Comparative Study of Risk Factors Associated with Normal Cognition and Cognitive Impairment in Rural West Elderly Texans.

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is related to one or more chronic illnesses, which may develop cognitive decline and dementia. Cognitive impairment is increasing, and public health officials must address risk factors for AD to improve the health of rural West Texas communities. Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore the sociodemographic and chronic disease risk factors related to cognitive impairment among elderly adults living in Cochran, Parmer, and Bailey counties in rural West Texas. Methods: Statistical methods such as Pearson's chi-squared, proportion tests, univariate binary logistic regression, and a multivariable logistic regression were utilized to analyze data. SPSS software was used to detect the significant relationship between cognitive impairment and risk factors. Results: Summary statistics were obtained for sociodemographic and chronic diseases by using cross-tabulation analysis and comparing the county respondents with proportion tests. A univariate binary logistic regression method was utilized and found that age group 60-69, anxiety, depression, diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease were significantly associated with cognitive impairment. Using a multivariable logistic regression approach, it was found that Bailey County (age group 60-69) had a higher likelihood (p = 0.002) of cognitive impairment than Parmer (p = 0.067) and Cochran counties (p = 0.064). The risk of females (p = 0.033) in Parmer County was 78.3% lower compared to males in developing AD. Conclusions: Identifying significant risk factors for cognitive impairment are important in addressing issues of geographic variations and integrating such factors may guide relevant policy interventions to reduce cognitive impairment incidence in rural communities within West Texas.

Importance of Coping Strategies on Quality of Life in People with Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurodegenerative disorder of the central nervous system characterized by a variety of symptoms such as fatigue, spasticity, tremors, and cognitive disorders. Individuals with MS may employ different coping strategies to manage these symptoms, which in turn can significantly impact their quality of life (QoL). This review aims to analyze these coping strategies and their impact on QoL. Furthermore, it seeks to identify the key factors that influence the choice and effectiveness of these coping strategies, providing insights into which strategies are most beneficial for enhancing QoL in people with MS. Methods: Systematic searches were performed in Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. This systematic review has been registered in OSF with the number DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/QY37X. Results: A total of 1192 studies were identified. After reading the full text of the selected studies and applying predefined inclusion criteria, 19 studies were included based on their pertinence and relevance to the topic. The results revealed that emotional variables, demographic factors, personality traits, and family support significantly influence the choice of coping strategies used to manage the symptoms of MS. Problem-solving and task-oriented coping were prevalent among MS patients and associated with better QoL outcomes. Emotional-focused and avoidance strategies were generally linked to poorer QoL, though avoidance provided temporary relief in certain contexts. Social support, emotional health, and cognitive reframing were crucial in enhancing QoL. Conclusions: The findings underscore the importance of tailored psychoeducational and therapeutic interventions focusing on emotional health, social support, and adaptive coping strategies. These interventions can significantly improve the long-term outcomes for individuals with MS. Future research should explore the dynamic interactions between coping strategies and QoL over time, providing a comprehensive understanding of how to best support MS patients in managing their disease.

Sociodemographic Variables in Offender and Non-Offender Patients Diagnosed with Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders-An Explorative Analysis Using Machine Learning.

With the growing availability of medical data and the enhanced performance of computers, new opportunities for data analysis in research are emerging. One of these modern approaches is machine learning (ML), an advanced form of statistics broadly defined as the application of complex algorithms. ML provides innovative methods for detecting patterns in complex datasets. This enables the identification of correlations or the prediction of specific events. These capabilities are especially valuable for multifactorial phenomena, such as those found in mental health and forensic psychiatry. ML also allows for the quantification of the quality of the emerging statistical model. The present study aims to examine various sociodemographic variables in order to detect differences in a sample of 370 offender patients and 370 non-offender patients, all with schizophrenia spectrum disorders, through discriminative model building using ML. In total, 48 variables were tested. Out of seven algorithms, gradient boosting emerged as the most suitable for the dataset. The discriminative model finally included three variables (regarding country of birth, residence status, and educational status) and yielded an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.65, meaning that the statistical discrimination of offender and non-offender patients based purely on the sociodemographic variables is rather poor.

