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PubMed1995

Trends and availability of suicide methods in Finland. Proposals for restrictive measures.

BACKGROUND: Trends and availability of the methods used for suicide in Finland were analysed in order to base proposals for prevention of access to methods. METHODS: Finnish suicides from 1947 to 1990 were analysed by sex, age, time period and suicide method using confidence intervals for rates, chi 2 test for trends and suicide risks for different medicines. RESULTS: Suicide rate by parathion, a highly lethal pesticide and commonly used for suicide in the 1950s, decreased after its availability was restricted, but this was offset by an increased rate by other methods. Since 1982, the suicide risk for antidepressants and neuroleptics increased coincident with their availability, although that for barbiturates remained stable but high despite a reduction in availability. Suicide risk for antidepressants other than tricyclics decreased despite increased availability. CONCLUSION: Restriction of a method reduces its use for suicide, but other methods tend to replace it. Restrictive measures should focus on some specific situations. Antidepressants other than tricyclics are recommended for the treatment of suicidal depressive patients.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1984

Maternal modulation of infantile ovarian development and available ovarian luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) receptors via milk LHRH.

In the rat, ovarian LHRH receptor content, measured by the binding of [125I]D-Ala6-Pro9-LHRH ([125I]A-LHRH) to ovarian membranes, declines during the days preceding the first preovulatory LH surge. The present results show that LHRH receptor content is low during neonatal-infantile days (days 5-15) and increases markedly thereafter to a maximum by day 25. When ovarian membranes from 10-day-old rats were pretreated with MgCl2 to dissociate endogenously bound hormone, LHRH-binding capacity increased to levels similar to those in untreated ovaries from 25-day-old rats. No significant increase was observed in ovaries from the latter group after MgCl2 exposure. Equilibrium association constants were similar (6-8 X 10(9) M-1) in MgCl2-treated and control ovaries, indicating that the increase in binding was not due to a change in receptor affinity. Pups prevented from suckling for various time intervals (1-24 h) exhibited an increase in available ovarian LHRH-binding sites which was maximal by 4 h. When pups were allowed to suckle subsequent to a 6-h fast, available ovarian LHRH receptors decreased rapidly (1 h). This decline was not due to a local increase in LHRH triggered by a neural reflex in response to suckling and/or stomach distension. Intragastric administration of milk reproduced the decline in available receptors induced by suckling, whereas stomach distension produced by saline was ineffective. Concomitant with the decline in receptors, suckling produced a significant increase in both stomach content and plasma levels of an LHRH-like material. Fractionation of acid milk extracts in Sephadex G-25 yielded two peaks, one in a position similar to that of synthetic LHRH. Milk LHRH purified in a C-18 Sep-Pak column displaced binding of [125I]A-LHRH to ovarian membranes and yielded a parallel binding curve in the LHRH RIA. This milk LHRH also released LH and FSH from pituitaries in vitro and inhibited FSH-induced estradiol and progesterone secretion from granulosa cells in culture in a dose-related manner, comparable to A-LHRH. The suckling-induced decrease in available LHRH receptors was prevented by iv administration of a specific LHRH antiserum directed against all 10 amino acids of native LHRH, suggesting that milk LHRH reaches the ovary via the bloodstream. The results indicate that an LHRH-like substance of milk origin binds to LHRH receptors in the pup ovary, thereby controlling receptor availability.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Aging↗

PubMed2001

Evidence for a causal role of low energy availability in the induction of menstrual cycle disturbances during strenuous exercise training.

Cross-sectional and short-term prospective studies in humans support the concept that low energy availability, and not other factors associated with exercise, causes the development of exercise-induced reproductive dysfunction. To rigorously test this hypothesis, we performed a longitudinal study, examining the role of low energy availability on both the development and the reversal of exercise-induced amenorrhea, using a monkey model (Macaca fascicularis). Eight adult female monkeys developed amenorrhea (defined as absence of menses for at least 100 d, with low and unchanging concentrations of LH, FSH, E2, and P4) after gradually increasing their daily exercise to 12.3 +/- 0.9 km/d of running over a 7- to 24-month period. Food intake remained constant during exercise training. To test whether amenorrhea is caused by low energy availability, four of the eight amenorrheic monkeys were provided with supplemental calories (138-181% of calorie intake during amenorrhea) while they maintained their daily training. All four monkeys exhibited increased reproductive hormone levels and reestablished ovulatory cycles, with recovery times for circulating gonadotropin levels ranging from 12-57 d from the initiation of supplemental feeding. The rapidity of recovery within the reproductive axis in a given monkey was directly related to the amount of energy that was consumed during the period of supplemental feeding (r = -0.97; P < 0.05). Repeated measurements of plasma T3 concentrations, a marker of cellular energy availability, revealed a tight correlation between the changes in reproductive function and T3 levels, such that T3 significantly decreased (27%) with the induction and significantly increased (18%) with the reversal of amenorrhea (P < 0.05). These data provide strong evidence that low energy availability plays a causal role in the development of exercise-induced amenorrhea.

