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Biomedical subjects

N K Rasmussen

Publications and source records attributed to N K Rasmussen.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

[Small changes in health differences in the Nordic countries during the 1980s and 1990s].

The study examined changes over time in health inequality in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden. Data derive from comparable interview surveys carried out in 1986/87 and 1994/95. Limiting long-standing illness and perceived ill health were analysed regarding age, gender; educational attainment, and employment status. Age adjusted prevalence rates were calculated. Changes in differences in health were found in education and employment status groups. There was little or no change in the prevalence of ill health during the time period studied. Despite social and economic changes differences in health remained broadly stable in the examined countries.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2001

Socioeconomic position and smoking behaviour in Danish adults.

AIMS: The associations between smoking and various socioeconomic indicators may have different implications and causes, which may also vary according to sex and birth cohort. This study analyses how two dimensions of socioeconomic position, an individual (education) and a structural (occupation) indicator, are associated with ever, current and ex-smoking. METHODS: Data on smoking behaviour were collected in five cross-sectional surveys of random samples of the general Danish population aged 20 years or more at intervals between 1982 and 1994. In total, 8,054 men and 8,281 women participated. Logistic regression was used to analyse the influence of education and occupation on smoking behaviour controlling for sex and birth cohort. RESULTS: In cohorts born after 1930 ever and current smoking were related to years of school education and current occupation. The prevalences of ever and current smoking were highest among the least educated, unskilled workers, unemployed persons and persons who received welfare benefits. A significant interaction between birth cohort and education indicated that the educational difference in ever and current smoking increased significantly with increasing year of birth. In multivariate analysis controlling for sex and birth cohort, ex-smoking seemed to be more strongly associated with education than occupation. Those with 12 or more years of school education had twice as high a chance of being ex-smokers as those with 7 years of school or less. CONCLUSION: Smoking behaviour is strongly associated with both individual and structural indicators of socioeconomic position in Danish adults in all cohorts except for those born before 1930.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Social differences in illness and health-related exclusion from the labour market in Denmark from 1987 to 1994.

OBJECTIVE: The objectives were first to analyse differences in long-standing illness, limiting long-standing illness, and perceived health as below good in relation to different indicators of social class over time; and secondly to analyse the association of long-standing illness, educational level, age, and gender with employment status. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Self-reported information on illness, educational level, employment status, and occupational class was obtained in two nationally representative Danish health interview surveys in 1987 (n=4753) and 1994 (n=4668). RESULTS: There was a marked increase in long-standing illness from 1987 (33%) to 1994 (38%), especially among women with higher education (13% in 1987 to 26% in 1994). The prevalence of perceived health below good was unchanged (c. 20%) during the same period. Among employed men in 1987 the lowest prevalence of long-standing illness was seen in upper salaried employees (21%) and the highest in skilled workers (35%). In 1994, the difference had diminished and the prevalence rates for the same classes were 28% and 29%, respectively. Among employed women, a similar pattern was seen. The lowest rate in 1987 was seen among self-employed with subordinates (15%) and the highest in self-employed without subordinates (28%). In 1994, the difference was reduced with prevalence rates of 23% and 32%, respectively. In addition, substantial differences in health status between groups with different educational backgrounds were found. The proportion of the population with long-standing illnesses was clearly higher in the group with low education compared with the group with high education. A similar social gradient was found for perceived health as below good. Those with the highest odds ratio of being a disability pensioner are women with long-standing illness, only basic education, and above 55 years of age. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the study showed that the prevalence of long-standing illness increased from the mid-1980s to the mid-1990s, whereas perceived health below good was unchanged. In 1994, there was a remarkable difference in health between employed and non-employed people, indicating a health-related exclusion from the labour market. This may explain why, in 1994, smaller occupational class differences were found in the prevalence of long-standing illness among employed people compared with the findings in 1987, whereas the health differences remained in the different educational groups. Women above 54 years of age with basic education only and long-standing illness have the highest odds ratio of permanent exclusion from the labour market.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Educational differences in smoking: international comparison.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate international variations in smoking associated with educational level. DESIGN: International comparison of national health, or similar, surveys. SUBJECTS: Men and women aged 20 to 44 years and 45 to 74 years. SETTING: 12 European countries, around 1990. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Relative differences (odds ratios) and absolute differences in the prevalence of ever smoking and current smoking for men and women in each age group by educational level. RESULTS: In the 45 to 74 year age group, higher rates of current and ever smoking among lower educated subjects were found in some countries only. Among women this was found in Great Britain, Norway, and Sweden, whereas an opposite pattern, with higher educated women smoking more, was found in southern Europe. Among men a similar north-south pattern was found but it was less noticeable than among women. In the 20 to 44 year age group, educational differences in smoking were generally greater than in the older age group, and smoking rates were higher among lower educated people in most countries. Among younger women, a similar north-south pattern was found as among older women. Among younger men, large educational differences in smoking were found for northern European as well as for southern European countries, except for Portugal. CONCLUSIONS: These international variations in social gradients in smoking, which are likely to be related to differences between countries in their stage of the smoking epidemic, may have contributed to the socioeconomic differences in mortality from ischaemic heart disease being greater in northern European countries. The observed age patterns suggest that socioeconomic differences in diseases related to smoking will increase in the coming decades in many European countries.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Use of hormone replacement therapy among Danish nurses in 1993.

