Establishing performance standards for child development: learnings from the ECDI2030.

BACKGROUND: Standards of early childhood development (ECD) are needed to determine whether children living in different contexts are developmentally on track. The Early Childhood Development Index 2030 (ECDI2030) is a population-level measure intended to be used in household surveys to collect globally comparable data on one of the indicators chosen to monitor progress toward target 4.2 of the Sustainable Development Goals: The proportion of children aged 24-59 months who are developmentally on track in health, learning and psychosocial well-being. METHODS: To define performance cut-scores for the ECDI2030 we followed a criterion-referenced standard setting exercise using the modified Angoff method. The exercise gauged the expectations from 15 global experts in ECD and was informed by representative population data collected in Mexico and the State of Palestine. The final calibrated age-specific performance cut-scores were applied to these data to estimate the proportion of children developmentally on track, disaggregated by background characteristics, including the child's sex and attendance to early childhood education. RESULTS: Through a process of standard setting, we generated robust performance standards for the ECDI2030 by establishing five age-specific cut-scores to identify children as developmentally on track. CONCLUSIONS: This paper demonstrated how the standard setting methodology, typically applied to measures in the health and education fields, could be applied to a measure of child development. By creating robust criterion-referenced standards, we have been able to ensure that the cut-scores related to age for the ECDI2030 are based on performance standards set by global experts in the ECD field for defining on and off track development.

Lead Exposure Can Affect Early Childhood Development and Could Be Aggravated by Stunted Growth: Perspectives from Mexico.

BACKGROUND: Lead can affect early childhood development (ECD) differentially due to nutritional deficiencies that lead to stunted growth, defined as being at least two standard deviations below the average height-for-age. These deficiencies are more frequent among children living in rural locations or with lower socioeconomic status (SES); however, studies at a population level are scarce worldwide. Early childhood development plays a crucial role in influencing a child's health and wellbeing throughout life. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze how stunted growth can modify the association between lead exposure and ECD in children from disadvantaged communities. METHODS: Data were analyzed from the 2018 National Health and Nutrition Survey in localities with fewer than 100,000 inhabitants in Mexico (ENSANUT-100K). Capillary blood lead (BPb) levels were measured using a LeadCare II device and dichotomized as detectable (cutoff point ≥ 3.3 µg/dL) and non-detectable. As a measure of ECD, language development was assessed in n = 1394 children, representing 2,415,000 children aged 12-59 months. To assess the association between lead exposure and language z-scores, a linear model was generated adjusted by age, sex, stunted growth, maternal education, socioeconomic status, area, region (north, center, south), and family care characteristics; afterwards, the model was stratified by stunted growth. RESULTS: Fifty percent of children had detectable BPb and 15.3% had stunted growth. BPb showed a marginal inverse association with language z-scores (ß: -0.08, 95% CI: -0.53, 0.36). Children with detectable BPb and stunted growth had significantly lower language z-scores (ß: -0.40, 95% CI: -0.71, -0.10) than those without stunted growth (ß: -0.15, 95% CI: -0.36, 0.06). CONCLUSIONS: Children with stunted growth are more vulnerable to the adverse effects of lead exposure. These results add to previous research calling for action to reduce lead exposure, particularly in children with chronic undernutrition.

