scholarly journals Socioeconomic status and lifestyle behaviours in cancer survivors: smoking and physical activity

2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 546 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Naik ◽  
X. Qiu ◽  
M. C. Brown ◽  
L. Eng ◽  
D. Pringle ◽  
...  

Purpose Smoking cessation and increased physical activity (pa) have been linked to better outcomes in cancer survivors. We assessed whether socioeconomic factors influence changes in those behaviours after a cancer diagnosis.Methods As part of a cross-sectional study, a diverse group of cancer survivors at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre (Toronto, ON), completed a questionnaire about past and current lifestyle behaviours and perceptions about the importance of those behaviours with respect to their health. The influence of socioeconomic indicators on smoking status and physical inactivity at 1 year before and after diagnosis were assessed using multivariable logistic regression with adjustment for clinico-demographic factors.Results Of 1222 participants, 1192 completed the smoking component. Of those respondents, 15% smoked before diagnosis, and 43% of those smokers continued to smoke after. The proportion of survivors who continued to smoke increased with lower education level (p = 0.03). Of the 1106 participants answering pa questions, 39% reported being physically inactive before diagnosis, of whom 82% remained inactive afterward. Survivors with a lower education level were most likely to remain inactive after diagnosis (p = 0.003). Lower education level, household income, and occupation were associated with the perception that pa had no effect or could worsen fatigue and quality of life (p ≤ 0.0001).Conclusions In cancer survivors, education level was a major modifier of smoking and pa behaviours. Lower socioeconomic status was associated with incorrect perceptions about pa. Targeting at-risk survivors by education level should be evaluated as a strategy in cancer survivorship programs.

Author(s):  
Longmei Tang ◽  
Shangchun Wu ◽  
Dianwu Liu ◽  
Marleen Temmerman ◽  
Wei-Hong Zhang

Background: In China, there were about 9.76 million induced abortions in 2019, 50% of which were repeat abortions. Understanding the tendency of repeat induced abortion and identifying its related factors is needed to develop prevention strategies. Methods: Two hospital-based cross-sectional surveys were conducted from 2005–2007 and 2013–2016 in 24 and 90 hospitals, respectively. The survey included women who sought an induced abortion within 12 weeks of pregnancy. The proportion of repeat induced abortions by adjusting the covariates through propensity score matching was compared between the two surveys, and the zero-inflated negative binomial regression model was established to identify independent factors of repeat induced abortion. Results: Adjusting the age, occupation, education, marital status and number of children, the proportion of repeat induced abortions in the second survey was found to be low (60.28% vs. 11.11%), however the unadjusted proportion was high in the second survey (44.97% vs. 51.54%). The risk of repeat induced abortion was higher among married women and women with children [ORadj and 95% CI: 0.31 (0.20, 0.49) and 0.08 (0.05, 0.13)]; the risk among service industry staff was higher when compared with unemployed women [ORadj and 95% CI: 0.19 (0.07, 0.54)]; women with a lower education level were at a higher risk of a repeat induced abortion (ORadj < 1). Compared with women under the age of 20, women in other higher age groups had a higher frequency of repeat induced abortions (IRadj: 1.78, 2.55, 3.27, 4.01, and 3.93, separately); the frequency of women with lower education levels was higher than those with a university or higher education level (IRadj > 1); the repeat induced abortion frequency of married women was 0.93 (0.90, 0.98) when compared to the frequency of unmarried women, while the frequency of women with children was 1.17 (1.10, 1.25) of childless women; the induced abortion frequency of working women was about 60–95% with that of unemployed women. Conclusions: The repeat induced abortion proportion was lower than 10 years ago. Induced abortion seekers who were married, aged 20 to 30 years and with a lower education level were more likely to repeat induced abortions.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazem Khalagi ◽  
Akram Ansarifar ◽  
Noushin Fahimfar ◽  
Mahnaz Sanjari ◽  
Safoora Gharibzdeh ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Iran’s population is aging. Disability is a major public health problem for older adults, not only in Iran but all over the world. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between cardio-metabolic and socio-demographic risk factors and disability in people 60 years and older in Iran. Methods The baseline (cross-sectional) data of 2426 samples from the Bushehr Elderly Health (BEH) program was included in the analysis. The participants were selected through multi-stage random sampling in Bushehr, southern Iran. Socio-demographic characteristics, as well as the history of diabetes and other chronic diseases, and smoking were measured using standardized questionnaires. Anthropometric measurements and laboratory tests were performed under standard conditions. Dependency was determined by the questionnaires of basic activities of daily living (BADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) using Barthel and Lawton scales respectively. Multiple logistic regression was used in the analysis. Results Mean (Standard Deviation) of the participants’ age was 69.3 (6.4) years (range: 60 and 96 years), and 48.1% of the participants were men. After adjusting for potential confounders, being older, being female (OR (95%CI): 2.3 (1.9–2.9)), having a lower education level, a history of diabetes mellitus (OR: 1.4 (1.2–1.7)) and past smoking (OR: 1.3 (1.0–1.6)), and no physical activity (OR: 1.5 (1.2–1.9)) were significantly associated with dependency in IADL. Also, being older and female (OR: 2.4 (1.9–3.0)), having a lower education level, no physical activity (OR: 2.2 (1.6–2.9)) and daily intake of calories (OR: 0.99 (0.99–0.99)) were associated with dependency in BADL. Conclusion Dependency in older adults can be prevented by increasing community literacy, improving physical activity, preventing and controlling diabetes mellitus, avoiding smoking, and reducing daily calorie intake.


