Food insecurity in Piura, Peru, in the context of post-earthquake and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Introduction: Piura, located in a seismic zone, faces challenges related to food security. The aim of this study was to analyze aspects related to food insecurity in the region following the 6.1-magnitude earthquake that occurred in 2021, within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A secondary analysis was performed in 177 people exposed to the earthquake in Piura. Food insecurity was assessed with the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale. Its association with insomnia, resilience, anxiety/depressive symptoms, and general variables were determined using generalized linear models. Results: Food insecurity was observed in 31.1% (95% CI: 24.3-38.4) of participants. This prevalence was higher in people with mild (PR: 1.73, 95% CI: 1.12-2.70) and moderate (PR: 1.55, 95% CI: 1.09-2.22) anxiety symptoms, severe depressive symptoms (PR: 2.74, 95% CI: 1.24-6.03), and previous exposure to the El Niño Phenomenon (PR: 1.72; 95% CI: 1.06-2.81). An income higher than 5000 Peruvian soles (approximately 1300 US dollars) was associated with a lower prevalence of food insecurity (PR: 0.22, 95% CI: 0.13-0.40). Conclusions: Overall, three out of 10 individuals experienced food insecurity after the 2021 earthquake in Piura. Food insecurity may be aggravated by mental disorders, previous exposure to the El Niño phenomenon, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Our study contributes to the field by exploring a range of variables related to food insecurity in a unique context: post-earthquake and during the COVID-19 health emergency in Peru. These findings enhance our understanding of food insecurity at the regional level and highlight the need for preventive food security programs in seismic events.

Prevalencia y factores asociados a disfunción familiar en pacientes atendidos en el primer nivel de atención

Introducción: La funcionalidad familiar influye en el proceso salud-enfermedad, es por ello que se destaca su importancia en el primer nivel de atención. No existe evidencia concluyente sobre los factores que influyen en la disfunción familiar en pacientes atendidos en el primer nivel de atención. Objetivo: Determinar la prevalencia y factores asociados a disfunción familiar en pacientes atendidos en el primer nivel de atención. Métodos: Estudio transversal de análisis secundario de datos en pacientes atendidos en 7 establecimientos del primer nivel de atención de Lima, Perú, en 2019. Se utilizó el cuestionario Apgar Familiar y se indagó su asociación con factores demográficos-socioeconómicos. Se estimaron razones de prevalencia (RP) a través de modelos de regresión simple y múltiple. Resultados: De 150 pacientes, la mayoría fueron mujeres (81,3 %) y la mediana de edad fue de 32 años. El 14 % presentó disfunción familiar. Los pacientes con acceso a servicio de agua tenían menor prevalencia de disfunción familiar (RP: 0,04; IC95 %: 0,001 - 0,47). Residir entre 1 a 10 años en Lima representó menor prevalencia de disfunción familiar; en comparación con pacientes recién llegados a la capital (menos de 1 año) (RP: 0,15; IC95 %: 0,04 - 0,62). Conclusiones: La prevalencia de disfunción familiar en pacientes atendidos en primer nivel de atención es baja. Tener acceso a servicio de agua y residir entre 1 a 10 años en la capital influyó en una menor prevalencia de disfunción familiar.

Introduction: Family functionality influences the health-disease process, which is why its importance in the first level of care is highlighted. There is no conclusive evidence on the factors that influence family dysfunction in patients treated at the First Level of Care. Objective: To determine the prevalence and factors associated with family dysfunction in patients treated at the First Level of Care. Methods: Cross-sectional study of secondary data analysis in patients treated in 7 primary care establishments in Lima, Peru in 2019. The Family Apgar questionnaire was used, and its association with demographic-socioeconomic factors was investigated. Prevalence ratios (PR) were estimated through simple and multiple regression models. Results: Of 150 patients, the majority were women (81.3%) and the median age was 32 years. 14% presented family dysfunction. Patients with access to water service had a lower prevalence of family dysfunction (PR: 0.04; 95% CI: 0.001-0.47). Living between 1 and 10 years in Lima represented a lower prevalence of family dysfunction; compared with patients recently arrived in the capital (less than 1 year) (PR: 0.15; 95% CI: 0.04- 0.62). Conclusions: The prevalence of family dysfunction in patients treated at the primary care level was low. Having access to water service and residing between 1 and 10 years in the capital influenced a lower prevalence of family dysfunction.

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Depression, Anxiety, and Stress in University Students in Paraguay during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

We aimed to determine the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress in university students in Paraguay during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 293 students from four universities in Paraguay in 2021. The DASS-21 mental health scale was used to measure the outcomes (depression, anxiety, and stress) and evaluate their association with socio-educational variables. A total of 77.1% of the participants were women and 136 (46.4%) were between 21 and 25 years old. The prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress was 74.7%, 87.4%, and 57%, respectively. We found that being a woman and studying at a public university was positively associated with depression, anxiety, and stress. Receiving COVID-19 training increases the prevalence of mental health problems. In conclusion, high levels of anxiety, depression, and stress were found in university students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Being a woman, studying at a public university, and receiving training on COVID-19 were factors associated with a higher prevalence of presenting all the mental health problems evaluated. Furthermore, students aged 31 and over had a higher prevalence of depression and stress.

Association between Working Time and Burnout Syndrome in Peruvian Military during the Second Epidemic Wave of COVID-19.

There is scant evidence on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on burnout in front-line military personnel and how working time may influence on this condition. We aimed to determine the association between working time and Burnout syndrome in military personnel. A cross-sectional study was conducted using secondary data among 576 military personnel from Lambayeque, Peru during the second wave of COVID-19 in 2021. We used the Maslach Burnout Inventory instrument to measure Burnout Syndrome. We evaluated its association with work time, measured as the number of months that the military member worked during the pandemic. The prevalence of burnout syndrome was 9%. Of the total sample, 39.1% and 10.3% presented depersonalization and emotional exhaustion, respectively. Military personnel working for more than 18 months had a 104% higher prevalence of Burnout syndrome (PR: 2.04, 95%CI: 1.02-4.10). Exposure to a prolonged work time during the pandemic increased the prevalence of Burnout syndrome in military personnel. This information helps to understand the potential effects of the pandemic on this population and provides insight into the time the military members would need rest to prevent Burnout syndrome.