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At least 1,297 records · Page 72Linked to original sources
PubMed2005

Lifestyle factors, radiation and gastric cancer in atomic-bomb survivors (Japan).

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between the incidence of gastric cancer and lifestyle factors such as cigarette smoking, alcohol drinking, and diet as well as atomic bomb radiation exposure. METHODS: Longitudinal study including 38,576 atomic-bomb survivors in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, followed-up between 1980 and 1999. Individual radiation dose was estimated according to the Dosimetry System 1986 (DS86). Lifestyle determinants were based on the responses to a mail survey sent at baseline. 1270 incident carcinomas of gastric cancer were identified during the 485,575 person-years of follow-up. Poisson regression was used to estimate incidence rate ratios. RESULTS: Ionizing radiation exposure, male gender, age, and smoking were significantly associated with an increased risk of stomach cancer. No association was suggested between the frequency of consumption of fruit, vegetables, green tea, and soy products and gastric cancer. CONCLUSIONS: In this Japanese population, although radiation and smoking were strong determinants of stomach cancer, no supportive evidence could be shown for the effect of dietary factors.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

A comparison of certain practice characteristics of dental anesthesiologists in Canada and the United States.

An existing database was used to compare aspects of dental anesthesiology practice of dental anesthesiologists in Canada (n = 32) and the United States (n = 123). Data focusing on percutaneous injuries were obtained through a mailed questionnaire that was returned anonymously. Respondents provided information on the treatment of patients under deep sedation or general anesthesia only. Eighty-one percent of Canadians and 61% of Americans returned the questionnaire. The vast majority (84%) of injuries reported were due to sharps associated with general dentistry compared with those associated with anesthesiology. Canadians were more likely to be operator-anesthetists (P < .01) and to experience a percutaneous injury (P < .01) than US practitioners. American practitioners were more likely to have a greater proportion of the caseload under the age of 20 (P < .02). No other significant differences were observed. These results illustrate a number of unique attributes of the practice of dental anesthesiology in these 2 countries.

Anesthesia, Dental↗
PubMed1998

The development of passive health surveillance by a sentinel network of family practitioners in South Africa.

OBJECTIVE: For the South African Sentinel Practitioner Research Network (SASPREN), a volunteer network of family practitioners in South Africa, to develop a health surveillance system through the surveillance of important health events. MOTIVATION: The incidence of important preventable diseases and the burden of disease are not reliably known in South Africa, both in the public and private sector. Incidence rates determined at primary care level could help with planning and delivery of appropriate health services and monitoring of the impact of intervention programmes. METHODS: Altogether 183 sentinel practitioners were recruited in nine provinces, from 2,478 doctors invited to participate. Of these 120 were active in reporting all their new cases of 13 selected health events to the study centre on mailed postcards. After data-capturing, incidence rates were calculated for defined periods. Feedback was given to the sentinels through a newsletter and personalised reports. RESULTS: A network of sentinel family practitioners has been established in South Africa, and can provide incidence rates for both diseases and interventions through a simple and cheap surveillance system. The calculated rates demonstrated periodic trends for certain events, as well as inter-provincial, -gender and -population group differences. CONCLUSIONS: As the validity of the dataset and its generalisation to the whole population is uncertain, its usefulness as point estimates of incidence rates is unknown. This information serves as an important pointer for further research. The trends of these rates may provide a valuable tool for monitoring the impact of public health policies.

Age Distribution↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Current status of electroconvulsive therapy in adult psychiatric care in France].

