Risk and protective factors associated with youth violence among secondary school students in a nationally representative sample in Puerto Rico

During the past decade, youth violence has received increasing attention as a major public health issue in Puerto Rico as well as in the United States. This study sought to identify risk and protective factors of youth violence in a representative sample of school adolescents in Puerto Rico. Risk and protective factors were grouped into five domains: individual, family, peer group, school and community. From a total of 2,385 participants, 10.7 reported at least one violent behavior and 3.4 reported two or more violent behaviors. In multiple regression analysis the risk factors identified were male gender, junior grade students, having a favorable attitude towards antisocial behavior, use of ecstasy, involvement with antisocial peers and reporting antisocial parents. Participation in family decisions was the only protective factor associated with violence. Findings from this study could have important implications for the development of preventive programs for the adolescent population in Puerto Rico

Risk and protective factors associated with youth violence among secondary school students in a nationally representative sample in Puerto Rico.

During the past decade, youth violence has received increasing attention as a major public health issue in Puerto Rico as well as in the United States. This study sought to identify risk and protective factors of youth violence in a representative sample of school adolescents in Puerto Rico. Risk and protective factors were grouped into five domains: individual, family, peer group, school and community. From a total of 2,385 participants, 10.7% reported at least one violent behavior and 3.4% reported two or more violent behaviors. In multiple regression analysis the risk factors identified were male gender, junior grade students, having a favorable attitude towards antisocial behavior, use of ecstasy, involvement with antisocial peers and reporting antisocial parents. Participation in family decisions was the only protective factor associated with violence. Findings from this study could have important implications for the development of preventive programs for the adolescent population in Puerto Rico.

Profile of a population using a primary health care center in Puerto Rico

PURPOSE: To describe the services delivered by the Family Medicine Physicians at a Community Health Center. METHODS: All information from patient visits during the natural year 1996 were registered using a commercialized computer program. The information was gathered by different means: initial interview, physician's report, records, and personal interviews. RESULTS: A total of 13,203 visits were registered; this represent a total of 4,493 patients. Most of the patients were women, and with a mean age of 38. As expected, most of the patients have Medicaid. The most common conditions seen were hypertension, diabetes, and respiratory diseases. The mean number of visits during the year for almost all conditions was three. Most of the children and adolescents visit the Center due to respiratory conditions, while adults come due to hypertension, diabetes, and musculoskeletal conditions

Profile of a population using a primary health care center in Puerto Rico.

PURPOSE: To describe the services delivered by the Family Medicine Physicians at a Community Health Center. METHODS: All information from patient visits during the natural year 1996 were registered using a commercialized computer program. The information was gathered by different means: initial interview, physician's report, records, and personal interviews. RESULTS: A total of 13,203 visits were registered; this represent a total of 4,493 patients. Most of the patients were women, and with a mean age of 38. As expected, most of the patients have Medicaid. The most common conditions seen were hypertension, diabetes, and respiratory diseases. The mean number of visits during the year for almost all conditions was three. Most of the children and adolescents visit the Center due to respiratory conditions, while adults come due to hypertension, diabetes, and musculoskeletal conditions.

Efficacy of light support pantyhose.

The results of a multicenter, double-blind clinical trial indicate that the use of light support pantyhose significantly reduced the incidence of aches, swelling and fatigue in the lower legs of healthy women. A trend toward reduced foot and leg circumference was noted; however, it did not correlate significantly with subjective symptomatology.

Diagnostic endometrial aspiration with the Karman cannula.

Endometrial aspiration with the Karman cannula can be used to detect endometrial pathology. To document the feasibility and accuracy of endometrial aspiration with this cannula, 49 women were evaluated by this technique prior to diagnostic dilation and curettage (D&C). Completion rates for both endometrial aspiration and D&C were 96%. Endometrial aspiration yielded tissue adequate for histologic evaluation in 82% of cases as compared with 76% of D&C cases. Three cases of cancer (two endometrial and one endocervical) were identified by both techniques. A majority of patients expressed a preference for endometrial aspiration over D&C. Endometrial aspiration with the Karman cannula appears to be a convenient, accurate and acceptable method of detecting endometrial pathology.

[Controlled hypotension with sodium nitroprusside in surgery for cerebral aneurysm]. / Hipotensión controlada con nitroprusiato de sodio en cirugía de aneurismas cerebrales

Sodium nitroprusside given by intravenous drop was infused in 10 patients with cerebral aneurysm in order to achieve the controlled hypotension. The easy beginning of the hypotension was consisted as well as the evanescent action of the drug and the abscense of collateral effects. Morbility and mortality differences were not seen between our cases and those in which normotension was used.