Self-reported anxiety, sleeping problems and pain among Turkish-born immigrants in Sweden

Objectives. To study whether symptoms of self-reported anxiety, sleeping problems and severe pain are more common among Turkish-born immigrants in Sweden than among Swedes, and whether age and socio-economic status can explain this hypothesised difference.

Design. Two random samples were studied—the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare Immigrant Survey, and the Swedish Annual Level-of-Living Survey, both from 1996. A total of 526 Turkish-born immigrants in Sweden were compared with 2,854 Swedish controls, all aged between 27 and 60 years. Data were analysed by sex, in an age-adjusted model; and a full model also included age, education, marital status, employment and country of origin (logistic regression).

Results. In the full model, odds ratios were 2.12 (1.43–3.15) for anxiety, 2.60 (1.82–3.72) for sleeping problems, and 2.14 (1.50–3.05) for severe pain among Turkish-born men, and 2.44 (1.69–3.53) for anxiety, 3.01 (2.09–4.33) for sleeping problems, and 2.59 (1.80–3.71) for severe pain among Turkish-born women, using the Swedish controls as references.

Conclusions. Being a Turkish-born immigrant in Sweden significantly increases the risks for self-reported anxiety, sleeping problems and severe pain, even after adjusting for age and socio-economic status (education, marital status and employment).     

Risk behaviour and noise exposure among adolescents

Adolescents in Western society often expose themselves to high levels of sound in gyms, rock concerts, discotheques etc. As these behaviours are as threatening to young people's health as more traditional risk behaviours are, our aim in the present study was to analyze the relationship between self-exposure to noise, risk behaviours and risk judgements among 310 Swedish adolescents aged 15-20 (167 men; 143 women). Adolescents' behaviour in different traditional risk situations correlated with behaviour in noisy environments, while judgements about traditional risks correlated with judgements regarding noise exposure. It is an interesting finding that although young women judge risk situations as generally more dangerous than young men do, they nevertheless behave in the same way. We suggest that this difference is a social and cultural phenomenon which underscores the importance of adopting a gender perspective in the analysis of risk factors. Adolescents reporting permanent tinnitus judged loud music as more risky than adolescents with no symptoms and they did not listen to loud music as often as those with occasional tinnitus. Research on hearing prevention for young people needs to acknowledge and make use of theories on risk behaviour, especially due to the existence of a relationship between adolescents' risk-taking in noisy environments and other types of risk-taking. Similarly, theories on risk behaviour should acknowledge noise as a risk factor.     

Self-reported academic grades and other correlates of sugar-sweetened soda intake among US adolescents

High consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks has been associated with obesity and other adverse health consequences. This cross-sectional study examined the association of demographic characteristics, weight status, self-reported academic grades, and behavioral factors with sugar-sweetened soda intake among a nationally representative sample of US high school students. Analysis was based on the 2009 national Youth Risk Behavior Survey and included 16,188 students in grades 9 through 12. The main outcome measure was daily sugar-sweetened soda intake (eg, drank a can, bottle, or glass of soda [excluding diet soda] at least one time per day during the 7 days before the survey). Nationally, 29.2% of students reported drinking sugar-sweetened soda at least one time per day. Logistic regression analyses showed factors significantly associated with sugar-sweetened soda intake at least one time per day included male sex (adjusted odds ratio [OR]=1.47), Hispanic ethnicity (vs whites; OR=0.81), earning mostly B, C, and D/F grades (vs mostly As; OR=1.26, 1.66, and 2.19, respectively), eating vegetables fewer than three times per day (OR=0.72), trying to lose weight (OR=0.72), sleeping <8 hours (OR=1.18), watching television >2 hours/day (OR=1.71), playing video or computer games or using a computer for other than school work >2 hours/day (OR=1.53), being physically active at least 60 minutes/day on <5 days during the 7 days before the survey (OR=1.19), and current cigarette use (OR=2.01). The significant associations with poor self-reported academic grades, inadequate sleep, sedentary behaviors, and cigarette smoking suggest research should examine why soda consumption is associated with these behaviors to inform the design of future nutrition interventions.     

