Rural Areas In Spain Research Articles

Escaping Spanish totalitarianism in a four-wheel drive

This essay offers an analysis of Spanish author Manuel Leguineche's El camino más corto (1978) (The Shortest Route), which is a travel account of the 1965 attempt to establish a new record for the fastest trip around the world by car. The expedition gave the young journalist the opportunity to escape from the constraints imposed in Spain by the fascist dictatorship of Francisco Franco (1939–1975), and his book became an instant success and a landmark in the evolution of Spanish travel writing. It came to be one of the transitional texts in which a generation of intrepid Spaniards would practise a new paradigm of travel accounts: fast-paced, international and adventurous. The book moves beyond the type of travel and writing about travel practised by Spanish social realist writers of the 1960s, which frequently consisted of walking excursions through poor rural areas of Spain as a way to protest the totalitarian regime. Leguineche's book moved away from the social realist style and aimed to incorporate adventure, fun and an international perspective without sacrificing political awareness.

Pharmacological properties of blister beetles (Coleoptera: Meloidae) promoted their integration into the cultural heritage of native rural Spain as inferred by vernacular names diversity, traditions, and mitochondrial DNA

Ethnopharmacological relevanceBeetles of the family Meloidae (blister beetles) are often reported in pharmacological literature because of their content of cantharidin. Cantharidin has a long history in human medicine and was commonly applied in the 19th and the early 20th centuries, although its use has been progressively abandoned since then. Contrary to most, even common, large species of Coleoptera, blister beetles of the genera Berberomeloe, Physomeloe and to a lesser extent Meloe, are usually recognized and often incorporated into local folk taxonomy by inhabitants of rural areas in Spain. Aim of the studyTo demonstrate the role that pharmacological properties of blister beetles must have played in their integration in the culture of early Iberian human societies, but also in the preservation of their identity until today, a rare case for Spanish insects. To achieve this purpose we document the diversity of vernacular names applied in rural areas of Spain, and we determine, using molecular data, the antiquity of the presence of two species of the better-known blister beetle in rural Spain, Berberomeloe majalis and Berberomeloe insignis. Materials and methodsWe try to document the extent of traditional knowledge of meloid beetles in rural areas by interviewing about 120 people from villages in central and southern Spain. We also use mitochondrial DNA sequences (Cytochrome Oxidase I and 16SrRNA) obtained from several populations of two species of the better known blister beetle in rural Spain, Berberomeloe majalis and Berberomeloe insignis, to determine whether these beetles were already present in the Iberian Peninsula when earlier ancient cultures were developing. ResultsOur results show that, based on mitochondrial DNA, blister beetles of the genus Berberomeloe were present in the Iberian Peninsula long before humans arrived, so ancient Iberian cultures were in contact with the same beetle species occurring now in rural areas. On the other hand, people interviewed in rural communities provided us with more than 28 different vernacular names, a few short songs incorporated to local folklore, and some therapeutic uses. ConclusionsCurrent knowledge of blister beetles of the family Meloidae in rural Spain was likely developed as a consequence of their pharmacological properties; we hypothesize this knowledge was inherited from ancient pre-Christian Iberian native cultures as part of their traditional therapeutic traditions. It is possible then, that current vernacular names and traditional songs are the only remnants of an ancient knowledge of pharmacological uses of meloid beetles, verbally transmitted from the ancestral cultures to modern day rural Spain. Our work suggests that this legacy, part of the European Cultural Heritage, is disappearing fast, in parallel to the loss of traditional agricultural techniques.

Depressive symptoms and associated factors in an older Spanish population positively screened for disability

To measure the prevalence of depressive symptoms and its association with a comprehensive set of variables and to study the potential modifying effects of sex and age. In a cross-sectional study, subjects who tested positive to the 12-item World Health Organization disability screening tool were selected from a probabilistic sample of persons aged 65 years or older in a rural area of Spain. Measurements included EURO-D depression scale, socio-demographics, habits, anthropometrics, medical history, cognition, disability, functional dependence, self-rated health and pain. Logistic regression models were used to obtain adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for the association between depression and variables. The modifying effects of age and sex were assessed. Prevalence (95% CI) of current depressive symptoms among the 438 participants was 35.8% (31.3-40.3%). Depressive symptomatology was higher among women (aOR = 2.98). An inverse association was observed with alcohol (aORs of 0.52 and 0.27 for consumption of 1-2 and >2 standard units/day, respectively, versus abstainers). Depressive symptomatology was associated with heart failure (aOR = 4.24), urinary incontinence (aOR = 2.68), ischemic heart disease (aOR = 1.87), poor self-rated health and pain. Sex and age modified the effect of several variables. Prevalence of depressive symptoms, albeit high, was less than expected. The consistently strong negative association between depressive symptoms and alcohol consumption warrants further in-depth research. Awareness of effect modification by key variables, such as sex and age, may enable the probability of suffering depression to be more accurately assessed, with a view to performing a potential diagnostic work-up.

