Objective. To assess the association between drinking behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic and quarantine, anxiety symptoms, and sociodemographic characteristics in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC).
Method. Data was collected through a cross-sectional online survey (non-probabilistic sample) conducted by the Pan American Health Organization between May 22 and June 30, 2020, in 33 countries and two territories of LAC. Participants were 18 years of age or older and must not have traveled outside of their country since March 15, 2020 (n= 12 328, M age= 38.1 years, 65% female). Four drinking behaviors (online socializing drinking [OSD], drinking with child present [DCP], drinking before 5 p.m. [DB5]), heavy episodic drinking [HED]) were response variables, and quarantining, anxiety symptoms and sociodemographic covariables were explanatory variables.
Results. Quarantine was positively associated with a higher frequency of OSD and with DCP, but negatively associated with a higher frequency of HED. Anxiety symptoms were associated with a higher frequency of HED, more OSD, and DB5. Higher incomes seemed to be more associated with all the studied drinking behaviors. Women tended to report less DB5 and less HED during the pandemic.
Conclusions. Quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic seems to affect drinking behavior and mental health indicators like anxiety symptoms. This study is the first effort to measure the consequences of the quarantine on alcohol consumption and mental health in LAC during the COVID-19 pandemic. Considering the associations found, screenings and brief interventions targeting alcohol consumption and mental health are recommended.
To identify and analyze the factors associated with the decision of migrants suffering violence while in transit through Mexico, to continue on their trip or turn back. Cross-sectional study combining quantitative and qualitative analyses. Socio-demographic and health characteristics, as well as types of violence and factors associated with the decision to continue on the trip, were explored for 862 migrants. 35 migrants were interviewed to explore their perceptions of migration, socioeconomic and political situations in their countries of origin, risks, violence experienced, and the decision to continue on their trip. Of the 862 migrants, 21.1% experienced violence during their transit through Mexico towards the USA. Of these, 88.5% decided to continue on their journey. This decision was positively associated with age (OR = 1.075, p < 0.05), number of children (OR = 3.161, p < 0.10), homicide rate in the country of origin (OR = 1.043, p < 0.10) and proximity to the northern border. No differences were observed by sex, schooling, days in transit and the presence of health problems. The decision to continue the journey to the United States was related to structural factors in the countries of origin, rather than risks in transit. It is necessary to implement mechanisms to promote and protect the human rights of migrants during their whole journey (origin, transit and destination).
Objetivo. Analizar el perfil de atención por infecciones de transmisión sexual (ITS) en centros de salud de zonas fronterizas de Centroamérica durante el periodo 2007-2010. Material y métodos. Estudio transversal en una muestra de 3 357 pacientes. Se capacitaron médicos y se suministraron medicamentos, condones y pruebas de VIH (paquete básico de atención [PBA]). Se analizaron las características sociodemográficas de los participantes y su asociación a la recepción del PBA. Resultados. De la muestra, 66.0% tuvo de 25 a 59 años, 93.2% era mujer. El síndrome más frecuente fue el flujo vaginal asociado con candidiasis, vaginosis bacteriana, trichomoniasis y gonorrea. De las prescripciones, 60% siguió recomendaciones internacionales. Sólo 10.2% recibió el PBA. La probabilidad de recibirlo fue menor en mujeres. Conclusiones. No basta con incrementar las capacidades de provisión de servicios para modificar las prácticas de atención. Éstas se encuentran enraizadas en el contexto sociocultural. Destacan prácticas médicas diferenciadas por género que influyen negativamente en la atención.
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