Environmental, socioeconomic, and health factors associated with gut microbiome species and strains in isolated Honduras villages.

Despite a growing interest in the gut microbiome of non-industrialized countries, data linking deeply sequenced microbiomes from such settings to diverse host phenotypes and situational factors remain uncommon. Using metagenomic data from a community-based cohort of 1,871 people from 19 isolated villages in the Mesoamerican highlands of western Honduras, we report associations between bacterial species and human phenotypes and factors. Among them, socioeconomic factors account for 51.44% of the total associations. Meta-analysis of species-level profiles across several datasets identified several species associated with body mass index, consistent with previous findings. Furthermore, the inclusion of strain-phylogenetic information modifies the overall relationship between the gut microbiome and the phenotypes, especially for some factors like household wealth (e.g., wealthier individuals harbor different strains of Eubacterium rectale). Our analysis suggests a role that gut microbiome surveillance can play in understanding broad features of individual and public health.

Differential Experiences of Intimate Partner Violence during COVID-19: A Cross-Regional Study in Mexico.

The COVID-19 pandemic brought on a marked increase in intimate partner violence (IPV) worldwide, Mexico being no exception. Factors that exacerbated gender-based violence (GBV) in the household during the pandemic include gendered loss of income, regression in access to social and legal justice resources, reversal to more traditional gender norms and roles, and increased alcoholism. While there are studies about the prevalence and determinants of IPV in rural and urban Mexico, there appears to be a lack of information regarding how these realities differed as they interacted with the compounding pressures of the COVID-19 pandemic. Stemming from 10 ethnographic interviews with women across rural and urban localities of Oaxaca, Mexico City, and Mexico State, who were recruited from NGOs providing psychological and legal services against GBV, we analyze some factors associated with the prevalence of IPV during confinement. We conclude that all women in our study experienced IPV both before and during the pandemic, with variations in IPV patterns influenced by their rural or urban residence, socio-economic status, ethnic-racial identity, and proximity to the abuser's network. We also found that not all impacts were negative, rather COVID-19 measures had a paradoxical effect for some women where restrictions on geographical mobility and decrease in access to alcohol became pivotal protective factors. We recommend that public policymakers and civil society organizations alike pay attention to these differential challenges and benefits in their crisis responses.

Spatial analysis of ischemic stroke in Spain: the roles of accessibility to healthcare and economic development / Análisis espacial del ictus isquémico en España: papel de la accesibilidad a la salud y del desarrollo económico / Análise espacial de acidente vascular cerebral isquêmico na Espanha: os papéis da acessibilidade à saúde e do desenvolvimento econômico

Abstract: Ischemic stroke is a major cause of mortality worldwide; however, few studies have been conducted to measure the impact of the distribution of healthcare services on ischemic stroke fatality. This study aimed to explore the relationship between three ischemic stroke outcomes (incidence, mortality, and fatality) and accessibility to hospitals in Spain, considering its economic development. A cross-sectional ecological study was performed using data on hospital admissions and mortality due to ischemic stroke during 2016-2018. Gross geographic product (GGP) per capita was estimated and a healthcare accessibility index was created. A Besag-York-Mollié autoregressive spatial model was used to estimate the magnitude of association between ischemic stroke outcomes and economic development and healthcare accessibility. GGP per capita showed a geographical gradient from southwest to northeast in Spain. Mortality and case-fatality rates due to ischemic stroke were higher in the south of the country in both women and men aged 60+ years. In women and men aged 20-59 years a EUR 1,000 increase in GGP per capita was associated with decreases in mortality of 5% and 4%, respectively. Fatality decreased 3-4% with each EUR 1,000 increase of GGP per capita in both sexes and in the 20-59 and 60+ age groups. Decreased healthcare accessibility was associated with higher fatality in the population aged 60+. Economic development in southwest Spain would not only improve employment opportunities but also reduce ischemic stroke mortality. New health related strategies to improve hospital accessibility should be considered in more sparsely populated regions or those with worse transport and/or healthcare infrastructure.

