http://hera.helsebiblioteket.no/hera HeRA captures, stores, indexes, preserves, and distributes digital research material. Search the Channel search http://hera.helsebiblioteket.no/hera/simple-search http://hdl.handle.net/10143/94115 Title: Det vil helst gå bra... Oppsummering av landsomfattende tilsyn i 2009 med kommunale sosial- og helsetjenester til barn i barne- og avlastningsboliger<br/><br/>Abstract: NORSK SAMMENDRAG: Kort sammendrag av Rapport fra Helsetilsynet 2/2010 I 2009 ble det gjennomført tilsyn i 75 kommuner/bydeler som har barne- og avlastningsboliger. Fylkesmannen og Helsetilsynet i fylket undersøkte sammen om kommunene sikrer forsvarlige sosial- og helsetjenester til barn i barne- og avlastningsboliger. Tilsynet ble gjennomført i virksomheter som gir heldøgns omsorgstjenester til barn under 18 år etter lov om sosiale tjenester.Tilsynet avdekket brudd på regelverket i tre av fire virksomheter. Funnene viser at mange kommuner har mangelfull faglig styring, og er for lite opptatt av kvaliteten på tjenestene. Mye overlates til et engasjert personell, som sørger for at barna får mye god omsorg. Men mangelfulle skriftlige rutiner og mangelfull opplæring, kombinert med mange deltidsansatte og sårbare barn som flytter fram og tilbake, er blant det som gir grunn til bekymring. Legemiddelhåndtering er en utfordrende oppgave som krever klare prosedyrer og tydelig ansvarsplassering. Tilsynet fant at en av to kommuner hadde brutt regelverket på dette området. Legemiddelhåndteringsforskriften gjelder når helsepersonell er involvert. Innholdet i forskriften var ikke godt nok kjent og etterlevd. Avvik kan i verste fall føre til uheldige hendelser med helsemessige konsekvenser. Regelverket er ikke godt tilrettelagt for drift av barne- og avlastningsboliger. Det er dels mangelfullt og dels vanskelig tilgjengelig og komplekst. Statens helsetilsyn anbefaler en gjennomgang av regelverket med spesiell tanke på barn som oppholder seg i barne- og avlastningsboliger, deres særskilte situasjon og behov.; SUMMARY IN ENGLISH: 1 SummaryThe Offices of the County Governors and the Norwegian Board of Health Supervision in the Counties together investigated whether the municipalities ensure that children in residential accommodation and respite care accommodation receive health and social services of an adequate standard. The results show that professional management in many municipalities is inadequate, and that not enough attention is paid to the quality of the services. Much is dependent on individual staff, who ensure that children are given adequate care. But lack of written procedures and inadequate training, combined with many part-time staff and vulnerable children who move back and forth between their home and residential care, gives cause for concern. Administration of medication is an area that presents challenges, and for which clear procedures and clear allocation of responsibility are important. In this area, the supervision authorities found breaches of the legislation in one out of two municipalities. The regulations relating to medicinal products apply when health care personnel are involved. Knowledge about the regulations was inadequate and the requirements in the regulations were not always met. In the worst cases, breach of the regulations can lead to adverse events and damage to health. In 2009, countrywide supervision of health and social services for children in residential accommodation and respite care accommodation was carried out in 75 municipalities and urban districts that provide services for children under 18 years of age in accordance with the Social Services Act. These children have reduced function, often have health problems, and need special care adapted to their individual needs. Their needs are often complex and demanding, and the consequences of inadequate services can be serious. This area was chosen for supervision because these children are vulnerable, because the risks associated with inadequate services are high, and because little supervision of these services has been carried out during the last few years. The municipalities were chosen on the basis of the supervision authorities’ local knowledge, including information about risk. Thus these municipalities are not necessarily representative for the country as a whole. The aim of this countrywide supervision was to investigate whether the municipalities had a management system that ensures that children in residential accommodation and respite care accommodation receive health and social services of an adequate standard. Supervision was limited to five areas. The supervision authorities examined