10-year dynamics of attitude to health problems in the male population of Novosibirsk (epidemiological study based on the WHO MONICA program)

AIM: To evaluate changes for a decade in the attitude of men in Novosibirsk to health problems. MATERIAL AND METHODS: WHO program MONICA has covered males aged 25-64 years (a representative sample from the population in one of the districts of Novosibirsk city). A total of 3 trials were made (in 1984, 1988 and 1994) which included questioning, registration of ECG, arterial pressure, height, body mass, biochemical tests of the blood. RESULTS: Attitude of men to their health depended on their age. There was a trend to evaluate their health as more and more poor in men at the age of 25-43 and 35-44 years. In the group of 45-54-year-olds positive assessment of health was encountered 1.9 times more frequently, but the difference was not significant. At the age 55-64 years a growing number of men tend to assess their health as good. Since 1994 alcoholics among the elderly men grew in number as a response to the social and economic crisis. CONCLUSION: The change in health evaluation from negative to positive in older men may relate to less intensive work.     

Study of mortality due to myocardial infarction and alcoholism on the basis of the WHO MONICA and Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry programs

AIM: To study trends of mortality due to alcoholism (A) and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in Novosibirsk in 1981 to 1998. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The WHO MONICA and Acute Myocardial Infarction Register programmes were used to survey the population of 3 Novosibirsk districts. There were notified 9016 cases of nonviolent death, by exclusing another pathology, with the exception of CVD and alcoholic intoxication. RESULTS: Mortality rates due to myocardial infarction (MI) were relatively stable throughout the observation period, except for 1988, 1994, and 1998 (a significant increase). Those due to A showed the following trend: stabilization in 1981-1982, a significant increase in 1983-1987, stabilization in 1988-1991, a significant increase in 1992-1994, and a decrease in 1995-1998. Mortality rate from MI were 2-3 times greater than that from A, with the exception of 1994-1995 when they were equal, i.e. the trends of mortality from MI and A did not coincide. Social stress is a factor that greatly influences MI death rates, mainly due to prehospital mortality. As social stress increases, younger age groups, both males and females, are afflicted, which is extremely hazardous for the population. By taking into account the mortality trends, it may be stated that A hardly affects death rates from MI. In the pattern of mortality from CVD, death rates from MI and A were 50-70% in males and 35-60% and females; those from MI were 35-55 and 30-45%, respectively. The increase in alcoholism mortality is associated with the population's addictive behavior in the period of social upheavals in the community. CONCLUSION: According to official statistics, the mortality trends do not reflect the actual state of things. This may be done only by stringently standardized programmes with their schemes of data collection and diagnosis verification. The WHO MONICA and Acute Myocardial Infarction programmes belong to such programmes.     

Smoking habits and attitudes towards smoking among university students in Jordan

The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of smoking and to describe the habits, attitudes, and practices related to smoking among students of Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST), Irbid, Jordan.

Students (n=650) were recruited in randomly selected, cluster samples drawn from the medical and engineering colleges of JUST. They were made familiar with a modified Arabic version of the World Health Organisation Smoking Questionnaire and the Attitudes towards Smoking Questionnaire to study their habits, attitudes, and beliefs in relation to smoking.

The study revealed that the prevalence of smoking was 28.6% (50.2% among males and 6.5% among females). Friends, not family, were the main source of the first smoking, and this most often occurred after 15 years of age (82.3%). Males preferred smoking in the cafeteria, females in the bathroom. The main advantage of smoking for males was calming down, while for females it was independence. Non-smokers chose not to smoke because of health and hatred of the habit. The non-smokers had more positive attitudes against smoking and were more aware of the adverse effects of smoking. The reasons smokers gave for starting smoking were pleasure, followed by stress and curiosity. Two-thirds of smokers intended to quit smoking in the future. Some smokers disagreed with some criticisms against smoking, and reasons why they did not want to quit included social attitudes, addiction, and not knowing how to quit.

Results of this study may provide baseline data to develop an anti-smoking program in the university and encourage policy makers to limit smoking in the university by strengthening the policies against smoking.     

