Social Alarm Research Articles

Desomorphine, Krokodil: Current State and Social Perception

The consumption of substances evolves according to social change, new patterns of consumption, greater globalization, information, access to substances, etc. This entire context is closely related to the treatment and intervention that must be performed by clinical professionals; in this process sometimes appear substances that generate a social alarm, perhaps because of the repercussion they receive from non-specialized media. One of these substances with the greatest impact and social alarm generated in the last years is the desomorphine or krokodil, it seems therefore necessary to carry out a scientific review that clarifies and situates the particularity of the substance, its consumption and treatment.

Analysis of Changes in Spatial Pattern of Drought Using RDI Index in south of Iran

Drought is one of the main natural hazards affecting the economy and the environment of large areas. Droughts cause crop losses, urban water supply shortages, social alarm, degradation and desertification. In this study, the spatial characteristics of annual and seasonal drought were evaluated based on climate data from 16 synoptic stations during the period of 1980–2010 in south of Iran. To estimate the drought severity used modified Reconnaissance Drought Index (RDI) and to prepare maps, ArcGis10.2 software was used. Results showed in annual drought, percent of areas with normal condition, severe dry and extreme dry condition have had significant increasing trend (0.95 level). In winter drought, the percentage of areas with severe dry and extreme dry condition have had significant increasing trend (0.95 level). In spring drought, percent of areas with moderate dry has had significant increasing trend (0.95 level), in summer drought, percent of areas with moderate dry has had increasing trend (insignificant) and in autumn drought, percent of areas with severe dry has had significant increasing trend (0.95 level). Other classes of drought in different time scales had not significant trend. Result showed that the percentage of area with dry condition is increasing, this can be effective on the agricultural activities, agricultural productions, water resource management and other activities.

Adoption of Preventive Measures and Attitudes Toward the H1N1 Influenza Pandemic in Schools.

This study describes the perceived impact of H1N1 influenza and the adoption of the recommended measures to address the pandemic in schools. A cross-sectional self-reported survey was conducted in 433 schools in Barcelona addressed to the school principal or the H1N1 influenza designated person. A descriptive analysis was performed, stratifying by educational level and type of school. A logistic regression analysis also was conducted. Around 70% of the respondents reported that there had been H1N1 influenza cases among students, being this percentage significantly higher among those schools offering primary education (74.4%) (p < .05). The main measures (single-use paper towels, availability of sanitizer solutions and 15 minutes ventilation per day of enclosed spaces) were implemented in most of the centers. However, the correct adoption of the main measures took place in around 30% of the schools, being the percentage lower in those offering only secondary education (Odds ratio [OR]: 0.518; 95% confidence interval [CI]:0.272-0.986) and those located in medium (OR: 0.438, 95% CI: 0.234-0.811) or low socioeconomic status (SES) districts (OR: 0.321, 95% CI: 0.159-0.649). Despite the climate of social alarm, the perceived impact of H1N1 influenza in most schools was moderate. In future potential threats, the educational level and the SES of the school should be considered, especially when measures requiring purchasing any product are recommended but not provided.

To eat or not to eat meat. That is the question

Meat is a well accepted food with appreciable appealing. Due to its high nutritional value it plays a central role in human development. Meat/meatderivates are important sources of proteins, minerals and vitamins. Their nutritional importance is paralleled to their economic impact. Payingattention to the social alarm originated by a recent publication of WHO about the relationship between red and/or processed meat consumptionand cancer, this paper reviews the following aspects: a) the present consumption of meat/meat products in Spain; b) the contribution of theirmacro/micronutrients to the recommended dietary allowances; c) the obliged use of additives (e.g. nitrites and nitrates) to warrant the foodsafety, and their daily intake. In addition health risks derived from a high consumption, as well as the most appropriate culinary uses in order toreduce the formation of toxic products (e.g. N-nitrosocompounds) are commented. Due to the huge variety of available meat products, this paperconcludes that any generalization should be avoided. We also emphasize about the advantages of consuming meat/meat products in the frameof a Mediterranean diet, rich in vegetables, fruits, and bioactive compounds.

Association between Continuous Wearable Activity Monitoring and Self-Reported Functioning in Assisted Living Facility and Nursing Home Residents.

Physical functioning is a key factor in independent living, and its preclinical state assessment and monitoring during the subject's normal life would be beneficial. The aim of the study is to analyse associations between ambulatory measured physical activity behaviour and sleep patterns (wrist actigraphy) and self-reported difficulties in performing activities of daily living. Participants, setting and design: 36 residents in assisted living facilities and nursing homes (average age=80.4±9.0 years) without dementia in free living conditions participated. Actigraphic monitoring is integrated with the facilities' social alarm system. Indices on activity level, activity rhythm, sleep pattern and external stimuli response of sleep-wake behaviours were extracted from the actigraph data and correlated (Spearman rank-order correlation) with activities of daily living measures. Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons was applied. Activity level (ρ=-0.49, p<0.05) and night-time activity variance (ρ=-0.69, p<0.01) had correlation with the activities of daily living scores. The similarity of subject-wise activity pattern to facility common activities had a trend with activities of daily living (ρ=-0.44, p<0.1). In longitudinal case analysis, sleep and activity patterns were found to be associated with local weather variables. Activity patterns as measured by actigraphy may provide objective information on older people's behaviour related to functioning state and its changes in nursing home and assisted living facility settings. However, variance between individuals was large in this dataset which decreases the reliability of the results. Furthermore, external stimuli such as weather and facility-related activities can affect subjects' activity and sleep behaviour and should be considered in the related studies as well.

Explicaciones de las prácticas sexuales de riesgo en hombres que tienen sexo con hombres

ObjectiveTo explore views about risky sexual behaviors and perceptions of HIV, and to propose interventions for preventing HIV infections in a group of men who have sex with men. MethodsWe performed a qualitative study in a sample of 13 men who have sex with men, who were participating in an HIV-seronegative cohort, and who we contacted via saunas for the gay community in Barcelona (Spain). We performed in-depth semi-structured interviews, followed by content analysis. ResultsRisky sexual behaviors were associated with masculinity related to strong sexual needs, certain sexual exchange venues (such as saunas, private parties and clubs), drug use, and a desire to experiment with risk and one's own sexuality. HIV infection was perceived as a normalized disease, although becoming infected was still associated with shame and guilt. Proposed interventions included raising awareness of what it is like to live with HIV, generating greater social alarm, incorporating new technologies in prevention, and intensifying activity at gay venues. ConclusionsThe concept of masculinity plays a fundamental role in sexual practices among men who have sex with men. We suggest renewed innovation in preventive programs and incorporating the perception of risk and HIV infection from a gender perspective.

Fighting against the archaeological looting and the illicit trade of antiquities in Spain

Abstract:During the seventies, archaeological looting, of both land and underwater sites, not only was widespread in Spain, but also went unpunished. This situation stemmed from a lack of effective administrative and criminal legislation, human resources to combat the plague, and educational policies warning of how harmful such practices were, in spite of damning reports in the media and the social alarm raised in certain professional and political fields. The new political and social phase that began with the Constitution of 1978 has enabled the country to overcome this situation in three ways: first, by passing new, more appropriate administrative and criminal laws to help combat looting and illicit trade; second, through the creation of new regional governments (the autonomous communities) able to enforce these laws, and which have hired archaeologists specializing in cultural heritage management. The fight against the criminal aspect of looting and the illicit trade of antiquities has also been intensified by the creation of police and prosecuting bodies dedicated to the area of cultural heritage, among others. Last, educational policies have been put in place to help increase social awareness of the importance of our cultural heritage and the global loss its destruction represents. In this article we will present the first two points that have improved the initial situation as regards archaeological looting and the illicit trade of looted goods.

Ebola's media outbreak: lessons for the future.

On 8 August 2014, the World Health Organization (WHO’s) Emergency Committee declared the Ebola virus disease (EVD or ‘Ebola’) outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. On 6 October 2014, the first case of EVD contracted in Europe was diagnosed.1 A healthcare worker was infected, after providing treatment to an Ebola patient in Spain. This secondary case, like those that occurred in Dallas, tested both the responsiveness of the healthcare system, and the attitudes and skills of the population, the health professionals and the media. Virulence and infectivity are epidemiological characteristics that define the magnitude and significance of an infectious disease. EVD virulence is evident as shown by its lethality. The number of cases this time exceeded past outbreaks suggesting people that infectivity was greater.2 These factors coalesced to generate social alarm. Unlike EVD, transmitted by direct contact with an infected patient or contaminated material, virus fear can spread in …

The use of call imitation to establish territory occupancy by Leadbeater's possum (Gymnobelideus leadbeateri)

Leadbeater’s possum (Gymnobelideus leadbeateri) is a cryptic, endangered species that is notoriously difficult to detect using conventional mammal survey methods. However, the imitation of the species’ social contact and/or alarm calls has previously been found to attract resident animals. Call imitation was employed as a secondary survey method to confirm ongoing site occupancy by Leadbeater’s possum at Yellingbo Nature Conservation Reserve. All call imitation reported here was conducted at sites currently or previously known to be occupied by particular family groups. The results indicate that the method has considerable promise as a tool to facilitate broad-scale surveys targeting this species. However, ‘false negatives’ did occur during the surveys at Yellingbo, highlighting that additional testing is required to adequately characterise the species’ response patterns, in particular variation in the response rate in occupied territories and the distance over which animals will respond. A detailed understanding of these factors is essential to permit reliable interpretation of survey findings.

El fraude en la información empresarial en el marco de las relaciones financieras

El sistema financiero se fundamenta en la confianza. La información es la base sobre la cual se toman las decisiones y su veracidad es clave para mantener la confianza. El fraude en la información altera seriamente este pilar del sistema financiero y genera alarma social. El artículo presenta la metodología de Cressey para la detección del fraude y que conceptualiza que en todo fraude se dan cita una presión o incentivo en la comisión de un fraude; una oportunidad de poder cometerlo y no ser detectado y una racionalización por parte del defraudador que justifique éticamente su comportamiento. Sobre la base de estos tres pilares el artículo revisa diversos debates que tratan de mitigar las conductas fraudulentas.

A review on the technologies and services used in the self-management of health and independent living of elderly.

As the number of aged people is rapidly growing, the need for health and living care of aged people living alone becomes imperative. The telecare systems are able to provide flexible services for older people suffering from chronic diseases, but are largely user group oriented. However, it is common in elderly to show symptoms of a combination of (chronic) diseases. Moreover, elderly are totally dependent on a third person as they are unable to perform a number of basic functions at home. They also feel cutt off from the social fabric. Old people living in remote places typically use telephone that dials a social alarm control center or mobile social alarm systems and monitoring systems. This study examines the existing solutions related to elderly assistance and proposes an advanced solution based on web technology for the self-management of health and independent living of elderly.

Brote de enfermedad boca-mano-pie y onicomadesis causado por el virus Coxsackie A16, Granada

IntroductionDue to the significant increase in the number of cases of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) among pre-school children population during late 2011 and early 2012. A study has been proposed with the aim of describing the HFMD outbreak and analyzing the risk factors associated with suffering onychomadesis. Patients and methodsA descriptive and analytical case-control study was designed. The study population was 376 children between 6 and 36 months old, living in the Basic Health Catchment area of Peligros (Granada). The study inclued an epidemiological survey of 28 cases and paired controls in order to collect data on the time, person and place, and implementing preventive actions and family health education. Finally a microbiological viral study of stool samples was made. ResultsThere were 64% of girls with average age 20.8 months. The clinical signs fornd were, fever (75%), vesicular palmar eruption (71%), plantar eruption (68%), erosive stomatitis (64%), and nail loss (46%). The risk of getting sick was 14 times greater for those children attending a childcare centre and had contact with sick cases (OR 13.8; 95% CI; 3.79-50.18). The average time since onset of symptoms and onychomadesis was 52 days, and its appearance was linked to the presence of ulcers in mouth (P=.006). Five samples were positive to enteroviruses Coxsackie A16. ConclusionThere was an outbreak of HFMD detected by pediatricians and families. The cases presented with marked clinical symptoms, and the nail loss (onychomadesis) generated a social alarm. The cause of the outbreak was an enterovirus Coxsackie A16 transmitted among sick cases and through childcare centres.

Indoor and outdoor social alarms: understanding users' perspectives.

The elderly population is increasing and there is a need to provide care and safety at a high level with limited resources. New social alarm solutions may contribute to safety and independence for many elderly. However, it is important to understand the needs within the user group. This work studied social alarms in a broad sense and from several user perspectives. In the first study, social alarm use and its aspects were investigated. To understand where there may be problems and weaknesses, users, caregivers, managers of municipalities, and personnel at alarm centers were interviewed. The interviews helped identify a number of problems. For municipalities, the processes of procuring new alarms and managing their organization were found to be complex. The effect of this was that the same social alarm systems had been ordered over and over again without taking into account new user needs or new technical solutions. For alarm users, one large problem was that the alarms had very limited reach and were designed for indoor use only. This has resulted in users hesitating to leave their homes, which in turn has negative effects due to lack of physical activity and fewer social contacts. One important result from the first study was the need for a social alarm solution that worked outdoors. In a second study, needs regarding outdoor social alarms were investigated. The results from this study showed that wearable outdoor alarms must be easy to use, provide communication, and be well designed. Finally, these alarms must work both indoors and outdoors, and the user should not have to worry about where he/she is or who is acting on an alarm.

Actuación medicolegal en personas en custodia judicial o policial

The problems involved in caring for individuals in custody, as well as deaths that occur during custody, are relevant aspects of legal and forensic medicine in terms of the possible criminal, civil and administrative responsibility of health professionals and/or public or private institutions that might hold individuals in custody and deprived of freedom.The rule of law should ensure that these cases comply with state law and international agreements and treaties related to human rights and the special treatment of individuals deprived of freedom in hospitals or detention centers.Of particular mention is the medical-forensic activity regarding deaths associated with the use of control holds and/or restraint during the detention of individuals by members of the armed forces or law enforcement or in healthcare centers by safety and healthcare personnel. In these cases, both the immediate healthcare treatment subsequent to the events and the medical-forensic study should be particularly careful. These situations, which are often high profile, cause social alarm and involve judicial actions that can result in especially severe liabilities.

Are there too many or too few physicians in Spain? Migration: the eternal resource

At the end of the last century, several Spanish doctors had to migrate overseas looking for a decent job. No decent jobs were offered by then in Spain. Last decade, the lack of doctors was a problem and a great social alarm was born. Mechanisms to attract doctors form overseas and medical training, both uncontrolled, were settled in, to get the numbers right. The result was a surplus of qualified health professionals. Today, overseas doctors who were invited to come and native doctors, both, trained for specific health situations have to leave the country. An extraordinary planning never heard of in neighbouring countries due to its “inefficiency”. It was characteristic its lack of capability to take advantage of health professional's abilities – doctors and nurses – its lack of population's health education, its waste of resources in training and its uncontrolled immigration.

¿Sobran o faltan médicos en España? La migración, el eterno recurso

At the end of the last century, several Spanish doctors had to migrate overseas looking for a decent job. No decent jobs were offered by then in Spain. Last decade, the lack of doctors was a problem and a great social alarm was born. Mechanisms to attract doctors form overseas and medical training, both uncontrolled, were settled in, to get the numbers right. The result was a surplus of qualified health professionals. Today, overseas doctors who were invited to come and native doctors, both, trained for specific health situations have to leave the country. An extraordinary planning never heard of in neighbouring countries due to its “inefficiency”. It was characteristic its lack of capability to take advantage of health professional's abilities – doctors and nurses-, its lack of population's health education, its waste of resources in training and its uncontrolled immigration.

Already up? using mobile phones to track & share sleep behavior

Users share a lot of personal information with friends, family members, and colleagues via social networks. Surprisingly, some users choose to share their sleeping patterns, perhaps both for awareness as well as a sense of connection to others. Indeed, sharing basic sleep data, whether a person has gone to bed or waking up, informs others about not just one's sleeping routines but also indicates physical state, and reflects a sense of wellness. We present Somnometer, a social alarm clock for mobile phones that helps users to capture and share their sleep patterns. While the sleep rating is obtained from explicit user input, the sleep duration is estimated based on monitoring a user's interactions with the app. Observing that many individuals currently utilize their mobile phone as an alarm clock revealed behavioral patterns that we were able to leverage when designing the app. We assess whether it is possible to reliably monitor one's sleep duration using such apps. We further investigate whether providing users with the ability to track their sleep behavior over a long time period can empower them to engage in healthier sleep habits. We hypothesize that sharing sleep information with social networks impacts awareness and connectedness among friends. The result from a controlled study reveals that it is feasible to monitor a user's sleep duration based just on her interactions with an alarm clock app on the mobile phone. The results from both an in-the-wild study and a controlled experiment suggest that providing a way for users to track their sleep behaviors increased user awareness of sleep patterns and induced healthier habits. However, we also found that, given the current broadcast nature of existing social networks, users were concerned with sharing their sleep patterns indiscriminately.

Prevalencia de malos tratos hacia personas mayores que viven en la comunidad en España

Background and objectiveAlthough elder abuse is not a new phenomenon, it remains hidden. There have been carried out various preliminary studies about the prevalence of elder abuse in different countries. The aim of this study is to estimate the prevalence of suspicion of elder abuse in old persons without cognitive impairment, dwelling in community, who were attended in Primary Health Care or Social Services Centres. Patients and methodWe carried out a transverse study in which 340 elders participated. ResultsWe found a 12.1% prevalence of suspicion of elder abuse. Psychological abuse suspicion was the most frequent type and it was very common the simultaneous presence of different types of abuse (psychological and physical and sexual). The suspicion of elder abuse was more frequent in women and spouses were responsible in a high great frequency. ConclusionsThe information obtained allows advancing in the knowledge of elder abuse in Spain, where the research about this issue is poor. However, the prevalence found neither has to be considered as a social alarm nor as a social slackness.

702 – Posttraumatic stress disorder in battered women by their partners

Introduction Violence gender has caused considerable social alarm. Better awareness of the characteristics and problems of the female victims is necessary to be able to provide adequate psychological attention. Objectives To identify the specific characteristics of PTSD in female victims of gender violence, stating what are the symptoms of this disorder are usually present, identify some of the most important variables that characterize women seeking assistance this problem. Aims The goal of this study is examining PTSD in battered women. Methods Participants: 100 Chilean and 170 Spanish battered women. Instruments: - Semi-structured interview for victims of abuse: assesses sociodemographic characteristics of victims and circumstances of abuse, it was designed for this research. - The PTSD Symptoms Severity Scale (Echeburua et al., 1997): assesses the severity and intensity of the symptoms of this disorder according to the diagnostic criteria of the DSM-IV-TR in victims of different traumatic events. Results The results show that the most typical symptoms of PTSD are: re-experiencing (the presence of unpleasant and recurring memories about the abuse and psychological and physiological distress on recalling the events); avoidance symptoms (avoidance of thoughts, feelings or conversations related to what has been experienced, loss of interest in significant activities and restriction of emotional life); and hyperactivation symptoms (permanent state of hypervigilance and startle response). Conclusions This data will be useful to understand the problems and consequences of abuse and to target interventions to be made to alleviate the plight of these women in cases where it appears PTSD.

Creencias, actitudes e influencia de los medios de comunicación en trabajadores sanitarios españoles durante la gripe pandémica A (H1N1) 2009

IntroductionThe aim of this article is to report, from their own perspective, the attitudes and believes towards vaccination, with special emphasis on the influence of sources of information to make the decision to get vaccinated, of health care workers (HCWs), considered as a specific risk group for immunization strategy against A (H1N1) influenza. MethodsCross-sectional observational study focused on active health workers in the province of Alicante. Made by face to face questionnaires to a stratified random sample based on occupational categories in hospitals and health care centres. ResultsThe sources of information differ between subgroups; physicians used journals and/or conferences, nurses obtained information through the Ministry of Health and other nurses, and the remaining workers opted for television and/or the family physician. Of the three studied groups, physicians felt minor concern about the influenza A (H1N1) pandemic (59.4%), had the most confidence in the vaccine (42.3%), were the ones who recommended the vaccine the most (44.4%), who best followed the recommendations to avoid infection (93%), and were the most vaccinated (18.3%). Around three-quarters (75.5%) of the HCWs assessed the provided information as fair, poor or very poor. All HCWs admitted that a social alarm was created. DiscussionThe success of future immunization campaigns against influenza in HCWs could increase if information activities were designed to focus on each subgroup of HCWs, by adapting the strategy and improving the quality of information.