Many developed countries are faced with the problem of reorganizing their tuberculosis-control programme to bring it into line with modern conditions. The study reported was undertaken to provide guidelines for this reorganization. It was begun in the district of Kolín, Czechoslovakia, with a population of some 100 000, in 1961 and is still in progress. The paper covers the first 4 years of the study.In 1961 a thorough check-up was made on all persons registered as having active or inactive tuberculosis, or fibrotic lung lesions. In 1961 and 1963 a mass X-ray and tuberculin-testing campaign, with 95% coverage, was carried out for all persons over 14 years of age. All persons with active tuberculosis received adequate treatment. Persons registered as having tuberculosis or suspected tuberculosis were subjected to regular photofluorographic and bacteriological investigations. Newborn infants were given BCG vaccination, and persons aged 14 years and 19 years with negative tuberculin reactions were vaccinated.The prevalence of bacillary tuberculosis fell from 150 cases in 1960 to 91 in 1964, mainly owing to a decrease in the number of chronic cases. The incidence of bacillary tuberculosis detectable by direct smear microscopy, however, remained at about 25 cases throughout the period 1961-64. The risk of developing tuberculosis was found to be highest in persons with fibrotic lung lesions or inactive tuberculosis, and in men above 45 years of age and women above 65 with previously normal photofluorograms.It is concluded from the study that in developed countries priority should be given to adequate treatment of all persons with active tuberculosis, and to early diagnosis in persons consulting physicians and in the high-risk population groups.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A case-control study of lung cancer among Czech women.

Few data are available to explain the continuing increase in lung cancer mortality among Czech women. The study was designed to examine the role of active smoking and other known or suspected factors. Data collected by personal interviews during the 15 months of a hospital-based case control study are reported. A total of 140 microscopically confirmed cases and 280 frequency-matched controls were analysed using multiple logistic regression. Cigarette smoking was the most important factor associated with excess risk for lung cancer among women. Significantly increased risk was found both among current smokers (OR=11.20, 95% CI 5.9-21.2), and ex-smokers (OR=10.02, 95% CI 5.5-18.4). Positive dose-response gradients (P<0.001) were observed between lung cancer risk and the daily number of cigarettes, duration of smoking, number of pack-years, inhaling, and grade of nicotine dependence assessed by the Fagerström test (Heatherton TF, Kozlowski LT, Frecker RC, Fagerström KO. Br J Addict 1991;86:1119-1470; Pomerleau OF. In: Bolliger CT, Fagerström KO, editors. The Tobacco Epidemic. Basle: Karger, 1997: 122-131). Exposure to environmental smoke was associated with elevated lung cancer risk (OR=3.58, for lifetime non-smokers exposed both in childhood and in adult age). Physical exercise and body mass index were inversely associated with lung cancer risk. For the category of physical exercise of more than 5 h per week, the odds ratio was 0.38, compared to subjects admitting no physical exercise. For body mass index, the odds ratio for the highest (compared to the lowest) quartile was 0.50. Chronic cough and phlegm (at least 3 months per year) were associated with excess risk (OR=6.07) only if their duration was less than 2 years before diagnosis of lung cancer, and, therefore, they were suspected of being more likely early symptoms of preclinical lung cancer rather than its cause. Our results support the statement that cigarette smoking is by far the most important cause of the on-going epidemic of lung cancer among Czech women, and are consistent with the concept of a balance between risk and protective factors whose eventual maintenance or alteration determine the development of disease (as suggested by Rylander R, Axelsson G, Andersson L, Liljequist T, Bergman B. Lung Cancer 1996;14(Suppl 1): S75-S83). Concerted control of smoking appears to be an urgent priority in lung cancer prevention among women, including specific approaches targeted on the female population.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Epidemiology of chronic non specific respiratory disease and the smoking-control program in young people.

In an epidemiological study in the Kolin-District, Czechoslovakia, the percentage of cigarette-smokers was 57% of the male inhabitants aged 15 years and over, and 14% of the females of the same age group. The greatest proportion of cigarette smokers was in the age-group 25-34 years. The prevalence of chronic bronchitis was 13% of all males aged 15 years and over, and 4% of all females. An association of chronic bronchitis with age and smoking habits was found, in both sexes. In another study in the Prague-District No. 7 the smoking habits of male adolescents were related to their socio-economic status. Conclusions of epidemiological studies are important for the formulation and accomplishment of smoking-control program in young people. Health education should encourage school-children and adolescents by methods corresponding to their age to participate actively in the formation of a healthy style of their life.

Adolescent↗