• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.16 no.17
• /
• pp.7485-7489
• /
• 2015

Background: Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women throughout the world. However, in comparison with Western women, it presents relatively early in women of Asian ethnicity. Early menarche, late menopause, use of OCP's, family history of benign or malignant breast disease, exposure to radiation and BMI in the under-weight range are well known risk factors for the development of breast cancer in premenopausal women. Early detection with the use of breast self-examination (BSE) and breast cancer screening programs can lead to a reduction in the mortality rates due to breast cancer. The aim of our study was to assess the risk factors for breast cancer among young women and to emphasize the importance of early screening among them. Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among women aged 18 to 25 using a self-administered questionnaire. Data was collected over a period of 6 months from June to December, 2014. A total of 300 young women selected randomly from Dow Medical College and various departments of Karachi University successfully completed the survey. Results: Respondents were 18-25 years of age (mean age=21.5). Out of the 300 young females, 90 (30%) had at least one risk factor, 90 (30%) had two, 40 (13%) had three, 8 (2.7%) had four, 2 (0.7%) had five while one female was found to have six positive risk factors for breast cancer. Some 66 women (22%) experienced symptoms of breast cancer such as non-cyclical pain and lumps. While 222 women (74%) had never performed breast self-examination, 22 (7.3%) had had a breast examination done by a health professional while 32 (10.7%) had participated in breast screening programs. A total of 223 (74.3%) women considered breast cancer screening important for young women. Conclusions: The percentage of young women with risk factors for breast cancer was found to be alarmingly high. Therefore, screening for breast cancer should start at an early age especially in high risk groups. Awareness about breast self-examination should be emphasized. Moreover, screening programs should be started to ensure early detection and reduction of mortality rates caused by breast cancer also in young Pakistani females.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
• /
• v.15 no.4
• /
• pp.413-418
• /
• 2015

Recent cross-sectional studies indicate that obesity is a risk factor for periodontal disease. This study was aimed to investigate whether the four-week weight control program including caloric restriction and exercise training could have an effect on periodontal health. Forty-one obese (body mass index [BMI] ${\geq}25.0$) and five overweight ($23.0{\leq}BMI<25.0$) students participated in the weight control program. Anthropometric data and oral examination data were collected at the baseline and at the 27th day. BMI, waist hip ratio (WHR), and percent of body fat (PBF) of the subjects decreased significantly, but gingival index, sites with bleeding on probing (BOP), and sites with shallow pocket depth didn't show the significant changes in paired t-test. There was no difference in the outcomes according to smoking, drinking alcohol, and sex. Nevertheless, PBF and sites with BOP (r=0.777) and WHR and sites with shallow pocket depth (r=0.444) showed positive correlations. PBF accounted for 58.9% of the variance in sites of BOP in regression analysis. We suggested that obesity might relate with periodontal health, although it was not clear whether weight control could influence on periodontal health directly.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
• /
• v.7 no.2
• /
• pp.164-176
• /
• 2000

Purpose : This study was done to identify the factors of decisional balance for smoking cessation among middle aged men in Korea. This was composed of a set of variables at the level of decision making when middle aged men decide to stop smoking. It was used to classify and identify the characteristics of the stages of change for smoking cessation to which the middle aged men belong, and was used to identify the variables of decisional balance which influenced the stages of change for smoking cessation in middle aged men. Methods : A convenience sample of 169 men who had smoked and were smoking, were between age 30 and 60 and lived in Seoul(mean age=44), were selected from the community. The data was collected from December 10, 1999 to February 28, 2000. The research instrument was the Decisional Balance Measure for Smoking Cessation (Velicer et al., 1985). and Stage of Change Measure(DiClemente et al., 1991). The data were analyzed using the SAS Program. Results : 1. According to stage of change measure, the 169 subjects were distributed in each stage of change for smoking cessation: in the pre-contemplation stage 63 subjects(32.7%), contemplation stage 60 subjects (35.5%), preparation stage 17 subjects(10.1%), and maintenance stage 29 subjects(17.2%). 2. Factor analysis identified 4 factors of decisional balance as appropriate factors for smoking cessation of middle aged men. There were named by the researchers; 1)'Perceived Burden to Self', 2)'Perceived Benefit to Others' 3)'Perceived Approval to Others', and 4)'Perceived Disapproval to Self'. 3. Analysis of variance showed that the three components, 1)'Perceived Burden to Self(F=8.50, P=.0001)', 2)'Perceived Benefit to Others(F=3.19, P=.025)' and 3)'Perceived DisApproval to Self(F=2.87, P=.038)were significantly associated with stage of change. 4. Through discriminant analysis, it was found that 'Perceived Burden to self' was the most influential variable in discriminating the four stages of change(pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, and maintenance). Conclusion : The results are consistent with the application of the Transtheoretical model, which has been used to understand how people change health behavior. Even though this study is a cross-sectional, not a longitudinal study, the findings of this study give useful information for smoking cessation intervention for the middle aged men.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
• /
• v.35 no.2
• /
• pp.417-426
• /
• 2015

