Rural Areas Of Mexico Research Articles

Molecular Detection of Leptospira interrogans and Borrelia burgdorferi in Wild Rodents from Mexico.

Leptospirosis and Lyme borreliosis are zoonotic emerging diseases of global importance and wide distribution. The aim of this study was to detect by molecular testing to Leptospira interrogans and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in wild rodents from Nuevo Leon, Quintana Roo, and Campeche, Mexico. This study is the first in report to Chaetodipus nelsoni, Dipodomys merriami, and Peromyscus eremicus infected with L. interrogans in Mexico. Besides, Chaetodipus hispidus, Heteromys gaumeri, Heteromys irroratus, Neotoma micropus, Peromyscus leucopus, Peromyscus maniculatus, and Sigmodon hispidus infected with B. burgdorferi s.l. in Mexico. Also, is the first report in identify coinfection of L. interrogans and B. burgdorferi s.l. in wild rodents such as H. irroratus and S. hispidus in Nuevo Leon, and H. gaumeri in Quintana Roo, Mexico. These wild rodent species infected represent a risk factor for the exposed population in these sylvatic and rural areas of Mexico.

Universal mental health screening with a focus on suicidal behaviour using smartphones in a Mexican rural community: protocol for the SMART-SCREEN population-based survey

IntroductionMental disorders represent the second cause of years lived with disability worldwide. Suicide mortality has been targeted as a key public health concern by the WHO. Smartphone technology provides a...

The Transformative Effect of Investments in Territorial Capital on Poverty Reduction: Evidence from Rural Mexico

Within the rural development debate, there has been increasing call for a stronger territorial focus that emphasizes the utilization and development of local resources along with the demands of community members. This study evaluates the impact of a poverty reduction program on two well-being dimensions: income and consumption in education and health. The empirical analysis uses a primary dataset of 2,234 beneficiary and non-beneficiary households residing in rural areas of Mexico. The results offer valuable insights on how poverty reduction programs can improve the well-being level in the targeted communities through capability-building interventions linked to investments in two forms of territorial capital, namely human capital and productive assets.

Fostering Middle School Students Number Sense Through Contextualized Tasks

Number sense has been considered as one of the most important mathematical notions to be addressed in school mathematics in the 21st century. In this paper, we identify how students of a public middle school, located in a rural area in Mexico, develop several aspects of number sense by performing tasks involving arithmetic operations in a shopping context. Students invented mental and written calculation strategies that provide evidence of understanding regarding numbers and operations. Students used fantasy money as a representation system to decompose quantities in non-standard ways, or referred to strategies employed by unschooled people. Strategies that involve modifying the quantities before applying the written algorithm for subtraction, in order to perform a subtraction without regrouping, also appeared. That is, it was identified a transfer from mental calculation strategies to a paper and pencil scenario for facilitating calculations during problem solving, which is an indicator of student’ creativity and number sense. Additionally, the proposed tasks promoted the understanding of decimal numbers.

Impact of a community program for child malnutrition.

To evaluate the impact of a community program aimed at improving the children mal nutrition in a rural community of the State of Chiapas, Mexico, 2013. Des criptive study of the evaluation program from a secondary database of nutritional data registry of 113 children under five years of age in a rural area of Mexico. The intervention and the survey were carried out during 2013. Baseline and 4-month measurements were recorded. The World Health Organization (WHO) Anthro software was used to calculate nutritional status indicators. According to WHO guidelines, the following data were estimated: weight for age (W/A), height for age (H/A), weight for height (W/H), and Body mass index for age (BMI/A). Position and dispersion measures were calculated; Student's T-test, Kruskal-Wallis, and MacNemar test were used for paired data and linear regression. Between the beginning and the end, the median of the Z W/H went from -0.7 (p25 -1.24, p75 -0.01) to -0.62 (p25 -1.09, p75 -0.15). The prevalence of low weight decreased from 5.31% (CI 2.38-11.44) to 4.42% (CI 1.83-10.32) (Z BMI/A). The appropriate weight according to Z score W/H increased from 78.76% (CI 70.12-85.43) to 84.96% (76.98-90.51). In the subgroup with low initial weight, the mean of Z BMI/A and Z W/H increased 0.4 (p = 0.003). The change in the mean of Z W/H was 0.02 points in the subgroup that received the direct transfer program and of -0.3 in which it did not (p = 0.020). It is concluded that the community program during the four months of implementation contributed to improve some anthropometric indicators, although no apparent effects were found in indicators related to chronic malnutrition.

Computer aid for roof water harvesting systems analysis in rural areas of Mexico

Abstract Lack of sufficient good quality water to fulfill the rural population's needs in many countries, such as Mexico, has become one of the main issues governments have to cope with to provide adequate living conditions. The situation has worsened due to rainfall pattern variability influenced by climate change. Water harvesting is an ancient practice that provides an additional water supply for different uses. The lack of sufficient readily available decision tools within these environments has hindered adequate decision-making. The computer aid presented in this paper serves the purpose of a decision tool for use in marginal rural areas where a water harvesting system is to be implemented. Input variables are easily obtained and the system has preloaded information for use in the water balance. The interface is user-friendly, enabling users to plug local information in to obtain outputs on which to base a decision. Input variables can be changed as needed to achieve an acceptable output. The system generates rainfall amounts stochastically enabling posterior analysis to be used in terms of designing roof water harvesting under different runoff occurrence probabilities.

Sustainable Development in Rural Areas of Mexico through Beekeeping

A holistic approach that includes social cohesion, accessibility to means of production, policies and nutritional education is widely recognized as needed to fight food insecurity in the world. By investigating the surprising achievements of the Heifer International projects in the rural areas of Mexican states such as Veracruz and Chiapas, this article advances the theory of a multiplier effect given by beekeeping if inserted in a wider food and economic security project. Beekeeping is not only functional as integrator of family income in rural families, but it also provides a healthy sugar source, environmental sensitisation, women empowerment, social cohesion and lots of sub-products for healthcare and cosmetics. Such a huge impact on families has, in fact, to be added to the general positive impact of beekeeping on biodiversity and climate change. The introduction gives a review of the concept of food and economic security for rural families. The second part portraits the complexity and inequality of Mexico in both its economic and nutritional environment. In the last part the Heifer International project structure and goals are explained, followed by an analysis of the data collected as well as an illustration of the impact of this project over the economy, the society and the environment.

The nutrition transition in Mexico 1988-2016: the role of wealth in the social patterning of obesity by education.

The present study investigates whether the reversal of the social gradient in obesity, defined as a cross-over to higher obesity prevalence among groups with lower education level, has occurred among men and women in urban and rural areas of Mexico. Cross-sectional series of nationally representative surveys (1988, 1999, 2006, 2012 and 2016). The association between education and obesity was investigated over the period 1988-2016. Effect modification of the education-obesity association by household wealth was tested. Mexico. Women (n 54 816) and men (n 20 589) aged 20-49 years. In both urban and rural areas, the association between education and obesity in women varied by level of household wealth in the earlier surveys (1988, 1999 and 2006; interaction P<0·001). In urban areas in 1988, one level lower education was associated (prevalence ratio; 95 % CI) with 45 % higher obesity prevalence among the richest women (1·45; 1·24, 1·69), whereas among the poorest the same education difference was protective (0·84; 0·72, 0·99). In the latest surveys (2012, 2016), higher education was protective across all wealth groups. Among men, education level was not associated with obesity in urban areas; there was a direct association in rural areas. Wealth did not modify the association between education and obesity. The reversal of the educational gradient in obesity among women occurred once a threshold level of household wealth was reached. Among men, there was no evidence of a reversal of the gradient. Policies must not lose sight of the populations most vulnerable to the obesogenic environment.

Training of Mexican elders as health promoters: a qualitative study.

