Human peripheral blood mononuclear cell in vitro system to test the efficacy of food bioactive compounds: Effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids and their relation with BMI.

SCOPE: To analyse the usefulness of isolated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) to rapidly/easily reflect n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFA) effects on lipid metabolism/inflammation gene profile, and evaluate if these effects are body mass index (BMI) dependent. METHODS AND RESULTS: PBMC from normoweight (NW) and overweight/obese (OW/OB) subjects were incubated with physiological doses of docosahexaenoic (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), or their combination. PBMC reflected increased beta-oxidation-like capacity (CPT1A expression) in OW/OB but only after DHA treatment. However, insensitivity to n-3 LCPUFA was evident in OW/OB for lipogenic genes: both PUFA diminished FASN and SREBP1C expression in NW, but no effect was observed for DHA in PBMC from high-BMI subjects. This insensitivity was also evident for inflammation gene profile: all treatments inhibited key inflammatory genes in NW; nevertheless, no effect was observed in OW/OB after DHA treatment, and EPA effect was impaired. SLC27A2, IL6 and TNFα PBMC expression analysis resulted especially interesting to determine obesity-related n-3 LCPUFA insensitivity. CONCLUSION: A PBMC-based human in vitro system reflects n-3 LCPUFA effects on lipid metabolism/inflammation which is impaired in OW/OB. These results confirm the utility of PBMC ex vivo systems for bioactive-compound screening to promote functional food development and to establish appropriate dietary strategies for obese population.

Prevalence of premorbid metabolic syndrome in Spanish adult workers using IDF and ATPIII diagnostic criteria: relationship with cardiovascular risk factors.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is a complex disorder defined as a cluster of interconnected risk factors such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, obesity and high blood glucose levels. Premorbid metabolic syndrome (PMetS) is defined by excluding patients with previously diagnosed cardiovascular disease or diabetes mellitus from those suffering MetS. We aimed to determine the prevalence of PMetS in a working population, and to analyse the relationship between the diagnostic criteria of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and of the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (ATPIII). The relationship between the presence of PMetS and cardiovascular risk factors was also analysed. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY/FINDINGS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 24,529 male and 18,736 female Spanish (white western European) adult workers (20-65 years) randomly selected during their work health periodic examinations. Anthropometrics, blood pressure and serum parameters were measured. The presence of MetS and PMetS was ascertained using ATPIII and IDF criteria. Cardiovascular risk was determined using the Framingham-REGICOR equation. The results showed MetS had an adjusted global prevalence of 12.39% using ATPIII criteria and 16.46% using IDF criteria. The prevalence of PMetS was slightly lower (11.21% using ATPIII criteria and 14.72% using IDF criteria). Prevalence in males was always higher than in females. Participants with PMetS displayed higher values of BMI, waist circumference, blood pressure, glucose and triglycerides, and lower HDL-cholesterol levels. Logistic regression models reported lower PMetS risk for females, non-obese subjects, non-smokers and younger participants. Cardiovascular risk determined with Framingham-REGICOR was higher in participants with PMetS. CONCLUSIONS: PMetS could be a reliable tool for the early identification of apparently healthy individuals who have a significant risk for developing cardiovascular events and type 2 diabetes.

