Menarcheal experience, beliefs about and attitudes toward menstruation in Mexico: Changes in the last 20 years.

We explored how menarcheal experiences and attitudes toward menstruation of Mexican adolescents have changed in the last 20 years. Two questionnaires were applied to female adolescent students, and the results were compared with those obtained in 2002-3 when adolescents of the same ages were surveyed using the same questionnaires. Although some aspects of menstrual education have not changed, the secrecy surrounding menstruation has diminished. In contrast, the belief that menstruation is disabling and keeps women from their normal activities has increased. It is important that adolescents receive adequate preparation about psychosocial and physical aspects of the menstrual cycle.

Is there interest of Mexican adults in being prepared should they develop Alzheimer's or other dementia? / ¿Existe interés en adultos mexicanos de preparase en caso de llegar a padecer Alzheimer u otra demencia?

Abstract Introduction Alzheimer's disease, as well as other dementias, cause a progressive deterioration of cognitive functions, preventing patients from making decisions and having control over themselves in an advanced stage of the disease. Objective To explore some expectations, wishes and preferences in a sample of mature adults should they develop Alzheimer or other dementia. Method We surveyed 368 mature Mexican adults without dementia using a large survey created by the authors and used in a previous study; data were collected in some public places where mature people were invited to participate. The survey was completed from July 2019 to August 2020. Results Although most participants had considered they might suffer from dementia in the future, less than half had communicated their wishes to their relatives about future medical treatments in case they could no longer decide for themselves; very few had prepared a written advance directive. Most participants agreed that patients should know their initial diagnosis, mainly to be able to prepare themselves. The main reason given by those who would prefer to hide the diagnosis was to avoid suffering. Discussion and conclusion Our results highlight the need for health professionals to promote discussion with people about the possibility of suffering from dementia, as well as the importance of making decisions in advance, and letting their relatives know about them.

Resumen Introducción La enfermedad de Alzheimer, así como las otras demencias, causan un deterioro progresivo de las funciones cognitivas, evitando que en una etapa avanzada de la enfermedad los pacientes puedan tomar decisiones y tener control sobre sí mismos. Objetivo Explorar algunas expectativas, deseos y preferencias en una muestra de adultos maduros en caso de que llegaran a desarrollar Alzheimer u otra demencia. Método Encuestamos a 368 adultos mexicanos maduros sin demencia usando una encuesta creada por los autores y utilizada en un estudio anterior; los datos se recopilaron en algunos lugares públicos donde se invitó a las personas a participar. La encuesta se aplicó de julio de 2019 a agosto de 2020. Resultados Aunque la mayoría de los participantes había considerado que podría sufrir demencia en el futuro, menos de la mitad había comunicado sus deseos a sus familiares sobre futuros tratamientos médicos en caso de que ya no pudieran decidir por sí mismos; muy pocos habían preparado una voluntad anticipada por escrito. La mayoría de los participantes estuvo de acuerdo en que los pacientes deben conocer su diagnóstico inicial, principalmente para poder prepararse. La principal razón aducida por quienes preferirían ocultar el diagnóstico fue el deseo de evitar sufrimiento. Discusión y conclusión Nuestros resultados destacan la necesidad de que el personal de salud promueva la discusión con las personas sobre la posibilidad de padecer demencia, así como la importancia de tomar decisiones por anticipado e informar de ellas a sus familiares.

Meaning in life, goals, and adherence to antiretroviral treatment in people living with HIV.

