The relationship between neighborhood social capital and health from a biopsychosocial perspective: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: The Social Determinants of Health (SDH) influence the health of people throughout their lives, and can be positive, protective or risk factors for the population and, in turn, biological, psychological, or social. The social environment conditions the health status of the neighborhood, population, and social group, which can be a health asset due to its strong psychosocial and socio-cultural influence. Social capital is a community asset of the healthy neighborhood that must be known in order to promote community health. OBJECTIVES: The objective is to determine the relationship between social capital and neighborhood biopsychosocial health. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted based on PRISMA: PubMed, Wos, Scopus, Embase, and Cochrane databases. The search was conducted from January to March 2023. Three authors independently extracted data using a structured form. RESULTS: Out of 527 records, 17 results passed the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The positive and statistically significant relationship between neighborhood social capital (NSC) and the physical and mental health of neighbors is confirmed, that is, the higher the NSC, the more exercise, better oral health in children and physical health in pregnant women, lower tobacco consumption and lower prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus. At the psychological level, greater NSC leads to better mental health, mental well-being, life satisfaction, quality of life, self-perceived health, higher cognitive function, and less depression. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, social capital is an important SDH and health asset that influences neighborhood biopsychosocial health and should be known and researched for health promotion in community settings. More evidence is needed to support the results obtained.

Virtual reality vs. buzzy®. efficacy in pain and anxiety management during pediatric venipuncture. Systematic review and meta-analysis.

PROBLEM: Non-pharmacological distraction methods are novel alternatives that can help to alleviate pain and anxiety generated by venipuncture in the pediatric population. The aim is to determine the effectiveness of virtual reality, compared to cold and vibration devices (Buzzy® device), as a distraction method used during venipuncture in the management of pain and anxiety in children. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Clinical trials, cohort and quasi-experimental studies, published between 2017 and 2022, in Spanish or English and pediatric age, found in Medline, the Cochrane Library, Scopus, Web Of Science, CINAHL and Embase databases. SAMPLE: Twenty-one studies were included and ten met the criteria for meta-analysis. RESULTS: Fifty-seven percent of the studies evaluate virtual reality, 33.3% the Buzzy® device and 9.5% both comparatively. The effectiveness of virtual reality in reducing pain (66.6%, n = 14) and anxiety (47.6%, n = 10) compared to standard care (control group), 95% CI = 1.53 [0.91-2.16], p < 0.001, I2 = 78% and 95% CI = 1.53 [1.16-1.90]), p < 0.001, I2 = 77% respectively is demonstrated. Similarly, the effectiveness of Buzzy® in reducing pain (42.9%, n = 9) and anxiety (23.8%, n = 5), 95% CI = 1.62 [0.90-2.34], p < 0.001, I2 = 94% and 95% CI = 1.40 [0.06-2.20, p < 0.001, I2 = 91% respectively is demonstrated. Comparatively, there is no significant difference between both methods 95% CI = 0.29 [-0.19-0.78], p = 0.24, I2 = 81%. CONCLUSIONS: The methods studied are effective in relieving pain and anxiety during venipuncture. Further research is needed on the level of satisfaction, adverse effects and cost-benefit. IMPLICATIONS: This study provides evidence of novel tools in daily practice to provide more humane, holistic and quality care.

Effects of a Diabetes Self-Management Education Program on Glucose Levels and Self-Care in Type 1 Diabetes: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

(1) Background: Several factors have been associated with the success of health education programs, such contact time, with better results being obtained from more intensive programs and early outcome measurement. Nurses play an essential role in educating patients with diabetes both in disease-management, therapeutic education, and healthy lifestyles promotion as well as emotion management. The objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of a nurse-led educational program based on patients with type 1 diabetes; (2) Methods: An experimental, two-group comparison design, 69 patients participated in the intervention group and 62 in control group. The control group received routine health education and follow-up. The intervention group received intensive educational program led by nurses. The effects were evaluated after 1 and 3 months of intervention; (3) Results: The differences between groups in sensor usage, knowledge, and diabetes self-care three months after the educational program were significant; (4) Conclusions: The program could help type 1 diabetes patients to improve the control rates for blood glucose. The continuous glucose monitoring sensor allowed knowing which parameters improved one and three months after the intervention. The hypothesis of the influence of the emotional state on glucose levels was confirmed.

Diabetes Management after a Therapeutic Education Program: A Qualitative Study.

