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1.
Disabil Health J ; 17(3): 101623, 2024 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38631971

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in the US, especially those living in group homes, experienced comparatively higher Covid-19 case/case fatality rates than the general population during the first year of the pandemic. There is no information about the patterns of case/case fatality rates during this time. OBJECTIVE: This study compared Covid-19 case/case fatality rates among people with IDD living in residential group homes to the general population across the first year of the pandemic in New York State (NYS). METHODS: Covid-19 positive cases and deaths collected from New York Disability Advocates (NYDA), a coalition of organizations serving individuals with IDD, was compared to data for the NYS general population from the first pandemic year. Case rates/100,000 and case fatality rates were calculated for the study period. Joinpoint Trend Analysis Software was used to analyze patterns in weekly case/case fatality rates. RESULTS: Case fatality rates for people with IDD were higher than for the overall state population throughout the pandemic's first year. Case rates were higher among people with IDD across most of this year. Although the patterns in rates were similar, there was a sharp increase in cases for those with IDD during Fall 2020 beginning eight weeks before the general NYS population and a significant decrease in fatalities in late December 2020 into January 2021. CONCLUSIONS: Consistently higher case fatality rates and significant differences in case/case fatality rates for people with IDD living in group homes require further consideration. Planning for future emergencies will require an enhanced federal/state understanding of the needs of people with IDD and a responsive surveillance system.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Developmental Disabilities , Disabled Persons , Intellectual Disability , SARS-CoV-2 , Humans , COVID-19/epidemiology , New York/epidemiology , Developmental Disabilities/epidemiology , Intellectual Disability/epidemiology , Adult , Disabled Persons/statistics & numerical data , Male , Female , Middle Aged , Pandemics , Group Homes/statistics & numerical data , Aged , Young Adult
2.
Am Psychol ; 75(9): 1376-1388, 2020 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33382320

ABSTRACT

In today's world of global migration and urbanization, millions of children are separated from parents. Their mental health and future competences as citizens depend on the quality of care from foster parents and group home staff in nonparental care settings. Caregivers are challenged by poor work conditions, too many children, and a lack of knowledge about care for traumatized children. How can our profession match this challenge by upscaling interventions? Digital designs for applications of psychology are growing, recently accelerated by the COVID-19 crisis. From 2008, the author developed a blended learning intervention. In partnerships with nongovernmental organizations and government agencies, care recommendations from an international network of researchers are transformed into start-up seminars for staff, followed by a 6-month online classroom education. Students learn and practice how to train local caregiver groups in attachment-based care, using training sessions developed in local languages, adjusted to culture. At present, the author's Fairstart Foundation educated 500 staff from partners in 26 countries, who have trained the caregivers of some 40,000 children. The theoretical, logistic and technical steps from research to daily caregiver-child practices are described, to inspire discussions of how online designs and international partnerships may benefit underserved populations. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).


Subject(s)
Caregivers/education , Child Care , Child, Abandoned , Education, Distance , Foster Home Care , Group Homes , Program Development , Psychological Trauma/nursing , Teacher Training , Adult , COVID-19 , Child , Child Care/methods , Child Care/organization & administration , Child Care/standards , Child Care/statistics & numerical data , Child, Abandoned/statistics & numerical data , Education, Distance/methods , Education, Distance/organization & administration , Education, Distance/statistics & numerical data , Foster Home Care/methods , Foster Home Care/organization & administration , Foster Home Care/statistics & numerical data , Group Homes/organization & administration , Group Homes/statistics & numerical data , Humans , International Cooperation , Intersectoral Collaboration , Program Development/methods , Program Development/standards , Program Development/statistics & numerical data , Teacher Training/methods , Teacher Training/organization & administration , Teacher Training/statistics & numerical data
3.
Child Abuse Negl ; 109: 104702, 2020 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32891971

