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- Heallth sciences students' attitudes towards statisticsPublication . Pimenta, Rui Esteves; Alves, Sandra M.; Nascimento, Ana Paula; Faria, Brígida M.; Pereira, Ilídio; Borges, Janete; Martins, João Paulo; Pimenta, Rui; Alves, Sandra Maria; Nascimento, Ana Paula; Faria, Brigida Monica; Borges, Janete; Oliveira Martins, João Paulo; IATEDStatistics plays a fundamental role in health science courses, making it essential to understand students' attitudes regarding this subject to promote more effective learning. This study aims to assess the attitudes towards statistics of higher education students in a health science institution. Students enrolled in an Health School who were currently undertaking a statistics course were inquired using the Survey of Attitudes Toward Statistics (SATS-28) instrument. STAS-28 is a item scale (5 points Likert scale, Strongly Disagree (1) Strongly Agree (5)) with 4 domains: affect, cognitive, value and difficulty. The total and domains scores were obtained using the mean response of the corresponding items, higher values correspond to positive attitudes. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient and comparisons based on socio-demographic and academic variables were assessed using independent sample t-tests, Cohen´s d was calculated to assess effect size. The study was approved by the Ethical Committee. The sample consisted of 411 students, with a majority being female (81.3%, n=334) and 17.8% male (n=73). Most participants were between 18-20 years old (n=236, 57.4%). Regarding academic status, 84.9% were full-time students, while 14.1% were working students. A total of 366 (89.1%) were enrolled in undergraduate programs, and 39 (9.5%) were in master's programs. The vast majority had never failed statistics (n=377, 91.7%), and nearly three-quarters had never failed any higher education course (n=296, 72%), while 21.4% (n=88) had failed one or two courses. The SATS-28 instrument demonstrated good internal consistency, with Cronbach’s alpha values of 0.85 for the affect domain, 0.77 for the cognitive, 0.85 for the value, and 0.75 for the difficulty domain. The mean for the total score was 3.2 (sd 0.45) indicating a slightly positive attitude. Higher values were observed in the cognitive and value domains (mean 3.55 (sd 0.64) and 3.55 (sd 0.66)), the affect and difficulty domains presented minor negative values (mean 2.97 (sd 0.52) and 2.75 (sd 0.59)). Male students and Master’s students (mean 3.71 (sd 0.66) and mean 3.79 (sd 3.53)) gave more importance to the value component, in comparison to female and undergraduate students (mean 3.51 (sd 0.66) and mean 3.53 (sd 0.67)), respectively (p=.008, d=.31; p=.008, d=.41). Working students (mean 2.58 (sd 0.63)) showed higher perceived difficulty in comparison to full-time students (mean 2.78 (sd 0.58)) (p=.009, d=.34). Students who had never failed in statistics had higher average scores in all components (affect domain (never failed-mean 3.0(sd 0.52) failed mean 2.60 (sd 0.50) p<0.001 d=0.8) cognitive domain (never failed-mean 3.59(sd 0.62) failed mean 3.06 (sd 0.59) p<0.001 d=0.86) value domain (never failed-mean 3.57(sd 0.66) failed mean 3.33 (sd 0.62) p=0.024 d= 0.36) difficulty domain (never failed-mean 2.79(sd 0.58) failed mean 2.33 (sd 0.58) p<0.001 d=0.79) attitude (never failed-mean 3.24(sd 0.43) failed mean 2.83 (sd 0.44) p<0.001 d=0.94) ). These findings highlight the importance of pedagogical strategies that reduce perceived difficulty and enhance more positive attitudes toward statistics, especially among students at higher risk of failure. The study contributes to a better understanding of the attitudes of health science students, enabling targeted interventions to improve their relationship with statistics and, consequently, their academic performance.
