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Inner-city Children (inner-city + child)
Selected AbstractsWeight status, energy-balance behaviours and intentions in 9,12-year-old inner-city childrenJOURNAL OF HUMAN NUTRITION & DIETETICS, Issue 1 2010W. Jansen Abstract Background:, Dutch youth health care promotes four so-called energy-balance behaviours for the prevention of obesity: increasing physical activity, reducing sedentary behaviour and sugar-containing drinks, and eating breakfast. However, data on the prevalence of these behaviours and intentions to engage in them among primary schoolchildren is limited, especially for multi-ethnic, inner-city populations. The present study aimed to provide these data and explore differences according to socio-demographic characteristics and weight status. Methods:, Data on behaviours and accompanying intentions were collected using classroom questionnaires. Stature and body weight were measured by trained staff. Twenty primary schools in Rotterdam participated. Data on 1095 9,12 year olds (81.7% response rate) were available for analysis. Multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine associations between behaviours (favourable or unfavourable), intentions (positive or not), gender, age, ethnicity, neighbourhood income level and weight status. Results:, The prevalence of being overweight was 30.4%, including 9.0% obesity. Engagement in energy-balance behaviours varied from 58.6% for outdoor play (>1 h previous day) to 85.9% for active transportation to school (day of survey). The highest positive intentions were reported for taking part in sports (83.9%), and lowest for reducing computer time (41.3%). Small differences in behaviours and intentions according to socio-demographic characteristics were found, most notably a lower engagement in physical activity by girls. Skipping breakfast and total number of energy-balance behaviours were associated with being overweight. Conclusions:, The prevalence of being overweight among Dutch inner-city schoolchildren is high. A general rather than a differentiated approach is needed to improve engagement in energy-balance behaviours among inner-city schoolchildren. [source] The BreathmobileÔ: A Novel Comprehensive School-Based Mobile Asthma Care Clinic for Urban Underprivileged ChildrenJOURNAL OF SCHOOL HEALTH, Issue 6 2006Otto Liao Many school-based programs have been funded to improve asthma management, especially for these "high-risk" inner-city children with asthma. Here we report the outcomes of the Children's Hospital of Orange County Breathmobile program, which is a school-based asthma program that combines the use of a mobile clinic and a pediatric asthma specialist. Baseline evaluations included a detailed history and physical, skin prick test to common allergens, spirometry measurements, and asthma severity classification based on the current National Asthma Education and Prevention Program guidelines. From April 2002 to September 2005, a total of 1321 children were evaluated for asthma. Analysis of the 1112 (84%) children diagnosed with asthma showed a population mean age of 7.8 years, 81% Latino ethnicity, and 73% with persistent disease. At baseline, only 24% of children with persistent asthma were on daily anti-inflammatory medications, which increased to 78% by the first follow-up visit. In the year prior to entry into the program, 64% had school absenteeism related to asthma (38% >10 days), 45% had emergency room (ER) visits (28% >1), and 19% had hospitalizations (9% >1). There was a significant reduction (p < .001) in the annual rates of ER visits, hospitalizations, and school absenteeism when comparing pre- and postentry into the program. These data suggest that a mobile asthma van clinic at the school site with an asthma specialist could be an effective model in reducing morbidity in the underserved child with asthma. Further studies are necessary to determine whether this model is applicable to other inner-city settings. (J Sch Health. 2006;76(6):313-319) [source] The prevalence of mouse allergen in inner-city homesPEDIATRIC ALLERGY AND IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 4 2002Iwona Stelmach Mouse allergen has not been studied in detail in the general population. It is common for patients from inner-city environments to report significant mouse infestation in their homes and neighborhoods. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of mouse allergen in the homes of inner-city children with asthma in relation to the demographic features of these children and their specific housing characteristics. Seventy-eight dust samples from 39 inner-city homes of Lodz, Poland, were analyzed for mouse allergen. Skin-prick tests (SPTs) to mouse allergen were performed in all patients. In addition, data regarding the demographics and housing of the subjects were related to the mouse allergen levels. Mouse allergen was detected in 22 of 78 dust samples (28%), and in 18 of 39 homes (46%), including 13 kitchen (33%) and nine bedroom (23%) samples. Mouse allergen levels did not correlate between different rooms in the same home. The levels detected ranged from 0.09 to 2.34 µg/g of dust. The highest levels were found in kitchens, with median levels of 0.2 µg/g, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.12,0.85 (range: 0.1,2.34 µg/g); in bedrooms the mean levels were 0.23 µg/g, 95% CI: 0.1,0.97 (range: 0.09,1.62 µg/g). Eleven of 18 children with detectable mouse allergen in house dust, and three of 21 without detectable mouse allergen in house dust, had a positive SPT to mouse allergen. On home inspection, 18% of the homes had evidence of mice in one or two rooms and had higher levels of mouse allergen (p < 0.01). None of the other subject or housing variables evaluated were associated with higher mouse allergen levels. In Polish children, mouse allergen is an important factor of sensitivity and should be recognized in the diagnosis of allergic diseases as well as in allergen-reduction programmes. [source] Prevalence of asthma and asthma-like symptoms in inner-city elementary schoolchildrenPEDIATRIC PULMONOLOGY, Issue 2 2002Mayris P. Webber Dr Abstract American inner-city children are disproportionately affected by asthma. During the 1999,2000 school year, we conducted a survey of 6 Bronx, New York City elementary schools to assess the prevalence of asthma and asthma-like symptoms as reported by parents. Children with probable asthma had symptoms within the last 12 months and parents who indicated that their child had asthma. Children with possible asthma had symptoms within the last 12 months but lacked a diagnosis. Overall, 74% (4,775/6,433) of parents returned completed surveys, identifying 20% (949/4,775) of children as probable asthmatics, and 12% (589/4,775) as possible asthmatics. In multivariate analyses, probable asthma was associated with: Puerto Rican, Black, and white race/ethnicity, male gender, having health insurance, and registration at the poorest school. Possible asthma was associated with lack of health insurance and female gender, but was not associated with any specific race/ethnicity. Our findings support the effectiveness of school-based surveys to identify children at high risk for asthma. The challenge remains to engage children and families in appropriate follow-up care and to manage their illness, either through the use of school-based health centers or stronger links to community services.Pediatr Pulmonol. 2002; 34:105,111. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Maternal depressive symptoms and adherence to therapy in inner-city children with AsthmaCHILD: CARE, HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 4 2004Richard Reading Maternal depressive symptoms and adherence to therapy in inner-city children with Asthma . Bartlet, S.J., Krishnan, J.A., Riekert, K.A., Butz, A.M., Malveaux, F.J. & Rand, C.S. ( 2004 ) Pediatrics113 , 229 , 237 . Context Little is known about how depressive symptoms in mothers affects illness management in inner-city children with asthma. Objective The goal was to determine how maternal depressive symptoms influence child medication adherence, impact of the child's asthma on the mother, and maternal attitudes and beliefs. Methods Baseline and 6-month surveys were administered to 177 mothers of young minority children with asthma in inner-city Baltimore, MD and Washington, DC. Medication adherence, disruptiveness of asthma, and select attitudes toward illness and asthma therapy were measured. Six-month data (n = 158) were used to prospectively evaluate long-term symptom control and emergency department use. Independent variables included asthma morbidity, age, depressive symptoms and other psychosocial data. Results No difference in child asthma morbidity was observed between mothers high and low in depressive symptoms. However, mothers with high depressive symptoms reported significantly more problems with their child using inhalers properly [odds ratio (OR) 5.0, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.3,18.9] and forgetting doses (OR 4.2, 95% CI 1.4,12.4). Depressive symptoms were also associated with greater emotional distress and interference with daily activities caused by the child's asthma, along with less confidence in asthma medications, ability to control asthma symptoms and self-efficacy to cope with acute asthma episodes. In addition, depressed mothers reported less understanding about their child's medications and use (OR 7.7, 95% CI 1.7,35.9). Baseline asthma morbidity, maternal depression scores and family income were independently associated with asthma symptoms 6 months later, whereas medication adherence was not predictive of subsequent asthma morbidity or emergency department use. Conclusions Maternal depressive symptoms were not associated with child asthma morbidity but were associated with a constellation of beliefs and attitudes that may significantly influence adherence to asthma medications and illness management. Identifying and addressing poor psychological adjustment in mothers is important when developing a child's asthma treatment and may facilitate parent,provider communication, medication adherence and asthma management among inner-city children. [source] | ||||||||||