COVID-19 Pandemic In Mexico Research Articles

Sex differences in pneumonia risk during COVID-19 in Mexico.

This study aimed to evaluate the pneumonia risk based on the patient's sex during the COVID-19 pandemic and the early months of the endemic phase of the disease in Mexico. A retrospective cohort study was conducted using a dataset resulting from the epidemiological surveillance of COVID-19 (February 2020 to August 2023). Data from 1.6million adults with laboratory-positive disease, were analyzed. Risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI), computed through generalized linear regression models, were used. The overall risk of pneumonia was 9.3% (95% CI 9.2-9.4%), with sex-specific estimates of 7.0% (95% CI 6.9-7.1%) for women and 12.0% (95% CI 11.9-12.1%) for men. This disparity was consistently observed throughout all phases of the pandemic, including the endemic phase of the disease. After adjusting for age, predominant viral genotype at illness onset and preexisting medical conditions, men had a 3.3% higher risk of severe manifestations when compared to women (RR = 1.033, 95% CI 1.032-1.034). Our research highlights the potential role of patients' sex as a factor influencing pneumonia risk during and after the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico. These findings may provide useful considerations for healthcare planning and policy development focused on addressing the impact of the disease on vulnerable populations.

Massive open online course on breastfeeding during the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico.

COVID-19 virus was reported to be transmitted through breastfeeding (BF), creating the need for rapidly available, standardized information and training for health personnel and the community about BF as an urgent action to reduce misinformation and unethical promotion of breast milk substitutes (BMS). In Mexico, a massive open online course (MOOC) was designed and implemented to protect, promote and support BF in emergency contexts. MOOC registration consisted of collection of quantitative data regarding participant characteristics, MOOC coverage, scores achieved and completion rates. A multiple linear regression analysis was performed to relate the absolute and relative skills earned in the MOOC to participant characteristics. In addition, factors associated with completion rate and dissemination of information from the MOOC were analyzed using multiple logistic regression and presented as odds ratios. During a period of 19 months, 52,426 participants across the country, including health personnel and general population, entered the Cursos en Linea del Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (CLIMSS) platform, of which 50.5% completed the MOOC. The level of participation was maintained from January 2021 to early 2022 when the perception of the risk of getting sick from COVID-19 and quarantining decreased. In adjusted analysis, completion rate was associated with being older or belonging to a health institution; furthermore, residing in the north of the country doubled the odds of completing the MOOC (odds ratio 2.24; 95% confidence interval 1.95-2.56). A MOOC can be a useful training strategy to disseminate information, especially in emergencies where physical distancing is important and reaching the largest possible population is required.

Learning in surgical residences during the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico

Learning in surgical residences during the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico

Soberania alimentar indígena em tempos de covid-19: estudo de caso em Santa Catarina Minas, Oaxaca, México

The information presented in this article derives from ethnographic research conducted with members of the Zapotec Indigenous community of Santa Catarina Minas (Oaxaca, Mexico) on their experiences, achievements, and challenges associated with food sovereignty practices in their community during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The study aimed to identify and analyze the relationships present between cultural traditions, food, and disease and how these have influenced the social perceptions and practices experienced during the pandemic and up to the present. The methodology employed for the project included qualitative research techniques such as participant observation, interviews, audiovisual documentation, and surveys based on three fieldwork stays in the study community for a total of approximately forty days. The main research findings focus on the exploration of the dichotomy between gastronomic practices and what I classify here as symbolic food, both being essential for health, social well-being, and cultural identity in this community during and after the pandemic. The main conclusion consists of evidencing the preexistence of a relevant link between food sovereignty practices in the community that directly helped the residents of Santa Catarina Minas to cope with the challenges of COVID-19—a link that has also provided new socioeconomic opportunities after the pandemic. This article is relevant due to its novel contributions to the field of anthropological knowledge on indigenous experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico, as well as its original analysis of food sovereignty practices in these communities in the contemporary context.