Author(s):  
Tatiane da Silva Dal Pizzol ◽  
Cassia Garcia Moraes ◽  
Paulo Sérgio Dourado Arrais ◽  
Andréa Dâmaso Bertoldi ◽  
Luiz Roberto Ramos ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT: Introduction: The written information on medicines has been acknowledged as an important tool for health education. Objective: To analyze the use and understanding of medicine package inserts by users and assess sociodemographic and medical factors associated with their comprehension. Method: Data in this analysis are part of the PNAUM National Survey - a cross-sectional population-based study conducted in Brazil. Descriptive statistics and the Pearson χ2 tests were performed to compare proportions between sociodemographic and medical characteristics, as well as use and understanding of medicine package inserts. Results: A total of 28.427 individuals responded to questions related to medicine package inserts. From these, 59.6% (95%CI 57.7 - 61.5) said they usually read the inserts, and 98.4% (95%CI 98.0 - 98.8) considered them necessary. Among people who read the medicine package inserts, more than half indicated difficulties with legibility (57.4%; 95%CI 55,2 - 59,6) and readability (54.1%; 95%CI 52.1 - 56.1). People from a lower education level reported greater difficulty in understanding them. Conclusion: The larger portion of the population usually read medicine package inserts. Nevertheless, people have difficulty in reading and understanding them.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Satiel Banda

BACKGROUND In the statistics taken from media brief on ending child marriage in Zambia, (2014) states, “Zambia is the third highest country with cases of child marriages in the SADC region and 19th in the world. In Zambia, about 42 per cent of women aged 20-24 years are married by the age of 18 – a rate that has not evolved since 2002. The rates of child marriages vary from province to province, and are as high as 60 per cent in the Eastern Province. (www.girlsnotbrides.org.) accessed on 20th November 2014. At 13.42) The ZDHS [Zambia Demographic Health Survey] indicates that among married girls aged 15-19 in Zambia, 68 percent have already given birth. In addition, most of the births occurring to girls before age 18 are first births (85 percent), and a majority of these first births occur within marriage. A Central Statistical Office (CSO) report of 2010 carried out by Plan Zambia indicates that “only a few adolescent girls and boys complete upper primary education while the enrolment ratio in secondary education is 13.4% for males and 12.9% for females.” The report concludes that child marriage is the critical driver for this state of affairs. OBJECTIVE This study is aimed at determining the prevalence and factors associated with child marriage in Chipulukusu township of Ndola. Zambia. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted in Chipulukusu Township within the location of Ndola. A pretest questionnaire was used to collect information on child marriage prevalence and factors towards the practice of child marriage and other relevant socio-demographic characteristics. RESULTS the prevalence of early marriage in Chipulukusu township of Ndola district, Zambia was 20.7 % with it being significantly associated with lower social economic status (poverty), lower education level, orphanhood and teen pregnancies CONCLUSIONS the prevalence of early marriage in this study was high. Its prevalence was significantly associated with people of poor backgrounds (poverty), teen pregnancies, lower education level, and orphan hood.


2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (7) ◽  
pp. 514-526 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kennedy YY Ng ◽  
Wesley Yeung ◽  
Ka Lon Sou ◽  
Jie Xin Lim ◽  
Sai Liang ◽  
...  