Resumen: El ictus isquémico es una de las principales causas de mortalidad en todo el mundo; sin embargo, pocos estudios han medido el impacto de la distribución de los servicios de salud sobre la letalidad del ictus isquémico. Este estudio exploró la relación entre tres desenlaces del ictus isquémico (incidencia, mortalidad y letalidad) y la accesibilidad a los hospitales en España, teniendo en cuenta el desarrollo económico. Se realizó un estudio ecológico transversal utilizando datos que captan todas las hospitalizaciones y la mortalidad por ictus isquémico durante el período 2016-2018. Se calculó el producto geográfico bruto (PGB) per cápita y se creó un índice de accesibilidad a la salud. Se utilizó un modelo espacial autorregresivo de Besag-York- Mollié para estimar la magnitud de la asociación entre los desenlaces del ictus isquémico y el desarrollo económico y la accesibilidad a la salud. El PGB per cápita mostró un gradiente geográfico de suroeste a noreste en España. Las tasas de mortalidad y letalidad por ictus isquémico fueron mayores en el sur del país, tanto en mujeres como en hombres mayores de 60 años. En mujeres y hombres de 20 a 59 años, un aumento de EUR 1.000 en el PGB per cápita se asoció con una disminución en la mortalidad del 5% y del 4%, respectivamente. La letalidad disminuyó 3-4% por cada EUR 1.000 de aumento del PGB per cápita en ambos sexos y en los rangos de edad de 20-59 y mayores de 60 años. La disminución del acceso a la salud se asoció con una mayor mortalidad en la población mayor de 60 años. El desarrollo económico en el suroeste de España no solo mejoraría las oportunidades de empleo, sino que también reduciría la mortalidad por ictus isquémico. Se deben considerar nuevas estrategias relacionadas con la salud para mejorar la accesibilidad hospitalaria en regiones menos pobladas o con peor infraestructura de transporte o salud.

Resumo: O acidente vascular cerebral isquêmico (AVC) é uma das principais causas de mortalidade no mundo; no entanto, poucos estudos têm mensurado o impacto da distribuição dos serviços de saúde sobre a letalidade do AVC. Este estudo explorou a relação entre três desfechos do AVC (incidência, mortalidade e letalidade) e a acessibilidade à hospitais na Espanha, considerando o desenvolvimento econômico. Um estudo ecológico transversal foi realizado usando dados que capturam todas as internações e mortalidade por AVC durante 2016-2018. Calculou-se o produto geográfico bruto (PGB) per capita e criou-se um índice de acessibilidade à saúde. Um modelo espacial autorregressivo de Besag-York- Mollié foi utilizado para estimar a magnitude da associação entre os desfechos do AVC e o desenvolvimento econômico e a acessibilidade à saúde. O PGB per capita mostrou um gradiente geográfico de sudoeste para nordeste na Espanha. As taxas de mortalidade e letalidade por AVC foram maiores no sul do país, tanto em mulheres quanto em homens com mais de 60 anos. Em mulheres e homens com idades entre 20 e 59 anos, um aumento de EUR 1.000 no PGB per capita foi associado a diminuições na mortalidade de 5% e 4%, respetivamente. A letalidade diminuiu 3-4% a cada aumento de EUR 1.000 no PGB per capita em ambos os gêneros e nas faixas etárias de 20-59 e 60+. A diminuição do acesso à saúde foi associada à maior letalidade na população 60+. O desenvolvimento econômico no sudoeste da Espanha não só melhoraria as oportunidades de emprego, mas também reduziria a mortalidade devido ao AVC. Novas estratégias relacionadas à saúde devem ser consideradas para melhorar a acessibilidade hospitalar em regiões menos povoadas ou com pior infraestrutura de transporte e/ou saúde.

The Economic Value of Caregiving in Chile.

Population aging will increase the demand for long-term care services. Many countries, including Chile, have not implemented comprehensive responses to address these demands, relying on informal care. This article aims to estimate the economic value of caregiving in Chile, contributing to filling a gap in the literature and the policy debate. Economic value is estimated using replacement and opportunity cost approaches using two nationally representative databases: one survey on time use (to estimate hours of caregiving) and one on socioeconomic characterization (to identify caregivers and wages). Regressions for the determinants of caregiving effort and wages in the formal labor market are used to calculate the market value of caregiving time. Results show that the yearly value of caregiving ranges between US$266 million (when assuming a wage equal to the minimum wage for all caregivers) and US$4,946 million (when replacing all caregivers with nurses), i.e. between 0.11% and 1.95% of the country's gross domestic product. The analysis provides several estimations of the economic value of caregivers in Chile and, even considering these calculations can be underestimated, the results show the need to highlight and value the contribution of caregivers and implement policies to address the increase in long-term care needs in the country.

