Utility of a Pulmonary Oedema Score for Predicting the Need for Mechanical Ventilation in COVID-19 Patients in a General Hospital.

BACKGROUND: The Radiographic Assessment of Lung Edema (RALE) score has been used to estimate the extent of pulmonary damage in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome and might be useful in patients with COVID-19. AIM OF THE STUDY: To examine factors associated with the need for mechanical ventilation in hospitalized patients with a clinical diagnosis of COVID-19, and to estimate the predictive value of the RALE score. METHODS: In a series of patients admitted between April 14 and August 28, 2020, with a clinical diagnosis of COVID-19, we assessed lung involvement on the chest radiograph using the RALE score. We examined factors associated with the need for mechanical ventilation in bivariate and multivariate analysis. The area under the receiver operating curve (AUC) indicated the predictive value of the RALE score for need for mechanical ventilation. RESULTS: Among 189 patients, 90 (48%) were judged to need mechanical ventilation, although only 60 were placed on a ventilator. The factors associated with the need for mechanical ventilation were a RALE score >6 points, age >50 years, and presence of chronic kidney disease. The AUC for the RALE score was 60.9% (95% CI 52.9-68.9), indicating it was an acceptable predictor of needing mechanical ventilation. CONCLUSIONS: A score for extent of pulmonary oedema on the plain chest radiograph was a useful predictor of the need for mechanical ventilation of hospitalized patients with COVID-19.

Safe birth in cultural safety in southern Mexico: a pragmatic non-inferiority cluster-randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Available research on the contribution of traditional midwifery to safe motherhood focuses on retraining and redefining traditional midwives, assuming cultural prominence of Western ways. Our objective was to test if supporting traditional midwives on their own terms increases cultural safety (respect of Indigenous traditions) without worsening maternal health outcomes. METHODS: Pragmatic parallel-group cluster-randomised controlled non-inferiority trial in four municipalities in Guerrero State, southern Mexico, with Nahua, Na savi, Me'phaa and Nancue ñomndaa Indigenous groups. The study included all pregnant women in 80 communities and 30 traditional midwives in 40 intervention communities. Between July 2015 and April 2017, traditional midwives and their apprentices received a monthly stipend and support from a trained intercultural broker, and local official health personnel attended a workshop for improving attitudes towards traditional midwifery. Forty communities in two control municipalities continued with usual health services. Trained Indigenous female interviewers administered a baseline and follow-up household survey, interviewing all women who reported pregnancy or childbirth in all involved municipalities since January 2016. Primary outcomes included childbirth and neonatal complications, perinatal deaths, and postnatal complications, and secondary outcomes were traditional childbirth (at home, in vertical position, with traditional midwife and family), access and experience in Western healthcare, food intake, reduction of heavy work, and cost of health care. RESULTS: Among 872 completed pregnancies, women in intervention communities had lower rates of primary outcomes (perinatal deaths or childbirth or neonatal complications) (RD -0.06 95%CI - 0.09 to - 0.02) and reported more traditional childbirths (RD 0.10 95%CI 0.02 to 0.18). Among institutional childbirths, women from intervention communities reported more traditional management of placenta (RD 0.34 95%CI 0.21 to 0.48) but also more non-traditional cold-water baths (RD 0.10 95%CI 0.02 to 0.19). Among home-based childbirths, women from intervention communities had fewer postpartum complications (RD -0.12 95%CI - 0.27 to 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Supporting traditional midwifery increased culturally safe childbirth without worsening health outcomes. The fixed population size restricted our confidence for inference of non-inferiority for mortality outcomes. Traditional midwifery could contribute to safer birth among Indigenous communities if, instead of attempting to replace traditional practices, health authorities promoted intercultural dialogue. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Retrospectively registered ISRCTN12397283 . Trial status: concluded.

In many Indigenous communities, traditional midwives support mothers during pregnancy, childbirth, and some days afterwards. Research involving traditional midwives has focused on training them in Western techniques and redefining their role to support Western care. In Guerrero state, Mexico, Indigenous mothers continue to trust traditional midwives. Almost half of these mothers still prefer traditional childbirths, at home, in the company of their families and following traditional practices. We worked with 30 traditional midwives to see if supporting their practice allowed traditional childbirth without worsening mothers' health. Each traditional midwife received an inexpensive stipend, a scholarship for an apprentice and support from an intercultural broker. The official health personnel participated in a workshop to improve their attitudes towards traditional midwives. We compared 40 communities in two municipalities that received support for traditional midwifery with 40 communities in two municipalities that continued to receive usual services. We interviewed 872 women with childbirth between 2016 and 2017. Mothers in intervention communities suffered fewer complications during childbirth and had fewer complications or deaths of their babies. They had more traditional childbirths and fewer perineal tears or infections across home-based childbirths. Among those who went to Western care, mothers in intervention communities had more traditional management of the placenta but more non-traditional cold-water baths. Supporting traditional midwifery increased traditional childbirth without worsening health outcomes. The small size of participating populations limited our confidence about the size of this difference. Health authorities could promote better health outcomes if they worked with traditional midwives instead of replacing them.

Utility of entomological indices for predicting transmission of dengue virus: secondary analysis of data from the Camino Verde trial in Mexico and Nicaragua.

