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Health Behaviours (health + behaviour)
Kinds of Health Behaviours Selected AbstractsAssociation between tobacco control policies and smoking behaviour among adolescents in 29 European countriesADDICTION, Issue 11 2009Anne Hublet ABSTRACT Aims To investigate the associations between well-known, cost-effective tobacco control policies at country level and smoking prevalence among 15-year-old adolescents. Design Multi-level modelling based on the 2005,06 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children Study, a cross-national study at individual level, and with country-level variables from the Tobacco Control Scale and published country-level databases. Setting Twenty-nine European countries. Participants A total of 25 599 boys and 26 509 girls. Main outcome measures Self-reported regular smoking defined as at least weekly smoking, including daily smoking (dichotomous). Findings Interaction effects between gender and smoking policies were identified, therefore boys and girls were analysed separately. Large cross-national differences in smoking prevalence were documented. Intraclass correlations (ICC) of 0.038 (boys) and 0.035 (girls) were found. In the final multi-level model for boys, besides the significance of the individual variables such as family affluence, country-level affluence and the legality of vending machines were related significantly to regular smoking [b(country affluence) = ,0.010; b(partial restriction vending machines) = ,0.366, P < 0.05]. Price policy was of borderline significance [b(price policy) = ,0.026, P = 0.050]. All relationships were in the expected direction. The model fit is not as good for girls; only the legality of vending machines had a borderline significance in the final model [b(total ban vending machines) = ,0.372, P = 0.06]. Conclusions For boys, some of the currently recommended tobacco control policies may help to reduce smoking prevalence. However, the model is less suitable for girls, indicating gender differences in the potential efficacy of smoking policies. Future research should address this issue. [source] Addiction research centres and the nurturing of creativity: The Swiss Institute for the Prevention of Alcohol and Drug Problems.ADDICTION, Issue 5 2009future, present ABSTRACT The aim of this paper is to offer an account of the history, the current status and the future of substance use research at the Swiss Institute for the Prevention of Alcohol and Drug Problems (SIPA). Although founded originally by the temperance movement in 1901, its policy has shifted over time towards one which accepts an alcohol-consuming culture made up of self-determined but well-informed consumers, while still supporting those who choose to live an abstinent life. In the beginning, SIPA was involved primarily in collecting alcohol-related information and making it available to professionals and the general public. From the late 1960s SIPA began conducting its own research projects; by the mid-1970s it had set up its own in-house research department. In 2001, SIPA was appointed a World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Substance Abuse, Research, Prevention and Documentation. As a private non-governmental organization, most of its funding comes from external research commissions. SIPA participates in a variety of international projects [e.g. Gender Alcohol and Culture: An International Study (GenACIS), European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Drugs (ESPAD) and Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC)] and contributes to numerous national research projects dealing with substance use. It has also forged close links with more than 50 other research institutions in Switzerland and world-wide. Thanks to its work over the last 30 years, SIPA has become a chief port of call for alcohol use research in Switzerland. In the future, SIPA will continue to monitor substance use, while stepping up its prevention research activities and ensuring that it is able to react more promptly to emerging phenomena. [source] Social Environments and Physical Aggression Among 21,107 Students in the United States and CanadaJOURNAL OF SCHOOL HEALTH, Issue 4 2009William Pickett PhD ABSTRACT Background:, Physical aggression is an important issue in North American populations. The importance of students' social environments in the occurrence of physical aggression requires focused study. In this study, reports of physical aggression were examined in relation to social environment factors among national samples of students from Canada and the United States. Methods:, Students in grades 6-10 from the United States (n = 14,049) and Canada (n = 7058) who had participated in the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children Survey (HBSC) were studied. Rates of students' physical aggression were compared between the 2 countries. School, family, socioeconomic, and peer-related factors were considered as potential risk factors. A simple social environment risk score was developed using the US data and was subsequently tested in the Canadian sample. Results:, Risks for physical aggression were consistently higher among United States versus Canadian students, but the magnitude of these differences was modest. The relative odds of physical aggression increased with reported environmental risk. To illustrate, US boys in grades 6-8 reporting the highest social environment risk score (5+) experienced a relative odds of physical aggression 4.02 (95% CI 2.7-5.9) times higher than those reporting the lowest score (adjusted OR for risk scores 0 through 5+ was 1.00, 1.19, 2.10, 2.01, 3.71, and 4.02, respectively, ptrend < .001). Conclusions:, Unexpectedly, rates of physical aggression and associations between social environments and students' aggression were remarkably similar in Canada and the United States. Family, peer, and school social environments serve as risk or protective factors, with significant cumulative impact on physical aggression in both countries. Given the observed high rates and the many negative effects of aggression on long-term health, school policies aimed at the reduction of such behavior remain a clear priority. [source] Associations between physical activity, sedentary behavior, and glycemic control in a large cohort of adolescents with type 1 diabetes: the Hvidoere Study Group on Childhood DiabetesPEDIATRIC DIABETES, Issue 4 2009J Åman Background:, The Hvidoere Study Group on Childhood Diabetes has demonstrated persistent differences in metabolic outcomes between pediatric diabetes centers. These differences cannot be accounted for by differences in demographic, medical, or treatment variables. Therefore, we sought to explore whether differences in physical activity or sedentary behavior could explain the variation in metabolic outcomes between centers. Methods:, An observational cross-sectional international study in 21 centers, with demographic and clinical data obtained by questionnaire from participants. Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels were assayed in one central laboratory. All individuals with diabetes aged 11,18 yr (49.4% female), with duration of diabetes of at least 1 yr, were invited to participate. Individuals completed a self-reported measure of quality of life (Diabetes Quality of Life - Short Form [DQOL-SF]), with well-being and leisure time activity assessed using measures developed by Health Behaviour in School Children WHO Project. Results:, Older participants (p < 0.001) and females (p < 0.001) reported less physical activity. Physical activity was associated with positive health perception (p < 0.001) but not with glycemic control, body mass index, frequency of hypoglycemia, or diabetic ketoacidosis. The more time spent on the computer (r = 0.06; p < 0.05) and less time spent doing school homework (r = ,0.09; p < 0.001) were associated with higher HbA1c. Between centers, there were significant differences in reported physical activity (p < 0.001) and sedentary behavior (p < 0.001), but these differences did not account for center differences in metabolic control. Conclusions:, Physical activity is strongly associated with psychological well-being but has weak associations with metabolic control. Leisure time activity is associated with individual differences in HbA1c but not with intercenter differences. [source] Validity of BMI based on self-reported weight and height in adolescentsACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 1 2010H Fonseca Abstract Aim:, To assess in a subset of a nationally representative sample of Portuguese adolescents, the validity of Body Mass Index (BMI) based on self-reported weight and height. Methods:, This study included 462 students in grades 6, 8 and 10 (mean age 14.0 ± 1.9 years) from 12 public schools randomly selected from the list of schools which took part in the 2006 Health Behaviour in School Aged Children Portuguese survey, corresponding to approximately 10% of the sample. Self-reported weight and height were recorded and then measured. Results:, Prevalence of normal weight, overweight and obesity based on self-report compared with that of measured values was not significantly different for boys and girls, and among age groups. BMI based on measured weight and height was underestimated compared with BMI based on self-reported data, both among girls and boys. Larger limits of agreement were found for boys, indicating a higher variability of self-reported BMI in estimating measured BMI, specifically below the age of 14 years. Conclusion:, These data suggest that BMI based on self-reported weight and height is not accurate for BMI prediction at an individual level. However, self-reported BMI may be used as a simple and valid tool for BMI estimates of overweight and obesity in epidemiological studies. [source] Are overweight adolescents at higher risk of engaging in unhealthy weight-control behaviours?ACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 5 2009Helena Fonseca Abstract Aim: To examine correlates of unhealthy weight-control behaviours (UNWCB), and to explore possible associated variables. Methods: Sample included 3762, 8th and 10th grade public school Portuguese students who participated in the 2002 Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children (HBSC)/World Health Organization (WHO) survey of adolescent health. Factor analysis was used, and two scales were identified as ,healthy weight-control behaviours' (HWCB) and ,UNWCB' through Kaiser criteria analysis. Frequency scores were developed and used in analysis of variance (ANOVAs) test as dependent variables, according to gender and age. Pearson correlations and post-hoc analysis were performed to identify potential associations. Results: UNWCB were significantly higher among those who were dieting or not dieting, but considering they should, and were significantly and progressively increasing from those perceiving themselves as thin, to those perceiving themselves as being the right size and those perceiving themselves as fat. Overweight reported more frequently than non-overweight, both HWCB and UNWCB. Finally, there were significant differences concerning alcohol use, with UNWCB increasing progressively from reporting ,drinking rarely or never' to ,drinking every week' and ,everyday'. Conclusion: Because UNWCB are associated with both medical and psychological health risks, routine screening is warranted. Special attention needs to be directed towards youth at greatest risk for disordered eating, including overweight youth. [source] Alcohol use and abuse in adolescence: proposal of an alternative analysisCHILD: CARE, HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 3 2008C. Simões Abstract Background A national, representative, school-based sample of Portuguese youths was used to examine the prevalence of alcohol use in this population and to analyse differences between demographic variables such as gender and age, as well as to propose a statistical procedure that optimally quantifies categorical variables. Methods Data on 6109 state school students from Portugal, in the 6th, 8th and 10th grades, aged 11,18, who participated in the 2002 (Health Behaviour in School-aged Children/WHO) survey of adolescent health, were analysed. Adolescents aged between 11 and 14 were placed in the younger group, and those 15,18 years old were placed in the older group. Optimal scaling was used to optimize the computation of factor scores, which were subsequently submitted to multiple regression analysis in order to analyse the impact of gender and age on alcohol use. Results The results of this study show that the majority of Portuguese school-aged adolescents attending regular school at 6th, 8th and 10th grades do not drink alcoholic beverages (beer, wine or spirits) on a regular basis (at least once a month). However, about 8% of these adolescents do drink beer, 3% do drink wine and 12% do drink spirits on a regular basis. With regard to age and gender, about a quarter of the older boys stated that they drink beer or spirits regularly. The multiple regression analysis showed that age and gender had a significant impact on alcohol use. Conclusion Alcohol , in particular spirits , is a substance used by some Portuguese adolescents. Alcohol use and abuse is more frequent in boys and increases with age. The importance of these findings for health promotion strategies is discussed. [source] Adolescent toothbrushing and the home environment: sociodemographic factors, family relationships and mealtime routines and disorganisationCOMMUNITY DENTISTRY AND ORAL EPIDEMIOLOGY, Issue 1 2010Kate A. Levin Levin KA, Currie C. Adolescent toothbrushing and the home environment: sociodemographic factors, family relationships and mealtime routines and disorganisation. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 2010; 38: 10,18. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S Abstract,,, Objectives:, Previous studies have shown that sociodemographic factors are associated with adolescent toothbrushing. While there has been some investigation of parental modelling of oral health behaviour and the association between parental support and oral health, there has been no investigation of the home environment and its effect on oral health behaviour. The current study examines variables related to the family, including mealtime routines and family relationships to determine the best predictors of adolescent toothbrushing. Methods:, Data from the 2006 Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children Survey were modelled using logistic univariate and multivariable modelling with outcome variable twice-a-day toothbrushing. Results:, Higher family socioeconomic and affluence were significantly associated with greater odds of toothbrushing twice a day or more. Family structure was also significantly associated with girls' toothbrushing. However, under the multivariable model, eating breakfast was found to be the best predictor of twice-a-day toothbrushing among boys and girls. The next best predictor of boys' toothbrushing was eating family meals and of girls' toothbrushing, never going to bed hungry, followed by family affluence for both boys and girls. Under the multivariable model, family structure was no longer significantly associated with girls' toothbrushing. Conclusions:, The study shows that the family and home environment should play a central role in the promotion of oral health, through mealtime routines, incorporating a fair parenting style and developing open and positive family relationships. Not only are these strongly associated with twice a day toothbrushing but, unlike sociodemographic factors, they may be relatively easy to adopt. [source] Do life- or school-satisfaction and self-esteem indicators explain the oral hygiene habits of schoolchildren?COMMUNITY DENTISTRY AND ORAL EPIDEMIOLOGY, Issue 5 2007S. Honkala Abstract,,, Objectives:, The aim of this study was to ascertain how frequently toothbrushing and flossing are practiced among schoolchildren in Kuwait and whether life- and school-satisfaction and self-esteem indicators are associated with oral hygiene habits. Methods:, A sample of 2312 schoolchildren between 11 and 13 years old filled out a structured questionnaire anonymously in school classrooms during 2002 and 2003. For this study, nationally representative samples of children were drawn from all six governorates of Kuwait. Only government schools were included. The questionnaire of the Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children Study was used in this study after it was modified to suit Kuwait. A chi-squared test and logistic regression model were used for analyzing the data. Results:, Over half of the pupils reported brushing their teeth more than once a day; girls reported brushing more frequently than boys did. One-fifth of the pupils did not brush their teeth even on a daily basis. The life- and school-satisfaction and self-esteem indicators were associated with more-than-once-a-day toothbrushing frequency. The strongest predictors for recommended brushing were: feeling very happy (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.38,2.77), feeling that other pupils always accept him/her (1.5; 1.16,2.02), never/sometimes feeling lonely and feeling that it is very easy to make friends (1.4; 1.06,1.94). The summary variables of life-satisfaction, school-satisfaction and self-esteem seemed to be strongly associated with brushing. Dental floss was never used by 45% of the children, weekly by 18% and daily by 17%; 20% did not even know what dental floss was. Conclusions:, Among intermediate schoolchildren in Kuwait, oral hygiene practices were far behind the international recommendations. Special emphasis should be placed on children who have personal problems with their life, school and self-esteem. [source] Health perceptions and health behaviours of poor urban Jordanian womenJOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, Issue 1 2001Sawsan Majali Mahasneh PhD RN Health perceptions and health behaviours of poor urban Jordanian women Background.,The economic recession and stringent economic adjustment programme that Jordan has gone through since the early 1980s have resulted in lower living standards and higher rates of poverty and unemployment. Poverty debilitates women and impairs their access to health care, proper nutrition and well-being in general. Rationale.,Women's health behaviours and problems need to be analysed from the perspective of women themselves. The purpose of this study was to describe the health perceptions and health behaviours of poor urban Jordanian women aged 15,45 years in the context of the family and community in which they live. The sample consisted of 267 Jordanian women aged 18,45 years, whose household income was below the poverty line. Method.,This was a community-based study that collected data using semi-structured interviews with women. Health perceptions were measured by asking the women to describe their health status, as they perceived it. Health behaviours were measured by asking the women about their personal hygiene, diet, activity and exercise, sleep, smoking, drinking alcohol, and safety and security. Results.,The average age of women was 33 years, 93% were or had been married, and 87·5% had received some form of education. Although the mean age at marriage was about 20 years, 13·6% were married when they were less than 16 years of age. Study women gave a lower rating of their health status than those reported in national studies. Although they reported bathing once a week, eating about three meals a day, and getting 8 hours sleep, there remain areas for improvement in their health behaviours in terms of performing regular exercise, carrying out regular health examinations, and the type and amount of food consumed. Recommendations.,Implications for nursing, with a special focus on health education and meeting the health needs of these women, are presented. [source] Health behaviours of young, rural residents: A case studyAUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF RURAL HEALTH, Issue 2 2009Lisa Bourke Abstract Objective:,To analyse self-reported health behaviours of young people from a rural community and the factors influencing their behaviours. Methods:,Interviews were conducted with 19 young people, 11 parents and 10 key informants from a small rural Victorian community, asking about teenage health behaviours and the factors influencing these behaviours. Results:,Young people ate both healthy and unhealthy foods, most participated in physical activity, few smoked and most drank alcohol. The study found that community level factors, including community norms, peers, access issues and geographic isolation, were