Population attributable fractions for risk factors for dementia in seven Latin American countries: an analysis using cross-sectional survey data.

BACKGROUND: Approximately 40% of dementia cases worldwide are attributable to 12 potentially modifiable risk factors. However, the proportion attributable to these risks in Latin America remains unknown. We aimed to determine the population attributable fraction (PAF) of 12 modifiable risk factors for dementia in seven countries in Latin America. METHODS: We used data from seven cross-sectional, nationally representative surveys with measurements of 12 modifiable risk factors for dementia (less education, hearing loss, hypertension, obesity, smoking, depression, social isolation, physical inactivity, diabetes, excessive alcohol intake, air pollution, and traumatic brain injury) done in Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Honduras, Mexico, and Peru. Data were collected between 2015 and 2021. Sample sizes ranged from 5995 to 107 907 participants (aged ≥18 years). We calculated risk factor prevalence and communalities in each country and used relative risks from previous meta-analyses to derive weighted PAFs. Pooled PAFs for Latin America were obtained using random effect meta-analyses. FINDINGS: The overall proportion of dementia cases attributed to 12 modifiable risk factors varied across Latin American countries: weighted PAF 61·8% (95% CI 37·9-79·5) in Chile, 59·6% (35·8-77·3) in Argentina, 55·8% (35·7-71·5) in Mexico, 55·5% (35·9-70·4) in Bolivia, 53·6% (33·0-69·3) in Honduras, 48·2% (28·1-63·9) in Brazil, and 44·9% (25·8-61·2) in Peru. The overall PAF for dementia was 54·0% (48·8-59·6) for Latin America. The highest weighted PAFs in Latin American countries overall were for obesity (7%), physical inactivity (6%), and depression (5%). INTERPRETATION: The estimated PAFs for Latin American countries were higher than previous global estimates. Obesity, physical inactivity, and depression were the main risk factors for dementia across seven Latin American countries. These findings have implications for public health and individually targeted dementia prevention strategies in Latin America. Although these results provide new information about Latin American countries, demographics and representativeness variations across surveys should be considered when interpreting these findings. FUNDING: None.

Replication guide. Applying the human security approach to advance an integrated response to health and migration in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico

In 2022, the program on Applying the Human Security Approach to Advance an integrated response to Health and Migration in the Northern Triangle of Central America and Mexico was jointly launched by the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The program grant was sponsored by the United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security (UNTFHS). Among its main goals was the intention of raising awareness of the human security approach and how it can be used as a successful operational tool to advance universal access to health and universal health coverage, as well as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), by contextualizing the added value of human security to health and migration in the four countries in which it was implemented: El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico. Sustainability and replicability of the program were specifically integrated in the program’s design to promote continuity and scale-up of the activities, ensuring that knowledge obtained on the ground be disseminated and used to mainstream the human security approach throughout the region and beyond. This guide is part of those activities to facilitate the process of further replicating the program and its outcomes, taking into consideration lessons learned through its implementation also this publication is crucial in promoting the human security approach as an operational tool in health and migration, demonstrating its effectiveness in improving universal health access and advancing the SDGs. It also provides a practical guide for replicating the program in other regions, ensuring the sustainability and expansion of its benefits.

Population genetic data for 23 STR loci (PowerPlex Fusion 6C™ kit) genetic markers in the Lenca ethnic group in Honduras.

We have studied the allele frequencies for 23 STR autosomal loci (CSF1PO, FGA, TH01, vWA, D1S1656, D2S1338, D2S441, D3S1358, D5S818, D7S820, D8S1179, D10S1248, D12S391, D13S317, D16S539, D18S51, D19S433, D21S11; with the purpose to increase the power of discrimination, the markers Penta D, Penta E, D22S1045, TPOX and SE33 were included), from a sample of 100 unrelated individuals of Lenca ethnic group in Honduras, Central America.

How long-term emancipatory programming facilitates participatory evaluation: Building a methodology of participation through research with youth in Honduras.

