Impact of Work-Life Balance on the Quality of Life of Spanish Nurses during the Sixth Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study.

This study addresses the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of Spanish nurses during the sixth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, assessed through the EQ-5D and EQ-VAS indices. METHODS: This cross-sectional 334 study used online surveys, recruiting 305 Spanish nurses. RESULTS: Nurses generally perceived a good HRQoL. "Negative work-family interaction" is adversely associated with the EQ-VAS (ß = -0.337, 95% CI [-1.733, -0.723]) and EQ-5D (ß = -0.399, 95% CI [-0.021, -0.01]) indices, while "positive work-family interaction" shows a positive relationship with the EQ-VAS (ß = 0.218, 95% CI [0.381, 1.759]). The presence of a "paid supportive caregiver" is positively associated with the EQ-VAS (ß = 0.18, 95% CI [1.47, 12.3]) and EQ-5D (ß = 0.149, 95% CI [0.004, 0.117]) indices, but a higher "number of children" is negatively linked with the EQ-5D index (ß = -0.146, 95% CI [-0.061, -0.002]). In addition, living with a partner (EQ-VAS ß = 0.16, 95% CI [1.094, 14.67] and EQ-5D index ß = 0.174, 95% CI [0.018, 0.163]) and working a "rotating shift" (EQ-5D index ß = 0.158, 95% CI [0.005, 0.098]) are positively associated. CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the need to comprehensively address nurses' well-being, considering both their working conditions and their home environment, especially in crisis contexts such as the current pandemic.

Sexually Transmitted Infections in 2000-2018 in a Specialised Centre: Comparison between Pre-Crisis, Crisis, and Post-Crisis Period.

(1) Background: Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are a major public health problem due to their consequences in sexual and reproductive health. There is a close link between the crisis and the increase in communicable diseases. The objective of this study was to analyse the evolution of Sexually Transmitted Infections during the period 2000-2018 in the population attending the Centre for Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Sexual Orientation in Granada (Spain), specifically comparing the pre-crisis, crisis, and post-crisis periods. (2) Methods: A retrospective, observational, and analytical study was conducted by reviewing medical records. The sample analysed comprised 1666 cases. (3) Results: During the pre-crisis period (2000-2007), the percentage of diagnoses was 41.6% (n = 126) compared to 58.4% (n = 177) of negative results; during the crisis, the percentages were 63.5% (n = 183) and 36.5% (n = 105), respectively; and during the post-crisis period, the percentages were 42.9% (n = 157) and 57.1% (n = 209), respectively. The variables that were significantly associated with STI diagnosis were the time periods analysed, sexual orientation, occupation, and age at first intercourse. The evolution of the number of positive diagnoses during the entire study period showed a trend of progressive increase in Sexually Transmitted Infections from 2000 to 2018. (4) Conclusions: The period of economic crisis presented a higher risk of infection, although this is a finding with certain limitations due to the lack of homogeneity between the periods analysed.

Validation of the attitudes towards people living with HIV/AIDS scale in nursing students.

BACKGROUND: One of the environments where people living with HIV/AIDS should feel safer is in the health care setting; however, scientific evidence has identified discriminatory behaviour on the part of health care professionals towards these people. The reduction or abolition of discriminatory practices requires, first of all, to know the attitudes of nursing students towards AIDS with tools appropriate to the socio-cultural context of the disease. The objectives of this study are to update the AIDS Attitudes Scale for Nursing Students (EASE) by adapting it to the sociocultural landscape and to analyse the reliability and structural validity of the new scale. METHODS: The results of the questionnaires answered by 213 undergraduate nursing students from the Faculty of Health Sciences of Ceuta (University of Granada) were analysed. Reliability (test-retest, n = 33) and validity (n = 180) tests were carried out. RESULTS: An exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis indicated that a four-factor model was the most parsimonious solution. Items were examined for their underlying relationships and labelled: professional practice, social integration, partner and family, and benevolent stigma. The new scale yielded a McDonald's Omega coefficient (ω) of 0.893. Convergent validity was established for average variance extracted per factor greater than 0.5 and divergent validity when the variance retained by each factor is greater than the variance shared between them (average variance extracted per factor > ϕ2). CONCLUSIONS: The new scale is a psychometrically sound instrument for assessing attitudes towards people living with HIV/AIDS in nursing students.

