Truancy in secondary pupils: prevalance, trajectories and pupil perspectives

School absenteeism and particularly unauthorized absenteeism or truancy has been the focus of a number of, so far largely unsuccessful, recent policy initiatives. The paper draws upon two sources of data, the British Household Panel Survey and detailed interviews with a group of persistent truants, to consider the extent, consequences and explanations for truancy from secondary schools. Truancy increases steadily across the years of secondary school and, especially in the later years of compulsory schooling there is evidence that patterns of truancy established in one year carry on into the next. Truancy is strongly associated with negative outcomes in terms of not staying in education post-16, GCSE results and becoming unemployed. Coming from families of low socio-economic status, parents not monitoring homework, negative attitudes towards teachers and the value of education are all associated with higher levels of truancy. However, the majority of young people in these situations do not truant and there are many truants who do not have these characteristics. A major explanation given by young people themselves for their non-attendance is poor relationships with teachers, including teachers failing to match their expectations. Other factors mentioned by young people include bullying but also a more general dislike of the atmosphere of the school, sometimes associated with a change of school. There was little evidence of negative responses to the curriculum leading to truancy. It is suggested that we can distinguish between socio-economic and attitudinal factors which make young people vulnerable to truancy and precipitating events or processes which result in truanting behaviour.

Prevalence, trends and associated socio-economic factors of obesity in South Asia

Aim Worldwide obesity levels have increased unprecedentedly over the past couple of decades. Although the prevalence, trends and associated socio-economic factors of the condition have been extensively reported in Western populations, less is known regarding South Asian populations. Methods A review of articles using Medline with combinations of the MeSH terms: 'Obesity', 'Overweight' and 'Abdominal Obesity' limiting to epidemiology and South Asian countries. Results Despite methodological heterogeneity and variation according to country, area of residence and gender , the most recent nationally representative and large regional data demonstrates that without any doubt there is a epidemic of obesity, overweight and abdominal obesity in South Asian countries. Prevalence estimates of overweight and obesity (based on Asian cut-offs: overweight ≥ 23 kg/m(2), obesity ≥ 25 kg/m(2)) ranged from 3.5% in rural Bangladesh to over 65% in the Maldives. Abdominal obesity was more prevalent than general obesity in both sexes in this ethnic group. Countries with the lowest prevalence had the highest upward trend of obesity. Socio-economic factors associated with greater obesity in the region included female gender, middle age, urban residence, higher educational and economic status. Conclusion South Asia is significantly affected by the obesity epidemic. Collaborative public health interventions to reverse these trends need to be mindful of many socio-economic constraints in order to provide long-term solutions.

Estudio de caso. “el papel de los refugiados en la implementación de la política de libre circulación de la cedeao: visto desde el flujo de Liberia a Ghana”

Este estudio de caso tiene como objetivo determinar las implicaciones del flujo de población refugiada en la implementación de la política de libre circulación de la CEDEAO; tomando como referente el flujo desde Liberia hacia Ghana generado por la Guerra Civil. Esta investigación defiende que las implicaciones pueden estar relacionadas a las dinámicas que se asocian al movimiento de personas, las cuales pueden ser negativas o positivas, razón por la cual los Estados pueden reaccionar endureciendo las políticas migratorias, la obtención de permisos laborales y de residencia, y el cierre de fronteras o la expulsión de refugiados; con el fin de evitar consecuencias a nivel político, económico o en materia de seguridad. Para comprobar lo anterior se va a realizará un análisis de texto, sobre posiciones nacionales y políticas comunitarias, así como una revisión de estudios y estadísticas relacionados con el tema.

Ecologia parasitária de isópodos e biologia reprodutiva em tibiro, Oligoplites spp (OSTEICHTHYES: CARANGIDAE) das águas costeiras de Natal, Rio Grande do norte

