bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Epidemiology of Road Traffic Accidents in Zaria, Nigeria
Authors: Aganga A.O. , Umoh J.U. 
Published: September 2007

A STUDY of Road Traffic Accident (RTA) was carried out in Zaria for the period of eight (8) years, from 1972 to 1979. Data was collected from the Motor Traffic Division (MTD), of the Nigeria Police Force, Zaria, Medical Records Office and Casualty Ward of Ahmadu Bello University (A.B.U.) Teaching Hospital, Zaria. It was found that there were more RTA on Tuesdays (16.10%) and Wednesdays (16.63%) than Fridays (11.52%) and Saturdays (11.87%). More cases of RTA were witnessed in the months of September (9.48%) and October (11.20%) than in February (6.82%) and June (2.82%). Reckless ness and negligence of drivers (23.58%) was found to be mostly responsible for the cause of RTA while intoxication (0.59%) was found to be the least cause. Private car drivers played more role in RTA in Zaria than any of the other participants like taxi drivers, bus drivers and motor cyclists. More males were involved in the accidents than females. Four years (1975-78) analy sis of RTAs revealed that there were six (6) cases of RTAs in Zaria everyday, and two (2) persons were injured or maimed everyday in Zaria. Recommendations aimed at enhancing road safety are highlighted.
Assessment of Health Needs of Black Agricultural Workers in Mid-Delta of Mississippi, U.S.A.*
Authors: Ademola Omishakin M. 
Published: September 2007

THE REPORT described in this paper aimed at defining the health needs and identifying some of the medical and social problems of a group of agricultural workers residing in the Mid-Delta of Mis sissippi, U.S.A. One hundred and seventy (170) black households were randomly selected and the heads of such households were interviewed by means of ques tionnaire. The findings with regard to housing facilities and practices in the houses showed that good ventila tion was lacking in many homes, indoor pollution existed in more than half of the houses and the occupants concept of environmental hygiene in relation to health and disease was poor. Fifty one per cent of the men interviewed did not associate indiscriminate de faecation or improper sewage disposal with any health hazard. The respondents' knowledge of health hazards associated with pesticides is very poor especially with regard to the disposal of pesticide containers. 56.8 per cent of the men did not associate indiscriminate or improper disposal of pesticides containers with any health hazard, 13.5 per cent claimed there were health hazards whilst the remaining 29.7 per cent did not know. In conclusion, this study has revealed some of the needs of agricultural workers in Leflore county. These include good housing conditions, improved health care delivery system and better knowledge of the harmful effects on health of some respondents' habits and practices. Such goals can only be attained through health education, better medical coverage and involve ment of the community in health care delivery at the local level.
A Pattern for the Establishment of a Unit for the Dental Treatment of the Handicapped Patient in the Community Based on Such a Unit in Hertfordshire
Authors: O'Donnell D. 
Published: September 2007

In 1978 the Hertfordshire Area Health Authority converted a ground floor dental surgery with the specific aim of providing a comprehensive dental service to the handicapped in the Community. This article describes the criteria used in the design and location of the unit and, briefly, how an efficient patient flow is achieved. The routine dental treatment of the handicapped patient has always posed problems real and artificial for the dental surgeon. Problems can be simply classified into: (1) Medical. (2) Management from the patient's point of view, including access to surgery, dental chair, and transportation. (3) Management from the Dental Surgeon's point of view. (4) Economics. (5) Time, which is closely related to economics. The Community Dental Service is responsible, as part of its duties, for the provision of dental care for both physically and mentally handicapped children and adults living in the Community. In 1978 the Hertford shire Area Health Authority decided that dental facilities for these children and adults were inadequate and began work on the conversion of a ground floor dental surgery to cope with their special needs. The following criteria were considered to be basic essen tials : Situation of Unit (1) The site of the surgery would have to be centrally located in the county with good road and public transport access. (2) As some patients would be treated under general anaesthetic on a day-care basis good access to a nearby General Hospital would be essential in case of emergency and possible utilization of in-patient facilities. (3) The unit must be on the ground floor with adequate access for wheelchairs. The standard wheelchair is 42 inches long, 25 inches wide, 36 inches high (handles to floor) and 20 inches high from seat to floor. Hence to turn a wheelchair through 360 degrees needs 54 inches clearance. Using figures for an average adult, the average reach of such an adult in a wheelchair is 60 inches vertically, 30 inches long and 48 inches diagonally from the floor. Therefore for wheel chair manoeuverability a hall way would have to be at least 60 inches wide in order to allow two way traffic, and doors would have to be 30 inches wide to allow adequate access 1-3.
Evaluation of the Scottish Health Education Group's 1981-1982 Environmental Health Campaign
Authors: Leathar D.S. , Hastings G.B. 
Published: September 2007

