Sistema Regional de Información
en línea para Revistas Científicas de América Latina,
el Caribe, España y Portugal

Highlights Inappropriate computer use can cause alterations in workers' visual health, such as Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS). The public health implications of excessive computer use at work are reflected in the signs and symptoms of CVS, which can interfere with daily activities. This study adapted and validated the Computer Vision Syndrome Questionnaire for Colombian Spanish (CVS-Q [Colombia]©) to assess the severity of CVS among computer-using workers at a university in Colombia. Promoting visual and ocular health behaviors, along with preventive interventions, is important to reduce the impact of CVS among computer-using workers. Introduction: Emerging risks at work may be caused by new information and communication technologies, such as computers. While they enhance productivity, computers can also cause new health issues in workers, such as  Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS).  Objective:  To culturally adapt and evaluate the validity evidence of the Computer Vision Syndrome Questionnaire (CVS-Q©) for adult Colombian computer-using workers from the Rasch model approach.  Materials and Methods: A quantitative, observational, cross-sectional, analytical study was conducted with a sample of 300 computer-using workers from a public university in Colombia in 2022. Rasch analyses were performed to fit response categories, items, and individuals; examine differential item functioning (DIF), dimensionality, and local independence of items; determine reliability; and produce the item-person map.  Results: The CVS-Q (Colombia)© response format was adjusted to meet Linacre's guidelines for optimizing rating scale categories. All items showed infit and outfit mean-square values within the expected range. The scale was unidimensional, and the Rasch measurement explained 35.90% of the variance. Person reliability was 0.77, internal consistency was 0.88, and temporal stability reliability was 0.86. Discussion: The CVS-Q (Colombia)© assesses the frequency, intensity, and severity of sixteen signs and symptoms of CVS. Conclusion: The CVS-Q (Colombia)© is a valid and reliable scale for measuring the severity of CVS symptoms in Colombian workers. How to cite this article: Silva Sánchez Diana Carolina, Rojas-Gualdrón Diego Fernando, Gómez Rúa Natalia Eugenia, Ronda Pérez Elena, Seguí María del Mar. Cultural adaptation and validation of the Computer Vision Syndrome Questionnaire in Colombia. Revista Cuidarte. 2025;16(2):e3963.  https://doi.org/10.15649/cuidarte.3963

Highlights The DIEN Expert System Version 1 will transform the nursing teaching-learning process for diagnosing. This system will favor clinical reasoning and knowledge of a standardized nursing language, enabling quick and accurate decision-making to suit digital native students’ needs. The DIEN Expert System Version 1 represents an innovation in the nursing learning process. Currently, dynamic contexts affect health. This scenario leads to accelerated scientific production and new ways of teaching and learning how to formulate nursing diagnoses and provide quality nursing care. Introduction: Students and professionals’ difficulty in formulating nursing diagnoses underlines the need to use tools based on expert systems. Objective: To develop an expert system to formulate nursing diagnoses and to evaluate their attributes. Materials and Methods: This technological-descriptive study was conducted in two phases. The first phase was the design and construction of the expert system and the evaluation of its attributes (usability, functionality, reliability, and portability). In the second phase, 68 people participated, including students and nurses. Two questionnaires were applied, one to evaluate usability (validated by exploratory factor analysis, with a Cronbach's alpha reliability of 0.93) and the other to evaluate the remaining attributes (validated with Aiken's V: 0.91; with a Cronbach's alpha reliability of 0.91). The data were processed in Excel, using descriptive statistics. Results: An expert system was designed using the NANDA International 2021-2023 as its knowledge base. Its interface allows users to input age group, characteristics, and factors, generating diagnostic labels. Most users rated the attributes of usability (79.41%), functionality (82.35%), reliability (77.94%), and portability (86.76%) as "very good." Discussion: The DIEN Expert System Version 1 develops skills to identify characteristics and related or risk factors. It familiarizes users with the standardized nursing language and strengthens critical thinking to formulate contextualized diagnoses for the person cared for. Conclusion: The DIEN Version 1 enables the use of standardized nursing diagnostic language, as it demonstrates the scientific and systematized work in care. The favorable opinion of its attributes by most participants predicts its acceptance in training and care settings. How to cite this article: Fanning Balazero María Margarita, Vásquez Pérez María Rosa, Capuñay Uceda Oscar Efrain, Oblitas-Guerrero Susan Míriam, Juárez Elera María Alejandra. DIEN expert system version 1 to formulate nursing diagnoses. Revista Cuidarte. 2025;16(1):e3945.  https://doi.org/10.15649/cuidarte.3945

