Soledad y fragilidad en personas mayores que viven en comunidad: Una revisión integrativa / Loneliness and frailty in community-dwelling older adults: An integrative review

CONTEXTO: Se proyecta un aumento del 6% en la población mundial de personas mayores para el 2050, generando desafíos sociales significativos, especialmente el crecimiento de la soledad en la vejez. Este fenómeno está estrechamente vinculado a problemas de salud notables, incluido el síndrome de fragilidad. OBJETIVO: Esta revisión de literatura tiene como objetivo proporcionar una comprensión actualizada de la relación entre fragilidad y soledad en adultos mayores que residen en la comunidad. METODOLOGÍA: Utilizando una revisión integradora, se recopilaron sistemáticamente artículos originales de las bases de datos de PubMed, Web of Science y CINAHL. RESULTADOS: Una revisión de 475 artículos publicados entre 2018 y 2022 identificó 17 estudios que cumplían con los criterios de inclusión y exclusión especificados. CONCLUSIÓN: Los hallazgos revelan sólida evidencia científica que respalda una asociación sustancial entre la soledad y la fragilidad en adultos mayores que viven en la comunidad. A pesar de la consistencia en la evidencia, persisten variaciones en los enfoques conceptuales y las metodologías de medición en los estudios revisados.

CONTEXT: The global elderly population is projected to increase 6% by 2050, posing significant social challenges, particularly the escalating prevalence of loneliness in old age. This phenomenon is closely linked to notable health issues, including the frailty syndrome. OBJECTIVE: This literature review aims to provide an updated understanding of the relationship between frailty and loneliness among older adults residing in the community. Methodology: Employing an integrative review, original articles were systematically gathered from PubMed, Web of Science, and CINAHL databases. RESULTS: A review of 475 articles published between 2018 and 2022 identified 17 studies meeting specified inclusion and exclusion criteria. CONCLUSION: Findings reveal robust scientific evidence supporting a substantial association between loneliness and frailty among older adults in community settings. Despite consistent evidence, variations persist in conceptual approaches and measurement methodologies across reviewed studies.

Cuidados domiciliarios para personas mayores dependientes: Una revisión de alcance / Home care for dependent older people: A scoping review

INTRODUCCIÓN: Existe escasa evidencia que indague en los aspectos psicosociales del cuidado, considerando la perspectiva de quienes cuidan a personas mayores (PM) dependientes para diseñar intervenciones idóneas para los cuidadores informales y las PM. OBJETIVO: Sintetizar la evidencia disponible en torno a los cuidados domiciliarios disponibles para PM dependientes con un fuerte énfasis en los cuidadores informales. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Se realizó una búsqueda de artículos publicados en los últimos 10 años (enero 2012 hasta enero 2022) en dos bases de datos revisadas por pares. Se identificaron un total de 116 artículos y 42 artículos fueron revisados. RESULTADOS: Los resultados identificados fueron agrupados en: (1) factores que influyen en la sobrecarga o calidad de vida del cuidador, (2) necesidades de cuidado en la diada, (3) intervenciones o recomendaciones de cuidados para la diada, (4) uso de redes de apoyo al cuidado (informal y formal). CONCLUSIONES: Las implicancias para la práctica clínica de esta revisión implican profundizar en las necesidades sentidas de los cuidadores y conexión con la red de estatal y territorial. Lo anterior impacta directamente en los factores que influyen en la percepción de sobrecarga del cuidador, así como también en su calidad de vida. Investigar el rol del cuidador a través de la generación de evidencia robusta es aún una tarea pendiente.