Perception of evidence-based practice and the professional environment of primary health care nurses in the Spanish context: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The study of the factors that encourage evidence-based clinical practice, such as structure, environment and professional skills, has contributed to an improvement in quality of care. Nevertheless, most of this research has been carried out in a hospital context, neglecting the area of primary health care. The main aim of this work was to assess the factors that influence an evidence-based clinical practice among nursing professionals in Primary Health Care. METHODS: A multicentre cross-sectional study was designed, taking the 619 Primary Care staff nurses at the Balearic Islands' Primary Health Care Service, as the study population. The methodology applied consisted on a self-administered survey using the instruments Evidence-Based Practice Questionnaire (EBPQ) and Nursing Work Index (NWI). RESULTS: Three hundred and seventy seven surveys were received (60.9% response rate). Self-assessment of skills and knowledge, obtained 66.6% of the maximum score. The Knowledge/Skills factor obtained the best scores among the staff with shorter professional experience. There was a significant difference in the Attitude factor (p = 0.008) in favour of nurses with management functions, as opposed to clinical nurses.Multivariate analysis showed a significant positive relationship between NWI and level of evidence-based practice (p < 0,0001). CONCLUSIONS: Institutions ought to undertake serious reflection on the lack of skills of senior nurses about Evidence-Based Clinical Practice, even when they have more professional experience. Leadership emerge as a key role in the transferral of knowledge into clinical practice.

Clustering of lifestyle factors in Spanish university students: the relationship between smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity and diet quality.

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the prevalence of and association between main lifestyle factors (diet, physical activity, alcohol consumption and smoking) in students from the Balearic Islands University. DESIGN: A cross-sectional, descriptive study. A questionnaire including questions on lifestyle, dietary habits and physical activity habits was administered to the students. Four different diet quality scores were calculated (Diet Diversity Score, Mediterranean Diet Score, Dietary Guidelines Score and Global Dietary Guidelines Score). SETTING: A sample of students from the Balearic Islands University. SUBJECTS: Nine hundred and eighty-seven students (45·5 % males; mean age 21·5 (sd 3·3) years). RESULTS: The dietary pattern of the student population was characterized by a low consumption of cereals and tubers, fruits, vegetables, olive oil, legumes and nuts, and a high consumption of processed meat, sweets, snacks, soft drinks and pastries. Linear, positive and statistically significant correlations were found between the number of meals consumed daily and all of the diet quality scores determined. Determinants of diet quality, both in the univariate and multivariate analyses, were physical activity practice, sex, age and number of meals consumed daily. CONCLUSIONS: Risk factors such as smoking, diet and physical inactivity had a tendency of clustering among Spanish university students. Overall diet quality was low, due to important departures from dietary recommendations and loss of the traditional Mediterranean dietary pattern. Nutritional education campaigns that include promotion of physical activity practice are needed to improve the overall health status of this population.

Psychometric testing of the Spanish version of the practice environment scale of the nursing work index in a primary healthcare context.

AIM: This paper is a report of psychometric testing of the Spanish version of the Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index for use in a primary health care. BACKGROUND: The Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index has been widely used in different studies and contexts. However, there is no validated version for primary care nursing staff in Spain. METHODS: A descriptive, multicentre, cross-sectional study for transcultural adaptation and psychometric validation purposes. Data were collected from October 2009 to January 2010. To test the reliability of the factors in the measurement model, Cronbach's alpha was used. To study the measurement model, different structural models were tested, using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. 377 completed questionnaires were obtained from a total of 553 nurses working for the Public Health Service in the Balearic Islands (Spain). This represents a response rate of 68·2%. RESULTS: For overall reliability, a Cronbach alpha of 0·91 was obtained. The confirmatory analysis upholds the original five-factor structure. CONCLUSION: The excellent goodness of fit of the confirmatory analysis corroborates the validity of this adapted version in primary healthcare contexts.

Self-perceived factors associated with smoking cessation among primary health care nurses: a qualitative study / Tabagismo em enfermeiras de cuidados primários à saúde: um estudo qualitativo / Tabaquismo en enfermeras de Atención Primaria: un estudio cualitativo

The aim of this work was to characterize the views of nurses about factors modulating smoking cessation. Results of this study will allow us to design helping interventions with the maximum specificity for nurses. A qualitative study through a semi-structured interview of 15 Primary Health Care nurses who were smokers was performed. In contrast with other studies in which nurses were not aware of any particular social pressure to give up smoking, 18 months after the application of the Anti-Smoking Spanish Law, this feeling was expressed. Therefore, the main reasons for giving up smoking include that smoking in public is every day worse seen, together with a sense of shame and guilt in front of their social and family environment, especially for being a professional group dedicated to health.

