Highlights Status and factors affecting self-perceived aging of elderly empty nesters are explored. This study expands the scope of McLeroy's Social Ecological Model for health promotion. Daily living ability and loneliness played a mediating role in chronic disease status, time outdoors, self-rated health, marital status, children's visits, and empty nesters' self-perception of aging. This study's results can be used to guide community nurses in preventing negative self-perception of aging among empty nesters. Introduction: The mental health issues faced by empty nesters deserve more attention. Studying self-perception of aging (SPA) and its influencing factors among empty nesters may help prevent negative SPA. Objective: To analyze situations and factors influencing SPA among elderly empty nesters, especially the mediating role of daily living ability and loneliness. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in two communities in Binzhou City, Shandong Province of China. A total of 613 elderly empty nesters were studied using a self-designed general information questionnaire, the Brief Ageing Perception Questionnaire (B-APQ), the Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Scale, and the UCLA Loneliness Scale (ULS-6). Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to analyze the relationships between variables. Results: Pathway analysis of SPA influencing factors shows that marital status, children’s visits, and self-reported health had an indirect effect on SPA through loneliness. Chronic disease status had an indirect effect on SPA through daily living ability. Time outdoors had an indirect effect on SPA through activities of daily living and loneliness. Discussion: Daily life ability, chronic disease status, time outdoors, loneliness, self-reported health, marital status, and children's visits affected SPA among empty nesters. Conclusion: Empty nesters' SPA is relatively negative, and there are many influencing factors. It is important to improve empty nesters' abilities to manage healthcare tasks, increase outdoor activities and family members’ care, and provide comprehensive interventions to help them navigate aging. How to cite this article: Li Shuxing, Dong Yameng, Li Xuebo. The influencing factors of self-perceived aging among empty nesters: a cross-sectional study. Revista Cuidarte. 2024;15(2):e3500. https://doi.org/10.15649/cuidarte.3500

Highlights Controlling arterial hypertension through medication is important to avoid complications related to this disease. Identifying the associated factors will help health professionals in promoting treatment success. With the practice of health education, it is possible to improve the adherence to pharmacological treatment. Make hypertensive patients aware of the importance of medication in the indicated dosage and schedule. Introduction: With aging, there is an increased risk of suffering from different chronic diseases, including high blood pressure. Hypertension management must be carried out by health professionals, whether or not treatment involves medication. By controlling drug treatment, especially adherence, serious health problems for older people can be avoided. Objective: To determine the factors associated with adherence to arterial hypertension treatment in older adults who live at home. Materials and Methods: A quantitative and cross-sectional study was conducted in La Libertad Region, Peru, with 342 older adults living at home. For data collection, a sociodemographic profile form, anthropometric measurements, blood pressure measurements, the Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE) test, the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), and the Morisky Green Levine (MGL) adherence scale were used. In addition, descriptive and analytical statistics were used. Result: 57.60% of the participants did not adhere to the pharmacological treatment, and, in most of the sociodemographic variables examined, they did not adhere to pharmacological treatment in most cases. Likewise, a relationship between retirement in older adults and the MGL adherence scale score was identified. The study showed evidence linking treatment adherence and age (p=0.01), retirement status (p=0.05), and history of stroke (p=0.004). Discussion: Treatment adherence depends on sociodemographic and health factors for disease control and a healthy lifestyle. Conclusion: Older adults and their caregivers need guidance and education to improve adherence to pharmacological treatments. How to cite this article: Fhon, Jack Roberto Silva; Gómez-Luján, María del Pilar; Caetano, Gideany Maiara; Cáceda-Ñazco, Giovanna Sara; Dos Santos Neto, Alexandre Pereira; Leitón-Espinoza, Zoila Esperanza. Factors associated with adherence to hypertensive pharmacological treatment in the older adult. Revista Cuidarte. 2024;15(1):e3474. https://doi.org/10.15649/cuidarte.3474

Introduction: Violence against older adults is a public health problem, being camouflaged in society due to the relationship between aggressors and victims. Objective: To analyze the profile of violence against older person in Brazil according to data from Brazilian capitals between 2011 and 2019, emphasizing the characteristics of the victims, the aggressors and the violence. Materials and Methods: This is a temporal ecological epidemiological research, collecting information from the DATASUS database of the Ministry of Health, and consulting the Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN). The population was made up of older adults with reported cases of violence between 2011 and 2019. Results: The majority of cases were female, with schooling corresponding to incomplete 1st-4th grade, white, with physical violence being the most recurrent, with repetition, within the residence, and the main aggressors were the children. Discussion: The predominance of females is justified by gender/sociocultural, the majority of victims are white, consistent with Brazilian self-declaration, level of education and greater distribution of uneducated older adults. Physical violence is the most prevalent, as it is more visible, favoring its identification. Older adults spend more time at home, triggering risk factors related to the aggressors, with children being more prevalent due to family structural changes. Conclusion: The study made it possible to profile violence against the old person, exposing the characteristics of this population and identifying possible risk/protective factors; the study also made it possible to identify the importance of correctly filling out the report form and the need to readjust the physical form and the information system