Patients living with HIV who do not adhere to antiretroviral treatment (ART) have a high viral load, increasing the risk of developing AIDS, as well as new treatment-resistant strains. There are several psychological factors that must be studied to understand the reasons for non-adherence to ART. We studied whether the goals reported by patients with HIV, as well as their sense of meaning in life, influence ART adherence in a sample of adult patients attending HIV outpatient care in Mexico. Participants completed the Antiretroviral Treatment Adherence Assessment Questionnaire, the Dimensional Scale of Meaning in Life and were asked to write both short-term and long-term goals. The most frequent goals reported were those categorized as "personal development," followed by "being healthy." Participants with the highest adherence had more short-term "personal development" goals. Moreover, they showed the lowest levels of existential vacuum (lack of meaning in life). These variables predicted treatment adherence. We conclude that the design of programs to improve ART adherence should promote the establishment of personal development goals and offer tools that allow having a sense of meaning in life to reduce AIDS-related complications.

Menopause-related symptoms, meaninglessness, and life satisfaction in Mexican women.

We studied the influence of meaninglessness and life satisfaction on menopause-related symptoms in 342 middle-aged Mexican women. They completed the Greene Climacteric Scale, the Dimensional Scale of the Meaning of Life, and the Satisfaction with Life Scale. Psychological symptoms were predicted by meaninglessness and life satisfaction; somatic symptoms only by meaninglessness; and the sexual symptom by meaninglessness and by the menopausal status. These findings may be useful in designing strategies to help women find meaning and satisfaction in their lives and thereby enable them to experience menopause under optimum conditions.

Ethical dilemmas in the face of the possibility of suffering from Alzheimer's disease or other dementias. An exploratory study.

INTRODUCTION: In Mexico, efforts have been made to increase understanding of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other dementias, as well as to improve the care of patients with these diseases and that of their caregivers. However, people's interest in making decisions and facing the ethical dilemmas regarding the possibility of living with mental diseases has not been investigated. OBJECTIVE: To know the opinions of mature adults on some ethical dilemmas related to the possibility of living with AD or other dementias. METHODS: Observational, cross-sectional, correlational study. Participants answered a self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: 134 mature adults answered the questionnaire; 70.9% had thought about the possibility of suffering from some dementia and the vast majority would like to know their diagnosis; approximately, half the participants had informed their families of their wishes about medical treatment in the future; 39.6% did not approve artificially feeding a patient who can no longer eat or decide; 37.3% did approve this. CONCLUSIONS: There is interest in advance decisions in the face of the possibility of suffering from dementia. To answer unanswered questions in this regard, it is important for research on the subject to continue, as well as to solve some ethical dilemmas and promote the use of advance directives.

INTRODUCCIÓN: En México se han realizado esfuerzos para incrementar la comprensión de la enfermedad de Alzheimer y otras demencias, así como para mejorar la atención de los pacientes con estas enfermedades y la de sus cuidadores. Sin embargo, no se ha investigado el interés de las personas por la toma de decisiones ante la posibilidad de vivir con dichas enfermedades y enfrentar los dilemas éticos implicados. OBJETIVO: Conocer las opiniones de adultos maduros sobre algunos dilemas éticos ante la posibilidad de vivir con enfermedad de Alzheimer u otras demencias. MÉTODOS: Estudio observacional, transversal y correlacional. Los participantes contestaron un cuestionario autoaplicable. RESULTADOS: 134 adultos maduros respondieron el cuestionario; 70.9 % había pensado en la posibilidad de padecer alguna demencia y la mayoría desearía conocer su diagnóstico, aproximadamente la mitad comunicó a sus familiares su voluntad sobre tratamientos médicos en el futuro, 39.6 % no aprobaba alimentar artificialmente a un paciente que no puede comer ni decidir y 37.3 % sí lo aprobaba. CONCLUSIONES: Hay interés en las decisiones anticipadas ante la posibilidad de padecer demencia. Para responder a las interrogantes al respecto es importante continuar investigando sobre el tema, así como para resolver algunos dilemas éticos y promover el uso de la voluntad anticipada.

General Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Organ Donation in a Sample of Mexican Medical and Nursing Students / Conocimientos generales y actitudes hacia la donación de órganos en una muestra de estudiantes mexicanos de medicina y de enfermería / Conhecimentos gerais e atitudes para a doação de órgãos em uma amostra de estudantes mexicanos de medicina e de enfermagem

Abstract Introduction: For many patients, organ transplantation is the only alternative available to them in order to achieve extended survival with a good quality of life. However, there is a significant shortage of organs available for transplantation and Mexico has one of the lowest organ donation rates. In many cases, physicians and nurses retain contact with potential donors' relatives who are key persons in facilitating the posthumous organ donation process. The objective of this study was to explore what knowledge and attitudes Mexican medical and nursing students have toward organ donation. Materials and methods: Three hundred eighty-four students completed two questionnaires, one about organ donation knowledge and the other about attitudes toward organ donation. Results: Participants, especially nursing students, showed an inadequate level of knowledge about organ donation. Many of them falsely believe that it is possible to recover from brain death. Most students also falsely believe that there is an age limitation for organ donation, and that prevailing religions in Mexico are opposed to organ donation. There was a negative correlation between knowledge of and unfavorable attitudes toward organ donation. Conclusions: It may be necessary to review current school curriculum to ensure that future health professionals are appropriately educated about organ donation and can promote donation to help reduce the shortage of organs.

Resumen Introducción: muchas personas tienen en el trasplante de órganos su única alternativa para lograr sobrevivir con una buena calidad de vida. Sin embargo, existe una gran escasez de órganos para trasplantes, y México posee una de las tasas más bajas de donación. El personal de medicina y de enfermería está en contacto con los familiares de los posibles donadores y son personas clave para facilitar el proceso de donación de órganos post mortem. El objetivo de este estudio fue explorar el conocimiento y las actitudes hacia la donación de órganos en estudiantes mexicanos de medicina y enfermería. Materiales y métodos: trescientos ochenta y cuatro estudiantes contestaron dos cuestionarios: uno sobre conocimientos y otro sobre actitudes hacia la donación de órganos. Resultados: los participantes mostraron un nivel de conocimiento inadecuado, especialmente los estudiantes de enfermería. Muchos de ellos creían que es posible recuperarse de la muerte cerebral. La mayoría de los estudiantes creen erroneamente que hay un límite de edad para donar y que las religiones que prevalecen en México se oponen a la donación de órganos. Hubo una correlación negativa entre conocimientos y actitudes desfavorables hacia la donación de órganos. Conclusiones: es necesario revisar los programas de estudio, a fin de asegurar que los futuros profesionales de la salud estén adecuadamente preparados para promover la donación y reducir la escasez de órganos.

Resumo Introdução: para muitos pacientes, o transplante de órgãos é a única alternativa para conseguir sobreviver com uma boa qualidade de vida. No entanto, existe uma grave escassez de órgãos para transplantes, e o México tem uma das taxas mais baixas de doação de órgãos. O pessoal de medicina e enfermagem têm contacto com os familiares dos possíveis doadores e são pessoas chave para facilitar o processo de doação de órgãos post-mortem. O objetivo deste estudo foi explorar o conhecimento e as atitudes para a doação de órgãos em estudantes mexicanos de medicina e enfermagem. Materiais e métodos: trezentos oitenta e quatro estudantes responderam Dois questionários, um sobre conhecimentos e outro sobre atitudes sobre a doação de órgãos. Resultados: os participantes mostraram um nível de conhecimento inadequado, especialmente os estudantes de enfermagem. Muitos deles acreditavam que é possível se recuperar da morte cerebral. A maioria dos estudantes acreditavam erroneamente que há um limite de idade para doar, e que as religiões que prevalecem no México se opõe á doação de órgãos. Houve uma correlação negativa entre conhecimentos e atitudes desfavoráveis para a doação de órgãos. Conclusoes: é necessário revisar os programas de estudo para garantir que os futuros profissionais da saúde estejam adequadamente preparados para promover a doação e reduzir a escassez de órgaos.

