Acercamiento a las perspectivas del estudiantado universitario: Ciencias de la Educación y Diversidad Sexual

The following study presents the results of an approximative investigation, whose target sample are the students of Educational Sciences at the University of Valencia. Specifically, 18 people participated: 13 women and 5 men, with whom three focus groups were held. Through a qualitative methodology of a reflexive-analytical nature, the different testimonies of the student body are analysed in order to reveal beliefs, attitudes and behaviours towards their LGTBIAQ+ peers. Together with the analysis of the rest of the university educational agents, the research team aims to analyse the university reality of queer students and make proactive proposals based on the results.En el siguiente estudio se presentan los resultados de una investigación aproximativa, cuya muestra objetivo es el estudiantado de ciencias de la educación de la Universitat de València. Concretamente participaron 18 personas: 13 mujeres y 5 hombres, con las que se llevaron a cabo tres grupos de discusión. A través de una metodología cualitativa de corte reflexivo-analítica se analizan los distintos testimonios del estudiantado en busca de revelar creencias, actitudes y comportamientos hacia sus compañeros/as/es LGTBIAQ+. Junto al análisis del resto de agentes educativos universitarios, el equipo investigador pretende analizar la realidad universitaria del estudiantado queer y hacer propuestas proactivas en función de los resultados.--

Barriers to Accessing Eye Health Services in Suburban Communities in Nampula, Mozambique

Globally, an estimated 2.2 billion people are visually impaired (VI) or blind, and a large proportion (90%) of those affected live in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where access to eye health services is limited. This study aimed to identify barriers to accessing eye health services and associated factors in suburban communities of Nampula. A cross-sectional community-based study was carried out on adults ≥18 years old. A total of 338 adults were randomly selected from three communities (Muthita, Piloto, and Nthotta). Individual interviews were carried out and socio-demographic data, eye symptoms, date of last eye examination, and barriers to access to eye health services were extracted. Among participants, 49.4% had eye symptoms and 41.7% did not have their eye examinations up to date. The most cited barriers were crowding in hospitals (40.7%), financial difficulties (30.0%), self-medication (20.5%), traditional treatment (17.8%), and buying eyeglasses on the street (11.6%). Barriers limited the service target to 33%. Lower levels of schooling and monthly family income and farmer occupation were statistically associated with the most barriers as risk factors. The use of eye health services was lower due to barriers to accessing eye services. More specific intervention plans and greater cooperation between sectors are needed to improve these indicators

Is it possible to relate accommodative visual dysfunctions to neck pain?

The aim of this study was to establish whether there is a relationship between conditions of accommodative visual dysfunctions and cervical complaints. Fifty-two participants were included. Variables were accommodative amplitude, positive and negative relative accommodation (NRA), accommodative response, and accommodative facility. Subjects were classified as accommodative insufficiency, accommodative excess, or normal. Neck complaints were measured with the Neck Disability Index, the Visual Analogue Scale, and by cervical range of motion, deep flexor muscle activation score, and performance index. We found the following significant relationships: between NRA and both performance index and left-side bending; accommodative amplitude right-eye with right-side bending and with left-side bending; accommodative amplitude left-eye with right-side bending; and accommodative facility left-eye with both performance index and left-side bending. In accommodative amplitude right-eye, aIl participants showed significant values and greater than those with accommodative excess. In both groups, performance index values were decreased. Greater pain and lower right-rotation were found in participants with accommodative excess than in those with accommodative insufficiency. We conclude that accommodative dysfunctions are related to low performance index, decreased range of motion, as well as greater neck pain

Computer vision syndrome and associated factors in university students and teachers in Nampula, Mozambique

Background Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) is a complex of eye and visual problems that arise while using a computer or other Video Display Terminal (DVT). With the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of these DVTs has become indispensable in the lives of students and teachers. This study aims to identify the prevalence of CVS and associated factors in students and teachers at Lúrio University, in Nampula, during the pandemic period. Methods This is a cross-sectional study, carried out between November 2020 and March 2021. The validated CVS questionnaire (CVS-Q) and another semi-structured questionnaire on ergonomic risk factors were applied. Odds ratios (OR) and adjusted odds ratios (aOR) were calculated to measure the association between CVS and computer use conditions. Results The prevalence of CVS was 76.6%, and the female gender, age ≤ 20 years, levels I, II, III of course, lack of knowledge about ergonomics, use the computer to study, use more than 6 hours daily, absence of anti-reflex treatment, use of other devices and sitting in an inappropriate chair were risk factors for the occurrence of CVS, while being a teacher was a protective factor. Conclusion The prevalence of CVS found in this study was high, due to several factors, especially not using ergonomic principles when using computers and other DVTs. There is a need to adopt intervention strategies focused on the most vulnerable groups such as women, age group ≤20 years and students, especially at the first year level, right after entering the University

