Qué nos hace falta para que la próxima pandemia no nos pille desprevenidos

Noticia publicada en la web en The Conversation España, el 26/06/2023.Recientemente, el director de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) ha expresado su preocupación sobre la capacidad de respuesta de la comunidad internacional ante la posibilidad de aparición de nuevas pandemias. En su informe a la 76ª Asamblea Mundial de la Salud ha planteado que “el final de la emergencia global no es el final de la covid-19 como una amenaza global para la salud”. Y se ha preguntado: “Si no hacemos los cambios necesarios, ¿quién los hará?; y si no los hacemos ahora, ¿cuándo?”.N

Comparative Models of the Impact of Social Support on Psychological Distress in Cancer Patients

This study tested the relationship between Social Support, Psychological Distress, and Illness Stress in individuals who report cancer as a health condition. This study was based on archival data obtained from the Wave 1 of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS). The HRS provides a nationally representative sample of individuals aged 51 to 61 in 1992 and their spouses. The study sample was limited to cancer patients with a spouse or partner (n = 503). A structural equation modeling analysis procedure was used to test the theoretical models. Measures of social support were limited to variables assessing the participant's satisfaction with social support. Evidence was found for the Stress Prevention and the Support Deterioration models. This is congruent with previous research using measures of social support perception. Both the Stress Prevention and the Support Deterioration models predict a negative relationship between Illness Stress and Social Support. In addition, a univariate analysis of variance was used to test the stress buffering model. Similarly to other studies measuring the individual's degree of integration, or its perception, in the social network, the present research supported the only the Main Effect model and not the Stress Buffering model

Enfoque de la psico-oncología

En la atención a la mujer diagnosticada con cáncer de mama se tienen en cuenta cada vez más el impacto de los factores psicológicos. La adaptacíón de la paciente al cáncer de mama depende de varias variables, entre las cuales las relativas al contexto socio-cultural, las variables psicológicas y las medicas. Las variables socioculturales permiten identificar qué mujeres tienen un mayor riesgo de desarrollar síntomas de malestar psicológico. De entre las variables psicológicas, encontramos las distintas estrategias de afrontamiento, la historia psiquiátrica, malestar psicológico y las preocupaciones y miedos. El impacto de las variables socioculturales y psicológicas de ilustra con dos casos ejemplo. Finalmente, las variables médicas están relacionadas con el estadío de la enfermedad, tratamiento y prognóstico. Es de particular importancia la relación que la paciente establece con el equipo médico. Se presenta un modelo de actuación de la enfermera especialista en cáncer de mama enfocado a las necesidades psicológicas de las pacientes en las diversas etapas del tratamiento

Monitorización del comportamiento y las actitudes de la población relacionadas con la COVID-19 en España: el estudio COSMO-Spain

Comunicación presentada en las II Jornada del Centro Nacional de Epidemiología - 2021.Se exponen las acciones llevadas a cabo para diseñar el estudio COSMOS-Spain. Se pretendía conocer los factores que influyen en el comportamiento de la población ante una crisis sanitaria y saber cómo se informa. Las teorías del comportamiento indican que la conducta esta influida por el conocimiento, la percepción del riesgo y la autoeficacia

The COSMO-Spain Survey: Three First Rounds of the WHO Behavioral Insights Tool

Objective: To describe changes in knowledge, attitudes and preventive practices (KAP), risk perception, and psychological variables of Spanish population toward the COVID-19 pandemic from July to November 2020. Methods: Three samples, each of one composed by 1,000+ persons aged 18 years or older, were interviewed online in three rounds, every 2 months, from July to November 2020. Results: The level of knowledge on COVID-19 was high in the three rounds, with percentages above 95% of correct answers related to ways of contagion and correct use of face masks. The most accepted measure was the mandatory use of face masks (80-86% of agreement in the three rounds, p = 0.001), followed by the night curfew (63% of agreement). Most participants (>80%) consistently reported using face masks, ventilating spaces, and washing or disinfecting hands. However, risk perception and self-efficacy were low. Worry about losing a loved one, the health system overload and people who do not wear face masks was high (>85% of the samples). The percentage of respondents who felt depressed due to COVID-19 increased from round 1 to round 3 (p = 0.044). Conclusions: Spanish population has a high degree of KAP, but a relatively low risk perception and self-efficacy. These findings can help health authorities to guide containment measures and campaigns addressed to improve preventive practices.This work was funded by Carlos III Health Institute.S

Psychometric Properties of the CASP-12 Scale in Portugal: An Analysis Using SHARE Data.

