Higher Monthly Household Income Research Articles

Migrants' choice of household split or reunion in China's urbanisation process: The effect of objective and subjective socioeconomic status

The past practice of migrant households' split based on ‘economic rationality’ has caused many social problems in China, and the settlement of entire migrant households in cities has become an important social issue. Using 2014 China Migrants Dynamic Survey data and a multilevel regression method, this study found that objective socioeconomic status (SES) significantly impacts migrants' choice of household reunion. Migrants with higher monthly household income and homeownership are more likely to choose household reunion in cities compared to those with lower income and no homeownership. Additionally, migrants with higher subjective SES are more likely to choose household reunion in cities compared to those with lower subjective SES. Furthermore, subjective SES plays a significant mediating role in the relationship between objective SES and migrants' choice of city household reunion. We argue that unlike the early period of China's reform and opening-up, actively choosing household split has transformed into a passive choice for migrant households in current China. We also suggest that promoting migrant households' reunion in cities is significant to China's sustainable urbanisation process.

Analysis of the Eligibility of Patients with Sickle Cell Disease for Palliative Care

Background: Palliative care (PC) is an approach that improves the quality of life of patients facing problems associated with any disease that leads to multiple or hard to manage symptoms, through the prevention and relief of suffering by early identification and impeccable assessment of physical, psychosocial and spiritual problems. Sickle cell diseases (SCD) consist of a group of congenital diseases characterized by the presence of the sickle hemoglobin (HbS), which can polymerize and predispose to hemolytic and ischemic events. In addition to the acute pain events, sometimes recurrent and hard to control, lesions in target organs commonly occur, leading to multiple comorbidities and serious decrease in quality of life. Aims: To evaluate clinical and demographic factors that could influence physical, psychosocial and spiritual symptom burden and confer eligibility criteria to PC in a group of SCD patients. Methods: Clinical and demographic data of SCD patients were collected by interviews using a standardized questionnaire: diagnosis, time from diagnosis, number of comorbidities and of medical specialties on regular follow up, infectious episodes, need for seeking the emergency and for hospitalization during the last 12 months, delirium events, wounds, dysphagia, recurrent falls, adverse events to medication, quality of communication with the medical team, fears regarding the disease and its complications, religious support, age, gender, monthly household income (MI), level of schooling (SCH) and profession. Specific PC scores were also applied: Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) and Palliative Performance Scale (PPS). Statistical univariate and multivariate analysis were performed. P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. This research was approved by the Institutional and National Review Board; written informed consent was obtained from all subjects. Results: Fifty-one patients were evaluated (SS, n=34; SC, n=11; SB+, n=3; SB0, n=3), with a median of age of 40 years (18-69). SB0 patients were considered in the SS subgroup for statistical analysis. According to ESAS, pain scores were worse for patients with a higher age (p=0.0039), higher number of children (p=0.0228), for individuals that had completed only primary school versus patients who received more education (p=0.0293), and for the subjects on follow up with three or more medical specialties (p=0.0411). ESAS evaluation for tiredness revealed worse scores for the patients that had no formal occupation versus those who actively work (p=0.0275). ESAS assessment for depression was worse in patients that had a lower MI (p=0.0080), lower SCH (p=0.0585) and for those who had been to emergency services three or more times during the last year (p=0.0290). ESAS for appetite scored worse for older patients (p=0.0165), for those with a lower MI (p=0.0105) and for the individuals with a higher number of comorbidities (p=0.0018). Regarding shortness of breath, ESAS was poorer for older patients (p=0.0330), for those with a lower MI (p=0.0009), for the subjects in follow up with three or more medical specialties (p=0.0064) and for the patients with lower SCH (p=0.0413). ESAS for best wellbeing was worse for the patients with a lower MI (p=0.0425) and for those with lower SCH (p=0.0314). Due to the low incidence of the following symptoms, no differences were observed between groups for ESAS evaluation of nausea, anxiety and drowsiness. PPS score was significantly better for married individuals (p=0.0490) and for those with higher MI (p=0.0121). Finally, patients with no formal occupation showed a significant higher risk of going to the emergency within twelve months (OR=14.286, CI 95% 1.475-142.857, p=0.0217). Conclusions: This study strongly indicated that SCD patients live with chronic limiting symptoms that significantly impair their quality of life, which make them a group eligible for PC. The results showed that age and a higher number of comorbidities significantly impact symptom burden. Importantly, social and economic factors, in particular a lower monthly household income and a worse level of schooling have a major adverse impact on palliative scores. These data reinforce the negative impact of social inequality in this underprivileged group of patients and the need of facing this problem when seeking global patient care. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Families raising children attending autism-specific government-funded schools in South Africa

