[Changes in the number of suicide attempts in the NPC region since the start of VigilanS: First estimates]. / Évolutions du nombre de tentatives de suicide dans le Nord-PasdeCalais depuis l'implantation de VigilanS : premières estimations.

BACKGROUND: The implementation of a surveillance program after a suicide attempt (SA) is a very innovative step in the evolution of our system of care. It was interesting to know if we observe a decline in suicide attempts in the region, in particular of recurrences of SA. METHOD: We measured the evolution of the number of suicide attempts before and after implantation of VigilanS, using two types of analysis: a first from the national medical information systems in Medicine-Surgery-Obstetrics (PMSI-MCO) and a second from the collection of the ER stays for SA in the hospitals involved in the VigilanS program. RESULTS: In 2014 (year before start of VigilanS), a total of 10 119 ER stays for SA was observed (5626 women and4463 men); in 2017, the total was 9.230 stays for SA (5047 women and 3 839 men), representing a decrease of 13.5%. The reduction was balanced between men (-14%) and women (-10%). Based on the figures of PMSI, we see an acceleration of the reduction of stay for SA in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais after 2014 (-16% instead of -6%), instead of the two Picardy departments the most comparable which show a degradation of the phenomenon (+13%), and opposed to the Department of the Oise which shows a stable maintenance of the current decline (-12%). CONCLUSION: These two indicators are imperfect, but evolution over three years since the implementation of VigilanS goes in the same direction. We find a uncoupling of a hospital stay in connection with a SA. The intensity of this decline seems correlated to the penetrance of the program.

[Suicidal behavior prevention for children under age 13: A systematic review]. / Prévention des conduites suicidaires de l'enfant de moins de 13ans : une revue de la littérature.

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to review international literature on suicidal behavior prevention for children under age 13. METHODS: We gathered all relevant articles on suicide prevention for children under 13. We researched all publications in the French and English languages in PubMed (MEDLINE), PsychINFO and SUDOC databases published until February 2014, with the keywords "child", "child preschool", "prevention and control", "suicide", and "suicide attempted". Publications were included if they described suicidal behavior prevention programs (suicide prevention programs, attempted-suicide prevention programs, suicidal ideation screening programs), and if the studies concerned children under age 13. We also included references cited in the articles if they were not already present in our searches but met inclusion criteria. Studies were excluded if they analyzed populations of children and adolescents without sub-analysis for children under age 13. RESULTS: A total of 350 potentially relevant articles were identified, 33 of which met the inclusion criteria, including 4 retrieved from articles' bibliography. Preventive measures against suicidal behavior for children under 13 exist and include: social programs, maltreatment prevention, curriculum-based suicide prevention programs, suicide screening in schools, gatekeepers, reduction of access of lethal means of suicide, suicide screening by primary care, and post-suicide intervention programs. Overall, the evidence was limited by methodological concerns, particularly a lack of RCTs. However, positive effects were found: school-based suicide prevention programs and gatekeepers increased knowledge about suicide and how to seek help, post-suicide programs helped to reduce psychological distress in the short term. One study showed a decreased risk of attempted-suicide after entry into the child welfare system. CONCLUSION: There are promising interventions but there is not enough scientific evidence to support any efficient preventive measure against suicidal behavior for children under 13, whether primary, secondary, tertiary or post-intervention. More research is needed.

Parents' Autistic Personality Traits and Sex-Biased Family Ratio Determine the Amount of Technical Toy Choice.

We investigated the effect of parents' autism quotient (AQ), their sex and the sex of their children on their toy preference. In a computerized forced-choice shopping task, adults selected from cuddly and social role-playing toys (social toys), academic, music and sports toys (educational toys) and construction sets as well as cars (technical toys). A sex-balanced high and low AQ sample of 160 adults consisted of groups of parents of sons only, daughters only, sons and daughters, as well as of a group of adults without children (non-parents). The standard toy preference was social toys < educational toys < technical toys. Low AQ women were the only group to make a significantly higher amount of educational and a lower amount of technical toy choices. The mere presence of just sons increased technical toy choice in this experiment, while the mere presence of just daughters reduced technical toy choice both in men and high AQ individuals.