particularly powerful in shaping health behaviours, especially alcohol consumption. Smoking was influenced by social participation in the community and national media health campaigns. Diet and exercise behaviour were influenced by access and availability, convenience, family, peers and local and non-local cultural influences. Conclusion and implications:,The rural context, including less access to and choice of facilities and services, lower incomes, lack of transport and local social patterns (including community norms and acceptance), impact significantly on young people's health behaviours. Although national health promotion campaigns are useful aspects of behaviour modification, much greater focus on the role and importance of the local contexts in shaping health decisions of young rural people is required. [source] Health behaviours, risk-taking and conceptual changes among schoolchildren aged 7 to 19 years in semi-rural SwedenCHILD: CARE, HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 3 2008A. Olsson Abstract Background This study covers a broad age group (7,19 years) and includes a wide range of themes. The aim is to describe how various behaviours, complaints and conceptual changes come into play and to discuss the factors that might support or hamper the happiness and well-being of growing children and adolescents. We also discuss the implications of our findings for future prevention programmes. Methods This cross-sectional study included all schoolchildren in a semi-rural district in Sweden (2181 pupils). A structured classroom questionnaire was used but the children were also given the opportunity to describe in their own words what was important for their happiness and well-being. Results Mean response rate was 85%. Most changes in behaviour occurred between 11 and 14 years of age. Girls had a more rapid process of change than boys. Both girls and boys experienced stress in their relations with peers, parents and teachers. Gender differences in emotional support were prominent. Regardless of age and sex, all schoolchildren asked for a richer choice of leisure time activities, a place where they could meet with friends and caring teachers, parents and adults in the surrounding community. Conclusions Adolescence was perceived as a risky and problematic period not only by adults but also by the adolescents themselves. However, the perceived risks and the worries differed. While the adults mainly worried about the early onset of smoking and drug use, the schoolchildren worried about their social situation and their personal relationships. After decades of preventive programmes in Swedish schools, only modest results are seen. To be effective, future preventive programmes probably have to focus more on the conceptual world of the growing child. [source] Body mass index, waist circumference and waist to hip ratio and change in sex steroid hormones: the Massachusetts Male Ageing StudyCLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY, Issue 1 2006Carol A. Derby Summary Objective, Cross-sectional data suggest that obesity, particularly central obesity, may be associated with decreased production of sex steroid hormones in men. However, longitudinal hormone data on men in relation to obesity status are limited. Previous studies have not consistently demonstrated whether sex steroids are associated specifically to body mass index or to measures of central obesity. Our objective was to examine the relation of obesity (body mass index > 30 kg/m2), and of central obesity (waist circumference > 100 cm or waist to hip ratio > 0·95) to longitudinal change in sex steroid hormones in men. Design, Prospective follow-up of a population-based sample of men in Boston. Patients, Nine hundred forty-two (942) men in the Massachusetts Male Ageing Study with complete anthropometry and hormone data at baseline (1987,1989, ages 40,70) and follow-up (1995,1997). Measurements, Free and total testosterone (FT and TT), dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS), and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) were assessed using standardized methods. Health behaviours and medical history were obtained by structured interview. Repeated measures regression was used to describe trends in steroid hormones and SHBG in relation to obesity status, adjusting for age, smoking, alcohol, comorbidities, and physical activity. Results, Obesity was associated with decreased levels of total and free testosterone, and of SHBG at follow-up relative to baseline. For any given baseline concentration of TT, FT or SHBG, follow-up levels were lowest among men who remained obese or who became obese during follow-up. This was true for all three indices of obesity. Central adiposity was associated with lower DHEAS levels at follow-up, while elevated body mass index was not. Conclusions, Obesity may predict greater decline in testosterone and SHBG levels with age. Central adiposity may be a more important predictor of decline in DHEAS than is body mass index. [source] Role of habit in adherence to medical treatmentDIABETIC MEDICINE, Issue 4 2005G. Reach Abstract This paper presents an analysis, from a philosophical point of view, of three psychological models describing how one adopts a health behaviour. More specifically, this analysis makes it possible to explain the role of habit in therapeutic adherence. By clarifying the notions of intention and decision, this novel analysis may be useful for understanding the dynamics of diabetes care. [source] Randomized controlled trial of a brief intervention for problematic prescription drug use in non-treatment-seeking patientsADDICTION, Issue 1 2009Anne Zahradnik ABSTRACT Aims Dependence on or problematic use of prescription drugs (PD) is estimated to be between 1 and 2% in the general population. In contrast, the proportion of substance-specific treatment in PD use disorders at 0.5% is comparatively low. With an estimated prevalence of 4.7%, PD-specific disorders are widespread in general hospitals compared to the general population. Brief intervention delivered in general hospitals might be useful to promote discontinuation or reduction of problematic prescription drug use. Design A randomized, controlled clinical trial. Setting Internal, surgical and gynaecological wards of a general and a university hospital. Participants One hundred and twenty-six patients fulfilling criteria for either regular use of PD (more than 60 days within the last 3 months) or dependence on or abuse of PD, respectively, were allocated randomly to two conditions. Intervention Subjects received two counselling sessions based on Motivational Interviewing plus an individualized written feedback (intervention group, IG) or a booklet on health behaviour (control group, CG). Measurements The outcome was measured as reduction (>25%) and discontinuation of PD intake in terms of defined daily dosages (DDD). Findings After 3 