Pesticide exposure, risk factors and health problems among cutflower farmers: a cross sectional study

This was a cross-sectional study which aimed to determine associations between hematologic indices such as red blood cell cholinesterase (RBC) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV), with illnesses related to pesticide exposure among cutflower farmers in La Trinidad, Benguet. One hundred two (102) randomly selected cutflower farmers underwent comprehensive, personal physical health and laboratory examinations and answered a questionnaire on work practices and illness. Majority were males (52%) and most belonged to the 20–35 age group (45%). Majority of exposed farmers were symptomatic, with most common complaints being headache (48%), easy fatigability (46.1%) and cough (40.2%). Analysis showed that RBC cholinesterase levels were positively associated with age (p = 0.02), and selling pesticide containers (p = 0.008). number of years of using pesticides (p = 0.022), use of contaminated cloth (p = 0.033), incorrect mixing of pesticides (p = 0.041), sex (p = 0.002) and illness due to pesticides (p = 0.005) were correlated with abnormal MCV. Significant associations were also found for hemoglobin, hematocrit, RBC, white blood cell (WBC) and platelet count. Predictors of RBC cholinesterase were years of pesticide use (p = 0.037) and abnormalities on health (p = 0.029). The findings of the study can be used for information dissemination and pesticide reduction programs for the cutflower farmers.     

成人2型糖尿病危险因素的现况研究

目的探讨平湖市成人2型糖尿病的相关危险因素。方法采用多阶段随机整群抽样法,选择平湖市1个街道8个镇≥18岁居民3 106人开展既往病史、家族史、烟酒史及运动情况调查,同时检测血糖、血脂,测量身高、体重、血压和腰围等指标,并进行糖尿病危险因素分析。结果平湖市≥18周岁居民2型糖尿病患病率8.30%,患病率随年龄增加而逐渐升高(P0.01)。单因素分析显示,年龄、文化程度、高血压、糖尿病家族史、BMI、腰围、活动量、总胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)、高密度脂蛋白(HDL-C)、低密度脂蛋白(LDL-C)与成年人2型糖尿病相关(P0.05)。多因素非条件Logistic回归分析显示,年龄与2型糖尿病患病率有关,糖尿病家族史(OR=9.30)、高血压(OR=1.64)、TG(OR=1.83)和BMI(OR=1.31)是2型糖尿病的危险因素。结论平湖市成人2型糖尿病患病率处于较高水平,应针对相关危险因素开展健康教育,并采取有针对性的防控措施,以降低糖尿病患病率。     

Albuminuria,cardiovascular risk factors and disease management in subjects with type 2 diabetes: a cross sectional study

Background  

Epidemiological studies have shown that microalbuminuria is an important risk factor for arteriosclerosis, coronary heart disease and other vascular diseases in persons with type 2 diabetes. In the present study we examined the prevalence and risk factors for micro- and macroalbuminuria and examined glycemic control as well as treatment of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors in persons with known type 2 diabetes in Germany.     

General practitioners' attitudes towards research in primary care: qualitative results of a cross sectional study

Background  

Research in General Practice requires the participation of General practitioners (GPs). In Germany there is little tradition of research in this field, and GPs are not used to be participants in research. Little is known about German GPs attitudes towards research. Therefore the aim of our study was to assess the willingness of German General Practitioners to participate in primary care research and their attitude towards research in general practice. The results should enable a more successful approach to GPs in further studies.     

Determinants of satisfaction with health care provider interactions at health centres in central Ethiopia: a cross sectional study

Background  

In primary health care, provider-patient interaction is fundamental platform and critically affects service delivery. Nevertheless, it is often ignored in medical research and practice and it is infrequently subjected to scientific inquiry, particularly in Ethiopia. This study aimed to assess patient satisfaction with health care provider interactions and its influencing factors among out-patients at health centers in West Shoa, Central Ethiopia.     

