Preparedness Planning for Emergencies Among Postpartum Women in Arkansas During 2009

PurposeHaving an emergency plan may reduce negative effects of disaster on the health of postpartum women and their infants. However, little is known about the prevalence of emergency plans among postpartum women. In 2009, Arkansas added a question to the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System surveillance system about whether women who gave birth that year had an emergency plan. In this study, we first describe the sociodemographic characteristics, disaster experience, and region of residence of postpartum women in Arkansas who indicated that they had an emergency plan for their families in 2009, and second, examine associations between sociodemographic characteristics and disaster experience and the presence of an emergency plan.MethodsMultivariable logistic regression (n = 1,173) was conducted to examine associations between maternal race/ethnicity, sociodemographic characteristics, region of residence, disaster experience, and having a disaster plan. We adjusted for maternal education, federal poverty level, and family size in our final model.FindingsForty-eight percent (n = 559) of women reported having an emergency plan. Hispanic women were less likely to report having a plan compared with non-Hispanic White women (n = 102 [10%]; adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR], 0.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.4–0.9). Families with five or more members were more likely to have a plan compared with smaller families (n = 123 [11%]; aPR, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.1–1.6).ConclusionsPolicymakers and public health practitioners can use these results to promote emergency planning among postpartum women in Arkansas, with special outreach to postpartum women who are Hispanic or have smaller families.     

Delivering Social Work Education on Case Reviews and Inquiry Reports: An Exploratory Study of Students’ Perspectives in Northern Ireland

It is self-evident that we live in the age of inquiry where the negative impact of risk has been examined through numerous formal processes. In the wake of such scrutiny, there have been repeated recommendations for better training of the professionals charged with safeguarding the welfare of vulnerable individuals. Yet there has been very little examination of how student social workers, in particular, evaluate this training. This exploratory study responded to this gap through a mixed-methods design centring on the views of qualifying and post-qualifying social work students attending courses within two regional universities in Northern Ireland. The study found that, in the main, the cohorts responded favourably to certain aspects of the curriculum and how they were delivered. That said, the emotive nature of the case review and inquiry reports was inadequately addressed in the classroom and was not processed afterwards through a psycho-social framework. In effect, students were often left with residual anxieties that potentially hampered learning. On the basis of the findings, the study calls for further research into this highly significant area of professional competence.     

Prospective Associations between Bilingualism and Executive Function in Latino Children: Sustained Effects While Controlling for Biculturalism

The study purpose was to test 1-year prospective associations between English–Spanish bilingualism and executive function in 5th to 6th grade students while controlling for biculturalism. Participants included 182 US Latino students (50 % female). Self-report surveys assessed biculturalism, bilingualism, and executive function (i.e., working memory, organizational skills, inhibitory control, and emotional control, as well as a summary executive function score). General linear model regressions demonstrated that bilingualism significantly predicted the summary executive function score as well as working memory such that bilingual proficiency was positively related to executive function. Results are the first to demonstrate (a) prospective associations between bilingualism to executive function while controlling for the potential third variable of biculturalism, and (b) a principal role for working memory in this relationship. Since executive function is associated with a host of health outcomes, one implication of study findings is that bilingualism may have an indirect protective influence on youth development.     

Caudal anesthesia with sedation for inguinal hernia repair in high risk neonates

Background/Purpose

The use of caudal anesthesia with sedation (CAS) has theoretical benefits over general anesthesia (GA) in high risk neonates undergoing inguinal hernia repair. This benefit has not been established in clinical studies. We compare outcomes of these two approaches at a single institution.

Methods

A retrospective review was performed of all neonates and preterm infants undergoing inguinal hernia over an 8 year period.

Results

Of 71 infants meeting inclusion criteria, 50 underwent repair with caudal block and systemic sedation, and 21 with general anesthesia. Minor incidents of respiratory depression requiring non invasive interventions were common in the first 24 h post operatively (24% for CAS, 14% with GA), 4% of patients receiving CAS had a respiratory complication which prolonged their hospital stay beyond 24 h post operation. Both required conversion to general anesthesia. Statistically significant differences between the two groups were lacking in terms of preoperative risk and post operative outcome.

Conclusions

CAS is a safe, effective anesthetic option for high risk neonates undergoing inguinal hernia repair. Patients requiring conversion to GA from CAS may be at increased risk for complications. Large, randomized trials are needed to determine any benefit over GA.     

Post-absorptive glucose lowering in normal healthy individuals: An epidemiological observation

Post-absorptive glucose lowering (PALG) is observed in individuals with glucose intolerance and in healthy individuals. We report a prevalence of about 23% among healthy Asian Indians. Individuals with PALG are characterized by leaner phenotype, low body fat percentage, increased insulin sensitivity and higher fasting glucose levels.