High Percentage Of Families Research Articles

Coping strategies of families and their relationships with family quality of life during Covid-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought new challenges to almost every aspect of parents’ and their children’s lives, posing an acute threat to the families’ quality of life (FQOL). This study had two aims: (1) to identify changes in family coping-strategy profiles among parents pre- and during the first COVID-19 lockdown and (2) to analyze interactions between the clusters of coping strategies pre-COVID with FQOL during the first lockdown. A sample of 253 parents (58.5% mothers) of children (3 to 18 yr old) completed the Family Pandemic Oriented Personal Evaluation Scales and the FQOL Scale about their family life pre- and during the COVID-19 lockdown. Four family coping-strategy clusters were found. Differences were found between those clusters pre- and during the first COVID-19 lockdown, with a high percentage of families using the positive appraisal strategy more often. Significant interactions were found between the family coping-strategy clusters pre-COVID-19 and the FQOL factors before and during the pandemic. Most families maintained their FQOL levels during the first lockdown. Close and frequent interactions between family members had relationships with positive emotions and significant effects on well-being. Results showed that positive cognitive appraisal was a protective factor against a significant decrease in FQOL during the first COVID-19 lockdown.

Social services in the social security system of family support

In my study, analysing the data available from the change of the regime to the present day, from among the social services, I examine the changes of the financial support relating to children and its parts which are currently financed from the budget of the National Health Insurance Fund of Hungary, with special emphasis on the Child Care Benefit and the Child Care Allowance and their modifications. Within the framework of our research, we analyze - through data from the National Health Insurance Fund of Hungary, the Hungarian Central Statistical Office, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the Hungarian State Treasury as well as on the basis of literature review - the social financial support and its changes, within the family policy system. Hungarian family policy is still driven by the attitude of staying at home for three years with the child. The long period spent at home with the children fundamentally affects the adjustment of mothers to the labour market which has a direct effect on the economic productivity. Even though according to the current regulations, mothers are allowed to work full-time besides receiving child care allowance after their child fills 6 months, part-time employment and telework is still in its infancy compared to the Western-European countries. Based on our research, high percentage of families go for the child care benefit directly after the birth of the child thus not participating in the labour market processes. Besides if they do participate, the percentage of employment on minimal wage is still very high which means that in 2016-2017 36% of families with two breadwinners and two children were forced to survive on subsistence income. In the examined period, we found that social and family policy changes unfortunately were not able to react sufficiently to the demographic challenges despite Hungary spending significantly more on family policy than other European and OECD countries. Orv Hetil. 2019; 160(Suppl 1): 43-48.

The End of the American Dream? Inequality and Segregation in US Cities

Over the last 40 years, the US has experienced a large increase in inequality. At the same time there has been a substantial increase in residential segregation by income and education. What is the link between inequality and residential and educational choice? We first document a strong correlation between inequality and residential segregation at the MSA level, especially in MSA with higher percentage of families with children. Then we develop a general equilibrium overlapping generations model where parents choose the neighborhood where they live with their children. The key ingredient of the model is that there is a spillover effect: children's future wage is expected to be higher if they live in richer neighborhoods. We model such a spillover effect as a black box that can be explained by different quality of public schools, peer effect, learning from neighbors' experience and so forth. This generates a general equilibrium effect through which the residential choice amplifies future inequality: the higher is inequality, the higher is residential segregation which, due to the spillover effect, generates higher inequality. Is this the end of the American dream? We then calibrate the model, using the elasticities found in Chetty and Hendren (2016) and quantify how much residential segregation has contributed to increase inequality. (We attach slides of a preliminary version of the paper, as the current version is still on progress).

