Health status and behaviors among adults residing in rural Dominican Republic.
(18/24)
INTRODUCTION: The rapidly increasing burden of chronic diseases linked to adequacy of healthcare services and individual health behaviors is a key determinant of global public health. Given demographic aging and the accompanying health transition, chronic diseases in low and middle income communities of the Dominican Republic are likely to increase significantly. The objective of this article was to report on efforts in surveillance of health conditions and behaviors in underserved rural Dominican communities. METHODS: A modified 30 item, language-sensitive health survey was randomly administered to 117 adult participants (18 years and older) during a health fair held at three rural villages from March to April 2009 in the rural San Cristobal region of the Dominican Republic. Descriptive analyses of select health conditions and behavior variables from all completed surveys were tabulated. RESULTS: Adult participant ages ranged from 18 to 79 years (mean +/- standard deviation; 34.0 +/- 2.1), height from 1.4 to 2.0 m (1.7 +/- 0.1), weight from 41.8 to 100.0 kg (66.2 +/- 1.7) and BMI from 15.2 to 46.2 (24.2 +/- 0.7). Overall, 69.2% of the sample self-reported their general health status to be fair to poor. The top three chronic diseases included: high blood pressure (35.8%), diabetes (15.0%), and asthma (14.2%). In all, 33.4% reported current smoker status and 61.7% were classified as heavy alcohol drinkers. CONCLUSION: Considerable variation was found in the self-report of health conditions and behavioral characteristics among those individuals that attended the health fair. Documenting these important health indicators in the rural communities has the potential to inform the development of surveillance activities and prevention efforts for future health education interventions. (+info)
The impact of student pharmacists at health fair events.
(19/24)
Screening for ischaemic heart disease risk factors at a health fair: low attendance by those at highest risk.
(21/24)
Among people attending a heart disease screening project at a Health Fair in Sheffield, only 22 of 425 (5.2%) lived in areas with more than 25% of the population belonging to social classes IV or V. The incidence of heart disease is known to be particularly high in these areas, where 15.1% of the total population live. By analysis of the attendance rates from districts other than those immediately adjacent to the site of the Health Fair, we found that the strength of this inverse correlation increased, suggesting that the problems of access are probably greater for people living in deprived areas than for others. (+info)
Hemoglobinopathies in a general and family practice setting.
(22/24)
The incidence of sickle cell trait varies among blacks in North America. Although the average hemoglobin (Hb)-AS gene frequency is 8% in the United States, a value of 13.4% was recorded in South Carolina. Preliminary studies during a two-day community sponsored health fair in Selma, Alabama, revealed a sickle cell gene frequency of 15.96%. This study also found an intermediate frequency of 12.4% in a family practice center that is accredited for a residency program. Through a screening program, sickle cell trait was detected, a rigorous training program for resident physicians in family practice was implemented, and proper counseling to patients with hemoglobinopathies was provided. In the authors' judgment, laboratory screening for sickle cell trait is a first step toward genetic counseling and medical practice by family physicians and general practitioners. (+info)
Intestinal parasitic infections in homosexual men at a San Francisco health fair.
(23/24)
In a sample of homosexual men attending a San Francisco Bay Area health fair, there were strikingly higher prevalence rates of intestinal parasitic infections compared with rates in a control group of health plan members who had a routine multiphasic health examination. Physicians treating homosexual men must be aware of the likelihood of such infections, whether or not the patients are symptomatic. (+info)
Bicycle helmet use among schoolchildren. Impact of a community education program and a cycling fatality.
(24/24)
OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of a community bicycle helmet education and subsidy program and the further effect of a bicycle rodeo on helmet ownership and use among elementary schoolchildren. The unanticipated effect of a child cyclist fatality was also measured. DESIGN: Helmet ownership and use were measured in two ways: a questionnaire was sent to all elementary schoolteachers asking about helmet ownership and use by their students; and volunteers counted the children riding their bicycles to school. SETTING: Elementary schools in the town of Goderich, population 7400, and the town of Kincardine, population 6227, both on Lake Huron in southwestern Ontario. PARTICIPANTS: More than 80% of the 1050 elementary school students in Goderich and, for comparison, more than 90% of the 1439 elementary school students in Kincardine. INTERVENTIONS: An extensive education campaign with programs, assemblies, teaching aids, speakers, and a colouring and poster contest, coupled with a discount helmet offer in October 1991. Incentives to helmet use, such as bicycle rodeos, took place in May 1992 and 1993. A child cyclist not wearing a helmet was fatally injured in September 1992. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Teachers polled students on helmet use and student volunteers counted children riding bicycles and noted helmet use. RESULTS: A total of 250 helmets were purchased, and helmet use was observed to increase among 5- to 14-year-old children from 0.75% to 12.8% during 9 months. Program effect was significantly greater on younger children, and girls used helmets more often than boys did. The cycling fatality in Goderich was associated with a dramatic increase in helmet use (to more than 50%), a significantly higher rate than in Kincardine. A second subsidy and rodeo did not further increase helmet use. CONCLUSIONS: A small community with limited resources can mount a bicycle helmet education and incentive program with high exposure and participation rates by children. Despite an initial 17-fold increase in observed helmet use, more than 87% of cyclists still did not wear helmets. The cycling fatality was associated with a significant increase in helmet use. (+info)