Psychological distress among unemployed migrants settling in southwestern Spain: A cross-sectional study.

Migrants living in the informal settlements of Southern Spain tend to have precarious employment and poor living conditions, making then vulnerable to mental health issues. This study aimed to assess psychological distress in a sample of unemployed migrants residing in informal settlements in the province of Huelva (southern Spain), during the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted during the months of April to June 2021, through a heteroadministered questionnaire, in informal settlements. The measurement instrument was the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), used to analyze psychological distress, and other sociodemographic and health-related variables. Univariate and bivariate descriptive data analysis were performed, using the nonparametric statistics Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis H test, and Tau ß correlation. A categorical regression analysis was performed to study the relationship between psychological distress and the rest of the variables. The sample consisted of 317 subjects, 83.9% of whom were males, and the mean age was 33.4 years (SD = 10.7 years). The mean score obtained in the GHQ-12 questionnaire was 13.69 points (SD = 3.86). Significant differences were found between levels of psychological distress and substance abuse (H = 14.085; P = .049), people who wished to stay in Spain (t = 6987; P = .049), people who experienced isolation due to COVID-19 contact (t = 1379.5; P = .001), people who needed medical assistance due to COVID-19 (t = 7.990; P = .018), and those who reported having chronic illnesses (t = 2686.5, P = .02). The mean score of psychological distress indicates general high levels of psychological distress. Participants who had experienced isolation due to COVID-19 contact, who consumed substances, and who had chronic illnesses reported the highest levels of psychological distress.

Histological artifacts associated with laser and electroscalpel gingivectomy: Case series / Artefactos histológicos asociados a gingivectomía con láser y electrobisturí: serie de casos.

Introduction. Over time, efforts have been invested in the design of new instruments that overcome the disadvantages of the gold standard instrument in surgery, the scalpel. As a result, electronic equipment has emerged such as the electric scalpel and laser devices. The available evidence on these instruments suggests that the tissue response is related to each instrument's physical and biological cutting principles. Objective. To compare the histological changes in gingiva samples associated with surgical cutting performed with a 940 nm diode laser, a 2780 nm erbium, chromium: yttriumscandium-gallium-garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) laser, and an electric scalpel, by presenting a series of cases. Case presentation. We present three cases of healthy patients undergoing cosmetic surgery. The clinical examination revealed exposure of a keratinized gingiva band greater than 4 mm, normal color and texture in gingival tissue, with a firm consistency and no bleeding on periodontal probing. Gingivectomy was indicated with the following protocols: Diode laser of 940 nm at 1 W, in continuous mode; Er,Cr:YSGG laser of 2780 nm at 2.5 W, 75 Hz, H mode, air 20, water 40, gold tip MT4); and electric scalpel in cutting mode at power level four. Gingival tissue samples were taken and stored in 10% formaldehyde for histological analysis. Conclusion. All the evaluated cutting instruments generated histological changes produced by the thermal effect, the main ones being collagen coagulation and carbonization. The depth of thermal damage caused by the 2780 nm Er,Cr:YSGG laser was much lesser than that induced by the electric scalpel and the 940 nm diode laser.

Introducción. Históricamente se ha invertido esfuerzo en el diseño de nuevos instrumentos que superen las desventajas del estándar de referencia en cirugía, el bisturí. Como consecuencia de esto, han surgido equipos electrónicos como el electrobisturí y los diferentes dispositivos de tecnología láser. La información disponible sobre estos instrumentos sugiere que la respuesta del tejido intervenido está influenciada por los principios físicos y biológicos de corte del instrumento. Objetivo. Comparar los cambios histológicos en muestras de encía asociados al corte quirúrgico realizado con láser de diodo de 940 nm, láser de erbio, cromo: itrio-escandiogalio-granate (Er,Cr:YSGG) (2780nm) y electrobisturí mediante una presentación de serie de casos. Presentación de los casos. Se presentan tres casos de pacientes sanos sometidos a cirugía estética. El examen clínico reveló la exposición de una banda gingival queratinizada mayor de 4 mm, tejido gingival de color y textura normales, de consistencia firme y sin sangrado al sondaje periodontal. Se indicó gingivectomía con los siguientes protocolos: láser de diodo de 940 nm a 1 W, en modo continuo; láser de Er,Cr:YSGG de 2780 nm a 2,5 W, 75 Hz, modo H, aire 20, agua 40, punta de oro MT4; y bisturí eléctrico en modo de corte, a nivel de potencia cuatro. Se tomaron muestras de tejido gingival y se almacenaron en formaldehído al 10 % para su análisis histológico. Conclusión. Los tres instrumentos de corte generaron cambios histológicos producidos por el efecto térmico; los principales fueron coagulación del colágeno y carbonización.

