Christian R. Mejia

Características de los cursos de investigación en escuelas de medicina del Perú

Aim: To evaluate the research courses’ characteristics and the scientific output of its teachers within Peruvian medical schools. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was performed, using data from the medical schools existing in Peru in 2011. The research courses’ syllabi and its teachers were evaluated. The number of courses, its teachers and the scientific output of them were assessed. Results: Schools had a median of 5.5 [range 2 to 18] credits of research courses, and 1.75% [0.6 to 6.3] was the median of percentages of total credits. In 18/32 (56%) schools existed at least one course requiring the student to present a final inform, and only one school entailed the students to publish the courses’ products in scientific journals. Furthermore, only five (16%) schools employed at least one instructor that had ever published at least one original article as the corresponding author in a Scopus-indexed journal. Conclusion: Peruvian medical schools’ research courses do not include the publication process as a targeted skill and its teachers have a poor scientific output.

Nivel de conocimientos sobre emergencias médicas en estudiantes de medicina de universidades peruanas

Objectives. The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge about medical emergencies of medical students from eleven Peruvian universities. Materials and methods. Multicenter, cross-sectional study, conducted between 2007- 2008. We used a nominal response, self-administered questionnaire with socio-educational questions and ten multiple choice questions on medical emergencies. We obtained a nonrandom sample of participants enrolled in universities. We obtained the chi2, crude and adjusted ORs with 95% confidence intervals and ulterior multivariate analysis. Results. 2,109 medical students participated, the average age was 21 years (range: 15-32), 51% were males. 53% had taken a previous course related to medical emergencies. 60.4% failed the questionnaire, the average score was 4.95 over a maximum of 10 points and 5.9% obtained between 8-10 points. We found a strong association between the university of origin (OR: 0.45, 95% CI 0.38 to 0.54), the academic stage (OR: 1.55, 95% CI 1.28 to 1.87), when they received the course about subject (OR: 0.62, 95% CI 0.50-0.77) and gender (OR: 1.38, 95% CI 1.15 to 1.65). Conclusions. Knowledge of medical emergencies in the students of the eleven evaluated universities is not good, and we suggest the need of evaluating and improving the practical training offered by universities on issues regarding the management of medical emergencies.

Profile and professional expectations of medical students from 11 Latin American countries: the Red-LIRHUS project

BackgroundLatin America is undergoing a human resource crisis in health care in terms of labor shortage, misdistribution and poor orientation to primary care. Workforce data are needed to inform the planning of long-term strategies to address this problem. This study aimed to evaluate the academic and motivational profile, as well as the professional expectations, of Latin American medical students.ResultsWe conducted an observational, cross-sectional, multi-country study evaluating medical students from 11 Spanish-speaking countries in 2011–2012. Motivations to study medicine, migration intentions, intent to enter postgraduate programs, and perceptions regarding primary care were evaluated via a self-administered questionnaire. Outcomes were measured with pilot-tested questions and previously validated scales. A total of 11,072 valid surveys from 63 medical schools were gathered and analyzed.ConclusionsThis study describes the profile and expectations of the future workforce being trained in Latin America. The obtained information will be useful for governments and universities in planning strategies to improve their current state of affairs regarding human resources for health care professions.

Use, knowledge, and perception of the scientific contribution of Sci-Hub in medical students: Study in six countries in Latin America

Introduction Sci-Hub is a useful web portal for people working in science as it provides access to millions of free scientific articles. Satisfaction and usage should be explored in the Latino student population. The objective of this study was to evaluate the use, knowledge, and perception of the scientific contribution of Sci-Hub in medical students from Latin America. Methodology A multicenter, observational, analytical study was conducted in 6632 medical students from 6 countries in Latin America. We surveyed from a previously validated instrument, delving into knowledge, monthly average usage, satisfaction level, and perception of the scientific contributions provided by Sci-Hub. Frequencies and percentages are described, and generalized linear models were used to establish statistical associations. Results Only 19.2% of study participants knew of Sci-Hub and its function, while the median use was twice a month. 29.9% of Sci-Hub-aware participants claimed they always find the desired scientific information in their Sci-Hub search; 62.5% of participants affirmed that Sci-Hub contributes to scientific investigation; only 2.2% reported that Sci-Hub does not contribute to science. Conclusion The majority of Latino students are not aware of Sci-Hub.

