Developmental Progression in Children's Knowledge of AIDS: Implications for Education and Attitudinal Change

The effectiveness of curricula designed to enhance a child'sunderstanding of AIDS may hinge partially upon incorporatinginformation adjusted to the child's developmental status. Accordingly,we examined the developmental progression of children's understandingof illness transmission in general and AIDS in particular, aswell as explored the relation between a child's knowledge ofAIDS and his/her attitudes toward persons with AIDS. Knowledgeof AIDS was manipulated through use of a brief educational intervention.Results support a developmental progression in knowledge aboutAIDS that is consistent with progressions related to illnessesin general. Knowledge enhancement was associated with positivechanges in attitude.     

Is oral contraceptive therapy advisable in woman with family history of breast cancer?

A 20-year-old single woman suffers from severe dysmenorrhea, unresponsive to analgesic medication. Findings for gynecological examination were normal. Her mother died of mammary cancer at the age of 47. This cancer was diagnosed at age 42 while she was taking oral contraceptives. The patient in question, and her 3 sisters, had been warned against taking oral contraceptives. Now it is suggested that her dysmenorrhea might respond to contraceptive therapy. The question is asked regarding the use of oral contraceptives. In response, a diagnostic laparoscopy is recommended to determine if endometriosis is present. If endometriosis is found, medroxyprogesterone acetate may be used for suppression of ovulation, but ovulation may continue to be suppressed for 12-18 months after discontinuing this medication. Danazol is also effective in treating endometriosis and dysmenorrhea but has no estrogenic effect. Available data do not show an increased incidence of mammary cancer in users of oral contraceptives.     

Psychiatric morbidity in stroke patients attending a neurology clinic in Nigeria

Back ground

Stroke produces a wide range of mental and emotional disorders. Neuropsychiatric complications associated with stroke may have negative effects on the social functioning, overall quality of life and the recovery of motor functioning of stroke survivors.

Objective

To determine the prevalence and nature of psychiatric morbidity among stroke patients attending neurology outpatient clinic of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), Ilorin-Nigeria.

Methods

All patients with stroke aged 18 years and above at an outpatient neurology clinic in Ilorin, Nigeria were assessed for mental and emotional disorders using the Schedule for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry (SCAN) over one year (March 2009 to February 2010).

Results

Overall prevalence of psychiatric morbidity was 36.0% (30/83) among 83 patients who constituted the study population. Specific diagnoses recorded were depression (19.2%), generalised anxiety disorder (9.6%), harmful alcohol use (2.4%); dementia, somatoform disorder, phobia and delusional disorder each had a prevalence of 1.2%. Clinical and sociodemographic variables were not significantly associated with psychiatric morbidity.

Conclusion

Psychiatric disorders are often associated with stroke. Identifying and treating stroke patients with these psychiatric co-morbidities could thus help to improve the overall quality of life of these patients.