Julio Torrejón-Martínez

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic generated a notable emotional impact on the general population, yet its effects on incarcerated individuals have been far less explored, despite the particular vulnerabilities associated with prison environments. Objective: This study aimed to assess levels of anxiety and fear related to COVID-19 among incarcerated adults in Spain and identify sociodemographic and health-related factors associated with greater emotional distress. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between May 2022 and February 2023 among 711 inmates from 3 Spanish prisons using a nonprobability convenience sampling strategy. Anxiety and fear related to COVID-19 were assessed using the Anxiety and Fear of COVID-19 Assessment Scale (AMICO)–Inmates scale, an adaptation of the original AMICO, developed for the general Spanish population, and subsequently validated for use among prison inmates. Descriptive analyses, bivariate comparisons, and categorical regression (CATREG) were performed to examine factors associated with the total AMICO score. Results: The mean AMICO score was 5.58 (SD 2.55), indicating high levels of anxiety and fear related to COVID-19. In the bivariate analyses, significant differences were observed according to sex, having children, sharing a cell, and the presence of chronic illness. The CATREG model explained 17.4% of the variance in AMICO scores ( R ² =0.174; P <.001). Female sex (β=0.214; P <.001), sharing a cell (β=0.112; P =.001), and chronic illness (β=0.086; P =.01) were independently associated with higher levels of anxiety and fear. Conclusions: Incarcerated individuals experienced high levels of anxiety and fear related to COVID-19. Women, inmates sharing a cell, and those with chronic illnesses appeared particularly vulnerable to emotional distress. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating targeted psychological support and mental health strategies into prison preparedness plans for future public health emergencies.

The selection of an appropriate occlusal pattern for prosthodontic and orthodontic rehabilitation remains a subject of ongoing debate within the scientific literature. A potential resolution to this controversy involves investigating the prevalence of various dynamic occlusal schemes in the natural permanent dentition. This cross-sectional study was designed to assess the typical dynamic occlusion patterns observed in both younger and older populations and to examine whether these patterns are influenced by age. The study included a total of 207 participants possessing natural dentition with no prosthetic restorations. The age of the individuals ranged from 15 to 73 years. Dynamic occlusal patterns were recorded in all participants through a clinical assessment of lateral and protrusive mandibular excursions guided by the teeth. Dynamic occlusion was categorized into five types: (O1) bilateral canine guidance, (O2) unilateral canine guidance, (O3) group function, (O4) balanced occlusion, and a category labeled “other occlusions” (O5). The overall distribution of occlusal patterns was similar between male and female participants. “The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of dynamic occlusal patterns in subjects with natural dentition and to determine whether these patterns are associated with age.” Because occlusal wear accumulates throughout life, it was hypothesized that the prevalence of canine-guided occlusion would decrease with age, while group function occlusion would become more frequent. The study group consisted of 207 patients, 112 women (54.1%) and 95 men (45.9%), ranging in age from 15 to 73 years (mean = 32.79 ± 13.87). Informed consent was first explained to the participants, who then signed a consent form. We performed Pearson’s chi-square test to determine the association between demographic variables (gender and/or age) on the dynamic occlusion models (DINs) described above. The association between age groups and occlusal patterns was assessed using Pearson’s chi-squared test. The strength of the association was estimated using Cramer’s V coefficient. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The analysis using Pearson’s chi-squared test did not show a statistically significant association between age groups and dynamic occlusion patterns (χ² = 15.17; df = 12; p = 0.232). The effect size, assessed using Cramer’s V coefficient, was 0.156, indicating a weak association between the two variables. Although descriptive differences were observed in the distribution of some occlusal patterns among the age groups, these differences did not reach statistical significance.