Spanish Validation of Pediatric Nurses Knowledge and Attitudes Survey Regarding Pain.

BACKGROUND: Although pain is considered a sign/symptom codified by ICD-10, it is not frequently found in the clinical reports of children who have suffered pain due to disease or interventions. It has a negative effect on their well-being, affecting different spheres of their life. Having questionnaires adapted and validated in different languages makes it possible to compare results between different centers and countries, as well as to adapt training to the deficits found in a given population. AIM: To validate the Spanish version of Pediatric Nurses Knowledge and Attittudes Survey Regarding Pain. METHOD: A translation and back-translation process was carried out by bilingual staff. Subsequently, a test-retest was carried out among nursing professionals in the pediatric area of a third level public center of the Spanish National Health System, to analyze its internal consistency, reliability and discriminant validity. RESULTS: Chronbach's alpha of the test was 0.701 and Pearson's r was 0.703, intraclass correlation coefficien was 0.783. Neonatal intensive care professionals obtained a higher score (59.52%) than those working in pediatric intensive care, emergency and hospitalization, this difference being statistically significant. Likewise, professionals with a specialist´s degree obtained a higher score (62.09%) compared with the rest of the professionals (56.07%). CONCLUSIONS: The Spanish version of the Pediatric Nurses Knowledge and Attitudes Survey Regarding Pain is a valid tool to determine the knowledge and attitudes about pain of nursing professionals.

SarQoL Questionnaire in Community-Dwelling Older Adults under EWGSOP2 Sarcopenia Diagnosis Algorithm: A New Screening Method?

This article is an observational and cross-sectional study that related the result obtained in the questionnaire for the evaluation of quality of life related to muscle mass (SarQoL) and the prevalence of sarcopenic pathology measured under the EWGSOP2 algorithm. Participants were 202 community-dwelling older adults living in Valencia, Spain. The prevalence of sarcopenia in men was 28.9%, while in women it was 26.2%. In the case of the SarQoL questionnaire, the mean score obtained for men was 75.5 and 72.6 for women, showing significant differences in both sexes between the results obtained by the group with and without sarcopenia. After the exhaustive data analysis, a high discriminative capacity for sarcopenic disease was found in the SarQoL questionnaire total score and in domains 2 (locomotion), 4 (functionality) and 5 (activities of daily living). In accordance with the existing controversy regarding the use of SARC-F as a screening method for sarcopenia, the authors pointed out the capacity of domain 2 (locomotion) in isolation as a possible screening method for this disease, exposing a high risk of suffering sarcopenia when scores in this domain were below 60 points. Further research is needed to develop new lines of research as these showed in this work, as well as new and easily applicable screening methods for sarcopenia in clinical practice, that allow a rapid detection of this disease in the community.

Knowledge about Pain in Spanish Nursing Students.