The purpose of the study was to analyze the repercussion of a training program in gerontological health promotion addressed to senior citizens in a rural area in Mexico. The impact of the program was examined at two levels: first, with regard to the development of specific practices relating to primary health care and to the actual implementation of community health programs and, second, through the interpretive analysis of bodily inscriptions in the participants. Results gave evidence of a gradual empowering process among the elderly health promoters who consistently developed a position of responsibility and autonomy regarding the control of their lives and, at the same time, an increasingly open critical attitude with regard to the social role ascribed to them by the community. Furthermore, the knowledge, sense of and meanings that operated on the significant practices of the participants were consistently determined by the extent of their social capital and habitus. It was important to note that the intervention research program did not lead to permanent changes in the participants' habitus, whereas their main effects were associated to a greater consolidation of social support networks and to the acquisition of a salient position in their community given the symbolic cultural capital that represented having obtained an official certification. To conclude, a diversity of outcomes was evident in the participants as a result of the intervention program, depending on their personal biographies, social and cultural capitals, and on their particular positions within their community.

Evaluación sísmica en dos prototipos de vivienda rural construidos con bloques de concreto hueco, en Ocuilapa de Juárez, Chiapas, México.

En el medio rural de Mexico y Latinoamerica, prevalece la poblacion de bajos ingresos economicos que habita en viviendas precarias, inseguras e insalubres, que anclan a sus moradores en el circulo de la pobreza. El equipo academico, con el proposito de contribuir en la solucion al problema de vivienda rural, elaboro prototipos de vivienda de bajo costo que fueron construidos por familias que viven en condiciones de alta marginacion en la localidad de Ocuilapa de Juarez, Chiapas. En la construccion se utilizaron materiales existentes en el lugar; piedra para la cimentacion, arena con alto contenido de arcilla (22%) en la elaboracion de bloques huecos de concreto y madera en la estructura de cubierta. En este articulo, se presentan los resultados de las mediciones realizadas con acelerografos en dos viviendas, para determinar el nivel de vulnerabilidad ante posibles escenarios sismicos. Los periodos fundamentales de vibracion obtenidos se encuentran entre 0.08 a 0.12 segundos; rango de valores recomendados por (Hernandez et al., 1979), para viviendas estructuralmente sanas. Tambien, los analisis efectuados comprueban que las viviendas estan en condicion de “vulnerabilidad baja” ante la presencia de sismos de cierta magnitud.

Tensions and contradictions in government interventions for the promotion of breastfeeding

With the purpose of shedding light on the decrease in the practice of breastfeeding in rural areas of Mexico, this article looks at the current biomedical model and the policies and actions to promote breastfeeding derived from the model's theoretical approach. The article also discusses operational strategies of the governmental social welfare program Oportunidades. For this purpose, the study utilizes the testimonies of 39 young breastfeeding mothers, 11 mothers and grandmothers and 12 members of the health staff in the Nahuatl population of Cuentepec, Morelos, Mexico, which were collected during a previous study in 2008 and 2009. It was found that the biomedical model, which permeates all actions to promote breastfeeding, reifies people, limits communication, devaluates women's traditional knowledge and imposes a discourse that gradually discourages the practice of breastfeeding. The article's proposal is to adopt an epistemic change in biomedical thought that shifts from a paradigm of simplicity to one of complexity, with the purpose of achieving a greater understanding of the bio-psycho-socio-cultural processes of human beings.

Barriers to HPV self-sampling and cytology among low-income indigenous women in rural areas of a middle-income setting: a qualitative study

