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Health Assessment (health + assessment)
Terms modified by Health Assessment Selected AbstractsPregnancy Intention and Preterm Birth: Differential Associations Among a Diverse Population of WomenPERSPECTIVES ON SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH, Issue 2 2008Aimee Afable-Munsuz CONTEXT:,Studies published to date provide mixed evidence on the relationship between unintended pregnancy and preterm birth, and none take into consideration that the meaning of unintended pregnancy may vary across racial and ethnic groups. METHODS:,Data from the 1999,2003 rounds of the Maternal and Infant Health Assessment, a population-based, representative survey of postpartum women in California, were used to assess the relationship between pregnancy intention and preterm birth. For racial and ethnic groups in which an association was found, sequential logistic regression was conducted to further examine the relationship while controlling for socioeconomic characteristics. RESULTS:,In unadjusted results, pregnancy intention was associated with preterm birth among both whites and immigrant Latinas, but not among blacks or U.S.-born Latinas. Among whites, compared with women who reported that their pregnancy was intended, those who were unsure about their pregnancy had elevated odds of preterm birth (odds ratio, 1.4), as did those who reported their pregnancy was unwanted (1.7) or mistimed (1.4). Among immigrant Latinas, those who reported being unsure about their pregnancy were at higher risk of preterm birth than were those who reported an intended pregnancy (1.6). After adjustment for socioeconomic factors, the association remained significant for immigrant Latinas who were unsure about their pregnancy (1.5), but none of the associations remained significant for whites. CONCLUSIONS:,Women's interpretations of questions about pregnancy intention and their social experiences regarding pregnancy intention may vary by race or ethnicity. Studies on the association between pregnancy intention and preterm birth may need to be group-specific. [source] Risk behaviors for pesticide exposure among pregnant women living in farmworker households in Salinas, CaliforniaAMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 6 2004Lisa Goldman MPH Abstract Background Farmworkers and their families are at risk for pesticide exposure, however, little is known about behaviors that increase their risk. We determined the frequency of risky behaviors among pregnant farmworkers and characterized those at greatest risk. Methods Participants included 153 pregnant farmworkers and 248 pregnant non-farmworkers who resided with farmworkers from the CHAMACOS (Center for the Health Assessment of Mothers and Children of Salinas) study. We examined risky behaviors relating to handwashing, bathing, protective clothing, house cleaning, laundering of work clothes, wearing of work clothes and shoes into the home, and eating produce from the fields. Results Between 25 and 60% of women demonstrated risky behavior on each item. Practices of households with pregnant farmworkers and non-farmworkers did not differ. Women who lived in the United States longer, and in crowded households demonstrated the most risky behavior overall. Conclusions Pregnant farmworkers and those living with farmworkers need to be educated to reduce potential take-home pesticide exposure. Am. J. Ind. Med. 45:491,499, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Equipping patients for a time of helplessness: An educational interventionAUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF RURAL HEALTH, Issue 5 2009Simon Holliday Abstract Objectives:,Quantify rates of awareness about, and ownership of, End-of-Life Planning (ELP) instruments. Examine whether this rate is increased by brief education during routine team care. Measure the time required by this exercise. Design:,Quality Improvement Activity. Setting:,General Practice on Mid-North Coast, New South Wales. Participants:,Forty-two consecutive, consenting elderly patients undertaking a Home Health Assessment. Main outcome measures:,This study assessed rates of ELP instruments at baseline, at 2 weeks, at 2 months and at 2 years following the provision and discussion of a fact sheet while measuring the clinicians' time required. Results:,This education exercise increased the number of patients with ELP instruments from one to ten (24%). On average it took 5.6 min of nursing time and 3.9 min for the GP. Conclusions:,Brief education during Home Health Assessments may empower patients to prepare for a scenario where they lost competency to make fully informed decisions. This may alleviate patient's fears about causing problems between those close to them and having treatments against their wishes. [source] Does Postpartum Length of Stay Affect Breastfeeding Duration?BIRTH, Issue 3 2003A Population-Based Study Women leaving the hospital early may also have household responsibilities that could interfere with breastfeeding. This study examined the relationship between postpartum length of stay and breastfeeding cessation. Methods: This study used data from 10,519 respondents to the California Maternal and Infant Health Assessment (MIHA) surveys from 1999 to 2001. MIHA is an annual statewide stratified random sample, population-based study of childbearing women in California. Survival analysis was used to examine the relationship between length of stay and length of time breastfeeding. Women were asked about the number of nights their infant stayed in the hospital at birth, whether they breastfed, and if so, the age of the child when they stopped. Hospital stay was defined in three categories: standard (2 nights for a vaginal delivery, 4 nights for a cesarean section), or shorter or longer than the standard stay. Results: Approximately 88 percent of women initiated breastfeeding. Unadjusted predictors of breastfeeding cessation included short or long postpartum stay; young maternal age; Hispanic, African American, or Asian/Pacific Islander race/ethnicity; being unmarried; low