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At least 397 records · Page 22Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Acute illnesses in children. A description and analysis of the cumulative incidence proportion.

OBJECTIVES: To describe parent-reported morbidity in relation to the psycho-social conditions of the families and to characterize families whose children are frequently ill. DESIGN: The parent-reported morbidity in a two-month prospective period, and the psychosocial conditions of the families were registered by means of a questionnaire. The conditioned probability of parents' reporting an episode of illness was estimated by means of logistic regression analysis, taking the psycho-social conditions into consideration. SETTING: 18,949 families with at least one child under the age of 8 years, resident in the County of Ringkjøbing in western Denmark at 1 March 1988. SUBJECTS: An age-stratified random sample of 1982 families was entered in the study. 1588 (82%) families returned the questionnaire. RESULTS: The parents reported considerable morbidity in their children. The cumulative incidence proportion (CIP) for the period was 48%. The multivariate analysis of the parent-reported morbidity led to the following main results: 1) the morbidity was greatest for children aged 6 to 18 months, after which it decreased with age, 2) there was interaction between the care conditions and the child's age--CIP for children up to two years was largest for the children who were cared for in daycare, while the CIP for the older children was largest for the children who were cared for at home, 3) if the parents reported that the child's siblings suffered from chronic or frequently recurring morbidity, the child's morbidity rate was significantly increased, 4) mothers with higher education reported more morbidity in their children than mothers without this education, and 5) parents with a high perception of the general health threat ("worried" parents) reported more morbidity than did parents with a low perception. CONCLUSIONS: The results made it possible to characterize families whose children were frequently reported ill.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1978

Social grouping cannot account for cerebral effects of enriched environments.

Several experiments were conducted to test whether, as suggested by Welch et al. in this journal, mere group living (social stimulation) can account for the significant differences in measures of brain anatomy and brain chemistry that develop between rodents housed in groups in enriched environments and rodents housed singly in restricted environments; the alternative hypothesis was that features of the inanimate environment can significantly affect brain measures of animals living in a social group. Groups of 12 male rats were assigned for 30 days to several types of environment: (a) large cage without stimulus objects, (b) large cage containing varied stimulus objects, (c) large cage containing a maze whose pattern of barriers was changed daily, and (d) a seminatural outdoor environment; in each experiment, littermates of rats in the social conditions were housed in isolation in small colony cages. At the end of the 30-day period, measures were taken of weights of brain regions, RNA and DNA contents of regions of cerebral cortex, and acetylcholinesterase activities of brain regions. Although the number of rats housed together was constant for conditions a--d and cage size was constant for conditions a--c, the magnitudes of the cerebral measures varied significantly as a function of the inanimate stimulus conditions. The differences from isola;ion-housed littermates was greatest in condition d and smallest in condition a. Thus, social grouping alone is inadequate to explain the cerebral effects of enriched environments and the inanimate stimulus conditions must be taken into account.

Acetylcholinesterase↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Medical health care services for the population under the condition of social differentiation].

Monitoring of availability of medical care and drugs for the population has been carried out by interviewing more than 4000 residents of Russian cities. Stratification of respondents by the level of life showed that more than 70% respondents evaluate their level of life as below the medium. A social gradient was detected: direct relationship between population morbidity and conditions of life. Analysis of availability of paid medical services and drugs for population with different level of life showed differentiation of the population by the level of life and by ability to pay for medical services and drugs.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

What is healthy work for women and men? - A case-control study of gender- and sector-specific effects of psycho-social working conditions on long-term sickness absence.

The aim of the study was to investigate the relevance of the demand-control model and social support in predicting long-term sickness absence (LTSA). Identifying gender- and sector- (private vs. public) specific patterns was in focus. The study uses a cross-sectional design with a case and a control group. The cases are a sample of 2 327 long-term sick listed (>60 days) and the controls are a Swedish population-based sample of 2 063. Data on sickness absence were retrieved from the Swedish national social insurance registers. Data on health, working and living conditions were gathered through a self-administered questionnaire. The results show that employed women have a notably higher risk for LTSA than employed men. High-strain jobs increase the odds for LTSA among both women and men. Active jobs were also associated with LTSA among women. The study confirms the demand-control model (job strain hypothesis) and social support and their associations with LTSA. However, the job strain hypothesis is more evident in the private sector. Active jobs with high psychological demands and high decision latitude seem to be problematic for many women, especially in the private sector. Thus, the active learning hypothesis receives no support for women in the Swedish working population in general.

Absenteeism↗
PubMed2001

Study of Health In Pomerania (SHIP): a health examination survey in an east German region: objectives and design.