Dengue vector entomological indices are widely used to monitor vector density and disease control activities. But the value of these indices as predictors of dengue infection is not established. We used data from the impact assessment of a trial of community mobilization for dengue prevention (Camino Verde) to examine the associations between vector indices and evidence of dengue infection and their value for predicting dengue infection levels. In 150 clusters in Mexico and Nicaragua, two entomological surveys, three months apart, allowed calculation of the mean Container Index, Breteau index, Pupae per Household Index, and Pupae per Container Index across the two surveys. We measured recent dengue virus infection in children, indicated by a doubling of dengue antibodies in paired saliva samples over the three-month period. We examined the associations between each of the vector indices and evidence of dengue infection at household level and at cluster level, accounting for trial intervention status. To examine the predictive value for dengue infection, we constructed receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves at household and cluster level, considering the four vector indices as continuous variables, and calculated the positive and negative likelihood ratios for different levels of the indices. None of the vector indices was associated with recent dengue infection at household level. The Breteau Index was associated with recent infection at cluster level (Odds ratio 1.36, 95% confidence interval 1.14-1.61). The ROC curve confirmed the weak predictive value for dengue infection of the Breteau Index at cluster level. Other indices showed no predictive value. Conventional vector indices were not useful in predicting dengue infection in Mexico and Nicaragua. The findings are compatible with the idea of sources of infection outside the household which were tackled by community action in the Camino Verde trial.

Body image and obesity in children from public primary schools in Acapulco, Mexico: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Childhood obesity is a global problem, causing social and psychological damage, as well as physical health risks. This study estimated the occurrence of body image dissatisfaction in primary schoolchildren aged 9-13 years and investigated its association with obesity and other factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted, for which 533 students attending three public primary schools in Acapulco were recruited. Students completed a facilitated self-administered questionnaire about their age, sex, socioeconomic level, body image satisfaction, and perception of their parents' body image. We registered anthropometry of the students and calculated body mass index (BMI). We examined the associations of BMI category and other factors with body image dissatisfaction, calculating the cluster-adjusted odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals. Results: From the total number of participants, 75% (181/243) of girls and 73% (170/232) of boys were dissatisfied with their body image and wanted a slimmer body. About half were overweight or obese: 45% (121/271) of girls and 52% (135/262) of boys. Overweight or obese children were much more likely to be dissatisfied with their body image (cluster adjusted: 6.73; 95% CI: 5.42-8.36). No other factors were significantly associated with body image dissatisfaction. One-third of the girls (32%, 86/271) and 17% (45/261) of the boys reported an underweight desired body image. Conclusions: The high level of obesity is a cause for concern and an even higher level of body image dissatisfaction as well. The high dissatisfaction among children suggests that boys, as well as girls in Mexico, may now be subjected to intense social pressure about desirable body image.

Introducción: La obesidad infantil es un problema global que causa daños sociales, psicológicos y en la salud física. Se estimó la ocurrencia de insatisfacción con la imagen corporal en escolares de 9 a 13 años, y su asociación con la obesidad y otros factores. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio transversal en 533 estudiantes de tres escuelas primarias públicas en Acapulco, México. Se aplicó un cuestionario autoadministrado sobre edad, sexo, nivel socioeconómico, satisfacción con la imagen corporal y percepción de la imagen corporal de los padres. Se midieron el peso y la talla, y se calculó el índice de masa corporal (IMC). Se examinaron las asociaciones entre el IMC y otros factores con la insatisfacción con la imagen corporal, y se calculó la razón de momios ajustada por conglomerado y sus intervalos de confianza del 95% (IC 95%). Resultados: El 75% (181/243) de niñas y el 73% (170/232) de niños estaban insatisfechos con su imagen corporal; casi todos deseaban un cuerpo más delgado. El 45% (121/271) de las niñas y el 52% (135/262) de los niños presentaba sobrepeso u obesidad, lo que se asoció con la insatisfacción con su imagen corporal (ajustado por clúster: 6.73; IC 95%: 5.42-8.36). Ningún otro factor se asoció significativamente con la insatisfacción con la imagen corporal. El 32% (86/271) de las niñas y el 17% (45/261) de los niños reportaron una imagen corporal deseada con bajo peso. Conclusiones: El alto nivel de obesidad y el mayor nivel de insatisfacción con la imagen corporal son motivo de preocupación. La insatisfacción sugiere que los niños y las niñas en México pueden verse sometidos a una fuerte presión social sobre la imagen corporal deseable.

El sobrepeso y obesidad en estudiantes de primaria de dos municipios de la Costa Chica de Guerrero, México / Overweight and obesity in elementary students from two municipalities of the Costa Chica de Guerrero, Mexico / Sobrepeso e obesidade em estudantes do ensino fundamental de dois municípios da Costa Chica de Guerrero, México

Resumen El objetivo de esta investigación fue estudiar la prevalencia de sobrepeso, obesidad y factores asociados en estudiantes de 5° y 6° grado de primaria en dos municipios de la Costa Chica de Guerrero. Se llevó a cabo un estudio descriptivo transversal. Para la recopilación de información se utilizó una báscula digital para registrar las medidas antropométricas y, se aplicó un cuestionario, que incluyó variables relacionadas con hábitos alimenticios, actividad física, tiempo dedicado a ver televisión (TV) y tiempo dedicado a dormir. Se encontró que el 16% de los estudiantes tuvo sobrepeso y 15% obesidad. Hubo mayor riesgo de padecer la enfermedad metabólica en los participantes que ven TV más de 5 h/día (ORns Cl adj = 1.72.IC 95% 1.27-2.34), mientras que comer cuatro o más veces al día tuvo un efecto protector (ORns Cl adj = 0.47, IC 95% 0.31-0.72). En los municipios de Cruz Grande y San Marcos los estudiantes de 5° y 6° de primaria tienen un grado medio de sobrepeso y obesidad; ya que el sedentarismo no es tan marcado y existe la tendencia a practicar el deporte. Se concluye que disminuir el número de horas frente al televisor y la correcta alimentación son acciones que pueden contribuir a la prevención y disminución del sobrepeso y la obesidad en estudiantes de primaria.