Facing Death in Medical Training: A View From Students in Mexico.

This study explores how medical students feel about caring for terminally ill patients as well as how their medical courses prepare them for addressing end-of-life (EOL) issues with patients. Four hundred and five Mexican medical students were surveyed through the Student Views on Death questionnaire. The vast majority of students (94%) felt that physicians should inform patients of their impending death. Most students said they felt comfortable talking with (61%) or examining (76%) terminally ill patients. However, only half the students actually talked with patients about death. Participants in our study were interested in learning about EOL medical attention, yet most considered themselves poorly prepared to offer this type of care to terminally ill patients. The study provides objective data on a topic that has scarcely been explored in Mexico, data that will be useful in designing educational activities to improve EOL medical training.

[Young Mexicans' attitudes towards voluntary interruption of pregnancy and opinions on unsafe abortion as a public health problem]. / Actitudes hacia la interrupción voluntaria del embarazo en jóvenes mexicanos, y su opinión acerca del aborto inseguro como problema de salud pública.

This study aimed to explore young Mexicans' attitudes towards induced abortion and its relationship to their opinions on unsafe abortion as a public health problem. The results were compared by participants' gender, age, religion, and course major. The sample consisted of 411 university students who answered a questionnaire on their attitudes towards abortion and another questionnaire on unsafe abortion. Participants showed more favorable than unfavorable attitudes towards induced abortion. They generally acknowledged that unsafe abortion poses a health risk, but they were not sure whether legislation would help solve the problem. Male students and those professing a religion (Catholic or another Christian denomination) tended to be more unfavorable to induced abortion and were less likely to feel that legalizing abortion would decrease the health problems caused by unsafe abortion. There were no significant differences according to age or course major. A troublesome finding was the young people's limited interest in the issue of legalizing abortion.

El objetivo de este estudio fue explorar las actitudes hacia el aborto inducido en jóvenes mexicanos, y su relación con el hecho de considerar o no al aborto inseguro un problema de salud pública. Los resultados se compararon de acuerdo al sexo, edad, religión y disciplina de los participantes. La muestra estuvo integrada por 411 estudiantes universitarios, quienes contestaron el cuestionario sobre actitudes hacia el aborto y un cuestionario sobre aborto inseguro. Los participantes mostraron actitudes más favorables que condenatorias hacia el aborto inducido. En general, reconocieron que el aborto inseguro constituye un riesgo para la salud, pero no están seguros que su legislación ayude a resolver esta situación. Los hombres y los participantes religiosos (católicos u otra religión derivada del cristianismo) tuvieron actitudes más condenatorias hacia el aborto inducido que sus pares, y fueron los que menos consideran que legalizar el aborto pueda disminuir los problemas de salud que ocasiona el aborto inseguro. No hubo diferencias relacionadas con la edad de los participantes, ni con su disciplina. Un hallazgo preocupante fue el poco interés de los jóvenes en el tema de la legalización del aborto.

O objetivo deste estudo foi explorar as atitudes em face do aborto induzido em jovens mexicanos, e relação deles com o fato de considerar ou não o aborto inseguro um problema de saúde pública. Os resultados foram comparados de acordo ao sexo, idade, religião e disciplina dos participantes. A mostra foi integrada por 411 estudantes universitários, que contestaram o questionário sobre atitudes perante o aborto e um questionário sobre aborto inseguro. Os participantes mostraram atitudes mais favoráveis do que condenatórias perante o aborto induzido. Em geral, reconheceram que o aborto inseguro representa um risco para a saúde, porém não estão seguros que a atual legislação ajude a resolver esta situação. Os homens e os participantes religiosos (católicos ou de outras religiões decorrentes do cristianismo) tiveram atitudes mais condenatórias perante o aborto induzido do que seus pares, e foram os que menos consideram que legalizar o aborto possa diminuir os problemas de saúde que acarreta o aborto inseguro. Não teve diferenças relacionadas com a idade dos participantes, nem com a disciplina deles. Um achado preocupante foi o escasso interesse dos jovens sobre o assunto da legalização do aborto.

