Un análisis integrado entre la calidad de vida y las necesidades de apoyo de personas adultas con discapacidad intelectual en Chile / An integrated analysis between the quality of life and the support needs of adults with intellectual disabilities in Chile

El paradigma de apoyos y el de calidad de vida se han transformado en guías fundamentales para los avances en el ámbito de la discapacidad intelectual (DI). Con base en una muestra de 93 personas adultas con DI, se analiza, desde un enfoque cuantitativo no experimental, la relación entre la calidad de vida y las necesidades de apoyo, aplicando la escala INICO-FEAPS y la escala de Intensidad de Apoyos (SIS) para cada constructo. Los principales resultados evidencian que existe una relación fuerte e indirecta entre calidad de vida y necesidades de apoyos, y también la relevancia de analizar dichos resultados desde variables como grado de discapacidad, sexo o nivel socioeconómico. La discusión permite inferir la necesidad de discutir nuevas estrategias en torno a categorías como el grado de discapacidad, la autodeterminación e inclusión social, como elementos facilitadores de la calidad de vida y apoyos desde un enfoque integral que contribuya al desarrollo de estrategias de programas sociales para la población con DI. (AU)

The support paradigm and the quality of life paradigm have become fundamental guides for progress in the field of Intellectual Disability (ID). Based on a sample of 93 adults with ID, the relationship between Quality of Life and Support Needs is analyzed from a non-experimental quantitative approach, applying the INICO-FEAPS scale and the SIS Support Intensity scale for each construct. The main results show that there is a strong and indirect relationship between quality of life and support needs, and the relevance of analyzing these results from variables such as the degree of disability, sex or socioeconomic level. The discussion allows us to infer the need to discuss new strategies around categories such as the degree of disability, self-determination and social inclusion, as facilitating elements of quality of life and supporting a comprehensive approach that contributes to the development of social program strategies for the population with ID. (AU)

Un análisis integrado entre la calidad de vida y las necesidades de apoyo de personas adultas con discapacidad intelectual en Chile / An integrated analysis between the quality of life and the support needs of adults with intellectual disabilities in Chile

El paradigma de apoyos y el de calidad de vida se han transformado en guías fundamentales para los avances en el ámbito de la discapacidad intelectual (DI). Con base en una muestra de 93 personas adultas con DI, se analiza, desde un enfoque cuantitativo no experimental, la relación entre la calidad de vida y las necesidades de apoyo, aplicando la escala INICO-FEAPS y la escala de Intensidad de Apoyos (SIS) para cada constructo. Los principales resultados evidencian que existe una relación fuerte e indirecta entre calidad de vida y necesidades de apoyos, y también la relevancia de analizar dichos resultados desde variables como grado de discapacidad, sexo o nivel socioeconómico. La discusión permite inferir la necesidad de discutir nuevas estrategias en torno a categorías como el grado de discapacidad, la autodeterminación e inclusión social, como elementos facilitadores de la calidad de vida y apoyos desde un enfoque integral que contribuya al desarrollo de estrategias de programas sociales para la población con DI. (AU)

The support paradigm and the quality of life paradigm have become fundamental guides for progress in the field of Intellectual Disability (ID). Based on a sample of 93 adults with ID, the relationship between Quality of Life and Support Needs is analyzed from a non-experimental quantitative approach, applying the INICO-FEAPS scale and the SIS Support Intensity scale for each construct. The main results show that there is a strong and indirect relationship between quality of life and support needs, and the relevance of analyzing these results from variables such as the degree of disability, sex or socioeconomic level. The discussion allows us to infer the need to discuss new strategies around categories such as the degree of disability, self-determination and social inclusion, as facilitating elements of quality of life and supporting a comprehensive approach that contributes to the development of social program strategies for the population with ID. (AU)

Characterisation and traceability of extra virgin olive oil and table olive of Azapa variety marketed in Chile using Microsatellite Molecular Markers / Caracterización y trazabilidad de aceite de oliva virgen extra y aceituna de mesa de la variedad Azapa comercializados en Chile mediante marcadores moleculares microsatélites

Chile has two certified origin olive products: Extra-Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) from Huasco valley and the Azapa variety table olive from the Azapa valley. However, efficient methodologies are needed to determine the varieties and raw materials involved in the end products. In this study, we assessed the size of alleles from ten microsatellites in 20 EVOOs and in leaves and fruits of 16 olive varieties cultivated in Chile to authenticate their origins. The identification of varieties relied on specific allele sizes derived from microsatellites markers UDO99-011 and DCA18-M found in leaves and fruit mesocarp. While most Chilean single-variety EVOOs matched the variety declared on the label, inconsistencies were observed in single-variety EVOOs containing multiple varieties. Our findings confirm that microsatellites serve as a valuable as diagnostic tools for ensuring the quality control of Geographical Indication certification for Azapa olives and EVOO with Designation of Origin from Huasco.

