Kazuko Yamada

Social development conditions and related factors for children in Japanese kindergarten in Shanghai, China

ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to clarify the social development conditions and related factors for children in Japanese kindergarten in Shanghai, China.MethodsThe target schools were three Japanese kindergartens in Shanghai, three in Wakayama, Japan, and three in Osaka, Japan. The target kindergarten children were all 5- or 6-year-olds. We used an anonymous questionnaire to the guardian of the child. The question items related to social development, lifestyle and daily activities of the child, and rearing awareness and conditions of the guardian. Social development was scored by Strength and Difficulties Questionnaires (SDQ).ResultsThe number of respondents was 246 (Shanghai group 72, Wakayama group 86, Osaka group 88). The median value of the score of total difficulties and prosocial behavior, SDQ subscale, and the proportion of children judged as low need showed no significant difference. Results of multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the frequency of eating fast-foods and the rearing condition “I become anxious or lose enthusiasm for childrearing when the child is recalcitrant” were the factors relevant to prosocial behavior in the Shanghai group. In the Wakayama group, the hours spent daily watching TV was designated as the relevant factor. In the Osaka group, hours spent daily playing outdoors was found to be the relevant factor.ConclusionsSocial development of children in Japanese kindergarten in Shanghai was the same as that of those living in Japan. The factors relevant to prosocial behavior in the Shanghai group were different from those in the two cities in Japan. This study may show the important points to keep in mind for childrearing abroad.

Health Effects Accompanying the Transition from Cigarettes to Heat-not-burn Tobacco: Nicotine Dependence, Nicotine Withdrawal Symptoms, and Changes in Smoking Behaviors

OBJECTIVES The purposes of this research were to investigate the hazardous effects of heat-not-burn tobacco and to clarify the health effects accompanying the transition from cigarettes to heat-not-burn tobacco. METHODS The concentrations of carbon monoxide, ammonia, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and dust (hazardous substances) were measured in the smoke of heat-not-burn tobacco. Twenty-nine smokers were used as the subjects. The concentrations of hazardous substances were measured in exhalation of heat-not-burn tobacco. The concentration of cotinine in saliva was also measured after the transition. A questionnaire survey was performed before and after the transition to evaluate nicotine dependence, nicotine withdrawal symptoms, and smoking behaviors. RESULTS In the mainstream smoke, all hazardous substances investigated were detected. Carbon monoxide and dust were detected in the exhalation of heat-not-burn tobacco. The concentration of cotinine in the saliva of heat-not-burn tobacco users corresponded to that of cigarette smokers. Cigarette smoking was significantly positively related to the score of Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND). Heat-not-burn tobacco was significantly positively related to FTND and Minnesota Nicotine Withdrawal Scale (MNWS) scores. The group in which the number of heat-not-burn tobacco sticks consumed increased after transition showed a smaller number of cigarettes consumed and a higher MNWS score before transition than the group in which it decreased after transition. These two factors were significantly related to the difference between the numbers of cigarettes and heat-not-burn tobacco sticks in multiple linear regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS The mainstream smoke of heat-not-burn tobacco contains harmful substances. There were the possibilities that nicotine dependence and nicotine withdrawal symptoms appear after transition and that the number of heat-not-burn tobacco sticks consumed increases.

Conditions of Food Consumption Related to Salt Intake in Women Aged 40–59 Years: Characteristics in Working Mothers of Medical University Students: ―医科大学学生の保護者を対象として―

OBJECTIVES The aims of this study were to clarify the conditions of food consumption related to salt intake in women aged 40-59 years and to determine the characteristics of working mothers. METHODS Among all guardians in a medical university, 247 (effective response rate, 32.2%) mothers of 40-59 years of age participated in this study. RESULTS Factors related to salt intake were the frequency of consuming Japanese dishes (stewed foods, Japanese style rice, pickles, miso soup, noodles, vinegared dishes, marinated foods) and dietary habit (use of low-sodium seasoning when cooking, the amount of broth left unconsumed when eating noodle soup, the use of seasoning at the table). In comparison with the nonworking mothers, a greater number of the working mothers purchased smaller amount of fresh food and prepared meals for dinner in less than 30 minutes. Furthermore, the frequency of consuming Japanese dishes was also lower in the working mothers. This was not related to their state of mind or knowledge about salt consumption in relation to health and conscious effort to eat less salt, but rather to their longer work hours and shorter meal preparation time. Dietary habits are related to the state of mind, flavor, and knowledge and efforts to eat less salt. Working mothers, as well as nonworking mothers had dietary habits. CONCLUSION For women in this age group, to reduce salt consumption, adopting ways to eat less salt at the table, which are feasible for everyone, are effective.

Quality of Life and Its Related Factors in Female Postoperative Breast Cancer Patients Younger than 50 Years.

OBJECTIVES Few reports on breast cancer patients have focused on the younger ages at which breast cancer morbidity increases. The purpose of this study was to clarify the quality of life (QOL) and its related factors in female postoperative breast cancer patients younger than 50 years. METHODS A total of 166 (valid rate 57.8%) female postoperative patients were administered a questionnaire anonymously answered at their outpatient clinics specializing in breast cancer. QOL was evaluated using the QOL Questionnaire for Cancer Patients Treated with Anticancer Drugs (QOL-ACD). Multiple regression analysis of 13 items that showed a significant difference in the total points of QOL-ACD was performed with categories as independent variables and the total points of QOL-ACD as a dependent variable. RESULTS The mean age of the subjects was 43.6 years. The median total points of QOL-ACD was 88. The multiple regression analysis showed the following seven factors were related to the total points of QOL-ACD: ability to fulfill roles in the family, no symptoms, no financial difficuies, requiring no support at hospital visit, the use of many kinds of stress-coping methods, taking no medication for diseases other than cancer, and not unsatisfied with the scars and shape of breasts. CONCLUSION The QOL of young, postoperative breast cancer patients was lower than that of the patient groups that included older subjects. To improve their QOL, it is important to provide social support for their family roles and economic situations, in addition to physical and psychological support based on the characteristics of the disease.