Places in protecting housing per 100 000 inhabitants from 1990 to 2012, Western Europe

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How has the extent of institutional mental healthcare changed in Western Europe? Analysis of data since 1990.

Chow WS¹, Priebe S¹.

¹Unit for Social and Community Psychiatry (WHO Collaborating Centre for Mental Health Services Development), Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.

BMJ Open. 2016 Apr 29;6(4):e010188. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2015-010188.

Forensic beds per 100 000 inhabitants from 1990 to 2012, Western Europe

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How has the extent of institutional mental healthcare changed in Western Europe? Analysis of data since 1990.

Chow WS¹, Priebe S¹.

¹Unit for Social and Community Psychiatry (WHO Collaborating Centre for Mental Health Services Development), Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.

BMJ Open. 2016 Apr 29;6(4):e010188. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2015-010188.

Psychiatric hospital beds per 100 000 inhabitants from 1990 to 2012, Western Europe

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How has the extent of institutional mental healthcare changed in Western Europe? Analysis of data since 1990.

Chow WS¹, Priebe S¹.

¹Unit for Social and Community Psychiatry (WHO Collaborating Centre for Mental Health Services Development), Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.

BMJ Open. 2016 Apr 29;6(4):e010188. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2015-010188.

Western EU prison population per 100 000 inhabitants from 1990 to 2012

More and via:  http://goo.gl/WxTHOz

How has the extent of institutional mental healthcare changed in Western Europe? Analysis of data since 1990.

Chow WS¹, Priebe S¹.

¹Unit for Social and Community Psychiatry (WHO Collaborating Centre for Mental Health Services Development), Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.

BMJ Open. 2016 Apr 29;6(4):e010188. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2015-010188.

Similar Personality Patterns Are Associated with Empathy in Four Different Countries

Empathy is an important human ability associated with successful social interaction. It is currently unclear how to optimally measure individual differences in empathic processing. Although the Big Five model of personality is an effective model to explain individual differences in human experience and behavior, its relation to measures of empathy is currently not well understood. 

Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the relationship between the Big Five personality concept and two commonly used measures for empathy [Empathy Quotient (EQ), Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI)] in four samples from China, Germany, Spain, and the United States of America. This approach was designed to advance the way the Big Five personality model can be used to measure empathy. 

We found evidence of medium effect sizes for associations between personality and empathy, with agreeableness and conscientiousness as the most important predictors of affective and cognitive empathy (measured by the respective IRI subscales) as well as for a one-dimensional empathy score (measured by the EQ). Empathy in a fictional context was most closely related to openness to experience while personal distress was first of all related to neuroticism. In terms of culture, we did not observe any distinct pattern concerning cultural differences. 

These results support the cross-cultural applicability of the EQ and the IRI and indicate structurally similar associations between personality and empathy across cultures.

Full article at:   http://goo.gl/3ZImGe

By:  Martin C. Melchers,1,* Mei Li,2 Brian W. Haas,3 Martin Reuter,1,4 Lena Bischoff,1 and Christian Montag5,*

¹Department of Psychology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany

²Student Counseling Center, Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Beijing, China

³Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA

⁴Center for Economics and Neuroscience, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany

⁵Institute of Psychology and Education, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany

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Mental Disorder Prevalence & Associated Risk Factors in Three Prisons of Spain

AIMS:

To determine the lifetime and monthly prevalence of people with mental disorders and its association with sociodemographic factors andcriminal risk in three Spanish prisons (Ocaña, Madrid I, II and VI).

METHOD:

Cross-sectional epidemiological study of a sample of 184 inmates. Socio-demographic and criminal data were collected by an ad hoc interview. Mental disorders were assessed with the clinical version of the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Axis I Disorders (SCID-I).

