Ceuta Research Articles

The educational space and its impact on pedagogical dynamics: Teachers' perception of their working environment

A quality learning space provides students with an optimal environment for social relations, collaborative work and participation, thus fostering innovation and incorporating active methodologies. The aim of this study is to analyze whether the design of existing learning environments is suitable for incorporating innovation in classrooms. The methodology carried out in this study was quantitative and divided into two phases to carry out the analysis. The approach consisted of collecting data from a sample of 245 teachers using a questionnaire designed and validated by the researchers. The teachers perform their educational activity between the 3rd and 6th grades of primary school and are in educational centres in the autonomous city of Ceuta (Spain). The findings highlight the relevance that teachers believe the design of educational spaces should have in the teaching-learning process. Thus, the results show that there are significant differences with respect to age and professional experience in relation to the teacher's perception of infrastructure. Therefore, it is important to conclude by highlighting the consideration of the educational space as an essential element for the incorporation of methodological renewal in the classroom.

The eclectic landscape: examining Spanish secondary school teachers’ beliefs on literary education

Literary education aims to promote the teaching of reading from an academic, social, and personal perspective. At present there is a consensus on the central role that the school institution plays, which can be translated into explicit and implicit approaches. The objective of this article is to explore Spanish Secondary school teachers’ beliefs about literary education to determine their proximity to each of these two approaches, as well as the coherence within such beliefs, unpacking the relationships between adherence to principles and declared practices. To obtain the data that supports the study, the Beliefs About Literary Education of Secondary School Teachers (BALESST) scale has been elaborated. 1,544 Secondary Education teachers from the 17 Spanish communities and the autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla have responded to the scale. For the analysis of the data, the statistical packages of IBM SPSS Statistics, 24.0 and G* Power 3 have been used. The results suggest that Spanish Secondary school teachers are in an eclectic position in the debate between explicit and implicit literary education, reveal relevant discrepancies between the two factors that make up the scale (adherence to principles and declared practices), and allow identify majority and minority representations and practices among teachers.

Neonatal Screening for Sickle Cell Disease in Western Andalusia: Results and Lessons Learnt after 3 Years of Implementation.

The aim of this study was to present the results obtained in the Newborn Screening Program (NSP) for sickle cell disease (SCD) in western Andalusia and the autonomous city of Ceuta in the first 3 years of implementation, and to describe the discrepancies found in the diagnosis of hemoglobinopathies between the screening method and the confirmatory tests. A descriptive and retrospective study was carried out, and the findings obtained in the newborns included in the NSP between November 2018 and December 2021 were analyzed. A total of 111,205 samples were screened by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The birth prevalence of SCD, sickle cell trait, hemoglobin C carriers, and the compound heterozygosity Hb C/β-thalassemia was 1/12,356, 1/467, 1/1,278, and 1/55,602 newborns, respectively. Although there was a correlation between the first-line HPLC screening technique (VARIANTnbs HPLC analyzer, Bio-Rad) and the confirmatory tests in most cases, major discrepancies were found in detecting carriers of G-Philadelphia, D, E, and O-Arab hemoglobin variants, with the former having an incidence of 1/10,110 and the others 1/22,241. The carrier status of Hb G-Philadelphia produced an FAD pattern on the screening method that could be mistaken as Hb D, while Hb O-Arab was identified as an FA5 pattern. Hb D was initially recognized as Hb D in two cases. An NSP requires at least two different combined methods in order to identify the hemoglobin variant with sufficient certainty. Furthermore, even though software solutions for HPLC suggest a pattern, it must be confirmed with another technique to obtain a correct interpretation of the chromatograms. · The NSPs are an essential activity in preventive medicine.. · At least two different combined methods are required to correctly identify hemoglobin variants.. · Different variants can produce a similar or identical pattern by a single method..

Models of public care for the population with acquired brain injury in Spain: a study of the situation by Spanish autonomous communities

Rehabilitation after Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) is a dynamic, progressive process aimed at functional improvement of the affected person and their family. There is an international consensus on how the model that guides this process should be; however, in our country there are numerous territorial discrepancies regarding its application. Therefore, the objective of this work is to analyze and update the knowledge about the practices developed in the field of rehabilitation and the regulations available in each autonomous community. 62 participants (71.7% women), including both direct care professionals and public administration positions from the 17 Spanish Autonomous Communities and the autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla. A questionnaire composed of 31 questions on the functioning of rehabilitation throughout the three phases of care that often follow ABI was developed. This questionnaire was applied to these professionals in each of the Autonomous Communities, through semi-structured interviews. The results show the great territorial inequality existing in the functioning of rehabilitation during the recovery process of a person with ABI and the significant deficiencies of specific resources, specialized professionals such as neuropsychologists and necessary aspects such as socio-sanitary coordination. It is necessary to develop state regulations that guarantee the minimum basic aspects of the rehabilitation process in the DCA, in its different phases and in all the Autonomous Communities.

