Reproductive and lifestyle factors associated with early menopause in Mexican women Factores reproductivos y de estilos de vida asociados con menopausia temprana en mujeres mexicanas

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between certain reproductive and lifestyle factors and the occurrence of early natural menopause. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A case/control study was conducted on a basal population of 2 510 women participating in the "Mexican Institute of Social Security health workers cohort study". Cases were defined as those women for whom natural menopause presented by age 47. Information was obtained through a self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: The risk of early menopause is associated with short menstrual cycles [15 cigarettes/day, OR=2.7 (IC 95% 1.00-7.30)], and birth cohorts [>1950, OR=4.09 (IC 95% 2.62-6.39)]. COCLUSIONS: The findings of this study suggest that both reproductive and lifestyle factors are significant elements in the occurrence of early menopause in Mexican women.OBJETIVO : Evaluar la relación entre factores reproductivos, estilo de vida y la ocurrencia de menopausia natural temprana. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS : Un estudio de casos y controles fue conducido en una población basal de 2 510 mujeres participantes en la "Cohorte de trabajadores IMSS". Los casos fueron definidos como aquellas mujeres que presentaron la menopausia natural a los 47 años o menos. La información fue colectada a través de cuestionarios autoapicables. RESULTADOS: El riesgo de menopausia temprana está asociado con ciclos menstruales cortos [15 cigarros/día, RM=2.7 (IC 95% 1.00-7.30)], y cohorte de nacimiento [>1950, RM=4.09 (IC 95% 2.62-6.39)]. CONCLUSIONES: Los hallazgos sugieren que tanto factores reproductivos como de estilo de vida son elementos significantes en la ocurrencia de la menopausia a edad temprana en mujeres mexicanas

Anticoncepción de emergencia en estudiantes mexicanos Emergency contraception in mexican students

OBJETIVO: Evaluar el conocimiento y uso de anticoncepción de emergencia (AE), y factores asociados en estudiantes de escuelas públicas en Morelos, México. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio transversal realizado entre 2003-2004 con 1550 estudiantes de 14-24 años. Se utilizó regresión logística para identificar factores asociados al conocimiento correcto sobre AE. RESULTADOS: El 40% fueron hombres y 60% mujeres con edad promedio de 19 años. El 60% ha escuchado sobre AE pero únicamente 45% tiene conocimiento correcto; 3% de los estudiantes sexualmente activos la ha usado. Factores asociados al conocimiento correcto: ser mujer (RM=1.66; IC 1.33, 2.06), haber tenido relaciones sexuales (RM=1.77; IC 1.43, 2.18), nivel socioeconómico medio (RM=1.87; IC 1.04, 3.37), vivir en zona semi-urbana (RM=1.34; IC 1.02, 1.77), tomar alcohol (RM=1.78; IC 1.42, 2.22). CONCLUSIONES: En Morelos, el conocimiento de los adolescentes sobre la AE es escaso. La transmisión de mensajes claros sobre su forma precisa de uso resulta necesaria.OBJECTIVE: To evaluate emergency contraception (EC) knowledge and use as well as identify factors associated to correct EC knowledge among public schools students in Morelos, Mexico. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study conducted in 2003-2004 in a sample of 1550 students (ages 14-24). Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated to EC correct knowledge. RESULTS: Among all, 40% were men and 60% women with an average age of 19 years. Sixty percent have heard about EC, nevertheless, only 45% have correct knowledge about it; 3% of sexually active students (43%) reported its use. Factors associated to EC correct knowledge are: being a woman (OR=1.66; CI 1,33, 2,06), being sexually active (OR=1.77; CI 1,43, 2,18), middle income (OR=1.87; CI 1,04, 3,37), living in a semi-urban zone (OR=1.34; CI 1,02, 1,77), drinking alcohol (OR=1.78; CI 1,42, 2,22). CONCLUSIONS: In Morelos, adolescents' knowledge of EC is scarce. Specific messages regarding its correct use are necessary

Exposure to Violence and Carotid Artery Intima‐Media Thickness in Mexican Women

Background: Violence against women has become a global public health threat. Data on the potential impact of exposure to violence on cardiovascular disease are scarce. Methods and Results: We evaluated the association between exposure to violence and subclinical cardiovascular disease in 634 disease‐free women from the Mexican Teachers' Cohort who responded to violence‐related items from the Life Stressor Checklist and underwent measures of carotid artery intima‐media thickness in 2012 and 2013. We defined exposure to violence as having ever been exposed to physical and/or sexual violence. Intima‐media thickness was log‐transformed, and subclinical carotid atherosclerosis was defined as intima‐media thickness ≥0.8 mm or plaque. We used multivariable linear and logistic regression models adjusted for several potential confounders. Mean age was 48.9±4.3 years. Close to 40% of women reported past exposure to violence. The lifetime prevalence of sexual violence was 7.1%, and prevalence of physical violence was 23.5% (7.7% reported both sexual and physical violence). Relative to women with no history of violence, exposure to violence was associated with higher intima‐media thickness (adjusted mean percentage difference=2.4%; 95% confidence interval 0.5, 4.3) and subclinical atherosclerosis (adjusted odds ratio=1.60; 95% confidence interval 1.10, 2.32). The association was stronger for exposure to physical violence, especially by mugging or physical assault by a stranger (adjusted mean % difference=4.6%; 95% confidence interval 1.8, 7.5, and odds ratio of subclinical carotid atherosclerosis=2.06; 95% confidence interval 1.22, 3.49). Conclusions: Exposure to violence, and in particular assault by a stranger, was strongly associated with subclinical cardiovascular disease in Mexican middle‐aged women