Population study of ischemic heart disease socio-psychological risk factors in male population of Novosibirsk

AIM: To study a 5-year prevalence of and changes in anxiety, behavior of the coronary type, social support, health self-estimation, attitude to smoking, sleep disorders in male population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the context of the program "MONICA-psychosocial", a random representative sample of males aged 25-64 living in Novosibirsk has been examined (screening in 1988-1989--739 males, and in 1994-1995--657 males). RESULTS: Personal anxiety in the study population has increased for 5 years from 49.5 to 51%. The number of males with coronary behavior has reduced from 25.9 to 16.9% (p < 0.001). Health self-estimation has improved and frequency of sleep disorders diminished. Negative tendencies also manifested: less number of males quit smoking, social connections and contacts decreased. CONCLUSION: A close correlation between psychosocial factors and ischemic heart disease necessitate intensification of the preventive programs aimed at weakening of influence of psychosocial factors on the population. Otherwise no reduction in ischemic heart disease incidence in population can be expected.     

Smoking habits among Finnish middle-aged men: experiences and attitudes

The purpose of this study was to explain smoking habits amongst middle-aged men in Finland by describing their experiences of smoking and their attitudes towards smoking. As a pilot survey for a major health campaign targeted at 40-year-old men, the data for this study were collected using two questionnaires in connection with voluntary medical examinations. The first questionnaire was based on Prochaska's theory of stages of change in health behaviour. The second instrument was an attitude scale developed specifically for this study on the basis of Green and Kreuter's theory of factors influencing health behaviour. According to the results 31% of males aged 40 were regular smokers. Men with a lower level of education and out of work smoked more often than others. Non-smokers reported a better self-perceived health than smokers. Smoking cessation is a process in which men gradually proceed from one step to the next. In this study 12% of the men were in the contemplation stage and 11% in the preparation stage. One-quarter of the men had recently given up the habit and were in the action stage, while 2% had quit smoking over 6 months ago and were in the maintenance stage. One-quarter of the men regarded smoking as an integral part of their way of life and felt that public opinion towards smoking is hostile.     

Personal anxiety and ischemic heart disease

AIM: To study correlations between personal anxiety (PA) as one of the leading psychosocial factors and ischemic heart disease (IHD). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The third screening (1994) of the program MONICA and subprogram MOPSY-MONICA-psychosocial covered a random representative sample of males at the age of 25-64 years living in Novosibirsk. The response was 82% (657 responders, mean age 44.3 +/- 0.4 years). Statistical analysis was based on the SPSS-10 software package. RESULTS: Prevalence of PA as an indication of social stress in a male population of 25-64-year-olds is very high especially in young age groups. PA is maximal among persons with elementary education and workers. Persons with PA experience strong stress in job and in family settings. An IHD rate is higher among PA patients. High PA is often associated with depression, high hostility, cachexia, sleep problems, low social support. PA patients have a negative opinion of their health but their attempts to improve it are insufficient. The proportion of those who quit smoking, reduce the number of cigarettes, keep diet, restrict physical activity grow in PA persons. CONCLUSION: PA is prevalent among male population especially in young persons. A PA level correlates with social status. IHD occurs more frequently in PA persons. High PA often associates with other psychosocial factors.     

Attitude to health problems of men and women participating in prophylactic research

An attitude to prophylaxis, health, physicians and harmful habits was studied in the random sample of 7836 males and females aged 25 to 69 in Kaunas within the integrated program of prophylaxis of chronic noncommunicable diseases. Women, as opposed to men, showed a tendency to a less optimistic assessment of general prophylactic measures and more often pointed to insufficient care of their health. Women take a more positive attitude to the necessity of changes in their diet and raising physical activity to protect health. It was concluded that while developing and conducting measures aimed at the prevention of chronic noncommunicable diseases one should take into consideration the peculiarities of the way of life in men and women and differences in their attitude to health problems.     

Attitude of urban population to health and knowledge about risk factors of cardiovascular diseases according to postal questionnaire

AIM: To elucidate attitude of urban population of Tyumen city to own health and compare the knowledge of cardiovascular disease risk factors in different population groups using postal questionnaire. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 3200 men and women were included into the lists of population selection, 400 subjects in each group according to the age and sex. 71.5% of those on the lists agreed to take part in the survey. RESULTS: The population knew about the risk factors in the following order: hypercholesterolemia (44.6%), arterial hypertension (74.8%), low physical activity (75.2%), smoking (75.7%), obesity (83.7%), stress (93.7%). The knowledge of the risk factors among persons with higher education was greater than among less educated individuals. CONCLUSION: Most respondents worried about their health, especially males, understand the importance of preventive approach to cardiovascular diseases, are aware of the major risk factors but they have low trust in public health service.     