Epidemiological Profile of Patients with Vulvovaginal Candidiasis from a Sexually Transmitted Infection Clinic in Southern Spain.

Epidemiological data on women suffering from vulvovaginal candidiasis and its recurrence are outdated and vague. The aim of this study was to identify the prevalence of women diagnosed with vulvovaginal candidiasis, as well as the epidemiological profile and associated risk factors in the province of Granada (Spain). Data from the Centre for Sexually Transmitted Infections of the Granada province between 2000 and 2018 (N = 438) were used in this study. Associations between sociodemographic and sexual behaviour variables with vulvovaginal candidiasis were analysed using the Chi-square test and bivariate logistic regression. The prevalence of candidiasis was 14.6%. The sociodemographic profile corresponded to a woman aged 25.14 ± 4.8 years on average, who is of Spanish nationality (60.9%), a student (55.7%), in non-active employment (59.7%), with a higher education (56.7%), single (93.5%), and under 30 years of age (79.7%). Variables associated with this diagnosis were the absence of oro-genital contact (OR = 1.99; 95% CI = 0.25-0.74), having a regular partner (OR = 1.99; 95% CI = 1.05-3.75), and age of sexual debut, with the probability increasing by 12% (95% CI = 1.00-1.24) with each year. In this context, vulvovaginal candidiasis infection is common, and its epidemiological profile is contradictory, so our results do not suggest a relevant role of sexual risk behaviours in the diagnosis. Further research is needed to improve the estimates and factors associated with this infection.

Levels and predictors of postpartum depression and anxiety during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in a confined cross-border city.

Pregnancy and/or the puerperium involve social, physiological and psychological changes that make women more vulnerable to mental disorders such as anxiety and depression, even more so if these develop in stressful contexts such as the pandemic. The aim of this study is to identify factors associated with the risk of postpartum anxiety and depression during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional study was conducted among postpartum women (n = 69) who gave birth between March 2020 and March 2021 in Melilla, a Spanish cross-border city with Morocco whose borders were closed, making it a confined city. The scales used were the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Results reported an elevated risk of depression (85.5%) and anxiety (63.8%), with severe anxiety reaching 40.6% of cases. Predictors of postpartum depression comprised a personal history of mood disorders (ß = 8.421; CI95% = 4.863/11.978) and having been diagnosed with COVID-19 during pregnancy or postpartum (ß = 4.488; CI95% = 1.331/7.646). As regards anxiety, it is predicted on the basis of mood antecedents (ß = 14.175; CI95% = 7.870/20.479), the fact of having been diagnosed with COVID-19 during pregnancy or postpartum (ß = 8.781; CI95% = 2.970/14.592) and the fact of being a multipara (ß = 5.513; CI95% = 0.706/10.321). In conclusion, special attention should be paid to women with a history of mood disorders and a positive diagnosis of COVID-19 during pregnancy or postpartum, even more so in the case of multiparous women, because of its impact on mental health during the postpartum period. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12144-023-04719-6.

Posters as a Tool to Improve Hand Hygiene among Health Science Students: Case-Control Study.

(1) Background: Numerous educational interventions have been conducted to improve hand hygiene (HH) compliance and effectiveness among nursing students, with mixed results. The aim is to evaluate the effectiveness of posters as a teaching tool and factors associated with HH quality. (2) Methods: A pre-post experimental intervention study was conducted with a total of 293 nursing students randomly assigned to two groups (experimental and control) who, before and after HH, took cell culture samples from their non-dominant hands. Only the experimental group was exposed to the poster. (3) Results: In the experimental group, significant differences were observed among students older than 22 years (p = 0.017; V = 0.188), with a higher percentage of failures (15.7% vs. 3.6%). Poster displaying was associated with passing, other variables being equal, although without statistical significance (ORa = 2.07; 95% CI = 0.81-5.26). Pre-practice hand contamination was weakly associated with lower HH quality (ORa = 0.99, 95% CI = 0.99-0.99). (4) Conclusions: The use of posters as a teaching method shows indications of efficacy. Prior hand contamination slightly affects the quality of HH. Further evaluation of teaching methods is needed to ensure good technical performance of HH to prevent the spread of infectious diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Validation of the Women's Views of Birth Labor Satisfaction Questionnaire (WOMBLSQ4) in the Spanish Population.

