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Socioeconomic impact of acoustic neuroma surgery.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the impact of acoustic neuroma (AN) surgery on socioeconomic function. STUDY DESIGN: This study was a retrospective postal survey. SETTING: The study was performed at a tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: One hundred thirty late postoperative AN patients were surveyed a minimum of 6 months after surgery (average 39 months). The survey response rate was 65% (130 of 200). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: These included effect of AN surgery on employability, income, activities of daily living, social involvement, and psychological well-being. RESULTS: When comparing preoperative occupational status with latest follow-up, 2 of 125 (1.6%) became unemployed from their usual occupations. An additional 15 of 125 (12%) retired, attributing their retirement to the effects of the tumor itself (3), an aftermath of surgery (2), and causes unrelated to their AN (10). After AN removal, two formerly unemployed patients became employed. Among those remaining employed, there was no significant impact of surgery on either income or work responsibility. Return to normal activity was gradual: < or = 6 weeks, 31%; < or = 3 month, 64%; and < or = 6 months, 84%. Among activities of daily living, the tasks most often impaired (both before and after tumor removal) were ladder climbing and night driving, whereas dressing and bathing were seldom problematic. Overall, patients reported a minor decline in ability to perform routine daily activities after tumor removal. Social function (contact with friends, community involvement, and participation in sports) changed little after surgery. The incidence of both stress and depression decreased slightly after tumor removal. CONCLUSIONS: The economic, social, and psychological impact of AN and its surgical management appears to be relatively minor, with few individuals having life altering consequences.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Female migration in Chile: types of moves and socioeconomic characteristics.

This paper examines inter-provincial female migration in Chile for the 1965--1970 period, with a view to describing socioeconomic characteristics of migrant women and to determining differences and similarities in age, educational level, occupation, and type of move (first, return, or repeat) between movers to the capital and to other urban areas. Data are from a five percent sample of the 1970 Chilean census. Findings reveal that non-return migrants to other urban areas are differentiated from those to Santiago by an older age structure, higher educational levels, higher status occupations, and are more likely to be making a second (or higher-order) move. Moreover, educational measures suggest that recent female migration to urban Chile is more prevalent among the upper than the lower strata of the society.

Adolescent↗

Marital correlates of blood pressure.

In 1982, 1,260 white spouse pairs, aged 18 years and over, were interviewed as part of the Connecticut Blood Pressure Survey. The present report is based on a systematic analysis of 1) the personal characteristics and behavior of the spouse, 2) the roles and responsibilities of the material partners, and 3) similarity between spouses on selected variables. Results indicated that a number of these marital variables were associated with either systolic or diastolic blood pressure in husbands and in wives. Some components of the marital situation were associated with lower blood pressure whereas others were associated with higher blood pressure. Effects of marriage on blood pressure were observed both for husband's and wife's blood pressures, although the effects varied by sex. Similarity in spouses' behaviors and characteristics were more frequently associated with blood pressure than the individual effects of these behaviors. Age difference, measured as husband older than wife, was associated with lower blood pressure in husband's but with higher blood pressure in wives. Spouse's educational level and occupational status were not significantly related to blood pressure. Responsibility for common household chores (e.g., cooking) was associated with higher blood pressure in wives but responsibility for the family's health care was associated with lower blood pressure in both spouses.

Adult↗

Socioeconomic status in childhood and adulthood: associations with dispositional optimism and pessimism over a 21-year follow-up.

We examined whether dispositional optimism and pessimism (overall LOT-R and optimism and pessimism component scores) of 694 adults aged 24 and 27 were associated with socioeconomic status (SES) measured concurrently and in childhood at ages 3 and 6. SES measures included education, occupational status and unemployment, and income. Concurrent adulthood SES was associated with the overall LOT-R and optimism and the pessimism component scores. Childhood family SES predicted overall LOT-R and pessimism component scores, even after controlling statistically for the adulthood SES. Social mobility between SES of family of origin and current SES also influenced the scores. The current findings suggest that the foundation of dispositional optimism and pessimism is related to early SES of the family.

Adult↗

High birthweights among infants of north African immigrants in Belgium.

OBJECTIVES: This study examined birthweights of North African immigrants in Belgium. METHODS: Analyses focused on Belgian single live birth certificates from 1981 to 1988. RESULTS: Low-birthweight (< 2500 g) rates were 3.1% among 34,686 newborns of North African origin and 4.8% among 804,286 newborns of Belgian origin. The entire North African birthweight distribution was shifted toward higher birthweights than the Belgian distribution. Low frequencies of low birthweights among North Africans were still observed after marital status, occupation of the father, and parity had been taken into account. CONCLUSIONS: Despite their low socioeconomic status, North African immigrants have high birthweights.

