Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in higher education: A data driven analysis for the knowledge acquisition process.

The COVID-19 pandemic abruptly changed the classroom context and presented enormous challenges for all actors in the educational process, who had to overcome multiple difficulties and incorporate new strategies and tools to construct new knowledge. In this work we analyze how student performance was affected, for a particular case of higher education in La Plata, Argentina. We developed an analytical model for the knowledge acquisition process, based on a series of surveys and information on academic performance in both contexts: face-to-face (before the onset of the pandemic) and virtual (during confinement) with 173 students during 2019 and 2020. The information collected allowed us to construct an adequate representation of the process that takes into account the main contributions common to all individuals. We analyzed the significance of the model by means of Artificial Neural Networks and a Multiple Linear Regression Method. We found that the virtual context produced a decrease in motivation to learn. Moreover, the emerging network of contacts built from the interaction between peers reveals different structures in both contexts. In all cases, interaction with teachers turned out to be of the utmost importance in the process of acquiring knowledge. Our results indicate that this process was also strongly influenced by the availability of resources of each student. This reflects the reality of a developing country, which experienced prolonged isolation, giving way to a particular learning context in which we were able to identify key factors that could guide the design of strategies in similar scenarios.

A cross-sectional study of free-roaming dogs in a Patagonian city: Their distribution and intestinal helminths in relation to socioeconomic aspects of neighborhoods.

Human and dog health are inextricably linked, and although our relationship with dogs brings numerous benefits for our well-being, it is known that they can transmit disease. Bariloche is a Patagonian tourist city with heterogeneous social composition. This cross-sectional study evaluates the population of free-roaming dogs and their intestinal parasites in relation to the socioeconomic level of the city's human population. Census areas were used as survey units, stratified in three levels according to socioeconomic status. The free-roaming dog population was estimated by walking around each census area. Eight fresh feces per census count area were collected and analyzed using coproparasitological flotation tests, and CoproELISA was used to detect Echinococcus sp. A total of 858 free-roaming dogs were registered along 40.9 km, with significant differences between socioeconomic strata: the highest numbers were found in the lowest income strata. Of the feces collected, 39.2% tested positive for parasites, those associated with a lower socioeconomic level having higher percentages of positive feces and a greater number of species. Eight species of helminths were found, some of which were zoonotic, such as Echinococcus sp., Toxocara canis, and Dibothriocephalus latus. The presence of parasites can be explained by the number of free-roaming dogs per census count area. The free-roaming dogs generally have owners, and their parasitic infection is strongly associated with the socioeconomic level of the population. The main problem is irresponsible pet care, which generates healthy conditions for both dogs and humans. Thus, both dogs and humans deserve effective ethical public policies.

The effectiveness of government measures during the first wave of the outbreak.

OBJECTIVES: The Covid-19 pandemic changed the humanity life. Millions of deaths and infections that spread rapidly around the world made all countries take measures to stop the outbreaks and assume the enormous consequences that the Coronavirus is leaving behind. The challenge has been enormous; governments across the world have implemented a wide span of nonpharmaceutical interventions to mitigate the Coronavirus pandemic (SARS-CoV-2) and its consequences in economic terms. The aim of this article is to analyze the effects that different kinds of measures taken by Latin American governments had on the daily new infections. The countries analyzed were Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, México, Panamá, Peru, Paraguay, Dominican Republic, Uruguay and Venezuela. METHODS: A time series cross-section analysis was performed, which allows studying the evolution of the number of daily cases over time and by country. The timeframe of this study was from the day the first case of coronavirus was registered in a country, until September 14, 2020. We used data from Covid-19 Dashboard database of Johns Hopkins University and the Oxford Covid-19 Government Response Tracker data set. RESULTS: The Stringency Index did not have a significant influence at the beginning of the pandemic but turned out to be significant and inversely related to DNI during Phases 2 and 3. On the contrary, the Economic and the Sanitary Containment Index was not statistically significant for any of the phases. Furthermore, the level of wealthfare of a country, measured from its GDP per capita, exerts a substantive conditional influence on the management of the Covid-19 crisis. CONCLUSIONS: The scenarios have been changing and strategies had to change as well in order to be successful because they lose effectiveness and have increased social costs with time. Therefore, understanding the relative effectiveness of such measures had on the disease spreading during the first wave of the outbreak, could help governments to make more informed decisions about how to control future outbreaks of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Depresión en San Carlos de Bariloche: estudio epidemiológico sobre prevalencia y uso de los servicios de salud mental / Depression in San Carlos de Bariloche: Epidemiological study of prevalence and use of mental health services