BackgroundData is needed about barriers to self-collection of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) samples and cytology among low-income, disadvantaged women living in rural areas of lower-income countries as these women are at increased risk of cervical cancer mortality.MethodsIndividual interviews (n = 29), focus groups (n = 7, 5–11 participants) and discussion groups (n = 2, 18–25 participants) were organized with women from three indigenous ethnic groups residing in rural areas in Mexico, after they were provided with free, self-sampled HPV tests. These groups are low-income, underserved by healthcare and have historically been on the receiving end of racism and social exclusion. Descriptive, qualitative content analysis was done, including two cycles of coding.ResultsInterview and focus/discussion group data indicate women had limited understanding of HPV’s role in cervical cancer etiology. They identified HPV’s existence, that cytology detects cervical cancer, the need for regular testing and that cervical cancer is sexually transmitted. Organizational barriers to clinic-based cytology included irregular supplies of disposable speculums, distance to clinics and lack of clear communication by healthcare personnel. Women considered self-collected HPV-testing easy, less embarrassing and less painful than cytology, an opportunity for self-care and most felt they understood how to take a self-sample after a 20-min explanation. Some women feared hurting themselves when taking the self-sample or that they would take the sample incorrectly, which they worried would make the test useless. Attending HPV-testing in groups facilitated use by allowing women to discuss their doubts and fears before doing self-collection of the sample or to ask other women who were the first to do the self-sampling what the experience had been like (whether it hurt and how easy it was). Lack of indoor bathrooms was a barrier to doing HPV self-sampling at home, when those homes were resource-poor (one-room dwellings).ConclusionsLow-income, indigenous Mexican women residing in rural, underserved areas identified their need for cervical cancer screening but encountered multiple barriers to cytology-based screening. They found a number of advantages of HPV self-sampled tests. Employing self-collected HPV-testing instead of cytology could resolve some but not all gender-related, organizational or technical quality-of-care issues within cervical cancer detection and control programs.

Una aproximación a las sociedades rurales de México desde el concepto de aprendizaje vicario

Se propone una reflexión sobre el concepto de aprendizaje vicario formulado por el psicólogo Albert Bandura y su aplicación en contextos no escolarizados. Se documentan los experimentos controlados que dieron origen al concepto, así como sus fundamentos teóricos y su aporte a los proyectos de cambio social. Se utilizan ejemplos de México y otras partes del mundo, y se describen las formas en las que el aprendizaje vicario se manifiesta en algunas sociedades rurales mexicanas. Se concluye que el aprendizaje vicario tiene potencial para generar estrategias que beneficien la educación no formal principalmente de jóvenes y adolescentes.

Myopia in schoolchildren in a rural community in the State of Mexico, Mexico.

PurposeThis study sought to determine the prevalence of myopia in schoolchildren of a rural population in Mexico.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in 317 children between 6 and 12 years old. A complete refractive examination was performed, including static retinoscopy without cycloplegic agents. All procedures were conducted according to the Declaration of Helsinki.ResultsIn total, 9.7% (95% CI: 13.07–6.52) of the examined children were myopic (spherical equivalent ≤ −0.50 D), 4.4% (95% CI: 6.66–2.14) presented astigmatism (cylinder ≤ −1.50 D), and 5.4% (95% CI: 7.89–2.91) presented hyperopia (spherical equivalent ≥ +0.50 D).ConclusionAdditional research is required to assess the prevalence of refractive errors in rural areas in Mexico, to analyze the associated risk factors, and to implement appropriate eye care plans for this population.

Follicular Development, Estrus and Pregnancy Rate in Pre-Pubertal Goats Treated Melengestrol Acetate (MGA) in Rural Areas of Mexico

Follicular Development, Estrus and Pregnancy Rate in Pre-Pubertal Goats Treated Melengestrol Acetate (MGA) in Rural Areas of Mexico

Sistemas agroalimentarios locales e innovaciones tecnológicas: intercambio de saberes garantizando la soberanía alimentaria y la seguridad alimentaria y nutricional en comunidades del sureste de México

