Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Environmental Equity Is Child's Play: Mapping Public Provision Of Recreation Opportunities In Urban Neighbourhoods, Jason Gilliland, Martin Holmes, Jennifer Irwin, Patricia Tucker

Trish Tucker

This paper examines the spatial distribution of recreational opportunities for children and youth in a mid-sized Canadian city (London, Ontario), in relation to the socioeconomic status of neighbourhoods and estimated local need for publicly provided recreation spaces. Public recreation facilities (N = 537) throughout the city were identified, mapped and analysed in a geographic information system. To explore potential socio-environmental inequities, neighbourhoods (N = 22) were characterized by socioeconomic and environmental variables, an index of neighbourhood social distress, a neighbourhood play space needs index, and measures of the prevalence and density of recreational opportunities. The results of the spatial analysis …

Analysis Of Speech Motor Control In Children With Normal Development: Preliminary Report, Liang-Yi Yang, Chai-Ling Chen, Wei-Hsien Hong, Hsieh-Ching Chen, Ching-Yi Wu, Alice M.K. Wong

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Speech is a complex motor skill. It requires the coordination of articulatory and phonation systems, including the chest wall, larynx and oral system, to produce precise oral motor control. Treatment of motor speech dysfunction is based on understanding the mechanism underlying normal speech development and motor control. The purpose of this study is to establish speech motor control patterns in children with normal development (ND) by kinematic analysis.Twenty-eight children with ND (16 males and 12 females) aged 4 to 12 years participated in this study. The children were split into three groups based on age: group A aged 4 to …

Environmental Equity Is Child's Play: Mapping Public Provision Of Recreation Opportunities In Urban Neighbourhoods, Jason Gilliland, Martin Holmes, Jennifer D. Irwin, Patricia Tucker

Geography & Environment Publications

This paper examines the spatial distribution of recreational opportunities for children and youth in a mid-sized Canadian city (London, Ontario), in relation to the socioeconomic status of neighbourhoods and estimated local need for publicly provided recreation spaces. Public recreation facilities (N = 537) throughout the city were identified, mapped and analysed in a geographic information system. To explore potential socio-environmental inequities, neighbourhoods (N = 22) were characterized by socioeconomic and environmental variables, an index of neighbourhood social distress, a neighbourhood play space needs index, and measures of the prevalence and density of recreational opportunities. The results of the …

The Relationship Among Sensory Preferences, Play Preferences, Motivation, And Mastery In Guiding Children's Play: A Review Of The Literature, Part 2, Elissa Miller, Heather Miller-Kuhaneck

Occupational Therapy Faculty Publications

Currently, the emphasis throughout health care is on providing evidence-based practice. Occupational therapy practitioners are involved in critical examination of the profession's assumptions and beliefs and are conducting research that supports its theoretical underpinnings. In many areas of practice, practitioners have created bodies of literature to support interventions; and in other areas, we rely on literature from fields outside of the profession. Pediatric occupational therapy is no exception. Although exciting research is currently under way, existing research from outside the profession supports many of our methods and beliefs. A review of the literature found evidence from both inside and outside …

Hepatitis B And C: Prevalence And Risk Factors Associated With Seropositivity Among Children In Karachi, Pakistan, Wasim Jafri, Nadim Jafri, Javed Yakoob, Muhammad Islam, Syed Farhan Ali Tirmizi, Tazeen Jafar, Saeed Akhtar, Saeed Hamid, Hasnain Ali Shah, Sheikh Qamaruddin Nizami

Section of Gastroenterology

Background

Infections with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) can lead to chronic liver disease and hepato-cellular carcinoma (HCC). This cross-sectional study estimated the prevalence and identified risk factors associated with Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and HCV antibody (anti-HCV) sero-positivity among children 1 to 15 years of age.

Methods

The study targeted the low to middle socioeconomic population that comprises 80% to 85% of the population. Consent was obtained from parents of the eligible children before administering questionnaire and collected a blood sample for anti-HCV and HBsAg serology.

