Levels of Physical Activity and Their Relationship With Motivational Determinants, Self-Regulation, and Other Health-Related Parameters in University Students.

Motivational processes and emotional self-regulation are relevant factors for predicting the practice of physical exercise and for certain health-related parameters. The aim of the present work, developed along two different phases, was, on the one hand, to determine the prevalence of physical inactivity and, on the other hand, to carry out a comparative analysis between physically active and inactive university students in relation to their motivational determinants, emotional self-regulation, physical condition, health-related quality of life and other health parameters. The results obtained showed a prevalence of physical inactivity of 12.78%. Physically inactive participants showed significantly lower scores in intrinsic motivation, emotion regulation, and in some dimensions of health-related quality of life, as well as significantly high levels of body fat mass. Lastly, logistic regression analysis identified low scores in Emotional Clarity (p= .009) and Identified Regulation (p = .011), and high scores in Amotivation (p = .006) as reliable predictors of a physically inactive lifestyle. These results are useful for the design and implementation of programs aimed at promoting health and physical activity, with special attention on physically inactive youth populations.

Efectos de la ingesta de lácteos enriquecidos de forma natural con selenio y omega-3 en una muestra de mujeres posmenopáusicas con síndrome metabólico: un ensayo clínico aleatorizado, triple ciego y controlado con placebo / Effects of the intake of dairy products naturally enriched with selenium and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in a sample of postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome: a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial

Introducción: el síndrome metabólico de las mujeres posmenopáusicas puede mejorar con una alimentación saludable. Objetivos: evaluar si una intervención alimentaria con productos lácteos enriquecidos en selenio y ácidos grasos poliinsaturados omega-3 aumenta los niveles de selenio y mejora los factores de riesgo cardiovascular en las mujeres posmenopáusicas con síndrome metabólico. Material y métodos: ensayo clínico aleatorizado, triple ciego y controlado, realizado en atención primaria. Captación: abril 2018, 46 mujeres posmenopáusicas con síndrome metabólico consumidoras habituales de lácteos. Aleatorización: 23 en el grupo de control y 23 en el grupo experimental. Intervención: consumo durante 3 meses de lácteos enriquecidos naturalmente con selenio y ácidos grasos poliinsaturados omega-3 (leche, yogur y queso fresco). Controles: consumo de lácteos convencionales. Variable principal: selenio en plasma; secundarias: criterios del síndrome metabólico. Número de registro 2018/256, Comité de Ética Galicia. Resultados: finalizaron 23 mujeres en el grupo de control y 21 en el grupo de intervención. Aumentó el selenio en el grupo de intervención (7,2 µg/L, IC del 95 %: 3,7/10,8) frente al grupo de control (-4,5 µg/L, IC del 95 %: -8/-1) (p < 0,001) y disminuyó el colesterol unido a lipoproteínas de muy baja densidad (-2,3 mg/dl, IC del 95 %: -5,6/1) respecto al grupo de control (1,9 mg/dl, IC del 95 %: -0,7/4,5) (p = 0,043). Las mujeres del grupo experimental mejoraron respecto a su medición basal en perímetro de cintura (p = 0,010), índice de masa corporal (p = 0,047) y colesterol unido a lipoproteínas de alta densidad (p < 0,001). Conclusiones: una intervención con lácteos enriquecidos naturalmente con selenio y omega-3 en mujeres posmenopáusicas con síndrome metabólico puede mejorar los niveles de selenio en plasma y de colesterol unido a lipoproteínas de muy baja densidad. (AU)