Prevalence of physical diseases, health behavior and health care utilization in single homeless men: a cross sectional study

Summary Prevalence of physical diseases, health behavior and health care utilization in single homeless men: a cross-sectional studyObjective: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to establish the prevalence of physical diseases, the subjective evaluation of their own health and health care utilization in the actually homeless and a comparison group of formerly homeless.Methods: A representative sample of 82 homeless and 37 formerly homeless was studied. Instruments were a physical examination and a standardized interview. The latter included parts of the assessment of the German cardiovascular disease prevention study and the questionnaire Funktionseinschränkungen (functional impairments) by Potthoff (1982).Results: Disease prevalence was high. The main diagnoses fell within the categories of defective dental status (over 80%), ophthalmologic diseases (over 60%) and diseases of the liver and musculoskeletal system (over 40% each). Morbidity in the formerly homeless was even higher. In both groups the subjective evalution of their own health was unrealistically positive. Risk factors for cardiovascular diseases were high. Health care utilization was mainly acute.Conclusions: The medical care of the homeless in standard medical services is insufficient and could be improved by especially tailored projects which should include education about risk factors. Formerly homeless continue to show high disease prevalence.

     

Prevalence and risk factors for latex allergy: a cross sectional study in a United Kingdom hospital

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence and risk factors for symptoms related to gloves, and the relation between symptoms and immunological evidence of type 1 hypersensitivity to latex in a United Kingdom health care setting. METHODS: A cross sectional survey was carried out among 773 employees at a British hospital. A self administered questionnaire was used to collect information about symptoms related to gloves and associated risk factors in a sample of hospital staff who were likely to use gloves at work. All of those who reported symptoms suggestive of type 1 hypersensitivity were invited for skin prick testing and measurement of specific IgE to latex (RAST). RESULTS: Among the 372 responders, symptoms related to gloves were common, 49% reported redness or itching of the hands, 14% reported urticaria, and 6% reported chest tightness. However, the frequency of positive skin prick tests and RASTs was surprisingly low (only two subjects tested positive). CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate the need for caution in the interpretation of symptoms related to gloves even when they seem to suggest type 1 hypersensitivity.

 

     

Job strain and cardiovascular risk factors: a cross sectional study of employed Danish men and women

As part of the World Health Organisation initiated MONICA project, 2000 men and women aged 30, 40, 50, and 60 from the general population were invited to undergo a medical examination with special emphasis on cardiovascular disease. A total of 1504 (75%) participated, 1209 of whom were employed. The participants answered a questionnaire on working, social, and health conditions and underwent clinical examinations that included the measurement of blood pressure and serum cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein, fibrinogen, and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1C) concentrations. Using the demand-control model for measuring job strain suggested by Karasek, the employed people were classified according to those who had suffered job strain and those who had not in two different ways. The subjective classification was based on the participants' statements regarding demand and control in their jobs whereas the objective classification was based on job title and mode of payment. More women than men were classified as having high strain jobs. After adjusting for age and sex no significant association was found between coronary risk factors and subjective job strain. A tendency for an association between fibrinogen and job strain was found. Body mass index and HbA1C concentration were significantly associated with objective job strain independent of confounders.     

A cross sectional study of the respiratory health of workers handling printing toner dust

Background

Although recent case reports have suggested possible respiratory effects of solid toner dust inhalation, this hypothesis has not been verified by epidemiological studies.

Objectives

To conduct a cross sectional study to evaluate the association between the biological indices of lung fibrosis and toner dust exposure in an occupational cohort handling solid toner dust in their work life.

Methods

A total of 600 male toner workers and 212 control subjects were surveyed in terms of their subjective respiratory symptoms, pulmonary functions, and chest radiographic findings. In addition to the exposure history, the current working conditions and personal exposure levels to toner dust were also examined.

Results

Although subjects handling toner for more than 20 years tended to show a higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms and minimal chest x ray abnormalities, there was no consistent relation between the exposure to toner dust and the biological responses of the respiratory system.

Conclusion

Deterioration of respiratory health related to toner dust exposure is less likely to occur in current well controlled work environments, especially if the powdered toner is handled carefully. Nonetheless, it is important to collect further epidemiological evidence on the biological effects of toner dust inhalation, preferably using a longitudinal study design.     

Do parents who smoke underutilize health care services for their children? A cross sectional study within the longitudinal PIAMA study

Background  

A higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms and an associated increase in health care utilization among children with parents who smoke is to be expected. From previous studies however, it appears that parents who smoke may underutilize health services for their children, especially with respect to respiratory care. This study explores the validity and generalizability of the previous assumption.     