Abstract The objective of this research was to study the prevalence of overweight, obesity and associated factors in students of 5th and 6th grade of primary school in two municipalities of the Costa Chica, Guerrero. A crosssectional descriptive study was carried out. For the collection of information, a digital scale was used to record the anthropometric measurements and, a questionnaire was applied, which included variables related to eating habits, physical activity, time spent watching television (TV) and time spent sleeping. It was found that 16% of the students were overweight and 15% obese. There was an increased risk of metabolic disease in participants who watched TV more than 5 h / day (ORns Cl adj = 1.72.IC 95% 1.27-2.34), while eating four or more times a day had a protective effect (ORns Cl adj = 0.47, 95% CI 0.31-0.72). In the municipalities of Cruz Grande and San Marcos, students in grades 5 and 6 have a medium degree of overweight and obesity; since sedentary lifestyle is not as marked and there is a tendency to practice sports. It is concluded that reducing the number of hours in front of the television and the correct feeding are actions that can contribute to the prevention and reduction of overweight and obesity in elementary students.

Resumo O objetivo desta pesquisa foi estudar a prevalência de sobrepeso, obesidade e fatores associados em estudantes da 5ª e 6ª séries do ensino fundamental de dois municípios da Costa Chica de Guerrero. Foi realizado um estudo descritivo transversal. Para a coleta de informações, utilizou-se uma escala digital para registro das medidas antropométricas e aplicou-se um questionário, que incluiu variáveis relacionadas aos hábitos alimentares, atividade física, tempo gasto assistindo televisão (TV) e tempo gasto dormindo. Verificou-se que 16% dos estudantes estavam com sobrepeso e 15% com obesidade. Houve um risco aumentado de doença metabólica nos participantes que assistiram TV mais de 5 h / dia (ORns Cl adj = 1,72.IC 95% 1,27-2,34), enquanto comer quatro ou mais vezes por dia teve um efeito protetor (ORns Cl adj = 0,47, IC 95% 0,31-0,72). Nos municípios de Cruz Grande e San Marcos, os alunos das séries 5 e 6 apresentam sobrepeso e obesidade médios; uma vez que o estilo de vida sedentário não é tão acentuado e existe uma tendência a praticar esportes. Conclui-se que reduzir o número de horas em frente à televisão e a alimentação correta são ações que podem contribuir para a prevenção e redução do sobrepeso e obesidade em alunos do ensino fundamental.

Body image and obesity in children from public primary schools in Acapulco, Mexico: A cross-sectional study / Imagen corporal y obesidad en escolares de primarias públicas en Acapulco, México: un estudio transversal

Abstract Background: Childhood obesity is a global problem, causing social and psychological damage, as well as physical health risks. This study estimated the occurrence of body image dissatisfaction in primary schoolchildren aged 9-13 years and investigated its association with obesity and other factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted, for which 533 students attending three public primary schools in Acapulco were recruited. Students completed a facilitated self-administered questionnaire about their age, sex, socioeconomic level, body image satisfaction, and perception of their parents’ body image. We registered anthropometry of the students and calculated body mass index (BMI). We examined the associations of BMI category and other factors with body image dissatisfaction, calculating the cluster-adjusted odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals. Results: From the total number of participants, 75% (181/243) of girls and 73% (170/232) of boys were dissatisfied with their body image and wanted a slimmer body. About half were overweight or obese: 45% (121/271) of girls and 52% (135/262) of boys. Overweight or obese children were much more likely to be dissatisfied with their body image (cluster adjusted: 6.73; 95% CI: 5.42-8.36). No other factors were significantly associated with body image dissatisfaction. One-third of the girls (32%, 86/271) and 17% (45/261) of the boys reported an underweight desired body image. Conclusions: The high level of obesity is a cause for concern and an even higher level of body image dissatisfaction as well. The high dissatisfaction among children suggests that boys, as well as girls in Mexico, may now be subjected to intense social pressure about desirable body image.