A survey into the practice of electroconvulsive therapy between November 1996 and November 1997 in all the French Psychiatric Public Hospital Services is set out here. Of the 815 questionnaires sent by mail, the authors mention that 48% replied. Among the 391 State Hospital Services which responded, 51% declared having practiced ECT during that period of time. A detailed analysis is supplied regarding the apparatus type, maintainance ECT, anaesthesic used, electrode-positioning, medical indication and side effects. The results are presented, then discussed one by one before being compared with those of a similar study made ten years ago. We can already point out to a significant decline in ECT from the 64% who affirmed having practiced it in 1986 to the 51% the authors found in their survey. This undeniable fact has however to be counterweighed against the marked increase in maintainance ECT (40% against 11% with p < 0.001) and the qualitative improvement of the practical application of that therapy if one has to judge from the modernisation of the apparatus as well as the move towards better security conditions. A tentative evaluation of the impact of the guidelines described in the French Government November 1996 circular is also made. Last but not least, the proper equipment for practising ECT seems to be sadly lacking in many of the Psychiatric Wards. This brings further to the fore the debate, so common in France, regarding the equal distribution of the availability of all medical care to each and every citizen wherever he may be living.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Life satisfaction in persons with spinal cord injury: a comparative investigation between Sweden and Japan.

STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional and comparative investigation using the unified questionnaire. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the cultural (East Asian versus North European) differences in life satisfaction between long-term survivors of spinal cord injuries (SCI). SETTING: Uppsala county in Sweden and Fukuoka prefecture in Japan. METHODS: A questionnaire dealing with life satisfaction was prepared by the authors. It focused mainly on sexual life and accompanied a self-rating Barthel Index Score. The questionnaire was mailed to male SCI persons in the two communities, Uppsala county (Sweden) and Fukuoka prefecture (Japan). Forty (77%) Swedish and 85 (71%) Japanese SCI replied. RESULTS: (1) Swedish SCI appeared to be more satisfied than Japanese SCI in general health, economy, social activity, social service, family life and sexual life. (2) Several life domains indicated significant difference in life satisfaction between with- and without-partner group in Japanese SCI. No life domains indicated significant difference in Swedish SCI. (3) No statistically significant difference was indicated in all of life domains between the degree of life satisfaction and interval since spinal cord damage. CONCLUSION: The more expanded cross-cultural study is expected to be helpful for discussing the QOL of SCI.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Attitudes of UK consultants to teledentistry as a means of providing orthodontic advice to dental practitioners and their patients.

OBJECTIVE: To determine UK orthodontic consultants' attitudes to the provision of orthodontic advice to general dental practitioners by electronic means. DESIGN: Questionnaire. SETTING: Conducted by email and surface mail as appropriate in August 2000. SUBJECTS: All those UK NHS orthodontic consultants contained in the membership lists of the Consultant Orthodontists Group of the British Orthodontic Society. OUTCOME: An 86 per cent response was obtained from the 231 consultants. RESULTS: More than half (58 per cent) of the consultants were interested in providing an electronic diagnostic service for the general dental practitioners in their locality and 70 per cent were in favour of further research into this possibility. Provided this was mediated through their GDP, only 26% would oppose consultant advice being given electronically from a centralized source. CONCLUSIONS: A majority of UK orthodontic consultants support the concept of using teledentistry to make their advice more accessible to dentists and patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Dentists' response to financial incentives in a mail survey of malpractice liability experience.

This two-part methodologic research was designed to evaluate the effects of a financial incentive on questionnaire response rate and response bias for general dentists surveyed by mail. Subjects were 517 clinicians randomly selected from a two-state population of practitioners insured by a single malpractice liability carrier. Subjects received a check for either $5 or $10 in the original mailing. In Study 1, a single mailing and postcard follow-up resulted in a 57.8 percent (111/192) response rate. In Study 2, employing Dillman's Total Design Method, a 69.6 percent (208/299) response was obtained after a third mailing. Analysis of response rate by incentive level in each study revealed no significant differences. In contrast, early responders (first mailing and follow-up postcard) differed from late responders (second and third mailings) on age (41.4 vs 37.0 years; T = 2.17; P = .032), non-Caucasians (27.7% vs 63.9%; chi 2 = 17.3; df = 4; P < .002), females (13.9% vs 27.8%; chi 2 = 3.9; df = 1; P < .05), foreign-trained (7.0% vs 19.4%; chi 2 = 16.5; df = 2; P < .001), and dissatisfaction with practice (31% vs 51%; chi 2 = 7.8; df = 4; P = .10). Thus, the magnitude of the financial incentive in this experiment had no differential effect on response rate. But differences in responses from late responders (proxies for nonresponders) on demographic characteristics and key study variables suggest the persistence of response bias despite an acceptable response rate. Future dental health survey research should employ tests for response bias on both sets of variables.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Indiana infant-toddler dental care survey.