RESULTS:

Life prevalence of mental disorders was 90.2%. The most common mental disorders and substance abuse or dependence was 72.3%, followed by mood disorder (38.5%) and psychotic disorders (34.2%). Moreover, the prevalence of any mental disorder in the last month was 52.2%. The main psychotic disorder (20.7%) was followed by substance abuse or dependence (18.5%), and mood disorder state (13%). A socio-demographic profile as a risk for each disorder was found.

DISCUSSION:

The prevalence of people with mental disorders is very high in Spanish prisons, and is associated with a distinct demographic profile. It is essential to continue researching this reality, translating the results into therapeutic and preventive action adapted to the status of inmates to reduce social inequalities in this high priority public health situation.

Full article at:   http://goo.gl/SUykGQ

By:  M.C. Zabala-Baños¹, A. Segura¹, C. Maestre-Miquel¹, M. Martínez-Lorca², B. Rodríguez-Martín¹, D. Romero and M. Rodríguez¹

¹ Nursing, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy Department. Occupational Therapy, Logaoedics and Nursing School. University of Castilla la Mancha, Talavera de la Reina, Spain 
² Department of Psychology. Occupational Therapy, Logaoedics and Nursing School. University of Castilla la Mancha, Talavera de la Reina, Spain

Rev Esp Sanid Penit. 2016 Jun;18(1):13-23. doi: 10.4321/S1575-06202016000100003.

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Intellectual Disability & The Prison Setting

INTRODUCTION:

The prevalence of intellectual disability (ID) in the prison setting has scarcely been studied. Although some approximations or estimates regarding people with intellectual disabilities have been performed in Spain, there is little in the way of reliable data.

OBJECTIVES:

1) To determine the prevalence of ID in a sample population in the residential modules of a Spanish prison, 2) Obtain data on the prevalence of ID in prison psychiatric units and hospitals.

METHODS:

1) A TONI II test was performed on a sub-sample (n = 398) of a prevalence study in Spanish prisons33 to identify inmates with intellectual disabilities. 2) We reviewed the reports of the psychiatric department of Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Deu to establish the diagnosis at discharge of patients with a primary diagnosis of intellectual disability 3) Data from the Directorate General of Prisons on the prevalence of ID in Prison Psychiatric Hospitals was reviewed.

RESULTS:

The data obtained from the TONI II test found 3.77% of the study population has an IQ below 70, and 7.54 % has a borderline IQ rate. Assessment of penitentiary psychiatric hospitalization data showed these figures to be higher.

CONCLUSIONS:

The data from a Spanish prison population showed that ID levels were higher than those in the community, especially amongst prisoners requiring specialized psychiatric care. What is also evident is that adequate resources are required in prisons and in the community to provide better care for people with intellectual disabilities who are in the pathway of the criminal justice system.

Full article at:   http://goo.gl/Dd5VoV

By:  V. Tort¹, R. Dueñas¹, E. Vicens¹, C. Zabala², M. Martínez² and D.M. Romero²

¹ Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Deu. Sant Boi de LLobregt (Barcelona) 
² Facultad de Terapia Ocupacional, Logopedia y Enfermería de la UCLM. Talavera de la Reina (Toledo)

Rev Esp Sanid Penit. 2016 Jun;18(1):25-32. doi: 10.4321/S1575-06202016000100004.

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Sexually Transmitted Infections in Male Prison Inmates: Risk of Development of New Diseases

OBJECTIVE:

To measure incidence and main risk factors related to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Daroca Prison (Zaragoza, Spain).

METHOD:

A retrospective cohort study (2005-2013) to measure the incidence of STI and a cross-sectional study to measure risk factors.

RESULTS:

Of the 203 inmates, 79 developed an STI, 37 had a previous STI, 55.2% lacked knowledge on STI prevention, and 28.9% showed behaviours unfavourable for STI prevention. The incidence rate was 6.5 STIs per 1,000 inmates-year. The most frequent STIs were hepatitis B (39.7%), Ureaplasma urealyticum (19.1%), herpes simplex (16.2%) and HIV (8.8%). The risk (hazard ratio, HR) of acquiring a new STI was significantly higher in inmates with a history of previous STI (HR=2.61; 95%CI: 1.01 to 6.69), and was at the limit of significance for non-preventive behaviour (HR=2.10; 95%CI: 0.98 to 4.53), but not in knowledge related to STIs (HR=1.33; 95%CI: 0.58 to 3.07).