Resumen Introducción: La obesidad infantil es un problema global que causa daños sociales, psicológicos y en la salud física. Se estimó la ocurrencia de insatisfacción con la imagen corporal en escolares de 9 a 13 años, y su asociación con la obesidad y otros factores. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio transversal en 533 estudiantes de tres escuelas primarias públicas en Acapulco, México. Se aplicó un cuestionario autoadministrado sobre edad, sexo, nivel socioeconómico, satisfacción con la imagen corporal y percepción de la imagen corporal de los padres. Se midieron el peso y la talla, y se calculó el índice de masa corporal (IMC). Se examinaron las asociaciones entre el IMC y otros factores con la insatisfacción con la imagen corporal, y se calculó la razón de momios ajustada por conglomerado y sus intervalos de confianza del 95% (IC 95%). Resultados: El 75% (181/243) de niñas y el 73% (170/232) de niños estaban insatisfechos con su imagen corporal; casi todos deseaban un cuerpo más delgado. El 45% (121/271) de las niñas y el 52% (135/262) de los niños presentaba sobrepeso u obesidad, lo que se asoció con la insatisfacción con su imagen corporal (ajustado por clúster: 6.73; IC 95%: 5.42-8.36). Ningún otro factor se asoció significativamente con la insatisfacción con la imagen corporal. El 32% (86/271) de las niñas y el 17% (45/261) de los niños reportaron una imagen corporal deseada con bajo peso. Conclusiones: El alto nivel de obesidad y el mayor nivel de insatisfacción con la imagen corporal son motivo de preocupación. La insatisfacción sugiere que los niños y las niñas en México pueden verse sometidos a una fuerte presión social sobre la imagen corporal deseable.

Cost-effectiveness of community mobilization (Camino Verde) for dengue prevention in Nicaragua and Mexico: A cluster randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: We assessed the cost-effectiveness of Camino Verde, a community-based mobilization strategy to prevent and control dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases. A cluster-randomized controlled trial in Managua, Nicaragua, and in three coastal regions in Guerrero, Mexico (75 intervention and 75 control clusters), Camino Verde used non-governmental community health workers, called brigadistas, to support community mobilization. This donor-funded trial demonstrated reductions of 29.5% (95% confidence interval, CI: 3.8%-55.3%) on dengue infections and 24.7% (CI: 1.8%-51.2%) on self-reported cases. METHODS: We estimated program costs through a micro-costing approach and semi-structured questionnaires. We show results as incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) for costs per disability-adjusted life-year (DALYs) averted and conducted probabilistic sensitivity analyses. FINDINGS: The Camino Verde trial spent US$16.72 in Mexico and $7.47 in Nicaragua per person annually. We found an average of 910 (CI: 487-1 353) and 500 (CI: 250-760) dengue cases averted annually per million population in Mexico and Nicaragua, respectively, compared to control communities. The ICER in Mexico was US$29 618 (CI: 13 869-66 898) per DALY averted, or 3.0 times per capita GDP. For Nicaragua, the ICER was US$29 196 (CI: 14294-72181) per DALY averted, or 16.9 times per capita GDP. INTERPRETATION: Camino Verde, as implemented in the research context, was marginally cost-effective in Mexico, and not cost-effective in Nicaragua, from a healthcare sector perspective. Nicaragua's low per capita GDP and the use of grant-funded management personnel weakened the cost-effectiveness results. Achieving efficiencies by incorporating Camino Verde activities into existing public health programs would make Camino Verde cost-effective.

Occult renal failure and associated factors in patients with chronic conditions.

INTRODUCTION: Timely diagnosis and early therapeutic intervention reduce premature mortality associated with chronic renal failure. OBJECTIVE: To identify the prevalence and factors associated with occult renal failure in patients with chronic diseases. METHOD: Cross-sectional study of 1268 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and systemic arterial hypertension. A measuring instrument with questions about associated factors such as osteoarthritis, treatment of chronic conditions, smoking, analgesic consumption, alcoholism, body mass index, physical activity and serum glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride levels was used. RESULTS: The prevalence of occult renal failure was 13.2 % (167/1,268), 13.4 % in diabetic patients (117/876) and 14.9 % in hypertensive patients (150/1,010). In the multivariate analysis, the factors associated with occult renal failure were being older than 60 years (aOR = 1.96, 95 % CI = 1.22-2.49), belonging to the female gender (aOR = 2.17, 95 % CI = 1.30-2.82), suffering from systemic arterial hypertension (aOR = 1.96, 95% CI = 1.22-2.50) and not having overweight/obesity (aOR = 0.49, 95 % CI = 0.41-0.8). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of occult renal failure was 13 %. Female patients older than 60 years with overweight/obesity and systemic arterial hypertension should be examined in detail by the family doctor for occult renal failure early detection.

INTRODUCCIÓN: El diagnóstico oportuno y la intervención terapéutica temprana disminuyen la mortalidad prematura asociada con insuficiencia renal crónica. OBJETIVO: Identificar la prevalencia y factores asociados con insuficiencia renal oculta en pacientes con enfermedades crónicas. MÉTODO: Estudio transversal de 1268 pacientes con diabetes mellitus tipo 2 e hipertensión arterial sistémica. Se usó un instrumento de medición con preguntas sobre factores asociados como artrosis, tratamiento de padecimiento crónico, tabaquismo, ingesta de analgésicos, alcoholismo, índice de masa corporal, actividad física y niveles séricos de glucosa, colesterol y triglicéridos. RESULTADOS: La prevalencia de insuficiencia renal oculta fue de 13.2 % (167/1268), 13.4 % en pacientes diabéticos (117/876) y 14.9 % en hipertensos (150/1010). En el analisis multivariado, los factores asociados con insuficiencia renal oculta fueron edad > 60 años (RMa = 1.96, IC 95 % = 1.22-2.49), sexo femenino (RMa = 2.17, IC 95 % = 1.30-2.82), padecer hipertensión arterial sistémica (RMa = 1.96, IC 95 % = 1.22-2.50) y no tener sobrepeso u obesidad (RMa = 0.49, IC 95 % = 0.41-0.8). CONCLUSIONES: La prevalencia de insuficiencia renal oculta fue de 13 %. Los pacientes mayores de 60 años, con sobrepeso u obesidad e hipertensión arterial sistémica deben ser examinados detalladamente por el médico familiar para la detección temprana de insuficiencia renal oculta.

