Cross-cultural invariance of the Spanish version of the COVID-19 Assessment Scorecard to measure the perception of government actions against COVID-19 in Latin America.

OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to evaluate the measurement invariance of a general measure of the perception of governmental responses to COVID-|19 (COVID-SCORE-10) in the general population of 13 Latin American countries. METHODS: A total of 5780 individuals from 13 Latin American and Caribbean countries selected by non-probabilistic snowball sampling participated. A confirmatory factor analysis was performed and the alignment method was used to evaluate invariance. Additionally, a graded response model was used for the assessment of item characteristics. RESULTS: The results indicate that there is approximate measurement invariance of the COVID-SCORE-10 among the participating countries. Furthermore, IRT results suggest that the COVID-SCORE-10 measures with good psychometric ability a broad spectrum of the construct assessed, especially around average levels. Comparison of COVID-SCORE-10 scores indicated that participants from Cuba, Uruguay and El Salvador had the most positive perceptions of government actions to address the pandemic. Thus, the underlying construct of perception of government actions was equivalent in all countries. CONCLUSION: The results show the importance of initially establishing the fundamental measurement properties and MI before inferring the cross-cultural universality of the construct to be measured.

Validez y confiablidad de una escala para medir depresión, ansiedad y estrés aplicada a estudiantes de estomatología cubanos durante la COVID-19 / Validity and reliability of a depression, anxiety and stress scale in Cuban dental students during the COVID-19

Introduction: An indisputable consequence has to do with the psychological impact of the COVID-19 on health professionals and students. In Cuba, these psychological manifestations have scarcely been investigated, and there are no reports in the dental undergraduate program. Objective: To analyze the evidences of validity and reliability of a depression, anxiety and stress scale in Cuban dental students in the context of COVID-19. Methods: An instrumental and cross-sectional study was carried out, which included students of all years and Cuban universities. A documentary measurement instrument was validated, using its main psychometric evidence. Convergent validity was analyzed and reliability was estimated using Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Results: 301 students were included, of which 74.09 percent were women and whose ages ranged from 17 to 30 years. The asymmetry and kurtosis values of all items were adequate. The confirmatory factorial analysis showed that the factorial structure of 21 items distributed in 3 factors is satisfactory. The goodness of fit indices was equally satisfactory. The scale factors are directly and significantly related with the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-2 (p<0.01) and the Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (p<0.01); the scale shows evidences of convergent validity. With Cronbach's α coefficient, the scale scores were estimated to be reliable. Conclusions: The depression, anxiety and stress scale (DASS-21) in Cuban dental students in the context of COVID-19 turned out to be valid and reliable, in addition to allowing the evaluation of the dimensions of these three factors in this sector of the society(AU)

Introducción: La COVID-19 produce un innegable impacto psicológico en estudiantes y profesionales de la salud. En Cuba, estas manifestaciones psicológicas apenas se han estudiado, y no existen informes al respecto en el programa de pregrado que corresponde a estomatología. Objetivo: Analizar las evidencias sobre validez y confiablidad de una escala para medir depresión, ansiedad y estrés en estudiantes de estomatología cubanos en el contexto de la COVID-19. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio instrumental y trasversal con estudiantes de todos los cursos y universidades cubanas. Se validó un instrumento de medición de tipo documental mediante su principal evidencia psicométrica. Se analizó la validez convergente y se estimó la confiabilidad mediante el coeficiente alfa de Cronbach. Resultados: Se incluyeron 301 estudiantes, el 74,09 por ciento de los cuales son mujeres y cuyas edades oscilan de diecisiete a treinta años. Los valores de la asimetría y la curtosis de todos los ítems fueron adecuados. El análisis factorial confirmatorio mostró que la estructura factorial de los 21 ítems distribuidos en tres factores es satisfactoria. La bondad de los índices de ajuste también fue satisfactoria. Los factores de la escala están directa y significativamente relacionados con la escala para medir el trastorno de ansiedad gefneralizas-2 (p<0,01) y con el cuestionario sobre salud del paciente-2. La escala muestra evidencias de validez convergente. El coeficiente alfa de Cronbach permitió estimar la confiablidad de las puntuaciones del instrumento. Conclusiones: La escala para medir depresión, ansiedad y estrés (DASS-21) aplicada a estudiantes de estomatología cubanos en el contexto de la COVID-19 resulto ser válida y confiable, además de permitir la evaluación de las dimensiones de estos tres factores en este sector de la sociedad(AU)

Relationship Between Fear of COVID-19, Conspiracy Beliefs About Vaccines and Intention to Vaccinate Against COVID-19: A Cross-National Indirect Effect Model in 13 Latin American Countries.

The present study explored the predictive capacity of fear of COVID-19 on the intention to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and the influence in this relationship of conspiracy beliefs as a possible mediating psychological variable, in 13 Latin American countries. A total of 5779 people recruited through non-probabilistic convenience sampling participated. To collect information, we used the Fear of COVID-19 Scale, Vaccine conspiracy beliefs Scale-COVID-19 and a single item of intention to vaccinate. A full a priori Structural Equation Model was used; whereas, cross-country invariance was performed from increasingly restricted structural models. The results indicated that, fear of COVID-19 positively predicts intention to vaccinate and the presence of conspiracy beliefs about COVID-19 vaccines. The latter negatively predicted intention to vaccinate against COVID-19. Besides, conspiracy beliefs about COVID-19 vaccines had an indirect effect on the relationship between fear of COVID-19 and intention to vaccinate against COVID-19 in the 13 countries assessed. Finally, the cross-national similarities of the mediational model among the 13 participating countries are strongly supported. The study is the first to test a cross-national mediational model across variables in a large number of Latin American countries. However, further studies with other countries in other regions of the world are needed.