BACKGROUND: To describe the prevalence of women using systemic hormone replacement therapy in various age groups. To identify their reasons for choosing or not choosing the therapy, reasons for discontinuing the treatment, the prevalence of side effects among current users, and to estimate the duration of treatment. METHODS: The study is based on postal questionnaires sent to 23,000 female Danish nurses above the age of 44 years. Out of these 19,953 (86%) responded. The questionnaire gave information on age, use of hormone replacement therapy, use of oral contraceptives, family predisposition and diseases. Duration of hormone replacement therapy was calculated by Cox regression analysis. Chi square tests were used to evaluate differences and 5% was used as the level of significance. RESULTS: Overall, 6673 (33%) had ever used hormone replacement therapy. The prevalence was highest in the age group 55-59, where 29.3% were currently using hormones. The most cited reasons for choosing hormone replacement therapy were vasomotor symptoms (62%) and prevention of osteoporosis (44%). Among never users 43% had not experienced climacteric symptoms, 24% found the therapy unnatural, and 22% were afraid of side effects. It was estimated that 70% still were using hormones five years after the start of therapy, 57% after ten years, and 48% after fifteen years. Women with a family history of osteoporosis used hormones longer than women without this predisposition. CONCLUSIONS: One third of all the women had ever used hormone replacement therapy and more than half of ever users used the therapy for more than ten years.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Self-reported health and morbidity among adult Danes 1987-1994].

Developments in morbidity among adult Danes were studied by means of representative national health interview surveys conducted in 1987, 1991, and 1994. Each health interview survey was based on personal interviews with a sample of 6000 Danes. Response rates were about 80%. From 1987 to 1994 prevalence of long-standing illness increased from 33 to 38%, prevalence of health-related restrictions of daily activities increased from 11 to 14%, while prevalence of perceived poor health decreased slightly and prevalence of not feeling well enough to do what you want to do decreased from 22 to 19%. In 1994 16% reported reduced psychological well-being within a four week period, and 23% had due to emotional problems accomplished less than they desired at work or in other daily activities. The prevalence of self-reported morbidity and ill-health increased with increasing age, and for most of the indicators prevalence was higher among women than among men.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

How well do patient and general practitioner agree about the content of consultations?

OBJECTIVE: To analyse agreement between patients' and general practitioners' perception of content of consultations. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study based on paired questionnaires answered by patients and general practitioners (GPs). SETTING: General practices in the County of Funen, Denmark. SUBJECTS: All 291 GPs in the County were invited to join the investigation, and 137 accepted. All patients who consulted the participating GPs in a 3 day period were included in the investigation. The GPs registered 6021 patients, of whom 3578 (59%) returned the completed questionnaire. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: GPs and patients were asked about the urgency of the consultation, number of problems presented, duration of consultation, and quality of communication. The GPs' and patients' answers were matched, and variables of agreement were made. Patients were furthermore asked about their satisfaction with the consultation. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Agreement for the four matched answers varied from 69% to 83%. Disagreement was observed more often in consultations where the patient's self-evaluated health was poor, the patient was female, had a chronic disease, expected a prescription or felt that the GP had little knowledge of his/her life circumstances. Agreement concerning urgency, number of problems and quality of communication was associated with a higher degree of patient satisfaction.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Differences in self reported morbidity by educational level: a comparison of 11 western European countries.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To assess whether there are variations between 11 Western European countries with respect to the size of differences in self reported morbidity between people with high and low educational levels. DESIGN AND METHODS: National representative data on morbidity by educational level were obtained from health interview surveys, level of living surveys or other similar surveys carried out between 1985 and 1993. Four morbidity indicators were included and a considerable effort was made to maximise the comparability of these indicators. A standardised scheme of educational levels was applied to each survey. The study included men and women aged 25 to 69 years. The size of morbidity differences was measured by means of the regression based Relative Index of Inequality. MAIN RESULTS: The size of inequalities in health was found to vary between countries. In general, there was a tendency for inequalities to be relatively large in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark and to be relatively small in Spain, Switzerland, and West Germany. Intermediate positions were observed for Finland, Great Britain, France, and Italy. The position of the Netherlands strongly varied according to sex: relatively large inequalities were found for men whereas relatively small inequalities were found for women. The relative position of some countries, for example, West Germany, varied according to the morbidity indicator. CONCLUSIONS: Because of a number of unresolved problems with the precision and the international comparability of the data, the margins of uncertainty for the inequality estimates are somewhat wide. However, these problems are unlikely to explain the overall pattern. It is remarkable that health inequalities are not necessarily smaller in countries with more egalitarian policies such as the Netherlands and the Scandinavian countries. Possible explanations are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[Cardiovascular risk factors--extent and self-assessed risk in relation to prevention of cardiovascular diseases. A questionnaire among 3,956 men and women aged 24-65 years in Vejle County, Slangerup and Helsinge municipalities].

