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Cognitive deficits constitute one of the greatest challenges for independence achievement after a stroke. This paper provides an in depth view of the application of the Multicontext approach within routine Occupational Therapy care for a 41-year-old who demonstrated limited participation in activities of daily living as a consequence of executive function impairments and limited self-awareness. Results indicated improved online self-awareness, strategy use and functional performance, however, no changes were observed on a standard Awareness Questionnaire. This suggests that awareness within activities may be more important in contributing to effective strategy use and functional performance compared to verbal acknowledgment in an interview. Results also support the feasibility of the Multicontext approach within inpatient settings in Argentina. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: As reliable instruments are needed for longitudinal research on the development of nicotine addiction, we evaluated the test-retest reliability of eight survey measures (three scales and five individual item measures). Methods: A paper survey was administered to convenience samples of adolescents in two schools and adults in five workplaces in Argentina and re-administered 1-2 weeks later. Test-retest reliability was assessed with Pearson correlations for continuous measures and kappa statistics for dichotomous measures. Results: Both surveys were completed by 95 adolescent and 88 adult smokers. The modified Fagerström Tolerance Questionnaire ( r == 0.88-0.91), the Hooked on Nicotine Checklist ( r == 0.85-0.91), the Autonomy Over Smoking Scale (0.91-0.96) and items assessing latency to needing a cigarette ( r == 0.85-0.94), the pleasure obtained from smoking ( r == 0.84-0.94), and relaxation obtained from the first cigarette (κ == 0.63-0.67), all showed very good to excellent reliability in both populations. Items assessing experiencing the need to smoke more often than previously and the percent of time smoking because of need appear to be more reliable with adolescents (κ == 0.52 and r == 0.76, respectively) than with adults ( κ == 0.32 and r == 0.51, respectively). Conclusions: This is the first study to simultaneously compare the reliability of multiple smoking measures within individual adolescent and adult smokers. All the eight measures showed adequate reliability for use in longitudinal studies with adolescents and all but one were adequate for use with adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to determine the impact of a MOOC on the attitudes of preservice and in-service teachers toward education on death. The study adopted a pre- and post-test design. Participants (N=139) answered the Death Education Attitudes Scale-Teachers (DEAS-T) questionnaire at the beginning and end of the course. The results confirmed significant differences between the pre- and post-course applications in the three scale factors--need for training in the Pedagogy of Death, inclusion of death in education, and educational awareness of death. Open-access, free, mass training through a MOOC could have a positive impact on attitudes toward death education among both pre- and in-service teachers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People with psychosocial disabilities are often discriminated against and experience violations of their human rights. With the QualityRights program, World Health Organisation highlights that one of element founding the quality of services is the respect for users' rights, in the belief that there is no quality of care without respect for human rights and vice versa. To date, studies explored the issue mainly in Europe. In this sense, the purpose of the study is to verify if the perception of respect for patients' rights is a component of organisational well-being for mental health workers in three countries of Latin America (Argentina, Colombia, Peru). A random sample representative of professionals working in three mental healthcare networks in Argentina, Colombia, and Peru was enrolled (n = 310). Each health worker completed a questionnaire on sociodemographic data and the Well-Being at work and respect for human rights (WWRR). The WWRR consists of seven items on satisfaction at work, beliefs about users' satisfaction in received care, the satisfaction of work's organisation, respect of users' and staff's human rights, adequacy of resources, and perceived needs of resources in the mental health service. The principal components analysis of the instrument was carried out with Varimax rotation and Kaiser normalisation (including all components with Eigen value > 1). The total explained variance was 67.2%. Item 6 saturated in one single factor, and the first five items saturated in factor 1 with factor loadings ranging from 0.52 to 0.86. Parallel test suggested a one-factor structure as acceptable. The results show in three countries of Latin America that the more workers perceive that the human rights of users are respected, the more satisfied they are of own work. This article confirms previous observations in Italy, North Macedonia, Tunisia and Palestine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite medical advances, preterm birth and neonatal intensive care (NICU) hospitalization are demanding and pose risks for infants and parents. Various music therapy (MT) models have suggested parental singing to promote healthy bonding and development in premature infants, but evidence on long-term effects is lacking. We present the theoretical framework and intervention protocol of a resource-oriented MT approach for premature infants and their caregivers used in the international LongSTEP trial (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03564184). We illustrate how guiding principles manifest in MT sessions, describe frames for phases of intervention, discuss prerequisites and present hypothesized mechanisms of change. The LongSTEP MT approach is resource-oriented, emphasizes parental voice and parent-infant mutual regulation, builds on family-centered care principles, and is relevant in the NICU and beyond. Essential elements include: observation and dialogue on infant and parent needs; voice as the main musical source, with parental voice as the most prominent; active parental participation; modification of music in response to infant states and cues; and integration of the family's culture and music preferences. The music therapist facilitates and supports interaction between parents and infant. Parents learn how to adapt principles in relation to infant development across NICU hospitalization and post-discharge phases. The LongSTEP approach is feasible in culturally diverse countries where consistent parental presence is available, but requires tailoring to local circumstances and culture, particularly in the post-discharge phase. The emphasis on parent-led infant-directed singing places a higher demand on parents than other MT approaches, and requires sufficient psychosocial and musical support for parents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study examines Argentinean health care workers in order to 1) test self-perceived job performance levels and the presence of psychological symptoms compatible with common mental disorders, and 2) examine within-person changes in general discomfort and psychological distress, adjusting for demographic factors, region, and health-related factors during two time points of the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: This longitudinal study comprised 305 healthcare workers who completed a survey at two time points approximately 4 months apart. We used the General Health Questionnaire and the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale to measure mental health outcomes. To address the first aim we calculated differences (Student's t test for paired samples) and correlations (Pearson's r coefficient). To address the second aim we used fixed effects model by means of a multilevel approach, a linear model that considers dependency in the data. Results: Self-perceived job performance deteriorated across time. From the first measurement to the four-month follow-up, more health care workers presented common mental disorders (40% vs 45.57%), depression, and/or anxiety (52.46% vs 62.62%). A meaningful worsening of mental health was observed in healthcare workers who expressed concern about being infected with COVID-19, whether asymptomatic (greater general discomfort and psychological distress) or symptomatic (greater general discomfort). Likewise, there were significant interactions between a history of mental disorder and concern about COVID-19 infection. Conclusions: Among healthcare workers, the uncertainty about the COVID-19 infection may have larger negative mental health impacts than actually being infected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dietary patterns have been associated with breast cancer (BC) in Argentina. However, little evidence exists relating the inflammatory potential of diet and BC in Latin American countries and how this may relate to rurality. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association between the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII®) and BC considering urbanization contexts in Córdoba, Argentina. A frequency-matched case-control study (317 BC cases, 526 controls) was conducted from 2008 through 2016. DII scores were computed based on dietary intake assessed by a validated food frequency questionnaire. Multi-level logistic regression models were fit to evaluate the association between DII and BC, following adjustment for age, body mass index, age at menarche, number of children, smoking habits, socio-economic status and family history of BC as first-level covariates and urbanization level as the contextual variable. Increasing DII score showed significant positive associations with BC risk (ORtertile3vs.tertile1 1.34; 95%CI 1.05, 1.70). The association was stronger in overweight and obese women (ORtertile3vs.tertile1 1.98; 95%CI 1.86, 2.10). The DII effect on BC was higher with increased urbanization. A pro-inflammatory diet, reflected by higher DII scores, was positively associated with BC, especially in overweight women and with increased urbanization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little evidence regarding the inflammatory potential of diet and its effect on colorectal cancer exists in Latin American countries. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association between the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII®) and colorectal cancer (CRC) risk in Córdoba, Argentina. A frequency-matched case-control study (N = 446, including 144 (32.3%) CRC cases and 302 (67.7%) controls was conducted in Córdoba (Argentina) from 2008 through 2015. DII® scores were computed based on dietary intake assessed by a validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Multilevel logistic regression models were fit to evaluate the association between DII scores and CRC, following adjustment for age, body mass index, sex, energy intake, smoking habits, socio-economic status, physical activity, and use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs as first-level covariates and level of urbanization as the contextual variable. Odds of colorectal cancer increased linearly with increasing DII scores (ORcontinuous 1.34; 95%CI 1.07 to 1.69 and ORtertile3 vs. tertile1 1.21; 95%CI 1.01 to 1.44). The association was stronger among men than women (ORcontinuous 1.29; 95%CI 1.21 to 1.37 vs. ORcontinuous 1.05; 95%CI 0.83 to 1.33, respectively). A proinflammatory diet, reflected by higher DII scores, was positively associated with colorectal cancer occurrence, mainly in men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Challenging HIV-infected patients, those neither adherent nor actively engaged in care, represent an important opportunity for intervention if the HIV epidemic is to be contained. This pilot study assessed the feasibility and acceptability of an adapted patient adherence intervention and a motivational interview-based provider intervention in urban Buenos Aires, Argentina, in order to optimize health benefits in challenging HIV-infected patients. To maximize implementation and uptake of both strategies, interventions were adapted to the local setting. Qualitative data and a short quantitative assessment from patients, staff, fellows, residents and physicians (n = 84) were examined to establish the feasibility and acceptability of offering patient and provider evidencebased interventions in both public and private health-care settings. Results identified key themes on provision of information, use of specialized communication techniques and group support in the utilization of the interventions. Both providers (n = 12) and patients (n = 120) endorsed the acceptability and value of the interventions, and the feasibility of their delivery. Findings support the use of both intervention modalities with challenging patients in diverse urban health-care settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary objective: To examine the effect of cognitive rehabilitation therapy (CRT) on psychosocial outcomes in Argentinean patients with acquired brain injury (ABI), in connection with the time elapsed between injury and treatment initiation. Research design: Self-reported data from patients in a naturalistic setting was collected before and after CRT. Methods and procedure: An outpatient sample of 75 Spanish-speaking patients with cognitive disturbances secondary to ABI (49 male/26 female, age: 50.2 ± 20.1 years; education 14.3 ± 3.2 years) completed a set of scales on their daily living activities, memory self-perception, quality-of-life and mood. Single and multi-group analyses were conducted, considering pre- and post- responses and the time elapsed between injury and treatment initiation. The influence of socio-demographic moderators was controlled during comparisons. Main results: Results suggest an improvement in several psychosocial indicators after treatment. Additionally, correlations and group comparisons showed greater improvement in subjective memory and quality-of-life self-reports in patients who began treatment earlier than those who began treatment after a longer time period. Conclusions: Overall, results suggest that CRT is associated with positive results in different areas of the psychosocial domain and that post-injury time can mediate this effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the relationship among three potential protective factors: satisfaction with life, three routes to well-being and meaning in life, and eating disorder symptoms and body dissatisfaction in male and female adolescents. The sample was composed of 247 adolescent students aged 13 to 18 years. The findings of this study support the protective roles of satisfaction with life and engagement as routes to well-being in male adolescents and particularly in female adolescents. Positive interventions to promote satisfaction with life and engagement in activities in school are highly recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article describes a prospective study of 1,200 participants, half of whom were offspring of trauma survivors, and their emotional symptom levels before and after the Corralito, an economic crisis that occurred in Argentina at the end of 2001. The authors report pre- and postcrisis data on anxiety and depression in a group of adult offspring of victims of the Dirty War (1976–1983) in an attempt to ascertain whether they are at greater risk than a control group for developing anxiety and depression in response to an economic crisis. The results indicated the offspring of war victims experienced greater emotional distress than the control subjects before, but not after the imposition of the Corralito. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]