Poor sleep quality and erectile dysfunction in students from a Peruvian University: A cross-sectional study.

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the association between sleep quality and erectile dysfunction in young university students. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in men aged 18-30 years from Universidad Ricardo Palma, Lima, Peru. The survey comprised the International Index of Erectile Function, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Berlin questionnaire, and questions related to sociodemographic data. Prevalence ratios were estimated with generalized linear models. Results: Of 381 participants, the median age was 23 years. Half of the students (50.9%) had poor sleep quality, of which 72.7% had mild erectile dysfunction and 20.6% mild to moderate dysfunction. Prevalence of erectile dysfunction was significantly higher in students with poor sleep quality than in students with good sleep quality (aPR = 6.48; 95% CI: 4.58-9.17) after adjusting for age, academic year, nutritional status, and sleep apnea. In a subsequent exploratory analysis, sleep apnea was associated with a higher prevalence of erectile dysfunction (aPR = 1.19; 95% CI: 1.01-1.39), while overweight (aPR = 0.85; 95% CI: 0.76-0.95) and obesity (aPR = 0.65; 95% CI: 0.52-0.82) were associated with a lower prevalence of this condition. Conclusion: Poor sleep quality was independently associated with erectile dysfunction in young university students. This finding suggests that male students are at risk for sexual problems due to possible academic demands and relationship issues.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder after the 6.1 Magnitude Earthquake in Piura, Peru: A Cross-Sectional Study.

In Peru, major disasters like the 2007 Pisco earthquake have produced high rates of post-traumatic stress. However, evidence is still needed to strengthen interventions. In 2021, a major earthquake struck Piura, in northern Peru. In this context, we aimed to assess the prevalence of PTSD and its associated factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted during August-September 2021 in people who experienced the 6.1 Piura earthquake on 30 July 2021. The questionnaire included the PCL-C, CD-RISC, ISI, HFIAS, and additional demographic data. Generalized linear models were used. The prevalence of PTSD was 20.3%. Household income was between PEN 2001 and 3000 (PR = 4.26, 95% CI: 1.08-16.75), smoking (PR = 2.49, 95% CI: 1.03-6.01), experience of a nervous breakdown (PR = 1.83, 95% CI: 1.09-3.09), moderate food insecurity (PR = 2.91, 95% CI: 1.10-7.73), and severe insomnia (PR = 8.25, 95% CI: 2.22-30.71) increased the prevalence of PTSD. One out of five individuals experienced post-traumatic stress symptoms after the 2021 earthquake in Piura, which varies depending on socioeconomic, psychosocial, and individual factors. Further research should strengthen these findings to ensure a fair and early mental health intervention against new seismic events in this and other Peruvian regions.

Smartphone overuse, depression & anxiety in medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

INTRODUCTION: Medical students have made particular use of smartphones during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although higher smartphone overuse has been observed, its effect on mental disorders is unclear. This study aimed to assess the association between smartphone overuse and mental disorders in Peruvian medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 370 students aged between 16 and 41 years (median age: 20) in three universities from July to October 2020. A survey including Smartphone Dependence and Addiction Scale, PHQ-9, and GAD-7 was applied. Prevalence ratios were estimated using generalized linear models. RESULTS: Smartphone overuse was a common feature among students (n = 291, 79%). Depressive symptoms were present in 290 (78%) students and anxiety symptoms in 255 (69%). Adjusted for confounders, addictive/dependent smartphone use was significantly associated with presence of depressive symptoms (PR = 1.29, 95% CI: 1.20-1.38 for dependent use; PR = 1.30, 95% CI: 1.12-1.50 for addictive use). Also, addictive/dependent smartphone use was significantly associated with presence of anxiety symptoms (PR = 1.59, 95% CI: 1.14-2.23 for dependent use; PR = 1.61, 95% CI: 1.07-2.41 for addictive use). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that medical students exposed to smartphone overuse are vulnerable to mental disorders. Overuse may reflect an inappropriate way of finding emotional relief, which may significantly affect quality of life and academic performance. Findings would assist faculties to establish effective measures for prevention of smartphone overuse.

Mental Health Disturbance after a Major Earthquake in Northern Peru: A Preliminary, Cross-Sectional Study.

Little has been studied in Peru on the mental health repercussions after a major earthquake. We aimed to explore the factors associated with depressive and anxiety symptoms in people who experienced a 6.1 magnitude earthquake in Piura, Peru, on 30 July 2021. A preliminary cross-sectional study was conducted in the general population between August-September 2021. An online questionnaire was provided using PHQ-9, GAD-7, and other relevant measures. Generalized linear models were applied. Of the 177 participants, the median age was 22 years, the majority were female (56%), and many experienced depressive (52%) or anxiety symptoms (52%). Presence of depressive symptoms was associated with a personal history of mental disorder, moderate housing damage, social/material support from politicians, moderate food insecurity, and insomnia. Presence of anxiety symptoms was associated with physical injury caused by the earthquake, mild food insecurity, and insomnia. The development of depressive and anxiety symptoms following the 2021 earthquake experienced in Piura depended on multiple individual and socioeconomic factors. Additional studies should reinforce the factors identified here given the methodological limitations, such as the study design, sampling method, and sample size. This would lead to effective intervention measures to mitigate the impact of earthquakes on mental health.

