• The Korean Journal of Health Service Management
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.93-104
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• 2020

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between oral health awareness symptoms and academic stress in some high school girls and to find out existing improvement plans. Methods: This study conducted a self-reported survey on 303 high school girls from four high schools in Jeollabuk-do. Results: Higher academic performance, poor subjective oral health, awareness of dental caries, awareness of jaw joint disease, awareness of discomfort during chewing, and awareness of tooth pain significantly increased overall admission stress. The most influential factors were dental pain symptoms, followed by subjective oral health and dental caries symptoms. Conclusions: Effective measures to help high school girls cope with academic stress, a systematic school oral health policy, and practical health promotion activities are necessary to improve their oral health.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.7
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• pp.2731-2737
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• 2015

Background: The majority of deaths from cancer occur in low and middle income countries, partly due to poor public awareness of the signs and symptoms of cancer. Materials and Methods: A community based survey using the Cancer Awareness Measure (CAM) questionnaire was conducted in three different communities in Oman. Omani adults aged 18 years and above were invited to participate in the study. Results: A total of 345 responded from 450 invited participants (response rate=76.7%). The majority of respondents were unable to identify the common signs and symptoms of cancer identified in the CAM (average awareness was 40.6%). The most emotional barrier to seeking help was worry about what the doctor might find (223, 64.6%); a practical barrier was too busy to make an appointment (259, 75.1%) and a service barrier was difficulty talking to the doctor (159, 46.1%). The majority of respondents (more than 60% for seven out of ten symptoms) would seek medical help in two weeks for most signs or symptoms of cancer. Females were significantly more likely than males to be embarrassed (p<0.001), scared (p=0.001), and lack confidence talking about their symptoms (p=0.022). Conclusions: Urgent strategies are needed to improve public awareness of the signs and symptoms of cancer in Oman. This might leads to earlier diagnosis, improved prognosis and reduced mortality from cancer.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.15 no.8
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• pp.5116-5123
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• 2014

This study examined the awareness levels of stroke warning symptoms and the related factors among residents in a province and this paper presents the evidence for education and promotion strategies. The study subjects were 585 adults living in a province. The demographic factors and awareness levels of stroke symptoms were surveyed through a telephone interview. In the survey, the most frequently recognized warning symptoms were 'sudden speech disturbance (84.6%)', and 'sudden weakness of one side (73.9%)'. On the other hand, 'sudden dizziness (67.0%)', 'sudden visual impairment (55.4%)' and 'sudden severe headache (51.3%)' were less recognized. In a multiple regression analysis, male, young age, no familial history of stroke, no acquaintance history of stroke, low educational level, no exposure to promotional literature were significantly related to a low awareness level of the stroke warning symptoms. Providing customized programs will be helpful for enhancing the efficiency of promotion and education to the population with a low awareness level of stroke symptoms.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.567-573
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• 2021

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the association between the oral health behavior of adolescents, symptoms of awareness and subjective happiness. Methods: This study is the 16th (2020) primitive self-administered survey that is completed using data on youth health behavior 54,948 to finally select people. Acomposite sample analysis was performed using SPSS window program 21.0. A chi-square test was performed tocompare subjective happiness according to the general characteristics of the subjects, oral health behavior, and awareness symptoms. Logistic regression analysis of the subjective happiness factor was the impact on composite samples. Results: Oral health is a subjective factor that affects happiness. Happiness was found to be 1.479 times higher when participants brushed their teeth more than three times a day and 1.175 times higher when they brushed after lunch. However, subjective happiness was 0.901 times lower when the awareness symptoms of pain was experienced, 0.843 times lower when there was tingling and throbbing, and 0.841 times lower when there was gingival pain. Conclusions: It is necessary to develop and guide various activity programs so that youth oral health education and subjective feelings of happiness can be improved to promote oral health.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.18
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• pp.8345-8349
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• 2016

Background: Although the incidence of colorectal cancer in Malaysia is increasing, awareness of this cancer, including its symptoms, risk factors and screening methods, remains low among Malaysian populations. This survey was conducted with the aim of (i) ascertaining the awareness level regarding colorectal cancer symptoms, risk factors and its screening among the general populations and (ii) assessing the public preference and willingness to pay for colorectal cancer screening. Materials and Methods: The questionnaire was distributed in eight major cities in West Malaysia during the World Health Digestive Day (WDHD) campaign. Two thousand four hundred and eight respondents participated in this survey. Results: Generally, awareness of colorectal cancer was found to be relatively good. Symptoms such as change in bowel habit, blood in the stool, weight loss and abdominal pain were well recognized by 86.6%, 86.9%, 83.4% and 85.6% of the respondents, respectively. However, common risk factors such as positive family history, obesity and old age were acknowledged only by less than 70% of the respondents. Almost 80% of the respondents are willing to take the screening test even without any apparent symptoms. Colonoscopy is the preferred screening method, but only 37.5% were willing to pay from their own pocket to get early colonoscopy. Conclusions: Continous cancer education should be promoted with more involvement from healthcare providers in order to make future colorectal cancer screening programs successful.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.386-398
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• 2020

