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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

The importance of policy orientation and environment on physical activity participation--a comparative analysis between Eastern Germany, Western Germany and Finland.

Environmental and policy interventions are seen as boosting physical activity because they are designed to influence large groups. However, they have not been much researched and the evidence on their role is still quite limited. The purpose of this study was to investigate differences in and relationships between policy orientation, the objective and perceived physical environment, and physical activity between Finland, Eastern Germany and Western Germany. The data are taken from a public telephone survey carried out as part of the international MAREPS project (Methodology for the Analysis of Rationality and Effectiveness of Prevention and Health Promotion Strategies; Eastern Germany, n = 913; Western Germany, n = 489; Finland, n = 400), statistics of sports facilities and policy documents. Results from the survey showed that Finns are more active than Germans and that they differ in their way of practising physical activity from Germans. Finns were more satisfied with their opportunities for physical activity and were better informed about physical programmes and measures. Finland also has the best opportunities in indoor sports facilities and outdoor sports grounds per number of inhabitants (excluding indoor swimming pools). Analysis of policy orientations showed that Finland had the most extensive 'Sport for All' policy, although West Germany's policy orientation did not differ that much from Finland's. East Germany's policy orientation was characterized by competitive sports. A policy orientation that places emphasis on the physical activity of the whole population seems to be related to better opportunities and a better infrastructure for sports and physical activity. This study suggests that there is a relationship between policy orientation, physical environment and physical activity participation.

Attitude to Health↗
PubMed2002

T(H)1/T(H)2 immune response profiles differ between atopic children in eastern and western Germany.

BACKGROUND: Lower prevalence rates for childhood respiratory allergies have been reported in eastern Germany than in western Germany. OBJECTIVE: Because allergic phenotypes are thought to be associated with an unbalanced T(H)1/T(H)2 T cell effector response, a cross-sectional investigation was carried out as part of the German ISAAC Phase II study to determine whether T(H)1/T(H)2 capacity might have developed in different directions during the separation between the 2 parts of the country. METHODS: In a community-based random sample of 9- to 11-year-old (n = 6399) and 5- to 7-year-old (n = 6202) children in eastern and western Germany, the prevalence of atopy was assessed. Heparinized blood samples were collected from a subgroup of children stratified according to the number of older siblings. T(H)1 and T(H)2 cytokine productivity was determined after stimulation with phorbol ester plus ionomycin. RESULTS: Individuals who grew up in eastern Germany had a marked bias toward T(H)0 responsiveness (>60%), regardless of whether they were atopic. In contrast, the children of western Germany, particularly when they were atopic, showed T(H)2 polarization. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first epidemiologic survey to demonstrate regional differences in the T(H)1/T(H)2 response pattern and their relation to atopic disease between regions.

Asthma↗
PubMed2002

[Development of mortality in western and eastern Germany since 1991].

At the beginning of the 1990s, life expectancy was clearly higher in the western part of Germany than in the eastern part (life table 1991/93, difference in life expectancy of newborn boys 3.25 years, girls 2.3 years). Since then the life expectancy has increased in western and eastern Germany differently. Despite a harmonization, differences still exist (life table 1997/99: boys 1.8 years, girls 0.8 years). Based on age-specific mortality rates, the decrease of mortality between 1991 and 1999 was particularly strong in the group of 25- to 35-year-old persons in eastern Germany as well as in the group of 30- to 35-year-old persons in western Germany. The largest differences in mortality - based on the probabilities of death in 1997/99 - are evident in the group of 18-year-old men and women as well as in the group of men between 35 and 44 years. At present women in eastern Germany show a lower mortality in some age groups than in western Germany.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Duration of breastfeeding and associated factors in Western and Eastern Germany.

