Análisis de tesis médicas de pregrado en una universidad de Perú, 2011-2020: publicación en revistas indizadas y factores asociados / Analysis of undergraduate medical theses at a Peruvian university, 2011-2020: publication in indexed journals and associated factors

Los factores cuantitativos asociados a la publicación de tesis médicas en el pregrado no han sido lo suficientemente estudiados. Por ello, la investigación describió las tasas de publicación, así como la asociación con las características de las tesis, del asesor y del tesista. Se accedió, de manera virtual, a las tesis médicas de pregrado de la Universidad Nacional de San Agustín de Arequipa, Perú, durante el período 2011-2020. Mediante el análisis de regresión logística múltiple, se evaluó la asociación entre la publicación de la tesis en revistas indizadas (Scopus) y la experiencia previa en publicación en revistas indizadas en Scopus del asesor y del tesista, la unidad de análisis, el tamaño de muestra, diseño de estudio, número de páginas, aprobación por el comité de ética de investigación y el sexo del tesista. De 884 tesis solo 12 (1,5 por ciento) se publicaron; lo que constituye el 1,23 por ciento de las tesis publicadas anualmente, con tendencia constante. La experiencia previa en publicación del asesor se asoció con la colocación de las tesis en revistas indizadas (OR = 8,97 [1,70-42,98]; p = 0,005) y en revistas indizadas a Scopus (OR = 14,64 [1,24-336,11]; p = 0,037). Presentar la aprobación del comité de ética de la institución se asoció con publicar la tesis en revistas indizadas a Scopus (OR = 12,45 [1,06-285,94]; p = 0,050). La publicación de tesis médicas de pregrado en esta universidad es baja y constante. Se asoció con tener un asesor de tesis con experiencia previa en publicaciones en revistas indizadas a Scopus y a tener aprobación por comité de ética. Urge implementar estrategias para aumentar la publicación de tesis(AU)

Quantitative factors associated with the publication of undergraduate medical theses have not been sufficiently studied. Therefore, the research described publication rates, as well as the association with thesis, advisor, and thesis writer characteristics. Undergraduate medical theses from the Universidad Nacional de San Agustín de Arequipa, Peru, during the period 2011-2020 were accessed virtually. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between thesis publication in indexed journals (Scopus) and the previous publication experience in indexed journals in Scopus of the advisor and the thesis author, the unit of analysis, sample size, study design, number of pages, approval by the research ethics committee and the gender of the thesis author. Out of 884 theses only 12 (1.5percent) were published; this constitutes 1.23percent of the theses published annually, with a constant trend. The previous publication experience of the advisor was associated with the placement of theses in indexed journals (OR = 8.97 [1.70-42.98]; p = 0.005) and in journals indexed to Scopus (OR = 14.64 [1.24-336.11]; p = 0.037). Presenting the approval of the institution's ethics committee was associated with publishing the thesis in journals indexed to Scopus (OR = 12.45 [1.06-285.94]; p = 0.050). Publication of undergraduate medical theses at this university is low and consistent. It was associated with having a thesis advisor with previous experience in publishing in Scopus-indexed journals and having approval by an ethics committee. There is an urgent need to implement strategies to increase thesis publication(AU)

Nomophobia and Its Associated Factors in Peruvian Medical Students.

Nomophobia is the discomfort caused by not being in contact with a cell phone. Few studies have addressed nomophobia in university students. The study aimed to evaluate nomophobia and its associated factors in Peruvian medical students. We conducted an analytical cross-sectional study on Peruvian medical students between June 2020 and March 2021, using an online survey disseminated through social networks. We analyzed 3139 responses (females: 61.1%, median age: 22 years): 25.7% presented moderate nomophobia and 7.4% severe nomophobia. In the adjusted model, the nomophobia score was lower in students ≥24 years (ß: −4.1, 95% CI: −7.2 to −1.0) and was higher in those who had a mobile internet data plan (ß: 2.9, 0.8 to 5.0), used the cell phone >4 h (ß: 4.5, 2.3 to 6.7), used a smartphone mainly for education (ß: 2.5, 0.2 to 4.8), social networks (ß: 8.2, 5.8 to 10.6) and entertainment (ß: 3.3, 0.5 to 6.1), and those who presented possible anxious (ß: 6.6, 4.3 to 8.9) or depressive (ß: 19.5, 5.2 to 9.6) symptomatology. In conclusion, nomophobia in university students is a frequent and emerging problem, present mainly at younger ages and associated with symptoms of anxiety or depression. Implementing evaluation and early intervention strategies would favor the mental health of university students.

