Psychotic experiences and physical health conditions in the United States.

AIMS: Psychotic experiences are associated with physical health conditions, though the associations have not always been consistent in the literature. The current study examines the associations between psychotic experiences and several physical health conditions across four racial groups in the United States. METHODS: We analyzed data from the Collaborative Psychiatric Epidemiology Surveys to examine the associations between psychotic experiences and physical health conditions across four racial groups (White, Black, Asian, Latino). We used multivariable logistic regression to calculated adjusted odds ratios and 95% Confidence Intervals. RESULTS: Psychotic experiences were significantly associated with several physical health conditions depending on the condition and the racial group being examined. Further, the number of physical health conditions was associated with increasingly greater risk for psychotic experiences in a linear fashion. CONCLUSIONS: Psychotic experiences may serve as useful markers for physical health conditions and overall physical health status. Future studies should examine the underlying mechanisms between psychotic experiences and health, and explore the clinical utility of psychotic experiences for preventive interventions.

TB perspectives among a sample of Mexicans in the United States: results from an ethnographic study.

OBJECTIVE: A study was conducted to describe the sociocultural aspects of tuberculosis (TB) among Mexicans in the U.S. and to provide TB programs with practical recommendations for serving this population. METHODS: In-depth, structured, open-ended interviews were conducted with 50 persons from Mexico living in the U.S. Local bilingual, bicultural researchers conducted the interviews with respondents recruited from TB clinics and surrounding communities. Both qualitative and quantitative strategies were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: We found diverse TB perceptions and attitudes, but few were associated with specific participant characteristics. We detected widespread misperceptions about TB transmission and low perceptions of risk. Anticipated TB stigma among those with no history of disease was qualitatively greater than reported stigma among those who had TB disease. We also detected missed opportunities for TB education. Reported barriers to care included lack of transportation, limited clinic hours, cost of services, inconvenient clinic location, and communication problems with staff. CONCLUSIONS: To address the diverse needs of Mexican-born clients, we recommend that TB programs provide culturally-appropriate, patient-centered care. We suggest several strategies aimed at raising risk awareness and reducing stigma. Finally, we encourage programs to facilitate access by providing language-appropriate services, extending clinic hours, and facilitating transportation.

The relationship between standardized psychomotor tests and basic clinical dental hygiene skills.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to help dental hygiene educators identify predictors of early instrumentation achievement among preclinical students. Studies from other disciplines suggest that underlying abilities play a significant role in early skill development and that additional factors contribute to later skill development. Previous studies in the dental professions have not differentiated between early skill development and later skill development. METHODS: Forty-five entering dental hygiene students were subjected to six psychomotor tests. In the first trimester, these same students were given three instrumentation tests (Marquis probe, 3-A explorer, and Gracey curets) by calibrated faculty. Data from the psychomotor and the instrumentation tests were then statistically examined using means, standard deviations, Pearson product-moment correlations, and stepwise regression to determine predictive validity of the ability tests for each instrumentation skill. RESULTS: The Purdue Hand Precision Test was found to contribute significantly to use of the explorer and Gracey curets. Analysis of variance revealed that this test accounted for 17 percent of the variance on the probe examination and 22 percent on the curet examination. None of the other psychomotor tests used were predictive of early clinical skills. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that hand-eye coordination, precision, and aiming, as measured by the Purdue Hand Precision Test are factors in the development of early dental hygiene instrumentation skills. Continued study in this area is indicated since early identification of clinical problems may help educators and students deal with morale and retention issues.

Physical characteristics of the hand and early clinical skills. Their relationship in a group of dental hygiene students.

Twelve hand measurements were made on 45 first-year dental hygiene students within one week of their entering a dental hygiene program. Multiple regression was performed, using three clinical examinations (use of periodontal probe, use of 3-A explorer, and use of Gracey curets) as dependent variables, to assess whether or not hand measurements predicted early clinical skill development. None of the hand measurements were predictive for the explorer examination. Wrist width accounted for 13% of the variance on the probing examination and 24% of the variance on the curet examination. Finger span added 16% variance to the equation. A total of 40% variance was explained by these measures on the curet examination. Results suggest that wrist width and finger span may be important predictors of early dental hygiene clinical skill development.

Reliability of a sentence completion measure of ego development.

Studied the reliability of the Washington University Sentence Completion Test by giving 51 9th graders and 26 college students the test twice, a week apart. For 9th graders the design included a test-retest group and two groups given half of the test at each session. Although test-retest correlations were high for the 9th graders, retest scores dropped significantly. With college students (a) test-retest correlations through positive and significant were lower, (b) retest scores did not change systematically, and (c) percentage agreement between test and retest scores was high. Discrepant results were related to motivational set and variance in test scores. Split-half correlations and internal consistency coefficients were high. Likelihood of lower retest scores makes problematic the use of this test for short term pretest-posttest studies seeking to stimulate ego development.