Chile cuenta con dos productos de oliva de origen certificado: El aceite de oliva virgen extra (AOVE) del valle del Huasco y la aceituna de mesa de la variedad Azapa del valle de Azapa. Sin embargo, se necesitan metodologías eficientes para determinar las variedades y materias primas involucradas en los productos finales. En este estudio, evaluamos el tamaño de los alelos de diez microsatélites en 20 AOVEs y en hojas y frutos de 16 variedades de aceituna cultivadas en Chile para autentificar sus orígenes. La identificación de las variedades se basó en los tamaños alélicos específicos derivados de los marcadores microsatélites UDO99-011 y DCA18-M encontrados en las hojas y el mesocarpio de los frutos. Aunque la mayoría de los AOVEs chilenos monovarietales coincidían con la variedad declarada en la etiqueta, se observaron incoherencias en los AOVEs monovarietales que contenían múltiples variedades. Nuestros hallazgos confirman que los microsatélites sirven como valiosas herramientas de diagnóstico para asegurar el control de calidad de la certificación de Indicación Geográfica para aceitunas de Azapa y AOVE con Denominación de Origen de Huasco.

Past, present and future of Psoralea glandulosa Linn, Chilean medicinal plant, an inexhaustible resource: a literature review / Pasado, presente y futuro de Psoralea glandulosa Linn, planta medicinal chilena fuente inagotable de recursos: una revisión de la literatura

Culén is the popular term used in Chile for the only endemic species of the Fabaceae family, Psoralea glandulosaLinn. It is one of the most widely used medicinal plants in Chile and in some regions of South America, not only as a home remedy, but also recommended by medicine and widely used in the gastronomic industry. Many properties are known, supported by biological tests both in vitroand in vivo. Because it is so highly appreciated, it is included in the book "Medicamentos HerbariosTradicionales" (Traditional Herbal Medicines) of the Chilean Ministry of Health. Given the great interest in this plant since time immemorial, this review contains information on its history, popular uses and scientific studies, for a better knowledge, management and sustainable care of this Chilean natural resource.

Culén es el término popular utilizado en Chile para la única especie endémica de la familia Fabaceae, Psoralea glandulosaLinn. Se trata de una de las plantas medicinales más utilizadas en Chile y en algunas regiones de Sudamérica, no solamente como remedio curativo casero, sino también recomendada por la medicina y con amplia utilización en la industria gastronómica. De ella se conocen un gran número propiedades avaladas por ensayos biológicos tanto in vitrocomo in vivo. Por ser tan apreciada, se encuentra incluida en el libro "Medicamentos Herbarios Tradicionales" del Ministerio de Salud de Chile. Dado el gran interés que despierta esta planta desde tiempos inmemoriales, se recoge en este capítulo la información sobre su historia, usos populares y estudios científicos, para un mejor conocimiento, manejo y cuidado de manera sustentable de este recurso natural chileno.

Factor structure and measurement invariance of the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 among the Chilean population.

BACKGROUND: The PHQ-4 is an ultrabrief screening test for depression and anxiety symptoms. The psychometric properties of this test among the population in Chile are unknown. This study was aimed to determine the factor structure of the PHQ-4 in the adult population in Chile, and to assess its measurement invariance across different groups. METHODS: The study considered a nationally representative sample of 10921 people aged 18 and above, in Chile in 2021. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis were conducted, and configural, metric, scalar, and strict measurement invariance were assessed. RESULTS: The two-factor structure of the PHQ-4 supported the two underlying constructs of depression and anxiety. This model explained 67% of the variance and had excellent fit (CFI: 0.9999; TLI: 0.9994; RMSEA: 0.0107; SRMR: 0.0022). Strict measurement invariance held across gender, age, area of residence, household income quintile, immigrant or host population, and indigenous or non-indigenous population (ΔCFI<0.01). CONCLUSION: The PHQ-4 can be used to assess depressive and anxiety symptoms in population studies, and as a screening test for depression and anxiety in public mental health programs in Chile.

