ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Bioethical dilemmas at the end of life have led to regularization processes for the provision of medical assistance in dying patients in different countries. Since the regulation of euthanasia in Spain in 2021, the euthanasia act has been included as one of the benefits of the health system, which has undergone uneven development and implementation in different autonomous communities. The aim of this study was to review the Spanish version of the Euthanasia Attitude Scale following the partial modification of four items. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a non-probabilistic sample of Spanish health workers from Islas Baleares. A self-reported sociodemographic questionnaire and the Euthanasia Attitude Scale were used for data collection. The psychometric properties of the scale were assessed, including reliability and validity, using a confirmatory factor analysis and a parallel analysis. RESULTS: The Cronbach's alpha of the EAS was α = 0.892, which implies good internal consistency. According to the confirmatory factor analysis, a Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin-value of 0.938 was obtained, and the result of Bartlett's test of sphericity was < 0.001. The questionnaire included four loading factors, which explained up to 56.99% of the variance. The parallel analysis revealed three significant factors and a fourth, less interpretative factor. CONCLUSIONS: The EAS-ES-R is a valid instrument for assessing the attitudes toward euthanasia of both trainees and practicing health professionals. It may also be of vital importance in detecting training, support and implementation needs for laws regulating euthanasia in Spain.
ABSTRACT
Over the past few years, there has been a focus on proteins that create separate liquid phases in the intracellular liquid environment, known as membraneless organelles (MLOs). These organelles allow for the spatiotemporal associations of macromolecules that dynamically exchange within the cellular milieu. They provide a form of compartmentalization crucial for organizing key functions in many cells. Metabolic processes and signaling pathways in both the cytoplasm and nucleus are among the functions performed by MLOs, which are facilitated by diverse combinations of proteins and nucleic acids. However, disruptions in these liquid-liquid phase separation processes (LLPS) may lead to several diseases, such as neurodegenerative disorders and cancer, among others. To foster the study of this process and MLO function, we present MLOsMetaDB (http://mlos.leloir.org.ar), a comprehensive resource of information on MLO- and LLPS-related proteins. Our database integrates and centralizes available information for every protein involved in MLOs, which is otherwise disseminated across a plethora of different databases. Our manuscript outlines the development and features of MLOsMetaDB, which provides an interactive and user-friendly environment with modern biological visualizations and easy and quick access to proteins based on LLPS role, MLO location, and organisms. In addition, it offers an advanced search for making complex queries to generate customized information. Furthermore, MLOsMetaDB provides evolutionary information by collecting the orthologs of every protein in the same database. Overall, MLOsMetaDB is a valuable resource as a starting point for researchers studying the many processes driven by LLPS proteins and membraneless organelles.
Subject(s)
Biomolecular Condensates , Phase Separation , Proteins/metabolism , Organelles/metabolism , Cytoplasm/metabolismABSTRACT
It is essential to understand the behavior and attitudes of nurses towards older people to improve clinical practice and quality of care in the gerontological sector. A clearer understanding of the attitudes that drive nurses toward the desire to work with older people would be a good starting point to encourage the development of positive and nurturing attitudes. A cross-sectional study with non-probabilistic sampling and a self-administered questionnaire was conducted among 381 nursing students of the Faculty of Nursing at the University of Castilla La-Mancha to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Spanish Version of the Kogan's Attitudes Towards Older People Scale (KAOP-S). Construct validity, internal consistency, and reliability were assessed. In total, 298 females and 83 males completed the questionnaires. Their mean age was 20.42 years. The results revealed a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.75 for the scale, which is comparable with other published versions of the KAOP Scale. The results of the exploratory factor analysis established that the scale has a two-factor solution and an explained variance of 25% in the sample. The KAOP-S was found to be a reliable and valid tool with good content and construct validity for assessing nursing students' attitudes towards older people.