Introduction: metabolic syndrome in postmenopausal women can improve with a healthy diet. Objectives: to evaluate whether a dietary intervention with dairy products naturally enriched with selenium and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids increases selenium plasma levels and improves cardiovascular risk factors in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome. Material and methods: a randomized, triple-blind, controlled clinical trial carried out in GP surgeries. Recruitment: April 2018, 46 postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome who were frequent dairy consumers. Randomization: 23 in control group and 23 in experimental group. Intervention: consumption of dairy products naturally enriched with selenium and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (milk, yogurt, fresh cheese) for three months. Controls took conventional dairy. Primary endpoint: plasma selenium levels; secondary endpoints: metabolic syndrome criteria. Registration number 2018/256, Galicia Ethics Committee. Results: in all, 23 women in the control group and 21 in the intervention group completed the trial. Selenium increased in the intervention group (7.2 µg/L, 95 % CI, 3.7/10.8) compared to the control group (-4.5 µg/L, 95 % CI, -8/-1) (p < 0.001) and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased (-2.3 mg/dL, 95 % CI, -5.6/1) compared to the control group (1.9 mg/dL, 95 % CI, -0.7/4.5) (p = 0.043). Waist circumference (p = 0.010), body mass index (p = 0.047) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p < 0.001) in the experimental group improved in comparison to baseline measurements. Conclusions: an intervention with dairy products naturally enriched with selenium and omega-3 in a sample of postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome can improve plasma selenium levels and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. (AU)

[Effects of the intake of dairy products naturally enriched with selenium and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in a sample of postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome: a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial]. / Efectos de la ingesta de lácteos enriquecidos de forma natural con selenio y omega-3 en una muestra de mujeres posmenopáusicas con síndrome metabólico: un ensayo clínico aleatorizado, triple ciego y controlado con placebo.

INTRODUCTION: Introduction: metabolic syndrome in postmenopausal women can improve with a healthy diet. Objectives: to evaluate whether a dietary intervention with dairy products naturally enriched with selenium and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids increases selenium plasma levels and improves cardiovascular risk factors in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome. Material and methods: a randomized, triple-blind, controlled clinical trial carried out in GP surgeries. Recruitment: April 2018, 46 postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome who were frequent dairy consumers. Randomization: 23 in control group and 23 in experimental group. Intervention: consumption of dairy products naturally enriched with selenium and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (milk, yogurt, fresh cheese) for three months. Controls took conventional dairy. Primary endpoint: plasma selenium levels; secondary endpoints: metabolic syndrome criteria. Registration number 2018/256, Galicia Ethics Committee. Results: in all, 23 women in the control group and 21 in the intervention group completed the trial. Selenium increased in the intervention group (7.2 µg/L, 95 % CI, 3.7/10.8) compared to the control group (-4.5 µg/L, 95 % CI, -8/-1) (p < 0.001) and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased (-2.3 mg/dL, 95 % CI, -5.6/1) compared to the control group (1.9 mg/dL, 95 % CI, -0.7/4.5) (p = 0.043). Waist circumference (p = 0.010), body mass index (p = 0.047) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p < 0.001) in the experimental group improved in comparison to baseline measurements. Conclusions: an intervention with dairy products naturally enriched with selenium and omega-3 in a sample of postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome can improve plasma selenium levels and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Introducción: el síndrome metabólico de las mujeres posmenopáusicas puede mejorar con una alimentación saludable. Objetivos: evaluar si una intervención alimentaria con productos lácteos enriquecidos en selenio y ácidos grasos poliinsaturados omega-3 aumenta los niveles de selenio y mejora los factores de riesgo cardiovascular en las mujeres posmenopáusicas con síndrome metabólico. Material y métodos: ensayo clínico aleatorizado, triple ciego y controlado, realizado en atención primaria. Captación: abril 2018, 46 mujeres posmenopáusicas con síndrome metabólico consumidoras habituales de lácteos. Aleatorización: 23 en el grupo de control y 23 en el grupo experimental. Intervención: consumo durante 3 meses de lácteos enriquecidos naturalmente con selenio y ácidos grasos poliinsaturados omega-3 (leche, yogur y queso fresco). Controles: consumo de lácteos convencionales. Variable principal: selenio en plasma; secundarias: criterios del síndrome metabólico. Número de registro 2018/256, Comité de Ética Galicia. Resultados: finalizaron 23 mujeres en el grupo de control y 21 en el grupo de intervención. Aumentó el selenio en el grupo de intervención (7,2 µg/L, IC del 95 %: 3,7/10,8) frente al grupo de control (-4,5 µg/L, IC del 95 %: -8/-1) (p < 0,001) y disminuyó el colesterol unido a lipoproteínas de muy baja densidad (-2,3 mg/dl, IC del 95 %: -5,6/1) respecto al grupo de control (1,9 mg/dl, IC del 95 %: -0,7/4,5) (p = 0,043). Las mujeres del grupo experimental mejoraron respecto a su medición basal en perímetro de cintura (p = 0,010), índice de masa corporal (p = 0,047) y colesterol unido a lipoproteínas de alta densidad (p < 0,001). Conclusiones: una intervención con lácteos enriquecidos naturalmente con selenio y omega-3 en mujeres posmenopáusicas con síndrome metabólico puede mejorar los niveles de selenio en plasma y de colesterol unido a lipoproteínas de muy baja densidad.

