Witnessing inter-parental violence in childhood and help-seeking behaviours in violence against women in Peru.

BACKGROUND: Violence against women (VAW) severely impacts their physical and mental health. In some cultures, women can normalize certain types of violence if they were linked to home models in childhood and, eventually, do not seek for help in adulthood. We aimed to determine, in Peruvian women, (1) the association between witnessing violence in their family of origin and VAW experienced in adulthood, (2) the extent to which women who have experienced VAW seek some help, and (3) identify VAW prevalence by Peruvian region. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of secondary data obtained from the 2019 National Demographic and Family Health Survey (ENDES). The outcome was VAW (psychological, physical and sexual violence), whereas the exposure was witnessing violence in the home of origin. Help-seeking behavior was a secondary outcome, for which VAW was the exposure. Prevalence ratios (PR) were estimated to assess both associations, unadjusted and adjusted for covariates (aPR). RESULTS: Data from 14,256 women aged 15 to 49 years were analysed. 51.5% reported having experienced VAW and 43.8% witnessed violence in the home of origin during childhood. Witnessing inter-parental violence in childhood was associated with psychological violence aPR = 1.25 (95% CI: 1.17-1.33), physical aPR = 1.52 (95% CI: 1.38-1.67), and sexual aPR = 1.99 (95% CI: 1.57-2.52). Women who have experienced both types of violence (physical and sexual) were more likely to help-seeking (aPR = 1.30, 95% CI: 1.14-1.50) than women suffering only one type of violence. CONCLUSION: Women who reported having witnessed home violence in their childhood are more likely to experience Violence Against Women (VAW) by their current partner. Physical and sexual violence with a current partner was more associated with witnessing inter-parental violence in childhood, and when physical and sexual violence jointly occurred women were more help-seeking. The southern region of Peru is identified as an area of high vulnerability for women. It is crucial to promote educative and community-based programs aimed at the prevention and early recognition of VAW.

Differences in family functioning before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: an observational study in Peruvian families.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on family relationships, as several families have lost family members due to COVID-19 pandemic and become physically and emotionally estranged due to lockdown measures and critically economic periods. Our study contrasted two hypotheses: (1) family functioning changed notably before and after the COVID-19 pandemic initiation in terms of cohesion, flexibility, communication and satisfaction; (2) balanced families have a greater capacity to strictly comply with quarantine (i.e., social confinement), compared to unbalanced families. We performed an observational study comparing family functioning between two independent groups, evaluated before and during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Peru. A total of 7,980 participants were included in the study. For the first hypothesis, we found that, during the pandemic, families became more balanced in terms of cohesion (adjusted before-during mean difference or ß1 = 1.4; 95% CI [1.0-1.7]) and flexibility (ß2 = 2.0; 95% CI [1.6-2.4]), and families were less disengaged (ß3 = -1.9; 95% CI [-2.3 to -1.5]) and chaotic (ß4 = -2.9; 95% CI [-3.3 to -2.4]). Regarding the second hypothesis, we confirmed that families with balanced cohesion (adjusted prevalence ratio or aPR = 1.16; 95% CI [1.12-1.19) and flexibility (aPR = 1.23; 95% CI [1.18-1.27]) allowed greater compliance with quarantine restrictions; while disengaged (aPR = 0.91; 95% CI [0.88-0.93]) and chaotic families (aPR = 0.89; 95% CI [0.87-0.92]) were more likely to partially comply or not comply with the quarantine. Finally, family communication (aPR = 1.17; 95% CI [1.11-1.24]) and satisfaction (aPR = 1.18; 95% CI [1.11-1.25]) also played a role in favouring quarantine compliance. This new evidence enlightens the family systems theory while informing future interventions for improving compliance with quarantine measures in the context of social confinement.

Fear of COVID-19, risk perception and preventive behavior in health workers: a cross-sectional analysis in middle-income Latin American countries.

