Prevalence of hypertension in adults living at altitude in Latin America and the Caribbean: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the prevalence of hypertension in populations living at altitude in Latin America and the Caribbean. METHODS: We conducted a systematic search from January 1, 2000 to January 10, 2023 in Web of Science (WoS)/Core Collection, WoS/Medline, WoS/Scielo, Scopus, PubMed and Embase databases. We included studies that assessed the prevalence of hypertension in altitude populations (>1500 m.a.s.l.) and these were meta-analyzed using a random-effects model. To assess the sources of heterogeneity, we performed subgroup and meta-regression analyses. RESULTS: Thirty cross-sectional studies (117 406 participants) met the inclusion criteria. Studies used different cut-off points. The prevalence of hypertension in the studies that considered the cut-off point of ≥ 140/90 mmHg in the general population was 19.1%, ≥ 130/85 mmHg was 13.1%, and ≥ 130/80 mmHg was 43.4%. There was a tendency for the prevalence of hypertension to be higher in men. In meta-regression analyses, no association was found between altitude, mean age, year of publication, risk of bias and prevalence of hypertension. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of hypertension in the altitude population of Latin America and the Caribbean is lower than that reported in populations living at sea level and lower than other altitude populations such as Tibetans. PROSPERO: CRD42021275229.

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation for People Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus: A Scoping Review.

The aim of this scoping review was to determine the characteristics of studies evaluating fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), as well as its effects and safety as a therapeutic intervention for people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). We conducted a scoping review following the methodology of the Joanna Briggs Institute. We searched the following databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Medline until September 19, 2021. Studies that used FMT in people living with HIV and explored its effects on the health of these people were included. Two randomized and 2 uncontrolled clinical trials with a total of 55 participants were included. Participants were well-controlled HIV-infected people. Regarding microbiota changes, three studies found significant post-FMT increases in Fusobacterium, Prevotella, α-diversity, Chao index, and/or Shannon index, and/or decreases in Bacteroides. Regarding markers of intestinal damage, one study found a decrease in intestinal fatty acid binding protein post-FMT, and another study found an increase in zonulin. Other outcomes evaluated by the studies were as follows: markers of immune and inflammatory activation, markers of immunocompetence (CD4+, and CD8+ T lymphocytes), and HIV viral load; however, none showed significant changes. Clinical outcomes were not evaluated by these studies. Regarding the safety of FMT, only mild adverse events were appreciated. No serious adverse event was reported. The clinical evidence for FMT in people living with HIV is sparse. FMT appears to have good tolerability and, no serious adverse event has been reported so far. Further clinical trials and evaluation of clinically important biomedical outcomes for FMT in people living with HIV are needed.

Validación de un cuestionario que mide las percepciones del rol del profesional de enfermería comunitaria en Perú / Validation of a questionnaire that measures perceptions of the role of community nursing professionals in Peru

Objetivo: Elaborar una escala válida y fiable para medir el rol del profesional de enfermería en la comunidad (REFCO).DiseñoEstudio observacional con diseño transversal de tipo instrumental.EmplazamientoCentros poblados y comunidades de la Costa, Sierra y Selva del Perú.ParticipantesLa fase de validación del cuestionario contó con la participación voluntaria de 402 adultos peruanos (50,7% de la costa, 40,5% de la sierra y 8,8% de la selva).IntervencionesSe aplicó el cuestionario elaborado que mide las percepciones sobre la escala REFCO.Mediciones principalesSe analizaron las propiedades psicométricas de la escala REFCO, tales como la validación de contenido y consistencia interna a través del cálculo de V de Aiken, análisis factorial exploratorio (AFE) y posteriormente análisis factorial confirmatorio (AFC), respectivamente. Finalmente, se calculó la confiabilidad de la escala.ResultadosTodos los valores fueron estadísticamente significativos cuando se evaluaron con el coeficiente de V-Aiken. Asimismo, los valores de asimetría y curtosis de todos los ítems del instrumento no exceden el rango > ± 1,5. Las correlaciones entre el factor 1 y 2 fueron significativas (p <,05). La confiabilidad de la escala presenta un coeficiente α de Cronbach = 0,865.ConclusionesLa escala REFCO posee nueve ítems y dos dimensiones, salida al campo y educación, con validez de contenido y constructo que proporcionan evidencia para categorías de enfermería comunitaria, siendo útil para medir la labor de la misma en el campo comunitario.

Objective: To develop a valid and reliable scale to measure the role of the nursing professional in the community (REFCO).DesignObservational with cross-sectional and instrumental design.SitePopulated centers and communities of the coast, highlands and jungle from Peru.ParticipantsThe validation phase of the questionnaire had the voluntary participation of 402 Peruvian adults (50.7% from the coast, 40.5% from the highlands and 8.8% from the jungle).InterventionsThe elaborated questionnaire that measures perceptions about the role of the nursing professional in the community was applied.Main measurementsThe psychometric properties of the REFCO scale were analyzed, such as content validation and internal consistency through the calculation of Aiken's V, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and later confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), respectively. Finally, the reliability of the scale was calculated.ResultsOverall, all values were statistically significant when evaluated with the V-Aiken coefficient. Likewise, the skewness and kurtosis values of all the items of the instrument did not exceed the range >±1.5. The correlations between factors 1 and 2 were significant (p < .05). The reliability of the scale presents a Cronbach's α coefficient = 0.865.ConclusionsThe REFCO scale has 9 items and 2 dimensions; outreach and education; with content and construct validity that provide evidence for community nursing categories, which is useful for measuring nursing work in the community field.

[Validation of a questionnaire that measures perceptions of the role of community nursing professionals in Peru]. / Validación de un cuestionario que mide las percepciones del rol del profesional de enfermería comunitaria en Perú.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a valid and reliable scale to measure the role of the nursing professional in the community (REFCO). DESIGN: Observational with cross-sectional and instrumental design. SITE: Populated centers and communities of the coast, highlands and jungle from Peru. PARTICIPANTS: The validation phase of the questionnaire had the voluntary participation of 402 Peruvian adults (50.7% from the coast, 40.5% from the highlands and 8.8% from the jungle). INTERVENTIONS: The elaborated questionnaire that measures perceptions about the role of the nursing professional in the community was applied. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: The psychometric properties of the REFCO scale were analyzed, such as content validation and internal consistency through the calculation of Aiken's V, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and later confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), respectively. Finally, the reliability of the scale was calculated. RESULTS: Overall, all values were statistically significant when evaluated with the V-Aiken coefficient. Likewise, the skewness and kurtosis values of all the items of the instrument did not exceed the range >±1.5. The correlations between factors 1 and 2 were significant (p < .05). The reliability of the scale presents a Cronbach's α coefficient = 0.865. CONCLUSIONS: The REFCO scale has 9 items and 2 dimensions; outreach and education; with content and construct validity that provide evidence for community nursing categories, which is useful for measuring nursing work in the community field.