Preparatory Year Students' Perception of Pharmacy Profession as a Career Choice: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract The study attempted to assess preparatory year students' perception towards pharmacists and the pharmacy profession. This cross-sectional survey was conducted between December 2019 and March 2020. The students were invited to complete an anonymous questionnaire via Google Forms®. In total, 244 students, of which 53.7% were female with the mean age of 19.2 ± 0.65, from 12 universities participated in this study. As per our findings, the majority of the respondents (91.8%) regard pharmacy as a well-respected profession, 82.4% thought pharmacists are important decision-makers, 68.4% disagreed that most pharmacists were unkind, and 60.7% did not agree that pharmacy was a low-status occupation. Meanwhile, 95.5% agreed that pharmacists must have a university degree, 88.6% agreed pharmacists must take responsibility for patients, and 82.8% believed pharmacists had to work too hard. Moreover, 62.3% did not think pharmacy was a low-skill occupation, 54.9% did not agree pharmacists must do unpleasant things, and 45.1% disagreed pharmacists only did what physicians requested of them. Lastly, 48.8% had low confidence in choosing pharmacy as a career. The students' overall perception toward pharmacists and the pharmacy profession was favorable. However, only one-fourth of the students displayed a tendency to choose pharmacy as a future career.

Health education can save the environment from medicine residues

Abstract The incorrect disposal of medicines and their environmental impact has been related to the health medicalization and the improper use of medication by society. In this sense, it is very important to know the profile of drug disposal for foster health policies. The aim was to identify the profile of disposal of medicines by the population, including the cost perspective. This is an inquiry descriptive study that began in September 2019. Medicine disposal health education program was carried out over six months in two University pharmacies. A questionnaire for sociodemographic and discarded medicines data collection was applied. Logistic regression analysis for variables association of correct disposal and the chi-square and t-student analysis for comparison between disposal programs were performed for a level of 5% and test power of 80%. Medicines weighed 23.3 kg and 28.5 kg, with the cost variation from US$ 13.5 to US$ 16.1 until the final treatment. The correct disposal was strongly associated with the disposal reason (p=0.013), source of information (p=0.006), prescription (p=0.03), form of use (p=0.01), acquisition source (p=0.001), cost with medication (p=0.0001), education (p=0.028) and age (p=0.05). The correct medicine disposal was associated with important features of the community related to education health.

Prevalence, impact, and management perception of dysmenorrhea among university students: A cross-sectional study

Abstract Dysmenorrhea is a common condition among females that is characterized by painful cramps before or during menstruation. It is considered as a common gynecological complaint that affects the quality of women's life. The study evaluated prevalence of dysmenorrhea, its impact, associated risk factors, and the management strategies adopted by female university students in Taif city, Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 562 female students aged 18-30 years at the university level. The results showed a high prevalence rate of dysmenorrhea (79.4%) among the students. The most common risk factors were family history (87.4%) and length of menstruation (79%). Half (50.2%) of the respondents were absent at the university at least 1 day every month. The most widely used medications by the respondents were ibuprofen (42%) and paracetamol (40%), whereas only 3% used mefenamic acid, despite that they experienced complete pain relief with mefenamic acid. High prevalence rate of dysmenorrhea associated with risk factors such as family history and length of menstruation, was found among university students. However, pain and associated symptoms affect the quality of life.

Desenvolvimento de jogos didáticos para o ensino de Bioquímica / Development of educational games for biochemical education