BACKGROUND: All nurses should receive training and education regarding pain as part of their pre-graduate stage, as its assessment and appropriate management when treating patients largely depends on them. With the right knowledge it is possible to reduce its high prevalence, as well as the serious consequences it can lead to. AIM: To determine the level of knowledge and attitudes towards pain of final-year nursing students in Spain. METHODS: Descriptive cross-sectional study using a convenience sample of five Spanish universities during the academic year 2020-2021. The Spanish version of the Knowledge and Attitudes Survey Regarding Pain (KASRP) was used. In addition, socio-demographic variables such as age, sex, relationship status, employment status, and the number of dependants were collected. The specific palliative or oncology subjects of each university was also assessed. RESULTS: A total of 224 questionnaires were collected. One of the nursing universities obtained the best score in the KASRP (59.75%) which was significant (p = .001). This university was the only one that offers specific subjects in palliative or oncologic care. A training deficit in aspects related to pain assessment and pharmacologic concepts was detected. We found no relationship between the KASRP and the different sociodemographic variables. CONCLUSIONS: Specific training in palliative care improves the students' knowledge regarding pain, although the results did not reach an acceptable minimum. The universities' training programs for Spanish students need to be adapted in order to achieve better results.

Quality of sleep among social media users during the lockdown period due to COVID-19 in Spain.

AIMS: To analyse the quality of sleep of the Spanish population during the lockdown due to COVID-19. DESIGN: Cross-sectional descriptive study using a web based survey design. METHODS: Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire and sociodemographic, occupational, health and sleep quality variables were used to collect data during the first month of the lockdown period due to COVID-19 (March-April 2020). A snowball sampling was carried out, where participants were asked to disseminate and distribute the questionnaire among their own profiles in social networks. RESULTS: A representative sample of 5220 participants aged ≥18 years old took part in the study. The global PSQI score was 8.17 points (SD 4.43). A statistical association was found between the global PSQI score and several of the variables collected. Findings show that the quality of sleep was worse among women (p < 0.001), single participants (p 0.02), those working in rotating shifts (p < 0.001), on-site workers (p < 0.001), and people diagnosed with COVID-19 or who had someone in their environment diagnosed with the virus (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Findings show that the Spanish population has experienced poor quality of sleep during the lockdown period. Being a woman, working in rotating shifts, having suffered from COVID-19 or having someone close suffering from COVID-19, being unemployed or being affected by a Temporary Redundancy Scheme, as well as spending long hours in bed were associated with poorer sleep quality. On the contrary, being older and sleeping longer hours were associated with a better sleep quality.

Determinants of Knowledge of Pain among Nurses in a Tertiary Hospital in Spain.

BACKGROUND: Poorly controlled pain in patients is related to several complications, such as increased nosocomial infections and mortality, where nurses play a crucial role. AIMS: To analyze determinants of pain as well as nurses' knowledge and attitudes towards pain in the inpatient services of a tertiary center in the Spanish public health network. METHODS: The Knowledge and Attitudes Survey Regarding Pain questionnaire was administered to all nurses in the center from January to March 2019. Additional sociodemographic variables, such as gender, age, employment status, work experience, professional group, and academic degree, were collected and analyzed. Item Response Theory was used for discriminant analysis of each question and its relationship with the final score. RESULTS: A total of 282 questionnaires were collected from those distributed among nurses working in medical, surgical, oncological, and intensive care services. The average score obtained on pain-related knowledge and attitudes was 58.89%. We found significant differences (p < .001) between the KASRP score and the professional group score. There were no differences in final score based on academic level or age. Questions related to pharmacology resulted in low scores and did not discriminate between levels of knowledge, being considered difficult. We did not find items that allowed discriminating between levels of knowledge. CONCLUSIONS: A knowledge gap exists regarding nurses' pharmacological and assessment concepts, and there are differences in knowledge depending on professional group. The KASRP allows for a good discrimination of low levels of knowledge.

Nursing Workload, Knowledge about Pain, and Their Relation to Pain Records.