Actitudes hacia la interrupción voluntaria del embarazo en jóvenes mexicanos, y su opinión acerca del aborto inseguro como problema de salud pública / Young Mexicans' attitudes towards voluntary interruption of pregnancy and opinions on unsafe abortion as a public health problem / Atitudes perante a interrupção voluntária da gravidez em jovens mexicanos, e a opinião deles sobre o aborto inseguro como um problema de saúde pública

Resumen: El objetivo de este estudio fue explorar las actitudes hacia el aborto inducido en jóvenes mexicanos, y su relación con el hecho de considerar o no al aborto inseguro un problema de salud pública. Los resultados se compararon de acuerdo al sexo, edad, religión y disciplina de los participantes. La muestra estuvo integrada por 411 estudiantes universitarios, quienes contestaron el cuestionario sobre actitudes hacia el aborto y un cuestionario sobre aborto inseguro. Los participantes mostraron actitudes más favorables que condenatorias hacia el aborto inducido. En general, reconocieron que el aborto inseguro constituye un riesgo para la salud, pero no están seguros que su legislación ayude a resolver esta situación. Los hombres y los participantes religiosos (católicos u otra religión derivada del cristianismo) tuvieron actitudes más condenatorias hacia el aborto inducido que sus pares, y fueron los que menos consideran que legalizar el aborto pueda disminuir los problemas de salud que ocasiona el aborto inseguro. No hubo diferencias relacionadas con la edad de los participantes, ni con su disciplina. Un hallazgo preocupante fue el poco interés de los jóvenes en el tema de la legalización del aborto.

Abstract: This study aimed to explore young Mexicans' attitudes towards induced abortion and its relationship to their opinions on unsafe abortion as a public health problem. The results were compared by participants' gender, age, religion, and course major. The sample consisted of 411 university students who answered a questionnaire on their attitudes towards abortion and another questionnaire on unsafe abortion. Participants showed more favorable than unfavorable attitudes towards induced abortion. They generally acknowledged that unsafe abortion poses a health risk, but they were not sure whether legislation would help solve the problem. Male students and those professing a religion (Catholic or another Christian denomination) tended to be more unfavorable to induced abortion and were less likely to feel that legalizing abortion would decrease the health problems caused by unsafe abortion. There were no significant differences according to age or course major. A troublesome finding was the young people's limited interest in the issue of legalizing abortion.

Resumo: O objetivo deste estudo foi explorar as atitudes em face do aborto induzido em jovens mexicanos, e relação deles com o fato de considerar ou não o aborto inseguro um problema de saúde pública. Os resultados foram comparados de acordo ao sexo, idade, religião e disciplina dos participantes. A mostra foi integrada por 411 estudantes universitários, que contestaram o questionário sobre atitudes perante o aborto e um questionário sobre aborto inseguro. Os participantes mostraram atitudes mais favoráveis do que condenatórias perante o aborto induzido. Em geral, reconheceram que o aborto inseguro representa um risco para a saúde, porém não estão seguros que a atual legislação ajude a resolver esta situação. Os homens e os participantes religiosos (católicos ou de outras religiões decorrentes do cristianismo) tiveram atitudes mais condenatórias perante o aborto induzido do que seus pares, e foram os que menos consideram que legalizar o aborto possa diminuir os problemas de saúde que acarreta o aborto inseguro. Não teve diferenças relacionadas com a idade dos participantes, nem com a disciplina deles. Um achado preocupante foi o escasso interesse dos jovens sobre o assunto da legalização do aborto.

Attitudes toward menopause, sexual function and depressive symptoms in Mexican women.

