Home About us Contact
|
Home About us Contact | ||
|
|
||
Asian Women (asian + woman)
Kinds of Asian Women Selected AbstractsHealth Promotion and Participatory Action Research with South Asian WomenJOURNAL OF NURSING SCHOLARSHIP, Issue 1 2002U.K. Choudhry Purpose: To examine South Asian immigrant women's health promotion issues and to facilitate the creation of emancipatory knowledge and self-understanding regarding health-promoting practices; to promote health education and mobilization for culturally relevant action. Method: The study was based on critical social theory; the research model was participatory action research (PAR). Two groups of South Asian women (women from India and of Indian origin) who had immigrated to Canada participated in the project. The qualitative data were generated through focus groups. Reflexive and dialectical critique were used as methods of analyzing qualitative data. The data were interpreted through reiterative process, and dominant themes were identified. Findings: Three themes that were extracted from the data were: (a) the importance of maintaining culture and tradition, (b) placing family needs before self, and (c) surviving by being strong. An issue for action was the risk of intergenerational conflicts leading to alienation of family members. Over a period of 3 years, the following action plans were carried out: (a) workshops for parents and children, (b) sharing of project findings with the community, and (c) a presentation at an annual public health conference. Conclusions and Implications: The project activities empowered participants to create and share knowledge, which was then applied toward action for change. Health and health promotion were viewed as functions of the women's relationships to the world around them. [source] Dreams, Questions and Struggles: South Asian Women in Britain , By A. WilsonTHE BRITISH JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY, Issue 2 2007Aisha Gill No abstract is available for this article. [source] Ethnic variations in facial skin neurosensitivity assessed by capsaicin detection thresholdsCONTACT DERMATITIS, Issue 6 2009Roland Jourdain Background: Ethnic variations in sensitive skin have not been thoroughly explored and remain controversial. Objective: To objectively assess ethnic variations in facial skin neurosensitivity through individual detection thresholds of topically applied capsaicin. Patients/Methods: The single-blind, controlled study was performed in 144 women from three ethnicities: Asian, African, and Caucasian. Five solutions with increasing capsaicin concentration were successively applied to one side of nasolabial folds, while the other side simultaneously received the vehicle as control. The test was discontinued when the volunteer reported on the capsaicin side a sensation whatever its nature. Otherwise the experimenter continued the test, using the next solution with higher capsaicin content and so on, until the subject experienced a sensation on the capsaicin side. Results: Each ethnic group was divided into six sub-groups according to the level of sensitivity to capsaicin, i.e. from detection of the lowest concentration up to no detection of the highest concentration, 100-fold higher. Asian women tended to have higher capsaicin detection thresholds than Caucasians, but lower thresholds than Africans. Nevertheless, the distribution did not greatly differ between the three ethnicities. Conclusions: The capsaicin skin neurosensitivity test is painless and the changes across individuals of different ethnic backgrounds appear minimal. [source] Seizure type, antiepileptic drugs, and reproductive endocrine dysfunction in Indian women with epilepsy: A cross-sectional studyEPILEPSIA, Issue 12 2008Preeti Sahota Summary Background:, There is paucity of data regarding occurrence of reproductive endocrine disorders in Asian women with epilepsy (WWE) on antiepileptic drug (AED) therapy. Purpose:, To determine the occurrence of reproductive endocrine disorders in Indian WWE, by seizure type and the AED use. Methods:, Consecutive 427 reproductive age WWE receiving various AEDs were screened for the occurrence of menstrual abnormalities, weight change, and hirsutism. Of these, 53 WWE with menstrual disturbances and/or hirsutism were further evaluated for ovarian morphology and reproductive hormonal profile. Results:, Menstrual abnormalities and/or hirsutism were observed in 83 of 427 (19.4%) WWE irrespective of epileptic seizure type; of these, 50 (60.2%) received valproate, 21 (25.3%) received carbamazepine, 11 (13.3%) received phenytoin, and one (1.2%) received phenobarbitone as the primary AED. Almost half of valproate-treated women had significant weight gain and obesity. Among 53 of 83 women evaluated further, 23.5% and 63.6% of valproate-treated women, 25% and 58.3% of carbamazepine-treated women, and none and 20% of phenytoin-treated women had polycystic ovaries (PCO) and hyperandrogenemia (HA), respectively. Valproate-treated women had significantly higher frequency of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) (11.8% vs. 2.5%, p < 0.0001) and mean serum testrosterone levels (1.78 vs. 1.36 ng/ml, p = 0.03), compared with women treated with other AEDs. Limitations:, Limitations include small number of women in antiepileptic subgroups and a high drop out rate in women who underwent ultrasound and endocrinological investigations. Conclusion:, Menstrual abnormalities, weight