RESUMEN INTRODUCCIÓN pocos estudios han evaluado la prevalencia de depresión mayor (DM) en Argentina, y las estimaciones son muy disímiles. El objetivo de la presente investigación fue estimar la prevalencia de DM, la utilización de los servicios de salud y la relación con aspectos sociodemográficos en personas de 18-64 años de San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina. MÉTODOS se utilizó la Escala de Depresión del Centro de Estudios Epidemiológicos (CESD-R) para evaluar DM en una muestra de 299 personas en 2017 La encuesta comprendió, además, preguntas sociodemográficas y consultó si la persona había visitado a un profesional y recibido tratamiento por problemas de depresión. RESULTADOS la prevalencia de DM fue 5,7% (IC95%: 3,3-8,9). La tasa fue mayor en los estratos de menor nivel socioeconómico. Solamente un 47,1% de los casos de DM habían visitado a un médico por problemas emocionales, nervios o salud mental, con una tasa menor en los estratos de menor nivel socioeconómico. Se encontró mayor prevalencia de DM entre los desempleados y las personas que no trabajaban ni buscaban trabajo. El consumo perjudicial de alcohol o dependencia alcohólica fue más frecuente en individuos con DM (17,6%) que entre aquellos que no la padecían (6,9%). DISCUSIÓN la prevalencia de DM encontrada es similar a la registrada a nivel nacional. Se destaca la importante brecha entre atención y tratamiento. Es necesario fomentar políticas de Salud Pública para acceder a instancias terapéuticas adecuadas con el fin de mejorar la calidad de vida de las personas.

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION few studies have evaluated major depression (MD) prevalence in Argentina, and estimates are very variable. The goal of this research was to estimate prevalence of MD, health services utilization and relationship with socio-demographic factors in 18- to 64-year-old people from San Carlos de Bariloche. METHODS the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale Revised (CESD-R) was used to assess MD in a sample of 299 people in 2017. The questionnaire also inquired about socio-demographic aspects, and asked if people had visited a health care provider and received treatment for depression. RESULTS MD prevalence was 5.7% (CI95%: 3.3-8.9). The rate was higher in lower socio-economic strata. Only 47.1% of MD cases had visited a health care provider for emotional, nervous or mental health problems, with lower rates in lower socio-economic strata. There was a higher risk of MD among unemployed people and those who were neither working nor seeking for a job. Risky alcohol consumption or dependency was more common among MD cases (17.6%) than among non-MD cases (6.9%). DISCUSSION the MD prevalence found is similar to that reported nationwide. The study highlights an important gap between service use and treatment. It is necessary to promote public health policies to provide adequate therapeutic resources with the purpose of improving the quality of life.

Depresión en San Carlos de Bariloche Estudio epidemiológico sobre prevalencia y uso de los servicios de salud mental / Depression in San Carlos de Bariloche: Epidemiological study of prevalence and use of mental health services

INTRODUCCIÓN: pocos estudios han evaluado la prevalencia de depresión mayor (DM) en Argentina, y las estimaciones son muy disímiles. El objetivo de la presente investigación fue estimar la prevalencia de DM, la utilización de los servicios de salud y la relación con aspectos sociodemográficos en personas de 18-64 años de San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina. MÉTODOS: se utilizó la Escala de Depresión del Centro de Estudios Epidemiológicos (CESD-R) para evaluar DM en una muestra de 299 personas en 2017. La encuesta comprendió, además, preguntas sociodemográficas y consultó si la persona había visitado a un profesional y recibido tratamiento por problemas de depresión. RESULTADOS: la prevalencia de DM fue 5,7% (IC95%: 3,3-8,9). La tasa fue mayor en los estratos de menor nivel socioeconómico. Solamente un 47,1% de los casos de DM habían visitado a un médico por problemas emocionales, nervios o salud mental, con una tasa menor en los estratos de menor nivel socioeconómico. Se encontró mayor prevalencia de DM entre los desempleados y las personas que no trabajaban ni buscaban trabajo. El consumo perjudicial de alcohol o dependencia alcohólica fue más frecuente en individuos con DM (17,6%) que entre aquellos que no la padecían (6,9%). DISCUSIÓN: la prevalencia de DM encontrada es similar a la registrada a nivel nacional. Se destaca la importante brecha entre atención y tratamiento. Es necesario fomentar políticas de Salud Pública para acceder a instancias terapéuticas adecuadas con el fin de mejorar la calidad de vida de las personas

[Sublicinal depression: an overlooked problem]. / Depresión subclínica: un problema no visibilizado.