A Pesquisa de Educação em Bioquímica investiga aspectos relacionados ao ensino-aprendizagem, principalmente no ensino superior. Dentre as alternativas às aulas expositivas, os jogos didáticos apresentam-se como recursos que promovem a elaboração de estratégias, a tomada de decisão, o intercâmbio de informações entre os pares, etc. Estas características configuram os jogos didáticos como ferramentas importantes para a aprendizagem ativa. O objetivo deste trabalho foi desenvolver jogos didáticos para o ensino de bioquímica. Para elaboração dos objetos de ensino, utilizou-se uma estratégia baseada em três etapas: definição das características educativas, elaboração do design conceitual e desenvolvimento do jogo e pré-avaliação. A partir da gravação e transcrição de áudio de algumas partidas dos jogos e, quando possível, por questionários, foram feitas avaliações preliminares a fim de inferir o potencial educacional dos recursos didáticos. Dois jogos didáticos foram desenvolvidos: "Pura Proteína! Uma Experiência no Laboratório de Bioquímica" e "Perfil Lipídico". O objetivo principal do primeiro jogo foi desenvolver competências de planejamento e teste de hipóteses cientificas a partir da simulação de experimentos de purificação de proteínas. A construção deste material foi fundamentada em preceitos teóricos do Ensino por Investigação. Pura Proteína é constituído por um tabuleiro e cerca de 4000 cartas e fichas. Os jogadores, ao início do jogo, recebem um desafio: obter uma determinada quantidade de uma proteína específica, purificada a partir de uma solução composta por uma mistura de proteínas. Para a consecução desse objetivo os estudantes recebem informações sobre alguns métodos de purificação de proteínas mais utilizados. Para vencer, os participantes devem combinar métodos de forma eficaz a obter, antes dos outros jogadores, a quantidade de proteína pura desejada. O jogo foi aplicado com estudantes de graduação em Biomedicina e foi feita uma análisedo processo investigativo que empregavam. Verificou-se que o jogo foi capaz de promover a elaboração de um plano de trabalho, tomada de decisão a partir de argumentações, teste e verificação de hipóteses, ao mesmo tempo em que promovia a diversão. O segundo jogo desenvolvido foi "Perfil Lipídico", por meio do qual pretendeu-se explorar a diversidade das estruturas de lipídeos e os grupos químicos que os compunham. O jogo dispõe de quinze lipídeos, distribuídos em ácidos graxos e lipídeos complexos e, para vencer, os jogadores devem descobrir a identidade de um lipídeo a partir de dicas e desenhar sua estrutura. A prática do jogo permitiu diagnosticar pequenos erros conceituais dos jogadores, revelados ao desenhar as estruturas. Ao responder um questionário, os participantes atestaram que este jogo era motivador, de fácil aplicação em sala de aula e que permitiu revisar a estrutura dos lipídeos. Os dois jogos, com objetivos educacionais muito diferentes, foram desenvolvidos a partir de uma estratégia rigorosa, que permitiu o equilíbrio entre as funções lúdicas e educativas, necessário para o sucesso desta estratégia em sala de aula. Em razão da pandemia da COVID-19, os jogos não puderam ser aplicados com o público apropriado, o que impediu uma avaliação mais robusta do potencial educacional. Os dados coletados, no entanto, forneceram indícios de que ambos os objetos de ensino são eficazes para promover o aprendizado de bioquímica, ao mesmo tempo que a diversão própria do jogo

Biochemical Education research focuses on aspects related to teaching and learning, mostly in higher education. Among several methodological alternatives to traditional classes, educational games are tools that promote the development of problem-solving strategies, decision-making, peer exchange of information, etc. These features make educational games valuable tools for active learning. The main goal of the work herein presented was to develop educational games for Biochemical Education. For this purpose, a three-step based strategy was designed: definition of educational features, conceptual game design and development and evaluation. To assess educational potential, qualitative data were obtained by recording and transcribing audio captured during plays, and, when possible, questionnaires were applied. Two educational games were developed: "Pure Protein! An Experiment in the Biochemistry Lab" and "Ten Questions - Lipids". The main learning purpose of the first game was to develop skills in planning and testing scientific hypotheses through a simulation of a protein purification experiment. The game development was based on an Inquirybased learning approach. Pure Protein is a board game set-up with ca. 4000 cards. Players are challenged to obtain an amount of a specific protein, purified from a protein solution. To achieve this goal, students receive general information about common methods used to purify proteins. To win, contestants should efficiently combine methods to obtain the needed protein before their adversaries. The game was applied to Biomedicine undergraduate students, and an analysis of the inquiry process they went through was done. It was verified that the game promotes elaboration of a working plan, decision-making supported by arguments, testing and verifying hypotheses while being a fun and enjoyable activity. The second game is called "Ten Questions - Lipids", by which we intended to explore the structural diversity of lipids and the chemical groups in their composition. The game is based on fifteen molecules, ranging from fattyacids to complex lipids. The goal is to figure out the identity and the structure of a given lipid, using clues given throughout the gameplay. The game application allowed us to assess players conceptual mistakes revealed by their drawings of chemical structures. In questionnaire answers, students stated that the game was motivating, suitable for the classroom and that it promoted the review of lipid structures. Both games, with different learning objectives, were developed using a rigorous strategy, which enables the balance between the ludic and educational functions needed to achieve educational game success. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the games werent properly evaluated with different, larger groups. Nevertheless, the collected data suggest that the teaching objects are efficient both in promoting biochemical learning and fun

