著者

Kimiko Tomioka Midori Shima Keigo Saeki

出版者

The Japanese Society for Hygiene

雑誌

Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine (ISSN:1342078X)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.27, pp.18, 2022 (Released:2022-05-03)

参考文献数

41

被引用文献数

3

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Background: Community health activities by public health nurses (PHNs) are known to improve lifestyle habits of local residents, and may encourage the practice of infectious disease prevention behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic. We investigated the association between prefecture-level COVID-19 incidence rate and the number of PHNs per population in Japan, by the COVID-19 variant type.Methods: Our data were based on government surveys where prefectural-level data are accessible to the public. The outcome variable was the COVID-19 incidence rate (i.e., the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population for each variant type in 47 prefectures). The explanatory variable was the number of PHNs per 100,000 population by prefecture. Covariates included socioeconomic factors, regional characteristics, healthcare resources, and health behaviors. The generalized estimating equations of the multivariable Poisson regression models were used to estimate adjusted incidence rate ratio (IRR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for the COVID-19 cases. We performed stratified analyses by variant type (i.e., wild type, alpha variant, and delta variant).Results: A total of 1,705,224 confirmed COVID-19 cases (1351.6 per 100,000 population) in Japan were reported as of September 30, 2021. The number of PHNs per 100,000 population in Japan was 41.9. Multivariable Poisson regression models showed that a lower number of PHNs per population was associated with higher IRR of COVID-19. Among all COVID-19 cases, compared to the highest quintile group of the number of PHNs per population, the adjusted IRR of the lowest quintile group was consistently significant in the models adjusting for socioeconomic factors (IRR: 3.76, 95% CI: 2.55–5.54), regional characteristics (1.73, 1.28–2.34), healthcare resources (3.88, 2.45–6.16), and health behaviors (2.17, 1.39–3.37). These significant associations were unaffected by the variant type of COVID-19.Conclusion: We found that the COVID-19 incidence rate was higher in prefectures with fewer PHNs per population, regardless of the COVID-19 variant type. By increasing the number of PHNs, it may be possible to contain the spread of COVID-19 in Japan and provide an effective human resource to combat emerging infectious diseases in the future.

著者

Mina Hayama-Terada Yuri Aochi Satoyo Ikehara Takashi Kimura Kazumasa Yamagishi Takuyo Sato Hiroyasu Iso

出版者

The Japanese Society for Hygiene

雑誌

Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine (ISSN:1342078X)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.28, pp.12, 2023 (Released:2023-02-03)

参考文献数

21

被引用文献数

6

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Background: Few prospective studies have investigated the association between paternal occupational exposures and risk of infant congenital heart defects (CHDs). We investigated the associations between paternal occupational exposures, frequency of use, and concurrent or sequential exposure to a mixture of compounds and the risk of infant CHDs.Methods: Our study examined 28,866 participants in the Japan Environment and Children’s Study. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) associated with paternal occupational exposures during the 3 months until pregnancy was noticed after adjustment for potential confounding factors of the infant CHDs. CHD diagnosis was ascertained from medical record.Results: In total, 175 were diagnosed with infant CHDs. The number of fathers who were exposed to the following substances at least once a month were: 11,533 for photo copying machine/laser printer, 10,326 for permanent marker, 8,226 for soluble paint/inkjet printer, 6,188 for kerosene/petroleum/benzene/gasoline, 4,173 for organic solvents, 3,433 for chlorine bleach/germicide, 2,962 for engine oil, 2,931 for insecticide, 2,460 for medical sterilizing disinfectant, 1,786 for welding fumes, 1,614 for dyestuffs, 1,247 for any products containing lead-like solder, 986 for herbicide, 919 for radiation/radioactive substances/isotopes, 837 for lead-free solder, 341 for microbes, 319 for formalin/formaldehyde, 301 for agricultural chemical not listed above or unidentified, 196 for general anesthetic for surgery at hospital, 171 for anti-cancer drug, 147 for chromium/arsenic/cadmium, 88 for mercury and 833 for other chemical substances. Paternal occupational exposure regularly to photo copying machine or laser printer and soluble paint/inkjet printer were associated with higher risks of infant CHDs: the adjusted ORs (95%CIs) were 1.38 (1.00–1.91) and 1.60 (1.08–2.37), respectively. The higher risks were also observed for occasional exposure to engine oil, any products containing lead-like solder lead-free solder, and microbes; the adjusted ORs (95%CIs) were 1.68 (1.02–2.77), 2.03 (1.06–3.88), 3.45 (1.85–6.43), and 4.51, (1.63–12.49), respectively.Conclusions: Periconceptional paternal occupational exposure was associated with a higher risk of infant CHDs. Further studies using biomarkers of the association between paternal occupational exposure and infant CHDs are warranted.