Hyperactivity-inattention symptoms in childhood and suicidal behaviors in adolescence: the Youth Gazel Cohort.

OBJECTIVE: Although a link has been suggested between attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and completed suicide, little is known about the association with suicidal behaviors in community settings. This study addresses the relationship between childhood hyperactivity-inattention symptoms (HI-s) and subsequent suicidal behaviors. METHOD: Nine hundred sixteen subjects aged 7-18 were recruited from the general population and surveyed in 1991 and 1999. Parent and adolescent self-reports provided psychopathology and suicidal behavior pattern measures. Multivariate modeling was used to evaluate the effects of childhood HI-s and other risk factors on adolescent suicidal behaviors. RESULTS: In males, HI-s independently accounted for the risk of lifetime suicide plans/attempts (OR=3.25, P = 0.02) and adolescent 12-month prevalence rates of suicide plans/attempts (OR=5.46, P = 0.03). In females, HI-s did not independently heighten the likelihood of suicidal behaviors. CONCLUSION: This survey suggests a possible specific link between HI-s and suicide plans/attempts in males.

Examining the influence of drop-outs in a follow-up of maintained opiate users.

INTRODUCTION: In most longitudinal studies of problem opiate users, drop-outs are frequent, but not taken into account. However, missing data can induce important bias in parameters estimates. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the influence of drop-outs in the statistical analysis of a follow-up of opiate users in maintenance treatment. METHODS: Participants were 519 patients who had sought maintenance treatment between 1994 and 2001. Drug use was studied using the drug composite score of the Addiction Severity Index. A classical data analysis (linear mixed effects model for repeated measurements) was compared with a selection model, which consists, in this case, of a joint modelling of the score and of the drop-out probability in order to reduce bias induced by drop-outs. RESULTS: At 18 months, 38% of the patients were available for evaluation. Drop-outs were associated with low drug use and were informative. Each model showed that the score decreased over time and that it was associated with psychiatric problems. Unlike the classical method, the joint model showed no significant association between the score and age or treatment setting. CONCLUSIONS: These results show the importance of accounting for informative drop-outs in data analysis before drawing conclusions from such studies.

Sexual repertoires of heterosexuals: implications for HIV/sexually transmitted disease risk and prevention. The ACSF Group, Analyse des Comportements Sexuels en France.

OBJECTIVE: To provide a quantitative and population-based analysis of sexual repertoires among heterosexuals. DESIGN: The French National Survey of Sexual Behaviour (ACSF), conducted between September 1991 and February 1992 on a representative sample of the population aged 18-69 years. METHODS: Sexual practices of the last heterosexual encounter were investigated among 4261 individuals; we measured the combinations of different practices and their correlations with age, and calculated frequencies for the main repertoires and their correlations with the interpartner relationship. RESULTS: Vaginal penetration and caressing were almost systematic, self-masturbation and anal penetration were rare, while mutual masturbation and orogenital practices had intermediate levels of occurrence. Examination of the correlations revealed (1) a very high correlation between practices which are reciprocal or symmetrical, (2) a strong association between genito-manual and genito-oral practices, (3) an association between anal penetration and fellatio, and (4) no clear correlation between any set of practices and vaginal sex or condom use. A small number of repertoires accounted for the vast majority of encounters. Younger people tended to have a more diversified repertoire. Repertoire types and diversity were strongly correlated to the pattern of interpartner relationship, independently of age. CONCLUSIONS: Reciprocity seems a standard feature of the heterosexual repertoire. The absence of a negative correlation between vaginal or anal penetration and other practices argues against promotion of the latter as substitute for the former. By contrast, the independence between condom use and any specific repertoire argues for its promotion as a universal means of protection.

Natural history of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection in children: prognostic value of laboratory tests on the bimodal progression of the disease.