Hotel housekeepers are exposed to high physical workload, repetitive tasks, time pressure, and limited social recognition. These occupational conditions may increase the risk of work-related health problems, particularly musculoskeletal disorders, and negatively affect functional capacity and long-term work sustainability. The objective of this systematic review was to synthesise the available evidence on the most prevalent work-related health conditions among hotel housekeepers and to examine their association with work-related risk factors. A systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Electronic searches were performed in PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, Embase, and Web of Science in November 2025 and updated on 18 March 2026. Eligible observational studies reporting the prevalence of work-related health conditions among hotel housekeepers were included. Study selection, data extraction, and quality appraisal (Joanna Briggs Institute tools) were conducted independently by reviewers. Findings were synthesised narratively and, where appropriate, pooled using random-effects meta-analysis with inverse-variance weighting, Freeman-Tukey double arcsine transformation, and restricted maximum likelihood estimation of between-study variance (τ²). Statistical heterogeneity was assessed using the I² statistic. Eight studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the systematic review. All examined musculoskeletal disorders, consistently reporting high prevalence rates. Five of these studies contributed to the meta-analysis; pooled 12-month prevalence was highest for low back pain (73.0%; 95% CI: 42.9-90.7), followed by wrist/hand (54.7%; 95% CI: 27.7-79.2), shoulder (48.2%; 95% CI: 10.8-87.7), and neck (40.1%; 95% CI: 3.2-93.2). Several studies identified significant associations between musculoskeletal symptoms and labour exposures, including biomechanical load, repetitive movements, work organisation, adverse psychosocial conditions, and specific factors such as the number of beds made per shift, lack of training, and low job satisfaction. Substantial heterogeneity limited comparability across studies. Hotel housekeepers represent a particularly vulnerable occupational group with a high burden of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. The limited number of studies and their heterogeneity highlight the need for more robust, standardised epidemiological research. Preventive strategies addressing ergonomic design, workload management, and psychosocial risk factors are warranted to mitigate health risks and promote long-term occupational well-being in this workforce. The review protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD420261288316).

Mental disorders are a leading cause of morbidity worldwide, and healthcare professionals are particularly vulnerable due to occupational stressors, a vulnerability intensified during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. This study assessed the prevalence of mental health disorders among hospital workers and examined changes in their perceived mental health during the pandemic. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 215 employees attending the Health Surveillance Service of Virgen Macarena University Hospital (Seville) between January 2019 and December 2022. Data were collected from occupational health records and a telephone survey, including the General Health Questionnaire (12 items) questionnaire. The prevalence of diagnosed mental health disorders was 7.0%, with mixed anxiety-depressive disorder being the most frequent. Most affected workers required short-term temporary incapacity due to common contingencies, and 36.7% required job adaptations, mainly involving task modifications. During the pandemic, 68.1% of workers reported a perceived worsening in mental health, which was more common among alcohol users. Among those receiving treatment, 70.8% required medication adjustments, and 31.2% reported increased analgesic use. Although prevalence rates were lower than expected, likely due to underdiagnosis and prioritization of coronavirus disease 2019-sensitive evaluations, the profile of affected workers was consistent with previous literature, predominantly women around 50 years old, often Assistant Nursing Care Technicians. These findings highlight the crucial role of occupational health services in early detection, monitoring, and support of healthcare professionals. Identification of alcohol use, psychiatric medication adjustments, and increased analgesic intake as risk factors emphasize the need for proactive interventions to sustain the healthcare workforce.

Background: In Spain, the number of patients anticoagulated with vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) is high. Among them, poor adherence is common, which may be justified by a low level of knowledge, and could affect their quality of life. We analyzed treatment adherence, health-related quality of life, and knowledge level about treatment, and evaluated the possible influence of these factors on patients’ time in the therapeutic range while also studying potential differences between patients under routine monitoring or self-monitoring. Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted using three validated and cross-culturally adapted questionnaires to study therapeutic adherence, health-related quality of life, and knowledge level about VKA treatment in a sample of anticoagulated patients. Additionally, it was assessed whether they were self-monitoring or not; the Rosendaal Time in Therapeutic Range (TTRr) was also administered for each patient at the time of recruitment. Descriptive analysis of all variables was performed, and a logistic regression model was constructed to evaluate the possible interaction of variables. Results: Ninety-eight patients participated and were selected sequentially from those attending the oral anticoagulation clinic at Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Victoria in Malaga. Of these, 39 were men and 59 were women. The mean age of these participants was 60.62 years (SD 11.67). Sixty-six were under conventional monitoring and thirty-two followed the self-monitoring program. The DecaMIRT had a mean score of 39.22 (SD 8.57), the SF-12 mean score was 31.73 (SD 6.21), and the knowledge questionnaire’s was 14.2 (SD 2.6). The mean TTRr value was 63.88 (SD 22.99). Self-monitored patients showed better results in DECAMirt and knowledge. Discussion: Overall, patients included in the sample presented satisfactory values in these three questionnaires, which seems to indicate that this was a treatment-compliant group with a correct quality of life, and adequately informed about their treatment. Conclusions: The work of nurses responsible for these aspects appears crucial in achieving these results. We aim to extend this study by focusing on groups with poorer results to design specific activities that allow for improvement in care and, as much as possible, homogenize outcomes. For this purpose, we intend to use all available tools, including those derived from the use of health-oriented artificial intelligence.