Anxiety and Depression Signs Among Adolescents in 26 Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Prevalence and Association With Functional Difficulties.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to describe the occurrence of signs of depression and anxiety among adolescents from 26 low- and middle-income countries and explore the extent to which these are associated with difficulties across other functional domains. METHODS: We analyzed randomly selected, nationally representative data from 26 countries with a total sample size of 123,975 adolescents aged 10-17 years. Data on functional difficulties, including signs of depression and anxiety, were collected by the Child Functioning Module, an instrument validated to identify the population of children with disabilities through household surveys. We estimated percentages and 95% confidence intervals of adolescents with difficulties across 11 domains of functioning, and of signs of depression and/or anxiety. We used multinomial regressions to estimate the association between difficulties in the different domains and having signs of depression only, signs of anxiety only, and signs of both depression and anxiety, relative to not presenting signs of depression or anxiety. RESULTS: In total, 5.5% of adolescents were reported to have had signs of anxiety, 3.1% signs of depression, and 2.3% co-occurring signs of anxiety and depression. Compared to adolescents without functional difficulties, those with difficulties in one or more domains were three times more likely to have signs of depression and anxiety. The likelihood of presenting signs of depression only or signs of both depression and anxiety was significantly higher across all domains, and the highest among adolescent with difficulties to self-care and communicating. The likelihood of presenting signs of anxiety only was significantly higher across all domains except seeing and hearing, and the highest among adolescent with difficulties communicating and accepting changes. DISCUSSION: Adolescents with functional difficulties in all domains analyzed, across different contexts, are more likely to experience depression and anxiety signs than those without such difficulties. Increasing the availability of population-level data on adolescent functional difficulties, including those related to depression and anxiety, is important in promoting inclusivity, participation, and the right of children to equal opportunities.

Continuum of care for maternal, newborn and child health: Evidence from a national survey in Mexico.

OBJECTIVE: To compare coverage of maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH) continuum of care between women who had experienced adolescent maternity (AM) and those who had not. METHODS: Using a Mexican probabilistic survey representative at the national level (ENSANUT 2018-19), we developed a cross-sectional analysis of 1,768 women aged 12 to 49 years who had a child within five years before the interview. We used modified Poisson models to estimate prevalence ratios (PRs) and independent and conditional coverage levels based on the probability estimates yielded by these models at different stages of maternal-newborn care process. RESULTS: PRs for the MNCH continuum of care were approximately 40% lower for women who had experienced AM compared to those who had not (95%CI:0.35, 1.14). The coverage for the MNCH continuum of care was only 7.4% [95%CI: 3.5, 11.2] and 11.7% [95%CI: 9.3, 14.1] in women who had/not experienced AM, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The provision of a continuum of care for mothers and their children can be achieved through a combination of well-defined policies and strategies that improve health care practices and services throughout the life cycle. It is necessary to expand the coverage and quality of care, which will provide the opportunity to shift the focus from vertical programs to integrated continuous care. Policy makers must implement interventions that are consistent with specific problems of population and health-care providers. Our analysis highlights the deficiencies in the care process, making this study a useful reference for countries with similar characteristics.

Early childhood development and urban environment in Mexico.

BACKGROUND: Childhood is considered the most important phase of human development; within it the period from birth to 5 years of age is particularly critical, given the speed at which changes occur. The context where children live can influence early childhood developmnent (ECD) by providing or limiting opportunities to learn, play and establish social interactions. This study explored the associations between characteristics of the urban environment and ECD in 2,194 children aged 36 to 59 months living in urban municipalities in Mexico. METHODS: We obtained ECD information from the 2015 Survey of Boys, Girls, and Women (ENIM, for its Spanish acronym), measured with the Early Childhood Development Index. The urban environment was evaluated at the municipal level, considering variables from five environment domains: physical, social, service, socioeconomic, and governance. Multilevel logistic models were fitted to assess the association between urban environment characteristics and the inadequacy of ECD in general and by specific development domains: learning, socio-emotional, physical, and alpha-numeric. RESULTS: Inadequate ECD was inversely associated with the availability of libraries (OR = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.43, 0.72), and positively associated with population density (OR = 1.01, 95% CI: 1.01-1.02). For the specific ECD domains, inadequate socio-emotional development was inversely associated with the availability of libraries (OR = 0.66, 95% CI: 0.51, 0.85). Inadequate literacy-numeracy knowledge was associated inversely with the availability of daycare centers (OR = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.32, 0.97), and directly associated with the number of hospitals and clinics (OR = 1.87, 95% CI: 1.29, 2.72). Finally, the marginalization index was positively associated with inadequacy in the learning domain (OR = 1.80, 95% CI: 1.06, 3.03). CONCLUSIONS: Some aspects of the urban environment associated with ECD, suggest that intervening in the urban context could improve overall child development. Investment in resources oriented to improve socio-emotional development and literacy (such as libraries and daycare), could foster ECD in Mexico.

