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PubMedDate not supplied

Genetic roots of the red deer (Cervus elaphus) population in Eastern Switzerland.

Overhunting of red deer (Cervus elaphus) in eastern Switzerland led to its extinction in the second half of the 17th century. Natural recolonization must have taken place later, because red deer were seen again in the canton of the Grisons (eastern Switzerland) in the 1870s. According to historical data, three different populations could have served as the source population. To determine the genetic origin of the eastern Swiss red deer population, we collected samples from five different subpopulations in the canton of the Grisons as well as from four adjacent populations in Germany, Liechtenstein, Austria, and Italy. We analyzed the samples by genotyping 18 microsatellite loci. F(ST) values, assignment tests, correspondence analysis, and fuzzy clustering clearly pointed to Liechtenstein as the most probable source population for the red deer in eastern Switzerland. In addition, our analyses revealed high gene diversity in all examined populations. Gene flow and the high genetic admixture are discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Nation-wide survey on radiation doses in diagnostic and interventional radiology in Switzerland in 1998.

A nation-wide survey on radiation doses in diagnostic and interventional radiology was conducted in Switzerland in 1998 aiming at establishing their collective radiological impact on the Swiss population. The study consisted on the one hand of surveying the frequency of more than 250 types of examinations, covering conventional radiology, mammography, fluoroscopy, angiography, interventional radiology, CT, bone densitometry, conventional tomography and dental radiology. On the other hand, for each type of examination the associated patient dose was established by modeling. The results of this study show that about 9.5 million diagnostic and interventional examinations are performed annually in Switzerland (1.34 per caput) and that the associated annual collective dose is of the order of 7100 person.Sv (1.0 mSv per caput). Switzerland is similar to other European countries in terms of the frequency of examinations and the collective dose.

Environmental Exposure↗
PubMed2000

Molecular epidemiology of HIV-1 in Switzerland: evidence for a silent mutation in the C2V3 region distinguishing intravenous drug users from homosexual men. Swiss HIV Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVES: To study the molecular epidemiology of HIV-1 strains found in Switzerland and to determine possible genetic linkages among strains sorted by risk group or geographic region. DESIGN: A cross-sectional, clinic-based survey of HIV-1 molecular sequences and linked patient history from Swiss people. METHODS: Specimens were collected from 215 HIV-1-infected people in HIV outpatient clinics of four tertiary referral centers (Lausanne, St. Gallen, Zurich, and Basel) between May and August 1996, mainly from homosexual men, injecting drug users (IDU), and heterosexually infected people. In addition, specimens collected between 1991 and 1995 in the HIV outpatient clinic at University of Geneva were included into this survey. These specimens were collected primarily for an ongoing, prospective cohort (Swiss HIV Cohort Study). Direct C2V3C3 sequences of the env gene were determined from 158 samples of peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Genetic data were analyzed with the available patient history on each specimen. RESULTS: As found in other previous studies in Europe, primarily subtype B viruses were identified, whereas seven (4%) of 158 were non-subtype B: one subtype D, four subtype A, and two subtype E. Five of seven non-B subtypes occurred in immigrants from African or Asian countries and all seven were found exclusively in individuals who had been infected by heterosexual contact. No significant clustering of strains within different study sites or risk groups was found. A silent mutation (LAI env 834) occurred significantly more often in IDU than in homosexual men (p<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Although the lack of significant clustering of strains by risk group or geographic region may result from early introduction of subtype B viruses in Switzerland, the strong association of a silent mutation with IDU suggests that, early in the epidemic, there was a unique founder virus among IDUs. The HIV epidemic in Switzerland is still predominantly caused by subtype B viruses.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2003

Does price matter? The effect of decreased price on spirits consumption in Switzerland.

