Postcoital Contraception: Awareness of the Existence of Postcoital Contraception among Students who have had a Therapeutic Abortion

Abstract

A two-semester survey was conducted to obtain information about the underutilization of postcoital contraception (PCC) in terms of fear about using it or ignorance of its existence. Among 437 students attending the women's health clinic at California State University/Fresno, 41% had had a therapeutic abortion. One hundred fifty-two, or 84.9%, of those who had had terminations were not aware of PCC. Some were not aware that they had taken a chance of becoming pregnant. It is concluded that students who have had a therapeutic abortion either were unaware of the existence of PCC or were unaware they were risking pregnancy and therefore unable to utilize PCC to avoid the need for a surgical procedure. It would appear that ignorance about the existence of PCC is a major reason for its underutilization.

“Treatment of First Episodes of Genital Herpes Simples Virus Infection with Oral Acyclovir,” YVONNE J. BRYSON, MARYANNE DILLON, MICHAEL LOVETT, GUILLERMO ACUNA, STEPHEN TAYLOR, JAMES D. CHERRY, B. LAMAR JOHNSON, EDWARD WIESMEIER, WILLIAM GROWDON, TERRI CREAGH-KIRK, RONALD KENNEY. We performed a double-blind placebo-controlled trial of oral acyclovir in the treatment of first episodes of genital herpes simplex virus infections in 48 young adults (31 women and 17 men). Subjects were randomized to receive either placebo or acyclovir (200 mg per dose) five times daily for 10 days; they were examined on at least eight visits until healed and at monthly visits thereafter. Acyclovir treatment, as compared with placebo, significantly reduced virus shedding, new lesion formation after 48 hours, and the duration of genital lesions in both men and women. The total duration and severity of clinical symptoms (such as pain, adenopathy, dysuria, and malaise) were significantly reduced by acyclovir in both men and women by the third and fourth day, respectively (P ≤ 0.025), as compared with placebo. No toxicity was observed. Recurrence rates have so far been similar in placebo and acyclovir recipients. Oral acyclovir treatment of first-episode genital herpes simplex virus infections is clincially effective, but it does not seem to prevent virus latency or associated recurrent disease. (New England Journal of Medicine 1983;308:916–21)

“Cesarean Section: Risk and Benefits for Mother and Fetus,” BEN P. SACHS, BRIAN J. McCARTHY, GEORGE RUBIN, ANTHONY BURTON, JULES TERRY, CARL W. TYLER. We studied the effects of cesarean section on neonatal mortality for breech infants and low-birth weight vertex infants using data from the Georgia neonatal surveillance network on 392,241 singleton deliveries between 1974 and 1978. The risk of neonatal death for breech infants weighing 4,000 g or less delivered vaginally was significantly higher than the risk for those delivered by cesarean section. The lower the birthweight, the higher the risk for a vaginal breech delivery. For breech infants weighing 1,000 to 2,500 g, the risk was almost 2½ times greater for a vaginal delivery v a cesarean delivery. The best outcome for high-risk vertex infants weighing 1,000 to 1,500 g was for those delivered by cesarean section in a tertiary perinatal center. An increase in the cesarean section rate may be associated with increased neonatal survival; however, the benefits must be weighed against the costs of an increased maternal mortality and morbidity. (Journal of the American Medical Association 1983;250:2157–2159)     

The Development and Implementation of a Nursing Clinic on a College Campus

Abstract

“Usefulness of Screening Chest Roentgenograms in Preoperative Patients,” Lloyd Rucker, Elizabeth B. Frye, Myrlene A. Staten. We proposed that clinical criteria could define a group of patients very unlikely to have abnormal preoperative chest roentgenograms. Nine hundred five surgical admissions were screened for the presence of clinical factors we thought would make those patients more likely to have abnormal preoperative chest roentgenograms. Of these, 368 had no risk factors. One patient (0.3%) of the 368 had an abnormal x-ray film, which did not affect the surgery. No material abnormalities were found in the remainder of the group without risk factors. Five hundred four patients had identifiable risk factors. Of these, 114 (22%) were found to have serious abnormalities on preoperative chest roentgenograms. (Journal of the American Medical Association 1983;250:3209–3211)