Impact and evolution of risk factors associated with hospitalization and mortality due to COVID-19 during the six epidemic waves in Mexico

ObjectivesThis study aims to analyze and compare the main risk factors for hospitalization and deaths due to COVID-19 during the six epidemic waves from February 2020 to June 2023 in Mexico. MethodsFirst, a descriptive analysis of the risk factors that led to hospitalization and mortality due to COVID-19 was performed. Next, the degree of relationship of each risk factor with hospitalization and death was determined using Cramer's V coefficient. Finally, logistic regression models were applied to estimate the odds ratios of the most statistically significant risk factors for hospitalization and mortality. ResultsA direct relationship between age and the possibility of hospitalization and death due to COVID-19 was found. Moreover, the comorbidities most likely to lead to hospitalization and death were pneumonia, hypertension, diabetes, obesity and CKD. It is also remarkable that the second factor of death is endotracheal intubation. ConclusionThe COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico revealed the reality of an epidemiological scenario where infectious diseases and chronic degenerative diseases coexist and interrelate.

Risk factors contributing to infection with SARS-CoV-2 are modulated by sex.

Throughout the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico (August-December 2020), we closely followed a cohort of n = 100 healthcare workers. These workers were initially seronegative for Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, and maintained close contact with patients afflicted by the disease. We explored the database of demographic, physiological and laboratory parameters of the cohort recorded at baseline to identify potential risk factors for infection with SARS-CoV-2 at a follow-up evaluation six months later. Given that susceptibility to infection may be a systemic rather than a local property, we hypothesized that a multivariate statistical analysis, such as MANOVA, may be an appropriate statistical approach. Our results indicate that susceptibility to infection with SARS-CoV-2 is modulated by sex. For men, different physiological states appear to exist that predispose to or protect against infection, whereas for women, we did not find evidence for divergent physiological states. Intriguingly, male participants who remained uninfected throughout the six-month observation period, had values for mean arterial pressure and waist-to-hip ratio that exceeded the normative reference range. We hypothesize that certain risk factors that worsen the outcome of COVID-19 disease, such as being overweight or having high blood pressure, may instead offer some protection against infection with SARS-CoV-2.

Shifts in property crime patterns during the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico

Abstract Objectives To estimate the dynamic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on property crime in Mexico. We do so for a longer time horizon than the existing literature and for two types of property crime: on-line and on-site. Methods A retrospective ecological analysis during the COVID-19 pandemic using an event study methodology. This paper uses administrative data from Mexico’s National Public Security System from January 2017 to December 2022. Our data is structured as a monthly series covering all 2457 Mexican municipalities. Results We find heterogeneity in the pandemic’s impact by type of property crime and a dynamic, permanent effect for both types of property crime. Namely, our results point to a drop and quick recovery of fraud—property crime mostly committed on-line—, which in the medium run surpasses pre-pandemic levels by 44%. Further, our results point to a significant drop in robbery, theft, domestic burglary, and motor vehicle theft—all property crimes committed on-site—, with a slight recovery after the end of the national lockdown, even though rates for these crimes never reached pre-pandemic levels. Conclusions The 2020 pandemic caused a permanent shift in property crime from on-site to on-line spaces. Potential mechanisms point to disruptions in mobility in retail and recreational areas, residential zones, and workplaces as important mediating factors.

The End of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Mexico: Omicron Sublineages BQ.1 and XBB Trigger the Sixth Wave of Infections.

The End of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Mexico: Omicron Sublineages BQ.1 and XBB Trigger the Sixth Wave of Infections.

Using machine learning to analyze mental health in distance education during the COVID-19 pandemic: an opinion study from university students in Mexico.

In times of lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been detected that some students are unable to dedicate enough time to their education. They present signs of frustration and even apathy towards dropping out of school. In addition, feelings of fear, anxiety, desperation, and depression are now present because society has not yet been able to adapt to the new way of living. Therefore, this article analyzes the feelings that university students of the Instituto Tecnológico Superior de Misantla present when using long distance education tools during COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico. The results suggest that isolation, because of the pandemic situation, generated high levels of anxiety and depression. Moreover, there are connections between feelings generated by lockdown and school performance while using e-learning platforms. The findings of this research reflect the students' feelings, useful information that could lead to the development and implementation of pedagogical strategies that allow improving the students' academic performance results.

Clinical and treatment profiles of arterial hypertension in Mexico during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional survey endorsed by the "Collaborative Group on Arterial Hypertension".

