Factores asociados al miedo a la COVID-19 previo al retorno a clases presenciales en una facultad de Medicina peruana

Objetivo: Determinar los factores asociados al miedo a la COVID-19 en el retorno a clases presenciales en estudiantes de Medicina. Materiales y métodos: Estudio de tipo observacional, analítico y transversal. Por medio de un muestreo por conveniencia, se aplicó un cuestionario a 252 estudiantes de una facultad de Medicina en Huancayo, Perú. Este estuvo conformado por una primera sección de información del estudio y consentimiento informado, luego por una sección de características sociodemográficas y una última que incluía cuestionarios validados y empleados en un contexto similar como el cuestionario de miedo a la COVID-19 (FCV-19S) y aspectos psicológicos como el cuestionario DASS-21, conformado por tres subsecciones, que valoran la depresión, ansiedad y estrés en presencia y nivel. Para determinar la correlación entre las escalas, se utilizó las pruebas de Pearson. Además, se calcularon las razones de prevalencia crudas y ajustadas por medio de modelos lineales generalizados. La significancia fue definida como un valor p <0,05. Resultados: Se obtuvo una media del puntaje de miedo a la COVID-19 de 14,99 ± 6,32 puntos y un 26,98 % de los estudiantes mostraron un nivel alto de miedo. La prevalencia de depresión, ansiedad y estrés fue de 30,95 %, 31,75 % y 28,57 %, respectivamente. En el análisis de regresión crudo, se encontró que los factores asociados al alto miedo fueron la vacunación completa (RPc: 0,64), la depresión (RPc: 1,76), la ansiedad (RPc: 2,42) y el estrés (RPc: 2,22); mientras que, en el análisis de regresión ajustado, la vacunación completa (RPc: 0,65), la confianza en las medidas propuestas por la universidad (RPa: 0,50), la confianza en las medidas del estado (RPa: 1,76) y la ansiedad (RPa: 2,18) fueron los factores asociados al alto miedo. Conclusiones: Estos resultados sugieren que cada institución educativa adquiera medidas y estrategias con el fin de brindar lugares seguros que reduzcan el contagio de la COVID-19 y en los que se pueda desarrollar un ambiente educativo óptimo.

Objective: To identify the factors associated with fear of COVID-19 prior to returning to in-person classes among medical students. Materials and methods: An observational, analytical and cross-sectional study. Through convenience sampling, a questionnaire was administered to 252 students from a medical school in Huancayo, Peru. The questionnaire consisted of a first section comprising the study information and informed consent, another one devoted to the sociodemographic characteristics and a last section which included validated questionnaires used in similar contexts, such as the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S), and a psychological questionnaire, i.e., the DASS-21 questionnaire, made up of three subscales that assess both the presence and level of depression, anxiety and stress. To determine the correlation between the scales, the Pearson correlation coefficient was used. In addition, crude and adjusted prevalence rates were calculated using generalized linear models. The significance was defined as a p value < 0.05. Results: The average fear of COVID-19 score was 14.99 ± 6.32 points and 26.98 % of the students showed a high level of fear. The prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress was 30.95 %, 31.75 % and 28.57 %, respectively. The results of the crude regression analysis indicated that the factors associated with high fear were complete vaccination (cPR: 0.64), depression (cPR: 1.76), anxiety (cPR: 2.42) and stress (cPR: 2.22). Moreover, the results of the adjusted regression analysis revealed that complete vaccination (cPR: 0.65), trust in university policies and guidelines (aPR: 0.50), trust in government policies (aPR: 1.76) and anxiety (aPR: 2.18) were factors associated with high fear. Conclusions: These results suggest that each educational institution should adopt measures and strategies to provide safe places that reduce the spread of COVID-19 and enable the development of an optimal educational environment.

