• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.19
• /
• pp.8371-8376
• /
• 2014

Background: The use of statistical methods has become an imperative tool in breast cancer survival data analysis. The purpose of this study was to develop the best statistical probability model using the Bayesian method to predict future survival times for the black non-Hispanic female breast cancer patients diagnosed during 1973-2009 in the U.S. Materials and Methods: We used a stratified random sample of black non-Hispanic female breast cancer patient data from the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database. Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional regression methods. Four advanced types of statistical models, Exponentiated Exponential (EE), Beta Generalized Exponential (BGE), Exponentiated Weibull (EW), and Beta Inverse Weibull (BIW) were utilized for data analysis. The statistical model building criteria, Akaike Information Criteria (AIC), Bayesian Information Criteria (BIC), and Deviance Information Criteria (DIC) were used to measure the goodness of fit tests. Furthermore, we used the Bayesian approach to obtain the predictive survival inferences from the best-fit data based on the exponentiated Weibull model. Results: We identified the highest number of black non-Hispanic female breast cancer patients in Michigan and the lowest in Hawaii. The mean (SD), of age at diagnosis (years) was 58.3 (14.43). The mean (SD), of survival time (months) for black non-Hispanic females was 66.8 (30.20). Non-Hispanic blacks had a significantly increased risk of death compared to Black Hispanics (Hazard ratio: 1.96, 95%CI: 1.51-2.54). Compared to other statistical probability models, we found that the exponentiated Weibull model better fits for the survival times. By making use of the Bayesian method predictive inferences for future survival times were obtained. Conclusions: These findings will be of great significance in determining appropriate treatment plans and health-care cost allocation. Furthermore, the same approach should contribute to build future predictive models for any health related diseases.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.54 no.3
• /
• pp.208-217
• /
• 2021

Objectives: In spite of the importance of green space for reducing obesity-related problems, there has been little exploration of whether access to green space (e.g., parks and recreational facilities) influences the obesity rate of adults in the United States. The purpose of the study was to investigate the relationships among accessibility of green space, obesity rates, and socioeconomic and demographic variables among adults living in the State of Indiana, United States. Methods: We conducted a secondary data analysis to investigate the relationships among accessibility to green space, obesity rates, and socio-demographic variables with employing Geographic Information System in order to measure the accessibility of green space. Results: This study found that accessibility of green space served as a strong predictor of reduced obesity rates among adults (β=-2.478; p<0.10). In addition, adults with higher education levels, as well as better access to green space, were found to have even lower obesity rates (β=-0.188; p<0.05). Other control variables such as unemployment rates, food security, and physical inactivity are additional factors that influence obesity rates among adults. Conclusions: Accessibility of green space may play an important role in facilitating physical activity participation and reducing obesity rates.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.82-90
• /
• 2012

Objectives: This study was performed to provide workplaces with political guidelines that apply international CMRs (Carcinogens, Mutagens, Reproductive toxins) information to Public Notice of TLVs (Threshold Limit Values). We analyzed information supply status about CMRs of international agencies and compared substances for which TLVs are set in KMoEL (Ministry of Employment and Labor in Korea). Methods: We referred to the reliable literature about classification criteria of CMRs corresponding to UN GHS (Globally Harmonized System of classification and Labeling of chemicals) and Public Notice No. 2009-68 'Standard for Classification, Labeling of Chemical Substance and Material Safety Data Sheet' in KMoEL. The classification system of CMRs in professional organizations (IARC, NTP, ACGIH, EU ECHA, KMoEL, etc.) was investigated through the internet and literature. Conclusions: 191 chemical substances among total 650 substances with TLVs are classified as carcinogens. Also, 43 substances classified as mutagens, and 44 as reproductive toxicants. These results suggest that the information of CMRs in Public Notice of TLV will be reorganized to 191 carcinogens, 43 mutagens, and 44 reproductive toxicants.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.14 no.3
• /
• pp.1999-2004
• /
• 2013

