To examine the relationship between bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) and respiratory symptoms associated with asthma, we studied a sample of 380 schoolchildren on three occasions at 2-yr intervals. The age of the children at the first study was 8-10 yr. Respiratory symptoms history was assessed by questionnaire, BHR was measured by a histamine inhalation test and atopy was assessed by skin-prick tests to 13 allergens. The cumulative prevalence of BHR in this sample was 27%. The severity of BHR was categorized as severe, moderate, mild or slight. The distribution of severe, moderate and mild BHR was similar at each of the studies. At the third study, when the children were aged 12-14 yr, the prevalence of slight BHR decreased. Children with severe or moderate BHR at age 8-10 yr were atopic, reported current symptoms during the 4 yr of the study and had a high prevalence of severe or moderate BHR in later studies. In this group, 87% of children had current respiratory symptoms and 73% were using asthma medication at age 12-14 yr. In children with mild or slight BHR when first studied, the prevalence of atopy, continuing respiratory symptoms and medication use was much lower. We conclude that severe or moderate BHR is an important risk factor for ongoing morbidity and that comparisons of the prevalence of this severity of BHR in populations may be more informative than comparisons of BHR defined by present criteria.

No abstract

Background Existing literature suggests that the effectiveness of a support group is linked to the qualifications, skills and experience of the group leader. Yet, little research has been conducted into the experiences of trained vs. untrained support group leaders of chronic-illness support groups. The current study aimed to compare the experience of leaders, trained vs. untrained in group facilitation, in terms of challenges, rewards and psychological wellbeing.

Dermatophagoides mite concentrations in household dust have been measured in three Australian towns with contrasting geographical features, climate, and degree of urbanisation. Mite allergen skin tests on school children living in these areas showed that the prevalence of positive reactions varied with mite concentrations. In Belmont, D. farinae as well as D. pteronyssinus were present in some of the dust samples. Skin test weals were larger in Busselton than in either Wagga Wagga or Belmont. The importance and practical implications of these findings are discussed.

No abstract

No abstract

Support groups are an important resource for people living with multiple sclerosis (MS). However, little is known about the effect of leadership on support-group facilitators, despite their importance in producing positive group-member outcomes. The current study assessed the needs, challenges, rewards, and psychological well-being of 61 MS support-group facilitators (56% response rate), with purpose-designed and standardized measures. On the whole, participants did not display significant difficulty with group leadership, had good psychological well-being, and found their work highly rewarding. However, one third of leaders reported a lower level of personal accomplishment, which is suggestive of burnout. Leadership training, resources, and support were identified as the main areas of concern. Significant predictors of a higher number of challenges among MS facilitators included being male, not receiving formal supervision, and spending more time running MS group meetings per week. Further investigation of MS support-group facilitators who display lower levels of personal accomplishment and those who have decided not to continue in their role is required to elucidate the predictors of group dissipation and support/training needs of group facilitators.