Latin American Countries Research Articles

Education Experiments in Latin America: Empirical Evidence to Guide Evaluation Design.

Randomized experiments involving education interventions are typically implemented as cluster randomized trials, with schools serving as clusters. To design such a study, it is critical to understand the degree to which learning outcomes vary between versus within clusters (schools), specifically the intraclass correlation coefficient. It is also helpful to anticipate the benefits, in terms of statistical power, of collecting household data, testing students at baseline, or relying on administrative data on previous cohorts from the same school. We use data from multiple cluster-randomized trials in four Latin American countries to provide information on the intraclass correlations in early grade literacy outcomes. We also describe the proportion of variance explained by different types of covariates. These parameters will help future researchers conduct statistical power analysis, estimate the required sample size, and determine the necessity of collecting different types of baseline data such as child assessments, administrative data at the school level, or household surveys.

A Pious Paradox

The divergent trajectories in the legalization of same-sex marriage amidst disparate levels of religiosity challenges conventional wisdom about the relationship between religion, state, and society. Contrary to the conventional belief that higher religiosity in countries fosters conservative views and resistance to progressive social reforms, Argentina and Chile present an intriguing anomaly. Utilizing data from the World Values Survey and examining the historical, political, and social contexts of each country, this paper seeks to understand why Argentina, with its higher religiosity and constitutional favoritism towards Catholicism, became the first Latin American country to legalize same-sex marriage in 2010, while Chile, less religious but more socially conservative, followed much later in 2021. The paper explores the divergent pre and post-dictatorship economic philosophies, governmental structures, sociopolitical landscapes and the distinct roles of the Catholic Church in 21st century Chilean and Argentine politics. It argues that in Argentina, individual political views and a vibrant civil society have developed independently of religious beliefs, fostering a political culture more open to progressive social reform. Conversely, Chile’s entrenched neoliberal policies and the Catholic Church’s sustained influence in Chilean civil society align with more conservative social values, impeding similar progress. These findings challenge the assumption that higher levels of religiosity necessarily correlate with social conservatism and underscore the complex interplay between religion, government, and social values. This research not only illuminates the nuanced dynamics at play in the legal recognition of same-sex marriage in Latin America but also suggests broader implications for understanding the impact of religiosity on political and social attitudes globally.

Physical exercise and cognition in older adults, a scientific approach scanty reported in Latin America and Caribbean populations.

The advancement of public services, including the increased accessibility of health services, has led to a rise in life expectancy globally. As a result, aging populations are becoming more prevalent, raising concerns about cognitive decline. Fortunately, non-pharmacological methods, such as physical exercise, have been shown to mitigate the effects of aging on the brain. In this perspective article, we examined meta-analyses on the impact of physical exercise on cognition in older adults. The results indicate that combined exercise (i.e., aerobic plus strength training), has a significant positive effect on overall cognition and executive function. However, we found a lack of scientific studies on this topic in Latin American and Caribbean countries. Therefore, there is a pressing need for research to identify the feasibility of physical exercise interventions to improve cognitive skills in older adults from these regions.

Does governance matter to ensure significant effect of foreign direct investment on poverty reduction? Evidence from developing and emerging countries

This paper examines the moderating role of governance in the effect of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) on poverty using simultaneous equations models for sub-Saharan African, Asian, Latin American and Eastern European countries over the period 1996–2017. The main objective of this study is to examine the role of governance as a moderator of the FDI effect on poverty. Our analyses support a positive significant impact of FDI on poverty reduction in sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America but a negative effect in Eastern Europe, while it is not significant in Asian economies. In addition, we detect a positive conjoint impact of FDI and governance quality on poverty in all African, Latin American and Eastern European economic communities. However, this interactive effect is negative and not significant in Asia. This means that FDI reduces poverty in the presence of governance quality. Our results support that in the poorest countries (sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America), poverty is more sensitive to interactions between governance and FDIs than in the richest countries (ASIA). As policy implications of this study, governments in less developed regions must give great importance to improving the quality of governance. In this way, it becomes possible to attract foreign direct investment and increase household consumption reducing poverty as main purpose of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030.

