Pedagogical control scales of vertical jumping performance in untrained adolescents (13-16 years): research by strata.

Background: A scale is used to establish performance ranges in different sciences, it being necessary to design specialized biological and pedagogical indicators in physical activity, sport and health. Objective: To design a scale for the pedagogical control of the vertical jumping ability in untrained adolescents (13-16 years), stratifying the sample by age range, ethnicity, urban and rural area, socioeconomic level, and gender. Methods: A representative sample of the Ecuadorian population (n = 3,705) is studied, classifying it into the aforementioned strata, controlling the vertical jump by ISAK I and II level experts, applying the Sargent Test to measure vertical jumps on a multi-force wall, establishing scales with seven percentile levels, and making comparisons related to chronological age, gender, socioeconomic, and genetic indicators. Results: Significant differences in the vertical jumping performance were determined according to the category or age range (13-14 ≠ 15-16 years) and by gender (w = 0.000). Various levels of performance were determined, classifying the maximum level as talented in the female gender (≥40 cm; and ≥42 cm) and male gender (≥47 cm; and ≥57 cm) in the 13‒14 and 15‒16 years categories, respectively. Sampling comparisons by geographical area only determined significant differences in the male gender, with the jumping ability being higher in urban areas (13‒14 years: w = 0.046; 15‒16 years: w = 0.013). The comparison by ethnic groups showed significant differences (k = 0.030), favoring the Afro-Ecuadorian ethnic group in both genders, while there are significant differences by socioeconomic level, especially between the middle and lower classes. Conclusions: The present research solves the lack of a tool for making correct didactic decisions related to the vertical jumping ability, taking into account various important stratified indicators. The complementary conclusions show significant differences according to the category stratum or age range, the gender stratum, and the ethnic stratum in females and males, where the best average rank favored the Afro-Ecuadorian ethnic group in both genders. There are significant differences in the geographical area stratum in the male gender, and differences in the socioeconomic stratum in favor of the upper and middle classes.

Surveillance of COVID-19 and influenza A(H1N1) prevalence in China via medicine-based wastewater biomarkers.

The simultaneous monitoring of individual or multiple diseases can be achieved by selecting therapeutic medicines used to treat the primary symptoms of the condition as biomarkers in wastewater. This study proposes a novel approach to monitor the prevalence of COVID-19 and influenza A (H1N1) by selecting nine medicines to serve as biomarkers, including three antipyretics, three antivirals, and three cough suppressants. To verify our approach, wastewater samples were collected from seventeen urban and five rural wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in a Chinese city over a period of one year. The use of antipyretics increased notably during the COVID-19 pandemic, while the consumption of antivirals for influenza A (H1N1) rose in the post-COVID-19 pandemic period, indicating a minor spike in the occurrence of influenza A (H1N1) after the COVID-19 pandemic. Fever is a significant symptom of COVID-19 and can serve as a reliable indicator of disease prevalence. Our research found that the prevalence of COVID-19 in urban areas was significantly higher (at 78.5 %, 95 % CI: 73.4 % - 83.9 %) than in rural areas (with a prevalence of 48.1 %, 95 % CI: 42.4 % - 53.8 %). The prevalence of COVID-19 in urban areas in this study was consistent with the data reported by the Chinese center for Disease Control and Prevention (82.4 %). Continuous monitoring of WWTPs in urban areas with fluctuating populations and complex demographics can provide early disease warning. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of evaluating community disease prevalence by selecting major therapeutic medicines as biomarkers in wastewater.

Urban-rural disparities in the association between long-term exposure to high altitude and malnutrition among children under 5 years old: evidence from a cross-sectional study in Tibet.

OBJECTIVE: To assess urban-rural disparities in the association between long-term exposure to high altitude and malnutrition among children under 5 years old. DESIGN: A three-stage, stratified, cluster sampling was used to randomly select eligible individuals from July to October 2020. The data of participants, including demographic characteristics, altitude of residence, and nutritional status, were collected via questionnaire and physical examination. SETTING: Tibet, China. PARTICIPANTS: Children under 5 years old in Tibet. RESULTS: Totally, 1975 children under 5 years old were included in this study. We found that an additional 1000 m increase in altitude was associated with decreased Z-scores of height-for-age (ß = -0·23, 95 % CI: -0·38, -0·08), Z-scores of weight-for-age (ß = -0·24, 95 % CI: -0·39, -0·10). The OR for stunting and underweight were 2·03 (95 % CI: 1·51 to 2·73) and 2·04 (95 % CI: 1·38 to 3·02) per 1000 m increase in altitude, respectively; and OR increased rapidly at an altitude above 3500 m. The effects of long-term exposure to high altitudes on the prevalence of underweight in rural children were higher than that in urban children (P < 0·05). CONCLUSIONS: High-altitude exposure is tightly associated with malnutrition among children under 5 years old. Improving children's nutrition is urgently needed in areas above 3500 m, especially in rural ones.

