Salud, Ciencia y Tecnología (Journal)
Not a member yet
1715 research outputs found
Sort by
Understanding the mother\u27s knowledge and attitudes regarding newborn screening in rural areas of Tamil Nadu, India
Get PDFIntroduction: Newborn screening (NBS) is an effective intervention for congenital disorders that can prevent morbidity and mortality if accessible. The study aims to evaluate the knowledge, acceptance, and attitude towards newborn screening in Tamil Nadu, India, among rural mothers, and identify its determinants. Methods: A community-based, cross-sectional study was conducted at government and private hospitals in Thiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu, from June to August 2024. Data from 280 mothers who had recently given birth were analyzed. Statistical tests such as the Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and multivariate logistic regression were used to identify predictors of maternal knowledge and attitudes via SPSS 25.0. Results: Only 37.5% of mothers demonstrated high knowledge of NBS, while 56.4% showed a positive attitude. Findings indicated that higher education (OR = 2.92, 95% CI: 1.99–4.29, p < 0.001) and prior knowledge of NBS (OR = 3.25, 95% CI: 2.18–4.85, p < 0.001) are strong predictors of awareness. Urban residency and higher family income significantly influenced understanding and favorable perceptions of NBS. Having a consanguineous marriage decreased the likelihood of positive attitude towards NBS (OR = 0.51, p = 0.033), suggesting a cultural barrier. Conclusion: The findings indicate that socio-demographic factors are significantly associated with maternal knowledge and attitudes towards NBS. It is essential to strengthen community educational programs to raise awareness of the NBS process and improve participation
Multifactorial Analysis of Chronic Energy Deficiency in Adolescent Girls: Innovative RF-AR App for Early Detection and Effective Intervention
Get PDFIntroduction: Chronic Energy Deficiency (CED) in adolescent girls remains a significant public health concern influenced by various interrelated factors. This study aimed to analyze the multifactorial determinants of CED and to develop an innovative health intervention using the RF-AR application for early detection and effective management.Methods: An observational analytic study with a cross-sectional design was conducted involving adolescent girls from diverse socioeconomic and geographic backgrounds. Data were collected through structured surveys. Multifactorial analysis encompassed genetic, environmental, lifestyle, and psychological factors. The data were analyzed using univariate, bivariate, and multivariate approaches to identify significant predictors of CED.Results: The study revealed that poor nutritional intake, limited access to health information, and low socioeconomic status were significantly associated with higher rates of CED among adolescent girls. The multifactorial model underscored the complexity of CED etiology. Additionally, the RF-AR application demonstrated potential as a supportive tool for early screening and individualized intervention planning.Conclusions: The findings confirmed that adolescent girls with inadequate nutrient intake are at a greater risk of developing CED. A multifactorial intervention strategy, supported by technological tools like the RF-AR app, offers a promising approach to early detection and effective prevention of CED at a broader scale
Research Directions for Decentralized Technology Transactions: An Update
Get PDFDecentralized technologies such as blockchain and federated learning have emerged as promising solutions to improve privacy, transparency, and security in distributed environments. This paper aims to provide updated research directions concerning the unresolved issues of linkability and traceability in decentralized technology transactions. A systematic review was conducted using Scopus and Web of Science databases, covering studies published between 2017 and 2023. A total of 313 papers were initially identified, screened, and filtered based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, resulting in 29 relevant studies. The analysis indicates that most prior works focused on privacy preservation and incentive mechanisms but neglected linkability and traceability concerns. Several approaches, including ring signatures, CryptoNote protocols, and smart contract-based incentives, were identified as potential solutions. While blockchain–federated learning integration enhances privacy, unresolved traceability and linkability issues still pose significant risks in sensitive domains such as healthcare and finance. Future work should prioritize addressing these issues to ensure secure, anonymous, and scalable decentralized transactions
Global Trends and Insights in Peer Facilitation Research and Practices in School Settings
