Preventive medicine
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Preventive medicine · Jul 2002
Obesity and associated coronary heart disease risk factors in a population of low-income African-American and white women: the North Carolina WISEWOMAN project.
Obesity has been associated with many co-occurring coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors as well as CHD mortality. These associations have been shown to vary between African-American and white sample populations. ⋯ The differences between and within African-American and white women may be accounted for by the high levels of HDL-C among obese and nonobese African-American women.
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Preventive medicine · Jun 2002
Concomitant use of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco: prevalence, correlates, and predictors of tobacco cessation.
This study examined the characteristics, tobacco use patterns over time, and predictors of tobacco cessation among concomitant users of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco. ⋯ The study yielded several key findings: (a) the prevalence of concomitant smoking and smokeless tobacco use was high among males and nonexistent among females, (b) the characteristics of concomitant users were relatively distinct from those of both smokers and smokeless tobacco users, (c) concomitant users exhibited substantial variability in their tobacco use patterns and were less likely to stop using tobacco than were smokers or smokeless tobacco users, (d) indicators of nicotine dependence predicted tobacco cessation for both smokers and smokeless tobacco users, but were largely unrelated to tobacco cessation among concomitant users, and (e) demographics, environmental variables, and measures derived from the transtheoretical model were not consistent predictors of tobacco cessation after controlling for nicotine dependence.
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Few data are available to explain the ongoing increase in lung cancer mortality among Czech women. The study is aimed at examining the role of smoking and known or suspected cofactors. ⋯ While smoking has been verified to be the main determinant of lung cancer risk among Czech women, cofactors such as diet, history of lung disease, and lifestyle factors may have a contributory role.
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Preventive medicine · Mar 2002
Tobacco smoking habits, beliefs, and attitudes among medical students in Tirana, Albania.
Many surveys throughout the world have evaluated the smoking behaviors, beliefs, and attitudes of medical students, but no information is available from Albania. ⋯ Tobacco smoking is common among medical students in Albania. Targeted antismoking training should be mandatory for medical students in Albania.
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Preventive medicine · Mar 2002
Comparative StudyMen's and women's knowledge and perceptions of breast cancer and mammography screening.
Although most men are not directly affected by breast cancer, they participate in decisions influencing breast cancer screening and contribute to shaping the social norm on mammography screening. This study tested the hypothesis that men may be less knowledgeable than women about breast cancer and mammography and have less favorable perceptions of mammography screening. ⋯ Men were as knowledgeable about breast cancer and mammography screening as women but had more favorable attitudes toward breast cancer screening than women. Actions to strengthen community support for mammography screening programs should primarily target older and less educated persons of either sex.