UNLABELLED: Ten years after the German political reunification, specific lifestyle habits still vary between the former Western (FRG) and Eastern (GDR) sectors of Germany. We have analysed data from the first nationwide SuSe Study on breastfeeding 1997-1998 (n = 1593 healthy, term German infants) stratified in a Western (80.3%) and Eastern (19.7%) subgroup. In the Eastern subgroup, breastfeeding was higher for the first 2 wk but decreased more rapidly thereafter. The adjusted relative risk (odds ratios, OR) for short-term breastfeeding was strongly associated (OR >2) with maternal age, supplementary feeding, single parent status, maternal educational status, breastfeeding problems and partner's attitude towards breastfeeding. In the multivariate model, not the geographical location where the mother grew up but the different distribution of risk factors was associated with short-term breastfeeding. Moreover, mothers from both the Western and Eastern sectors mentioned different reasons for giving up breastfeeding. CONCLUSION: More breastfeeding promotion is necessary for women from the former GDR.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Internal lead and cadmium exposure in 6-year-old children from western and eastern Germany.

Lead and cadmium levels in blood and deciduous teeth (shed incisors only) of 6-year-old German children were determined in 1991 in a large epidemiological study carried out in rural and urban areas of western Germany (Duisburg, Essen, Gelsenkirchen, Dortmund, Borken) and eastern Germany (Leipzig, Halle, Magdeburg, Osterburg, Gardelelegen, Salzwedel). In total, blood lead and cadmium levels of 2311 German children and tooth lead and cadmium levels of 790 German children were analyzed. Blood lead levels were generally low in all study areas with geometric means between 39.3 micrograms/l and 50.8 micrograms/l in the western German and between 42.3 micrograms/l and 68.1 micrograms/l in the eastern German study areas. The mean blood lead level of Turkish children (n = 213) living in the western German study areas was 50.1 micrograms/l and thus 5.6 micrograms/l higher than the overall geometric mean of the western German children. The higher exposure may be explained by a higher oral uptake from food and different living conditions. These children were excluded from multiple regression analysis because they were all living in the western study areas. The mean tooth lead levels ranged between 1.50 and 1.74 micrograms/g in the western and between 1.51 micrograms/g and 2.72 micrograms/g in the eastern study areas. Thus, they show a distribution pattern similar to blood. Blood and tooth lead levels were higher in urban than in rural areas and higher in the eastern German than in the western German study areas. With regard to the blood and tooth cadmium concentrations, no significant differences between the study areas could be found.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cadmium↗
PubMed1997

[Clinical picture, diagnosis and therapy of acromegaly patients in Eastern and Western Germany].

Acromegaly, a chronic disease characterized by an excessive secretion of growth hormone (GH), is not commonly diagnosed timely enough. Therefore, investigations have been conducted through standardized questionnaires concerning the path to diagnosis, clinical data, therapy, and the patient care of 46 acromegalic patients. The acquired information has been compared in the former Eastern and Western German states. The mean duration of disease before diagnosis was estimated to be 6.1 +/- 5.3 years in the area surrounding Erlangen and 9.3 +/- 7.3 years in the Leipzig and Dresden areas. Despite current trends, a significant difference could not be established regarding the age in which the first symptoms are noted, time of diagnosis, and the delay between the two points in time General practitioners have diagnosed about 35 percent of the occurrences of acromegaly, 15 percent of the cases were accidentally found and about as many were discovered in hospitals. 11 percent of the occurrences were diagnosed by neurologists and another 11 percent by internists. The remaining cases were established by eye specialists. ENT departments, orthopedic specialists or gynaecologists. The most frequent symptoms are increased acral growth, coarse facial features and excessive sweating. For 91 percent of the acromegaly patients, surgery was voted as the therapy of choice. Acromegalic patients have learned the most about their disease through personal contact with doctors, especially endocrine specialists. Many patients are not informed enough about the possible complications of their disease. Through gathered data, it has been concluded that in Eastern and Western Germany the disease has not been identified soon enough. Interdisciplinary teamwork among doctors is a basis for early diagnosis, as well as better patient awareness and education.

Acromegaly↗
PubMed1993

[Epidemiologic studies of C. bovis and T. saginata infections in eastern and western Germany].

An investigation on the epidemiological situation of cysticercosis/taeniasis (Taenia saginata--GOEZE, 1782) showed clear differences in the proportion of cattle infected with C. bovis in the eastern and western part of Germany. Reasons for the high level of the C. bovis infection in the former GDR are a bad waste water situation and an increased intensification of agriculture (high concentration of cattle, increased irrigation).

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Indoor viable mold spores--a comparison between two cities, Erfurt (eastern Germany) and Hamburg (western Germany).

