Socio-demographic, agricultural, and personal protective factors in relation to health literacy among farmers from all regions of Thailand.

Introduction: Farmers are vulnerable to adverse health effects from pesticide exposure due to their health literacy (HL). Therefore, this study aims to investigate HL among farmers in four main regions of Thailand, investigating socio-demographics, agricultural, and personal protective factors to their HL. Methods: This cross-sectional design study was conducted on 4,035 farmers from January to July 2023. The European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire-47 items were used to measure HL. Results: Thai farmers had a mean HL score of 34.7 ± 8.7, and the farmers in the North region of Thailand had the highest frequency of limited HL (75.8%). Socio-demographic factors that were associated with HL included gender, region of living, marital status, education level, co-morbidity, and number of family members. Agricultural factors associated with HL included planting status, working hours on farm, spraying pesticides, harvesting crops, pesticide use of >1 type, access information from government officers, access information from posters/brochures, information from online multimedia, and access information from neighbors. Personal protective factors that were associated with HL included wearing a hat, goggles, a rubber apron, and a long-sleeved shirt. Discussion: Our study recommends that strategies and interventions to enhance the HL of farmers should be focused on the target populations, which include men, widows, or divorced, those with low levels of education, those who have co-morbidities, and those who applied pesticides of more than 1 type and improper personal protective equipment (PPE) use. The primary emphasis needs to be on the North region of Thailand, making that the target area to improve health equity in Thailand. These efforts would enhance the HL of farmers and sustainably improve pesticide safety behavior. Additionally, there is an urgent need for supportive measures aimed at altering on-farm practices and promoting education on alternative pest management strategies, particularly non-chemical crop protection, to ensure sustainable agriculture.

Lower extremity muscle strength equation of older adults assessed by Five Time Sit to Stand Test (FTSST).

Background: The decline in lower limb muscle strength, one of the risk factors for falling in the older adults, puts older persons at an increased risk of falling. The assessment of the lower limb muscle strength is very important. Objective: The purpose of this study was to construct the equation for predicting knee extensor muscle strength based on demographic data and the results of the Five-Time Sit-to-Stand Test (FTSST). Methods: A total of 121 healthy elders (mean age 68.00±7.26) were asked to complete the FTSST and submit the demographic information. By using a stationary push-pull dynamometer, the knee extensor strength of each participant was assessed. The multiple regression analysis was used to explore knee extensor strength prediction equation. Results: The findings demonstrated that the knee extensor strength equation was developed using variables obtained from gender, weight, and time to complete the FTSST. The equation was found to have a high correlation (r=0.838) and 70.1% estimation power. Its formula was as follows: Knee extensor strength=32.735+3.688 (gender; female=0 or male=1) + 0.189 (weight) - 2.617 (time to complete the FTSST). However, there was an estimating error in this equation of 4.72 kg. Conclusion: The determining factors influencing knee extensor strength, which can be utilized to estimate the strength in elderly individuals, are demographic variables including gender, weight, and the time taken to complete the FTSST.

Modified Squat Test for Predicting Knee Muscle Strength in Older Adults.

Background: Methods for evaluating the strength of the knee extensor muscles play a vital role in determining the functionality of the lower limbs and monitoring any alterations that occur over time in older individuals. This study assessed the validity of the modified squat test (MST) in predicting knee extensor muscle strength in older adults. Methods: This study included a total of 110 older adults. We collected demographic information such as sex, age, body weight, height, and thigh circumference. Muscle strength was assessed by measuring the maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) of the knee extensors, and by performing the MST (5 and 10 repetitions) and single-leg standing balance test. Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis was used to investigate multiple factors impacting the prediction of knee extensor strength. Results: Factors such as age, sex, thigh circumference, performance on the single-leg standing eye-open (SSEO) task, and the time required to complete the 10 MST repetitions together explained 77.8% of the variation in knee extensor muscle strength among older adults. We further developed a predictive equation to calculate strength as follows: strength = 36.78 - 0.24 (age) + 6.16 (sex) + 0.19 (Thigh circumference) + 0.05 (SSEO) - 0.54 (Time required to complete 10 MST repetitions) ± 5.51 kg. Conclusion: The 10-repetition MST is an invaluable instrument for establishing an equation to accurately predict lower limb muscle strength.

Predicting Age of Independent Walking in Preterm Infants: A Longitudinal Study Using Neonatal Characteristics and Motor Development Variables.

