scholarly journals Impact of the “Stoptober” Smoking Cessation Campaign in England From 2012 to 2017: A Quasiexperimental Repeat Cross-Sectional Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. 1453-1459 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mirte A G Kuipers ◽  
Robert West ◽  
Emma V Beard ◽  
Jamie Brown
Keyword(s):  
Smoking Cessation ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Quit Attempt ◽  
Quit Attempts ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Adjusted Logistic Regression

Abstract Introduction Since 2012, England has an annual “Stoptober” campaign for collective smoking cessation. Our aim was to assess (1) overall impact of the Stoptober campaign on quit attempts over its first 6 years, (2) consistency of impact over the campaign years, and (3) the role of the campaign budget. Methods We used data of 51 399 adult smokers and ex-smokers in 132 repeat cross-sectional monthly surveys in England, 2007–2017. In a quasiexperimental design, adjusted logistic regression analyses compared past-month quit attempt rate between (1) October and other months in the year, between 2007–2011 and 2012–2017; (2) October and other months, across years 2012–2017; and (3) October and other months, between high-budget (2012–2015) and low-budget Stoptober campaigns (2016–2017). Bayes factors (BF) differentiated insensitive data and absence of an effect. Results (1) In 2012–2017, quit attempts were more prevalent in October versus other months (odds ratio [OR]: 1.24, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.00 to 1.53), whereas similar in 2007–2011 (OR: 0.95, 95% CI: 0.76 to 1.18; BF = 0.2); data were somewhat insensitive but supported this difference (OR: 1.30, 95% CI: 0.97 to 1.75; BF = 2.1). (2) In 2012–2017, quit attempt prevalence ranged from 3.1% to 8.5% in October and 5.0% to 7.3% in other months. The difference between October and other months was large in 2012 (absolute unadjusted difference of 3.3%; OR: 1.92, 95% CI: 1.23 to 2.98) and 2015 (3.1%; OR: 1.84, 95% CI: 1.14 to 2.95), but small in 2013–2014 and 2016–2017 (0.36 < BF < 1.02). (3) Data were somewhat insensitive but supported interaction with campaign budget (OR: 1.50, 95% CI: 0.92 to 2.44; BF = 2.2). Discussion In 2012–2017, there appears to have been an increase in past-month quit attempts during October in England. The increase was inconsistent across Stoptober campaigns and appears to have been greater when the campaign budget was higher. Implications Over the first 6 years of Stoptober campaigns, there appears to have been an overall increase in past-month quit attempts during October in England, and the data imply that a sufficiently high budget contributes to greater impact of the Stoptober campaign. These findings encourage the further spread of the Stoptober campaign to other countries. Future research should clarify how increased quit attempts as a consequence of Stoptober translate into quit success and which of Stoptober’s ingredients were most important in increasing quit attempts, especially among vulnerable groups.

scholarly journals Are Heated Tobacco Product Users Less Likely to Quit than Cigarette Smokers? Findings from THINK (Tobacco and Health IN Korea) Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (22) ◽  
pp. 8622
Author(s):  
Cheol Min Lee ◽  
Choon-Young Kim ◽  
Kiheon Lee ◽  
Sungroul Kim
Keyword(s):  
South Korea ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Tobacco Product ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Cigarette Smokers ◽  
Tobacco Products ◽  
Tobacco Sales ◽  
Quit Attempts ◽  
Stop Smoking Services ◽  
The Difference

Since the advent of heated tobacco products in June 2017 in South Korea, the sale of heated tobacco products accounted for 10.5% of total tobacco sales in 2019. However, the decreasing trend in total tobacco sales is gradually weakening and the number of visitors using stop smoking services has also dropped. This study examines the association between the use of new tobacco products and related products and cessation behaviors. A cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire was conducted from March 2019 to July 2019 for 2831 adult tobacco users. The difference in rates of quit attempts using the type of tobacco products and related products in the past year were noted (55.6% (any cigarette smoker), 46.7% (any e-cigarette user), and 39.6% (any heated tobacco product user)). About a 30% increase in quit attempts was observed for the triple users of either conventional cigarette or heated tobacco product than exclusive users. Exclusive heated tobacco product and e-cigarette users were approximately 40% and 20% less likely to quit the product they used than exclusive cigarette smokers, respectively. These findings can explain recent occurrences in South Korea, such as the reduction of visitors at smoking cessation clinics and the attenuation of the decline in tobacco sales.

