Inmaculada García-García

Gender-based differences in the high-risk sexual behaviours of young people aged 15-29 in Melilla (Spain): a cross-sectional study

BackgroundResearch confirms the existence of gender-based differences regarding the high-risk sexual behaviour (non-use of condoms and casual partners) of young men and women. The objectives were to provide evidence for this association; to analyse the reasons why both sexes have sexual relations with casual partners and to ascertain the motives for condom use or non-use during casual sex.MethodsA cross-sectional study was performed on a sample of 900 participants, 524 males and 376 females. All participants were 15-29 (20.93 ± 4.071) years of age and came from four different centres (a university, two secondary schools, and a military base) in Melilla (Spain). The participants were given a socio-demographic survey as well as a psychometric text on high-risk sexual behaviour.ResultsThe results found gender-based significant differences for sexual relations with penetration (p = 0.001), number of sexual partners (p = 0.001), and sexual relations with casual partners (p = 0.001). In all of these variables, male participants had higher percentages than female participants. Reasons for having casual sexual relations were also different for men and women, differences were found for the items, opportunity (p = 0.001), interest in knowing the other person (p = 0.015), physical excitement (p = 0.056) and drug consumption (p = 0.059). Regarding the reasons for consistent condom use with casual partners, there were differences for the item, my demand of a condom (p = 0.002). For the non-use of condoms with casual partners, differences were found for the items, I do not like to use condoms (p = 0.001) and condoms lessen sensitivity and reduce pleasure (p = 0.009).ConclusionsMen and women were found to have different high-risk sexual behaviours and practices. Of the motives for having sexual relations with casual partners, male participants considered opportunity and interest in knowing the other person to be more important than the female participants. Regarding condom use, the female participants’ demand to use a condom was a significant gender-based difference. In contrast to the young women, the male participants mostly justified not using a condom because it lessened sensitivity and reduced pleasure.

Functional evolution in elderly individuals with hip fracture surgery

This prospective study was performed in patients aged 65 years or older who underwent hip fracture surgery. The objective was to determine the functional evolution in a group of patients three months after hospital discharge, to identify the variables related to this functional recovery and to describe the associated mortality and institutionalization process. We analyzed demographic variables such as age, sex, and living situation. Other aspects considered included: comorbidity, cognitive impairment, walking ability, dependency level according to Barthels Index, institutionalization, and mortality. The information was collected on admission and three months after discharge. Considering the entire sample, 89.6% was female and the average age was 83.56 years; 40% of patients regained their prior independence and a 16.7% mortality rate was registered, together with a slight progression toward institutionalization. The functional capacity and cognitive impairment of patients before the fracture are determinants of functional recovery and subsequent recovery of independence.This prospective study was performed in patients aged 65 years or older who underwent hip fracture surgery. The objective was to determine the functional evolution in a group of patients three months after hospital discharge, to identify the variables related to this functional recovery and to describe the associated mortality and institutionalization process. We analyzed demographic variables such as age, sex, and living situation. Other aspects considered included: comorbidity, cognitive impairment, walking ability, dependency level according to Barthels Index, institutionalization, and mortality. The information was collected on admission and three months after discharge. Considering the entire sample, 89.6% was female and the average age was 83.56 years; 40% of patients regained their prior independence and a 16.7% mortality rate was registered, together with a slight progression toward institutionalization. The functional capacity and cognitive impairment of patients before the fracture are determinants of functional recovery and subsequent recovery of independence.

Educar en conductas sexuales saludables: una innovación docente en promoción de la salud

Trabajadora Social.Recibido el 19 de enero de 2011, aceptado el 7 de julio de 2011.Correspondencia a:Dr. Emilio Gonzalez Jimenez. Departamento de Enfermeria. Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud. Avenida de Madrid s/n C.P: (18071). Universidad de Granada. Granada. Espana. Telefono: 667 05 15 70. E-mail: emigoji@ugr.es.