Caracterización clínica y epidemiológica de pacientes con fractura nasal atendidos en un hospital universitario cubano

Introducción: Las fracturas nasales son las más comunes de la región maxilofacial. Sin embargo, la literatura cubana sobre el tema es escasa y desactualizada, por lo que surgió la motivación para realizar esta investigación. Objetivo: Caracterizar clínica y epidemiológicamente los pacientes con fractura nasal atendidos en un hospital universitario cubano. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo y transversal en pacientes atendidos en el Servicio de Cirugía Maxilofacial del Hospital General Universitario "Carlos Manuel de Céspedes" de Bayamo, provincia Granma, Cuba, en el período comprendido entre el 1 de enero y el 31 de diciembre del 2020. Se estudiaron variables clínicas, epidemiológicas y terapéuticas. Resultados: Se incluyeron 99 pacientes, de los cuales 74 (74,75 por ciento) fueron masculinos. En el 44,44 por ciento de los casos las edades estuvieron comprendidas entre los 21 y 40 años. Cincuenta pacientes (50,51 por ciento) tuvieron fracturas producto de la violencia interpersonal. Noventa y siete pacientes (97,98 por ciento) presentaron epistaxis. Cincuenta y nueve pacientes (59,60 por ciento) recibieron reducción cerrada asociada con taponamiento nasal y fijación externa con yeso. Conclusiones: Predominó el sexo masculino y el grupo de edades de 21 a 40 años. La principal etiología fue la violencia interpersonal. En la mayoría de los casos la epistaxis estuvo presente. Prevalecieron las fracturas cerradas, así como las que tuvieron el dorso desviado lateralmente(AU)

Introduction: Nasal fractures are the most common fractures of the maxillofacial region. However, Cuban literature on the subject is scarce and outdated, so the motivation for this research arose. Objective: To characterize patients with nasal fractures treated in a Cuban university hospital in a clinical and epidemiological manner. Methods: An observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out in patients treated at the Maxillofacial Surgery Service of the University General Hospital. "Carlos Manuel de Céspedes" of Bayamo, Granma province, Cuba, from January 1 to December 31, 2020. Clinical, epidemiological and therapeutic variables were studied. Results: 99 patients were included, of whom 74 (74.75 percent) were male. In 44.44 percent of the cases the ages were between 21 and 40 years. Fifty patients (50.51 percent) had fractures resulting from interpersonal violence. Ninety-seven patients (97.98 percent) presented epistaxis. Fifty-nine patients (59.60 percent) received closed reduction associated with nasal packing and external fixation with plaster cast. Conclusions: Male gender and age group 21 to 40 years predominated. The main etiology was interpersonal violence. Epistaxis was present in most cases. Closed fractures prevailed, as well as those with laterally deviated dorsum(AU)

Is the meaning of subjective well-being similar in Latin American countries? A cross-cultural measurement invariance study of the WHO-5 well-being index during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: There is an urgent need to assess changes in well-being on a multinational scale during the COVID-19 pandemic, thus culturally valid scales must be available. METHODS: With this in mind, this study examined the invariance of the WHO well-being index (WHO-5) among a sample of 5183 people from 12 Latin Americans countries (Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay). RESULTS: The results of the present study indicate that the WHO-5 is strictly invariant across samples from different Latin American countries. Furthermore, the results of the IRT analysis indicate that all items of the WHO-5 were highly discriminative and that the difficulty required to respond to each of the five items is ascending. Additionally, the results indicated the presence of moderate and small size differences in subjective well-being among most countries. CONCLUSION: The WHO-5 is useful for assessing subjective well-being in 12 Latin American countries during the COVID-19 pandemic, since the differences between scores can be attributed to differences in well-being and not in other characteristics of the scale.

Scale of concern about COVID-19 infection in Peruvian Health Care Workers.

INTRODUCTION: The global SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has generated concern about contagion, especially among healthcare workers who are on the front line. OBJECTIVE: To design and analyse the evidence of content validity, internal structure and reliability of a measure of concern about the spread of COVID-19 among Peruvian healthcare workers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Quantitative study and instrumental design. The scale was administered to 321 health science professionals (78 males and 243 females), whose ages ranged from 22 to 64 years (38.12 ±â€¯9.61). RESULTS: Aiken's V-coefficient values were statistically significant. An exploratory factor analysis was performed which indicated the existence of a single factor, and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) confirmed a satisfactory six-factor model. The CFA solution obtained adequate fit indices (RMSEA = 0.079; P = .05; TLI = 0.967; IFC = 0.980; GFI = 0.971, and AGFI = 0.931), and showed good internal consistency based on Cronbach's alpha coefficient (α = 0.865; CI 95%, 0.83-0.89). CONCLUSIONS: The scale of concern for COVID-19 infection is a valid and reliable brief measure that can be used for research and professional purposes.

