Motivation to learn: an international multilevel study on student autonomy and teacher emphasis on content usefulness / Motivación para aprender: un estudio internacional multinivel sobre la autonomía de los estudiantes y el énfasis de los docentes en la utilidad del contenido

En la educación superior, pocos estudios relacionan factores contextuales en la clase, como el énfasis del profesor en la utilidad del contenido y las características motivacionales de los estudiantes. El objetivo fue probar un modelo multinivel sobre la relación entre el énfasis del docente en la utilidad del contenido durante la clase, la autonomía de los estudiantes y, a su vez, la motivación para aprender. Participaron 3033 estudiantes universitarios matriculados de 1º a 4º grado de Ciencias de la Actividad Física y del Deporte, de universidades de España (N = 602), Portugal (N = 469), México (N = 1177), Chile (N = 372), y Brasil (N = 413). Se realizó un modelo de ecuaciones estructurales multinivel, en el que los participantes respondieron preguntas sobre el énfasis del profesor en la utilidad del contenido de la clase, la autonomía y la motivación para aprender. Se hipotetizó que el énfasis del profesor en la utilidad del contenido predecía la autonomía del estudiante que, por su vez, predecía la motivación para aprender. Los resultados, a nivel grupal e individual, indican que el énfasis del docente en la utilidad del contenido predijo la autonomía del estudiante, y la autonomía predijo la motivación para aprender.(AU)

Teacher autonomy support is related to improved student learn-ing. In higher education, few studies relate classroom contextual factors, such as teacher emphasis on content usefulness, and students' motivational characteristics. The aim was to test a multilevel model about the relation between the extent of teachers’ emphasis on the usefulness of class con-tent with student autonomy, and, in turn, on motivation to learn. The par-ticipants were 3033 university students enrolled from 1st to 4th grade of Sciences of the Physical Activity and Sport, from universities in Spain (N = 602), Portugal (N = 469), Mexico (N = 1177), Chile (N = 372), and Brazil (N = 413). A multilevel structural equation model was performed, in which participants answered questions about the teacher's emphasis on the use-fulness of class content, basic psychological need for autonomy, and moti-vation to learn. At the group and individual levels, the hypothesis is that the teacher's emphasis on the usefulness of class content predict the stu-dent autonomy, in turn, student autonomy predicts student motivation to learn. Results found at the group level and at the individual level the strength of teacher emphasis on class content predicted student autonomy; student autonomy predicted student motivation to learn.(AU)

Navigating University Openness in Research Policy Inconsistent with Indigenous Data Sovereignty: A Case Analysis.

Indigenous nations and communities in the United States have rights as sovereign governments to exercise control and ownership over all data and information generated by or from the tribes, tribal members, or tribal resources. Indigenous nations exercise these rights through data ownership policies established in response to unethical research practices in research involving Indigenous communities. Most universities in the U.S. have "openness in research" policies to ensure academic freedom to publish freely, exercised by retaining university control of data. Here, we describe our study of cultural ecosystem services in the St. Louis River estuary region (Nagaajiwanaang in the language Ojibwemowin) in Duluth, Minnesota, and Superior, Wisconsin, U.S., an area that includes portions of the 1854 and 1842 Ceded Territories and reservation lands of a local band of Ojibwe (hereafter referred to as "the Band"). In this university-led, Band-supported study, both the university and the Band sought ownership of data collected based on their respective policies, resulting in a research delay of nearly a year. We found that open research policies that do not consider Indigenous sovereignty can hamper collaboration between university researchers and tribal nations, even when there is broad agreement on research goals and objectives. University open research policies that do not explicitly address Indigenous sovereignty fall short of the open research principles they intend to support and should be revised. Formal adoption of principles for ethical research with sovereign tribal governments by universities is needed to improve coordination and trust among university and tribal researchers and members.

