COVID-19 on Food Insecurity in Hispanic/Latino Essential and Non-essential Workers.

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic's economic fallout has further exacerbated the health and well-being among Hispanics/Latinos, who maybe overrepresented in essential job industries and are vulnerable to experiencing food insecurity. This study explores whether the COVID-19 pandemic affected food security status differently among Latino/Hispanic essential and non-essential workers in the United States. METHODS: The COVID-19 Latino health cross-sectional survey was conducted and administered in person and virtually. Bivariate analyses and chi-square tests were performed to investigate the association between essential worker status and changes in food security status during the COVID-19 pandemic. All reported p-values were two-sided; p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Of the 869 Hispanic/Latino respondents, 393 (45%) were deemed essential workers, and 476 (55%) were non-essential workers. About 22% of essential workers reported a household income of less than $20,000, whereas 19% of non-essential workers had an income above $100,000. Half (54%) of essential workers reported food insecurity. Over one-third (35%) of essential and 22% of non-essential workers reported increased food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, there was a significant difference in food insecurity status between essential and non-essential Hispanic/Latino workers (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The results underscore the prevalence of food insecurity due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the need to create comprehensive food policies that address the lack of availability of adequate food among Hispanic/Latino essential workers who already face pandemic-related challenges.

Adoption of mobile learning in the university context: Systematic literature review.

The study on the adoption of mobile learning in university education reveals a growing interest in mobile technologies to improve the learning process; both the acceptance and rejection of these tools among students have been analyzed. However, there are gaps in the research that require a deeper exploration of the factors that influence the adoption and use of these technologies. Understanding these aspects is crucial to optimize mobile learning strategies and improve the educational experience in the university setting. The objective is to examine research trends regarding the topic. PRISMA-2020 is used in the Scopus and Web of Science databases. The results show the questionnaires as the main collection instruments; geographical contexts show that it has been researched predominantly in Asia; The studies have focused on university students; the most applied theories are TAM and UTAUT; and latent variables such as behavioral intention and attitude. The conclusions summarize the trends and patterns observed in the reviewed literature, as well as the research gaps identified, providing a solid foundation for future research and highlighting the importance of addressing this issue in the current context of digital education. The systematic review identifies key models and factors in the adoption of mobile learning in university settings, revealing both theoretical and practical implications. Furthermore, this text provides practical guidance for selecting effective data collection tools and making informed educational and policy decisions. However, it acknowledges limitations such as potential publication and language bias in the search process.

Social Determinant of Health Framework to Examine the Impact of COVID-19 on Latino Health.

OBJECTIVES: Evaluated how COVID-19 impacted Latino health across social, economic, and emotional dimensions and differentiated whether adverse COVID-19-related effects persisted across respondents. METHODS: In both English and Spanish, a cross-sectional survey was conducted in the USA from June 2021 to April 2022. Chi-square tests, Z-tests, and T-tests were used to test for significant differences between Spanish- and English-speaking respondents. Multiple linear regressions were carried out to understand whether previously established determinants of health for Latinos accounted for greater COVID-19-related adversity across social, economic, and mental health dimensions. English as a primary language was significantly related to greater adverse emotional/mental health COVID-19 experiences after controlling for other social determinants of health factors (ß = - 0.355, p < 0.001). Individuals who reported worrying about housing loss were significantly more likely to experience more adverse economic adversity due to COVID-19 (ß = - 0.234, p < 0.001). Household income < $35,000 (ß = 0.083, p < 0.05), having more than 5 people living in the same home (ß = -0.102, p < 0.05), and work-related transportation barriers (ß = - 0.114, p < 0.05) all increased the likelihood of household-related stressors occurring because of the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: The study highlights the heterogeneity in the Latino community and the key social, economic, and community-level factors most strongly correlated with adverse COVID-19-related outcomes.

Smart home adoption factors: A systematic literature review and research agenda.