“Effect of Treatment Regimens for Neisseria Gonorrhoeae on Simultaneous Infection With Chlamydia Trachomatis,” Walter E. Stamm, et al. We evaluated the effect of treatment for gonorrhea on simultaneous Chlamydia trachomatis infection by randomly assigning 293 heterosexual men and 246 heterosexual women with gonorrhea to receive one of the following treatment regimens: (1) 4.8 million units of aqueous procaine penicillin plus 1 g of probenecid, (2) nine tablets of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole daily for three days, or (3) 500 mg of tetracycline four times a day for five days. Among the men, gonococcal infection was cured in 99 per cent given penicillin plus probenecid, 96 per cent given trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and 98 per cent given tetracycline. Among the women, only 90 per cent given tetracycline were cured, in contrast to 97 per cent given penicillin plus probenecid and 99 per cent given trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.     

The Patient Profile Pharmacy Filing System

Abstract

“Herpes Simplex Virus Proctitis in Homosexual Men: Clinical, Sigmoidoscopic, and Histopathological Features,” Steven E. Goodell, Thomas C. Quinn, Emmanuel Mkrtichian, Michael D. Schuffler, King K. Holmes, and Lawrence Corey. Acute herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection was detected in 23 of 102 consecutively examined, sexually active male homosexuals who presented with anorectal pain, discharge, tenesmus, or hematochezia, as compared with 3 of 75 homosexual men without gastrointestinal symptoms (P < 0.01). Findings that were significantly more frequent in men with HSV proctitis than in men with proctitis due to other infectious causes included fever (48 per cent), difficulty urinating (48 per cent), sacral paresthesias (26 per cent), inguinal lymphadenopathy (57 per cent), severe anorectal pain (100 per cent), tenesmus (100 per cent), constipation (78 per cent), perianal ulcerations (70 per cent), and the presence of diffuse ulcerative or discrete vesicular or pustular lesions in the distal 5 cm of the rectum (50 per cent). Serologic evidence indicated that 85 per cent of the men with symptomatic HSV proctitis were having their first episode of HSV-2 infection. The diagnosis of HSV proctitis is suggested by the presence of severe anorectal pain, and diffuse ulceration of the distal rectal mucosa. (New England Journal of Medicine 1983;308:868–71.)     

A new look at the health and homeless experience of a cohort of five-year olds

Homelessness is increasing and health workers and others need to be ever vigilant about the risk that this has on children's health. What is that risk and what are children's experiences of homelessness? A retrospective case note study was carried out to compare the health of a group of five-year olds who had experienced homelessness and compare them with matched ‘non-homeless’ controls. A home interview questionnaire was used to give a profile of the children's housing experience and the health issues faced during their time in temporary accommodation. Fifty-three cases when compared with 41 controls showed a statistically greater prevalence of child protection issues and an increased number of health needs identified at the school nurse health appraisal. The housing profile identified that the case children moved homes many times (37 per cent more than five times), were homeless much longer than the officially registered period (67 per cent more than 12 months) and 61 per cent were made homeless through domestic violence. The study reinforces the need for us to acknowledge important environmental stress and to continue to advocate for this group of disadvantaged children.     

A randomized,double-blind,placebo-controlled trial of testosterone gel on body composition and health-related quality-of-life in men with hypogonadal to low-normal levels of serum testosterone and symptoms of androgen deficiency over 6 months with 12 months open-label follow-up

Introduction: The clinical significance of low to low-normal testosterone (T) levels in men remains debated. Aim: To analyze the effects of raising serum T on lean body mass (LBM), fat mass (FM), total body mass, and health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL). Methods: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Men, aged 50–80 years, with serum total T<15 nmol/L and bioavailable T < 6.68 nmol/L, and a Aging Males’ Symptoms (AMS) total score >36, received 6 months treatment with transdermal 1% T gel (5–7.5?mg/day; n =183) or placebo gel (n =179), followed by 12 months open-label with T in all. Results: After 6 months, LBM increased in T- treated patients by 1.28?±?0.15?kg (mean ± SE) and FM decreased by 1.16?±?0.16?kg, with minor changes with placebo (LBM +0.02?±?0.10?kg and FM ?0.14?±?0.12?kg; all p < 0.001, T group vs. placebo). Changes were largely similar across subgroups of age, baseline total testosterone, and baseline BMI. Total HRQoL improved compared with placebo (p < 0.05, T group vs. placebo). Conclusions: Six months 1% T gel improved body composition and HRQoL in symptomatic men with low to low-normal T, with further improvements over the following 12 months.     