Clinical presentation and management outcome of pediatric intussusception at Wolaita Sodo University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital: a retrospective cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the pattern of clinical presentations and factors associated with the management outcome of pediatric intussusception among children treated at Wolaita Sodo University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Ethiopia. METHODS: This retrospective cross-sectional study included the medical records of 103 children treated for intussusception from 2018 to 2020. The data collected were analyzed using SPSS 25.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). RESULTS: In total, 84 (81.6%) patients were released with a favorable outcome. Ileocolic intussusception was a positive predictor, with a nine-fold higher likelihood of a favorable outcome than other types of intussusception [adjusted odds ratio (AOR), 9.16; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.39-21.2]. Additionally, a favorable outcome was three times more likely in patients who did than did not undergo manual reduction (AOR, 3.08; 95% CI, 3.05-5.48). Patients aged <1 year were 96% less likely to have a positive outcome than those aged >4 years (AOR, 0.04; 95% CI, 0.03-0.57). CONCLUSION: Most patients were discharged with favorable outcomes. Having ileocolic intussusception and undergoing manual reduction were associated with significantly more favorable outcomes of pediatric intussusception. Therefore, nonsurgical management such as hydrostatic enema and pneumatic reduction is recommended to reduce hospital discharge of patients with unfavorable outcomes.

Mediating effect of psychological distress and mindful eating behaviors between orthorexia nervosa and academic self-efficacy among Lebanese university female students.

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the mediating effect of psychological distress and mindful eating behaviors between orthorexia nervosa and academic self-efficacy among Lebanese university female students. METHODS: A total of 769 female participants enrolled in this cross-sectional study (mean age 21.58 ± 3.20 years). A self-administered questionnaire was distributed among university female students. The questionnaire consisted of Mindful Eating Behaviors Scale, ORTO-R, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, and Arabic version of Academic Self-Efficacy Scale. RESULTS: The results showed that psychological distress fully mediated the association between orthorexia nervosa and academic self-efficacy; higher orthorexia nervosa was significantly associated with less psychological distress (ß= -0.31, p =.05), with more psychological distress significantly associated with lower academic self-efficacy (ß= -0.32, p =.09). Focused eating fully mediated the association between orthorexia nervosa and academic self-efficacy; higher orthorexia nervosa was significantly associated with less focused eating (ß=-0.09, p =.04), with more focused eating significantly associated with better academic self-efficacy (ß = 1.40, p =.10). Orthorexia nervosa was not directly associated with academic self-efficacy in both models. CONCLUSION: This study shed light on important connections between orthorexia nervosa, psychological distress, mindful eating behaviors, and academic self-efficacy within the Lebanese context. The findings will have practical implications for both educational institutions and healthcare providers striving to support young female adults' overall well-being and academic success.

Attitudes, beliefs, and recommendations for persistent low back pain patients: cross-sectional surveys of students and faculty at a chiropractic college.

BACKGROUND: While the use of chiropractic care for persistent low back pain (PLBP) is prevalent, chiropractors' attitudes and beliefs related to PLBP patients are not fully understood. The purpose of this study was to assess the attitudes, beliefs and activity/work recommendations of students and faculty at a chiropractic college regarding PLBP patients. METHODS: The Health Care Providers Pain and Impairment Relationship Scale (HC-PAIRS) and clinical vignettes were requested to be completed by chiropractic students and faculty at Parker University in April 2018. Higher HC-PAIRS scores indicate stronger beliefs that PLBP justifies disability and limitation of activities. Activity and work recommendations from clinical vignettes were rated as "adequate", "neutral", or "inadequate", as defined in previous literature. Descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, and logistic regression were used to analyze results. RESULTS: Student and faculty response rates were 63.6% and 25.9%, respectively. Faculty mean HC-PAIRS scores (3.66 [SD:0.88]) were significantly lower than students' (4.41 [SD:0.71]). The percentage of faculty providing "adequate" activity (62.1%) and work (41.0%) recommendations was significantly greater than the percentage of students (activity: 33.9%, work: 21.2%) (p < 0.05). Higher HC-PAIRS scores in students were associated with decreased odds of providing "adequate" activity and work recommendations. CONCLUSIONS: Student and faculty attitudes and beliefs, and students' activity/work recommendations were found to be dissimilar to those from similar studies and less congruent with CPG recommendations. Lower HC-PAIRS scores increased the odds of students providing "adequate" activity and work recommendations to patients with PLBP. Results from this study may help guide future research and training opportunities.