Escala de preocupación por el contagio de la COVID-19 en personal de la salud peruano

Introducción: La pandemia mundial producida por el SARS-CoV-2 ha generado preocupación por el contagio, sobre todo en el personal de salud que está en primera línea. Objetivo: Diseñar y analizar las evidencias de validez de contenido, estructura interna y confiabilidad de una medida de preocupación por el contagio de COVID-19 en personal de salud peruano. Material y métodos: Estudio cuantitativo y diseño instrumental. La escala se aplicó a 321 profesionales de ciencias de la salud (78 varones y 243 mujeres) con edades comprendidas entre los 22 y los 64 (38,12 ± 9,61) an os. Resultados: Los valores del coeficiente V de Aiken fueron estadísticamente significativos. Se realizó un análisis factorial exploratorio, que indicó la existencia de un solo factor. El análisis factorial confirmatorio (AFC) confirmó un modelo satisfactorio de 6 ítems en 1 solo factor. La solución del AFC obtuvo índices de ajuste adecuados (RMSEA = 0,079; p = 0,05; TLI = 0,967; CFI = 0,980; GFI = 0,971 y AGFI = 0,931); además; mostró una buena consistencia interna según el coeficiente alfa de Cronbach (a = 0,865; IC95%, 0,83-0,89). Conclusiones: La escala de preocupación por el contagio de la COVID-19 es una medida breve válida y confiable que se puede utilizar para fines de investigación y función profesional.

A B S T R A C T Introduction: The global SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has generated concern about contagion, especially among healthcare workers who are on the front line. Objective: To design and analyse the evidence of content validity, internal structure and reliability of a measure of concern about the spread of COVID-19 among Peruvian healthcare workers. Material and methods: Quantitative study and instrumental design. The scale was administered to 321 health science professionals (78 males and 243 females), whose ages ranged from 22 to 64 years (38.12±9.61). Results: Aiken's V-coefficient values were statistically significant. An exploratory factor analysis was performed which indicated the existence of a single factor, and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) confirmed a satisfactory six-factor model. The CFA solution obtained adequate fit indices (RMSEA = 0.079; p = 0.05; TLI = 0.967; IFC = 0.980; GFI = 0.971, and AGFI = 0.931), and showed good internal consistency based on Cronbach's alpha coefficient (a = 0.865; CI 95%, 0.83-0.89). Conclusions: The scale of concern for COVID-19 infection is a valid and reliable brief measure that can be used for research and professional purposes.

Disposición hacia la colaboración médica internacional en estudiantes de Estomatología de ocho universidades cubanas / Willingness towards international medical collaboration in dental students from eight Cuban universities

Introducción: Cuba se ha caracterizado por enviar a diversos países delegaciones de salud, llamadas "misiones médicas". Sin embargo, el interés de los futuros profesionales de formar parte de esas delegaciones no se ha investigado. Objetivos: Caracterizar la disposición hacia la colaboración médica internacional e identificar los factores asociados en estudiantes cubanos de Estomatología. Métodos: Se realizó una investigación transversal, analítica de datos secundarios, en estudiantes de todos los años del curso académico 2018-2019, pertenecientes a ocho universidades. La variable dependiente fue el reporte de la disposición de ir a misiones médicas. Se calcularon las razones de prevalencia e intervalos de confianza al 95 por ciento. Resultados: Participaron 1174 estudiantes, de los cuales 830 (71 por ciento) estuvieron dispuestos a cumplir misiones médicas. Existió una mayor disposición hacia la colaboración médica conforme aumentaba la edad (RPa: 1,02; IC 95 por ciento: 1,00-1,04; p = 0,044); así como, en los estudiantes que reportaron presión familiar para estudiar la carrera (RPa: 1,17; IC 95 por ciento: 1,09-1,26; p < 0,001). Aquellos que reportaron buenas notas antes de ingresar a la universidad (RPa: 0,83; IC 95 por ciento: 0,77-0,91; p < 0,001), los de solvencia económica (RPa: 0,90; IC 95 por ciento: 0,90-0,98; p = 0,019) y los que estaban cursando el tercer y cuarto años académicos (RPa: 0,93; IC 95 por ciento: 0,88-0,97; p = 0,003) fueron los de menor disposición para colaborar; ajustado por el sexo y la universidad. Conclusión: Existe una elevada disposición hacia la colaboración médica internacional y está asociada a múltiples aspectos sociales y educativos(AU)

Introduction: Cuba has been characterized by sending health delegations to various countries, called "medical missions". However, the interest of future professionals in joining those delegations has not been investigated. Objectives: Characterize the disposition towards international medical collaboration and identify the associated factors in Cuban students of Stomatology. Methods: A cross-sectional research and secondary data analytics was carried out in students of all years of the academic year 2018-2019, belonging to eight universities. The dependent variable was the report of the willingness to go on medical missions. Prevalence ratios and 95 percent confidence intervals were calculated. Results: 1174 students participated, of which 830 (71 percent) were willing to fulfill medical missions. There was a greater willingness towards medical collaboration as age increased (RPa: 1.02; 95 percent CI 1.00-1.04; p = 0.044); as well as, in students who reported family pressure to study the career (RPa: 1.17; 95 percent CI 1.09-1.26; p < 0.001). Those who reported good grades before entering college (RPa: 0.83; 95 percent CI 0.77-0.91; p < 0.001), those of economic solvency (RPa: 0.90; 95 percent CI 0.90-0.98; p = 0.019) and those who were in the third and fourth academic years (RPa: 0.93; 95 percent CI 0.88-0.97; p = 0.003) were those with the least willingness to collaborate; adjusted by sex and college. Conclusion: There is a high disposition towards international medical collaboration and it is associated with multiple social and educational aspects(AU)

COVID-19 Bereavement in Ten Latin American Countries: Measurement Invariance of the Pandemic Grief Scale and Its Relation to Suicidal Ideation.

