Canadian journal of public health = Revue canadienne de santé publique
-
Can J Public Health · Nov 2007
Patterns of medication use among women survivors of intimate partner violence.
Our objective was to describe patterns of medication use in a convenience sample of 309 women with a history of intimate partner violence (IPV) participating in a study of women's health after leaving an abusive partner (WHES). ⋯ The pattern of medication use in women who have experienced IPV differs from that in the general population. The complex associations found among health problems, employment, diagnoses, and medication use highlight the need to consider treatment patterns within the context of the impact of lifetime abuse, economic survival, and parenting demands. Medication use must be understood as only one of a range of health interventions available to assist abused women to promote their health.
-
Regular statin use is an important tool in chronic disease management, lowering cholesterol levels and reducing risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The objectives of this study are to describe statin use in Canada by comorbidity and lifestyle risk factors, and determine persistence in statin use. ⋯ While statin use increased over time, was associated with CVD and diabetes, and to a lesser extent with increased BMI, a substantive underuse in high-risk patients remains. Helping high-risk people to increase statin use continues to be a priority for health care professionals.
-
Can J Public Health · Sep 2007
Anatomy of heat waves and mortality in Toronto: lessons for public health protection.
Periods of unusually hot weather, especially in temperate climates, carry with them a burden of morbidity and mortality, particularly in urban areas. With lessening debate on its origins, and signs of global warming already apparent, it is becoming imperative for public health practitioners to recognize and predict the risks of "heat waves", and to develop protective community responses to them. This study makes use of historical data and a methodology developed previously to examine the pattern of hot weather experienced over the last five decades in the City of Toronto, and to assess the associated burden of mortality. ⋯ The method can be used to forecast the risk of heat-related mortality, and to facilitate the development of public health responses to mitigate that risk.
-
Can J Public Health · May 2007
Factors associated with reluctance to use an emergency department in a multi-ethnic community: results of a telephone survey.
Delays in seeking emergency care when experiencing serious symptoms may increase morbidity and mortality. Understanding the reasons for such delays may result in interventions to reduce them. We examined the relationship between ethnicity and the reluctance to use an emergency department (ED). ⋯ Canadian-born participants may be at higher risk of delaying necessary treatment from EDs that have been publicized to have long waiting times. Further studies are needed to understand the role ethnicity plays in ED utilization.
-
Can J Public Health · May 2007
Confusion between euthanasia and other end-of-life decisions: influences on public opinion poll results.
Public opinion polls indicate that a majority of Canadians are in favour of euthanasia. However, there have been many criticisms of the validity of these findings. The objective of this study was to assess public opinion towards euthanasia while controlling for possible threats to validity indicated in the literature review. ⋯ Public opinion polls on euthanasia must be interpreted in the light of the wording of the question. Education of the population concerning euthanasia and other end-of-life decisions may be considered to be an important prerequisite to engage in public debate concerning the legalization of euthanasia.