Bidirectional relationship between intraindividual changes in behavioral activation and intraindividual changes in postpartum depressive symptoms: A random intercept cross-lagged panel model.

According to Lewisohn's model of depression, decreases in behavioral activation (BA) occurring after facing a vital stressor may increase the risk of depression. Transition to parenthood is a potentially stressful life event that increases the risks of postpartum depression. We aimed to (a) describe the changes in BA and depressive symptomatology between the prepartum period, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months postpartum and (b) evaluate the bidirectionality of the relationship between intraindividual changes in BA and intraindividual changes in depressive symptoms longitudinally. Chilean pregnant women (N = 503) completed a battery of questionnaires when they were between 32 and 37 weeks of gestation and 1, 3, and 6 months after delivery. A repeated measures analysis of variance showed that BA significantly decreased from prepartum to 1 month postpartum. A random intercept cross-lagged panel model supported the bidirectional inverse relationship between intraindividual changes in BA and intraindividual changes in depressive symptoms. The effect sizes of these associations were large (ßs ranging from -.141 to -.243) according to Orth et al. (2022)'s recommendations for cross-lagged effect benchmarks. This relationship showed robustness when multigroup random intercept cross-lagged panel models were conducted to adjust for several covariates (i.e., marital status, the type of health insurance, type of delivery, primiparous vs. multiparous participants, and pregnancy or delivery complication or newborn health problem). Nonetheless, reporting a previous history of major depression moderated this relationship so that intraindividual decreases in BA more likely led to intraindividual increases in depressive symptoms in people with a history of depression than in people without such a history. We discuss implications for behavioral models of depression. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Measurement of efficiency and its drivers in the Chilean banking industry.

This paper estimates efficiency measures for the banking system in Chile for the period 2000-2019. In contrast to previous studies, we use input-distance functions, introduce the nonparametric slack-based model, and choose the intermediate inputs approach in determining inputs and outputs. Our results suggest that the Chilean system has achieved relatively high levels of efficiency, although with no significant variation over the sample period. Ownership (government, foreign and public) and size had a positive impact on efficiency. On average, mergers and acquisitions seem to have targeted highly efficient banks in order to improve the overall efficiency of the controlling institution in the short run. Other sources of efficiency gains could be an increase in bond funding or a reduction in expenses and capital holdings. The latter could be induced by deepening the local derivatives market.

Musculoskeletal disorders and quality of life for Chilean teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic at the academic year-end.

Introduction: Schoolteachers have reported multiple demands contributing to poor perceptions regarding their quality of life and high rates of musculoskeletal disorders. However, there are few studies about the association between musculoskeletal disorders and quality of life from the end of the academic period during the COVID-19 pandemic. Objective: Evaluate musculoskeletal disorders rates and their association with quality of life perceptions among teachers from the last academic period during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants and methods: A total sample of 161 Chilean schoolteachers was included in a cross-sectional study musculoskeletal disorders prevalence was evaluated using the Standardized Nordic Questionnaire, and quality of life was evaluated through the Short-Form 12 Health Survey Instrument. A logistic regression was applied to evaluate the association between musculoskeletal disorders and quality of life perceptions adjusted by gender, age, and contract type. Results: 98% of teachers have suffered from some type of musculoskeletal disorders during the last 12 months, and 64% have had six or more painful regions. Women showed a higher musculoskeletal disorders rate than men. The group of teachers with the most musculoskeletal disorders (≥p50) saw significantly greater risk of low scores on the physical (OR: 2.16; p < 0.05) and mental components (OR: 4.86; p < 0.01) of quality of life, regardless of gender, age, and contract type. Conclusion: High musculoskeletal disorders rates suggest that preventive and informative actions must be taken regarding these disorders in order to protect teachers' mental and physical health, considering the effects of the school year and the COVID-19 health crisis.

[Literacy in sexual and reproductive health as well as associated variables: multicenter study]. / Alfabetización en salud sexual y reproductiva así como variables asociadas: estudio multicéntrico.