income or education level; primiparity; being born in the 50 United States or the District of Columbia; smoking during pregnancy; and low infant birthweight. After adjustment for potential confounders, women with a short stay remained slightly more likely to terminate breastfeeding than women with a standard stay (relative risk, 1.11, 95% confidence interval 1.01, 1.23). Conclusion: Women who leave the hospital earlier than the standard recommended stay are at somewhat increased risk of terminating breastfeeding early. (BIRTH 30:3 September 2003) [source] Child Health Assessment at School Entry (CHASE) project: evaluation in 10 London primary schoolsCHILD: CARE, HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 2 2005S. Edmunds Abstract Aims To assess the feasibility of implementing the Child Health Assessment at School Entry (CHASE) questionnaire, developed to capture the multiple dimensions of the health of children in their first year at school, and to evaluate data quality, reliability and validity. Methods Parents of 278 year-1 children, from 10 primary schools in two London boroughs, received a parent questionnaire and school nurses completed a separate questionnaire from health and education records for children whose parents consented. Additional data on free school meal eligibility and ethnicity were obtained from the two Local Education Authorities. The parent questionnaire included the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and four dimensions of the Child Health Questionnaire Parent Form-28 (CHQ-PF28). Results Response rate was 61%. The association between school free school meals eligibility and response rate in each school approached significance (r = ,0.62, P = 0.05). Data completeness of the parent questionnaire was high (mean 98%). Data completeness of the school nurse questionnaire was more variable (mean 82%). Cronbach's Alpha was greater than 0.6 for four of the five SDQ scales and greater than 0.7 for the two CHQ-PF28 multi-item scales. Relative to parents with qualifications, parents with no qualifications rated their children as having significantly more conduct problems, peer problems, and overall mental health problems (P < 0.01) as assessed by the SDQ, and significantly lower global health (P < 0.01) as assessed by the CHQ-PF28. Children with special educational needs and children with long-standing illness or disability were rated as having significantly lower global health (P < 0.05) than children without these. Sample tables of inter-school and inter-borough comparison of key findings demonstrate considerable differences in physical and mental health status. Discussion The questionnaire was acceptable to parents and school nurses, and feasible to implement within existing school resources. Initial tests of internal reliability and validity are satisfactory. These data have the potential to inform interventions and service provision at school and borough level, and public health trends over time. [source] Development of a questionnaire to collect public health data for school entrants in London: Child Health Assessment at School Entry (CHASE) projectCHILD: CARE, HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 1 2005S. Edmunds Abstract Background, To develop a multiprofessional consensus about the relative contributions of the components of children's health and well-being and to develop a questionnaire that can be used to assess these in London's children. Methods, Semi-structured interviews with health, education and social services professionals were used to identify areas to include in the questionnaire. These ideas were used as the basis for a wider Delphi consultation, with 79 experts in the area of child health. Round 1 of the Delphi asked panellists to rate 54 items as to whether they should be included in the questionnaire or not. Responses were divided into four categories: item to be included measurement method agreed, item to be included measurement method not agreed, no consensus, or excluded. In round 2, consensus was sought for the categories where there was none following round 1. Results, Themes identified by the interviews were: economic factors, ethnicity, environment, nutrition, hygiene and physical activity, growth, suffers from chronic/serious illness, development, disability and learning, accidents and hospital attendances, self-regulation, psychological well-being, significant life events. After Delphi round 1, items included, where quality measurement method was agreed, were: deprivation index (from postcode), child's ethnicity, temporary accommodation, care status, registered with general practitioner, dental visits, height, weight, special educational needs status, baseline educational assessment result, immunization status, visual and hearing function. Following round 2, items relating to chronic illness, mental health, physical functioning, general health, self-esteem, family cohesion and accident status were agreed for inclusion with a measurement method also agreed. The questionnaire was acceptable to parents. Conclusion, The validity, reliability and feasibility of this questionnaire must now be examined. This data set, if collected across London, would substantially increase the public health data available and allow trends in health to be monitored. [source] Geographic Information Systems: A New Tool for Environmental Health AssessmentsPUBLIC HEALTH NURSING, Issue 5 2006Mona Choi ABSTRACT Objectives: (1) To develop tools for health care professionals and communities to assess environmental exposures and (2) to evaluate the utility of integrating patient-reported environmental health information with geographic information systems (GIS) mapping of environmental data in a pilot study. Methods: A survey was used to collect self-reported environmental exposure and health data from a convenience sample of people at an urban community health center (N=101). Environmental exposure and census information were obtained from federal agencies. Analysis was performed using descriptive statistics and GIS. Results: Frequent environmental health risk