Oligoplites palometa (Cuvier) and Oligoplites saurus (Bloch & Schneider) (Osteichthyes: Carangidae) are coastal pelagic fish species. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of parasitism by isopods and the reproductive biology of the leather jack, Oligoplites spp. A total of 113 individuals of Oligoplites spp (35 of O. saurus and 78 of O. palometa) were captured during the period between January, 2005 and July, 2007 from the coastal waters of Natal, RN. The morphometric and meristic characters were registered; macroscopic analyses were done to collect the isopod parasites and the gonads were observed to verify the reproductive aspects. The crustacean isopod parasite, Cymothoa spinipalpa (Isopoda: Cymothidae) was encountered on the tongue in the oral cavity in both fish hosts. The parasitic indices of C. spinipalpa showed high values of prevalance of 51,4% for O. saurus and 64,1% for O. palometa. The host presented significant correlations between body mass and body length of O. palometa and the number of parasites. Body lengths of female C. spinipalpa were small due to the limited space available in the oral cavity of the host. There was a significant difference in the sex ratio of O. palometa, males outnumbered the females. The isopod parasites showed specificity to the oral cavity of hosts. Macroscopic analyses of gonads showed four stages of gonadal development for both sex of O. palometa: immature, maturing, mature and spent

Prevalência e determinantes de oclusopatias nas dentições decídua, mista e permanente na cidade do Natal/RN

This work is intended to bring a contribuition to the verification of the prevalance of malocclusion in the deciduous, permanent and mixed dentition in the student population in the city of Natal, Brazil. In this purpose, a sectional study of infantiles aging 5, 8 and 12 years old was carried out. The average prevalance of malocclusions in the group as a whole was 76,5%. Considering the different dentitions separately, the study showed malocclusion prevalence as follows: Deciduous Dentition 75,5%; Mixed Dentition 84% and Permanent Dentition 70,5%. The most common malocclusion cases found in the deciduous dentition were openbite (20.6%); overbite (16.6%) and maxillary overjet (14,7). Mixed Dentition: the most commonly found occlusional malfunctions in this dentitional phase were maxillary overjet (33,8%); crowding (28,3%), and mandillary discrepancy (19,9%). In the univaried analysis, he application of the Chi square test of independence, (significance 5%), has indicated a meaningful association of the variables social class (p=0,019), primata space (p = 0,036), habits (p= 0,002) and time-and-habit (P=0,03). The same test on the permanent dentition group revealed a significant association for the independent variables, as follows: Social class (p=O,OOO), School (p=O,OOI), Income (p=O,OOO), housing standard (p=0,001), facial pattem (p=0,004), caries record (p=0,031). No significant association was found in the mixed dentition. The Logistic Regression analysis on the deciduous dentition has shown that income, ethnicity, habit and canine relationship constitute factors of risk regardless of the other variables. As for the permanent dentition, only Facial Pattem was pointed as a factor of risk for the formation of malocclusion

Household decision making : an exploratory study /

"This study is designed to gain insights into various aspects of family decision making. Specifically, the study examines the prevalance of autonomous versus joint decision making, the incidence of conflict in joint decision making, and the tactics used by individual household members in resolving conflict."

Duelo, ansiedad y depresión en familiares de pacientes en una unidad de cuidados paliativos a los dos meses de la pérdida

Aim: This study is going to assess the prevalance of prolonged grief diagnoses and it will evaluate the severity of the symptoms of depression, anxiety and complicated grief two months after a loved one is lost. We also intend to study which variables associated with the risk of grief could be more decisive when diagnosing it, its symptoms and the consequent emotional distress.Method: A total of 66 families of patients in the Palliative Care Unit (PCU) at Hospital San Cecilio in Granada have been evaluated. Measurements were taken two months after the death. This investigation has explored the existing emotional distress using the following questionnaires: Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Inventory of Complicated Grief (ICG) and Prolongued Grief Disorder (PG-12).Results: The results show that 33.3% and 21.21% of the sufferers had high levels of depression and clinical anxiety two months after the death. The prevalence of prolongued grief diagnoses, according to the PG-12, is 10.6% and 53.03% of the participants showed symptoms of complicated grief according to the ICG. Additionally, statistically significant differences are found in the sufferers with and without a prolongued grief diagnosis and scores in the ICG and BDI-II. The family’s financial situation is linked to the presence of symptoms of anxiety and depression and complicated grief, with the most determining variable being the risk of grief. Finally, the greater the age of the deceased and the longer the time spent in the PCU is linked to fewer symptoms of grief. However, important links have been found between the sufferers who have experienced stressful critical events prior to losing their loved one, with symptoms of depression, anxiety and complicated grief.Conclusions: The high numbers of cases of symptoms of complicated grief and levels of anxiety and clinical depression two months after a death suggests that early interventions should be carried out in those individuals with greater vulnerability.