Amenorrhea↗

PubMed2006

Variation in resource availability changes the impact of invasive thistles on native bunchgrasses.

The threat posed by invasive nonnative plants to native plant populations is one of the largest challenges facing both conservation biology and restoration ecology. California has been highly impacted by invaders, although many relict stands of native plants are found on shallow, rocky soils with limited resources. The abiotic conditions of these sites may strongly influence the performance of an invasive plant and its effect on resident native species. In addition, the maturity of native plants in these sites may modulate an invader's impact; larger, well-established plants may be better able to resist invaders. In this study we examined how the impact of an invasive thistle (Centaurea solstitialis) on a native perennial bunchgrass (Nassella pulchra) changed in response to variation in soil depth, soil water availability, and bunchgrass maturity. We measured plant performance in terms of survival, growth, reproduction, and predawn water potential. We found that soil depth, water availability, and bunchgrass maturity acted in concert to influence the impact of the invasive thistle on the native bunchgrass. Both species performed better in deep soils, especially during dry years. The combination of shallow soil and low water availability reduced C. solstitialis performance and ameliorated its negative effect on N. pulchra growth and reproduction. Higher water availability resulted in a stronger negative effect of C. solstitialis on N. pulchra in both shallow and deep soils. However, as N. pulchra matured and increased in size, we saw a steady decline in C. solstitialis growth and reproductive output. Higher water availability increased the performance of C. solstitialis in shallow soils. C. solstitialis may thus have a stronger impact on N. pulchra and be more able to invade relict stands of N. pulchra in shallow soils during high-rainfall years. However, established stands of N. pulchra appear to be more resistant to invasion by C. solstitialis as N. pulchra plants grow older and larger.

Biomass↗

PubMed1999

Diabetes in urban African-Americans. XVII. Availability of rapid HbA1c measurements enhances clinical decision-making.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of rapid-turnaround HbA1c results on providers' clinical decision-making and on follow-up HbA1c levels. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: The research design was a randomized clinical trial in which rapid HbA1c results were made available to providers on even days of the month (rapid, n = 575), but delayed by 24 h on odd days (conventional, n = 563). Adjustment of therapy for patients with type 2 diabetes was considered appropriate if therapy was intensified for HbA1c values >7% or not intensified for HbA1c values < or =7%. A post-hoc analysis was also performed using patients (n = 574) who returned for follow-up 2-7 months later to ascertain the effect of rapid HbA1c availability on subsequent glycemic control. RESULTS: Rapid HbA1c availability resulted in more appropriate management compared with conventional HbA1c availability (79 vs. 71%, P = 0.003). This difference was due mainly to less frequent intensification when HbA1c levels were < or =7% (10 vs. 22%, P < 0.0001) and slightly to more frequent intensification for patients with HbA1c values >7% (67 vs. 63%, P = 0.33). For both groups, intensification was greatest for patients on insulin (51%) compared with patients on oral agents (35%) and diet alone (14%) (P < 0.0001). Regression analysis confirmed that providers receiving conventional HbA1c results were more likely to intensify therapy in patients who already had HbA1c levels < or =7%. Over 2-7 months of follow-up, HbA1c rose more in patients with conventional HbA1c results compared with rapid results (0.8 vs. 0.4%, P = 0.02). In patients with initial HbA1c >7%, rapid HbA1c results had a favorable impact on follow-up HbA1c independent of the decision to intensify therapy (P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Availability of rapid HbA1c determinations appears to facilitate diabetes management. The more favorable follow-up HbA1c profile in the rapid HbA1c group occurs independently of the decision to intensify therapy, suggesting the involvement of other factors such as enhanced provider and/or patient motivation.

