Trauma-related symptoms and severity among women in the Pacific Rim.

Current understandings of the effects trauma exposure on women's health are limited because prior research has largely focused on intimate partner and sexual violence in homogenous samples. In this descriptive study, the authors examined the relationships between lifetime trauma exposure and psychological well-being among women across the Pacific Rim. Psychological well-being differed significantly between the four locations and increased trauma exposures were related to poorer psychological well-being across and within locations. The authors report relevant findings on the relationship between trauma exposure and psychological well-being and provide evidence for future research to enhance knowledge on the effects of trauma in women's lives.

Trauma Exposure Among Women in the Pacific Rim.

PURPOSE: Healthcare professionals who provide services in the immediate or long-term aftermath of traumatic events need to understand the nature and frequency of traumatic events in the lives of women. However, research on trauma exposure in women has only recently begun to assess events other than intimate partner and sexual violence and has not supported direct statistical comparison of cross-national and cross-cultural data. The purpose of this descriptive, correlational study was to describe and compare trauma exposure prevalence and type in community-based samples of women in the United States, Colombia, and Hong Kong. DESIGN: Women were recruited through posted notices at community health sites, snowball sampling, and online advertisements (N = 576). The Life Stressor Checklist-Revised (total score range 0 to 30) was used to determine the type and prevalence of trauma exposure. Data were collected by native language members of the research team. METHODS: Descriptive statistics were used to summarize demographic characteristics and trauma exposure for the total sample and each community-based sample (location). Between-location differences were tested using Fisher's exact tests for categorical measures and general linear models with pairwise a posteriori least squares t-test for continuous measures. Responses to open-ended questions were translated and categorized. FINDINGS: Over 99% of women in the total sample reported at least one traumatic life event. The mean number of traumatic life events per participant was 7, ranging from 0 to 24. Although there was consistency in the most commonly reported trauma exposures across locations, the rates of specific events often differed. CONCLUSIONS: Historical, political, geographic, and cultural factors may explain differences in trauma exposure among women in the four locations studied. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study offers relevant knowledge for providers in diverse locations who provide services to women who have experienced traumatic events and provides evidence for the need for future research to further enhance knowledge of trauma exposure among women, and on the effects of trauma in women's lives.

Age-related effects on symptom status and health-related quality of life in persons with HIV/AIDS.

Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is linked to symptom status and may be related to age in HIV-positive persons. Data were collected in a multisite HIV-positive sample (N = 1,217) using an HIV-specific HRQOL and three symptom status instruments according to the Wilson and Cleary HRQOL model. Multiple stepwise linear regression analysis found that younger age predicted higher sexual function (ΔR(2) = .12, p < .01) and older age predicted greater provider trust (ΔR(2) = .04, p < .01). No significant differences were found in symptom status or the other seven HRQOL dimensions. Although older HIV-positive persons reported more comorbidities, they did not report more symptoms.

Translation and adaptation of the life stressor checklist-revised with Colombian women.

We undertook the translation and adaptation of an instrument developed to measure women's lifetime trauma exposure, the Life Stressor Checklist-Revised (LSC-R), in order to determine its utility and cultural appropriateness with Colombian Spanish-speaking women. The LSC-R was forward and backward translated and administered to a sample (N = 217) of community-based women volunteers in Medellín, Colombia. Open-ended questions were included to assess the construct validity and cultural appropriateness of the LSC-R. The LSC-R was found to be valid and easily understood. Trauma exposure was common, but its assessment was not overly distressing to Colombian women.

The relationship of two types of trauma exposure to current physical and psychological symptom distress in a community sample of Colombian women: why interpersonal violence deserves more attention.

Our purpose in this study was to examine the relationship between interpersonal violence and background traumas and symptom distress in a community sample of Colombian women (N = 217). We utilized the Life Stressor Checklist-Revised (LSC-R) to measure lifetime interpersonal violence (IPV) and background trauma exposure and the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) to measure current symptom distress. Although both exposures were common in this sample, IPV was strongly correlated with current symptom distress; background traumas made no unique contribution to the variance in current symptom distress. Based on our findings, it is suggested that interpersonal events may be particularly distressing.

Does "asymptomatic" mean without symptoms for those living with HIV infection?

Throughout the history of the HIV epidemic, HIV-positive patients with relatively high CD4 counts and no clinical features of opportunistic infections have been classified as "asymptomatic" by definition and treatment guidelines. This classification, however, does not take into consideration the array of symptoms that an HIV-positive person can experience long before progressing to AIDS. This short report describes two international multi-site studies conducted in 2003-2005 and 2005-2007. The results from the studies show that HIV-positive people may experience symptoms throughout the trajectory of their disease, regardless of CD4 count or classification. Providers should discuss symptoms and symptom management with their clients at all stages of the disease.

Marijuana effectiveness as an HIV self-care strategy.