OBJECTIVES: The reason for the Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP) is the lack of epidemiological studies with a broad range of health indicators. Furthermore, in Germany there is a need for studies that take into account the particular situation of life after the reunification. One objective of SHIP is to provide prevalence estimates on a broad range of diseases, risk and health factors for a defined region in the former GDR. METHODS: A sample of 7008 women and men aged 20 to 79 years in a north-east region of Germany, 4900 expected participants. The sample was drawn in two steps: First, 32 communities in the region were selected. Second, within the communities a simple random sample was drawn from residence registries, stratified by gender and age. The data collection and instruments include four parts: oral health examination, medical examination, health-related interview, and a health- and risk-factor-related questionnaire. The oral health examination includes the teeth, periodontium, oral mucosa, craniomandibular system, and prosthodontics. The medical examination includes blood pressure measurements, electrocardiography, echocardiography, carotid, thyroid and liver ultrasounds, neurological screening, blood and urine sampling. The computer-aided health-related interview includes cardiovascular symptoms, utilisation of medical services, health-related behaviours, and socioeconomic variables. The self-administered questionnaire comprises housing conditions, social network, work conditions, subjective well-being and individual consequences from the German reunification.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[Who is rehospitalized in a psychiatric hospital? Psychiatric hospitalization rates and social indicators in the Zurich canton (Switzerland)].

There are two approaches in the research on the relation between social conditions and mental disorder: The ecological approach is concerned with characteristics of the social composition of a certain geographical area and their relation to the frequency of disorders, whereas for the individualistic view variables of the psychosocial background of the individual are of interest. This study is on the risk for psychiatric admission (first and re-admission). While considering variables of the social context of the community as well as of the background of the individual, it tries to take into account both the ecological and the individualistic view of the relationship between social conditions and (treated) mental disorder. The sample of the study includes data of 4021 psychiatric inpatients treated in 1997 in one of the seven psychiatric hospitals of the Swiss canton of Zurich as well as data of social context of the 171 communities of the canton of Zurich. The psychiatric first and re-admission rates of the community can be predicted by the following variables of its social context: 1. pro portion of foreigners, 2. urban character of the living area, 3. population density. Two other variables are of relevance only for the prediction of first admissions: 4. proportion of one-person households and 5. local tax rate. However, further results of the study show that correlations between variables of the social context and psychiatric admission rate of the community cannot be interpreted as risks for the individual.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

The relationship of cortisol levels to social environment and reproductive functioning in female cotton-top tamarins, Saguinus oedipus.

Cortisol levels were examined in 17 cotton-top tamarin monkeys (Saguinus oedipus) to determine: (1) if first-morning void urine sampling could be used as a noninvasive method for monitoring cortisol excretion, (2) if capture and bleeding were associated with changes in urinary cortisol levels, (3) the relative cortisol levels in reproductively active and reproductively suppressed females, and (4) the relationship between cortisol levels and changes in social condition in cotton-top tamarins. Mean urinary cortisol levels during ovarian cycling did not differ between captured and bled females and undisturbed females. Mean cortisol levels were significantly lower in females who were housed in their natal groups and reproductively suppressed than in the same females when they were removed and placed adjacent to a novel male and ovarian cycling began. For all females, mean cortisol levels were higher during the periovulatory period than during the nonperiovulatory period of the ovulatory cycle, with mean cortisol levels higher in newly cycling females than in long-term cycling females. No differences were found in mean cortisol levels between long-term cycling females and prepubertal females and postpubertal natal females. Cortisol levels from long-term cycling females were much lower than during the first two to three ovarian cycles occurring in newly cycling female tamarins, during the last part of pregnancy, and during the first 6 weeks postpartum. These data provide evidence that (1) suppression of ovarian cycling in postpubertal females remaining in their natal family is not associated with stress-induced changes in cortisol levels, (2) cortisol levels are not strictly tied to reproductive condition, and (3) social change may be reflected in cortisol elevation.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Effect of social experience on dopamine-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity and G protein composition in chick forebrain.

The stimulation of adenylyl cyclase (AC) by dopamine was investigated in membrane fractions of the forebrain areas mediorostral neostriatum/hyperstriatum ventrale (MNH) and lobus parolfactorius (LPO) of 8-day-old domestic chicks that had been raised under different social conditions: group A, socially isolated; group B, imprinted on an acoustic stimulus; group C, trained but nonimprinted; and group D, reared in small groups. Only in the brain of the socially experienced groups could cyclic AMP (cAMP) synthesis be stimulated by dopamine, but not in the socially isolated animals (group A). Ligand binding studies of dopamine D1- and D2-type receptors in membrane fractions did not reveal differences between socially experienced and isolated animals. Forskolin stimulation of total AC in MNH and LPO membrane fractions revealed a significantly enhanced AC stimulation in the socially reared but not in the imprinted group compared with isolated controls. Stimulation of AC by the G protein activator guanylylimidodiphosphate was significantly increased in the MNH and the LPO of socially reared chicks compared with isolated control animals. These results suggest that early postnatal social experience modulates the rate of cAMP synthesis and that these lasting changes are not due to changes of dopamine receptors but are related to increased AC activities and to increased sensitivity of Gs protein.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗
PubMed2001

Providing wholistic health care for the elderly: utilization of the Shuler Nurse Practitioner Practice Model.