Children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders show cognitive heterogeneity and require a person-centered approach.

We aimed to identify patterns of cognitive differences and characterize subgroups of Mexican children and adolescents with three neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD): intellectual disability (ID), autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The sample included 74 children and adolescents 6-15 years; 34% had ID, ASD or ADHD, 47% had ID in comorbidity with ASD, ADHD or both, 11% had ASD + ADHD, 8% were children without NDD. We applied WISC-IV, Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised, Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Structured Interview, Child Behavior Checklist, and UNICEF Child Functioning Module. We evaluated the normality of the WISC-IV sub-scales using the Shapiro-Francia test, then conducted a latent class analysis and assessed inter-class differences in terms of household, parent and child characteristics. The following four-class solution best fit the data: "Lower Cognitive Profile" (LCP), "Lower Working Memory" (LWM), "Higher Working Memory" (HWM), "Higher Cognitive Profile" (HCP). LCP included most of the children with ID, who had a low Working Memory (WM) index score. LWM included mainly children with ASD or ID + ADHD; their Perceptual Reasoning (PR) and Processing Speed (PS) index scores were much higher than those for Verbal Comprehension (VC) and WM. HWM included children with ASD or ADHD; their scores for PR, PS and VC were high with lower WM (although higher than for LWM). HCP included children without NDD and with ASD or ADHD or both and had the highest scores on all indices. Children with NDD show cognitive heterogeneity and thus require individualized treatment plans.

Frequent follow-up of suicidal youth assessed in the emergency room: Long-term trajectory and predictors of suicidality.

Suicide was the second­leading cause of US deaths in 2018 among 15-24-year-olds. Suicide attempts, a risk factor for completions, and suicide ideation have doubled among pediatric emergency room (ER) patients during the past decade. Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), a comorbid condition, has a 10% suicide rate. We examined the 4-year outcome of a cohort of suicidal adolescents, many also suffering from BPD and having undergone some form of treatment, to identify baseline factors which could inform intervention that would minimize suicidality 4 years post-discharge. METHODS: We conducted a prospective longitudinal study of suicidality at twelve points (four assessment occasions) for 286 suicidal youth presenting to a pediatric ER, most suffering from BPD, with 36 suicide ratings from baseline to 2-, 6- and 48-month follow-up evaluations. We examined the trajectory and predictors of persisting suicidality. RESULTS: Suicidality rapidly decreased within 2 months post-ER-discharge, subsequently remaining low throughout 48 months. Baseline functioning, female sex, stressful life events and BPD impulsiveness were most predictive of persisting suicidality at 48-month follow-up. CONCLUSION: Most suicidal youth, many meeting BPD criteria, no longer feel suicidal 2 months after ER discharge. Management of participants' baseline poor functioning stressful life events and the impulsiveness component of BPD specifically in females could impact suicidality 4 years later, and guide treatment options. The absence of the BPD cognitive and affective subscales as predictors of suicidality at 4-year follow-up may reflect treatment received. Further investigation of treatment effects is warranted and under way.

"I Matter, I Learn, I Decide": An Impact Evaluation on Knowledge, Attitudes, and Rights to Prevent Adolescent Pregnancy.

Adolescent pregnancy is considered a priority public health issue because of its implications in the lives of young mothers, their children, and the well-being of the general population. In this paper, we describe an intervention targeting adolescents (aged 11-19 years old) in a rural context and estimate its impact on key outcomes relevant to early pregnancy prevention: knowledge and self-efficacy concerning sexual and reproductive health, knowledge of sexual and reproductive rights, and attitudes toward gender roles. Our study used a quasi-experimental design comprising 747 adolescents. Three difference-in-differences models (raw, adjusted, and by exposure level) with fixed effects estimated the changes in all outcome measures. Our results showed that the intervention community had a significant improvement in all outcomes, and this improvement was larger in those who received the highest-exposure level of intervention compared to a control community. Our study provides evidence that a community-based intervention, founded on comprehensive sexual education, is a promising approach to improve key outcomes related to early pregnancy in rural contexts. Further research should be undertaken to test how similar strategies focusing on multi-layer early pregnancy determinants work on other sub-groups of vulnerable adolescents, such as school dropouts or those living in disadvantaged circumstances.