ICT Motivation in Sixth-Grade Students in Pandemic Times—The Influence of Gender and Age

Information and communication technology (ICT) is being immersed in people’s daily lives at an increasingly younger age. It has been key for adolescents to pursue distance education, and their use and mastery of technological means and tools with Internet access has increased. In this study, the motivation, specifically in the interest, digital competence, autonomy, and social interaction, generated by ICTs in the daily lives of adolescents during the pandemic caused by COVID-19 was analyzed. In the study, the objective was to study the motivation, use and commitment generated by ICTs in these students in relation to their gender and age after their confinement to the classroom caused by the first wave of incoming students. An experimental method of descriptive and correlative design was used along with a quantitative method to analyze the data. The data were obtained in the year 2020 through a validated questionnaire committed to the ICT scale used by PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment). A total of 924 students from the sixth grade of primary education in the autonomous city of Ceuta (Spain), aged between 10 and 13, participated in the sample. The results reveal that the motivation and commitment to ICT in these age groups were medium in relation to the total mean of results on a Likert-5 scale. Boys scored higher in all the variables analyzed, and both age and gender show correlations, in addition to the factor of prediction. In conclusion, students in the sixth year of primary education, after the confinement period, were medium-high in their use and engagement of ICT. In addition, gender and age affected ICT use and engagement.

Tasas de letalidad por SARS-CoV-2 según Comunidades Autónomas durante la segunda onda epidémica en España

IntroductionIn Spain, health systems are transferred to the Autonomous Communities (AC), constituting 19 health systems with differentiated management and resources. During the first epidemic wave of COVID-19, differences were observed in reporting systems and in case-fatality rates (FR) between the AC. The objective of this study was to analyze the FR according to AC. during the 2 nd epidemic wave (from July 20 to December 25, 2020), and its relationship with the prevalence of infection. Material and methodsA descriptive observational study was carried out, extracting the information available on the number of deaths from COVID-19 registered in the Ministry of Health, the Health Councils and the Public Health Departments of the AC, and according to the excess mortality reported by the System Monitoring of Daily Mortality (MoMo). The prevalence of infection was estimated from the differences between the second and fourth rounds of the ENE-COVID study and their 95% confidence intervals. The global FR (deaths per thousand infected) were calculated according to sex, age groups (< 65 and ≥ 65 years) and AC. The age-Standardized Fatality Rates (SFR) of the AC were calculated using the FR of Spain for each age group. These estimates were made with officially declared deaths (FRo) and excess deaths estimated by MoMo (FRMo). The correlations between the prevalences of infection and the FRo and FRMo were estimated, weighting by population. ResultsFor the whole of Spain, the FRo during the second epidemic wave was 7.6%, oscillating between 3.8% in the Balearic Islands and 16.4% in Asturias, and the TLMo was 10.1%, oscillating between 4.8% from Madrid and 21.7% in Asturias. Significant differences were observed between the FRo and the FRMo in the Canary Islands, Castilla la Mancha, Extremadura, the Valencian Community, Andalusia and the Autonomous Cities of Ceuta and Melilla. The FRo was significantly higher in men (8.2%) than in women (7.1%). The FRo and FRMo were significantly higher in the age group ≥ 65 years (55.4% and 72.2% respectively) than in the group <65 years (0.5% and 1.4% respectively). The Basque Country, Aragon, Andalusia and Castilla la Mancha presented SFR significantly higher than the global FR of Spain. The correlations between the prevalence of infection and the FRo were inverse. ConclusionsThe case-fatality from COVID-19 during the second epidemic wave in Spain improved compared to the first wave. The case-fatality rates were higher in men and the elderly people, and varied significantly between AC. It is necessary to delve into the analysis of the causes of these differences.

Evaluation of the Congenital Hypothyroidism Detection Strategy in Extremely Preterm Infants in Western Andalusia.

