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Background: Mammography is crucial for early breast cancer detection. In Latin America, Argentina faces a significant breast cancer burden, with varying mammography rates. The social factors influencing mammography practices remain unclear. This study aimed to identify the proximal and distal social determinants of this practice among Argentinean women using a multilevel approach., Methods: This nationwide cross-sectional study included 4,924 women aged 50-70 participating in the 2018 National Risk Factor Survey of Argentina. Two-level logistic models were used to estimate measures of association (ORs) between timely mammography practice (within the last 2 years) and selected covariates (sociodemographics, proximal environment, and distal-level variables). The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and proportional change in variance (PCV) were calculated., Results: 62.8% of women underwent timely mammography. Age (OR=0.96; 95%CI 0.94-0.97), health insurance (OR=2.22; 95%CI 1.87-2.63), education (OR=2.1; 95%CI 1.74-2.64), and income (OR=1.56; 95%CI 1.23-1.97) were associated with mammography practice. Women in non-marital (OR=0.61; 95%CI 0.52-0.72) or larger households (OR=0.61; 95%CI 0.51-0.63) were less likely to have timely mammograph; living in a larger city was positively associated (OR=1.28; 95%CI 1.12-1.46). Women in provinces with higher physician density (OR=1.06; 95%CI 1.01-1.11) and lower maternal mortality ratio (OR=0.9; 95%CI 0.87-0.96) had higher chances of timely mammography. The ICC and PCV suggested that the explored healthcare indicators largely explained the macro-contextual effect., Conclusions: Multilevel factors influenced mammography practices in Argentina. The results highlight disparities linked to sociodemographic characteristics and healthcare resources., Impact: Efforts to address social inequalities in breast cancer screening must consider multilevel determinants, including in healthcare settings.

Seroepidemiological studies help identify the indirect distribution of diseases, detecting serological markers of immunity and demonstrating undiagnosed infections in the general population. The objectives were to estimate the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in Córdoba, Argentina, from December 2020 to January 2021 and to identify factors associated with the virus' contagiousness. A population-based cross-sectional observational study was performed in 3,225 individuals over two years of age living in Córdoba city, selected by multiple-stage random sampling proportional to distribution by gender, age group, and socioeconomic status in the city's population. Clinical characteristics, anthropometry, and comorbidities were collected by interview. Qualitative serological testing was performed for detection of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid IgG antibodies (ARCHITECT, Abbott). SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence was estimated for the total population and by age group, sex, socioeconomic status, and presence of target diseases. Prevalence ratios (PR) were estimated using a log-binomial regression model. SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity was 16.68% (95%CI: 15.41-18.01). Age 2 to 18 years, living in neighborhoods with low socioeconomic status, and obesity increased the odds of seropositivity (PR = 1.50; 95%CI: 1.10-2.04, PR = 1.91; 95%CI: 1.34-2.67 and PR = 1.39; 95%CI: 1.04-1.85). The results indicate that the city of Córdoba displays differential attributes that increase the likelihood of a positive SARS-CoV-2 antibody test. This allows targeting epidemiological surveillance strategies to reduce the spread of the virus.

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 in preventing illness and death from COVID-19 in Córdoba, Argentina, during the period from January through June 2021., Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted among 1,139,458 residents of the province of Córdoba. Multiple logistic regression models were developed to describe the relationship between vaccination and the presence of SARS-CoV-2 or death from COVID-19, while taking account of comorbidities and chronic disease risk factors and adjusting for sex and age., Results: Among the general population, having received one or two doses of vaccine reduced the risk of illness by 98.8% and 99.3%, respectively, and the risk of dying by 83% and 96.5%, respectively. Among those who developed COVID-19, the probability of dying was reduced by 57% and 80%, respectively. Regarding probability of death, risk increased with age, with being male, and with obesity, arterial hypertension, and diabetes mellitus., Conclusion: Vaccination is effective and protects against the risk of getting COVID-19, developing severe disease, or dying. Having obesity, arterial hypertension, or diabetes mellitus, in descending order, increases the risk of death.