Nursing, Advanced and Specialized Nursing, Fundamentals and skills, Multidisciplinary
6
Scopus Publications
Scopus Publications
Highly stressful global event affecting health sciences students: A longitudinal qualitative study Yolanda E. Salazar-Granizo, Rafael A. Caparros-Gonzalez, Daniel Puente-Fernandez, César Hueso-Montoro Plos One, 2025 Background Stressful events of great magnitude have produced significant changes in society and in health education. University students have faced considerable challenges both during and after such events, which have affected their lifestyles, mental health, the development of academic activities, and changes in education systems due to the adoption of new teaching models and the use of online technology. Objectives To explore the perspectives and experiences of university health sciences students regarding their lifestyles and academic stress both during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, a highly stressful event. This study also aimed to establish relationships among the criteria involved. Design and participants Qualitative analytical-interpretative research using the hermeneutic method was conducted, and the coded numerically matched responses were complementarily analyzed with inferential statistics. The sample consisted of 1,735 students enrolled in the Nursing, Physiotherapy, Clinical Laboratory, Medicine, Dentistry, and Clinical Psychology programs of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the National University of Chimborazo in Ecuador. Data were collected considering two time points: during mandatory social isolation (T1 = virtual modality) and upon the return to face-to-face activities (T2 = face-to-face modality). Results After analyzing the texts produced by the students, four main themes were identified: (1) lifestyle modifications; (2) the alteration of academic activities; (3) a preference for the vocational training modality; and (4) academic stress. Significant differences were identified between male and female students. As for academic programs with numerically matched codes 33 codes were identified at T1 and 35 at T2. Conclusions COVID-19, a stressful event of great magnitude impacted the lifestyles of health sciences students and caused them academic stress. Academic program and gender were statistically significant in some of the changes. During isolation and in the return to face-to-face learning, the students modified their lifestyles and experienced academic overload.
Lifestyles and Academic Stress in University Students of Health Sciences: A Mixed-Methodology Study Yolanda E. Salazar-Granizo, Cesar Hueso-Montoro, Rafael A. Caparros-Gonzalez Healthcare Switzerland, 2024 The global health emergency generated by the COVID-19 pandemic (caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus) led to the implementation of extraordinary measures such as confinement and isolation in many countries to mitigate the spread of the virus. (1) This study analyzes the lifestyles and academic and perceived stresses of university students of health sciences during the period of online learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The relationship between lifestyles and academic stress was examined. (2) A parallel mixed-method convergent study was conducted, with a correlational non-experimental design. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected and analyzed in parallel, with parametric and nonparametric testing for quantitative data and Miles and Huberman’s approach to qualitative analysis. The qualitative findings complemented the quantitative results. The number of students who participated in this study was 2734, from six programs in health, nursing, medicine, clinical laboratory, physiotherapy, dentistry, and clinical psychology at the University of Chimborazo, Ecuador. (3) Overall, the health science students had “Unhealthy or health-compromising lifestyles”, medical students being the ones who have healthier lifestyles. However, more than 80% experienced and perceived stress during the period of online learning and social isolation due to the pandemic, women being the ones who experienced it at a higher level. (4) The online learning modality during the COVID-19 pandemic modified lifestyles and generated stress in health science students, due to changes in daily routines, sedentary lifestyle, and stress, as a result of social isolation. Therefore, the students prefer face-to-face teaching, perceived as enabling more enriching interactions with their teachers and peers and the opportunity to develop essential practical skills in their health practice.