著者

森重 敏子

出版者

The Japanese Society for Hygiene

雑誌

日本衛生学雑誌 (ISSN:00215082)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.23, no.2, pp.219-224, 1968-06-30 (Released:2009-09-30)

参考文献数

9

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Since 1961, the area of Fukuoka City as well as other areas of Japan has been polluted by radioactive fallout brought about mainly by the fission and fusion bomb test in Red China. In this area periodic measurements of radioactive fallout deposits were measured on the Standard Diet proposed by the Department of Welfare in Japan. In addition measurements were taken on several kind of vegetables (well washed), dairies, row milk, short necked clam and the Tapes Philippiarium. Results obtained from these surveys are as follows:1) The level of radioactivity of the fallout deposited on the vegetables resulting from the 1st, 2nd and 5th tests of the atmic bomb in Red China increased remarkably from 10 times to 200. This is much higher than that of the usual amount of fallout on vegetables. Especially noted was that a somewhat higher level of radioactivity than normal level was maintained for several months during the time of the 5th test.2) Increase and decrease of radioactivity on seasonal vegetables fluctuated approximately with those of the radioactive fallout deposited on the vegetables. The level of radioactivity on the vegetables increased sharply from normal level measured on them after the test.3) Although radioactivity level on the vegetables had increased from the usual level, the level measured on dairy and row milk did not fluctuate remarkably during the test.4) The degree of radioactivity in the short necked clam with shell removed fluctuated considerably more than the usual level, eg. 0.5 to 38.9. However there was no evidence of increase of radioactivity in the clam after the test.5) The degree of radioactivity in the Standard Diet in Japan increased slightly in 1967 compared to that of former years.6) Giant particles of radioactive fallout precipitated on spinach just after the fifth test of the Atomic Bomb in Red China were discovered by means of autoradiography. Removal of these particles could not be completely successfully accomplished with a soapless soap.

著者

星 秋夫 稲葉 裕

出版者

The Japanese Society for Hygiene

雑誌

日本衛生学雑誌 (ISSN:00215082)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.50, no.3, pp.730-736, 1995-08-15 (Released:2009-02-17)

参考文献数

23

被引用文献数

6 9

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1898年から1991年までに幕内に入幕した力士664名を対象に,力士の年齢標準化死亡比(SMR)について同時代の日本人男性と比較した。さらに,1898年以降の出生者を対象として死亡率に対する種々の要因の寄与の推定を行った。その結果は以下の通りである。1.力士のSMRはいずれの年次においても有意に高く,年齢階級別にみると,35∼74歳のSMRが有意に高かった。2.Coxの比例ハザードモデルによる解析から力士の死亡率に寄与する要因として,入幕暦年,BMIが抽出された。3.生存率曲線において,入幕暦年の高値群,BMIの低値群はそれぞれ低値群,高値群よりも生存率が高かった。以上の結果から相撲力士の高い死亡率は35∼74歳の高い死亡率によるものと示唆され,力士において,BMIの高値群は死亡のリスクが高いことが明らかとなった。

著者

Daisuke Hori Tsukasa Takahashi Yudai Kaneda Akihiko Ozaki Takahiro Tabuchi

出版者

The Japanese Society for Hygiene

雑誌

Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine (ISSN:1342078X)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.28, pp.10, 2023 (Released:2023-02-02)