Insuficiencia renal oculta y factores asociados en pacientes con enfermedades crónicas / Occult renal failure and associated factors in patients with chronic conditions

Resumen Introducción: El diagnóstico oportuno y la intervención terapéutica temprana disminuyen la mortalidad prematura asociada con insuficiencia renal crónica. Objetivo: Identificar la prevalencia y factores asociados con insuficiencia renal oculta en pacientes con enfermedades crónicas. Método: Estudio transversal de 1268 pacientes con diabetes mellitus tipo 2 e hipertensión arterial sistémica. Se usó un instrumento de medición con preguntas sobre factores asociados como artrosis, tratamiento de padecimiento crónico, tabaquismo, ingesta de analgésicos, alcoholismo, índice de masa corporal, actividad física y niveles séricos de glucosa, colesterol y triglicéridos. Resultados: La prevalencia de insuficiencia renal oculta fue de 13.2 % (167/1268), 13.4 % en pacientes diabéticos (117/876) y 14.9 % en hipertensos (150/1010). En el analisis multivariado, los factores asociados con insuficiencia renal oculta fueron edad > 60 años (RMa = 1.96, IC 95 % = 1.22-2.49), sexo femenino (RMa = 2.17, IC 95 % = 1.30-2.82), padecer hipertensión arterial sistémica (RMa = 1.96, IC 95 % = 1.22-2.50) y no tener sobrepeso u obesidad (RMa = 0.49, IC 95 % = 0.41-0.8). Conclusiones: La prevalencia de insuficiencia renal oculta fue de 13 %. Los pacientes mayores de 60 años, con sobrepeso u obesidad e hipertensión arterial sistémica deben ser examinados detalladamente por el médico familiar para la detección temprana de insuficiencia renal oculta.

Abstract Introduction: Timely diagnosis and early therapeutic intervention reduce premature mortality associated with chronic renal failure. Objective: To identify the prevalence and factors associated with occult renal failure in patients with chronic diseases. Method: Cross-sectional study of 1268 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and systemic arterial hypertension. A measuring instrument with questions about associated factors such as osteoarthritis, treatment of chronic conditions, smoking, analgesic consumption, alcoholism, body mass index, physical activity and serum glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride levels was used. Results: The prevalence of occult renal failure was 13.2 % (167/1,268), 13.4 % in diabetic patients (117/876) and 14.9 % in hypertensive patients (150/1,010). In the multivariate analysis, the factors associated with occult renal failure were being older than 60 years (aOR = 1.96, 95 % CI = 1.22-2.49), belonging to the female gender (aOR = 2.17, 95 % CI = 1.30-2.82), suffering from systemic arterial hypertension (aOR = 1.96, 95% CI = 1.22-2.50) and not having overweight/obesity (aOR = 0.49, 95 % CI = 0.41-0.8). Conclusions: The prevalence of occult renal failure was 13 %. Female patients older than 60 years with overweight/obesity and systemic arterial hypertension should be examined in detail by the family doctor for occult renal failure early detection.

Social capital is associated with lower mosquito vector indices: secondary analysis from a cluster randomised controlled trial of community mobilisation for dengue prevention in Mexico.

BACKGROUND: Control of the Aedes aegypti mosquito is central to reducing the risk of dengue, zika, chikungunya, and yellow fever. Randomised controlled trials, including the Camino Verde trial in Mexico and Nicaragua, demonstrate the convincing impact of community mobilisation interventions on vector indices. These interventions might work through building social capital but little is known about the relationship between social capital and vector indices. METHODS: A secondary analysis used data collected from 45 intervention clusters and 45 control clusters in the impact survey of the Mexican arm of the Camino Verde cluster randomised controlled trial. Factor analysis combined responses to questions about aspects of social capital to create a social capital index with four constructs, their weighted averages then combined into a single scale. We categorised households as having high or low social capital based on their score on this scale. We examined associations between social capital and larval and pupal vector indices, taking account of the effects of other variables in a multivariate analysis. We report associations as odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: The four social capital constructs were involvement, participation, investment, and communication. Among the 10,112 households, those in rural communities were much more likely to have a high social capital score (OR 4.51, 95% CIca 3.26-6.26). Households in intervention sites had higher social capital, although the association was not significant at the 5% level. Households with high social capital were more likely to be negative for larvae or pupae (OR 1.38, 95% CIca 1.12-1.69) and for pupae specifically (OR 1.37, 95% CIca 1.08-1.74). There was interaction between intervention status and social capital; in multivariate analysis, a combined variable of intervention/high social capital remained associated with larvae or pupae (ORa l.56, 95% CIca 1.19-2.04) and with pupae specifically (ORa 1.65, 95% CIca 1.20-2.28). CONCLUSION: This is the first report of an association of high social capital with low vector indices. Our findings support the idea that the Camino Verde community mobilisation intervention worked partly through an interaction with social capital. Understanding such interactions may help to maximise the impact of future community mobilisation interventions.