Empowerment and participation are promoted as critical factors in meaningful development processes; however, action-oriented researchers face challenges in fostering genuine empowerment and meaningful participation within traditional funding cycles and research timelines. This case study illustrates a participatory methodology employed by researchers in partnership with one Honduran non-governmental organization (NGO) to conduct 'practical' participatory evaluation with rural Honduran youth. Through collaborative autoethnography, two components of this methodology are identified and described. The first component - 'foundational elements'- includes the NGO's culture of transformative participation and the organization's attention to synergies in the insider/outsider identities of research partners. The second component includes the ability of the research team to leverage this foundation for the participatory evaluation with rural youth. Importantly, this ability was grounded in and shaped by long-term, trust-based relationships between research partners. These relationships were the catalyst for success in this participatory initiative, connecting the 'foundational elements' identified to the collaborative outcomes experienced. Overall, this case study contributes to current and ongoing scholarly discussions on how to facilitate meaningful participation and capability expansion in research and evaluation contexts.

ESTADO NUTRICIONAL Y DENSIDAD MINERAL ÓSEA DE MUJERES MAYORES DE 20 AÑOS PROCEDENTES DE EL SALVADOR, GUATEMALA Y HONDURAS / NUTRITIONAL STATUS AND BONE MINERAL DENSITY OF WOMEN OVER 20 YEARS OF AGE FROM EL SALVADOR, GUATEMALA AND HONDURAS

Introducción: El estado nutricional influye en el riesgo de enfermedades no transmisibles (ENT), como la osteoporosis, una epidemia silenciosa global, cuya prevalencia aumenta con la edad. El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo describir el estado nutricional y la densidad mineral ósea (DMO) de mujeres mayores de 20 años. Materiales y métodos: Estudio transversal descriptivo con muestra de conveniencia de 77 mujeres provenientes de El Salvador, Guatemala y Honduras, con datos recolectados en 2022-2023. Para evaluar el estado nutricional se utilizó equipo de bioimpedancia eléctrica mBCA514 SECA™ y el Sunlight MiniOmni™ para medir la DMO. Se analizaron los datos con estadística descriptiva,con el programa SPSS versión 29.0.1.0. Resultados: El promedio de edad fue de 34,8±7,8 años. Según el Índice de Masa Corporal, la prevalencia de sobrepeso (SP) y obesidad (OB) fue de 33,8% y 23,4%, respectivamente. El 31,2% se estimó con un rango elevado de grasa corporal y el 20,8% un rango alto, según el Índice de Masa Grasa. El 39% se estimó con grasa visceral elevada o alta y el 44,2% no presentó riesgo cardiovascular según la circunferencia de cintura. El Índice de Masa Magra y el ángulo de fase se estimó normal en la mayoría de las mujeres. La proporción de DMO alterada fue 5,1%. Conclusiones: La evaluación de la composición corporal demuestra una alta proporción de SO y OB en las mujeres procedentes de los tres países, confirmando la necesidad de su control fomentando estilos de vida saludables y el mejoramiento de su calidad de vida previniendo las ENT relacionadas

Introduction: Nutritional status influences the risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as osteoporosis, a silent global epidemic whose prevalence increases with age. This study aimed to describe the nutritional status and bone mineral density (BMD) of women over 20 years old. Materials and methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study with a convenience sample of 77 women from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, with data collected in 2022-2023. To evaluate nutritional status, mBCA514 SECA™ electrical bioimpedance equipment was used and the Sunlight MiniOmni™ was used to measure BMD. The data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, with the SPSS program version 29.0.1.0.Results: The average age was 34.8±7.8 years. According to the Body Mass Index, the prevalence of overweight (SP) and obesity (OB) was 33.8% and 23.4%, respectively. 31.2% were estimated to have an elevated range of body fat and 20.8% a high range, according to the Fat Mass Index. 39% were estimated to have elevated or high visceral fat and only 44.2% did not present cardiovascular risk according to waist circumference. The Lean Mass Index and phase angle were estimated to be normal in most women. The proportion of altered BMD was 5.1%. Conclusions: Body composition assessment demonstrates a high proportion of OW/OB in women from all three countries, confirming the need for control by promoting healthy lifestyles and improving their quality of life by preventing related NCDs

Psychological distress, health-promoting lifestyle and sociodemographic factors in Honduran university students: a structural equation model.