OBJECTIVE: To formulate an equation estimating months to independent walking in moderate to late preterm infants based on neonatal characteristics and gross motor development from 7 months to independent walking. METHODS: Sixty infants born between 32 to 36 weeks were assessed using Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) for gross motor development. Neonatal characteristics were recorded at 7 months, and caregiver-reported independent walking onset. Pearson correlation analyzed age, AIMS scores, and neonatal factors. Multiple regression developed the prediction equation. RESULTS: The equation for independent walking onset, which included gestational age (GA) at birth, total AIMS score at 10 months of age (10th AIMS), and birth head circumference (BHC), exhibited a strong correlation (r=0.707) and had a predictive power of 50.0%. The equation is as follows: age onset of independent walking (months)=33.157, -0.296 (GA), -0.132 (10th AIMS), -0.196 (BHC), with an estimation error of 0.631 months. CONCLUSION: Neonatal characteristics, such as GA, 10th AIMS, and BHC, are key determinants in estimating the onset of independent walking in moderate to late preterm infants.

Overweight in elderly increases postural instability during sit-to-stand test: a Kinect-based assessment.

BACKGROUND: Being overweight increases the risk of falls and subsequent injuries. However, conventional functional balance tests may not be appropriate for this population as body weight can affect test performance. Thus, it is crucial to develop reliable methods for assessing balance ability in overweight individuals. AIM: The purpose of this study was to utilize a portable gaming device (Kinect Xbox 360) to measure the center of mass (CoM) of elderly individuals and compare the results between normal weight and overweight elderly women. METHODS: The study included 64 female elderly individuals who were divided into two groups: 32 normal weight and 32 overweight subjects, matched for age (matched pairs design). The study collected the body's CoM during the five-time sit-to-stand test (FTSST) using Kinect camera. Additionally, the participants underwent the time up and go test (TUGT) and one-leg standing balance (OLSB) tests. The Kinect Xbox 360 demonstrated high test-retest reliability for measuring body's center of mass sway, with ICC3,1 value of 0.982 in the vertical direction, 0.983 in the mediolateral (ML) direction, and 0.997 in the anteroposterior (AP) direction. Additionally, the technical error of measurement (TEM) was very low at 0.006, 0.002, and 0.004, respectively. The % coefficient of variation ranged from 1.31% to 5.68%, indicating good measurement consistency. RESULTS: Overweight individuals took longer to complete FTSST and TUGT compared to normal weight individuals, but no significant difference was observed in OLSB tests. Moreover, overweight elderly individuals had greater sway length in the ML and AP directions compared to normal weight elderly individuals. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Overweight elderly individuals had poorer balance than their normal weight counterparts when using Kinect camera. The researchers suggest that Kinect device can be a cost-effective alternative to measure balance performance among overweight elderly in the community-based setting.

Using a Standing Heel-Rise Test as a Predictor of Ankle Muscle Strength in the Elderly.

The senior population is at increased risk of falling due to a reduction in ankle muscle strength. Evaluating the strength of the ankle muscles in older adults is of paramount importance. The purpose of this study was to formulate an equation to estimate ankle muscle strength by utilizing the basic physical characteristics of the subject and the variables related to their ability to perform the standing heel-rise test (SHRT). One hundred and thirty-two healthy elderly participants (mean age 67.30 ± 7.60) completed the SHRT and provided demographic information. Ankle plantar flexor (PF) muscle strength was evaluated using a push-pull dynamometer. Multiple regression analysis was utilized to develop a prediction equation for ankle PF muscle strength. The study revealed that the ankle PF strength equation was derived from variables including the power index of the SHRT, gender, age, calf circumference, and single-leg standing balance test. The equation exhibited a strong correlation (r = 0.816) and had a predictive power of 65.3%. The equation is represented as follows: ankle PF strength = 24.31 - 0.20(A) + 8.14(G) + 0.49(CC) + 0.07(SSEO) + 0.20(BW/t-SHRT). The equation had an estimation error of 5.51 kg. The strength of ankle PFs in elderly individuals can be estimated by considering demographic variables, including gender, age, calf circumference, single-leg standing balance test, and the power index of the SHRT. These factors were identified as significant determinants of ankle PF strength in this population.

