Latin American perceptions of fear and exaggeration transmitted by the media with regard to COVID-19: frequency and association with severe mental pathologies.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic contributed to the spread of abundant misinformation by the media, which caused fear and concern. Objective: To determine the association between the pathologies of the mental sphere and the perceptions of fear and exaggeration transmitted by the media with respect to COVID-19 in Latin America. Methodology: The present study has an analytical cross-sectional design that is based on a validated survey to measure fear and exaggeration transmitted by the media and other sources (Cronbach's α: 0.90). We surveyed more than 6,000 people, originally from 12 Latin American countries, who associated this perceived exaggeration with stress, depression, and anxiety (measured through DASS-21, Cronbach's α: 0.96). Results: Social networks (40%) or television (34%) were perceived as the sources that exaggerate the magnitude of the events. In addition, television (35%) and social networks (28%) were perceived as the sources that generate much fear. On the contrary, physicians and health personnel are the sources that exaggerated less (10%) or provoked less fear (14%). Through a multivariate model, we found a higher level of global perception that was associated with whether the participant was older (p = 0.002), had severe or more serious anxiety (p = 0.033), or had stress (p = 0,037). However, in comparison with Peru (the most affected country), there was a lower level of perception in Chile (p < 0.001), Paraguay (p = 0.001), Mexico (p < 0.001), Ecuador (p = 0.001), and Costa Rica (p = 0.042). All of them were adjusted for gender and for those having severe or major depression. Conclusion: There exists an association between some mental pathologies and the perception that the media does not provide moderate information.

Stakeholders' perceptions of humanized birth practices and obstetric violence in Chile: A scoping review. / Stakeholders' perceptions of humanized birth practices and obstetric violence in Chile: A scoping review.

INTRODUCTION: Chile has an incipient policy regarding humanized birth practices. Obstetric violence is becoming an issue in the public discussion, as brought up by women. Despite this advancement, no initiatives were observed to overcome the conflict. Questions arise from the different points of view of the main stakeholders involved. These questions help identify strategies contributing to the development of health policies that consider influencing actors. OBJECTIVES: To identify stakeholders' perceptions of humanized care in childbirth and obstetric violence. METHODS: We conducted a scoping review that included articles and analysis of texts reflecting the scientific communities' point of view. We included statements from governmental, social, professional, and political actors as expressed in institutional websites. Moreover, we performed a qualitative inductive, thematic content analysis. RESULTS: We included seventy documents. The scientific community is visualized as aligned with ministerial recommendations for personalized childbirth. Several researchers analyze the difficulties for its improvement due to the historical, socio-cultural, and economic construction of the predominantly biomedical model for birthing. Convergence is observed among the scientific community and other stakeholders in recognition of humanized birth benefits and the need to overcome institutional obstacles within the health sector. However, the progress of the proposed change is slow, and health professionals' resistance to address women's complaints towards obstetric violence and claim of quality care is observed. This discussion finds its reflection in a parliamentary discussion. CONCLUSIONS: The stakeholders' analysis reflects areas of conflict and consensus, as well as the diverse interacting dimensions that hinder the advance of humanized care in childbirth. This broad analysis strategy contributes to identifying critical aspects to be addressed in the development of integral and effective health policies.

Percepción de actores involucrados acerca del parto humanizado y la violencia obstétrica en Chile: una revisión panorámica / Stakeholders' perceptions of humanized birth practices and obstetric violence in Chile: a scoping review