Relationship between Sociodemographic and Health-Related Factors and Sedentary Time in Middle-Aged and Older Adults in Taiwan.

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the associations between sociodemographic and health-related factors and sedentary time in middle-aged and older Taiwanese adults. Materials and Methods: A total of 1031 participants (460 men, 571 women; mean age 65.0 years ± 7.8 years; range 55 to 93 years) were randomly recruited from the National Computer Assessment Telephone Interview, Taiwan, in 2013. Sedentary time, TV viewing, physical activity, and sociodemographic factors were assessed through questionnaires. Body mass index was self-reported and calculated to evaluate obesity. In 2023, the associations between sedentary time and sociodemographic and health-related factors were analyzed using Pearson's correlation, cross tabulation, and logistic regression and were stratified by gender. Results: Over 47% of participants reported spending more than 2 h watching TV, and more than 33% reported engaging in over 6 h of total sedentary activities. Men and women with insufficient physical activity had a higher probability of prolonged sedentary time than their physically active counterparts (p = 0.032 for men, p = 0.024 for women). Both men and women who spent more than 2 h watching TV daily were more likely to have high sedentary time compared to those with shorter TV viewing durations (both p < 0.001). Highly educated and unmarried women exhibited a higher likelihood of prolonged sedentary time than their less educated and married counterparts (p = 0.021 and p = 0.01, respectively). Conclusions: Sedentary time showed significant and positive associations with both insufficient physical activity and prolonged TV viewing in both genders. Additionally, significant associations were observed between sedentary time and high education and unmarried status in women. These findings emphasize the importance of implementing gender-specific approaches in future interventions and policy initiatives aimed at reducing sedentary behavior among middle-aged and older adults.

Level of polychlorinated biphenyls in tumor and blood serum of breast cancer patients and control subjects from Punjab, Pakistan.

The current study examined the level of Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in tumor and blood serum of female breast cancer patients and control individuals recruited from Punjab, Pakistan. Breast tumor and blood serum from 40 patients and only blood serum from ten control subjects were obtained and concentration of 32 PCB congeners was analyzed through Gas chromatography coupled with Mass spectrophotometry. Sociodemographic variables of the patients along with essential clinical and haematological parameters were taken as covariates. Tumor reflects the highest median (min-max) concentration (ng g-1 lw) of Æ©PCBs at 115.94 (0.05-17.75) followed by 16.53 (0.09-2.94) and 5.24 (0.01-0.59) in blood serum of cancer patients and control group respectively. Median concentrations (ng g-1 lw) of non-dioxine like Æ©PCBs were considerably higher at 83.04, 32.89 and 4.27 compared to 13.03 and 3.50 and 0.97 for dioxin like Æ©PCBs in tumor, serum of breast cancer patients and control subjects respectively. PCB-87 was most dominant congeners in tumor followed by PCB-170 and -82 whereas PCB-28 and -52 reflected greatest contribution in serum of breast cancer patients. Blood haemoglobin, potassium and chloride ions showed significant positive whereas body mass index reflect inverse relationship when regressed with Æ©PCBs in tumor. This pioneer study depicts elevated concentrations of PCBs in patients compared to control, reflecting potential positive association of PCBs with breast cancer which need further confirmation. We concluded that chronic exposure to PCBs might be associated with an increasing number of breast cancer incidences in developing countries like Pakistan, which should be further elucidated through detail in vitro and in vivo studies.

The Effect of Sociodemographic and Anthropometric Variables on Nutritional Knowledge and Nutrition Literacy.