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Many children and youth living in residential units have experienced multiple traumas that may result in challenging behaviors. Among a range of professional responses, staff may use restraint, seclusion and time-out to manage these behaviors. OBJECTIVE: To enhance our understanding of these restrictive interventions in residential units as a means of improving professional practices involving children and youth in out-of-home care. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: Administrative data were used. Restrictive intervention data for 324 children and youth (29 units) over a 6-month period were extracted. METHODS: Latent profile analysis was used to identify subgroups of children and youth with distinct restrictive intervention profiles. Children and youth in these profiles were compared on individual (age, sex, ethnic group, length of stay in unit, reasons for services) and environmental characteristics (unit type, type of services, specialized designation). RESULTS: Restrictive interventions, especially time-outs, were frequent (5136 interventions; 69% time-outs), yet approximately half of the sample did not experience any. Restraints, seclusions and time-outs differed in frequency, duration and reason for use. A two-profile model was favored for children and youth who were subjected to restrictive interventions (classification accuracy = 94%). Children and youth in these two profiles differed from each other, and from those not subjected to restrictive interventions, on numerous individual and environmental characteristics. CONCLUSION: The use of restrictive interventions is frequent, and attention should be paid to individual and environmental risk factors identified in this study (i.e., being a boy, non-Caucasian, taken into care for neglect, and having a longer stay in unit).


Subject(s)
Group Homes/statistics & numerical data , Patient Isolation/methods , Residential Treatment/methods , Restraint, Physical/methods , Adolescent , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Male , Patient Isolation/psychology , Patient Isolation/statistics & numerical data , Quebec , Residential Treatment/statistics & numerical data , Restraint, Physical/psychology , Restraint, Physical/statistics & numerical data , Young Adult
4.
Trop Doct ; 50(3): 194-198, 2020 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32380905

ABSTRACT

Data concerning the burden of parasites among populations living in overcrowded circumstances have paramount importance for the success of interventions aimed at eliminating such disease. A cross-sectional study was therefore conducted from February to May 2019 among 217 children at child centres in Bahir Dar city. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and stool samples were processed for parasitological investigation.A total of 53 (24.4%) children were infected with at least a single species of intestinal parasite. Giardia lamblia (7.8%) was the most frequent, followed by Hymenolepis nana (6%). Children with untrimmed fingernails (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.422, P = 0.027) were significantly more prone to infection. Similarly, children with no habit of hand washing after soil contact (AOR = 2.752, P = 0.014) or after defecation (AOR = 3.087, P = 0.026) were significantly associated with parasitic infection. The prevalence of intestinal parasites at child centres in Bahir Dar is of public health importance; therefore, control programmes should target these children.


Subject(s)
Group Homes/statistics & numerical data , Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/epidemiology , Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/parasitology , Animals , Child , Child, Preschool , Cross-Sectional Studies , Ethiopia/epidemiology , Female , Humans , Male , Parasites/classification , Parasites/isolation & purification , Prevalence , Risk Factors , Surveys and Questionnaires
5.
J Intellect Disabil Res ; 64(5): 317-330, 2020 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32067284

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Increasing life expectancy for people with an intellectual disability (ID) is resulting in more persons with cancer and a greater need for end-of-life (EoL) care. There is a need for knowledge of health care utilisation over the last year of life to plan for resources that support a high quality of care for cancer patients with ID. Therefore, the aims of the study were to compare (1) health care utilisation during the last year of life among cancer patients with ID and cancer patients without ID and (2) the place of death in these two groups. METHODS: The populations were defined using national data from the period 2002-2015, one with ID (n = 15 319) and one matched 5:1 from the general population (n = 72 511). Cancer was identified in the Cause of Death Register, resulting in two study cohorts with 775 cancer patients with ID (ID cohort) and 2968 cancer patients from the general population (gPop cohort). RESULTS: Cancer patients with ID were less likely than those without ID to have at least one visit in specialist inpatient (relative risk 0.90, 95% confidence interval 0.87-0.93) and outpatient (0.88, 0.85-0.91) health care, during their last year of life. Those with ID were more likely to have no or fewer return visits than the patients in the gPop cohort (5 vs. 11, P < 0.001), also when stratifying on sex and median age at death. Most cancer patients with ID died in group homes or in their own homes and fewer in hospital (31%) as compared with cancer patients in the gPop cohort (55%, 0.57, 0.51-0.64). CONCLUSIONS: Older cancer patients with ID were less likely to be assessed or treated by a specialist. This may suggest that people with ID have unaddressed or untreated distressing symptoms, which strongly contributes to a decreased quality of EoL care and a poor quality of life. There is a need to acquire further knowledge of the EoL care and to focus on adapting and evaluating quality indicators for older cancer patients with ID.


