Factors sustaining legitimacy of smoking in Vocational Education and Training (VET) schools: a qualitative needs assessment.

BACKGROUND: Most adult smokers started smoking in their teenage years, which increases the risk of nicotine dependence. In Denmark, there is a high prevalence of youth smoking among students in Vocational Education and Training (VET). However, reducing and preventing smoking in this group is a major challenge. This article presents a needs assessment aimed to explore factors sustaining legitimacy of smoking in VET schools and consider the measures needed to prepare VET schools' implementation of smoking reduction and prevention interventions. METHODS: Participant observations were conducted in four VET classes representing three VET schools in Denmark with a duration of four days each. Individual, semi-structured interviews were conducted with teachers, managers, and a student advisor, as well as four focus groups with a total of 20 students. Interviews were audio-taped, transcribed, and the data material was analyzed following Malterud's systematic text condensation. FINDINGS: Factors that helped sustain legitimacy of smoking in VET schools included a positive and normalized attitude towards smoking at home and among friends, an understanding of smoking as an integral and expected practice in VET professions and schools, a perceived reliance on smoking as an icebreaker in new social relations and as a pedagogical tool, and smoking as a habit and a means to deal with boredom and stress relief. CONCLUSIONS: The factors sustaining legitimacy of smoking in VET schools are reciprocal and call for smoking reduction and prevention intervention efforts which consider and address social influence, habitual behavior, and psychological needs, as well as changes at the policy level.

Context matters in smoking prevention: evaluating smoke-free school hours in Danish vocational schools.

Youth is a crucial period for smoking preventive interventions. School-based interventions targeting the policy level and the sociocultural processes of smoking show promising effects in reducing smoking uptake and prevalence. This study presents findings from the qualitative process evaluation of a smoking preventive intervention, Focus, in the vocational school (VET) setting. Specifically, the study focused on contextual factors affecting the implementation of smoke-free school hours (SFSH). Participant observations and focus groups were conducted in four VETs during the implementation period October-December 2018. The data encompass participant observation field notes (n = 21 school days), student focus groups (n = 8) (aged 16-20), teacher focus groups (n = 5) and semi-structured individual interviews with VET leaders (n = 3). The study found that SFSH was not clearly communicated to students due to the educational structure and chaotic rhythm of the school days, ambivalent attitudes among teachers toward enforcement of smoking rules and lack of clear managerial support. The interplay of these factors counteracted the implementation of SFSH in the VET context. The presented contextual factors are important when interpreting the effectiveness of the Focus intervention and for informing future preventive efforts aiming to reduce smoking among youth in high risk of smoking cigarettes.

Youth represents a crucial period for smoking prevention. School-based interventions show promising effects in this respect. This study presents findings from the qualitative process evaluation of a smoking preventive intervention, Focus, in the vocational school (VET) setting. The aim was to examine the role of context in the implementation process. The data consist of participant observation field notes (n = 21 school days), focus groups (n = 8 with students and n =  5 with teachers) and semi-structured individual interviews with VET leaders (n = 3). The study found that smoke-free school hours was not clearly communicated to students due to several contextual factors, namely an unclear structure and purpose of the school day, ambivalent attitudes among teachers toward smoking rules and lack of managerial support. These factors are important when interpreting the effectiveness of the Focus intervention and for informing future smoking preventive efforts among youth in high risk of smoking cigarettes.