Prevalence of and risk factors for gallstones in female population of Novosibirsk

AIM: To investigate the prevalence of gallstones and associated factors in female population of Novosibirsk (Western Siberia). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A representative sample of 870 women aged 25-64 years was drawn from general population according to WHO "MONICA" protocol. The subjects were screened for the presence of gallstones by gallbladder ultrasonography, completed a questionnaire relating to food and alcohol consumption, smoking, gastrointestinal symptoms and obstetric history. They also underwent physical examination and blood chemistry tests. Age-adjusted prevalence of cholelithiasis was 9.5%. Increasing age, obesity, diabetes mellitus, consumption of animal fat, pregnancies and opisthorchiasis positively correlated with gallstones in univariate analysis. Serum lipids, family history of gallstones, consumption of alcohol and tobacco were not predictors of gallstones. Only association with age and obesity was significant in multivariate analysis. Among subjects with cholelithiasis 52.1% were not aware of having gallstones. Subjects with gallstones more frequently suffered from biliary colics and non-specific dyspeptic symptoms. However, their predictive value was poor. Cholecystectomized patients revealed more often upper abdominal pain and dyspeptic symptoms. CONCLUSION: Prevalence and risk factors for gallstones in female population of Novosibirsk are similar to those reported in Western European countries. Cholecystectomy is not recommended in patients with symptomless disease.     

Perceived health needs of urban African American church congregants

Theory-based assessment of congregant expectations and needs should be conducted prior to beginning a parish nurse program. However, no such assessments are found in the literature. Using Andersen's Health Access Model as a framework, investigators conducted interviews with 117 randomly selected congregants in five urban African American churches to describe their perceived needs and expectations. Causing most concern were the following: (a) symptoms of illness--high blood pressure (50.4%), dental problems (43.6%), and back pain (41%); and (b) health habits/risks--weight (75%), exercise (63%), and diet (63%). Younger adults were significantly more concerned about all aspects of their health than their older counterparts. Women were significantly more likely to express concern about health habits and health risks than males. No significant relationship was found between perceived need and access to care. Although terming health care services "adequate", congregants expressed many unmet health needs. This seemingly contradictory finding may illuminate a concrete role for the parish nurse, i.e., addressing personal health care concerns not alleviated by the current "adequate" health care delivery system. This study's significance lies not only in providing programming guidance, but also in theoretical insights into the role of the parish nurse.     

Attitudes of Turkish physicians towards cigarette smoking

The aim of this study is to investigate the smoking habits of the physicians working in Manisa province and their attitudes towards patients who smoke. A three-part questionnaire was given to 305 of 447 physicians (68.2%). Part I investigated the smoking habits of the physicians; part 2 asked about their attitudes towards patients who smoke; and part 3 assessed their knowledge of smoking cessation techniques. Of the physicians 30.2% (n = 92) were female and 69.8% (n = 213) were male, and 41.3% of the total were smokers (37.0% of these were female and 43.2% were male). Almost two thirds of the physicians (64.2%) always or frequently asked questions about the smoking habits of their patients; 60.6% offered suggestions to their patients about quitting smoking, but only 23.9% gave information about smoking cessation techniques, and 18.9% gave information about withdrawal symptoms. The results of this study showed that the physicians working in Manisa province had similar smoking rates compared with those of the general population. They were interested in their patients' smoking habits, but they did not have enough information about smoking cessation programmes.     

11268名健康体检人群甲状腺结节发生的流行状况调查分析

目的调查健康人群甲状腺结节发生的流行状况,分析影响甲状腺结节的危险因素。方法选择2012年5月至2013年5月杭州市区11 268名20岁以上人群的体检资料,并通过问卷调查,了解研究对象的职业、文化程度、家庭收入、生活习惯及压力状况等。依据甲状腺B超结果,统计研究人群甲状腺结节的患病率;采用t检验比较分析甲状腺结节组与非结节组各项体检指标的差异;采用logistic回归分析探究甲状腺结节的影响因素。结果研究对象中甲状腺结节患病率为37.19%,女性高于男性,差异有统计学意义;不同特征人群甲状腺结节的患病率有所不同,文化程度高者因工作压力大,甲状腺结节的患病率高。与非甲状腺结节组相比,甲状腺结节组的BMI、血压、血糖、总胆固醇及甘油三酯水平明显增高,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。logistic回归分析显示女性、年龄增长、肥胖、高血压、高血脂、糖尿病、吸烟可能是甲状腺结节的危险因素。结论健康人群甲状腺结节的患病率较高,女性的患病率明显高于男性。年龄增长、肥胖、高血压、高血脂、糖尿病、吸烟是甲状腺结节的危险因素,高学历者患甲状腺结节的风险增大。     