The purpose of this project was to survey Indiana dentists concerning dental care for Indiana infants and toddlers. Dental care issues covered were the age for a child's first dental visit, frequency of rampant or nursing caries cases examined, and dental referral sources for infants and toddlers. The survey also helped determine the dentist's perception of parents' attitudes toward services recommended by the dentist. A twelve question survey was mailed to 2006 general and pediatric dentists in the State of Indiana. The results of the survey were: 1. A large percentage of Indiana dental practitioners do not recommend the first dental visit or examine children for their dental visit until the child is more than one year of age. 2. A majority of Indiana dental practitioners see children with nursing caries or rampant caries on a monthly basis. 3. The majority of Indiana dental practitioners refer children with nursing caries to pediatric dentists for treatment. 4. Although the full treatment plan may undergo some modification based on various parental concerns, a majority of practitioners do not experience difficulty in obtaining treatment plan acceptance for nursing or rampant caries cases.

Age Factors↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Prevalence and burden of migraine in the United States: data from the American Migraine Study II.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the prevalence, sociodemographic profile, and the burden of migraine in the United States in 1999 and to compare results with the original American Migraine Study, a 1989 population-based study employing identical methods. METHODS: A validated, self-administered questionnaire was mailed to a sample of 20 000 households in the United States. Each household member with severe headache was asked to respond to questions about symptoms, frequency, and severity of headaches and about headache-related disability. Diagnostic criteria for migraine were based on those of the International Headache Society. This report is restricted to individuals 12 years and older. RESULTS: Of the 43 527 age-eligible individuals, 29 727 responded to the questionnaire for a 68.3% response rate. The prevalence of migraine was 18.2% among females and 6.5% among males. Approximately 23% of households contained at least one member suffering from migraine. Migraine prevalence was higher in whites than in blacks and was inversely related to household income. Prevalence increased from aged 12 years to about aged 40 years and declined thereafter in both sexes. Fifty-three percent of respondents reported that their severe headaches caused substantial impairment in activities or required bed rest. Approximately 31% missed at least 1 day of work or school in the previous 3 months because of migraine; 51% reported that work or school productivity was reduced by at least 50%. CONCLUSIONS: Two methodologically identical national surveys in the United States conducted 10 years apart show that the prevalence and distribution of migraine have remained stable over the last decade. Migraine-associated disability remains substantial and pervasive. The number of migraineurs has increased from 23.6 million in 1989 to 27.9 million in 1999 commensurate with the growth of the population. Migraine is an important target for public health interventions because it is highly prevalent and disabling.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Exploding microwaved eggs--revisited.

Different types of injuries are described as caused by the use of microwave ovens. Four of 41 burns from microwave ovens, presented by an international survey in 1986, were due to exploding microwave-heated eggs. Careful review of the English language literature through a Medline search from 1966 to 2000 was performed, in search of burns caused by exploding eggs. Clinical information from the published articles was reviewed and missing information was completed by e-mail correspondence with authors. Our own case was added to the collected data, and a total of 13 cases were analyzed. The average age of patients was 24.3 years (range, 7-49 years). All patients suffered from superficial burns of the mid and upper face, namely the forehead, periorbital region, dorsum of nose and malar areas. All patients with information available complained of ocular disturbances, and three suffered long-term decrease in visual acuity. Long-term skin complications were not reported. In summary, the clinical presentation of a facial injury from an exploding microwave-heated egg is relatively constant and mild. Favorable outcome can be expected but a meticulous ophthalmologic evaluation and a close follow-up are mandatory for prevention of long-term sequelae.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Smoking cessation counselling--a role for the dental profession?

