Adolescent Health Flashcards
What types of adult harm reduction programs have shown benefit?
Needle-exchange
Methadone clinics
Supervised injecting facilities
List reasons why harm reduction is an appropriate approach to adolescents
- developmentally congruent
- adolescents engage in higher risk behaviours than children
- adolescents tend to reject authority
- adolescents strive for autonomy
List examples of motivational interviewing techniques
- open-ended questions
- reflective listening
- affirmations
- summary statements
- eliciting change talk
List examples of harm reduction programs targeted at children and adolescents
- condom machines at school
- seat belt legislation
- programs promoting safe sporting equipment (helmets, life jackets, visors)
Define harm reduction
A strategy directed toward individuals or groups that aims to reduce the harms associated with certain behaviours
How do e-cigarettes work?
A battery is attached to a chamber containing a liquid. The energy from the battery heats the liquid and converts it into a vapour, which is drawn into a person’s mouth and lungs as would be done with a cigarette.
What can be contained in the e-liquid of an e-cigarette?
- propylene glycol
- glycerol
- flavouring agents
- nicotine
Describe the risks of e-cigarettes
- Not required by law to meet Canadian standards for labelling or nicotine content
- With large boluses of nicotine, risk of acute cardiac events and thrombosis
- Exposure to fine particulates
- Deleterious impacts of nicotine on developing brain
- Risk of dependency of nicotine
- Aerosolized propylene glycol and glycerol cause throat irritation and dry cough
- Exposure to aerosolized metals, rubbers, ceramics
- Accidental nicotine poisonings of young children
What does “dripping” refer to when used in context of e-cigarettes?
Dripping is when a user trickles drops of a nicotine-containing fluid directly onto the heating element. It’s associated with tank systems. It generates a more potent vapour.
How are e-cigarettes renormalizing smoking?
- advertising focuses on conveniences (ability to smoke indoors, no bad breath, flavours taste good, no nicotine stains on teeth or fingers) without focusing on adverse effects of nicotine and e-cigarettes.
- endorsement from celebrities
- viewed as “less harmful”, which may increased uptake by youth
What makes e-cigarettes risky for generating pediatric nicotine addiction?
- cheap
- easily accessed
- high-profile promotion by celebrities
- marketing on social media
- industry sponsorship of public events with product-related accessories given away
What are ways in which the CPS advocates for e-cigarettes to be regulated?
- maximum dosage of nicotine to be strictly enforced
- warnings on packages about harmful effects
- complete and accurate labelling for e-liquids and e-cigarettes including list of ingredients and nicotine concentration
- child-resistant packaging and cautionary warning regarding toxicity
- ban on marketing at sponsor events with youth audiences
- ban on marketing that attracts young children (i.e. social media, giveaways)
Where does the CPS advocate that e-cigarettes be accessible?
- only in areas where conventional tobacco products are available
- no vending machines
- must obtain license to sell to the public
- accessible only to individuals above the legal age to purchase conventional tobacco products
What is the difference between absolutely and relatively homeless youth?
- Absolutely homeless: live outdoors, in abandoned buildings, use emergency shelters or hostels
- Relatively homeless: live in unsafe, inadequate or insecure housing, including hotel/motel rooms rented by the month, stay temporarily with friends/relatives
List some of the aetiologies that cause youth to turn to life on the street
- poverty
- dysfunctional family life
- violence
- sexual and physical abuse
- underlying mental illness
- parental drug use
- curiosity
What barriers exist for street-involved youth trying to access health care?
- lack of money
- lack of transportation
- lack of knowledge of how to access the system
- issues trusting adults/authority figures
- worry about confidentiality and “getting caught”
- lack of health care
- lack of permanent address
- perception that parental consent/involvement required
- poorly coordinated services that are difficult to access
As a healthcare provider for street-involved youth, what approaches should be practiced with respect to caring for this vulnerable population?
- provide anticipatory guidance
- harm reduction techniques
- prescribe free/low cost medications
- choose simple treatment regiments
- offer easy & accessible follow-up
What physical health conditions are street-involved youth at higher risk for?
- Respiratory problems (TB, asthma, poor control)
- Dental disease (lack of oral care, poor hygienic, smoking, EtOH use)
- Dermatological problems (lice, scabies, acne, eczema, impetigo, MRSA)
- Foot problems (wet, cold, exposed extremities)
- Malnutrition (food insecurity)
- Injuries (intoxication, burns from crack pipes, violence)
- Inadequate vaccination
In addition to being a street-involved youth, what other factors increase a youth’s risk of chlamydia thrachomatis?
- Aboriginal status
- Self-percieved risk
- Having no permanent home
- Having lived in foster care
What mental health disorders are street-involved youth more at risk for?
- mood disorders
- bipolar disorders
- conduct disorder
- PTSD
- attempted suicide
- substance abuse
Describe differences between pediatric care and adult care.
- Pediatric care: family focused, relies on developmentally appropriate care with significant parental involvement, multidisciplinary team
- Adult care: patient focused, investigational, autonomous, interdisciplinary resources, independent consumer skills
Define transition of care.
Purposeful, planned movement of adolescents with chronic medical conditions from child-centered to adult-oriented health care
What are the benefits of good transition of care?
- Ability to advocate for themselves
- Maintain health promoting behaviours
- Use health care services into adulthood
List different community health clinics that might be beneficial to provide to a youth transitioning in care
Cinics that provide information on:
- sexual health
- drug and alcohol addictions
- genetic counseing
- vocational and educational planning
At what age should transition begin?
10-12yo