Oral contraceptives use and weight gain in women with a Central European life-style.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to check and present data on the relation between combined oral contraceptives (COC) use and body weight in young women living in Poland. METHODS: Observational study on the group of young women on COC and the control group of young women who never used COC. Candidates for study (145 women) and control (218 women) groups were recruited in selected gynecological clinics in Poland during the period of 1-31 January 2002 (with the use of randomization). RESULTS: Both groups (study and control) were almost identical in age, anthropometric characteristics, number of pregnancies and deliveries. On the basis of this investigation it was found that there was no relation between use of COC and weight gain. Observed (in both groups) weight gain in young women was most probably related rather to time-passing (patients were getting older). The higher risk for overweight and obesity was found in the group of young women who had already had problems with overweight in their childhood. and in the group of women with high weight gain during the first pregnancy. CONCLUSION: COC use is not associated with weight gain in young women with a Central European life-style.     

Occupational therapy workforce needs: a model for demand-based studies.

PURPOSE: To provide a model for assessing occupational therapy workforce needs by using a demand-based approach to determine current workforce status in the Northwest region. Regional information may have implications for addressing national occupational therapy service needs. METHOD: A questionnaire was sent to a proportional random sample of 234 facilities that hire occupational therapy practitioners. Data were collected in July-August 2003 using structured mailing and follow-up procedures. RESULTS: Response rate was 79%. Twenty-four percent reported occupational therapy vacancies and 11% occupational therapy assistant vacancies; 48% predicted an increase in occupational therapy positions in the next 2 years and 41% an increase in occupational therapy assistant positions. Sixty-three percent of respondents reported difficulty in hiring. DISCUSSION: This study identifies an occupational therapy workforce shortage in the Northwest. Management of a shortage is critical, for even short-term adjustments could lead to permanent changes in service provision. This study demonstrates the importance of current information on the status of the national workforce and serves as a model for future studies.