Determinants and outcomes of low birth weight among newborns at a Tertiary Hospital in Zambia: A retrospective cohort study

Aim: This study aimed to assess determinants and outcomes of LBW among newborns at a tertiary hospital. Settings and Design: Retrospective cohort study at Women and Newborn Hospital in Lusaka Zambia. Subjects and Methods: We reviewed delivery case records and neonatal files between January 1, 2018, and September 30, 2019, for newborns admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit. Statistical Analysis Used: Logistic regression models were used to establish determinants of LBW and describe the outcomes. Results: Women living with human immunodeficiency virus infection were more likely to deliver LBW infants (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.46; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.16­1.86). Other maternal determinants of LBW were; increased parity (AOR = 1.22; 95% CI: 1.05­1.43), preeclampsia (AOR = 6.91; 95% CI: 1.48­32.36), and gestational age <37 weeks compared to 37 weeks or more (AOR = 24.83; 95% CI: 13.27­46.44). LBW neonates were at higher odds of early mortality (AOR = 2.16; 95% CI: 1.85­2.52), developing respiratory distress syndrome (AOR = 2.96; 95% CI: 2.53­3.47), and necrotizing enterocolitis (AOR = 1.66; 95% CI: 1.16­2.38) than neonates with a birth weight of 2500 g or more. Conclusions: These findings underscore the importance of effective maternal and neonatal interventions to reduce the risk of morbidity and mortality for neonates with LBW in Zambia and other similar settings.

Survey on the training needs of general practitioners in the context of public health emergency / 中华全科医师杂志

Objective:To survey on the training needs of general practitioners (GPs) in the context of public health emergency.Methods:A questionnaire was developed through literature review and interviews with health department leaders, administrators and GPs in grassroots health institutions as well as experts in the field. The contents of questionnaire included the basic information, perception of epidemic impact, knowledge and skills to learn, and the preferred training contents related to public health emergency. The questionnaire survey was conducted among 430 GPs from 44 grass-roots institutions of 6 cities/districts in Suzhou selected by multi-stage convenient sampling method from April to May 2022. Kano model was used to analyze the needs and preferences of general practitioners for training contents related to the prevention and control of COVID-19 epidemic.Results:A total of 391 valid questionnaires were collected, with an effective response rate of 90.93%. More than half of respondents hoped to learn about the general diagnosis and treatment, first aid, and emergency management of common cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, as well as common community emergencies through training. In the training contents domains, special training for COVID-19 prevention and control was necessary; knowledge and practical skills were expected as the basic training needs; research and teaching ability and self-regulation ability were training needs of charm attributes; and professional quality, doctor-patient communication, and management ability were all training needs of no difference attributes.Conclusion:In the context of public health emergency, the specialized training of epidemic prevention and control is prioritized for GPs, the training of knowledge and practical skills, research and teaching abilities and self-regulation abilities are also needed.

Research on the improvement of physical examination service quality based on KANO model and quality function deployment / 中华健康管理学杂志

Objective:To establish an integrated model with KANO model and quality function deployment theory to determine the priority of measures in improving the quality of physical examination service.Methods:It was a cross-sectional study. A total of 196 physical examinees from the Health Management Center of the second affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University were selected by simple random sampling. Reliability test was used to analyze the reliability and validity of the questionnaire. KANO model was used to determine the importance of physical examination needs in health examination population. The quality function deployment model was used to create the house of quality and determine the priority of the importance of various service measures.Results:In the high important attribute requirements of physical examination, the final importance of emergency ability, outpatient time, professional and advanced equipment are 0.054, 0.052, 0.047 and 0.046 respectively. The measures that needed to be given priority to improve the quality of physical examination services were to improve the quality of medical services (absolute importance=107.5), strengthen skill assessment (absolute importance=70.1), define guidance, consultation and clinic identification (absolute importance=56.2), introduce advanced equipment and facilities (absolute importance=53.7), timely and accurate physical examination report (absolute importance=51.9) and interpretation of physical examination report (absolute importance=50.9).Conclusions:The physical examination center should give priority to the measures such as improving the medical level, strengthening the skill examination, introducing advanced equipment and facilities, defining the guidance of examination, consultation and consultation room identification, and strengthening service management.