O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar os fatores percebidos por enfermeiras fumantes como facilitadores ao abandono do tabagismo, com o propósito de, posteriormente, elaborar intervenções de ajuda com maior especificidade para esse grupo. Foi realizado estudo qualitativo, por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas, com 15 enfermeiras de cuidados primários à saúde, que eram fumantes. Ao contrário de outros estudos, os quais as enfermeiras não percebiam pressão social para deixar o hábito tabágico, 18 meses após a vigência da Lei de Prevenção ao Tabagismo, as enfermeiras entrevistadas expressaram sentir pressão social. Portanto, entre os principais motivos para abandonar o hábito tabágico é que, a cada dia, fumar em público é malvisto, e está aliado a sentimentos de vergonha e culpa no seu entorno social e familiar, principalmente por se tratar de um grupo profissional dedicado aos cuidados da saúde.

El objetivo de este trabajo fue identificar los factores percibidos por las enfermeras fumadoras como moduladores del cese tabáquico, con el fin de diseñar posteriormente intervenciones de ayuda con la máxima especificidad para este colectivo. Se realizó un estudio cualitativo mediante entrevista semiestructurada a 15 enfermeras fumadoras de Atención Primaria de Salud. Contrariamente a otros estudios en los que las enfermeras no percibían una especial presión social para dejar el hábito tabáquico, 18 meses después de vigencia de la Ley de Prevención del Tabaquismo sí que la expresan. Por ello, entre los principales motivos de cese figura el que cada día esté peor considerado fumar en público, unido a un sentimiento de vergüenza y de culpa ante su entorno social y familiar, especialmente por tratarse de un colectivo profesional dedicado a los cuidados de salud.

Self-perceived factors associated with smoking cessation among primary health care nurses: a qualitative study.

The aim of this work was to characterize the views of nurses about factors modulating smoking cessation. Results of this study will allow us to design helping interventions with the maximum specificity for nurses. A qualitative study through a semi-structured interview of 15 Primary Health Care nurses who were smokers was performed. In contrast with other studies in which nurses were not aware of any particular social pressure to give up smoking, 18 months after the application of the Anti-Smoking Spanish Law, this feeling was expressed. Therefore, the main reasons for giving up smoking include that smoking in public is every day worse seen, together with a sense of shame and guilt in front of their social and family environment, especially for being a professional group dedicated to health.

Impacto de la Ley del tabaco en el lugar de trabajo: estudio de seguimiento de una cohorte de trabajadores en España 2005–07 / Impact of the Tobacco Law on the workplace: a follow up study of a cohort of workers in Spain 2005–2007

ObjetivoEs describir los cambios producidos, por la Ley del tabaco en su consurno, en fumadores trabajadores activos.DiseñoEstudio de seguimiento, post-intevención, de una cohorte de usuarios.EmplazamientoCentros de salud de Valencia y Mallorca.ParticipantesUsuarios que acuden a los centros de salud.IntervencionesEl trabajo de campo consistió en la captación y cumplirnentación, para cada paciente, de una hoja de recogida de datos.Mediciones principalesLas variables que se recogieron fueron sexo, edad, lugar de trabajo, nivel educativo, número de trabajadores de la empresa, número de cigarrillos fumados. Se le indicó, que al día siguiente contara los cigarrillos fumados durante todo el día, diferenciando si había sido en horario laboral o fuera de él. Si fue en el trabajo informó si había sido dentro del lugar de trabajo o fuera. Al día siguiente se le llamó por teléfono para que nos indicara el número de cigarrillos fumados. Se repitió esta llamada a los seis y dieciocho meses.ResultadosSe ha reducido la prevalencia en un 9% al mes, y el número de cigarrillos fumados en el lugar de trabajo. Las variables relacionadas con cumplir la ley fueron el nivel educativo, el sexo del trabajador y el tamaño de la empresa.ConclusionesLa entrada en vigor de la Ley del tabaco ha sido efectiva(AU)