Balance Ability and Quality of Life in Older Adult with Recovery from Mild COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we aimed to assess the ability to balance and quality of life (QoL) among older adults without a history of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and those who had recovered from mild COVID-19. METHODS: We recruited 80 older adults and categorized them into the following two groups based on their history of COVID-19: those without COVID-19 (n=40) and those who had recovered from mild COVID-19 (n=40). We assessed the participants' ability to balance using the multi-directional reach test and timed up and go (TUG) test, and evaluated their QoL using the Short Form-36. RESULTS: Compared with older adults without a history of COVID-19, those who had recovered from mild COVID-19 demonstrated no differences in the scores of the forward, backward, right, and left directions (p>0.05), but a significantly longer duration for the TUG test (p=0.02) and a reduced QoL. CONCLUSION: Our study results demonstrated decreased ability to balance and poor QoL among older adults who had recovered from mild COVID-19.

Predictive Ability of the 2-Minute Step Test for Functional Fitness in Older Individuals with Hypertension.

BACKGROUND: The 2-minute step test (2MST) is a simple and inexpensive functional test that measures an individual's ability to perform continuous stepping up and down on a step platform for two minutes. This study evaluated the 2MST as a tool for assessing functional fitness in older individuals with hypertension and determined the correlation between the 2MST and physical fitness tests. METHODS: A total of 91 older individuals with hypertension performed physical fitness tests, including the 2MST, 6-minute walk test (6MWT), five times sit-to-stand test (FTSST), grip strength and leg strength assessments, and timed up and go test (TUG) to collectively assess their physical fitness. RESULTS: A cutoff score of ≤60 steps in the 2MST had 87.50% sensitivity and 70.59% specificity in predicting functional exercise performance in older individuals with hypertension. Additionally, the number of steps in the 2MST was positively correlated with the distance covered in the 6MWT, isometric grip strength, and isometric leg strength and negatively correlated with the duration of the FTSST and TUG. CONCLUSIONS: A cutoff score of ≤60 steps in the 2MST predicted functional exercise performance in older individuals with hypertension with 87.50% sensitivity and 70.59% specificity and was correlated with other physical fitness tests, suggesting that the 2MST is a useful tool for assessing functional exercise performance.

The Influence of Knee Extensor and Ankle Plantar Flexor Strength on Single-Leg Standing Balance in Older Women.

Impaired balance is a significant risk factor for falls among older adults. The precise impact of lower-extremity muscles, including the proportion of muscle strength, on the performance of single-leg standing balance tests in older individuals is very interesting. The aim of this study is to examine the correlation between the knee extensor (KE), ankle plantar flexor (AP) muscle strength, and performance in single-leg standing balance tests in older females. Additionally, it aims to evaluate the combined proportion of KE and AP muscle strength in maintaining balance during single-leg standing. A total of 90 older females (mean age 67.83 ± 8.00 years) were recruited. All participants underwent maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) testing of the KE and AP muscles, as well as single-leg standing balance tests with eyes open (SSEO) and eyes closed (SSEC). To examine the influence of KE and AP muscle strength on balance performance, multiple regression analysis was conducted. Low correlations were found between SSEO and MVIC of KE and AP muscles, but moderate correlations were found with percentage of MVIC to body weight ratio (%MVIC/BW). The best model for SSEO included 0.99 times of the %MVIC/BW of AP and 0.66 times that of KE muscles as independent predictor variables (r = 0.682). In conclusion, AP muscle strength was found to have a greater impact on single-leg standing balance compared with KE muscle strength.

Association between Stress and Physical Fitness of University Students Post-COVID-19 Pandemic.

Post-COVID-19 pandemic, most universities changed their educational model from online courses to onsite learning, allowing students to attend regular face-to-face classes. These changes can cause stress in students, which affects physical fitness. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between stress levels and physical fitness in female university students. The participants were 101 female university students, 18-23 years of age. All participants completed the Suan Prung Stress Test-60 (SPST-60). The physical fitness test included body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness, as well as musculoskeletal fitness. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to determine the associations between SPST-60 scores and physical fitness. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. We found a negative correlation between the sources of stress scores, here environment, and maximal oxygen consumption (ß = -0.291; 95% CI, -0.551, -0.031). We also found that symptoms of stress scores in the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems were positively associated with waist-hip circumference ratio (WHR) (ß = 0.010; 95% CI, 0.002, 0.017 and ß = 0.006; 95% CI, 0.000, 0.012, respectively). Moreover, the symptoms of stress, here emotion, were positively associated with the WHR (ß = 0.005; 95 %CI, 0.001, 0.009) and negatively associated with upper extremity muscle strength (ß = -0.005; 95% CI, -0.009, 0.000). The results of this study confirmed the associations between stress levels in the post-COVID-19 pandemic era and WHR, maximal oxygen consumption, and upper extremity muscle strength. As a result, stress reduction or prevention alternatives should be considered in order to maintain physical fitness and prevent stress disorders.