Black People↗

PubMed2006

Comparison of an indirect immunofluorescence assay, western blot analysis, and a commercially available ELISA for detection of Ehrlichia canis antibodies in canine sera.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the correlation between results for an indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) that uses Ehrlichia canis antigen as a substrate (ie, E canis-IFA), 2 western blot (WB) analyses, and a commercially available ELISA in the detection of E canis antibody in dog sera. SAMPLE POPULATION: 54 canine serum samples that were reactive on E canis-IFA and 16 canine serum samples that were E canis-IFA nonreactive. PROCEDURE: Serum samples were evaluated by use of 2 WB analyses and a commercially available ELISA. Correlation between results of the 3 testing modalities (ie, IFA, WB analyses, and the ELISA) was examined by use of nonreactive (E canis-IFA reciprocal titer, < 20), low-titer (reciprocal titer, 80 to 160), medium-titer (reciprocal titer, 320 to 2,560), and high-titer (reciprocal titer, 5,120 to > 20,480) serum samples. RESULTS: For all serum samples in the nonreactive (n = 16), medium-titer (17), and high-titer (18) groups, correlation of results among IFA, WB analyses, and the commercially available ELISA was excellent. A poor correlation was found between IFA results and those of WB analyses and the ELISA for serum samples in the low-titer group (19), with only 4 of the 19 serum samples having positive results on both WB analyses and the commercially available ELISA. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The discrepancy between E canis-IFA, WB analyses, and the commercially available ELISA results for the low-titer serum samples may be related to a high IFA sensitivity or, more likely, a lack of specificity associated with cross-reactivity among Ehrlichia spp.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Forage availability x heifer phenotype interactions for Brahman-Hereford F1 yearling heifers grazing humid pasture and semiarid rangeland.

Yearling heifer growth data were obtained during 4 yr for 524 heifers allotted to either humid bermuda grass pastures (Overton) or semiarid rangeland (Uvalde). Each year, heifers were allotted on April 15 to four forage availability levels (400 to 2,800 kg of DM per 100 kg of BW at Uvalde and 80 to 260 kg of DM per 100 kg of BW at Overton) maintained by varying the stocking rate monthly until mid-October of each year. Forage availability and yearling heifer characteristics (weight, condition score, and height at hooks, taken on April 15) were treated as continuous variables in regression analyses. Final heifer weight, height, and condition responses to increased forage allowance were related to yearling phenotypes differently for the two locations. Generally, at Overton, forage availability influenced final characteristics to a greater extent than did yearling variables, whereas the trend was the opposite at Uvalde. At Uvalde, the yearling characteristic that had the largest effect on performance was height at hooks. Yearlings with large frames benefited from increased forage allowance by accumulating body fat at a faster rate than those with small frames. In contrast, at Overton, the yearling characteristic that had the largest effect on performance was condition. Fat heifers responded to increased forage availability to gain even greater advantages in fatness at the expense of potential growth in height and, thus, achieved early maturation. Yearling phenotypes were more broadly adapted to arrays of forage availability for humid, improved pastures than for semiarid rangeland.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed2003

Effect of microbial phytase on energy availability, and lipid and protein deposition in growing swine.

