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Educational Level (educational + level)
Kinds of Educational Level Selected AbstractsEducational level and occupation as risk factors for inflammatory bowel diseases: A nationwide study based on hospitalizations in SwedenINFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES, Issue 4 2009Xinjun Li MD Abstract Background: The aim of this study was to investigate possible associations between educational level, occupation, and hospitalization for inflammatory bowel disease. Methods: A nationwide database was constructed by linking the Swedish Census to the Hospital Discharge Register in order to obtain data on all first hospitalizations for Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) in Sweden during the study period (1970,2004). Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated by educational level and occupation for men and women ,30 years. Three cohorts were defined based on occupational titles recorded in the Swedish census data in 1970 and 1980. Results: Significantly decreased SIRs for CD were observed for both men and women who had an educational level of >12 years. Among men, significantly increased SIRs for CD were present in all 3 cohorts among "drivers." Male "religious, juridical, and other social-science-related workers," "textile workers," and "glass, ceramic, and tile workers," and female "clerical workers," "mechanics and iron and metalware workers," and "printers and related workers" had a significantly increased SIR for CD that was present in 1 of the 3 cohorts. For UC, male "postal and communication workers," "smelters and metal foundry workers," and "chemical process workers," and female "wood workers" had a significantly increased SIR for UC that was present in at least 1 of the 3 cohorts. Conclusions: Educational level and occupation seem to have a minor effect on the population's likelihood of hospitalization for CD and UC. (Inflamm Bowel Dis 2008) [source] Association between level of education and oral health status in 35-, 50-, 65- and 75-year-oldsJOURNAL OF CLINICAL PERIODONTOLOGY, Issue 8 2003J. Paulander Abstract Aim: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association between educational level and dental disease, treatment needs and oral hygiene habits. Material and methods: Randomized samples of 35-, 50-, 65- and 75-year-olds, classified according to the educational level: [low (LE): elementary school or higher (HE)], were identified. In 1091 subjects, a number of characteristics such as (i) number of teeth, (ii) periodontal attachment levels (PAL), (iii) caries and (iv) occlusal function were recorded. Educational level, oral hygiene and dietary habits were self-reported. Non-parametric variables were analyzed by ,2, Mann,Whitney U,Wilcoxon's rank sum tests, and parametric variables by Student's t -test (level of significance 95%). A two-way anova was performed on decayed, missing and filled surfaces to investigate the interaction between age and educational level. All statistical procedures were performed in the SPSS© statistical package. Results: The number of remaining teeth was similar for LE and HE in the 35-year olds (25.8 versus 26.6), but in the older age groups LE had significantly a larger number of missing teeth. The LE groups (except in 65-year olds) exhibited significantly more PAL loss. LE had significantly fewer healthy gingival units in all but the 75-year age group. In all age groups, LE had fewer intact tooth surfaces and a significantly poorer occlusal function. The frequency of tooth cleaning measures and dietary habits did not differ between LE and HE. Conclusion: Educational level was shown to influence the oral conditions and should be considered in assessing risk, and in planning appropriate preventive measures. Zusammenfassung Ziel: Das Ziel der vorliegenden Studie war die Evaluation der Verbindung zwischen Bildungsniveau und Erkrankungen der Zähne, Behandlungsnotwendigkeit und oralen Hygienegewohnheiten. Material und Methoden: Randomisierte Gruppen von 35-, 50-, 65- und 75-Jährigen, die entsprechend ihres Bildungsniveau: niedriges Niveau (LE): Grundschule oder höheres Niveau (HE) klassifiziert wurden, wurden gebildet. Bei 1091 Personen wurden eine Anzahl von Charakteristika aufgezeichnet: (i) Anzahl der Zähne, (ii) parodontales Stützgewebeniveau (PAL), (iii) Karies, (iv) okklusale Funktion. Bildungsniveau, orale Hygiene und Eßgewohnheiten wurden selbst erfasst. Parameterfreie Variable wurden mit dem Chi-Quadrat test, dem Mann,Whitney U,Wilcoxon Rangsummentest und die parametergebundenen Variablen mit dem Student t -test (Signifikanz-Niveau 95 %) analysiert. Die Zwei-Wege ANOVA wurde auf dem DMF-s durchgeführt, um die Beziehung zwischen Alter und Bildungsniveau zu untersuchen. Alle statistischen Berechnungen wurden mit dem SPSS Statistik Programm vorgenommen. Ergebnisse: Die Anzahl der verbliebenen Zähne war zwischen LE und HE ähnlich bei den 35-Jährigen (25.8 vs. 26.6), aber in den älteren LE-Gruppen waren signifikant höhere Zahlen für fehlende Zähne. Die LE-Gruppen (ohne die 65-Jährigen) zeigten signifikant größeren PAL Verlust. LE hatten signifikant weniger gingivale Gesundheit bei den 75-Jährigen. In allen Altersgruppen hatten die LE weniger intakte Zahnoberflächen und signifikant geringere okklusale Funktion. Die Häufigkeit der Zahnreinigung und die Eßgewohnheiten unterschieden sich zwischen LE und HE nicht. Schlussfolgerung: Das Bildungsniveau hat einen Einfluss auf die oralen Bedingungen und sollte bei der Erfassung des Risikos und bei der Planung geeigneter Präventionsmaßnahmen beachtet werden. Résumé But: Le but de cette étude était d'évaluer l'association entre niveau d'éducation et maladie dentaire, besoins de traitement et habitudes d'hygiène orale. Matériel et méthodes: Des échantillons randomisés de sujets âgés de 35-, 50-, 65- et 75 ans, classés selon leur niveau d'éducation: [Bas (LE): école élémentaire, ou élevé (HE)] furent identifiés. Chez 1091 sujets, on a enregistré les caractéristiques suivantes: (i) nombre de dents, (ii) niveau d'attache parodontal (PAL), (iii) caries et (iv) fonction occlusale. Le niveau d'éducation, l'hygiène orale, et les habitudes alimentaires étaient rapportés par les patients eux-même. Les variables non paramétriques furent analysées par les tests chi carré, Mann,Whitney U,Wilcoxon rank sum, et les variables paramétriques par le test t de Student (niveau de signification 95%). 