Rural Communities In Mexico Research Articles

Linking social–ecological knowledge with rural communities in Mexico: lessons and challenges toward sustainability

AbstractFor decades, ecologists have stressed the need to establish and strengthen the exchange of knowledge between scientists and different stakeholders in order to construct better management practices that mitigate or provide solutions to environmental problems. Using a framework that links knowledge generation with social appropriation processes, we present an 18 yr’ experience of social–ecological research and outreach activities carried out in a place where scientists have generated a great amount of knowledge: the Chamela Biological Research Station. This site was created in 1971 as a place for research, teaching, and to conserve tropical dry forests in Mexico, and it has played a relevant role in the advancement of tropical science as well as in undergraduate and graduate education. For many years, researchers and students from Mexico and many other countries have used the facility that is part of the National Autonomous University of Mexico. Here, we measured the extent to which social–ecological knowledge responds to information needs of rural people and found that very little of it has been shared with the local inhabitants. Local needs regarding pasture and forest management are covered by local people's own knowledge. In order to help bridging the gap between social–ecological knowledge and rural inhabitants, we describe and evaluate ongoing communication and educational projects. We propose a model that shows how knowledge generation, exchange, and use processes can be linked to facilitate the work of scientists and their institutions. Our aim is that the experience contributes to promote and strengthen linkage processes between scientists and rural people around the world in order to better transit toward sustainable social–ecological systems.

Parenting quality at two developmental periods in early childhood and their association with child development

Parenting quality—a child’s milieu of warmth, responsiveness, and stimulation—promotes a young child’s cognitive, social, and emotional development. An unanswered question, however, is about the relative contributions of parenting quality in infancy and in early childhood to disparities in child cognitive and socioemotional development by age five, in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Understanding these relationships could inform better targeting of parenting programs in LMICs to yield greater effect size and consistency in improvements in early childhood development. This longitudinal study examines parenting quality and early childhood development among 603 children from poor, rural communities in Mexico who were assessed during infancy (4–18 months) and prekindergarten (3–5 years). Parenting quality (low, moderate, or high) was measured using the HOME Inventory in infancy and the Family Care Indicators (FCI) during prekindergarten. Child development was assessed in infancy using the Extended Ages and Stages Questionnaire (EASQ) and the ASQ Socioemotional scale, and during prekindergarten with the McCarthy Scales of Children’s Abilities. We found that parenting quality measures above the 25th percentile during infancy and prekindergarten were independently and significantly associated with a 0.26–0.30 SD increase in McCarthy scores at ages 3–5 years in adjusted analyses. Parental warmth and responsiveness in infancy were significant predictors of child development at ages 3–5 years, but parental stimulating practices and availability of learning materials in the home were not. Conversely, during the prekindergarten period, parental stimulating practices were significant predictors of concurrent child development. Our findings support the importance parenting quality throughout early childhood, and that the effect of aspects of parenting may vary from infancy to prekindergarten. Programs targeting parents of young children should tailor their curriculum to the specific ages of the targeted children.

Who participates in conservation initiatives? Case studies in six rural communities of Mexico

Previous studies attempting to explain the factors that determine local participation in conservation initiatives have concluded that socio-political exclusion is the main barrier to being involved in such initiatives. Such studies have not differentiated between different types of conservation initiatives. In this paper, we contribute to the literature analyzing the socio-cultural correlates of participation, by differentiating between participation in three types of conservation schemes: protected areas, payment for environmental services, and community conservation. We use data obtained from six rural communities in Mexico, where different combinations of conservation schemes are found. Through linear regression analysis, we explore the relationship between participation and (1) the community of residence; (2) demographics; and (3) socioeconomic characteristics of individuals. Our results suggest that local participation in conservation strategies depends, to a large extent, on the socio-political context in which they are embedded and that the exclusion of women and young adults is clearly consistent.

Streptococcus pneumoniae: prevalence in nasopharyngeal carriers of more than 50-years-old, in a Mexican rural community

IntroductionStreptococcus pneumoniae (Sp) is the main cause of community-acquired pneumonia in the elderly, hence the importance to establish the prevalence of nasopharyngeal colonization by different Sp serotypes in adults. Methodsfrom December 2009 to June 2010, nasopharyngeal cultures were taken from adults living in rural communities in Mexico for the isolation and serotyping of Sp by the Quellung reaction. Penicillin and ceftriaxone susceptibility tests were performed by the microdilution method. Resultstwo hundred and thirty-six adults over 50 years old, were included. The prevalence of colonization by Sp was 21.6%. The most frequent serotypes were 19A (21%), 6A (13%), 6B and 11A (11%). All isolates were susceptible to ceftriaxone, and 52.8% of the isolates showed penicillin minimal inhibitory concentrations ≥0.12mg/L. Conclusionthis is the first study analyzing the nasopharyngeal colonization by Sp in adults in Mexico. Serotypes not included in any of the pneumococcal vaccines were frequently identified.

Relationship Between Paraoxonase-1 and Butyrylcholinesterase Activities and Nutritional Status in Mexican Children.

The enzymes butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) and paraoxonase-1 (PON1) are the primary bioscavenging enzymes in serum and exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. PON1 has been associated with diseases caused by high oxidative stress, whereas BuChE appears to be involved in the pathophysiology of the metabolic syndrome and related disorders. It has been suggested that children from rural communities in Mexico may have a predisposition to develop obesity or type 2 diabetes during adolescence or adulthood. The objective of this study was to determine whether associations exist between the paraoxonase (PONase)/arylesterase (AREase) activity of PON1, its PON1-Q192R and PON1-L55M polymorphisms, and BuChE activity with the nutritional status and lipid profiles in a group of children from rural communities in Mexico. A group of 97 boys and girls from a rural community in Mexico were assessed for body mass index, the enzymatic activities of BuChE, PONase, and AREase were measured in serum, and their lipid profiles were determined. Genetic polymorphisms of PON1-L55M and PON1-Q192R were determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). The children were classified into four groups: thinness, normal weight, overweight, and obese. Of the children studied, 34.4% were overweight and obese. The mean age of the participants was 9.5 years (standard deviation = 1.8). The L allele of the PON1-L55M genotype was the most frequent (83.3%), and the R allele of the PON1-Q192R genotype was the most frequent (61.8%). Overweight and obese children had higher values of BuChE, total cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), and lower high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C) values than children with thinness or normal weight (P = 0.028, P = 0.019, P = 0.004, P = 0.069 and P = 0.021, respectively). The levels of AREase and PONase and the prevalence of PON1-L55M and PON1-Q192R genotypes were similar between groups (P = 0.484 and P = 0.380, respectively). This study establishes a positive association of BuChE activity with nutritional status and serum TG.

The Effect of Agricultural Management on the Distribution and Abundance ofArsenuraArmida (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) in Chiapas, Mexico

ABSTRACT. Arsenura armida plays an important ecological role in the development of woods and forests throughout Latin America. It is also consumed in several rural communities of Mexico. At present, there is no information on the host preferences of this species of moth, habitat type or the effects of human consumption on population numbers. This paper determines the effect of agricultural management on the distribution, occupation and abundance of larvae of A. armida in order to promote strategies for its sustainable exploitation. Six observation plots, each with an area of 4 km2, were established in three localities of the state of Chiapas, Mexico. Three plots were subject to agricultural management (La Pimienta, La Ilusion and La Loma) and three without management (Carrizal, Huachinadero and Mirador). All host plants together with their diameter at breast height (DBH) were quantified. In order to estimate host preference, occupation, distribution and abundance, the number of larvae per tree were record...

Correlación entre factores socioculturales y capacidades de autocuidado en adulto maduro hipertenso en un área rural de México

El objetivo es describir la correlación de los factores socioculturales con la capacidad de autocuidado del adulto maduro con hipertensión arterial en una comunidad rural de México; a través de un estudio transversal, observacional. Se encuestaron 60 pacientes registrados en comunidad rural de Cerro de Ortega, Colima, México, seleccionados por disposición, con el instrumento de factores socioculturales e instrumento de capacidades de autocuidado. Se calculó r de Pearson y ecuación de regresión lineal. La edad promedio fue de 50.9 años; el 75% fueron mujeres, el 83.3% católicos, 42% con primaria incompleta, 80% casados, 60% trabajo de hogar, 57% tienen de 2 a 4 años de tratamiento. Las puntuaciones de factores socioculturales y puntuaciones de capacidad de autocuidado tienen una correlación de r = 0.44 y relación lineal significativa (p<0.05). Hubo relación lineal significativa entre religión y costumbres y tradiciones con capacidad de autocuidado (p<0.05). Los factores socioculturales se asocian significativamente con la variable capacidad de autocuidado. También la correlación fue significativa entre religión con costumbres y tradiciones con la capacidad de autocuidado. Se puede concluir que dentro de los factores socioculturales, las dimensiones que se asociaron con la capacidad de autocuidado fueron: religión, costumbres y tradiciones.