The present study aimed to evaluate the cross-cultural measurement invariance of the Pandemic Grief Scale (PGS) in ten Latin American countries. A total of 2,321 people who had lost a family member or other loved one due to COVID-19 participated, with a mean age of 34.22 years old (SD = 11.99). In addition to the PGS, a single item of suicidal ideation was applied. The unidimensional model of the PGS had adequate fit in most countries and good reliability estimates. There was evidence of measurement invariance by country and gender. Also, a one-point increase in the PGS was associated with an almost twofold increase in the odds of suicidal ideation. Scores greater than or equal to 4 on the PGS are proposed as a cut off to identify individuals with suicidal ideation. Strong evidence of the cross-cultural validity of the PGS is provided.

[Scale of Concern about COVID-19 Infection in Peruvian Health Care Workers]. / Escala de preocupación por el contagio de la COVID-19 en personal de la salud peruano.

Introduction: The global SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has generated concern about contagion, especially among healthcare workers who are on the front line. Objective: To design and analyse the evidence of content validity, internal structure and reliability of a measure of concern about the spread of COVID-19 among Peruvian healthcare workers. Material and methods: Quantitative study and instrumental design. The scale was administered to 321 health science professionals (78 males and 243 females), whose ages ranged from 22 to 64 years (38.12 ± 9.61). Results: Aiken's V-coefficient values were statistically significant. An exploratory factor analysis was performed which indicated the existence of a single factor, and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) confirmed a satisfactory six-factor model. The CFA solution obtained adequate fit indices (RMSEA = 0.079; p = 0.05; TLI = 0.967; IFC = 0.980; GFI = 0.971, and AGFI = 0.931), and showed good internal consistency based on Cronbach's alpha coefficient (α = 0.865; CI 95%, 0.83-0.89). Conclusions: The scale of concern for COVID-19 infection is a valid and reliable brief measure that can be used for research and professional purposes.

Cross-cultural invariance of the Spanish version of the COVID-19 Assessment Scorecard to measure the perception of government actions against COVID-19 in Latin America

Abstract Objectives The present study aimed to evaluate the measurement invariance of a general measure of the perception of governmental responses to COVID--19 (COVID-SCORE-10) in the general population of 13 Latin American countries. Methods A total of 5780 individuals from 13 Latin American and Caribbean countries selected by non-probabilistic snowball sampling participated. A confirmatory factor analysis was performed and the alignment method was used to evaluate invariance. Additionally, a graded response model was used for the assessment of item characteristics. Results The results indicate that there is approximate measurement invariance of the COVID-SCORE-10 among the participating countries. Furthermore, IRT results suggest that the COVID-SCORE-10 measures with good psychometric ability a broad spectrum of the construct assessed, especially around average levels. Comparison of COVID-SCORE-10 scores indicated that participants from Cuba, Uruguay and El Salvador had the most positive perceptions of government actions to address the pandemic. Thus, the underlying construct of perception of government actions was equivalent in all countries. Conclusion The results show the importance of initially establishing the fundamental measurement properties and MI before inferring the cross-cultural universality of the construct to be measured.

Impact of the COVID-19 on the epidemiology of maxillofacial fractures surgically treated in a Cuban university hospital / Impacto del COVID-19 en la epidemiología de las fracturas maxilofaciales tratadas quirúrgicamente en un hospital universitario cubano

Introduction: COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on people's behavior. Aim: To evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 on the epidemiology of maxillofacial fractures surgically treated in a Cuban university hospital. Methods: This research involved a 4-year descriptive, comparative, retrospective and cross-sectional study. Patients surgically treated between March 1 and December 31, 2020 (COVID-19 period) were compared with those who had undergone surgery between the same date in the years 2017-2019 (non-pandemic period). Age, sex, residence, year, month, alcohol consumption at the time of trauma, etiology, fractures types, and number of fractures per patient were recorded. Results: A decline in patients with maxillofacial fractures in 2020 (n=25) was observed when compared to equivalent periods in the three previous years (2017: n=37; 2018: n=31; 2019: n=41), respectively, with an annual average reduction of 31.19 percent. Interpersonal violence was found to be the paramount etiological factor for maxillofacial fractures during the comparison periods (2017-2019); however, road traffic accident prevailed in the 2020 (n=12; 48 percent). There was a small increase in the number of alcohol-related fractures (56 percent in 2020 vs 46.34 percent, 41.94 percent, and 51.35 percent in 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively). Conclusion: COVID-19 impacted on the epidemiology maxillofacial fractures surgically treated in this Cuban university hospital (AU)

