SYSTEMATIC TRAINING OF BUS,SHOPPING, AND CAFETERIA SKILLS

Four mentally handicapped adults from an ATC were systematically trained (using role-play and other techniques) to travel by bus, go shopping, and use cafés at a local shopping complex. It was hypothesised that their general social interaction skills would improve as a consequence of teaching them these three specific self-help or “community living” skills (Marholin et al., 1979). Pre- and post-measurements on the AAMD Adaptive Behavior Scales, and on an observational scale (TAF) devised by the author, showed that this prediction was fulfilled. There were also clear improvements in the three taught skills although these were not always statistically significant. The trainees' level of confidence (as measured by the TAS) also showed improvement, with increasing independence in using these public facilities. Since this study, three more groups at the ATC have started using the same assessment and training methods.     

Age Related Incidence and Early Outcomes of Hip Fractures: A Prospective Cohort Study of 1177 patients

Introduction  

Associated with the increase in the aging population, there is an increase in the incidence of hip fractures worldwide. Outcome following such fractures is affected by age of the patient. This study aims to assess the incidence and early outcome of hip fractures, comparing between different age groups.     

Frequency and Factors Associated with Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth in Patients with Cirrhosis of the Liver and Extra Hepatic Portal Venous Obstruction

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP), a common complication of cirrhosis of liver, might result from translocation of bacteria from the small bowel. However, there is scanty data on frequency of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) in patients with cirrhosis of the liver. There are no data on SIBO in patients with extra-hepatic portal venous obstruction (EHPVO) in the literature. A total of 174 patients with cirrhosis of the liver, 28 with EHPVO and 51 healthy controls were studied for SIBO using glucose hydrogen breath test (GHBT). Persistent rise in breath hydrogen 12 ppm above basal (at least two readings) was considered diagnostic of SIBO. Of 174 patients (age 47.2 ± 11.9 years, 80.5% male) with cirrhosis due to various causes, 67 (38.5%) were in Child’s class A, 70 (40.2%) class B and 37 (21.7%) class C. Of the 174 patients with cirrhosis, 42 (24.14%) had SIBO as compared to 1 of 51 (1.9%) healthy controls (P < 0.0001). Patients with EHPVO had similar frequency of SIBO compared to healthy controls [2/28 (7.14%) vs 1/51 (1.97%), P = ns]. Frequency of SIBO in Child’s A, B and C was comparable [13 (18.6%) vs 16 (23.9%) and 13 (35.1%), respectively; P = ns]. Presence of SIBO were not related to ascites, etiology of cirrhosis, and degree of liver dysfunction. SIBO is common in patients with cirrhosis of the liver. Patients with EHPVO do not have higher frequency of SIBO than healthy subjects. SIBO in cirrhosis is not related to the degree of derangement in liver function or of portal hypertension.     

Health Risk Behavior Among Justice Involved Male and Female Youth: Exploratory,Multi-Group Latent Class Analysis

Background: Youth involved in the juvenile justice system experience a disproportionate prevalence of serious mental health issues, substance abuse, and are at an increased risk of engaging in risky sexual practices. Gender differences exist, with girls at a markedly greater risk of acquiring a sexually transmitted disease. Objectives: The present study seeks to determine if there are subgroups of male and female youth who differ in their health risk behavior. If so, do any male or female subgroups at different levels of health risk differ in regard to their sociodemographic and psychological factors, and finally, what are intervention/service delivery implications of these differences. Methods: Youth were participants in an innovative health service at a centralized intake facility located in a large southeastern U.S. city. Latent class analysis and multinomial logistic regression is utilized to examine the heterogeneity of health risk behaviors across gender groups in a sample of 777 newly arrested youth. Results: Results indicate a three class solution provided the optimal fit with the data for each gender group: a Lower Health Risk group, a Higher Health Risk group, and a Highest Health Risk group. Multinomial logistic regression analysis identified significant sociodemographic and depression effects among both male and female youth. Conclusions/Importance: Youth characterized by risky sexually behavior, elevated depression, and drug involvement should be the focus of integrated intervention services. This study documents the critical need for front end, juvenile justice intake facilities to provide behavioral and public health screening, with treatment follow-up, on newly arrested youth.