The Journal of adolescent health : official publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine
-
Comparative Study Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical Trial
Peer-led asthma education for adolescents: impact evaluation.
To examine the impact of a peer-led asthma education program on asthma knowledge, attitudes, and quality of life among adolescents. ⋯ Peer-led asthma education was well received in the high school setting and led to important improvements in asthma knowledge among students with asthma and their peers.
-
To determine utility of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based urine screening for Chlamydia trachomatis in the care of adolescent females in an urban clinic. ⋯ Urine screening was accepted by vast majority of female adolescents attending the clinic irrespective of reason for the clinic visit, and was highly effective in identifying unsuspected C. trachomatis infections, particularly among girls attending the clinic for reasons unrelated to reproductive health care and as an interim screening tool for adolescent family-planning clients.
-
Many surveys of adolescent behavior are dependent on self-reported data. We sought to assess the accuracy of adolescent self-report of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and pregnancies. ⋯ Our patients' histories of visits for STDs and pregnancies are often not substantiated by review of their medical records. The reason for the inaccuracies in self-report of sexual behaviors is unclear. Further research in this area should be done. Physicians must confirm patient history concerning sexual practices through appropriate record review and medical evaluation.
-
The purposes of this study were to explore the association of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) with cervical biopsy and to examine whether screening for Chlamydia and gonorrhea infections within 2 weeks prior to colposcopy is a standard clinical practice among adolescents' care providers in the United States. ⋯ Screening for Chlamydia and gonorrhea infections within 2 weeks prior to colposcopy in adolescents is presently not a common clinical practice among U.S. adolescents' care providers. Because of the potential risk of biopsy-associated PID, it is advisable to minimize the interval between Chlamydia and gonorrhea screening and colposcopy in adolescents.
-
To determine the independent effects of maternal age and race/ethnicity on poor pregnancy outcomes, with and without controlling for other factors. ⋯ Maternal age at delivery and race/ethnicity are independently and significantly associated with poor pregnancy outcomes such as low birthweight and premature births. However, young maternal age and race/ethnicity do not appear to interact in a manner that produces a differential effect on the birth outcomes assessed in this study. The incidence of infant mortality is unrelated to maternal age or race/ethnicity, after controlling for prematurity and low birthweight, underscoring the importance of intervention efforts aimed at their prevention.