Sociodemographic Aspects Research Articles

Quality of Life in Hypertensive University students Attending a Health Facility for Care in North Lima

Introduction: Hypertension is one of the most common problems where the quality of life of the person suffering from this disease is compromised, altering their health well-being in the short and long term, so the research objective is to determine the quality of life in hypertensive people who come to a health facility for their care in North Lima.Methods: It is a quantitative, descriptive-cross-sectional study, consisting of 150 participants who answered a questionnaire on sociodemographic aspects and the mini-questionnaire on quality of life in hypertension.Results: In the results, females have a better quality of life than males.Conclusions: It is concluded that educational counseling about the disease should be provided to people who are diagnosed with it.

Prevalence of Abdominal Obesity and Associated Factors in Urban Brazilian Women: A Comparison Between Two Population-Based Cross-Sectional Studies in 2003 and 2015.

Background: Abdominal fat accumulation is a known risk factor for cardiometabolic diseases and mortality, particularly in women. This study aimed to compare the prevalence of abdominal obesity and its associated factors in 2003 and 2015. Methods: Two cross-sectional, population-based surveys were conducted, including representative and independent samples of adult women 20-60 years of age residing in the urban area of São Leopoldo/RS municipality in 2003 (n = 981) and 2015 (n = 984). Abdominal obesity was assessed using waist circumference, with a measurement of ≥88 cm indicating its presence. Factors, such as demographics, socioeconomic status, reproductive health, family history, morbidity, and behavioral characteristics, were studied. Poisson regression was used to assess the associations. Results: The mean age of individuals in the samples was 38.5 years (±11.1 years) and 40.3 years (±11.4 years) in 2003 and 2015, respectively. The prevalence of abdominal obesity doubled from 23.3% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 20.7-26.0) in 2003 to 46.9% (95% CI: 43.7-50.0) in 2015. After adjustment, the prevalence of abdominal obesity remained higher in both 2003 and 2015 with increasing age, low family income, higher number of pregnancies, earlier age at menarche, and presence of a family history of obesity in the father and mother and in women with a history of hypertension. Conclusions: This study demonstrates an increase in the prevalence of abdominal obesity in women between 2003 and 2015 and highlights the sociodemographic, reproductive, family history, and comorbidity aspects associated with its occurrence.

Sexualized drug use among gay men and other men who have sex with men in Latin America: A description of the phenomenon based on the results of LAMIS-2018.

Sexualized drug use (SDU) to enhance and extend sexual relations may involve risks of substances abuse (intoxication, interactions and overdose) and higher exposure to HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. There are inconsistencies in the methodology and findings of previous research on SDU in Latin America (LA), and more studies are required. The purpose of this research was to characterize SDU in gay men and other men who have sex with men from 18 LA countries, and describe the aspects by comparing people who practice and do not practice SDU, at the general and country levels. Cross-sectional study based on the data collected by LAMIS-2018. Dependent variable was SDU (last 12 months), and the independent variables were: drug use (in any context/in sexual context), sociodemographic, socioepidemiological, and psychosocial aspects. A descriptive analysis was carried out, comparing those who practiced and did not practice SDU. LAMIS-2018 included 64,655 participants, averaging 30 years of age. 13.6% declared having practiced SDU (6.6% with multiple partners). In the last sexual encounter the most commonly used drugs were cannabis (9.3%), poppers (6%), and Viagra (5.4%), and in the last encounter with multiple partners, poppers (19.7%), cannabis (17%), and Viagra (13.2%). HIV diagnosis was reported by 27% of people practicing SDU, vs. 14.3% in the other group. Severe anxiety-depression symptoms were more common among people practicing SDU (9.2% vs. 7%), as were the episodes of homophobic intimidation (52.6% vs. 48.2%), insults (34.4% vs. 28.6%), and aggression (4.1% vs. 3.0%). SDU was reported by a high percentage of people, with a predominance of the use of drugs related to sexual practice, and others for recreational use. Aspects described as the higher proportion of self-reported HIV diagnosis and severe symptoms of anxiety-depression among those who practiced SDU, show that is necessary to implement preventive strategies to reduce the harmful impacts that can sometimes result from this practice, including harm reduction policies, promote access to mental health services and support in situations of homophobia and stigma.

