scholarly journals Smoking Cessation after a Cancer Diagnosis: A Cross-Sectional Analysis in the Setting of a Developing Country

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 509-519
Author(s):  
Marin Golčić ◽  
Ilijan Tomaš ◽  
Aleksandra Stevanović ◽  
Goran Golčić ◽  
Renata Dobrila-Dintinjana ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Smoking Cessation ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Cancer Diagnosis ◽  
Smoking Prevalence ◽  
Health Campaigns ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Public Health Campaigns ◽  
After Cancer

Since smoking accounts for around 30% of all cancer deaths, public health campaigns often focus on smoking cessation as a means of primary prevention. However, smoking after cancer diagnosis is also associated with a higher symptom burden and lower survival rate. As data regarding smoking cessation vary dramatically between different populations, we aimed to analyze smoking prevalence in cancer patients, smoking cessation after ancer diagnosis, and the factors associated with smoking cessation in the setting of a developing country. We performed a cross-sectional survey on 695 patients in two clinical hospital centers. After cancer diagnosis, 15.6% of cancer patients stopped smoking. Male gender, younger age, and smoking-related cancer were the main factors associated with greater smoking cessation (p < 0.05). A total of 96% of breast cancer pa-tients continued to smoke after cancer diagnosis and, compared to lung and colorectal cancer pa-tients, exhibited a lower reduction in the number of cigarettes smoked (p = 0.023). An alarming rate of smoking prevalence was recorded in younger patients (45.6% at the time of cancer diagno-sis) suggesting a future rise in smoking-related cancers and complications. These results should guide anti-smoking public health campaigns in transitional countries with a critical focus on younger and breast cancer patients.

Household Smoking Situations and Factors Associated with Smoking Cessation among Adult Men in Coastal Fishing Communities

2021 ◽  
Vol 104 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-67
Keyword(s):  
Smoking Cessation ◽  
Adult Male ◽  
Smoking Prevalence ◽  
Smoking History ◽  
Community Research ◽  
Fishing Communities ◽  
P Value ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Quitting Smoking

Objective: To investigate household smoking situations and factors associated with cessation, focusing on adult male smokers in low socioeconomic coastal fishing communities in southern Thailand. Materials and Methods: An epidemiological community cross-sectional approach was conducted in 371 adult male smokers aged between 20 and 60 years. A self-administered questionnaire was applied to gather the data. Demographic characteristics, household smoking, smoking history, smoking behaviors, and pulmonary symptom data were collected by the community research assistants. Statistical computing was performed with R studio, and a p-value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: The household smoking prevalence was 23.5%. Most smokers were categorized as having high pack-years, and the lowest age at first smoking was ten years old. Imitation and impetuous behaviors were the major leading causes of becoming a new smoker. The number of cigarettes smoked daily was the highest among individuals with more than 20 pack-years. Eighty-four-point-one percent of smokers desired to quit smoking for personal health reasons. Smokers in the 51 to 60 years age group were 49.62 times as likely as adolescents to cease smoking. Participants who first started smoking when they were older than 17 years of age had a 3.56-times higher chance of quitting smoking than those who started smoking when they were younger than 15 years of age (95% CI 1.51 to 8.37). Conclusion: The smoking situation in the coastal fishing communities of the southernmost provinces of Thailand is a worrisome problem. Smoking prevalence remains high, with prevalence increasing with age, and newer smokers starting at younger ages. A high proportion of smokers intended to cease smoking. Therefore, smoking cessation programs would be essential in the present study area. Keywords: Smoking situation, Cessation, Coastal fishing community, Southernmost Thailand

scholarly journals Symptoms at lung cancer diagnosis are associated with major differences in prognosis

Thorax ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 73 (12) ◽  
pp. 1177-1181 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victoria L Athey ◽  
Stephen J Walters ◽  
Trevor K Rogers
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Cancer Diagnosis ◽  
Health Campaigns ◽  
Prognostic Variables ◽  
Lung Cancer Diagnosis ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Systemic Symptoms ◽  
Public Health Campaigns ◽  
Symptom Group

