Public perceptions, individual characteristics, and preventive behaviors for COVID-19 in six countries: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND@#Public perceptions and personal characteristics are heterogeneous between countries and subgroups, which may have different impacts on health-protective behaviors during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. To assess whether self-reported perceptions of COVID-19 and personal characteristics are associated with protective behaviors among general adults and to compare patterns in six different countries.@*METHODS@#This cross-sectional study uses the secondary data collected through an online survey between 15 and 23 April 2020 across six countries (China, Italy, Japan, Korea, the UK, and the USA). A total of 5945 adults aged 18 years or older were eligible for our analysis. A logistic regression model was used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) of three recommended behaviors (wearing a mask, handwashing, and avoiding social gatherings).@*RESULTS@#In most countries except for China, the participants who perceived wearing a mask as being extremely effective to curtail the pandemic were more likely to wear a mask (OR, 95%CI: Italy: 4.14, 2.08-8.02; Japan: 3.59, 1.75-7.30; Korea: 7.89, 1.91-31.63: UK: 9.23, 5.14-17.31; USA: 4.81, 2.61-8.92). Those who perceived that handwashing was extremely effective had higher ORs of this preventive behavior (OR, 95%CI: Italy: 16.39, 3.56-70.18; Japan: 12.24, 4.03-37.35; Korea: 12.41, 2.02-76.39; UK: 18.04, 2.60-152.78; USA: 10.56, 2.21-44.32). The participants who perceived avoiding social gathering as being extremely effective to curtail the pandemic were more likely to take this type of preventive behavior (OR, 95%CI: China: 3.79, 1.28-10.23; Korea: 6.18, 1.77-20.60; UK: 4.45, 1.63-11.63; USA: 4.34, 1.84-9.95). The associations between personal characteristics, living environment, psychological status, and preventive behaviors varied across different countries. Individuals who changed their behavior because of recommendations from doctors/public health officials were more likely to take preventive behaviors in many countries.@*CONCLUSIONS@#These findings suggest that higher perceived effectiveness may be a common factor to encourage preventive behaviors in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These results may provide a better understanding of the homogeneity and heterogeneity of factors related to preventive behaviors and improve public health policies in various countries and groups.

Nationwide survey on the business conditions of acupuncture-moxibustion clinics in Japan / 全日本鍼灸学会雑誌

[Introduction] During the 10-year period between 2006 to 2016, the number of acupuncture-moxibustion clinics has increased by 59%. There have been some nationwide surveys on the business conditions of massage-acupuncture-moxibustion clinics, but there have been no studies focusing on acupuncture-moxibustion clinics. It is necessary to investigate their actual business conditions as part of the basic data required for considering the future of such clinics. In this paper, we focus and report on the business conditions of the clinics from our nationwide survey data base.[Method] A survey was conducted on a total of 20,000 massage-acupuncture-moxibustion clinics in Japan extracted with a stratified random sampling, including 15,000 private management clinics, 2,000 corporate clinics and 3,000 house call service suppliers. The survey was mailed out in October 2016. Replies from active acupuncture-moxibustion licensees were extracted and the questionnaires on the following items were analyzed; the number of patients, treatment fees, annual income, business type, and licenses. The calculated values are expressed as real values, percentiles, median values, and interquartile range.[Results and Conclusion] The average number of patients per month: 98, average treatment fee: 3,000 yen, and average annual income: 3,240,000 yen were shown to be the standard features of the business conditions for acupuncture-moxibustion clinics in Japan. The distribution of the aggregate values showed a large dispersion. Extreme bipolarization is shown in the annual income. It seemed to affect the low rate for receiving acupuncture-moxibustion treatments, and the unnecessary expenditure for judo therapies. More detailed analysis is required to clarify the actual business conditions of acupuncture-moxibustion clinics.

Oxidized human serum albumin as a possible correlation factor for atherosclerosis in a rural Japanese population: the results of the Yakumo Study

BACKGROUND@#The effect of the redox state of human serum albumin (HSA) on the antioxidant properties of the entire body has been a focus of recent research. The usefulness of HSA redox state as a biomarker for reducing oxidative stress has been investigated in clinical settings; however, evidence for its significance as a health index in non-clinical settings is yet to be established. This study aimed to examine the associations between HSA redox state and the atherosclerotic indices of carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and plaque formation in a rural Japanese population.@*METHODS@#We conducted a cross-sectional study as part of a health check-up program in the rural area of Hokkaido, Japan, at the end of August 2013. A total of 281 residents (124 men and 157 women) were included in the final analysis. Lifestyle-related data were obtained through a self-reported questionnaire, and ultrasound examinations were performed to measure IMT and determine plaque formation. The high-performance liquid chromatography postcolumn bromocresol green method was used to separate HSA into human nonmercaptalbumin and human mercaptalbumin (HMA).@*RESULTS@#We found a significant negative relationship between the fraction of HMA [f(HMA)] and IMT (standardized β = - 0.132, p = 0.03). Moreover, f(HMA) was significantly associated with plaque formation (p < 0.01) with an odds ratio of 0.89 (95% confidence interval, 0.81-0.97) for every 10% increment in f(HMA).@*CONCLUSIONS@#We found that the HSA redox state, as determined by f(HMA), was associated with atherosclerotic indices in Japanese subjects. These results suggest that the HSA redox state indicates the risk of developing atherosclerosis.