Self-reported hepatitis B and C virus infections had low sensitivity among HIV-infected patients

OBJECTIVE: To determine the validity of self-reported hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) in HIV-infected injection drug users (IDUs) vs. nonIDUs. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed among HIV-infected IDUs and nonIDUs in the Penn Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) Database. Self-reported past HBV, HCV, and serostatus were obtained from the CFAR Database. RESULTS: Among 970 subjects (798 nonIDUs; 172 IDUs), there was no difference in sensitivity of self-reported HBV between nonIDUs (27% [95/346]; 95% CI, 23%-32%) and IDUs (26% [31/117]; 95% CI, 19%-35%; P>0.5), but specificity was greater among nonIDUs (96% [360/374; 95% CI, 94%-98%] vs. 78% [28/36; 95% CI, 61%-90%]; P<0.001). Sensitivity of self-reported HCV was greater among IDUs (78% [101/130; 95% CI, 70%-85%] vs. 62% [47/76; 95% CI, 50%-73%]; P=0.02), but there was no difference in specificity (97% [626/643]; 95% CI, 96%-98% for nonIDUs vs. 93% [26/28]; 95% CI, 76%-99%] for IDUs; P=0.2). CONCLUSIONS: The sensitivity of self-reported HBV and HCV compared to actual serostatus are not sufficiently high enough to warrant their use to estimate the prevalence and incidence of these infections.     

Self-reported weight perceptions, dieting behavior, and breakfast eating among high school adolescents

This study explored the relationships among weight perceptions, dieting behavior, and breakfast eating in 4597 public high school adolescents using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Adjusted multiple logistic regression models were constructed separately for race and gender groups via SUDAAN (Survey Data Analysis). Adjusted odds ratios [ORs] and 95% confidence intervals were calculated to determine the strength of relationships. Approximately 42% of the sample reported not eating breakfast within the past 5 days, while 41% were trying to lose weight, and 37% were dieting to lose weight. Excessive dietary practices (eg, fasting, taking diet pills or laxatives, and vomiting to lose weight) were reported by approximately 25% of the sample. When compared to those eating breakfast within the past 5 days, all race and gender groups that did not report eating breakfast were significantly more likely to report fasting to lose weight (ORs = 1.70-2.97). In addition, all race/gender groups, with the exception of black females, were significantly more likely to perceive themselves as overweight (ORs = 1.44-1.61) and trying to lose weight (ORs = 1.40-1.72). Among males, not eating breakfast was significantly associated with taking diet pills to lose weight (ORs = 2.31-2.40), eating fewer calories to lose weight (ORs = 1.38-1.49), and inversely associated with trying to gain weight (ORs = 0.71-0.74). Results suggest that these adolescents may be skipping breakfast as part of a patterned lifestyle of unhealthy weight management and that efforts to encourage youth to eat breakfast will likely not ameliorate all dietary challenges that appear beyond the scope of increased breakfast offerings.     

Road traffic noise and determinants of saliva cortisol levels among adolescents

Objectives

The understanding of determinants for saliva cortisol levels in adolescents is limited. This study investigated the role of road traffic noise exposure, noise annoyance and various other factors for saliva cortisol levels.

Self-reported anger in black high school adolescents.

The purpose of this study was to explore the recognition and expression of anger in black high school adolescents. A total of 56 teens, aged 14-19 years, responded to questions about their recognition of anger, how and to whom they express anger, and to whom they refrain from expressing anger. They also stated their opinions about acceptable and unacceptable expressions of anger and its relationship to depression or suicide. Data were analyzed using frequency tabulations for all questions on the survey instrument. Specific variables of age, grade in school, gender, and family composition were analyzed by one-sample chi 2 tests (alpha set at 0.05). The study demonstrated 1) all the teens surveyed could recognize when they were angry; 2) most teens expressed anger to their friends, to their siblings, and to their mothers; 3) younger teens (ages 14-15 years) when compared to older teens (ages 18-19 years), identified mother as the one who made them angry; 4) females were more likely to feel like crying when angry; 5) females were more likely to feel like being silent when angry; 6) students from one- and two-parent homes did not differ in their expression of anger. Implications of this study include the recognition that anger is a natural, human emotion. Adolescents need to observe adults who can effectively manage behavior associated with anger. Problem solving skills, stress management techniques, and role play situations can be utilized as effective tools in the recognition and expression of anger in acceptable ways and in attempts at the prevention of dysfunctional anger.     

