Objective
  The authors were engaged in an adolescent peer leader project. While the main target of this peer education was adolescent students, evaluation of a ripple effect on local residents is a necessary step for the development of peer education activities. Accordingly, the object of this study was to assess whether adolescent peer education had improved the health consciousness and knowledge of the local residents of a rural area of Mexico.
Method
  The subjects were residents aged between 12 and 69 years living in the districts covered by 3 public health centers in the Poza Rica district, Veracruz State. A list of residents in this age group was prepared, and 50% of all the households in each area were randomly selected. From March to April 2010, before the start of the activities, an interview survey was conducted.
Results
  Regarding the question on self-esteem, the percentage of respondents who reported being as capable as most other people significantly increased (p < 0.001). On lifestyle, the percentage of people who reported consuming vegetables and fruits daily or once in 23 days significantly increased (p < 0.001). Regarding knowledge about STDs and contraception, the rate of correct answers about STDs decreased in the second measurement, while the percentage of correct answers about contraception significantly increased. On peer education, the percentage of people who had heard of the term “peer educator” significantly increased (p < 0.001).
Conclusion
  The current adolescent peer education activity undertaken in a rural area of Mexico improved self-esteem and health consciousness in other residents of the community. The ripple effect on the entire community was limited for knowledge of STDs and contraception. However it was suggested that the increase of motivation for attendance to health education in the community could be a stepping stone to the spread of knowledge.

Participants in our screening program for cerebrovascular disease are supposed to receive thyroid checkups at the time of ultrasound imaging of carotid arteries. Thus far, a total of 4,338 people have participated in this program. Of the total, 17 cases of papillary thyroid carcinoma were found (detection ratio: 0.39%). This study concerned with the 13 cases which underwent surgical treatment in our hospital. They all were diagnosed as early cancers--eight cases at stage N0 and five cases at stage N1--with an average tumor diameter of 11 mm. Besides, five cases of Basedow's disease (hyperthyroidism) and 15 cases of chronic thyroiditis were found (detection ratio: 0.35%). Of the 15 chronic thyroiditis cases, nine were found to have symptoms of hypothyroidism. We concluded that our screening program for cerebrovascular disease involving the ultrasonographic scans of the thyroid gland is very helpful not only in detecting malignancies at an early stage but also in screening for functional abnormalities of the thyroid.
Aspects of disease screening ; Ultrasonography ; Desiccated thyroid ; Thyroid Gland ; Diagnostic Neoplasm Staging