Factores asociados a la anosmia y ageusia en pacientes COVID-19 de una provincia peruana

Objetivo: identificar la presentación clínica y los factores asociados a la anosmia y ageusia en pacientes con la COVID-19 en un centro de salud de una provincia del Perú en el período de 2020-2021. Métodos: estudio transversal analítico a través de los datos del programa COVID-19 del Policlínico Essalud de Jauja - Perú. Se detallaron características sociodemográficas, sintomatología y comorbilidades de los pacientes. A través de un análisis bivariado se identificó los factores asociados a la anosmia y ageusia. Resultados: se identificó a 356 pacientes: 53,1 % fueron mujeres, la edad media fue 48,7 años (±17,8) y 261 (73,3 %) con COVID-19 leve. Del total, el 22,2 % presentó anosmia y 19,9 % ageusia; de los cuales la mayoría fueron menores de 65 años y del sexo femenino. Presentaron síntomas asociados un 86,1 % de los pacientes con anosmia y un 83,1% con ageusia. Los principales factores asociados a la anosmia fueron: la edad menor a 65 años (p=0,027), tos (p<0,001), cefalea (p<0,001), disnea (p<0,001), congestión nasal (p<0,001) y fiebre (p<0,001); y a la ageusia: edad menor a 65 años (p=0,006), tos (p=0,001), cefalea (p<0,001), disnea (p<0,001), congestión nasal (p<0,001) y diarrea (p<0,001). Conclusiones: la anosmia y ageusia son síntomas frecuentes de la COVID-19. La mayoría de pacientes presentaron estos síntomas asociados a los síntomas comunes. Gran parte de los que presentaban anosmia presentaron congestión nasal por lo que es recomendable considerar diferenciarlos al momento de realizar el diagnóstico.

Summary Objective: To identify the clinical presentation and factors associated with anosmia and ageusia in patients with COVID-19 in a health center in a province of Peru for the period 2020-2021. Methods: Cross-sectional analytical study through data from the COVID-19 program of the Essalud Polyclinic in Jauja, Peru. Sociodemographic characteristics, symptoms and comorbidities of the patients were detailed. A bivariate analysis identified the factors associated with anosmia and ageusia. Results: 356 patients were identified: 53.1 % were women, mean age was 48.7 years (±17.8) and 261 (73.3%) with mild COVID-19. Of the total, 22.2% had anosmia and 19.9% ageusia; of which the majority were under 65 and female. Associated symptoms were found in 86.1% of patients with anosmia and 83.1% with ageusia. The main factors associated with anosmia were age younger than 65 years (p=0.027), cough (p<0.001), headache (p<0.001), dyspnea (p<0.001), nasal congestion (p<0.001) and fever (p<0.001); and ageusia: age younger than 65 years (p=0.006), cough (p=0.001), headache (p<0.001), dyspnea (p<0.001), nasal congestion (p<0.001) and diarrhea (p<0.001). Conclusion: Anosmia and ageusia are common symptoms of COVID-19. Most patients had these symptoms associated with common symptoms. Many of those who had anosmia had nasal congestion, so it is advisable to consider differentiating them when making the diagnosis.

Satisfacción del usuario externo en un hospital peruano durante la pandemia por covid-19 / External user satisfaction in a peruvian hospital during the covid-19 pandemic

INTRODUCCIÓN: la pandemia por la COVID-19 provocó desafíos abrumadores en la prestación de servicios de atención médica a nivel mundial de diversas maneras. Por lo que la calidad de la atención durante la pandemia podría haberse visto afectada. OBJETIVO: determinar la satisfacción del usuario externo sobre la calidad de atención en el Hospital de Pampas (Huancavelica, Perú) en el contexto de pandemia durante enero a marzo de 2021. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: estudio de diseño del tipo pretest-postest de un solo grupo. La muestra estudiada fue de 114 usuarios del Hospital de Pampas en el contexto de pandemia por COVID-19. Para valorar la satisfacción se utilizó el cuestionario SERVQUAL, conformado por 22 preguntas de expectativas, entregadas al usuario minutos antes de su ingreso a consulta y 22 preguntas de percepciones, evaluadas luego de que el paciente fuera atendido. RESULTADOS: el mayor número de pacientes fue del género femenino (66,67%), el rango etario que predominó fue de 30 a 59 años (53,51%), la mayoría (92,98%) cuenta con Seguro Integral de Salud y el tipo de usuario más frecuente son continuadores (76,32%). Se obtuvo una satisfacción global de 56,20% que dependen básicamente de las dimensiones de la calidad: seguridad (60,75%), empatía (61,58%) y aspectos tangibles (63,38%). CONCLUSIÓN: el porcentaje de satisfacción de la calidad del usuario externo fue de 56,20%. Se debe seguir mejorando en las dimensiones con buena satisfacción e implementar estrategias para los niveles de insatisfacción.