FINANCIAL PLANNING AND DECISION MAKING AS PREDICTORS OF FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE IN MSMES

Purpose: the present study demonstrates that the combination of financial planning and decision making jointly contribute as predictors of efficient financial performance, permeating into MSMEs’ market sustainability. Theoretical Framework: Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) currently have a relevant role in gross domestic product and direct job creation in Latin American countries. The literature shows that financial planning is a highly valuable tool for large businesses, facilitating decision making and creating positive impacts on financial performance. However, these studies are centered on businesses classified as large, excluding MSMEs. Recent studies have approached financial planning, decision making, and financial performance in MSMEs on an individualized basis. Methodology: The study carried out was quantitative, non-experimental, correlation, cross-sectional, and explanatory. A total of 308 MSMEs participated, obtained from the National Geography and Statistics Institute (INEGI, 2019), of which 34.41% were industrial, 32.14% commercial, and 33.41% from the service sector. Normal distribution tests were done (Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests), along with symmetry and kurtosis. Findings: The findings suggest that MSMEs which have been around for seven years or more have financial planning knowledge favoring their decision-making and generating efficient financial performance, making time a determining factor. Research, Practical & Social Implications: Our findings have significant implications for generating proper planning based on solid tools, with the effect of assertive decision making which favors financial performance. Originality/Value: The most important contribution from this study to MSMEs is to show that financial planning is not only for large organizations, but can apply to them as well.

Barriers to healthcare access for children with congenital heart disease in eight Latin American countries.

Mortality from congenital heart disease has decreased considerably in the last two decades due to improvements in overall health care. However, there are barriers to access to healthcare in Latin America for this population, which could be related to factors such as healthcare system, policies, resources, geographic, cultural, educational, and psychological factors. Understanding the barriers to access to care is of paramount importance for the design and implementation of policies and facilitate the provision of care. The aim of the study was to investigate the perception of barriers to access to health care on parents/guardians of children with congenital heart disease in selected Latin American countries. A descriptive, cross-sectional study, in which parents/guardians or primary caregivers of children with congenital heart disease was recruited to participate and surveyed. Once the informed consent process had been completed, a set of paper-based scales was used to collect data, namely socioeconomic and demographic information, the Barriers to Care for Children with Special Health Care Needs Questionnaire, and the General Health Questionnaire. In total, 286 participants completed the surveys, with an average age of 34.81 years and 73.4% being female. Mean score of overall barriers was 54.45 (minimum score 39, maximum score 195, higher scores show greater perception of barriers). In Mexico, the parents/guardians of children perceived fewer barriers to access (46.69), while Peru is the country where the most barriers were perceived (69.91). Nonpoor participants showed higher overall barrier perception scores (57.34) than poor participants (52.58). The regression analysis demonstrated the overall perception of barriers was positively associated with individual and social factors, such as educational level, contract status, household monthly income, and psychological well-being and with the country of the participants. Multiple factors are associated with the perception of barriers to accessing health care for children with congenital heart disease, including socioeconomic status, expectations, psychological well-being, and structural factors.

Perceived Detention Environment and Mental Health of Detainees in Immigration Detention Centers in Spain.

The increase in migratory flows worldwide has led to the creation of detention centers as a form of control of irregular migration. Recipient countries are responsible for protecting detainees' right to mental health, but the literature suggests that immigration detention centers are environments associated with complex mental health needs among the detainees. This study aims to approach the mental health of people detained in the immigration detention centers in Spain, a southern border of Europe. Eighty-seven migrants coming from different Latin American and African countries were interviewed using an adaptation of the Measure of Quality of Life in Detention (MQLD; Bosworth & Gerlach, 2020) to measure the perceived detention environment and The Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25 (HSCL-25; Derogatis et al., 1974) to assess mental health. The results show a high prevalence of detainees with significant levels of anxiety and depression (69%) and attempts at self-harm within the detention centers (19.5%). A more positive perception of the detention environment-especially concerning institutional decency and the relationship with officers-is related to a lower degree of negative mental health symptoms. Finally, people detained for more than 2weeks assess the detention environment more negatively than those detained for less time. Scientific contributions and social implications to ensure the mental health of detainees from a human rights-based approach are discussed.

