Edwin Herazo

Prevalence of Pattern of Risky Behaviors for Reproductive and Sexual Health Among Middle- and High-School Students

This research aimed to establish the prevalence and factors associated with the pattern of risky behavior for reproductive and sexual health (PRBRSH) among secondary education students in Santa Marta, Colombia. A cross-sectional study was done. The PRBRSH was defined as having had two or more out of four possible risky sexual practices across the lifetime. Logistic regression was calculated to control for confounding variables. In total, 804 students reported lifetime sexual intercourse. PRBRSH was reported by 36.1% of the sample. Illegal substance use (OR=11.4), alcohol drinking (OR=2.5), being a middle-school student (OR=1.7) and middle or high socioeconomic status (1.4) were associated with PRBRSH. Around one out of three adolescent students is at high risk for HIV infection or unwanted pregnancy. Safe sex practices need to be promoted in this population.El objetivo de esta investigacion fue establecer la prevalencia y factores asociados al patron de comportamiento de riesgo para la salud sexual y reproductiva (PCRSSR) en estudiantes de secundaria de Santa Marta, Colombia. Se realizo un estudio transversal. Se definio como PCRSSR la suma de dos o mas, de cuatro posibles, comportamientos sexuales de riesgo durante la vida. Se uso la regresion logistica para controlar variables de confusion. Un grupo de 804 estudiantes informo haber tenido relaciones sexuales. El 36,1% mostro el estandar de comportamiento de riesgo para la salud sexual y reproductiva. Se relacionaron con el PCRSSR el consumo de una sustancia ilegal (OR=11,4), el consumo de alcohol (OR=2,5), el ser estudiante de educacion media vocacional (OR=1,7) y el pertenecer al estrato socioeconomico medio o alto (1,4). Aproximadamente uno de cada tres estudiantes adolescentes presenta alto riesgo de ser infectado por el VIH o de sufrir un embarazo no planificado. Se recomienda promover practicas sexuales seguras.

Homophobia among nursing students

Homophobia is defined as a general negative attitude towards homosexual persons, with implications on public health. This fact has been less investigated among nursing students. The objective of this review was to learn about the prevalence of homophobia and its associated variables among nursing students. A systematic review was performed on original articles published in EBSCO, Imbiomed, LILACS, MEDLINE, Ovid, and ProQuest, including articles published between 1998 and 2008 in English, Portuguese and Spanish. Keywords used were homophobia, homosexuality, and nursing students. Descriptive analysis was performed. Eight studies were analyzed. The incidence of homophobia in nursing students is between 7% and 16%. Homophobia is more common among males and religious conservatism people. Homophobia is quite frequent in nursing students. This negative attitude toward homosexuality may affect services and care giving by nursing professions and could have negative implications in nursing practice.Homophobia is defined as a general negative attitude towards homosexual persons, with implications on public health. This fact has been less investigated among nursing students. The objective of this review was to learn about the prevalence of homophobia and its associated variables among nursing students. A systematic review was performed on original articles published in EBSCO, Imbiomed, LILACS, MEDLINE, Ovid, and ProQuest, including articles published between 1998 and 2008 in English, Portuguese and Spanish. Key words used were homophobia, homosexuality, and nursing students. Descriptive analysis was performed. Eight studies were analyzed. The incidence of homophobia in nursing students is between 7% and 16%. Homophobia is more common among males and religious conservatism people. Homophobia is quite frequent in nursing students. This negative attitude toward homosexuality may affect services and care giving by nursing professions and could have negative implications in nursing practice.

Homofobia en estudiantes de enfermería

Homophobia is defined as a general negative attitude towards homosexual persons, with implications on public health. This fact has been less investigated among nursing students. The objective of this review was to learn about the prevalence of homophobia and its associated variables among nursing students. A systematic review was performed on original articles published in EBSCO, Imbiomed, LILACS, MEDLINE, Ovid, and ProQuest, including articles published between 1998 and 2008 in English, Portuguese and Spanish. Keywords used were homophobia, homosexuality, and nursing students. Descriptive analysis was performed. Eight studies were analyzed. The incidence of homophobia in nursing students is between 7% and 16%. Homophobia is more common among males and religious conservatism people. Homophobia is quite frequent in nursing students. This negative attitude toward homosexuality may affect services and care giving by nursing professions and could have negative implications in nursing practice.Homophobia is defined as a general negative attitude towards homosexual persons, with implications on public health. This fact has been less investigated among nursing students. The objective of this review was to learn about the prevalence of homophobia and its associated variables among nursing students. A systematic review was performed on original articles published in EBSCO, Imbiomed, LILACS, MEDLINE, Ovid, and ProQuest, including articles published between 1998 and 2008 in English, Portuguese and Spanish. Key words used were homophobia, homosexuality, and nursing students. Descriptive analysis was performed. Eight studies were analyzed. The incidence of homophobia in nursing students is between 7% and 16%. Homophobia is more common among males and religious conservatism people. Homophobia is quite frequent in nursing students. This negative attitude toward homosexuality may affect services and care giving by nursing professions and could have negative implications in nursing practice.

