• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권9호
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• pp.3927-3930
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• 2015

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the most common gastrointestinal cancer and the incidence is increasing in many developing countries. While it can be detected early and even prevented through screening and removal of premalignant lesions, there are barriers to screening which include low level of knowledge and awareness of CRC. This study assessed the level of knowledge of CRC in Brunei Darussalam. Materials and Methods: A total of 431 (262 male and 161 female) subjects participated in this questionnaire study. Subjects were scored on their knowledge of signs/symptoms (maximum 10 correct answers) and known risk factors for CRC (maximum 10 correct answers) and were categorised into poor (0-2), moderate (3-4) and satisfactory (5-10). Comparisons were made between the various patient factors. Results: Overall, 54.1% could not name any CRC signs/symptoms or associated risk factors. Most were not aware of any screening modalities. The overall scores for CRC signs/symptoms and risk factors were $1.3{\pm}1.39$ (range 0-6) and $0.6{\pm}1.05$ (range 0-5) respectively. Overall, the breakdown of scores was: poor (78.1%), moderate (20.3%) and satisfactory (6.2%) for signs/symptoms and poor (93.2%), moderate (6.2%) and satisfactory (0.7%) for risk factors. Higher level of education, female gender and non-Malay race were associated with higher scores for both signs/symptoms and knowledge of screening modality; however the overall scores were low. Conclusions: Our study showed that the general knowledge of CRC in Brunei Darussalam is poor. Being female, with higher levels of education and non-Malay race were associated with higher scores, but they were still generally poor. More needs to be done to increase the public knowledge and awareness of CRC.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• 제16권2호
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• pp.85-95
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• 2001

This study was to investigate factors of risk perception on major environmental issues among general public and environmental experts in Korea. Structured questionnaire surveys were conducted to samples from general public and environmental experts during March and April, 2000. Total numbers of respondents were 773, general public and 353 experts. Analysis of the data showed that risk perception was correlated with health concern, environmental satisfaction, perception of environmental pollution, interest on the environmental issues, knowledge, experiences, and social-cultural consciousness, and so on. Overall environmental risk perception was affected by knowledge on environmental issues, experience of damage from environmental problems, sex and perception of environmental pollution. According to the results, environmental risk perception is not independent from social and psychological factors, and it may be desirable to consider the related factors in the process of risk communication for a more effective risk management or environmental policy.

• Journal of Community Nutrition
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• 제4권2호
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• pp.109-117
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to investigate food habits, nutritional knowledge, nutritional risk factors, health-related lifestyle, health status and dietetic therapy in Korean middle-aged and elderly outpatients taking supplements. A cross-sectional survey was conducted from July to December in 2001. Subjects were 1702 (male 731, female 971) age-related chronic disease outpatients aged over 50 years. Data was collected using a standardized Questionnaire by in-person interview and analyzed by SPSS system. The subjects with supplement had significantly lower nutritional knowledge, higher nutritional risk factors, undesirable lifestyle, and lower self-reported health status compared to those without supplement. However, the subjects with supplement had desirable (cod habits and more concern about health compared to those without supplement. Age-related chronic disease group with supplement had significantly undesirable food habits, lower nutritional knowledge and higher nutritional risk factors compared to control group with supplement. Age-related chronic disease group without supplement had significantly desirable food habits, higher nutritional knowledge, lower self-reported health status and higher stress compared to control group without supplement. Therefore, these results may provide basic information for proper supplement of Korean middle-aged and elderly outpatients.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제25권4호
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• pp.516-524
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• 2015

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the current status of knowledge, awareness and health risk concerns on occupational radiation exposures among firefighters in Korea. The results will provide basic information for developing a prevention program to minimize adverse health effects relating to radiation exposure among firefighters. Methods: A questionnaire was composed of general characteristics of participants, and their knowledge, awareness, health risk concerns relating to occupational radiation exposure. It was distributed by email to all of 307 firefighters in Jeollabukdo in April 2014 and 259 of them (response rate 84.3%) were responded. Answers were analyzed for descriptive statistics including frequencies and percentages. SPSS/WIN 18.0 program was utilized for statistical analysis of t-test, ANOVA and Pearson's correlation. Results: The average score of radiation protection knowledge was $5.83{\pm}1.77$ ($average{\pm}SD$) out of 10. The score of awareness and health risk concerns on radiation exposure were 4.27, 3.94 out of 5, respectively. The results indicated that the knowledge on the characteristics of radiation was marginal among the firefighters, while the awareness and health risk concerns relating to radiation exposures were relatively higher comparing to other professions. Conclusions: Knowing the characteristics of potential risks is the first step for minimizing the adverse health effects relating to the risks. Therefore, it is necessary to provide adequate training and information on radiation and exposure protection methods for firefighters.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권11호
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• pp.6783-6790
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• 2013