Factores asociados a epilepsia en niños en México: un estudio caso-control / Factors associated with epilepsy in children in Mexico: A case-control study

Resumen: Introducción: La epilepsia es la enfermedad neurológica crónica más común en el mundo. En México es considerada dentro de las principales enfermedades vinculadas a la mortalidad por enfermedades no infecciosas de la población infantil. El objetivo del estudio fue identificar los factores asociados a epilepsia en niños derechohabientes del Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS), en Acapulco, México. Métodos: Estudio de casos y controles realizado entre abril de 2010 y abril de 2011. Fueron seleccionados 118 casos de la consulta externa de neurología pediátrica, con criterios diagnósticos de epilepsia de acuerdo a la Liga Internacional Contra la Epilepsia, con máximo dos años de evolución. Los controles fueron seleccionados de las Unidades de Medicina Familiar de donde procedieron los casos. En una encuesta a las madres, se obtuvo información sobre antecedentes heredofamiliares, prenatales, perinatales y posnatales. El análisis bivariado y multivariado se realizó mediante el procedimiento de Mantel-Haenszel. Resultados: Tres factores estuvieron asociados con la epilepsia: el antecedente familiar de epilepsia en familiares de primer grado (Razón de Momios ajustada (RMa) 2.44, IC95% 1.18 - 5.03), la asfixia al nacimiento (RMa 2.20, IC95% 1.16-34.18) y la infección de la vía urinaria en la etapa prenatal (RMa, 1.80 IC95% 1.0 - 3.24). Conclusiones: La asfixia al nacimiento y el reporte de infecciones de vías urinarias durante la gestación fueron factores asociados a epilepsia independientemente del antecedente de epilepsia en familiares de primer grado.

Abstract: Background: Epilepsy is the most common chronic neurological disease in the world. In Mexico, epilepsy is among the diseases more related to mortality due to non-infectious diseases in children. The objective of the study was to identify the factors associated with epilepsy in children entitled to the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS), in Acapulco, Mexico. Methods: We carried out a case-control study from April 2010 to April 2011. We selected 118 cases from the database of outpatient pediatric neurology with epilepsy diagnostic with two year of evolution according to the International League Against Epilepsy criteria. We selected 118 controls from the same Medical Units where cases were detected. Data collected throughout an interview with the mothers included information on history of epilepsy among relatives, prenatal, perinatal and postnatal history. Bivariate and multivariate analysis was performed using Mantel-Haenszel process. Results: Multivariate analysis identified three factors associated with epilepsy: family history of epilepsy in first-degree relatives (adjusted Odds ratio (ORa) 2.44, 95%CI 1.18 -5.03), birth asphyxia (ORa 2.20, 95%CI 1.16-34.18), and urinary tract infection in the prenatal stage (ORa, 1.80, 95%CI 1.0 - 3.24). Conclusions: Preventing birth asphyxia and urinary tract infections during pregnancy reduces the risk of epilepsy regardless of the history of epilepsy in first-degree relatives.

When communities are really in control: ethical issues surrounding community mobilisation for dengue prevention in Mexico and Nicaragua.

We discuss two ethical issues raised by Camino Verde, a 2011-2012 cluster-randomised controlled trial in Mexico and Nicaragua, that reduced dengue risk though community mobilisation. The issues arise from the approach adopted by the intervention, one called Socialisation of Evidence for Participatory Action. Community volunteer teams informed householders of evidence about dengue, its costs and the life-cycle of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, while showing them the mosquito larvae in their own water receptacles, without prescribing solutions. Each community responded in an informed manner but on its own terms. The approach involves partnerships with communities, presenting evidence in a way that brings conflicting views and interests to the surface and encourages communities themselves to deal with the resulting tensions.One such tension is that between individual and community rights. This tension can be resolved creatively in concrete day-to-day circumstances provided those seeking to persuade their neighbours to join in efforts to benefit community health do so in an atmosphere of dialogue and with respect for personal autonomy.A second tension arises between researchers' responsibilities for ethical conduct of research and community autonomy in the conduct of an intervention. An ethic of respect for individual and community autonomy must infuse community intervention research from its inception, because as researchers succeed in fostering community self-determination their direct influence in ethical matters diminishes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN 27581154.

Household costs for personal protection against mosquitoes: secondary outcomes from a randomised controlled trial of dengue prevention in Guerrero state, Mexico.

BACKGROUND: Dengue is a serious public health issue that affects households in endemic areas in terms of health and also economically, imposing costs for prevention and treatment of cases. The Camino Verde cluster-randomised controlled trial in Mexico and Nicaragua assessed the impact of evidence-based community engagement in dengue prevention. The Mexican arm of the trial was conducted in 90 randomly selected communities in three coastal regions of Guerrero State. This study reports an analysis of a secondary outcome of the trial: household use of and expenditure on anti-mosquito products. We examined whether the education and mobilisation activities of the trial motivated people to spend less on anti-mosquito products. METHODS: We carried out a household questionnaire survey in the trial communities in 2010 (12,312 households) and 2012 (5349 households in intervention clusters, 5142 households in control clusters), including questions about socio-economic status, self-reported dengue illness, and purchase of and expenditure on insecticide anti-mosquito products in the previous month. We examined expenditures on anti-mosquito products at baseline in relation to social vulnerability and we compared use of and expenditures on these products between intervention and control clusters in 2012. RESULTS: In 2010, 44.2% of 12,312 households reported using anti-mosquito products, with a mean expenditure of USD4.61 per month among those who used them. Socially vulnerable households spent less on the products. In 2012, after the intervention, the proportion of households who purchased anti-mosquito products in the last month was significantly lower in intervention clusters (47.8%; 2503/5293) than in control clusters (53.3%; 2707/5079) (difference - 0.05, 95% CIca -0.100 to -0.010). The mean expenditure on the products, among those households who bought them, was USD6.43; 30.4% in the intervention clusters and 36.7% in the control clusters spent more than this (difference - 0.06, 95% CIca -0.12 to -0.01). These expenditures on anti-mosquito products represent 3.3% and 3.8% respectively of monthly household income for the poorest 10% of the population in 2012. CONCLUSIONS: The Camino Verde community mobilisation intervention, as well as being effective in reducing dengue infections, was effective in reducing household use of and expenditure on insecticide anti-mosquito products. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ( ISRCTN27581154 ).

