Effects of an Anti-Smoking Program to Prevent Lung Cancer among Urban Aboriginals in Taiwan

Lin, Mei-Hsiang,Huang, Sheu-Jen,Shih, Whei-Mei Jean,Wang, Pao-Yu,Lin, Li-Hui,Hsu, Hsiu-Chin Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.11

Background and Purpose: Indigenous people who leave their hometowns and move to the city to earn a living became urban aboriginals. During the process of adapting to urban living situations, they may use various coping strategies such as smoking to overcome their stress. Therefore, it is crucial to provide health education including smoking prevention, increasing knowledge regarding of tobacco hazard, self-efficacy of anti-smoking, and adjusting smoking behavior so as to empower their anti-smoking motivation to prevent lung cancer. The purpose of this study was to explore the effectiveness of an anti-smoking program on urban aboriginals in Taiwan. Methods: A quasi-experimental study design with purposeful sampling was employed. A total of 125 aboriginal subjects were recruited from two local churches at Shu Lin area in northern Taiwan. Subjects were divided into an experimental group (n =64 ) and a control group (n = 61). Both took pre-tests in order to set baseline values, and only the experimental group participated for 3-weeks in the anti-smoking program classes. Both groups took post-tests immediately after the intervention in order to evaluate the immediate effects of the teaching program, and a follow-up test was conducted four weeks after the intervention. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, one-way ANCOVA, and repeat measure ANCOVA. Results: After controlling for confounding variables, the results showed that there were statistically significant differences in the self-efficacy of anti-smoking and smoking behavior between experimental and control groups in the immediately post-test and the follow-up test (p < 0.05). However, there was no significant differences in the recognition of hazards of smoking at eiter time point. Conclusions and Implications for Practice: The findings of this study revealed that the anti-smoking program effectively improved self-efficacy of anti-smoking, and decreased the smoking behavior in urban aboriginals. They provide useful information as a reference regarding of aboriginal health promotion to health providers. It is imperative that anti-smoking be reinforced for those regular smokers to prevent induction of lung cancer.

Comparative Study of Heavy Metal Blood Serum Level Between Organic and Conventional Farmers in Eastern Taiwan

Chung Mei-Hua,Hung Kuo-Hsiang,Ma Mi-Chia,Liu Mei-Yu,Lin Ru-Wei 한국산업안전보건공단 산업안전보건연구원 2024 Safety and health at work Vol.15 No.1

Numerous studies have indicated that organic fertilizers (OFer) might contain heavy metals (HMs) that present health risks to organic farmers (OFar). This study compared the concentrations of six HMs (Zn, Ni, Cd, Cu, Pb, Cr) in the blood of two distinct groups of farmers: 30 OFar from a designated organic area in eastern Taiwan, and 74 conventional farmers (CFar) from neighboring non-organic designated regions. The findings revealed that the OFar exhibited higher levels of Zn (1202.70 ± 188.74 μg/L), Cr (0.20 ± 0.09 μg/L), and Ni (2.14 ± 1.48 μg/L) in their blood compared to the CFar (988.40 ± 163.16 μg/L, 0.18 ± 0.15 μg/L, and 0.77 ± 1.23 μg/L), respectively. The disparities in Zn, Cr, and Ni levels were measured at 214.3 μg/L, 0.02 μg/L, and 1.37 μg/L, respectively. Furthermore, among the OFar, those who utilized green manures (GM) displayed significantly elevated blood levels of Zn (1279.93 ± 156.30 μg/L), Cr (0.24 ± 0.11 μg/L), and Ni (1.94 ± 1.38 μg/L) compared to individuals who exclusively employed chemical fertilizers (CFer) (975.42 ± 165.35 μg/L, 0.19 ± 0.16 μg/L, and 0.74 ± 1.20 μg/L), respectively. The differences in Zn, Cr, and Ni levels were measured at 304.51 μg/L, 0.05 μg/L, and 1.20 μg/L, respectively. As a result, OFar should be careful in choosing OFer and avoid those that may have heavy metal contamination.

Experiences of Family of Patient with Newly Diagnosed Advanced Terminal Stage Hepatocellular Cancer

Shih, Whei-Mei Jean,Hsiao, Ping-Ju,Chen, Min-Li,Lin, Mei-Hsiang Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.8

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer and the third leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide due to its generally poor prognosis. Caregiver burden for liver cancer cases is higher than with other cancer and needs especial attention. Methods: To explore the experiences of families of patients with newly diagnosed advanced terminal stage hepatocellular cancer by interview. Results: Nine participants were recruited in this study. Content analysis of the interviews revealed four themes: blaming oneself, disrupting the pace of life, searching all possible regimens, and not letting go. Conclusions: This study provides new insight into the needs and support of family members especially when they are facing loved ones with newly diagnosed advanced terminal stage HCC. These results will inform future supportive care service development and intervention research aimed at providing assistance in reducing unmet supportive care needs and psychological distress of these family members.

