Abdominal obesity, so-called visceral fat obesity, is one risk factor for arteriosclerotic diseases. Visceral fat accumulation, because it might result from personal lifestyle, must be prevented and alleviated through concrete lifestyle-based countermeasures. This study was undertaken to explain the relation between visceral fat accumulation and lifestyle. Subjects were 3,659 people who had taken medical examinations including abdominal CT. After adjusting for sex and age, 2,864 (1,677 men and 1,167 women) middle-aged (40-69 years old) subjects were selected. Statistical analyses were used: analysis of variance and multiple comparison. Results show that lifestyle factors related to visceral fat accumulation were sleep quality and time, hearty appetite, frequent dining out, high salt intake, eating more animal than vegetable food products, drinking, and smoking. Regarding physical exercise, a significant relation was found in men, not in women. In conclusion, food overconsumption, drinking alcohol, sleep quality deterioration, meals leaning toward animal food products, and exercise were related to visceral fat accumulation.

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This study aimed to investigate the effect of the attitude of workers toward infection control at care facilities for the elderly. We used data obtained from a self-reported questionnaire. A package, including the questionnaire and an addressed return envelope, was mailed to 56 special nursing homes and health service facilities in Yamaguchi Prefecture between October and November 2007. Of 1663 workers, 1323 from 42 facilities completed and returned the questionnaire (response rate, 79.6%). We found that 72.3% of the subjects had a positive attitude toward the prevention of infection. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed using the following parameters as variables : the level of positive attitude toward the prevention of infection (dependent variable) and personal factors such as basic characteristics, education, knowledge, and attitudes. We found that the factor promoting a positive attitude toward the prevention of infection was "I think there is some possibility of the source of infection" (OR:2.06). An important factor is that workers felt that on some occasions, they may act as the source of infection. We concluded that it is important for health care workers to be considerate toward the other persons.

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Purpose : This study identified the goals and skills of public health nurses working in rural districts of Japan during the post-war period and before its rapid economic growth (circa 1945-1970). Method : Ten public health nurses who had worked during these years in rural districts voluntarily agreed to a semi-structured interview. The interview focused on the content and goals of their nursing care. Data were analyzed qualitatively. Result : Public health nurses' goals comprised five categories: (1) establishing a presence in the community; (2) developing action-strategies; (3) triaging to save the lives of rural residents; (4) stimulating behavioral change to save residents' lives; and (5) establishing new behaviors to save residents lives. The final goal of public health nurses 'to save residents lives' was inductively derived from their work. Their skills comprised twelve subcategories with their core skill being, "working to change the traditional practices." Other skills were specific to the situation of that post-war period. Conclusion : These findings contribute to the understanding of a method of study and a model of public health nursing practice that may be applicable currently, for nurses in similar rural districts.

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Purpose : There are many programs to prevent diabetes mellitus (DM) in community. However, it is difficult for many persons to change their life style. It is necessary to find out how they realize and accept their health conditions and risk factors. The purpose of this study is to clarify how a person with borderline risk factors related to DM perceives and copes to the ambiguous circumstances. Method : The participants were recruited from basic health examination by Japanese local government office in 2005. The semi-structured interviews were conducted among two men and four women with hemoglobin-A_<lc> ranged 5.6-6.3% and 53-68 years old. The interview guides were demographic characteristics of participants; how to accept not diagnosis of DM but the possibility of DM; and how to cope to the ambiguous circumstances. The interview audiotapes were transcribed verbatim and analyzed data. Result : Two themes were extracted "Acceptation of own circumstances" and "Actions." "Acceptation of own circumstances" included five categories: optimistic understanding; concerns to be DM; caution about worse condition; opportunity to change a life-style; and measures corresponding to a situation. "Actions" included 13 categories such as a grasp of health condition; a study about DM; a concentrated practice for limited term; and checking own weight. Conclusion : In this study, the persons with borderline DM perceived several complicated thoughts regarding confusion from vagueness health condition, uneasiness to prospect own future health condition, and wish to health that it is no problem. When supporting people to prevent DM, nurses should care to their subjective thoughts.

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Objectives : The aim of this study was to examine the effects of a cognitive behavioral stress management program for civil servants. Methods : We assigned 140 civil servants working in the same public organization to ether an intervention or a waiting list control group, and carried out 3 sessions and self-monitoring in the intervention group with a 4-week interval between sessions. The first session included lectures on stress responses and coping skills, the second session included cognitive restructuring and problem-solving training, and the third session included relaxation and group discussions. The subjects were asked to respond to a self-evaluate questionnaire before starting the intervention. A post-test was conducted immediately after the intervention, and a follow-up test was conducted one month and six months after the intervention. Data from 54 subjects in the intervention group and the 63 subjects in the waiting list group were analyzed using two-way ANCOVA. Results : The intervention group showed statistically significant growth of problem-solving skills, positive cognition and seeking social support. The problem-solving skills and positive cognition with a significant effect remained one month after the intervention. There was a significant difference for problem-solving skills and health competence six months after the intervention. The intervention group showed statistically significant change of interest in stress management behavior. No significant effect was found on stress responses. Conclusions : The stress management intervention of this study appeared effective for improving coping skills. As the number of existing studies on job stress management for workers is limited, further research in this field is necessary.

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[in Japanese]

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[in Japanese]

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The purpose of this research is to make clear the feelings of mothers who raise a child with mild developmental disorders, when they took their child to an examination at a medical institution. As the result of the analysis, the seven categories 【the low level of the recognition of disorder by medical experts】 【the reassessment of the environment along with the medical examination】 【credit in proper reception】 【prejudice from the society】 【agony of parents about the disorder】 【protection for the behavior of a child】 【information from a person concerned】 are extracted. We have found a variety of situations where even a medical expert does not recognize a problematic behavior due to the disorder. There are also varieties of misunderstandings received from the surrounding people due to the low level of recognition of the disorder. It is suggested that medical staff for outpatients should provide more chances for the mothers to share information among themselves so that their children can receive a medical examination without confusions.

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[in Japanese]

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