Do peers contribute to the likelihood of secondary school graduation among disadvantaged boys?

This 17-year longitudinal study tested whether low peer-perceived acceptance and association with aggressive-disruptive friends during preadolescence predicted students' failure to graduate from secondary school. Participants were 997 Caucasian, French-speaking boys from low-socioeconomic status, urban neighborhoods. The boys were recruited in kindergarten (age 6) and followed through early adulthood (age 23). Low levels of prosocial behaviors and high levels of aggressive-disruptive behaviors in childhood were expected to predict negative preadolescent peer experiences. Adolescent academic achievement and school commitment were expected to mediate the link between preadolescent peer experiences and early adulthood graduation status. Results of structural equation modeling analyses tended to support these hypotheses. Greater childhood aggression-disruptiveness positively predicted friends' preadolescent aggression-disruptiveness. Having aggressive-disruptive friends, in turn, was related to a lower likelihood of graduation. Lower academic achievement and school commitment partially mediated the association between friend characteristics and graduation. Peer acceptance did not contribute to graduation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Measures to promote healthy dietary habits among schoolchildren

The Norwegian National Nutrition Council has, over the past years, implemented a number of measures designed specifically to promote well-organized school meals and increase the consumption of fruit and vegetables among school children. These measures include the development of national guidelines for organizing school meals, economic support for trying out new methods of operating a school cafeteria, national campaigns to promote the traditional Norwegian packed lunch, open community meetings with political and administrative leaders at municipality level, the introduction of a system whereby pupils can purchase fresh fruit and vegetables at school, and advocacy through mass media. Results of an ongoing evaluation seem to indicate that these measures have had a positive effect on the organization of school meals. More young children are attended to by an adult during mealtimes, more pupils are allowed at least 20 minutes for their lunch break, and a growing number of secondary schools are introducing school cafeterias. However, only half of the total number of schools seem to be aware of the new guidelines, and much more work is required in order to ensure all students are provided with a well-organized school meal. Health personnel play a critical role in ensuring that this work is given political priority, also at the local level.     

Cultural orientation and use of cannabis and inhalants among secondary school children in Zimbabwe

A survey among 3061 secondary school children in four provinces in Zimbabwe was conducted in 1994. In the present paper, the relationships between cultural and social factors and use of inhalants and cannabis are explored. Respondents were selected by means of a two-stage sample design, first based on a complete list of schools in the four provinces and subsequently on lists of students at the randomly selected schools. Stratification was based on the identification of four different sociocultural groups. Data collection followed standardised procedures and was conducted by a research team from University of Zimbabwe. Cultural orientation was operationalised by means of a Likert-type 14-item scale on choice of media, language and music. Exploratory principal component analysis revealed a two-factor solution, representing a global or Western cultural orientation and a local or Zimbabwean cultural orientation. Drug use by older siblings and best friends represented social factors. A combined model of cultural and social variables was subject to a multiple logistic regression analysis. Results revealed that the social variables and global cultural orientation were significantly associated with increased use of both drugs, whereas a local cultural orientation was found not to be associated with use of these substances. Findings are discussed in the light of historical and cultural factors.     

Some factors associated with substance abuse among secondary school students in Trinidad and Tobago

Quantitative myocardial perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography can be improved further by technical advancements that are imminent in the clinical setting. These improvements are directed toward two main goals: (1) increasing the accuracy that the myocardial count distribution from tomographic slices represents the true tracer concentration and (2) increasing the accuracy of extracting this myocardial count distribution for quantitative analysis. Once these advancements are fully validated and implemented clinically, the clinical value of these cardiac diagnostic tests will be enhanced by increased accuracy of detecting and characterizing myocardial hypoperfusion and coronary artery disease.     

Changing prevalence of asthma among schoolchildren in Israel

This survey was part of a health monitoring system operated in the vicinity of a new power plant in Israel. The aim of this analysis was to determine whether a temporal trend of increased prevalence of asthma can be observed among cohorts of same-aged children, between 1980 and 1989. Schoolchildren were followed up between 1980 and 1989. They performed pulmonary function tests (PFTs), and their parents filled out American Thoracic Society-National Heart and Lung Institute (ATS-NHLI) health questionnaires. This report deals with the changes in the prevalence of asthma, related respiratory conditions and PFT in four cross-sectional data sets gathered among eighth-grade schoolchildren (aged 13-14 yrs). A highly significant (p=0.0005) increase in the prevalence of asthma (from 5.6% in 1980 to 11.2% in 1989), and of wheezing accompanied by shortness of breath (p=0.0009) could be observed. A similar trend could not be found for the prevalence of bronchitis among these children. PFTs of children suffering from asthma or from wheeze accompanied by shortness of breath were lower than those of healthy children. Changes in prevalence of background variables over time could not explain these findings. The significant rise in the prevalence of asthma coupled with reduced pulmonary function test results among asthmatic children, seems to reflect a true increase in morbidity. Temporal changes in the prevalence of background variables as well as proximity to the power plant could not explain this trend.     

