ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Previous studies have been limited to the use of cross sectional data to identify the relationships between nicotine dependence and smoking. Therefore, it is difficult to determine a causal direction between the two variables. The purposes of this study were to 1) test whether nicotine dependence or average smoking was a more influential factor in smoking cessation; and 2) propose effective ways to quit smoking as determined by the causal relations identified. METHODS: This study used a panel dataset from the central computerized management systems of community-based smoking cessation programs in Korea. Data were stored from July 16, 2005 to July 15, 2008. 711,862 smokers were registered and re-registered for the programs during the period. 860 of those who were retained in the programs for three years were finally included in the dataset. To measure nicotine dependence, this study used a revised Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence. To examine the relationship between nicotine dependence and average smoking, an autoregressive cross-lagged model was explored in the study. RESULTS: The results indicate that 1) nicotine dependence and average smoking were stable over time; 2) the impact of nicotine dependence on average smoking was significant and vice versa; and 3) the impact of average smoking on nicotine dependence is greater than the impact of nicotine dependence on average smoking. CONCLUSIONS: These results support the existing data obtained from previous research. Collectively, reducing the amount of smoking in order to decrease nicotine dependence is important for evidence-based policy making for smoking cessation.
Subject(s)
Community Health Centers , Health Policy , Korea , Nicotine , Policy Making , Smoke , Smoking , Smoking Cessation , Tobacco Use DisorderABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Previous studies have been limited to the use of cross sectional data to identify the relationships between nicotine dependence and smoking. Therefore, it is difficult to determine a causal direction between the two variables. The purposes of this study were to 1) test whether nicotine dependence or average smoking was a more influential factor in smoking cessation; and 2) propose effective ways to quit smoking as determined by the causal relations identified. METHODS: This study used a panel dataset from the central computerized management systems of community-based smoking cessation programs in Korea. Data were stored from July 16, 2005 to July 15, 2008. 711,862 smokers were registered and re-registered for the programs during the period. 860 of those who were retained in the programs for three years were finally included in the dataset. To measure nicotine dependence, this study used a revised Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence. To examine the relationship between nicotine dependence and average smoking, an autoregressive cross-lagged model was explored in the study. RESULTS: The results indicate that 1) nicotine dependence and average smoking were stable over time; 2) the impact of nicotine dependence on average smoking was significant and vice versa; and 3) the impact of average smoking on nicotine dependence is greater than the impact of nicotine dependence on average smoking. CONCLUSIONS: These results support the existing data obtained from previous research. Collectively, reducing the amount of smoking in order to decrease nicotine dependence is important for evidence-based policy making for smoking cessation.
Subject(s)
Community Health Centers , Health Policy , Korea , Nicotine , Policy Making , Smoke , Smoking , Smoking Cessation , Tobacco Use DisorderABSTRACT
We report the first case of summer-type hypersensitivity pneumonitis(SHP) in Korea diagnosed by positive serum antibodies to Trichosporon cutaneum. Hypersensitivity pneumonitis(HP) has been commonly classified as an occupational respiratory diseases. However, evidence that sensitizing organisms can also contaminate and cause pulmonary diseases in home environment has been increasing. One such disease is SHP. In Japan, 75% of cases with HP are SHP. Even though there has been no known SHP case in Korea yet, there has been high possibility of SHPs in Korea because our country has areas which have hot and humid summer climate similar to Japan. This first case of SHP in Korea suggests that there may be another cases in Korea and nation-wide survey may be required. We report here the first confirmed case of SHP in Korea.