We report a cohort study of survival of patients with lung cancer presenting to a single multidisciplinary team between 1997 and 2011, according to symptoms at presentation. The overall median survival of the 3800 lung cases was 183 days (95% CI 171 to 195). There was a statistically significant difference in survival between the 12 symptom groups identified both without and with adjustment for the prognostic variables of age, gender and histology (P<0.001). Compared with the cough-alone symptom group, the risks of dying or HRs were significantly higher for the groups presenting with breathlessness (HR 1.86, 95% CI 1.54 to 2.24, n=359), systemic symptoms (HR 1.91, 95% CI 1.48 to 2.45, n=95), weight loss (HR 2.46, 95% CI 1.90 to 3.18, n=106), chest pain (HR 1.96, 95% CI 1.56 to 2.45, n=159), cough with breathlessness (HR 1.59 95% CI 1.28 to 1.98, n=177), neurological symptoms (HR 3.07, 95% CI 2.45 to 3.84, n=155) and other symptom combinations (HR 2.05, 95% CI 1.75 to 2.40, n=1963). Cough may deserve particular prominence in public health campaigns.

scholarly journals A cross-sectional population survey of physicians in Alberta, Canada about a novel provincial contact tracing smartphone app

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
D Jerome ◽  
M Pietrosanu ◽  
K Dhillon
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
English Language ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Smartphone App ◽  
Health Campaigns ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Knowledge And Beliefs ◽  
Public Health Officials ◽  
Health Zone ◽  
Public Health Campaigns

Abstract Background The Canadian province of Alberta released the ABTraceTogether smartphone app in May 2020 to assist in contact tracing during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Public engagement with this public health tool has been low, limiting the effectiveness of the intervention. This study examines physician knowledge of the app and practice patterns in relation to the app. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional self-administered online English language survey of physicians and medical students in Alberta, Canada. The survey link was sent to all registered members of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta and was distributed by other provincial physician organizations and health zone leaders. Results The survey received 317 responses. 96% of participants were aware of the app but only 27% had recommended the app to patients. The most common reason provided for not downloading or recommending the app was that participants had security concerns about the app. 23% of participants indicated they did not believe they had a responsibility to recommend the app to others. Conclusions Our study provides insights into participants’ knowledge and beliefs about the ABTraceTogether app. This information may be valuable to public health officials who wish to engage physicians in future public health campaigns.

Elimination of second-hand smoke (SHS) exposure after a lung or head and neck (HN) cancer diagnosis and subsequent patient smoking cessation.

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 183-183 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lawson Eng ◽  
Devon Alton ◽  
Yuyao Song ◽  
Delaram Farzanfar ◽  
Olivia Krys ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Smoking Cessation ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Cancer Diagnosis ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Quit Smoking ◽  
Shs Exposure

183 Background: Exposure to SHS after a cancer diagnosis is associated with continued smoking in lung and HN cancer patients (PMID: 24419133, 23765604). However, smoking is a social activity. We evaluated whether elimination of SHS exposure around and after a diagnosis of lung or HN cancer is associated with smoking cessation in the cancer patient. Methods: Lung and HN cancer patients from Princess Margaret Cancer Centre (2006-12) completed questionnaires at diagnosis and follow-up (median 2 years apart) that assessed smoking history and SHS exposures (cohort study). Multivariate logistic regression analysis evaluated the association of elimination of SHS exposure after a diagnosis of cancer with subsequent smoking cessation, adjusted for significant covariates. A cross-sectional study (2014-15) of 183 lung and HN smoking patients assessed consistency in associations and interest in SHS cessation programs. Results: For the cohort study, 261/731 lung and 145/450 HN cancer patients smoked at diagnosis; subsequent quit rates were 69% and 50% respectively. 91% of lung and 94% of HN cancer patients were exposed to SHS at diagnosis while only 40% (lung) and 62% (HN) were exposed at follow-up. Elimination of SHS exposure was associated with smoking cessation in lung (aOR = 4.76, 95% CI [2.56-9.09], P< 0.001), HN (aOR = 5.00 [1.61-14.29], P< 0.001), and combined cancers (aOR = 5.00 [3.03-8.33], P< 0.001). The cross-sectional study has similar cessation and SHS exposure rates and a similar association for elimination of SHS with smoking cessation (aOR = 3.42 [1.16-10.10], P= 0.03). However when asked directly, only 26% of patients quit smoking with another individual and 13% of patients exposed to SHS had at least 1 interested party in joining a SHS cessation program. Conclusions: Elimination of SHS exposure around patients is significantly associated with smoking cessation in lung and HN cancer patients, but few patients quit smoking together with others around them, despite the ‘teachable moment’ with a cancer diagnosis. Clinicians should encourage patients and their household/friends to quit smoking together to improve cessation rates in cancer patients and those around them.