Nutrition literacy, which is one of the important components of health literacy, includes basic nutritional information and understanding, interpreting and having the ability to make healthy decisions on nutrition-related issues. This study aims to dwell upon the relationship between sociodemographic and anthropometric variables and nutritional knowledge and nutrition literacy. A total of 1600 people aged 19-64 years, 934 women and 666 men, voluntarily participated in the research in the capital city of Turkey. The mean age is 28.2 ± 10.9 years. More than half of the participants (57.4%) have a university graduate/postgraduate education level, and 66.2% are unemployed. This cross-sectional study evaluated demographic information, anthropometric measurements, nutritional information and nutrition literacy. Nearly all the respondents (94.6%) were determined to have sufficient nutrition literacy. Body mass index (BMI) and age were negatively associated with nutrition literacy, whilst nutrition knowledge was positively associated. Respondents with nutrition education at school had the highest nutrition knowledge and nutrition literacy scores, and primary school graduates had the lowest. Participants who received nutrition education scored higher in all the subgroups of the GNKQ. Age, gender, marital status, education status, employment status, BMI and nutrition education were significantly associated with nutrition literacy. The results will be useful in developing food and nutrition policies that will pave the way for making decisions on the most useful themes of health and nutrition campaigns.

Perspectiva de tiempo futuro en adolescentes escolarizados de dos ciudades de Colombia / future PersPective time in schooled teenagers from two cities in Colombian

Resumen La perspectiva de tiempo futuro (PTF) es un proceso multidimensional de tipo cognitivo motivacional que influye en las decisiones de los adolescentes sobre su futuro. Este estudio pretendió analizar la relación entre la PTF y las variables sociodemográficas edad, grado educativo, género y ciudad de residencia, en una muestra de 982 estudiantes entre los 12 y 18 años de edad cronológica, de nivel socioeconómico medio bajo, que cursan el ciclo de educación media, en cinco colegios de dos ciudades de Colombia. A través de un estudio empírico analítico de corte transversal, con un diseño correlacional, se midieron las dimensiones actitud y orientación temporal y la extensión temporal a través del cuestionario los jóvenes y el futuro. Los resultados muestran que los estudiantes de grado undécimo, de género femenino, residentes en la ciudad de Acacias, presentaron las medias más altas en la dimensión de actitud y orientación temporal. Se evidenciaron correlaciones significativas entre las dimensiones actitud y orientación temporal y extensión temporal con las variables sociodemográficas estudiadas. Esto confirma que los adolescentes de ambos géneros presentan interés en la planeación del futuro, la que es mayor según el grado educativo, y difiere dependiendo del contexto donde viven.

Abstract The future perspective time is a cognitive motivational multidimensional process which influences the decisions of the teenagers about their future. This study pretended to analyze the relation between PTF and sociodemographic variables age, education level, gender and the city of residence, in a sample of 982 students, with ages between 12 and 18 years old, with a lower middle socioeconomic level, belonging to five schools in two cities in Colombia. Through an empirical analytical cross-sectional study, with correlational design, applied the questionnaire "Young people and the future" to measure the dimensions of attitude and temporal orientation and temporal extension. The results showed that 11th grade students, female gender, living in Acacías city, present the highest average in attitude and temporarily orientation dimensions. There were significant evidenced correlations between attitude, temporarily orientation, and temporal extensions dimensions with the sociodemographics variables studies. Which confirms that the teenagers of both genders show interested in the future planning, which is higher based on level education and depends of the context where they live.

A Comprehensive 16-Year Analysis of National Center for Health Statistics Data on the Top Three Causes of Death Before Age 75 by Sex, Race, and Hispanic Origin.