Femicide in Turkey: A Document Analysis of News from 2011 to 2019

This study undertakes an exhaustive investigation encompassing 1,777 instances of femicide in Turkey from 2011 to 2019. These cases entail the tragic loss of women’s lives due to acts of violence perpetrated by men, as recorded within newspaper articles. Methodologically, the research employs the document analysis approach, which represents a qualitative means of generating research data. The study employs a descriptive analysis of 5,686 newspaper articles, thereby affording a comprehensive overview of the subject matter. The study’s analytical framework encompasses several key areas: (1) socio-demographic aspects, (2) murder-related factors, (3) determinants of femicide risk and protective factors, (4) factors pertaining to individuals affected by the act of murder. Based on the study findings, it was observed that one in every two women was killed when they asserted their autonomy in decisions regarding their lives. Furthermore, it is noteworthy that one-third of femicides evinced pronounced warning signs, encompassing the escalation of violent behaviors, explicit death threats, and inflicted physical harm. In the context of Turkey, it is imperative that rigorous research endeavors be undertaken to illuminate the protective and risk factors associated with femicide, with an emphasis on the imperative translation of evidence-based findings into practical policy and intervention measures.

Perception of Nephrology residency training in Peru

IntroductionIn the assessment of the second specialty training programs, the opinion of residents and graduates is essential to know the degree of satisfaction with the training received. The aimed was to assess the perceptions of Peruvian nephrology residents and graduates regarding their training. MaterialA descriptive, cross-sectional study included all final-year residents and graduates of the nephrology program in 2022. An anonymous virtual survey assessed sociodemographic aspects, nephrology tutoring, clinical training, external rotations, research, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and overall perception of their training. ResultsWith a response rate of 79.68%, 51 participants were evaluated. 76.48% of the participants rated their overall training during the residency as good. 58% agreed or strongly agreed that their tutor's performance was good. 66.6% agreed or strongly agreed that their theoretical training was good, with less certainty in genetic kidney diseases. 90% agreed or strongly agreed that their practical training was good, with less certainty in training in slow therapies, renal biopsies, acute peritoneal dialysis, and peritoneal dialysis catheter placement. 80.4% agreed or strongly agreed that the pandemic affected their training. The general perception had a positive correlation with the tutor's performance as good (r=0.50; P<.001), the good perception of the hospital's research level (r=0.47, P<.001), and the perception of good opportunities to get a job as a nephrologist (r=0.67, P<.001). ConclusionAlthough, in general, the perception is positive, there are aspects in which the training of Peruvian nephrology residents should be improved.

Understanding the sociocultural valuation of ecosystem services in urban parks: a Colombian study case

AbstractThe significance of urban ecosystem services on the perception of parks among the public is profound. Parks are valued for their functional benefits, the experiences they provide, and their relationship with green spaces. To better understand the sociocultural values associated with five urban parks in Tunja (Boyacá, Colombia), in this case study, we interviewed three types of stakeholders: decision-makers, social leaders, and park users. We employed semi-structured interviews to identify the perception and orientation values of different stakeholders. According to the results, stakeholders recognize 18 ecosystem services as the most important, with cultural ecosystem services having the highest perception value. We found that socio-cultural values are influenced more by the characteristics of the parks than their size, and socio-demographic aspects of stakeholders such as age, level of education, and gender had no significant effect. We conclude that people value urban parks for the benefits associated with trees and the emotional connections they develop with them over time, assigning intangible value to city parks. However, we also identified discrepancies in values between governmental and non-governmental stakeholders that may adversely affect decision-making and policy formulation. This information can be valuable to urban planners who seek to assess and integrate measures that promote green spaces in cities to achieve sustainability.

