Toxoplasma gondii Infection and Threatened Abortion in Women from Northern Peru

Introduction. Toxoplasma gondii infection can cause important complications during pregnancy. Threatened abortion may be a late indicator for infection in settings with high prevalence of toxoplasmosis. We aimed to determine the association between T. gondii infection and threatened abortion in women from northern Peru. Methods. We conducted a secondary analysis of a cross-sectional study in pregnant women from a hospital and a rural community in Lambayeque, Peru. Exposure variable was serological diagnosis of toxoplasmosis, defined as the demonstration of either IgM or IgG antibodies against T. gondii. Outcome variable was threatened abortion, defined as the diagnosis of bloody vaginal discharge or bleeding during the first half of pregnancy. Prevalence ratios were estimated in simple and multiple regression analyses. Results. Of 218 pregnant women, 35.8% presented positive serology for T. gondii and 14.7% had threatened abortion in their current pregnancy. Pregnant women with positive T. gondii infection had 2.45-fold higher frequency of threatened abortion (PR: 2.45, 95% CI: 1.15-5.21). In addition, the frequency of threatened abortion decreased by 9% for each additional year of age (PR: 0.91, 95% CI: 0.86-0.97). A previous history of threatened abortion also showed a higher frequency of threatened abortion (PR: 5.22, 95% CI: 2.45-11.12). Conclusions. T. gondii infection is associated with threatened abortion. An early age of pregnancy and a previous history of abortion are also associated with this condition

Smartphone overuse, depression & anxiety in medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic

"Introduction Medical students have made particular use of smartphones during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although higher smartphone overuse has been observed, its effect on mental disorders is unclear. This study aimed to assess the association between smartphone overuse and mental disorders in Peruvian medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in 370 students aged between 16 and 41 years (median age: 20) in three universities from July to October 2020. A survey including Smartphone Dependence and Addiction Scale, PHQ-9, and GAD-7 was applied. Prevalence ratios were estimated using generalized linear models. Results Smartphone overuse was a common feature among students (n = 291, 79%). Depressive symptoms were present in 290 (78%) students and anxiety symptoms in 255 (69%). Adjusted for confounders, addictive/dependent smartphone use was significantly associated with presence of depressive symptoms (PR = 1.29, 95% CI: 1.20–1.38 for dependent use; PR = 1.30, 95% CI: 1.12–1.50 for addictive use). Also, addictive/dependent smartphone use was significantly associated with presence of anxiety symptoms (PR = 1.59, 95% CI: 1.14–2.23 for dependent use; PR = 1.61, 95% CI: 1.07–2.41 for addictive use). Conclusions Our findings suggest that medical students exposed to smartphone overuse are vulnerable to mental disorders. Overuse may reflect an inappropriate way of finding emotional relief, which may significantly affect quality of life and academic performance. Findings would assist faculties to establish effective measures for prevention of smartphone overuse.

Perception of medical students about courses based on peer-assisted learning in five Peruvian universities

Objectives: Peer-assisted learning (PAL) is a supportive strategy in medical education. In Peru, this method has been implemented by few universities. However, there are no consistent studies evaluating their acceptability by medical students. The objective of this study was to evaluate the perception of medical students about PAL in five Peruvian universities. Results: A total of 79 medical students were included in the study. The mean age was 20.1 ± 1.9 years, 54% were female, and 87% were in the first 4 years of study. Most of the students were satisfied with classes and peer teachers. Similarly, most of the students agreed with the interest in developing teaching skills. It was also observed that 97% of students approved to implement PAL in medical education programs.Revisión por pare