Lifestyles and academic stress among health sciences students at the National University of Chimborazo, Ecuador: a longitudinal study Yolanda E. Salazar-Granizo, César Hueso-Montoro, Rafael A. Caparros-Gonzalez Frontiers in Public Health, 2024 BackgroundThe significant changes experienced by university students in their training are inherent to educational processes. Social isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, online education and the reopening of higher-education institutions produced substantial variations in the lifestyle of university students in health sciences and generated academic stress and perceived stress. This study was conducted at the National University of Chimborazo (UNACH), a public institution located in Riobamba, central Ecuador, the diverse student's population provided an ideal setting for examining the interplay between academic and perceived stress, lifestyle factors, and learning modalities. The research focused on health sciences students across six academic programs. The university's geographical position and demographic characteristics offered a representative sample for investigating these factors within the context changing.AimTo compare academic and perceived stress and university students' lifestyles at two different periods: (1) during the mandatory social confinement caused by the COVID-19 pandemic with an online learning modality (T1); (2) in the post-pandemic period with a return to face-to-face activities (T2).DesignAn observational, analytical, quantitative, and longitudinal study.ParticipantsStudents from six programs (Nursing, Physiotherapy, Clinical Laboratory, Medicine, Dentistry, and Clinical Psychology) from the Faculty of Health of the National University of Chimborazo-Ecuador (n = 2,237) participated voluntarily, the students had one mean age of M = 21.31 (SD = 2.36) at T1 and M = 22.94 (SD = 2.40) at T2. Non-probability convenience sampling was employed due to the accessibility of the student population and the importance of including the maximum number of relevant individuals within the study population.MethodsThe following instruments were used: Nola Pender's Lifestyle Profile Questionnaire, Cognitive Systemic Inventory for the study of academic stress, and Cohen's Perceived Stress Scale.ResultsIn T1 and T2, students reported high levels of stress, and increased unhealthy lifestyle increased with the return to classrooms. Additionally, upon returning to face-to-face activities (T2), the mean score applied to the responses of Nola Pender's Lifestyle Profile Questionnaire decreased from M = 113.34 (SD = 23.02) to M = 107.2 (SD = 29.70; p < 0.001). There was significant difference (p < 0.001) in academic stress in T1 [M = 66.25 (SD = 15.66)] and T2 [M = 64.00 (SD = 17.91)].ConclusionsUpon returning to university classrooms (T2), the number of students who reported an “unhealthy” lifestyle increased. Academic stress was high in T1 and T2 and was reported higher in online activities during social isolation.
Sun exposure practices, attitudes and knowledge among students and teachers at a University School of Health Sciences in Ecuador J. Cambil-Martín, J.D. Sánchez López, A. Rodríguez-Martínez, F. Rivas-Ruiz, Y.E. Salazar-Granizo, A.S. Herrera-Molina, N. Blázquez-Sánchez, M. De Troya-Martín Preventive Medicine Reports, 2023 Skin cancer incidence is increasing worldwide. Late adolescence and young adulthood are fundamental stages of life to acquire good sun exposure practices, regarding both personal involvement in skin cancer prevention and being a role model for others, especially in a health education environment. This descriptive cross-sectional study is based on the validated CHACES questionnaire to study sun exposure and photoprotection behavior among students and teachers at the School of Health Sciences in the National University of Chimborazo, Riobamba (Ecuador). University members (814 students (89.8 %) and 93 teachers (10.2 %)) were studied, with a predominance of females and light-skin phototypes in both groups. Similar results were obtained regarding sun exposure, with higher recreative exposure in the teachers' group and higher occupational exposure in students. However, students significantly showed lower avoiding midday sun (41.9 % vs 60.9 %), and lower use of sunglasses (10.1 % vs. 41.6 %). Attitudes towards the sun and photoprotection knowledge issues were also equivalent between students and teachers (6.1/10 vs 6.2/10). Students' sunburn rate last year reaches 88.4 % and 52.7 % in teachers (p < 0.001). Using a multivariable logistic regression model, we identified risk factors associated with a greater risk of sunburn in our population. This study highlights areas to be improved regarding knowledge, attitudes and, especially, practices of photoprotection, among students and teachers at the University of Chimborazo. These results point out that awareness-raising campaigns should be implemented to reduce sunburns, morbidity and mortality of skin cancer in this environment.