factors were reported, such as older housing (93%) and household smoking (78%). Health problems including asthma (54%) and lead poisoning (14%) were reported. Odds ratios indicated a statistically significant relationship between mold/mildew and reporting asthma. GIS was found to be a useful tool in displaying environmental risk factors and potentially associated health effects. Conclusions: Given the important role that environmental health risks can play in public health, it is critical that community/public health nurses begin to integrate environmental health assessment skills into their professional practices. Simple community surveys can be an effective means to raise awareness about environmental health risk factors and utilizing GIS can further enhance the accessibility of the combined exposure and health information. [source] Equipping patients for a time of helplessness: An educational interventionAUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF RURAL HEALTH, Issue 5 2009Simon Holliday Abstract Objectives:,Quantify rates of awareness about, and ownership of, End-of-Life Planning (ELP) instruments. Examine whether this rate is increased by brief education during routine team care. Measure the time required by this exercise. Design:,Quality Improvement Activity. Setting:,General Practice on Mid-North Coast, New South Wales. Participants:,Forty-two consecutive, consenting elderly patients undertaking a Home Health Assessment. Main outcome measures:,This study assessed rates of ELP instruments at baseline, at 2 weeks, at 2 months and at 2 years following the provision and discussion of a fact sheet while measuring the clinicians' time required. Results:,This education exercise increased the number of patients with ELP instruments from one to ten (24%). On average it took 5.6 min of nursing time and 3.9 min for the GP. Conclusions:,Brief education during Home Health Assessments may empower patients to prepare for a scenario where they lost competency to make fully informed decisions. This may alleviate patient's fears about causing problems between those close to them and having treatments against their wishes. [source] Assessing Perceived Health and Associated Health-Promoting Behaviors: An Investigation of Methods Used to Assess Health StatusJOURNAL OF APPLIED SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 2 2007Craig M. Becker Health assessments have been integral in the development of health behavior and policy recommendations. As the nation's health status improves, information about positive health is needed to continue development of appropriate behavior and policy recommendations. In this study, perceived health, health behaviors, health care usage, and how participants defined health were assessed. Using reported health-promoting behaviors, respondents were grouped into high-, middle-, and low-health groups. Analyses found statistically significant differences (p<.05) for all health behaviors reported and for life satisfaction. Each group's understanding of health also differed significantly. Results document the discriminating value and importance of positive health-promoting behaviors beyond their traditional role in prevention. Recommendations for health professionals' use of positive health assessments are discussed. [source] Hydration of exercised Standardbred racehorses assessed noninvasively using multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysisEQUINE VETERINARY JOURNAL, Issue S36 2006A. WALLER Summary Reasons for performing study: In human and animal clinical practice, multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (MF-BIA) is increasingly used as a diagnostic tool to assess hydration of intra-and extracellular fluid compartments. Accurate determination of changes in hydration status within individuals over time has remained problematic due to the requirement for complete impedance-frequency relationships at the time points of interest. Objectives: To use MF-BIA in 13 Standardbred racehorses and 7 ,endurance' research horses to determine if MF-BIA could be used to track changes in total body water (TBW), intracellular fluid volume (ICFV) and extracellular fluid volume (ECFV) resulting from exercise. Methods: Jugular venous blood was sampled at rest and for 2,13 h following exercise. TBW, ECFV and plasma volume (PV) were measured at rest using indicator dilution techniques (D2O, thiocyanate and Evans Blue, respectively). TBW, ECFV, ICFV and PV were correlated to impedance measures and predictive equations used to determine hydration status from MF-BIA measures. Results: TBW loss continued throughout the recovery period, and was primarily borne by the ECF compartment at 90 min of recovery. Conclusions: MF-BIA predictions of compartmental hydration status were significantly correlated to measured/calculated decreases in these compartments. Potential relevance: Practical applications for MF-BIA in horses include monitoring of hydration status during transport and competition, assessment of body compostion, clinical health assessment and critical care management. [source] Assessment, intervention, and research with infants in out-of-home placementINFANT MENTAL HEALTH JOURNAL, Issue 5 2002Robert B. Clyman Infants constitute a large and increasing proportion of youth in out-of-home placement. These infants have very high rates of medical illnesses, developmental delays, and substantial risks for psychopathology. They receive varying amounts of services from a complex and poorly integrated service system that includes four principal service sectors: the child welfare, medical, early intervention, and mental health service sectors. These service systems are currently undergoing major changes in their policies, organization, and financing, such as the introduction of managed care into the child welfare system. In this article, we provide an overview of what is known about infants in out-of-home placement. We then summarize approaches to infant mental health assessment and intervention from a comprehensive perspective that addresses the infants' multiple problems and