Volume 11, Issue 2

No abstract available.

This paper reviews effective school-based drug prevention programs implemented in the United States. Research studies in major academic databases, policy review papers from academic and research institutes, and government reports from funding and administrative agencies related to school-based drug prevention were reviewed. The states of California and Washington were used as examples to understand state-level efforts to implement drug prevention. Common principles of exemplar school-based drug prevention programs according to structure, content, and delivery were summarized. Relevant legislation and funding schemes that guide the implementation of such programs in the United States were likewise identified. Effective program principles, legislation, and funding schemes in the United States provide valuable lessons for determining future directions for drug prevention programs in Hong Kong.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate levels of C-reactive protein (CRPpf), glucose (Gpf) and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) of pleural effusions in patients with empyema (E) (n=18), complicated parapneumonic effusions (CPPE) (n=27) and uncomplicated parapneumonic effusions (UPPEs) (n=26). The control group (n=38) was comprised of patients with malignant effusions. We determined the correlation with the values of CRPpf with LDHpf and Gpf, as well as the presence of PPE complications, which determine if there is a relationship between the values of CRPpf in research groups and PPE complications. Data were analyzed by ANOVA, Mann-Whitney U-test and Spearman’s correlation analysis. The levels of CRPpf in patients with E were 76.44±30.55, in patients with CPPE 46.42±22.1, in patients with UPPE 23.56±19.38 and lower in the malignant groups 17.27±12.9. The area under the curve for distinguishing CPPE from E was 0.882±0.044 with 95% CI for CRP and sensitivity 0.667; specificity 0.962. As for the discrimination of CPPE vs. E, it was CRP≥65.5. The relationship between levels of CRPpf and pleural adhesions in patients with PPE was not found. We conclude that CRPpf levels can help in the diagnosis of PPE, but cannot predict long-term complications.

Chinese secondary school students in Shanghai (n=3022) responded to instruments measuring their subjective evaluation of parental behavioral control (including dimensions of parental knowledge, expectation, monitoring, discipline, and demandingness) and parental psychological control. As regards the interrelationships among different dimensions of parental behavioral control, different indicators of parental behavioral control were interrelated, and parental monitoring was the strongest predictor of parental knowledge. Different aspects of parental behavioral control were differentially related to parental psychological control. Results also show that paternal behavioral control was perceived to be significantly lower than maternal behavioral control in terms of different indicators of behavioral control. The theoretical and practical implications of the present findings are discussed.

Chinese secondary school students (n=3022) responded to measures of adolescent hopelessness, perceived parental behavioral control, parental psychological control, and parent-child relational qualities. Results show that roughly one-fifth of the Chinese adolescents displayed signs of hopelessness. Adolescent hopelessness was positively related to age, and boys displayed a lower level of hopelessness than did girls. Adolescent hopelessness was also related to parental education, marital status of the parents, and economic disadvantage. Whereas parental behavioral control was negatively related to adolescent hopelessness, parental psychological control was positively associated with adolescent hopelessness. Adolescents who perceived parent-child relational qualities to be better showed a lower level of hopelessness. Parental psychological control and parental trust emerged as the two important predictors of adolescent hopelessness in Chinese adolescents.

Religious affiliation has been associated with the prevalence of the human immune-deficiency virus (HIV) in India and South Africa. Limited research has explored whether any such association exists in Malawi. The current study, using data from the Malawi Demographic and Health Survey (MDHS) 2004–2005, was conducted to examine the association among religion, HIV infection, and sexual behaviors among 15–49-year-old women. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association. A total of 2609 women were included, of whom 2181 (83.5%) were Christians and 407 (15.6%) were Muslims, reported ever having sex and had HIV test results within the survey. In multi-variate analysis assessing HIV infection, no differences were observed among Protestants and Catholics, Muslims, and all Christians combined or between Catholics compared with individual religious denominations. The lack of disparity in HIV infection across religious groups was observed despite the fact that there were some differences in sexual behaviors. In the predominantly Christian society of Malawi, where almost all people are affiliated with one religion or the other and Islam is the second largest religion, differences in HIV prevalence by religion was not observed as has been reported in other settings. This lack of disparity was the case although there were some differences in sexual behaviors, such as in premarital sex and condom use at sexual debut, which have potential to influence risk of HIV infection. We suggest that the lack of sexual networks’ boundaries defined by religion may explain this finding.