2-way ANOVA fut réalisé sur le DMFS pour rechercher l'interaction entre l'âge et le niveau d'éducation. Toutes les opérations statistiques furent menées par utilisation de SPSS©. Résultats: le nombre de dents restantesétait semblable pour LE et HE chez les sujets de 35 ans (25.8 vs. 26.6), mais dans les groupes plus âgés, LE présentait un nombre significativement plus important de dents absentes. Le groupe LE (sauf chez les patients de 65 ans) présentait plus de perte de PAL. LE présentait moins d'unités gingivales saines sauf dans le groupe de patients âgés de 75 ans. Dans tous les groupes d'âge, LE avait moins de surfaces dentaires intactes et une fonction occlusale significativement plus faible. La fréquence des mesures de nettoyage dentaire et les habitudes alimentaires n'étaient pas différentes entre les groupes LE et HE. Conclusion: Il est montré que le niveau d'éducation influence les conditions orales et cela doit être pris en considération lors de la mise en évidence du risque et dans la planification de mesures de prévention appropriées. [source] Trends and Determinants of Alcohol Consumption in Portugal: Results From the National Health Surveys 1995 to 1996 and 1998 to 1999ALCOHOLISM, Issue 1 2005Pedro Marques-Vidal Background: There is very little information on trends and determinants of alcohol consumption in the Portuguese population, which is usually characterized by high wine consumption. Methods: A cross-sectional studies was conducted in 1995/1996 and 1998/1999 in a representative sample of 0.5% of the mainland Portuguese population (49,768 participants in 1995/1996 and 48,606 in 1998/1999), aged 15 years or more. Alcohol consumption was assessed by asking whether the participants had consumed alcohol in the previous week and how many drinks of wine/beer/whiskey/Port wine they consumed on average during that week. Results: Prevalence of reported alcohol consumption decreased slightly between 1995/1996 and 1998/1999 (men: 65.7 vs. 64.0%, p < 0.001; women: 26.9 vs. 26.0%, p < 0.001). Among drinkers, the most frequently consumed alcoholic beverage was wine, followed by beer, whiskey, and Port wine. The amount of alcohol and wine consumed decreased in both sexes, whereas the amount of beer, whiskey, and Port wine consumed increased in men and the increase in beer consumption was borderline significant in women (p= 0.056). In both sexes, participants <50 years of age tended to consume less wine and more beer, whiskey, and Port wine than their older counterparts. Also, higher education was related to a higher frequency of alcohol consumption, whereas smoking was related to a lower consumption of wine odds ratio (OR): 0.69 (95% confidence interval CI: 0.62,0.77) for men and OR: 0.76 (95% CI: 0.61,0.95) for women and a higher consumption of beer OR: 1.43 (95% CI: 1.33,1.54) for men and OR: 2.13 (95% CI: 1.84,2.42) for women and whiskey OR: 1.28 (95% CI: 1.21,1.35) for men and OR: 2.61 (95% CI: 2.25,3.02) for women. Conclusions: The pattern of alcohol consumption is changing in Portugal: the prevalence of drinkers is decreasing, and younger generations are shifting from wine to beer and spirits. Educational level seems to be a powerful mediator in the choice of alcoholic beverage. [source] How important is consent in maternal serum screening for Down syndrome in France?PRENATAL DIAGNOSIS, Issue 3 2007Information, consent evaluation in maternal serum screening for Down syndrome: a French study Abstract Objectives To evaluate the level of information and informed consent for maternal serum screening (MSS) for Down syndrome (DS) in the second trimester of pregnancy and analyse the exercise of autonomy towards the test by the women concerned. Methods We studied the population of pregnant women attending obstetric consultations in two French hospitals over a 3-month period. The women were assigned to three groups according to MSS results for DS: women at high risk of having a child with DS (group 1), women at low risk (group 2) and women who did not undergo the test (group 3). A questionnaire was completed before the medical consultation, to assess the quality of consent before amniocentesis for the group at high risk and before the second-trimester ultrasound scan for the other two groups. Results We analysed 305 questionnaires for 89, 137 and 79 women belonging to groups 1, 2 and 3 respectively. In total, 123 women (40.3% [IC 95%, 35,46%]) were considered to be well informed; 33 (10%, [IC 95%, 8,12%]) had a high level of knowledge, but made choices not consistent with their stated attitude, and 149 (49.7% [IC 95%, 45,56%]) were considered uninformed. Logistic regression analysis showed that maternal consent depended on three independent components: The score attributed to the doctor for information about MSS (t = 4.216, p < 0.001). Whether the patient belonged to group 1 (t = ,2.631, p < 0.009). Educational level (< high-school diploma, high-school diploma or at least two years of higher education after high school) (t = 2.324, p < 0.02). The rate of consent increased with educational level and was highest for the women in group 1 and for those whose doctor had a high information score. Conclusions Our findings clearly show that women are provided with insufficient information concerning MSS screening for DS in the second trimester of pregnancy for real and valid consent to be obtained. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Duration of untreated psychosis, ethnicity, educational level, and gender in a multiethnic South-East Asian country: report from Malaysia schizophrenia registryASIA-PACIFIC PSYCHIATRY, Issue 1 2010K.Y. Chee Abstract Introduction: Duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) determines the outcome of schizophrenia. Previously, there was no information about the DUP among patients in Malaysia with schizophrenia. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between DUP and patients' demographic, social cultural background and clinical features. Method: This is a cross-sectional study on patients who presented with first episode schizophrenia. Data from 74 primary care centers and hospitals between 1 January 2003 and 31 December 2007 were included in the analysis. All patients with first-episode schizophrenia were enrolled in the study. Results: The mean DUP was 37.6 months. The indigenous community appeared to have the shortest DUP compared to the Malay, Chinese and Indian communities. Female, people with lower educational level, and comorbidity with medical illness during contact had longer DUP. Discussion: DUP in this multiethnicity country was found to be significantly short among the indigenous people, which may sugest that traditional values and strong family and community ties shorten the DUP. Educational level may need to be further investigated, because as upgrading the general educational level could lead to shorter DUP among the patients as well. [source] Stuck in the past: negative bias, explanatory style, temporal order, and evaluative perspectives in life narratives of clinically depressed individualsDEPRESSION AND ANXIETY, Issue 11 2008Tilmann Habermas Ph.D. Abstract This study attempted to replicate negative bias and depressive explanatory style in depression using life narratives. The two central aspects of narrative, temporal succession and evaluation, were also explored. These aspects were tested