BACKGROUND: On July 1st, 1999, the spirits market in Switzerland was reformed based on the World Trade Organization (WTO) agreement. The tax reform, in addition to increased competition, has resulted in a 30-50% decrease in price for foreign spirits (liquor). The purpose of the present study is to examine whether decreased prices due to the tax reform and the liberalized spirits market in Switzerland have had an effect on spirits consumption, and whether the effect differs by demographic and other correlates. METHODS: The present study uses data from a longitudinal study on changes in alcohol consumption in Switzerland's resident population. The baseline survey was conducted 3 months before the tax reform and the follow-up was conducted 28 months after the tax reform. A randomly selected sample of 4007 residents aged 15 years or older participated in the baseline survey and 73% in the follow-up survey. The data were obtained by computer-assisted telephone interview, including detailed questions on alcohol consumption, drinking habits, problem drinking, purchase of spirits and socio-demographic characteristics. RESULTS: Consumption of spirits increased after the price of spirits decreased. The increase in spirits consumption was consistent across subgroups, with the exception of the group aged 60 or older. Moreover, the increase in spirits consumption persisted even after adjustment for significant correlates of spirits consumption. Apart from age, there was no evidence that the increase in spirits consumption differed between subgroups as defined by sex, region, working status, education, smoking, drinking frequency, or average number of drinks. CONCLUSIONS: The findings demonstrate that younger people are more affected by price than older persons. This study demonstrated that price should be considered an effective policy to reduce alcohol misuse and alcohol-related problems, especially among the younger population.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Occurrence of Isospora suis in Germany, Switzerland and Austria.

Nationwide surveys for the occurrence of Isospora suis were carried out in Germany, Austria and Switzerland including a questionnaire regarding herd size, health status and management practices and a coccidiosis sampling kit for pooled faecal samples from litters of suckling piglets. A total of 184 veterinary practices participated in the survey and returned 1745 samples (331 kits) from 324 farms in the north (n = 98), south (n = 84), centre/east (n = 42) and west (n = 10) of Germany, Austria (n = 61) and Switzerland (n = 29) with larger farms in north and centre/east (average number of sows: 270 and 500) and smaller ones in the south (95), Austria (60) and Switzerland (43). Larger farms tended to have better hygienic standards (slatted floors, disinfection of the farrowing units). The majority of the participating farms (93.5%) reported problems with diarrhoea in piglets at 2-3 weeks of age, significantly associated (P < 0.001) with uneven weaning weights (94.9%). Toltrazuril (5%; Baycox) was used only rarely; however, in these farms unevenness of weaning weights was less frequently observed (P = 0.011). A 76.2% of the farms were positive for I. suis (samples contained mostly low or moderate oocyst numbers), especially in the south (P < 0.001). Oocysts were more frequently found in samples from farms with reported diarrhoea (P = 0.011), uneven weight gain (P = 0.019) or in herds of small size (P < 0.001). Disinfection, floor type or treatment with toltrazuril did not affect the frequency of observation of oocysts.

Animal Husbandry↗
PubMed2004

Follow-up of epidemiological data of cryptococcosis in Austria, Germany and Switzerland with special focus on the characterization of clinical isolates.

The present survey in Austria, Germany and Switzerland continued the survey of cryptococcosis set up by the European Confederation of Medical Mycology (ECMM) in 1997. From 2000 to 2003 77 cases have been reported. An HIV infection is still the most important risk factor (68%). Young HIV+ women from ASIA contributed to the increase of cryptococcosis in females. A total of 129 clinical isolates of both surveys were genotyped by PCR fingerprinting to study the prevalence of different genotypes. The prevalence of Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii (serotype A) with the genotypes VNA1 and VNA2 was higher in Germany and Austria (74.5%) than in Switzerland (52%), while in Switzerland the Cr. neoformans hybrids AD (26%) and Cr. neoformans var. neoformans (serotype D) (22%) were more prevalent compared with Germany and Austria (8 and 17.5% respectively). Cryptococcus gattii isolates were studied by FT-IR spectroscopy. DNA in the ITS region was sequenced to get further information about Cr. neoformans serotype AD strains and about the geographical origin of the Cr. gattii isolates. The ITS sequence of the serotype AD isolates of the genotypes VNAD1, VNAD2 and VNAD4 is usually identical to serotype A or serotype D respectively. In the three isolates of the genotype VNAD3 a genotype-specific sequence pattern was detected. Two autochthonous infections due to Cr. gattii could indicate that the genotype VGIV with the ITS type 'Asia 2' might be endemic in Europe.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Features and preliminary results of prostate cancer screening in Canton Aargau, Switzerland.

