Preventive Programs (preventive + program)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Hepatitis C infection in hemodialysis patients in Iran: A systematic review

HEMODIALYSIS INTERNATIONAL, Issue 3 2010
Seyed-Moayed ALAVIAN
Abstract Hemodialysis (HD) patients are recognized as one of the high-risk groups for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The prevalence of HCV infection varies widely between 5.5% and 24% among different Iranian populations. Preventive programs for reducing HCV infection prevalence in these patients require accurate information. In the present study, we estimated HCV infection prevalence in Iranian HD patients. In this systematic review, we collected all published and unpublished documents related to HCV infection prevalence in Iranian HD patients from April 2001 to March 2008. We selected descriptive/analytic cross-sectional studies/surveys that have sufficiently declared objectives, a proper sampling method with identical and valid measurement instruments for all study subjects, and proper analysis methods regarding sampling design and demographic adjustments. We used a meta-analysis method to calculate nationwide prevalence estimation. Eighteen studies from 12 provinces (consisting 49.02% of the Iranian total population) reported the prevalence of HCV infection in Iranian HD patients. The HCV infection prevalence in Iranian HD patients is 7.61% (95% confidence interval: 6.06,9.16%) with the recombinant immunoblot assay method. Iran is among countries with low HCV infection prevalence in HD patients. [source]


Nursing staff anxiety versus smoking habits

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NURSING PRACTICE, Issue 3 2001
Athanassios Tselebis RN, MSc(Psych)
The aim of this study was to assess smoking habits versus anxiety levels of 114 female nurses. The Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Scale (STAI, Questions 21,40) was used. Current smokers (n = 52) had the highest levels of anxiety (STAI score: mean ± SD, 43.04 ± 8.48) compared to non-smokers (n = 30), and ex-smokers (n = 32) (38.94 ± 6.45 and 36.56 ± 6.62, respectively; P < 0.02). Differences in STAI scores were greater between non-smokers and ex-smokers (P < 0.01), while the STAI scores of current smokers were positively correlated with their per day quota of cigarettes (Pearson's: +0.65; P < 0.002). We concluded that even in people who are well-acquainted with the ill-effects of nicotine abuse, smoking habits persist and are correlated with levels of anxiety. Apparently the (perceived) stress-relieving effects of nicotine outweigh anxiety of nursing staff. Preventive programs, if based exclusively on information on the effects of smoking on health, seem to be ineffective. Alternatively, techniques aimed at the relief of anxiety may yield better results. [source]


Oral health status in relation to ethnicity of children in the Municipality of Copenhagen, Denmark

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PAEDIATRIC DENTISTRY, Issue 3 2003
A. Sundby
Summary. Approximately 25% of children under the age of 18 in the Municipality of Copenhagen have a non-Danish ethnic background, and it is suspected that there may be major inequalities in oral health as a result. Objectives. The objectives of this study were to describe the occurrence of dental caries in different ethnic minorities, and to analyse whether the dental caries experience of the children may be affected by cultural and behavioural differences. Materials and methods. The study was conducted in Copenhagen as a cross-sectional investigation of 794 children, aged 3 and 5 years old (preschool), 7 years old (Grade 1) and 15 years old (Grade 9). Children of Danish, Turkish, Pakistani, Albanian, Somali and Arabian backgrounds were selected by convenience sampling. Epidemiological data were retrieved from the Danish Recording System for the Public Dental Health Services (SCOR) and sociological data were collected by postal questionnaires. Results. Marked differences in dental caries prevalence were observed when different ethnic minorities were compared to Danish children. These were most prominent for the primary dentition. At age 7, 53% of the Danish and 84% of the Albanian children were affected by dental caries, the mean caries experience was 3·5 dmfs (decayed, missed and filled surfaces) and 13·8 dmfs, respectively. Caries in incisors and/or smooth surfaces was observed in 10% of the Danish children and 48% of the Albanian children. There were cultural differences in dental attendance and self-care practices of children and parents. These socio-behavioural factors may help to explain the differences in dental caries prevalence and severity. Conclusions. Development of appropriate oral health promotion strategies is urgently needed to improve oral health behaviour and attitudes of parents and children of ethnic minorities. Preventive programs should be organized at local community level in close collaboration with key persons of ethnic minority societies. [source]


