Student nurses at Spanish universities and their attitude toward xenotransplantation.

INTRODUCTION: Recent immunological and transgenic advances are a promising alternative using limited materials of human origin for transplantation. However, it is essential to achieve social acceptance of this therapy. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the attitude of nursing students from Spanish universities toward organ xenotransplantation (XTx) and to determine the factors affecting their attitude. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Type of study: A sociological, multicentre, and observational study. STUDY POPULATION: Nursing students enrolled in Spain (n = 28,000). SAMPLE SIZE: A sample of 10 566 students estimating a proportion of 76% (99% confidence and precision of ±1%), stratified by geographical area and year of study. Instrument of measurement: A validated questionnaire (PCID-XenoTx-RIOS) was handed out to every student in a compulsory session. This survey was self-administered and self-completed voluntarily and anonymously by each student in a period of 5-10 min. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: descriptive analysis, Student's t test, the chi-square test, and a logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: A completion rate: 84% (n = 8913) was obtained. If the results of XTx were as good as in human donation, 74% (n = 6564) would be in favor and 22% (n = 1946) would have doubts. The following variables affected this attitude: age (P < 0.001); sex (P < 0.001); geographical location (P < 0.001); academic year of study (P < 0.001); attitude toward organ donation (P < 0.001); belief in the possibility of needing a transplant (P < 0.001); discussion of transplantation with one's family (P < 0.001) and friends (P < 0.001); and the opinion of one's partner (P < 0.001). The following variables persisted in the multivariate analysis: being a male (OR = 1.436; P < 0.001); geographical location (OR = 1.937; P < 0.001); an attitude in favor of donation (OR = 1.519; P < 0.001); belief in the possibility of needing a transplant (OR = 1.497; P = 0.036); and having spoken about the issue with family (OR = 1.351; P < 0.001) or friends (OR = 1.240; P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The attitude of nursing students toward organ XTx is favorable and is associated with factors of general knowledge about organ donation and transplantation and social interaction.

[Trends in smoking and alcohol consumption among nursing students]. / Evolución de los hábitos de consumo de tabaco y alcohol en estudiantes de enfermería.

OBJECTIVE: To determine trends in smoking and alcohol consumption, as well as risk behaviors associated with alcohol and driving, among nursing students throughout the diploma in nursing. METHOD: A longitudinal epidemiological study was performed in a cohort of 81 nursing students of the San Sebastian School of Nursing. Data were collected using a self-administrated, bilingual (Spanish-Basque) questionnaire completed voluntarily and anonymously. The questionnaire was distributed in one of the most highly attended lectures. RESULTS: Ninety-one percent of the cohort (71 students) were women. The percentage of current smokers (25%, 26.7% and 26.9%) and current drinkers (70.4%, 69.7% and 69.6%) showed no change during the 3-year diploma. The percentage of students at risk of an alcohol-related traffic accident was very high and increased during the course (from 32.3% in the first year to 45% in the third). CONCLUSIONS: The present study identifies unhealthy habits and behaviors that do not improve during the diploma in nursing, suggesting that nursing studies do not always help to encourage healthy habits. Therefore, health education programs should be developed to promote healthy habits and life styles.

Evolución de los hábitos de consumo de tabaco y alcohol en estudiantes de enfermería / Trends in smoking and alcohol consumption among nursing students