Relevance of the academic training in Nursing. National University of Chimborazo. Ecuador Yosbanys Roque Herrera, Carlos Gafas González, Angélica Salomé Herrera Molina, Yolanda Salazar Granizo, Cielito del Rosario Betancourt Jimbo, Katiuska Figueredo Villa Educacion Medica, 2018 Se realizó una investigación exploratoria, con enfoque mixto, con el propósito de analizar la pertinencia de la carrera de enfermería de la Universidad Nacional de Chimborazo. La población de trabajo quedó conformada por las muestras «A» y «B», la primera incluyó a los 149 graduados de esa oferta académica desde enero de 2011 hasta diciembre de 2014. La determinación del tamaño muestral (105 individuos) se efectuó mediante un muestreo probabilístico del tipo aleatorio simple. La segunda quedó constituida por los 29 empleadores y 11 instituciones del Sistema Nacional de Salud, donde trabajaban dichos titulados, para lo cual se usó un muestreo no probabilístico por conveniencia. El estudio permitió establecer la pertinencia de esa carrera; en el que se observó la necesidad de continuar graduando estos profesionales para contribuir a la sostenibilidad de los servicios de salud en el contexto investigado. Los empleadores refirieron satisfacción con el desempeño de los egresados y manifestaron interés por que se mantenga su formación debido a la demanda de este recurso humano. Los encuestados manifestaron satisfacción con la preparación recibida durante su formación profesional. Las debilidades identificadas por estos estuvieron relacionadas con las dimensiones «investigación» y «dirección en salud», las cuales pueden ser solubles mediante el rediseño curricular. An exploratory research was carried out, using a mixed approach, with the purpose of determing the relevance of the Nursing degree in the National University of Chimborazo. The study population consisted of samples “A” and “B”, with the first including the 149 graduates of this course from January 2011 to December 2014. The determination of the sample size (105 individuals) was made using probabilistic sampling of the simple random type. The second sample consisted of the 29 employers and 11 institutions of the National Health System where the graduates worked, for which convenience non-probabilistic sampling was used. The study was able to establish the relevance of this degree course, in which it was observed the need to continue graduating these professionals to contribute to the sustainability of the Health services in the researched context. Employers reported satisfaction with the performance of graduates and expressed interest in continuing their training due to the demand for this human resource. Respondents expressed satisfaction with the preparation received during their professional training. The weaknesses identified by these were related to the dimensions “Research” and “Direction in health”, which can be resolved through the redesign of the curriculum.
Community and Family Nursing specialisation program: A reality in Ecuador Carlos Gafas González, Angélica Herrera Molina, Yolanda Elizabeth Salazar Granizo Educacion Medica, 2017 Introducción: El presente diseño en red de la especialización en Enfermería Familiar Comunitaria toma como sustrato metodológico la Ley Orgánica de la Educación Superior, la guía del Consejo de Educación Superior y los reglamentos de las instituciones universitarias participantes. Objetivo: Formar especialistas en Enfermería Familiar Comunitaria que, además de desarrollar las competencias genéricas y específicas necesarias para la aplicación del Proceso de Atención de Enfermería sustentado en la evidencia científica y en el Modelo de Atención Integral de Salud -Familiar, Comunitario e Intercultural, integre en su actuar la atención al individuo, la familia y la comunidad sobre la base de la ética, la bioética, el respeto a la diversidad cultural, de género y de los derechos humanos. Métodos: Se realizó una investigación de campo, analítica, con un enfoque cualitativo, durante el período abril-agosto de 2015. La población estuvo constituida por los reglamentos y documentos rectores para la formulación de estos programas. Se emplearon los métodos lógico-práctico, inductivo-deductivo y analítico-sintético. Resultados: Se realizaron talleres con amplia participación y toma de decisiones consensuadas, en los que se llevó a cabo un análisis de la oferta académica a nivel local, regional e internacional, la justificación y la necesidad de su implementación en el país, la definición de la duración, la modalidad de estudio, el número de posgradistas, la cobertura, la descripción, los objetivos, el perfil de ingreso y egreso, los requisitos de graduación y la malla curricular. Conclusiones: La implementación de este programa de especialización en Enfermería Familiar Comunitaria, en las universidades participantes y en otras que se acojan a él, se considera necesaria para el progreso científico de la disciplina, ya que proporciona actualización, profundización, perfeccionamiento y ampliación de las competencias laborales requeridas para el desempeño de este profesional en la atención primaria de salud, en correspondencia con las necesidades del desarrollo económico, social y cultural del país.