This study analyzes the correlation of basic laboratory test results with clinical outcome in 94 children with perinatally acquired human immunodeficiency virus 1 infection who did not receive zidovudine during the study period of 1983 to 1988. Two life-threatening conditions highly correlated with survival, opportunistic infection and severe encephalopathy, were the end points of the study. At a median age of 25 months 30 (32%) of the 94 children had developed such conditions (Group I), and their survival at 3 years of age was 48% (95% confidence interval, 24 to 72%), contrasting with the 97% survival rate (95% confidence interval, 94 to 100%) of the remaining 64 (68%) children who had not developed such conditions by age 25 months. (Group II). Compared with children in Group II, children with life-threatening complications were more likely at the onset of symptoms to be younger and have a lower CD4 count, an impaired in vitro lymphocytic proliferation and a lack of p18 or p25 antibodies in the Western blot profile and, during the progression of the disease, a negative slope of the subsequent CD4 counts. These results highlight the need for an early diagnosis of the human immunodeficiency virus 1 infection in children and demonstrate that it is possible to determine the prognosis of their disease as early as in the first year of life.

Sudden infant death and immunization: an extensive epidemiological approach to the problem in France--winter 1986.

In March 1986 five sudden infant deaths were reported, following the diphtheria-tetanus toxoids-pertussis and inactivated poliomyelitis virus (DTP-IPV) immunization of the infants concerned. An epidemiological study was carried out in order to investigate the possibility of a relationship between this immunization and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). A detailed examination of the five cases had been carried out by a doctor. An exhaustive survey of all postneonatal deaths occurring between January and March 1986 was conducted and also a matched case-control survey. No significant differences were found in the immunization rates between SIDS and other causes of death, nor between SIDS and living controls. These results are compared with the results from previously published studies on the topic.

Role of systemic inflammatory response syndrome and infection in the occurrence of early multiple organ dysfunction syndrome following severe trauma.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of infection and systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) on the occurrence of early posttraumatic MODS. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: University Teaching Hospital ICU. PATIENTS: 163 consecutive patients hospitalized for more than 48 hours following severe trauma. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The patients were classified into two groups in respect to the existence of MODS at day 2. There was 27 patients in the MODS group and 136 patients in the no MODS group. The two groups were similar with respect to age, sex ratio and Simplified Acute Physiology Score. The MODS group had a higher mortality (52 versus 7%), Injury Severity Score (45 +/- 14 versus 31 +/- 13), hypovolemic shock rate (74 versus 30%), massive volume replacement rate (59 versus 6%) and SIRS rate (81 versus 54%) than the no MODS group (P < 0.05). The rate of infection was similarly low in the MODS and no MODS group (4 versus 6% respectively). CONCLUSION: Early MODS is often associated with hypotension and massive volume administration but very rarely with infection, despite the high rate of SIRS.

Physician recognition of active drug use in HIV-infected patients is lower than validity of patient's self-reported drug use.

A French survey of 325 HIV-infected subjects with a history of injecting drugs allowed us to study the recognition of patients' injection drug use (IDU) by physicians providing HIV-infection care, and to analyze the correlation between patient demographics and incorrect IDU identification. Kappa for concordance of physician's reports of their patient's IDU with patient's declaration was 0.37; concordance was lower among socially vulnerable patients. This contrasted with a nested study of validity of patient's self-report of opioid use: Kappa for patient's declaration of opioid use within the past two days against a biological assay was 0.61, and concordance was higher among socially vulnerable patients. Concordance of physicians' ratings and patients' reports of IDU was not more than fair, even though physicians were knowledgeable about their patient's IDU history. This concordance varied with social status in a way that did not correspond with variations in self-reported opioid use validity, suggesting that identification of active IDU might be partly based on incorrect interpretation of subjective cues.

HIV testing, knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and practices among minorities: pregnant women of North-African origin in southeastern France.

