Burnout syndrome and depression in students of a Colombian medical school, 2018

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Burnout syndrome (BS) has been evaluated in few populations of medical students, and its relationship with depression is even less studied. The objective was to determine the frequency of BS in medical students of the Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia (UPTC), in Tunja, Colombia, as well as its association with depression and other social, economic, demographic, and academic factors.

METHODS

An observational, analytical, cross-sectional study was carried out on 182 UPTC medical students during 2018. The Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Survey (MBI-SS) was applied, with which 3 components were obtained to determine positive SB. This was crossed in the Stata 15 program for depression and other social, economic, demographic, and academic covariates with the Generalised Linear Model (GLM).

RESULTS

Of 182 respondents, 51.4% were women. The median age was 21 years (20-23 years). 14% had BS, of which 48% had depression. In the multiple regression, BS was significantly associated with a higher frequency of depression (RPa = 5.54; IC95%, 2.36-13.02; P < 0.001) and the feeling of insufficient money (RPa = 4.37; IC95%, 1.95-9.83; P < 0.001), in contrast to a negative association with smoking (RPa = 0.13; IC95%, 0.06-0.30; P < 0.001) and being a woman (RPa = 0.32; IC95%, 0.12-0.82; P = 0.018). The age of onset of marijuana use was not significant.

CONCLUSIONS

BS shows a high association with increased depression and a feeling that the money is not enough at the end of the month, but it showed a negative association with tobacco consumption and being a woman. Such students should be detected to provide them with adequate academic support.

[Analysis with Google Trends and Our World in Data on Global Mental Health in the Context of the covid-19 Pandemic]

Introduction

During the covid-19 pandemic, mental health services were unable to cope with the high demand from the population, so many people chose to search the Internet for information that could help them cope with the psychological process they were experiencing at the time. The aim of this study was to characterize the global search trend for the term «psychiatry» in the context of covid-19 using Google Trends and Our World in Data.

Methods

Descriptive-cross-sectional study on global search trends for Psychiatry in the context of covid-19 under the terms «psychiatry», «depression», «anxiety», «stress», «insomnia» and «suicide» in the category of health, this was conducted over the period 2020-2021 and time graphs were generated.

Results

The term «psychiatry» remained at a consistently high relative search volume (between 60 and 90), with a significant and gradual search in the month of April. The relative search volume for «depression», «anxiety» and «stress» remained constant with some non-significant fluctuations over the period 2020-2021. The term «insomnia» was predominant between January and June 2020, gradually declining in April and remaining constant until October 2021. Finally, the term «suicide» had a fluctuating RBV between 60 and 100 during this period.

Conclusions

During the study period, the topics related to mental health and the speciality of psychiatry remained constant, with some fluctuating, but not outstanding variations.

Factors associated with hopelessness, depression and anxiety in the Honduran-Central America population during the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction

The mental health of the population has been affected by COVID-19, reporting in many populations higher levels of depressive, anxious and stress symptoms, however, in Honduras there are no studies showing the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of the population.

Aim

To determine the factors associated with hopelessness, depression and anxiety in times of COVID-19 in the Honduran population.

Methods

Cross-sectional analytical study. Three scales were used, Beck for hopelessness, Hamilton for depression and anxiety, through interviews with the population attending different levels of health care throughout the country. Descriptive and analytical statistics were obtained. For hopelessness, the Beck Hopelessness Scale was used; for depression and anxiety, the Hamilton Scale was used.

Results

Of the 8,125 participants, the population in general showed results of hopelessness 14.9%, depression 12.9% and anxiety 1.2%, there was less hopelessness among women (p = 0.004), university students (p &lt; 0.001), but greater among those who had a family member deceased by COVID-19 (p &lt; 0.001), among those who had diabetes mellitus (DM) (p &lt; 0.001), history of mental illness (p &lt; 0.001) or had consumed drugs in the last 6 months (p &lt; 0.001). There was more depression among those with arterial hypertension (p = 0.002), obesity (p = 0.019), DM (p = 0.004), history of mental illness (p &lt; 0.001) or had consumed drugs in the last 6 months (p &lt; 0.001). There was more anxiety among those infected with COVID-19 (p = 0.023), according to having a family member deceased by COVID-19 (p = 0.045) and in those with a history of mental illness (p &lt; 0.001).