2495. Real-World Burden of Transmission and Care Seeking Among Family Members With a Primary Influenza Infection

BackgroundSeasonal influenza is known to be a significant burden to patients and the healthcare system. Understanding how this highly contagious infection is spread, particularly among family members, is important for quantifying the burden of flu and potential impact of upcoming therapeutic agents that limit transmission. This study used real-world US claims data to understand families’ medical care seeking behavior for flu infection and the relationship between family size and days families are burdened with flu within their household.MethodsThis was a retrospective analysis of US commercial claims data from the 2014–2016 flu seasons. Patients with enrolled family members and a diagnosis code for flu were identified and required to have continuous coverage during each influenza episode (defined as 14 days from the first flu case in a family).ResultsWe identified 1,224,808 primary cases of flu among families of 2 or more members. The median family size was 4 members (25th, 75th percentiles = 3, 4). Of these families with at least one case of flu, 119,883 (9.8%) had additional member(s) who sought care for flu within the same flu episode. 70.8% (84,903) of these cases occurred within 3 days after the first member’s claim for influenza (Figure 1).Increased family size was associated with a higher percentage of families where flu spread to other members of the family beyond the first member diagnosed (6.4% of families of size 2 or 3 vs. 12.6% of families of size 4 or greater, P < 0.001). Family size was also positively correlated with the number of days between the first and last flu-related office visit within a family (Spearman coefficient = 0.09, P < 0.001). The majority of family members who sought care for flu were children (n = 810,867; 59.5%), followed by employees (n = 323,277; 23.7%) and their spouses (n = 228,775; 16.8%).ConclusionIn data for the last 3 available flu seasons, we identified a significant number of secondary cases of flu among families with a primary case. Larger families had higher likelihood for subsequent flu infections and more number of days for dealing with flu. Transmission of flu between family members represents a large burden on the healthcare system and reveals an unmet need for treatment options that limit transmission. Disclosures All Authors: Roche: Employee, Salary.

Geographic proximity to specialized pediatric neurosurgical care in the contiguous United States.

OBJECTIVE Absent from an analysis of supply is consideration of the geographic distribution of pediatric neurosurgeons. Several patient socioeconomic metrics are known to be associated with outcome in pediatric neurosurgical diseases, such as hydrocephalus. The purpose of this study was to determine current geographic proximity to pediatric neurosurgical care using professional society databases. This study also sought to establish how socioeconomic factors are related to distance to care, using federal government-collected data. METHODS A list of currently practicing American Board of Pediatric Neurological Surgery (ABPNS)-certified neurosurgeons was compiled (ABPNS group). A separate list of practicing members of the Joint Pediatric Section (JPS) of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons/Congress of Neurological Surgeons was prepared (JPS group). Current primary practice locations were collected from each professional society database for each ABPNS or JPS neurosurgeon and were charted using ArcGIS mapping software (ESRI, version 10.3) on a United States Census Bureau map. The straight distance from the centroid of each zip code tabulation area (ZCTA) to the nearest neurosurgeon was determined by group type of neurosurgeon (ABPNS vs ABPNS + JPS). ZCTA-level data on demographic and socioeconomic factors were acquired from the American Community Survey, including data in children and young adults (0-18 or 0-24 years old) and the general population. These data were compared by distance to care and by groups of neurosurgeons (Pearson's chi-square analysis; the threshold of significance was set at 0.05). RESULTS Three hundred fifty-five practicing neurosurgeons providing pediatric care were located, of whom 215 surgeons were certified by the ABPNS and 140 were JPS members only. The analysis showed that 1 pediatric neurosurgeon is in practice for every 289,799 persons up to the age of 24 years. The average distance between a ZCTA and the nearest pediatric neurosurgeon is 63.3 miles (SE 0.3, range 0.0-499.7 miles). Geographic analysis showed that 27.1% of children live farther than 60 miles from an ABPNS-certified neurosurgeon and 19.7% from either an ABPNS-certified neurosurgeon or a JPS member. ZCTAs with children who live farther than 60 miles from a neurosurgeon providing pediatric care had a marginally higher rate of uninsured children, a higher percentage of families with children living below the federal poverty level, and a higher proportion of persons living in rural areas compared with ZCTAs with children who live within 60 miles of care (p < 0.005 for each finding). CONCLUSIONS The results of this study indicate that there is considerable variation in proximity to pediatric neurosurgical subspecialty care by geographic region. In addition, there is a relationship between distance to neurosurgical care and socioeconomic indicators. Optimization of access to pediatric neurosurgical care may involve strategies to overcome long geographic distances, particularly in rural and underserved areas. Such areas may have disproportionately lower socioeconomic levels, which may further limit access to care and affect outcomes. Both the total number of pediatric neurosurgeons per pediatric population and their geographic distribution could be important in determining appropriate subspecialty supply factors (e.g., the number of accredited pediatric neurosurgical fellowship training programs), as well as being important drivers of neurosurgical patient outcomes.

Community-Level Inequalities in Concussion Education of Youth Football Coaches.