Tendencias en el número de médicos titulados anualmente en el Perú, 2007-2016

Objetivo: Describir la tendencia en el número de médicos que se titularon durante el periodo 2007-2016 en Perú, en forma general y en subgrupos de acuerdo a las características ligadas a la universidad en la que cursaron los estudios de pregrado. Materiales y métodos: Estudio descriptivo. Se obtuvo el listado de todos los médicos colegiados entre 2007-2016 por medio de la página web del Colegio Médico del Perú; mientras que la fecha de titulación y universidad de procedencia provino de la página web de la Superintendencia Nacional de Educación Superior Universitaria (SUNEDU). Para evaluar las tendencias, se utilizó la prueba de correlación de Spearman. Resultados: En el periodo de estudio se colegiaron 27 611 médicos a nivel nacional, con una tendencia anual creciente en la cantidad de médicos titulados (p<0,001). Entre los egresados de universidades peruanas, se encontró un incremento del número de médicos que estudiaron en universidades de Lima (p<0,001) y de la región costa (p<0,001). Adicionalmente, se evidenció un incremento en la cantidad de titulados provenientes de universidades privadas de Lima (p<0,001) y de provincias (p<0,001). Conclusiones: El número de médicos titulados aumenta anualmente, con predominio de aquellos provenientes de universidades de Lima, la costa y universidades privadas. Se evidencia la necesidad urgente de políticas que regulen este crecimiento, con la finalidad de evitar problemas de calidad educativa y empleabilidad

Mental Health Disturbance after a Major Earthquake in Northern Peru: A Preliminary, Cross-Sectional Study

Little has been studied in Peru on the mental health repercussions after a major earthquake.We aimed to explore the factors associated with depressive and anxiety symptoms in people whoexperienced a 6.1 magnitude earthquake in Piura, Peru, on 30 July 2021. A preliminary cross-sectional study was conducted in the general population between August–September 2021. An onlinequestionnaire was provided using PHQ-9, GAD-7, and other relevant measures. Generalized linearmodels were applied. Of the 177 participants, the median age was 22 years, the majority were female(56%), and many experienced depressive (52%) or anxiety symptoms (52%). Presence of depressivesymptoms was associated with a personal history of mental disorder, moderate housing damage,social/material support from politicians, moderate food insecurity, and insomnia. Presence of anxietysymptoms was associated with physical injury caused by the earthquake, mild food insecurity, andinsomnia. The development of depressive and anxiety symptoms following the 2021 earthquakeexperienced in Piura depended on multiple individual and socioeconomic factors. Additional studiesshould reinforce the factors identified here given the methodological limitations, such as the studydesign, sampling method, and sample size. This would lead to effective intervention measures tomitigate the impact of earthquakes on mental health

Factors associated with psychological copingwith COVID-19 during quarantine period

Introducción: Aunque se está generando múltiple evidencia clínica sobre la COVID-19, también es crítico abordar sobre las estrategias y acciones que han adoptado las personas para enfrentar situaciones estresantes durante la cuarentena obligatoria debido a la pandemia. Objetivo: Determinar los factores asociados al afrontamiento psicológico frente a la COVID-19 en la población general. Métodos: Estudio transversal analítico. Se reclutaron los participantes a través de una encuesta en línea, durante el periodo de pandemia por la COVID-19. Se evaluó el nivel de afrontamiento pasivo y activo, utilizando la escala de afrontamiento frente a riesgos extremos. Adicionalmente, se utilizó la media de los puntajes de afrontamiento pasivo y activo, se evaluó la asociación con variables sociodemográficas, pertenencia a grupos, cumplimiento de aislamiento social y reporte de conocer alguien diagnosticado con la COVID-19. Se estimaron razones de prevalencia (RP) con el uso de modelos lineales generalizados. Resultados: De 463 participantes, la mayoría era peruano (67,4%), cumplía totalmente las medidas de aislamiento social (78,4%). La media de puntuación de afrontamiento activo y pasivo fue de 54,1 y 30,3, respectivamente. El 57,2 % y 54 % de los participantes presentó nivel de afrontamiento activo y pasivo superior a la media, respectivamente. Los factores asociados a alto nivel de afrontamiento activo fueron alto nivel educativo (RP= 1,23) y cumplir completamente las medidas de aislamiento social (RP = 1,35). Conclusión: Tener alto nivel educativo y el cumplimiento del aislamiento social estuvieron asociados positivamente a alto nivel de afrontamiento activo.Introduction: Although multiple clinical evidence is being generated about COVID-19, it is also critical to address the strategies and actions that people have adopted to face stressful situations during the mandatory quarantine due to the pandemic. Objective: To determine the factors associated with psychological coping to COVID-19 in the general population. Method: Analytical cross-sectional study. Participants were recruited through an online survey during the COVID-19 pandemic period. The level of passive and active coping was evaluated, using the coping scale against extreme risks. Additionally, usingthe mean of the passive and active coping scores, the association with sociodemographic variables, group membership, compliance with social isolation and the report of knowing someone diagnosed with COVID-19 was evaluated. Prevalence ratios (PR) were estimated using generalized linear models. Results: Of 463 participants, the majority was Peruvian (67,4 %),fully complying with social isolation measures (78,4 %). The meanactive and passive coping scores were 54,1 and 30,3, respectively.57,2 % and 54 % of the participants presented a level of active and passive coping above the mean, respectively. The factors associated with a high level of active coping were a higheducational level (RP = 1,23) and complete compliance with socialisolation measures (RP = 1,35). Conclusion: Having a high educational level and compliance withsocial isolation were positively associated with a high level ofactive coping.Campus Lima Nort