Asian Americans experience disproportionate incidence and mortality rates of certain cancers, compared to other racial/ethnic groups. Primary care physicians are a critical source for cancer screening recommendations and play a significant role in increasing cancer screening of their patients. This study assessed primary care physicians' perceptions of cancer risk in Asians and screening recommendation practices. Primary care physicians practicing in New Jersey and New York City (n=100) completed a 30-question survey on medical practice characteristics, Asian patient communication, cancer screening guidelines, and Asian cancer risk. Liver cancer and stomach cancer were perceived as higher cancer risks among Asian Americans than among the general population, and breast and prostate cancer were perceived as lower risks. Physicians are integral public health liaisons who can be both influential and resourceful toward educating Asian Americans about specific cancer awareness and screening information.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.17 no.4
• /
• pp.2111-2114
• /
• 2016

Opisthorchiasis is a health problem in Thailand particularly in northeast and north regions where have been reported the highest of cholangiocarcinoma. Active surveillance is required, therefore a cross-sectional surveyed was conducted in Nong Bunnak sub-district of Nakhon Ratchasima province, Thailand. A total of 367 participants were selected by multistage sampling from 5 villages located near natural water resources. Participants completed a predesigned questionnaire containing behavior questions regarding liver fluke disease, covering reliability and validity knowledge (Kuder-Richardon-20) = 0.80, attitude and practice (Cronbach's alpha coefficient) = 0.82 and 0.79, respectively. Descriptive statistics included frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations. The majority of the participants were female (58.3%), age group between 21-30 years old (42.5%), with primary school education (59.9%), occupation in agriculture (38.1%), and married (80.9%). They had past histories of raw fish consumption (88.3%), stool examination (1.4%), anti-parasite medication used (4.6%). Heads of villages, village health volunteers, television, and village newstations were the main sources for disease information. Participants had a moderate level of behavior regarding liver fluke disease. The mean scored of knowledge regarding liver fluke life cycle, transmission, severities, treatment, prevention and control was 10.9 (SD=0.5), most of them had a moderate level, 95.1%. The mean score for attitude regarding liver fluke prevention and control was 45.7 (SD=9.7), and for practice was 30.6 (SD=10.5). Participants had a moderate level of attitude and practice, 94.5% and 47.7, respectively. This study indicates that health education is required in this community including stool examination for liver fluke as further active surveillance screening.

• The Journal of Korean Society for School & Community Health Education
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.93-105
• /
• 2015

Objectives: This study is for understanding the perceived job training of the public health promotion program officials and analysis the educational needs in order to serve as the basis for the development of the future educational programs. Methods: To this end, we have developed a survey based on references and consultations with experts. We had explained the purpose and the intent of the survey to nationwide public health directors in advance and an online questionnaire was conducted for health promotion program and service providing personnel; the results from a total of 763 survey respondents were used in the final analysis. Collected data were analyzed through SPSS Win 21.0. Results: The results shows that the tasks of public health promotion personnel are 'business practices,' 'planning and evaluation related work' and so on in order of importance while the duties of service providing personnel are 'counseling,' 'education' and so on. One of the factors affecting field applications of education is 'awareness of the connection between education and career development' which accounts for 33% of explanatory power; the selected six other factors constitute 41.7%. Necessary educational contents for public officials are 'public health service planning,' 'report writing skills' and 'project evaluation methods.' On the other hand, for service providers, the contents are 'counseling methods,' 'development of educational materials,' 'monitoring health status' and so on. Conclusions: In order for trained service personnel to accord with the changed health promotion environment and the demand of local residents, Public Health Promotion officials should increase educational opportunities based on the competencies for each job, provide continuous learning opportunities and information even after the training, and finally, create a system that can link to career development.

• Journal of health informatics and statistics
• /
• v.43 no.4
• /
• pp.300-306
• /
• 2018