PURPOSE: To study the relationship between frequency of pain assessment and nursing workload, and also to analyze the frequency of pain assessment and its relation to knowledge and attitudes toward pain on nursing professionals in intensive care unit. METHODS: An ambispective study was conducted in a Spanish tertiary-level intensive care unit between October 2017 and April 2018. For measurement of workload, the Nursing Activities Score scale was used, and for measurement of pain knowledge, the Knowledge and Attitudes Survey Regarding Pain was used. RESULTS: There were 1,207 measurements among 41 nurses and 1,838 among 317 patients. The average nursing workload was high (70.97 points). We found statistically significant positive association between nursing workload and the frequency of assessment (p < .001), as well as frequency of assessment and patients with communicative capacity (p = .008). CONCLUSIONS: Nursing workload affects the registration and assessment of patients' pain, resulting in a greater number of records as the workload performed by nurses increases. It is necessary to study in greater depth how the severity of pain, gender of the patients, and workload of nurses influence pain registration and assessment.

[Health professionals' attitudes against influenza vaccination in a spanish terciary hospital]. / Actitud del personal sanitario frente a la vacunación antigripal en el hospital de referencia del Principado de Asturias.

OBJECTIVE: Healthcare professionals is one of the risk groups to which influenza vaccination is recommended. The main objective was to know the attitudes of healthcare professionals about influenza vaccination in the Principality of Asturias' reference centre during the campaign 2017-2018. METHODS: We carried out a cross-sectional study between September 2017 and May 2018, using a questionnaire. Sociodemographic variables and reasons for accepting or refuse the influenza vaccination were studied. For descriptive analysis we used the mean, mode, standard deviation, range, frequencies and percentages. The comparison between vaccinated and unvaccinated was made by the Chi square test, Saphiro-Wilk test and U Mann-Whitney test. RESULTS: The sample was formed by 518 participants, finally resulted a 29.53% vaccination rate. The principal reason for accepting the vaccine was its efficacy (average on the Likert scale of 4.11 out of 5), while the main reason for not vaccination was the lack of interest (mean=3.41 out of 5). It confirmed relationship between the type of contract and the professional category, the lower vaccination was in the temporary staff (p=0.003) and the nursing profession (p<0.001). We also found association between professionals that used to receive the vaccine in all the campaigns (p<0.001) and those who received the immunization in their workplace (p=0.002). Finally, the profession (p=0.014) and the family (p<0.001) also were influential in the decision of the immunized. CONCLUSIONS: The vaccination rate of the professionals who work in the Asturias´ reference hospital is similar to that of other health centres in Spain, but it is below the objective set by the World Health Organization. The previous contact with the influenza immunization, a positive working environment respecting the vaccine and the promotion of information, could be favourable factors in the vaccinal decision of the health workers.

OBJETIVO: El personal sanitario está incluido entre los grupos de riesgo para los que se recomienda la vacunación antigripal anual. El objetivo del estudio fue conocer la actitud de los profesionales sanitarios del centro de referencia en el Principado de Asturias frente a la vacunación antigripal durante la campaña 2017-2018. METODOS: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal entre septiembre de 2017 y mayo de 2018 mediante cuestionario. Se estudiaron variables sociodemográficas y referidas a las razones de vacunación antigripal. Para el análisis descriptivo se utilizaron la media, la desviación típica, el rango, las frecuencias y el porcentaje. La comparación entre vacunados y no vacunados se realizó mediante Chi Cuadrado, Saphiro-Wilk y U Mann-Whitney. RESULTADOS: Participaron 518 profesionales, que presentaron una tasa de vacunación del 29,53%. La razón principal para vacunarse fue su eficacia (media en la escala Likert de 4,11 sobre 5), mientras que para no hacerlo fue la falta de interés (media de 3,41 sobre 5). Existió relación con el tipo de contrato y la categoría profesional, presentando menores cifras de vacunación el personal temporal (p=0,003) y las enfermeras (p<0,001). Se encontró también asociación con los profesionales que siempre se vacunaban en la campaña a estudio (p<0,001) y con los profesionales que se vacunaron en su centro de trabajo (p=0,002). Además, la profesión (p=0,014) y la familia (p<0,001) resultaron influyentes en su decisión. CONCLUSIONES: La tasa de vacunación de los profesionales sanitarios es similar a la de otros centros en España, pero sigue estando por debajo de la meta planteada por la Organización Mundial de la Salud. Un entorno laboral positivo hacia la vacuna antigripal y el fomento de la información sobre la misma desde los servicios de salud laboral podrían resultar factores favorecedores en la decisión de vacunarse por parte del personal sanitario.

