• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.563-568
• /
• 2016

Background: Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer in women worldwide and its frequency is increasing gradually in many countries. Over the last three decades an increase in the breast cancer has been witnessed in the earlier low-risk Asian countries including Pakistan. Purpose: The objective of the current study was to assess the prevalence of known risk factors like early menarche, late menopause, socio economic, reproductive and demographic factors, among women diagnosed with breast cancer at INMOL hospital, Lahore, Punjab, as little information exists in this regard. Materials and Methods: A survey study was conducted on 200 women diagnosed with breast cancer who were seen at Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Oncology (INMOL) hospital, Lahore. A structured questionnaire was administered to these patients regarding the known risk factors through face to face interviews after obtaining appropriate consent. Results: Regarding non-modifiable risk factors, our study showed that majority of the breast cancer patients were diagnosed at 35-45 years (32.5%) or at older age (${\leq}46$) and experienced menarche at 12 years or older (66 %). Likewise, a large number of patients reached menopause at the age of 45 years (60%), had no family and personal history of breast cancer (80%) and hence fell in a low risk category. Regarding modifiable risk factors in women diagnosed with breast cancer, most of the patients fell in low risk strata as the majority were married (98%) at young age, breastfed their children for 12 months or more (88%) and bore two to three children (80%). Considering income criteria, the majority of the patients had a low risk profile as they belonged to middle class (70%), urban area (60%) and were house wives (80%). However, it was noted that a considerable number of women (34%) diagnosed with breast cancer experienced menarche at an early age (<12) and reached menopause after the age of 45 years. This situation is further augmented by environmental changes and dietary habits and places them in a high risk category.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.56 no.5
• /
• pp.397-406
• /
• 2023

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine factors associated with non-vaccination against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among the Venezuelan immigrant population residing in Peru. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using data obtained from the Second Survey of the Venezuelan Population Residing in Peru in 2022. The dependent variable was vaccination status against COVID-19. The independent variables included socio-demographic, economic, and migratory characteristics of the included population. Crude and adjusted generalized linear Poisson-family models were used to calculate prevalence ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: A total of 7739 Venezuelan migrants aged 18 years or older were included. The proportion of non-vaccination against COVID-19 was 5.7%. Regarding associated factors, unemployment (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR], 1.31; 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.65) was linked to an increased likelihood of not being vaccinated against COVID-19. In contrast, women (aPR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.61 to 0.95), possessing a migration permit (aPR, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.31 to 0.54), and having health insurance (aPR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.27 to 0.81) were associated with a decreased likelihood of being unvaccinated. Conclusions: The primary governmental and non-governmental institutions responsible for supporting and protecting the Venezuelan migrant and refugee population should improve vaccination access by issuing migration permits and providing health insurance.

• Journal of Families and Better Life
• /
• v.24 no.2 s.80
• /
• pp.93-106
• /
• 2006

This study investigated the determinants of Tap Water consumption patterns. Socio-demographic variables(gender, family income, education level, residual area) and consumer attitude knowledge(confidence, knowledge, problem experience, risk perception and aesthetic satisfaction)were included in the analysis. Three hundred fifty-nine teachers were participated in this study. ANOVA(Scheffe test), t-test, regression and logistic regression were conducted. The results of this study are as follows: 1. Tap water was consumed by only 1.7%, boiled water prior to drinking by 37.9%, water filtered by 39.8% and bottled water by 19.0%. 2. Consumer attitude knowledge was affected by socio-demographic variables. That is, aesthetic satisfaction was affected by age, risk perception by gender and educational level, confidence by educational level, knowledge by gender and age, and problem experience by age. 3. Logistic regression analysis indicated that age, confidence and aesthetic satisfaction were the determinants of bottled water or filtered water choice. However, risk perception was not a significant determinant. This suggests alternatives to tap water is related to non-risk, or non-safety factors.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
• /
• v.26 no.2
• /
• pp.107-114
• /
• 2016