gain, obesity, and PCOS are frequent and significantly higher in WWE receiving valproate, independent of seizure type. [source] Do cultural factors predict mammography behaviour among Korean immigrants in the USA?JOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, Issue 12 2009Hanju Lee Abstract Title.,Do cultural factors predict mammography behaviour among Korean immigrants in the USA? Aim., This paper is a report of a study of the correlates of mammogram use among Korean American women. Background., Despite the increasing incidence of and mortality from breast cancer, Asian women in the United States of America report consistently low rates of mammography screening. A number of health beliefs and sociodemographic characteristics have been associated with mammogram participation among these women. However, studies systematically investigating cultural factors in relation to mammogram experience have been scarce. Methods., We measured screening-related health beliefs, modesty and use of Eastern medicine in 100 Korean American women in 2006. Hierarchical logistic regression was used to examine the unique contribution of the study variables, after accounting for sociodemographic characteristics. Findings., Only 51% reported past mammogram use. Korean American women who had previously had mammograms were statistically significantly older and had higher perceived benefit scores than those who had not. Perceived benefits (odds ratio = 6·3, 95% confidence interval = 2·12, 18·76) and breast cancer susceptibility (odds ratio = 3·18, 95% confidence interval = 1·06, 9·59) were statistically significant correlates of mammography experience, whereas cultural factors did not correlate. Post hoc analysis showed that for women with some or good English skills, cultural factors statistically significantly correlated with health beliefs and breast cancer knowledge (P < 0·05). Conclusion., Nurses should consider the inclusion in culturally tailored interventions of more targeted outreach and healthcare system navigation assistance for promoting mammography screening in Korean American women. Further research is needed to unravel the interplay between acculturation, cultural factors and health beliefs related to cancer screening behaviours of Korean American women. [source] Screening tools for depressed mood after childbirth in UK-based South Asian women: a systematic reviewJOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, Issue 6 2007Soo M. Downe Abstract Aim., This paper is a report of a systematic review to answer the question: what is the relevance, acceptability, validity and effectiveness of tools designed to screen for postnatal depressed mood for South Asian women living in the UK? Background., Standard methods to screen women for postnatal depressed mood were developed with Caucasian populations. This study reviews postnatal screening tools adapted or developed for United Kingdom-based South Asian women. Method., A structured systematic review of English language studies initially was completed between 1980 and May 2003, and later updated to January 2005. The review was based on an a priori search strategy with inclusion and exclusion criteria and analysis included a quality assessment tool. Findings were tabulated against criteria for acceptability and effectiveness of diagnostic tools. Results., Seven papers were included in the review. None addressed all preset quality criteria. Four papers among them reported on translations of two existing tools (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and General Household Questionnaire). Two new tools were reported between the remaining three papers (Punjabi Postnatal Depression Scale and ,Doop Chaon'©). Doop Chaon is a visual tool. The other tools used either Bengali or Punjabi, based on written scales. The General Household Questionnaire did not appear to be appropriate for this population. None of the studies were rigorous enough to demonstrate generalizable sensitivity or specificity. Qualitative data indicated that women preferred face-to-face interviews to self-complete questionnaires. Conclusions., None of the tools are currently sufficiently evaluated for clinical practice. Questions are raised specifically about use of language-based tools to measure postnatal depressed mood in this population and about the extent to which focused interviews could be used as an alternative for specific sub-sections of population groups. [source] Osteoporosis and Fracture Risk in Women of Different Ethnic GroupsJOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 2 2005Elizabeth Barrett-Connor MD Abstract Osteoporosis and 1-year fracture risk were studied in 197,848 postmenopausal American women from five ethnic groups. Weight explained differences in BMD, except among blacks, who had the highest BMD. One SD decrease in BMD predicted a 50% increased fracture risk in each group. Despite similar relative risks, absolute fracture rates differed. Introduction: Most information about osteoporosis comes from studies of white women. This study describes the frequency of osteoporosis and the association between BMD and fracture in women from five ethnic groups. Materials and Methods: This study was made up of a cohort of 197,848 community-dwelling postmenopausal women (7784 blacks, 1912 Asians, 6973 Hispanics, and 1708 Native Americans) from the United States, without known osteoporosis or a recent BMD test. Heel, forearm, or finger BMD was measured, and