Data on gender representation in food and beverage print advertisements found in corner stores from Guatemala and Peru

Data on gender representation in food and beverage advertisements may allow for a better understanding of how the food industry is targeting different audiences based on gender. Nonetheless, scant research on food and beverage print advertising with a gender approach has been conducted. Therefore, we sought to assess the prevalence of gender focus in print advertisements found inside corner stores in two cities: Guatemala City, Guatemala, and Lima, Peru. Data description: We developed two complementary datasets as part of the study: (1) a dataset of digital photographs of 200 food and beverage print advertisements found in corner stores located near schools (100 ads per country selected according to criteria such as product type, image quality, and uniqueness); (2) a quantitative dataset with data of the content analysis of these photographs. We employed 19 variables to record the general information and gender assessment of the ads. These datasets should allow scholars and public officials to identify gender-specific marketing strategies of the food industry that might impact children’s and adolescents’ nutrition differently.Los datos sobre la representación de género en los anuncios de alimentos y bebidas pueden permitir una mejor comprensión de cómo la industria alimentaria se dirige a diferentes audiencias en función del género. No obstante, se han realizado escasas investigaciones sobre publicidad impresa de alimentos y bebidas con enfoque de género. Por lo tanto, buscamos evaluar la prevalencia del enfoque de género en los anuncios impresos que se encuentran dentro de las tiendas de la esquina en dos ciudades: Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala y Lima, Perú. Descripción de los datos: Desarrollamos dos conjuntos de datos complementarios como parte del estudio: (1) un conjunto de datos de fotografías digitales de 200 anuncios impresos de alimentos y bebidas que se encuentran en tiendas de esquina ubicadas cerca de las escuelas (100 anuncios por país seleccionados de acuerdo con criterios como el tipo de producto, calidad de imagen y singularidad); (2) un conjunto de datos cuantitativos con datos del análisis de contenido de estas fotografías. Empleamos 19 variables para registrar la información general y la valoración de género de los anuncios. Estos conjuntos de datos deberían permitir a académicos y funcionarios públicos identificar estrategias de marketing específicas de género de la industria alimentaria que podrían afectar la nutrición de niños y adolescentes de manera diferente

Prevalencia de enfermedad renal crónica de causa no tradicional (ERCnT) en pacientes en hemodiálisis de la costa sur de Guatemala

La enfermedad renal crónica (ERC) de causa no tradicional (ERCnT) se presenta frecuentemente en la costa sur de América Central y regiones de Sri Lanka. Poco se sabe de esta patología pero, afecta poblaciones jóvenes, trabajadores de la agroindustria que se exponen al golpe de calor, viven debajo de 200 m.snm, tienden a tener poca proteinuria y no se asocian a factores tradicionales de ERC, además se reconocen otros factores como, deshidratación frecuente, rabdomiolisis, uso de AINES, contexto de pobreza, bajo peso al nacer y malnutrición. Se estableció la prevalencia de pacientes con ERCnT y los factores asociados a través de un estudio descriptivo de corte transversal en donde se entrevistaron 242 pacientes que reciben tratamiento de hemodiálisis en diferentes unidades de la costa sur (Escuintla, Mazatenango y Retalhuleu). Los pacientes fueron clasificados en diabéticos, hipertensos, obesos o si ninguno de esos factores. Se analizó la relación entre pacientes con factores no tradicionales de ERC: ocupación, demográficos, hábitos, altitud y tiempo en llegar a su clínica de diálisis, usando un análisis multivariado de regresión logística. Se encontró que 171 (71%) pacientes no presentaron factores tradicionales de ERC. Aunque la ocupación de agricultor es la más común, únicamente alcanzó significancia estadística la edad <50 años y el tiempo >30 min que tardan en desplazarse a la clínica de diálisis. El uso de AINES y consumo de bebidas carbonatadas fue descrito como frecuente. La prevalencia de ERCNT en pacientes que reciben hemodiálisis en la costa sur de Guatemala es alta. Es el mismo fenómeno reportado en El Salvador y Nicaragua. Queda entonces demostrado que la ERCnT también se presenta en la costa sur de Guatemala

Impact of an online training program in hospital workers' smoking cessation interventions in Bolivia, Guatemala and Paraguay

