Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the relation between family functioning and children's response to treatment for overweight in a primary care setting. Methods: Sixty predominantly African American (72%) parents of children who are overweight were recruited from a pediatric outpatient clinic to provide information about family functioning. Children's success in treatment was tracked through medical chart review. Results: Parents' baseline self-report of family adaptability was associated with child body mass index z-scores (zBMI) at 3-month follow-up, although this association was no longer significant once baseline child zBMI was taken into account. Conclusions: Families with greater ability to adopt/implement changes may have children who do better in weight loss treatment. This preliminary study provides a model for integrating family systems ideas into pediatric overweight research and offers heuristic value as well as directions for future research in primary care settings.

A significant number of American teens use and abuse illicit and addictive substances. The year 2010 will witness the largest numbers of adolescents in American history, so there is a clear need to improve our understanding of adolescent substance abuse disorders (SUDs) and to provide effective prevention and treatment. This review provides an examination of the scope of the problem, the progression of adolescent SUD, and developmental and risk factors that are unique to adolescents. It also discusses assessment, treatment, and prevention models available for adolescent SUD.

Introduction: Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer and leading cause of cancer death among women and represents a considerable public health burden in South Africa and other low-middle income countries. Breast cancer management comprises single or combination treatment including surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Short and long-term complications of these treatments include shoulder morbidities such as pain, decreased range of motion, tightness, weakness, pain, numbness and lymphoedema, and may be present for up to 6 years post-surgery. An understanding of baseline demographic and clinical risk factors can guide rehabilitation and management strategies for high risk patients. Materials and Methods: This study was a cross-sectional analysis of the prevalence of shoulder pain and dysfunction in women attending their post-treatment annual follow up visit for unilateral breast carcinoma. The aim of this study was to quantify the burden of shoulder pain and disability in a tertiary academic hospital in Cape Town, South Africa, and identify potential risk factors for the development of shoulder morbidity. The primary objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of shoulder morbidity and the secondary objective was to evaluate associations between shoulder morbidity and risk factors such as treatment protocol or baseline demographics. Results: The majority of patients were of mixed ancestry, had their left side affected, received ALND and had undergone Modified Radical Mastectomy. The mean age was 60 years with a mean follow-up since surgery of 6 years. Three-quarters of patients reported a presence of pain or disability; 9% experienced severe pain and disability. Multivariable ordinal logistic regression analysis identified race, side, axillary surgery, chemotherapy and age as significant predictors of pain, and chemotherapy a significant predictor of disability. Discussion: The substantial burden of shoulder morbidity in this population represents a significant public health burden. The use of identified clinical and demographic characteristics may guide in the development of survivorship programmes incorporating surveillance and management of these high risk patients.

Bibliography: leaves 174-213. / Three questions concerning drug use and its treatment in Cape Town are posed in an attempt to guide planning of the treatment system. Firstly, is drug use in Cape Town of a problematic nature and magnitude? An affirmative conclusion is reached here by analysis of relevant local studies but is rendered tentative by inadequacies of the data. Secondly, are the relevant professional medical-psychological treatment facilities able to meet the treatment needs of all drug abusers in Cape Town? Analysis of the treatment system by means of a questionnaire produced a negative conclusion which was necessarily tentative. Thirdly, what directions should future expansion or modification take in order that cost-effectiveness be maximised? Three areas, were investigated by review of the literature - should psychotherapy be included in drug abuse treatment? Can drug abusers be effectively treated alongside other psychiatric patients? Can drug abusers be effectively treated as outpatients? Affirmative conclusions were reached in each case. Suggestions are made for accurate matching of patients to in- or outpatient treatment situations.

No description available.

Faculty of Humanities School of Human and comminity development 0003981n Smbokazi@telkomsa.net / The main objective of this study was to explore the impact of sexual abuse of the daughter by her father, on the relationship between the mother and the sexually abused daughter. The research questions addressed were maternal responses to the disclosure of sexual abuse and the factors that influence those responses, the psychological effects of the abuse on both the child and the mother and the factors that mediate these effects, and the impact these have on the mother-daughter relationship. The data was collected from seven mothers whose daughters had been sexually abused by their intimate partners who could either be the girl’s biological father or step-father. The children’s ages had to be between 5-11 years at the time of the abuse, with disclosure having taken place in the last 2 years before the interview. This was an exploratory study, and the measures used were semi-structured interviews using open-ended questions to allow the mothers to reflect on their experiences, and allow the researcher to explore any areas that she deemed necessary. The main results of the study revealed the importance of the relationship between the mother and her daughter in incestuous families. This relationship plays an important role in prevention of sexual abuse, in stopping the already occurring abuse through the mother’s response to disclosure, and also in the post-disclosure adjustment of the child. It was evident that this relationship is adversely affected by the sexual abuse of the child by her father. The variables that were explored, as directed by the research questions had negative effects on this relationship. The findings have implications for the helping professionals dealing with childhood sexual abuse cases as they lead to the conclusion that treatment programmes need to take the mother into consideration, as she is intrinsic to the system in which the abuse takes place. Her psychological well-being influences her daughter’s post-disclosure recovery process. Recommendations were based on treatment strategies that need to be followed in clinical practice and also on further studies in the area of incest.

Currently, Ghana does not use Hot Water Treatment (HWT) as a phytosanitary control measure for mangoes. The effect of HW on the quality of ‘Keitt’ mangoes in Ghana was evaluated. Mangoes were washed with chlorinated water or hot water treated at 47°C for 70 min and stored at 25°C for 8 days. There was no treatment*Storage effect (P> 0.05) on the variables studied. Mangoes TA decreased (P<= 0.05) and pH increased with storage time. HWT had no impact on mango quality but had 50% reduction in decay during storage.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.