Ibero-American Countries Research Articles

How trustworthy is online dental information for individuals with Down syndrome from Ibero-American countries?

Internet has become an indispensable source of health-related information. However, several studies have shown there to be a lack of quality control for webpages related to disability. Specifically, available content concerning Down syndrome (DS) and dentistry is limited and of dubious quality. The aim of the present study was to assess the quality of online content in Spanish and Portuguese on dental care for individuals with DS. A simultaneous search in Google and Bing using the terms "Down syndrome" and "odontology/dentist/dental treatment" in Spanish and Portuguese was conducted in seven Ibero-American countries (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Spain, Mexico, and Portugal). The first 100 consecutive pages of results from the three combinations of terms in each of the search engines were accessed and selected by applying conventional exclusion criteria. The selected pages were classified according to their authorship, specificity and dissemination potential. The quality of the online content was assessed using the DISCERN questionnaire and the Questionnaire to Evaluate Health Web Sites According to European Criteria (QEEC). The presence of the Health On Net (HON) and Accredited Medical Website (AMW) seals was also assessed. The mean DISCERN score was 2.51±0.85 and 2.57±0.86 for the Spanish and Portuguese webpages, respectively. The mean readability score was 3.43±1.26 and 3.25±1.08 for the Spanish and Portuguese webpages, respectively. None of the selected webpages presented the HONcode or AMW trust seals. The content available online in Spanish and Portuguese regarding Down syndrome and dentistry is scarce and of highly questionable quality.

Effects of Flexibility on Digital Platform-Mediated Work in Five Ibero-American Countries

Effects of Flexibility on Digital Platform-Mediated Work in Five Ibero-American Countries

Measurement Invariance in Five-Point and Seven-Point Likert Scale of the SWLS in 5 Ibero-American Countries

La escala Likert se ha convertido en un método popular de evaluación dentro de las ciencias sociales, sin embargo, no existe un consenso sobre cuál opción de respuesta es mejor (de cinco o siete puntos). La presente investigación trató de comparar las propiedades psicométricas de ambas opciones de respuesta Likert mediante el caso de un instrumento de satisfacción con la vida. A través del análisis de invarianza de medida, se llevó a cabo un estudio cuantitativo y transversal. Con dos muestras no probabilísticas de jóvenes de cinco países hispanohablantes (n1 = 706, n2 = 911), se realizó un análisis factorial confirmatorio multigrupo (país y género), considerando la invarianza configural, métrica, escalar y estricta. Los hallazgos sugieren, con base en estudios previos, que la escala Likert-5 obtuvo resultados más favorables. Por lo tanto, el instrumento sí fue invariante al comparar países; no obstante, respecto al género, se obtuvieron algunos indicadores favorables para soportar la invarianza de medida del instrumento.

Pedagogías de la memoria para usos educativos del pasado en Iberoamérica: Estado de la cuestión

The following text presents a state of the art of the field known in Ibero-America as “pedagogies of memory”, with the aim of highlighting some of the pedagogical and educational features involved in the work on social memory, drawing attention to the risks of abuse of the past and questioning the idea that memory is in itself liberating. The article is based on an analysis of academic publications produced in Ibero-American countries that have suffered violent and traumatic events in their recent past, such as Spain, Argentina, Chile, Colombia and Brazil, among others. The results reveal interesting contributions in relation to the pedagogical perspectives and educational aims of the pedagogies of memory in the context analysed. Regarding pedagogical perspectives, critical pedagogy, social constructivism and an approach to the philosophy of education known as anamnetic narrative stand out. The educational aims include the teaching of recent history as a condition for learning about events that must not be repeated, citizenship training in human rights, and the formation of political subjectivities based on the principle of alterity. It is concluded that, despite the wealth of experiences in the works analysed, the field of pedagogies of memory is still developing and there are many precautions that we need to take in order to make use of the past for educational and emancipatory purposes.

Digital technology in national curricula: a dialogue among Iberoamerican countries.