Discussion

The Honduran population presented important differences in the socio-pathological, according to the loss of family members or having previous illnesses, this according to the presentation of problems in the mental sphere.

Conclusion

We found factors associated with hopelessness, we found factors associated with hopelessness, depression and anxiety in times of COVID-19 in the Honduran population.

Factores asociados a la capacidad científica-académica básica en estudiantes de medicina de Latinoamérica

Introducción: existe evidencia limitada en cuanto al entrenamiento estudiantil en capacidades científicas y académicas esenciales para la formación médica. Objetivo: identificar los factores asociados a la capacidad científica-académica básica en estudiantes de medicina de 11 países de Latinoamérica. Métodos: se hizo un estudio transversal de análisis de datos secundarios a través de un cuestionario autoadministrado en estudiantes de medicina de 11 países latinoamericanos. La variable dependiente fue la presencia de capacidad básica, definida como el autorreporte de capacitación y uso de al menos una de tres bases de datos (PubMed, SCOPUS, UpToDate), capacitación en búsqueda bibliográfica y lectura crítica, uso académico de al menos una de tres tecnologías de información (laptop, smartphone, tablet) y consulta a revistas científicas. Se estimaron razones de prevalencia (RP) utilizando modelos lineales generalizados multinivel de efectos mixtos (MEGLM). Se realizó un modelo anidado para evaluar la inclusión de covariables en el modelo parsimónico utilizando LRTest. Resultados: de 11.587 estudiantes, solo el 1,4 % presentó capacidad básica científica-académica. Los factores asociados de forma positiva fueron la procedencia de universidad privada (RP: 4,85, p < 0,001), estar afiliado a una sociedad científica estudiantil (SOCEM) (RP: 3,20, p < 0,001), pertenecer a grupos de investigación (RP: 2,97, p < 0,001) y ser parte de más de un grupo extracurricular (RP: 4,29, p = 0,012). Los factores asociados de forma negativa fueron proceder de Bolivia (RP: 0,05, p = 0,005), Argentina (RP: 0,06, p = 0,011) y Perú (RP: 0,14, p < 0,001). Conclusión: existe un pobre entrenamiento en capacidades científicas-académicas básicas en estudiantes de medicina. Proceder de universidad privada y estar afiliado a sociedades científicas o grupos afines se asoció a una mayor frecuencia de adquirir dichas herramientas.

Revalidation of an ultra-short scale for the measurement of perceived job security in Latin America

Introduction Due to the measures imposed by governments to reduce the spread of this new virus, the economic sector was one of the most affected during the COVID-19 pandemic. Several labor sectors had to undergo a virtual adaptation process resulting in job instability and job loss. The objective of this study was to revalidate an ultra-short scale for measuring perceived job security in Latin America. Methods A revalidation study was done on a short scale that measures worker’s perceived security about losing or keeping their job in the near future. Results The four items remained on the revalidated scale, where all four explained a single factor. The goodness-of-fit measures confirmed the single-factor model (χ: 7.06; df: 2; p = 0.29; mean square error: 0.015; goodness-of-fit index: 0.998; adjusted goodness-of-fit index: 0.991; comparative fit index: 0.999; Tucker-Lewis index: 0.997; normalized fit index: 0.998; incremental fit index: 0.999; and root mean square error of approximation: 0.036). The scale’s reliability was calculated using McDonald’s omega coefficient, obtaining an overall result of ω = 0.72. Conclusions The scale was correctly revalidated in Latin America, and the four items were kept in a single reliable factor.