The satisfaction of women with the birth experience has implications for the health and wellness of the women themselves and also of their newborn baby. The objectives of this study were to determine the factor structure of the Women's Views of Birth Labor Satisfaction Questionnaire (WOMBLSQ4) questionnaire on satisfaction with the attention received during birth delivery in Spanish women and to compare the level of satisfaction of pregnant women during the birth process with that in other studies that validated this instrument. A cross-sectional study using a self-completed questionnaire of 385 Spanish-speaking puerperal women who gave birth in the Public University Hospitals of Granada (Spain) was conducted. An exploratory factor analysis of the WOMBLSQ4 questionnaire was performed to identify the best fit model. Those items that showed commonalities higher than 0.50 were kept in the questionnaire. Using the principal components method, nine factors with eigenvalues greater than one were extracted after merging pain-related factors into a single item. These factors explain 90% of the global variance, indicating the high internal consistency of the full scale. In the model resulting from the WOMBLSQ4 questionnaire, its nine dimensions measure the levels of satisfaction of puerperal women with childbirth care. Average scores somewhat higher than those of the original questionnaire and close to those achieved in the study carried out in Madrid (Spain) were obtained. In clinical practice, this scale may be relevant for measuring the levels of satisfaction during childbirth of Spanish-speaking women.

Influence of Physical Activity on Blood Pressure in Children With Overweight/Obesity: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of childhood hypertension (HT) is growing exponentially, influenced by environmental factors such as foods with high salt content, sedentary lifestyles, and poor-quality food. The incidence of HT is about 10.4% in well-nourished children, but when associated with obesity or overweight, this can rise to 38% and 68%, respectively. To assess the influence of physical activity on the blood pressure (BP) of children who are overweight or obese. METHODS: This randomized clinical trial was carried out in Granada (Spain), from October 2015 to June 2016. The sample consisted of 98 children, all of whom were overweight or obese. The intervention group (IG) (n = 49) practised physical activity and received nutritional advice, while the control group (n = 49) only received theoretical-practical sessions on nutrition. Body composition was measured, a nutritional assessment was made and BP was determined (in percentiles, to avoid the misclassification of children who are located at the extremes of normal growth). RESULTS: Before the physical activity intervention, 85.7% of the children in the IG (with overweight/obesity) were in the 95th or higher percentile for BP, a situation representative of high BP (HT). However, by the end of the study period, this value had decreased significantly (P = 0.001), to 16.13%. CONCLUSIONS: Childhood obesity is a risk factor for HT. Physical activity, together with nutritional advice, effectively reduces BP in children who are overweight or obese. The use of percentiles, according to age, weight, and height, is an effective means of measuring BP. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: This study is registered at https://www.clinicaltrials.gov (identifier NCT02779647).

Physical Exercise and Grip Strength in Patients Intervened through Bariatric Surgery / Ejercicio físico y fuerza de agarre en pacientes intervenidos de cirugía bariátrica / Exercício físico e força muscular em pacientes submetidos à cirurgia bariátrica

ABSTRACT Objective: This work sought to evaluate a physical exercise program of moderate intensity in patients operated of bariatric surgery and its influence on muscle strength. Method: Randomized clinical trial, with an intervention group and a control group. Forty three patients were operated of bariatric surgery. The intervention group was applied a program of moderate physical activity during six months. Grip strength and bioimpedance were measured at their baseline form, at one month, and six months after surgery. A bivariate study was conducted to observe variable changes. Results: Upon conducting Student´s t for independent samples in all the variables (weight, body mass index, grip strength, lean mass, fat mass, and metabolism), the result is that no significant differences exist between the intervention group and the control group with p > 0.05. Conclusion: A program of moderate physical activity lasting six months in patients intervened of bariatric surgery has no significant result in the development of muscle mass evaluated through manual dynamometry and bioimpedance.