ABSTRACT Limited research is available about the financial costs incurred by families of children with ASD in low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs). This article describes socio-demographic characteristics of and financial costs encountered by families whose children attend autism-specific government-funded schools in South Africa. Survey questionnaires were completed by 234 caregivers (representing 28.4% of the caregivers involved in the autism-specific schools around the country). The distribution of population group, nationality, household size, marital status, and average combined monthly household income closely reflect the national majority of families in SA. Families are living on a relatively low monthly household income and spending a significant amount on school fees, transportation, medical insurance payments, and extracurricular therapeutic services. Monthly social assistance government grants were accessed by 46.6% of families only and 57% do not own their own dwelling. Certain factors were associated with higher monthly income: higher qualification of the father and mother, school fees, medical insurance scheme payments and extracurricular therapy services. Key differences between our data and data from other LMICs are that our sample showed higher monthly household income, lower parental education, and more single mothers. Families receive limited social assistance grants from governments. Country-specific research on families of children with ASD is needed.

PREDICTORS OF KNOWLEDGE ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN ATTENDING DISTRICT HEALTH CLINICS

Background: Domestic violence may occur at any stage of women’s life including during pregnancy. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of knowledge on domestic violence and to identify factors associated with high knowledge on domestic violence among pregnant women attending district health clinics. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed among registered pregnant women attending Sepang District Health Clinics. A stratified proportionate to size sampling was used to determine sample size from each clinic, and simple random sampling was used to select respondents from the antenatal registry. Information on knowledge on domestic violence were collected using a pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire. Data was analysed using SPSS Version 23, and p-value of <0.05 is considered significant. Result: A total of 300 eligible women were identified and 291 respondents consented and completed the questionnaire which yielded a response rate of 97%. Majority of the respondents were Malay (85.6%) between 20 to 40 years of age (97.9%). More than three quarters of respondents possessed high knowledge on domestic violence. Factors associated with high level of knowledge were age group of 30 years and above, Malay, having tertiary education and monthly household income of above RM3000. Predictors for high level of knowledge on domestic violence were monthly household income (MHI) between RM3000 to RM5999 (AOR 2.792, 95% CI 1.426, 5.467); and MHI RM6000 and above (AOR 2.675, 95% CI 1.080, 6.626). Conclusion: Majority of respondents have high level of knowledge on domestic violence. High monthly household income (above RM3000) is the predictor for high knowledge on domestic violence. Keywords: Domestic violence, knowledge, pregnant women, Sepang district, Health clinics.

Analysis of the Effect of the Elderly's Labor Status on Care Cost at the End of Life.

This study quantitatively analyzes the effects of employment patterns at the time of death of the elderly on the utilization of medical care before death using the cohort data from the National Health Insurance Corporation, controlling mortality to obtain more accurate results. Gender was coded as 0 for males and 1 for females, and average monthly household income was taken as a logarithm to approximate a normal distribution. Care cost at the end of life was defined as the sum of the national health insurance contributions and statutory self-contributions. To measure proximity to death, deceased elderly were divided by the period from last hospital visit to death (except any hospital visit at time of death). We distinguished regular workers, irregular workers, self-employed and employers, unpaid family workers, and unemployed. The data used in this study are sample cohort data from the National Health Insurance Corporation. We examined the relationships between variables through 4 models using negative binomial regression. The effects of employment status on health status were analyzed and adjusted for demographic characteristics, socioeconomic status, and proximity to death. As the dependent variable, medical expenses were taken for 1 year before death. In this study, care costs at end of life were higher when children were economically independent and when the respondent was more educated, had high economic level, and had high average monthly household income. In addition, employment security also had a significant impact on care cost at end of life: Irregular workers spent significantly less than regular workers. The fact that care cost at end of life is differentiated according to employment status suggests that individuals’ health exists within a social context, which may also constrain it: There is a risk that people’s health status will become determined by socioeconomic status.