months, more participants in the IG reduced their DDD compared to the participants in the CG (51.8% versus 30%; ,2 = 6.17; P = 0.017). In the IG 17.9%, in the CG 8.6% discontinued use of PD (,2 = 2.42; P = 0.17). Conclusions Brief intervention based on Motivational Interviewing is effective in reducing PD intake in non-treatment-seeking patients. [source] Parental perspectives on preterm children's oral health behaviour and experience of dental care during preschool and early school yearsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PAEDIATRIC DENTISTRY, Issue 4 2009SUSANNE BROGÅRDH-ROTH Background., Children born preterm (PT) have medical conditions and impairments that may affect their oral health. Hypothesis., Our hypothesis for the study was that PT children display more dental behaviour management problems (BMPs) and less favourable oral health behaviour than controls (C). Methods., Parents of 153 PT children and 153 C children were interviewed regarding the children's oral health behaviour and experience of dental care on two occasions, 2 years apart. The interviews concerned the preschool period and the early school years, respectively. Results., BMPs were more common in PT children of preschool age, but not during the early school years. Regarding oral health behaviour, there were no differences between the groups, except that PT children had more problems with toothbrushing than C children in the preschool period, in spite of the fact that the PT group reported more medical health problems and more anxious behaviour and indications of cognitive problems than the C group. Conclusions., Children born PT exhibit several risk factors for both BMP and impaired oral health. It is essential that this group of patients is identified early and receives special attention from the dental services. [source] Oral health status in relation to ethnicity of children in the Municipality of Copenhagen, DenmarkINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PAEDIATRIC DENTISTRY, Issue 3 2003A. Sundby Summary. Approximately 25% of children under the age of 18 in the Municipality of Copenhagen have a non-Danish ethnic background, and it is suspected that there may be major inequalities in oral health as a result. Objectives. The objectives of this study were to describe the occurrence of dental caries in different ethnic minorities, and to analyse whether the dental caries experience of the children may be affected by cultural and behavioural differences. Materials and methods. The study was conducted in Copenhagen as a cross-sectional investigation of 794 children, aged 3 and 5 years old (preschool), 7 years old (Grade 1) and 15 years old (Grade 9). Children of Danish, Turkish, Pakistani, Albanian, Somali and Arabian backgrounds were selected by convenience sampling. Epidemiological data were retrieved from the Danish Recording System for the Public Dental Health Services (SCOR) and sociological data were collected by postal questionnaires. Results. Marked differences in dental caries prevalence were observed when different ethnic minorities were compared to Danish children. These were most prominent for the primary dentition. At age 7, 53% of the Danish and 84% of the Albanian children were affected by dental caries, the mean caries experience was 3·5 dmfs (decayed, missed and filled surfaces) and 13·8 dmfs, respectively. Caries in incisors and/or smooth surfaces was observed in 10% of the Danish children and 48% of the Albanian children. There were cultural differences in dental attendance and self-care practices of children and parents. These socio-behavioural factors may help to explain the differences in dental caries prevalence and severity. Conclusions. Development of appropriate oral health promotion strategies is urgently needed to improve oral health behaviour and attitudes of parents and children of ethnic minorities. Preventive programs should be organized at local community level in close collaboration with key persons of ethnic minority societies. [source] Predictors of mammography uptake in Korean women aged 40 years and overJOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, Issue 2 2008Eunjung Ryu Abstract Title.,Predictors of mammography uptake in Korean women aged 40 years and over Aim., This paper is a report of a study performed to identify the predictors of mammography uptake for Korean women according to the stage of change, as determined by the transtheoretical model. Background., Although breast cancer is the most common female cancer in South Korea, its early detection rate here is low when compared with other developed countries. The transtheoretical model can be used to facilitate health promotion based on individual health behaviour and to devise stage-tailored interventions. Method., The participants were a convenience sample of 920 women aged ,40 years between December 2005 and February 2006. A cross-sectional design was used in which participants completed a questionnaire that consisted of measures of the transtheoretical model. To provide a standard of measure, the variables were converted from raw scores to standard scores and then to T scores (mean = 50, sd = 10). Logistic regression analysis was then used to estimate predictors of the stage of maintenance of mammography uptake. Findings., The most frequent stage of mammography uptake was ,contemplation'. Predictors of mammography uptake included decisional balance, commitment to regular screening and avoiding contact with the healthcare system. Commitment to regular screening and breast self-examination were strongly related to mammography maintenance. Conclusion., The results of this study can be used for the development of theory-based and empirically supported mammography uptake intervention strategies and programmes directed towards women aged ,40 years. [source] Relationship between betel quid additives and established periodontitis among Bangladeshi subjectsJOURNAL OF CLINICAL PERIODONTOLOGY, Issue 1 2008Rahena Akhter Abstract Aim: To determine the relationship between betel quid chewing additives and established periodontitis in Bangladeshi subjects. Material and Methods: A total of 864 subjects participated in this study. Among them, 140 pairs of sex- and age-matched case subjects and control subjects were selected. A case was defined as a person who had at least two sites with a clinical attachment level (CAL)6 mm and at least one site with probing depth (PD)5 mm. Subjects who did not fulfill these criteria were considered as controls. Information on sociodemographic variables, psychological stress, dental health behaviour, smoking and betel quid chewing habits was obtained. Results: Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that current betel quid chewers had greater probabilities of having established periodontal disease than did non-chewers (odds ratio=3.97, p<0.05). Mean PD, mean CAL, mean percentage of bleeding on probing and