Subject(s)
Facilities and Services Utilization/statistics & numerical data , Group Homes/statistics & numerical data , Hospitalization/statistics & numerical data , Intellectual Disability/nursing , Neoplasms/nursing , Registries/statistics & numerical data , Terminal Care/statistics & numerical data , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Cause of Death , Cohort Studies , Comorbidity , Female , Humans , Intellectual Disability/epidemiology , Male , Neoplasms/epidemiology , Sweden
6.
Clin Child Fam Psychol Rev ; 21(3): 354-365, 2018 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29623526

ABSTRACT

Record numbers of unaccompanied refugee minors have been arriving in high-income countries since 2015. Child welfare agencies and non-governmental organisations tasked with providing services have struggled to cope with demands on their services as a result. Despite this, there is little research on how best to meet their needs and in particular what services can mitigate the psychological difficulties they face. As a result, the evidence base for social services for refugee children remains very limited. This paper is a systematic review and meta-analysis of the evidence on the relationship between care placement type and the educational, mental health and physical health outcomes of unaccompanied refugee minors. We searched ten databases and identified 3877 citations which were screened for inclusion. Nine studies were included in the final review, with seven included in the meta-analysis. Eight studies examined the link between accommodation type and mental health outcomes, and two analysed the relationship between accommodation type and education. There were no studies looking at physical health outcomes. Included studies suggest that foster care and placements that are culturally sensitive may be associated with better mental health outcomes. This review highlights the paucity of research on the impact of services provided by child welfare agencies and non-governmental organisations.


Subject(s)
Foster Home Care/statistics & numerical data , Group Homes/statistics & numerical data , Mental Disorders/epidemiology , Minors/statistics & numerical data , Refugees/statistics & numerical data , Schools/statistics & numerical data , Adolescent , Humans
7.
J Appl Res Intellect Disabil ; 31(5): 833-839, 2018 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29424014

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Ireland has a growing population of adult persons living with family carers, thereby increasing the demand for residential places. Simultaneously, government policy aimed to reprovision residents living in congregated settings but at a time when funding was curtailed due to the economic crisis. This study examines the movements of people into and among three types of residential options between 2009 and 2014. METHOD: A cohort of 20,163 persons recorded on the National Intellectual Disability Database in 2009 was identified and tracked to the 2014 database. RESULTS: An estimated 200 persons per annum (@1.6% of those living with families) moved from family care although the number of places available nationally fell by 9%. Moreover, transfers of existing residents into vacated places tended to exceed those from families. CONCLUSIONS: More people will have to continue living with their families and for longer if funding for new places remains curtailed.


Subject(s)
Assisted Living Facilities/statistics & numerical data , Family , Group Homes/statistics & numerical data , Health Services/economics , Independent Living/statistics & numerical data , Intellectual Disability/nursing , Adolescent , Adult , Cohort Studies , Databases, Factual/statistics & numerical data , Female , Humans , Ireland , Male , Young Adult
8.
J Abnorm Child Psychol ; 46(2): 343-354, 2018 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28374220

ABSTRACT

Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a frequent phenomenon in adolescents, however there is a lack of studies on the prevalence of NSSI in adolescents placed in youth welfare and juvenile justice group homes. The goal of the present study is to investigate the prevalence rates of NSSI and mental disorders in adolescents living in the youth welfare system, as well as how occasional and repetitive NSSI differ with respect to mental disorders, suicidality, and gender. The sample consisted of 397 adolescents aged 12 to19 years (mean age = 15.98, SD = 1.77, 65.7% male) placed in youth welfare and juvenile justice group homes. NSSI, suicidality, and mental disorders were assessed using the Kiddie-Schedule of Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (K-SADS-PL). Lifetime prevalence rates of occasional and repetitive NSSI were 21.9% and 18.4%, respectively and 85.6% of the sample endorsed a lifetime mental disorder. Occasional and repetitive NSSI were significantly associated with depressive, conduct, and substance use disorders (d = 0.50-0.67) among both genders. Prevalence rates of repetitive NSSI in youth welfare and juvenile justice institutions are higher than in the general population and males who engage in NSSI are at particularly high risk of suicidality. Due to the high prevalence of NSSI and its related problems, NSSI should be routinely assessed in this vulnerable population and staff should be trained in recognizing and handling NSSI as well as supporting adolescents in improving their emotion regulation skills.


