Prognostic factors for surgical site infection following intramedullary nailing of diaphyseal fractures of the femur and tibia in adult patients at a tertiary hospital in Lusaka, Zambia.

Our study aimed to identify prognostic factors for surgical site infection following long bone fracture intramedullary nailing at a tertiary hospital in a low-resource setting. This was a longitudinal observational study involving 132 participants enrolled over a one-year period with femoral and tibial diaphyseal fractures scheduled for ORIF. Participant median age was 30 years (range: 26 - 42). The prevalence of surgical site infection was 16%. Male sex (AOR=0.26, 95% CI [0.70-0.98]; p = 0.047) was associated with lower odds of surgical site infection while associated non-musculoskeletal injuries were associated with higher odds of developing surgical site infection. Our study confirms a higher surgical site infection rate than normally accepted. However, intramedullary nailing in our setting is justified as it allows an early return to a pre-injury state. These interventions must be carried out in the best possible circumstances. Future studies could explore alternative methods of fracture fixation.

Mangled Lower Extremity Is Associated With Pulmonary Embolism But Not Deep Venous Thrombosis: Results From the Trauma Quality Improvement Program Database.

BACKGROUND: The mangled extremity (ME) is a limb with a multisystem injury (soft tissue, bone, nerves, or vessels). We hypothesized that trauma patients who present with mangled lower extremities (ME) experience a higher rate of venous thromboembolism when matched against trauma patients of similar injury burden without ME. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were abstracted from the Trauma Quality Improvement Program database from 2013 to 2016. Baseline comparisons were made between patients with and without ME. Propensity score matching with logistic regression modeling on the matched sample was performed controlling for patient gender, race, insurance status, age, injury severity score, Charlson comorbidity index, presence of significant other non-ME trauma, use of and time to prophylactic anticoagulation, placement of an inferior vena cava filter, and if immediate operative intervention was performed. RESULTS: A total of 1060 patients presented with an ME. Compared with other trauma patients, those with ME tended to be younger and male. They were more likely to receive prophylactic anticoagulation and an inferior vena cava filter. After propensity score matching, ME was statistically significantly associated with pulmonary embolism (PE) but not deep venous thrombosis (average treatment effect on the treated 1.7%, P = 0.04; and 1.4%, P = 0.22, respectively). These results were confirmed in a logistic regression on the matched sample (odds ratios 1.6, P = 0.11 for deep venous thrombosis, and odds ratio 3.2, P = 0.006 for PE). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with mangled lower extremities experience higher rates of PE. Based on these findings, institutions may consider evaluating their own VTE rates and chemoprophylaxis protocols in those with MEs.

Surgical registrars' perceptions of surgical training and capacity in Zambia: Results from three COSECSA affiliated training hospitals.

BACKGROUND: Surgery is a vital component of a comprehensive health system, but there are often personnel limitations in resource constrained areas. Zambia provides post graduate surgical training through two systems to help address this shortage. However, no studies have analyzed surgical trainees' perceptions of these programs. METHODS: Surgical registrars at COSECSA affiliated hospitals in Zambia were surveyed about their programs. Responses were analyzed to identify key strengths and challenges across several categories including: operative training, clinical training, educational experiences, and career plans. RESULTS: Registrars report having significant independence and receiving broad and high quality operative training. They note specific challenges including limitations in specialty training, resources, and infrastructure. CONCLUSIONS: Zambian training programs have the potential to increase number of surgeons in Zambia by a significant amount in the coming years. These programs have many strengths but also face challenges in their goal to expand surgical access in the country.

Skin Disease in the Uninsured: Diagnoses, Management Decisions, and Referral Outcomes of an Urban Free Clinic.

An understanding of the burden of skin disease in the uninsured population is needed to address the unique barriers they face to access dermatologic care. We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients seen for skin conditions over three years at the New York City (NYC) Free Clinic, a weekly primary care clinic operated by the NYU School of Medicine and the Institute for Family Health. Main outcomes of this study were descriptive analyses of demographic characteristics, diagnoses, management strategies, and referral outcomes, as well as key factors influencing referral to a dermatologist and referral attendance. Diagnosis was a significant predictor of referral (p<.000). The referral attendance rate was 52.5%. Patients older than 50 years were more likely to attend their appointments than younger patients (p=.025). Gender, wait time, and travel distance had no significant association with non-attendance. While demand for dermatologic care by uninsured patients in NYC is high, referral non-attendance remains a substantial barrier to care.