Coverage and beliefs about temephos application for control of dengue vectors and impact of a community-based prevention intervention: secondary analysis from the Camino Verde trial in Mexico.

BACKGROUND: Temephos in domestic water containers remains a mainstay of Latin American government programmes for control of Aedes aegypti and associated illnesses, including dengue. There is little published evidence about coverage of routine temephos programmes. A cluster randomised controlled trial of community mobilisation in Mexico and Nicaragua reduced vector indices, dengue infection, and clinical dengue cases. Secondary analysis from the Mexican arm of the trial examined temephos coverage and beliefs, and the impact of the trial on these outcomes. METHODS: The trial impact survey in December 2012, in 10,491 households in 45 intervention and 45 control clusters, asked about visits from the temephos programme, retention of applied temephos, and views about temephos and mosquito control. Fieldworkers noted if temephos was present in water containers. RESULTS: Some 42.4% of rural and 20.7% of urban households reported no temephos programme visits within the last 12 months. Overall, 42.0% reported they had temephos placed in their water containers less than 3 months previously. Fieldworkers observed temephos in at least one container in 21.1% of households. Recent temephos application and observed temephos were both significantly more common in urban households, when other household variables were taken into account; in rural areas, smaller households were more likely to have temephos present. Most households (74.4%) did not think bathing with water containing temephos carried any health risk. Half (51%) believed drinking or cooking with such water could be harmful and 17.6% were unsure. Significantly fewer households in intervention sites (16.5%) than in control sites (26.0%) (Risk Difference - 0.095, 95% confidence interval - 0.182 to -0.009) had temephos observed in their water; more households in intervention clusters (41.8%) than in control clusters (31.6%) removed the applied temephos quickly. Although fewer households in intervention sites (82.7%) compared with control sites (86.7%) (RD -0.04, 95% CI -0.067 to -0.013) agreed temephos and fumigation was the best way to avoid mosquitoes, the proportion believing this remained very high. CONCLUSION: Coverage with the government temephos programme was low, especially in rural areas. Despite an intervention encouraging non-chemical mosquito control, most households continued to believe that chemicals are the best control method. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN: 27581154 .

"Where we put little fish in the water there are no mosquitoes:" a cross-sectional study on biological control of the Aedes aegypti vector in 90 coastal-region communities of Guerrero, Mexico.

BACKGROUND: In the Mexican state of Guerrero, some households place fish in water storage containers to prevent the development of mosquito larvae. Studies have shown that larvivorous fish reduce larva count in household water containers, but there is a lack of evidence about whether the use of fish is associated with a reduction in dengue virus infection. We used data from the follow up survey of the Camino Verde cluster randomised controlled trial of community mobilisation to reduce dengue risk to study this association. METHODS: The survey in 2012, among 90 clusters in the three coastal regions of Guerrero State, included a questionnaire to 10,864 households about socio-demographic factors and self-reported cases of dengue illness in the previous year. Paired saliva samples provided serological evidence of recent dengue infection among 4856 children aged 3-9 years. An entomological survey in the same households looked for larvae and pupae of Aedes aegypti and recorded presence of fish and temephos in water containers. We examined associations with the two outcomes of recent dengue infection and reported dengue illness in bivariate analysis and then multivariate analysis using generalized linear mixed modelling. RESULTS: Some 17% (1730/10,111) of households had fish in their water containers. The presence of fish was associated with lower levels of recent dengue virus infection in children aged 3-9 years (OR 0.64; 95% CI 0.45-0.91), as was living in a rural area (OR 0.57; 95% CI 0.45-0.71), and being aged 3-5 years (OR 0.65; 95% CI 0.51-0.83). Factors associated with lower likelihood of self-reported dengue illness were: the presence of fish (OR 0.79; 95% CI 0.64-0.97), and living in a rural area (OR 0.74; 95% CI 0.65-0.84). Factors associated with higher likelihood of self-reported dengue illness were: higher education level of the household head (OR 1.28; 95% CI 1.07-1.52), living in a household with five people or less (OR 1.33; 95% CI 1.16-1.52) and household use of insecticide anti-mosquito products (OR 1.68; 95% CI 1.47-1.92). CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that fish in water containers may reduce the risk of dengue virus infection and dengue illness. This could be a useful part of interventions to control the Aedes aegypti vector.

Aedes aegypti breeding ecology in Guerrero: cross-sectional study of mosquito breeding sites from the baseline for the Camino Verde trial in Mexico.