INTRODUCTION: There is little evidence that investigates the psychosocial aspects of care, considering the perspective of those who care for dependent older people (OP) to design suitable interventions for informal caregivers and OP. OBJECTIVE: To synthesize the available evidence around home care available for dependent older people with a strong emphasis on informal caregivers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A search of articles published in the last 10 years (January 2012 to January 2022) was conducted in two peer-reviewed databases. A total of 116 articles were identified and 42 articles were reviewed. RESULTS: The identified results were grouped into: (1) factors that influence the burden or quality of life of the caregiver, (2) care needs in the dyad, (3) interventions or recommendations for care for the dyad, (4) use of care support networks (informal and formal). CONCLUSIONS: The implications for clinical practice of this review involve delving into the felt needs of caregivers and connection with the state and territorial network. This directly impacts the factors that influence the caregiver's perception of overload, as well as her quality of life. Investigating the role of the caregiver through the generation of robust evidence is still a pending task.

Evaluación del modelo de calidad de Donabedian en base a los criterios de Chinn y Kramer / Evaluation of the Donabedian quality model based on the Chinn and Kramer criteria

INTRODUCCIÓN: La evaluación de teorías es un proceso crucial para el desarrollo del conocimiento enfermero, permite seleccionar y utilizar la teoría en función de los problemas y fenómenos del cuidado, sin embargo, es escasamente realizada, especialmente en teorías de otras disciplinas. OBJETIVO: Analizar críticamente el modelo de calidad de la atención de salud de Donabedian, a través de la propuesta metodológica de Chinn y Kramer. DESARROLLO: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo-reflexivo del componente teórico y conceptual del modelo de Donabedian, se explica el propósito, conceptos, relaciones, estructura y supuestos. Se continua con la evaluación crítica del modelo, analizada bajo los criterios de claridad, sencillez, generalidad, accesibilidad e importancia, a través de una revisión narrativa de la literatura. CONCLUSIÓN: el modelo es útil para la gestión, los procesos de mejora, evaluación de estrategias y programas. Con valor para enfermería, puesto que coinciden en el significado e importancia otorgada a la calidad de la atención, reconociendo su contribución en la implementación, desarrollo de intervenciones y mejoramiento de la salud.

NTRODUCTION: The evaluation of theories is a crucial process for the development of nursing knowledge, as it allows the selection and use of such theories to address the problems of patient care. However, it is scarcely performed, especially with theoriesfrom disciplines other than nursing. OBJECTIVE: To critically analyze the Donabedian model of health care quality, through the methodological approach of Chinn and Kramer (1999). METHODOLOGY: A descriptive-reflexive study of the theoretical and conceptualcomponent of the Donabedian model was carried out, explaining its purpose, concepts, relationships, structure, and assumptions. A critical evaluation of the model was then conducted, using the criteria of clarity, simplicity, generality, accessibility, and importance, through a narrative review of the literature. CONCLUSIONS: The model is useful for management, improvement processes, and the evaluation of strategies and programs. It is especially valuable for nursing, since it coincides with the meaning and importance given to the quality of nursing care, recognizing its contribution in the development and implementation of interventions and improvement of health.

El significado de la menopausia para un grupo de mujeres chilenas atendidas en el sistema público de salud / The significance of menopause for Chilean women attending primary health care centers

BACKGROUND: Menopause connects a biological event with social representations related to aging AIM: To assess the meaning of menopause in a group of Chilean women attending primary health care. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Secondary analysis of a descriptive qualitative study of in-depth interviews to explore the meaning of menopause in fifteen women aged 55 to 71 years who experienced menopause between 2 and 29 years before. Data were collected using the method proposed by the Grounded Theory. Guba's criteria of scientific rigor were used. RESULTS: Relational analysis shows that menopause divides the life cycle of women into two stages related with the possibility of having children, which is heavily influenced by the cultural significance of menopause. CONCLUSIONS: Women perceive that menopause is a natural stage and that it is the end of a period focused on tasks related to reproduction and motherhood. However, that "normality" includes a suffering process, loaded with negative cultural beliefs about menopause passed down for generations.