Background: Depression is the leading cause of lowering the quality of life of cancer patients and lung cancer is the most likely to cause depression. It is necessary to find out depression-related factors in lung cancer patients. Methods: The study was a retrospective cohort study using medical records, and was a non-equivalent comparison group design. It involved patients diagnosed of lung cancer at the Konkuk University Medical Center from January to December 2012. Between antidepressants prescription group and non prescription group, socio-demographic factors, clinical factors, treatment-related factors and other factors were analyzed statistically. Results: Antidepressant prescription group consisted of 23 people and non-prescription group of 206 people. Prescription rate of quetiapine was the highest 47.8% (11/23), followed by escitalopram (43.5%, 10/23), amitryptyline and trazodone (30.4%, 7/23). The prescription group was prescribed with an average of 1.9 antidepressants. Antidepressants were prescribed after average of 248 days from lung cancer diagnosis and prescription period per patient was average 177.5 days. According to the result of univariate logistic regression analysis between 2 groups, factors such as number of outpatient visit, number of admission, days of hospitalization, sleep disorder, and comorbidity were found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05). However, According multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that number of admission, days of hospitalization and sleep disorder were statistically significant (p < 0.05) excluding comorbidity. Conclusion: About 10% of lung cancer patients had received a prescription for antidepressants after lung cancer diagnosis. A sleep disorder, number of hospitalization and length of stay were identified as factors influencing the prescribing antidepressants.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
• /
• v.28 no.3
• /
• pp.271-279
• /
• 2017

Purpose: Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI), a highly prevalent behavior in adolescents, refers to the direct destruction of one's body tissue without suicidal intent. To date, the prevalence of adolescent self-injury in South Korea and its associated factors remain unknown. This study aims to determine the prevalence of self-injury in Korean adolescents as well as its associated factors. Methods: We assessed 717 middle school students by means of an anonymous self-report survey. Information about demographic characteristics, lifestyle, anxiety and depression, self-esteem, and parenting behavior was obtained. Data were analyzed using $x^2$ test, t-test and multiple logistic regression. Results: NSSI was reported by 8.8% of respondents. Univariate analyses showed associations of exposure to alcohol use, anxiety, depression, self-esteem, and parenting methods with self-injury. In multiple analyses, alcohol use, anxiety, and parental abuse were associated with lifetime self-injury. Conclusion: The rate of NSSI in the South Korea was found to be lower than those of other countries. As our study suggests that alcohol use, anxiety, and parental abuse are associated with lifetime self-injury, health care providers at school should take these factors into account when developing prevention and intervention programs for adolescents.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
• /
• v.20 no.4
• /
• pp.41-50
• /
• 2003

Objectives： The purpose of this paper is to analyze longevity factors of 507 centenarians in the Republic of Korea. Methods： This paper is designed to survey physical, mental, socio-demographic and dietary factors of 507 centenarians. The data was collected by means of telephone interview from 1999 to 2001. The survey directly contacted centenarians who were able to communicate, or contacted the centenarians caregivers. The association between longevity factors of centenarians was verified by odds ratio of logistic regression. Results： Female centenarians appeared to be non-smokers more often than males (OR＝4.06, CI＝2.06, 7.98). The longevity of persons with a small waist circumference was attributed to health promotion through eating lightly as well as keeping active including walking(OR＝2.37, CI＝1.36, 4.14). A higher probability for longevity is found among optimists who live a happy life and 1aught every day (OR＝26.15, CI＝11.61, 58.89). Among centenarians, vegetarians were shown to be light eaters. More ratios of vegetarians among centenarians included those who reside in a rural district, eat bean paste soup everyday, and consume small quantities of meat (OR＝5.12, CI＝3.24, 8.08). Conclusion： Women, manual workers, under poor to middle economic status, rural residents, optimists, light eaters, vegetarians and non-smokers seemed to have a higher probability of becoming centenarians in The Republic of Korea.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.49-59
• /
• 2023

Objectives : This study aimed to identify the factors that affect the utilization of Korean Medicine within the past year. Methods : I analyzed micro-data from the Korean Medicine Utilization Survey (2020), which surveyed the general public. "User (in last 1 year)" were defined as those who had used Korean Medicine within the past year, while "Non-user (in last 1 year)" were defined as those who had used it in their lifetime but not within the past year. I examined several factors, including general characteristics, perceptions of Korean Medicine, satisfaction with Korean Medicine, and intention for future utilization. I conducted the Rao-Scott chi-squared test and complex sample logistic regression analysis. Results : I analyzed a total of 3,762 respondents, of which 1,442 (36.3%) were User (in last 1 year) and 2,320 (63.7%) were Non-user (in last 1 year). User (in last 1 year) and Non-user (in last 1 year) differed significantly in terms of demographic characteristics, perceptions, and satisfaction with Korean Medicine. Women, the elderly, those with low education levels, non-married individuals, those with low-income, chronic diseases, and poor subjective health conditions were significant factors. Those who used Korean Medicine within the past year were more knowledgeable about Korean Medicine than those who had not used it recently, and recognized herbal medicine as safer. In terms of satisfaction, User (in last 1 year) were more satisfied than Non-user (in last 1 year). The more women, the older, the more aware of Korean Medicine, the safer they perceived herbal medicine, the more satisfied they were with its use, the better their subjective health condition, and the absence of chronic diseases, the less they experienced Korean Medicine. Conclusions : The study showed that positive experiences and perceptions of Korean Medicine increase the likelihood of its utilization. Individuals with better subjective health conditions and without chronic diseases have a lower possibility of using Korean Medicine.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
• /
• v.54 no.3
• /
• pp.237-243
• /
• 2019

