• 환경위생공학
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• 제8권1호
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• pp.93-105
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• 1993

The major purpose of this study was to determine the effects of air pollution on respiratory diseases. From the analysis of $SO_2$, $NO_2$ and TSP levels measured at two air pollution monitoring stations(K & E area) of Seoul during Jan. 1988-Dec. 1990, pollution level of K area was higher than E area. Insurance out-patient records for the medical fee reimbusement submitted to the National Federation of Medical Insurance from Jan. to Dec. 1990 were used in order to assess the occurrence of respiratory disease. The results were as follows ; 1. The annual mean levels of $SO_2$, $NO_2$ and TSP in K area were 0.08lppm, O.03lppm and 173.4${\mu}g/m^3$, whereas those of E area were 0.044ppm, 0.02lppm and 146.0 ${\mu}g/m^3$ respectively. The mean levels of above three air pollutants between two areas showed difference about 1.2 times-1.8 times by air pollutant. 2. The monthly out-patient incidence rates of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, chronic bronchitis and asthma in K area were higher when compared with those of E area. The monthly out-patient incidence rates of above three chronic respiratory disease of two areas studied showed statistically significant difference about 1.3 times, 2.7 times, 1.4 times respectively. No difference were, however, shown in acute respiratory infections. 3. Highest incidence rates of out-patients could be observed among the group of children less than 10 years old, while adult out-patient incidence rates increased as age increased. 4. The relation between air pollution and chronic respiratory disease was obvious especially, the strongly significant correlation was observed between $NO_2$ and chronic bronchitis.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제55권2호
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• pp.144-152
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• 2022

Objectives: This study aimed to identify the social and policy determinants of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection across 23 countries. Methods: COVID-19 indicators (incidence, mortality, and fatality) for each country were calculated by direct and indirect standardization. Multivariable regression analyses were used to identify the social and policy determinants of COVID-19 infection. Results: A higher number of doctors per population was related to lower incidence, mortality, and fatality rates of COVID-19 in 23 countries (β=-0.672, -0.445, and -0.564, respectively). The number of nurses/midwives per population was associated with lower mortality and fatality rates of COVID-19 in 23 countries (β=-0.215 and -0.372, respectively). Strengthening of policy restriction indicators, such as restrictions of public gatherings, was related to lower COVID-19 incidence (β=-0.423). A national Bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccination policy conducted among special groups or in the past was associated with a higher incidence of COVID-19 in 23 countries (β=0.341). The proportion of the elderly population (aged over 70 years) was related to higher mortality and fatality rates (β=0.209 and 0.350, respectively), and income support was associated with mortality and fatality rates (β=-0.362 and -0.449, respectively). Conclusions: These findings do not imply causality because this was a country-based correlation study. However, COVID-19 transmission can be influenced by social and policy determinants such as integrated health systems and policy responses to COVID-19. Various social and policy determinants should be considered when planning responses to COVID-19.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권13호
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• pp.5407-5409
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• 2014

Background: In National Cancer Registry Programme (NCRP) reports, various rates are routinely provided for 50 cancer sites of males and 54 cancer sites of females. Very often, depending on our interest, we wish to see these rates for group of cancers like head and neck cancers, oral cancers, and reproductive cancers. In such a situation, the desired rates are calculated independently from the actual data and reported. The question is can we derive the rates for groups of cancers from the published reports when the data is provided only for the individual sites? Objective: In the present paper, an attempt is made to explore the mathematical properties of various rates to derive them directly for the group of cancer sites from the published data when the rates are provided only for the individual sites. Source of data: The cancer incidence data collected by two urban Population Based Cancer Registries (PBCRs), under the network of NCRP for the period of 2006-08 was considered for the study purposes. The Registries included were: Bangalore and Bhopal. Results: In the present communication, we have shown that the crude rate (CR), age specific rates and age-adjuste rates (AAR) all possess additive properties. This means, given the above rates for individual sites, the above rates can be calculated for groups of sites by simply adding them. In terms of formula it can be stated that CR(Site1+Site2+++ SiteN) = CR(Site1)+CR(Site2) +++ CR(SiteN). This formula holds good for age specific rates as well as for AAR. This property facilitates the calculation of various rates for defined groups of cancers by simply adding the above rates for individual sites from which they are made up.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권6호
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• pp.3527-3534
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• 2013