Arterial hypertension is highly prevalent in Mexico; nevertheless, there are limited insights regarding its management during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here, we estimate the prevalence of clinical and treatment profiles of arterial hypertension and explore associated factors for undiagnosed and uncontrolled hypertension using a cross-sectional survey endorsed by the Collaborative Group on Arterial Hypertension from the Mexican Institute of Social Security. Our survey was conducted from May to November 2021 using the May-Measurement Month 2021 protocols of the International Society of Hypertension. Arterial hypertension (defined as: blood pressure [BP] ≥140/90 mmHg, previous diagnosis, or taking antihypertensives) and its clinical and treatment profiles were classified according to the World Hypertension League Expert Committee. Mixed-effects logistic regression models were used to explore associated factors for undiagnosed and uncontrolled hypertension. Among 77,145 screened participants (women: 62.4%; median age: 46 [IQR: 32-59] years), the prevalence of arterial hypertension was 35.7% (95% CI: 35.3-36.0, n = 27,540). Among participants with arterial hypertension, 30.9% (95% CI: 30.4-31.5, n = 8,533) were undiagnosed, 6.6% (95% CI: 6.3%-6.9%, n = 1,806) were diagnosed but untreated, 43.4% (95% CI: 42.9-44.0, n = 11,965) had uncontrolled hypertension, and only 19% (95% CI: 18.6%-19.5%, n = 5,236) achieved hypertension control (BP < 130/80 mmHg). Explored associated factors for undiagnosed and uncontrolled hypertension include being men, living in the central and southern regions, lower educational attainments, higher use of pharmacological agents, and previous COVID-19 infection. Our findings suggest that adverse arterial hypertension profiles, mainly undiagnosed and uncontrolled hypertension, were highly prevalent during the context of the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico.

Increased Incidence of Rhinovirus Pneumonia in Children During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Mexico.

Background: Human rhinovirus (HRV), traditionally recognized as the primary etiological agent of the common cold, has become the second most important viral agent in bronchopulmonary conditions, such as pneumonia and asthma exacerbations. During the COVID-19 pandemic, several viruses exhibited changes in their epidemiological behavior. This study aims to evaluate the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of children with HRV pneumonia before and during the pandemic in Mexico. Methods: A comparative ambispective longitudinal epidemiological study of two cohorts (prepandemic and pandemic periods) was carried out. Two databases were compared: one from 2010 to 2013 and the other from 2021 to 2023. Children under 5 years of age diagnosed with HRV pneumonia were included. Student's t-test, χ 2 tests, and logistic regression were used to assess risk factors associated with severe pneumonia. Incidence density was calculated as HRV cases per 10 new cases of pneumonia per month for each year. Results: During the pandemic, the age of presentation shifted from 5 months to 16 months. There was a higher incidence of HRV pneumonia in children during the pandemic, particularly in the second half of 2021, with a peak in July and August. In addition, there was an increase in severity (53% vs. 63%, p=0.006) and coinfections (51.3% vs. 76% p < 0.001). A higher prevalence of all risk factors was observed in the second cohort. Conclusions: During the pandemic, a shift toward older age, a higher percentage of coinfections, and increased severity associated to HRV pneumonia were observed. These findings highlight the need for the development and implementation of targeted prevention and treatment measures for HRV.

Analisis Prediksi Kematian Pasien Covid-19 di Meksiko Menggunakan Algoritma Random Forest

This research aims to analyze and predict the deaths of Covid-19 patients in Mexico using the Random Forest algorithm. The data used in this study is sourced from official sources, including the number of cases, symptoms, risk factors, and Covid-19 patient mortality data. The first stage of this research is data preprocessing, where the acquired data is collected, cleaned, and prepared for analysis. Subsequently, data exploration is conducted to understand the characteristics and patterns within the dataset. Then, the Random Forest model is developed to predict the deaths of Covid-19 patients based on relevant factors. Model evaluation is performed using accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score metrics. The results of this research indicate that the random forest model can provide good predictions for Covid-19 patient deaths in Mexico. The evaluation results show a high level of accuracy and satisfactory performance for the model. These findings can be used as guidance in decision-making and strategic planning to address the Covid-19 pandemic in Mexico. This research contributes significantly to the field of predictive analysis and provides valuable insights in the efforts to manage the Covid-19 pandemic.