Spanish Version of the Knowledge and Attitudes Survey Regarding Pain.

A variety of valid tools are available to assess staff knowledge and attitudes regarding pain, among which is the Knowledge and Attitudes Survey Regarding Pain. Although this instrument has been widely and successfully used, a valid and adapted Spanish version is yet to be developed. The purpose of this study was to validate the Spanish version of the Knowledge and Attitudes Survey Regarding Pain. After translating and back-translating this tool, we conducted a cross-cultural adaptation and construct validation with 102 participants, including nursing professionals (in palliative care, oncology, and intensive care) from five health centers and final-year nursing students. All participants were recruited in the Principality of Asturias, Spain. We also evaluated the internal consistency and test-retest correlations. Cronbach's α was .781, and Pearson's r and the intraclass correlation coefficient between the test and retest scores were .881 and .883, respectively. The mean questionnaire scores in the test and retest phases were 65.8% and 67.6%, respectively. Palliative care nurses had the highest score, 70.8%, which differed significantly from the rest of the groups. The Spanish version of the Knowledge and Attitudes Survey Regarding Pain can effectively differentiate nursing staff in terms of their pain expertise. The results indicate that Spanish nurses have a gap in pharmacologic knowledge that is comparable to that found in other countries, but their foundation in general pain concepts was solid.

Actitud del personal sanitario frente a la vacunación antigripal en el hospital de referencia del Principado de Asturias / Health professionals' attitudes against influenza vaccination in a spanish terciary hospital

OBJETIVO: El personal sanitario está incluido entre los grupos de riesgo para los que se recomienda la vacunación antigripal anual. El objetivo del estudio fue conocer la actitud de los profesionales sanitarios del centro de referencia en el Principado de Asturias frente a la vacunación antigripal durante la campaña 2017-2018. MÉTODOS: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal entre septiembre de 2017 y mayo de 2018 mediante cuestionario. Se estudiaron variables sociodemográficas y referidas a las razones de vacunación antigripal. Para el análisis descriptivo se utilizaron la media, la desviación típica, el rango, las frecuencias y el porcentaje. La comparación entre vacunados y no vacunados se realizó mediante Chi Cuadrado, Saphiro-Wilk y U Mann-Whitney. RESULTADOS: Participaron 518 profesionales, que presentaron una tasa de vacunación del 29,53%. La razón principal para vacunarse fue su eficacia (media en la escala Likert de 4,11 sobre 5), mientras que para no hacerlo fue la falta de interés (media de 3,41 sobre 5). Existió relación con el tipo de contrato y la categoría profesional, presentando menores cifras de vacunación el personal temporal (p = 0,003) y las enfermeras (p < 0,001). Se encontró también asociación con los profesionales que siempre se vacunaban en la campaña a estudio (p < 0,001) y con los profesionales que se vacunaron en su centro de trabajo (p = 0,002). Además, la profesión (p = 0,014) y la familia (p < 0,001) resultaron influyentes en su decisión. CONCLUSIONES: La tasa de vacunación de los profesionales sanitarios es similar a la de otros centros en España, pero sigue estando por debajo de la meta planteada por la Organización Mundial de la Salud. Un entorno laboral positivo hacia la vacuna antigripal y el fomento de la información sobre la misma desde los servicios de salud laboral podrían resultar factores favorecedores en la decisión de vacunarse por parte del personal sanitario