acknowledges that they need to receive services from multiple systems that are undergoing rapid change. We conclude by highlighting a number of critical areas in need of research. ©2002 Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health. [source] Monitoring Delamination Progression in Thermal Barrier Coatings by Mid-Infrared Reflectance ImagingINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF APPLIED CERAMIC TECHNOLOGY, Issue 2 2006Jeffrey I. Eldridge Mid-infrared (MIR) reflectance imaging is shown to be a reliable diagnostic tool for monitoring delamination progression in thermal barrier coatings (TBCs). MIR reflectance imaging utilizes the maximum transparency of TBCs in the 3,6 ,m wavelength region to probe below-surface delamination crack propagation that is typically hidden from visible wavelength inspection. The image contrast that identifies delamination progression arises from the increased reflectance produced by a large component of total internal reflection at the TBC/buried-crack interface. Imaging was performed at a wavelength of 4 ,m to take advantage of the relatively high transmittance of plasma-sprayed 8 wt% yttria-stabilized zirconia (8YSZ) TBCs along with a desirable relative insensitivity to potentially interfering absorptions by atmospheric constituents at that wavelength. A key advantage of MIR reflectance imaging over competing techniques is that it is sensitive to delamination progression even at very early stages before delamination cracks start linking together; therefore, TBC health assessment can be achieved throughout the life of the TBC well before TBC failure is imminent. Examples are presented to demonstrate monitoring delamination progression by MIR reflectance imaging in 8YSZ TBC-coated specimens subjected to furnace cycling to 1163°C. The experimental results were in good agreement with reflectance values predicted by a four-flux Kulbelka,Munk approximation applied to the extreme cases of a completely adherent and a completely detached TBC. Practical considerations, including potential interfering effects from surface contamination, sintering, and erosion are discussed. [source] Powerlessness, marginalized identity, and silencing of health concerns: Voiced realities of women living with a mental health diagnosisINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MENTAL HEALTH NURSING, Issue 3 2009Susan Van Den Tillaart ABSTRACT Using a feminist qualitative approach, this study substantiated many earlier research findings that document how women with a mental health diagnosis experience unequal access to comprehensive health care compared to the general population. Accounts of this disparity are documented in the literature, yet the literature has failed to record or attend to the voices of those living with mental health challenges. In this paper, women living with a mental health diagnosis describe their experiences as they interface with the health-care system. The participating women's stories clearly relate the organizational and interpersonal challenges commonly faced when they seek health-care services. The stories include experiences of marginalized identity, powerlessness, and silencing of voiced health concerns. The women tell of encountered gaps in access to health care and incomplete health assessment, screening, and treatment. It becomes clear that personal and societal stigmatization related to the mental health diagnosis plays a significant role in these isolating and unsatisfactory experiences. Lastly, the women offer beginning ideas for change by suggesting starting points to eliminate the institutional and interpersonal obstacles or barriers to their wellness. The concerns raised demand attention, reconsideration, and change by those in the health-care system responsible for policy and practice. [source] Why ,Health' is not a Central Category for Public Health PolicyJOURNAL OF APPLIED PHILOSOPHY, Issue 2 2009STEPHEN JOHN abstract We normally think that public health policy is an important political activity. In turn, we normally understand the value of public health policy in terms of the promotion of health or some health-related good (such as opportunity for health), on the basis of the assumption that health is an important constituent or determinant of wellbeing. In this paper, I argue that the assumption that the value of public health policy should be understood in terms of health leads us to overlook important benefits generated by such policy. To capture these benefits we need to understand the ends of public health policy in terms of the promotion of ,physical safety'. I then go on to argue that the idea that ,health' is an important category for evaluating or estimating individuals' wellbeing in the normative context of social policy is confused. I then clarify the relationship between my arguments and QALY-based accounts of health assessment. In the final section of the paper, I defend this surprising conclusion against various attacks. [source] Characterisation of user-defined health status in older adults with intellectual disabilitiesJOURNAL OF INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY RESEARCH, Issue 6 2008J. M. Starr Abstract Background Older adults with Intellectual Disabilities (ID) have an excess disease burden that standard health assessments are designed to detect. Older adults with ID have a broader concept of health with dimensions of well being in addition to absence of disease in line with the World Health Organization's health definition. We sought to characterise user-defined health status in a sample of older adults with ID. Methods We administered a user-led health assessment to 57 adults with ID aged 40 years and over. Cluster analysis on user-defined health themes of participation, nutrition and hygiene/self-care identified clear separation of participants into a healthier and a less healthy group. Results Disease burden (P = 0.002) and medication use (P = 0.003) were greater in the less healthy group. The healthier group were taller (P = 0.005), stronger (P = 0.005) and had better vision (P < 0.001) than