RESUMO
The COVID-19 pandemic presents global health, welfare, and economic concerns. The agricultural workforce has experienced adverse effects, placing the U.S. food supply at risk. Agricultural workers temporarily travel to the United States on H-2A visas to supplement the agricultural workforce. Approximately 300,000 agricultural workers enter the United States with H-2A visas each year; over 90.0% are from Mexico. During February-May 2021, a COVID-19 testing pilot was performed with Clínica Médica Internacional (CMI), a clinic that performs medical examinations for US-bound immigrants, to determine the SARS-CoV-2 infection status of H-2A agricultural workers in Mexico before entry to the US. The CerTest VIASURE Real Time PCR Detection Kit was used. Participants' demographic information, test results, and testing turnaround times were collected. Workers who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 completed isolation before US entry. During the pilot, 1195 H-2A workers were tested; 15 (1.3%) tested positive. Average reporting time was 31 h after specimen collection. This pilot demonstrated there is interest from H-2A employers and agents in testing the H-2A community before US entry. Testing for SARS-CoV-2 can yield public health benefit, is feasible, and does not delay entry of temporary agricultural workers to the US.
Assuntos
Teste para COVID-19 , COVID-19 , Estados Unidos/epidemiologia , Humanos , COVID-19/diagnóstico , SARS-CoV-2 , México , Fazendeiros , PandemiasRESUMO
Assessing COVID-19 vaccination uptake of transborder populations is critical for informing public health policies. We conducted a probability (time-venue) survey of adults crossing from Mexico into Guatemala from September to November 2021, with the objective of describing COVID-19 vaccination status, willingness to get vaccinated, and associated factors. The main outcomes were receipt of ≥1 dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, being fully vaccinated, and willingness to get vaccinated. We assessed the association of outcomes with sociodemographic characteristics using logistic regressions. Of 6518 participants, 50.6% (95%CI 48.3,53.0) were vaccinated (at least one dose); 23.3% (95%CI 21.4,25.2) were unvaccinated but willing to get vaccinated, and 26.1% (95%CI 24.1,28.3) were unvaccinated and unwilling to get vaccinated. Those living in Mexico, independent of country of birth, had the highest proportion vaccinated. The main reason for unwillingness was fear of side effects of COVID-19 vaccines (47.7%, 95%CI 43.6,51.9). Education level was positively associated with the odds of partial and full vaccination as well as willingness to get vaccinated. People identified as Catholic had higher odds of getting vaccinated and being fully vaccinated than members of other religious groups or the non-religious. Further studies should explore barriers to vaccination among those willing to get vaccinated and the motives of the unwilling.
Assuntos
Vacinas contra COVID-19 , COVID-19 , Adulto , COVID-19/prevenção & controle , Estudos Transversais , Guatemala , Conhecimentos, Atitudes e Prática em Saúde , Humanos , México , VacinaçãoRESUMO
Collaborative partnerships are a useful approach to improve health conditions of disadvantaged populations. The Ventanillas de Salud (VDS) ("Health Windows") and Mobile Health Units (MHUs) are a collaborative initiative of the Mexican government and US public health organizations that use mechanisms such as health fairs and mobile clinics to provide health information, screenings, preventive measures (eg, vaccines), and health services to Mexican people, other Hispanic people, and underserved populations (eg, American Indian/Alaska Native people, geographically isolated people, uninsured people) across the United States. From 2013 through 2019, the VDS served 10.5 million people (an average of 1.5 million people per year) at Mexican consulates in the United States, and MHUs served 115 461 people from 2016 through 2019. We describe 3 community outreach projects and their impact on improving the health of Hispanic people in the United States. The first project is an ongoing collaboration between VDS and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to address occupational health inequities among Hispanic people. The second project was a collaboration between VDS and CDC to provide Hispanic people with information about Zika virus infection and health education. The third project is a collaboration between MHUs and the University of Arizona to provide basic health services to Hispanic communities in Pima and Maricopa counties, Arizona. The VDS/MHU model uses a collaborative approach that should be further assessed to better understand its impact on both the US-born and non-US-born Hispanic population and the public at large in locations where it is implemented.