PURPOSE: To present an application of The Shuler Nurse Practitioner Practice Model with elderly patients through use of a gerontological wholistic assessment and the utilization of the model in developing a treatment plan and evaluating patient outcomes. DATA SOURCES: Selected literature from nursing and medicine, including natural, alternative, and complementary (NAC) therapies, as well as the authors' personal experiences. CONCLUSIONS: Providing health care services to the elderly involves recognition of not only physical ailments, but also an awareness of how functional status, psychological condition, social support, environmental conditions and cultural, as well as spiritual beliefs, shape the total health care needs of this vulnerable group. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Nurse practitioners who work with the aged could benefit from a theoretically based, wholistic assessment guide. Treatment plans that include NAC therapies and healing strategies should be considered. Outcome evaluations should reflect adherence to the elders' preferences regarding quality and end-of-life issues.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Removable partial denture in special clinical conditions.

Controversies concerning the prosthetic treatment through removable or fixed dentures until the age of 18 existed and continue to exist due to the structural instability of the stomatognathic system. In this communication we present a special experience, acquired about the treatment of some clinical situations in which the removable partial denture has been found appropriate with respect to certain features as bone substance loss as a consequence of traumatisms or tumor extirpations, oligodontia, cleft lip and palate. The clinical situations that will be presented refer to a group of 29 patients treated during a period of 10 years in the Department of Prosthetic Dentistry within the Faculty of Stomatology of Iaşi, Romania. Our conclusion is that the children and teenager patients prosthetic therapy differs with respect to the type and etiology of the teeth loss, the affected zone, the stage of the growth and development process of the stomatognathic system, the technological conditions, the patient social conditions, and last but not least, by his affective attitude regarding the teeth loss and the denture type. The removable partial denture for children and teenagers represents, with some exceptions, an emergency or transitory solution until the necessary conditions for other therapeutic stages are fulfilled. Taking into consideration the tissues lability on which it is applied, the removable partial denture requires a rigorous postprosthetic therapy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

A broad-based evaluation of pesticide-exposed children.

Research tends to center on the individual exposed to endocrine disruptors, frequently using a disease centered medical model for evaluative purposes. Pesticides, like many other contaminants, disrupt the endocrine system. A normative growth and developmental model was used to evaluate four- and five-year-old Mexican children living in agricultural areas relying on the use of pesticides and compared the children to those living in a non-agricultural community. The purpose was to determine if the children of any given community were at risk from exposure, in contrast to identifying specific children with multiple deficits. Anthropological methods were adapted to provide a rapid community assessment approach. Living conditions, social and cultural conditions and genetics were similar in all groups studied. Growth, in terms of height and weight were alike for children in both areas. Differences existed in developmental skills, as measured through play behaviors. Neuro-muscular deficits, in terms of coordination and stamina, were found with the children in the agricultural communities. The heavier exposed children also exhibited neuro-mental deficits, as measured through the use of drawing and memory problems. No child excelled or performed poorly on all activities. One important outcome of the study was that behavior standards designed for American children did not always apply to these children due to different expectations placed on the child. Future research needs to examine if other endocrine disrupting compounds create similar developmental deficits.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed1998

[The prognosis of surgery on the elderly. Proposal for a parametric evaluation].

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: To data there are no preoperative systems of evaluating surgical risk specifically in geriatric patients. Given that it was thought useful to formulate a score-based prognostic system for these patients based on surgical risk, the authors collected a wide range of preoperative data with the aim of identifying the easily determined variables. METHODS: While data from other hospital centres are in the process of being collected, the authors report the data for 122 over 65-year-old patients who underwent elective surgery up until 30-1-1996 out of a total of 329 hospitalized patients. In addition to a wide series of objective, laboratory and instrumental data, the study also took into account the pathology requiring to surgery, any associated morbid conditions, psychic and social conditions, the type of surgery and local and/or general postoperative complications. RESULTS: Hernia of the abdominal wall were found to be the most frequent cause of surgery (41 cases), followed by 27 neoplasias of various organs and biliary lithiasis (20 cases). Cardiovascular diseases were the most common associated pathologies (85 patients). A total of 13 major and 80 medium operations were performed, including 16 cholecystectomies. Among the general complications, an altered acid-base balance was found in 7 patients. Two deaths were recorded within 30 days of surgery. When the data collection is complete, the results will be analysed statistically in order to obtain a numerical calculation of the coefficients of risk correlated to the individual variables. CONCLUSIONS: This will enable the criteria of operability to be broadened, thereby allowing surgery to be performed in those patients who are currently excluded merely on the basis of the personal judgement of the surgeon and anesthetist.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The return of geriatric patients to the home - results of a pilot study in Berlin hospitals].

