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Preventive Programmes (preventive + programme)
Selected AbstractsLong-term process evaluation of a school-based programme for overweight preventionCHILD: CARE, HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 6 2009R. Muckelbauer Abstract Background The epidemic increase in childhood overweight demands effective and also feasible prevention programmes. A school-based environmental and educational intervention focusing on the promotion of water consumption was found to be effective for overweight prevention in children. Process evaluation and long-term surveillance are necessary to evaluate the feasibility and sustainability of the intervention programme in a school setting. Methods Process evaluation was conducted during the intervention period (one school year) and a 19-month follow-up after the intervention trial on the prevention of overweight in 17 elementary schools. Data were collected through measuring the water flow of water fountains installed in schools, and questionnaires and interviews were administered to teachers and headmasters of intervention schools. Main outcomes were implementation of the intervention components, behavioural modification of the children concerning water consumption, and teacher and headmaster attitudes towards the intervention. Results Eleven out of 17 intervention schools maintained the water fountains until 19-month follow-up. The mean water flow of the fountains decreased initially, but remained stable after the during the follow-up period. The implementation rate of the educational units by teachers varied between the units from 13% to 84%. Teachers graded the overall concept of the intervention as good, continuously during the intervention and follow-up period. The majority of teachers organized the water supply of the fountains on the class level during the intervention period but not during the follow-up. Conclusions The long-term process evaluation showed that the combined educational and environmental intervention has potential for sustained modifications in the beverage consumption habits of children. It also identified barriers and promoting factors of a sustainable and feasible implementation of the preventive programme in a school setting. [source] Development and evaluation of two root caries controlling programmes for home-based frail people older than 75 yearsGERODONTOLOGY, Issue 2 2008Kim Ekstrand Objectives:, (i) Initially, to devise and examine the validity of a system for determining lesion activity on root surfaces, and (ii) compare the effectiveness of two preventive programmes in controlling root caries in elderly people using the devised system. Materials and methods:, (i) Four clinical variables: texture, contour, location and colour of root caries lesions were selected to evaluate lesion activity. The intraexaminer reproducibility of the scoring system was assessed on 28 elderly patients. The accuracy was assessed on 10 of these persons using an impression material (Clinpro, 3M ESPE). (ii) Of total, 215 homebound 75+ year olds were randomly assigned to one of three groups: group 1, once a month a dental hygienist brushed the teeth of the participants and applied Duraphat vanish to active root caries lesions. The participants in groups 2 and 3 received 5000 and 1450 ppm F-toothpaste, respectively, to use twice a day. This study included an interview, a baseline examination and a final follow-up examination after 8 months. Results:, (i) Intraexaminer reproducibility of the root caries scoring system was 0.86 (Kappa). The sensitivity and specificity was 0.86 and 0.81. (ii) Data from those 189 (88%) who completed the study disclosed that there were no inter-group differences at the baseline examination concerning relevant conditions. At the end of the study, the root caries status of participants in groups 1 and 2 had improved significantly when compared with group 3 (p < 0.02). No significant difference was observed between groups 1 and 2 (p = 0.14). Conclusion:, The data suggest that the root caries scoring system is reliable. Both the intervention programmes controlled root caries development; the hygienist in eight of 10 persons, the 5000 ppm F-toothpaste in seven of 10. In contrast, five of 10 participants who only brushed with 1450 ppm F-toothpaste had root caries progression. [source] Impact of periodontal preventive programmes on the data from epidemiologic studiesJOURNAL OF CLINICAL PERIODONTOLOGY, Issue 2005Per E. Gjermo Abstract This report provides only circumstantial evidence for the impact of programmes on periodontal epidemiology. The prerequisites for programmes and campaigns are described, and epidemiologic data on periodontal disease are compared with known changes in factors that may be affected by such activities. Unfortunately, parameters for periodontal disease as a process are not available. Only variables indicating irreversible effects on the periodontal status can be obtained. A lack of appropriate studies creates additional problems. This review indicates that preventive programmes and campaigns to improve oral hygiene have affected periodontal epidemiologic data concerning gingivitis and mild/moderate periodontitis favourably. Severe periodontitis seems not to have been influenced by such activities. Smoking is strongly associated with the severity of periodontitis. Therefore, a positive effect may be anticipated following the smoking cessation campaigns currently introduced worldwide. However, because of the irreversible nature of our epidemiologic parameters, it will take decades before any effect may be evident. It is recommended that periodontal epidemiology should be revitalized by introducing a nominalistic categorization instead of the changing essentialistic approaches used so far in order to facilitate the interpretation of data. [source] The