bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Love and money: payment, motivation and the fostering task
Authors: Kirton Derek 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACTAlthough the payment of foster carers has attracted greater attention in recent writing and research, coverage of the issues has been limited. In this study, based on interviews with 20 female carers, the place of payment within foster care is explored in greater depth. The focus is on charting how carers perceive their task as ‘parenting’ or ‘job’, whether and how they experience payment as compensation or as an appropriate reward for their skills. Also examined are the ways in which payment may impact upon the practice of foster care, for example in decision making over the taking or ending of placements and the provision of aftercare support for care leavers. The study highlights the distinctive nature of foster care as an institution that straddles the public and private domains, and examines the resulting complexities. It concludes by suggesting that while payment issues provide important threads that run throughout foster care, their influence is ultimately limited by the latter's base within the family.
Physical and personality traits of preschool children in Fuzhou, China: only child vs sibling
Authors: Wang D , Kato N , Inaba Y , Tango T , Yoshida Y , Kusaka Y , Deguchi Y , Tomita F , Zhang Q 
Published: March 2003

SummaryConcern about the healthy growth and development of an only child has been voiced since the 1970s, when the Chinese government launched the only child policy. In this study, the physical and personality traits of rural Chinese preschool only‐children (onlies) whose age ranged from 3 to 6 years old were evaluated. The sample included 197 onlies and 367 children with siblings who came from seven kindergartens in rural areas in Fuzhou, Fujian province. The results showed no statistically significant differences in height, mass or BMI between the onlies and siblings. Regarding the personality traits, the significant difference was that the onlies exhibited more somatic complaints, however, the data didn’t indicate any other undesirable personality traits for the onlies. These results suggest that Chinese preschool children grow normally with or without siblings.
Implications of attachment style for patterns of health and illness
Authors: Feeney J A 
Published: March 2003

SummaryThere is substantial evidence that health status and health outcomes are related to the availability and quality of personal relationships. The proposition that attachment relationships in childhood and adolescence have health‐related implications fits within this research tradition, and has guided recent attempts to develop models linking attachment style with emotional regulation, coping mechanisms, and illness behaviours. The present paper discusses these theoretical models, together with relevant empirical findings. It is argued that measures of attachment security are related to symptom‐reporting, health‐care utilization, and restriction of normal activities, and that these links can be explained, in part, by individual differences in emotional and behavioural responses to stress. It is further noted that researchers have proposed physiological and biochemical pathways which may explain some of the effects of attachment style on physical health. The quality of parent–child attachment also predicts family responses to children’s illness, as reflected in parents’ visitation rates and in family participation in studies of health and illness. The implications of the findings for research and for practice in the health professions are briefly discussed.
Factors affecting language development in West African children: a pilot study using a qualitative methodology
Authors: Law J 
Published: March 2003

SummaryData on referral patterns to pre‐school facilities for speech‐ and language‐delayed children suggest that West African children are over represented relative to other ethnic/language groups. This study was set up as a pilot to explore some of the issues which distinguish this group of children and their families. A qualitative methodology was adopted to access the views of a small group of parents (nine) and professionals with direct experience of these services (three). Between them the parents had a total of 11 children who had received speech and language therapy services. Extensive in‐depth interviews were transcribed and coded. The families are predominantly well educated with high expectations for their children. Their beliefs about child development in general and language development often differed from those of the professionals interviewed. For example, parents saw little direct link between very early language stimulation and subsequent school performance. West African parents also perceived that they had different (higher) expectations of behaviour than other families. It was generally accepted by all parties that the West African community experiences a high degree of stress resulting from a combination of interacting factors, namely pressures relating to employment, to immigration status, to matters financial and to expectations from family back in their own country. It is unclear exactly how these impact on the development of the child but there is an awareness that there may be a negative effect of such stress and that children's speech and language development may be one aspect of development that is affected. As a result of this pilot study a number of mechanisms relating to the relationship between environment factors and language development are proposed and suggestions are made regarding service provision for this community.
Cause‐specific perinatal death rates, birth weight and deprivation in the West Midlands, 1991–93
Authors: Bambang S , Spencer N J , Logan S , Gill L 
Published: March 2003