OBJECTIVE: To report the results from Switzerland's participation in the ERSPC from 1998; importantly, epidemiological data showed that Switzerland has one of the highest rates of morbidity and mortality from prostate cancer in the world. The local study protocol was accepted by the ethical committee and after the successful pilot study phase, the centre joined the ERSPC. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: From September 1998 to June 2003 10 300 men accepted an invitation for the study and were then randomized 1:1 into an active screening arm (assessed by testing prostate-specific antigen, PSA) or a control group (no intervention). The re-screening interval is 4 years and is ongoing (beginning in September 2002). The study protocol includes offering a prostate biopsy when the total PSA is >3.0 ng/mL (the main study protocol in agreement with ERSPC requirements) or when the total PSA is 1-3 ng/mL and the free-to-total PSA ratio <20% (side study protocol). RESULTS: During the first 3 years of screening 3562 men aged 55-70 years were screened; 395 (11.1%) of all participants had a total PSA of >3 ng/mL and 251 (7.4%) were eligible for the side-study. In all, 599 (17.2%) of 3562 accepted a prostate biopsy (93% of 646); 120 cases of prostate cancer were detected (3.4% detection rate). The incidence was 2.5% in main study group (positive predictive value, PPV, 24%) and 0.9% in side study group (PPV 13.6%). In radical prostatectomy specimens the cancers were mostly 'significant' (92% in main study group and 87% in side-study group). CONCLUSIONS: A randomized screening study for prostate cancer is feasible in Switzerland. A longer follow-up is needed to address within the ERSPC the primary hypothesis (that there will be a reduction in mortality in the active screening arm) and to determine the level of over/under-diagnosis and over/undertreatment in the active screening and control arms, respectively.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

Undergraduate teaching in gerodontology in Austria, Switzerland and Germany.

OBJECTIVE: To survey the present state of undergraduate teaching in the domain of gerodontology in Germany, Switzerland and Austria. STUDY PARTICIPANTS: All universities of Austria (A), Germany (D) and Switzerland (CH). PROTOCOL: A questionnaire on undergraduate teaching in gerodontology was mailed to all Deans (A: n = 3; CH: n = 4; D: n = 31) and all independent departments except paediatric dentistry and orthodontics (A: n = 11; CH: n = 15; D: n = 111). RESULTS: The questionnaires were completed and returned by 29 Deans (A: n = 2; CH: n = 4; D: n = 23) and 102 departments (A: n = 7; CH: n = 8; D: n = 87). In Austria, gerodontology is a very small component of the dental curriculum and the Deans did not want this to be increased. Most German universities claimed to teach some aspects of gerodontology to undergraduate students and 87.4% of the Deans voted for separate lectures in gerodontology. In Switzerland, gerodontology seems well established. The results of questionnaires from the independent departments revealed that in all three countries lectures were more prevalent (A: n = 0; CH: n = 4; D: n = 6) than practical training in nursing homes (A: n = 0; CH: n = 3; D: n = 6). CONCLUSION: Considering the demographical shift which is leading to an increasing proportion of elderly in the population, the weighting of gerodontology in the undergraduate dental curriculum should be considered for revision in Austria and Germany.

Austria↗
PubMed2006

Babesia spp. identified by PCR in ticks collected from domestic and wild ruminants in southern Switzerland.

Concurrent infections with vector-borne pathogens affected a cattle herd in Switzerland, and one of the pathogens was identified as Babesia bigemina, which had never been observed in this country before. Therefore, a survey of the occurrence of ruminant Babesia spp. and their tick vectors in Switzerland was conducted. A total of 2,017 ticks were collected from sheep, goats, cattle, and wild ruminants (deer, roe deer, and chamois) in southern parts of Switzerland and identified morphologically. The vast majority of the ticks (99.2%) were Ixodes ricinus, but 14 ticks from sheep and goats were identified as Dermacentor marginatus and two ticks from wild ruminants were identified as Hemaphysalis punctata. PCR analyses of 700 ticks revealed the presence of Babesia divergens (n = 6), Babesia sp. genotype EU1 (n = 14), and B. major (n = 2), whose suggested occurrence was confirmed in this study by molecular analysis, and the presence of novel Babesia sp. genotype CH1 (n = 4), which is closely related to B. odocoilei and to Babesia sp. genotype RD61 reported from North America. The identification of B. divergens and B. major in ticks collected from wild ruminants cast doubt on the postulated strict host specificity of these bovine Babesia species. Furthermore, the zoonotic Babesia sp. genotype EU1 was detected in ticks collected from domestic animals but was obtained predominantly from ticks collected from wild ruminants. More than one tick containing DNA of different Babesia spp. were collected from two red deer. Hence, the role of these game animals as reservoir hosts of Babesia spp. seems to be important but requires further investigation.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Seroprevalence of Ehrlichia canis and of canine granulocytic Ehrlichia infection in dogs in Switzerland.