Survey on use demands of wise classroom for medical students based on learning experience / 中华医学教育探索杂志

The objectives of the paper is to more accurate understand the use demands of wise classrooms for medical students, and provide scientific basis for wise classroom managers when formulating wise classroom environment optimization strategies. In the paper, the questionnaire survey method was used to investigate 23 indicators in 4 dimensions of hardware facilities, information technology, teaching methods and medical wise classroom features. And the data of 1 074 questionnaires were analyzed using KANO model analysis technology and satisfaction importance quadrant chart. Among the 23 demand indicators, there are 6 required attributes, 7 expected attributes, 9 charm attributes and 1 non-differential attribute. According to the theoretical importance ranking of the KANO model, wise classroom managers should first improve the quality of indicators related to necessary attributes, give priority to the quality of indicators related to expected attributes, and finally meet the requirements of indicators related to charm attributes. Relevant policies and construction suggestions for smart classrooms are put forward from the three levels of school top-level design, teachers and managers in the paper.

Research on the demand and influencing factors of home care social support services for the elderly with dementia in cities / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective:To investigate the demand and influencing factors of home care social support services for the elderly with dementia in urban areas, and provide a decision-making basis for improving home care social support services for the elderly with dementia.Methods:This was a cross-sectional study. From March 2021 to March 2022, 386 family caregivers of elderly people with dementia were randomly selected from tertiary hospitals in four central urban areas of Wuhan by stratified sampling method. A questionnaire was used to investigate the current situation and attributes of the demand for home care social support services for the elderly with dementia in urban areas. The importance of the demand for home care social support services for the elderly with dementia in urban areas was calculated by the Better-Worse coefficient method and sensitivity formula method. The optimal scale regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors and influencing forces of independent variables on service demand.Results:The score of social support service demand for home care was (88.6 ± 29.71) points. The Better coefficient of demand for all social support services was greater than the absolute value of the Worse coefficient. One requirement (pressure ulcer prevention and treatment guidance) was a one-dimensional attribute, and the remaining 29 items were charm attributes. The top 6 items in importance ranking were 2 items of informational support (pressure ulcer prevention and treatment guidance; telephone counselling guidance for family caregivers), 1 items of instrumental support (financial assistance for family caregivers) and 3 items of social companionship support(cultural recreation/physical activity activities, door-to-door accompaniment, accompany the elderly to social activities). Optimal scale regression model test: all four models of social support service demand were statistically significant ( F values were 2.75-4.23, all P <0.01). The gender, education level, number of children of the elderly with dementia, age,education level, self rated physical condition of family caregivers, the average monthly income of families, and the relationship between family caregivers and the elderly with dementia were the influencing factors of self-esteem support (all P<0.05). The educational level, marital status, type of dementia of the elderly with dementia, educational level, self rated physical condition of family caregivers, the average monthly income of the family, and the relationship between family caregivers and the elderly with dementia were the influencing factors of informational support (all P <0.05). The educational level and type of dementia of the elderly with dementia, the educational level, self rated physical condition of family caregivers, and the average monthly income of families were the influencing factors of social companionship support (all P <0.05). The type of dementia of the elderly with dementia, the self rated physical condition of family caregivers, the average monthly income of families, and the relationship between family caregivers and elderly relatives were the influencing factors of instrumental support (all P <0.05). Five times for caregiver human resources, 3 times for family economic resources and 3 times for the elderly with dementia, and 1 time for relatives resource factors were the top 3 times of independent variable influence force entered the ranking. Conclusions:The demand for social support services for home care of the elderly with dementia is low, with the characteristics of expectant tendency and centralized demand. The provision of home-based care social support services should give priority to meeting the needs of "pressure ulcer prevention and treatment guidance", and provide financial assistance, counseling and guidance, social companionship and other services as much as possible. Caregiver human resources are the key factors affecting home care social support services, family economic resources and the elderly with dementia are important factors, it is recommended to fully tap the potential of relatives resources and community resources.