Background: Cancer is a major health problem facing the entire world, and Jordan is no exception. However, patterns of cancer incidence and cancer burden in Jordan have never been explored thoroughly, and the aim of this study was to close this knowldege gap. Materials and Methods: The study was based on data obtained from the Jordan cancer registry from 1996 to 2009. All cancer cases that were diagnosed during the study period were registered and included in this study. Results: A total of 51,626 cases were registered in Jordan during the 14- year period. The incidence rate showed no significant increase in males (percent change PC 6.8%), while in females a marked increase was observed (PC 14.8%). The major cancer sites for males were bronchus and lung, colorectal, bladder, leukemia and prostate. In females, the leading cancer sites were breast, colorectal, leukemia, thyroid and NHL. Conclusions: Compared to other countries in the region, Jordan has comparable rates. On the other hand the rates of cancer are markedly lower in Jordan compared to more industrialized countries such as the US and Europe. There was an overall increase in the incidence of cancer in Jordan, especially among females, which stresses the need for programs to raise awareness on the importance of early diagnosis and preventive life style measures.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권20호
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• pp.8689-8692
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• 2014

Purpose: To evaluate the recent incidence and mortality of and scientific research trends in cervical cancer in Mexican females. Materials and Methods: Data between 2000 and 2010 from the Department of Epidemiology of the Ministry of Health, and International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) of World Health Organization were analyzed, and age-standardized rates (ASRs) were calculated. In addition, scientific research data were retrieved from the Web of Science database from 2003 to 2012, using different terms related to cervical cancer. Results: The incidence rate decreased during last five years, while mortality rates showed an annual decrease of 4.93%. A total of 780 articles were retrieved, and the institutions with the majority of publications were National Autonomous University of Mexico (34.87%), Social Security Mexican Institute (16.02%), and National Institute of Cancerology (15%). The main types of research were treatment, diagnosis, and prevention. Conclusions: The above results show that incidence of cervical cancer decreased over time in Mexico during last five years; similarly, the downturn observed in mortality mainly reflects improved survival as a result of earlier diagnosis and cancer treatment. Also, this article demonstrates the usefulness of bibliometrics to address key evaluation questions and to establish priorities, define future areas of research, and develop cervical cancer control strategies in Mexico.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권7호
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• pp.2857-2870
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• 2015

Although the incidence of breast cancer in Asia remains lower than in North America, Western Europe, and Oceania, rates have been increasing rapidly during the past few decades, and Asian countries now account for 40% of breast cancer cases diagnosed worldwide. Breast cancer mortality has also increased among Asian women, in contrast to decreased mortality in Northern America, Western Europe, and Oceania. These increased rates are associated with higher prevalence of breast cancer risk factors (e.g., reduced parity, delayed childbirth, increased obesity) that have accompanied economic development throughout the region. However, Asian regions (western, south-central, south-eastern, and eastern) and countries differ in the types and magnitude of changes in breast cancer risk factors, and cannot be viewed as a single homogeneous group. The objective of this paper was to contrast the heterogeneous epidemiology of breast cancer by Asian regions and countries, and to suggest potential avenues for future research.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권2호
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• pp.1011-1014
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• 2014

Background: Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) represent 1% of all malignant lesions. In this study the authors analyzed the incidence of STS in Vojvodina (the north region of Serbia) in the period from 1985 to 2009. A number of studies conducted worldwide indicate that STS incidence rates are tending to increase. Materials and Methods: On the basis of data from the Cancer Registry of Vojvodina, age standardized STS incidence rates were established as well as their linear trend, with data on histological structure, age, gender and STS distribution at specific locations. Results: The total number of registered patients was 1,308. Average age standardized rate was 1.90/100,000 per year. The investigated period showed a slight increase in the incidence rate (average annual percent increase=0.77%). The most frequent histological type was sarcoma not otherwise specified-NOS (27%), followed by leiomyosarcoma (21%), liposarcoma (14%), rhabdomyosarcoma (11%) and malignant fibrous histiocytoma (9%). The male/female ratio was 0.73:1. Every fifth patient was younger than 39. Conclusions: Comparison among eight international STS epidemiology studies show that the incidence rate range is between 1.4/100,000-5.0/100,000, though our finding is closer to the lower limit. Furthermore, the incidence rate increase was lower than that characteristic for the half of the analyzed studies. A partial explanation for that should be looked for among changes in diagnostic criteria and STS classifications.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제44권2호
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• pp.160-168
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• 2018