OBJECTIVE: Limited Health Literacy implies an insufficient understanding of relevant health information, being associated with various variables. The objective of the study was to measure the prevalence of the level of Limited Sexual and Reproductive Health Literacy (AS-SR), its associated variables and the differences in scores between levels of AS-SR, universities and science of study in Chilean university students. METHODS: A multicenter and cross-sectional study, which applied a validated scale to measure levels of AS-SR, was carried out in a sample of 2,186 Chilean university students, categorizing it as high, medium high, medium low and low. The level of Limited AS-SR was obtained by adding the medium-low and low categories. Tests were carried out: descriptive, psychometric and reliability; association, logistic regression and differences between variables of interest. RESULTS: The prevalence of Limited AS-SR was 52.7%. The variables most associated with the level of Limited AS-SR were: low interest in information about health care (OR=2.819; 95% CI: 2.132-3.726), prevention (OR=2.564; 95% CI: 1.941-3.388), sexuality (OR=2.497; 95% CI: 1.807-3.452) and health promotion (OR=1.515; 95% CI: 1.239-1.853); certain sources of Information (OR=1.915; 95% CI:1.614-2.272); low economic income (OR=1.661; 95% CI: 1.361-2.026), among others. There were statistically significant differences in scores between categories of AS-SR levels, universities and study science. The scale had a reliability of 0.940. CONCLUSIONS: More than half of the students have Limited AS-SR, mainly associated with low interest in health information. The scale presents excellent psychometric indicators, being recommended for diagnoses of health situations.

OBJECTIVE: La Alfabetización en Salud Limitada implica una comprensión insuficiente de la información relevante en salud, asociándose con diversas variables. El objetivo del estudio fue medir la prevalencia del nivel de Alfabetización en Salud Sexual y Reproductiva (AS-SR) Limitada, sus variables asociadas y las diferencias de puntajes entre niveles de AS-SR, universidades y ciencia de estudio en universitarios chilenos. METHODS: Se realizó un estudio multicéntrico y transversal, que aplicó una escala validada para medir niveles de AS-SR, en una muestra de 2.186 estudiantes universitarios chilenos, categorizándola en alta, media-alta, media-baja y baja. El nivel de AS-SR Limitada se obtuvo mediante el sumatorio de categorías media-baja y baja. Se realizaron pruebas: descriptivas, psicométricas y fiabilidad; asociación, regresión logística y de diferencias entre variables de interés. RESULTS: La prevalencia de AS-SR Limitada fue del 52,7%. Las variables mayormente asociadas al nivel de AS-SR Limitada fueron: bajo interés en información sobre atención en salud (OR=2,819; IC 95%:2,132-3,726), prevención (OR=2,564; IC 95%: 1,941-3,388), sexualidad (OR=2,497; IC 95%: 1,807-3,452) y promoción de la salud (OR=1,515; IC 95%: 1,239-1,853); ciertas fuentes de Información (OR=1,915; IC 95%:1,614-2,272); bajo ingreso económico (OR=1,661; IC 95%: 1,361-2,026), entre otras. Existieron diferencias estadísticamente significativas de puntajes entre categorías de niveles de AS-SR, universidades y ciencia de estudio. La escala presentó fiabilidad de 0,940. CONCLUSIONS: Más de la mitad de los estudiantes poseen AS-SR Limitada, asociada principalmente al bajo interés en información en salud. La escala presenta excelentes indicadores psicométricos, siendo recomendable para diagnósticos de situación de salud.

[Reduction in Helicobacter pylori infection among patients referred for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in Santiago, Chile, between 2010-2020]. / Reducción de la infección por Helicobacter pylori en pacientes derivados a endoscopia digestiva alta en Santiago de Chile entre 2010-2020.