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effect of phytase on energy availability in pigs. In Exp. 1, barrows (initial and final BW of 26 and 52 kg) were allotted to four treatments in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement. Corn-soybean meal (C-SBM) diets were fed at two energy levels (2.9 and 3.2 x maintenance [M]) with and without the addition of 500 phytase units/kg of diet. The diets contained 115% of the requirement for Ca, available P (aP), and total lysine, and Ca and aP were decreased by 0.10% in diets with added phytase. Pigs were penned individually and fed daily at 0600 and 1700, and water was available constantly. Eight pigs were killed and ground to determine initial body composition. At the end of Exp. 1, all 48 pigs were killed for determination of carcass traits and protein and fat content by total-body electrical conductivity (TOBEC) analysis. Six pigs per treatment were ground for chemical composition. In Exp. 2, 64 barrows and gilts (initial and final BW of 23 and 47 kg) were allotted to two treatments (C-SBM with 10% defatted rice bran or that diet with reduced Ca and aP and 500 phytase units/kg of diet), with five replicate pens of barrows and three replicate pens of gilts (four pigs per pen). In Exp. 1, ADG was increased (P < 0.01) in pigs fed at 3.2 x M. Based on chemical analyses, fat deposition, kilograms of fat, retained energy (RE) in the carcass and in the carcass + viscera, fat deposition in the organs, and kilograms of protein in the carcass were increased (P < 0.10) in pigs fed the diets at 3.2 vs. 2.9 x M. Based on TOBEC analysis, fat deposition, percentage of fat increase, and RE were increased (P < 0.09) in pigs fed at 3.2 x M. Plasma urea N concentrations were increased in pigs fed at 3.2 x M with no added phytase but were not affected when phytase was added to the diet (phytase x energy, P < 0.06). Fasting plasma glucose measured on d 28, ultrasound longissimus muscle area (LMA), and 10th-rib fat depth were increased (P < 0.08) in pigs fed phytase, but many other response variables were numerically affected by phytase addition. In Exp. 2, phytase had no effect (P > 0.10) on ADG, ADFI, gain:feed, LMA, or 10th-rib fat depth. These results suggest that phytase had small, mostly nonsignificant effects on energy availability in diets for growing pigs; however, given that phytase increased most of the response variables measured, further research on its possible effects on energy availability seems warranted.

6-Phytase↗

PubMed1987

Tryptophan availability of some feedstuffs determined by pig growth assay.

Three experiments were conducted with young pigs to measure the availability of tryptophan in soybean meal, meat and bone meal, cottonseed meal, corn and sorghum. In Exp. 1, a 17.5% crude protein corn and gelatin-based diet, deficient in tryptophan, was supplemented with graded levels of L-tryptophan to establish the growth response of 10- to 20-kg pigs to graded additions of dietary tryptophan. From these data the requirement for maximal growth was calculated to be .16% of the diet using a broken-line model. In Exp. 2, the effects of excess amino acids in a test feedstuff, i.e., soybean meal, on the growth assay method for estimating tryptophan availability was evaluated. The addition of excess crystalline amino acids to the basal diet in proportions equal to the excesses contributed by a test level of soybean meal resulted in a 17.7 percentage unit reduction in the estimate of tryptophan availability (82.3%). When the standard diet was supplemented with amino acids to provide the pattern of excess amino acids found in the corn-gelatin basal diet with added soybean meal, the availability of tryptophan in soybean meal was estimated to be 95.2%. In Exp. 3, the tryptophan availabilities for meat and bone meal, cottonseed meal, corn and sorghum were estimated to be 82.2%, 80.9%, 94.0% and 86.4%, respectively. The diets used in this experiment were supplemented to contain excesses of individual amino acids in the same proportions as found in the basal diet, with the test feed ingredient added as a source of tryptophan. In these experiments the tryptophan content of the various feedstuffs was measured by ion-exchange liquid chromatography following alkaline hydrolysis.

Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena↗

PubMed1985

Adoption of the Uniform Alcoholism Act and the availability of alcoholism treatment programs: a state-by-state examination.

This research examines geographic differences in the availability of alcoholism treatment programs throughout the United States. Using a substantially complete national listing of alcoholism treatment programs, significant differences in treatment availability based upon state, division, and region were found. The variations in treatment availability were strongly related to the adoption of the Uniform Alcoholism Act, with the influence of the UAA being more pronounced in nonmetropolitan areas. Treatment availability was only weakly related to the extent of alcohol-related problems. It is suggested that the UAA may be adopted through the social mandates of metropolitan areas and that nonmetropolitan areas respond with increased treatment availability as a result of the legal mandate of the legislation. It is concluded that without the official redefinition of alcoholism as a condition requiring treatment, the establishment of an adequate treatment capability is severely impaired.

Alcoholism↗

PubMed1976

Assessment of the quantity of biologically available phosphorus in yeast RNA and single-cell protein.

Two assays were conducted with chicks fed a phosphorus-deficient crystalline amino acid diet from day 8 to 17 posthatching to evaluate the phosphorus availability of purified torula yeast RNA and single-cell protein (Torula yeast). Tibia bone ash of the chicks was the criterion used in both assays, and regression analysis was used to evaluate bone ash as a function of phosphorus intake. A standard curve was established by feeding graded levels of KH2PO4 in each assay. Weight gain, tibia weight and tibia ash all responded to phosphorus supplementation whether provided by KH2PO4, RNA or single-cell protein. Weight of tibia ash provided the best linear fit when evaluated as a function of phosphorus intake. Availability in both assays estimated using the slope-ratio technique wherein milligrams of available phosphorus per gram of RNA or single-cell protein was calculated. In assay 1 the available phosphorus in RNA was found to be 93.2 mg/. In assay 2 the available phorphorus in single-cell protein was found to be 14.1 mg./g.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed1977

The available lysine requirements of 7-9 week old sexed broiler chicks.