Introducción: Los cuidadores brindan asistencia a personas con problemas físicos, emocionales y cognitivos, sin embargo, muchas veces no reciben el apoyo necesario, generando tensión en el rol de cuidador. Objetivo: Analizar teórica y operativamente el concepto de tensión del rol del cuidador para favorecer la instrumentalización de su uso en la investigación y la práctica clínica. Materiales y Métodos: Se trata de un análisis del concepto Tensión del rol del cuidador basado en el modelo de Afaf Meleis (2018). Operacionalizado en los siguientes pasos: (1) definición; (2) diferenciación; (3) delimitación de antecedentes; (4) delimitación de consecuencias; (5) modelado; (6) analogía y (7) síntesis. Se llevó a cabo una revisión del alcance para permitir la ejecución de los cuatro pasos iniciales.    Resultados: La revisión de la literatura identificó 67 estudios capaces de integrar la muestra final. A partir de sus hallazgos se evidenció una definición teórica y referentes empíricos del concepto, con el fin de instrumentalizar la inferencia clínica. Además, se reconocieron 29 antecedentes y 21 consecuencias del concepto. También se destacaron algunos atributos que diferencian el rol particular del cuidador en relación con otros conceptos similares, como el factor estresante que contribuyó al sufrimiento, el grado de extensión de las discapacidades del paciente, la percepción que experimenta el cuidador sobre el sufrimiento del el paciente y la calidad y cantidad de la carga asistencial que se le debe proporcionar. Discusión: La tensión del rol de cuidador puede proporcionar resultados para los cuidadores informales y los receptores de cuidados manifestándose empeoramiento de los síntomas, deterioro cognitivo, disminución de la calidad de vida y en los aspectos físicos, psicológico, social y financiero de ambos. Conclusión: Surge una definición teórica de la Tensión del Rol del Cuidador como un constructo complejo y multidimensional que incluye factores subjetivos y objetivos, en el que las demandas de cuidado, el impacto del proceso de enfermedad del paciente y los recursos físicos, psicológicos, sociales y financieros acompañan un efecto negativo. Reacción a las actividades relacionadas con el cuidado. El análisis es útil en el proceso de inferir y distinguir el concepto de Voltaje y sus similitudes con términos sinónimos, con el objetivo de abordar adecuadamente los instrumentos utilizados para observar el fenómeno, de manera precisa e integral, y la distinción de otros comúnmente utilizados. definiciones. Como citar este artículo: Borges, Bárbara Ebilizarda Coutinho; Dantas, Ana Clara; De Lima, João Pedro Machado; Da Silva, Cyntia Leenara Bezerra; Fernandes, Maria Isabel da Conceição Dias; Vitor, Allyne Fortes. Análise do conceito tensão do papel de cuidador em cuidadores informais: uma abordagem segundo Meleis. Revista Cuidarte. 2025;16(1): e4000.  https://doi.org/10.15649/cuidarte.4000

Highlights This study reveals diverse levels of SARS-CoV-2 exposure among occupational groups in Bucaramanga, highlighting the vulnerability of informal workers. Adjusted seroprevalence progressively increased during the pandemic, reaching 29.2% in the third round among workers in the Bucaramanga Metropolitan Area. Healthcare workers accounted for over 50% of the participants, emphasizing their significant involvement in the study. Hybrid immunity emerges as a factor more associated with infection than vaccination, underscoring the importance of targeted interventions to protect vulnerable groups. Introduction: Globally, the COVID-19 pandemic typically relied on reported cases, but a more comprehensive view emerges from antibody identification. A 2020 national study in Bucaramanga revealed diverse SARS-CoV-2 exposure levels among occupational groups, emphasizing the vulnerability of informal workers. Objective: This study estimates adjusted seroprevalence and seroincidence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies (IgM and IgG) among occupational groups in the Bucaramanga Metropolitan Area (Colombia) in three different moments of the pandemic. Materials and Methods: The prospective cohort study was conducted from September 2020 to October 2021, comprising three rounds. Each round gathered demographic data, medical history, COVID exposure or diagnosis, and vaccination status from workers across various occupational groups in Bucaramanga and its metropolitan area. Immunoglobulins G and M were assessed in each round, and adjusted seroprevalence was calculated. Results: A total of 1,013 subjects participated in all rounds. Healthcare workers accounted for more than 50% of all participants. By Round 3, 93.6% (n = 948) of participants had received the vaccination. Adjusted seroprevalence increased progressively (Round 1: 15.9% [95%CI 13.7–18.2]; Round 2: 18.4% [95%CI 16.0–20.7]; Round 3: 29.2% [95%CI 26.4–31.9]). Seroincidence for IgM/IgG positivity by Round 3 was 26.2% (95%CI 20.7–31.6). Discussion: The progressive increase in adjusted SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among workers in the Metropolitan Area of Bucaramanga is highlighted, with a notable prevalence among healthcare workers.  Conclusions: The study underscores the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among workers in the Bucaramanga Metropolitan Area, emphasizing the role of hybrid immunity following vaccination in infection rates. Continued monitoring and tailored interventions are vital for protecting vulnerable populations. How to cite this article: Colmenares-Mejía Claudia C, Quintero-Lesmes Doris C, Serrano Norma C, Meneses Ligia, Salazar Acosta Isail, Idrovo Álvaro J, Sanabria-Echeverry Duván Y, Cordero Rebolledo Helmer, Castillo Víctor. SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in Colombian urban area: follow-up on occupational groups. Revista Cuidarte. 2025;16(2):e4029.  https://doi.org/10.15649/cuidarte.4029