参考文献数

20

被引用文献数

5

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Background: Before the COVID-19 vaccine became available, many Japanese people were undecided about whether or not to receive them. Their decisions were keys to achieving herd immunity. The impact of the type of information source on the COVID-19 vaccine uptake decision-making process remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the association between information source usage on COVID-19 and subsequent vaccine uptake status among those who have yet to decide whether to receive vaccines from non-prioritized people for vaccination.Methods: Prospective cohort online self-administered surveys were conducted in February 2021 (T1), before the start of the mass vaccination program, and September–October 2021 (T2), when the vaccines were available to all citizens. The survey’s target population was registered monitors of an Internet research company. Participants who answered “I want to get vaccinated after waiting to see how it goes.” at T1 were eligible for analysis. The outcome variable was the COVID-19 vaccine uptake status in T2, and the predictors were 20 types of information sources, categorized based on people (family members, etc.), institutions (governments, etc.), or media (TV news, etc.). Adjusted odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals were estimated using logistic regression adjusted for possible confounders.Results: The 5,139 respondents, mean age and standard deviation was 42.8 ± 12.5, 55.7% female, were eligible for analysis. 85.7% completed vaccination (including reserved/intended people) in T2. In the multivariate logistic analysis, odds ratios (95% confidence interval) for vaccine uptake were 1.49 (1.18–1.89) for workplaces/schools, 1.81 (1.33–2.47) for LINE, 0.69 (0.55–0.86) for Internet news and 0.62 (0.48–0.82) for video sharing sites.Conclusions: The type of information source usage played an important role in the decision to vaccinate against COVID-19. Although caution is needed in interpreting the results, obtaining information from workplaces/schools and LINE was influential in promoting immunization.

著者

Zhao Ma Weiqin Li Jicui Yang Yijuan Qiao Xue Cao Han Ge Yue Wang Hongyan Liu Naijun Tang Xueli Yang Junhong Leng

出版者

The Japanese Society for Hygiene

雑誌

Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine (ISSN:1342078X)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.28, pp.4, 2023 (Released:2023-01-13)

参考文献数

56

被引用文献数

3

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Background: Congenital heart disease (CHD) is one of the most common congenital malformations in humans. Inconsistent results emerged in the existed studies on associations between air pollution and congenital heart disease. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association of gestational exposure to air pollutants with congenital heart disease, and to explore the critical exposure windows for congenital heart disease.Methods: The nested case-control study collected birth records and the following health data in Tianjin Women and Children’s Health Center, China. All of the cases of congenital heart disease from 2013 to 2015 were selected matching five healthy controls for each case. Inverse distance weighting was used to estimate individual exposure based on daily air pollution data. Furthermore, the conditional logistic regression with distributed lag non-linear model was performed to identify the association between gestational exposure to air pollution and congenital heart disease.Results: A total of 8,748 mother-infant pairs were entered into the analysis, of which 1,458 infants suffered from congenital heart disease. For each 10 µg/m3 increase of gestational exposure to PM2.5, the ORs (95% confidence interval, 95%CI) ranged from 1.008 (1.001–1.016) to 1.013 (1.001–1.024) during the 1st–2nd gestation weeks. Similar weak but increased risks of congenital heart disease were associated with O3 exposure during the 1st week and SO2 exposure during 6th–7th weeks in the first trimester, while no significant findings for other air pollutants.Conclusions: This study highlighted that gestational exposure to PM2.5, O3, and SO2 had lag effects on congenital heart disease. Our results support potential benefits for pregnancy women to the mitigation of air pollution exposure in the early stage, especially when a critical exposure time window of air pollutants may precede heart development.