Validación de la Escala de Comportamientos de Sexting en Adolescentes: Prevalencia y Consecuencias Asociadas / Validation of the Sexting Behavior Scale in adolescents: Prevalence and associated consequences

El objetivo de este estudio fue triple: validar una versión de la Escala de Comportamientos de Sexting en adolescentes, evaluar la prevalencia de dichos comportamientos y determinar sus consecuencias asociadas. Participaron un total de 1,271 estudiantes(50.8% chicas), con una media de edad de 15.6 (DT = 1.13). Los resultados muestran a través del análisis factorial confirmatorio un buen ajuste por el modelo bidimensional formado por ítems que se agrupan en el envío de fotos y/o vídeos (α = .83) y el envío de mensajes de texto con contenido erótico/sexual (α = .83). Se ha identificado que el 52.8% de los adolescentes han llevado a cabo conductas de sexting, siendo mayor el envío de textos erótico/sexuales (91.7%) que de fotos y/o vídeos (57.8%), y que los chicos son los que más contenidos envían. Además, el 11.6% de los adolescentes fueron obligados a enviar contenido de sexting y el 5.5% fueron chantajeados. (AU)

The objective of this study was threefold: to validate a version of the Sexting Behavior Scale in adolescents, to assess the prevalence of sexting behaviors, and to determine their associated consequences. A total of 1,271 (50.8% girls) students participated, with a mean age of 15.6 (SD = 1.13). The results show through the confirmatory factor analysis a good fit for the two-dimensional model consisting of items that are grouped into sending photos and/or vídeos (α = .83) and sending text messages with erotic/sexual content (α = .83); 52.8% of adolescents have been identified to carry out sexting behaviors, with texts (91.7%) being more erotic/sexual than photos and/or vídeos (57.8%), and boys the ones that most content send. In addition, 11.6% of adolescents were forced to send sexting content and 5.5% of them were blackmailed. (AU)

Evolution of quality of life and health-related behaviors among Spanish university students.

At the beginning of their academic studies (testing phase), the quality of life and certain health-related behaviors were evaluated. Four years later (retest phase), they were reevaluated. Between the two evaluation periods, a health promotion (HP) program was applied. The battery of instruments included measures: health-related quality of life (HRQOL), alcoholic and nicotine dependence, eating habits, physical activity, and sexual behaviors. It also included a number of sociodemographic data. The results show that, in general, the students reported adequate levels of HRQOL, and there were no important differences between the two evaluation moments. Regarding dietary behavior, no significant changes were detected in the pattern of adherence to the Mediterranean diet, which remained at an average level of adequacy. On the contrary, significant decreases were detected in relation to alcohol and tobacco dependence as well as significant increases in physical activity levels. Lastly, with regard to sexual behavior, although certain aspects of improvement were perceived, there is a need to increase awareness of the systematic use of condoms. In conclusion, this study provides relevant information that will serve as a starting point for monitoring changes in health behaviors and for the design and implementation of HP actions directed at university students.