Lived Experience among Patients Newly Diagnosed with Lung Adenocarcinoma Stage IV within One Year

Shih, Whei-Mei Jean,Hsu, Hsiu-Chin,Jiang, Ru-Shang,Lin, Mei-Hsiang Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.15

Background: lung cancer (LC) is the fifth of the 10 leading causes of death in the world. LC is in first place for cancer-related mortality for both males and females in Taiwan. It is one of the most difficult cancers to treat and is often diagnosed at a late stage. Patients with stage IV are often unprepared for the diagnosis. Materials and Methods: To explore lived experience among patients newly diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma stage IV within one year. Results: Twelve participants were recruited in this study. Content analysis of the interviews revealed four themes: (1) emotional roller coaster, (2) trying to find out causes, (3) adjusting my lifestyle, and (4) cancer fighter. Conclusions: This study provides new insight into the experiences of lung cancer patients y with newly diagnosed lung adenocarcinoma stage 4. These results will inform future supportive care service development and intervention research for patients with advanced stage cancer.

Exploring the relationship between share decision making attitude and job satisfaction among clinical nurses

Pao-Yu Wang,Mei-Hsiang Lin,Hsiu-Chin Hsu 한국간호과학회 2023 한국간호과학회 학술대회 Vol.2023 No.11

Factors Related to Treatment Refusal in Taiwanese Cancer Patients

Chiang, Ting-Yu,Wang, Chao-Hui,Lin, Yu-Fen,Chou, Shu-Lan,Wang, Ching-Ting,Juang, Hsiao-Ting,Lin, Yung-Chang,Lin, Mei-Hsiang Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.8

Background: Incidence and mortality rates for cancer have increased dramatically in the recent 30 years in Taiwan. However, not all patients receive treatment. Treatment refusal might impair patient survival and life quality. In order to improve this situation, we proposed this study to evaluate factors that are related to refusal of treatment in cancer patients via a cancer case manager system. Materials and Methods: This study analysed data from a case management system during the period from 2010 to 2012 at a medical center in Northern Taiwan. We enrolled a total of 14,974 patients who were diagnosed with cancer. Using the PRECEDE Model as a framework, we conducted logistic regression analysis to identify independent variables that are significantly associated with refusal of therapy in cancer patients. A multivariate logistic regression model was also applied to estimate adjusted the odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). Results: A total of 253 patients (1.69%) refused treatment. The multivariate logistic regression result showed that the high risk factors for refusal of treatment in cancer patient included: concerns about adverse effects (p<0.001), poor performance(p<0.001), changes in medical condition (p<0.001), timing of case manager contact (p=.026), the methods by which case manager contact patients (p<0.001) and the frequency that case managers contact patients (${\geq}10times$) (p=0.016). Conclusions: Cancer patients who refuse treatment have poor survival. The present study provides evidence of factors that are related to refusal of therapy and might be helpful for further application and improvement of cancer care.

Screening of Nitrosamine Impurities in Sartan Pharmaceuticals by GC-MS/MS

( Shu-Han Chang ),( Hui-Yu Ho ),( Chi-Zong Zang ),( Ya-Hui Hsu ),( Mei-Chih Lin ),( Su-Hsiang Tseng ),( Der-Yuan Wang ) 한국질량분석학회 2021 Mass spectrometry letters Vol.12 No.2

Probable human carcinogenic compounds nitrosamines, have been detected as by-product impurities in sartan pharmaceuticals in recent years which has drawn worries for medication safety. To provide a sensitive and effective method for the quality control of sartan pharmaceuticals, this study established a feasible gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) method for simultaneous determination of 13 nitrosamines. The target analytes were separated on a DB-WAX Ultra Inert column (30 m × 0.25 mm; i.d., 0.25 μm) and were then subjected to electron impact ionization in multiple reaction monitoring mode. The established method was validated and further employed to analyze authentic samples. Limits of detection (LODs) and limits of quantification (LOQs) of the 13 nitrosamines were 15-250 ng/g and 50-250 ng/g, respectively, which also exhibited intra-day and inter-day accuracies of 91.4-104.8%, thereby satisfying validation criteria. Five nitrosamines, viz., Nnitrosodiethylamine, N-nitrosodimethylamine, N-nitrosodiphenylamine, N-nitrosomorpholine, and N-nitrosopiperidine were detected at concentrations above their LODs in 68 positive samples out of 594 authentic samples from seven sartans.