Effectiveness of the multi-component intervention 'Focus' on reducing smoking among students in the vocational education setting: a cluster randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Social inequality in smoking remains an important public health issue. Upper secondary schools offering vocational education and training (VET) comprise more students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds and have higher smoking prevalence than general high schools. This study examined the effects of a school-based multi-component intervention on students' smoking. METHODS: A cluster randomized controlled trial. Eligible participants were schools offering VET basic courses or preparatory basic education in Denmark, and their students. Schools were stratified by subject area and eight schools were randomly allocated to intervention (1,160 invited students; 844 analyzed) and six schools to control (1,093 invited students; 815 analyzed). The intervention program comprised smoke-free school hours, class-based activities, and access to smoking cessation support. The control group was encouraged to continue with normal practice. Primary outcomes were daily cigarette consumption and daily smoking status at student level. Secondary outcomes were determinants expected to impact smoking behavior. Outcomes were assessed in students at five-month follow-up. Analyses were by intention-to-treat and per protocol (i.e., whether the intervention was delivered as intended), adjusted for covariates measured at baseline. Moreover, subgroup analyses defined by school type, gender, age, and smoking status at baseline were performed. Multilevel regression models were used to account for the cluster design. Missing data were imputed using multiple imputations. Participants and the research team were not blinded to allocation. RESULTS: Intention-to-treat analyses showed no intervention effect on daily cigarette consumption and daily smoking. Pre-planned subgroup analyses showed statistically significant reduction in daily smoking among girls compared with their counterparts in the control group (OR = 0.39, 95% CI: 0.16, 0.98). Per-protocol analysis suggested that schools with full intervention had higher benefits compared with the control group (daily smoking: OR = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.19, 1.02), while no marked differences were seen among schools with partial intervention. CONCLUSION: This study was among the first to test whether a complex, multicomponent intervention could reduce smoking in schools with high smoking risk. Results showed no overall effects. There is a great need to develop programs for this target group and it is important that they are fully implemented if an effect is to be achieved. TRIAL REGISTRATION: https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN16455577 , date of registration 14/06/2018.

Identifying and prioritizing educational content from a malpractice claims database for clinical reasoning education in the vocational training of general practitioners.

Diagnostic reasoning is an important topic in General Practitioners' (GPs) vocational training. Interestingly, research has paid little attention to the content of the cases used in clinical reasoning education. Malpractice claims of diagnostic errors represent cases that impact patients and that reflect potential knowledge gaps and contextual factors. With this study, we aimed to identify and prioritize educational content from a malpractice claims database in order to improve clinical reasoning education in GP training. With input from various experts in clinical reasoning and diagnostic error, we defined five priority criteria that reflect educational relevance. Fifty unique medical conditions from a malpractice claims database were scored on those priority criteria by stakeholders in clinical reasoning education in 2021. Subsequently, we calculated the mean total priority score for each condition. Mean total priority score (min 5-max 25) for all fifty diagnoses was 17,11 with a range from 13,89 to 19,61. We identified and described the fifteen highest scoring diseases (with priority scores ranging from 18,17 to 19,61). The prioritized conditions involved complex common (e.g., cardiovascular diseases, renal insufficiency and cancer), complex rare (e.g., endocarditis, ectopic pregnancy, testicular torsion) and more straightforward common conditions (e.g., tendon rupture/injury, eye infection). The claim cases often demonstrated atypical presentations or complex contextual factors. Including those malpractice cases in GP vocational training could enrich the illness scripts of diseases that are at high risk of errors, which may reduce diagnostic error and related patient harm.

Manual de orientaciones metodológicas para el desarrollo de actividades vocacionales en las ciencias médicas / Manual of methodological guidelines for the development of vocational activities in the medical sciences

Fundamento: una vía para fortalecer el trabajo extensionista es la labor de formación vocacional y orientación profesional; actividad esta factible de ser perfeccionada a través del trabajo metodológico. Objetivo: elaborar un manual de orientaciones metodológicas para el desarrollo de actividades vocacionales vinculadas a proyectos comunitarios de salud. Métodos: se realizó una investigación panorámica cualitativa en la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Villa Clara, durante septiembre 2018- septiembre 2022. Se utilizaron métodos teóricos: analítico- sintético, inductivo- deductivo; y empíricos: análisis documental y la entrevista a informantes clave. El producto fue valorado por criterio de especialistas. Resultados: se diagnosticaron necesidades de orientación sobre la ejecución de proyectos de investigación comunitaria desde la labor vocacional y profesional, por falta de experiencia en esta actividad y no existir un material de apoyo de consulta para desarrollar actividades vocacionales con fines investigativos en la solución de problemas de salud en la comunidad, para lo cual se elaboró el manual de orientaciones metodológicas. Conclusiones: se elaboró un manual de orientaciones metodológicas para el desarrollo de actividades vocacionales vinculadas a proyectos comunitarios de salud que constituye un material de apoyo para desarrollar actividades vocacionales en centros escolares que contribuyan a la solución de problemas de salud en la comunidad desde la investigación científica participativa.