The purpose of this study is to assess the psychometric properties of the Portuguese version of the Control, Autonomy, Self-realization, and Pleasure (CASP)-12 scale used in the Survey of Health, Aging and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) project. Data were obtained from a representative sample of 1666 people aged ≥50 years living in Portugal and participating in the SHARE wave 6. In addition to the CASP-12 scale, sociodemographic data and health status, activity limitation (GALI), depression (Euro-D) and satisfaction with life scores were collected. Data quality and acceptability, construct and structural validity and internal consistency of the CASP-12 scale were analyzed. A Rasch analysis was also performed. CASP-12 total score (mean: 33.3; standard deviation: 5.8, range: 12-48) correlated with Euro-D (-0.57) and with life satisfaction (0.52). Mean scores were significantly lower for women, people aged ≥75 years and those with activity limitations and worse health status (p < 0.001). The confirmatory factor analysis showed good fit to the 4-factor model (root mean squared error of approximation (RMSEA): 0.07; comparative fit index (CFI): 0.90, χ2 (48) = 444.59, p < 0.001), which was confirmed by Rasch analysis (χ2 (36) = 10.089, p = 0.745, person separation index (PSI) = 0.722 for the 4-factor model). For domains, person separation index ranged 0.31-0.79 and Cronbach's alpha, 0.37-0.73. In conclusion, the Portuguese version of the CASP-12 scale presents some inadequacies in acceptability, internal consistency and structural validity.The SHARE data collection has been funded by the European Commission through FP5(QLK6-CT-2001-00360), FP6 (SHARE-I3: RII-CT-2006-062193, COMPARE: CIT5-CT-2005-028857, SHARELIFE: CIT4-CT-2006-028812), FP7 (SHARE-PREP: GA Nº211909, SHARE-LEAP: A N227822, SHARE M4: GA N261982) and Horizon 2020 (SHARE-DEV3: GA Nº676536, SERISS: GA Nº654221) and by DG Employment, Social Aairs & Inclusion. Additional funding from the German Ministry of Education and Research, the Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science, the U.S. National Institute on Aging (U01_AG09740-13S2, P01_AG005842, P01_AG08291, P30_AG12815, R21_AG025169, Y1-AG-4553-01, IAG_BSR06-11, OGHA_04-064, HHSN271201300071C) and from various national funding sources is gratefully acknowledged (see www.shareproject. org). This work is part of the QASP research project and has been funded by the Institute of Health Carlos III, Intramural Strategical Action in Health AESI 2018, Ref: PI18CIII/00046.S

A Biologia e a Matemática vistas com as mãos e com os olhos através do croché

O croché, a arte de puxar laçadas de fio através de loops com a ajuda de uma agulha em gancho, é uma técnica muito promissora no desenvolvimento de competências e na transmissão de conceitos. Por um lado, permite o aperfeiçoamento da motricidade fina, bem como da flexibilidade de raciocínio e do pensamento lógico. Por outro, viabiliza a construção de modelos tridimensionais manipuláveis, representativos de conceitos em diversas áreas científicas como a Biologia e a Matemática. Talvez o caso mais icónico seja o da criação de modelos físicos de espaços hiperbólicos, avançado pela primeira vez por Daina Taimina, em 1997 (1). É, até hoje, a única técnica capaz de representar, a três dimensões, as propriedades da geometria hiperbólica patente no mundo vivo, por exemplo, no padrão de crescimento dos corais e de diversas plantas. Foi, inspirando-se neste trabalho, que o projecto STOL – Science Through Our Lives, recriou um recife de corais em croché denominado “Ponto a Ponto Enche a Ciência o Espaço” (2), numa lógica WIP (Work in Progress), que já pôde ser visto em diversos locais do país e que está associado a uma oficina de carácter hands on. Mais recentemente, a equipa STOL produziu, em croché, modelos de plantas – fractal, por exemplo fetos, que estão a ser usados para transmitir conceitos matemáticos de geometria fractal e auto-semelhança, na oficina ’Matemática das Plantas’ proposta pelo Museu Nacional de História Natural e da Ciência da Universidade de Lisboa (MUHNAC) que, a partir do seu património único (3) no centro da cidade, integra estratégias participativas na sua oferta educativa. Recorrendo a uma pedagogia baseada em hands on, surge o questionamento: o que dizem estes crochés curiosos? As metodologias de Aprendizagem Activa no Ensino das Ciências – IBSE (Inquiry Based Science Education) - explicam porque é importante questionar (4). A partir de estruturas naturais do jardim e outros objectos como os produzidos no âmbito desta parceria feliz entre o STOL e o MUHNAC, quer-se levar o participante a questionar aspectos da Matemática e da Biologia.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Anxiety, Depression and Quality of Life in Older Adults: Trajectories of Influence across Age.