Use and benefit of information, communication, and assistive technology among community-dwelling older adults – a cross-sectional study

BackgroundTechnology can support healthy aging and empower older adults to live independently. However, technology adoption by older adults, particularly assistive technology (AT), is limited and little is known about the types of AT used among older adults. This study explored the use of key information and communication technologies (ICT) and AT among community-dwelling adults aged ≥ 65.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among community-dwelling adults aged ≥ 65 in southern Germany using a paper-based questionnaire. The questionnaire included questions on the three domains sociodemographic aspects, health status, and technology use. Technology use was considered separately for key ICT (smartphone, computer/laptop, and tablet) and a range of 31 different AT. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, univariate analyses, and Bernoulli Naïve Bayes modelling.ResultsThe questionnaire was answered by 616 participants (response rate: 24.64%). ICT were used by 497 (80.68%) participants and were associated with lower age, higher level of education, living together with someone, availability of internet connection, higher interest in technology, and better health status (p < .05). No association was found with sex and size of the hometown. The most frequently owned AT were a landline phone, a body scale, and a blood pressure monitor. Several AT related to functionality, (instrumental) activities of daily living- (IADL), and morbidity were used more frequently among non-ICT users compared to ICT-users: senior mobile phone (19.33% vs. 3.22%), in-house emergency call (13.45% vs. 1.01%), hearing aid (26.89% vs. 16.7%), personal lift (7.56% vs. 1.61%), electronic stand-up aid (4.2% vs. 0%). Those with higher interest in technology reported higher levels of benefit from technology use.ConclusionsDespite the benefits older adults can gain from technology, its use remains low, especially among those with multimorbidity. Particularly newer, more innovative and (I)ADL-related AT appear underutilized. Considering the potential challenges in providing adequate care in the future, it may be crucial to support the use of these specific AT among older and frailer populations. To focus scientific and societal work, AT with a high impact on autonomy ((I)ADL/disease-related) should be distinguished from devices with a low impact on autonomy (household-/ comfort-related).

Quality of Life during the Covid-19 pandemic in University Teachers in a Province in Southern Lima

The quality of life in university teachers was significantly affected due to the risk of contagion and social isolation, so the objective of the research is to determine the quality of life during the COVID-19 pandemic in university teachers in a province in southern Lima. It is a quantitative, descriptive and cross-sectional study, with a total population of 120 university teachers who answered a questionnaire of sociodemographic aspects and the quality of life instrument. In its results, 83% (n=100) of the university teachers have a low quality of life, 10% (n=12) have a medium quality of life and 7% (n=8) have a high quality of life. In conclusion, strategies should be taken into account according to the psychosocial and health support needs of this vulnerable population.

Anxiety and Intervention of Nursing in Residents of a disadvantaged area in San Juan De Lurigancho

Introduction: Anxiety is or isnot one of the main factors that considerably alters the mental health of the person, where the feeling of fear in certain situations that can compromise their well-being, so the research objective is to determine anxiety and nursing intervention in residents of a disadvantaged area in San Juan de Lurigancho.Methods: a quantitative, descriptive-transversal study, with a total population of 617 inhabitants in which they answered a questionnaire of sociodemographic aspects and the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale instrument.Results: In their results it can be observed that the female sex presents dysfunctional anxiety 62.9% than the male sex 37.1%.Conclusions: To minimize the risks involved in anxiety, strategies must be carried out that allow the person to maintain their mental health balanced and in turn identify situations that may compromise them and make them more vulnerable.

BMI and sociodemographic characteristic among patients with tuberculosis attending a DOTS clinic at a tertiary care hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal

Tuberculosis (TB), an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a serious public health threat in low- and middle-income countries. In tuberculosis, the sociodemographic aspects play a significant role in increasing the susceptibility to infection. The current study aimed to study the BMI and sociodemographic characteristic among patients with tuberculosis attending a DOTS clinic at a tertiary care hospital of Kathmandu. An observational descriptive cross sectional study using census sampling technique was conducted among 170 persons with tuberculosis coming for ATT drugs in Community Medicine OPD of Nepal Medical College Teaching Hospital. The information was obtained using self-constructed structured questionnaire from the study population. The information regarding socioeconomic characteristics, medical and family history, type and clinical presentation of tuberculosis and anthropometric measurement were taken. Out of 170 tuberculosis patient 93 had pulmonary tuberculosis, 71 had extrapulmonary tuberculosis and 6 had both. The different types of tuberculosis showed the association with occupation of respondents, family types, socioeconomic status, family size, BCG scar and social habits before tuberculosis. Weight loss and cough were most common clinical presentation among the participants whereas lymphnode and gastrointestinal tract were most common sites for extrapulmonary tuberculosis. According to BMI, 16.5% of the study population were underweight. Thus, the present study provides valuable information regarding association of sociodemographic factors with tuberculosis and nutritional status of persons with tuberculosis.

