Adolescents' reports of chaos within the family home environment: Investigating associations with lifestyle behaviours and obesity.

Objective: Disorganised and chaotic home environments may hinder the adoption of healthy lifestyle behaviours and contribute to excessive weight gain among adolescents. We examined whether self-reported level of chaos within the family home environment is associated with lifestyle behaviours and obesity in adolescent girls and boys.

Methods: Cross-sectional data from the 3rd wave of the Québec Adipose and Lifestyle Investigation in Youth (QUALITY) study were analyzed.

Challenges to malaria surveillance following elimination of indigenous transmission: findings from a hospital-based study in rural Sri Lanka.

Introduction: Sri Lanka has eliminated local transmission of malaria. Assessing physician preparedness for early case detection is important, in order to prevent re-establishment of local transmission.

Methods: Adherence to malaria screening practices in patients admitted with fever to 12 hospitals in a previously malaria endemic district was evaluated using a cross sectional survey.

Patterns and predictive factors of long-lasting insecticidal net usage in a previously high malaria endemic area in Sri Lanka: a cross-sectional survey.

Background: Long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) have been widely distributed in Sri Lanka for malaria control. Their effectiveness depends on proper utilisation and maintenance at the household level.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed to examine the patterns and predictive factors of LLIN maintenance and use in Anuradhapura district.

What percentage of patients presenting for routine eye examinations require referral for secondary care? A study of referrals from optometrists to ophthalmologists.

Background: The aim was to investigate the percentage of asymptomatic patients presenting for routine optometric eye examinations that have pathology or pathology-related risk factors warranting referral for ophthalmological consultation.

Methods: This was a retrospective, cohort case study and the inclusion criteria for participants included: (i) the patient presented for routine optometric eye care during a specified period of time; (ii) the patient was found to have pathology (or showed enough risk of pathology) resulting in referral to an ophthalmologist; and (iii) a referral report was received from the consulting ophthalmologist stating the diagnosis and the treatment plan. The data set was further reviewed to indicate presenting symptoms and patient age.

Thermography and nailfold capillaroscopy as noninvasive measures of circulation in children with Raynaud's phenomenon.

Objective: To determine in a pilot study the feasibility of noninvasive techniques of (a) measurement of rewarming response after a standard cold challenge test (using thermographic imaging) and (b) measurement of nailfold capillary dimensions using video capillaroscopy, in the assessment of children presenting with Raynaud's phenomenon (RP).

Methods: Ten children with RP and 10 age matched healthy controls were studied. No child had definite evidence of underlying connective tissue disease.