[Methodological bases of the measurement of earlychildhood development in the Ensanut 100k survey]. / Bases metodológicas de lamedición de desarrollo infantiltemprano en la Ensanut 100k.

OBJECTIVE: The methods that were carried out for the inclusion of the early childhood development module in the Ensanut 100k are presented. MATERIALS AND METHODS: With this module and the questionnaire for children under five years-old, indicators of the state of health, development and well-being of children in the first five years of life are obtained. From November to December 2017, the sample design, instruments and manuals were defined and a test was carried out. Field staff were trained and standardized. The information was collected between January and June 2018. RESULTS: 3 892 children from 0 to 59 months of age were studied in the DIT Module of the Survey. CONCLUSIONS: Training and standardization of field personnel, by trained and standardized personnel, minimizes information biases.

OBJETIVO: Presentar los métodos realizados para la inclu-sión del módulo de Desarrollo Infantil Temprano (DIT) en la Ensanut 100k. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Con dicho módulo y el cuestionario de menores de cinco años, se obtuvieron indicadores del estado de salud, desarrollo y bienestar de niñas/os en los primeros cinco años de vida.De noviembre a diciembre de 2017, se definió el diseño de la muestra, instrumentos y manuales, y se realizó una prueba piloto. Se capacitó y estandarizó al personal de campo. El levantamiento de información se realizó entre enero y junio de 2018. RESULTADOS: Se estudió en el módulo DIT de la encuesta a 3 892 niños/as de 0 a 59 meses de edad. CONCLUSIONES: La capacitación y estandarización del personal de campo, por parte de personal capacitado y estandarizado, minimiza los sesgos de información.

[Massive online course "Sexual and reproductive health": changes in knowledge, desertion, disapproval and satisfaction] / Curso masivo en línea "Salud sexual y reproductiva": cambios en conocimientos, deserción, reprobación y satisfacción

OBJECTIVE: To present global results of the dropout and failure and satisfaction of the Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) users, as well as changes in knowledge and practices of personnel registered in "Sexual and Reproductive Health and Prevention of adolescent pregnancy". MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using 45 549 records, we adjust logistic regression models to find associations between variables of dropout and failure. RESULTS: 57.8% of people completed the course and 15.1% failure. Logistic models show that age and position are associated with both dropout and failure. CONCLUSIONS: The MOOC is useful to improve knowledge and skills of health personnel. It is necessary to expand the coverage to professionals who deal with adolescent population, in order to improve sexual and reproductive health and prevent teenage pregnancies.

OBJETIVO: Presentar resultados globales de la deserción, reprobación y satisfacción de los usuarios del Curso Masivo en Línea Abierto (MOOC, por sus siglas en inglés), así como los cambios en conocimientos y prácticas del personal de salud inscrito al MOOC "Salud sexual y reproductiva y prevención del embarazo en adolescentes". MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se analizaron 45 549 registros y se ajustaron modelos de regresión logística para la deserción y reprobación del curso. RESULTADOS: Finalizó el curso 57.8% de los usuarios, mientras que 15.1% reprobó. Los modelos logísticos muestran que la edad y el cargo ocupado se asocian tanto con la deserción como con la reprobación. CONCLUSIONES: El MOOC es una herramienta útil para generar mejoras en conocimientos y competencias. Es necesario ampliar la cobertura a profesionales que tienen trato con población adolescente, con el fin de mejorar la salud sexual y reproductiva y prevenir embarazos en la adolescencia.

