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PubMed2006

Food preparation by young adults is associated with better diet quality.

OBJECTIVE: To describe food-preparation behaviors, cooking skills, resources for preparing food, and associations with diet quality among young adults. DESIGN: Cross-sectional analyses were performed in a sample of young adults who responded to the second wave of a population-based longitudinal study. Measures pertaining to food preparation were self-reported and dietary intake was assessed by a food frequency questionnaire, both by a mailed survey. SUBJECTS/SETTING: Males (n = 764) and females (n = 946) ages 18 to 23 years. STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED: Cross-tabulations and chi2 tests were used to examine associations between food preparation, skills/resources for preparing foods, and characteristics of young adults. Mixed regression models were used to generate expected probabilities of meeting the Healthy People 2010 dietary objectives according to reported behaviors and skills/resources. RESULTS: Food-preparation behaviors were not performed by the majority of young adults even weekly. Sex (male), race (African American), and living situation (campus housing) were significantly related to less frequent food preparation. Lower perceived adequacy of skills and resources for food preparation was related to reported race (African American or Hispanic) and student status (part-time or not in school). The most common barrier to food preparation was lack of time, reported by 36% of young adults. Young adults who reported frequent food preparation reported less frequent fast-food use and were more likely to meet dietary objectives for fat (P < 0.001), calcium (P < 0.001), fruit (P < 0.001), vegetable (P < 0.001), and whole-grain (P = 0.003) consumption. CONCLUSIONS: To improve dietary intake, interventions among young adults should teach skills for preparing quick and healthful meals.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

The relationship between hand paraesthesia and occupational factors: results from a population study.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association of occupational factors, both physical and psychosocial, with hand paraesthesia, and whether any such associations differ according to the concurrent presence of neck and upper limb pain (NULP). METHODS: A questionnaire was mailed to an age-stratified random sample of 9596 adults. All subjects were asked about hand paraesthesia in the past 4 weeks. Information was obtained on respondents' main job (the job held for the longest time), whether this job involved any of six neck or upper limb activities on most or all days of the working week, and questions on the psychosocial aspects of the work environment. The questionnaire also asked about NULP according to a preshaded manikin. RESULTS: A total of 5133 people replied to the survey (adjusted response 53.5%). Of these, 1592 reported abnormal feelings in the hands (prevalence of 31.9%). Prolonged gripping, prolonged bending of the neck forwards, working with arms at/above shoulder height, low job control, many changes in tasks and low job support were independently associated with hand paraesthesia. Among responders also reporting NULP, working with arms at/above shoulder height and many changes in tasks were independently associated with hand paraesthesia; prolonged gripping was linked to hand paraesthesia in the absence of NULP. CONCLUSIONS: Hand paraesthesia is associated with physical and psychosocial workplace factors, although different work-related factors were associated with hand paraesthesia according to the concurrent presence of NULP, suggesting that these symptoms may not always be mediated in the same way.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Health promotion programme in the private workplaces in Singapore: a prevalence survey.

A postal survey was conducted in 4,479 private companies with at least 50 employees in 1998 to determine the prevalence and the scope of workplace health promotion programme in these companies in Singapore. The self-administered questionnaire mailed to the study population covered five areas viz, organisational details, workplace health policies, health promotion and related activities, workplace health facilities and the source of assistance for the programme. The overall response was 49.5%. Parkinson's definition of workplace health promotion was used in the analysis to determine the prevalence of the programme. The data was collated on DBase IV and analysed using SPSS computer programmes. About one third of the respondents covering an estimated 26% of the private sector workforce had a comprehensive workplace health promotion programme as defined by Parkinson. This prevalence was a function of workforce size and industry type. Workplaces with larger workforce size (p<0.001) and those from the manufacturing and human/health service sectors (p<0.001) were more likely to have such programmes compared to their smaller counterparts and other industries respectively. The management remained the main driver behind these programmes. Many of the programmes were centred around health promoting policies and facilities with emphasis on occupational healthl safety and smoking issues. A significant proportion of workplaces surveyed had in place a comprehensive workplace health promotion programme. However, more could still be done to encourage its uptake such as training for facilitators, consultation, grant provision etc. Small workplaces remained an untapped market for such programmes.

