A cross-sectional study of frequency and factors associated with dog walking in 9-10 year old children in Liverpool, UK.

Background: Owning a pet dog could potentially improve child health through encouraging participation in physical activity, through dog walking. However, evidence to support this is limited and conflicting. In particular, little is known about children's participation in dog walking and factors that may be associated with this.

Pet ownership, dog types and attachment to pets in 9-10 year old children in Liverpool, UK.

Background: Little is known about ethnic, cultural and socioeconomic differences in childhood ownership and attitudes to pets. The objective of this study was to describe the factors associated with living with different pet types, as well as factors that may influence the intensity of relationship or 'attachment' that children have to their pet. Data were collected using a survey of 1021 9-10 year old primary school children in a deprived area of the city of Liverpool, UK.

Is childhood obesity influenced by dog ownership? No cross-sectional or longitudinal evidence.

Objective: To examine whether dog ownership is associated with lower risk of childhood obesity.

Methods: Cross-sectional study of 7,759 children at age 7 years in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) in the UK. In addition, longitudinal analyses were conducted between age 7 and 9 years.

Dog ownership during pregnancy, maternal activity, and obesity: a cross-sectional study.

The Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) is an observational study of 14,273 UK pregnant singleton mothers in 1990/1991. We examined outcomes of self report of strenuous activity (hours per week) at 18 and 32 weeks of gestation, hours spent in leisure-time physical activities and types, and pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI); overweight status was defined as pre-pregnancy BMI≥25 and obesity BMI≥30. Pet ownership and activity data were reported for 11,466 mothers.

Obesity in children.

Introduction: Obesity is the result of long-term energy imbalances, where daily energy intake exceeds daily energy expenditure. Along with long-term health problems, obesity in children may also be associated with psychosocial problems, including social marginalisation, low self-esteem, and impaired quality of life. Most obese adolescents stay obese as adults.

Family pet ownership during childhood: findings from a UK birth cohort and implications for public health research.

In developed nations, approximately half of household environments contain pets. Studies of Human-Animal Interaction (HAI) have proposed that there are health benefits and risks associated with pet ownership. However, accurately demonstrating and understanding these relationships first requires a better knowledge of factors associated with ownership of different pet types.

Gender bias in the clinical management of women with angina: another look at the Yentl syndrome.

Background: Woman with heart disease may receive lower levels of clinical care than men. We assessed whether the Yentl syndrome (women receive equivalent care to men only when they demonstrate that they are like men by having a heart attack) operates in the management of angina pectoris in primary care.

Methods: The study design is a cross-sectional survey of 1162 angina patients (552 women) managed in eight sentinel centers serving 15% of the population of Liverpool.

Medical migration and Africa: an unwanted legacy of educational change.

The opportunities given for medical staff to travel, work and remain in countries other than that of their domicile or graduation have led to the phenomenon of medical migration. This has been supported by ease of travel, improved technology and a drive to share good examples of medical education through improved communication. Whilst these opportunities create positive advantages to the individuals and countries involved, through the transfer of knowledge and medical management, the situation does not always lead to long term benefits, and clear disadvantages begin to emerge.

Gender differences in the clinical management of patients with angina pectoris: a cross-sectional survey in primary care.

Background: Previous research suggests that women admitted to hospital with acute myocardial infarction (MI) are managed less intensively than men. Chronic stable angina is the commonest clinical manifestation of coronary heart disease in the community, but little information is available concerning its contemporary clinical management. The aim of this study is to assess the extent of gender differences in the clinical management of angina pectoris in primary care.

"Brain drain" of health professionals: from rhetoric to responsible action.

The question of the "brain drain" of health professionals has re-emerged since last exposed in 1970s. This paper is based on exploratory studies in Ghana, South Africa and the UK, a literature review and subsequent tracking of contemporary events. It reviews what is currently known about professional migration in the health sector and its impact on health services in poorer countries.

Melanin and HIV in sub-Saharan Africa.

HIV is common in sub-Saharan Africa. Sexually transmitted bacterial and fungal infections increase the chance of HIV infection. Melanin can prevent the penetration of skin and mucus membranes by microorganisms, and soluble melanin can inhibit HIV replication.