Background: one way to strengthen extension work is the work of vocational training and professional guidance; activity is feasible to be perfected through methodological work. Objective: to prepare a manual of methodological guidelines for the development of vocational activities linked to community health projects. Methods: a qualitative panoramic investigation was carried out at the Villa Clara University of Medical Sciences, from September 2018-September 2022. Theoretical methods were used: analytical-synthetic, inductive-deductive; and empirical: documentary analysis and interviews with key informants. The product was evaluated by specialist criteria. Results: Guidance needs were diagnosed on the execution of community research projects from vocational and professional work, due to lack of experience in this activity and there being no support material for consultation to develop vocational activities for investigative purposes in solving problems of health in the community, for which the methodological guidelines manual was prepared. Conclusions: the manual constitutes support material to develop vocational activities in schools so that they contribute to the solution of community health problems through participatory scientific research.

Bioseguridad y autocuidado: prioridad en la formación universitaria en momentos de pandemia / Biosafety and self-care: a priority in university training during pandemic times

Introducción: La bioseguridad y el autocuidado son dos prácticas importantes en el proceso de formación. Estas deben reforzarse permanentemente, ya que se relacionan de manera directa no solo con el riesgo de infecciones, sino con la calidad de la atención. Objetivo: Identificar la evidencia científica sobre los procesos de formación en bioseguridad y autocuidado en el marco de la pandemia. Métodos: Se hizo una revisión de la literatura científica publicada entre 2016 y 2020 sobre medidas de bioseguridad y autocuidado. La búsqueda se realizó en español, inglés y portugués, en la Biblioteca Virtual en Salud, Pubmed, Science Direct y el motor de búsqueda de Google Académico. Se aplicó la metodología PRISMA y se evaluaron en total 25 artículos científicos. Resultados: El año 2020 tuvo mayor frecuencia. La generalidad de los estudios se realizó en el contexto universitario en programas de salud. La higiene de las manos y el uso de guantes fueron las medidas de bioseguridad más informadas; mientras que las medidas de precaución se conocen e implementan. Las publicaciones denotan moderado conocimiento en cuanto a prevención de factores de riesgos biológicos, especialmente en prácticas clínicas. Conclusiones: En los procesos de formación debe tenerse en cuenta la relevancia de reforzar las medidas de bioseguridad y autocuidado para favorecer el ejercicio profesional. Es importante diseñar y repensar estos procesos, tanto en docentes como estudiantes, a través de nuevos métodos y cambios curriculares. La salud mental puede verse afectada no solo por la situación, sino por desconocimiento, miedo a infectarse y sobrecarga laboral(AU)

Introduction: Biosafety and self-care are two important practices in the training process. These should be permanently reinforced, since they are directly related not only to the risk of infections, but also to the quality of care. Objective: To identify the scientific evidence on the biosafety and self-care training processes in the context of the pandemic. Methods: A review of the scientific literature published between 2016 and 2020 on biosafety and self-care measures was carried out. The search was performed in Spanish, English and Portuguese, in the Virtual Health Library, PubMed, Science Direct, and the Google Scholar search engine. The PRISMA methodology was applied and a total of 25 scientific articles were assessed. Results: The year 2020 had the highest frequency. Most of the studies were carried out in the university context in health programs. Hand hygiene and glove-wearing were the most reported biosafety measures, while warning measures are known and implemented. The publications are indicative of moderate knowledge regarding prevention of biological risk factors, especially in clinical practices. Conclusions: The relevance of reinforcing biosafety and self-care measures to favor professional practice should be taken into account in training processes. It is important to design and rethink these processes, both in professors and students, through new methods and curricular changes. Mental health may be affected not only by the situation, but also by ignorance, fear of infection and work overload(AU)