Serum samples from 996 dogs in Switzerland were examined for antibodies to Ehrlichia canis and to the agent causing canine granulocytic ehrlichiosis (CGE). Ehrlichiosis, borreliosis, and systemic illness not associated with ticks were suspected in 75, 122, and 157 of these dogs, respectively. The remainder of the serum samples were obtained from clinically healthy dogs which resided north (n = 235) or south (n = 407) of the Alps. The serum samples were tested by an indirect immunofluorescence technique for antibodies to the two agents incriminated, E. canis and Ehrlichia phagocytophila, a surrogate marker of the agent of CGE. Twenty-two of 996 (2.2%) serum samples had antibodies to E. canis and were distributed as follows: 20 of 75 (26.7%) samples from dogs suspected of having ehrlichiosis, 1 of 122 (0.8%) from dogs suspected of having borreliosis, and 1 of 407 (0.2%) from healthy dogs which resided south of the Alps. Of the 75 (7.5%) serum samples that had antibodies to E. phagocytophila, significantly more samples were from ill dogs than from healthy dogs. Among the sera from healthy dogs, antibodies to E. phagocytophila were significantly more prevalent in the north. Because seropositive dogs had a history of travel outside Switzerland and because Rhipicephalus sanguineus is found exclusively south of the Alps, it was presumed that, in contrast to the agent of CGE, E. canis is not indigenous to Switzerland.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Nonagenarians and centenarians in Switzerland, 1860-2001: a demographic analysis.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To explore the rapid rise of the extremely old population, showing the magnitude of the increase and identifying demographic mechanisms underlying this increase. DESIGN: Demographic analysis using census data, yearly population estimates, and mortality statistics. SETTING: Switzerland 1860-2001. MAIN RESULTS: Indicators suggest a strong increase in the number of nonagenarians and centenarians in Switzerland as compared with other countries. The increase is mostly attributable to the decline in mortality after age 80. This decline started in the 1950s. CONCLUSION: Nonagenarians and centenarians constitute a new population, which became sizeable after 1950 in Switzerland. There is a need to monitor this population with appropriate demographic and epidemiological indicators.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

Dosage regimes in the prescription of heroin and other narcotics to chronic opioid addicts in Switzerland--Swiss national cohort study.

AIMS: Within the guidelines of the research programme on medical prescription of narcotics for opioid addicts (PROVE), heroin, morphine, and methadone were prescribed to heavily opioid addicted individuals in Switzerland since 1994. This contribution analyses the course of dose levels during the treatment period. DESIGN: Naturalistic description of consumed dosages per day and month. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: The study describes the dosages prescribed to all individuals who began outpatient treatment in the PROVE programme in Switzerland between 1994 and 1996. MEASUREMENTS: Consumed amount of narcotics per day and the course of dosage of injectable heroin in different treatment regimes. FINDINGS: Heroin was the most frequently prescribed narcotic. Of all consumption days, heroin had been applied in 77% as injection and in 9% in a smokeable form. The mean daily dosage was 474 mg for intravenous application and 993 mg for the smokeable form. Second most frequent was the prescription of oral methadone, in most cases in combination with heroin. The mean amount of daily consumption of oral methadone was 53 mg. There were dosage differences between treatment regimes. During the course of treatment the mean dosage for injectable heroin per day decreased significantly and, depending on the treatment regime, almost linearly. CONCLUSIONS: The significance of heroin dosages in heroin-assisted therapy for treatment outcome should be further explored, especially in the light of the markedly higher dosages in Switzerland compared to the UK. During the treatment period, dosages did not increase but generally decreased, indicating no further increase in tolerance.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2004