Research on the optimization of pharmaceutical care in Chinese social pharmacy based on Kano theory / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE To identify the demand levels and specific connotations of pharmaceutical care in social pharmacy based on Kano theory， and to provide suggestions for the optimization of pharmaceutical care in Chinese social pharmacy. METHODS Using Kano theory as the analysis framework， the needs of consumer for different levels of pharmaceutical care in social pharmacy were identified through literature combing. The ideas and suggestions were proposed for the optimization of pharmaceutical care in Chinese social pharmacy based on the content and characteristics of different levels of needs. RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS The demands for pharmaceutical care in Chinese social pharmacy were divided into three levels， among which the basic demand included ensuring the accessibility， safety and effectiveness of drugs； the expectation demand included personalized medication guidance and management， convenient and efficient medication purchasing services triggered by consumer upgrading； the charming demand included health services and management， professional and high-quality service experience. Social pharmacies should take drug security as the core， achieve high quality and good price， and fully meet basic demand； take patient medication management as the grip， conduct double-drive professional services and model innovation to fully respond to expectation demand； take public health as the goal， broaden service content and experience value， and meet the charming demand of consumer at the right time.

High prevalence of serological weak D phenotype and preponderance of weak D type 4.0.1. genetic variant in a Nigerian population: implications for transfusion practice in a resource-limited setting

ABSTRACT Introduction: Prevalence of RhD negative phenotype in Nigeria is low; this leads to scarcity of RhD negative red cells for transfusion. Serological and molecular genotyping of RhD negative individuals for weak D types could reduce this scarcity. The aim of this study was to determine the serological prevalence and molecular types of weak D phenotypes among blood donors and pregnant women in Kano, Nigeria. Methods: A total of 4482 blood donors and pregnant women from three hospitals in Kano were recruited. An indirect antiglobulin test was used to determine weak D phenotypes. Molecular genotyping was performed on genomic DNA from whole blood amplified by polymerase chain reaction sequence-specific primers (PCR-SSP) with agarose gel electrophoresis. Results: The mean age of the participants was 26.50 ±5.79 years. The prevalence of the RhD negative phenotype was 4.2% (189/4482). Of the 189 RhD negative phenotypes, 20 (10.6%) were weak D positive. Molecular genotyping of the 20 Weak D positive phenotypes revealed 15 (75%) weak D type 4, of which 11 were due to the RHD*09.03 and RHD*DAR3 (T201R, F223V) polymorphisms and 4, due to RHD* 08.01 and RHD* DFV polymorphisms; 2 (10%) were due to the 602 C>G polymorphism, while the remaining 3 (15%) constituted partial D or other rare weak D types. Conclusion: The prevalence of weak D positive phenotypes is high in this study; weak D type 4 is the most common RhD genetic variant. Routine serologic weak D testing of RhD negative blood and molecular genotyping should be encouraged in resource-limited settings.

Challenges to paediatric tuberculosis care as perceived by health workers in Kano, North-western Nigeria