Infant feeding practices in three Latin American countries in three decades: what demographic, health, and economic factors are relevant?

Introduction: Studies in Latin America have focused either on analyzing factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) or infant formula (IF). Purpose: Analyze the association between economic, sociodemographic, and health factors with EBF, mixed milk feeding (MixMF), and exclusive use of IF in three Latin American and Caribbean countries in the 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s. Methods: Cross-sectional time-series study using data from Demographic and Health Surveys between the 1990s and 2010s in Colombia (1995-2010), Haiti (1994-2017), and Peru (1996-2012) accounting for a sample of 12,775 infants under 6 months. Hierarchical logistic multilevel regression models were used to estimate the adjusted association between infant feeding outcomes (EBF, MixMF, exclusive use of IF) and contextual level DHS survey decade (1990s, 2000s and 2010s) and economic factors (Gross Domestic Product by purchasing power parity, female wage and salaried workers, labor force participation rate female) as well as individual level sociodemographic (maternal age, maternal education, number of children in the household, wealth index, mother living with a partner, area of residence, mother working outside of home), and health factors (breastfed in the first hour, C-section). Results: Factors associated with EBF cessation were c-section (OR: 0.76; 95%CI: 0.64, 0.92), mothers working outside of the home (OR: 0.79; 95%CI: 0.69, 0.90), families in the highest income quintile (OR: 0.64; 95%CI: 0.49, 0.84), and female wage and salaried workers (OR: 0.92; 95%CI: 0.91, 0.94). MixMF was associated with women with higher education (OR: 1.54; 95%CI: 1.21, 1.97), mother working outside of the home (OR: 1.26; 95%CI: 1.10, 1.43), c-section (OR: 1.37; 95%CI: 1.15, 1.62), families in the highest income quintiles (OR: 2.77; 2.10, 3.65). and female wage and salaried workers (OR: 1.08;95% CI: 1.05, 1.09). Exclusive use of IF was associated with a mother working outside of the home (OR: 2.09; 95%CI: 1.41, 3.08), c-section (OR: 1.65; 95%CI: 1.09, 2.51), families in the highest income quintiles (OR: 12.08; 95% CI: 4.26, 34.28), the 2010s (OR: 3.81; 95%CI: 1.86, 7.79), and female wage and salaried workers (OR: 1.12; 95%CI: 1.07, 1.16). Discussion/Conclusion: Factors related to women empowerment and gender equality jeopardized EBF and favored the exclusive use of IF in Latin America. Therefore, workplace interventions to promote, protect, and support breastfeeding practices are key to reducing exclusive use of IF.

Validity of self-reported oral conditions among Brazilian older women: Do socio-economic factors matter?

OBJECTIVE: To validate the level of agreement between self-report and clinical examination for oral conditions and evaluate the effect of sociodemographic conditions on the validity of self-report among women aged 60 and older. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a social community center for seniors in Southern Brazil. Sociodemographic data (age, level of education, and income) were measured. Participants were interviewed and clinically examined for the number of teeth (DMF-T index) and the use of dental prostheses. The self-reported number of teeth in each arch and the use of dental prostheses were gathered through interviews. The level of agreement was estimated using the observed agreement, Kappa statistics, sensitivity/specificity (edentulism/prostheses) and Lin's concordance correlation coefficient, and related tests (number of teeth). The validity of the oral conditions was estimated according to sociodemographic information. RESULTS: Ninety-nine women participated in the study. High levels of agreement were observed for edentulism (97.8%; 95%CI 92.8;99.7; Kappa 0.947) and the use of dental prostheses (97.0%; 95%CI 91.3;99.4; Kappa 0.922). In both conditions, despite achieving similar concordance correlation coefficients (ranging from weak to moderate), the mean number of upper teeth was lower in clinical examination (7.1 ± 5.2) compared with self-reported (8.6 ± 3.6), while the opposite was observed for lower teeth (clinical examination: 9.1 ± 3.4; self-reported: 6.6 ± 5.3). Larger differences were found among women of low income and educational levels. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the participants' socio-economic position might influence their self-reported number of teeth.