whether the municipalities organize services for children in residential accommodation and respite care accommodation in such a way as to ensure that: children’s rights for contact with others, a meaningful daily life, and participation in leisure activities are met the needs of children with special nutritional needs are met the care that is provided is specially adapted to the health status of the children administration of medication is adequately dealt with the residences are specially adapted for the children.Many of the staff in residential accommodation and respite care accommodation are part-time staff, temporary staff and staff who have no professional qualifications. They cooperate with many other people, such as regular medical practitioners, teachers and support persons, in addition to parents. The municipality has responsibility for continuity of care, and that the quality of all the services provided for each individual child is adequate. Given the nature of the services, and the vulnerability of the children, sound management systems are required.The supervision authorities identified breaches of the regulations (nonconformities) in about three out of four services. In 59 services there were one or more nonconformities. The extent and nature of the nonconformities varied a lot. Seven services had neither nonconformities nor observations about areas with potential for improvement. The areas with breaches of the regulations that are presented in this report only show tendencies, and do not apply to all the municipalities.Sound management to ensure services of high qualityMany municipalities do not have adequate internal control systems. Management systems must be used systematically to ensure that children receive adequate health and social services. For example, when many of the staff have no professional qualifications, many work part-time, and there are no guidelines, this can adversely affect the services that children receive. In addition to lack of written procedures, three of the institutions had not ensured that staff received systematic training. Lack of training applied to the following areas: medication, daily care of the children, diseases and disabilities, and methods of communication. The need for professional staff must be assessed on the basis of the children’s functional abilities and need for assistance. In several municipalities, no such assessment had been made. When many staff have neither professional qualifications nor professional skills, the services are vulnerable. Many municipalities lacked systems for dealing with nonconformities 1, and systems for evaluating and improving the services. If adverse events are not identified and made known, the organization has no basis for correcting deficiencies or for preventing similar incidents from happening again. A meaningful daily life and adequate care for each childMany municipalities lacked routines for systematic assessment of the children’s needs for activities and health care. Lack of assessment makes it difficult to assess the needs for professional staff and skills. Not all the residences had personnel with adequate skills. Duty rotas and the need for training were often not adequately assessed in relation to the children’s needs. Individual adaptation requires planning, but one service in four lacked plans, or had inadequate activity plans, care plans or other types of plans. The greatest number of nonconformities were for lack of activity plans, particularly individual plans. The result can be that activities are only provided according to the skills of the personnel who happen to be present. This is particularly unfortunate for children who live permanently or for long periods in the residences, and can limit their functional abilities. Very few cases of inadequate nutrition were detected.Administration of medicationAdministration of medication is an area where there was particular need for improvement. Breaches of the regulations relating to medication were identified in about half of the municipalities. This is an area where there is a great danger of deficiencies occurring. It is clearly necessary for residential accommodation and respite care accommodation to have written procedures. These procedures should describe sound, adequate practice, so that the children are given the correct medication in the correct way. Nonconformities most often included lack of procedures or incorrect procedures, that procedures were not followed, that it was unclear who had responsibility for medication, and lack of professional personnel. These are serious deficiencies, which in the worst cases can have