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Latin America
- Mexico
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About
ITEN-Mexico
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Background and
Significance
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Research Priorities
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Activities
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Research Products
- Other
Latin American Countries
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Building upon the accumulated international
research during the last few decades which irrefutably proclaims the noxious
effects of tobacco smoking, the National Institute of Public Health (INSP)
in Mexico has sought to extend the protective aims of public policy to
include the population at risk. Six different research projects conducted
over the past two years which focus on diverse aspects of tobacco smoking
conducted by the INSP in collaboration with other research institutions
such as Johns Hopkins University, University of California, San Francisco,
and the Catalonian Institute of Oncology in Barcelona, present convincing
evidence that the Mexican population, 28% of which are active smokers,
not only are at risk but also are already suffering the negative health
effects of tobacco smoking.
One study using a multivariate analysis determined the variables
that directly modify cotinine concentrations in smokers (mean cotinine
concentration 191.7µ/ml blood): 1) number of smoked cigarettes in
24 hours, 2) age, 3) body/mass index, 4) time between last cigarette smoked
and saliva sampling, 5) educational level, 6) type of cigarette and nicotine
level. Another study2 reaffirmed the incidence rates for smokers, related
to educational level (12% female and 19% male begin smoking in high school.
Indicators show alarming changes occurring in adolescent and young adults'
smoking patterns. A third investigation3 conducted among medical residents
points to the widespread information gaps prevalent in this society. Only
40% of the MD smokers received formal training in tobacco control, whereas
44.2% of non smokers did. This anti-tobacco training is considered to
be a protecting factor against tobacco smoking. The INSP, acting upon
these results, has already held formal training programs for medical personnel
that will remedy this situation. Cardiovascular heart disease is the main
cause of mortality in Mexico, however the number of cardiovascular deaths
that occur in association with tobacco smoking is not know in Mexico,
for this purpose the INSP conducted a case-control study4 in order to
assess this relationship. The proportion of tobacco smokers previous to
coronary event was 72.5% compared to 53.1% of control patients. The odds
ratio showed a positive association to cigarette smoking with CHD (OR,
6.7; 95%CI, 3.2-13.8). Such overwhelming evidence of pathology attributable
to tobacco in mortality rates may be reduced by efficient anti-tobacco
programs. The INSP has also determined the association between low academic
achievement and the high prevalence of tobacco smoking in Mexico5, as
well as cost as a determinant of tobacco consumption. All of this information
has proven essential to the formation of related databases, thereby providing
decision-makers with the statistics they need to take action. The National
Advisory Board for Addictions (CONADIC) and the INSP have worked in close
collaboration in order to eradicate information gaps regarding tobacco
smoking. The INSP Tobacco Department which deals specifically with research
and policy impact on matters dealing with tobacco smoking maintains continuous
communication with similar international and domestic institutions and
offers relevant data regarding past, present and ongoing studies to interested
parties. Thanks to multidisciplinary studies like those mentioned above,
much needed visibility and prevention/control legislation have been given
to the health impact of tobacco smoking in Mexico.
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