Subclinical depression is a worldwide spread disease with significant impact on health and life quality. The goal of this study is to assess its prevalence, service utilization, and to identify the most vulnerable groups in 18 to 64 years-old residents of San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina. A survey was administered to a stratified sample of the study population. The CESD-R scale was applied to establish the diagnosis. Sociodemographic and health-care service utilization information was collected as well. The prevalence of subclinical depression was 10% (CI 95%: 6.9%-14.0%). A trend of higher prevalence was observed among younger subjects, and in lower socioeconomic neighborhoods. One third of subjects with subclinical depression had previously consulted a health professional and less than half of them had been correctly diagnosed. Early detection and treatment of subclinical depression is key to diminishing the associated disability and to prevent its evolution to major depression. It is necessary to implement early detection strategies, specifically directed to the most vulnerable groups: younger people and lower socioeconomic strata.

Clima organizacional en servicios de Enfermería en un hospital público en Argentina / Organizational environment in the Nursing Care services from a public hospital in Argentina

OBJETIVO: evaluar la percepción del personal de Enfermería asistencial sobre el clima organizacional (CO) de los servicios de Enfermería de un hospital público en Argentina y su relación con las características sociodemográficas y laborales del personal. MÉTODO: estudio de tipo descriptivo transversal en el Hospital Zonal Bariloche, entre el personal de Enfermería asistencial en 2014. Datos recogidos en un cuestionario anónimo y autoadministrado. Recogía aspectos sociodemográficos y laborales del personal. La valoración de la percepción del CO consideraba diez dimensiones agrupadas en tres ejes: potencial humano, diseño organizacional y cultura de la organización. La percepción de cada dimensión se midió mediante el índice de percepción (IP). Se realizó estadística descriptiva. La asociación entre el IP del CO y las características del personal de Enfermería se calculó mediante las pruebas de Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon y Kruskal-Wallis. RESULTADOS: participaron 84 sujetos. El 75% era mujer, el 50% enfermera. Las dos dimensiones con mayor proporción de respuestas desfavorables fueron liderazgo (60%) y recompensa (63%). Conflicto/cooperación e identidad fueron las evaluadas con mayor proporción de respuestas favorables con un 69% y 87%, respectivamente. La percepción del CO de los hombres fue más favorable que en las mujeres. CONCLUSIONES: los enfermeros y auxiliares de Enfermería asistenciales manifestaron un elevado grado de satisfacción de formar parte del servicio. La valoración negativa de las dimensiones "recompensa y liderazgo" pone en evidencia una problemática que necesita ser abordada. La metodología propuesta resulta valiosa para evaluar el CO percibido por personal de Enfermería para orientar programas de mejora del mismo y de los servicios de salud brindados

OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the perception of the Nursing staff about the organizational environment (OE) in the Nursing Care services from a public hospital in Argentina, and its association with the sociodemographical and occupational characteristics of the staff. METHOD: a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in 2014 with the Nursing staff from the Hospital Zonal Bariloche; data were collected through an anonymous and self-administered questionnaire, and included sociodemographical and occupational aspects of the staff. The evaluation of the OE perception considered 10 dimensions grouped along three axes: human potential, organizational design, and organization culture. The perception of each dimension was measured through the perception index (PI), and descriptive statistics was conducted. The association between the PI of the OE and the characteristics of the Nursing staff was calculated through Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon and Kruskal-Wallis tests. RESULTS: the study included the participation of 84 subjects: 75% were female, and 50% were nurses. The two dimensions with the highest proportion of unfavorable answers were Leadership (60%) and Reward (63%). Conflict / cooperation and Identity were those evaluated with the highest proportion of favorable answers, with 69% and 87%, respectively. The perception of the OE was more favorable among men than women. CONCLUSIONS: nurses and Nursing Assistants stated a high level of satisfaction at being part of the patient care services. The negative evaluation for the Reward and Leadership dimensions shows a problem that needs to be addressed. The methodology proposed is valuable in order to assess the OE perceived by the Nursing staff, in order to orientate programs for its improvement, as well as for improving the healthcare provided

Echinococcosis and other parasitic infections in domestic dogs from urban areas of an Argentinean Patagonian city.

