ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: sleep is a physiological process that is critical for physical and mental health in children. Childhood encompasses diverse developmental stages that may affect the impact of physical activity on sleep quality, which may also be influenced by sex. The purpose of this study was to examine the mediation effect of sex and, as well as maturational stage on the association between physical activity and sleep quality, among primary school children. METHODS: this was a cross-sectional study of 954 Spanish primary school students (437 early childhood and 517 middle childhood) with a mean age of 10.5 ± 1.2 years. Participants reported their sleep quality using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and their physical activity levels using the Physical Activity Questionnaire. RESULTS: our study found that physical activity is associated with improved sleep quality in children, particularly during middle childhood. Higher physical activity was linked to better sleep quality and reduced sleep latency (p = 0.044). Sleep quality was generally better in males than in females (p = 0.002) and was also better in early than middle childhood (p = 0.000). CONCLUSIONS: especially in middle childhood, physical activity promotes children's sleep quality. Thus, educational institutions should promote or improve the implementation of physical activity in the school context in order to benefit children's sleep quality and, hence, improve their quality of life and wellbeing.
ABSTRACT
Adolescents are particularly vulnerable to initiation of the use of substances harmful to health, and its increase is cause for concern. The objective of this study was to analyze the relationship between self-efficacy in refusing alcohol and the attitude of adolescents toward drugs and their perception of their parents' attitude toward refusal. The study was carried out in 2019 in a sample of 1287 students from 11 public high schools in the province of Almería (Spain). Students were aged 14 to 18 in their 3rd and 4th year of compulsory secondary education. The Drinking Refusal Self-Efficacy Questionnaire-Revised Adolescent version (DRSEQ-RA), Attitudes Toward Taking Drugs-Basic BIP Scale and the Parents' attitudes Toward Drug Use were administered. The results showed that family relationships seem to have a direct impact on adolescent patterns in smoking and drinking alcohol. However, a favorable attitude toward drugs is a risk factor for drinking alcohol and smoking tobacco. The self-efficacy dimension also acts as a protective factor against the probability of using alcohol or tobacco. The conclusions emphasized that communication within the family core can increase or decrease the risk of adolescents using substances harmful to health.
Subject(s)
Alcohol Drinking , Self Efficacy , Humans , Adolescent , Cross-Sectional Studies , Smoking/epidemiology , Attitude , PerceptionABSTRACT
Abstract Introduction: University populations are considered as vulnerable groups when it comes to acquiring health habits. Objective: The aim of this study is to know the levels of physical activity and health habits of the students of the University of Lleida. Methods: Healthy habits and the practice of physical activity in university students were evaluated through the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ). Results: 600 students from the University of Lleida participated during the period 2014-2015. 30.7% of them smoked, while 96.7% reported alcohol consupmtion, and 75.5% practiced physical activity. More than 62% of male students practiced physical activity between 3 and 7 days a week compared to 33.5% of women (p=0.000). More than 30% of the students ingested fruit every day and 65% did so at least 4 days a week. 19.4% of women and 7.9% of men consumed fruit daily, finding significant differences (p=0.001). Conclusions: 30% of the participant did not meet the minimum recommendations of physical activity. A high percentage of participants have a low fruits and vegetables consumption and a high prevalence of risk of alcohol consumption. An educational intervention by universities is suggested to encourage the practice of healthy habits in students.
Resumen Introducción. La población universitaria se considera un colectivo vulnerable a la hora de adquirir hábitos de salud. Objetivo. Conocer los niveles de actividad física y los hábitos de salud de los estudiantes de la Universidad de Lleida. Materiales y métodos. Se valoraron los hábitos saludables y la práctica de actividad física en estudiantes universitarios mediante el cuestionario Global Physical Activity Questionnarie. Resultados. Participaron 600 estudiantes de la Universidad de Lleida durante el periodo 2014-2015; 30.7% fumaba, 96.7% consumía alcohol y 75.5% practicaba actividad física. Más del 62% de los hombres practicaban actividad física entre 3 y 7 días a la semana frente al 33.5% de las mujeres (p=0.000). Más del 30% de estudiantes ingirió fruta cada día y 65% lo hizo al menos 4 días a la semana; en específico, 19.4% de las mujeres y 7.9% de hombres consumía fruta a diario, encontrándose diferencias significativas (p=0.001). Conclusiones. El 30% de los estudiantes no cumple con las recomendaciones mínimas de actividad física. Un alto porcentaje de los participantes tiene escaso consumo de frutas y verduras y presenta elevada prevalencia de consumo de riesgo de alcohol. Se sugiere una intervención educativa en estudiantes y por parte de las universidades respecto a la práctica de hábitos saludables.
