Contamination of environmental surfaces by genital human papillomaviruses. (1/40)

OBJECTIVE: To investigate contamination of environmental surfaces with human papillomaviruses (HPV) DNA in two genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics and in an on-site staff leisure and fitness centre. METHODS: Samples were collected from the treatment rooms and patients' toilets of two GUM clinics situated at two hospital sites and from the toilets of the staff leisure and fitness centre on one of the sites. Samples were tested for the presence of HPV DNA by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and HPV amplicons were typed by reverse line hybridisation using HPV type specific oligonucleotide probes complementary to 35 HPV types. All samples were also tested for beta globin DNA by PCR in order to assess their quality. RESULTS: HPV DNA was found to be present at more than 50% of the sites sampled in one of the GUM clinics, but was absent in the second, and also from the staff leisure and fitness centre. All HPV DNA detected was found to be cell associated. The most commonly found HPV types were 6, 11, and 16, respectively. HPV infected cells were found to be localised mainly to surfaces used predominantly by medical staff. CONCLUSIONS: This study has identified contamination of the environment of a GUM clinic. Possible sources for the contamination of the clinic toilets were from genital sites via hands to the environment. Within the treatment rooms the most likely route of HPV DNA contamination of the environment was via the doctor's gloved hands.  (+info)

The importance of policy orientation and environment on physical activity participation--a comparative analysis between Eastern Germany, Western Germany and Finland. (2/40)

Environmental and policy interventions are seen as boosting physical activity because they are designed to influence large groups. However, they have not been much researched and the evidence on their role is still quite limited. The purpose of this study was to investigate differences in and relationships between policy orientation, the objective and perceived physical environment, and physical activity between Finland, Eastern Germany and Western Germany. The data are taken from a public telephone survey carried out as part of the international MAREPS project (Methodology for the Analysis of Rationality and Effectiveness of Prevention and Health Promotion Strategies; Eastern Germany, n = 913; Western Germany, n = 489; Finland, n = 400), statistics of sports facilities and policy documents. Results from the survey showed that Finns are more active than Germans and that they differ in their way of practising physical activity from Germans. Finns were more satisfied with their opportunities for physical activity and were better informed about physical programmes and measures. Finland also has the best opportunities in indoor sports facilities and outdoor sports grounds per number of inhabitants (excluding indoor swimming pools). Analysis of policy orientations showed that Finland had the most extensive 'Sport for All' policy, although West Germany's policy orientation did not differ that much from Finland's. East Germany's policy orientation was characterized by competitive sports. A policy orientation that places emphasis on the physical activity of the whole population seems to be related to better opportunities and a better infrastructure for sports and physical activity. This study suggests that there is a relationship between policy orientation, physical environment and physical activity participation.  (+info)

Sapporo Fitness Club Trial (SFCT)--design, recruitment and implementation of a randomized controlled trial to test the efficacy of exercise at a fitness club for the reduction of cardiovascular risk factor--. (3/40)

BACKGROUND: The annual health check followed by lifestyle recommendations has long been the standard national strategy to improve cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in Japan. Exercise at fitness clubs, now widely accessible in major cities, has a novel appeal as a strategy with the additive effect of CVD risk reduction. The Sapporo Fitness Club Trial (SFCT) is a randomized controlled trial to compare the efficacy of the national standard alone (control) with the standard plus exercise at a fitness club (intervention) for the reduction of CVD risk factors. METHODS: The SFCT has recruited and randomized 561 relatively inactive overweight men and women, aged 40-85 years, with elevated levels of 2 or more of the following: systolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. The intervention group was required to exercise at a fitness club 2-4 times per week. At the end of 6 months, risk factors, aerobic capacity, health-related quality of life measures, and adverse effects are to be compared. CONCLUSION: The SFCT is expected to have a major impact in Japan on public health recommendations on exercise for the reduction of lifestyle-related disease.  (+info)

Precision in weighing: a comparison of scales found in physician offices, fitness centers, and weight loss centers. (4/40)

OBJECTIVE: Weight assessment is a critical aid in patient care. It is particularly important in monitoring progression of pregnancies, heart failure status, and when adjusting medications. Although weight is generally determined using a scale, few studies have evaluated the precision of non-household scales. The objective of this study was to assess scale precision across a variety of settings. METHODS: An evaluation of scales from randomly selected primary care clinics (n=30), diabetology/endocrinology clinics (n=7), weight loss facilities (n=25), and fitness centers (n=30) was performed. Assessments were completed on a total of 223 scales: 94 from primary care clinics, 32 from diabetology/endocrinology clinics, 39 from weight loss centers, and 58 from fitness centers. Scales were assessed for condition, location in facility, resting surface, commercial designation, and calibration history. Scale precision was validated using 100 lb. (45.5 kg), 150 lb. (68.3 kg), 200 lb. (90.9 kg), and 250 lb. (113.6 kg) certified weights. RESULTS: Overall, scales demonstrated decreased precision with increased weight. At higher weights, more than 15% of scales were off by more than 6 lbs. (2.3 kg), approximately 1 Body Mass Index (BMI) unit. While facility type was not significant, condition, location in facility, resting surface, commercial designation, and calibration history were significant. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that many scales used to measure body weight are imprecise and that scales in health care settings are no more precise than those in other facilities. Clinical decisions based on scales that are imprecise have the potential to cause iatrogenic complications in patient care.  (+info)