Omicron and Delta variant prevalence detection and identification during the fourth COVID-19 wave in Mexico using wastewater-based epidemiology

ObjectivesTo identify the SARS-CoV-2 variants Delta and Omicron during the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico using samples taken from 19 locations in 18 out of the 32 states. MethodsThe genetic material concentration was done with PEG/NaCl precipitation, SARS-CoV-2 presence was confirmed by reverse transcriptase-quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay, the variant detection was carried out using a commercial mutation detection panel kit, and variant/mutation confirmation was done by amplicon sequencing of receptor-binding domain target region. The study used 41 samples. ResultsThe Delta variant was confirmed in two samples during August 2021 (Querétaro and CDMX) and in three samples during November 2021 (Aguascalientes, Ciudad Juárez campuses, and Nuevo Leon). In December 2021, another sample with the Delta variant was confirmed in Nuevo Leon. Between January to March 2022 only the presence of Omicron was confirmed, (variant BA.1). Additionally, in this period six samples were identified with the status “Variant Not Determined”. ConclusionTo our knowledge, this study is one of the first to identify Omicron and Delta variants with polymerase chain reaction in Mexico and Latin America and its distribution across the country with 56% Mexican states making it a viable alternative for variant detection without conducting a large quantity of sequencing of clinical tests.

Depression as a predictor of sleep quality in health workers who faced the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico

Introduction: There is a relationship between depression and sleep quality; however, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on this association is unknown, especially for those health workers who faced the pandemic. Therefore, we aimed to identify the association between depression and sleep quality in health workers who faced the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A survey was performed on 150 health workers with at least 2 years of working tenure in a public maternal perinatal hospital in Mexico, between September and December 2021. Sociodemographic data, levels of sleep quality, depression, anxiety, and gastrointestinal function were obtained through a self-administered questionnaire. Cardiovascular risk was obtained according to age, lifestyle habits, blood pressure, anthropometry, body composition and biochemical measurements. Results: Those with depression were 10.3 times more likely to have poor sleep quality compared to those without depression, adjusted for gastrointestinal function (95% CI 2.92 – 36.54, p&lt;0.001). Those with depression were 7.23 times more likely to have poor sleep quality compared to those without depression, adjusted for gastrointestinal function, anxiety, and cardiovascular risk (95% CI 1.85-28.14, p&lt;0.001). Conclusion: Health workers’ depression should be considered a predictor of poor sleep quality, especially in those who faced the COVID-19 pandemic.

Challenges to the HIV Care Continuum During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Mexico: A Mixed Methods Study.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been reported to disrupt the access to care of people who live with HIV (PWH). The impact of the pandemic on the longitudinal HIV care continuum, however, has not been properly evaluated. We performed a mixed-methods study using data from the Mexican System of Distribution, Logistics, and ART Surveillance on PWH that are cared for in the state of Oaxaca. We evaluated the number of HIV diagnoses performed in the state before and during the pandemic with an interrupted time series. We used the longitudinal HIV care continuum framework to describe the stages of HIV care before and during the pandemic. Finally, we performed a qualitative analysis to determine which were the challenges faced by staff and users regarding HIV care during the pandemic. New HIV diagnoses were lower during the first year of the pandemic compared with the year immediately before. Among 2682 PWH with enough information to determine their status of care, 728 started receiving care during the COVID-19 pandemic and 1954 before the pandemic. PWH engaged before the pandemic spent 42825months (58.2% of follow-up) in optimal HIV control compared with 3061months (56.1% of follow-up) for those engaged in care during the pandemic. Staff and users reported decreases in the frequency of appointments, prioritisation of unhealthy users, larger disbursements of ART medication, and novel communication strategies with PWH. Despite challenges due to government cutbacks, changes implemented by staff helped maintain HIV care due to higher flexibility in ART delivery and individualised attention.

Recruitment of nursing students in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico. A rapid response to the health emergency.

The Mexican government implemented a strategy to increase nursing staff in response to COVID-19, including the early graduation of university students, to incorporate them into the care frontline. This exploratory qualitative study aimed to analyze nursing students' experiences recruited by health institutions to care for COVID patients. It included 12 participants who received and accepted job proposals in health institutions for patient care during their internship. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with prior informed consent. The experiences of the participants were integrated into three themes: the students took advantage of the modified social service regulations to be recruited by an institution and integrate into COVID-19 care; the recruitment and remuneration conditions were plagued with anomalies and important informalities in the process; and the preparation for care was very incipient, so learning occurred in the very care process. The pandemic allowed the participants to enter the nursing labor market in extraordinary and substandard conditions.

