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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

Preschool and school age activities: comparison of urban and suburban populations.

The objective of this study was to compare urban and suburban preschool and school age activities. A prospective survey using a convenience sample was conducted at one urban and one suburban primary care pediatric office. Questionnaires were completed for 66 urban preschool children, 70 suburban preschool children, 57 urban school age children and 61 suburban school age children during the school year. Also, questionniaires were completed for 63 suburban school age children during the summer. The suburban preschool children spent more time outdoors, were read to more frequently, visited the library more frequently and more often attended summer camp. The suburban school age children spent more time outdoors, more frequently participated in a community sport league and more often attended summer camp. The urban school age children watched more television or videos. During the summer, suburban school age children spent more time outdoors, while during the school year, suburban school age children used the library more frequently. Important differences exist between the activities of urban and suburban children in two practices in the New York metropolitan area. Pediatricians caring for urban children may have an important opportunity to promote participation in sports and educational activities.

Camping↗
PubMed1987

Non-ghetto gays: a sociological study of suburban homosexuals.

This ethnographic study is focused upon the lifestyles of white, suburban, middle-class homosexuals. Interview data on some two dozen individuals obtained in the spring of 1982 was increasingly supplemented and supplanted by continued field observation and other techniques of data-gathering through the summer of 1985. The data on the coming-out experiences were largely congruent with models of homosexual identity formation, especially those of Plummer (1975) and Troiden (1979). As expected, older subjects generally progressed through coming-out stages at a slower pace than their younger counterparts. The middle-class orientation and the suburban socio-cultural environment were also seen as inhibiting homosexual identity formation. The advent of AIDS seemed to have little obvious impact on behavior until the last months of the study. Suburban homosexuals in this study were strongly oriented to their work and career-building, to suburban home ownership, and to obtaining a long-term love relationship with another male. Suburban homosexuals were also strongly individualistic and assimilationist, rather than oriented towards collective action or organizational membership based on shared sexual identity. While the fortunes of the two friendship groups differed, friendship bonds among suburban homosexuals compare favorably with male friendships in the general population. The findings in this study suggest that suburban homosexuals, like many other Americans, are finding suburban life increasingly attractive and that the lure of large cities and gay ghettos has faded.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1996

Comparison of the reluctance of house staff of metropolitan and suburban hospitals to perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

BACKGROUND: Although performing mouth-to-mouth resuscitation (MMR) during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is an effective lifesaving procedure, both the general public and physicians are often unwilling to perform CPR. Fear of contracting infectious diseases, especially AIDS, is often stated as the reason for this reluctance. However, the likelihood of saving a life usually outweighs the chance of contracting an infectious disease, especially when victims are considered to be at low risk for being HIV+ and are in communities with low incidences of HIV antibodies. METHODS: The entire housestaff (58 residents) in the Department of Internal Medicine of a suburban hospital responded to a questionnaire of hypothetical cardiac arrest scenarios in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Their responses were compared to those previously obtained from the housestaff (82 residents) of a hospital in a large metropolitan area with a high incidence of HIV positive patients. RESULTS: The willingness of the suburban housestaff (residents) to perform MMR in the inpatient scenario of a patient with an unknown risk for communicable infections was 43%, with trauma was 12%, with a perceived high risk for being HIV+ was 14%, and in the elderly was 29%, compared to 45, 16, 7 and 39%, respectively of the house staff of the metropolitan hospital. In outpatient scenarios, the willingness of the suburban housestaff to perform MMR on a victim with an unknown risk for communicable infections was 50%, with trauma was 33%, with a perceived high risk for being HIV+ was 34%, in the elderly was 26%, and in a child was 86%, compared to 54, 36, 21, 65, and 99%, respectively, of the metropolitan residents. Overall, the suburban male residents were more likely to be willing to perform MMR than the female ones, as were residents actively practising a religion or having graduated from medical schools in the United States. Suburban residents under 30 years of age seemed more willing to perform MMR in the majority of the scenarios than those over 30 years of age. Of the 31 suburban residents that stated they would be unwilling to perform MMR in at least one of the given scenarios, all stated that their unwillingness was due to fear of becoming infected with HIV or other infectious agents. In 1994, the percentage of known HIV positive individuals admitted to the suburban hospital was approximately five times less than that of the metropolitan hospital whose house staff was interviewed (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients perceived to be at high risk for HIV were less likely to receive MMR than those at low risk. The reluctance of house staff to perform MMR in a suburban community hospital with a low incidence of HIV+ patients is similar to that of house staff in a large metropolitan community with a much higher incidence of infected patients. This reluctance, which was largely due to fear of contracting HIV infections, is not influenced by frequent contact with patients infected with HIV but is based on perceived rather than actual risks of contracting HIV. To increase the willingness of physicians, other medical personnel, and the lay public to perform MMR on victims of cardiac and respiratory arrests, the negligible risk of contracting infectious diseases while performing MMR should be emphasized. Use of portable barrier masks while performing MMR and an increase in their availability would decrease the minimal risks even further, and is recommended by the authors.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1994

