COVID-19 Vaccination and Community Management: A Qualitative Study.

BACKGROUND: Nurses play key roles as vaccination agents and frontline workers who deal with prejudice and misinformation. This study examined the attitudes and perceptions of nursing students regarding corona-virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination and its social and institutional management. METHOD: This qualitative study consisted of an exploratory phase involving first- and fourth-year nursing students and a second phase using the PhotoVoice tool SHOWED mnemonic method followed by discussion groups with second-year nursing students. RESULTS: Three themes emerged: (1) hope tinged with fear; (2) too much information generating fear, uncertainty, and mistrust; and (3) leaders without recognition or voice. CONCLUSION: The results inform the body of knowledge in nursing science and enhance changes in clinical practice by providing new insights regarding the perceptions of nursing students on vaccination and its management, highlighting the need to train future nurses in health literacy and new ways to interact with community members. [J Nurs Educ. 2023;62(6):343-350.].

Hematologic toxicities of chemotherapy in breast and ovarian cancer patients carrying BRCA1/BRCA2 germline pathogenic variants. A single center experience and review of the literature.

BRCA1 and BRCA2 play a central role in DNA repair and their germline pathogenic variants (gBRCA) confer a high risk for developing breast and ovarian cancer. Standard chemotherapy regimens for these cancers include DNA-damaging agents. We hypothesized that gBRCA carriers might be at higher risk of developing chemotherapy-related hematologic toxicity and therapy-related myeloid neoplasms (t-MN). We conducted a retrospective study of women newly diagnosed with invasive breast or ovarian cancer who were screened for gBRCA1/gBRCA2 at Geneva University Hospitals. All patients were treated with (neo-)adjuvant chemotherapy. We evaluated acute hematologic toxicities by analyzing the occurrence of febrile neutropenia and severe neutropenia (grade 4) at day 7-14 of the first cycle of chemotherapy and G-CSF use during the entire chemotherapy regimen. Characteristics of t-MN were collected. We reviewed medical records from 447 patients: 58 gBRCA1 and 40 gBRCA2 carriers and 349 non-carriers. gBRCA1 carriers were at higher risk of developing severe neutropenia (32% vs. 14.5%, p = 0.007; OR = 3.3, 95% CI [1.6-7], p = 0.001) and of requiring G-CSF for secondary prophylaxis (58.3% vs. 38.2%, p = 0.011; OR = 2.5, 95% CI [1.4-4.8], p = 0.004). gBRCA2 carriers did not show increased acute hematologic toxicities. t-MN were observed in 2 patients (1 gBRCA1 and one non-carrier). Our results suggested an increased acute hematologic toxicity upon exposure to chemotherapy for breast and ovarian cancer among gBRCA1 but not gBRCA2 carriers. A deeper characterization of t-MN is warranted with the recent development of PARP inhibitors in frontline therapy in gBRCA breast and ovarian cancer.

Gender-based violence attitudes and dating violence experiences of students in nursing and other health sciences: A multicentre cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Gender-based violence is a major public health problem. Healthcare providers' ability to identify this type of violence and support victims may be influenced by their knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs, which requires solid education. OBJECTIVES: To identify the gender-based violence attitudes and dating violence experiences of students in nursing and other health sciences. DESIGN: A multicentre cross-sectional study was performed. SETTINGS: This study was conducted in three faculties of the University of A Coruña, Spain. PARTICIPANTS: Participants were undergraduate students of nursing, podiatry, occupational therapy, and physiotherapy. METHODS: The Attitudes towards Gender and Violence Questionnaire and the Dating Violence Questionnaire were used from October 2019 to March 2020. Descriptive and inferential statistics were calculated to determine associated factors and identify differences in gender-based violence attitudes and dating violence experiences between sexes and degrees. RESULTS: Data from 459 students were analysed, of whom 180 (39.2 %) studied nursing. The mean age was 20.9 (SD = 3.6) and 76.0 % were women. Statistically significant differences were obtained in attitudes towards gender-based violence according to sex where men displayed more sexist attitudes and violence justification. Results showed a significant difference in attitudes regarding the biological usefulness of sexism and violence between students of nursing and other health sciences. 61.9 % of students had experienced one or more abusive behaviours in relationships; no significant differences were detected according to the degree. However, male students experienced dating violence more often than females. It was observed that students who had suffered dating violence showed greater agreement with sexist attitudes that justify violence. CONCLUSION: Students of health sciences, particularly males and nursing students, show sexist attitudes that justify gender-based violence. They also frequently experience dating violence, especially psychological violence. It is necessary to intensify or include education on these types of violence in the curricula of degrees in health sciences.