Metodología para la formación profesional de alumnos ayudantes, mediante tareas docentes de desempeño / Methodology for the professional training of assistant student s by means of performance educational tasks

RESUMEN Introducción: la validación sistemática de los resultados de la práctica educativa en las universidades médicas cubanas, revela la importancia y trascendencia del proceso de formación profesional de alumnos ayudantes en las diferentes disciplinas, a partir de la determinación de las necesidades formativas de carácter docente o científico-técnico. Objetivo: elaborar una metodología para la formación profesional de alumnos ayudantes, mediante el empleo de tareas docentes de desempeño. Materiales y métodos: durante la investigación se aplicaron métodos como el analítico-sintético, el histórico-lógico y la sistematización. También se empleó una encuesta de autoevaluación, la consulta a expertos y el grupo focal para la validación de la metodología. Para el procesamiento de los datos, fueron aplicados métodos estadístico-matemáticos. Resultados: la metodología fue validada teóricamente mediante la consulta a expertos y el desarrollo de un grupo focal integrado por nueve especialistas, quienes evaluaron de muy adecuado cuatro de los seis indicadores propuestos. Las sugerencias realizadas se encaminaron hacia el logro de aspectos conceptuales y metodológicos, enriqueciéndose la propuesta inicial. Conclusiones: se elaboró una metodología para la formación profesional de alumnos ayudantes, mediante el empleo de tareas docentes de desempeño. Sus contenidos estructurales quedaron definidos en cuatro etapas fundamentales: diagnóstico, planificación, ejecución y evaluación (AU).

ABSTRACT Introduction: the systematic validation of the results of the educational practice in Cuban medical universities discloses the importance and transcendence of the process of assistant students' professional training in the different academic subjects, starting from the determination of the training necessities of educational and scientific-technical character. Objective: to elaborate a methodology for the professional training of assistant students using performance educational tasks. Materials and methods: during the research the authors applied methods like the analytic-synthetic and the historical-logical ones and systematization. An auto-assessment survey, experts' consultation and the focal group for methodology validation were also used. Mathematic-statistical methods were applied for data processing. Results: the methodology was theoretically validated by means of experts' consultation and the development of a focal nine-specialist group, who evaluated as very suitable four of the six proposed indicators. The suggestions made headed toward the achievement of conceptual and methodological aspects, making the initial proposal richer. Conclusions: a methodology for the professional training of assistant students was elaborated by means of the employment of performance educational tasks. The methodology structural contents were defined in four essential stages: diagnosis, planning, implementation and evaluation (AU).

The National Interscholastic Cycling Association Mountain Biking Injury Surveillance System: 40,000 Student-Athlete-Years of Data.

ABSTRACT: A web-based injury surveillance system was implemented through a collaboration between University of Utah researchers and the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) to better understand injury characteristics in mountain biking. Data were collected from NICA leagues during the 2018 and 2019 seasons. Injuries were tracked in 41,327 student-athlete-years, identifying 1750 unique injuries during 1155 injury events. Rider-dependent and rider-independent variables were analyzed. The most commonly reported injuries were concussion (23.6%), injuries to the wrist/hand (22.3%), and shoulder (15.6%). Half of all injury events occurred on downhills. Men and women reported similar yet significantly different injury rates (2.69% and 3.21%, respectively; P = 0.009). Women sustained more lower-limb injuries (37.8% vs 28.3%; P = 0.003). Nearly 50% of crashes resulted in an emergency room visit. Youth mountain bike racing is a rapidly growing sport. Acute traumatic injuries are common. Injury surveillance system data are now being used to inform injury prevention strategies and direct future research.

