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Indian Pediatr 2015;52: 542
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Clippings |
K Rajeshwari
Email:
[email protected]
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Social marketing campaign to increase immunization awareness. (WMJ.
2015;114:10-5)
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The aim of this study was to assess community awareness of childhood
immunizations and intent to immunize children after a social marketing
immunization campaign. Two interviewer-assisted street-intercept surveys
were used to evaluate awareness of childhood immunizations. The "Take
Control! Immunize" social marketing campaign was developed using a
community-based participatory research approach. Billboards, flyers, and
various "walking billboard" (eg, backpacks, pens) were used to deliver
immunization messages in the community settings. Over 85% of community
members recalled the "Take Control! Immunize" message. Almost half of
those who saw the immunization message indicated that the message
motivated them to act, including getting their children immunized or
calling their physician to inquire about their children’s immunizations
status. All respondents indicated that immunizations were important
for children, and that they were likely to immunize their children. It
seems that culturally appropriate social marketing immunization messages
can increase parental awareness and behavioral intention to immunize
their children.
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Influenza vaccine for asthma. (Asian Pac J Allergy
Immunol. 2015;33:3-7)
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Acute exacerbations of asthma and readmission may be associated with
severe influenza infection, and children with asthma are a priority
group for influenza vaccination. This study evaluated the outcome of the
influenza vaccine in Asian children with asthm. The aim of this study
was to analyze the outcomes of inactivated influenza vaccine
in children with mild persistent asthma. A cross-sectional
non-randomized study was performed on 93 mild persistent
asthmatic children who attended a Pediatric Allergy Clinic. Forty eight
patients were immunized with two doses of inactivated influenza vaccine
at one month interval. Respiratory illnesses and asthma-related events
were compared between the immunized and the un-immunized groups. The two
study groups had similar demographic and clinical characteristic, except
with regards to eczema, including asthma controllers and skin prick
testing results. One year after the vaccine was administered, the
immunized group had significantly reduced acute respiratory tract
illnesses, asthma exacerbations, emergency room visits, bronchodilator
usage and systemic steroid administrations. Hospitalizations and their
duration were also reduced in the immunized group. Immunization with
inactivated influenza vaccine in children with mild persistent asthma
seems to reduce the occurrence of respiratory illnesses and
asthma-related events.
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Prevention of dental caries with xylitol.
(J Tenn Dent Assoc 2014;94:25-8)
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The epidemiological data from many countries indicates a global increase
in dental caries in children and adults. The purpose of this study was
to determine if children in a school setting would accept an after-lunch
brushing program, and if such program would be effective in reducing
plaque. A small school of 300 students in Eastern Tennessee was selected
to participate, of which 200 elected to brush after lunch for 30 school
days. An ADA-approved 27-tuft brush pre-pasted with a paste made with
49% by weight of xylitol was given to each child after lunch. The paste
did not require water or the need to spit. A short, 4 minute, musical
educational video on correct brushing was designed with the assistance
of the mathematics teacher to be shown while the students brushed. The
students, principal, and the staff readily accepted the concept, and
were very cooperative and appreciative; the reduction in plaque levels
was dramatic.
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Internet addiction and loneliness. (J Pak Med Assoc.
2014;64:998-1002)
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The aim of the study was to determine the frequency of internet
addiction and loneliness in secondary and high school students. This
cross-sectional study was conducted between among secondary and high
school students in Sivrihisar, which is a district in rural part of
Anatolia, Turkey. The study group consisted of 1157 students. Young
Internet Addiction Scale was used to assess the internet addiction.
University of California, Los Angeles Loneliness Scale was used for the
evaluation of the level of loneliness. According to the Internet
Addiction Scale, 91 (7.9%) of the subjects were addicted to the
internet. Obesity , ‘Type A’ personality, first time usage of internet
before age 12 , using the internet every day, and using the internet
more than 2 hours a day, were risk factors of internet addiction. A
positive correlation was found between the internet addiction and
loneliness. Internet addiction seems to be a major health problem in
middle and high school students.
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