Abstract: The first Covid-19 case was identified in Mexico in February 2020. Health authorities promoted non-pharmacological prevention measures to counteract the progress of the epidemic and, at the end of the year, they announced the application of the first vaccines in the country. Globally and locally, vaccines marked a milestone, positioning themselves as “magic bullets”; nevertheless, they faced several difficulties such as mass production, distribution logistics, variable effectiveness, phased implementation that prioritized vulnerable groups, rejection and low risk perception by certain groups in the population. The emphasis on population-based preventive measures or “social shields” was eventually diluted with the arrival of new vaccines. This essay highlights the importance of maintaining “social shields” as key preventive measures complementary to vaccines, since “magic bullets”, on their own, present challenges that could compromise their effectiveness.

Resumen: La pandemia por Covid-19 llegó a México en febrero de 2020. Las autoridades sanitarias promovieron medidas de prevención no farmacológicas para contrarrestar el avance de la epidemia y a finales del año se anunció la aplicación de las primeras vacunas. A nivel global y local, las vacunas marcaron un hito al erigirse como “balas mágicas”, sin embargo, enfrentaron diversas dificultades como la producción masiva, la logística de distribución, la efectividad, su aplicación escalonada que priorizó a grupos vulnerables, el rechazo y la baja percepción de riesgo por parte de algunos grupos de la población; por tanto, el énfasis sobre las medidas preventivas o “escudos sociales” se diluyó con el avance de la estrategia de vacunación. Este ensayo resalta la importancia de mantener “los escudos sociales” como medidas fundamentales y complementarias a la aplicación de vacunas, puesto que, por sí solas, las “balas mágicas” presentan retos que podrían comprometer su eficacia.

ABSTRACT The primary goal of this study was to identify potential factors that might contribute to patient punctuality issues, while also assessing the satisfaction of a proposed intervention. In addition, we aimed to learn more about the psychosocial and behavioral implications that patients face with regards to arriving on time for their primary care visits. A mixed-method research study was used to identify and quantify potential factors that might contribute to patient punctuality issues, while also assessing the satisfaction of a proposed intervention. In addition to possible factors that contribute to punctuality, we aimed to learn more about how patients are affected when they arrive late for appointments. Through qualitative assessment, we explored the psychosocial and behavioral implications that patients face with regards to arriving on time for their primary care appointments. A total of 524 individuals out of 1050 patients (50%) responded to the paper-based survey. Of the 524 adult respondents, we excluded 103 (19.7%) participants due to the missing data on either of their historical behavior patterns, future intentions for arrival, or their definition of appointment time. We analyzed the data for the remaining 421 eligible survey participants. In addition, seven of the eight patient interviews were transcribed and analyzed in order to identify themes using the patient’s own words to better understand the psychosocial and behavioral implications patients face on arriving to their appointment on time. Three primary themes emerge in the interviews related to the perception of arriving late to appointments at the FMC. The findings of this study indicate that regardless of patients’ interpretation of appointment time, they typically arrive 10-15 minutes before the appointment time. In addition, there is a significant connection between patients’ perceptions of historically arriving late to appointments and the intent to arrive very early to their future appointments. Combined with the qualitative results, this study suggests that most patients are motivated to be on time, in some cases seeing the idea of lateness as a contradiction of their own self-identity. The behavioral causes and implications of the findings are explained using the concept of Fear Appeals and the Protection Motivation Theory (PMT).

ABSTRACT Objective: To characterize the contribution of the extirpative and reconstructive portions of radical cystectomy (RC) to complications rates, and assess differences between urinary diversion (UD) types. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study comparing patients undergoing UD alone or RC+UD for bladder cancer from 2006 to 2017 using ACS National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. The primary outcome was major complications, while secondary outcomes included minor complications and prolonged length of stay. Propensity score matching (PSM) was utilized to assess the association between surgical procedure (UD alone or RC+UD) and outcomes, stratified by diversion type. Lastly, we examined differences in complication rates between ileal conduit (IC) vs. continent UD (CUD). Results: When comparing RC + IC and IC alone, PSM yielded 424 pairs. IC alone had a lower risk of any complication (HR 0.63, 95% CI 0.52-0.75), venous thromboembolism (HR 0.45, 95% CI 0.22-0.91) and bleeding needing transfusion (HR 0.41, 95% CI 0.32-0.52). This trend was also noted when comparing RC + CUD to CUD alone. CUD had higher risk of complications than IC, both with (56.6% vs 52.3%, p = 0.031) and without RC (47.8% vs 35.1%, p=0.062), and a higher risk of infectious complications, both with (30.5% vs 22.7%, p<0.001) and without RC (34.0% vs 22.0%, p=0.032). Conclusions: RC+UD, as compared to UD alone, is associated with an increased risk of major complications, including bleeding needing transfusion and venous thromboembolism. Additionally, CUD had a higher risk of post-operative complication than IC.

