Evaluation of a Mystery Shopper Intervention to Reduce Sales of Alcohol to Minors in Zacatecas and Guadalupe, Mexico

We report the results of a quasi-experimental evaluation of a mystery shopper intervention in Zacatecas and Guadalupe, Mexico. Underage youth attempted to purchase beer at 50 Modelorama stores and 32 Oxxo stores (intervention groups), and at 19 comparison convenience stores in March, July, and August 2018. After each attempt, intervention store operators were informed if a sale was made. Modelorama operators also received training and were warned that repeated sales to minors could jeopardize their franchise. Average sales rates to minors were 63.8% at Modeloramas, 86.5% at Oxxo stores, and 98.2% at comparison stores. The findings suggest that mystery shopper interventions with training, feedback to store operators, and sanctions after repeated sales to underage youth may reduce sales to minors in low- and middle-income countries.

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Impact of improved cookstoves on women’s and child health in low and middle income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Thorax ◽

10.1136/thoraxjnl-2017-210952 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 73 (11) ◽

pp. 1026-1040 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Megha Thakur ◽

Paulien A W Nuyts ◽

Esther A Boudewijns ◽

Javier Flores Kim ◽

Timor Faber ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Preterm Birth ◽

Child Health ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Experimental Studies ◽

Middle Income ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

Quasi Experimental ◽

Women And Children ◽

Low And Middle Income

ObjectivesImproved biomass cookstoves may help reduce the substantial global burden of morbidity and mortality due to household air pollution (HAP) that disproportionately affects women and children in low and middle income countries (LMICs).DesignSystematic review and meta-analysis of (quasi-)experimental studies identified from 13 electronic databases (last update: 6 April 2018), reference and citation searches and via expert consultation.SettingLMICsParticipantsWomen and childrenInterventionsImproved biomass cookstovesMain outcome measuresLow birth weight (LBW), preterm birth, perinatal mortality, paediatric acute respiratory infections (ARIs) and COPD among women.ResultsWe identified 53 eligible studies, including 24 that met prespecified design criteria. Improved cookstoves had no demonstrable impact on paediatric lower ARIs (three studies; 11 560 children; incidence rate ratio (IRR)=1.02 (95% CI 0.84 to 1.24)), severe pneumonia (two studies; 11 061 children; IRR=0.88 (95% CI 0.39 to 2.01)), LBW (one study; 174 babies; OR=0.74 (95% CI 0.33 to 1.66)) or miscarriages, stillbirths and infant mortality (one study; 1176 babies; risk ratio (RR) change=15% (95% CI –13 to 43)). No (quasi-)experimental studies assessed preterm birth or COPD. In observational studies, improved cookstoves were associated with a significant reduction in COPD among women: two studies, 9757 participants; RR=0.74 (95% CI 0.61 to 0.90). Reductions in cough (four studies, 1779 participants; RR=0.72 (95% CI 0.60 to 0.87)), phlegm (four studies, 1779 participants; RR=0.65 (95% CI 0.52 to 0.80)), wheezing/breathing difficulty (four studies; 1779 participants; RR=0.41 (95% CI 0.29 to 0.59)) and conjunctivitis (three studies, 892 participants; RR=0.58 (95% CI 0.43 to 0.78)) were observed among women.ConclusionImproved cookstoves provide respiratory and ocular symptom reduction and may reduce COPD risk among women, but had no demonstrable child health impact.RegistrationPROSPERO: CRD42016033075

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