Objective:to compare the biomarkers and the allostatic load levels in a sample of older persons with and without canine companionship. Method:descriptive and comparative study. Data were collected using a sociodemographic questionnaire and a fasting blood sample. The allostatic load comprised 11 biomarkers that are primary and secondary stress mediators, which arise from the following systems: neuroendocrine, immune, metabolic, cardiovascular and anthropometric. Results:a significant difference was found in two biomarkers: cortisol (t= -3.091, df=104, p=0.003) and total cholesterol (t= -2.566, df=104, p=0.012), in the allostatic load levels between older adults with and without a canine companionship (U= 1714.00, Z= 2.01, p=0.044). By associating the allostatic load level with the canine companionship, there was a higher frequency of older adults with low allostatic load among those who have canine companion, compared with those who do not have canine companionship. (χ2= 3.69, df=1, p= 0.043). Conclusion:canine companionship influences health in a positive way, as the allostatic load is lower in older adults who have a dog as companion, in addition to presenting lower levels of cortisol and total cholesterol.

El objetivo de este estudio fue valorar las necesidades de cuidado en jóvenes ante el riesgo del virus de inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH) para adaptar la Intervención Basada en la Evidencia titulada Respeto M-Salud en usuarios de una Organización no Gubernamental (ONG) dedicada a la detección del VIH mediante la prueba rápida.Material y métodos: Se condujo un estudio con enfoque cualitativo, con uso de la teoría fundamentada como marco metodológico, las técnicas de recolección de datos fueron notas de campo y entrevistas semiestructuradas, el nivel máximo de análisis fue hasta la codificación abierta, como criterios de rigor en este estudio se utilizó la triangulación y transferencia.Resultados: fueron categorizados en tiempo de intervención, uso de dispositivos móviles, contenido en la intervención, factores de influencia para el uso de condón y uso correcto del condón.Conclusión: La identificación de necesidades en jóvenes con riesgo de VIH es una estrategia imprescindible para adaptar contenidos contextualmente en el uso de las IBE para la prevención del VIH.

Introduction. Preventive social isolation due to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has represented one of the greatest health challenges of the last decades worldwide. As a result of social isolation, the consumption of information in digital media, such as the use of online sexual material, has increased, leading to risky sexual behavior in young people. Objective. To quantify the impact on the use and type of online sexual material and to determine the predictors of online sexual activity in people in preventive social isolation due to COVID-19. Method. Multivariate cross-sectional study; 385 participants were studied and contacted through an online survey. Results. Internet pages and social networks are the main platforms for the use of online sexual material, and its consumption was more frequent in those who had more days of preventive social isolation. Predictors of sexual activity were cybersex (β = .38), excitation (β = .36), masturbation (β = .34), and adventure (β = .33), which were found to be statistically significant (p ˂ .001). Discussion and conclusion. Privacy plays an important role in the use of online sexual material and activities, and greater consumption can be found in intimacy. It is important to be alert to the effects of the pandemic on sexual risk behavior and further research is needed.

In Mexico, young people continue to experience problems due to a lack of correct and consistent condom use during sexual intercourse. Objective: to evaluate the effect of a randomized controlled clinical trial with the use of smartphones to increase safe sex intentions and safe sexual behavior. Methods: experimental design with two treatment groups with 177 young people who requested the rapid HIV test in a non-governmental organization in the city of Monterrey, Mexico. The experimental group was given Respect M-Health with the use of mobile devices; the control group was given similar counseling without the use of mobile technology and 8 pencil and paper instruments were used. Results: the effect of the experimental group was greater in safe sexual behavior reflected in the means at pre-test M=64.80 (SD=1.86), post-test M=85.33 (SD=1.54), and at 30 days M=87.40 (SD=1.52), and in the safe sex intentions factor at pre-test M=78.50 (SD=3.07), post-test M=94.70 (SD=2.46), and at 30 days M=95.74 (SD=2.29). Conclusions: Smartphone use was an effective tool as a support to increase safe sexual behavior in youth.