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Biomedical subjects

Alice M Horowitz

Publications and source records attributed to Alice M Horowitz.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Opinions of South Carolina dental students toward tobacco use interventions.

OBJECTIVES: Tobacco use accounts for 75 percent of oral cancer deaths in the United States. One objective of Healthy People 2010 is to increase the percentage of dentists who provide smoking cessation counseling. However, studies of dentists have shown that the majority feel inadequately prepared to do so. The objective of this study was to determine the opinions of dental students at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) regarding the provision of tobacco use interventions for patients. METHODS: In 2002, 163 students were administered a written questionnaire which included questions about tobacco use interventions (response rate=80 percent). Opinion items were analyzed using factor analysis, Fisher's Exact Test, and ANOVA (a < or = 0.025). RESULTS: While 89 percent of students agreed that dentists should be trained to provide tobacco cessation education, only 39 percent thought that they themselves were adequately trained. Students' opinions toward the role and training of dentists in providing tobacco use interventions differed by academic year. Only 14.1 percent of dental students were quite or very confident in their ability to help patients to stop smoking. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that although MUSC dental students support tobacco cessation training for dentists, the majority responded that they are not adequately trained and are not comfortable providing tobacco cessation education to patients. A comprehensive tobacco prevention and cessation program is indicated for the objective of Healthy People 2010 to be met.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed2005

Assessing oral cancer knowledge among dental students in South Carolina.

BACKGROUND: Because South Carolina has the fourth highest mortality rate for oral cancer among the 50 states, dental students in the state must be knowledgeable about prevention and early detection of the disease. METHODS: In 2002, the authors surveyed 163 students using a written questionnaire (response rate, 79.1 percent). The questionnaire included questions about oral cancer risk and nonrisk factors as well as oral cancer diagnostic signs, symptoms and examination procedures. The authors performed univariate and bivariate analyses (alpha < or = .025). RESULTS: At least 93 percent of the students replied that tobacco, alcohol and previous oral cancer lesions were risk factors. One hundred six students (65 percent) knew that the most likely site for oral cancer is the ventrolateral border of the tongue. Students differed in their overall knowledge of risk factors (P = .002), nonrisk factors (P < .001) and diagnostic procedures (P < .001). CONCLUSION: Although students' level of knowledge increased with academic year, educators and policy-makers need to place greater emphasis on oral cancer education and training in dental schools. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Morbidity and mortality are likely to be reduced if dentists know how to prevent and detect oral cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

The role of health literacy in achieving oral health for elders.

A mismatch between the literacy skills of individuals and the demands of oral health services may erect an unnecessary barrier to preventive care and treatment. Findings from the 1992 survey of adult literacy in the United States indicate that more than two-thirds of adults over the age of sixty were limited in their ability to use written health materials in prose format, had problems finding and processing quantitative information, and were very limited in their ability to use documents such as forms, lists, charts, and graphs. Thus, many older adults face barriers to oral care, to needed information, to full participation in decision making and informed consent, and for follow-up activities. The pathways between literacy and health outcomes are being examined, and the body of literature linking literacy to health continues to grow. However, similar studies examining literacy and oral health outcomes have not yet been undertaken. Research in this area might well begin with consideration of the skills needed to perform important oral health tasks. Rigorous studies of the impact of improved communication strategies on elders' access to care, participation in services, and action steps would lend insight into needed change.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

Coverage and quality of oral cancer information in selected popular press: May 1998 to July 2003.

OBJECTIVES: A 1998 study demonstrated a lack of coverage about oral cancer in the popular press between April 1987 and April 1997. Since that study, several oral cancer-related activities took place, many of which could have increased the media's attention to oral cancer. Therefore, this study analyzed coverage and quality of oral cancer information in selected popular press between May 1998 and July 2003. METHODS: Articles from magazines and newspapers were retrieved from three databases and were analyzed by specific topics and subtopics for adequacy of content and accuracy of information. Articles were categorized as either "primarily oral cancer-related" or "primarily tobacco-related." RESULTS: Sixty articles were identified, 39 of which were included in the analysis (14 magazines; 25 newspapers). Seventeen articles were "primarily oral cancer-related," and 22 were "primarily tobacco-related." Seventy-two percent of the articles mentioned at least one risk factor for oral cancer, the most common being tobacco use (69%). Far fewer articles noted alcohol (10%) or the combined use of tobacco and alcohol (5%) as risk factors. Only 8 percent of the articles recommended an oral cancer examination. CONCLUSION: Despite local and limited national efforts and activities aimed at increasing public awareness of oral cancer, the popular press coverage of those activities was minimal or nonexistent.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2004

