Descriptive study on substance uses and risk of sexually transmitted infections in the practice of Chemsex in Spain.

Background: In recent years, there has been an increasing use of sex-related substances (known as "Chemsex") to facilitate, intensify, and prolong the sexual experience of men who have sex with men. This phenomenon poses a public health problem, increasing the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and mental disorders. Objective: The primary aim of this study was to delve into the correlation between substance use and sexual health, specifically examining the association between different substances used and the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the context of Chemsex in Spain. Methods: An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted among 563 Spanish participants between January and April 2023. Non-probabilistic purposive sampling was used by the investigators. The researchers administered a questionnaire to men who have sex with men who use substances, especially in the sexual sphere, in all the autonomous communities of Spain. Results: 14.7% reported having practiced slamsex in the last year, and 17.94% were diagnosed with a Sexually Transmitted Infection in the previous 6 months. Of these, 21% were on PREP treatment, with the main STIs being gonorrhea (p < 0.001), chlamydia (p < 0.001), genital herpes (p = 0.020), and syphilis (p < 0.001). The 63.7% used methamphetamines as the main drug in the practice of chemsex. Discussion: Chemsex in Spain is linked to a high prevalence of STIs, especially gonorrhea and chlamydia, even among those on PrEP treatment. The use of various drugs during chemsex, such as amyl nitrite, GHB, ecstasy, and others, correlates with higher rates of STIs, highlighting the need for interventions to reduce risk and harm. The drugs most associated with slamsex include ketamine, mephedrone, and methamphetamine, underscoring the importance of addressing the risk behaviors associated with this activity. Conclusion: This study shows that chemsex appears to be associated with a high prevalence among men who have sex with men. Who use multiple substances in a sexual context, and are particularly exposed to sexually transmitted infections (STIs), indicating a particular need for STI prevention and care in this group.

Influence of state of health and personality factors of resilience and coping in healthy subjects and those with diabetes.

Introduction: Currently, the most common chronic metabolic disease in our society is Diabetes Mellitus. The diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus supposes an impact for the patient, since it requires a modification in the lifestyle, which demands a great capacity for adaptation and modification of habits. The aim of the study was to determine whether personality factors and health status influence resilience and coping strategies in a sample of healthy and diabetic subjects. Methodology: The sample included a total of 401 subjects (201 patients with Diabetes and 200 without pathology). The instruments applied for data collection were: Sociodemographic data questionnaire, the Resilience Scale, the Coping Strategies Questionnaire and The "Big Five" factor taxonomy. The data collection period was approximately 2 years (between February 2018 and January 2020). Results: Certain personality factors, such as Emotional Stability, Integrity, Conscientiousness and Extraversion, were positively related to Resilience. Additionally, Emotional Stability, Integrity, and Extraversion were positively associated with Rational Coping. On the other hand, emotional stability, agreeableness and extraversion were negatively related to emotional coping. In relation to health status, the absence of pathology is related to the use of rational strategies more than to the diagnosis of diabetes. Therefore, the participants in this study present different psychological patterns depending on personality and health status. Conclusions: The present study shows that the subjects of the sample present different psychological patterns depending on Personality and health status.

Transcultural Adaptation and Validation of the Spanish Version of the Sexual Satisfaction Scale for Women (SSS-W-E).

BACKGROUND: Sexual satisfaction is a complex and multidimensional concept. It encompasses physical, emotional, relational and cultural dimensions, and constitutes an essential component of sexual health, as well as an indicator of quality of life and wellbeing. The Sexual Satisfaction Scale for Women (SSS-W) was designed in the United States, and it is a valid and reliable tool to measure women's sexual satisfaction. AIM: The aim of this study was to culturally adapt and translate the SSS-W into Spanish and analyze its psychometric properties. METHODS: First, the original instrument was culturally adapted and translated from English to Spanish. Then, we tested the psychometric properties of the instrument in its Spanish version in a sample of 316 women who attended a family planning clinic in Logroño, Spain. Internal consistency reliability of the whole scale and each subscale separately was measured using Cronbach's alpha. Factorial validity of the SSS-W in its Spanish version was analyzed using exploratory factor analysis through the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin measure of sample adequacy and Bartlett's Sphericity test. RESULTS: The Cronbach's alpha coefficients of the total scale and each subscale were satisfactory (>0.7). Exploratory factor analysis confirmed the five hypothetical dimensions of the scale in its Spanish version. The five dimensions (contentment, communication, compatibility, relational concern, and personal concern) explained 60% of the total variance of the scale; factor analysis using varimax rotation revealed strong loads in each of the five components. CONCLUSIONS: The SSS-W in its Spanish version is a valid and reliable tool to assess sexual satisfaction in Spanish women of reproductive age and, therefore, can be used both in clinical practice and for the investigation of sexual health.

[Study cost/effectiveness of portable fridges in the mobile unit of emergencies of Alcañiz (Teruel)]. / Estudio coste/efectividad de neveras portátiles en unidades móviles de emergencias de la comarca de Alcañiz (Teruel).