Erectile dysfunction: prevalence, risk factors and involvement of antihypertensive drugs intervention

Purpose: To explore the literature regarding prevalance, risk factors and the involvement of antihypertensive drugs in erectile dysfunction (ED). Methods: Original research articles, reviews, editorials and case reports published in English language on the prevalence of sexual/erectile dysfunction in hypertensive men taking antihypertensive drugs and risk factors were identified through a search of four bibliographic databases, namely, PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL and EBSCO Health. Results: Recent analyses suggest that hypertensive men of almost all age groups suffer from ED but it is more prevalent in elderly male patients. The involvement of β-blockers was found to be controversial. Nevertheless, some evidence had been found regarding the use of propranolol in high doses. Conclusion: The present review indicates the need for research to unravel the role of β-blockers in the manifestation of ED in hypertensive males, whom there are no contributory factors such as sedentary lifestyle, aging, stress and anxiety, etc.

Ecologia parasitária de isópodos e biologia reprodutiva em tibiro, Oligoplites spp (Osteichthyes: carangidae) das águas costeiras de Natal, Rio Grande do Norte

Oligoplites palometa (Cuvier) and Oligoplites saurus (Bloch & Schneider) (Osteichthyes: Carangidae) are coastal pelagic fish species. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of parasitism by isopods and the reproductive biology of the leather jack, Oligoplites spp. A total of 113 individuals of Oligoplites spp (35 of O. saurus and 78 of O. palometa) were captured during the period between January, 2005 and July, 2007 from the coastal waters of Natal, RN. The morphometric and meristic characters were registered; macroscopic analyses were done to collect the isopod parasites and the gonads were observed to verify the reproductive aspects. The crustacean isopod parasite, Cymothoa spinipalpa (Isopoda: Cymothidae) was encountered on the tongue in the oral cavity in both fish hosts. The parasitic indices of C. spinipalpa showed high values of prevalance of 51,4% for O. saurus and 64,1% for O. palometa. The host presented significant correlations between body mass and body length of O. palometa and the number of parasites. Body lengths of female C. spinipalpa were small due to the limited space available in the oral cavity of the host. There was a significant difference in the sex ratio of O. palometa, males outnumbered the females. The isopod parasites showed specificity to the oral cavity of hosts. Macroscopic analyses of gonads showed four stages of gonadal development for both sex of O. palometa: immature, maturing, mature and spent

Correlates of Vitamin D Status in Healthy Older Adults Living in Miami-Dade and its Association with Non-Skeletal Outcomes: A Cross-Sectional Study

Examining factors that affect vitamin D status in the fast-growing elderly population of Miami-Dade, Florida, is needed. Vitamin D deficiency in older adults has been linked to correlates of disability, including falls and fractures, and cardiovascular disease. The purpose of this study was to determine the proportion of vitamin D insufficient individuals and their relationship with vitamin D insufficiency in older adults (n=97) living in Miami-Dade. We evaluated the association between vitamin D status and 1) dual task physical performance to understand the link between vitamin D and cognition in the context of mobility; and 2) cardiometabolic risk, measured by galvanic skin response, pulse oximetry, and blood pressure to create a composite score based on autonomic nervous system and endothelial function. Participants completed baseline assessments that included serum levels of vitamin D, anthropometrics, body composition, dual task physical performance and cardiometabolic risk. Surveys to evaluate vitamin D intake, sun exposure, physical activity, and depressive symptoms were completed. Spearman’s correlations, independent t-tests, paired t-tests, repeated measures ANOVAs, and multiple logistic and linear regressions were used to examine the relationship of vitamin D insufficiency (25(OH)D /ml) and sufficiency (25(OH)D ≥30 ng/ml) with determinants of vitamin D status, dual task physical performance variables and cardiometabolic risk scores. Although the proportion of vitamin D insufficient individuals was lower when compared to the prevalance of the general United States elderly population, it was still common in healthy community-dwelling older adults living in Miami-Dade County, especially among Hispanics. Factors that affected skin synthesis (ethnicity, and sun exposure), and bioavailability/metabolism (obesity) were significant predictors of vitamin D status. Vitamin D insufficiency was not significantly correlated with worse dual task physical performance; however, cognitive performance was worse in the vitamin D insufficient group. Our results suggest a relationship of vitamin D insufficiency with executive dysfunction, and support an association with cardiometabolic risk using an innovative electro-sensor complex, possibly by modulating autonomic nervous system activity and vascular function, thus affecting cardiac performance.