Self-reported weight and height in adolescents and their parents.

Self-reported and measured weight and height were compared in a sample of adolescents aged 15 years (109 boys; 95 girls) and their parents (135 fathers; 190 mothers) recruited from secondary schools in the urban area of Geelong, Victoria, Australia. On average the adolescents' self-reported weight and height did not differ to a greater extent from the measured values than did that of their parents for their own weight and height but differences for individuals were much more variable. Self-reported weight was significantly underestimated and height over-estimated by both adolescents and parents. Body size had little effect on the extent of underestimation of weight and overestimation of height. The precision of reporting varied both with age and sex, while reporting bias in the parents, but not the adolescents', was influenced by father's occupation score. The educational level of the parents, however, had no statistically significant effect on reporting bias. The extent to which weight was underestimated and height overestimated was no greater than that observed in adults and suggests that group means reported for weight and height are likely to be as valid a measure of actual weight and height as in adults.     

Self-reported health risk behaviors among adolescents in Luang Namtha province of Lao PDR: Prevalence and determinants

The purpose of this study was to assess self-reported prevalence of alcohol, tobacco, and drug use, and sexual risk behaviors, as well as to identify sources of sex education and individual, family, and peer factors that might influence adolescents’ health risk behaviors (HRB). In a community-based, cross-sectional study, 1360 adolescents aged 14–19 years were interviewed from June to September 2008 in Luang Namtha province. Multistage systematic random sampling was used to select participants. Logistic regression was used to identify the determinants of single HRB. Alcohol and tobacco use, and sexual risk behaviors were common. Just under half (42.5%) used alcohol, 9.6% smoked during the past 30 days, and 1.4% had used amphetamine during their lifetime, and 19.6% had ever had sex. Of those, 58.8% were currently sexually active, 40.1% reported having two or more sexual partners, and 34.5% had used a condom during last sexual intercourse. The mean age at sexual debut was 15.3 years for boys and 15.1 years for girls. Khamu ethnicity, not attending school, and peers’ drinking, smoking, and using drugs were significant determinants of current alcohol use, whereas being male, not attending school, Khamu ethnicity, and peers’ smoking and using drugs predicted current smoking. Being male, younger age, Akha ethnicity, having low level of education, peers’ smoking, being sexually active, and being pregnant or having made someone pregnant were significantly associated with ever having sex, whereas being male, Akha and Khamu ethnicities, peers’ smoking, drinking alcohol, and being sexually active were correlated with sexual risk behaviors. Individual and socio-demographic background factors as well as peer influence are determinants of risk behaviors. Thus, efforts should be made to keep adolescents in school, particularly until secondary school, and increase school connectedness.     

Self-reported calcium intake and bone mineral content in children and adolescents

OBJECTIVE: We examined the relationship between self-reported calcium (Ca) intake and bone mineral content (BMC) in children and adolescents. We hypothesized that an expression of Ca adjusted for energy intake (EI), i.e., Ca density, would be a better predictor of BMC than unadjusted Ca because of underreporting of EI. METHODS: Data were obtained on dietary intakes (repeated 24-hour recalls) and BMC (by DEXA) in a cross-section of 227 children aged 8 to 17 years. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to examine the relationship between Ca. Ca density, and the dependent variables total body BMC and lumbar spine BMC. Covariates included were height, weight, bone area. maturity age, activity score and EI. RESULTS: Reported EI compared to estimated basal metabolic rate suggested underreporting of EI. Total body and lumbar spine BMC were significantly associated with EI, but not Ca or Ca density, in bivariate analyses. After controlling for size and maturity, multiple linear regression analysis revealed unadjusted Ca to be a predictor of BMC in males in the total body (p = 0.08) and lumbar spine (p = 0.01)). Unadjusted Ca was not a predictor of BMC at either site in females. Ca density was not a better predictor of BMC at either site in males or females. CONCLUSIONS: The relationship observed in male adolescents in this study between Ca intake and BMC is similar to that seen in clinical trials. Ca density did not enable us to see a relationship between Ca intake and BMC in females, which may reflect systematic reporting errors or that diet is not a limiting factor in this group of healthy adolescents.     

