http://hdl.handle.net/10174/29565 Fri, 03 Apr 2026 18:09:52 GMT 2026-04-03T18:09:52Z http://hdl.handle.net/10174/41504 Title: AlenRiscos Observatory - Monitoring psychoactive substances consumption among 3rd cycle students in Alentejo region Authors: Dias, Ana; Caldeira, Ermelinda; Lusquinhos, Leonel; Coelho, Anabela; Goes, Margarida; Lopes, Manuel Abstract: Objective: Worldwide, various studies have shown a worrying prevalence of tobacco, alcohol, and psychoactive substance use among young people, starting at an increasingly younger age. This scenario highlights the urgent need to deepen our understanding of this phenomenon and implement intervention strategies for this age group. In this context, the ALENRISCOS Observatory has emerged as a critical resource for analyzing and monitoring adolescent consumption patterns in the Alentejo region. Aim: This study aims to assess the prevalence and factors associated with tobacco, alcohol, and other psychoactive substance use among 7th and 9th-grade students in the Alentejo region. Methods: An observational study surveyed 12,767 students from public and private educational institutions from the “Ensino Básico” 3rd cycle. Data collection and subsequent analysis focused on tobacco, alcohol, and psychoactive substance use, providing a detailed examination of addictive behaviors in this population. Results: This study uncovered a decline in tobacco and alcohol use among adolescents in Alentejo, with a more significant decline in tobacco consumption from 19.5% in 2019/2020 to 12.2% in 2021/2022. This decline occurred simultaneously with the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown period, thus highlighting the significant role of the social environment. However, a noticeable increase in glue, varnish, and solvent consumption was observed, exceeding cannabis/hashish consumption. This fact underscores the urgent need to draw special attention to potentially harmful alternative consumption patterns among students. Conclusions: The results reinforce the demand for prevention and education strategies tailored to the needs of young people to reduce the prevalence of addictive behaviors and their adverse effects on long-term health. The need for early and targeted interventions is highlighted as a vital strategy for mitigating the risks associated with tobacco, alcohol, and psychoactive substance use among adolescents. Sat, 31 Aug 2024 23:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10174/41504 2024-08-31T23:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10174/41496 Title: Psychometric properties of the self-care inventory for chronic diseases in older adults residing in Portuga Authors: Marques, Céu; Goes, Margarida; Oliveira, Henrique; Pinho, Lara; Marques, Catarina Abstract: Objective: Chronic illness requires various treatments, and self-care is a crucial aspect of the care process. Assessing self-care behaviors not only makes identifying patients’ needs easier but also enhances education and care processes. This study assessed the psychometric properties (validity, reliability, and measurement error) of the Chronic Disease Self-Care Inventory questionnaire, patient version, in Portuguese. Methods: A sample of individuals with multiple chronic diseases was carefully recruited from outpatient clinics in Portugal. Patients completed the questionnaire, which included three subscales: self-care maintenance, monitoring, and management. Factorial validity was examined for each subscale using exploratory factor analysis employing FACTOR software. Reliability was estimated using the factor loadings of the factorial model (composite reliability coefficient as a reliability measure). Confirmatory factor analysis employing the lavaan package for R statistics software was used to ascertain the relationships between the questionnaire’s subscales: self-care maintenance, monitoring, and management. Results: The self-care maintenance and monitoring subscales had a unidimensional structure, while the self-care management subscale presented a two-dimensional structure. Reliability estimates were adequate. Construct validity was supported. The measurement error was adequate. Conclusions: The Portuguese version of the SC-CII showed good psychometric properties in the Portuguese sample, proving to be a valid and reliable instrument for assessing self-care maintenance, monitoring, and management in individuals with chronic illnesses. Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10174/41496 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10174/41473 Title: AlenRiscos Observatory - Monitoring psychoactive substances consumption among 3rd cycle students in Alentejo region Authors: Ana, Dias; Caldeira, Ermelinda; Lusquinhos, Leonel; Coelho, Anabela; Goes, Margarida; Lopes, Manuel Abstract: Objective: Worldwide, various studies have shown a worrying prevalence of tobacco, alcohol, and psychoactive substance use among young people, starting at an increasingly younger age. This scenario highlights the urgent need to deepen our understanding of this phenomenon and implement intervention strategies for this age group. In this context, the ALENRISCOS Observatory has emerged as a critical resource for analyzing and monitoring adolescent consumption patterns in the Alentejo region. Aim: This study aims to assess the prevalence and factors associated with tobacco, alcohol, and other psychoactive substance use among 7th and 9th-grade students in the Alentejo region. Methods: An observational study surveyed 12,767 students from public and private educational institutions from the “Ensino Básico” 3rd cycle. Data collection and subsequent analysis focused on tobacco, alcohol, and psychoactive substance use, providing a detailed examination of addictive behaviors in this population. Results: This study uncovered a decline in tobacco and alcohol use among adolescents in Alentejo, with a more significant decline in tobacco consumption from 19.5% in 2019/2020 to 12.2% in 2021/2022. This decline occurred simultaneously with the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown period, thus highlighting the significant role of the social environment. However, a noticeable increase in glue, varnish, and solvent consumption was observed, exceeding cannabis/hashish consumption. This fact underscores the urgent need to draw special attention to potentially harmful alternative consumption patterns among students. Conclusions: The results reinforce the demand for prevention and education strategies tailored to the needs of young people to reduce the prevalence of addictive behaviors and their adverse effects on long-term health. The need for early and targeted interventions is highlighted as a vital strategy for mitigating the risks associated with tobacco, alcohol, and psychoactive substance use among adolescents. Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10174/41473 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10174/41472 Title: Effects of telemonitoring on self-care and quality of life in adults with heart failure: A systematic review Authors: Telmo, Pequito; Marques, Céu; Goes, Margarida; Oliveira, Henrique Abstract: Objective: This study gathered the most up-to-date evidence on the contribution of home telemonitoring programs in promoting self-care, quality of life, and clinical condition management in heart failure (HF) patients. Methods: A systematic literature review were conducted following PRISMA guidelines. The project was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42022303773). Searches covered MEDLINE, CENTRAL, and CINAHL databases. Two independent reviewers selected studies, examining titles, abstracts, and keywords. Conflicts were resolved by a third reviewer. Full texts of selected articles were evaluated, and a PRISMA flowchart summarized the screening results. Risk of bias and certainty of evidence were assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool and GRADE system. Results: The following Boolean expression was used, assuming the PICO strategy: (“adult” OR “Age Factors” OR “middle age”) AND (“Self-care” OR “Activities of Daily Living” OR “Community Living”) AND (“Health Promotion” OR “Wellness” OR “Nursing Outcomes”) AND (“Heart Failure” OR “Cardiac Insufficiency”). Data analysis showed statistically benefits in self-care behavior and quality of life among HF patients in telemonitoring programs. Self-care and quality of life scores were higher in telemonitoring groups compared to control groups, at all included studies. Additionally, positive relationship was found between telemonitoring and improvements in clinical status and disease self-management. Conclusions: The systematic review mapped current evidence on nursing interventions promoting self-care in adults with HF. Evidence indicates that telemonitoring programs significantly increase self-care capacity and empower HF patients to manage the disease autonomously, improving quality of life. The findings support integrating personalized telemonitoring solutions into HF patient care. Future studies should explore optimized, patientcentered telemonitoring programs Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10174/41472 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z