ABSTRACT
Recent results from EU-sponsored projects have shed new light on the workings of the atmosphere in the Mediterranean Basin, where a large airmass becomes trapped and nearly stagnant over the sea during the summer. This work reviews the developments which have led to our present understanding of air pollution dynamics and associated meteorological processes in this region. In summer, the sea breezes combine with upslope winds to create recirculations along the coasts and within the western Mediterranean basin, with residence times in the order of days. Under strong insolation these recirculations become "large natural photo-chemical reactors" where most of the NOx emissions and other precursors are transformed into oxidants, acidic compounds, aerosols and ozone, which can exceed European Union directives for several months of the year. The objective of this paper is to evaluate available experimental evidence and complementary modelling results to help in the interpretation of observed ozone cycles and to anticipate possible scenarios for anthropogenic nitrogen deposition in the region.
Subject(s)
Models, Theoretical , Nitrogen/analysis , Oxidants, Photochemical/analysis , Ozone/analysis , Air Movements , Mediterranean Region , Periodicity , Photochemistry , SeasonsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To create a data base (BIFAP) with information provided by primary care doctors from the National Health System who use a computer at work, to evaluate its validity as a source of pharmaco-epidemiological information and to use it for the study of the efficacy and safety of medicines. JUSTIFICATION: Some data bases, such as the British GPRD, have shown great efficiency in pharmaco-epidemiological research and in analysis of alarm signals in pharmacovigilance: primary care doctors are in a very good position to obtain clinical information from their patients. It is recommended that the impact of medicines on various populations is evaluated, including of course those medicines most used in Spain. PILOT PHASE: January 2000-end of 2003. 300-500 doctors took part: a) monitoring of certain recommendations on recording; b) dispatch every 2 or 3 months to the Spanish Medicines Agency (AEM) of anonymous information with its origin encrypted (basic demographic details, morbidity, prescriptions, other data of epidemiological relevance), which are analysed by computer to check whether they meet adequate recording standards; c) despatch to the AEM of copies of anonymous clinical reports from small samples of patients (for BIFAP validation studies). FEASIBILITY AND PERSPECTIVES: If BIFAP were viable, a standardised procedure for its use and protocols to support it as a research tool would be put in place.
Subject(s)
Database Management Systems , Pharmacoepidemiology/methods , Primary Health Care/methods , Public Health Informatics/methods , Clinical Pharmacy Information Systems , Drug Utilization/statistics & numerical data , Humans , Research/instrumentationABSTRACT
Objetivo. Crear una base de datos (BIFAP) con información facilitada por médicos de atención primaria del Sistema Nacional de Salud que utilicen ordenador en su trabajo, evaluar su validez como fuente de información farmacoepidemiológica, y destinarla al estudio de la efectividad y la seguridad de los medicamentos.Justificación. Algunas bases de datos, como la británica GPRD, han demostrado una gran eficiencia en investigación farmacoepidemiológica, y en el análisis de señales de alerta en farmacovigilancia; el médico de atención primaria se encuentra en una posición muy adecuada para conocer la información clínica de sus pacientes; es aconsejable evaluar el impacto de los medicamentos en distintas poblaciones y, en especial, el de los de uso prevalente en España.Fase piloto. Enero 2000-finales de 2003.Colaboración de 300-500 médicos: a) seguimiento de unas recomendaciones de registro; b) envío cada 2-3 meses a la Agencia Española del Medicamento (AEM) de información anónima y encriptada en origen (datos demográficos básicos, morbilidad, prescripciones, otros datos de interés epidemiológico), que será sometida a controles automatizados para comprobar si se alcanza un nivel suficiente de calidad y c) envío a la AEM de copias de informes clínicos anónimos de pequeñas muestras de pacientes (para realizar estudios de validación de BIFAP).Viabilidad y perspectivas. Si BIFAP fuera viable, se establecería un procedimiento normalizado de utilización, y fórmulas para potenciarla como herramienta de investigación (AU)
Subject(s)
Humans , Database Management Systems , Clinical Pharmacy Information Systems , Pharmacoepidemiology , Research , Primary Health Care , Public Health Informatics , Drug UtilizationABSTRACT
Different strategies have been evaluated for the preparation of polymers functionalized with chiral fragments containing the alpha,alpha,alpha',alpha'-tetraaryl-1,3-dioxolane-4,5-dimethanol (TADDOL) structure. Best results are obtained when TADDOL derivatives containing OH phenolic groups (17 and 18) are prepared in solution and then selectively anchored to chloromethylated polymers by reaction in THF containing NaH and small amounts of 18C6 and NBu(4)I. Resins 19 having the desired functionality have been prepared in this way. The procedure allows the efficient introduction of this functional group in PS-DVB polymers with different loading and cross-linking degrees, as well as on SMOP resins. These functionalized resins have been used to prepare Ti-TADDOL-supported complexes which have been tested as catalysts in the reaction of cyclopentadiene with 3-crotonoyl-1,3-oxazolidin-2-one. Although all the polymers obtained efficiently catalyze the reaction, only the one prepared from alpha,alpha,alpha',alpha'-tetra-3,5-dimethylphenyl-1,3-dioxolane-4,5-dimethanol induces asymmetry.