Chi-Square Distribution↗
PubMed2006

Prevalence of hand dermatoses related to latex exposure amongst dentists in Queensland, Australia.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the epidemiology of hand dermatoses symptoms and allergies, particularly those that suggested possible latex allergy. METHODS: In 2004, a self-reporting questionnaire was mailed to a random sample of 400 dentists from the Queensland Branch of the Australian Dental Association. RESULTS: A total of 285 questionnaires (73.1%) were completed and returned. Of the respondents, 73.3% were male and 26.7% female, with a mean age of 45.2 years (SD = 11.9 years) of whom 89.1% were general dentists, the remainder being specialists. Almost one third (29.1%) had experienced symptoms of hand dermatoses at some stage during the previous 12 months, with 15.1% experiencing symptoms during the previous three weeks. The most common symptom or sign was dry and cracked hands or fingers (22.5%). Only 2.1% of dentists had been medically diagnosed with latex allergy. The most common symptom or sign following the use of latex products was dermatitis (11.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Overall, this study showed that occupational dermatoses constitute a major occupational health problem among dentists in Queensland, Australia. Symptoms appear to be reported at a similar prevalence to other studies in developed countries. The identification of atopic dermatitis as a significant risk factor again stresses the importance of allergic disease and its relationship with occupational skin conditions. Although reducing exposure to potential allergens and irritants is an important minimisation strategy, further research is needed to identify occupational and non-occupational factors associated with occupational dermatoses in dental personnel.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The use of infrared ear thermometers in pediatric and family practice offices.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the use of infrared (IR) ear thermometers in pediatric and family practice offices. METHODS: The authors mailed a questionnaire to 350 randomly selected members of the American Academy of Pediatrics and to 355 randomly selected members of the American Academy of Family Physicians. RESULTS: Of respondents in clinical practice, 78% had used IR ear thermometers at least once in the past; 65% of pediatricians and 64% of family practice physicians were current users. Seventeen percent of pediatric offices and 18% of family practice offices that had used IR ear thermometers had discontinued use, most citing inaccuracy or lack of staff trust in the device. Pediatric offices were less likely than family practice offices to use the device in well neonates and sick neonates and more likely to use it in sick children. Advantages cited included rapid readings, ease of use, and accuracy. Seventy-five percent of current users reported at least one problem, including low readings and lack of staff trust. CONCLUSIONS: IR ear thermometers are widely used in pediatric and family practice offices. Some offices limit use of these devices to older children and adults, and most of the offices surveyed report using other devices as a check on the accuracy of IR thermometers. Statements by professional organizations that provide user guidelines and establish appropriate age cut-offs would be helpful.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

An investigation of the effect of prolonged glove wearing on the hand skin health of dental healthcare workers.

OBJECTIVES: Glove wearing during patient treatment has been central to dental surgery infection control for over 15 years. However, little is known about the cutaneous effects of glove wearing on the hands of dental healthcare workers (DHCWs). The objective of this project was to assess the hand skin health of DHCWs before and after wearing gloves of two types and to compare this with a control group of non-DHCWs. METHODS: Following a mailing to all dentists in the West of Scotland, 50 DHCWs who wore gloves during dental treatment procedures for a minimum of 8h daily for at least 4 days per week were invited to participate in the project. The control group comprised 25 subjects who did not routinely use surgical or examination gloves. Hands were assessed by clinical examination and by transepidermal water loss at baseline, 1 month and 3 months. RESULTS: Of the 50 DHCWs, 26 wore a non-powdered latex glove (Microtouch Powder-free: Johnson and Johnson, Arligton, TX, US), and 24 wore a nitrile glove (Hartalega SDN BHD, Malaysia) from the time of the baseline examination until the 3-month examination. No differences were observed in hand skin health between the control group and the DHCWs at baseline, nor between those wearing the latex or nitrile gloves during the 3 month period of the study. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that the hand skin health of the DHCWs examined were no different from those of a control group of non-DHCWs, and that the wearing of the two types of gloves used in the 3 month study had no significant effect.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1999

Intraoperatively acquired pressure ulcer prevalence: a national study.