Sociodemographic determinants of eating patterns in two Latin American populations.

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to describe the dietary patterns of a population from Brazil and another from Colombia with respect to understanding their determinants, similarities and differences. METHODS: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted based on secondary data. The dietary patterns of the adult population of Pernambuco, Brazil, as well as those of the adult population of Antioquia, Colombia, were analysed using principal component analysis method with orthogonal varimax rotation, and a Poisson regression with robust variance was used to verify the association between eating patterns and socio-economic variables. RESULTS: In each population, three eating patterns were identified. One of them related to healthy eating, named "Prudent", was identified in the two populations analysed. In Pernambuco, a food pattern consisting exclusively of foods with some degree of processing was verified, entitled "Processed". The food culture was reflected in the pattern called "Traditional-Regional" in Pernambuco and the "Traditional" and "Regional" patterns in Antioquia. CONCLUSIONS: Income, education, age, family size, food security status and area of residence were presented as determinants of dietary patterns in both populations. Elements of the food transition were found, which seems to have happened more rapidly in Pernambuco. The food groups that make up the dietary patterns of each population are similar, but the foods that constitute them present differences due to their availability depending on aspects such as climate, soil quality, access to water, local culture and food tradition.

Contemporary and dynamic effects of socio-economic factors on physical (in)activity: Does intensity matter?

Objective: This paper identifies varying contemporary and dynamic effects of socio-economic factors on individuals' decisions to allocate their time to physical activities when the intensity of these activities comes into play. Methods: Based on repeated cross-sectional data sourced from the Argentinean National Risk Factor Surveys of 2005, 2009, and 2013, we developed 18 fictitious cohorts to set up a pseudo panel. To address endogeneity problems, four econometric specifications were estimated: OLS, Heckman two-stage model, fixed- and random-effects models. Results: We find that changes in the opportunity cost of time are highly significant and provide shifts in individuals' decisions regarding the allocation of their time to physical activity consumption. When considering the intensity at which physical activities are consumed, increased income impacts less, suggesting that individuals faced with a wage increase reduce the time of consumption but increase its intensity. An interesting finding is that employed people consume more physical activity than inactive individuals. This indicates that the substitution effect produced by an increase in the wage rate is less than the income effect. Additionally, the increase in the coefficient of employed persons is greater when the intensity factor is considered, indicating that for employed individuals a trade-off between time and intensity is generated. We also found that higher levels of education increase the probability of participating in physical activities, but decrease the time spent in such activities. Furthermore, there are heterogeneous impacts on physical activity consumption between males and females, which can be observed in the strong effect of household production for women with at least one child. Finally, such impacts remain in a variety of estimated specifications. Conclusions: These results may be useful in order to suggest some tools for the design of interventions that are aimed at increasing participation in physical activities.

Niveles de actividad física en población adulta del municipio Pereira, Colombia / Levels of physical activity in the adult population of the municipality of Pereira, Colombia

Introducción: En la calidad de vida tiene una fuerte influencia los estilos de vida. A su vez, la inactividad física es uno de los estilos de vida más perjudiciales que genera discapacidad y años de vida perdidos, debido a su papel en la génesis y exacerbación de las enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles. Objetivo: Determinar los niveles de actividad física y factores asociados en la población adulta del municipio Pereira. Métodos: Estudio transversal analítico. Se estimó una muestra de 1000 participantes entre las edades de 18 a 64 años. Los niveles de actividad física se midieron con el cuestionario internacional de actividad física versión larga. Se realizaron análisis bivariados. Resultados: El total de participantes fue de 996. La prevalencia global del cumplimiento de recomendaciones en actividad física del estudio fue de un 52,9 por ciento, en la que prevaleció el dominio de actividad física moderada. Los sujetos de mayor nivel socioeconómico obtuvieron menores prevalencias de actividad física. En cuanto a nivel de escolaridad, las categorías de tecnólogo (58 por ciento) y secundaria (57 por ciento) alcanzaron la más alta prevalencia de cumplimiento de recomendaciones mínimas. Conclusiones: Un poco más de la mitad de la población adulta pereirana cumple las recomendaciones mínimas de actividad física predominando la actividad de intensidad moderada, no obstante, la media presenta problemas de sobrepeso y obesidad. Es importante promover la práctica de actividad física de moderada a alta intensidad e involucrar a todos los estratos socioeconómicos(AU)

