Birth defects contribute up to 21% of the mortality in those under 5 years of age in Latin America and the Caribbean  (LAC), and that burden has been compounded by the Zika virus epidemic. In 2001, the March of Dimes launched a series of biennial assemblies called the International Conference on Birth Defects and Disabilities in the Developing World (ICBD). The latest ICBD, in 2017, convened in Bogotá, Colombia, and was attended by over 300 professionals, policymakers, and donors.

Objective.

To investigate the impact of combined use of fixed and mobile mammography units to rationalize the management of breast cancer screening programs and increase population coverage.

Objective.

To analyze the available evidence regarding the association between C-peptide and cardiovascular and overall mortality.

Objective.

To identify control and patient management strategies for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB).

Objective.

Describe the sociodemographic profile of mothers of children with congenital Zika syndrome.

Method.

This is a descriptive, cross-sectional, quantitative study. The 39 mothers of live born babies among the cases notified in 2015 and 2016 with confirmed diagnosis of congenital Zika syndrome in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil, were invited to participate. Of these, 25 mothers were enrolled. Data were collected using a socioeconomic questionnaire and a field diary.

Objective.

To identify the evidence regarding the co-management of tuberculosis and diabetes available in the literature for the Latin-American context.

Objective.

To characterize the receptivity to human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine and to describe factors that hinder or facilitate receptivity.

Objectives.

Define a legal framework for electronic medical records (EMRs) and determine the degree to which the countries of the Region of the Americas are prepared in this regard.

Methods.

The methodology consisted of two phases. In the first, a Delphi methodology was used to develop a questionnaire and define the framework and legal domains applicable to EMRs. In the second, the questionnaire was completed in each country. This included identifying national experts and the data collection process.

Objective

Describe the phenotypical and genotypical characteristics of Neisseria meningitidis isolates from cases of meningococcal disease in Paraguay between 1996 and 2015. 

Methods

Conventional microbiological methods and molecular techniques were used to study 114 isolates of N. meningitidis and 12 clinical samples without isolation (confirmed by polymerase chain reaction), provided by various sentinel centers and collaborating centers in Paraguay

Objective

To determine the magnitude and characteristics of the omission of causes of maternal death in death certificates in Argentina, and to re-estimate the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) for the year 2014.