• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.1209-1214
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• 2016

Background: Cigarette smoking constitutes a major threat to the health and wellbeing of teenagers. While smoking has been on decline in the developed countries, the reverse is the case in developing countries. The aim of this study was to determine the age of initiation, determinants and prevalence of cigarette smoking among teenagers in Mushin Local Government Area of Lagos state, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study among 475 teenagers selected by multistage sampling. A pre-tested, structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. The study was carried out in November, 2014. Results: Response rate was 84.6%. Mean age of the respondents was $16.4{\pm}1.65years$. Range and mean age of initiation of cigarette smoking were 7 to 17 years and $12.0{\pm}3.32years$ respectively. Teenagers who were above 15 years (OR:5.13, 95%CI: 0.87-30.26), males (OR:5.19, 95%CI: 1.57-17.18), married (OR:8.41, 95%CI: 1.04-63.35), had ${\leq}$primary school education(OR:4.31, 95%CI: 1.07-17.33), influenced by friends(OR:308.84, 95%CI:84.87-1123.81), and influenced by advertisements (OR:27.83, 95%CI: 3.92-197.64) were more likely to have initiated cigarette smoking. Furthermore, teenagers who were males (OR:12.77, 95%CI: 2.90-56.28), married (OR:19.24, 95%CI: 2.05-180.45), had ${\leq}$primary school education(OR:7.85, 95%CI: 2.37-26.01), influenced by friends(OR:28.56, 95%CI: 10.86-75.07), and influenced by advertisements (OR:5.95, 95%CI: 1.72-20.61) were more likely to be current cigarette smokers. In addition, 24.9% had initiated cigarette smoking while 14.7% were current smokers of cigarette. Conclusions: Mean age of initiation of cigarette smoking was $12.0{\pm}3.32years$. Determinants of cigarette smoking were age, gender, marital status, educational background, friends and advertisements. Life time prevalence of cigarette smoking was higher than prevalence of current cigarette smokers. Cigarette smoking reduction programs should take these factors into consideration.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.17
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• pp.7967-7973
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• 2015

Background: The abrupt rise of colorectal cancer in developing countries is raising concern in healthcare settings. Studies on assessing relationships with modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors in the Pakistani population have been limited. The present investigation was designed to examine associations of dietary practices, addictive behavior and bowel habits in developing colorectal cancer (CRC) among patients in a low-resource setup. Materials and Methods: An age-gender matched case control study was conducted from October 2011 to July 2015 in Karachi, Pakistan. Cases were from the surgical oncology department of a public sector tertiary care hospital, while their two pair-matched controls were recruited from the general population. A structured questionnaire was used which included questions related to demographic characteristics, family history, dietary patterns, addictive behavior and bowel habits. Results: A family history of cancer was associated with a 2.2 fold higher chance of developing CRC. Weight loss reduced the likelihood 7.6 times. Refraining from a high fat diet and consuming more vegetables showed protective effects for CRC. The risk of CRC was more than twice among smokers and those who consumed Asian specific addictive products as compared to those who avoid using these addictions (ORsmoking: 2.12, 95% CI: 1.08 - 4.17, ORpan: 2.92, 95% CI: 1.6 - 5.33, ORgutka: 2.13, 95% CI: 1.14 - 3.97). Use of NSAID attenuated risk of CRC up to 86% (OR: 0.14, 95% CI: 0.07 - 0.31). Conclusions: Most of the findings showed concordance with the literature elucidating protective effects of consuming vegetables and low fat diet while documenting adverse associations with family history, weight loss, constipation and hematochezia. Moreover, this study highlighted Asian specific indigenous addictive products as important factors. Further studies are needed to validate the findings produced by this research.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.8
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• pp.4017-4023
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• 2012

Background and Aim: Polymorphisms in methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) are known to be associated with predisposition for certain cancers. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of lifestyle factors, family history and genetic polymorphisms in MTHFR C677T and A1298C on rectal cancer risk and possible interactions with lifestyle factors in Northeast Thailand. Methods: A hospital-based case-control study was conducted during 2002-2006 with recruitment of 112 rectal cancer cases and 242 non-rectal cancer patient controls. Information was collected using a structured-questionnaire. Blood samples were obtained for assay of MTHFR C677T and A1298C genotypes by polymerase chain reaction with restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) techniques. Associations between lifestyle factors, family history and genetic polymorphisms v.s. rectal cancer risk were assessed using logistic regression analysis. Results: Subjects with frequent and occasional constipation had a higher risk ($OR_{adj.}$=14.64; 95%CI=4.28-50.04 and $OR_{adj.}$=2.15; 95%CI=1.14-4.06), along with those who reported ever having hemorrhoids ($OR_{adj.}$=2.82; 95%CI=1.36-5.84) or a family history of cancer ($OR_{adj.}$=1.90; 95%CI=1.06-3.39). Consumption of a high level of pork was also associated with risk ($OR_{adj.}$=1.82; 95%CI=1.05-3.15). Interactions were not observed between MTHFR and other risk factors. Conclusions: This study suggested that the risk factors for rectal cancer in the Thai population are bowel habits, having had hemorrhoids, a family history of cancer and pork consumption.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.12
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• pp.6491-6496
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• 2012

