• Title/Summary/Keyword: menace to public health

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Boosting Cancer Survival in Nigeria: Self-management Strategies

  • Oluka, Obiageli Crystal;Shi, Yan-Yan;Nie, Shao-Fa;Sun, Yi
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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    • v.15 no.1
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    • pp.335-341
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    • 2014
  • Cancer is a menace fast gaining momentum in Nigeria and other developing countries. It is an expensive disease requiring a major financial and human resources for prevention, diagnosis and treatment. With no national policy on cancer control in the conntry, incidence (111.7/100,000 population) and mortality (86.6/100,000) rates in Nigeria are spiraling beyond control. This literature search study was primarily aimed at providing recommendations on cost-effective strategies for development interventions to promote self-management for cancer survivors in Nigeria with a goal to improve quality of life and overall survival.

Predictors of Cigarette Smoking among Young Adults in Mangalore, India

  • Lalithambigai, G;Rao, Ashwini;Rajesh, G;Ramya, Shenoy;Pai, BH Mithun
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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    • v.17 no.1
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    • pp.45-50
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    • 2016
  • Background: The tobacco epidemic is a heralding health menace, particularly among college students. Tobacco usage among young can have an especially devastating effect as they can be exposed for longer periods. Data to estimate the prevalence of tobacco use in young adults will be a valuable addition to the existing resources. Materials and Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was therefore carried out in Mangalore city using a pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire adapted from the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) with a representative sample of 720 students aged 18-20 years selected from degree colleges by multi-stage random sampling. Results: Prevalence of 'ever users' and 'current users' of smoking were 20.4% and 11.4%, respectively. The mean age at initiation of cigarette smoking was 16 years and the majority (31 %) smoked in public places. Interestingly, 84% of them knew about the harmful effects of cigarette smoking. About one half of smokers had some or most of their friends smoking. Multivariate analysis revealed gender (OR=8.585: CI-3.26-22.5), pocket money (OR=4.165; CI=1.76-9.82) and peer's smoking habit (OR= 5.15; CI-2.21-11.9) have higher odds as correlates of tobacco usage among college students. Conclusions: It is of prime importance to highlight the role of prevention of smoking initiation rather than subsequently trying to stop the habit. Comprehensive interventions embracing family, friends and social milieu are needed to reduce tobacco use among students in India.

Reducing the Breast Cancer Menace: the Role of the Male Partner in Ghana

  • Ameade, Evans Paul Kwame;Amalba, Anthony;Kudjo, Theresa;Kumah, Mark Kojo;Mohammed, Baba Sulemana
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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    • v.15 no.19
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    • pp.8115-8119
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    • 2014
  • Background: Breast cancer continues to be the most common type of cancer afflicting many women worldwide. Presently, educational campaigns and research target only women as if men have no role in the management of this disease. The study examined the willingness of male partners to assist in early female breast cancer detection as well as their awareness and knowledge levels. Materials and Methods: Using a semi-structured questionnaire, data was collected from 500 public servants within the Tamale Metropolis and analyzed in SPSS. Results: The level of awareness of breast cancer was very high (98.8%) but there was a low level of knowledge of breast cancer among the male population. Marital status and religion had no effect on attitude, but increasing educational status significantly increased knowledge and positive attitude towards breast cancer examination (${\chi}^2$=4.255, p=0.0391). The majority (92.0%) agreed that men can assist in early breast cancer detection and 96.2% were willing to be provided with breast examination skills. Conclusions: Although level of awareness on female breast cancers among the men was high, they generally lack knowledge of the disease. Majority of male partners want to assist in early breast cancer detection if provided with the necessary skills.

Insights into the Tobacco Cessation Scenario among Dental Graduates: An Indian Perspective

  • Binnal, A.;Rajesh, G.;Denny, C.;Ahmed, J.
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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    • v.13 no.6
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    • pp.2611-2617
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    • 2012
  • Introduction: To curb the ever growing menace of tobacco and its ill effects, it is essential to prevent its usage. Dental professionals' contributions can be invaluable in this venture. Objectives: To assess Indian dental graduates' knowledge, attitude and practices towards tobacco cessation; perceived effectiveness in pursuing tobacco cessation activities; perception of factors that interfere in tobacco cessation as barriers; and willingness to participate in tobacco cessation. Further, to determine associations among the aforementioned variables. Methodology: All house surgeons in Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal University, Mangalore were included in the study. A structured, pre-tested and self-administered questionnaire was employed to assess participants' knowledge, attitude, behavior, perceived effectiveness, perceived barriers and willingness to participate in tobacco cessation. Information regarding respondents' age, gender and residence was collected. Results: A total of 100 out of 103 respondents participated in the study. Mean knowledge, attitude, behavior, perceived effectiveness, perceived barrier scores were $17.6{\pm}2.53$ (73.2%), $72.1{\pm}6.59$ (90.2%), $28.3{\pm}5.12$ (67.4%), $13.3{\pm}5.36$ (53.16%) and $35.0{\pm}3.79$ (89.8%) respectively. Overall, 97% respondents were willing to participate in tobacco cessation activities. Correlation analysis revealed that knowledge was associated with attitude (r=0.36, p=0.00) and perceived barriers (r=0.34, p=0.00) and behavior was associated with perceived barriers (r=0.22, p=0.03). Conclusions: Respondents reported high knowledge and attitude scores, along with high perceived barriers scores and willingness to participate in tobacco cessation activities. Present study highlights the need for a more meaningful involvement of dental professionals in tobacco cessation and has policy implications for curriculum changes regarding the same.

Studies on the Prevention of Menace to Public Health by the Ornamental Tree -Especially in South Area of Korea- (조경수목(造景樹木)에 의(依)한 공해방지(公害防止)에 관(関)한 연구(硏究) -특(特)히 남부지역(南部地域)을 중심(中心)으로-)

  • Kim, Oue-Ryong;Kim, Jae-Saing
    • Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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    • v.55 no.1
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    • pp.37-46
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    • 1982
  • These studies were carried out to know the measure of damage having an effect on the ornamental trees owing to sulfurous acid gas($So_2$) which injures much forest trees among air pollutions in south area of Korean and to know the difference of smoke resistance on the five representative species among them and therefore to establish the preventive measure of air pollutions in industrial complex of south area of Korea by the ornamental trees. The reaction formula utilized was $Na_2So_2+H_2So_4$ $Na_2So_4+H_O+So_4$. The results obtained were as follows. 1) The ornamental trees surveyed in the industrial complexes of Ul-San, Chang-Won and Po-hang belonged to 51 species, 161,699 trees in all. The most five species among 51 sorts of woody plants were Populus tomentiglandulosa, Buxus microphylla, Forsythia korenan, Juniperus chinensis and Pinus densiflora. 2) The relation between the concentration of sulfurous acid gas($So_2$) and the damage rate upon investigation in each species: In case of low concentration the destructive quantities of cells of woody plants, and the more increased the concentrations, the more increased the amount of damage. 3) The difference of smoke resistance among five species showed to be the strongest in Buxus micorphylla, the second rand Pupulus tomentiglandulosa, the third rand Forsythia koreana, the fourth rank Juniperus chinensis and the weakest in Pinus densiflora. 4) The ornamental trees of industrial complex expecially in south area of Korea in future should be planted gradually broad-leaved trees which have strong sprout, smoke resistance and thick leaved rather than comifers. 5) I think that the area of city forest in industrial complex requires about $50m^2$ per head of population and about 100m width of green belt between industrial area and residential district.

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