OBJECTIVE:  This study aimed to conduct a comprehensive 16-year analysis of years of potential life lost (YPLL) due to leading causes of death in the United States, focusing on disparities by sex, race/ethnicity, and specific causes of death using the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) data. METHODS:  Data from the NCHS spanning 2000-2016 were included. Age-adjusted YPLL rates per 100,000 population were analyzed, stratified by sex, race/ethnicity, and leading causes of death, including malignant neoplasms, heart disease, and cerebrovascular diseases. RESULTS:  Over 16 years, the total YPLL rate was 7,036.2 per 100,000 population. Males had a higher YPLL rate (8,852.5 per 100,000) than females (5,259.9 per 100,000). Among racial/ethnic groups, Black/African Americans had the highest YPLL rate (10,896.8 per 100,000), followed by American Indian/Alaska Natives (7,310.0 per 100,000), Hispanics/Latinos (5,256.8 per 100,000), and Asians/Pacific Islanders (3,279.7 per 100,000). Leading causes included malignant neoplasms (1,451.6 per 100,000), heart diseases (1,055.4 per 100,000), and cerebrovascular diseases (182.3 per 100,000). CONCLUSION: This analysis spanning 16 years highlights notable disparities in YPLL rates among different demographic groups. These differences are evident in the YPLL rates for males, which are higher than those for females. The YPLL rate is most pronounced among Black/African Americans, followed by American Indian/Alaska Natives, Hispanics/Latinos, and Asians/Pacific Islanders. The primary contributors to YPLL are malignant neoplasms, heart diseases, and cerebrovascular diseases. These findings emphasize the importance of addressing these disparities to enhance public health outcomes and mitigate the premature loss of life. Despite progress, disparities persist, highlighting the need for targeted interventions and further research.

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Among American Youth: A Comprehensive 20-Year Analysis of National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) Data.

BACKGROUND: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that has a significant impact on the lives of children and adolescents. This study conducts a comprehensive 20-year analysis of data from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) to investigate the prevalence of ADHD among American youth, as well as its demographic patterns and socioeconomic determinants. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of NCHS data spanning from 1997 to 2018 was carried out. The dataset included information on ADHD diagnoses, demographic characteristics (such as age, gender, and race/ethnicity), socioeconomic indicators (including poverty level and health insurance status), and temporal variables. A range of statistical analyses were performed, encompassing temporal trend analysis, demographic assessments, and socioeconomic examinations. RESULTS: It was consistently observed that boys had a higher prevalence of ADHD (12.93% compared to 5.61%), aligning with established trends. Among adolescents aged 10-17, the prevalence was the highest at 11.09%, while for the 5-9 age group, it stood at 6.57%. In terms of racial and ethnic groups, individuals identifying as two or more races exhibited the highest prevalence at 12.36%, followed by white (9.83%), black or African American (10.09%), Hispanic or Latino (5.36%), and non-Hispanic or Latino (10.64%). Socioeconomic disparities were evident, with a prevalence of 11.41% among those living below the poverty line, compared to 10.6% (100%-199% of the poverty line), 8.6% (200%-399%), and 8.39% (400% or more). Medicaid beneficiaries had the highest prevalence at 12.57%, followed by those with private insurance (9.65%), insured (8.11%), and uninsured (5.83%). CONCLUSION: These findings underscore the intricate relationship between ADHD prevalence and demographic and socioeconomic factors. It is imperative to address these disparities to ensure equitable assessment and intervention for ADHD, taking into account cultural influences, determinants of health tied to socioeconomic status, and access to healthcare for all children. This analysis by the NCHS provides essential insights into ADHD among American youth, emphasizing the necessity for tailored interventions, equitable healthcare access, and further research to comprehensively address this complex neurodevelopmental disorder.

Profiles of Intolerance of Uncertainty Among 108,540 Adolescents: Associations with Sociodemographic Variables and Mental Health.

Intolerance of uncertainty (IU) is widely considered a transdiagnostic risk and maintaining factor for psychiatric disorders. However, little is known about the overall nature and profile of IU among adolescents. This study aims to investigate the profiles of IU among Chinese adolescents and explore their associations with sociodemographic characteristics and mental health problems. A sample of 108,540 adolescents provided data on IU, sociodemographic characteristics, and mental health via an online platform. Latent profile analysis revealed three profiles: Low IU, Medium IU, and High IU. Girls, older adolescents, and those with specific sociodemographics were more likely to belong to the "High IU" profile. Furthermore, the "High IU" profile was associated with the highest risk of several mental health problems. These findings provided valuable information for early prevention and intervention strategies targeting IU and highlighted the importance of IU-based interventions for mental health among adolescents.