Influencia de los hábitos en la depresión del estudiante de medicina peruano: estudio en siete departamentos

OBJECTIVE To determine the influence of habits on depression in medical students from 7 Peruvian Regions. METHODS Analytical cross-sectional study of a secondary data analysis. The diagnosis of depression was obtained according to the Zung test result, with any level of this condition being considered positive. This was also compared with other social and educational variables that were important according to previous literature. RESULTS Of the 1922 respondents, 54.5% (1047) were female. The median age was 20 [interquartile range, 18-22] years, and 13.5% (259) had some degree of depression according to the Zung scale. In the multivariate analysis, the frequency of depression increased with the hours of study per day (RPA=1.03; 95%CI; 1.01-1.04; P<.001) and the student work (RPA=1.98; 95%CI; 1.21-3.23; P=.006). On the other hand, decreased the frequency of depression decreased on having similar meal schedules (RPA=0.59; 95%CI; 0.38-0.93; P=.022), and having a fixed place in which to get food (RPA=0.66; 95%CI; 0.46-0.96; P=.030), adjusted for the year of college entrance. CONCLUSIONS Some stressors predisposed to depression were found (the work and studying more hours a day). On the other hand, to have order in their daily routine decreased this condition (having a set place and times for meals).

Altitud geográfica de residencia y dependencia alcohólica en pobladores peruanos

The aim of this study was to determine the association between alcohol dependence and altitude of residence in 11 villages in two high altitude areas of Peru. An analytical cross-sectional study was performed using a survey conducted by physicians in primary health care in 11 villages until 2013, that were divided into low altitude (≤2500m asl (above sea level)), and high altitude (>2500m asl) areas. The CAGE test for alcoholism (cut point, ≥2) was applied to those who responded positively when asked if they consumed alcohol. Statistical associations were obtained with generalised linear models Of the 737 participants, 51% were women and the median age was 36 years [interquartile range, 25-50], 334 (45%) lived at low altitude, and 113 (15%) had alcohol dependence. The highest frequency of alcoholism was positively associated with being a village considered extremely poor (Likelihood Ratio (LP)=2.42; 95%CI, 1.40-4.19), while being female (LP=0.44; 95%CI, 0.23-0.89) and residing at high altitude (LP=0.15; 95%CI, 0.07-0.31) were negatively associated. These were adjusted for nine socio-occupational and pathological variables. According to these data, there is a higher frequency of alcohol dependence in being, male, extremely poor, and residing at low altitude. These results should be taken into account by professionals who work in primary care and those involved in mental health care, because of their implications in society.

Diagnóstico tardío y enfermedad avanzada de VIH en pacientes adultos en un hospital de la seguridad social de Perú

BACKGROUND The delayed HIV diagnosis with CD4 count is a public health problem. OBJECTIVE To determinate the frequency and the factors associated with a late diagnosis (LD) and to an advanced disease (AD) of HIV infection in patients from a Peruvian hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS Analytic and transversal study of secondary data from adults patients diagnostic with HIV during the period 1999-2012. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS From 1,714 patients, 82.6% (1416) had LD, and 64.5% (1106) were diagnostic with AD. Were associated with them: being of male sex (LD: 17% and AD: 28%; p < 0.001), have between 41-60 years (LD: 9% and AD: 15%; p < 0.001), have more than 60 years old (LD: 14% and AD: 23%; p < 0.003), being bisexual (LD: 18% and AD: 43%; p < 0.001), drugs abusers (LD: 24% and AD: 64%; p < 0.001). Being heterosexual was associated with less frequency (LD: 12% and AD: 19%; p < 0.001). The frequency of LD and AD of HIV are high and factors associated with them were male sex, being 40 years old or more, and belonging to sexually risk groups (homosexuals and bisexuals) and drugs abusers.BACKGROUND The delayed HIV diagnosis with CD4 count is a public health problem. OBJECTIVE To determinate the frequency and the factors associated with a late diagnosis (LD) and to an advanced disease (AD) of HIV infection in patients from a Peruvian hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS Analytic and transversal study of secondary data from adults patients diagnostic with HIV during the period 1999-2012. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS From 1,714 patients, 82.6% (1416) had LD, and 64.5% (1106) were diagnostic with AD. Were associated with them: being of male sex (LD: 17% and AD: 28%; p < 0.001), have between 41-60 years (LD: 9% and AD: 15%; p < 0.001), have more than 60 years old (LD: 14% and AD: 23%; p < 0.003), being bisexual (LD: 18% and AD: 43%; p < 0.001), drugs abusers (LD: 24% and AD: 64%; p < 0.001). Being heterosexual was associated with less frequency (LD: 12% and AD: 19%; p < 0.001). The frequency of LD and AD of HIV are high and factors associated with them were male sex, being 40 years old or more, and belonging to sexually risk groups (homosexuals and bisexuals) and drugs abusers.