Get PDFIntroduction: a peer facilitator is a student appointed to help peers with learning difficulties, usually from a higher-achieving group. This approach benefits both facilitators and participants by enhancing knowledge, skills, and confidence. Peer-led programs improve academic performance, self-concept, and behavior. Research highlights their effectiveness in education and health, emphasizing the need for proper training and support.Peer facilitation has gained attention as an alternative approach in health, education, and social programs. Despite extensive research, gaps remain in its theoretical and methodological foundations.Method: This study employs bibliometric analysis to explore trends, key themes, and research gaps in peer facilitation from 2014–2024. Using Biblioshiny-R and VOSviewer, it maps academic contributions and emerging interdisciplinary connections. The study involved a bibliometric analysis of 249 publications on the subject listed in the Scopus database from 2014 to 2024. The bibliometric procedure evaluates research performance and progress within an international impact framework, while Biblioshiny-R and VOSviewer visualize overall research trends in peer facilitator.Results: This study analyzed 249 peer-reviewed articles on peer facilitators from Scopus. Publications grew significantly from 2014 to 2024, peaking in 2024. A three-field plot highlights key references, authors, and topics like mental health and youth development. Bradford’s Law identifies BMJ Open and BMC Public Health as core journals. University College London leads institutional contributions. The results of the study show that United State is the country with the most publications related to peer facilitator. Annette W. Burgess and Stuart J. Fairclough are two prominent authors in this field based on the total number of publications and citations. The journal BMJ Open is the journal that has published the most papers on this topic.Conclusions: This paper is useful to academics, organizations, and policy makers in understanding the general picture of the peer facilitation field and allows future researchers to see where this research began and trace its shift over time. Findings highlight their effectiveness in promoting health awareness, enhancing communication skills, and fostering peer support. Future research should explore students’ perspectives and qualitative aspects, such as emotional and social benefits, to deepen understanding of their impact
Outcomes of Laparoscopic Versus Open Surgery in the Treatment of Complications of Penetrating Crohn’s Disease: A Systematic Review
Get PDFBackground:
Penetrating Crohn’s disease (CD) frequently results in fistulas, abscesses, or strictures, requiring surgery in up to 70% of cases. While laparoscopic surgery (LS) is well established in elective CD, its role in penetrating disease remains uncertain due to technical challenges and variable outcomes compared with open surgery (OS).
Methods:
We conducted a systematic review following PRISMA guidelines. Comparative studies (retrospective cohorts, propensity-matched analyses, randomized controlled trials, and meta-analyses) were identified through multiple databases. Primary outcomes included perioperative complications, wound infection, incisional hernia, postoperative pain, hospital stay, and disease recurrence.
Results:
Eight studies were included. LS was associated with reduced perioperative complications (RR 0.71, p = 0.001), lower incisional hernia risk (RR 0.24, p = 0.02), and shorter hospital stay (5 vs. 8 days, p < 0.05). Conversion to OS occurred in 10–25% of cases due to disease extent. Long-term recurrence rates were comparable between LS and OS (30% at 5 years; 60% at 10 years).
Conclusion:
LS provides superior short-term outcomes over OS in penetrating CD, with fewer complications and faster recovery. Long-term disease control is equivalent, and outcomes depend strongly on patient selection and surgical expertise in managing complex disease
Digital Financial Literacy and Technology Adoption for Strengthening Financial Inclusion and MSMEs’ Performance in Banten, Indonesia
Get PDFIntroduction: micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Banten Province, Indonesia, face persistent challenges in financial literacy and the adoption of financial technology (FinTech). Limited access to formal financial services and low levels of financial knowledge constrain their capacity to achieve sustainable growth and resilience in the digital economy.
Objective: This study investigates the influence of financial literacy and FinTech adoption on the financial performance of MSMEs, considering financial inclusion, risk management, and financial decision-making behavior as mediating variables.
Method: A mixed-method design was applied, combining survey data from 150 MSME owners with in-depth interviews and focus group discussions involving key stakeholders. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was employed to test both direct and indirect relationships among variables.
Results: Findings demonstrate that financial literacy significantly improves MSMEs’ access to and utilization of formal financial services, thereby strengthening financial performance. Financial inclusion emerged as a key mediating factor linking financial literacy and FinTech adoption with business outcomes. The use of FinTech tools facilitates efficiency, access to innovative services, and sustainable business practices, though these benefits depend on adequate digital financial literacy.
Conclusion: Strengthening financial literacy and advancing inclusive FinTech infrastructure are essential strategies to empower MSMEs. These interventions are crucial for enhancing financial resilience, competitiveness, and sustainable development within an increasingly technology-driven economy
Virtual reality for enhancing spatial ability in interior design Education
Get PDFIntroduction: This study investigated the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) technology in enhancing spatial ability among interior design students.