scholarly journals Health status of adolescent school going children with special reference to waist hip ratio

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 938
Author(s):  
Halak J. Vasavada ◽  
Snehal V. Patel ◽  
Purvi R. Patel ◽  
Heli S. Mehta
Keyword(s):  
School Children ◽  
Private School ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Nutritional Assessment ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Municipal Schools ◽  
The Difference

Background: A school is a key location for educating adolescents about health, hygiene and nutrition. Adolescence is period of critical development and transition. These changes have important implications for health. Aims and objectives of the stud was to study the role of WHR in nutritional assessment in adolescent school children and compare it with BMI as an assessment tool and to study nutritional status of municipal and private school.Methods: It was a cross sectional study conducted in 10-17-year-old school children in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. There were 2 private and 2 municipal schools selected randomly by purposive sampling. Child absent or not well on the day of study were excluded.Results: Incidence of obesity is 42.9% and 57.1% in municipal and private school respectively. Incidence of overweight is 47.2% and 52.8% in municipal and private schools respectively. (2.9%) adolescents had BMI range of 25-29.9 which is considered to be overweight. However, the percentage of overweight and obese was raised at 28% and 23.5% respectively when classified as per WHR.Conclusions: The difference between incidence of overweight and obesity in private and municipal schools were not statistically significant. A combination of increase BMI with increase WHR is a stronger indicator of increase health risk.

scholarly journals Relationship between rs3918242 Polymorphism of Matrix Methaloproteinase-9 Gene and Preeclampsia in Pregnant Women

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 434-443
Author(s):  
Mehdi Sahmani ◽  
◽  
Nilofar Ahmadi ◽  
Somayeh Asadian ◽  
Talaat Dabaghi Ghaleh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Unknown Etiology ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Complex Disorder ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Study Participants ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Mmp9 Gene

Background: Preeclampsia is a complex disorder of pregnancy with an unknown etiology. Numerous studies have shown the possible role of gene polymorphisms, especially metalloproteinases, in development of this disease, but there are no definitive results. Objective: This study aims to investigate the possible association between rs3918242 (−1562C>T) polymorphism in Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) gene with the risk of preeclampsia in pregnant women. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, participants were 90 pregnant women with preeclampsia and 199 healthy pregnant women (controls). The genotypes of rs3918242 polymorphism were investigated using Polymerase Chain Reaction technique and Limited Fragment Length Polymorphism method. Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the relationship between rs3918242 polymorphism and preeclampsia. Findings: The frequency of CC, CT, TT genotypes of rs3918242 polymorphism was reported 47.8%, 47.8% and 4.2% in patients and 84.8, 13.1 and 2% in controls, respectively, and the difference between groups was significant (P<0.001). The frequency of TT genotype in patients was significantly higher than in controls (P<0.001). Moreover, the frequency of T allele in patients was 52.2%, while in controls it was 15.2% and the difference between the two groups was significant (P<0.001). Conclusion: The rs3918242 polymorphism of MMP9 gene plays an important role in the incidence of preeclampsia in pregnant women.

scholarly journals Are weak or negative clinical recommendations associated with higher geographical variation in utilisation than strong or positive recommendations? Cross-sectional study of 24 healthcare services

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. e044090
Author(s):  
Agne Ulyte ◽  
Wenjia Wei ◽  
Oliver Gruebner ◽  
Caroline Bähler ◽  
Beat Brüngger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Geographical Variation ◽  
Multilevel Models ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Mandatory Health Insurance ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Unwarranted Variation