Nutritional status and treatment outcomes of tuberculosis in Mizan Tepi University Teaching Hospital, a five -year retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Public health problems related to tuberculosis (TB) remain substantial globally, particularly in resource-limited countries. Determining TB treatment outcomes and identifying contributing factors are the basic components of the TB control strategy. In Ethiopia, different studies have been done on treatment outcomes and multiple associated factors, and there is also a little information on the effect of nutritional status on TB treatment outcomes. So there is a need for comprehensive research that examines the combined effects of multiple factors along with nutritional status. METHODS: A five-year institution-based retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at Mizan Tepi University Teaching Hospital, South West Ethiopia. This study included all tuberculosis patients who were documented in the TB registration and had known treatment outcomes at the treatment facility between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2020. Data was collected through a pretested structured data extraction checklist. Data were entered into Epidata version 3.1 and analyzed through SPSS version 22. Multiple logistic regression was employed to assess the association between dependent and independent variables. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULT: Of the total 625 TB patients, 283 (45.3%), 175 (28%), and 167 (26.7%) had smear-positive, extra-pulmonary, and smear-negative tuberculosis, respectively. The majority of study participants had normal weight (62.2%), were in the age group of 15-44 (67.4%), were new cases (73.8%), and were from urban areas (69.4%). About 32.2% of cases were HIV-positive. The overall unsuccessful treatment rate was 25%. From the total unsuccessful treatment rates, the highest proportion was a death rate of 90 (14.4%), followed by a treatment failure of 56 (9%). Being female (AOR = 1.7, 95% CI: 1.2-2.5), HIV positive (AOR = 2.7, 95% CI: 1.9-4.1), undernutrition (BMI<18.5kg/m2) (AOR = 1.9, 95% CI: 1.3-2.9), and smear-negative pulmonary TB (AOR = 1.6, 95% CI: 1-2.5) were independent predictors of unsuccessful treatment outcomes. CONCLUSION: The treatment success rate in the study area is very poor. Poor treatment outcomes were associated with undernutrition, female gender, HIV positivity and smear-negative pulmonary TB. So, continuous and serious supervision and monitoring of directly observed treatment short course (DOTS) program accomplishment, early detection of HIV and TB, prompt anti TB and antiretroviral treatment initiation and adherence, enhanced nutritional assessment, and counseling services need to be strengthened to improve treatment outcomes.

Main sources and predictive factors of folate intake in female university students.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to identify the main folate sources and examine socio-demographic and lifestyle determinants influencing folate intake among 1410 women aged 18 to 39. METHODS: Data were collected using a self-administered health and lifestyle questionnaire and a 5-d dietary record method. To assess folate intake in relation to the dietary reference intakes, the probability approach was used. Folate intake determinants were identified using multivariate-adjusted logistic regression models; odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). RESULTS: The average total folate intake among women was 311 ± 144 µg/day dietary folate equivalents. Vegetables (30.7%) and cereals (22.6%) were the most important folate sources. Foods fortified with folic acid were consumed by 20.6% of women, dietary supplements by 7.2%. More than half of the participants (55%) had a high probability of inadequate folate intake. The predictors of being in the highest tertile of folate intake (>303 versus <225 µg) were: physical activity (high versus low; OR: 2.97, 95% CI: 1.77-4.97), nutritional knowledge (high versus low; OR: 5.32, 95% CI: 2.82-10.1), following a vegetarian diet (yes versus no; OR: 6.13; 95% CI: 2.79-13.5), daily number of meals (≥5 versus ≤3; OR: 4.17, 95% CI: 2.38-7.32), excluding/including some foods (yes versus no; OR: 2.47; 95% CI: 1.41-4.31) and energy intake (3rd versus 1st tertile; OR:17.4, 95% CI: 11.1-27.4). CONCLUSION: Identifying factors associated with a higher intake of folate may be helpful in shaping public health nutrition policy. It allows the design of effective nutrition education programs to promote increased intake of folate in subgroups at risk of deficiency.