Background: The influence of parental socio-economic status on childhood cancer treatment outcome in low-income countries has not been sufficiently investigated. Our study examined this influence and explored parental experiences during cancer treatment of their children in an Indonesian academic hospital. Materials and Methods: Medical charts of 145 children diagnosed with cancer between 1999 and 2009 were reviewed retrospectively. From October 2011 until January 2012, 40 caretakers were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires. Results: Of all patients, 48% abandoned treatment, 34% experienced death, 9% had progressive/relapsed disease, and 9% overall event-free survival. Prosperous patients had better treatment outcome than poor patients (P<0.0001). Odds-ratio for treatment abandonment was 3.3 (95%CI: 1.4-8.1, p=0.006) for poor versus prosperous patients. Parents often believed that their child's health was beyond doctor control and determined by luck, fate or God (55%). Causes of cancer were thought to be destiny (35%) or God's punishment (23%). Alternative treatment could (18%) or might (50%) cure cancer. Most parents (95%) would like more information about cancer and treatment. More contact with doctors was desired (98%). Income decreased during treatment (55%). Parents lost employment (48% fathers, 10% mothers), most of whom stated this loss was caused by their child's cancer (84% fathers, 100% mothers). Loss of income led to financial difficulties (63%) and debts (55%). Conclusions: Treatment abandonment was most important reason for treatment failure. Treatment outcome was determined by parental socio-economic status. Childhood cancer survival could improve if financial constraints and provision of information and guidance are better addressed.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.17
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• pp.7021-7027
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• 2014

Background: The problem of cancer, especially lung cancer, is very acute in Bangladesh. The present study was conducted to evaluate the risk of lung cancer among Bangladeshi people based on hereditary, socio-economic and demographic factors. Materials and Methods: This study was carried out in 208 people (patients-104, controls-104) from January 2012 to September 2013 using a structured questionnaire containing details of lung cancer risk factors including smoking, secondhand smoke, tobacco leaf intake, age, gender, family history, chronic lung diseases, radiotherapy in the chest area, diet, obesity, physical activity, alcohol consumption, occupation, education, and income. Descriptive statistics and testing of hypotheses were used for the analysis using SPSS software (version 20). Results: According to this study, lung cancer was more prevalent in males than females. Smoking was the highest risk factor (OR=9.707; RR=3.924; sensitivity=0.8872 and P<0.0001) followed by previous lung disease (asthma, tuberculosis etc.) (OR=7.095; RR=1.508; sensitivity=0.316 and P<0.0001)) for male patients. Highly cooked food (OR=2.485; RR=1.126; sensitivity=0.418 and P=0.004)) and also genetic inheritance (OR=1.93; RR=1.335; sensitivity=0.163 and P=0.138) demonstrated significant correlation with lung cancer as risk factors after these two and alcohol consumption was not prevalent. On the other hand, for female patients, tobacco leaf intake represented the highest risk (OR=2.00; RR=1.429; sensitivity= 0.667 and P=0.5603) while genetic inheritance and highly cooked food also correlate with lung cancer but not so significantly. Socioeconomic status and education level also play important roles in causing lung cancer. Some 78.5% male and 83.3% of female cancer patients were rural residents, while 58.2% lived at the margin or below the poverty line. Most male (39.8%) and female (50.0%) patients had completed only primary level education, and 27.6% male and 33.3% female patients were illiterate. Smoking was found to be more prevalent among the less educated persons. Conclusions: The results obtained in this study indicate the importance of creating awareness about lung cancer risk factors among Bangladeshi people and making appropriate access to health services for the illiterate, poor, rural people.

• The Journal of Society for e-Business Studies
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.65-88
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• 2018

This case is an analysis of how a late comer to the market of online dating in Korea, Dorsia, successfully develops its services called Amanda. Since 2010, the online dating market in Korea has been fast growing. Despite its short history, many corporations have attempted to make success in the market. But most of them were unable to gain foothold in a market where the first comer had a huge advantage. Amanda, however, has provided differentiated services to great success in a short period. This paper conducted a semi-structured interview with major executives of Dorsia to acquire data which were then used to interpret based on the theories of business management and psychology. This study presents a strategic insight into how competitiveness can be gained in internet-based businesses in the online dating market, as well as those in markets that have similar traits. Moreover, by identifying issues that need to be addressed in order for Amanda to continue its growth, the study seeks to simultaneously review the issues that need resolution related to online commerce, as well as the great potential of online commerce.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.9-17
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• 2020