Introducción: La pandemia de la COVID-19 ha tenido un impacto significativo en el comportamiento de la población. Objetivo: Evaluar el impacto de la COVID-19 en la epidemiología de las fracturas maxilofaciales tratadas quirúrgicamente en un hospital universitario cubano. Métodos: Esta investigación consistió en un estudio descriptivo, comparativo, retrospectivo y transversal de 4 años de duración. Se compararon los pacientes intervenidos quirúrgicamente entre el 1 de marzo y el 31 de diciembre de 2020 (periodo COVID-19) con los intervenidos entre la misma fecha en los años 2017-2019 (periodo no pandémico). Se registraron edad, sexo, residencia, año, mes, consumo de alcohol en el momento del traumatismo, etiología, tipos de fracturas y número de fracturas por paciente. Resultados: Se observó un descenso de pacientes con fracturas maxilofaciales en 2020 (n=25) en comparación con periodos equivalentes de los tres años anteriores (2017: n=37; 2018: n=31; 2019: n=41), respectivamente, con una reducción media anual del 31,19 poe ciento. Se observó que la violencia interpersonal fue el factor etiológico primordial de las fracturas maxilofaciales durante los periodos de comparación (2017-2019); sin embargo, el accidente de tráfico prevaleció en el 2020 (n=12; 48 por ciento). Hubo un pequeño aumento en el número de fracturas relacionadas con el alcohol (56 por ciento en 2020 frente a 46,34 por ciento, 41,94 por ciento y 51,35 por ciento en 2019, 2018 y 2017, respectivamente). Conclusiones: La COVID-19 impactó en la epidemiología de fracturas maxilofaciales atendidas quirúrgicamente en este hospital universitario cubano (AU)

Factores asociados a la publicación científica de estudiantes de Estomatología de siete universidades cubanas / Scientific production on Orthodontics published in biomedical journals belonging to Cuban medical universities

La publicación científica es la etapa final del ciclo investigativo, por lo que se deben estudiar los factores que se relacionan con su realización en el pregrado. El objetivo del estudio fue determinar los factores asociados a la publicación científica de estudiantes de Estomatología de siete universidades cubanas. Se diseñó un estudio multicéntrico, observacional y transversal con análisis de datos secundarios. Se investigó acerca del logro de las publicaciones científicas, otras variables socioeducativas y de participación en temas científicos. Se obtuvieron las razones de prevalencias ajustadas, los intervalos de confianza a 95 por ciento (IC 95 por ciento) y los valores p, mediante modelos lineales generalizados. De los 738 alumnos encuestados, el 9,3 por ciento declaró haber publicado, al menos, un artículo científico. El promedio de publicaciones fue de 9 por ciento entre todas las universidades; el porcentaje más elevado fue el de la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Camagüey (19 por ciento) y el más bajo el de la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Granma (4 por ciento) hubo una mayor frecuencia de publicación científica entre los que habían participado en proyectos (RPa: 1,85; IC 95 por ciento: 1,18-2,88; p =0,007) y habían obtenido premios en eventos científicos (RPa: 5,66; IC 95 por ciento: 2,16-14,85; p < 0,001), ajustando por cuatro variables. Se concluye que existió un bajo porcentaje de alumnos que publicaron, lo cual se asoció con la participación en proyectos y la obtención de premios en eventos científicos(AU)

Scientific publication is the final stage of the investigative cycle, so the factors that are related to its elaboration in the undergraduate should be studied. The objective of the study was to determine the associated factors with the scientific publication of Dentistry students from seven Cuban universities. A multicenter, observational, cross-sectional study with secondary data analysis was designed. The achievement of scientific publications, other socio-educational variables and participation in scientific matters were investigated. Adjusted prevalence ratios, 95percent confidence intervals (95percent CI) and p-values were obtained using generalized linear models. Seven hundred thirty-eight (738) students were surveyed; 9.3percent of them declared having published at least one scientific article. The average number of publications was 9percent among all universities; the highest percentage was that of Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Camagüey (19%) and the lowest that of Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Granma (4percent). There was a higher frequency of scientific publication among those who had participated in projects (RPa: 1.85; 95percent CI: 1.18-2.88; p =0.007) and had obtained prizes in scientific events (RPa: 5.66 95percent CI: 2.16-14.85, p < 0.001). It is concluded that there was low percentage of students who published, which was associated with participation in projects and obtaining prizes in scientific events(AU)

Motivación de logro general y rendimiento académico en estudiantes cubanos de Estomatología / Motivation of general achievement and academic performance in Cuban dental students

Introducción: Al estudiar el rendimiento académico es importante abordar los factores influyentes en él, así como las causas a las que los estudiantes atribuyen sus éxitos o fracasos. De ahí la necesidad de contar con instrumentos válidos y confiables para tal fin. Objetivo: Validar una escala atribucional sobre la motivación de logro general en relación con el rendimiento académico en estudiantes cubanos de Estomatología. Métodos: Estudio de tipo instrumental, transversal y multicéntrico, que incluyó estudiantes de nueve universidades cubanas. A partir de un instrumento en español, validado en estudiantes venezolanos, se realizó un análisis factorial exploratorio y confirmatorio. Además, se calculó la consistencia interna con el coeficiente alfa de Cronbach. Resultados: Se incluyeron a 1324 participantes, de los cuales el 66,8 por ciento fueron mujeres y la media de la edad fue 21,2 ± 1,8 años. Los estadísticos KMO (0,918) y Bartlett (10112,063; gl = 153; p < 0,001) presentaron resultados aceptables y significativos. La varianza total explicada por los 18 ítems distribuidos en cuatro factores es adecuada (60,6 por ciento). Los análisis robustos muestran cómo la estructura factorial es satisfactoria. Se encontraron relaciones significativas entre todas las dimensiones de la escala, las que sugieren la presencia de patrones atribucionales adaptativos y desadaptativos. Conclusión: La escala es válida y confiable para identificar las atribuciones causales sobre el rendimiento académico general en estudiantes cubanos de Estomatología(AU)