Research on the situation of the employment needs of acupuncture, moxibustion, and massage practitioners in clinics / 全日本鍼灸学会雑誌

[Objective]To analyze the situation of clinics that want to employ acupuncturists and masseurs and to obtain basic data to find employment in the clinic in the future.<BR>[Methods]The subjects were 52 clinics that responded to the questionnaire survey saying they wanted to employ acupuncture and massage therapists. They were divided into three groups according to the license (acupuncture group (n = 5), acupuncture &massage group (n = 25), massage group (n = 22)). The situation and the business realities of the clinic were analyzed. <BR>[Results]Clinics with obstetrics and gynecology want to employ only acupuncturists. There were as many employment needs for both acupuncturists and masseurs in clinics with orthopedics and rehabilitation. The employment satisfaction rating is higher for the patient's need standpoint than cost-effectiveness.<BR>[Conclusion]We analyzed the status of clinics that want to employ acupuncturists and masseurs. This study is expected to help promote the employment of medical acupuncturists and masseurs.

Survey on Number and Market Size of Clinics for Acupuncture, Moxibustion Amma in Operation / 全日本鍼灸学会雑誌

[Objective]To estimate the number and market size of clinics for acupuncture, moxibustion and amma (traditional Japanese massage) in operation to provide a baseline for regional medical care resources. <BR>[Method]We conducted a postal survey by sending out questionnaires to 5,000 clinics and 1,000 on-call practitioners selected from 16,271 therapists (accounting for 21.0%of the total number in Japan) registered at 98 regional public health centers. <BR>[Results]The survey yielded a response rate of 23%, out of which the rates of non-existing clinics and on-call practitioners at the registered addresses accounted for 20.6%and 31.5%respectively. The rates of the two categories, out of business or suspended, accounted for 12.4%and 41.3%respectively. From these figures complemented by a telephone directory survey, it is estimated that 49,710 clinics were in operation in early 2007. The average annual income for private clinics was 4.88 million yen, and 2.84 million yen for private on-call practitioners, while that of corporate clinics was 34.85 million yen and 16.33million yen for corporate on-call practitioners. Accordingly, the market size of the subject business is estimated at 315 billion yen as of 2006. <BR>[Discussion]A major downward revision should be made in the data included in the national public health statistics. Considering the fact that there are over 16,000 clinics whose current status is unknown, it is desired that the government conduct a national fact-finding survey at an early date.<BR>Conclusion:The total number of acupuncture, moxibustion and amma (traditional Japanese massage) clinics is estimated at 50,000 constituting a market size of 325 billion yen as of 2006.

Survey on the Number of Amma, Acupuncture, Moxibustion Clinics and Practitioners-Verification of the Table 63 and 64 in Biennial Report on Public Health Administration and Services, 2002- / 全日本鍼灸学会雑誌

[Background] The numbers of clinics and practitioners of amma (traditional Japanese massage), acupuncture, and moxibustion are officially announced in the Report on Public Health Administration and Services. How-ever, it is highly possible that these data include non-practicing therapists, and do not show the number of therapists holding more than one license. Therefore, it is difficult to estimate the actual number of practicing therapists.<BR>[Methods] We conducted a postal survey of 3, 084 therapists registered at 12 different public health centers in five prefectures including Tokyo, and asked (1) whether the therapists were still practicing at their registered clinics, and (2) how many of the three licenses (amma, acupuncture, moxibustion) they hold.<BR>[Results] We found that 26.5 percent of the therapists were not practicing, and that 52.5 percent of people who had an amma license also had acupuncture and/or moxibustion licenses. Based on the present results, we estimate that, in 2002, there were 41, 500 amma clinics, 10, 300 acupuncture and moxibustion clinics, 71, 500 practicing amma therapists, and 54, 400 practicing acupuncturists.<BR>[Conclusion] In conclusion, the data in tables 63 and 64 in the Report on Public Health Administration and Services should be downwardly revised in order to reflect the actual situation of the relevant clinics and practitioners.