Self-reported chemical sensitivity in Germany: a population-based survey

OBJECTIVES: Environmental clinics are frequented by patients with fears and complaints related to environmental triggers. A dose-independent overreaction to small doses of widely used and generally non-toxic chemicals is referred to as multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS), but no clearly defined clinical syndrome with objective physical findings has been delineated so far. We aimed to obtain information about symptoms, supposed environmental triggers, the frequency of self-reported chemical sensitivity, and of the diagnosis MCS in Germany. METHODS: We conducted a representative survey among 2032 adult Germans. RESULTS: We found self-reported chemical sensitivity in 9% and physician-diagnosed MCS in 0.5% of our representative sample. Physical complaints were common in the whole study population and in chemically sensitive individuals, but there was no clear-cut symptom constellation among the latter. The most common complaints were headache, fatigue, sleep disturbances, joint pain, mood changes and nervousness. A subjective connection between complaints and environmental triggers was denied by 67% of the whole group and by 35% of the self-reported chemically sensitive. Factor analysis of environmental triggers suggested that a specific exposure situation rather than chemical similarity is the basis for individual trigger combinations. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of subjective sensitivity towards chemicals is similar to such rates reported from other countries. There is a relatively low awareness of the MCS-concept, and it appears to be diagnosed less frequently than, e.g., in the USA. Since symptoms and triggers in chemically sensitive individuals did not differ from the general population, our data do not suggest the existence of a widespread new syndrome related to chemical sensitivities in Germany. We outline the limitations of self-reported chemical sensitivity as the major criterion for such a contentious diagnosis as MCS.     

Audiological problems in patients with tinnitus exposed to noise and vibrations

Tinnitus is a hearing sensation appearing without available sound fluctuations in the external environment. It is one of the major, constant and earliest symptoms suggesting different pathology of the hearing analyser. It must be considered, though, that it is evidenced also at disturbed functions of other organs and systems of the organism. The aim of the present study is to elucidate the state of the hearing analyser in patients with tinnitus occupationally exposed to noise and vibrations in relation to therapy. The study was performed on 67 miners, aged 34-55, mean age 44.5 years. The workers with subjective tinnitus (29 persons--43% of the studied group) are the object of this investigation. They were subjected to the following tests of the hearing analyser: pure tone audiometry; above-threshold audiometry (Carhardt's adaptation test, Lusher's differential threshold, SISI test, Kietz test. The evidence reveals that the studied group of workers occupationally exposed to noise, vibrations, dust, toxic substances etc. complain predominantly of tinnitus. It is accompanied by vertigo, headache and disturbed balance. Changes in the hearing function are observed; manifested by different degree of hypacusia concerning air and bone conductivity in the pure tone audiometry. The above-threshold tests also evidence deviations suggesting disturbed hearing function. These changes can be explained by mechanical-toxic pathogenic mechanisms leading to cerebral and vestibular dysfunction most probably of vascular-circulatory type manifested by the above stated deviations. The results are the basis for the following conclusions: 1. The anamnestic profile of workers with tinnitus exposed to noise and vibrations shows a prevalent percentage of vertigo, followed by headache and disturbed balance. 2. The otoneurological profile shows changes in the air and bone conductivity manifested by different degree of hypacusia. 3. The evaluation of the above-threshold tests also confirms the evidence of disturbed hearing function. 4. The relevant therapeutical approach has to be elaborated, having in mind the existing suggestion about the mechanical-toxic etiopathogenesis of the developed process of vascular-circulatory type.     