Recent dynamics in Neisseria gonorrhoeae genomic epidemiology in Brazil: antimicrobial resistance and genomic lineages in 2017-20 compared to 2015-16.

Regular quality-assured WGS with antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and epidemiological data of patients is imperative to elucidate the shifting gonorrhoea epidemiology, nationally and internationally. We describe the dynamics of the gonococcal population in 11 cities in Brazil between 2017 and 2020 and elucidate emerging and disappearing gonococcal lineages associated with AMR, compare to Brazilian WGS and AMR data from 2015 to 2016, and explain recent changes in gonococcal AMR and gonorrhoea epidemiology. WGS was performed using Illumina NextSeq 550 and genomes of 623 gonococcal isolates were used for downstream analysis. Molecular typing and AMR determinants were obtained and links between genomic lineages and AMR (determined by agar dilution/Etest) examined. Azithromycin resistance (15.6%, 97/623) had substantially increased and was mainly explained by clonal expansions of strains with 23S rRNA C2611T (mostly NG-STAR CC124) and mtr mosaics (mostly NG-STAR CC63, MLST ST9363). Resistance to ceftriaxone and cefixime remained at the same levels as in 2015-16, i.e. at 0% and 0.2% (1/623), respectively. Regarding novel gonorrhoea treatments, no known zoliflodacin-resistance gyrB mutations or gepotidacin-resistance gyrA mutations were found. Genomic lineages and sublineages showed a phylogenomic shift from sublineage A5 to sublineages A1-A4, while isolates within lineage B remained diverse in Brazil. Azithromycin resistance, mainly caused by 23S rRNA C2611T and mtrD mosaics/semi-mosaics, had substantially increased in Brazil. This mostly low-level azithromycin resistance may threaten the recommended ceftriaxone-azithromycin therapy, but the lack of ceftriaxone resistance is encouraging. Enhanced gonococcal AMR surveillance, including WGS, is imperative in Brazil and other Latin American and Caribbean countries.

Mental telehealth in a public child and adolescent psychiatry unit during the pandemic: a qualitative implementation study.

The COVID-19 pandemic led to a prompt implementation of remote care, especially in mental health care. The evidence supporting this modality of care is still emerging, with few qualitative studies describing its implementation in Latin American countries. This study aims to understand the perspectives of therapists and patients regarding the use of telehealth in a child and adolescent mental health unit of a Chilean public service. This is a qualitative study. Two focus groups were defined with 14 professionals, and 16 in-depth interviews were conducted with users of an outpatient child and adolescent psychiatry unit. The data were analyzed using the grounded theory model. In the group of therapists, four main categories emerged: background of mental telehealth, implementation, mental telehealth from the therapist's position, and projections. Three main categories emerged in the patient's group: implementation, evaluation of mental telehealth users, and projections. There are elements in common between the opinions of patients and therapists. Something to note within the patient's group is that, despite accepting remote care and recognizing its positive aspects, aside from the pandemic context, they prefer face-to-face or mixed care.