Tendencias en el número de médicos titulados anualmente en el Perú, 2007-2016

Objective. To describe the trends in the number of physicians who graduated from 2007 to 2016 in Peru, both in a general manner as well as in subgroups based on the school they studied. Materials and Methods. This is a descriptive and retrospective study. A list of all physicians who graduated during the 2007-2016 period was obtained from the Peruvian College of Physicians website. Their graduating dates and the schools where they studied were obtained from the National University Education Superintendence (SUNEDU, according to its Spanish initials). Trends were assessed using the Spearman correlation test. Results: During the study period, 27,611 physicians graduated in Peru. There was an annual increase in the total number of graduates (p<0.001). Amongst graduates from Peruvian medical schools, there was an increase in the number of physicians who studied in Lima (p<0.001) and in the Peruvian coast (p<0.001). Also, there were a greater number of graduated physicians from Lima (p<0.001) and other provinces medical schools (p<0.001). Conclusions. The number of graduated physicians annually increases, particularly those who studied in Lima, the coast, and private medical schools. We evidence an urgent need for policies for regulating this growth, aiming to avoid employability and educational quality problems.Objetivo: Describir la tendencia en el número de médicos que se titularon durante el periodo 2007-2016 en Perú, en forma general y en subgrupos de acuerdo a las características ligadas a la universidad en la que cursaron los estudios de pregrado. Materiales y métodos: Estudio descriptivo. Se obtuvo el listado de todos los médicos colegiados entre 2007-2016 por medio de la página web del Colegio Médico del Perú; mientras que la fecha de titulación y universidad de procedencia provino de la página web de la Superintendencia Nacional de Educación Superior Universitaria (SUNEDU). Para evaluar las tendencias, se utilizó la prueba de correlación de Spearman. Resultados: En el periodo de estudio se colegiaron 27 611 médicos a nivel nacional, con una tendencia anual creciente en la cantidad de médicos titulados (p<0,001). Entre los egresados de universidades peruanas, se encontró un incremento del número de médicos que estudiaron en universidades de Lima (p<0,001) y de la región costa (p<0,001). Adicionalmente, se evidenció un incremento en la cantidad de titulados provenientes de universidades privadas de Lima (p<0,001) y de provincias (p<0,001). Conclusiones: El número de médicos titulados aumenta anualmente, con predominio de aquellos provenientes de universidades de Lima, la costa y universidades privadas. Se evidencia la necesidad urgente de políticas que regulen este crecimiento, con la finalidad de evitar problemas de calidad educativa y empleabilidad

COVID-19 Vaccine Effectiveness at a Referral Hospital in Northern Peru: A Retrospective Cohort Study

