Preventive medicine
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Preventive medicine · Mar 1995
Multicenter Study Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical TrialIncreased cancer screening behavior in women of color by culturally sensitive video exposure.
Electronic media have demonstrated efficacy in increasing knowledge and promoting health-protective behavior among individuals at high risk for chronic disease. In "Stimulating Cancer Screening among Women of Color through Video" (A. K. Yancey and L. Walden, 1994, J Cancer Educ 9:46-52) the development of a cost-effective documentary format for culturally sensitive health education videos was described. These videos could not be independently evaluated within the cancer control program for which they were developed. ⋯ Culturally sensitive videos displayed in waiting rooms may be useful in health promotion efforts in communities of color. The similarity of results in both clinic sites suggests that Spanish-language tapes may be constructed to appeal to Latinos of different nationalities.
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Preventive medicine · Mar 1995
Comparative StudyIs serum cotinine a better measure of cigarette smoking than self-report?
To address the question of whether serum cotinine is a better measure of cigarette smoking than self-reported behavior by examining the relation of biochemical, physical examination, and depression assessments to self-reported cigarette consumption and serum cotinine in a population-based sample. ⋯ Serum cotinine may be a better method of quantifying risks from cigarette use in epidemiological studies.
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Preventive medicine · Mar 1995
Beliefs and attitudes as determinants of cervical cancer screening: a community-based study in Singapore.
The investigation of cervical cancer screening acceptance in relation to health beliefs and attitudes presents a challenge in a multiethnic population such as Singapore's, where the uptake is currently suboptimal in high-risk groups. This study attempts to identify cognitive barriers to screening activity in order to suggest possible directions for cervical cancer prevention efforts. ⋯ The means of increasing the acceptance of the Pap smear, both for the first time and subsequently, are culture-specific and must address the appropriate health beliefs and attitudes. In Singapore, such efforts should include not only influencing awareness and perceptions through public education but also reducing barriers by creating an appropriate environment for the delivery of this important health service.
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Preventive medicine · Jan 1995
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialA controlled evaluation of a fitness and nutrition intervention program on cardiovascular health in 10- to 12-year-old children.
Programs to improve cardiovascular health in schoolchildren need careful scientific evaluation. ⋯ Teacher-implemented health packages are feasible with minimal training but programs should differ between boys and girls. Fitness programs were more successful than nutrition education particularly in girls. Clearer nutrition messages should prevent reciprocal changes in sugar and fat. For girls, the 3 mm Hg reduction of diastolic blood pressure, less obesity, and increased fitness could translate into a substantial reduction in cardiovascular risk in adult life.
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Snuff dipping as practiced in North America and Western Europe is causally associated with cancer of the oral cavity and pharynx. In the Sudan, natives use local Nicotiana rustica, a tobacco species with high levels of nicotine and nornicotine, to prepare their own snuff which they call toombak. The finely ground tobacco leaves are mixed with sodium bicarbonate, water is added, and a paste is made. The resulting "saffa" is placed in the oral vestibule where it remains up to several hours. In general, a saffa is replaced 10-30 times per day. ⋯ The need for in-depth epidemiological studies and further laboratory research to prove that toombak chewing causes cancer is discussed. The data at hand point to the urgent need for educational programs and preventive measures against the use of toombak.