OBJECTIVE: This study was completed to determine the prevalence and identify comorbid conditions for intraoperatively acquired pressure ulcers. DESIGN: A multisite, descriptive study was conducted. SETTING AND SUBJECTS: A multisite sample population of patients from 33 of 50 states undergoing a surgical procedure of at least 3 hours' duration was studied. INSTRUMENTS: A Hospital Background Data Form and a Patient Data Form were constructed to collect demographic data and information pertinent to surgically acquired pressure ulcerations. The Weighted Index Comorbidity Scale was incorporated into the Patient Data Form. METHODS: Institutional and patient data forms were mailed to 1543 members of WOCN who practiced in an acute care facility. Each member was asked to collect data on those patients who had surgeries of 3 hours or longer during a period of 1 week. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patient and facility characteristics, visual observations of the patient's skin over a 72-hour period after surgery, and the Weighted Index Comorbidity Scale were used to determine the prevalence of surgically acquired pressure ulcers and the presence of relevant comorbid conditions. RESULTS: An analysis of 104 returned facility surveys including 1128 patients was completed. The prevalence of pressure ulceration among this group was 8.5%. Forty percent of those surveyed underwent a procedure lasting approximately 3 hours and 33% underwent surgery lasting more than 5 hours. As the length of surgery increased, so did the percentage of patients with pressure ulcers. Most patients had at least 1 comorbid condition (78%). CONCLUSIONS: The risk of intraoperative ulcerations increases as surgical time increases. Although patients with comorbid conditions known to affect the risk of ulceration under normal circumstances experienced pressure ulcers in this investigation, no significant relationship was found to link the presence of these conditions to an increased risk of intraoperatively acquired ulcers. Therefore all surgical patients undergoing prolonged procedures should be considered at risk for intraoperative ulceration.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Health-related quality of life in functional GI disorders: focus on constipation and resource utilization.

OBJECTIVE: Functional GI disorders are common in the general population. However, their impact on health status and health resource use in Canada has not been well examined. We describe 1) health-related quality of life in Canadians with functional constipation or other functional GI disorders versus Canadian normative data or those without a functional GI disorder and 2) health resource utilization in subject's self-reporting of constipation. METHODS: An independent research firm was employed to conduct a randomly selected national survey examining GI symptoms and personal health. Household members 18 yr or older were recruited by a random-digit dial technique. Participants were then mailed a questionnaire and data were retrieved by a follow-up phone call. All functional GI disorders were defined using Rome II criteria, and constipation was further defined using self-report. Health-related quality of life was assessed using the Short Form 36. RESULTS: One thousand one hundred forty-nine subjects (49.3% male) with a mean age of 42.2 yr completed the survey. The prevalence of any Rome II functional GI disorder was 61.7%. The rate of functional constipation was 14.9%, whereas that of self-reported constipation was 27.2%. The mean physical and mental component summary and eight subscores of the Short Form 36 were significantly lower (p < 0.05) than Canadian norms for both self-reported constipation and Rome II functional constipation. Subjects with no GI disorder had significantly better Short Form 36 scores than the Canadian norms. The rate of physician visits for constipation was strongly predicted by the physical component of the Short Form 36. Most subjects (66.2%) were satisfied with their current constipation treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Constipation is common in the Canadian population and significantly impairs health-related quality of life. Poor quality of life is an important predictor of health care utilization in these subjects.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Joint effects of radiation and smoking on lung cancer risk among atomic bomb survivors.

Results are given on the joint effect of radiation exposure and cigarette smoking on lung cancer risks among A-bomb survivors, based on 592 cases through 1994. Information on smoking was derived from mail surveys and clinical interviews of 45113 persons in the Radiation Effects Research Foundation cohort. Radiation and smoking effects on lung cancer are found to be significantly sub-multiplicative and quite consistent with additivity. The smoking relative risk, previously very low in studies of this cohort, is now similar to that found in Western populations. This increase is likely to be related to the scarcity of cigarettes during and after the war. The smoking relative risk depends little on sex. After adjusting for smoking, the radiation-related risks relative to background rates for nonsmokers are similar to those for other solid cancers: a sex-averaged ERR/Sv of about 0.9 with a female:male sex ratio of about 1.6. Adjusting for smoking removes a spuriously large female:male ratio in radiation relative risk due to confounding between sex and smoking level. The adjustment also removes an artifactual age-at-exposure effect in the radiation relative risk, opposite in direction to other cancers, which is due to birth cohort variation in lung cancer rates.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Body size and risk of kidney stones.