Subject(s)
Adolescent Behavior , Child Welfare/statistics & numerical data , Conduct Disorder/epidemiology , Depressive Disorder/epidemiology , Group Homes/statistics & numerical data , Juvenile Delinquency/statistics & numerical data , Self-Injurious Behavior/epidemiology , Substance-Related Disorders/epidemiology , Suicide/statistics & numerical data , Adolescent , Adult , Child , Female , Humans , Male , Sex Factors , Switzerland/epidemiology , Young Adult
9.
Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol ; 13(7): 634-640, 2018 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28774211

ABSTRACT

Electronic assistive technologies (EATs) are fast becoming considered an essential component of everyday life. To date, there has been little research on the use of EAT by people living in shared supported accommodation (SSA), one of the major community-based housing options for people with disability (PwD) in Australia. This study aimed to (1) audit current EAT use by PwD living in SSA, (2) describe the impact of Internet access on EAT use, and (3) examine potential relationships between individual characteristics and EAT use. A customized survey administered with 32 house managers, representing 52 SSAs, gathered data on the EAT use of 254 people. Only 45.7% of residents used EAT, and devices available to the mainstream market were most frequently used. Access to home-based Internet was not a predictor of the number of devices in use. Disability type (congenital or acquired) was found to be significantly correlated with the number of devices in use, however, associations across a number of variables suggest complex mediational interactions. These findings provide an insight into the EAT use trends of PwD living in SSA, indicating that further work needs to be done to support the uptake and continued use of EAT by PwD Implications for Rehabilitation Further work needs to be done to promote the uptake and use of electronic assistive technology (EAT) by people with disability (PwD). Personal characteristics and experiences need to be considered in the prescription of EAT to PwD, as these may explain variations in use between individuals.


Subject(s)
Computers, Handheld/statistics & numerical data , Disabled Persons/rehabilitation , Group Homes/statistics & numerical data , Internet/statistics & numerical data , Self-Help Devices , Adult , Age Factors , Australia , Electrical Equipment and Supplies , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Residence Characteristics/statistics & numerical data , Severity of Illness Index , Sex Factors , Socioeconomic Factors
10.
Drug Alcohol Depend ; 181: 11-19, 2017 12 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29028554

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In recent years, there has been recognition that recovery is a journey that involves the growth of recovery capital. Thus, recovery capital has become a commonly used term in addiction treatment and research yet its operationalization and measurement has been limited. Due to these limitations, there is little understanding of long-term recovery pathways and their clinical application. METHODS: We used the data of 546 participants from eight different recovery residences spread across Florida, USA. We calculated internal consistency for recovery capital and wellbeing, then assessed their factor structure via confirmatory factor analysis. The relationships between time, recovery barriers and strengths, wellbeing and recovery capital, as well as the moderating effect of gender, were estimated using structural equations modelling. RESULTS: The proposed model obtained an acceptable fit (χ2 (141, N=546)=533.642, p<0.001; CMIN/DF=3.785; CFI=0.915; TLI=0.896; RMSEA=0.071). Findings indicate a pathway to recovery capital that involves greater time in residence ('retention'), linked to an increase in meaningful activities and a reduction in barriers to recovery and unmet needs that, in turn, promote recovery capital and positive wellbeing. Gender differences were observed. CONCLUSIONS: We tested the pathways to recovery for residents in the recovery housing population. Our results have implications not only for retention as a predictor of sustained recovery and wellbeing but also for the importance of meaningful activities in promoting recovery capital and wellbeing.