Health care resource utilization and costs of NSAID-induced gastrointestinal toxicity. A population-based study in Switzerland.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The well-recognized gastrointestinal toxicity of NSAIDs ranges from mild symptoms to severe complications requiring medical attention and leading to work loss. The present study evaluates the economic burden derived from health care resource utilization and work loss caused by NSAID-induced gastrointestinal toxicity in the Swiss population. The costs induced by conventional and COX2-selective NSAIDs were calculated separately, and the results were then extrapolated for the United States. METHODS: A computer-generated random sampling of the Swiss population (n = 6,118) was administered a questionnaire by phone. Questions investigated NSAID intake, occurrence of adverse effects, consumption of gastroprotective drugs, health care resource utilization and work loss. Country-specific direct and indirect costs associated with NSAID-induced gastrointestinal toxicity were calculated according to current reimbursement costs in Switzerland and the United States. Medication expenses were used to compute separate iatrogenic cost factors for conventional and COX2-selective NSAIDs. The ability of demographic variables and symptoms to predict resource utilization was analyzed by univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: From among the 6,085 responders (99.5% response rate), 294 subjects had gastrointestinal adverse effects associated with NSAID intake. The annual amount spent on NSAID-related adverse effects was CHF 432.2 million for Switzerland and USD 7,425.7 million for the United States. This amount corresponded to CHF 581 and USD 272 per NSAID user, and was primarily due to costs derived from work loss. For Switzerland, 91.1% of total costs were associated with the use of conventional NSAIDs and could be saved by using COX2-NSAIDs instead. While additional 13% of the medication purchase costs are spent for gastrointestinal adverse effects among COX2-selective NSAID users, additional 315% are spent for the same reason among conventional NSAID users. Thus, given similar efficacy and purchase costs in the two drug groups, COX2-selective NSAIDs are 25.1 times more cost-effective than conventional NSAIDs. Language region, place of residence, nationality, marital status, epigastric pain, diarrhea, hematemesis and melena predicted resource utilization. CONCLUSIONS: Costs arising from NSAID-induced gastrointestinal toxicity are considerable and primarily associated with conventional NSAIDs. COX2-selective NSAIDs could decrease this economic burden.

Absenteeism↗
PubMed2005

HIV dermatology in Switzerland--from the beginning to the present.

The panendemic of HIV has markedly influenced the dermatology of our generation. This new infection produced atypical manifestations of known dermatological diseases. And beyond that, mucocutaneous diseases emerged, which had not yet been described. Classical epidemiological studies concluded that clustering of AIDS cases could be explained only if AIDS was an infection transmitted by sexual activity or blood. Switzerland was hit early on by the HIV epidemic, and Theo Rufli, the leading expert on sexually transmitted diseases in our country, was involved from the beginning. He contributed with his team to a better delineation of the cutaneous manifestations of HIV infection by directing one of the largest prospective studies on the natural course of cutaneous manifestations of HIV. In addition, he participated in studies which documented new skin diseases in HIV-infected patients. From the very beginning of the epidemic in Switzerland, Theo Rufli founded an organization which helped patients cope with their diagnosis. In Basel, an anonymous consultation facility was established. Theo Rufli also strongly supported the 'Stop AIDS' campaign. This review looks back on the history of HIV in Switzerland and especially in Basel.

Dermatology↗
PubMed2005

[The development of obstetric ultrasound in Switzerland].

Ultrasound has conquered obstetrics during the last 40 years. Today it is an integral part of antenatal care. Its broad use as a screening method has pushed critics who found open doors at health authorities facing short resources. In Switzerland in early 1996, routine ultrasound as a health technology was temporarily excluded from reimbursement by the health insurances. Under the pressure of the public, the health authorities had to reintroduce reimbursement within a few months. However, reimbursement was linked with several conditions: the ultrasound examination has to be performed by physicians with adequate training and experience; routine ultrasound needs a strict informed consent, and its benefit has to be evidenced. This decision has had a positive impact on quality. After 7 years, Switzerland has a good training program; guidelines for prenatal ultrasound already exist in their second edition, and spot checks of performance showed that quality in Switzerland meets international standards. Ultrasound mainly has a positive cost-effectiveness ratio due to the detection of fetal malformations with consecutive termination of pregnancy. Since termination of pregnancy is ethically questionable, the discussion with respect to reimbursement will most probably go on. In this light, a comprehensive informed consent of the pregnant women is essential.

Female↗
PubMed2005

Stroke rehabilitation in Switzerland versus the United States: a preliminary comparison.