INTRODUCCIÓN: Chile tiene una política incipiente en relación con prácticas de parto humanizado y la violencia obstétrica es una materia de creciente discusión pública levantada por las mujeres. A pesar de este avance, no se han observado iniciativas para superar el conflicto. Surge la pregunta acerca de los diferentes puntos de vista de los principales actores involucrados, con el fin de identificar estrategias que contribuyan al desarrollo de políticas públicas de salud que consideren a los actores influyentes. OBJETIVO: Identificar la percepción de actores acerca del parto humanizado y la violencia obstétrica. MÉTODO: Se condujo una revisión panorámica (scoping review) que incluyó la descripción y el análisis de artículos y textos de análisis que reflejaran la visión de la comunidad científica y declaraciones de actores del sector gubernamental, social, profesional y político expresados en sitios web institucionales. Se desarrolló un análisis de contenido temático cualitativo, de naturaleza inductiva. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron setenta documentos. La comunidad científica se visualiza alineada con las recomendaciones ministeriales de parto personalizado. Varios investigadores analizan las dificultades de implementación debido a la construcción histórica, sociocultural y económica del modelo biomédico de atención del parto predominante. Se observa convergencia entre la comunidad científica y otros actores en torno al reconocimiento de los beneficios del parto humanizado, así como acerca de la necesidad de superar obstáculos institucionales del sector de salud. No obstante, el proceso de cambio propuesto es lento y se observan resistencias entre profesionales de la salud para abordar las quejas de las mujeres frente a la violencia obstétrica y su demanda de atención de calidad. Esta situación se refleja a nivel parlamentario. CONCLUSIONES: El análisis de actores identifica áreas de conflicto y de consenso, así como diversas dimensiones interactuantes que obstaculizan el avance hacia la humanización de la atención del parto. Esta estrategia amplia de análisis contribuye a la identificación de aspectos críticos a ser abordados para un desarrollo de políticas sanitarias integrales y efectivas.

INTRODUCTION: Chile has an incipient policy regarding humanized birth practices. Obstetric violence is becoming an issue in the public discussion, as brought up by women. Despite this advancement, no initiatives were observed to overcome the conflict. Questions arise from the different points of view of the main stakeholders involved. These questions help identify strategies contributing to the development of health policies that consider influencing actors. OBJECTIVES: To identify stakeholders' perceptions of humanized care in childbirth and obstetric violence. METHODS: We conducted a scoping review that included articles and analysis of texts reflecting the scientific communities' point of view. We included statements from governmental, social, professional, and political actors as expressed in institutional websites. Moreover, we performed a qualitative inductive, thematic content analysis. RESULTS: We included seventy documents. The scientific community is visualized as aligned with ministerial recommendations for personalized childbirth. Several researchers analyze the difficulties for its improvement due to the historical, socio-cultural, and economic construction of the predominantly biomedical model for birthing. Convergence is observed among the scientific community and other stakeholders in recognition of humanized birth benefits and the need to overcome institutional obstacles within the health sector. However, the progress of the proposed change is slow, and health professionals' resistance to address women's complaints towards obstetric violence and claim of quality care is observed. This discussion finds its reflection in a parliamentary discussion. CONCLUSIONS: The stakeholders' analysis reflects areas of conflict and consensus, as well as the diverse interacting dimensions that hinder the advance of humanized care in childbirth. This broad analysis strategy contributes to identifying critical aspects to be addressed in the development of integral and effective health policies.

Incidence of Vibrio cholerae in Fresh Fish and Ceviche in Guadalajara, Mexico.

The incidence of Vibrio cholerae O1 and non-Ol was determined in fresh fish and ceviche, a marinated raw fish dish ready for consumption. Fresh red snapper ( Lutjanus purpureous ) and mackerel ( Scomberomorus sierra ) were obtained from distribution centers, and ceviche from street vendors and small open restaurants in Guadalajara, Mexico. In addition to V. cholerae , the fish samples were tested for aerobic plate count (APC), total volatile nitrogen (TVN), trimethylamine (TMA), and the ceviche for APC, coliforms, and pH. V. cholerae O1 and non-O1 was isolated from 10% and 26% ofthe fish respectively. The mean data for the fish samples were in the region of: APC, 106 CFU/g of fish; more than 25 mg of TVN per 100 g of fish, but less than 5 mg of nitrogen as TMA per 100 g. Eleven percent of the ceviche obtained from street vendors and 6% obtained from restaurants were positive for V. cholerae O1. The mean APC and coliform counts were 6.6 and 4.8 log CFU/g of fish respectively, and the pH of the ceviche ranged from 3.0 to 4.5. All the strains of V. cholerae O1 isolated during this study were identified as biotype El Tor, serotypes Inaba and Ogawa. For both fresh fish and ceviche, the frequency of isolation of V. cholerae was highest during the summer months.