A look through Latin America truck drivers' health, a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Heavy truck drivers represent a social group of great importance to any country's economy. Their professional activity requires a high level of dedication. Due to the irregular hours in their work routine and adopted habits, they mostly predispose them to a diversity of health problems. The purpose of this study is to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis aiming to identify the prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, and obesity in Latin American Truck Drivers. We searched the PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and LILACS databases, for scientific publications articles, as reported by The PRISMA Statement. From 1,382, 7 studies were included according to the established criteria. The hypertension prevalence found was 34.2%, diabetes was of 9.2% and the highest prevalence found was for overweight and obesity (56%). Meta-analysis presented that drivers have a higher prevalence of overweight or obesity when compared to eutrophic individuals and that drivers with diabetes and hyperglycemia have a lower prevalence. Due to their work activity, their access to the health system is compromised limiting any type of monitoring of their health. This study showed that there is, in Latin America, an investment and assistance gap, both in the health sector and in the research section, for this professional category, which is so important to the economy of these countries. These data should help to identify the difficulties faced by this professional in health assistance, road safety, public safety, leisure and social life. This research also highlighted that they are young and already have the first sign of non-transmissible chronic diseases, which is overweight and obesity.

Prevalence and Impact of Academic Violence in Medical Education.

Situations of mistreatment in the academic environment are prevalent worldwide, but research in this area is scarce in middle-low-income countries. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of mistreatment inflicted against Brazilian medical students. In addition, characterize these situations and analyze their consequences. Cross-sectional study conducted with 831 medical students from public and private institutions. Absolute and relative frequencies of the analyzed variables and possible associations were determined through univariate and multivariate logistic regression. Chi-square test of association with second-order Rao-Scott adjustment was also used. The response rate was 56%. Public institution pointed to a higher prevalence of mistreatment when compared to private (59% versus 43%). Female students were the most affected. Verbal and psychological aggression was more prevalent. The aggressor usually was a faculty member. Mistreatment incidence increased over the years of training, with higher rates in the internship. About 94% of the students felt affected in anyway, with 77% feeling diminished and depressed. More than 50% reported impaired academic performance. Almost 30% sought help from experts. The reporting rate was extremely low. Adequate identification of the situations by the victims, safe reporting mechanisms and, an educational system capable of maintaining an appropriate learning environment are essential to break this destructive cycle.

Effects of mistreatment in medical schools: how to evaluate? A brief review / Efeitos de maus-tratos nas escolas médicas: como avaliar? Uma revisão breve

Abstract: Introduction: The occurrence of abuse, harassment and mistreatment of medical students is a widespread phenomenon and not a problem limited to certain countries or particular schools. Such behavior during medical training creates hostile learning environments, induces stress, depressive symptoms, may impair performance and patient care. Objective: To analyze the methodology used in recent studies to describe the consequences of mistreatment on medical student's life and academic performance. Method: A brief review of the literature indexed in 6 international databases was carried out (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, SciELO, PsycINFO and Cochrane Library). The descriptors were categorized into two groups, one containing different types of violence and the other contemplating the studied population. Results: A total of 20 articles were selected for this study and all of them based their research methodology on the use of questionnaires, scales and/or interviews. The strengths and weaknesses of these methodologies were discussed, and the use of simulation was suggested as a new methodological alternative. Conclusion: This review reinforces that mistreatment of medical students has remained frequent over time and it is closely related to the students' mental health and performance impairment. The authors recommend a new methodological approach to collect data related to the effects arising from a hostile learning environment.

Resumo: Introdução: A ocorrência de abusos, assédio e maus-tratos sofridos pelos estudantes de Medicina é um fenômeno generalizado e não um problema limitado a certos países ou escolas específicas. Tal comportamento durante o treinamento médico cria ambientes hostis de aprendizagem, induz estresse e sintomas depressivos, e prejudica o desempenho acadêmico e o atendimento aos pacientes. Objetivo: Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar a metodologia utilizada em pesquisas recentes para descrever as consequências de maus-tratos na vida e no desempenho do estudante de Medicina. Método: Realizou-se uma breve revisão da literatura indexada em seis bases de dados internacionais (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, SciELO, PsycINFO e Cochrane Library), em que se categorizaram os descritores em dois grupos: um com os diversos tipos de violência e o outro com a população pesquisada. Resultado: Selecionou-se um total de 20 artigos para este estudo, e todos eles basearam sua metodologia de pesquisa na aplicação de questionários, escalas e/ou entrevistas. Os pontos fortes e fracos das metodologias empregadas nos artigos selecionados foram discutidos, e sugeriu-se o uso da simulação como uma alternativa metodológica. Conclusão: Esta revisão reforça que episódios de maus-tratos entre estudantes de Medicina ainda permanecem frequentes ao longo do tempo e que estão intimamente relacionados com prejuízo na saúde mental e no desempenho do estudante. Os autores recomendam nova abordagem metodológica para que se possam coletar dados relacionados aos efeitos advindos de um ambiente de aprendizagem hostil.