Africa, Northern↗

Community attitudes toward mental illness: the influence of contact and demographic variables.

Residents of three large rural cities were surveyed to investigate the influence of 'psychiatric exposure' and demographic variables on community attitudes toward mental illness. Samples drawn from the three communities, which differed according to the availability of mental health services, were administered the Opinions About Mental Illness Scale, with questionnaire items that elicited measures of the amount of contact with mental illness and standard demographic data. Multiple regression analyses showed that demographic but not 'exposure' variables had a significant influence on community attitudes. Contrary to previous findings, the older, less-educated members of the public were more positive in their opinions on mental health issues. Other variables to have an influence on attitudes were ethnic origin and occupational status.

Age Factors↗

Political activism among physically disabled individuals.

The study examined the relationships between demographic, personality, and disability-specific variables and membership in a political action organization among the physically disabled. Thirty-nine disabled members of a political organization an 40 disabled nonmembers were interviewed. Educational and occupational status were found to be related to membership. Disability-specific variables, including diagnosis, length of time disabled, degree and etiology of disability, were found to be unrelated to membership in a political action organization. Degree of general political activity accounted for the greatest amount of variance in distinguishing members from nonmembers. Scores obtained on scales measuring degree of emotional stability, responsibility, and sociability were not significantly related to membership. Members, however, were found to be more assertive, more independent, and less conforming than nonmembers. Transportation difficulty was the main reason given for nonmembership by 50% of the nonmembers. Statistically significant differences between members and nonmembers were found concerning the goals of transportation and political action.

Adolescent↗

[Relation between renal transplantation and work situation].

OBJECTIVE: The present study analyzed occupational rehabilitation following renal transplantation and its impact on social costs. METHODS/RESULTS: A survey was conducted on 493 patients who had undergone renal transplantation during 1979 to 1995. The results show that 27.76% were working after kidney transplantation versus 27.52% during dialysis. Retirement was the most common explanation given for not working (29.4%) when the percentage of those over age 65 accounted for 8%. CONCLUSION: Analysis of the occupational status in relation with sex, age, level of education, profession and type of dialysis disclosed that women aged 25-34 years, with a high level of education, who describe themselves as entrepreneurs and have had peritoneal dialysis, have a higher likelihood of working after transplantation.

Absenteeism↗

Stress among factory workers in a developing country.

This cross-sectional study reveals that a significant proportion (35%) of the sampled population of factory workers experienced measurable health problems in the form of anxiety, sleep disturbance, depression, somatic complaints and other clinical indicators of stress. Job stress and social support levels experienced by the group of workers judged 'sick' were significantly different from the control group, particularly so for employees in the lower levels of work hierarchy. In consonance with findings from the literature, job stress has a significant impact on mental health, with all the job stress parameters accounting for 41% of the variation in the general health. Those job stress variables that were significant predictors of health were job pressure, namely security and job tension, and interpersonal rewards. Extrinsic rewards i.e. those factors relating to income and status were not significant predictors of health. Perceived social support tended to increase at the higher levels of occupational status and at the work place it appeared to exert a positive influence on health presumably by counteracting the adverse effects of job stress. This study stresses the need for industrial organizations of the emergent nations to initiate measures which would enhance health status of workers as a cardinal factor in organizational growth [corrected].

Adult↗

Lower socioeconomic status among men in relation to the association between job strain and blood pressure.

OBJECTIVES: This study attempted to determine whether the association between job strain (high job demands plus low job control) and blood pressure among men varies by socioeconomic status. METHODS: The cross-sectional associations between job strain and ambulatory blood pressure, by level of education, occupational status, and income, and the interaction between job strain and these measures of socioeconomic status were assessed by multiple linear regression, adjusted for age, race or ethnicity, body mass index, alcohol use, smoking, standing position, and worksite for 283 men, aged 30-60 years, from eight worksites in New York City. RESULTS: A substantial association between job strain and work ambulatory blood pressure was found among men with lower socioeconomic status, ranging from 2.7-11.8 mm Hg systolic to 1.9-6.1 mm Hg diastolic blood pressure, depending upon the measure of socioeconomic status examined. However, in the groups with high socioeconomic status, the association between job strain and ambulatory blood pressure at work was much smaller, the range in blood pressure being 0-5.3 (systolic) and 0.2-2.1 (diastolic) mm Hg. Two of the 10 tests of the interaction between job strain and socioeconomic status had a P-value of <0.05. CONCLUSIONS: These data provide evidence that the relationship between job strain and blood pressure is greater among men with lower socioeconomic status.