UNLABELLED: The maintenance of cold chain can result difficult in Emergency Mobil Units that's why the aim of this study is to value the effectiveness of portable fridges with/without compressor and its cost-effectiveness by a computer simulation. METHODOLOGY: This descriptive, transversal and cost effectiveness analysis was developed in two Emergency Mobil Units of 061 Aragón of Alcañiz (Teruel) along a year. RESULTS: The results showed that in the fridge with compressor, the 93'8% of the temperatures was between 2 and 8 degrees C, where as in the fridge without compressor was of the 35,7%.The global and specific cost effectiveness ratio of the fridge with and without compressor were of 0,063 and 7,411 and of 0,080 and 147,55 respectively. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Fridge with compressor was more cost-effective, amortizing quickly its initial cost. This fridge had a better and more efficient thermoregulation what supposed a better conservation of drugs and lower costs, according to the model of simulation.

Estudio coste/efectividad de neveras portátiles. En unidades móviles de emergencias de la Comarca de Alcañiz (Teruel) / Study cost/effectiveness of portable fridges in the mobile unit of emergencies of Alcañiz (Teruel)

El mantenimiento de la cadena de frío resulta difícil en Unidades Móviles de Emergencia Extrahospitalaria (UME). Este trabajo pretende valorar la efectividad al respecto de neveras portátiles con/sin compresor y su coste/efectividad mediante una simulación informática. Metodología: estudio descriptivo trasversal desarrollado en dos UME de la Comarca de Alcañiz (Teruel) durante un año. Resultados: el 93,8% de las temperaturas de la nevera con compresor se mantuvo entre +2 y +8 ºC, siendo ese porcentaje del 35,7% en la nevera sin compresor. Las ratio coste-efectividad global y específico de las neveras con y sin compresor fueron de 0,063 y 7,411 y de 0,080 y 147,55 respectivamente. Discusión y Conclusiones: la nevera con compresor fue más coste-efectiva, amortizándose rápidamente su precio inicial ya que reguló de forma más eficiente la temperatura, redundando en una mejor conservación de los fármacos termolábiles y ahorrando según el modelo de simulación(AU)

The maintenance of cold chain can result difficult in Emergency Mobil Units that’s why the aim of this study is to value the effectiveness of portable fridges with/without compressor and its cost-effectiveness by a computer simulation. Methodology: This descriptive, transversal and cost effectiveness analysis was developed in two Emergency Mobil Units of 061 Aragón of Alcañiz (Teruel) along a year. Results: The results showed that in the fridge with compressor, the 93'8% of the temperatures was between 2 and 8ºC, where as in the fridge without compressor was of the 35,7%.The global and specific cost effectiveness ratio of the fridge with and without compressor were of 0,063 and 7,411 and of 0,080 and 147,55 respectively. Discussion and Conclusion: Fridge with compressor was more cost-effective, amortizing quickly its initial cost. This fridge had a better and more efficient thermoregulation what supposed a better conservation of drugs and lower costs, according to the model of simulation (AU)

Eficacia en la conservación de fármacos termolábiles en nevera de frío electrónico y temperatura fija en unidades de emergencias extrahospitalarias / Efficacy in the preservation of thermolabile drugs in electronic cold-control refrigerators at a fixed temperature in outside-hospital emergency units

Objetivo: determinar la eficacia de neveras de frío electrónico y temperatura fija, habitualmente utilizadas en unidades de emergencias extrahospitalarias, para la conservación de la cadena de frío de fármacos termolábiles. Asimismo se estudió la introducción de hielo en días calurosos como procedimiento para mejorar resultados.Material y métodos: se realizó un estudio analítico longitudinal,con un componente cuasi experimental en dos ambulancias de la provincia de Teruel. Se registró durante un año la temperatura diaria absoluta máxima y mínima del interior de la nevera. Una nevera permaneció encendida de forma constante todo el año y en la otra se apoyó con la introducción de acumuladores de frío dependiendo de la temperatura ambiente (sin uso de asignación aleatoria).Resultados: en Monreal (conectada permanentemente) se registraron temperaturas entre 24 y -8ºC, y en Alcañiz (con acumuladores)entre 17 y -12ºC, permaneciendo 336 y 335 días respectivamente fuera de rango. Las temperaturas fuera del rango de seguridad de la cadena térmica de conservación del Tecneplase, fueron 167 días en el caso de la UME de Alcañiz y 88 en el caso de Monreal.Conclusiones: las neveras utilizadas no fueron eficaces y los medicamentos sufrieron temperaturas fuera de su rango de seguridad. Ninguno de los dos métodos empleados se pudo considerar eficaz (AU)

Objective: to determine the efficacy of electronic cold-control portablefridges at a fixed temperature commonly used in emergency units outside the hospital setting for cold-chain preservation of thermolabile drugs. Additionally, the introduction of ice on hot days as a procedure to improve results was also studied. Material and methods: an analytical longitudinal study was carried out using a quasi experimental component in two ambulances in the province of Teruel. The daily maximum and minimum temperatures inside the fridge were recorded one a day for one full year. One of the fridges was kept on permanently through out the entire year and the other fridge was complemented by adding cold accumulators, depending on the room temperature (random allocation was not used).Results: in the Monreal unit (permanently switched on fridge), the temperatures recorded were between 24 and -8ºC, whilst in the Alcañizunit (fridge with cold accumulators) the temperatures recorded ranged between 17 and -12ºC, remaining for 336 and 335 outof range, respectively. The temperatures outside the safety range in the preservation cold chain in the Tecneplase, were 167 days for the Alcañiz unit and 88 for the Monreal unit.Conclusions: the fridges used were not effective and the drugs were subjected to temperatures outside the safety range. Neither of the two methods used was considered to be effective (AU)