title: [Mesoamerican Public Health Institute: technical support and capacity strengthening arm of the Mesoamerican Public Health System].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The Mesoamerican Public Health Institute (IMSP) was constituted in 2009 as the technical organ of the Mesoamerican Public Health System (SMSP) and the Virtual Network of Academic Institutions. Health system capacity strengthening needs and preliminary training results were assessed in the first phase.
  
  
  METHODS
  The SMSP Master Plans were content-analyzed for each priority and members of the Malaria and Dengue Working Group were surveyed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The training needs required for each SMSP priority area were identified and knowledge management needs for malaria and dengue analyzed. Competencies were mapped across strategic, tactical and operative personnel that will be requiring them. IMSP trained in its first year 91 persons in eight countries.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  IMSP is responding to the Mesoamerican region's public health needs.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Investigación en Sistemas de Salud, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública.
authors.forename: Miguel A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: González-Block
authors.forename: Juan Francisco
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Molina-Rodríguez
authors.forename: Víctor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Becerril
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vargas
mesh_terms: D000047:Academies and Institutes / Q000458:organization & administration*; D000818:Animals; D002489:Central America; D002648:Child; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D003715:Dengue / Q000517:prevention & control; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D006040:Goals; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education; D006290:Health Planning Technical Assistance / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006292:Health Priorities; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D008288:Malaria / Q000517:prevention & control; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000517:prevention & control; D008427:Maternal Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D008800:Mexico; D009032:Mosquito Control; D011247:Pregnancy; D011361:Professional Competence; D011634:Public Health / Q000193:education; D011635:Public Health Administration; D012040:Regional Health Planning; D034121:Reproductive Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration