ABSTRACT
The Second Chance Club, a high school-based intervention for pregnant and parenting adolescents, was evaluated to determine the repeat birth rate among participants. A retrospective case-controlled cohort study was conducted (participants, n = 50; control subjects, n = 255) over 3 years after enrollment in the intervention. Repeat births occurred in 3/50 (6%) of participants and 95/255 (37%) of controls (p <.05).
Subject(s)
Adolescent Health Services , Pregnancy in Adolescence/prevention & control , School Health Services , Adolescent , Adult , Birth Rate , Female , Humans , Pregnancy , Program Evaluation , Retrospective Studies , Risk Factors , South Carolina/epidemiologyABSTRACT
Patients with allergic reactions to RIFA should be instructed in avoidance of RIFA and in the administration of epinephrine, given emergency identification information, and referred to an allergist for definitive diagnosis and for desensitization as indicated. RIFA are a growing menace in this country; as their habitat steadily extends north and west, no doubt a growing number of people will be affected by them. Their sting can be acutely life threatening and, as in this one case example, a severe reaction can profoundly affect the life of the victim.
Subject(s)
Anaphylaxis/drug therapy , Ants , Emergencies , Insect Bites and Stings/complications , Aftercare , Anaphylaxis/etiology , Anaphylaxis/prevention & control , Animals , Education, Nursing, Continuing , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Patient DischargeABSTRACT
This cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the health-seeking behaviors of a group of patients stung by red imported fire ants (RIFA) and the number of nursing referrals resulting in treatment. The following two research questions were asked: (1) Is there a delay in seeking the care of a board-certified allergist for symptoms of fire ant hypersensitivity? (2) Are nurses referring patients for treatment? The entire population of board-certified allergists in Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina (n = 98) was sampled. A questionnaire was developed for the office nurses to use to collect information from allergy patients actually receiving fire ant injections (n = 257). Each patient reported on the reaction, when it occurred as well as age, sex, and county of residence. Descriptive statistics revealed that a delay of a month or more in seeking care of an allergist was experienced by 154 (56%) of patients who completed the questionnaire. The average delay was 1.8 years. The main source of referrals was a general practitioner or emergency room personnel. Nursing and other health professionals must recognize the problem and to institute prompt referral for treatment. In areas where RIFA colonies are spreading, they have to be fully informed and trained in effective primary and secondary techniques to prevent serious reaction to the stings of these ants.