RESUMEN Objetivo: evaluar un programa de ejercicio físico de intensidad moderada en pacientes operados de cirugía bariátrica y su influencia en la fuerza muscular. Método: ensayo clínico aleatorizado, con un grupo de intervención y un grupo control. Cuarenta y tres pacientes fueron operados de cirugía bariátrica. Al grupo de intervención se le aplicó un programa de actividad física moderada durante seis meses. La fuerza de agarre y la bioimpedancia se midieron en su forma basal, al mes y a los seis meses después de la cirugía. Se realizó un estudio de bivariante para observar los cambios de las variables. Resultados: al realizar la prueba de t de student para muestras independientes en todas las variables (peso, índice de masa corporal, fuerza de agarre, masa magra, masa grasa y metabolismo), el resultado es que no hay diferencias significativas entre el grupo de intervención y el grupo control con p>0,05. Conclusión: un programa de actividad física moderado de seis meses de duración en pacientes intervenidos de cirugía bariátrica no tiene resultados significantes en el desarrollo de la masa muscular evaluada a través de la dinamometría manual y la bioimpedancia.

RESUMO Objetivo: avaliar um programa de exercício físico de intensidade moderada em pacientes submetidos à cirurgia bariátrica e sua influência na força muscular. Materiais e método: ensaio clínico randomizado, com um grupo de intervenção e um grupo controle. Quarenta e três pacientes foram operados de cirurgia bariátrica. Ao grupo de intervenção, foi aplicado um programa de atividade física moderada durante seis meses. A força muscular e a bioimpedância foram medidas em sua forma basal em um mês e aos seis meses depois da cirurgia. Foi realizado um estudo de bivariante para observar as mudanças das variáveis. Resultados: ao realizar o teste t de Student para amostras independentes em todas as variáveis (peso, índice de massa corporal, força muscular, massa magra, massa gordurosa e metabolismo), não se verificam diferenças significativas entre o grupo de intervenção e o grupo controle com p > 0,05. Conclusão: um programa de atividade física moderada de seis meses de duração em pacientes submetidos à cirurgia bariátrica não apresenta resultados significantes no desenvolvimento da massa muscular avaliada por meio da dinamometria manual e da bioimpedância.

Psychometric validation of the Prenatal Distress Questionnaire (PDQ) in pregnant women in Spain.

The Prenatal Distress Questionnaire (PDQ) was developed among English-speaking women in the United States to assess specific worries and concerns during pregnancy. Our aim was to analyze the factor structure of the PDQ, using confirmatory factor analysis, and assess its convergent validity in Spanish women. A sample of 233 pregnant women with ages ranging from 19 to 42 years in the south of Spain (Europe) (January 2015 - March 2016) completed the translated PDQ, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and the Symptom Checklist-90-revised (SCL-90-R). Confirmatory factor analysis revealed a three-factor structure supporting the original PDQ factor structure (χ2 (31) = 55.43, p = 0.004; CFI = 0.96; RMSEA = 0.058; WRMR = 0.702). The Spanish PDQ significantly correlated with the PSS and SCL-90-R (r's 0.18-0.49, p's < 0.05), providing evidence of convergent validity. These results illustrate that the stress dimensions investigated by the PDQ adequately represent pregnant women's distress across a different cultural context and corroborate the psychometric properties of this instrument previously demonstrated in English-speaking women. The Spanish version of the PDQ can be used by clinical practitioners to evaluate specific worries and concerns women experience during pregnancy.

