Cultural factors affecting urban Mexican male homosexual behavior

Some aspects of the mestizoized urban culture in Mexico are linked to male homosexuality in support of the theory that cultural factors play an important role in the kind of life styles and sex practices of males involved in homosexual behavior. The following factors are considered relevant: the sharp dichotomization of gender roles, dual categorization of females as good or bad, separate social networks maintained by males before and after marriage, proportion of unmarried males, and distribution of income. One result of the sharp dichotomization of male and female gender roles is the widely held belief that effeminate males generally prefer to play the female role rather than the male. Effeminacy and homosexuality are also linked by the belief that as a result of this role preference effeminate males are sexually interested only in masculine males with whom they play the passive sex role. The participation of masculine males in homosexual encounters is related in part to a relatively high level of sexual awareness in combination with the lack of stigmatization of the insertor sex role and in part to the restraints placed on alternative sexual outlets by available income and/or marital status. Males involved in homosexual behavior in Mexico operate in a sociocultural environment which gives rise to expectations that they should play either the insertee or insertor sex role but not both and that they should obtain ultimate sexual satisfaction with anal intercourse rather than fellatio. In spite of cultural imperatives, however, individual preferences stemming from other variables such as personality needs, sexual gratification, desires of wanted partners, and amount of involvement may override the imperatives with resulting variations in sexual behavior patterns.Presented to Symposium on Homosexuality in Crosscultural Perspective, 73rd Annual Meeting of the American Anthropological Association, Mexico City, November 23, 1974.     

A qualitative study of Mexican American adolescents and depression

Depressive disorders are present in a high percentage of Mexican American adolescents. Among the US Mexican American population, suicide is the fourth leading cause of death among 10- to 19-year-olds. Little research, however, has focused on Mexican American adolescents' knowledge and views about depression and seeking help for depression. Results from a qualitative study on Mexican American adolescents' attitudes about depression are investigated in this paper. Sixty-five high school and middle school students in a largely Mexican American, urban school district in San Antonio, Tex, participated in 9 semistructured, focus group interviews where participants were asked questions to elicit their understanding of depression, treatment for depression, and words used to describe it. Coding of salient words and themes from transcribed interviews were entered into Atlas. ti for qualitative analysis. Three themes emerged: (1) adolescents' definitions of depression, (2) beliefs about adolescent depression, and (3) treatment for adolescent depression. While depressive symptoms among Mexican American adolescents are common and recognized, resource and treatment knowledge is scarce. An understanding of the beliefs, attitudes, and knowledge of these adolescents can provide crucial information about the content and structure of a universal, school-based, peer-facilitated depression awareness program.     

Determinants of coping responses among Mexican American adolescents

This study examined relationships among perceived stress, self-esteem, acculturation, and gender with the coping response of 472 Mexican American adolescents aged 14 to 16 years. Subjects were drawn from a predominantly Mexican American population located in the Lower Rio Grande Valley region of Texas. Data were collected through a self-report instrument consisting of perceived stress, acculturative status, self-esteem, and coping strategy scales. Subjects reported relatively high perceived stress levels, low acculturation, and moderate self-esteem scores with no significant gender differences. Analysis revealed self-esteem as most predictive of a more effective overall coping response. Results suggest Mexican American adolescents possessing high self-esteem are less likely to encounter damage to their sense of self when confronted with stressors, thus allowing for productive coping.     

A qualitative study of factors affecting pregnancy weight gain in African American women

