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Biomedical subjects

C Fortin

Publications and source records attributed to C Fortin.

48 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Growth hormone treatment in hypopituitary dwarfs: longitudinal psychological effects.

This is one of a series of studies on the psychological effects of medically induced growth in a group of hypopituitary dwarfs treated with Human Growth Hormone (HGH). Before treatment these dwarfs were found to be psychologically immature and hypoactive, without any manifestation of aggressive drives, and had an underlying low self-esteem when compared with the normal population. When compared with a matched group with constitutional growth delay the hypopituitary patients were found to use denial, whereas the control group used well-organized compensatory mechanisms (9). Immaturity was found in both groups. When the hypopituitary dwarfs reached adolescence they lacked the core attributes of masculinity or femininity and manifested some ambiguity or even inversion in their choice of gender role (10). This report deals with their psychological evolution in relation to physical growth.

Adolescent↗

University students' intention to seek medical care promptly if symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases were suspected.

The aim of this study was to identify the factors explaining intention to seek medical care promptly if STD symptoms were suspected. A random sample of 1617 undergraduate students completed a questionnaire assessing intention, attitude, perceived norm among friends, perceived behavioral control, and risk of disease, along with different socio-demographic variables. The regression of intention on all variables yielded an adjusted R2 of 0.32 (P < 0.0001). The factors explaining this variance were the perceived advantages, easiness, and social norm among friends regarding seeking medical care promptly, age, and gender. Perception of risk to delay seeking medical care and perceived personal risk of getting STDs were not significant variables. Overall, the results indicate the need to develop programs for male first-year students. These programs will have to influence the attitude, that is, the perceived advantages of seeking medical care promptly if STD symptoms are suspected. Seeking advice from students' friends, and perception of these friends as a significant reference source if STD symptoms are suspected, should also be promoted.

Adolescent↗

[The opinions of Quebec physicians regarding AIDS: Part II].

Based on a representative sample of Quebec physicians (n = 879), this study assesses physicians' motivation to perform a clinical examination on an HIV-infected patient and their opinion about issues related to HIV screening. Confronted with an HIV-infected patient, 70% of physicians would perform a clinical examination; however, more senior medical specialists with fewer contacts with patients seem less inclined to perform a clinical examination on these patients. Almost 80% agree with a mandatory nominal confidential notification of positive HIV screenees. However, 33% agree with the practice of contact tracing and 40% consider it acceptable to test a patient without his or her explicit consent. Even if Canada does not regulate the testing of immigrants for HIV, more than 75% of the respondents agree with such a policy. Finally, a negative association was observed between the intent to perform a clinical examination on an HIV-infected patient and a favourable attitude toward the screening of immigrants and the testing of patients without their consent.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

[The opinion of Quebecois physicians with regard to AIDS].

A mail survey on several medical and social issues surrounding the AIDS epidemic was conducted among Québec physicians of a random sample. Of 1,530 physicians, 879 (57.5%) returned their completed questionnaire. Results show that the majority of physicians (79.3%) considered AIDS as a priority. A large proportion of physicians (66%) overestimate the occupational risk of contracting HIV following exposure to a contaminated needle. Logistic regression suggests that the perceived risk of contracting HIV through contact with patients is directly related to the physicians' type of medical training and to their estimate of the risk of contamination with a contaminated needle. Finally, a third of the respondents consider continuing medical education on AIDS insufficient in the Province of Québec while 82.1% want to improve their knowledge about AIDS.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

[Knowledge and attitude to sexually transmitted diseases and condoms in students and undergraduate students].

Since sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are a serious health problem among youth, proper understanding of knowledge about STDs, beliefs about condom use and associated factors are public health necessities. A self-administered questionnaire was sent to 2,920 randomly selected students and was returned by 59.3% of the sample. We observed a lack of knowledge in one third of students, negative beliefs on condom use for at least 20% of students and a low perceived risk to contract STDs. With multivariate analyses, we observed that male students, youths between 18-21 years of age and those who didn't have any sexual partner since their admission to the university should be the target of intervention programs.

Adolescent↗