Reliability of Gallon-Jug Shelf-Transfer Power Equations in Older Women.

ABSTRACT: Ly, A, Strand, KL, Courtney, KJ, Barry, SS, Liscano, JA, Trebotich, TL, Martin-Diala, C, Martin, E, and Signorile, JF. Reliability of gallon-jug shelf-transfer test power equations in older women. J Strength Cond Res 37(5): 1124-1130, 2023-This study examined the test-retest reliability of the gallon-jug shelf-transfer (GJST) test as a measure of upper-body functional power in older women. Although the validity of the predictive equations for power during the GJST test has been established, for the test to be viable in either a laboratory or clinical environment, between-day and within-day reliability must be established. Thirty-four independently living older women (mean ± SD : 75.0 ± 6.4 years) performed 2 sets of 3 repetitions of the GJST test on 2 days separated by at least 48 hours. Using the established predictive equations, the values for peak power and average power were then computed. Statistical analyses to assess reliability included intraclass correlation coefficient, coefficient of variation (CV), SEM , minimal detectable change (MDC), and Cronbach's α values. Furthermore, Bland-Altman plots evaluated the agreement between the tests. Intraclass correlation coefficient (>0.91, p < 0 001), CV (<8.1%), SEM (<5.94 W), MDC (<14 W), and Cronbach's α (>0.95) indicated excellent reliability. The lines of equality for all Bland-Altman plots fell within the 95% confidence interval of the mean difference, implying that there were no significant differences between tests. Furthermore, bias values were small (<11.15 W), and the limits of agreement (LOA) were within an acceptable range. Based on our statistical analyses, the GJST test is a highly reliable assessment for determining object transfer power for healthy older women.

Validity and Reliability of the Seated Medicine Ball Throw as a Measure of Upper Body Power in Older Women.

ABSTRACT: Strand, KL, Ly, AS, Barry, SS, Liscano, JA, Trebotich, TL, Martin-Diala, C, Martin, E, and Signorile, JF. Validity and reliability of the seated medicine ball throw as a measure of upper body power in older women. J Strength Cond Res 37(4): 902-908, 2023-In women, aging is associated with diminishing upper body power, which may increase the risk of falls and fall-related injury; however, the validity and reliability of clinical tests to evaluate upper body power need to be confirmed. The seated medicine ball throw (SMBT) is an upper body performance test used to monitor muscle function among older individuals. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the validity and test-retest reliability of the SMBT in older women. Thirty-five women (age = 75.15 ± 6.39 years) participated in this study. Subjects performed SMBT trials using common ball masses (SMBT 4lb and SMBT 3kg ) over 3 sessions. Familiarization with the SMBT and chest press 1 repetition maximum (CP 1RM ) was provided on the first day. On day 2, subjects repeated the tests, but data were recorded. On day 3, SMBT was retested followed by an evaluation of chest press peak power (CP PP ) values at 30-80% of CP 1RM . Significant correlations ( p ≤ 0.05) were found between the CP PP and SMBT 4lb ( r = 0.775, p < 0.001) and SMBT 3kg ( r = 0.734, p < 0.001), and SMBT distance showed expected declines with age ( r = -0.724 to -0.626, p < 0.001), demonstrating its validity. High reliability between testing days was found, and Bland-Altman plots showed few points that fell outside the limits of agreement. In conclusion, the SMBT is a valid and highly reliable tool that can be used by health professionals to monitor deficits in upper body muscular power to improve treatment protocols in older women.

Prevalence and factors influencing modern contraceptive use among HIV-positive women in Kilimanjaro region, northern Tanzania.

