Child growth and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in a Queensland Aboriginal Community

Globally, the prevalence of Type 2 diabetes is rising. The most affected populations are those that have undergone recent and rapid transition towards a Western lifestyle, characterised by energy-dense diets and physical inactivity. Two major hypotheses have attempted to explain the variation in diabetes prevalence, both between and within populations, beyond the contributions made by adult lifestyle. The thrifty genotype hypothesis proposes that some populations are genetically well adapted to surviving in a subsistence environment, and are predisposed to develop diabetes when the dietary environment changes to one that is fat and carbohydrate rich. The programming hypothesis focuses on the developmental environment, particularly on prenatal and early postnatal conditions: nutritional deprivation in utero and early postnatal life, measured by low birthweight and disrupted child growth, is proposed to alter metabolism permanently so that risk of diabetes is increased with subsequent exposure to an energy-dense diet. Both hypotheses emphasise discord between adaptation (genetic or developmental) and current environment, and both now put forward insulin resistance as a likely mechanism for predisposition.¶ Diabetes contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality among Australia’s Indigenous population. Indigenous babies are more likely to be low birthweight, and typical patterns of child growth include periods of faltering and rapid catch-up. Although there have been numerous studies in other populations, the programming hypothesis has not previously been tested in an Australian Indigenous community. The framework of the programming hypothesis is thus expanded to consider exposure of whole populations to adverse prenatal and postnatal environments, and the influence this may have on diabetes prevalence.¶ The present study took place in Cherbourg, a large Aboriginal community in southeast Queensland with a high prevalence of diabetes. Study participants were adults with diagnosed diabetes and a random sample of adults who had never been diagnosed with diabetes. Data were collected on five current risk factors for diabetes (general and central obesity, blood pressure, age and family history), in addition to fasting blood glucose levels. A lifestyle survey was also conducted. Participants’ medical records detailing weight growth from birth to five years were analysed with regard to adult diabetes risk to determine whether childhood weight and rate of weight gain were associated with subsequent diabetes. Adult lifestyle factors were also explored to determine whether variation in nutrition and physical activity was related to level of diabetes risk. ..

Evaluating the effects of functional communication training for preschool children with autism

This study investigated the effects of Functional Communication Training (FCT) on the communicative responses of young children with autism in a self-contained public preschool classroom. The study utilized a picture symbol as the mode of communication to teach appropriate communicative responses to three participants. The research was conducted during Circle Time in ten minute sessions. Appropriate communicative responses were taught as a replacement to problem behavior. A Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA) was used to determine the function of the behavior and to develop an appropriate communicative response. Overall, results indicated that FCT was an effective intervention strategy for teachers to use in a self-contained public preschool classroom to teach appropriate communicative responses as a replacement for problem behavior for preschool children with autism

The Importance of Play to Childhood Development: A Child’s Right to Play While Living With HIV/AIDS

This is a social analysis paper that explores child development and a child’s right to engage in play activities while living with HIV/AIDS in South Africa. Through experiences volunteering at the Children’s Rights Centre, interviewing occupational therapy professors, and living and playing in various communities in KwaZulu-Natal, the study looks into play development for children living with HIV and the policies put in place to protect their rights to play and develop. Primary data was triangulated against secondary sources, most of which were found while volunteering at the Children’s Rights Centre in Durban. The study looks at the stigmas surrounding HIV/AIDS, as well as its opportunistic infections, and how these work to inhibit a child from engaging in play activities important to their development. This study will be of use to South African people because it will raise awareness of the importance of play to human development, and encourage parents to take a more active role in facilitating play activities for/with their children

The Collaboration of Faith and Social Work in Creating a Gateway of Helping

When tragedy occurs, trauma follows. In crises, emergency response professionals are called upon in order to aid survivors. While the majority of professionals involved have received formal education on crisis management or disaster relief, the faith community is often called upon to assist without such prior knowledge. However, based on their mutual commitment to serve those in need, the social work profession and faith community represents a natural partnership in preparing for the disaster management process. Therefore, social workers can assist faith leadership in order to empower the faith community to be involved in crisis response. Specifically, this research addresses why the faith community must be included in disaster management, why the social work profession should train faith leadership to respond in crisis, and how this profession could further prepare the faith community to respond to trauma

EFFECT OF TWO LEVELS OF METHYLPHENIDATE HYDROCHLORIDE FOR HYPERKINETIC CHILDREN ON MEASURES OF ATTENTION AND MOTHER-CHILD INTERACTION.

Dept. of Psychology. Paper copy at Leddy Library: Theses & Major Papers - Basement, West Bldg. / Call Number: Thesis1979 .B252. Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 40-04, Section: B, page: 1876. Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Windsor (Canada), 1979

Collecting water : Shashemene, Ethiopia, November 2015

A water point was installed in 2012 as part of a biogas development initiative in an informal urban community of 200 households. The facility provides sanitation, gas for cooking, and organic fertiliser. It consists of four latrines and an inlet for animal waste, a fermentation chamber where the biogas (methane) is produced, and a communal kitchen with four stoves. The slurry byproduct is rendered safe by fermentation and used as fertiliser for the community garden.peer-reviewe

The Collaboration of Faith and Social Work in Creating a Gateway of Helping

When tragedy occurs, trauma follows. In crises, emergency response professionals are called upon in order to aid survivors. While the majority of professionals involved have received formal education on crisis management or disaster relief, the faith community is often called upon to assist without such prior knowledge. However, based on their mutual commitment to serve those in need, the social work profession and faith community represents a natural partnership in preparing for the disaster management process. Therefore, social workers can assist faith leadership in order to empower the faith community to be involved in crisis response. Specifically, this research addresses why the faith community must be included in disaster management, why the social work profession should train faith leadership to respond in crisis, and how this profession could further prepare the faith community to respond to trauma