Since 1991, the French public health ministry has recommended that human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing be offered to all pregnant women. This study was undertaken to determine whether this recommendation is followed independently of a woman's ethnicity. It is based on a 1992 survey regarding knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and practices on HIV infection and testing among pregnant women in southeastern France. Survey results revealed that North-African women (n = 207) were more likely to have a low socioeconomic and educational level, receive their health care at public health institutions, and be less knowledgeable about HIV transmission than French women (n = 2234). They were also more likely to have been tested for HIV without their knowing it and less likely to perceive themselves as being at risk. Consent to undergo HIV testing during pregnancy was dependent on their North-African origin after controlling for significant covariates. These results indicate that routine prenatal screening appears insufficient to ensure adequate HIV testing and counseling of women of ethnic minorities. The development of HIV prevention programs that are cultural-specific and that aim at increasing physicians' compliance with the official recommendation is needed.

[Trends in HIV prenatal screening from 1992 to 1994 in South Eastern France]. / Evolution entre 1992 et 1994 du dépistage prénatal du virus de l'immunodéficience humaine (VIH) en provence-alpes-côte d'azur, France.

BACKGROUND: To study trends in HIV testing among pregnant women before and after the introduction of mandatory screening in January 1993. METHODS: The study was based on data from the Prevagest surveys which were carried out in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in samples of pregnant women who just delivered in 1992 (n = 2,775) and 1994 (n = 2,701). RESULTS: The proportion of women declaring that they had been tested during pregnancy increased from 63% in 1992 to 73% in 1994 (p < 0.001). The percentage of women who believe they were tested without consent decreased from 14% in 1992 to 6% in 1994 (p < 0.001). In 1994, 86% nevertheless declared that they received no information on AIDS and its prevention during their pregnancy. After adjustment by a logistic model, type of prenatal care and educational level longer appeared in 1994 to be associated with a lower probability of declaring having been tested. On the contrary, women originating from North Africa, those younger than 25 years and married women had a lower probability of declaring that they have been tested in 1994 as well as 1992. CONCLUSIONS: This study stresses the need for improved communication between public health professionals and practitioners and the establishment of effective training programs in HIV preventive counselling for health professionals in charge of prenatal care.

[Suicide attempts and panic disorder: a study of 62 hospitalized suicidal patients]. / Tentatives de suicide et trouble panique: étude de 62 suicidants hospitalisés.

Suicidal behaviours are multifactorial behaviours. While, historically, anxiety has not been regarded as an important risk factor in suicidal behaviours, recent epidemiological studies carried out on general population or panic patients have evidenced the possible links between suicidal behaviours and the occurrence of panic attacks. The aim of our study was to validate the hypothesis which stipulates that panic disorder may contribute to an actualization of suicidal behaviour in trying to establish the prevalence of panic disorder in a population of suicidal attempters. The diagnoses were reached after an interview using the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia-Lifetime Version modified for the study of Anxiety disorders (SADS-LA). The medical seriousness of the suicide attempts was assessed with the Risk Rescue Rating Scale (RRRS) of Weissman and Worden and the suicidal intent with the Suicidal Intent Scale of Beck (SIS). In the 62 suicide attempters hospitalized after minor or slightly more serious suicide attempts, we found high current and life-time prevalence of panic disorder (17.7% and 22.6% respectively). Comorbidity with major depressive episodes and addictive behaviours in suicide attempters with panic disorder was high. Current comorbidity rates were 72.8% and 27.3% respectively; life-time comorbidity rates were 71.4% and 21.4%. Patients who suffered from major depressive disorder with related panic disorder were given to more impulsive suicide attempts, even if the difference with depressed patients without panic disorder was statistically insignificant.

[Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and related syndromes. Critical analysis of biological tests of cell-mediated immunity]. / Syndrome d'immunodéficit acquis et syndromes apparentés. Analyse critique des examens biologiques de l'immunité à médiation cellulaire.

In order to assess the actual value of the in vitro tests of cellular immunity performed to provide diagnostic evidence for acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) or related syndromes, we have evaluated T-lymphocyte subsets and in vitro proliferative responses. The respective profiles of 44 symptom-free homosexual men, 30 patients with AIDS and 42 patients with lymphadenopathy were compared with each other and with profiles of blood bank volunteers, using stepwise discriminant analysis. At first investigation, control homosexuals, AIDS patients and lymphadenopathy patients displayed varying degrees of the same type of immunological abnormalities. The percentage of OKT4+ cells was the most discriminant variable between blood donors and control homosexuals, AIDS or lymphadenopathy patients. The latter differed from homosexuals by a higher percent of OKT8+ cells and from AIDS patients by a lesser reduction in T-lymphocyte counts. OKT4+ cell counts differentiated AIDS patients from control homosexuals. However, none of these major discriminant variables could classify correctly more than 70% of subjects in the homosexual and in the two patient groups. Thus, a single investigation of T-lymphocyte immune parameters does not provide substantial diagnostic and prognostic evidence.

