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Biomedical subjects

A J Søgaard

Publications and source records attributed to A J Søgaard.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

The Tromsø Study: body height, body mass index and fractures.

Tall persons suffer more hip fractures than shorter persons, and high body mass index is associated with fewer hip and forearm fractures. We have studied the association between body height, body mass index and all non-vertebral fractures in a large, prospective, population-based study. The middle-aged population of Tromsø, Norway, was invited to surveys in 1979/80, 1986/87 and 1994/95 (The Tromsø Study). Of 16,676 invited to the first two surveys, 12,270 attended both times (74%). Height and weight were measured without shoes at the surveys, and all non-vertebral fractures in the period 1988-1995 were registered (922 persons with fractures) and verified by radiography. The risk of a low-energy fracture was found to be positively associated with increasing body height and with decreasing body mass index. Furthermore, men who had gained weight had a lower risk of hip fractures, and women who had gained weight had a lower risk of fractures in the lower extremities. High body height is thus a risk factor for fractures, and 1 in 4 low-energy fractures among women today might be ascribed to the increase in average stature since the turn of the century. Low body mass index is associated with a higher risk of fractures, but the association is probably too weak to have any clinical relevance in this age category.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

The Tromsø Study: physical activity and the incidence of fractures in a middle-aged population.

We have studied the relation of occupational and recreational physical activity to fractures at different locations. All men born between 1925 and 1959 and all women born between 1930 and 1959 in the city of Tromsø were invited to participate in surveys in 1979-1980 and 1986-1987 (The Tromsø Study). Of 16,676 invited persons, 12,270 (73.6%) attended both surveys. All nonvertebral fractures (n = 1435) sustained from 1988 to 1995 were registered in the only hospital in the area. Average age in the middle of the follow-up period (December 31, 1991) was 47.3 years among men and 4501 years among women, ranging from 32 to 66 years. Fracture incidence increased with age at all locations among women, but it decreased with or was independent of age among men. Low-energetic fractures constituted 74.4% of all fractures among women and 55.2% among men. When stratifying by fracture location, the most physically active persons among those 45 years or older suffered fewer fractures in the weight-bearing skeleton (relative risk [RR] 0.6, confidence interval [CI] 0.4-0.9, age-adjusted), but not in the non-weight-bearing skeleton (RR 1.0, CI 0.7-1.2, age-adjusted) compared with sedentary persons. The relative-risk of a low-energetic fracture in the weight-bearing skeleton among the most physically active middle-aged was 0.3 (CI 0.1-0.7) among men and 0.9 (CI 0.4-1.8) among women compared with the sedentary when adjusted for age, body mass index, body height, tobacco smoking, and alcohol and milk consumption. It seems that the beneficial effect on the skeleton of weight-bearing activity is reflected also in the incidence of fractures at different sites.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

[Effects of a TV mental health campaign 1992].

A 1992 one-Sunday fund-raising TV-show was broadcasted by the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation. The six-hour TV-show included information on mental health intermingled with entertainment and money-counting results. The mass media had covered the forthcoming TV-show extensively. The campaign has been evaluated through a stratified random sample of the population who were questioned before (n = 1,191) and after (n = 644) the campaign. Almost 94% were aware of the campaign and more than 60% watched the campaign day TV-show. Nearly 70% had read about psychiatric disorders and 45% had discussed the campaign topic with others. The proportion who were aware that suicide takes more lives than traffic accidents, and the proportion with an open attitude to mental illness had increased significantly after the campaign (p < 0.001). After the campaign, a higher proportion would recommend a person with a minor mental disorder to visit a general practitioner (p < 0.001). Through its penetrating effect the Norwegian Mental Health Campaign put mental health issues on the cultural agenda, and succeeded in changing people's knowledge and attitudes.

Female↗
PubMed1996

[Osteoporosis. Knowledge and attitudes of the Norwegian population].

In March 1994, a random sample of 1,514 Norwegians aged 16-79 years were interviewed about their knowledge of osteoporosis and their attitudes towards prevention of this disease. About 85% answered correctly that osteoporosis can be prevented, but only 57% knew that it cannot be cured. Women had better knowledge of osteoporosis than men had. Two thirds of the women were positive to the use of long-term hormone replacement therapy to prevent osteoporosis. The majority of women aged 60 years or more preferred walking to other physical activities to prevent the disease. Although the data demonstrated fairly good general knowledge of osteoporosis in the population, the oldest women, those at the highest risk of developing the disease, knew less about osteoporosis than the younger women did.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

The Harstad Injury Prevention Study: prevention of burns in small children by a community-based intervention.