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Since the term orthorexia nervosa (ON) was coined from the Greek (á½ρθÏς, right and á½ρεξις, appetite) in 1997 to describe an obsession with "correct" eating, it has been used worldwide without a consistent definition. Although multiple authors have proposed diagnostic criteria, and many theoretical papers have been published, no consensus definition of ON exists, empirical primary evidence is limited, and ON is not a standardized diagnosis. These gaps prevent research to identify risk and protective factors, pathophysiology, functional consequences, and evidence-based therapeutic treatments. The aims of the current study are to categorize the common observations and presentations of ON pathology among experts in the eating disorder field, propose tentative diagnostic criteria, and consider which DSM chapter and category would be most appropriate for ON should it be included. METHODS: 47 eating disorder researchers and multidisciplinary treatment specialists from 14 different countries across four continents completed a three-phase modified Delphi process, with 75% agreement determined as the threshold for a statement to be included in the final consensus document. In phase I, participants were asked via online survey to agree or disagree with 67 statements about ON in four categories: A-Definition, Clinical Aspects, Duration; B-Consequences; C-Onset; D-Exclusion Criteria, and comment on their rationale. Responses were used to modify the statements which were then provided to the same participants for phase II, a second round of feedback, again in online survey form. Responses to phase II were used to modify and improve the statements for phase III, in which statements that met the predetermined 75% of agreement threshold were provided for review and commentary by all participants. RESULTS: 27 statements met or exceeded the consensus threshold and were compiled into proposed diagnostic criteria for ON. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first time a standardized definition of ON has been developed from a worldwide, multidisciplinary cohort of experts. It represents a summary of observations, clinical expertise, and research findings from a wide base of knowledge. It may be used as a base for diagnosis, treatment protocols, and further research to answer the open questions that remain, particularly the functional consequences of ON and how it might be prevented or identified and intervened upon in its early stages. Although the participants encompass many countries and disciplines, further research will be needed to determine if these diagnostic criteria are applicable to the experience of ON in geographic areas not represented in the current expert panel. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V: opinions of expert committees.
Subject(s)
Feeding and Eating Disorders , Orthorexia Nervosa , Humans , Feeding and Eating Disorders/diagnosis , Attitude , Appetite , ConsensusABSTRACT
The transition to college is a decisive stage for the acquisition of eating habits that continue into adulthood. The aim of this study is to assess the consumption of healthy elements of the Mediterranean diet in a group of university students and to evaluate whether the consumption pattern was related to sex, Body Mass Index (BMI), food addiction or the amount of physical activity performed. A total of 515 nursing students participated. The Mediterranean diet adherence questionnaire (PREDIMED), the food addiction scale (YFAS 2.0) and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) were completed. For data analysis, multivariate analysis was performed with multiple linear regression and adjusted for sex, age, and BMI. The results showed that females consumed various types of meats (white/red, processed) in a healthier proportion (p < 0.05). Students that consumed more than one per day (unhealthy) of red/processed meats (mean difference (MD) = −0.49; 95% CI: −0.83; −0.15), soft drinks (MD = −0.82; 95% CI: 82−1.36; −0.27) and pastries (MD = −0.63; 95% CI: −0.97; −0.30) displayed higher food addiction scores. In addition, students who skipped breakfast also scored higher on food addiction (MD = 0.75; 95% CI: 0.31−1.19). Higher values of physical activity were observed in those who presented a healthy consumption of vegetables (MD = 140.86; 95% CI: 72.71−209.02), fruit (MD = 145.78; 95% CI: 69.35−222.21), legumes (MD = 136.46; 95% CI: 60.43−212.50) and nuts (MD = 74.36; 95% CI: 14.23−134.49). Students who consumed more red or processed meats, more pastries and more soft drinks had higher values of food addiction, while those who consumed more vegetables, fruits, legumes, and nuts had more minutes of physical activity per week. These findings invite us to insist on expanding knowledge regarding the health benefits of consuming a Mediterranean-type diet as a whole. The healthy consumption of fish, fruit and legumes should also be emphasized, especially among university students.