Subject(s)
Behavior, Addictive/therapy , Resilience, Psychological , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Factor Analysis, Statistical , Female , Group Homes/statistics & numerical data , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Models, Psychological , Sex Factors , Time Factors , Young Adult
11.
J Drug Educ ; 47(3-4): 108-120, 2017.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30200776

ABSTRACT

The current study examined the relationships between a personality metatrait (Stability consisting of conscientiousness, agreeableness, and neuroticism), self-esteem, and stress in an adult population of individuals with substance use disorders living in recovery homes. Adults ( N = 229) residing in 42 residential recovery settings were interviewed as part of the first wave of a longitudinal study in three sites. Standard error of the mean analysis found significant effects for several demographic variables on Stability, and Stability was significantly related both directly and indirectly to stress. These findings suggest that individual differences at entry may influence recovery home effects and may be important to developing more effective aftercare systems.


Subject(s)
Group Homes/statistics & numerical data , Personality , Self Concept , Stress, Psychological/epidemiology , Substance-Related Disorders/epidemiology , Adult , Age Factors , Female , Humans , Longitudinal Studies , Male , Middle Aged , Personality Inventory , Racial Groups , Sex Factors , United States
12.
Neuropsychiatr ; 31(1): 8-16, 2017 Mar.
Article in German | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27966095

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Individuals with mental disorders are known to be socially excluded so that improving social inclusion has become a major goal of healthcare provision. However, empirical research on specific determinants of social inclusion is rather scarce. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of adults with a severe mental illness (n =70) was conducted using a measure of participation and social inclusion for individuals with a chronic mental disorder (F-INK). Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were conducted to identify determinants of social participation and social inclusion. RESULTS: Social participation increased with the number of friends and was, independently thereof, higher in adults living independently than in adults living in supported housing arrangements. The level of social inclusion was higher in those cohabitating and increased with duration of illness. CONCLUSION: Findings on social participation indicate the need for a re-organization of community-based supported housing arrangements, and, with respect to existing settings, an amendment of present conditions. To promote social inclusion, measures to prime a feeling of ongoing social affiliation should be taken during the first years of psychiatric illness.


Subject(s)
Mental Disorders/psychology , Mental Disorders/rehabilitation , Psychological Distance , Social Participation/psychology , Adult , Chronic Disease , Cross-Sectional Studies , Depressive Disorder, Major/diagnosis , Depressive Disorder, Major/psychology , Depressive Disorder, Major/rehabilitation , Female , Friends/psychology , Germany , Group Homes/statistics & numerical data , Humans , Independent Living/psychology , Independent Living/statistics & numerical data , Male , Mental Disorders/diagnosis , Middle Aged , Regression Analysis , Rehabilitation, Vocational/psychology , Rehabilitation, Vocational/statistics & numerical data , Schizophrenia/diagnosis , Schizophrenia/rehabilitation , Schizophrenia, Paranoid/diagnosis , Schizophrenia, Paranoid/psychology , Schizophrenia, Paranoid/rehabilitation , Schizophrenic Psychology , Spouses/psychology , Spouses/statistics & numerical data
13.
J Physiol Sci ; 67(5): 561-568, 2017 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27655021

ABSTRACT

The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the vital prognoses of elderly people in their mid-eighties living in a group home (GH) compared to age- and sex-matched outpatient clinic (OPC) in an observational study conducted over 6 years. We investigated the association between mortality and general, cardiac, and nutritional parameters, including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in 54 GH residents (83 ± 8 years old) and 57 OPC attendees (83 ± 5 years old). Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional hazard ratio analyses were used to assess the association between EPA drug administration and mortality in the GH residents and OPC attendees, respectively. The 54 GH residents had higher mortality and poorer nutritional states, as indicated by lower EPA/arachidonic acid values (median 0.20 vs 0.55, p < 0.001), and BMI under the condition without EPA drug administration (1800 mg daily) than did the OPC group. The significant factors that differed between survivors and deceased in the GH residents and OPC attendees were nutritional and cardiac factors. Cox proportional hazard ratio analysis confirmed that a possible determinant of the prognosis was a lower incidence of EPA drug administration and lower hemoglobin in GH. Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional hazard ratio analyses revealed that EPA drug administration significantly reduced the relative mortality by 82 % in the GH residents (p < 0.001) but not in the OPC attendees. The vital prognosis in individuals from GHs was potentially improved by EPA drug administration, which was not the case in the OPC group; however, further prospective studies are needed.