Perspective of healthcare providers on assessing the quality and accessibility of health services for chronic diseases in Jordan during Covid-19: a mixed method study.

BACKGROUND: Hospital services in all parts of the world were severely affected by the crisis caused by the Coronavirus pandemic. This was particularly concerning for patients who suffer from chronic diseases. AIM: This study aimed to: assess the level of quality and accessibility of chronic disease services from the perspectives of healthcare providers, assess the association between healthcare providers' socio-demographic factors and their perspectives on accessibility and quality level, and explore the providers' perspectives on the barriers and facilitators of quality and accessibility to chronic disease health services during the COVID -19 pandemic. METHOD: Design: An explanatory mixed method design was employed in this study using a questionnaire and focus group discussion approach. The questionnaire consisted of three sections including, demographic, accessibility, and quality. SAMPLE: A convenience sampling approach was used to collect the quantitative from 412 healthcare providers working at public, private, and teaching hospitals. A purposive sample of 12 healthcare providers were interviewed to collect the qualitative data. ANALYSIS: The quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS Statistics Version 25. The qualitative data was analyzed using the thematic analysis approach. RESULTS: This study found that the quality and accessibility of chronic disease services in northern Jordan were affected during COVID-19. Quantitative: The majority of the participants reported moderate level of accessibility and quality. Qualitative: Four main and six subthemes were identified: 1) Accessibility barriers including transportation and fear of infection; 2) Accessibility facilitators including availability of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Covid-19 vaccination; 3) Quality barriers including staff shortage; 4) Quality facilitators including safety protocol. CONCLUSION: The quality and accessibility of chronic disease services were affected due to the healthcare system restating to address the Covid-19 pandemic. Different barriers and facilitators for chronic disease healthcare services accessibility and quality were identified. The findings of this study lay the ground for healthcare decision and policymakers to develop strategies and formulate polices to ensure these patients receive the needed healthcare services, and hence improve their health outcomes.

Aggression and violence during the lockdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in Kuwait.

Background: The lives of the global population have been drastically altered since the emergence of the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. These changes comprise their daily lifestyle practices and the professional, and educational systems. In addition to these changes, many psychological illnesses issues have been detected globally. Methods: This study aimed to investigate whether there are significant sociodemographic differences in reported cases of physical and verbal aggression, anger, hostility, and violence among 815 Kuwaiti residents during the lockdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. A non-random sample was recruited through the WhatsApp platform. The online survey contained sociodemographic information and 29 self-reported items rated on a Likert scale. In addition to demographic questions, online questionnaires included the Aggression Questionnaire (AQ). Questions regarding violence and COVID-19 infection were included in the online survey. Results: Men, younger people, those who were single or divorced, students, and those with a lower level of education were more likely to report more instances of physical and verbal aggression, as well as hostility. Conclusions: To assist psychologically vulnerable individuals in overcoming the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is crucial to develop community-based strategies that are tailored to the specific conditions and cultural traditions of each country. Diverse strategies for mental health support programs administered by social workers and mental health professionals are required to reduce aggression and violence levels. Since this study is a cross-sectional survey conducted during the total lockdown, it is difficult to conclude that the lockdown provoked the escalation of the aggression.

The Level of Fear in the Polish Police Population during the COVID-19 Pandemic with the Impact of Sociodemographic Variables.

This study has a twofold objective. First, we aim to measure the levels of fear among Polish police officers using the COVID-19 Fear Scale (FCV-19S) that has a stable unidimensional structure allowing for the provision of additional data by combining variables. This structure allows the second objective to be met to measure the correlation with sociodemographic variables. The utilitarian objective of the study is to provide information for updating support policies for stress management in the service. The questionnaire was completed by 1862 people with a mean age of 38.75 years with a good Cronbach's alpha (0.89). The perceived level of fear associated with COVID-19 should be considered relatively low. Caring for the elderly does not affect the level of fear. The factors of gender, age and having children statistically significantly differentiate the perceptions of fear. Therefore, there is a necessity to focus on building support for police officers who are over 50 years old, as well as for women, where higher levels of fear in both men and women can translate into the development of psychosomatic illnesses.