Methods: A mixed-methods approach was employed, involving a quasi-experimental design with pre- and post-tests. Sixty-two second-year interior design students were divided into an experimental group (n=28), which received VR-based instruction, and a control group (n=34), which underwent traditional teaching. The intervention utilized a head-mounted display (HMD) VR system in a dedicated immersive classroom. Standardized instruments, including the Spatial Reasoning Instrument (SRI) and the Architecture and Interior Design Spatial Ability Test (AISAT), were used to measure spatial ability. Semi-structured interviews provided qualitative insights.
Results: The experimental group showed significant improvements in mental rotation (F=16.07, p<0.001，η²=0.25) and spatial visualization (F=20.83, p<0.001，η²=0.16), as well as overall spatial ability (F=23.56, p<0.001，η²=0.12). No significant change was observed in spatial orientation. Qualitative data indicated that students found VR immersive, intuitive, and beneficial for understanding spatial relationships.
Conclusions: The study demonstrated that VR-based instruction significantly enhances specific spatial abilities in interior design education. However, spatial orientation requires further targeted intervention. These findings support the integration of VR into design curricula, guided by experiential and cognitive learning theories.
Educational modality and performance: Differential patterns by major in a university cohort before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic
Get PDFIntroduction: the COVID-19 pandemic forced a transition to virtual education in universities, generating differentiated effects according to academic discipline. This study examines how educational modality changes impacted academic performance heterogeneously among university programs.Methods: a descriptive longitudinal study was conducted with a fixed cohort of 442 university students from five programs (Accounting and Auditing, Information Technology, Nursing, Clinical Laboratory, and Civil Engineering) over seven academic periods. Three phases were analyzed: pre-COVID face-to-face (PII_2019), virtual during-COVID (PI_2020-PII_2021), and post-COVID face-to-face (PI_2022-PII_2022), using semester averages on a 0-20 point scale.Results: health programs experienced improvements during virtuality, with Clinical Laboratory (+1,20 points) and Nursing (+0,94 points) showing the greatest increases. Upon returning to face-to-face instruction, all programs declined, with Civil Engineering being the most affected (-1,60 points). The final balance revealed positive outcomes only in health programs: Clinical Laboratory (+0,37 points) and Nursing (+0,28 points), while others recorded significant net losses.Conclusions: results evidence a marked post-pandemic disciplinary polarization, where health programs demonstrated greater capacity for adaptation and sustainability of academic achievements, contrasting with technical disciplines that experienced substantial losses, suggesting the need for differentiated educational strategies by knowledge area
Fostering Business Resilience Through Business Experience And Marketplace Utilization With The Mediating Role Of Agile Marketing. A Mixed-Method Research. Evidence In Msmes In The Fashion Sub Sector In West Java
Get PDFThis study explores how MSMEs in West Java’s fashion subsector can enhance their resilience. The objective is to examine the effects of business experience and marketplace utilization on business resilience, with agile marketing serving as a mediator. A mixed-method approach was applied, combining qualitative and quantitative analyses. In-depth interviews with selected MSME owners provided nuanced insights, while a questionnaire survey of 96 MSMEs was statistically validated using SMART PLS 4.0. The findings reveal that business experience significantly strengthens agile marketing, which in turn enhances business resilience. Marketplace utilization directly contributes to resilience but does not significantly influence agile marketing. However, agile marketing successfully mediates the effects of both business experience and marketplace utilization on resilience. Overall, the study underscores the importance of agile marketing strategies in enabling MSMEs to remain resilient and competitive in a dynamic market environment
Tourist security perception by residents and tourists: The case of Guaranda City-Ecuador
Get PDFIntroduction: Guaranda, Ecuador, is an emerging tourist destination renowned for its cultural and natural wealth, where the perception of safety is a determining factor for its sustainable development.Objective: The perception of tourist safety in Guaranda was analyzed, comparing the perspectives of local residents and visitors.Methods: A quantitative approach was implemented through the application of structured surveys to a representative sample of residents and tourists. The instrument evaluated six specific areas of tourist safety.Results: Divergent perceptions were identified between the two groups studied. Tourists expressed a general perception of greater safety at the destination, while local residents expressed more significant concerns, particularly in the areas of public safety and road safety.Conclusions: The study contributed to knowledge about the perception of safety in emerging tourist destinations, highlighting substantial differences between residents and visitors. The findings provided relevant information for local authorities, tourism sector stakeholders, and the community, facilitating the design of strategies aimed at improving safety conditions and promoting sustainable tourism development in the destination