BACKGROUND: In eastern Germany, the prevalence of allergies is lower than in western Germany for both children and adults. Several reasons for this fact have been discussed, although it is still not completely understood. One purpose of the epidemiologic study "Indoor and genetic factors in asthma and allergy" (INGA) is to compare exposure to mold spores in two German cities. Therefore, 405 homes in Erfurt (east) and Hamburg (west) were visited twice by trained investigators between June 1995 and May 1997. METHODS: Samples of settled dust were taken by vacuuming from the carpet in the living room. Sieved house dust was diluted and plated on DG18 agar. The analyses were carried out in duplicate in the same laboratory. RESULTS: No significant difference could be shown for the total and for single genera (Alternaria, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, and Penicillium) in concentration of spores of viable fungi in settled house dust between Erfurt and Hamburg. Seasonal variation of the mold picture, with highest values in August, could be identified both indoors and outdoors. CONCLUSIONS: Because outdoor concentration is the main influence on indoor concentration of mold spores from June to October, we recommend sampling from November to May to evaluate exposure to indoor mold spores.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

[Studying school beginners in western and eastern Germany: allergy trends and sensitisations 1991-2000].

AIM: Aim of the study is to examine the hypotheses of a steeper increase in allergies and allergic sensitisations in East than in West German children between 1991 and 2000. METHOD: Between 1991 and 2000 we yearly repeated cross-sectional studies (SAWO: Study on school beginners) and asked 36,645 parents about diagnoses and symptoms of allergies in their six-year old children (response: 79 %). The study was done in Leipzig, Halle, Merseburg, Magdeburg, small towns in the Altmark region, Duisburg, Essen, Köln and Borken during spring. An allergological investigation was included 1991, 1994, 1997 and 2000. Dermatologists diagnosed a prevalent atopic eczema, administered a skin prick test (n = 7,229) and blood was taken for the determination of specific IgE antibodies against common allergens (n = 7,714, RAST). Odds Ratios (OR) for trend were calculated separately for the data from East and West Germany and are given along with their 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Allergies and their symptoms (exception: atopic eczema) were less prevalent in East German children born before the reunification than in West German ones. In East as well as in West Germany bronchial asthma was diagnosed more often in 2000 than in 1991 (OR East: 2.42 [1.78-3.28] West: 2.07 [1.43-3.00]). In contrast the prevalence of atopic eczemas was more than halved between 1991 and 2000. Of all symptoms and diagnoses of allergies only hay fever and its symptoms showed an upward trend in East Germany which was steeper than the trend in West Germany (OR East: 4.41 [3.17-6.13] West: 1.74 [1.19-2.57]). This can partly be explained by a parallel trend in sensitisation against grass pollen. CONCLUSION: The spatial and temporal pattern of the allergic diseases bronchial asthma, hay fever and atopic eczema in six-year old children from Germany is different. The expected steeper increase of allergies in East than in West Germany could only be shown for hay fever.

Asthma↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The epidemiology of atopic diseases in Germany: an east-west comparison.

This review summarizes studies comparing the epidemiology of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis in eastern versus western German populations. These studies clearly revealed that the prevalence of physician-diagnosed allergic rhinitis was higher in western Germany than in eastern Germany. The rate for asthma also tended to be higher in western than in eastern populations, whereas a tendency for less atopic dermatitis was found in western German children. When sensitization rates, as measured by RAST and skin-prick tests, were compared, a clear increase was found in western versus eastern young-adult German populations. This phenomenon may be related to exposure to different allergens, such as those associated with nutritional patterns or pet ownership, as well as to different environmental factors, such as outdoor and indoor pollutants. If lifestyle or environmental factors play a role in developing allergic sensitization, then one would expect the rates of sensitization in eastern and western Germany to converge as the two societies become more similar.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Genetic relationships for dairy performance between large-scale and small-scale farm conditions.