CONCLUSION:

The most important risk factors in prison are behaviours related to STIs and previous history of STIs. Other factors are being a repeat offender, injecting drug use, or being in a methadone programme. Health personnel and peer education can facilitate prevention and control.

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By:  Sánchez Recio R1, Alonso Pérez de Ágreda JP2, Santabárbara Serrano J2.

• 1Centro Penitenciario de Daroca, Secretaría General de Instituciones Penitenciarias, Ministerio del Interior, Zaragoza, España. Electronic address: rsanchezrecio.1979@gmail.com.
• 2Departamento de Microbiología, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, España
• Gac Sanit. 2016 Mar 14. pii: S0213-9111(16)00019-4. doi: 10.1016/j.gaceta.2016.01.010.

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Foreclosure and Health in Southern Europe: Results from the Platform for People Affected by Mortgages

Housing instability has been shown to be related to poorer health outcomes in various studies, mainly in the USA and UK. Affected individuals are more prone to psychiatric (e.g., major depression, anxiety) and physical disorders (e.g., hypertension). This situation has deteriorated with the onset of the economic crisis. One of the most affected countries is Spain, which has high rates of foreclosure and eviction that continue to rise. In response, a civil movement, The Platform for People Affected by Mortgages (PAH), works to provide solutions to its members affected by foreclosure and advocates for the right to decent housing. 

The aims of this study ware to describe and compare the health status of PAH members from Catalonia to a sample of the general population and to analyze the association between health status and mortgage status, foreclosure stage, and other socioeconomic variables, among members of the PAH. We conducted a cross-sectional study using a self-administered online questionnaire (2014) administered to 905 PAH members in Catalonia (>18 years; 559 women and 346 men). Results were compared with health indicators from The Health Survey of Catalonia 2013 (n = 4830). The dependent variables were poor mental health (GHQ 12 ≥ 3), and poor self-reported health (fair or poor). All analyses were stratified by sex. We computed age-standardized prevalence and prevalence ratios of poor mental and self-reported health in both samples. We also analyzed health outcomes among PAH members according to mortgage status (mortgage holders or guarantors), stage of foreclosure, and other socioeconomic variables by computing prevalence ratios from robust Poisson regression models. 

The prevalence of poor mental health among PAH members was 90.6 % in women and 84.4 % in men, and 15.5 and 10.2 % in the general population, respectively. The prevalence of poor self-reported health was 55.6 % in women and 39.4 % in men from the PAH, and 19.2 and 16.1 % in the general population, respectively. These health inequalities were independent of socioeconomic status. The prevalence of poor mental health was higher among individuals in the non-payment stage of foreclosure than among those who were up to date with their payments. 

In contrast, self-reported poor health was more prominent in later stages of foreclosure, such as in post-eviction without dation in payment stage in men. 

We observed a considerably higher prevalence of poor mental and self-reported health among male and female PAH members than in the general population. Public policies that tackle housing instability and its consequences are urgently needed in Spain.

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By:  Vásquez-Vera H1,2,3, Rodríguez-Sanz M1,2,4,5, Palència L2,4, Borrell C6,7,8,9,10.

• 1Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain.
• 2Agència de Salut Pública de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
• 3Centro de Estudios para la Equidad en Salud, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile.
• 4CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain.
• 5Institute of Biomedical Research (IIB-Sant Pau), Barcelona, Spain.
• 6Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain. cborrell@aspb.cat.
• 7Agència de Salut Pública de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. cborrell@aspb.cat.
• 8CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain. cborrell@aspb.cat.
• 9Institute of Biomedical Research (IIB-Sant Pau), Barcelona, Spain. cborrell@aspb.cat.
• 10Agència de Salut Pública de Barcelona, Avinguda Lesseps 1, ES-08023, Barcelona, Spain. cborrell@aspb.cat. 
• J Urban Health. 2016 Mar 3.

