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PubMed1999

[The coexistence of endometrial cancer with second primary malignant neoplasms].

OBJECTIVE: An epidemiologic study of multiple primary malignant neoplasms with endometrial cancer patients is presented. Coexistence of endometrial carcinoma with second primary malignant neoplasms was evaluated and controlled for age, residence, civil status, education, parity, menarche age, last menstruation age, length of reproductive period, blood group, hypertension, diabetes, body mass index, sterility, histological subtype, grading, staging. DESIGN: From 1984-1998 136 endometrial carcinomas have been evaluated in the Department of Gynecology & Obstetrics in Hospital of Słupsk retrospectively. All double and triple neoplasms have been histologically recorded, doubtful cases have been excluded. MATERIAL & METHODS: Of 136 endometrial carcinomas 16 (11.6%) were multiple malignant neoplasms. Of these neoplasms 9 (6.6%) occur together with breast cancer, 3 (2.2%) with ovarian carcinoma, 1 (0.7%) with stomach carcinoma, 1 (0.7%) with rectum carcinoma, 1 (0.7%) with carcinoma in focus of endometriosis and 1 (0.7%) coexists with double neoplasms (bowel and endometriosis carcinoma) During the 14-year period of study, 15 patients (11.0%) out of 136 patients diagnosed as having endometrial cancer had double and 1 (0.6%) had triple primary malignant neoplasms. There was not significant difference in age rate (p = 0.72), residence rate (p = 0.93), civil status rate (p = 0.76), education rate (p = 0.70), parity rate (p = 0.76), menarche age rate (p = 0.46), blood group rate (p = 0.45), hypertension rate (p = 0.94), diabetes rate (p = 1.0), not overweight status rate (BMI < 29) (p = 0.55), sterility rate (p = 0.45), histological subtype rate (p = 0.39), grading rate (p = 0.67), staging rate (p = 0.26) between both patients group (with and without second primary malignant neoplasma). We observed statistically significant difference in body mass index (BMI > 32) rate (p = 0.03), last menstruation age rate (p = 0.04), length of reproductive period rate (p = 0.04) between both patients group (with and without second primary malignant neoplasma). CONCLUSION: Patients with endometrial cancer should be carefully and regularly followed up by monitoring et every anatomic site, especially the breast, stomach, and colon, in order that the development of a second primary carcinoma can be detected as early as possible, and not be overlooked in examinations. Additional risk factors for endometrial carcinoma with multiple malignant neoplasma include: menopause occurring after age fifty-one; obese women with body mass index (BMI) higher than 32; reproductive period longer than 37 years.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Therapeutic expectations of patients with multiple sclerosis upon initiating interferon beta-1b: relationship to adherence to treatment.

This study, conducted in three separate outpatient health care delivery settings, examined the therapeutic expectations of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) before they initiated interferon beta-1b therapy, the results of current educational procedures to correct unrealistic expectations, and the relationship between post-education expectations and discontinuing therapy. Ninety-nine consecutive patients were seen in a university based outpatient MS clinic, an academic group practice outpatient MS clinic, or a health maintenance organization outpatient neurology clinic. Before the educational sessions, 57% of the patients expressed unrealistically optimistic expectations regarding reduction in attack rate and 34% expressed unrealistically optimistic expectations regarding improvement in functional status. Educational procedures significantly altered unrealistic expectations but the results were sub-optimal since 33% of the patients maintained overly optimistic expectations regarding reduction in attack rate. Post-education unrealistic expectations of improvement in functional status were significantly related to discontinuing therapy within 6 months. Three adverse effects of therapy also were related independently to adherence to treatment: depression and flu-like symptoms were related to discontinuing therapy while soreness at injection site was related to continuing therapy.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

PubMed2001

[Women's attitudes to menopause and predictive variables].