This study is a narrative research study to investigate the knowledge, attitudes and preventive behaviors of middle-aged adults with dementia and to identify related factors. The study subjects were a total of 230 middle-aged adults living in K and P cities, and data were collected from March 2018 to July 2019 using a structured questionnaire. Collected data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and multiple linear regression analysis using SPSS / WIN 23.0 program. As a result of the study, the knowledge of dementia was 9.97 out of 15, the attitude of dementia was 47.45 out of 60, and the prevention of dementia was 27.75 out of 36. Knowledge of dementia had a positive correlation with dementia attitude (r=.122, p=.050) and dementia prevention behavior (r=.122, p<.05). Factors affecting dementia prevention behavior include marital status (β=.129, p<.05), education level (β=.219, p<.000), and type of disease (β=-.108, p<.000), presence of religion (β =-. 219, p <.000), interest in dementia (β=.237, p<.000), presence of drinking (β=.317, p<.000), smokingPresence or absence (β=.235, p<.000) and knowledge of dementia β=.316, p<.000) were found to have a significant effect. Therefore, in order to improve dementia prevention behavior of middle-aged adults, it is necessary to develop customized education programs for middle-aged adults to practice knowledge of dementia, positive attitudes, and good lifestyle.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.21-45
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• 1996

The purpose of this study is to compare the health status of Korean and Chosun-Jok elementary children. To accurately achieve the purpose, a survey was conducted in Yanbian area in China and Kojae in Korea during the period of June 15 to July in 1995. This survey was performed by using two survey methods. The first was the parents' survey method. It asked structured questions about their children. The second method focused on the actual health of the children. It used the collection of children's physical records in school. Guided by the school teachers, each child distributed the questionnaires to their parents. We used stratified-cluster sampling method to determine subjects. 1,083 questionnaires of 1,749 were used to analyze the data (666 questionnaires were incomplete and were not used in the analysis). Each questionnaire matched the data of their physical record. : Body Weight, Body Height, Chest-Circumstance, Eyesight, Dental Health. Using the data, we compared the BMI(Body Mass Index) the Koreans and Chosun-Jok in China. The results of this study were as follows : Comparing the general average physique of contained body height, body weight and chest circumstance of Korean and Chosun-Jok, the general physique of Chosun-Jok is inferior to that of Korean regardless of age and sex. Meanwhile, the average physical constitution of Korean compared the Chosun-Jok (i.e. eyesight and dental hygiene), revealed that the physical constitution of Chosun-Jok is superior to that of Korean without concern of age and sex. Average BMI of Chosun-Jok is lower than that of Koreans. But, it seemed that most of the students in both groups maintain an adequate health level. In the case of children from 10 to 12 years old, females are superior to males through all data contained of the body weight, the chest circumstance, and the body height. It seems that females and males have a different maximum growth age. Most of the parents preferred a good physique as a good health condition for their children. The physique of each child was affected with some variables, including the number of family members, and the educational level of the parents. According to the above results, the students' physique in Korea is superior to that of Chosun-Jok in China. But, Koreans are inferior to Ethnic Koreans in China in the students' physical constitution. In conclusion, we consider Chosun-Jok in China to maintain an adequate health level in their physique and physical constitution.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.180-190
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• 2018

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the influencing factor of the quality of life of the elderly with mild dementia in rural community. Methods: A total of 123 elderly who were managed by public health center participated. They were diagnosed as mild dementia by MMSE-DS and CDR. Data were collected during the period from May to September in 2017 by a structured questionnaire that included general characteristics, depression, dependence, comorbidity, sleep scale. Data were analyzed by t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis. Results: The quality of life was correlated significantly with depression. Depression was the factor affecting the quality of life of the elderly with mild dementia in rural community. Depression accounted for 54.0% as a variable of quality of life. Conclusion: This study was meaningful in that it directly measured the quality of life of the elderly with mild dementia is known to be difficult to measure and found meaningful results. it is necessary to identify the cause of depression and establish a linkage system between public health centers and health related organizations in the community. We suggest the need for individualized preventive intervention program and integrated psychological health service considering depression.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.76-90
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• 1999

This study was performed 1) to compare the nature of the synchronized behaviors in mother-child plays between autistic and normal groups quantitatively and qualitatively and 2) to identify the behavioral data to improve synchrony. The subjects were consisted of 20 mother-child pairs, 10 for each autistic group(AG) and normal group(NG). The developmental age of two groups was under 24 months old and equally matched. Data were collected by video-taped mother-child free play and analyzed with Wilcoxon Rank Sign(Sum) Test, Spearman Correlation Coefficient, Scheffe's Test, and Content Analysis. The score on synchronized behaviors of AG was significantly lower than that of NG(p<.05). As time progressed, the difference was much higher between the 2 groups. And the structure of motherchild plays in AG was poor and most of the interactions were discontinued as 1 or 2 episodes. On the other hand, mother-child plays in NG were enriched and became somewhat like game or play. The score of mother's growth-fostering nurturing behaviors showed positive relation to synchrony and much highly related to the group of 16 months-old or above. Mother's laughing and patting responses and pausing to get the child's initiative were especially related highly to synchronized behaviors. In conclusion, these mother's growth-fostering nurturing behaviors should be stressed at the mother-child interactions and also well structured therapeutic play with considering in children's developmental level should be given.