risk factor information was obtained; 82% were followed for 1 year for new fractures. BMD and fracture rates were compared, adjusting for differences in covariates. Results: By age 80, more than one-fifth of women in each ethnic group had peripheral BMD T scores <,2.5. Black women had the highest BMD; Asian women had the lowest. Only the BMD differences for blacks were not explained by differences in weight. After 1 year, 2414 new fractures of the spine, hip, forearm, wrist, or rib were reported. BMD at each site predicted fractures equally well within each ethnic group. After adjusting for BMD, weight, and other covariates, white and Hispanic women had the highest risk for fracture (relative risk ,RR' 1.0 ,referent group' and 0.95, 95% CI, 0.76, 1.20, respectively), followed by Native Americans (RR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.57, 1.32), blacks (RR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.38, 0.70), and Asian Americans (RR, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.15, 0.66). In age- and weight-adjusted models, each SD decrease in peripheral BMD predicted a 1.54 times increased risk of fracture in each ethnic group (95% CI, 1.48-1.61). Excluding wrist fractures, the most common fracture, did not materially change associations. Conclusions: Ethnic differences in BMD are strongly influenced by body weight; fracture risk is strongly influenced by BMD in each group. Ethnic differences in absolute fracture risk remain, which may warrant ethnic-specific clinical recommendations. [source] Health Promotion and Participatory Action Research with South Asian WomenJOURNAL OF NURSING SCHOLARSHIP, Issue 1 2002U.K. Choudhry Purpose: To examine South Asian immigrant women's health promotion issues and to facilitate the creation of emancipatory knowledge and self-understanding regarding health-promoting practices; to promote health education and mobilization for culturally relevant action. Method: The study was based on critical social theory; the research model was participatory action research (PAR). Two groups of South Asian women (women from India and of Indian origin) who had immigrated to Canada participated in the project. The qualitative data were generated through focus groups. Reflexive and dialectical critique were used as methods of analyzing qualitative data. The data were interpreted through reiterative process, and dominant themes were identified. Findings: Three themes that were extracted from the data were: (a) the importance of maintaining culture and tradition, (b) placing family needs before self, and (c) surviving by being strong. An issue for action was the risk of intergenerational conflicts leading to alienation of family members. Over a period of 3 years, the following action plans were carried out: (a) workshops for parents and children, (b) sharing of project findings with the community, and (c) a presentation at an annual public health conference. Conclusions and Implications: The project activities empowered participants to create and share knowledge, which was then applied toward action for change. Health and health promotion were viewed as functions of the women's relationships to the world around them. [source] Perineal Trauma and Postpartum Perineal Morbidity in Asian and Non-Asian Primiparous Women Giving Birth in AustraliaJOURNAL OF OBSTETRIC, GYNECOLOGIC & NEONATAL NURSING, Issue 4 2008Hannah Dahlen ABSTRACT Objectives: To describe the postpartum perineal morbidity of primiparous women who had a vaginal birth and compare outcomes between Asian and non-Asian women in the first 2 days following the birth and at 6 and 12 weeks postpartum. Design: Data from a randomized clinical trial of a perineal management technique (perineal warm packs) were used to address the study objective. Setting: Two maternity hospitals in Sydney, Australia. Participants: Primiparous women who had a vaginal birth in the trial were included (n=697). One third of the women were identified as "Asian." Results: Compared with non-Asian women, Asian women were significantly more likely to have an episiotomy; require perineal suturing; sustain a third- or fourth-degree perineal tear; and report their perineal pain as being moderate to severe on day 1 following the birth. Asian women were less likely to give birth in an upright position or to resume sexual intercourse by 6 or 12 weeks following the birth. Conclusion: More research is needed into methods that could reduce the high rates of perineal trauma experienced by Asian women, and midwives need to be able to offer appropriate support for Asian women. [source] Exploring the barriers to exclusive breastfeeding in black and minority ethnic groups and young mothers in the UKMATERNAL & CHILD NUTRITION, Issue 3 2008Jenny Ingram Abstract UK health policy for many years has been to increase rates of breastfeeding because of the health benefits conferred on mothers and babies. World Health Organization recommends that babies should be breastfed exclusively for 6 months (without water or other fluids) and the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence promotes the provision of peer supporters or breastfeeding support groups to increase breastfeeding rates. This study aimed to explore the barriers to exclusive breastfeeding to 6 months with black and minority ethnic groups and with young mothers, and the strategies for overcoming these barriers, including peer support. Twenty-two mothers from