Unveiling the efficacy of latex gloves in preventing viral infections during needlestick injuries: An in vitro mixed-methods study.

BACKGROUND: Gloves are personal protective equipment designed to prevent contamination and reduce the spread of microorganisms. This study aimed to assess in vitro the physical integrity of latex gloves and the retention of biological contamination in healthcare simulation. METHOD: Three different batches of latex procedure gloves from five different brands and specific batches were evaluated before use for physical integrity by the standard protocols of the Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and of the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Moreover, the retention of biological contamination by latex procedure gloves in needlestick injury simulation with crystal violet and bacteriophages were applied in order to mimic human blood and virus presence. RESULTS: Brands D and C showed the best and worst results in the immediate inspections and after 2 min, respectively. For Brand C, damage occurred in one finger/region in a total of 12 gloves, while seven gloves were damaged/unable to be worn. Brand D presented only two gloves with tears and/or holes in one finger/region. Regarding the viral contamination, in a simulated needlestick injury, data showed no significant difference among the groups. CONCLUSION: All glove brands presented physical damage that might affect the spread of microorganisms. The gloves did not exert an additional protective effect during a needlestick injury simulation in accordance with the two techniques used in this study.

Depression Symptoms Amongst Older Brazilian and Chinese Women Submitted to Different Social Distancing Measures Rigidness during COVID-19 Outbreak.

BACKGROUND: It is plausible that depression symptoms and disrupting sleep quality were differently affected according to the rigidity of social distancing during the COVID-19 outbreak. OBJECTIVE: To describe and compare depression symptoms and sleep quality amongst older Brazilian and Chinese women who were submitted to different social distancing measures (less rigid (Brazil) versus more rigid (China)). METHODS: This observational cross-sectional study assessed urban older women who underwent home confinement with less (Brazil; n=1015) or more (China; n=644) rigidity. Socio-demographic correlates, general health information, depression symptoms [Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS15)], and sleep quality [Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)] were assessed through interviews. RESULTS: 1659 older women (66.74 ± 5.48 years old; 38.8% Chinese; 61.2% Brazilian) were included for analysis. 22% of Brazilians and 19.6% of Chinese women presented depression symptoms. The frequency of bad sleepers was 56.4% and 37.7% amongst Brazilian and Chinese older women, respectively. After adjusting for socio-demographic variables, general health status, and PSQI global score, Chinese women had a significantly higher score of depression symptoms (3.88 ± 0.13) compared to the Brazilians (3.26 ± 0.10; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The frequency of poor sleep quality was very high regardless of the country. After adjusting for confounders and sleep quality, older Chinese women had a significantly superior score. of depression symptoms exacerbating psychological distress by confinement rigidness.

Handgrip strength asymmetry cut points to identify slow gait speed in six low- and middle-income countries: A cross-sectional analysis with 12,669 older adults.

BACKGROUND: Handgrip strength (HGS) asymmetry is associated with slow gait speed. Both mark muscle dysfunction, potential risk of falls, and adverse health outcomes. This association was found in older adults from high-income countries, but not yet studied in low- and middle-income countries. Moreover, there is no HGS asymmetry referential to identify the disabling process. Thus, our study aims to verify the association of HGS asymmetry with slowness in older adults from six low- and middle-income countries and to propose cut points to slowness. METHODS: A cross-sectional study with data from 12,669 older adults (≥60 years) of the Study on Global Aging and Adult Health (SAGE) conducted in six low- and middle-income countries were analyzed. Based in the difference between upper body sides HGS (asymmetry), participants were categorized in groups as 0.0-10.0% (reference group), 10.1-20.1%, 20.1-30.0% or >30.0%. Slow gait speed was established as <0.59 (men) and <0.51 (women) m/s. Associations of HGS asymmetry with gait speed were ascertained with logistic regression. HGS asymmetry index "[(HGS asymmetry*HGS)/(BMI*Age)]*100" cut points to identify slowness were generated with the ROC curve and Youden index (α = 5%). RESULTS: Compared to HGS reference group, those with HGS asymmetry of 10.1-20%, 20.1-30.0% and >30.0% had a superior odds for slowness [1.18(CI:1.02,1.42); 1.17(CI: 0.97; 1.44); and 1.21(CI:1.03;1.43), respectively]. HGS asymmetry index cut points to identify slowness were ≤1.14 (women) and ≤1.77 (men). CONCLUSIONS: HGS asymmetry association with slowness is present in economically disadvantaged countries. We proposed a new index for impaired muscle function with acceptable sensibility and specificity.