Fear of Falling among Community-dwelling Sedentary and Active Older People

Objective. The study sought to compare community-dwelling older people with respect to their level of physical activity and to the fear of falls between a group of sedentary elderly and a group of active elderly. Methods. Cross-sectional descriptive study carried out with 113 community-dwelling older people (45 sedentary and 48 active), users of an outpatient care center of the private health system with a geriatric program in Santiago, Chile. The study measured socio-demographic variables, state of health, comprehensive geriatric assessment, exercise, depression with the Yesavage scale, and fear of falling with the Short Falls Efficacy Scale - International (Short FES-I). Results. Sedentary older people have significantly higher scores in the Yesavage depression scale compared with active older people (4.2 versus 0.8). No statistically significant differences were found when comparing both groups of sedentary and active participants in terms of socio-demographic variables along with health, and functional and cognitive capacity. Regarding the fear of falling, the sedentary had a slightly higher score than the active (12 versus 11), although not significant. Conclusion. This study showed that fear of falling was equal in sedentary and active older people who live in the community, although it was found that sedentary individuals had a higher risk of having a positive screening for geriatric depression in those participants who do not perform physical activity.

Objetivo. Comparar las personas mayores (PM) de un grupo de mayores sedentarios y otro no sedentario con respecto a su nivel de actividad física y al temor a las caídas. Métodos. Se trata de un estudio descriptivo de corte transversal, realizado en 113 personas mayores (45 sedentarios y 48 activos) que viven en la comunidad de usuarios de un centro de atención ambulatoria del sistema privado de salud, el cual disponía de un programa de geriatría en Santiago de Chile. Se midieron variables sociodemográficas, de estado de salud, de Valoración Geriátrica Integral, ejercicio, la depresión con escala de Yesavage y el temor a caer con el Short Falls Efficacy Scale - International (Short FES-I). Resultados. Las PM sedentarias presentan puntuaciones significativamente más altas en la escala de depresión Yesavage comparadas con las PM activas (4.2 versus 0.8). No se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas al comparar ambos grupos en cuanto a variables sociodemográficas, de salud y de capacidad funcional y cognitiva. En cuanto al temor a caer, los sedentarios tuvieron un puntaje ligeramente mayor que los activos (12 versus 11), aunque sin ser significante. Conclusión. Este estudio mostró que el temor a caer fue igual en PM sedentarias y activas, aunque se encontró un mayor riesgo de tener un tamizaje positivo para depresión geriátrica en aquellos participantes que no realizan actividad física.

Objetivo. Comparar idosos (PM) que vivem na comunidade em relação ao nível de atividade física e medo de cair entre um grupo de idosos sedentários e outro. Métodos. Estudo descritivo transversal realizado com 113 idosos residentes na comunidade (45 sedentários e 48 ativos) usuários de um centro de atenção ambulatorial do sistema privado de saúde com programa geriátrico em Santiago, Chile. Variáveis sociodemográficas, estado de saúde, Avaliação Geriátrica Abrangente, exercício, depressão com a escala de Yesavage e medo de cair foram mensurados com a Short Falls Efficacy Scale - International (Short FES-I). Resultados. PMs sedentários têm pontuações significativamente mais altas na escala de depressão de Yesavage em comparação com PMs ativos (4.2 versus 0.8). Não foram encontradas diferenças estatisticamente significativas ao comparar os dois grupos de participantes sedentários e ativos em termos de variáveis sociodemográficas, saúde e capacidade funcional e cognitiva. Em relação ao medo de cair, os sedentários tiveram uma pontuação ligeiramente superior aos ativos (12 versus 11), embora não tenha sido significativa. Conclusão. Este estudo mostrou que o medo de cair era o mesmo em PM sedentários e ativos que viviam na comunidade, embora pessoas sedentárias tenham um risco maior de ter uma triagem positiva para depressão geriátrica naqueles participantes que não realizavam atividade física.