uberculosis (TB) remains the world's deadliest infectious disease that affects a third of the world's population and newly infected an estimated 10 million people in 2018. The number of TB infected Nigerians ranks sixth in the world and first in Africa. Kano State has the highest Nigerian TB prevalence. I aimed to identify Paediatric TB care challenges as perceived by Kano Medical and DOT health care providers. The study design was prospective, descriptive and cross sectional involving structured questionnaire interviews of 43 healthcare providers, during TB supervision visits of 10 Health facilities in Kano. Generated data was entered, validated and analysed using the STATA 13 statistical software package. The sample size was convenient, since it is the number of all the health providers working in the facilities assigned to the author for supervision under a supervision contract with KNCV in 2017. Of the 43 respondents, there were 26 males, with a M: F ratio of 1.5: 1. Those health workers aged from 30 and 40 years constituted 58% of respondents. The staff cadre of respondents comprised of Community Health Extension Workers [CHEW] (40%), doctors (30%) and nurses (3%). Up to 51% of respondents had over 10 years health worker experience and greater than 36 months Child TB DOT care provision. The most commonly identified challenges to paediatric TB care included poor health knowledge (97.7%), poor health seeking behaviour (95.4%), poverty (95.4%), the inability of children to cough up sputum 95.4%, late presentation (90.7%), contact tracing logistics (90.7 %), patient and community factors of stigma and discrimination (86%) and poor health worker paediatric TB knowledge (70%). Perceived health worker challenges to effective Paediatric TB care were the adult orientation of the TB programme and its contact tracing logistic challenges, inadequate health worker Paediatric TB knowledge, children's inability to cough up sputum, poverty, poor patient TB health knowledge, community stigma and discrimination, poor health seeking behaviour and late presentation.

Research on climate demand of staff organization in public hospital based on Kano model: Taking a tertiary public hospital in Hebei Province as an example / 中华医学科研管理杂志

Objective:Based on the construction of benign organizational climate of tertiary public hospitals, this paper tries to understand the practical demands of hospital staff for the internal organizational climate.Methods:A seven-dimension organizational climate questionnaire for public hospitals was designed by literature review and Delphi expert survey method. On the basis of satisfying the reliability and validity test, Kano questionnaire analysis and Better-Worse coefficient analysis were combined to identify the key climate factors to improve the satisfaction of hospital staff.Results:28 climate indicators were divided into: 9 (32.1%) attractive requirements, 7 (25.0%) one-dimensional requirements, 4 (14.3%) hybrid requirements, 6 (21.4%) must-be requirements, and 2 (7.2%) indifference requirements.Conclusions:According to Kano model classification results and satisfaction influence matrix distribution results, Some suggestions are put forward for constructing benign organizational climate in hospitals from the aspects of constructing equitable system, popularizing democratic leadership, attaching importance to cultivating scientific research and improving humanistic care.

Investigation of quality attributes of outpatient doctors based on Kano model / 中华医院管理杂志

Objective:To identify the essential quality, expected quality and charm quality of outpatient doctors based on Kano model.Methods:The Kano model quality attribute questionnaire for outpatient doctors was designed from 4 dimensions and 18 indicators of service, quality, safety and cost. 220 outpatients were investigated in a tertiary hospital. The reliability and validity of 212 valid questionnaires were tested and the questionnaire data were analyzed.Results:Both the Cronbach α coefficient and the KMO value were higher than 0.7, which indicated that the reliability and validity were good. Nine of the 18 survey indicators were essential quality, focusing on the quality dimension and service dimension; 4 items were expected quality; 4 items were charm quality, focusing on disease cognition, prevention and drug safety; 1 item was indifferent quality.Conclusions:The essential quality of outpatient doctors is to provide basic and standardized medical services to patients. Studying the quality attribute can provide behavior guidance for outpatient doctors, improve patient satisfaction and quality of outpatient medical services.

Research on medical service quality improvement of a public hospital based on Kano model and quality function deployment / 中华医院管理杂志

Objective:To study the improvement of medical service quality in a public hospital by integrating Kano and quality function deployment(QFD)technology, so as to provide reference for the improvement of service quality in hospitals.Methods:The Kano questionnaire of patients′ needs was designed, the attributes of patients′ needs were identified, and the importance of patients′ needs was calculated and determined. Then, using the house of quality technology in QFD, the patient needs were transformed into corresponding medical service quality assurance elements, and the improvement priority of each assurance element was determined through calculation.Results:The six quality assurance elements most expected to be improved by patients in the hospital were to improve medical level, strengthen service management, improve supervision and review mechanism, standardize complaint process, ensure drug safety and guidance, and track treatment effect.Conclusions:The integrated Kano-QFD technology can provide an effective methodological reference for improving the quality of medical service.