INTRODUCTION: the COVID-19 pandemic has brought daunting challenges to the delivery of healthcare services globally in a variety of ways. So, the quality of care during the pandemic could have been affected. OBJECTIVE: to determine the satisfaction of the external user regarding the quality of care at the Pampas Hospital (Huancavelica, Peru) in the context of a pandemic from January to March 2021. MATERIALS AND METHODS: single group pretest-posttest design study. The sample studied was 114 users of the Pampas Hospital in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. To assess satisfaction, the SERVQUAL questionnaire was used, made up of 22 questions on expectations, given to the user minutes before entering the consultation and 22 questions on perceptions, evaluated after the patient was seen. RESULTS: the largest number of patients was female (66.67%), the predominant age range was 30 to 59 years (53.51%), most (92.98%) have Comprehensive Health Insurance. and the most frequent type of user are continuers (76.32%). An overall satisfaction of 56.20% was obtained, which basically depends on the dimensions of quality: security (60.75%), empathy (61.58%) and tangible aspects (63.38%). CONCLUSION: the percentage of satisfaction with the quality of the external user was 56.20%. You must continue to improve in the dimensions with good satisfaction and implement strategies for the levels of dissatisfaction.

Factores asociados a la vacunación contra la COVID-19 en estudiantes de Medicina de una universidad peruana / Factors associated with COVID-19 vaccination in medical students from a Peruvian university

RESUMEN Objetivo: Determinar los factores asociados a la vacunación contra la COVID-19 en estudiantes de Medicina de la Universidad Peruana Los Andes. Materiales y métodos: Estudio observacional, analítico y transversal. Un total de 243 estudiantes del segundo al décimo ciclo respondieron un cuestionario que incluía características sociodemográficas, académicas, antecedentes médicos, familiares y personales, y el número de dosis recibidas de la vacuna contra la COVID-19. Para determinar la asociación, se utilizó las pruebas de chi cuadrado y t de Student. Resultados: La prevalencia de vacunación fue del 98,77 %, de los cuales el 61,73 % cuenta con las 3 dosis. Además, un 46,50 % de los estudiantes refirió haberse contagiado al menos una vez por la COVID-19. En el análisis bivariado se encontró que la edad (p = 0,047) y el lugar de residencia (p = 0,042) se asociaron de manera significativa con el estado de vacunación. Conclusiones: La prevalencia de vacunación fue muy alta; sin embargo, cabe resaltar que un número importante de estudiantes no recibió la dosis de refuerzo. Los factores asociados fueron la edad y la residencia. Se recomienda fomentar la vacunación en los estudiantes debido a la proximidad del retorno a las clases presenciales y su influencia en la opinión pública.

ABSTRACT Objective: To determine the factors associated with COVID-19 vaccination in medical students from Universidad Peruana Los Andes. Materials and methods: An observational, analytical and cross-sectional study. A total of 243 secondto tenth-academic term students completed a questionnaire about sociodemographic and academic characteristics, family and personal medical history, and the number of COVID-19 vaccine doses received. To determine the association, chi-square test and Student's t-test were used. Results: Vaccination coverage was 98.77 %, out of which 61.73 % had three doses. In addition, 46.50 % of the students reported having been infected with COVID-19 at least once. The bivariate analysis showed that age (p = 0.047) and place of residence (p = 0.042) were significantly associated with the vaccination status. Conclusions: Although vaccination coverage was very high, it should be noted that a great number of students did not receive booster doses. The associated factors were age and place of residence. It is recommended to encourage vaccination in students due to the proximity of the return to in-person classes and its influence on public opinion.

Improving the Security and QoE in Mobile Devices through an Intelligent and Adaptive Continuous Authentication System.