Fragilidad y su correlación con calidad de vida y utilización de los servicios de salud en personas mayores que viven en la comunidad / Quality of life among frail older people

Background: Frailty has a great impact in the wellbeing of older people. Aim: To evaluate the quality of life of older people with and without frailty. Material and Methods: We assessed sociodemographic variables, health, integral geriatric assessment, quality of life using the WHOQoL-BREF questionnaire and the level of fragility using the Tilburg Frailty Indicator (TFI) in 538 participants. Results: Three hundred and five participants aged 73 ± 7 years (229 women) were classified as fragile and 233 aged 72 ± 6 years (125 women) as not having frailty. Compared with their non-fragile counterparts, frail participants had a lower number of years attending school (5.9 and 7.4 respectively), a lower Barther index (93.6 and 98.3 respectively), a lower mini mental score (21.9 and 22.8 respectively) and a higher Yessavage depression score (2.0 and 0.8 respectively). Also, frail participants had a significantly lower total quality of life score and significantly lower scores in the physical and psychological domains. No differences were observed for the social and environmental domains. Older frail participants used health services more frequently than their non-fragile counterparts. Conclusions: In this sample, frailty was associated with a lower quality of life and worse scores in several geriatric assessment tools.

Evaluación de la funcionalidad y fragilidad de las personas mayores asistentes a centros de día / Changes in social psychological and functional variables among older people attending a day care center

Background: Older people attending day care centers improve their social activities, perception of quality of life and reduce their institutionalization rate and risk of mortality in the medium term. Aim: To evaluate the changes in the integral geriatric assessment and frailty of a group of older people attending a day care center in Santiago. Material and Methods: Health self-perception, integral geriatric assessment, Barthel scale, frailty indicators, mini-mental state scale, Yesavage depression score and a scale about solitude perception were evaluated in 35 participants aged 73 ± 6 years on admission and at discharge from a day care center for older people. Results: At discharge, significant improvements were observed for depression, perception of social support and physical frailty. However, no changes in functional status, cognitive function and perception of solitude were observed. Conclusions: Older people attending improve their perception of social support and decrease their frailty and depression scores.

Menopausia, el inicio del envejecimiento de las mujeres chilenas. Un estudio cualitativo / Menopausa, o inicio do envelhecimento das mulheres chilenas. Um estudo qualitativo / Menopause, the beginning of aging for Chilean women. A qualitative study

Objective. To develop the meaning of menopause of a group of post-menopausal women and their relationship with aging. Methods. Qualitative descriptive study on 15 Chilean women that completed a taped face-to-face in depth interview that were interpreted according to Krippendorff. Results. A qualitative content analysis revealed the presence of two themes: (a) Cessation of women´s reproductive stage and (b) a life transition to aging. Conclusion. Women perceived their menopause as the beginning of aging focusing on the end of fertility and the social connotation that this new role implies. Feeling old 10 years before the customary beginning of old age is an important starting point to be incorporated in women's health education.

Objetivo. Desarrollar el significado de manopausia de un grupo de mujeres posmenopáusicas y su relación con el envejecimiento. Métodos. Estudio cualitativo descriptivo de las grabaciones de 15 mujeres chilenas que completaron una entrevista a profundidad, cara a cara. Los relatos se interpretaron de acuerdo con Krippendorff. Resultados. Un análisis de contenido cualitativo reveló la presencia de dos temas: (a) Cesación de la etapa reproductiva de las mujeres y (b) transición de la vida adulta al envejecimiento. Conclusión. Las mujeres percibieron la menopausia como el principio del envejecimiento que se centraba en el fin de la fertilidad y la connotación social que implicaba este nuevo papel. Sentirse viejo 10 años antes del comienzo habitual de la vejez es un punto de partida importante para ser incorporado en la educación para la salud de la mujer.

Objetivo. Desenvolver o significado de menopausa de um grupo de mulheres pós-menopáusicas e sua relação com o envelhecimento. Métodos. Estudo qualitativo descritivo das gravações de 15 mulheres chilenas que completaram uma entrevista a profundidade, cara a cara; os relatos se interpretaram de acordo com Krippendorff. Resultados. Uma análise de conteúdo qualitativo revelou a presença de dois assuntos: (a) Cessação da etapa reprodutiva das mulheres e (b) transição da vida ao envelhecimento. Conclusão. As mulheres perceberam sua menopausa como o princípio do envelhecimento que se centrava no fim da fertilidade e a conotação social que implicava este novo papel. Sentir-se velho 10 anos antes do começo habitual da velhice é um ponto de partida importante para ser incorporado na educação para a saúde da mulher.