Effects of Attitudes Related to Appearance and Sociopsychological Factors on Utilization of Nail-Care Services

This study attempted to provide implications for the design of an effective nail service marketing program after analyzing nail service users’ characteristics and the effects of appearance-related attitude andsocio-psychological traits on nail service use patterns. Regarding nail salon preference attributes, the group of ‘appearance orientation’ was greater than the group of ‘price’ with statistical significance among appearance-related attitudes in the group of ‘quality of service’. In the group for which a downtown area was chosen as the preferred location of a nail salon, appearance conformity, desire to show off and self-esteem showed statistical significance in appearance-related attitudes and socio-psychological traits. In terms of the factors affecting use frequency and costs with statistical significance, expenses were higher among singles and those with high monthly household income. In addition, the expenses further increased as achievement desire was weaker, and a desire to show off was stronger. User satisfaction was higher as the perception of appearance values increased among appearance-related attitudes. The said results show that for effective nail service marketing, it is necessary to clarify the target group and provide customized services after analyzing target customers’ socio-psychological traits.

Factors associated to acceptable treatment adherence among children with chronic kidney disease in Guatemala.

Pediatric patients with Chronic Kidney Disease face several barriers to medication adherence that, if addressed, may improve clinical care outcomes. A cross sectional questionnaire was administered in the Foundation for Children with Kidney Disease (FUNDANIER, Guatemala City) from September of 2015 to April of 2016 to identify the predisposing factors, enabling factors and need factors related to medication adherence. Sample size was calculated using simple random sampling with a confidence level of 95%, confidence interval of 0.05 and a proportion of 87%. A total of 103 participants responded to the questionnaire (calculated sample size was 96). Independent variables were defined and described, and the bivariate relationship to dependent variables was determined using Odds Ratio. Multivariate analysis was carried out using logistic regression. The mean adherence of study population was 78% (SD 0.08, max = 96%, min = 55%). The mean adherence in transplant patients was 82% (SD 7.8, max 96%, min 63%), and the mean adherence in dialysis patients was 76% (SD 7.8 max 90%, min 55%). Adherence was positively associated to the mother’s educational level and to higher monthly household income. Together predisposing, enabling and need factors illustrate the complexities surrounding adherence in this pediatric CKD population. Public policy strategies aimed at improving access to comprehensive treatment regimens may facilitate treatment access, alleviating economic strain on caregivers and may improve adherence outcomes.

Prevalence and Factors Associated with the Use of Eye Care Services in South Korea: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2010-2012.

PurposeTo estimate the factors and prevalence of eye care service utilization in the South Korean population.MethodsThis cross-sectional, population-based study included data from 22,550 Koreans aged ≥5 years who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2010 to 2012. For people aged 5 to 11 years (young children), information was based on self-reports of contact with eye care service in the past year; for people aged ≥12 years (older population), the information was based on the self-reported lifetime contact with eye care service. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses of the complex sample survey data were performed.ResultsThe prevalence of eye care service use in young children during the past year was 61.1% (95% confidence interval, 58.1%–64.1%), while that in the older population during their lifetime was 73.5%. Subjects aged 7 to 11 years were more likely to have had an eye examination in the past year than subjects aged 5 to 6 years (odds ratio, 3.83; 95% confidence interval, 2.37–6.19). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that higher monthly household income, being a National Health Insurance holder, and having private health insurance were related to more frequent use of eye care services in young children. For the older population and women, those living in an urban area and those with a best-corrected visual acuity less than 20 / 40 in the worse-seeing eye were more likely to have had an eye examination during their lifetime. Low education level was associated with low lifetime use of eye care services in the older population.ConclusionsThere are sociodemographic disparities with use of eye care services in South Korea. This population-based study provides information that is useful for determining different intervention programs based on sociodemographic disparities to promote eye care service utilization in South Korea.

