Validation of the Scale of Perceived Risk of Sexually Transmitted Infections in Middle-aged and Older Adults

Background: Middle-aged and older adults often mistakenly underestimate the risk to which they are exposed when they engage in risky sexual behaviors. Furthermore, a reliable and valid measurement of the construct is necessary to capture its scope and meaning. Objective: To validate the structure of the Perceived Risk Scale for STIs in middle-aged and older adults, identify their perceived risk of STIs, and identify their relationship with some sociodemographic characteristics. Methods: The sample was composed of 295 middle-aged and older adults. A virtual online sampling was used. Males and females aged 50 years and older, sexually active in the last 12 months, were included. To measure the perceived risk of STIs, the scale of perceived risk for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was adapted, and a confirmatory factor analysis of the proposed three-factor structure was carried out. Results: The proposed structure of the scale was found to present acceptable adjustment rates (X 2= 48.283, p <.001; CFI = .962, RMSEA = .079, GFI = .963, TLI = .938). 28.1% of the participants presented low perceived risk; 46.8%, medium perceived risk; and 25.1%, high perceived risk. Association between marital status and perceived risk of STIs was identified. Conclusion: The Perceived Risk Scale for STIs is a reliable and valid instrument for capturing perceived risk of STIs in middle-aged and older adults. An appropriate measurement is considered important to accurately examine the relationship between perceived risk and behavior.

Antecedentes: Los adultos de mediana y tercera edad suelen subestimar erróneamente el riesgo al que se exponen cuando realizan conductas sexuales de riesgo, además, es necesaria una medición fiable y válida del constructo para captar su alcance y significado. Objetivo: Validar la estructura de la Escala de Riesgo Percibido a las ITS en adultos de mediana y tercera, identificar su riesgo percibido a las ITS e identificar su relación con algunas características sociodemográficas. Métodos: La muestra estuvo compuesta por 295 adultos de mediana y tercera edad. Se utilizó un muestreo virtual en línea. Se incluyeron hombres y mujeres de 50 años o más, se-xualmente activos en los últimos 12 meses. Para medir el riesgo percibido a las ITS se adaptó la escala de riesgo percibido al Virus de Inmunodeficiencia Humana (VIH) y se realizó un análisis factorial confirmatorio de la estructura propuesta conformada por tres factores. Resultados: Se comprobó que la estructura propuesta de la escala presentaba mostró índices de ajuste aceptables (X2 = 48.283, p <.001; CFI = .962, RMSEA = .079, GFI = .963, TLI = .938). El 28.1% de los participantes presentó un riesgo percibido bajo, el 46.8% un riesgo percibido medio y el 25.1% un riesgo percibido alto. Se identificó la asociación entre el estado civil y el riesgo percibido de ITS. Conclusiones: La Escala de Riesgo Percibido de ITS es un instrumento fiable y válido para captar el riesgo percibido a las ITS en adultos de mediana y tercera edad. Se considera importante una medición adecuada para examinar con precisión la relación entre el riesgo percibido y la conducta.

Prototipo móvil para fomentar el uso de condón en jóvenes mexicanos: un estudio de caso / Mobile Prototype for the Promotion of Condom Use in Mexican Youth: a Case Study

Se han utilizado aplicaciones móviles para promover el uso del condón que carecen de fundamento teórico y no consideran la opinión de los usuarios en su desarrollo por lo que han sido evaluadas negativamente. El objetivo fue desarrollar y evaluar una aplicación móvil para promover el uso correcto y consistente del condón en jóvenes mexicanos con riesgo de VIH, basado en enfoque de pensamiento de diseño centrado en el usuario. Utilizando metodología cualitativa se realizaron tres fases. En la primera fase, inspiración, se identificaron las necesidades de 9 jóvenes con respecto al uso del prototipo. En la segunda fase, ideación, se transformaron estas necesidades en soluciones y se validaron en 15 jóvenes. En la tercera fase, implementación, se realizó una prueba de usabilidad en otros 15 jóvenes. En conclusión, este enfoque ofreció una solución práctica para el desarrollo de un prototipo móvil para fomentar el uso de condón en jóvenes(AU)

Mobile applications have been used to promote the use of condoms, but those have no theoretical basis and do not consider the opinion of users in their development, which is why they have been evaluated negatively. The objective was to develop and evaluate a mobile application to promote the correct and consistent use of the condom in youth at risk of HIV, based on a user-centered design thinking approach. Using qualitative methodology, three phases were carried out. In the first phase, inspiration, the needs of 9 young people were identified with respect to the use of the prototype. In the second phase, ideation, these needs were transformed into solutions and validated in 15 youths. In the third phase, implementation, a usability test was conducted on other 15 youths. In conclusion, this approach offered a practical solution for the development of a mobile prototype to encourage the use of condoms in young people(AU)

Allostatic load and canine companionship: a comparative study using biomarkers in older adults.

