, 19 (65.5 percent) examined the etiology of and risk factors related to domestic violence, and 10 (34.5 percent) focused on interventions geared toward the aggressor. CONCLUSIONS: Few scientific studies were found that tackled the causes of violence against the female partner, and those that did used epidemiological methods that fell short of quantifying the causes of partner violence. Studies that approach the issue from a curative angle do not provide enough evidence on the effectiveness of programs aimed at abusers. No articles were found in public health journals. The absence of scientific literature on this topic could be impeding informed policy-making and hindering efforts to put more effective intervention programs in place.