- Higher education students' entrepreneurial intentionPublication . Nascimento, Sandra; Nascimento, Ana Paula; Alves, Sandra; Pimenta, Rui Esteves; Pimenta, Rui; Nascimento, Ana Paula; Alves, Sandra MariaIn an era characterized by uncertainty and rapid paradigm shifts, economic and social progress increasingly hinges on entrepreneurial attitudes. Higher education institutions play an important role in fostering such attitudes by identifying and addressing entrepreneurial intention among students. Understanding student perceptions is essential for educational institutions to adapt and enhance their entrepreneurship programs, aligning them with student needs and expectations. This ensures students are adequately equipped to navigate the complex challenges of entrepreneurship in the real world. The primary aim of this research is to evaluate and compare the entrepreneurial intention based on academic level (undergraduate versus postgraduate) among students at the Polytechnic University of Porto (P. PORTO). This observational, cross-sectional, and analytical study targets students enrolled at P. PORTO during the 2023-2024 academic year, across all academic levels. A representative and randomly selected sample of 184 students was used. The study employs the Entrepreneurial Intention Questionnaire (EIQ), a validated tool widely recognized for its reliability and accuracy in measuring entrepreneurial intention, including in the Portuguese context. To achieve the established objective, the sample was characterized, and an independent samples t-test was performed to compare entrepreneurial intention between students’ groups. The majority of participants (71.7%) were undergraduate students, followed by 23.9% in master’s programs. Postgraduate students enrolled in other study cycles represented smaller proportions, with 2.2% in each category. Postgraduate students demonstrated a statistically significant (p=0.048) higher entrepreneurial intention (x̅±sd=4.447±0.724) compared to undergraduates (x̅±sd=4.223±0.672). These findings suggest that advanced education may provide students with enhanced skills, knowledge, and networks, bolstering their confidence and ability to engage in entrepreneurial ventures successfully. The results of this study reveal that postgraduate students at the Polytechnic University of Porto exhibit significantly higher entrepreneurial intentions compared to their undergraduate counterparts. This finding underscores the potential of advanced education to cultivate entrepreneurial mindsets and better prepare students for entrepreneurial careers. Additionally, the higher entrepreneurial intention among postgraduate students suggests a greater predisposition to start their own businesses, reflecting the transformative impact of postgraduate education on entrepreneurial development.
- Entrepreneurial intention: New evidence among students of the Polytechnic University of PortoPublication . Nascimento, Sandra; Nascimento, Ana Paula; Pereira, Ilídio; Pimenta, Rui Esteves; Pimenta, Rui; Nascimento, Sandra; Nascimento, Ana PaulaIn a context of uncertainty and rapid paradigm shifts, economic and social growth increasingly relies on entrepreneurial attitudes. The Entrepreneurial Intention Questionnaire (EIQ), developed by Liñán and Chen (2009), and later validated for the Portuguese context by Oliveira et al. (2016), has been widely used to assess entrepreneurial intention among higher education students. This study aims to present the confirmatory factor analysis of the Portuguese version of the EIQ applied to students from Polytechnic University of Porto (P.PORTO). This study is observational, cross-sectional, and analytical. The target population comprises students from all academic levels at P. PORTO, enrolled during the 2024–2025 academic year. A representative and randomly selected sample of 337 students was included in the analysis. Confirmatory factor analysis was performed to evaluate the factorial structure of the Entrepreneurial Intention Questionnaire (EIQ), using structural equation modelling within the context of P. PORTO students. Model fit was assessed using the Comparative Fit Index (CFI), the Tucker-Lewis Index (TLI), and the Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA). The results of the confirmatory analysis show that the model demonstrates a good overall fit, with CFI = 0.95, TLI = 0.93, and RMSEA = 0.095. These findings confirm the factorial structure of the (EIQ) proposed by Oliveira et al. (2016) within the context of students from P. Porto, thereby providing further evidence for the validity of this instrument. The results of this study provide additional evidence supporting the validity of the factorial structure of the EIQ.
- Can a statistics course improve health sciences students' attitudes towards statistics?Publication . Pimenta, Rui Esteves; Borges, Janete; Nascimento, Ana Paula; Alves, Sandra; Faria, Brígida; Pereira, Ilídio; Martins, João Paulo; Pimenta, Rui; Borges, Janete; Nascimento, Ana Paula; Alves, Sandra Maria; Faria, Brigida Monica; Oliveira Martins, João PauloIn educating future health professionals, it is not only the technical understanding of statistics that matters, but also how students perceive its relevance and grasp its core concepts. When statistics is presented in a way that feels meaningful and accessible, students are more likely to engage with it, and develop a positive attitude toward statistics (ATS). Positive ATS can make a significant difference—not only in how effectively students learn, but also in whether they are prepared to use data thoughtfully in everyday decision-making. Either personal lives or clinical practice, where evidence-based reasoning plays a central role. If one of the goals of statistics education is to enhance more positive ATS, then it becomes essential to assess students’ ATS both before and after instruction. Doing so allows educators to better understand the impact of statistical training. This study aims to assess the changes in attitudes towards statistics among higher education students in a health science institution, following attendance of a statistics course. Students enrolled in a statistics course at a health sciences school