the less healthy group. Constipation (P = 0.014), urinary incontinence (P < 0.001) and faecal incontinence (P < 0.001) were commoner in the less healthy group. There were few significant differences between health groups on the majority of standard physical-examination items. Conclusions There is considerable overlap between user-defined health and that assessed by standard instruments. In addition, user-defined health encompasses aspects of physical fitness not captured by traditional disease-based health models. [source] Clinical use of physical activity measuresJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF NURSE PRACTITIONERS, Issue 2 2009CRNP (Associate Professor), Lorraine M Reiser PhD Abstract Purpose:, To provide a review of physical activity measures and subjective and objective methods of its measurement. Considerations for the use of these measurements in research and practice will be discussed. Data sources:, The PubMed, CINAHL, and Health and Psychosocial Instruments databases, and the Centers for Disease Control Web site were searched using the search term "Physical Activity Measurement." Conclusions:, Physical activity is a lifestyle factor that is a key focus in chronic disease,related research, prevention, and interventions. Healthy People 2010 set goals of decreasing the prevalence of preventable diseases by encouraging healthier lifestyle patterns. Shifts toward more sedentary lifestyles have resulted in increases in life-limiting disease states, including obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and osteoporosis. Physical activity measurements have been used widely in research studies but are less commonly used in primary care. Measuring individuals' physical activity levels as part of the health assessment will enhance the provider's ability to engage in health promotion and suggest health protection interventions. The strengths, weaknesses, and potential applications to practice of physical activity measures are summarized in an effort to familiarize nurse practitioners (NPs) with commonly used tools and encourage integration of physical activity assessment into their current practice. Implications for practice:, NPs are in an ideal position to promote health by encouraging appropriate amounts of physical activity. Screening, health promotion, and disease prevention are part of the core competencies of NP practice established by the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties. Increased knowledge of physical activity measures will enhance the NP's ability to evaluate relevant physical activity research for use in evidence-based practice. Incorporation of simple yet appropriate physical activity measurements into practice will expand the NP's ability to identify and thus address sedentary lifestyles in their clientele. [source] Teaching Spirituality to Nurse Practitioner Students: The Importance of the Interconnection of Mind, Body, and SpiritJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF NURSE PRACTITIONERS, Issue 3 2001Margie Maddox EdD SpirituaLism is dormant, not dead, Let us hope. How to revive it, to rekindle it into life, is the great question , Florence Nightingale PURPOSE To describe the author's experience in locating and implementing a spiritual assessment tool in teaching a first semester clinical nurse prac-titioner (NP) course. DATA SOURCES Selected articles and responses of NP students to the use of the tool. CONCLUSIONS A spiritual assessment is an important component of a comprehensive health assessment. The use of a formal structured protocol provides a framework for beginning students to become comfortable with sprirituality and spiritual assessments and to begin to recognize spiritual distress in clients. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE The protocol used in the course is very extensive and might not be practical in a busy practice setting. An alternative, 4-point assessment is provided. [source] The impact of reported direct and indirect killing on mental health symptoms in Iraq war veterans,JOURNAL OF TRAUMATIC STRESS, Issue 1 2010Shira Maguen This study examined the mental health impact of reported direct and indirect killing among 2,797 U.S. soldiers returning from Operation Iraqi Freedom. Data were collected as part of a postdeployment screening program at a large Army medical facility. Overall, 40% of soldiers reported killing or being responsible for killing during their deployment. Even after controlling for combat exposure, killing was a significant predictor of posttraumatic disorder (PTSD) symptoms, alcohol abuse, anger, and relationship problems. Military personnel returning from modern deployments are at risk of adverse mental health conditions and related psychosocial functioning related to killing in war. Mental health assessment and treatment should address reactions to killing to optimize readjustment following deployment. [source] Mental health status of vulnerable tsunami-affected communities: A survey in Aceh Province, IndonesiaJOURNAL OF TRAUMATIC STRESS, Issue 3 2007Renato Souza The authors determined the prevalence of severe emotional distress and depressive symptoms using the Hopkins Symptoms Checklist-25 (HSCL; Derogatis, Lipman, Rickels, Uhlenhuth, & Covi, 1974) in tsunami-affected communities that had experienced armed conflict arising from the ongoing independence movement in Aceh Province, Indonesia. We also evaluated determinants of severe emotional distress. The data were collected for the purposes of a mental health assessment. In our sample (N = 262), 83.6% demonstrated severe emotional distress, and 77.1% demonstrated depressive symptoms. In multivariate regression models, severe emotional distress was positively associated with the number of tsunami-related deaths among household members. Our data suggests a need for effective interventions in this vulnerable population. [source] Self-rated health, psychosocial functioning, and health-related behavior among Thai adolescentsPEDIATRICS INTERNATIONAL, Issue 1 2009Randy M. Page Abstract Background:, Despite the popularity of self-rated