African Americans and overweight or obese women are at increased risk for excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) and postpartum weight retention. Interventions are needed to promote healthy GWG in this population; however, research on exercise and nutritional barriers during pregnancy in African American women is limited. The objective of this qualitative study is to better inform intervention messages by eliciting information on perceptions of appropriate weight gain, barriers to and enablers of exercise and healthy eating, and other influences on healthy weight gain during pregnancy in overweight or obese African American women. In-depth interviews were conducted with 33 overweight or obese African American women in Columbia, South Carolina. Women were recruited in early to mid-pregnancy (8–23 weeks gestation, n = 10), mid to late pregnancy (24–36 weeks, n = 15), and early postpartum (6–12 weeks postpartum, n = 8). Interview questions and data analysis were informed using a social ecological framework. Over 50 % of women thought they should gain weight in excess of the range recommended by the Institute of Medicine. Participants were motivated to exercise for personal health benefits; however they also cited many barriers to exercise, including safety concerns for the fetus. Awareness of the maternal and fetal benefits of healthy eating was high. Commonly cited barriers to healthy eating include cravings and availability of unhealthy foods. The majority of women were motivated to engage in healthy behaviors during pregnancy. However, the interviews also uncovered a number of misconceptions and barriers that can serve as future intervention messages and strategies.     

孕前肥胖及孕期合理饮食对妊娠结局的影响

目的:探讨孕前肥胖及孕期合理饮食对妊娠结局的影响。方法:选择2007年1月~2008年12月在该院就诊并分娩的孕妇727例,分为3组,调查妊娠结局。结果:孕前肥胖孕妇妊娠期高血压疾病、妊娠期糖尿病发生率、总产程延长率、剖宫产率、巨大儿发生率均显著高于正常体重者。孕期合理饮食后,孕前肥胖孕妇孕期体重增长、妊娠期高血压疾病、妊娠期糖尿病发生率、总产程延长率、剖宫产率、巨大儿发生率均显著低于未予饮食指导者。结论:孕前肥胖是造成不良妊娠结局的重要因素,孕期合理饮食有助于控制孕期体重过度增长并降低不良妊娠结局发生率。     

巨大儿分娩的相关因素及妊娠结局

目的探讨经产妇和经产妇分娩巨大儿相关因素与妊娠结局分析。方法回顾分析2004年1月—2008年6月分娩的巨大儿资料,将其中经产妇与初产妇进行分组对照分析。结果经产妇巨大儿组产前检查率、分娩前诊断符合率均低于初产妇组,新生儿窒息、产后出血率高于初产妇组。初产妇组剖宫产率明显高于经产妇组。结论巨大儿可增加母婴并发症。正确产前诊断和采用恰当的分娩方式,积极进行早期预防的重要措施。     

Maternal plasma fatty acid composition and pregnancy outcome in adolescents

Adolescents are at a greater risk of adverse pregnancy outcome, including spontaneous preterm delivery and fetal growth restriction, and typically have a poorer-quality diet than adults have. In the present study, we addressed the hypothesis that low maternal dietary intake of n-3 long-chain PUFA (LCP) status adversely influences pregnancy outcome. A total of 500 adolescents (14-18 years) were recruited at ≤ 20 weeks' gestation. The frequency of consumption of oily fish was determined by questionnaire (at recruitment and during the third trimester). The fatty acid composition of plasma lipids during the third trimester was determined in 283 subjects. Principal components analysis (PCA) was used to derive components, which were divided into tertiles. The pregnancy outcomes were then compared by tertile, adjusting for potentially confounding variables. Of the participants, 69% reported never eating oily fish during pregnancy, although consumption was not associated with a shorter duration of gestation (P=0·33), lower customised birth weight (P=0·82) or higher incidence of small-for-gestational age (SGA) birth (P=0·55). PCA of the fatty acid composition of maternal plasma lipids identified a 'low PUFA:SFA (P:S) ratio' component and a 'high n-3 LCP' component. There were no differences between tertiles of the 'high n-3 LCP' component and gestational age at delivery (P=0·62), customised birth weight (P=0·38) or incidence of SGA birth (P=0·25), nor were there any associations between the 'low P:S' ratio component and pregnancy outcome. Lower proportions of n-3 LCP in plasma lipids are not associated with greater risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes in UK adolescents.     

