A predictive model of perceived stress during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in university students Ecuadorians.

Background and objectives: The situation caused by the confinement due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the mobility restriction implemented by governments worldwide had a significant impact on people's routines. Stressors are known to increase emotional imbalance, uncertainty, and frustration in the general population. This study explores the factors that predispose to the risk of perceived stress from COVID-19 and determines the underlying mediating mechanisms in the Ecuadorian population. Method: The cross-sectional study an incidental non-probabilistic sample of n = 977 participating student volunteers from the four regions of the Republic of Ecuador (68.6% women and 31.4% men). Data on emotional regulation (ERQ), perceived stress (PSS), active procrastination (APS), diagnosis and symptoms related to COVID-19, social isolation, coexistence, and a sociodemographic questionnaire (biological sex, marital status, and age) were recruited. Statistical analysis was based on a structural equation model. Results: The risk of suffering perceived stress in the COVID-19 pandemic was higher for single women who have lived longer in social isolation, have lived with more people, have poor emotional regulation and high rates of procrastination. This structural model is similar in all Ecuadorian regions χ2 = 21.54 (p = 0.760), RMSEA = 0.001 (95%CI, 0.00-0.02), CFI = 0.998; TLI = 0.999; SRMR = 0.020. Discussion: Although our findings are consistent and revealing for the scientific community, the lack of discrimination of the data due to strict isolation measures, taken at different periods by the Ecuadorian government against positive cases of COVID-19, is discussed. The research was applied to the university population, it would be representative to extend the study to schools and colleges. Conclusion: We consider this work as a starting point for the creation of preventive models against perceived stress in the university environment in the event of health emergencies.

Infecciones y anemia en estudiantes de la parroquia Guapán, Azogues, Ecuador / Infections and anemia in students of theGuapán parish, Azogues, Ecuador

Introducción: Las unidades educativas constituyen un entorno ideal para el diagnóstico de enfermedades y la promoción de salud. Objetivo:Identificar la presencia de enfermedades infecciosas y anemia en los estudiantes de la Unidad Educativa Ezequiel Cárdenas Espinoza de la parroquia Guapán del cantón Azogues en Ecuador y tomar medidas correctivas al respecto.Métodos:Se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo, transversal y prospectivo.El universo fueron los316 estudiantes matriculados enla Unidad Educativa Ezequiel Cárdenas Espinoza de la parroquia Guapán del cantón Azogues en Ecuador durante el periodo académico 2013-2014. La muestra fue coincidente pues setrabajó con todos los estudiantes de la institución en edades comprendidas entre 11 y 17 años de edad. Las variables evaluadas fueron edad, sexo y enfermedades más frecuentes para lo cual se utilizó como técnicas el coproparasitario, examen de sangre (hemoglobina), y examen elemental y microscópico de orina.Resultados:El 21.6% de los estudiantes evaluados presentaron parasitosis intestinal. La parasitosis más frecuente fue causada por Ameba histolytica con un 60% y 25% de Ascaris lumbricoides. El sexo predominantemente afectado fue el masculino con el 71%. Solo una estudiante del 8vo curso, correspondiente al 1.3% y un 5% de los estudiantes de 9no curso presentaron anemia. En todos los cursos se diagnosticaron estudiantes con infección de vías urinarias, representando el 15.2%. El 77.1% de los afectados fue del sexo femenino.Conclusiones:La presencia de enfermedades infecciosas y anemia determina el diseño de estrategias educativas a estudiantes, padres de familia y profesores de la institución

Introduction:The educational units constitute an ideal environment for diagnosing diseases and promoting health.Objective:To identify the presence of infectious diseases and anemia in the students of the Ezequiel Cárdenas Espinoza Educational Unit of the Guapan parish of the Azogues canton in Ecuador and to take corrective measures in this regard.Methods:An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional and prospective study was carried out. The universe was the 316 students enrolled in the Ezequiel Cárdenas Espinoza Educational Unit of the Guapan parish of the Azogues canton in Ecuador during the 2013-2014 academic period. The sample was coincident because it worked with all the students of the institution in ages between 11 and 17 years of age. The variables evaluated were age, sex and most frequent diseases for which coproparasitic, blood test (hemoglobin), and elementary and microscopic urine tests were used as techniques.Results:21.6% of the students evaluated presented intestinal parasitosis. The most frequent parasitosis was caused by Ameba histolytica with 60% and 25% of Ascaris lumbricoides. The predominantly affectedsex was male with 71%. Only one student in the 8th grade, corresponding to 1.3% and 5% of the 9th grade students, presented anemia. In all the courses, students with urinary tract infection were diagnosed, representing 15.2%. 77.1% of those affected were female.Conclusions:The presence of infectious diseases and anemia determines the design of educational strategies for students, parents and teachers of the institution.