OBJECTIVE: Healthcare professionals is one of the risk groups to which influenza vaccination is recommended. The main objective was to know the attitudes of healthcare professionals about influenza vaccination in the Principality of Asturias' reference centre during the campaign 2017-2018. METHODS: We carried out a cross-sectional study between September 2017 and May 2018, using a questionnaire. Sociodemographic variables and reasons for accepting or refuse the influenza vaccination were studied. For descriptive analysis we used the mean, mode, standard deviation, range, frequencies and percentages. The comparison between vaccinated and unvaccinated was made by the Chi square test, Saphiro-Wilk test and U Mann-Whitney test. RESULTS: The sample was formed by 518 participants, finally resulted a 29.53% vaccination rate. The principal reason for accepting the vaccine was its efficacy (average on the Likert scale of 4.11 out of 5), while the main reason for not vaccination was the lack of interest (mean=3.41 out of 5). It confirmed relationship between the type of contract and the professional category, the lower vaccination was in the temporary staff (p = 0.003) and the nursing profession (p < 0.001). We also found association between professionals that used to receive the vaccine in all the campaigns (p < 0.001) and those who received the immunization in their workplace (p = 0.002). Finally, the profession (p = 0.014) and the family (p < 0.001) also were influential in the decision of the immunized. CONCLUSIONS: The vaccination rate of the professionals who work in the Asturias' reference hospital is similar to that of other health centres in Spain, but it is below the objective set by the World Health Organization. The previous contact with the influenza immunization, a positive working environment respecting the vaccine and the promotion of information, could be favourable factors in the vaccinal decision of the health workers

Quality of life as assessed by adults with cerebral palsy.

AIM: We explored the quality of life of adults with cerebral palsy without an intellectual disability and the predictors of quality of life. BACKGROUND: Because cerebral palsy is a disease that manifests in childhood, much of the research into quality of life for those dealing with it focuses on children; there are few studies that evaluate the quality of life of adults with cerebral palsy. Therefore, it is important to consider their perceptions in order to improve their general wellbeing and self-determination. DESIGN: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study. METHOD: Quality of life was measured using the GENCAT Quality of Life Scale. Demographic and personal variables were also collected and examined. Participants comprised 75 adults (58.7 percent men, mean age = 40.84 years) with cerebral palsy who were members of the National Cerebral Palsy Association of Spain between 2014 and 2015. A linear multivariate model was examined as well. RESULTS: The overall mean score indicator of participants' quality of life was 103.29, which corresponds to the 56.6th percentile on the GENCAT scale. Examining the level of qualification, we found significant differences in the factors "personal development" and "self-determination," and those with a university education obtained higher scores than their less-educated counterparts. Having a partner was related to higher quality of life standard scores. After constructing a linear model, it was observed that maintaining sexual relationships was another factor that increased participants' quality of life. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the importance of social and romantic relationships to achieve a better quality of life in adults with cerebral palsy who do not have an intellectual disability. Social integration and sexuality education programs should be developed to improve their quality of life.

Stressors for Spanish nursing students in clinical practice.

BACKGROUND: Clinical practice is critical for nursing students to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to properly develop professionally. The presence of stress in clinical practice may negatively affect their training. OBJECTIVES: To understand the extent to which clinical practice can be stressful for nursing students at a Spanish university and to determine the main stressors associated with the practice. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, descriptive, and observational study conducted in 2016 at the two nursing colleges of the University of Oviedo, located in Oviedo and Gijón in the Principality of Asturias, Spain. METHODS: A total of 450 nursing students at a Spanish university served as participants in this study from January to April 2016. A data collection sheet was developed to track different sociodemographic variables, and was distributed together with the KEZKAK questionnaire, a validated scale adapted to Spanish nursing students. It is composed of 41 items using a 4-point Likert scale, rating how much the described situation worries them from 0 ("Not at all") to 3 ("A lot"). RESULTS: Students were most concerned about issues relating to causing harm to patients and lack of competence. Women found clinical practice to be more stressful than men did, both in general terms (p < 0.001) and with respect to all individual factors included in the questionnaire. In addition, there were associations between the "lack of competence" factor and having a job simultaneously (p = 0.011), the "contact with suffering" factor and the school year (p = 0.018), and the "being harmed by the relationship with patients" factor and the age group (p = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: Nursing students, particularly women, see clinical practice as "rather stressful", with the main stressors being those related to causing harm to patients.