OBJECTIVE: to compare the biomarkers and the allostatic load levels in a sample of older persons with and without canine companionship. METHOD: descriptive and comparative study. Data were collected using a sociodemographic questionnaire and a fasting blood sample. The allostatic load comprised 11 biomarkers that are primary and secondary stress mediators, which arise from the following systems: neuroendocrine, immune, metabolic, cardiovascular and anthropometric. RESULTS: a significant difference was found in two biomarkers: cortisol (t= -3.091, df=104, p=0.003) and total cholesterol (t= -2.566, df=104, p=0.012), in the allostatic load levels between older adults with and without a canine companionship (U= 1714.00, Z= 2.01, p=0.044). By associating the allostatic load level with the canine companionship, there was a higher frequency of older adults with low allostatic load among those who have canine companion, compared with those who do not have canine companionship. (χ2= 3.69, df=1, p= 0.043). CONCLUSION: canine companionship influences health in a positive way, as the allostatic load is lower in older adults who have a dog as companion, in addition to presenting lower levels of cortisol and total cholesterol.

Allostatic load and canine companionship: a comparative study using biomarkers in older adults / Carga alostática e companhia canina: um estudo comparativo utilizando biomarcadores em idosos / Carga alostática y compañía canina: un estudio comparativo mediante biomarcadores en adultos mayores

ABSTRACT Objective: to compare the biomarkers and the allostatic load levels in a sample of older persons with and without canine companionship. Method: descriptive and comparative study. Data were collected using a sociodemographic questionnaire and a fasting blood sample. The allostatic load comprised 11 biomarkers that are primary and secondary stress mediators, which arise from the following systems: neuroendocrine, immune, metabolic, cardiovascular and anthropometric. Results: a significant difference was found in two biomarkers: cortisol (t= -3.091, df=104, p=0.003) and total cholesterol (t= -2.566, df=104, p=0.012), in the allostatic load levels between older adults with and without a canine companionship (U= 1714.00, Z= 2.01, p=0.044). By associating the allostatic load level with the canine companionship, there was a higher frequency of older adults with low allostatic load among those who have canine companion, compared with those who do not have canine companionship. (χ2= 3.69, df=1, p= 0.043). Conclusion: canine companionship influences health in a positive way, as the allostatic load is lower in older adults who have a dog as companion, in addition to presenting lower levels of cortisol and total cholesterol.

RESUMO Objetivo: comparar os biomarcadores e o nível de carga alostática em uma amostra de idosos com e sem companhia canina. Método: estudo descritivo e comparativo. Os dados foram coletados por meio de uma ficha sociodemográfica e uma amostra de sangue em jejum. A carga alostática incluiu 11 biomarcadores que são mediadores primários e secundários de estresse, os quais são resultantes dos sistemas: neuroendócrino, imune, metabólico, cardiovascular e antropométrico. Resultados: houve diferença significativa em dois biomarcadores: cortisol (t= -3,091; gl=104; p=0,003) e colesterol total (t= -2,566; gl=104; p=0,012), no nível de carga alostática entre os idosos com e sem companhia canina (U= 1714,00; Z= 2,01; p= 0,044). Ao associar o nível de carga alostática com a companhia canina, houve uma maior frequência de idosos com baixa carga alostática naqueles que têm companhia canina, em comparação com aqueles que não têm a companhia canina (χ2= 3,69; gl=1; p=0,043). Conclusão: a companhia canina interfere na saúde de maneira positiva, pois a carga alostática dos idosos que têm um cão como companhia é menor, além de apresentarem uma concentração menor de cortisol e de colesterol total.

RESUMEN Objetivo: comparar los biomarcadores y el nivel de carga alostática en una muestra de adultos mayores con y sin acompañamiento canino. Método: estudio descriptivo, comparativo. Los datos se colectaron mediante una ficha sociodemográfica y una muestra de sangre en ayuno. La carga alostática incluyó 11 biomarcadores que son mediadores primarios y secundarios del estrés, los cuales provienen de los sistemas: neuroendocrino, inmune, metabólico, cardiovascular y antropométrico. Resultados: hubo diferencia significativa en dos biomarcadores: cortisol (t=-3.091, gl=104, p=0.003) y colesterol total (t=-2.566, gl=104, p=0.012), en el nivel de carga alostática entre los adultos mayores con y sin compañía canina (U=1714.00, Z=2.01, p=0.044). Al asociar el nivel de carga alostática con la compañía canina, existió mayor frecuencia de adultos mayores con carga alostática baja en quienes son acompañados por un canino, comparado con aquellos que no tienen acompañamiento canino (χ2=3.69, gl=1, p=0.043). Conclusión: el acompañamiento canino interviene en la salud de forma positiva, ya que es menor la carga alostática de los adultos mayores que tienen un perro como compañía, asimismo, presentan menor concentración de cortisol y colesterol total.