A computer-based aid for communication between patients with limited English and their clinicians, using symbols and digitised speech.

BACKGROUND: Problems of communication are an important barrier on the pathway to healthcare for patients with limited or no ability in the majority language of the country in which they live. Solutions involving interpreters who have to be booked in advance, or using unqualified friends or family members to translate, are highly unsatisfactory. AIM: This paper describes a computer-based approach to alleviating the situation. DESIGN/METHOD: A computer-based communication aid was developed and tested. The communication aid is designed to permit an English-speaking healthcare practitioner to select a series of questions which are then presented along with a range of possible answers for the patient to choose from. The questions and answers are presented in the patient's own language in both text and digitised speech accompanied by symbols as well as English text. As a test-case we focused on Somali patients with asthma. RESULTS: 26 simulated consultations with Somali asthma sufferers and healthcare practitioners (three GPs and six nurses) with experience of asthma treatment with this patient group were held with the system implemented either on a laptop with mouse pad, or a tablet with stylus. All the consultations were successfully completed with a high satisfaction rate on the part of both practitioners and patients. CONCLUSION: Feedback questionnaires suggest some areas for improvement. The proposed system is a practical way of addressing the problem of communication with patients with limited English in the context of clinician-led question-answer dialogues.

Geographical variation in relationships between parental body size and offspring phenotype at birth.

BACKGROUND: Size and body proportions at birth are partly determined by maternal body composition, but most studies of mother-baby relationships have only considered the effects of maternal height and weight on offspring birth weight, and few have examined the size of effects. Paternal size and body composition also play a role, primarily through the fetal genome, although few studies have investigated relationships with neonatal phenotype. METHODS: Data from the UK, Finland, India, Sri Lanka, China, DR Congo, Nigeria and Jamaica were used to investigate the effects of maternal measures (derived at 30 weeks' gestation, n=16,418), and also paternal size (n=3,733) on neonatal phenotype, for singleton, live-born, term births. RESULTS: After accounting for variation in maternal size and shape across populations, differences in neonatal phenotype were markedly reduced. Mother-baby relationships were similar across populations, although some were stronger in developing countries. Maternal height was generally the strongest predictor of neonatal length, maternal head circumference of neonatal head and maternal skinfold thickness of neonatal skinfolds. Relationships with maternal arm muscle area were generally weak. Effects of paternal height and body mass index were weaker than the equivalent maternal measurements in most studies. CONCLUSIONS: Differences in maternal body composition account for a large part of the geographical variation in neonatal phenotype. The size of the effects of all maternal measures on neonatal phenotype suggests that nutrition at every stage of the mother's life cycle may influence fetal growth. Further research is needed into father-baby relationships and the genetic mechanisms that influence fetal growth.

Geographical variation in neonatal phenotype.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have shown associations between size and body proportions at birth and health outcomes throughout the life cycle, but there are few data on how neonatal phenotype varies in different populations around the world. METHODS: Data from the UK, Finland, India, Sri Lanka, China, DR Congo, Nigeria, and Jamaica (n=22,067) were used to characterize geographical differences in phenotype in singleton, live-born newborns. Measurements included birth weight, placental weight, length, head, chest, abdominal and arm circumferences, and skinfolds. RESULTS: Neonates in Europe were the largest, followed by Jamaica, East Asia (China), then Africa and South Asia. Birth weight varied widely (mean values 2,730-3,570 g), but in contrast, head circumference was similar in all except China (markedly smaller). The main difference in body proportions between populations was the head to length ratio, with small heads relative to length in China and large heads relative to length in South Asia and Africa. CONCLUSIONS: These marked geographical differences in neonatal phenotype need to be considered when investigating determinants of fetal growth, and optimal phenotype for short-term and long-term outcomes.