Del sexting al cibercontrol en las relaciones de pareja de adolescentes españoles: análisis de sus argumentos / From sexting to cybercontrol among dating teens in Spain: an analysis of their arguments

Resumen El objetivo de este estudio consiste en profundizar en el fenómeno del sexting y en sus dinámicas de ciberviolencia dentro de las relaciones de pareja de adolescentes, para ello, se van a analizar los comportamientos de sexting, las estrategias empleadas, las justificaciones y las consecuencias del sexting en función del género y el lugar de procedencia. Mediante una metodología cualitativa se realizaron 20 grupos de discusión en los que participaron 222 adolescentes, un 54% chicas y un 46% chicos, con un rango de edad de los 14 a los 18 años de centros educativos de educación secundaria de España. Los resultados evidencian que el sexting es una práctica habitual en los adolescentes y también en el marco de una relación de pareja. Los que más contenido de sexting envían son los chicos y las chicas del medio urbano y los chicos del ámbito semi-rural y rural. Entre los motivos principales de los chicos para practicar sexting están lograr una relación sexual, mientras que las justificaciones de las chicas son tener o mantener una relación afectiva de pareja. Además, las peores consecuencias del sexting son para las chicas. Tanto chicos como chicas afirman ejercer violencia de control en línea sobre sus parejas afectivas, aunque son las chicas quienes más lo manifiestan. La desconfianza y los celos hacia la pareja son los principales motivos para ejercer este cibercontrol.

Abstract The goal of this study is to examine in greater depth the phenomenon of sexting and its dynamics of cyberviolence in teens' relationships. For this purpose, sexting behaviors, the strategies employed, and the justifications and consequences of sexting as a function of gender and place of origin will be analyzed. Using a qualitative methodology, 20 focus groups were performed, involving 222 teenagers, 54% girls and 46% boys, ranging in age from 14 to 18 years, from schools of Secondary Education (Spain). The results show that sexting is a common practice in adolescents of both genders and also in the context of a relationship. Boys and girls from the urban environment and boys from the rural and semi-rural area send more sexting contents. Boys' main reasons for sexting are to achieve a sexual relationship, whereas the girls' justifications are to have or maintain an emotional relationship. In addition, girls suffer the worst consequences of sexting. Both boys and girls cibercontrol their affectiva partners, though girls expressed it more. Jealousy and distrust of the partner are the main reasons for exercising this cybercontrol.

A qualitative approach to the study of the characteristics of individuals convicted of road traffic offences.

Significant changes have been applied to the regulation of criminal law concerning road traffic in Spain, in a similar way to many of the countries surrounding us. This has led to a gradual increase in the number of individuals who are convicted with custodial sentences or sentenced to community service. Nevertheless, the available data on the psychosocial traits of road traffic offence convicts is highly limited. The objective of this qualitative study is to provide more insight into those convicted of road traffic offences through the use of focus groups, thus enabling the analysis of their attitudes towards sentences related to road safety offences, opinions regarding their driving styles, the profile of convicts of road traffic offences and how they feel about being labelled as delinquents. The results of this study are particularly relevant with regards to improving the rehabilitation process of convicts of road safety offences.

Class Anxiety in Secondary Education: Exploring Structural Relations with Perceived Control, Engagement, Disaffection, and Performance.