Brief Report: Classifying Rates of Students with Autism and Intellectual Disability in North Carolina: Roles of Race and Economic Disadvantage.

We examined special education classifications among students aged 3-21 in North Carolina public schools, highlighting autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intellectual disability (ID). Results revealed variability by county in ASD and ID prevalence, and in county-level ratios of ID vs. ASD classifications. Sociodemographic characteristics predicted proportion of ASD or ID within a county; correlations showed an association between race and ID, but not ASD. County's median household income predicted proportion of students classified as ASD and ID (opposite directions), controlling for number of students and gender. Variability was unlikely related to biological incidence, and more likely related to district/school practices, or differences in resources. Disparities warrant further examination to ensure that North Carolina's youth with disabilities access necessary, appropriate resources.

Traditional rural values and posttraumatic stress among rural and urban undergraduates.

Although rurality is often treated as an aspect of diversity, researchers disagree regarding whether the traditional rural values of self-reliance, distrust of outsiders, religiosity, centrality of family, and fatalism continue to differentiate rural versus urban undergraduates. The present study examined 1) whether differences in these values exist between rural and urban college students in the United States and 2) whether these rural values might mediate the association between geographic remoteness and posttraumatic stress symptom (PTSS) severity. College undergraduates in the United States who reported experiencing traumatic and/or stressful events (N = 213) completed measures of these constructs through an online survey. T-test results indicated that rural respondents had significantly higher levels of PTSS severity and distrust of outsiders and significantly lower levels of religiosity when compared with urban participants. After controlling for gender, distrust of outsiders and religiosity also emerged as significant mediators of the relationship between geographic remoteness and PTSS severity. Thus, despite research that highlights differences based on geographic location, similarities and differences exist for rural and urban undergraduates in the United States with regard to traditionally rural values. For rural undergraduate clients presenting with trauma symptoms, our results suggest that building trust and religious and/or spiritual self-care may be particularly critical.

Environmental accommodations for university students affected by Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS).

BACKGROUND: Today, 24% of college and university students are affected by a chronic health condition or disability. Existing support programs, including disability services, within colleges and universities are often unaccustomed to addressing the fluctuating and unpredictable changes in health and functioning faced by students with severe chronic illnesses. This situation is especially difficult for students with lesser-known, invisible diseases like Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), a complex disease affecting up to 2.5 million Americans which often begins in late adolescence or young adulthood. OBJECTIVE: Educate occupational therapists (OTs) about ME/CFS and steps they can take to assist students. METHODS: This work is based on a review of the scientific literature and our collective professional/ personal experiences. RESULTS: ME/CFS' effects on multiple organ systems combined with the unusual symptom of post-exertional malaise frequently and substantially decrease function. Currently, no effective disease-modifying treatments have been established. Nevertheless, OTs can help student maximize their participation in university life by identifying potential obstacles, formulating practical solutions and negotiating with their institutions to implement reasonable, environmental accommodations. CONCLUSIONS: Through understanding this disease, being aware of possible support options, and recommending them as appropriate, OTs are in unique position to greatly improve these students' lives.

Complex cannabis use patterns: Associations with cannabis consequences and cannabis use disorder symptomatology.

BACKGROUND: Historically, cannabis researchers have assumed a single mode and product of cannabis (e.g., smoking plant). However, patterns of use, products (e.g., concentrates, edibles), and modes (e.g. blunts, vaporizers) are diversifying. This study sought to: 1) classify cannabis users into groups based on their use of the full range of cannabis products, and 2) examine user group differences on demographics, cannabis consequences and cannabis use disorder (CUD) symptomatology. METHODS: In a sample of college students (data collected in Fall 2017), who used cannabis in the past year (N = 1390), latent class analysis (LCA) was used to characterize cannabis users. We then added demographic characteristics, cannabis consequences, and CUD symptomatology scores separately to LCA models to examine class differences. RESULTS: Five unique classes emerged: high-frequency all-product users, high-frequency plant/moderate-frequency edible and concentrate users, low-frequency plant users, moderate-frequency plant and edible users, and low-frequency edible users. Demographic characteristics, cannabis consequences, and CUD symptomatology differed across classes characterized by frequency as well as product. CONCLUSIONS: Results reflect the increasing variety of cannabis products, modes, and use patterns among college students. In this sample, frequency of use remains a strong predictor of cannabis-related consequences, in addition to type of product. As variation in cannabis use patterns continue to evolve, it is essential for researchers to conduct comprehensive assessments.