microbiota on different oral surfaces in healthy childrenMOLECULAR ORAL MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 3 2009W. Papaioannou Introduction:, Knowledge of the early oral colonization patterns could provide a better understanding of oral biofilm development and disease initiation that in turn could be the basis for early preventive programmes. Methods:, Microbial samples were collected from five different oral habitats from a total of 93 children (age 3,12 years), attending the Dental School of the University of Athens, who were split into three age groups. A total of 38 microbial species were sought out by the checkerboard DNA,DNA hybridization technique. Results:, All of the test species, except Parvimonas micra and Porphyromonas gingivalis, differed significantly among sample locations providing quite distinct microbial profiles for the different oral surfaces. Supragingival and subgingival plaque had similar profiles and exhibited higher proportions of Actinomyces species and Green complex while soft tissue samples were dominated by streptococci of the Yellow complex. The profiles of the tongue dorsum and saliva were also similar. Many of the species were in similar proportions in all three age groups for a given location. Periodontal pathogens showed increases in proportions with increasing age. Specifically, the Red complex species (Tannerella forsythia, P. gingivalis, Treponema denticola) showed a significant increase in proportion with age (P < 0.05) in all sample locations. Conclusions:, The results showed a pattern of colonization in children similar to that previously found in adults. Differences in the profile between age groups suggest a gradual maturation of the oral microbiota, with it being made up of an increasing number of Orange and Red complex species. [source] Psychogeriatric Research: A Conceptual Introduction to Aging and Geriatric NeurosciencePSYCHOGERIATRICS, Issue 3 2001Ramón Cacabelos Abstract: Psychogeriatrics (PG) is a multidisciplinary specialty in clinical neuroscience dealing with brain disorders in the elderly population. As any other biomedical field PG has to establish an educational and practical framework in epidemiology, etiopathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, and social, ethical, and legal issues associated with brain aging and age-related central nervous system disorders. Understanding the molecular basis of aging will help to characterize and differentiate the fundamentals of pathological aging and psychogeriatric ailments. Modern epidemiology of age-related brain disorders have to incorporate novel diagnostic criteria, biological markers, and genetic epidemiology to its methodological armamentarium to avoid bias. Molecular genetics will help to conceptually redefine many psychogeriatric disorders depending upon its genetic component and those interacting environmental factors leading to the phenotypic expression of given diseases. Genetic testing for monogenic and complex/polygenic/multifactorials disorders has to be included in diagnostic protocols since approximately 60 to 80% of major psychogeriatric disorders are genetically driven. It is also important to distinguish mutational genetics from susceptibility genetics in order to establish novel therapeutic strategies and preventive programmes. Genomics, proteomics, and pharmacogenomics are novel fields from which PG can benefit in the areas of etiopathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment. Drug development in PG requires updated regulations in developed countries. New pharmacological treatments for aging brain disorders are needed. Pharmacogenomics will become an optimal strategy for drug development, contributing to design a molecular psychopharmacology for the elderly, individualizing drug therapy, optimizing efficacy and safety, and reducing unnecessary costs. [source] Health behaviours, risk-taking and conceptual changes among schoolchildren aged 7 to 19 years in semi-rural SwedenCHILD: CARE, HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 3 2008A. Olsson Abstract Background This study covers a broad age group (7,19 years) and includes a wide range of themes. The aim is to describe how various behaviours, complaints and conceptual changes come into play and to discuss the factors that might support or hamper the happiness and well-being of growing children and adolescents. We also discuss the implications of our findings for future prevention programmes. Methods This cross-sectional study included all schoolchildren in a semi-rural district in Sweden (2181 pupils). A structured classroom questionnaire was used but the children were also given the opportunity to describe in their own words what was important for their happiness and well-being. Results Mean response rate was 85%. Most changes in behaviour occurred between 11 and 14 years of age. Girls had a more rapid process of change than boys. Both girls and boys experienced stress in their relations with peers, parents and teachers. Gender differences in emotional support were prominent. Regardless of age and sex, all schoolchildren asked for a richer choice of leisure time activities, a place where they could meet with friends and caring teachers, parents and adults in the surrounding community. Conclusions Adolescence was perceived as a risky and problematic period not only by adults but also by the adolescents themselves. However, the perceived risks and the worries differed. While the adults mainly worried about the early onset of smoking and drug use, the schoolchildren worried about their social situation and their personal relationships. After decades of preventive programmes in Swedish schools, only modest results are seen. To be effective, future preventive programmes probably have to focus more on the conceptual world of the growing child. [source] | ||||||||||