The Spanish Armed Forces require optimal oral health to ensure operability during international missions. In a cross-sectional study with a sample of 691 military personnel, 17.66% were classified as temporarily unfit (NAT), predominantly among enlisted ranks (21.7%). Employment status and smoking showed significant associations with NAT ( P < .000), while gender, age, and alcohol consumption were not significant factors. The decayed, missing filled teeth index, particularly its decayed component, was strongly related to NAT ( P = .000). Periodontal disease presence and the need for multiple dental treatments significantly increased NAT prevalence ( P < .000). Use of dental floss correlated with higher fitness, whereas mouthwash use was associated with increased NAT ( P < .05). These findings highlight the importance of prevention and risk factor control to maintain oral fitness and ensure military personnel effectiveness during deployments.

The COVID-19 pandemic, declared a global emergency by the World Health Organization, significantly impacted Spain, straining its National Health System and disrupting daily life, including education. Undergraduate nursing students faced particular challenges due to the shift to online learning and the demands of clinical placements. This study aimed to assess the academic engagement and the presence of anxiety and fear of COVID-19 in undergraduate Nursing students in Spain. The study employed an observational, cross-sectional design using an online questionnaire disseminated between October 2021 and May 2022. A non-probabilistic snowball sampling technique was used to recruit 1197 students from across Spain. The questionnaire included socio-demographic variables, personal COVID-19 experiences, the anxiety and fear of COVID-19 scale to measure anxiety and fear, and the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (student version) to assess academic engagement. This study found significant levels of anxiety and fear among the students. Females reported higher scores on the anxiety and fear of COVID-19 scale compared to males. Higher levels of anxiety and fear were also observed in students who considered themselves part of a risk group and those who perceived a lack of sufficient self-protection measures during clinical placements. Interestingly, students who had received multiple doses of the COVID-19 vaccine also reported higher levels of anxiety and fear. Students in the final stages of their studies showed reduced academic engagement. The study highlights the need for universities to implement mental health support strategies for nursing students. It also emphasizes the importance of improved public policies to ensure the availability of personal protective equipment and adequate training in infection control for students during clinical placements. Addressing the emotional well-being of future healthcare professionals is crucial.

Introduction: During the summer of 2019 and within the framework of a social dentistry program carried out in the low-income town of San Francisco de Macorís (Dominican Republic), a descriptive study was carried out on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL), aiming to find out the oral health status of a population of children in the aforementioned Dominican city. Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the oral health status of a child population and its relationship with the quality of life perceived by these children in the aforementioned population of San Francisco de Macorís in order to develop an specific oral health program taking into account not only the existing oral health status but also the perceptions and feelings of the child population in this regard. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out on a representative sample of children who were examined on their oral health status, following WHO guidelines, by professionals from the University of Seville (Spain) together with professionals from private practice (USA) and students from the Universidad Católica Nordestana (UCNE, Dominican Republic). Likewise, the children’s parents voluntarily completed the Oral Quality of Life questionnaire COHIP-19 in its culturally adapted Spanish version. Results: For this purpose, 94 children with a mean age of 10.34 (SD 3.38) were observed in our study following WHO recommendations for oral health studies and evaluating OHQoL using the specific questionnaire validated in Spanish COHIP-19 in its short format (SF). The results show a state of oral health with a significant prevalence of caries (80.9%) and a DMFT of 1.70 (SD 1.90). The OHQoL perceived by these children shows that pain, bad breath or feeling sad because of the condition of their teeth were the factors with the worst evaluation score. Conclusions: The conclusion that mainly emerges from this study is that caries continues to be the main problem to be solved (more than other variables studied, such as malocclusion or fluorosis), and this ailment also causes pain, dysfunction, and bad breath and is therefore perceived as a problem to be solved in the children of this Dominican city.