THIS PAPER describes the evaluation of a Scottish environmental health campaign comprising two display stickers promoting food hygiene in food outlet estab lishments. One sticker was designed for customers, the other for staff. They were assessed by interviewing three separate quota samples of butchers, grocers and hotels/restaurants in Strathclyde Region, using a fully structured questionnaire in face-to-face personal inter views. The results indicated that the material was very well received in all groups, especially among butchers, and for the staff sticker. However, some misinterpretations were made of the campaign's objectives, and problems in awareness and distribution occurred. The reasons for this and the implications are discussed.
Group Testing and its Effectiveness in Learning Selected Nursing Concepts
Authors: Durrant Laurice K. , Pierson Geraldine , Allen Eleanor M. 
Published: September 2007

THE PURPOSE of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of an instructional method, the group testing approach, as a teaching/learning strategy. The group testing approach allows students, placed in groups of three, to discuss among themselves answers to test questions before answering them on an individual basis. This approach was compared to the individual testing approach (conventional) with respect to short-term and long-term retention respectively on mid-term and final examinations. Subjects for the study consisted of 50 freshman nursing students enrolled in a Medical-Surgical nursing course. A teaching module dealing with the Care of a Client with Neurological Dysfunction was selected for the study. This same module was divided in Part I and Part II with specific behavioural objectives developed for each part. A pre-test was administered. Following the teaching of Part I, group testing (experimental method) as a formative evaluation test, was administered to all 50 students. Following the teaching of Part II individual testing (conventional method) as a formative evaluation test, was administered to all 50 students. Mid-term and final examinations covered the total neurological module along with other modules studied. Subscores for only Part I and Part II of the neurological module were considered for the study. The t-test for dependent samples was used to test hypotheses comparing 1. Pre-test with mid-term and pre- test with final; 2. Short-term retention experimental with short-term retention conventional and long-term retention experimental with long-term retention conventional. The t-test for independent samples was used to test hypotheses comparing the performance, on mid-term and final, of the three ability groups within the total sample (upper with middle, upper with lower, and lower with middle). An attitude test was also administered. The major findings of this study were the following: 1) Pre-test compared with mid-term and final showed a significant difference at the .05 level of significance with better performance on mid-term and final. 2) Comparison between ability groups (upper, middle, lower) showed no significant difference. 3) Comparison between the experi mental and conventional methods showed a significant difference at the .05 level of significance with better performance both in short-term and long-term retention for the experimental method. On the attitude test evaluating the group testing method the majority of the students were in favour of this strategy irrespective of ability groups. More research is needed in this area using a random sample with experimental and control groups. Also students with wider range of ability may be more appropriate subjects for a replicated study. This method of testing as expressed repeatedly in the attitude questionnaire is less threatening and promotes the idea of collaboration which is an attitude to be nurtured in the practice of nursing.
Prediction of Energy Intakes of Residents in Homes for the Elderly
Authors: Auckland John N. , Thomas Paul , Hunt Clive 
Published: September 2007

