Student nurses at Spanish universities and their attitude toward xenotransplantation.

INTRODUCTION: Recent immunological and transgenic advances are a promising alternative using limited materials of human origin for transplantation. However, it is essential to achieve social acceptance of this therapy. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the attitude of nursing students from Spanish universities toward organ xenotransplantation (XTx) and to determine the factors affecting their attitude. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Type of study: A sociological, multicentre, and observational study. STUDY POPULATION: Nursing students enrolled in Spain (n = 28,000). SAMPLE SIZE: A sample of 10 566 students estimating a proportion of 76% (99% confidence and precision of ±1%), stratified by geographical area and year of study. Instrument of measurement: A validated questionnaire (PCID-XenoTx-RIOS) was handed out to every student in a compulsory session. This survey was self-administered and self-completed voluntarily and anonymously by each student in a period of 5-10 min. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: descriptive analysis, Student's t test, the chi-square test, and a logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: A completion rate: 84% (n = 8913) was obtained. If the results of XTx were as good as in human donation, 74% (n = 6564) would be in favor and 22% (n = 1946) would have doubts. The following variables affected this attitude: age (P < 0.001); sex (P < 0.001); geographical location (P < 0.001); academic year of study (P < 0.001); attitude toward organ donation (P < 0.001); belief in the possibility of needing a transplant (P < 0.001); discussion of transplantation with one's family (P < 0.001) and friends (P < 0.001); and the opinion of one's partner (P < 0.001). The following variables persisted in the multivariate analysis: being a male (OR = 1.436; P < 0.001); geographical location (OR = 1.937; P < 0.001); an attitude in favor of donation (OR = 1.519; P < 0.001); belief in the possibility of needing a transplant (OR = 1.497; P = 0.036); and having spoken about the issue with family (OR = 1.351; P < 0.001) or friends (OR = 1.240; P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The attitude of nursing students toward organ XTx is favorable and is associated with factors of general knowledge about organ donation and transplantation and social interaction.

[Immunization schedules in Spain in 2002. When will they be unified?]. / Calendarios vacunales españoles en el 2002. Para cuándo su unificación?

In the middle of the year 2002, there still are distinct calendars for vaccinations in Spain. The Ministry of Health and Consumption proposed on calendar for 2001, the Spanish Association of Pediatrics another, quite different, and the 17 Autonomous Communities each recommend their own calendar, even though there are numerous similarities among these. There is no justifiable reason for this disparity and it does not seem reasonable that these circumstances, which create tremendous confusion and many problems among the general population as well as health professionals, should continue for any longer. Infectious diseases susceptible to vaccination have some almost identical clinical epidemiological traits in all the geographical regions in our country and the germs responsible for these disease behave similarly in all areas. This article reviews the epidemiological situation of those diseases which are included in the distinct immunization programs, and others not yet included, and it carries out a critical analysis of the recommendations which these programs make regarding their prevention.

[Constipated children]. / Niños con estreñimiento.

A large number of children suffer habitually from constipation, a problem which bears considerable repercussions on the physical and emotional well-being of the patient and causes tensions in their family environment. From 1996 to 1999, the authors studied the clinical and epidemiological data from patients in a Primary Health Care Pediatrics. Ward at which the main reason for consultation, or at least one of the main reasons, was chronic constipation. In this article, the authors evaluate the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of 68 children whose ages vary from 3 to 13 out of a total of 1368 who were diagnosed with functional constipation as well as the results obtained from a plan to assess, care for and treat these patients.