Heritage and Patrimony of the Peasantry Framework and Rural Development Indicators in Rural Communities in Mexico

Abstract: The analytical framework “heritage and patrimony of the peasantry” and its recommended implementation theoretically provide an enhancement over previous methodologies to examine rural development. The current paper measures rural development indicators in six Mexican rural territories, and analyses their interaction in the heritages and patrimonies of the peasantry. The principal indicators that affect the patrimonies in these regions were recognised as Pluriactivity, Social Acknowledgment, Biodiversity and Recycling. Based on these outcomes, the indicators that belong to the Human Patrimony define it as the lowest of all the heritages of the Mexican peasantry. The analysis of the results remarks on the fact that the emphasis of public policies on productive concerns has left out complicated social problems such as the loss of identity, diversity and culture. These matters are becoming the strongest threat affecting the Mexican peasantry to improve their quality of life while respecting their human rights.

Maize bushy stunt in native corn: implications for Mexican “subsistence farmers”

Native corn in Mexico can be affected by maize bushy stunt disease (MBS), which can negatively impact maize-farming operations. Maize bushy stunt symptoms in native corn were linked to the presence of phytoplasmas through molecular analysis of symptomatic native corn plants in Mexico. These findings motivated a socioeconomic characterization and identification of the management strategies developed by the “subsistence farmers” of those communities to answer the questions: What elements of farming affect the presence of MBS disease in “subsistence farmers” fields? What do “subsistence farmers” know about MBS disease and the pathogen associated with MBS disease? How best can MBS disease be managed in small farming communities in Mexico? Through face-to-face interviews with growers and the corresponding analyses of their responses, we identified a widespread lack of knowledge about MBS disease, its causal agent and its vector(s). This study highlighted factors useful to guide future management decisions and education programs, as well as further research to transmit information about MBS disease among “subsistence farmers” in rural communities in Mexico.

Building resilience: A self-sustainable community approach to the triple bottom line

The purpose of this paper is to assess, theoretically and empirically, the governance approach associated with the formation of the circular value ecosystem (CVES) within the Sustainable Wealth creation based on Innovation and enabling Technologies (SWIT) framework. The SWIT framework is designed to interlink economic models, policies and strategies so as to introduce and convert residue, waste and by-product chains into multiple increasing returns cycles. Unlike regional circular economy cases in Germany, Japan and China where governments or industry have taken the lead on such initiatives - a top-down governance approach, the SWIT framework was developed for regions where government support for eco-initiatives is weak and where the participation of community stakeholders is critical – a bottom-up governance approach. The ecological, social and economic dimensions of the system are explored so as to ascertain the key stakeholders critical to the governance of the circular value ecosystem (CVES). We seek to answer: What stakeholders must be incorporated in a bottom-up CVES governance approach for the SWIT framework to be able to restore environmental resilience while creating economic returns and social benefits in rural communities? We report the results of an action research case – both successes and challenges – which sought to test this community-driven bottom-up governance approach on a rural community in Mexico. Our findings suggest that a bottom-up governance approach requires a deep understanding of the social, political, environmental and economic characteristics of the community as well as civic collaboration.

Treatment of Municipal Wastewater by Subsurface Flow Wetlands Modified to Rural Communities in Mexico

Treatment of Municipal Wastewater by Subsurface Flow Wetlands Modified to Rural Communities in Mexico

Social dimensions of child tourism labour: listening to children's voices in two Mexican rural communities

Child labour in tourism is a worldwide phenomenon but its implications have been significantly absent from tourism academic discourses and policy designs. Local children's voices speaking on their participation in tourism labour need to be heard if a more comprehensive understanding of tourism social dimensions is to be gained. This study's objective was to gain a preliminary understanding of children's participation in tourism labour in two rural communities in Mexico's Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve. Based on the idea that children may be the best informants about themselves, this study's findings reveal that children actively participate in remunerable labour during the tourism season in the reserve. While children's participation is voluntary and represents more than a means to earn a complementary livelihood and an opportunity for their development, their participation places them at risk of physical harm and health problems and contributes to preservation of traditional gender roles. The study offers practical and methodological implications.