Relationship between rumination, self-compassion, and psychological health among Japanese university students: A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: Rumination is suggested to exacerbate psychological health, but there is room for investigating the potential protecting factors for individuals with high ruminative tendencies against psychological symptoms. The present cross-sectional study aimed to uncover the associations between rumination as a maladaptive dimension of self-focus, self-compassion, and psychological health, and whether and how components of self-compassion may moderate the associations between rumination and psychological health in Japanese undergraduate students. METHODS: A questionnaire survey was conducted by using both an online platform and a paper-based questionnaire. The survey included established Japanese versions of psychological scales on rumination, self-compassion, perceived stress, trait anxiety, and depression. RESULTS: The results revealed statistically significant positive correlations between rumination and negative dimensions of self-compassion, and rumination and psychological symptoms. Positive dimensions of self-compassion were significantly negatively correlated with both rumination and psychological symptoms. Reflection as a positive dimension of self-focus did not show significant correlations with most psychological variables. Furthermore, hierarchical multiple regression analyses involving subscales of self-compassion and their interactions with rumination as predictors revealed that the interactions between rumination and components of self-compassion, i.e., over-identification and mindfulness, significantly predicted trait anxiety. Higher rumination predicted higher anxiety when over-identification was high, but not when over-identification was low. Also, lower rumination predicted lower anxiety when mindfulness was high, but not when mindfulness was low. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest significant associations between rumination, components of self-compassion, and psychological health in a population of Japanese undergraduate students. The data also suggest that components of self-compassion play moderating roles in the relationship between rumination and psychological health, potentially serving as aggravating/protective factors for psychological health. Longitudinal studies and comparisons between different cultures should be conducted in the future quest.

Self-efficacy, mindfulness, and perceived social support as resources to maintain the mental health of students in Switzerland's universities of applied sciences: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Switzerland's student population is at a particularly high risk of developing mental health disorders, creating a major challenge for Switzerland's higher education establishments. Research to date has primarily sought to identify the risk factors affecting students' mental health; however, their exposure to these factors is often unavoidable. Thus, the present study adopted a salutogenic approach focussing on the determinants of health. We examined the mental health resources available to students reported in the literature as being susceptible to helping them maintain good mental health despite their exposure to risk factors. METHODS: In February 2020, 2,415 first- and second-year bachelor's degree students in applied sciences in French-speaking Switzerland completed an online questionnaire. The variables measured were self-evaluated mental health, perceived stress and three potential health resources: students' feelings of self-efficacy, their capacity for mindfulness and their social support. The results were analysed using hierarchical linear regression models. RESULTS: When all the variables were included in the model without interaction effect, our results revealed that students' self-evaluated mental health was negatively associated with perceived stress (ß = -0.43, p < 0.001) and positively associated with the three potential health resources (self-efficacy: ß = 0.26, p < 0.001; mindfulness: ß = 0.10, p < 0.001; social support: ß = 0.17, p < 0.001). An analysis of the interaction effects also revealed that a high level of self-efficacy was associated with perceived stress being less strongly linked to mental health (ß = 0.29, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that self-efficacy, mindfulness, and perceived social support are valuable resources for protecting students' mental health. Thus, implementing interventions aimed at reinforcing them, could support students in applied sciences all along their academic pathway, in their classes and during their professional work experience placements.