health (SRH) in Western countries as a useful public health tool, it has only rarely been used in Asian countries. The purpose of the current study was to determine whether measures of psychosocial functioning and health-related factors differ according to SRH in a school-based sample of Thai adolescents. Methods:, The survey was given to 2519 adolescents attending 10 coeducational secondary high schools in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand and included measures of psychosocial functioning (loneliness, hopelessness, shyness, perceptions of social status, self-rated happiness, and perception of physical attractiveness) and certain health-related factors (height/weight, physical activity, eating breakfast, sleep). Results:, The proportion of boys (5.1%) reporting that they were not healthy was similar to the proportion of girls (4.6%) making the same rating. These adolescents showed a pattern of overall poor health risk. Compared to adolescent peers who rated their health as healthy or very healthy, they were less physically active, got less sleep, were more likely to be overweight, and scored lower on loneliness, shyness, hopelessness, and self-rated happiness. Conclusions:, The present pattern of poor health risk warrants attention and supports the merit of using SRH in adolescent health assessment. SRH is easy to obtain and simple to assess and single-item assessments of SRH appear to be valid measures of health status in adults and adolescent. Interventions, such as health counseling, mental health counseling, and health education, can target adolescents who rate themselves as ,not healthy' or report poor health status. [source] A pilot respiratory health assessment of nail technicians: Symptoms, lung function, and airway inflammation ,,AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 11 2009Susan R. Reutman PhD Abstract Background Recent surveys suggest nail technicians, particularly artificial nail applicators, have increased respiratory symptoms and asthma risk. Methods We examined lung function (n,=,62) and a marker of airway inflammation, i.e., exhaled nitric oxide (ENO) (n,=,43), in a subset of nail technician and control participants in a pilot health assessment. Results Bivariate analysis of technicians demonstrated that job latency was inversely correlated with FEV1 percent predicted (FEV1PP) (r,=,,0.34, P,=,0.03) and FVCPP (r,=,,0.32, P,=,0.05). Acrylic gel contact hours were inversely correlated with FEV1PP (r,=,,0.38, P,=,0.02) and FVCPP (r,=,,0.47, P,=,0.003). Current smoking was inversely and significantly (P,,,0.05) associated with ENO in bivariate analysis. Log 10 ENO levels were directly correlated with job latency (P,=,0.012) and gel nail application (P,=,0.026) in multivariable analyses. Conclusions These positive pilot respiratory test results warrant additional future investigation. Am. J. Ind. Med. 52:868,875, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Recruitment and Retention of Rural Physicians: Outcomes From the Rural Physician Associate Program of MinnesotaTHE JOURNAL OF RURAL HEALTH, Issue 4 2008Gwen Wagstrom Halaas MD ABSTRACT:,Context: Founded in 1971 with state funding to increase the number of primary care physicians in rural Minnesota, the Rural Physician Associate Program (RPAP) has graduated 1,175 students. Third-year medical students are assigned to primary care physicians in rural communities for 9 months where they experience the realities of rural practice with hands-on participation, mentoring, and one-to-one teaching. Students complete an online curriculum, participate in online discussion with fellow students, and meet face-to-face with RPAP faculty 6 times during the 9-month rotation. Projects designed to bring value to the community, including an evidence-based practice and community health assessment, are completed. Purpose: To examine RPAP outcomes in recruiting and retaining rural primary care physicians. Methods: The RPAP database, including moves and current practice settings, was examined using descriptive statistics. Findings: On average, 82% of RPAP graduates have chosen primary care, and 68% family medicine. Of those currently in practice, 44% have practiced in a rural setting all of the time, 42% in a metropolitan setting and 14% have chosen both, with more than 50% of their time in rural practice. Rural origin has only a small association with choosing rural practice. Conclusion: RPAP data suggest that the 9-month longitudinal experience in a rural community increases the number of students choosing primary care practice, especially family medicine, in a rural setting. [source] Patients' Sexual Health: A Qualitative Research Approach on Greek Nurses' PerceptionsTHE JOURNAL OF SEXUAL MEDICINE, Issue 8 2009Evangelia Nakopoulou MSc ABSTRACT Introduction., Health care professionals, especially nurses, through their contact with patients, play an important role in encouraging discussions about sexual concerns. Aim., To explore perceptions on sexual health issues and how these might inhibit or enhance Greek nurses' ability to incorporate sexual health assessment into everyday practice. Main Outcome Measures., A discussion guide was used as checklist to ensure that the basic issues would be addressed. Topics related to the areas of interest were either brought up from the participants or introduced by the moderator. Methods., The study recruited a purposive sample of 44 Greek staff nurses (SN) attending a course leading to their professional upgrading. A qualitative research design was employed using seven focus groups. Discussions started with nurses' perceived definitions of sexual health and proceeded with open-ended questions. Transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis based on the principles of grounded theory. Results., Three central themes were identified from transcripts' thematic analysis: subjective perception of sexual health, discussing sexual problems, and educational and training needs. Participants' perceptions of sexual health centred mainly on the emotional and somatic dimensions. Regarding