Introduction: Lifestyles have a strong influence on quality of life. In turn, physical inactivity is one of the most harmful lifestyles that generates disability and lost years of life, due to its role in the genesis and exacerbation of chronic non-communicable diseases. Objective: To determine the levels of physical activity and associated factors in the adult population of Pereira municipality. Methods: Analytical cross-sectional study. It was estimated a sample of 1000 participants in the ages from 18 to 64. Physical activity levels were measured with the long version of the international questionnaire of physical activity. Bivariate analyses were performed. Results: The total number of participants was 996. The overall prevalence of compliance with recommendations in physical activity of the study was 52.9 percent, in which the domain of moderate physical activity prevailed. Subjects of higher socio-economic status obtained lower prevalences of physical activity. In terms of schooling level, the categories of technologist (58 percent) and secondary school level (57 percent) reached the highest prevalence of compliance with minimum recommendations. Conclusions: A little more than half of the adult population of Pereira meets the minimum recommendations for physical activity, predominating moderate intensity activity; however, the average presents problems of overweight and obesity. It is important to promote the practice of moderate to high intensity physical activity and involve all socio-economic strata(AU)

Eating contexts and their associations with socio-demographic factors in Brazilian adolescents (EVA-JF Study).

OBJECTIVE: To describe the eating contexts and estimate their associations with socio-demographic factors in a sample of Brazilian adolescents. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. We used an exploratory questionnaire about eating contexts (encompassing regularity of meals, places where they occur and if they take place with attention and in company), which was submitted to cluster analysis. Subsequently, three clusters were identified: cluster 1, 'appropriate eating contexts at breakfast, lunch and dinner'; cluster 2, 'inappropriate eating context at breakfast' and cluster 3, 'inappropriate eating context at dinner'. Multinomial logistic regression models were performed, without and with adjustments, using cluster 1 as reference. SETTING: Twenty-nine public schools of Juiz de Fora, MG, Southeast Brazil. PARTICIPANTS: Adolescents, 14-19-year-olds (n 835). RESULTS: We observed relevant prevalence of adolescents omitting breakfast (52·9 %) and dinner (39·3 %), and who had the habit of eating sitting/lying on the couch/bed or standing/walking, and in front of screens. Breakfast usually occurred unaccompanied (70·8 %); around half (47·5 %) and little over a third (36·1 %) of the sample also would usually have lunch and dinner unaccompanied, respectively. Furthermore, through multivariate analysis, we found associations of eating contexts clusters with female sex (more likely in clusters 2 and 3), age range 14-15-year-olds (less likely in cluster 2) and higher mother's schooling (more likely in cluster 3). CONCLUSIONS: We verified an alarming prevalence of adolescents with eating contexts unaligned with healthy eating recommendations. Additionally, inappropriate eating contexts at breakfast and/or at dinner were associated with socio-demographic factors (sex, age range and mother's schooling).

Influencia de los factores socioeconómicos en la ocurrencia de quemaduras en edades pediátricas / Influence of socioeconomic factors on the occurrence of burns in pediatric ages