Source apportionment of particulate organic compounds in a rural area of Spain by positive matrix factorization

This study was conducted in order to identify possible sources and to estimate their contribution to particulate matter in a rural area. For this purpose, a commonly used receptor model, positive matrix factorization (PMF), was applied to a PM2.5 data set collected in a rural area of Madrid (Spain) between May 2004 and April 2005. A total of eighty nine samples were gathered. Chemical composition of particulate matter including major components, trace elements, total carbon, alkanes, PAHs, alcohols and acids were analyzed to study sources of atmospheric aerosols using the positive matrix factorization model. This work is characterized by including some organic tracers within PMF analysis, through which we can get a more accurate source apportionment. To our knowledge, this is the first work employing organic tracers for source apportionment by PMF model in a rural area of Spain. To assign PMF factor with a possible source, authors have based on the presence of tracer species. PMF apportioned the PM2.5 mass into nine factors. The factors included (1) even n–alcohols/acids factor, (2) n–alkanes factor, (3) secondary nitrate factor, (4) secondary sulfate factor, (5) secondary organic aerosol, (6) palmitic/stearic factor, (7) PAHs factor, (8) crustal factor and (9) low molecular weight alcohols/acids factor. Six of these factors are related to primary emissions and three of them are categorized as secondary aerosol. PMF identified two mixed sources, factor 6 identified as cooking /microbial source and factor 9 identified as a mixed source.

A Proposed Methodology for the Management of Low-Volume Roads in Spain

Low-volume roads play an essential role in the development of rural areas in Spain, yet most are in a poor condition since hardly any money is designated for their upkeep. This work proposes a management system for the Spanish low-volume road system based on an analysis of the present management of the country’s road and low-volume road networks, the methodologies used in the inspection and evaluation of the latter’s condition (designed by the authors), and on data from other countries. The proposed plan involves the stages of implantation, execution and monitoring, each one with its own objectives. The possible sources of funding for such a management system – vital if its future is to be ensured – are also discussed.

Risk of hypoactive sexual desire disorder and associated factors in a cohort of oophorectomized women

Background Women with surgical menopause are at high risk of developing hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD), which may cause sexual and emotional discomfort.Aim To determine the prevalence of HSDD and related risk factors in Spanish surgically postmenopausal women.Design Multicenter, cross-sectional study.Material and methods The Brief Profile of Female Sexual Function© (B-PFSF©) questionnaire was given to 1136 surgically postmenopausal women between 18 and 81 years old (mean 52.1 ± 7.1 years) attending gynecological consultations in different urban and rural areas in Spain, covering the country widely.Results From the entire sample, 1083 subjects were finally included. The mean score on the B-PFSF© was 15.9 and a total of 74.4% of the patients presented total scores lower or equal to 20, indicating the risk of presenting with HSDD. The possibility to be at risk of HSDD increased with age from 65.9% in the age group <45 years old to 76.6% in the age group ≥55 years old. Non-users of hormone replacement therapy presented a higher risk of HSDD (odds ratio 2.1; 95% confidence interval 1.3–3.4); the risk was increased as well when the time elapsed since surgical menopause was <5 years (odds ratio 1.8; 95% confidence interval 1.0–3.0).Conclusion Nearly three out of four women who had undergone bilateral oophorectomy were at risk of suffering HSDD; this risk was increased when less than 5 years since surgical menopause had elapsed. The use of hormone replacement therapy was associated with lower HSDD risk.

Characterization and sources assignation of PM2.5 organic aerosol in a rural area of Spain

The results from a year-long study of the organic composition of PM2.5 aerosol collected in a rural area influenced by a highway of Spain are reported. The lack of prior information related to the organic composition of PM2.5 aerosol in Spain, concretely in rural areas, led definition of the goals of this study. As a result, this work has been able to characterize the main organic components of atmospheric aerosols, including several compounds of SOA, and has conducted a multivariate analysis in order to assign sources of particulate matter. A total of 89 samples were taken between April 2004 and April 2005 using a high-volume sampler. Features and abundance of n-alkanes, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), alcohols and acids were separately determined using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and high performance liquid chromatography analysis. The Σ n-alkane and ΣPAHs ranged from 3 to 81 ng m −3 and 0.1 to 6 ng m −3 respectively, with higher concentrations during colder months. Ambient concentrations of Σalcohols and Σacids ranged from 21 to 184 ng m −3 and 39 to 733 ng m −3, respectively. Also, several components of secondary organic aerosol have been quantified, confirming the biogenic contribution to ambient aerosol. In addition, factor analysis was used to reveal origin of organic compounds associated to particulate matter. Eight factors were extracted accounting more than 83% of the variability in the original data. These factors were assigned to a typical high pollution episode by anthropogenic particles, crustal material, plant waxes, fossil fuel combustion, temperature, microbiological emissions, SOA and dispersion of pollutants by wind action. Finally, a cluster analysis was used to compare the organic composition between the four seasons.

