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reported that women had 40% to 60% higher overall injury rate, more than double the risk for fractures and 80% increased risk for hospitalization due to fall injury 4,5 . Falls are also associated with tremendous economic burden. In the United States, the direct medical costs for falls are estimated to be $50 billion per year 6 , where the expenses among women approximately 71% of the total medical costs 7 .Falls have a multifactorial etiology and muscle weakness AbstractObjectives: To assess the association between poor handgrip strength (HGS) determined by clinical criterion and incidence of falls in older women. Methods: The cohort included 195 women (68.1±6.2 years) who were assessed for HGS (Jamar Dynamometer) at baseline and were prospectively followed for 18 months. FNIH Sarcopenia threshold of HGS adjusted for body mass index (<0.56) was used for clinical determination of poor HGS. Association between poor HGS and incidence of falls was analyzed using Cox hazard models in the total cohort and in a stratified analysis by balance status. Results: During the follow-up, 53 (27%) women experienced at least one fall. In a multivariable model, poor HGS was associated with approximately 3-fold increased risk for falls [Hazard Ratio (HR)=2.73, 95% Confidence Interval (CI)=1.28-5.82, p=0.009]. In a stratified analysis, women with impaired balance exhibited even greater risk for falls (HR=3.85, 95%CI=1.47-10.12, p=0.011), although no association was found in women with normal balance (p=0.459). Conclusions: Poor HGS based on clinical criterion is independently associated with higher risk of falls in older women, particularly in those with impaired balance. These results suggest potential prognostic value of FNIH Sarcopenia threshold for risk stratification and referring high-risk individuals to fall prevention programs.

To evaluate the effect of an educational intervention on knowledge about hand hygiene in nursing students. Method: Quasi-experimental study of the pre-and post-intervention type, carried out with 23 nursing students. Knowledge about hand hygiene was evaluated using a form containing questions about the subject. In addition, a theoretical and practical 1. er Trimestre 2019 • Año XXIII-N.° 53 Conclusions: The educational intervention performed in this study proved to be efficient in improving knowledge about hand hygiene.