Effects of mindfulness on depression in college students: mediating role of psychological resilience and moderating role of gender.

OBJECTIVE: A questionnaire was administered to 936 college students to investigate the mediating effect of psychological resilience in the association between mindfulness and college student depression, as well as the moderating role of gender. METHODS: For this study, data was collected between 20 April and 1 May 2023 at three universities in Jiangxi Province using a random sampling method. 963 Chinese university students were surveyed using the Adolescent Mindfulness Scale, the Psychological Resilience Scale, and the Depression Self-Rating Scale.SPSS24.0 software was used for correlation analysis and linear regression analysis, and PROCESS v3.4 model 7 was used to analyze this mediated model with moderating effects. RESULTS: In the mediated effects model, the direct effect of mindfulness on college depression levels was significant (95% CI -0.43, -0.31); the indirect effect of mindfulness on college depression through psychological resilience was also significant (95% CI -0.34, -0.23); the interaction effect of mindfulness and gender was also found to be significant (95% CI 0.03, 0.16) in the mediated model with moderation. CONCLUSION: Mindfulness not only affect depression directly, but also indirectly through the mediating effect of psychological resilience. At the same time, the prediction of psychological resilience by mindfulness was also moderated by gender, with girls' psychological resilience being more affected by the level of mindfulness compared to boys.

Safety and efficacy of combined acupuncture (body and intradermal acupuncture) for dry eye disease: study protocol for a pilot, single-centre, assessor-blinded, randomised, artificial tear drop-controlled trial at Naju Dongshin University Korean Medicine Hospital.

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of dry eye disease (DED) has been consistently increasing yearly. However, the radical therapy has not yet been established. This study is to confirm the superiority of acupuncture over artificial tear drops (ATDs) in patients with DED. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This study is a single-centre, investigator-initiated, assessor-blinded, parallel randomised controlled trial. 30 participants will be enrolled. Over a period of 4 weeks, the experimental group would receive two kinds of acupuncture three times a week. First, body acupuncture would be performed on bilateral BL2, GB14, TE23, EX-HN5 and ST1 for 15 min. Thereafter, intradermal acupuncture would be performed on the same acupoints for 4 hours. On the other hand, the control group would apply the provided ATD at least four times a day. As a rescue medication for severe DED symptoms, both groups can additionally apply ATD. The frequency of ATD use would be recorded during the trial. The primary outcomes are the Ocular Surface Disease Index and tear film break-up time. The secondary outcomes are subjective symptom Visual Analogue Scale, quality of life, Schirmer I test, tear lactoferrin level, treatment satisfaction and safety. The outcomes would be mostly assessed at visits 1, 13 and 14. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study was approved by the institutional review board of Naju Dongshin University Korean Medicine Hospital (Approval No. NJ-IRB-23-5). The obtained results will be disseminated through publication in a peer-reviewed journal. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: KCT0008563.

Effects of Bafa Wubu and He-Style Tai Chi exercise training on physical fitness of overweight male university students: A randomized controlled trial.

This study aimed to compare the effects of 12-week Bafa Wubu Tai Chi (BW-TC) and traditional He-style Tai Chi (TH-TC) exercise training on physical fitness parameters in overweight university students and to compare the differences in their effects. A total of 81 overweight male university students were randomly assigned to the BW-TC group (N = 27), the TH-TC group (N = 27), and the control group (CG, N = 27). Upper limb grip strength, wall squat, sitting and reaching, 6-minute walk, single-leg stance, and Y-balance were measured at baseline and after 12 weeks of Tai Chi training. There were no significant differences in demographic characteristics and assessment parameters among the groups at baseline (p>0.05). Both BW-TC and TH-TC performed Tai Chi exercise program training lasting 12 weeks, with three sessions per week, each lasting 60 minutes intervention. The changes in mean scores for the sit-and-reach test were 3.11 cm and 4.52 cm, for the wall squat test were 27.56 s and 36.85 s, and for the 6-minute walk test were 22.93 m and 63.22 m, and Y-balance (p<0.05) significantly increased in both BW-TC and TH-TC groups, while the mean score of single-leg stance significantly decreased (p<0.05). Additionally, compared to the BW-TC group, the TH-TC group showed a significant increase in lower limb strength (13.89 s, p = 0.048) and the distance of the Y-balance test in the left posterior medial direction (4.04 cm, p = 0.031). BW-TC and TH-TC interventions effectively improved physical fitness in overweight university students. However, TH-TC showed superior results in lower limb strength improvement. Trial registration number: ChiCTR2200059427 (https://www.chictr.org.cn).

