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Biomedical subjects

L McIntyre

Publications and source records attributed to L McIntyre.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Exploratory analysis of children's nutrition programs in Canada.

This survey examined the processes by which programs feeding hungry children in Canada are initiated, implemented and sustained. The responses of 32 operators of these programs were obtained by semi-structured telephone interviews and were analysed using qualitative research methods. Concerned citizens within the community and teachers were the major proponents for programs; their primary indicators of need were children's hunger-related behaviours. Programs generally provided the breakfast or lunch meal, were overseen by a board, and were operated by a mix of paid and volunteer staff. A lack of resources, problems with parents and the community, and managerial stresses were the main perceived barriers to program continuance. Programs run by communities generally had more need for resources, expressed lower confidence in their sustainability, and were less likely to cooperate with other groups than school-run programs. While some programs deliberately tried to avoid stigmatization, program operators did hold some prejudicial views about the communities they served and few programs could be considered empowering to users.

Canada↗
PubMed1992

The evolution of health promotion.

This paper describes the evolution of health promotion from its nascent roots which focused upon lifestyle to its global concepts of managing the future. A lifestyle orientation was the focus of approximately the first decade of health promotion efforts which followed the release of the 1974 document, "A New Perspective on the Health of Canadians". This was also a period of national health goal setting in Europe and in the United States. In 1984, the World Health Organization defined health promotion as the process of enabling individuals to take control over and to maintain their health. The focus of health promotion efforts thus changed from an emphasis on the individual to the more structural factors in society which support the types of choices that people ultimately make. Achieving Health for All: A Framework for Health Promotion, released in November 1986, further developed the concept of health promotion, suggesting three strategies for increasing health promotion: fostering public participation, strengthening community health services and healthy public policy. The health promotion movement has had other spin-offs such as the "Healthy Cities Movement" which was begun by another Canadian, Trevor Hancock. The newest evolution of the health promotion movement is a concern for a Healthy Future.

Canada↗
PubMed1991

Lumbar puncture frequency and cerebrospinal fluid analysis in the neonate.

A prospective study was performed to assess the frequency and diagnostic utility of lumbar punctures in neonates both during their first week of life and thereafter. During the two 6-month periods from January 1, 1985 to June 30, 1985, and February 1, 1986 to July 31, 1986, 712 neonates underwent 728 lumbar punctures during their first week of life primarily as part of the evaluation for suspected infection, either congenital or postnatal. There were eight patients with positive spinal fluid cultures in the first week of life, but only one patient simultaneously had a positive blood culture and a clinical course consistent with meningitis. In contrast, a considerably higher yield, approximating five times that of the first week of life, was obtained in patients undergoing a lumbar puncture after the first week of life.

Bacterial Infections↗
PubMed1991

Breast-feeding patterns of Montserratian women.

This article describes the breast-feeding patterns found on Montserrat by a survey that interviewed 69 mothers who delivered infants over a 13-month period, from March 1989 through March 1990. The results indicated that 94% of the women breast-fed these children for at least two weeks after delivery; that 70% were still breast-feeding at the time of the interview in March or April 1990; and that principal factors influencing early termination of breast-feeding were the age at which supplementary feeding was commenced and lack of maternal information about why babies appear to reject the breast.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1990

An epidemiological study on increased length of stay.

The epidemiologic triad of causation states that all illness results from a disequilibrium between host, agent and environmental factors. The "illness" investigated in this report--increased LOS--resulted from a combination of: patient factors--the increased prevalence of chronic diseases in childhood, a revolution in neonatal survival and an increase in survivorship in general for severe diseases, such as congenital anomalies and genetic diseases; agent factors--the transition from agents of infectious disease to agents of chronic disease as well as iatrogenesis; and health care environmental factors--equity issues involving the ethics of treatment, changes in medical technology and patterns of medical practice. The use of preadmission testing, increased participation by parents in the care of their children, an investigation of the appropriate venue for care of chronically ill children and the back transfer of recovering children to their home hospitals were recommended and considered by the hospital's administration and board of governors.

Child↗
PubMed1989

Characterization of wound cytokines in the sponge matrix model.

Although different populations of inflammatory cells infiltrate the healing wound, the mechanisms by which they influence the healing process in vivo are poorly defined. In vitro studies suggest that these cells may mediate wound healing by releasing various cytokines within the wound. We measured the levels of interleukin (IL) 1, IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor, and macrophage colony-stimulating factor within a subcutaneously implanted polyurethane sponge on various days after injury. Significantly higher levels of IL-1, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor, and macrophage colony-stimulating factor were detected in the wound fluid compared with basal serum levels in nonwounded mice. Tumor necrosis factor, macrophage colony-stimulating factor, and IL-6 peaked earlier than IL-1; however, the levels of these cytokines had fallen by the 13th day after wounding. Interleukin 2, IL-3, and IL-4 could not be detected in the wound fluid, and the wound fluid inhibited the proliferation of the IL-2-dependent cell lines CTLL-2 and HT-2 in response to recombinant IL-2. We hypothesize that tumor necrosis factor, macrophage colony-stimulating factor, IL-1, and IL-6, which are secreted at the site of injury, interact to promote tissue remodeling. The decrease in the levels of these cytokines by the 13th day after wounding may be the result of a regulatory process by the healed wound.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Pharmacy dispensing practices for Sudanese children with diarrhoea.

