Positive mental health in adults reporting sexual abuse in childhood

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether a history of child sexual abuse can impact Positive Mental Health in Canadian adults and how frequency of child sexual abuse as well as perceived social support impact Positive Mental Health scores for this population. Data was collected from the Canadian Community Health Survey- Mental Health 2012 and included a sample of 20,529 adults aged 18 and older, living across ten provinces. A one-way ANOVA showed a significant difference between Positive Mental Health scores for individuals reporting a history of child sexual abuse compared to those reporting no history of child sexual abuse. A regression analysis found that reported frequency of child sexual abuse did not significantly impact Positive Mental Health scores for individuals reporting child sexual abuse. It also found that perception of social support was positively related to Positive Mental Health scores and accounted for 25% of the variance in Positive Mental Health scores for individuals reporting child sexual abuse. The implications of these findings are discussed in this study.

Survey on the digenean and monogenean helminthes of clupeidae (teleosts) from southern part of Caspian Sea

The helminthes parasites fauna of 313 specimens of Caspian herrings (Clupeonella cultriventris, Clupeonella engrauliformis, Clupeonella grimmi) caught from catching localities situated in southeast of Caspian Sea Were investigated during winter 2008 until autumn 2009. A total of 3 helminthes species were found. They were including Pseudopentagramma symmetrica from intestine (mid gut, hind gut and cecae) Bunocotyle cingulata in intestine, Mazocreas alosae the only monogenean with Marine origin in the gills of infected specimens. In addition to two zoonotic species including Contracecum sp. and Anisakis sp. in digestive system, muscle and ovary and an Acanthocephal, Corynosoma strumosum in intestine which were previously reported. We can conclude that the main characteristic of the helminthes parasites community of Clupeidae species studied is the dominance of the endoparasites species due mainly to the digenean Pseudopentagramma symmetrica and Bunocotyle cingulata and the relative scarcity of ectohelminthes fauna. In this paper the latest data of helminthes fauna and community ecology of digenean of Clupeidae species are presented and the community structure of Pseudopentagramma symmetrica is discussed.

A Qualidade de vida em doentes com Artrite Reumatóide

Dissertação de Mestrado realizada apresentada no Instituto Superior de Psicologia Aplicada para a obtenção do grau de Mestre na especialidade de Psicologia Clínica

Intervenção psicomotora em saúde mental : Casa de Saúde de São João de Deus, Funchal

No âmbito do 2º Ciclo de Reabilitação Psicomotora realizou-se o aprofundamento de competências profissionais, na área da saúde mental. O estágio teve lugar na Casa de Saúde de São João de Deus – no Funchal, instituição particular de solidariedade social. A Reabilitação Psicomotora é transdisciplinar com aplicações em diversas áreas, incidindo a aplicação prática em indivíduos com Dificuldades Intelectuais e Desenvolvimentais, e em indivíduos com Alcoolismo, respetivamente, numa Unidade de Evolução Prolongada, e no Centro de Reabilitação Alcoólica. A intervenção realizada será ilustrada mediante a descrição de estudos de caso (N=4). O objetivo da intervenção centrou-se na promoção de um funcionamento independente, sendo as atividades centradas na promoção de regras e normas, manutenção de atividades de vida diária, promoção de relações interpessoais e manutenção de capacidades sensoriomotoras e a promoção da qualidade de vida junto de um grupo de indivíduos com Dificuldades Intelectuais e Desenvolvimentais. Por sua vez, no Centro de Reabilitação Alcoólica (N=10), os objetivos da intervenção foram a tomada de consciência do problema, responsabilização e promoção de hábitos associados a um estilo de vida saudável. A avaliação inclui instrumentos de medida do funcionamento adaptativo (ECAP) e da qualidade de vida (EPR) e a bateria psicomotora (BPM), na unidade de evolução prolongada, e SF-36, e URICA no centro de recuperação de alcoologia, aplicados em dois momentos (inicial e final). Mediante os resultados obtidos a intervenção, que envolveu um conjunto de atividades de mediação corporal, teve um impacto positivo observando-se algumas melhorias no funcionamento adaptativo, qualidade de vida e competências psicomotoras.