serious consequences for the health of children who are dependent on medication. The most common type of unsound practice with regard to dealing with medication was inadequate preparation of medication, in particular medicines. Preparation of medication shall normally be carried out by health care personnel with adequate qualifications, such as nurses or social educators. Adaptation of the residences for all the childrenNonconformities were detected in one out of ten residences regarding adaptation of the residences for children with physical disabilities. In addition, twenty per cent of the municipalities received notification about physical conditions identified as areas with potential for improvement. Although the seriousness of these conditions varied, this is a worrying situation. A large proportion of children in residential accommodation and respite care accommodation have physical disabilities, which means that they have problems in moving around freely. Many of the findings related to conditions that created limited access for these children, particularly children in wheelchairs. This limits their possibilities to participate in activities with others. The recommendations of the Norwegian Board of Health SupervisionThe municipalities must monitor and follow up the quality of the services provided in each residence for children in residential care and respite care. Many municipalities have an inadequate overview of the services, and must improve their management in order to reduce the risk of inadequate services. The leadership cannot delegate responsibility to the staff without monitoring and following up the services systematically. As a result of supervision, several deficiencies in management of the services have been detected, and the municipalities must:identify areas where there is a high risk of deficiencies occurring, in order to be able to prevent adverse events ensure that essential routines and procedures are developed to ensure that services for children are sound and adequate ensure that there are sufficient staff with adequate qualifications, skills and training to care for the children identify deficiencies and carry out work to improve the services.Experience gained from supervision in other municipalities can be used to assess routines and discuss areas of high risk. Breaches of the regulations must be corrected. Supervision was carried out for services that are provided according to the Social Services Act. But most children in residential accommodation and respite care accommodation also need health services. This means that municipalities must pay special attention to the need for qualified staff, and ensure that they know which legislation is applicable. When health care personnel provide services, health legislation will usually be applicable, including the regulations regarding medication. The legislation is not well adapted for running residential accommodation and respite care accommodation. It is incomplete, and it is complex and difficult to interpret. In some areas, it is difficult for the municipalities to know what standards the authorities require. The Norwegian Board of Health Supervision recommends that the legislation should be reassessed in the light of the special situation and needs of these children. 1. When service providers observe deficiencies in the services, these should be registered. This is called registration of nonconformities. http://hdl.handle.net/10143/94108 Title: Distriktspsykiatriske tenester – likeverdige tilbod? Oppsummering av landsomfattende tilsyn 2008 og 2009 med spesialisthelsetjenester ved distriktspsykiatriske sentre<br/><br/>Abstract: NORSK SAMMENDRAG: I 2008 og 2009 ble det gjennomført tilsyn i 56 av landets distriktspsykiatriske sentre (DPS). Tilsynet ble utført av regionale tilsynslag supplert med psykologspesialist og psykiater som eksterne fagrevisorer. Rapporten oppsummerer resultater fra tilsynene gjennomført i 28 DPS i 2008 og 28 DPS i 2009. Den gir en samlet fremstilling av funnene, og Statens helsetilsyns vurderinger og anbefalinger. Tilsynet viser påpekt svikt på ett eller flere av de undersøkte områdene i tre fjerdedeler av DPS-ene som har hatt tilsyn. Funnene tyder på svakheter og mangler i organisering, styring og ledelse av DPS, i tilgjengelighet til rett til nødvendig helsehjelp, i tilgang på og bruk av spesialistkompetanse, og kvalitet i pasientbehandlingen. Ledelsen ved DPS ene og helseforetakene har ikke god nok kontroll og oppfølging til å sikre likeverdige og forsvarlige tjenester. I over halvparten av DPS-ene som ble undersøkt var ikke vurdering og prioritering av henvisninger alltid