The aim of this study was to examine the association between fear of COVID-19 and risk perception with preventive behavior in health professionals from four Latin American countries. An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted. Health professionals with on-site care in Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, and Peru were surveyed. Information was collected through an online self-report questionnaire. The main variables were preventive behavior as the dependent variable and fear of COVID-19 and risk perception as independent variables. Linear regression was used, and unstandardized beta coefficient and value of ps were calculated. Four hundred and thirty-five health professionals were included, the majority were aged 42 years or older (45.29, 95%CI: 40.65-50.01) and female (67.82, 95%CI: 63.27-72.05). It was shown that the greater the fear of COVID-19, the greater the preventive behavior of COVID-19 infection (B = 2.21, p = 0.002 for total behavior; B = 1.12, p = 0.037 for additional protection at work; B = 1.11, p < 0.010 for hand washing). The risk perception of COVID-19 infection had a slight direct relationship with preventive behaviours (B = 0.28, p = 0.021 for total behavior; B = 0.13, p = 0.015 for hand washing), with the exception of the preventive behavior of using additional protection at work (p = 0.339). We found that fear and risk perception are associated with increased practice of hand washing and use of additional protection at work. Further studies are required on the influence of working conditions, job performance and the occurrence of mental health problems in frontline personnel with regard to COVID-19.

Research skills for university students' thesis in E-learning: Scale development and validation in Peru.

Background: The aims of the study was to evaluate the psychometric properties and to characteristics of a scale on research skills as well as to characterize the experience of university thesis students using information databases (i.e., Scopus or Web of Science) and bibliographic reference managers. Methods: A sample of 1598 university students from five departments, acroos the different campuses of one Peruvian university. The psychometric properties of the instrument were evaluated using factor analysis and measurement invariance according to sex and age groups. In addition, an internal consistency analysis was conducted for scale reliability using Cronbach's alpha, ordinal alpha, and the omega index. Results: Our study identified that the unidimensional model with correlated errors showed adequate indicators of reliability and goodness of fit, with the exception of the RMSEA, which shows values higher than 0.08. Measurement invariance by sex and age group was present. The majority of university students in E-learning showed use of the bibliographic manager Mendeley (52.13%), low ability to use information databases such as Scopus (22.24%) or Web of Science (17.26%), and the least skilled research skills were in formulating the problem, objectives, and hypotheses (51.63%) and carrying out data analysis and processing using statistical techniques (49.37%). Conclusions: The conclusions of the study were that the 8-item research skills instrument presents acceptable psychometric indicators in Peruvian university students in thesis courses. Likewise, a scarce use of global databases, the approach to the research topic, and carrying out its statistical processing.

Space Analysis of School Violence in the Educational Setting of Peru, 2019.

BACKGROUND: Schools are increasingly experiencing physical, psychological, and sexual violence, which impacts students' academic achievement and physical and emotional health. Our objective was to identify regional prevalence rates, average prevalence by aggressor type, and provincial spatial conglomerates with higher rates for each type of school violence reported in educational settings in Peru during 2019. METHODS: An analysis was made of 12,132 cases reported through Peru's Specialized School Violence System (SíseVe). The Moran indices were calculated using provincial prevalence rates to identify conglomerates with high prevalence. RESULTS: In the coast region, the Department of Tacna reported the highest prevalence rates for physical (99.7) and psychological (107); the Department of Amazonas, which is in the jungle, reported the highest prevalence rate for sexual violence (74.6), with teachers in public schools accounting for the majority of sexual assaults against students (56%). CONCLUSIONS: Sexual violence predominated in the jungle zone, with a significant percentage of teachers participating in violence with sexual connotations. Physical and psychological violence prevailed in the coastal region.

Quality of Life and Depressive Symptoms Among Peruvian University Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Objective: To determine the factors associated with quality of life and depressive symptoms in Peruvian university students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Multicentre study in 1,634 students recruited by convenience sampling. The quality of life (QoL) was assessed with the European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions at three levels (EQ-5D-3L) and depressive symptoms with the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). To assess factors associated with QoL and depressive symptoms, linear regressions and fitted regressions were used, with robust coefficients of variance information (ß). Results: A 345 (21.1%) reported problems in performing daily activities, 544 (33.3%) reported pain and discomfort, 772 (47.2%) were moderately/very anxious or depressed. Furthermore, 207 (12.7%) had moderate-severe and severe depressive symptoms. Men reported better QoL than women (ß: 3.2; 95% CI: 1.1, 5.4; p = 0.004) and fewer depressive symptoms (ß: -0.7; 95% CI: -1.3, -0.2; p = 0.011). Ayacucho's residents had more depressive symptoms than Ancash's residents (ß: 0.8; 95% CI: 0.1, 1.5; p = 0.022) and Piura's residents had fewer depressive symptoms than Ancash's residents (ß: -1.195% CI: -1.8, -0.3, p = 0.005). Students who left home during quarantine reported more depressive symptoms (ß: 0.7, 95% CI: 0.2, 1.2, p = 0.006). Conclusion: Problems performing daily activities, pain and discomfort, as well as mild to severe depressive symptoms were found in more than three-quarters of the sample. Authorities could consider depression care to improve quality of life in regions where high rates of infection occurred during the pandemic.