Assuntos
Relações Comunidade-Instituição , Assistência à Saúde Culturalmente Competente/organização & administração , Etnicidade , Promoção da Saúde/organização & administração , Hispânico ou Latino , Cooperação Internacional , Saúde Pública/métodos , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , México , Estados UnidosRESUMO
BACKGROUND: The high volume of US-Mexico land border crossings can facilitate international dissemination of influenza viruses. METHODS: We surveyed adult pedestrians crossing into the United States at two international land ports of entry to assess vaccination coverage during the 2009H1N1 influenza pandemic and 2011-2012 influenza season. RESULTS: Of 559 participants in 2010, 23.4% reported receipt of the 2009H1N1 vaccine. Of 1423 participants in 2012, 33.7% received the 2011-2012 influenza vaccine. Both years, those crossing the border ≥8 times per month had lower vaccination coverage than those crossing less frequently. US-border residents had lower H1N1 coverage than those in other locations. Vaccination coverage was higher for persons age ≥65 years and, in 2010 only, those with less than high school education. Although most participants believed it is important to get vaccinated, only half believed the influenza vaccine was safe and effective. The main reasons for not receiving the influenza vaccine were beliefs of low risk of disease, time constraints, and concerns about vaccine safety (in 2010) or efficacy (in 2012). CONCLUSIONS: International land border crossers are a large and unique category of travelers that require targeted binational strategies for influenza vaccination and education.
Assuntos
Emigração e Imigração , Influenza Humana/prevenção & controle , Pandemias/prevenção & controle , Cobertura Vacinal/estatística & dados numéricos , Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso , Feminino , Humanos , Vírus da Influenza A Subtipo H1N1 , Vacinas contra Influenza/administração & dosagem , Influenza Humana/epidemiologia , Masculino , México/epidemiologia , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Pandemias/estatística & dados numéricos , Inquéritos e Questionários , Estados Unidos/epidemiologia , Vacinação/psicologia , Vacinação/estatística & dados numéricos , Adulto JovemRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Lead exposure from lead-glazed ceramics (LGCs) and traditional folk remedies have been identified as significant sources of elevated blood lead levels in Mexico and the United States. This study took place from 2005 to 2012 in a rural community in Baja California, Mexico. OBJECTIVES: 1) Investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to lead and lead exposures from LGCs and two lead-based folk remedies ( azarcon and greta); and 2) evaluate a pilot intervention to provide alternative lead-safe cookware. METHODS: A baseline household survey was conducted in 2005, followed by the pilot intervention in 2006, and follow-up surveys in 2007 and 2012. For the pilot intervention, families who reported using LGCs were given lead-safe alternative cookware to try and its acceptance was evaluated in the following year. RESULTS: The community was mostly of indigenous background from Oaxaca and a high proportion of households had young children. In 2006, all participants using traditional ceramic ware at the time ( n = 48) accepted lead-safe alternative cookware to try, and 97% reported that they were willing to exchange traditional ceramic ware for lead-safe alternatives. The use of ceramic cookware decreased from over 90% during respondents' childhood household use in Oaxaca to 47% in 2006 among households in Baja California, and further reduced to 16.8% in 2012. While empacho, a folk illness, was widely recognized as an intestinal disorder, there was almost universal unfamiliarity with the use and knowledge of azarcon and greta for its treatment. CONCLUSION: This pilot evaluation provides evidence 1) for an effective and innovative strategy to reduce lead exposure from LGCs and 2) of the feasibility of substituting lead-free alternative cookware for traditional ceramic ware in a rural indigenous community, when delivered in a culturally appropriate manner with health education. This strategy could complement other approaches to reduce exposure to lead from LGCs.
Assuntos
Intoxicação por Chumbo/prevenção & controle , Chumbo/sangue , Adolescente , Adulto , Cerâmica/química , Utensílios de Alimentação e Culinária , Exposição Ambiental , Feminino , Conhecimentos, Atitudes e Prática em Saúde , Humanos , Chumbo/toxicidade , Intoxicação por Chumbo/epidemiologia , Masculino , Medicina Tradicional , México/epidemiologia , Projetos Piloto , População Rural , Inquéritos e Questionários , Adulto JovemRESUMO
Anemia is a public health problem in Mexico. This study sought to determine the prevalence and correlates of anemia among women and children residing in a rural farming region of Baja California, Mexico. An existing partnership between universities, non-governmental organizations, and an underserved Mexican community was utilized to perform cross-sectional data collection in 2004-2005 (Wave 1) and in 2011-2012 (Wave 2) among women (15-49 years) and their children (6-59 months). All participants completed a survey and underwent anemia testing. Blood smears were obtained to identify etiology. Nutrition education interventions and clinical health evaluations were offered between waves. Participants included 201 women and 99 children in Wave 1, and 146 women and 77 children in Wave 2. Prevalence of anemia significantly decreased from 42.3 to 23.3 % between Waves 1 and 2 in women (p < 0.001), from 46.5 to 30.2 % in children 24-59 months (p = 0.066), and from 71.4 to 45.8 % in children 6-23 months (p = 0.061). Among women in Wave 1, consumption of iron absorption enhancing foods (green vegetables and fruits high in vitamin C) was protective against anemia (p = 0.043). Women in Wave 2 who ate ≥4 servings of green, leafy vegetables per week were less likely to be anemic (p = 0.034). Microscopic examination of blood smears revealed microcytic, hypochromic red blood cells in 90 % of anemic children and 68.8 % of anemic women, consistent with iron deficiency anemia.
