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Biomedical subjects

G L Albrecht

Publications and source records attributed to G L Albrecht.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1989

Who hasn't heard about AIDS?

This article analyzes who among the general population has not heard about AIDS despite intensive educational programs and widespread media attention about the syndrome. The data are drawn from a survey of the general public's knowledge, attitudes, and behavior toward AIDS in May-July, 1987 to establish a baseline for future educational interventions and to identify groups in need of special educational efforts. A total of 1540 interviews were conducted in Chicago and the surrounding six-county metropolitan area with adults between the ages of 18 and 60 in a two-stage cluster sample designed to compare blacks, whites, and Hispanics. Of the 1540 respondents, 49 (3.2%) had never heard of AIDS. Contingency table and logistic regression analyses indicated that lower educational levels and being Hispanic or Asian predict not having heard about AIDS. The results suggest the need for programs and intervention strategies that consider the special characteristics of these populations.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1979

Admission and discharge indicators as aids in optimizing comprehensive rehabilitation services.

This paper describes the development of a theoretical cost effectiveness model used to optimize admission and discharge decisions in comprehensive rehabilitation centers. Rehabilitation progress and outcome is conceptualized in terms of functional gains due to treatment. The model is constructed with three variables: functional level at admission (Barthel), Barthel function gained per unit cost (BUC) and the percentage improvement in function from admission to discharge. The theoretical model is then tested with data from a random sample of 97 spinal cord injured and 132 focal cerebral patients drawn from ten leading comprehensive rehabilitation centers located across the continental United States. The basic structure of the model is supported by the data and the use of such models as aids in managing patients, evaluating services, planning new programs, and developing computer simulation models of rehabilitation cost effectiveness is discussed.

Computers↗
PubMed1979

Outcome of comprehensive medical rehabilitation: measurement by PULSES profile and the Barthel Index.

In view of current emphasis on evaluation of benefits derived from rehabilitation programs, it is important that there be easily replicated measures for demonstrating the efficiency and effectiveness of services provided, as well as for transmitting information on patient functional status when transferring service responsibilities from one agency or facility to another. The authors used the PULSES profile and the Barthel index to measure severity of disability and to monitor rehabilitation progress in a heterogeneous sample of 307 severely disabled persons in 10 comprehensive medical rehabilitation centers, geographically selected. Gains in functional independence were registered for up to 2 years after admission. Cutting points of PULSES score totals or Barthel score totals distinguished the degree of severity of disability. The 2 scoring modalities appear valid, reliable, and sensitive for describing functional abilities and change over a period of time. They can be applied both to medical records and direct observations, and staff of medical facilities can readily be trained in their use.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Health behavior changes in the United States, the United Kingdom, and France.

OBJECTIVE: To determine changes in health behaviors in the United States, the United Kingdom, and France over the previous two years. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey of nationally representative samples. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: Surveys conducted between June and November 1988 on persons aged 16 to 50 years in the United States (n = 1,940), the United Kingdom (n = 1,833), and France (n = 2,294) regarding health behaviors, attitudes toward health, and changes in health practices during the previous two years. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Using Bonferroni's adjustment for multiple comparisons, residents of the United States had significantly (p < 0.05) higher Quetelet indices and reported higher egg and red meat consumption, but had lower alcohol consumption, than did residents of either the United Kingdom or France. Americans were also significantly more likely to report attitudes accepting personal responsibility for their health and much more often endorsed the role of health behaviors (e.g., exercise) for decreasing the risk of cardiovascular disease. Changes in health behavior over two years were consistently more likely in the United States for weight loss, decreased alcohol consumption, decreased red meat and egg consumption, and increased exercise. Americans were also much more likely to have changed at least three health behaviors in the previous two years (United States 41.5%, United Kingdom 25.5%, France 13.8%, p < 0.002). A multivariate linear model confirmed the high likelihood of health behavior changes in the United States compared with the United Kingdom or France. CONCLUSIONS: The findings confirm that changes in health behaviors are continuing to occur in the United States, but remain comparatively modest in the United Kingdom and France. These international variations in health behaviors parallel differential declines in mortality rates in ischemic heart disease.

Adolescent↗