Five Year Retrospective and Current Prevalence of Malaria in Bunkure Local Government Area of Kano State, Nigeria

Background: Malaria is one of the most severe public health problems worldwide, particularly in Africa, with Nigeria having the greatest number of cases. This study evaluated a five-year (2012-2016) retrospective and a current trend (August-December 2017) of malaria prevalence in Bunkure Local Government Area of Kano State, Nigeria. Methods:The retrospective review was conducted by extracting data on malaria cases from the Summary Record Book at Bunkure Primary Health Care Facility. In the current survey, a total of 400 participants were examined using peripheral blood sample obtained by venous puncture to estimate the current malaria prevalence. All data obtained were analyzed using SPSS version 20. Results:In the retrospective period, a total of 12,387 suspected malaria patients were diagnosed using Rapid Diagnostic Test kit, out of which 9,746 (78.7%) were positive for malaria. The infection was higher in females (45.27%) and in subjects above or equal to 5years of age. There was no significant difference in prevalence between the gender (P= 0.322) and the age groups (P = 0.630). Of the 400 participants examined, 193 were found positive formalaria,representing a prevalence rate of (48.3%), much lower than the prevalence rate in the retrospective period (78.7%). The higher prevalence of the infection was found in males (32.25%) and the age group between 5-12 years (14.25%). The difference in prevalence was statistically not significant between the genders (p =0.87) and the age groups (p = 0.142). Conclusion:Based on the findings of this study, there was a significant decline(P < 0.05) in trend of malaria prevalence in the study area, which may be attributed to the effectiveness of the ongoing control interventions in the locality. This study indicates the need for continuous monitoring of malaria prevalence using both microscopy and RDT for assessment of impact of malaria intervention in the area

Demand analysis of Internet hospital service based on KANO Model / 医学研究生学报

ObjectiveAs a new mode and format of health care service, Internet hospital has created a convenient and efficient medical treatment channel for patients and promoted more access to high-quality medical resources. In order to better identify patients′ service demands of Internet hospitals and thus meet people′s diversified health needs, refined classification management of service demands of Internet hospitals is implemented by KANO model, so as to promote the improvement of service quality of Internet hospitals and enhance patient satisfaction as well.MethodsBased on the analysis ideas of KANO model, 300 patients were randomly selected from the social pharmacy of an Internet hospital for questionnaire survey and service demand survey.ResultsIn the KANO requirement attribute classification of Internet hospital service items, there were 6 items belonging to charm attribute, 10 items belonging to expectation attribute and 5 items belonging to necessity attribute. Service items corresponding to expected attributes and necessary attributes account for more than 70% of Internet hospital services.ConclusionThe application of KANO model to the service demand survey of Internet hospitals can effectively improve the service management level of Internet hospitals, and the continuous improvement of service quality of Internet hospitals requires regular monitoring of service demand changes.

Correlation Analysis of Toxic Metals Distribution and Pollution Indices in Soil, Beans and Maize Samples of Kano State, Nigeria

Correlational study and evaluation of pollution indices of toxic metals distribution in soil and crops of a population are imperative for assessing the risk of chronic diseases associated with these metals. Correlational analysis for the distribution of; lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr) and mercury (Hg) in soil (S), bean (B) and maize (M) was conducted around Bunkure (BKR), Danbatta (DBT), Gwarzo (GRZ), Ungogo (UGG) and Wudil (WDL) as sampling zones around Kano State, Nigeria. The samples were collected from farm harvests in each of the sampling zones. The metal concentration was determined using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Results in mg/kg across the local governments indicate respective ranges for Hg, Pb, Cd, and Cr of; 0.33 - 3.13, 0.14 - 0.84, 0.02 - 0.05 and 0.01- 0.49 in soil, 0.04-4.23, 0.06-0.23, 0.02-0.04 and 0.00-0.10 in maize and 0.20-4.23, 0.16-0.19, 0.03-0.04 and 0.00-0.03 in beans. Although with the exception of mercury, the ranges of the toxic metals are within the tolerable range set by International Standard Tolerable Limits and European Regulatory Standard. Potential hazard may be speculated because the detected levels are on higher tolerable ranges. A higher level of mercury in almost all the samples indicates potential hazards associated with human activities in those areas. A strong positive correlation between soils samples in respect to the level of some of the toxic metal may suggest a common nature of the soil, while the negative correlation may be due to variation in agrochemicals in-use. For the pollution load index, Wudil had the highest soil pollution load index for Hg (3.13 ± 0.16), Cd (1.6×10-2 ± 0.01) and Cr (4.9×10-3 ± 0.01), while Ungogo had the highest pollution load for Pb. Also, all grains within the study zones exhibited a positive transfer factor, except Cr in Bunkure, Danbatta and Gwarzo. It may be concluded that crops grown in those areas may bioaccumulate some of these toxic metals, thereby incorporating them into the food chain, hence potential health risk.

