bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Patients comment on video-recorded consultations — the “good” GP and the “bad”
Authors: Arborelius Elisabeth , Timpka Toomas , Nyce James M. 
Published: February 2009

Patients comment on video-recorded consultations — the “good” GP and the “bad”. Arborelius, E., Timpka, T. and Nyce, J. M. (Department of Social Medicine, Linköping University and Department of Anthoropology, Brown University, USA). The aim of this study was to describe and understand patients' positive and negative experiences of General Practitioners (GPs). Forty-six consultations were videotaped in four primary health care centres in Sweden. Afterwards the patients commented on the recorded consultations. The comments were categorized and analyzed using an exploratory qualitative approach. An image of the “ good” GP emerged that had two major characteristics: that of being a caring human; an individual who listens, understands, and is concerned. At the same time, the good GP acts like an ordinary person and treats the patient as an equal. The personal relationship with the GP also influenced the choice and course of medical interventions. For the patient, the manner in which an intervention is seen is linked to whether the GPs treats the patient with respect or not. A typical experience of a ”bad” GP was that the GP appeared unreachable as a person. An example is when the patient feels that the GP was not taking his or her symptoms seriously. Another characteristic of the bad GP is failure to communicate to the patient his or her standpoint on issues raised during consultations.
Creating partnership with the food industry in the Stockholm cancer prevention program
Authors: Kanström Lena , Holm Lars-Erik , Haglund Bo J.A. 
Published: February 2009

Creating partnership with the food industry, in the Stockholm cancer prevention program. Lena Kanström, Lars-Erik Holm, and Bo J. A. Haglund. (Department of Cancer Prevention, Radiumhemmet, Karolinska Hospital, S-104 01 Stockholm and Department of Social Medicine, Karolinska Institute, S-172 83 Sundbyberg) To facilitate the supply of healthful foods in institutional kitchens and restaurants, the Stockholm Cancer Prevention Program (SCPP) produced a cookbook in collaboration with the food industry and the SCPP. Fifty different organizations participated in this work. The development of the cookbook was made in several steps and started with a recipe contest to engage chefs and employees in restaurants and institutional kitchens. Criteria for the recipes were that they should present low-fat/high-fiber meals. Complementary recipes were recived from the food industry. All recipes were tested in 20 restaurants and institutional kitchens and 11 000 lunch guests assessed the palatability of the dishes. The cookbook was presented in conjunction with a food fair in 1989 and has until now been sold in about 4 000 copies. Production of a cookbook can thus be a focal point for involving food industry, restaurants and institutional kitchens in a community intervention program aiming at a change of dietary habits.
Aspects of comfort and safety of condom
Authors: Boldsen Jesper L. , Jeune Bernard , Madsen Paul C. 
Published: February 2009

Aspects of comfort and safety of comdom. A study of two thousand intercourses among volunteer couples. Boldsen J. L., Jeune B. and Madsen P. C. Institute of Community Health, University of Odense, J. B. Winsløws Vej 17, DK-5000 Odense C, Denmark. In nearly 2000 intercourses 14 different types of condoms were tested by 80 heterosexual and seven homosexual volunteer couples. The test couples were generally quite experienced in the use off condoms. It appears that the condoms rarely (1.3%) ruptured or slipped of during the actural intercourse. This means that emphasis must be put on consistency and skill in the use of condoms rather on technical improvements in the promotion of condoms as a means of preventing the spread of sexually transmitted infections like HIV. Lubricated condoms and condoms that were not too small were preferred by both users and their partners. Other condom properties were significant but of minor concern for the participants of the study.
Morbidity and Mortality in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania in the 1980's
Authors: Zvidriņš Pēteris , Krūmiņš Juris 
Published: February 2009

The purpose of the present study was to examine the general morbidity and mortality rates in the three Baltic republics — Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania during a decade before the collapse of the Soviet Union. Official statistical data were used to compare morbidity and mortality rates. A method of standardization and life table functions were employed. Soviet morbidity statistics were predominantly descriptive, and based mainly on crude rates registered cases of illness during a year per 100 000 population. The death rates during the Soviet period are a better indicator of the health of the populations than more specific health indicators. A general deterioration of the ecological, social and economic situation in the Baltic republics at the end of the 1980s and early 1990s may have resulted in the mortality rising and aborted any trends to increasing life expectancy in the next few years thus requiring more radical reforms in health and social policy. The study demonstrates a noticeable difference in mortality rates between demographic and socio-economic groups in the Baltic states.
Indicators of “Avoidable” Mortality in Health Administrative Areas in Sweden 1974–1985
Authors: Westerling Ragnar 
Published: February 2009