Highlights The COVID-19 pandemic posed a challenge to healthcare institutions, especially ICU personnel, exposing them to physical and mental health risks. Healthcare professionals, including nurses and doctors, faced anxiety and depression due to increased workloads and fear of infection. COVID-19 symptoms and working in both general ICUs and COVID-19 ICUs were identified as significant factors contributing to anxiety and depression among healthcare staff. Women in ICU healthcare roles show a slightly higher susceptibility to anxiety and depression symptoms compared to men. Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic led to a high prevalence of anxiety and depression among healthcare personnel. Objective: To assess the prevalence and independent risk factors associated with anxiety and depression symptoms among healthcare staff working in Intensive Care Units (ICUs) during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bucaramanga and its metropolitan area. Materials and Methods:   This was an analytical cross-sectional study. Anxiety and depression were measured using the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25 (HSCL-25). Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted using linear regressions to investigate associated factors. Results: A total of 288 people were included in the study. The prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms was 8.34% (95% CI: 5.41-12.14%). In the bivariate analysis, six factors were associated with depression and anxiety symptoms; however, only three remained in the multivariate analysis: female sex (β=0.085, 95% CI; 0.019 - 0.151), experiencing COVID-19 symptoms in the past 14 days (β= 0.115, 95% CI: 0.024 - 0.205), and having worked in general ICUs and COVID-19 ICUs (β =0.009, 95% CI: 0.025 - 0.173). Discussion: The prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms was considerably lower than reported in the scientific literature. Conclusions: In the studied population, although the prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms was low, three independent factors were found to be statistically associated with the presence of these mental symptoms. How to cite this article: Díaz-Mayorga Laura Andrea, Vivas-López Harol Giovanni, Torres Contreras Claudia Consuelo, Rojas Lyda Z, Serrano Norma C, Serrano-García Angie Yarlady, Parra Ortiz Margarita Rosa, Quintero-Lesmes Doris Cristina. COVID-19: Factors associated with symptoms of anxiety and depression in the ICU. Revista Cuidarte. 2025;16(1):e3998.  https://doi.org/10.15649/cuidarte.3998

Highlights Guidelines recommend using peripherally inserted central catheters for treatment lasting more than 14 days. This study suggests that, compared to short peripheral catheters, peripherally inserted central catheters are more effective in preventing minor complications and subsequent catheter failure during prolonged parenteral antimicrobial therapy. Peripherally inserted central catheters remain more expensive than short peripheral catheters due to higher insertion and material costs. Nurse-led insertion of peripherally inserted central catheters may reduce costs for patients requiring prolonged parenteral antimicrobial therapy, leading to possible reductions in the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio. Introduction: Hospital-at-home programs rely on vascular access devices for secure administration of parenteral antimicrobials. While guidelines recommend peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) for treatments ≥14 days, short peripheral catheters (SPC) are often used instead. Cost-effectiveness studies comparing these devices and their complications are limited. Objective:  This study conducted an economic evaluation comparing PICC and SPC for patient outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy. Materials and Methods: A literature review of catheter complication frequencies yielded 1053 papers, narrowed to 18 after independent peer review. Experts were consulted, and a list of items required for catheter use was compiled to determine costs. A decision tree model was developed based on complication frequencies and costs. Results were analyzed using incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICER), univariate sensitivity analysis (tornado diagram), and multivariate sensitivity analysis (Monte Carlo simulation). Results: Major complications were similar between devices, but minor complications were more frequent with SPC. The PICC reference case assumed 50%-50% radiologist/nurse insertion, catheter cost ($74,7), ≤15-day treatment, and complication prevalence. Higher costs associated with PICC were linked to catheter material and radiologist insertion. Multivariate analysis showed ICERs of $49,2 with 90% nurse-led insertion and $24,3 with 100% nurse-led insertions, assuming a 50% PICC price reduction. Discussion: PICC was more effective in reducing minor complications. Costs decreased with nurse-led insertions and lower catheter material costs. Conclusions:  Increasing PICC use for extended treatments could reduce overall costs and lower ICERs, highlighting their potential economic advantage despite higher initial expenses. How to cite this article: Vélez- Bonilla Mariana, Hernández- Flórez Catalina, Solano-Felizzola Allan, Amado-Garzón Sandra B, Rosselli Diego. Economic analysis: PICC versus short catheter for prolonged home antibiotic therapy. Revista Cuidarte. 2025;16(2):e4124.  https://doi.org/10.15649/cuidarte.4124