Conocimiento de la ley y preparación del personal sanitario sobre el proceso asistencial de la muerte

The aims of this study were to ascertain the perception that health professionals (doctors, nurses and nursing assistants) have about their preparation for the care of terminally ill patients and to determine their knowledge about palliative care legislation. This cross sectional study was performed at a hospital in Granada (Spain); we administered an ad hoc questionnaire. The results indicated that although most of the staff had worked with terminally ill patients, only half believed that they have been trained to care for them. A significant proportion stated that they did not know about the current palliative care legislation. Most professionals would question the withdrawal of therapies for the maintenance of life; most of them are also unaware of the mechanism for reporting on the completion of a Living Will, as well as a Plan for Palliative Care in Andalusia (Spain).The aims of this study were to ascertain the perception that health professionals (doctors, nurses and nursing assistants) have about their preparation for the care of terminally ill patients and to determine their knowledge about palliative care legislation. This cross sectional study was performed at a hospital in Granada (Spain); we administered an ad hoc questionnaire. The results indicated that although most of the staff had worked with terminally ill patients, only half believed that they have been trained to care for them. A significant proportion stated that they did not know about the current palliative care legislation. Most professionals would question the withdrawal of therapies for the maintenance of life; most of them are also unaware of the mechanism for reporting on the completion of a Living Will, as well as a Plan for Palliative Care in Andalusia (Spain).Este estudio apunta a conocer la percepcion que los profesionales de la salud (medicos, enfermeras y auxiliares de enfermeria) tienen acerca de su preparacion en el cuidado de los enfermos terminales y determinar sus conocimientos sobre la legislacion de cuidados paliativos. Se ha realizado un estudio transversal, en un hospital de Granada (Espana), mediante la aplicacion de un cuestionario ad hoc. Los resultados muestran que la mayoria del personal ha trabajado con pacientes en el final de su vida, pero solo la mitad cree tener la formacion adecuada para cuidarlos. Una parte considerable dice no conocer la legislacion actual en cuidados paliativos. La mayoria de los profesionales plantearia la retirada de terapias para el mantenimiento de la vida y desconocen el mecanismo para informar sobre la cumplimentacion del Testamento Vital, como indica el Plan de Cuidados Paliativos de Andalucia (Espana).

Obesity and Breast Cancer: Study of a Group of Female Patients in Granada (Spain)

To the Editor: There has been much research focused on discovering a possible relation between obesity and cancer (1). Given the high incidence of both health problems as well as their social impact, there is a pressing need to gain deeper insights into their etiology with a view to identifying a possible cause–effect relation between obesity and cancer. Another issue is whether the existence of a family history of breast cancer is a crucial factor in the development of the disease. Mart ın et al. (2) showed that 18% of obese women with breast cancer had a family history of this type of cancer. According to Veronesi et al. (3), age of menarche is also another risk factor in the development of breast tumors. The first menstruation is preceded by an increase in corporal adiposity. This excess of body fat is not only necessary for menstruation to begin but it is also a risk factor for breast cancer (4). Consequently, the risk of breast cancer is higher for girls who suffer from morbid obesity. Another factor to consider is the age of first pregnancy. According to Pathak et al. (5) having the first pregnancy at age 30 or older offers less protection against breast cancer. The objectives of our studies were to discover a possible association between female obesity and age at breast cancer diagnosis. To determine whether there was a relation between female obesity and age of menarche and find out if there was an association between nutritional status and age at first pregnancy. We analyzed 524 medical records of female patients, 19–91 years of age, who had been diagnosed and treated for breast cancer from 2004 to 2010 at the San Cecilio University Hospital in Granada (Spain). Relevant data were extracted from the histories and analyzed. A questionnaire, especially devised to study was elaborated and validated. To evaluate the nutritional status of each patient, it was necessary to use the standards of the World Health Organization (6). Authorization for the study was also obtained from the Clinical Research Ethics Committee of the Hospital. Descriptive statistics, correlation analyses and the Generalized Linear Model for the data were performed using SPSS 15.0 for Windows (SPSS, Chicago, IL). The results reflected that obesity was clearly tied to the development of breast cancer. Nonobese patients who had a family history of breast cancer (n = 35) were diagnosed with breast cancer at an age of approximately 55. In comparison, the obese patients (n = 150) were diagnosed a few years later at an average age of 57. However, the greatest differences were found in the group of women who suffered from morbid obesity, regardless of their family history. Morbidly obese patients with a family history of breast cancer (n = 16) were diagnosed at an average age of 32. In the case of the morbidly obese patients without a family history of the disease, the average age at diagnosis was 31. The results of a two-way ANOVA considering age at diagnosis as the independent variable in relation to the nutritional state of the women and the existence of a family history of breast cancerreflected statistical significance for the factors (F = 82.19; p < 0.0001; and F = 9.94; p = 0.002). Regarding menarche, there was a direct and statistically significant association between the patients’ age at first menstruation and their nutritional state (F = 65.21; p < 0.0001) and the existence of a family history of breast cancer (F = 4.79; p = 0.03). The patients that had a family history of the disease began menstruation at an earlier age. In the group of women without a family history of breast cancer, first menstruation occurred later. This was especially true for nonobese women. In any case, the greatest differences were found in the group of women who were morbidly obese. Regardless of whether they had a family history of breast cancer, their age of menarche was significantly younger in the women who were obese. Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Emilio Gonz alezJim enez, Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing (Campus of Melilla), University of Granada, C/Santander, 1, Melilla 52071, Spain, or e-mail: emigoji@ugr.es