Objective: The aim of this study is to describe the changes caused by the Law on Tobacco and its consumption in workers who are active smokers.DesignA post-intervention follow up study of a cohort of users.SettingHealth Centres in Valencia and Majorca.ParticipantsUsers who attended health centres.InterventionThe field work consisted of each patient filling in a case report form with the requested information.Main measurementsThe variables collected were, sex, place of work, education level, number of workers in the company, number of cigarettes smoked. They were told that on the following day they had to count the cigarettes smoked throughout the day, noting whether they had been smoked during or outside working hours. If they smoked during working hours, they reported whether it was inside or outside the workplace. On the following day they were telephoned to let us know the number of cigarettes smoked. This telephone call was repeated at six months and eighteen months.ResultsSmoking prevalence and the number of cigarettes smoked in the workplace has been reduced by 9% per month. The variables associated with compliance with the law were education level, the sex of the worker, and the size of the company.ConclusionsThe coming into force of the Tobacco Law has been effective(AU)

[Impact of the Tobacco Law on the workplace: a follow up study of a cohort of workers in Spain 2005-2007]. / Impacto de la Ley del tabaco en el lugar de trabajo: estudio de seguimiento de una cohorte de trabajadores en España 2005-07.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to describe the changes caused by the Law on Tobacco and its consumption in workers who are active smokers. DESIGN: A post-intervention follow up study of a cohort of users. SETTING: Health Centres in Valencia and Majorca. PARTICIPANTS: Users who attended health centres. INTERVENTION: The field work consisted of each patient filling in a case report form with the requested information. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: The variables collected were, sex, place of work, education level, number of workers in the company, number of cigarettes smoked. They were told that on the following day they had to count the cigarettes smoked throughout the day, noting whether they had been smoked during or outside working hours. If they smoked during working hours, they reported whether it was inside or outside the workplace. On the following day they were telephoned to let us know the number of cigarettes smoked. This telephone call was repeated at six months and eighteen months. RESULTS: Smoking prevalence and the number of cigarettes smoked in the workplace has been reduced by 9% per month. The variables associated with compliance with the law were education level, the sex of the worker, and the size of the company. CONCLUSIONS: The coming into force of the Tobacco Law has been effective.

Validación yadaptación al españolde la escala delentorno de prácticaenfermera delNursing Work Index / Spanish validation and adaptation of the Nursing Work Index scale of nursing practice

Objetivo: determinar la validez y fiabilidad de una versión adaptadaculturalmente al entorno español de la escala de entorno de prácticaenfermera del Nursing Work Index para su uso en Atención Primariay hospitalaria.Material y método: estudio descriptivo, multicéntrico, transversal,de adaptación transcultural y validación. Se llevó a cabo un procesode traducción-retrotraducción siguiendo la metodología por laComisión Internacional de Tests. Fueron seleccionadas 291 enfermerasdel Servei de Salut de les Illes Balears pertenecientes a 5 hospitales,1 centro socio sanitario y 18 centros de Atención Primaria.Para el análisis de los datos se realizó un análisis descriptivo, pruebasde normalidad, análisis de fiabilidad mediante coeficiente Alfade Cronbach y análisis factorial exploratorio y confirmatorio.Resultados: la fiabilidad global mostró un alfa de Cronbach de 0,906.El análisis factorial exploratorio replicaba correctamente la estructurapentafactorial (participación de la enfermera en asuntos delcentro; fundamento enfermero de la calidad de los cuidados; capacidad,liderazgo y apoyo a las enfermeras por parte de los gestoresenfermeros; dimensión de la plantilla y adecuación de los recursoshumanos; y relaciones entre médicos y enfermeras) original salvopara un factor. El análisis factorial confirmatorio mostró un buenajuste tras la eliminación de un ítem.Conclusiones: la disponibilidad de instrumentos válidos y fiables quepermitan evaluar factores del entorno de práctica enfermera en lasorganizaciones, resulta de una utilidad enorme en la gestión de cuidados.Los resultados de este estudio ponen de manifiesto que la versiónadaptada del PES-NWI con 30 ítems es un instrumento válidopara su uso en el contexto español (AU)

