A cohort of 169 opiate drug addicts was followed for 8 years. The mortality rate was 3.3 per year. The average lethality per observation year was found to be higher than in other studies. The treatment with methadone was unstable and only 11% had received stable prolonged maintenance treatment. It is not possible to reject a model that described increasing mortality rates neither as a function of falling methadone maintenance treatment nor as a function of socially unstable addicts contra stable addicts. Unemployment was high in the cohort (87%), and no relationship could be demonstrated between methadone maintenance treatment and employment.
Attitudes of ninth grade students and their classroom teachers toward using condoms as a preventive measure against contracting AIDS were studied. Students (N = 438) and their teachers (N = 28) in the council schools of the Municipality of Copenhagen were surveyed using a structured questionnaire. Overall, results demonstrated that the message regarding "safe sex" had been well understood. However, 42% of pupils reported not using a condom during their last sexual intercourse. Many pupils indicated difficulty in using condoms. A continuing need exists for advice to the young. An information campaign, with distribution of free condoms, was well accepted by pupils and teachers. Almost all (94%) pupils indicated they will use condoms more frequently in the future. This campaign differed from other efforts that focused more on general information. The importance of other strategies designed to alter behavior to reduce the risk of contracting AIDS is discussed.
Information was obtained from all the county constabularies regarding deaths and medical attention given to those in police custody. It was presumed that this information covered all deaths in custody in Denmark during the period 1981 through 1985. There is no apparent increase in the absolute number of deaths during detention during the period 1969 through 1985. The number of deaths occurring in custody in relation to the annual number of persons incarcerated has fallen during the period 1955 through 1985. Simultaneously, a marked rise has occurred in the number of persons held in police custody. During the period 1981 through 1985, 7.9 persons were incarcerated per 1000 population per year. One homicide and nineteen other deaths occurred. The most frequent cause of death was asphyxiation as a result of aspiration of gastric contents during alcohol intoxication, drug poisoning, and intracranial hemorrhage. A physician had been consulted but had not diagnosed the seriousness of the condition in 42% of the deaths. All the deceased were men, and all suffered from the effects of social, psychiatric, and physical diseases. The lethality evaluated from hospitalized clients with the same type of life-threatening conditions was found to be 25%. A discussion is presented of the costs which will be incurred if a large group of those kept in police custody were admitted to hospital. Similarly, changes in the present arrangements are suggested that could ensure a greater certainty of avoiding deaths in detention.
As a step to limit the spread of AIDS, condoms were supplied free of charge in Copenhagen in youth clubs in connection with personal advice. A representative group of young people (N = 745) and of social workers in these clubs (N = 130) were asked to complete a structured questionnaire. The investigation revealed that the young were well informed about AIDS and its prevention, but despite this, they comprise a relative risk group with regard to the spread of AIDS due to high numbers of partners and poor habits with regard to the use of condoms. The campaign was well received by both the young and the youth club social workers. There was an obvious need for a continuation of such a campaign. It is concluded that youth clubs are a good forum for AIDS information.
A description of the problems regarding patients alleged physicians mis-conduct is given, focusing on conditions in Denmark, and to some extent on the other Scandinavian countries. The survey interprets the disciplinary, as well as the compensation, complaint procedures. The Parliamentary Ombudsman and patients ombudsmen functions are included also. The functions of these bodies are elucidated by a number of cases, together with selected statistical figures. It is concluded, regarding that both patients and doctors had voiced some dissatisfaction with the complaint procedures that there is a need to simplify the complaint system, to make it more transparent, and to some extent secure patients rights. If this it not done it will increase the legitimacy loss for the health sector as a whole.
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