A Framework for Femtech: guiding principles for developing digital reproductive health tools in the United States (Preprint)

UNSTRUCTURED The United States has abysmal reproductive health indices that, in part, reflect stark inequities experienced by people of color and those with preexisting medical conditions. The growth of “femtech,” or technology-based solutions to women’s health issues in the public and private sectors, is promising; yet these solutions are often geared towards health literate, socioeconomically privileged, and relatively healthy white cis-women. In this viewpoint, we propose a set of guiding principles for building technologies that proactively identifies and addresses these critical gaps in health care for people from socially and economically marginalized populations who are capable of pregnancy, as well as those with serious chronic medical conditions. These guiding principles require that such technologies: 1) include community stakeholders in the design, development, and deployment of the technology, 2) are grounded in person-centered frameworks, and 3) address health disparities as a strategy to advance health equity and improve health outcomes.

Changes in Fatty Acids Profile, Health Indices, and Physical Characteristics of Organic Eggs from Laying Hens at the Beginning of the First and Second Laying Cycles

The present study compared the fatty acid profile and some physical parameters of eggs from hens reared according to the organic system at the beginning of the first and second laying cycle. A total of 1080 eggs were analysed at the beginning of the first (from the 28th to 30th week of age) and the second (from the 78th to 80th week of age) laying cycle. It was found that the hen ages influenced the egg weight, egg surface area, yolk proportion, and eggshell colour. Albumen and eggshell proportion, albumen, yolk index, Haugh unit score, and eggshell strength were lower in eggs from older hens compared with those produced from younger layers. Monounsaturated fatty acids were found in higher amounts than saturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids in egg yolks of eggs from layers only at the beginning of the second laying cycle. The PUFAn-6/n-3 ratio, saturation, atherogenic, and thrombogenic indices were significantly lower in the egg yolks from older hens compared to younger layers. These findings (regarding the eggs from the older ones) prove that it is practical to utilize them in the organic farming system during a period of two years.

Change of psychophysiological indices in female students of creative occupations

Purpose: studying the dynamics of psychophysiological indices of creative occupation female students. Маterial: the study involved 120 female students. Reactive qualities, level of static and dynamic equilibrium, orientational qualities, speed of operative thinking, volume of rote memorization, attention distribution, level of accuracy, attention speed and switching, accuracy of task performance were assessed. Results: a decrease in the indices of the accuracy of reproducing motion amplitude and a given value of effort, those of response to vertically falling object and those of static and dynamic equilibrium was revealed. An improvement in the dynamics of nervous processes and the ability to constructive praxis was noted. The decrease in the level of development of motor qualities, professional skills, physical fitness, and health is observed already in the 1st year of study. The authors believe that the pedagogical influences should be started from the 1st course and continued until the end of the study. In the process of physical education classes, the physical exercises aimed at improving the professionally significant psychophysiological properties of students should be used. It is they that restrain the negative effect of increasing the intensity of educational classes simultaneously contributing to an increase in the development level of almost all motor qualities and health. Conclusions: uneven decrease of most psychophysiological indices negatively affects both the level of female student motor preparation and professional abilities of the future designers. The findings give ground for the development of the methods for improving motor qualities and psychophysiological properties professionally significant for students-designers. Taking into account the future profession specifics and the health indices will allow more precise planning of the content of physical education classes.

Level of physical activity and quality of life associated with health in Paraguay adults

Studies have shown that the performance of scheduled physical activity is positively related to a higher quality of life related to health. The objective of this study was to evaluate the level of physical activity according to the quality of life in the adult population of Paraguay in the period from November to December 2020. A descriptive, analytical cross-sectional design study, which included 211 adults of both sexes. Sociodemographic data such as age, sex and origin were collected, as well as data on physical activity (IPAQ/METS questionnaire) and quality of life (EuroQol-5D questionnaire). The predominant sex was female (89%), 53.5% resided in Gran Asunción and the average age was 34.6±10.6. The level of physical activity was mostly moderate (36.5%). The quality of life index was 0.67±0.15 and the perception of health was 79.12±18.35. Within the dimensions of quality of life, it was observed that 23% had moderate pain or discomfort and that 33% had moderate depression or anxiety. Significant differences were found between the level of physical activity and the quality of life index and the perception of health. The level of physical activity is a determinant of health-related quality of life, the greater the intensity of physical activity, the better the quality and perception of health indices in adults.

Health indices for the evaluation and monitoring of health in children and adolescents in prevention and health promotion: a scoping review

Background Health indicators are used in different settings to monitor health outcomes. Child and adolescent health is arguably one of the most important areas for the application of indices and indicators in prevention and health promotion. Although single health indicators may be better suited to display the complexity of the health status and its determinants, a selected set of indicators will still offer a complex picture. Therefore, it is argued that a group of indicators combined into an index may offer a pragmatic tool that is easier to use in order to inform stakeholders. Methods A scoping review was conducted to identify and describe health indices that monitor and evaluate health of children and adolescents and to appraise the quality and value of the identified indices that may guide the further applications of these indices in particular settings. The three bibliographic databases MEDLINE, EMBASE and PsycINFO were searched and a double screening of titles and abstracts as well as double screening of full texts was performed. Indices contained in these studies were analysed in terms of focus and composition and evaluated in terms of quality criteria. Results The scoping review identified 36 eligible studies with 18 health indices in six thematic categories. Of the identified indices, seven indices focus on anthropometrical variables, three indices focus on special aspects of newborns and five indices focus on oral health. One index assesses “healthy lifestyle” and one “functional ability” whereas one index a combination of different aspects. Most indices are calculated by using primary health data. Conclusions Alone or in combination with single sets of indicators, indices in six major thematic domains may be used as pragmatic tools for monitoring children’s and adolescents´ health and the evaluation of interventions in health promotion and prevention settings.