In autumn 1989, a material of 1,330 men and 1,561 women aged 20-65 years and resident in the County of Vejle replied to a standardized questionnaire about their knowledge and behaviour in relation to prophylaxis of cardiovascular disease. During the same period, 501 men 565 women in the Municipalities of Helsinge and Slangerup participated in a similar investigation. It was investigated whether the behaviours of the participants as regards tobacco, physical activity, diet, experience of stress and overweight were unsuitable in relation to prevention of cardiovascular disease. 22% of the men and 11% of the women had unfavourable behaviour in more than two of these factors. The percentage proportion with many unfavourable factors was greatest among persons with the lowest school education. The majority of the participants were aware of the factors which are of significance for the development of cardiovascular disease. The general level of knowledge was high. A majority of the participants with many unfavourable factors assessed their own risk of development of cardiovascular disease as great. The proportion of the participants who were aware that a personal effort was of significance to retain health was greatest in the group where the behaviour was most suitable both where men an women were concerned.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[Smoking habits among adults--attitude and behavior in relation to prevention of cardiovascular diseases].

During the autumn 1989, a material of 1,330 men and 1,561 women aged 20-65 years and resident in the County of Vejle replied to a questionnaire about their smoking habits and knowledge in connection with the prophylaxis of cardiovascular disease. 47% of the men and 39% of the women stated that they smoked. During the past year, 44% of the male and 51% of the female smokers and ex-smokers had altered or considered altering their smoking habits. The main motives for altering smoking habits were health or financial reasons. The main reasons that an attempt to alter smoking habits did not succeed were side effects (restlessness/nervousness), the force of habit or that the desire was too great. The attitude that smoking was of significance for cardiovascular disease was related to non-smokers. In addition, a connection was observed between the knowledge that smoking is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease that the fact that these participants did not smoke. No interactions were observed between knowledge, attitudes and smoking habits i.e. that the attitude that it was important to stop smoking was identical among smokers and non-smokers, regardless of whether smoking was deleterious to health. On the basis of previous attempts to alter smoking habits, the conclusion was drawn that this is a difficult task. One of the reasons is that the cause of smoking are partially unknown and that smoking is probably an important factor in various social situations. In addition, the motivation to alter smoking habits is more than dominated by the discomfort involved.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Knowledge, attitudes and cardiovascular risk factors in Danish adults.

A community cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention programme was undertaken in 1989 in a Danish County (Vejle). A random sample of 5192 adults were asked to complete a mailed questionnaire on knowledge, attitudes, and behaviour in relation to CVD risk factors. The response rate was 56%. The questionnaire produced baseline data for programme planning and measuring the success of on-going interventions. Smoking, overweight, and unhealthy food habits were the most prevalent CVD risk factors. A CVD risk score was calculated from the data on smoking, food habits, exercise, stress, overweight, self-reported presence of hypertension, diabetes, and gender. A high score was commoner in men, in the least educated, in groups who judged their own risk as high, and in groups with negative health beliefs. The level of knowledge about CVD risk factors was high in general. Low knowledge was commonest in the youngest age group, in the least educated, in unskilled workers, and in groups with negative health beliefs. As social position and personality factors seem to play an important role in actions people may take in prevention of CVD, they should be considered in the planning of the health promotion activities in Vejle.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Occurrence of colds and coughs among adult Danes. Epidemiological data from the DIKE (Danish Institute for Clinical Epidemiology) population study].

The occurrence of upper respiratory symptoms among adult Danes was examined by the use of data from the Danish Health and Morbidity Survey 1986-1987. In this study, 14.0 per cent of 6,672 individuals reported complaints of colds or coughs (CC) during the two-week period preceding the interview. Reporting of CC decreased with age, but there was no sex difference. A multivariate analysis, including a number of suspected exposure variables, showed that CC was reported significantly more frequently (OR 1.42) by individuals also reporting exposure to external health risks in their homes. The reporting of CC was not associated with occupational exposure, psychological stress, spare time physical activity or smoking habits. Using bivariate analysis, it was shown that exposure to external health risks in the home was reported more frequently among women than men. The results indicate, that exposure to external health risks in dwellings contributes significantly to the total morbidity among adult Danes. However, improvement of the validity of information about exposure by means of more objective methods is required.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[The distribution effects of the Danish 800 crown rule. Preliminary results of the DIKE study. Choice of drugs and drugs used by the population].

