Ana Carmen Lucha-López

Male contraceptive options remain largely limited to condoms and vasectomy, while family planning services and monitoring indicators often prioritize women, contributing to inequities in contraceptive responsibility. This review examines how future male hormonal contraceptives (MHCs) could support more equitable, rights-based family planning, and what policy and implementation pathways are needed for responsible integration. We conducted a narrative synthesis of peer-reviewed studies and policy/advocacy guidance on male engagement in family planning and on MHC development (searches in PubMed/Scopus/Google Scholar and key organizational sources; 2000–May 2025), focusing on acceptability, service-delivery readiness, governance, and potential system impacts. Evidence indicates substantial interest in MHCs among men and women in hypothetical studies and trials, but highlights persistent barriers: gender norms, limited routine sex-disaggregated data on men’s participation, provider and service constraints, and insufficient public/private investment. Model-based analyses suggest that novel, reversible male methods could avert unintended pregnancies (with larger effects in settings with lower baseline contraceptive uptake) and that preventing unintended pregnancies can yield cost savings to health systems. Ethical discussions increasingly emphasize a dyadic perspective on risk and decision-making, alongside safeguards for autonomy and rights. We conclude that coordinated policy action—linking regulation, financing, service delivery, communication, and monitoring—is needed to expand couple-focused counselling, reduce stereotyping in care, strengthen indicators, and accelerate implementation pathways for MHCs while safeguarding women’s options and agency.

The consumption of vegetables is one of the fundamentals of a healthy diet. The purposes of the present study were to describe the frequency of consumption of vegetables in the general Spanish population and to explore the relations between the consumption of vegetables and sex, age, cohabitation circumstances, educational level, and body mass index (BMI). Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was accomplished based on data from the European Health Survey in Spain (2020). Results: A total of 20,745 (52.1% women) subjects with a median age of 54 years old were included. Only 2.8% of them ate vegetables at least three times a day. The adjusted generalized linear model showed that being a woman increased the odds of consuming vegetables at least three times a day by 1.666 times (p < 0.001). Not cohabiting as a couple decreased the odds by 0.783 (p < 0.001). Having studied at a university increased the odds by 1.812 times (p < 0.001) and possessing a certificate of higher education by 1.408 (p = 0.030). Being overweight decreased the odds by 0.924 (p = 0.006). For every additional year of age, the odds of consuming vegetables at least three times a day increased by 1.3% (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The vast majority of the general Spanish population did not consume an optimal amount of vegetables. Women, people with higher levels of education, and older individuals reported having a more frequent intake of vegetables. Not cohabiting as a couple and being overweight were related to a less frequent intake of vegetables.

Risk factors such as obesity and a sedentary lifestyle contribute to the development of chronic low back pain. Purpose: To describe how body mass index (BMI) influences the prevalence of chronic low back pain in the general Spanish population and assess this influence given other factors as sex, age, physical occupational demands, and recreational physical activity. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional design was performed based on secondary data from the European Health Survey in Spain (2020). Data on age, gender, physical occupational demands, physical activity, BMI, and presence of chronic low back pain were extracted. Results: A total of 19,716 (52.2% women) subjects with a median age of 53 years old were analyzed. Of these, 18.3% had chronic low back pain, 39% were overweight, and 16.1% were obese. The adjusted generalized linear model showed that being obese increased the odds of chronic low back pain by 1.719 times (p < 0.001). Being a woman increased the odds by 1.683 times (p < 0.001). Performing occupational tasks requiring high physical demands increased the odds by 1.403 times (p < 0.001). Performing physical activity in leisure time several times a week decreased the odds by 0.598 times (p < 0.001). For every additional year of age, the odds of chronic low back pain increased by 3.3% (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Obesity is related with the presence of chronic low back pain in the general Spanish population. This association persists, being the more relevant factor, after adjusting the association of BMI and chronic low back pain with other factors such as sex, age, physical occupational demands, and recreational physical activity.

