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- Dating violence – knowledge and attitudes of adolescents and evaluation of the effectiveness of a brief intervention in high school studentsPublication . Simões Ferreira, Sofia; Oliveira, Mafalda; Aguiar, Benedita; Ferreira, Márcia; Guedes, Raquel; Correia, Márcia; Tavares, HugoTeen’s inexperience and willingness to please others make them especially susceptible to violent behaviour in relationships, which they accept as natural and as manifestations of love. This study determines the prevalence of dating violence (DV) in a sample of adolescents from a high school in the northern region of Portugal, their knowledge and attitudes about DV, as well as the effectiveness of a brief intervention to empower adolescents to deal with DV. This longitudinal, interventional study randomly selected adolescents from a high school and divided them into six groups. Three of the six groups were subject to an intervention about DV. CADRI (Conflict in Adolescent Dating Relationships Inventory) and ADV (Attitudes Toward Dating Violence) surveys were filled out, of which the latter was repeated in the intervention group. 138 adolescents from regular and professional education were included. 75.5% of these adolescents resorted to abusive conflict resolution strategies, 33% to severe violence and 40.6% were victims of severe violence. Males revealed higher legitimization of emotional, physical and sexual violence perpetrated by both males (EVM, PVM, SVM) and females (EVF, PVF, SVF). 69 adolescents participated in the intervention, whereby girls had a non-significant decrease in the legitimacy of SVF, whereas boys showed a non-significant decrease in the legitimacy of EVM. A high percentage of adolescents used abusive conflict resolution and severe violence strategies. Despite the active participation of adolescents during the intervention, its impact was lower than expected.
- Prevention of sexual abuse in preschoolers – Teachers’ knowledge and attitudesPublication . Cascais, Mafalda; Passadouro, Rui; Mendes, Odete; Zarcos, Maria ManuelIntroduction: Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a global public health problem across different culture and socioeconomic strata. Teachers have a privileged role in prevention programs and the approach is feasible and effective in preschoolers. The aim of this study was to characterize preschool teachers’ knowledge, attitudes, and training about CSA prevention. Methods: A non-experimental, exploratory, cross-sectional study was conducted in Leiria, Portugal, comprising 47 preschool teachers. Data was retrieved through a questionnaire developed by study authors. Results: Most preschool teachers had no CSA prevention training. About half of inquired teachers considered their knowledge about CSA prevention as reasonable. However, 12.8% classified it as poor, mainly teachers with less practice years (50% vs 69.6% of teachers with ≥30 practice years who classified their knowledge as reasonable, p=0.03). Most participants agreed that CSA prevention should be part of preschool curriculum, particularly older teachers (92% vs 77%, p=0.03). Most respondents considered adjusting these concepts to preschoolers challenging for implementation of prevention programs, 72.4% considered that some topics were not suitable for discussion with preschool children, and 82.9% considered that their approach was not well accepted by parents or caregivers. Discussion: Study results evidenced several difficulties and limited training of preschool teachers in CSA prevention. Encouragingly, most teachers showed a positive attitude towards participating in CSA training education and including this topic in preschool curriculum. This study emphasizes the importance of teachers’ education in this subject through implementation of training programs.
- Anaphylaxis in pediatric age: An overviewPublication . Marques, Maria Luís; Gouveia, Joana; Machado Cunha, Inês; Rebelo Gomes, EvaAnaphylaxis is defined as an acute severe, life-threatening hypersensitivity reaction. The condition’s real prevalence and incidence are difficult to estimate, but seem to be increasing, particularly in children. Anaphylaxis clinical presentation varies according to age and other individual factors. Although consensual clinical criteria exist, including in pediatric age, diagnosis can be challenging. Food allergy is the most common anaphylaxis cause in children, particularly in preschool age. Drug-induced reactions and hymenoptera venom sting are other major triggers, which importance increases after adolescence. Management involves diagnosis, appropriate identification of possible triggers, acute phase treatment, and long-term planning. Prompt referral to a Pediatric Allergy specialist is recommended, as complete allergy workup is usually required to implement future preventive measures. In this review, the authors discuss particular aspects regarding anaphylaxis in pediatric age to provide information that can help improve disease management.