Counseling clients with genital herpes

The epidemic of genital herpes requires nurses to diagnose and treat human responses to this health problem (American Nurses' Association, 1980). It also creates many opportunities for nurses, particularly in the realm of counseling and education. Given the changing epidemiology of genital herpes and the psychosocial consequences, nurses need to keep abreast of new information so that they may assist people to live with the disease and teach the prevention of transmission of the disease. Recent information about mild and asymptomatic cases of herpes infections has serious implications for counseling and education of persons with genital herpes. The emergence of this "silent" dimension of herpes infections means more difficulty in diagnosis and treatment. All persons with genital herpes should be assessed for their physical and psychological responses to the disease and information should be given to combat misconceptions, to alleviate fear, and aid in preventing transmission. The most significant implication of mild or asymptomatic herpes is the greater risk of transmission. The public needs to be informed about the practice of "safer sex" as a routine measure to prevent herpes, as well as AIDS and other STDs. Given the widespread and epidemic proportions of herpes, persons should be counseled to use condoms whenever they engage in sexual activity with a partner. In addition, correct use of condoms must be taught. Nurses have an important role to play in counseling clients with genital herpes and in preventing the disease.     

Use of pre-school daycare and education 1979–86

SUMMARY. Using General Household Survey data, this paper considers attendance by children under five at public and private services providing non-parental daycare and education in 1986 and compares it with 1979. Attendance of children under five rose from 32 per cent in 1979 to 42 per cent in 1986. The services included are primary schools, nursery schools and classes, playgroups, day nurseries and child minders. Playgroups are most used for two and three year olds and schools for four year olds with the majority of children attending on apart time basis. Children from higher social class backgrounds are more likely to receive care and/or education with 50 per cent of such children using pre-school services, as compared to 3 7 per cent of children with fathers in manual occupations     

Foreign retirement income among new older immigrants in the United States

Older adults make up an increasing share of new legal immigrants to the United States. These immigrants are often financially dependent on family since they are often barred from receiving several US support programmes and are less likely to receive US retirement benefits than natives. However, little information exists as to whether they receive retirement income from abroad. Using the New Immigrant Survey (N=2,150), we find that only 8.1 per cent of older recent immigrants report receiving foreign retirement income. In logistic modelling, older immigrants from Asia and Latin America were less likely to receive retirement income from abroad than those from Europe (Odds ratio = 0.50, p<0.05; Odds ratio = 0.22, p<0.001, respectively). Results suggest that newly admitted older immigrants from Asia and Latin America face an additional economic disadvantage compared with older Europeans that cannot be attributed to their demographic and migration characteristics.     

Social complex contagion in music listenership: A natural experiment with 1.3 million participants

Can live music events generate complex contagion in music streaming? This paper finds evidence in the affirmative—but only for the most popular artists. We generate a novel dataset from a music tracking website to analyse the listenership history of 1.3 million users over a two-month time horizon. We show that attending a music artist’s live concert increases that artist’s listenership among the attendees of the concert by approximately 1 song per day per attendee (p-value < 0.001). Moreover, this effect is contagious and can spread to users who did not attend the event. However, whether or not contagion occurs depends on the type of artist. We only observe contagious increases in listenership for popular artists (∼0.06 more daily plays per friend of an attendee [p < 0.001]), while the effect is absent for emerging stars. The contagion effect size increases monotonically with the number of friends who have attended the live event.     

Comparing UK and Other Western Countries' Health Expenditure,Relative Poverty and Child Mortality: Are British Children Doubly Disadvantaged?

We examined the UK's effectiveness in reducing Child Mortality with 20 other Western countries, in the context of their national health expenditures, and, relative poverty — measured by ‘Income Inequality’ the gap between top and bottom 20 per cent of income. W.H.O. Child (0–14) Mortality Rates (CMR) and GDP Expenditure on Health (% GDPHE) were examined and a cost‐effectiveness ratio calculated, which is the reduced CMR over the period divided by average GDPHE. The highest average % GDPHE was USA at 13.2 per cent; the UK's 7.3 per cent was equal lowest. The widest Income Inequality was USA 8.5 times; the UK at 7.2 was third widest. The highest CMR was the USA 2436 per million (pm), the UK's 1630 pm, although representing a fall of 62 per cent was fourth highest. However, UK cost‐effectiveness ratio (1: 350) was eighth best of 21 countries. Only Income Inequality correlated significantly with CMR. UK CMR fell significantly more than five countries but ten others declined more. If UK deaths had been at the average of the 17 countries with lower CMR, there would have been 1827 fewer deaths. British children's poverty and health expenditure means they and their services are doubly disadvantaged although the NHS relatively achieved more with comparatively less.     