The Prevalence of Visual Impairment and Refractive Errors among a Youth Population in Mozambique: Evidence of the Need for Intervention

Visual impairment (VI) can significantly interfere in the child’s daily activities and quality of life, having a negative effect on their development and learning. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of VI and associated demographic factors in students examined during the program “Moçambique te vejo melhor”. This study was cross-sectional and retrospective, based on the 2018/19 edition of the program. Eye examinations were performed in secondary school students, aged between 12 and 20 years, of five districts in Nampula province. The examination included visual acuity, non-cycloplegic refraction and assessment of the anterior and posterior segment and ocular adnexa. The prevalence of uncorrected, presenting and best-corrected VI found was 18.3%, 10.8%, and 5.0%, respectively. Refractive error (RE) had a prevalence of 24.7%, and the age groups between 15–17 years and 18–20 years were significantly associated with myopia (with OR: 4.9 and OR: 8.8, respectively), as well as the 11th and 12th grade (OR: 8.1 and OR: 10.7, respectively), and Malema district had association with myopia (ORa: 0.4) and hyperopia (ORa: 0.4 and OR: 0.3) as a protective factor. The prevalence of RE and VI was relatively high, showing the need for greater intervention at the school level.The “Moçambique te vejo melhor” program is fully funded by Lurio University

Análisis de la producción científica del Sistema Sanitario Público de Andalucía

Ante la necesidad de facilitar a los gestores del Sistema Sanitario Público de Andalucía (SSPA) una herramienta para el análisis de la producción científica de las instituciones y sus profesionales, así como realizar la evaluación de su calidad a través de los indicadores bibliométricos y no bibliométricos, la BV-SSPA desarrolla Impactia. Impactia proporciona información precisa y detallada de la producción científica y facilita una respuesta inmediata y automatizada a las necesidades de información que tienen los gestores para la toma de decisiones en su actividad asistencial e investigadora.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Physical activity, sedentary behaviour, physical fitness, and cognitive performance in women with fibromyalgia who engage in reproductive and productive work: the al-Ándalus project

We acknowledge Springer and Clinical Rheumatology for publishing our scientific article: Álvarez-Gallardo, I. C., Estévez-López, F., Torres-Aguilar, X. C., Segura-Jiménez, V., Borges-Cosic, M., Soriano-Maldonado, A., Camiletti-Moirón, D., García-Rodríguez, I. C., Munguía-Izquierdo, D., Sierras-Robles, Á., Delgado-Fernández, M., & Girela-Rejón, M. J. (2019). Physical activity, sedentary behaviour, physical fitness, and cognitive performance in women with fibromyalgia who engage in reproductive and productive work: the al-Ándalus project. Clinical Rheumatology, 38(12), 3585-3593. https://doi.org/10.1007/S10067-019-04750-8Introduction/objectives: Reproductive labour refers to activities and tasks directed at caregiving and domestic roles, such as cleaning, cooking, and childcare. Productive labour refers to activities that involve economic remuneration. The aim of the present study was to analyse physical activity, sedentary behaviour, physical fitness, and cognitive performance in women with fibromyalgia who engaged, or did not engage, in productive work. Method: This cross-sectional study comprised 276 women with fibromyalgia from Andalusia (southern of Spain). Levels of physical activity (light, moderate, and vigorous) and sedentary behaviour were measured by an accelerometer. Physical fitness and cognitive performance were measured with a battery of performance-based tests. Results: More hours/week of homemaker-related tasks were associated with higher time spend in light physical activity and lower sedentary behaviour (P < 0.001 and P < 0.05, respectively). Furthermore, in comparison with those who only engaged in reproductive labour, women with fibromyalgia who engaged in productive work showed lower levels of sedentary behaviour and higher levels of light and moderate physical activity, physical fitness (except muscular strength), and cognitive performance (all, P < 0.05). Conclusions: Altogether, our findings suggest that productive work is consistently related to better physical and cognitive functioning in women with fibromyalgia. If future research corroborates causality of our findings, then, to maintain women with fibromyalgia engaging in productive work may be strived for not only because of societal or economic reasons but also for better health. However, we should keep in mind that people with fibromyalgia have a chronic condition, and therefore, adaptations at the workplace are imperative.Key Points• Women with fibromyalgia, who spend more time in reproductive labour, have higher levels of light physical activity and lower sedentary behaviour; however, it is associated with poorer general health (as lower physical fitness or cognitive performance).• Household tasks are often seen as a responsibility associated with the gender roles that women with fibromyalgia perform, despite the feelings of incapacity they cause. Policies focused on reducing reproductive labour demands for fibromyalgia patients (i.e. social help on housework or childcare) might facilitate the inclusion of daily active behaviours.• People with fibromyalgia who engage in productive work seem to have better health outcomes than those who have not; however, we cannot forget that adaptations and flexibility at the workplace are imperative