USA Football has made the Heads Up Football (HUF) concussion education program available for coaches of youth football players. Existing evidence about the effectiveness of the HUF coach education program is equivocal. For HUF and other programs, there is growing concern that even effective interventions can increase inequalities if there is different uptake or impact by SES or other demographic factors. Understanding how adoption is patterned along these lines is important for understanding equity issues in youth football. This study tested the hypothesis that there will be lower adoption of HUF among coaches of youth football players in lower-SES communities. The authors conducted a cross-sectional study of the association between community-level characteristics and number of USA Football youth league coaches who have completed HUF. Data were collected in 2014 and analyzed in 2015-2016. Implementation of the HUF program was patterned by community-level socioeconomic characteristics. Leagues located in communities with a higher percentage of families with children aged <18 years living below the poverty line and a smaller percentage of non-Hispanic white residents tended to have leagues with smaller percentages of HUF-certified coaches. As interventions are developed that reduce the risks of youth football, it is important to consider not just the effectiveness of these interventions, but also whether they reduce or exacerbate health inequities. These results suggest that relying on voluntary adoption of coach education may result in inequitable implementation. Further study is required to identify and remedy organizational and contextual barriers to implementation of coach education in youth sport.

The Local Economic Effects of Public Housing in the United States, 1940–1970

Between 1933 and 1973 the federal government funded the construction of over 1 million units of low-rent housing. Using county-level data, I find that communities with high densities of public housing had lower median family income, lower median property values, lower population density, and a higher percentage of families with low income in 1970. However, I find no negative effects of public housing in 1950 or 1960, implying that long-run negative effects only became apparent in the 1960s. The effects found in 1970 are partially due to a decline in human capital.

Ermittlung von Stadtgebieten mit hohem Bedarf an Frühen Hilfen in München: Vorstellung eines neuen Verfahrens auf Basis von Daten zur regionalen Sozialstruktur und zum gesundheitlichen Risiko von Neugeborenen

In Germany, it is forbidden by law to physically punish children or to harm them mentally. Breaking these rules can result in severe health problems for the children. Home visiting programmes for families with young children are aimed at supporting young families who are facing large social problems, and at enhancing the chances of their children to grow up in a healthy way. Maps showing the regional distribution of the need for these home visiting programmes could be an important tool for local health policy planning. They could help to focus the resources on those families who are in greatest need. The method proposed here for developing such a regional map is based on the following steps: (a) search for data that indicate the potential for child neglect, maltreatment or abuse, and that are available for each zip code in the city of Munich, Germany; (b) based on these data, calculation of a summary score that could indicate high need for these home visits; (c) grouping of the zip code areas according to this score; (d) presentation of the regional distribution in a map. After inspecting different data sources, we could identify 5 variables that could indicate the need for these home visits and that are available for each zip code: index of purchasing power, percentage of the population with low education, percentage of the population with migration background, percentage of single mothers, percentage of new-borns with low birth weight (<2 500 g). If 'high need' is defined as 'upper quintile of at least 3 among the 5 variables listed above, about 1 087 newborn babies would have to be visited per year (i. e., 10% of all newborn infants in Munich). These home visits should be as little stigmatising as possible, and especially those families should be reached that are in greatest need. If it is not possible to reach all families in the community, it can be recommended to focus on city districts with a high percentage of families in greatest need. As far as we know, this is the first scientifically based method for such a definition of city districts. The method proposed here could serve as starting point, and it would be important to develop it further. It is very flexible, though, and it can easily be transferred to other cities or districts.

Consumers' knowledge and perceptions on utilization of the Morama bean (Tylosema esculentum) in Botswana

AbstractMorama bean (Tylosema esculentum) is one of the wild legumes that grow in some parts of the Southern African countries like Botswana, Namibia and South Africa. A descriptive survey research design was conducted to assess consumers' knowledge, perceptions and utilization of Morama bean in Botswana. A structured questionnaire was used for face to face interviews. Results indicated that a high percentage of families use Morama beans for food. Other minor uses included decoration and medicine. The majority of respondents indicated that they were unaware of the nutritional qualities of the bean and of any Morama products available in the market. However, they did indicate that they would like to see Morama bean as part of some food products in the market. Development of viable Morama bean products can play a significant role in encouraging farmers to cultivate Morama on a commercial level – a wish expressed by some respondents. However, there is a need to embark on educational programmes that are aimed at creating and increasing awareness on the importance of Morama bean and other similar uncultivated food crops. Knowledge about the role and benefits of indigenous foods in ensuring food security can help communities to utilize resources around them. The findings raised a number of issues that should be of interest to policy makers and the community as a whole. Follow‐up of these findings may help in better utilization of Morama beans.