Subject(s)
Group Homes/statistics & numerical data , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Arachidonic Acid/metabolism , Eicosapentaenoic Acid/metabolism , Female , Heart/physiology , Humans , Male , Nutritional Status/physiology , Prognosis , Proportional Hazards Models
14.
J Adolesc Health ; 59(5): 584-591, 2016 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27544458

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Youth living in group home settings are at significantly greater risk for sexual risk behaviors; however, there are no sexual health programs designed specifically for these youth. The study's purpose was to assess the effectiveness of a teen pregnancy-prevention program for youth living in group home foster care settings and other out-of-home placements. METHODS: The study design was a cluster randomized controlled trial involving youth (N = 1,037) recruited from 44 residential group homes located in California, Maryland, and Oklahoma. Within each state, youth (mean age = 16.2 years; 82% male; 37% Hispanic, 20% African-American, 20% white, and 17% multiracial) in half the group homes were randomly assigned to the intervention group (n = 40 clusters) and the other half were randomly assigned to a control group that offered "usual care" (n = 40 clusters). The intervention (i.e., Power Through Choices [PTC]) was a 10-session, age-appropriate, and medically accurate sexual health education program. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, youth in the PTC intervention showed significantly greater improvements (p < .05) from preintervention to postintervention in all three knowledge areas, one of two attitude areas, all three self-efficacy areas, and two of three behavioral intention areas. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first published randomized controlled trial of a teen pregnancy-prevention program designed for youth living in foster care settings and other out-of-home placements. The numerous significant improvements in short-term outcomes are encouraging and provide preliminary evidence that the PTC program is an effective pregnancy-prevention program.


Subject(s)
Group Homes/statistics & numerical data , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Pregnancy in Adolescence/prevention & control , Sex Education/methods , Adolescent , California , Female , Humans , Male , Maryland , Oklahoma , Pregnancy , Program Development/methods , Risk Factors , Risk-Taking , Self Efficacy
15.
Article in German | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27072499

ABSTRACT

The number of asylum seekers in Germany has increased dramatically in 2015. Their medical care includes the officially recommended vaccinations; yet, no detailed information on this is yet available in Germany. In light of the rising number of asylum seekers, we have developed a concept to facilitate their vaccination. This concept includes the coordination of different partners, the supply of vaccines and other materials through the local health office, and the cooperation with the local physicians' association. To evaluate and accelerate progress, we compared the number of vaccinations conducted by physicians independently of the vaccination concept with those conducted within the new concept. For the period of investigation, 2,256 new asylum seekers were temporarily accommodated in the facilities. The vaccination concept was applied in only some of the facilities. Twenty-eight percent of all asylum seekers (642) were vaccinated at least once; 89 % of the vaccinees (571) were vaccinated within the newly developed concept. In the facilities that were not included in this concept, only 6 % of the refugees were vaccinated, whereas in the facilities that were included up to 58 % were vaccinated. Even though the new concept has started successfully, further innovations are required to reach sufficient vaccination coverage among asylum seekers. In view of the large number of new asylum seekers expected, the adjustment and expansion of the new concept requires professional planning and coordination. Furthermore, additional resources are required.


Subject(s)
Group Homes/statistics & numerical data , Health Promotion/organization & administration , Health Services Accessibility/organization & administration , Public Health/methods , Refugees/statistics & numerical data , Vaccination/statistics & numerical data , Communicable Disease Control/organization & administration , Germany/epidemiology , Humans
16.
Article in German | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27072500