The objective of this study was to explore the beliefs and attitudes toward menopause, depressive symptoms and sexual function in both premenopausal and postmenopausal Mexican women. The Beliefs about and Attitudes toward Menopause Questionnaire, the Female Sexual Function Index and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale were answered by 253 women between the ages of 46 and 59 years. Negative attitudes toward menopause were associated with a more depressive symptomatology, but there was no association between positive attitudes and depressive symptomatology. Among sexually active women (92% premenopausal and 70% postmenopausal), positive attitudes were associated with better sexual function, while negative attitudes were associated with worse sexual function. Our findings suggest that besides biological factors, psychosocial factors may also play an important role in middle-aged women's sexual functioning and in their psychological adjustment.

Actitudes hacia la donación de órganos postmortem en adultos de Xalapa y Cuernavaca / Attitudes towards posthumous organ donation in adults from Xalapa and Cuernavaca

Resumen El trasplante de órganos representa la única alternativa para sobrevivir o mejorar la calidad de vida de muchos pacientes; sin embargo, existe una grave escasez de órganos para trasplante. En el presente estudio se exploraron las actitudes hacia la donación de órganos postmortem en México, comparando los resultados por sexo, edad y escolaridad. Se aplicó el cuestionario de Actitudes hacia la Donación de Órganos Postmortem (ADOP) a 897 adultos, el cual consta de tres factores: Actitudes Favorables, Actitudes Desfavorables y Desconfianza. Las pruebas estadísticas usadas fueron chi cuadrada, t de student, ANOVA de una vía, y regresión logística. Las mujeres, los más jóvenes y los de mayor escolaridad se mostraron más dispuestos a donar sus órganos al morir, y tuvieron los puntajes más bajos en los factores de Actitudes Desfavorables y Desconfianza. Al comparar los resultados de los factores del ADOP, se observó que los participantes reconocen la importancia de la donación de órganos. Los resultados pueden servir para sensibilizar a la población, particularmente a los individuos de mayor edad y baja escolaridad, con el fin de mejorar la tasa de donación de órganos.

Abstract Organ transplantation represents the only alternative to survive or improve the quality of life of many patients; however, there is a serious shortage of organs to be transplanted. The present study explored the attitudes towards postmortem organ donation in Mexico, comparing the results by gender, age and schooling. The Attitudes towards Postmortem Organ Donation Questionnaire (ADOP in Spanish) was applied to 897 adults, which is composed of three factors: Favorable Attitudes, Unfavorable Attitudes, and Distrust. Women, the youngest participants and those with higher education were more willing to donate their organs when they die, and had the lowest scores on the Unfavorable Attitudes and Distrust factors. The statistical tests used were chi square, student t test, one-way ANOVA, and logistic regression. When comparing the results among the three factors of the ADOP, it was shown that participants recognize the importance of organ donation. The results may be useful to sensitize the population, particularly to older individuals and those with low schooling, in order to improve organ donation rates.

Facing death in the clinical practice: a view from nurses in Mexico / Enfrentando la muerte en la práctica clínica: una visión desde la enfermería en México

Abstract: Objective: To explore the views of nurses on death in their practice, and their perception about physicians' actions dealing with terminally ill patients. Materials and methods: Two hundred ninety-five nurses with experience caring for terminally ill patients responded to a questionnaire developed for this study. Results: The majority of participants considered that terminally ill patients should know about their prognosis. Although nearly all nurses said that when a patient brings up the subject and they talk with the patient about death, several of the nurses find it difficult to establish a relationship with these patients. Concerning nurses' perception about physicians' actions, they considered that physicians avoid the subject of death with their patients more than the physicians acknowledge. Conclusions: More education and training of physicians and nurses on end-of-life issues is needed to improve communication with dying patients and to provide them with better care.