Consumo de Cigarrillo en Estudiantes de una Ciudad de Colombia: Factores Asociados por Género

Objetivo Determinar los factores asociados por genero al consumo de cigarrillo en estudiantes de secundaria en Santa Marta, Colombia. Metodo Se diseno un estudio transversal para conocer los factores asociados al consumo de cigarrillo durante el ultimo mes (ocasional). Mediante regresion logistica se ajustaron los factores relacionados con el consumo ocasional durante el ultimo mes, para mujeres y para varones en forma independiente. Resultados Un total de 2 039 mujeres y 1 536 varones participaron en el presente estudio. El 12 % de los varones y el 8,1 % de las mujeres informaron consumo ocasional de cigarrillo durante el ultimo mes (OR=1,5). En mujeres, este hallazgo se relaciono con consumo de alcohol (OR=20,3), consumo de marihuana (OR=9,3), consumo de inhalante (2,5), edad mayor de 15 anos (OR=2,5), percepcion de regular o pobre rendimiento academico (OR=1,9) y estudiar en colegio privado (OR=1,6). En varones, se relaciono con consumo de alcohol (OR=30,1), consumo de cannabis (OR=13,0), consumo de cocaina (6,4), percepcion de regular o pobre rendimiento academico (OR=2,7), orientacion heterosexual (OR=2,4) y nivel socioeconomico alto (OR=2,0). Conclusiones El consumo de cigarrillo se asocia diferencialmente en mujeres y varones. En mujeres, se relaciona especialmente con consumo de inhalantes, edad mayor de 15 anos y estudiar en colegio privado; y en varones, con consumo de cocaina, orientacion heterosexual y estrato socioeconomico alto.

Prevalencia de patrón de comportamiento de riesgo para la salud sexual y reproductiva en estudiantes adolescentes

This research aimed to establish the prevalence and factors associated with the pattern of risky behavior for reproductive and sexual health (PRBRSH) among secondary education students in Santa Marta, Colombia. A cross-sectional study was done. The PRBRSH was defined as having had two or more out of four possible risky sexual practices across the lifetime. Logistic regression was calculated to control for confounding variables. In total, 804 students reported lifetime sexual intercourse. PRBRSH was reported by 36.1% of the sample. Illegal substance use (OR=11.4), alcohol drinking (OR=2.5), being a middle-school student (OR=1.7) and middle or high socioeconomic status (1.4) were associated with PRBRSH. Around one out of three adolescent students is at high risk for HIV infection or unwanted pregnancy. Safe sex practices need to be promoted in this population.El objetivo de esta investigacion fue establecer la prevalencia y factores asociados al patron de comportamiento de riesgo para la salud sexual y reproductiva (PCRSSR) en estudiantes de secundaria de Santa Marta, Colombia. Se realizo un estudio transversal. Se definio como PCRSSR la suma de dos o mas, de cuatro posibles, comportamientos sexuales de riesgo durante la vida. Se uso la regresion logistica para controlar variables de confusion. Un grupo de 804 estudiantes informo haber tenido relaciones sexuales. El 36,1% mostro el estandar de comportamiento de riesgo para la salud sexual y reproductiva. Se relacionaron con el PCRSSR el consumo de una sustancia ilegal (OR=11,4), el consumo de alcohol (OR=2,5), el ser estudiante de educacion media vocacional (OR=1,7) y el pertenecer al estrato socioeconomico medio o alto (1,4). Aproximadamente uno de cada tres estudiantes adolescentes presenta alto riesgo de ser infectado por el VIH o de sufrir un embarazo no planificado. Se recomienda promover practicas sexuales seguras.

Measuring Homonegativity: Psychometric Analysis of Herek’s Attitudes Toward Lesbians and Gay Men Scale (ATLG) in Colombia, South America

The empirical study of negative attitudes toward gay and lesbian people (homonegativity) is a way to understand the reason for its prevalence. The aim of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of a Spanish version of the Attitudes Toward Lesbians and Gay Men Scale (ATLG). A total of 359 undergraduate students were recruited from two different cities in Colombia, South America. Participants’ attitudes toward gays and lesbian people were assessed using the ATLG Scale and the Homophobia Scale; anxiety was measured using a short version of the Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale. Internal consistency analyses have shown that the ATLG Scale is a reliable measure of homonegativity in a Colombian sample. In addition, principal components analyses, as well as convergent and divergent validity analyses have confirmed that the ATLG Scale is a valid and reliable measure of homonegativity in the Colombian context and support its use as a research instrument.

