Prevalence of hypertension among schoolchildren aged 13-18 years in Gemlik, Turkey

Arterial hypertension is the permanent elevation of blood pressure(BP). Previous studies have documented that hypertension maybegin in adolescence, perhaps even in childhood. The purposeof this study was to determine the prevalence of hypertensionamong adolescents in the Gemlik Research and Training Area,Turkey. Between January and March 1994, all secondary and highschool students aged 13–18 years were included in thisstudy. An elevated BP was defined according to the Report ofthe Second Task Force on Blood Pressure Control in Children.Of the 3,641 students screened, 262 (7.2%) had elevated systolicand/or diastolic BP, 161 (4.4%) students had significant hypertensionand 101 (2.8%) students had severe hypertension. We found thatsystolic and diastolic BP increased with age, height and weight.BP measurements should be included in physical examinationsas part of the continuing care of the child.     

Social support, life events and psychosomatic symptoms among 14-16-year-old adolescents

The role of family, friends and confidants in mediating the impact of adverse life events on psychosomatic symptoms in mid-adolescence was studied. School children (n = 2013) completed questionnaires in class on three occasions during 17 months. Data about social support and life events for 12 months were gathered retrospectively in the final questionnaire. The differences in symptoms by life events and social support were already present at the beginning of the study. Those adolescents who had experienced adverse life events and reported a poor relationship with one or both parents had the highest levels of symptoms and the greatest increase in symptoms during the follow-up. Lack of friends was also associated with psychosomatic symptoms, especially among those who had experienced adverse life events. The results suggest that adolescents who lack parental or peer support are at risk for psychosomatic symptoms in general, and especially in the face of stressful life events.     

Prevalence, treatment needs, and predisposing factors for traumatic injuries to permanent dentition in 11-13-year-old schoolchildren

The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of traumatic injuries to the permanent incisors and the association with clinical predisposing factors and parents' schooling. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with schoolchildren aged 11 to 13 years in Bigua?u, Brazil. Dental examinations were conducted by a dentist, and the criteria for traumatic dental injuries used in the children's dental health survey in the United Kingdom were adopted. the study recorded the type of damage sustained, treatment performed or needed, the size of incisal overjet, and whether lip coverage was adequate. Socio-demographic data included sex, age, and parents' level of schooling. a total of 2,260 children were examined, and prevalence rates were 10.4%, 10.6%, and 11.2% in 11, 12, and 13-year-old children, respectively. Treatment need was 6.3 interventions per thousand incisors. Male gender and overjet greater than 5mm were significantly related to having a traumatic dental injury. Inadequate lip coverage and parents' educational level were not associated with dental trauma. The study concluded that male gender and incisal overjet greater than 5mm are associated with the occurrence of dental injury.     

Psychosocial correlates of depressive symptoms among 12–14-year-old Norwegian adolescents

Background The aim of the study was to examine the relationships between various psychosocial factors and depressive symptoms in early adolescence. Methods A representative sample of 2465 12–14‐year‐old adolescents comprising 50.8% girls and 49.2% boys, with a mean age of 13.7 years, was recruited in two counties in Norway. The participation rate was 88.3%. Depressive symptoms were measured by the Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (MFQ). Results Correlations between the total sum of stressful events/daily hassles and the total sum of MFQ were moderately high, r_s = 0.49 and r_s = 0.53, respectively. Depressive symptoms were more strongly correlated with school‐related stress among boys than girls, whereas the correlation between daily hassles and depressive symptoms was higher for girls than boys. The results of univariate analyses showed significantly higher mean total MFQ scores among adolescents not living with both natural parents, those who had moved more than twice and those with more than 3 siblings or having fewer than 2 close friends. Further, adolescents from Third World societies and adopted adolescents, those from lower socio‐economic status (SES) groups, having unemployed parents or living in coastal areas had higher mean depressive symptom scores. The results of multiple regression analyses yielded the following six significant predictors of total MFQ scores in order of importance: Sum of daily hassles and sum of stressful life events, gender, number of friends, ethnicity and mother's employment status. Altogether, these variables accounted for 43% of the total variance in MFQ scores. Conclusions It is concluded that these psychosocial predictors should be addressed when assessing depressive symptoms in early adolescence. The findings of the study are discussed in view of previous research in the field and their clinical significance.     