Burns are known to cause considerable morbidity and mortality, and scalding is the most common type of burn injury in small children. A community-based injury prevention programme was initiated in the Norwegian city of Harstad (22,000 inhabitants) in 1987 and evaluated by means of data from a hospital-based injury recording system. One part of the programme aimed at reducing burns in children below 5 years of age. Accident analyses based on the local database revealed coffee to be the most frequent liquid causing scalds, which mostly occurred in the kitchen. Sixty-six per cent of the injured were boys and two-thirds were below 2 years of age. The prevention study was divided in a baseline period (19.5 months) with no local intervention-and a succeeding 7-year period containing a wide range of active and passive prevention strategies. From the first to the second period the mean burn injury rate decreased 52.9 per cent, from 52.4 to 24.7 per 10,000 person years (P < 0.05). In a reference city located 1,000 km away, the rates increased from 61.9 to 68.0 per 10,000 person years (NS). The burn injury rate reduction was considered mainly attributable to the strengthening of public participation and the enhancement of community empowerment achieved by recording and actively using the local burn injury data.

Burns↗
PubMed1994

Finnmark Heart Study: employment status and parenthood as predictors of psychological health in women, 20-49 years.

This study examined the influence of employment status and presence of young children in the household on psychological health in a population-based sample of 3103 women aged 20-49 years. Women were classified by employment status and parental status, thus creating four groups for comparison. After excluding women reporting chronic diseases and women receiving sickness, rehabilitation, unemployment or disability benefits, analyses indicated that problems of coping, dissatisfaction with life, depression and loneliness were greatest among homemakers, particularly among those with young children. Analyses adjusted for age, education, marital status and place of residence yielded similar results. Stratification by marital status and place of residence revealed two exceptions to this general pattern: unmarried employed women with young children had the highest rate of coping problems--and parenthood, not employment status, was the most important factor for psychological health problems in rural areas. Discrepancies between an individual's behaviour and the norm in society regarding women's employment, may partly explain the findings.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1992

[Knowledge about the attitude to mental disorders. An interview study prior to last autumn's TV-action].

In June 1992 a random sample of 1,191 Norwegians were interviewed about their knowledge concerning mental disorders and psychiatric research, and their attitudes in this connection. The study shows that people tend to underestimate the prevalence of mental illness, and they are less willing to talk freely about a mental disorder in the family than about cancer. People have a relatively good understanding of the aetiology of mental disorders. They are less willing, however, to support psychiatric research financially compared with cancer research.

Attitude to Health↗
PubMed1992

Self-reported change in health behaviour after a mass media-based health education campaign.

A comprehensive short-term fund-raising campaign, was launched in 1987 by a health charity organization in cooperation with the only Norwegian TV-channel covering the whole country. The campaign which was extensively announced on TV and other media and which involved large proportions of the population, finished up with a six hour TV-show on the fund-raising day. Because a considerable amount of information on prevention of heart disease was presented in connection with the campaign, it is presently evaluated as a nationwide health education campaign. Twenty-two per cent of the population reported changes in one or more habits in connection with the campaign (one third of them took more exercise, while one quarter reduced/quit their smoking). Health behaviour change among family/friends, reported new knowledge of health and worry created by the campaign, were the factors most clearly associated with self-reported behaviour change. The paper discusses the magnitude of the effects of the campaign in relation to the study design, and the importance of social environment and fear arousal on health behaviour.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[The Heart for Life action in 1987. Effects on health behavior related factors].

A comprehensive short-term campaign aimed of raising money to benefit a health charity organization also contained a considerable amount of information on prevention of heart disease. The campaign ended up with a six-hour TV-show broadcast by the only Norwegian TV channel covering the whole country. The 1987 fund-raising, which was extensively announced in TV and other media and involved large groups of the population, has been evaluated as a nationwide mass media-based health education campaign through a stratified random sample of 976 persons aged 15 years or more. 96% of the population were aware of the campaign, 72% had watched TV in addition to the news reports, 47% reported having acquired new knowledge and 22% reported having changed one or more habits as a result of the campaign. The factors most clearly associated with self-reported change of behaviour were a change of health behaviour by family/friends, new information and worry created by the campaign. The paper discusses the magnitude of the effects in relation to the weak design of the study, and elaborates upon the importance for impact on social environment, knowledge and arousal of fear for health behaviour.

Attitude to Health↗
PubMed1991

Recent changes in health related dental behaviors in Norway.

There has been a substantial decrease in the prevalence of caries in younger age groups in the western world during the last 15 years. A corresponding increase has been reported regarding use of preventive remedies. Since prevention and control of dental disease is highly dependent upon personal behavior, investigations of dental health behaviors within subgroups of the population are important for future preventive strategies. Occurrence and changes in individual dental health behaviors in Norway were studied through four sets of cross-sectional data collected in 1981, 1983, 1985, and 1987. Personal interviews performed by trained interviewers were held with probability samples, each of about 1400 persons, covering the Norwegian population aged 15 and above. During the 6-yr period the proportion of individuals who brushed their teeth and used fluoride dentifrice every day increased. The number of people who used toothpicks or dental floss every day also increased from 1981 to 1985. A marked decrease was, however, observed in use of interdental remedies from 1985 to 1987. Daily use of dental floss was reduced by 10 percent points. Logistic regression showed that the reduction in the probability of using interdental aids was most pronounced among those with few teeth. Lower importance attached to dental health education, at all levels, combined with difficult economic times since 1987, might account for the decrease in daily use of interdental aids in Norway.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

The penetrating educational effect of a mass-media based fund-raising campaign "heart for life".

