Implementation of this clinical practice intervention in a large health maintenance organization system is feasible, and it significantly increased the C trachomatis screening rates for sexually active adolescent girls during routine checkups.

Carpal canal size was examined as a risk factor associated with carpal tunnel syndrome in the workplace. Seven of 14 electricians had symptomatic carpal tunnel syndrome. On measuring cross-sectional areas by CT, affected workers had a cross-sectional area of 1.75 +/- 0.21 cm2; control values were 2.53 +/- 0.15 cm2 (p less than 0.05). Individuals with a subclinical syndrome had an area of 1.83 +/- 0.22 cm2, similar to the symptomatic group. Wrist circumference was not a predictor of smallest carpal canal area. Unusual bony and soft tissue structures within the carpal canal were easily identified with CT.

No abstract

Although routine CT screening is currently recommended only for young sexually active women, the present results show that screening interventions can be successful in the case of adolescent boys, among whom CT is a moderate problem.

This study's purpose was to examine the extent to which optimism, knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs predict use of HIV testing services in a group of at-risk female adolescents. We prospectively interviewed 124 consecutive girls engaging in risky behaviors before regularly scheduled pediatric clinic appointments at a large urban HMO. Subjects completed a self-report questionnaire assessing optimism (Scheier's Life Optimism Test, or LOT), HIV-related knowledge, beliefs, and behaviors before their regular visit. At the visit, they were counseled about risky behaviors and the availability of confidential HIV testing at the clinic. All subjects were next given an opportunity to view an educational video about HIV testing and then decided whether or not to obtain testing. LOT scores were not associated with HIV-related knowledge, perceived risk, self-efficacy, condom expectations, or most risky behaviors, including higher levels of recent unprotected intercourse. LOT scores were higher among those who did not view the video and were also higher among those who did not obtain an HIV test. We conclude that higher optimism is not necessarily associated with HIV protective behaviors among adolescent girls and, depending on the context, may serve as a barrier to HIV prevention in this population.