Southern medical journal
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Southern medical journal · Feb 2016
Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Hispanic Adolescents in South Texas.
Despite a national crisis of increased prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus in adolescents, especially among Hispanics, there is a paucity of data on health indicators among farmworker adolescents and their peers. The main aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors in a population of Hispanic adolescent students in south Texas. The study also aimed to compare the prevalence of these risk factors between students enrolled in the Migrant Education Program (MEP) and other students, and between boys and girls. ⋯ The high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in both groups suggests a compelling need for comprehensive, culturally targeted interventions to prevent future cardiovascular diseases in these high-risk Hispanic adolescents, especially among boys. There were not, however, substantial differences between MEP students and other students. These findings also support the feasibility of conducting future epidemiologic studies among adolescent farmworkers and their families, as well as culturally appropriate school or community-based interventions.
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Southern medical journal · Feb 2016
Observational StudyDoes Alkaline Colonic pH Predispose to Clostridium difficile Infection?
Clostridium difficile caused nearly 500,000 infections and was associated with approximately 29,000 deaths in 2011, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. C. difficile is a bacterium that causes diarrhea and, often, severe illness in healthcare facilities, as well as the community. Our objective was to determine whether alkaline colonic pH predisposes to colonization and infection with C. difficile. ⋯ A strong association between C. difficile infection and alkaline stool pH was found.
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Residency interviews play an integral part in medical residency placement. We aimed to develop and evaluate a mock interview program for fourth-year medical students interested in a pediatric specialty. ⋯ Implementation of a mock interview program was feasible and acceptable for senior medical students and may improve comfort and confidence levels in the residency interview process. Further longitudinal research is needed.