Assessment of smoking in adolescents - a sample from vocational education centre.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyse the knowledge and attitudes about smoking in young people between 16-20 years of age, who were both working and attending the Vocational Education Centre. METHODS: This study was conducted with high school students at the Vocational Education Centre. The socio-demographic questionnaire and the Fagerström Test of Nicotine Dependence (FTND) were applied to the students using a face-to-face interview technique. Secondly, interactive educations on smoking-free life and smoking-related diseases were given. At last, CO (carbon monoxide) levels and respiratory functions were evaluated. RESULTS: Of the students 92.9% were males, 37.4% were 16 years, 35.8% were 17 years and 26.9% were 18-20 years old. Among 46.9% of smokers, 75.8% started smoking before 15 years of age, 86.1% were living with smokers. While 70.5% of smokers smoked more than 10 cigarettes daily, 61.3% smoked their first cigarette in the first half hour after waking up. Of the smokers, 28.8% were highly dependent, 13.0% were very highly dependent. CO levels were significantly higher in those who smoked in the workplace, who smoked mostly in the morning time, and those who started smoking at 7 years of age and younger (p < 0.05). FEV1, FVC, FEF25-75 values of morning smokers were significantly lower (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Unfortunately, the first smoking age was very low, the first cigarette of the day was lit in a short time after waking up, and family/friend's attitudes and behaviours were encouraging in this age group. More attention should be paid to this issue and especially new preventive projects should be implemented to protect young people from smoking.

General Versus Vocational Education in High School: Cross-Sectional Associations with Student's Health.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to analyze the association between course type and health among high school students. METHODS: A cross-sectional study with 675 Brazilian high school students. The independent variable was course type (general or vocational) and dependent variables were health characteristics. All information was obtained by a self-report questionnaire and the following health characteristics were analyzed: mental health, physical activity, sedentary behavior, food consumption, daytime sleepiness, tobacco use, alcohol consumption, aggression, and musculoskeletal symptoms. The prevalence ratio (PR) was estimated by Poisson regression. RESULTS: Vocational students presented a higher prevalence in 7 of the 20 mental health symptoms analyzed (PR = 1.21-1.64), daytime sleepiness (PR = 1.39-1.71), and musculoskeletal symptoms in neck, shoulders, low back, and knees (PR = 1.31-1.41), and a lower likelihood of being physically active (PR = 0.59-0.70). Conversely, vocational students showed lower sedentary behavior on TV and videogames during the week (PR = 0.35-0.46), consumption of snacks, cookies, and crackers (PR = 0.56-0.72), and experiences of aggression (PR = 0.13-0.17), all P < .05. CONCLUSIONS: High school can affect students' health distinctly, indicating that intervention programs and health monitoring should be specific to course type.

On-the-job vocational training of nonprofessional ethnic health workers of a primary health care team improves their sense of coherence.

OBJECTIVES: A Primary Care Model Programme had been implemented in Hungary between 2013 and 2017 in which group practices were established that employed-among others-nonprofessional health workers (health mediators, similar to community health workers) to facilitate access for the most disadvantaged population groups. The health of mediators, themselves mostly disadvantaged ethnic Roma, was monitored every odd year of the Programme. METHODS: A repeated cross-sectional health interview survey had been implemented inviting all health mediators who were employed at the time of the survey. The same questionnaire was used in all 3 surveys with items from the European Health Interview Survey 2009 and validated versions of other scales. RESULTS: Positive changes occurred in the health status of mediators during 5 years of follow-up. Significant improvement in mental health occurred among those who completed on-the-job vocational training. By 2017, significant increase in sense of coherence was observed among those who obtained vocational qualification as opposed to those who did not. The proportion of highly stressed mediators showed a significant increase among those with no vocational training. Improvement was detected in all mediators in health awareness, dysfunctional attitudes, psychological stress and smoking prevalence. CONCLUSIONS: Significant improvement in mental status among those who obtained on-the-job vocational qualification were observed during follow-up of ethnic Roma health mediators in the programme in which they were equal members of the primary health care team. Employment of health mediators in primary care teams not only contributed to improving access to care for disadvantaged groups, but also improved the mental health of mediators themselves.

Barriers and Facilitators to the Uptake of Online and Telephone Services Targeting Health Risk Behaviours among Vocational Education Students: A Qualitative Study.