Latin America presents a high prevalence of Helicobacter pylori(Hp) infection. Between1996-2003, the prevalence in Santiago, Chile, was 70%; recent studies indicate a decreasein this infection. Updating the frequency of Hp is crucial due to its associated health impact. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to describe the trend in Hp infection in patients undergoingambulatory esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) in a Chilean population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective observational study was conducted on patients over 18 years old who attended a first EGD with a rapid urease test between 2010-2020. Time trendswere described through time series analysis. A Poisson model was constructed to estimatethe risk of infection, adjusted for age and gender. RESULTS: 11,355 patients were included[66.9% females; mean age 52 years; Hp 41.6%]. Male gender presented a higher frequencyof Hp infection [RR 1.13; (95% CI: 1.08-1.18)].Hp frequency infection decreased significantlyfrom 45.1% in 2010 to 29% in 2020, with a 36% lower probability of Hp infection in 2020 compared to 2010 [RR 0.64;(95% CI: 0.55-0.74)]. A progressive decline in Hp infectiontrend was projected, reaching values close to 25% by year 2025. CONCLUSION: A significantreduction in Hpinfection was observed between 2010-2020. This decrease could be explained by the implementation of public health policies in the last decade associated with socio-sanitary changes.

Tobacco policies and changes in the tendency of smoking cessation in cigarette users in Chile: a longitudinal cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of tobacco control regulations and policy implementation on smoking cessation tendencies in cigarette users born between 1982 and 1991 in Chile. DESIGN: Longitudinal cross-sectional study. SETTING: National level. PARTICIPANTS: Data from the National Survey of Drug Consumption (Service of Prevention and Rehabilitation for Drug and Alcohol Consumption). A pseudo-cohort of smokers born between 1982 and 1991 (N=17 905) was tracked from 2002 to 2016. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOMES MEASURES: Primary outcome was the tendency to cease smoking conceptualised as the report of using cigarettes 1 month or more ago relative to using cigarettes in the last 30 days. The main exposure variable was the Tobacco Policy Index-tracking tobacco policy changes over time. Logistic regression, controlling for various factors, was applied. RESULTS: Models suggested a 14% increase in the smoking cessation tendency of individuals using cigarettes 1 month or more ago relative to those using cigarettes in the last 30 days (OR 1.14, CI 95% CI 1.10 to 1.19) for each point increment in the Tobacco Policy index. CONCLUSIONS: Our study contributes to documenting a positive impact of the implementation of interventions considered in the MPOWER strategy in the progression of smoking cessation tendencies in smokers born between 1982 and 1991 in Chile.

Direct impact of COVID-19 vaccination in Chile: averted cases, hospitalizations, ICU admissions, and deaths.

BACKGROUND: Chile rapidly implemented an extensive COVID-19 vaccination campaign, deploying a diversity of vaccines with a strategy that prioritized the elderly and individuals with comorbidities. This study aims to assess the direct impact of vaccination on the number of COVID-19 related cases, hospital admissions, ICU admissions and deaths averted during the first year and a half of the campaign. METHODS: Via Chile's transparency law, we obtained access to weekly event counts categorized by vaccination status and age. Integrating this data with publicly available census and vaccination coverage information, we conducted a comparative analysis of weekly incidence rates between vaccinated and unvaccinated groups from December 20, 2020 to July 2, 2022 to estimate the direct impact of vaccination in terms of the number of cases, hospitalizations, ICU admissions and deaths averted, using an approach that avoids the need to explicitly specify the effectiveness of each vaccine deployed. RESULTS: We estimated that, from December 20, 2020 to July 2, 2022 the vaccination campaign directly prevented 1,030,648 (95% Confidence Interval: 1,016,975-1,044,321) cases, 268,784 (95% CI: 264,524-273,045) hospitalizations, 85,830 (95% CI: 83,466-88,194) ICU admissions and 75,968 (95% CI: 73,909-78,028) deaths related to COVID-19 among individuals aged 16 years and older. This corresponds to a reduction of 26% of cases, 66% of hospital admissions, 70% of ICU admissions and 67% of deaths compared to a scenario without vaccination. Individuals 55 years old or older represented 67% of hospitalizations, 73% of ICU admissions and 89% of deaths related to COVID-19 prevented. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the role of Chile's vaccination campaign in reducing COVID-19 disease burden, with the most substantial reductions observed in severe outcomes.

Attitudes towards seeking psychological help among community dwelling older adults enrolled in primary care in Chile.