Results

3533 children were screened for HBsAg and …

The Relationship Between Parental Physical Activity Levels And Their Child's Body Mass Index, Juracia Carbajal

Master's Projects

This study compared the relationships between parental physical activity levels and their child's body mass index (BMI) using a convenience sample of volunteer parents at a school-based health clinic. Anonymously, parents completed a seven-question survey utilizing the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). The data analysis indicated that parental physical activity did not have a significant influence on a child's BMI. Forty-two percent of the children were overweight or at risk for overweight, demonstrating the need for increased physical activity and improved nutritional guidance. The school nurse has a significant role in providing education about health, nutrition, and obesity prevention strategies …

Prevalence Of Type 2 Diabetes In Youth And Adolescents, Julie Patterson

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Until recently, Type 2 diabetes was typically regarded as a disease of the middle-aged and elderly. While it is still true that this age group maintains a higher risk than younger adults, evidence is accumulating that onset in those of a much younger age. Children and adolescents are now part of this epidemic. This new phenomenon brings a serious new aspect to the global diabetes epidemic and heralds an emerging public health problem of major proportions. Prevention and treatment in these youth cannot be taken lightly. Prevention can be maintained through implementing exercise and balanced nutrition. It is essential to …

Early-Onset Bipolar Disorder: The Relationship Between Symptoms And Family Functioning, Meryl Yoches

Psychology Honors Papers

The incidence, course, and diagnostic criteria of early-onset bipolar disorder are heavily debated within the psychological community. Although new research has solved some of the uncertainties about the disorder, questions remain about its course, presentation and specific features in childhood. The goal of this study was to evaluate the relationship between family functioning and symptom presentation. The cases of 406 children diagnosed with bipolar disorder were examined. The statistics suggest that not only are there differences in symptom presentation among bipolar type, sex and age, there are also differences in family functioning.

Automated Grammatical Analysis Of Language Samples From Spanish-Speaking Children Learning English, Nicole Redd

Theses and Dissertations

Research has demonstrated that automated grammatical tagging is fast and accurate for both English and Spanish child language, but there has been no research done regarding its accuracy with bilingual children. The present study examined this topic using English and Spanish language samples taken from 254 children living in the United States. The subjects included school-aged children enrolled in public schools in the United States in grades 2, 3, or 5. The present study found high automated grammatical tagging accuracy scores for both English (M = 96.4%) and Spanish (M = 96.8%). The study suggests that automated grammatical analysis has …

Treating The Children Of Bolivia Infected With Chagas Disease: A Cost-Benefit Analysis, Gregory A. Magee

Yale Medicine Thesis Digital Library

The purpose of this study was to perform a cost-benefit analysis of an intervention to treat all the children in Bolivia (under 15 years of age) who are infected with Chagas disease. This research was carried out in La Paz, Bolivia where the author lived for a year collecting data in collaboration with the National Chagas Control Program, Bolivian Ministry of Health. Operational costs were based on current prices for laboratory testing and pharmaceuticals, average hourly wages for health care workers, and the number of children who would be treated. The benefit of the program was estimated as the sum …

Physical Activity Measurement Methods For Young Children: A Comparative Study, Beth P. Hands, Helen Parker, Dawne Larkin

Health Sciences Papers and Journal Articles

Many behavior patterns that impact on physical activity experiences are established in early childhood, therefore it is important that valid, reliable, and feasible measures are developed to identify children who are not developing appropriate and healthy activity habits. In this study, measures of physical activity derived by accelerometry and pedometry are compared with direct observation for twenty-four 5- and 6-year-old children. The children were monitored for 30 minutes over five consecutive days during a 30 minute free play session in their pre-primary setting. The results for all measures were significantly correlated. When compared to direct observation, the coefficient of determination …

Physical Fitness Of Children With Motor Learning Difficulties, Beth P. Hands, Dawne Larkin

Health Sciences Papers and Journal Articles

Children with motor learning difficulties (MLD) tend to be less physically active than their coordinated peers and one likely consequence is a reduced level of physical fitness. In this study, 52 children with MLD aged 5 to 8 years, were compared to 52 age- and gender-matched control children across a range of health and skill related fitness components. Analyses of variance revealed significantly lower scores in the group with MLD on the tests for cardiorespiratory endurance, flexibility, abdominal strength, speed, and power than the control group. Furthermore, the group with MLD had a significantly higher Body Mass Index (BMI). These …