Objective: To examine changes in hospital workers' interventions before and after online training. Method: Pre-post evaluation of the self-reported performance of the 5A's by hospital workers from the three organizations involved. We assessed individual, behavioural, and organisational-level factors through a questionnaire that included 43 items (0 = none to 10 = most possible) completed before and 6 months after the training. Medians and interquartile ranges were calculated. To examine changes, the non-parametric test for paired data (Wilcoxon) was used. Results: 202 professionals (76 in Bolivia, 79 in Guatemala, and 47 in Paraguay) finished the course, of these 99 (28, 42, and 29 respectively) completed both questionnaires before and after the training. Overall, there was an increase in the performance of each of the 5A components [Ask (7 to 9): Advise (7 to 9); Assess (6 to 8); Assist (2 to 7); and Arrange a follow up (0.52 to 5); all p <0.001]. Doctors, former smokers, and those from Paraguay obtained higher scores. The level of perception of the participants degree of preparedness, level of competence and familiarity with resources increased (p <0.001). Conclusion: The online training had a positive impact on the implementation of the brief intervention. Online education on smoking cessation is feasible and effective in improving smoking cessation interventions in these countries

Tobacco advertising at point of sale in two Latin American cities: Buenos Aires and Guatemala

Área de Salud, Economía y Socieda

Module six. Special module on mentorship for tobacco control: perspectives from Latin America and the Caribbean

Área de Salud, Economía y Socieda

Compliance to the smoke-free law in Guatemala 5-years after implementation

Abstract Background Smoke-free environments decrease smoking prevalence and consequently the incidence of heart disease and lung cancer. Due to issues related to poor enforcement, scant data is currently available from low/middle income countries on the long-term compliance to smoke-free laws. In 2006, high levels of secondhand smoke (SHS) were found in bars and restaurants in Guatemala City. Six months after a smoking ban was implemented in 2009, levels significantly decreased. However, in 2010, poor law compliance was observed. Therefore, we sought to assess long-term compliance to the ban using SHS measurements. Methods In 2014 we assessed SHS exposure using airborne nicotine monitors in bars (n = 9) and restaurants (n = 12) for 7 days using the same protocol as in 2006 and in 2009. Nicotine was measured using gas-chromatography (μg/m3) and compared to levels pre- (2006) and post-ban (2009). Employees responded to a survey about SHS exposure, perceived economic impact of the ban and customers’ electronic cigarette use. In addition, we estimated the fines that could have been collected for each law infringement. Results Most (71 %) venues still have a smoking section, violating the law. The percentage of samples with detectable nicotine concentrations was 100, 85 and 43 % in 2006, 2009 and 2014, respectively. In bars, median (25th and 75th percentiles) nicotine concentrations were 4.58 μg/m3 (1.71, 6.45) in 2006, 0.28 (0.17, 0.66) in 2009, and 0.59 (0.01, 1.45) in 2014. In restaurants, the corresponding medians were 0.58 μg/m3 (0.44, 0.71), 0.04 (0.01, 0.11), and 0.01 (0.01, 0.09). Support for the law continues to be high (88 %) among bar and restaurant employees. Most employees report no economic impact of the law and that a high proportion of customers (78 %) use e-cigarettes. A total of US$50,012 could have been collected in fines. Conclusions Long-term compliance to the smoking ban in Guatemala is decreasing. Additional research that evaluates the determinants of non-compliance is needed and could also contribute to improve enforcement and implementation of the smoke-free law in Guatemala

Tobacco advertising and press coverage of smoking and health in Argentinean newspapers

Área de Salud, Economía y Socieda

Clinical preventive services in Guatemala: a cross-sectional survey of internal medicine physicians.

BackgroundGuatemala is currently undergoing an epidemiologic transition. Preventive services are key to reducing the burden of non-communicable diseases, and smoking counseling and cessation are among the most cost-effective and wide-reaching strategies. Internal medicine physicians are fundamental to providing such services, and their knowledge is a cornerstone of non-communicable disease control.MethodsA national cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2011 to evaluate knowledge of clinical preventive services for non-communicable diseases. Interns, residents, and attending physicians of the internal medicine departments of all teaching hospitals in Guatemala completed a self-administered questionnaire. Participants' responses were contrasted with the Guatemalan Ministry of Health (MoH) prevention guidelines and the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations. Analysis compared knowledge of recommendations within and between hospitals.ResultsIn response to simulated patient scenarios, all services were recommended by more than half of physicians regardless of MoH or USPSTF recommendations. Prioritization was adequate according to the MoH guidelines but not including other potentially effective services (e.g. colorectal cancer and lipid disorder screenings). With the exception of colorectal and prostate cancer screening, less frequently recommended by interns, there was no difference in recommendation rates by level.ConclusionGuatemalan internal medicine physicians' knowledge on preventive services recommendations for non-communicable diseases is limited, and prioritization did not reflect cost-effectiveness. Based on these data we recommend that preventive medicine training be strengthened and development of evidence-based guidelines for low-middle income countries be a priority