(1) Background: Structured education has been used in patients treated with insulin, promoting their ability to adhere to and self-manage their treatment. We aimed to know the perception and adherence to the recommendations on the management of diabetes in type 1 diabetes patients after participating in a therapeutic education program. (2) Methods: A descriptive qualitative study followed the Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research guidelines. Patients with type 1 diabetes participating in a therapeutic education program were recruited from February to April 2022. Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were used, and transcriptions were analyzed using the inductive qualitative content analysis method. The final sample consisted of 18 type 1 diabetes mellitus patients. (3) Results: A number of patients with type 1 diabetes said that they had improved their glycemic control after participating in the therapeutic education program. Some patients recognized that the chronic disease and the complications complexity generated stress and anxiety. This influenced their usual life, at work, and their interpersonal relationships. (4) Conclusions: In terms of satisfaction, the majority of patients reported a good perception of the quality of the organization, the professionals involved, and the contents of the program. The physical and psychosocial benefits of self-care training have been demonstrated.

Effects of Nursing Diabetes Self-Management Education on Glycemic Control and Self-Care in Type 1 Diabetes: Study Protocol.

(1) Background: Type 1 diabetes is a chronic disease that creates a high demand and responsibility for patient self-care. Patient education, self-care training and the management of derived complications are great challenges for nurses. The objective of this project is to evaluate the efficacy of a therapeutic education program for type 1 diabetes. (2) Methods: Participants recruited to the study will be adult patients with diagnosed type 1 diabetes attending the clinic at the study site. A nurse diabetes educator will deliver a four-session education program. A two-group randomized controlled trial will be used in this study, with an intervention group and a control group. The subjects included in the experimental group will attend some health education sessions, while control group participants will receive the existing standard care provided by the endocrinology and nutrition unit of the hospital. Measurements and evaluations will be conducted at the baseline prior to the intervention and at 1 and 3 months from the intervention. (3) Conclusions: The primary outcome is improving patients' knowledge about diet and treatment management. Secondary outcomes are improving patients' glycemic control and mood. The findings from this study will help to determine the effect of diabetes education about self-care and treatment in patients with diabetes, as well as helping to decrease short-term and long-term complications and reduce health care costs.

Comparison of the Psychological Impact of COVID-19 on Self-Employed Private Healthcare Workers with Respect to Employed Public Healthcare Workers: Three-Wave Study during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Spain.

(1) Background: Coronavirus disease, also called COVID-19, is a worldwide pandemic with a major impact on all aspects of the individual (health status, psychological, and economic aspects, among others). The perception of health professionals in this situation has been influenced by their economic and psychosocial situations. On the economic level, self-employed workers have no state subsidies, with the added disadvantage of not having sufficient means to cope with contagion. This could potentially have an impact on their health and indirectly on their family members, creating additional stress. The aim of this study was to determine whether there are differences in the level of anxiety of health professionals working in private practice compared to healthcare workers working in public institutions during the first three waves of COVID-19. (2) Methods: A cohort study on 517 subjects comparing anxiety between a group of health workers and a group of health professionals working in the public sector at three key moments during the pandemic was performed. (3) Results: Statistically significant differences were found between self-employed private health professionals compared to those working as public health workers. The perception of impact was worse in the self-employed; however, a higher level of anxiety was evident in public employees in all assessed domains (cognitive, physiological, and motor, p = 0.001). (4) Conclusions: There were significant changes when comparing the first phase between both groups; employed public healthcare workers manifested a sense of lower risk of COVID-19 contagion than privately employed professionals, who had a higher level of anxiety. In the second and third waves, negative feelings improved for both groups, and the fear of showing anxiety to the patient decreased over the course of the waves.

A Multicenter Study about the Population Treated in the Respiratory Triage Stations Deployed by the Red Cross during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Care demand exceeded the availability of human and material resources during the COVID-19 pandemic, which is the reason why triage was fundamental. The objective is to know the clinical and sociodemographic factors of confirmed or suspected COVID-19 cases in triage stations from different Ecuadorian provinces. METHOD: A multicenter study with a retrospective and descriptive design. The patients included were those who accessed the Respiratory Triage stations deployed by the Ecuadorian Red Cross in eight Ecuadorian provinces during March and April 2021. Triage allows for selecting patients that need urgent treatment and favors efficacy of health resources. RESULTS: The study population consisted of a total of 21,120 patients, of which 43.1% were men and 56.9% were women, with an age range between 0 and 98 years old. Severity of COVID-19 behaved differently according to gender, with mild symptoms predominating in women and severe or critical symptoms in men. Higher incidence of critical cases was observed in patients over 65 years old. It was observed that overweight predominated in critical, severe, and moderate cases, while the body mass index of patients with mild symptoms was within the normal range. CONCLUSIONS: The Ecuadorian Red Cross units identified some suspected COVID-19 cases, facilitating their follow-up and isolation. Fever was the most significant early finding.