Living status in patients over 85 years of age after TUVRP

Abstract

Introduction: To evaluate surgical risk and post-operative quality of living status in patients over 85 years of age after transurethral vaporization resection of the prostate (TUVRP).

Methods: Sixty patients over 85 years of age underwent TUVRP were compared with 228 patients less than the age of 80 years. Group A was 60 patients greater than 85 years of age, Group B was 137 patients from 71 to 79 years of age, and Group C was 91 patients from 60 to 70 years of age.

Results: In Group A, pre-operative ASA grade was higher than the other two groups, compared with Group C, p?<?0.01. Operating time was 40.03?±?18.90?min, compared in the three groups, p?>?0.05. Follow-up was obtained in 49 (81.67%) patients; of them 10 patients were deaths with a survival time of 22.90?±?11.14 months. In the 39 survivors, post-operative IPSS score was 11.17?±?6.9, compared with Group B, p?>?0.05 and Group C, p?<?0.01. Quality of Life (QOL) index was 1.11?±?0.80, compared with Group B, p?<?0.001 and Group C, p?<?0.01. Barthel Index score in 16 patients was >60 and the score was 82.81?±?8.56 pre-operatively. The patients with >60 were increased to 19 cases and the score was improved to 90.93?±?7.58 (p?<?0.001) in follow-up.

Conclusion: Surgical risk in patients over 85 years of age was higher than patients less than the age of 80 years. A safety TUVRP could improve their voiding function and activities of daily living.     

Effects of Sexually Transmitted Infection Status,Relationship Status,and Disclosure Status on Sexual Self-Concept

Research has indicated that having a sexually transmitted infection (STI) such as genital herpes and genital human papilloma virus (HPV) can have a negative impact on an individual's sexuality. The current study was designed to evaluate the effect of STI status, relationship status, and disclosure status on various dimensions of sexual self-concept. A questionnaire that evaluated the above variables was completed by 117 individuals with genital herpes, 82 individuals with HPV, and 75 individuals with no STI. The results demonstrated that having herpes or HPV had a significant negative impact on aspects of sexual self-concept. It does not appear that an individual's relationship status is a factor associated with the impact of having an STI on the sexual self-concept. Respondents who had disclosed their STI to their partners, however, had significantly more positive feelings about aspects of their sexual self-concept than those who had not disclosed their STI to their partners. The implications of these research findings for health practitioners are discussed.     

Knowledge and Attitudes of University Health Service Clients about Genital Herpes: Implications for Patient Education and Counseling

Abstract

Genital herpes virus infection is an important target for health education efforts because of its apparently rising incidence in the college student population and because it can have potentially serious psychological as well as medical consequences. In order to better understand the health education and counseling needs of students, the present study surveyed knowledge and attitudes about genital herpes of 190 university students using a gynecology clinic and of 161 students using a general medical clinic. The students were found to have a high degree of familiarity with the disease, its cause, and mode of transmission, but tended to view the consequences of the disease as more severe than is actually warranted by the common medical complications. There was some degree of misinformation about prevention and treatment of the disease and some negative attitudes about patients suffering from it, but the survey respondents endorsed a high level of responsible behavior with regard to the disease and expressed some optimism about the possibility of adapting to it. These findings suggest specific misconceptions about genital herpes that might be amenable to a mass education approach. They also suggest the need for a counseling program that centers around reasonable reassurance and appropriately positive psychological and medical management for newly diagnosed patients.     

Effects of sexually transmitted infection status, relationship status, and disclosure status on sexual self-concept

Research has indicated that having a sexually transmitted infection (STI) such as genital herpes and genital human papilloma virus (HPV) can have a negative impact on an individual's sexuality. The current study was designed to evaluate the effect of STI status, relationship status, and disclosure status on various dimensions of sexual self-concept. A questionnaire that evaluated the above variables was completed by 117 individuals with genital herpes, 82 individuals with HPV, and 75 individuals with no STI. The results demonstrated that having herpes or HPV had a significant negative impact on aspects of sexual self-concept. It does not appear that an individual's relationship status is a factor associated with the impact of having an STI on the sexual self-concept. Respondents who had disclosed their STI to their partners, however, had significantly more positive feelings about aspects of their sexual self-concept than those who had not disclosed their STI to their partners. The implications of these research findings for health practitioners are discussed.     

