Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to U Brook.
A boy developed Stevens-Johnson syndrome (erythema multiforme) 2 weeks after taking a course of slow-release theophylline at the age of 9 years. He had suffered from bronchial asthma since early infancy. He did not attend for dental treatment until the age of 14 years, when panoramic radiography demonstrated varying degrees of arrested root development in the permanent dentition.
Questionnaires examining attitudes to physical activity and to gymnastic lessons at school were filled out by 37 asthmatic and 36 healthy adolescents. No significant differences were demonstrated between the two groups. The study suggests that if a positive approach to physical activity is associated with active involvement, attitudinal factors per se should not mitigate against active participation of asthmatic subjects in sports.
Too little is known about the nature and extent of physical impairment suffered by adolescents. A recent study in Israel points the way towards more systematic data gathering and analysis, so that the necessary care can be provided.
The study was designed to test the knowledge and attitude of pupils in three high schools with respect to AIDS. The 412 pupils who participated in the study represented three different educational institutions: an academic level school, a traditional religious school, and a vocational trade school. The standard of knowledge was found to be relatively lacking (67-75%), and there were significant differences between the three schools (P < 0.00001). There were many misconceptions concerning the symptomatology of the disease, its chronology and its prognosis. Boys were better informed than girls (P < 0.0225), and with age, the pupils' knowledge improved (P < 0.001). There were, however, no differences in the severity of the pupils' attitude towards the disease in any of the three schools (P < 0.00001). Attitudes regarding expulsion of AIDS patients from school, and moral and financial assistance varied from school to school. A most consistent factor was that pupils acquired their knowledge from the media (TV 94.66%, newspapers 89.81%), and that the medical profession contributed very little to the pupils' understanding of the disease (22.09%). Most of the pupils (92.9%) requested that prevention of this disease be incorporated as a subject into the formal teaching program of the school.
Absence of children from school for either health or social reasons, can serve as a parameter for general well-being. Minimal school absence rates reflect a good physical and psycho-social status. The present survey compares the rate of absenteeism as a result of various diseases among 972 adolescent pupils in a high school. The average absenteeism of a pupil during the year is 8.67 +/- 2.93 days. Medical circumstances responsible for absenteeism are discussed. The incidence of absenteeism in chronic diseases is 5.5 times greater than that of healthy children. The ratio of absence caused by medical reasons decreases with maturity, probably as a result of increasing efficiency in coping with the diseases together with stronger motivation for studies. The school physician cognizant of pupil absenteeism can fulfil a valuable role in the early recognition and treatment of psychosocial pathologies.
Four-hundred-and-eight high school students in the town of Holon, Israel, completed a questionnaire concerning their knowledge of HIV and AIDS, and their attitude towards the disease and the people affected by it. The highest scores for knowledge were amongst the 15-16 age group. Eighty-nine per cent of the students gave correct answers concerning the three major ways of HIV transmission: unprotected sex with HIV positive partner, sharing contaminated needles, and receiving contaminated blood transfusions. Students of the 14-16 age group expressed more tolerant attitude towards AIDS and HIV patients than the 16-18 age group (P < 0.002). Nineteen per cent of the pupils are of the opinion that students diagnosed as HIV positive should not be allowed to continue their regular studies as they can endanger their fellow students. Twenty-eight per cent of the students declared that they would sever their relations with close friends diagnosed as HIV positive. Thirty-six per cent think it is not justified to compel medical staff to treat HIV positive patients. The attitude of the students towards an HIV positive 1-year-old adopted baby was divided as follows: 30 per cent think that the baby should be returned to the agency that handled the adoption, while 48 per cent think that the adopting parents should continue to care for him. The five principal sources of knowledge from which the students have learned about AIDS were: television (93 per cent); newspapers and periodicals (90 per cent); school education and biology classes (40 per cent); parents (39 per cent); and books (popular medical) (36 per cent).