Eating attitudes in urban and suburban adolescents.

We administered the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and Spielberger Trait Anxiety Inventory to two populations of high school students. The first group, 268 suburban females (mean age 16.2 years), completed their questionnaires in May 1988. The second population, 389 females and 281 males (mean age 16.0 years) in a city school with 92% black of Hispanic students, completed their questionnaires in February 1990 and were also measured for height and weight as part of a health screening. Scores of 21 or higher on the EAT-26 were achieved by 17.5% of the suburban females, 15.0% of the urban females, and 6.0% of the urban males. Significantly more suburban females (63%) considered themselves overweight, compared with both urban females (35%) and males (19%), yet only 14% of suburban females were calculated to be > 10% over ideal body weight, compared with 45% of urban females and 39% of urban males. Contrary to expectations, self-esteem was higher and anxiety lower in the urban students than the suburban students; self-esteem and anxiety were each significantly correlated with higher EAT scores in both populations, but believing oneself overweight was correlated with higher EAT scores in only the suburban students. These data indicate that abnormal eating attitudes are present among both urban and suburban students but with important differences in their manifestations and implications.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

The influence of urban, suburban, or rural locale on survival from refractory prehospital cardiac arrest.

There are many variables that can have an effect on survival in cardiopulmonary arrest. This study examined the effect of urban, suburban, or rural location on the outcome of prehospital cardiac arrest as a secondary end point in a study evaluating the effect of bicarbonate on survival. The proportion of survivors within a type of EMS provider system as well as response times were compared. This prospective, randomized, double-blind clinical intervention trial enrolled 874 prehospital cardiopulmonary arrest patients encountered by prehospital urban, suburban, and rural regional EMS area. Population density (patients per square mile) calculation allowed classification into urban (>2000/mi2), suburban (>400/mi2), and rural (0-399/mi2) systems. This group underwent standard advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) intervention with or without early empiric administration of bicarbonate in a 1-mEq/kg dose. A group of demographic, diagnostic, and therapeutic variables were analyzed for their effect on survival. Times were measured from collapse until onset of medical intervention and survival measured as the presence of ED vital signs on arrival. Data analysis used chi-squared with Pearson correlation for survivorship and Student t test comparisons for response times. The overall survival rate was approximately 13.9% (110 of 793), ranging from 9% rural, 14% for suburban, and 23% for urban sites for 372 patients (P=.007). Survival differences were associated with classification of arrest locale in this sample-best for urban, suburban, followed by rural sites. There was no difference in time to bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation, but medical response time (basic life support) was decreased for suburban or urban sites, and intervention (ACLS) and transport times were decreased for suburban sites alone. Although response times were differentiated by location, they were not necessarily predictive of survival. Factors other than response time such as patient population or resuscitation skill could influence survival from cardiac arrest occurring in diverse prehospital service areas.

Advanced Cardiac Life Support↗
PubMed2002

Parental use and misuse of antibiotics: are there differences in urban vs. suburban settings?