著者

Kazue Ishitsuka Mayumi Tsuji Megumi Yamamoto Rie Tanaka Reiko Suga Mami Kuwamura Toshihide Sakuragi Masayuki Shimono Koichi Kusuhara the Japan Environment and Children’s Study Group

出版者

The Japanese Society for Hygiene

雑誌

Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine (ISSN:1342078X)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.28, pp.47, 2023 (Released:2023-08-30)

参考文献数

50

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Background: Fish are a rich source of essential nutrients that protect against preterm birth. However, as fish can absorb environmental pollutants, their consumption can also increase the risk of preterm birth. This study aimed to assess whether maternal fish consumption during pregnancy is associated with preterm birth in a nationwide large Japanese cohort that consumed relatively high amounts and many types of fish.Methods: This study included 81,428 mother-child pairs enrolled in a nationwide prospective Japanese birth cohort study. Fish consumption was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Multivariate logistic regression was used to investigate the association of total consumption of fish, fatty fish and lean fish, fish paste, and seafood and clams with preterm birth, adjusted for potential confounders.Results: There was no association between overall fish consumption and preterm births. However, the highest quintile of fish paste consumption was significantly associated with an increased risk of preterm birth (odds ratio [OR]: 1.11; 95% confidence interval [CI: 1.04, 1.17]). The consumption of baked fish paste at least three times per week was significantly associated with preterm birth (OR: 1.20; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.40). Consumption of other types of fish, except fish paste, was not significantly associated with preterm birth risk.Conclusions: Fish paste consumption may increase the risk of preterm birth. Further studies are required to confirm this association.

著者

Ahmed Arafa Yoshihiro Kokubo Keiko Shimamoto Rena Kashima Emi Watanabe Yukie Sakai Jiaqi Li Masayuki Teramoto Haytham A. Sheerah Kengo Kusano

出版者

The Japanese Society for Hygiene

雑誌

Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine (ISSN:1342078X)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.27, pp.10, 2022 (Released:2022-03-04)

参考文献数

10

被引用文献数

13

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Background: A protective role for physical activity against the development of atrial fibrillation (AF) has been suggested. Stair climbing is a readily available form of physical activity that many people practice. Herein, we investigated the association between stair climbing and the risk of AF in a Japanese population.Methods: In this prospective cohort study, we used data of 6,575 people registered in the Suita Study, aged 30–84 years, and had no history of AF. The frequency of stair climbing was assessed by a baseline questionnaire, while AF was diagnosed during the follow-up using a 12-lead ECG, health records, check-ups, and death certificates. We used the Cox regression to calculate the hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals of AF incidence for climbing stairs in 20–39%, 40–59%, and ≥60% compared with <20% of the time.Results: Within 91,389 person-years of follow-up, 295 participants developed AF. The incidence of AF was distributed across the stair climbing groups <20%, 20–39%, 40–59%, and ≥60% as follows: 3.57, 3.27, 3.46, and 2.63/1,000 person-years, respectively. Stair climbing ≥60% of the time was associated with a reduced risk of AF after adjustment for age and sex 0.69 (0.49, 0.96). Further adjustment for lifestyle and medical history did not affect the results 0.69 (0.49, 0.98).Conclusion: Frequent stair climbing could protect from AF. From a preventive point of view, stair climbing could be a simple way to reduce AF risk at the population level.

著者

松本 〓

出版者

The Japanese Society for Hygiene

雑誌

日本衛生学雑誌 (ISSN:00215082)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.9, no.4, pp.244-253, 1955-03-01 (Released:2009-02-17)

参考文献数

24

著者

Sani Rachman Soleman Zhaoqing Lyu Takuya Okada Mariko Harada Sassa Yukiko Fujii Manal A.M. Mahmoud Daniel K Ebner Kouji H. Harada

出版者

The Japanese Society for Hygiene

雑誌

Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine (ISSN:1342078X)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.28, pp.1, 2023 (Released:2023-01-07)