Positive mental imagery and mental health amongst university students in Pakistan.

Mental health problems amongst university students pose a major public health challenge, and this is particularly the case in Pakistan. Alongside broader societal and cultural pressures, cognitive factors likely also play a role in the development of and resilience to mental health problems and may provide a feasible target for interventions. The current study built on previous research in primarily European samples investigating the relationship between one cognitive factor, positive future-oriented mental imagery, and mental health, extending this to a sample of university students in Pakistan (N = 1838). In a cross-sectional design, higher vividness of positive future-oriented mental imagery was associated with lower levels of depressive symptoms and higher levels of positive mental health amongst participants completing questionnaire measures on paper (N = 1430) or online (N = 408). In the sample completing the measures on paper, these relationships remained statistically significant even when controlling for socio-demographic and mental health-related variables. The results provide a foundation for further investigating positive mental imagery as a potential mechanism of mental health and intervention target amongst university students in Pakistan.

Does mindfulness moderate the association between impulsivity and well-being in Lebanese university students?

Limited evidence showed that impulsivity is negatively related to life satisfaction and wellbeing; however, the mechanisms underlying this relationship remain unclear. We aimed through this work to investigate the relationship between impulsivity dimensions and well-being and to explore the moderator role of mindfulness on this relationship in a sample of Lebanese university students. This cross-sectional study was carried out among 363 university students recruited through convenience sampling through several universities in Lebanon's governorates. Higher mindfulness was significantly associated with better wellbeing in the models that considered urgency and sensation seeking as independent variables. A lack of premeditation and a lack of perseverance were both inversely associated with well-being. The interaction lack of perseverance by mindfulness was significantly associated with wellbeing; for students who were low in mindfulness, more lack of perseverance was significantly associated with a lower wellbeing. Our study suggested that mindfulness practice may offer a promising avenue for implementing strategies aiming at improving the well-being of students with high levels of impulsivity.

O impacto da pandemia da Covid-19 na saúde mental de estudantes universitários / The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the mental health of university students / El impacto de la pandemia de Covid-19 en la salud mental de los estudiantes universitarios

A pandemia pelo SARS-CoV-2 é um dos maiores desafios sanitários em escala global. Devido estado de emergência, uma série de medidas de controle e prevenção foram adotadas, como distanciamento social e redução das reuniões públicas. Nesse cenário, buscou-se avaliar a saúde mental de estudantes de uma instituição privada de Ensino Superior diante da pandemia. Esta pesquisa trata-se de um estudo transversal descritivo desenvolvido na Faculdade do Vale do Jaguaribe, localizada em Aracati-CE. A coleta de dados ocorreu de dezembro de 2020 a fevereiro de 2021, utilizando formulário eletrônico contendo variáveis sociodemográficas, epidemiológicas e relativas aos diferentes aspectos da saúde mental do estudante frente a pandemia da COVID-19. A análise foi baseada no cálculo de frequências absolutas e relativas das variáveis além de medidas de tendência central e dispersão. Dos 333 discentes que participaram do estudo, a média de idade foi 25, com variação entre 18 e 56 anos, sendo maioria do sexo feminino (72,7%), autodenominação de cor/etnia parda (72,7%) e não estarem trabalhando (53,8%). A taxa de positividade entre os graduandos para COVID-19 foi de 9% (30). Ao serem questionados sobre como a pandemia alterou seus níveis de estresse ou saúde mental, 75,5% responderam que houve piora. Dentre os sintomas mais relatados no período da quarentena, estavam medo e ansiedade (ambos com 74,2%), seguidos por insegurança (69,7%). Baseados nos achados deste estudo, recomenda-se a incorporação de ações multiprofissionais na atenção aos estudantes dentro da academia. Sugere-se a implantação de um serviço qualificado buscando desenvolver um olhar holístico para os discentes.