Salivary cortisol levels, subjective stress, and tinnitus intensity in tinnitus sufferers during noise exposure in the laboratory

Tinnitus, a chronic internal noise, is thought to increase in intensity during or following external noise exposure. Yet there is no empirical evidence for this complaint in the extant literature. Recently, cortisol has been advanced as a useful tool for studying the physiological effects of noise on stress, but few, if any, studies have examined the short-term effects of noise on cortisol levels in tinnitus sufferers. This study assesses the effects of noise exposure on cortisol levels and subjective stress in tinnitus participants and controls without tinnitus. Twenty tinnitus participants and 20 controls without tinnitus were exposed to a 20-min broadband noise with amplified low frequencies. Saliva samplings for cortisol analysis and subjective stress and tinnitus intensity ratings (for tinnitus participants) were performed at regular intervals throughout testing. Results show higher cortisol levels for both groups immediately before, immediately after, and 10min after the end of noise than at other time points. The tinnitus group had lower overall cortisol levels than controls. In contrast, subjective stress ratings were higher for the tinnitus group, and higher at midpoint and immediately after the noise ended. Tinnitus subjective intensity increased throughout testing, especially for the group with high tinnitus-related distress. Overall results show that noise exposure influences cortisol response, subjective stress, and tinnitus intensity.     

Self-reported musculoskeletal complaints among garment workers

One hundred forty-four sewing machine operators answered questionnaires concerning occupational history and musculoskeletal symptoms adapted from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. They were matched for age within 5 years, race, and sex with persons completing the HANES I Augmentation Survey, and the prevalence of self-reported musculoskeletal morbidity was compared. Operators complained significantly more often of knee pain (prevalence odds ratio [POR] = 1.84, p = .0001) and knee swelling (POR = 9.98, p less than .00001), although they were no more likely to have had knee surgery. Similar increases were reported for upper-back pain (POR = 2.13, p = .002) joint ache, and joint swelling (both were significant for fingers, wrists, elbows, and shoulders at p less than .05 levels). No differences in low-back pain or in hospitalization for joint conditions were noted. Ergonomic redesign of sewing machines needs to address knee and upper-back movements as well as the arm, wrist, and finger movements.     

Self-reported musculoskeletal symptoms among nursing personnel

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate musculoskeletal symptoms among female members of the nursing personnel. The sample consisted of 105 female nursing aides and technicians who were working at a university hospital with highly dependent patients. The questionnaire was composed of items on demographic and job-factor information and the symptom section was a modification of the "Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire". In this study, 93% of the health workers reported at least one musculoskeletal symptom in the previous 12 months. The highest prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders was in the following anatomical areas: low back (59%), shoulders (40%), knees (33.3%) and neck (28.6%). As a result of musculoskeletal pain, 29.5% of the respondents reported missing work and 47.6% reported having had an appointment to see a physician in the previous 12 months. Limited experience on the job and in the present unit were also observed among those who had more frequent complaints of pain in the knees (p=0.0272) and low back pain (p=0.0332), respectively. However, hand/wrist pain occurred more often among the participants with the higher numbers of weekly worked hours (OR=3.72:1.26相似文献   

Self-reported stress among multiprofessional media personnel

BACKGROUND: Recent research shows increasing rates of occupational stress and stress-related disorders. OBJECTIVE: To study self-reported stress and its association with work (work duty, working hours and shift work), sick leave and gender among multiprofessional media personnel. METHODS: We used a questionnaire study among 30- to 55-year-old radio and TV broadcasting employees (n = 1339). RESULTS: Stress was felt 'rather much' by 18% and 'very much' by 6%. Females reported stress (P < 0.05) and absence from work (P < 0.05) more often than males. The probability of having 'rather much' or 'very much' stress was significantly associated with self-reported overtime (P < 0.01) and the amount of reported sick leave (P < 0.05) CONCLUSION: Self-reported overtime and sick leave appear to be associated with higher level of self-reported stress, regardless of age, gender or work duty.     

Self-reported arthritis among men and women in an adult community

In the Rancho Bernardo, California population of older adults, the age-adjusted prevalence rate of self-reported arthritis was higher in women than men for all types combined (38.6 vs. 22.3%, p less than 0.05), and for osteoarthritis (18.1 vs 12.9%). Men and women with osteoarthritis and disabling arthritis were significantly more likely to report co-morbid conditions. Women with osteoarthritis were significantly less likely to drink alcohol and more likely to be taking estrogen replacement therapy. At 15 years of follow up, mortality rates were not significantly increased in men or women with arthritis or osteoarthritis compared to those without arthritis.