ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to develop an initial valid tool to measure attitudes toward cancer-related cognitive changes. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: After revising the literature, three main dimensions were hypothesized. Eight judges were contacted to obtain content validity evidence. A robust Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was performed via a parallel analysis with an Unweighted Least Squares (ULS) estimator and polychoric correlations. The results were crossed with sociodemographic variables to find possible statistical differences and estimate the size effect. Analysis was performed in the software Factor and the statistical package R. RESULTS: A sample of 374 participants was obtained, involving oncology patients, their caregivers, and people from the general community. A statistical fit was found in two dimensions: Awareness and Judgments [root mean squared error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.042, standardized root mean square residual (SRMR) = 0.02, comparative fit index (CFI) = 0.99, Tucker-Lewis index (TLI) = 0.98] with a moderate correlation between them (r = 0.612). Optimal reliability indices were obtained for the total scale and its dimensions. No real statistical difference was found between sociodemographic variables; the interpretation norms were established via the quartiles. CONCLUSIONS: The first attempt to measure the construct of interest was developed with two primary validity evidence based on the content and its internal structure. This instrument could help strengthen the prevention of cancer-related cognitive changes. More research is needed to adhere more valid evidence to the scale.
Subject(s)
Medical Oncology , Neoplasms , Humans , Colombia , Reproducibility of Results , Software , CognitionABSTRACT
In 2000, two cases of human trichinellosis were detected in the Sierra Grande area of Rio Negro province, Argentina. As part of an investigation of the aetiology of these cases, 300 pigs slaughtered for consumption in the area between 2000 and 2002 were checked for Trichinella infection, by artificial digestion of a muscle sample. Twelve (5.6%) - four (7.3%) of the 55 checked in 2000, five (4.8%) of the 105 investigated in 2001, and three (2.1%) of the 140 investigated in 2002 - were found infected. Blood samples were collected from other pigs aged > 6 months old, so that sera could be tested, in ELISA and by western blotting, for anti- Trichinella antibodies. Of the 181 animals checked in the initial serological survey, 36 (19.9%) were found seropositive for Trichinella. When 35 of the seronegative pigs were re-checked 6 months later, three (8.6%) were found to have seroconverted. Four (15.4%) of 26 local rodents, caught in Sherman-type traps, were also found positive when checked for infection by artificial digestion. It appears that about 20% of pigs in the study area are infected each year, this high level of transmission being sustained by a high prevalence of infection in the local rodent populations.