Children's self-control in relation to perceived social environment.

Examined relationships between perceptions of the class social environment and self-control in 755 4th and 5th graders. Children completed the Children's Perceived Self-Control Scale and were also rated on the Teacher's Self-Control Rating Scale. Perceived environment was measured by children's and teachers' responses to a modified short form of the Classroom Environment Scale. Results show that children's and teachers' perceptions of class environment were basically unrelated and that children's views of environment were more strongly linked to self-control outcomes. Children's perceptions of high class and organization, involvement, and rule clarity were significantly related to ratings and behavioral observations of children's self-control. Multiple regression analysis replicated the simple correlations and showed that children's views of class environment predicted their own ratings and teachers' ratings of self-control. Implications for optimizing the social environmental determinants of children's self-control are considered. (54 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The relationship among self-concept, self-efficacy, and performance in mathematics during secondary school.

The relationship among self-concept, self-efficacy, and performance in mathematics was examined among 416 high school students. Participants completed a questionnaire assessing mathematics self-concept and mathematics self-efficacy. Performance was assessed using end-of-term exam results in mathematics. Confirmatory factor analyses supported the existence of two self-concept components--a competency component and an affective component. Self-efficacy items and the competency items of self-concept also loaded on a single factor. Social comparison information was equally influential in the formation of each construct. Self-efficacy beliefs, however, were identified as most highly related with performance in mathematics and percentages. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Smoking in secondary school students in Zagreb

Prevalence of smoking was studied in two secondary schools in Zagreb. Data were collected from 637 pupils by questionnaires. Depending on school, between 31 to 45% pupils smoke. Different trends were observed in boys and girls. In boys from the families of a higher parental education prevalence is 28%; in those from lower 42% (p < 0.02). Smoking in girls still increases: in both populations girls surpassed boys (p < 0.001): observed frequencies are 47% in lower and 40% in a group with higher parental education. Higher frequency of smoking was observed in smoking families (p < 0.001). A majority of smokers begin smoking in the last grade of primary school, mostly because of peer group pressure and curiosity. Approximately 50% of regular smokers smoke more than half a pack daily. They comprise 12% of the surveyed population. Smokers do not assign low risk to smoking any more, but knowledge about diseases connected with smoking is insufficient. To reduce smoking among adolescents it is necessary to create negative attitude toward smoking and social-resistance skills during primary school education.     

Adverse reactions after diphtheria-tetanus booster in 10-year-old schoolchildren in relation to the type of vaccine given for the primary vaccination

This prospective open study investigated adverse reactions in 527 schoolchildren to a diphtheria-tetanus (DT) booster given within a national vaccination programme at 10 years of age. Evaluation was based on those whose immunization records showed that they had received either three doses of an adsorbed DT vaccine (n = 388) or a non-adsorbed DT-pertussis vaccine (DTP) (n = 69) for primary series vaccination. No differences in systemic reactions to the booster between the two groups were observed. Local reactions were significantly (p < 0.001) more common 1 day after vaccination in children who had received DT for primary series vaccination: redness, 73% compared with 23%; swelling, 56% versus 15%; and itching, 47% versus 21%. One and 2 weeks after the booster, itching was still more pronounced in the group who had received DT for primary series vaccination (p < 0.001 and 0.014, respectively). The study indicates that there was a real basis for the increase in spontaneous notifications of local side-effects to the school DT booster in Sweden. The most likely cause for the increase seems to be the aluminium adjuvant in the vaccine given for primary vaccination, a late and unexpected consequence of a change in the infant immunization programme.     

Proteinuria, other selected urinary abnormalities and hypertension among teenage secondary school students in Nairobi, Kenya

Four hundred and three teenage secondary school students (50.6% males) from two girls' and two boys' Nairobi City Schools, selected by stratified sampling, were screened to determine the prevalence of proteinuria, haematuria, nitrituria and hypertension. Nine students (2.2%) had significant proteinuria while 14 (3.5%) had microscopic haematuria. Two students had combined proteinuria and haematuria. There was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence of proteinuria and/or haematuria between the sexes. Other urinary abnormalities detected were leucocyturia in 14(3.5%) and nitrites in four (1%). Leucocyturia was commonner in females (p = 0.001). Cloudy urinary appearance was significantly associated with the presence of leucocyturia (p = 0.0028) and proteinuria (p = 0.0276). Neither personal history of recurrent sore throat and skin infections nor family history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus or kidney disease was significantly associated with proteinuria or haematuria. Blood pressure tended to increase with age. Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly higher in boys than girls in the age group 15-18 years (P < 0.001). Of the 397 students whose blood pressures were measured, four (1%) were found to be hypertensive. Weight and body mass index were strong positive correlates of blood pressure. The prevalence of proteinuria, haematuria, other urinary abnormalities and hypertension ranges between 1% and 3.5% among teenage secondary school children. The majority are asymptomatic and have no significant associations. It is recommended that routine urinalysis and blood pressure measurements should be part of the school health service so as to identify asymptomatic students who require close monitoring and/or intervention.     