Impact of adverse childhood experiences on cardiovascular disease risk factors in adulthood among Mexican women.

BACKGROUND: Childhood adversities are prevalent worldwide and might affect adult cardiovascular health. However, in middle-income countries such as Mexico, research on the impact of childhood adversities on cardiovascular disease (CVD) in adulthood is lacking. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and their association with risk factors for CVD in adult Mexican women. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: The study population comprised 9853 women from the Mexican Teachers´ Cohort. METHODS: Participants responded to an online questionnaire including a 10-item instrument on ACEs and questions on CVD risk factors, between 2014 and 2017. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to evaluate the association between ACEs and adult behavioral and medical CVD risk factors. RESULTS: About 61% of participants reported at least one ACE and 14% reported four or more. After multivariable adjustment, women who reported ≥4 ACEs had 58% (95%CI 1.37, 1.81) higher odds of having ever smoked and 17% (95%CI 0.69, 0.99) lower odds of being physically active, compared with women who reported no ACEs. Women who reported ≥4 ACEs also had higher odds of hypertension (OR = 1.19; 95%CI 1.00, 1.43), diabetes (OR = 1.49; 95%CI 1.13, 1.96), high cholesterol (OR = 1.49; 95%CI 1.26, 1.75), and obesity (OR = 1.37; 95%CI 1.19, 1.57). In addition, individual ACE components were independently associated with several CVD risk factors. CONCLUSION: ACEs are common and associated with CVD risk factors in adult Mexican women.

[Maternal and child healthcare and adolescent maternity in under 100 000 inhabitants communities]. / Atención en salud materno-infantil y maternidad adolescente en localidades menores de 100 000 habitantes.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the coverage of continuous ma- ternal healthcare and early childhood care in women with and without adolescent motherhood (AM) who live in under-100 000-inhabitants communities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional analysis of Ensanut 100k 2018 of 767 women aged 12 to 49 years living in under-100 000-in- habitants communities who had their last birth two years before the survey. RESULTS: Women with AM have lower continuous coverage of maternal care than those without AM (8.1 and 19.6%, respectively). Infant care coverage with adequate content was lower than 30%, and there were no differences between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: It is necessary to strengthen actions focused on this group of women in order to reduce the gaps in coverage and improve maternal and child health.

OBJETIVO: Comparar la cobertura de atención continua de salud materna y de atención en la primera infancia en mujeres con y sin maternidad en la adolescencia (MA), que habitan en localidades menores de 100 000 habitantes. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Análisis transversal de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición 100k (Ensanut 100k) 2018 en 767 mujeres de 12 a 49 años residentes en localidades con menos de 100 000 habitantes que tuvieron su último hijo dos años anteriores a la encuesta. Se calcularon coberturas de atención a partir de modelos de regresión logística. RESULTADOS: Las mujeres con MA tienen menor cobertura continua en salud materna que las que no tuvieron MA (8.1 y 19.6%, respectivamente). La cobertura de atención del infante con contenido adecuado fue menor a 30% y no hubo diferencias entre los grupos. CONCLUSIONES: Es necesario fortalecer acciones focalizadas en este grupo de mujeres para reducir brechas en las coberturas y mejorar la salud materno-infantil.

[Trends in vaccination coverage among children aged 12-23 and 24-35 months in Mexico. Ensanut 2012 and Ensanut 100]. / Tendencias en las coberturas de vacunación en niños de 12 a 23 y 24 a 35 meses en México.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare vaccination coverage among children aged 12-23 and 24-35 months living in localities with less than 100 000 inhabitants in Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición (Ensanut) 2012 and Ensanut 100k (2018). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Estimate of coverage with both surveys. RESULTS: Between 2012 and 2018, according to proof and self-report, the coverage of the basic scheme was maintained in children aged 12-23 (51.6 vs. 60.2%) and 24-35 months (51.4 vs. 50.0%). Similarly, only with proof (53.9 vs. 51.3% and 52.8 vs. 44.2%). In children aged 24-35 months, the coverage of the reinforced basic scheme reinforcements with probative document and self-report (30.9 vs. 34.0%) and only with reinforcements (30.2 vs. 27.8%) was maintained. Coverage with second and third doses of hepatitis B in both age groups decreased; additionally, first dose of measlesmumps-rubella vaccine (SRP, in Spanish) and third dose of Pentavalent in children aged 24-35 months. CONCLUSIONS: Coverages were maintained by schemes, despite reductions in hepatitis B, pentavalent and SRP.