Resumen: Objetivo: Explorar las opiniones de enfermeras y enfermeros sobre el tema de la muerte en su práctica clínica, así como su percepción sobre las acciones de los médicos que tratan pacientes en fase terminal. Material y métodos: Doscientas noventa y cinco enfermeras y enfermeros con experiencia en enfermos terminales respondieron un cuestionario que fue desarrollado para este estudio. Resultados: La mayoría de los participantes consideraron que los enfermos terminales deben conocer su pronóstico. Aunque casi todos dijeron que cuando los pacientes abordan el tema de la muerte hablan con ellos al respecto, varios encuentran difícil establecer una relación con ellos. En cuanto a su percepción sobre los médicos, el personal de enfermería considera que éstos evitan el tema de la muerte con sus pacientes más de lo que reconocen. Conclusiones: Es necesario brindar capacitación a médicos y personal de enfermería sobre temas relacionados con el fin de la vida para mejorar su comunicación con los pacientes terminales y brindarles una mejor atención.

The meaning of menarche: A cross-cultural semantic network analysis.

The psychological meaning of menarche was explored in 102 college students from Mexico and the United States. The Natural Semantic Networks Technique was used and participants were asked to respond to the prompt "My first period was …" The strongest components of the Mexican women's semantic network were scary, confusing, and unexpected; the strongest components of the American women's semantic network were unexpected, annoying, and painful. Only the Americans listed positive words (i.e., nice). The Mexicans' network contained the most negative words (i.e., dirty). The results suggest a need for better education and greater social support, especially in Mexico.

Facing death in the clinical practice: a view from nurses in Mexico.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the views of nurses on death in their practice, and their perception about physicians' actions dealing with terminally ill patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred ninety-five nurses with experience caring for terminally ill patients responded to a questionnaire developed for this study. RESULTS: The majority of participants considered that terminally ill patients should know about their prognosis. Although nearly all nurses said that when a patient brings up the subject and they talk with the patient about death, several of the nurses find it difficult to establish a relationship with these patients. Concerning nurses' perception about physicians' actions, they considered that physicians avoid the subject of death with their patients more than the physicians acknowledge. CONCLUSIONS: More education and training of physicians and nurses on end-of-life issues is needed to improve communication with dying patients and to provide them with better care.

Fatalistic Beliefs and Cervical Cancer Screening Among Mexican Women.

Fatalistic beliefs about cervical cancer were studied in 464 Mexican women, and how such beliefs relate to participation in cervical cancer screening was evaluated. Rural women were less likely than urban women to have had a Pap test and more likely to believe that the illness is due to bad luck or fate. These were also the beliefs most associated with nonscreening among rural women, whereas for urban women the belief most associated with nonscreening was "there is not much I can do to prevent cervical cancer."

Ambivalent sexism, attitudes towards menstruation and menstrual cycle-related symptoms.

The objective of the present study was to investigate the relationship between ambivalent sexism and beliefs and attitudes towards menstruation, and, in turn, to study the influence of these variables on menstrual cycle-related symptoms. One hundred and six Mexican women completed the Ambivalent Sexism Inventory, the Beliefs about and Attitudes toward Menstruation Questionnaire and the Menstrual Distress Questionnaire. The higher scores on benevolent sexism were associated with the most positive attitudes towards menstruation and also with the belief that a menstruating woman should or should not do some activities and that menstruation keeps women from their daily activities. The higher scores on hostile sexism were associated with rejection of menstruation as well as with feelings of embarrassment about it. Beliefs about and attitudes towards menstruation predicted menstrual cycle-related symptoms related to negative affect, impaired concentration and behavioural changes, but did not predict somatic symptoms. These results will be useful to health professionals and advocates who want to change the negative expectations and stereotypes of premenstrual and menstrual women and reduce the sexism and negative attitudes towards women that are evident in Mexican culture.

Early menarche, depressive symptoms, and coping strategies.