In urban populations of South America, dogs with free access to public areas represent a public health concern. The primary consequence of roaming dogs on human health is the transmission of infectious and parasitic diseases mainly through feces contamination. The main diseases likely to be transmitted are hydatidosis or echinococcosis, larva migrans, and giardiasis. In Argentina, hydatidosis ranks among the most prevalent zoonosis. Although it is considered a rural disease, the circulation of this parasite in urban areas has been documented. The aim of this work was to survey intestinal parasites in canine feces from two low-income urban neighborhoods of Bariloche city, Argentina, and to assess their seasonal variation. During 2016, 188 fresh dog feces were collected from sidewalks in 40 randomly selected blocks from the neighborhoods. Each sample was processed by Sheater flotation and tested for a coproantigen (CAg) by ELISA. The percentage of parasitized feces was 65.3% (95% CI: 55.9%-73.8%). Eleven parasite species were found, 3 protozoan, 3 cestodes, and 5 nematodes. Echinococcus sp. was present in 9.3% of the samples (95% CI: 4.7%-16.1%). Canine echinococcosis rates resulted similar to rates found previously in other neighborhoods of the city. The life cycle of Echinococcus sp. is sustained in urban areas by the entry of parasitized livestock, domiciliary slaughtering, and inadequate deposition of offal. The risk of Echinococcus sp. transmission to people in these neighborhoods is very high, due to high density of free-roaming dogs and high percentages of infected feces, similar to percentages observed in rural areas.

Echinococcosis and other parasitic infections in domestic dogs from urban areas of an argentinean Patagonian city

In urban populations of South America, dogs with free access to public areas represent a public health concern. The primary consequence of roaming dogs on human health is the transmission of infectious and parasitic diseases mainly through feces contamination. The main diseases likely to be transmitted are hydatidosis or echinococcosis, larva migrans, and giardiasis. In Argentina, hydatidosis ranks among the most prevalent zoonosis. Although it is considered a rural disease, the circulation of this parasite in urban areas has been documented. The aim of this work was to survey intestinal parasites in canine feces from two low-income urban neighborhoods of Bariloche city, Argentina, and to assess their seasonal variation. During 2016, 188 fresh dog feces were collected from sidewalks in 40 randomly selected blocks from the neighborhoods. Each sample was processed by Sheater flotation and tested for a coproantigen (CAg) by ELISA. The percentage of parasitized feces was 65.3% (95% CI: 55.9%-73.8%). Eleven parasite species were found, 3 protozoan, 3 cestodes, and 5 nematodes. Echinococcus sp. was present in 9.3% of the samples (95% CI: 4.7%-16.1%). Canine echinococcosis rates resulted similar to rates found previously in other neighborhoods of the city. The life cycle of Echinococcus sp. is sustained in urban areas by the entry of parasitized livestock, domiciliary slaughtering, and inadequate deposition of offal. The risk of Echinococcus sp. transmission to people in these neighborhoods is very high, due to high density of free-roaming dogs and high percentages of infected feces, similar to percentages observed in rural areas.

En las poblaciones urbanas de América del Sur, los perros con acceso libre a áreas públicas representan un problema de salud pública. La principal consecuencia es la transmisión de enfermedades infecciosas y parasitarias a través de la contaminación por heces. Las principales enfermedades que pueden transmitirse son hidatidosis, larva migrans y giardiasis. En Argentina, la hidatidosis es una de las zoonosis más prevalentes y aunque es considerada una enfermedad rural, algunos estudios muestran la circulación de este parásito en zonas urbanas. El objetivo fue registrar los parásitos intestinales en heces caninas de dos barrios de bajos ingresos de la ciudad de Bariloche, Argentina, y evaluar su variación estacional. Durante 2016, se recolectaron 188 heces frescas de perros en 40 manzanas seleccionados aleatoriamente. Las heces se procesaron mediante flotación de Sheater y una prueba ELISA de coproantigeno (CAg). El porcentaje de heces parasitadas fue del 65.3% (IC 95%: 55.9%-73.8%). Se encontraron 11 especies de parásitos, 3 protozoos, 3 cestodes y 5 nematodes. Echinococcus sp. estuvo presente en el 9.3% de las heces (IC 95%: 4.7% -16.1%). La equinococosis canina mostró valores similares a estudios previos en otros barrios de la ciudad. El ciclo de vida Echinococcus sp. se mantiene en las zonas urbanas por entrada de ganado parasitado, faena domiciliaria y deposición inadecuada de vísceras. El riesgo de transmisión de Echinococcus sp. en estos barrios es alto, debido a la alta densidad de perros sueltos y al alto porcentaje de heces infectadas, similar al de las zonas rurales.