参考文献数

75

被引用文献数

3

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Background: Healthcare workers (HCWs) employed personal protective equipment (PPE) during the COVID-19 pandemic, crucial to protecting themselves from infection. To highlight the efficacy of PPE in preventing environmental infection among HCWs, a systematic review was conducted in line with PRISMA guidance.Methods: A search of the PubMed and Web of Science databases was conducted from January 2019 to April 2021 using pre-defined search terms. Articles were screened by three researchers. The approved papers were read in full and included in this review if relevance was mutually agreed upon. Data were extracted by study design and types of PPEs.Results: 47 of 108 identified studies met the inclusion criteria, with seven reviews and meta-analyses, seven cohort, nine case-control, fifteen cross-sectional studies, four before and after, four case series, and one modeling studies. Wearing PPE offered COVID-19 protection in HCWs but required adequate training. Wearing surgical masks provided improved protection over cloth masks, while the benefit of powered air-purifying respirators is less clear, as are individual gowns, gloves, and/or face shields.Conclusions: Wearing PPE, especially facial masks, is necessary among HCWs, while training in proper use of PPE is also important to prevent COVID-19 infection.

著者

阪本 州弘 若林 一郎 吉本 佐雅子 増井 秀久 勝野 眞吾

出版者

The Japanese Society for Hygiene

雑誌

日本衛生学雑誌 (ISSN:00215082)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.46, no.2, pp.635-638, 1991-06-15 (Released:2009-02-17)

参考文献数

10

被引用文献数

2 4

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柔道や空手など古武道では冬期に川原で寒稽古を行い筋力の増強に努めている。運動と寒冷刺激がテストステロンおよび他のホルモンレベルにいかに影響するかを19才の男子,32名について検討した。自転車エルゴメータによる運動負荷(90watt)によりテストステロン(TS)濃度は20.8%上昇したが,黄体形成ホルモン(LH)はほとんど上昇しなかった。ノルアドレナリン(NA)のレベルは140.0%有意に上昇した。一方,冷水負荷ではTSは10.0%減少し,LHは22.1%上昇し,NAは23.8%減少した。個人で負荷によるホルモンレベルの変化量の関連性をみると運動負荷ではLHとTSとはr=0.40,またTSとNAとはr=0.48の有意の相関がある。冷水負荷ではTSとLHとではr=0.40,TSとNAとではr=0.43であった。これらの結果は,運動はLHとNAの血清濃度の上昇によりTS濃度を上昇させる。しかし冷水負荷ではこの傾向が見出せなかった。

著者

津田 敏秀 馬場園 明 三野 善央 松岡 宏明 山本 英二

出版者

The Japanese Society for Hygiene

雑誌

日本衛生学雑誌 (ISSN:00215082)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.51, no.2, pp.558-568, 1996-07-15 (Released:2009-02-17)

参考文献数

73

被引用文献数

2 2

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Changes of causal inference concepts in medicine, especially those having to do with chronic diseases, were reviewed. The review is divided into five sections. First, several articles on the increased academic acceptance of observational research are cited. Second, the definitions of confounder and effect modifier concepts are explained. Third, the debate over the so-called “criteria for causal inference” was discussed. Many articles have pointed out various problems related to the lack of logical bases for standard criteria, however, such criteria continue to be misapplied in Japan. Fourth, the Popperian and verificationist concepts of causal inference are summarized. Lastly, a recent controversy on meta-analysis is explained. Causal inference plays an important role in epidemiologic theory and medicine. However, because this concept has not been well-introduced in Japan, there has been much misuse of the concept, especially when used for conventional criteria.

著者

稲益 建夫 石西 伸 児玉 泰

出版者

The Japanese Society for Hygiene

雑誌

日本衛生学雑誌 (ISSN:00215082)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.33, no.3, pp.528-537, 1978-08-30 (Released:2009-02-17)