A latent profile analysis of social anxiety and alcohol use among college students.

BACKGROUND: The social, normative nature of alcohol use may make college students with social anxiety vulnerable to problematic alcohol use. Yet, social anxiety is typically unrelated to drinking quantity or frequency. One potential explanation is that researchers primarily use a variable-centered approach to examine alcohol use among students with social anxiety, which assumes population homogeneity. METHODS: The current study utilized a person-centered approach to identify distinct classes among 674 college students (69.6% female) based on social anxiety characteristics and alcohol use behaviors, and tested how these classes differed in their experience of adverse outcomes. RESULTS: Latent profile analysis resulted in six distinct classes of students - two classes with low levels of social anxiety and non-problematic drinking behaviors that differed based on frequency of alcohol use, three classes with moderate levels of social anxiety that differed based on quantity, frequency, and extent of problematic drinking behaviors, and one class with high levels of social anxiety and low, frequent problematic drinking behaviors. Two classes - moderate levels of social anxiety and heavy, problematic drinking behaviors or high levels of social anxiety and light, problematic drinking behaviors - appeared to have riskier profiles due to endorsing more social anxiety-specific beliefs about social impressions while drinking and more emotional distress. CONCLUSIONS: Current findings offer clarity surrounding the role of alcohol use in the association between social anxiety and problematic alcohol use. Although preliminary, findings demonstrate that comorbid social anxiety and alcohol use disorder symptoms appear to place students at greater risk for adverse outcomes.

Trajectory patterns of academic engagement among elementary school students: The implicit theory of intelligence and academic self-efficacy matters.

BACKGROUND: The dropout rate of Chinese elementary school students after 2007 rose again. Little research to date has identified individual differences in pathways of academic engagement to discern those at risk of disengagement and dropout from schools, as well as the longitudinal linkages between cognitive beliefs with academic engagement. AIMS: Examine the developmental trajectories of cognitive, emotional, and behavioural engagement, and assess relations between the implicit theory of intelligence and academic self-efficacy and the development of academic engagement. SAMPLE AND METHODS: We recruited 532, 450, and 415 elementary students to rate on self-report scales in April 2016 (T1), October 2016 (T2), and April 2017 (T3), respectively. Trajectories of academic engagement were analysed by using a multiple-process growth mixture model, and levels of entity theory of intelligence and academic self-efficacy between engagement groups were compared by using analysis of variance. RESULTS: We categorized the students into four groups: persistent (71.24%), climbing (6.01%), descending (16.54%), and struggling engagement (6.20%) groups. Within each group, the levels of academic self-efficacy from T1 to T3 demonstrated a consistent trend with the engagement trajectory; the levels of the implicit theory of intelligence over time showed the reverse trend. CONCLUSIONS: Attention should be given more on the students from the descending and struggling groups. The implicit theory of intelligence and academic self-efficacy showed different longitudinal associations with engagement trajectories.

The influence of peer and parental norms on first-generation college students' binge drinking trajectories.

INTRODUCTION: First-generation college students are those whose parents have not completed a four-year college degree. The current study addressed the lack of research on first-generation college students' alcohol use by comparing the binge drinking trajectories of first-generation and continuing-generation students over their first three semesters. The dynamic influence of peer and parental social norms on students' binge drinking frequencies were also examined. METHODS: 1342 college students (n = 225 first-generation) at one private University completed online surveys. Group differences were examined at Time 1, and latent growth-curve models tested the association between first-generation status and social norms (peer descriptive, peer injunctive, parental injunctive) on binge drinking trajectories. RESULTS: Overall, binge drinking frequency tended to decline over the first three semesters of college. After controlling for demographics, substance-free dormitory residence, parental alcohol problems and norms, first-generation status was associated with steeper declines in binge drinking frequency. During the first semester, the association between parental injunctive norms and binge drinking frequency was stronger for first-generation students than for continuing-generation students; this influence declined over time for first-generation students. The influence of peer descriptive norms on binge drinking increased for continuing-generation students; while this influence remained stable over time for first-generation students. CONCLUSIONS: First-generation student status appears to be protective against binge drinking. Substance-free dormitory residence, and perceived parental and peer norms likely play a role in first-generation students' tendency to engage in binge drinking less often over the first year of college.