Smart homes represent the complement of various automation technologies that together make up a network of devices facilitating the daily tasks of residents. These technologies are being studied for their application from different sectors, including the projection of their use to improve energy consumption planning and health care management. However, technology adoption depends on social awareness within the scope of cognitive advantages and innovations compared to perceived risk because although there are multiple benefits, potential users express fears related to the loss of autonomy and security. This study carries out a systematic literature review based on PRISMA in order to analyze research trends and literary evolution in the technological adoption of smart homes, considering the main theories and variables applied by the community. In proposing a research agenda in accordance with the identified gaps and the growing and emerging themes of the object of study, it is worth highlighting the growing interest in the subject, both for the present and its development in the future. Until now, adoption factors have been attributed more to the technological acceptance model and the diffusion of innovation theory, adopting components of the Theory of Planned Behavior; therefore, in several cases, the attributes of different theories are merged to adapt to the needs of each researcher, promoting the creation of empirical and extended models.

Exploring Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) Knowledge in Incarcerated Men.

People who are incarcerated have a disproportionately high risk of contracting human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). While there is no known cure for HIV, there are biomedical approaches that can successfully manage the virus and prevent its transmission. A total of 267 men who are incarcerated completed a cross-sectional survey focused on cancer health, HIV prevention, and mental health in three state prisons. The mean age was 39 years. The majority had an annual income of US$10,000 or less, self-identified as heterosexual, not married, had children, did not have any military status, and identified as African American/Black. Less than 4% indicated that they had heard about Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), and only 3% had heard of Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP). PrEP and PEP effectively prevent HIV infection, but little attention has focused on increasing the knowledge and awareness of these HIV prevention interventions in the incarcerated population.

[Social, clinical and psychosocial determinants associated with uncontrolled arterial hypertension in older adults. SABE Survey Colombia 2016]. / Determinantes sociales, clínicos y psicosociales asociados a hipertensión arterial no controlada en adultos mayores. Encuesta SABE Colombia 2016.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate sociodemographic, clinical and psychosocial characteristics that are associated with uncontrolled arterial hypertension (HANC) in older adults in Colombia. METHODS: Secondary analysis of data from the National Survey of Health, Welfare and Aging (SABE Colombia 2016), in which men and women aged 60 years or older in the country who were not institutionalized were interviewed. The dependent variable was uncontrolled hypertension (HANC) (≥140/90mm Hg). The SABE survey surveyed 23694 older adults; 11264 had a diagnosis of arterial hypertension (HTA) and were taking antihypertensive medication. On the other hand, 5106 older adults, randomly selected, had their blood pressure taken. Participants previously diagnosed with HTA under medical management with antihypertensives and who had had their blood pressure taken at the same time were included, resulting in a sample of 2656 participants. Sociodemographic, clinical and psychosocial characteristics were evaluated. Univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analyzes with logistic regression were performed. RESULTS: One thousand one hundred eighty-eight (44.7%) participants presented HANC. A higher prevalence of HANC was observed in adults older than 74 years (OR 1.31; 95% CI 1.09-1.57) and lower prevalence in residents of urban areas (OR 0.55; 95% CI 0.42-0.71). CONCLUSIONS: Age over 74 years and living in a rural area were identified as variables associated with inadequate blood pressure control in non-institutionalized older adults in Colombia.

Body mass data set for 1,317 bird and 270 mammal species from Colombia.

Body mass is one of the most important phenotypic attributes in animal ecology and life history. This trait is widely used in the fields of ecology and macroevolution, since it influences physiology, morphological functions, and a myriad of ecological and social interactions. In this data set, our aim was to gather a comprehensive bird and mammal body mass data set from northern South America. We report body mass, discriminated by sex, for 42,022 individual birds and 7,441 mammals representing 1,317 bird species (69% of Colombia's avifauna) and 270 mammal species (51% of Colombian mammals) from the Neotropics. The data were sourced from vouchers collected between 1942 and 2020 and from individuals captured and released at banding stations over the last two decades for birds (2000-2020) and the last decade for mammals (2010-2020), by 10 research groups and institutions in Colombia. This data set fills gaps identified in other similar databases, as it focuses on northern South America, a highly diverse Neotropical region often underrepresented in morphological data sets. We provide wide taxonomic coverage for studies interested in information both at regional and local scales. There are no copyright restrictions; the present data paper should be appropriately cited when data are used for publication. The authors would appreciate learning about research projects, teaching exercises, and other uses given to this data set and are open to contribute in further collaborations using these data.