Persons living with HIV/AIDS use self-care for symptom management. This study assesses the use of marijuana as a symptom management approach for six common symptoms for persons living with HIV/AIDS--anxiety, depression, fatigue, diarrhea, nausea, and peripheral neuropathy. This sub-analysis of the efficacy of a symptom management manual encompasses the experiences of participants from sites in the U.S., Africa, and Puerto Rico. Baseline data are analyzed to examine differences in the use and efficacy of marijuana as compared with prescribed and over-the-counter medications as well as the impact on adherence and quality of life.

Práticas e comportamentos alimentares de famílias de crianças com perturbação do espectro autista / Eating practices and behaviors of families of children with autistic spectrum disorder / Prácticas y conductas alimentarias de familias de niños con trastorno del espectro autista

Resumo Enquadramento: Os comportamentos alimentares atípicos são significativamente mais comuns em crianças com perturbação do espectro autista (PEA), podendo influenciar a organização da família em relação às suas práticas. Objetivo: compreender as práticas e comportamentos alimentares de famílias de crianças com PEA. Metodologia: Estudo qualitativo e descritivo, do tipo estudo de casos múltiplos, participaram 13 familiares de crianças com PEA. Foram realizadas entrevistas semiestruturadas e foi utilizada a técnica analítica de síntese cruzada dos casos, para sistematização das evidências. Resultados: Evidenciaram-se as conceções e práticas alimentares; a organização das práticas alimentares da família; e o comportamento alimentar. A conceção das famílias sobre as práticas alimentares reflete na forma desta se organizar e atender às demandas de cuidado de seus filhos. Conclusão: Cada família constrói a sua prática alimentar, de acordo como seu contexto, com a sua identidade alimentar e cultural, e das diferentes demandas relacionadas aos comportamentos e dificuldades alimentares de seus filhos, necessitando estabelecer uma rede de apoio para enfrentar a organização do seu dia a dia.

Abstract Background: Atypical eating behaviors are significantly common in children with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) and can influence families' organization of eating practices. Objective: To understand the eating practices and behaviors of families of children with ASD. Methodology: This is a qualitative and descriptive study, using the multiple case method, with the participation of 13 family members of children with ASD. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and the analytical technique of cross-case synthesis was used to systematize the evidence. Results: This study gathered evidence on eating conceptions and practices, the organization of families' eating practices, and eating behaviors. Families' conceptions of eating practices influence how they organize and meet their children's care needs. Conclusion: Each family develops their eating practices based on their context, food and cultural identity, and the different demands of their children's eating behaviors and difficulties. Families need a support network to manage the organization of their daily routines.

Resumen Marco contextual: Las conductas alimentarias atípicas son significativamente más frecuentes en los niños con trastorno del espectro autista (TEA) y pueden influir en la organización familiar en relación con sus prácticas. Objetivo: Conocer las prácticas y conductas alimentarias de las familias de niños con TEA. Metodología: Estudio cualitativo y descriptivo, del tipo de estudio de casos múltiples, participaron 13 familiares de niños con TEA. Se realizaron entrevistas semiestructuradas y se utilizó la técnica analítica de síntesis cruzada de casos para sistematizar las pruebas. Resultados: Se observaron las concepciones y prácticas alimentarias, la organización de las prácticas alimentarias de la familia y la conducta alimentaria. La concepción de las familias sobre las prácticas alimentarias se refleja en la forma en que se organizan y satisfacen las demandas de cuidado de sus hijos. Conclusión: Cada familia construye su práctica alimentaria según su contexto, su identidad alimentaria y cultural, y las diferentes demandas relacionadas con la conducta y las dificultades alimentarias de sus hijos, por lo que necesitan establecer una red de apoyo para hacer frente a la organización de su vida cotidiana.

[Factors predisposing, facilitating and strengthening condom use amongst university students in Cali, Colombia]. / Factores que predisponen, facilitan y refuerzan el uso del preservativo en jóvenes universitarios de Cali, Colombia.

OBJECTIVE: Identifying condom use frequency and factors predisposing, facilitating and reinforcing its consistent use in college students. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional analytical study involving multivariate analysis. The sample consisted of 397 students who were randomly selected using stratified sampling by faculty who had applied a computer-assisted survey entitled, "Recognizing my sexual health." RESULTS: 33 % of the sample population reported routine condom use. The predisposing factors for regular condom use were the intention to use one and high self-efficacy regarding use with casual partners. Facilitating factors revealed that condom use with a habitual partner increased the opportunity to use it 19-fold. Being male was associated with its use regarding both predisposing and facilitating factors. It is worth stressing that, amongst there in forcing factors, considering that a condom intensifies pleasure by feeling protected was associated with its regular use as was the condom being accepted by friends. By contrast, abandoning condom use for other contraceptive methods reduced the probability of it being used usually by 60 %. CONCLUSIONS: Non-regular condom use in penile-anal intercourse and its displacement by other contraceptive methods provided clear evidence of young people's major concern concerning becoming pregnant rather than avoiding contracting an STI. Formulating and implementing programs simultaneously aimed at and placing equal emphasis on avoiding pregnancy and preventing HIV and other STI is recommended.

[Types and severity of partner violence against women living in the community in Cali, Colombia]. / Violencia de pareja en mujeres de la comunidad, tipos y severidad Cali, Colombia.