Accessibility of health clubs for people with mobility disabilities and visual impairments. (5/40)

OBJECTIVE: We sought to examine the accessibility of health clubs to persons with mobility disabilities and visual impairments. METHODS: We assessed 35 health clubs and fitness facilities as part of a national field trial of a new instrument, Accessibility Instruments Measuring Fitness and Recreation Environments (AIMFREE), designed to assess accessibility of fitness facilities in the following domains: (1) built environment, (2) equipment, (3) swimming pools, (4) information, (5) facility policies, and (6) professional behavior. RESULTS: All facilities had a low to moderate level of accessibility. Some of the deficiencies concerned specific Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines pertaining to the built environment, whereas other deficiency areas were related to aspects of the facilities' equipment, information, policies, and professional staff. CONCLUSIONS: Persons with mobility disabilities and visual impairments have difficulty accessing various areas of fitness facilities and health clubs. AIMFREE is an important tool for increasing awareness of these accessibility barriers for people with disabilities.  (+info)

Prevalence of health promotion policies in sports clubs in Victoria, Australia. (6/40)

In recent years, some health agencies offered sponsorship to sporting associations to promote healthy environments by encouraging clubs to develop health-related policies. However, the extent to which these sponsorship contracts reach their stated aims is of concern. This study aimed to quantify levels of policy development and practice in sports clubs for each of five key health areas, namely smoke-free facilities, sun protection, healthy catering, responsible serving of alcohol and sports injury prevention. Representatives from 932 Victorian sports clubs were contacted by telephone with 640 clubs (69%) participating in the survey. Results suggested that the establishment of written policies on the key health areas by sports clubs varied widely by affiliated sport and health area: 70% of all clubs with bar facilities had written policies on responsible serving of alcohol, ranging from 58% of tennis clubs to 100% of diving and surfing clubs. In contrast, approximately one-third of sports clubs had a smoke-free policy, with 36% of tennis, 28% of country football and 28% of men's cricket clubs having policy. Moreover, 34% of clubs overall had established sun protection policy, whereas clubs competing outside during summer months, [diving (86%) and life-saving (81%)] were most likely to have a written sun protection policy. Injury prevention policies were established in 30% of sports clubs, and were most common among football (56%), diving (43%) and life-saving (41%). This study suggests that policy development for health promotion can be achieved in sports clubs when it is well supported by health agencies and consideration is given to the appropriateness of the specific behaviours to be encouraged for a given sport. Communication between associations and clubs needs to be monitored by health agencies to ensure support and resources for policy development to reach the club level.  (+info)

Availability of physical activity-related facilities and neighborhood demographic and socioeconomic characteristics: a national study. (7/40)

OBJECTIVES: We examined associations between neighborhood demographic characteristics and the availability of commercial physical activity-related outlets by zip code across the United States. METHODS: Multivariate analyses were conducted to assess the availability of 4 types of outlets: (1) physical fitness facilities, (2) membership sports and recreation clubs, (3) dance facilities, and (4) public golf courses. Commercial outlet data were linked by zip code to US Census Bureau population and socioeconomic data. RESULTS: Results showed that commercial physical activity-related facilities were less likely to be present in lower-income neighborhoods and in neighborhoods with higher proportions of African American residents, residents with His-panic ethnicity, and residents of other racial minority backgrounds. In addition, these neighborhoods had fewer such facilities available. CONCLUSIONS: Lack of availability of facilities that enable and promote physical activity may, in part, underpin the lower levels of activity observed among populations of low socioeconomic status and minority backgrounds.  (+info)

The effect of aerobic exercise on blood and plasma viscosity on cardiac health club participants. (8/40)

AIM: to analyze the effect of SJS aerobic exercise on blood and plasma viscosity. METHODS: the study was performed on 30 subjects with an age span of 40 to 60 years. Subjects participated in SJS aerobic exercise of moderate intensity of 40 to 45 minutes duration, three times a week for 9 to 12 weeks. Five milliliters of blood were collected into K3EDTA container to assess blood and plasma viscosity prior to the program and following the completion of the SJS program. Blood and plasma viscosity was measured using Brookfield LVDV-III viscometer using rotational method principle. RESULTS: this study demonstrated a significant decrease in blood viscosity (2.94%, p = 0.03) and insignificant decrease in plasma viscosity in subjects following SJS aerobic exercise compared to prior exercise. CONCLUSION: this study proved that SJS aerobic exercise of moderate intensity of 40 to 45 minutes duration times a week for 9 to 12 weeks gave the benefit of lowering blood viscosity, which contributes to reducing the risk of coronary heart disease.  (+info)

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