Ten-year experience with acenocoumarol treatment in an ambulatory cohort of Spanish patients

To analyse incidence of hemorrhagic and thrombotic events in a series of ambulatory patients receiving acenocoumarol in a rural area of Spain (1997-2007). Out of 1,544 patients, 1,086 are receiving acenocoumarol at present (2% of our region's population). The total follow-up was 5,462 patients-years. Median age was 74 years. INR therapeutic range was 2.0-3.0 in 82.5%. Atrial fibrillation (AF) was the most frequent indication (73%). Incidence of hemorrhagic and thrombotic events was 2.27 and 0.2/100 patients-year, respectively. Gastrointestinal tract was the most frequent site of bleeding. In multivariate analysis, patients with AF and prosthetic heart valves (PHV) had increased risk of bleeding (OR 2.1 and 4.8, respectively). Age and therapeutic ranges of INR were not associated with increased risk of bleeding. 2% of our population is receiving acenocoumarol. Incidence of hemorrhagic and thrombotic events was low. Patients with AF and PHV had increased risk of bleeding.

Ruralphilia and urbophobia versus urbophilia and ruralphobia? Lessons from immigrant integration processes in small towns and rural areas in Spain

AbstractMost research on immigrants has focused on their arrival in metropolitan areas or capital cities. However, in some parts of Europe international migration into small towns and rural areas is a significant feature, and as a result populations outside the major cities are becoming more diverse. This paper focuses on Spain, which has one of the most rapidly increasing immigrant populations in Europe. Based on fieldwork in five regions, new qualitative data and innovative insights into the integration processes of international migrants in non‐metropolitan Spain are presented. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

A multicriteria assessment model for evaluating droving route networks

A model was developed for the classification and assessment of droving routes of high ecological value, based on the use of scalar methods and the definition of value functions. The model provides a new planning tool for use in decision-making and the sustainable management of these corridor zones. This is the first such model to involve an assessment process requiring (a) the definition of the possible uses of droving routes, (b) their division into sections, (c) the definition and use of assessment indicators, (d) the evaluation of sections with respect to their uses and (e) assessments with regard to each individual use, plus an overall use assessment. The model was validated in a rural area of Spain, a country whose droving routes make up a dense network some 125,000 km in length and which occupy some 442,000 ha. The study area was in the southwest of the Province of Madrid, which has 14 droving routes all catalogued as being of historic-cultural interest. The results showed the advantages of using scalar methods for the assessment of this type of corridor, bearing in mind that, while they act as linear communication networks, these corridors also occupy large areas of land that could be used for different activities. The main novelty of the multicriteria method used in the model lies in the use of indicators and value functions.

Public Right and Private Interest in Selected Recreation Initiatives in Rural Spain: A Sociogeographical Perspective

This paper examines new recreation initiatives in depopulated rural areas in Spain, and the resulting public right conflicts. It uses a social and cultural perspective on the geography of the initiatives, focusing on the differing responses from community and non-community actors. Three initiatives were chosen from a depopulated rural region of northern Spain. The paper suggests a different approach to the debates on space, the public right and communal goods, and the community.

Auditing secondary prevention of ischaemic heart disease in rural areas of Spain: An opportunity for improvement

Aim: To describe the standard of secondary prevention received by individuals with a history of ischaemic heart disease (IHD) in Spanish rural areas, and the factors associated with low standards of quality. Methods: Medical audit of patients with a history of IHD, whose data were provided by 72 rural physicians in 12 autonomous regions (1030 cases). Quality criteria were used based on international guidelines. Multivariate analysis was employed to assess the variables associated with poor-quality attention. Results: 30.9% of patients gave target low-density lipoprotein (LDL) readings, and 68.1% reached target blood pressure (BP). Beta-blockers were taken by 48.5%. Twenty-nine per cent of patients had not visited a specialist within the previous year. The fact that patients had visited a specialist within the previous year was associated with their having followed the types of treatments recommended in the guidelines (p < 0.01) and with obtaining target LDL and BP readings (p < 0.05). Patients from the smallest villages had the lowest probability of having LDL controls and also of receiving hypolipidaemic therapy (p<0.01). Those with a past history of isolated angina had lower probability of being treated with antiaggregants than those who had experienced previous acute myocardial infarction (p < 0.01).Conclusion: The quality of secondary prevention for these patients shows there is room for improvement. Problems of accessibility exist for some groups, which may be improved with the involvement of rural primary healthcare teams.