OBJECTIVE: To compare the frequencies with which suburban and urban parents give their children antibiotics without first consulting a physician. METHODS: This was a prospective, comparative survey of a suburban emergency department (ED) patient population in New Jersey with an annual patient census of 60,000 visits and an urban ED in Connecticut with 58,000 annual visits. A convenience sample of parents with children <18 years of age were enrolled. Patients who were critically ill and/or not oriented were excluded. Subjects provided written answers to a series of closed questions regarding their knowledge and use of antibiotics for their children over the previous 12 months. Categorical data were analyzed by chi-square and Fisher's exact test; continuous data were analyzed by t-tests. All tests were two-tailed with alpha set at 0.05. The primary endpoint, antibiotic "misuse," was defined as parental administration of antibiotics to a child during the previous 12 months without the consultation of a physician. RESULTS: Eight hundred one parents were enrolled; 424 at the suburban site. Parents in the suburban site were significantly different with regard to mean age (39 +/- 7.2 vs. 32 +/- 9.0, p < 0.001), percentage female sex (63% vs. 81%, p < 0.001), percentage white race (78% vs. 34%, p < 0.001), and percentage with private insurance (89% vs. 56%, p < 0.001). A higher percentage of parents at the suburban site had misused antibiotics (12.1% vs. 4.0%; p < 0.001). Using logistic regression, this significant difference in the rate of antibiotic misuse between the two groups remained after adjustment for demographic variables and insurance status of the parents (p < 0.001). Parents at the suburban site were significantly less likely to have been previously discharged with their child from an office or ED setting without antibiotics only to go soon afterwards to another health facility in order to obtain such medications (5% vs. 48%; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Parents in the suburban setting were more likely to have misused antibiotics for their children. On the other hand, parents in the urban setting were more likely to have been discharged by a physician at one health facility and gone to another physician's office or ED in order to obtain antibiotics for their children.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Dry deposition of sulfate-containing particulate at the highway intersection, coastal and suburban areas.

Sulfate-containing aerosol (SCA) dry deposition at the highway intersection, coastal location, and suburban area in Taiwan were analyzed and compared. Sampling was accomplished with a surrogate surface technique. Samples particles were coated with barium chloride (BaCl(2)) in a vacuum evaporator and then exposed to a relative humidity of 85% for 2 h to form distinctive products of SCAs. Treated samples were examined by a scanning electron microscopy. SCA dry deposition fluxes were 10.2, 4.1, 3.4 microgm(-2)s(-1) and nonsulfate-containing aerosol (NSCA) dry deposition fluxes were 23.3, 8.2, 13.5 microgm(-2)s(-1) at the highway intersection, coastal, and suburban areas. At the highway intersection, both SCA and NSCA dry deposition fluxes were much higher than those at the other two sites. The dry deposition of particles was also analyzed with a traditional technique. The number median diameters (NMDs) of SCA were 0.41, 0.82, and 1.2 mum at the highway intersection, coastal, and suburban sites, respectively. The highway intersection site had a small NMD, which showed that most sulfate-containing deposited aerosols existed in fine diameter range. The mass median diameters (MMDs) of SCA were 8.8, 19.5, and 14.9 mum at the highway intersection, coastal, and suburban sites, which were much higher than NMDs. Average numbers of SCAs in total particulate were 33%, 33%, and 22% at the highway intersection, coastal and suburban areas Most deposited particulates were nonsulfate-containing at the three sampling sites. SCAs less than 10 mum contributed 29%, 8%, and 7% to the total dry deposition at the highway intersection, coastal, and suburban areas, respectively. The contribution of fine particulate was significantly higher at the highway intersection site.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed2001

Injection-related risk behaviors in young urban and suburban injection drug users in Chicago (1997-1999).

We compared injection-related risk practices between urban and suburban injection drug users (IDUs) in a large cross-sectional sample of young IDUs. From 1997 to 1999, we recruited 700 active IDUs aged 18 to 30 years in Chicago and its suburbs. A suburban residence was reported by 38% of participants. Participants were interviewed at four urban locations and screened for HIV and hepatitis C virus antibodies. Receptive sharing of syringes and other paraphernalia by urban and suburban IDUs in the preceding 6 months was compared using univariable and multivariable models. Sharing injection paraphernalia in the total sample was high, with 50% of participants reporting receptive syringe sharing and 70% reporting sharing cotton, cookers, and/or rinse water. After adjusting for demographic characteristics, injection settings, frequency, and duration of injection as well as ease of acquiring new syringes, suburban IDUs were significantly more likely than urban IDUs to share syringes (adjusted odds ratio = 1.7; 95% confidence interval: 1.1-2.5); however, the likelihood of sharing cotton, cookers, or rinse water was roughly equal. Despite overall higher risk profiles among suburban IDUs, HIV and hepatitis C prevalence levels were significantly lower than among urban participants. Current high levels of injection risk behaviors in suburban groups represent a potential for rapid dissemination of infection.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Comparison of heavy metal concentrations in tissues of red foxes from adjacent urban, suburban, and rural areas.

