Social Capital and Self-Rated Health: A Cross-Sectional Study among Rural Japanese Working Residents.

Social capital is positively associated with self-rated health; however, this association among workers is still unclear. Thus, this study examined the relationship between social capital and self-rated health with special attention to the employment type. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 6160 workers aged 20-64 years from two towns in Mie Prefecture in January-March 2013.

Measurement of Intermediate Frequency Magnetic Fields Generated by Household Induction Cookers for Epidemiological Studies and Development of an Exposure Estimation Model.

Introduction: Exposure assessment of intermediate frequency (IF) electromagnetic fields (EMFs) is difficult and epidemiological studies are limited. In the present study, we aimed to estimate the exposure of pregnant women to IF-EMFs generated by induction cookers in the household using a questionnaire and discussed its applicability to epidemiological studies.

Method: Two main home-visit surveys were conducted: a Phase 1 survey to develop an estimation model and a Phase 2 survey to validate the model.

Molecular Epidemiology of Norovirus (NoV) Infection in Mie Prefecture: The Kinetics of Norovirus Antigenemia in Pediatric Patients.

Few studies have shown the presence of norovirus (NoV) RNA in blood circulation but there is no data on norovirus antigenemia. We examined both antigenemia and RNAemia from the sera of children with NoV infections and studied whether norovirus antigenemia is correlated with the levels of norovirus-specific antibodies and clinical severity of gastroenteritis. Both stool and serum samples were collected from 63 children admitted to Mie National Hospital with acute NoV gastroenteritis.

Prevalence of anemia and its associated factors among children aged 6-59 months in the Lao People's Democratic Republic: A multilevel analysis.

Anemia is a major public health concern among children aged <5 years in the Lao People's Democratic Republic. Thus far, no study has determined the factors associated with anemia among children aged <5 years in the Lao People's Democratic Republic using a nationwide representative sample. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of anemia and its associated factors with multilevel variations among children aged 6-59 months.

Prevalence of Anemia and Its Associate Factors among Women of Reproductive Age in Lao PDR: Evidence from a Nationally Representative Survey.

Introduction: Anemia continues to be a major public health problem significant among women of reproductive age (WRA) in developing countries, including Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), where the prevalence of anemia among women remains high. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of anemia and its associated factors among WRA 15-49 years in Lao PDR.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study, using the Lao Social Indicator Survey II, 2017 dataset.

Does Father's Social Capital Matter to Child Undernutrition in Myanmar?

This article examined the association between social capital of fathers and child undernutrition using a community-based survey in Myanmar in 2018. The anthropometric measurements of 1546 children aged 6 to 59 months and face-to-face interviews of 1546 respective biological fathers were performed. The three social capital indicators (institutional trust, social supports, and collective action) were included in 2-level logistic regression models for child wasting and child stunting.

Rural-Urban Disparity in Emergency Care for Acute Myocardial Infarction in Japan.

Background: There are few reports examining regional differences between rural prefectures and metropolitan areas in the management of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in Japan.

Methods and results: In the Rural AMI registry, a prospective, multi-prefectural registry of AMI in 4 rural prefectures (Ishikawa, Aomori, Ehime and Mie), a total of 1,695 consecutive AMI patients were registered in 2013. Among them, 1,313 patients who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) within 24 h of onset were enrolled in this study (Rural group), and compared with the cohort data from the Tokyo CCU Network registry for AMI in the same period (Metropolitan group, 2,075 patients).

Neighborhood social capital and sleep duration: a population based cross-sectional study in a rural Japanese town.

Background: Studies on social capital and health outcomes have become common, but the relationship between neighborhood social capital and sleep duration by gender is still unclear. We examined the relationship between neighborhood social capital and sleep duration by gender in adults living in a rural community in Japan.

Method: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 12,321 residents aged ≥20 years in a town in Mie Prefecture in January-March 2013.

Does a mandibular overdenture improve nutrient intake and markers of nutritional status better than conventional complete denture? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: The need for denture treatment in public health will increase as the population ages. However, the impact of dentures on nutrition, particularly overdenture treatment, remains unclear although the physical and psychological effects are known. We investigated whether treatment with a mandibular implant supported overdenture improves nutrient intake and markers of nutritional status better than a conventional complete denture in edentulous patients.

Worker resignation due to patient nuisance in hospitals: Determinants and prevention.

To investigate determinants and protective strategies for the resignation of health care workers resulting from patient-derived nuisance in medical institutions, we conducted a cross-sectional survey in the 57 hospitals in Mie Prefecture, Japan. A random sampling of 775 employees (physicians, nurses, administrators, and other health care workers) was provided self-administered questionnaires. Among 480 participants who experienced patient-derived nuisance, 132 participants considered resignation as a result, giving an estimated prevalence of 17.

Effects of electromagnetic fields emitted from W-CDMA-like mobile phones on sleep in humans.

In this study, we investigated subjective and objective effects of mobile phones using a Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (W-CDMA)-like system on human sleep. Subjects were 19 volunteers. Real or sham electromagnetic field (EMF) exposures for 3 h were performed before their usual sleep time on 3 consecutive days.

The association between socioeconomic status and prevalence of diabetes mellitus in rural Japan.

The objective of this study is to investigate the association between socioeconomic status and diabetes prevalence. A population-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in Japan. The association between household income tertile, duration of education (<12, 12, >12 years), or occupation (blue collar, white collar) and diabetes prevalence were assessed in 6,197 participants using multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models.