Subject(s)
Diet, Mediterranean , Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate , Food Addiction , Students, Nursing , Adult , Animals , Diet , Exercise , Feeding Behavior , Female , Food Preferences , Humans , Universities , VegetablesABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to determine and describe the opinion and attitudes of patients and their families regarding the limitation of therapeutic effort and advanced directives in critical patients and whether end-of-life planning occurs. Religious affiliation, education level, and pre-admission quality of life were also evaluated to determine whether they may influence decisions regarding appropriate therapeutic effort. METHODS: A prospective, observational and descriptive study, approved by the center's ethical committee, was carried out with 257 participants (94 patients and 163 family members) in the intensive care unit (ICU). A questionnaire regarding the opinions of patients and relatives about situations of therapeutic appropriateness in case of poor prognosis or poor quality of life was used. The questionnaire had three sections. In the first section, sociodemographic features were investigated. In the second section, information was collected on the quality of life and functional situation before ICU admission (taking as a reference the situation one month before admission) assessed by the Karnofsky scale, Barthel index, and the PAEEC scale (Project for the Epidemiological Analysis of Critical Care Patients). The third section aimed to determine whether the family knew the patient's opinion regarding his/her end of life. RESULTS: Of those interviewed, 62.2% would agree to limit treatment in case of poor prognosis or poor quality of future life. In contrast, 37.7% considered that they should fight for life, even if it is irretrievable. Only 1.6% had advanced directives registered, 43.9% of the participants admitted deterioration in their quality of life before ICU admission, 18.2% with moderate-severe deterioration. Our study shows that the higher the educational level, the lower the desire to fight for life when it is irretrievable and the greater the agreement to limit treatment. Besides, those participants not affiliated with a religion were significantly less likely to fight for life, including when irretrievable, than Catholics and were more likely to agree to limit treatment. CONCLUSIONS: More than half of the participants would agree to limit treatment in the case of a poor prognosis. Our results indicate that patients do not prepare for the dying process well in advance. Religion and educational level were determining factors for the choice of procedures at the end of life, both for patients and their families.
ABSTRACT
The aim of the study was to investigate the psychometric properties (internal consistency, factor structure, and convergent validity) of the Spanish version of the Eating Habits Questionnaire (EHQ-ES) and its links to disordered eating in young adults. Two university student samples with a total of 487 participants (N1age = 21.75 ± 5.10; N2age = 21.17 ± 6.81) participated in the study. They filled out the Eating Habits Questionnaire and the Eating Attitudes Test. Our findings showed that the EHQ-ES demonstrated strong internal consistency, with a Cronbach's α = 0.903 and ω = 0.939. The EHQ-ES consists of 20 items to measure problems associated with healthy eating (α = 0.855, ω = 0.879), knowledge of healthy eating (α = 0.783, ω = 0.826) and feeling positively about healthy eating (α = 0.775, ω = 0.773). In addition, subscales of the EHQ correlated with subscales of the EAT-26, showing that Orthorexia Nervosa is associated with disordered eating in a sample of university students. The current study is the first to describe a Spanish version of the EHQ. This demonstrates that EHQ-ES is a reliable screening tool for Spanish-speaking young adults. Moreover, the EHQ-ES can be a useful instrument for assessing ON in research and clinical practice.
Subject(s)
Feeding Behavior , Feeding and Eating Disorders/epidemiology , Surveys and Questionnaires , Factor Analysis, Statistical , Humans , Reproducibility of Results , Spain/epidemiology , Young AdultABSTRACT
The use of electrochemotherapy (ECT) is a well-established technique to increase the cellular uptake of cytotoxic agents within certain cancer treatment strategies. The study of the mechanisms that take part in this complex process is of high interest to gain a deeper knowledge of it, enabling the improvement of these strategies. In this work, we present a coupled multi-physics electroporation model based on a related previous one, to describe the effect of a set of electric pulses on cisplatin transport across the plasma membrane. The model applies a system of partial differential equations that includes Poisson's equation for the electric field, Nernst-Planck's equation for species transport, Maxwell's tensor and mechanical equilibrium equation for membrane deformation and Smoluchowski's equation for pore creation dynamics. Our numerical results were compared with previous numerical and experimental published data with good qualitative and quantitative agreement. These results indicate that pore aperture is favored at the cell poles by the electric field and mechanical stress forces, giving support to the dominant hypothesis of hydrophilic pore creation as the main mechanism of drug entry during an ECT treatment.
Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents/administration & dosage , Cisplatin/administration & dosage , Electrochemotherapy , Neoplasms/drug therapy , Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacokinetics , Cisplatin/pharmacokinetics , Electrochemotherapy/methods , Finite Element Analysis , Humans , Models, BiologicalABSTRACT
The prevalence of overweight and obesity is increasing in our society, with a complex, multifactorial origin, and associated with greater morbidity and mortality in the population. Food addiction (FA) is a common disorder in overweight/obese people, which appears to be increasingly common in young people. This study analyzed food addiction in a group of young university students and to examine its association with body composition, quality of sleep, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, physical activity/sedentary habits, tobacco or alcohol consumption, and health status. A total of 536 undergraduate nursing students participated in a questionnaire that included the Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS 2.0). Up to 6.4% of the students presented FA. Statistically significant associations were observed in the variables for sleep quality odds ratio (OR) 4.8 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.66-13.87), anxiety/depression OR 8.71 (95% CI: 3.93-19.27), body mass index (BMI) OR 8.32 (95% CI: 3.81-18.15) and sedentary lifestyle OR 2.33 (95% CI: 1.09-5.01). A predictive model was developed after binary logistic regression (area under the ROC curve 0.84 (95% CI: 0.77-0.91). Students with FA presented higher BMI values, worse sleep quality, anxiety or depression problems, and more time spent in sedentary behaviors.
Subject(s)
Diet, Mediterranean/psychology , Feeding Behavior/psychology , Food Addiction/epidemiology , Life Style , Students, Nursing/psychology , Adult , Anxiety , Area Under Curve , Body Composition , Body Mass Index , Depression , Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate , Exercise/psychology , Food Addiction/psychology , Health Status , Humans , Logistic Models , Obesity/epidemiology , Obesity/psychology , Odds Ratio , Overweight/epidemiology , Overweight/psychology , Prevalence , ROC Curve , Sedentary Behavior , Sleep , Surveys and Questionnaires , Universities , Young AdultABSTRACT
PURPOSE: This study sought to determine the prevalence of menstrual migraine among female university students at the Nursing Faculty of Ciudad Real and to determine possible risk factors. DESIGN AND METHODS: A cross-sectional observational study was performed using a self-report questionnaire. Two hundred and ninety-nine female university students participated in the study; all were enrolled in the 2017/2018 academic year at the Faculty of Nursing. Participants were over the age of 18â¯years and without any diagnosed gynecological pathology. The main measurement tools were menstrual migraine between days -2 and +3 of the menstrual cycle, over the previous six cycles. RESULTS: The prevalence of menstrual migraine was 45.15%, identifying the following possible risk factors: dysmenorrhea (OR 9.19; 1.62-6.28% CI), use of hormonal contraceptive methods (OR 2.60; 95% CI 1.30-5.20), menstrual irritability (OR 2.34; 95% CI 1.25-4.40), menstrual dizziness (OR 2.05; 95% CI % 1.12-3.75) and daily consumption of cola beverages (OR 1.85; 95% CI % 1.04-3.32). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of this problem is high among our population and the approach is complex. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: It is necessary to continue to research the pharmacological measures and methods of pharmacological pain relief as well as interventions directed at lifestyle modifications considering the potential risk factors involved in menstrual migraine.
Subject(s)
Migraine Disorders , Universities , Adult , Cross-Sectional Studies , Dysmenorrhea/epidemiology , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Migraine Disorders/epidemiology , Prevalence , Students , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
The objectives of the present study were to (1) evaluate prevalence of orthorexia nervosa (ON) in university students in Spain and Poland, (2) assess differences in ON and eating disorder (ED) pathology in both samples and (3) examine the relationship between ON and ED symptoms among Spanish and Polish university students. Eight hundred and sixty university students participated in the present study (Mage = 21.17 ± 3.38; MBMI = 22.57 ± 3.76). The Spanish and Polish samples comprised 485 and 375 students, respectively. The Düsseldorf Orthorexia Scale and the Eating Disorder Inventory were used in the present study. ON prevalence rates of 2.3% and 2.9%, respectively, are found in the Spanish and Polish samples. Compared to Polish students, Spanish university students reported increased drive for thinness and lower body dissatisfaction, lower level of ineffectiveness and lower level of interpersonal distrust. ON was positively related to drive for thinness, bulimia, body dissatisfaction, perfectionism interoceptive awareness (in both Spanish and Polish students) and ineffectiveness (in Spanish students). Our findings suggest that ON significantly overlaps with ED symptoms, which is in line with recent studies. Longitudinal studies are needed to assess how ON develops in a sample of young adults and whether it develops in isolation of or in parallel with ED pathology.