Prevalence of Mental Disorders in Martinique, French West Indies: A Community-based Epidemiological Study / Prevalencia de los trastornos mentales en Martinica, Antillas Francesas: un estudio epidemiológico comunitario

ABSTRACT Objective: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of mental disorders in the population of Martinique, as part of the survey entitled 'Mental Health in the General Population - Images and Realities ' (Santé Mentale en Population Générale - Images et Réalités). The survey was a multicentre epidemiological study in the general population, conducted in mainland France and French overseas islands between 1997 and 2006, under the authority of the World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Training and Research in Mental Health (Lille, France). Methods: The study took place in 2000. Participants aged 18 years or over were recruited in public places, using the quota sampling method, and interviewed using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Results: A total of 900 participants (52.7% women) with a mean age of 43 years completed the survey. Lifetime prevalence of any mental disorder was 29%. Mood (15%) and anxiety disorders (17%) were the most frequent. The rate of suicide attempts was low (4.2% lifetime), while the frequency of suicidal thoughts was high (11% past month) and similar to the frequency in mainland France. Conclusion: Mental disorders, especially mood and anxiety disorders, were as frequent in Martinique as in mainland France. The lower rates of suicide attempts, in spite of high rates of suicidal thoughts, might deserve further investigation. Our results should strengthen the development of a system of diagnosis and care for these disorders, especially to prevent suicidal behaviours and reduce morbidity and mortality.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Este estudio tuvo por objeto estimar la prevalencia de los trastornos mentales en la población de Martinica, como parte de la encuesta intitulada 'Salud Mental en la Población General - Imágenes y Realidades ' (Santé mentale at Population Générale - Images et Réalités). La encuesta fue un estudio epidemiológico multicéntrico en la población general, realizado en Francia continental y en las islas francesas de ultramar entre 1997 y 2006, bajo la autoridad del Centro de Colaboración de la Organización Mundial de la Salud para la Formación y la Investigación de la Salud Mental (Lille, Francia). Métodos: El estudio tuvo lugar en el año 2000. Los participantes mayores de 18 años fueron reclutados en lugares públicos, utilizando el método de muestreo por cuotas, y entrevistados usando la Mini Entrevista Neuropsiquiátrica Internacional. Resultados: Un total de 900 participantes (52.7% mujeres) con edad promedio de 43 años completó la encuesta. La prevalencia de por vida de cualquier trastorno mental fue de 29%. Los estados de ánimo (15%) y los trastornos de ansiedad (17%) fueron los más frecuentes. La tasa de intentos de suicidio fue baja (4.2% por tiempo de vida), mientras que la frecuencia de los pensamientos suicidas fue alta (11% el mes pasado) y similar a la frecuencia en la Francia continental. Conclusión: Los trastornos mentales, especialmente los estados de ánimo y los trastornos de ansiedad, eran tan frecuentes en Martinica como en la Francia continental. Las tasas más bajas de intentos de suicidio, a pesar de los altos índices de pensamientos suicidas, podrían merecer investigación adicional. Nuestros resultados deben fortalecer el desarrollo de un sistema de diagnóstico y cuidado para estos trastornos, especialmente para prevenir comportamientos suicidas y reducir la morbilidad y la mortalidad.

Disruptive symptoms in childhood and adolescence and early initiation of tobacco and cannabis use: the Gazel Youth study.