OBJECTIVE: Identifying the incidence and severity of types of intimate partner violence against women exposed to this in their communities and the pertinent socio-demographic characteristics. METHODOLOGY: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study of 150 women suffering intimate partner violence. The Severity of Violence Against Women Scale was used to explore demographic variables, e.g. age, sex, socioeconomic status, educational level, marital status and occupation. RESULTS: Mean age was 37 years, 74 % were mestizos, 68 % were living in socioeconomic groups 2 and 3, 43 % were living with a permanent partner and 31 % had experienced violence by other people than their intimate partner. There was high exposure (96.3 %) to more than one type of violence; 88% had suffered physical and 53 % sexual threats. All types were correlated with each other (r ranged from 0.42 to 0.84 (p <0.01)). Socioeconomic status had a significant negative correlation with threats of violence (p><0.01) and positive correlation with physical violence (p><0.01); other socio-demographic variables did not correlate. CONCLUSION: Psychosocial factors are heavily involved in the phenomenon. Screening and intervening in forms of violence other than physical ones means protecting women and reducing the harm being done to them and alleviating their suffering. It is vital that interventions should be undertaken for preventing different types of violence according to socioeconomic group and accompany women and their assailants in recognising such violence and seeking help.

Factores que predisponen, facilitan y refuerzan el uso del preservativo en jóvenes universitarios de Cali, Colombia / Factors predisposing, facilitating and strengthening condom use amongst university students in Cali, Colombia

Objetivos Identificar la frecuencia del uso habitual del condón y los factores que predicen, facilitan y refuerzan su uso en jóvenes universitarios. Métodos Estudio analítico de corte transversal con análisis multivariado. La muestra fue de 397 estudiantes seleccionados aleatoriamente mediante un muestreo estratificado por Facultades a quienes se les aplicó una encuesta asistida por computador denominada "Reconociendo mi salud sexual". Resultados El uso habitual de condón se da para el 33 % de la población. Los factores predisponentes para su uso habitual fueron, el tener la intención y alta autoeficacia en su uso con la pareja ocasional. Entre los factores facilitadores, el uso con la pareja habitual aumenta en 19 veces la oportunidad de utilizarlo habitualmente. El ser hombre se asoció con su uso tanto en los factores predisponentes como facilitadores. Entre los reforzantes, considerar que el condón intensifica el placer al sentirse protegidos y que entre los amigos el condón sea aceptado, se asoció a su uso habitual. En contraste, desplazar el uso del condón por otros métodos anticonceptivos disminuyó la probabilidad de usarlo habitualmente en un 60 %. Conclusión El no uso habitual del condón en las relaciones pene-ano y su desplazamiento por el uso de otro método anticonceptivo, son claras evidencias de la mayor preocupación que representa para la juventud el embarazo en comparación con las ITS. Se recomienda, la formulación y ejecución de programas que apunten simultáneamente y con igual énfasis a la prevención de embarazos, del VIH y otras ITS.

Objective Identifying condom use frequency and factors predisposing, facilitating and reinforcing its consistent use in college students. Methods This was a cross-sectional analytical study involving multivariate analysis. The sample consisted of 397 students who were randomly selected using stratified sampling by faculty who had applied a computer-assisted survey entitled, "Recognizing my sexual health." Results 33 % of the sample population reported routine condo muse. The predisposing factors for regular condo muse were the intention to use one and high self-efficacy regarding use with casual partners. Facilitating factors revealed that condom use with a habitual partner increased the opportunity to use it 19-fold. Being male was associated with its use regarding both predisposing and facilitating factors. It is worth stressing that, amongst there in forcing factors, considering that a condom intensifies pleasure by feeling protected was associated with its regular use as was the condom being accepted by friends. By contrast, abandoning condom use for other contraceptive methods reduced the probability of it being used usually by 60 %. Conclusions Non-regular condom use in penile-anal intercourse and its displacement by other contraceptive methods provided clear evidence of young people's major concern concerning becoming pregnant rather than avoiding contracting an STI. Formulating and implementing programs simultaneously aimed at and placing equal emphasis on avoiding pregnancy and preventing HIV and other STI is recommended.

Violencia de pareja en mujeres de la comunidad, tipos y severidad Cali, Colombia / Types and severity of partner violence against women living in the community in Cali, Colombia

Objetivo: Identificar características socio-demográficas, tipos y severidad de vio-lencia de pareja en mujeres de la comunidad. Metodología: Estudio descriptivo transversal en 150 mujeres expuestas a violencia. Se uso la Escala de Severidad de Violencia contra la Mujer, coeficiente Alfa de 0.89, se diseño un cuestionario para explorar variables socio-demográficas: edad, sexo, estrato socio-económico, nivel de estudios, estado civil, ocupación. Resultados: Edad promedio 37 años, mestizas 74 %, estrato socioeconómico 2 y 3 en el 68 %. El 43 % tenía unión libre, experimentó violencia por personas diferentes al compañero sentimental el 31 %. Experimentó amenazas el 96.3 %, violencia física 88 % y sexual 53 %. Todos los tipos se correlacionaron entre sí, r de 0,42 a 0,84 (p < 0,01). El estrato socioeconómico correlacionó negativa y significativamente con amenaza de violencia (p< 0,01) y positivamente con violencia física (p< 0,01). Otros aspectos socio-demográficos no correlacionaron. Conclusión: Los factores psicosociales aparecen con gran implicación en el fenómeno. Valorar e intervenir formas de violencia diferentes a la física implica proteger, reducir daño y sufrimiento a la mujer, vital enfatizar intervenciones para la prevención de diferentes tipos de violencia según el nivel socioeconómico y acompañar a la mujer y al agresor en el reconocimiento de la violencia y búsqueda de ayuda.