Legislative knowledge and preparation of health personnel for the care process of death

The aims of this study were to ascertain the perception that health professionals (doctors, nurses and nursing assistants) have about their preparation for the care of terminally ill patients and to determine their knowledge about palliative care legislation. This cross sectional study was performed at a hospital in Granada (Spain); we administered an ad hoc questionnaire. The results indicated that although most of the staff had worked with terminally ill patients, only half believed that they have been trained to care for them. A significant proportion stated that they did not know about the current palliative care legislation. Most professionals would question the withdrawal of therapies for the maintenance of life; most of them are also unaware of the mechanism for reporting on the completion of a Living Will, as well as a Plan for Palliative Care in Andalusia (Spain).The aims of this study were to ascertain the perception that health professionals (doctors, nurses and nursing assistants) have about their preparation for the care of terminally ill patients and to determine their knowledge about palliative care legislation. This cross sectional study was performed at a hospital in Granada (Spain); we administered an ad hoc questionnaire. The results indicated that although most of the staff had worked with terminally ill patients, only half believed that they have been trained to care for them. A significant proportion stated that they did not know about the current palliative care legislation. Most professionals would question the withdrawal of therapies for the maintenance of life; most of them are also unaware of the mechanism for reporting on the completion of a Living Will, as well as a Plan for Palliative Care in Andalusia (Spain).Este estudio apunta a conocer la percepcion que los profesionales de la salud (medicos, enfermeras y auxiliares de enfermeria) tienen acerca de su preparacion en el cuidado de los enfermos terminales y determinar sus conocimientos sobre la legislacion de cuidados paliativos. Se ha realizado un estudio transversal, en un hospital de Granada (Espana), mediante la aplicacion de un cuestionario ad hoc. Los resultados muestran que la mayoria del personal ha trabajado con pacientes en el final de su vida, pero solo la mitad cree tener la formacion adecuada para cuidarlos. Una parte considerable dice no conocer la legislacion actual en cuidados paliativos. La mayoria de los profesionales plantearia la retirada de terapias para el mantenimiento de la vida y desconocen el mecanismo para informar sobre la cumplimentacion del Testamento Vital, como indica el Plan de Cuidados Paliativos de Andalucia (Espana).

Evaluación funcional en ancianos intervenidos de fractura de cadera

This prospective study was performed in patients aged 65 years or older who underwent hip fracture surgery. The objective was to determine the functional evolution in a group of patients three months after hospital discharge, to identify the variables related to this functional recovery and to describe the associated mortality and institutionalization process. We analyzed demographic variables such as age, sex, and living situation. Other aspects considered included: comorbidity, cognitive impairment, walking ability, dependency level according to Barthels Index, institutionalization, and mortality. The information was collected on admission and three months after discharge. Considering the entire sample, 89.6% was female and the average age was 83.56 years; 40% of patients regained their prior independence and a 16.7% mortality rate was registered, together with a slight progression toward institutionalization. The functional capacity and cognitive impairment of patients before the fracture are determinants of functional recovery and subsequent recovery of independence.This prospective study was performed in patients aged 65 years or older who underwent hip fracture surgery. The objective was to determine the functional evolution in a group of patients three months after hospital discharge, to identify the variables related to this functional recovery and to describe the associated mortality and institutionalization process. We analyzed demographic variables such as age, sex, and living situation. Other aspects considered included: comorbidity, cognitive impairment, walking ability, dependency level according to Barthels Index, institutionalization, and mortality. The information was collected on admission and three months after discharge. Considering the entire sample, 89.6% was female and the average age was 83.56 years; 40% of patients regained their prior independence and a 16.7% mortality rate was registered, together with a slight progression toward institutionalization. The functional capacity and cognitive impairment of patients before the fracture are determinants of functional recovery and subsequent recovery of independence.