Stability of the Spanish Version of the Five-Item Francis Scale of Attitude toward Christianity

The aim of this study was to establish test-retest reliability of a Spanish version of the Francis Scale of Attitude toward Christianity (Campo-Arias, Oviedo, & Cogollo, 2009) among adolescent students in Cartagena, Colombia. A group of ninth grade students from two public schools in Colombia (N =157) completed the five-item scale. Cronbachs alphas were .74 and .76 in the first and second administrations, respectively. Both Pearsons ρ and intra-class correlation coefficient were .69. A Spanish translation of the 5-item scale had consistent stability over four weeks.

Artículo de revisiónEstigma y salud mental en personas víctimas del conflicto armado interno colombiano en situación de desplazamiento forzadoStigma and Mental Health in Victims of Colombia's Internal Armed Conflict in Situation of Forced Displacement

BACKGROUND The prolonged sociopolitical phenomenon of Colombian violence generated a high number of victims, many of whom suffered a continual process of internal displacement and stigma-discrimination complex. OBJECTIVE To postulate possible mechanisms by which victims of Colombias internal armed conflict in a situation of forced displacement were stigmatized and discriminated. RESULTS Stigma affects mental health, not only because it represents a major stressor for discriminated individuals and groups, but also because it accounts for inequalities and inequities in health. Initially, as the victims of the internal armed conflict in situation of forced displacement were not considered as such, but as responsible for the situation. Thus, they had to cope with the social and economic inequalities, explained partially by low categorization or status that they received, possibly due to poor construction of social capital in the country. Also, victims of the internal armed conflict suffer from intersectional stigma and discrimination due to other characteristics such as gender, sexual orientation, ethnic-racial origin, or meeting criteria for a mental disorder. CONCLUSIONS An active process of inclusive social development is required for the displaced victims of the armed conflict,in order to reduce multiple stigma and ensure their mental health.

Prevalência do padrão de comportamento de risco para a saúde sexual e reprodutiva em estudantes adolescentes

This research aimed to establish the prevalence and factors associated with the pattern of risky behavior for reproductive and sexual health (PRBRSH) among secondary education students in Santa Marta, Colombia. A cross-sectional study was done. The PRBRSH was defined as having had two or more out of four possible risky sexual practices across the lifetime. Logistic regression was calculated to control for confounding variables. In total, 804 students reported lifetime sexual intercourse. PRBRSH was reported by 36.1% of the sample. Illegal substance use (OR=11.4), alcohol drinking (OR=2.5), being a middle-school student (OR=1.7) and middle or high socioeconomic status (1.4) were associated with PRBRSH. Around one out of three adolescent students is at high risk for HIV infection or unwanted pregnancy. Safe sex practices need to be promoted in this population.El objetivo de esta investigacion fue establecer la prevalencia y factores asociados al patron de comportamiento de riesgo para la salud sexual y reproductiva (PCRSSR) en estudiantes de secundaria de Santa Marta, Colombia. Se realizo un estudio transversal. Se definio como PCRSSR la suma de dos o mas, de cuatro posibles, comportamientos sexuales de riesgo durante la vida. Se uso la regresion logistica para controlar variables de confusion. Un grupo de 804 estudiantes informo haber tenido relaciones sexuales. El 36,1% mostro el estandar de comportamiento de riesgo para la salud sexual y reproductiva. Se relacionaron con el PCRSSR el consumo de una sustancia ilegal (OR=11,4), el consumo de alcohol (OR=2,5), el ser estudiante de educacion media vocacional (OR=1,7) y el pertenecer al estrato socioeconomico medio o alto (1,4). Aproximadamente uno de cada tres estudiantes adolescentes presenta alto riesgo de ser infectado por el VIH o de sufrir un embarazo no planificado. Se recomienda promover practicas sexuales seguras.

Puerta de Entrada al Consumo de Sustancias Ilegales en Colombia: Infracciones a la Norma de Inicio

Objetivo Establecer la frecuencia de la infraccion a la norma del inicio de sustancias ilegales con el uso de alcohol o nicotina en adultos colombianos de la poblacion general. Metodos Se realizo un estudio descriptivo con adultos de la poblacion general de Colombia. Se determinaron las frecuencias de inicio de consumo de sustancias ilegales con sustancias distintas a alcohol o nicotina. Resultados En un total de 4 426 adultos participaron en la investigacion y se observo que 127 personas (3,3 %) iniciaron el consumo de sustancias ilegales con el uso de sustancias diferentes a alcohol o nicotina: 2,3 % otra sustancia ilegal antes que marihuana; 0,6 % marihuana antes que alcohol o nicotina; y 0,4 % otra sustancia ilegal antes que alcohol o nicotina. Conclusiones Un numero reducido de consumidores de sustancias ilegales en Colombia inicia con sustancias distintas a alcohol o nicotina. Es necesario investigar los factores asociados con este inicio.