During the period 1 July 1989 to 31 December 1990, patients had to pay the full price for subsidized medicine up to DDK 800 (66 pounds) per calendar year. The consequences for the population were examined by a representative national survey (January 1990) and for the patients by interviews at pharmacies (December 1989 and April 1990). Fourteen percent of the population had exceeded the limit of DDK 400 (33 pounds) for the second half of 1989. By the end of December 1989, 53% of patients at pharmacies had exceeded the limit. According to the national health survey (1986) 51% of the population took medicine during a period of two weeks; 58% female, 42% male. In 1990, 41% of the population had no medicine expenses. Among the other fraction 15% had expenses of DDK 200 (16 pounds) or more, monthly. Among patients at pharmacies 22-25% had expenses to that amount. More than 90% of the patients at pharmacies bought the prescribed medicine or the medicine normally used. Less than 10% asked the physician to prescribe a cheaper medicine. The new regulation on medicine reimbursement has not yet induced greater price-consciousness in the users. Whether this is possible by economic means, is an open question.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Food habits and knowledge among adults in the county of Vejle in relation to prevention of cardiovascular disease].

During autumn 1989, 1,330 men and 1,561 women aged 20-65 years residing in Vejle replied to a questionnaire about dietary habits and knowledge concerning prevention of cardio-vascular disease. The majority ate fresh fruit and potatoes and drank coffee daily. More than one third ate vegetables daily and also whole-fat cheese. Over one quarter drank whole milk while less than 10% ate fish or fish spreads, eggs, cakes and sweets. Men ate potatoes and drank whole milk more frequently than women who ate fruit and vegetables more frequently. 75% and 81% stated that they avoided or included several foodstuffs for the sake of their health. The foodstuffs which were most frequently avoided were fat meat while wholemeal bread or vegetables and fruit were the foodstuffs which the majority included. 17% of the men and 29% of the women consumed more than three foodstuffs which were good for the heart daily. In particular, married persons, persons from the higher social classes and non-smokers had dietary habits beneficial to the heart. More than 90% knew that it was of significance in the avoidance of cardiovascular disease to eat less butter and fat and more vegetables and fish. The results show that the population in the County of Vejle are aware of the significance of diet for the risk of cardiovascular disease. A great proportion of the population, therefore, attempt to alter their diets in a healthier direction. A number still exist who have unsuitable diets as regards prevention of cardiovascular disease. In the County of Vejle, continued efforts will be made in the campaign against cardiovascular disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[The dietary awareness of Danish adults].

By means of an interview investigation of a representative sample comprizing 4,753 adult Danes over the age of 15 years, the attempted dietary principles of the population are illustrated. 60% of the population try to avoid certain foodstuffs from the point of view of health and 75% include certain foodstuffs in their diets for the same reason. The persons who particularly follow the dietary recommendations made in recent years, which consist of avoiding fat and including coarse bread, vegetables and fruit in the diet are women, aged 25-44 years, individuals with high net incomes and persons living in the suburbs of the capital and in the three largest Danish provincial towns. The efforts to achieve healthy dietary habits are, in addition, associated with non-smoking and moderate alcohol consumption. During the past five years, the proportion of Danes who try to alter dietary habits has increased by approximately 10%. During the same period, the actual average diet has, however, not altered in the same positive direction. The dietary principles aimed at and which are reported here are, therefore, expression of Danes' awareness of dietary principles rather than the actual behaviour. Thus, despite optimal knowledge, barriers exist which prevent alteration of dietary behaviour.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Family planning services delivery. Danish experience.

The purpose of this article is to give an overview of the Danish family planning services delivery based on a description of the country, the people, and their opinions. All laws and regulations about contraceptive services, including abortion and sterilization, are described in historical perspectives. It is concluded that the system has been developed on the basis of the health care system of the country to such a degree that it broadly covers the prevailing general attitudes of the population and that the expectations of the population to the system are reasonably met. What remains unsatisfactory is a relatively high proportion of induced abortions. Future possibilities for solving this problem could be: to improve the education of physicians, health nurses, midwives, teachers, and social workers with regard to family planning and sexuality; to revise teacher's guidelines on sex education and intensified sex education in the schools; to intensify information to risk groups such as teenagers and single women; and to accomplish general organisation of school class visits to family planning clinics.

Abortion, Legal↗