Objectives: to determine the validity and reliability of a version of theNursing Work Index nursing practice scale that has been culturallyadapted to the Spanish setting for its use in Primary and Hospital Care.Material and method: descriptive, multicentre, cross-sectional studythat has been culturally adapted and validated. It was carried out bya translation-retrotranslation process following the methodology ofthe International Tests Commission. 291 nurses from the Balearic IslandsHealth Service were selected, specifically from 5 hospitals, 1sociosanitary centre and 18 Primary Care centres. Data analysis wascarried out via a descriptive analysis, normality tests, reliability analysisusing Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient and exploratory and confirmatoryfactor analysis.Results: overall reliability showed a 0,906 Cronbach alpha. The exploratoryfactor analysis correctly replicated the original five-factorstructure (participation of the nurse in the centre’s affairs; nursingprinciple of care quality; provision of capacity, leadership and supportto nurses by nursing managers; staff size and adequacy of humanresources; and relationships between physicians and nurses)except for one factor. The confirmatory factor analysis showed goodadjustment after the elimination of one item.Conclusions: the availability of valid and reliable instruments that canbe used to assess the factors surrounding nursing practice in organizationsis highly useful in care management. The results of thisstudy evidence that the 30-item adapted version of the PES-NWI is avalid instrument that can be employed in the Spanish setting (AU)

Tabaquismo en enfermeras de Atención Primaria: Factores que influyen en su inicio y mantenimiento / Smoking habits among Primary Health Care Nurses: Factors that influence taking up and maintaining it

Las enfermeras de Atención Primaria (AP) son profesionales adecuados en la lucha contra el tabaquismo. No obstante, algunas de ellas fuman y esto puede disminuir su credibilidad y su sentimiento de autoeficacia frente al problema. El objetivo de este estudio es evidenciar los factores que pueden influir en el inicio y el mantenimiento del hábito tabáquico.Para ello, se ha realizado un estudio cualitativo desde una perspectiva fenomenológica social, en 15 enfermeras fumadoras de AP, recogiendo los datos mediante entrevista semiestructurada en profundidad. Los principales temas que emergieron fueron la falta de concienciación y el papel socializador del tabaco. Se tiene poca conciencia del papel de la publicidad y no se considera al estrés como un determinante del hábito en el ámbito de AP. Puede resultar decisivo el control del peso corporal (AU)

Primary Health Care Nurses (PHC) are suitable professionals in the fight against the smoking habit. Nevertheless some of them smoke and this may diminish their credibility and their feeling of self-efficacy when faced with this problem. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the factors that may influence taking up and maintaining the smoking habit.Thus, we carried out a qualitative study from a social phenomenological perspective, in 15 PHC nurses who are smokers, collecting the data by means of a semi-structured in-depth interview. The main issues that emerged were lack of awareness and the socializing role of tobacco. There is little awareness of the role of publicity and stress is not considered to be a determining factor of the habit in the area of PHC. The control of body weight may be decisive (AU)