[Sociodemographic comparative between the periods 2007-2009 and 2015-2019 of the Gender Identity Treatment Unit of Asturias]. / Estudio sociodemográfico comparativo de los períodos 2007-2009 y 2015-2019 de la Unidad de Tratamiento de Identidad de Género del Principado de Asturias.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The high demand of assistance made by trans people in recent years has directed the focus of research towards the study of their clinical and sociodemographic aspects. The objective of this work was to compare and analyze some sociodemographic variables in trans people in two periods: the period when the unit began to operate and the most recent period. MATERIALS AND METHOD: A sample of 131 users who attended the Gender Identity Treatment Unit of the Principality of Asturias (UTIGPA) between 2015-2019 was compared with a sample of 33 who attended between 2007-2009. Data were extracted from medical records. RESULTS: Regarding 2007-2009, in 2015-2019 the ratio is inverted in favor of Trans Men (TM). Users of both genders request consultation at an earlier age (specially TM), come less from abroad, achieve higher educational and work qualifications, are less unemployed and request more name changes. And, although Trans Women (TW) continue to be those who are mostly engaged in prostitution and self-administration of hormones, in the most recent period they report it less and, furthermore, they live more accompanied tan in the past. CONCLUSIONS: Changes are observed in the sociodemographic variables of UTIGPA users between 2007-2009 and 2015-2019, in the direction of a greater inclusion. However, the sociodemographic conditions of the TW are still at a disadvantage in comparison to those of the TM.

Sociodemographic and Work-Related Variables Affecting Knowledge of, Attitudes toward, and Skills in EBNP of Nurses According to an EBPPQ.

(1) This study examines sociodemographic and work-related variables to determine their impact on the knowledge of, attitudes toward, and skills in Evidence-Based Nursing Practice (EBNP). (2) The study included 830 nurses from four voivodships in Poland, Dolnoslaskie, Lódzkie, Podlaskie, and Zachodniopomorskie and was conducted by the diagnostic survey method, using the questionnaire technique. The following research tools were applied in the study: an Evidence-Based Practice Profile Questionnaire (EBPPQ) and a survey questionnaire developed by the authors, containing questions on sociodemographic data and work-related variables. (3) Sociodemographic variables with an impact on the knowledge of, attitudes toward, and skills in EBNP include age, marital status, and educational background. Older nurses find it problematic to apply EBNP, and their level of relevant knowledge and skills is lower; whereas, those with university education possess the best EBNP-related skills, and they are also more eager to expand them and apply them in their work. The work-related variables with an impact on the knowledge of, attitudes toward, and skills in EBNP among nurses include work experience, which has a negative effect on applying EBNP and the skills associated with it. The type of school from which the nurses graduated and the nursing specialisation training also have a strong impact on expanding nurses' competence in EBNP.

Relación de variables sociodemográficas con niveles de depresión, ansiedad y estrés en estudiantes universitarios / PRelation of socio-demographic variables with levels of depression, anxiety and stress in university students