Introduction: Congenital syphilis continues to be a public health problem in Mexico. Objective: To assess the similarities and differences between national standards, guidelines and international documents related to the detection of syphilis in pregnant women and congenital syphilis. Method Two algorithms were developed based on the standard of female care during pregnancy and on the standard for prevention and control of sexually transmitted infections. Based on the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines, algorithms were developed for syphilis during pregnancy, syphilis in the newborn and sexual contacts. Results: The standard for pregnancy mentions that syphilis testing should be carried out in every pregnant woman on her first contact or at delivery, without diagnostic tests being specified. The Official Mexican Standard (NOM) on sexually transmitted infections mentions the traditional algorithm for syphilis detection, treatment follow-up, coinfection with human immunodeficiency virus and congenital syphilis criteria. The CDC recommend reverse algorithm, antibody titer, treatment and follow-up as part of diagnosis. Conclusions: The elimination of mother-to-child transmission of syphilis requires NOMs updating and homogenizing, as well as the study of stillbirths and neonates born to mothers with syphilis.

Abstract: Objective: To estimate the seroprevalence of CHKV antibodies and assess correlates of seropositivity at a small geographical scale. Materials and methods: A community-based serosurvey of 387 households in Puente de Ixtla, Morelos (central Mexico). Serum IgG antibodies to CHKV were detected by immunoassay. Results: From 27 April to 29 May 2016, we interviewed and collected blood samples from 387 individuals at the same number of households. A total of 114 (29.5%) participants were seropositive to CHK, 36 (31.6%) of them reported no symptoms of CHKV infection within 12 months before the survey. Conclusion: The estimated seroprevalence to CHKV antibodies was higher than expected by the small number of confirmed cases of CHKV infection reported in Mexico by the National Surveillance System.

Resumen: Objetivo: Estimar la seroprevalencia de anticuerpos CHKV y evaluar correlatos de seropositividad a pequeña escala geográfica. Material y métodos: Encuesta serológica comunitaria en 387 hogares en Puente de Ixtla, Morelos (región central de México). Se detectaron anticuerpos IgG contra CHKV mediante inmunoensayo. Resultados: Del 27 de abril al 29 de mayo de 2016 se entrevistó a 387 individuos en el mismo número de hogares y se recolectaron muestras de sangre de los mismos. En total, 114 (29.5%) participantes fueron seropositivos a CHK, 36 (31.6%) de ellos negaron síntomas de infección por CHKV durante los 12 meses previos a la encuesta. Conclusión: La seroprevalencia estimada de anticuerpos contra CHKV; fue mayor a la esperada con base en el pequeño número de casos confirmados de infección por CHKV informados en México por el Sistema Nacional de Vigilancia.

Abstract: Objective: To estimate the seroprevalence of CHKV antibodies and assess correlates of seropositivity at a small geographical scale. Materials and methods: A community-based serosurvey of 387 households in Puente de Ixtla, Morelos (central Mexico). Serum IgG antibodies to CHKV were detected by immunoassay. Results: From 27 April to 29 May 2016, we interviewed and collected blood samples from 387 individuals at the same number of households. A total of 114 (29.5%) participants were seropositive to CHK, 36 (31.6%) of them reported no symptoms of CHKV infection within 12 months before the survey. Conclusion: The estimated seroprevalence to CHKV antibodies was higher than expected by the small number of confirmed cases of CHKV infection reported in Mexico by the National Surveillance System.

Resumen: Objetivo: Estimar la seroprevalencia de anticuerpos CHKV y evaluar correlatos de seropositividad a pequeña escala geográfica. Material y métodos: Encuesta serológica comunitaria en 387 hogares en Puente de Ixtla, Morelos (región central de México). Se detectaron anticuerpos IgG contra CHKV mediante inmunoensayo. Resultados: Del 27 de abril al 29 de mayo de 2016 se entrevistó a 387 individuos en el mismo número de hogares y se recolectaron muestras de sangre de los mismos. En total, 114 (29.5%) participantes fueron seropositivos a CHK, 36 (31.6%) de ellos negaron síntomas de infección por CHKV durante los 12 meses previos a la encuesta. Conclusión: La seroprevalencia estimada de anticuerpos contra CHKV; fue mayor a la esperada con base en el pequeño número de casos confirmados de infección por CHKV informados en México por el Sistema Nacional de Vigilancia.