Objective: Identifying the incidence and severity of types of intimate partner vio-lence against women exposed to this in their communities and the pertinent socio-demographic characteristics. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study of 150 women suffering intimate partner violence. The Severity of Violence Against Women Scale was used to explore demographic variables, e.g. age, sex, socioeconomic status, educatio-nal level, marital status and occupation. Results: Mean age was 37 years, 74 % were mestizos, 68 % were living in so-cioeconomic groups 2 and 3, 43 % were living with a permanent partner and 31 % had experienced violence by other people than their intimate partner. There was high exposure (96.3 %) to more than one type of violence; 88% had suffered physical and 53 % sexual threats. All types were correlated with each other (r ranged from 0.42 to 0.84 (p <0.01)). Socioeconomic status had a significant negative correlation with threats of violence (p><0.01) and positive correlation with physical violence (p><0.01); other socio-demographic variables did not correlate. Conclusion: Psychosocial factors are heavily involved in the phenomenon. Scree-ning and intervening in forms of violence other than physical ones means pro-tecting women and reducing the harm being done to them and alleviating their suffering. It is vital that interventions should be undertaken for preventing different types of violence according to socioeconomic group and accompany women and their assailants in recognising such violence and seeking help.

Lifestyle and cancer prevention in female employees at a health institution / Estilo de vida y la prevención de cáncer en mujeres trabajadoras en una institución de salud

Objective: To establish the relationship between lifestyle for prevention of cervix and breast cancer and perceptual cognitive factors from the Pender model in working women.Materials and methods: Correlation and cross-sectional study with a random sample of 143 working women. The Lifestyle index is the total score of 5 variables: Papanicolau test, breast self-exam, physical activity, body mass index, and cigarette smoking.Results: The mean age for the sample was 44.4 + 6.2; 87% of the women had higher education and 85% were working in health care services. A total of 89% of the women had unhealthy lifestyles because of the lack of regular physical activity, not having a Papanicolau test according to the norm, not practicing breast self-exams, and having an altered body mass index. There was significant correlation between lifestyle and occupation, and also with self-efficacy perception for breast self-examination.Conclusion: The lifestyles for most of the women sampled were unhealthy.Recommendations: It is recommend the reorientation of health services based on health promotion, which permit planning and executing health care, health education and nursing care programs specifically for working women. It is also recommend conducting culturally sensitive.

Objetivo: Establecer en mujeres trabajadoras la relación entre el estilo de vida para la prevención del cáncer de cérvix y de mama con factores cognitivos perceptuales del modelo de Pender.Material y métodos: Estudio correlacional de corte transversal. La muestra estuvo conformada por 143 mujeres trabajadoras captadas de manera aleatoria. El índice estilo de vida se calificó de acuerdo con el total obtenido de la suma de cinco variables: la citología cervicouterina, el autoexamen de mama, el ejercicio, el índice de masa corporal y el hábito de fumar.Resultados: El promedio de edad para la muestra fue 44.4 + 6.2; un alto porcentaje (87%) con educación superior; 85% laboraban en área asistencial en salud. Para 89% de las mujeres trabajadoras el estilo de vida fue no saludable, a expensas de no hacer ejercicio regularmente, no realizarse la citología cervicouterina, no realizar el autoexamen de mama con la autoeficacia ni con la frecuencia y en el tiempo adecuado y tener el índice de masa corporal aumentado para un alto porcentaje de ellas. Se observó relación significativa del estilo de vida sólo con las variables ubicación laboral y percepción de autoeficacia para realizar el autoexamen de mama.Conclusiones: El estilo de vida para la mayoría de las mujeres de la muestra no es saludable. Se recomienda la reorientación de los servicios de salud con base en la promoción de la salud, lo cual permitirá planear y ejecutar programas de atención y educación para la salud y de cuidado de enfermería específicos para la mujer trabajadora, campañas educativas y culturalmente sensibles, horarios flexibles o cómodos para las mujeres.

