Thesis (M.D.)--Yale University School of Medicine, 2002. / Title from title page of source document (viewed May 25, 2005). Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.P.H.)--University of Michigan, 1940.

Thesis (M. Med. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 43-49).

Thesis (M.Med.Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 43-49). Also available in print.

Objective The objective of this study is to examine the exposure- response relationship between prolonged exposure to low levels of silica, uranium, radon progeny and criteria pollutants and the respiratory health of uranium workers. Method Initially two pilot studies were done on selected groups of high-risk workers to determine the prevalence of alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency and the retained burden of uranium in the lungs of exposed workers. The value of sputum cytology was also evaluated. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 1984 to determine the prevalence of spirometric abnormalities among uranium miners. The data from non-smokers without symptoms was used to develop lung function reference values relevant for the present population. Follow up analytical cross-sectional and case control studies were done in 1996 and 1999 to determine the mean independent effect of uranium on the respiratory health of miners and to detect abnormalities in both smokers and non¬smokers. Data was collected on employment history, smoking habits, pulmonary function and chest radiographs. To determine the independent mean effect of uranium mining on the respiratory health of workers, only data of non-smokers in exposed cohorts were compared with unexposed control cohorts. Results The prevalence of alpha-1-antitrypsin appeared to be high in workers with abnormal spirometric indices. The lung burden of retained uranium in workers in the final product recovery area was within normal limits. The sputum cytology was abandoned because it was found worldwide that cytological screening had no impact on population survival rates. Lung function prediction equations derived from multiple linear regressions were calculated for the study population which differed from Schoenberg et al prediction equations. The data from the analytical cross-sectional study in1996 suggests that the level of exposure in this study group (without the confounding effect of cigarette smoking) is not associated with statistically significant impairment of lung function, increased prevalence of silicosis, tuberculosis and respiratory cancer. Only the FEF75 was found to be an indicator of early lung abnormality. Data from the 1999 study supports the hypothesis that there is a small but significant exposure-response relationship between prolonged exposure to low levels of silica dust, and lung function abnormalities (in the absence of radiologically diagnosed silicosis). The prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and small airways disease (SAD) was small but significantly higher in exposed workers. The risk of developing COPD was 2.7 times higher for exposed workers. The risk for non-smokers was small but significant. The incidence of tuberculosis and lung cancer was not higher than expected (probably because ex-employees were not fully investigated). Conclusion Calculation of location specific prediction equations, for different ethnic groups is advocated to enable the earliest detection of lung function abnormalities. FEF75 could be used as an early indicator of lung function impairment (provided strict quality control is maintained). Exposure to a combination of silica dust, radon progeny and smoking was associated with an increased risk of lung function abnormalities, but not with tuberculosis, silicosis and lung cancer. Conclusive assessment must await sufficient latency, and ex-employees must be investigated to establish the true magnitude and distribution of the effects of siliceous and uranium dust on the health of workers (which may continue after exposure cease). / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / School of Health Systems and Public Health (SHSPH) / Unrestricted

M.Sc.(Med.), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, 2009 / Introduction: Despite the steady growth of the elderly population in developing countries, this group, remains neglected in health related policies in developing countries, largely due to lack of empirical data on the health problems of elderly. There is need for research and development of convenient and cost effective ways of generating information on the health status of the elderly. Self reports of health are becoming common in health surveys of elderly throughout the world. Despite the considerable use of self reports in developed countries, in developing countries such research is only beginning. Therefore there is need for systematic documentation of factors affecting self reported health status in developing country settings for effective usage of self reports in surveys. Material and methods: The Adult Health and Aging Survey undertaken by Navrongo Health Research Centre, Ghana, as part of WHO SAGE (Study on Global Aging) aimed at generating longitudinal data on health and wellbeing of the elderly in Kassena-Nankana district of Ghana. This survey provides an opportunity to assess consistency between various dimensions of self reported health by comparing measures in an effort to establish the validity of information obtained by self reports. Analysis: Statistical analysis of self reported overall health (SRH), experiences of difficulty encountered in work and day to day activities (Overall Difficulty) and component experiences of health over various domains was carried out using ordered logistic regression and kappa analysis in order to understand what type of relationship exists between different types of measures of health. Overall self reported status of health (SRH) was the main outcome variable and three sets of variables were used as explanatory variables. The first set of variables captured functionality, the second captured psychosocial aspects of health, while the third involved demographic characteristics as possible confounders. Results: An analysis involving 4483 elderly individuals showed that functionality was associated with overall self reported health status in both summary and component forms. Addition of psychosocial domains to the model improved the model when summary functionality was used. However, addition of possible confounders did not improve the model. Conclusion and recommendations: The findings indicate that sex, marital status and ethnic background are important factors to be taken into account while interpreting the responses of self reported health in the Kassena-Nankana district of Ghana. For the current analysis both outcome and explanatory variables were self reported. The findings of the study would get validated with further research into associations between self reported measures and performance based measures and qualitative inquiries on meanings of overall and component health experiences in the same population.

Personal health can influence all aspects of customer behavior and this influence is more manifest within the senior market segment. Health issues also greatly impact the restaurant industry. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate how health status and health attitude influence family restaurant selection criteria. In order to measure selfrated health status and health attitude for seniors, the Health Perceptions Questionnaire(HPQ) and the Perceived Health competence Scale (PHCS) were used. Most senior participants reported that health-related family restaurant selection criteria and food price were important when they select a family restaurant. Also, while the HPQ and the PHCS were not correlated with food price in the family restaurant industry, the overall results of this study revealed that health status and health attitude for seniors were positively correlated with health-related family restaurant selection criteria. This reflects that offering healthy meals on menus is more important for senior customers with a high level of health condition or health attitude than other senior customers. The results also showed that healthy senior customers who have a positive health attitude are willing to pay more money for their healthy menu items. Therefore, in order to maximize their profits, managers and operators of family restaurants need to keep creating healthy items for their menus and promote those items to the segment of the senior market which has a high level of health condition or health attitude. / Master of Science

published_or_final_version / Statistics / Master / Master of Social Sciences

Thesis (Dr. P.H.)--University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, School of Public Health, 2007. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 68-10, Section: B, page: 6622. Adviser: Jan Risser. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Australian National University, 2003.