were surveyed at the beginning and end of the course using the Survey of Attitudes Toward Statistics (SATS-28) instrument. STAS-28 is an item scale (5 points Likert scale, Strongly Disagree (1) Strongly Agree (5)) with 4 domains: Affect, Cognitive, Value and Difficulty. The total and domains scores were obtained using the mean response of the corresponding items, higher values correspond to positive attitudes. To evaluate changes in students’ ATS paired-samples t-tests were conducted across the 4 domains and the overall attitudes score. In addition to statistical significance testing, effect sizes were calculated using Cohen’s d to assess the practical significance of observed changes. A total of 152 completed the assessment in the two periods, with a majority being female (88.2%, n=134) and 11.8% male (n=18). About half of the participants were aged between 18-20 years (n=87, 57.2%). Regarding academic status only 11 (7.2%) were working students. About 26% (n=40) of the students had already failed a course. Statistically significant improvements were found in the Affective domain: beginning (M1 = 2.93, SD = 0.53) versus end of the course (M2= 3.08, SD = 0.59), t(151) = 2.91, p = .004 (Cohen’s d = 0.61), Cognitive domain: (M1 = 3.54, SD = 0.63) versus (M2 = 3.74, SD = 0.64), t(151) = 3.92, p < .001 (Cohen’s d = 0.62), and Difficulty domain (M1 = 2.77, SD = 0.57) to (M2 = 2.89, SD = 0.59), t(151) = 2.61, p = .010 (Cohen’s d = 0.58). In the overall attitudes toward statistics, there was also an improvement (M1 = 3.18, SD = 0.45) versus (M2 = 3.31, SD = 0.49), t(151) = 3.37, p < .001 (Cohen’s d = 0.45) . These changes were associated with small to moderate effect sizes, indicating meaningful improvements during the course. Regarding the Value domain, no statistical significant change was identified (M1 = 3.49, SD = 0.67) (M2 = 3.52, SD = 0.68), t(151) = 0.56, p = .575. While perceived value, remain stable, overall, the results indicate that students developed more positive affective and cognitive ATS and perceived it as less difficult by the end of the course. These improvements, while modest in magnitude, suggest a meaningful improvement in students’ overall ATS and can meaningfully impact students’ learning experience and long-term confidence with statistics.
- The impact of social media on the choice of cosmetic products among young adults living in the district of PortoPublication . Rodrigues, Beatriz; Sousa, Bruna; Oliveira, Rita F.; Oliveira, Ana Isabel; Ferraz Oliveira, Rita; Oliveira, Ana IsabelThe skin is the largest organ of the human body, fulfilling essential physiological and protective functions. In recent years, the demand for cosmetic products has risen considerably, driven not only by dermatological concerns but also by aesthetic motivations. Social media platforms have emerged as influential channels in shaping consumer behaviour, particularly among young adults. To evaluate the impact of social media on the selection of cosmetic products among young adults aged 18 to 30 residing in the district of Porto. Observational, descriptive, crosssectional study, employing a snowball sampling method. Data were collected through an online questionnaire applied between December 2024 and March 2025, and analysed using SPSS®. A total of 252 participants were included. Higher levels of trust were verified in information sources among participants with dermatological conditions with 63.6% indicating they “trust a lot” in information sources. Male respondents exhibited greater trust in social media content overall (p < 0.001). TikTok emerged as the most influential platform, with 69% of purchases made based on online recommendations. Moreover, both gender and age group influenced the type of information sought (p<0.05). An association was also observed between possible adverse reactions occurrence and subsequent search for professional advice (p < 0.001). These findings suggest that social media exerts a tangible influence on cosmetic purchasing behaviour among young adults, highlighting the need for healthcare professionals to assume a more visible and credible presence within digital platforms.
- Integrating professional knowledge in OTC recommendation systemsPublication . Torres, Beatriz; Oliveira, Alexandra; Alves, Sandra; Faria, Brígida Mónica; Alves, Sandra Maria; Faria, Brigida MonicaCommunity Pharmacy is crucial in promoting public health by improving patients’ quality of life and minimizing medication-related risks [1]. While pharmacy professionals are responsible for dispensing both prescription and overthe-counter (OTC) products, current software systems lack comprehensive, up-to-date information about OTC options [2]. Although professionals are trained and knowledgeable in advising OTC products, enhancing these systems with reliable and safe algorithm would support them with evidence-based recommendations. To address this challenge, the development of a structured framework is proposed to guide the design and implementation of an Artificial Intelligence Health Product Recommendation System that incorporates product characteristics and professional knowledge. For this purpose, it was identified and categorized relevant product attributes (e.g., contraindications, adverse effects) and simultaneously, professionals were consulted to assess the relative importance (least (1) to most important (10)) of each attribute when counselling patients, considering their personal and professional characteristics. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS to explore the possible relationship between their evaluation about the attributes and their sociodemographic characteristics [3]. The attributes with the highest median importance were “Contraindications” and “Symptoms and Duration” (median = 9), while “Adverse Effects,” “Pharmaceutical Form,” and “Price” had the lowest median scores (median = 2). Sociodemographic factors did not significantly influence the importance assigned to each attribute. This expert input will allow the development of a weighted distance function to measure similarity between products and the development of clustering techniques to group similar products, resulting in a pharmacistcentred system.