The aim of this study was to assess the relationships between class-related anxiety with perceived control, teacher-reported behavioral engagement, behavioral disaffection, and academic performance. Participants were 355 compulsory secondary students (9th and 10th grades; Mean age = 15.2 years; SD = 1.8 years). Structural equation models revealed performance was predicted by perceived control, anxiety, disaffection, and engagement. Perceived control predicted anxiety, disaffection, and engagement. Anxiety predicted disaffection and engagement, and partially mediated the effects from control on disaffection (ß = -.277, p < .005; CI = -.378, -.197) and engagement (ß = .170, p < .002; CI = .103 .258). The negative association between anxiety and performance was mediated by engagement and disaffection (ß = -.295, p < .002; CI = -.439, -.182). Anxiety, engagement, and disaffection mediated the effects of control on performance (ß = .352, p < .003; CI = .279, .440). The implications of these results are discussed in the light of current theory and educational interventions.

Class anxiety in secondary education: exploring structural relations with perceived control, engagement, disaffection, and performance

The aim of this study was to assess the relationships between class-related anxiety with perceived control, teacher-reported behavioral engagement, behavioral disaffection, and academic performance. Participants were 355 compulsory secondary students (9th and 10th grades; Mean age = 15.2 years; SD = 1.8 years). Structural equation models revealed performance was predicted by perceived control, anxiety, disaffection, and engagement. Perceived control predicted anxiety, disaffection, and engagement. Anxiety predicted disaffection and engagement, and partially mediated the effects from control on disaffection (β = -.277, p < .005; CI = -.378, -.197) and engagement (β = .170, p < .002; CI = .103 .258). The negative association between anxiety and performance was mediated by engagement and disaffection(β = -.295, p < .002; CI = -.439, -.182). Anxiety, engagement, and disaffection mediated the effects of control on performance (β = .352, p < .003; CI = .279, .440). The implications of these results are discussed in the light of current theory and educational interventions (AU)

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Cognitive Performance in Men and Women Infected with HIV-1.

Introduction. Very few studies have examined the neuropsychological performance of HIV-positive women, and even fewer have attempted a comparison of cognitive functioning by gender. The aim of this study was to describe the nature of the neuropsychological performance of HIV seropositive patients by gender. Methods. A clinical sample made up of 151 subjects was recruited to participate in this study. All of the subjects underwent the same assessment process, consisting of a neuropsychological evaluation and an interview to gather sociodemographic, toxicological, and clinical data. Results and Discussion. Despite the fact that men obtained higher scores in visual memory, attention/psychomotor speed, and abstract reasoning/verbal intelligence, these differences were not statistically significant. In contrast, significant differences were found depending on subjects' serological status. Seropositive participants' neuropsychological performance was significantly lower than that of the seronegative participants in all of the areas assessed as follows: (1) visual memory; (2) attention/psychomotor speed; (3) abstract reasoning/verbal intelligence; (4) verbal memory for texts; (5) verbal memory for digits and words. Conclusions. The results from this study reveal no significant gender differences in the cognitive performance of patients infected with HIV-1.

Bullying in Spanish secondary schools: gender-based differences.

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of bullying in its various forms from the perspective of all of the individuals involved (victims, bullies, and witnesses) and to explore its distribution as a function of gender. The study had a correlational design and used a representative sample of 1500 Spanish students attending compulsory secondary education in the academic year 2007-2008. It applied an instrument measuring different types of bullying, taken from the studies conducted by Díaz-Aguado, Martínez, and Martín (2004) and the Defensor del Pueblo (Spanish Ombudsman's Office)-UNICEF (2007). The findings reveal that all the types of bullying considered take place at school and that there is an inverse relationship between the severity and the prevalence of bullying behaviors, with verbal abuse proving to be the most common type of abusive behavior. Boys are involved in all kinds of bullying incidents as bullies significantly more often than girls are, except in cases involving 'talking about someone behind their back'; in these situations, girls are involved significantly more often as bullies than boys are. As for victimization, boys are victims of direct physical abuse significantly more often than girls are, while girls are more often the subject of malicious gossip.