This study sought to analyze an explanatory model on the relationship among sociodemographic factors, health-promoting lifestyle behaviors and psychological distress (depression, anxiety and stress) in college students. This is an observational, analytical and cross-sectional study conducted on a national sample of 4203 students who entered a macro university in Honduras in 2021, 2022 and 2023. We used a sociodemographic survey, the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile (HPLP-II) and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS-21). Univariate analysis and a multivariate structural equation model were conducted. The average HPLP-II score was 117.45 (±â€…23.41), and the average DASS-21 score was 20.06 (±â€…14.16). The multivariate model showed a good data fit (comparative fit index = 0.951; Tucker-Lewis index = 0.957; root mean square error of approximation = 0.067 [90% CI = 0.067-0.068]). Results indicate that being a woman (ß = 0.11; p < 0.001) and being enrolled in biological and health sciences (ß = 0.09; p < 0.001) significantly predict HPLP-II scores. Furthermore, being a woman (ß = 0.17; p < 0.001), age (ß = 0.10; p < 0.001) and having pre-existing medical conditions (ß = 0.16; p < 0.001) significantly explain part of the variance of DASS-21. A significant reverse relationship between health-promoting behavior and psychological distress was shown (r = -0.36; p < 0.001). This study identifies protective and risky sociodemographic factors linked to health-promoting lifestyle behaviors and psychological distress. Our findings have implications for developing comprehensive intervention policies and strategies to promote health in higher education settings.

Asymptomatic Malaria Reservoirs in Honduras: A Challenge for Elimination.

BACKGROUND: Efforts on a global scale for combating malaria have achieved substantial progress over the past twenty years. Two Central American nations have accomplished their goal of eliminating malaria: El Salvador and Belize. Honduras has decreased the incidence of malaria and now reports fewer than 4000 malaria cases annually, aspiring to reach elimination by 2030. To accomplish this goal, it is essential to assess the existing strategies employed for malaria control and to address the task of incorporating novel intervention strategies to identify asymptomatic reservoirs. METHODS: A survey for detecting asymptomatic cases was carried out in the community of Kaukira, in Gracias a Dios, Honduras, focusing on malaria transmission during 2023. Asymptomatic community members were recruited as participants, malaria screening was performed through a rapid diagnostic test in situ, and a blood sample was collected on filter paper. Highly sensitive molecular assays based on photo-induced electron transfer PCR (PET-PCR) were performed to detect the two species of Plasmodium circulating in Honduras: Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum. In addition, the identification of the parasite species was verified by amplifying three genetic markers (Pvmsp3α, Pvmsp3ß, and Pfmsp1). RESULTS: A total of 138 participants were recruited, mostly adult women. All individuals tested negative on the rapid diagnostic test. Positive results for malaria were detected by PET-PCR in 17 samples (12.3%). Most samples (12 out of 17) were amplified with a Ct value between 37 and 42, indicating very low parasitemias. Out of the 17 samples, 16 of them also showed amplification in the species assays. There were nine cases of P. falciparum infections and seven cases of P. vivax infections that were further confirmed by nested PCR (nPCR) of Pvmsp3 and Pfmsp1. Parasitemias ranged from 100 p/µL to less than 0.25 p/µL. One sample showed mixed infection. CONCLUSIONS: The existence of asymptomatic malaria reservoirs in Honduras can contribute to disease transmission and pose a challenge that may hinder elimination efforts, requiring public health authorities to modify surveillance strategies to identify the disease and treat this population accordingly.

Surgical outreach for the Americas: a self-sustainable model for partnership and education.