ObjectivesWhen research evidence is lacking, patient and provider preferences, expected to vary geographically, might have a stronger role in clinical decisions. We investigated whether the strength or the direction of recommendation is associated with the degree of geographic variation in utilisation.DesignIn this cross-sectional study, we selected 24 services following a comprehensive approach. The strength and direction of recommendations were assessed in duplicate. Multilevel models were used to adjust for demographic and clinical characteristics and estimate unwarranted variation.SettingObservational study of claims to mandatory health insurance in Switzerland in 2014.ParticipantsEnrolees eligible for the 24 healthcare services.Primary outcome measuresThe variances of regional random effects, also expressed as median odds ratios (MOR). Services grouped by strength and direction of recommendations were compared with Welch’s t-test.ResultsThe sizes of the eligible populations ranged from 1992 to 409 960 patients. MOR ranged between 1.13 for aspirin in secondary prevention of myocardial infarction to 1.68 for minor surgical procedures performed in inpatient instead of outpatient settings. Services with weak recommendations had a negligibly higher variance and MOR (difference in means (95% CI) 0.03 (−0.06 to 0.11) and 0.05 (−0.11 to 0.21), respectively) compared with strong recommendations. Services with negative recommendations had a slightly higher variance and MOR (difference in means (95% CI) 0.07 (−0.03 to 0.18) and 0.14 (−0.06 to 0.34), respectively) compared with positive recommendations.ConclusionsIn this exploratory study, the geographical variation in the utilisation of services associated with strong vs weak and negative vs positive recommendations was not substantially different, although the difference was somewhat larger for negative vs positive recommendations. The relationships between the strength or direction of recommendations and the variation may be indirect or modified by other characteristics of services. As initiatives discouraging low-value care are gaining attention worldwide, these findings may inform future research in this area.

scholarly journals A Cross-sectional Study Exploring Sex Differences in the Relationship Between Sex Partner Attitudes and Current Quit Attempt Among a Sample of Smokers in Baltimore, MD, USA.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Davey-Rothwell Melissa A. ◽  
Norah Crossnohere ◽  
Paige Hammond ◽  
Tuo-Yen Tseng ◽  
Marlesha Whittington ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Smoking Cessation ◽  
Sex Differences ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Partner Support ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Quit Attempt ◽  
Quit Smoking ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Sex Partner

Abstract Background: Limited research has explored sex differences in the relationship between partner behavior and attitudes and smoking cessation. Methods: The study examined sex partner attitudes about smoking among men and women who are currently trying to quit smoking cigarettes. Data were collected as part of the Tobacco Use in Drug Environment (TIDE) study, a cross-sectional study conducted in Baltimore, MD, USA from September 2013-May 2015. Interviews were administered with current smokers. The sample size for the current analysis was 134 men and 86 women. Results: Approximately thirty-three percent of male participants (n=45) reported currently trying to quit smoking cigarettes. Twenty-nine percent of women were currently trying to quit. Having a sex partner who did not mind the participant’s smoking was associated with decreased odds of trying to quit among men (AOR=0.35, p=0.03, 95% CI: 0.13, 0.91). Having a sex partner who expressed concern about the participant’s smoking (AOR=12.9, p<0.01, 95% CI: 3.49, 47.0) and having a sex partner who encouraged the participant to quit smoking was significantly associated current quit attempt. Conclusions: The relationship between partner support for cessation and current quit attempt was stronger for women than men in this population. Understanding sex-partner attitudes regarding smoking and their relationship to smoking cessation activities may provide insights for future tailored cessation interventions.

scholarly journals Profile of smokers and the role of dentists in tobacco use cessation: a cross-sectional study in southern Brazil

2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 66
Author(s):  
Sílvia Ataide Pithan ◽  
Carolina Dummel ◽  
Ângela Isabel Dos Santos Dullius
Keyword(s):  
Smoking Cessation ◽  
Tobacco Use ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Dental School ◽  
Southern Brazil ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Tobacco Use Cessation ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Significance Level

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the profile of smokers in a dental school in southern Brazil and their views about the role of dentists in tobacco use cessation.METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out with patients of a dental school, who answered a face-to-face interview. Smokers also took the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and Chi Square test with a significance level of 5%.RESULTS: The sample consisted of 442 patients, and 93 patients (21.04%) were smokers. The lower the level of schooling the higher the frequency of smokers (p=0.026), and the frequency of nonsmokers was associated with higher income (p=0.021). Regarding the role of dentists in smoking cessation, 97.8% of smokers believe that the dentist should provide information and advice, but 36.6% did not receive any orientation from dentists.CONCLUSION: The study had found a higher frequency of smokers among men and an association between smoking and schooling as well as smoking and income. The majority of smokers would like to quit smoking and had tried at least once to stop. The sample believes that dentists should give information and advice about smoking cessation.

scholarly journals The Association of E-cigarette Flavors With Satisfaction, Enjoyment, and Trying to Quit or Stay Abstinent From Smoking Among Regular Adult Vapers From Canada and the United States: Findings From the 2018 ITC Four Country Smoking and Vaping Survey