A comparison study was made between attitudes of asthmatic and nonasthmatic adolescents toward cigarettes and smoking. Subjects were 67 asthmatic 9th- to 12th-grade students, of whom 38 (57%) had active asthma with recurrent cough and/or dyspneic attacks and 29 (43%) had reactive airway disease and/or the least severe form of asthma expressed by recurrent cough. The control group included 62 nonasthmatic students from the same high school. All subjects completed a questionnaire to determine attitudes, beliefs, and intentions regarding smoking. Their responses suggested that the group at highest risk of becoming smokers were those who had previously had asthma. The same adolescents had a more positive attitude toward cigarettes and smoking, a stronger intention to become smokers, and a self-image more closely linked with their perceptions of smokers. Thus, these adolescents may represent a high-risk group for becoming smokers in the future.
One hundred sixteen healthy high school pupils were interviewed and completed a questionnaire concerning their knowledge about asthma and their attitude towards asthmatic peers. They were compared with 35 asthmatic pupils studying at the same school. The level of knowledge was quite satisfactory, with the knowledge of the asthmatic pupils being somewhat higher than that of the healthy pupils, but without statistical significance. There was a correlation with the age of the pupils in both groups (p < 0.0001). The source of pupils' knowledge came principally from the media (television and newspapers), the family (talking with parents), treating physicians, and school nurses. The healthy pupils displayed less tolerance toward the asthmatic disease and its limitations on activity than that displayed by the asthmatic pupils (p < 0.001). A correlation was found between the level of knowledge and attitude, with an increased level of knowledge implying a more tolerant attitude. A correlation was also found between tolerant attitudes and increasing age, increasing parental education, and the pupils' behavior marks. The recommendation of the survey is to improve the instruction regarding bronchial asthmatic diseases with classes taught by physicians or nurses. By increasing the knowledge of the healthy pupils at school, their attitudes will be more tolerant and positive toward the asthmatic pupils.
The parents of asthmatic children treated in the pediatric respiratory service of Wolfson Hospital were randomly divided into two groups. One group compromised 26 parents who voluntarily attended a teaching session. After completion of the course, a questionnaire was completed by parents who had attended the course and parents who had not. The first group showed greater knowledge of all aspects of the disease and, after a year's follow up, it was noted that there was a statistically significant lower hospitalization rate of their asthmatic child.
Five hundred and eight high school pupils filled out questionnaires concerning their attitudes and experience in the use of drugs: 3.15% had used drugs at least once. The beginning age was 14.36 +/- 1.55. Boys consumed more than girls (68.75 vs 31.25%). Pupil's permissive attitudes were in significant correlation with the following: controversy with parents (p < .05); breaking rules (discipline and property) (p < .05); drug consumption (p < .001); and positive parents' and friends' attitude toward drugs (p < .003). According to the pupils, the three main motives for beginning to take drugs were curiosity, peer influence, and existence of personal difficulties and/or seeking pleasure. The pupils' knowledge in the topic of drugs came from TV (92.5%, newspapers and periodicals (77.5%), and school (75%).
We describe a 9 1/2 year old girl who suffered from severe recurrent pain and functional limitation in her right leg with hyperesthesia, hyperalgesia, color change and edema as the presenting symptoms, during the previous two months. All laboratory tests were found to be normal and diagnosis of reflex sympathetic dystrophy was made.
Three hundred twenty high school pupils were evaluated concerning their knowledge about health and disease. The knowledge of 170 students in the first school in which they received lectures and had regular talks about health topics was higher in comparison with the knowledge of 150 students in the second high school who did not receive these lectures. We recommended that health topics be integrated in the school program starting at the first grade and continuing until graduation from high school.
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Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Sixteen asthmatic children were interviewed about the influence of sport activity upon their psychological character. Fourteen additional children with asthma of the same severity who did not take part in any sport served as the control group. The results of this study show that asthmatic children practicing sport have a better self image than the control group, are less anxious and cope better with the disease. They also showed better interfamily relationships. The conclusions of this pilot study indicate that asthmatic children should be encouraged to participate in sport activities, which seem to assist in their general well being.
Three-thousand-and-fifty-one high school pupils aged between 14 and 18 years were examined in the Holon area (central Israel), during the years 1985-1989. Four-hundred-and-fifty-eight had previous recurrent episodes of wheezing (15.01 +/- 2.4 per cent). Two-hundred-and-seventy-five adolescents had suffered from bronchospasm crisis over the last 12 months (9 +/- 0.80 per cent) and were diagnosed as active asthmatics.
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