A variety of factors influence the formation of calcium oxalate kidney stones, including gender, diet, and urinary excretion of calcium, oxalate, and uric acid. Several of these factors may be related to body size. Because men on average have a larger body size and a threefold higher lifetime risk of stone formation than women, body size may be an important risk factor for calcium oxalate stone formation. The association between body size (height, weight, and body mass index) and the risk of kidney stone formation was studied in two large cohorts: the Nurses' Health Study (NHS; n = 89,376 women) and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study (HPFS; n = 51,529 men). Information on body size, kidney stone formation, and other exposures of interest was obtained by mailed questionnaires. A total of 1078 incident cases of kidney stones in NHS during 14 yr of follow-up and a total of 956 cases in HPFS during 8 yr of follow-up were confirmed. In both cohorts, the prevalence of a stone disease history and the incidence of stone disease were directly associated with weight and body mass index. However, the magnitude of the associations was consistently greater among women. Specifically, the age-adjusted prevalence odds ratio for women with body mass index > or = 32 kg/m2 compared with 21 to 22.9 kg/m2 was 1.76 (95% confidence interval, 1.50 to 2.07), but 1.38 (95% confidence interval, 1.16 to 1.65) for the same comparison in men. For incident stone formation, the multivariate relative risks for the similar comparisons were 1.89 (1.51 to 2.36) for women and 1.19 (0.83 to 1.70) in men. Height was inversely associated with the prevalence of stone disease but was not associated with incident stone formation. These results suggest that body size is associated with the risk of stone formation and that the magnitude of risk varies by gender. Additional studies are necessary to determine whether a reduction in body weight decreases the risk of stone formation, particularly in women.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Dietary intake of fruits, vegetables, and fat in Olmsted County, Minnesota.

OBJECTIVE: To assess self-reported dietary intake in the adult population of Olmsted County, Minnesota. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We conducted a random-digit-dial telephone survey between March 1 and April 21, 1999, of 1232 adults residing in Olmsted County, Minnesota. We then mailed a structured questionnaire to the survey respondents and achieved a response rate of 732 individuals. Percentages of individuals and predictors of those who meet recommendations for intake of fruits and vegetables and for dietary fats were determined by using chi2 tests of general association and multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Only 16% of the population of Olmsted County reported meeting standard dietary recommendations for consuming both 5 or more servings of fruits and/or vegetables per day and no more than 30% of calories from fat. Fifty-one percent of the population was meeting neither recommendation. Women were more likely than men to report meeting both goals (22% vs 8%, P<.001), but still more women were meeting neither goal than were meeting both goals (40% vs 22%, P<.001). Multivariate logistic regression revealed the following factors to predict adherence to both goals: female sex, lower body mass index, nonsmoker, history of high cholesterol, and daily physical activity. CONCLUSION: Few individuals in Olmsted County are meeting national recommendations for intake of fruits, vegetables, and dietary fat. More effective interventions are needed to improve dietary habits in all subgroups of this community.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Characteristics of subjects with secondary otalgia.

AIMS: To investigate whether secondary otalgia is associated with cervical spine disorder (CSD), temporomandibular disorders (TMD), or both, and to describe the pain characteristics and the comorbidity of secondary otalgia in subjects with and without CSD and TMD. METHODS: A mailed questionnaire was sent to a random sample of 2,500 people aged 25 to 65 years. Altogether 1,720 recipients responded. Inclusion criteria were pain inside or around the ear without infection, tumor, or trauma, of 6 or more months duration, and a pain frequency of at least once a month. Altogether 152 respondents fulfilled the criteria, and of these 100 participated in the clinical examinations and interviews. RESULTS: Based on standardized examinations and interviews, 91 subjects had secondary otalgia and 9 had primary otalgia. Most (85%) of the 91 subjects with secondary otalgia also had signs and symptoms of TMD and/or CSD and were therefore classified into 3 groups: CSD (35%), TMD (20%), or "Combination," ie, signs and symptoms of both TMD and CSD (30%). Subjects without CSD or TMD (15%) reported the same level of intensity and impact of otalgia on daily living and psychological distress as the others but less frequent head and neck pain and fewer sleep-related problems. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the subjects reporting secondary otalgia also suffered from CSD or TMD or both. Thus, in patients with secondary otalgia, an examination of the cervical spine and the stomatognathic system should be routinely performed.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1994

Clustering of hypertension, diabetes, and obesity in adult male twins: same genes or same environments?