AN EQUATION to predict intake in institutionalised elderly, derived from data collected in W. Yorkshire, was tested in two homes for the elderly in Shropshire by comparing observed with predicted intakes. On average, observed and predicted intakes differed by only about 2%, although there were substantial individual discrepancies. Observed intakes of iron, folate, and vitamins A and D were below recommended intakes for these nutrients.
Subjective Health Feeling and Health Care Utilization Among Nigerian Elderly
Authors: Togonu-Bickersteth Funmi 
Published: September 2007

SECONDARY ANALYSIS of data to measure relationship between perceived health status and reported health care utilization among 145 Nigerian males 50 years and older. Results show an inverse relationship between perceived health status and health care utilization: individuals who perceive their health negatively paid more visits to the doctors than those who view their health positively. Age, income or stoicism appear to have no influence on this relationship between subjective health feelings and health care utiliza tion.
Progress in the diagnosis of anorexia nervosa
Authors: McSherry J.A. 
Published: September 2007

CURRENTLY ACCEPTED diagnostic criteria for anorexia nervosa are unduly rigorous and their use counterproductive since they recognise the disorder only in its most severe forms. More flexible alternative diagnostic criteria encourage anorexia nervosa diagnosis in the early stages of the disorder when intervention is more likely to be fruitful. The Eating Attitudes Test (EAT 26) offers a convenient and reliable method for assessing the psychological com ponent of this complex disorder of psyche and soma.
Theoretical Considerations and Applications of Relaxation Training for Children
Authors: Bruno-Golden Barbara 
Published: September 2007

ELAXATION may be seen as a behavioural state, usually defined by the specific operations that are used. Implications for children are far-reaching, and include possibilities for enhancing application with intel lectual, social, and emotional development. Improvements in learning, health, and general quality of life have been among the benefits of relaxation programmes. The effort of relaxing carries with it autonomic responses which are opposite and antagonistic to those characteristic s of anxiety and other symptom-related stresses. Relaxation is also a means to develop a coping skill. Helping professions working with children should be actively involved in applying these techniques as a self control process which may reduce unnecessary and potentially harmful tension. The main purposeof this article is to review the current status of relaxation as an intervention option and to urge extended and more aggressive utilisation.
Diarrhoeal Disease in Bottle Fed Children
Authors: Cherian Annie , Lawande Ravindra V. 
Published: September 2007

HE LARGE recovery of pathogens from feeding bottles of fifty children under thirty months was compared against their nutritional status and symptoms of diarrhoeal disease. 56% malnutrition was observed. Symptoms of illnesses was common to well nourished (82%) and malnourished children (89%). All the bottles of the malnourished children had been contaminated, of which 96% had been contaminated with enteric pathogens. Among the well nourished children, 77% of the bottles had been contaminated with enteric pathogens. Continued consumption of feeds from dirty feeding bottles and poor hygienic practices suggest that these children could develop recurrent attacks of diarrhoeal diseases which could affect their nutritional status.
Infant Protein Energy Malnutrition in Nigeria
Authors: Ojofeitimi E.O. , Ajao O. , Ighere J.E. 
Published: September 2007

EIGHTY VILLAGE mothers whose children were suffering from covert or overt malnutrition were interviewed as to the names given to protein energy malnutrition (PEM), its causes, prevention, infant feeding practices and cultural food practices. PEM was recognized as digestive disorder and enlarged spleen by 25% and 31% of the mothers respectively. About 25% and 10% of the participants attributed the cause of PEM to intestinal worms, child's frequent sickness respectively. Means of preventing the disease included the use of charms through scarifications, herbs, and prayers. The majority of the mothers had no idea as to the causes and prevention of PEM. Animal protein sources top the list of foodstuffs proscribed to the infants. The reasons for taking health care and growth monitoring to the rural areas by Community health workers are highlighted.
Louse Borne Relapsing Fever (LBRF): Mortality and Frequency of Jarisch-Herxheimer Reaction
Authors: Zein Zein Ahmed 
Published: September 2007