Social Image of Nursing. An Integrative Review about a Yet Unknown Profession.

BACKGROUND: Nursing is a discipline on which stereotypes have persisted throughout its history, considering itself a feminine profession and subordinated to the medical figure, without its own field of competence. All this leads to an image of the Nursing Profession that moves away from reality, constituting a real, relevant and high-impact problem that prevents professional expansion, and that has a direct impact on social trust, the allocation of resources and quality of care, as well as wages and professional satisfaction. The aim of this review was to identify and publicize the published material on the social image of Nursing, providing updated information about the different approaches to the subject. METHODS: An integrative review of the literature has been made from primary sources of information published from 2010 to 2020. For this, the databases CINAHL, Scopus, SciELO, Dialnet and Cuiden have been consulted. RESULTS: In total, 17 articles have been included in the review, with qualitative, quantitative, and even bibliographic reviews performed in countries such as Spain, Egypt, Argentina, Iran, Venezuela, Turkey, United Kingdom, and Australia. The results of those papers mostly showed that society has misinformation about the functions performed by nursing professionals, which is based on myths and stereotypes. CONCLUSIONS: Nursing is a profoundly unknown and invisible profession, as society continues without recognizing its competence, autonomy and independence.

Anxiety and Perceived Risk in Red Cross Volunteer Personnel Facing the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic.

In the current situation of sanitary emergencies, humanitarian organizations and their volunteers are playing an important role in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. A study is proposed that includes a network of volunteers who perform humanitarian activities during the COVID-19 pandemic to assess anxiety, perceived risk, and response behaviors and to explore their relationship with sociodemographic variables. For data collection, an online questionnaire was developed through the Google Forms® platform, where the perceived risk, anxiety, and behavioral responses of the general population to the Influenza A (H1N1) pandemic were assessed. The survey presented is a modified version of that survey adapted for COVID-19. This adaptation was endorsed by an experts committee made up of the health chief of the Ecuadorian Red Cross, the focus point of operations from the International Federation of the Red Cross in Ecuador, and a member from the Health Unit of the Americas Regional Office of the International Federation of the Red Cross. A significant relationship has been shown between the job situation and perceived risk and anxiety, being the staff who worked full time away from home, which was exposed to greater risk and anxiety. Both perceived risk and perceived anxiety are very high (according to a 5-point Likert scale). Knowing these data from this first-line personnel will allow adopting measures that could be beneficial for stress management and, therefore, contribute to the well-being and support of these humanitarian and volunteer organizations in the worldwide response to COVID-1 9.

Lived Experiences of African Migrants Crossing the Strait of Gibraltar to Europe: A Cross-Cultural Approach to Healthcare from a Qualitative Methodology.

BACKGROUND: The migratory flow from the African continent to Europe is intense and the European countries should apply a humanitarian, health and social response to this emerging problem. Migrants coming from Africa to Europe are a very vulnerable population. Healthcare professionals should be prepared for answering their needs from a transcultural approach, which requires a better understanding of this phenomenon. Thus, the aim of this study was to improve nursing and healthcare professionals' awareness and better understanding of migrant life experiences during the migration journey. An exploratory descriptive qualitative research was conducted. In-depth interviews were conducted involving four key informants and content analysis were performed with the transcriptions. RESULTS: Three themes merged: life situations in their countries of origin; motivations that led them to undertake the migratory journey; and experiences they lived during the migratory journey. The results described the dramatic experience and motivations for crossing the strait of Gibraltar from Africa to Europe, including feelings, fears, hopes and lived experiences. The determination of immigrants to fight for a better life opportunity and the physical damage and psychological consequences they suffer were revealed. CONCLUSIONS: This study would help healthcare professionals to better understand this complex reality and deliver culturally adapted care. Knowledge of the starting reality of these populations can help health professionals to incorporate a cross-cultural approach that improves the relational, ethical and affective competences to provide quality care to the migrant population, as well as the development of health measures to fight against inequalities suffered by these population groups.