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to demonstrate empirically through a specialist AHP analysis what factors should be more important in the development of the public health care system. In addition, we will use Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method for experts to achieve research purpose. Methods: The data analysis method of this study is as follows. First, we set up three metrics in order to measure the relative importance between the factors to be improved for the development of the public health care system and each of the sub-factors. A total of nine measurements (items) were set by combining the three measurement criteria for each measurement index. Second, the relative importance and priority analysis use the AHP analysis. Third, the subjects of this study were 15 experts in the field of public health care. The statistical processing was performed using the Expert Choice 2000 statistical program. Results: In order to development of the public health care system, experts ranked the most important as improvement in the systematic aspect of public health care (56%) as the first priority. Next, the relative importance analysis of the measurement items considering the multiple-weights of the sub-factors is as follows. The strengthen institutional improvement (revitalization of secondary public function hospital) was the number one, strengthen cooperation between agencies was the second, and Re-establishing the role of local public health care system was the third place. Conclusions: Considering the relative importance, factors that are considered to be important in the first place may not be improved as the best policy alternative due to limitations in spatial, temporal, financial, and institutional aspects. In this case, we suggest that we should choose the best policy alternative by using prioritization considering relative weights.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
• /
• v.28
• /
• pp.9.1-9.5
• /
• 2013

Objectives Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a powerful tool for assessing exposure in epidemiologic studies. We used GIS to determine the geographic extent of contamination by perfluorooctanoic acid, C8 (PFOA) that was released into the environment from the DuPont Washington Works Facility located in Parkersburg, West Virginia. Methods Paper maps of pipe distribution networks were provided by six local public water districts participating in the community cross-sectional survey, the C8 Health Project. Residential histories were also collected in the survey and geocoded. We integrated the pipe networks and geocoded addresses to determine which addresses were serviced by one of the participating water districts. The GIS-based water district assignment was then compared to the participants' self-reported source of public drinking water. Results There were a total of 151,871 addresses provided by the 48,800 participants of the C8 Health Project that consented to geocoding. We were able to successfully geocode 139,067 (91.6%) addresses, and of these, 118,209 (85.0%) self-reported water sources were confirmed using the GIS-based method of water district assignment. Furthermore, the GIS-based method corrected 20,858 (15.0%) self-reported public drinking water sources. Over half (54%) the participants in the lowest GIS-based exposure group self-reported being in a higher exposed water district. Conclusions Not only were we able to correct erroneous self-reported water sources, we were also able to assign water districts to participants with unknown sources. Without the GIS-based method, the reliance on only self-reported data would have resulted in exposure misclassification.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.111-121
• /
• 2007

The purpose of this study is to examine the status quo of the networking between health promotion and other programs conducted by public health centers(PHCs), and to develop concrete strategies for improving the efficiency of the health promotion programs at PHCs. Data were collected from a questionnaire survey for 246 PHCs nationwide and 96 questionnaire were returned(response rate of 39%). A focus group study was also conducted to compliment the detail of the networking system between health promotion and other programs at PHCs. The results revealed that the current networking between health promotion and other programs conducted by public health centers is not working well. Especially, the communication networking between health promotion and other programs at planning stage is poorer than the stages of implementation, performance, and evaluation. The main reasons of the poor networking have been caused by an inadequate organizational structure, inefficient information system, low level of motivation for networking among the staff of PHCs, and no concrete guidelines for networking. This study also suggested several strategies to facilitate the cooperation between health promotion and other programs.

• Proceedings of the KAIS Fall Conference
• /
• 2009.05a
• /
• pp.575-578
• /
• 2009

지금까지의 건강예보제가 절대적 생산량이 부족하고, 건강정보에 관한 권위가 제한되어 있었으며, 예측정보의 생산과 적용에 대한 방법론적인 한계 등의 이유로 실패했던 것을 분석해 볼 때 지금 건강예보제 보완을 위해 필요한 점은, 충분한 정보 제공과 정보 수집의 정기성 등이 시급하다고 할 수 있다. 현재 전염병웹보고 시스템과 같은 온라인상으로 접할 수 있는 서비스를 제공하고 있지만, 이에 대한 홍보가 부족하고 정보 또한 신뢰성을 확고히 얻고 있지 못하기 때문에 전염병에 국한되어 있는 정보 제공이 아닌 일반적인 건강 상식과 관련된 분야로 정보 제공의 영역을 확장시켜야 할 것이다. 또한 정보 수집 방법을 명확히 공고하여, 공감대를 형성할 수 있어야 하며, 분류 체계를 명확히 하여, 개개인이 원하는 정보를 찾아 볼 수 있도록 데이터 베이스 작업이 필요하다고 할 수 있다.