Uptake of online and telephone services targeting health behaviours is low among vocational education students and barriers and facilitators are unknown. This study aimed to explore barriers and facilitators to uptake of online and telephone services for smoking, nutrition, alcohol, and physical activity (SNAP) risk behaviours via semi-structured individual telephone interviews with fifteen vocational education students. Two authors independently completed thematic analysis, classified themes according to the COM-B (Capability, Opportunity, Motivation, Behaviour) framework, and discussed disagreements until consensus was reached. Facilitators to uptake of online (e.g., desire to learn something new, cost-free, accessible) and telephone services (e.g., prefer to talk to provider, complements online support) primarily related to capability and opportunity. For telephone services, difficulty understanding accent/language was a capability-related barrier. Opportunity-related barriers for online and telephone services were preference for face-to-face interaction and lack of time, while preference for apps/online programs was a barrier for telephone services. For online and telephone services, not wanting to change SNAP behaviours was a motivation-related barrier and being able to change SNAP risk behaviours themselves was a motivation-related barrier for online services. Barriers and facilitators to online and telephone services are relevant for designing interventions vocational education students are more likely to use.

Clustering of multiple health-risk factors among vocational education students: a latent class analysis.

Physical and mental health risks often commence during young adulthood. Vocational education institutions are an ideal setting for understanding how health-risks cluster together in students to develop holistic multiple health-risk interventions. This is the first study to examine clustering of tobacco smoking, fruit intake, vegetable intake, alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, overweight/obesity, depression, and anxiety in vocational education students and the socio-demographic characteristics associated with cluster membership. A cross-sectional survey with vocational education students (n = 1134, mean age = 24.3 years) in New South Wales, Australia. Latent class analysis identified clusters and latent class regression examined characteristics associated with clusters. Four clusters were identified. All clusters had moderate inadequate fruit intake and moderate overweight/obesity. Cluster 1 (13% of sample) had "high anxiety, high inadequate vegetable intake, low tobacco, and low alcohol use." Cluster 2 (16% of sample) had "high tobacco smoking, high alcohol use, high anxiety, high depression, and high inadequate vegetable intake." Cluster 3 (52% of sample) had "high risky alcohol use, high inadequate vegetable intake, low depression, low anxiety, low tobacco smoking, and low physical inactivity." Cluster 4 (19% of sample) was a "lower risk cluster with high inadequate vegetable intake." Compared to cluster 4, 16-25-year-olds and those experiencing financial stress were more likely to belong to clusters 1, 2, and 3. Interventions for vocational education students should address fruit and vegetable intake and overweight/obesity and recognize that tobacco use and risky alcohol use sometimes occurs in the context of mental health issues.

Egresados de la licenciatura en enfermería: estudio de trayectorias escolares y laborales / Graduates of the nursing degree: a study of school and work trajectories

Introducción: el trabajo educativo de las universidades debe ser evaluado y un criterio aceptado es el seguimiento de egresados; por ello, es importante realizar investigaciones vinculadas con las trayectorias escolares y laborales. Objetivo: describir las trayectorias escolares y laborales de los egresados de la Licenciatura en Enfermería de la Facultad de Estudios Superiores Zaragoza. Metodología: estudio descriptivo, transversal, con una muestra no probabilística de 203 egresados de la Licenciatura en Enfermería de la Facultad de Estudios Superiores Zaragoza. Las variables de estudio fueron las trayectorias escolar y laboral. Se aplicó un cuestionario de 42 ítems, valorado con preguntas abiertas y escala Likert. Se consideraron las gene- raciones de egresados que concluyeron sus estudios en 2015 y 2016. Los datos se analizaron con estadística descriptiva. Resultados: el 93% eligió la carrera como primera opción, lograron una calificación final promedio de 87, el 73% refirió ser titulado, el 69% trabaja, el 51% es por interinato y el 52% desempeña un puesto de auxiliar de enfermería. Conclusiones: en general los resultados son satisfactorios, pero aún hay un número importante de egresados con trayectorias escolares (27%) y laborales (31%) rezagadas que se deben atender.