In today's world, digital technologies have become pervasive, impacting every aspect of our lives. Even in subjects such as Health and Physical Education (HPE), which traditionally emphasizes experiential, active, and corporeal learning, there is a growing interest in the role and influence of new technologies. These technologies not only have the potential to transform human movement and health cultures, but they also offer valuable tools to facilitate teachers' work and enhance student learning. Considering the context of the Research Network on Interactive Digital Didactic Materials, which includes researchers from Iberoamerican countries, this research examines how media and digital technologies are considered in the official Physical Education and curriculum documents from Brazil, Uruguay, Chile, Colombia, and Spain. The research comprises a content analysis of official National Curricular Proposals of the selected countries. Considering the specificities of each country to publish their curricula policies, we selected eight different documents from five countries (Brazil, Uruguay, Spain, Colombia, and Chile). We looked for indicators expressed by terms such as "media," "digital culture," and "technology" in the documents, all of them related to Physical Education. The findings show arguments and proposals for using technology in Physical Education in all documents. However, the curricula trigger this theme in different forms, as an autonomous or transversal character integrated into subjects such as HPE. This fact may be highlighted by the goals of learning areas, which sometimes trigger teaching themes through technology. Under the Media-Education theory lens, we argue that there is no standard for educational investment in curricula in media and technology. Some documents point to the technology use dimension, while others point to the critical or productive dimension that technology makes possible. The literature highlights the need for an organic approach between these dimensions, and educators and policymakers are asked to rethink their curriculum proposals.

Dos doutorados acadêmicos aos doutorados profissionais: análise comparativa de experiências na Ibero-América

Abstract Professional Doctorates (PD) as a model of doctoral training, parallel to and independent from the traditional Academic Doctorates, began to expand throughout the 1990s in countries of the Anglo-Saxon world, echoing timidly in Ibero-American countries. This article carried out a comparative study between the PDs of Brazil and Mexico, the only countries in the Ibero-American region that have created PDs in their educational systems, aiming to analyze their convergences, divergences, and specificities. This is an exploratory, analytic-descriptive, bibliographic, and documental study. Among other important findings, it is noteworthy that unlike the Mexican norms that relate PD specifically to the professional development of doctoral students, in Brazil there is a broader, prevailing conception aimed at increasing the productivity of companies and public and private organizations, technology transfer and the production of innovative knowledge.

Enhanced Strategic Surveillance And Competitive Intelligence Systems Through Advanced Big Data Capabilities

A systematic review was carried out on the production and publication of research papers related to the study of BigData and Surveillance Systems with the effectiveness of Open Government in Ibero-American countries, under the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses) approach. The purpose of the analysis proposed in this document was to know the main characteristics of the publications registered in the Scopus and Wos databases during the study and their scope in the study of the proposed variables, achieving the identification of 33 publications in total. Thanks to this first identification, it was possible to refine the results through the keywords entered in the search button of both platforms, which were BIGDATA and SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS, reaching a total of 14 documents, excluding duplicates and those that did not meet the analysis criteria. The identified scientific publications were analyzed in the hope of knowing the impact of BigData techniques for the processing of large amounts of information on surveillance systems. The analysis allowed us to identify the position of different authors regarding the proposed topic, as well as the relationship between both variables in the execution of different research projects.

Correction: Expectations About Work and Living Conditions of Delivery and Transport Platform Workers: A Content Analysis Conducted in Five Ibero-American Countries

Correction: Expectations About Work and Living Conditions of Delivery and Transport Platform Workers: A Content Analysis Conducted in Five Ibero-American Countries

Expectations About Work and Living Conditions of Delivery and Transport Platform Workers: A Content Analysis Conducted in Five Ibero-American Countries

Expectations About Work and Living Conditions of Delivery and Transport Platform Workers: A Content Analysis Conducted in Five Ibero-American Countries

Psychological Impacts of Teaching Models on Ibero-American Educators during COVID-19.