Criterios de fragilidad en personas mayores que viven en la comunidad: una actualización de la literatura / Frailty criteria among older people living in the community: an update

Frailty is an important concept in aging research and care. Awareness of frailty signs allows healthcare workers to identify older adults at risk and design interventions to prevent their functional decline, therefore preventing adverse health outcomes. This literature review allows to identify predictors of frailty considering its physical, psychological and social domains. From the evidence found, it is possible to formulate a profile of fragile older people. Finally, future research should focus on the description of psychological and social fragility profiles, on the detection of persons likely to be fragile and finally to define precise instruments to detect fragile people, which should become the gold standards in future research.

Barreras en la comunicación percibidas por un grupo de mujeres histerectomizadas: Un desafío para entregar una educación apropiada / Communication barriers perceived by a group of hysterectomized women: a challenge to deliver an appropriate education

ANTECEDENTES: La destreza comunicacional del profesional de la salud es reconocida como un aspecto crucial que facilita la educación a los pacientes. OBJETIVO: Describir las barreras que la mujer histerectomizada percibe en relación a la comunicación durante el proceso quirúrgico. MÉTODO: Estudio cualitativo realizado en 15 mujeres histerectomizadas. Para la recolección de los datos se utilizaron entrevistas en profundidad las que fueron analizadas con análisis de contenido. RESULTADOS: Las mujeres identifican diferentes barreras tanto de ellas como de los profesionales que dificultan la comunicación y por ende la educación que ellas reciben en relación al proceso quirúrgico. Las barreras de los profesionales son el lenguaje técnico, falta de tiempo, enojo, contradicciones en las indicaciones y lejanía. Las barreras en las mujeres son la timidez, la vergüenza, la falta de confianza, el miedo y la conformidad. CONCLUSIÓN: Los profesionales de salud deben enfocarse en desarrollar técnicas de comunicación que ayuden a los pacientes a disminuir las barreras y por ende mejorar los resultados en salud; deben entregar la información de forma clara y simple, verificando que lo comunicado ha sido entendido.

BACKGROUND: The communication skills of health care professional has been recognized as a crucial aspect that facilitates patient education. AIM: To describe the barriers that women perceive hysterectomy in relation to communication during the surgical procedure. METHOD: Qualitative study conducted in 15 hysterectomi-zed women. Deep interview and content analysis were used. RESULTS: Women identify different barriers from them and health care professionals, that difficult the communication and therefore the education that the women receive in relation to the surgical process. The professional's barriers are technical language, lack of time, anger, contradictions in the directions and distance. The barriers for women are shyness, shame, the lack of trust, fear and conformity. CONCLUSION: Health professionals should focus on developing communication techniques that help patients to reduce barriers and thus improve health outcomes; they must provide information in a clear and simple way, making sure that the statement has been understood.

Optimizando el acceso oportuno al test de ELISA para el diagnóstico del VIH: Recomendaciones desde los usuarios y profesionales de la Atención Primaria de Salud / Recommendations of health care users and professionals to achieve a timely access to HIV diagnosis

Background: Early HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) diagnosis optimizes therapies aimed at reducing viral load, increasing survival, lowering health costs and reducing the number of people infected with the virus. In Chile, despite widespread and readily available HIV testing, infected people continue to get tested in a late fashion and are usually diagnosed in advanced stages of the disease. Aim: To determine the elements that facilitate or impede a timely HIV testing and to evaluate how to improve the access to HIV testing. Material and Methods: Descriptive, in-depth interviews to 30 participants with unknown serology, 15 participants diagnosed at AIDS stage and 15 health care professionals working at a primary healthcare settings. Results: Users and professionals formulated three suggestions to improve timely access to ELISA test for HIV diagnosis. Namely, to inform users and professionals about the characteristics of the disease and diagnostic test, to offer fast and easy access to HIV testing, and to train the whole healthcare team about obtaining informed consent for testing. Conclusions: These recommendations should be implemented at healthcare centers to attain a timely HIV diagnosis.