Personalidad resistente, calidad de vida y burnout en profesionales de la salud de centros gerontológicos / Hardiness, quality of life and burnout among sociosanitary professionals in gerontological centers

En los últimos años, la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud (CVRS) ha despertado un interés creciente entre los investigadores. Los profesionales sociosanitarios están sometidos a una fuerte presión asistencial por parte de pacientes y familiares, cada vez más críticos y exigentes. Además, diversos factores sociales, tecnológicos y económicos obligan a que se les exija incrementar constantemente su rendimiento laboral sin que casi nunca se piense en su calidad de vida. Pese a ello, existe evidencia de que la insatisfacción laboral influye en la calidad y seguridad de las prestaciones ofrecidas. En el ámbito de la geriatría y la gerontología, el estudio de la CVRS se ha centrado mayoritariamente en pacientes y en cuidadores informales; es muy poco lo publicado con poblaciones de cuidadores formales de personas mayores. El presente estudio ha tenido como finalidad analizar la relación del burnout, la personalidad resistente, el estado de salud y las variables sociodemográficas y laborales con la CVRS en una muestra de cuidadores formales de personas mayores de centros gerontológicos. Los resultados ponen en evidencia la importante relación entre personalidad resistente, burnout, estado de salud actual y ciertas variables sociodemográficas y laborales con la CVRS de estos profesionales...

Bullying in Spanish secondary schools: gender-based differences

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of bullying in its various forms from the perspective of all of the individuals involved (victims, bullies, and witnesses) and to explore its distribution as a function of gender. The study had a correlational design and used a representative sample of 1500 Spanish students attending compulsory secondary education in the academic year 2007-2008. It applied an instrument measuring different types of bullying, taken from the studies conducted by Díaz-Aguado, Martínez, and Martín (2004) and the Defensor del Pueblo (Spanish Ombudsman’s Office)-UNICEF (2007). The findings reveal that all the types of bullying considered take place at school and that there is an inverse relationship between the severity and the prevalence of bullying behaviors, with verbal abuse proving to be the most common type of abusive behavior. Boys are involved in all kinds of bullying incidents as bullies significantly more often than girls are, except in cases involving ‘talking about someone behind their back’; in these situations, girls are involved significantly more often as bullies than boys are. As for victimization, boys are victims of direct physical abuse significantly more often than girls are, while girls are more often the subject of malicious gossip (AU)

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[Sexual behavior in a Spanish sample aged 14 to 24 years old]. / Prácticas sexuales de chicos y chicas españoles de 14-24 años de edad.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the sexual behaviors and practices of Spanish adolescents and young adults according to gender. METHOD: Information was gathered by means of a questionnaire administered in participants' homes in the presence of an interviewer. A random sample was used, consisting of 2,171 adolescents and young adults of both sexes, ranging in age from 14 to 24 years old. The participants were from three distinct regions of Spain: Galicia, Madrid, and Andalusia. RESULTS: A total of 1,439 participants (66.3%) reported having been sexually active in the previous 6 months, with no statistically significant differences between male (66.4%) and female (66.2%) respondents. However, significant differences were found between males and females in the following variables: anal intercourse was reported by a higher proportion of males than females, the number of sexual partners reported by females was lower than that reported by males and the frequency of vaginal intercourse reported by females was higher than that reported by males. Condom use in anal intercourse and oral sex was more frequently reported by males than by females. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that sexual behavior differs between genders, with females having a lower number of sexual partners and more frequently using a condom in vaginal intercourse but less frequently in oral sex and anal intercourse. In view of these data, we believe that gender should be taken into account when designing and implementing preventive interventions.