International Multicenter Study on Drug Consumption in Nursing Students.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of illicit drug use among young people is high, with many being highly vulnerable to substance abuse. The nursing profession is not immune to the impacts of substance misuse. Knowing the current levels of consumption of illicit drugs in nursing students will allow for the introduction of preventive actions. METHODS: Multi-center, descriptive, and cross-sectional study involving nursing schools from four different countries (Spain, Belgium, France, and Brazil). A total of seven centers participated. An adapted version of the Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS) was used as a tool, which selected only the module on illicit drugs. Standard logistic regression analysis was performed. RESULTS: A total of 496 nursing students participated in the study. Illicit drug shows positive representation among nursing students. A significant difference was observed between the gender and the age of first drug use, illicit drug consumption, cannabis use, and cocaine use ever in life, with higher use of illicit drugs by male, although at later ages than girls. The bivariate analysis, gender, problems as result of drugs, and nationality were significantly associated with the consumption of illicit drugs, cannabis, cocaine, and ecstasy ever in life. CONCLUSIONS: High rates of illicit drug use were found among nursing students, as well as factors that can influence consumption such as nationality or gender. These results can serve as a basis for the development of educational and policy interventions within nursing schools that are based on evidence, with significant implications for nurse educators, academic administrators, and practice.

Educational interventions by nurses in caregivers with their elderly patients at home.

INTRODUCTION: The home is the natural setting for the development of informal care. The work that nurses are required to develop in this context (the carer/the elderly dependent/the home) focuses on training and educational activities to assist these two groups, such as demonstrating care activities to help dependent seniors, instruction in self-care techniques and teaching strategies for the use of human and material resources. AIMS: This article analyzes care education interventions performed by nurses, and the factors that facilitate, or limit, health care training. METHODOLOGICAL APPROACH: This is a qualitative, descriptive study designed to be flexible and openly analytical in its approach to the research problem and the dynamic nature of the home environment. Triangulation of the methodological techniques and study subjects was applied. RESULTS: Nursing interventions related to professional attitudes, such as encouraging communication and facilitating teaching; communication interventions in health education and counseling; and technical interventions aimed at improving access to health information and support for the informal carer. Lack of will, the advanced age of the carer, emotional state and work overload are factors that undermine care instruction, which if reversed, would become learning facilitators. The lack of time and resources in the home are the major limiting factors on care teaching, according to nurses. Evidence from our study suggests that care in the home is considered a key primary health care strategy, one in which nurses play a significant role.

Health care provided to immigrants in a humanitarian aid center in Spain.

OBJECTIVE: Objective of this study is to explore the most prevalent pathologies of the population received in the Spanish coast and to know the nursing prehospital interventions required, as well as the treatments applied and their follow-ups. DESIGN AND MEASURES: A descriptive and retrospective study. SAMPLE: A total of 481 immigrants cared for by the Red Cross in the study period. RESULTS: Dermatological pathologies were more frequent in men (32.1). In women, the most prevalent pathology was headache (19%). According to age, dermatological pathologies prevail in those over 18 years of age (31.9%) and in children, respiratory pathologies (42.9%). Relationships were found statistically significant between gender and type of disease and between specifying or not nursing interventions (p < .001). Age was also related to the type of diagnosis and the type of nursing interventions to be carried out (p < .001). CONCLUSION: In general, a good state of health was considered in the migrants, concluding that knowing the pathologies or activities to be carried out according to the sociodemographic variables would help improve the quality of the assistance.

Effects of Advertising on Food Consumption Preferences in Children.

(1) Background: Childhood obesity is a public health problem. The purpose of this study was to know if exposure to commercial messages which advertise food products exerts any effect on the short-term consumption preferences of 4- to 6-year-old children. (2) Methods: A double-blind and randomized experimental design. Sample consisted of 421 boys and girls from twelve schools in a city in Spain. (3) Results: In three of the four product pairs shown, the products advertised in the intervention were preferred. In the results of applying the model for the first product pair presented, sugared cereals, the predictive variable which best explains the behavior of the preferences expressed is gender (Odds Ratio 0.285 (0.19-0.42); p < 0.05). For the second pair, chocolate cookies, the family's nationality has a strong weight in the model. As regards the regression model calculated for the last pair (filled rolls), the predictive variable which showed having more influence was gender. Boys had a 1.39 times higher risk of selecting the advertised product than girls. (4) Conclusions: The persuasive effect of commercials has shown to be influential in a general, immediate, and significant way only in the case of products with wide brand awareness. This study reinforces the importance of advertising and emphasizes the need to initiate measures to control the content of TV commercials.

Nursing Students' Perception on the Effectiveness of Emergency Competence Learning through Simulation.

(1) Background: Simulation is a part of the day-to-day of the learning method in health sciences. The objective is to determine if the clinical simulation is useful for learning in the emergency setting, from the point of view of the nursing students. (2) Methods: A pre- and post-test exploratory study with an analytical and quasi-experimental design was used. The population is made up of nursing students from the Seville Red Cross Nursing Centre, who conducted a simulation exercise in the form of a drill for the care of multiple victims. A specific questionnaire was employed as a tool to analyse the dimensions of satisfaction, confidence and motivation, clinical experience, and decision making and technical abilities. (3) Results: There were favourable significant differences in the set of global responses, with p < 0.0001 for the "satisfaction" dimension and d = 1.25 for the "large" size of the effect, and p < 0.0069 for the "confidence and motivation" dimension and d = 0.58 for the "moderate-large" size of the effect. (4) Conclusions: The results are similar to those obtained in other studies in the scope of the 4 dimensions studied, thus coming to the conclusion that the perception of the nursing students on learning through clinical simulation is positive and favourable.