When comparing health administrative areas in Sweden the variation in death rates for 13 suggested indicators of avoidable mortality was analysed for the time periods 1974–79 and 1980–85. For most indicators the variation was significant. The level of systematic (nonrandom) variance differed between the sexes for certain conditions. According to the theory of mass-significance it would be appropriate to use a sharpened significance test of high SMRs. For certain health policy indicators it was possible to detect areas accounting for nearly all the deviation above the national standard using a sharpened test ( p < 0.001). For most medical care indicators, however, the high death rates had a lower level of significance. When sensitivity is given priority an ordinary test ( p < 0.05) should be preferred. This means, however, dealing with potential false positive warning signals. Epidemiological surveillance of indicators of avoidable mortality should be the starting point for in-depth studies.
Predictors of Smoking Cessation in Pregnancy
Authors: Olsen Jørn 
Published: February 2009

Smoking cessation is difficult to obtain, even among pregnant women who should be highly motivated to quit. Identification of predictors of unsuccessful smoking cessation may be of help in identifying pregnant smokers who need special attention in order to reduce or eliminate the intrauterine tobacco smoke exposure. The study was done in two consequtive samples of pregnant women in Odense and Aalborg, Denmark. Altogether 13815 pregnant women participated in the study by reporting detailed information on their lifestyle during pregnancy and before pregnancy. Recruitment of pregnant women started in 1984 and ended in 1987. The study is based upon self-administered questionnaires filled out in the 36th week of gestation. Only those who were smokers prior to the pregnancy are included in the study (5724). The study showed that the strongest predictors of unsuccessful smoking cessation were: the level of smoking prior to pregnancy, coffee consumption, and the partners smoking habits. Parity, school education, and social status also played a role but were less strongly associated with continous smoking in pregnancy.
Medications and Chronic Diseases as Risk Factors for Falling Injuries in the Elderly
Authors: Ryynänen Olli-Pekka , Kivelä Sirkka-Liisa , Honkanen Risto , Laippala Pekka , Saano Veijo 
Published: February 2009

Diseases and medications associated with the occurrence of falls leading to medical treatment in elderly Finns (65 yrs or older) during a one-year period are presented. The design was that of a case-control study involving 380 fallers seeking medical treatment and 342 unmatched controls selected randomly from the population register.The occurrence of a fall was shown by logistic regression analysis to be related to advanced age, presence of benzodiazepine in the serum, hypertrophy of the prostate, poor mental capacity, presence of chronic lung disease and asthma, use of analgesies and use of digitalis in the men, and to advanced age, poor mental capacity, presence of benzodiazepine in the serum, use of analgesies and non-occurrence of lower limb arthrosis in the women. The corresponding log-linear models showed advanced age and the presence of benzodiazepine in the serum to be independent risk factors for falling both in the men and women. Furthermore, the use of analgesies was related to falling in the women with normal mental capacities. No disease was independently associated with falls. The results suggest caution in the use of benzodiazepines among the elderly.
Short communication
Authors: Andersson Anna-Lena , Dahlbäck Lars-Olof , Allebeck Peter 
Published: February 2009

The aim of the study was to assess long term outcome of injuries from traffic accidents with focus on psychosocial aspects. Eighty-four persons injured in traffic accicents and with moderate to severe injuries (ISS ≥9) were interviewed approximately two years after the accident. We examined psychosocial consequences within eight different domains; sequelae of the injury, psychological consequences, sickness compensation received, living conditions, need of assistance, working capacity, economic situation and leisure time activity. Sixty-eight percent of the persons reported that they still suffered from physical seqelae and 57% had been or were still suffering from psychological distress after the accident. Sixty-three percent were on the sick-list for at least three months because of the accident. Fifty-eight percent needed some type of handicap aid during some time after the accident. For 29% of the professionally employed the traffic accident led to changed working conditions. The study indicates a need not only for adequate medical treatment, but also psychological and social counseling in the rehabilitation of victims of traffic accidents. Resources for crisis intervention should also be available at an early stage.
Social Network, Social Support and the Prevalence of Neck and Low Back Pain after Retirement
Authors: Isacsson Agneta , Hanson Bertil S. , Ranstam Jonas , Råstam Lennart , Isacsson Sven-Olof 
Published: February 2009

In this study we investigated the importance of social network and social support systems outside the workplace and workload and psyshological job strain in former work for the prevalence of daily neck and low back pain. The study population ( n = 621) comprised a random half of all male residents in Malmö, Sweden, born in 1914, of whom 500 (80.5%) participated. Two of the social network and social support indices (social anchorage and availability of material and informational support) were independent of life-style factors (leisure time physical activity, smoking and alcohol consumption) related to daily neck and back pain after retirement (OR = 2.0, 95% CI 1.2–3.4 and OR = 1.7, 95% CI 1.0–2.7, respectively), while the psycho-social and physical factors in former work were not. As no conclusion about the direction of the association can be drawn, prospective studies are needed to further explore these findings.
Physicians' Experience with Norplant® Implantable Contraceptives in Finland
Authors: Ollila Eeva , Hemminki Elina , Kajesalo Kristiina 
Published: February 2009