for the first time using entire life narratives of 17 depressed inpatients and non-depressed controls matched for sex and educational level. Negative bias and depressive explanatory style were replicated as typical for the depressed group. Life narratives of depressed patients also deviated more from a linear temporal order and compared less frequently the past with the present. Contrary to expectations, the depressed did not differ in the overall frequency of evaluations. However, they used more past than present evaluations and more experience-near evaluations than cognitive evaluations, suggesting that they are more immersed in past experiences. It is concluded that negative bias and depressive explanatory style can be found also in a naturalistic narrative measure, and that depression affects the two major aspects of narrative. It is argued that life narratives, as measures close to everyday clinical practice and as the most encompassing form of self-representation, should complement more experimental procedures in the study of cognitive and communicative processes in psychopathology. Depression and Anxiety, 2008. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Prevalence of social phobia and its comorbidity with psychiatric disorders in IranDEPRESSION AND ANXIETY, Issue 7 2006Mohammad-Reza Mohammadi M.D. Abstract This study explored the prevalence of social phobia (SP) in the general population of Iran, the sociodemographic characteristics of subjects with SP, and its comorbidity with the other lifetime psychiatric disorders. Our study was part of the nationwide study on the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in Iran. Overall, 25,180 Iranian subjects, age 18 years and over, from urban and rural areas of Iran were selected by a clustered random sampling method and interviewed face-to-face by 250 trained clinical psychologists using DSM-IV diagnostic criteria. Out of 12,398,235 households, 7,795 households in the form of 1,559 clusters of five households were selected. The statistical framework was based on the household lists available from the Department of Health in the provinces. The response rate was 90%. The lifetime prevalence of SP was 0.82%. The rate was 0.4% in males and 1.3% in females. The rate was higher in younger age groups and widows/widowers. It was not related to educational level and residential area. Specific phobia (66.7%), obsessive,compulsive disorder (17.4%), major depressive disorder (15%), and panic disorder (12.1%) were the most common lifetime psychiatric disorders among subjects with SP. The rate of SP in Iran is more similar to that in other Asian countries, and it is lower than that in Western countries. The rate of other psychiatric disorders among subjects with SP is more than that in the general population, and the most common psychiatric disorders were the other anxiety disorders and major depressive disorder. Depression and Anxiety 23:405,411, 2006 © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] The role of autonomy,connectedness in depression and anxietyDEPRESSION AND ANXIETY, Issue 5 2006Marrie H.J. Bekker Ph.D. Abstract The relationship between autonomy,connectedness, and depression and anxiety was investigated in 94 primary mental health care patients and 95 psychology students. All participants completed the Autonomy,Connectedness Scale,30 (ACS-30), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and the Symptom Checklist,90 (SCL-90). Results indicated that the primary mental health care group compared with the control group scored lower in Self-Awareness and Capacity for Managing New Situations, and higher in Sensitivity to Others. Women compared with men had higher levels of self-reported Sensitivity to Others. Regression analyses showed that both (low) Self-Awareness and (high) Sensitivity to Others predicted depression, as well as anxiety; also, (low) educational level had predictive value. These results indicate that low autonomy,connectedness might be a risk factor for depression and anxiety. Depression and Anxiety 23:274,280, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Selective memory and memory deficits in depressed inpatientsDEPRESSION AND ANXIETY, Issue 4 2003Thomas Ellwart Dipl. Abstract We investigated memory impairment and mood-congruent memory bias in depression, using an explicit memory test and an implicit one. Thirty-six severely depressed inpatients that fulfilled DSM-IV criteria for major depressive disorder and 36 healthy controls matched for sex, age, and educational level participated in the study. Explicit memory was assessed with a free recall task and implicit memory with an anagram solution task. Results showed that depressed and controls differed in explicit memory performance, depending on the amount of cognitive distraction between incidental learning and testing. Implicit memory was not affected. In addition, severely depressed patients showed a mood-congruent memory bias in implicit memory but not in explicit memory. The complex pattern of results is discussed with regard to relevant theories of depression. Depression and Anxiety 17:197,206, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Socio-economic achievements of individuals born very preterm at the age of 27 to 29 years: a nationwide cohort studyDEVELOPMENTAL MEDICINE & CHILD NEUROLOGY, Issue 11 2009RENÉ MATHIASEN MD Aim, To describe the socio economic achievement of individuals born very preterm (VPT) at the age of 27 to 29 years. Method, Demographic and social data were extracted from national registers for all individuals born between 1974 and 1976 in Denmark (n=208 656). Of these, 203 283 individuals were alive in 2006. We compared VPT individuals (gestational age <33wks, n=1422; 51.8% males, n=736) with individuals born at term (>36wks, n=192 223; 51.1% males, n=98 240), of whom 4.08% (n=58) of the VPT and 0.19% (n=373) of the term individuals had a diagnosis of cerebral palsy (CP). Results, Overall results in the two groups were similar, but significant differences appeared. The VPT group had a lower educational level than the term group: 23.9% versus 16.3% had a basic education (corresponding to attendance at basic school for 9y or less; odds ratio [OR] =1.61, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.42,1.82). Similarly, 31.9% versus 37.6% had a tertiary education (corresponding to different levels of professional education; OR=0.77, CI 0.69,0.86). Net income was 11% lower in the VPT group and 10.8% versus 5.3% were receiving welfare support (OR=2.14, CI 1.81,2.55). In the VPT group 59% versus 52% did not have children (p<0.001) and there were more individuals living alone without children (28.8% vs 21.8%; OR=1.45, CI 1.29,1.63). Interpretation, VPT birth in the 1970s in Denmark is associated with a highly statistically significant educational and social disadvantage persisting into young adulthood. CP increased the