Conhecimento em legislação e preparação dos profissionais de saúde sobre o processo de cuidado da morte

The aims of this study were to ascertain the perception that health professionals (doctors, nurses and nursing assistants) have about their preparation for the care of terminally ill patients and to determine their knowledge about palliative care legislation. This cross sectional study was performed at a hospital in Granada (Spain); we administered an ad hoc questionnaire. The results indicated that although most of the staff had worked with terminally ill patients, only half believed that they have been trained to care for them. A significant proportion stated that they did not know about the current palliative care legislation. Most professionals would question the withdrawal of therapies for the maintenance of life; most of them are also unaware of the mechanism for reporting on the completion of a Living Will, as well as a Plan for Palliative Care in Andalusia (Spain).The aims of this study were to ascertain the perception that health professionals (doctors, nurses and nursing assistants) have about their preparation for the care of terminally ill patients and to determine their knowledge about palliative care legislation. This cross sectional study was performed at a hospital in Granada (Spain); we administered an ad hoc questionnaire. The results indicated that although most of the staff had worked with terminally ill patients, only half believed that they have been trained to care for them. A significant proportion stated that they did not know about the current palliative care legislation. Most professionals would question the withdrawal of therapies for the maintenance of life; most of them are also unaware of the mechanism for reporting on the completion of a Living Will, as well as a Plan for Palliative Care in Andalusia (Spain).Este estudio apunta a conocer la percepcion que los profesionales de la salud (medicos, enfermeras y auxiliares de enfermeria) tienen acerca de su preparacion en el cuidado de los enfermos terminales y determinar sus conocimientos sobre la legislacion de cuidados paliativos. Se ha realizado un estudio transversal, en un hospital de Granada (Espana), mediante la aplicacion de un cuestionario ad hoc. Los resultados muestran que la mayoria del personal ha trabajado con pacientes en el final de su vida, pero solo la mitad cree tener la formacion adecuada para cuidarlos. Una parte considerable dice no conocer la legislacion actual en cuidados paliativos. La mayoria de los profesionales plantearia la retirada de terapias para el mantenimiento de la vida y desconocen el mecanismo para informar sobre la cumplimentacion del Testamento Vital, como indica el Plan de Cuidados Paliativos de Andalucia (Espana).

Avaliação funcional em idosos intervindos de fratura de quadril

This prospective study was performed in patients aged 65 years or older who underwent hip fracture surgery. The objective was to determine the functional evolution in a group of patients three months after hospital discharge, to identify the variables related to this functional recovery and to describe the associated mortality and institutionalization process. We analyzed demographic variables such as age, sex, and living situation. Other aspects considered included: comorbidity, cognitive impairment, walking ability, dependency level according to Barthels Index, institutionalization, and mortality. The information was collected on admission and three months after discharge. Considering the entire sample, 89.6% was female and the average age was 83.56 years; 40% of patients regained their prior independence and a 16.7% mortality rate was registered, together with a slight progression toward institutionalization. The functional capacity and cognitive impairment of patients before the fracture are determinants of functional recovery and subsequent recovery of independence.This prospective study was performed in patients aged 65 years or older who underwent hip fracture surgery. The objective was to determine the functional evolution in a group of patients three months after hospital discharge, to identify the variables related to this functional recovery and to describe the associated mortality and institutionalization process. We analyzed demographic variables such as age, sex, and living situation. Other aspects considered included: comorbidity, cognitive impairment, walking ability, dependency level according to Barthels Index, institutionalization, and mortality. The information was collected on admission and three months after discharge. Considering the entire sample, 89.6% was female and the average age was 83.56 years; 40% of patients regained their prior independence and a 16.7% mortality rate was registered, together with a slight progression toward institutionalization. The functional capacity and cognitive impairment of patients before the fracture are determinants of functional recovery and subsequent recovery of independence.