[Smoking among nursing and physical therapy students of the University of the Balearic Islands: opinions on regulation of smoking in public places]. / Hábito tabáquico entre los estudiantes de enfermería y fisioterapia de la Universitat de les Illes Balears: opinión ante la regulación del consumo en lugares públicos.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence, opinions and attitudes of nursing and physical therapy students at the University of the Balearic Islands toward smoking in public places and the influence of regulatory policies. METHOD: We performed a cross-sectional, descriptive, observational study using a self-administered questionnaire. The survey was designed to evaluate opinions on and the degree of agreement with smoking and regulatory policies on this issue. The assessment was performed using Likert scales. The survey was offered to all students attending class in the core subject with the greatest number of enrolled students on a normal academic day between February 15 and March 15, 2006. We calculated 95% confidence intervals for proportions. The Chi square test was used to compare qualitative variables and Student's t-test was used for quantitative variables. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 345 students, 82.2% of whom were women. The mean age was 21.9 years. The prevalence of regular smokers was 26.1% (26.9% among women and 22.6% among men). Almost all (93.8%) of the respondents agreed that smoking should be banned in closed spaces in educational institutions and 70.9% believed that the law should be complied with at the University of the Balearic Islands, with differences between 2003 and 2006. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking was less prevalent in our population than in the general regional and national populations, as well as in other Spanish nursing students of the same age and gender. The prevalence of occasional smokers has fallen since 2003. Most students had a favorable view of the new Smoking Prevention Act.

Hábito tabáquico entre los estudiantes de enfermería y fisioterapia de la Universitat de les Illes Balears: opinión ante la regulación del consumo en lugares públicos / Smoking among nursing and physical therapy students of the University of the Balearic Islands: opinions on regulation of smoking in public places

Objetivo. Evaluar la prevalencia, opiniones y actitudes de los alumnos de enfermería y fisioterapia de la Universitat de les Illes Balears (UIB) ante el consumo de tabaco en lugares públicos y la influencia de las políticas reguladoras. Método. Estudio observacional, descriptivo, trasversal, mediante cuestionario autocumplimentado. Se diseñó un cuestionario para evaluar la opinión y el grado de acuerdo respecto a cuestiones actitudinales y conductuales acerca del hábito tabáquico, así como las medidas reguladoras de éste. Para su valoración se utilizaron escalas tipo Likert. El cuestionario se propuso a todos los asistentes a clase en un día lectivo habitual, en la asignatura troncal del curso que tenía más alumnos matriculados entre el 15 de febrero y el 15 de marzo de 2006. Se calcularon los intervalos de confianza del 95% para las proporciones. En la comparación de variables cualitativas se ha usado el estadístico X2 y para las cuantitativas la t de Student. Resultados. Se obtuvo una muestra de 345 sujetos, con una media de edad de 21,9 años, el 82,2% eran mujeres. La prevalencia de fumadores habituales fue del 26,1%; el 26,9% entre las mujeres y el 22,6% entre los varones. El 93,8% estaba de acuerdo en que se prohibiera fumar en los espacios cerrados de los centros docentes y el 70,9% en que se cumpliera la ley en la UIB, habiendo diferencias entre 2003 y 2006. Conclusiones. La población estudiada tiene una prevalencia tabáquica menor que la población general nacional y autonómica, así como la de otros estudiantes de enfermería españoles, para su misma edad y sexo. La prevalencia de fumadores ocasionales ha descendido desde 2003. Los alumnos se muestran mayoritariamente favorables a la nueva Ley de Prevención del Tabaquismo

Objective. To evaluate the prevalence, opinions and attitudes of nursing and physical therapy students at the University of the Balearic Islands toward smoking in public places and the influence of regulatory policies. Method. We performed a cross-sectional, descriptive, observational study using a self-administered questionnaire. The survey was designed to evaluate opinions on and the degree of agreement with smoking and regulatory policies on this issue. The assessment was performed using Likertscales. The survey was offered to all students attending class in the core subject with the greatest number of enrolled students on a normal academic day between February 15 and March 15, 2006. We calculated 95% confidence intervals for proportions. The Chi square test was used to compare qualitative variables and Student’s t-test was used for quantitative variables. Results. The sample consisted of 345 students, 82.2% of whom were women. The mean age was 21.9 years. The prevalence of regular smokers was 26.1% (26.9% among women and 22.6% among men). Almost all (93.8%) of the respondents agreed that smoking should be banned inclosed spaces in educational institutions and 70.9% believed that the law should be complied with at the University of the Balearic Islands, with differences between 2003 and 2006. Conclusions. Smoking was less prevalent in our population than in the general regional and national populations, as well as in other Spanish nursing students of the same age and gender. The prevalence of occasional smokers has fallen since 2003. Most students had a favorable view ofthe new Smoking Prevention Act

