This study presents an assessment of the participation and training of nurses in public health areas in the Americas. Information was gathered through a literature review and interviews with key informants from Mexico, Colombia, and Paraguay. Results demonstrate that there is significant variation in definitions of public health nursing across the region and current systematized data about the workforce profile of public health nursing personnel is not available for many countries in the Americas. There are significant regional differences in the levels and types of training of nurses working in public health areas and an increasing number of nurses are pursuing training in public health at the master’s and doctoral levels. Many nurses carry out some or all of the essential functions of public health, but are not considered to be public health nurses. Generally, auxiliary and technical nurses have a broader presence in public health areas than professional nurses. In the future, regional health systems reforms should support increased recruitment and training of public health nurses, as well as stronger roles in public health research and health care at the individual, community, and population levels.

The health care options used by Mexican migrants and their families are defined according to events related to the migration process. The implementation of public policies to protect the health of migrants on both sides of the border is critical.

OBJECTIVE:This article describes the experience of the aval ciudadano "Citizens' Representative" (CR) in improving the Mexican health care system. METHODS:This is a qualitative study which took place in eight Mexican states in 2008. It evaluates different aspects of a nationwide program to increase the quality of health care services (National Crusade for Quality in Health Services). The Mexican strategy is compared with experiences in other Latin American countries. RESULTS:In this paper, there is the description of achievements and problems encountered by the CR in promoting social participation in the health of the population. CONCLUSIONS:The CR has great infl uence when representing health service users and passing on their demands for improvements to health care quality. Social participation in health services Nigenda-López GH et al DESCRIPTORS:

ResumenObjetivo. Analizar los factores asociados con la expectativa de migrar al extranjero en estudiantes de licenciatura en enfermería de escuelas públicas en México, Distrito Federal. Material y métodos. Se realizó un estudio transversal con una muestra no probabilística de 420 estudiantes. Se construyó un modelo logístico multivariado. Resultados. El 69% de los informantes expresó la intención de migrar para trabajar (65%) o estudiar (26%). El 50% elegiría como destino Canadá, seguido de España y Estados Unidos. Las variables asociadas con la expectativa de migrar fueron: edad, ingreso, tener familiares en el extranjero y percibir malas condiciones laborales/salarios en México. Conclusiones. Los resultados concuerdan con la literatura internacional. Los bajos salarios, malas condiciones laborales y escasas posibilidades de desarrollarse profesionalmente en México contribuyen a generar la expectativa de migrar en la población de estudio. Adicionalmente, la percepción optimista de los estudiantes sobre el mercado extranjero y la demanda laboral de países desarrollados coadyuvan a enfatizar dicho fenómeno. AbstractObjective. To analyze the factors associated with the expectations to migrate abroad among nursing students in Mexico City. Material and Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted with a non-random sample of 420 students. A logistic regression model was estimated. Results. A total of 69% of the informants expressed their intention to move abroad, to look for employment (65%) and/or to continue their studies (26%). Of those, 50% would choose Canada as their destination, followed by Spain and the United States. The variables associated with migration expectations were: age, income, having relatives abroad, and perception of poor labor conditions and low wages in Mexico. Conclusions. Results are consistent with international literature. Low wages, poor labor conditions and the limited possibilities for professional development in Mexico are factors that contribute to generate migration expectations among nursing students. Additionally, optimistic perceptions about the job market and the labor demand in more developed countries heighten expectations to migrate.

It is important to consider the need to guarantee that this type of changes in the contractual conditions of workers benefit all actors, particularly the insured population.

No abstract

Esta pesquisa teve como objetivos identificar os grupos de usuários segundo o grau de satisfação com a atenção recebida nos Módulos Gerontológicos e determinar os principais fatores associados. Trata-se de estudo transversal realizado com 181 usuários nos 36 módulos do Seguro Social dos Trabalhadores Públicos, no México. O nível de satisfação foi avaliado segundo três aspectos: características gerais da atenção recebida, amabilidade no trato e infraestrutura. Foi realizada uma análise de conglomerados para identificar grupos de usuários segundo o grau de satisfação e um modelo de regressão logística ordinal para identificar os fatores associados. Estiveram satisfeitos com o serviço 53% dos usuários; medianamente satisfeitos, 34,3%; e insatisfeitos, 12,7%. Os principais fatores associados com maior grau de satisfação foram: ser mulher, maior idade e ser chefe/a de família. O sistema de saúde deve dirigir sua atenção para esse grupo populacional que é crescente e incentivar o desenvolvimento de uma atenção de qualidade que contemple as suas necessidades.

Objetivo. Presentar un mapeo político sobre discriminación y homofobia asociadas con la epidemia del virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH) en entornos institucionales públicos. Material y métodos. Se realizó un mapeo político con actores clave en seis estados de México, a quienes se les aplicó una entrevista semiestructurada para explorar la discriminación y homofobia asociadas con el VIH. La información se sistematizó mediante matrices de contenido por categorías y el software PolicyMaker. Resultados. Se documentaron prácticas discriminatorias y homofóbicas lesivas a la integridad como la denostación, la burla y los crímenes de odio. La mayoría de actores se manifestaron en contra de la discriminación y la homofobia; algunos de ellos influyeron de manera importante en la formulación de políticas para prevenir la discriminación y la homofobia. Sin embargo, los marcos normativos estatales fueron poco específicos. Conclusiones. Son persistentes las prácticas discriminatorias y la homofobia asociadas con el VIH, por lo cual se requiere mayor atención en los estados y es necesario impulsar políticas para prevenirlas, así como la observancia del cumplimiento de las leyes estatales.