Association between number of comorbid conditions, depression, and sleep quality using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index: results from a population-based survey.

Objectives: Although sleep problems are a serious public concern, it is not clear if the presence of depression or multiple comorbid conditions has an additive or multiplicative effect on sleep quality.

Methods: We conducted a population-based, cross-sectional survey in a rural town in Japan. Multivariable-adjusted linear regression models were used to explore the association between the number of comorbid conditions and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) global score.

Power-frequency magnetic fields and childhood brain tumors: a case-control study in Japan.

Background: The strength of the association between brain tumors in children and residential power-frequency magnetic fields (MF) has varied in previous studies, which may be due in part to possible misclassification of MF exposure. This study aimed to examine this association in Japan by improving measurement techniques, and by extending measurement to a whole week.

Methods: This population-based case-control study encompassed 54% of Japanese children under 15 years of age.

Simple four-variable screening tool for identification of patients with sleep-disordered breathing.

Objectives: To aid in the identification of patients with moderate-to-severe sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), we developed and validated a simple screening tool applicable to both clinical and community settings.

Methods: Logistic regression analysis was used to develop an integer-based risk scoring system. The participants in this derivation study included 132 patients visiting one of 2 hospitals in Japan, and 175 residents of a rural town.

Effects of short-term W-CDMA mobile phone base station exposure on women with or without mobile phone related symptoms.

To investigate possible health effects of mobile phone use, we conducted a double-blind, cross-over provocation study to confirm whether subjects with mobile phone related symptoms (MPRS) are more susceptible than control subjects to the effect of electromagnetic fields (EMF) emitted from base stations. We sent questionnaires to 5,000 women and obtained 2,472 valid responses from possible candidates; from these, we recruited 11 subjects with MPRS and 43 controls. There were four EMF exposure conditions, each of which lasted 30 min: continuous, intermittent, and sham exposure with and without noise.

Association between high voltage overhead transmission lines and mental health: a cross-sectional study.

We examined the association between residential proximity to 60 Hz high voltage (22-500 kV) overhead transmission lines (HVOTLs) and mental health (MH). The subjects were 223 mothers with a mean age of 37 years. The distance from the subject's residence to the closest HVOTL was measured on a map.

Gender differences in effects of physical activity on quality of life and resource utilization.

Background: Physical activity is associated with health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in the general population, but the effects may be different between sexes. In addition, the effects on resource utilization are not well elucidated.

Methods: A population-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in a rural town, and follow-up data were obtained after 1 year.

Childhood leukemia and magnetic fields in Japan: a case-control study of childhood leukemia and residential power-frequency magnetic fields in Japan.

Residential power-frequency magnetic fields (MFs) were labeled as a possible human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer panel. In response to great public concern, the World Health Organization urged that further epidemiologic studies be conducted in high-exposure areas such as Japan. We conducted a population-based case-control study, which covered areas inhabited by 54% of Japanese children.

Health-related quality of life of mothers of children with leukemia in Japan.

Objective: The study compared the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of Japanese mothers of children with leukemia to that of mothers of children without leukemia.

Method: We used the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short-Form (SF-36) to measure the HRQOL of 97 mothers of children (average age 6.2, range 0-14) with leukemia diagnosed between 1999 and 2000, and compared their scores to those of 240 mothers of children without leukemia matched to the children with leukemia.

Living close to automobile traffic and quality of life in Japan: a population-based survey.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between living close to traffic and health related quality of life (HRQOL) that is important to the health outcome. We administered a questionnaire including the Medical Outcome Study Short Form-36-item Health Survey to all 6197 residents living in Naie, aged 20 years and older, and received 5107 (82.4%) responses.

[An estimation of the prevalence of excessive daytime sleepiness based on age and sex distribution of epworth sleepiness scale scores: a population based survey].

Objectives: To describe the distribution of subjective daytime sleepiness among local residents using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and estimate the prevalence of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) in a general Japanese adult population.

Methods: Subjects consisted of all residents aged 20 years and over from a self-governing body of approximately 10,000 people located in the Hokkaido region. Questionnaires, which included a Japanese version of the ESS, were distributed and later collected by a health promoter who visited subjects' residences between October and December 2000.

Seismic intensity and risk of cerebrovascular stroke: 1995 Hanshin-Awaji earthquake.

Introduction: No epidemiological data exist concerning the influence of an earthquake on the risk of stroke. Whether the incidence of cerebrovascular stroke increased after the 1995 Hanshin-Awaji earthquake (EQ) in Japan and whether seismic intensity affected stroke risk dose-dependently was examined.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted among residents, who were living in two towns on the island of Awaji and were participants of the National Health Insurance (NHI) program.

Residential proximity to high-voltage power lines and risk of childhood hematological malignancies.

Background: Epidemiologic studies of electromagnetic fields and childhood cancers have focused on home exposure. The authors investigated whether residence in districts near high-voltage power lines is associated with childhood hematological malignancies, using small area analysis.

Methods: Among 50,000 children in a city in Japan, 14 cases aged younger than 15 years were diagnosed with these malignancies in the period from 1992 through 2001.

[Lifestyle differences between conjugal bereaved women and non-bereaved women in later life].

Purposes: In Japan, there has been limited research regarding lifestyle of elderly bereaved. The present study was conducted to clarify lifestyle characteristics in conjugal bereaved women compared to non-bereaved women.

Methods: Subjects consisted of 872 bereaved and 643 non-bereaved elderly women aged 65 or over in T prefecture.