Ageing and Loneliness in Times of Pandemic: A Scoping Review.

Society is immersed in a process of demographic transformation of great relevance: the ageing of the population. During the ageing stage, relevant changes occur, such as age-related losses, lack of formal and informal support or changes in social roles, which can cause situations of isolation or loneliness in older people. After the Spanish government decreed a state of alarm throughout the national territory in response to the arrival of SARS-CoV2, the confinement of the entire population was established, and only essential services and authorized persons could continue to carry out their daily activities and professional tasks. In addition, since the beginning of the pandemic, older people were considered high-risk people, a circumstance that increased their isolation situation. OBJECTIVE: Understand, organize and systematically analyse the scientific evidence generated in relation to the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the processes and feelings of isolation and loneliness of the elderly population, from the beginning of the health crisis until the date of search. MATERIALS AND METHODS: a scoping review was conducted using the methodology of Arksey and O'Malley, which included a review of the studies available in the online databases Proquest, Scopus and WOS. From the search, information related to the isolation and collective of elderly people during the pandemic was extracted. RESULTS: a total of 32 articles were included, from which three fundamental areas of analysis emerged and three issues emerged: older people and institutionalisation during the pandemic, ageism and hospitalisation of the elderly during the pandemic, and loneliness and isolation of older people throughout the pandemic. DISCUSSION: the lack of material resources and infrastructures to be able to face the problem of isolation in institutions was evident. The importance of acquiring, on the part of the elderly, competences, knowledge and skills in new technologies in order to continue with contact with their peer group and family was also observed. CONCLUSIONS: this study identifies areas already understood, as well as knowledge gaps, that allow for determining opportunities for future research and thus the ability to improve in situations similar to the one that occurred.

Las comunidades virtuales de pacientes con enfermedades raras. Análisis de su influencia en la toma de decisiones y en el cambio de conductas relacionadas con el proceso de enfermedad / Virtual communities of patients with rare diseases. Analysis of their influence on decision-making and behavior change related to the disease process

Resumen Analizar cómo la comunicación en salud y la función como redes de solidaridad y apoyo que realizan las comunidades virtuales de pacientes con enfermedades raras incrementa la información sobre los problemas de salud y posibilita la participación de los afectados en las decisiones que les atañen, coadyuvando al control en la gestión de su enfermedad. Revisión de documentación científica publicada e indexada en las bases de datos SciELO, Enfispo, Pubmed, Bvs-Lilacs, Dialnet, Cuiden, Cuidatge, utilizando los descriptores en Ciencias de la Salud (DeCS): enfermedades raras; comunicación en salud; internet; participación del paciente y comunidades virtuales de salud. Dicha revisión se llevó a cabo sin limitación temporal e inicialmente en español, pero dada su relevancia, la segunda fase incluyó algunos artículos en inglés. Se destaca el importante papel que las comunidades virtuales desempeñan mediante la comunicación en salud y se identifica el empoderamiento como herramienta clave para lograr una mayor autonomía en la gestión de la enfermedad, con consecuencias positivas para la salud y la calidad de vida de los afectados. Las comunidades virtuales de pacientes con enfermedades raras, como redes de solidaridad, de apoyo mutuo y de comunicación en salud, facilitan la toma de decisiones y la realización de acciones favorables en el manejo y cambio de conductas relacionadas con el proceso de enfermedad. Conocer qué variables intervienen en la participación en estas comunidades permitiría comprender mejor los problemas que afectan y preocupan a estos pacientes, proporcionando, así, una atención adecuada a sus necesidades específicas.

Abstract Objectives: To analyze how health communication and functions as networks of solidarity and support carried out by the Virtual Communities of Patients with Rare Diseases increase information on health problems and enable the participation of those patients in the decisions that affect them, increasing the Control in the management of their disease. Methodology: review of scientific papers published and indexed in the databases: SciELO, ENFISPO, PUBMED, BVS-LILACS, DIALNET, CUIDEN, CUIDATGE using descriptors in Health Sciences (DeCS): Rare Diseases; Communication in Health; Internet; Patient Participation and Virtual Health Communities, without temporal limitation in a first phase in Spanish, including later for their relevance some articles in English. Results: it is evinced the important role that virtual communities play in communication in healthcare and reveal empowerment as a key tool to achieve greater autonomy in the management of the disease, with positive consequences for their health and quality of life. Conclusions: functions of virtual communities of patients with rare diseases, such as networks of solidarity, mutual support and communication in health, facilitate decisionmaking and the realization of favorable actions in the management and change of behaviors related to the disease process. Knowing what variables intervene to participate in these communities, would permit a better understanding of the problems that affect and preoccupy these patients, and thus provide adequate attention to their specific needs.