Tick species and tick-borne infections identified in population from a rural area of Spain

To determine the tick species that bite humans in the province of Soria (Spain) and ascertain the tick-borne pathogens that threaten people's health in that province, 185 tick specimens were collected from 179 patients who sought medical advice at health-care centres. The ticks were identified, and their DNA examined by PCR for pathogens. Most ticks were collected in autumn and spring (59 and 57 respectively). Nine species of ticks were identified, the most frequent being Dermacentor marginatus (55.7%), Ixodes ricinus (12.4%) and Rhipicephalus bursa (11.9%). Ninety-seven females, 66 males, 21 nymphs and one larva were identified. Twenty-six ticks carried DNA from Rickettsia spp. (11 Rickettsia slovaca, 6 Rickettsia spp. RpA4/DnS14, 1 Rickettsia massiliae/Bar29, and 8 unidentified); two ticks carried DNA from Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and seven ticks harboured DNA from Anaplasma phagocytophilum.

Tourist Perceptions of Resources and Activities in Rural Areas

ABSTRACT This paper tries to delve into the tastes and preferences of tourists visiting rural areas in Spain as an alternative to the traditional sun and beach holiday that dominates Spanish tourism. This paper focuses on the demand side of rural tourism; more specifically whether the tourists visiting a Spanish rural area, El Alto Palancia region, show different behaviours towards two sets of variables, depending on the age, gender, income and educational background. The first variable, “interest in certain resources associated with rural tourism”, was focused on natural and architectural resources that attract the tourist's attention. The second, a broad set of “activities that a tourist would like to practice in the region”. Main divergences are found between gender, educational levels and ages, but few across the three categories of income level.

Análisis del comportamiento de la demanda de turismo rural desde la experiencia de la comarca El Alto Palancia

This study is intended to delve into the tastes and preferences of tourists visiting rural areas in Spain as an alternative to the traditional sun and beach holiday that dominates Spanish tourism. This paper is focused on the demand side of rural tourism; more specifically the extent to which tourists visiting a Spanish rural area. El Alto Palancia region, exhibit different behaviours depending on age, gender, incomes and educational background. The homogeneity of behaviour across several categories of tourists was tested in two sets of variables. First, «interest in certain resources associated with rural tourism», focused on natural and architectural resources that sustains the tourist's attention. Second, a broad set of «activities that a tourist would like to practice in the region».

Epidemiología del perfil lipídico de la población anciana española: el estudio EPICARDIAN

The aim of this study was to describe the lipid profile, the levels of serum total cholesterol (TC), LDL cholesterol (C-LDL), HDL cholesterol (C-HDL) and triglyceride (TG), to compare these levels between geographical areas and to estimate the prevalence of dyslipidemia in elderly residents (65 years and older) from urban and rural areas of Spain. Epidemiological, observational, multicentre study of Spanish elderly people residents (>or= 65 years old) of 3 communities in 3 Spanish regions: Arévalo (Avila) and Begonte (Lugo) as rural areas and Lista (Central Madrid) as urban area. Stratified randomized sample by age and sex from population census of each area. The participation rate was: 84.6%. At-home interviews (phase 1) (n = 4522): with determination of capillary blood cholesterol levels (Reflotron) and clinical visit (phase 2) (1/3 selected randomly, n = 1907): determination of serum TC levels (enzymatic colorimetric method CHOP-PAD), C-HDL, C-LDL (Friedewald equation) and TG (Trinder Method). Mean concentrations of TC was 230.3 (46.8) mg/dl. These levels decreased significantly with increasing age (p < 0.001), higher in women (p = 0.001); lower in Lugo (226.4 [49.7] mg/dl) than in Madrid (233.2 [42.3] mg/dl) and Arévalo (236.5 [43] mg/dl) (p = 0.002). Global prevalence of hypercholesterolemia by SEA simplified criteria was: 68.9% (95% confidence interval, 66.8-71). Mean concentrations of C-LDL was: 159.4 (37.9) mg/dl; C-HDL: 48.2 (15) mg/dl, and TG: 119.7 (63.85) mg/dl. 31% of cases were awarded about the hypercholesterolemia. Only 30% of them were under treatment with lipid lowering drugs; and 30% of the subjects showed CT concentrations < 200 mg/dl, with no differences by sex, age, study area or education level. Female sex, urban habitat and hypertension were the only variables independently associated to hypercholesterolemia in the logistic model. The prevalence of dyslipidemia is slightly higher to SEA estimation for the European elderly population (50%), greater in women and in younger groups. The awareness, treatment and control of hypercholesterolemia are low among the Spanish elderly population.