Asthma and sensitization in a community with low indoor allergen levels and low pet-keeping frequency.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about causes of asthma and sensitization in desert countries. OBJECTIVE: To investigate risk factors associated with asthma and sensitization in Kuwait. METHODS: One hundred sixty children (9-16 years) with physician-diagnosed asthma were recruited and matched (age, sex) with 303 healthy controls. Risk factors were assessed by questionnaires, determination of sensitization status (skin tests and IgE), and home allergen exposure (mite, cat, dog, cockroach; ELISA). RESULTS: Home allergen levels and frequency of pet ownership were very low (cat, 4.1%; dog, 1.5%). The risk of cat sensitization increased significantly among cat owners (odds ratio [OR], 3.53; 95% CI, 1.33-9.41; P = .01), and in children with reported contact with cats during the first year of life (OR, 2.60; 95% CI, 1.17-5.80; P = .019). In the multivariate analysis, maternal atopy (OR, 1.77; 95% CI, 1.13-2.75; P = .01) and cat ownership (OR, 3.32; 95% CI, 1.19-9.25; P = .02) remained significant associates of cat sensitization. Current dog ownership significantly increased the risk of sensitization to dog (OR, 6.05; 95% CI, 1.33-27.54; P = .02). In the multivariate analysis, dog ownership remained the only significant associate of dog sensitization (OR, 6.02; 95% CI, 1.30-27.96; P = .02). Sensitization to Alternaria was the strongest independent associate of the asthma group. Family history of asthma, history of whooping cough, current cat ownership, and breast-feeding <2 months were other significant and independent risk factors for asthma. CONCLUSIONS: Pet ownership markedly increased the risk of sensitization to pets. Despite low allergen exposure, the pattern of childhood asthma in Kuwait follows that described in Western communities (strong association with sensitization).

Impact of maternal depression on infant nutritional status and illness: a cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The risk for emotional and behavioral problems is known to be high among children of depressed mothers, but little is known about the impact of prenatal and postnatal depression on the physical health of infants. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether maternal depression is a risk factor for malnutrition and illness in infants living in a low-income country. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Rural community in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. PARTICIPANTS: Six hundred thirty-two physically healthy women were assessed in their third trimester of pregnancy to obtain at birth a cohort of 160 infants of depressed mothers and 160 infants of psychologically well mothers. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: All infants were weighed and measured at birth and at 2, 6, and 12 months of age, and they were monitored for episodes of diarrhea and acute respiratory infections. The mothers' mental states were reassessed at 2, 6, and 12 months. Data were collected on potential confounders of infant outcomes, such as birth weight and socioeconomic status. RESULTS: Infants of prenatally depressed mothers showed significantly more growth retardation than controls at all time points. The relative risks for being underweight (weight-for-age z score of less than -2) were 4.0 (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.1 to 7.7) at 6 months of age and 2.6 (95% CI, 1.7 to 4.1) at 12 months of age, and the relative risks for stunting (length-for-age z score of less than -2) were 4.4 (95% CI, 1.7 to 11.4) at 6 months of age and 2.5 (95% CI, 1.6 to 4.0) at 12 months of age. The relative risk for 5 or more diarrheal episodes per year was 2.4 (95% CI, 1.7 to 3.3). Chronic depression carried a greater risk for poor outcome than episodic depression. The associations remained significant after adjustment for confounders by multivariate analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal depression in the prenatal and postnatal periods predicts poorer growth and higher risk of diarrhea in a community sample of infants. As depression can be identified relatively easily, it could be an important marker for a high-risk infant group. Early treatment of prenatal and postnatal depression could benefit not only the mother's mental health but also the infant's physical health and development.

Up the garden path and over the edge: where might health-seeking behaviour take us?

The concept of health-seeking behaviour continues to permeate the development literature, and this paper reviews the main approaches. However, it also suggests that health-seeking behaviour is a somewhat over-utilized and under-theorized tool. Although it remains a valid tool for rapid appraisal of a particular issue at a particular time, it is of little use as it stands to explore the wider relationship between populations and health systems development. If we wish to move the debate into new and more fruitful arenas, we need to develop a tool for understanding how populations engage with health systems, rather than using health-seeking behaviour as a tool for describing how individuals engage with services. The paper suggests one way in which we might start to frame the debate, using reflexive communities and social capital as key theoretical and analytical concepts.

Attitudes, practices and knowledge of health professionals on breast feeding in Kingston, Jamaica

In order to assess attitudes practices and knowledge of different categories of health professionals towards breast feeding, 30 doctors, 76 nurses and 22 community health aides (CHAs) answered a self-administered questionnaire. The results indicated that the health workers, in general, have positive views on breast feeding even though some practices interfering with breast feeding still continue. In contrast, knowledge about breast feeding physiology, management, and contraindications was generally poor, suggesting that training on the subject may not be adequate. Doctors had better knowledge than other health professionals, indicating that they are not sharing their knowledge with those who have closer contact with breast feeding mothers. Some actions are suggested to maintain the health workers' positive attitudes to breast feeding, and improve popular practices and knowledge. (AU)