- Contributions to the validation of a European Portuguese version of Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort QuestionnairePublication . Vieira, F.; Alves, Sandra Maria; Silva, M. A.; Rodrigues, A.; Santos, J.; Pimenta, Rui Esteves; Pimenta, Rui; Alves, Sandra MariaThe European Agency for Safety and Health at Work reported, in 2020, that 22% of European workers experience persistent musculoskeletal pain, with WMSDs accounting for 60% of occupational diseases. Lower back pain and upper limb disorders are major causes of absenteeism and reduced productivity. The Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire (CMDQ) is a widely used tool for assessing the frequency, severity, and interference of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) across 20 body regions. This study aimed to translate and validate the CMDQ for European Portuguese, enhancing its applicability for assessing WRMSDs in Portugal.
- Nasa task load index: Preliminary results from the Portuguese adaptationPublication . Rodrigues, A.; Pimenta, Rui Esteves; Alves, Sandra Maria; Silva, M.; Vieira, F.; Santos, J.; Pimenta, RuiThe NASA Task Load Index (TLX) is a subjective method for assessing workload. Mental workload is a psychosocial risk factor that can negatively impact both the physical and mental health of workers. Early assessment and identification of these risks can lead to more effective diagnosis and treatment, enhancing human performance. The NASA-TLX assesses workload across six domains: mental, physical, temporal demands, performance, effort and frustration level. The aim of this work was producing a Portuguese adaptation of the NASA-TLX scale.
- Preliminary results of a portuguese version of Prevent for Work Questionnaire (P4WQ)Publication . Silva, M.A.; Pimenta, Rui Esteves; Rodrigues, A.; Vieira, F.; Alves, Sandra Maria; Santos, J.; Pimenta, RuiMusculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are among the most prevalent work-related health conditions. While both occupational and non-occupational factors contribute to the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs), psychosocial risks have gained increasing importance in understanding their determinants. The Prevent for Work questionnaire (P4Wq) is a 20-item tool based on a biopsychosocial model. It assesses risk factors associated with WRMSDs, addressing both well-established physical risks and emerging psychosocial factors. Using validated tools in the local language enhances result comparability and generalizability, supporting more effective interventions and policy recommendations tailored to the population's needs. The main aim of this study was to translate and validate the P4Wq for the Portuguese. The P4Wq identifies risk groups and provides data for defining priorities, pedagogical actions, and preventive measures related to WRMSDs.
- A novel DNA-based electrochemical sensor for the detection of Candida speciesPublication . Castanheira, Michelle Shereen Alves; Morais, Stephanie; Seguro, Isabel; Pacheco, João; Lima, Luís; Santos, Marlene; Barroso, M. Fátima; Santos, MarleneThe frequency and prevalence of invasive fungal infections have increased, particularly among hospitalized patients with severe underlying illnesses and/or immunocompromised individuals [1,2]. The survival of these patients relies on the prompt identification of the infection and on the timely initiation of antifungal therapy, and yet standard laboratory testing may yield ambiguous results [3]. The diagnostic approaches for candidiasis include culture testing, serological assays, and histopathologic analysis of tissues; however, these methods may be time-consuming and can yield insensitivity or inaccuracies. The prevailing “gold standard” for identifying Candida spp. fungemia is blood culture. Nonetheless, this is considered insensitive, as it has been shown to be positive in fewer than half of individuals with chronic disseminated candidiasis [4]. Culture methods are time-intensive, with certain Candida species requiring up to a week for development, which is an intolerable delay before initiating fungemia treatment. The difficulties in diagnosing Candida infections highlight the necessity for efficient and rapid methods to detect and identify clinically relevant fungi in a microbiology laboratory. This work involves the development of an electrochemical DNA-based sensor for the rapid, simple, and precise detection of Candida spp. This sensor, self-assembled in an electronic paper device (ePAD), is based on the electrochemical detection of the hybridization reaction between two complementary singlestranded DNA sequences. Initial research indicated that this DNA-based sensor may identify Candida spp. in synthetic DNA samples. Notwithstanding these results, efforts are underway to enhance the sensor for measuring Candida albicans; this methodology will be corroborated by a further study. Future advancements will focus on application within a medical setting, encompassing sensitivity, accuracy, response time, challenges, and potential.