scholarly journals Self-rated health and smoking among physicians and general population with higher education in Estonia: results from cross-sectional studies in 2002 and 2014

2019 ◽  
Vol 77 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kersti Pärna ◽  
Inge Ringmets ◽  
Sävelin Siida

Abstract Background Poor self-rated health (SRH) and smoking have consistently been shown to be related to mortality. The aim of this study was to explore SRH and smoking among physicians and general population with higher education in Estonia in 2002 and 2014 and to analyse the association of SRH with smoking and sociodemographic factors. Methods This study was based on cross-sectional postal surveys among physicians and general population with higher education in Estonia n in 2002 and 2014. Calculation of age-standardized prevalence of SRH and current smoking with 95% confidence intervals (CI) was performed. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to measure association between SRH (at-least-good vs less-than good) and smoking status, study year, age group, ethnicity, and marital status. Fully adjusted odds ratios (OR) with 95% CI were computed. Results Age-standardized prevalence of at-least-good SRH was 71.3 and 80.6% among male physicians, 68.4 and 83.1% among female physicians, 45.4 and 67.4% among men with higher education, and 44.7 and 63.1% among women with higher education in 2002 and 2014, respectively. Age-standardized prevalence of current smoking was 26.0 and 15.6% among male physicians, 10.2 and 5.9% among female physicians, 38.7 and 22.2% among men with higher education, and 20.9 and 16.4% among women with higher education in 2002 and 2014, respectively. There was no significant gender difference in at-least-good SRH, but prevalence of current smoking was significantly higher among men in both study groups in 2002 and 2014. Compared to year 2002, odds to have at-least-good SRH was higher in 2014 (OR = 1.64; 95% CI 1.16–2.31 among male and OR = 2.36; 95% CI 2.02–2.75 among female physicians, OR = 1.49; 95% CI 1.07–2.07 among men and OR = 2.40; 95% CI 1.84–3.13). Odds to have at-least-good SRH was significantly higher among non-smokers (except female physicians), in the youngest age group, and among Estonians. Conclusions This study gave an overview of differences in SRH and smoking between two target groups with higher education in two timepoints highlighting the importance of addressing smoking cessation counselling and health promotion campaigns in the population by different subgroups in Estonia.

Author(s):  
Rainer Reile ◽  
Kersti Pärna

Background: In the context of declining smoking rates in Estonia, this study aims to analyze the recent trends in e-cigarette use and its associations with smoking status and sociodemographic factors. Methods: Nationally representative data from biennial cross-sectional health surveys in 2012–2018 (n = 9988) were used to describe the prevalence of smoking and e-cigarette use by smoking status in Estonia. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to describe the sociodemographic patterns of e-cigarette use in three subgroups: the general population, smokers, and ex-smokers. Results: The prevalence of current smoking decreased from 45.4% in 2012 to 31.5% in 2018 among men and from 26.6% to 20.0% among women. At the same time, e-cigarette use in the general population had increased to 3.7% among men and to 1.2% among women. The increase in the prevalence of e-cigarette use was statistically significant among men in the general population, smokers, and ex-smokers, but non-significant among women. In addition to period effects, e-cigarette use was patterned by age, gender, and education. Conclusion: In 2002–2018, the e-cigarette use had increased but smoking had decreased in Estonia. A timely and targeted tobacco policy may alleviate the harm of e-cigarette use from the public health perspective.


2010 ◽  
Vol 70 (4) ◽  
pp. 446-457 ◽  
Author(s):  
Randy M Page ◽  
Bettina F Piko ◽  
Mate A Balazs ◽  
Tamara Struk