The representative design elements of the road geometric structure are longitudinal slope, horizontal curve radius, super elevation, and transition curve. According to the function of a road, the design standards of these elements is applied by diverse combinations of them. This study divided expressway into homogeneous segments based on longitudinal slope and horizontal curve radius. And then, data required for analysis were matched to each segment, and the safety performance function was built by using the established data. crash modification factors which can explain traffic accident exposure rate were calculated. When the threshold value of horizontal curve radius R=1,000 m was set to 1.0, the crash modification factors at R=300 m was calculated as 1.33, which means that the accident exposure rate is increased by 33%. When the threshold value of the longitudinal slope 0% was set to 1.0, the crash modification factors demonstrated that the accident exposure rate decreases on the upward slope and the accident exposure rate increases on the downward slope. The results of this study can be used as basic information in the design of expressway geometries during the improvement or the construction of expressways.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.16 no.10
• /
• pp.4429-4434
• /
• 2015

Background: Public awareness/knowledge on oral and pharyngeal cancer (OPC), potentially malignant disorders (PMODs) and their risk factors is crucial for prevention and early detection of OPC and PMODs. Yet, there are no published data available on the awareness and knowledge of OPC and PMODs among people living in Far North Queensland, Australia. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted as a cross sectional survey. A self-administered questionnaire was designed and consisted of relevant questions to ascertain socio-demographic information, awareness and knowledge of OPC, PMODs and risk factors and questions on participant's exposure to risk factors and dietary history were also included. Survey was carried out at the Dental Clinic of the James Cook University School of Dentistry (JCU Dental), Cairns, Australia. Subjects above the age of 20 years (n=366) were randomly selected during the period from 31st July to 6th September 2013 and questionnaire was distributed to complete while they are waiting for treatment. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS version 21 and the chi -squared test was employed to compare groups. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The study revealed that 52.3% of the respondents were aware of the existence of OPC but only 19.0% were aware of PMODs. Of those who were aware of oral cancer, 92% agreed or strongly agreed that smoking is a strong risk factor for OPC. Similarly a relatively high proportion of the respondents agreed or strongly agreed that tobacco chewing (84%), tobacco chewing with areca nut (68%), chewing areca nut alone (51%) and exposure to actinic radiation (71%) as risk factors. However, the results for alcohol intake, age, and HPV infection were found to be relatively poor with proportions 33%, 34%, and 23% respectively. Conclusions: This study revealed an alarming lack of awareness and knowledge of OPC and PMODs.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.13 no.3
• /
• pp.953-956
• /
• 2012

Introduction: In order to control the tobacco scourge, an array of measures is required. Among them is focusing on adolescent relationships as it has been shown that being in a close relationship with a smoker or a non smoker will in the long run be a major factor in deciding whether the individual adopts smoking for initial non-smokers or ceases the habit for initial smokers. Objectives: To assess the attitude of youth towards other smokers and towards marrying a smoker. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 415 students from five universities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Self-administered structured questionnaires were used for data collection. The Chi square test was used to detect significant differences between frequencies. Results: Of the 415 participants who provided their gender information, 99 (24%) were males and 314 (76%) were females. Of all the participants, 83.5% were not willing to marry smokers, while 16.5% were willing. Of those whose parents smoked (106) 68% did not like it when their parents smoked, 13.6% had no opinion, 17.5% did not mind, while the other 1% had other thoughts. Of those whose close friends smoked, 43.4% did not like it, 16.2% did not have any opinion, 36.9% did not mind while 3.5% had other thoughts. Conclusion: Most participants, both males and females are not willing to marry smokers and prefer to have non-smokers as spouses. Also, smokers are seen as less attractive by both genders in contrast to what appears as popular beliefs amongst youngsters and what is depicted in tobacco advertisements. Tobacco control activities can be undertaken in the community and colleges by incorporating students as facilitators.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.18 no.10
• /
• pp.344-353
• /
• 2017

