Maria Morgan

Subcultural differences in alcohol use among youth

A specifically designed anonymous questionnaire concerning the use of alcoholic beverages was given to all young people in residence at the San Diego Job Corps Center. Corpsmembers (n = 335), age 16-22 years (mean 18.7 years) completed the questionnaire. There were 67 Caucasians, 65 Blacks, 111 Hispanics, 69 Indochinese, and 23 others. Eighty-five percent of the corpsmembers reported drinking alcohol 1-5 times weekly during the previous six months, and 14% reported average weekend binges of more than 20 drinks. Sixty percent of the adolescent drinkers reported medical, legal, or vocational problems as a result of their drinking. Some striking differences were noted in the drinking habits of the four major subcultural groups represented: 1) Caucasian males began serious drinking at an earlier age than Black, Hispanic or Indochinese youth; 2) more Hispanic youth than others used multiple drugs in addition to marijuana, which was commonly used by all adolescent drinkers; and 3) recently immigrated Indochinese youth indicated that they had turned to alcohol as a means of forgetting past experiences.

Female circumcision: A report of four adolescents

Although female circumcision is not traditionally performed in the US, health professionals must consider the possibility when seeing a female patient from central Africa that she may have been circumcised. A genital examination should therefore be part of such womens routine health maintenance. Pertinent genitourinary symptoms which may be secondary to the circumcision should be elicited. When pelvic exam is difficult or impossible in a patient, pelvic sonography can supplement rectal exam when pelvic pathology is suspected. Some adolescents may desire reconstructive surgery, while others will want only symptomatic treatment if complications arise. It is also important to create a comfortable environment in which relevant psychosocial issues may be discussed as the young women become acculturated into Western society. Four cases of recently immigrated, circumcised adolescent females from Somalia are reported. It is not illegal to perform female circumcision in the US, but efforts are being made to create and implement such legislation. When parents present requesting a circumcision for their daughter, they must be given information about the risks and complications of the procedure and its outcome. Culturally sensitive counseling should be offered to help the family make its decision.

Do health care needs of indigent Mexican-American, black, and white adolescents differ?☆☆☆

Few studies have addressed the specific health care needs of Mexican-American adolescents. This 2-year study assessed the routine health care needs and incidence of chronic illness among 279 Mexican-American, 233 white, and 333 black indigent adolescents enrolled in a vocational training program. Mexican-Americans were more likely to have a positive purified protein derivative tuberculin test and acne/eczema requiring treatment. Blacks were more likely to have incomplete immunizations and thyroid disorders, while whites were more likely to have musculoskeletal conditions and require family planning services and psychiatric intervention for mental health disorders. Although no difference in incidence of chronic illness was noted, our data suggests that routine health care needs may differ among indigent Mexican-American, white, and black adolescents.

Recurrent Group C Streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis in an adolescent

Sore throat is a frequent complaint in the adolescent age group. Beta-hemolytic Streptococcus Group C is not a commonly reported etiology of tonsillopharyngitis. This is a case report of a 14-year-old adolescent female who had repeated episodes of pharyngitis secondary to beta hemolytic streptococcus Group C.