Introduction: When studying academic performance it is important to address the influencing factors in it, as well as the causes to which students attribute their successes or failures. Hence the need to have valid and reliable instruments for this purpose. Objective: Validate an attributional scale on the motivation of general achievement in relation to academic performance in Cuban students of Stomatology. Methods: An instrumental, cross-sectional and multicenter study included students from nine Cuban universities. From an instrument in Spanish, validated in Venezuelan students, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis were performed. In addition, the internal consistency was calculated with Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Results: 1324 participants were included, of which 66.8 percent were women and the mean age was 21.2 ± 1.8 years. The statisticians KMO (0.918) and Bartlett (10112.063; gl = 153; p < 0.001) presented acceptable and significant results. The total variance explained by the 18 items distributed in four factors is adequate (60.6 percent). Robust analyses show how the factor structure is satisfactory. Significant relationships were found between all dimensions of the scale, which suggest the presence of adaptive and maladaptive attributional patterns. Conclusion: The scale is valid and reliable to identify causal attributions about overall academic performance in Cuban stomatology students(AU)

[Validity and Reliability of the Wong-Law Emotional Intelligence Scale (WLEIS) in Cuban Dental Students in COVID-19 Times]. / Validez y confiabilidad de la Wong-Law Emotional Intelligence Scale (WLEIS) en estudiantes cubanos de Estomatología en tiempos de COVID-19.

Introduction: The pandemic produced by SARS-CoV-2 impacted on educative systems, which justifies the necessity of research about the emotional capacities of the university students to face the challenges that COVID-19 imposes. Objective: To analyze the evidences of validity and reliability of the Wong-Law Emotional Intelligence Scale (WLEIS) in Cuban dental students. Materials and methods: Cross-sectional study with instrumental design. The scale was administered through a virtual questionnaire and later distributed by means of social networks to 307 students (81 male and 226 female). A confirmatory factorial analysis was performed and the intern consistency and the relation between the scale and other variables were evaluated. Results: Through the confirmatory factorial analysis, the model of four correlationated factors was evaluated and an adequate adjust was found, χ2(98) = 303.1, P < .001, CFI = 0.948, TLI = 0.937, RMSEA = 0.083 and SRMR = 0.064. The results of the Omega intern consistency are ωSEA = 0.84, ωOEA = 0.77, ωUOE = 0.83 and ωUROE = 0.91. With respect to the relation of WLEIS with other variables, we had correlations ranging from 0.22 and 0.51 with general well-being, and inverse correlations ranging from -1 and -0.29 of three of its dimensions with depression, showing evidences of convergent and discriminant validity. Conclusion: The WLEIS in Cuban dental students in COVID-19 times resulted be valid and reliable.

Alcohol consumption and maxillofacial fractures in times of Covid-19: a cross-sectional study in a cuban university hospital / Consumo de alcohol y fracturas maxilofaciales en tiempos de Covid-19: un estudio transversal en un hospital universitario cubano

Introduction: The consumption of alcoholic beverages reduces the body's ability to deal with dangerous situations and exposes people to trauma. Objective: To determine the association between the consumption of alcoholic beverages and the characteristics of maxillofacial fractures treated at a Cuban university hospital in the context of COVID-19. Material and Methods: An observational, analytical, and cross-sectional study was carried out in the Maxillofacial Surgery unit at the "Carlos Manuel de Céspedes" General University Hospital during the year 2020. Prevalence ratios, 95% confidence intervals and p-values were obtained using generalized linear models. Results: In 58.23% of the cases, fractures were related to the consumption of alcoholic beverages. The fundamental etiology was interpersonal violence (47.75%), regardless of the consumption of alcoholic beverages. There was a prevalence of patients with nasal fractures (n=98; 55.06%), among which, 35.71% had consumed alcoholic beverages at the time of the trauma. Being male (p=0.005), the lack of university studies (p=0.007), the need for surgical treatment (p<0.001), the fractures of the zygomaticomaxillary complex (p=0.023), and the traumas that occurred during the weekends (p<0.001) or during the month of June (p=0.029) were factors associated with a higher frequency of fractures related to the consumption of alcoholic beverages. There was a lower frequency of fractures associated with alcohol consumption during the months of January (p=0.006) and March (p=0.001). Conclusion: Six out of ten cases were under the influence of alcoholic beverages. There was a greater number of young and male patients, mainly due to interpersonal violence.