Oral cancer information in health education textbooks.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have reported a lack of knowledge and misinformation about oral cancer, its risk factors, and preventive methods among the general public. This study evaluated the quality, completeness, and accuracy of oral cancer information in 26 health education (elementary to high school) textbooks. METHODS: Twenty-six health education textbooks were purchased and evaluated. RESULTS: A deficiency in the amount, accuracy, and quality of oral cancer information in grade school and high school textbooks was evident. CONCLUSION: Current health texts do not provide adequate information to educate future adults about oral cancer prevention and early detection.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Use of skin and oral cancer examinations in the United States, 1998.

BACKGROUND: Findings from previous surveys suggest low utilization of oral cancer examinations, even though this examination is noninvasive. The purpose of this analysis is to compare the use of an oral cancer examination (OCE) and a skin cancer examination (SCE) in the past 12 months within the United States. Both exams are noninvasive and include a visual component. METHODS: Weighted data from the Adult Prevention Supplement of the 1998 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) for adults 40 years of age or older were analyzed using SAS and SUDAAN. A ratio compared the percentage reporting an OCE (%OCE) with the percentage reporting a SCE (%SCE). RESULTS: The percentage having an OCE in the past year (13.8%) was very similar to the percentage having a SCE (13.5%) during that same period. With increasing age group, the %OCE/%SCE ratio varied inversely from 1.60 (C.I. 1.42-1.78) among persons 40-49 years to 0.62 (C.I. 0.55-0.69) among persons 70+ years. The ratio was similar in whites and blacks, males and females, and Hispanics and non-Hispanics. There was a positive gradient in the ratio by education and family income. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, less than 15% of the population is receiving either of these examinations, although the American Cancer Society recommends both of them on an annual basis for individuals 40 years of age and older. To increase detection of these cancers at early stages, extensive educational and media campaigns for the public and providers identifying risk factors and the availability of and the need for these examinations are required.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Early childhood caries: prevalence and risk factors in Seoul, Korea.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of early childhood caries (ECC), including noncavitated lesions (d1), in children 6-59 months of age in relation to socioeconomic factors, feeding practices, and oral health behaviors in Seoul, Korea. METHODS: The children attended child care facilities and were selected from 32 primary sampling units. Two dentists examined 470 children. Parents of 383 of the subjects were interviewed by phone regarding caries risk factors. RESULTS: For children 6-59 months of age, the prevalence of ECC and severe ECC were 56.5 percent and 47.0 percent respectively. In bivariate analysis, the children whose nursing bottle contained sweetened solution had higher severe ECC prevalence (P=.035), and children whose parents reported a lower frequency of between-meal snacks showed lower ECC prevalence (P=.046). By logistic regression analysis, age and frequency of between-meal snacks were associated with the prevalence of ECC (P<.05). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that the prevalence of ECC was high among children in Seoul. Early educational intervention programs for pregnant women and mothers of young children should be developed based on the risk factors identified in this study.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed2003

Oral cancer examinations among U.S. Hispanics in 1998.

BACKGROUND: An oral cancer examination (OCE) is crucial for early detection of oral and pharyngeal cancers. The objectives of this study were: 1) to estimate the percentages of Hispanics and Hispanic subgroups who reported having an OCE in the past 12 months; 2) to compare these groups with various Non-Hispanics; and 3) to evaluate the extents to which having an OCE might be explained by age, gender, education, family income, a recent visit to a dentist, and edentulism. METHODS: Descriptive and logistic regression analyses using data from the 1998 National Health Interview Survey. RESULTS: 6.4% of Hispanics and 14.5% of non-Hispanics had had an OCE in the past 12 months. After adjusting for age, gender, education, income, a dental visit, and edentulism, Hispanics were 1.7 times less likely than non-Hispanics to have had an OCE in the past 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: Fewer Hispanics are receiving OCEs relative to Non-Hispanics.

Hispanic or Latino↗
PubMed2002

Reviews of evidence on interventions to prevent dental caries, oral and pharyngeal cancers, and sports-related craniofacial injuries.

This report presents the results of systematic reviews of effectiveness, applicability, other positive and negative effects, economic evaluations, and barriers to use of selected population-based interventions intended to prevent or control dental caries, oral and pharyngeal cancers, and sports-related craniofacial injuries. The related systematic reviews are linked by a common conceptual approach. These reviews form the basis of recommendations by the Task Force on Community Preventive Services (the Task Force) about the use of these selected interventions. The Task Force recommendations are presented in this supplement.