Ethnic differences in prevalence and risk factors for hypertension in the Suriname Health Study: a cross sectional population study

Background

Limited information is available about the prevalence, ethnic disparities, and risk factors of hypertension within developing countries. We used data from a nationwide study on non-communicable disease (NCD) risk factors to estimate, explore, and compare the prevalence of hypertension overall and in subgroups of risk factors among different ethnic groups in Suriname.

Method

The Suriname Health Study used the World Health Organization Steps design to select respondents with a stratified multistage cluster sample of households. The overall and ethnic specific prevalences of hypertension were calculated in general and in subgroups of sex, age, marital status, educational level, income status, employment, smoking status, residence, physical activity, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference (WC). Differences in the prevalence between ethnic subgroups were assessed using the Chi-square test. We used several adjustment models to explore whether the observed ethnic differences were explained by biological, demographic, lifestyle, or anthropometric risk factors.

Results

The prevalence of hypertension was 26.2 % (95 % confidence interval 25.1 %-27.4 %). Men had higher mean values for systolic and diastolic blood pressure compared to women. Blood pressure increased with age. The prevalence was highest for Creole, Hindustani, and Javanese and lowest for Amerindians, Mixed, and Maroons. Differences between ethnic groups were measured in the prevalence of hypertension in subcategories of sex, marital status, education, income, smoking, physical activity, and BMI. The major difference in association of ethnic groups with hypertension was between Hindustani and Amerindians.

Conclusion

The prevalence of hypertension in Suriname was in the range of developing countries. The highest prevalence was found in Creoles, Hindustani, and Javanese. Differences in the prevalence of hypertension were observed between ethnic subgroups with biological, demographic, lifestyle, and anthropometric risk factors. These findings emphasize the need for ethnic-specific research and prevention and intervention programs.

     

Smoking behavior and related lifestyle variables among physicians in Fukuoka,Japan: a cross sectional study

A cross-sectional survey of the entire membership of the Fukuoka Prefecture Medical Association was conducted in 1983 using a self-administered questionnaire. In this investigation the actual prevalence of smoking among physicians and the relationship between their smoking habits and living habits were studied. The study subjects were divided into two groups: those who smoked (1,737 men and 17 women), and those who did not currently smoke (2,267 men and 169 women). It was realized that there were many who were currently non-smokers among women, subjects with a high body mass index, those with heart disease, those without peptic ulcers, those who underwent health check-ups regularly, those accustomed to an early bedtime, those who were not aware of mental stress, those who took regular exercise, those who consumed plenty of fresh vegetables, yellow and green vegetables and fruit, those who did not consume Japanese pickles, coffee.or green tea, and those who drank alcohol only occasionally and only in small amounts. The results of this study suggested the possibility that physicians who were smokers were a group who smoked little and could easily stop smoking. Moreover, non-smoking physicians were found to have a healthier lifestyle than those who smoked. It was considered that, in developing a smoking cessation program for physicians, it is important for them to establish more health-conscious lifestyles.     

北京市农村居民健康教育需求调查

目的 了解北京市农村居民健康知识掌握情况和健康教育需求现状，为改善健康教育与健康促进干预对策提供参考依据。方法 按照分层随机整群抽样的原则，对全市10个远郊区县的5236名13岁以上常住居民进行问卷调查。结果北京市农村居民对高血压8个主要危险因素全部认知率24．5％；对糖尿病7个主要危险因素全部认知率16．7％。居民对流感的4个主要预防措施全部认知率为71．2％；对预防肠道传染病的4个主要措施全部认知率为60．6％。居民健康知识掌握呈现出平原地区的居民最好，山区居民最差的情况。居民主要希望通过电视（73．4％）、广播（33．6％）和健康大课堂（29．8％）方式来获取健康知识；而目前主要是通过电视（87．4％）、广播（35．6％）和报纸（33．3％）方式获取知识。结论北京市农村居民慢性病预防知识有待提高；今后开展健康教育与健康促进应以电视、健康大课堂和广播为主要传播方式。