The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is a representative of the canid family with wide distribution in the Northern Hemisphere and Australia. The increasing utilization of urbanized habitats by red foxes prompted us to test whether this species may be used to monitor the presence of anthropogenic pollutants in cities or suburbs. For that purpose, we compared the concentrations of heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn) in foxes from urban, suburban, and rural areas within the municipality of Zürich (Switzerland). The kidney and liver of suburban and rural foxes contained the highest Cd concentrations, whereas urban foxes contained the highest Pb levels. In the kidney of suburban foxes, Cd concentrations increased from a median value of 0.73 mg/kg in juvenile animals to 1.82 mg/kg in adults. Similarly, the liver of suburban foxes contained increasing Cd levels from a median of 0.21 mg/kg in juvenile animals to 0.94 mg/kg in adults. An age-dependent storage of Cd was also found in foxes from the rural surroundings, but no such accumulation occurred in urban foxes from the city center, where even adult animals contained very low Cd levels. Conversely, foxes from the urban center were characterized by elevated Pb concentrations during the first 2 years of life, but this transient Pb accumulation was absent in suburban or rural animals. The liver of juvenile foxes contained a median Pb concentration of 0.99 mg/kg in the city compared to only 0.47 and 0.37 mg/kg in the suburban and rural area, respectively. Thus, we found that animals from separate environmental compartments contain different patterns of tissue residues, implying that red foxes may serve as a bioindicator species to detect certain toxic hazards in urbanized habitats.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

[Prevalence of allergic respiratory disorders and skin prick test in Beijing urban and suburban children: a comparative study].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of allergic respiratory disorders and allergens in Beijing urban and suburban children. METHODS: Using the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood Phase III Protocol, a questionnaire survey was conducted among 7,077 junior middle school students, 3,531 males and 3,546 females, aged 13-14, of 11 urban schools and 10 suburban schools in Beijing by random cluster sampling. Skin prick test with 13 common allergens was conducted among 2,126 from the 7,077 students by random cluster sampling. RESULTS: The prevalence rates of anamnestic asthma, asthma in recent 12 months, asthma after exercise in recent 12 months, and dry cough during night in recent 12 months were 12.4%, 7.2%, 25.6%, and 19.3% respectively in the urban students; all significantly higher than those in the suburban students (4.5%, 4.3%, 12.5%, and 8.3% respectively, all P < 0.01). The rates of anamnestic nasal symptoms without common cold, present nasal symptoms without common cold, and those nasal symptoms complicated with itching eyes and lacrimation were 41.6%, 35.6%, and 10.3% respectively in urban students, and 21.3% all significantly higher than those in the suburban students (21.3%, 12.3%, and 3.3% respectively, all P < 0.05). The positive rates of the 13 main allergens were significantly higher in the urban students than in the suburban students (all P < 0.01). The positive rate of Dermatophagoides farinae and D. pteronyssinus, cat hair, and Blatella germanica were 20.4%, 16.9%, 10.8%, and 11.0% respectively in the urban students, all significantly higher than those in the suburban students (3.7%, 2.7%, 3.7%, and 2.7% respectively, all P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The prevalence rates of allergic disorders have been increased in comparison with those in the last decade in Beijing junior middle school students, especially those in the urban area and may be due to the changes of environments and living styles.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Black suburbanization in the mid-1980s: trends and differentials.

"The 1980 U.S. Census revealed a marked acceleration in the suburbanization of blacks during the 1970s. This paper provides a preliminary answer to whether that acceleration continued in the 1980s by examining the 1985 American Housing Survey (National and Metropolitan Samples). These data sets permit racial and socioeconomic status comparisons in overall suburbanization level and in the propensity of recent movers to choose suburban destinations. Blacks continue to exhibit low levels of suburbanization relative to whites, and only a small percentage of blacks originating in central cities move to suburban areas. However, once in the suburbs, blacks tend to remain there at the same rate as whites. Intrametropolitan racial segregation remains strong, although it shows signs of decreasing." This paper was originally presented at the 1990 Annual Meeting of the Population Association of America (see Population Index, Vol. 56, No. 3, Fall 1990, p. 431).