Whilst several studies have investigated the views of North American dentists on providing advice to patients on stopping smoking, the role of their UK counterparts in this area is uncertain. Thus this study aimed: 1. to examine dentists' awareness of the effect of smoking on general and oral health, 2. to determine their views on counselling patients to give up smoking, 3. to investigate the extent to which they currently engage in this activity, and 4. to survey barriers to providing such advice. Data were collected via a postal questionnaire mailed to 587 Scottish dental practitioners, of which 448 (76.3%) were completed and returned. The importance of smoking as a cause of ill health and death was acknowledged universally, and most were aware of the adverse consequences of smoking on the oral tissues. Over half the respondents (245 or 54.7%) thought dentists had a role in counselling patients to give up smoking and whilst 107 (23.8%) were uncertain, the remaining 95 (21.2%) felt this was outside their remit. Nonetheless, 384 (85.6%) reported that, at least occasionally, they advised patients to quit. Lack of time was seen as an important barrier to tobacco counselling, as was lack of training. Further studies are required to determine the most useful strategies or approaches, and to determine their effectiveness.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A hospital survey of postpartum depression education at the time of delivery.

OBJECTIVE: To assess and characterize health education regarding postpartum depression (PPD) received by recently delivered women during their postpartum hospital stay. DESIGN: Mailed, self-administered survey. SETTING: All 121 hospitals in Ohio that provide obstetric and postpartum care. PARTICIPANTS: Nurse managers for obstetric services, 90 (74%) of whom returned surveys. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Types of postpartum education provided, format of postpartum depression education delivery, attitudes regarding postpartum depression education. RESULTS: Most hospitals (89.7%) educate newly delivered women about PPD, most often by passive methods. Specific educational programs were offered by only 14% of hospitals. Most PPD education was provided during hospitalization after delivery; however, 50% of respondents felt that it should be provided at every possible opportunity. CONCLUSION: PPD education is one of several topics covered during hospitalization for newly delivered mothers. Health providers of all disciplines should be involved in educating a new mother about PPD.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed2005

A survey of psychological wellbeing in an adult population.

The British government has called on all NHS staff to help promote good psychological wellbeing in the population. This article reports results from a survey conducted in Merseyside, England, into the prevalence of poor psychological wellbeing across a large part of the region. People registered with one of five Merseyside primary care trusts were stratified by age group and deprivation, and a questionnaire was mailed to 28,000 who had been randomly selected from those aged 15 or over. A total of 11,168 (45%) completed questionnaires were returned. Of these, 2,442 (21.9%) respondents rated their psychological wellbeing as fairly poor or very poor. Mean levels of psychological wellbeing were significantly worse in a number of readily identifiable groups within the population, but overall, the lowest wellbeing ratings were concentrated in the most socioeconomically deprived quartile. We make a number of practical suggestions for the role of the community nurse in promoting good psychological wellbeing in patients. We also highlight our finding that socioeconomic deprivation was strongly associated with poor psychological wellbeing, which was in turn associated with a lifestyle high in risk factors for non-communicable diseases.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Pharmacists' assessment of dispensing errors: risk factors, practice sites, professional functions, and satisfaction.

Certain demographic, practice, staffing, and pharmacist satisfaction variables may contribute to dispensing errors. A survey was randomly mailed to 7298 (50%) Texas pharmacists, of which 2862 were returned (39% response rate). Responders were 2437 pharmacists who indicated that they were in practice. Of these, 535 (23%) reported no risk to patients for dispensing errors and 793 (34%) reported at least one patient/week was at risk for such an error. There was a positive relationship between number of prescription orders filled/hour and the estimated risk of dispensing errors (r(s)=0.285, p<0.001). Pharmacists practicing in mail service pharmacies (risk score = 1.85 +/- 1.32), traditional chain store pharmacies (1.66 +/- 1.18), and hospital pharmacies (1.61 +/- 1.09) reported a higher risk than other groups. Pharmacists practicing in independent community pharmacies (0.75 +/- 0.84), home health care (0.83 +/- 0.99), grocery chain store pharmacies (1.30 +/- 0.96), and mass merchandise chain store pharmacies (1.30 +/- 1.08) reported a lower risk (H=260, df=8, p<0.001). Nine job satisfaction variables were strongly associated with the risk of dispensing errors (r(s) = between -0.3 and -0.422, p<0.001), as were prescription volume, practice site, staffing, training, pharmacist functions, and professional organization membership. The results of this survey should help pharmacists and management develop specific plans for reducing the risks of dispensing errors. These data should be useful for more in-depth study of such errors.