SummaryObjectives To study the relationship between cause‐specific perinatal death rates, material deprivation and birthweight among births in 3 consecutive years in the West Midlands Health Region.Study design Retrospective cohort study.Setting West Midlands Health Region (WMHR).Study population All births (live and stillbirths) to mothers with addresses in the WMHR in 1991, 1992 and 1993.Main outcome measures Cause‐specific perinatal death rates — crude and stratified by birthweight.Methods Perinatal deaths in the WMHR in 1991–93, collected as part of the national Confidential Enquiry into Stillbirths and Deaths in Infancy, were classified into causes of death by the extended Wigglesworth classification. Crude rates for cause‐specific perinatal deaths and rates stratified by birthweight < 2500 g and ≥ 2500 g were calculated for each enumeration district (ED) quintile derived by ranking enumeration districts for the whole of the region by Townsend Deprivation Index. Cause‐specific rates of death were investigated for a linear trend across ED quintiles. The relative risk of death (most vs least deprived) from specific causes was calculated. Using rates for the least deprived quintile as the reference, deaths from each cause ‘attributable’ to social inequality were calculated.Results Positive linear trends in perinatal deaths were noted with increasing deprivation for each specific cause of death except those classified as ‘other causes’ (Wigglesworth Class E). Relative risk (most vs least deprived) of perinatal death with a congenital anomaly was 1.98 (confidence interval, CI: 1.36,2.89). For deaths related to antepartum events, intrapartum events and immaturity the risks were 1.81 (CI: 1.39,2.38), 1.48 (CI: 1.10,1.98) and 1.92 (CI 1.45,2.56), respectively. Forty‐three (35.7%) perinatal deaths per year were due to congenital anomalies, 63 (29.7%) antepartum events, 36 (21.9%) intrapartum events and 61 (32.7%) immaturity and these were statistically ‘attributable’ to social inequality. Cause‐specific perinatal death rates for babies < 2500 g showed no correlation with deprivation; however, for babies ≥ 2500 g the association with deprivation persisted.Conclusions All cause‐specific rates except those due to ‘other causes’ showed a positive linear trend with increasing deprivation. These trends were found for infants born ≥ 2500 g but were not seen for low birthweight infants (< 2500 g). Almost 30% of deaths were statistically ‘attributable’ to social inequality. The results of this study suggest that material deprivation plays an important role in the causal pathway leading to perinatal death and needs to be addressed in preventive programmes aimed at the reduction of perinatal deaths.
Comparison between two common methods for reporting cold and diarrhoea symptoms of children in daycare centre research
Authors: Carabin H , Gyorkos T W , Soto J C , Joseph L , Collet J‐P 
Published: March 2003

SummaryBackgroundThe increasing number of children attending day care centres (DCCs) in industrialized countries has refocused attention on the occurrence of infections and infectious diseases in these settings.ObjectiveTo evaluate the agreement between two methods (parent method vs. educator method) for reporting the occurrence of respiratory and diarrhoeal infections.MethodsFifty‐two DCCs in Québec, Canada, participated. Both educators and parents were invited to fill in calendars on which they would indicate the occurrence of colds and diarrhoea. For the parents' method, parents were telephoned biweekly to record their calendar information. For the educators' method, educators returned their calendar pages monthly (following prompting by phone, when necessary).ResultsThree hundred and thirty‐three parents of toddlers participated in the 15‐month reporting period between September 1996 and November 1997. The average agreement between the two methods was low (13.5% for colds and 9.8% for diarrhoea). Overall estimates of the incidence rates of respiratory and diarrhoeal infections based on parents' method were higher than those based on educators' method.ConclusionsParents' data lead to larger estimations of incidence rates and are probably more valid than educators' data.
Detecting language disorders in 4‐year‐old French children. An application of the ERTL‐4
Authors: Maeder C , Roy B 
Published: March 2003

SummaryThis paper discusses the development of the ERTL‐4 (Epreuve de repérage des troubles du langage lors du bilan medical de l’enfant de quatre ans), a measure developed in Nancy, France specifically for the purpose of identifying children with language difficulties in the 3.9–4.6 years age range. The test has been designed to identify 10–15% of the population and allows the assessing primary care doctor to ascertain whether difficulties occur in language, voice, fluency, hearing or perception on the basis of a 5‐min assessment.
The effectiveness of routine health examinations at 2, 6, 9 and 12 months of age: experiences based on data from a Swedish county
Authors: Magnusson M , Persson K , Sundelin C 
Published: March 2003