The development of male hormonal contraceptives (MHCs) is underway, and they may be available soon. Gender norms in family planning and predictors of use of MHCs need to be considered when addressing MHC promotion and adherence strategies. For this reason, an evaluation of the acceptability factors of MHC methods in the population is carried out from a gender perspective. A systematic review following the PRISMA 2009 checklist has been performed. Articles indexed in PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, PsycINFO, Web of Science and CUIDEN databases were included. Twenty-nine original articles were evaluated. Most evidence comes from Europe and North America. There is a high acceptability of MHCs in both sexes (reaching more than 70%). There are differences between countries and cultures. The main factors influencing willingness to use MHCs are: side effects; route of administration (MHC pill preferred by most men and injections by most women); frequency of administration (influenced by the previous factors); level of education and health behaviours; religion; perception of shared responsibility; perception of masculinity; and impaired sexual function/desire. Efficacy has not been sufficiently explored. Gender-dependent attitudes towards contraceptive responsibility need to be further explored, so that policies that favour equal reproductive rights can be formulated once MHCs are marketed.

Previous studies have suggested that social and cultural factors significantly influence people’s willingness to use the male contraceptive pill, which is in relatively advanced development. The present study aims at comparing Spanish and Mozambican participants level of willingness to take a male contraceptive pill. Factorial designed scenarios were used to collect data on the two population samples (Spain = 402 participants; Mozambique = 412 participants). One-way analysis of variance (ANOVAs) were performed comparing the average scores of Mozambique and Spain at the levels of each modelled factor: The cost of the pills (30 €/USD 20 for 3 months vs. free); Efficacy (99% vs. 95%); Side effects (none, mild and severe); Context (disease, condom abandonment and diversification of contraceptive methods). The two groups found significant differences in the scores for each of the four factors, in light of the socio-cultural differences between the two countries. In the Spanish sample, the main factor affected the willingness to use male contraceptive pill (MCP) were the side effects, while for Mozambican men it was the context. Along with technological change, an ideological-social change in gender roles is required to ensure equity in contraceptive responsibilities and the participation of men at all socio-demographic levels in reproductive health.

Background: The Internet is today the largest platform for food distribution, and there are concerns about the impact that digital marketing has in the field of nutrition by promoting non-evidence-based recommendations. The purpose of this study was to describe the user profile that draws on Instagram to follow nutrition-related content versus not, and to analyze the frequency and type of content of the information provided by nutritional influencers. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving randomly selected United States residents having an Instagram account was performed. Participants completed an anonymous online survey link. Results: From 898 respondents, 78.7% were women, and 75.6% were Millennials. Scientific evidence present in the posts was 14.3%. Influencers promoted a product or a brand in more than 90% of posts. Women followed more nutrition-related content than men (p < 0.001). Millennials, followed by Generation-Z, followed more nutrition-related content (p < 0.001). There were no significant relationships between the following status of nutrition-related content with BMI, type of job, household income, education degree, or smoking habits. Conclusions: Women and Millennials followed more nutrition-related content. Scientific evidence was scarce and commercial interest in the network was evident. The vast majority of the posts were not based on scientific evidence and instead promoted a product/supplement.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Determinar el grado de angustia psicológica y miedo al COVID-19 que experimentan los estudiantes de pregrado de enfermería que estaban a punto de empezar sus prácticas clínicas. Método: Se realizó un estudio transversal en 100 estudiantes de enfermería de segundo y tercer año de la Universidad de Zaragoza (España). Las medidas incluyeron la Escala de Miedo a la COVID-19 y la Escala de Depresión, Ansiedad y Estrés. Resultados: Normalmente, los estudiantes de enfermería no se consideraban vulnerables a la COVID-19. Sin embargo, se observó una asociación significativa entre el nivel de distrés psicológico de los estudiantes de enfermería y la convivencia con familiares o personas percibidas como vulnerables a la infección (p = 0,035). Los resultados del Escala de Depresión, Ansiedad y Estrés revelaron un bajo nivel de distrés psicológico en general; la Escala de Miedo a la COVID-19 indicó un miedo moderado (2,94). Conclusión: Los estudiantes de enfermería que vivían con sus familiares experimentaron mayores niveles de estrés debido al riesgo percibido de transmisión, pero tenían menos miedo a la pérdida de trabajo e ingresos. La ansiedad en nuestra muestra se asoció principalmente con el desconocimiento de su próxima ubicación de colocación.

