A Multi-causal Model for Chronic Malnutrition and Anemia in a Population of Rural Coastal Children in Ecuador

OBJECTIVES

Chronic malnutrition and anemia are prevalent in developing countries. This research aimed to determine the prevalence of chronic malnutrition and anemia and their associated factors in children under five using a multi-causal model in a rural community in the coast of Ecuador.

METHODS

The study included 314 children under 5 years old who were residents of San Isidro, Ecuador. Indicators of chronic malnutrition and anemia were identified. Mothers/caregivers were surveyed on socio-economic and environmental conditions, feeding and care practices, access to health services and biological characteristics. Bivariate and multivariable Poisson regression were performed.

RESULTS

The prevalence was 12.42% (n = 39) for chronic malnutrition and 16.98% (n = 54) for anemia. There was a significant and independent association between chronic malnutrition and family income less than $80 USD per month (Prevalence Ratio [PR] = 2.74, 95% CI 1.04, 7.20), maternal height less than 150 cm (PR 3.00, 95% CI 1.69, 5.32) and residence in a household with more than 4 children (PR 3.05, 95% CI 1.48, 6.29). Anemia was 2.57 times higher (95% CI 1.17, 5.65) in children with more than two episodes of diarrhea in the last 6 months. Prenatal care (5 to 8 visits) provided a protective effect for anemia (PR 0.48, 95% CI 0.27, 0.89).

CONCLUSIONS FOR PRACTICE

Findings support the need for comprehensive interventions targeted toward chronic malnutrition and anemia in children from rural coastal communities. Improvement of socioeconomic conditions, family planning, prenatal care and reduction of diarrheal diseases should be prioritized.

Reducing the Stigma of Diabetes in Medical Education: A Contact-Based Educational Approach

IN BRIEF In this feasibility study, we evaluated the impact of a contact-based education patient panel in an Endocrine and Metabolism course on second-year medical students' diabetes attitudes and diabetes stigma. Prior to the patient panel, some medical students harbored stigma toward people with diabetes, thus confirming patients' reports in the literature of diabetes stigma on the part of health care professionals. Importantly, the one-time contact-based educational approach improved students' diabetes attitudes and reduced diabetes stigma.

What can family medicine providers learn about concussion non-disclosure from former collegiate athletes?

BACKGROUND

Despite the risks, concussion symptoms often go underreported by athletes, leading to delayed or forgone treatment and increased potential for concussion recurrence. One of the most serious long-term consequences of sports-related concussions is Chronic Traumatic Encephelopathy (CTE), a disorder associated with progressive neurological deterioration. The purpose of this study was to explore former collegiate athletes' understanding of concussions and motivations behind concussion non-disclosure in order to better assist family medicine providers in screening for and managing a history of concussions.

METHODS

Informed by the theoretical framework Social Cognitive Theory, we conducted focus groups with former collegiate athletes using a field-tested discussion guide. Discussions were transcribed, coded, and analyzed via content and thematic analyses using NVivo 10 software.

RESULTS

Thirty-two former collegiate athletes (24.5 ± 2.9 years old, 59.4% female, 87.5% white) participated in 7 focus groups. Three predominant themes emerged: 1) Concussions are Part of the Game: Participants believed that concussions were part of sports, and that by agreeing to play a sport they were accepting the inherent risk of concussions. Importantly, many were not familiar with concussion symptoms and what constituted a concussion; 2) Hiding Concussion Symptoms: Participants said they often hid concussion symptoms from coaches and trainers in order to avoid being taken out of or missing games. Participants were able to hide their concussions because most symptoms were indiscernible to others; and 3) Misconceptions about Concussions in Low Contact Sports: Several participants did not understand that concussions could occur in all sports including low contact or noncontact sports. The former athletes who participated in low contact sports and experienced concussions attributed their concussions to personal clumsiness rather than their sport.

CONCLUSIONS

Family medicine providers as well as coaches, athletic trainers, teachers, and parents/guardians should reinforce the message that concussions can occur in all sports and inform patients about the signs and symptoms of concussions. Further, providers should ask all patients if they engaged in high school or collegiate athletics; and if yes, to describe their hardest hit to their head in order to obtain a complete medical history.

Students' Perceptions of Trigger Warnings in Medical Education

Phenomenon: Trigger warnings are verbal statements or written warnings that alert students in advance to potentially distressing material. Medical education includes numerous subjects frequently identified as triggers, such as abuse, rape, self-injurious behaviors, eating disorders, drug and alcohol addiction, and suicide. Thus, exploring medical students' perceptions of trigger warnings may provide a valuable perspective on the use of these warnings in higher education.

APPROACH

As part of a larger descriptive, cross-sectional survey study on medical education, we assessed 1st- and 2nd-year medical students' perceptions of trigger warnings in the preclinical curriculum. Five questions specific to trigger warnings explored students' knowledge, prior experience, and perceptions of trigger warnings in medical education. Frequencies of individual question responses were calculated, and qualitative data were analyzed via content and thematic analyses.