OBJETIVO: Comparar coberturas de vacunación en niños de 12-23 y 24-35 meses de edad de localidades menores de 100 000 habitantes en México, entre 2012 (Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición Ensanut] 2012) y 2018 (Ensanut 100k). MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estimación de coberturas con ambas encuestas. RESULTADOS: Entre 2012 y 2018, se mantuvo la cobertura del Esquema básico, con comprobante y autorreporte, en niños de 12-23 (51.6 vs. 60.2%) y 24-35 meses (51.4 vs. 50.0%), y sólo con comprobante (53.9 vs. 51.3% y 52.8 vs. 44.2%). Se mantuvo la cobertura del Esquema básico más refuerzos en niños de 24-35 meses, comprobante y autorreporte (30.9 vs. 34.0%) y sólo con comprobante (30.2 vs. 27.8%). Disminuyeron las coberturas con segunda y tercera dosis de hepatitis B en niños de 12-23 y 24-35 meses, y con primera dosis de triple viral (SRP) y tercera de pentavalente en niños de 24-35 meses. CONCLUSIONES: Se mantuvieron las coberturas del Esquema básico y Esquema básico más refuerzos aunque disminuyeron las coberturas con hepatitis B, pentavalente y SRP.

[Context and results of early childhood development in 12 to 59 months old children living in Mexico]. / Contexto y resultados del desarrollo infantil temprano en niños y niñas de 12 a 59 meses en México.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate early childhood development (ECD) and its determinants in 12 to 59 months old children residents of communities <100 000 inhabitants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición of communities <100 000 inhabitants (Ensanut 100k) evaluated language level, access to ECD care services and standardized indicators of the eight quality of the development environment. We report indicator prevalence and standardized language scores according to variables of interest. RESULTS: 20.7% of children attended eight wellchild care visits within the first year of life, 13.0% received an ECD assessment, 75.0% receive support for learning, 23.4% have books and 57.7% experiment violent discipline. Improved language levels are associate with socioeconomic capacities, maternal education, preschool attendance, support for learning and household books. Children exposed to more protective factors present a language level 1.5 standard deviations higher than their peers exposed to more risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: There is a need to increase the coverage of ECD care services and to improve early development opportunities within households.

OBJETIVO: Evaluar el desarrollo infantil temprano (DIT) y sus determinantes en niños/as de 12 a 59 meses residentes en localidades de menos de 100 000 habitantes. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: . La Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición en localidades con menos de 100 000 habitantes (Ensanut 100k) evaluó el nivel de lenguaje, acceso a servicios de atención al DIT e indicadores de calidad del contexto de desarrollo. Se estiman prevalencias de indicadores y puntajes estandarizados de lenguaje según variables de interés. RESULTADOS: 20.7% de los niños/as asistió a ocho consultas del niño sano en su primer año, 13.0% recibió evaluación de DIT, 75.0% recibe apoyo al aprendizaje, 23.4% cuenta con libros y 57.7% sufre disciplina violenta. Mejores niveles de lenguaje se asocian con las capacidades económicas, escolaridad materna, asistencia a preescolar, apoyo al aprendizaje y acceso a libros. Los niños/as expuestos a más factores protectores presentan nivel de lenguaje 1.5 DE mayor que en niños/as con más factores de riesgo. CONCLUSIONES: Se requiere aumentar la cobertura de atención al DIT y mejorar las oportunidades de desarrollo en hogares.

Contribution of Second and Higher-Order Births to Adolescent Fertility in Mexico.