Objectives: The purposes of the study were to investigate hazardous pollutant emissions changes among group 1 carcinogens. The emissions characteristics were compared with national cancer registration statistics. Methods: A survey of group 1 carcinogen hazardous pollutant emissions (trichloroethylene, benzene, vinyl chloride, formaldehyde, 1,3-butadiene, ethylene oxide, chromium and its compounds, 3,3'-dichloro-4,4-diaminodiphenylmethane, chloromethyl methyl ether, arsenic and its compounds, cadmium and its compounds, o-toluidine) was conducted through a homepage for 2001-2015. The emission of hazardous chemicals and the cancer trend analysis for 2001-2015 were performed using the Korean statistical information service through its homepage as a reference. Results: Emissions of more than 95% of the substances listed as group 1 carcinogens over the last five years were made up of trichloroethylene, benzene, vinyl chloride, formaldehyde, 1,3-butadiene, and ethylene oxide. As a result of the comparison of emission results and cancer incidence rates, carcinogen pollutant emissions showed a tendency to decrease continuously. In addition, the incidence of cancer tended to increase, but showed a tendency to decrease from 2012. Conclusion: The results indicate hazardous pollutant emissions have continued to increase. However, no association between emissions and health effects was shown and more research is needed.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권17호
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• pp.7281-7285
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• 2014

Background: Gastric cancer is the second most common gastrointestinal cancer and is more common in the East, compared to the West. This study assesses the trend of gastric cancers in Brunei Darussalam, a developing nation with a predominantly Malay population. Materials and Methods: The cancer registry from 1986 to 2012 maintained by the Department of Pathology, the only State Laboratory at the RIPAS Hospital, Ministry of Health, was reviewed and data extracted for analyses. The age standardised rate (ASR) and age specific incidence rate were calculated based on the projected population. Cancers diagnosed below 45 years were categorised as young gastric cancer. Results: Over the study period, there were a total of 551 cases of gastric cancer diagnosed. The most common type was adenocarcinoma (87.9%), followed by lymphoma (6.1%) and gastrointestinal stromal tumour (2.8%). The overall mean age at diagnosis was 61.9 years old (range 15 to 98) with an increasing trend observed, but this was not significant (ANOVA). There were differences in the mean age at diagnosis for the different races (p=0.003 for trend), but not the gender (p=0.105). Young gastric cancer accounted for 14.9%, being more common in women, and in Expatriate and Malay populations compared to the Chinese. There was a decrease in the ASR, from 17.3/100,000 in 1986-1990 to 12.5/100,000 in 2006-2010. Chinese had a higher overall ASR (20.2/100,000) compared to the Malays (11.8/100,000). The age specific rates were comparable between men and women until the age group 55-59 years when the rates started to diverge, becoming higher in men. Chinese men had higher rates then Malay men whereas, the rates were higher or comparable between the women until the age group >70 when the rate for Chinese women overtook their Malay counterpart. Conclusions: Our study showed that there is a declining trend in the incidence of gastric cancer and higher rates were observed in men and Chinese.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권10호
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• pp.6035-6040
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• 2013

Background: Cancer is a complex disease caused by multiple factors, both genetic and environmental. It is a major health concern worldwide, in the Middle East and in Jordan specifically and the fourth most common killer in the Middle East. Hypothesis: The relative genetic homogeneity of the Circassian and Chechan populations in Jordan results in incidences of cancer that differ from the general Jordanian population, who are mostly Arabs. Materials and Methods: National Cancer Registry data were obtained for the years 1996-2005 The Chechen and Circassian cancer cases were identified and cancer registry data were divided into three populations. Crude rates were calculated based on the number of cancer cases and estimated populations. Results: Breast cancer is the most common cancer type constituting about one third of female cancers in all three populations. Higher crude rates are observed in the Circassian and Chechen populations than in the Arab Jordanian population. The rate ratios (95%CI) in Circassians and Chechens with respect to the Arab Jordanian population are 2.1 (1.48, 2.72) and 1.81 (1.16, 2.85), respectively. Lung cancer is the most common cancer in male Arab Jordanians and Chechens with crude rates of 4.2 and 8.0 per 100,000 respectively. The male to female ratio in these two populations in respective order are 5:1 and 7:1. The lung cancer crude rate in Circassians is 6.5 per 100,000 with a male to female ratio of only 1.6:1. The colorectal cancer crude rates in Arab Jordanians and Chechens are similar at 6.2 and 6.0 per 100,000, respectively, while that in Circassians is twice as high. Conclusions: Considerable ethnic variation exists for cancer incidence rates in Jordan. The included inbred and selected populations offer an ideal situation for investigating genetic factors involved in various cancer types.