Somali, Afro-Caribbean and South Asian communities or young mothers groups attended five focus groups. Transcripts were analysed using thematic and framework methods. There was enthusiasm for breastfeeding support groups, but with a wider remit to discuss other baby-related issues and provide general social support as well as support for breastfeeding. The Somali and South Asian women preferred the groups to be for their ethnic group, Afro-Caribbean women were keen that they should be open to all cultures and young mothers would like groups for their peers only. Encouraging mothers to breastfeed exclusively to 6 months should be promoted more and emphasized by health professionals when supporting women post-natally, and good support with breastfeeding management should be given to enable mothers to achieve this goal. Breastfeeding support groups may play a part in increasing breastfeeding continuation of breastfeeding, but for the groups studied this was not the greatest influence, with families and older women in the community having more influence in changing practice. [source] Patients as teachers: a new approach to patient involvementMUSCULOSKELETAL CARE, Issue 2 2005BSc(Hons), Jill Firth RGN Abstract Patients as Teachers is an approach to patient involvement which involves bringing together a key sub-group for a speciality with a facilitator to focus on particular aspects of the service. This approach was used by the rheumatology team in Bradford to elicit feedback from South Asian women for whom English is not the first language. The focus groups generated constructive feedback about issues relating to, the hospital environment, information giving and service provision. This was fed back to clinicians at an educational meeting attended by lay representatives, and agreed actions were determined. Progress made on the recommendations was evaluated at six months. Copyright © 2005 Whurr Publishers Ltd. [source] ORIGINAL RESEARCH,PSYCHOLOGY: Age of First Sexual Intercourse and Acculturation: Effects on Adult Sexual RespondingTHE JOURNAL OF SEXUAL MEDICINE, Issue 3 2008Jane S.T. Woo MA ABSTRACT Introduction., Although age of first intercourse and the emotional aspects of that experience are often a target in assessment because they are thought to contribute to later sexual functioning, research to date on how sexual debut relates to adult sexual functioning has been limited and contradictory. Aim., The goal of this study was to explore the association between age of first intercourse and adult sexual function in a sample of Euro-Canadian and Asian Canadian university students. In addition, culture-based comparisons of sexual complaints were made to clarify the role of culture in sexual response. Methods., Euro-Canadian (N = 299) and Asian Canadian (N = 329) university students completed the Golombok-Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction and the Vancouver Index of Acculturation. Main Outcome Measures., Self-reported sexual problems and bidimensional acculturation. Results., Ethnic group comparisons revealed that Asians reported more sexual complaints including sexual avoidance, dissatisfaction and non-sensuality. Among the women, Asians reported higher scores on the Vaginismus and Anorgasmia subscales whereas the ethnic groups did not differ on the male-specific measures of sexual complaints. In the overall sample, older age of first intercourse was associated with more sexual problems as an adult, including more sexual infrequency, sexual avoidance, and non-sensuality. Among the Asian Canadians, less identification with Western culture was predictive of more sexual complaints overall, more sexual noncommunication, more sexual avoidance, and more non-sensuality. For Asian women, acculturation interacted with age of first intercourse to predict Vaginismus scores. Conclusions., Overall, these data replicate prior research that found that a university sample of individuals of Asian descent have higher rates of sexual problems and that this effect can be explained by acculturation. Earlier sexual debut was associated with fewer sexual complaints in adulthood. Woo JST, and Brotto LA. Age of first sexual intercourse and acculturation: Effects on adult sexual responding. J Sex Med 2008;5:571,582. [source] Risk factors for breast cancer in East Asian women relative to women in the WestASIA-PACIFIC JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY, Issue 4 2009Christine S PERRY Abstract The incidence of breast cancer in women of East Asian ancestry (Chinese, Japanese and Korean) is lower than in women of European ancestry but is currently rising. This review explores potential reasons for this inter-ethnic difference in incidence by profiling breast cancer risk factors reported for East Asian and Western women. Factors such as endogenous hormone exposure, lifestyle choices, diet and genetic predisposition are associated with breast cancer risk in both East Asian and Western women. However, the relative exposure to these risk factors may vary according to a woman's geographical ancestry and culture. For example, age at menarche and menopause, parity, breast-feeding history, low fat and high soy consumption as well as the prevalence of high risk genetic alleles may vary with a woman's geographical ancestry and/or culture. Differences in exposure to these risk factors in East Asian and Western women are consistent with the inter-ethnic differences in breast cancer incidence observed. Understanding the underlying factors contributing to differences in the profile of breast cancer across populations is important when considering screening and prevention programs for East Asian women resident in the East or the West. [source] Maternal height and length of gestation: Does this impact on preterm labour in Asian women?AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 4 2009Ben Chong-Pun CHAN Background: Both maternal height and ethnicity may influence the gestation length, but their independent effect is unclear. Aim: This study was performed to examine the relationship between maternal height and gestational length in women with singleton pregnancies in a Chinese and southeast Asian population. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed on women carrying singleton pregnancies with spontaneous labour in a 48-month period managed under our department to determine the relationship between maternal height, expressed in quartiles, with the mean gestational age and incidence of preterm labour. Results: Of the 16 384 women who delivered within this period, the 25th, 50th and 75th percentile values of maternal height were 153 cm, 156 cm and 160 cm respectively. Excluded from analysis were 6597 women because of multifetal pregnancy, teenage pregnancy (maternal age , 19 years old), induction of labour or elective caesarean section, or incomplete data due to no antenatal booking in our hospital. Significant differences were found in the maternal weight and body mass index, incidences of multiparity and smokers, gestational age and birthweight among the four quartiles. There was significantly increased incidence of preterm birth between 32 and 37 weeks gestation in women with shorter stature. Conclusions: In our population, maternal height has an influence on gestational length, and the lower three quartiles was associated with increased odds of labour at > 32 to < 37 weeks. This effect should be taken into consideration in the adoption of international recommendations in obstetric management and intervention. [source] Hypertension during pregnancy in South Australia, Part 2: Risk factors for adverse maternal and/or perinatal outcome , results of multivariable analysisAUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 5 2004Sophie A. VREEBURG Abstract Objective:, To identify factors associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes among women with hypertension during pregnancy Design:, A population-based retrospective multivariable analysis using the South Australian perinatal data collection. Methods:, Perinatal data on 70 386 singleton births in 1998,2001 were used in multivariable analyses on three groups: all women combined, all hypertensive women and women with pregnancy hypertension only, in order to identify independent risk factors for requirement for level II/III care, preterm birth, small for gestational age (SGA) birth and maternal length of stay greater than 7 days. Results:, The risks for the four morbidities were all increased among women with hypertension compared with normotensive women. Those with pre-existing hypertension had the lowest risk (with odds ratios (OR) 1.26,2.90). Pregnancy hypertension held the intermediate position (OR 1.52,5.70), while superimposed pre-eclampsia was associated with the highest risk (OR 2.00,8.75). Among women with hypertension, Aboriginality, older maternal age, nulliparity and pre-existing or gestational diabetes increased the risk for level II/III nursery care, preterm birth and prolonged hospital stay. Smokers had shorter stays, which may be related to their decreased risk of having a Caesarean section or operative vaginal delivery. Asian women, Aboriginal women, smokers and unemployed women had an increased risk for having an SGA baby, while women with pre-existing or gestational diabetes had a reduced risk. Conclusions:, Among hypertensive pregnant women, nulliparity, older maternal age, Aboriginality, unemployment and diabetes are independent risk factors for one or more major adverse pregnancy outcomes. Smoking does not always worsen the outcome for hypertensive women except for SGA births. [source] Outcomes of pregnancies in women with pre-existing type 1 or type 2 diabetes, in an ethnically mixed populationBJOG : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 11 2005Evelyn C.J. Verheijen Objective To compare the outcomes of pregnancies in women with pre-existing, type 1 and type 2, diabetes and to examine the influence of ethnicity on these outcomes. Design Prospective cohort study. Setting Large district hospital in Yorkshire with an ethnically mixed population. Sample Case series of all 202 pregnancies in women with pre-existing diabetes, ending in miscarriage, termination of pregnancy or delivery between January 1994 and December 2002. Methods Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis comparing outcomes in type of diabetes and in ethnic group. Main outcome measures Fetal loss, perinatal and infant mortality and congenital anomaly. Results All 14 stillbirths and infant deaths and 13 of the 15 congenital malformations were to Asian women. Analysis within this ethnic group showed a very high rate of adverse birth outcome for type 1 diabetic women and for type 2 diabetic women on insulin before the pregnancy. Total pregnancy loss among type 1 diabetic women was 156 per 1000 and among type 2 diabetic women on insulin was 167 per 1000. Congenital abnormality rates were 156 per 1000 