BACKGROUND: Mother-to-Child-Transmission (MTCT) of HIV is still a public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa. The region has a high unmet need for family planning and high unplanned pregnancy rates among HIV-positive women. Most efforts to prevent MTCT of HIV have focused on the third prong, a strategy which offers antiretroviral (ARV) drugs to HIV-infected pregnant women and their exposed infants. However, the effective use of contraceptives to prevent unplanned pregnancies among women living with HIV is more effective in reducing HIV MTCT. This study aimed at determining the prevalence and factors influencing modern contraceptive use among HIV-positive women in northern Tanzania. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted between January and June 2014 in three selected districts of Kilimanjaro region, Tanzania. Data were collected during face-to-face interviews with HIV-positive women attending Care and Treatment Clinics (CTC) in the selected districts. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine independent predictors of modern contraceptive use. RESULTS: In total 672 HIV-positive women were enrolled. Their mean age was 36.4 years (±7.7). Fifty four percent (362) were currently using modern contraceptives, and the most common method used was male condoms 76% (275) followed by Depo-Provera 28% (101). A total of 33% (121) of the users reported dual contraceptive use. Women with primary education [Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 7.54, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.51-17.48, P = 0.014]; post-secondary [AOR = 6.23, 95% CI: 1.14-14.07, P = 0.035]; not currently on ARVs [AOR = 11.29, 95% CI: 2.60-19.94, P = 0.001]; currently sexually active [AOR = 8.40, 95% CI: 4.47-15.78, P < 0.001]; ever discussed contraceptive use with partner [AOR = 3.68, 95% CI: 1.67-8.11, P = 0.001]; and being counseled on dual contraceptive use at CTC [AOR = 2.94, 95% CI: 1.66-5.23, P < 0.001]; had significantly higher odds of currently using modern contraceptive methods. CONCLUSIONS: Given the population studied, the prevalence of modern contraceptive use was low. Strategies are required to increase the use of dual and long-term contraceptive methods among women who do not want more children in order to reduce MTCT, and to improve maternal and child health in the region. Programme managers and health care providers need to identify counseling strategies that are specific to HIV-positive women that not only impart knowledge on contraceptives, but also address the issue of responsibility for influencing HIV transmission in the community.

Determinantes sociales de la salud y sistema de gestión de la calidad en servicios estomatológicos / Social determinants of health and quality manager system on dentistry services

Introducción: los sistemas salud se han estructurado tradicionalmente en torno al eje de la curación de enfermedades y la prevención clínica, sin tener en cuenta los determinantes sociales de la salud; se impone, por tanto, una nueva visión basada en la epidemiología social. Objetivo: promover el conocimiento de los determinantes sociales de la salud e incentivar su análisis al diseñar sistemas de Gestión de la Calidad en servicios estomatológicos. Material y Métodos: fueron revisados artículos relacionados con los temas en revistas y textos originales, tanto nacionales como internacionales, disponibles en la Facultad de Estomatología y la Escuela Nacional de Salud Pública (ENSAP) y los localizadores electrónicos: Pubmed, Medline, y Google. Resultados: el desarrollo de Sistemas de Gestión de Calidad (SGC) es trascendental para elevar el desempeño de las instituciones de salud, por este motivo cada vez es mayor el número de funcionarios que se preocupa por este aspecto dentro del sector. Es importante que al diseñarlos, se tengan en cuenta los determinantes sociales de la salud, ya que son factores que influyen y modelan la salud de los individuos y las comunidades. Conclusiones: es trascendental abordar la Gestión de la Calidad en Estomatología, no solo desde el punto de vista de la curación de enfermedades y la prevención clínica, sino teniendo en cuenta el paradigma biopsico-social, integral y global(AU)

Introduction: the health systems have been structured traditionally around the axis of the cure of diseases and the clinical prevention, without keeping in mind the social determinant of the health; it is imposed therefore, a new vision based on the social epidemiology. Objective: to promote the knowledge of the social determinant of the health and tomotivate their analysis when designing systems of Administration of the Quality in dentistry services. Material and Methods: articles related with the topics were revised in journals and original texts, published nationaland international, available at the Odontology school and of the National School of Public Health and the electronics searchers: Pubmed, Medline, and Google.Results: the development of Quality Management System (QMS) is very important to rise the acting of the health´s institutions, for this reason every time is bigger the number of officials that worries about this aspect inside the sector. It is important that when designing them, be kept in mind the social determinant of the health, since they are factors that influence and they model the health of the individuals and the communities. Conclusions: it is momentous to approach the Manager of the Quality in odontology, not alone from the point of view of the cure of diseases and the clinical prevention, but keeping in mind the bio-psico-social, integration, and global paradigm(AU)