OBJECTIVE: To find what women's attitudes to the menopause are and how these attitudes relate to certain personal variables. DESIGN: Multi-centre, transversal study. SETTING: 5 clinics at three urban and teaching health centres in Granada. PARTICIPANTS: A systematic randomised sample of women = 18 who attended on demand in June 1998: alpha = 0.05, accuracy = 3 and standard deviation from the scale of attitudes (SA), found through prior sampling, was 15.4. N = 101 women. INTERVENTIONS: Questionnaire through interview after consultation. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Dependent variable: scale of attitudes to the menopause with 29 items. INDEPENDENT VARIABLES: age, marital status, educational qualifications, work situation, cultural group, religion, continuity with her doctor, utilisation, menopausal status, perception of autonomy, opinion of the menopause, feelings towards the menopause, perceived health. ANALYSIS: homogeneity and validity of SA. Descriptive, univariate analysis of SA with independent variables. Multiple linear regression: we found 7 factors that explained 66.5% of variance. Age 43.4 +/- 17.5. 50.5% had not reached the menopause; 10.9% were in the peri-menopause; and 37.6% in the menopause. 70.3% had feelings of relief or were neutral; 54.5% had a positive view; and 21.8% expressed no opinion. The variables explaining attitudes were feeling, continuity, opinion, utility, autonomy and perceived health. CONCLUSIONS: Women had positive or neutral feelings and opinions about the menopause. Their attitudes to it were related to these variables and not to other social or demographic variables or to their menopausal status.

Adult↗

PubMed1984

A view toward hospitalization: the Mexican American experience.

Little information exists in the literature to assist the nurse in understanding people of ethnic minority group status who become hospitalized in an acute-care setting. Research on these populations has primarily centred on out-patient service utilization and on folk health practices, yet the process of becoming hospitalized seems far more disruptive and traumatic to the individual and the family than receiving health care at a clinic. Observations made on a large medical-surgical in-patient unit in the south-western United States indicated the specific concerns Mexican American patients experienced during their hospitalization. Seventy patients of Mexican descent were followed through their hospital stay. Seven sociocultural constructs influenced the hospital experience: social network, language proficiency, modesty, socio-economic status, role expectations, folk beliefs and practices, and the medical diagnosis. Economic and educational status were seen as the most significant factors preventing patients from this ethnic minority group from constructing their hospital experience in accordance with staff expectations.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

[Urinary incontinence among climateric Brazilian women: household survey].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of stress urinary incontinence and its associated factors in perimenopause women using a population-based household survey. METHODS: A descriptive, exploratory cross-sectional population-based study with secondary analysis of a population-based household survey on perimenopause and menopause was conducted among women living in the city of Campinas, Brazil. Through a sampling process, 456 women between 45 and 60 years old were selected. Complaints of urinary incontinence and related risk factors, such as age, socioeconomic status, education level, race, parity, smoking habits, body mass index, previous gynecological surgeries, menopausal status, and hormonal replacement therapy were explored. Data were collected through home interviews using an adapted version of the structured pre-tested questionnaire elaborated by the International Health Foundation, International Menopause Society and the American Menopause Society. Statistical analysis were performed using prevalence rates (CI 95%). RESULTS: Thirty-five percent of the interviewees referred stress urinary incontinence. None of the sociodemographic factors studied was associated to the risk of urinary incontinence. In addition, parity did not significantly change the risk of urinary incontinence. Other factors, such as previous gynecological surgeries, body mass index, and smoking habits, were not associated with the prevalence of stress urinary incontinence. Also, menopausal status and hormonal replacement therapy did not change the risk of stress urinary incontinence. CONCLUSION: Though there was a high prevalence of stress urinary incontinence among perimenopause women, there was not found any associations with sociodemographic and reproductive factors.

Brazil↗

PubMed2005

Mefloquine increases the risk of serious psychiatric events during travel abroad: a nationwide case-control study in the Netherlands.

BACKGROUND: Psychiatric events during travel abroad account for a large percentage of medical repatriations arranged by insurance companies. Several risk factors have been proposed for such events, one of these being use of mefloquine. We investigated the risk of psychiatric events during use of mefloquine. METHOD: We performed a nationwide case control study using medical records from 4 large alarm centers in the Netherlands. Cases were patients contacting the alarm centers because of psychiatric events, according to International Code Primary Care code P (all psychiatric symptoms) or International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Edition, codes 290-319 (all psychiatric syndromes). To every case we matched up to 6 controls by alarm center, calendar time, and continent of travel. All controls had contacted the alarm centers because of nonpsychiatric medical reasons. Shortly after the anticipated day of return, cases and controls received a questionnaire regarding travel characteristics, gender, age, marital status, education, weight, height, general health, history of psychiatric diseases, use of medicines, smoking status, alcohol intake, coffee intake, and use of malaria prophylaxis. Dates of travel for the source population were between September 1, 1997, and June 1, 2000. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 111 cases and 453 controls. The risk of psychiatric events during the use of mefloquine was 3.5 (95% CI = 1.4 to 8.7). In females, the risk was strongly increased, with an odds ratio of 47.1 (95% CI = 3.8 to 578.6). Stratification for history of psychiatric diseases showed that the risk of psychiatric events during use of mefloquine in cases without a history of psychiatric diseases was 3.8 (95% CI = 1.4 to 10.1), whereas the risk in cases with a history of psychiatric diseases was 8.0 (95% CI = 1.8 to 35.8). CONCLUSION: The use of mefloquine is associated with an increased risk of psychiatric events in females and in patients with a history of psychiatric diseases.