This article compares the structure and process of rehabilitation for stroke patients at 2 internationally recognized rehabilitation hospitals, Klinik Valens ("Valens") in Switzerland and the William Donald Schaeffer Rehabilitation Hospital at Kernan ("Kernan") in the United States. Although the patient mix, structure, and process of rehabilitation were similar in many regards, there were some important differences. Most notably, on average, patients at the U.S. hospital were discharged from rehabilitation at approximately the same day poststroke that rehabilitation began in Switzerland. Patients remained in an inpatient setting an average of 40 days longer in Switzerland (for the combination of acute care and rehabilitation) and had significantly higher levels of functioning at discharge when compared to their U.S. counterparts. The authors' findings suggest that Europe may offer opportunities for rehabilitation research that would be difficult to duplicate in the United States and highlight policy-relevant questions for future studies aimed at developing efficient managed care systems for stroke survivors.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2004

Seroepidemiology of Herpes Simplex virus type 1 and 2 in Western and Southern Switzerland in adults aged 25-74 in 1992-93: a population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Genital herpes is one of the most prevalent sexually-transmitted diseases, and accounts for a substantial morbidity. Genital herpes puts newborns at risk for very severe disease and also increases the risk of horizontal HIV transmission. It thus stands as an important public health problem. The recent availability of type-specific gG-based assays detecting IgG against HSV-1 and HSV-2 allows to establish the prevalence of each subtype. Worldwide, few data have been published regarding the seroprevalence in general populations of HSV-2, the major causative agent for genital herpes, while no data exist regarding the Swiss population. METHODS: To evaluate the prevalence of IgG antibodies against HSV-1 and HSV-2 in Switzerland, we used a population-based serum repository from a health examination survey conducted in the Western and Southern area of Switzerland in 1992-93. A total of 3,120 sera were analysed by type-specific gG-based ELISA and seroprevalence was correlated with available volunteers characteristics by logistic regression. RESULTS: Overall, seroprevalence rates were 80.0 +/- 0.9% (SE, 95% CI: 78.1-81.8) for HSV-1 and 19.3 +/- 0.9% (SE, 95% CI: 17.6-21.1) for HSV-2 in adults 35-64 year old. HSV-1 and HSV-2 seroprevalence increased with age, with a peak HSV-2 seroprevalence in elderly gentlemen, possibly a seroarcheological evidence of sexually transmitted disease epidemics during World War II. Risk factors for HSV-2 infection included female sex, marital status other than married, and size of town of residence larger than 1500 inhabitants. Unexpectedly and conversely to HSV-1, HSV-2 seroprevalence increased with educational level. HSV-2 infection was less prevalent among HSV-1 infected individuals when compared to HSV-1 uninfected individuals. This effect was most apparent among women at high risk for HSV-2 infection. CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrate that by the early nineties, HSV-2 had spread quite largely in the Swiss population. However, the epidemiology of HSV-2 in Switzerland presents paradoxical characteristics, e.g. positive correlation with education level, that have not been observed elsewhere.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

The effects of economic deprivation on psychological well-being among the working population of Switzerland.

BACKGROUND: The association between poverty and mental health has been widely investigated. There is, however, limited evidence of mental health implications of working poverty, despite its representing a rapidly expanding segment of impoverished populations in many developed nations. In this study, we examined whether working poverty in Switzerland, a country with substantial recent growth among the working poor, was correlated with two dependent variables of interest: psychological health and unmet mental health need. METHODS: This cross-sectional study used data drawn from the first 3 waves (1999-2001) of the Swiss Household Panel, a nationally representative sample of the permanent resident population of Switzerland. The study sample comprised 5453 subjects aged 20-59 years. We used Generalized Estimating Equation models to investigate the association between working poverty and psychological well-being; we applied logistic regression models to analyze the link between working poverty and unmet mental health need. Working poverty was represented by dummy variables indicating financial deficiency, restricted standard of living, or both conditions. RESULTS: After controlling other factors, restricted standard of living was significantly (p < .001) negatively correlated with psychological well-being; it was also associated with approximately 50% increased risk of unmet mental health need (OR = 1.55; 95% CI 1.17-2.06). CONCLUSION: The findings of this study contribute to our understanding of the potential psychological impact of material deprivation on working Swiss citizens. Such knowledge may aid in the design of community intervention programs to help reduce the individual and societal burdens of poverty in Switzerland.

Adult↗