Enfermería, Universidad del Valle, Cali: 65 años a la vanguardia; aportes, logros y perspectivas / Nursing at Universidad del Valle in Cali: 65 years at the vanguard; contributions, achievements, and perspectives

Introducción: El propósito de este artículo es mostrar de qué manera la Escuela de Enfermería a través de sus 65 añosde vida, que celebra al unísono con la Universidad del Valle, ha estado a la vanguardia contribuyendo con sus programas depregrado y postgrado, sus proyectos de extensión e investigación al desarrollo de los servicios de salud y de enfermería y almejoramiento permanente de la formación del recurso humano de enfermería en el suroccidente colombiano, en Colombia y en Latinoamérica. Objetivo: Describir la creación y desarrollo de los programas y proyectos de enfermería en respuesta a las necesidades del medio y su orientación hacia la innovación en la formación del profesional de enfermería. Metodología: Se revisaron documentos existentes en los archivos de la Dirección de la Escuela, las direcciones de los programas académicos de pregrado y postgrado, literatura publicada, documentos de archivos personales de docentes y entrevistas con docentes pensionadas y la memoria de las autoras. Resultados: Se demarcan cuatro épocas vividas durante los 65 años de historia señalando el desarrollo y los aportes delos programas académicos y de los proyectos de extensión; se presentan algunos retos para el futuro. Conclusión: Enfermería-UniValle ha estado durante sus 65 años de historia a la vanguardia; en adelante, su reto es responder a los desafíos del futuro.

Introduction: The purpose of this paper is to depict how the Nursing School throughout its 65-year history, celebrated at the same time as Universidad del Valle does, has been at the forefront in Colombia’s southwest and Latin America, contributing to the continuous enhancement of nursing education with its undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as research and extension projects. Objective: To describe the creation and development of the nursing programs and projects in response to the contextual needs and their orientation toward innovating in nursing education. Materials and methods: Historical research, analysis of documents found in the office of the director of the Nursing School, the directors of undergraduate and graduate nursing programs, publications, personnel archives of faculty members,interviews of retired faculty, and the authors´ recollections. Results: Four periods are depicted along the 65-year history, showing the development, achievements, and contributions of the academic programs and main extension projects; some challenges for the future also are included. Conclusions: Nursing-UniValle has been in the front line during its 65 years of history; now it has to meet the challenges of the future.

Reconociendo mi salud sexual: encuesta asistida por computador para laidentificación de factores protectores y de riesgo para VIH/SIDA enjóvenes universitarios / Recognizing my sexual health: survey for computer-assisted identification of

Objetivo: Identificar los factores protectores y de riesgo para VIH/Sida en jóvenes universitarios, mediante una encuesta autoadministrada y asistida por computador. Metodología: Estudio descriptivo de corte transversal con análisis multivariado. La muestra correspondió a 397 estudiantes seleccionados aleatoriamente mediante un muestreo estratificado por facultades. Resultados: El uso habitual de condón (uso en la primera y en la última relación sexual) ocurrió en 33,0% de la población. Los factores protectores para el uso habitual del condón fueron: el gusto por el preservativo (OR:0,53; IC: 0,33-0,66) y la autoeficacia para el uso del condón (OR:0,34;IC:0,206-0,568); Las variables que aparecen como factores de riesgo para el no uso habitual del condón fueron: la no intención de uso con la pareja habitual (1,78;IC95:1,57-2,02), relaciones sexuales pene–ano (OR:2,143;IC95:1,23-3,7) y el desplazamiento del condón por el uso de otro método anticonceptivo (OR:2,46; IC95: 1,7-3,3). Recomendaciones: Se recomienda al personal que ofrece asesoría en salud sexual y reproductiva a los jóvenes, brindar las herramientas para prevención tanto de los embarazos no planeados como de las infecciones de transmisión sexual, dado el desplazamiento que hacen los jóvenes en el uso del condón cuando adoptan un método anticonceptivo diferente. La encuesta“Reconociendo mi salud sexual, asistida por el computador” es una excelente herramienta que permite obtener información en temas sensibles como la sexualidad, para orientar programas en promoción de la salud sexual y cuidado de colectivos.

Objective: To identify factors which protect or expose young university students to HIV/AIDS, through a selfadministered,computer-assisted, survey. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional with multivariate analysis. The sample consisted of 397 students randomly selected through stratified sampling by faculty. Results: Regular use of condoms (used for your first and last sexual relation) occurs for 33,0% of the population. Protective factors for regular use of condoms were the preference for the condom (OR: 0,53, CI 0,33 to 0,66) and self-efficacy for condom use(OR:0,34;IC:0,206-0,568), The variables that appear as risk factors for habitual non-use of condoms were: No Intention of use with a regular partner (1,78 CI95 :1,57-2 ,02), Anal Sex (OR: 2,143, 95: 1,23- 3,7) and the displacement of condom use due to other contraceptive methods (OR 2,46, CI 95: 1,7-3,3). Recommendations: It's recommended that personnel offering advice on sexual and reproductive health to young individuals, provide the tools for the prevention of not only unplanned pregnancies but sexually transmitted diseases given the displacement of condom use among young people when different contraceptive methods are adopted. The survey, “Recognizing my sexualhealth, assisted by the computer” is an excellent tool to obtain information on sensitive issues like sexuality, to guide programs on sexual health promotion and care groups.