[Validation and adaptation into Spanish of the COVID-19 Anxiety Scale]. / Validación y adaptación al español de la Escala de ansiedad por COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Mental health problems derived from the COVID-19 pandemic, including depression, anxiety, and stress, need to be identified. OBJECTIVE: To validate and adapt the COVID-19 Anxiety Scale (CAS) into Spanish. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in a total of 303 individuals who answered the Covid-19 Anxiety Scale. Antibody tests for SARS-CoV-2 were identified as a secondary comparison. RESULTS: It was carried out the cross-cultural validation process recommended by the American Academy of Orthopeadic Surgeon (AAOS). It was obtained a Cronbach's alpha of 0.8493 (with an average interitem covariance of 0.2620). CONCLUSIONS: It was achieved a valid Spanish version of CAS to be used in routine clinical practice.

INTRODUCCIÓN: los problemas de salud mental derivados de la pandemia por COVID-19, entre ellos la depresión, la ansiedad y el estrés, requieren identificación. OBJETIVO: validar y adaptar la COVID-19 Anxiety Scale (CAS) al español. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: se realizó un estudio transversal en un total de 303 individuos, en los cuales se aplicó la CAS y se identificaron de forma secundaria, como comparación, pruebas de anticuerpos para SARS-CoV-2. RESULTADOS: se hizo el proceso de validación transcultural recomendado por la American Academy of Orthopeadic Surgeon (AAOS) y se obtuvo un alfa de Cronbach de 0.8493 (covarianza promedio interitem de 0.2620). CONCLUSIONES: se logró una versión al español de la CAS válida para utilizarla en la práctica clínica rutinaria.

Validación y adaptación al español de la Escala de ansiedad por COVID-19 / Validation and adaptation into Spanish of the COVID-19 Anxiety Scale

Introducción: los problemas de salud mental derivados de la pandemia por COVID-19, entre ellos la depresión, la ansiedad y el estrés, requieren identificación. Objetivo: validar y adaptar la COVID-19 Anxiety Scale (CAS) al español. Material y métodos: se realizó un estudio transversal en un total de 303 individuos, en los cuales se aplicó la CAS y se identificaron de forma secundaria, como comparación, pruebas de anticuerpos para SARS-CoV-2. Resultados: se hizo el proceso de validación transcultural recomendado por la American Academy of Orthopeadic Surgeon (AAOS) y se obtuvo un alfa de Cronbach de 0.8493 (covarianza promedio interitem de 0.2620). Conclusiones: se logró una versión al español de la CAS válida para utilizarla en la práctica clínica rutinaria.

Background: Mental health problems derived from the COVID-19 pandemic, including depression, anxiety, and stress, need to be identified. Objective: To validate and adapt the COVID-19 Anxiety Scale (CAS) into Spanish. Material and methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in a total of 303 individuals who answered the Covid-19 Anxiety Scale. Antibody tests for SARS-CoV-2 were identified as a secondary comparison. Results: It was carried out the cross-cultural validation process recommended by the American Academy of Orthopeadic Surgeon (AAOS). It was obtained a Cronbach's alpha of 0.8493 (with an average interitem covariance of 0.2620). Conclusions: It was achieved a valid Spanish version of CAS to be used in routine clinical practice.

Asymmetric Power Relations in Gynaecological Consultations for Cervical Cancer Prevention: Biomedical and Gender Issues.

A generic qualitative research, using a poststructuralist feminist perspective, was conducted in a Spanish gynaecology unit with the following aims: (a) to analyse how asymmetric power relations in relation to biomedical knowledge and gender shape the medical encounters between gynaecologists and women diagnosed with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and (b) to explore the cognitive, moral, and emotional responses expressed by patients. A total of 21 women diagnosed with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia were recruited through purposive sampling. Semi-structured interviews were recorded and transcribed, and a thematic analysis was carried out. Two major themes were identified: (a) gendered relations in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia medical encounters are based on hidden, judgmental moral assumptions, making women feel irresponsible and blamed for contracting the human papillomavirus infection; (b) biomedical power is based on the positivist assumption of a single truth (scientific knowledge), creating asymmetric relations rendering women ignorant and infantilised. Women reacted vehemently during the interviews, revealing a nexus of cognitive, moral, and emotional reactions. In medical encounters for management of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, patients feel they are being morally judged and given limited information, generating emotional distress. Healthcare professionals should question whether their practices are based on stereotypical gender assumptions which lead to power asymmetries during encounters.