Facilitadores y barreras que enfrentan las personas al tomarse el test de ELISA para el diagnóstico del VIH: revisión de la literatura / Facilitators and barriersto HIV testing: A literature review

Background: Late diagnosis of HIV is a problem of international and national relevance. Despite the availability of HIV testing in primary health care, it is often performed too late. Aim: To identify facilitators and barriers to early HIV testing in primary health care. Methods: Four databases of nursing, psychological, biomedical, and health related professions areas were examined with a review protocol. Results were grouped into two main subjects: facilitators and barriers occurring among the population, among health care workers, and within primary health care centers. Results: Perception of risk behaviors, self-care, social support, trust, confidentiality of the examination, the offer of the examination, and the knowledge of early treatment have been recognized as facilitators for taking the exam. The lack of information about the test and the disease are recognized as the main barrier to access the test. This information is a cornerstone to design and implement strategies to increase the number of people taking voluntarily HIV testing.

Introducción: El diagnóstico tardío de la infección por VIH es un problema universal. A pesar de la disponibilidad del test de ELISA para el diagnóstico de esta infección en la atención primaria de salud, las personas continúan tomándoselo tardíamente. Objetivo: Conocer los factores que facilitan o dificultan que las personas accedan oportunamente al examen en la atención primaria de salud. Métodos: Cuatro bases de datos del área de la enfermería, psicológica, salud biomédica y profesiones afines (años 2001-2012) fueron examinadas con un protocolo de revisión. Resultados: De 195 artículos detectados, 15 cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión y fueron agrupados en dos grandes temas: elementos facilitadores y elementos obstaculizadores de la persona, de los profesionales y de los centros de atención primaria de salud. Percepción de conductas de riesgo, autocuidado, apoyo social, la confianza, confidencialidad del examen, el ofrecimiento del examen y el conocimiento de un tratamiento oportuno han sido reconocidos como uno de los elementos facilitadores para la toma del examen. La falta de información sobre el test y la enfermedad son reconocidas como los principales obstaculizadores para acceder al test. Discusión: La información obtenida es un pilar fundamental para diseñar e implementar estrategias destinadas a aumentar el número de personas que solicitan voluntariamente al examen.

Prevención de cáncer cérvicouterino: ¿qué nos señala la literatura en relación a la educación dirigida a los profesores de educación básica/media? / Prevention of cervical cancer: education aimed at teachers of primary / secondary education

Antecedentes: el cáncer cérvicouterino (CC) es uno de los cánceres más comunes en la mujer cuyo factor etiologico principal es la infección por el virus papiloma humano (VPH). Dada la epidemiología de esta infección es necesario buscar estrategias a nivel primario para disminuir la incidencia del CC. Objetivos: conocer la evidencia existente sobre los programas de intervención educativa en educación sexual, prevención del CC e infección por VPH impartida a profesores de educación básica/media. Metodología: búsqueda en bases de datos Medline/Pubmed, ProQuest, SciELO, Eric, CINHAL, PsycINFO y metabuscador Tripdatabase entre mayo-junio 2012. Análisis del tema: las intervenciones educativas relacionadas a la educación sexual dependen de factores como es el respaldo político-legislativo del país, contexto sociocultural y familiar y contexto general del colegio. Son los profesores los más idóneos en la entrega de estos contenidos en colegios de educación básica o secundaría, ya que son percibidos por niños y jóvenes como fuentes creíbles y confiables en la entregar de información sexual. Los principios de aprendizaje social son recomendados como estrategias educativas porque permiten aprenden por medio de técnicas participativas. Conclusiones: los docentes mejor preparados para entregar contenidos de índole sexual son aquellos que han recibido capacitación. Los profesores identifican como dificultad en la entrega de contenidos la falta de experiencia para desarrollar con sus estudiantes programas de índole sexual y el desconocimiento sobre cuánto decir.