Reduced penetrance of autosomal dominant hypercholesterolemia in a high percentage of families: Importance of genetic testing in the entire family

BackgroundAutosomal dominant hypercholesterolemias (ADHs) are characterised by increased plasma levels of total and LDL cholesterol, predisposing to premature atherosclerosis. ADHs comprise several diseases with undistinguishable phenotype, caused by mutations in different genes: LDLR, APOB and PCSK9. Genetic studies are usually performed in patients with altered cholesterol levels. However, some persons carrying pathogenic mutations are normocholesterolemic and there are no further studies about this subject. We have studied the frequency of families and individuals carrying ADH mutations who do not present the disease in Spanish population. MethodsWe have analysed genes known to cause ADH by direct sequencing in 24 ADH families (215 members). Functional effect of some LDLR gene mutations was assessed by transfecting cultured cells with plasmids. ResultsSix families with mutations presented 7 mutation carriers who did not show ADH phenotype: 30% of ADH families presented normocholesterolemic individuals, and 7% of carriers of pathogenic mutations did not show ADH phenotype. We have analysed the effect of some of these mutations and they are responsible for impaired LDL receptor function. We have excluded mutations in APOB and PCSK9 genes that could reduce LDLc levels. ConclusionsAn important percentage of ADH families presented individuals who do not show an ADH phenotype, but who are able to transmit the pathogenic mutation to their offspring. Genetic study of all subjects in ADH families should be performed in order to identify normocholesterolemic carriers that allow the detection of mutations in their descendants and the prevention of the disease consequences.

Methodological challenges in following up patients of a hospital child protection team: is there a recruitment bias?

BackgroundThe aims of this study are to describe the methodological challenges in recruiting a follow-up sample of children referred to an interdisciplinary hospital child protection team (CPT) and to compare participating versus non-participating groups on several demographic variables and maltreatment characteristics.MethodsOf the 319 in- and outpatients referred to the CPT at University Children's Hospital Zurich from 2005–2006 a sample of 180 children was drawn to contact for a follow-up. The children and their parents were asked to participate in a face-to-face interview at the hospital; in 42 cases the children and parents consented to do so. Alternatively, the parents could take part in a telephone interview (n = 39). Non-participation resulted because no contact or adequate communication in German, French, or English could be established (n = 49) or because the parents or children refused to participate (n = 50).ResultsParticipants and non-participants did not differ significantly in mean child age at follow-up, gender, family status, place of residence, certainty and type of maltreatment, and type of perpetrator. However, the child's nationality had a significant impact: Percentages of foreign nationals were higher in the fully participating group (45%; n = 19) and the non-contactable group (53%; n = 26) and significantly lower in the refusal (26%; n = 10) and the telephone interview group (18%; n = 9). Although a high percentage of families had moved in the few years since the CPT intervention (32%; n = 57), the percentage of moves was not significantly higher in non-participants compared to participants.ConclusionsFurther research is needed to support these results in different national backgrounds and to test for biases in variables not included – especially socioeconomic status. This includes gathering more detailed information on non-participants, while respecting ethical boundaries. Overall, the fact that only child's nationality was unevenly distributed between participants and non-participants is encouraging.

Not a “sound” decision: Is cochlear implantation always the best choice?

Objective To review the candidacy criteria used to counsel parents of profoundly deaf children, to determine if these criteria have changed over time, and to evaluate eventual communication outcomes for these patients. Design Retrospective review of 483 pediatric cochlear implant candidates from September 1995 to December 2006 seen at a tertiary care pediatric hospital. Results Out of 483 implant candidates, 191 patients were initially felt not to be favorable candidates based on CI team evaluation. Of this group, 3 had insufficient records to review and were excluded. The remaining 188 patients underwent a detailed analysis of specific possible contraindications to implantation. This included audiologic, medical and psychosocial parameters. The data was divided into two time periods: Group 1 included 44 patients from 1995 to 2000, and Group 2 included 144 patients from 2001 to 2006. In Group 1, there was a higher percentage of children with language deprivation and developmental concerns and patients not ready, compared to Group 2 which had a higher percentage of families not ready and inadequate support systems. Group 1 had a higher percentage of patients who ultimately underwent cochlear implant, but otherwise the two groups were largely similar. Conclusion Analysis of our data showed that the degree of concern that the cochlear implant team has in relationship to specific candidacy criteria has changed over time. Recommendations against a cochlear implant were often revisited after initial concerns were addressed. The use of a team approach, in conjunction with a validation tool, is important for establishing criteria for successful cochlear implantation in children to support appropriate counseling of patients and families and to plan post-implant management.

