A prospective study of type A behavior and running injuries

A prospective study was developed to examine whether personality factors predispose runners to injury. Forty runners who completed a type A behavior screening were followed for 1 year during which they documented their training mileage, injuries, and time lost from training because of injury. Runners with high scores on the type A behavior screening questionnaire experienced significantly more injuries, especially multiple injuries. Although not significant, high scorers lost nearly twice as much training time because of injury. No significant relationship was found between mileage and injury. The data suggest that a type A behavior score warrants consideration as a predictive risk factor when screening for potential running injuries.     

Adolescent occupational injuries requiring hospital emergency department treatment: a nationally representative sample.

Data from a nationally representative sample of emergency departments for the 6-month period July through December 1992 were used to examine nonfatal occupational injuries sustained by adolescents aged 14 through 17 years. There were 679 occupational injuries, corresponding to an estimated 37,405 injuries nationwide. Males constituted 65.8% of the injury victims. The injury rate for males was 7.0 per 100 full-time employees, compared with 4.4 for females. Lacerations to the hand or finger accounted for 25.6% of all injuries. The majority of injuries occurred in retail trades (53.7%), which also had the highest rate (6.3 per 100 full-time employees). Seventy-one percent of the injuries in retail trade occurred in eating and drinking establishments.     

Adolescent occupational injuries in fast food restaurants: an examination of the problem from a national perspective

Work injuries to adolescents are most prevalent in the retail trades industry, with a large portion occurring in eating and drinking establishments (E&DEs). Data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System were examined for nonfatal injuries to adolescents, ages 14 through 17, injured while working in fast food restaurants (a subcategory of E&DEs) from July 1, 1992, to June 30, 1994. There were an estimated 44,765 adolescent injuries in E&DEs, with an estimated 27,997 in fast food restaurants, during this period. The injury rate for E&DEs in the 15 through 17 age group was higher than for all other industries combined (rate ratio [RR] = 1.7), with little disparity in rates between the sexes. This study identifies the fast food industry as the source of a large proportion of occupational injuries to adolescents, and indicates that task-specific risk factors seem to be strongly related to sex.     

Adolescent mothers

Pregnancy during adolescence can be considered a health problem because it involves a greater risk, according to the WHO, for the health of mother and child. In this retrospective study an analysis was made of the socio-economic profile and the evolution of gestation and delivery of adolescent mothers attended by the Virgen del Camino hospital. A differentiation was made between two groups, with ethnic origin (Caucasian/Gypsy) taken as a variable, since it was considered that this determines the outcome of pregnancy. It was concluded that a high percentage had a partner and were under obstetric supervision and, probably for this reason, had had spontaneous deliveries, with a low index of prematurity. An association was also drawn between precocious maternity and urban environment or academic-occupational inactivity.     

Adolescent urology

The area of adolescent urology encompasses a period of development that coincides with puberty. Disorders seen during this time either carry over from childhood (eg, hydronephrosis, enuresis, voiding dysfunction) or are early manifestations of urologic problems seen more commonly in adulthood (eg, urolithiasis, varicoceles). This article focuses on several areas of urology common to the adolescent.     

Adolescent immunization

The dramatic improvements achieved in the control of vaccine-preventable diseases in children have only been shared partially by adolescents and young adults, as today several million adolescents are not receiving the full complement of vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). This article discusses the reasons for this problem and the tools to bridge this gap. In particular, medical societies and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend a close assessment of the adolescentís immunization status between 11 and 12 years of age, inclusion of school immunization, and providing missing immunizations at any opportunity. The article also addresses other vaccines recommended for groups of adolescents with special needs, reporting information, and provides an update on the vaccines of the future.     

Adolescent Development

Adolescence is a period of development considered by most to be transitory. It is often viewed as filled with storm, rebellion, and conflict. Although the profession of occupational therapy has developed special practice areas and generated research in the areas of pediatrics and gerontology, little focus in our literature has been placed on adolescents and their special needs in development and treatment. This paper presents an overview of normal development in adolescence. The model of human occupation is used as structure to organize research from other fields to provide therapists with useful guidelines for treatment.     

Adolescent smoking

Most smokers start experimenting with cigarettes in early adolescence. This paper describes the factors which influence the development of the smoking habit. Methods of intervention, both in and out of the classroom, are discussed. Recommendations for further legislation and increased taxation on tobacco are supported.     

Adolescent pregnancy

An unplanned adolescent pregnancy can have serious physical, psychological, and social consequences, especially in the youngest adolescent. Adolescents have not finished growing and their reserves are very low. Fetal growth and lactation increase the nutritional needs of the adolescent. Adolescent pregnancy-related risks carry over to the mother and the newborn. Adolescent growth in girls less than 16 years who have a child nearly stops, even if nutrition is good. Maternal mortality among adolescents is higher than it is among women aged 20-30. Maternal morbidity is also higher in girls aged 15-19. The main pregnancy complications are severe anemia, renal complications, eclampsia, pre-eclampsia, and labor complications (e.g., vesico-vaginal or recto-vaginal fistulas). They are most common in the youngest adolescents. Poor quality of prenatal care contributes greatly to poor pregnancy outcomes. Prematurity and low birth weight are also more common among adolescents than other age groups. The perinatal mortality rate of infants born to adolescent mothers is also greater: 104-120% greater in Sao Paulo, Brazil and 73% greater in India. The psychological and social consequences of adolescent pregnancy depend on the acceptance of the family and of society. In many cultures, the single pregnant adolescent carries feelings of shame and guilt and hides her condition from her family and society for as long as possible due to fear of a lack of understanding and of rejection. A pregnant adolescent in many countries is forced to quit school. Traditional societies in Africa and Latin America, however, consider a child a blessing and the family supports the adolescent during pregnancy and delivery. Urbanization, socioeconomic pressure, and female education have a tendency to dispel this traditional attitude. Interventions to reduce adolescent pregnancy and its consequences include accessible contraception and access to good quality prenatal care.     

Adolescent urology

There are several urologic conditions in the adolescent male and female that require medical attention. The conditions discussed in this article represent some of the most common concerns in adolescents.