Work stress and burnout among active correctional officers in Puerto Rico: A cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Correctional officers (COs) are exposed to emotional and physical harm by the nature of their work. Operational stress can lead to burnout and influence absences and COs work performance. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the association between work-related stress and burnout adjusted by potential confounding variables (age, sex, correctional facility, type of correctional facility, distance to work, and absenteeism). METHODS: The sample of this cross-sectional study was made up of 799 prison officials. The self-administered questionnaire consisted of four instruments: demographic data, Health and Job Performance Questionnaire, Police Operational Stress Questionnaire, and Maslach Burnout Inventory. The questionnaires were completed online and in person. RESULTS: A high proportion of COs reported high operational stress and burnout levels. Fatigue was the highest mean value from all stressors, with 5.89. COs reported high levels of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization. They also reported low levels of personal accomplishment. Furthermore, COs with high stress levels are approximately eight times more likely to experience burnout. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that COs in Puerto Rico exposed to stress are more vulnerable to present burnout. The findings suggest that evidence-based interventions and programs should be implemented to help prevent and reduce operational stress and burnout among COs.

Medical students' knowledge about human papillomavirus (HPV), HPV vaccine and head and neck cancer.

The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted infection that significantly affects the population worldwide. HPV preventive methods include vaccination, prophylactics, and education. Different types of cancers associated with HPV usually take years or decades to develop after infections, such as Head and Neck Cancer(HNC). Therefore, HPV prevention can be considered cancer prevention. A sample of medical students in Puerto Rico was evaluated to assess their knowledge about HPV, HPV vaccine, and HNC through two previously validated online questionnaires composed of 38 dichotomized questions, we measured HPV, HPV vaccination(HPVK), and HNC knowledge (HNCK). Out of 104 students surveyed, the mean HPVK score obtained was 20.07/26, SD = 3.86, while the mean score for HNCK was 6.37/12, SD = 1.78. Bidirectional stepwise regression showed study year and HPV Vaccine name had been the most influential variables on HPVK and HNCK. MS1 participants scored lower than MS2-MS4 participants, with no significant difference between MS2-MS4 scores. The results reveal knowledge gaps in HPV/HPV Vaccine and HNC among surveyed medical students. Our findings also suggest an association between knowledge of personal vaccination status, self-perceived risk, and how uncertainty in these factors may affect the medical students' understanding of HPV, HPV vaccination, and associated cancers.