The present study aimed to investigate the perceived changes in lifestyle behaviors among Spanish university students during COVID-19-related confinement. An observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional survey study was conducted during April 2020. Sociodemographic and anthropometric data were then obtained. The FANTASTIC questionnaire was used to assess the lifestyles of the 488 participants who took part in the study. Of the participants, 76.3% were female. Overall, the lifestyles of university students significantly deteriorated during the period of confinement caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain. University female students were especially affected compared to their male fellows (p = 0.010). For women, social and family relationships (p < 0.001), personality (p < 0.001), interior (p < 0.001), and career (p < 0.001) were the aspects that worsened during confinement. For men, lack of physical exercise (p < 0.001), social and family relationships (p < 0.001), and career (p = 0.002) were affected to a greater extent. In both cases, confinement was a protective factor against the consumption of tobacco, toxins (p < 0.001), and alcohol (p < 0.001). Gender (p = 0.008) and obesity (p = 0.044) were the two factors that most affected the change in the score of the FANTASTIC questionnaire. Spanish university students’ lifestyles worsened during the lockdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, especially those of women, who were the most affected. Some aspects, such as those related to social and emotional behaviors, were deeply affected, while confinement could be a protective factor against previous toxic habits.

We develop a protocol for assessing the impact of an intervention aimed at improving sleep quality among university nursing students. The study is designed as a pilot randomized controlled trial to be applied during the 2022-23 academic year and is registered at Clinical Trials Gov website (NCT05273086). A total of 60 nursing students will be recruited from a Spanish university. They will be divided into two groups: (30) intervention group and (30) control group. The intervention group will attend two cognitive–behavioural therapy sleep programme sessions focused on knowledge of anatomical structures involved in sleep, chronotype, synchronization, and good sleeping habits. Subjective and objective sleep quality will be assessed before and after the intervention for both groups. In addition to sleep quality, socio-demographic parameters, physical activity, lifestyle habits, and anthropometric measures will be considered prior to intervention. Finally, a satisfaction questionnaire will be applied for posterior analysis. This study is an innovative, relevant intervention that aims to improve sleep quality among university nursing students. Both the approach and the use of objective and subjective validated outcome measurements are key features of this study.

The application of information technologies and telecommunications in healthcare in southern countries can improve the health of millions of people living in poverty without access to high-quality health services. Specifically, telemedicine not synchronized with internet platforms is a very efficient option for international cooperation projects. Since its inception, the project Health 2.0: professionals from Africa-Spain connected, of the Spanish organization, Foundation Recover, Hospitals for Africa, has managed to connect health professionals from both continents with the goal of improving health in Cameroon. Thanks to a social network with the scientific format of case management and clinical updates, Spanish physicians collaborate through volunteer e-health in the training of their African colleagues to improve the quality of care provided to residents and also create sources of knowledge and research.

It is necessary to develop self-reported instruments that evaluate the process of living with chronic heart failure (HF) holistically. The Living with Chronic Illness Scale—HF (LW-CI-HF) is the only available tool to evaluate how patients are living with HF. The aim is to analyse the psychometric properties of the LW-CI scale in the HF population. An international, cross-sectional validation study was carried out in 603 patients living with HF from Spain and Colombia. The variables measured were living with HF, perceived social support, satisfaction with life, quality of life and global impression of severity. The LW-CI-HF scale presented good data quality and acceptability. All domains showed high internal consistency with Cronbach’s alpha coefficient ≥ 0.7. The intraclass correlation coefficient for the total score was satisfactory (0.9) in test–retest reliability. The LW-CI-HF correlated 0.7 with social support and quality of life measures. Standard error of measurement was 6.5 for total scale. The LW-CI-HF scale is feasible, reliable and valid. However, results should be taken with caution in order to be used in clinical practice to evaluate the complex process of living with HF. Further research is proposed.