relative risk of social disadvantage in VPT individuals. However, the majority of the survivors are well integrated in society. [source] Long-term effects of leisure time physical activity on risk of insulin resistance and impaired glucose tolerance, allowing for body weight history, in Danish menDIABETIC MEDICINE, Issue 1 2007T. Berentzen Abstract Aims To determine if the level of leisure time physical activity (LTPA) in young adulthood in obese and non-obese men reduces the risk of insulin resistance (IR) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) in middle age, and if such an effect is explained by the current level of LTPA, or by the body mass index (BMI) history preceding and subsequent to the assessment of LTPA. Methods Longitudinal study of groups of obese and randomly selected non-obese men identified at around age 19, and re-examined at mean ages of 32, 44 and 51. BMI was measured at all four examinations. LTPA was assessed by self-administrated questionnaires at the last three examinations. IR and the presence of IGT was determined by an oral glucose tolerance test at the last examination. Results LTPA in young adulthood reduced the risk of IR and IGT in middle age throughout the range of BMI. Adjustment for the BMI history preceding and subsequent to the assessment of LTPA attenuated the association with IR and IGT, but active men remained at low risk of IR and IGT. Adjustment for subsequent and current levels of LTPA, smoking habits, alcohol intake, educational level and family history of diabetes had no notable influence on the results. Conclusion LTPA appears to reduce the risk of IR and IGT, an effect which is not explained by the current level of physical activity, and only partially explained by the BMI history preceding and subsequent to the assessment of LTPA. [source] Physical activity in adolescence and smoking in young adulthood: a prospective twin cohort studyADDICTION, Issue 7 2007Urho M. Kujala ABSTRACT Aims To control for familial confounds, we studied the association between adolescent physical activity and later smoking in twin siblings discordant for their baseline physical activity. Design and measurements In this prospective population-based twin study, we asked whether persistent physical activity/inactivity in adolescence (assessed at 16, 17 and 18.5 years) predicted questionnaire-reported daily smoking at ages 22,27. Twins who, on the three baseline questionnaires, consistently reported frequent leisure physical activity (more than three times weekly) were classified as persistent exercisers, those who exercised less than three times monthly were called persistently inactive, others were occasional exercisers. Setting Finland. Participants A total of 4240 individuals, including 1870 twin pairs. Findings In analyses of individual twins, compared to persistent activity, persistent physical inactivity predicted increased risk of daily smoking (age- and sex-adjusted odds ratio 5.53, 95% confidence interval 3.88,7.88, P < 0.001). The risk remained elevated even after excluding all those who had smoked 50 cigarettes or more life-time at baseline and adjusted for educational level in adolescence. In within-pair analyses compared to the active members of discordant twin pairs, the physically inactive co-twins had increased risk of future daily smoking (sex-adjusted odds ratio 3.39, 95% confidence interval 1.56,7.39, P = 0.002). Conclusions Persistent physical inactivity in adolescence relates to adult smoking, even after familial factors are taken into account. [source] The social causes of inequality in epilepsy and developing a rehabilitation strategy: A U.K.-based analysisEPILEPSIA, Issue 10 2009Leone Ridsdale Summary A rehabilitation approach has been adopted for many long-term neurologic conditions, but not for epilepsy. The disabilities associated with epilepsy are cognitive, psychological, and social, which are not as readily identified by medical doctors as are physical disabilities. A rehabilitation approach moves the emphasis from a medically driven process to a focus on the personal, social, and physical context of long-term illness. It is suggested that a missed opportunity for education and support for self-management occurs after diagnosis. This results in disadvantage to those whose educational level and knowledge of epilepsy are low. People who do not achieve epilepsy control may then experience higher levels of psychological distress, and a negative cycle of loss of self-efficacy, poor epilepsy control, social disadvantage, and disability. Rehabilitation services have benefited communities surrounding centers of excellence. Not so in epilepsy. Despite centers of excellence, areas with deprivation have higher than national average levels of patients reporting a seizure in the prior year, and higher emergency hospital admissions. Specialists working in partnership with general practitioners (GPs) and practice nurses can do more to increase participation and reduce distress for people with epilepsy. When available, GPs and nurses with special interest in epilepsy promote integrated services. Primary,secondary networks are likely to be more effective in preventing downward drift. This requires evaluation. [source] Smoking habits and obesity in young adultsADDICTION, Issue 7 2005Eyal Zimlichman ABSTRACT Aims The aim of this work was to study the association between obesity and smoking habits in young adults. Specifically, we tested the hypothesis that obesity does not prevent young adults from smoking and conversely smoking does not protect against obesity. Design and setting Trained nurses interviewed participants concerning demographic data and health behaviors such as smoking. At the time of the interview, weight and height were measured. Data were analyzed retrospectively. Participants A representative sample of Israel Defense Force (IDF) personnel upon discharge from compulsory service, usually at the age of 20,21 years. Findings Overall, 29 745 participants were included during the 13-year study (16 363 males and 13 382 females). Smoking rates were higher among obese participants than among overweight and non-obese participants (34.9%, 37.1%, 43.6% for non-obese, overweight and obese, respectively; P < 0.001). Mean number of cigarettes smoked per day were also higher among smokers that were obese and overweight compared to the non-obese (15.2 ± 9.2, 15.6 ± 10.7, 18.0 ± 9.8, respectively; P < 0.001). Overweight and obesity were associated with the father's lower academic educational level. In logistic regression analysis, obesity, year of study and parental academic education were correlated independently with smoking (P < 0.001). Conclusion The positive association between obesity and smoking suggests that obesity is not a deterrent to smoking and also that smoking does not help to prevent obesity. [source] National and Regional Prevalence of Self-reported Epilepsy