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- Assessing the health literacy level of students in higher education: Evolution throughout the trainingPublication . Luís, Luís; Assunção, Victor; Melo, Helena; Luis, HenriqueObjectives: This work has two objectives: contribute to evaluate the level of health literacy of students in higher education, in the area of health and to contribute to the formulation of strategies to adapt the content of training to the needs of students. Methods: In this longitudinal observational study, a health literacy assessment questionnaire (NVS) was applied to students from 3 Health Schools and 2 different courses (Nursing and Dental Hygiene), at the beginning of the first school year, and at the end of the third year. Results: Less than 5% of the students participating in this study had inadequate health literacy at the entrance to the course. Women had a better level of health literacy than men, although no statistical significance was found (p=0.153). The health literacy gains are different among the courses. Nursing students began with a higher level of health literacy but were overtaken by oral hygiene students at the end of the 3rd year. However, the level of health literacy did not differ statistically throughout the training, although an increase in the level of health literacy was observed. Conclusions: The relationship between health literacy and health is recognized. Higher education institutions need to formulate strategies to adapt the content of training to the needs of students and to the level of health literacy in order to train students for lifelong learning.
- Psychological Vulnerability Indices and the Adolescent’s Good Mental Health Factors: A Correlational Study in a Sample of Portuguese AdolescentsPublication . Nobre, Joana; Luis, Henrique; Oliveira, Ana Paula; Monteiro, Francisco; Cordeiro, Raul; Sequeira, Carlos; Ferré-Grau, CarmeBackground: Psychological vulnerability (PV) indicates the individual’s inability to adapt to stressful situations. Adolescents experience negative impacts on their future mental health if they do not acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to have good mental health during their developmental stage. Aim: To compare the PV index among the three stages of adolescence and to explore the factors involved in good mental health, including the relationship between adolescents’ PV indices and sociodemographic variables, and the relationship between adolescents’ PV index and their knowledge of the factors that characterize good mental health. Method: An exploratory, cross-sectional, correlational study was carried out in three public schools in a region of Portugal, using online self-completed questionnaires: the Psychological Vulnerability Scale (PVS) and the Mental Health-Promoting Knowledge (MHPK-10). Results: Our convenience sample consisted of 260 adolescents, with a mean age of 14.07 years who were students between 5th and 12th grades, mostly female. Moderate PV indexes were obtained that were higher in late adolescence, i.e., in older adolescents, who were females in a more advanced school year, with worse self-perceptions of their physical and mental health and body image, and who frequently used a health service due to mental health problems. The association between the PV index and the level of knowledge about the factors involved in good mental health did not reach a statistical significance (p = 0.06). Conclusions: These results suggest a need for a design of personalized interventions that promote adolescents’ mental health literacy, that prevent PV, and that should be initiated in early adolescence.
- The applications of cold atmospheric plasma in dentistryPublication . Silva, Neusa; Marques, Joana; da Cruz, Mariana B.; Luis, Henrique; Sério, Susana; Mata, AntónioCold atmospheric plasma (CAP), as a noninvasive technology, has shown promise in dentistry as it might successfully treat various oral conditions. The antimicrobial capacity of CAP has been proven and it is effective in reducing the main microorganisms responsible for oral infections. Furthermore, CAP has also been explored in the field of tissue regeneration with a great response from both soft and hard tissue. The surface modification ability of CAP is another area of interest, revealing a potential improvement in the osseointegration of dental implants. Additionally, there are other areas within dentistry that have studied the use of CAP, such as surface disinfection, bleaching, and cavity preparation.
- Influence of implant design, length, diameter, and anatomic region on implant stability: A randomized clinical trialPublication . Moreira, André; Rosa, José; Freitas, Filipe; Francisco, Helena; Luis, Henrique; Caramês, JoãoObjetivos: Avaliar a influência da geometria dos implantes e região anatómica na estabilidade implantar. Métodos: Foi realizado um ensaio clínico controlado aleatorizado em 45 pacientes, onde foram colocados 79 implantes: 40 implantes MIS C1 e 39 implantes MIS Seven. O coeficiente de estabilidade do implante foi medido através da análise de frequência de ressonância (RFA) imediatamente após a colocação do implante e 8 semanas depois, com Osstell Mentor. Resultados: Foram analisados 76 implantes. O coeficiente de estabilidade do implante registado para estabilidade secundária foi significativamente maior que o verificado para a estabilidade primária (68,7±8,6 e 65,2±10,3, p=0,023). Considerando a estabilidade primária, não foi encontrada diferença estatisticamente significativa entre os comprimentos de 8,0 mm, 10,0 mm, 11,0 mm e 11,5 mm (67,9±7,6, 63,9±10, 57,2±11,1 e 66,4±11,3, p=0,312). O mesmo foi verificado para a estabilidade secundária (68,4±9,4, 67,9±9,3, 74,7±1,5 e 69,2±7,9, p=0,504). Não se observou diferença estatisticamente significativa entre os diâmetros dos implantes de 3,75 e 4,20 mm e estabilidade primária (64,3±8,7 e 66,1±11,7, p=0,445) ou estabilidade secundária (68,8±8,2 e 68,7±9,1, p=0,930). Foi encontrada diferença estatisticamente significativa para a estabilidade secundária, favorecendo o implante MIS Seven (p=0,048). A localização intraoral foi estatisticamente significativa para a estabilidade primária e secundária, sendo maior na maxila anterior em relação à maxila e mandíbula posteriores (p<0,05). Conclusões: O diâmetro e o comprimento dos implantes estudados não influenciaram sua estabilidade. O tipo do implante parece influenciar a estabilidade secundária, enquanto a região anatómica aparenta ter um efeito relevante na estabilidade primária e secundária.
- Mental Health Literacy and Positive Mental Health in Adolescents: A Correlational StudyPublication . Nobre, Joana; Calha, António; Luis, Henrique; Oliveira, Ana Paula; Monteiro, Francisco; Ferré-Grau, Carme; Sequeira, CarlosThis study aimed to assess adolescents0 Mental Health Literacy (MHL) level, Positive Mental Health (PMH) level, the association between sociodemographic variables and the MHL and PMH levels, and the relationship between adolescent`s MHL and PMH levels. A quantitative, crosssectional, correlational study was conducted with a convenience sample of 260 adolescents studying in the 5th to 12th years of school. The Mental Health Knowledge Questionnaire, the Mental HealthPromoting Knowledge, and the Positive Mental Health Questionnaire were used for data collection. Most of the adolescents were female (55.8%) with a mean age of 14.07 years. The participants showed good levels of MHL (MHKQ). The participants showed good levels of MHL (MHKQ x = 60.03; MHPK-10 x = 4.49) and high levels of PMH (x = 128.25). The adolescents with higher levels of MHL were the oldest, in a higher year of school, female, those whose mothers are employed, those who have healthy eating habits, and those who have a better body image self-perception. Adolescents in a lower year of school, with adequate sleep habits, who spend fewer hours a day in front of a screen or online, and who have a better self-perception of mental and physical health and body image were the ones with higher PMH levels. These findings suggest the need to implement experimental or quasi-experimental studies to ascertain the effectiveness of interventions that promote adolescent`s positive mental health literacy.
- The Influence of (Poly)phenol Intake in Saliva Proteome: Short- and Medium-Term Effects of ApplePublication . Louro, Teresa; Carreira, Laura; Caeiro, Inês; Simões, Carla; Ricardo-Rodrigues, Sara; Rato, Ana Elisa; Silva, Fernando Capela e; Luis, Henrique; Moreira, Pedro; Lamy, ElsaThe relationship between salivary proteome and dietary habits was studied in previous works, where a relationship between salivary proteins like cystatins and polyphenol/tannin levels in diet was observed. However, it remains to be elucidated if this association results from an effect of polyphenol-rich food ingestion on saliva composition. The aim of this work was to test the effects of apple intake on the saliva proteome, both in the short and medium term (after 4 days of continuous intake). By incubating saliva samples with apple phenolic-rich extract, protein bands containing α-amylase, S-type cystatins, and proline-rich proteins (PRPs) appeared in the fraction that precipitated, showing the potential of these (poly)phenols to precipitate salivary proteins. Among these, it was salivary cystatins that presented changes in their levels both in the saliva samples collected immediately after apple intake and in the ones collected after 4 days of intake of an extra amount of apple. These results support the thought that intake is reflected in the salivary proteome. The effect of a polyphenol-rich food, like the apple, on salivary cystatin levels is in line with results observed in animal models and, due to the involvement of these proteins in oral food perception, it would be interesting to explore in future studies the effect of these changes on sensory perception and acceptance of polyphenol-rich food.
- Limosilactobacillus reuteri as an Adjuvant in the Treatment of Peri-implant Mucositis in Total Rehabilitation: An Exploratory StudyPublication . Parreira, Gonçalo J.G.; Nobre, Miguel A. de Araújo; Moreira, André G.C.R.; Luis, Henrique P.S.Objectives: Mechanical debridement is the traditional method for the treatment of peri-implant mucositis (P-im) and its success depends on the patient's correct oral hygiene. It is believed that probiotics may help by their ability to modulate the oral biofilm, resulting in anti-inflammatory and antibacterial plaque action. The aim of this study was to evaluate the adjuvant effect of the probiotic Limosilactobacillus reuteri (LR) in the mechanical treatment of P-im. Materials and methods: This exploratory study included 29 subjects with implant-supported total rehabilitation and P-im, divided into test (TG) and control (CG) groups, equally subjected to professional mechanical debridement, with the administration of a daily GUM PerioBalance lozenge for 30 days added to the TG. The modified Plaque Index (mPlI) modified Sulcus Bleeding Index (mBI) and pocket depth (PD) were evaluated before the intervention (baseline) and 6 and 10 weeks later. Statistical analysis: Parametric and nonparametric tests with 5% significance level were used in the statistical analysis, using IBM SPSS Statistics 27.0 software. Results: Both treatments resulted in reduced mPlI, mBI, and PD at 6 weeks; while from 6 to 10 weeks there was an increase in mPlI and mBI and maintenance of PD. Compared with baseline, differences were close to statistical significance in the reduction in PD at 10 weeks in the CG (p = 0.018), after Bonferroni correction, and statistically significant in the mPlI at 6 weeks in the CG (p = 0.004) and in the TG (p = 0.002) as well as at 10 weeks in the TG (p = 0.016). Comparing the groups in the postintervention assessments, no statistically significant differences were found. Conclusion: LR adjuvant mechanical treatment of P-im does not show a clear benefit compared with mechanical treatment alone, with both interventions achieving similar clinical results. Further prospective and long-term studies are needed.