Adult↗

[Effect of change in the occupational structure on extending life expectancy in Germany--a cohort analysis].

Life expectancy in Germany has increased considerably during the 20th century. Simultaneously a considerable change in occupational structure has occurred. Keeping the occupational impact on mortality in mind, the question arises as to what extent the mortality decrease can be contributed to changes in occupation. Based on cohort data this question is analysed with the result that a considerable impact on life expectancy is confirmed. The impact of changes in occupational structure on life expectancy is greater for men than for women. This can be explained by the fact that men benefit from the improvements of general living conditions associated with occupational status, as well as from improved working conditions.

Accidents, Occupational↗

[Life conditions and health behavior of socially disadvantaged women: implications of an action-theoretic model of social structure for health research].

To operationalize social status epidemiology of social inequalities in health uses uncompounded indices, as school and job education, income and occupational status. Social epidemiology describes social inequalities from a more comprehensive perspective, including indicators of social status as well as subjective attitudes and behavior. Examples of a study on smoking in women indicate a broader framework of the relation between social indicators and healthy lifestyles. Action oriented theory of social inequalities substantiate restrictions of this epidemiological approach. Social analysis should focus on lifestyles and behavioral resources to reach overall life targets. An example of a qualitative study on health behavior in women prove the impact of this sociological theory for public health research. Health behavior of women from the lower SES is developed and improved in life history. It can be described as the capability to reach life targets regarding to health and social conditions.

Adult↗

Acculturation and breastfeeding on the United States-Mexico border.

Previous studies have demonstrated a strong association between breastfeeding incidence and ethnic background, indicating the presence of strong cultural influences on infant-feeding patterns within ethnic groups. This study analyzed the relationship of acculturation into the United States, one aspect of ethnicity, to the initiation of breastfeeding among a sample of 213 women recruited approximately 2 months prenatally in the United States-Mexico border city of Brownsville, Texas. An in-depth, structured interview was conducted at that time (n = 213), at the time of birth (n = 207), and 2 to 3 weeks postnatally (n = 206). In addition, male partners of the mothers were interviewed prenatally when available (n = 119). Acculturation scores and demographic characteristics were tested relative to breastfeeding initiation. The degree of acculturation, age, and marital status were associated significantly with breastfeeding initiation (with breastfeeding continued at 2 to 3 weeks postnatally), but occupational status, education, and income were not. Breastfeeding incidence was highest among older, married, or low-acculturated, Anglo mothers. These data suggest that women being assimilated into the United States are inhibited in the initiation of breastfeeding. These findings suggest that to be successful, intervention programs to increase breastfeeding incidence must consider the cultural adaptation of different groups as they meld with the larger population.

Acculturation↗

Health related quality of life in a population sample with arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and health related quality of life of a community sample of people with arthritis and compare it with persons with other chronic diseases and the healthy population in South Australia. METHODS: A representative population survey by trained interviewers in autumn 1995 using a multi-stage, systematic, clustered area sample of 4200 urban and country households. There were 3001 (73.6%) respondents aged 15 or over. Subjects were asked, "Have you ever been told by a doctor that you have arthritis?" and "What type?", in addition to the Medical Outcome Survey Short Form-36 (SF-36) health status survey. RESULTS: Medically confirmed arthritis was self-reported in 666 (22.1%) as osteoarthritis (OA) (8.6%), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) (4.0%), and other, or unspecified arthritis (9.6%). People with arthritis were more likely to be female, aged, and of lower socioeonomic status. SF-36 scores were compared to nonarthritic subjects and adjusted for differences in age, sex, and occupational status. Scores were significantly lower for respondents with arthritis, compared with the rest of the population across all subscales of the SF-36 (p<0.05). This was most marked in the subscales measuring physical function and pain. CONCLUSION: Self-reported arthritis is common in the South Australian population, particularly in those aged over 65 years. Arthritis has a major impact on the health related quality of life in the community setting.

