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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1991

Volunteers under threat: AIDS hospice volunteers compared to volunteers in a traditional hospice.

We studied volunteers in one of the world's first AIDS-dedicated hospices and compared them on demographic, experiential, and personality related dimensions to volunteers in a traditional hospice. Eighty percent of the active volunteers at each facility participated. Eight of 16 demographic and 4 of 11 personality related variables differentiated the two groups. AIDS hospice volunteers were on all measures a more heterogeneous group--largely gay or bisexual, younger, more likely to have had prior personal experience with AIDS. In addition, they perceived themselves to be functioning under a significantly higher degree of threat caused by their volunteer work. We performed a post hoc analysis controlling for sexual orientation and matching heterosexual volunteers for gender. Threats to health, social world, employment, and total threat significantly differentiated the two heterosexual groups of volunteers.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed2005

Pharmacokinetics of micafungin in healthy volunteers, volunteers with moderate liver disease, and volunteers with renal dysfunction.

Micafungin is an antifungal agent metabolized by arylsulfatase with secondary metabolism by catechol-O-methyltransferase. The objectives of this study were to estimate the pharmacokinetic parameters and plasma protein binding of micafungin in volunteers with moderate hepatic dysfunction (n = 8), volunteers with creatinine clearance < 30 mL/min (n = 9), and matched controls (n = 8 and n = 9, respectively). Single-dose micafungin pharmacokinetics were estimated using noncompartmental techniques. There was a statistically lower area under the observed micafungin concentration-time curve (AUC) from time 0 to infinity for subjects with moderate hepatic dysfunction as compared to control subjects (97.5 +/- 19 microg.h/mL vs 125.9 +/- 26.4 microg.h/mL, P = .03), although there was no difference in micafungin weight-adjusted clearance (10.9 +/- 1.7 mL/h/kg vs 9.8 +/- 1.8 mL/h/kg, P = .2). The difference in area under the concentration-time curve may be explained by the differences in body weight between subjects and controls. Renal dysfunction did not alter micafungin pharmacokinetics.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Health care costs for volunteers and non-volunteers in an intervention for people with osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether older people who volunteered for a health intervention study used the health care system differently from a randomly selected group of eligible non-volunteers. METHODS: Three hundred sixty-three volunteers and 92 non-volunteers were compared; both groups were members of a large health maintenance organization (HMO). RESULTS: Volunteers were more educated and had been members of the HMO longer. Volunteers used the health care system significantly more at all time periods, but their cost per contact was significantly lower than that for non-volunteers. Non-volunteers were more likely to have a comorbid condition and had fewer arthritis-related health care contacts. CONCLUSIONS: There will always be problems in generalizing results of studies with volunteers, but volunteers are, nevertheless, the most appropriate controls if the experimental participants are also volunteers. Designs should ideally include both volunteer and non-volunteer controls.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

Characteristics of volunteers and non-volunteers for voluntary counseling and HIV testing among unmarried male undergraduates.

The 2001 HIV sero-prevalence survey in Nigeria revealed a rate of 5.8 percent with those under the age of 25 years having the highest prevalence rate. Most University students fall within this age group. This study is part of a larger study on the sexual behavior of youths and young adults and was designed to compare the characteristics of volunteers and non-volunteers for voluntary confidential counseling and HIV testing (VCT) among males. Six hundred and nine male undergraduate students were randomly selected and enrolled for the study. Data were collected using a pre-tested questionnaire. Of the 609, 51 (8.3%) volunteered to have their blood screened for HIV. All volunteers who received pre-test counseling went for the HIV test. Volunteers were significantly older than the non-volunteers (P<0.0001), and were more likely to be sexually experienced (P=0.002). Among the sexually experienced, the volunteers were older at first sexual intercourse (FSI) (P<0.0001), and were more likely to have used a condom at FSI (P=0.001). Volunteers had significantly higher knowledge scores for HIV/AIDS (P=0.006), and the attitude to HIV/AIDS in both groups was positive. The marriage pattern of their parents with regard to polygyny was similar, and fewer volunteers had fathers in the higher socio-economic class and mothers who had completed secondary education (P<0.00001, (P=0.02). Among the 51 volunteers, 8 (15.7%) tested positive. Those who tested positive were less likely to have lived with parents, and were all sexually experienced. Those who screened positive were also more likely to be currently sexually active and to have fathers with low level of education. Three (5.9%) of volunteers did not return for results and posttest counseling. One of the three was positive for HIV. Of those who tested positive, 3 (37.5%) reported not using the condom at all, while the rest were using it only occasionally. VCT among the youths is possible however, small numbers encountered in the study is a limitation and there is a need to replicate this study using larger numbers. Tertiary institutions should provide VCT services for the students where they can be counseled appropriately and continuously throughout their stay in the institution. This hopefully will reduce the number of new HIV cases seen.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

The disposition of chloroquine and its main metabolite desethylchloroquine in volunteers with and without chloroquine-induced pruritus: evidence for decreased chloroquine metabolism in volunteers with pruritus.