Educational systems globally, and notably in the Ibero-American context, underwent significant adaptations in response to the myriad challenges imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The pedagogical evolution unfolded through three discernible phases: predominantly online, hybrid, and ultimately, a return to face-to-face instruction. While these phases were universally apparent, cultural, socio-economic, and health disparities across regions subtly influenced the quality and experiential aspects of teaching and learning within these models. This study seeks to illuminate the psychological profiles and evaluative perspectives regarding teaching and learning quality among university educators during COVID-19's tri-phase educational transformation. Engaging 601 university instructors from various Ibero-American countries, a comprehensive questionnaire mapped demographic, academic, and psychological landscapes across the pandemic's distinctive epochs. The pivot to online educational methodologies, supplanting traditional modalities, permeated numerous facets of the educational endeavor, particularly impacting faculty life and wellbeing. Data underscored a prevalent sentiment of loneliness, indicative of broader mental health challenges, especially pronounced among educators in Latin American nations. Notwithstanding these hurdles, Latin American educators demonstrated a predilection towards online instruction, in stark contrast to their European peers, who exhibited a preference for in-person pedagogy. This study unveils the divergent pedagogical preferences and mental health challenges among university educators in the Ibero-American realm during COVID-19's educational shifts, underlining the need for adaptable educational frameworks and robust mental health support, attuned to the region's distinct socio-cultural and economic contexts.

Regulatory response to COVID-19 in the Ibero-American electricity sector: Policy implications and critical analysis of support measures

The confinement measures implemented to curb the spread of COVID-19 caused massive job destruction and increased residential electricity consumption due to the increased time people spent in their homes, putting millions of people around the world at risk of energy poverty at a time when they depended on it for telecommuting, distance learning, recreation, and communication. Governments reacted quickly and introduced various emergency measures to secure the power supply. This article reviews and classifies the emergency measures implemented in the electricity sector in 22 Ibero-American countries, identifying the validity of the measures, the benefits provided, and the requirements to apply. The paper focuses on economic support measures for residential customers. The main measures include the prohibition of disconnection of electricity service, deferment of payment of the electricity bill, installment payments of the electricity debt, and reduction of the electricity tariff. However, measures aimed at commercial and industrial customers and companies participating in the electricity supply chain are also reviewed. We argue that these measures, applicable not only during health crises but also during any event that confines the population for an extended period, should be targeted at the most vulnerable population to reduce fiscal expenditure and increase social impact.

Teaching innovation factors: analysis from three Iberoamerican countries

ABSTRACT The main aim of this research is to describe and understand the main elements comprising the teaching innovation in teachers. For this purpose, a mixed research design was used, combining the survey method with case studies in three Iberoamerican countries (Spain, Brazil and Portugal) with teachers of pre-school, primary and secondary education. The results yielded adequate values of reliability (ωSpain = .86; ωBrazil = .82; ωPortugal = .87) and validity for the Teaching Innovation Factors Questionnaire, which is composed of three factors that explain approximately 55% of the variance: institutional participation, psycho-pedagogical openness, and didactic planning. Statistical differences were also found in each of these variables depending on the country (F = 306.22; sig. = .00). These same dimensions were also revealed in the case study. In conclusion, institutional participation, psycho-pedagogical openness and didactic planning are factors of teaching innovation for teachers present in Spain, Brazil and Portugal, although with differences.

Analysis of Ocean Energy Integration in Ibero-American Electric Grids

The development of the marine renewable energy, as referenced in the objectives achievement of many energy roadmaps [1], is conditioned by the possibilities to integrate the marine generation power plants in the electric systems. Offshore wind, floating solar PV, tidal, waves and even saline gradient are the technologies considered. The success of these plans needs to fulfil, among others, the compliance of the electric grid codes, ensuring the stability of electric grids.
 The integration of marine renewable energies is still not a problem at the electric grids, since the penetration level is not so high. However, the objectives established in the roadmaps invite to analyse the expected effects of new power plants from the point of view of performance at the electric systems. Actually, some research works have identified an increase in the number of frequency and voltage events in electric systems due to higher penetration of marine energies [2].
 The connection of the marine renewable generation is usually taken place in nodes of the electric grids not very favourable in terms of power capacity and voltage drops. Moreover, many of the locations where the marine renewable energies result economically viable are linked to weak areas of the electric grid, meaning that frequency and voltage are more sensible. That is the case of remote isolated areas, as usually coastal areas, or islands. Additionally, some of the technologies considered, such as wave energy, present very oscillatory power profiles which produce an unbalance with the consumption profiles, leading to stability problems.
 More and more countries are putting an eye on new sources of energy, integrating them in their energy policies in order to search alternatives to face energy crisis. This is the case of many countries in Centre and South America, that have included in their roadmaps the renewable marine energies [3]. One of the main issues in these countries is the lack of robust electric grids or the condition of weak grids in coastal areas.
 This paper presents the result of the analysis of different electric grids in Ibero-American countries. Three different regions have been considered: Mesoamerica, South America and Iberian Peninsula and Macaronesia, and particular areas or countries have been selected from each region as representative of the critical conditions in terms of grid integration. Costa Rica, Peru, Brazil and Argentina, and the Canary Islands in Spain, are the selected case studies. The results presented will summarize: power limits, time response, energy storage and backup generation requirements, power ramps, power oscillation allowed, etc.
 This work has been accomplished in the frame of the activities carried out by the groups involved in the thematic network REMAR (Opportunities of Integration of Ocean Energies in Ibero-American Electric Grids), promoted and funded by the Ibero-American Programme of Science and Technology for the Development (CYTED).