foretatt i overensstemmelse med lovkravet.. Om lag halvparten av DPS-ene sikret heller ikke alltid forsvarlig utredning, behandling og oppfølging av pasientene. Dette kan føre til at pasienter ikke får vurdert sitt behov for helsehjelp, og at pasienter med alvorlige psykiske lidelser ikke fanges opp og får nødvendig behandling med tilstrekkelig kvalitet innenfor fastsatt frist.; SUMMARY IN ENGLISH: Short summary of Report of the Norwegian Board of Health Supervision 3/2010In 2008 and 2009, countrywide supervision was carried out in 56 district psychiatric centres (DPSs). Supervision was carried out by regional supervision teams, assisted by two professional auditors, a psychologist and a psychiatrist. In this report, the findings from supervision of 28 DPSs in 2008 and 28 DPSs in 2009 are summarized. The assessments and recommendations of the Norwegian Board of Health Supervision are presented. In three out of four of the DPSs, deficiencies were identified in one or more of the areas that were examined: organization, management and leadership of the DPSs, access to necessary health care, access to and use of specialists, and the quality of the treatment provided. The leadership of the DPSs and the health trusts do not monitor and assess services adequately to ensure that services meet acceptable standards. In more than half of the DPSs, referrals were not assessed and given priority in accordance with the legislation. About half of the DPSs did not ensure that assessment, treatment and follow-up of patients was adequate. The result can be that patients do not have their needs for health care assessed, and that patients with serious mental disorders are not identified, and that they do not receive treatment of adequate quality within the deadline that has been set. http://hdl.handle.net/10143/93682 Title: A framework for mandatory impact evaluation to ensure well informed public policy decisions.<br/><br/>Authors: Oxman, Andrew David; Bjørndal, Arild; Becerra-Posada, Francisco; Gibson, Mark; Block, Miguel Angel Gonzalez; Haines, Andy; Hamid, Maimunah; Odom, Carmen Hooker; Lei, Haichao; Levin, Ben; Lipsey, Mark W; Littell, Julia H; Mshinda, Hassan; Ongolo-Zogo, Pierre; Pang, Tikki; Sewankambo, Nelson; Songane, Francisco; Soydan, Haluk; Torgerson, Carole; Weisburd, David; Whitworth, Judith; Wibulpolprasert, Suwit http://hdl.handle.net/10143/93161 Title: Expression patterns of Neil3 during embryonic brain development and neoplasia.<br/><br/>Authors: Hildrestrand, Gunn A; Neurauter, Christine G; Diep, Dzung B; Castellanos, Cesilie G; Krauss, Stefan; Bjørås, Magnar; Luna, Luisa<br/><br/>Abstract: BACKGROUND: The base excision repair pathway is responsible for repairing small DNA base lesions caused by endogenous and exogenous damaging agents. Repair is initiated by DNA glycosylases that recognize and remove the lesions. NEIL3 is one of 11 mammalian DNA glycosylases identified to date and it was discovered on the basis of sequence homology to the E. coli Fpg and Nei glycosylases. Difficulties in purifying the protein have limited its biochemical characterization and in contrast to the other glycosylases, its function remains unclear. RESULTS: In this study we describe the expression pattern of Neil3 during mouse embryonic development with special focus on brain development. We have also looked at the expression of NEIL3 in several normal and tumor tissues. Quantitative real-time PCR and in situ hybridization revealed that Neil3 was highly expressed at embryonic days 12-13, when neurogenesis starts. The expression decreased during development and in the adult brain,Neil3 could not be detected in any of the brain areas examined by quantitative real-time PCR. During embryogenesis and in newborn mice specific expression was observed in areas known to harbour neural stem and progenitor cells such as the subventricular zone and the dentate gyrus. Finally, NEIL3 expression was higher in tumors compared to normal tissues, except for testis and pancreas. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that mammalian NEIL3 is specifically expressed in brain areas where neurogenesis takes place during development and that its expression is tightly regulated both temporally and spatially. In addition, NEIL3 seems to be upregulated in tumor tissues compared to normal tissues. Altogether, mammalian NEIL3 seems to be highly expressed in cells with high proliferative potential. http://hdl.handle.net/10143/93136 Title: Methylation detection oligonucleotide microarray analysis: a high-resolution method for detection of CpG island methylation.