The charts of 132 louse-borne relapsing fever (LBRF) patients admitted to a teaching and provincial hospital in Northwestern Ethiopia covering the period 1970-1985 were analysed. Of the 83 males (62.9%) and 49 (37.1%) females, there were 97 patients treated with varying doses of intramuscular procaine penicillin (100,000-600,000 u) as well as a group of 35 patients treated with single or multiple doses of tetracycline. The average age of tetracycline-treated and penicillin-treated groups was similar, but 65.7% of the former group were above 20 years of age while 51.6% of the latter group were above 20 years of age. The overall rate of the Jarisch-Herxheimer (J-HR) reaction was 21.2%. The corresponding rates in penicillin- and tetracycline-treated groups were 24.7% and 11.4% respectively. Although the frequency of the J-HR reaction is twice as large in the penicillin-treated group as compared with the tetracycline- treated group, the difference is not statistically significant (P>0.05). Similarly the overall death rate following antibiotic treatment was 3.8%. In terms of the J-HR reaction, there were more deaths in the penicillin-treated group (4.1 %), with 2.8% in the tetracycline group. In terms of the frequency as well as mortality from the J-HR reaction, it appeared that penicillin had no therapeutic advantage over tetracycline, and the latter was associated with less frequent J-HR reaction and death. These findings are in contrast to the preference for penicillin in the treatment of hospitalized LBRF patients in Ethiopia at present. As there is no concensus on the treatment of LBRF, a multicentre trial involving older and more recent antibiotics is recommended.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Al-Nasser Abdul-Aziz Nasser , El-Shabrawy Aboul-Enein M. , Al-Aska Abdul-Karim 
Published: September 2007

THIS RETROSPECTIVE study is aimed at evalu ation of demographic and clinical aspects of sys temic lupus erythematosus (S.L.E.) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Sixty-three confirmed and hospitalised S.L.E. patients were investigated in the major hospitals of Riyadh City during the period 1977-1985. Females comprised 82.54% of cases. The average age for the total group was 25.95 ± 10.27 years. Only one case had a family history of S.L.E. The pattern of signs and symptoms included the following in order of magnitude: fever (92%). arthralgia (87.3%), anaemia (76.2%), renal lesions (66.7%), butter fly rash (66.7%), miscellaneous affections ranged from 31.7% to 12.7%. The anti-nuclear factor was suggestive of S.L.E. in 95.2% of cases. DNA antibodies were indicative of S.L.E. in 66.7% of cases. L.E. cells were encountered in 65%. In 65% of cases, no predisposing factor could be elicited. There was difficulty in diagnosis as shown by periods elapsing till confirmed diagnosis was made. Only 20.6% were diagnosed within the first three months and 49.2% were diagnosed within the first year. This signifies that almost 51 % of cases escape diagnosis during the first year and may lose the chance to have early treatment. The improvement rate was 11.7%. The case fatality rate was 15.3%. The exacubation rate was 32.2% Complications were encountered in 22% of cases.
Tritium and Health
Authors: Grainger C.R. 
Published: September 2007

TRITIUM is produced naturally by the interaction of cosmic rays with the atmosphere and in nuclear reactions in rock. Large quantities of tri tium are produced artificially in the nuclear industry and during the testing and use of thermonuclear weapons. Tritium enters the hydrological cycle and is incorporated into organic substances, including tissues, and becomes one sources of internal radiation of man. Radiation is a cause of mortality and morbidity. Much can be done to reduce the possible level of irradiation due to tritium by careful control of indus trial processes using or producing tritium and by not testing or using thermonuclear weapons in the atmos phere.
Vitamin Supplementation in Pregnancy
Authors: Best Alison , Little Julian , Macpherson Marion 
Published: September 2007

THE AIM of the study was to investigate the extent and determinants of vitamin supplementation in early pregnancy. Some 246 women were recruited in the antenatal clinics of a major teaching hospital and asked to com plete a brief questionnaire relating to sources of advice and details of diet and vitamin supplementation during the index pregnancy. Further information was abstracted from routine antenatal records. A total of fifty-seven women (23%) took some form of vitamin supplement during the index pregnancy. Factors which affected supplementation included advice received from diverse sources and whether or not the women took iron supplements. Somewhat surprisingly, supplementation was not affected by age, social class or reproductive history.
The Epidemiology of Road Traffic Accidents in Jordan
Authors: Jadaan Khair S. 
Published: September 2007

