Publications (2)2 Total impact
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Article: Multiple exposures to smoking, alcohol, physical inactivity and overweight: Prevalences according to the Canadian Community Health Survey Cycle 1.1.
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ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to calculate the prevalence of multiple exposures to four modifiable risk factors (smoking, alcohol, physical inactivity and overweight) and to establish whether there are more Canadians with multiple risk factor exposures than those with singular ones. Weighted estimates of the prevalence of mutually exclusive risk factor clusters were calculated according to the Canadian Community Health Survey, Cycle 1.1 (2000). Confidence limits were estimated by bootstrap techniques. Findings indicate that 21.0 percent of Canadians have no risk factor exposures, 53.5 percent are physically inactive, 21.5 percent currently smoke, 44.8 percent are overweight, and 6.0 percent are high-risk drinkers. Compared to females, males are less physically inactive but more likely to smoke, have high alcohol intake and be overweight, across all age groups. At least one risk factor was present in 79.0 percent of Canadians and 39.0 percent have at least two coexistent exposures. The distribution of risk factor prevalences differed significantly by age, most peaking among those between age 35 and 64, with the exception of physical inactivity. Those who smoke and are physically inactive account for the highest proportion of the population with two or more coexistent risk factors. Canadians who are free of the four risk factors for chronic disease examined in this paper constitute the minority. Future studies are recommended to examine other risk factors, as well as interactions of multiple exposures in association with chronic disease.Chronic diseases in Canada 02/2006; 27(1):25-33. · 0.98 Impact Factor -
Article: Lifetime and recent prostate specific antigen (PSA) screening of men for prostate cancer in Canada.
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ABSTRACT: In spite of national guidelines which do not recommend prostate specific antigen (PSA) screening for prostate cancer or are inconclusive, Canadian men may be accessing the screening test. For the purpose of informing prostate screening policy, cross-sectional self-reported data from the Canadian Community Health Survey (2000-2001) were analyzed to determine the lifetime and recent PSA screening prevalence of Canadian men aged 50 and older with no prostate cancer, and to explore the socio-demographic characteristics associated with ever being screened. Multivariate binomial regression analyses were used to calculate prevalence rate ratios as a measure of association between respondents' characteristics and PSA screening behaviour. Almost half of Canadian men over the age of 50 years (47.5%; 95% CI=46.4-48.5) reported receiving PSA screening during their lifetime. Seventy-two percent (71.8%) of PSA screening was performed within one year prior to the survey or recently. Lifetime prevalence was highest among men aged 60-69 (53.1%; 95% CI=51.1-55.1). Next to advanced age, having a family doctor was the most predictive of screening behaviour (PRR=1.83, p<0.01). Black ethnicity, a risk factor for prostate cancer, failed to be predictive of screening (PRR=1.04, NS). Not speaking French or English was strongly associated with not obtaining a PSA screen (PRR=0.66, p< or =0.01). Our finding that Canadian men commonly reported PSA screening for prostate cancer is not congruent with national guidelines. While we wait for randomized controlled trial evidence of the effectiveness of PSA screening in reducing mortality due to prostate cancer, PSA screening has emerged as a public health issue.Canadian journal of public health. Revue canadienne de santé publique 97(3):171-6. · 1.02 Impact Factor
