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Biomedical subjects

D S Watson

Publications and source records attributed to D S Watson.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

Respiratory function in aboriginal children.

One hundred and fifty-one Aboriginal school children and 246 non-Aboriginal children, all aged between 11 and 15 years, performed lung function tests with a Vitalograph spirometer. The results showed that the mean forced vital capacity was 20% larger in non-Aboriginal children of both sexes. Similar differences were found for the one-second forced expiratory volume, which was 15% larger for the non-Aboriginal boys and 17% larger for the non-Aboriginal girls. Comment is made on their smoking practices.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Anaemia in Yirrkala.

Yirrkala is an Aboriginal community in north-east Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory. Residents aged five years and over participated in a survey to establish the prevalence and causes of anaemia. Eleven per cent were anaemic (haemoglobin level less than 110 g/L). Most of these were iron deficient, and this deficiency was attributed, at least in part, to hookworm infestation; 15% were folate deficient; none was vitamin B12 deficient. There was no haemoglobinopathy, thalassaemia trait or glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency detected.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Petrol abuse at Elcho Island: an attempted intervention.

An attempt to contain juvenile petrol abuse at Elcho Island in the Northern Territory of Australia is described. Ethyl mercaptan (skunk juice) was introduced as an additive to the petrol to discourage petrol sniffing. Reasons for the failure of the programme are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Biparietal diameter in the Australian aboriginal fetus.

Fetal biparietal diameters (BPD) were measured by real time scanning on 657 occasions in 206 Aboriginal women attending for antenatal care in Arnhemland in the Northern Territory of Australia. Gestational age was estimated at birth for 202 of their infants and correlated with BPD measurements. Birthweights and BPD are compared with those for Aboriginal infants born in Queensland and for a Melbourne hospital population.

Birth Weight↗
PubMed1984

A controlled trial of health education in the physician's office.

Screening of 6,144 patients in a general practice clinic to assist physician case-finding uncovered 983 (16%) who were uncontrolled hypertensives. Following physician recommendation, 115 patients volunteered for a controlled trial to test the effectiveness of supplementary strategies to the pharmaceutical management of high blood pressure. A study of nonparticipants indicated that about 7% of the practice population was eligible for cardiovascular health education. One group received a health education program, a second was allocated to self-monitor their blood pressure for 6 months, a third group was allocated to both strategies, and the final group, acting as a control, continued to receive their usual care. Physician monitoring of patients continued for the duration of the study and blood pressures decreased in all patients. The study's most important outcome was the joint reduction of blood pressure and medication strength. These were assessed by a "blind" clinician before and after the interventions according to criteria set out in the "stepped-care" approach to management of high blood pressure. People allocated to a health education program conducted in the doctor's common room did twice as well on this measure as those who were not so educated. Daily self-monitoring of blood pressure for 6 months proved to be too much for the majority of those so instructed. It is concluded that the general practice setting remains an important place for health education to prevent cardiac disease and suggestions are made for incorporating this into everyday practice.

Australia↗
PubMed1984

Obstetrics at Galiwin'ku.

A study is presented of the outcome of the 683 deliveries of the Aboriginal women resident on Elcho Island between 1971 and 1982. Comment is made on birth rates, fertility rates, antenatal attendance, risk factors and the outcome of the preterm labours. Current strategies for improving antenatal care are outlined including the use of real time scanning.

Adolescent↗