This study aimed to identify extremely premature infants (< 31 weeks of gestation and/or <1,500 g) affected by congenital hypothyroidism (CH) with delayed elevation of thyrotropin (TSH) and to evaluate the detection strategy for this pathology in our reference screening population. A descriptive and retrospective study was carried out with samples collected from western Andalusia and the autonomous city of Ceuta. This protocol allowed us to detect six neonates with delayed TSH elevation. One of them, due to serious heart problems, died without being able to confirm CH. In two neonates, however, it was possible to detect CH, another two presented a persistent TSH elevation but normal free T4, and another one presented a temporary TSH elevation. It is essential to repeat the CH screening in extremely premature infants, not only at the age of 15 days but also with a third sample at the moment of hospital discharge to detect cases with delayed TSH elevation. · The Newborn Screening Programs are an essential activity of preventive medicine.. · Extremely preterm infants have a very high risk of CH.. · Optimal management of thyroid dysfunction in this population remains to be established..

Relationship between the personal learning environment and the educational level of unaccompanied foreign minors

The present research analyses the construction of the personal learning environment of unaccompanied foreign minors in relation to their educational level with the aim of improving learning flexibility. A sample of 600 unaccompanied foreign minors from the autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla, responded to a questionnaire comprised of 40 questions about their personal learning environments. Results suggest that younger minors make less use of their personal learning environment, which happens for all dimensions of the questionnaire, which are self-concept of the learning process, planning and learning management, use of resources and tools, and communication and social interaction. Teachers and educators have the important role of supporting minors and teaching them to manage their personal learning environment in order to make optimal use of it. These results are discussed in terms of recommendations for the Spanish educational system or any other context with similar characteristics.

Language rights and groups of immigrant origin

Abstract In this article, I aim to analyse language rights in relation to groups of immigrant origin. Liberal democracies are reluctant to consider immigrant groups as subjects entitled to the same set of language and cultural rights enjoyed by national minorities. However, the trend towards increasing levels of immigration is configuring new cultural and language correlations within territorial boundaries that provoke responses that problematise a fixed conception of language rights. Drawing on theories of liberal multiculturalism, I examine the case of claims for language recognition in the Spanish autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla and its normative implications. In these territories, factors such as size, concentration, and the historical ties of Arabic- and Berber-speaking communities challenge conventional approaches to minority groups’ rights based on a national versus immigrant minority distinction. I argue that these approaches are not satisfactory for language claims in these two cities and that a contextual approach is better suited to conceptualising the recognition of language rights.

Math Performance and Sex: The Predictive Capacity of Self-Efficacy, Interest and Motivation for Learning Mathematics.

Differences between the sexes in education is something of particular interest in much research. This study sought to investigate the possible differences between the sexes in math performance, and to deeply examine the causal factors for those differences. Beginning from the administration of the BECOMA-On (Online Evaluation Battery of Mathematics Skills) to 3,795 5th year primary students aged 10–11, in 16 Spanish autonomous communities and the 2 autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla. The results for each sex were compared to their perceptions of self-efficacy about completing the test items, and with their interest in and motivation for mathematics. Statistically significant differences were seen in the variables examined. The boys were generally more engaged with science and technical subjects. Generalizing from studies such as this aims to more thoroughly explore, and improve this situation.

Employment exclusion in Spain: a territorial approach

PurposeThis paper studies social inequality in the vital field of employment in Spain during the crisis period 2009-2014.Design/methodology/approachFactor analysis is used to build a synthetic index of employment exclusion. The starting information matrix collects data from a wide set of employment variables for all 17 Spanish autonomous communities and the autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla. Based on this information, four factors are extracted which explain employment exclusion in different situations of vulnerability, such as unemployment, temporality, poverty or low pay.FindingsIn the territorial ranking, Madrid, Basque Country, Aragon and Catalonia show the lowest risk of employment exclusion, whereas Ceuta, Andalusia, Extremadura and Canary Islands show the highest ones.Originality/valueThe main value of this research is that it confirms the need for coordination of public policies in order to foster social and territorial cohesion in Spain.

Impact of Educational Stage in the Application of Flipped Learning: A Contrasting Analysis with Traditional Teaching

The effectiveness of flipped learning depends largely on student typology. This study analyzes the applicability of this approach, according to the characteristics inherent to students based on their educational stage. The objective of the research is to verify the effectiveness of flipped learning compared to a traditional methodology during the stages of preschool, primary, and secondary education. For this study, a descriptive and correlational experimental research design was followed, based on a quantitative methodology. Two types of analysis groups (control and experimental) were established in each of the mentioned educational stages. As a data collection instrument, a validated ad hoc questionnaire was applied to a sample of 168 students from the Autonomous City of Ceuta (Spain). The results show that the applicability of flipped learning is more positive in primary and secondary education when compared to a traditional teaching method. However, the results found in preschool education reflect the difficulties in adapting the model to the needs of the students of that stage, due to the difficulties in the autonomous management of digital teaching platforms and the requirement of a minimum level of abstraction to apply this approach.

