Modification of personality variables through application of a psycho-educational program of full consciousness (mindfulness) in university students

This study examines the effects in university students of a psycho-educational program in full awareness (mindfulness) on certain personality variables. A quasi-experimental (group comparison) design with pretest and postest measurements was employed in an experimental (n = 26) and a control group (n = 27). Barratt impulsiveness Scale (BiS- 11), Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (AAQ), Social Avoidance and Distress Scale (SAD), and the Profile of Mood States (POMS) were applied to experimental and control groups. The results show statistically significant changes in impulsivity variables, experiential avoidance, social avoidance, social anxiety, tension and fatigue when comparing the posttest mean scores of the groups.

Exploratory Study on Occupational Health Exposure to Chemical Agents, in a Public Hospital in Valencia, Venezuela. Preliminar Assessment

Descriptive study that identified chemical agents (AQ) use and training on risk management and waste disposal techniques in a public Hospital in Valencia. A questionnaire was answered by 48 workers. Information obtained was: personal data, occupational history, AQ used; knowledge of risk management and waste disposal. There were 16 occupations from 12 “High Risk” areas. “Adult emergency” was the one with more workers (11 individuals), followed by “sterilization” and “clinical laboratory” (7 each) and oncology (5). The remained areas had less than 8.3% workers. The most used anesthetic agents were: Halothane, Enfluorane and Isofluorane 4.17% each and main antineoplastics used were: Doxorubicin 16.67% and Paclitaxel, 5-Fluoracil and Etoposide, 8.33% each. The most mentioned substances were: alcohol (70.8%) and Chlorine (64.6%). None of the answers regarding knowledge of AQ’ risk management and waste disposal was satisfactory. Statistical associations between training and several variables such as age, time in their job and being or not a professional, resulted non-significant. The correlation between training and the knowledge of AQ’s management was significant (p < 0.001). Participants showed that their knowledge about chemical occupational risk factors they are exposed to is still insufficient. Therefore, this theme should be included in graduate course curricula. These results provide important data and will serve as a pilot research for the follow up Phase II study that will include clinical aspects and environmental and biological monitoring.

Variables relacionadas con respuestas inconsistentes en una encuesta sobre relaciones sexuales realizada a estudiantes de Santa Marta, Colombia

Antecedentes: la encuesta autoadministrada es la forma más usada y confiable para investigar comportamientos relacionados con la salud en adolescentes. Por lo general, un grupo significativo de participantes responde de forma inconsistente a algunos puntos de tópicos relacionados,particularmente con temas sensibles; en consecuencia, dichos puntos deben ser eliminados del análisis. Hasta la fecha, no se han comparado extensamente las características demográficas de los estudiantes que responden y los que no responden consistentemente una encuesta. Objetivo: comparar algunas variables demográficas relacionadas con respuestas inconsistentes sobre comportamiento sexual en estudiantes de secundaria de Santa Marta, Colombia. Método: una muestra probabilística por conglomerados de estudiantes diligenció una encuesta anónima sobre relaciones sexuales. Se usó regresión logística para ajustar las variables de la encuesta en las cuales se respondió de forma inconsistente. Resultados: un total de 3813 estudiantes completó la encuesta. Un grupo de 3 575 estudiantes (93,8%) respondió de forma consistente a los puntos sobre comportamiento sexual y uno de 238 (6,2%) respondió de forma inconsistente. Después de ajustar por estrato socioeconómico se evidenció que los estudiantes que con mayor frecuencia respondieron inconsistentemente eran varones (OR=2,1; IC95% 1,6-2,8) y pertenecían a colegios privados (OR=3,5; IC95% 2,6-4,8). Conclusiones: aproximadamente uno de cada veinte estudiantes responde de forma inconsistente las preguntas sobre comportamiento sexual. Las respuestas inconsistentes están relacionadas con estudiantes de colegios privados y sexo masculino. Se necesitan más investigaciones.

The cyclical behavior of bank capital buffers in an emerging economy: size do matters

Using a panel of Colombian banks and quarterly data between 1996:1 and 2010:3, we study the relationship between short-run adjustemnts in bank capital buffers and the business cycle. We follow a partial adjustment framework and control for several variables that have been identified as important determinants of bank capital buffers in previous studies, and find that bank capital buffers vary over the business cycle. We are able to identify a negative co-movement of capital buffers and and the business cycle. However, we also find that capital buffers of small and large banks behave asymmetrically during the business cycle. While the former appear to be constant over time, once the appropriate set of control variables is used, the latter present a countercyclical behavior. Our results suggest the possible need of the implementation of regulatory policy measures in developing countries