Risk and protective factors associated with youth violence among secondary school students in a nationally representative sample in Puerto Rico

During the past decade, youth violence has received increasing attention as a major public health issue in Puerto Rico as well as in the United States. This study sought to identify risk and protective factors of youth violence in a representative sample of school adolescents in Puerto Rico. Risk and protective factors were grouped into five domains: individual, family, peer group, school and community. From a total of 2,385 participants, 10.7 reported at least one violent behavior and 3.4 reported two or more violent behaviors. In multiple regression analysis the risk factors identified were male gender, junior grade students, having a favorable attitude towards antisocial behavior, use of ecstasy, involvement with antisocial peers and reporting antisocial parents. Participation in family decisions was the only protective factor associated with violence. Findings from this study could have important implications for the development of preventive programs for the adolescent population in Puerto Rico

Profile of a population using a primary health care center in Puerto Rico

PURPOSE: To describe the services delivered by the Family Medicine Physicians at a Community Health Center. METHODS: All information from patient visits during the natural year 1996 were registered using a commercialized computer program. The information was gathered by different means: initial interview, physician's report, records, and personal interviews. RESULTS: A total of 13,203 visits were registered; this represent a total of 4,493 patients. Most of the patients were women, and with a mean age of 38. As expected, most of the patients have Medicaid. The most common conditions seen were hypertension, diabetes, and respiratory diseases. The mean number of visits during the year for almost all conditions was three. Most of the children and adolescents visit the Center due to respiratory conditions, while adults come due to hypertension, diabetes, and musculoskeletal conditions