Knowledge, perceptions and attitudes on the sexuality of nursing students and teachers

Introduction: The personal attitudes regarding specific aspects of sexuality are of interest to practices of personal concern, as they are to practices inserted in professional roles. General attitudes towards sexuality and sexual health were evaluated. Objectives: To describe the perceptions and attitudes of students and nursing teachers about sexuality. Methods: We used a mixed methods design with a sequential strategy: QUAN→qual of descriptive and explanatory type. 646 students and teachers participated. The Sexual Attitudes Scale (EAS) of Hendrick & Hendrick (Alferes, 1999) and Attitude Scale Address Sexual and Reproductive Health (EAFSSR) of Nemčić et al (Abreu, 2008) were used. Results: There are significant differences in the level of knowledge about sexuality depending on the sample (χ2KW (2)=18.271; p=.000): students of 1st year have lower levels. The profile of the four dimensions of EAS per sample is identical in all 3 samples, having responsibility the highest average value. In subscales EAFSSR per sample and sex there are significant diferences (p<.05) for all samples and uniform pattern was noted: females have higher median values, indicating that they have more favorable attitudes towards sexual health. Conclusions: Sexual attitudes reveal a multidimensional structure based in the female identity, that shows responsibility towards family planning and sexual education, as well as towards individual self-care regarding the body and sexual and reproductive health. An attitudinal profile by gender emerges, accentuating the polarity between male and female. The importance of the training process in nursing following the personal and social development of students is corroborated.

Functional defict and sensitive outcomes to nursing care for elderly: Systematic literature review.

ABSTRACT Objective of this study was to determine sensitive outcomes to nursing care in relation to the functional deficit of people aged 65 and older. It is a Systematic Literature Review with qualitative synthesis and meta-analysis. From the qualitative synthesis, it was found that sensitive outcomes to nursing care, observed from structured intervention, were described as improvement of: functional status, self-care, symptom control, safety/adverse events, customer satisfaction, psychological support, decreased healthcare costs, therapeutic system management and quality of life. In meta-analysis we found that there is an improvement of effect on the level of sensitive outcomes to the nursing care between the experimental and control groups. It is noticed that it is necessary to rouse more guided study in clinical practice, to understand the importance of interventions sensitive to nursing care and health outcomes.

Health vulnerabilities: the diagnosis of freshmen from a portuguese university

The start of university is presented as a crucial stage in the life of the student. If, on the one hand, it is a period of increased autonomy and freedom, on the other, it is a period that also increases the sense of responsibility and self discipline. In this study, based on a quantitative approach, we identified the main risk situations experienced by freshmen at the University of Evora, by applying a questionnaire developed for this purpose and the Beck inventory. Key findings are highlighted, such as the consumption of harmful substances (tobacco, alcohol and illicit drugs), whose values exceed the average population. The consumption of alcoholic beverages begins early and is continuous and excessive. Also, the presence of symptoms compatible with dysphoria and depression is noted in about 9% of students. Self-medication practices were found in 58.7% of the freshmen. Our findings reveal the need for preventive intervention by health professionals, due to these young people’s great exposure to health risks.

Adaptation and validation into Portuguese language of the HIV Antibody Testing Attitude Scale

Objective. To culturally adapt and validate a version in European Portuguese language of the HIV Antibody Testing Attitude Scale. Methods. Study conducting a methodological investigation for the adaptation and validation of an attitude measurement instrument. The instrument translation and back-translation were performed. Then, a pre-test was conducted. The study used a sample of 317 subjects from the academic community - students, professors and other professionals - who were contacted in the campus. Ethical principles were observed. Results. Three analyses were conducted using the method of principal component analysis (PCA) with five, four and three factors. A three-factor solution was achieved, which presents 50.82% variance. In the analysis of inter-item correlation, values between -0.018 and 0.749 were observed. Internal consistency shows Cronbach’s alpha coefficients of 0.860 overall and between 0.865 and 0.659 in the three factors. Conclusion. The instrument version shows psychometric properties that allow its use in Portuguese-speaking countries.

O processo de transição do familiar a cuidador da pessoa com depressão

Atualmente o internamento em unidades de saúde é considerado um recurso de última linha, sendo no contexto familiar e social que a pessoa vive a sua depressão. Os familiares, através de uma atitude pro ativa, devem adotar um papel diferençado e ser vistos como aliados importantes na prestação de cuidados, tendo que se adaptar às novas formas de gerir o quotidiano. Este papel não é passivo e tem consequências importantes, sobretudo nos estilos de vida e relações interpessoais. É esperado que os familiares se assumam como cuidadores informais de uma pessoa, cuja situação clínica desconhecem e para a qual não estão preparados, por não saber que fazer. Vivem um processo de mudança; mas como ocorre essa mudança? Como é que o elemento da família se torna cuidador do seu familiar com depressão? Objetivos:- caraterizar o processo de adoecer com depressão, na perspetiva do familiar e doente; - Identificar reações que o familiar desenvolve na relação com o doente - Descrever estratégias utilizadas pelo familiar para cuidar do elemento com depressão; - Conceituar padrões de resposta presentes no processo de transição do familiar a cuidador. Metodologia: desenho de natureza qualitativa e indutiva com recurso à Grounded Theory. Dois polos das consultas externas do departamento psiquiatria e saúde mental, Hospital de Évora, em duas cidades diferentes, de fevereiro a julho 2009. Seleção de participantes não probabilística intencional: adultos ou idosos com diagnóstico de depressão, habitar com familiares e ter capacidade cognitiva que permita recolher informação. Realizadas entrevistas a 20 participantes (8 doentes e 12 familiares), num total de 8 famílias. Resultados: - a narrativa do processo de adoecer é multifacetada e assume contornos distintos para o doente e para o familiar, englobando o início, causas, características da doença e manifestações; - mudança no comportamento dos familiares caracterizada pela alteração de papeis, isolamento, diminuição da comunicação, revolta, vergonha, absentismo laboral ou insucesso escolar; - estratégias de cuidados do familiar polarizadas na compreensão e conflito, no afastamento e proximidade, recorrendo também ao controlo da terapêutica, à procura de ajuda médica e à autoaprendizagem.. Conclusão: quando há uma pessoa com depressão na família tudo se altera; para dar resposta ao novo contexto, os familiares mudam, construindo o seu papel de cuidador na interação quotidiana. As estratégias de cuidados desenvolvem-se de modo reativo em função do comportamento do doente, adquirindo contornos particulares de conteúdo desadequado à situação de saúde vivida. Palavras-chave: cuidador familiar, transição, depressão Ali, L. [et al] (2012) - Daily life for Young adults who care for a person with mental illness: a qualitative study. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, 19, pp.610-617 Meleis, A. I. (2010) - Transitions Theory. Middle-range and situation-specific theories in nursing research and practice. New York: Springer Publishing Company. Pereira, Helder Rocha (2013) – Subitamente cuidadores informais! Dando voz(es) às experiências vividas. Loures: Lusociência Sant’Ana, Marília Mazzuco [et al] (2011) – O significado de ser familiar cuidador do portador de transtorno mental. Texto Contexto de Enfermagem, 20(1), pp.50-58.