Geriatric in-patients often stay longer in hospital than would be necessary on medical grounds alone due to the lack of intermediate facilities and the paramount influence of social conditions. Day-hospital services contribute largely to an early return of geriatric and long-term patients. The potential amount of patients eligible for this kind of service is investigated by a 5% sample of all non-psychiatric in-patients age 65+ in Berlin (West). Social conditions at home and the number of patients to receive day services showed a significant relation. Based on the findings it is estimated that 15 day-hospitals will be needed in Berlin (West) to promote re-integration of geriatric patients into their familiar surroundings.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Social rearing conditions before weaning influence numbers and proportions of blood immune cells in laboratory rats.

The influence of the early social rearing environment on blood cellular immunity was investigated in the male offspring of Long-Evans rats. Sons of females housed in pair groups (P-males) and sons of females living in a mixed sex colony (C-males) were studied. After weaning at the age of 21 days, offspring were housed individually to ensure identical experiences until the age of 100 days when immunological assessments were conducted. C-males had significantly higher numbers of blood CD4 and CD8 T cells as well as higher numbers of granulocytes and monocytes than P-males. In contrast, the number of B cells and NK cells was similar in P- and C-males. T-cell responsiveness to ConA, determined in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells and whole blood assays, did not differ significantly between the two groups. The study indicates that the early social environment affects numbers and proportions of many blood immune cell subsets in later life.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

The 'dop' system around Stellenbosch--results of a farm survey.

OBJECTIVES: To document the number of farms operating a 'dop' system (payment of workers with alcohol instead of wages), to estimate the number of farm workers affected, to describe how the system operated and to characterise adverse social conditions on the farms. POPULATION: Farms served by the mobile clinics of the Cape Metropolitan Council's Health Department in the Stellenbosch area. METHODS: Cross-sectional prevalence survey. Nurses collected data from patients attending mobile clinics. RESULTS: A prevalence of 9.5% was detected in respect of farms operating the dop system, with an estimated 780 workers affected. The most common practice was a daily provision of 750 ml wine to male workers. Social conditions on the farms in question were poor and wages were low. Child malnutrition was the most common health problem identified. CONCLUSION: The dop system, although illegal, has been documented to occur in the Stellenbosch area. Programmes to address the dop system and alcohol abuse, based on a primary health care approach, are a priority in the rural areas of the Western Cape.

Agricultural Workers' Diseases↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Stunting in Brazilian children: relationship with social-environmental conditions and maternal nutritional status].

The relationship between stunting in Brazilian children with their mother's nutritional status and their social-environmental situation was assessed in a probabilistic sample of the Brazilian population in 1989. Data from 12644 mother-son pairs were analyzed. Maternal nutritional status was classified based on the body mass index and stunting was identified in children with stature or length for age Z < or = -2 of the American growth reference curve (NCHS). Stunting was observed in 14.4% of the children (15.9% of boys and 12.9% of girls) There was an inverse relationship between the level of stunting and maternal education, income and house living conditions. Children of illiterate mothers showed more stunting (OR = 17.2) than children whose mothers had had at least 9 years of formal education. Stunting was more frequently observed in children whose mothers were underweight (OR = 2.5), and who were from the first quartile of family income in comparison to the fourth quartile (OR = 11.0) and lived in the poorest living conditions (OR = 7.6). These results suggest a positive association between stunted children and underweight mothers.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

The social production of health: critical contributions from evolutionary, biological, and cultural anthropology.

In 1946, the newly formed World Health Organization boldly sought to conceptualize "health" as wellbeing in the positive sense, "not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." Yet nearly six decades later, researchers are still principally concerned with pathology and its characteristics and consequences. This special issue is the result of an effort to broaden the focus. Anthropologists working from evolutionary, biological and sociocultural perspectives and in diverse geographic regions were asked to examine meanings associated with health and/or to identify social conditions and practices that have contributed to positive physiological and psychological states in particular cultures, times, or across time. Most notable, perhaps, was discovering how difficult it is for Western social scientists to move beyond pathology-based thinking; most authors represented here regard health primarily as the absence of disease. Still, these papers articulate and address questions key to understanding health in and of itself, including: How is health conceptualized? What kinds of social conditions lead to health? And, how do social inequalities affect health? This introduction critically discusses previous work on the subject to contextualize the original research papers offered here.

Anthropology↗