Quality of Life in Hypertensive Teachers of regular basic education who go to an Establishment during the health Emergency due to COVID-19 in North Lima

The quality of life in hypertensive teachers of regular basic education is one of the priorities committed to health well-being, since it will depend on how the person can minimize the risks due to this disease, so the research objective is to determine the quality of life in hypertensive teachers of regular basic education who come to an establishment during the health emergency due to COVID-19 in North Lima. It is a quantitative, descriptive-transverse study, consisting of a population of 131 hypertensive teachers of regular basic education who answered a questionnaire on sociodemographic aspects and the questionnaire on quality of life in hypertension. In their results we can observe that 64,1 % (n=84) of hypertensive teachers of regular basic education have a good quality of life, 9,2 % (n=12) regular quality of life and 26,7 % (n=35) poor quality of life. In conclusion, strategies should be made to promote and prevent hypertension, and thus allow the population the necessary information about the disease and how to counteract it.

Prevalence and factors affecting cancer medication nonadherence among patients on chemotherapy

Introduction: Adherence to cancer medication varies universally with compliance ranging from 70% to 80%. One of the main reasons cited is the cost of anticancer drugs which many may not be able to bear, and yet the cancer with extensive need of aggressive treatment affects the economic condition of people. Inequitable distribution of disease and service utilization poses the threat of an increase in cancer-related deaths due to poor treatment adherence. The suggested systematic review will assess the cancer medication nonadherence prevalence in cancer patients and identify cost-related, sociodemographic, comorbid conditions, and disease-specific aspects of medication nonadherence. Methodology: Eligibility criteria include any cancer patient on oral or intravenous chemotherapy with or without radiotherapy or surgical intervention. Electronic databases will be searched using predefined search terms to identify relevant studies. Observational, experimental, and qualitative studies (if available) will be included. Methodological quality of included studies will be assessed using the Mixed Methods Assessment Tool by Pace et al. Data synthesis will be done following a predesigned data extraction template, answering the research question. Quality of evidence for an association will be evaluated as per the GRADE system. Meta-analysis will be performed to quantify the association between multiple characteristics and nonadherence, if there is no data heterogeneity (tested using I 2 test of heterogeneity). If applicable, meta-regression will be performed to address confounders. Conclusion: The authors have clearly described the methodology and intended outcomes. The findings will help in understanding the potential barriers to successful chemotherapy compliance among cancer patients.

Clinical profile of corneal ulcers at a tertiary care hospital, North-West Rajasthan, India

Background Corneal ulcer is an inflammatory or more seriously infective condition of the cornea involving disruption of its epithelial layer with involvement of the corneal stroma. Aim The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical profile of corneal ulcers at Sardar Patel Medical College and associated group of hospitals, Bikaner, Rajasthan, India. Patients and methods This is a prospective, longitudinal, observational study that was conducted for two years from October 2020 to October 2022. It involved 100 clinically diagnosed corneal ulcer patients, recruited by consecutive sampling, attending the Outpatient Clinic at the Department of Ophthalmology, who were willing to participate in the study. Clinical evaluation included the sociodemographic aspects and the ulcer characteristics, including its location, shape, depth, presence of satellites, and hypopyon. Corneal scraping was performed in 60 cases with full aseptic measures after the instillation of topical anesthetic and the samples were sent to the Microbiology Department for further processing. Results The maximum proportion (52%) of the study population were 41-60 years old, with 58% of the patients being males, and 75% from rural areas. Most of the ulcers (68%) were central or paracentral in location, with 38% being of ameboid shape and 48% being superficial. Based on etiology, 48% were fungal, 32% were bacterial, 16% viral, 1% parasitic, and 3% noninfective. The most common pathogen was Aspergillus fumigatus followed by Staphylococci and viral infection. Conclusion Corneal ulcers were found most commonly in males aged 40–60 years hailing from rural areas engaged in agriculture. The most common etiological agent was Aspergillus fumigatus followed by Staphylococci.