Rural Development Is Getting Female: Old and New Alternatives for Women in Rural Areas in Spain

AntipodeVolume 34, Issue 5 p. 1004-1006 Rural Development Is Getting Female: Old and New Alternatives for Women in Rural Areas in Spain Ana Sabate Martinez, Ana Sabate Martinez Universidad Complutense de Madrid, [email protected]Search for more papers by this author Ana Sabate Martinez, Ana Sabate Martinez Universidad Complutense de Madrid, [email protected]Search for more papers by this author First published: 02 October 2003 https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8330.00291AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL No abstract is available for this article. Volume34, Issue5November 2002Pages 1004-1006 RelatedInformation

Teatro y memoria: la recreación del mundo rural en Las manos, de José Ramón Fernández, Yolanda Pallín y Javier G. Yagüe

Current research on twentieth-century Spanish theater reveals a high number of historical plays, a tendency that has continued during the last five years. Some of the most significant writers currently writing for the stage are actively revising the recent past in their work. In this context, three playwrights stand out —Jose Ramon Fernandez, Yolanda Pallin and Javier G. Yague— thanks to the critical and commercial success of their Las manos (Hands), a play about young people who live in a rural area of Spain during the decade of the 1960s. The study of the play's themes and its reception bring to light the reasons behind this historical recreation and the favorable response accorded it by critics and audiences.

Prevalence of diabetic retinopathy and eye care in a rural area of Spain

objective To study the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in a sample of 3544 patients living in a rural area of the province of Valladolid, Spain; as well as to estimate the current eye care to the diabetic population. methods Participants received a comprehensive ocular examination in their local area where they resided and a grading of DR was made using standard protocols. Physicians then provided us with the systemic and demographic data. results The population studied included 175 younger-onset and 3344 older-onset patients, all of whom were under physicians' care, distributed in an 18-county-area far from the urban center. Mean duration of the disease was 7.89 ± 7.7 years (range 0 to 59 years). 73% of participants had not received ophthalmologic care the preceding year and 63.6% had not received a dilated eye examination either. The prevalence of DR was 20.9%; macular edema was found in 5.7% of the patients. Differences in participation were found among counties and these also correlated with differences in prevalence of DR. Prevalence of DR in the younger-onset group was 25.6% and 14.81% in insulin- and non-insulin-dependent patients, respectively. In the older-onset group, it was present in 48.6% and 14.7% of insulin- and non-insulin-dependent patients. Patients with retinopathy were older, with a longer duration of disease, were insulin dependent and had had less eye care. conclusions Deficient screening of ophthalmic disease in diabetic patients should be improved, especially in isolated areas, in order to reduce DR in this group. Insulin-dependent older-onset patients with a longer duration of diabetes had a higher frequency of these complications.

Respiratory symptoms, lung function and use of health services among unemployed young adults in Spain. Spanish Group of the European Community Respiratory Health Survey.

The association of respiratory symptoms, lung function and use of health services with employment status was examined in Spain, a country with a high rate of unemployment. A population sample comprising 179 unemployed and 1,868 employed subjects aged 20-44 yrs in 1993, was randomly selected from a base population of about 170,000 people in five urban and rural areas of Spain. Subjects completed a questionnaire on respiratory symptoms, sociodemographic and lifestyle factors, occupational exposure and use of health services, and performed a forced spirometry, a methacholine challenge test and blood tests. Unemployed subjects had a higher risk of simple chronic bronchitis (odds ratio=2.06, 95% confidence interval 1.30-3.24) and of bronchitis-type symptoms, than those who were employed. These risks were, in part, due to the higher prevalence of smoking, poorer housing and prior occupational exposures among unemployed than among employed people. Smaller differences were found between employed and unemployed subjects for asthma-type symptoms, atopia and lung function tests. Use of health services among subjects with respiratory symptoms was similar among employed and unemployed subjects, except that the latter consistently reported less frequent contact with specialized practitioners. Unemployed subjects had a higher risk of bronchitis-type symptoms than employed subjects. In Spain's national, free-access healthcare system, the differential use of specialized health services by employment status is likely to imply differences in the characteristics of the healthcare provided.