Genotype by environment interaction can be detected via the estimation of genetic correlations between environments under an animal model based on data comprising genetic links between the strata. Genetic correlations were estimated for protein yield of Holstein cows within and across regions of Germany using REML under an animal model for lactation and test-day records. Subsets of the entire data were created, stratified by region or herd size within region, and comprised between 16,307 and 132,972 cows with first-lactation records. Substantial heterogeneity exists between regions in Western and Eastern Germany. In Western states, most farms are small, with typical herd sizes of 30 to 60 cows, whereas in Eastern states, mostly large herds with herd sizes of 500 to 2000 cows are common. The results show drastic differences for residual and permanent environmental variance components between Eastern and Western regions with increases of around 30% for Eastern regions. Additive genetic variances were of similar magnitude in both regions. Genetic correlations between Eastern and Western states were between 0.90 and 0.95 but dropped to 0.79 when data from an Eastern state were reduced to contain large herds only. The results indicate that differences in herd size account for more of the differences in genetic correlation than do geographic regional differences.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

[Migration from East to West Germany: intention and realization. A sequential probit model with unobserved heterogeneity controls].

"This study investigated migrations from eastern to western Germany. Using a sequential decision model we first examined which persons expressed the intention of wanting to move from eastern to western Germany. Then, using unobserved heterogeneity controls we determined at the same time which persons of those willing to move actually did so later.... Once the intention to move has been declared...those who are well-qualified, short-time workers and persons who feel threatened by unemployment as well as persons with relatives in western Germany more often than average do in fact realise this intention. Commuters also have a very high rate of realisation." (SUMMARY IN ENG AND FRE AND RUS)

Behavior↗
PubMed1999

Lay beliefs about mental disorders: a comparison between the western and the eastern parts of Germany.

BACKGROUND: Since the end of the Second World War the western and eastern parts of Germany have been exposed to very different social and cultural influences. It was our assumption that this should also be reflected in the beliefs about mental disorders held by the general public. METHODS: In autumn 1990, immediately after German reunification, a representative survey on lay concepts of schizophrenia and depression was carried out in both parts of Germany. In all, 2118 personal, fully structured interviews resulted in the West, 980 in the East. RESULTS: In general, there were more similarities than differences between West and East, particularly as concerns causal attributions (with psychosocial stress being most frequently seen as etiologically relevant) and treatment recommendations (with psychotherapy clearly favored over drug treatment). However, there were also some differences, most notably a stronger tendency in the West to define depressive behavior in psychiatric terms and to recommend established forms of psychiatric treatment for its management. CONCLUSIONS: Our assumption that the exposure to different cultural influences should have led to discrepant beliefs about mental disorders was only partly confirmed. Especially with regard to schizophrenia, the prevalence of the dominant stereotype hardly differed between West and East.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Consumption, knowledge, and handling of raw meat: a representative cross-sectional survey in Germany, March 2001.

Outbreaks of gastroenteritis have been repeatedly associated with the consumption of raw meat and raw meat products. To assess the potential of this problem in Germany, frequency of consumption and knowledge about and handling of raw meat during food preparation in the German population was estimated. We conducted a population-based nationwide cross-sectional survey in private households in March 2001 by random telephone numbers. Consenting German-speaking persons were randomly chosen among household members for standardized interviews. Proportions were standardized by age, sex, and region (eastern and western Germany). A total of 510 people were interviewed (response 45.1%), including 62.3% women and 31.8% considered at high risk (children younger than 10 years old, elderly more than 65 years old, and chronically ill persons). The mean age was 45.7 years. Of those who ate raw ground meat at least once a week, 17.8% lived in eastern Germany and 5.1% in western Germany, (chi-square test, P < 0.001). Teewurst was eaten by 50.8% of all respondents and 53.8% of respondents in the high-risk group. That salami or Teewurst were raw meat products was known to 58.1 and 36.3% of the respondents, respectively. Respondents reported not washing their hands (46.6%) or cleaning their cutting boards with soap (48.1%) after preparing raw meat. A total of 10.3% of the respondents had diarrhea during the last 3 months. Although knowledge is poor, consumption of raw meat products is widespread in Germany, even among high-risk persons. More information is necessary on which products contain raw meat, the potential risk of diarrhea after raw meat products are consumed, and appropriate handling of raw meat products.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Atopic dermatitis, extrinsic atopic dermatitis and the hygiene hypothesis: results from a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Atopic Dermatitis (AD), hayfever and asthma are commonly summarized as atopic diseases. The spatial distribution of AD differs from that of asthma and hayfever, suggesting that AD might follow a different risk pattern than these diseases. AD can be differentiated into an allergic extrinsic form (EAD) and a non-allergic intrinsic form (IAD). Only EAD might follow the distribution and risk pattern that have been ascribed to asthma and hayfever. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the distribution and risk factor profile of AD and EAD focusing on environmental factors relating to the hygiene hypothesis. METHODS: Population-based cross-sectional study on 12,601 children aged 5-7 and 9-11 years from Dresden (Eastern Germany) and Munich (Western Germany). Information was obtained by International Study of Asthma and Allergic Childhood questionnaires, dermatological examinations and skin prick testing. AD-diagnosis ever, current AD-symptoms and visible eczema were investigated with their respective extrinsic forms. RESULTS: Maternal and paternal history of AD were equally strong determinants of the child's AD status. Factors related to the hygiene hypothesis like day-care attendance and number of older siblings were not associated with a decreased risk of AD. The proportion of EAD within AD was higher in Eastern than in Western Germany. The determinants of the diseases appeared to be similar for both EAD and IAD. CONCLUSIONS: There was no evidence of the hygiene hypothesis holding true for AD or EAD. AD might be a separate entity than respiratory atopic diseases. Little is known about the risk factors of AD and factors different from those of respiratory allergic diseases should be considered in future research.