Objective: To determine the degree of psychological distress and fear of COVID-19 experienced by undergraduate student nurses who were about to begin their clinical placements. Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out with 100 second- and third-year undergraduate student nurses of the University of Zaragoza (Spain). Measures included the Fear of COVID-19 Scale and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales. Results: Regularly, student nurses did not think of themselves as vulnerable to COVID-19. However, a significant association was observed between the student nurses’ level of psychological distress and cohabiting with relatives or people who were considered vulnerable to the infection (p = 0.035). The Depression Anxiety Stress Scale results revealed a low level of psychological distress in general; the Fear of COVID-19 Scale indicated moderate fear (2.94). Conclusion: Student nurses who lived with their relatives experienced higher levels of stress due to the perceived risk of transmission, but were less fearful of loss of work and income. Anxiety in our sample was associated principally with not knowing their upcoming placement location.

Background: Exercise training has proven to be effective for treatment of metabolic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus. The aims of this study were to compare anthropometric measurements, metabolic profile and physical fitness between active and sedentary women with type 2 diabetes, and to analyse relationships between anthropometry and metabolic profile and components of physical fitness (balance, flexibility, strength and endurance). Methods: Cross-sectional research on 28 women with type 2 diabetes. Amount of daily physical activity, BMI, waist circumference, HbA1c, fibrinogen, hs-CRP, tiptoe dynamic balance, static balance, finger floor distance, abdominal, upper and lower limb strength and walking cardiovascular endurance were recorded. Results: Age: 58.5 ± 7.8. Overall, 16 subjects were physically active and 12 were sedentary. Active subjects had lower BMI (p = 0.033) and better cardiovascular endurance (p = 0.025). BMI and waist circumference were not influenced by any physical fitness component. HbA1c, fibrinogen and hs-CRP were related with worse dynamic balance (p = 0.036, 0.006 and 0.031, respectively). Conclusions: Active women had lower BMI and showed a better performance in cardiovascular endurance. Tiptoe dynamic balance impairments were related to worse glycaemic control, hypercoagulation and inflammatory state.

The notion of stress in connection with the work environment became an important topic during the 1970's, when the first studies on the subject were published and the term of work stress was first coined. In 1974, Freudenberger proposed the term burnout to refer to the condition of physical and emotional exhaustion, as well as the associated negative attitudes, resulting from the intense interaction in working with people. The aim of our study is to examine burnout and job satisfaction in Saragossa University Services and Administration Staff (SAS) and detect the main factors which could contribute to too much stress, because job stress has emerged as a major psychosocial influence on mental health, associated with burnout. 24 people from the Services and Administration Staff in the University of Saragossa participated in the study. The research was carried out during the implementation of a module on Stress Management organised by the University of Saragossa and commissioned to the Unit for Research in Physical Therapy (University School of Health Sciences) from that University. This research is an exploratory research to improve the stress management program. A personal interview was carried out and additionally, participants were given the Maslach Burnout Inventory and the Scale of Satisfaction at Work of Warr, Cook & Wall. However using small sample this is worth to state that participants present most of them low burnout levels in the burnout scale. Only in one person high exhaustion level was reflected, even though other seven showed mean levels; in the professional self-esteem section, most of them showed high self-esteem, with two cases of low self-esteem and five with mean level. With regard to satisfaction people participating in the study show mean levels in intrinsic as much as in extrinsic factors and general satisfaction. Services and Administration Staff from the University of Saragossa shows low burnout levels linked with high professional self-esteem and low emotional exhaustion and depersonalization. It has been found also medium levels in work satisfaction probably related with the continuous quality improvement efforts in the academics environment to create protective factors in decreasing levels of job stress. These results show that not only personality or temperament have an influence on burnout and stress, also the job conditions are related with these diseases. These aspects should be taken into account in the design of stress prevention programme at work.