Quality of life in persons living with HIV–AIDS in three healthcare institutions of Cali, Colombia / Calidad de vida en personas con VIH-SIDA en tres instituciones de salud de Cali, Colombia

Antecedents: The Human Immunodeficiency Virus is currently considered a chronic disease; hence, quality of life is an important goal for those suffering the disease or living with someone afflicted by the virus. Objectives: We sought to measure the quality of life in individuals living with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome virus and establish its relationship with socio-demographic and clinical variables. Methods: This is a cross-sectional, descriptive study with a sample of 137 HIV-infected individuals attending three healthcare institutions in the city of Cali, Colombia. Quality of life was measured via the HIV/AIDS-Targeted Quality of Life (HAT-QoL) instrument. The descriptive analyses included mean and standard deviation calculations. To determine the candidate variables, we used the student t test and the Pearson correlation. The response variable in the multiple linear regression was the score for quality of life. Results: Some 27% of the sample were women and 3% were transgender; the mean age of the sample was 35 + 10.2 years; 88% had some type of health insurance; 27% had been diagnosed with AIDS, and 64% were taking antiretroviral medications at the time of the study. Quality of life was measured through a standard scale with scores from 0 to 100. Participants’ global quality of life mean was 59 + 17.8. The quality-of-life dimensions with the highest scores were sexual function, satisfaction with the healthcare provider, and satisfaction with life. The highest quality-of-life scores were obtained by participants who received antiretroviral therapy, had health insurance, lower symptoms of depression, low frequency and intensity of symptoms, and no prior reports of sexual abuse. Eight variables explained 53% of the variability of the global quality of life...

Antecedente: Hoy en día se considera el VIH como una enfermedad crónica; por tanto,la calidad de vida es una meta importante de alcanzar en las personas que viven y conviven con el virus.Objetivos: Medir la calidad de vida en personas que viven con el virus del sida y establecer la relación con variables socio-demográficas y clínicas. Métodos: Estudio transversal, descriptivo, con muestra no probabilística de 137 personas con VIH que asistieron a tres instituciones de salud de Cali, Colombia. La calidad de vida se midió con el instrumento Hiv/Aids-Targeted Quality of Life (HAT-QoL). El análisis descriptivo incluyó los cálculos de promedio y desviación estándar. Para determinar las variables candidatas se utilizaron la prueba t de Student y la correlación de Pearson. La variable respuesta en la regresión lineal múltiple fue el puntaje de calidad de vida. Resultados: De los encuestados 27% eran mujeres y 3% transgéneros; la edad promedio fue 35 + 10.2 años; 88% tenían algún tipo de seguro de salud; 27% con diagnóstico de Sida y 64% con tratamiento antirretroviral en el momento del estudio. La calidad de vida se midió con una escala estandarizada de 0 a 100; el promedio de calidad de vida global fue de 59 + 17.8; las dimensiones de calidad de vida que mayor puntaje obtuvieron fueron la función sexual, la satisfacción con el proveedor de cuidados de salud y la satisfacción con la vida. Los puntajes más altos en calidad de vida los obtuvieron personas que recibieron tratamiento antirretroviral, con acceso a algún seguro de salud, menor sintomatología depresiva, baja frecuencia e intensidad de síntomas y sin antecedentes de abuso sexual. Ocho variables explicaron 53% de la variabilidad de la calidad de vida...

Servicios amigables para jóvenes: construcción conjunta entre jóvenes y funcionarios / Health care services for young people: a joint construction among youth and health personnel

Antecedentes: La atención integrada y amigable a los adolescentes en salud es un aspecto de vital importancia para el logro de indicadores en salud y para la prevención de comportamientos de riesgo que dejan consecuencias severas.Objetivos: Identificar la percepción, experiencias y expectativas de jóvenes y funcionarios de salud sobre los servicios a jóvenes de la zona de ladera de Cali, Colombia. Desarrollar una estrategia conjunta entre jóvenes y funcionarios para el mejoramiento de los mismos servicios de salud a partir de los lineamientos de los Servicios Amigables para Jóvenes (SAJ).Métodos: Estudio de investigación-acción-participación con jóvenes y funcionarios de una ESE de Cali. La población de jóvenes se encontraba entre los 10 a 19 años. Inicialmente se aplicó un instrumento de evaluación al personal de salud y luego una encuesta sobre los SAJ. Se e realizaron entrevistas grupales y grupos de discusión para analizar los resultados. Se hizo abogacía y se formularon propuestas ante las autoridades locales y tomadores de decisiones sobre el manejo de los recursos.Resultados: La encuesta al personal de salud mostró que en la mayoría de las instituciones prestadoras de salud, no se cuenta con espacios y horarios definidos para la atención a los jóvenes, falta capacitación y número adecuado de funcionarios para la atención, ausencia de material de apoyo para educación en salud. La encuesta de jóvenes fue respondida por 100 jóvenes, el 76% fueron mujeres. El promedio de edad fue de 15.7 años con un rango entre los 12 y 26 años; con relación a la satisfacción en la atención brindada por el personal de salud, el porcentaje más alto lo obtuvo el personal médico y el más bajo el personal auxiliar de enfermería. El servicio más consultado es la consulta con médico general y los servicios más frecuentados en el último mes fueron vacunación (19.7%), odontología y urgencias (11.8% para cada uno).