in CanadaEPILEPSIA, Issue 12 2004José F. Tellez-Zenteno Summary:,Purpose: To assess the point prevalence of self-described epilepsy in the general population nationally, provincially, and in different groups of interest. Methods: We analyzed data from two national health surveys, the National Population Health Survey (NPHS, N = 49,000) and the Community Health Survey (CHS, N = 130,882). Both surveys captured sociodemographic information, as well as age, sex, education, ethnicity, household income, and labor force status of participants. Epilepsy was ascertained with only one question in both surveys. "Do you have epilepsy diagnosed by a health professional?" (NPHS) and "Do you have epilepsy?" (CHS). Prevalences were age-adjusted by using national standard populations at the time of each survey. Exact 95% confidence intervals were obtained. Results: In the NPHS, 241 of 49,026 subjects described themselves as having been diagnosed with epilepsy, yielding a weighted point prevalence of 5.2 per 1,000 [95% confidence interval (CI), 4.9,5.4]. In the CHS, 835 of 130,822 subjects described themselves as having epilepsy, yielding a weighted point prevalence of 5.6 per 1,000 (95% CI, 5.1,6.0). Trends in differences in prevalence among some Canadian provinces were observed. Prevalence was statistically significantly higher in groups with the lowest educational level, lowest income, and in those unemployed in the previous year. Prevalence also was higher in nonimmigrants than in immigrants. Conclusions: The overall and group-specific results are in keeping with those obtained in other developed countries by using different ascertainment methods. We discuss methodologic aspects related to the ascertainment of epilepsy in both surveys, and to the validity and implications of our findings. [source] Factors Related to Helicobacter pylori Prevalence in an Adult Population in BrazilHELICOBACTER, Issue 1 2007Schlioma Zaterka Abstract Background:, The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori is higher in developing countries. Sanitary facilities, crowding and ethnic group are some of the factors related to H. pylori infection. The aim of this study was to investigate in blood donors, free of dyspeptic symptoms, the prevalence and factors influencing H. pylori infection. Materials and Methods:, This study was conducted in São Paulo, a city known to have a mixed population coming from all over the country. A total of 1008 blood donors were initially included in the study. After a final revision of all the questionnaires, 993 were included in the final analysis (746 males). H. pylori status was checked by an ELISA test. The following associations to infection were analyzed: sex, age, ethnic group, previous upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy, smoking, alcoholism, drug addiction, type of drinking water, crowding, sanitary facilities, and family income. Results:, Infection was observed in 496 of 746 male (66.5%) and in 156 of 247 female (63.2%) blood donors. Infection prevalence increased according to age group, regardless of sex. Prevalence was lower in White population than in non-White. No relationship was observed between infection and smoking, drug addiction, and alcohol. A positive relation was observed between infection and previous upper GI endoscopy, and type of drinking water, regardless if currently or during childhood. Crowding and lack of toilet in the house during childhood resulted in a higher infection rate. Lower familial income and educational level showed a positive association to infection. Conclusions:, Prevalence of H. pylori is higher in non-White population, independent of gender. A positive association was observed in aging, previous upper GI endoscopy, crowding, type of drinking water, lack of toilet during childhood, lower family income, and lower educational level. [source] Educational level and occupation as risk factors for inflammatory bowel diseases: A nationwide study based on hospitalizations in SwedenINFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES, Issue 4 2009Xinjun Li MD Abstract Background: The aim of this study was to investigate possible associations between educational level, occupation, and hospitalization for inflammatory bowel disease. Methods: A nationwide database was constructed by linking the Swedish Census to the Hospital Discharge Register in order to obtain data on all first hospitalizations for Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) in Sweden during the study period (1970,2004). Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated by educational level and occupation for men and women ,30 years. Three cohorts were defined based on occupational titles recorded in the Swedish census data in 1970 and 1980. Results: Significantly decreased SIRs for CD were observed for both men and women who had an educational level of >12 years. Among men, significantly increased SIRs for CD were present in all 3 cohorts among "drivers." Male "religious, juridical, and other social-science-related workers," "textile workers," and "glass, ceramic, and tile workers," and female "clerical workers," "mechanics and iron and metalware workers," and "printers and related workers" had a significantly increased SIR for CD that was present in 1 of the 3 cohorts. For UC, male "postal and communication workers," "smelters and metal foundry workers," and "chemical process workers," and female "wood workers" had a significantly increased SIR for UC that was present in at least 1 of the 3 cohorts. Conclusions: Educational level and occupation seem to have a minor effect on the population's likelihood of hospitalization for CD and UC. (Inflamm Bowel Dis 2008) [source] Semen quality and sedentary work positionINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANDROLOGY, Issue 1 2004Julie Støy Summary Increased scrotal temperature can, in experimental settings, markedly disturb the production of semen. Sedentary work position may increase the temperature of the scrotum, but previous studies have failed to determine whether changes in scrotal temperature caused by sedentary work actually do affect semen quality. This study was carried out to elucidate the possible harmful effects of sedentary work on sperm count and other semen characteristics. In 1981,1983 a semen sample was obtained from 3119 men who attended an infertility workup in one of four Danish fertility centres. A total of 2517 men returned a postal questionnaire with information on life style, leisure time activities, occupational history and job duties. Information on job specific work position was obtained from The Danish Work Environment Cohort study 1990 (DWECS). In this analysis DWECS data for a total of 1747 men was included from men aged 18,39 years with >30 h of work per week. For all job titles represented in the DWECS, the mean proportion of sedentary work was estimated. The sperm cell