A one-Sunday fund-raising TV-show in 1987 was broadcasted by the state-owned TV-channel in Norway which is the only channel covering the whole country. The six-hour TV-show consisted of a considerable amount of information on risk of heart disease intermingled with entertainment and money-counting results. Mass media had covered the forthcoming TV-show extensively. The show is presently evaluated as a nationwide mass-media based health education campaign through a stratified random sample of 976 persons aged 15 years and above. More than 95% of the population were aware of the campaign and 75% followed the TV-show beyond the news reports. The sampled persons were asked for self-reported changes in health knowledge and behaviour. Fifty-seven per cent reported that they gained new knowledge and 25% reported behaviour changes in a positive direction. Women reported more knowledge gain than men. Low socioeconomic groups reported more gain in knowledge and more positive changes in health behaviour than high groups. A close association was found between reported new knowledge and change of health behaviour (p less than 0.001). The results of the study indicate that this campaign has reached segments of the population that previously have been difficult to reach and that this is possibly due to the extensive advance coverage of the show in the mass media and the "entertaining" character of the show with emotional appeals in addition to factual information.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

[Increasing effectiveness of dental health care service. Could funds be saved by increased delegation to dental hygienists?].

The size and composition of the oral health team is in a changing process, and in Norway we find striking regional differences in the role of hygienists. The main differences are found between the regions delegating more of the screening/diagnosis and fissure sealing to the hygienists and those who do not. The present study examines cost-benefit aspects related to extension of the functions of dental hygienists. Treatment needs and actual functions of hygienists were studied in the Tromsø municipality, limited to the public sector and to the care of 3-16 year olds. Reduced need for dentists and net reduction in cost was calculated for a "moderate" alternative (hygienists do all diagnostic work and fissure sealings) and a "radical" alternative (hygienists do diagnostic work, fissure sealings and occlusal fillings). Findings revealed that the "moderate" alternative would release up to 15 per cent of the number of dentists occupied in the dental health care of children and adolescents. The additional effect by applying the "radical" alternative was found to be moderate. Although more dental hygienists must be employed to take over this work, about 40 mill NOK pr year could be saved in Norway by this delegation reform. This amount is about 6% of the total expenses of the Public Dental Health Service. To delegate more tasks to dental hygienists might provide the dentists with a more challenging and varied workday. Dentists will be able to carry out more of the complex operations demanding their special skills and training.

Cost Control↗
PubMed1987

The effect of 2 teaching programs on the gingival health of 15-year-old schoolchildren.

The present study evaluated the effect of 2 different dental health education programs on schoolchildren's gingival health and identified the subgroups best reached with these programs. The traditional program was the same as the yearly recurrent Dental Health Week (DHW)--comprising an informational package submitted to the teachers. The comprehensive program was in addition to the DHW-package, based on principles in social learning theory and research. Data from 15 schools in 5 municipalities, comprising 1167 students, were used. 1/3 of the children made up a reference group. Each subject was clinically examined 3 weeks before and 3 weeks after the intervention, and rated by using the non-bleeding papillae index (NBP). A questionnaire was completed by each of the 15-year-olds at the time of the second examination. The overall increase in NBP-index scores was from 38.9% to 43.1% in the traditional program and from 45.4% to 52.1% in the comprehensive one. The difference between the programs was not significant. After adjusting for social status variables, sex and initial bleeding, an effect of the comprehensive program appeared (p less than 0.01). The strongest effect of the comprehensive program was found among the schoolchildren with poor initial gingival health. Our findings support the theory of active participation, visualization and involvement of parents.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Irregular users of dental services among Norwegian adults.

In 1979-80 a nationwide random sample of 1511 Norwegians, aged 16-79 years, were asked a series of questions about dental health and related factors (behavior, attitude, knowledge, social network, interpersonal communication, and 'health locus of control'). The purposes of the study were to describe the irregular users of dental services and to find mutable factors that could distinguish the regular from the irregular users. 17.4% of the dentate women and 21.7% of the men reported visiting the dentist less than once a year. Among the background variables, age and income/education were the most powerful predictors of use of dental services. Different patterns of behavioral characteristics were found among women as compared with men. The mutable factors that made a significant distinction between the regular and irregular users were use of interdental remedies, use of fluoride, social network, and health attitude (only among women). To a great extent, sociopsychologic and behavioral factors seemed to act through the demographic and economic variables in predicting the regularity of dental attendance.

Adolescent↗