This study examined the prevalence of internet addition among Hong Kong adolescents and its psychosocial correlates in a large sample of early adolescents in Hong Kong. A total of 3328 students (age=12.59±0.74 years) were recruited from 28 secondary schools in Hong Kong. Using Young’s 10-item internet addiction test, 26.4% of the participants were classified as having internet addiction. Age and having divorced parents were positively correlated with pathological use of the internet, while higher academic competence, general positive youth development, and positive and clear identity predicted a lower probability of internet addiction. These results demonstrate that internet addiction has become an emergent youth problem in Hong Kong, which deserves more attention from researchers and professionals. Preventive strategies aiming at risk and protective factors identified in the present study should be developed and implemented.

Consumption of pornographic materials was examined in 3328 Secondary 1 students in Hong Kong. Results showed that over 90% of the respondents had never consumed pornographic materials in the past year. Compared to traditional pornography, internet pornography was the most common medium that participants used when viewing pornographic materials. Males reported a higher level of pornography exposure than females did. Results showed that different measures of positive youth development and family functioning were related to adolescents’ consumption of pornographic materials. In general, higher levels of positive youth development and better family functioning were related to a lower level of pornography consumption. The relative contribution of positive youth development and family factors to consumption of pornographic materials was also explored.

Delinquency and problem behavior intention were examined in 3328 secondary one students in Hong Kong. Over 60% of the respondents had cheated and spoken foul language over the past year, but majority had never engaged in other problem behaviors, such as sexual intercourse, staying outside their home overnight, gang fighting, and truancy. A significant proportion of the respondents would attempt to engage in delinquent behaviors in the coming 2 years, including drinking alcohol and gambling. Males reported higher levels of delinquency and problem behavior intention than did females. Higher family functioning, academic competence, pro social attributes, and general positive youth development predicted a lower likelihood of delinquency and problem behavior intention. These results shed light on the importance of early intervention work at individual, school, and family levels.

We are presenting a case of acute stridor in a 78-year-old patient with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In the left lateral pulmonary graph, a shadow with levels was noticed. An expiratory and inspiratory plateau was recorded on the flow-volume curve. Bronchological examination ruled out the presence of bronchial and tracheal obstruction. Extramural tracheal compression was confirmed. Proximal endoscopy and barium meal examination were performed. As a result, the patient was diagnosed with hiatal hernia which had caused the acute stridor. The patient was referred to a surgeon.

Rett syndrome (RS) is a neurodevelopmental syndrome characterized by arrested brain development. The disorder is caused by a faulty gene on the X chromosome, mainly affecting females. The syndrome usually manifests itself through vast clinical impairments in functional abilities, including motor ones. According to different studies, only 50%–75% of all affected females will achieve walking abi\xadlity, and some will lose this ability later in life. The benefits of living a physically active life both for handicapped and non-handicapped individuals have been vastly described in the literature. As the life expectancy of individuals with RS is around 50 years of age and because of the medical and functional difficulties accompanying this syndrome, it is extremely important that the person with RS will have a continuous active lifestyle from a young age. Several case studies have described the re-gaining of lost walking ability, aside from the achievements of gait, in this population because of intensive intervention. The present article explores the benefits of walking for this population and describes a person with RS who regained her walking ability at the age of 28 because of an intensive and comprehensive program after being in a wheelchair for over 5 years. The present case study supports the existing literature and calls for health-related professionals working with this population to implement similar programs with individuals with RS because of the importance of maintaining an active lifestyle for all human beings, especially those with disabilities.

No abstract available.