scholarly journals Are Need for Affect and Cognition Culture-Dependent? Implications for Global Public health Campaigns: A Cross-Sectional Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Min Zhang ◽  
Bei Zhu ◽  
Chunlan Yuan ◽  
Chao Chao ◽  
Jiaofeng Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Intrinsic Motivation ◽  
Cultural Differences ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Health Campaigns ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Intrinsic Motivations ◽  
Need For Affect ◽  
Public Health Campaigns

Abstract Background: Cultural differences in affective and cognitive intrinsic motivations could introduce challenges to global public health campaigns, which use cognitive or affective goals to evoke desired attitudes and proactive health-promoting actions. This study aimed to demonstrate cross-cultural differences in affective and cognitive intrinsic motivations, and discuss the potential value of this information in public health promotion.Methods: A cross-sectional survey, using cross-culturally validated need for affect (NFA) and need for cognition (NFC) scales, was carried out among 1166 Chinese participants and compared to published data from 980 American participants. Additionally, we assessed a highly prevalent symbolic geriatric health condition, hearing loss, in 500 community-dwelling seniors. MANOVA test and Hedge’s g statistic were employed to compare the NFA and NFC levels between individuals from different countries and between seniors with and without hearing loss. The relation of early healthcare seeking intention to NFA and NFC was also explored.Results: The primary Chinese sample demonstrated decreased NFA and NFC in contrast to their American peers. This difference was preserved in the senior sample. Moreover, seniors with hearing loss had even lower NFA and NFC than those without hearing loss. Intention for early healthcare seeking was low but was associated with intrinsic motivation.Conclusions: There was a general lack of affective and cognitive intrinsic motivation in Chinese individuals, particularly in seniors with hearing loss, compared with their American peers. These differences, point to a potential challenge in framing effective messages for some cultures in the geriatric public health domain. Ideally, recognizing and understanding this challenge will inspire consideration of novel persuasive strategies for these audiences.

scholarly journals Barriers and Facilitators of Adherence to Social Distancing Recommendations among a Large International Sample of Adults Recruited in April 2020

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adina Coroiu ◽  
Chelsea Moran ◽  
Tavis Campbell ◽  
Alan Geller
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Responsibility To Protect ◽  
Barriers And Facilitators ◽  
Work Study ◽  
Health Campaigns ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Public Health Campaigns

This cross-sectional study collected data from 2013 participants recruited via social media. The study was conducted during a period of well-enforced regulations about social distancing. Adherence to social distancing recommendations was relatively high for most behaviours, but not nearly close to 100%. The study identified key modifiable barriers and facilitators of adherence to social distancing: strongest facilitators included wanting to protect the self, feeling a responsibility to protect the community, and being able to work/study remotely; strongest barriers included having friends or family who needed help with running errands, socializing in order to avoid feeling lonely, and seeing many people in the streets. Future interventions to improve adherence to social distancing measures should couple individual-level strategies targeting key barriers to social distancing identified herein, with effective institutional measures and public health interventions. Public health campaigns should continue to highlight compassionate attitudes towards social distancing.

