Examining the Criterion Validity of CBCL and TRF Problem Scales and Items in a Large Singapore Sample

This study examined the criterion validity of the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and Teacher’s Report Form (TRF) problem scales and items in demographically-matched Singapore samples of referred and non-referred children (840 in each sample for the CBCL and 447 in each sample for the TRF). Internal consistency estimates for both the CBCL and TRF scales were good. Almost all CBCL and TRF problem scales and items significantly discriminated between referred and non-referred children, with referred children scoring higher, as expected. The largest referral status effects were on attention problems scales and their associated items, with the TRF having larger effects than the CBCL. Effect sizes for demographic variables such as age, gender, ethnicity and SES were much smaller than effect sizes for referral status, across both the CBCL and TRF forms and at both the scale and item levels. These findings suggest that teachers can be effective partners in identifying children who need mental health services and those who do not.     

Making use of a natural stress test: pregnancy and cardiovascular risk

The gestational period serves as a natural stress test that can be used to predict future cardiovascular health risks of female patients. Recent evidence confirms that mothers with hypertensive pregnancies have higher cardiovascular disease (CVD) risks compared to other women of similar age. In women with preeclampsia, those delivering before 37 weeks of gestation and mothers with recurring preeclampsia in subsequent pregnancies carry the greater risks. These sex-specific risks are of similar magnitude to traditional CVD risk factors, such as smoking and obesity. Unfortunately, none of the commonly used CVD risk stratification models make use of these sex-specific markers, which can powerfully predict future CVD outcomes. Because women have historically posed a greater diagnostic challenge than men in assessing CVD risks, better models for risk stratification in this sex group are needed. A history of hypertension in pregnancy should be included as a variable in cardiovascular risk stratification. In addition, screening women for a history of preeclampsia should become routine practice, with greater emphasis placed on therapies to modify adverse outcomes for these higher-risk women.     

2008—2009年我国食品出口美国、日本和欧盟的安全问题分析

食品安全已成为全球关注的焦点问题之一。为建立和完善我国食品出口安全制度,保障我国食品出口安全,本文对2008、2009年我国食品出口美国、日本、欧盟受阻的种类和问题进行了分析,归纳出制约我国食品出口的四个原因,即贸易保护日益加剧、质量监控管理落后、检疫技术标准滞后、食品消费理念转变,并提出了完善食品标准,适应贸易需求;提升企业素质,增强社会责任;加强政府监管,保护消费者利益;实施绿色营销,开拓产品市场的针对性建议和对策。     

农村低保边缘群体医疗救助研究

农村低保边缘群体迫切需要医疗救助,但将农村低保边缘群体纳入医疗救助制度当中,还存在财政资金投入不足,边缘群体愿望得不到体现,民政部门负担重,家庭收入核算操作难等问题。针对这些问题,提出相应的对策建议。     

Methodological approaches for studying structural racism and its biopsychosocial impact on health

BackgroundStructural racism is a powerful determinant of health that drives health disparities, morbidity, and mortality across racialized and minoritized groups.PurposeThis article discusses approaches for measuring structural racism and its resultant network of negative biopsychosocial consequences for health and well-being.MethodsWe draw on prevailing theoretical models and approaches to characterize both the nature of structural racism and integrated methods for assessing its consequences across mental and physical health.DiscussionThis article will serve to guide researchers in health-related disciplines to accurately assess the biopsychosocial consequences of structural racism in key populations.     

Diagnostic blood loss from phlebotomy and hospital acquired anemia in patients with severe burns

PurposeThe study was performed to estimate the diagnostic blood loss (DBL) volume during hospitalization and investigate its relationship with the development of moderate to severe hospital acquired anemia (HAA) and increased number of red blood cell (RBC) transfusion following extensive burns.Materials and methodsThis was a retrospective study of adult burned patients with total body surface area (TBSA) burn larger than 40%, who were admitted to burn center of Changhai hospital between January 2005 and December 2017.ResultsWe included a final number of 157 patients in the present study. Moderate to severe HAA within the fourth week postburn was developed in 46 of 121 patients who stayed over 28-day hospitalization. Patients with moderate to severe HAA had both significantly higher total DBL volume [245 (IQR: 183.75, 325.25) mL vs 168 (119, 163) mL ; P = 0.001] and DBL volume per day [10.22 (IQR: 8.57, 12.38) mL vs 6.63 (5.22, 10.42) mL/day; P = 0.005]. Logistic regression analysis revealed that both DBL volume per day and TBSA burn were independent risk factors for the development of moderate to severe HAA.ConclusionsSeverely burned patients appear to be prone to develop HAA during hospitalization. The DBL volume contribute to the occurrence of moderate to severe HAA, which might be a modifiable target for preventing HAA.     