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Adolescent Alcohol Use in Spain: Connections with Friends, School, and Other Delinquent Behaviors

This study examined the connections between adolescent alcohol use in Alicante, Spain and variables reflecting adolescents’ academic problems, potentially delinquent behaviors, friends’ alcohol consumption, and friendship quality. Information about alcohol use and a number of school and social variables was collected from adolescent students (N = 567) who completed the National Students School-Based Drug Survey in a classroom setting. 

Results suggested that gender was not significantly associated with alcohol use, although alcohol use increased with age and was more likely for adolescents enrolled in public schools compared to private. After controlling for age and type of school (public vs. private), academic problems explained 5.1% of the variance in adolescents’ alcohol use, potentially delinquent behaviors explained 29.0%, friends’ alcohol use 16.8%, and friendship quality 1.6%. 

When all unique predictors from these four models were included in a comprehensive model, they explained 32.3% of the variance in adolescents’ alcohol use. In this final model, getting expelled, participating in a fight, going out at night, the hour at which one returns, and the number of friends who have consumed alcohol were uniquely and positively associated with adolescents’ alcohol use. 

These results provide important information about multi-system influences on adolescent alcohol use in Alicante, Spain and suggest potential areas of focus for intervention research.

Correlations between alcohol consumption and all predictors.

Predictors	Correlation (r) with alcohol consumption
Demographics
Age	0.25∗∗
Public vs. private school	0.10∗
Gender	0.03
Academic Problems
Normally I do not complete any of my homework.	0.04
Have you repeated a course?	0.30∗∗
Have you missed class in the past 30 days?	0.13∗∗
Have you been expelled in the past 12 months?	0.19∗∗
Potentially delinquent behaviors
Have you run away from home in the past 12 months?	0.14∗∗
Have you participated in a fight in the past 12 months?	0.26∗∗
Do you go out at night?	0.52∗∗
When do you return when you go out at night?	0.41∗∗
Friends’ alcohol consumption
How many of your friends consumed alcohol in the past 30 days?	0.42∗∗
How many of your friends got drunk in the past 30 days?	0.37∗∗
Friendship quality
I receive care from my best friend.	0.03
How often do you hang out with your friends?	0.11∗
Friends subscale of the KIDSCREEN-52	0.09∗

∗∗ Correlation is significant at the 0.01 level (two-tailed). ∗ Correlation is significant at the 0.05 level (two-tailed).

Full article at:   http://goo.gl/P5Isu7

By:  Lisa D. Goldberg-Looney,1 Miriam Sánchez-SanSegundo,2 Rosario Ferrer-Cascales,2 Natalia Albaladejo-Blazquez,2 andPaul B. Perrin1,*

¹Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA

²Department of Health Psychology, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain

Edited by: Gianluca Castelnuovo, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Italy

Reviewed by: Michelle Dow Keawphalouk, Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA; Roberto Cattivelli, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Italy

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Sexual Behaviour & Risk of Sexually Transmitted Infections in Young Female Healthcare Students in Spain

Background. 

Several authors have examined the risk for sexually transmitted infections (STI), but no study has yet analyzed it solely in relation with sexual behaviour in women. We analyzed the association of sexual behaviour with STI risk in female university students of healthcare sciences.

Methods. 

We designed a cross-sectional study assessing over three months vaginal intercourse with a man. The study involved 175 female university students, without a stable partner, studying healthcare sciences in Spain. Main outcome variable: STI risk (not always using male condoms). Secondary variables: sexual behaviour, method of orgasm, desire to increase the frequency of sexual relations, desire to have more variety in sexual relations, frequency of sexual intercourse with the partner, and age. The information was collected with an original questionnaire. A logistic regression model was used to estimate the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) in order to analyze the association between the STI risk and the study variables.