Subject(s)
Diet, Healthy , Feeding Behavior , Feeding and Eating Disorders/epidemiology , Students/psychology , Body Dissatisfaction , Body Mass Index , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Interpersonal Relations , Male , Perfectionism , Poland/epidemiology , Prevalence , Spain/epidemiology , Thinness , Universities , Young AdultABSTRACT
Orthorexia nervosa (ON) has been defined as an obsessive and pathological attitude towards healthy nutrition. The aim of this study was to compare individuals who followed a vegan, vegetarian, and omnivore diet in terms of ON behaviors and to examine their prime motivations, attitudes, and behaviors towards food. The Spanish version of the ORTO-15 test - ORTO-11-ES - and the Food Choice Questionnaire (FCQ-SP) were used with a demographic questionnaire in an online survey disseminated among the social networks of different vegetarian associations and the general population. Of 466 individuals, 55% followed an omnivore diet, 23.5% were vegetarian and 21.7% were vegan. Results revealed relationships between type of diet and FCQ-SP dimensions for: health and natural content (H = 8.7, p < 0.05), sensory appeal (H = 11.4, p < 0.01), weight control (H = 40.4, p < 0.01), and familiarity (H = 37.3, p < 0.01). Our results confirm the findings of recent studies showing that individuals who follow a vegan or vegetarian diet are more likely to develop a pathological preoccupation with healthy eating versus omnivores. Further studies are required to determine the potential lines of action for the prevention of ON.
Subject(s)
Diet, Healthy/psychology , Diet, Vegan/psychology , Diet, Vegetarian/psychology , Feeding and Eating Disorders/psychology , Food Preferences/psychology , Adult , Attitude to Health , Female , Health Behavior , Humans , Male , Spain , Surveys and Questionnaires , Vegans/psychology , Vegetarians/psychologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: For many nursing students, clinical training represents a stressful experience. The levels of stress and anxiety may vary during students' educational training, depending on their ability to adopt behavioral strategies for coping with stress, and other factors. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between anxiety, perceived stress, and the coping strategies used by nursing students during their clinical training. METHODS: A cross-sectional correlational descriptive study. The sample consisted of 190 nursing students enrolled in the Nursing Faculty of Ciudad Real University in Spain. Participants provided data on background characteristics and completed the following instruments: the Perceived Stress Scale; the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Coping Behavior Inventory. Relationships between scores were examined using Spearman's rho. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 20.71 ± 3.89 years (range 18-46 years). Approximately half of the students (47.92%) indicated a moderate level of stress with a mean Perceived Stress Scale score of 22.78 (±8.54). Senior nursing students perceived higher levels of stress than novice students. The results showed a significant correlation for perceived stress and state anxiety (r = 0.463, p < .000) and also for trait anxiety (r = 0.718, p < .000). There was also a significant relationship between the total amount of perceived stress and the following domains of the coping behavior inventory: problem solving (r = -.452, p < .01), self-criticism (r = .408 p < .01), wishful thinking (r = .459, p < .01), social support(r = -.220, p < .01), cognitive restructuring (r = -.375, p < .01), and social withdrawal (r = .388, p < .01). In the current study, the coping strategy most frequently used by students was problem-solving, followed by social support and cognitive restructuring. CONCLUSIONS: Nursing students in our study presented a moderate level of stress, in addition there was a significant correlation with anxiety. Nursing teachers and clinical preceptors/mentors should be encouraged to develop programs to help prepare nursing students to cope with the challenges they are about to face during their clinical placements.
Subject(s)
Students, Nursing , Adaptation, Psychological , Adolescent , Adult , Anxiety/epidemiology , Cross-Sectional Studies , Humans , Middle Aged , Spain , Stress, Psychological/epidemiology , Young AdultABSTRACT
Regular physical activity is related to many factors in a university student's environment. The coronavirus pandemic and the resulting lockdown have restricted many elements of our environment. The aim of this study was to evaluate students' physical activity and sedentary behaviour at two points in time: before and during the coronavirus lockdown. As a secondary aim, we also wanted to look at changes resulting from other factors (alcohol, tobacco, diet, stages of change, symptoms of anxiety/depression and sociodemographic characteristics). We conducted an observational, cross-sectional, pre-post study with two cut-off points. Two hundred and thirteen students took part in the study. The main dependent variables were physical activity and sitting time, measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF). Parametric and non-parametric tests were used for paired and unpaired data, as well as group-stratified analysis. During lockdown, both weekly physical activity (MD: -159.87; CI: -100.44, -219.31) and weekly sitting time increased (MD: -106.76; CI: -71.85, -141.67). In the group analysis, differences were observed in relation to gender, year of study, BMI, alcohol consumption, tobacco use, symptoms of anxiety/depression, Mediterranean diet, living situation and stage of change. The results showed an increase in both physical activity and sitting time globally and by group.