Structured online training for university students to deliver peer-led addiction counselling for young drug abusers in China: Effect on improving knowledge,attitude, confidence,and skills

ObjectivesTo measure the effect of a structured online training programme on improving the knowledge, attitude, confidence, and skills of university students to deliver peer-led addiction counselling to young drug abusers.MethodsA structured training programme was designed for university students with a background in health-related disciplines. Pre- and post-training evaluations were conducted for 245 university students with health-related backgrounds who completed the training programme. The participants’ knowledge of and attitudes towards drug abuse and their confidence in delivering addiction counselling were evaluated and compared before and after the training. Counselling skills were assessed using a simulated standardised case.ResultsA paired test indicated that after attending the training programme, the participants’ knowledge of and attitudes towards drug abuse and their confidence in delivering addiction counselling were significantly improved. Most of the trained participants demonstrated satisfactory counselling skills.ConclusionParticipation in a one-day structured addiction training programme significantly improved students’ knowledge of and attitudes towards drug abuse and their confidence and skills to deliver addiction counselling.Practice implicationFuture research should elucidate the implementation of the counselling skills in terms of the counselling outcomes and successful referral. The clients’ health outcomes should be assessed to reflect the peer counsellors’ skills.     

“How do online and offline sampling compare in a multinational study of drug use and nightlife behaviour?”

BackgroundOnline sampling is widely used to recruit hard to reach samples such as drug users at nightlife events. We conducted the first study comparing differences in demographics, drug use and nightlife behaviour between an online sample of young adults engaging with the European nightlife scene, and an offline sample recruited at nightclubs and festivals in Europe.MethodsOnline participants who attended at least six nightlife events in the past 12 months were recruited using social media advertising (May-November 2017). Offline participants were recruited at nightclubs and festivals using a random intercept method (May-November 2017). Samples were compared with respect to age, gender, past year use of alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy/MDMA and amphetamines, and past year attendance at nightclubs, licensed festivals, illegal festivals, pubs and house-parties.Results6153 online and 3529 offline participants were recruited. When adjusting for differences in age and gender, online participants were less likely to have used each drug and to have attended illegal festivals, pubs and house-parties in the past 12 months. The online sample also used each drug and attended each venue, with the exception of nightclubs, less frequently on average than offline participants. Adjusted odds ratios (range 0.37 to 1.39) and regression coefficients (range -0.84 to 0.07) indicate that the majority of observed differences between the samples were of a small effect size.ConclusionsEstimates of drug use and nightlife engagement are more conservative when using online sampling compared to venue based sampling. Observed differences were generally small in effect, indicating good overall representativeness when using online sampling in the European nightlife scene.     

Development of a scale to measure shared problem-solving and decision-making in mental healthcare

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to create a measure of collaborative processes between healthcare team members, patients, and carers. Methods: A shared decision-making scale was developed using a qualitative research derived model and refined using Rasch and factor analysis. The scale was used by staff in the hospital for four consecutive years (n = 152, 121, 119 and 121) and by two independent patients’ and carers’ samples (n = 223 and 236). Results: Respondents had difficulty determining what constituted a decision and the scale was redeveloped after first use in patients and carers. The initial focus on shared decision-making was changed to shared problem-solving. Two factors were found in the first staff sample: shared problem-solving and shared decision-making. The structure was confirmed on the second patients’ and carers’ sample and an independent staff sample consisting of the first data-points for the last three years. The shared problem-solving and decision-making scale (SPSDM) demonstrated evidence of convergent and divergent validity, internal consistency, measurement invariance on longitudinal data and sensitivity to change. Conclusions: Shared problem-solving was easier to measure than shared decision-making in this context. Practice implications: Shared problem-solving is an important component of collaboration, as well as shared decision-making.     

Efficacy of Kinesio Taping and Postural Correction Exercises on Levator Scapula Electromyographic Activities in Mechanical Cervical Dysfunction: A Randomized Blinded Clinical Trial

ObjectiveMechanical neck dysfunction (MND) is a major health burden. Although postural correction exercises (PCEs) are commonly used for its treatment, efficacy of Kinesio Taping (KT) has received considerable attention. This study was conducted to determine the effect of KT and PCEs on levator scapula (LS) electromyography.MethodsNinety-one patients with MND were randomly assigned into 1 of 3 groups that received 4 weeks’ treatment: group A, KT; group B, PCE; and group C, both interventions. Neck pain, LS root mean square (RMS), and median frequency (MDF) were measured pretreatment and post-treatment with the Numerical Pain Rating Scale and surface electromyography, respectively, by an assessor blinded to the patients’ allocation.ResultsMultivariate analysis of variance indicates a statistically significant group-by-time interaction (P = .000). Pain intensity was significantly reduced in group C more than in group B (P = .001). Mean values of RMS were significantly reduced in group C compared to both group A (P = .001) and group B (P = .022), whereas MDF was significantly increased in group C compared to either group A (P = .00) or group B (P = .026), and in group B compared to group A (P = 0.26). A paired t test revealed that there was a significant decrease in pain and RMS, and a significant increase in MDF in all groups (P < .01).ConclusionApplication of both KT and PCE combined can significantly reduce neck pain and normalize LS activities in patients with MND more than the application of either intervention.