RESUMEN: Introducción: La salud mental en universitarios es un tema que cada vez cobra más relevancia y la importancia que tiene identificar factores que afectan su aparición, así como también en qué medida influyen en el desempeño académico. Método: Se utilizó un diseño cuantitativo no experimental, descriptivo, correlacional y de corte transversal. Se aplicó Chi Cuadrado para evaluar asociación entre variables. La muestra fue no probabilística de 166 estudiantes de enfermería, nutrición y dietética, fonoaudiología y kinesiología. Se aplicó la versión chilena abreviada de las escalas de depresión, ansiedad y estrés DASS - 21, constituida por 21 ítems, con cuatro alternativas de respuesta en formato en escala Likert y un cuestionario sociodemográfico, éste instrumento consideró variables personales, etnia Mapuche y nivel de escolaridad de los padres. El protocolo de investigación realizado fue aprobado por el Comité Ético Científico del Servicio de Salud Del Reloncaví. Resultados: El 54, 82% de la muestra presenta algún nivel de alteración o riesgo de padecer ansiedad, un 47,59% de estrés y un 31,33% depresión. El 42,17% se identifica como perteneciente a la etnia mapuche, mientras que el 56,02% se identifica como no mapuche. En relación al nivel de escolaridad del padre y de la madre, el porcentaje más alto corresponde a la categoría de enseñanza media completa (padre 37,95% y madre 36,14%). Conclusiones: Existe una asociación entre sexo femenino y los niveles ansiedad, estrés y depresión. Además, una relación entre pertenecer al género femenino, cursar las carreras de Enfermería y nutrición y dietética con presentar algún nivel de ansiedad, destacándose una asociación entre ansiedad, depresión y estrés.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Mental health in university students is a topic that is becoming more and more relevant and the importance of identifying factors that affect its appearance, as well as to what extent they influence academic performance. Method: A non-experimental, descriptive, correlational and cross-sectional quantitative design was used. Chi Square was applied to evaluate the association between variables. The sample was non-probabilistic of 166 students from nursing, nutrition and dietetics, speech therapy, and kinesiology. The abbreviated Chilean version of the DASS-21 depression, anxiety and stress scales was applied, consisting of 21 items, with four response alternatives in Likert scale format and a sociodemographic questionnaire, this instrument considered personal variables, Mapuche ethnic group and level of parental education. The research protocol carried out was approved by the Scientific Ethics Committee of the Del Reloncaví Health Service. Results: 54.82% of the sample presented some level of alteration or risk of suffering from anxiety, 47.59% stress and 31.33% depression. 42.17% identify themselves as belonging to the Mapuche ethnic group, while 56.02% identify themselves as non-Mapuche. Regarding the level of education of the father and mother, the highest percentage corresponds to the category of complete secondary education (father 37.95% and mother 36.14%). Conclusions: There is an association between female sex and levels of anxiety, stress and depression. In addition, there is a relationship between belonging to the female gender, studying nursing, nutrition and dietetics careers with presenting some level of anxiety. An association between anxiety, depression and stress stands out.

Invariance of the Trait Emotional Intelligence Construct Across Clinical Populations and Sociodemographic Variables.

Recent research has shown that cultural, linguistic, and sociodemographic peculiarities influence the measurement of trait emotional intelligence (trait EI). Assessing trait EI in different populations fosters cross-cultural research and expands the construct's nomological network. In mental health, the trait EI of clinical populations has been scarcely researched. Accordingly, the present study examined the relationship between trait EI and key sociodemographic variables on Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire (TEIQue-SF) datasets with mental healthcare patients from three different Spanish-speaking countries. Collectively, these datasets comprised 528 participants, 23% from Chile (120), 28% from Peru (150), and 49% from Spain (258). The sociodemographic variables we used for trait EI comparisons were gender, age, educational level, civil status, and occupational status. Analyses involved Multigroup Exploratory Structural Equation Modelling (to test measurement invariance) and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Our results revealed significant between-country differences in trait EI across the studied sociodemographic variables and interactions between these variables. Measurement invariance across the datasets was attained up to the scalar level regarding gender and education (i.e., strong invariance), although analyses on age, civil status, and occupation displayed non-invariance. The resultant psychometric evidence supports the suitability of the TEIQue-SF for the accurate cross-cultural assessment of trait EI in mental health settings. It also highlights the importance of incorporating trait EI into extant psychotherapeutic frameworks to enhance non-pharmacological treatment efficacy.

Perceptions of the safety of vaccines and vaccine associated knowledge levels in Europe: A 2019 cross-sectional study in 28 countries.