Introduction: The universities educational work must be evaluated, and an accepted criterion is the followup of graduates, therefore it is important to carry out research related to school and work trajectories. Objective: To describe the graduate's school and work trajectories of the Facultad de Estudios Superiores Zaragoza Bachelor's degree in Nursing. Methods: Descriptive, crosssectional study, with a non-pro- babilistic sample of 203 graduates of the Facultad de Estudios Superiores Zaragoza Nursing Degree. The study varia- bles were the school and work trajectories, resolved with descriptive statistics. A questionnaire consisting of 42 items was applied, assessed with open questions and a Likert scale. The generations of graduates who completed studies in 2015 and 2016 were considered. Results: 93% chose the career as the first option, they achie- ved an average final grade of 87, 73% refer to being titled. 69% work, 51% are temporary, 52% have a nursing assistant position. Conclusions: In general, the results are satisfactory, however, there is still a significant number of graduates with lagged school (27%) and work (31%) careers that must be attended to.

Propuesta de modificaciones al tratamiento del contenido Puericultura en el Plan "D" de Medicina / Proposal of modifications to the treatment of Childcare content in Plan "D" of Medicine

RESUMEN Introducción: la universidad de Ciencias Médicas debe formar con calidad y pertinencia social al futuro profesional pero, aún existen insuficiencias en la realización de la consulta de Puericultura por los estudiantes de sexto año de la carrera de Medicina. Objetivo: valorar el tratamiento del contenido Puericultura en el Plan de Estudios "D" de la carrera de Medicina. Materiales y métodos: se realizó un estudio de investigación de corte pedagógico, rectorado por el método materialista dialéctico, con el empleo de métodos empíricos y teóricos (análisis documental, inducción-deducción e histórico-lógico). Se hizo un análisis crítico a los programas de las asignaturas de Medicina General Integral del Plan de Estudios "D" de Medicina, las orientaciones metodológicas así como al programa de Pediatría, y una revisión bibliográfica en las bases de datos Scielo y Pubmed. Resultados: el contenido Puericultura se aborda solamente en la asignatura Pediatría como estudio independiente, no se evalúa en examen práctico final ni se concibe para un trabajo de control parcial; la tarjeta de habilidades solo plantea habilidades de la atención secundaria. En las asignaturas de MGI se abordan de forma indirecta temáticas relacionadas con la Puericultura en el primer y segundo años. En quinto año no se desarrolla este tema. Se propusieron modificaciones para el tratamiento de dicho contenido. Conclusiones: el abordaje planificado no garantiza la adquisición de habilidades suficientes. Concebir modificaciones en cuanto al tratamiento de esta temática podría contribuir a enriquecer el desarrollo de habilidades teórico-prácticas en los estudiantes para su desempeño como Médicos Generales Integrales (AU).

SUMMARY Introduction: the university of medical sciences must form with quality and social pertinence to the professional future but, still exist insufficiencies in the realization of the consultation of puericulture for the students of year sixth of the medicine career. Objective: valuing the treatment of the puericulture content in the curriculum "D" of the medicine career. Material and method: carried out a study of investigation of pedagogic cut, become a rector for the materialistic method dialectician, with the employment of empiric and theoretical methods ( documentary analysis, induction-deduction and historical-logical ). It made a critical analysis to the programs of the courses of general medicine integral of the curriculum "D" of medicine, the methodological orientations as well as the program of pediatrics, and a bibliographical revision in the Scielo and Pubmed databases. Results: the puericulture content is approached only in the pediatrics course as independent study, not evaluates in practical examination end nor it conceives for a work of partial control; the card of single skills outlines skills of the secondary attention. In the courses of MGI they are approached in an indirect way thematic related with the puericulture in the first and second years. In year not develops this topic. Proposed modifications for the treatment of this content. Conclusions: the planned boarding does not guarantee the acquisition of sufficient skills. Conceiving modifications as for the treatment of this themes it could contribute to enrich the development of theoretical-practical skills in the students for your acting as medical integral general datas (AU).