Function analysis of hospital mobile applications based on Kano model / 中华医院管理杂志

Objective To promote the building of the hospital mobile applications architecture in a scientific,user-centered,and needs-oriented way.Methods Function points from mobile applications were rounded up for classification and ranking by means of Kano model and double factor questionnaire survey,for the purpose of qualitative and quantitative analysis of 12 hospitals and identifying the core needs of patients.Statistical methods such as descriptive analysis were used to analyze the data.Results 16 function points of mobile applications were rounded up from 12 hospitals,finding that 12 of their 16 App functions were located in the upper half of the quartile graph,namely appointment and result inquiry.These 12 functions if well met will upgrade patient satisfaction.Conclusions High focus on mobile applications is imperative to upgrade hospital's intelligent medical services,improve the medical efficiency and satisfaction.

Analysis of satisfaction degree of medical science and technology innovation talents growth environment in Xinjiang based on KANO model / 中华医学科研管理杂志

Objective This study uses the KANO model to evaluate the satisfaction of the growth environment of medical science and technology innovation talents in Xinjiang,comprehensively understand the needs of talents for the growth environment,and propose specific countermeasures for the improvement and related direction of Xinjiang's science and technology innovation talent growth environment.Methods Science and technology innovation talents from three tertiary hospitals in Xinjiang were selected as research subject,questionnaire survey was conducted to understand their basic information,and to confirm the talents growth environment for the current attitude according to the structural KANO model questionnaire includes rules.Results The KANO model was used to determine five key indicators that have high sensitivity to the satisfaction of Xinjiang medical science and technology innovation talents.They are research funding,scientific research facilities,scientific research reward mechanism,scientific research team cooperation,and academic exchanges domestically and internationally.Conclusions According to the key influencing factors of Xinjiang medical science and technology innovation talent satisfaction,improving and optimizing the corresponding indicators can effectively improve the overall quality of the technological innovation talent growth environment and improve the satisfaction of scientific and technological talents.

Kano Analysis of Patients’ Satisfaction at Community Pharmacy—Applying Good Old Practice to Current Problems of Society— / 社会薬学

Consumer satisfaction is an important parameter for assessing the quality of pharmacy. Whereas expectation for pharmacists has been increasing recently, misconception still exists. The Kano analysis is a customer-oriented quality measurement and quality improvement technique. Using this analysis, the aim of the study is to assess the patients’ satisfaction regarding the services provided by pharmacists based on basic needs, performance needs, and excitement needs. Community pharmacists will need to distinguish them to enhance patients’ satisfaction.

An Analysis of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Butchers in Kano Metropolis, Nigeria