<br/><br/>Authors: Kamalakaran, Sitharthan; Kendall, Jude; Zhao, Xiaoyue; Tang, Chunlao; Khan, Sohail; Ravi, Kandasamy; Auletta, Theresa; Riggs, Michael; Wang, Yun; Helland, Aslaug; Naume, Bjørn; Dimitrova, Nevenka; Børresen-Dale, Anne-Lise; Hicks, Jim; Lucito, Robert<br/><br/>Abstract: Methylation of CpG islands associated with genes can affect the expression of the proximal gene, and methylation of non-associated CpG islands correlates to genomic instability. This epigenetic modification has been shown to be important in many pathologies, from development and disease to cancer. We report the development of a novel high-resolution microarray that detects the methylation status of over 25,000 CpG islands in the human genome. Experiments were performed to demonstrate low system noise in the methodology and that the array probes have a high signal to noise ratio. Methylation measurements between different cell lines were validated demonstrating the accuracy of measurement. We then identified alterations in CpG islands, both those associated with gene promoters, as well as non-promoter-associated islands in a set of breast and ovarian tumors. We demonstrate that this methodology accurately identifies methylation profiles in cancer and in principle it can differentiate any CpG methylation alterations and can be adapted to analyze other species. http://hdl.handle.net/10143/93013 Title: Three-year follow-up of physical activity in Norwegian youth from two ethnic groups: associations with socio-demographic factors.<br/><br/>Authors: Sagatun, Ase; Kolle, Elin; Anderssen, Sigmund A; Thoresen, Magne; Søgaard, Anne Johanne<br/><br/>Abstract: BACKGROUND: More research on factors associated with physical activity and the decline in participation during adolescence is needed. In this paper, we investigate the levels, change, and stability of physical activity during the late teens among ethnic Norwegians and ethnic minorities, and we examine the associations between physical activity and socio-demographic factors. METHODS: The baseline (T1) of this longitudinal study included 10th graders who participated in the youth part of the Oslo Health Study, which was carried out in schools in 2000-2001. The follow-up (T2) in 2003-2004 was conducted partly at school and partly by mail. A total of 2489 (1112 boys and 1377 girls) participated both at baseline and at follow-up. Physical activity level was measured by a question on weekly hours of physical activity outside of school. Socio-demographic variables were collected by questionnaire and from data obtained from Statistics Norway. Analysis of variance was used to study the level of and changes (T1 to T2) in physical activity, and the associations between physical activity and socio-demographic factors. Stability in physical activity was defined as the percentage of students reporting the same physical activity both times. RESULTS: Boys were more active than girls at age 15 and 18 years, independent of ethnic background. Among girls, ethnic Norwegians were more active than ethnic minorities. Hours per week spent on physical activity declined in all groups during the follow-up period. Few associations were found between physical activity and socio-demographic factors in both cross-sectional and longitudinal data. Among the ethnic minority girls, 65% reported being physically active 0-2 hours per week at baseline, and 82% of these girls reported the same level at follow up. CONCLUSION: The association between physical activity and ethnicity at age 15 years remained the same during the follow-up. Few associations were found between physical activity and socio-demographic variables. A large proportion of ethnic minority girls reported a persistently low physical activity level, and this low participation rate may need special attention. http://hdl.handle.net/10143/92213 Title: Tannhelsetjenesten – med særlig blikk på offentlige tannhelsetjenester til prioriterte grupper<br/><br/>Abstract: NORSK SAMMENDRAG: Som en del av det overordnede faglige tilsyn med helsetjenesten har Statens helsetilsyn tidligere utredet området tannhelsetjenester. Vi har hatt et særlig fokus på omfanget av den offentlige tannhelsetjenesten til de gruppene som tannhelsetjenesteloven stiller krav om at fylkeskommunen skal prioritere. Statens helsetilsyn har tidligere gitt ut tre rapporter om tannhelsetjenesten i Norge. Rapportene viste betydelige fylkesvise forskjeller i tannhelsetjenestetilbudet, som ga grunn til bekymring for at prioriterte grupper i flere fylker ikke fikk det tilbudet de har krav på. Denne rapporten presenterer bakgrunnsdata på følgende områder:- Områdeovervåkning – tannhelsestatistikk Oppsummering av tilsynserfaring – planlagte tilsyn - Oppsummering av tilsynserfaring – tilsynssaker og rettighetsklager - Gjennomgang av forvaltningsrapporter om tannhelsetjenesten.; SUMMARY IN ENGLISH: As part of general supervision of health services, the Norwegian Board of Health Supervision has previously investigated dental services. In particular we have investigated dental services for groups in the population that are defined as priority groups in the Dental Health Services Act.Previously, the Norwegian Board of Health Supervision has published three reports on dental services in Norway. We identified large differences in supply of dental services in differentcounties. We were concerned that not all people in the priority groups are offered the dental services they are entitled to.This report presents background data in the following areas:- statistics about dental services - experience gained from supervision of dental services – planned supervision - experience gained from supervision of dental services – cases of complaint about dental personnel and rights for dental services - summary of reports evaluating public dental services http://hdl.handle.net/10143/91914 Title: Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose in Type 1 Diabetes Patients with Insufficient Metabolic Control: Focused Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose Intervention Can Lower Glycated Hemoglobin A1C.<br/><br/>Authors: Skeie, Svein; Kristensen, Gunn B B; Carlsen, Siri; Sandberg, Sverre<br/><br/>Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Little attention has been given and few studies have been published focusing on how to optimize self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) use to monitor daily therapy for persons with type 1 diabetes mellitus. This study was designed to evaluate the effect on glycated hemoglobin (A1C) of a structured intervention focused on SMBG in type 1 diabetes patients with insufficient metabolic control (A1C >/= 8%) using a randomized clinical trial design. METHOD: One hundred fifty-nine outpatients with type 1 diabetes on multiple injection therapy with insulin and A1C >/=8% were recruited and randomized to one group receiving a focused, structured 9-month SMBG intervention (n = 59) and another group receiving regular care based on guidelines (n = 64). RESULTS: Glycated hemoglobin values (mean % +/- standard deviation) at study start was similar: 8.65 +/- 0.10 in the intervention group and 8.61 +/- 0.09 in the control group. The two groups were comparable (age, gender, body mass index, complication rate, and treatment modality) at study start and had mean diabetes duration and SMBG experience of 19 and 20 years, respectively. At study end, there was decrease in A1C in the intervention group (p < .05), and the A1C was 0.6% lower compared with the control group (p < .05). No increase in the number of minor or major hypoglycemia episodes was observed in the intervention group during the study period. CONCLUSIONS: A simple, structured, focused SMBG intervention improved metabolic control in patients with longstanding diabetes type 1 and A1C >/= 8%. The intervention was based on general recommendations, realistic in format, and can be applied in a regular outpatient setting. http://hdl.handle.net/10143/91148 Title: Experience of unpleasant sensations in the mouth after injection of saline from prefilled syringes.<br/><br/>Authors: Kongsgaard, Ulf E; Andersen, Anders; Oien, Marina; Oswald, Inger-Ann Y; Bruun, Laila I<br/><br/>Abstract: BACKGROUND: Nurses at The Norwegian Radium Hospital have reported that some patients notice an unpleasant smell or taste in accordance with flushing of intravenous lines with commercially available prefilled syringes. We have conducted a study in healthy volunteers to investigate the occurrence, consistency and intensity of this phenomenon. METHODS: A randomised, blinded, crossover study comparing commercial available prefilled saline 9 mg/ml syringes to saline 9 mg/ml for injection in polyethylene package was performed in 10 healthy volunteers. The volunteers were given intravenous injections of varying volume and speed. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, and also Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test to compare groups. RESULTS: After intravenous injection, 2 of 15 recordings demonstrated any sensation of smell or taste after injection of saline from polyethylene package, while 14 of 15 recordings noted a sensation after injection of saline from prefilled syringes. The intensity of the unpleasant sensation was rated significantly higher after injection of saline from prefilled syringes compared to saline from polyethylene (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Injection of saline from prefilled syringes in healthy volunteers resulted in an experience of bad taste or smell. It is important that nurses and health workers are aware of the phenomenon as described in this article in order to choose the preferred product for a given patient. http://hdl.handle.net/10143/90234 Title: Nære pårørende av alkoholmisbrukere. Hvor mange er de og hvordan berøres de?