COVID-19 vaccines have achieved a significant reduction in mortality, yet objective estimates are needed in specific settings. We aimed to determine the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination at a referral hospital in Lambayeque, Peru. We conducted a retrospective cohort study from February to September 2021. We included hospitalized patients with COVID-19, whose data were stored in NotiWeb, a patient data system of the Peruvian Ministry of Health. We applied a propensity score-weighting method according to baseline characteristics of patients, and estimated hazard ratios (HR) using Cox regression models. Of 1553 participants, the average age was 55 years (SD: 16.8), 907 (58%) were male, and 592 (38%) deceased at 28-day follow-up. Before hospital admission, 74 (4.8%) had been immunized with at least one vaccine dose. Effectiveness against death in vaccinated patients was 50% at 90-day follow-up (weighted HR 0.50, 95% CI 0.28&ndash;0.89). Our results support the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination against death and provide information after early immunization in Peru

Factores asociados a crisis convulsiva febril en niños peruanos

"Introducción: La convulsión febril es el trastorno neurológico más frecuente en la infancia y el más común en la práctica neurológica pediátrica. Tiene una etiología multifactorial. En el Perú existen estudios aislados que reportan similares factores de riesgo. Objetivo: Determinar los factores asociados a convulsiones febriles en niños atendidos en el Hospital Regional Lambayeque, Perú. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio de casos y controles en pacientes de 6 meses a 5 años en el servicio de consulta externa de Neuropediatría y emergencias, del 2015 al 2018 del Hospital Regional de Lambayeque. La muestra se constituyó por 32 casos y 32 controles emparejados 1:1 por sexo y edad. Se utilizó un cuestionario para recolectar información general, clasificación de las convulsiones febriles y posibles factores de riesgo. Se estimaron odds ratio crudos (ORc) y ajustados (ORa) mediante modelos de regresión logística simple y múltiple, respectivamente. Resultados: La mayoría de los pacientes que presentaron episodios de convulsión febril tuvieron 13-24 meses de edad (46,9 %). Se evidenció una menor probabilidad de convulsión febril en aquellos pacientes con comorbilidades congénitas (ORa: 0,17; IC 95 %: 0,03-0,93). Los pacientes que tenían diarrea aguda infecciosa (ORa: 8,16; IC 95 %: 1,37-48,55) e infección respiratoria aguda alta (ORa: 12,49; IC 95 %: 1,89-82,42) tenían una mayor probabilidad de convulsión febril. Conclusiones: Padecer de diarrea aguda infecciosa e infecciones respiratorias agudas altas aumentan la probabilidad de desarrollar convulsión febril. Por el contrario, tener una comorbilidad congénita reduce la probabilidad de esta condición.

Table_1_Poor sleep quality and erectile dysfunction in students from a Peruvian University: A cross-sectional study.XLSX

ObjectiveWe aimed to evaluate the association between sleep quality and erectile dysfunction in young university students.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted in men aged 18–30 years from Universidad Ricardo Palma, Lima, Peru. The survey comprised the International Index of Erectile Function, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Berlin questionnaire, and questions related to sociodemographic data. Prevalence ratios were estimated with generalized linear models.ResultsOf 381 participants, the median age was 23 years. Half of the students (50.9%) had poor sleep quality, of which 72.7% had mild erectile dysfunction and 20.6% mild to moderate dysfunction. Prevalence of erectile dysfunction was significantly higher in students with poor sleep quality than in students with good sleep quality (aPR = 6.48; 95% CI: 4.58–9.17) after adjusting for age, academic year, nutritional status, and sleep apnea. In a subsequent exploratory analysis, sleep apnea was associated with a higher prevalence of erectile dysfunction (aPR = 1.19; 95% CI: 1.01–1.39), while overweight (aPR = 0.85; 95% CI: 0.76–0.95) and obesity (aPR = 0.65; 95% CI: 0.52–0.82) were associated with a lower prevalence of this condition.ConclusionPoor sleep quality was independently associated with erectile dysfunction in young university students. This finding suggests that male students are at risk for sexual problems due to possible academic demands and relationship issues.</p