Dental caries prevalence and mean dmf-t among 12 to 13-years old schoolchildren between 1971 and 1997, Southern Brazil

INTRODUCTION: Cross-sectional surveys carried out in Brazil during the last decade have showed a significant decrease in both prevalence and severity of dental caries. However, the validity of these studies is questioned. Different methodologies as well as diagnosis criteria were used. Thus, a study was carried out with the purpose of comparing the prevalence and severity of caries among schoolchildren aged 12 and 13 years in a region of Brazil. METHODS: Two cross-sectional surveys were carried out. All 12 and 13 year old children enrolled in a primary school were examined by a single dentist in 1971 (n=202) and 1997 (n=175), following the same protocol. The original criteria for the diagnosis of caries proposed by Klein and Palmer in 1937 were used both in 1971 and 1997. A total of 202 and 175 children were examined in 1971 and 1997 respectively. RESULTS: The response rate was 100%. Intra-examiner agreement was very high. Kappa test was performed on a tooth by tooth basis and all values were above 0.86. The prevalence of caries was 98% and 93. 7% in 1971 and 1997 respectively. Comparison of the severity of caries experience expressed as changes in the mean DMF-T scores showed a reduction from 9.2 to 6.2 between 1971 and 1997 in the study group. CONCLUSIONS: There was a significant reduction in dental caries prevalence and severity between 1971 to 1997 in the study population. The observed reduction of caries was not a statistical artifact as the same methodology and diagnostic criteria were applied in both cross-sectional surveys.     

Prevalence of dental caries in 6-12-year-old schoolchildren in Leon, Nicaragua

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of caries, deft and DMFT indices (sum of decay, messing, and filling tooth in primary and permanent dentition), and the Significant Caries Index (SiC) in scholars from Leon, Nicaragua. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Dental data from a representative sample of 1,400 children were collected and analyzed in a cross-sectional study (year 2002). All subjects were clinically evaluated by one of two calibrated and standardized examiners. RESULTS: 28.6% children were caries free in both dentitions. Caries prevalence in primary teeth in 6-years-old children was 72.6% and 45.0% in permanent teeth in 12-years-old children. Mean deft and DMFT were 2.98 +/- 2.93 (n = 1,125) and 0.65 +/- 1.43 (n = 1,379), respectively. The SiC at 12 years of age was 4.12. Children with caries experience in primary teeth were more likely to have caries in permanent teeth (odds ratio = 2.48; 95% confidence interval, 1.66-3.79) than children without caries in primary teeth. CONCLUSION: Low caries prevalence and experience were observed in the permanent dentition, with a substantial proportion of filled teeth. Such favorable finding was not observed in the primary dentition. Levels of caries failed to meet the oral health goal of FDI/WHO for the year 2000 in 6-years-old. However, the levels found in 12-year-olds had already met the goal for 2000. The present findings confirmed prior reports that the caries experience in primary teeth is associated with the experience of caries in permanent teeth.     

Prevalence of overweight and obesity among preadolescent schoolchildren in Galicia,Spain

Background Childhood obesity is rising rapidly in many countries. Preadolescents appear to be at particularly high risk. This study estimated the prevalence of overweight and obesity in preadolescent schoolchildren in Galicia, Spain. Methods The heights and weights of a random sample of 2305 Galician schoolchildren aged 10–12 years were measured using calibrated standardized scales and measures. Overweight and obesity were identified using the criteria of the International Obesity Task Force. Results The prevalences of obesity and overweight were respectively 9.2% and 31.0% among boys, 8.6% and 28.8% among girls and 8.9% and 29.9% overall. Taking boys and girls together, the combined prevalence of overweight and obesity fell significantly with increasing age. Overweight was more prevalent in rural than urban areas (30.7% vs. 28.4%), as also was obesity (9.8% vs. 7.2%). Conclusions Our study evidences the emergence of the obesity epidemic among preadolescents in Galicia, especially in rural areas. Both overweight and obesity in this age group are more prevalent in Galicia than in other areas of Spain or most other Western nations.     