Background: We determined the differences in awareness of myocardial infarction and stroke according to the presence or absence of diabetes mellitus in the community. Methods: The 2018 Community Health Survey identified 20,812 people with diabetes mellitus aged 40-79 years. Using 1:1 matching by propensity score, 20,812 people without diabetes mellitus but with similar sociodemographic characteristics were selected as a comparison. Outcome variables were awareness of early symptoms of myocardial infarction and stroke and awareness of coping strategies in case of occurrence. Results: There was no significant difference between nondiabetic and diabetic people in terms of recognizing all early symptoms of myocardial infarction (nondiabetic, 42.7%; diabetic, 43.0%; p=0.43) and stroke (nondiabetic, 49.4%; diabetic, 49.4%; p=0.91). In addition, no significant difference was found between nondiabetic and diabetic people in the proportion of knowing correct emergency response to myocardial infarction (nondiabetic, 84.6%; diabetic, 84.4%; p=0.56) and stroke (nondiabetic, 81.3%; diabetic, 81.4%; p=0.77). Conclusion: Since people with diabetes are at greater risk of cardiovascular disease than the general public, it is important to lower the risk of disability and death by improving their awareness of early symptoms and correct emergency response to myocardial infarction and stroke.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.8
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• pp.4057-4062
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• 2012

Objective: To study the level of awareness and knowledge about cancers and associated risk factors among households in selected states of India. Methods: In the study 3070 households were interviewed from six states viz, West Bengal, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Mizoram. Results: Knowledge of cancers other than those related to tobacco was very low (prostate 8%, colon 11% ) among the communities, with a poor awareness of warning signs and symptoms. The knowledge varied from state to state. It is found that the major source of information related to cancers was television (38%) followed by friends and relatives (36%). Only about 15 % of respondents had knowledge about cancer awareness camps organized in their districts but they did not have knowledge about the organizers of the camp. Findings suggested a strong need for strengthening of DCCP. Conclusion: It is important to create awareness among community through educational programs on cancer prevention, preventable cancer risk factors, benefits of early diagnosis, and availability of screening facilities. Integration of District Cancer Control activities with NRHM could be the most cost-effective strategy to prevent cancers and rural population.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.1875-1879
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• 2016

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide. A very important factor in the timely treatment and prevention of progression is high breast cancer awareness. Rural women are at risk of latte stage breast cancer due to poor education and lack of access to medical facilities. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional-descriptive study was conducted on 266 women (out of 300) aged over 18 in rural areas of Zabol, Southeastern Iran during July 2015 to October 2015. The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire that measured participant knowledge of breast cancer in four aspects (general awareness, risk factors, mammography, and symptoms). SPSS 22 was used for statistical analysis. Results: Out of 266 participants, age information was available for 261. The age range was between 19 and 62, with a mean of $27{\pm}2.1years$. Most participants (154, 57.9%) had an average overall awareness of breast cancer. In the general awareness dimension, most participants (130, 48.9%) had poor scores. Most (166, 62.4%) also had average awareness about risk factors and many (137, 51.5%) had good awareness about mammography. Most participants did not know that changes in breast shape (232, 88.2%), dimpling of breast skin (192, 72.3%) and nipple discharge (183, 69.6%) are the main symptoms of breast cancer. ANOVA statistical analysis showed a significant relationship between awareness level and participant education and occupation (P<0.05). Conclusions: This study indicated average awareness of participants about breast cancer. Since rural women have lower levels of education, it is recommended that educational courses with contents about breast cancer, its risk factors, and symptoms be held for these women.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.595-600
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• 2021

Objectives: For postmenopausal women who participated in the 2019 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, we aimed to provide basic data for oral health management interventions and oral policies for each life cycle of postmenopausal women by identifying the relationship between physical activity and depression on oral health behavior and awareness symptoms. Methods: The participants of this study were 1,628 menopausal women, and their general characteristics, physical activity, depression, and oral health behavior and awareness symptoms were investigated. This study used the complex sample frequency analysis, complex sample 𝞆² test, and logistic regression analysis method, which is a sample design of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Results: The factors influencing physical activity were the use of oral hygiene device and chewing difficulty. and the influencing factors of depression experience were pain and chewing difficulty. Conclusions: As a result, physical activity and depression experience should be utilized by developing and oral health program for the promotion of oral health in postmenopausal women.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.16-24
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• 2016

Background and Objectives: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is often undiagnosed but is an important risk factor affecting the health of an individual. The level of awareness of the illness among patients with OSA is low and is not correlated with severity of the illness. This study was conducted to compare awareness of OSA symptoms and illness between patients with OSA and simple snorers. Materials and Methods: Two hundred eighty-two patients who were suspected of having OSA participated in this study. All subjects underwent overnight polysomnography. Those with an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) ${\geq}5$ were classified as the OSA group, while those with an AHI < 5 were classified as the simple snoring group. A sleep questionnaire, which included items on awareness of the illness, OSA, and sleep symptoms, was administered to all subjects and their bed-partners. Results: Simple snorers were much more aware of their symptoms such as snoring, irregular breathing, and apnea than were patients with OSA. Bed-partners of simple snorers were also more aware of the participants' sleep symptoms than were partners of patients with OSA. However, the duration of OSA symptoms was longer in the OSA group. In the correlation analysis, the level of awareness of OSA symptoms was negatively correlated with AHI, age, body mass index, and Epworth Sleepiness Scale score. Among the sleep questionnaire and polysomnography results, only Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was positively correlated with level of awareness of OSA symptoms. The minority of the respondents had heard about the treatment methods of continuous positive airway pressure and oral appliance and preferred them as treatment options. Conclusion: This study suggests that simple snorers are more aware of their symptoms than are patients with OSA. A higher severity of OSA, represented by a higher AHI, is correlated with lower awareness of one's OSA symptoms.