Background: cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers in women whose main etiological factor Is infection with the human papilloma virus (HPV). Given the epidemiology of this infection is necessary to search at the primary strategies to reduce the incidence of cervical cancer. Objective: to determine the evidence on educational interventions in sexual education, prevention of cervical cancer and HPV infection imparted for basic education teachers/media. Method: search in Medline/PubMed, ProQuest, SciELO, Eric, CINAHL, PsycINFO and metasearch Tripdatabase between May-June 2012. Analysis of the theme: educational interventions related to sex education is based relay on factors such as political and legislative support of the country, family and socio-cultural context and general context at the school. Teachers are most suitable persons in delivering this content at schools of basic and secondary education. They are perceived by children and young people as credible and reliable sources of information on the sexual. Social learning principles are recommended to teach this content because they allow learning through participatory techniques. Conclusions: teachers who are better equipped to deliver sexual content are those who have been trained. Teachers identified inexperience with their students to develop programs of a sexual nature and ignorance about how to say, as difficulty to deliver the program.

Histerectomía: la experiencia de no tener útero para un grupo de mujeres chilenas / Meaning that hysterectomy has by a group of hysterectomized Chilean women

Antecedentes: El útero ha sido descrito como un símbolo de femineidad, sexualidad y reproducción por lo que su extracción conlleva una serie de significados para la mujer. Objetivo: Describir el significado de la histerectomía para un grupo de mujeres sometidas a esta cirugía. Método: Estudio cualitativo realizado en 52 mujeres histerectomizadas. Para la recolección de los datos se utilizaron entrevistas en profundidad y grupos focales. Resultados: Se identificaron 6 dimensiones: síntomas previos, alivio de no tener útero, mitos y creencias, significado del útero y de la cirugía, miedo y sexualidad. Considerar a la histerectomía solamente como tratamiento de una enfermedad sería una visión sesgada de la realidad que vive la mujer, y por lo tanto, alejada de las necesidades que ellas y sus parejas tienen. Conclusión: Los profesionales que intervienen a la mujer deben comprender el proceso complejo que significa para ella asumirse como mujer histerectomizada...

Background: The uterus has been described as a feminine symbol, sexuality and reproduction, therefore the hysterectomy has a multiple meaning by the woman. Aims: To describe the meaning that hysterectomy has by a group of hysterectomized women. Method: Qualitative study with 52 hysterectomized women. By the data collection interviews and focus group was used. Results: It were identified 6 dimensions: previous symptoms, sense of wellness of not having uterus, beliefs and myths, the meaning of uterus and surgery, fear and sexuality. Hysterectomy only like a disease solution would be and slanted vision about the reality that the woman live, and therefore moved away of the needs that they and their partners have. Conclusion: The health care professionals must understand the complex process that means her to assume herself like hysterectomized woman...

Eficacia de una intervención educativa sobre conocimientos de ley chilena de SIDA en trabajadores de salud primaria / Effectiveness of an educational program about the Chilean AIDS law in primary care health workers

Background: In Chile, members of the civil society and government achieved the passing of the HIV/AIDS Law (19.779). The level of knowledge of the law held by healthcare workers in Chile is not well known. Aim: To analyze the effect of an intervention on knowledge of the existence of the law and its application in clinical practice amongprimary healthcare workers in southeastern Santiago. Material and Methods: Healthcare workers of primary care centers were invited to participate in the study. One group received an educational intervention lasting a total of 16 hours, about AIDS physiopathology, sexually transmitted diseases, communication with patients and current legislation. A control group did not receive the educational intervention. Both groups answered a self-administered questionnaire about the HIV/AIDS law at baseline and three months after the intervention. Results: The intervention was carried out in 262 workers and 293 participated as controls. The initial evaluation revealed that only 16.3 percent (n = 89) had heard of the law, without any significant difference between intervention and control groups. The knowledge about the law improved by 65 percent in the intervention group and did not change in controls. At the end of the education period, the intervention and control groups improved their global knowledge by 29 and 3 percent, respectively (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The educational intervention was effective in improving knowledge of the HIV/AIDS Law among Chilean healthcare workers.