Introducción: Los accidentes no se presentan solos, casi siempre están relacionados con un factor social y con el entorno cultural. Se plantea que las condiciones socioeconómicas impactan en la salud de las personas. Objetivos: Determinar los factores socioeconómicos que influyen en la ocurrencia de quemaduras en edades pediátricas. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo transversal realizado en la sala de Caumatología del Hospital Dr. Juan Bruno Zayas Alfonso de Santiago de Cuba, en el 2017. Se utilizó el Sistema SPSS. Se determinaron la frecuencia absoluta y el porcentaje. Resultados: El grupo de edad más afectado fueron los niños de 1-4 años. No se encontró diferencias con relación al sexo. Los líquidos hirvientes fueron el agente causal que predominó. Sobresalieron las familias con 1 o 2 hijos y de bajos ingresos. En la casuística estudiada el 71,7 por ciento de los familiares tenía escasos conocimientos sobre la prevención y primeros auxilios de las quemaduras El 41,7 por ciento de las familias tenían algún familiar que fumaba. Conclusiones: La interacción de factores sociales con factores económicos influye en la ocurrencia de quemaduras y otras afecciones en edades pediátricas, siendo los más vulnerables el grupo de 1-4 años de edad(AU)

Introduction: Accidents do not occur isolated, they are almost always related to a social factor and the cultural environment. It is proposed that socioeconomic conditions impact on people's health. Objectives: To determine the socioeconomic factors that influence the occurrence of burns in pediatric ages. Methods: Cross-sectional descriptive study conducted in the Caumatology room of Dr. Juan Bruno Zayas Alfonso Hospital, Santiago de Cuba province, in 2017. The SPSS System was used. Absolute frequency and percentage were determined. Results: The most affected age group were children aged 1-4 years. No differences were found in relation to sex. Boiling liquids were the predominant causative agent. Families with 1 or 2 children and low incomes stood out. In the case studies, 71.7 percent of the relatives had little knowledge about the prevention and first aid of burns. 41.7 percent of the families had a family member who smoked. Conclusions: The interaction of social factors with economic factors influences the occurrence of burns and other conditions in pediatric ages, being the most vulnerable the group of 1-4 years old(AU)

Social, Economic, and Regional Determinants of Mortality in Hospitalized Patients With COVID-19 in Brazil.

On May 10, 2021, Brazil ranked second in the world in COVID-19 deaths. Understanding risk factors, or social and ethnic inequality in health care according to a given city population and political or economic weakness is of paramount importance. Brazil had a seriousness COVID-19 outbreak in light of social and economic factors and its complex racial demographics. The objective of this study was to verify the odds of mortality of hospitalized patients during COVID-19 infection based on their economic, social, and epidemiological characteristics. We found that odds of death are greater among patients with comorbidities, neurological (1.99) and renal diseases (1.97), and immunodeficiency disorders (1.69). While the relative income (2.45) indicates that social factors have greater influence on mortality than the comorbidities studied. Patients living in the Northern macro-region of Brazil face greater chance of mortality compared to those in Central-South Brazil. We conclude that, during the studied period, the chances of mortality for COVID-19 in Brazil were more strongly influenced by socioeconomic poverty conditions than by natural comorbidities (neurological, renal, and immunodeficiency disorders), which were also very relevant. Regional factors are relevant in mortality rates given more individuals being vulnerable to poverty conditions.

Individual-level and country-level socio-economic factors and health outcomes in spondyloarthritis: analysis of the ASAS-perSpA study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between individual-level and country-level socio-economic (SE) factors and health outcomes across SpA phenotypes. METHODS: Patients with axial SpA (axSpA), peripheral SpA (pSpA) or PsA from the ASAS-perSpA study (in 23 countries) were included. The effect of individual-level (age, gender, education and marital status) and country-level [e.g. Gross Domestic Product (GDP)] SE factors on health outcomes [Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) ≥ 2.1, ASDAS, BASFI, fatigue and the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society Health Index (ASAS-HI)] was assessed in mixed-effects models adjusted for potential confounders. Interactions between SE factors and disease phenotype were tested. A mediation analysis was conducted to explore whether the impact of country-level SE factors on ASDAS was mediated through biologic/targeted synthetic (b/ts) DMARD uptake. RESULTS: In total, 4185 patients (61% males, mean age 45) were included (65% axSpA, 25% PsA, 10% pSpA). Female gender [ß= 0.14 (95% CI: 0.06, 0.23)], lower educational level [ß = 0.35 (0.25, 0.45)) and single marital status [ß = 0.09 (0.01, 0.17)] were associated with higher ASDAS. Living in lower GDP countries was also associated with higher ASDAS [ß = 0.39 (0.16, 0.63)], and 7% of this association was mediated by b/tsDMARD uptake. Higher BASFI was similarly associated with female gender, lower education and living alone, without the effect of country-level SE factors. Female gender and lower educational level were associated with worse ASAS-HI, while more fatigue was associated with female gender and higher country-level SE factors [lower GDP, ß = -0.46 (-0.89 to -0.04)]. No differences across disease phenotypes were found. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows country-driven variations in health outcomes in SpA, independently influenced by individual-level and country-level SE factors and without differences across disease phenotypes.