Disturbed eating behaviors in Taiwanese adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus: a comparative study

PEDIATRIC DIABETES, Issue 1 2009
Yu-Yun Alice Hsu
Objectives:, This study aimed to (i) compare disturbed eating behaviors in adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) with a matched group of adolescents in Taiwan and (ii) examine the relationships of disturbed eating behaviors to body mass index (BMI) and metabolic control among adolescents with T1D. Methods:, A cross-sectional study was conducted in southern Taiwan. Seventy-one adolescents with T1D (aged 10,22 yr; 41 females and 29 males) were matched to a group of non-diabetic adolescents. Adolescents completed two self-reported measures of eating behavior, the Bulimic Investigatory Test, Edinburgh and the Eating Attitude Test-26. Metabolic control was assessed by glycosylated hemoglobin A1c levels. Results:, Both adolescent females and males with T1D had more symptoms of bulimia and bulimic behaviors than their non-diabetic peers. There were no group differences in the proportion of subthreshold eating disorders. BMI and metabolic control were significant factors predicting disturbed eating behaviors. Conclusions:, Both adolescent females and males with T1D exhibited a higher level of disturbed eating behaviors than their non-diabetic adolescent counterparts. Preventive programs that address disturbed eating behaviors should be provided for adolescents with T1D, particularly for adolescents with a high BMI and poor metabolic control. [source]


The Intergenerational Cycle of Criminality,Association with Psychopathy,

JOURNAL OF FORENSIC SCIENCES, Issue 1 2010
Eila Repo-Tiihonen M.D., Ph.D.
Abstract:, Preventive interventions early in life are likely to lower the risk of intergenerational transmission of criminal behavior. We investigated if psychopathy among homicidal offenders is associated with criminal offending among the offenders' offspring. The basic sample consisted of consecutive Finnish homicide offenders (during 1995,2004) who had been subjected to a forensic psychiatric examination and rated for a file-based PCL-R, and their offspring. Criminal behavior among both genders of the offspring was more common than in the general population. In general, the offspring's crimes against others (e.g., threat, intimidation, deprivation of freedom, breach of domicile) were associated with their parent's psychopathy. A grandfather's major mental disorder was associated with a high rate of crime committed by the offspring. Especially, the sons of male psychopathic homicidal offenders had the highest rate of committing crimes, which was often expressed as vandalism. However, both genders of offspring seem to require special preventive programs to ameliorate these problems. [source]


Dental visits by Australian preschool children

JOURNAL OF PAEDIATRICS AND CHILD HEALTH, Issue 6 2003
LM Slack-Smith
Objective: To provide population-based data on dental visits in preschool children, to assist in the planning of such services and preventive programs. Methodology: Dental visits in young children are described and associated factors are investigated using data from the 1995 National Health Survey. Results: Thirty-eight per cent of children aged 3,4 years had ever visited a dental professional with 31% having visited a dental professional in the previous 12 months (total n = 1596). Factors associated with having ever visited a dental professional included age in years (,2 = 74.16, P < 0.0001), state of residence (,2 = 25.81, P= 0.0005) and private health insurance (,2 = 7.96, P= 0.005). Similar factors were associated with visits in last 12 months. Western Australia had the lowest proportion of preschool children aged 3,4 years having ever visited a dental professional (29%) while South Australia had the highest proportion (48%). The major reasons given for dental visits were check-up and fillings. Conclusion: Data regarding children not as likely to attend dental services can be used to target services and assist in ensuring preschool children receive appropriate dental care. [source]


Ascertainment of birth defects: The effect on completeness of adding a new source of data