Real-Time Decision Making And Aggressive Behavior In Youth: A Heuristic Model Of Response Evaluation And Decision (Red), Reid Griffith Fontaine, Kenneth A. Dodge

Reid G. Fontaine

Considerable scientific and intervention attention has been paid to judgment and decision-making systems associated with aggressive behavior in youth. However, most empirical studies have investigated social–cognitive correlates of stable child and adolescent aggressiveness, and less is known about real-time decision making to engage in aggressive behavior. A model of realtime decision making must incorporate both impulsive actions and rational thought. The present paper advances a process model (response evaluation and decision; RED) of real-time behavioral judgments and decision making in aggressive youths with mathematic representations that may be used to quantify response strength. These components are a heuristic to describe …

Evaluative Behavioral Judgments And Instrumental Antisocial Behaviors In Children And Adolescents, Reid G. Fontaine

Reid G. Fontaine

There is a growing body of scientific research that has drawn a distinction between instrumental (or proactive) and reactive forms of aggressive behavior in children and adolescents. Whereas neurocognitive, psychophysiological, and other psychological factors have been shown to distinguish these aggressive subtypes, social cognitive research on alternative types of instrumental antisocial behavior (e.g., stealing, cheating, and illicit substance use) in youth is limited. Research on social information processing and aggression has shown that evaluative behavioral judgments may be of particular importance to understanding instrumental antisocial tendencies. Herein presented is a review of research on social cognition and discernible forms of …

The Association Between Breast Feeding And Being Overweight In Children, Naja Jamil Eldanaf

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: Obesity/Overweight in children is an epidemic and the most common disorder of childhood in the developed world. Prevalence is increasing, leading to short- and long-term complications. Breastfeeding may protect against childhood obesity, but the debate is ongoing. The main purpose of this project was to assess the relationship between breastfeeding and being overweight in early childhood.Methods: Data were collected from the State and Local Area Integrated Telephone survey; National Survey of Children's Health, 2003. Overall, 16,358 children, ages 3 to 5, were included in the sample. SPSS Complex Sample software was utilized to generate for all analyses. Complex samples …

Low-Dose/High-Concentration Localized Botulinum Toxin A Improves Upper Limb Movement And Function In Children With Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy, Kevin Lowe, Iona Novak, Anne Cusick

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

The objective was to determine the effects of low-dose, highconcentration, dual localized botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) injections on upper limb movement quality and function. Study design was an evaluator-blinded, randomized, controlled trial. Forty-two children (31 males, 11 females; range 2–8y, mean 4y [SD 1.6]) with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (Gross Motor Function Classification System level I)participated. All received occupational therapy. The treatment group (n=21) received one injection series (mean muscles injected 6 [SD 1.05]; total dose 82–220 units, mean 139 [SD 37.48]; dilution 100 units/0.5ml). Primary outcome of Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test (QUEST) at 6 months was not significant …

Using Acceptance And Commitment Training In The Support Of Parents Of Children Diagnosed With Autism, John T. Blackledge, Steven Hayes

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Parents of autistic children face enormous challenges, but very little attention has been paid to their psychological needs. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) has previously been tested with parents as part of a comprehensive package, but not yet alone. The present study used a within-subject, repeated measures design to test the effects of a 2-day (14 hour) group ACT workshop on 20 normal parents/guardians of children diagnosed with autism. Parents were assessed three weeks before the workshop, one week before, one week after, and three months after. No significant change occurred while waiting for treatment, but pre to post improvements …

Education And Disadvantaged Children, Judy Cashmore, Michelle Townsend

Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute

The difficulties faced with specific reference to meeting the special needs of Aboriginal children, children with disabilities, children from non-English speaking backgrounds, and children in rural and particularly small and isolated communities are discussed. The efforts by schools concerning children's access to computers and participation in school activities including sports, excursions, social events including fun days which should not be limited by their families' financial situation, is highlighted.

An Assessment Of Obese And Non Obese Girls’ Metabolic Rate During Television Viewing, Reading, And Resting., Theodore V. Cooper, L. M. Klesges, M. W. Debon, R. C. Klesges, M. L. Shelton

Theodore V. Cooper

No abstract provided.