Associations among family environment, sustained attention, and school readiness for low-income children.

In this study, we examined the developmental pathways from children's family environment to school readiness within a low-income sample (N = 1,046), with a specific focus on the role of sustained attention. Six distinct factors of the family environment representing maternal parenting behaviors, the physical home environment, and maternal mental health at 3 years of age were explored as independent predictors of children's observed sustained attention as well as cognitive and behavioral outcomes at 5 years of age. Children were grouped by poverty status (poor vs. near-poor). Results suggest specificity in the associations among attention (focused attention and lack of impulsivity) and its correlates, with different patterns emerging by poverty status group. Overall, the family environment was largely unrelated to children's sustained attention. For both groups, focused attention was associated with receptive vocabulary; however, it partially mediated the association between maternal lack of hostility and receptive vocabulary only among the near-poor. In addition, lack of impulsivity was associated with both receptive vocabulary and externalizing behaviors but only for the poor group. Findings indicate sustained attention as a potential target for efforts aimed at enhancing school readiness among predominantly poor children. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Sexual and reproductive health among primary and secondary school pupils in Mwanza, Tanzania: need for intervention

A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted among 892 randomly selected pupils, aged 12 and above, attending 18 primary schools (PS) and five secondary schools (SS) in four communities of Mwanza Region in Tanzania. The goals were to assess the level of knowledge adolescents have about sexual and reproductive health (SRH), to assess the magnitude of SRH problems and to help design appropriate interventions. Median age of respondents was 15 years (range 12-20 years) and 14 years (range 12-19 years) for PS boys and girls, respectively, and 19 years (range 16-24 years) and 17 years (range 14-19 years) for SS boys and girls. Eighty per cent of PS boys and 68% of PS girls were already sexually active; the corresponding figures were 89% for SS boys and 48% for SS girls. Vaginal sex was the most common first sexual act reported by SS pupils, but 40% of PS pupils reported orogenital sex and 9% of PS pupils reported anal sex as their first sexual act. Almost half of PS girls have had sex with adults, including teachers and relatives. 'Forced sex' was reported by nearly half of PS and SS girls. Fourteen per cent of PS girls had already been pregnant, and over half of these pregnancies ended in illegally induced abortions. Despite a rather high (30%) lifetime rate of condom use, 33% and 25% of PS boys and girls, respectively, reported past experience of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). STD rates were lower among SS pupils who had a better knowledge of STDs/HIV and fertility issues and reported higher condom use. The survey demonstrated the great vulnerability of school-going adolescents of Mwanza Region to consequences of sexual intercourse. The response should urgently come in the from of comprehensive adolescent SRH programmes.     

校长要努力营造校内和谐的人际关系氛围

校长是国家教育方针的执行者,是学校行政工作的主帅,是学校活动的组织者、指挥者、协调者.如何正确处理校内人际关系,营造一个校内宽松、和谐、民主的人际环境,是校长工作中的重要环节,是能否调动校内一切积极因素、凝心聚力,形成正向合力必不可少的条件.     

Allergen content in dust from homes and schools in northern Norway in relation to sensitization and allergy symptoms in schoolchildren