scholarly journals Social Media Platforms for Health Communication and Research in the Face of COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross Sectional Survey in Uganda

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald Olum ◽  
Felix Bongomin
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Perceived Usefulness ◽  
Health Campaigns ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Social Media Platforms ◽  
Public Health Campaigns

ABSTRACTObjectives(1) To examine the usage of social media and other forms of media among medical students (MS) and healthcare professionals (HCPs) in Uganda. (2) To assess the perceived usefulness of social media and other forms of media for COVID-19 public health campaigns.DesignA descriptive WhatsApp messenger-based cross-sectional survey in April 2020.SettingMakerere University Teaching Hospitals (MUTH) and 9 of the 10 medical schools in Uganda.ParticipantsHCPs at MUTH and MS in the 9 medical schools in Uganda.Main outcome measuresWe collected data on sociodemographic characteristics, sources of information on COVID-19, preferences of social media platform and perceived usefulness of the different media platforms for acquisition of knowledge on COVID-19.ResultOverall, response rate was 21.5% for both MS and HCPs. In total, 877 (HCPS [136, 15.5%], MS [741, 85.5%]) were studied. Majority (n=555, 63.3%) were male with a median age of 24 (range: 18-66) years. Social media was a source of information for 665 (75.8%) participants. Usage was similar among MS and HCPs (565/741 (76.2%) vs. 100/136 (73.5%), p=0.5). Among the MS, commonly used social media were: WhatsApp (n=705, 95.1%) Facebook (n=405, 54.8%), Twitter (n=290, 39.1%), Instagram (n=178, 24.0) and Telegram (n=80, 10.8%). Except for WhatsApp, male MS we more likely to use the other social media platforms (p= <0.001 − 0.01). Mass media (television and radio) and social media were preferred the most useful tools for dissemination of COVID-19 related information.ConclusionMore than two-thirds of MS and HCPs are routinely using social media in Uganda. Social media platforms may be used for dissemination of information as well as a research tool among MS and HCPs. Social media alongside other media platforms can also be used as sources of reliable information on COVID-19 as well as for dissemination of research findings and guidelines.Strengths and limitationsThis is the first study in sub Saharan Africa on the use of social media for research during the COVID-19 pandemic.The study also explores perceived usefulness of different media for COVID-19 public health campaigns.Diversity of the participants consisting both healthcare professionals and medical students.A relatively large sample size was enrolled in the survey despite a low response rate.

scholarly journals Evaluation of community pharmacists’ readiness to implement the Falsified Medicines Directive (Directive 2011/62/EC): an English cross-sectional survey with geospatial analysis

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. e033405 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ravina Barrett
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Community Pharmacists ◽  
Health Campaigns ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Public ◽  
Falsified Medicines ◽  
Ethical Approval ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Public Health Campaigns

ObjectivesTo evaluate the readiness to implement the Falsified Medicines Directive (FMD) by community pharmacies in England. Eight secondary objectives were assessed.SettingCommunity/retail pharmacies.ParticipantsWe invited pharmacists from 501 pharmacies to complete a survey. Non-contractors, non-pharmacists or pharmacists practising abroad were excluded. We randomly selected addresses, ensuring that they were nationally representative.InterventionsWe mailed the survey in October 2018 with a single follow-up in January 2019. Respondents were invited to provide self-reported answers. A prepaid self-addressed envelope was provided. We received favourable ethical approval.Results102 responses (20.44% response rate) were received. Readiness to implement was poor: 4 (3.9%) said very much, while 40 (39.2%) said not at all and 29 (28.4%) said not really. Increased workload and reduced profitability were anticipated, accompanied with improved patient safety. Prevalence of ‘substandard and falsified (SF) medical products’ was estimated at 1%–5%, with erectile dysfunction at greatest risk of falsification. Different packaging would raise suspicions. Five (4.9%) had identified SFs (p<0.001 one-sample binomial test). Of these, three (2.9%) informed the medicines agency. None had been involved in any public health campaigns. Confidence and self-efficacy was low. Strategies to reduce SFs reaching the public are described. Pharmacist’s role in combating SFs was elucidated. SFs were identified in deprived areas 4 (9%) more often than in affluent areas 1 (2%).ConclusionsMany pharmacies are not ready to implement FMD, potentially not capturing anticipated benefits of the directive, with greatest risk of harm in deprived area. We further validated a confidence scale. Limited public health campaigns may result in a lack of awareness among pharmacy professionals and patients. Limited awareness of technologies to identify falsified medicines exist, though further training is welcome. A worrying trend of under-reporting maybe prevalent. A larger sample study using this survey would be valuable.