Child↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Need for psychosocial counseling--a comparison of women and men in East and West Germany].

The increasing use of psychosocial medical care by women has resulted in a wider range of counselling facilities for specific problems concerning women over the last few years. According to our survey including the population of both Western and Eastern Germany, however, there is no evidence that women have a greater need for counselling activities than men. Needs for counselling are more freely admitted by women than by men; counselling needs for so-called "women's problems" are more commonly observed in Eastern Germany, whereas male oriented problems predominate in Western Germany. The highest need for counselling exists in the field of "Health" and "Social Security".

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[Personality, cognitive ability and health in East and West Germany: results of an interdisciplinary longitudinal study of aging].

The goal of the Interdisciplinary Longitudinal Study of Aging (ILSE) is to assess healthy and satisfying aging in middle adulthood and later life. In addition, this study compares adults from eastern and western Germany. The data for this study were collected between late 1993 and early 1996 as part of the first measurement point of the ILSE. Five-hundred and one participants from the Leipzig region were compared with 500 participants from the Heidelberg area on four specific dimensions: personality, cognitive functioning, subjective well-being, and health. Age differences were obtained for neuroticism, extraversion, openness, and agreeableness. Differences were also obtained in cognitive functioning and health. Regional differences between eastern and western Germany were obtained in the personality dimensions neuroticism, openness and conscientiousness, as well as in subjective well-being. Significant age by region interactions were obtained for openness and some of the cognitive measures, as well as for the physicians' health ratings of the participants, suggesting selective historical effects. The results are discussed with respect to functional abilities and levels of satisfaction in midlife, as well as with respect to regional differences that might be due to prior political system differences in the east and west.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Developments in alcohol consumption in reunited Germany.

AIMS: To investigate changes in measures of frequency of general alcohol and beverage-specific alcohol drinking in eastern and western Germany between 1991 and 1998. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Data come from two nationally representative health surveys, one conducted in 1991/1992 and the other in 1998. The earlier sample comprises two separate surveys, a 1991 western German survey (n = 5255) and a 1992 eastern German survey (n = 2211); the sample from 1998 contains information from 5463 people. The two 1991/1992 samples were merged to produce a single data set, comprising 7466 cases. The 1998 sample was limited to people aged 25-69 years, the age range of the 1991/1992 surveys. MEASUREMENTS: The surveys included measures of current drinking, current beverage-specific drinking, weekly drinking, daily drinking, heavy drinking and mean amount consumed per day. FINDINGS: The prevalence of almost all measures of drinking frequency declined in both regions of Germany and for both genders. Decreases were larger in the East and especially for frequency of current spirits drinking and daily drinking. Despite the decreases, western women consistently consumed at higher levels than eastern women, as did eastern men in relation to western men. Moreover, gender and regional differences within the country decreased. CONCLUSIONS: Overall frequency of consumption has declined in Germany in the 1990s and drinking behaviour in the two regions has become more similar.

Adult↗