SummaryAim The aim of this study was to elucidate the role of health surveillance for infants during the first year of life in detecting severe health problems. Two central questions were addressed: (1) what health problems were detected by routine health examinations at the Child Health Centre at the 2‐, 6‐ and 12‐month check‐ups by a physician and at the 9‐month check‐up by a nurse; and (2) to what extent did the health examinations contribute to early identification of children with following key abnormalities: congenital heart disease, congenital dislocation of the hip, abnormalities as registered at the habilitation centre and severe hearing impairments?Material and inclusion criteria The study population included all children in Uppsala county, born January 1995 to October 1996, who had participated in at least one of the four health check‐ups. There were 3107–3487 children in the respective check‐ups.Method Data from a county health register as well as child health records and information regarding referrals were analysed to categorize the health problems by type, severity and action taken. Data on children with key abnormalities were obtained from specialist units.Results The rate of suspected new health problems varied between 1.9% and 2.8% at the respective check‐ups. Of the new problems detected by the physician, 21%–36% were false‐positive, 34%–44% were minor and 10%–15% were moderate. Only two severe health problems were detected among all the children during the four check‐ups. Of all key abnormalities, 20% were detected by way of child health surveillance during the first year of life.Implications Severe health problems and key abnormalities in infants were detected only to a limited extent through routine health examinations at 2, 6, 9 and 12 months of age. The minor and moderate problems detected justify a health surveillance programme, but the organization and content of the programme could be reconsidered.
Growth of working boys in Jordan: a cross‐sectional survey using non‐working male siblings as comparisons
Authors: Hawamdeh H. , Spencer N. 
Published: March 2003

Abstract
Objectives
To study the effects of work on growth of Jordanian boys, aged 10–16 years, using non‐working male siblings as controls.
Setting
The Jordanian areas of Irbid, Jarash and the North Jordan Valley.
Study design
Cross‐sectional survey of working boys and their non‐working brothers.
Main outcomes
Height‐for‐age z‐score; weight‐for‐age z‐score.
Methods
Working boys (103) and non‐working male siblings (103) (nearest in age to the working child) were interviewed, with their mothers, in the family home. Heights and weights of the working boys and their non‐working male siblings were measured, and capillary blood was taken for packed‐cell volume estimation. Heights and weights were converted to z‐scores, and means for all three outcomes were compared between working boys and non‐working siblings, using independent sample t‐tests. The effect of the proportion of household income contributed by the working child’s income on the main outcomes, among non‐working siblings, was estimated by simple linear regression.
Results
Means for height‐for‐age z‐score (p < 0.001), weight‐for‐age z‐score (p < 0.001), and packed‐cell volume (p < 0.001) among working boys were significantly lower than means for their non‐working siblings. The main outcomes among non‐working siblings were not significantly correlated with the proportion of household income contributed by the working child.
Conclusions
The results of this study suggest that work among boys aged 10–16 years in Jordan puts them at increased risk of stunting, wasting and anaemia. Previous studies have suggested this relationship but have suffered from confounding by socioeconomic status. Comparison with non‐working siblings reduces the chances of socioeconomic status confounding.
Citizens advice in primary care for families with young children
Authors: Reading R. , Steel S. , Reynolds S. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackgroundCitizens advice can help clients avoid the worst consequences of poverty and hence has the potential to reduce inequalities in health. Previous studies of providing citizens advice from primary care have concentrated largely on older clients.AimTo measure the benefits obtained by families with young children from a citizens advice service in primary care.MethodAn advice worker was placed in three practices. Eligible families had a child less than 1 year of age. Quantitative analysis of data on benefits obtained by all families using the service was performed. Qualitative analysis of interviews with five users and five non‐users of the service was undertaken.ResultsOut of 107 families recruited, 23 used the CAB service, seeking advice on 49 different problems and obtaining benefit on 32 of these, most frequently on welfare benefits, debt management and housing. One‐off financial benefits totalled £17 857 with annual recurring payments of £6480. The interviews raised five general themes: (1) the stresses surrounding the birth of a child; (2) factors associated with uptake of the service; (3) the content and value of the advice received; (4) the benefits to their health of the advice; and (5) their perception of the links between health and financial adversity.CondusionsCitizens advice offers considerable benefits to families with young children. It may have positive effects on maternal and child health. An advice service is a useful component of primary health care for young families.
Child/parent‐assessed population health outcome measures: a structured review
Authors: Schmidt L. J. , Garratt A. M. , Fitzpatrick R. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractAims To identify generic measures of health‐related quality of life (HRQL) for children and adolescents developed for use within general populations. Instruments are evaluated on the basis of evidence relating to their reliability and validity.Methods Systematic literature searches were used to identify instruments, which were then assessed against predefined criteria. Information relating to instrument content, population, reliability and validity was extracted from published papers.Results Sixteen instruments were identified that had been evaluated among a general population of children or adolescents. Four instruments had reported data on both internal consistency and test–retest reliability. All except two instruments had undergone some degree of construct validation.Conclusions The evidence suggests that the Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ) has been the most extensively evaluated for younger populations but is available as a parent‐completed measure only. The new version of the Child Health and Illness Profile (CHIP‐CE) is particularly promising and has parallel child‐ and parent‐completed versions for young ages. The weight of evidence suggests that versions of these two instruments are suitable for older children. The Warwick Child Health and Morbidity Profile could be used where information on morbidity and health service contacts is required. Once basic psychometric criteria are fulfilled, instruments should be chosen by assessing their content and design in the light of the prospective application.
Omission of active commuting to school and the prevalence of children's health‐related physical activity levels: the Russian Longitudinal Monitoring Study
Authors: Tudor‐Locke C. , Neff L. J. , Ainsworth B. E. , Addy C. L. , Popkin B. M. 
Published: March 2003