Differences in Sexually Transmitted Infections between the Precrisis Period (2000⁻2007) and the Crisis Period (2008⁻2014) in Granada, Spain.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the difference in the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) between two time periods (2000⁻2007 and 2008⁻2014, with the latter period characterized by the economic crisis), as well as determine differences in sociodemographic factors, clinical care, and risk indicators. METHODS: This was a retrospective, observational, and analytical study, reviewing 1437 medical records of subjects attending a specialized center in the province of Granada (Spain) for consultation associated with the presence or suspicion of an STI between 2000⁻2014. Data were collected on variables relating to the research objective. A descriptive and bivariate statistical analysis was performed by multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: In the analysis comparing the presence of STIs between the crisis and non-crisis periods, the percentage of positive diagnoses reached 56.6% compared to 43.4% negative diagnoses during the non-crisis period, while the percentages were 75.2% and 24.8%, respectively, during the crisis period. This difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001) with an odds ratio (OR) of 2.21 after adjusting for age, sex, days since last unprotected sexual intercourse, and partners in the last year. CONCLUSIONS: There are significant differences in the prevalence of STIs between the study periods, which is consistent with the reports of some authors regarding the effect of the financial crisis on these conditions; however, it is worth considering other aspects that might explain the differences.

[Causes and components of the metabolic syndrome in renal transplant recipients from a gender perspective]. / Causas y componentes del síndrome metabólico en receptores de trasplante renal desde una perspectiva de género.

INTRODUCTION: the appearance of metabolic syndrome (MS) among renal recipients is one of the greatest post-transplant complications and is associated with an increased risk of graft failure and high rates of obesity and new onset diabetes. OBJECTIVE: the objective of this work is to identify the relationship between the glomerular filtration rate measured by two different methods and the components of the metabolic syndrome and their combinations in kidney transplant patients according to gender. MATERIAL AND METHOD: the samples consisted of 500 kidney transplant recipients, of whom 190 had MS, 121 men and 69 women. All subjects underwent clinical evaluation and blood sampling for laboratory measurements. The MS was determined according to the criteria of the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP-III). Renal function was estimated using AMDRD equations and CrS determinations. RESULTS: the average age was 55.5 years. The prevalence of MS was significantly higher in men (23.1% < vs 9.8%). High blood pressure (HBP) was the most observed component of MS. Significant correlations (Pearson, p < 0.05) between TFG-AMDRD and TFG CrS and metabolic markers were observed more in men than in women. The body mass index (BMI) was significantly higher in women than in men. CONCLUSIONES: the decrease in renal function associated with the components of MS, HBP and obesity represent a high risk of adverse cardiovascular events and graft rejections.

INTRODUCCIÓN: la aparición del síndrome metabólico (SM) entre los receptores renales es una de las mayores complicaciones postrasplante y se asocia con un mayor riesgo de fracaso del injerto y altas tasas de obesidad y diabetes de nueva aparición. OBJETIVO: el objetivo de este trabajo es identificar la relación entre la tasa de filtración glomerular medida por dos métodos distintos y los componentes del síndrome metabólico y sus combinaciones en pacientes trasplantados renales según género. MATERIAL Y MÉTODO: la muestra estuvo formada por 500 pacientes trasplantados renales, de los cuales 190 padecían SM, 121 hombres y 69 mujeres. Todos los sujetos se sometieron a evaluación clínica y toma de muestras de sangre para mediciones de laboratorio. El SM se determinó según los criterios del National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP-III). La función renal se estimó usando ecuaciones AMDRD y determinaciones de creatinina sérica (CrS). RESULTADOS: la media de edad fue de 55,5 años. La prevalencia del SM fue significativamente mayor en hombres (23,1% < vs. 9,8%). La hipertensión arterial (HTA) fue el componente del SM más observado. Se observaron correlaciones significativas (Pearson; p < 0,05) entre TFG-AMDRD y TFG CrS y marcadores metabólicos más en hombres que en mujeres. El índice de masa corporal (IMC) fue significativamente mayor en mujeres que en hombres. CONCLUSIONES: la disminución de la función renal asociada con los componentes del SM, la HTA y la obesidad representan un riesgo elevado de eventos cardiovasculares adversos y rechazos del injerto.

