Biomedical subjects

J D Champion

Publications and source records attributed to J D Champion.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2001

Spin correlations in Ho2Ti2O7: a dipolar spin ice system.

The pyrochlore material Ho2Ti2O7 has been suggested to show "spin ice" behavior. We present neutron scattering and specific heat results that establish unambiguously that Ho2Ti2O7 exhibits spin ice correlations at low temperature. Diffuse magnetic neutron scattering is quite well described by a nearest neighbor spin ice model and very accurately described by a dipolar spin ice model. The heat capacity is well accounted for by the sum of a dipolar spin ice contribution and an expected nuclear spin contribution, known to exist in other Ho3+ salts. These results settle the question of the nature of the low temperature spin correlations in Ho2Ti2O7 for which contradictory claims have been made.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2001

Minority women with sexually transmitted diseases: sexual abuse and risk for pelvic inflammatory disease.

Mexican American and African American women (N = 617) with a sexually transmitted disease (STD) underwent a targeted physical exam and questioning regarding sexual abuse, current genitourinary symptomatology, and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) risk behaviors to determine the relationship between sexual abuse and risk for PID. Sexually abused women (n = 194) reported higher PID risk behaviors, including earlier coitus, more sex partners, higher STD recurrence, and a tendency toward delayed health-seeking behavior. They also reported more severe genitourinary symptomatology, confirmed by physical exam, and presumptive diagnoses of PID. These characteristics identify sexually abused women at high risk for PID. Because of its considerable impact on risk for PID, assessment for sexual abuse is essential in clinical management of women with STD and for diagnosis of PID.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

Sexual abuse and sexual risk behaviors of minority women with sexually transmitted diseases.

The relationship between sexual abuse and sexually transmitted disease (STD) represents an important and underinvestigated context of domestic violence. This study examined the association between sexual abuse, sexual risk behaviors, and risk for reinfection and HIV among minority women with STD. Mexican American and African American women (n = 617) with active STD entered a randomized study of behavioral intervention to reduce STD recurrence. Each underwent questioning at entry regarding sexual abuse and sexual risk behaviors. Comparisons of these behaviors using chi-square, t tests, and logistic regression were made by history of sexual abuse. Sexually abused women were more likely to have lower incomes, earlier coitus, STD history, currently abusive partners, new sex partners, anal sex, and bleeding with sex, placing them at increased risk for STD reinfection and HIV. Due to this association with sexual risk behavior, assessment for sexual abuse is essential in programs focusing on STD/HIV prevention.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

A randomized, controlled trial of a behavioral intervention to prevent sexually transmitted disease among minority women.

BACKGROUND: African-American and Hispanic women are disproportionately affected by sexually transmitted diseases, including the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). In the effort to reduce infection rates, it is important to create and evaluate behavioral interventions that are specific to the target populations. METHODS: We enrolled women with nonviral sexually transmitted diseases in a randomized trial of a sex- and culture-specific behavioral intervention. The intervention consisted of three small-group sessions of three to four hours each designed to help women recognize personal susceptibility, commit to changing their behavior, and acquire necessary skills. The control group received standard counseling about sexually transmitted diseases. The design of the intervention was based on the AIDS Risk Reduction Model and ethnographic data on the study populations. Participants in both groups underwent screening, counseling, and an interview before randomization and at the 6- and 12-month follow-up visits. The principal outcome variable was subsequent chlamydial or gonorrheal infection, which was evaluated on an intention-to-treat basis by logistic-regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 424 Mexican-Americans and 193 African-American women were enrolled; 313 were assigned to the intervention group and 304 to the control group. The rate of participation in the intervention was 90 percent. The rates of retention in the sample were 82 and 89 percent at the 6- and 12-month visits, respectively. Rates of subsequent infection were significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group during the first 6 months (11.3 vs. 17.2 percent, P=0.05), during the second 6 months (9.1 vs. 17.7 percent, P=0.008), and over the entire 12-month study period (16.8 vs. 26.9 percent, P=0.004). CONCLUSIONS: A risk-reduction intervention consisting of three small-group sessions significantly decreased the rates of chlamydial and gonorrheal infection among Mexican-American and African-American women at high risk for sexually transmitted disease.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

Effect of abuse on self-perception of rural Mexican-American and non-Hispanic white adolescents.

The prevalence of adolescent abuse has serious community health ramifications because of its associated psychological responses. Theoretical frameworks have described behaviors arising from interpersonal interactions as being affected by self-concept. Therefore, the issue of assessing the self-concept is critical in research and practice for understanding the behavior of abused adolescents. This research arose from clinical practice in a rural Mexican-American and non-Hispanic White community. The practice focused on individual and group counseling for adolescents in abusive relationships. This study proposed to refine the theoretical basis for interventions related to self-concept and woman abuse for rural Mexican-American and non-Hispanic White adolescents.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

Life histories of rural Mexican American adolescents experiencing abuse.

Histories of family violence are predictors of adolescent acceptance of interpersonal violence within intimate relationships. This study focused on the progression of abusive relationships from childhood to courtship and intimacy among 40 rural Mexican American adolescents in the southwestern United States. Emphasis was on interactions that were extensions of cultural expectations for intimacy, family, and sex roles. Within these life histories, transgenerational patterns of violence were found in patterns of learning, loving and belonging through past and present relationships. Sex-role identification with abusive behavior occurred across generations, emulating roles from the past and perpetuating expectations for abuse as part of intimacy. Previous abusive experiences were described as motivation for behavioral change, yet, within the patterns of learning, loving, and belonging in relationships, patterns of abuse and behaviors similar to the family of origin were found. An understanding of the influential role attitudes and expectations of abused individuals and their families has on behavior is relevant for interventions preventing existent and future abuse.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

Family violence and mental health.

Family violence is recognized as one of the major public health concerns facing society. The chronic and traumatic nature of family violence often leads to mental health consequences. Clinicians are in advantageous positions to address the problems of family violence. It is important for clinicians to develop an understanding of the dynamics of family violence by allowing appropriate inquiry about victimization and assuring patient safety, providing appropriate referrals, and reporting incidences of family violence.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The context of sexually transmitted disease: life histories of woman abuse.

Approximately 25%-50% of women with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including AIDS, are involved in abusive relationships. Numerous characteristics associated with a past history of abuse are also risk factors for STD infection, including multiple partner relationships, substance abuse, early age at first coitus, and partner control of the relationship. Research has identified psychological effects of previous abuse, including depression, minimal control in relationships, and decreased self-efficacy. These effects may prevent abused women with STDs from making behavioral changes to prevent recurrence and transmission of disease. Life history methodology was used to understand the context of the interrelationships between STD and woman abuse in 30 Mexican American and African American women's lives. A focus on the context of abused women's partner relationships and aspects of personal control within these relationships may facilitate effective behavioral change, risk reduction, and subsequent decrease in incidence of STDs and woman abuse.

Adolescent↗