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Biomedical subjects

J D Leeper

Publications and source records attributed to J D Leeper.

31 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1983

Experiments to increase return in a medical screening drive: two futile attempts to apply theory to practice.

Two experiments are reported which attempted to apply techniques derived from an extensive set of psychological theories and research to enhance return compliance in a tuberculosis detection drive. Experiment 1 manipulated four methods of providing return reminders (postcard, telephone call, direct person-to-person or take-home card) in combination with two types of authority sources (expert vs nonexpert). Experiment 2 manipulated types of patient commitment (verbal, verbal plus written or no commitment) and importance-or-returning message (enhanced vs standard) in combination with two types of return reminders (take-home card vs no reminder card). These theoretically-derived procedures failed to significantly enhance return compliance. The experiments are examined for procedural failures and the findings are discussed in terms of the limited applicability of some theoretical notions in health settings and particular populations. It is asserted that through such failures useful knowledge is gained for understanding the complex phenomenon of compliance.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Homicide in five southern states: a firearms phenomenon.

Homicide is a leading contributor to loss of life in the productive years. Of the 20,000 homicides yearly in the United States, the majority are committed with firearms. Because homicide rates and gun ownership are highest in the southern states, a descriptive study of 20,980 homicides occurring in five southern states between 1967-1975 was done with particular emphasis on the role of firearms. Total rates in this study were 60% to 85% higher than concurrent national rates. Homicide with firearms accounted for 76.2%, and was the only method of homicide to show a significant increase in rate or a distinctive age distribution. Homicide in the US is a firearms phenomenon. Appropriate and effective regulation of access to firearms is an obvious first step in the prevention of this public health problem.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

Tetanus and diphtheria immune status of patients in a family practice.

Sera obtained randomly from 37 patients seen at a family practice center were evaluated for protective antibodies against tetanus and diphtheria using in vivo toxin neutralization methods. The patients' ages ranged from 1 to 99 years. Seventy-four percent and 83 percent of patients were found to have protective antitoxin titers against tetanus and diphtheria, respectively. No significant differences in immune status were detected among different sexes or races. Whereas the mean age of subjects susceptible to tetanus was significantly greater than for those with protective antibody levels, this was not the case with diphtheria. It is postulated that natural diphtheria infection may be responsible for the high degree of protection noted among older subjects surveyed. Practical as well as educational benefits that may be obtained from a study of this nature are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

Variations in the reporting of menstrual histories.

This investigation examined the accuracy of recall of females to questions concerning ages at memarche, natural and surgical menopause, first use of oral contraceptives and mean menstrual cycle length and variance. A sample of 160 women who had recorded their menstrual and reproductive events as they occurred were administered a questionnaire concerning these events, with responses compared to the original data. For the variables age at menarche, age at natural memopause, age at surgical menopause and age at first use of oral contraceptives, the percentage of women who correctly recalled within a year ranged from 75% to 90%. Recollection of menstrual cycle length and variability by interview was considered unreliable. These findings are encouraging regarding the ability to recall the age when certain menstrual and reproductive events occur, but not for menstrual cycle intervals or patterns. Because these women were well-educated and had once recorded study variables, these results might be considered optimal.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Perception of body image in children with burns, five years after burn injury.

Burn injuries and subsequent disfigurement may place children at high risk for psychologic dysfunction. If medical professionals are to aid the child in achieving psychologic resolution and acceptance of the injury, they must be aware of the stage of body-image perception that the child is experiencing. This study was designed to determine differences in body image between children with burns and children without burns through the use of human figure drawings. The experimental group consisted of 32 children with burns, aged 5 to 15 years, studied at approximately 5 years after burn injury. The control group consisted of 32 children without burns, aged 6 to 15 years. Subjects in the burn group were matched to control subjects by age and sex. There were no significant differences in body image in relation to any of the demographic measures except age. Age was inversely related to body image both in patients with burns and in control subjects.

Adaptation, Psychological↗