INTRODUCTION: It is estimated that up to 28% of global disease burden is surgical with hernias representing a unique challenge as the only definitive treatment is surgery. Surgical Outreach for the Americas (SOfA) is a nongovernmental organization focused primarily on alleviating the disease burden of inguinal and umbilical hernias in Central America. We present the experience of SOfA, a model focused on partnership and education. METHODS: SOfA was established in 2009 to help individuals recover from ailments that are obstacles to working and independent living. Over the past 15 years, SOfA has partnered with local healthcare providers in the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Honduras, and Belize. The SOfA team consists of surgeons, surgery residents, triage physicians, an anesthesiologist, anesthetists, operating room nurses, recovery nurses, a pediatric critical care physician, sterile processing technicians, interpreters, and a team coordinator. Critical partnerships required include the CMO, internal medicine, general surgery, nursing, rural health coordinators and surgical training programs at public hospitals. RESULTS: SOfA has completed 24 trips, performing 2074 procedures on 1792 patients. 71.4% of procedures were hernia repairs. To enhance sustainability of healthcare delivery, SOfA has partnered with the local facilities through capital improvements to include OR tables, OR lights, anesthesia machines, monitors, hospital beds, stretchers, sterilizers, air conditioning units, and electrosurgical generators. A lecture series and curriculum on perioperative care, anesthesia, anatomy, and operative technique is delivered. Local surgery residents and medical students participated in patient care, learning alongside SOfA teammates. Recently, SOfA has partnered with SAGES Global Affairs Committee to implement a virtual Global Laparoscopic Advancement Program, a simulation-based laparoscopic training curriculum for surgeons in El Salvador. CONCLUSION: A sustainable partnership to facilitate surgical care in low resource settings requires longitudinal, collaborative relationships, and investments in capital improvements, education, and partnership with local healthcare providers, institutions, and training programs.

Population-based Study of Gastric Cancer Survival and Associations in Rural Western Honduras.

BACKGROUND: Two-thirds of global cancer occur in low/middle income countries (LMICs). Northern Central America is the largest LMIC region in the western hemisphere, and lack cancer registries to guide cancer control. We conducted a gastric cancer (GC) survival study in rural western Honduras, characterized as having among the highest GC incidence rates in Latin America. METHODS: The cohort of incident GC diagnosed between 2002-2015 was studied with active follow-up, with household visits. The regional gastric cancer registry was primary for case identification, with completeness examination with hospital data and national death certificates. Cox regression models were used for survival calculations. RESULTS: Survival follow-up was achieved in 741/774 patients (95.7%). Household interviews were conducted in 74.1% (n=549). 65.7% were male, median age at diagnosis was 64 years, 24.5% were <55. 43.9% of tumors had pyloric obstruction. 45.2%, 43.2%, and 7.3% of histology was intestinal, diffuse, and mixed, respectively. 24.7% patients received treatment. 5-year survival rates were 9.9% for both males and females, 7.7% for age <45, and 7.9% for diffuse GC. Median survival time was 4.8 months (95%CI,4.2-5.6). In the final Cox regression model including age, sex, Lauren subtype, and poverty index, only treatment was significantly associated with survival (HR 2.43, 95%CI,1.8-3.2). CONCLUSIONS: Markedly low gastric cancer 5-year survival rates are observed in rural Central America. The majority of patients present with advanced disease, and a minority have access to therapy. IMPACT: The findings have implications for cancer control in the Central America LMICs and for U.S. Latino populations.

Molecular Characterization of Enteric Viruses Causing Acute Gastroenteritis among Children under 5 Years Old in Distrito Central, Honduras.

INTRODUCTION: Diarrheal diseases constitute a significant public health problem in terms of mortality and morbidity. In Honduras and around the world, RVs have consistently emerged as the single most important etiologic agent in acute childhood diarrhea. However, other viruses, such as NoVs and HAstVs, have also been shown to be responsible for viral gastroenteritis. Unfortunately, the country has limited information concerning the etiologic role of these viral agents in acute gastroenteritis. This study investigated the frequency, genotypes, and epidemiological characteristics of RV-A, NoVs, and HAstVs among children under 5 years old in Distrito Central, Honduras. METHODS: Stool samples and their corresponding epidemiological data were collected from children with acute gastroenteritis in three healthcare centers in Distrito Central. All samples were screened by immunoassays for RV-A and HAstVs. RV-A-positive samples were molecularly characterized by RT-PCR and genotyping assays. RT-PCR was also applied to confirm HAstVs positivity and to detect NoVs, followed by nucleotide sequencing to assign their genotypes. RESULTS: Our results show that at least one viral agent was detected in 31% of the children. The frequency of RV-A, NoVs, and HAstVs was 14%, 13%, and 5%, respectively. The most frequent RV-A genotype was G2P[4], occurring in 93% of cases. 92.3% of NoVs-positive samples belonged to genogroup II, with GII.4 and GII.16 being the most common. HAstVs were clustered into three genotypes: HAstV-1, HAstV-2, and HAstV-8. Only one sample showed coinfection with NoVs and HAstVs. CONCLUSION: This comprehensive molecular and epidemiological characterization of enteric viruses demonstrates the vast diversity of these agents and describes for the first time NoVs and HAstVs as causative agents of acute childhood gastroenteritis in Distrito Central, Honduras. This suggests that further in-depth studies of the pediatric population are necessary to develop and implement effective preventive and control measures in the country.