Objective: To assess smoking media literacy in a sample of Hungarian youth and to determine its association with current smoking and susceptibility to future smoking. Design: Quantitative cross-sectional survey. Setting: Four elementary and four high schools in Mako, Hungary. Method: A survey form was administered in regularly-scheduled classes to 546 eighth- and twelfth-grade students that included the smoking media literacy (SML) scale and items assessing cigarette use. Logistic regression was used to examine the relationship of smoking media literacy with current smoking, and also separately for susceptibility to smoking in the future, as dependent dichotomous variables. Results: Smoking media literacy was lower among the Hungarian adolescents than what has been previously reported in American adolescents. Multivariate logistic regression analysis results showed smoking media literacy to be associated with reduced risk of current smoking status at a similar level to that found in American adolescents. However, unlike previous research in American adolescents, smoking media literacy and susceptibility to future smoking was not associated. Reduced smoking may be most associated with the representation-reality domain of media literacy, which relates recognition of what is portrayed in the media with reality. Conclusion: Based on this study’s findings, prevention and health promotion planners in Hungary should consider media literacy training as a possible addition to smoking prevention efforts in community- and school-based efforts.


Author(s):  
Houda Ben Ayed ◽  
Sourour Yaich ◽  
Mariem Ben Hmida ◽  
Maissa Ben Jemaa ◽  
Maroua Trigui ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectivesThis study aimed to estimate the extent of smoking experience among high and middle school adolescents in Southern Tunisia and to delineate its potential associated factors.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study among middle and high school-adolescents in the governorate of Sfax, South of Tunisia in the 2017–2018 school-years. A questionnaire was anonymously administered to a representative sample of 1,210 school-adolescents randomly drawn.ResultsThe mean age of the school-adolescents was 15.6 ± 4.2 years. The prevalence of lifetime smoking was 16.7% (95% CI=[14.7–18.8%]) (boys 32.6%; girls 5.9%;p<0.001). Among the respondents, 13.9% (95% CI=[11.9–15.8%]) were current smokers. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, independent associated factors of current smoking were male gender (Adjusted (AOR)=10.2; p<0.001), 16–17 and 18–19-year age-groups (AOR=2; p=0.005 and AOR=2.6; p=0.001, respectively), below average academic performance (AOR=5.2; p=0.012), divorced parents (AOR=3.9; p=0.007), family monthly income ≥800 dollars (AOR=2.1; p=0.001), having a part time job (AOR=3.9; p<0.001) and a perceived high stress level (AOR=1.98; p=0.008). Secondhand smoke (AOR=1.8; p=0.011) and concomitant alcohol drink (AOR=14.56; p<0.001) were independent predictors of current smoking, while high education level of the father was independently associated with lower prevalence of current smoking (AOR=0.17; p<0.001).ConclusionThe prevalence of lifetime and current smoking were relatively high in Southern Tunisian middle and high schools. Multilevel influences on youth smoking behavior had been identified, which reflected the need to conceive appropriate school interventions and effective antismoking education program.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Songxu Peng ◽  
Xin Lai ◽  
Yukai Du ◽  
Yuting Li ◽  
Kunming Tian ◽  
...  

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been rapidly transmitted worldwide, which contributed to various psychological problems (such as fear, depression, and anxiety) among the general population in China. The purpose of this study is to investigate the prevalence and associated factors of depressive symptoms among Chinese adults.Methods: A cross-sectional study of Chinese adults was conducted during 17–29 February 2020. Symptoms of depression were assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale (CES-D).Results: A total of 3,399 respondents were included in the analysis. It was observed that 14.2% (481/3,399) of the participants were screened positive for depressive symptoms. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, older age (OR = 0.98; 95% CI, 0.97–0.99), smoking (OR = 1.57; 95% CI, 1.10–2.26), self-rated health (good: OR = 0.49; 95% CI, 0.37–0.66; fairly: OR = 0.60; 95% CI, 0.45–0.80), having greater support scores (OR = 0.95; 95% CI, 0.94–0.96), knowledge about the main symptom of COVID-19 (very clearly: OR = 0.58; 95% CI, 0.42–0.79; relatively clearly: OR = 0.59; 95% CI, 0.44–0.79), and staying in Wuhan within 3 months before the outbreak of epidemic (OR = 1.78; 95% CI, 1.34–2.38) were associated with depressive symptoms.Conclusion: A considerable proportion of the general population in China had depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 epidemic. Routine screening and targeted interventions for depression are needed among high-risk depressed individuals during the COVID-19 epidemic.