In rural areas of Mexico, the marginal conditions have increased, the rural support programs, welfarist and vertical, have failed to respond. An alternative to solve it, represents family farming and rescue knowledge and awareness of rural people. The stated objective is to raise awareness of women's groups on nutritional importance of plants they have in their plots (backyard) and their potential contribution to food security and nutrition. With the participant group, the backyard are crossed, plants and animals that have consumed and are identified as, conducting a knowledge sharing. Participatory workshops on the basic principles of human nutrition known, the nutritive content of the products of the backyard and the design and development of balanced dishes (wise). It has worked in communities in the states of Oaxaca, Tabasco and Veracruz, with the participation of academic institutions, NGOs and government organizations. They have documented inventories of agro-biodiversity of backyard and recipes of dishes made. In working with people, a real process of knowledge exchange is established, all learn from all recognizing the own knowledge, allowing reaffirm and share. We conclude that the most important has been the consolidation of teams that have enabled the training of human resources on the importance of food sovereignty and food and nutrition security, contributing to the creation of local food systems.

Capacidades, liderazgos y estrategias de gestión de organizaciones de la sociedad civil en zonas rurales

Poverty in rural areas of Mexico is still an unresolved problem. Experiences of civil society organizations in other countries show that they can be allies of the government to contribute to rural development because of their roles and capabilities. This article focuses on the role of civil society organizations to improve living conditions in rural areas of the State of Mexico by analyzing the work of six civil society organizations under a qualitative perspective. Leadership and commitment are some of the most important capabilities of their female founders. They have created and implemented management strategies that allow them to obtain and generate resources to satisfy local needs. Thus, their management strategies are seen as a methodological model and a key to work in a close partnership whit rural communities which can be seen as an added-value to civil society organizations and community participation for rural development.

The Use of Melengestrol Acetate as a Strategy to Improve Production Efficiency of Sheep in Rural Areas in Mexico

The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of melengestrol acetate (MGA) as a strategy to improve the production efficiency in ewes of rural areas in Mexico. Twenty ewes of breeds (Dorper and Dorper with Pelibuey) non-pregnant and with ovarica activity were used. The treatment consisted of the administration of 0.22 mg MGA/ewe/d for 17 d. The MGA efficiency was measured once the treatment finalized, and the producer was responsible for the registration of the estrus presentation and prolificacy rate. 95% of the sheep presented estrus in a period of 14 d after stopping treatment. The prolificacy percentage was of 1.2 lambs born by ewe during a period of six months (including treatment and period of gestation). In conclusion, the use of MGA represents an alternative to improve the efficiency of sheep production in rural areas in Mexico, since it can increase the number of lambs by 30% in a period of 12 months.

Perception of change in living conditions and diet among rural Latino immigrants

Thirteen percent of the total population of the United States (US) is composed of immigrants. Mexicans accounted for about three-quarters of the increase in the Hispanic population from 2000 to 2010. The social and economic problems facing this population in their countries of origin are fueling migration to the US, in search of new opportunities. The purpose of this study was to identify and compare the changes in living conditions (housing, health, education) and the dietary intake (ex - ante and ex - post) of the Latino immigrant population that emigrated from rural areas in Mexico. The participants were attendees of the Purdue Extension Learning Network of Clinton County, who filled out a questionnaire with open and closed questions. The results evidenced the perception of improved quality of life variables related to housing, access to utilities and education, and a change with a tendency for increases in their consumption of fast food, processed food and soda, generating negative effects in terms of an increase in being overweight and obesity, and particularly a lowered consumption of products from their traditional diet.

Determinantes sociales de la mortalidad infantil en municipios de bajo índice de desarrollo humano en México

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to identify determinants of infant mortality in rural areas in Mexico and recommend strategies for its decrease. MethodsA study was conducted in a sample of 16 municipalities among those with the lowest index of human development. Infant deaths were identified through official data, records and through interviews with civil authorities, health workers and community leaders. Mothers of children who died were also interviewed. ResultsIn most cases, deaths were related with intermediate social determinants (living conditions and health services converged). The most important critical factors were the prevention programs and delays in receiving healthcare. Deficiencies in intersectorial policies to guarantee effective access to health services were found. ConclusionsTo decrease infant mortality in rural areas of Mexico, geographic access has to be improved as well as investment in resources and training health personnel in intercultural competence and primary health care skills