The pharmacokinetics of chloroquine and its main metabolite desethylchloroquine have been carried out in volunteers with and without chloroquine-induced pruritus. It was shown that the volunteers with pruritus tended to metabolize chloroquine slower than the volunteers without pruritus because the metabolic ratio was lower in the volunteers with pruritus than that in the volunteers without pruritus. However, the overall pharmacokinetic patterns were comparable between the two groups and agreed with published data. The 24-hour urinary collections in the two groups of volunteers indicated that the volunteers with pruritus excreted more chloroquine (although not statistically significant) than the volunteers without pruritus. This also indicates that they metabolized less chloroquine. There were no side effects of note in any of the volunteers. The volunteers who gave positive histories of chloroquine-induced pruritus had mild episodes of itching after intake of the drug; the pruritus subsided within 48 hours in all instances.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Diversity among hospice volunteers: a challenge for the development of a responsive volunteer program.

Voluntary organizations such as hospices are increasingly being called upon to substitute for state health and social welfare delivery at a time when volunteer contributions are threatened because of organizational and demographic changes. These changes include: the adoption by the nonprofit sector of market strategies in response to health and social welfare reforms, increases in the size and complexity of hospices, increasing professionalization of staff, and the move of women away from voluntary work in the health and welfare services to paid employment. With these changes, hospices must be knowledgeable about their volunteer workforce and resourceful if they are to continue to attract and retain volunteers. A survey of volunteers conducted at the Mary Potter Hospice, Wellington, New Zealand, examined differences in volunteers' characteristics, motivations for joining hospice, and factors affecting work satisfaction according to age, gender, and the length of time volunteers had worked. Those findings of particular relevance to program development were: (1) the tendency for the recently recruited volunteers to be in paid employment; (2) the mixed motivations of the younger volunteers, reflecting both altruistic and personal gain needs; and (3) the rewards commonly identified by volunteers, such as feeling their work is of value, being accepted by hospice staff, and feeling like important team members. Practical outcomes of the study are described.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

[Effects of volunteering on the mental and physical health of senior citizens: significance of senior-volunteering from the view point of community health and welfare].

In such an aging society as Japan, with decreasing number of children. Social activity of senior citizens is important for the well-being and the activation of whole societies. Promoting volunteer activities of senior citizens may serve as one useful plan; however, few researchers have examined the impact of volunteer work on the physical and mental health of senior citizens in Japan. In this study, a survey of previous studies that appeared after 1970 in North America, several findings were obtained: (1) Volunteering among senior citizens improves their mental well-being; (2) Few previous studies reported volunteering improves physical health such as protection for mortality and incidence of disability, compared to mental well-being; (3) Effects of volunteering might depend on gender, race, health status, socioeconomic conditions, and social networks of senior citizens--more impact can be expected on physical health of persons of advanced age; (4) Few previous studies focused on interactions of contents of volunteering programs; (5) Although several studies have reported that 40-100 volunteering hours per year were best quantitative level for health, this remains equivocal; (6) The conventional hypothesis that volunteering, through improvement in psychological, physical, and social factors, may improve ones health, needs assessment in terms of actual impact. Moreover, mechanisms of any influence remain to be clarified. From the point of practical use of volunteering as a health promotion program, it is necessary to explore better content and time engaged, as well as the numbers of groups to which senior citizens belong. Long-term longitudinal and intervention studies are desirable in this area in Japan, focusing on older candidates who are still healthy.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Extension of the volunteer challenge model to study South American cholera in a population of volunteers predominantly with blood group antigen O.

The volunteer challenge model was used to study the virulence of strains of Vibrio cholerae O1 El Tor recently isolated from cases of cholera in South America. Fifteen of the 24 volunteers (62%) were of blood group O, the group most prevalent in South America and the group at increased risk of more severe cholera. Two El T or Inaba strains and 2 El Tor Ogawa strains were given to volunteers at a dose of 1-2 x 10(6) colony-forming units. All 4 strains caused diarrhoea in 67-83% of volunteers. Volunteers with blood group antigen O had an increased attack rate for diarrhoea (P = 0.015) and a marginally increased mean diarrhoeal stool volume (P = 0.08) after challenge. One-third of the volunteers with blood group O, and none of the volunteers with other blood groups, developed severe diarrhoea (> 5 L) (P = 0.01). This study established a model of South American cholera that can be used to predict field efficacy of candidate vaccines among populations with a high prevalence of blood group antigen O.

ABO Blood-Group System↗
PubMed2006

'We couldn't function without volunteers': volunteering with a disability, the perspective of not-for-profit agencies.

Volunteers play an important role in many organisations that deliver services for the public good. Many people within the community choose to volunteer and there is a rich literature on the reasons why people do so, as well as the benefits that accrue to individuals, organisations and the community. However, there are few reports of people with long-standing disability becoming volunteers. The aim of this study was to explore the views of volunteer coordinators in not-for-profit organisations concerning people with long-standing disability as volunteers. Seven coordinators participated in two focus groups. The participants identified opportunities for people with a disability to contribute as volunteers, but were also quick to point out significant barriers. The findings from this exploratory study suggest that if people with long-standing disability are to volunteer, consideration must be given to their individual requirements and overcoming negative community attitudes.