Reference values for oxygen saturation from sea level to the highest human habitation in the Andes in acclimatised persons

Oxygen saturation, measured by pulse oximetry (SpO2), is a vital clinical measure. Our descriptive, cross-sectional study describes SpO2 measurements from 6289 healthy subjects from age 1 to 80 years at 15 locations from sea level up to the highest permanent human habitation. Oxygen saturation measurements are illustrated as percentiles. As altitude increased, SpO2 decreased, especially at altitudes above 2500 m. The increase in altitude had a significant impact on SpO2 measurements for all age groups. Our data provide a reference range for expected SpO2 measurements in people from 1 to 80 years from sea level to the highest city in the world.

Artículo originalAltitud geográfica de residencia y dependencia alcohólica en pobladores peruanosGeographic Altitude of Residence and Alcohol Dependence in a Peruvian Population

The aim of this study was to determine the association between alcohol dependence and altitude of residence in 11 villages in two high altitude areas of Peru. An analytical cross-sectional study was performed using a survey conducted by physicians in primary health care in 11 villages until 2013, that were divided into low altitude (≤2500m asl (above sea level)), and high altitude (>2500m asl) areas. The CAGE test for alcoholism (cut point, ≥2) was applied to those who responded positively when asked if they consumed alcohol. Statistical associations were obtained with generalised linear models Of the 737 participants, 51% were women and the median age was 36 years [interquartile range, 25-50], 334 (45%) lived at low altitude, and 113 (15%) had alcohol dependence. The highest frequency of alcoholism was positively associated with being a village considered extremely poor (Likelihood Ratio (LP)=2.42; 95%CI, 1.40-4.19), while being female (LP=0.44; 95%CI, 0.23-0.89) and residing at high altitude (LP=0.15; 95%CI, 0.07-0.31) were negatively associated. These were adjusted for nine socio-occupational and pathological variables. According to these data, there is a higher frequency of alcohol dependence in being, male, extremely poor, and residing at low altitude. These results should be taken into account by professionals who work in primary care and those involved in mental health care, because of their implications in society.

Differences on Primary Care Labor Perceptions in Medical Students from 11 Latin American Countries

Background The shortage in Latin-American Primary Care (PC) workforce may be due to negative perceptions about it. These perceptions might be probably influenced by particular features of health systems and academic environments, thus varying between countries. Methods Observational, analytic and cross-sectional multicountry study that evaluated 9,561 first and fifth-year medical students from 63 medical schools of 11 Latin American countries through a survey. Perceptions on PC work was evaluated through a previously validated scale. Tertiles of the scores were created in order to compare the different countries. Crude and adjusted prevalence ratios were calculated using simple and multiple Poisson regression with robust variance. Results Approximately 53% of subjects were female; mean age was 20.4±2.9 years; 35.5% were fifth-year students. Statistically significant differences were found between the study subjects’ country, using Peru as reference. Students from Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Paraguay perceived PC work more positively, while those from Ecuador showed a less favorable position. No differences were found among perceptions of Bolivian, Salvadoran, Honduran and Venezuelan students when compared to their Peruvian peers. Conclusions Perceptions of PC among medical students from Latin America vary according to country. Considering such differences can be of major importance for potential local specific interventions.