Adult↗

PubMed1978

Nutrition counseling needs in a geriatric population.

The diet of many elderly people is low in essential nutrients, apparently because of the physiologic and psychosocial changes that accompany aging and a lack of nutrition counseling. Many older Americans are also overweight. Others require special diets that modify long-established eating patterns and nutrient intake. A study of nutrition in 680 elderly people showed that demographic variables significantly related to weight were marital status, education, income, and living arrangements. Inadequacy of calcium or vitamin A or C was not affected by marital status. However, living arrangements influenced dietary adequacy of calcium, and income and education affected intake of vitamins A and C. Data obtained in this study showed that subjects both were interested in and needed nutrition counseling; 36% wanted more information on a balanced diet. Nutrition counseling should play a major role in geriatric treatment programs.

Aged↗

PubMed1994

The status of ethics education in obstetrics and gynecology.

To establish the present status of ethics education in obstetrics and gynecology, 256 questionnaires were sent to residency (graduate) and student (undergraduate) education programs. One hundred ninety-eight questionnaires were returned. Fifteen programs offered no ethics education; 167 offered resident level courses; 123 offered undergraduate (student) level courses; and 84 offered postgraduate education. The median number of hours offered was 2 undergraduate, 4 graduate, and 2 postgraduate. The courses offered relied primarily on formal lecture presentation, even though this was not considered most effective by the respondents. Most institutions (85%) used more than one format to present ethics material. General ethics principles were covered in 78% of the reporting institutions. Where ethics case histories were used, they were rated higher in efficacy by the respondents. Only 15% of the reporting institutions had any means of measuring outcomes. The issues cited most frequently as critical in a curriculum were abortion, maternal-fetal conflicts, issues surrounding care decisions at the end of life, and informed consent. The few hours dedicated to ethics were small relative to a long list of issues. Obstetric-gynecologic faculty with any training in medical ethics were uncommon (29%). The form of teaching, except in rare circumstances, seemed to lack structure or design and used few of the available reading materials. Recommendations from this survey include the development of a uniform national curriculum for undergraduate and graduate medical ethics, development of evaluation alternatives for ethics education, and encouragement and support for faculty development in medical ethics.

Bioethical Issues↗

PubMed2000

[The analysis of the coexistence of endometrial carcinoma and uterine myoma].

OBJECTIVE: An epidemiologic study of coexistence uterus myoma with endometrial cancer patients is presented. Coexistence of endometrial carcinoma with uterus myoma was evaluated and controlled for age, residence, civil status, education, parity, menarche age, last menstruation age, length of reproductive period, blood group, hypertension, diabetes, body mass index, sterility, histological subtype, grading, staging. DESIGN: From 1984-1998 136 endometrial carcinomas have been evaluated in the Department of Gynecology & Obstetrics in Hospital of Słupsk retrospectively. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Uterus myoma was coexistence with endometrial cancer in 22 cases (16.2%). Of 136 endometrial carcinomas 16 (11.6%) were multiple malignant neoplasms. Of these neoplasms 9 (6.6%) occur together with breast cancer, 3 (2.2%) with ovarian carcinoma, 1 (0.7%) with stomach carcinoma, 1 (0.7%) with rectum carcinoma, 1 (0.7%) with carcinoma in focus of endometriosis and 1 (0.7%) coexists with double neoplasms (bowel and endometriosis carcinoma) During the 14-year period of study 15 patients (11.0%) out of 136 patients diagnosed as having endometrial cancer had double and 1 (0.6%) had triple primary malignant neoplasms. There was not significant difference in age rate (p = 0.16), residence rate (p = 0.72), civil status rate (p = 0.37), education rate (p = 0.53), parity rate (p = 0.49), menarche age rate (p = 0.33), last menstruation age rate (p = 0.12), length of reproductive period rate (p = 0.66), blood group rate (p = 0.19), hypertension rate (p = 0.38), diabetes rate (p = 0.96), overweight status rate (p = 0.76), sterility rate (p = 0.35), histological subtype rate (p = 0.25), grading rate (p = 0.29), staging rate (p = 0.54), second primary malignant neoplasma (p = 0.77) between both patients group (with and without uterus myoma). CONCLUSION: Patients with endometrial cancer should be carefully and regularly followed up by monitoring et every anatomic site, especially the breast, stomach, and colon, in order that the development of a second primary carcinoma can be detected as early as possible, and not be overlooked in examinations. There is not additional risk factors for endometrial carcinoma between patients with and without coexistence uterus myoma. In the observation of patients with myoma in postmenopause, cytological investigation of endometrial aspirates, ultrasound and mammographic screening should be carried out.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗

PubMed1999

Gender, social status, and emotional reliance.

Past research has suggested the potential importance of considering emotional reliance, a dimension of interpersonal dependence, when addressing social and developmental risk factors for depression. Based on a probability sample of 1,393 adults aged 18-55 residing in Toronto, Canada, this paper addresses gender differences in emotional reliance and the relevance of emotional reliance in explaining the gender-depression association. We also explore link-ages between emotional reliance and status factors. Findings indicate that emotional reliance is significantly related to depression and that women report greater reliance than men, independent of social status factors like marital and parental status, education, income, and occupational prestige. Moreover, the positive association between emotional reliance and depression is greater for women. Several social status factors modify the relationship between gender and emotional reliance. Both education and occupational prestige reduce reliance, and are particularly beneficial in this regard for women. Marriage, on the other hand, increases emotional reliance, especially for men. We offer interpretations of this pattern of findings.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Racial/ethnic differences in influenza vaccination in the Veterans Affairs Healthcare System.

BACKGROUND: Racial/ethnic differences in influenza vaccination exist among elderly adults despite nearly universal Medicare health insurance coverage. Overall influenza vaccination prevalence in the Veterans Affairs (VA) Healthcare System is higher than in the general population; however, it is not known whether racial/ethnic differences exist among older adults receiving VA healthcare. Racial/ethnic differences in influenza vaccination in VA were assessed, and barriers to and facilitators of influenza vaccination were examined among veteran outpatients aged 50 years and older. METHODS: A random sample of 121,738 veterans receiving care at VA outpatient clinics during the 2003-2004 influenza season completed the mailed Survey of Health Experiences of Patients (77% response rate). Multivariate logistic regression was used to examine associations among race/ethnicity and influenza vaccination prevalence, barriers, and facilitators. Analyses were conducted during 2005 and 2006. RESULTS: Based on unadjusted prevalences, non-Hispanic blacks, Hispanics, and American Indian/Alaskan Natives were significantly less likely to be vaccinated for influenza compared to non-Hispanic whites (71%, 79%, and 74%, respectively, vs 82%). After adjustment for age, gender, marital status, education level, employment, having a primary care provider, confidence and/trust in provider, and health status, only non-Hispanic blacks remained significantly less likely to be vaccinated compared to non-Hispanic whites (75% vs 81%). Influenza vaccination barriers and facilitators varied by race/ethnic group. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to non-Hispanic whites, non-Hispanic blacks were less likely to receive influenza vaccination in the VA healthcare system during the 2003-2004 influenza season. Although these differences were small, results suggest the need for further study and culturally informed interventions.

Black or African American↗

PubMed2003

[How often do surgical residents operate in a category A non-university post-graduate teaching hospital?].

INTRODUCTION: After introduction of the new postgraduate training program for general surgery the completion of the operation list still represents the most important step. Based on our number of operations we examined whether residents would carry out the requested interventions at our non-university teaching hospital (category A). METHOD: For eight tracer operations we retrospectively counted the number of cases of the non private patients from 1998-2002 and took account of the postgraduate education status of the operator. In this period the team consisted of 51 residents (71 education years), of whom 18 candidates for general surgery who carried out the interventions (35 education years, inclusive rotation in ICU, emergency room and special surgical disciplines). RESULTS: Regarding all tracer operations, the amount of interventions per year and candidate which are necessary to accomplish the goal for the first four years of education are reached: appendectomy 8.9, laparoscopic cholecystectomy 7.3, open inguinal hernia repair 9.4, varicose veins operation 12.1, open colon sigmoideum resection 3.2, hip and malleolar fracture 6.9, hemithyreoidectomy 5. CONCLUSION: Completion of the operation list as the major training goal was reached at our institution. Following our structured education program the demands regarding postgraduate education will be met also in future. Further studies however, must examine the impact of the new resident's work contracts dictating a reduction of the weekly working hours.