Introduction: The care challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic required nurses to have new skills in coping with health demands. In addition, this professional emerges as an important tool through the therapeutic relationship. Thus, they can be seen as a bridge of support between family members and patients. Objective: To know the perspective of nurses on telenursing as therapeutic in the context of family members of patients with COVID-19 and to discuss in the light of Peplau's theory of interpersonal relationships. Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional, exploratory study with a qualitative approach to the data, carried out in a private general hospital in Teresina-PI, in 2022, with a semi-structured interview. Followed by a reflective structure with the use and philosophical theoretical construct of Hildegard Peplau's theory of interpersonal relationships, from 1952. Results: Nurses perceive remote assistance as an important tool for meeting the psychological and social needs of the family of patients with COVID-19. On the occasion, the nurses look at the patients' relatives experiencing the therapeutic relationship through information mediated by telenursing, which included the description of the main daily care, among other information. Discussion: Peplau's theory of interpersonal relationships gives meaning to the experience of telenursing from the perspective of nurses. Conclusion: The perspective of nurses on the remote therapeutic relationship with family members of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 infection involved bonding and welcoming as points of development of trust, which brought positive results to family members, given the uncertainties experienced during the pandemic.

Introduction: Family members of patients admitted to an Intensive Care Unit present high uncertainty level due to not knowing what is happening and to not having clear details about the related events; therefore, interventions are required to allow modulating those levels. Objective: To evaluate the effect of an educational Nursing intervention compared to conventional care on the uncertainty of family members of patients hospitalized in an ICU. Materials and methods: An experimental study with a sample comprised by 132 relatives of patients admitted to an ICU, randomly distributed in four Solomon groups (33 in each group). The Nursing intervention based on the concepts of the Uncertainty in Illness Theory was applied to both experimental groups and devised under the Whittemore and Grey parameters with three moments: assessment; education about the relative's hospitalization in the ICU; and accompaniment. This was done with pre-assessments for two groups and post-assessments for the four groups, using the PPUS-FM Uncertainty Scale. The data were analyzed by means of descriptive statistics and respective non-parametric analyses. The study took into account the ethical principles in research. Results: The family members in the experimental groups presented a lower final uncertainty level when compared to the control groups, with a difference of 73.04 points and a p-value of 0.001. Discussion: Standardized interventions and under a theoretical model allow reducing uncertainty in relatives of patients in ICUs. Conclusions: The Nursing intervention based on the Uncertainty theory allows reducing uncertainty in relatives of patients hospitalized in an Intensive Care Unit.

Introduction: Chagas disease is an infectious disease caused by the parasitism process of the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi. Given its potential for chronicity, nursing care in the health care of patients with Chagas disease will provide an improvement in quality of life and the prognosis of the disease. Objective: Review scientific knowledge about nursing care for individuals with Chagas disease. Material and Methods: descriptive and exploratory research, carried out with two independent reviewers using high sensitivity criteria in databases and gray literature sources between June and July 2022. Results: The review identified 12 relevant publications that emphasized health care, education, relationships, disease prevention and health promotion. The most frequent and diverse nursing diagnoses were related to the Activity/Rest, Health Promotion and Coping/Stress domains. Discussion: To meet the care needs of Chagas disease, it is essential to ensure nursing care that recognizes individualities, highlighting the importance of creating tools that facilitate the nursing process. The main points highlighted were related to the health education process, longitudinal monitoring, healthy lifestyle habits, general nursing care during hospitalization and the use of nursing diagnoses. Conclusion: the need for comprehensive nursing care that meets the main needs of individuals with Chagas disease is emphasized, considering their unique circumstances. Developing tools to support the nursing process is essential to improve the results of care for this population.