Comparison of Depressive Symptoms and Its Influencing Factors among the Elderly in Urban and Rural Areas: Evidence from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS).

Depression amongst the elderly population is a worldwide public health problem, especially in China. Affected by the urban-rural dual structure, depressive symptoms of the elderly in urban and rural areas are significantly different. In order to compare depressive symptoms and its influencing factors among the elderly in urban and rural areas, we used the data from the fourth wave of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). A total of 7690 participants at age 60 or older were included in this study. The results showed that there was a significant difference in the prevalence estimate of depression between urban and rural elderly (χ2 = 10.9.76, p < 0.001). The prevalence of depression among rural elderly was significantly higher than that of urban elderly (OR-unadjusted = 1.88, 95% CI: 1.67 to 2.12). After adjusting for gender, age, marital status, education level, minorities, religious belief, self-reported health, duration of sleep, life satisfaction, chronic disease, social activities and having income or not, the prevalence of depression in rural elderly is 1.52 times (OR = 1.52, 95% CI: 1.32 to 1.76) than that of urban elderly. Gender, education level, self-reported health, duration of sleep, chronic diseases were associated with depression in both urban and rural areas. In addition, social activities were connected with depression in urban areas, while minorities, marital status and having income or not were influencing factors of depression among the rural elderly. The interaction analysis showed that the interaction between marital status, social activities and urban and rural sources was statistically significant (divorced: coefficient was 1.567, p < 0.05; social activities: coefficient was 0.340, p < 0.05), while gender, education level, minorities, self-reported health, duration of sleep, life satisfaction, chronic disease, social activities having income or not and urban and rural sources have no interaction (p > 0.05). Thus, it is necessary to propose targeted and precise intervention strategies to prevent depression after accurately identifying the factors' effects.

Rural-Urban Differences in the Factors Affecting Depressive Symptoms among Older Adults of Two Regions in Myanmar.

The aim of the study was to investigate rural-urban differences in depressive symptoms in terms of the risk factors among older adults of two regions in Myanmar to provide appropriate intervention for depression depending on local characteristics. This cross-sectional study, conducted between September and December, 2018, used a multistage sampling method to recruit participants from the two regions, for face-to-face interviews. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the 15-item version of the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Depressive symptoms were positively associated with living in rural areas (B = 0.42; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.12,0.72), female (B = 0.55; 95% CI: 0.31,0.79), illness during the preceding year (B = 0.68; 95% CI: 0.45,0.91) and non-Buddhist religion (B = 0.57; 95% CI: 0.001,1.15) and protectively associated with education to middle school level or higher (B = -0.61; 95% CI: -0.94, -0.28) and the frequency of visits to religious facilities (B = -0.20; 95% CI: -0.30, -0.10). In women in urban areas, depressive symptoms were positively associated with illness during the preceding year (B = 0.78; 95% CI: 0.36, 1.20) and protectively associated with education to middle school level or higher (B = -0.67; 95% CI: -1.23, -0.11), middle or high wealth index (B = -0.92; 95% CI: -1.59, -0.25) and the frequency of visits to religious facilities (B = -0.20; 95% CI: -0.38, -0.03). In men in rural areas, illness during the preceding year was positively associated with depressive symptoms (B = 0.87; 95% CI: 0.33, 1.42). In women in rural areas, depressive symptoms were positively associated with illness during the preceding year (B = 0.83; 95% CI: 0.36, 1.30) and protectively associated with primary education (B = -0.62; 95% CI: -1.12, -0.12) and the frequency of visits to religious facilities (B = -0.44; 95% CI: -0.68, -0.21). Religion and wealth could have different levels of association with depression between older adults in the urban and rural areas and men and women. Interventions for depression in older adults should consider regional and gender differences in the roles of religion and wealth in Myanmar.

[Factors that related to the depressive symptoms among elderly in urban and rural areas of China].

Objective: The aim of this research was to study the prevalence and differences of depressive symptoms and related factors in elderly in both urban and rural areas so as to develop relative strategies on this issue. Methods: Ten-question-version of the Center Epidemiologic Studies-Depression scale (CES-D) was applied to score the depressive status. Data used in this research was from the 2013 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). Binary logistic regressions method was applied to examine the influential factors related to depression symptoms. Results: In the elderly population, the mean score on depressive symptoms was 8.3±5.9, with a prevalence as 26.8%. The incidence rates on 'Elderly depression' in urban and rural areas were 16.4% and 30.0% respectively. The prevalence of depressive symptoms was relatively low (P<0.05) with protective factors including: being male, status related to self-rated health, without chronic diseases, active participation in social activities etc. noticed, among elderly in both urban and rural areas. Age and alcohol consumption appeared factors that influencing the depressive symptoms of the elderly in rural areas, while the average income was an influencing factor on the elderly in urban areas. Incidence of depression was relatively low in age ≥75 years group in rural areas. However, elderly in the rural areas with abstinence of alcohol intake showed higher incidence of depressive symptoms (P<0.05). Incidence of depression was reltively low (P<0.05) among elderly with high income in the urban areas. Conclusions: Incidence of depression appeared high among the elderly and even higher in the rural areas. Strategies would include the following points: to strengthen the construction of urban-rural integration, improving and strengthening the rural pension insurance system, upgrading the urban social assistance for low-income elderly, strengthening the psychological consultation service of primary medical institutions and actively developing the three-tier levels related to the prevention of chronic diseases.