Black or African American↗
PubMed1999

Dental lead levels in residents from industrial and suburban areas of Kuwait.

The present study describes lead concentrations in whole incisor teeth (non-carious) of 216 Kuwaiti resident's aged 3-74, collected from industrial and suburban areas of Kuwait. The mean concentration of lead in all age groups (3-74) showed a significant correlation between both the sexes. Statistical analysis showed a significant correlation between lead levels of males compared with industrial and suburban areas. A similar correlation was also noted in the case of females supporting that industrial residents were more exposed to lead levels than those in suburban areas. A further significant correlation was noted between males and females of industrial and suburban areas which showed that males accumulate more lead concentration than females. A significant correlation was not observed when each age group was compared with that of the respective sexes representing industrial and suburban areas. However, a significant correlation was noted when lead levels in each age group was compared with that of the other age groups except in age groups ranging 35-42. The mean lead levels of 216 teeth were in the range 2.21-2.50 micrograms/g which is less than the range indicated by other investigators in the recent past.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Daily stressors and coping responses: a comparison of rural and suburban children.

Although research has examined problems of stress and health among rural families, little is known about coping phenomena directly from the perspective of rural children. This study compared two groups of children, one rural and the other suburban, in their reports of daily stressors and coping efforts as actually experienced. Using semistructured diaries over a period of six weeks, 21 rural children and 23 suburban children reported daily sources of stress, coping efforts, and coping resources. Rural children were more compliant in completing diaries. They reported more internal, cognitive-intrapsychic source of stress, whereas suburban children listed more external environmental sources. Suburban boys reported submission as the most common coping response, and rural boys listed organized activities and problem-solving approaches. Other interesting differences between the rural and suburban children, and gender differences among both groups emerged.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed2006

Antitobacco media awareness of rural youth compared to suburban and urban youth in Indiana.

PURPOSE: This study examined the awareness and impact of antitobacco media messages among rural, suburban, and urban youth. METHOD: Self-administered questionnaires were received from 1,622, 1,059, and 1,177 middle school (sixth, seventh, and eighth grade) students in rural, suburban, and urban locations, respectively. Logistic regression compared media awareness and impact among the groups, controlling for grade, gender, race, and smoking behavior. RESULTS: Compared to rural youth, suburban youth were more likely to recall media messages about the dangerous health effects of tobacco use (odds ratio [OR] = 1.94) and have their personal choice to use tobacco affected by the messages (OR = 1.85). Suburban and urban youth more often recalled antitobacco messages (OR = 2.00 and 2.15), reported that the messages made them think about the dangers of tobacco use (OR = 2.02 and 1.47), believed that these ads prevent youth from initiating tobacco use (OR = 3.21 and 1.46) and stop youth from using tobacco (OR = 2.25 and 1.47), and recalled seeing specific campaign television ads (OR = 3.72 and 3.57). Urban youth were more likely to recall specific campaign messages on the radio (OR = 1.58). Neither suburban nor urban youth differed from the rural youth on whether the campaign-specific radio and television ads made them think about not using tobacco. CONCLUSIONS: The results support the need for targeting antitobacco media announcements to youth, based on their residence.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Variations on two themes: racial and ethnic patterns in the attainment of suburban residence.

To investigate racial and ethnic diversity in suburbanization, we draw on two complementary theoretical traditions, which we label "assimilation" and "stratification." Our analytic model is multilevel, and includes variables characterizing individuals, households, and metropolitan contexts. We use it to analyze the determinants of suburban versus central-city residence for 11 racial/ethnic groups. The analysis reveals that family status, socioeconomic, and assimilation variables influence the suburbanization process rather consistently. We take this finding as evidence in favor of the assimilation model. These effects display group variations, however, in a manner predicted by the stratification model. There are also suburbanization differences among metropolitan areas, particularly related to the relative economic status of cities and their suburbs, and between the northeast/north central regions and the south/west. Finally, we conclude that suburbanization is variable across the groups in a way that is not captured by broad categories such as "Asian" or "Hispanic."