Objetivo. Conocer y valorar la evolución del consumo de tabaco y alcohol, así como de las conductas de riesgo ligadas al alcohol y la conducción, en estudiantes de enfermería a lo largo de la diplomatura. Método. Se trata de un estudio epidemiológico longitudinal, donde la cohorte la constituyeron 81 estudiantes de enfermería de la Escuela Universitaria de Enfermería de San Sebastián. Para la recogida de los datos se ha utilizado un cuestionario autoadministrado bilingüe (castellano-euskera) de forma voluntaria y anónima, aprovechando las clases teóricas de mayor asistencia. Resultados. El 91% (74) de la cohorte lo formaban mujeres. El porcentaje de fumadores habituales (25, 26,7 y 26,9%) y bebedores habituales (70,4, 69,7 y 69,6) se mantuvo estable a lo largo de los 3 años de la diplomatura. El porcentaje de alumnos/as que tenía riesgo de accidentarse es muy elevado, ascendiendo a lo largo de la carrera (desde el 32,3 % en primero al 45% en tercero). Conclusiones. Con este estudio se han identificado hábitos insanos y conductas de riesgo que no mejoran a lo largo de la diplomatura de enfermería, sugiriendo que la realización de la carrera de enfermería no actúa siempre como un sistema de refuerzo positivo en cuanto al mantenimiento de conductas saludables. Todo ello nos empuja a desarrollar programas de educación para la salud con el fin de promover conductas y estilos de vida sanos

Objective. To determine trends in smoking and alcohol consumption, as well as risk behaviors associated with alcohol and driving, among nursing students throughout the diploma in nursing. Method. A longitudinal epidemiological study was performed in a cohort of 81 nursing students of the San Sebastian School of Nursing. Data were collected using a self-administrated, bilingual (Spanish-Basque) questionnaire completed voluntarily and anonymously. The questionnaire was distributed in one of the most highly attended lectures. Results. Ninety-one percent of the cohort (71 students) were women. The percentage of current smokers (25%, 26.7% and 26.9%) and current drinkers (70.4%, 69.7% and 69.6%) showed no change during the 3-year diploma. The percentage of students at risk of an alcohol-related traffic accident was very high and increased during the course (from 32.3% in the first year to 45% in the third). Conclusions. The present study identifies unhealthy habits and behaviors that do not improve during the diploma in nursing, suggesting that nursing studies do not always help to encourage healthy habits. Therefore, health education programs should be developed to promote healthy habits and life styles

Stress sources in nursing practice. Evolution during nursing training.

A cohort study was carried out in order to evaluate the evolution of nursing students' perception of stressors associated with clinical practice. Sixty-nine students answered the KEZKAK questionnaire about nursing stressors [Zupiria X., Uranga M.J., Alberdi, M.J., Barandiaran, M., 2003b. Kezkak: cuestionario bilingüe de estresores de los estudiantes de enfermería en las prácticas clínicas. Gac. Sanit. 17 (1), 37-51.] at four stages of their studies. The most powerful stressors identified by students both at the beginning and at the end of their studies were: lack of competence, uncertainty and impotence, being harmed by the relationship with patients, emotional involvement, lack of control in relationships with patients, contact with suffering, relationships with tutors and companions, and overload. Nevertheless, most of the stressors were found to lose stressor power during the course of nursing training. The evolution of the perception of stressor power and its implications for nurse training are discussed, and some recommendations based on our findings are provided.

Mitos y realidades sobre la vejez y la salud en los estudiantes de enfermería / Myths and realities about old age and health in nursing students

Objetivo: Medir el conocimiento de los alumnos sobre la vejez y la ancianidad, y detectar creencias erróneas que puedan interferir en el cuidado de las personas mayores. Métodos: Estudio epidemiológico transversal con 264 alumnos de la Escuela Universitaria de Enfermería de Donostia-San Sebastián, utilizando la encuesta Hechos y bulos sobre el envejecimiento y la vejez de Fernández-Ballesteros, que contiene 23 enunciados sobre la vejez, de los cuales 11 son verdaderos y 12 falsos. Resultados: La media de aciertos es elevada. La media de aciertos es mayor en el tercer curso que en el segundo y el primero. Entre las creencias erróneas destacan que la mayor parte de los alumnos cree que la mayoría de los ancianos se sienten solos y que 1 de cada 10 ancianos vive en una institución. Conclusiones: Destaca la existencia de algunas creencias erróneas que, si se mantuviesen, dificultarían fomentar la autonomía de los anclanos. Asimismo, este estudio orienta sobre aspectos a tener en cuenta en la formación de los futuros profesionales de enfermería (AU)