Results. 

Of the 175 women, 52 were positive for STI risk (29.7%, 95% CI [22.9–36.5%]). Factors significantly associated with STI risk (p < 0.05) included: orgasm (not having orgasms →OR = 7.01, 95% CI [1.49–33.00]; several methods →OR = 0.77, 95% CI [0.31–1.90]; one single method →OR = 1; p = 0.008) and desiring an increased frequency of sexual activities (OR = 0.27, 95% CI [0.13–0.59], p < 0.001).

Conclusions. 

Women’s desire for sexual activities and their sexual function were significant predictors of their risk for STI. Information about sexual function is an intrinsic aspect of sexual behaviour and should be taken into consideration when seeking approaches to reduce risks for STI.

Analysis of STI risk in female university students from Alicante (Spain). 2005–2009 data.

Variable	Total	STI risk	Adj. OR	95% CI	p-value
	175	52(29.7%)
	n(%)∕x ± s	n(%)∕x ± s
Sexual orientation:
Heterosexual	168(96.0)	48(28.6)	N/M	N/M	N/M
Bisexual or other*	7(4.0)	4(57.1)
Method of orgasm:
No orgasm	13(7.4)	9(69.2)	7.01	1.49–33.00	0.008a
Several methods	131(74.9)	32(24.4)	0.77	0.31–1.90
A single method*	31(17.7)	11(35.5)	1
Desire to increase the frequency of sexual relations:
Yes	92(52.6)	18(19.6)	0.27	0.13–0.59	<0.001
No*	83(47.4)	34(41.0)	1
Desire to have more variety in sexual relations:
Yes	60(34.3)	13(21.7)	0.58	0.27–1.26	0.168
No*	115(65.7)	39(33.9)	1
Age (years)	20.8 ± 2.2	20.9 ± 2.0	N/M	N/M	N/M
Frequency of sexual intercourse with the partner	3.8 ± 1.2	4.0 ± 1.4	1.17	0.86–1.60	0.396

Notes.

STI

Sexually transmitted infections

Adj. OR

adjusted odds ratio

CI

Confidence interval

N/M

Not in the model

*Reference.

ap-value for the complete factor. The p-values for the comparison with the reference are: (1) No orgasm: 0.014; (2) Several methods: 0.571. Frequency of sexual intercourse with partner (6 = 5–7 times/week; 5 = 3–4 times/week; 4 = 1–2 times/week; 3 = 2–3 times/month; 2 = once/month; 1 = Never). Goodnessof-fit of the model: (1) likelihood ratio test: X2 = 26.1, p < 0.001; (2) Hosmer-Lemeshow test: X2 = 13.6, p = 0.092.

Below:  Predicted probabilities of STI risk in relation to Methods of Orgasm category in female university students from Alicante (Spain). 2005–2009 data

Below:  Predicted probabilities of STI risk in relation to Desire to increase the frequency of sexual relationships in female university students from Alicante (Spain). 2005–2009 data

Purchase full article at:  http://goo.gl/Cr86qZ

By:  Felipe Navarro-Cremades,1 Antonio Palazón-Bru,1 Dolores Marhuenda-Amorós,2 María Isabel Tomás-Rodríguez,2 Fina Antón-Ruiz,3 Josefina Belda-Ibañez,4 Ángel Luis Montejo,5 and Vicente Francisco Gil-Guillén1

¹Department of Clinical Medicine, Miguel Hernández University, San Juan de Alicante, Alicante, Spain

²Department of Pathology and Surgery, Miguel Hernández University, San Juan de Alicante, Alicante, Spain

³Department of Education, San Antonio Catholic University, Murcia, Spain

⁴Centre for Information and AIDS Prevention, Conselleria de Sanitat, Alicante, Spain

⁵Department of Nursing, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain

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