Acculturation↗
PubMed2006

Atmospheric deposition of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in an urban and a suburban area of Korea from 2002 to 2004.

Atmospheric bulk samples (wet and dry) were collected monthly during 2002 to 2004 from an urban and a suburban area in Korea for assessment of depositional flux and seasonal variations in the concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). PAH depositional flux ranged from 64.1 to 610 microg/m2/y for the urban area and from 65 to 460 microg/m2/y for the suburban area. The fluxes of PAHs measured in this study were comparable with those reported for urban and suburban areas in other countries. The fluxes of particulates and PAHs were higher in winter than in summer, consistent with the greater per capita consumption of fossil fuel in winter than in summer. Ambient temperature played a major role in the seasonal variability in PAH fluxes. Photochemical degradation of PAHs appears to occur during the summer months. The relationship of PAH depositional fluxes with major air pollutants, such as ozone, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and presence of particulate matter up to 10 microm in size (PM10), was also investigated. Dominant PAH compounds in both the urban and the suburban locations were benzo[g,h,i]perylene, pyrene, and indeno[1,2,3-c,d]pyrene. Based on the PAH diagnostic ratios and a factor analysis, the major sources of PAHs in the urban and the suburban regions were found to be similar. Diesel exhaust, coal combustion, and gasoline emissions contributed predominantly to atmospheric PAH contamination.

Korea↗
PubMed2003

Cockroach allergen exposure and sensitization in suburban middle-class children with asthma.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to cockroach allergen is prevalent in inner-city homes and is associated with an increased risk of cockroach sensitization. OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine the prevalence of cockroach allergen exposure in suburban middle-class homes and to study its relationship to cockroach sensitization. METHODS: Children with asthma, 6 to 17 years of age, were recruited from 3 pediatric practices located in counties surrounding Baltimore city and from 1 practice located within Baltimore city limits. Participants underwent skin prick testing and completed baseline questionnaires. In addition, their homes were inspected, and settled dust samples were collected for allergen analysis. RESULTS: Forty-one percent of the total study population (n = 339) had kitchen Bla g 1 levels of greater than 1 U/g. Forty-nine percent were white, 53% had annual incomes of greater than US dollars 50000, and 48% of mothers had college degrees. Seventy-seven percent of the study population resided in a suburban or rural location, and 30% of kitchens in these homes had Bla g 1 levels of greater than 1 U/g. Among the suburban-rural subgroup, 21% were sensitized to cockroach compared with 35% of the city group. In multivariate analysis, exposure to kitchen Bla g 1 levels of greater than 1 U/g was associated with cockroach sensitization for both the total study population (odds ratio, 2.29; 95% CI, 1.28-4.11) and the suburban-rural subgroup (odds ratio, 2.37; 95% CI, 1.23-4.57). CONCLUSIONS: Cockroach allergen exposure might be more common in suburban middle-class homes of asthmatic children than previously thought. Moreover, the data suggest that low-level cockroach exposure is a risk factor for cockroach sensitization.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Comparison of cocaine and opiate exposures between young urban and suburban children.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of cocaine and opiate metabolites in the urine of young urban and suburban children. DESIGN: Survey. SETTING: Urban and suburban emergency departments and private pediatric practices. PATIENTS: A convenience sample of 1469 children between 1 and 60 months of age who required a urinalysis for investigation of the chief complaint. INTERVENTION: None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Urine was screened for benzoylecogonine and opiates using an enzyme-multiplied immunoassay technique and a fluorescence-polarization immunoassay, both with a sensitivity of 50 ng/mL. RESULTS: Benzoylecogonine was identified in the urine of 45 children (3.1%) (95% CI, 2.2% to 3.9%) and opiates in the urine of 38 children (2.6%) (95% CI, 1.8% to 3.4%). No difference was observed between urban and suburban health care facilities in the percentage of patients whose urine tested positive for benzoylecgonine (29 of 1011 vs 16 of 458, P = .6) or opiates (28 of 1011 vs 10 of 458, P = .6). CONCLUSION: Exposure to illicit drugs, as reflected by urinary metabolites, is similar for urban and suburban children.

Child, Preschool↗