ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: One of the steps adopted to mitigate the pandemic due to SARS-CoV-2 is the use of face masks by the general population. For a face mask to be effective it should cover the nose and the mouth. We wanted to measure the correct use of the face mask by the general population in open public spaces through direct observation. METHODS: We conducted an observational study of the proper use of face masks among the general population in open public places in Bilbao, Santander, Oviedo and Zaragoza from 16th to 26th July, 2020 and from 23rd January to 2nd March, 2021. Sampling for convenience; compliance of the proper use of a mask was evaluated when adults completely covered their mouth and nose. The type of mask and its improper use was registered using a standardized form. The results were obtained using frequency distribution, Pearson's chi-squared test and multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 5,464 observations were documented. The overall compliance was 89.5%. We observed that the compliance in 2021 (94.7%) was 10.9 percentage points higher than in 2020 (83.8%) (p<0.001). The main cause of non-compliance was the incorrect placement of face masks (64%); 36% were without masks. The non-reusable face masks were most commonly worn (54.1%). We observed a significant increase in use of high-efficiency face masks in 2021 (27.1%) versus 2020 (13.7%). CONCLUSIONS: In all the cities where the study was conducted we observed an increase in compliance of the proper use of face masks as well as an increased usage of high-efficiency masks. The main cause of non-compliance was incorrect placement.
OBJETIVO: Dentro de las medidas adoptadas para mitigar la pandemia por SARS-CoV-2 se encuentra el uso de mascarillas en la población general. Para que esta medida sea efectiva las mascarillas deben cubrir la nariz y la boca. Nos propusimos conocer su uso correcto por la población general en espacios públicos abiertos mediante observación directa. METODOS: Estudio prospectivo observacional del correcto uso de mascarillas en la población general en espacios abiertos en Bilbao, Santander, Oviedo y Zaragoza, del 16 al 26/07/2020 y del 23/01 al 02/03/2021. Se realizó un muestreo por conveniencia evaluando el cumplimiento del uso de mascarilla cuando los adultos la llevaban cubriendo completamente nariz y boca. Se registró el tipo e inadecuación de su uso mediante formulario estandarizado. Se realizó distribución de frecuencias, comparaciones con χ2 de Pearson y regresión logística multivariable. RESULTADOS: Se realizaron 5.464 observaciones. El cumplimiento global fue del 89,5%; 10,9 puntos mayor en 2021 (94,7%) que en 2020 (83,8%) (p<0,001). La principal causa de incumplimiento fue la colocación incorrecta (64%) frente no llevar nada (36%). Respecto al tipo de mascarillas, las más utilizadas fueron las no reutilizables (54,1%), aumentando en 2021 el uso de las de alta eficacia (13,7% versus 27,6%) de forma significativa. CONCLUSIONES: En todas las ciudades estudiadas se observa un aumento del uso correcto de la mascarilla desde que se hizo obligatorio en espacios públicos, así como aumento de las mascarillas de alta eficacia. La principal causa de incumplimiento es llevar la mascarilla mal colocada.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Masks , Adult , Cities , Humans , Pandemics/prevention & control , SARS-CoV-2 , Spain/epidemiologyABSTRACT
The need for new approaches to strategic planning by incorporating the perspectives of professionals and inhabitants has led to a new model for the 3rd Canary Islands (Spain) Health Plan (IIIPSC). A dual-phase participatory process using qualitative techniques is proposed: 1) local phase: a quantitative and qualitative study based on training and a research-action-participation initiative; and 2) insular phase: health conferences with face-to-face discussion of results in each health area (island) and proposals for action. The process prioritises problems and establishes a specific action plan for each island through initiatives that are considered to be viable, grouped by themes and weighted according to the potential impact on priority problems. This process of interaction may help to guide planning model changes and health policy decision-making, and was included in the IIIPSC Project for its parliamentary procedure.
Subject(s)
Regional Health Planning/methods , Decision Making , Health Policy , Humans , Qualitative Research , SpainABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study are to compare self-reported health status between Spanish-born and Latin American-born Spanish residents, adjusted by length of residence in the host country; and additionally, to analyse sociodemographic and psychosocial variables associated with a better health status. DESIGN: This is a cross-sectional population based study of Latin American-born (n = 691) and Spanish-born (n = 903) in 15 urban primary health care centres in Madrid (Spain), carried out between 2007 and 2009. The participants provided information, through an interview, about self-reported health status, socioeconomic characteristics, psychosocial factors and migration conditions. Descriptive and multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted. RESULTS: The Spanish-born participants reported a better health status than the Latin America-born participants (79.8% versus 69.3%, p<0.001). Different patterns of self-reported health status were observed depending on the length of residence in the host country. The proportion of immigrants with a better health status is greater in those who have been in Spain for less than five years compared to those who have stayed longer. Better health status is significantly associated with being men, under 34 years old, being Spanish-born, having a monthly incomes of over 1000 euros, and having considerable social support and low stress. CONCLUSIONS: Better self-reported health status is associated with being Spanish-born, men, under 34 years old, having an uppermiddle-socioeconomic status, adequate social support, and low stress. Additionally, length of residence in the host country is seen as a related factor in the self-reported health status of immigrants.
Subject(s)
Emigration and Immigration/statistics & numerical data , Health Status , Primary Health Care/statistics & numerical data , Self Report , Adult , Demography , Female , Humans , Latin America , Male , Multivariate Analysis , Socioeconomic Factors , SpainABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Social support is an important factor in the adaptation process of immigrants, helping for their integration in a new environment. The lack of social support may influence on well-being and health status. The aim of this study is to describe the social support of immigrant and native population and study the possible association between immigration and lack social support after adjusting for sociodemographic factors, income, stress and self-reported health status. METHODS: Cross-sectional population based study of immigrants and national patients without mental disorders of 15 urban primary health centers in the north-eastern area of Madrid. Participants provided information on social support, stress level, perceived health status and socio-economic characteristics. Descriptive and multiple logistic regression were conducted. RESULTS: The proportion of the global perception of social support among immigrants and natives was 79.2% and 94.2%, respectively. The lack of global social support adjusted prevalence ratio (PR) of immigrant was 2.72 (95% Confidence Interval=1.81-4.09), showing a significant association with being male (PR=2.26), having monthly income below 500 euros (PR=3.81) and suffering stress (PR=1.94). For the dimensions of lack of social support the higher association was being an immigrant and suffering stress. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that with regardless of the level of monthly income, stress level, self-reported health status, and gender, immigrant status is directly associated with lack social support. The variable most strongly associated with lack social support has been monthly income below 500 euros.