concentration was 30.6 million/mL among men in the quintile with lowest job specific sedentary work compared with 40.5 million/mL in the highest quintile. The difference was, however, not statistically significant. Stratification on infertility period, educational level of the man, fertility centre, and fertility-related disease of the spouse did not influence the results. The analyses do not suggest that sedentary work is a risk factor for abnormal semen characteristics. [source] Cancer risk perceptions in an urban Mediterranean populationINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER, Issue 1 2005Montse García Abstract The objective of our study was to analyze the perceived (belief) or adopted (behavior) measures to reduce cancer risk in a Spanish population. We used cross-sectional data from the Cornella Health Interview Survey Follow-up Study (CHIS.FU). We analyzed 1,438 subjects who in 2002 answered questions about risk perceptions on cancer and related behavior (668 males and 770 females). The benefits of avoiding cigarette smoking (95.8%), sunlight exposure (94.9%) and alcohol (81.0%) were widely recognized. On the other hand, electromagnetic fields (92.1%), food coloring and other food additives (78.4%) or pesticides (69.4%), whose role in cancer occurrence, if any, remain unproven, were clearly considered as cancer risk factors in this population. Compared to men, women more frequently reported healthy behaviors, and the role of exogenous factors (i.e., environmental risk factors) were widely popular. There was a socioeconomic gradient on cancer risk perception with respect to several lifestyle or dietary factors. Individuals with higher educational level scored lower in several risk factors than those with primary or less than primary school education. Smokers reported adopting fewer healthy behaviors than former or never smokers. How people perceive health issues and risk or make choices about their own behavior does not always follow a predictable or rational pattern. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Fear of blood/injection in healthy and unhealthy adults admitted to a teaching hospitalINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PRACTICE, Issue 3 2007S. Kose Summary Blood/injury phobia is one of the specific phobias. The aim of this study was to determine the fear of injection and blood in patients and healthy people. This study was carried out at Tepecik Hospital, Clinical Biochemistry Laboratory and Blood Center. Data were collected from 1500 adults who agreed to participate in the study (237 patients with chronic diseases and 1263 healthy people) during the period from January 2003 to February 2005. All participants completed two self-administered questionnaires (17-item Symptom Questionnaire and 20-item Blood/Injection Fear Scale) after giving blood samples by blood donation. 30.1% of the patients and 19.5% of the healthy adults reported that they had fear of blood/injection. Symptoms related to having blood drawn or injection were more frequently reported among women than men. Patients' educational level was also associated with the Symptom Questionnaire and fear of blood/injection scores. Fear of blood/injection was significantly higher in patients with chronic diseases. Fear of blood/injection should be considered by healthcare professionals as it is important for assessing the treatment-seeking individuals. [source] Long term care staff beliefs about evidence based practices for the management of dementia and agitationINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY, Issue 2 2009Liat Ayalon Abstract Context Despite a growing literature on effective interventions for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and agitation, the management of these conditions in long term care (LTC) often is inadequate. The goals of the present study were: (a) to evaluate existing beliefs about evidence based practices (EBP) for the management of Alzheimer's disease and agitation among LTC staff; and (b) to evaluate the contribution of demographic and attitudinal variables to LTC staff beliefs about these EBP. Method A cross sectional study of 371 LTC staff members completed an EBP questionnaire, a short demographic questionnaire, and an attitudinal questionnaire about AD and agitation. Results Paraprofessional caregivers, those of lower educational level, and ethnic minorities were more likely to be in disagreement with the EBP views examined in this study. Those in disagreement with the EBP views also reported a preference towards not working with residents with AD and agitation and a sense of helplessness associated with such work. Disagreement with EBP views was associated with both normalization and stigmatization of AD and agitation. Conclusions Paraprofessional caregivers, ethnic minorities, and people of lower educational level are most at need for educational activities about AD and neuropsychiatric symptoms. Educational efforts geared towards changing the belief system of LTC staff should target not only EBP but also information about AD and agitation as conditions that are deviant from the normal aging process, yet non-stigmatizing. It is expected that following EBP will empower staff and improve staff motivation to work with residents with AD and agitation. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] A SPECT study of wandering behavior in Alzheimer's diseaseINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY, Issue 9 2005Yves Rolland Abstract Background Among behavior disturbance during Alzheimer's disease (AD), wandering is one of the most common. Different psychological processes have been suggested to explain the wandering behavior. The aim of this study was to examine whether wandering during AD was associated with cerebral perfusion patterns measured by (99,m)Tc-labeled bicisate (ECD) brain SPECT. Methods We compared SPECT scans of 13 AD subjects with wandering behavior (sex ratio M/F, 4/9; age, 73.1 years, SD 7.4; Mini Mental Status Examination score, median 20 interquartile range [16,23]), 13 AD subjects without wandering behavior (matched for age [,±,2 years], sex and MMSE score [,±,2 points]) and 13 healthy controls (matched for age [,±,2 years] and sex) without cognitive impairment. Wandering was defined on the Neuro-Psychiatric Inventory. Score of leukoaraiosis, assessed with the scale of Blennow and number of lacuna infarction were compared on CT scan. SPECT imaging was compared using statistical parametric mapping (SPM 2). Results There were no significant differences between the groups in term of educational level and CT scan analysis. SPECT imaging was consistent with the diagnosis of AD in both wanderers and AD subjects without wandering behavior. Despite similar clinical dementia severity, wanderers had more severely reduced regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in the left parietal-temporal lobe than AD subjects without wandering behavior. Conclusion Wandering behavior could be facilitated by a specific patterns of cerebral blood flow. Wandering, as a physical activity, could also enhance the recruitment of the cortical network. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Does education moderate neuropsychological impairment in late-life depression?INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY, Issue 5 2005Rishi K. Bhalla Abstract Objective The increased resistance of better-educated individuals to the cognitive effects of neuropathology has been conceptualized as reflecting brain reserve. This study examined whether educational level influences the degree of neuropsychological impairment associated with late-life depression. Methods The neuropsychological performances of 115 older depressed patients and of 44 comparison subjects of similar age and education were compared as a function of educational level. Results While depressed patients performed worse than comparison subjects on all the measures, the severity of this impairment (with respect to comparison subjects) did not differ with the educational level of the patients. Conclusions Brain reserve, as indexed by the patients' level of education, does not mitigate the cognitive decrements associated with late-life depression. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Gender differences in the prediction of 5-year outcome in first episode psychosisINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF METHODS IN PSYCHIATRIC RESEARCH, Issue 4 2007Maria Mattsson Abstract Objective: To examine gender differences in prediction of long-term outcome in first episode psychosis (FEP). Method: Eighty-one male and 72 female FEP patients were compared regarding the sensitivity and specificity of the Predictive Rating Scale (PRS). The contributions of pre-admission clinical and socio-demographic characteristics to a poor 5-year outcome were analysed for males and females separately. Gender differences in the relations between predictors and outcome were examined using the equality of correlation comparing correlation coefficients. Results: The sensitivity of the PRS was significantly better for males than for females. The following items: ,the highest Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) the year before first admission ,70' and ,GAF at first admission ,30' explained most of the variance of a poor 5-year outcome for males, whereas for females the corresponding items were ,the highest educational level is compulsory school', ,living with parents' and ,contact with friends ,2,3 times/month'. When the PRS was adapted assigning a weight of two to the item ,the highest educational level is compulsory school' for females, the sensitivity increased. Conclusion: This study revealed that the predictors for poor outcome differ between male and female patients with FEP. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] The Galicia study of mental health of the Elderly II: the use of the Galician DISINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF METHODS IN PSYCHIATRIC RESEARCH, Issue 4 2000Professor R. Mateos Abstract Reports of epidemiological surveys do not always provide adequate careful descriptions of the methodology used and the sociocultural context involved. Galicia, a natural region in south-west Europe, possesses certain characteristics that differ from those in other communities within the Spanish state. Galician is a Romance language, which is, in fact, closer to Portuguese than it is to Spanish. The population (2.7 million inhabitants) is widely dispersed, with two-thirds of them living in the countryside. More than 18% are older than 65, and the educational level of this elderly population is low. A total of 681 persons over 60 years of age were interviewed in their homes using the DIS-III as the main diagnostic instrument during the second phase of the Galicia Study of Mental Health of the Elderly. This paper analyses some methodological implications of this epidemiological study, focusing on the translation of the DIS into Galician and its performance and acceptability in this community. The possible cultural bias that can affect the rates of prevalence in some specific disorders, the limitations of lifetime prevalence and the advantages of using six-month prevalence rates is discussed. Besides some interesting anecdotes, which are described in the article, the main result is the very high acceptance of DIS-III in this elderly population. Copyright © 2000 Whurr Publishers Ltd. [source] Effect of administration mode (patient vs physician) and patient's educational level on the Turkish version of the International Prostate Symptom ScoreINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF UROLOGY, Issue 8 2002Murat Bozlu Abstract Objectives: To compare the effectiveness of the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) when administered by the physician to when self-administered by the patient. The effect of the patient's educational level on the IPSS was also evaluated. Methods: One hundred and seven previously untreated patients with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) completed the Turkish version of the International Prostate Symptom Score (Turkish I-PSS) and quality of life (QOL) questionnaires during a single office visit, first on their own and then with an interviewing physician. The patients were categorized into three groups according to their educational levels. Paired t -tests were performed to compare the total IPSS (tIPSS) and QOL results between the two testing modes. IPSS and QOL scores resulting from both modes were compared using a kappa test. Differences between the physician-assisted and self-administered scores among the different educational groups were further compared using a one-way anova test and Post Hoc Multiple Comparisons. To compare the objective effectiveness of tIPSS and QOL between the two testing modes, we selected the positive actual state, which was maximum urine flow (Qmax) of 15 mL/s or less and constructed receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves for all patients. This estimation was constructed for each educational level. Results: There were no statistical differences in IPSS and QOL values obtained by the patients or physicians (P > 0.05). The ROC areas for tIPSS were 0.94 and 0.93, and the ROC areas for QOL scores were 0.97 and 0.91 for information obtained by physicians and patients, respectively. When IPSS answers and QOL scores were evaluated separately, consistency was found across both modes of administration. However, there were lower levels of consistency in answers to IPSS questions 2, 5 and 6 (P = 0.59;0.42; 0.52, respectively). There was no significant difference among the aforementioned data in the educational groups. Conclusion: Although the total IPSS and QOL scores were not affected by the different