Intervención enfermera de deshabituación tabáquica en Atención Primaria / Nurses intervention to quit smoking developed in Primary Care

Objetivos: determinar la efectividad de una terapia grupalde deshabituación tabáquica, así como las variables asociadasa la misma. Caracterizar el perfil tabáquico de lospacientes que acudieron a dicha terapia.Método: estudio de intervención sin grupo control no aleatorizadode variables socio-demográficas y referentes alhábito tabáquico, de una población de 121 clientes, queasistieron a una terapia multicomponente grupal de deshabituacióntabáquica, llevada a cabo por enfermeras, entre2001 y 2005. En las variables cualitativas se usaron proporcionesy en las cuantitativas, la media con su DesviaciónEstándar (DE) y su intervalo de confianza al 95% (IC95%).Resultados: de los 121 clientes que terminaron el taller, alaño seguían abstinentes el 52,0%, a los dos años el 42,7%y a los tres años el 32,0%. Antes de acudir a esta consultanuestros clientes fumaron una media de 24,8 años. La mediade consumo es de 28,0 cigarrillos diarios en los hombresy 20,5 en las mujeres. La media de edad fue de 41,2 años.Conclusiones: nuestra población tiene un perfil similar alde la mayoría de poblaciones que acuden a consultas dedeshabituación realizadas a nivel nacional. La tasa de abstinenciaobtenida siguiendo la terapia multicomponente auno, dos o tres años es similar o superior a la que se obtienecon el mismo u otros métodos, por enfermeros u otros profesionales,tanto a nivel nacional como internacional y portanto, contribuye a validar a las enfermeras como profesionalescompetentes en el tratamiento del tabaquismo

Objectives: to determine the effectiveness of a group therapyintervention to quit smoking as well as the variablesassociated to such intervention. To characterise the smokingprofile of patients who attended the therapy group.Method: randomised interventional study with no controlgroup containing sociodemographic variables on the smokingprofile of a population of 121 patients who attended amulticomponent group therapy intervention to quit smokingundertaken by primary care nurses between 2001 and 2005.Ratios were used to measure quality variables and MeanStandard Deviation (SD) and their 95% Confidence Interval(CI 95%).Results: of the 121 individuals who completed the intervention,52% continued their abstinence at 1 year, 42,7% at2 years and 32,0% at 3 years. Before attending the intervention,these individuals had been smoking 24,8 years onaverage. Mean consumption was 28,0 cigarettes per dayfor men and 20,5 for woman. Mean age was 41,2 years.Conclusions: the profile of the study population is similarto that of most populations that attend group therapy nationwideto quit the habit. The abstinence rate achievedwith the multicomponent therapy at 1, 2 and 3 years is similaror above that obtained with the same or with othermethods, by nurses or other professionals, both nationallyand internationally. We can thus conclude that the methoddescribed validates the work undertaken by nurses as competentprofessionals to counsel individuals who wish to quit smoking (AU)

¿Es efectivo el consejo antitabaco intensivo realizado por enfermería? / Is intensive smoking cessation counseling by nurses effective?