COVID-19 Vaccine Effectiveness at a Referral Hospital in Northern Peru: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

COVID-19 vaccines have achieved a significant reduction in mortality, yet objective estimates are needed in specific settings. We aimed to determine the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination at a referral hospital in Lambayeque, Peru. We conducted a retrospective cohort study from February to September 2021. We included hospitalized patients with COVID-19, whose data were stored in NotiWeb, a patient data system of the Peruvian Ministry of Health. We applied a propensity score-weighting method according to baseline characteristics of patients, and estimated hazard ratios (HR) using Cox regression models. Of 1553 participants, the average age was 55 years (SD: 16.8), 907 (58%) were male, and 592 (38%) deceased at 28-day follow-up. Before hospital admission, 74 (4.8%) had been immunized with at least one vaccine dose. Effectiveness against death in vaccinated patients was 50% at 90-day follow-up (weighted HR 0.50, 95% CI 0.28-0.89). Our results support the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination against death and provide information after early immunization in Peru.

Quality of life of medical students with migration background: a cross-sectional study from a Peruvian university.

The study aimed to describe the association between internal migration status and QoL in medical students from a Peruvian university. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in medical students from a public university in Lima, Peru. We used the brief version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life instrument (WHOQOL-BREF) and obtained data on demographic and migration-related student's characteristics. Linear mixed models were used to assess how migration status affected each of the WHOQOL-BREF domains (physical health, psychological status, social relationships, and environment). Of 410 participants, 110 (27%) and 46 (11%) were 'late' and 'recent' migrants, respectively. Compared with non-migrants, most recent migrants were older (87.0%, p = 0.000), lived alone (32.6%, p = 0.000), had at least one highly educated parent (87.0%, p = 0.002) and reported no chronic conditions (73,9%, p = 0.019). The environment domain scored the lowest and the psychological domain, the highest. Adjusting by all study confounders, migration status was not associated with QoL in any domain. However, adjusting by variables showing a favorable proportion in migrants (parental education and chronic conditions), recent migrants had lower QoL than did non-migrants in the environment domain (b - 4.8, 95% CI -9.2 to -0.5). The results suggest that the parents' higher education level and the absence of chronic conditions could protect migrants' QoL against environmental stressors.

Factores asociados al afrontamiento psicológico frente a la COVID-19 durante el periodo de cuarentena / Factors associated with psychological coping with COVID-19 during quarantine period

Introducción: Aunque se está generando múltiple evidencia clínica sobre la COVID-19, también es crítico abordar sobre las estrategias y acciones que han adoptado las personas para enfrentar situaciones estresantes durante la cuarentena obligatoria debido a la pandemia. Objetivo: Determinar los factores asociados al afrontamiento psicológico frente a la COVID-19 en la población general. Métodos: Estudio transversal analítico. Se reclutaron los participantes a través de una encuesta en línea, durante el periodo de pandemia por la COVID-19. Se evaluó el nivel de afrontamiento pasivo y activo, utilizando la escala de afrontamiento frente a riesgos extremos. Adicionalmente, se utilizó la media de los puntajes de afrontamiento pasivo y activo, se evaluó la asociación con variables sociodemográficas, pertenencia a grupos, cumplimiento de aislamiento social y reporte de conocer alguien diagnosticado con la COVID-19. Se estimaron razones de prevalencia (RP) con el uso de modelos lineales generalizados. Resultados: De 463 participantes, la mayoría era peruano (67,4 por ciento), cumplía totalmente las medidas de aislamiento social (78,4 por ciento). La media de puntuación de afrontamiento activo y pasivo fue de 54,1 y 30,3, respectivamente. El 57,2 por ciento y 54 por ciento de los participantes presentó nivel de afrontamiento activo y pasivo superior a la media, respectivamente. Los factores asociados a alto nivel de afrontamiento activo fueron alto nivel educativo (RP = 1,23) y cumplir completamente las medidas de aislamiento social (RP = 1,35). Conclusión: Tener alto nivel educativo y el cumplimiento del aislamiento social estuvieron asociados positivamente a alto nivel de afrontamiento activo(AU)

Introduction: Although multiple clinical evidence is being generated about COVID-19, it is also critical to address the strategies and actions that people have adopted to face stressful situations during the mandatory quarantine due to the pandemic. Objective: To determine the factors associated with psychological coping to COVID-19 in the general population. Method: Analytical cross-sectional study. Participants were recruited through an online survey during the COVID-19 pandemic period. The level of passive and active coping was evaluated, using the coping scale against extreme risks. Additionally, using the mean of the passive and active coping scores, the association with sociodemographic variables, group membership, compliance with social isolation and the report of knowing someone diagnosed with COVID-19 was evaluated. Prevalence ratios (PR) were estimated using generalized linear models. Results: Of 463 participants, the majority was Peruvian (67,4 percent), fully complying with social isolation measures (78,4 percent). The mean active and passive coping scores were 54,1 and 30,3, respectively. 57,2 percent and 54 percent of the participants presented a level of active and passive coping above the mean, respectively. The factors associated with a high level of active coping were a high educational level (RP = 1,23) and complete compliance with social isolation measures (RP = 1,35). Conclusion: Having a high educational level and compliance with social isolation were positively associated with a high level of active coping(AU)

Perception of medical students about courses based on peer-assisted learning in five Peruvian universities.

OBJECTIVES: Peer-assisted learning (PAL) is a supportive strategy in medical education. In Peru, this method has been implemented by few universities. However, there are no consistent studies evaluating their acceptability by medical students. The objective of this study was to evaluate the perception of medical students about PAL in five Peruvian universities. RESULTS: A total of 79 medical students were included in the study. The mean age was 20.1 ± 1.9 years, 54% were female, and 87% were in the first 4 years of study. Most of the students were satisfied with classes and peer teachers. Similarly, most of the students agreed with the interest in developing teaching skills. It was also observed that 97% of students approved to implement PAL in medical education programs.