<br/><br/>Authors: Rossow, Ingeborg; Moan, Inger Synnøve; Natvig, Henrik<br/><br/>Abstract: NORSK SAMMENDRAG: Mellom 50 000 og 150 000 barn og mellom 50 000 og 100 000 ektefeller/partnere bor sammen med personer med et risikofylt alkoholkonsum i Norge. Mer enn 130 000 har i løpet av livet opplevd ulike negative konsekvenser av foreldres eller partners alkoholproblemer.Da det ikke er noen klare skiller mellom alkoholmisbrukere og andre alkoholbrukere, ville det være misvisende å lage et enkelt anslag over antall barn og partnere som berøres. Det er derfor angitt intervaller som antyder i hvilket størrelsesområde antallet trolig befinner seg.For første gangBeregningene i rapporten er gjort på grunnlag av en intervjuundersøkelse blant vel 2000 voksne og en spørreskjemaundersøkelse blant vel 20 000 ungdommer. Det er første gang det er gjort beregninger i Norge av hvor mange nære pårørende det er til alkoholmisbrukere og hvilke negative konsekvenser de opplever.Negative konsekvenserDe negative konsekvensene varierer både i type, varighet og alvorlighetsgrad. Blant de mulige konsekvensene som er undersøkt i denne studien, er sjikane, vold og trusler om vold, seksuelle overgrep og uønsket seksuell tilnærming og hærverk.Psykososiale problemerBlant ungdom øker andelen med ulike psykososiale problemer som å bli utsatt for vold, dårlig mental helse og dårlige foreldrerelasjoner, med hyppigheten av å se foreldrene beruset. Ungdom som så foreldrene beruset flere ganger i uka, hadde 3 – 5 ganger høyere risiko for å få slike problemer sammenlignet med annen ungdom. Likevel er det et flertall som ikke rapporterer denne typen problemer, selv blant dem som ofte opplever at foreldrene er beruset.Forsømt forskningsområdeAlkoholbrukets konsekvenser for nære pårørende er et forsømt forskningsområde. Gjennomgangen av forskningslitteraturen viser at det åpenbart er behov for mer forskning om norske forhold. Det er også viktig å bidra til den internasjonale kunnskapen om dette feltet.; ENGLISH SUMMARY: Alcohol accounts for the largest fraction of substance related problems, both with respect to the number substance abusers and with respect to the extent of health and social consequences of substance use. The aim of the report was twofold: (i) to estimate the number of children and partners who live with an alcohol abuser, and (ii) to examine negative consequences that they experience. This is the first attempt to examine these issues using Norwegian data.We used two available data sets for the analyses; one interview survey conducted among more than 2000 adults and a school based survey conducted among more than 20 000 adolescents. An important concern of this report has been to show that there are no clear distinctions between those who abuse alcohol or people with a hazardous drinking pattern and other alcohol consumers. Moreover, children and partners of heavy drinkers may experience negative consequences that will probably vary with respect to type of consequences as well as degree of severity. Such consequences can probably be attributed to a larger group of alcohol consumers than the small group of the most heavy drinkers.Our estimates showed that we may assume that there are some 50 000 – 150 000 children and some 50 000 – 100 000 partners living with persons who have a hazardous alcohol consumption. There are more than 130 000 persons who, during their adulthood, have experienced certain types of consequences (harassment, violent threats, unwanted sexual contact, vandalism, and sexual abuse) due to parents’ or partners’ heavy drinking. Among adolescents, psychosocial problems such as violence, mental health problems and poor parental relations, were found to increase with frequency of exposure to parental alcohol intoxication. However, even among those who often have seen their parents intoxicated, the majority did not report having experienced any of these problems.A review of the research literature showed that this is a neglected area of research. It is clearly a need not only for further research on Norwegian conditions in this area, but also important to contribute to the international scientific literature on this topic.