Interest in COVID-19 in Latin America and the Caribbean: an infodemiological study using Google Trends.

Infodemiology has been widely used to assess epidemics. In light of the recent pandemic, we use Google Search data to explore online interest about COVID-19 and related topics in 20 countries of Latin America and the Caribbean. Data from Google Trends from December 12, 2019, to April 25, 2020, regarding COVID-19 and other related topics were retrieved and correlated with official data on COVID-19 cases and with national epidemiological indicators. The Latin American and Caribbean countries with the most interest for COVID-19 were Peru (100%) and Panama (98.39%). No correlation was found between this interest and national epidemiological indicators. The global and local response time were 20.2 ± 1.2 days and 16.7 ± 15 days, respectively. The duration of public attention was 64.8 ± 12.5 days. The most popular topics related to COVID-19 were: the country's situation (100 ± 0) and coronavirus symptoms (36.82 ± 16.16). Most countries showed a strong or moderated (r = 0.72) significant correlation between searches related to COVID-19 and daily new cases. In addition, the highest significant lag correlation was found on day 13.35 ± 5.76 (r = 0.79). Interest shown by Latin American and Caribbean countries for COVID-19 was high. The degree of online interest in a country does not clearly reflect the magnitude of their epidemiological indicators. The response time and the lag correlation were greater than in European and Asian countries. Less interest was found for preventive measures. Strong correlation between searches for COVID-19 and daily new cases suggests a predictive utility.

Interest in COVID-19 in Latin America and the Caribbean: an infodemiological study using Google Trends / Interés por la COVID-19 en Latinoamérica y el Caribe: un estudio infodemiológico usando Google Trends / Interesse na COVID-19 na América Latina e Caribe: um estudo infodemiológico com o uso do Google Trends

Infodemiology has been widely used to assess epidemics. In light of the recent pandemic, we use Google Search data to explore online interest about COVID-19 and related topics in 20 countries of Latin America and the Caribbean. Data from Google Trends from December 12, 2019, to April 25, 2020, regarding COVID-19 and other related topics were retrieved and correlated with official data on COVID-19 cases and with national epidemiological indicators. The Latin American and Caribbean countries with the most interest for COVID-19 were Peru (100%) and Panama (98.39%). No correlation was found between this interest and national epidemiological indicators. The global and local response time were 20.2 ± 1.2 days and 16.7 ± 15 days, respectively. The duration of public attention was 64.8 ± 12.5 days. The most popular topics related to COVID-19 were: the country's situation (100 ± 0) and coronavirus symptoms (36.82 ± 16.16). Most countries showed a strong or moderated (r = 0.72) significant correlation between searches related to COVID-19 and daily new cases. In addition, the highest significant lag correlation was found on day 13.35 ± 5.76 (r = 0.79). Interest shown by Latin American and Caribbean countries for COVID-19 was high. The degree of online interest in a country does not clearly reflect the magnitude of their epidemiological indicators. The response time and the lag correlation were greater than in European and Asian countries. Less interest was found for preventive measures. Strong correlation between searches for COVID-19 and daily new cases suggests a predictive utility.

La infodemiología ha sido utilizada ampliamente para evaluar epidemias. A la luz de la pandemia reciente, usamos datos de Google Search para investigar el interés en línea sobre COVID-19 y temas relacionados en 20 países de Latinoamérica y el Caribe. Los datos se obtuvieron de Google Trends, desde el 12 de diciembre 2019 al 25 de abril de 2020, respecto a la COVID-19 y otros temas relacionados, y se correlacionaron con datos oficiales sobre casos de COVID-19, así como con indicadores nacionales epidemiológicos. Los países latinoamericanos y del Caribe con mayor interés en la COVID-19 fueron: Perú (100%) y Panamá (98,39%). No se encontró correlación entre este interés y los indicadores nacionales epidemiológicos. Los tiempos de respuesta global y local fueron 20,2 ± 1,2 días and 16,7 ± 15 días, respectivamente. La duración de la atención pública fue 64,8 ± 12,5 días. Los temas más populares relacionados con la COVID-19 fueron: la situación del país (100 ± 0) y síntomas de coronavirus (36,82 ± 16,16). La mayoría de los países mostraron una correlación significativa fuerte o moderada (r = 0,72) entre las búsquedas relacionadas con la COVID-19 y los nuevos casos diarios. Asimismo, se descubrió que la correlación de retraso significativa más alta se produjo el día 13,35 ± 5,76 (r = 0,79). El interés mostrado por países latinoamericanos y del Caribe sobre la COVID-19 fue alto. El grado de interés en línea en un país no refleja claramente la magnitud de sus indicadores epidemiológicos. El tiempo de respuesta y la correlación de retraso fueron mayores que en los países europeos y asiáticos. Se descubrió poco interés respecto a las medidas preventivas. Una fuerte correlación entre las búsquedas de COVID-19 y nuevos casos diarios sugiere una utilidad predictiva.