BACKGROUND: Butchering is often associated with high rates of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs). However, published work on the prevalence of WRMSDs among butchers in Nigeria is scarce. This is important because meat processing practices differ across geographical and cultural locations. This study was therefore aimed at analyzing WRMSDs among butchers in Kano metropolis. METHODS: Sociodemographic and work-settings information was obtained from 102 male cattle butchers (age, 37.49±11.68 years) through survey. Information on the prevalence and pattern of musculoskeletal disorders was obtained from the respondents using the Standardized Nordic Questionnaire. Additional information on health seeking practices was also obtained using a pro forma. Associations between the prevalence of WRMSDs and each of the sociodemographic data and work settings were explored using Chi-square analysis. The level of significance was set at p<0.05. RESULTS: The 12-month and point prevalence rates of WRMSDs among butchers in this study were 88.2% and 74.5%, respectively. Whereas lower back complaints (66.7%) were the overall and lower body quadrant's most commonly reported WRMSDs among the butchers surveyed, wrist/hand complaints were the leading upper quadrant's (45.1%) most commonly reported WRMSDs among the respondents. There were significant associations between age and majority of WRMSDs in the body regions. Only 23.3% of the 90 individuals who had WRMSD visited the hospital to seek redress for their WRMSD. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of WRMSDs is high among butchers in Kano Metropolis. Few individuals with WRMSD utilize healthcare facilities. Age is a major risk factor in this setting.

Comparison of Social Nicotine Dependence Using the KTSND-K Questionnaire between patients with lung cancer and non-cancer people / 고신대학교의과대학학술지

OBJECTIVES: Smoking is one of the most important leading causes of lung cancer. Smoking habit is recognized as nicotine dependence, which consists of physical and psychosocial dependence. To evaluate social nicotine dependence, the Kano Test for Social Nicotine Dependence (KTSND) working group developed a new questionnaire. We examined the social nicotine dependence among high school students, university students and patients with lung cancer. METHODS: We applied Korean version of KTSND(KTSND-K) questionnaire to high school students, university students and patients with lung cancer. Complete data obtained from the 1333 responders were analyzed. RESULTS: Among the responders, current smokers, past-smokers, and never-smokers were 17.3%, 16.4%, and 66.3% respectively. According to smoking status, the total KTSND-K scores of current smokers were significantly higher than those of past-smokers, and of never-smokers (17.7+/-6.6 versus 13.7+/-5.7, and 10.9+/-5.15, P<0.001). The total KTSND-K scores of males were higher than those of females, suggesting that males have a propensity for depending nicotine socially much more than females (13.2+/-6.2 and 11.7+/-5.7 respectively, P<0.05). And the total KTSND scores of the patients with lung cancer, medical students, nursing students, and high school students were 11.2+/-3.8, 14.9+/-4.8, 14.6+/-5.8 and 15.6+/-5.9 respectively. The scores of patients with lung cancer were significantly lower than non-cancer people(P<0.01). Our study suggested that the KTSND-K questionnaire could be a useful method to evaluate psychosocial aspects of smoking in patients with lung cancer and non-cancer people.

Assessment of the First-year Grade Students in Junior High School Smoking Prevention Education and Student’s Attitudes Toward Smoking / 社会薬学

To assess the changes in attitudes toward smoking after the smoking-prevention classes presented by Kumamoto Tobacco-Free Forum, this study administered a questionnaire survey to first-year junior high school students before and after a smoking-prevention class at a junior high school. The questionnaire that was used to pre and post comparison comprised thirteen items, ten from the Kano Test for Social Nicotine Dependence (KTSND-Youth) and three as follows: “I think I will be a smoker in the future,” “I think I will smoke about once,” and “What do you think of people around you who smoke tobacco?” The results of this pre- and post-class questionnaire indicate that attitudes toward seven items improved in a statistically significant way. These included four from KTSND-Youth: “Smokers cannot stop even if they want to,” “Smoking is adult-like and cool,” “Smoking is enjoys taste and a fragrance,” and “If it’s a place with an ashtray, it’s okay to smoke.” The smoking-prevention classes significantly decreased total KTSND-Youth scores. Furthermore, the analysis has clarified that the KTSND-Youth items: “Smoking is adult-like and cool” and “Doctor and school teachers say, ‘Tobacco is no good too much”, as well as the item “What do you think of people around you who smoke tobacco?” are significantly influencing factors for the item “I will be a smoker in the future.” These results indicate that the smoking-prevention classes presented by Kumamoto Tobacco-Free Forum were effective for decline in social nicotine dependence of the first-year students in junior high school.