ABSTRACT
Burns may have a devastating effect on psychological health among children, although previous studies report difficulties as well as positive findings. The aims were to describe the rate of psychological problems in children with burns using a standardised instrument and to explore statistical predictors of these problems. Parents (n=94) of children aged 3-18 years who sustained burns 0.3-9.0 years previously answered the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) covering Emotional symptoms, Conduct problems, Hyperactivity/Inattention, Peer relationship problems, Prosocial behaviour, and a Total difficulties score. Questions regarding parental psychological health and family situation were also included. The results for three of the SDQ subscales were close to the norm (10%) regarding the rate of cases where clinical problems were indicated, while the rate of cases indicated for Conduct, Peer problems and Total difficulties was 18-20%. Statistical predictors of the SDQ subscales were mainly parents' psychological symptoms, father's education, and changes in living arrangements. Visible scars were relevant for the Total difficulties score and Hyperactivity/Inattention. In summary, a slightly larger proportion of children with burns had psychological problems than is the case among children in general, and family variables exerted the most influence on parental reports of children's psychological problems.
Subject(s)
Burns/psychology , Child Behavior Disorders/diagnosis , Surveys and Questionnaires , Adolescent , Child , Child Behavior Disorders/psychology , Child, Preschool , Family Characteristics , Female , Humans , Male , Psychometrics , Regression Analysis , SwedenABSTRACT
The effect of artemether, an antimalarial drug developed from the plant Artemisia annua, has been tested against the larval stages of Schistosoma mansoni covering the time from skin penetration to the early adult liver-stage. The results show that the experimental animals used (hamster and mice) do not develop schistosomiasis mansoni if treated with artemether during the first month after infection. The parasite was found to be especially susceptible between the 3rd and 4th week after infection, resulting in worm reductions of 75.3-82.0% compared to non-treated controls. This level was boosted to 97.2-100% when the animals were subjected to various schedules of repeated treatment. Almost complete protection was also reached in parallel experiments with repeated infections carried out to mirror more closely the real situation of trickle infection.