“De tormentas en el lenguaje”. Gli affanni identitari di Ceuta e Melilla

Abstract – The present paper aims to shed light on the linguistic contacts that take place in the Spanish offshoots of Ceuta and Melilla. The two cities, considered essential outposts in the colonial configuration of the then glorious empire, were subsequently incorporated – through a dubious juridical form – into the Spanish societal landscape. Their adhesion to the European concert had then expanded the space of interconnection between migrations, cultures and languages. In order to accurately analyze the linguistic and socio-political peculiarities of Ceuta and Melilla, it is necessary to start from the history of their identities, marked by the image of the fences, once built to defend them from invaders, today to stem the phenomenon of migration. The defensive barriers, in fact, have not hindered the transit of new expressions and linguistic forms, subsequently incorporated into the register of native speakers. What was the result of these encounters? Moreover: what is the impact on the already problematic Spanish identity issue? We intend to answer these questions, in attempt to describe – with clarity and disenchantment – the image of a nation in constant evolution, poised between its ancient pains and its aspirations for the future.

Analysis of Teachers’ Intercultural Sensitivity Levels in Multicultural Contexts

Societies comprise multiple cultures, meaning that different cultural perceptions exist and that intercultural sensitivity is seen as an indicator of successful intercultural relations. The aim of this research is to establish the intercultural sensitivity levels of teachers in two multicultural cities. The sample consists of 190 teachers in primary education in the autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla and 174 primary teachers of Malaga and Granada, which makes a total sample of 364 teachers. The scale used in this research is an abridged version of the Intercultural Sensitivity Scale: relational engagement, regard for cultural diversity, relational certainty, relational satisfaction, and relational carefulness. The scale has been validated on many occasions in the abridged and unabridged versions. The results show that teachers in Melilla and Ceuta show high levels of cultural sensitivity. There are significant differences depending on the variables analysed and depending on the context. Interaction enjoyment and interaction attentiveness have the highest levels for teachers in this research.

Influencia de la edad en el liderazgo directivo de las Cooperativas de Enseñanza TITLE: The influence of de age in the managerial leadership of the Education Cooperatives

Las cooperativas de enseñanza nacen como alternativa a los centros públicos y privados, formada por un grupo de docentes con intención de invertir, por medio de la economía social, en el campo de la educación. El objetivo de esta investigación es conocer la influencia de la edad en relación al liderazgo de los docentes que ocupan cargos directivos en las cooperativas de enseñanza. El método de investigación es de tipo descriptivo y correlacional, con un análisis cuantitativo de los datos, de toda la población de docentes que conforman las cooperativas de enseñanza de la Ciudad Autónoma de Ceuta. La recogida de datos se llevó a cabo mediante un cuestionario. En esta investigación, se ha realizado una descripción de las variables sexo y las incluidas en el ámbito directivo. Para conocer la relación entre variables aplicamos la prueba de Chi-Cuadrado y en los casos que hay relación aplicamos la prueba Phi y V de Cramer, obteniendo resultados bastante significativos acerca de la edad y el desempeño del liderazgo en los directivos de estas entidades.

Impact of the Spanish smoke-free laws on cigarette sales, 2000-2015: partial bans on smoking in public places failed and only a total tobacco ban worked.

In January 2006, the Spanish government enacted a tobacco control law that banned smoking in bars and restaurants, with exceptions depending on the floor space of the premises. In January 2011, further legislation in this area was adopted, removing these exceptions. We analyse the effect produced on cigarette sales by these two bans. We approach this problem using an interrupted time series analysis while accounting for the potential effects of autocorrelation and seasonality. The data source used was the official data on legal sales of tobacco in Spain, from January 2000 to December 2015 (excluding the Canary Islands and the autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla). As confounder variables, we use the log-transformed average prices for manufactured and hand-rolled cigarettes (or the average minimum excise tax as a proxy), and log-transformed real-household disposable income. The implementation of a total smoke-free ban in Spain was associated with an immediate reduction in cigarette sales between 9% to 11%. In contrast, in the period immediately following the partial ban, no such reduction was detected, beyond the trend already present. Our results indicate that, in Spain, partial bans on smoking in public places failed, and that only a total tobacco ban worked.