The role of technological modernization in Brazil's border security: a study on the Integrated Border Monitoring System (SISFRON)

The central purpose of this study is to conduct a scientific analysis of the influence of technological innovations on crime mitigation and the enhancement of public security in the border zone of Brazil. This examination aims to understand how the adoption of cutting-edge technologies can contribute to reducing criminal activity and strengthening security in the country's border areas. This study is of great relevance as it seeks to assess the importance of implementing the Integrated Border Monitoring System (SISFRON) as a preventive and repressive measure against crimes in the border regions between Brazil and other Latin American countries. SISFRON is essential as it integrates the Armed Forces, government agencies, and federative states, playing a crucial role in National Defense. The methodology employed in this work is based on a deductive approach, involving qualitative bibliographic and documentary research. The analysis of institutional documents, mapping of key actors from institutions involved in border protection, and investigating their role in promoting public security and defending Brazilian borders are fundamental steps in this research. By concluding this study, it is expected to confirm that SISFRON emerges as a significant tool of the National Defense Policy. It not only focuses on internal security and strengthening territorial defense in border areas but also serves as a link for cooperation between neighboring countries, enabling the sharing of information and joint actions in combating various forms of transboundary illicit activities.

ICT's in the Chilean and Latin-American civil justice. Analysis from the right of access to justice

AbstractThe incorporation of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in the justice sector is not necessarily a new phenomenon. Nevertheless, the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic accelerated this process, as it required rapid solutions to mitigate the effects of social distancing and other security measures, for which ICTs proved crucial to ensure the continued provision of basic legal services. Initially used only for urgent matters, after two years it has become highly integrated into the regular functions of judicial institutions and is expected to continue as a critical tool against overburdened dockets. ICTs in the justice system can serve different purposes and can therefore be analyzed from different perspectives: efficiency in the administration of justice, interoperability between institutional actors, improvement of information for decision-makers, transparency and accountability, among others. This article focuses on access to justice. Therefore, it analyzes the ICTs implemented in Latin American countries, with a focus on the Chilean judiciary – particularly in the civil justice system – from a critical point of view, based on access to justice standards.

Importance of cultural context in the study of children's executive functions: Advances in Latin America research

AbstractAlthough executive functions (EFs) have been identified as a cornerstone of cognitive development, knowledge of this fundamental ability in children is based primarily on research with North American and Western European samples of middle to high socioeconomic status (SES). In this article, we highlight advances in research on developmental EFs from Latin American regions, an understudied area that provides a unique context important to understanding EFs. Our narrative review suggests the potential for both universality (e.g., increasing cohesion and longitudinal stability among EFs' task performance, general positive associations with age, and other social and cognitive abilities) and cultural specificity in EF development (i.e., contributions of SES, educational environments, parenting styles, and cultural values). It is important to consider the development of EFs outside of typically examined samples—and specifically within Latin American countries—to understand more thoroughly these abilities and to generate interventions that consider cultural context.

Abstract P375: Cardiometabolic Risk Factors and Socioeconomic Status Indices in Young Adults in Latin America: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies

Background: Metabolic syndrome components in children and adolescents have gained attention in low- and middle-income countries due to variability in their effects and measures across socioeconomic status (SES) determinants. Socioeconomic disparities have been studied related to health, and this fact still poses a serious challenge that raises concerns, especially in low-and middle-income countries, where the classification of the population relies on different determinants from wealthier countries. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to illustrate the effects of measures of metabolic syndrome components across SES in Latin American (LA) young adults. Methods: We searched PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Lilacs (Bireme), Embase and Scopus for LA studies published before September 2023. Included studies were those with participants aged 6-19 years in whom metabolic syndrome (MS) components were analyzed across SES in LA. The quality of observational studies was assessed using the adapted New Castle Ottawa quality tool. Blood pressure, abdominal obesity, body mass index, body fat, glucose levels and insulin resistance data were synthesized, and a random effect model was used to measure the collective effect of overweight/obesity and lipid profile on higher SES levels compared with middle and low SES levels. The protocol of this review was registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews database (registration number: CRD42020222378) and was developed following PRISMA statements. Results: Sixty-three eligible articles (n=255, 521 participants) from nine LA countries were selected. SES definitions were used in 41 studies from five countries with similar criteria. Obesity and overweight (odds ratio: 1.57, 95% confidence interval: 1.18-1.96) and altered lipid profiles were significantly associated with higher SES compared to lower SES. However, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels were lower in patients with a lower SES. The heterogeneity observed could be explained by age, sex, nutrition patterns, standardized cardiometabolic measures, and temporally collected data due to rapid transitions in LA countries. Conclusions: Cardiometabolic components may be associated with higher SES in LA countries. As national SES definitions have been used around LA countries to classify populations, this definition needs to be standardized around LA countries to guide national programs to intensify cardiovascular health and prevent detrimental effects in young people.