Calidad de vida en mujeres con síndrome de ovario poliquístico / Quality of life in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

El Síndrome de Ovario Poliquístico [SOPI] es una enfermedad crónica de relevancia debido a sus complicaciones y a la disminución de la calidad de vida en las mujeres afectadas. OBJETIVO: conocer el efecto del SOP en la calidad de vida de un grupo de mujeres chilenas. METODOLOGÍA: estudio descriptivo de corte transversal, con una muestra intencionada de 80 mujeres. La calidad de vida se mide con el instrumento Health-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire for women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome [PCOSQ]. Para el análisis de los datos se utilizan medidas de tendencia central. RESULTADOS: la edad promedio es 24.2 + 6.3 años. Un 62.5 0/0 reporta regular a mala calidad de vida. Los dominios de calidad de vida más afectados son las alteraciones menstruales (98.75%) y las emociones (98.75%); seguidas del vello corporal (90%), peso (86.25 0/0) e infertilidad (73.75%). CONCLUSIONES: el SOP afecta la calidad de vida de las mujeres en sus distintos dominios. Conocer la calidad de vida de las mujeres con SOP contribuye al manejo adecuado de este síndrome, así como a disminuir la probabilidad de desarrollo de la morbilidad asociada.

The Polycystic Ovary Syndrome [PCOS] is a chronic disease of relevance due to its complications and to decrease of the quality of life among affected women. AIM: to identify the effect of PCOS on the quality of life among Chilean women. METHODOLOGY: descriptive study with purposive sample of 80 females. The quality of life was measured by Health-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire for women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome [PCOSQ]. Central tendency was used for the analysis of the data. RESULTS: the average age was 24.2 + 6.3 years. The most frequently domains of the quality of life were menstrual problems (98.75%) and emotions (98.75%); following by body hair (90%), weight (86.25%), and infertility (73.75%). CONCLUSIONS: the SOP affects the quality of life of women with PCOS in their different domains. To know the quality life of the women with SOP can contribute to have an adequate management of the SOP as well as to decrease the possibility to develop co morbidity associated with SOP.

Intoxicación por piretrinas y neurotoxicidad / Intoxication and neurotoxicity for pyrethrins

Las piretrinas son insecticidas de origen natural, derivados de la planta del género Chrysanthemum. Son ésteres cetoalcohólicos de los ácidos pirético y crisantémico. Se clasifican en la Categoría Toxicológica IV EPA. Las piretrinas se usan en forma masiva en el área doméstica, en el control de la ectoparasitosis. Son neurotóxicas, actúan sobre las células nerviosas excitables, depolarizan completamente la membrana neuronal y bloquean la excitabilidad a dosis menores, retrasan el cierre de los canales de sodio de la membrana del axón, determinando hiperexcitación del sistema nervioso. A nivel del SNC ocasionan temblor fino, hiperexcitabilidad, sacudidas incoordinadas en los músculos dorsales, crisis epilépticas generalizadas y posible muerte por hiperactividad metabólica con hipertermia. A nivel periférico, es posible observar polineuropatía sensitivo-motora, aguda o crónica, desmielinizante, cuyo pronóstico depende del tiempo y de la dosis de exposición. Se presentan 3 casos clínicos, en los cuales se confirmaron niveles urinarios de piretrinas, los cuales fueron tratados con carbón activado por tres días, con buena respuesta y con normalización del cuadro clínico y análisis toxicológicos