Background: To accomplish health indicators among youth and prevent risks that leave severe consequences, it is important to offer integral health care.Objectives: To identify perceptions, experiences and expectations about health services for youth and health care agents from the Zona de Ladera in the city of Cali. To develop a concerted strategy with youth and health care agents to improve health services under the ®Friendly Youth Services¼ (SAJ abbreviation in Spanish) guide. Methods: Action - Research with participation of health-care personnel, youth, and adolescents from 10 to 19 years of age, was conducted in a public health-care institution in the city of Cali. The methodology included interviews, focal and discussion groups to analyze results and define steps to change services for adolescents. Advocacy and proposals about resource management were made to the local authorities and decision makers.Results: The main findings were lack of time schedules for services to adolescents and the absence of educational materials for them. The study noted a lack of resources like equipment, well-trained personnel – especially with positive attitude toward adolescents, appropriate location for delivery of services, and community participation in health matters. The interview was answered by 100 young individuals, 76% were female, ranging from 12 to 26 years of age; the higher score about satisfaction was for physicians and the lowest was for nursing assistants. Respondents mainly seek physician attention. The service most frequently sought in the last three months was dentistry, vaccinations, and emergency attention (19.7%, and 11.8%, respectively).Conclusions: It is necessary and useful to reorient health-care services for young individuals according to SAJ principles to emphasize health promotion, access to services, and skills and knowledge of health personnel to most appropriately care for the youth.

Violencia de pareja y salud de las mujeres que consultan a las comisarías de familia, Cali, Colombia / Partner violence and women’s health reported to the family commissaries in Cali, Colombia

La violencia de pareja es un problema de salud pública y el modelo para manejo de síntomas fue el marco conceptual que guía este estudio. Objetivo: medir el efecto de la violencia de pareja sobre la salud mental de las mujeres que consultan a las comisarías de familia de Cali. Metodología: diseño analítico, transversal, con mujeres que denuncian violencia de pareja en las comisarías de familia de Cali, Colombia. Se aplican la Lista de Chequeo de Síntomas de Distres SCL-90R y las Escalas de Tácticas de Resolución de Conflictos y de Resiliencia. Resultados: la muestra de 100 mujeres adultas que denuncian violencia de pareja presentó un Índice Global de Severidad de Síntomas de 1,36; un Índice de Distrés de Síntomas Positivos de 2,27, y puntajes altos en las nueve dimensiones de síntomas psicológicos. En la comparación con muestras normativas de pacientes siquiátricas ambulatorias no se aprecian diferencias significativas para la mayoría de los índices. El 60% de las mujeres presentan síndrome de estrés postraumático. Discusión: los hallazgos son preocupantes por la similitud con las muestras normativas de pacientes siquiátricas ambulatorias; las mujeres de nuestro estudio presentan una necesidad de cuidado que les permita adquirir o desarrollar sus recursos personales y externos para salir adelante.

Partner’s violence is a public health problem. Symptom management is the theoretical framework guiding this study. The research question is: what is the effect of partner`s violence on women’s mental health reporting it to the Cali, Colombia Family Commssaries? Objective: to measure the effect of partner’ s violence on women’s mental health asking help to the Family Commissaries of Cali, Colombia. Methodology: cross-sectional design with a sample of women that denounce their situation to the Family Commissaries of Cali. The Check List of Symptom -SCL-90R, the Conflict Resolution Tactics and the Resilience scales are applied. Results: the sample comprises 100 women. The Global Distress Index is 1.36; the Distress Index for Positive Symptom is 2.27; nine dimensions of symptoms obtain high scores. Comparison with normative samples of psychiatric out-patients do not show statistical significant differences for most of the indexes; 60% of women present post-traumatic stress disorder. Discussion: the findings are similar to normative samples from psychiatric out – patients. The partner’s violence effect on mental health is considerable and calls for action. Women have needs related with care. They need help to gain or develop personal skills and external resources to handle partner’s violence.

Signos y síntomas en personas que viven con el virus del sida (PVVS) en Cali, Colombia / Signs and Symptoms in persons that living with HIV/AIDS

Introducción: La experiencia de los síntomas en personas que viven con el virus del sida (PVVS) influye en la adherencia al tratamiento, la calidad de vida y en la potencial transmisión del VIH. Objetivos: Describir características sociodemográficas, clínicas y hábitos en personas con VIH/SIDA asistentes a servicios ambulatorios. Reconocer la frecuencia e intensidad de los signos y síntomas que experimentan las personas con VIH/SIDA e identificar las diferencias en los signos y síntomas según variables clínicas y demográficas. Metodología: Estudio descriptivo transversal. Se aplicó a 137 PVVS un instrumento sobre características sociodemográficas, clínicas y psicológicas y la Lista de Chequeo Revisada de Signos y Síntomas en Personas con VIH (SSC-HIVrev) Resultados: El promedio en el número de signos y síntomas informados por los participantes fue 17.6 (DE: 11.3) en un rango de 0-64 síntomas; 64% de los pacientes presentan síntomas depresivos al obtener puntajes en la escala CES-D, igual o por encima de 16 puntos. La sed, los temores y preocupaciones, el dolor muscular, la debilidad, la fatiga, y la depresión fueron los primeros síntomas informados. Discusión: La gran presencia de síntomas psicológicos en personas con VIH/SIDA determina la necesidad de revaluar el calificativo de ®asintomático¼ en quienes se les había documentado exclusivamente signos y síntomas físicos como fiebre o diarrea. Las enfermeras en su papel de cuidadoras pueden fundamentar el cuidado en modelos propios que involucran el autocuidado, la familia y el personal de salud.