Introducción: La ingestión de bebidas alcohólicas disminuye la capacidad del organismo para enfrentar situaciones de peligro y lo predispone a sufrir traumatismos diversos. Objetivo: Determinar la asociación entre el consumo de bebidas alcohólicas y las características de las fracturas maxilofaciales atendidas en un hospital universitario cubano en el contexto de la COVID-19. Material y Métodos: Estudio observacional, analítico y transversal realizado en el servicio de Cirugía Maxilofacial del Hospital General Universitario "Carlos Manuel de Céspedes" durante el 2020. Se obtuvieron razones de prevalencia, intervalos de confianza a 95% y valores p mediante modelos lineales generalizados. Resultados: En el 58.23% de los casos las fracturas se relacionaron con la ingestión de bebidas alcohólicas. La etiología fundamental fue la violencia interpersonal (47.75%), independientemente del consumo o no de bebidas alcohólicas. Predominaron los pacientes con fracturas nasales (n=98; 55.06%), en los que el 35.71% había consumido bebidas alcohólicas en el momento del trauma. El sexo masculino (p=0.005), la carencia de estudios universitarios (p=0.007), la necesidad de tratamiento quirúrgico (p<0.001), las fracturas del complejo cigomático-maxilar (p=0.023), los traumas sucedidos durante los fines de semanas (p<0.001) o durante el mes de junio (p=0.029) fueron factores asociados a una mayor frecuencia de fracturas relacionadas con el consumo de bebidas alcohólicas. Hubo menor frecuencia de fracturas asociadas a este consumo durante los meses de enero (p=0.006) y marzo (p= 0.001). Conclusión: Seis de cada diez casos estuvieron bajo los efectos de la ingestión de bebidas alcohólicas. Existió una mayor afectación de pacientes jóvenes, masculinos, a causa principalmente de la violencia interpersonal.

Network analysis of the relationships between conspiracy beliefs towards COVID-19 vaccine and symptoms of fear of COVID-19 in a sample of latin american countries.

The present study examined how conspiracy beliefs about COVID-19 vaccines specifically relate to symptoms of fear of COVID-19 in a sample of four South American countries. A total of 1785 people from Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru participated, responding to a sociodemographic survey, the Fear of COVID-19 scale (FCV-19 S) and the Vaccine Conspiracy Beliefs Scale-COVID-19 (VCBS-COVID-19). Network analysis identified the most important symptoms of fear and conspiracy beliefs about COVID-19 vaccines (nodes) and the associations between them (edges). In addition, the robustness of the network of these indicators of centrality and the possible differences in the structure and connectivity of the networks between the four countries were evaluated. The results suggest that the nodes with the highest centrality were items 2 and 5 of the FCV-19 S and item 2 of the VCBS-COVID-19. Likewise, item 6 is the belief that most predicts conspiracy beliefs about vaccines against COVID-19; while item 6 was the symptom that most predicts fear of COVID-19. The findings strongly support cross-cultural similarities in the networks across the four countries rather than differences. Although it was expected that a higher presence of symptoms of fear of COVID-19 may lead people to compensate for their fear by believing in conspiratorial ideas about vaccines and, consequently, rejecting the COVID-19 vaccine, the results do not clearly show this relationship. This could lead other researchers to generate evidence to explain the differences between Latin American countries and countries in other contexts in terms of vaccination rates. This evidence could be useful to develop policies favoring vaccination against COVID-19 that are more contextualized to the Latin American region, characterized by social instability and economic recession during the pandemic.

Design and Cross-Cultural Invariance of the COVID-19 Vaccine Conspiracy Beliefs Scale (COVID-VCBS) in 13 Latin American Countries.

Aims: Over the past 2 years, the vaccine conspiracy beliefs construct has been used in a number of different studies. These publications have assessed the determinants and outcomes of vaccine conspiracy beliefs using, in some cases, pooled data from different countries, and compared the results across these contexts. However, studies often do not consider measurement invariance as a necessary requirement for comparative analyses. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop and evaluate the cross-cultural MI of the COVID-19 Vaccine Conspiracy Beliefs Scale (COVID-VCBS) in 12 Latin American countries. Methods: Confirmatory factor analysis, item response theory analysis and alignment method were applied to test measurement invariance in a large number of groups. Results: The COVID-VCBS showed robust psychometric properties and measurement invariance for both factor loadings and crosstabs. Also, a higher level of acceptance of conspiracy beliefs about vaccines is necessary to respond to higher response categories. Similarly, greater acceptance of conspiracy beliefs about COVID-19 vaccines was related to a lower intention to be vaccinated. Conclusion: The results allow for improved understanding of conspiracy beliefs about COVID-19 vaccines in the countries assessed; furthermore, they provide researchers and practitioners with an invariant measure that they can use in cross-cultural studies in Latin America. However, further studies are needed to test invariance in other countries, with the goal of developing a truly international measure of conspiracy beliefs about COVID-19 vaccines.