Objetivo. Determinar la efectividad de un programa de consejo antitabaco intensivo, sistemático, realizado por profesionales de enfermería.Diseño. Ensayo clínico controlado y aleatorizado.Emplazamiento. Consultas de medicina y enfermería de atención primaria.Participantes. Fumadores que demandaron asistencia en las consultas de medicina de nuestro centro durante el período de captación, hasta alcanzar el tamaño muestral requerido (125 pacientes). Los criterios de inclusión fueron: edad entre 18 y 70 años, personas que fumaron diariamente durante el último mes cualquier cantidad de cigarrillos y puntuación del test de Richmond > 7.Intervenciones. Los pacientes captados se asignaron de forma aleatoria, según la consulta de la que procedían, al grupo que recibía consejo breve por parte del médico (grupo control [GC]) o al grupo que recibía consejo breve más seguimiento por enfermería (grupo intervención [GI]). En este grupo se programaron visitas de seguimiento hasta 3 meses después de dejar de fumar.Mediciones principales. Abstinencia a los 12 y 24 meses.Resultados. La efectividad de la intervención, considerada como la tasa de abstinencia a los 12 meses, fue del 13,8% (intervalo de confianza [IC] del 95%, 6,5-24,7) en el GC y del 6,7% (IC del 95%, 1,8-16,2) en el GI, sin diferencias significativas entre ellos.Conclusiones. La efectividad de un programa de consejo antitabaco intensivo realizado por enfermería no es más efectivo que el consejo breve aislado del médico en fumadores atendidos en atención primaria. El consejo breve tiene una mejor relación coste-efectividad que el intensivo

Y a pesar de todo seguimos ahumando a los demás / And in spite of it all we carry on smoking out everyone else

Objetivos: Un edificio universitario en Palma de Mallorca (España) fue declarado 'libre de humo de tabaco' en octubre de 2002. En este estudio se ha entrevistado una muestra de usuarios hallados fumando en zonas prohibidas, evaluándose el conocimiento de la prohibición de fumar, la consciencia de estar perjudicando y molestando a las personas que comparten el mismo espacio y qué justificación daban a su conducta tabáquica. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo transversal, mediante encuesta verbal con un cuestionario que consta de 6 preguntas cerradas y una abierta. Se ha tomado una muestra de 50 sujetos que han sido hallados fumando en zonas prohibidas. Resultados y Conclusiones: Casi la totalidad de los encuestados (98 por ciento) tienen conocimiento de la prohibición de fumar donde lo hacen. El 80 por ciento conoce la existencia de zonas para fumadores. Una amplia mayoría cree que el tabaco perjudica y molesta a los fumadores pasivos (98 por ciento y 94 por ciento). Uno de cada cinco opina que no deben restringirse las zonas donde se pueda fumar. Los sujetos que fuman en los lugares no permitidos son perfectamente conscientes de la prohibición, conocen los espacios destinados a fumadores y reconocen perjudicar y molestar a los fumadores involuntarios. De estos conocimientos no se desprende una conducta respetuosa sino que incluso se reclama el derecho a fumar en los espacios compartidos. Ningún encuestado afronta su responsabilidad personal ni reconoce su adicción como motivo de su conducta (AU)

Aims: An university building in Palma de Mallorca (Spain) was declared “smoke free” in October 2002. In this study we interviewed a sample of users found smoking in prohibited areas, evaluating their knowledge of the prohibition on smoking, the awareness of harming and disturbing the people who share the same space and what justification they gave for their smoking behaviour. Methods: Transversal descriptive study, by a verbal survey with a questionnaire consisting of 6 closed questions and one open one. A sample of comprised 50 subjects found smoking in prohibited areas. Results and Conclusions: Practically all (98%) were aware of the prohibition on smoking in the area where they did so. 80% of those surveyed knew of the existence of designated smoking areas. A large majority believe smoking harms and disturbs passive smokers (98% and 94%). One in five is of the opinion that smoking should not be restricted to certain areas. The subjects who smoke in the areas where it is not allowed are perfectly aware of the prohibition, they know the areas designated for smoking and acknowledge harming and disturbing involuntary smokers. The outcome of this knowledge is not respectful behaviour, but rather a claim to the right to smoke in shared area. Not one of those surveyed accepts his or her personal responsibility or recognises their addiction as a motive for their behaviour (AU)