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has presented itself as one of the greatest health challenges on a global scale. Given the state of public health emergency, a series of control and prevention measures have been adopted, such as social distancing and reduction of public meetings, as in universities. Faced with this scenario, we sought to evaluate the mental health of students from a private institution of Higher Education in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, this research was a descriptive cross-sectional study developed at the Faculdade do Vale do Jaguaribe, located in the City of Aracati- CE. Data collection occurred from December 2020 to February 2021, using an electronic form containing sociodemographic and epidemiological variables, as well as variables related to the repercussions in different aspects of the student's mental health when facing the pandemic of COVID-19. The analysis was based on the calculation of absolute and relative frequencies of the variables, as well as measures of central tendency and dispersion. Of the 333 students who participated in the study, the mean age was 25 years, with ages ranging from 18 to 56 years, the majority being female (72.7%), self- denominated as Brown (72.7%), not working when answering the form (53.8%). The positivity rate among undergraduates for COVID-19 was 9% (30/333). When asked how the pandemic altered their stress levels or mental health, 75.5% responded that it had worsened. Among the symptoms most reported by students during the quarantine period were fear and anxiety (both 74.2%), followed by insecurity (69.7%). It is suggested the implementation of a qualified approach service seeking to develop a holistic look for the students.

La pandemia por SARS-CoV-2 es uno de los mayores desafíos sanitarios a escala global. Debido al estado de emergencia, se han adoptado una serie de medidas de control y prevención, como el distanciamiento social y la reducción de reuniones públicas. En este escenario, se buscó evaluar la salud mental de los estudiantes de una institución privada de educación superior frente a la pandemia. Esta investigación es un estudio descriptivo transversal desarrollado en la Facultad de Valle de Jaguaribe, ubicada en Aracati-CE. La recopilación de datos se llevó a cabo de diciembre de 2020 a febrero de 2021, utilizando un formulario electrónico que contiene variables sociodemográficas, epidemiológicas y relacionadas con los diferentes aspectos de la salud mental del estudiante frente a la pandemia de COVID-19. El análisis se basó en el cálculo de frecuencias absolutas y relativas de las variables, además de medidas de tendencia central y dispersión. De los 333 estudiantes que participaron en el estudio, la media de edad fue de 25 años, con variación entre 18 y 56 años, siendo la mayoría del sexo femenino (72,7%), autodenominación de la raza / etnia morena (72,7%) y no trabajando (53,8%). La tasa de positividad entre los estudiantes de pregrado para COVID-19 fue del 9% (30). Cuando se les preguntó cómo la pandemia había alterado su nivel de estrés o salud mental, el 75,5% respondió que había empeorado. Entre los síntomas más comunes durante el período de cuarentena, se encontraban el miedo y la ansiedad (ambos con un 74,2%), seguidos de la inseguridad (69,7%). Basados en los resultados de este estudio, se recomienda la incorporación de acciones multiprofesionales en la atención a los estudiantes dentro de la academia. Se sugiere la implementación de un servicio calificado que busque desarrollar una mirada holística hacia los estudiantes.

