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Biomedical subjects

M L Weinman

Publications and source records attributed to M L Weinman.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

HIV testing and counseling among adolescents attending family planning clinics.

This study examined whether an assessment tool combining HIV-related risk behaviors and symptoms would increase HIV testing and return for post-test counseling among 466 adolescents attending family planning clinics. The results indicted that high-risk behaviors were common among these adolescents. The majority (78.3%) identified themselves as not using condoms consistently, almost a quarter (24.7%) reported a history of STDs and 129 (27.7%) reported they had pierced their bodies. A total of 214 (45.9%) received HIV testing. Two (0.4%) adolescents, one male and one female, tested positive for HIV. Of the 214 adolescents who underwent testing, 183 (85.5%) returned to the clinic for post-test counseling. The results of this study indicated that adolescents who reported risk behaviors and symptoms were not more likely than those who reported no risk behaviors and symptoms to request testing and return for post-test counseling. In light of these results, the authors review the protocols associated with testing and post-test counseling and propose solutions that can potentially improve these processes. The authors recommend integrating a risk assessment tool with HIV testing in family planning clinics as testing and return for post-test counseling rates were high.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Social work intervention and failure to thrive in infants and children.

Failure to thrive (FTT) is a diagnostic term used to describe infants and children who fail to grow and develop at a normal rate. There has been limited literature focused on the role social workers play in working with children who fail to thrive. Because the focus of the current health care system is on using an interdisciplinary team approach, it is crucial that social workers make a place for themselves on treatment teams and continue to use their skills to provide comprehensive treatment. This article educates social workers about FTT and addresses the roles social workers have in the treatment of children who fail to thrive and how their services provide a therapeutic and team-oriented approach.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Mental health problems and symptoms among male adolescents attending a teen health clinic.

The purpose of this study was to examine the frequency and nature of mental health problems and symptoms among a group of 51 inner-city male adolescents attending a teen health clinic at a large county hospital in the southwestern part of the United States. They were administered a problem area checklist and a problem symptom checklist. The problem area checklist covered a range of mental health issues, including peer/friendship, relationship, and family problems; problems with money, time, and the law; substance use; and eating disorders. The problem symptom checklist queried participants about anger, nervousness, depression, fear, loneliness, suicide, aggression, and self-esteem. The results indicated that these young males experienced significant mental health problems and symptoms, such as relationship problems, problems with time and money, and symptoms of anger, depression, and aggression. Further, scared/afraid feelings correlated with five of the eight problem areas. The authors recommend investigating ways to target young males who present at such clinics in order to address their mental health problems and symptoms, as well as studying how their environment affects their overall health.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Opportunities for pregnant and parenting teenagers: a school-based and school-linked intervention program.

Three hundred and ninety (390) pregnant and parenting teens participated in a school-based and school-linked federally funded program at 10 high-risk schools. The program was designed to (1) increase the use of referred services and attendance at these services without students' missing school, (2) increase academic skills, and (3) increase health and well-being of the students and their infants. The program provided 18 services coordinated at the school or provided on site. The end-of-year evaluations indicated 88% to 95% of teens attended services that were recommended, and 69% did not miss school to receive these services. The teens' rate of passing their grade level increased at the end of the program year. Additionally, 78% used birth control, and over 90% of the infants received timely health care. The qualitative data provided by students indicated pregnant and parenting teens wanted to remain in school despite the struggles they encountered. The process evaluation provided by the coordinators at each school indicated that communication and cooperation between program staff and school nurses were the key elements in enabling teens to receive the targeted services.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Young males attending a family-planning clinic: some ideas about consequences of child abuse.

33 young males attending a family-planning clinic were asked about the consequences of child abuse as it affects behavioral problems of teens and their interest in programs that deal specifically with these problems. Nine reported they had been victims of abuse. Most believed that drug and alcohol misuse and suicide were the major consequences of child abuse. Fifteen were interested in programs for prevention of child abuse but not for specific problems such as substance misuse and smoking cessation. This study's findings suggest that family-planning clinics with services for males must address their behavioral as well as medical needs.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Incorporating health and behavioral consequences of child abuse in prevention programs targeting female adolescents.

