Introduction: The media play an important role in the dissemination of information on the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. However, it is important to measure whether the population is receiving information that calms it down, as well as whether such news are in accordance with the magnitude of the issue. Objective: To validate a questionnaire that measures the perception of the media and their informative role in the face of COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A validation process for a questionnaire that measures the perception of the magnitude of this issue and whether it generates fear was carried out. The validation was performed by means of a literature search. Moreover, a first version of the scale was developed, which was assessed by 30 experts (physicians, epidemiologists, among others). After this, an exploratory factor analysis and descriptive statistics were performed. Results: Our scale had 13 initial items; however, one of them was eliminated because of its unsatisfactory level of statistical adequacy. Exploratory factorial analysis and parallel analysis suggested three factors. Results of the KMO coefficient (0.833) and the Bartlett’s test of sphericity (4998.5; gl = 66; p0.4 and robust analyses revealed a satisfactory factorial structure (X2=88.0; p= 0.001; IFC=0.968; GFI=0.992; TLI=0.937; RMSEA=0.123). In the descriptive statistics of the 12 final items, moderate and significant correlations between the items were reported (> 0.5). Conclusion: We generate a scale to validate the perception of how people receive information from the media. Thus, this scale can be used to measure the informative role of the media regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, and may even serve for other similar public health emergencies.

Several studies have been carried out which mainly focus on the analysis of the lipid profile in vegetarians and nonvegetarians. However, few studies have been undertaken in this population oriented to quality of life and health. This study aimed to compare health-related quality of life, blood pressure, and biochemical and anthropometric profile in vegetarians and nonvegetarians. The study included 149 participants out of an initial sample of 162: 62 vegetarians and 87 nonvegetarians. Health-related quality of life was assessed with the SF-12 Health Questionnaire version 2 and was related with the lipid profile, glucose, blood pressure, anthropometric measures, and sociodemographic characteristics. Vegetarians presented better Body Mass Index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC), as well as higher LDL levels. No significant differences in HDL and TG concentrations were found. Serum glucose concentrations were significantly lower among vegetarians. Nonvegetarian males had higher diastolic pressure levels. Vegetarian women had significantly higher levels of systolic pressure. As for the physical health and mental health components of quality of life, no significant differences were found in vegetarian and nonvegetarian women and men. In conclusion, vegetarians presented a better anthropometric profile, lower glycaemia, and higher LDL levels but no significant differences in health-related quality of life compared with nonvegetarians.

The objective of this research study was to determine if psychological distress, anxiety, and academic self-efficacy predict satisfaction with studies in Peruvian university students during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional and predictive design was used, in which 582 Peruvian university students participated, 243 men and 339 women, between the ages of 16 and 41. Student’s t-statistics were used to analyze the differences in scores of psychological distress, anxiety, academic self-efficacy, and satisfaction with studies based on the sex of the participants, Pearson’s R was used for the analysis of correlations between variables, and multiple linear regressions were used to evaluate the predictive model. In the analyses, the significance level was set at 0.05. The results show that men have higher levels of psychological distress, anxiety, and academic self-efficacy than women do (p < 0.01); high levels of psychological distress correlate with high levels of anxiety (r = 0.580, p < 0.01) and low levels of satisfaction with studies (r = –0.178, p < 0.01) and academic self-efficacy (r = −0.348, p < 0.01); high levels of anxiety correlate with low levels of satisfaction with studies (r = −0.122, p < 0.01) and academic self-efficacy (r = –0.192, p < 0.01); and high levels of academic self-efficacy correlate with high levels of satisfaction with studies (r = 0.429, p < 0.01). Academic self-efficacy was also found to predict satisfaction with studies (β = 0.429, p < 0.01). This concludes that, although there are significant correlations between psychological distress, anxiety, academic self-efficacy, and satisfaction with studies, academic self-efficacy is the variable that most predicts satisfaction with studies in Peruvian university students.

Background: Vaccination against COVID-19 is considered one of the most effective strategies to control this global public health crisis. However, vaccine hesitancy is one of the main threats to mitigating the pandemic. The present study aimed to identify predictors of intention to vaccinate against COVID-19 in 3 geographical regions of Peru. Methods: An online analytical cross-sectional study was conducted. Participants were selected by non-probability convenience sampling and size was estimated using the online statistical calculator proposed by Soper. A total of 529 Peruvian nationals completed the questionnaires. Student’s t-test and Fisher’s F test (ANOVA) were used. A significance level of .05 was considered. Results: Face-to-face work (β = 2.037, P < .001), fear of COVID-19 (β = .461, P < .001), vaccine confidence (β = 2.881, P < .001) and trust in health care institutions (β = .432, P < .01) predict a higher intention to receive the vaccine. However, the variables perception of a worldwide conspiracy (β = −1.900, P < .001), and practice Protestant religion (β = −2.274, P < .001) predict negatively their acceptance. Conclusion: Several positive predictors of intention to vaccinate against COVID-19 have been identified. However, having a perception of a global conspiracy and practice Protestant religion are shown to be risk variables for vaccine acceptance. Therefore, there is a need to develop strategies to ensure high uptake and success of COVID-19 vaccination campaigns.

Background: Life satisfaction is a determining factor for the improvement of mental and physical health. Health care workers are a vulnerable population to suffer alterations in the factors that affect life satisfaction. Determining the influence of these factors on quality of life is important for their proper management. Objective: To examine sociodemographic factors and healthy behaviors influencing life satisfaction in Peruvian professionals. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 506 health care workers, who had a mean age of 40.34 years (SD = 10.39). A sociodemographic questionnaire, sleep quality, physical activity, eating habits, and life satisfaction were used. A regression model was fitted with the life satisfaction variable as the dependent variable. Results: In multivariable analysis, age (β = −.938, P < .01) and perception of poor health status (β = −4.743, P < .001) were found to be associated with lower life satisfaction. On the other hand, higher university education level (β = 1.667, P < .001), absence of smoking (β = 3.202, P < .01), absence of depressive symptoms (β = 3.390, P < .001), interest in daily activities (β = 3.503, P < .05), good sleep quality (β = 1.027, P < .01), a high frequency of physical activity (β = 1.056, P < .01), and healthy eating are variables associated with higher life satisfaction. Conclusion: Sociodemographic aspects such as age and the perception of poor health are associated with lower life satisfaction. On the other hand, healthy behaviors such as absence of smoking, absence of depressive symptoms, interest in daily activities, good quality of sleep, high frequency of physical activity, and a healthy diet were associated with higher life satisfaction.

Inteligencia Emocional, Género y Clima Familiar en Adolescentes Peruanos/Emotional Intelligence, Gender and Family Environment in Peruvian Adolescents/ Inteligência Emocional, Gênero e Clima Familiar Em Adolescentes Peruanos