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.

Caracterización del síndrome post COVID-19 en personal de un centro de salud. Honduras, 2022 / Characterization of post COVID syndrome in personnel of a health center. Honduras, 2022

Antecedentes. Se ha observado una frecuencia considerable en la persistencia de síntomas en pacientes que han superado un episodio de COVID-19 agudo. El síndrome post COVID, lo presentan aquellos pacientes que mantienen signos o síntomas 3 meses tras el comienzo del episodio agudo. Objetivo. Caracterizar el síndrome post COVID, en el personal de salud del Triaje Mayangle, Tegucigalpa, abril 2022. Métodos. Estudio cuantitativo, descriptivo-transversal. El universo del estudio fue el personal (72) que laboraba en centro de Triaje. La recolección de la información se realizó a través de un cuestionario en línea, procesándose en Microsoft Excel versión 2017. Resultados. El 71% (51) eran mujeres y 29% (21) hombres, 66 personas afirmaron haber sufrido la infección COVID-19 confirmado con pruebas de laboratorio, (RT-PCR, detección de antígenos y/o detección de anticuerpos); 6 negaron haber cursado la enfermedad siendo excluidas del estudio. Un 68% (45/66) reportó reinfección. Las manifestaciones clínicas persistentes más frecuentes 4 semanas después del inicio de la enfermedad fueron dolor de cabeza 60.6%, fatiga 43.9%, tos 33.3%, pérdida del olfato 33.3%, caída de cabello 25.8%, insomnio 25.8%. Las manifestaciones que persistieron 12 semanas posteriores fueron dolor de cabeza 33.3%, fatiga 28.8%, caída de cabello 18.2%, tos 15.2%, pérdida del olfato 13.6% y dolor torácico 13.6%. Discusión. El 75.8% de los participantes que sufrieron COVID-19 persistieron con síntomas a las 12 semanas del diagnóstico. La estimación más reciente de personas que viven con la condición post COVID-19 a nivel mundial ha superado 65 millones y, sin opciones claras de diagnóstico o tratamiento...(AU)

Accidentalidad vial y mortalidad por accidentes de tránsito en Honduras período 2013 al 2020 / Road accidents and mortality from traffic accidents in Honduras from 2013 to 2020

Introducción. Después de los homicidios, los accidentes de tránsito constituyen la segunda causa de muerte violenta en el país, la Policía Nacional de Honduras, es el ente gubernamental responsable de registrar los detalles de estos eventos. Objetivo. Analizar la frecuencia de accidentes de tránsito y la mortalidad asociada a los mismos, en el período 2013-2020. Métodos. Investigación cuantitativa, retrospectiva. Se consideró toda la población de 63,908 participantes en accidentes para el período 2013-2020, encontrados en la base de datos de la Policía Nacional de Honduras y la Unidad Técnica de Coordinación Institucional (UTECI). Se aplicó estadística descriptiva con un análisis univariado. Resultados. La tasa de muertes disminuyó de 1 a 3 personas por cada 10 participantes del año 2013-2020. El sexo más frecuente fue masculino en el rango de 20 a 39 años. La mortalidad predominó en los hombres con 82.8% (8,929) de las muertes predominando el rango de 15 a 39 años. El fenómeno de accidentalidad y mortalidad vial, desde el año 2013, aporta una tasa de crecimiento de 23%, solo interrumpida por la pandemia mundial por COVID19. En cuanto a responsabilidad de los accidentes un 33.4% de los hechores (responsables) eran hombres mientras que un 1.1% mujeres. Discusión. Los homicidios ocupan un espacio prioritario en la agenda pública por su impacto en la sociedad, no obstante, los accidentes de tránsito reportan una tasa de crecimiento constante y a pesar de ello no se observan esfuerzos de la sociedad que apunten a corregir el problema...(AU)