Opportunity costs and financial incentives for Hispanic youth participating in a family-based HIV and substance use preventive intervention.

This paper presents results from a pilot study of the synergies between the opportunity costs incurred by research participants, participant compensation, and program attendance in a family-based substance use and HIV preventive intervention for Hispanic adolescents in Miami-Dade County, Florida. To estimate parent/caretaker cost per session and cost for the duration of the intervention, we administered the Caretaker Drug Abuse Treatment Cost Analysis Program to a random sample of 34 families who participated in a recent clinical trial of Familias Unidas. The total opportunity cost per parent/caretaker was under $40 per group session, under $30 per family session, and just over $570 for the duration of the intervention. Participants were compensated between $40 and $50 per session and attended more than 79% of family and group sessions. Parents and caretakers incurred a cost of approximately $30-40 per intervention session for which they were adequately compensated. Attendance was very good overall for this group (>79%) and significantly higher than attendance in a comparable uncompensated study group from another recent Familias Unidas trial that targeted similar youth. Findings suggest that incentives should be considered important for future implementations of Familias Unidas and similar family-based interventions that target minority and low-SES populations.

Economic Costs of a Postrelease Intervention for Incarcerated Female Substance Abusers: Recovery Management Checkups for Women Offenders (RMC-WO).

This study estimates the economic costs of Recovery Management Checkups for Women Offenders (RMC-WO), highlighting the unique mix of services and differential costs between two distinct phases of the intervention. Participants were randomly assigned to quarterly outcome monitoring (OM) only (n=242) or OM plus Recovery Management Checkups (OM-plus-RMC) (n=238). The OM-only condition has a total annual economic cost of $76,010, which equates to $81 quarterly per person. The average cost per OM interview completed is $86. OM-plus-RMC generates a total annual economic cost of $126,717, or $137 quarterly per person. The cost per interview completed is $147 and the cost per intervention session completed is $161. RMC-WO has a relatively modest additional cost compared with the average costs of post-release supervision, which can range from $3.42 ($1,250) per day (year) for probationers to $7.47 ($2,750) per day (year) for parolees. The clinical, economic, and policy implications of incorporating RMC-WO into existing corrections and/or community-based treatment settings are discussed.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of Recovery Management Checkups (RMC) for adults with chronic substance use disorders: evidence from a 4-year randomized trial.

AIMS: This study performs the first cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) of Recovery Management Checkups (RMC) for adults with chronic substance use disorders. DESIGN: Cost-effectiveness analysis of a randomized clinical trial of RMC. Participants were assigned randomly to a control condition of outcome monitoring (OM-only) or the experimental condition OM-plus-RMC, with quarterly follow-up for 4 years. SETTING: Participants were recruited from the largest central intake unit for substance abuse treatment in Chicago, Illinois, USA. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 446 participants who were 38 years old on average, 54% male, and predominantly African American (85%). MEASUREMENTS: Data on the quarterly cost per participant come from a previous study of OM and RMC intervention costs. Effectiveness is measured as the number of days of abstinence and number of substance use-related problems. FINDINGS: Over the 4-year trial, OM-plus-RMC cost on average $2184 more than OM-only (P < 0.01). Participants in OM-plus-RMC averaged 1026 days abstinent and had 89 substance use-related problems. OM-only averaged 932 days abstinent and reported 126 substance use-related problems. Mean differences for both effectiveness measures were statistically significant (P < 0.01). The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for OM-plus-RMC was $23.38 per day abstinent and $59.51 per reduced substance-related problem. When additional costs to society were factored into the analysis, OM-plus-RMC was less costly and more effective than OM-only. CONCLUSIONS: Recovery Management Checkups are a cost-effective and potentially cost-saving strategy for promoting abstinence and reducing substance use-related problems among chronic substance users.