Factores protectores de las familias para prevenir el consumo de drogas en un municipio de Colombia

El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar los factores protectores de prevención del consumo de drogas, presentes en familias con niños que asisten a Hogares Comunitarios de Bienestar Familiar en un municipio colombiano. El estudio es de tipo descriptivo y cuantitativo transversal; la muestra estuvo constituida por 256 familias, seleccionadas por muestreo aleatorio simple. El instrumento para la recolección de datos fue un cuestionario aplicado durante los meses de marzo y abril de 2007, de forma autoaplicada. Se encontraron factores protectores como demostraciones de afecto con los hijos, jugar y hablar con ellos sobre lo que les gusta, comunicación fácil, toma de decisiones en pareja, adecuada flexibilidad durante la educación familiar, y existencia de normas. Por otro lado existen factores de riesgo como el consumo de drogas lícitas (cigarrillo y alcohol) y bajo porcentaje de drogas ilícitas. Un alto porcentaje de familias considera que los padres, principalmente, deben tomar medidas de prevención en los primeros años de vida del niño. Los factores protectores encontrados deben ser reforzados, debido a que no son muy fuertes; también, se deben controlar los factores de riesgo encontrados para convertirlos en factores protectores.

Counseling Pregnant Women Who May Deliver Extremely Premature Infants: Medical Care Guidelines, Family Choices, and Neonatal Outcomes

The justification of neonatal intensive care for extremely premature infants is contentious and of considerable importance. The goal of this report is to describe our experience implementing consensus medical staff guidelines used for counseling pregnant women threatening extremely premature birth between 22 and 26 weeks' postmenstrual age and to give an account of family preferences and the immediate outcome of their infants. Retrospective chart review was performed for all women threatening premature birth between 22 and 26 weeks postmenstrual age who presented to our high-risk obstetric service between June 2003 and December 2006. Women participated in comprehensive periviability counseling, which featured our specific obstetric and neonatology care recommendations for them and their infant at each gestational week. A subset of women were approached to obtain consent for a 2-step interview process beginning 3 days after the initial periviability counseling and followed with a 6- to 18-month assessment. Two hundred sixty women were identified as eligible subjects. After periviability counseling, but before any birth, palliative comfort care was requested by a higher percentage of families at each decreasing week. Ninety-five of the 260 women delivered 121 infants at <27 weeks' postmenstrual age. At delivery, at the request of the families and with the agreement of the medical staff, the following proportions of these infants were provided palliative comfort care: 100% at 22 weeks, 61% at 23 weeks, 38% at 24 weeks, 17% at 25 weeks, and 0% at 26 weeks. All nonresuscitations and comfort care measures were supported by the medical and nursing staffs, and all infant deaths occurred within 171 minutes. Fifty women consented to a postcounseling interview, and 25 of them also participated in a follow-up interview 6 to 18 months later. The counseling process and the guidelines were viewed as highly understandable, useful, consistent, and done in a comfortable manner. The tone and content of the parental comments regarding the counseling process were very positive, even more so at the later interview. There were no complaints or negative comments regarding the counseling process or the infant outcomes. Rational, consensus periviability guidelines are well accepted and can be used by all neonatologists, obstetricians, and nurses who provide care to pregnant women and infants at extremely early gestational ages. Pregnant women see these guidelines as highly understandable, useful, consistent, and respectful. When encouraged to participate with attending staff in discussions involving morbidity and mortality outcomes of premature infants and consensus medical practice recommendations, a substantial proportion of parents will choose palliative comfort care for their extremely premature infant up through 25 weeks' postmenstrual age. We believe the choice of neonatal intensive care versus palliative comfort care in extremely premature infants rightfully belongs to medically informed parents. More research is needed to examine how these decisions are made under diverse conditions of culture, religion, and technology.

