Preventive medicine
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Preventive medicine · Oct 2000
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical TrialPsychosocial influences on older adults' interest in participating in bowel cancer screening.
As part of a multicenter, randomized controlled trial of the efficacy of flexible sigmoidoscopy for the prevention of bowel cancer, an investigation of the predictors of screening interest was carried out in a subsample of older adults. ⋯ This community study in older adults showed a high level of interest in participating in screening. The large sample size provided the opportunity to test the value of the HBM model and to examine mediation of demographic and health variables. The HBM proved to be a good model of screening interest. These results further our understanding of the decision processes in participating in cancer screening and point to directions to increase the level of participation in community samples.
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Preventive medicine · Mar 2000
Multicenter StudyLeisure-time, occupational, and household physical activity among professional, skilled, and less-skilled workers and homemakers.
Adults in lower status occupations are at higher risk of premature cardiovascular disease, for which physical inactivity is a major risk factor. While lower rates of leisure-time physical activity have been found to be associated consistently with lower income and education levels, the association between occupational and home-based physical activity with membership of different occupational categories is not well understood. ⋯ The assessment of occupational and household physical activity in addition to leisure-time activity may be important for understanding associations between occupational categories, physical activity, and increased levels of health risk and for the development of physical activity promotion strategies.
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Preventive medicine · Dec 1999
Multicenter StudyAge of initiation, smoking patterns, and risk in a population of working adults.
Early age of initiation is a significant risk factor for long-term dependent smoking and may also relate to other unhealthy behaviors and increased likelihood of illness, independent of duration of smoking. ⋯ The overall strength of the findings was unexpected. Early initiation of regular smoking predicted a significant constellation of risk factors throughout adulthood. Interventions that significantly delay smoking onset, even in the absence of permanent prevention, could have important public health implications.
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Preventive medicine · Nov 1999
Multicenter Study Comparative StudyGlycated hemoglobin as an indicator of social environmental stress among indigenous versus westernized populations.
This study assessed whether glycated hemoglobin concentration, an indicator of psychogenic stress, differs between indigenous populations and non-indigenous reference groups. ⋯ HbA(1c) concentrations are greater for indigenous than for non-indigenous groups. Social changes, low control, and living conditions associated with westernization may be inherently stressful at the biological level for indigenous populations in westernized countries.
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Preventive medicine · Aug 1999
Multicenter StudyThe relationship of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use to the risk of breast cancer.
The effect of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on the risk of breast cancer is unclear. We assessed the association in a hospital-based case-control study. ⋯ The data are compatible with a small reduction in risk associated with regular NSAID use. However, inconsistencies in the data detract from a causal interpretation.