Enfermedad cardiovascular aterosclerótica y sexualidad / Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease and Sexuality

La enfermedad cardiovascular aterosclerótica es la primera causa de muerte en todo el mundo, y la principal causa de años de vida perdidos por discapacidad (AVADs) en los adultos. Sus factores de riesgo son muy prevalentes en la población, y su ocurrencia se ha asociado con disfunción sexual tanto en hombres como en mujeres, debido a que comparten un mecanismo fisiopatológico similar en el caso de la disfunción eréctil en los hombres y potencialmente en la disfunción sexual femenina. Además, los trastornos mentales asociados (principalmente ansiedad y depresión) y los efectos adversos de los medicamentos antihipertensivos y antidepresivos también contribuyen a las disfunciones sexuales. Por otro lado, los inhibidores de la fosfodiesterasa 5 (iFDE5s) han demostrado seguridad y beneficios cardiovasculares en los hombres, y en las mujeres hay evidencia creciente de su utilidad en las disfunciones sexuales. En esta revisión, se presentan las implicaciones de la enfermedad cardiovascular aterosclerótica y su tratamiento en la vida sexual de hombres y mujeres, los efectos cardiovasculares de los tratamientos de las disfunciones sexuales, y la consejería a los pacientes.

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide and the leading cause of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). Its risk factors are very prevalent in the population, and its occurrence has been associated with sexual dysfunction in both men and women, because they share a similar pathophysiological mechanism in the case of erectile dysfunction in men and potentially in female sexual dysfunction. Furthermore, associated mental disorders (mainly anxiety and depression) and the adverse effects of antihypertensive drugs and antidepressants also contribute to sexual dysfunction. On the other hand, phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors (PDE5is) have shown safety and cardiovascular benefits in men, and in women there is growing evidence of their usefulness in female sexual dysfunctions. The present review describes the implications of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and its treatment on the sexual lives of men and women, the cardiovascular effects of the treatments for sexual dysfunctions, and patient counseling.

Terapia de presión negativa en pediatría / Negative pressure therapy in pediatrics

Introducción. La terapia de presión negativa es un recurso utilizado cada vez con mayor frecuencia en el manejo de heridas complejas en pediatría. El objetivo de este estudio fue describir la experiencia con esta terapia en diferentes situaciones clínicas. Métodos. Se llevó a cabo un estudio descriptivo retrospectivo en un grupo de pacientes pediátricos en quienes se utilizó la terapia de presión negativa entre el año 2010 y el 2015. Se analizaron las variables sociodemográficas, los diagnósticos que indicaron la terapia, el tiempo de uso, sus complicaciones y la mortalidad. Resultados. Se incluyeron 41 pacientes. La terapia se indicó en 39 casos con heridas localizadas en el abdomen, en uno con infección de los tejidos blandos perianales y en otro con una herida de esternotomía infectada. De las heridas abdominales, 14 fueron por complicaciones relacionadas con apendicitis aguda, 6 por enfermedades relacionadas con megacolon, 5 por obstrucción intestinal, 4 para el manejo de fístulas, 4 por enterocolitis necrosante del recién nacido, 3 por pancreatitis aguda y 3 por otras causas. El tiempo promedio de uso de la terapia fue de 7 días. Se presentaron fallas en el sistema de vacío en dos pacientes, pero no hubo complicaciones por el uso de la terapia. Dos pacientes fallecieron por complicaciones relacionadas con su enfermedad de base. Conclusión. La terapia de presión negativa es un recurso efectivo en el manejo de heridas complejas en la población pediátrica