Nursing care in the mental health of school adolescents residing in a vulnerable area of North Lima

Mental healthduring the COVID-19 pandemic has been one of the greatest negative impacts that the population has had worldwide, which makes them more susceptible to mental disorders as a result, so the research objective is to determine the mental health of School Adolescents residing in a vulnerable area of North Lima. It is a quantitative, descriptive-transversal study, with a population of 306 participants who answered a questionnaire of sociodemographic aspects and the scale of depression, anxiety and stress. In the results we observed that 30,7 % presented extremely severe depression, 8,8 % severe depression, 19,3 % moderate depression, 12,4 % mild depression and 28,8 % normal depression. In conclusion, measures should be taken to provide mental health care to vulnerable School Adolescents.

Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Infection on Maternal and Neonatal Outcome in Correlation with Sociodemographic Aspects: A Retrospective Case-Control Study.

As the COVID-19 pandemic evolved, concerns grew about its impact on pregnant women. This study aimed to determine how SARS-CoV-2 affects pregnancy, birth, and newborns, in order to identify vulnerable individuals and provide proper care. This is a retrospective case-control study of 398 pregnant women who delivered at the Emergency Clinical County Hospital in Sibiu, Romania from 1 February 2020 to 31 March 2022. Patients were initially grouped and compared based on their RT-PCR SARS-CoV-2 test results into the COVID group (cases) (N = 199) and non-COVID group (control) (N = 199). The COVID cases were further divided and compared according to the pre-Delta (N = 105) and Delta/Omicron (N = 94) SARS-CoV-2 variants. COVID cases and control groups were compared to identify correlations between sociodemographic factors, pregnancy outcomes, and SARS-CoV-2 infection. The same comparisons were performed between pre-Delta and Delta/Omicron groups. There were no significant differences concerning maternal residence, while educational level and employment proportion were higher among the positively tested patients. No significant differences were found for neonatal and pregnancy complications between COVID cases and control groups. Except for a lower mean gestational age, no significant differences were found between pre-Delta and Delta/Omicron periods. The maternal mortality in the infected group was 0.5% (1 case). Our study showed that SARS-CoV-2 infection at birth did not significantly affect maternal and neonatal outcomes, not even considering the SARS-CoV-2 strain.

The Rural Areas of the Krasnodar Region in the Context of Spatial Development Policy: A Socio-Demographic Aspect

The development of rural areas of the Krasnodar region has to be studied within the framework of the spatial development policies implemented at the federal and regional levels and the features of social and demographic processes in the rural population of the region. The author concludes about significant structural changes in the composition of the rural population of the Kuban, which, due to the inertia of demographic processes, are not yet so noticeable today, but in the future may become irreversible. The author also notes that the development of rural areas in the region, in the presence of several general trends, is characterized by heterogeneity, which requires the development and implementation of spatial development programs considering the characteristics of specific rural areas. In addition, it should be considered that the models used in the implementation of rural development policies should consider not so much the economic component of the village (sectoral model), but focus on the development, first of all, of human capital in the unique conditions of a particular territory (neo-endogenous and territorial models).