Introduction: The experience of symptoms by persons that live with the AIDS virus has influence on the adherence to antiretroviral (ARV) treatment, quality of life, and potential transmission of VIH. Objectives: To describe demographic, clinic and personal characteristics and habits of persons with HIV/AIDS that attend ambulatory health care services at Cali, Colombia. To recognise frequency and intensity of symptoms and signs that experiences persons with HIV/AIDS. To establish if there are differences between some demographics and clinical characteristics of HIV/AIDS patients with the symptoms´ experience. Methodology: Descriptive cross-sectional design; it was applied to 137 persons living with the AIDS virus an instrument about demographic and clinical characteristics and a sign & symptoms check list. Results: The age mean was 35 years, 70% were masculine, 88% had some type of health insurance and 64.2% received ARV treatment. The more frequent signs & symptoms reported were thirsty, fear/worries, muscle aches, weakness, fatigue and depression. Persons living with HIV/SIDA have many psychological symptoms that determine the necessity of assess carefully the adjective of ®asymptomatic¼ that caregivers gave to them. Conclusion: Most persons living with HIV/SIDA had mental symptoms. Those emotional signs and symptoms can be explained because of the loss of health. Nurses as caregivers should give care based on their own models that involves family and others health care personal, and self-care for those patients.

Espiritualidad y resiliencia en mujeres maltratadas que denuncian su situación de violencia de pareja / Spirituality and resilience in battered women that denounce intimate partner violence

Introducción: Entender qué tan resilientes y espirituales son las mujeres maltratadas y la relación entre las dos variables ayuda a ampliar la comprensión que se tiene de la respuesta humana a situaciones de violencia de pareja. El modelo de manejo de síntomas guió la investigación. Pregunta de investigación: ¿Cuál es el grado de espiritualidad y resiliencia que muestran las mujeres maltratadas y cómo se relacionan estas variables? Objetivos: Generales. Examinar la relación entre espiritualidad y resiliencia en mujeres maltratadas que denuncian su situación en Comisarías de Familia de la ciudad de Cali, Colombia. Específicos: 1. Identificar el grado de espiritualidad y de resiliencia que poseen las mujeres maltratadas. 2. Establecer si existe o no relación entre la espiritualidad y la resiliencia en mujeres maltratadas. Materiales y métodos: Diseño correlacional con una muestra a propósito de 100 mujeres, que denuncian situaciones de violencia de pareja ante las Comisarías de Familia de Cali, Colombia. Se aplicó la escala de perspectiva espiritual y la de resiliencia. Resultados: La edad de las mujeres osciló entre 18 y 65 años, promedio igual a 36.5+10.4. El promedio de la escala de espiritualidad fue 4.8+0.48. La escala de resiliencia obtuvo un promedio de la suma total de 143.3+19.07. La correlación de Pearson entre espiritualidad y resiliencia fue de r=0.301 p=0.004. Discusión: Los resultados son consistentes con los informes de la literatura en este campo. La correlación entre espiritualidad y resiliencia señala una relación positiva y significativa e indica que resiliencia y espiritualidad son fenómenos diferentes pero relacionados. Se propone que enfermería juegue un papel preponderante en alentar a las mujeres a expresar sus creencias y practicas espirituales.

Introduction: To understand resilience and spirituality of battered women and the relationship between the two variables help to know better about the human response to partner violence against woman. Conceptual model used for this research is based on symptom management model. Research question was: What is the level of spirituality and resilience that battered women have and how those variables are related? Objective: General: To examine the relationship between spirituality and resilience in battered women that expose their situation in ®Comisarías de Familia¼ (Police Commissioner) of Cali city, Colombia. Specific: 1.To identify the level of spirituality and resilience of battered women. 2. To establish if there is a relation between spirituality and resilience in battered women. Methodology: The research design was correlational and cross-sectional; the sample was composed of 100 women that went to ®Comisarías de Familia¼ to expose their partner violence situation in Cali, Colombia. Instruments applied were resilience scale (RS), and the spiritual perspective scale (SPS). Results: Age of women varies between 18 and 65 years old, age mean was 36.5+10.4. The mean of the scales was 4.8+0.48 for spirituality and for resiliency (mean of the total sum) was 143.3+19.07. Pearson correlation between spirituality and resilience was r=0.301 (p=0.004). Discussion: Findings were similar to those reported by literature about those variables. Spirituality and resilience are different but related phenomena. This paper proposes that nurses play an important role encouraging women to express their spiritual believes and practices. Conclusion: Spirituality and resilience were high. It is important to assess resilience and spirituality in women as well as the external resources that help battered women to increase their strengths.