Evaluación de los conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas de los estudiantes de escuelas vocacionales de servicios de salud respecto a COVID-19 / Evaluation of knowledge, attitudes and practices of health services vocational schools’ students with regard to COVID-19

Resumen Introducción: La intervención más crítica para controlar la infección por SARS-CoV-2 requiere el conocimiento y la actitud correctos hacia el virus. Objetivo: Determinar el conocimiento, las actitudes y las prácticas de los estudiantes de una escuela vocacional de servicios de salud respecto a COVID-19. Métodos: Estudio transversal realizado entre mayo y junio de 2020 en una universidad de la región de Turquía. Los datos se recopilaron mediante un portal de encuestas en línea. Resultados: Se completaron y devolvieron 454 cuestionarios. Los estudiantes de técnicas de laboratorio médico y primeros auxilios y emergencias tuvieron puntuaciones de conocimiento significativamente más altas (p < 0.001). Más de 43 % de los estudiantes (n = 201) usaron televisores como su principal fuente de información sobre COVID-19. Se manifestó una actitud positiva hacia las aplicaciones, así como evitar lugares concurridos y mantener la higiene de las manos y la distancia social. Conclusiones: Los estudiantes de la escuela vocacional de servicios de salud tienen buen conocimiento y actitud positiva hacia COVID-19. Las principales fuentes de información fueron la televisión y las redes sociales, por lo que se debe prestar más atención a estos temas en el plan de estudios para utilizar fuentes de información basadas en la ciencia.

Abstract Introduction: The most critical intervention to control SARS-CoV-2 infection requires appropriate knowledge and attitude towards the virus. Objective: To determine the level of knowledge, attitudes and practices of students of a health services’ vocational school with regard to COVID-19. Methods: Cross-sectional study carried out between May and June 2020 in a university of the Turkish region. Data were collected through an online survey portal. Results: Four hundred and fifty-four questionnaires were completed and returned. Students of medical laboratory techniques and first aid and emergency medicine had significantly higher knowledge scores (p < 0.001). More than 43 % of the students (n = 201) used the TV as their main source of information on COVID-19. There was a positive attitude towards preventive measures such as avoiding crowded places and maintaining hand hygiene and social distance. Conclusions: Health services vocational school students have good knowledge and positive attitude towards COVID-19. The main sources of information were the TV and social media. For this reason, more attention should be given to these issues in the curriculum in order for science-based information sources to be used.

Uptake of Proactively Offered Online and Telephone Support Services Targeting Multiple Health Risk Behaviors Among Vocational Education Students: Process Evaluation of a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: A high proportion of vocational education students smoke tobacco, have inadequate nutrition (ie, low fruit and vegetable intake), drink alcohol at risky levels, or are physically inactive. The extent to which vocational education students will sign up for proactively offered online and telephone support services for multiple health risk behaviors is unknown. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to examine the uptake of proactively offered online and telephone support services for smoking, nutrition, alcohol consumption, and physical activity risk behaviors, individually and in combination, among vocational education students in the Technical and Further Education (TAFE) setting. The characteristics associated with the uptake of online or telephone services for smoking, nutrition, alcohol consumption, and physical activity risk behaviors were also examined. METHODS: Vocational education students enrolled in a TAFE class in New South Wales, Australia, which ran for 6 months or more, were recruited to participate in a cluster randomized controlled trial from May 2018 to May 2019. In the intervention arm, participants who did not meet the Australian health guidelines for each of the smoking, nutrition, alcohol consumption, and physical activity risk behaviors were provided electronic feedback and proactively offered online and telephone support services. Uptake of support was measured by whether participants signed up for the online and telephone services they were offered. RESULTS: Vocational education students (N=551; mean age 25.7 years, SD 11.1; 310/551, 56.3% male) were recruited into the intervention arm. Uptake of the proactive offer of either online or telephone services was 14.5% (59/406) for fruit and vegetables, 12.7% (29/228) for physical activity, 6.8% (13/191) for smoking, and 5.5% (18/327) for alcohol use. Uptake of any online or telephone service for at least two health behaviors was 5.8% (22/377). Participants who were employed (odds ratio [OR] 0.10, 95% CI 0.01-0.72) and reported not being anxious (OR 0.11, 95% CI 0.02-0.71) had smaller odds of signing up for online or telephone services for smoking, whereas participants who reported not being depressed had greater odds (OR 10.25, 95% CI 1.30-80.67). Participants who intended to change their physical activity in the next 30 days had greater odds (OR 4.01, 95% CI 1.33-12.07) of signing up for online or telephone services for physical activity. Employed participants had smaller odds (OR 0.18, 95% CI 0.06-0.56) of signing up for support services for at least two behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: Although the uptake of proactively offered online and telephone support services is low, these rates appear to be higher than the self-initiated use of some of these services in the general population. Scaling up the proactive offer of online and telephone services may produce beneficial health outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12618000723280; https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=375001.