Uso del preservativo masculino en las relaciones con coito vaginal de jóvenes españoles entre catorce y veinticuatro años / Male condom usage in vaginal intercourse relations by spanish youngsters aged fourteenth to twenty fourth

En la actualidad, el preservativo masculino continúa siendo el principal método para prevenir enfermedades de transmisión sexual, incluido el VIH/SIDA. El objetivo de este estudio transversal analítico-descriptivo es evaluar la frecuencia de uso de dicho preservativo en las relaciones sexuales coito-vaginales de jóvenes españoles con edades entre 14 y 24 años, e identificar las variables relacionadas con los factores que predisponen, facilitan y refuerzan su utilización. La muestra estuvo integrada por 2.171 jóvenes de las comunidades de Galicia, Madrid y Andalucía. El 50,4% de los jóvenes encuestados manifestaron haber tenido relaciones coitovaginales en los últimos seis meses. Se encontró que ser mayor de 18 años y tener más actividad sexual se asocia a menor frecuencia de uso del preservativo. Se tomó como referencia el modelo Precede; los análisis de regresión logística identificaron como predictores confiables: la intención de conducta de no riesgo y la habilidad autopercibida para usar el preservativo masculino con la pareja habitual (dentro del grupo de factores predisponentes); uso del preservativo masculino la primera vez que mantuvo relaciones coito-vaginales, hablar con la pareja sobre las prácticas sexuales por llevar a cabo, hablar con la pareja sobre los métodos de prevención que se van a utilizar y la baja frecuencia de relaciones con penetración vaginal (dentro del grupo de factores facilitadores); y haber sentido agobio, culpa o arrepentimiento por no tomar precauciones tras alguna práctica coito-vaginal (dentro del grupo de factores reforzantes). Los resultados de este estudio confirman la utilidad del modelo Precede para efectuar el diagnóstico de la conducta sexual.

The male condom continues to be the primary method of preventing sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV. This is a transversal descriptive research, their objective is assess the frequency of use of the male condom in sexual relations involving vaginal penetration using a sample of young Spanish men from 14 to 24 years of age. We attempt to identify reliable predictors for condom use, factors that predispose, facilitate and reinforce its consistent use. The sample was made up of 2.171 young belonging to three regions in Spain (Galicia, Madrid and Andalusia) among the ages of 14 and 24. A 50,4 % of the young men polled expressed having had vaginal intercourse in the previous six months. Participants who were 18-year-old and older as well as those who engaged more frequently in sexual activity were less likely to use the male condom at all times. Taking the Precede model as a point of reference, the models of logistic regression identified the following variables as reliable predictors: a declared intention of partaking in non-risk conduct with a stable partner and the self-perceived skill at using the male condom with a stable partner (within the group of predisposing factors); having used the male condom the first time they engaged in vaginal intercourse, the habit of speaking to one's partner about sexual practices, speaking to one's partner about prevention methods to use, and low frequency of sexual relations with vaginal penetration (within the group of facilitating factors); having felt a sense of guilt or repentance for not taking precautions after engaging in vaginal intercourse (within the group of reinforcing factors). In conclusion the results of this study confirm the utility of the Precede model to carry out the diagnosis of the sexual behaviour.

Prácticas sexuales de chicos y chicas españoles de 14-24 años de edad / Sexual behavior in a Spanish sample aged 14 to 24 years old

Objetivo: Describir los comportamientos y prácticas sexualesde adolescentes y jóvenes españoles en función del género.Método: La información fue recogida mediante un cuestionario,realizado en el domicilio de los participantes y con presenciadel entrevistador, aplicado a una muestra aleatoria integradapor 2.171 chicos y chicas de 14-24 años de edad,representativa de las comunidades de Galicia, Madrid y Andalucía.Resultados: Un total de 1.439 sujetos (66,3%) refirieron habertenido actividad sexual en los últimos 6 meses, sin apreciarsediferencias estadísticamente significativas entre chicos(66,4%) y chicas (66,2%), excepto en las siguientes variables:haber practicado el coito anal (los chicos refieren haberlo practicadoen mayor proporción); número de parejas sexuales (laschicas manifestaron tener menor número de parejas), y frecuenciade coitos vaginales (las chicas presentaron una frecuenciamás elevada en esta práctica). También se encontrarondiferencias en frecuencia de uso del condón en lasprácticas coito-anales y en las bucogenitales, en las que loschicos refirieron utilizarlo más frecuentemente.Conclusiones: Los datos de este estudio indican que los chicosy las chicas mantienen comportamientos sexuales diferenciados.En este sentido, las chicas suelen tener menor númerode parejas sexuales y utilizan el preservativo en mayormedida que los chicos en las prácticas coito-vaginales; sin embargo,hacen menor uso de éste en las prácticas bucogenitalesy coito-anales. En función de estos datos consideramosnecesario tener en cuenta la variable género a la hora de diseñare implementar intervenciones preventivas(AU)