Feasibility of a breast health educational program to increase breast cancer awareness among adolescents and their female relatives in low-income communities.

76 Background: Delays in the diagnosis of breast cancer in developing countries are partially related to a lack of knowledge on breast health (BH), particularly in rural communities with poor access to education. We implemented a BH educational program for adolescents from a rural community in Mexico, aimed at increasing knowledge and promoting intergenerational transmission of information from adolescents to their female relatives. Here, we report the results of our feasibility aims, as well as the change in knowledge in the students after the intervention. Methods: In this pilot study, adolescents enrolled in a public rural Mexican middle school were invited to participate in the program. They received age-appropriate, culturally sensitive sessions from expert educators focused on transmitting BH knowledge in their household. Our primary outcome was satisfaction with the content, with 75% approval needed for the program to be considered acceptable. Pre and post true/false tests to evaluate the students’ knowledge were applied. Paired t-test was used to detect changes in knowledge. A p value of < 0.05 was considered significant. Acceptability of the program among the school teachers was assessed. Results: 238 students were invited to participate, of which 126 (53%) provided parental consent and completed the program. Median age was 13.5 years (12-16). 96% (n = 121) of the students considered the sessions very interesting and 99% (n = 124) thought they either learned “a lot” (66%; n = 83) or “some” (33%; n = 41). The pre- and post-test mean proportion of correct answers was 63% (12.5-100%, SD 0.2) and 89% (25-100%, SD 0.12) respectively. A statistically significant improvement in the proportion of correct answers was found for 5 out of 8 questions. 100% (n = 18) of the teachers thought the intervention was acceptable. Conclusions: Our results show that implementing a BH educational program for rural adolescents in low-income communities is feasible and acceptable, and that such a program can increase their knowledge on BH. Our next planned step is to assess intergenerational transmission of the information to the students’ female relatives.

¡Ya no sé ni qué hacer!: barreras para la búsqueda de atención de las necesidades derivadas del consumo de alcohol

Resumen Antecedentes. En el presente trabajo se analizan las principales barreras que impiden la búsqueda de ayuda médica y la regulación que viven tanto las personas que abusan del alcohol como sus familiares en una comunidad rural. Objetivo. >Analizar las metáforas y los dilemas de las personas consumidoras de alcohol y sus familiares, en cuanto a sus necesidades de salud, búsqueda de atención, aplicación de la regulación y los obstáculos a los que se enfrentan. Método. Es un estudio de caso, con metodología cualitativa: etnografía, grupos focales y entrevistas semiestructuradas. Resultados. Éstos muestran que los actores consideran el abuso de alcohol como un problema hasta que se presenta una adicción y se debaten entre considerarlo un “vicio” o una enfermedad. La búsqueda de atención está obstaculizada por la tolerancia hacia la ingestión de alcohol por parte de los consumidores, así como de los familiares, el desconocimiento sobre la manera de proceder y el temor al “chisme”. Todo esto, en un contexto de escasa regulación y opciones de tratamiento, donde el consumo se propicia socioculturalmente. Discusión y conclusión. Los significados y los dilemas a que se enfrentan los actores para la búsqueda de atención en salud y la regulación de la venta de alcohol, representan barreras de acceso a la atención a las cuales debe responder el sistema de salud de manera integral.