Athletic Injuries↗
PubMed2002

Views of oral cancer prevention and early detection: Maryland physicians.

The purpose of this study was to obtain in-depth information on Maryland physicians' knowledge, opinions and practices about oral cancer examinations. The qualitative descriptive study used one focus group conducted in a conference facility and nine one-on-one interviews at private medical offices. A criterion-purposeful sampling was used for selection of participants. Generally, we found low awareness of, and surprise about, Maryland's high oral cancer mortality rates. Physicians were not surprised that they detect more lesions than dentists, although most physicians did not provide oral cancer examinations on a routine basis. Physicians were interested in attending continuing medical education (CME) courses on oral cancer prevention and early detection but only if worked into other CME programs on cancer. They were very interested in having hands-on training on performing an oral cancer examination. These findings will be used to implement educational interventions for Maryland physicians to help increase early detection of oral cancers.

Clinical Competence↗
PubMed2002

Maryland family physicians' knowledge, opinions and practices about oral cancer.

The objective of this study was to assess family physicians' knowledge, opinions and practices regarding oral cancers in the state of Maryland, USA. A 40-item, self-administered questionnaire was mailed to all members of the Maryland Academy of Family Physicians. Unweighted data (n=240) were analyzed using SAS and SUDAAN software; results were evaluated using an alpha < or =0.05. Family physicians (FPs) were aware of the major risk factors for oral cancers, but misinformation existed about the non-risk factors. Approximately 77% asked their patients the eight questions related to risk factors for oral cancer when taking a medical history but less than 24% provided an oral cancer examination to patients 40 years of age and over. Nearly 64% were interested in a continuing education course about oral cancer. This survey identified gaps in knowledge and practices among FPs but it is encouraging that they expressed interest in continuing education courses on this topic.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Maryland adults' perspectives on oral cancer prevention and early detection.

OVERVIEW: In any given 12-month period, Maryland ranks 27th among all states and the District of Columbia in estimated new cases of oral cancer. The state also has the seventh highest overall mortality rate for oral cancer. Because of earlier research indicating that Maryland adults had little knowledge and many misconceptions about oral cancer, the authors undertook a study to obtain in-depth information from Maryland adults 40 years of age or older on oral cancer, oral cancer examinations and factors associated with having an oral cancer examination. METHODS: The authors conducted a qualitative descriptive study using information gathered from three focus groups consisting of nine, 10 and seven adults respectively, and which met at two locations. The authors hired a private focus group research firm, which randomly selected participants from a telephone list of local residents. A professionally trained moderator conducted all focus groups using a semistructured interview guide. RESULTS: Participants were struck by the fact that they rarely hear about this type of cancer. Many said that they never had had an oral cancer examination and did not know there was such a thing. Many participants also reported that they likely would be more comfortable discussing oral cancer with their physicians than with their dentists. CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide additional in-depth insights to earlier work about Maryland adults' oral cancer knowledge, opinions and practices. The state plans to use this information to develop educational materials and interventions for the public to promote oral cancer prevention and early detection in Maryland. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Extensive public education about oral and pharyngeal cancers should be provided in dental offices and clinics, as well as in mass media of all types. More clinicians should include comprehensive oral cancer screenings in their oral examinations, and they should explain to patients what they are doing when they provide these screenings.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Maryland dental hygienists' views of oral cancer prevention and early detection.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this qualitative study was to obtain in-depth information on dental hygienists' awareness and opinions of oral cancer, oral cancer examinations, and related factors. These findings were intended to supplement a previous statewide survey of Maryland dental hygienists on the subject. METHODS: A professional focus group moderator conducted two focus groups in Maryland. Two types of focus groups were used--one face-to-face focus group session with 10 dental hygienists in the Baltimore area and one telephone focus group among 7 dental hygienists who practiced on the Eastern Shore. Criterion-purposeful sampling and qualitative content analysis were used. RESULTS: Six major themes emerged from the focus groups: dental hygienists' lack of awareness of Maryland's oral cancer statistics, level of training to provide oral cancer examinations, provision of oral cancer examinations and barriers for not providing them, reactions to Maryland surveys of dental hygienists and dentists, assessment of oral cancer risk factors, and interest in additional training. CONCLUSIONS: The focus groups provided in-depth information about why oral cancer examinations are or are not provided on a routine basis, as well as ideas for providing updates on oral cancer prevention and early detection for dental hygienists. Moreover, some participants recommended that updates on how to conduct an oral cancer examination be a requirement, as updates on infection control are now.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