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

Introduction: Self-medication with antibiotics is a global problem, particularly prevalent in low and middle-income countries. It mainly affects children, significantly contributing to bacterial resistance. The present study aims to determine the frequency, associated factors, and characterization of self-medication with antibiotics in children.   Materials and Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted based on a survey administered at the Santa Rosa Hospital, Lima, between December 2023 and February 2024. Parents who attended outpatient consultations and lived with their children were included. The sample size was 414 participants. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analyses were performed. All ethical aspects were respected.   Results: Of the 402 parents interviewed, 39.1% reported having self-medicated their child at some point. The main reasons were sore throat and fever, with amoxicillin being the most commonly used antibiotic (59.1%). The factors significantly associated with self-medication were the child’s age, family income, and the number of children. Conclusions: 4 in 10 children have self-medicated at some point in their lives. Our findings highlight the need to implement educational interventions targeted at families with lower incomes and multiple children, who are more prone to self-medication.

Objectives: To determine the proportion of patients who achieved glycemic control within 24 hours of admission to the emergency department in three Peruvian hospitals, as well as to assess the relationship between the achievement of glycemic control at 24 hours and mortality and unfavorable outcomes. Methodology: An observational analytical cohort study was conducted in three Peruvian hospitals, including 730 patients admitted for hyperglycemia. Variables such as glycemic control, mortality, and unfavorable outcomes were examined using descriptive and multivariate statistical analyses. Results: The average age of the patients was 60 years, with a majority being male. 85.1% had a history of diabetes mellitus, and hypertension was the most prevalent comorbidity. 4% of patients died. Glycemic control was achieved in 45% of the patients. 34% received fixed doses of insulin. No association was found between glycemic control and mortality, the need for mechanical ventilation, or hemodialysis. Patients who achieved glycemic control had significantly shorter hospital stays compared to those who did not achieve control (51% vs. 60%; p=0.02). Conclusion: Glycemic control was achieved in 45% of patients admitted with hyperglycemia to the emergency department. The majority of patients received insulin in sliding scale regimens rather than fixed doses. Glycemic control within 24 hours was associated with a lower proportion of patients with prolonged hospital stays, although it was not associated with reduced mortality or the need for mechanical ventilation.

Introduction: Health locus of control refers to an individual's perception of the extent to which they can influence their own health status. It is classified as internal when the person assumes responsibility for their health, or external when control is attributed to chance or other people. These beliefs directly affect self-care practices and lifestyle decisions. Objective: To determine the association between the dimensions of health locus of control (internality, powerful others, and chance) and lifestyle habits among university students in Lima, Peru. Methodology: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted between March and April 2023 using an online survey. A total of 918 students from a private university participated, selected through non-probabilistic consecutive sampling. Validated instruments were used to assess lifestyle (nine dimensions) and health locus of control (three dimensions). Descriptive and bivariate analyses were carried out using the Chi-square test. Results: A total of 55.2% of participants reported having an unhealthy lifestyle. The internality dimension was significantly associated with sex (p<0.001), age (p=0.043), and place of residence (p=0.001). The dimensions of powerful others and chance were significantly associated with lifestyle (p=0.003 and p=0.001, respectively). Conclusions: An internal health locus of control is associated with healthier behaviors, while an external locus, particularly the chance dimension, is linked to riskier lifestyle patterns. These findings underscore the importance of incorporating psychological factors into health promotion strategies targeted at university populations

Objective: To determine the association between nomophobia and anxiety in Human Medicine students at Universidad Peruana Los Andes. Materials and Methods: This was an observational, analytical, and cross-sectional study. The sample consisted of 292 students from the first to the tenth academic cycle. Sociodemographic characteristics were evaluated, as well as nomophobia using the NMP-Q instrument and anxiety using the GAD-7 scale. The Chi-square test was used to determine the association. Results: Among the respondents, 181 (61.99%) were female. The most frequent age group was 18–20 years (57.88%), and the mean age was 20.45 ± 2.20 years. The prevalence of nomophobia was 95.89%. The 18–20 age group presented the widest range of nomophobia scores (20–140), the highest mean score was recorded in the sixth academic cycle (71.49 ± 41.26), and among male students (67.11 ± 36.81). On the other hand, the results showed that the prevalence of anxiety was 82.19%. The highest mean anxiety scores were observed in female students (10.11 ± 4.50), in the 18–20 age group (10.38 ± 5.03), and in the fifth academic cycle (10.78 ± 4.30). Conclusions: A statistically significant relationship was found between the prevalence and severity levels of nomophobia and anxiety (p < 0.001). It is concluded that nomophobia and anxiety are common issues among medical students, and the relationship between them should be considered of importance.