Publication of works presented in the 2016 and 2018 editions of the National Student Scientific Event on Internal Medicine -MEDINTÁVILA / Publicación de los trabajos presentados en las ediciones 2016 y 2018 del Evento Científico Estudiantil Nacional de Medicina Interna - Medintávila

Abstract Introduction: Much of the research works developed by students and presented in scientific events are not published in scientific journals. Objective: To characterize the research works presented in the 2016 and 2018 editions of the Evento Científico Estudiantil Nacional de Medicina Interna (National Student Scientific Event on Internal Medicine - (MEDINTÁVILA) and those published in scientific journals, as well as to identify factors associated with their publication. Materials and methods: Cross-sectional analytical study. A search strategy was carried out in April 2020 in Google Scholar in order to verify if the works presented in the 2016 y 2018 editions of the event had been published, in English or Spanish, in scientific journals. Bivariate analyses were performed to determine whether there were characteristics of the works associated with their publication, calculating prevalence ratios, along with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals and p-values and using generalized linear models (family=Poisson; link=log) in which each university submitting the research work was used as a cluster. A significance level of p<0.05 was considered. Results: Out of the 335 research works analyzed, 180 (53.73%) were presented at the 2016 edition. Regarding typology and the topics they addressed, 190 (56.72%) were classified under the free topics category, and 170 addressed chronic illnesses (50.75%). A total of 24 works were published (7.16%), of which only 9 were cited, and there were authoring changes in 19 (79.17%). No factors associated with the publication of the works were identified in the bivariate analysis. Conclusion: The publication in scientific journals of the research works presented in both editions of the event is very low, thus it is necessary for Cuban universities to provide medical science students with more research-related support, since this could increase the probability of publishing their works.

Resumen Introducción. Muchas de las investigaciones desarrolladas por estudiantes y presentadas en eventos científicos no se publican en revistas científicas. Objetivos. Caracterizar los trabajos presentados en las ediciones 2016 y 2018 del Evento Científico Estudiantil Nacional de Medicina Interna (Medintávila) y los publicados en revistas científicas, así como identificar los factores asociados a su publicación. Materiales y métodos. Estudio transversal analítico. Mediante una estrategia de búsqueda realizada en abril de 2020 en Google Académico, se constató si los trabajos presentados en 2016 y 2018 en el evento habían sido publicados, en inglés o español, en revistas científicas. Se realizaron análisis bivariados para determinar si hubo características de los trabajos asociadas con su publicación, calculándose razones de prevalencia, junto con sus respectivos intervalos de confianza al 95% y valores p mediante modelos lineales generalizados (familia Poisson, función de enlace log) en los que se usó como clúster a cada universidad que presentó la investigación. Se consideró un nivel de significancia de p<0.05. Resultados. De los 335 trabajos analizados, 180 (53.73%) correspondieron a la edición de 2016. Respecto a la tipología y temática, 190 (56.72%) fueron clasificados bajo la categoría Temas libres y 170 (50.75%) abordaron Enfermedades crónicas. Se publicaron 24 (7.16%) trabajos, de los cuales solo 9 fueron citados, y en 19 (79.17%) hubo cambios de autores. No se identificaron factores asociados a la publicación de los trabajos en el análisis bivariado. Conclusión. La publicación en revistas científicas de los trabajos presentados en ambas ediciones del Medintávila es muy baja, por lo que es necesario que las universidades cubanas brinden más apoyo en investigación a los estudiantes de ciencias médicas, ya que esto podría aumentar las probabilidades de publicación de sus trabajos.

Actitudes de odontólogos peruanos sobre el aislamiento absoluto. Diseño y validación de una escala en tiempos de COVID-19 / Attitudes of Peruvian dentists toward absolute isolation. Design and validation of a scale in the time of COVID-19

Introducción: El aislamiento absoluto es un procedimiento odontológico que garantiza la bioseguridad y la calidad de los tratamientos restaurativos; sin embargo, no existe un instrumento adecuado para evaluar el tema en la realidad peruana. Objetivo: Diseñar y validar una escala para evaluar las actitudes de odontólogos peruanos sobre el aislamiento absoluto. Material y métodos: Estudio de tipo instrumental y corte transversal. La escala fue administrada mediante un cuestionario virtual y posteriormente distribuida por redes sociales a 279 odontólogos (143 mujeres y 136 hombres) mediante un muestreo no probabilístico intencional. Las edades comprendidas estuvieron entre 22 y 67 años. Resultados: Los valores del coeficiente V de Aiken fueron favorables para todos los ítems. El análisis factorial exploratorio indicó la existencia de un solo factor. El análisis factorial confirmatorio sugirió eliminar los ítems 1 y 7. La confiabilidad de la escala fue buena y se calculó con el coeficiente α de Cronbach = 0,71. Conclusiones: La escala sobre las actitudes de los odontólogos peruanos acerca del aislamiento absoluto (Act-AA-Cov19) es una medida breve, válida y confiable, que puede ser utilizada para fines investigativos(AU)

Introduction: Rubber dam isolation is a dental procedure that ensures biosafety and the quality of restorative treatments; however, no appropriate tool is available to evaluate the topic in Peruvian reality. Objective: Design and validate a scale to evaluate the attitude of Peruvian dentists toward rubber dam isolation. Methods: An instrumental cross-sectional study was conducted. The scale was applied through a virtual questionnaire and then distributed on social networks to 279 dentists (143 women and 136 men) selected by intentional nonprobability sampling. Age ranged from 22 to 67 years. Results: Aiken's V coefficient values were favorable for all items. Exploratory factor analysis showed the presence of a single factor. Confirmatory factor analysis suggested deletion of items 1 and 7. Reliability of the scale proved to be good. It was estimated with a Cronbach's α coefficient of 0.71. Conclusions: The scale about attitudes of Peruvian dentists toward rubber dam isolation (Act-AA-Cov19) is a brief, valid and reliable measurement which may be used for research purposes(AU)