Background: Breast cancer is the commonest type of cancer among women, and in Malaysia 50-60% of the new cases are being detected at late stages. Do age, education level, income, ethnicity, relationship with breast cancer patients and knowledge of breast cancer risk factors influence breast screening practices? This study revealed interesting but significant differences. Objectives: To assess the knowledge of breast cancer risk factors and early detection measures among women in a high risk group. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional survey of one hundred and thirty one women relatives of breast cancer patients was carried out. Participants were selected through purposive sampling, during hospital visits. A self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Results: The majority of the respondents (71%) had poor knowledge of the risk factors for breast cancer. Income, relationship with a patient and practise of breast cancer screening predicted performance of mammography, $R^2$=0.467, F=12.568, p<0.0001. Conclusions: The finding shows inadequate knowledge of breast cancer risk factors and poor cancer screening practise among women with family history of breast cancer. Poor knowledge and practise of breast screening are likely to lead to late stage presentation of breast cancer disease. Some important predictors of breast cancer screening behaviour among women with positive family history of breast cancer were identified. An understanding of the strengths and significance of the association between these factors and breast screening behaviour is vital for developing more targeted breast health promotion.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제13권7호
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• pp.3361-3366
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• 2012

Background & Objectives: The most northern and northwestern regions of Iran are at a high risk for gastric cancer. The aim of this study was to assess the general population's awareness about risk factors, symptoms and signs, preventive methods and management of gastric carcinoma in a high prevalence city in the North of Iran. Methods: A cross-sectional population-based telephone survey which was conducted on 3,457 residents of Rasht, the capital city of Guilan Province, to assess their awareness regarding gastric carcinoma. The questionnaires contained demographic data and statements on respondents' knowledge about risk factors, symptoms and signs, prevention and management of gastric cancer which were filled by general practitioners after asking the subjects. Data were analyzed in SPSS14. P<0.05 was considered significant. Results: The mean knowledge score of the respondents was $5.05{\pm}1.37$ regarding risk factors of gastric carcinoma, $4.39{\pm}1.99$ regarding symptoms and signs, $6.0{\pm}1.22$ regarding preventive strategies, and $1.6{\pm}1.16$ regarding management. Totally the mean knowledge level of the respondents toward gastric carcinoma would be $17.1{\pm}3.97$ from the maximum grade of 29. The age group of 45-55 y/o, bachelor degree and higher, physicians and nurses, those who had cancer history in friends or had the history of gastrointestinal diseases showed significantly higher knowledge scores (P=0.001). Conclusion: There is a general lack of awareness of cancer risk factors, symptoms and signs, methods of prevention, and importance of early diagnosis and treatment. Educational programs should be developed to promote adherence to recommended screening guidelines.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권5호
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• pp.1913-1918
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• 2014