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Migration and imported infections are changing the distribution of infectious diseases in Europe. However little is known about the extent of transmission of imported diseases within Europe. Asylum seekers are of increasing importance for infectious disease epidemiology and can be particularly vulnerable for infections and disease progression due to stressful conditions of migration and incomplete vaccination status. OBJECTIVES: The aim is to analyse transmission of infectious diseases in centralized homes for asylum seekers in national infectious disease surveillance data to identify relevant infectious diseases and possible public health measures to reduce transmission. METHODS: German national notification data was systematically analysed from 2004 to 2014 for outbreaks reported to have occurred within centralized homes for asylum seekers followed by descriptive analysis of outbreak- and case-characteristics. RESULTS: From 2004 to 2014 the number of outbreaks in centralized homes for asylum seekers per year increased, a total of 119 outbreaks with 615 cases were reported. Cases in these outbreaks were caused by chicken pox (30 %), measles (20 %), scabies (19 %), rota-virus-gastroenteritis (8 %) and others (each <5 %). Of 119 outbreaks, two outbreaks of measles in centralized homes were connected to outbreaks outside the centralized homes. For 210 of 311 cases in 2014 the place of infection was reported, 87 % of those with known place of infection were infected in Germany. CONCLUSIONS: Infectious disease outbreaks in centralized homes for asylum seekers are reported increasingly often in Germany. Chicken pox, measles and scabies were the most frequent outbreak causing diseases. Spread of such outbreaks outside centralized homes for asylum seekers was rare and infectious diseases are mainly acquired in Germany. The majority of outbreaks in centralized homes for asylum seekers would be preventable with vaccinations at arrival and appropriate hygiene measures.


Subject(s)
Communicable Diseases/mortality , Disease Outbreaks/statistics & numerical data , Emigration and Immigration/statistics & numerical data , Group Homes/statistics & numerical data , Refugees/statistics & numerical data , Vaccination/statistics & numerical data , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Child , Child, Preschool , Communicable Disease Control/statistics & numerical data , Disease Outbreaks/prevention & control , Female , Germany/epidemiology , Humans , Incidence , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Male , Middle Aged , Risk Factors , Survival Analysis , Young Adult
17.
MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep ; 64(6): 148-52, 2015 Feb 20.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25695320

ABSTRACT

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) infections among persons with developmental disabilities living in institutions were common in the past, but with improvements in care and fewer persons institutionalized, the number of HAV infections has declined in these institutions. However, residents in institutions are still vulnerable if they have not been vaccinated. On April 24, 2013, a resident of a group home (GH) for adults with disabilities in southeast Michigan (GH-A) was diagnosed with hepatitis A and died 2 days later of fulminant liver failure. Four weeks later, a second GH-A resident was diagnosed with hepatitis A. None of the GH-A residents or staff had been vaccinated against hepatitis A. Over the next 3 months, six more cases of hepatitis A were diagnosed in residents in four other Michigan GHs. Three local health departments were involved in case investigation and management, including administration of postexposure prophylaxis (PEP). Serum specimens from seven cases were found to have an identical strain of HAV genotype 1A. This report describes the outbreak investigation, the challenges of timely delivery of PEP for hepatitis A, and the need for preexposure vaccination against hepatitis A for adults living or working in GHs for the disabled.


Subject(s)
Developmental Disabilities/epidemiology , Disease Outbreaks/statistics & numerical data , Group Homes/statistics & numerical data , Hepatitis A/epidemiology , Adult , Causality , Comorbidity , Disease Outbreaks/prevention & control , Female , Humans , Male , Michigan/epidemiology , Middle Aged , Post-Exposure Prophylaxis/methods
18.
Child Abuse Negl ; 42: 72-83, 2015 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25618195

ABSTRACT

Patterns of Axis I psychiatric diagnosis and maltreatment history were explored among youth in group homes, including match of clinical need to level or restrictiveness of care. Data on demographics, diagnoses, maltreatment, and group home level of care (Level I, II, or III homes, representing lower to higher intensity of supervision and treatment) were obtained from 523 youth who participated in a quasi-experimental study of group homes. Three quarters of youth had a diagnosis and two-thirds of youth had a maltreatment history. Youth in higher level homes had more diagnoses and higher rates of all disorders except adjustment disorders. Youth in Level I homes had a history of more maltreatment types, particularly high rates of neglect. Sexual abuse, physical abuse, and emotional abuse were most common among youth in higher level homes. Regardless of diagnosis history, comparable proportions of youth had a maltreatment history, and similar patterns were found across levels of care. Together, findings indicate that group homes with varying degrees of restrictiveness serve youth with different psychiatric diagnosis and maltreatment histories. Youth triaged to higher level homes had more diagnoses, while youth placed in the least restrictive homes had a history of more maltreatment subtypes. Further, distinct patterns of diagnosis types and maltreatment subtypes were seen across homes. Implications include the importance of assessing unique clinical needs of youth to promote an appropriate match to level of care and treatment plan.