VOCAL HANDICAP AND ASSOCIATION WITH PHYSICAL INACTIVITY AND JOB DISSATISFACTION AMONG TEACHERS

This study aimed to verify the association between voice handicaps, physical inactivity, and job dissatisfaction among public school teachers in Minas Gerais, Brazil. An epidemiological, cross-sectional web survey study was performed to do this. The data compilation relevant to this survey was amassed between October 26 and December 31, 2021. A total of 1782 teachers participated in this study. The outcome variable used was the Voice Handicap Index 10 (VHI-10), which makes it possible to quantify the individual’s perception of vocal alteration. The higher the result, the greater the voice handicap perceived by the subject. In addition to sociodemographic and occupational aspects, physical activity was evaluated by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) in its short form. The level of job satisfaction was expressed through the simple validated question: “Are you satisfied with your job?”. The multivariate statistical analysis was Poisson regression with robust variance. Voice handicap was present in 20.2% of the teachers and was associated with being female (PR = 1.32; CI95%: 1.03-1.70), teaching time (PR = 1.26; CI95%: 1.26-1.04), job dissatisfaction (PR = 1.96; CI95%: 1.59-2.42) and physical inactivity (PR = 1.24; CI95%: 1.00-1.52). The study was carried out at the beginning of the teachers’ return to in-school classes and found that a fifth reported a perception of voice handicap, pointing to the need for greater attention to the work environment and the importance of physical activity for voice health.

Socio-Demographic Aspects of Floods in the Russian Far East in 2013–2023

The article presents the results of a study of floods in the southern regions of the Russian Far East. The analysis is based on the search for options for flood prevention, as well as better management of the consequences of floods to improve the quality of life of the population. The data on damage from floods in the period from 2013 to 2023 in certain Far Eastern regions are analyzed. On the example of the 2021 flood, it is shown that protective measures in the Amur Region after the catastrophic flood of 2013 helped reduce damage. However, there is still a high probability of recurrence of floods. Floods lead to the loss of personal property of the population, damage to transport infrastructure, agriculture in the regions, which reduces the quality of life of the population in the Far Eastern regions. Based on open damage data for 2021, it is shown that higher flood damage per capita is observed in regions with lower population density. The natural and social aspects of floods are reflected in their causes and consequences. It is shown that the anthropogenic causes of floods are largely associated with the expansion of economic activity. Despite the wide range and volume of financial support for the regions, for the population, the total amount of compensation in case of damage cannot compensate for all their financial losses. One of the options for reducing damage is considered the possibility of developing a program for the resettlement of the population from areas located in the flood zone.

Population behavior in relation to food care during the COVID-19 pandemic

This study during knowledge and behavior in food care and hygiene before and that of COVID-19 in Brazil. Participants were recruited through social networks for respondents on the sociodemographic aspects of the population's knowledge about coronavirus, social isolation and receiving information on hygiene of food and its packaging. A total of 1,061 participated in the survey, the majority being female (87%), aged up to 35 years (69.9%); 8.8% had or 2.8% had higher education; and 63.6% monthly income was up to 6% monthly. Regarding the hygiene of fruits and vegetables, 56.59% of the participants chose soap and water during the. As for cleaning packages received by delivery, 71% of patients choose to clean packages during the pandemic. In general, the pandemic can be considered in the care with food of COVID-19.

Psychometric properties of the self-efficacy scale for chronic disease management (SEMCD-S) in older Colombian adults

BackgroundSelf-efficacy alludes to personal competence in an individual’s effectiveness when facing stressful situations. This construct has been related to different domains of the health field, finding that high levels of self-efficacy benefit human functioning and enhance well-being.MethodsThe present study aimed to determine the psychometric properties of the self-efficacy scale for managing chronic diseases (SEMCD-S) by assessing factorial, convergent and divergent validity, reliability, and measurement invariance. Likewise, the comparison of self-efficacy according to socio-demographic characteristics was proposed by contrasting latent factors. An instrumental, transactional, descriptive, and non-experimental design study was carried out with the participation of 325 Colombian senior citizens.ResultsThe findings suggest that the scale has appropriate psychometric properties. The one-factor structure exhibited a satisfactory fit, the mean-variance extracted reported acceptable figures and the correlation analysis with other constructs supported this instrument’s convergent and discriminant validity. Likewise, it was invariant to the different socio-demographic aspects examined, while the internal consistency figures were high. Differences in the means of the latent factors were only detected in the academic grade. In this case, older adults with a primary school level attained higher self-efficacy values than those who had completed high school or university studies.ConclusionsIt is concluded that the self-efficacy scale for chronic disease management is a valid and reliable instrument that can be used in the Colombian context to measure and compare this construct.