Subject(s)
Coronavirus Infections , Exercise , Pandemics , Pneumonia, Viral , Quarantine , Sedentary Behavior , Students/psychology , Adult , Betacoronavirus , COVID-19 , Coronavirus Infections/epidemiology , Coronavirus Infections/prevention & control , Coronavirus Infections/psychology , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Life Style , Male , Pneumonia, Viral/epidemiology , Pneumonia, Viral/prevention & control , Pneumonia, Viral/psychology , SARS-CoV-2 , Universities , Young AdultABSTRACT
Menstrual problems are usually taboo; and often, some, such as dysmenorrhea, are presumed normal. This study seeks to compare the menstrual characteristics and symptoms of female university students reporting self-perceived normality concerning their cycles and menstruation with those who perceive their menstruation as being abnormal. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 270 nursing students using a self-report questionnaire that included sociodemographic and gynecological issues, together with Visual Analog Scale, the Andersch and Milsom Scale, and the Spanish version of the EuroQol-5 Dimension (EuroQol-5D) to measure self-perceived health status. A bivariate analysis was performed using the chi-square test, linear trend chi-square, and Student's t-test, and a multivariate analysis of stepwise binary logistic regression was performed to predict the perception of cycle abnormality. In total, 77.4% of participants displayed normality; however, in self-reporting of menstrual characteristics, 67.4% identified alterations. Young women suffering from menstrual dizziness were 1.997 (CI95% = 1.010-3.950; p = 0.047) more likely to manifest abnormal menstruation, 4.518 (CI95% = 1.239-16.477; p = 0.022) more likely if they suffered from Grade 3 menstrual pain, and 2.851 (CI95% = 1.399-5.809; p = 0.004) more likely if they perceived that menstruation interfered with their daily lives. Many menstrual changes and symptoms are still considered normal, making it difficult to identify and address these issues. Therefore, it is necessary to develop health policies and strategies to improve menstrual health literacy for increased knowledge and earlier diagnosis.
Subject(s)
Dysmenorrhea , Menstruation , Students, Nursing , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Health , Humans , Prevalence , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
Dysmenorrhea is a cause of absenteeism in universities which, in the context of nursing studies, may affect mandatory attendance. Moreover, presenteeism is associated with medication errors, patient falls, and a reduced quality of patient care. This study sought to identify the degree of interference of dysmenorrhea on daily life and its impact on academic performance among Spanish nursing students, and to explore the reasons for presenteeism. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 261 nursing students. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. The chi square tests, chi-square linear trend, Student's t-test, one-way analysis of variance of polynomial contrasts, and post hoc tests for the bi-variate analysis were used to compare the participants' responses regarding their type of dysmenorrhea and pain intensity. In addition, a multivariate regression was performed to predict absenteeism. The answers to the open questions were analyzed using thematic content analysis techniques. We observed 62.8% of absenteeism and 92.7% of presenteeism due to dysmenorrhea. Absenteeism was observed to be 3.079 (confidence interval (CI): 95%1.724-5.499; p < 0.001) times more likely among women with severe menstrual pain, 2.513 (CI 95%1.314-4.807; p = 0.005) times more in those suffering from menstrual nausea and 1.936 (CI 95%1.098-3.411; p = 0.022) times more frequent in those suffering from diarrhea. The reasons for presenteeism were grouped into five categories: the pain was bearable, it is not a reason to be absent, others don't consider it a reason to be absent, responsibility and guilt, and academic consequences. Dysmenorrhea can have a significant impact on academic performance. The concern among students about the academic repercussions and even feelings of guilt and incomprehension from others leads to high rates of presenteeism with potentially negative consequences for patient care.
