Factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding 2 to 4 weeks following discharge from a large, urban, academic medical center striving for baby-friendly designation

Substantial evidence documents the superiority of breastfeeding for mothers and breastmilk for babies. Although the American Academy of Pediatrics and the U.S. Healthy People 2010 initiative promote breastfeeding, current breastfeeding rates often fall short of recommendations. This study determined factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding 2 to 4 weeks following discharge from a large, urban, academic medical center striving for Baby-Friendly designation. Results indicated that mothers who breastfed within the first hour of birth (61%) were significantly more likely to be exclusively breastfeeding 2 to 4 weeks after discharge. Incorporating care practices that include a number of the "Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding," as recommended by the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, may increase the duration of exclusive breastfeeding after discharge.     

Prevalence of childhood sexual abuse among incarcerated males in county jail

OBJECTIVE: The current study examined the prevalence and characteristics of childhood sexual abuse in a jailed-based population. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective, self-reported survey was administered over an 8-week period to a random sample of 100 men who were incarcerated in a county jail in Southeastern Texas. The survey included questions about childhood sexual experiences before and after puberty, drug history and use, and sexual risk-taking behaviors. RESULTS: Of the 100 male inmates who participated in this study, 59% reported experiencing some form of sexual abuse before puberty, and all such instances occurred before or at the age of 13 years. The first episode of childhood sexual abuse began at an average age of 9.6 years (SD = 2.4), and ended at an average age of 13.0 years (SD = 2.3). Kissing and touching without intercourse (64%) was the common pattern of sexual abuse experience reported. The total number of perpetrators was 165, with 10% male and 90% female. Friends (n = 72) and family (n = 56) were the most frequent perpetrators. CONCLUSION: Childhood sexual abuse may be more prevalent among inmates than among males in the general population. These results show a high percentage of inmates who report a history of childhood sexual abuse; this rate is higher than those reported by other studies for incarcerated males. The findings support the belief held by professionals in the criminal justice field that a significant number of incarcerated males may have been victims of sexual abuse.     

切尔诺贝利事故对苏联核安全决策的影响

苏联政治领导层对核能尽管有着长期不懈的热情和信心,但在切尔诺贝利事件之后已被迫对这个国家的核能计划重新进行评估。这一重新评估已导致旨在增加核能安全的新技术措施的引进和组织变革。然而,这些变革所产生的影响由于经济体制的内在困难和国家对核能立法的缺乏而减弱了。     

A web-based breastfeeding education program

Two Web-based breastfeeding programs were developed to provide new parents with necessary information on proper breastfeeding techniques. One version was plain text and the other version combined text with graphics. The computer was viewed as a valuable learning tool. The breastfeeding program that contained graphics was preferred over the text-only program. Educators are encouraged to use Web-based graphic programs to provide breastfeeding education to new parents.     

Ratings and rankings

In this column, the editor of The Journal of Perinatal Education describes ranking systems for scholarly journals. The editor also describes the contents of this issue, which offer a broad range of resources, research, and inspiration for childbirth educators in their efforts to promote natural, safe, and healthy birth.     

努力开拓科学基金项目 国际合作与交流的新局面

本文论述了科学基金工作实行对外开放,科学基金项目开展国际合作,对加强我国的基础研究和部分应用研究的重要性。指出国家自然科学基金委员会成立四年来,通过努力开拓合作交流渠道,基本上开通了与世界各科学技术和经济发达国家科学基金组织和主要科研机构的科学合作交流关系,通过突出重点,兼顾一般,着眼于实效,多形式、多渠道、多层次地为基金项目创造良好国际合作环境和条件的探索,使我国的基础研究跨出国门,走向了世界。文章最后强调了要坚定不移地坚持党的对外开放方针,知难而上,创造条件,进一步开拓科学基金项目的国际合作与交流的新局面。