Association between early sexual initiation and sexually transmitted infections among Peruvian reproductive-age women.

Background: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a serious public health problem worldwide, especially among reproductive-age women. The early sexual onset of sexual intercourse (EOSI) has been suggested as a risk factor, although there is no data at the national level. Objective: To evaluate the association between EOSI and STIs in Peruvian women of childbearing age. Methods: Analytical cross-sectional study with secondary data analyzes of the Peruvian Demographic and Family Health Survey 2018. The outcome was the presence of STIs in the last 12 months and the exposure variable was EOSI (age < 15 years at the time of their first sexual experience). To evaluate the association of interest, crude and adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) were calculated using generalized linear models with Poisson family and logarithmic link function. Results: We analyzed data from 31,028 women of childbearing age. The 11.3% reported having STIs in the last 12 months and 20.2% of the participants had an EOSI. After adjusting for potential confounders, we found that EOSI was associated with STIs (aPR: 1.27; 95% CI: 1.08-1.50; p = 0.005). When conducting stratified analysis by area of residence and number of sexual partners, this association was maintained in women living in urban areas (aPR: 1.36; 95% CI: 1.11-1.66; p = 0.003) those who did not report having a history of multiple sexual partners (aPR: 1.27; 95% CI: 1.08-1.51; p = 0.005), and those in the middle (aPR: 1.42; 95% CI: 1.03-1.97; p = 0.034) and highest (aPR: 2.12; 95% CI: 1.33-3.39; p = 0.002) wealth quintiles. Conclusion: Among reproductive-age women from Peru, EOSI was associated with STIs, especially in women living in urban areas, with no history of multiple sexual partners, and belonging to the middle to higher wealth index. The implementation of measures to prevent EOSI and fostering appropriate sexual health counseling for women with EOSI is advised.

Estudiantes de medicina como impulsores de la educación médica: el caso de la Sociedad Científica Médico Estudiantil Peruana / Medical students as promoters of medical education: The case of the Peruvian Student Medical Scientific Society

Introducción: La Sociedad Científica Médico Estudiantil Peruana (SOCIMEP), a través de su Comité Académico, planifica y realiza actividades de educación médica, tales como conferencias y talleres. Objetivo: Describir las actividades académicas organizadas por las sociedades científicas de estudiantes de medicina (SOCEM) del Perú durante los años 2015 - 2018. Material y métodos: Estudio descriptivo retrospectivo. Se revisaron 119 reportes de actividades realizadas por las SOCEM afiliadas a SOCIMEP. Dichas actividades fueron reportadas a través de un formato estandarizado, en el cual se registran las principales características de la actividad y temática abordadas. Resultados: Se reportó un total de 783 actividades (2015=68, 2016=70, 2017=263, 2018=382) que sumaron una duración de 3 661 horas académicas e involucraron a 24 050 asistentes. Se observó que el mayor número de actividades organizadas abarcó temas del área de ciencias clínicas. Las actividades basadas en el aprendizaje entre pares fueron frecuentes (27,2 por ciento) y con un incremento del 8,8 por ciento al 28,8 por ciento durante los cuatro años. Conclusión: En el Perú, los estudiantes de medicina a través de las SOCEM realizan un gran número de actividades de educación médica, especialmente en ciencias clínicas. Estas actividades complementan la formación tanto de los estudiantes que participan como organizadores de actividades académicas como de los asistentes(AU)

Introduction: The Peruvian Student Medical Scientific Society (SOCIMEP), through its Academic Committee, plans and carries out medical education activities such as conferences and workshops. Objective: To describe the academic activities organized by the scientific societies of medical students (SOCEM) of Peru during 2015 - 2018. Material and methods: Retrospective descriptive study. A total of 119 reports of activities carried out by the SOCEM affiliated with SOCIMEP were reviewed. These activities were reported through a standardized format, in which the main characteristics of the activity and the topic addressed are recorded. Results: A total of 783 activities (2015=68, 2016=70, 2017=263, 2018=382), which totaled 3,661 academic hours and involved 24,050 participants, were reported. It was observed that the largest number of organized activities covered topics around clinical sciences. Activities based on peer learning were frequent (27.2 percent), with an increase from 8.8 percent to 28.8 percent during the four years. Conclusion: In Peru, medical students carry out many medical education activities through SOCEMs, especially in clinical sciences. These activities complement the training of both the students who participate as organizers of academic activities and those who attend them(AU)

Awareness, behavior and attitudes concerning sun exposure among beachgoers in the northern coast of Peru.

BACKGROUND: Skin cancer incidence has increased over the last years, becoming a major public health problem. OBJECTIVE: To describe the awareness, behavior and attitudes concerning sun exposure among beachgoers in the northern coast of Peru. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study in the Pimentel beach, Peru. The "Beach Questionnaire" was used and we surveyed all the beachgoers from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and from March 5 to March 19. For the statistical analysis, sun exposure habits, sunburns history, knowledge, attitudes and practices were crossed with sex using the chi2 test. RESULTS: We surveyed 410 beachgoers, the most frequent phototype was type III (40.5%). Only the 13.66% of the respondents correctly answered the seven knowledge questions related to sun exposure and skin cancer. Men more frequently agreed that "when they are tanned their clothes looks nicer" (p = 0.048). Likewise, regarding the questions "Sunbathing is relaxing" and "Sunbathing improves my mood", men agreed or totally agreed with more frequency than women (63.64% vs. 46.15%, p < 0.001; and 61.36% vs 49.15%, p = 0.014, respectively). Regarding sun protection practices, women more frequently used sunshade (p = 0.001) and sunscreen (SPF ≥ 15) (p < 0.001) when compared to the male group. CONCLUSION: Sun exposure is a potentially preventable risk factor for skin cancer. Thus, awareness of the risks of UVR overexposure and adequate sun-protective behaviors and attitudes are essential. Our results, however, are not as favorable as expected. Public health efforts should encourage sun-safety precautions and intervention campaigns should be carried out in recreational settings, such as the beaches.