Diagnóstico del virus del papiloma humano en mujeres en edad fértil del área de salud No. 1 de Azogues, Ecuador / Diagnosis of human papilloma virus in women of childbearing age in health area No. 1 of Azogues, Ecuador

Se realizó un estudio prospectivo, analítico y transversal con el objetivo de identificar la presencia del virus del papiloma humano en mujeres en edad fértil que asisten al centro de salud No. 1 de Azogues, Ecuador, durante el período enero 2015 - febrero 2016. La muestra quedó conformada por las 117 mujeres a las cuales se les realizó la prueba de Papanicolaou para posterior genotipificación del virus. Se determinó el número de parejas sexuales, uso del preservativo, lugar de residencia y nivel de escolaridad. Existió mayor número de mujeres con la prueba de Papanicolaou positivo que HPV positivo. La técnica de PCR constituye un beneficio para la población ecuatoriana(AU)

A prospective, analytical and cross-sectional study was conducted with the objective of identifying the presence of the human papilloma virus in women of childbearing age whom were attended at the health center No. 1 of Azogues, Ecuador, from January 2015 to February 2016. The sample was formed for the 117 women who underwent the Papanicolaou test for subsequent genotyping of the virus. The number of sexual partners, condom use, place of residence and level of education were determined. There were more women with a positive Pap test than positive HPV. The PCR technique constitutes a benefit for the Ecuadorian population(AU)

Diagnóstico del virus del papiloma humano en mujeres en edad fértil del área de salud No. 1 de Azogues, Ecuador / Diagnosis of human papilloma virus in women of childbearing age in health area No. 1 of Azogues, Ecuador

Se realizó un estudio prospectivo, analítico y transversal con el objetivo de identificar la presencia del virus del papiloma humano en mujeres en edad fértil que asisten al centro de salud No. 1 de Azogues, Ecuador, durante el período enero 2015 - febrero 2016. La muestra quedó conformada por las 117 mujeres a las cuales se les realizó la prueba de Papanicolaou para posterior genotipificación del virus. Se determinó el número de parejas sexuales, uso del preservativo, lugar de residencia y nivel de escolaridad. Existió mayor número de mujeres con la prueba de Papanicolaou positivo que HPV positivo. La técnica de PCR constituye un beneficio para la población ecuatoriana(AU)

A prospective, analytical and cross-sectional study was conducted with the objective of identifying the presence of the human papillomavirus in women of childbearing age whom were attended at the health center No. 1 of Azogues, Ecuador, from January 2015 to February 2016. The sample was formed for the 117 women who underwent the Papanicolaou test for subsequent genotyping of the virus. The number of sexual partners, condom use, place of residence and level of education were determined. There were more women with a positive Pap test than positive HPV. The PCR technique constitutes a benefit for the Ecuadorian population(AU)

Profilaxis antibiótica preoperatoria en pacientes con cirugías ginecológicas en el Hospital Homero Castanier Crespo / Preoperative antibiotic prophylaxis performed on patients with gynecological surgeries at ¨Homero Castanier Crespo¨

Introducción: el uso inadecuado de los antimicrobianos constituye una preocupación mundial. En Ecuador, este problema se agrava porque no se han tomado las medidas pertinentes para controlar la situación. No se realizan programas de vigilancia de infecciones producidas por bacterias resistentes ni control en el uso indiscriminado. Existe poco conocimiento por parte de los servidores de salud y ausencia de comités de infecciones en los hospitales. Objetivo: evaluar la calidad de la prescripción y el costo del tratamiento de la profilaxis antibiótica preopereatoria mediante el seguimiento farmacoterapéutico en pacientes operadas de afecciones ginecológicas. Método: se realiza un estudio retrospectivo, y una evaluación económica, del tipo minimización de costos del tratamiento utilizado. En el hospital Homero Castanier Crespo de la Ciudad de Azogues, Ecuador desde septiembre 2015 hasta marzo 2016. Resultados: la mayoría de las pacientes tenían entre 21 y 40 años de edad. Los principales motivos de cirugía fueron quiste de ovario roto y mioma uterino. Predominaron las cirugías limpias-contaminadas. El antimicrobiano más utilizado fue la cefazolina en dosis única, cada 24, 12 y 8 horas. Aproximadamente en un 20 por ciento de los casos, se realizó cambio de tratamiento injustificadamente. Predominaron los PRM6. La mayoría de las prescripciones resultaron inadecuadas. El costo global por antimicrobianos fue de 503,09 USD. Si la profilaxis se hubiera aplicado adecuadamente, se hubiera ahorrado 435,45 USD. Conclusiones: se sugiere el rediseño del Protocolo de Profilaxis Antibiótica Preoperatoria del Hospital Homero Castanier Crespo(AU)

Introduction: The inappropriate use of antimicrobials is a world concern and in Ecuador, this problem worsens because there are not relevant measures in place to control the situation. Neither surveillance programs of infections caused by resistant bacteria nor control of the indiscriminate use of antimicrobials are implemented. The health professionals´ knowledge is poor about it and the infection commissions are nonexistent in hospitals. Objective: To evaluate the quality of prescription and the cost of treatment of preoperative antibiotic prophylaxis through drug therapy follow-up in patients operated on for gynecological problems. Method: A retrospective study and an economic assessment of treatment cost minimization type was carried out in Homero Castanier Crespo¨hospital in Ciudad de Azogues, Ecuador, from September 2015 to March 2016. Results: Most of the patients were 21 to 40 years-old. The main reasons for surgery were ruptured ovarian cyst and uterine myoma. Clean-contaminated surgeries predominated. The most used antimicrobial was cefazoline at a single dose every 8, 12 and 24 hours. Around 20 percent of cases changed their treatment with no justification. PRM6 prevailed. Most of prescriptions were inadequate. The global cost of antimicrobials was 503.09 US dollars. If prophylaxis would have been correctly applied, then 435.45 US dollars had been saved. Conclusions: It is suggested that the preoperative protocol of antibiotic prophylaxis be redesigned in Homero Castanier Crespo(AU)