Vigilancia de lesiones de causa externa en Hospital de referencia nacional de seguridad social, Honduras / Surveillance of injuries from external causes in the national social security reference hospital, Honduras

En América Latina, los países en vías de desarrollo tienen una tasa de incidencia de politraumatismos dos veces mayor en comparación a países desarrollados. Objetivo: Analizar las lesiones de causa externa (LCE) en los derechohabientes del hospital de referencia nacional de seguridad social, Honduras, con el fin de orientar la formulación de políticas para la promoción, prevención e intervención oportuna. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo transversal, la población fueron pacientes diagnosticados con LCE en las emergencias del hospital. Se usó muestreo estratificado. Los criterios de inclusión fueron; derechohabientes adultos y niños diagnosticados con LCE, registro de historia clínica y de atenciones diarias. Los criterios de exclusión fueron; derechohabientes adultos y niños diagnosticados con LCE que ingresaron sin signos vitales, que no aceptaron participar en el estudio y dieron información incompleta. La información fue recolectada vía Google forms. Se aplicó consentimiento informado a los participantes. Resultados: De los derechohabientes con LCE, el 72.51% fueron hombres, la edad media fue de 36 años, 82.46% eran derechohabientes directos y 69% eran procedentes de Francisco Morazán. Según el mecanismo de LCE de acuerdo con la intencionalidad 98.8% fue no intencional y de estos 55.3% (94) fue por accidente vial. La severidad de la lesión fue moderada en 83.5%. También, el 3.5% tenían discapacidad. Discusión: Las LCE en la actualidad son un problema importante de salud pública, siendo los accidentes viales el mecanismo más importante para su desencadenamiento. La severidad de estas lesiones es moderada, ocasionando daño en diferentes partes del cuerpo...(AU)

Caracterización de la condición Post-COVID en mayores de 18 años en una comunidad de Honduras / Characterization of the Post-COVID condition in people over 18 years of age in a community from Honduras

Introducción: Se desconoce la magnitud exacta de la condición Post-COVID, diferentes estudios han reportado porcen- tajes entre 20-90% en pacientes con COVID-19. Objetivo: Descri- bir las características clínicas y factores asociados a la condición Post-COVID en personas ≥ 18 años, marzo-abril 2023, Jacaleapa, El Paraíso, Honduras. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo transversal con análisis de asociación, muestreo probabilístico, seleccionando un máximo de dos personas, bajo criterios de inclusión/exclusión. Se utilizó formulario para caracterización sociodemográfica, clínica y antecedentes. Actividad física se valoró usando Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) 2021 de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS). Se realizó análisis univariado y bivariado mediante regresión logística multivariada (valor p<0.05 e IC95% fue consi- derado significativo). Se contó con aprobación del Comité de Ética. Resultados: Muestra de 334 personas, 63.8% (213) eran mujeres, mediana de edad de 47 años (RIQ 25%,75%=34,65), 44.9% (150) tenía comorbilidades, destacando hipertensión arterial con 34.4% (115); 60.2% (201) eran sedentarios. Se encontró prevalencia de COVID-19 de 31.1% (104/334), con severidad leve en 80.8% (84). 57.7% (60/104) desarrollaron Condición Post-COVID. De estos, 81.7% (49/60) presentó fatiga, 46.7% (28/60) eran hipertensos, y 86.7% (52/60) habían tenido COVID-19 leve. Se encontró asocia- ción entre condición Post-COVID e hipertensión arterial (OR=4.7, IC95% 1.3-7.5), grado de severidad de COVID-19: leve (OR=29.6, IC95% 3.0-289.0) y moderado-severo (OR=86.1, IC95% 3.7- 2017.2). Discusión: La magnitud de la condición Post-COVID fue alta, mostrando asociación con hipertensión arterial y grado de severidad de COVID-19 leve/moderado-severo comparado con asintomáticos. Todo paciente que se recupera de COVID-19 debe tener un seguimiento multidisciplinario integral para su recupera- ción...(AU)