Highlights Water is food, which is why it is necessary to consume it daily, as it allows us to stay hydrated for developing vital functions. Water contamination is caused by microbiological, physical, and chemical characteristics. For proper water care, it is necessary to verify the storage conditions. It is always necessary to know the quality and safety of the water; this is done through periodic microbiological and physicochemical analyses that allow the detection of any non-compliance with the criteria of suitability for human consumption. Introduction: Water is an essential resource for survival, and therefore, its quality and safety must be a priority, especially for susceptible population groups.   Objectives: To determine the presence of mesophilic aerobes, coliforms, and Pseudomonas in drinking water in schools from three municipalities of Norte de Santander. Materials and Methods:  Maintenance personnel were inquired about water storage. Samples from different sources were collected and processed using the membrane filtration method to identify aerobic mesophilic bacteria, E. coli, coliforms,   Pseudomonas spp., and Salmonella spp. following the technical standards established for each microorganism.  Results: Mesophilic bacteria growth was identified in 77.50% of the samples, total coliforms in 84.00%, fecal coliforms in 72.00%, and Escherichia coli in 21%. Pseudomonas spp. was also identified in 73.00% of the samples and Salmonella spp. in 10.50%.   Discussion: These findings reflect non-compliance with current regulations due to the presence of indicator organisms such as mesophiles and the indicator par excellence in water quality: coliforms, a fact that is ratified by the presence of Pseudomonas spp. and Salmonella spp. Conclusions: The presence of these microorganisms is associated with failures in the water purification process, which allows us to expose the need for corrective actions to guarantee the microbiological quality of water and ensure health. How to cite this article: Soto Javier Andrés, Martínez-Marciales Karen Piedad. Microbiological identification of pathogens in water from educational centers in Norte de Santander. Revista Cuidarte. 2025;16(1):e4052.  https://doi.org/10.15649/cuidarte.4052

Highlights This study presents an integrative review of the factors that most influence the search for, provision, and use of mental health services by military police officers. The main results suggest that social stigma, lack of knowledge on the subject and organizational deficiencies are crucial aspects that hinder the search for psychological well-being services within the police environment. The review includes 23 articles highlighting that family support and professional development are linked to the search for psychological help among military police officers. Further research is needed to evaluate mental health programs, understand the difficulties in implementing these services, and promote the search for psychological help to improve police officers' health and population safety. Introduction: Military police officers daily face stressful and potentially traumatic situations, resulting in a high prevalence of occupational stress and mental comorbidities within this group. Despite this, the pursuit of mental health services by these professionals encounters structural challenges that are still insufficiently discussed.  Objective:  To determine the factors that most influence the search for, provision of, and utilization of mental health services by police officers through an integrative literature review. Materials and Methods: The search for articles was conducted using the following databases: Virtual Health Library (VHL), MEDLINE, Scopus, and Embase. After the selection process, 23 articles were included for analysis in this review. Results: The main findings indicate that social stigma, lack of knowledge on the subject, and organizational deficiencies are critical aspects that hinder the pursuit of psychological well-being services in the police field. Discussion: Despite the many barriers to police officers seeking mental health care, it was highlighted that family support and professional development are positively related to help-seeking behavior. Conclusion: Further research is needed to evaluate mental health programs and better understand the difficulties in implementing these services. Promoting the search for psychological help is essential to improving police officers' health and population's safety. How to cite this article: De Melo, Lara Gardênia Bezerra; Lima, Diana Lívia de Sales; Fernandes, Heronildo Almeida Luna; Silva, Ysabele Yngrydh Valente; Fonseca, Alvaro Micael Duarte; Do Nascimento, Ellany Gurgel Cosme. Desafios estruturais na busca por serviços de saúde mental entre policiais militares: Uma revisão integrativa. Revista Cuidarte. 2025;16(1):e4131.  https://doi.org/10.15649/cuidarte.4131