Introduction: Different physical, social, affective, and sexual changes take place during adolescence, such as the sexual debut. Objective: To explore the factors associated with the onset of sexual activity in adolescents attending school (12–16 years) in Bucaramanga. Materials and Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study included 440 adolescents from a public school. An instrument developed by Latin American Center for Perinatology - History of Adolescents was applied, and descriptive and bivariate analyses were conducted using a binomial regression model adjusted by age and sex, with sexual activity onset as the outcome and possible associated factors as exposures. Results: The prevalence of the onset of sexual activity was 22.27% (95% CI: 18.56–26.46). Factors associated with greater prevalence of sexual activity onset were having a criminal record and partner PR=3.24, (95%CI: 2.60–4.05) and PR=2.00, (95%CI: 1.42–2.82), respectively. Male gender PR=1.19, (95% CI: 0.84–1.67), using tobacco PR=1.23 (95% CI: 0.73–2.06), alcohol consumption PR=1.23, (95% CI: 0.73–2.06), and other psychoactive substance use PR=1.78, (95% CI: 0.99–3.19) were risk factors; meanwhile, socializing with friends was a protective factor PR=0.27, (95% CI: 0.20–0.36). Discussion: Follow-up by parents and school support decrease the risk of adolescent sexual activity onset. Furthermore, interventions in the family and school settings are important. Conclusion: There are conditions that could promote the beginning of sexual activity in adolescence such as being male, having a partner, having a criminal record, smoking, and consuming alcohol or other substances could promote adolescent sexual activity onset, while socializing with friends was found to be a protective factor.

Introduction: Toxoplasmosis persists as a neglected disease and poses a challenge to public health, especially due to the risk of vertical transmission, which can lead to countless biological complications for the newborn and to psychological and emotional repercussions for the mother. Objective: To understand the perceptions and feelings of pregnant women affected by toxoplasmosis undergoing outpatient follow-up. Materials and Methods: A qualitative and exploratory study developed with 12 women with gestational toxoplasmosis undergoing specialized outpatient follow-up in a municipality from the state of Paraná, Brazil. The data were collected through semi-structured individual interviews and subjected to content analysis, supported by descending hierarchical classification. Results: The pregnant women experienced situations ranging from diagnosis and treatment to preventing the disease in the child and family. These experiences generated fear, distress and uncertainty about the disease, which were not adequately addressed during prenatal assistance in primary care. However, the pregnant women emphasized the importance of the multiprofessional team at the secondary level in monitoring and health education. Discussion: Although the pregnant women felt confident about the treatment and its implications for the child's health, discovering the diagnosis impacted their everyday lives and those of their families, especially due to lack of reliable information about toxoplasmosis and to the absence of emotional support at the primary level. Conclusions: There was a temporary scenario of disinformation among these women, who were not properly guided and supported. However, the guidelines offered in secondary health care were essential for improving knowledge and practices in health.

Introduction: Healthcare-associated infections pose a significant challenge, contributing to hospital morbidity and mortality. Objective: To describe the behavior of Healthcare Associated Infections before and during the pandemic reported to a high-complexity health institution in Colombia. Material and Methods: In our retrospective observational study on Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), we analyzed data from all in-patients diagnosed with HAIs between 2018 and 2020. This included clinical, demographic, microbiological, and microbial susceptibility information collected from the Committee on Nosocomial Infections' prospective database. Data from 391 isolates were obtained using Whonet software for antimicrobial resistance surveillance. Results: We found 504 cases of HAIs (2018-2020) with an overall in-hospital infection rate of 2.55/1000 patient-days. The median age for pediatric patients was 5 years, and for adults, 56 years, with 57% male. The leading admission diagnoses were oncologic disease complications (31%). Bacteremia had a 30-day mortality rate of 13%, predominantly catheter-associated (37%). Gram-negative bacilli, notably Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, represented 58% cases of HAI. Discussion: The critical need for specific interventions and antimicrobial management to control HAIs, especially given the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, is highlighted. Conclusions: This is the first report on HAIs incidence at a tertiary hospital in Bucaramanga, Santander (Colombia). Bacteremia was predominant; 75% of HAIs patients had comorbidities. Gram-negative bacilli prevailed; a notable rise in ICU respiratory infections occurred during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. Resistance to cephalosporins and carbapenems was prevalent.

Introduction: Bariatric surgery has become an increasingly common procedure, especially for patients with morbid obesity who have obtained unsatisfactory results from conventional treatments. Objective: To evaluate the occurrence of behavioral patterns and personality disorders in patients in the preoperative period of bariatric surgery. Materials and methods: Cross-sectional study carried out with 146 patients from a medium-sized clinic, a reference in the execution of bariatric surgeries in the Midwest region of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Data collection was performed using the psychological instrument entitled Factorial Personality Battery. Descriptive analysis and data association were performed. Results: Half of the participants presented high or very high scores for greater propensity to develop depression and anxiety, showing a close relationship with personality disorders, especially with behavioral patterns of effort and dedication. Discussion: The patterns of effort and dedication behavior are protective factors in the postoperative period, taking into account the adaptations and new habits necessary for a good recovery and maintenance of weight loss. Conclusions: The dysfunctional patterns of behavior that stood out most are related to greater difficulty in perceiving the positive side and ease in perceiving the negative side, leading to a more intense experience of suffering, in addition to difficulty in making decisions and facing routine challenges. Screening behavioral patterns and personality disorders preoperatively is necessary for adequate patient monitoring and successful bariatric surgery.