Mortality, morbidity, lethality and the cardiovascular risk profile in the population of Novosibirsk]

The authors analyze the results of investigations in accordance with the WHO program "MONICA" in one of the districts of Novosibirsk. The bases of the objective information system pertaining to the tendencies in mortality, morbidity and lethality due to cardiovascular diseases, the prevalence of risk factors in the population, the possibilities of their monitoring have been established.     

Surveying the attitudes of acute mental health nurses

Recent UK policy and guidance indicates the importance of positive attitudes towards mental health service users. This is especially true in acute inpatient care, where service users are often at their most vulnerable and have higher levels of contact with mental health staff. The following paper details secondary analysis of data collected for the validation of an attitude measurement scale with a sample of 140 nursing staff in acute settings. The results demonstrate that a wide range of attitudes are held by mental health nurses towards acute mental health care. Overall, the results indicate generally positive attitudes. Significant differences were found between qualified and unqualified staff, and males and females for some questions. Recommendations are made for future attitudinal research of mental health staff.     

Prevalence of atrophic gastritis in different populations in Siberia on medical evidence of the serological survey

Prevalence of atrophic gastritis in various population of Siberia with serological tests was studied. Representative samples of Novosibirsk adult population and also urban and rural population of Yakutia were examined. 348 persons at the age more than 45 years (180 males and 168 females) were studied. Concentration of pepsinogen I, gastrin 17 and antibodies to Helicobacter pilori in blood serum was estimated with immune-enzyme analysis ("Biohit GastroPanel", "Biohit", Finland). In addition, domestic test-systems were used for detection cytotoxic (expressing CagA-protein) strains H. pylori. Level of markers (pepsinogen, gastrin, antibodies to Helicobacter pilori and antibodies to CagA H. pilori) in observing populations had no difference between males and females, and also did not depend on age. Occurrence of atrophy in body of stomach in Novosibirsk population, urban and rural population of Yakutia was 10.1, 16.7 and 25.6% respectively, and in antral part--10.7, 25.6 and 8.9% respectively. Total atrophy was registered in 1% in all groups. Helicobacter infection was detected in 78-88% of population. Domestic immune-enzyme test-systems were comparable with data of histological examination and demonstrated greater sensitivity at H. pylori detection vs. foreign. High prevalence of atrophic gastritis in various groups of Siberia population was noticed, which must be was bounded with great level of H. pylori infection in population.     

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of baccalaureate nursing students regarding oral health assessment

Good oral health is important to overall health. Oral and pharyngeal cancers account for 2% of all cancers, yet no significant improvement in mortality has been demonstrated over the past 30 years. Nurses are in a unique position to integrate and conduct oral health assessments across a wide range of practice settings. Although nursing programs include health assessment and promotion in their curricula, there is poor integration of oral health as a focus. This study aimed to identify the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of baccalaureate nursing students about oral health assessment. A convenience sample of 163 students in two undergraduate courses within a baccalaureate nursing education program was surveyed. Findings indicated that these nursing students felt that oral health was essential to their nursing practice; however, they did not have a full understanding of the key components of an oral health examination or about effective smoking cessation strategies.     

浙江省居民吸烟状况及烟草费用调查

目的 了解浙江省居民吸烟、被动吸烟、戒烟、吸烟费用流行水平,掌握对烟草危害知识了解程度和禁烟的态度,为烟草控制及卫生决策提供科学依据.方法 采用多阶段随机抽样的方法,在浙江省有代表性的30个县区,对7482名年龄在15～69岁的居民进行面对面问卷调查.结果 浙江省人群吸烟率为29.40%,男性57.31%,女性1.08%;人群被动吸烟率为43.70%,男性38.52%,女性45.96%;吸烟者戒烟率为16.26%,其中男性15.68%,女性27.27%;吸烟者平均每天吸烟17.83支,城市15.25支,农村18.89支;吸烟者平均每天吸烟费用6.38元,城市8.02元,农村5.71元;6.90%男性和3.4%女性认为吸烟对健康无害;8.05%男性和4.95%女性认为被动吸烟对健康无害.91.34%的居民认为应该在学校禁止吸烟,90.56%的居民认为应该在医院禁止吸烟.结论 浙江省人群吸烟率高,吸烟费用大,浙江省控烟工作十分艰巨.     