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
J. C. Aviles-Solis ◽  
C. Jácome ◽  
A. Davidsen ◽  
R. Einarsen ◽  
S. Vanbelle ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Wheezes and crackles are well-known signs of lung diseases, but can also be heard in apparently healthy adults. However, their prevalence in a general population has been sparsely described. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of wheezes and crackles in a large general adult population and explore associations with self-reported disease, smoking status and lung function. Methods We recorded lung sounds in 4033 individuals 40 years or older and collected information on self-reported disease. Pulse oximetry and spirometry were carried out. We estimated age-standardized prevalence of wheezes and crackles and associations between wheezes and crackles and variables of interest were analyzed with univariable and multivariable logistic regressions. Results Twenty-eight percent of individuals had wheezes or crackles. The age-standardized prevalence of wheezes was 18.6% in women and 15.3% in men, and of crackles, 10.8 and 9.4%, respectively. Wheezes were mostly found during expiration and crackles during inspiration. Significant predictors of expiratory wheezes in multivariable analyses were age (10 years increase - OR 1.18, 95%CI 1.09–1.30), female gender (1.45, 1.2–1.8), self-reported asthma (1.36, 1.00–1.83), and current smoking (1.70, 1.28–2.23). The most important predictors of inspiratory crackles were age (1.76, 1.57–1.99), current smoking, (1.94, 1.40–2.69), mMRC ≥2 (1.79, 1.18–2.65), SpO2 (0.88, 0.81–0.96), and FEV1 Z-score (0.86, 0.77–0.95). Conclusions Nearly over a quarter of adults present adventitious lung sounds on auscultation. Age was the most important predictor of adventitious sounds, particularly crackles. The adventitious sounds were also associated with self-reported disease, current smoking and measures of lung function. The presence of findings in two or more auscultation sites was associated with a higher risk of decreased lung function than solitary findings.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed Ahmed ◽  
Abdu Seid ◽  
Adnan Kemal

Background. Studies in developed countries have revealed an association of different magnitudes between watching television and the risk of being overweight and obese among reproductive age women. Even so, there is no evidence of such an association in the context of the Ethiopian population. Hence, the study aimed to assess the association between watching television with overweight and obesity in a nationally representative sample of Ethiopian women. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted by using secondary data analysis from 2016 Ethiopia demographic and health survey among women aged from 15 to 49 years. The samples were selected using a two-stage stratified cluster sampling technique. A total of 10,074 women were included in the analysis. The outcome variables were both overweight and obesity, whereas the main exposure variable was the frequency of watching television. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed for adjusting potential confounders. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence intervals was used to declare a statistically significant association. Results. The study found that watching television at least once a week was significantly associated with both overweight (AOR: 1.79; 95% CI: 1.20–2.73) and obesity (AOR: 3.76; 95% CI: 2.04–6.95). The study also divulged that the odds of overweight were higher among women aged 25–39 years (AOR: 2.17; 95% CI: 1.25–3.77) and 40–49 years (AOR: 2.69; 95% CI: 1.45–5.00), urban residents (AOR: 1.76; 95% CI:1.17–2.65), attended higher education (AOR:2.11; 95% CI: 1.22–3.65), and richest in the wealth index (AOR: 2.83; 95% CI:1.71–4.68). Similarly, the odds of obesity were higher among women aged 25–39 years and 40–49 years, attended higher education, and the richest in wealth index. Conclusions. The results from this study demonstrated that watching television at least once a week is associated with obesity among reproductive age women in Ethiopia. Therefore, a social behavioral change communication campaign needs to be taken to improve awareness regarding the harmful consequences of watching television for long hours. Further research studies should be conducted among men and adolescents to determine whether this positive association exists among that target population as well.