A study examining the health and behavioral consequences of child abuse was conducted among 263 parenting and 257 never-pregnant teens attending a reproductive health clinic. Both groups of teens identified the following major consequences: suicide, prostitution, school drop-out, crime and substance abuse. However, only parenting teens expressed interest in prevention programs that would address these consequences. Traditional child abuse prevention programs are focused on parenting issues and rarely address health and behavioral consequences of abuse. These health and behavioral consequences of abuse may make adolescents vulnerable to abuse their own children as well as interfere with their psychosocial development. Therefore, the authors recommend integrating health and behavioral issues into child abuse prevention programs.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Ethnic differences in STD rates among female adolescents.

Ethnic differences in rates of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) were examined in a sample of 205 female adolescents receiving care at two family planning clinics in Houston, Texas. New infection and reinfection rates following treatment were also investigated. Black teens had a higher rate of past STDs than did Hispanic or White teens. However, there were no differences in rates at the time of the clinic visit. Of the 143 (69.8%) teens who returned for follow-up care, 21 (14.7%) had new infections; Black teens had the highest rate. The findings indicated that programs for teens need to address cultural, ethnic, and gender issues.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

The role of condom motivation education in the reduction of new and reinfection rates of sexually transmitted diseases among inner-city female adolescents.

The purpose of this study was to document the effectiveness of small group condom motivation education in reducing new and reinfection rates of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) among female teenagers. Two hundred and five (205) female adolescents (age 13-20) with a current STD were studied at two sites of a Teen Health Clinic. There were 86 teens in the Study Group and 119 in the Comparison Group. Patients were sampled from December 1992 to July 1993. The patients in the Study Group received a condom motivation class given by the clinic STD educator in small groups of four or more adolescents. The Comparison Group, comparable in age and ethnicity, received treatment for their STD but did not participate in condom motivation classes. All teens were given treatment and condoms. The sample was followed for 6 months. The total number of patients returning with new infections was 21 (14.7%). The total number of patients with reinfections was 14 (9.8%). There were no significant differences between the Study and Comparison Group on return rates, new and reinfection rates or on any socio-demographic variables. The comparison of these groups suggests that a specific condom motivation class has minimal effectiveness in urban teens. However, almost 70% of the teens returned to the clinic for their scheduled visits. It is suggested that adolescent clinics which combine family planning and STD treatment services maintain high client enrollment and therefore may be ideal locations to initiate new and continuous interventions for condom use especially for high risk teens.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Indigent adolescents' concerns about health care reform.

This study assessed the knowledge and concerns of 348 indigent adolescent girls on health care reform. Most knew little about current health care reform and most of the information they received came from the media. They listed family planning, treatment for sexually transmitted diseases, and maternity care as their most important health needs.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Compliance with follow-up care among adolescent males with sexually transmitted diseases.

The aim of the study was to investigate behavioral and sociodemographic characteristics of a sample of 45 male adolescents with sexually transmitted diseases who attended family planning clinics. Low rates of compliance with follow-up care were noted. Only 13 (28.9%) males returned to the clinic for their scheduled appointments. Neither behavioral nor sociodemographic variables were related to compliance.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Social work perspectives in organ procurement.

The gap between the supply of and demand for organs for transplantation has widened in the past two decades, resulting in low quality of life and increased mortality for people waiting for a transplant. Current strategies for organ procurement are inadequate; therefore, alternative methods have been suggested. In the center of the debate are the required request strategy, which endorses the informed consent principle, and the presumed consent strategy, which assumes but does not require explicit consent from the donor. To date social workers have not been extensively involved in the debate, although organ procurement issues involve social work values such as individual rights, free choice, and self-determination. To become active and influential in the policy of organ procurement, social workers should become familiar with these issues and use crisis intervention techniques with grieving families to help them with the donation decision.