This study estimates the contribution of second and higher-order births to the adolescent fertility rate in Mexico from 2006 to 2014. We used data from nationally representative surveys for 2006, 2009, and 2014 to estimate the adolescent fertility rate, and the first, second, and higher-order birth components for the triennium prior to each survey at the national and state level. Our results showed that the second and higher-order component was 16.3 births per 1,000 women in 2003-05, 14.9 in 2006-08, and 16.9 in 2011-13. Second and higher-order births represented 25.9 percent of all teen births in 2003-05, 21.6 percent in 2006-08, and 21.9 percent in 2011-13. Second and higher-order births were heterogeneous across states. We found that second and higher-order births are highly prevalent and important contributors to the adolescent fertility rate. Postponing second and higher-order births would benefit both mothers and children. Monitoring them provides crucial information on the demand of targeted health system strategies that address the reproductive health needs of adolescent mothers. Interventions to prevent second and higher-order pregnancies must be developed and implemented.

The development and testing of a module on child functioning for identifying children with disabilities on surveys. III: Field testing.

BACKGROUND: A module on child functioning developed by UNICEF and the Washington Group on Disability Statistics (WG) for use in censuses and surveys reflects current thinking around disability measurement and is intended to produce internationally comparable data. The Child Functioning Module (CFM) was developed in response to limitations of the Ten Question Screening Instrument (TQSI) for use in surveys and builds on the WG Short Set (WG-SS) of questions that was designed to capture disability in censuses, particularly among the adult population. OBJECTIVE: This paper documents the testing of the module and summarizes its results, including a description of prevalence levels across countries using different cut-offs, and comparisons with prevalence levels obtained using the TQSI and the WG-SS. METHODS: Field tests were conducted in Samoa as part of the 2014 Demographic and Health Survey and in Mexico as part of the 2015 National Survey of Boys, Girls and Women. The module was also implemented in Serbia as part of a dedicated survey conducted in the province of Vojvodina, in February 2016. RESULTS: Using the recommended cut-offcut-off, the percentage of children reported as having functional difficulty ranges from 1.1% in Serbia to 2% in Mexico among children aged 2-4 years, and from 3.2% in Samoa to 11.2% in Mexico among children aged 5-17 years. Across all three countries, the prevalence of functional difficulty was highest in the socio-emotional domains. A comparison of the prevalence levels obtained using the WG-SS and the CFM shows that, except for the question on cognition/learning, the WG-SS and the CFM are relatively close for children aged 5-17 years for the domains that are included in both question sets, but the WG-SS excludes many children identified by the CFM in other domains. The comparison between the TQSI and the CFM shows that, while the prevalence estimates are similar for seeing and hearing, significant differences affect other domains, particularly cognition/learning and communication. CONCLUSIONS: The CFM addresses a full range of functional domains that are important for child development. The module represents an improvement on the TQSI in that it allows for scaled responses to determine the degree of difficulty, and so can separate out many potential false positives. The module is also preferred over the WG-SS for collecting data on children, first, because most of the questions in the WG-SS are not suitable for children under the age of 5 years, and second, because the WG-SS leaves out important functional domains for children aged 5-17 years, namely those related to developmental disabilities and behavioural issues.

Perceptions of adolescent 'simulated clients' on barriers to seeking contraceptive services in health centers and pharmacies in Mexico.

OBJECTIVE: To examine adolescent simulated clients' perceived barriers to quality care as they sought information on contraceptives in public-sector healthcare facilities and pharmacies in Mexico. STUDY DESIGN: We used a qualitative research design and conducted semi-structured interviews with eight young women who posed as simulated clients at health centers and pharmacies in Mexico City. Grounded Theory was used to analyze the transcripts. RESULTS: Barriers to receiving information about contraceptives included healthcare professionals who gave administrative pretexts to avoid providing services. Simulated clients also felt judged by healthcare professionals and reported a lack of simple, understandable and pertinent information. Healthcare professionals did not ensure clients understood and had no further questions about using contraceptives, which resulted in clients' poor perceived self-efficacy, as well as a lack of confidence in the healthcare system to help them. CONCLUSIONS: When healthcare professionals fail to provide services according to the World Health Organization's five basic criteria of adolescent friendly care, adolescents perceive important barriers in their access to contraceptive methods. Quality of sexual health care in Mexico would benefit from efforts to improve healthcare professionals' knowledge, attitudes and skills related to adolescent friendly service delivery.