Continuous authentication systems for mobile devices focus on identifying users according to their behaviour patterns when they interact with mobile devices. Among the benefits provided by these systems, we highlight the enhancement of the system security, having permanently authenticated the users; and the improvement of the users' quality of experience, minimising the use of authentication credentials. Despite the benefits of these systems, they also have open challenges such as the authentication accuracy and the adaptability to new users' behaviours. Continuous authentication systems should manage these challenges without forgetting critical aspects of mobile devices such as battery consumption, computational limitations and response time. With the goal of improving these previous challenges, the main contribution of this paper is the design and implementation of an intelligent and adaptive continuous authentication system for mobile devices. The proposed system enables the real-time users' authentication by considering statistical information from applications, sensors and Machine Learning techniques based on anomaly detection. Several experiments demonstrated the accuracy, adaptability, and resources consumption of our solution. Finally, its utility is validated through the design and implementation of an online bank application as proof of concept, which allows users to perform different actions according to their authentication level.

Shade Effects on the Dispersal of Airborne Hemileia vastatrix Uredospores.

Hemileia vastatrix caused a severe epidemic in Central America in 2012-13. The gradual development of that epidemic on nearly a continental scale suggests that dispersal at different scales played a significant role. Shade has been proposed as a way of reducing uredospore dispersal. The effect of shade (two strata: Erythrina poeppigiana below and Chloroleucon eurycyclum above) and full sun on H. vastatrix dispersal was studied with Burkard traps in relation to meteorological records. Annual and daily patterns of dispersal were observed, with peaks of uredospore capture obtained during wet seasons and in the early afternoon. A maximum of 464 uredospores in 1 day (in 14.4 m(3) of air) was recorded in October 2014. Interactions between shade/full sun and meteorological conditions were found. Rainfall, possibly intercepted by tree cover and redistributed by raindrops of higher kinetic energy, was the main driver of uredospore dispersal under shade. Wind gusts reversed this effect, probably by inhibiting water accumulation on leaves. Wind gusts also promoted dispersal under dry conditions in full sun, whereas they had no effect under shaded conditions, probably because the canopy blocked the wind. Our results indicate the importance of managing shade cover differentially in rainy versus dry periods to control the dispersal of airborne H. vastatrix uredospores.

Patterns of animal diversity in different forms of tree cover in agricultural landscapes.

As tropical regions are converted to agriculture, conservation of biodiversity will depend not only on the maintenance of protected forest areas, but also on the scope for conservation within the agricultural matrix in which they are embedded. Tree cover typically retained in agricultural landscapes in the neotropics may provide resources and habitats for animals, but little is known about the extent to which it contributes to conservation of animal species. Here, we explore the animal diversity associated with different forms of tree cover for birds, bats, butterflies, and dung beetles in a pastoral landscape in Nicaragua. We measured species richness and abundance of these four animal taxa in riparian and secondary forest, forest fallows, live fences, and pastures with high and low tree cover. We recorded over 20,000 individuals of 189 species including 14 endangered bird species. Mean abundance and species richness of birds and bats, but not dung beetles or butterflies, were significantly different among forms of tree cover. Species richness of bats and birds was positively correlated with tree species richness. While the greatest numbers of bird species were associated with riparian and secondary forest, forest fallows, and pastures with >15% tree cover, the greatest numbers of bat species were found in live fences and riparian forest. Species assemblages of all animal taxa were different among tree cover types, so that maintaining a diversity of forms of tree cover led to conservation of more animal species in the landscape as a whole. Overall, the findings indicate that retaining tree cover within agricultural landscapes can help conserve animal diversity, but that conservation efforts need to target forms of tree cover that conserve the taxa that are of interest locally. Preventing the degradation of remaining forest fragments is a priority, but encouraging farmers to maintain tree cover in pastures and along boundaries may also make an important contribution to animal conservation.

Diversidad, composición y estructura de la vegetación en un agropaisaje ganadero en Matiguás, Nicaragua / Vegetation diversity, composition and structure in a cattle agro-landscape of Matiguás, Nicaragua

