Showing papers by "Helen Roberts published in 2002"

Prevalence of working smoke alarms in local authority inner city housing: randomised controlled trial

Abstract: OBJECTIVES: To identify which type of smoke alarm is most likely to remain working in local authority inner city housing, and to identify an alarm tolerated in households with smokers. DESIGN: Randomised controlled trial. SETTING: Two local authority housing estates in inner London. PARTICIPANTS: 2145 households. INTERVENTION: Installation of one of five types of smoke alarm (ionisation sensor with a zinc battery; ionisation sensor with a zinc battery and pause button; ionisation sensor with a lithium battery and pause button; optical sensor with a lithium battery; or optical sensor with a zinc battery). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Percentage of homes with any working alarm and percentage in which the alarm installed for this study was working after 15 months. RESULTS: 54.4% (1166/2145) of all households and 45.9% (465/1012) of households occupied by smokers had a working smoke alarm. Ionisation sensor, lithium battery, and there being a smoker in the household were independently associated with whether an alarm was working (adjusted odds ratios 2.24 (95% confidence interval 1.75 to 2.87), 2.20 (1.77 to 2.75), and 0.62 (0.52 to 0.74)). The most common reasons for non-function were missing battery (19%), missing alarm (17%), and battery disconnected (4%). CONCLUSIONS: Nearly half of the alarms installed were not working when tested 15 months later. Type of alarm and power source are important determinants of whether a household had a working alarm.

What works for children? : effective services for children and families

Abstract: List of tables and figures Preface Introduction Part one: Services for adopted and looked after children Family placement services Promoting stability and continuity in care away from home Leaving care Residential care Part two: Preventing the social exclusion of children Community development with children Inclusive education Preventing the social exclusion of disabled children Young offenders in the community Involving children and young people in decision-making Part three: Promoting and protecting children's health Child protection Reducing inequalities in child health Family support Last words the views of young people References Index.

Do behavioural treatments for sleep disorders in children with Down’s syndrome work?

Abstract: A mother brings her 7 year old son with Down’s syndrome to clinic complaining of sleep difficulties. He won’t go to sleep alone, frequently wakes in the night, and will not be settled unless transferred to his parents’ bed. His parents are exhausted, and his mother believes his lack ofsleep is also disrupting his daytime behaviour. He has always been difficult to settle and seldom slept through the night without waking. The child is overweight, but not obese, and on enquiry his mother tells you that he does not usually snore, or suffer from nocturnal enuresis (bedwetting), which makes obstructive sleep apnoea an unlikely cause. His mother tells you, “I’m sure he’s just waking up out of stubbornness and not because anything’s wrong, but we’re all worn out. I don’t know what to do.” You wonder if a behavioural treatment programme might be able to help in this situation. Can behavioural programmes [intervention] work to tackle sleep difficulties [outcome] for children with Down’s syndrome [patient] where there is no clear physical cause for the sleep problems? Using …

Population Genetics of Intestinal Nematodes

Abstract: Population genetics of the gastrointestinal nematodes is a growing subject that is able to draw on the work being done on other organisms and which will benefit from collaborative sequencing projects. It is becoming increasingly clear that there is considerable information to be gained in this field that will help elucidate some of the problems associated with these infections.