Introduction: Haze is a recurrent problem in Southeast Asia. Exposure to haze is linked to ophthalmic, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, and mortality. In this study, we investigated the role of demographic factors, knowledge and perceived risk in influencing protective behaviours during the 2013 haze in Singapore. Methods: We evaluated 696 adults in a cross-sectional study. Participants were sampled via a 2-stage simple random sampling without replacement from a large residential district in Singapore in 2015. The questionnaire measured the participant’s knowledge, perceived risk and behaviours during the Southeast Asian haze crisis in 2013. Reliability and validity of the questionnaire were assessed using comparative fit index (≥0.96) and root mean square error of approximation (≤0.05). We performed structural equation modelling to examine the relationship between the hypothesised factors and protective behaviours. Results: More than 95% of the individuals engaged in at least 1 form of protective behaviour. Knowledge was strongly associated with protective behaviours via direct effect (β=0.45, 95% CI 0.19–0.69, P<0.001) and indirect effect through perceived risk (β=0.18, 95% CI 0.07–0.31, P=0.002). Perceived risk was associated with protective behaviours (β=0.28, 95% CI:0.11–0.44, P=0.002). A lower household income and ethnic minority were associated with protective behaviours. A lower education level and smokers were associated with lower knowledge of haze. A higher education and ethnic minority were associated with a lower perceived risk. Wearing of N95 masks was associated with other haze-related protective behaviours (β=0.24, 95% CI 0.08–0.37, P=0.001). Conclusion: Knowledge was associated with protective behaviours, suggesting the importance of public education. Efforts should target those of lower education level and smokers. The wearing of N95 masks correlates with uptake of other protective behaviours. Keywords: Haze, knowledge, N95 mask, protective behaviour, risk perception


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kiyomi Mitsui ◽  
Motoki Endo ◽  
Yuya Imai ◽  
Yuito Ueda ◽  
Hiroko Ogawa ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: In Japan, 55.5% of breast cancer survivors (BCSs) are of working age, so various perspectives regarding return to work (RTW) after cancer diagnosis need to be considered. Therefore, this study aimed to clarify the risk factors for resignation and taking sick leave (SL) among BCSs in continued employment at the time of diagnosis.Methods: A web-based retrospective cross-sectional survey was conducted on BCSs using data from a 2018 Japanese national research project (Endo-Han) commissioned by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan. The subjects were women aged 18–69 years who had been diagnosed with breast cancer for the first time at least 1 year previously. The risk factors for resignation and taking SL after breast cancer diagnosis, including age at diagnosis, education level, cancer stage, surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, employment status, and occupational type, were then analyzed using a logistic regression model.Results: In total, 40 (14.9%) of 269 BCSs quit their jobs at least 1 year after being diagnosed with breast cancer. The results of the multivariable analysis indicated that lower education level (odds ratio [OR]: 3.802; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.233–11.729), taking SL (OR: 2.514; 95%CI: 1.202–5.261), and younger age at diagnosis (OR: 0.470; 95%CI: 0.221–0.998) were predictors of resignation. Of 229 patients who continued working, SL was taken by 72 (31.4%). In addition, undergoing surgery was found to be a predictor of taking SL (OR: 8.311; 95%CI: 1.007–68.621).Conclusions: In total, 40 (14.9%) of 269 BCSs quit their jobs at least 1 year after being diagnosed with breast cancer. The results of this study indicated that younger age, lower education level, and taking SL were predictors of resignation after breast cancer diagnosis.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ji Yeon Lee ◽  
Kyungdo Han ◽  
Yong Gyu Park ◽  
Sung-Hwan Park

Abstract Objective: To examine the effect of socioeconomic status (SES) as measured by three components of education level, income level, and occupation on prevalence and symptom severity of knee osteoarthritis (OA) and to determine which of these factors has the strongest association.Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study using data from the Fifth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey that were collected between 2010 and 2012. Male and female participants 50 years or older were included. Analyses to examine the associations of the three SES components with prevalence and symptom severity of knee OA were performed.Results: A total 9,071 participants was included in the study. As expected, lower education, lower income level, and non-managerial or no job were associated with higher prevalence of knee OA and knee symptoms. Among the three SES components, lower education was most strongly associated with knee pain and radiographic knee OA after adjusting for the other two.Conclusions: Lower education level is the component of SES that most strongly relates to higher prevalence of knee OA and knee symptoms. Improving societal education level might decrease the socioeconomic burden of knee OA.


Author(s):  
Xinge Zhang ◽  
Yueqiao Wang ◽  
Jason Brinkley ◽  
Theresa Oniffrey ◽  
Rui Zhang ◽  
...  