Boredom, art, and activism: notes on the experiences of people with disabilities in Mexico during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Confinement, imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico, confronted most people with experiences of boredom. For people living with disability, however, the experience of boredom is not alien. Unfortunately, boredom and disability are topics frequently shrouded in taboo, constraining informative reflection and discussion. This perspective article briefly reflects on encounters and disagreements about these two categories in the lives of people with disabilities during the COVID-19 confinement in Mexico. The objective is to explore relevant elements for reflection and extend an invitation for critical and in-depth research on the matter.

Health-care policies during the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico: A continuous case of heterogeneous, reactive, and unequal response

BackgroundThe pandemic in Mexico underlined pre-existing health-care system inequalities. Within the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic, 154 health policies across health institutions were found to be uncoordinated and heterogeneous, leading to health inequalities in access and potential health outcomes. Data & methodsUsing a rapid qualitative research methodology, data was collected using purposive sampling of institutional policies published for public access on the official websites of the four public health institutions in Mexico from June 16th, 2020 to October 30th, 2021. This policy review used archival analysis to understand the differences in health-care policies during the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico. These policies were classified under the RREAL framework and as a continuation of our first publication. ResultsDuring this study, categories of public health response and vaccination dominated the policies enacted. The SSA was the main author of publications. There seems to be a more unified policy response. However, health inequalities persist. ConclusionsThe Mexican government continued to be reactive to the increase in cases or the arrival of new variants, rather than preventative. Research and development of policies need to work together in soaring cases like COVID-19 to work more effectively against the economic and epidemiological burden of a pandemic. It is suggested that this “vaccination” should be included in the RREAL classification. Other sectors (i.e. the ministry of foreign affairs) should be considered relevant players in the future management of a pandemic.

Diet and body weight at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico

Weight changes in adults have strong repercussions on people's health status. During the COVID-19 pandemic, these changes could be more evident due to the mandatory confinement, as well as eating habits and lifestyle. In this study, changes in diet and body weight in Mexican population at the beginning of COVID-19 lockdown period (weeks 4-7) were evaluated using an online survey. To identify the characteristics of the diet and the perceived change in body weight at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico. Descriptive, cross-sectional study of 1281 people over 18 years of age, electronic survey in weeks 4-7 of confinement with sociodemographic data, food consumption and perception of body weight. The change in food consumption was 53.9%, finding differences according to gender in beverages (carbonated, juices, alcoholic), coffee/tea, fruits, legumes (p < 0.05). The perception of body weight increases by 3.4 (increased) and 2.1 (lowered) times more than the risk of change in diet. The dietary differences refer to a tendency to the type of food consumed, mainly sugary drinks, with the perception of changes in positive body weight in women.

Polymorphisms associated with dental caries in pediatric populations: a systematic review

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been reported to play an important role in the etiology of dental caries. The aim of this research was, through a systematic review, to identify SNPs recently associated with dental caries in pediatric populations. We included studies performed in humans up to 18 years of age that evaluated the relationship between SNPs and dental caries from 2017 to 2022. Articles that covered other study variables were excluded. PubMed, ScienceDirect and Web of Science were used to search for information and the included articles were evaluated with one of the Joanna Briggs Institute's tools. Twenty-five articles were selected, 60% of which were given high methodological quality. A total of 10,743 research subjects, ranging in age from 20 months to 17 years, participated in the study. The SNPs considered risk factors were identified in the genes miRNA202, VDR, AMELX, TUFT1, KLK4, MBL2, ENAM, DEFB1, HLA-DRB1, TAS1R1, DSPP, RUNX2 and MMP13; those considered protective factors were identified in the genes MMP20, AMBN, MMP9, TIMP2, TNF-α, VDR, IL1B, ENAM and HLA-DRB1. This systematic review presents the genetic polymorphisms that are associated with the etiology of caries in children and adolescents, some of which act as risk factors and others as protective factors against the disease.