BACKGROUND: Depression and anxiety are common mental disorders among older adults, but they are frequently underdiagnosed. Attitudes towards seeking professional mental health care is one of the barriers to access to treatment. This study was aimed at assessing the attitudes towards seeking psychological help among older adults who are enrolled in primary care in Chile, and to determine the associated factors. METHODS: This cross-sectional study recruited 233 primary care users aged 65 or more years. The Attitudes Towards Seeking Professional Psychological Help was used. Reliability and factor analysis of this scale were carried out. The average scores of the scale and factors were calculated and compared, by selected variables. Multivariate linear regression was estimated to determine factors associated with attitudes towards seeking psychological help. RESULTS: Three factors were identified in the attitudes towards seeking psychological help: confidence in psychologists, coping alone with emotional problems, and predisposition to seek psychological help. On average, participants had a favorable attitude towards seeking psychological help, compared with previous research. Lower level of education, and risk of social isolation were inversely associated with these attitudes. CONCLUSION: Strategies to improve mental health literacy and social connection among older adults, could have an impact on factors that mediate the access to mental health care, such as attitudes towards seeking psychological help, among people who have a lower level of education or are at risk of social isolation.

[Microorganisms isolated from blood cultures and resistance profile in children with cancer and high-risk febrile neutropenia. Red PINDA, Chile, 2016-2021]. / Microorganismos aislados de hemocultivos y su perfil de resistencia en niños con cáncer y neutropenia febril de alto riesgo. Red PINDA, Chile, 2016-2021.

Bacteremia is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with cancer and episodes of high-risk febrile neutropenia (HRFN). OBJECTIVE: To identify the frequency of microorganisms isolated from blood cultures (BC) and their antimicrobial resistance (R) profile in children with HRFN, compared with the same data from previous studies of the same group. METHOD: Prospective, multicenter, epidemiological surveillance study of microorganisms isolated from BC in patients under 18 years of age, from 7 PINDA network hospitals, between 2016 and 2021. RESULTS: 284 episodes of HRFN with positive BC were analyzed out of 1091 enrolled episodes (26%). Median age 7.2 years [3.0-12.3]. The main isolates were gram-negative bacilli (GNB) 49.2%, gram-positive cocci (GPC) 43.8%, and fungi 3.6%. The most frequently isolated microorganisms were viridans group Streptococci (VGS) (25.8%), Escherichia coli (19.8%), Pseudomonas spp. (11.2%), Klebsiella spp. (10.9%), and coagulase negative Staphylococci (CoNS) (10.9%). There was an increase in R to third-generation cephalosporins (p = 0.011) in GNB and to oxacillin in CoNS (p = 0.00), as well as a decrease in R to amikacin in non-fermenting GNB (p = 0.02) and to penicillin in VGS (p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: VGS is the main agent isolated in BC from pediatric patients with cancer and episodes of HRFN, followed by E. coli, Pseudomonas spp., and Klebsiella spp. Having epidemiological surveillance of microorganisms isolated from BC and their antimicrobial R profile is essential to favor the rational use of antimicrobials.

[Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B virus in pregnancy women at the time of delivery]. / Seroprevalencia de virus Hepatitis B en gestantes al momento del parto.

Worldwide, there is an alert due to the increase in the seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV). This can cause up to 3.5% of chronic diseases, of which 40% present secondary complications and/ or early death. OBJECTIVE: To determine the seroprevalence of HBV in pregnant women at the time of delivery. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study with cross-association between 2018 and 2019 at the Hospital Carlos Van Buren (HCVB), in Valparaiso, Chile. All pregnant women admitted for delivery care or with an immediate newborn who had HBV surface antigen study were included. Data were collected from the pregnant woman (age, nationality, education level, parity, type of delivery, and peripartum HIV-syphilis serology) and the newborn (gestational age, weight, and APGAR score). Inferential and multivariate analysis was performed using the Stata software. RESULTS: 1,355 pregnant women were analyzed. 87.7% were Chilean, 5.5% Haitian, 4.2% Venezuelan, and 2.6% were of other nationalities. 0.3% were positive for HBV. The prevalence of HBV in Chileans was 0.08% and in Haitians 4%. Haitian nationality was at higher risk of HBV (OR = 83) vs. Chilean nationality (p = 0.0001). None presented coinfection with HIV and/or syphilis. CONCLUSIONS: HBV seroprevalence in HCVB pregnant women was 0.3%, similar to that described in the general population in Chile. There was no coinfection with other sexually transmitted diseases. The only predictor of HBV infection was Haitian nationality.

Tobacco consumption and quality of life among teachers: a bidirectional problem.