PURPOSE: To examine the link between symptoms of hyperactivity-inattention and conduct disorder in childhood, and the initiation of tobacco and cannabis use, controlling for other behavioral symptoms, temperament and environmental risk factors. METHOD: The sample (N=1107 participants, aged 4 to 18 years at baseline) was recruited from the population-based longitudinal Gazel Youth study with a follow-up assessment 8 years later. Psychopathology, temperament, environmental variables, and initiation of tobacco and cannabis use were self-reported. Event time analyses were performed to assess the effects of childhood disruptive symptoms on age at first use of tobacco and cannabis. RESULTS: Proportional hazard models revealed that participants with high levels of childhood symptoms of both hyperactivity-inattention and conduct disorder were at highest risk of early tobacco initiation (in males: hazard ratio [HR]=2.05; confidence interval [CI]: 1.24-3.38; in females: HR=2.01; CI: 1.31-3.09), and, in males, of early cannabis initiation (HR=1.95; CI: 1.04-3.64). Temperament, through activity in both males and females and negative emotionality in females, was also associated to early substance use initiation. CONCLUSIONS: Children who simultaneously have high levels of symptoms of hyperactivity-inattention and conduct disorder are at increased risk for early substance initiation. These associations may guide childhood health professionals to consider the liability for early substance initiation in high-risk groups.

Partner-specific sexual practices among heterosexual men and women with multiple partners: results from the French national survey, ACSF. Analyse des Comportements Sexuel en France.

Heterosexual men and women with several partners are at risk of acquiring and transmitting sexually transmitted diseases and HIV. Risk depends on parameters such as the sexual practices themselves which may vary according to the type of partner (regular vs. casual). It is therefore important to describe the sexual practices and identify the correlations between the type of partner and these practices among heterosexuals with multiple partners. A subsample of all subjects having had at least two sexual partners during the previous year (n = 1644) was obtained from the ACSF survey (n = 20,055), the French national telephone survey on sexual behavior conducted between September 1991 and February 1992. Questions concerned in particular sexual practices of the last encounter as well as type of partner. Petting and vaginal penetration were almost systematic, mutual manual stimulation and orogenital sex were common, while self-masturbation and anal sex were infrequent. On average, a condom was seldom used. However, it was used more often when the partner was occasional. Nonpenetrative and oral practices were also more frequent with occasional partners. Women tended to report lower frequencies of practices and of condom use than men. A subset of heterosexuals with multiple partners engaged in safe sex. Practices tend to be partner-specific, with safer sex practices more likely to occur with occasional partners, although the magnitude of the difference is moderate.

Sociodemographic characteristics and sexual behavior of bisexual men in France: implications for HIV prevention. The French National Survey on Sexual Behavior Group.

The French National Survey on Sexual Behavior was used to identify sociodemographic characteristics and sexual behavior of bisexually active men, as distinct from both homosexually and heterosexually active men. In regard to number of partners and frequency of unprotected vaginal sex, bisexuals were similar to multipartnered heterosexuals. On sociodemographic criteria, they differed from both homosexuals and heterosexuals. Bisexual men reported fewer partners than homosexuals but seemed more likely to engage in risk behavior related to the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), and they were less likely to have ever had a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) test. These results justify prevention efforts specially adapted for bisexuals.

Alcohol or drug use and compliance with safer sex guidelines for STD/HIV infection. Results from the French National Survey on Sexual Behavior (ACSF) among heterosexuals. Analyse des Comportements Sexuels en France.

BACKGROUND: Available literature shows that association of alcohol and/or drug use with unsafe sexual practices is not established, in contradistinction to the well-established association between such substance use and the sexual milieu itself. GOAL: To analyze these two kinds of associations in a population-based sample of heterosexuals in France. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional telephone survey of the French adult heterosexual population in the early 1990s (n = 4213). RESULTS: Subjects at risk were more likely than those not at risk to have consumed alcohol before sex; this was not the case for drug use. However, at-risk subjects who engaged in unsafe practice(s) were not more likely to have consumed alcohol or drugs. CONCLUSION: Alcohol consumption appears to be a marker for being in an at-risk situation in France and may be used as such by public health providers. In contrast, the association between alcohol/drug use and unsafe sexual practices is not supported by our study and thus conflicts with prevention strategies to increase compliance with safer sex through alcohol/drug abstinence.