Clinical Competence↗

PubMed1991

Alcoholic intake in a small rural village.

Eight hundred and eighteen (400 males and 418 females), randomly selected inhabitants of an economically depressed rural village in the south of Tenerife, have been analysed with respect to their daily alcoholic intake and its relationship to sex, age, marital status, educational and economical level, job, tobacco use and the CAGE and brief MAST tests. Five hundred and four (68.9%) consumed alcoholic beverages, while 254 (31.1%) were teetotal; 12.1% of the subjects aged more than 15 years (23.85% of the males and 1.4% of the females) consumed 'risk' amounts of alcoholic beverages (more than 80 g/day and 40 g/day respectively). Mean ethanol consumption was 37.9 +/- 2.1 g/day for the male sex and 3.9 +/- 0.6 g/day for the female. Maximum mean ethanol consumption (60.9 g/day) was observed among the males aged 55-64 years. The distribution of the population according to the amount of ethanol consumed fits into Lederman's curve, most of the individuals being consumers of small amounts of ethanol. Male sex, middle age, married status, unskilled job, low educational level, and tobacco use were all related to a higher ethanol consumption. CAGE and brief MAST tests detected only 40.5% and 47% respectively of the subjects with 'risk' levels of alcohol consumption.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Linked versus unlinked estimates of mortality and length of life by education and marital status: evidence from the first record linkage study in Lithuania.

Earlier studies have found large and increasing with time differences in mortality by education and marital status in post-Soviet countries. Their results are based on independent tabulations of population and deaths counts (unlinked data). The present study provides the first census-linked estimates of group-specific mortality and the first comparison between census-linked and unlinked mortality estimates for a post-Soviet country. The study is based on a data set linking 140,000 deaths occurring in 2001-2004 in Lithuania with the population census of 2001. The same socio-demographic information about the deceased is available from both the census and death records. Cross-tabulations and Poisson regressions are used to compare linked and unlinked data. Linked and unlinked estimates of life expectancies and mortality rate ratios are calculated with standard life table techniques and Poisson regressions. For the two socio-demographic variables under study, the values from the death records partly differ from those from the census records. The deviations are especially significant for education, with 72-73%, 66-67%, and 82-84% matching for higher education, secondary education, and lower education, respectively. For marital status, deviations are less frequent. For education and marital status, unlinked estimates tend to overstate mortality in disadvantaged groups and they understate mortality in advantaged groups. The differences in inter-group life expectancy and the mortality rate ratios thus are significantly overestimated in the unlinked data. Socio-demographic differences in mortality previously observed in Lithuania and possibly other post-Soviet countries are overestimated. The growth in inequalities over the 1990s is real but might be overstated. The results of this study confirm the existence of large and widening health inequalities but call for better data.

Adult↗

PubMed1980

Some aspects of Yoruba traditional healers and their practice.

156 traditional healers/midwives randomly selected from all over the Yoruba-speaking areas of Nigeria were studied. Sociological data (age, sex, religion, educational status) and other details of their personal and job histories were documented. The results showed, amongst other things, that 72.4% of the 156 herbalists interviewed were more than 40 years old. The study also revealed that all traditional healers/midwives are trained before they start to practise and that people from all walks of life, irrespective of their educational and socio-economic status, illiterates, literates, students, traders, top professionals, nurses, doctors and clergymen consult traditional healers for diverse reasons. Some herbalists specialize, others are general practitioners. More than 50% of the herbalists earn enough from their practice for their upkeep. Patients pay for their treatment in cash or in kind. 125 (80%) of the herbalists were willing to cooperate with western-trained doctors if this is suggested. The results of this study were compared and contrasted with the practice of traditional medicine in other parts of Nigeria and other countries of the world where similar practices are still in vogue.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1990

Assessing the quality of life--a study in newly-diagnosed breast cancer patients.