clinical practice, a variety of personal and contextual reasons limit nurses' willingness to talk about sexuality with patients, such as gender and age differences, familial upbringing, lack of time and privacy, and restricted perception of nursing role. All nurses stressed the need for further specialized training not only in physiology issues related to sexuality, but also most importantly in communication skills. Conclusions., Although Greek nurses acknowledge the importance of sexual health assessment, they believe that sexual history taking is not within the range of their professional tasks. Since holistic care demands sexual health assessment and intervention to be an integral part of nursing practice, it is necessary to introduce courses in their curriculum and experiential workshops addressing the multidimensionality of sexuality. Nakopoulou E, Papaharitou S, and Hatzichristou D. Patients' sexual health: A qualitative research approach on Greek nurses' perceptions. J Sex Med 2009;6:2124,2132. [source] A multidisciplinary primary healthcare clinic for newly arrived humanitarian entrants in regional NSW: model of service delivery and summary of preliminary findingsAUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, Issue 3 2010Gillian Gould Abstract Objective: To describe a multidisciplinary primary healthcare clinic for newly arrived humanitarian entrants in regional New South Wales and report health problems and issues encountered during the initial period of operation. Methods: A quality assurance study of the Coffs Harbour Refugee Health Clinic (a collaboration between the Area Health Service and general practitioners) was undertaken from February to December 2006. Results: Seventy-six patients received a comprehensive health assessment: 69 of these within 12 months of arrival. The median time from arrival in Australia to the first clinic visit was five days. Problems detected were categorised according to their management options. GP clinic providers expressed concern about referring patients to GPs in the community for ongoing care. Conclusions: The Coffs Harbour Refugee Health Clinic represents a successful collaboration between relevant stakeholders. It was well utilised by the target community. Implications: The service delivery model used in the clinic could be replicated in other areas in regional Australia, provided financial and human resources are available. [source] The pH change after HCl titration into resting and stimulated saliva for a buffering capacity testAUSTRALIAN DENTAL JOURNAL, Issue 2 2006M. Moritsuka Abstract Background: Saliva collection can provide clinical information about individual patients. However, a correlation between ranking buffering capacity using resting and stimulated saliva is still unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pH change after HCl titration into resting and stimulated saliva for a salivary buffering capacity test. Methods: Resting and stimulated saliva (by chewing paraffin wax) were collected from 80 patients. After the pH of both saliva samples was measured using a hand-held pH meter, the saliva samples were titrated with 0.1N HCl to evaluate the buffering capacity. Correlations of ranking buffering capacity (high, medium, low) between stimulated saliva and resting saliva with 30,L HCl titration and between stimulated saliva and resting saliva with 40,L HCl titration were statistically analysed by Spearman Rank Correlation Test (p < 0.05). Results: At 50,L HCl titration, stimulated saliva buffering capacities were ranked into high (above pH 5.5), medium (pH from 5.5 to 4.5) and low (below pH 4.5). At 30,40,L HCl titration, the resting saliva buffering capacities were ranked into the same categories. Spearman Rank Correlation indicated significant positive coefficients for the stimulated saliva and resting saliva buffering capacity at 30,L titration and the stimulated saliva and resting saliva at 40,L titration. Conclusion: Stimulated saliva is more resistant to variation in pH change during HCl titration than resting saliva. Stimulated saliva sampling is a good method to determine buffering capacity during a comprehensive oral health assessment. [source] Do rural hospitals lag behind urban hospitals in addressing community health needs?AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF RURAL HEALTH, Issue 4 2009An analysis of recent trends in US community hospitals Abstract Objective:,This study examined whether rural and urban hospitals differ in their level of responsiveness to community health needs. Design:,This study used a multivariate, longitudinal research design. Research setting:,A cross-sectional survey was the setting for this study. Participants:,The participants were rural or urban hospitals in the United States. Main outcome measures:,The dependent variables were selected from the American Hospital Association hospital survey questions that are related to community health needs. The independent variable was rural or urban location. Results:,Rural hospitals improved more than urban hospitals in addressing community health needs from 1997 through 2006 for most of the indicators, especially in working with other providers to conduct a community health assessment. However, rural hospitals still lag significantly behind urban hospitals in tracking health information. Conclusions:,This study suggests that rural hospitals do not lag behind urban hospitals in addressing community health needs. Further research is needed to understand the role of community hospitals in influencing local health delivery system activities regarding the potential community benefits and their impact on improving health of local populations. [source] Darwinian aesthetics: sexual selection and the biology of beautyBIOLOGICAL REVIEWS, Issue 3 2003KARL GRAMMER ABSTRACT Current theoretical and empirical findings suggest that mate preferences are mainly cued on visual, vocal and chemical cues that reveal health including developmental health. Beautiful and irresistible features have evolved numerous times in plants and animals due to sexual selection, and