Prevalence of asthma and respiratory symptoms in south-central Durban, South Africa

The prevalence of asthma and respiratory symptoms in south-central Durban, one of the most heavily polluted areas of South Africa, has been determined using a cross-sectional survey of 213 households in the communities of Merewent (97% Indians) and Austerville (98% coloreds). The study population consisted of 367 children (less than 17 years old) and 693 adults. About 10% of the children and 12% of adults reported doctor diagnosed asthma. The self-reported prevalence rates for wheezing (37–40%) and attacks of shortness of breath with wheeze (16–28%) were much higher than that for doctor diagnosed asthma and common co-occurrence of the three symptoms is found. The prevalence rates for other respiratory symptoms include 33–35% for chronic cough, 31–32% for chronic phlegm, 44–50% for frequent blocked-runny nose, and 16–27% for sinusitis. Factors in the community that were associated with asthma, wheeze and shortness of breath with wheeze among the adult population included cigarette smoking, use of insecticides (coils and pump spray) and home ownership. An association between asthma among children and a number of household risk factors including dampness, carpet, pets or use of pesticides was not apparent in the community. Asthma prevalence was strongly correlated with missing of school by children (odds ratio (OR): 44; 95% confidence interval (CI): 13–141). The study serves to draw attention to a growing but neglected public health problem in urban areas of Africa.     

Prevalence of obesity and its comorbidities among schoolchildren in Taiwan

To evaluate the prevalence of obesity and its comorbidities among a representative sample of elementary schoolchildren in Taiwan, the Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan Elementary School Children used a stratified, multi-staged complex sampling scheme. In total 2,405 children (1,290 boys and 1,115 girls) were included. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 15.5 and 14.7% in boys and 14.4 and 9.1% in girls. With respect to geographic differences, the prevalence of obesity for boys was highest in the southern area (23.3% for the 3rd stratum) and lowest in the mountain area (4.3%). For girls, the prevalence of overweight and obesity was highest in the central area (13.0% for the 3rd stratum) and lowest in the southern area (2.6% for the 3rd stratum). The obese children had higher mean levels of blood pressure, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, uric acid and serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase, but lower level of high density lipoprotein-cholesterol when compared with the normal weight children. For obese and normal weight boys, the prevalence was 12.9 % vs. 0.3 % for high blood pressure, 31.4 % vs. 19.6 % for dyslipidemia, and 6.4 % vs. 0.8 % for abnormal serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase level. In conclusion, we found that about one third of the boys and one quarter of the girls were overweight and/or obesity in Taiwan. Furthermore, the prevalence of obesity-related comorbidities was significantly increased for obese and/or overweight elementary schoolchildren in the Taiwan area.     

深圳市中小学生超重与肥胖现况分析

目的了解广东省深圳市中小学生超重与肥胖现状, 为改善儿童青少年健康状况提供依据。方法采用分层整群随机抽样方法选取深圳市42所学校的65 305名学生为研究对象, 测量学生身高、体重, 通过计算体质指数(BMI)筛查不同区划、年龄、性别、学段学生的超重与肥胖检出率。结果深圳市中小学生超重、肥胖检出率分别为13.29%、9.03%, 其中男生分别为15.97%、11.58%, 女生分别为9.90%、5.80%;小学生、初中生、高中生超重检出率分别为14.26%、13.33%、11.34%, 肥胖检出率分别为12.27%、6.78%、4.85%, 小学生最高, 初中生次之, 高中生最低;深圳关内学生超重、肥胖检出率分别为14.19%、10.15%, 关外学生超重、肥胖检出率分别为12.34%、7.85%, 关内高于关外;以上差异均存在统计学意义(均P<0.01)。结论深圳市中小学生超重、肥胖问题不容忽视, 男生的超重与肥胖现象较为明显, 小学生的超重与肥胖问题较为突出。     