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown a high prevalence of atopic diseases among school children in the community of S?r-Varanger. Moreover, animal dander followed by pollen and house dust mite, were the most common allergens in skin prick tests. OBJECTIVE: To assess the allergen content in homes (living-rooms and mattresses) and classrooms of children living in an arctic area at 70 degrees. The presence of allergens in homes and schools and their relationship to atopy was of particular interest. METHODS: Dust samples from 38 homes and seven schools in northern Norway were collected by vacuum cleaning. The presence of allergens of dog, birch, timothy, Cladosporium herbarum, codfish and hen egg-white was investigated by radio-allergosorbent test (RAST) inhibition and the presence of major allergens of cat Felis domesticus (Fel d I) and house dust mites (HDM) Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p I) and Dermatophagoides farinae (Der f I) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Mattresses contained significantly more dust per unit area than living-rooms and classrooms. No statistically significant differences in allergen content for dog, birch, timothy. Cladosporium, codfish and hen egg-white were seen between HDM-sensitized and non-atopic children. Most dust samples contained dog allergens with the highest allergenic activity found in living-rooms of those keeping dogs. An increased level of Fel d I was detected in only one of 38 samples from living-rooms (this family kept a cat) and in 25 of 38 samples from mattresses with ranges from 24 to 84 ng/m2. The highest concentrations were found in mattresses of children keeping cats. Increased levels (> or = 25 ng/m2) of Der p I were found only in homes and virtually only in mattresses of HDM-sensitized children. An increased level of Der f I was found in only one case, i.e. in the mattress of an HDM-sensitized child where additionally Der p I and HDMs were demonstrated microscopically. When relating Der p I to HDM-sensitization an odds ratio of more than 16 (95% CI: 1.6-394.3) was found. All extracts from living-rooms included codfish allergens. Low RAST inhibition values were detected for hen egg-white. Cladosporium, birch and timothy pollen in most samples. Furthermore, the study demonstrated that dust from schools was relatively free of allergens. CONCLUSION: Previous findings indicating that the main allergen exposure problem in this geographical area is that of pet allergens were confirmed.     

Math anxiety in elementary and secondary school students.

We assessed math anxiety in 6th- through 12th-grade children (N?=?564) as part of a comprehensive longitudinal investigation of children's beliefs, attitudes, and values concerning mathematics. Confirmatory factor analyses provided evidence for two components of math anxiety, a negative affective reactions component and a cognitive component. The affective component of math anxiety related more strongly and negatively than did the worry component to children's ability perceptions, performance perceptions, and math performance. The worry component related more strongly and positively than did the affective component to the importance that children attach to math and their reported actual effort in math. Girls reported stronger negative affective reactions to math than did boys. Ninth-grade students reported experiencing the most worry about math and sixth graders the least. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Self-efficacy in relation to occupational consideration and academic performance in high school equivalency students.

A. Bandura's (see PA, Vol 58:5733; see also 1986) self-efficacy theory was tested in relation to occupational consideration and academic performance with 35 High School Equivalency Program students from seasonal farmworker backgrounds. Within-individual and aggregate analyses indicated a moderate to strong relationship between extent of consideration of occupational activities and self-efficacy, interests, and incentives. Individual differences in the strength of the relationship between self-efficacy and extent of consideration were associated with individual differences in generality of self-efficacy. Self-efficacy expectations for academic areas were moderately related to accomplishment and ability, but not to effort, in those areas. The use of incentives as a moderator of the relationship between self-efficacy and occupational consideration illustrated a more complete test of Bandura's theory. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Geophagy among school children in western Kenya

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 285 school children aged 5-18 years in Nyanza Province, Western Kenya, to determine the prevalence of geophagy and the types and amounts of soil eaten. Stool samples were taken from a subsample of 53 (19%) and their silica content determined to compare the results with the reported geophagy. Geophagy was practised by 73% of the children. The prevalence decreased with age for both sexes up to age 15, then remained stable for girls between 15 and 18 years but continued to decrease for boys in that age range. Most children ate soil from the surface of termitaria; others preferred the edges of paths and gullies, material from the wall of huts, and a chalk-like, soft stone commonly found in the area. The soil was eaten dry and was occasionally ground, but not processed in other ways. All but 4 of the children practising geophagy reported to eat soil at least once daily. The median amount reported eaten was 28 g daily, ranging from 8 to 108 g. The reported amount of soil eaten daily was significantly correlated to the results of the stool silica determinations. Using the median of 1% silica of faecal wet weight as a cut-off point to distinguish geophageous children from non-geophageous, the examination of a single stool sample had a sensitivity of 76% and a specificity of 80% to detect a geophageous child compared to the interview method. The cultural context of geophagy and its potential health impact in terms of infection and nutrition need to be further investigated, and it is suggested that more school and community-based studies on geophagy in different societies should be undertaken.     

Behavior of Swedish primary and secondary caretaking fathers in relation to mother's presence.

Parents from 27 Swedish families were observed at home interacting with their infants (aged 8–12 mo) in 2 different social situations—(a) with the father, mother, and infant present and (b) the father alone with infant. 12 of the fathers had been primary caretakers for more than 1 mo (mean?=?3 mo); these families were designated as shared childcare. Men who took little or no parental leave and were never primary caretakers were from families designated as traditional. Results indicate that in the 3-person social context mothers were more likely to engage in distal bidding with their infants (vocalize, smile, laugh) and display affection toward their infants than fathers, regardless of the fathers' past histories of caregiving. By contrast, when the fathers were alone with their infants, effects of the fathers' caregiving histories did occur. In this situation, fathers from traditional families were more likely to display affection toward and play with their infants. In contrast to previous studies, it is suggested that differential involvement in childcare has significant effects in fathers' behavior. (6 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)