Smoking and lung cancer: current trends in Austria

BACKGROUND: Despite a recent decline in smoking behavior in many European countries, lung cancer rates remain high, especially in Central and Eastern Europe. This paper aims to describe trends in smoking behavior and lung cancer incidence and mortality, including histopathological classification of lung cancer, in a Central European country: Austria. METHODS: Using data from the Austrian Central Cancer Registry, we calculated age-standardized incidence, histopathology-specific incidence, and age-standardized and birth cohort-specific mortality rates for all lung cancer cases in Austria. Using national survey data, we estimated prevalence of smoking in the Austrian population. Our analysis covers the time period from 1970 to 2009. RESULTS: In 2009, lung cancer incidence rates were 41.3/100,000 and 18.5/100,000 and mortality rates were 36.3/100,000 and14.5/100,000, for males and females, respectively. Male lung cancer rates declined but increased steadily in females over the past three decades. In 2009, the most common histological type is adenocarcinoma, which reflects a shift from predominantly squamous cell carcinoma and large cell carcinoma in the mid 1980s. In 2009, 27?% of men and 19?% of women were smokers, which represent a rise of smoking rates in women, especially in younger women, and a decline in the men. CONCLUSIONS: While in Austrian men the lung cancer rates, in accordance with their decreasing prevalence of smoking, declined over the past 30 years, the increasing smoking prevalence and lung cancer rates in women remain a public health concern. Antismoking laws and public health initiatives to curtail smoking habits are needed in Austria, especially targeting younger women.     

Components of social capital and socio-psychological factors that worsen the perceived health of Japanese males and females

Social capital refers to the quantity and quality of social relationships, such as formal and informal social connections as well as norms of reciprocity and trust that exist in a place or a community. This article analyzed the data from Japan 2004 B Survey in order to elucidate the effects of social capital and socio-psychological factors on the health of Japanese males and females. The Survey was a part of a nationwide random study on Japanese national character, which has been conducted by the Institute of Statistical Mathematics since 1953. A total of 785 (372 males and 413 females) valid data from 1,200 adult samples were used. Logistic regression analysis showed that the self-reported symptoms were increased by negative attitude to generalized trust in males, and by negative attitude to norm of reciprocity in females. Moreover, in females, health dissatisfaction was enhanced by low perceptions of support. In both genders, self-reported symptoms and health dissatisfaction were worsened by anxiety. The self-reported symptoms were increased by an adherence to religion and spirituality in males, whereas in females, the health dissatisfaction increased with low income and a concern about superstitions. Thus, from a viewpoint of social capital, perceived health is susceptible to personal relationships in females and to distrust in males. Anxiety seems a key factor affecting perceived health. In addition, females are influenced by economic status and superstitions, whereas males are more concerned about religion or the mind in relation to health. These findings are useful in developing health policies for Japanese.     

Smoking among Japanese nursing students: nationwide survey

AIM: This paper reports a study estimating the nationwide prevalence of and attitudes towards smoking among Japanese nursing students. BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization established "World No Tobacco Day" in 1987, and has been promoting antismoking measures worldwide since then, with annual themes. It has emphasized that health care professionals, including nurses, as role models for healthy living, should not smoke, and that as promoters of health education they should not seem to justify or condone their patients' smoking. To promote antismoking measures among nurses, it will be necessary to scrutinize the smoking habits and behavior of nursing students and associated factors, and to conduct effective antismoking education and health education before they acquire the smoking habit. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was carried out through self-administered, closed-ended, structured questionnaires. Questionnaires were mailed to 4169 nursing students at 27 randomly selected vocational nursing schools nationwide. Smoking status, history, and attitudes towards smoking were examined. RESULTS: Smoking prevalence among female nursing students was 23.5%, which was higher than that among the Japanese general female population aged 20-29 (21.9%). Smoker-students were significantly more positive toward smoking than non-smokers in all opinions about health care professionals' smoking. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that smoking statuses of the people around the participants, dissatisfaction with being a nursing student, and living alone were associated with participants' smoking behaviour. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study suggest an urgent necessity to provide effective antismoking measures for nursing students.