We investigated the mediating role of genetic factors in the clustering of hypertension, diabetes, and obesity, using the twin registry maintained by the National Academy of Sciences--National Research Council. The study sample included 2,508 male twin pairs born between 1917 and 1927 who responded to a mailed questionnaire that covered demographic variables, cardiovascular risk factors, and health behaviors. The incidence of hypertension and diabetes in this cohort was ascertained from subjects' self-report of a physician diagnosis and/or the use of prescription medications. The body-mass index calculated from self-reports of height and weight was used as a measure of obesity. Descriptive analyses indicated probandwise concordance rates of 34.0%, 31.2%, and 32.7%, respectively, for the joint occurrences of hypertension and diabetes, hypertension and obesity, and diabetes and obesity in MZ twin pairs. Corresponding concordance rates in DZ twin pairs were 8.1%, 14.9%, and 2.8%. The probandwise concordance for the clustering of all three conditions in the same individuals was 31.6% in MZ pairs and 6.3% in DZ pairs (relative risk 5.0; X2(1) = 2.6; P < .15). Multivariate genetic modeling of the correlation in liabilities to develop these conditions suggested the presence of a common latent factor mediating the clustering of hypertension, diabetes, and obesity in this twin sample. This common factor was influenced by both genetic and environmental effects (59% 8 genetic, 41% environmental). The genetic influences on the common latent factor were due to dominant rather than additive sources; the environmental influences appeared to be specific rather than shared by co-twins.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Overlap between dental anxiety and blood-injury fears: psychological characteristics and response to dental treatment.

The relationship between dental anxiety and blood/body injury (BI) fears was examined in a sample of 1420 adults. Based on their responses to two mail questionnaires, they were classified into one of four groups: Group 1--neither dentally anxious nor BI fearful; Group 2--BI fearful only; Group 3--dentally anxious only; Group 4--both dentally anxious and BI fearful. Overall, only 16% of dentally anxious subjects were BI fearful while 31.6% of those with high levels of BI fears were dentally anxious. While subjects in Group 2 were more fearful of dentistry than those in Group 1, they were substantially less so than subjects in Groups 3 and 4. Moreover, even BI stimuli in the dental setting evoked lower levels of anxiety for subjects in Group 2 compared to Group 3 and 4. However, rates of fainting or near fainting experiences in the dental situation were similar for all three groups. Group 3 and 4 were similar in terms of fear evoking stimuli and patterns of anxiety response. Subjects in Group 4 had more agoraphobic symptoms and social interaction fears and had higher scores on the Anxiety Sensitivity Index and Speilberger Trait Anxiety Index. This suggests that Group 4 is comprised of individuals who are more likely to be multiphobic and exhibit generalized anxiety states. Although BI fears are a significant component of dental anxiety, their overall contribution is relatively small.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Avoidance of dental visits: the predictive validity of three dental anxiety scales.

The purpose of this study was to determine the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values for Corah's Dental Anxiety Scale (DAS) and two modified versions of it (MDAS; MDAS/4). A questionnaire was mailed to a simple random sample of 1,190 25-year-old residents in the west of Norway in 1997. Half the sample received DAS, the other half MDAS. The response rate after one reminder was 62%. The respondents completed the scales, gave demographic particulars and answered one question about dental visiting habits during the last 5 years plus an open-ended question about reasons for non-attendance. Using the answers to the latter question as validating criterion, it was found that, for all scales, sensitivity decreased while specificity improved when changing from a liberal to a stringent cut-off point. The scales gave low positive predictive values (< or = 0.26), but high negative predictive values (> or = 0.98). Since DAS and MDAS/4 gave almost identical findings, the two samples were combined. At a cut-off point > or = 13 sensitivity was 0.83, specificity 0.84, positive predictive value 0.18 and negative predictive value 0.99. The corresponding estimates when the cut-off point was > or = 15 were 0.67, 0.90, 0.22 and 0.98. It is concluded that, in this test, DAS and the two versions of MDAS gave acceptable, or near acceptable sensitivity, specificity and negative predictive values, but far too low positive predictive values to be useful for prediction at the individual level.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Attitudes and opinions of French cardiologists towards smoking.