The experiments were conducted to determine the available lysine requirement of broiler chicks during the 7-9 week growing period. The chicks were sexed at day old, and the sexes were reared in separate pens in the same facility. Commercial-type broiler rations were fed from day old to 7 weeks of age. At 7 weeks the sexing errors were removed and the pens equalized to 50 birds per pen. The eight dietary treatments were replicated three times per sex. Graded levels of L-lysine-HCL were added to the basal ration to give a stepwise increase of 0.07% lysine per level. The available lysine requirement for female during the 7-9 week period was 0.64% for both growth and feed conversion. When this was expressed as a function of energy, 0.187% available lysine per megacalorie of metabolizable energy (M.E) per kg. of diet was required. The available lysine requirement for males during this period was 0.69 and 0.66% for gain and feed conversion, respectively. Expressed as available lysine per megacalorie of M.E. per kg. of diet, the values would be 0.202 and 0.193%, respectively.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1977

Availability of oxidized sulfur amino acids for the growing chick.

In four trials, experimental diets were fed to one week old broiler cockerels for a period of 14 days to compare the availability of oxidized sulfur amino acids to DL-methionine on an equimolar basis. The data were analyzed by the slope-ratio technique. Chick weight gain per unit feed consumed was the dependent variable and dietary level of supplemental amino acid was the independent variable. There was no significant (P=.05) differences in availability of DL-, L-, and D-methionine. D-, DL-, and L-methionine sulfoxide were 52, 59 and 77%, respectively, as available as DL-methionine. The differences in availability between the three sulfoxides and DL-methionine were significant. Both DL- and D-methionine sulfoxide were significantly less available than L-methionine sulfoxide. No response was obtained from L-cysteic acid or DL-methionine sulfone.

Amino Acids, Sulfur↗

PubMed1992

The role of availability in the estimation of national populations.

In two parallel experiments, conducted 17 months apart, we examined the relations among population estimates, availability, and media coverage of the 100 countries with populations of 4 million or more. The results were consistent with the main hypothesis, that availability influences population estimates. Specifically, we found that (1) rated knowledge of each country (our measure of availability) was strongly correlated with estimated population for that country; (2) rated knowledge was more strongly correlated with estimated population than were other plausible predictors, such as land area; (3) a strong partial correlation between rated knowledge and estimated population remained even after true population and true land area were partialed out; and (4) longitudinal changes in rated knowledge predicted longitudinal changes in estimated population. Also as hypothesized, media coverage was positively related to availability and to population estimates. Further, we found that population estimates, rated knowledge, and amount of media coverage that each country received were very stable over the year-and-a-half period. These results led us to consider when availability is most likely to be relied upon heavily in quantitative estimation and how it may be integrated with other knowledge to derive quantitative estimates.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Job-sharing in paediatric training in Australia: availability and trainee perceptions.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the current availability of job-sharing in paediatric training hospitals in Australia and to evaluate job-sharing from the trainees' perspective. DESIGN: National survey with structured telephone interviews and postal questionnai res. SETTING: The eight major paediatric training hospitals in Australia. PARTICIPANTS: Directors of Paediatric Physician Training (DPPTs) at each hospital (or a staff member nominated by them) provided information by phone interview regarding job-sharing. All paediatric trainees who job-shared in 1998 (n=34) were sent written questionnaires, of which 25 were returned. RESULTS: Hospitals differed in terms of whether a trainee was required to give a reason for wishing to job-share, and what reasons were acceptable. One hospital stated that two specialty units (Intensive Care and Neonatal Intensive Care) were excluded from job-sharing, and another stated that certain units were unlikely to be allocated job-sharers. The remaining six hospitals said that all units were available for job-sharing, but the majority of their trainees disagreed. Only one hospital had a cap on the number of job-share positions available yearly. Trainees perceived benefits of job-sharing to include decreased tiredness, increased enthusiasm for work, and the ability to strike a balance between training and other aspects of life. Trainees believed job-sharing did not adversely affect the quality of service provided to patients, and that part-time training was not of lower quality than full-time training. CONCLUSIONS: Job-sharing in Australian paediatric training hospitals varies in terms of the number of positions available, eligibility criteria, and which units are available for job-sharing. In our survey, trainees' experience of job-sharing was overwhelmingly positive.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

PubMed2001

Availability of smoking cessation resources for U.S. Army general medical officers.