Caracterização de casos de lesão medular e a sua relação com a independência funcional e qualidade de vida

Introdução: As lesões medulares acarretam consigo a problemática da deficiência, as suas respectivas sequelas interferem na qualidade de vida bem como na independência funcional destas pessoas, sendo habitual a existência de limitações que se prolongam ao longo a vida. O presente estudo visa a caracterização de sujeitos com lesão medular há mais de um ano, no que diz respeito à sua qualidade de vida e independência funcional, assim como, a relação entre as variáveis sóciodemográficas (género, idade, estado civil, escolaridade e profissão) e clínicas em estudo (nível, tipo, etiologia e data da lesão). Materiais e Métodos: O presente trabalho apresenta-se como um estudo observacional exploratório descritivo com abordagem quantitativa. A amostra foi formada por indivíduos adultos com lesão medular recrutados através da Associação Salvador e Associação Vida Independente. As medidas instrumentais utilizadas pelo estudo são o questionário sóciodemográfico e clínico, bem com a escala MIF (Granger, Hamilton, Keith, Zielezny, & Sherwins, 1986) e a escala SF-36 (Ware % Sherbourne, 1992). Resultados e Discussão: As análises demonstraram valores satisfatórios. A independência funcional e sua respectiva dimensão física e sóciocognitiva revelam resultados estatisticamente significativos com a variável nível neurológico. No que diz respeito à qualidade de vida esta demonstrou resultados estatisticamente significativos entre a dimensão desempenho emocional e a escolaridade entre o desempenho físico e a profissão e vitalidade e idade. Revelou igualmente valores satisfatórios entre todas as dimensões e o nível neurológico, entre a função social e data da lesão e por último entre a etiologia e função social, vitalidade, dor, saúde geral e mental. Conclusão: Os resultados obtidos com este estudo vêm reforçar a visão de que apesar dos indivíduos experienciarem um evento traumático e aspetos negativos após a lesão medular, há diferentes níveis de percepção de QoL e IF e que estas variam em função de algumas variáveis sóciodemográficas e clínicas. Neste ponto são ainda apresentadas as limitações do estudo e discutidas propostas de trabalhos futuros.

Prevalence of Mental Health Problems in Children and Its Associated Socio-Familial Factors in Urban Population of Semnan, Iran (2012)

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) defines mental health as “a state of well-being in which every individual realizes own potential, can cope with the normal pressures of life, is able to work effectively, and can make a contribution to community”. Objectives: Mental Health Problems (MHP) is a great concern for all societies in terms of its burden and impact. This survey screened MHP and its impact in an Iranian urban population aged 6 - 12 years old, and explored its associated socio-familial factors. Patients and Methods: The survey was conducted in the elementary schools of Semnan, using random cluster sampling. Collection and analysis of data was performed using the parent version of the “Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ)” and survey commands of Stata-nine, taking into account cluster effect and population weights. Associations were assessed by fitting simple and multiple logistic regression models. P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: With regard to the SDQ total score, 19.3% (95% CI: 8.6, 30.1) scored above the normal threshold (9.6% abnormal, 9.7% borderline). The frequency of problems ranged between 16.1% (peer problems) and 8.4% (emotional symptoms), and in all subscales boys were affected more than girls. The impact score was abnormal in 68.4% of all children, and was greater in girls than in boys. “A previously diagnosed mental health disorder” (OR = 11.11, 95% CI: 5.55, 25.00), “male gender” (OR = 1.43, 95% CI: 1.10, 1.87 and “less time spent with the child by father” (OR = 1.61, 95% CI: 1.20, 2.17) were significantly associated with an abnormal SDQ. Conclusions: The high rate of MHP in 6 - 12 year-old children and the lack of any significant correlation with their age, underpins the importance of early screening for MHP in schools, with particular focus on high risk groups.

The Impact of Education and Socioeconomic and Occupational Conditions on Self-Perceived and Mental Health Inequalities Among Immigrants and Native Workers in Spain

There is limited evidence on the influence of social determinants on the self-perceived and mental health of immigrants settled at least 8 years in Spain. The aim of this study was to examine differences between workers related to migrant-status, self-perceived and mental health, and to assess their relationship to occupational conditions, educational level and occupational social class, stratified by sex. Using data from the Spanish National Health Survey of 2011/12, we computed prevalence, odds ratios and explicative fractions. Mental (OR 2.02; CI 1.39–2.93) and self-perceived health (OR 2.64; CI 1.77–3.93) were poorer for immigrant women compared to natives. Occupational social class variable contributes 25 % to self-perceived health OR in immigrant women. Settled immigrant women workers are a vulnerable group in Spain.