To assess attitudes and opinions of French cardiologists towards tobacco, a postal survey was performed in 1993 of all members of the French Society of Cardiology using a questionnaire designed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International Union against tuberculosis and lung diseases (IUATLD) for health professionals. 730 cardiologists responded to the mailing. The mean age of them was 47 + or - 9 years, 84% were males. The prevalence of smoking was 27% (14% daily smokers and 13% occasionally smokers). There were more never smokers in age group < 45 than in those aged 45 and more (33% vs 21%). Of daily smokers, 42% claimed to have made a serious attempt to stop smoking, but only 16% expected to have stopped within five years of the survey. French cardiologists aged 29-45 years had a better knowledge of tobacco related respiratory and cardiovascular diseases than those over 45 years old. Only 64% (54% of daily smokers) would counsel a patient to stop smoking if he did not have a smoking related illness and did not himself raise the question. 53% thought they had sufficient knowledge to advise their patients on stopping smoking. The results compared to those of the French general practitioners survey, showed a lower prevalence of daily smokers. French cardiologists especially those aged 29-45, have a better knowledge of the risk of cardiovascular diseases. But only 64% of them would advise any smoker patients. These results also demonstrated the influence of personal smoking on the attitude of cardiologists towards smoker patients.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Prevalence of urinary incontinence in community dwelling men: a cross sectional nationwide epidemiological survey.

PURPOSE: Epidemiological studies on urinary incontinence (UI) in adult men of all ages are scarce. We aim to describe the UI phenomenon among community dwelling adult males in the United States (US). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed data from male respondents to a 14-item mailed UI symptoms questionnaire to the National Family Opinion (NFO) World Group Panel of 45,000 households matching the US 2000 census population on five key demographic elements. RESULTS: A total of 29,903 households responded, of which 21,590 were male heads of household (mean age 50 +/-15.2 years old). A total of 2,059 men (12.7%) reported symptoms of UI during the last 30 days. Symptoms of urge urinary incontinence (UUI), stress urinary incontinence (SUI), mixed urinary incontinence (MUI) symptoms, and other types of urinary incontinence (OUI) symptoms, were reported by 44.6%, 24.5%, 18.8%, and 12.3%, respectively. Among those with UI symptoms, the proportion of UUI and MUI symptoms increases with age while SUI symptoms decrease as age increases. Of those with UI symptoms, 44% consulted a physician of whom 57% did so within 6 months of the onset of symptoms. Treatments reported included absorbent pads (48%), prescription medication (30%), surgical procedure (18%), and intermittent catheterization (4%). CONCLUSIONS: Almost 1 in 10 males reported symptoms of UI. The UI prevalence rate increases with age and UUI symptoms is the most prevalent type reported. Less than half of men with UI symptoms sought professional help and half of them did so within 6 months of onset of UI symptoms.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Time trends in smoking habits among Italian young adults.

BACKGROUND: In most developed countries the prevalence of smoking habits is decreasing in men, while in women the prevalence seems to decline in Northern Europe but to increase in the Mediterranean area. The present research aims at assessing time trends in smoking habits in Italy. METHODS: In the frame of the Italian Study on Asthma in Young Adults (ISAYA) a random sample of the Italian population aged 20-45 years was administered a mailed questionnaire in 9 Italian centers between 1998 and 2000. Cumulative response was 72.7% (18873/25969). Kaplan-Meier survival curves and log-rank test were used to compare probability of remaining a life-time non-smoker across birth cohorts (1953-58, 1959-63, 1964-68, 1969-73, 1974-78). Probability to quit smoking was also evaluated among ever-smokers. RESULTS: Probability to persist as a non-smoker significantly increased across subsequent generations in both sexes. At the age of 20 years this probability amounted to 41.7% (95% CI 39.4-44.0%) in men and 52.7% (50.4-54.9%) in women born between 1953 and 1958, and it increased to 57% (54.8-59.1%) in men and 68.7% (66.6-70.7%) in women born in 1969-73, but no further decline in smoking habits was observed in the next birth cohort (1974-78). Also the probability to quit smoking significantly increased from the 1953-58 birth cohort to the 1969-73 one. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking has declined among Italian young adults of both genders. Further efforts are necessary to promote active anti-smoking campaign, especially among adolescents, which are at higher risk of starting to smoke.

Adult↗