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Biomedical subjects

Megan Young

Publications and source records attributed to Megan Young.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Opportunities for health promotion in the Queensland women's prison system.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the health of Queensland women prisoners with that of community women using the target areas of public health promotion identified by Health Determinants Queensland as a framework. METHODS: Data from the Queensland Women Prisoners' Health Survey was compared with published community data in each of the target areas. RESULTS: Queensland women prisoners had poorer nutrition, did less exercise, had higher rates of smoking and had a greater prevalence of asthma and diabetes than women in the community. They seemed to have a greater prevalence of mental health disorders. CONCLUSIONS: Within the framework, women prisoners had significantly poorer measured outcomes than community women in all areas except cervical screening, breast cancer screening and overweight and obesity. IMPLICATIONS: The Health Determinants Queensland target areas for Queensland women are of even greater priority in the subgroup of women prisoners. Benefits for the health of prisoners, and therefore the community, could be gained by expanding existing community health promotion activities to prisons through collaboration and partnerships.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

The public health implications of a sporadic case of culture-proven Legionnaires' disease.

Legionella pneumophila is an important cause of community-acquired pneumonia. Domestic sources of infection have been increasingly recognised among community-acquired cases. This report summarises the public health investigations and management of a single community-acquired case of Legionnaires' disease in Queensland, commenced in the context of a suspected outbreak. Legionellae from the case's domestic water supply were indistinguishable from the clinical isolate. The implications for future investigation of sporadic cases are discussed.

Community-Acquired Infections↗
PubMed2004

Haemochromatosis--a future focus for continuing education in general practice.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to assess the educational needs of general practitioners with regards to the diagnosis and management of hereditary haemochromatosis. METHODS: A questionnaire was mailed to all 216 GPs in a suburban division of general practice, with a response rate of 91 (42.1%). The survey covered GPs knowledge of the symptoms, signs, diagnosis, management and prognosis of haemochromatosis; attitudes toward management; beliefs regarding the prevalence of haemochromatosis and its relationship to other conditions; and management practices. RESULTS: The relative prevalence, symptoms, signs, diagnostic requirements and prognostic factors associated with haemochromatosis were generally well recognised. The specifics of management is an area of educational need; in particular, venesection goals, dietary recommendations and the role of liver biopsy in diagnosis. Respondents were generally not comfortable managing haemochromatosis without specialist support, most commonly from a gastroenterologist. Of 80% of GPs who reported having patients with haemochromatosis, 41% primarily managed the condition. DISCUSSION: The management of haemochromatosis in general practice could be improved by an educational campaign targeting GPs and the referral of uncomplicated patients back to their GPs from specialist services.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Multiple primary melanoma revisited.

BACKGROUND: Incidence of cutaneous melanoma continues to increase in the Caucasian population worldwide. Approximately 5% of melanoma patients develop additional primary melanoma. This rate is significantly higher than the estimated lifetime risk of an individual for developing the disease (1.4%). These features suggest that a genetic predisposition may underlie multiple primary melanomas (MPMs). Prior studies had identified CDKN2A mutations in a few MPM individuals. The objectives of this study were to determine the frequency of family history of melanoma in MPM cases, to characterize other clinical features including history of other cancer, and to determine the association with functional CDKN2A mutations. METHODS: This study used a case series design. All living patients who had been seen in the Pigmented Lesion Clinic at the University of Pennsylvania and who had more than one primary invasive malignant melanoma or an invasive primary followed by an in situ melanoma were eligible for participation. RESULTS: Individuals with MPM frequently had a family history of melanoma, dysplastic nevi (DN), and/or another cancer including basal cell carcinoma (BCC), and squamous cell carcinoma breast cancer, and a personal history of DN, and basal cell carcinoma. Germline mutations in CDKN2A gene were identified in 8 of 96 MPM cases (8.3%, 95% confidence interval, 6.7-9.9%). CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that the presence of MPM is associated with a modest incidence of a family history of melanoma, DN, or BCC and a small association with CDKN2A mutations. Therefore, in addition to the MPM index case, other family members can benefit from screening and regular surveillance for melanoma, DN, and BCC.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Catastrophic injuries in wrestlers.

BACKGROUND: There is a paucity of comprehensive information on catastrophic wrestling injuries. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to develop a profile of catastrophic injuries in wrestling and a list of relevant risk factors. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 35 incidents that were reported to the National Center for Catastrophic Sports Injury Research over an 18-year period from 1981 until 1999. RESULTS: Except in the case of one male college athlete, all injuries occurred in male high school wrestlers. There were 2.11 direct catastrophic injuries per year or 1 per 100000 participants. The majority of injuries occurred in match competitions (80%), with a trend toward more injuries in the low- and middle-weight classes. The position most frequently associated with injury was the defensive position during the takedown maneuver (74%), followed by the down position (23%), and the lying position (3%). Catastrophic injuries included 27 cervical fractures or major cervical ligament injuries, 4 spinal cord contusions with transient quadriparesis, 3 severe head injuries, and an acutely herniated lumbar disc. The injuries resulted in quadriplegia in 11, residual neurologic deficits in 6, paraplegia in 1, and death in 1 head-injured athlete. CONCLUSIONS: Although catastrophic injuries in wrestling are rare, they do occur. Referees can help prevent such injuries by strictly enforcing penalties for slams and by gaining more awareness of dangerous holds. Coaches may also prevent serious injuries by emphasizing proper wrestling techniques.

Adolescent↗