The prevalence of overweight and obesity has been increasing globally. Recent studies suggest that eating frequency (EF) might be a factor influencing the development of overweight and obesity. This study aims to explore the association between eating frequency and obesity in Chinese adults. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Wuhan, China, from March to June 2016. A self-administered questionnaire and 24-h dietary recall were used to collect data on sociodemographic variables, lifestyle factors, nutrition knowledge, and eating frequency. Participants were divided into four groups according to eating frequency and meal timing: traditional time pattern (TTP), traditional time plus late snack pattern (TTLSP), irregular time pattern (ITP), and all-day pattern (ADP). We performed the chi-squared test and multiple logistic regression to assess associations among variables using JMP statistical software version 14.0.0 (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA). Respondents were Chinese adults (N = 2290; range 29–74 years; 1162 men). Lower education level, higher food budget, and lower nutrition knowledge were associated with higher likelihood of irregular EF patterns (TTLSP, ITP, or ADP). Men, non-smokers, and participants with less physical activity, lower education level, or lower nutrition knowledge were more likely to be obese. Body mass index (BMI) categorization was significantly different among EF pattern groups (χ2 = 25.40, p = 0.003); however, this association was no longer significant in the regression model after adjustment for age, sex, education, smoking, food budget, nutrition knowledge, and physical activity. Thus, EF is not associated with obesity in Chinese adults.


2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (10) ◽  
pp. 1754-1765
Author(s):  
Lotta Moraeus ◽  
Anna Karin Lindroos ◽  
Eva Warensjö Lemming ◽  
Irene Mattisson

AbstractObjective:Groups with low socio-economic status have less healthy diets and higher prevalence of non-communicable diseases. Using the latest Swedish national dietary survey data, we developed a healthy eating index and a diet diversity score with the aim to explore associations between the scores and socio-demographic factors.Design:Cross-sectional national dietary survey. A web-based retrospective registration of food and beverages during 2 d was used to assess dietary intake. This information was used to construct the Swedish Healthy Eating Index for Adolescents 2015 (SHEIA15) and the Riksmaten Adolescents Diet Diversity Score (RADDS). The scores were based on the latest Swedish dietary guidelines from 2015. Intakes of food and nutrients across the scores were examined. Mixed-effects multilevel models were used to assess associations between the scores and household education, sex, school grade, weight status and school municipality.Setting:School-based survey in Sweden.Participants:2905 adolescents in grades 5, 8 and 11, 56 % girls.Results:High scores on SHEIA15 and RADDS were associated with higher intake of vegetables, fish and several nutrients, and lower intake of sugar-sweetened beverages and red meat. Boys and participants in households with lower education level scored lower on both indices. Individuals with overweight/obesity scored lower on RADDS.Conclusions:The newly developed indices can be used to identify healthy eating patterns among Swedish adolescents. Both indices show that boys and adolescents from households with lower education level have poorer dietary habits. Lower diet diversity was related to overweight/obesity, but the overall healthy eating index was not.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kiyomi Mitsui ◽  
Motoki Endo ◽  
Yuya Imai ◽  
Yuito Ueda ◽  
Hiroko Ogawa ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: In Japan, 55.5% of breast cancer survivors (BCSs) are of working age, so various perspectives regarding return to work (RTW) after cancer diagnosis need to be considered. Therefore, this study aimed to clarify the risk factors for resignation and taking sick leave (SL) among BCSs in continued employment at the time of diagnosis.Methods: A web-based retrospective cross-sectional survey was conducted on BCSs using data from a 2018 Japanese national research project (Endo-Han) commissioned by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan. The subjects were women aged 18–69 years who had been diagnosed with breast cancer for the first time at least 1 year previously. The risk factors for resignation and taking SL after breast cancer diagnosis, including age at diagnosis, education level, cancer stage, surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, employment status, and occupational type, were then analyzed using a logistic regression model.Results: In total, 40 (14.9%) of 269 BCSs quit their jobs at least 1 year after being diagnosed with breast cancer. The results of the multivariable analysis indicated that lower education level (odds ratio [OR]: 3.802; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.233–11.729), taking SL (OR: 2.514; 95%CI: 1.202–5.261), and younger age at diagnosis (OR: 0.470; 95%CI: 0.221–0.998) were predictors of resignation. Of 229 patients who continued working, SL was taken by 72 (31.4%). In addition, undergoing surgery was found to be a predictor of taking SL (OR: 8.311; 95%CI: 1.007–68.621).Conclusions: In total, 40 (14.9%) of 269 BCSs quit their jobs at least 1 year after being diagnosed with breast cancer. The results of this study indicated that younger age, lower education level, and taking SL were predictors of resignation after breast cancer diagnosis.


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