Sedentary Behaviors of a School Population in Brazil and Related Factors.

Background. Overweight and obesity arise from a complex range of genetic, environmental, behavioral, educational, and socioeconomic factors. The present study explored the sedentary practices and some life habits related to health among children from the school population of Uruguaiana (Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil). Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted to characterize the life habits of the school boys and girls from fourth grade (9-10 years old). Results: A total of 470 fourth-grade boys and girls (9-10 years old) participated in the study. As regards the variables linked to habits, 24% of the boys and girls answered they had not had breakfast the day they completed the questionnaire and 51.8% stated they did not have breakfast any given day of the week. Regarding sedentary habits, 25.3% of children watched TV or played video games five or more hours a day and 9% rarely played sports with their parents or caregivers. Statistical significance was recorded between "number of hours watching TV and playing video games" and "playing sports with parents or caregivers" (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Association between the times spent watching TV or playing video games and the practice of physical exercise in the family proves once again the importance of the family in education for the health of children. The school provides direct access to schoolchildren and their parents to launch numerous health education programs.

Breakfast Habits among Schoolchildren in the City of Uruguaiana, Brazil.

Breakfast is the first and most important meal of the day, and omitting it is associated with a greater probability of overweight and school absenteeism. The eating habits constituted in children depend on social, educational and economic factors, and they usually perpetuate into adulthood. For this reason, the most propitious stage for health promotion interventions on healthy nutrition is childhood. Specifically, in Brazil, malnutrition is relevant in children from low-income families although, currently, there are few studies that relate nutrition with the social factors. In this study, a reliability analysis of the Eating Habits of the School Population questionnaire was conducted, and the items referring to the breakfast habits and to some sociodemographic variables were selected. Subsequently, a total of 470 fourth grade pupils self-completed the questionnaire in 12 schools in Uruguaiana (Brazil). More than 50% of the mothers and more than 70% of the fathers worked in diverse areas of services and sales in stores or supermarkets. With regards to the hypothesis contrast, a significant relation was observed between the frequency of having breakfast with the father or the mother and having had breakfast (p < 0.001). This type of study favors a population analysis for the subsequent design and execution of health promotion activities.

Psychometric Testing of INTEGRARE, an Instrument for the Assesment of Pressure Ulcer Risk in Inpatients.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the psychometric properties of INTEGRARE, an instrument based on Nursing Outcome Classification. METHOD: A multicenter, cross-sectional, methodological design was used. FINDINGS: The study included 3,835 patients. Internal consistency α = 0.86. Confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated the unidimensionality of the scale, indicating a good model fit (CMIN/DF = 4; GFI, CFI, NFI, IFI = 0.999; RMSEA = 0.028). CONCLUSIONS: INTEGRARE is a valid and reliable instrument with high sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy in measuring pressure ulcer (PU) risk in inpatients. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: This instrument allows us to know the effectiveness of nursing interventions, providing evidence for the validation of the diagnosis Risk for pressure ulcer (00249) as well as on health outcomes, due to the fact that PUs are nursing-sensitive outcomes. OBJETIVO: Evaluar las propiedades psicométricas de INTEGRARE, un instrumento basado en la Clasificación de Resultados de Enfermería. MÉTODO: Se optó por un diseño transversal multicéntrico. RESULTADOS: El estudio incluyó a 3,835 pacientes. Consistencia interna α = 0.86. El análisis factorial confirmatorio demostró la unidimensionalidad de la escala, indicando un buen ajuste del modelo (CMIN/DF = 4; GFI, CFI, NFI, IFI = 0.999; RMSEA = 0.028). CONCLUSIONES: INTEGRARE es un instrumento válido y fiable con alta sensibilidad, especificidad y precisión diagnóstica en la medición de riesgo de úlcera por presión (UPP) en pacientes hospitalizados. IMPLICACIONES PARA LA PRÁCTICA ENFERMERA: Este instrumento nos permite conocer la efectividad de las intervenciones enfermeras, aportando evidencia para la validación del diagnóstico Riesgo de úlcera por presión (00249), así como sobre los resultados de salud, debido a que las UPP son resultados sensibles a la práctica enfermera.