Highlights The 95-95-95 targets set by the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) aim to reduce new infections, discrimination and deaths from HIV to zero. The rates for achieving the 95-95-95 targets are much lower than expected, especially for the group of children and teenagers. In the countries analyzed, only Guatemala met the first target 95. The second target was met by ten countries, and the third target was met by only four countries. Despite the increase in strategies for controlling HIV, there are many inequalities between countries, contributing to the vulnerability of some population groups, such as children and teenagers. Introduction: The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has set the 95-95-95 targets. It is expected that 95% of HIV-positive individuals will know their HIV status and of these, 95% will be on antiretroviral therapy (ART) and 95% will achieve viral suppression. Objective: To analyze the distribution and spatial autocorrelation of the 95-95-95 targets among children and adolescents living with HIV/AIDS in Latin America and the Caribbean. Materials and Methods: An epidemiological ecological study using data from AIDSinfo by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) on the 95-95-95 targets among children and adolescents between 2015 and 2022. The analysis was performed using Moran's spatial autocorrelation coefficient (global and local), considering a 5% significance level. Results: A total of 52,000 and 42,000 cases of HIV/AIDS among children and adolescents in Latin America and the Caribbean were analyzed, respectively, for the period from 2015 to 2022. Disparities in the targets were identified between countries, with significant spatial autocorrelation for the second target of 95, showing a value of 0.375 (p-value 0.017). Discussion:   Among the 27 countries included in the study, only Guatemala met the first 95 target. To reach the goal, strategies are needed to increase access to HIV testing, with more accessible counseling and testing services. Conclusion: There are discrepancies between countries in Latin America and the Caribbean in meeting and increasing the percentage of the 95-95-95 targets. The study allowed the identification of priority areas for attention, highlighting the need for new strategies and policies tailored to each locality, assisting in the achievement of the targets. How to cite this article: Piran, Camila Moraes Garollo; De Oliveira, Natan Nascimento; Mori, Mariana Martire; De Oliveira, Rosana Rosseto; Villarroel Yañez, Leslie; Carmona-Gutiérrez, Andrés Antonio; Furtado, Marcela Demitto . Target 95-95-95 during childhood and preadolescence in Latin America and the Caribbean. Revista Cuidarte. 2025;16(1): e4186.  https://doi.org/10.15649/cuidarte.4186

Highlights Research on the social determinants of health for suicidal behavior offers an opportunity to transcend the traditional psychopathological and biomedical explanations. Research from this theoretical stance does not go deeper into the model and only analyzes a few determinants of the structural or intermediate category of suicide attempt and suicide. From this perspective, research is scarce in Latin America, which presents an opportunity for the generation of new knowledge. Half of the studies assessed incurred confounding bias, so the associations should be considered with caution. Introduction: Suicidal behavior is an important health problem, frequently studied from a risk perspective. Evidence that transcends this hegemonic view is required. Objective: To identify the structural and intermediate social health determinants associated with attempted suicide and completed suicide in Latin American adolescents and youth, according to published literature. Materials and Methods: Systematic review following PRISMA recommendations, performed in LILACS, Google academic and Pubmed using keywords. Primary ecological studies performed in Latin America were included, which were evaluated for confounding bias, data quality and ecological fallacy. Results: Initially, 23,770 documents were located, and 10 were finally included. The structural determinants associated with suicide include being male, aged 15-24 years, having a high Gini index, having a low Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita, and being Catholic or Evangelical. While the suicide attempt was due to educational backwardness, being a woman, and living in the municipal seat. The intermediate determinants for suicide attempts were tobacco and alcohol consumption, violent episodes, and depression. Discussion: The proposed theoretical model offers a novel view of the problem, moving away from individual responsibility and giving an active role to lifestyle-related conditions contributing to health inequities. Conclusion: Social determinants offer a novel view for developing new prevention actions; however, empirical evidence from Latin America remains contradictory, and half of the studies reviewed were affected by confounding bias. Therefore, these associations should be interpreted with caution. How to cite this article: Hernández Bello Ladini Sunanda, Ríos Paternina Andrés Mauricio, De la Hoz Restrepo Fernando. Suicide attempt and completed suicide in adolescents and young people on from the social health determinants: A systematic review. Revista Cuidarte. 2025;16(1):e4184.  https://doi.org/10.15649/cuidarte.4184