Consumption of breast milk, formula and other non-human milk by children aged under 2 years: analysis of eighty-six low- and middle-income countries.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence and socio-economic inequalities in breast milk, breast milk substitutes (BMS) and other non-human milk consumption, by children under 2 years in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). DESIGN: We analysed the prevalence of continued breast-feeding at 1 and 2 years and frequency of formula and other non-human milk consumption by age in months. Indicators were estimated through 24-h dietary recall. Absolute and relative wealth indicators were used to describe within- and between-country socio-economic inequalities. SETTING: Nationally representative surveys from 2010 onwards from eighty-six LMIC. PARTICIPANTS: 394 977 children aged under 2 years. RESULTS: Breast-feeding declined sharply as children became older in all LMIC, especially in upper-middle-income countries. BMS consumption peaked at 6 months of age in low/lower-middle-income countries and at around 12 months in upper-middle-income countries. Irrespective of country, BMS consumption was higher in children from wealthier families, and breast-feeding in children from poorer families. Multilevel linear regression analysis showed that BMS consumption was positively associated with absolute income, and breast-feeding negatively associated. Findings for other non-human milk consumption were less straightforward. Unmeasured factors at country level explained a substantial proportion of overall variability in BMS consumption and breast-feeding. CONCLUSIONS: Breast-feeding falls sharply as children become older, especially in wealthier families in upper-middle-income countries; this same group also consumes more BMS at any age. Country-level factors play an important role in explaining BMS consumption by all family wealth groups, suggesting that BMS marketing at national level might be partly responsible for the observed differences.

Effect of education and multimorbidity on mortality among older adults: findings from the health, well-being and ageing cohort study (SABE).

OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the moderating role of education on the relationship between multimorbidity and mortality among older adults in Brazil. STUDY DESIGN: This was a cohort study. METHODS: This study used data from 1768 participants of the Health, Well-Being and Ageing Cohort Study (SABE) who were assessed between 2006 and 2015. The Cox Proportional Risks Model was used to evaluate the association between multimorbidity (two or more chronic diseases) and mortality. An interaction term between education and multimorbidity was included to test the moderating role of education in this association. RESULTS: The average follow-up time was 4.5 years, with a total of 589 deaths in the period. Multimorbidity increased the risk of mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 1.55, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.27-1.91), and this association was not moderated by education (HR 1.06, 95% CI 1.00-1.13; P value = 0.07). CONCLUSIONS: The impact of education and multimorbidity on mortality emphasises the need for an integrated approach directed towards the social determinants of health to prevent multimorbidity and its burden among older adults.

Medicinal Plants for Rich People vs. Medicinal Plants for Poor People: A Case Study from the Peruvian Andes.

Traditional knowledge (TK) of medicinal plants in cities has been poorly studied across different inhabitants' socioeconomic sectors. We studied the small city of Chachapoyas (~34,000 inhabitants) in the northern Peruvian Andes. We divided the city into three areas according to the socio-economic characteristics of its inhabitants: city center (high), intermediate area (medium), and city periphery (low). We gathered information with 450 participants through semi-structured interviews. Participants of the city periphery showed a higher TK of medicinal plants than participants of the intermediate area, and the latter showed a higher TK than participants of the city center. The acquisition of medicinal plants was mainly through their purchase in markets across the three areas, although it was particularly relevant in the city center (94%). Participants of all socioeconomic levels widely used the same medicinal plants for similar purposes in Chachapoyas, which is likely based on a common Andean culture that unites their TK. However, participants with the lowest socioeconomic level knew and used more plants for different medicinal uses, indicating the necessity of these plants for their livelihoods. City markets with specialized stores that commercialize medicinal plants are key to preserve the good health of poor and rich people living in Andean cities and societies.

