OBJECTIVE To analyze the characteristics of health diagnosis according to the ecohealth approach in rural and urban communities in Mexico.METHODS Health diagnosis were conducted in La Nopalera, from December 2007 to October 2008, and in Atlihuayan, from December 2010 to October 2011. The research was based on three principles of the ecohealth approach: transdisciplinarity, community participation, gender and equity. To collect information, a joint methodology and several techniques were used to stimulate the participation of inhabitants. The diagnostic exercise was carried out in five phases that went from collecting information to prioritization of problems.RESULTS The constitution of the transdisciplinary team, as well as the participation of the population and the principle of gender/equity were differentials between the communities. In the rural community, the active participation of inhabitants and authorities was achieved and the principles of transdisciplinarity and gender/equity were incorporated.CONCLUSIONS With all the difficulties that entails the boost in participation, the incorporation of gender/equity and transdisciplinarity in health diagnosis allowed a holistic public health approach closer to the needs of the population.

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Objective. To analyze the financial flows in the drug dependency programs in México City, their financial source, and the way how funding monies are spent. Material and methods. A discrete number of institutions devoted to drug dependency control in Mexico City was selected. Analysis of financial flows was carried out using the National Health Accounts methods. Questionnaires to quantify resources were applied to health service managers and users. In addition to collection of financial flow data, we calculated the expenditures per user for each institution. For the period 1990-1993, expenditures were estimated from financial budgets allocated to each program in 1990, at constant values to eliminate the effects of inflation. Results. Financial sources identified were: the federal budget allocation (50-90%), user fees (10-20%), and non-governmental organization contributions (15-80%). Conclusions. Even though budgets in participant institutions have increased in the last four years, they are still inadequate to cover the large demand of services. It is important to identify new ways to increase the availability of resources as well as to ensure their efficient use. Continuing financial analysis of these programs will allow the assessment of changes to guide optimal financial decision making.

The purpose of this study was to implement and test an educational intervention aimed at training parents/caregivers and teachers in strategies to support children with verbal communication disabilities (VCDs). We carried out a descriptive observational research conducted in two phases during 2013-2014: a mixed-method diagnosis and intervention development. We used convenience sampling to select the parents/caregivers and teachers of first-to-third graders with VCDs across four public elementary schools in a suburban community in central Mexico. Diagnosis was based on questionnaires conducted with parents/caregivers (n = 38) and teachers (n = 16). The instruments focused not only on the respondents' socioeconomic characteristics and general knowledge about VCDs but also included open questions (24/42) about their common practices and support for children with VCDs. The intervention was built on data collected through the questionnaires, and was designed according to the Integral Intervention Model framework based on the ecosystemic approach. Participants were parents/caregivers and teachers of children with VCDs. Main results showed that the participants were trained in various support techniques, they gained knowledge about VCDs and changed their perception of their own ability to help children with language impairments. As an important upshot of the intervention, communication and networking among parents/caregivers and teachers increased. The main strengths of this research reside in its solid theoretical foundation and the fact that intervention design was based on the specific needs of the target group. In as much as the public health problem of VCDs in Mexico has barely been studied and has received minimal official support, it is essential to engage additional social actors, stakeholders and decision-makers in the implementation of permanent actions. Our study emphasises the importance of recognising this form of health impairment as a social responsibility and not as an individual family problem.

Introducción: La salud pública tiene en el diagnóstico de salud poblacional una de las principales herramientas de investigación y planificación sanitaria. La participación activa de la población en el diagnóstico poblacional es fundamental y el mapeo comunitario es una técnica que la promueve. Objetivo: Presentar las aportaciones del uso del mapeo comunitario para la participación de la población durante el desarrollo del diagnóstico de salud poblacional. Métodos: Para dar evidencia de las aportaciones de ésta técnica, durante el desarrollo de los diagnósticos de salud, efectuados entre los años 2010 y 2014, en zonas rurales y suburbanas del centro de México, se efectuaron ejercicios de mapeo comunitario con diversos grupos poblacionales (niños, jóvenes y adultos de ambos sexos), quienes identificaban en el mapa aspectos tanto positivos como negativos de su comunidad, lo cual se plasmó en necesidades sentidas de la población. Resultados: A través del mapeo comunitario se despertó el interés y se logró estimular la participación poblacional en la identificación de necesidades, priorización de problemas y soluciones. Conclusiones: La inclusión del mapeo comunitario dentro del diagnóstico poblacional, propicia la participación y fortalece procesos organizativos, lo cual permite que se busquen soluciones a las problemáticas identificadas.