During the time around menarche, young women must make many emotional and social adjustments to adapt to a new life stage. We compared depressive symptomatology and coping strategies between early and average maturer Mexican adolescents girls. The relationships between elapsed time since menarche and both depressive symptomatology and coping strategies were also studied. Three hundred eighty post-menarcheal students from 11 to 15 years completed the Children's Depression Scale and the Children's Situational Coping Scale. Early maturers showed more depressive symptoms than their peers, but they reported having used fewer non-productive coping strategies. Early maturers who experienced menarche one to three years previously reported more non-productive coping strategies than those who had experienced menarche four to six years ago. However, no differences were found in the results of the average maturers depending on the time elapsed since menarche. These findings are discussed in light of the psychosocial context of early maturers.

Age at menarche, reactions to menarche and attitudes towards menstruation among Mexican adolescent girls.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationships between menarcheal timing and both menarcheal experience and attitudes toward menstruation in Mexican girls. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SETTINGS: Sample of adolescents attending 10 different public schools. PARTICIPANTS: Mexican postmenarcheal adolescents, aged 11-16 years. INTERVENTION: Participants answered 1 questionnaire about menarcheal experience and another about attitudes towards menstruation. RESULTS: Early maturers (menarche before 11 years) were more likely than average (menarche at 11 or 12 years) or late maturers (menarche at 13 or more years) to state they had not known what they should do at the moment they got their first period (P < .01), that they had not felt prepared to start menstruating (P < .05), and that they thought they must keep secret the fact of already having had their first period (P < .05). Concerning their emotional reactions to menarche, early maturers were the most likely to have felt scared (P < .05), worried (P < .05) and sad (P < .05) and were the least likely to have felt calm (P < .05). They were also the most likely to show current secretive attitudes towards menstruation (P < .01). Finally, late maturers showed more positive attitudes toward menstruation than their peers (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: These results could be useful for developing resources to help early maturing girls manage menstruation. Since these girls have limited or in some cases no time for preparation, they need special support.

On abortion: exploring psychological meaning and attitudes in a sample of Mexican gynecologists.

Elective abortion has become an issue of ethical and political debate in many countries including Mexico. As gynecologists are directly involved in the practice of abortion, it is important to know the psychological meaning that the term 'elective abortion' has for them. This study explores the psychological meaning and attitudes toward elective abortion of one hundred and twenty-three Mexican gynecologists. We used the semantic networks technique, which analyzed the words the participants associated with the term 'elective abortion'. The defining words most frequently used by participants implied a negative sanction. There were important differences by gender and religiosity: male gynecologists, as well as those with strong religious beliefs (mainly Catholics), revealed a more negative psychological meaning and more negative attitudes than females or physicians with weak religious beliefs. A contribution of the present study is that it highlights the importance of psychology to enhancing understanding of the issue of elective abortion.

Facing death in clinical practice: a view from physicians in Mexico.

OBJECTIVE: Physicians' decisions and actions, once they know that their patients' death is inevitable, will influence how patients are going to live their last moments. The purpose of the present study was to explore the views of physicians about death in their clinical practices. METHODS: Physicians who work at four high-specialty public hospitals and two private hospitals in Mexico City provided responses to the Physicians' Views about Death Questionnaire, which was developed for this study. RESULTS: Four hundred thirteen physicians were surveyed. The majority treat terminally ill patients (73.3%), but only 28% received training regarding death. Nearly half of the physicians reported a personal formative experience related to death which, together with the experience of being exposed to terminally ill patients, appear to be the manner in which the majority of physicians learn to deal with death. The great majority of participants (90.6%) would personally like to know the truth if they were going to die. Younger physicians, those with <6 years of medical practice, those with no death-related personal formative experience, no death-related academic training, and no experience treating terminally ill patients were most likely to avoid telling patients about their imminent death. CONCLUSIONS: Death is an important topic for physicians in Mexico. There is a relation between lack of information, experience, and formal training, and the withholding of information from dying patients. This suggests a possible value for interventions to enhance and develop coping skills for professionals who deal with end-of-life situations.