When risk becomes illness: The personal and social consequences of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia medical surveillance.

BACKGROUND: After the early detection of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), medical surveillance of the precancerous lesions is carried out to control risk factors to avoid the development of cervical cancer. OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of medical surveillance on the personal and social lives of women undergoing CIN follow-up and treatment. METHODOLOGY: A generic qualitative study using a poststructuralist perspective of risk management was carried out in a gynecology clinic in a public hospital of the Galician Health Care System (Spain). Participants were selected through purposive sampling. The sample consisted of 21 women with a confirmed diagnosis of CIN. Semistructured interviews were recorded and transcribed, and a thematic analysis was carried out, including researcher triangulation to verify the results of the analysis. FINDINGS: Two main themes emerged from the participants' experiences: CIN medical surveillance encounters and risk management strategies are shaped by the biomedical discourse, and the effects of "risk treatment" for patients include (a) profound changes expected of patients, (b) increased patient risk management, and (c) resistance to risk management. While doctors' surveillance aimed to prevent the development of cervical cancer, women felt they were sick because they had to follow strict recommendations over an unspecified period of time and live with the possibility of a life-threatening disease. Clinical risk management resulted in the medicalization of women's personal and social lives and produced great uncertainty. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to conceptualize CIN medical surveillance as an illness experience for patients. It also problematizes the effects of preventative practices in women's lives. Patients deal with great uncertainty, as CIN medical surveillance performed by gynecologists simultaneously trivializes the changes expected of patients and underestimates the effects of medical recommendations on patients' personal wellbeing and social relations.

Health care informational challenges for women diagnosed with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Internationally, women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) lack knowledge about their disease, which limits their ability to take responsibility for self-care and creates negative psychosocial effects, including marital problems. Normally, screening is performed in primary care, and in case of abnormal results, the patient is referred to specialized care for follow-up and treatment. Given the lack of international literature regarding patients' experiences in primary and specialized healthcare, our study aims to: (a) investigate how women with CIN perceive the communication and management of information by healthcare providers at different moments of their healthcare and (b) identify these women's informational needs. METHODS: A qualitative exploratory study was carried out in a gynecology unit of a public hospital of the Galician Health Care Service (Spain). Participants were selected through purposive sampling. The sample consisted of 21 women aged 21 to 52 years old with a confirmed diagnosis of CIN. Semistructured interviews were recorded and transcribed. A thematic analysis was carried out, including triangulation of researchers for analysis verification. RESULTS: Two analytical themes were identified. The first was communication gaps in the diagnosis and management of information in primary and specialized healthcare. These gaps occurred in the following moments of the healthcare process: (a) cervical cancer screening in primary care, (b) waiting time until referral to specialized care, (c) first consultation in specialized care, and (d) after consultation in specialized care. The second theme was participants' unmatched informational needs. The doubts and informational needs of women during their healthcare process related to the following subthemes: (a) HPV transmission, (b) HPV infection symptoms and consequences, and (c) CIN treatment and follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that women who have a diagnosis of CIN experience important healthcare informational challenges when accessing primary and specialized care that have several implications for their wellbeing. The information given is limited, which makes it difficult for women to understand and participate in the decision making regarding the prevention and treatment of CIN. Service coordination among different levels of care and the availability of educational materials at any given time would improve the patients' healthcare experience.

High prevalence of drug-resistant tuberculosis and other mycobacteria among HIV-infected patients in Brazil: a systematic review.

There is a little-noticed trend involving human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients suspected of having tuberculosis: the triple-treatment regimen recommended in Brazil for years has been potentially ineffective in over 30% of the cases. This proportion may be attributable to drug resistance (to at least 1 drug) and/or to infection with non-tuberculous mycobacteria. This evidence was not disclosed in official statistics, but arose from a systematic review of a few regional studies in which the diagnosis was reliably confirmed by mycobacterial culture. This paper clarifies that there has long been ample evidence for the potential benefits of a four-drug regimen for co-infected patients in Brazil and it reinforces the need for determining the species and drug susceptibility in all positive cultures from HIV-positive patients.