Norplant® contraceptives are manufactured in Finland, but the majority of Norplant® users live in the Third World. The objective of this study was to study Finnish family planning physicians' experience with and attitudes towards Norplant® contraceptives. Three data sources were used: (1) review of articles published in non-commercial Finnish medical journals between 1980 and 1990, (2) a sample of eleven physicians known to have experience with Norplant® and chosen by a snow-ball method, and (3) a random sample of 22 physicians in charge of public family planning services stratified by municipality and degree of urbanization. The articles reflected a positive attitude towards Norplant®, but the authors did not believe that Norplant® should replace any previous method of contraception. In the random sample the amount of experience with Norplant® was low. In both groups the general attitude towards Norplant® was reserved. It was not used as a method of first choice, but was considered a good method for carefully selected women. Norplant® was considered troublesome for the physician, requiring surgical procedures, producing side-effects and demanding time for counselling. Adequate use of Norplant® calls for a good health care infrastructure, hygienic facilities and trained personnel. These are often lacking in Third World settings.
Social Network, Social Support and the Concept of Control — a Qualitative Study Concerning the Validity of Certain Stressor Measures Used in Quantitative Social Epidemiology
Authors: Östergren P.-O. , Lindbladh E. , Isacsson S.-O. , Odeberg H. , Svensson S.-E. 
Published: February 2009

Twenty-five in-depth interviews were made with middle-aged persons of both sexes, who had suffered a first myocardial infarction (MI) two months previously. The purpose was to assess the layman's understanding of concepts such as social network, social support and control which are exposures commonly used or suggested for use in quantitative research in the area of social epidemiology. The validity of the instruments and the underlying concepts in assessing such exposures has important implications for the interpretation of the association between psychosocial factors and health or health behavior. The layman's understanding of social network and social support concepts seemed unproblematic, but the concept of control was understood in rather disparate ways among those interviewed. The experience of control/decision latitude in the work environment, seemed to form a model for the overall understanding of control among several of those interviewed and there also seemed to be important differences based on gender. Another impression, was that the individual's level of aspiration might be an important confounder in the assessment of control in population studies. It is therefore suggested that epidemiologcal data should be stratifyed by basic demographic variables like age, sex and social class in analyses including the control variable, to improve the valid use of this type of measure.
The Relationship of Coffee Consumption to Various Self-Reported Cardiovascular Events in Middle-Aged Norwegian Men and Women
Authors: Stensvold Inger , Tverdal Aage 
Published: February 2009

The association between number of cups of coffee consumed per day and self-reported heart infarction, angina pectoris, or symptoms of angina pectoris was studied in 11635 men and 11785 women, aged 40-54 years, who attended two cardiovascular screenings. Questionnaire information on heart infarction has previously been found to be reliable. Altogether 240, 201 and 241 men reported heart infarction, angina pectoris (without heart infarction) and symptoms of angina pectoris, respectively, at the last, but not at the first screening. The corresponding figures for women were 35, 102 and 395. Univariate analysis showed a positive association between number of cups of coffee and self-reported heart infarction. The same applies to self-reported angina pectoris. After adjustment for major coronary risk factors, the associations became weaker. The relative risks of self-reported heart infarction between users of nine or more cups and users of less than one cup were 1.7 (95% CI: 1.0, 3.0) and 1.5 (0.3, 7.5) in men and women, respectively. The relative risks were smaller than those found in a previous study relating coffee consumption to coronary heart disease mortality. For self-reported angina pectoris the corresponding relative risks were 1.4 (0.8, 2.7) for men and 2.7 (1.1, 6.7) for women. The study is suggestive of a modest relationship between coffee consumption and self-reported occurrence of both heart infarction and angina pectoris.
Is moderate alcohol intake in pregnancy associated with the craniofacial features related to the fetal alcohol syndrome?
Authors: Olsen Jørn , Tuntiseranee Pitchaya 
Published: February 2009

Social drinking in pregnancy is common in many countries despite the fact that alcohol in high doses has teratogenic properties. The public health implications would be appreciable if even moderate alcohol consumption were associated with embryonal or fetal maldevelopment. A presumably sensitive marker of an alcohol effect was used in this study, namely the fetal craniofacial features included in the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. The study was based upon self-reported alcohol intake and photographs taken at birth or at 18 months of children born to mothers with a low or moderate alcohol intake during pregnancy. These women were selected during pregnancy by a two-stage sampling from all in well defined regions. Data were available concerning 323 pregnant women and some 200 to 220 children. A short palpebral fissure, a short nose to upper-lip distance and a broad root of the nose were expected to be associated with alcohol intake in early pregnancy, but such an association was only seen between binge drinking and a short palpebral fissure. No associations proved statistically significant at the 18-month examination and any association could merely be secondary to the known association between alcohol and birth weight.
Moderate alcohol consumption in pregnancy and subsequent left-handedness. A follow-up study
Authors: Olsen Jørn 
Published: February 2009