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (10) ◽  
pp. 1831-1841 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shannon Gravely ◽  
K Michael Cummings ◽  
David Hammond ◽  
Eric Lindblom ◽  
Danielle M Smith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Quit Attempt ◽  
Quit Smoking ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Us ◽  
Former Smokers

Abstract Aims This study examined whether nontobacco flavors are more commonly used by vapers (e-cigarette users) compared with tobacco flavor, described which flavors are most popular, and tested whether flavors are associated with: vaping satisfaction relative to smoking, level of enjoyment with vaping, reasons for using e-cigarettes, and making an attempt to quit smoking by smokers. Methods This cross-sectional study included 1603 adults from Canada and the United States who vaped at least weekly, and were either current smokers (concurrent users) or former smokers (exclusive vapers). Respondents were categorized into one of seven flavors they used most in the last month: tobacco, tobacco–menthol, unflavored, or one of the nontobacco flavors: menthol/mint, fruit, candy, or “other” (eg, coffee). Results Vapers use a wide range of flavors, with 63.1% using a nontobacco flavor. The most common flavor categories were fruit (29.4%) and tobacco (28.7%), followed by mint/menthol (14.4%) and candy (13.5%). Vapers using candy (41.0%, p &lt; .0001) or fruit flavors (26.0%, p = .01) found vaping more satisfying (compared with smoking) than vapers using tobacco flavor (15.5%) and rated vaping as very/extremely enjoyable (fruit: 50.9%; candy: 60.9%) than those using tobacco flavor (39.4%). Among concurrent users, those using fruit (74.6%, p = .04) or candy flavors (81.1%, p = .003) were more likely than tobacco flavor users (63.5%) to vape in order to quit smoking. Flavor category was not associated with the likelihood of a quit attempt (p = .46). Among exclusive vapers, tobacco and nontobacco flavors were popular; however, those using tobacco (99.0%) were more likely than those using candy (72.8%, p = .002) or unflavored (42.5%, p = .005) to vape in order to stay quit. Conclusions A majority of regular vapers in Canada and the US use nontobacco flavors. Greater satisfaction and enjoyment with vaping are higher among fruit and candy flavor users. While it does not appear that certain flavors are associated with a greater propensity to attempt to quit smoking among concurrent users, nontobacco flavors are popular among former smokers who are exclusively vaping. Future research should determine the likely impact of flavor bans on those who are vaping to quit smoking or to stay quit. Implications Recent concerns about the attractiveness of e-cigarette flavors among youth have resulted in flavor restrictions in some jurisdictions of the United States and Canada. However, little is known about the possible consequences for current and former smokers if they no longer have access to their preferred flavors. This study shows that a variety of nontobacco flavors, especially fruit, are popular among adult vapers, particularly among those who have quit smoking and are now exclusively vaping. Limiting access to flavors may therefore reduce the appeal of e-cigarettes among adults who are trying to quit smoking or stay quit.

scholarly journals Utilization of Screening Mammograms in the Medicare Population Before and After the Affordable Care Act Implementation

2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 25-32
Author(s):  
Laura M. Bozzi ◽  
Bruce Stuart ◽  
Eberechukwu Onukwugha ◽  
Sarah E. Tom
Keyword(s):  
Affordable Care Act ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Fee For Service ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Affordable Care Act ◽  
Screening Mammograms ◽  
Adjusted Logistic Regression

Objective: This study examined screening mammograms in women aged 65 to 74 years and 75+ years before and after the Affordable Care Act (ACA) implementation. Method: This repeated cross-sectional study of community-dwelling women age 65+ years without a history of breast cancer or mastectomy utilized the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey and Medicare fee-for-service claims data from 2001 to 2013. We used covariate-adjusted logistic regression with generalized estimating equations, stratified by age group. Results: The adjusted odds of screening mammograms in women aged 65-74 ( n = 742) and 75+ years ( n = 681) were lower in 2013 (odds ratio [OR]: 0.75, 95% confidence interval [CI]: [0.67, 0.83]; OR: 0.67, 95% CI: [0.60, 0.75], respectively) than the odds of screening mammograms in 2001. Discussion: Annual screening mammograms decreased in women aged 65 to 74 years and 75+ years, despite increased access from the ACA implementation. Future research as to why women are no longer receiving screening mammograms, such as changes in physician specialty guidelines, is warranted.