Sitosterolemia in Iberoamerican countries: New cases and phenotype genotype analysis

Sitosterolemia in Iberoamerican countries: New cases and phenotype genotype analysis

Monkeypox, Disinformation, and Fact-Checking: A Review of Ten Iberoamerican Countries in the Context of Public Health Emergency

This paper examines the disinformation and fact-checking activity of ten Ibero-American countries during the outbreak of monkeypox in 2022. Using a mixed-methods approach based on content analysis, the debunkings published by these organizations on their websites between 7 May and 10 September 2022 are studied. The countries with the highest number of debunkings are Spain and Bolivia, with two verification agencies, Maldita and Bolivia Verifica. The outbreak’s onset marked a peak in the spread of hoaxes, particularly following the declaration of the disease as a public health emergency. The identification of disinformants is challenging due to the diverse dissemination channels, although Twitter predominantly serves as the platform of choice. The preferred format for disinformation is image text, and the common theme links monkeypox to a side effect of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. Furthermore, the internationalization capacity of scientific hoaxes is demonstrated. Fact-checking agencies conduct adequate and thorough source verification, predominantly relying on official and expert sources. However, they employ limited digital tools that could expedite the verification process. Disinformation regarding monkeypox is closely related to COVID-19 hoaxes, either by resurrecting conspiracy theories or through the dissemination of speeches by well-known anti-vaccine activists who belong to healthcare collectives and were influential during the health pandemic.

Research on child and adolescent health in Ibero-American countries during the COVID-19 pandemic

Research on child and adolescent health in Ibero-American countries during the COVID-19 pandemic

Leisure Time Activities and Subjective Happiness in Early Adolescents from Three Ibero-American Countries: The Cases of Brazil, Chile and Spain

(1) Background: The aim of the present study is to analyze subjective happiness in relation to leisure time in 10-year-old boys and girls from Brazil, Chile and Spain and to determine which leisure time activity has a greater effect on their subjective happiness and whether there are differences according to gender. (2) Methods: Data from the third wave of the Children’s Worlds Project was used, which was collected by administering self-report measures to representative samples in each country. The sample was composed of 4008 early adolescents from Brazil (22.1%, n = 886), Chile (22.8%, n = 913) and Spain (55.1%, n = 2209). The mean age of the sample was 10.17 years (SD = 0.57), and 51.7% were girls. (3) Results: In terms of subjective happiness, moderate to high means were observed, with higher scores in boys and the Spanish sample. The results showed some differences in leisure time activities among children from Brazil, Chile and Spain. Furthermore, the results highlighted the importance of relaxation time with the family to promote happiness in pre-adolescence across genders and countries. Additionally, playing outdoors and doing homework were also found to be protective factors for subjective happiness. (4) Conclusions: In Brazil, Chile and Spain the most consistent result was the positive effect of spending time relaxing with the family on subjective happiness.