Causas y componentes del síndrome metabólico en receptores de trasplante renal desde una perspectiva de género / Causes and components of the metabolic syndrome in renal transplant recipients from a gender perspective

Introducción: la aparición del síndrome metabólico (SM) entre los receptores renales es una de las mayores complicaciones postrasplante y se asocia con un mayor riesgo de fracaso del injerto y altas tasas de obesidad y diabetes de nueva aparición. Objetivo: el objetivo de este trabajo es identificar la relación entre la tasa de filtración glomerular medida por dos métodos distintos y los componentes del síndrome metabólico y sus combinaciones en pacientes trasplantados renales según género. Material y método: la muestra estuvo formada por 500 pacientes trasplantados renales, de los cuales 190 padecían SM, 121 hombres y 69 mujeres. Todos los sujetos se sometieron a evaluación clínica y toma de muestras de sangre para mediciones de laboratorio. El SM se determinó según los criterios del National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP-III). La función renal se estimó usando ecuaciones AMDRD y determinaciones de creatinina sérica (CrS).Resultados: la media de edad fue de 55,5 años. La prevalencia del SM fue significativamente mayor en hombres (23,1% < vs. 9,8%). La hipertensión arterial (HTA) fue el componente del SM más observado. Se observaron correlaciones significativas (Pearson; p < 0,05) entre TFG-AMDRD y TFG CrS y marcadores metabólicos más en hombres que en mujeres. El índice de masa corporal (IMC) fue significativamente mayor en mujeres que en hombres. Conclusiones: la disminución de la función renal asociada con los componentes del SM, la HTA y la obesidad representan un riesgo elevado de eventos cardiovasculares adversos y rechazos del injerto

Introduction: the appearance of metabolic syndrome (MS) among renal recipients is one of the greatest post-transplant complications and is associated with an increased risk of graft failure and high rates of obesity and new onset diabetes. Objective: the objective of this work is to identify the relationship between the glomerular filtration rate measured by two different methods and the components of the metabolic syndrome and their combinations in kidney transplant patients according to gender. Material and method: the samples consisted of 500 kidney transplant recipients, of whom 190 had MS, 121 men and 69 women. All subjects underwent clinical evaluation and blood sampling for laboratory measurements. The MS was determined according to the criteria of the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP-III). Renal function was estimated using AMDRD equations and CrS determinations. Results: the average age was 55.5 years. The prevalence of MS was significantly higher in men (23.1% < vs 9.8%). High blood pressure (HBP) was the most observed component of MS. Significant correlations (Pearson, p < 0.05) between TFG-AMDRD and TFG CrS and metabolic markers were observed more in men than in women. The body mass index (BMI) was significantly higher in women than in men. Conclusions: the decrease in renal function associated with the components of MS, HBP and obesity represent a high risk of adverse cardiovascular events and graft rejections

[GESTASTRES cohort study protocol on the effects of stress during pregnancy by measuring the cortisol in women's and newborn's hair]. / Protocolo del estudio de cohortes GESTASTRESS sobre los efectos del estrés durante el embarazo mediante la medida de cortisol en el cabello de la mujer y del recién nacido.

The aim was to present the longitudinal study protocol on the effects of perinatal stress from conception to one year of age. Stress is associated to psychopathological, cardiovascular and inmunological diseases. During pregnancy, the activation of the Hipotalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal results in an increased release of cortisol. Stress during pregnancy is related to maternal, fetal and infant negative outcomes that can last a lifetime. Nevertheless, contradictory findings have been reported. In this longitudinal study maternal stress is assessed from a sample of 807 pregnant women through hair cortisol levels and psychological question- naires during the three trimesters of pregnancy. Besides, associa- tions with the new-borns´ hair cortisol levels, temperament and neurodevelopment at age 6 and 12 months are assessed. Sociode- mographic, obstetrics, delivery, fetal and newborn development variables are included in analysis. Findings will be able to pro- vide a better understanding of perinatal stress and will improve maternal, fetal and infant outcomes.