Crisis Intervention↗
PubMed1994

Prevalence of HIV seropositivity among inner-city adolescents in 1988 and 1992.

The purpose of this study was to document the change in prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection among sexually active minority teens at a primary and reproductive teen health clinic. Both new and current patients were sampled in a seroprevalence study in 1988 and again in 1992. None of the 1200 adolescents sampled were seropositive for HIV in 1988. Nine of the 1085 adolescents sampled were seropositive in 1992. Five of these 9 teens reported heterosexual contact only as a potential risk factor. Six of these 9 teens were not in school. These results suggest that HIV infection is increasing among Texas urban teens. Because current education programs do not appear to be preventing viral spread, new, focused intervention must be initiated for teenagers. In particular, an effective acquired immunodeficiency syndrome prevention program for out-of-school youth is needed urgently.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

A comparison between a 1986 and 1989 cohort of inner-city adolescent females on knowledge, beliefs, and risk factors for AIDS.

In order to assess changes from 1986 to 1989 in knowledge, beliefs, and risk factors for AIDS, the responses of inner-city adolescent girls were compared. Although 63% of the 1989 cohort received AIDS education in school, the base knowledge of the two cohorts was not markedly different. Between 1986 and 1989, the number of sexual partners increased for adolescents of all ethnic groups, yet concerns about AIDS showed a decline. Those adolescents who had the highest number of sexual partners were also those who had the most knowledge and most concerns about AIDS. Implications for preventive education focus on ethnic diversity and gaps between adolescent knowledge and behavior.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1990

Incentives and their influence on appointment compliance in a teenage family-planning clinic.

The purpose of this study was to ascertain whether or not the family-planning compliance patterns of indigent adolescents could be influenced by various types of incentives. From February 1988 through January 1989, 534 postpartum inner city teenagers, aged 12-19, who delivered at a large city-county public hospital, participated. Teens were randomly assigned to two treatment groups that either offered a coupon for milk for the infant or a gift for the teenage mother if they returned for their postpartum visit 4-6 weeks after delivery. A third group, which used no incentive for appointment keeping, acted as a control. Although overall compliance was low, a significant relationship was found between type of program incentive and compliance outcome. The program using milk coupons as an incentive had the best compliance rate. This incentive appeared to be most effective with black adolescents. Such incentive programs, although not without controversy, offer a potential way to enhance postpartum contraceptive appointment-keeping compliance in a high-risk population.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Serotonin levels and platelet uptake during premenstrual tension.

Premenstrual tension was studied in 16 females, using both biochemical and psychological parameters during the pre- and postmenstrual phases. Uptake of serotonin (5-HT) and the levels of 5-HT in platelet-rich plasma and platelet-poor plasmas were determined. Degrees of distress experienced pre- and postmenstrually were quantified via the Moos menstrual distress questionnaire. The mean Vmax was significantly lower during the premenstrual (tension) phase (8.2 +/- 0.9 pmol/min) as compared to the postmenstrual (normal) phase (14.4 +/- 3.2 pmol/min). There was no significant difference in the Km values. A highly significant (p less than 0.001) reduction in the levels of 5-HT in platelet-rich plasma (-23.2%) and platelet-poor plasma (-19.1%) was found during the premenstrual phase. There were correlations between the kinetic parameters of 5-HT uptake and some of the Moos symptoms.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Personality and regional cerebral blood flow.

The extraversion-introversion dimension of personality is believed to have an inverse relationship with cortical arousal. Brain capillary perfusion is a well established index of brain function and arousal. Regional cerebral blood flow was measured in 51 right-handed females whose personality structure was examined with the Eysenck Personality Inventory (EPI). Significant inverse correlations were found between the brain blood flow and the extraversion-introversion score of EPI.

Adult↗