Subject(s)
Dysmenorrhea , Quality of Life , Students, Nursing , Cross-Sectional Studies , Dysmenorrhea/complications , Female , Humans , Prevalence , Surveys and Questionnaires , Young AdultABSTRACT
Dysmenorrhea is a form of chronic pain associated with menstruation that affects a high percentage of young people. This study sought to determine the prevalence of primary and secondary dysmenorrhea among female nursing students in southern Spain and to compare their menstrual characteristics and symptoms. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted using a self-report questionnaire that included sociodemographic variables, menstrual characteristics and related symptoms. Descriptive bivariate analysis and binary logistic regression were performed in which the dependent variable was secondary dysmenorrhea. The prevalence of dysmenorrhea was 73.8% (of which 63.3% had primary dysmenorrhea and 10.5% had secondary dysmenorrhea), and was more likely in women with longer periods, heavier bleeding and those not using oral hormonal contraception (OCP). Secondary dysmenorrhea was 31.75, (confidence interval (CI)95% = 4.44-238.59; p < 0.01) times more likely among those with menstrual headache, 8.37 (CI95% = 2.35-19.80; p < 0.01), times greater among those suffering nausea during menstruation, 6.60 (CI95% = 1.42-30.67; p < 0.01), times greater among those suffering from menstrual vomiting, it was also 1.17 (CI95% = 1.08-1.26; p < 0.01) times more likely for each day that the period was prolonged and 6.63 (CI95% = 1.47-30.01; p = 0.014) times more likely in women with a heavy menstrual flow. These findings may help guide professionals towards the prescription of additional tests in certain cases in which secondary dysmenorrhea is suspected.
ABSTRACT
The present study analyses the management of primary dysmenorrhea by university students in the south of Spain. In this cross-sectional observational study, 224 women participated, using an ad hoc self-report questionnaire about menstrual pain and self-care and including sociodemographic and gynecological variables. Some 76.8% of participants consumed analgesics and the majority self-medicated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) without consulting a health professional, with a correlation between pain intensity and the number of pills ingested during menstruation (r = 0.151, p < 0.05). The higher proportion of women who found their analgesia effective were those who took medication after being prescribed by a health care provider (60.8%) compared to those who self-medicated (40%; p < 0.01). Only 43.8% employed non-pharmaceutical methods, most commonly antalgic positions, massages and local heat. These choices were not related to the intensity of menstrual pain nor with the severity of the dysmenorrhea, nor did these most common methods prove to be the most effective. However, a higher percentage of women using non-pharmacological methods was identified in women with family members suffering from dysmenorrhea (73.2%) compared to those without (60%; p = 0.040), which may indicate that the choice of remedies is more related to learning self-care in the family context. This study identifies the need for education on self-care and management of menstrual pain.
Subject(s)
Dysmenorrhea , Adolescent , Cross-Sectional Studies , Dysmenorrhea/drug therapy , Dysmenorrhea/epidemiology , Female , Humans , Spain/epidemiology , Students , Universities , Young AdultABSTRACT
The prevalence of poor sleep quality among students is very high and, in nursing students, has been associated with reduced performance, behavioral changes, dietary changes, and even aggressive behavior due to changes in sleep patterns. The lockdown in response to COVID-19 may have resulted in lifestyle changes that affected sleep quality. For this reason, the objective of this study is to determine the difference in nursing students' sleep quality before and during the lockdown, put in place in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. To meet this objective, we conducted a longitudinal observational study on 207 nursing students, with two cut-off points (February and April). The main dependent variable was sleep quality, measured using the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) and its seven components. Parametric and nonparametric tests were used for paired and unpaired data, as well as group-stratified analysis. The mean time students spent in bed was 7.6 h (standard deviation (SD) = 1.1 h) before lockdown and 8.5 h (SD = 1.2 h) during lockdown. The PSQI score got 0.91 points worse during lockdown (95% CI, -0.51, -1.31). Of the five components, five were statistically significantly affected (p ≤ 0.05), and of these, the most changed were sleep latency, sleep duration, and sleep efficiency. When stratified by group, we observed differences in women, first-year students, second-year students, alcohol consumers, those of normal weight, and those that live with family. The main conclusion is that although students spent more time in bed, overall sleep quality was worse during lockdown, as well as being worse in five of the seven components.