Injuries caused by pets in Asian urban households: a cross-sectional telephone survey

ObjectivesLittle is known about pet-related injuries in Asian populations. This study primarily aimed to investigate the incidence rate of pet-related household injuries in Hong Kong, an urban Chinese setting.SettingCantonese-speaking non-institutionalised...

Breastfeeding attitude, health-related quality of life and maternal obesity among multi-ethnic pregnant women: A multi-group structural equation approach

BackgroundIdentifying the factors influencing breastfeeding attitude is significant for the implementation of effective promotion policies and counselling activities. To our best knowledge, no previous studies have modelled the relationships among breastfeeding attitude, health-related quality of life and maternal obesity among multi-ethnic pregnant women; the current study attempts to fill this research gap. ObjectivesThis study investigated the relationships among maternal characteristics, health-related quality of life and breastfeeding attitude amidst normal weight and overweight/obese pregnant women using a multi-group structural equation modelling approach. DesignExploratory cross-sectional design was used. SettingAntenatal clinics of a university-affiliated hospital ParticipantsPregnant women were invited to participate; 708 (78.8%) agreed to participate in the study. MethodsWe examined a hypothetical model on the basis of integrating the concepts of a breastfeeding decision-making model, theory of planned behaviour-based model for breastfeeding and health-related quality of life model among 708 multi-ethnic pregnant women in Singapore. The Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Scale and Medical Outcomes Study Short Form Health Survey were used to measure breastfeeding attitude and health-related quality of life, respectively. ResultsTwo structural equation models demonstrated that better health-related quality of life, higher monthly household income, planned pregnancy and previous exclusive breastfeeding experience were significantly associated with positive breastfeeding attitude among normal and overweight/obese pregnant women. Among normal weight pregnant women, those who were older with higher educational level were more likely to have positive breastfeeding attitude. Among overweight/obese pregnant women, Chinese women with confinement nanny plan were less likely to have positive breastfeeding attitude. No significant difference existed between normal weight and overweight/obese pregnant women concerning estimates of health-related quality of life on breastfeeding attitude (Critical Ratio=−0.193). The model satisfactorily fitted the data (Incremental Fit Index=0.924, Tucker–Lewis Index=0.905, Comparative Fit Index=0.921 and Root Means Square Error of Approximation=0.025). Health-related quality of life was found to affect breastfeeding attitude in multi-ethnic pregnant women. ConclusionsThis relationship implied the importance of early culturally specific interventions to enhance health-related quality of life for improving positive breastfeeding attitude among pregnant women across different ethnic groups.

Socioeconomic status and COPD among low- and middle-income countries.

BackgroundSocioeconomic status (SES) is a strong social determinant of health. There remains a limited understanding of the association between SES and COPD prevalence among low- and middle-income countries where the majority of COPD-related morbidity and mortality occurs. We examined the association between SES and COPD prevalence using data collected in Argentina, Bangladesh, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay.MethodsWe compiled lung function, demographic, and SES data from three population-based studies for 11,042 participants aged 35–95 years. We used multivariable alternating logistic regressions to study the association between COPD prevalence and SES indicators adjusted for age, sex, self-reported daily smoking, and biomass fuel smoke exposure. Principal component analysis was performed on monthly household income, household size, and education to create a composite SES index.ResultsOverall COPD prevalence was 9.2%, ranging from 1.7% to 15.4% across sites. The adjusted odds ratio of having COPD was lower for people who completed secondary school (odds ratio [OR] =0.73, 95% CI 0.55–0.98) and lower with higher monthly household income (OR =0.96 per category, 95% CI 0.93–0.99). When combining SES factors into a composite index, we found that the odds of having COPD was greater with lower SES (interquartile OR =1.23, 95% CI 1.05–1.43) even after controlling for subject-specific factors and environmental exposures.ConclusionIn this analysis of multiple population-based studies, lower education, lower household income, and lower composite SES index were associated with COPD. Since household income may be underestimated in population studies, adding household size and education into a composite index may provide a better surrogate for SES.

