In the population studied, the prevalency of child sexual abuse was greater than that reported in Mexico City (4.3-8.4%), although it was similar to that found in the Spanish child population (15-23%). The risk of sexual abuse is greater for girls and the principal aggressors are male neighbours, family friends and relatives; the abuse is committed in the home of the aggressor or the victim and very few cases are reported to the authorities.

The frequency of male Mexico-US migration has been associated with increased HIV risk for sexual partners awaiting their return in Mexico. This study examined the association between sexual partner characteristics and condom use among a sample of 354 male migrants from two Mexican municipalities. Migrants were interviewed about their past year's sex practices. Results indicated that migrants were more likely to use condoms with their non-spousal partners, partners with less education than the migrant, and partners with higher employment status. Condom use was greater among younger migrants and residents of the more densely populated municipality. Findings suggest the coexistence of a traditional cultural orientation that does not support condom use and another one that does provided the sex partner is formally employed. Prevention programs must strengthen the structural conditions fostering greater equality between the sexes and adapt their approaches for different population density, age and partner types.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of iodine deficiency, its causes and its association with intelligence quotient (IQ) in Mexican schoolchildren. Design: Cross-sectional analytical study, in which determinations of thyroid gland size, urinary iodine excretion, IQ, iron nutritional status, physical anthropometry, family consumption of goitrogenic foods, type/origin and iodine saturation of salt consumed at home and coliform organisms in drinking water were performed, and the association of each variable with IQ scores was evaluated by multiple regression analyses. Setting: Municipality of Cuauhtémoc, in Colima, Mexico (altitude: 600-2700 m above sea level). Sea salt is extracted manually nearby and often used for human consumption. Goitre remains present in the region despite over half a century of mandatory salt iodination in the country. Subjects: Three hundred and three children, similar proportions of boys and girls, mean age 9Á3 years, randomly selected from 19 public elementary schools. Results: Overall goitre rate was 21Á4 %; low urinary iodine excretion was found in 19Á5 % of the children, high urinary iodine excretion in 32Á0 %. IQ scores were transformed into percentile values, with the following categorisation: #P5 (low IQ), 48Á5 %; .P5 to #P25 (below average), 24Á2 %; .P25 to ,P75 (average), 18Á8 %; $P75 to ,P95 (above average), 3Á6 %; $P95 (high IQ), 4Á9 %. Ninety-two per cent of the population used iodinated salt, but deficient iodine saturation (,50 ppm) was found in 86Á8 % of salt samples. The main goitrogenic foods consumed were peanuts (by 31Á5 % of the sample), cabbage (30Á1 %), broccoli (27Á7 %) and cauliflower (25Á7 %). Median counts of coliform organisms (colony-forming units/100 ml of drinking water) were: 207Á5 (well water), 151 (cisterns), 52 (private homes), 25 (elementary schools) and 12 (kindergartens). Moderate iodine deficiency was associated (P , 0Á05) with a 4Á26 times higher risk of low IQ. Conclusions: There is a perturbing negative impact of these findings on human capital acquisition for the region and the country. More attention is needed to ensure effective salt iodination processes, particularly in regions where goitrogens may contribute to the negative effects of iodine deficiency on the intellectual development of children.

ObjectiveTo identify causes of persistence of endemic goiter in specific areas in Mexico, despite a mandatory salt iodination program established since the early 1960s.ResultsIn the mountainous state of Hidalgo school‐age children (SAC) had a prevalence of goitre between 6% (capital city) ‐ 21.2% (tropical low‐lands). Prevalence of low (<50 µg/L) urinary iodine excretion (UIE) ranged between 28% ‐ 52%. 97% of families consumed iodized table salt; only 50% of the samples were adequately iodized (>50 ppm). Goitrogens included consumption of yucca, sweet potato, broccoli and cauliflower; 24% of the population consumed water from wells contaminated with E. coli or heavy metals (arsenic and mercury). In the coastal state of Colima, goiter in SAC had a prevalence of 21 4%, with low UIE in 19.5% and high UIE in 32.0%. 92% of the population used coarse‐grain ocean salt, with 86.8% of locally‐iodized salt samples <50 ppm. Goitrogens included consumption of peanuts (31.5%), cabbage (30.1%), broccoli (27.7%) and cauliflower (25.7%). Median counts of colony‐forming units/100ml of drinking water were: 207.5 (well water), 151 (cisterns), 52 (private homes), 25 (elementary schools) and 12 (kindergartens). Percentile (P) IQ scores were: P5 (low): 48.5%; P5 to P25 (below average): 24 2%; P25 to P75 (average): 18.8%; P75 to P95 (above average): 3.6%; P95 (high): 4 9%. Moderate ID was associated with a 4.26 times higher risk of low IQ.