Utilization of a Medicaid-Funded Intervention for Children With Autism

Utilization of a Medicaid-Funded Intervention for Children With Autism

Prevalencia de trastornos mentales comunes en barrios marginales urbanos con población desplazada en Colombia

To investigate the prevalence of common mental disorders in groups with a high percentage of families who have been displaced by armed conflict and political instability and are living in urban slum areas on the outskirts of Sincelejo, a city in the department of Sucre, Colombia. A cross-sectional study was conducted, with two-stage random cluster sampling, in slum neighborhoods of Sincelejo that contain a high percentage of displaced persons. A household survey of persons 18 years old or older was used to determine the presence of common mental disorders-psychosomatic disorders, anxiety, and depression-in the population studied. A score of 7 or more on the first 20 questions of the Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ) of the World Health Organization was used to determine the presence of a common mental disorder. We searched for associations among the studied variables (age group, gender, type of health care card, and length of residence in the neighborhood) and among those variables and the score on the SRQ. The chi-square test was used, with statistical significance set at 0.05. Logistic regression was carried out with all the related variables. The prevalence of common mental disorders in the adult population of the neighborhoods studied was 27.2% (95% confidence interval (95% CI)=24.0% to 30.0%); 13.6% (95% CI=11.4% to 16.1%) of the population surveyed had problems with excessive alcohol consumption. There was an association between the prevalence of common mental disorders and the type of health care card used (odds ratio=1.66 for persons using the health care card for displaced persons versus persons using other types of health care cards). In addition, there was an association between the prevalence of common mental disorders and gender (OR=1.78 for women); this association remained after adjusting for other explanatory variables. Using the study criteria (type of health care card and length of time living in the slum area), it was difficult to separate the displaced persons from other persons living in the same slum areas, and thus to measure the prevalence of common mental disorders among just the displaced persons. The prevalence of common mental disorders in the urban population studied showed a statistical association with the type of health care card, which in turn determined the level of access to public health services. This association between the type of health care card held and the prevalence of common mental disorders is strong enough to justify providing mental health care services to persons who have the health care card for displaced persons.

MCRP Community Planning Graduate Studio 2005/06: King City Community Plan

MCRP Community Planning Graduate Studio 2005/06: King City Community Plan

Predominantly female caseloads: Identifying organizational correlates in private substance abuse treatment centers

This study used a national sample of private substance abuse treatment centers to identify the organizational attributes characterizing facilities with a predominantly female caseload. Data were drawn from the National Treatment Center Study, a nationally representative study of private-sector alcohol and drug abuse treatment centers (N = 365). Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to explore which organizational characteristics are associated with higher percentages of women in treatment. Private substance abuse treatment facilities were more likely to have a predominantly female caseload if they (1) offered childcare programs, (2) had a higher percentage of families participating in treatment, (3) treated psychiatric disorders, (4) employed a greater percentage of counselors with at least a master's degree, (5) received a higher proportion of referrals from mental health sources and a lower proportion of referrals from workplace-based referral sources, and (6) accepted higher proportions of Medicare and/or Medicaid clients.

Nonstandard work schedules and child care decisions: Evidence from the NICHD Study of Early Child Care

Using a longitudinal dataset collected by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) Early Child Care Research Network, this paper investigates the association between work schedules and child care decisions among mothers with children under 3 years of age. Separate analyses were conducted on a sample of married mothers to examine the influence of fathers’ as well as mothers’ employment characteristics on child care decisions. Descriptive statistics reveal that changes in mothers’ work schedules are accompanied by changes in child care arrangements, with a higher percentage of families in which the mother changed to working nonstandard hours having switched to care by the father and a higher percentage of families in which the mother changed to working standard hours having switched to center care. The regression results further indicate that the father’s work schedule is an important factor contributing to child care decisions, with the probability of paternal care highest in families where both parents work nonstandard hours. Results in this paper shed new light on understanding the question of whether families change child care arrangements when parents move into or out of nonstandard employment schedules.

Note: storage practices, salt intake and iodine content of salt consumed in rural households of Haryana State, North India.

A survey of 180 rural families from different zones of Haryana State was carried out to know the type and intake of salt used and the domestic storage practices followed by rural households using a questionnaire method. Salt samples from rural households were analyzed for their iodine content. Results indicated that most of the people in rural Haryana consume powdered salt and stored it in airtight containers. Daily intake per person ranged from 9.91 to 11.42 g. In the wet zone a higher percentage of families consume iodized salt. Analysis of iodine in salt samples showed that of samples from three zones, 39% contained no iodine; with 9% < 15 ppm; 14% 15-29 ppm and 37% > or = 30 ppm.