This study focuses on the influence of anxiety and depression on individual trajectories of quality of life in old age through a longitudinal approach. A representative sample of adults aged 50+ living in Portugal and participating in wave 4 (W4) and wave 6 (W6) of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) project was considered. Participants, 1765 at baseline (W4) and 1201 at follow up (W6), were asked about their quality of life (CASP-12) and emotional status (Euro-D scale; five items from the Beck Anxiety Inventory). Linear Mixed Effects models were performed to identify factors associated with changes in quality of life across age. Increasing age was found to have a significant negative effect on quality of life. Lower education and higher levels of depression and anxiety at baseline were also associated with worse quality of life; 42.1% of the variation of CASP-12 across age was explained by fixed and random effects, being depression followed by anxiety as the factors that presented with the highest relative importance. Both depression and anxiety play an important role in quality of life in older adults and must be acknowledged as important intervention domains to foster healthy and active aging.This paper uses data from SHARE waves 4 and 6 (DOI: 10.6103/SHARE.w4.710, DOI: 10.6103/SHARE.w6.710). The SHARE data collection has been funded by the European Commission through FP5 (QLK6-CT-2001-00360), FP6 (SHARE-I3: RII-CT-2006-062193, COMPARE: CIT5-CT-2005-028857, SHARELIFE: CIT4-CT-2006-028812), FP7 (SHARE-PREP: GA N°211909, SHARE-LEAP: GA N°227822, SHARE M4: GA N°261982) and Horizon 2020 (SHARE-DEV3: GA N°676536, SERISS: GA N°654221) and by DG Employment, Social Affairs & Inclusion. Additional funding from the German Ministry of Education and Research, the Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science, the U.S. National Institute on Aging (U01_AG09740-13S2, P01_AG005842, P01_AG08291, P30_AG12815, R21_AG025169, Y1-AG-4553-01, IAG_BSR06-11, OGHA_04-064, HHSN271201300071C) and from various national funding sources is gratefully acknowledged (see www.share-project.org). This work is part of the QASP research project and has been funded by the Institute of Health Carlos III, Intramural Strategical Action in Health AESI 2018, Ref: PI18CIII/00046.S

Health state perception of people close to retirement age: Relationship with lifestyle habits and subjects' characteristics

Aim: Societal ageing increases the need for correct and healthy ageing to ensure the well-being of older adults. Practical strategies are needed to acquire healthy habits for the ageing process. This study aims to analyse the lifestyle habits of subjects who are retired or close to retirement and identify factors that could influence their perceived health and that could be related to these habits. Methods: A Spanish observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study of subjects close to retirement-age. Socio-demographic, family, work, leisure, social, and clinical-psychological indicators were evaluated. Results: 1,700 participants (581 employed; 714 retirees; 405 other-status) were included, average age 63 years, 52% women. Most reported a satisfactory social life (90%), were in live-in relationships (74%), non-smoking (80%), followed a Mediterranean diet (73%), and took medicines daily (70%). Perceived health (EQ-VAS) was 75.9/100, with low disability (12-WHODAS) (7.4/100) and moderate/severe depression. Women reported higher disability (p < 0.001) and depression (p < 0.001), a better social life, and healthier lifestyle, but lower physical/work activity. Retirees reported less depression, better social life, healthier lifestyle, higher physical/work activity, and better sleeping habits. The multivariate model showed a significant association of health-status with disability level, number of chronic diseases, sleep habits, exercise, diet, and alcohol consumption. When depression level was introduced, age and being a woman were also related. Conclusions: Retirement does not mean worse health but rather an opportunity to reinforce favourable health activities and improve lifestyle factors. Incorporating the differences related to gender and employment status in health-perception will facilitate the design of healthy ageing strategies.S

Evolution of the concerns, perceptions and attitudes of the Spanish population during the COVID-19 pandemic

[ES] En la pandemia de COVID-19, tanto el comportamiento individual como el colectivo son determinantes en el control de la propagación de la enfermedad, pero las restricciones adoptadas para atajar esta crisis de salud pública han afectado al bienestar físico y mental de la población. Conocer las percepciones y actitudes de los ciudadanos ayuda a identificar las necesidades de la población y adoptar medidas de respuesta a la pandemia más efectivas y participativas. El estudio COSMO-Spain analiza las preocupaciones, percepciones y actitudes de la población en relación a la pandemia, el grado de adherencia a las medidas preventivas y otras variables relacionadas, como la percepción de riesgo. Este estudio, impulsado por la OMS, se ha realizado desde julio de 2020 cada dos meses, a través de un cuestionario online a muestras representativas de la población española. Los resultados muestran que las actitudes de la población han ido cambiando en el tiempo influenciadas por factores individuales y contextuales. Debido la naturaleza evolutiva de esta pandemia, las campañas de educación y sensibilización deben ser dinámicas y actualizarse continuamente en función de los datos. [EN] Both individual and population behavior are determining factors in controlling the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the restrictions have impacted the mental and physical well-being of citizens, the social cohesion, the economic stability, as well as the community resilience. In this complex scenario, understanding the feelings and attitudes of the population helps us to identify their needs and adopt response measures to control the pandemic in a more consensual and effective way. The COSMO-Spain study explores the concerns, perceptions, and attitudes of the population about the pandemic to find out the acceptance and adherence to behavioral prevention measures, as well as to analyze the citizens’ risk perception, well-being and trust in information sources and institutions. The COSMO-Spain study has been carried out every two months since July 2020, through an online questionnaire to representative cross-sectional samples of the Spanish population, composed by 1000 people each. The results up to December 2021 show that the attitudes of the population are dynamic and evolve over time, influenced not only by individual factors, but also by contextual ones. Due to the changing nature of this pandemic, education and awareness campaigns need to be dynamic and continually updated based on real data.El estudio COSMO-Spain ha sido financiado por el Instituto de Salud Carlos III.S