College women's physical activity, health-related quality of life, and physical fitness: a self-determination perspective.

This study applied self-determination theory to examine Chinese college women motivational profiles and their association with physical activity involvement, health-related quality of life, and physical fitness. 292 Chinese college women completed questionnaires assessing relevant psychological constructs and physical activity involvement. Their physical fitness was measured based on the China National Fitness Test Program including body shape, pulmonary function, and body fitness. A two-step cluster analysis determined the profiles that resulted from the interactions among motivation variables reflecting the degree of self-determination. Four distinct clusters of college women were identified: low self-determination/high control, low combination, high combination, and high self-determination/low control. There were significant differences among the clusters in physical activity involvement (p < .01, η2 = .11), health-related quality of life (p < .01, η2 = .18), and physical fitness (p < .01, η2 = .04). Findings support the importance of developing self-determination in Chinese college women' physical activity, fitness and health-related quality of life.

College Students' Evaluations and Reasoning About Exclusion of Students with Autism and Learning Disability: Context and Goals may Matter More than Contact.

This study used mixed-effects logistic regression to examine undergraduates' (N = 142) evaluations and reasoning about scenarios involving disability-based exclusion. Scenarios varied by disability [autism spectrum disorder (ASD) versus learning disability (LD)], the context of exclusion (classroom versus social), and whether or not a grade was at stake. Participants were more likely to determine exclusion was acceptable if the excluded student had an ASD diagnosis, there was a grade at stake, and it occurred in a classroom. Exclusion was less likely to be considered acceptable in the "no grade" compared to the "grade" conditions for LD students, but remained high in both conditions for autistic students. This study also describes contextual variations in participants' justifications for their evaluations.

Algunas variables de salud mental asociadas con la propensión al abandono de los estudios universitarios / Some mental health variables associated with the propensity to the abandonment of the university studies

Resumen Este estudio tuvo por objetivo establecer la asociación de algunas variables de salud mental (burnout académico, ansiedad rasgo-estado y depresión) sobre la propensión al abandono de los estudios en estudiantes universitarios. Estudio de tipo observacional, analitico, trasversal. La muestra estuvo conformada por 252 estudiantes, distribuidos así: 23% (59) del programa de Enfermería, 39% (99) del programa de Medicina y 37% (94) del programa de Psicología, evaluados a través del Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Survey, Ansiedad de Rasgo y de Estado, Inventario de Depresión de Beck, y cuestionario de Propensión al Abandono. Los resultados indican que la ansiedad estado (OR= 2.944 [1.712 - 5.065], p= 0.000) predice la propensión al abandono en universitarios. Se concluye que la ansiedad estado es un factor de riesgo para la propensión al abandono, por tanto, se recomienda el fortalecimiento de los recursos personales desde la autoeficacia y la incorporación de la familia desde el inicio de la vida universiaria.

Abstract The objective of this study was to establish the association of some mental health variables (academic burnout, traitstate anxiety and depression) on the propensity to drop out of studies in university students. Study of observational, analytical, transversal type. The sample consisted of 252 students, distributed as follows: 23% (59) of the Nursing program, 39% (99) of the Medicine program and 37% (94) of the Psychology program, evaluated through the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Survey, Trait and State Anxiety, Beck Depression Inventory, and Abandonment Propensity Questionnaire. The results indicate that state anxiety (OR = 2.944 [1.712 - 5.065], p = 0.000) predicts the dropout propensity in university students. We conclude that state anxiety is a risk factor for the propensity to drop out, so it is recommended to strengthen personal resources from self-efficacy and the incorporation of the family since the beginning of university life.