Se presenta el protocolo del estudio longitudinal del estrés perinatal desde la concepción hasta un año de vida. El estrés se relaciona con trastornos psicopatológicos, enfermedades cardio- vasculares e inmunológicas. Durante el embarazo, la activación del eje hipotalámico-hipofisario-adrenal ante un estímulo estre- sante aumenta los niveles de cortisol. El estrés durante el emba- razo tiene efectos sobre la madre, el feto y el bebé que pueden lle- gar a la adultez. Sin embargo, existen resultados contradictorios. En este estudio longitudinal se pretendía estudiar los niveles de estrés materno de 807 mujeres embarazadas durante los 3 trimes- tres de embarazo, mediante evaluación psicológica y mediante la innovadora técnica de niveles de cortisol en pelo. Se estudia la relación con los niveles de cortisol en pelo de recién nacidos, temperamento y neurodesarrollo de los bebés a los 6 y 12 meses de edad. Además, se miden variables sociodemográficas, historia obstétrica, parto y nacimiento, desarrollo fetal e infantil. Los re- sultados obtenidos permitirán promover la adopción de medidas preventivas y de intervención en Salud Pública.

Protocolo del estudio de cohortes Gestastres sobre los efectos del estrés durante el embarazo mediante la medida del cortisol en cabello de la mujer y del recién nacido / GESTASTRES cohort study protocol on the effects of stress during pregnancy by measuring the cortisol in women’s and newborn's hair

Se presenta el protocolo del estudio longitudinal del estrés perinatal desde la concepción hasta un año de vida. El estrés se relaciona con trastornos psicopatológicos, enfermedades cardiovasculares e inmunológicas. Durante el embarazo, la activación del eje hipotalámico-hipofisario-adrenal ante un estímulo estresante aumenta los niveles de cortisol. El estrés durante el embarazo tiene efectos sobre la madre, el feto y el bebé que pueden llegar a la adultez. Sin embargo, existen resultados contradictorios. En este estudio longitudinal se pretendía estudiar los niveles de estrés materno de 807 mujeres embarazadas durante los 3 trimestres de embarazo, mediante evaluación psicológica y mediante la innovadora técnica de niveles de cortisol en pelo. Se estudia la relación con los niveles de cortisol en pelo de recién nacidos, temperamento y neurodesarrollo de los bebés a los 6 y 12 meses de edad. Además, se miden variables sociodemográficas, historia obstétrica, parto y nacimiento, desarrollo fetal e infantil. Los resultados obtenidos permitirán promover la adopción de medidas preventivas y de intervención en Salud Pública

The aim was to present the longitudinal study protocol on the effects of perinatal stress from conception to one year of age. Stress is associated to psychopathological, cardiovascular and inmunological diseases. During pregnancy, the activation of the Hipotalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal results in an increased release of cortisol. Stress during pregnancy is related to maternal, fetal and infant negative outcomes that can last a lifetime. Nevertheless, contradictory findings have been reported. In this longitudinal study maternal stress is assessed from a sample of 807 pregnant women through hair cortisol levels and psychological questionnaires during the three trimesters of pregnancy. Besides, associations with the new-borns' hair cortisol levels, temperament and neurodevelopment at age 6 and 12 months are assessed. Sociodemographic, obstetrics, delivery, fetal and newborn development variables are included in analysis. Findings will be able to provide a better understanding of perinatal stress and will improve maternal, fetal and infant outcomes

An augmented reality game to support therapeutic education for children with diabetes.

Therapeutic education in diabetes helps patients take responsibility for self-control of their disease, and providing technological support systems facilitates this education. In this paper, we present an augmented reality game to support therapeutic education for patients with diabetes. Our game helps children (aged 5-14 years) to learn carbohydrate (carb) content of different foods. The game shows virtual foods on a real dish. The number of carb choices corresponding to the visualized food is also shown (1 carb choice = 10 grams of carbs). A study to determine the effectiveness of the game in terms of learning and perceived satisfaction and usability was carried out. A total of seventy children with diabetes participated in the study. From the results, we observed that the initial knowledge about carb choices of the children who participated in the study was low (a mean of 2 on a scale from 0 to 9). This indicates that therapeutic education for patients with diabetes is needed. When the results for the pre-knowledge questionnaire and the post-knowledge questionnaire were compared, it was shown that the children learned about carb choices by playing our game. We used two post-knowledge questionnaires (one post-knowledge questionnaire that contained the same foods as the pre-knowledge questionnaire and a second post-knowledge questionnaire that contained foods that were different from the ones on the pre-knowledge questionnaire). There were no statistically significant differences between these two different post-knowledge questionnaires. Moreover, the knowledge acquired was independent of gender and age. We also evaluated usability and perceived satisfaction. The children were satisfied with the game and considered that the game offers a high degree of usability. This game could be a valuable therapeutic education tool for patients with diabetes.