The Effects of Age, Ethnicity, Sexual Dysfunction, Urinary Incontinence, Masculinity, and Relationship with the Partner on the Quality of Life of Men with Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer, the leading cause of cancer in men, has positive survival rates and constitutes a challenge to men with its side effects. Studies have addressed the bivaritate relationships between prostate cancer treatment side effects masculinity, partner relationship, and quality of life (QOL). However, few studies have highlighted the relationships among prostate cancer treatment side effects (i.e., sexual dysfunction, urinary incontinence), masculinity, and relationship with the partner together on QOL in men. Most studies were conducted with predominately Caucasian sample of men. Miami is a unique multiethnic setting that hosts Cuban, Columbian, Venezuelan, Haitian, other Latin American and Caribbean communities that were not represented in previous literature. The purpose of this study was to examine relative contributions of age, ethnicity, sexual dysfunction, urinary incontinence, masculinity, and perception of the relationship with the partner on the quality of life in men diagnosed with prostate cancer. Data were collected using self administered questionnaires measuring demographic variables, sexual and urinary functioning (UCLA PCI), masculinity (CMNI), partner relationship (DAS), and QOL (SF-36). A total of 117 partnered heterosexual men diagnosed with prostate cancer were recruited from four urology clinics in Miami, Florida. Men were 67.47 (SD = 8.42) years old and identified themselves to be of Hispanic origin (54.3 %, n = 63). Findings demonstrated that there was a significant moderate negative relationship between urinary and sexual functioning of men. There was a significant strong negative association between men’s perceived relationship with partner and masculinity. There was a weak negative relationship between the partner relationship and QOL. Hierarchal multiple regression showed that the partner relationship (β = -.25, t (91) = -2.28, p = .03) significantly contributed overall to QOL. These findings highlight the importance of the relationship satisfaction in the QOL of men with prostate cancer. Nursing interventions to enhance QOL for these men should consider strengthening the relationship and involving the female partner as an active participant.

Qualidade de vida na esclerose múltipla

Dissertação de Mestrado apresentada no Instituto Superior de Psicologia Aplicada para obtenção de grau de Mestre na especialidade de Psicologia Clínica

Estado de saúde vs qualidade de vida

Objetivo: Compreender se o estado de saúde condiciona a qualidade de vida dos funcionários e identificar que variáveis influenciam a qualidade de vida dos funcionários da instituição. Métodos: Estudo descritivo-correlacional, quantitativo. Questionário sociodemográfico e versão portuguesa do MOS SF-36. Amostra funcionários docentes e não docentes que aceitaram participar no estudo. Tratamento dos dados através do Software Statistical Package for Social Sciences versão 20. Parecer positivo da Comissão de Ética, do diretor da instituição e consentimento informado dos participantes. Resultados: Diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre a qualidade de vida e o estado de saúde na Componente Física. À medida que aumentam os valores da Componente Mental, aumentam os valores da autoperceção de um estado de saúde mais elevado. Quando mais elevados os valores de cada componente, mais elevada é a autoperceção do estado de saúde dos inquiridos. Podem ter influência no estado de saúde e na qualidade de vida dos inquiridos a presença de doenças crónicas, as habilitações literárias e o estado civil. Conclusões: Realçada a importância da promoção da saúde, prevenção da doença, de forma a obter ganhos na qualidade de vida, ganhos em saúde, acrescentando não apenas mais anos à vida mas, mais vida aos anos. Isto porque os problemas de saúde estão na sua maioria relacionados com hábitos e estilos de vida nocivos para a saúde.

Calidad de vida, sentido de coherencia y satisfacción laboral en profesores (as) de colegios técnicos en la Dirección Regional de Heredia

The aim of this study was to analyze the Quality of Life, Sense of Coherence and Job Satisfaction by teachers of technical schools in the Heredia´s region. A group of 81 educators (25 male and 56 female) joined the study. It was used the SF-36 Questionnaire, the Sense of Coherence scale and a list of items related to the Job Satisfaction. There were found three factors associated to job satisfaction: (1) social atmosphere and job recognition, (2) infrastructure conditions, salary and promotion and (3) amount of job and relationship with the students. In general the results showed scores up of average Quality of Life. However, there were found low scores in central aspects like “Vitality”. The highest factors scores were found by the physical function and the physical role. The sense of coherence scores related to the factors “Life” and “Feelings” were middle. Both factors were significant associated to some dimensions of Quality of Life and Job Satisfaction. In sum, the results showed up, that it is necessary to develop programs in order to enhance sense of coherence and quality of life. Likewise, it is important to promote job satisfaction. A good job satisfaction has positive consequences to the health, and increase the compromise levels and teachers identification to the profession.

Terapia chirurgica dell'acalasia scompensata: prevalenza e fattori di rischio per lo sviluppo del carcinoma esofageo, risultati clinico-funzionali a lungo termine della chirurgia conservativa e dell'esofagectomia