Prevalence of epilepsy, beliefs and attitudes in a rural community in Mexico: A door-to-door survey

ObjectiveThe study aimed to establish the prevalence of seizure history (SH) and epilepsy in a rural community in Hidalgo, Mexico and determine the patients' beliefs and attitudes towards the disease and its initial medical treatment. MethodologyA transverse, descriptive, door-to-door epidemiological study (April 2011–November 2012) was conducted with 863 inhabitants from Xocotitla, Huejutla, Hidalgo, Mexico (162 housing units). Patients with SH were identified with an adaptation of the WHO protocol for epidemiological studies of neurological diseases. Afterwards, the subjects identified with seizure history (SH) or epilepsy were interviewed with a 20-question Likert type questionnaire regarding the management and belief set of their SH. The interviews were conducted in Spanish and Nahuatl. ResultsThe prevalence of epilepsy and isolated nonrecurring seizures was 38.2/1000 and 25.4/1000, respectively. Out of the total population of 863 inhabitants, 33/863 were identified with SH: only 39.3% were able to identify an epileptic seizure as such, 48.5% sought medical attention upon the first seizure, 33.3% used a traditional healer, 15.2% took no action, 3% sought a religious representative, 85% lacked any lab analysis, and 60% received no antiepileptic drugs. Only 39% received free local medical attention, 69.7% considered seizures and epilepsy to be a consequence of divine intervention, and 94% reported some type of discrimination. ConclusionsA high prevalence of epilepsy and SH was found in this rural community in Mexico. Divine/religious beliefs, discrimination, scarce access to basic health services and inadequate medical management of epilepsy and SH persist.

Adiposity and Insulin Resistance in Children from a Rural Community in Mexico

The study of the incidence of overweight and obesity as well as body composition and insulin resistance in children from rural communities is scarce. The aims of the study were a) to characterize the adiposity and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in school-age children from a rural community and b) to determine factors associated with fat mass and HOMA-IR in this population. A total of 41 school-aged children (15 males and 26 females; 9.9 ± 2.5 years old) from a Mexican rural community was studied. Trained observers had previously assessed the children's nutritional status during the first 6 months of life. Anthropometry, energy intake, physical activity, body composition and biochemical parameters were measured. The overall prevalence of overweight/obesity was 7.3%. The mean energy intake of children was below international recommendations (1,235 ± 400 kcal/day). A higher percentage of fat mass was observed in females (20.3 ± 8.5) than in males (14.1 ± 5.1) (p = 0.006). There were seven children with IR, but we did not observe a correlation between HOMA and BMI percentiles (Pearson's r = 0.09, p = 0.57). In a regression model, gender (females) was the primary factor associated with the percentage of fat mass. The growth velocity during the first 6 months of life was associated with HOMA-IR. There is a low frequency of overweight and obesity in children from rural communities in Mexico. However, these children appear to have increased risk of adiposity and insulin resistance.

Quantitative microbial risk assessment of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in well water from a native community of Mexico

Cryptosporidium and Giardia are gastrointestinal disease-causing organisms transmitted by the fecal–oral route, zoonotic and prevalent in all socioeconomic segments with greater emphasis in rural communities. The goal of this study was to assess the risk of cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis of Potam dwellers consuming drinking water from communal well water. To achieve the goal, quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) was carried out as follows: (a) identification of Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts in well water samples by information collection rule method, (b) assessment of exposure to healthy Potam residents, (c) dose-response modelling, and (d) risk characterization using an exponential model. All well water samples tested were positive for Cryptosporidium and Giardia. The QMRA results indicate a mean of annual risks of 99:100 (0.99) for cryptosporidiosis and 1:1 (1.0) for giardiasis. The outcome of the present study may drive decision-makers to establish an educational and treatment program to reduce the incidence of parasite-borne intestinal infection in the Potam community, and to conduct risk analysis programs in other similar rural communities in Mexico.

Cervical cancer screening: Twelve years experience with high-risk population of southern Mexico.