Violence at School and Bullying in School Environments in Peru: Analysis of a Virtual Platform.

BACKGROUND: School violence and bullying are prevalent problems that affect health in general, especially through the development of emotional and behavioral problems, and can result in the deterioration of the academic performance of the student victim. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence rates of aggressive behaviors according to types of school violence and bullying, sociodemographic characteristics, and variation by department, region, and time in the period between 2014 and 2018 in Peru. METHODS: The design was observational and cross-sectional based on data from the Specialized System for Reporting Cases of School Violence (Sistema Especializado en Reporte de Casos sobre Violencia Escolar-SíseVe) in Peru, which covers a population of 23,641 students at the initial, primary, and secondary levels of Basic Regular Education [Educación Básica Regular (EBR)], for the 2014-2018 period. The prevalence rates of the different types of school violence and bullying, the sociodemographic characteristics, and the variation by department, region, and time in the period between 2014 and 2018 were estimated. RESULTS: Psychological violence/bullying occurred at higher prevalence rates (185.8 and 62.6 per 100,000 residents). Women from public institutions reported greater sexual violence, mostly by teachers (67.8%) than by other students (32.2%). The Selva region had the highest prevalence rate of sexual violence (10.1 per 100,000 residents). The departments of Tacna and Piura had the highest and lowest rates of psychological/verbal violence and bullying in 2018 (95.79 and 25.31 per 100,000 residents). CONCLUSION: Psychological/verbal violence and bullying is highly prevalent among students; women report being victims of sexual violence by administrative personnel of public institutions. The Selva region had the highest rate of sexual violence, and Piura and Tacna had the highest and lowest rates of violence and psychological/verbal bullying. Based on these results, it is suggested to conduct evidence-based prevention programs in Peruvian schools to reduce these social problems.

[Quality of life of venezuelan migrants in two cities in northern Peru]. / Calidad de vida de migrantes venezolanos en dos ciudades del norte del Perú.

OBJECTIVES.: To describe the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of Venezuelan migrants residing in the cities of Chimbote and Nuevo Chimbote, in Peru, and assess its associated factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS.: Cross-sectional study of 212 Venezuelan migrants recruited by snowball sampling. The QoL was evaluated with the European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions at three levels (EQ-5D-3L). The results were presented descriptively. Linear regressions and Poisson adjusted regressions were used to evaluate the factors associated with QoL. RESULTS.: The percentage of participants affected in each QoL dimension was: mobility (1.4%), self-care (0.5%), usual activities (2.4%), pain/discomfort (18.4%), and anxiety/depression (68.9%). As for the QoL Visual Analog Scale (VAS), the median score was 85 (RIC: 70-90). In evaluating the associated factors, it was found that none of the factors was associated with the VAS score or pain/ discomfort. However, the frequency of anxiety/depression was higher in those with higher education (university) level compared to those with secondary education (RR 1.28; 95% CI: 1.03 to 1.60). CONCLUSIONS.: Venezuelan migrants who participated in the study reported problems in their QoL; more than two-thirds reported anxiety/depression, and one in six experienced pain/discomfort. The frequency of anxiety/depression was higher in those with university-level education.