Alcohol in high doses is neurotoxic to the developing brain but it is not yet settled whether small doses give rise to more subtle effects. The aim of the study was to establish whether a moderate intake of alcohol in pregnancy would increase the frequency of left-handedness in the offspring. Such an association could indicate a possible subtle prenatal neurotoxic effect. This was a follow-up study of a group of pregnant women who took part in a community trial in 1984 to 1987. Data on alcohol consumption were reported by consecutively sampled pregnant women in the 36th week of gestation. Hand preference for their offspring was reported by the mothers in a self-administered questionnaire when their children were 5 to 9 years old. Ninety-one percent participated in the follow-up study. The study showed that 9.1% of the children were left-handed, with a higher prevalence among boys (11.8%). Results showed a slightly higher frequency of being left-handed among children exposed to alcohol in fetal life, but the findings were not statistically significant at a 0.05 level.
Sexual victimization in Norwegian children and adolescents
Authors: Pedersen Willy , Aas Henrik 
Published: February 2009

A random sample of 465 Norwegian adolescents (mean age 19.3 years) from the general population answered a questionnaire related to sexual victimization. 17.2% of the girls reported being sexually assaulted, 6.8% in childhood and 10.4% during their teens. Only 0.9% of the boys reported such experiences. Three patterns of victimization were identified: Prepubertal girls abused by adult men, usually relatives or other trusted superiors. Adolescent girls victimized by their boyfriends, other peers and — to a lesser degree — unknown persons. A small group of girls reporting continual assaults by several offenders. By the end of their teens, it is assumed that 2.8% of the girls have experienced ‘grave’ and prolonged sexual abuse, which invariably started during childhood. Another 7.6% have experienced ‘serious’ assaults, either in childhood or in adolescence.
Determining the appropriate level of care. An analysis of factors affecting the staff's overall needs assessments, using data collected through the ASIM monitoring system
Authors: Lagergren Mårten 
Published: February 2009

For the purpose of evaluating the validity of the staff's overall needs assessment in terms of the ‘appropriate level of care’ as a measure of resource needs — with particular emphasis on the need for institutional resources — an analysis was made concerning the relation of the assessment to various other factors. In the analysis, we used data collected in a survey undertaken in Solna municipality on November 1, 1991 according to the ASIM monitoring system. It was found by multiple regression analysis, that the ‘appropriate level of care’ was closely related to the client's degree of disability, age, and actual level of care. On the other hand, variables describing the client's social situation — marital status, single-living, informal social support, standard and accessibility of housing — bore no relation to the assessment of need for institutional care. Chiefly because of the close relation to the actual level of care it was concluded that the staff's overall assessment of ‘appropriate level of care’ should be used with a degree of caution as measure of the need for institutional resources, since it would tend to overrate that need. A more systematic needs assessment procedure is required in order to provide the municipal authorities with unbiased estimates of institutional resource needs.
Validity of information on gynecological operations in the Swedish in-patient registry
Authors: Falkeborn Margareta , Persson Ingemar , Naessén Tord , Kressner Ulf 
Published: February 2009

In order to validate information held at the Swedish Inpatient Registry on oophorectomy and/or hysterectomy procedures, the register codes were compared with data from the medical records in a random sample of 1,338 women. Only 1% of these codes were missing but 5% were erroneous, which in most cases meant that the oophorectomy had been misclassified. The positive predictive value of operation codes was high, ranging from 86 to 100% of the registered events. The actual procedures among women registered with a code for hysterectomy with or without oophorectomy comprised hysterectomy alone in 47% of the women and hysterectomy with a bilateral or unilateral oophorectomy in 30% and 20%, respectively. The reliability of register codes for major gynecological surgical procedures is good, but when the code for hysterectomy is used, medical record data are needed to ascertain the ovarian status. Revised codes are therefore recommended.
Is left-handedness a sensitive marker of prenatal exposures or indicators of fetal growth?
Authors: Olsen Jørn 
Published: February 2009

Left-handedness has been suggested as a sensitive marker of neurotoxic exposures or of the hormonal environment in fetal life. The prevalence of left-handedness was the subject of a follow-up study in children aged 5 to 9 years and correlated to exposures recorded by their mothers during pregnancy. Altogether 965 children were studied by means of questionnaires completed by the mothers. The response rate was 91%. Smoking, head circumference, Apgar score and indicators of fetal growth retardation were found not to be associated with increased prevalence of left-handedness.