COVID-19 Pandemic in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: A Social Inequality Report.

Background and Objectives: To perform a retrospective report on the lethality of COVID-19 in different realities in the city of Rio de Janeiro (RJ). Materials and Methods: We accomplished an observational study by collecting the data about total confirmed cases and deaths due to COVID-19 in the top 10 high social developed neighborhoods and top 10 most populous favelas in RJ to determine the case-fatality rate (CFR) and compare these two different realities. Results: CFR was significatively higher in poverty areas of RJ, reaching a mean of 9.08% in the most populous favelas and a mean of 4.87% in the socially developed neighborhoods. Conclusions: The social mitigation measures adopted in RJ have benefited only smaller portions of the population, excluding needy communities.

Running around the Country: An Analysis of the Running Phenomenon among Brazilian Runners.

Differences in economic and social aspects between Brazilian states/regions can determine participation in running. The purpose of this study was to identify the occurrence of the OUTrun (i.e., Out Running), mapping the main routes carried out by runners, as well as the factors associated with this behavior between different Brazilian regions. The sample comprised 1053 runners of both sexes (women: 426; men: 627) who answered an online questionnaire, providing information related to individual, socioeconomic (SES), and training characteristics. A logistic regression analysis was computed, considering the regions. South and Southeast regions received the largest number of runners; runners from the North and Northeast regions were those who left their states the most to compete. Factors related to the OUTrun were the preferred distance, SES, and age. The results provide information to facilitate access to running events and can provide benefits related to making the practice accessible to a larger number of people.

Socio-economic and cultural factors that influence the labor insertion of University Graduates, Peru.

Access to the labor market by graduates of the National University of Moquegua is limited by a wide range of socioeconomic and cultural factors. The study aimed to develop a multivariate model to identify the socioeconomic and cultural factors that influence labor insertion of graduates of the National University of Moquegua, 2019. The type of research according to its purpose was basic and the non-experimental cross-sectional design, with a stratified random sample with proportional allocation with a significance level of 5% and a sampling error of 7%. The data collection technique was the survey and two validated and reliable instruments were applied. The population consisted of 537 graduates, with a sample of 121 graduates from six Professional Schools. The results of the application of logistic regression models indicate that the employment status (Wald = 21.179 and p-value = 0.000), basic electricity services (Wald = 4.567 and p-value = 0.033), the preference for movies (Wald = 6,136 and p-value = 0.013), and the communications media: TV and radio (Wald = 4.962 and p-value = 0.026) significantly influence the labor insertion of graduates of UNAM. It is concluded that both the working condition, electricity services, the preference for movies and communication media like TV and radio significantly influence the labor insertion of graduates of the National University of Moquegua.

Educational inequalities in obesity: a multilevel analysis of survey data from cities in Latin America.

OBJECTIVE: Using newly harmonised individual-level data on health and socio-economic environments in Latin American cities (from the Salud Urbana en América Latina (SALURBAL) study), we assessed the association between obesity and education levels and explored potential effect modification of this association by city-level socio-economic development. DESIGN: This cross-sectional study used survey data collected between 2002 and 2017. Absolute and relative educational inequalities in obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2, derived from measured weight and height) were calculated first. Then, a two-level mixed-effects logistic regression was run to test for effect modification of the education-obesity association by city-level socio-economic development. All analyses were stratified by sex. SETTING: One hundred seventy-six Latin American cities within eight countries (Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico and Peru). PARTICIPANTS: 53 186 adults aged >18 years old. RESULTS: Among women, 25 % were living with obesity and obesity was negatively associated with educational level (higher education-lower obesity) and this pattern was consistent across city-level socio-economic development. Among men, 18 % were living with obesity and there was a positive association between education and obesity (higher education-higher obesity) for men living in cities with lower levels of development, whereas for those living in cities with higher levels of development, the pattern was inverted and university education was protective of obesity. CONCLUSIONS: Among women, education was protective of obesity regardless, whereas among men, it was only protective in cities with higher levels of development. These divergent results suggest the need for sex- and city-specific interventions to reduce obesity prevalence and inequalities.