Abstract Background  Active commuting to school by walking or bicycle is a potential source of continuous moderate activity for children that has been largely ignored in surveys of physical activity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the analytical impact of omitting active commuting to school (walking or bicycling) on conclusions about children's physical activity levels. Methods The Russian Longitudinal Monitoring Study (RLMS) is the first nationally representative household survey in the Russian Federation. More than 6400 households from all regions of Russia were surveyed eight times between 1992 and 1998. Analysis was conducted using physical activity data (school physical education classes, out‐of‐school active pursuits and active commuting to school) obtained by parent‐proxy on 1094 (572 boys, 522 girls) school‐aged Russian children (mean age 10.2 ± 1.9 years) participating in the November 1998 round of the RLMS. Data were examined according to prevalence of achievement of health‐related physical activity guidelines, active commuting to school behaviours included then omitted. Results Omitting active commuting to school resulted in a statistically significant decrease in the prevalence of achievement of health‐related guidelines from 12% to 20%, similar for both genders. Likewise, the prevalence of sedentarism (defined as not meeting any of the guidelines) was increased by 17–22%. Conclusions The present findings suggest that, in order to avoid misclassification bias of children's physical activity levels, it is necessary to include questions about mode of commuting to school. The findings also carry practice implications: the commonplace need to get to and from school may be a missed opportunity for children's health‐related physical activity in motorized societies.
Domestic allergens in public places III: house dust mite, cat, dog and cockroach allergens in British hospitals
Authors: Custovic  , Fletcher  , Pickering  , Francis  , Green  , Smith  , Chapman  , Woodcock  
Published: March 2003

BackgroundExposure and sensitization to indoor allergens is a major cause of asthma.ObjectivesThis study investigated the levels of house dust mite, cat, dog and cockroach allergens in the dust and air in hospitals and the effects of regular vacuum cleaning on allergen levels in hospital chairs.MethodsDer p 1, Fel d 1, Can f 1 and Bla g 2 were measured in the dust collected by vacuuming upholstered chairs and a 1 m2 area of carpet and mattress in 14 hospitals. Air samples were collected using an air sampler (flow rate 60 L/min) on 10 separate days for 4 h in the outpatient department in one of the hospitals during busy clinics when patients were waiting for their appointments. In addition, dust samples were collected on four occasions, at 4‐weekly intervals, from 36 fabric covered chairs in the outpatient area of a busy chest clinic by vacuuming each chair for 2 min. During the intervening weeks, 18 of the chairs (active group) were each cleaned by vacuuming for 1 min, three times per week. Der p 1, Fel d 1, Can f 1 and Bla g 2 were assayed using monoclonal antibody‐based ELISA.ResultsIn total, 83 carpets, 69 mattresses and 42 upholstered chairs were sampled. The levels of dust mite allergen Der p 1 and cockroach allergen Bla g 2 found in the hospital setting were low. High levels of Fel d 1 (GM 22.9 μg/g, range 4.5–58) and Can f 1 (GM 21.6 μg/g, range 4–63) were found in upholstered chairs. Airborne Can f 1 was detected on every occasion (range 0.12–0.56 ng/m3), whilst detectable airborne Fel d 1 was found on 7 out of the 10 sampling days (range 0.09–0.22 ng/m3). Der p 1 and Bla g 2 were below the detection limit in all airborne samples. Following repeated vacuuming the mean cat and dog allergen levels decreased significantly (P < 0.001) and were almost fivefold lower in the vacuumed chairs compared with the control group.ConclusionsLow levels of mite allergen are unlikely to be of any clinical significance to mite‐sensitive asthmatic patients. However, upholstered chairs in hospitals constitute a significant reservoir of cat and dog allergen. Inhalation of airborne allergen in patients attending their hospital appointment may exacerbate asthma in those highly allergic to cats or dogs. These results question the wisdom of introducing soft furnishings and carpets into hospitals. Three‐times weekly vacuuming significantly reduces allergen levels in upholstered chairs.