Percepción del riesgo por viruela símica desde la experiencia postpandémica

Actualmente la ansiedad y miedo al surgimiento de nuevas enfermedades infecciosas es evidente y más aún cuando salen a flote el términio de “viruela símica”. Como objetivo se propuso determinar la percepción del riesgo por viruela símica desde la experiencia pandémica Covid-19 en docentes universitarios peruanos. La investigación fue descriptiva exploratoria con una muestra de 379 docentes peruanos. Se aplicó el instrumento EP-VIR-MONK compuesto de 6 ítems. Para analizar los datos se utilizó Microsoft Excel y el software SPSS, estadística descriptiva y hallar tablas de frecuencias y porcentajes, prueba de Shapiro Wilk, RRc e IC 95%. Como resultado, 49,34% correspondían al sexo femenino, de los cuales 58,29% se habían infectado con Covid-19 y 41,71% no, 50,65% eran del sexo masculino, 63,54% se habían infectado por Covid-19 y 36,46% no, no obstante, de los infectados por Covid-19, 57,04% evidenciaron la muerte de un ser querido, 71,59% ven riesgo al infectarse por Covid-19, 73,06% sienten temor, 75,26% usan medidas de protección, de las cuales el riesgo, temor y medidas de protección tuvieron significancia estadística con una p <0,05, por otra parte, en análisis bivariado de los factores de riesgo para alta percepción de riesgo por viruela símica se encontró una significancia estadística <0,005 en la edad, muerte de un ser querido, riesgo, temor y medidas de protección. A pesar de que la población pueda observar la viruela símica como una amenaza, todos los elementos epidemiológicos para su contención se encuentran disponibles, caso contrario a lo vivido ante la pandemia por SARS-CoV-2

Análisis del comportamiento epidemiológico de Leishmaniasis cutánea en Perú 2016-2021

La leishmaniasis cutánea (LC) es una patología cutánea inmunomediada causada principalmente por Leishmania (L.) major, Leishmania tropica, Leishmania braziliensis, L. mexicana y L. amazonensis. La carga de la LC en términos de morbilidad y estigmas sociales se concentra en ciertos países en desarrollo de Asia, África y Sudamérica. Las personas con LC asintomática representan una gran proporción de los individuos infectados en las zonas endémicas que no presentan ninguna lesión y pueden controlar la infección mediante mecanismos aún no del todo conocidos. En la actualidad, no existe ninguna medida profiláctica de control aprobada para la LC. Este reporte epidemiológico reveló que la LC prevalecía en las áreas geográficas de Selva y Sierra de Perú, mientras que departamentos como Ancash y La Libertad, áreas de la Costa, también estuvieron involucradas en el reporte de casos en los últimos años. El patrón de casos de LC reportados en los distintos departamentos del país tuvo un comportamiento muy parecido en el periodo comprendido entre 2016 y 2021, predominando en las primeras 4 o 5 semanas epidemiológicas la mayor frecuencia de pacientes enfermos con lesiones dérmicas compatibles y corroboradas con LC. La enfermedad es endémica en muchas partes del país, por eso se necesitan más esfuerzos y enfoques integrados para combatir esta patología.

Use of public transport associated with colds in the capital of Peru: A cross-sectional study

Introduction Confined and crowded environments, such as public transport, can act as hot spots for spreading infectious diseases. Of these, common acute respiratory infections of easy contagion are of great interest. Objectives To establish the association between the use of ground public transport and the acquisition of common cold in Lima, Peru. Methods Analytical cross-sectional study. It was carried out through secondary data analysis from a primary study conducted at the Faculty of Medicine of the Ricardo Palma University in Lima, Peru. The dependent variable was the acquisition of common colds, and the independent variable was the use of public transportation (bus, metropolitan, bus corridor, collective cab, non-collective cab, and other means). The covariates of interests were age, sex, and socioeconomic level time and frequency of exposure. Generalized linear models were performed to estimate prevalence ratios (PR), using the Poisson family, log link and robust models. Results Of the 591 respondents, 53% were female, the median age was 20 years, and 90.3% belonged to the middle class. Most traveled by bus (72.4%), and in the last three months the median number of colds was one. We found a difference in the number of colds according to the age of the respondents (P = 0.019). Having a common cold was associated with traveling more days per week in public transport (adjusted prevalence ratio: 1.04; 95% confidence interval: 1.03 to 1.05; p value < 0.001), spending more minutes per day traveling to work (1.0025; 1.0023 to 1.0027; p value < 0.001), more minutes per day returning home (1.0022; 1.0015 to 1.0030; p value < 0.001), more use of the subway or metro (1.37; 1.29 to 1.46; p value < 0.001), or using the municipal bus corridor (1.22; 1.01 to 1.47; p value = 0.036). Conclusions The use of public ground transportation is associated with the acquisition of the common cold. Confined spaces and poor ventilation are essential factors to consider.