Purpose: To analyze the risk factors for posterior migration of a single cage after transforminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF). Materials and Methods: This study was conducted retrospectively on 48 patients (60 discs) who were followed-up for 1 year after TLIF from January 2015 to January 2017. The patients were divided into two groups: group 1 containing 16 patients (17 discs) with cage migration and group 2 containing 32 patients (43 discs) without it. Information related to cage migration, such as the demographic factors, shape of disc, level and location of the cage inserted, and disc height change, was acquired from the medical records and radiologic images, and the possibility for generating posterior migration of cage was evaluated statistically. Results: The demographic factors and cage-inserted level were similar in the two groups (16 patients in group 1, 32 patients in group 2). In the migration group, number of patients with a pear-type disc, 9 patients, was significantly larger; the disc height change, 1.8 mm, was significantly smaller; and the cage was located frequently on non-center in the anteriorposterior view and center in the lateral view in 9 and 15 out of 16 patients, respectively. Conclusion: A pear-type disc shape, small disc height change, cage with non-center on the anteriorposterior view and non-anterior on the lateral view are the risk factors for posterior migration. These factors are important for preventing posterior migration of the cage.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.62 no.5
• /
• pp.586-593
• /
• 2019

Objective : To study risk factors of secondary lumbar discectomy (LD) for recurrent herniated lumbar disc (HLD) and identify methods to lower the rate of recurrence. Methods : Data from 160 patients who underwent primary LD were collected retrospectively. Demographic features, radiologic findings including Pfirrmann disc degeneration, and surgical information were analyzed to compare risks between revision and non-revision patients. Results : The revision rate was 15% (24 patients), and the mean follow-up was 28.3 months. HLD recurrence was not related to any demographic characteristics. Primary and secondary LD were most common at the L4-5 level, but the level of operation was not significantly associated with revision. Primary LD most commonly had a Pfirrmann disc degeneration grade of 3, followed by 4. For recurrent HLD, Pfirrmann grade 4 was most common and was statistically significant (p<0.05). A body mass index (BMI) over 30 was considered obese and was significantly related with HLD revision (p<0.05). Conclusion : Patients with high BMI or severe disc degeneration should be informed of HLD revision.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.51 no.5
• /
• pp.242-247
• /
• 2018

Objectives: To examine survivorship disparities in demographic factors and risk status for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), which accounts for more than 75% of all urinary bladder cancers, but is highly curable with early identification and treatment. Methods: We used the US National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registries over a 19-year period (1988-2006) to examine survivorship disparities in age, sex, race/ethnicity, and marital status of patients and risk status classified by histologic grade, stage, size of tumor, and number of multiple primary tumors among NMIBC patients (n=29 326). We applied Kaplan-Meier (K-M) and Cox proportional hazard methods for survival analysis. Results: Among all urinary bladder cancer patients, the majority of NMIBCs were in male (74.1%), non-Latino white (86.7%), married (67.8%), and low-risk (37.6%) to intermediate-risk (44.8%) patients. The mean age was 68 years. Survivorship (in median life years) was highest for non-Latino white (5.4 years), married (5.4 years), and low-risk (5.7 years) patients (K-M analysis, p<0.001). We found significantly lower survivorship for elderly, male (female hazard ratio [HR], 0.96), Latino (HR, 1.20), and unmarried (married HR, 0.93) patients. Conclusions: Survivorship disparities were ubiquitous across age, sex, race/ethnicity, and marital status groups. Non-white, unmarried, and elderly patients had significantly shorter survivorship. The implications of these findings include the need for a heightened focus on health policy and more organized efforts to improve access to care in order to increase the chances of survival for all patients.