A infodemiologia tem sido largamente utilizada para avaliar as epidemias. À luz da mais recente pandemia, utilizamos dados da Google Search para explorar o interesse online sobre COVID-19 e temas correlatos em 20 países da América Latina e Caribe. Foram recuperados e correlacionados dados do Google Trends entre 12 de dezembro de 2019 e 25 de abril de 2020, sobre COVID-19 e temas relacionados, com dados oficiais sobre casos de COVID-19 e com indicadores epidemiológicos nacionais. Os países latino-americanos e caribenhos com maior interesse na COVID-19 foram Peru (100%) e Panamá (98.39%). Não foi encontrada correlação entre esse interesse e os indicadores epidemiológicos nacionais. Os tempos de resposta global e local foram de 20,2 ± 1,2 dias e 16,7 ± 15 dias, respectivamente. A duração da atenção do público foi de 64,8 ± 12,5 dias. Os temas mais populares relacionados à COVID-19 foram: a situação do respectivo país (100 ± 0) e os sintomas relacionados ao novo coronavírus (36,82 ± 16,16). A maioria dos países mostrou uma associação significativa forte ou moderada (r = 0,72) entre buscas relacionadas à COVID-19 e casos novos diários. Além disso, a correlação defasada significativa mais alta foi encontrada no dia 13,35 ± 5,76 (r = 0,79). Os países latino-americanos e caribenhos demonstraram forte interesse na COVID-19. O grau de interesse na internet em um país não reflete claramente a magnitude de seus indicadores epidemiológicos. O tempo de resposta e a correlação defasada foram maiores que nos países europeus e asiáticos. Houve pouco interesse em medidas preventivas. A correlação forte entre busca por COVID-19 e casos novos diários sugere utilidade preditiva.

Características de las cartas al editor de las revistas biomédicas indizadas en SciELO-Perú / Characteristics of letters to the editor published in biomedical journals indexed in SciELO-Peru

Este artículo tuvo como objetivo describir las características de las cartas al editor publicadas durante el período 2014-2018 en las revistas biomédicas indizadas en SciELO-Perú en el año 2020. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo de las publicaciones ubicadas en la sección Cartas al editor de cada una de las revistas biomédicas indizadas en SciELO-Perú desde el año 2014 al 2018. Las variables fueron: frecuencia anual, colaboración académica, grado académico, filiación institucional, número de citaciones y de autores, así como propósito general y específico. Se hizo un análisis de las frecuencias en Google Sheets y STATA 14. El 12,40 por ciento del total de las publicaciones eran cartas al editor (9,95 por ciento en el año 2014 y 12,18 por ciento en el 2018). La participación estudiantil individual representó el 9,47 por ciento y las publicaciones realizadas en colaboración con profesionales fue del 18,68 por ciento. Predominaron las cartas de comentarios generales (38,68 por ciento), seguidas de hallazgos propios (34,74 por ciento) y comentarios sobre un artículo previo (26,58 por ciento). Aumentaron las publicaciones de hallazgos propios, las cuales resultaron las más citadas (media: 3,15). Las críticas sobre cuestiones metodológicas fueron del 9,21 por ciento, de las que solamente el 60 por ciento presentó réplica de los autores. Aquellas que denunciaban faltas éticas eran solo del 1,05 por ciento y ninguna comentaba la política editorial de la revista. La publicación de cartas al editor aumentó en los últimos años; sin embargo, su empleo como medio de revisión crítico y ético pospublicación es bajo, y la presentación de hallazgos propios fue uno de sus principales usos(AU)