Oral health-related quality of life and sense of coherence regarding the use of dental services by preschool children.

There is a need for studies on the biopsychosocial factors that influence the use of dental services by preschoolers. To evaluate the influence of the perceptions of parents/caretakers and children regarding oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) as well as the sense of coherence (SOC) of parents/caretakers on the use of dental services among Brazilian preschoolers. A school-based, cross-sectional study was conducted with 768 preschoolers. Parents/caretakers answered a questionnaire addressing socio-demographic characteristics. The OHRQoL of the children was measured using the Scale of Oral Health Outcomes for Five-Year-Old Children. SOC among the parents/caretakers was evaluated using the Sense of Coherence scale. Clinical examinations were performed by examiners who had previously undergone a training exercise. Descriptive analysis was conducted, followed by Poisson's regression analysis (α = 5%). A total of 56.5% of the preschoolers had never used dental services. The following variables exerted a significant influence on the use of services: higher monthly household income (PR = 1.27; 95% CI: 1.07-1.51), toothache (PR = 1.59; 95% CI: 1.34-1.89), the absence of traumatic dental injury (TDI; PR = 1.18; 95% CI: 1.01-1.40), and a strong SOC (PR = 1.19; 95% CI: 1.01-1.42). A higher monthly household income, history of toothache, the absence of TDI, and strong SOC of the parents/caretakers influence the use of dental services by preschoolers.

Risk Factors for Thyroid Cancer: A Hospital-Based Case-Control Study in Korean Adults.

PurposeAlthough the incidence of thyroid cancer in Korea has rapidly increased over the past decade, few studies have investigated its risk factors. This study examined the risk factors for thyroid cancer in Korean adults.Materials and MethodsThe study design was a hospital-based case-control study. Between August 2002 and December 2011, a total of 802 thyroid cancer cases out of 34,211 patients screened from the Cancer Screenee. Cohort of the National Cancer Center in South Korea were included in the analysis. A total of 802 control cases were selected from the same cohort, and matched individually (1:1) by age (±2 years) and area of residence for control group 1 and additionally by sex for control group 2.ResultsMultivariate conditional logistic regression analysis using the control group 1 showed that females and those with a family history of thyroid cancer had an increased risk of thyroid cancer, whereas ever-smokers and those with a higher monthly household income had a decreased risk of thyroid cancer. On the other hand, the analysis using control group 2 showed that a family history of cancer and alcohol consumption were associated with a decreased risk of thyroid cancer, whereas higher body mass index (BMI) and family history of thyroid cancer were associated with an increased risk of thyroid cancer.ConclusionThese findings suggest that females, those with a family history of thyroid cancer, those with a higher BMI, non-smokers, non-drinkers, and those with a lower monthly household income have an increased risk of developing thyroid cancer.

Assessment of Total/Specific IgE Levels Against 7 Inhalant Allergens in Children Aged 3 to 6 Years in Seoul, Korea

PurposeChildhood allergies are a serious problem, as they may lead to lifetime chronic disease. Determination of total and specific IgE levels is known to be a diagnostic tool for allergic sensitization; however, IgE levels are affected by various factors, such as age, sex, ethnicity, and geographic area. Thus, we evaluated the distribution of total and specific serum IgE levels against seven inhalant allergens in preschool children and examined their association with allergic diseases in Seoul, Korea.MethodsTotal/specific serum IgE determination and skin prick tests for seven common allergens were performed on 509 children aged 3 to 6 years from 16 child care centers in Seoul, Korea. Demographic characteristics were surveyed from parents using a modified International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire. A diagnosis of atopic dermatitis was made by physicians.ResultsThe geometric mean of total IgE was 80.48±3.80 kU/L in preschool children. IgE levels were higher in boys (boys, 102.34±3.52 kU/L; girls, 62.37±3.93 kU/L; P<0.001) and atopic subjects (atopic, 158.00±3.35 kU/L; non-atopic, 52.75±3.44 kU/L; P<0.001). An increased prevalence of atopy was associated with a high monthly household income (P=0.004) and higher maternal education level (above university-level education; P=0.009), as well as increased total IgE levels (P=0.036). Physician-diagnosed atopic dermatitis was associated with sensitization to inhalant allergens.ConclusionsTotal IgE levels were very high as compared with those in previous reports from other countries. The most common sensitized allergen was Dermatophagoides farinae, and the positive response rate peaked at age 3 years and was maintained thereafter, particularly in boys. Specific IgE levels for seven inhalant allergens varied with age in preschool children. Although further investigations are needed with a broad range of ages and various allergens, the distribution of the total and specific serum IgE levels in preschool children might help to serve as a reference value to diagnose atopy.