A REVIEW of the problem of road traffic acci dents (RTA) in Jordan is presented with a special reference made to hospitalised accidents. Analy sis of time-series data on road traffic accidents (RTA) between 1979 and 1985 showed a rising trend. Over three-quarters of accidents occur in urban areas and during daylight while pedestrians constitute over 40% of all in juries. A detailed analysis of 1986 RTA has revealed that more accidents occur on Saturdays (the first day of working week) and during summer months. Out of all drivers involved 96% were male and 95% were Jordanians. Three-quarters of injured pedestrians were less than 20 years of age, a group which constitutes only 60% of total population. Analysis of hospitalised RTA showed that head injuries were the most common type followed by extremities while 73% of total injuries involved people less than 30 years of age. Joint and upper extremity injuries required the longest and the shortest periods of stay in hospitals respectively.
The Asian Mother and Baby Campaign (The Leicestershire Experience)
Authors: Mason E.S. 
Published: September 2007

LEICESTERSHIRE was one of the 10 districts selected for inclusion in the Asian Mother and Baby Campaign, a campaign undertaken to help overcome the problems experienced by Asian women during pregnancy. To achieve this aim eight linkwor kers were allocated to this district for a two year period. A local evaluation was undertaken using general practices with evidence of a higher than average perinatal risk. Linkworkers were distributed equally between the hospital and community setting. Women from the selected practices were interviewed at three points; booking for ante-natal care, following delivery and at the post-natal visit. It was found that the linkworkers provided a much needed interpreter service but were less successful in imparting health education knowledge to Asian women. In fact improvement in health education knowledge only occurred in women with a good anderstanding of English. A surprising finding was that there is still a very large proportion (approximately 50%) of Asian women in Leicestershire who are unable to communicate in English and are not therefore able to make full use of the available services.
Functional Health Development Model: A Tool for Planning
Authors: Abdul Rahman Fahd Al-Swailem  , El-Shabrawy Ali M. 
Published: September 2007

THIS PAPER describes a functional model (gross style) taking available information about the health sector e.g. indicators of health status, types of service utilization, source allocations and placing these quantities into a systematic framework as a tool for planning for health services in a developing area. The major advantages of functional models over trial-and-error for planning have been presented. The functional model described could contribute to the sorting out of desirable from less desirable policy alternatives for a specific population. The output from the model is useful for matching resources to program development, taking into consideration costs and effectiveness.
Vitamin Use and Beliefs Among Students at a Malaysian University
Authors: Mazlan Bin Yong  
Published: September 2007

QUESTIONNAIRE was administered in class to a sample of physical education students at a Malaysian University in order to determine their beliefs and use patterns regarding vitamin supplemen tation. About a quarter of the subjects (24.6%) had practised vitamin supplementation for the past two years prior to the study, 14.9% of them being females as opposed to only 9.7% males. The most frequently used vitamin supplements, in rank order, were multivi tamins (used by 57.6%), vitamin C (24.2%), the B-Complex vitamins (9.1%), and vitamin E (6.1%). Among vitamin supplementeers, the most frequently cited reasons for using vitamin supplements, in rank order, were 'to supplement the daily diet' (33.3%), 'to prevent colds' (27.3%), and 'to prevent fatigue or lethargy' (21.2%). Among non-supplementeers, the three reasons most frequently mentioned for not using vitamin supplements were 'vitamin needs are ade quately supplied by daily meals' (50.5%), 'I am healthy enough and therefore I do not need extra vitamins' (27.2%), and 'fear of insidious side effects' (9.9%). In general, both supplementeers and non-supple menteers tended to beheve in the purported health benefits of vitamin supplementation. However, on the whole, supplementeers were willing to change their supplementation habits.