A door-to-door survey was organised in Cuenca, Ecuador, to determine the prevalence of COVID-19 infection and adherence of the population to COVID-19 preventive measures. A total of 2457 persons participated in the study; 584 (23.7%) reported having experienced at least one flu-like symptom since the onset of the pandemic. The maximum SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in Cuenca was 13.2% (CI: 12–14.6%) (IgM or IgG positive). Considering PCR confirmed infections, the prevalence was 11% (CI: 10–12.4%). There was no significant difference in seroprevalence between rural and urban areas. Participants aged 35–49 years old, living with a COVID-19 positive person, at least six people in a household, physical contact with someone outside the household, a contact with a person outside the home with flu-like symptoms, using public transport, and not having enough resources for living, significantly increased the odds for SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity. Overall, there was good adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures. Having known someone who tested positive for COVID-19, having a primary or secondary level of education, and having enough resources for living, significantly increased the odds for higher adherence. In conclusion, despite good overall adherence of the population of Cuenca with COVID-19 preventive measures, our study suggests high ongoing COVID-19 transmission in Cuenca, particularly in certain parishes. Prevention should not only focus on behavioural change, but on intensified testing strategies in demographical risk groups.

We investigated the COVID-19 vaccination acceptance level in Azuay province, Ecuador through an online survey from 12th to 26th February (before the start of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign in Ecuador). Overall, 1219 respondents participated in the survey. The mean age was 32 ± 13 years; 693 participants (57%) were female. In total, 1109 (91%) of the participants indicated they were willing to be vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine, if the vaccine is at least 95% effective; 835 (68.5%) if it is 90% effective and 493 (40.5%) if it is 70% effective; 676 (55.5%) participants indicated they feared side effects and 237 (19.4%) thought the vaccine was not effective. Older age, having had a postgraduate education, a history of a negative COVID-19 test, a high level of worry of contracting COVID-19, believing that COVID-19 infection can be prevented with a vaccine and understanding there is currently an effective vaccine against COVID-19 were associated with higher vaccination acceptance. A vaccination education campaign will be needed to increase the knowledge of Ecuadorians about the COVID-19 vaccine and to increase their trust in the vaccine. People with a lower education level and living in rural areas may need to be targeted during such a campaign.

Este artículo analiza dos de los más importantes estudios que sobre nutrición se han realizado en Ecuador en los últimos cincuenta años. Su objetivo es fundamentar la necesidad de una epidemiología de la alimentación que sea capaz de mirar el conjunto del proceso de reproducción social y el sistema alimentario y también sus expresiones en los distintos modos de vida, superando una mirada puramente individual y biologicista. Propone estudiar la alimentación como un hecho social total desde la corriente de la epidemiología crítica, reconociendo por esta razón la existencia de tres niveles de la realidad –el general, el particular, y el singular– así como también la existencia de un margen de autonomía relativa de los distintos sujetos en el proceso de determinación del consumo alimentario y el estado nutricional.

Resumen La presente contribución forma parte del proyecto “Reimagining Environments for Connection and Engagement: Testing Actions for Social Prescribing in Natural Spaces” (RECETAS) cuyo objetivo es probar y evaluar las prescripciones sociales basadas en la naturaleza (PSBN) para el alivio de la soledad en Europa, América Latina y Oceanía. A diferencia de los países del norte, el estudio de la soledad y las PSBN están emergiendo en los países de América del Sur, y particularmente en Ecuador. Por ello, esta contribución puede considerarse una investigación pionera, centrada en la co-creación de un menú (listado) de actividades de PSBN para aliviar la soledad en Personas Adultas Mayores. Este artículo, persigue un doble objetivo: (i) establecer pautas metodológicas para la co-creación de un menú de PNSB en otros contextos, y (ii) difundir las actividades identificadas para aliviar la soledad de los adultos mayores en el caso de estudio. Metodológicamente, el estudio adoptó un enfoque participativo con y para adultos mayores desarrollado entre octubre de 2021 y mayo de 2023, que dió como resultado un menú de PSBN co-creado y adecuado al contexto y grupo poblacional de la ciudad de Cuenca, Ecuador.