[Responsible ownership of dogs and human health in neighborhoods of San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina]. / Tenencia responsable de perros y salud humana en barrios de San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina.

Human relationship with dogs associates with numerous and varied benefits on human health; however, it also presents significant risks. The goal of this study was to describe demographic parameters and characteristics of dog ownership with possible implications on human health and to evaluate the prevalence of dog bites and traffic accidents due to dogs. Interviews were conducted in the neighborhoods of Nuestras Malvinas and Nahuel Hue in San Carlos de Bariloche. The percentage of homes with at least one dog, the average number of dogs per home, the prevalence of dog bites and traffic accidents due to dogs and the general awareness of the population on dog transmitted zoonoses were estimated. Regarding ownership characteristics, the degree of sterilization, vaccination and parasite control and the percentage of dogs allowed to roam freely in public places were evaluated. A total of 141 interviews were conducted; 87% of the households had at least one dog, with an average of 2.2 dogs. In 26% of the households someone had suffered a traffic accident caused by dogs and in 41% someone had been bitten. Antiparasite treatment was administered to 83% of the dogs in the last 12 months, on average 1.4 times (recommended 6 times), 51% were sterilized, 55% were allowed to roam freely. This study shows a disturbing situation regarding the canine population of the evaluated neighborhoods. The number of dogs allowed to roam freely and the low level of parasite control and sterilization provide suitable conditions for the spread of zoonoses.

Tenencia responsable de perros y salud humana en barrios de San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina / Responsible ownership of dogs and human health in neighborhoods of San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina

La relación entre el hombre y el perro se asocia a numerosos y variados beneficios sobre la salud humana; sin embargo también presenta importantes riesgos. El objetivo de este trabajo es describir parámetros demográficos y características de la tenencia de perros con implicancias sobre la salud humana y evaluar la prevalencia de mordeduras y accidentes de tránsito causados por perros. Se realizó una encuesta en los barrios Nuestras Malvinas y Nahuel Hue de San Carlos de Bariloche. Se estimó el porcentaje de viviendas con al menos un perro, la media de perros por vivienda, la prevalencia de mordeduras de perro y de accidentes de tránsito causados por perros y el conocimiento de la población sobre zoonosis transmitidas por perros. Respecto de la tenencia, se evaluó el grado de esterilización, vacunación y desparasitación y el porcentaje de perros con libre acceso a la calle. Se realizaron 141 entrevistas. En 87% de las viviendas había al menos un perro (promedio 2.2 perros/vivienda). En 26% de las viviendas alguien había sufrido un accidente de tránsito causado por perros y en 41% alguien había sido mordido. El 83% de los perros fueron desparasitados en los últimos 12 meses, en promedio 1.4 veces (óptimo: 6 veces/año), 51% estaban esterilizados, 55% tenían libre acceso a la calle. Este estudio muestra una situación preocupante respecto de la población canina de los barrios evaluados. El número de perros sueltos en la calle y el bajo nivel de desparasitación y esterilización proveen condiciones ideales para que se propaguen zoonosis.

Human relationship with dogs associates with numerous and varied benefits on human health; however, it also presents significant risks. The goal of this study was to describe demographic parameters and characteristics of dog ownership with possible implications on human health and to evaluate the prevalence of dog bites and traffic accidents due to dogs. Interviews were conducted in the neighborhoods of Nuestras Malvinas and Nahuel Hue in San Carlos de Bariloche. The percentage of homes with at least one dog, the average number of dogs per home, the prevalence of dog bites and traffic accidents due to dogs and the general awareness of the population on dog transmitted zoonoses were estimated. Regarding ownership characteristics, the degree of sterilization, vaccination and parasite control and the percentage of dogs allowed to roam freely in public places were evaluated. A total of 141 interviews were conducted; 87% of the households had at least one dog, with an average of 2.2 dogs. In 26% of the households someone had suffered a traffic accident caused by dogs and in 41% someone had been bitten. Antiparasite treatment was administered to 83% of the dogs in the last 12 months, on average 1.4 times (recommended 6 times), 51% were sterilized, 55% were allowed to roam freely. This study shows a disturbing situation regarding the canine population of the evaluated neighborhoods. The number of dogs allowed to roam freely and the low level of parasite control and sterilization provide suitable conditions for the spread of zoonoses.