Climacteric symptoms seem to influence the sexual function in middle-aged women.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between physical activity level and sexual function in middle-aged women. Methods: A cross-sectional study with a sample of 370 middle-aged women (40-65 years old), treated at public health care facilities in a Brazilian city. A questionnaire was used containing enquiries on sociodemographic, clinical and behavioral characteristics: the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), short form, and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Results:The average age of the women studied was 49.8 years (± 8.1), 67% of whom exhibited sexual dysfunction (FSFI ≤ 26.55). Sedentary women had a higher prevalence (78.9%) of sexual dysfunction when compared to active (57.6%) and moderately active (66.7%) females (p = 0.002). Physically active women obtained higher score in all FSFI domains (desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction and pain) and total FSFI score (20.9), indicating better sexual function than their moderately active (18.8) and sedentary (15.6) counterparts (p <0.05). Conclusion: Physical activity appears to influence sexual function positively in middle-aged women.

Objective:To carry out a documentary study on the rules, guidelines, policies and institutional support for the nurse to prescribe medicines and request tests with a view to the advanced practice in the scope of Primary Health Care. Methods:Documentary research using open-access institutional documents - Federal Nursing Council (COFEN), its regional representations in the respective Brazilian states (COREN) and the Brazilian Nursing Association (ABEN). Results:Most of the news/notices were issued by the Regional Nursing Councils in the different Federative Units. The argumentation regarding the prescription of medicines and request for tests by nurses is based on three categories: Autonomy and competencies for the prescription of medicines and/or request of tests; Corporate policies that undermine the full exercise of nursing; and Transformation of health and nursing care in Primary Health Care. Conclusion:The prescriptive practice by nurses integrates health care and has been defended by the institutions that represent the category. It emerges as an important element of advanced practice and in the transformation of care in the context of health teams.

the results may address to specific actions for tuberculosis control considering the early detection of the cases in the areas with higher transmission of the disease.

RESUMO O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a utilidade da Avaliação Externa do Programa Nacional de Melhoria do Acesso e da Qualidade da Atenção Básica, considerado uma inovação. Trata-se de pesquisa avaliativa da Avaliação Externa do PMAQ-AB na percepção de sujeitos que vivenciaram a condução dessa avaliação por meio de estudo de caso qualitativo. Os dados foram coletados por meio de entrevista semiestruturada e de grupo focal on-line, e analisados por meio da análise de conteúdo de Bardin. Observou-se envolvimento dos interessados com pactuação em diferentes esferas da gestão nacional, envolvimento processual entre Departamento de Atenção Básica e Instituições de Ensino e Pesquisa, abrangência nacional facilitada com recurso de Tecnologia da Informação, negociação da logística in loco com gestores municipais. Verificou-se credibilidade científica dos avaliadores; a relação entre gestor nacional e instituições de pesquisa não se mostrou conflituosa; as instituições desvelaram conflitos entre gestores e Equipes de Atenção Básica sobre destinação dos recursos provenientes do PMAQ. Constatou-se grande escopo das informações sobre estrutura, processos e resultados; capilaridade e acesso aos resultados. Conclui-se que, na ótica dos participantes do estudo, a Avaliação Externa mostrou-se inovadora e útil à indução da melhoria da qualidade da Atenção Básica.