Prevalence of asthma in schoolchildren under-represents those from socially deprived areas

We were interested to read the excellent study by McCann etal. in the February edition of Health Education Research (McCannet al., 2002). We have recently conducted a similar, but smaller,study that sheds some light upon their results. Our study aimedto assess the impact of our local asthma health promotion schemefor schools [Asthma Friendly Schools (AFS) Initiative], whichhad been in place for 5 years and had been adopted by abouthalf of all Portsmouth schools. We     

Prevalence of pathogenic intestinal parasites among Saudi rural schoolchildren

A national survey was carried out in 1991 to assess the prevalenceof pathogenic intestinal parasites in rural Saudi Arabian schoolchildrenaged 6–18 years. Nine thousand eight hundred and eighty-onechildren underwent a clinical evaluation and stool specimenswere examined, using direct microscopy. Intestinal pathogenicparasites were found in 2, 233 (22.6%) children. The major parasitesisolated were Giardia lamblia (13.5%), Schistosoma mansoni (3.8%),Entamoeba histolytica (2.5%), Hymenolepis nana (2.5%), Ascarislumbricoides (2.0%) and Entrobius vermicularis (1.0%). Prevalenceof intestinal parasites was significantly associated with thechild's age, sex, father's educational level, non-public watersupply and inadequate latrine type. The highest risk group waschildren 6–8 years old, whose father were illiterate andhad no latrine.     

Trends in dental caries prevalence in 12-year-old schoolchildren between 1976 and 2001 in Bauru, Brazil

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the trends in dental caries prevalence in 12-year-old schoolchildren between 1976 and 2001 in Bauru, Brazil. Study design. An epidemiological survey was performed by trained, calibrated examiners by the same research group in 1976, 1984, 1990, 1995 and 2001, using the decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) index. METHODS: Urban elementary schools were chosen because they provide a fair representation of the city's population in terms of socio-economic status. The study included 261, 321, 253, 377 and 211 subjects from the same regions in 1976, 1984, 1990, 1995 and 2001, respectively. The prevalence of caries and the DMFT index were used. RESULTS: A remarkable decrease was seen in the DMFT index at age 12 (84.53%) between 1976 and 2001. The DMFT indices at age 12 were 9.89, 7.01, 3.97, 4.13 and 1.53 in 1976, 1984, 1990, 1995 and 2001, respectively. The percentage of schoolchildren presenting with sound permanent teeth (DMFT = 0) increased from 0.40 to 45.50% between 1976 and 2001. Over the same period, the percentage of schoolchildren with six or more decayed teeth decreased from 86.99% to 5.21%. CONCLUSIONS: The phenomenon of dental caries polarization is already perceptible in Bauru, Brazil. The increase in the number of schoolchildren with sound permanent teeth (DMFT = 0) suggests that the dental health policy in Bauru has had a positive effect in children's dental health, and should therefore be considered for other cities.     

Prevalence, treatment and reinfection of intestinal helminths among schoolchildren in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The overall prevalence rate of soil-transmitted helminths among 389 primary school-children attending four different schools in Kuala Lumpur was found to be 64.0%. The most common helminth parasite occurring among the children was Trichuris trichiura (53·7%) followed by Ascaris lumbricoides (37·5%) and hookworm (5·4%). There was one case of strongyloides, two cases of Hymenolepis nana and five cases of Enterobius vermicularis.All positive cases were treated with pyrantel pamoate administered as a single dose(10 mg/kg bodyweight). A cure rate of 89·7, 56·4 and 44·4% was achieved against Ascaris, Trichuris and hookworm. The egg reduction rate was 96·7, 59·8 and 64·3% for Ascaris, Trichuris and hookworm, respectively. There was no effect on Hymenolepis nana infection. The reinfection rate 15 weeks following treatment was also studied.