参考文献数

20

被引用文献数

2 3

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Health examination was carried out on subjects (2 males and 5 females) who used arsenic containing hot water from the geothermal power station in Kyushu, Japan. They used the hot water only to take a bath over 4 years. The arsenic concentration measured by the atomic absorption method after generating AsH3 was 3.53μg/ml in the hot water. Waste water from the bath drained into a brook at the backyard and arsenic concentration in the brook were 0.54, 0.03 and 0.01μg/ml at the points of 0, 200 and 600m from the outlet, respectively.A special health examination was carried out on the following items: 1) Physical examination by doctors (dermatologist and general physician) 2) blood examination 3) urine analysis 4) biochemical and enzymological serum examination by SMA-12 5) determination of arsenic in urine and hair.Arsenic concentration in urine measured 3 times per day for each subject ranged from 58 to 178μg/l and it was within normal range, Arsenic concentration in hair was higher than normal range: the highest was 5.2μg/g, and for 5 of 7 subjects it was over 1μg/g. The result was suspected to be responsible for exogenous contamination such as washing of hair by hot water containing arsenic. There were no particular findings related to the arsenic poisoning.It must be emphasized that special attention should be paid to prevent the environmental popllution and health hazard caused by the hot water from geothermal power stations.

著者

Yoshimitsu Shimomura Tomotaka Sobue Ling Zha Tetsuhisa Kitamura Motoki Iwasaki Manami Inoue Taiki Yamaji Shoichiro Tsugane Norie Sawada

出版者

The Japanese Society for Hygiene

雑誌

Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine (ISSN:1342078X)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.28, pp.19, 2023 (Released:2023-03-07)

参考文献数

47

被引用文献数

1

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Background: The association between meat, fish, or fatty acid intake and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) has been investigated in a few studies, and the results were inconsistent. In addition, most studies are mainly based on the United States and European countries, in which the dietary patterns differ from that in Asia. Therefore, the risk of AML/MDS from meat, fish, or fatty acid intake in Asia requires further exploration. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between AML/MDS incidence and meat, fish, or fatty acid intake using the Japan Public Health Center–based prospective study.Methods: The present study included 93,366 participants who were eligible for analysis and followed up from the 5-year survey date until December 2012. We estimated the impact of their intake on AML/MDS incidence using a Cox proportional hazards model.Results: The study participants were followed up for 1,345,002 person-years. During the follow-up period, we identified 67 AML and 49 MDS cases. An increased intake of processed red meat was significantly associated with the incidence of AML/MDS, with a hazard ratio of 1.63 (95% confidence interval, 1.03–2.57) for the highest versus lowest tertile and a Ptrend of 0.04. Meanwhile, the intake of other foods and fatty acids was not associated with AML/MDS.Conclusion: In this Japanese population, processed red meat was associated with an increased incidence of AML/MDS.

著者

千葉 百子 大道 正義 稲葉 裕

出版者

The Japanese Society for Hygiene

雑誌

日本衛生学雑誌 (ISSN:00215082)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.53, no.4, pp.572-579, 1999-01-15 (Released:2009-02-17)

参考文献数

18

被引用文献数

7 10 7

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This report reviews the biological effects and case reports of suicidal or accidental ingestion of, and occupational exposure to sodium azide. Ingested doses of sodium azide were estimated for the 6 survival and 4 fatal cases studied. The lowest dose among survival cases was 5-10mg. The patient reported headache, sweating, and faintness within approximately 5 minutes of ingestion. Four victims ingested 20 to 40mg and recovered within 2 hours. However, a man who took 80mg reported chest pain for 6 months after ingestion. The smallest doses among fatal cases were 0.7-0.8g for women and 1.2-2g for men. All victims suffered from hypotension, tachycardia, hyperventilation, diaphoresis, vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea. There is no antidote for sodium azide. Detoxicants for cyanide such as sodium nitrite or thiosulfate were tried, but were unfortunately, ineffective. Sodium nitrite may worsen the hypotension caused by sodium azide, and is not recommended. Occupational exposure to sodium azide is thought to be common, however, fatal exposure is rare. NIOSH “Recommended Exposure Limits” for sodium azide is 0.3mg/m3.