Predicting condom use attitudes, norms, and control beliefs in Hispanic problem behavior youth: the effects of family functioning and parent-adolescent communication about sex on condom use.

Hispanic problem behavior youth are at an increased risk of engaging in HIV risk behaviors, including low condom use. However, relatively little research has examined factors that affect condom use in this population. Although research indicates that family processes, such as higher levels of family functioning and open parent-adolescent communication about sex, and condom use attitudes, norms, and control beliefs as depicted by the theory of planned behavior have an effect on condom use behaviors, the combination of the two factors has received minimal attention. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of family functioning on condom use intentions and behaviors through communication about sex and condom use attitudes, parental norms, and control beliefs. A cross-sectional study of 171 predominately male (73.1%) sexually active Hispanic problem behavior adolescents (mean age = 14.88 years) was conducted. Structural equation modeling was used to test the study hypothesis. Findings largely support the overall model and suggest that family functioning had an indirect effect on condom use intention and behavior through communication about sex, condom use attitudes, and control beliefs. Family functioning, however, did not have an indirect effect on condom use intention and behavior through communication about sex and parental norms. Implications for prevention science and future research are discussed.

The efficacy of Familias Unidas on drug and alcohol outcomes for Hispanic delinquent youth: main effects and interaction effects by parental stress and social support.

INTRODUCTION: Drug and alcohol use disproportionately affect Hispanic youth. Despite these disparities, few empirically supported preventive interventions are available to ameliorate this public health concern among Hispanic youth. This study examined the effects of Familias Unidas, relative to Community Practice, in reducing past 90-day substance use, alcohol and marijuana dependence, and having sex while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Additionally, this study explored whether Familias Unidas' effects varied by environmental context, namely parental stress and social support for parents. METHODS: A total of 242 delinquent Hispanic youth aged 12-17 years and their primary caregivers were randomized to either Familias Unidas or Community Practice and assessed at three time points. RESULTS: Familias Unidas was efficacious in reducing past 90-day substance use, illicit drug use, and in reducing the proportion of youth with an alcohol dependence diagnosis, relative to Community Practice. Results also showed a reduction in the proportion of youth who reported having sex while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. No differences between conditions were observed in past 90-day alcohol use or marijuana dependence. Intervention effects on illicit drug use and alcohol dependence varied by environmental context. For example, Familias Unidas was most efficacious for adolescents with parents exhibiting high stress and lower levels of social support. CONCLUSIONS: Familias Unidas was efficacious in reducing some drug and alcohol related outcomes. The findings also support the concept of targeting family-based interventions, such as Familias Unidas, for adolescents with parents exhibiting high stress and low levels of social support.

The Role of Attitudes, Family, Peer and School on Alcohol Use, Rule Breaking and Aggressive Behavior in Hispanic Delinquent Adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine ecodevelopmental risk factors associated with alcohol uses, rule breaking and aggressive behaviors among Hispanic delinquent adolescents. Specifically, this study tests the effect of attitudes, family, peer, and school bonding on alcohol use, rule breaking and aggressive behaviors in Hispanic delinquent youth. METHODS: A sample of 235 heterogeneous Hispanic delinquent adolescents was recruited through referrals from the Miami-Dade County's Department of Juvenile Services and from the Miami-Dade County Public School system. Logistic regression methods were utilized to examine the independent effect of each risk factor (attitudes, family, peer, school) and to determine the extent to which these factors are associated with alcohol use, rule breaking and aggressive behaviors. RESULTS: Family functioning was inversely and significantly related to past 90-day alcohol use in univariate regression (ß = -.24, p = .035) but was not significant in multiple regression (ß = -0.09, p = .556). Peer alcohol use (ß = 2.02, p<0.001) and poor alcohol attitudes (ß =0.59, p=0.006) were positively and significantly related to past 90-day alcohol use in the final model. Poor alcohol attitudes, family functioning, peer alcohol use, and school bonding were all significantly related to both rule breaking and aggressive behaviors in the final model. CONCLUSIONS: Findings highlight the importance of identifying risk factors at multiple levels to prevent/reduce alcohol use, rule breaking and aggressive behaviors among Hispanic delinquent youth.