JOURNAL OF PAEDIATRICS AND CHILD HEALTH, Issue 6 2000
C Bower
Background: The Western Australian (WA) Birth Defects Registry aims for complete ascertainment of birth defects in WA, but the proportions of birth defects in rural areas and in Aboriginal children are lower than in metropolitan and non-Aboriginal children. The effect on ascertainment of adding data from the Rural Paediatric Service (RPS) was investigated. Method: A file of all cases of birth defects for children born 1980,1997 and recorded on the RPS database was linked to the Registry. Results: The addition of this new data source had little effect on the overall prevalence of birth defects (an increase from 5.38 to 5.41%). There was a slightly greater effect on the prevalence of birth defects in rural residents (4.67%,4.76%) and Aboriginal children (4.55,4.78%), although the prevalence for each of these groups is still less than for metropolitan residents and non-Aboriginal infants, respectively. All major categories of birth defects were represented in the new cases and, in general, their addition made little difference to the prevalence of each category. The exception was fetal alcohol syndrome, which increased from 0.13 per 1000 to 0.18 per 1000 once the 21 new cases from the RPS were added. Conclusion: Complete ascertainment of birth defects is important in developing and evaluating preventive programs, and in investigating clusters of birth defects. [source]


Caries Risk Assessment and Prevention: Strategies for Head Start, Early Head Start, and WIC

JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH DENTISTRY, Issue 3 2000
Michael J. Kaneilis DDS
Abstract Objective: This review updates the evidence regarding caries risk assessment for infants, toddlers, and preschool children and formulates recommendations for preventive strategies for WIC, Head Start, and Early Head Start. Methods: Literature on caries risk assessment and preventive strategies for infants, toddlers, and preschool children were reviewed and synthesized. Recommendations for WIC, Head Start, and Early Head Start were made based on the review. Results: Individual caries risk for children in WIC, Head Start, and Early Head Start should be based on: (1) previous caries experience, (2) precavity lesions, (3) visible plaque, and (4) perceived risk by examiners. Recommended preventive strategies for WIC and Head Start populations include: (1) daily toothbrushing in Head Start centers using fluoridated toothpaste; (2) fluoride varnish application to children enrolled in WIC, Head Start, and Early Head Start; (3) use of chlorhexidine gets and varnishes (following FDA approval); and (4) increased use of sealants on children with precavity pit and fissure lesions. Conclusions: Early screening, risk assessment, and preventive programs in WIC, Head Start, and Early Head Start populations hold a great deal of promise for preventing dental decay in high-risk children. [source]


The increasing problem of hepatitis C virus infection

AUSTRALIAN DENTAL JOURNAL, Issue 1 2001
EA Coates
Abstract The widespread incidence of hepatitis C (HCV) infection throughout the community is of concern. Although many of those infected will not suffer significantly from their infection, up to one-third will have liver disease, fatigue and oral health problems. General dental practitioners need to be aware of the precautions necessary in traeating people with severe liver disease. This paper discusses the issues associated with treating patients who have HCV infection including the importance of preventive programs to reduce dental pathology and maximise oral health. [source]


Cost-effectiveness of different caries preventive measures in a high-risk population of Swedish adolescents

COMMUNITY DENTISTRY AND ORAL EPIDEMIOLOGY, Issue 3 2003
N. Oscarson
Abstract , Objectives: A total of 3373 12-year-olds agreed to participate in an intervention study evaluating different caries preventive measures. The study, titled ,Evaluation of caries preventive measures', was performed between 1995 and 1999 at 26 dental health clinics throughout Sweden. At the start of the study, the subjects were classified as individuals at high or low risk of developing caries. The high-risk group consisted of 1165 subjects. The children in the high-risk group were randomly assigned to one of four preventive programs. The programs represent a step-wise increase in fluoride content, contact with dental personnel and cost. The aim of the present cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) study performed from a societal perspective is to compare costs and consequences of caries preventive programs in a caries high-risk population. By ,costs' is meant both treatment costs and costs contributed by the patient and the patient's family. Costs contributed by patients and their families consist of out-of-pocket expenses, transportation costs, and time. Conclusions are that it is important to consider the perspective from which a study is carried out. Costs contributed by the patient and the patient's family have a high impact on total costs for children and younger adolescents but decrease with time as the adolescents get older. The present study shows an incremental cost-effectiveness of 2043 SEK (8.54 SEK = US$ 1, December 1999) per averted decayed enamel and dentine missing and filled surface (DeMFS), of which treatment costs represent 1337 SEK using the unit cost for a nurse. This means a yearly cost of approximately 334 SEK. [source]