Transición a la edad adulta en jóvenes vulnerables. Efectos de una intervención sociocomunitaria en el barrio de Las Remudas, Gran Canaria, España / Transition to adulthood in vulnerable youngsters. Impact of a socio-community intervention in the district of Las Remudas, Gran Canaria, Spain

Este estudio analiza el caso de un barrio vulnerable donde se ha desarrollado una intervención sociocomunitaria, entre los años 2002 y 2012, para la mejora de la salud y la calidad de vida comunitaria, especialmente de su población joven. El objetivo de este trabajo es conocer la experiencia biográfica de los jóvenes e indagar a propósito de la influencia de la intervención en sus trayectorias de vida. Metodología: Desde una perspectiva cualitativa, a través de la observación participante, entrevistas semiestructuradas y análisis documental, se reflexiona sobre la eficacia social y los beneficios percibidos de la intervención en la comunidad. Los resultados muestran un relevante y positivo impacto sobre la cohesión social y la convivencia comunitaria. En el caso de los jóvenes, se reconoce el cambio de orientación de algunas trayectorias, evitando la exclusión y con una clara mejora de su entorno relacional, de su autoestima y mostrando el desarrollo de habilidades sociales que han favorecido su transición a la edad adulta. Conclusión: Este artículo invita a la reflexión sobre la eficacia las intervenciones destinadas al cambio social, su sostenibilidad en el tiempo y sus limitaciones. Es una propuesta, basada en el ejemplo real, de la aplicación de políticas sociales y de salud dirigidas a la juventud en desventaja social (AU)

This study analyzes the case of a vulnerable neighbourhood where a socio-community intervention was developed between 2002 and 2012, in order to improve health and quality of community life, especially amongst young population. The aim of this study was to determine the biographical experience of young people and inquire about the influence of intervention in their life trajectories. Methodology: From a qualitative perspective, through participant observation, semi-structured interviews and documentary analysis, a reflection is presented on the social efficacy and perceived benefits of intervention in the community. The results show a significant and positive impact on social cohesion and community convivence. As regards young people, a change in orientation of some individuals’ life paths is recognized, thus avoiding exclusion, with a clear improvement in their relational environment and self-esteem and showing the development of social skills that have helped their transition into adulthood. Conclusion: This article invites reflection on the effectiveness of interventions aimed at social change, their sustainability over time and their limitations. It is a proposal, based on a real example, for the application of social and health policies aimed at socially disadvantaged youth (AU)

Análisis sociológico de los factores de riesgo sexual en la población universitaria. Un estudio comparativo / Sociological analysis of sexual risk factors in the academic population. A comparative study

Objetivo principal: El objetivo de la presente investigación es identificar los factores de riesgo sexual y su relación con la estructura familiar de la que forman parte los estudiantes universitarios según el grado que cursan. Metodología: Se aplicó un cuestionario a 220 alumnos de los dos títulos de grado de la Universidad de Alicante (España). Resultados principales: Los resultados muestran que el 70.1% de los estudiantes se inició en la sexualidad entre los 16-18 años. El 95.5% ha utilizado métodos anticonceptivos en su primera relación sexual. Los estudiantes de enfermería recibieron la información sexual a través de los centros educativos y los estudiantes de Administración y Dirección de Empresas (ADE) la obtuvieron de los amigos. Conclusión principal: Se concluye que en la población universitaria siguen presentes conductas que conllevan riesgos para la salud, no encontrándose influenciados por la estructura familiar de origen. Actualmente, existe cierta disociación entre la información que reciben los estudiantes y las conductas inseguras que llevan a cabo

Objective: The objective of this investigation is identify the sexual risk factors and their relationship with the family structure which university students form part depending the degree they are studying. Methods: To 220 students of two degrees from the University of Alicante (Spain) were applied a questionnaire. Results: The results show that the 70'1% of the students began their sexual relationship among the years of 16-18. The 95'5% used contraceptive methods in their first sexual relationship. The sexual information was given nursing students from school and to the Administration and Direction of Business' students from friends. Conclusions: Conclude that behaviors which entail health risk are still present in the university population. These behaviors are not influenced by the family structure for origin. Nowadays, there is a certain dissociation between the sexual information that the students receive and the insecure behaviors that they carry out