Vaccination has saved millions of lives. Vaccine hesitancy was recently declared a major threat to health by the World Health Organisation. Sociodemographic variables and knowledge level about vaccines have been suggested previously to affect vaccine uptake. This study aimed to investigate how levels of vaccination knowledge and concerns around safety of vaccines varied across sociodemographic factors in the European Union and United Kingdom. Levels and sources of knowledge and vaccine attitude patterns were examined across different areas of Europe. Data from the March 2019 Eurobarometer survey was used in this study which had 27,524 participants across the European Union and the United Kingdom. Two-level logistic and linear regressions were used to look for associations between sociodemographic variables, vaccine attitudes and knowledge level. Those who trusted information from healthcare workers and healthcare authorities were most likely to have positive vaccine attitudes; those trusting internet sources the most were the least likely. Those with greater vaccine related knowledge were more likely to report positive vaccination attitudes. Healthcare workers are key to dissemination of vaccination advice however many are becoming hesitant themselves. An increasing number of people are seeking online sources for vaccination information, and this has implications with information accuracy and vaccine hesitancy. A considerable proportion of the adult population in the European Union and the United Kingdom was concerned about the safety or side effects of vaccines. Continued efforts to increase trust in vaccines both in whole populations and specific groups are needed.

[Analysis of the skin cancer incidence in Hamburg]. / Untersuchung der Hautkrebshäufigkeit in Hamburg.

BACKGROUND: The aim of health geographical research is to identify regional variations in health and care and their causes. Regional differences are also evident in skin cancer incidence, but knowledge about small-scale, inner-city variations is not yet available. OBJECTIVES: How can the inner-city variations in skin cancer incidence in Hamburg, Germany, be described and how can initial indications of their causes be identified? METHODS: The study area is the city of Hamburg and the data source is the Hamburg City Health Study with N = 10,000 persons aged 45-74 years. Descriptive methods are used to characterise the regional variation in skin cancer prevalence adjusted for age and sex. A correlation analysis provides information on possible associations with sociodemographic conditions in the city districts and district clusters. RESULTS: Skin cancer prevalence varies within the urban area with high prevalences (maximum 13.8%) in the north-east and south-west of Hamburg. Weak to medium correlations with selected sociodemographic variables are found. For example, the higher the living space per inhabitant (r = 0.35), the higher the skin cancer prevalence in the district. CONCLUSIONS: The Hamburg City Health Study shows regional and inner-city disparities and possible associations between skin cancer prevalence and local sociodemographic conditions. However, further and methodologically more extensive studies are necessary in order to make detailed statements.

[Noise annoyance in the German general population : Prevalence and determinants in the Gutenberg Health Study]. / Lärmbelästigung in der deutschen Allgemeinbevölkerung : Prävalenz und Determinanten in der Gutenberg-Gesundheitsstudie.

BACKGROUND: Noise annoyance, especially from traffic noise, is a massive problem in the population and is associated with impaired health. OBJECTIVE: Based on data from the population representative Gutenberg Health Study (GHS), the prevalence of noise annoyance from different sources and relevant determinants were identified. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The GHS is a population-based, prospective cohort study in Germany that included subjects aged 35-74 years. In the study 15,010 participants from the city of Mainz and the district of Mainz-Bingen were asked from 2007 to 2012 to what extent they had recently felt annoyed by aircraft, road, rail, industrial and neighborhood noise (answers ranged from not at all to extremely). A distinction was made between noise annoyance during the day and during sleep. To examine the relationships between sociodemographic variables, cardiovascular risk factors as well as diseases and noise annoyance, multivariable logistic regression models were used. RESULTS: Approximately 80% of the participants felt annoyed by noise. Aircraft noise annoyance during the day was the predominant source of noise annoyance with the highest prevalence of strongly (9.6%) and extremely annoyed participants (5.4%), followed by road traffic (strongly 4.0% and extremely 1.6%) and neighborhood noise annoyance (strongly 3.5% and extremely 1.3%). Noise annoyance tended to decrease with increasing age. Relevant determinants of noise annoyance included gender, age, socioeconomic status, depression, anxiety disorder, sleep disorder and atrial fibrillation. CONCLUSION: Noise annoyance is common in the population and is associated with sociodemographic variables, cardiovascular risk factors and diseases.