such preferences and beauty standards provide evidence for the claim that human beauty and obsession with bodily beauty are mirrored in analogous traits and tendencies throughout the plant and animal kingdoms. Human beauty standards reflect our evolutionary distant and recent past and emphasize the role of health assessment in mate choice as reflected by analyses of the attractiveness of visual characters of the face and the body, but also of vocal and olfactory signals. Although beauty standards may vary between cultures and between times, we show in this review that the underlying selection pressures, which shaped the standards, are the same. Moreover we show that it is not the content of the standards that show evidence of convergence - it is the rules or how we construct beauty ideals that have universalities across cultures. These findings have implications for medical, social and biological sciences. [source] Primary care services provided to adolescents in detention: a cross-sectional study using ICPC-2ACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 7 2010DM Haller Abstract Aim:, The aim of this study was to provide a detailed description of the health problems for which primary care services are provided to adolescents in a juvenile detention facility in Europe. Methods:, We reviewed the medical files of all detainees in a juvenile detention centre in Switzerland in 2007. The health problems for which primary care services were provided were coded using the International Classification for Primary Care, version 2. Analysis was descriptive, stratified by gender. Results:, A total of 314 adolescents (18% female) aged 11,19 years were included. Most (89%) had a health assessment and 195 (62%) had consultations with a primary care physician; 80% of the latter had a physical health problem, and 60% had a mental health problem. The most commonly managed problems were skin (49.7%), respiratory (23.6%), behavioural (22.6%) and gynaecological problems (females: 23.9%); 13% females (no males) had sexually transmitted infections (STI), and 8.7% were pregnant. Substance abuse was common (tobacco: 64.6%, alcohol: 26.2%, cannabis: 31.3%). Conclusion:, In addition to health problems known to be more prevalent among young offenders, such as mental health problems and STI, these adolescent detainees required care for a range of common primary care problems. These data should inform the development of comprehensive primary care services in all juvenile detention facilities in Europe. [source] Helicobacter pylori, helminth infections and growth: a cross-sectional study in a high prevalence populationACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 5 2009Sarah Cherian Abstract Aim: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is usually acquired in childhood and may adversely affect growth, although data are inconsistent. This study investigated growth parameters in a paediatric cohort with a high prevalence of H. pylori and helminth infection. Methods: A cross-sectional study of African refugee children (<16 years) recruited at their initial health assessment following resettlement in Australia. Detailed demographic, infection and anthropometric data were obtained. H. pylori infection was diagnosed by monoclonal faecal antigen enzyme immunoassay testing (MFAT). Growth restriction was defined as children with any anthropometric measures below the fifth centile for age and gender. Results: H. pylori infection was detected in 149/182 (81.9%). Children with H. pylori infection were older (mean 8.5 years, standard deviation (SD) 4.2 years vs. 5.8 years, SD 4.5 years, p < 0.001). No gender differences were observed. After adjustment for age, H. pylori did not adversely affect body mass index or other anthropometric measurements. Helminth infections were common (41.8%) but not associated with reduced growth or with H. pylori infection. Conclusion: H. pylori and helminth infections are prevalent in African refugee children but neither is associated with growth restriction. Longitudinal growth velocity studies are necessary to identify any long-term consequences of H. pylori on childhood growth. [source] Statutory health assessments for looked-after children: what do they achieve?CHILD: CARE, HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 1 2003C. M. Hill Abstract Objective To examine the outcomes of statutory health assessment of children looked after by an English City Council. Design Retrospective longitudinal documentary analysis. Setting and participants Health records of all children looked after by Southampton City Council who had attended at least two statutory health assessments within a designated paediatric service from 1996 to 1999. Main variables studied Demographic characteristics of the children; physical and mental health problems identified at assessment and extent to which health recommendations were implemented. Results Twenty-seven boys and 22 girls aged 6 months,15 years were identified who had attended at least two assessments. One-hundred and four physical and mental health needs were identified at care entry requiring further assessment or intervention. More health problems were identified for girls than boys. At care entry 15/49 of the children were not fully immunized. At review, on average 14 months later, recommendations had only been implemented in just over half of children. Conclusions In common with previous studies this work confirms that the statutory health assessment identifies health need and health neglect that may otherwise go unrecognized. Whereas children's needs and problems were diverse, many continued to suffer health neglect in the system of public care designed to help them. In order to be effective, statutory health assessments must be a health promoting rather than disease screening exercise delivered by professionals skilled to address diverse health needs. Crucially, the heath assessment can only succeed as a tool for health advocacy if complementary to and integrated with local authority care and review. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||