Estimated Population-Level Impact of Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines Against All-Cause Pneumonia Mortality Among Unvaccinated in 5 Latin American Countries.

Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) provide strong direct protection in children, while limited data are available on their indirect effect on mortality among older age groups. This multicountry study aimed to assess the population-level impact of pediatric PCVs on all-cause pneumonia mortality among children ≥5 years of age, and invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) cases in Chile. Demographic and mortality data from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Mexico were collected considering the ≥ 5-year-old population, from 2000 to 2019, with 1 795 789 deaths due to all-cause pneumonia. IPD cases in Chile were also evaluated. Time series models were employed to evaluate changes in all-cause pneumonia deaths during the postvaccination period, with other causes of death used as synthetic controls for unrelated temporal trends. No significant change in death rates due to all-cause pneumonia was detected following PCV introduction among most age groups and countries. The proportion of IPD cases caused by vaccine serotypes decreased from 29% (2012) to 6% (2022) among people aged ≥65 years in Chile. While an effect of PCV against pneumonia deaths (a broad clinical definition that may not be specific enough to measure indirect effects) was not detected, evidence of indirect PCV impact was observed among vaccine-type-specific IPD cases.

Shut Up! Governments’ Popular Support and Journalist Harassment: Evidence from Latin America

ABSTRACT During the past few decades, Latin American governments’ recurrent attacks against journalists have contributed to the erosion of press freedom in the region and, relatedly, of the quality of democracy. Yet what pushes governments to harass journalists? We argue that governments are more likely to harass journalists when popular support for them drops. Due to the ability of journalists to influence public opinion, governments could perceive the harassment of journalists as a means to punish and silence those individuals who are seen as contributing to their decline in public support or as obstacles to regaining popularity. We test our argument on a sample of Latin American countries observed from 1990 to 2019. We find that declines in governments’ popular support lead to more harassment of journalists. Our research contributes to the debate on the determinants of press freedom and sheds further light on the current decline of democratic quality in Latin America.

Effects of classroom climate and eudaimonic well-being on student engagement in Mexico and El Salvador

Positive social and personal aspects have been described as factors behind student engagement. This study aimed to identify the direct effects of classroom climate and eudaimonic well-being on student engagement. In addition, research on student engagement in universities is scarce, and most research on this phenomenon is performed in developed countries (also known as WEIRD). Therefore, we include undergraduates from two Latin American countries. Participants were 625 students enrolled in one of the two collaborative institutions from Mexico and El Salvador. Data was collected through an online form. Three hypotheses were proved by comparative statistics analysis and a structural equation model (SEM). Results indicate that pupils in Mexico and El Salvador report classroom climate and eudaimonic well-being differently (H1). In addition, SEM analysis indicated that 49 % of Student engagement was explained by the direct effects of classroom climate (H2) and eudaimonic well-being (H3). Our findings highlight the importance of improving social and individual context in higher education institutions for these two Latin American countries. The implications of these findings are discussed.