Multiple Health Risk Factors in Vocational Education Students: A Systematic Review.

Health risk factors such as tobacco smoking, inadequate fruit intake, inadequate vegetable intake, risky alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, obesity, anxiety and depression often commence during adolescence and young adulthood. Vocational education institutions enrol many students in these age groups making them an important setting for addressing multiple health risk factors. This systematic review examined (i) co-occurrence of health risk factors, (ii) clustering of health risk factors, and (iii) socio-demographic characteristics associated with co-occurrence and/or clusters of health risks among vocational education students. MEDLINE, PsycINFO, EMBASE, CINAHL and Scopus were searched to identify eligible studies published by 30 June 2020. Two reviewers independently extracted data and assessed methodological quality using the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute Quality Assessment Tool. Five studies assessed co-occurrence and three studies clustering of health risks. Co-occurrence of health risk factors ranged from 29-98% and clustering of alcohol use and tobacco smoking was commonly reported. The findings were mixed about whether gender and age were associated with co-occurrence or clustering of health risks. There is limited evidence examining co-occurrence and clustering of health risk factors in vocational education students. Comprehensive assessment of how all these health risks co-occur or cluster in vocational education students is required.

Evaluation of an Educational and Vocational Service for Adolescent and Young Adults with Cancer: A Retrospective Review.

Purpose: A cancer diagnosis and its treatment has the potential to interfere with the ability of adolescent and young adults (AYAs) to remain engaged in education or employment, placing social connectivity, career progression, and financial security at risk. This study aimed at assessing the educational and vocational outcomes of AYAs supported by an Education and Vocational Support Program (EVSP). Methods: Consecutive case files were reviewed of AYAs accessing the EVSP at ONTrac at Peter Mac (January 2014-December 2016). Data collected included: demographic information; diagnosis and treatment; referral time point; education/employment status at referral and end of treatment; and interventions provided. Results: Two hundred nineteen AYAs had >1 appointment with an EVSP advisor. The mean age was 19.6 (13-26). The most common intervention delivered was direct consultations. Overall, 79% of AYAs were engaged in educational and/or vocational pursuits at last known status. Engagement with EVSP during treatment for employment and tertiary educational support had a high rate of attendance at last known status (during treatment: 93% and 92.5%; post-treatment: 71% and 69%, respectively). At referral to EVSP, 27 AYAs were not in education, employment, or training; however, >50% re-integrated in employment or study after EVSP support. Conclusion: This is the first study to describe the role of an EVSP for Australian AYAs. With the support of an EVSP, the vast majority of AYAs remained engaged in education and/or employment throughout their cancer trajectory. Further research will be required to evaluate the quality of interventions and incorporate the voice of AYAs to further inform service delivery.

A rare disease and education: Neurofibromatosis type 1 decreases educational attainment.

Rare heritable syndromes may affect educational attainment. Here, we study education in neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) that is associated with multifaceted medical, social and cognitive consequences. Educational attainment in the Finnish population-based cohort of 1408 individuals with verified NF1 was compared with matched controls using Cox proportional hazards model with delayed entry and competing risk for death. Moreover, models accounting for the effects of cancer at age 15-30 years, parental NF1 and developmental disorders were constructed. Overall, the attainment of secondary education was reduced in individuals with NF1 compared to controls (hazard ratio 0.83, 95%CI 0.74-0.92). History of cancer and developmental disorders were major predictors of lack of secondary education. Individuals with NF1 obtained vocational secondary education more often than general upper secondary education. Consequently, NF1 decreased the attainment of Bachelor's and Master's degrees by 46%-49% and 64%-74%, respectively. Surprisingly, the non-NF1 siblings of individuals with NF1 also had lower educational attainment than controls, irrespective of parental NF1. In conclusion, NF1 is associated with reduced educational attainment and tendency for affected individuals to obtain vocational instead of academic education. Individuals living with NF1, especially those with cancer, developmental disorders or familial NF1, need effective student counseling and learning assistance.