In order to study the dispensing practices of Khartoum and Khartoum North pharmacies with respect to the management of infantile diarrhoea, a Sudanese woman presented pharmacists with a brief description of an infant with acute diarrhoea. Sixty-three pharmacies were visited; only 3 (5%) recommended oral rehydration salts (ORS) alone. An additional 4 pharmacies (6%) recommended ORS plus either an antimicrobial agent or a physician visit. 39 pharmacies (62%) recommended antimicrobial therapy alone, 9 (14%) recommended a physician visit alone and 7 pharmacies (11%) had no available treatment. On average, antimicrobials cost four times more than two packets of ORS. In order to increase pharmacists' recommendation of ORS, health professional training may be required, perhaps in association with dispensing subsidies. Increased public awareness of ORS should also be encouraged.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Professional attitudes toward the autopsy. A survey of clinicians and pathologists.

One hundred six clinicians and 20 pathologists at a pediatric hospital and an adult general hospital in Halifax, Nova Scotia, were surveyed by way of a mailed questionnaire on their attitudes toward the autopsy. Approximately two-thirds of both groups rated the overall usefulness of the autopsy as high, but most limited its benefits to ascertaining the cause of death and as a tool for medical education. The autopsy was rated more highly by pathologists; those who worked in the pediatric hospital; medical rather than surgical specialists; and medical staff rather than housestaff. Personal attitudes toward authorization of an autopsy on a member of the respondent's family or on his or her own body did not differ from declared professional attitudes. It is unclear whether clinicians' and pathologists' negative attitudes toward the autopsy are related to lack of knowledge, lack of hospital and community support of the autopsy, or barriers to the practice of autopsy pathology.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1989

Pediatric pathology and the autopsy.

The damaging effects of low and declining autopsy rates on the discipline of pediatric pathology are discussed. A survey of autopsy rates in 25 children's hospitals indicates that current rates are about 51%. Strategies for improving autopsy rates are presented.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Epidemiology of severe eye injuries in childhood.

The authors conducted a cross-sectional study of all ocular injury cases admitted to a children's hospital between January 1978 and December 1984. Of 222 injuries reviewed, 77 (35%) resulted in some visual deficit. Males were significantly overrepresented in all age groups with an average male:female ratio of 3.5:1. The distribution of injuries was: contusions, 114 (51%); penetrating lacerations, 62 (28%); foreign bodies and burns, 11 (5%); and nonpenetrating lacerations, 35 (16%). Sixteen (7%) ocular injuries were associated with BB gun pellets and six of these children (42%) were blinded in the injured eye as a result. Two other cases of blindness resulted from ocular penetration by homemade "Jinsang Stars," underscoring the adverse influence of media on children's games. Adult supervision could have potentially prevented most cases of permanent visual deficit. The authors suggest that legislation restricting the use of BB guns be passed and that a program of adult and child eye safety education including "eye watch" warnings on potentially hazardous toys be developed.

Blindness↗
PubMed1987

Evaluation of the demented patient.

An adequate history from the patient and a family member, an examination for signs and symptoms suggestive of contributing organic disease, plus an individualized diagnostic battery of laboratory tests are sufficient workup for most patients presenting with the dementia syndrome. Electroencephalography, computerized axial tomographic scanning, or psychometric testing are not usually required. The results of eight studies investigating demented individuals are reviewed. Across these studies, 56 percent of cases were attributable to primary dementia, 15 percent were secondary to reversible causes, 13 percent were secondary to irreversible conditions, and 15 percent of individuals had been wrongly labeled demented. Of reversible dementias including depression, 56 percent of patients improved with therapy. Metabolic disorders were associated with about 25 percent of reversible dementias and accounted for less than 5 percent of all patients investigated for the dementia syndrome.

Aged↗
PubMed1986

Prevalence of hypertension, obesity and smoking in three Indian communities in northwestern Ontario.

Hypertension is perceived to be an important problem among native people in Canada, but specific prevalence data have not been accumulated. A study was carried out to determine community levels of blood pressure and to document the prevalence of hypertension, obesity and cigarette smoking in nonurban Indians in three communities in northwestern Ontario. Of the 678 people present in the communities at the time of the survey 668 (98.5%) participated. Age- and sex-specific mean diastolic and systolic blood pressure readings are presented. The overall prevalence rate of hypertension was 13%; in 9.6% of those with hypertension the condition had previously been diagnosed. Blood pressure generally rose with increasing age, but diastolic pressure declined after age 50 in both sexes. The rate of obesity increased with increasing age; 70% of women aged 35 to 64 years and 50% of men aged 35 to 44 years were obese. Over half (56.4%) of the study population smoked, and most smokers were less than 35 years old.

Adolescent↗