Adolescent↗

Income non-reporting: implications for health inequalities research.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether, in the context of a face to face interview, socioeconomic groups differ in their propensity to provide details about the amount of their personal income, and to discuss the likely consequences of any differences for studies that use income based measures of socioeconomic position. DESIGN AND SETTING: The study used data from the 1995 Australian Health Survey. The sample was selected using a stratified multi-stage area design that covered urban and rural areas across all States and Territories and included non-institutionalised residents of private and non-private dwellings. The response rate was 91.5% for selected dwellings and 97.0% for persons within dwellings. Data were collected using face to face interviews. Income response, the dependent measure, was binary coded (0 if income was reported and 1 for refusals, "don't knows" and insufficient information). Socioeconomic position was measured using employment status, occupation, education and main income source. The socioeconomic characteristics of income non-reporters were initially examined using sex specific age adjusted proportions with 95% confidence intervals. Multivariate analysis was performed using logistic regression. PARTICIPANTS: Persons aged 15-64 (n = 33,434) who were reportedly in receipt of an income from one or more sources during the data collection reference period. RESULTS: The overall rate of income non-response was 9.8%. Propensity to not report income increased with age (15-29 years 5.8%, 30-49 10.6%, 50-64 13.8%). No gender differences were found (men 10.2%, women 9.3%). Income non-response was not strongly nor consistently related to education or occupation for men, although there was a suggested association among these variables for women, with highly educated women and those in professional occupations being less likely to report their income. Strong associations were evident between income non-response, labour force status and main income source. Rates were highest among the employed and those in receipt of an income from their own business or partnership, and lowest among the unemployed and those in receipt of a government pension or benefit (which excluded the unemployed). CONCLUSION: Given that differences in income non-reporting were small to moderate across levels of the education and occupation variables, and that propensity to not report income was greater among higher socioeconomic groups, estimates of the relation between income and health are unlikely to be affected by socioeconomic variability in income non-response. Probability estimates from a logistic regression suggested that higher rates of income non-reporting among employed persons who received their income from a business or partnership were not attributable to socio-economic factors. Rather, it is proposed that these higher rates were attributable to recall effects, or concerns about having one's income information disclosed to taxation authorities. Future studies need to replicate this analysis to determine whether the results can be inferred to other survey and data collection contexts. The analysis should also be extended to include an examination of the relation between socio-economic position and accuracy of income reporting. Little is known about this issue, yet it represents a potential source of bias that may have important implications for studies that investigate the association between income and health.

Adolescent↗

Social relations and self-reported health: a prospective analysis of the French Gazel cohort.

Social networks and social support are strongly associated with health, yet the pathways between social relations and health are not well understood. In one of the very few studies on this issue conducted in France, we used data from the French GAZEL cohort of employees of the national gas and electricity company, to (1) explore the relationship between the structure and function of the social environment upon self-reported health and (2) test the hypothesis that social relations directly affect health. In a prospective analysis over a 12-month follow-up period, we found that a lack of social support and dissatisfaction with social relations are predictive of poor health status, while weak social networks are not. Thus, functional aspects of social relations are better predictors of poor health than the structure of social interactions. Low social support was an independent risk factor for poor health in men and women: for men the effect was strongest among individuals who held a high occupational status, for women among those in high and low occupational groups. This study suggests that in France social relations exert an independent effect on health, modified by gender and socio-economic factors. Our results indicate that both clinicians in their practice and researchers may do well to focus increased attention on the health impact of social support.

Adult↗

Household income and health status in children and adolescents in Britain.

BACKGROUND: Mortality, health, and well-being across the lifespan are associated with socioeconomic position (typically operationalised as occupational status). There is some evidence that adolescence represents a period of 'relative equalisation' of health inequalities. Our aim was to examine the association between inequalities in household income and health in childhood and adolescence. METHODS: Cross-sectional survey using multistage stratified random sample of households in Britain. Information was collected on 10438 children aged 5-15 years. RESULTS: Low levels of equivalised household income was associated with poorer health for 13 out of the 22 indicators examined (odds ratio P < 0.05 for > or =1 income quintile). Multivariate analyses controlling for child characteristics, parental socioeconomic status and household composition indicated that low levels of equivalised household income increased the odds of poor health for 9 out of the 22 indicators examined. There was little evidence of any systematic differences in the extent of health inequalities across age groups (5-10 and 11-15 years). CONCLUSION: Household income is related to a range of health outcomes for children and adolescents, even when other indicators of socioeconomic status are taken into account. We found little evidence that adolescence represents a period of relative equalisation of health inequalities.

Adolescent↗