Objectives: To describe the sexual behaviors and practicesof Spanish adolescents and young adults according to gender.Method: Information was gathered by means of a questionnaireadministered in participants’ homes in the presence ofan interviewer. A random sample was used, consisting of 2,171adolescents and young adults of both sexes, ranging in agefrom 14 to 24 years old. The participants were from three distinctregions of Spain: Galicia, Madrid, and Andalusia.Results: A total of 1,439 participants (66.3%) reported havingbeen sexually active in the previous 6 months, with nostatistically significant differences between male (66.4%) andfemale (66.2%) respondents. However, significant differenceswere found between males and females in the following variables:anal intercourse was reported by a higher proportionof males than females, the number of sexual partners reportedby females was lower than that reported by males and thefrequency of vaginal intercourse reported by females was higherthan that reported by males. Condom use in anal intercourseand oral sex was more frequently reported by malesthan by females.Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that sexualbehavior differs between genders, with females having a lowernumber of sexual partners and more frequently using a condomin vaginal intercourse but less frequently in oral sex andanal intercourse. In view of these data, we believe that gendershould be taken into account when designing and implementingpreventive interventions(AU)

Assessing female condom acceptability among heterosexual Spanish couples.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the acceptability of the female condom in a sample of young heterosexual Spanish couples. METHODS: The sample was made up of 45 couples (90 participants) from Spain. The age range was from 19 to 42 years. The study was carried out in three stages: pre-trial, post-trial, and follow-up (one year later). RESULTS: Before the intervention, 88 participants (97.8%) had heard about the female condom, although 73 participants (81.2%) claimed to know very little about the method, and barely one-third had seen one. The appraisals after the trial period reveal differing levels of satisfaction with the method, with no significant differences found by gender. Those participants who used a greater number of condoms during the trial period pointed out more positive points about the method, but also more negative points. Of the 17 couples who continued to participate in the follow-up stage (one year after the trial stage), only one (5.9%) still used the female condom. However, 10 men (58.8%) and 8 women (47.1%) expressed a willingness to use it in the future, and 12 women (70.6%) and 11 men (64.7%) had told friends and acquaintances about it. CONCLUSION: This study reveals that although the female condom is considered to be a useful method, it is still largely unknown and requires further promotion if it is to be used by young couples.

Neuropsychological impairment and the natural history of HIV-1 infection in Spanish subjects.

The authors set out to determine the rates and pattern of neuropsychological impairment shown by seropositive Spanish patients in different stages of HIV infection. A clinical sample was recruited consisting of 115 heterosexual subjects (30 seropositive asymptomatic; 17 seropositive in stage B; 41 seropositive with AIDS, and 27 seronegative). All subjects provided written informed consent and were submitted to the same process of evaluation. A rate of neuropsychological impairment of 33.3% was found in stage A (asymptomatic patients); of 41.2% in stage B (low symptomatology patients); and of 70.7% in stage C (AIDS patients). The pattern of neuropsychological impairment shown by the AIDS patients was qualitatively similar to that observed in the asymptomatic subjects, and consistent with fronto-subcortical-type alterations. Clinically asymptomatic HIV infection represents a risk factor for neuropsychological impairment, even though our results reinforce the idea that the impairment seen in the asymptomatic stages cannot be interpreted as a predictor of more severe cognitive deficits as the disease progresses.