College Health Nursing: State of the Art

Abstract

“Mucopurulent Cervicitis—The Ignored Counterpart in Women of Urethritis in Men,” Robert C. Brunham, et al. Among 100 randomly selected nonmenstruating women attending a clinic for sexually transmitted diseases, we assessed objective criteria for the clinical diagnosis of mucopurulent cervicitis. Visualization of yellow mucopurulent endocervical secretions on a white swab and the presence of 10 or more polymorphonuclear leukocytes per microscopical field (at a magnification of 1000) in satisfactory gram-stained endocervical smears were independently correlated with cervical Chlamydia trachomatis infection. Neither finding correlated with gonorrhea or genital herpes, although herpes caused characteristic cervical ulcerations. C. trachomatis was isolated from the cervix of 20 of 40 women with mucopurulent cervicitis but of only 2 of 60 without it. The overall prevalence of mucopurulent cervicitis among women attending the clinic (40 per cent) exceeded that of nongonococcal urethritis among men in the same clinic, and the prevalence of C. trachomatis infection was higher in mucopurulent cervicitis than in nongonococcal urethritis, a condition that is conventionally treated with tetracyclines. These findings support recommendations for the treatment of mucopurulent cervicitis and should guide the selective use of confirmatory diagnostic tests for C. trachomatis infection. (New England Journal of Medicine 1984;311:1–6.)

“Oral Contraceptives, Chlamydia trachomatis Infection, and Pelvic Inflammatory Disease: A Word of Caution About Protection,” A. EUGENE WASHINGTON, et al. Management of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and decisions about contraception are being influenced by reports that oral contraceptives decrease the risk of PID. To evaluate the validity of this association, we have examined published epidemiologic evidence and reviewed relevant information from other disciplines. Current information does not permit the generalization that oral contraceptives protect against all forms of PID. Most studies conducted (1) have been limited to hospitalized women, who represent less than 25% of all PID cases and are likely to have relatively severe forms of the disease, and (2) have failed to distinguish between gonococcal and nongonococcal PID. While oral contraceptives may provide some protection against gonococcal PID, no basis exists for assuming similar protection is provided against chlamydial PID. In fact, epidemiologic and biologic evidence suggests that infection with Chlamydia trachomatis, the leading cause of nongonococcal PID, is enhanced by oral contraceptives. We judge the conclusion that oral contraceptives protect against all PID to be premature, and urge caution in its application in health policy and clinical decisions. (Journal of the American Medical Association 1985;253:2246–50.)     

Massive Migration and Elections: Evidence from the Refugee Crisis in Greece

This article explores whether the massive arrival of refugees at Greek islands has had an impact on natives’ voting behaviour. Our results show a positive and significant effect of refugees’ presence on votes for the Greek extreme‐right party Golden Dawn. More precisely, we find that a 1 per cent increase in the share of refugees is associated with an increase of 5 per cent in the share of votes for Golden Dawn. This outcome is robust under different estimation methodologies and placebo regressions.     

Effect of ageing on the efficacy efficiency of TUVRP

Introduction: To evaluate the effect of ageing on the efficacy of transurethral vaporization resection of the prostate (TUVRP). Methods: The clinical outcomes of 285 patients treated by TUVRP were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into three groups by age, Group A with 91 patients less than ≤70 years of age, Group B with 127 patients from 71 to 79 years of age, and Group C with 67 patients greater than ≥80 years of age. Results: Prostate volume was 53.1?±?24.1?ml in Group A, 67.8?±?39.7?ml in Group B and 60.0?±?43.9?ml in Group C (p < 0.001). More co-existent systemic diseases were identified in Group C than in the other two groups (p < 0.001). American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade increased with age (p < 0.001). Urological comorbidities associated with BPH, operating time, IPSS score, and QOL index were not different among the three groups. A significant difference was observed in before and after surgery IPSS score, QOL index, and maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax), in all three groups (p < 0.05). Post-operative Qmax decreased with age (p < 0.05). Conclusion: TUVRP was safe and effective for the patients greater than 80 years of age, similarly to younger patients. Advanced aged was not a contraindication for surgery, and did not increase the difficulty of the procedure.     