Introduction: Clinical simulation has become an essential educational tool in the training of healthcare professionals due to its ability to replicate complex clinical scenarios in controlled environments. Peer-assisted learning is a widely recognized educational strategy, defined as the process through which individuals of the same level actively collaborate in the acquisition of knowledge and skills. Objective: To compare the validation results of clinical simulation practices in Zone 1 between students of the Mandatory Final Practice (PFO) and teachers in the simulation area. Material and methods: Eighty-five final-year medical students were evaluated through student-teacher peer assessments on four clinical skills in Zone 1 of simulation. Two stages were carried out: one without prior feedback and another with teacher feedback before the simulation. Results: An improvement in the correlation between student and teacher assessments was observed in the stage with prior feedback compared to the stage without it. Conclusion: The findings suggest that providing teacher feedback prior to the simulation improves the effectiveness and reliability of peer assessments in clinical simulation settings.

Objective: To compare the factors associated with inadequate prenatal care in the first and second trimesters of pregnancy in women attending the outpatient clinic of the National Maternal Perinatal Institute, a referral hospital in Lima, Peru.  Methodology:  A retrospective analytical cross-sectional study was designed with pregnant women attended at the National Maternal Perinatal Institute in Lima, Peru. The study included 256 pregnant women with more than 26 weeks and 6 days of gestation. Demographic factors, gynecological history, social aspects, and institutional factors related to prenatal care attendance were collected through a questionnaire. Inadequate prenatal care was defined as fewer than 1 visit in the first trimester and fewer than 2 in the second. The strength of association was estimated using a Poisson regression model with a 95% confidence interval and a significance p-value of 0.05.  Results: Multivariate analysis revealed that in the first trimester, single women and those with primary and secondary education had a higher risk of inadequate attendance, as did those attended by midwives and those living far from the hospital. Women with high-risk pregnancies had a lower risk. In the second trimester, the higher risk persisted for single women and those with lower education, but women born in provinces had a lower risk, while those with three or more children had a higher risk of inadequate attendance.  Conclusions: These findings highlight key differences between trimesters in the factors associated with inadequate prenatal attendance.  Keywords: Risk, prenatal care, education, pregnancy, trimester. 

Objective: To determine the association between altitude of residence and mortality from COVID-19 among individuals with diabetes mellitus in Peru during the first wave of the pandemic. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of deaths recorded in the National Death System of Peru (SINADEF). The study included Peruvian individuals with diabetes mellitus identified by the diagnosis in any of the six designated fields on the death certificate. The dependent variable was death from COVID-19, classified as the basic cause of death according to the Pan American Health Organization. The independent variable was altitude of residence, categorized as less than 1,500 meters above sea level, between 1,500 and 2,499 m and greater than or equal to 2,500 m. We employed multilevel analysis by geographic region and used Poisson regression to calculate risk ratios for COVID-19 mortality based on altitude, adjusting for age, sex, comorbidities, and monetary poverty. Results: The analysis included 16,406 deaths involving individuals with diabetes mellitus from March to December 2020. Among these, 34.3% were attributed to COVID-19, with 9.7% of the deceased residing above 2,500 m. The proportion of COVID-19-related deaths in individuals living above 2500 m was 20% lower compared to those below 1500 m (RR: 0.80; 95% CI: 0.70 – 0.91; p<0.001), after adjusting for individual and socioeconomic factors. Conclusion: Higher altitude of residence was associated with a lower proportion of COVID-19 deaths in individuals with diabetes mellitus during the first wave in Peru. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings and explore the mechanisms of adaptation to high altitude regarding infectious and non-communicable diseases.

Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) in cell culture are essential to ensure the quality and reproducibility of results in scientific and biomedical research. This review aimed to comprehensively analyze the regulations and standards related to GLP in the management of cell cultures, emphasizing their importance for the quality and reliability of scientific findings. A literature review was conducted, encompassing 33 articles published between 1994 and 2023 in academically relevant databases such as Scopus, ProQuest, ResearchGate, ScienceDirect, Springer, among others. Search terms included "Good Laboratory Practices," "GLP," "regulations," and "cell cultures," with specific selection criteria applied. Extracted data covered regulatory frameworks, governing bodies, and areas of application. The findings highlight that guidelines issued by organizations such as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) are essential for the proper implementation of GLP in laboratories working with cell cultures. Furthermore, critical aspects such as precise documentation of procedures, continuous staff training, and implementation of quality and sterility control measures are addressed. The review concludes that the rigorous application of GLP is crucial for ensuring reproducibility, quality, and safety of results, as well as for compliance with regulatory standards—thereby strengthening scientific integrity and fostering advances in biotechnology and biomedicine.

Objetivo: Describir el objetivo y las características de la vigilancia del dengue en la región Lambayeque antes y durante la pandemia, describir la distribución de las notificaciones de casos de dengue en la región Lambayeque antes y durante la COVID-19, y también una comparación entre provincias de la región Lambayeque antes y durante la pandemia de COVID-19. Método: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal, utilizando la base de datos del sistema de notificación epidemiológica de la Gerencia Regional de Salud, Lambayeque (noti.sp). Los datos se procesaron en Excel para tablas, gráficos, diagramas, utilizando estadística descriptiva. Se emplearon pruebas no paramétricas en el software Stata versión 16. Resultados: Las provincias con menor tiempo de notificación fueron Chiclayo y Lambayeque, con períodos de notificación promedio de 6 y 10,5 días, respectivamente. La provincia con mayor tiempo hasta ser notificada bajo investigación y registro de casos de dengue es Ferreñafe, seguida de Chiclayo. La provincia de Lambayeque está en mejor posición en comparación con Chiclayo y Ferreñafe. Conclusiones: Debido al covid 19, puede haber causado retrasos en la identificación de casos de dengue.

Extensive composite restorations in posterior teeth present several challenges. One of the main ones is to achieve adequate occlusal contacts and accurately reproduce the natural anatomical shape of the cusps and pits. To address this problem, techniques, such as the use of occlusal replicas, have been developed to more closely copy the occlusal morphology. This method requires less invasive preparation, but marginal and internal adaptation is important for longevity. Objective: To evaluate the internal and marginal adaptation using different materials associated with the occlusal replication technique. Methodology: Experimental in vitro study, in which a 3D printed artificial mandibular first molar of piece number 46 with an occlusal class I cavity was prepared to receive the respective occlusal replica. The occlusal matrices (n = 30) and their teeth, will be divided according to the material into 3 groups n=10. Group 1: occlusal replica fabricated with light-curing restorative material. Group 2: occlusal replica made of clear self-curing acrylic, Group 3: occlusal replica made of silicone by condensation reaction. The marginal fit was evaluated using a Canon EOS-Rebel-T7 camera with a 100mm macro lens and MR-14EX- II-Macro-Ring-Lite ring- flash on three surfaces (vestibular, mesial and occlusal) while, the internal fit was evaluated at five different points (Point-A: disto-axial-occlusal, Point-B: disto-axial-pulpal, Mid-pulpal, Point-C: mesio-axial-pulpal, Point-D: mesio-axial-occlusal). Statistical analysis was performed in the Stata-14 program and “the results obtained were analyzed with the ANOVA parametric statistical test and the Kruskal-Wallis” nonparametric statistical test, together with the Bonferroni post hoc analysis to compare the measures. Results: The mean marginal fit in microns existed greater adaptation in the occlusal silicone replicas by condensation reaction with a value of 38.07 ±4.12 µm (p<0.001) followed by clear self-curing acrylic with a value of 51.18±3.97 µm and lastly light-curing resin with a value of 71.34 ±9.65 µm and a (p<0.001). While the average internal fit in microns existed greater adaptation in the occlusal replicas of silicone by condensation reaction with a value of 51.34 ±3.95 µm followed by transparent self-curing acrylic with a value of 66.88 ±4.43 µm and lastly light-curing resin with a value of 105.31 ±18.07 µm and a (p<0.001). Conclusions: With the limitations of this study it can be confirmed that the occlusal replicas elaborated with silicone by condensation reaction presented better properties with respect to marginal and internal fit.