Assuntos
Anemia/epidemiologia , População Rural/estatística & dados numéricos , Adolescente , Adulto , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Estudos Transversais , Feminino , Humanos , Lactente , México/epidemiologia , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Prevalência , Adulto JovemRESUMO
In order to identify the presence of lead in glazed ceramic pots in a Mexico-US border city, 41 clay pots were sampled. The pots were purchased in several establishments located in different geographical areas of the city. The presence of lead was determined using LeadCheck Swabs. Most (58.5%) of the pots were from the State of Jalisco and 24.4% were of unknown origin. Only 4 pots did not contain varnish and were lead-negative. Thirty-seven (81.1%) of the glazed pots were lead positive. Among the lead-negative pots, 4 showed the label "this pot is lead-free." Thus, if we consider the remaining 33 glazed pots without the "Lead-Free" label, 90.9% were lead-positive and only 9.1% were lead-negative. We also found that earthenware glazed utensils without the "Lead-Free" label were 1.6 times more likely to contain lead (OR: 1.6, 95% CI 1.0-2.5), P = 0.003. We concluded that lead was detected in almost all acquired food containers. Government interventions in Mexico have focused on training manufacturers to make lead-free glazed ceramics but it has been difficult to eradicate this practice. Educational interventions to make and acquire lead-free glazed ceramics should be targeted to both sellers and buyers.
RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: The diabetes hospitalization rate for the region along the U.S. side of the U.S.-Mexico border is unknown, a situation that could limit the success of the Healthy Border 2010 program. To remedy this problem, we analyzed and compared hospital discharge data for Arizona, California, and Texas for the year 2000 and calculated the diabetes hospitalization rates. METHODS: We obtained hospital-discharge public-use data files from the health departments of three U.S. border states and looked for cases of diabetes. Only when diabetes was listed as the first diagnosis on the discharge record was it considered a case of diabetes for our study. Patients with cases of diabetes were classified as border county (BC) or nonborder county (NBC) residents. Comparisons between age-adjusted diabetes discharge rates were made using the z test. RESULTS: Overall, 1.2% (86,198) of the discharge records had diabetes listed as the primary diagnosis. BC residents had a significantly higher age-adjusted diabetes discharge rate than NBC residents. BC males had higher diabetes discharge rates than BC females or NBC males. In both the BCs and the NBCs, Hispanics had higher age-adjusted diabetes discharge rates than non-Hispanics. CONCLUSION: The results of this study provide a benchmark against which the effectiveness of the Healthy Border 2010 program can be measured.
Assuntos
Diabetes Mellitus/epidemiologia , Hospitalização/estatística & dados numéricos , Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso , Arizona/epidemiologia , California/epidemiologia , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , México , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Texas/epidemiologia , Estados Unidos/epidemiologiaRESUMO
Recent outbreaks of human tuberculosis in the United States caused by Mycobacterium bovis have implicated cheese originating in Mexico as a source of these infections. A total of 203 samples of cheese originating in Mexico were cultured, and M. bovis was recovered from one specimen. Therefore, M. bovis can be recovered from cheese and may be a source of human infections.
Assuntos
Queijo/microbiologia , Mycobacterium bovis/isolamento & purificação , Tuberculose/transmissão , Animais , Bovinos , Meios de Cultura , Humanos , México/epidemiologia , Mycobacterium bovis/classificação , Mycobacterium bovis/genética , Tuberculose/epidemiologia , Tuberculose/microbiologia , Tuberculose Bovina/epidemiologia , Tuberculose Bovina/microbiologia , Tuberculose Bovina/transmissãoRESUMO
Healthy Border (HB) 2010 is the health promotion and disease prevention agenda through the year 2010 of the United States-Mexico Border Health Commission (BHC). On the United States side, it draws from the Healthy People (HP) 2010 objectives, identifying those most important and relevant for the border. The BHC has harmonized the list of objectives from both countries into a set of 19 that will be monitored and addressed in a collaborative manner. HB provides a framework for describing the border region's health and comparing with others. For this report, available data were collected for the HB indicators for San Diego and Imperial counties, and for California. Data on Latino populations were considered a proxy for Mexican-Americans and people of Mexican origin in California, because more specific data are not available. Results are presented on the 14 indicators for which the data were most complete. Those of most concern include access to health care and tuberculosis in both counties, plus motor vehicle crash injury deaths and asthma hospitalizations in Imperial. These issues should be given priority attention. Conversely, the region's and Latinos' experience with breast cancer mortality and infant mortality is favorable. Recommendations include binational collaborations in assessing and improving the health of our border communities.