[Barriers and Resources in Utilisation of HIV-Prevention Services for African Migrants]

The evaluation of the "Africa Project" investigates barriers to and resources of the utilisation of HIV-prevention services by African migrants. A KAP study evaluates knowledge, attitudes and practice of an African sample population (n = 214). Results show that gender and cultural-psychological factors influence the perception of ways of infection and protection such as condom use and thereby determine the prerequisites for HIV prevention.

[The diagnostic report as an aid for determination of referral to inpatient rehabilitation]

The investigation analyzes some 206 standardized diagnostic reports submitted by office-practice physicians, demonstrating the role of diagnostic reports in determining access to medical rehabilitation. It is found that the practitioners added no further information about their patients' health status in half of the diagnostic reports given, and no further medical documents in one third. On the other hand, diagnostic reports that included details about the patients' ability to work as well as information about previous treatments resulted to a greater degree in direct award of a medical rehabilitation measure.

[The treatment concept at the "Center for Pain Studies" of the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.]

The article describes the interdisciplinary treatment of chronic pain at the Center of Pain Studies (CPS). The CPS is an intergral part of the Rehabilitation Institute in Chicago. An essential part of the program is a 1-day outpatient evaluation in which members of all disciplines take part. A team conference determines the appropriateness of the pain program for each patient accepted for further care at the CPS. In 50% of the patients chronic pain is connected with work-related accidents. General aims of the treatment are to return to productive life, improve emplopyability, increase activity level, improve mobility, apply pain management techniques, and improve coping. The program is monitored by an evaluation/follow-up system. Success criteria of the 6-month follow-up for the years 1987-91, such as less daily downtime in 58-78% of the patients, more time out on weekends in 40-68%, return to work in 50-67% and reduced depression in 37-70%, give an impression of the effectiveness of the pain management program.