Factors that related to the depressive symptoms among elderly in urban and rural areas of China / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective The aim of this research was to study the prevalence and differences of depressive symptoms and related factors in elderly in both urban and rural areas so as to develop relative strategies on this issue.Methods Ten-question-version of the Center Epidemiologic Studies-Depression scale (CES-D) was applied to score the depressive status.Data used in this research was from the 2013 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS).Binary logistic regressions method was applied to examine the influential factors related to depression symptoms.Results In the elderly population,the mean score on depressive symptoms was 8.3 ± 5.9,with a prevalence as 26.8％.The incidence rates on ‘Elderly depression'in urban and rural areas were 16.4％ and 30.0％ respectively.The prevalence of depressive symptoms was relatively low (P＜0.05)with protective factors including:being male,status related to self-rated health,without chronic diseases,active participation in social activities etc.noticed,among elderly in both urban and rural areas.Age and alcohol consumption appeared factors that influencing the depressive symptoms of the elderly in rural areas,while the average income was an influencing factor on the elderly in urban areas.Incidence of depression was relatively low in age ≥75 years group in rural areas.However,elderly in the rural areas with abstinence of alcohol intake showed higher incidence of depressive symptoms (P＜0.05).Incidence of depression was reltively low (P＜0.05) among elderly with high income in the urban areas.Conclusions Incidence of depression appeared high among the elderly and even higher in the rural areas.Strategies would include the following points:to strengthen the construction of urban-rural integration,improving and strengthening the rural pension insurance system,upgrading the urban social assistance for low-income elderly,strengthening the psychological consultation service of primary medical institutions and actively developing the three-tier levels related to the prevention of chronic diseases.

Factors that related to the depressive symptoms among elderly in urban and rural areas of China / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective The aim of this research was to study the prevalence and differences of depressive symptoms and related factors in elderly in both urban and rural areas so as to develop relative strategies on this issue.Methods Ten-question-version of the Center Epidemiologic Studies-Depression scale (CES-D) was applied to score the depressive status.Data used in this research was from the 2013 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS).Binary logistic regressions method was applied to examine the influential factors related to depression symptoms.Results In the elderly population,the mean score on depressive symptoms was 8.3 ± 5.9,with a prevalence as 26.8％.The incidence rates on ‘Elderly depression'in urban and rural areas were 16.4％ and 30.0％ respectively.The prevalence of depressive symptoms was relatively low (P＜0.05)with protective factors including:being male,status related to self-rated health,without chronic diseases,active participation in social activities etc.noticed,among elderly in both urban and rural areas.Age and alcohol consumption appeared factors that influencing the depressive symptoms of the elderly in rural areas,while the average income was an influencing factor on the elderly in urban areas.Incidence of depression was relatively low in age ≥75 years group in rural areas.However,elderly in the rural areas with abstinence of alcohol intake showed higher incidence of depressive symptoms (P＜0.05).Incidence of depression was reltively low (P＜0.05) among elderly with high income in the urban areas.Conclusions Incidence of depression appeared high among the elderly and even higher in the rural areas.Strategies would include the following points:to strengthen the construction of urban-rural integration,improving and strengthening the rural pension insurance system,upgrading the urban social assistance for low-income elderly,strengthening the psychological consultation service of primary medical institutions and actively developing the three-tier levels related to the prevention of chronic diseases.

Dental caries and oral health practice among 12 year old school children from low socio-economic status background in Zimbabwe.

INTRODUCTION: Dental caries is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases affecting children in Sub-Saharan Africa. Previous studies show a higher prevalence of dental caries in children from low socio-economic status backgrounds. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of dental caries among 12 year old children in urban and rural areas of Zimbabwe and establish preliminary baseline data. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 12 year old children at primary schools in Harare and Bikita district. A Pre-tested questionnaire was administered to elicit information from the participants on tooth cleaning, dietary habits and dental experience. Dental caries status was assessed using the DMFT index following World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. RESULTS: Our results showed a high prevalence of dental caries in both urban (59.5%) and rural (40.8%) children. The mean DMFT in urban and rural areas was 1.29 and 0.66, respectively. Furthermore, our data showed a general lack of knowledge on oral health issues by the participants. CONCLUSION: There is high prevalence of dental caries among 12 years old school children in both urban and rural areas of Zimbabwe. This calls for early preventive strategies and treatment services. We recommend incorporation of oral health education in the elementary school curricula.