The Pitt Bacteremia Score, Charlson Comorbidity Index and Chronic Disease Score are useful tools for the prediction of mortality in patients with Candida bloodstream infection.

Candida bloodstream infection (CBI) is associated with high mortality. The aim of this study was to compare the utility of the combined use of the Pitt Bacteremia Score (PBS) and Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) or Chronic Disease Score (CDS) to predict mortality among patients with CBI. Thereby, all consecutive patients with CBI at our institution between 2010 and 2014 were included. The PBS was used to evaluate CBI severity and the CCI and CDS were used to assess comorbidities of patients with CBI. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate odds ratios for 30-day mortality in models including the PBS and CCI or CDS. A total of 189 CBI episodes were identified. Logistic regression models including the PBS and either CCI or CDS showed that the combined use of a comorbidity score and a severity score significantly predicted 30-day mortality. The performance of the different models was similar. Aggregated scores of comorbidity (CCI and CDS) and disease severity (PBS) are useful for the prediction of 30-day mortality risk in patients with CBI. Their use may facilitate the analysis of risk factors for poorer outcome and the development of an index for CBI mortality.

Sexual orientation and its impact on sexual behaviour of young people aged 15-29: a cross-sectional study.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to determine whether there was a direct relation between sexual orientation and sexual practices involving penetration; to analyse whether condom use in the first sexual relation was conditioned by sexual orientation; to verify whether consistent condom use in sexual relations was determined by sexual orientation. BACKGROUND: Recent research suggests that sexual orientation (i.e. heterosexuality, homosexuality or bisexuality) is a determining factor in high-risk sexual behaviour. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study with purposive sampling. METHODS: Data were collected between March 2013-April 2014 from 900 participants (524 males and 376 females). All participants were 15-29 years of age. Their mean age was 20·93 years. The participants were given a socio-demographic survey as well as a psychometric test on high-risk sexual behaviour, which had been used in previous studies. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in relation to sexual orientation and sexual practices involving penetration either in the general model for both sexes or in the models for men and women. It was also found that sexual orientation did not significantly affect condom use in the first sexual relation. Furthermore, consistent condom use had a protector effect in the general model for homosexuals and bisexuals. In the model for men, this was also true for homosexuals and in the model for women, this was the case for bisexuals. CONCLUSION: Condom use in the first sexual relation was similar in all sexual orientations. However, the sexual orientation of the subject was found to be a determining factor in consistent condom use.

Psychological assessment among immigrant and Spanish women during the postpartum period in Spain.

OBJECTIVE: to describe whether there were differences in sociodemographic, obstetric, perinatal and psychological variables between immigrant women and native-born women in Spain during the first 24 h after delivery. BACKGROUND: The immediate postpartum period is a critical time when physical and psychological disorders are likely to occur. Immigrant women have, in general, poor perinatal and psychological results during this time. METHODS: One hundred and three women at the Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital (Granada, Spain) were divided into two groups: 50 Spanish and 53 immigrants. The instruments used were the Life Orientation Test, the Stress Vulnerability Inventory, the Perceived Stress Scale and the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R). Sociodemographic and obstetric data were obtained from the healthcare providers reports. RESULTS: During the postpartum period, the immigrant women had higher mean scores on the following subscales: interpersonal sensitivity (F(1,102) = 4.06; p < 0.05); depression (F(1,102) = 7.24; p < 0.01); phobic anxiety (F(1,102) = 4.83; p < 0.05), paranoid ideation (F(1,102) = 7.20; p < 0.01); and psychoticism (F(1,102) = 4.04; p < 0.05). When considering age, education, profession, job situation, immigrant status of the partner and duration of time in Spain as covariates, differences between groups were significant on obsessive-compulsiveness (F(1,102) = 5.37; p < 0.05) and depression (F(1,102) = 6.89; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Immigrant women are in need of more psychological and emotional support from their families, midwives and the rest of healthcare providers than are native Spaniards immediately after delivery.