The purpose of the present study was to describe the characteristics of letters to the editor published in the period 2014-2018 in biomedical journals indexed in SciELO-Peru in the year 2020. A descriptive study was conducted of publications included in the section Letters to the editor of each one of the biomedical journals indexed in SciELO-Peru in the period 2014-2018. The variables studied were yearly frequency, academic collaboration, academic degree, institutional affiliation, number of citations and authors, and general and specific purpose. Frequency analysis was based on Google Sheets and STATA 14. Of the total publications, 12.40 percent were letters to the editor (9.95 percent in the year 2014 and 12.18 percent in 2018). Contributions by individual students accounted for 9.47 percent, whereas publications developed in collaboration with professionals represented 18.68 percent. A predominance was found of general comments letters (38.68 percent), followed by personal findings (34.74 percent) and comments on a previous paper (26.58 percent). An increase was observed in personal findings publications, which were the most commonly cited (mean: 3.15). Critiques about methodological questions were 9.21 percent, of which only 60 percent received a reply from the authors. Letters denouncing ethical breaches were only 1.05 percent and none commented on the journal's editorial policy. Publication of letters to the editor has increased in recent years. However, their use as a critical and ethical post-publication review is low, and the presentation of personal findings was one of their main uses(AU)

Observaciones metodológicas en los estudios de tendencias de Google / Methodological concerns in Google Trends studies

We have read with interest one of the latest published article in your journal entitled "Exploratory analysis of internet search trends during the COVID-19 outbreak". We agree that Google Trends is a useful tool for health research, but some methodological concerns may bias the results of this type of studies. We found in this article serious issues that affect the results and its understandings. We would seek certain clarifications from the authors(AU)

Método de búsqueda para detectar si una investigación presentada como tesis fue publicada en una revista científica / Search method to find out if a research thesis was published in a scientific journal

RESUMEN Introducción: La validez de los métodos utilizados para localizar tesis publicadas en revistas científicas es incierta. Objetivo: Comparar la eficacia y eficiencia de diferentes métodos (incluida nuestra propuesta) para localizar tesis publicadas en revistas científicas indizadas. Material y Métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional descriptivo. Se identificaron cinco métodos ("A", "B", "C", "D", "E") utilizados para localizar tesis publicadas; además, elaboramos una propuesta (método "F"). Se pusieron a prueba los seis métodos y sus estrategias con cinco tesis ya publicadas. Se evaluó su eficacia mediante una relación (tesis publicadas localizadas/ total de tesis), su eficiencia (tesis localizadas/ [número de pruebas] x [total de tesis]) y posición relativa en la búsqueda (orden en que se localizó la tesis / total resultados de la búsqueda). Resultados: Los métodos con la mejor eficacia y eficiencia fueron: "F" (1 y 0,5) y "D" (1 y 0,5), seguidos del método "B" (0,8 y 0,2). Los métodos con menor eficacia y eficiencia fueron los métodos: "A" (0,6 y 0,15), "C" (0,6 y 0,12) y "E" (0,2 y 0,01). Además, la posición relativa para cada estrategia del método "F" fue menor a las estrategias del método "D". Conclusiones: La mayoría de métodos de búsqueda fueron poco eficaces y eficientes, siendo nuestra propuesta uno de los métodos más adecuados para localizar tesis publicadas en revistas científicas(AU)

ABSTRACT Introduction: The validity of the methods used to locate theses published in scientific journals is uncertain. Objective: To compare the effectiveness and efficiency of different methods (including our proposal) to locate theses published in indexed scientific journals. Material and Methods: A descriptive observational study was made. Five methods ("A", "B", "C", "D", "E") used to locate published theses were identified and our proposal was developed (method "F"). The six methods and their strategies were tested using five theses that have already been published. Effectiveness was evaluated through the analysis of the relationship between (published theses / total of theses), efficiency (published theses / [number of tests] x [total of theses]) and relative position of the search (order in which the thesis was located / total results from the search). Results: The most effective and efficient methods were: "F" (1 and 0.5) and "D" (1 and 0.5), followed by the "B" method (0.8 and 0.2). The methods with the lowest effectiveness and efficiency were: methods "A" (0.6 and 0.15), "C" (0.6 and 0.12) and "E" (0.2 and 0.01). In addition, the relative position for each strategy of the "F" method was lower than the strategies of the "D" method. Conclusions: The majority of search methods were less frequent and less efficient, being our proposal one of the most specific methods to locate theses published in scientific journals(AU)