- Preparing to Perform Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery on Patients with COVID-19Publication . Rodrigues-Pinto, Ricardo; Sousa, Ricardo; Oliveira, António
- Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency: Principles of CarePublication . Rodrigues, Joana F; Mineiro, Alexandra; Reis, António; Ventura, David G; Fernandez-Llimos, Fernando; Costa, Filipa; Gomes, Joana; Silva, José Manuel; Lopes, Paulo; Cordeiro, Carlos RobaloAlpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is an autosomal co-dominant inherited disorder that results in decreased circulating levels of alpha-1 antitrypsin (also known as alpha-1 proteinase inhibitor) and predisposes affected individuals to early onset lung and liver disease. There is currently no cure for alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. However, appropriate treatment and a high standard of clinical care can prevent patients from being seriously affected and having to undergo major medical interventions, such as organ transplantation. Beyond managing the symptoms associated with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, alpha-1 proteinase inhibitor therapy is the only treatment for the condition's underlying cause. Early diagnosis is important to ensure efficient therapeutic strategies and to minimize further deterioration of lung function. alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is under diagnosed globally, partly because the disease has no unique presenting symptoms. This document was prepared by a Portuguese multidisciplinary group and it aims to set out comprehensive principles of care for Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. These include the importance of registries, the need for clinical research, the need for consistent recommendations (regarding diagnosis, treatment and monitoring), the role of reference centres, the requirement for sustained access to treatment, diagnostic and support services, and the role of patient organizations.
- Alerta Radiológico: Repercussões do Histórico Tratamento da TuberculosePublication . Costa, Maria Inês; Gomes, Joana; Braga, José Pinheiro
- Implementation of an infection control program with emphasis on cohorting to patients with carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae. The experience of 2 years in a tertiary teaching hospital in northern PortugalPublication . Vigário, Ana; Gonçalves, João A.; Costa, Ana Rita; Pinheiro, Maria Guiomar; Reis, Ernestina; Oliveira, Júlio R.Background: The emergence of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) represents a major public health threat. Our purpose was to evaluate a surveillance and cohorting program implemented in patients infected or carriers of CPE. Methods: A prospective registry of CPE carriers or infected patients was analyzed from October 2015 until December 2017. All inpatients presenting with CPE were included in a hospital cohort with dedicated healthcare staff and contact precaution measures. Results: A total of 480 patients were identified, of which 15.8% (n = 76) were infected. Men comprised 56.7% of the cohort (n = 272) and 69.2% (n = 332) were elderly. About 46.3% (n = 222) had a previous hospital admission and 81.7% (n = 392) had at least 1 antibiotic course in the previous 90 days. There was a decline in infected patients in 2017. Periodic and admission screenings accounted for 63% and 74% of cases in 2016 and 2017, with increased detection rate comparing with contact/investigation screenings. In 2017, significantly fewer patients were identified outside the admission/point of prevalence screening (P = .009). In 2017 the proportion of invasive carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae amongst CPE in our center was below the national average (2016: 13.3% vs 5.2%; 2017: 6.6% vs 8.6%). A reduction of the consumption of carbapenems was also observed in 2017. Conclusion: The implementation of the program has increased the number of patients identified by the preventive method and stabilized the emergence of new CPE cases. Furthermore, the program cohort compared well with the national picture, with a lower number of infected patients and a lower proportion of carbapenem-resistant K pneumoniae in invasive specimens. These indicators reflect the added value of the CPE surveillance and cohorting program.