Background: The study is the first of its kind to be conducted in Saudi Arabia (KSA), aiming to analyze the effectiveness of an intervention program in improving the knowledge of oral cancer among the youth. Materials and Methods: A total of 1,051 young Saudis (57% males and 43% females with a mean age of $20.4{\pm}1.98$) were selected using multi-stage cluster sampling. Knowledge assessment was accomplished using a closed-ended questionnaire which was subjected to reliability tests. Prevalence of risk factors in relation to gender was analyzed using the chi-squared test. Effectiveness was calculated by comparing the pre- and post-intervention means, using the two-tailed paired t-test. Multiple logistic regression was employed in order to determine factors associated with awareness of risk habits, signs/symptoms and prevention of oral cancer. The significance level in this study was set at 0.05. Results: Females were seen to be more into the habit of sheesha smoking (3.3% rather than the use of other forms of risk factors. Prevalence of diverse risk factors such as cigarette smoking (20%), sheesha (15.3%), khat (27%) and shamma (9%) was seen among males. Gender and the use of modifiable risk factors among the study sample were significantly (p<0.001) associated with effectiveness of the intervention. The intervention program was highly effective (p<0.001) in improving the knowledge of oral cancer among the youth in Jazan, KSA. Multivariate analysis revealed that age and gender are the most significant factors affecting knowledge. Conclusions: The study gives a direction for further public health initiatives in this oral cancer prone region.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• 제23권2호
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• pp.110-118
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• 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to survey the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) related knowledge, risk perception, preventive behaviors, depression, and anxiety levels among nursing students, and to identify factors that influence preventive behaviors. Methods: An online survey was conducted among nursing students from October 7, 2020 to October 12, 2020. The data were analyzed using independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and multiple regression. Results: A total of 222 nursing students participated in this study. The correct answer rate for COVID-19 knowledge was 90.0%, risk perception was 5.51±1.26, and the rate for preventive behaviors was 92.5%. The depression score was 6.28±4.63; 59.9% of nursing students had depression, and the anxiety score was 5.56±3.98; 59.9% of nursing students had anxiety. COVID-19 preventive behaviors had a positive correlation with COVID-19 knowledge (r= .30, p< .001), COVID-19 risk perception (r= .18, p= .009), and anxiety (r= .21, p= .001). Factors influencing COVID-19 preventive behaviors by multiple regression were identified as COVID-19 knowledge, anxiety, physical health status before and after COVID-19, grade, practical experience after COVID-19, and COVID-19 risk perception (F = 12.46, p< .001, R²= 25.8%). Conclusion: The results of this research on factors influencing COVID-19 prevention behaviors can be used in the future to develop appropriate health policies for individual and community infectious disease prevention behaviors.

• 보건교육건강증진학회지
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• 제26권1호
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• pp.15-26
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• 2009

Objectives: The current study evaluated the effects of an integrated breast health program according to levels of breast cancer risk appraisal on knowledge on breast cancer, early detection behaviors, and diet patterns and attitudes in Korean healthy women. Method: A nonequivalent control group pre-posttest design was used. A total of 413 women aged 40-59, registering at the Life Long Health Center in two cities, were classified into intervention groups of 179 women and control groups of 234 women. The integrated breast health program included education, counseling on breast cancer, early detection behaviors, and appropriate diet with multimedia and individual practice session using breast models, reflecting characteristics of each level according to levels of risk appraisal. The knowledge on breast cancer, early detection behaviors, and diet were investigated using questionnaires at baseline and three months after intervention. Results: In both normal and borderline-risk group, intervention groups reported significantly higher scores of knowledge on breast cancer and higher stages of BSE behaviors than control groups. Conclusion: The results showed positive effects on knowledge and early detection behaviors of breast cancer in normal and borderline-risk groups. Further studies should investigate longitudinal effects of the intervention program on dietary change.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제17권4호
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• pp.2075-2081
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• 2016

Background: Breast cancer incidence and mortality rates are increasing in North-Eastern Brazil and the patients with the disease often presented at advanced stages. The present study was focused on identifying variables that affect women's frequency of breast self- examination (BSE) performance. Materials and Methods: Data on BSE, socio-economic parameters and risk factors for breast cancer were obtained from 417 women from a community in North-Eastern Brazil by a self-informant method. To identify independent variables that affect frequency of BSE, nominal logistic regression analysis was performed. Results: Of 417 women, 330 (79.3%) reported performing BSE. Compared to high-income women, BSE performance by low-income women every month was 7.69 (OD=0.130; CI 95%: 0.044- 0.0386; p=0.000) times lower. Women who did not live in a stable union performed BSE each month 2.73 (OD=0.366; CI 95%: 0.171-0.782; p=0.010) less often than those living in a stable union. BSE performance every month and every six months or every year by women with poor knowledge about risk factors for breast cancer was 3.195 (OD=0.313; CI 95%: 0.141- 0.695; p=0.004) times and 2.028 (OD=0.493; CI 95%: 0.248- 0.979; p=0.043) times lower, compared to women with good knowledge. Participants who had a close relative with cancer performed BSE every month and every six months or every year 2.132 (OD=0.469; CI 95%: 0.220-0.997; p=0.049) times and 2.337 (OD=0.428; CI 95%: 0.219-0.836; p=0.013) times less often, compared to those women without close relatives with cancer. Conclusions: The results of this study indicated that income, marital status, knowledge about risk factors and having a close relative with breast cancer, affect the frequency of BSE performance. Information about risk factors in public health campaigns could additionally strengthen avoidance behaviour and also motivate BSE performance.