FINDINGS

Of the 424 medical students invited to participate, 259 completed the survey (M = 24.8 years, SD + 3.4, 51.4% female, 76.1% White, 53.7% 1st-year students). Few students (11.2%) were aware of the term trigger warning and its definition. However, after being presented with a formal definition on the online survey, 38.6% reported having had a professor use one. When asked whether they supported the use of trigger warnings in medical education, respondents were distributed fairly equally by response (yes = 31.0%, maybe = 39.2%, no = 29.7%). Qualitative analysis revealed three themes: (a) Trigger Warnings Allow Students to Know What is Coming and Prepare Themselves: Respondents believed that trigger warnings would benefit students with a history of trauma by providing them additional time to prepare for the material and, if appropriate, seek professional help; (b) Students Need to Learn How to Handle Distressing Information: Respondents agreed that they needed to learn and cope with highly sensitive material because they would be confronted with difficult and unexpected situations in clinical practice; and (c) Trigger Warnings Help Students Understand the Severity of the Material: Respondents felt that trigger warnings may help students understand the severity of the material being covered and increase awareness about trauma and its effects on health and well-being. Insights: Findings did not reach consensus for or against the use of trigger warnings in medical school; however, students emphasized the importance of learning how to cope with distressing material. Trigger warnings may represent a teaching tool to facilitate classroom discussions about the severity of trauma-related material and problem-focused coping strategies.

Therapeutic Hypothermia to Treat a Newborn With Perinatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy

Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy is caused by neonatal asphyxia and can lead to mortality or long-term neurodevelopmental morbidity in neonates. Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) is one of the few effective ways to manage mitigating neurologic sequelae. The authors describe the case of a neonate who had a perinatal hypoxic insult and sustained no long-term sequelae after being treated with TH. It is important that osteopathic physicians who provide obstetric and gynecologic, perinatal, and emergency medical care are able to recognize a perinatal hypoxic event, understand the stratification of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy risk factors, and implement early TH protocols.

Is diabetes distress on your radar screen?

Diabetes distress, which affects almost half of those with diabetes, contributes to worsening glycemic control. Recognizing and responding to it is essential.

Aortic Root Aneurism Found in a 42-Year-Old Epitomizes the Importance of Auscultation in Routine Exams

BACKGROUND

Bicuspid aortic valve disease (BAV) is the most common cardiac valve pathology. BAV is associated with aortic root disorders. The literature has few case reports identifying this condition during routine physical exam.

CASE REPORT

A 42-yr-old military reservist flight medic presented for his annual military flight physical. He was found to have a faint cardiac murmur. His past family and medical history were remarkable for familial essential hypertension and being told at age 9 that he had a "murmur." He was referred for cardiology consultation, echocardiography, stress testing, and a computerized tomography angiogram (CTa), which identified BAV with a 4.3-cm aortic root aneurysm. A follow-up at 1 yr was recommended. In the interim he developed severe aortic valve insufficiency, a 4.6-cm aortic root aneurysm. The valve and aortic root were repaired and a single left anterior descending coronary artery lesion was bypassed during surgery. The flight medic made a full recovery but was not returned to flight status.

DISCUSSION

This case emphasizes the importance of periodic reassessment by thorough history and careful cardiac auscultation during flight physicals. BAV aortopathy is an uncommon condition seen in the military aviation community. Most flight surgeons will not have the opportunity to identify it specifically via auscultation. This patient had over nine annual flight physicals prior to the one reported and no pathology was ever identified through routine auscultation. The potential role of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) for survey of vascular and valve status of aviation personnel merits further research.

Dry bulb temperature effects on crew well-being in long-duration ad hoc platform flights

PURPOSE

U.S. combat activities in Iraq and Afghanistan saw the implementation of multiple ad hoc systems incorporated onto commercial aerial platforms for supporting operations. The use of manned platforms, many of which were never intended for the long-duration missions to which they have been applied, has had human factor and aviation life support equipment (ALSE) implications. The physiological stress-inducing nature of high temperatures (> 40 C) is one such concern. This study assessed cockpit temperatures in one such platform during actual combat missions over Iraq.

METHODS

Three missions were flown in Iraq during 2011 on an ad hoc aerial platform and dry bulb temperature readings were recorded periodically at head height at different crew stations. Relative humidity was also recorded.

RESULTS

Temperatures demonstrated wide variability during mission profiles, ranging from > 40°C to 15°C. Ground heat-soaked cabin temperatures were measured as high as 48°C. High temperatures could be experienced for up to an hour prior to departure.

DISCUSSION

While ad hoc aerial platform use has operational merits, the lack of adequate crew life support systems on such platforms can pose thermal risks to the aircrews. More detailed investigation is needed to determine core temperature response of aircrews during such operations and platform specific ALSE requirements to better support aircrew mission effectiveness.