1579 Background: Cervical cancer is still the main cause of death from cancer in indigenous population and rural communities in Mexico. We have evaluated both screen-and-treat colposcopy and oncogenic human papilloma virus (HPV)-DNA testing as potential screening programs in high-risk population. Our experience has been previously reported (2006 and 2008 ASCO Annual Meetings; Abstracts 5012 and 16519, respectively). In this study we report a follow-up of both strategies. Methods: Between 12/2002 and 11/2013, women were offered colposcopy. From 08/2006 to 11/2013, HPV-DNA testing (Hybrid Capture II (hC2) assay (Digene Corp, Gaithersburg, MD, USA) was offered to women aged 14 to 89 years. Criteria for colposcopy diagnosis, cervical cytology, therapy for HPV diagnosis, CIN2 and CIN 3, and the methodology for (Hybrid Capture II (hC2) assay has been reported elsewhere. Women were followed in their communities Results: 17,471 women (median age 39 years, range: 14–87) were underwent colposcopy. 14,487 (83%) of them were evaluated between 2002 and 2008, and 2985 (17%) from 2009 to 2013. The median follow-up was 8 years (range 5-11) and 3 years (range 0-5), respectively. Abnormal colposcopy (HPV, CIN 1, CIN 2 or CIN 3), was diagnosed in 2,528 (14%) out of 14,487 women and 45 (0.31%) had carcinoma. 411 (14%) out of 2,985) women were diagnosed as having an abnormal colposcopy and 11 (0.36%) had carcinoma. 1,110 women were evaluated with the oncogenic HPV-DNA testing. 807 (73%) women were ≥ 30 years old years and 303 (27%) were younger 30 years old. HPV-DNA testing was positive in 134 (16%) and 97 (32%) women, respectively. In women ≥ 30 years old who had a normal colposcopy (n=681), 96 (11.8%) of them had a positive HPV test and in 38 (4.7%) of those who had an abnormal colposcopy. In women younger 30 years old HPV test was positive in 45 (14.85%) women who had a normal colposcopy (n=179) and in 52 (17.16%) diagnosed as having abnormal colposcopy. No new cervical cancer cases have been reported in the follow-up. Conclusions: Screen-and-treat colposcopy and oncogenic HPV testing are feasible strategies for cervical cancer screening in selected high-risk population and an alternative to cytology-based screening programs

Distributional effects of Oportunidades on early child development

The Mexican Oportunidades program is designed to increase human capital through investments in education, health, and nutrition for children in extreme poverty. Although the program is not expressly designed to promote a child's cognitive and non-cognitive development, the set of actions carried out by the program could eventually facilitate improvements in these domains. Previous studies on the Oportunidades program have found little impact on children's cognition but have found positive effects on their non-cognitive development. However, the majority of these studies use the average outcome to measure the impact of the program and thus overlook other “non-average” effects. This paper uses stochastic dominance methods to investigate results beyond the mean by comparing cumulative distributions for both children who are and children who are not aided by the program. Four indicators of cognitive development and one indicator of non-cognitive development are analyzed using a sample of 2595 children aged two to six years. The sample was collected in rural communities in Mexico in 2003 as part of the program evaluation. Similar to previous studies, the program is found to positively influence children's non-cognitive abilities: children enrolled in the program manifest fewer behavioral problems compared with children who are not enrolled. In addition, different program effects are found for girls and boys and for indigenous and non-indigenous children. The ranges where the effect is measured cover a large part of the outcome's distribution, and these ranges include a large proportion of the children in the sample. With regard to cognitive development, only one indicator (short-term memory) shows positive effects. Nevertheless, the results for this indicator demonstrate that children with low values of cognitive development benefit from the program, whereas children with high values do not. Overall, the program has positive effects on child development, especially for the most vulnerable, who are at the bottom of the distribution.

Actividad docente facilitadora para la adquisición de aprendizajes significativos y compromiso social

IntroductionBy enabling activity by the teacher identified decoupling theory with practice, which was proposed for the study of a public health problem. ObjectiveThe aim was to identify whether the teaching was useful for facilitating the integration of knowledge, acquisition of significant learning and social commitment to promote the active participation of students in the academic problem identification and reflection and systematization of the process for resolution. MethodWe adopted a methodology similar to the “Action Research” (IA). Students of the third year of the medical course were the stars of the identification process of decoupling between theory and practice. Was chosen type 2 diabetes as public health problem, was studied in a rural community in Mexico the relationship between blood glucose levels and sociodemographic characteristics, anthropometric and other potential risk factors. It was investigated the benefit in terms of activity implementation, integration of knowledge of the race, the doctor-patient relationship, social commitment and importance of community work and the role of epidemiological research and teaching-learning strategy (Significant learning?). ResultsOver 90% of students indicated that the activity allowed apply learning-integrating previously identified diabetes as a social problem and noted that all medical students should be involved in this type of work since research linked action is a good learning strategy. ConclusionsThe activity performed allow students to obtain a meaningful learning to identify their academic limitations, apply their knowledge and develop certain skills, in addition to realize that health education is a field of discipline that should be focused on who will run the message.