Quality of life (QL) assessment is an increasingly important component of clinical research, especially with cancer patients. The literature strongly supports the view that QL should be assessed by the patient rather than the clinician. While clinical parameters such as performance status or toxicity ratings may bear some relationship to QL, they are not a substitute for its measurement. In spite of these observations, clinicians have been reluctant to accept the need for patient-rated measures of QL. In this paper, data from a sample of 109 newly-diagnosed breast cancer patients were used to examine the relationship between expert-rated measures and a patient-rated measure of QL; to determine whether the Cancer Rehabilitation Evaluation System (CARES), an instrument for assessing the rehabilitation needs of cancer patients, is a measure of QL; to explore whether there are any medical, social or demographic variables which the clinician can use to predict how patients assess their QL; and to determine which variables (expert-rated scales, medical, social or demographic variables, or rehabilitation needs) have the most effect on how patients evaluate their QL. In this sample, patient ratings of QL were widely distributed and were only moderately correlated with the expert-rated Karnofsky Performance Status (r = 0.53) and Global Adjustment to Illness Scale (r = 0.59). In addition, there were no significant correlations between important clinical variables (axillary node status, type of surgery, receipt of chemotherapy) and patient-rated QL. Among the clinical variables and instruments studied, the Global CARES score demonstrated the best correlation (r = -0.74) with the patient-rated assessment of QL. A stepwise multiple linear regression procedure was performed with QL as the dependent variable in order to identify which factors accounted for the most variance in patient assessment of QL. The potential predictor variables used in this procedure were chosen from among those that would be available to a clinician. The Global CARES score was the best single predictor of QL, accounting for 55% of the variance, followed by Karnofsky Performance Status, the Medical Interaction and Sexual summary scales of the CARES, and the patient's educational status. Data from the CARES provided additional descriptive information about the type and frequency of rehabilitation problems experienced by these patients in relation to their ratings of QL.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Socio-demographic variables and family health: A prospective study of a Katcha in north-central Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Healthy families are vital prerequisites for a stable society and economic development of the community. The health status of families and communities is influenced by several socio-demographic variables such as educational status, marital pattern and gender relationships. The objective of this study is to examine the effect of certain socio-demographic variables on the health status of a rural community in Northern Nigeria. METHOD: A prospective survey over a six month period, which commenced in May 2005, was done in rural primary health care centre in Katcha local Government area of Niger state. All consecutive parents either male or female of children seeking care in the health center who gave consent to participate in the survey were recruited. A structured researcher administered questionnaire was used in sourcing data. Data was analyzed using Microsoft Excel version 2003. RESULTS: A total of 608 parents comprising 302 (49.67%) male and 306 (50.33%) females (M: F = 1:1.01) were surveyed. Of these 78.48% females were uneducated compared to only 41.83% males. While most males were gainfully employed, 20.86% of females were full time housewives. Polygamy was the predominant marital pattern. The findings indicate that women in the community were socially disadvantaged compared to males. CONCLUSION: There is a significant socio-economic gap which puts females at a disadvantage in the rural community surveyed. Bridging this Socio-economic gap between men and women in rural communities will help improve the health status in our rural communities.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Helicobacter pylori in Melbourne Chinese immigrants: evidence for oral-oral transmission via chopsticks.

The Helicobacter pylori seroprevalence in a representative population of 328 Melbourne Chinese immigrants (162 men and 166 women) aged 25 years and older were studied. The population consisted of Chinese people born in China/Hong Kong (n = 110, 33.5%), Vietnam (n = 79, 24.1%), Malaysia/Singapore (n = 102, 31.1%), and elsewhere (n = 37, 11.3%). The overall seroprevalence of H. pylori was 59.5%; 60.5% in men and 58.4% in women. Gender specific analysis showed associations between higher seroprevalence and several socio-demographic factors; in men, age (P < 0.0001), lower education level (P < 0.002), cigarette smoking (P < 0.042), the use of antibiotics (P < 0.015) and chopsticks (P < 0.047), and in women, lower socioeconomical status [education level (P < 0.030), gross household income (P < 0.0001) and occupational status (P < 0.0001)] and use of chopsticks (P < 0.002). Seroprevalence differed between immigrants of various birthplaces (P < 0.001); those born in Malaysia/Singapore (43.1%) were lower than those born in China/Hong Kong (68.2%), Vietnam (68.4%), and elsewhere (59.5%). Immigrants of various birthplaces also differed in their pattern of socio-demographics. Multivariate analyses showed that risk factors for H. pylori infection within the Melbourne Chinese immigrants were, in men, age (B = 1.081) and birthplace (B = 1.769) and, in women, household income (B = 0.541) and use of chopsticks (B = 1.654). This study suggests person-to-person transmission of H. pylori via the oral-oral route with ethno-specific food practices an important risk factor.

Adult↗