Adequate resources are a necessity in providing effective smoking cessation interventions to active duty soldiers. The availability of smoking cessation resources was measured by a survey of Army general medical officers (GMOs). Questionnaires were successfully mailed to 232 Army GMOs, which was the entire population of this group in 1997. One hundred fifty GMOs (65%) returned the questionnaire voluntarily and anonymously. Fifty-three percent of GMOs identified the nicotine patch as a formulary item. All responders indicated that some form of nicotine replacement was available on formulary or for purchase in the area. Eighty-two percent of GMOs reported that group smoking cessation programs were available. The widespread availability of group smoking cessation programs may reflect an emphasis on this strategy by the Army's health promotion program. Additional attention needs to address the availability of nicotine replacement items and other adjunctive medications without cost to the beneficiary at military installations.

Health Services Accessibility↗

PubMed2001

[Analysis on the availability of programs and services for elderly people in Puerto Rico].

This research was conducted with the purpose of analyzing the programs and services available to the aged population in the municipalities of Puerto Rico during 1999 and 2000. The analysis was performed using an evaluation instrument which collected data of the programs and services directed exclusively to the aged population, such as: senior centers, foster homes, institutions, independent living, employed and/or volunteer people, geriatric services, adult education (literacy), recreation, discounts, corporations and/or associations that benefit the aged population, aging offices, support groups, social services, home meal services, and financial aid. Data was also collected from programs and services that benefit diverse aged populations in areas such as: health, housing, employment and social welfare. The sources for the collection of data were directories available to government and private agencies, telephone directories, telephone interviews, and personal visits. The municipalities were divided into two zones, the Northern zone, constituted by 40 municipalities and the Southern zone, constituted by 38 municipalities, for a total of 78 evaluated municipalities. In the Northern region, which accounted to approximately 295,938 aged persons, 18 types of programs or services were found to serve the aged population directly and 50 types were aged-related programs or services. In the Southern region, which accounted for approximately 169,798 aged persons, 13 types of programs or services served the aged exclusively and 43 were aged-related services. The following were among the principal programs or services available: senior centers, foster homes and/or institutions, employment programs, home care services and hospices, independent living, and agricultural extension services. Among the least available programs or services were private home meal services, literacy and retraining, arts and travel services, corporations or associations for the benefit of the aged, geriatric evaluation programs, home repair services, home-assistance programs, support and respite programs, adequate or specialized transportation services, diverse housing models, different types of senior centers, and programs for psychological or psychiatric assistance. In conclusion, the availability of the programs and services in this study and the evaluation of the services needed for a community of aged persons indicate the need for increasing and developing services considered essential in accordance to the population demands.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Mental Health Residents: Knowledge on prices and availability of drugs they prescribe].

OBJECTIVES: The cost and availability of psychiatric drugs is an important aspect for patient adherence to treatment. Therefore, Psychiatry Residents were interviewed about what drugs were most usually prescribed by them, their estimated price, free availability in their hospitals and access to literature about drug costs in the services. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During the VI Congress of Residents in Mental Health of the Metropolitan Area of Buenos Aires, a structured interview was administered to Psychiatry Residents. A form was used containing open and close questions. The questionnaire was not self administered. Sixty eight Psychiatry Residents of fourteen Public Hospitals of the Capital and Province of Buenos Aires were interviewed. RESULTS: The drugs most frequently chosen in each pharmacological group were: haloperidol 24 percent, fluoxetine 43 per cent, clonazepan 39 percent and carbamazepine 34 per cent 82 percent of the questions regarding the knowledge about prescribed drug costs were incorrect. 57 per cent of the drugs chosen were not available at the Hospitals whereas 69 per cent of the drugs that were never selected were available. CONCLUSIONS: In this descriptive study, we found an important lack of knowledge on drug costs, little access to literature about this subject and availability of drugs not adequated to the Residents choices.

Drug Prescriptions↗