number of missing teeth were significantly higher in chewers of betel quid with tobacco and masala than in chewers of betel quid without such additives adjusting for age, sex, smoking habit, body mass index, dental visit pattern, stress and plaque index. Higher frequency and longer duration of betel quid chewing showed a significant relation to an increase in periodontal parameters. Conclusion: The results indicate that betel quid additives might significantly enhance periodontitis in the population studied. [source] Influences of social support on the oral health of older people in BritainJOURNAL OF ORAL REHABILITATION, Issue 10 2002Colman McGrath summary, A national UK study involving a random sample of 876 non-institutionalized older people (aged 65 or older) were recruited, to identify the association between social support (living alone), self-reported oral health status and oral health behaviour (use of services). Home interviews were undertaken exploring oral health behaviour (time and reason for last dental visit) and oral health status measures (self-reported number of teeth possessed and denture status). In addition, socio-demographic characteristics were collected. Bivariate analysis identified that social support was associated with time since last dental visit (P < 0·01), reason for last dental visit (P < 0·01), self-reported number of teeth possessed (P < 0·01) and denture status (P < 0·01). In regression analysis, social support emerged as an important predictor of reason for last dental visit and denture status having accounted for other factors in the model (age, gender, social class and educational attainment). Social support is associated with oral health status and oral health behaviour of older people in Britain and is likely to influence both the decision making process of when to seek dental care and what type of treatment to opt for. [source] Perceived benefits and barriers to joint protection among people with rheumatoid arthritis and occupational therapists.MUSCULOSKELETAL CARE, Issue 3 2010A mixed methods study Abstract Background:,Deciding whether or not to perform a health behaviour is an active decision-making process which has an impact on current and future behaviour and can be influenced by the beliefs both of patients and their healthcare professionals. The aim of this study was to explore rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients' and occupational therapists' (OTs) perceptions of the benefits of and barriers to performing joint protection (JP). Methods:,A mixed methods design was used. Questionnaires applied a theoretical framework of key themes to assess the relevance of JP benefits and barriers both to people with RA and OTs. Focused interviews with people with RA then enabled data triangulation. Investigator triangulation was used to check the validity of data interpretation. Findings:,Ten people with RA and nine OTs participated. From the questionnaires, both groups agreed that highly relevant key themes for JP benefits were physical well-being, potential benefit and personal control. By contrast, the three key themes for JP barriers , negative attitude of others, negative impact on others and taking time from other things , were relevant for the majority of the OTs but not patients. The interviews enabled an understanding of the meaning behind RA patients' ratings, particularly their differences from OTs. People with RA explained JP benefits, and disease acceptance had altered some initial barriers into perceived benefits over time. Conclusions:,Emphasizing benefits and identifying individually relevant barriers could be an important communication strategy for OTs in understanding patients' rationale for whether or not to adopt JP methods. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Formation and use of covariation assessments in the real worldAPPLIED COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 1 2002Elliot J. Coups In this study we examined covariation assessments made using real-world information held by individual participants about an important preventive health behaviour: receiving an influenza vaccine (,flu shot'). Four hundred and seventy-seven healthy adult participants completed a questionnaire, indicating both their personal experience and vicarious experience (knowledge of other people's experiences) with the flu shot and the flu. Additionally, participants provided a covariation assessment by indicating how effective they thought the flu shot is in preventing the flu. We examined whether the experience information was related to the covariation assessment, and whether it in turn was related to the decision to receive a flu shot. Our results indicated that people use a simple intuitive strategy to combine their personal experience information. For vicarious experience information, we found evidence for use of a normative strategy, as well as simpler intuitive strategies. Consistent with our hypothesis, both types of experience information were associated with the effectiveness judgement, which was subsequently related to the decision to obtain a flu shot. Practical applications of these findings are discussed. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] The Specificity of Self-Efficacy over the Course of a Progressive Exercise ProgrammeAPPLIED PSYCHOLOGY: HEALTH AND WELL-BEING, Issue 2 2009Wendy M. Rodgers Regular physical exercise is an important health-promoting behaviour. Self-efficacy has been demonstrated to be a robust predictor of health behaviour in general and physical activity in particular. Two studies are reported where the change in task self-efficacy, scheduling self-efficacy, and coping self-efficacy for two types of physical activity (walking or traditional fitness activity) was examined over time in a progressive exercise programme. A progressive programme increases in intensity and duration over the course of the study. A sample of 115 people completed a 6-month activity trial where they were assigned to a walking group, a traditional exercise group, or no activity control group. Repeated measures MANOVAs for each type of self-efficacy revealed quadratic patterns of change that were specific to the type of exercise engaged in. The results suggest that self-efficacy is behaviour specific and can be expected to be responsive to overt experiences with specific exercise modalities. Results also suggest that additional support might be necessary as late as 3 months into the programme to maintain levels of exercise consistent with public health guidelines. [source] Access to dental care by young South Australian adultsAUSTRALIAN DENTAL JOURNAL, Issue 3 2003KF Roberts-Thomson Abstract Background: Despite reported concern over the dental care of young adults little research has been done on their use of dental services in Australia. The aim of this study was to investigate the patterns of dental utilization of young South Australian adults