We aimed to determine the knowledge and practices regarding toxoplasmosis among housewives in the northern Mexican city of Durango. One hundred eighty-five women (mean age: 41.27 ± 12.40 years old) with an occupation of housewife were studied. A self-administered questionnaire was used. This tool included items about the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, its transmission routes, general clinical, diagnostic, and treatment aspects of toxoplasmosis, and practices to avoid infection. A minority (<10%) of women knew about the parasite, the disease, how the transmission occurs, the clinical manifestations, how an infection is diagnosed, the treatment, and how to avoid toxoplasmosis. Some women knew that cats can transmit T. gondii infection (20%), and that the parasite can be found in cat feces (20.5%). Only 7.6% of women knew that infection with T. gondii can be transmitted by consumption of contaminated food or water. Only 1.1% of women knew about the prevalence of T. gondii infection. Some (4.9%) women used to taste raw meat while cooking, and 7.6% used to undercook meat. In addition, 20% of women used to eat raw dried meat, and 13.5% consumed untreated water. Less than 90% of women always washed their hands before cooking, and washed fruits or vegetables. The majority (75.1%) of women never wore gloves when handling raw meat. About one quarter (27.6%) of women always froze meat. And 16.2% of women cleaned cat feces. This is the first study regarding knowledge and practices about toxoplasmosis in housewives. Poor knowledge regarding T. gondii infection, toxoplasmosis, and practices to avoid infection among the housewives studied was found. High risk practices for infection were identified. Strategies to improve toxoplasmosis-related knowledge and practices to avoid T. gondii infection and its sequelae in housewives are highly needed.

Background To determine the association of infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) and the occupation of female sex worker; and the correlation of infection with HPV with sociodemographic, clinical and behavioral characteristics of female sex workers. Methods We performed a case-control study of 217 female sex workers and 354 women without sex work in Durango City, Mexico. We determined the prevalence of infection with HPV in cervical samples of women using polymerase chain reaction, and HPV genotypes were determined using line probe assay. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess the association between the characteristics of women and infection. Results Twelve (5.5%) of the 217 sex workers, and 10 (2.8%) of the 354 control women were positive for HPV DNA (age-adjusted OR = 1.51; 95% CI: 0.62 - 3.68; P = 0.36). Six (50.0%) of the 12 HPV DNA positive sex workers had infections with high-risk genotypes (16, 31, 33, 35, 51, 58). Seven (70%) of the 10 HPV DNA positive control women had infections with high-risk genotypes (16, 18, 56, 58, and 66). The frequency of high risk genotypes in the control women was equal with that found in the female sex workers (P = 0.41). Logistic regression analysis showed that the variable alcohol consumption was associated with HPV infection (OR = 4.0; 95% CI: 1.0 - 16.0; P = 0.04). Conclusions No association between HPV infection and female sex work was found in our setting. High risk HPV genotypes were prevalent among the women studied. Results can be used for the design of preventive measures against HPV infection.

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RESUMENObjetivo: determinar la relación entre el uso de alcohol y las características resilientes en adolescentes que viven en situación vulnerable. Método: diseño descriptivocorrelacional y transversal. Muestra de 234 adolescentes de secundaria del área vulnerable de Durango, México. Se utilizó una cédula de datos personales para la información sociodemográfica de los participantes, al igual que la aplicación de AUDIT y el inventario de características personales de resiliencia. Resultados: el 53.0% fueron hombres, 54.7% entre 13 a 14 años, 75.2% únicamente estudia, 54.7% su familia es con padre y madre. El 15% mostró consumo sensato, el 5.6% uso dependiente y 13.2% uso dañino. Los participantes de 15 a 16 años mostraron mayor uso de alcohol (p<.05), el 70.8% (IC 95% ) han consumido alcohol alguna vez en la vida, 50% (IC 95% ) en el último año, 41.7% ) en el último mes. Las subescalas Autoestima p<.05), p<.05) y uso de alcohol se correlacionaron negativamente. Conclusión: participantes entre 15 y 16 años mostraron mayor uso de alcohol y del inventario de características personales de resiliencia: el autoestima, humor y creatividad mostraron relación con el uso de alcohol. Descriptores: Resiliencia; Consumo de Alcohol en Menores; Adolescentes.

The mannose-binding lectin (MBL) 2 gene has an important function in the innate immune response and activation of the third pathway of the complement system. Some studies have assessed the association of the MBL2 gene polymorphisms with cervicovaginal infections (CVI); however, there is no information about this association in Mexican women. This study aimed to determine the association between the MBL2 codons 54 and 57 gene polymorphisms with CVI in a sample of Mexican women. Through a cross-sectional study, blood samples and cervicovaginal cultures were obtain from 354 women. MBL2 genotyping was performed by real-time polymerase chain reaction with Taqman probes. Of the 354 women studied, 128 (36.2%) had CVI and 226 (63.8%) were healthy. The frequencies of the C and T variants in codon 54 in women with CVI were 83% and 17%, respectively; whereas the frequencies of these variants in healthy women were 82% and 18%, respectively. The frequencies of variants C/C, C/T, and T/T in women with CVI were 68%, 31%, and 1%, respectively; whereas the frequencies of these variants in healthy women were 68%, 29%, and 3%, respectively. With respect to codon 57, the frequencies of variants C and T were identical in women with CVI and in healthy women (97% and 3%, respectively). The frequencies of variants C/C, C/T, and T/T were identical in women with CVI and in healthy women (94%, 6%, and 0%, respectively). We conclude that MBL2 codons 54 and 57 gene polymorphisms do not associate with CVI in Mexican women.

Purpose We aimed to determine the association between Chlamydia trachomatis infection and female sex work, and the association between sociodemographic, obstetric, and behavioral characteristics of female sex workers and C. trachomatis infection. Methods Through a case–control study design, we studied 201 female sex workers and 201 age-matched women without sex work in Durango City, Mexico. C. trachomatis DNA was detected in cervical swab samples using polymerase chain reaction. Results C. trachomatis DNA was detected in 32 (15.9%) of the 201 cases and in 6 (3.0%) of the 201 controls (odds ratio [OR] = 6.15; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.5–15.0; P < 0.001). The frequency of infection with C. trachomatis in female sex workers did not vary ( P > 0.05) regardless of the history of pregnancies, deliveries, cesarean sections, or miscarriages. Regression analysis of the behavioral characteristics showed that infection with C. trachomatis was associated only with consumption of alcohol (OR = 2.39; 95% CI: 1.0–5.71; P = 0.04). Conclusions: We conclude that C. trachomatis infection is associated with female sex work in Durango City, Mexico. This is the first age-matched case–control study on the prevalence of C. trachomatis infection in female sex workers in Mexico using detection of C. trachomatis DNA in cervical samples.