Science, technology, and innovation in health for the next twenty years: A survey analysis in Colombia

AbstractBackgroundColombia is a Latin American country with a very complex social and political context that has not allowed the allocation of sufficient resources to the fields of science, technology, and innovation (STI). This is particularly worrying for the area of health since not enough resources are allocated for public health, research, or education.MethodsThe so‐called “Great Survey in Health 2019” was administered online through the SurveyMonkey platform to 5298 people in different regions of the country, representing the public, private, and academic sectors. The questionnaire consisted of 46 open and closed questions, including demographic inquiries. Data analysis involved textual analytics and sentiment analysis.ResultsOverall, 56% of those surveyed were women within the adult life cycle. Most respondents had a postgraduate education. Greater participation was observed in the Oriental, Bogotá, and Antioquia regions, which also concentrate the largest number of resources for STI. Among the main recommendations derived from the results, priorities include investing in research, personalised medicine, promoting the social appropriation of knowledge, addressing mental health, regulating research through a statute, promoting undergraduate research, and establishing recertification exams to pursue excellence.ConclusionThe results of this original study serve as a fundamental input to promote and strengthen the STI processes in life sciences and health. They serve as a guide to generate public policies and actions that guarantee better health and well‐being for the Colombian population, strategically proposing a clear roadmap for the next 20 years.

Latin American Countries Stuck in the Field of Development Theory: A Case Study of Chile

This manuscript conducts a nuanced exploration of the ramifications associated with the adoption of neoliberal development theories in Latin America, with a particular emphasis on the Chilean experience. It delves into the comprehensive implementation of neoliberal reforms under the auspices of the Washington Consensus during the 1970s, charting the trajectory of Chile's economic hardships, its subsequent period of growth, and the enduring challenges of socio-economic inequality and insufficient social welfare systems. Despite Chile's transformation into one of the region's most affluent countries, the analysis exposes the intricate relationship between economic advancements and the overarching well-being of society. The widespread protests in 2019 against entrenched neoliberal policies serve as a poignant critique of the tangible disconnect between macroeconomic success and the populace's quality of life. Through this case study, the paper advocates for a recalibration of development theories to equally value human rights and social progress as indispensable counterparts to economic prosperity, proposing a more integrated framework for sustainable development.

U.S. monetary policy shocks and bank lending in Latin America: evidence of an international bank lending channel

ABSTRACT We examine the impact of U.S. monetary policy shocks on bank lending in five major Latin American countries where large U.S. banks have limited presence. Our analysis covers annual balance sheet data from 2000 to 2021 for all banks in these nations, utilizing a recently developed measure of U.S. monetary policy shocks by Bu et al. Our findings reveal the existence of an international bank lending channel, with a one-percentage-point increase in the Fed funds rate resulting in an average 80.6 basis-point reduction in domestic bank loan growth in these countries. Liquidity and solvency emerge as crucial factors driving variations in lending behaviour among Latin American banks, with banks exhibiting stronger liquidity and solvency profiles experiencing higher loan supply growth rates.

Robotic surgery across Latin America: a bibliometric analysis of research trends from 2009 to 2022.

The rise of robotic surgery throughout the world, particularly in Latin America, justifies an objective evaluation of research in this field. This study aimed to use bibliometric techniques to identify the research trends and patterns of robotic surgery in Latin America. The research strategy used the terms "Robotic," "Surgery," and the name of all the Latin American countries, in all fields and collections of Web of Science database. Only original articles published between 2009 and 2022 were included. The software Rayyan, Bibliometric in the R Studio, and VOSViewer were used to develop the analyses. After screening, 96 articles were included from 60 different journals. There was a 22.51% annual increase in the scientific production of robotic surgery in the period studied. The more frequent topics by specialty were: Urology (35.4%), General Surgery (34.4%), and Obstetrics and Gynecology (12%). International cooperation was observed in 65.62% of the studies. The Latin American institution with the highest production of manuscripts was the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Mexico, Chile, and Brazil were, in descending order, the nations with the highest number of corresponding authors and total citations. When considering the total number of articles, Brazil ranked ahead of Chile. Scientific production regarding robotic surgery in Latin America has experienced accelerated growth since its beginning, supported by the high degree of collaboration with leading countries in the field.