Se caracterizó la diversidad, composición y estructura de la vegetación en un paisaje ganadero en Matiguás, Nicaragua, y se comparó las diferencias florísticas y estructurales de seis tipos de hábitats (bosques secundarios, bosques ribereños, charrales, cercas vivas y potreros con alta y baja cobertura arbórea). Se registraron un total de 3 949 árboles de 180 especies y 52 familias. El 46% del total de especies informadas para el paisaje fueron representadas por Guazuma ulmifolia (18.5%), Bursera simaruba (13.2%), Tabebuia rosea (6.3%), Enterolobium cyclocarpum (4.2%) y Albizia saman (3.4%). Muchas de las especies dominantes en el paisaje son típicas de áreas abiertas y perturbadas. Se encontraron diferencias significativas entre los diferentes hábitats en los patrones de riqueza, abundancia, diversidad, estructura y composición florística. Los bosques ribereños tuvieron mayor riqueza (p=0.0001) y diversidad de especies (p=0.0009), que los demás hábitats. La composición florística vario entre hábitats, con pares de hábitats compartiendo solamente entre 18.4 y 51.6% de las mismas especies arbóreas, y con claras diferencias en composición entre los hábitats forestados (ribereños y bosques secundarios) y los hábitats agropecuarios. De los hábitats estudiados los bosques ribereños y bosques secundarios parecen ser los hábitats que tienen mayor valor para la conservación de la flora en el agropaisaje porque tienen la mayor riqueza de especies, además de que mantienen poblaciones bajas de especies maderables en peligro de extinción. En base a este estudio, recomendamos incluir los paisajes agrícolas en estrategias de conservación y sugerimos algunos criterios para asegurar el mantenimiento de la flora en el paisaje de Matiguás

The diversity, composition and structure of vegetation in a cattle landscape in Matiguás, Nicaragua was characterized, and the floristic and structural differences of six types of habitats (secondary forests, riparian forests, charrales, live fences and pastures with high and low tree cover) were compared. A total of 3 949 trees of 180 species and 52 families were recorded. Forty six percent of the total trees reported for the landscape were represented by Guazuma ulmifolia (18.5%), Bursera simaruba (13.2%), Tabebuia rosea (6.3%), Enterolobium cyclocarpum (4.2%) and Albizia saman (3.4%). Many of the dominant species in the landscape were typical of open and disturbed areas. There were significant differences between the different habitats in the patterns of tree species richness, abundance, diversity, structure and floristic composition. The riparian forests had greater tree richness (p=0.0001) and diversity (p=0.0009) than other habitats. The floristic composition varied across habitats, with pairs of habitats sharing between 18.4 and 51.6% of the same tree species, and with clear differences in composition between the forested (riparian and secondary forests) and agricultural habitats. Of the habitats studied, the riparian forests and secondary forests seem to have greatest value for the conservation of the flora in the agropaisaje because they have the greatest species richness, and maintain small populations of endangered species. On the basis of the study, we recommend including agricultural landscapes in strategies to conserve tree diversity and suggest measures to ensure the maintenance of tree diversity in the Matiguas landscape

[Vegetation diversity, composition and structure in a cattle agro-landscape of Matiguás, Nicaragua]. / Diversidad, composición y estructura de la vegetación en un agropaisaje ganadero en Matiguás, Nicaragua.

The diversity, composition and structure of vegetation in a cattle landscape in Matiguás, Nicaragua was characterized, and the floristic and structural differences of six types of habitats (secondary forests, riparian forests, charrales, live fences and pastures with high and low tree cover) were compared. A total of 3 949 trees of 180 species and 52 families were recorded. Forty six percent of the total trees reported for the landscape were represented by Guazuma ulmifolia (18.5%), Bursera simaruha (13.2%), Tabebuia rosea (6.3%), Enterolobium cyclocarpum (4.2%) and Albizia saman (3.4%). Many of the dominant species in the landscape were typical of open and disturbed areas. There were significant differences between the different habitats in the patterns of tree species richness, abundance, diversity, structure and floristic composition. The riparian forests had greater tree richness (p=0.0001) and diversity (p=0.0009) than other habitats. The floristic composition varied across habitats. with pairs of habitats sharing between 18.4 and 51.6% of the same tree species, and with clear differences in composition between the forested (riparian and secondary forests) and agricultural habitats. Of the habitats studied, the riparian forests and secondary forests seem to have greatest value for the conservation of the flora in the agropaisaje because they have the greatest species richness, and maintain small populations of endangered species. On the basis of the study, we recommend including agricultural landscapes in strategies to conserve tree diversity and suggest measures to ensure the maintenance of tree diversity in the Matiguas landscape.