Journal of the Royal Society of Health最新文献

Early detection of prostate cancer through screening seems to provide the best hope of control or possibly cure of the disease. Unfortunately, controversy and confusion surround the screening guidelines. Specifically, the controversy involves whether the screening of asymptomatic men, particularly those under age 50, should be recommended. To date, there have been no randomised clinical trials which have demonstrated that screening for prostate cancer reduces mortality or increases life expectancy. The lack of evidence regarding the benefits of prostate screening and the risk of adverse effects make it important for clinicians to provide information to interested patients regarding the possible consequences before they take part in screening endeavours. Other health care professionals must be proactive in becoming informed about the entire prostate screening issue.

The 'Health of the Nation' (Department of Health, 1992) suicide targets focus upon the mentally ill, but virtually ignore the mentally abnormal offender. Whilst forensic services deal with the severely disturbed, the majority of offenders remain in the community, despite long-standing psychosocial difficulties. This study explores the mortality rates of a six-year cohort of male probationers (1990-1995) with males in the general population. Male offenders (aged 17-54) had double the death rate, five times the 'external death' rate and nine times the suicide rate of the general population. This paper highlights the need to further improve the health-psychiatric-criminal justice collaboration.

The Health and Safety Commission (HSC) introduced the Health and Safety (Consultation with Employees) Regulations 1996 (HSCER) on 1st October, 1996. The HSCER 'top up' the existing Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations 1997 (SRSCR). The HSCER require employers to consult with all employees, not just those covered by representatives appointed by recognised trade unions, on matters relating to health and safety. Employers have the choice of consulting whether directly with employees or via elected representatives.

Condom use for HIV prevention has been very inconsistent in most sub-Saharan African countries. Studies from around the continent report that knowledge about HIV transmission is variable and seems to be related to gender, socioeconomic and educational status. There is a large body of psychological knowledge about HIV prevention which has been applied to condom promotion campaigns in developed countries. These approaches to condom promotion, based on formal theory, have not been used on a wide scale in African countries and this paper explores ways in which psychological theory might be appropriately applied in a situation of high HIV prevalence.

The objectives of this study were to determine the common aetiological factors leading to the fracture of the lower jaw (mandible) at an urban centre in England. A total of 96 patients presented to the Manchester Royal Infirmary with mandibular fractures during the calendar years 1991 and 1992. It was determined that the main aetiological factor leading to the disturbance of the mandibular contours was assault or interpersonal violence (74%) followed by falls, road traffic accidents and sporting injuries. The majority of the subjects were males and most of the patients were in the age group of 20-29 years. In most of the patients there was a unilateral pattern of injury and the angle was the most vulnerable area of the lower jaw to be traumatised.

A two year study of cases of chronic suppurative otitis media admitted in the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Department of Sir Salimullah Medical College and Mitford Hospital from January 1991 to December 1992 was done. 112 patients of chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) were admitted during this two year period, out of which 100 patients (89.3%) presented with different types of complications and only 12 patients (10.7%) presented with no complications. Factors associated with the late presentation of the disorder, including poor socioeconomic conditions and lack of hospital facilities, are identified. Measures to prevent the rate of complications and hearing loss in children are suggested.