Pediatrics
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Drug use, unwanted pregnancy, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, and sexually transmitted diseases are serious health problems among Thai youth. The gravity of these problems demands high-quality data to direct public health policy and prevention programs. Previous studies of stigmatized behaviors have been hampered by participation bias and underreporting. To evaluate sexual behavior, disease, and drug use, we used audio-computer-assisted self-interviewing (ACASI) and noninvasive specimen collection methods. We also evaluated effectiveness of these methods in minimizing participation bias and underreporting. ⋯ This study shows that adolescents and young adults in Chiang Rai are at high risk for having unprotected intercourse, being coerced to have sex, unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and drug use. The high enrollment rate demonstrates the feasibility and acceptability of using ACASI and noninvasive specimen collection methods in a developing country. ACASI use may lead to increased, but not to complete, self-reporting of sensitive behaviors.
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Drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury death among children ages 1 to 19 years. Details about the specific site of submersion are important for implementation of primary prevention efforts, but are not routinely available from national data. ⋯ The variety of sites in which children drown, even within specific age groups, emphasizes the need for a multifaceted approach to prevention. Reductions in the relatively high rates of drowning among black adolescent males will require targeted interventions to prevent swimming pool drownings among this group.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
A prospective randomized, controlled trial comparing synchronized nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation versus nasal continuous positive airway pressure as modes of extubation.
To determine whether synchronized nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation (SNIPPV) would decrease extubation failure compared with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) in preterm infants being ventilated for respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). ⋯ SNIPPV is more effective than NCPAP in weaning infants with RDS from the ventilator. PFT may be useful in predicting successful extubation.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
A randomized trial to reduce passive smoke exposure in low-income households with young children.
Passive smoke exposure among children is widespread in the United States; estimates suggest that almost 40% of children who are younger than 5 years live with a smoker. Few randomized studies of passive smoke exposure reduction among children have been conducted, and the impact of interventions that have been evaluated has been limited. The objective of this study was to determine whether a motivational intervention for smoking parents of young children will lead to reduced household passive smoke exposure. ⋯ This study targeted a large sample of racially and ethnically diverse low-income families, in whom both exposure and disease burden is likely to be significant. This is the first study to our knowledge that has been effective in reducing objective measures of passive smoke exposure in households with healthy children. These findings have important implications for pediatric health care providers, who play an important role in working with parents to protect children's health. Providers can help parents work toward reducing household passive smoke exposure using motivational strategies and providing a menu of approaches regardless of whether the parents are ready to quit.
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Comparative Study
Effects of Medicaid managed care on health care use: infant emergency department and ambulatory services.
Many urban children rely on emergency departments (ED) for ambulatory care. The objective of this study was to determine whether enrollment in Medicaid managed care (MMC) alters ED or other ambulatory care compared with fee-for-service Medicaid (FFSM). ⋯ Enrollment in MMC did not alter ED usage patterns when compared with FFSM. Some variation in use of other ambulatory services was detected.