Voice and Communication Training Program Improves Performance of University Students in Oral Presentations. / Programa de Treinamento em Voz e Comunicação Melhora o Desempenho de Universitários em Apresentações Orais.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of a voice and communication training program for oral presentations on higher education students. METHODS: The proposed training program was based on the areas of social skills, voice projection techniques, and neurolinguistic programming. Thirty-eight students participated in the training with active learning methodologies at the university. Before and after the intervention, the participants recorded a short oral presentation on a topic of their choice. The recording was presented to the other participants and to a panel formed by three examiners (two articulation therapists and a psychologist), who evaluated the oral presentation performances. Moreover, each individual self-assessed their communication. The evaluation criteria covered the linguistic aspects, formal and non-formal, verbal and non-verbal communication, planning, and elaboration of the presentation. RESULTS: All participants improved their performance in oral presentations regarding verbal and para-verbal aspects, ability to keep the audience, emotional control, planning, objective, content, approach, organization, visual resource, form of presentation, language, and general elements (general presentation). CONCLUSION: The proposed training program is effective in improving the performance of university students in oral presentations.

OBJETIVO: Investigar o efeito de um programa de treinamento em voz e comunicação para apresentações orais em estudantes de ensino superior. MÉTODO: O programa de treinamento proposto foi baseado nas áreas das habilidades sociais, técnicas de projeção vocal e expressividade e a programação neurolinguística, sendo composto de dez sessões com duração média de duas horas cada. Trinta e oito estudantes participaram do treinamento com metodologias ativas de aprendizagem na própria universidade. Antes e após a intervenção, os participantes realizaram uma apresentação oral sobre um tópico da própria escolha, apresentada aos demais participantes e para uma banca formada por três juízes (dois fonoaudiólogos e um psicólogo), que avaliaram o desempenho nas apresentações orais. As apresentações foram gravadas para que cada indivíduo pudesse realizar a autoavaliação da sua comunicação. Os critérios de avaliação foram os aspectos linguísticos formais e não formais, verbais e não verbais, planejamento e elaboração da apresentação. RESULTADOS: todos os participantes obtiveram melhora de desempenho nas apresentações orais, quanto aos aspectos verbais, não verbais, capacidade de manter a audiência, controle emocional, planejamento, objetivo, conteúdo, abordagem, organização, recurso visual, forma de apresentar, linguagem e geral (apresentação geral). CONCLUSÃO: o programa de treinamento apresentado é efetivo para melhorar o desempenho de universitários durante apresentações orais.

Study protocol for evaluating the current status and needs assessment of health-related characteristics among students at Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg.

Today, university students face study conditions that increase the risk of sedentary behavior, unhealthy eating, and the likelihood of stress, anxiety, and depression. Although the situation has likely worsened in recent months due to the COVID-19 pandemic, even in the pre-Corona era, several investigations have demonstrated that the students' health behaviors could increase the incidence of metabolic risk factors and non-communicable diseases, however, further and detailed information is needed to develop tailored counter-strategies. Therefore, in the present survey, the current health status of students at the Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg (ALU) will be recorded by various questionnaires. In addition, barriers that could potentially influence their health behavior will be identified, and information on the use and awareness of existing health services will be obtained in order to derive concrete needs for further health promotion activities. The study is designed as a monocentric and prospective study at the ALU; the survey of students' situation and needs assessments will be conducted in the areas of nutrition, exercise, relaxation and stress reduction, self-management, psychosocial health and socio-demographic correlations via an anonymous and self-administered online questionnaire. Subsequently in two-year intervals, the survey will be repeated. Data will be collected over a period of 4 years. One goal of this survey is to gain more insight into the health situation of university students; another goal is to use the knowledge gained to integrate holistic health measures into the university landscape in a structured and sustainable manner. These health measures will be implemented by using the newly developed student health care management at the ALU (www.sgm.uni-freiburg.de). Every two years, after evaluation of the surveys, the effect of the health measures can be checked and adjusted. Trial registration: ETK: 20-1082; DRKS-ID: DRKS00024088.