Purpose: Adolescence is considered a period in which individuals are particularly at risk of negative consequences related to sexual health. Increased knowledge levels have traditionally been used as an indicator of the effectiveness of educational programs, but attitudes are not addressed and are a key element for the success of such programs. The aim of this study is to determine the level of knowledge and attitudes toward the use of contraceptive methods among nursing students. A multicenter cross-sectional study was carried out. In total, 2914 university students (aged 18–25 years) enrolled in the study. Participants completed two validated scales to measure knowledge level and attitudes toward contraceptive use. Nursing degree students who received training about contraceptives obtained a success rate of over 70%, compared to 15.3% among students who had not received such training (p < 0.001). The mean attitude score was 43.45 points (10–50), but there were no significant differences in terms of student training (p = 0.435), although they were significantly higher among students who used contraceptives at first or last sexual intercourse (p < 0.001). There was a significant weak correlation between the level of knowledge and attitudes toward the use of contraceptives. An adequate level of knowledge about sexuality and contraceptive methods does not correspond to positive attitudes toward their use, although having an excellent attitude toward contraceptive use is related to their use during youth and adolescence.

Recent meta-analysis studies have reported that metabolic comorbidities such as diabetes, obesity, dyslipidaemia and hypertension are associated with higher risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and mortality in patients with COVID-19. This meta-analysis aims to investigate the relationship between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components with SARS and mortality in COVID-19 patients. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in the several databases up until 1 September 2021. Primary observational longitudinal studies published in peer review journals were selected. Two independent reviewers performed title and abstract screening, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. Results: The random effects meta-analysis showed that MetS was significantly associated with SARS with a pooled OR (95% CI) of 3.21 (2.88–3.58) and mortality with a pooled OR (95% CI) of 2.32 (1.16–4.63). According to SARS, the pooled OR for MetS was 2.19 (1.71–2.67), p < 0.001; significantly higher than the hypertension component. With regard to mortality, although the pooled OR for MetS was greater than for its individual components, no significant differences were observed. Conclusions: this meta-analysis of cohort studies, showed that MetS is better associated to SARS and mortality in COVID-19 patients than its individual components.

Nurses have numerous difficulties in implementing science due to obstacles related to the work context. The aim is to explore the work-context-related facilitators of the application of evidence in clinical practice by nursing professionals. Qualitative meta-synthesis of primary studies on nurses’ experiences of work-context-related facilitators, as defined by the Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services model. Using the Qualitative Appraisal and Review Instrument of the Joanna Briggs Institute. Of the total 57 primary research articles included, an explanatory model of the facilitating factors related to the work context was generated on the basis of four general categories: institutional support (leadership), multidisciplinary support (teamwork and communication), culture of improving quality of care (nursing professionals’ attitudes towards change) and use of research (valuing research). Action can be taken on the facilitating factors of the evidence-based practice application in nursing clinical environments, providing resources and motivation from the organization.

Evidence-based practice is often not implemented in nursing for reasons relating to leadership. This article aims to cast light on the factors that facilitate nursing evidence implementation perceived by nurse managers in their practical experiences of this implementation. It is a qualitative, narrative metasynthesis of primary studies on nurse managers’ leadership-related facilitation experiences, following the Joanna Briggs Institute meta-aggregative approach and the Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services (PARiHS) model. Eleven primary studies were included and three general categories were identified as leadership-related factors facilitating evidence implementation: teamwork (communication between managers and staff nurses), organizational structures (strategic governance), and transformational leadership (influence on evidence application and readiness for change among leaders). Nurse managers act as facilitators of evidence-based practices by transforming contexts to motivate their staff and move toward a shared vision of change. Always providing support as managers and colleagues, sharing their experience in the clinic environment.

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Diabetic foot is a severe complication of diabetes, with serious consequences such as amputations and high mortality rates as well as elevated economic costs. To evaluate whether or not nursing staff follow the recommendations of national and international organizations regarding diabetic foot prevention, a cross-sectional and observational descriptive study was carried out using an ad hoc self-administered questionnaire validated by seven experts, with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.731. Of the total 164 participants, 157 met the inclusion criteria. Findings showed that 96.58% asked their patients to remove their footwear, 78.34% performed thorough examinations, and 80.25% assessed the risk of developing diabetic foot. Participants educated their patients in self-care and evaluated skills related to diabetic foot control either frequently (84.07%) or very frequently (62.42%), and only 19.11% of them carried out group activity workshops. Significant statistical differences were found in the performance of activities in the groups by participant age intervals, whether working in primary health care or a hospital, having specific training, and the participant’s DM patient ratio. We obtained high percentages of compliance in the assessed activities in comparison to other studies. Nevertheless, we believe it is necessary to encourage screening in specialized care, skills testing, and the implementation of educational group activities and workshops.

Malaria has been for millennia one of the best known and most destructive diseases affecting humans. Its high impact has aroused great interest for the development of new effective and reliable diagnostic techniques. Recently it has been recently published that hairs from mammal hosts are able to capture, hold and finally remove foreign DNA sequences of Leishmania parasites. The aim of this study was to check if Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) DNA remains stable in blood samples deposited in Whatman paper after suffering different transport and storage conditions, and to compare the sensitivity of these results with those offered by thick a smear and Rapid Diagnostic Test, and besides to examine whether P. falciparum DNA would be detected and quantified by Real time quantitative PCR (qPCR) from hairs of people with different types of malaria. P. falciparum Histidine Repeat Protein II (pHRP-II) antigen detection and P. falciparum DNA were detected in 18 of 19 dry blood samples adhered to Whatman paper (94.74%), besides, Plasmodium DNA was also detected in seven out of 19 hair samples analyzed (36.84%), remaining stable until analysis for several months under the exposure to different environmental conditions. Although the sensitivity of PCR for the diagnosis of malaria in hair samples is not as high as blood analysis, the study of Plasmodium DNA presence in blood and hair could constitute a complementary tool with numerous advantages in sample collection, transport and storage. We suggest that the method could be also applied to medical, forensic and paleo-parasitological diagnosis, not only for malaria but also for searching many other pathogens in hair samples.

Aim: to analyze the efficacy of an educational online intervention focused on lifestyle changes in reducing body weight from baseline to 6 months in the pre-diabetic population of 18–45 years old in Extremadura (Spain). Methods: a single-blind, multicenter randomized parallel-comparison trial with two intervention groups in a 1:1 ratio will be carried out. Participants will be randomly assigned to intervention A or B with 37 cases in each group according to inclusion criteria of being enrolled or working at Extremadura University, scoring >7 points on the Findrisc test and not having diagnosed diabetes mellitus or physical disabilities. Intervention-A group will have access to online information about healthy diet and exercise. Intervention-B group will have access to a six-session educational program regarding behavioral changes in diet and exercise habits. They will complete follow-up activities and have a personal trainer and motivation. The primary outcome will be identifying changes in body weight from baseline to 1 and 6 months and between groups. The secondary outcomes will be accomplishing regular physical activity (>30 min/day or >4 h/week), decreasing sugary food intake or avoiding it altogether, increasing vegetable/fruit intake and lowering HbA1c levels to non-diabetic status when necessary.