High prevalence of drug-resistant tuberculosis and other mycobacteria among HIV-infected patients in Brazil: a systematic review

There is a little-noticed trend involving human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients suspected of having tuberculosis: the triple-treatment regimen recommended in Brazil for years has been potentially ineffective in over 30 percent of the cases. This proportion may be attributable to drug resistance (to at least 1 drug) and/or to infection with non-tuberculous mycobacteria. This evidence was not disclosed in official statistics, but arose from a systematic review of a few regional studies in which the diagnosis was reliably confirmed by mycobacterial culture. This paper clarifies that there has long been ample evidence for the potential benefits of a four-drug regimen for co-infected patients in Brazil and it reinforces the need for determining the species and drug susceptibility in all positive cultures from HIV-positive patients.

High frequency of BF mosaic genomes among HIV-1-infected children from Sao Paulo, Brazil.

HIV-1 genetic diversity information from a pediatric population is scarce. This study enrolled 128 children living with HIV/AIDS, 103 antiretroviral-treated and 25 naive, from the Sao Paulo metropolitan area. Gag, pol and env regions were amplified, and drug resistance mutations, V3 loop, tropism and viral clades were evaluated. Drug resistance mutations among naïve children infected by vertical transmission were uncommon (4.2%), whereas most ARV-experienced children showed extensive mutation patterns. Clade B predominated at the pol region, but the analysis of the three regions concatenated showed 28% with BF mosaic structures. The most common V3 motif was GPGR, followed by GWGR in clade B samples and GPGQ in clade F samples. A predicted X4 phenotype was observed in 27%, without correlation to HIV clade. These findings expand the limited information on molecular characteristics of HIV-1 among children living with HIV/AIDS in the area and may provide information useful for monitoring the epidemic.

Antiretroviral resistance mutations in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infected patients enrolled in genotype testing at the Central Public Health Laboratory, São Paulo, Brazil: preliminary results.

Antiretroviral resistance mutations (ARM) are one of the major obstacles for pharmacological human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) suppression. Plasma HIV-1 RNA from 306 patients on antiretroviral therapy with virological failure was analyzed, most of them (60%) exposed to three or more regimens, and 28% of them have started therapy before 1997. The most common regimens in use at the time of genotype testing were AZT/3TC/nelfinavir, 3TC/D4T/nelfinavir and AZT/3TC/efavirenz. The majority of ARM occurred at protease (PR) gene at residue L90 (41%) and V82 (25%); at reverse transcriptase (RT) gene, mutations at residue M184 (V/I) were observed in 64%. One or more thymidine analogue mutations were detected in 73%. The number of ARM at PR gene increased from a mean of four mutations per patient who showed virological failure at the first ARV regimens to six mutations per patient exposed to six or more regimens; similar trend in RT was also observed. No differences in ARM at principal codon to the three drug classes for HIV-1 clades B or F were observed, but some polymorphisms in secondary codons showed significant differences. Strategies to improve the cost effectiveness of drug therapy and to optimize the sequencing and the rescue therapy are the major health priorities.

Antiretroviral resistance mutations in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infected patients enrolled in genotype testing at the Central Public Health Laboratory, São Paulo, Brazil: preliminary results

Antiretroviral resistance mutations (ARM) are one of the major obstacles for pharmacological human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) suppression. Plasma HIV-1 RNA from 306 patients on antiretroviral therapy with virological failure was analyzed, most of them (60 percent) exposed to three or more regimens, and 28 percent of them have started therapy before 1997. The most common regimens in use at the time of genotype testing were AZT/3TC/nelfinavir, 3TC/D4T/nelfinavir and AZT/3TC/efavirenz. The majority of ARM occurred at protease (PR) gene at residue L90 (41 percent) and V82 (25 percent); at reverse transcriptase (RT) gene, mutations at residue M184 (V/I) were observed in 64 percent. One or more thymidine analogue mutations were detected in 73 percent. The number of ARM at PR gene increased from a mean of four mutations per patient who showed virological failure at the first ARV regimens to six mutations per patient exposed to six or more regimens; similar trend in RT was also observed. No differences in ARM at principal codon to the three drug classes for HIV-1 clades B or F were observed, but some polymorphisms in secondary codons showed significant differences. Strategies to improve the cost effectiveness of drug therapy and to optimize the sequencing and the rescue therapy are the major health priorities.