for type 1 diabetic women and 261 per 1000 for type 2 diabetic women on insulin. Asian type 2 diabetic women not on insulin prior to pregnancy had significantly better outcomes: Total pregnancy loss was 123 per 1000 and congenital abnormality rate was 32 per 1000. After adjustment for confounders, including type of diabetes, Asian women had significantly worse outcomes (combined perinatal loss and malformation) than Caucasian women [odds ratio (OR) 4.96, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.16,21.1]. Conclusion Ethnicity has a significant impact on the outcome of diabetic pregnancies, with worse outcomes for babies born to Asian mothers compared with Caucasian mothers. The use of insulin pre-pregnancy rather than type of diabetes appears to predict adverse outcome. [source] Brown Girls, White Worlds: Adolescence and the Making of Racialized Selves,CANADIAN REVIEW OF SOCIOLOGY/REVUE CANADIENNE DE SOCIOLOGIE, Issue 2 2006MYTHILI RAJIVA Jusquà récemment, les recherches sur les femmes venant de l'Asie du Sud portaient presque entièrement sur les immigrantes de première génération; cependant, les chercheurs commencent à explorer les différences qui existent entre les immigrantes de premiére et celles de deuxiéme génération. Ce qui reste peu clair, c'est comment l'âge, en tant que relation de puissance, se manifeste dans le contexte d'une diaspora. Par exemple, quel est l'apport de l'expérience occidentale de l'adolescence dans le processus identitaire ? l'auteure s'appuie sur le concept de Twine appeléévénement frontalier, qui s'adresse spéci-fiquement à l'expérience de racialisation de l'adolescente. Elle se penche également sur la culture des pairs et enfin sur les families et les com-munautés particulières pour évaluer comment celles-ci réussissent à convaincre les jeunes filles de deuxième génération de leur exclusion permanente de la normalité. Until recently, research on South Asian women has focussed almost exclusively on the immigrant experience; however, scholars have now begun to explore the differences between immigrant and second-generation identities. What remains unclear is how age, as a relation of power, asserts itself in diasporic contexts. For instance, how is modern Western adolescence a key period of racialized identity development? Building on Twine's concept of the "boundary event," I analyse second-generation South Asian girls' stories of difference making during adolescence, examining the work done by peer culture, friends and even family/community to remind girls of their racial and cultural difference. [source] English language proficiency and smoking prevalence among California's Asian Americans,CANCER, Issue S12 2005Hao Tang M.D., Ph.D. Abstract The authors documented California's tobacco control initiatives for Asian Americans and the current tobacco use status among Asian subgroups and provide a discussion of the challenges ahead. The California Tobacco Control Program has employed a comprehensive approach to decrease tobacco use in Asian Americans, including ethnic-specific media campaigns, culturally competent interventions, and technical assistance and training networks. Surveillance of tobacco use among Asian Americans and the interpretation of the results have always been a challenge. Data from the 2001 The California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) were analyzed to provide smoking prevalence estimates for all Asian Americans and Asian-American subgroups, including Korean, Filipino, Japanese, South Asian, Chinese, and Vietnamese. Current smoking prevalence was analyzed by gender and by English proficiency level. Cigarette smoking prevalence among Asian males in general was almost three times of that among Asian females. Korean and Vietnamese males had higher cigarette smoking prevalence rates than males in other subgroups. Although Asian females in general had low smoking prevalence rates, significant differences were found among Asian subgroups, from 1.1% (Vietnamese) to 12.7% (Japanese). Asian men who had high English proficiency were less likely to be smokers than men with lower English proficiency. Asian women with high English proficiency were more likely to be smokers than women with lower English proficiency. Smoking prevalence rates among Asian Americans in California differed significantly on the basis of ethnicity, gender, and English proficiency. English proficiency seemed to have the effect of reducing smoking prevalence rates among Asian males but had just the opposite effect among Asian females. Cancer 2005. © 2005 American Cancer Society. [source] Dermatological signs in South Asian women induced by sari and petticoat drawstringsCLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL DERMATOLOGY, Issue 5 2010S. B. Verma Summary The sari, the elegant garment worn by Indian and many South Asian women, is associated with many cutaneous signs. With millions of South Asians settled all over the world, it is important for clinicians to be aware of the cutaneous associations of wearing a sari that is tied tightly around the waist with a drawstring. Lichenified linear hyperpigmented grooves, vitiligo, postinflammatory depigmentation, lichen planus and superficial cutaneous infections are some of the conditions seen in women wearing this garment. This review is one of the very few detailed reports of this widely worn garment and its dermatological associations. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||