aged 20,24 years. Methods: A random sample of 2300 young adults was selected from the electoral roll. Partial or complete addresses and possible phone numbers were obtained for 1921 persons. Telephone interviews were conducted for 1261 subjects to obtain information on socio-demographics, health behaviour and dental visiting (response rate 65.6 per cent). Results: One third of young adults (34 per cent) had not made a dental visit in the previous two years and 38 per cent usually visited for a problem rather than a check-up. Making a dental visit in the last two years was significantly associated with a number of socio-demographic variables including age and gender, with holders of private dental insurance and those who have not avoided care because of cost having higher odds of making a visit and males and government concession card holders having lower odds of visiting. Usual reason for visiting a dentist for a problem was significantly associated with no private dental insurance, holding a government concession card, no tertiary education and avoiding care because of cost. Conclusions: This study suggests that demographic and economic factors influenced use of dental services and reason for visiting of young South Australian adults. [source] Adherence to statin or aspirin or both in patients with established cardiovascular disease: exploring healthy behaviour vs. drug effects and 10-year follow-up of outcomeBRITISH JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY, Issue 1 2008Li Wei WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT , Aspirin and statins are widely-used drugs in patients with cardiovascular disease. , There is less information on healthy behaviour vs. drug effects. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS , Long-term adherence to aspirin and statin treatments in patients with established cardiovascular disease has been investigated. , Poor health behaviour is not a sufficient explanation of adverse outcome in poorly adherent patients. Aims To characterize adherence in patients with established cardiovascular disease taking statins and aspirin and to estimate the effects of adherence due to health behaviour, a lack of beneficial drug effect, or both on recurrence of cardiovascular disease or all-cause mortality over 10 years. Methods A population-based cohort study using a record-linkage database in Tayside, Scotland. Subjects with cardiovascular disease (n = 7657; 4185 aspirin-alone cohort, 671 statin-alone cohort and 2801 combination use cohort) were studied between 1993 and 2003. The effects of adherence on recurrence of cardiovascular disease or mortality were assessed using Poisson regression model. Results In subjects taking both aspirin and statins, those adherent to statins but not aspirin had a lower risk of recurrence [adjusted risk ratio (RR) 0.64; 95% confidence interval 0.49, 0.82], but those adherent to aspirin but not statins has no such effect (adjusted RR 0.91; 0.72, 1.15), suggesting that adherence behaviour alone was not responsible for the beneficial effect. Within the group adherent to aspirin, ,80% adherence to statins was associated with reduced recurrence compared with those poorly adherent (adjusted RR 0.76; 0.62, 0.94), but no such effect of aspirin was seen in those adherent to statins. Similar results were found for all-cause mortality. Conclusions Poor health behaviour is not a sufficient explanation of adverse outcome in poorly adherent patients. Adverse outcome is more likely to be driven by foregone drug benefits. [source] The conceptual relationship between health indicators and quality of life: results from the cross-cultural analysis of the EUROHIS field studyCLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHOTHERAPY (AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF THEORY & PRACTICE), Issue 1 2005Silke Schmidt The aim of this study was to determine the performance of various health indicators to predict quality of life, mental health and general health from a conceptual point of view. The EUROHIS study (see Nosikov and Gudex, 2003) includes a broad range of health care and health behaviour related indicators, such as preventive care, health care utilization, use of medicine, physical health, mental health, alcohol consumption, physical activity and quality of life. Data on various health indicators and quality of life were collected from 10 countries, amounting to a sample size of 4849 (2750 females and 2099 males). An analytical approach was employed to investigate the interrelationship between indicators of each particular indicator set (such as alcohol consumption) and between conceptually different indicator sets. Regression analyses as well as structural equation modelling were employed, pooled across all countries as well as separately for different groups of countries. Findings indicate a higher extent of cross-cultural variation in health behaviour and the QOL measures than in mental health and physical health. In regression analyses, results showed strong and consistent effects of various health behaviour indicators to predict quality of life (R2 = 0.48), mental health (R2 = 0.48) or general health (R2 = 0.45). However, a differential effect of socio-demographic variables, in particular education, and health behavioural determinants was found in different groups of countries. In the structural equation modelling, good fit indices were observed for the model determining physical and mental health factors by different health behaviour factors. Findings suggest that quality of life rather mediates mental outcomes in this particular set of health indicators in a European sample than functions as an outcome variable. However, it was not possible to include sociodemographic data in the whole model but only in each of the latent factors. This finding still requires replication, both in different clinical groups and in longitudinal data.,Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Adolescent toothbrushing and the home environment: sociodemographic factors, family relationships and mealtime routines and disorganisationCOMMUNITY DENTISTRY AND ORAL EPIDEMIOLOGY, Issue 1 2010Kate A. Levin Levin KA, Currie C. Adolescent toothbrushing and the home environment: sociodemographic factors, family relationships and mealtime routines and disorganisation. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 2010; 38: 10,18. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S Abstract,,, Objectives:, Previous studies have shown that sociodemographic factors are associated with adolescent toothbrushing. While there has been some investigation of parental modelling of oral health behaviour and the association between parental support and oral health, there has been no investigation of the home environment and its effect on oral health behaviour. The current study examines variables related to the family, including mealtime routines and family relationships to determine the best predictors of adolescent toothbrushing. Methods:, Data from the 2006 Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children Survey were modelled using logistic univariate and multivariable modelling with outcome variable twice-a-day toothbrushing. Results:, Higher family socioeconomic and affluence were significantly associated with greater odds of toothbrushing twice a day or more. Family structure was also significantly associated with girls' toothbrushing. However, under the multivariable model, eating breakfast was found to be the best predictor of twice-a-day toothbrushing among boys and girls. The next best predictor of boys' toothbrushing was eating family meals and of girls' toothbrushing, never going to bed hungry, followed by family affluence for both boys and girls. Under the multivariable model, family structure was no longer significantly associated with girls' toothbrushing. Conclusions:, The study shows that the family and home environment should play a central role in the promotion of oral health, through mealtime routines, incorporating a fair parenting style and developing open and positive family relationships. Not only are these strongly associated with twice a day toothbrushing but, unlike sociodemographic factors, they may be relatively easy to adopt. [source] Oral and general health behaviours among Chinese urban adolescentsCOMMUNITY DENTISTRY AND ORAL EPIDEMIOLOGY, Issue 1 2008Poul Erik Petersen Abstract,,, Objectives:, The objectives of this study were to measure the association of general and oral health-related behaviours with living conditions and to explore the interrelationships between general and oral health-related behaviours in Chinese urban adolescents. Methods:, A cross-sectional survey of 2662 adolescents was conducted in eight Chinese provincial capitals. The response rate was 92%. The study population was selected through multistage cluster sampling and comprised three age groups: 11, 13 and 15 years. Data on oral and general health, lifestyles as well as living conditions were collected by means of self-administered structured questionnaires. Several additive indices were constructed from answers to the questions on specific behaviour, and participants were categorized according to scores on each component of health-related behaviour for statistical analyses by frequency distributions, regression analyses and factor analyses. Results:, Oral health-related behaviours among adolescents were associated with socioeconomic status of parents, school performance and peer relationships. The odds of a dental visit was 0.63 in adolescents of poorly educated parents and the corresponding figure for regular oral hygiene practices was 0.62. Odds of tobacco use was 3 for adolescents with poor performance in school while odds of consuming sugary foods/drinks was 1.3. Adolescents with high levels of preventive oral health practices also demonstrated general health-promoting behaviours. In factor analysis of general and oral health-related behaviours, three factors were isolated: (a) risk behaviours (loadings 0.48,0.66), (b) health-promoting behaviours (loadings 0.60,0.64) and (c) help-seeking behaviours (loadings 0.56,0.67). Conclusion:, The findings support a multidimensional model of health behaviour. Several approaches and multiple methods should be applied in oral health education in order to modify behaviours that affect oral health. [source] The life course approach: explaining the association between height and dental caries in Brazilian adolescentsCOMMUNITY DENTISTRY AND ORAL EPIDEMIOLOGY, Issue 2 2005Belinda Nicolau Abstract , Aim:, To investigate the relationship between height and dental caries in Brazilian adolescents. Methods:, A cross-sectional survey design was used to collect retrospective data. Of 764 eligible 13-year-old adolescents enrolled in urban private or public schools in a Brazilian town, 652 were clinically examined and interviewed. Data were collected on socioeconomic circumstances, family related variables, oral health behaviour and anthropometric measures (height and weight). Dental caries was measured by decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) index. The DMFT was categorized according to two levels of severity (low DMFT , 6; high DMFT > 6) using the 75th percentile of the distribution as the cut-off point. Data analysis involved multiple logistic regression. Results:, Adolescents who were the second or later child were 1.90 times more likely to have a high DMFT, whilst being a taller adolescent had a protective effect on caries experience (OR = 0.04; 95% CI = 0.00,0.79). In addition, adolescents from rural areas (OR = 2.74; 95% CI = 1.56,4.82), those whose mothers had less than 8 years of education (OR = 2.10; 95% CI = 1.03,4.27) and those who reported high levels of paternal punishment (OR = 1.60; 95% CI = 1.02,2.52) had an increased risk of having a high DMFT. Conclusion:, There is a relationship between height and dental caries experience in this sample of Brazilian adolescents. [source] Longitudinal patterns of gambling activities and associated risk factors in college studentsADDICTION, Issue 7 2009Anna E. Goudriaan ABSTRACT Aims To investigate which clusters of gambling activities exist within a longitudinal study of college health, how membership in gambling clusters change over time and whether particular clusters of gambling are associated with unhealthy risk behaviour. Design Four-year longitudinal study (2002,2006). Setting Large, public university. Participants Undergraduate college students. Measurements Ten common gambling activities were measured during 4 consecutive college years (years 1,4). Clusters of gambling activities were examined using latent class analyses. Relations between gambling clusters and gender, Greek membership, alcohol use, drug use, personality indicators of behavioural undercontrol and psychological distress were examined. Findings Four latent gambling classes were identified: (1) a low-gambling class, (2) a card gambling class, (3) a casino/slots gambling class and (4) an extensive gambling class. Over the first college years a high probability of transitioning from the low-gambling class and the card gambling class into the casino/slots gambling class was present. Membership in the card, casino/slots and extensive gambling classes were associated with higher scores on alcohol/drug use, novelty seeking and self-identified gambling problems compared to the low-gambling class. The extensive gambling class scored higher than the other gambling classes on risk factors. Conclusions Extensive gamblers and card gamblers are at higher risk for problem gambling and other risky health behaviours. Prospective examinations of class membership suggested that being in the extensive and the low gambling classes was highly stable across the 4 years of college. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||