modes of administration, we recommend that the physicians should evaluate answers to questions 2, 5 and 6 carefully. The present study demonstrates that the educational level did not affect the IPSS and QOL when administered either by the physician or the patient. [source] Variation in Perspective: The Employment Success of Ethnic Minority Males in the Netherlands, 1988,2002INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION, Issue 4 2004Pieter Bevelander This article investigates the job chances of ethnic minority males in the Dutch labour market. Using information from the Social Position and Use of Facilities by Immigrants (SPVA) surveys for the years 1988, 1991, 1994, 1998, and 2002, we trace the employment pattern of various ethnic minority groups and Dutch natives, and study some determining factors for the job chances in the Netherlands during this period. The analysis reveals a clear variation in the employment patterns for different ethnic minority groups. Individual characteristics, such as marital status and especially educational level, turn out to be important factors in explaining the job chances for all groups. Moreover, support is found for the effect of the regional demand for labour on the employment chances for most of the analysed ethnic groups, which implies that no support is found for the queuing theory. [source] Bullying among nurses and its effectsINTERNATIONAL NURSING REVIEW, Issue 4 2009m phd Background:, The victims of bullying are subjected to being terrorized, annoyed, excluded, belittled, deprived of resources, isolated and prevented from claiming rights. The victims of bullying have decreased job satisfaction, work performance, motivation and productivity. Bullying also negatively affects victims' social relationships inside and outside the institution. Objectives:, This study was conducted as a cross-sectional and descriptive study for the purpose of assessing the workplace, bullying of nurses in Turkey and the effects it has on nursing practices. Method:, The sample was composed of 286 nurses, and all of the respondents were female. The research instrument was a questionnaire in five parts. The first section included the participants' demographic information; the other variables were measured in four categories: psychologically violent behaviours, workload, organizational effects and depression. Findings:, Thirty-seven per cent of the nurses participating in the research had never or almost never encountered workplace bullying behaviour in the last 12 months, 21% of the nurses had been exposed to these behaviours. There were no differences between position and educational level in workplace bullying. Workplace bullying leads to depression, lowered work motivation, decreased ability to concentrate, poor productivity, lack of commitment to work, and poor relationships with patients, managers and colleagues. Conclusion:, Workplace bullying is a measurable problem that negatively affects the psychology and performance of the nurses in this study. [source] Jordanian nurses' job stressors and social supportINTERNATIONAL NURSING REVIEW, Issue 1 2008S.H. Hamaideh rn Purpose:, This study describes stressors of Jordanian nurses and the social support they received to decrease the influence of these stressors. The relationships between the two concepts, and each with the sample's demographics were assessed. Predictors of nurses' stressors as well as social supportive behaviours were also studied. Methods:, A descriptive correlational research design was used. The Nursing Stress Scale and the Inventory of Social Supportive Behaviours were used to collect data from a convenience sample of 464 Jordanian nurses who were working in 13 Jordanian hospitals. Results:, Workload and dealing with issues of death and dying were the most prevalent stressors among Jordanian nurses. Emotional support was the most supportive social behaviour Jordanian nurses reported that they usually receive. Significant correlations were found between nurses' stressors and social supportive behaviours, as well as between nurses' stressors and shift worked, level of education, and model of nursing care provision. Additionally, significant correlations were found between social supportive behaviours and commitment for work and units' decision-making style. Shift worked, nurses' educational level and model of nursing care provision were the best predictors of the nurses' stressors. Shift worked, model of the nursing care provision, marital status and unit's organizational structure were the best predictors of the social supportive behaviour. Conclusions:, Nursing interventions are needed to decrease nurses' stressors; these will help nurses to perform safely their jobs. Various types of social support are needed, particularly emotional support. [source] Homocysteine Level and Cognitive Function in Patients with Arterial Disease: The Second Manifestations of ARTerial Disease StudyJOURNAL OF AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, Issue 4 2006Fleur van A. Raamt MD OBJECTIVES: To assess the relationship between total plasma homocysteine (tHcy) level and cognitive function in patients with manifest arterial disease. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTING: Patients with symptomatic cerebrovascular disease, cardiovascular disease, peripheral arterial disease, or abdominal aortic aneurysm included in the Second Manifestations of ARTerial disease study, a single-center, longitudinal study with an extensive screening program at baseline. PARTICIPANTS: Three hundred forty-five consecutively included patients, mean age 59. MEASUREMENTS: The patients underwent an extensive neuropsychological test. The cognitive domains assessed were memory, executive function, attention, and visuoperception and construction. Each raw score was transformed into standardized z-scores, and a sum score for global cognitive function was determined. Risk factors and vascular damage were measured in detail. RESULTS: Linear regression showed that elevated levels of tHcy were related to lower global cognitive function (,=,0.065, 95% confidence interval (CI)=,0.116 to ,0.013) and, more specifically, lower performance on memory (,=,0.078, 95% CI=,0.155 to ,0.002), attention (,=,0.079, 95% CI=,0.163 to ,0.005), and visuoperception and construction (,=,0.125, 95% CI=,0.236 to ,0.014) per standard deviation increase in tHcy (SD=6.4 mol/L), after adjustment for age, sex, educational level, extent of atherosclerosis, and location of vascular disease. Silent cerebral infarcts did not influence this relationship. CONCLUSION: A relationship was found between tHcy levels and cognitive function that was independent of extent and location of arterial disease. The results suggest that vascular mechanisms are not responsible for the relationship between tHcy and cognitive function. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||