The Journal of adolescent health : official publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine
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Emergency departments (EDs) care for adolescent females with unmet reproductive health care needs. Our objective was, among adolescents presenting to a pediatric ED, to estimate pregnancy risk, describe pregnancy intentions, and identify potentially modifiable factors associated with pregnancy risk. ⋯ Nearly one-third of adolescent females in a pediatric ED were either pregnant or could be expected to become pregnant within a year. Screening questions can identify adolescents at high risk of pregnancy in the ED setting. These females should be the target for future pregnancy prevention interventions.
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Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) are typically asymptomatic, but, if untreated, can lead to sequelae including pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and ectopic pregnancy. The objective was to describe trends of these sequelae in Philadelphia after implementing citywide screening in a high-morbidity population (>6% positivity). ⋯ This ecologic analysis found a correlation between large-scale CT/GC screening in a high-morbidity population and reductions in hospitalized PID, ectopic pregnancies, and ED-diagnosed CT/GC.
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The purpose of this study was to examine the association between mental health disorders and subsequent risk for long-term opioid use among adolescents and young adults presenting with common chronic pain complaints (back pain, neck pain, headache, and arthritis/joint pain). ⋯ Mental health disorders are associated with increased risk for long-term opioid use among adolescents and emerging young adults. Further study is warranted to examine risks and benefits of long-term opioid use in this population.
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The aim of this study was to examine whether behavioral tendencies commonly related to addictive behaviors are also related to problematic computer and video game playing in adolescents. The study of attentional bias and response inhibition, characteristic for addictive disorders, is relevant to the ongoing discussion on whether problematic gaming should be classified as an addictive disorder. ⋯ These findings are in line with the findings of attentional bias reported in clinically recognized addictive disorders, such as substance dependence and pathological gambling, and contribute to the discussion on the proposed concept of "Addiction and Related Disorders" (which may include non-substance-related addictive behaviors) in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-fourth edition.
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To describe uncorrected distance visual impairment (VI). ⋯ More than 1 in 10 adolescents had uncorrected distance VI. To address this, interventions should address case detection, access to eye care, and adherence with corrective lenses.