- Apolipoprotein B and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol reveal a high atherogenicity in individuals with type 2 diabetes and controlled low-density lipoprotein-cholesterolPublication . Fonseca, Liliana; Paredes, Sílvia; Ramos, Helena; Oliveira, José Carlos; Palma, IsabelBackground: Lipid-lowering therapy is guided by Low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) levels, although the cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk could be better reflected by other lipid parameters. This study aimed at comparing a comprehensive lipid profile between patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with LDL-c concentration within and above target. Methods: A comprehensive lipid profile was characterized in 96 T2DM patients. The European Society of Cardiology/European Atherosclerosis Society (ESC/EAS) 2016 and 2019 Guidelines for the Management of Dyslipidemias were used to define LDL-c targets. Results: In this population, only 28.1 and 16.7% of patients had mean LDL-c levels within target, as defined by the 2016 and 2019 guidelines, respectively. Applying the 2016 guidelines criteria, in patients with LDL-c within target, 22, 25 and 44% presented non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-c), Apolipoprotein B (ApoB) and oxidized LDL-c levels above the recommended range, respectively, whereas according to the 2019 guidelines criteria, 50, 39 and 44% of the patients with LDL-c within target had elevated high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), ApoB and oxidized LDL-c levels, respectively. LDL-c was strongly correlated with non-HDL-c (r = 0.850), ApoB (r = 0.656) and oxidized LDL-c (r = 0.508). Similarly, there was a strong correlation between non-HDL-c with both ApoB (r = 0.808) and oxidized LDL-c (r = 0.588). Conclusions: These findings emphasize the limitations of only considering LDL-c concentration for cardiovascular (CV) risk assessment. Targeting only LDL-c could result in missed opportunities for CV risk reduction in T2DM patients. These data suggest that non-HDL-c, ApoB and oxidized LDL-c levels could be considered as an important part of these patients' evaluation allowing for a more accurate estimation of CV risk and hopefully better management of these high-risk patients.
- Eating disorder - a diagnosis of exclusionPublication . Fonseca, Margarida Silva; Santos, Helena; Guedes, Raquel; Tavares, Hugo BragaIn adolescents with weight loss, diagnoses other than eating disorders should be considered, namely neurological diseases. A 16-year-old girl with an intellectual development disorder was referred to the Adolescent Medicine outpatient clinic from Child Psychiatry with a diagnosis of eating disorder and persistent anemia. Her body mass index was consistently below the fifth percentile and long-lasting eating difficulties were reported since the age of 15. The girl had no other gastrointestinal, articular, or respiratory complaints, neither polyuria, polydipsia, or recurrent fever. Parental divorce and domestic violence were reported. The patient complained of excessive daytime sleepiness, asthenia, intermittent myalgia, and muscular weakness episodes. Phenotypic characteristics and personal medical history led to clinical suspicion of a neuromuscular disease and genetic study confirmed myotonic dystrophy type 1. This case highlights the importance of considering other diagnoses besides eating disorders in adolescents with eating problems. An exhaustive evaluation of personal and family medical history, patient complaints, and detailed physical examination is mandatory.
- Dating violence - knowledge and attitudes of adolescents and evaluation of the effectiveness of a brief intervention in high school studentsPublication . Ferreira, Sofia Simões; Oliveira, Mafalda; Aguiar, Benedita; Ferreira, Márcia; Guedes, Raquel; Cordeiro, Márcia; Tavares, Hugo BragaTeen’s inexperience and willingness to please others make them especially susceptible to violent behavior in relationships, which they accept as natural and as displays of affection. The present study determined the prevalence of dating violence (DV) in a sample of adolescents from a high school in the northern region of Portugal and their knowledge and attitudes about DV, as well as the effectiveness of a brief intervention to empower adolescents to deal with DV. This longitudinal, interventional study randomly selected adolescents from a high school and divided them into six groups. Three were subject to an intervention focusing DV. Conflict in Adolescent Dating Relationships Inventory (CADRI) and Attitudes Toward Dating Violence (ADV) surveys were filled out prior to the intervention. ADV survey was repeated by the intervention group after the intervention. A total of 138 adolescents from regular and professional education were included. Of these, 75.5% resorted to abusive conflict resolution strategies, 33% to severe violence, and 40.6% were victims of severe violence. Males revealed higher emotional, physical, and sexual violence legitimization perpetrated by both genders. Sixty-nine adolescents participated in the intervention, with girls showing a non-significant decrease in sexual violence legitimacy perpetrated by females and boys showing a non-significant decrease in emotional violence legitimacy perpetrated by males. A high percentage of adolescents used abusive conflict resolution and severe violence strategies. Despite adolescents active participation during the intervention, its impact in decreasing legitimization of DV was lower than expected.
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