Chi-Square Distribution↗
PubMed2004

Effects on alcohol use and anxiety of the September 11, 2001, attacks and chronic work stressors: a longitudinal cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: We hypothesized that chronic stressors associated with an everyday social role (work) would interact with a traumatic macrosocial stressor (the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001) in predicting mental health status (during the fall of 2001). METHODS: We used mail surveys returned as part of wave 3 of a workplace cohort study, both before and after September 11, 2001, to assess decision latitude, sexual harassment, generalized workplace abuse, psychological distress, and alcohol use. We also used regression analyses to assess the main effect of September 11 and interactions between September 11 and stressors, after control for baseline mental health. RESULTS: The main effect of September 11 on elevated alcohol use was significant for women but not for men. For women, work stressors significantly interacted with experiencing the events of September 11 to affect alcohol use and anxiety outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Women experiencing chronic work stressors were most vulnerable to elevated psychological distress and alcohol use after September 11, 2001.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[Prevalence and intensity of smoking among adult urban population of Tiumen': data of population mail questionnaire survey].

AIM: To estimate prevalence and intensity of smoking among adult Tyumen citizens by mail questionnaire survey. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A representative sample of adult population of Tyumen (central district) was randomly selected using the list of the electors. The questioning covered a total of 3200 citizens (8 groups per 400 age- and sex-matched subjects). The response reached 71.5%. Smoking in the population was studied in three aspects: prevalence, intensity and passive smoking. RESULTS: Overall prevalence of smoking was not great (28.8%), but smoking was frequent in women, especially young, was intensive in males of all the age groups. The number of smokers who had quit smoking was small. Passive smoking at jobs was prevalent. CONCLUSION: The data of the survey indicate difficulties of social adaptation for the studied population who fall under risk to develop cardiovascular diseases.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Tobacco cessation services in dental offices. Are we doing all we can?

Approximately 8,000 people die of oral and pharyngeal cancers every year in the United States. Approximately 70% of these deaths are related to smoking and other forms of tobacco use. Previous studies have shown that tobacco cessation services are underutilized in dental practice. A survey was mailed to 700 dentists in New York State. A total of 364 dentists (58.5%) responded to either the long survey or postcard. Although over 90% of dentists had asked at least one patient in the prior three months about his or her smoking status, only 37% had asked this question of most or nearly all patients. Variables that were associated with the provision of tobacco cessation services included level of preparedness, training and being a periodontist. Perceived barriers included lack of time and reimbursement, and patient resistance. These results suggest that training programs and professional perceptions of responsibilities are related to dentists' provision of tobacco cessation services, findings that could have a significant impact on future policy initiatives and educational endeavors.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

The prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis in Sweden.

The aim of this study was to ascertain the prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in a Swedish general adult population. A questionnaire about chronic pain was mailed to a total of 3928 subjects who were chosen as a random sample of the population in two communities in the county of Halland. All persons answering affirmatively to questions intended to identify patients with RA were invited to a clinical examination. X-rays of hands and feet, and analyses of rheumatoid factor and C reactive protein were performed provided that the patients fulfilled two or more of the five clinical items of the 1987 ARA criteria. Furthermore, non-participants were searched for in a patient register and in medical records from the local rheumatology unit in an attempt to identify further cases. Using the modified 1987 ARA criteria for population studies the prevalence rate of RA was calculated to 0.51% (95%, CI = 0.31-0.79).

Adult↗