[Health, pain and daily activities among elderly people practicing Lian Gong and sedentary elderly people].

It is a well-known fact that the practice of physical activity on a regular basis among elderly people contributes to the prevention and reduction of pain, as well as promote active ageing. Based on this premise, the scope of this study was to evaluate the presence of chronic pain among elderly people attended in a primary health care unit in a city in the interior of Sao Paulo State, Brazil, by comparing those who practice Chinese gymnastics (Lian Gong) and the sedentary. Sixty elderly people were divided between 30 sedentary and 30 who participate in a group practicing Lian Gong.

[Meconium-stained amniotic fluid and maternal and neonatal factors associated].

Objective: To identify the frequency and maternal and neonatal factors associated with meconium-stained amniotic fluid at birth.

Methods: Cross-sectional study carried out with 2,441 births at an in-hospital birth center in the city of São Paulo (Southeastern Brazil) in March and April, 2005. The association between meconium-stained amniotic fluid and the independent variables (maternal age, parity, previous c-section or not, gestational age, obstetric history, oxytocin use in the labor, cervical dilation at admission, mode of current delivery, newborn weight, Apgar score at the 1st and 5th minute) was expressed as prevalence ratio (PR).

Cesarean sections in a birth center.

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of cesarean sections in a birth center of a hospital and identify factors associated.

Methods: Cross-sectional study including medical records of 2,441 births assisted in a birth center in the city of São Paulo, southeastern Brazil, between March and April 2005. The dependent variable (type of delivery) included vaginal delivery and cesarean section.

Menarche among Brazilian women: memories of experiences.

Objective: to present women's experiences of menarche and related memories.

Design: qualitative study using focus groups for data collection.

Setting: the city of Campinas, São Paulo state, Brazil.

Menstruation and amenorrhea: opinion of Brazilian women.

Contemporary women experience more menstrual cycles than their predecessors, and their menstrual patterns are modified by contraceptives. Amenorrhea is one side effect that has recently been advocated as desirable. This qualitative study investigated Brazilian women's views regarding the suppression of menstruation using hormones.