Broncoscopia no diagnóstico de tuberculose: papel da biópsia transbrÖnquica em imunocompetentes e em HIV-positivo / Bronchoscopy in the diagnostic of tuberculosis: their role of transbronchial biopsy in HIV-infected and in immunocompetent patients

INTRODUÇÄO: A broncoscopia figura como opçäo diagnóstica frente a um paciente com suspeita de tuberculose e escarro "negativo". Neste contexto säo objetivos do trabalho: avaliar o redimento do lavado broncoalveolar (LBA) e da biópsia transbrônquica (BTB) nos pacientes HIV-positivo (grupo 1) e em indivíduos imunocompetentes (grupo 2), utilizando técnicas de procedimento laboratorial simples e facilmente disponíneis na prática clínica. CASUISTICA E METODOLOGIA: Foram realizadas 319 broncoscopias em 302 doentes. Todos os exames incluíram a inspeçäo endoscópica das vias aérea seguida da coleta do LBA e da BTB no pulmäo ipsilateral. O diagnóstico de tuberculose foi estabelecido em funçäo da pesquisa direta de BAAR no lavado (zn), da cultura para micobactérias (Lj) e do estudo histológico das biópsias (HE e zn). RESULTADO: O diagnóstico de tuberculose foi estabelecido em 28 dos 214 exames do grupo 1 e em 35 dos 105 casos do grupo 2. Destes, havia alteraçöes endoscópicas respectivamente em 3 e 10 pacientes. No grupo 1 a pesquisa direta foi positiva em 7 exames, a cultura do lavado em 14 e a biópsia transbrônquica em 19. No grupo 2 a pesquisa direta foi positiva em 7 exames, a cultura do lavado em 14 e a biópsia em 31. Os dados obtidos pela BTB comparados com os do LBA foram concordantes no grupo 1 (p = 0,823) e discordantes no grupo 2 (p = 0,022). Os resultados imediatos (pesquisa direta e BTB) comparados com a positividade tardia da cultura foram semelhantes no grupo 1 (p = 0,066) e discordantes no grupo 2 (p < 0,001). Houve oito episódios de pneumotórax (2,5 por cento) e um óbito (0,3 por cento). CONCLUSÖES: A BTB isoladamente aumenta o redimento da broncoscopia e, sempre que possível, tanto o LBA quanto a BTB devem ser realizados no sentido de otimizar o diagnóstico de tuberculose. Os resultados dos dois métodos säo complementares nos pacientes imunocompetemtes e, nos HIV-positivo, a BTB confere maior rapidez diagnóstica ao ser associada à pesquisa direta de BAAR no lavado

Lavado broncoalveolar "versus" biópsia transbrônica em pacientes HIV positivos: análise comparativa de 287 exames / Bronchoalveolar lavage versus transbronchial biopsy in patients infected with the human immunode ficiency virus: comparative analysis of 287 examinations

Foram realizadas 287 broncoscopias em 267 pacientes infectados pelo vírus da imunodeficiência humana (HIV). Em todos os exames procedeu se à coleta do lavado broncoalveolar (BTB) no pulmäo ipsilateral. As amostras foram submetidas a técnicas laboratoriais (microbiologia e estudo histológico) de rotina. A idade dos doentes variou entre 16 e 78 anos (mediana de 37,2),sendo 228 homens(85,4 por cento)e 39 mulheres.Dispnéia foi a queixa principal em 198 casos(69,0 por cento)e o infiltrado intersticial(difuso ou localizado)à radiografia simples foi o achado mais freqüente,em 179 ocasiöes (62,4 por cento). A inspeçäo endoscópica das vias respiratórias foi normal em 246 casos(85,7 por cento).Lesöes mucosas características de sarcoma Kaposi foram verificadas em 12 pacientes(4,2 por cento). O LBA permitiu a identificaçäo de 97 agentes infecciosos,havendo associaçäo de duas etiologias no mesmo doente em 3 casos. A BTB diagnosticou 165 infecçöes (9 das quais associadas ),implicando uma maior positividade que o LBA no diagnóstico de pneumocistose(84 e 51 ,respectivamente) e de citomegalovirose (35 e 0).