OBJETIVOS.: Describir la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud (CdV) de migrantes venezolanos que residen en las ciudades de Chimbote y Nuevo Chimbote en Perú y evaluar sus factores asociados. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS.: Estudio transversal en 212 migrantes venezolanos reclutados por muestreo tipo bola de nieve. La CdV fue evaluada con el European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions en tres niveles (EQ-5D-3L). Los resultados fueron presentados descriptivamente. Para evaluar los factores asociados a CdV se emplearon regresiones lineales y regresiones ajustadas de Poisson. RESULTADOS.: El porcentaje de participantes afectados en cada dimensión de CdV fue: movilidad (1,4%), autocuidado (0,5%), actividades cotidianas (2,4%), dolor/malestar (18,4%) y ansiedad/depresión (68,9%). En cuanto a la Escala Visual Análoga (EVA) de CdV, la mediana del puntaje fue 85 (RIC: 70 a 90). Al evaluar los factores asociados, se encontró que ninguno de los factores evaluados se asoció al puntaje en la EVA o a presentar dolor/malestar. Sin embargo, la frecuencia de presentar ansiedad/depresión fue mayor en aquellos con grado de instrucción superior universitario en comparación con aquellos con estudios de secundaria (Razón de prevalencias ajustada 1,28; IC 95%: 1,03 a 1,60). CONCLUSIONES.: Los migrantes venezolanos que participaron del estudio reportaron problemas en su CdV, más de dos terceras partes reportaron ansiedad/depresión, y uno de cada seis presentó dolor/malestar. La frecuencia de presentar ansiedad/depresión fue mayor en aquellos con instrucción universitaria.

Calidad de vida de migrantes venezolanos en dos ciudades del norte del Perú / Quality of life of venezuelan migrants in two cities in northern Peru

RESUMEN Objetivos. Describir la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud (CdV) de migrantes venezolanos que residen en las ciudades de Chimbote y Nuevo Chimbote en Perú y evaluar sus factores asociados. Materiales y métodos. Estudio transversal en 212 migrantes venezolanos reclutados por muestreo tipo bola de nieve. La CdV fue evaluada con el European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions en tres niveles (EQ-5D-3L). Los resultados fueron presentados descriptivamente. Para evaluar los factores asociados a CdV se emplearon regresiones lineales y regresiones ajustadas de Poisson. Resultados. El porcentaje de participantes afectados en cada dimensión de CdV fue: movilidad (1,4%), autocuidado (0,5%), actividades cotidianas (2,4%), dolor/malestar (18,4%) y ansiedad/depresión (68,9%). En cuanto a la Escala Visual Análoga (EVA) de CdV, la mediana del puntaje fue 85 (RIC: 70 a 90). Al evaluar los factores asociados, se encontró que ninguno de los factores evaluados se asoció al puntaje en la EVA o a presentar dolor/malestar. Sin embargo, la frecuencia de presentar ansiedad/depresión fue mayor en aquellos con grado de instrucción superior universitario en comparación con aquellos con estudios de secundaria (Razón de prevalencias ajustada 1,28; IC 95%: 1,03 a 1,60). Conclusiones. Los migrantes venezolanos que participaron del estudio reportaron problemas en su CdV, más de dos terceras partes reportaron ansiedad/depresión, y uno de cada seis presentó dolor/malestar. La frecuencia de presentar ansiedad/depresión fue mayor en aquellos con instrucción universitaria.

ABSTRACT Objectives. To describe the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of Venezuelan migrants residing in the cities of Chimbote and Nuevo Chimbote, in Peru, and assess its associated factors. Materials and Methods. Cross-sectional study of 212 Venezuelan migrants recruited by snowball sampling. The QoL was evaluated with the European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions at three levels (EQ-5D-3L). The results were presented descriptively. Linear regressions and Poisson adjusted regressions were used to evaluate the factors associated with QoL. Results. The percentage of participants affected in each QoL dimension was: mobility (1.4%), self-care (0.5%), usual activities (2.4%), pain/discomfort (18.4%), and anxiety/depression (68.9%). As for the QoL Visual Analog Scale (VAS), the median score was 85 (RIC: 70-90). In evaluating the associated factors, it was found that none of the factors was associated with the VAS score or pain/ discomfort. However, the frequency of anxiety/depression was higher in those with higher education (university) level compared to those with secondary education (RR 1.28; 95% CI: 1.03 to 1.60). Conclusions. Venezuelan migrants who participated in the study reported problems in their QoL; more than two-thirds reported anxiety/depression, and one in six experienced pain/discomfort. The frequency of anxiety/depression was higher in those with university-level education.