Introduction. Negative pressure therapy is an increasingly used resource in the management of complex wounds in pediatrics. The objective of this study was to describe the experience with this therapy in different clinical situations. Methods. A retrospective descriptive study was conducted in a group of pediatric patients who received negative pressure therapy between 2010 and 2015. We analyzed the sociodemographic variables, the diagnoses that indi-cated the therapy, the time of use of the therapy, complications and mortality. Results. A total of 41 patients were included. Therapy was indicated in 39 cases with wounds located in the ab-domen, in one with infection of the perianal soft tissues, and in another with an infected sternotomy wound. Of the abdominal wounds, 14 were due to complications related to acute appendicitis, six due to diseases related to megacolon, five due to intestinal obstruction, four for the management of fistulas, four due to necrotizing enterocolitis of the newborn, three due to acute pancreatitis, and three due to other causes. The average time of use of the therapy was 7 days. Vacuum system failures occurred in two patients, but there were no complications from the use of therapy. Two patients died of complications related to their underlying disease.Conclusion. Negative pressure therapy is an effective resource in the management of complex wounds in the pediatric population

Evaluación y promoción de la actitud hacia la higiene oral en pacientes de la Facultad de Odontología de la Universidad Católica del Uruguay / Evaluation and promotion of patient's oral hygiene behavior in the Faculty of Odontology of the Catholic University in Uruguay

El primer objetivo de este estudio apuntó a describir la actitud de los pacientes con respecto al cuidado de su salud bucal, lasnormas sociales, las respuestas sociales percibidas de tener dientes sanos, y el comportamiento acerca de la higiene oral. Laevaluación se realizó por medio de la versión en Español del Indice de Comportamiento de Higiene Oral, en un grupo de pacientesde la Facultad de Odontología de la Universidad Católica del Uruguay. El segundo objetivo del estudio fue examinar los predictoresrelevantes de estas conductas de higiene. Ochenta pacientes llenaron el cuestionario durante su atención por los estudiantes depregrado encargados del proyecto en las Clínicas de la Facultad. Generalmente, los pacientes mostraron un nivel adecuado decomportamiento acerca de la higiene oral, una actitud positiva, normas sociales positivas, especialmente en el odontólogo y lafamilia, y un alto valor de las respuestas sociales positivas de tener dientes sanos. El análisis predictivo demostró que la actitudy las normas sociales explicaron un 21.8 por ciento de la varianza en los comportamientos de higiene oral reportados. Estos hallazgossugieren que los pacientes poseen hábitos de higiene oral inadecuados que pueden ser mejorados e indican que los factores psicosocialesjuegan un rol importante en el cuidado de la salud bucal. Más aún, los hallazgos indican que el comportamiento acerca dela higiene oral del paciente puede ser mejorado no solo promoviendo una actitud más positiva hacia esa conducta específica sinotambien especialmente por el apoyo del odontólogo y de la familia del paciente.

The first aim of this study was to describe patients’ attitude with respect to oral self-care practices, social norms, expectedsocial outcomes of having healthy teeth, and oral hygiene behavior, as assessed with the Spanish version of the Oral HygieneBehavior Index (OHB) in dental patients of the Faculty of Odontology of the Catholic University in Montevideo, Uruguay. Thesecond aim of the study was to examine the relevant predictors of this oral hygiene behavior. Eighty participants filled out aquestionnaire during dental care they received from students. Overall, patients exhibited an adequate level of oral hygienebehavior, a positive attitude, positive social norms, especially in the dentist and the family, and positive social outcomes ofhaving healthy teeth. Regression analysis revealed that attitude and social norms explained 21.8 percent of the variance in reported oralhygiene behavior. The present findings suggest that patients’ inadequate oral hygiene habits can be changed in the right directionand indicate that socio-psychological factors play an important role in oral health care. Moreover, the findings indicate thatpatients’ oral hygiene behavior can be improved by not only promoting a more positive attitude toward the performance of thisspecific oral hygiene behavior, but especially, by support of significant others, such as the dentist and patients’ family.