RESUMO
The mass media are recognized by many social scientists as important sources of medical information for lay people and as a positive influence on those working in the health care professions. However, there is a lack of study about print and mass media reporting on major health problems in developing countries such as Mexico. This article presents the findings of a study conducted to identify specific messages that the Mexican print media convey to the general reader about chronic diseases, especially one of the most important and pervasive, diabetes. We undertook a comprehensive review and content analysis of secondary source media reporting in the Boletin (Bulletin)--published by the Department of Education and Health, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Xochimilco. The Boletin summarizes all articles related to health matters published in 12 national daily newspapers and 3 magazines. Our study covered all issues of the Boletin from 1992 through 1996. Our findings indicate that at times the press and popular print media disseminate an incomplete and often biased picture of chronic diseases prevalent in Mexico. Specifically, the press gives equal or more important coverage of acute diseases, or to AIDS, than to other major chronic conditions. The press also reproduces the biomedical model of disease and does not address topics important to certain segments of the population, including the patient. Moreover, the media may present an overly idealized impression of the capability of health services. Consequently, this failure to address the issues of certain widespread, chronic illnesses is severe enough to ask about the role of the press in medical health care reform. We conclude by suggesting areas for further research.
Assuntos
Bibliometria , Doença Crônica/epidemiologia , Jornalismo Médico/normas , Humanos , Serviços de Informação , Meios de Comunicação de Massa , México/epidemiologia , Controle de Qualidade , Estudos RetrospectivosRESUMO
This article examines the relationship between sociodemographic factors and sources of support in non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus patients living in a socially deprived area of Guadalajara, Mexico. A total of 121 diabetic subjects and the same number of caretakers, spouses and children, participated in the study. Findings show that some variables of diabetic individuals are associated with caretakers' age, sex and kinship. Moreover, sex distribution of children and family composition were also associated with sources of support. No association was found between disease characteristics and those of caretakers. The impact of these results on health services programs is discussed.
Assuntos
Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/terapia , Apoio Social , Adulto , Interpretação Estatística de Dados , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , México , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Áreas de Pobreza , Fatores SocioeconômicosRESUMO
A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the prescription patterns of general practitioners for non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus patients in Guadalajara, Mexico. Two hundred and forty medical prescriptions were evaluated. These were indicated by 16 primary care physicians. Results showed that physicians prescribed pharmacologic agents in 93 per cent of the cases, dietary control in 73 per cent, and physical exercise in 48 per cent. A combination therapy of these three measures was employed in 40 per cent of the patients, but the combination regimen of diet and exercise was given only to 3 per cent of the patients. Data showed significant differences in prescribing patterns according to gender of physicians; male physicians prescribed the three measures by more than 10 per cent; On the contrary, female physicians prescribed the drug as the only therapy 27 per cent of the time. The proportion of prescribing diet and exercise measures increased with more years of professional experience. These observations support the findings that prescription patterns by primary care physicians do not meet the criteria currently recommended by international committees for diabetes therapy. We discuss some implications for the metabolic control of the disease and the quality of medical care.
Assuntos
Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/tratamento farmacológico , Prescrições de Medicamentos , Atenção Primária à Saúde/estatística & dados numéricos , Distribuição de Qui-Quadrado , Terapia Combinada , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/epidemiologia , Dieta para Diabéticos/estatística & dados numéricos , Prescrições de Medicamentos/estatística & dados numéricos , Uso de Medicamentos/estatística & dados numéricos , Escolaridade , Medicina de Família e Comunidade/estatística & dados numéricos , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , México/epidemiologia , Fatores Sexuais , População Urbana/estatística & dados numéricosRESUMO
This work analyzes the findings of a study about the incidence of four mental disorders in a zone of the City of Guadalajara's metropolitan area in the Mexican State of Jalisco. The results show the highest rates belong to depression and aggressive conduct (463 and 489 in 1,000 children). Besides, there were some differences related to their sex and their families income.