Chlamydia Trachomatis Infection in a Female College Student Population

Abstract

“Physical Dependence on Nicotine in Gum: A Placebo Substitution Trial,” JOHN R. HUGHES, et al. To test whether ex-smokers become physically dependent on nicotine in gum, we entered eight ex-smokers who were using nicotine gum into a randomized, double-blind, placebo-substitution trial. When placebo was substituted, seven of the eight subjects were observed to have withdrawal symptoms and two relapsed to smoking or nicotine gum. This result suggests that physical dependence (i.e., withdrawal) may be a cause of behavioral dependence on nicotine gum (i.e., use of gum beyond the recommended period) and physicians should emphasize the need for gradual reduction of nicotine gum. (Journal of the American Medical Association 1986;255:3277–3279.)

“Absence of Therapeutic Benefit From Antacids or Cimetidine in Non-Ulcer Dyspepsia,” OLOF NYREN, et al. We randomly assigned 159 patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia, defined as chronic or recurrent epigastric pain without concomitant symptoms of the irritable bowel syndrome and with no evidence of organic disease, to treatment for three weeks with an antacid suspension one and three hours after meals, 400 mg of cimetidine twice a day, or placebo, according to a double-blind, double-dummy model. The intensity and duration of epigastric pain were recorded by the patients four times daily during a one-week period without therapy and during the three weeks of treatment. The mean reduction in pain intensity after three weeks in the placebo group was 25 percent. Neither antacid nor cimetidine treatment resulted in more than a 4 percent better effect. The reduction of pain was statistically significant (P < 0.01) in all three groups. The time course of the pain scores in the groups receiving active drugs followed closely those in the placebo group, and there were no significant differences between the groups at any stage of the treatment. We conclude that the neutralization or suppression of gastric acid is of no clinical value in patients with this syndrome. (New England Journal of Medicine 1986;314:339–43.)     

Distribution, Inequality and Concentration of Incomeamong Older Immigrants in Canada

While there are many studies on differences in earnings between immigrants and the native‐born or among immigrant groups, they do not consider distribution and concentration of income among immigrants explicitly. These aspects are important for understanding the distribution of economic welfare and consumer behaviour among members and hence are policy relevant. Using the 1991 Census data, the distribution and concentration of incomehave been examined among 15 broad birthplace groups for population aged55 years and over. About 19 per cent of males and 15 per cent of femalesreceive less than half the median income and obtain 5 per cent and 3 per centof the aggregate income respectively. About 30 per cent of males and29 per cent of females receive more than one and half times the medianincome and obtain 61 per cent and 59 per cent of aggregate incomerespectively. About 51 per cent of males and 56 per cent of females whoreceive incomes between half and one and half times the median income aretermed middle‐class and their shares of aggregate income amount to 34 and38 per cent respectively. Although older immigrants aged 55 years and over, as a group, have roughlythe same quartile distribution and concentration of income as theirCanadian‐born counterparts, the birthplace groups differ considerably.Those from the developing regions, that is, the groups that have loweraverage annual incomes, also have more inequitable distribution of incomethan the Canadian‐born or their counterparts from the developed regions. Thus, income distribution is more polarized in populations from developingregions than in populations from developed regions or in the Canadian‐bornpopulation. On average, females receive 45 per cent less income than males, and thereis less polarization of income among them than among males regardless ofthe place of birth. A part of the explanation lies in the receipt of government transfers, whichtend to equalize rather than polarize incomes, and older women derive ahigher proportion of their income from government transfers than older men.     

A Rose by Any Other Name? Lump-Sum Diversion or Traditional Welfare Grant?

Summary

Critics of diversion grants, lump-sum payments designed to alleviate short-term emergencies and prevent the need for ongoing Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) receipt, claim that recipients use monetary amounts similar to traditional welfare recipients. This paper examines the total cash grants for two cohorts of TANF applicants: those whose applications resulted in a TANF grant and those who received a diversion grant. Multivariate regression models show that diversion leads to a reduction of $1,841.44 in cash benefit receipt during the three-year tracking period (p < 0.001). Findings suggest that diversion payments are not TANF under another name.