Acceso al sistema de seguridad social en Honduras comparado con países de Mesoamérica y Colombia / Access to the Social Security System in Honduras compared to countries in Mesoamerica and Colombia

Honduras es un país con alto índice de desigualdad social y la Seguridad Social no llega a todos los pobladores, limitándose a trabajadores formales. Mediante búsqueda de artículos, revisiones sistemáticas y documentos de internet en español, utilizando plataformas y motores de búsqueda (Scielo, Google Académico, Biblioteca Virtual en Salud de Honduras) periodo 2015-2023. Se utilizó los términos acceso, Mesoamérica y Seguridad Social; se comparó el acceso a la Seguridad Social en Mesoamérica y Colombia para identificar diferencias y las mejoras a realizar. En Honduras, por ahora no hay fondos para ampliar cobertura, por la deuda interna del estado con el Seguro Social. México, Costa Rica, Panamá y Colombia tienen mejor acceso. Diferenciándose por servicios de ayuda materna, universalidad, inversión en proyectos sociales y mayor cobertura. Honduras puede mejorar mediante compromisos del Estado y sector privado para honrar su millonaria deuda, frenar la corrupción y desvió de fondos, evitando sacrificar al usuario...(AU)

Trypanosoma cruzi Infection in Pregnancies without Congenital Transmission Is Associated with Reduced Fetal Growth: A Cross-Sectional Study in Argentina, Honduras, and Mexico.

We aimed to measure the association between Trypanosoma cruzi infection in pregnancy and reduced fetal growth in the absence of T. cruzi congenital transmission. We conducted a cross-sectional study of secondary data of all singleton live births between 2011 and 2013 in five hospitals from Argentina, Honduras, and Mexico. We excluded newborns with T. cruzi infection. Noninfected pregnant people were those without any positive rapid tests. The main study outcomes were birth weight, head circumference, and length for gestational age and sex. Logistic regression models were adjusted for country, age, education level, and obstetric history. Of the 26,544 deliveries, 459 (1.7%) pregnant people were found by rapid tests to be positive for T. cruzi. Of these, 320 were positive by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and 231 had a positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. Uninfected newborns from T. cruzi-infected pregnant people were more likely to have birth weights below the 5th and 10th percentiles and head circumferences below the 3rd and 10th percentiles. Among T. cruzi-infected pregnant people diagnosed by PCR, the odds ratios were 1.58 for birth weight below the 10th percentile (95% CI, 1.12-2.23) and 1.57 for birth weight below the 5th percentile (95% CI, 1.02-2.42). Higher T. cruzi parasitic loads in pregnancy had a stronger association with reduced fetal growth (both in birth weight and head circumference), with an odds ratio of 2.31 (95% CI, 1.36-3.91) for a birth weight below the 5th percentile. The association shows, irrespective of causality, that newborns of pregnancies with T. cruzi have an increased risk of reduced fetal growth. We recommend further studies to assess other potential confounders and the causality of these associations.

The structure and function of antagonistic ties in village social networks.

Negative or antagonistic relationships are common in human social networks, but they are less often studied than positive or friendly relationships. The existence of a capacity to have and to track antagonistic ties raises the possibility that they may serve a useful function in human groups. Here, we analyze empirical data gathered from 24,770 and 22,513 individuals in 176 rural villages in Honduras in two survey waves 2.5 y apart in order to evaluate the possible relevance of antagonistic relationships for broader network phenomena. We find that the small-world effect is more significant in a positive world with negative ties compared to an otherwise similar hypothetical positive world without them. Additionally, we observe that nodes with more negative ties tend to be located near network bridges, with lower clustering coefficients, higher betweenness centralities, and shorter average distances to other nodes in the network. Positive connections tend to have a more localized distribution, while negative connections are more globally dispersed within the networks. Analysis of the possible impact of such negative ties on dynamic processes reveals that, remarkably, negative connections can facilitate the dissemination of information (including novel information experimentally introduced into these villages) to the same degree as positive connections, and that they can also play a role in mitigating idea polarization within village networks. Antagonistic ties hold considerable importance in shaping the structure and function of social networks.