The Effect of Socioeconomic Status and Family Structure on Parental Warmth and Parental Control in aChinese Context: Implications for Social Work Practice

We report the results of a telephone survey conducted in 2008 inHongKong, which aimed to identifyChinese parents' parental warmth and parental control (guan) and to explore their relationship with the sociodemographic characteristics of the parents. The respondents perceived themselves to be warm (mean = 3.44) and educating their child (mean = 3.46). The results of multiple regression analysis showed that the five sociodemographic characteristics explained 15.8% and 8.2% of the variance in parental warmth andguanrespectively. The mothers were warmer than the fathers; parents with higher monthly household income, higher educational attainment and with their smallest child young in age were warmer than parents of lower household income, lower educational attainment and with their smallest child older in age. However, parentalguandid not vary among the five sociodemographic characteristics except educational attainment. Implications of the study for social work practice are discussed.

Health Related Quality of Life among Patients with Tuberculosis and HIV in Thailand

IntroductionHealth utilities of tuberculosis (TB) patients may be diminished by side effects from medication, prolonged treatment duration, physical effects of the disease itself, and social stigma attached to the disease.MethodsWe collected health utility data from Thai patients who were on TB treatment or had been successfully treated for TB for the purpose of economic modeling. Structured questionnaire and EuroQol (EQ-5D) and EuroQol visual analog scale (EQ-VAS) instruments were used as data collection tools. We compared utility of patients with two co-morbidities calculated using multiplicative model (UCAL) with the direct measures and fitted Tobit regression models to examine factors predictive of health utility and to assess difference in health utilities of patients in various medical conditions.ResultsOf 222 patients analyzed, 138 (62%) were male; median age at enrollment was 40 years (interquartile range [IQR], 35–47). Median monthly household income was 6,000 Baht (187 US$; IQR, 4,000–15,000 Baht [125–469 US$]). Concordance correlation coefficient between utilities measured using EQ-5D and EQ-VAS (UEQ-5D and UVAS, respectively) was 0.6. UCAL for HIV-infected TB patients was statistically different from the measured UEQ-5D (p-value<0.01) and UVAS (p-value<0.01). In tobit regression analysis, factors independently predictive of UEQ-5D included age and monthly household income. Patients aged ≥40 years old rated UEQ-5D significantly lower than younger persons. Higher UEQ-5D was significantly associated with higher monthly household income in a dose response fashion. The median UEQ-5D was highest among patients who had been successfully treated for TB and lowest among multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB) patients who were on treatment.ConclusionsUCAL of patients with two co-morbidities overestimated the measured utilities, warranting further research of how best to estimate utilities of patients with such conditions. TB and MDR-TB treatments impacted on patients' self perceived health status. This effect diminished after successful treatment.