Objective: This study aimed to assess a bidirectional relationship between tobacco consumption and quality of life among Chilean teachers. Participants and methods: A total sample of 647 Chilean teachers was included in a cross-sectional study (71.8% female). Teachers completed a socio-demographic questionnaire, tobacco consumption habits, and the SF-36 questionnaire to assess quality of life. Logistic regression models were employed for statistical analysis of quality of life (physical component summary; mental component summary), and tobacco consumption habits, adjusted for socio-demographic characteristics. Results: A total of 34.2% of teachers were smokers, with the majority (68.7%) being under 45 years old. Smoking teachers demonstrated lower quality of life scores, particularly mental health and emotional problems dimensions, and mental component summary (p < 0.05) versus nonsmoking teachers. Teachers with tobacco consumption had a higher risk of low mental component summary (OR: 1.74; p < 0.001), and those with low mental component summary were more likely to be smokers (OR: 1.77; p < 0.002). Conclusion: These findings indicate that tobacco consumption adversely affects the quality of life of Chilean teachers, especially their mental health. Psychological support should be provided to help teachers cope with work stress and tobacco consumption.

Healthy Habits, Physical Activity, Stress, and Food Consumption Trends in Chilean Adults with Irritable Bowel Syndrome during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased stress levels in the population due to radical lifestyle changes caused by containment measures. Studies suggest that high levels of stress may be related to the development of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This study aims to explain how quarantine habits and lifestyles acted as risk factors for the frequency of this syndrome during the COVID-19 pandemic. An observational study was conducted with 34 Chilean participants (average age 24.5 ± 3.85 years), of whom 21 (62%) were female. Surveys on consumption trends and lifestyles created by the authors were administered. Additionally, we used the global physical activity questionnaire (GPAQ) and the depression anxiety stress scales (DASS-21) to assess psychological stress and the Rome IV criteria to assess IBS. Significant differences were found between individuals with better healthy habits compared to those with poor healthy habits. The former showed lower sedentary activity (32%, p = 0.005), only 27% were fast eaters (vs. 44%, p = 0.001), had shorter nap intervals (14% vs. 28%, p = 0.03), and higher vegetable consumption (p = 0.02). There were 20 cases (59%) of IBS, with a strong association with the female sex (p = 0.004), where females were 15 times more likely to develop it compared to males (p = 0.008). Additionally, when alcohol consumption was added to females, there was a higher likelihood of developing this syndrome (p = 0.009), as individuals who consumed alcohol were 12 times more likely to develop it compared to those who did not (p = 0.02). Among other factors, it was observed that 57% of those with the syndrome consumed drinks more often (p = 0.02) but consumed fewer nuts (p = 0.009). In conclusion, IBS has a multifactorial etiology, and correcting individual habits such as alcohol consumption could potentially prevent or delay its development. Therefore, it is important to maintain healthy lifestyles, regardless of non-modifiable factors such as gender, in order to better cope with this syndrome.

Bodily Practices and Meanings Articulated in the Physical Exercise of Older Adults in Santiago de Chile Post-COVID-19.

This article presents the results of almost nine months of ethnographic research on the relationship between physical exercise and health in older people in the post-COVID-19 context. Via exploratory-descriptive qualitative research and the use of a convenient sample, I shed light on this relationship using the stories and life experiences of 40 older people (10 men and 30 women, including two women instructors for senior classes) who exercise regularly. The meanings they attributed to physical exercise during COVID-19 and after it are explained, emphasising first that there is no health in a context of not feeling safe; once there is a feeling of security, the most relevant meanings can be exposed in three directions. First, exercise produces a sense of identity linked to "being an athlete" and "belonging to a group". Second, exercising is valued as participating in something meaningful (the meanings range from self-realisation, independence, and autonomy to feelings of happiness). Finally, and linked to the sense of identity, those who train alone show more commitment and total hours spent in physical exercise and physical activity than those who train in groups. Even though older people are not a homogeneous group, they generally faced the pandemic as an ageist situation that affected their lives and how they saw sports and health. This article describes the strategies they used during COVID-19 related to exercise and well-being and those used once the pandemic restrictions were no longer present. The qualitative aspects that physical exercise brings to this population are highlighted. The research results give voice to older people, showing their heterogeneity and the meanings and practices that unite them. These inputs are rich material for studies on physical activity, older people, and well-being.