著者

Kyung-Duk Min Sun-Young Kim Sung-il Cho

出版者

The Japanese Society for Hygiene

雑誌

Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine (ISSN:1342078X)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.28, pp.48, 2023 (Released:2023-08-31)

参考文献数

42

被引用文献数

1

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Background: The effect of ambient PM2.5 on the incidence of tuberculosis (TB) has been investigated in epidemiological studies. However, they did not separately study new and relapsed TB infection and focused on relatively short-term effects of PM2.5. In this regard, we examined the associations of long-term PM2.5 exposures with both new and relapsed TB incidences in South Korea, where the disease burden of TB is greatest among high-income countries.Methods: An area-level ecological study of 250 districts was conducted from 2015 to 2019. Age- and sex-standardized TB incidence ratios for each district and year were used as outcome variables, and their associations with PM2.5 concentrations for one to five-year average were examined. Negative binomial regression models incorporating spatiotemporal autocorrelation were employed using integrated nested Laplace approximations. Stratified analyses were conducted by type of TB (total, new, and relapsed cases).Results: Districts with higher PM2.5 concentrations tended to have significantly higher TB recurrence rate. The relative risks per 10 µg/m3 PM2.5 increase were 1.218 (95% credible interval 1.051–1.411), 1.260 (1.039–1.527) and 1.473 (1.015–2.137) using the two, three and five-year average PM2.5 exposures, respectively.Conclusions: The results imply that interventions for reducing air pollution might help prevent TB recurrence.

著者

Takafumi Abe Jun Kitayuguchi Noritoshi Fukushima Masamitsu Kamada Shinpei Okada Kenji Ueta Chiaki Tanaka Yoshiteru Mutoh

出版者

The Japanese Society for Hygiene

雑誌

Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine (ISSN:1342078X)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.27, pp.26, 2022 (Released:2022-06-18)

参考文献数

20

被引用文献数

15

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Background: Physical inactivity during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may have hindered the development of fundamental movement skills in preschoolers. This serial cross-sectional study compared fundamental movement skills by age group before and during the COVID-19 pandemic (2019–2020), among Japanese preschoolers aged 3–5 years.Methods: Of the 22 preschools within Unnan City, Shimane Prefecture, Japan, 21 (95.5%) and 17 (77.3%) participated in the 2019 and 2020 surveys, respectively. We analyzed 608 and 517 preschoolers in both surveys. Fundamental movement skills were objectively assessed with a 25 m run, standing long jump, and softball throw, based on the Japanese physical activity guidelines for preschoolers. Mann–Whitney U tests were used to compare the fundamental movement skills data between periods.Results: For the 25 m run, participants aged 5 years were faster before than during the pandemic (p = 0.018), while participants aged 3 and 4 years showed no significant differences. Participants aged 3–5 years showed no significant differences before and during the pandemic for the standing long jump (p ≥ 0.072). For the softball throw, all grades scored higher before than during the pandemic (p < 0.001).Conclusions: These findings suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic impeded the development of fundamental motor skills, especially for object control skills. This highlights the need for interventions aimed at developing fundamental motor skills in preschoolers during and after the pandemic.

著者

Qing Li

出版者

The Japanese Society for Hygiene

雑誌

Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine (ISSN:1342078X)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.27, pp.43, 2022 (Released:2022-11-01)

参考文献数

63

被引用文献数

17

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Humans have enjoyed forest environments for ages because of the quiet atmosphere, beautiful scenery, mild climate, pleasant aromas, and fresh, clean air. In Japan, since 2004, serial studies have been conducted to investigate the effects of forest environments (Forest bathing/Shinrin-yoku) on human health. My research team has established a new medical science called Forest Medicine. The Forest Medicine is a new interdisciplinary science, belonging to the categories of alternative medicine, environmental medicine and preventive medicine, which studies the effects of forest environments (Forest bathing/Shinrin-yoku) on human health. It has been reported that Forest bathing/Shinrin-yoku has the following beneficial effects on human health:1 Shinrin-yoku increases human natural killer (NK) activity, the number of NK cells, and the intracellular levels of anti-cancer proteins, suggesting a preventive effect on cancers. 2 Shinrin-yoku reduces blood pressure and heart rate showing preventive effect on hypertension and heart diseases. 3 Shinrin-yoku reduces stress hormones, such as urinary adrenaline and noradrenaline and salivary/serum cortisol contributing to stress management. 4 Shinrin-yoku increases the activity of parasympathetic nerves and reduces the activity of sympathetic nerves to stabilize the balance of autonomic nervous system. 5 Shinrin-yoku improve sleep. 6 Shinrin-yoku increases the levels of serum adiponectin and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate. 7 In the Profile of Mood States (POMS) test, Shinrin-yoku reduces the scores for anxiety, depression, anger, fatigue, and confusion, and increases the score for vigor, showing preventive effects on depression. 8 Shinrin-yoku may apply to rehabilitation medicine 9 Shinrin-yoku in city parks also has benefits on human health. 10 Shinrin-yoku may have preventive effect on COVID-19 by boosting immune function and by reducing mental stress.Taken together, these findings suggest that Shinrin-yoku may have potential preventive effects on non-communicable diseases.