Natural feed after weaning improves the reproductive status of Solea senegalensis breeders

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of long term natural feeding in the subsequent reproductive status of 4 years old cultured Solea senegalensis, and to determine if the potential changes were structural or feeding dependent. To this aim, two different feeding regimes were used from one year after weaning and during the following 3 years; 1) a commercial dry food diet and 2) a natural feeding regime. After this period, the proportion of fluent males and the evolution of maturity stages of females over a breeding season were studied. A complete sperm quality analysis assessment was carried out, including individual volumes, motility, density and curvilinear, rectilinear and mean velocities of spermatozoa. Moreover, viability and apoptosis indexes were analyzed as indicator of molecular sperm membrane integrity. Additionally, a morphological characterization of the testes during the spawning season was conducted. Finally, both groups were fed with the same commercial pellets during one year to evaluate the effect of the diet of previous years on sperm quality. The results of this study showed how feeding can improve not only sperm quality and quantity, but also the proportion of fluent males and females in advanced maturity stages. All the sperm quality parameters resulted significantly higher in the group fed with a natural diet. Moreover, the number of apoptotic cells was significantly higher in the group fed with a commercial diet. According to the morphological features of the testes, the animals fed with a natural diet presented more basal position, less protuberances and irregular edges when compared with the animals fed with commercial diet. Interestingly, the progression of the spermatogenesis determined by the proportion of germ cells and the production of spermatozoa determined by the wider of the ducts system was also significantly larger in the natural diet group. After the standardization of the diets, mean volume per male and production of total motile cells were sig- nificantly higher in the group that was previously fed a natural diet, confirming structural improvements.Versión del editor2,04

Intercultural and Community Schools. Learning to Live Together

We must remember the need to create communicative relationships among groups from different cultures, as well as to reinforce the configuration and organisation of the Spanish school system. The objective of this article is to highlight the urgent need to recognise cultural, religious and linguistic diversity as values. Furthermore, Spain has rejected the French assimilationist model, both in legal and practical spheres, and the only way to integrate this model is by implementing intercultural models. Following the Convention on the Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expression of the European Union, providing respect and recognition of plurality from intercultural inclusive positions is primordial in the learning context. We cannot talk about building an intercultural society without considering democratic practice and citizen participation; to this regard, dialogue and collaboration between the school community and educational centres are imperative. It is necessary to adopt an inclusive intercultural policy, to open education centres outside of traditional school hours, to reach agreements with cultural institutions, etc. Only in this way will an intercultural society become a reality

Objective and subjective measures of physical functioning in women with fibromyalgia: what type of measure is associated most clearly with subjective well-being?

Purpose: To find modifiable factors that are related to subjective well-being would be valuable for improving interventions in fibromyalgia. Physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and physical fitness may represent potential areas to optimize treatment regimens. In fibromyalgia, there is a discordance between clinical observations and patient-reported outcomes (objective and subjective assessments). Therefore, the present study aims at analyzing the associations of objective and subjective evaluations of physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and physical fitness with subjective well-being and determine if and how objective and subjective associations differ. Methods: In this population-based cross-sectional study participated 375 women with fibromyalgia from the al-Ándalus project (Spain). Physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and physical fitness were objectively (accelerometers and performance testing) and subjectively (questionnaires) measured. Participants self-reported their levels of positive affect, negative affect, and life satisfaction. Results: In the most conservative multivariate analysis, we found independent associations of the objective measures of physical activity with positive affect and life satisfaction and sedentary behaviour with positive affect. No such relationship was seen with subjective measures of the same behaviours. Moreover, we observed that objective and subjective physical fitness evaluations were independent of each other related to subjective well-being. Conclusions: Independent associations of the objective measures (but not the subjective assessments) of physical activity with positive affect and life satisfaction, and of sedentary behaviour with positive affect were observed. However, objective measures and subjective appraisals of physical fitness appear to be independently related to well-being, which should be considered when developing physical exercise interventions for fibromyalgia.Implications for rehabilitation The analysis of concurrent associations of objective and subjective evaluations of physical functioning with subjective well-being offers indications for modifiable targets in rehabilitation that can improve well-being in fibromyalgia. Exercise-based rehabilitation may help women with fibromyalgia to improve subjective well-being, particularly positive affect. Rehabilitation should focus on both the objective physical performance of women with fibromyalgia and on their perceptions of what they can do physically. When rehabilitation aims at enhancing positive affect or life satisfaction by changing the lifestyle of women with fibromyalgia, physical activity and sedentary behaviour should be objectively monitored