Sexual and reproductive health outcomes are positively associated with comprehensive sexual education exposure in Mexican high-school students.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the comprehensive sex education (CSE) coverage and to evaluate a set of indicators related to knowledge, attitudes, and practices associated with the seven components of the CSE framework among Mexican high-school students. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of a nationally representative sample of students in public and private high schools in Mexico. Questions about CSE coverage and about knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to sexual health were included. We present descriptive statistics for demographic characteristics, exposure to CSE, and sexual health outcomes. We fitted a series of multivariate logistic regression models to examine the association between each CSE component exposure and sexual health outcomes, adjusting for age and sex. RESULTS: There were significant associations between being exposed to each CSE components and the related sexual health outcomes. The strongest one was for identifying effective contraceptives among those exposed to the Sexual and Reproductive Health component (SRH) (OR 4.10; 95%CI[2.93,5.75]). Also, students exposed to the relationships component had 20% higher odds of affirming they could convince their partner to use condoms (OR 1.20; 95%CI[1.05,1.36]). CONCLUSIONS: This paper provides evidence of the potential beneficial effects of CSE on attitudes, knowledge, and behaviors regarding sexual and reproductive health among adolescents. In addition, it identifies areas that should be strengthened to increase the positive impact of CSE.

Adolescent Access to Information on Contraceptives: A Mystery Client Study in Mexico.

PURPOSE: We aimed to evaluate adolescent access to contraceptive information and quality of care in a sample of primary care clinics and pharmacies in Mexico and their association with health facility and adolescent characteristics. METHODS: We selected a random sample of pharmacies (n = 434) and public-sector, primary care clinics (n = 327) in Mexico City to be visited by young women posing as "mystery clients" looking for contraception or emergency contraception. Access to contraception information was measured as the percent of times that women received the information they requested. To assess quality of care, we built an "adolescent-friendly services" (AFS) score based on the World Health Organization framework. Regression models were fitted to evaluate the associations between outcomes and health facility and client characteristics. RESULTS: Twenty percent of women did not receive the information they requested. Clients seeking emergency contraception information had higher odds of obtaining it than clients seeking information on contraception (odds ratio 3.08 95% confidence interval 2.03, 4.67). AFS scores were low, although higher in clinics than in pharmacies (5/9 in clinics vs. 3/9 in pharmacies). Younger age and indigenous appearance were associated with lower quality as measured by the AFS score. CONCLUSIONS: Access to information about contraception in pharmacies and clinics is high, but efforts must be made to provide 100% coverage to adolescents. The quality of contraception services in pharmacies and clinics is poor and nonequitable, favoring older and nonindigenous adolescents. Clinics and pharmacies must strive to comply with international AFS guidelines.

Severe functional difficulties and disabilities in children and adolescents and the Sustainable Development Goals.

OBJECTIVE: To report prevalence of severe child functional difficulties and disability (CFD) in a nationally representative sample of 2 to 17 year-old children in Mexico and describe the inequities faced by children with CFD in relation to a set of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)-related outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using data from the National Survey of Children and Women (ENIM 2015) we estimate prevalence with 95% confidence intervals for the selected indicators. We use chi-square test and confidence intervals inspection to report significant differences between children with and without CFD. RESULTS: 8% of children present at least one CFD. CFD is associated with higher prevalence of underweight and child labor and lower prevalence of adequate early child development. Conclusion. Children with CFD present worst outcomes and require targeted efforts to ensure they meet health and wellbeing targets in the frame of the SDGs.