- The Impact of COVID-19 Confinement on Substance Use and Mental Health in Portuguese Higher Education StudentsPublication . Oliveira, Ana Paula; Luis H, Soares; Soares Luis, Luis; Nobre, Joana Rita; Pinho, Lara Guedes; Albacar-Riobóo, Núria; Sequeira, CarlosThe mental health of higher education students is a constant concern, and the pandemic situation caused by COVID-19 has intensified this concern. The social measures imposed to control and minimize the disease have led, among other things, to the reconfiguration of higher education students’ academic life habits, which has naturally altered their emotional balance, mental health, and substance abuse. This cross-sectional, descriptive, and correlational study assesses the influence of higher education students’ personal characteristics on their (self-reported) use of addictive substances (alcohol, tobacco, drugs, and pharmaceutical drugs) before and during their first compulsory confinement in Portugal, as well as its relationship with mental health. An online questionnaire was applied between 15 April and 20 May 2020, to students from various study cycles of higher education institutions in one region of Portugal (northern area of Alentejo), which included the Mental Health Inventory in its reduced version (MHI-5) and questions (constructed by the authors) on personal characterization and on the use of addictive substances before and during confinement. The convenience sample included 329 mostly female health care students between the ages of 18 and 24. In our results, we found a statistically significant decrease in tobacco, alcohol, and drug use; however, there was an increase in tobacco use among older students and an increase in anxiolytic use among students with higher academic achievement and among students who exhibited more active social behavior in the period prior to confinement. Students who took anxiolytics during confinement had higher MHI-5 scores and students who used the most addictive substances during confinement had lower MHI-5 scores than the other students.
- Social Media Use and Its Association with Mental Health and Internet Addiction among Portuguese Higher Education Students during COVID-19 ConfinementPublication . Oliveira, Ana Paula; Nobre, Joana Rita; Luis, Henrique; Luis, Luis Soares; Pinho, Lara Guedes; Albacar-Riobóo, Núria; Sequeira, CarlosThe use of social media was one of the most common way to keep in touch with friends and family during confinement. For higher education students, the fact that their universities were closed was a major change in their lives. The aim of this study is to relate the prevalence and type of social media with Internet addiction and mental health of university students in a district of Portugal during COVID-19 confinement. Mental health was studied by applying the reduced version of the Mental Health Inventory (MHI-5) and to measure the Internet use and dependence, the Internet Addiction Test (IAT) was used. The study (cross-sectional, descriptive, and correlational) used an online questionnaire, conducted on Google® Forms and the link was sent to 4450 students, in the months of April to June 2020, during the confinement. A total of 329 valid questionnaires were obtained. We can conclude that regarding mental health, students in the 18–24 age group, single or divorced and who are not in a relationship, and with worse academic results, show worse levels of mental health. It is noteworthy that the students with the same characteristics also have the highest levels of addiction to internet. © 2022 by the authors.
- Institutional caregivers’ predictors of oral hygiene frequency in adults with cerebral palsyPublication . Bizarra, Maria; Luis, Henrique; Bernardo, MárioObjectives: To assess the factors that influence the frequency of dental hygiene in adults with cerebral palsy, determine the caregivers’ difficulties in performing dental hygiene, and relate to their sociodemographic characteristics. Methods: In this observational cross-sectional study, a questionnaire was applied to 257 caregivers from 27 institutions who participated voluntarily. Information on dental hygiene practices, sociodemographic characteristics, and caregivers’ difficulties in performing dental hygiene was obtained. Data were analyzed with SPSS® version 25 with a significance level of 5%. Nonparametric tests were used to define predictors of frequency and difficulties of brushing by caregivers and determine prevalence ratios and confidence intervals. Spearman’s correlation was used to study the relationship between variables. Results: Brushing was performed twice a day by 23.7% of caregivers and never by 21.8%. The caregivers with less training in dental hygiene performed brushing more frequently (OR=0.247; p=0.001). Brushing frequency was lower in the presence of bleeding, lack of cooperation by adults with cerebral palsy, and when caregivers had higher education and age. The following problems were relevant for the relationship between difficulty in performing brushing and frequency: “pulling the head away” (p<0.001) and “not opening the mouth” (p=0.005). Conclusions: The predictors influencing dental hygiene frequency were younger age and a higher education level of caregivers. The lack of collaboration, as well as “pulling the head away,” by people with cerebral palsy increases the difficulty of performing oral hygiene. (Rev Port Estomatol Med Dent Cir Maxilofac. 2022;63(1):20-26)
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