Acute health symptoms related to perception and practice of pesticides use among farmers from all regions of Thailand.

Introduction: Occupational exposure to pesticides may cause acute health effects for farmers and agricultural workers. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the prevalence of poisoning symptoms related pesticide exposure among farmers from all regions of Thailand, as well as factors linked to poisoning symptoms of neurological and neuromuscular systems, the respiratory system, and eye and skin disorders. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in 4,035 farmers who lived in four regions of Thailand. The samples were chosen using stratified random sampling, with 746 for the Central region, 2,065 for the North-East, 586 for the North, and 638 for the South. Results: The results found that the highest prevalence of poisoning symptoms was found in association with neurological and neuromuscular systems (75%), followed by the respiratory system (60.4%), the eyes (41.2%), and skin (14.8%). The most prevalent symptoms were muscle pain (49%) for neurological and neuromuscular symptoms, burning nose (37.6%) for respiratory symptoms, itchy eyes (26.3%) for eye symptoms, and rashes (14.4%) for skin symptoms. The remarkable findings were that types of pesticide use, task on the farm, types of pesticide sprayers, and perception are the crucial factors affecting all poisoning symptoms. Discussion: The findings are also beneficial to the Thai government and other relevant organizations for launching measures, campaigns, or interventions to lower modifiable risk factors, resulting in reducing health risks associated with pesticide exposure.

Factors Associating with the Segmental Postural Control during Sitting in Moderate-to-Late Preterm Infants via Longitudinal Study.

(1) Background: biological variables and particular child rearing practices could be linked to postural control and rates of sitting onset. The segmental Assessment of Trunk Control (SATCo) is currently used as an assessment of postural control with a specific segment on premature infants. However, the association between related factors and segmental trunk control during sitting development in preterm infants via longitudinal assessments is still limited. Objective: to investigate the associations between biological and child rearing factors and segmental trunk control during sitting in moderate to late premature birth from the age of 4 months to age of independent sitting attainment. (2) Methods: forty-two infants born between 32 and 36 weeks of gestation were recruited. Their segmental trunk control was assessed using the SATCo. Their related factors were recorded from the age of 4 months to early onset of independent sitting attainment. The generalised estimating equation (GEE) model was used to identify the association between related factors and the SATCo with a linear distribution. (3) Results: cause of prematurity, baby rocking recliner and baby walker usage were negative factors, while play in a sitting position, opportunity to move on a traditional mat and sleep mattress were positive factors contributing to the segmental control of the trunk. (4) Conclusions: the experience of sitting on different surfaces and an opportunity to sit without support during the child rearing period from age of 4 months corrected could be positive factors associating with the segmental trunk control in moderate-to-late premature infants.

Segmental Assessment of Trunk Control in Moderate-to-Late Preterm Infants Related to Sitting Development.

(1) Background: The assessment of postural segment control in premature infants seems to be critical during the onset of upright gross motor development, especially sitting. Identifying correlations between postural segment control and the development of sitting milestones could help with promoting optimal gross motor movement. However, data on this topic in home-raised premature infants via longitudinal design are still limited. The purpose of this study was to examine relationships between postural segment control and sitting development through series assessments from the corrected age of 4 months until the early onset of independent sitting attainment. (2) Methods: 33 moderate-to-late premature infants were recruited. Their trunk segment control was assessed using the Segmental Assessment of Trunk Control (SATCo), and sitting development was examined by the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS). Relationships between SATCo and sitting scores were analysed using Spearman's rank correlation (rs). (3) Results: significant fair-to-good correlations between segmental trunk control and sitting scales were found from 4 months (rs = 0.370-0.420, p < 0.05) to the age of independent sitting attainment (rs = 0.561-0.602, p < 0.01). (4) Conclusion: relationships between the trunk segment control and sitting ability of moderate-to-late preterm infants were increased in accordance with age.