The purpose of this study was to identify and compare the factors that influence the mental health help-seeking behavior in Korean and immigrant married women. A cross-sectional descriptive study design was used. Participants were 110 Koreans and 91 immigrants in D metropolitan city. Collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, ${\chi}^2$-test, t-test, ANOVA, ANCOVA, Pearson correlation coefficient, and multiple regression with SPSS 21.0 program. Mental health help-seeking behavior was significantly correlated with depression, belief toward mental illness, and perceived need for mental health service in Korean women, and with Korean fluency, belief toward mental illness, and social support in immigrant women. In the regression analysis results, the predictors of mental health help-seeking behavior were belief toward mental illness in Korean married women (10.5%), and Korean fluency, nationality, belief toward mental illness, and social support in immigrant women (59.0%). These findings should be considered when developing strategies for enhancing the mental health help-seeking behavior in married women.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
• /
• v.30 no.2
• /
• pp.354-365
• /
• 2000

Purpose: This study was performed to identify the factors that change exercise behave. This study will also classify and identify the characteristics of excercise stages to which the elderly belong Also, to identify the processes of change which influence on the changes in exercise performed by the elderly. Methods: Convenient samples of 198 subjects over the age 60 in Seoul Korea(mean age=70) were selected from elderly communities and were all mentally conpetant older adults. The data were collected from April 1,1999 to May 30, 1999. The research instruments were measured the change in exercise (Marcus et al., 1992b), such as Stage of Change measure(Marcus et al,1992a). The data were analyzed by SAS Program. Results: 1. According to the measure of change without missing data, 191 subjects were distributed each stage of change for exercise: 50 subjects (26.1%), 7 subjects (3.6%), 52 subjects (27.2%), 4 subjects (2%), and 78 (40.8%) belonged to the precontemplation stage, the contemplation stage, the preparation stage, the action stage and the maintenace stage. 2. According to the factor analysis, 6 factors of change were identified as appropriate processes of change and were named by the researchers. The names were; 'Supportive helping relationship', 'Self cognitive determination', 'Environmental reinforcement', Consciousness raising', Reinforcement of negative condition and 'Conversion of negative condition'. 3. According to the stage of change, there were significant mean differences in the 'Supportive helping relationship(F=22.04, p=.0001)', 'Self cognitive determination (F=50.87, p=.0001)', 'Reinforcement of negative condition(F=7.84,p=.0006)'. 4. Through the discriminant analysis, it was found that Self cognitive determination is the most influential variable as one of the processes of change which can discrimiate the three stages of change (precontemplation, preparation, and maintenance). Also the next significant variable was Reinforcement of negative condition. Conclusion: The process of the dey change is one of concepts of The transtheoretical model known as strategies and the techniques people use as they go through the different stages of change. Even though this study is cross- sectional not longitudinal study, the finding of this study gives useful information for exercise intervention, by using this strategy of exercise for elderly in different stages of change in exercise.

• Environmental and Resource Economics Review
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.199-228
• /
• 2016

This study investigates the effects of economic factors and forest environments on rural residential area development in seven north central states of the U.S. by focusing on the relative importance of not only economic factors but also forest environments by forest type as core drivers of residential development. An empirical model of locations and magnitudes of population changes since 1950 in the north central region is first constructed, and then a panel model with fixed effects for counties is used to explain population growth by age group over time at the county level. Then a set of three equations is estimated for three major age groups, and a cross-sectional model is estimated for the last time period that regresses county-level environmental amenity variables on fixed effects coefficients for counties. Finally, an equation explaining changes in rural housing density is estimated. The results imply that immigrant age is a key factor influencing the choice of the place of residence and that the effects of environmental amenity factors on population growth and subsequent housing development in a county vary according to the age group.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
• /
• v.4 no.3
• /
• pp.104-108
• /
• 2001

Naphthalene derived mesophase pitch WP) was spun into short fibers by using melt-blown technology. The pitch fibers oxidative stabilization were carried out heating rates of $2^{\circ}C/min,\;5^{\circ}C/min\;and\; 10^{\circ}/min$. The heating rate was a key factor to maximate the capacity of the Li-ion secondary battery through controlling the morphology of the graphitized fiber. The diameters of the melt-blown fibers prepared were in the range of $4{\mu}m\~16{\mu}m$ with functions of air jet speed, air temperature and the temperature of the nozzle. The graphitized fibers of $10{\mu}m$ diameters showed various morphological structure with heating rate of the stabilization. Radial, radial-random and skin-core cross-sectional structure of the fibers were observed at the respective heating rate of $2^{\circ}C/min\;5^{\circ}C/min\;and\;10^{\circ}C/min$. Most crystalline structure of graphite was obtained from the fiber stabilized at heating rate of $10^{\circ}C/min$ exhibiting the best anode performance with 400 mAh/g of capacitance and $96.8\%$ of charge/discharge efficiency.