Prevalence and interrelations of cardiovascular risk factors in urban and rural Mexican adolescents

PurposeTo examine the prevalence of coronary risk factors in Mexican adolescents, and their relations to school type, gender, and residence in urban and rural areas.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted in 3121 junior high school students, aged 12 to 16 years, attending urban schools (eight public, n = 1850, two private, n = 480) and three rural public (n = 791) schools. Weight, height, waist circumference, blood pressure, and fasting glucose and lipid-lipoprotein levels were measured. Tobacco smoking and physical activity were also ascertained. The prevalence rates of cardiovascular risk factors were determined by gender and school type.ResultsObesity, overweight, high blood pressure, cigarette smoking, and physical inactivity were higher for urban than rural adolescents. The prevalence of the low HDL-C level was exceedingly high in adolescents of three school types (> 30%) but particularly in male rural students (48.9%). Compared with rural students, high LDL-cholesterol was twice as high in private schoolchildren. The prevalence of impaired fasting glucose was .35% in the whole population and much higher in obese males (1.6%) and obese females (2.4%).ConclusionsOur findings highlight an epidemic of coronary risk factors mainly in adolescents living in the urban area, suggesting the importance of environmental factors.     

孕期膳食营养指导对孕期营养状况及妊娠结局影响

目的探讨孕期膳食营养指导对孕妇营养状况及妊娠结局的影响。方法2012年10月-2013年10月, 对在沈阳市和平区妇幼保健所进行孕期保健的500名孕妇随机分为观察组和对照组, 分别给予常规健康指导和规范的个体化膳食营养指导及常规性孕期健康指导, 分析2组孕妇孕晚期体内营养素水平及分娩结局的差异。结果观察组和对照组孕妇妊娠高血压的发生率分别为3.7%和8.3%, 巨大儿发生率分别为4.1%和8.7%, 宫内发育迟缓率分别为3.3%和7.9%, 观察组均低于对照组, 差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论加强孕妇孕期膳食营养指导可以改善其营养状况, 预防和降低不良妊娠结局的发生。     

Weight gain in adolescents during pregnancy: rate related to birth-weight outcome.

This study of 459 subjects from prenatal clinics for teenagers at three universities across the United States, addresses questions about gestational weight gain in adolescents raised by the 1990 Institute of Medicine Report. Rate and pattern of gain, independent of pregravid weight, are based on serial measures of mothers with favorable and unfavorable outcomes. Rate of gain (determined by using regression statistics) from weeks 15 to 40 was 0.588, 0.510, and 0.488 kg/wk for mothers of term infants weighing 3000-4000 g, term infants weighing < 3000 g, and preterm infants, respectively. The significantly lower percentage of infants weighing 3000-4000 g vs < 3000 g needing intensive care at birth (6% vs 15%, respectively, P < 0.05) further indicates the superior outcome among mothers with higher rates of gain. Rate of gain of mothers of infants weighing 3000-4000 g (favorable outcome) equaled the highest amount provisionally recommended, suggesting that restricting natural gain of adolescents to recommended rates may result in smaller than optimal infants.     

Genetic and environmental (physical fitness and sedentary activity) interaction effects on cardiometabolic risk factors in Mexican American children and adolescents

Knowledge on genetic and environmental (G × E) interaction effects on cardiometabolic risk factors (CMRFs) in children is limited.  The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of G × E interaction effects on CMRFs in Mexican American (MA) children (n = 617, ages 6–17 years). The environments examined were sedentary activity (SA), assessed by recalls from “yesterday” (SAy) and “usually” (SAu) and physical fitness (PF) assessed by Harvard PF scores (HPFS). CMRF data included body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), fat mass (FM), fasting insulin (FI), homeostasis model of assessment—insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR), high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C), triglycerides (TG), systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure, and number of metabolic syndrome components (MSC). We examined potential G × E interaction in the phenotypic expression of CMRFs using variance component models and likelihood‐based statistical inference. Significant G × SA interactions were identified for six CMRFs: BMI, WC, FI, HOMA‐IR, MSC, and HDL, and significant G × HPFS interactions were observed for four CMRFs: BMI, WC, FM, and HOMA‐IR. However, after correcting for multiple hypothesis testing, only WC × SAy, FM × SAy, and FI × SAu interactions became marginally significant. After correcting for multiple testing, most of CMRFs exhibited significant G × E interactions (Reduced G × E model vs. Constrained model). These findings provide evidence that genetic factors interact with SA and PF to influence variation in CMRFs, and underscore the need for better understanding of these relationships to develop strategies and interventions to effectively reduce or prevent cardiometabolic risk in children.     