Consumption, Solid Waste Generation and Water Pollution in Pinga Oya Catchment area

This study focuses on the effects of socioeconomic and political factors in solid waste generation and water pollution in the catchments of Pinga Oya, a tributary of the Mahaweli river. The direct solid waste disposal into water bodies and the untreated dumping sites are supposed to be some of the major causes of water pollution in Sri Lanka. The main objectives of this paper were to determine and evaluate the causal link between consumption pattern and solid waste generation and to understand the underlining socio-economic stories of waste disposal and their link with water pollution. Semi-structured household questionnaires (200) and in-depth interviews with key informants were used to collect quantitative and qualitative data from Pinga Oya watershed areas. The samples were selected on stratified basis and purposively and data were analysed quantitatively and qualitatively. The secondary information was mostly collected from the sociological literature. The consumption patterns of people often determine the nature and amount of solid waste generation based on their livelihood, class and culture. Here, the symbolic consumption which has become the life style of urban middle and upper class people, promotes a “consumer society” with the influence of monthly household income and cultural ritual. As a result of higher social value given for mass consumption in this global economic order, people frequently consume unwanted goods to achieve symbolic value and cultural satisfaction rather than limiting their consumption to actual necessities. This study revealed that there was a positive relationship between the monthly household income and consumption pattern and people with the higher monthly household income (>Rs.25,000) generate more solid waste daily (1.5-2 kg) than low income groups. The domestic solid waste generation was mainly influenced by weekly food consumption (R 2 = 0.61). The family size and gender relationship of consumer behaviour were also found significant in determining solid waste generation. This consumption culture that generates more and more solid waste especially in urban social environment influences the quality of water and aggravates the crisis of water pollution. Therefore, water pollution created by solid waste disposal is not only a problem limited to natural scientists to solve but also a social problem caused by many socio-economic and cultural practices of people. Key words: Consumerism; Waste generation; Water pollution. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/tar.v22i3.3697 Tropical Agricultural Research 22(3) (2011) 239-250

Health-Related Quality of Life in Women With Breast Cancer in Korea: Do Sociodemographic Characteristics and Time Since Diagnosis Make a Difference?

To describe whether levels of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) differ by sociodemographic characteristics and time since breast cancer diagnosis in women in Korea. A descriptive, cross-sectional study of women with breast cancer. An outpatient clinic of one large hospital in Seoul, Republic of Korea. A convenience sample of 244 women with breast cancer after mastectomy. Study participants completed sociodemographic characteristics and HRQOL questionnaires. Medical charts were reviewed to determine time since breast cancer diagnosis. Sociodemographic characteristics (age, marital status, employment status, education, monthly household income, and religion), time since diagnosis, and HRQOL. The psychological well-being domain scored the lowest among domains of HRQOL. Women who are younger, married, unemployed, highly educated, or religious, with higher monthly household income or with greater than one year elapsed time since diagnosis, had higher HRQOL. Study findings will be useful to establish priorities in planning nursing interventions to enhance HRQOL in care of women with breast cancer. Nursing interventions can be provided to Korean women with breast cancer who are not religious, who are older, single or widowed, or employed, with lower education level, with lower monthly household income, or with one year or less elapsed time since breast cancer diagnosis.

Examining Malaysian Household Expenditure Patterns on Food-Away-From-Home

The censored Tobit model is applied on data from the Malaysian Household Expenditure Survey (1998/99) to examine household expenditure patterns on food-away-from-home (FAFH). Results indicate that the Chinese population, the urban residents, or those with higher monthly household income have significantly higher FAFH expenditures than their non-Chinese, rural, or lower household income cohorts, ceteris paribus. In addition, other socio-demographic characteristics such as age, gender, household size, or even education do not affect total monthly household expenditures on FAFH in a statistically significant manner. Based on these findings,several observations are noted to provide policymakers and food industry analysts with a better understanding of the habits and attitudes of Malaysian households vis-à-vis FAFH.

Internet Adoption in Macao:

Based on the data from a telephone survey of 868 Macao residents conducted in Macao with 330 Internet users and 538 non-users, this paper examines the characteristics of the users and non-users in terms of their demographics, assessments on media credibility, family functioning, media use, and perceived values of the Internet. Drawing from the literature of diffusion, expectancy-value and media substitution theories, it investigates the relations between Internet use and its potential predictors. The results confirmed the conclusions of previous adoption studies that Internet users were more likely to be male, younger, better educated and with higher monthly household income than non-users. The study also found that demographic variables such as education, sex and income, as well as doing exercise were the significant predictors of Internet use. However, no traditional mass media use variables and perceived values of the Internet were found to be significant predictors.