Factors associated to depressive symptoms in mothers with children hospitalized in pediatric and neonatology units of Peru: a case-control study

Introduction

Postpartum depression has increased significantly worldwide, but in the central Peruvian mountain, there are no studies that address this problem.

Objectives

To identify and to establish risk factors for postpartum depression in mothers whose children are hospitalized in pediatrics/neonatology units in Huancayo.

Methods

This is a case-control study. Medical records of mothers whose children were hospitalized in pediatrics/neonatology units during 2017 were included. The cases were defined as patients who “had symptoms of postpartum depression." This variable was crossed with other variables using logistical regression, odds ratio were obtained, their confidence intervals were set to 95%, and the p values were calculated.

Results

Sixty-one medical records of mothers with postpartum depression (cases) and 61 medical records of mothers without postpartum depression (control) were evaluated. In the multivariate analysis, the unemployed mothers had a bigger chance of postpartum depression (p < 0.001), as well as single mothers (p < 0.001), and those with an unplanned pregnancy (p = 0.003). Conversely, mothers who reported having serious problems with their partner had a smaller chance of postpartum depression (p = 0.003).

Conclusions

Different factors were found to be related to postpartum depression: marital situation, relationship with their partners, work conditions, and having an unplanned pregnancy.

Prevalence of infectious diseases and its associated factors among the blood donors of the Honduran Red Cross - Northern Region between 2014 and 2016

Introduction

A number of parenteral infections in third-world countries are caused by blood transfusions. Our objective was to determine the prevalence of and factors associated with infected blood obtained by the Honduran Red Cross through blood donations, to ensure the safety of the donated blood.

Materials and methods

This study used a cross-sectional analytical design based on the secondary analysis of data. Information on blood donors from San Pedro Sula, Honduras, between 2014 and 2016 were obtained from the database of the Honduran Red Cross. Data analysis was performed in two phases. The first phase described the variables, with the values presented as frequencies and percentages for categorical variables. The second phase involved a statistical analysis using generalized linear models.

Results

The proportions of donors who tested positive for syphilis, core hepatitis, hepatitis B, human T-cell lymphotropic virus, human immunodeficiency virus, and hepatitis C infections were 45% (n = 447), 35% (348), 11% (105), 10% (97), 6% (59), and 3% (24), respectively. The results of multivariate analysis demonstrated that the number of women positive for HIV infection was lower than that of men (p = 0.006). Older participants were more likely to be positive for core hepatitis (p = 0.029) and syphilis (p<0.001) infection but less likely to be positive for hepatitis B (p<0.001), hepatitis C (p = 0.027), human immunodeficiency virus (p<0.001), and human T-cell lymphotropic virus (p<0.001) infection compared to younger participants. Replacement donors had an increased likelihood of positivity for core hepatitis (p = 0.003) infections but a decreased likelihood of positivity for human T-cell lymphotropic virus infection (p = 0.001).

Discussion

The high prevalence of infectious diseases in Honduras warrants the need for monitoring donated blood to prevent infected blood from being provided for transfusions. Furthermore, education efforts through the creation of prevention programs are necessary to educate the Honduran population, especially younger individuals, about transfusion-transmissible infections.