Ceuta y su hinterland desde la teoría de la frontera. El caso de las mujeres porteadoras

Este articulo forma parte de la tesis doctoral «la situacion de las mujeres porteadoras en la frontera hispano-marroqui. El caso de Ceuta». Con el proposito de encuadrar el objetivo de la investigacion se ha realizado una revision historica teorico a las principales contribuciones de la teoria de la frontera; los efectos de la globalizacion sobre las mujeres; y la globalizacion en los derechos humanos. Durante el conjunto de la investigacion se ha hecho uso de la etnografia, en la cual se ha empleado la observacion en los puntos fronterizos en los que los sujetos objeto de la investigacion intervienen y se ha completado con entrevistas en profundidad a los sujetos de la investigacion. La teoria fundamentada ha sido la tecnica que se ha usado para el analisis de los datos. Ante este fenomeno, los resultados que se extraen se orientan hacia el perfil de las mujeres porteadoras, su modo y condiciones de trabajo.

Sociodemographic characteristics as risk factors for obesity and overweight in Spanish adult population

ObjectiveTo analyze the adult Spanish sociodemographic characteristics associated with a higher risk of excess weight and obesity. As a second aim, we analyze if there are gender differences regarding the development of overweight and obesity in different age groups. Material and methodsTransversal study of the National Health Survey of 2012. Body mass index was calculated and a number of sociodemographic variables were analyzed. An analysis of multinomial logistic regression was conducted. ResultsIn 2012 the prevalence of obesity in Spain was 18.5% for obesity and 39.0% for being overweight. The greatest risk of being overweight or obese versus being of normal weight corresponded to men, married, between 65 and 74 years old, in social classes where unskilled work is performed, in the autonomous city of Ceuta, and the autonomous communities of Extremadura and Andalucía, and in municipalities with fewer than 10,000 inhabitants. On the other hand, obesity risk is 2 times higher in men versus women between 25 and 64 years while overweight risk is higher in all age groups. ConclusionsThe sociodemographic characteristics associated with a higher risk of being overweight or obese in Spain have changed compared to those published previously. In the year 2012, obesity was more common in males, the maximum peak was between 65 and 74 years and the area with the highest prevalence of obesity was the autonomous city of Ceuta.

Características sociodemográficas como factores de riesgo para la obesidad y el sobrepeso en la población adulta española

ObjectiveTo analyze the adult Spanish sociodemographic characteristics associated with a higher risk of excess weight and obesity. As a second aim, we analyze if there are gender differences regarding the development of overweight and obesity in different age groups. Material and methodsTransversal study of the National Health Survey of 2012. Body mass index was calculated and a number of sociodemographic variables were analyzed. An analysis of multinomial logistic regression was conducted. ResultsIn 2012 the prevalence of obesity in Spain was 18.5% for obesity and 39.0% for being overweight. The greatest risk of being overweight or obese versus being of normal weight corresponded to men, married, between 65 and 74 years old, in social classes where unskilled work is performed, in the autonomous city of Ceuta, and the autonomous communities of Extremadura and Andalucía, and in municipalities with fewer than 10,000 inhabitants. On the other hand, obesity risk is 2 times higher in men versus women between 25 and 64 years while overweight risk is higher in all age groups. ConclusionsThe sociodemographic characteristics associated with a higher risk of being overweight or obese in Spain have changed compared to those published previously. In the year 2012, obesity was more common in males, the maximum peak was between 65 and 74 years and the area with the highest prevalence of obesity was the autonomous city of Ceuta.

El árabe ceutí, una lengua minorizada de España

Se define qué es el árabe ceutí partiendo de datos ofrecidos por investigaciones recientes y reflexiones propias. Se trata de la lengua de 42% de la población bilingüe española de la Ciudad Autónoma de Ceuta. Pertenece al área dialectal del norte de Marruecos, pero se distingue del árabe marroquí por dos rasgos fundamentales: los préstamos del español y la alternancia de códigos. Su ausencia en la administración y la educación le confieren el rasgo de “minorizada”. Se propone el uso del árabe ceutí moderno, un registro enriquecido con préstamos del árabe clásico, como instrumento de comunicación y enseñanza en las instituciones públicas; por último, se da el ejemplo de tres lenguas que fueron minorizadas y que se han convertido en oficiales: el español, el griego y el maltés, y se presenta una serie de documentos jurídicos y educativos que apoyan la normalización y codificación del árabe ceutí.