Owned media, influencer marketing, and unofficial brand ambassadors: differences between narratives, types of prescribers, and effects on interactions on Instagram

In the current era of the attention economy, users find themselves in social networks over-saturated with advertising that tends not to catch the public’s attention or have great credibility. In this sense, brands are trying to get closer to their audiences by using non-invasive, user-generated storytelling strategies with a more natural and experience-focused message. This research aims to compare which narrative elements used by the official accounts of 5 Ibero-American nation brands on Instagram and by the users (UGC) of hashtags promoted from those official accounts generate greater organic interaction on that social network (likes and comments). With a correlational view, we seek to compare whether the promotion of countries generates greater interaction between those generated by owned media and by users (UGC). For this purpose, two analysis sheets were designed and validated to perform quantitative, descriptive, and correlational content analysis and were applied, on the one hand, to 5 official profiles of Ibero-American countries (Argentina, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, and Venezuela) and on the other hand, using the hashtags promoted from these official accounts, the 100 posts of user-generated content (UGC) with greater relevance according to the platform were chosen. The main results show that Reels reach almost five times higher than any other type of posts in UGC accounts, while on the contrary, in corporate accounts, they are the types of content with the least interactions. Unlike what one might think, contests (giveaways) on official accounts generated fewer likes and social responsibility content, and posts featuring influencers and celebrities also failed to achieve significant interactions. Overall, official accounts generate the same amount of likes as UGC but significantly fewer comments. Brands only outperform UGC in likes in individual Photographs or Photo Rolls, while UCG outperforms brands in Reels for both metrics.

Universidad Iberoamérica 2030: The OEI's commitment to higher education

Universidad Iberoamérica 2030 is an initiative of the Organization of Ibero-American States for Education, Science and Culture (OEI) that aims to transform and strengthen higher education in the region. The OEI's commitment is focused on promoting quality, inclusive, relevant higher education that is oriented towards sustainable development. The vision of Universidad Iberoamérica 2030 covers various aspects, such as academic quality, equity and inclusion, internationalization, innovation and the strengthening of teacher training. It also focuses on the incorporation of digital technologies, the promotion of research and the encouragement of the entrepreneurial spirit. The OEI recognizes that higher education plays a crucial role in the human, social and economic development of the region, which is why it seeks to promote significant changes in higher education institutions. It is intended to generate a meeting and collaboration space that trains committed citizens, competent professionals and agents of change in their communities. Universidad Iberoamérica 2030 is conceived as a collaborative project between Ibero-American countries, in which the exchange of experiences and cooperation is promoted. It seeks to take advantage of the opportunities offered by new technologies and innovative pedagogical approaches to improve the quality of education and expand access to it. It is concluded that the Universidad Iberoamérica 2030 represents an ambitious and transformative vision of the OEI to strengthen higher education in Ibero-America. Through this commitment, it seeks to promote an inclusive, relevant and quality education that prepares students to face the challenges of the 21st century and contribute to the sustainable development of the region.

Prevalence and factors associated with self-reported anxiety in adults during the COVID-19 pandemic in Argentina, Brazil, Peru, Mexico, and Spain: A cross-sectional Ibero-American study.

The present study evaluated the factors associated with the perception of anxiety during the first wave of covid-19 in Ibero-American countries. This cross-sectional study was carried out with 5.845 participants of both sexes, over 18 years of age, and residents of four Latin American countries-Argentina (16.7%), Brazil (34.5%), Mexico (11.1%), and Peru (17.5%), and one European country-Spain (20.1%). Data were collected in 2020, between April 1st and June 30th in Spain and between July 13th and September 26th in the Latin American countries. We used an online questionnaire with sociodemographic, lifestyle, self-reported anxiety, and covid-19 related questions. The chi-square statistical test and Multivariate logistic regressions were performed to analyze the factors associated with self-reported anxiety. The presence of self-reported anxiety was found in 63.8% of the participants during the isolation period. The association occurred mainly in women (OR:1.52; CI: 1.3-1.7), those aged 18 to 29 years (OR: 1.51; CI: 1.2-1.9) and 30 to 49 years (OR: 1.56; CI: 1.3-1.9), residents of Argentina (OR: 1.55 CI: 1.2-1.9), Brazil (OR: 2.38; CI: 2.0-2.8) and Mexico (OR: 1.52; CI: 1.2-1.9), those who gained weight (OR:1.71 CI: 1.5-1.9) or lost weight (OR: 1.40; CI: 1.2-1.6), and those who reported having slept more (OR: 1.56; CI: 1.3-1.8) or less (OR: 2.89; CI: 2.5-3.4). We conclude that the prevalence of self-reported anxiety in Ibero-American countries was high during the period studied, highlighting a higher likelihood of its occurrence in Brazil, in those who began to sleep less and gained weight.