Communication Barriers↗
PubMed1976

Volunteer adolescents in adolescent group therapy. Effects on patients and volunteers.

The effects on patients, volunteers and staff of using volunteer adolescents in adolescent group therapy are examined. From 40 candidates eight volunteers were selected and oriented to the group process. Four volunteers and four patients were placed in each of two groups, and eight patients were placed in the third group. Patients and volunteers were aware of their identities in the first group session. Attendance in the groups with volunteers was better than in the group without. The volunteers themselves gained new knowledge and skills, and their presence was even helpful to the group leaders.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Differences in family functioning and health between older adult volunteers and non-volunteers.

The purpose of this investigation was to identify differences in family functioning and health between older adult volunteers and non-volunteers. Two findings emerged from the data: volunteers reported higher family functioning as well as better health compared to non-volunteers. Implications for social workers involved with volunteer programs and services are discussed in terms of volunteer recruitment and retention, and the related need to develop policies that permit more flexibility and choice with regard to volunteer responsibilities.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Who volunteers for adult development research?: research findings and practical steps to reach low volunteering groups.

The present study is an attempt to determine volunteering bias in racial, gender, and age groups in an adult development study. Samples were drawn from three different types of organizations in the Columbia, South Carolina SMSA. Volunteering rates were calculated as a function of the number eligible to participate in three age groups: young adult (aged 20-25); 2) middle adult (aged 40-45); and 3) old (aged 60-80). The middle group volunteered at a higher rate than the other two age groups, but this effect was restricted to the white sample. Women volunteered more readily than men, but not among the elderly. Whites volunteered more readily than blacks. In order to overcome these volunteering biases, special recruitment procedures were employed in order to obtain a sample which adequately represents the populations in question.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

Seroepidemiologic investigations of hepatitis in the tropics. A study on volunteers of the German volunteer service.

Sera from 349 volunteers of the German Volunteer service (GVS), who had lived in tropical or subtropical countries for about two years were tested for Hepatitis B surface antigen two years were tested for Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBS-antigen), antibody to Hepatitis B surface antigen (anti--HBS), and antibody to Hepatitis A antigen (anti-HA) by radioimmunoassay. The findings were compared with those from a control group whose sex, age and occupational status corresponded with the volunteer group. The incidence of HBS-antigen was equal in both groups (1%). Anti-HA was found in 34% and anti-HBS in 19% of the volunteers but only in 26% and 7%, respectively, of the members of the control group. The greatest occurence of anti-HA was found among volunteers of the health service (46%) and technical service (35%) and of anti-HBS among the health service (29%), economic service (26%) and agricultural service (21%). Returned volunteers from West Africa showed a higher frequency (anti-HA 38%, anti-HBS 30%) than those from other countries (anti-HA 30%, anti-HBS 17%). The increased frequency of hepatitis corresponded with an increase in the morbidity rate from 25.5/10 000/year prior to service to 244/10 000/year during the service.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Psychosocial differences between elderly volunteers and non-volunteers.

Volunteer workers over age sixty-five were compared to retired elderly who did not engage in any type of work activity. Volunteers were found to have significantly higher degree of life satisfaction, stronger will to live, and fewer symptoms of depression, anxiety, and somatization. Since no differences were found on most demographic or background variables, participation in volunteer work appears to be the salient factor in explaining psychosocial differences between volunteers and non-volunteers.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

Early microdose drug studies in human volunteers can minimise animal testing: Proceedings of a workshop organised by Volunteers in Research and Testing.

Testing the safety and efficacy of a successful human medicine involves many laboratory animals, which can sometimes be subjected to considerable suffering and distress. Also, it is necessary to extrapolate from the test species to humans. UK and European legislation requires that Replacement, Reduction and Refinement of animal procedures (the Three Rs) are implemented wherever possible. Over the last decade, there has been substantial progress with applying in vitro and in silico methods to both drug efficacy and safety testing. This paper is a report of the discussions and recommendations arising from a workshop on the role that might be played by human volunteer studies in the very early stages of drug development. The workshop was organised in November, 2001 by Volunteers in Research and Testing, a group of individuals in the UK which launched an initiative in 1994 to identify where and how human volunteers can participate safely in biomedical studies to replace laboratory animals. It was considered that conducting pre-Phase I very low dose human studies (sub-toxic and below the dose threshold for measurable pharmacological or clinical activity) could enable drug candidates to be assessed earlier for in vivo human pharmacokinetics and metabolism. Moreover, accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and positron emission tomography (PET) are potentially useful spectrometric and imaging methods that can be used in conjunction with such human studies. Some, limited animal tests would still be required before pre-Phase I microdose studies, to take account of the potential risk posed by completely novel chemicals. The workshop recommended that very early volunteer studies using microdoses should be introduced into the drug development process in a way that does not compromise volunteer safety or the scientific quality of the resulting safety data. This should improve the selection of drug candidates and also reduce the likelihood of later candidate failure, by providing in vivo human ADME data, especially for pharmacokinetics and metabolism, at an earlier stage in drug development than is currently the case.

Animal Testing Alternatives↗