著者

高橋 美保子 丹後 俊郎

出版者

The Japanese Society for Hygiene

雑誌

日本衛生学雑誌 (ISSN:00215082)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.57, no.3, pp.571-584, 2002-09-15 (Released:2009-02-17)

参考文献数

16

被引用文献数

8 9

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Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of recent influenza epidemics on mortality in Japan.Methods: We applied a new definition of excess mortality associated with influenza epidemics and a new estimation method (new method) proposed in our previous paper to the national vital statistics for 1975-1999 (ICD8- ICD10 had been adopted) in Japan. This new method has the advantages of removing a source of random variations in excess mortality and of being applicable to shifting trends in mortality rates from different causes of death in response to the revision of ICD. The monthly rates of death from all causes other than accidents (all causes) and some cause-specific deaths such as pneumonia, malignant neoplasm, heart disease, cerebrovascular disease (C. V. D) and diabetes (D. M.) were analyzed by total and by five age groups: 0-4 years, 5-24 years, 25-44 years, 45-64 years, and 65 years old or older.Results: The following findings were noted:1. For each epidemic in every other year since 1993, large-scale excess mortality of over 10, 000 deaths was observed and the effect of those epidemics could be frequently detected in mortality even among young persons, i. e., 0-4 years or 5-25 years.2. Excess mortality associated with influenza epidemics influenced mortality by some chronic diseases such as pneumonia, heart disease, C. V. D., D. M., etc. For some epidemic years since 1978, excess mortality rates were detected even in mortality by malignant neoplasm.Conclusions: It has been definitely shown by applying the new method to the national vital statistics for 1975-1999 in Japan that influenza epidemics in recent years exerted an influence on overall mortality, increasing the number of deaths among the elderly and the younger generation. Monitoring of the trends in excess mortality associated with influenza epidemics should be continued.

著者

戸田 雅裕 森本 兼曩

出版者

The Japanese Society for Hygiene

雑誌

日本衛生学雑誌 (ISSN:00215082)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.54, no.4, pp.592-596, 2000-01-15 (Released:2009-02-17)

参考文献数

24

被引用文献数

14 20

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The fasting month of Ramadan is the ninth lunar month of the Islamic calendar. It is the most important month for Muslims because in which the Qur'an was revealed, and they abstain from food and drink from dawn to sunset to express their gratitude to God. Eating and drinking is permitted only at night, and Muslims typically eat two meals each day, after sunset and just before dawn. People tend to stay up late watching TV with the family, praying or reading the Qur'an.Ramadan teaches Muslims self-restraint and reminds them of the feelings of the impoverished. On the other hand, the biological effects of changes in lifestyle during Ramadan may also be expected.Some studies have reported substantial weight loss, signs of dehydration, raised serum concentrations of uric acid and cholesterol, etc. during Ramadan. However, these changes are unlikely to have much effect on healthy individuals, because generations of Muslims have undertaken fasting year after year. In conclusion, the observance of the Ramadan fast may produce some ill-effects in patients with some disease, e. g. hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia, hyperuricaemia, hyperglycaemia, and heart, liver and kidney disease.