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Background & objectives: Lack of awareness is one of the major reasons for the high morbidity and mortality associated with cancers. The present study was aimed to evaluate the awareness of prevalent cancers among the rural population in a district of north India and its association specifically with mobile phone usage. Methods: Using a stratified random sampling technique, households in three villages of Gautam Buddh Nagar district of India were selected. A house-to-house survey on cancer awareness was conducted among adults in selected households and data were analyzed to check for the association of such an awareness with sociodemographic factors and internet usage. Results: The study included 59 males and 145 females, with majority (115) being in the age group of 18-30 yr. Although most (96.5%) of the participants were aware of cancer, the common risk factors and warning signs of cancer were known to only a few. Specific risk factors for cervical and breast cancers were, however, not known to a majority (79.9% and 72.2%). A significant association between the awareness of general risk factors and warning signs as well as specific aspects including risk factors for breast, cervical and oral cancer, HPV vaccine and the education level of the participants (P<0.05 for all). Knowledge of risk factors, warning signs and cancer prevention modalities was higher among mobile phone users who accessed internet for health information. There was no significant association between age group and cancer risk factor awareness, though females were more aware of the risk factors for breast cancer (P=0.002). Interpretation & conclusions: The findings of this study highlight the existing low level of awareness of cervical and breast cancers among the rural population. The association of cancer awareness with education level and mobile phone-based internet usage suggests the potential utility of internet-based platforms such as m-health programmes for cancer prevention activities
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@#AIM: To analyse and characterize the pattern of working and mobile phone usage distances(MPUD)for common users of electronic devices and computers.<p>METHODS: Transversal descriptive study consisting of a screening campaign evaluating the visual status of different professionals working with computers or electronic devices more than 2h per day. A total of 100 healthy patients with a mean age of 41.2(range: 20-62)years were revised and subdivided according to job subgroups. A battery of screening tests was performed to all participants in a single session at the working environment of each of them, including measurement of the working distance(WD), arm length, and MPUD.<p>RESULTS:The WD was significantly longer than MPUD(61.22±12.35 <i>vs</i> 32.22±6.35 cm; <i>P</i><0.001). Likewise, MPUD was significantly shorter than the arm length(74.44±4.65 cm; <i>P</i><0.001). A total of 4%(4/100)and 91%(91/100)of patients had a WD and MPUD of 40 cm or below, respectively. A weak although statistically significant correlation was found between WD and MPUD(<i>r</i>=0.387, <i>P</i><0.001)as well as between WD and arm length(<i>r</i>=0.260, <i>P</i>=0.009). Statistically significant differences were detected among job subgroups in WD(<i>P</i>=0.021), being longer for militaries compared to university researchers and lecturers(<i>P</i>=0.025).<p>CONCLUSION:Working and mobile phone usage distances vary significantly among common users of computers and digital devices, although the use of mobile phones tends to be performed at significantly closer distances. This parameter should be considered when planning any type of optical correction, especially for presbyopia.
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OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the current usage status and identify the needs of mobile devices in the geriatric population, thus grasping the accessibility and possibility of mobile devices which can be positively used to allow them to obtain health information and manage their mental health. METHODS: All self-reported questionnaires, such as demographics, mobile phone usage, and several mental health-related scales, were completed by two elderly groups (14 males ; aged over 60, mean=73) who visited Seodaemun-gu center for dementia: 1) 54 feature phone and 2) 57 smartphone users. RESULTS: The results revealed that they have had the need to receive health information and healthcare particularly on psychiatric disorders such as dementia, geriatric depression, and anxiety. The relation between wireless calling plan and the two groups was significant. The two groups showed a significant difference only in the Short form of Geriatric Depression Scale (SGDS) score; The feature phone group had significantly higher SGDS score than the smartphone group did. CONCLUSION: As the elderly mobile phone users showed a high level of need for health information and healthcare via their own mobile phones, the data of this study are expected to serve as a foundation for the development of elderly-friendly mobile applications and programs.
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Aged , Humans , Male , Anxiety , Cell Phone , Delivery of Health Care , Dementia , Demography , Depression , Hand Strength , Mental Health , Mobile Applications , Smartphone , Weights and MeasuresABSTRACT
Objective:To explore the academic procrastination (AP) status and related factors in college students. Methods: Totally 828 undergraduates (277 male, 551 female, age 18-25 years) from Sun Yat-Sen University were investigated with a self-made questionnaire for basic information and Undergraduate Academic Procrastination Questionnaire (UAPQ) for AP status. UAPQ included overall learning procrastination (OLP), homework procrastination (HP), exam preparing procrastination (EPP) and self-learning procrastination (SLP). Students who scored more than 3 in OLP, HP, EPP, SLP were regarded as procrastinator. Result: The procrastination rates of OLP, HP, EPP, SLP were 40.7％, 29.7％, 41.5％, and 47.6％. Multiple linear regression analysis results showed that bigger (β = 0.32) and normal (β =0.15) influence for academic by mobile-phone, higher level of computer dependence (β =0.15) were positively related with academic procrastination. Higher (β =-0.27) and normal (β =-0.17) levels of grade satisfaction were negatively correlated with academic procrastination. The seniors' academic procrastination levels were lower than those in other grade (β =-0.12). Conclusion: It suggests that undergraduates procrastinate widely in many academic activities. Bigger and normal influence for academic by mobile-phone, higher level of computer dependence may be risk factors of procrastination, while being satisfied with grades and seniors may be protective factors.