Occupation and pregnancy outcome.

Over a two year period, 1982-4, 56067 women, delivered or treated for a spontaneous abortion in 11 Montreal hospitals covering 90% of such admissions, were interviewed in detail regarding their occupational, social, and personal characteristics in their most recent and past pregnancies--104,649 in all. These data were analysed in relation to four main adverse outcomes--spontaneous abortion, stillbirth (without defect), congenital defect, and low birth weight (less than or equal to 2500 g). For comparison with observed numbers, expected figures were calculated by logistic regression using up to eight potentially confounding variables. Sixty occupational groups in six main industrial sectors were examined in current and previous pregnancies, with tests for heterogeneity between these two estimates of risk. Women in managerial, health, and clerical sectors had little evidence of excess of any of the four outcomes, by contrast with those in sales, service, and manufacturing sectors. Substantial and statistically significant excesses of spontaneous abortion were observed in nursing aides, women in sales occupations and food and beverage service; of stillbirth in agriculture and horticulture, leatherwork, and certain sales occupations; of congenital defects in women in child care, certain service occupations, and the manufacture of metal and electrical goods; and of low birth weight in chambermaids, cleaners, and janitors, and in women employed in the manufacture of food and drink, metal and electrical goods, and clothing.     

上海市巨大儿影响因素及妊娠结局

目的:探讨1999～2008年上海市巨大儿发生率及其影响因素,为制定控制巨大儿发生的干预措施提供依据。方法:随机抽取1999～2008年上海19个区县的接产医院产科病历,按统一要求填写调查表,共收集有效表4883张,用卡方和Logistic回归等方法进行统计分析。结果:(1)上海市近10年巨大儿发生率平均为8.4%,2008年发生率为7.4%。(2)巨大儿的危险因素:①产次。经产妇的调整OR值为1.28(P0.05);②孕早期BMI。母亲超重的巨大儿调整OR值为2.40(P0.01);③孕期增重。孕期增重大于12.5kg的调整OR值为2.35(P0.01);④胎儿性别。男性的调整OR值为2.14(P0.001);⑤孕期营养门诊咨询。可以避免巨大儿的发生,调整OR值为0.69(P0.05);⑥糖尿病。调整OR值为2.26(P0.01)。(3)妊娠结局:巨大儿母亲的剖宫产率为79.6%,高于正常体重儿母亲的36.9%;产时并发症的发生率8.8%,显著高于非巨大儿的5.4%;阴道分娩产程延长的发生率为3.7%,显著高于正常儿的1.7%;巨大儿母亲的平均产后出血量(257.36ml)显著高于非巨大儿(225.47ml);巨大儿母亲的平均住院天数比非巨大儿多0.9天。结论:巨大儿与不良妊娠结局相关,需要通过相关干预措施如孕期血糖、孕期体重增长的控制及加强孕期饮食指导来降低巨大儿的发生以改善妊娠结局。     

Cultural factors influencing teenage pregnancy in Jamaica

A literature review was undertaken to identify key factors associated with teenage pregnancy in Jamaica. Using the PEN-3 cultural model, we first categorised these factors to develop a theoretical taxonomy that can be used to help health intervention planners to understand and address the phenomenon. Next, we examined the validity of this initial taxonomy by comparing it with cultural factors identified in semi-structured focus group discussions with Jamaican teenage mothers. Cultural factors identified in the initial literature review – such as parental interaction and control, the intergenerational transmission of teenage pregnancy and experiences of sexual abuse – were largely confirmed and built upon. Results highlight promising opportunities for health communication among young women in Jamaica with a focus on self-efficacy, resilience and positive cultural factors.