La chirurgia conservativa o l’esofagectomia, possono essere indicate per il trattamento della disfagia nell’acalasia scompensata. L’esofagectomia è inoltre finalizzata alla prevenzione dello sviluppo del carcinoma esofageo. Gli obiettivi erano: a) definire prevalenza e fattori di rischio per il carcinoma epidermoidale; b) confrontare i risultati clinici e funzionali di Heller-Dor con pull-down della giunzione esofagogastrica (PD-HD) ed esofagectomia. I dati in analisi, ricavati da un database istituito nel 1973 e finalizzato alla ricerca prospettica, sono stati: a) le caratteristiche cliniche, radiologiche ed endoscopiche di 573 pazienti acalasici; b) il risultato oggettivo e la qualità della vita, definita mediante questionario SF-36, dopo intervento di PD-HD (29 pazienti) e dopo esofagectomia per acalasia scompensata o carcinoma (20 pazienti). Risultati: a) sono stati diagnosticati 17 carcinomi epidermoidali ed un carcinosarcoma (3.14%). Fattori di rischio sono risultati essere: il diametro esofageo (p<0.001), il ristagno esofageo (p<0.01) e la durata dei sintomi dell’acalasia (p<0.01). Secondo l’albero di classificazione, soltanto i pazienti con esito insufficiente del trattamento ai controlli clinico-strumentali ed acalasia sigmoidea presentavano un rischio di sviluppare il carcinoma squamocellulare del 52.9%. b) Non sono state riscontrate differenze statisticamente significative tra i pazienti sottoposti ad intervento conservativo e quelli trattati con esofagectomia per quanto concerne l’esito dell’intervento valutato mediante parametri oggettivi (p=0.515). L’analisi della qualità della vita non ha evidenziato differenze statisticamente significative per quanto concerne i domini GH, RP, PF e BP. Punteggi significativamente più elevati nei domini RE (p=0.012), VT (p<0.001), MH (p=0.001) e SF (p=0.014) sono stati calcolati per PD-HD rispetto alle esofagectomie. In conclusione, PD-HD determina una miglior qualità della vita, ed è pertanto la procedura di scelta per i pazienti con basso rischio di cancro. A coloro che abbiano già raggiunto i parametri di rischio, si offrirà l’esofagectomia o l'opzione conservativa seguita da protocolli di follow-up.

Psychometric Properties Evaluation Of A New Ergonomics-related Job Factors Questionnaire Developed For Nursing Workers.

The objectives of this study were to develop a questionnaire that evaluates the perception of nursing workers to job factors that may contribute to musculoskeletal symptoms, and to evaluate its psychometric properties. Internationally recommended methodology was followed: construction of domains, items and the instrument as a whole, content validity, and pre-test. Psychometric properties were evaluated among 370 nursing workers. Construct validity was analyzed by the factorial analysis, known-groups technique, and convergent validity. Reliability was assessed through internal consistency and stability. Results indicated satisfactory fit indices during confirmatory factor analysis, significant difference (p < 0.01) between the responses of nursing and office workers, and moderate correlations between the new questionnaire and Numeric Pain Scale, SF-36 and WRFQ. Cronbach's alpha was close to 0.90 and ICC values ranged from 0.64 to 0.76. Therefore, results indicated that the new questionnaire had good psychometric properties for use in studies involving nursing workers.

[diet Quality And Associated Factors Among The Elderly: A Population-based Study In Campinas, São Paulo State, Brazil].

The aim of this study was to assess the quality of diet among the elderly and associations with socio-demographic variables, health-related behaviors, and diseases. A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in a representative sample of 1,509 elderly participants in a health survey in Campinas, São Paulo State, Brazil. Food quality was assessed using the Revised Diet Quality Index (DQI-R). Mean index scores were estimated and a multiple regression model was employed for the adjusted analyses. The highest diet quality scores were associated with age 80 years or older, Evangelical religion, diabetes mellitus, and physical activity, while the lowest scores were associated with home environments shared with three or more people, smoking, and consumption of soft drinks and alcoholic beverages. The findings emphasize a general need for diet quality improvements in the elderly, specifically in subgroups with unhealthy behaviors, who should be targeted with comprehensive strategies.

[larynx Cancer: Quality Of Life And Voice After Treatment].

Treatments for patients with laryngeal cancer often have an impact on physical, social, and psychological functions. To evaluate quality of life and voice in patients treated for advanced laryngeal cancer through surgery or exclusive chemoradiation. Retrospective cohort study with 30 patients free from disease: ten total laryngectomy patients without production of esophageal speech (ES); ten total laryngectomy patients with tracheoesophageal speech (TES), and ten with laryngeal speech. Quality of life was measured by SF-36, Voice-Related Quality of Life (V-RQOL), and Voice Handicap Index (VHI) protocols, applied on the same day. The SF-36 showed that patients who received exclusive chemoradiotherapy had better quality of life than the TES and ES groups. The V-RQOL showed that the voice-related quality of life was lower in the ES group. In the VHI, the ES group showed higher scores for overall, emotional, functional, and organic VHI. Quality of life and voice in patients treated with chemoradiotherapy was better than in patients treated surgically. The type of medical treatment used in patients with laryngeal cancer can bring changes in quality of life and voice.