Gastrointestinal Basidiobolomycosis As A Rare Etiology Of Bowel Obstruction, Alireza Fahimzad, Abdollah Karimi, Sedigheh Rafiee Tabatabaei, Mahbubeh Gerami Zadeh

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Basidiobolomycosis is an unusual fungal infection that manifests in the skin and rarely involves the gastrointestinal tract. Gastrointestinal Basidiobolomycosis is rarely reported in the medical literature. We report a 1.5-year-old boy from the south of Iran with bowel obstruction which was diagnosed as gastrointestinal Basidiobolomycosis.

Pastoral Care In Education, Lydia Hearn, Renee Campbell-Pope, Joanne House, Donna Cross

Research outputs pre 2011

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1. During the past decade, there has been growing recognition the school environment plays a major role in the social and emotional competence and wellbeing of children. As a consequence, increasing national and international commitment has been directed towards the development of Health Promoting Schools2, with efforts being made to assess how curriculum and pastoral practice can best contribute to students’ social, emotional, physical and moral wellbeing. Within Australia, the National Safe Schools Framework3 has set as a key priority the importance of achieving a shared vision of physical and emotional safety and wellbeing for all students …

Lack Of Knowledge Of Mother-To-Child Transmission In Kenya Among Women Ages 15-49, Nisha Warrier

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: The epidemic of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV/AIDS in resource-poor countries is dramatic; it is responsible for nearly 90% of childhood infections. The primary purpose of analysis was to understand the distribution of factors and their association with lack of knowledge of MTCT in Kenya. In parallel, another aim was to identify the relationship between media, particularly frequency of radio exposure, and lack of knowledge.Methods: This study used the 2003 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) collected for 8,195 women, ages 15-49. Descriptive analysis, univariate analysis, and logistic regression were completed on SPSS 14 software.Results: In the sample, 1151 …

Factors Associated With Hospital Commitment To Provide Child/Adolescent Psychiatric Services, Lea Anne Gardner

Theses and Dissertations

General acute care hospitals play a particularly important role in the delivery of children's mental health given the extant lack of alternatives to long term hospitals for patients requiring a restrictive treatment environment (Glied and Cuellar, 2003). This cross-sectional study identifies environmental and organizational factors associated with general acute care and children's hospitals in the United States that provide hospital-based child/adolescent psychiatric services and the number of services. Two macro-level theories, Resource Dependence Theory and Institutional Theory were used to identify environmental and organizational factors. A nationwide sample of hospitals was drawn from the 2003 AHA annual survey. Data from …

Short-Term And Working Memory In Children With Specific Language Impairment, Lisa M. D. Archibald

Communication Sciences and Disorders Publications

Investigations of the cognitive processes underlying Specific Language Impairment (SLI) have implicated deficits in the storage and processing of phonological or verbal information. This thesis reports five studies that investigated the role of short-term and working memory in children with SLI. Study 1 demonstrated SLI deficits on measures of verbal working memory, and short-term memory for verbal but not visuospatial information. Study 2 provided evidence that children with SLI perform at age-level on visuospatial working memory measures. Study 3 demonstrated slower processing in the SLI group across domains, as well as verbal storage decrements, with the greatest deficits found for …

Eliciting Facial Expressions In Children With And Without Down Syndrome, Orietta Coz

Master's Theses

This study investigated facial expressions of children between the ages of 10 and 15 years with Down Syndrome (experimental group) and compared them to typically developing children (control group). Elicitation of facial expressions was carried out through showings of video clips. Trained observers were used to code expressions of happiness, anger, and disgust from video recordings that were made of the children’s reactions while they watched the video clips.

I hypothesized that Down Syndrome children will not differ from typically developing children in the frequency of elicited happy expressions. However, I expected them to differ in the frequency of elicited …

Process Evaluation Of A School- And Home-Based Sun Safety Education Intervention, Robyn S. Johnston

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Effective interventions that reduce children's sun exposure are likely to reduce melanoma incidence in the longer term. However, for such interventions to have an impact they must be adequately implemented. School-based sun protection programs have been evaluated to determine their effectiveness in changing behaviours, however, few studies have assessed the implementation of such programs, or the effect of their implementation on outcomes. Kidskin was a five-year intervention trial designed to assess the effectiveness of a multicomponent intervention in reducing sun exposure in children in Perth, Western Australia. This thesis describes the process evaluation of the school- and home-based educational components …