scholarly journals Prevalence of Smoking and Impact of Pictorial Health Warning on Quit Attempts Among Youths in Bhaktapur, Nepal

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement 2) ◽  
pp. 27s-27s
Author(s):  
B. Dhungel ◽  
K. Basnet
Keyword(s):  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Health Warnings ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Warning ◽  
The Past ◽  
Quit Attempt ◽  
Quit Attempts ◽  
Quitting Smoking ◽  
The Impact

Background: Nepal for the first time implemented laws regarding the pictorial health warnings in April 2014 regardless of an unsuccessful challenge that was set up by the tobacco industry in 2011. Results from several studies have shown that health warnings on cigarette packages have been helpful in warning smokers as well as nonsmokers regarding the harms of cigarette smoking, encouraging smokers to quit and also preventing nonsmokers from starting to smoke. Aim: The objective of this study was to find the impact of pictorial health warning on quit attempts. Methods: An explanatory cross-sectional study was conducted among youths aged 15-24 years in Suryabinayak-5, Bhaktapur with probability systematic random sampling technique using self-administered questionnaire. Results: Half (50%) of the respondents first tried smoking at the age of 16 or older. Seventeen percent of the respondents smoked cigarettes either occasionally or regularly during the past 30 days. Most of the respondents (91%) have not tried smokeless tobacco products ever in their life. Sixty-seven percent of the respondents had noticed PHW on cigarette packages during the past 30 days. One fourth (21.8%) respondents made an quit attempt due to PHW during the past 12 months and their maximum duration of abstinence during the last quit attempt was more than a week but less than a month. From the study it is found that there is statistically significant association between noticing pictorial health warning and thought about quitting smoking or intention about not starting smoking. Conclusion: Pictorial warnings effectively increased peoples quitting intentions, attempts as well as relinquishing cigarettes. Our findings suggest that implementing 90% pictorial health warnings on cigarette packs in Nepal would discourage smoking.

scholarly journals Patients’ experiences of the use of point-of-care ultrasound in general practice – a cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Camilla Aakjær Andersen ◽  
John Brodersen ◽  
Torsten Rahbek Rudbæk ◽  
Martin Bach Jensen
Keyword(s):  
General Practice ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Point Of Care Ultrasound ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Final Questionnaire ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Point Of Care Ultrasonography ◽  
Almost All

Abstract Background The use of point-of-care ultrasonography (POCUS) performed by general practitioners (GPs) in primary care settings is increasing. Previous studies have focused on GP-reported outcomes and little is known about patients’ perspectives on the use of POCUS technology within the general practice consultation. The purpose of this study was to examine patients’ experiences with POCUS in general practice within the areas where GPs have indicated that POCUS affected aspects of the consultation. Methods A questionnaire was developed using a mixed methods sequential design. Analytical themes from interviews with GPs were converted into items in a questionnaire by the research team. The questionnaire was then further developed in several rounds of pilot tests involving both patients and GPs. The final questionnaire was used in a cohort study conducted in 18 Danish office-based general practice clinics from January 2018 to August 2018. All patients examined with POCUS were asked to complete the questionnaire on tablets immediately after their consultation. Results Out of 691 patients examined, 564 (81.6%) questionnaires were available for analysis. The patients reported that they were well informed about the purpose (98%) and the results (97%) of the POCUS examination; however, 29% reported that they were not informed about the difference between POCUS and an imaging-specialist’s ultrasound examination. Almost all patients (99%) reported that POCUS was integrated naturally into the consultation, and 45% reported that POCUS improved the doctor-patient relationship. The majority of patients felt that they had been more thoroughly examined (92%) and taken more seriously (58%) when POCUS was part of the consultation. They felt POCUS gave them a better understanding of their health problem (82%), made them feel more secure (86%) and increased their trust in the physician’s assessment (65%). Moreover, the patients reported that POCUS use improved the level of service (95%) they experienced and the quality of care (94%) in general practice. Conclusion We found that an examination including POCUS in general practice was a positive experience overall for the majority of patients. Future research should further explore reasons for patient confidence in POCUS and whether or not the reassuring value of POCUS is valid. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03416608

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