Biomedical subjects

Mario Bronfman

Publications and source records attributed to Mario Bronfman.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2004

Migration and AIDS in Mexico: an overview based on recent evidence.

OBJECTIVES: Provide an overview of the relation between migration to the United States and AIDS cases in Mexico. Characterize the sexual behaviors of Mexican migrants. Describe HIV/AIDS prevention and clinical attention actions developed. METHODS: The following were analyzed: AIDS cases databases, various prevalence studies, the migrants survey, and information of the Ministries of the Interior and of Health. A documental analysis was undertaken of works published between 1992 and 2000 on migration and AIDS. RESULTS: In terms of their sexual practices, migrants in the past year had more sexual partners, tended to use a condom in their most recent relation in greater proportion, and had greater use of injected medicines and drugs. Two bi-national programs undertake epidemiological surveillance activities, while several initiatives have used innovative formats to provide prevention information to migrants. Imminent universal coverage leaves the challenge to assure quality of attention for migrants. CONCLUSIONS: Studies to evaluate the impact of international migration on distribution of infected persons will be indispensable to establish priorities in prevention and attention among migrants. More information is needed on bi-national health projects to understand the impact they may have in prevention, while continuity of the prevention initiatives must be guaranteed. Attention to migrants in bi-national contexts requires information exchange agreements on migrants living with the HIV/AIDS.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMed2003

Pedestrian injuries in Mexico: a multi-method approach.

UNLABELLED: Studies of road traffic injuries should identify social determinants amenable to intervention, and should attend to the problems of individual drivers and pedestrians. This is especially true in developing nations like Mexico, where traffic fatality rates are high and interventions ineffective. OBJECTIVE: Combine qualitative and quantitative methods to analyze pedestrian injuries from motor vehicles in Mexico City, and identify their social, contextual and environmental determinants. Methods included (1). a cross-sectional analysis of mortality, producing crude and specific mortality rates and standardized mortality ratios (95% CI) by region; (2). Spatial analysis using a geographic information system to generate maps at different aggregation levels; (3). Observation with cameras to identify traffic patterns, spaces, behaviors, and patterned violations of regulations; and 4). Semi-structured in-depth interviews of pedestrians and drivers involved in an accident. RESULTS: The overall crude mortality rate was 7.14/100000, (CI 6.85-7.42), with differences by sex and region. The highest concentration of deaths was observed in 10 neighborhoods, at specific types of street environments. The high-risk environments have wide avenues with abundant vehicular traffic, where spaces supposedly reserved for pedestrians are invaded by cars and vendors. Many pedestrians have never driven a motor vehicle, few know the traffic signs, and almost all events were "hit and run" cases. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of quantitative and qualitative methods allows us to see the specific importance of some determinants of pedestrian injuries. Spatial, epidemiological, and social perspectives help point out the local accident characteristics which must be considered before defining preventive interventions.

Accidents, Traffic↗

PubMed2003

[Identification of meeting places of sexual partners in 2 cities of the Southern Mexican borders, using the PLACE method].

OBJECTIVE: To identify the meeting sites of new sexual partners in two Southern border cities in Mexico. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A descriptive epidemiologic study was carried out in May 2001, by surveying key informants in two border cities. Each reported site was visited to interview a resident subject. Subjects socializing in a subsample of sites were also interviewed. RESULTS: The key informants of the community reported 134 meeting sites in Chetumal and 111 in Ciudad Hidalgo. Both sites had scarce HIV/AIDS prevention activities. Characteristics were obtained for 89 sites in Chetumal and 42 in Ciudad Hidalgo. Almost 21% of interviewees reportedly met a new sexual partner in these sites in the past four weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Preventive actions are needed in meeting sites of new sexual partners. This method may provide information to plan for future interventions. The English version of this paper is available too at:http://www.insp.mx/salud/index.html.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discrimination: the case of health care providers in México].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the social construction of stigma and discrimination processes associated with HIV/AIDS and people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA), based on the perceptions of health care providers in three states of the Mexican Republic. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Qualitative and quantitative description. Observation at nine institutions; in-depth interviews (14) and surveys (373) directed to providers of health services. RESULTS: Seventy-five percent of providers reported having received training related to HIV/AIDS; however, notions persist as to patients being hopeless; discrimination due to the idea of risk groups; the immediate identification of living with the virus, having the syndrome and death; and specific lack of knowledge of forms of transmission. Twenty-three percent would not buy food from a PLHA and 16% think they should be banned from public services. With respect to confidentiality: 89% believe it should be maintained and 38% think that employers and administrators have the right to know about their employees' condition. Isolation, notes in clinical histories pointing to HIV, obligatory testing and delays in surgeries for PLHA were constant practices. The perception that men who have sexual relations with men and sexual workers decide their sexual practices marks the division between innocent victims and guilty ones, which determines the stigmatization and discrimination processes in health services. CONCLUSIONS: The design of strategies to decrease stigma and discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS demands the inclusion of an ethical debate about human rights and a structural focus regarding social conditions that go beyond the notion of risk behaviors.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Acceptability of dietary supplements of the national Mexican program "Oportunidades"].

OBJECTIVE: To identify cultural beliefs and practices to evaluate the acceptability of dietary supplements of Oportunidades Program. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ethnographic study with in-depth interviews (n=43)--mothers of children less than five years of age and pregnant and breasfeeding women (PBW)--, key informants (n=9); focus groups (n=8) and direct observation, in four communities from North, Central, South and Southwest of Mexico. RESULTS: The supplement was prepared in several different ways. The liquid preparation was best accepted; generally the supplement was mixed with milk. Initially, the supplement caused nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, but these symptoms disappeared with continued consumption. Acceptance was highest among PBW. CONCLUSIONS: The supplement tends to replace milk as a food product in the daily diet. There is a necessity to develop culturally specific evaluations in regions with different food intake practices. The study results should be interpreted in the context of other program components, such as health care and education.

Adult↗