2015 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 124-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafael Stelmach ◽  
Frederico Leon Arrabal Fernandes ◽  
Regina Maria Carvalho-Pinto ◽  
Rodrigo Abensur Athanazio ◽  
Samia Zahi Rached ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVE: Smoking prevalence is frequently estimated on the basis of self-reported smoking status. That can lead to an underestimation of smoking rates. The aim of this study was to evaluate the difference between self-reported smoking status and that determined through the use of objective measures of smoking at a pulmonary outpatient clinic. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study involving 144 individuals: 51 asthma patients, 53 COPD patients, 20 current smokers, and 20 never-smokers. Smoking status was determined on the basis of self-reports obtained in interviews, as well as through tests of exhaled carbon monoxide (eCO) and urinary cotinine. RESULTS: All of the asthma patients and COPD patients declared they were not current smokers. In the COPD and asthma patients, the median urinary cotinine concentration was 167 ng/mL (range, 2-5,348 ng/mL) and 47 ng/mL (range, 5-2,735 ng/mL), respectively (p < 0.0001), whereas the median eCO level was 8 ppm (range, 0-31 ppm) and 5 ppm (range, 2-45 ppm), respectively (p < 0.05). In 40 (38%) of the patients with asthma or COPD (n = 104), there was disagreement between the self-reported smoking status and that determined on the basis of the urinary cotinine concentration, a concentration > 200 ng/mL being considered indicative of current smoking. In 48 (46%) of those 104 patients, the self-reported non-smoking status was refuted by an eCO level > 6 ppm, which is also considered indicative of current smoking. In 30 (29%) of the patients with asthma or COPD, the urinary cotinine concentration and the eCO level both belied the patient claims of not being current smokers. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that high proportions of smoking pulmonary patients with lung disease falsely declare themselves to be nonsmokers. The accurate classification of smoking status is pivotal to the treatment of lung diseases. Objective measures of smoking could be helpful in improving clinical management and counseling.


2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 318-327 ◽  
Author(s):  
Håkon Ihle-Hansen ◽  
Thea Vigen ◽  
Trygve Berge ◽  
Gunnar Einvik ◽  
Dag Aarsland ◽  
...  

Aims: To investigate Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test scores in a cohort aged 63–65 years from a general population in relation to the proposed cut-off score of 26 for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and to explore the impact of education. Methods: MoCA scores were assessed in the Akershus Cardiac Examination 1950 Study, a cross-sectional cohort study of all men and women born in 1950 living in Akershus County, Norway. The participants were aged 63–65 at the time of data collection. Results: MoCA scores were available in 3,413 participants, of which 47% had higher education (>12 years). The mean MoCA score was 25.3 (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.2–25.4), and 49% had a score below the suggested cut-off of 26 points. Those with higher education had significantly higher scores (mean 26.2, 95% CI 26.1–26.3 vs. 24.4, 95% CI 24.3–24.6, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Approximately 50% scored below the cut-off score of 26 points, suggesting that the cut-off score may have been set too high to distinguish normal cognitive function from MCI. Educational level had a significant impact on MoCA scores.


Author(s):  
Khalid Awad Al-kubaisi ◽  
Mark De Stecroix ◽  
Don Vinson ◽  
Abduelmula Rajab Abduelkarem

  Objective: The aim of this research is to identify risk factors for incautious use of oral non-prescription drugs (ONPD) and inform recommendations that promote cautious ONPD use among HEI students in the UAE.Methods: A cross-sectional survey-based study was conducted with 2875 students in three randomly selected UAE universities between January and April 2014.Results: More than half (1348; 57%) of participants reported using of ONPD in the past 90 days before study commencement. Of 1348 participants reported using ONPD, one-quarter (1348; 22.2%) of ONPD was classified as incautious ONPD usage. Analgesic/antipyretic (84.9%), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (1028; 76.3%), and cough and cold drugs (562; 41.7%) were reported by the majority of participants as the most commonly used ONPD. 10 risk factors were identified for incautious ONPD use. Participants with age group of 21 years and older (OR=0.554, 95%; CI=0.373-0.823; p<0.001), female (OR=0.339, 95%; CI=0.236-0.486; p<0.001), and students from medical schools (OR=0.619, 95%; CI=0.435-0.882; p=0.008) had lower odds of being incautious users compared to lower age group, males, and students from non-medical schools. Furthermore, participants with a polypharmacy behavior had higher odds of being irresponsible ONPD user than monopharmacy users (OR=1.400, 95%; CI=1.030- 1.02; p<0.001).Conclusion: One of five students is an incautious ONPD user. There is a need for an educational and behavioral intervention to motivate students to be cautious users. 


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document