scholarly journals Conditionality of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in European countries

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonardo w Heyerdahl ◽  
Muriel Vray ◽  
Benedetta Lana ◽  
Nastassia Tvardik ◽  
Nina Gobat ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Vaccine Coverage ◽  
Herd Immunity ◽  
Preventive Measure ◽  
Vaccine Safety ◽  
Health Campaigns ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Vaccine Acceptance ◽  
Public Health Campaigns

The COVID-19 vaccine rollout in recent months offers a powerful preventive measure that may help control SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Nevertheless, long-standing public hesitation around vaccines has heightened public health concerns that vaccine coverage may not achieve desired public health impacts.This cross-sectional survey was conducted online in December 2020 among 7000 respondents (aged 18 to 65) in Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden, and Ukraine. The survey included open text boxes for fuller explanation of responses. Projected COVID-19 vaccine coverage varied and may not be sufficiently high among certain populations to achieve herd immunity. Overall, 56.9% would accept a COVID-19 vaccine, 19.0% would not, and 24.1% did not know or preferred not to say. By country, between 44% (France) and 66% (Italy) of respondents would accept a COVID-19 vaccine. Respondents expressed conditionality in open responses, voicing concerns about vaccine safety and mistrust of authorities. Public health campaigns must tackle these safety concerns.

scholarly journals Breast Cancer Reduction Initiatives in Rwanda

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement 2) ◽  
pp. 133s-133s
Author(s):  
O. Nimbabazi
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Early Detection ◽  
Early Diagnosis ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Health Campaigns ◽  
Diagnose Breast Cancer ◽  
Public Health Campaigns

Background and context: Breast cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related death for women. In Africa women are diagnosed much younger, with a substantial number of cases affecting women under the age of 20. In Rwanda, breast cancer patients constitute 15.8% of overall cancer patients and new cases increase as people start being aware and go screening, however breast cancer with early detection can be well treated to live longer and palliative care can be given. It's with that reason in Rwanda different initiatives have put in place to reduce the breast cancer. Aim: The aim of these initiatives is to raise awareness of breast cancer to the population and promoting early detection as breast cancer is treatable when it's diagnosed at early stage. Also these initiatives gives information about risk factors and how changing lifestyle with early detection can help on reducing new cases. Strategy/Tactics: These initiatives are done through public health campaigns, gatherings and walks throughout the country educating breast cancer risk factors, prevention and importance of early diagnosis. The programs reached young ladies to start prevention early by making outreaches at school and youth centers. And all the initiatives are accessible by every citizen as they are all free. Program/Policy process: In promotion of early diagnosis many nurses for health center have been trained how to diagnose breast cancer and how to educate patients that attend those health facilities, then for awareness public health campaigns are done and also with different media are used like talk shows and informative posters are in different public places like hospitals. Outcomes: With the past 2 years of mass campaigns, walks and outreaches, there have been improvement in understanding of population about breast cancer, and both men and women are interested to be educated more with that the number of people going for diagnosis have been increased and participation in outreaches is high. What was learned: The population is always eager to be educated about cancer and how they can prevent it and with these initiatives have been proved by numbers that attend campaigns and it's important to take initiative to reduce its incidence by making the community aware of it and take early preventive measures. And this to be more successful there should be public and private partnership to put effort and reach a large population for breast cancer can be diagnosed treated at early stage hence reduction its prevalence.

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