Latent Class Analysis of Polysubstance Use and Sexual Risk Behaviors among Men Who Have Sex with Men Attending Sexual Health Clinics in Mexico City

Men who have sex with men (MSM) are more likely to use drugs and other substances compared to their heterosexual peers. No studies have evaluated patterns of substance use among MSM adults in Mexico. We used latent class analysis (LCA) to identify MSM subgroups with specific substance use patterns and their associations with sexual behaviors. Methods: Data from 1850 adult MSM were collected at HIV clinics in Mexico City between September 2018 and December 2019. The structural equation modeling approach was used to estimate a LC model to identify patterns of substance use by self-report of substance use (i.e., cigarette smoking, alcohol, and drugs). To evaluate LC membership, we included HIV status, condomless anal sex (CAS), and serosorting, while controlling for demographic variables. Results: 30.3% were under the age of 22. Alcohol use in last 30 days (76.2%), binge drinking (29.2%), marijuana (29.4%), sex-drugs (23.9%), stimulants (13.7%), and depressants (6.3%). MSM reported engaging in CAS (55.9%) and serosorting (13.5%) behaviors, and 40% reported being HIV positive. LCA indicated three general categories of MSM substance users: Class 1 (49.0%), Class 2 (29.8%), and Class 3 (20.4%). Members of Class 3 were younger: 23–28 age years (aOR = 1.86) and 29–33 age years (aOR = 1.86), more educated: completed graduate studies (aOR = 1.60), had a high probability of polysubstance use and were more likely to engage in CAS and serosorting. Conclusions: Attempts to detect alcohol and problematic use of substances are needed for MSM followed by culturally competent approaches that address alcohol and drug use disorders

Uptake of the HPV vaccine among people with and without HIV, cisgender and transgender women and men who have sex with men and with women at two sexual health clinics in Mexico City

Our aim was to better understand Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine acceptance among Mexican adults including people with and without HIV, cisgender men who have sex with men (MSM) or with women (MSW), cisgender and transgender women. A computer-assisted, self-administered questionnaire was completed by healthcare users and participants recruited through community organizations, and the first dose of the quadrivalent HPV vaccine was offered at no cost at a large sexual health clinic in Mexico City, from May to December 2018. Socio-demographic characteristics and factors associated with HPV vaccine acceptance were analyzed using logistic regression. The sample of 1915 participants included 1341 cisgender men (70.9%, 1247 MSM and 94 MSW), 396 (20.7%) cisgender women and 178 (9.3%) transwomen; 615 people (32.1%) were HIV positive. Uptake of the HPV vaccine was higher in men and transwomen (91.5% and 87%, respectively) than among cisgender women (81.8%; p < .001). Cisgender women (OR 0.43, 95%CI 0.30–0.61, p < .05) were less likely to accept HPV vaccination than men. Married/partnered people were less likely to accept HPV vaccination compared to those who were single (OR 0.70, 95%CI 0.51–0.97). People living with HIV were not significantly more likely to accept HPV vaccination (OR 1.7; 95%CI 0.86–1.61). HPV vaccine acceptance was high among adult Mexican study participants; it may be higher than among other Mexican adults given most of these individuals are engaged in care. Modifications will be needed in national and international recommendations on HPV vaccination in adults if healthcare personnel are to recommend the vaccine to the population groups studied

Serum 25–Hydroxyvitamin D₃ and Mammography Density among Mexican Women

<div><p>Low circulating levels of vitamin D and high mammographic density (MD) have been associated with higher risk of breast cancer. Although some evidence suggested an inverse association between circulating vitamin D and MD, no studies have investigated this association among Mexican women. We examined whether serum 25−hydroxyvitamin D3 [25(OH)D3] levels were associated with MD in a cross-sectional study nested within the large Mexican Teacher's Cohort. This study included 491 premenopausal women with a mean age of 42.9 years. Serum 25(OH)D3 levels were measured by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry. Linear regression and non-linear adjusted models were used to estimate the association of MD with serum 25(OH)D3. Median serum 25(OH)D3 level was 27.3 (23.3–32.8) (ng/ml). Forty one (8%) women had 25(OH)D3 levels in the deficient range (< 20 ng/ml). Body mass index (BMI) and total physical activity were significantly correlated with 25(OH)D3 (r = −0.109, P = 0.019 and r = 0.095, P = 0.003, respectively). In the multivariable linear regression, no significant association was observed between 25(OH)D3 levels and MD overall. However, in stratified analyses, higher serum 25(OH)D3 levels (≥27.3 ng/ml) were significantly inversely associated with percent MD among women with BMI below the median (β = −0.52, P = 0.047). Although no significant association was observed between serum 25(OH)D3 and percent MD in the overall population, specific subgroups of women may benefit from higher serum 25(OH)D3 levels.</p></div

HPV vaccine acceptance is high among adults in Mexico, particularly in people living with HIV

Materials and methods. A total of 1 329 men and women, with and without HIV, participated in one of three intervention studies, offering HPV vaccination, carried out in the states of Morelos, Tlaxcala and Mexico City; either the bivalent (Morelos n=103, Tlaxcala n=127) or quadrivalent HPV-vaccine (Mexico City n=1 099) was offered. Results. HPV vaccine was accepted by 80.3% of participants; acceptance was higher in people living with HIV than those without (84.4 vs. 78%, p=0.004). Women had greater HPV infection knowledge (p<0.0001) than men and slightly higher (p=0.4) vaccine acceptance. The main reason for vaccine non-acceptance among HIV-positive participants was their doctor recommended they not get vaccinated. Conclusion. Acceptance of HPV-vaccine was high in men and women regardless of HIV status. Even higher rates of acceptability may be achieved by educating healthcare providers to recommend HPV vaccine to their patients