Subject(s)
Child Abuse/statistics & numerical data , Foster Home Care/statistics & numerical data , Group Homes/statistics & numerical data , Mental Disorders/therapy , Adolescent , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Male , Mental Disorders/complications , Mental Disorders/epidemiology , Mental Disorders/psychology , Needs Assessment , United States/epidemiology , Young Adult
19.
J Epidemiol Community Health ; 68(6): 524-9, 2014 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24638058

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The study examines the relationship between transitions to residential and sheltered housing and mortality. Past research has focused on housing moves over extended time periods and subsequent mortality. In this paper, annual housing transitions allow the identification of the patterning of housing moves, the duration of stay in each sector and the assessment of the relationship of preceding moves to a heightened risk of dying. METHODS: The study uses longitudinal data constructed from pooled observations from the British Household Panel Survey (waves 1993-2008). Records were pooled for all cases where the survey member is 65 years or over and living in private housing at baseline and observed at three consecutive time points, including baseline (N=23 727). Binary logistic regression (death as outcome three waves after baseline) explored the relative strength of different housing transitions, controlling for sociodemographic predictors. RESULTS: (1) Transition to residential housing within the previous 12 months was associated with the highest mortality risk. (2) Results support existing findings showing an interaction between marital status and mortality, whereby unmarried persons were more likely to die. (3) Higher male mortality was observed across all housing transitions. CONCLUSIONS: An older person's move to residential housing is associated with a higher risk of mortality within 12 months of the move. Survivors living in residential housing for more than a year, show a similar probability of dying to those living in sheltered housing. Results highlight that it is the type of accommodation that affects an older person's mortality risk, and the length of time they spend there.


Subject(s)
Assisted Living Facilities/statistics & numerical data , Group Homes/statistics & numerical data , Homes for the Aged/statistics & numerical data , Life Expectancy/trends , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Health Status , Humans , Logistic Models , Longitudinal Studies , Male , Marital Status , Sex Distribution , Time Factors , United Kingdom/epidemiology
20.
Addict Behav ; 39(1): 219-24, 2014 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24169370

ABSTRACT

Studies have shown that moderate alcohol use confers protection against some of the dominant predictors of long-term care placement, including diminished cognitive functioning, physical disability, and injury. But little is known about the association between alcohol use and the likelihood of placement in long-term care facilities. A nationally representative sample of 5404 community-dwelling Canadians ages 50 years and older at baseline (1994/95) was obtained from the longitudinal National Population Health Survey. Alcohol use categories were developed based on the quantity and frequency of use in the 12 months before the interview. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the association between alcohol use at baseline and subsequent placement in long-term care facilities after adjusting for covariates measured at baseline. During the 14-year follow-up period, 14% of lifetime abstainers, 10% of former drinkers, 7% of infrequent drinkers, 4% of moderate drinkers, and 3% of heavy drinkers were placed in long-term care facilities. Furthermore, the multivariate analysis revealed that abstainers, former drinkers, and infrequent drinkers were more than twice as likely to be placed in long-term care as moderate drinkers. Moderate drinking was protective against placement in long-term care facilities even after adjusting for an array of well-known confounders. The strong protective effect of moderate alcohol use on long-term care entry is likely due to a complex mix of physical, cognitive and psychosocial health factors.


Subject(s)
Alcohol Drinking/epidemiology , Alcoholism/epidemiology , Homes for the Aged/statistics & numerical data , Nursing Homes/statistics & numerical data , Residential Facilities/statistics & numerical data , Aged , Alcohol Abstinence/statistics & numerical data , Canada/epidemiology , Female , Group Homes/statistics & numerical data , Humans , Kaplan-Meier Estimate , Long-Term Care/statistics & numerical data , Longitudinal Studies , Male , Middle Aged , Proportional Hazards Models , Temperance/statistics & numerical data
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