Movimiento de alumnos ayudantes: experiencia de una institución cubana / Teaching-support students movement: experience of a Cuban institution

El movimiento de alumnos ayudantes surge como una necesidad ante el éxodo masivo de profesionales al comienzo de la revolución cubana. A más de 5 décadas de creado conserva total vigencia al perfeccionarse y adecuarse continuamente a los dinámicos requerimientos sociales del país. En este artículo se describe la experiencia del Hospital Universitario Arnaldo Milián Castro en el trabajo con los alumnos ayudantes en el período entre 2011 y 2016, enfatizando sus logros y desafíos en el cumplimiento de sus principales objetivos en la educación médica superior cubana: apoyar el desarrollo del proceso docente educativo, dirigir la orientación profesional hacia especialidades que se encuentran en déficit y adquirir de forma acelerada habilidades como docente, investigativas y propias de la especialidad

The teaching-support student movement arose out of the necessity to cover the lack of teachers caused by the massive exodus of professionals at the beginning of the Cuban Revolution. Five decades later it is still alive and continuously perfects and adjusts itself according to the dynamic social requirements of the country. This article intends to describe the experience acquired at the University Hospital "Arnaldo Milián Castro" based on the work of teaching-support students in the period from 2011 to 2016, emphasising its achievements and challenges in the fulfilment of its main objectives in Cuban higher medical education such as: to support the development of the instructional and educational process, to address the professional orientation towards specialities deficient in professionals and to quickly acquire skills for teaching, research, and those related to specialities

Paranoia and anxiety: A cluster analysis in a non-clinical sample and the relationship with worry processes.

BACKGROUND: Worry processes are implicated in paranoia and anxiety. However, clinical studies focused on patients with co-occurring paranoia and anxiety. As both paranoia and anxiety are distributed across clinical and non-clinical groups, an investigation on worry processes among non-clinical individuals will allow us to delineate the specific worry mechanisms in paranoia and anxiety respectively. AIMS: To identify clusters of non-clinical individuals who report varied levels of paranoia and anxiety, and to compare worry processes across clusters. METHOD: An online survey, consisting of self-report questionnaires on generalized anxiety, paranoia, and worry processes, was completed by 2796 undergraduate students. A multiple-step validity check procedure resulted in a subsample of 2291 students, upon which cluster analyses and multivariate analyses of variance were conducted. RESULTS: Four clusters of individuals were identified: (1) high paranoia/moderate anxiety, (2) average paranoia/high anxiety, (3) average paranoia/average anxiety, and (4) low paranoia/low anxiety. A unique cluster of individuals with high paranoia but low/average level of anxiety was not found. Cluster 1 reported a significantly higher intensity of day-to-day worries, a higher level of meta-worry, and more extreme meta-cognitive beliefs about worry than other clusters. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with high paranoia tended to report anxiety as well, but not vice versa. Our findings supported a hierarchical structure of anxiety and paranoia. All worry processes were exacerbated in individuals with paranoia and anxiety than those with anxiety alone.

Alumnos ayudantes: futuros cuadros científicos-pedagógicos y de especialistas en Cuba / Assistant students: future scientific-pedagogical and specialist cadres in Cuba

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College Students' Health Behavior Clusters: Differences by Sex.

OBJECTIVE: The study purpose was to identify clusters of weight-related behaviors by sex in a college student populations. METHODS: We conducted secondary data analysis from online surveys and physical assessments collected in Project Young Adults Eating and Active for Health (YEAH) with a convenience sample of students on 13 college campuses in the United States. We performed 2-step cluster analysis by sex to identify subgroups with homogeneous characteristics and behaviors. We used 8 derivation variables: healthy eating; eating restraints; external cues; stress; fruit/vegetable intake; calories from fat; calories from sugar-sweetened beverages; and physical activity. Contribution of derivation variables to clusters was analyzed with a MANOVA test. RESULTS: Data from 1594 students were included. Cluster analysis revealed 2-clusters labeled "Healthful Behavior" and "At-risk" for males and females with an additional "Laid Back" cluster for males. "At-risk" clusters had the highest BMI, waist circumference, elevated health risk, and stress and least healthy dietary intake and physical activity. The "Laid Back" cluster had normal weights and the lowest restrained eating, external cues sensitivity, and stress. CONCLUSION: Identified differences in characteristics and attitudes towards weight-related behaviors between males and females can be used to tailor weight management programs.