Actitudes frente a la autoexploración de mama en dos facultades de ciencias de la salud de Ica, Perú: un estudio piloto

Señor editor: El cáncer de mama es la neoplasia más frecuente entre las mujeres, con un estimado de 1.67 millones de nuevos casos diagnosticados en 2012 (25% de todos loscánceres). Entre 1990 y 2013, las tasas de incidencia estandarizada por edad por cada 100 000 mujeres han incrementado en 17% a nivel mundial, siendo más afectados los países en desarrollo, donde cerca de la mitad de los casos corresponden a una enfermedad avanzada debido al diagnóstico tardío y al pobre acceso al tratamiento. En Perú, el cáncer de mama ocupa la segunda causa de muerte por cáncer en mujeres, detrás del cervicouterino, y su supervivencia se estima en alrededor de 60 a 70% a los cinco años del diagnóstico...

[Factors associated with the regular use of sources of information by medical students from four cities of Peru]

Objetives. To determine the factors associated with regular use of sources of information by medical students in four cities in Peru.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, medical students were surveyed in four cities of Peru, gathering information on the use of 14 sources of information and other educational and computer variables. Frequent use of the information source was defined if the respondent reported that they access an information source at least once a week. P values were obtained by generalized linear models adjusted for each respondent site.

RESULTS

2,300 students were surveyed. The median age was 21 years and 53% were women. Having received training in the use of sources increased the use in twelve of the consulted bases, not in SciELO (p=0.053) or in the university library (p=0.509).When adjusting for owning a laptop/netbook, these associations remained. After also adjusting for owning a smartphone the association was lost with the BVS Peru database (p=0.067). The association was also lost after making the final adjustment, if the respondent had carried out any research activities.

CONCLUSIONS

The frequent use of sources of information is associated with having received training, conducting research and use of information technologies and communication. This should be taken into account in training programs and continuous improvement in undergraduate education.

Rate of gestational weight gain, pre-pregnancy body mass index and preterm birth subtypes: a retrospective cohort study from Peru

OBJECTIVE

To examine the shape (functional form) of the association between the rate of gestational weight gain, pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), and preterm birth and its subtypes.

DESIGN

  Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

  National reference obstetric centre in Lima, Peru.

POPULATION

  Pregnant women who delivered singleton babies during the period 2006-2009, resident in Lima, and beginning prenatal care at ≤ 12 weeks of gestation (n=8964).

METHODS

  Data were collected from the centre database. The main analyses consisted of logistic regression with fractional polynomial modelling.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

  Preterm birth and its subtypes.

RESULTS

  Preterm birth occurred in 12.2% of women, being mostly idiopathic (85.7%). The rate of gestational weight gain was independently associated with preterm birth, and the shape of this association varied by pre-pregnancy BMI. In women who were underweight, the association was linear (per 0.1 kg/week increase) and protective (OR 0.88; 95% CI 0.82-1.00). In women of normal weight or who were overweight, the association was U-shaped: the odds of delivering preterm increased exponentially with rates <0.10 or >0.66 kg/week, and <0.04 or >0.50 kg/week, respectively. In women who were obese, the association was linear, but non-significant (OR 1.01; 95% CI 0.95-1.06). The association described for preterm birth closely resembled that of idiopathic preterm birth, although the latter was stronger. The rate of gestational weight gain was not associated with indicated preterm birth or preterm prelabour rupture of membranes.

CONCLUSIONS

  In Peruvian pregnant women starting prenatal care at ≤ 12 weeks of gestation, the rate of gestational weight gain is independently associated with preterm birth, mainly because of its association with idiopathic preterm birth, and the shape of both associations varies by pre-pregnancy BMI.

Nosocomial infection due to Vibrio cholerae in two referral hospitals in Guatemala

We report nosocomial infection with Vibrio cholerae 01, in four seriously ill individuals and one infant in Guatemala. Nosocomial cholera occurs in developing countries in Latin America and should be suspected in hospitalized patients with diarrhea, especially during community outbreaks, in order to institute appropriate diagnostic, therapeutic, and control measures.