BACKGROUND: Understanding the breeding patterns of Aedes aegypti in households and the factors associated with infestation are important for implementing vector control. The baseline survey of a cluster randomised controlled trial of community mobilisation for dengue prevention in Mexico and Nicaragua collected information about the containers that are the main breeding sites, identified possible actions to reduce breeding, and examined factors associated with household infestation. This paper describes findings from the Mexican arm of the baseline survey. METHODS: In 2010 field teams conducted household surveys and entomological inspections in 11,995 households from 90 representative communities in the three coastal regions of Guerrero State, Mexico. We characterized Ae. aegypti breeding sites and examined the effect of two preventive measures: temephos application in water containers, and keeping the containers covered. We examined associations with household infestation, using bivariate and multivariate analysis adjusted for clustering effects. RESULTS: We conducted entomological inspections in 11,995 households. Among 45,353 water containers examined, 6.5% (2958/45,353) were positive for larvae and/or pupae. Concrete tanks (pilas) and barrels (tambos) together accounted for 74% of pupal productivity. Both covering water containers and inserting temephos were independently associated with a lower risk of presence of larvae or pupae, with the effect of covering (OR 0.22; 95% CIca 0.15-0.27) stronger than that of temephos (OR 0.66; 95% CIca 0.53-0.84). Having more than four water containers was associated with household infestation in both rural areas (OR 1.42; 95% CIca 1.17-1.72) and urban areas (1.81; 1.47-2.25), as was low education of the household head (rural: 1.27; 1.11-1.46, and urban: 1.39; 1.17-1.66). Additional factors in rural areas were: household head without paid work (1.31; 1.08-1.59); being in the Acapulco region (1.91; 1.06-3.44); and using anti-mosquito products (1.27; 1.09-1.47). In urban areas only, presence of temephos was associated with a lower risk of household infestation (0.44; 0.32-0.60). CONCLUSION: Concrete tanks and barrels accounted for the majority of pupal productivity. Covering water containers could be an effective means of Ae. aegypti vector control, with a bigger effect than using temephos. These findings were useful in planning and implementing the Camino Verde trial intervention in Mexico.

Dengue occurrence relations and serology: cross-sectional analysis of results from the Guerrero State, Mexico, baseline for a cluster-randomised controlled trial of community mobilisation for dengue prevention.

BACKGROUND: The Mexican arm of the Camino Verde trial of community mobilisation for dengue prevention covered three coastal regions of Guerrero state: Acapulco, Costa Grande and Costa Chica. A baseline cross-sectional survey provided data for community mobilisation and for adapting the intervention design to concrete conditions in the intervention areas. METHODS: Trained field teams constructed community profiles in randomly selected clusters, based on observation and key informant interviews. In each household they carried out an entomological inspection of water containers, collected information on socio-demographic variables and cases of dengue illness among household members in the last year, and gathered paired saliva samples from children aged 3-9 years, which were subjected to ELISA testing to detect recent dengue infection. We examined associations with dengue illness and recent dengue infection in bivariate and then multivariate analysis. RESULTS: In 70/90 clusters, key informants were unable to identify any organized community groups. Some 1.9% (1029/55,723) of the household population reported dengue illness in the past year, with a higher rate in Acapulco region. Among children 3-9 years old, 6.1% (392/6382) had serological evidence of recent dengue infection. In all three regions, household use of anti-mosquito products, household heads working, and households having less than 5 members were associated with self-reported dengue illness. In Acapulco region, people aged less than 25 years, those with a more educated household head and those from urban sites were also more likely to report dengue illness, while in Costa Chica and Costa Grande, females were more likely to report dengue illness. Among children aged 3-9 years, those aged 3-4 years and those living in Acapulco were more likely to have evidence of recent dengue infection. CONCLUSIONS: The evidence from the baseline survey provided important support for the design and implementation of the trial intervention. The weakness of community leadership and the relatively low rates of self-reported dengue illness were challenges that the Mexican intervention team had to overcome. The higher dengue illness occurrence among women in Costa Grande and Costa Chica may help explain why women participated more than men in activities during the Camino Verde trial.

Mobilising communities for Aedes aegypti control: the SEPA approach.

Camino Verde (the Green Way) is an evidence-based community mobilisation tool for prevention of dengue and other mosquito-borne viral diseases. Its effectiveness was demonstrated in a cluster-randomised controlled trial conducted in 2010-2013 in Nicaragua and Mexico. The common approach that brought functional consistency to the Camino Verde intervention in both Mexico and Nicaragua is Socialisation of Evidence for Participatory Action (SEPA). In this article, we explain the SEPA concept and its theoretical origins, giving examples of its previous application in different countries and contexts. We describe how the approach was used in the Camino Verde intervention, with details that show commonalities and differences in the application of the approach in Mexico and Nicaragua. We discuss issues of cost, replicability and sustainability, and comment on which components of the intervention were most important to its success. In complex interventions, multiple components act in synergy to produce change. Among key factors in the success of Camino Verde were the use of community volunteers called brigadistas, the house-to-house visits they conducted, the use of evidence derived from the communities themselves, and community ownership of the undertaking. Communities received the intervention by random assignment; dengue was not necessarily their greatest concern. The very nature of the dengue threat dictated many of the actions that needed to be taken at household and neighbourhood levels to control it. But within these parameters, communities exercised a large degree of control over the intervention and displayed considerable ingenuity in the process. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN27581154 .