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Purpose: To investigate speech-language pathologists' current perceptions, previous training experiences, resources, barriers, and training needs in terms of evidence-based practices (EBPs) in two Asian countries. Method: Their knowledge and attitudes about EBP were explored using an online questionnaire. A descriptive analysis was conducted with consideration of the effect of demographic variables on knowledge and attitudes about EBP. Result: Malaysian speech-language pathologists (n = 98) displayed more positive attitudes toward EBPs, with a significantly higher (t (143) = 5.91, p <.01) total mean score (Mean = 120.7, SD = 11) compared to the Japanese speech-language pathologists (n = 47, Mean = 107.8, SD = 13.5). Malaysian practitioners who were female, worked full-time, and worked in government settings reported higher motivation to develop EBP skills. Japanese practitioners who worked in private sectors reported higher EBPs training needs than those in government settings. In both countries, speech-language pathologists with higher education levels tended to express fewer perceived barriers towards EBP. Conclusion: Findings could help local governance and speech-language pathologist associations to understand the current practices and professional development needs of speech-language pathologists, leading to more effective training programs and educating employers and managers who can reinforce EBP among practitioners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies show that experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) during pregnancy is related to poor maternal–infant bonding. However, the mechanisms underlying this relationship are unclear. This article aims to examine whether maternal postpartum depressive (PPD) symptoms mediate the association between pregnancy IPV and maternal–infant bonding, and whether the relationship differs by maternal–infant bonding subscales—lack of affection, anger/rejection. A survey was conducted among women who participated in a postpartum health check-up program in Aichi prefecture, Japan (N = 6,590) in 2012. We examined whether experiences of emotional and physical IPV were related to maternal–infant bonding and whether PPD symptoms mediated this relationship. Path analysis showed that emotional and physical IPV were associated with PPD symptoms, and PPD symptoms predicted poor bonding. The total effect of emotional IPV on poor bonding was significant, showing a marginally significant direct effect and statistically significant indirect effect. The total effect of physical IPV on poor bonding was not statistically significant. Emotional IPV was significantly associated with both lack of affection and anger/rejection bonding subscales, which were similarly mediated by PPD symptoms. Findings revealed a modest indirect association between IPV, emotional IPV in particular, and poor maternal–infant bonding, which was mediated by PPD symptoms. While prevention of IPV is the ultimate goal, the treatment of PPD symptoms among women who experience IPV during pregnancy may improve maternal–infant bonding and mitigate cross-generational effects of IPV. Identifying opportunities for detection of IPV and PPD symptoms, as well as prevention and early intervention, may improve maternal–infant bonding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: We compared Japan nurse practitioner‐led care and physician trainee‐led care in terms of patients' length of stay in a secondary emergency department in Japan. Methods: This was a retrospective observational study, utilizing medical records. Participants (n = 1419; mean age = 63.9 ± 23.4 years; 52.3% men) were patients transferred to the emergency department by ambulance between April 2016 and March 2018 in western Tokyo. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed, with length of stay as the dependent variable and factors related to the length of stay, including medical care leaders, as the independent variable. Results: Approximately half of the patients (n = 763; 53.8%) received Japan nurse practitioner‐led care. Patients' length of stay was significantly shorter, by 6 min, in the Japan nurse practitioner‐led care group, compared with the physician trainee‐led care group (unstandardized coefficient: −6.81; 95% confidence interval: −13.35 to −0.26; p < 0.05). Conclusion: Patients' shorter length of stay in the Japan nurse practitioner group, compared with the physician trainee group, suggests that Japan nurse practitioners are not inferior to physician trainees in terms of the time spent to manage patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To describe cross-sectional age differences in change-of-direction performance (CODp) in female football players and investigate the relationship between CODp and linear-sprint speed, muscle power, and body size. Methods: A sample of 135 well-trained female football players was divided into 8 age groups. Anthropometry (height, body mass, and lean body mass) and athletic performance (10-m sprint speed, 10-m x 5-CODp, and 5-step bounding distance) were compared to determine interage differences using ANOVA. Then, the participants were divided into 3 age groups: 12- to 14-y-olds, 15- to 17-y-olds, and =18 y-olds. Simple- and multiple-regression analyses were conducted to determine the correlation between CODp and the other measurement variables in each age group. Results: Age-related differences were found for CODp (F = 10.41, P < .01), sprint speed (F = 3.27, P < .01), and bounding distance (F = 4.20, P < .01). Post hoc analysis revealed that the CODp of 17-y-old players was faster than that of 16-y-old players (P < .01), with no interage differences in sprint speed and bounding distance. Sprint speed and bounding distance were weakly correlated with CODp in 15- to =18-y-old players, but only sprint speed was correlated with CODp in 12- to 14-y-old players. Conclusions: CODp improves from 16 to 17 y of age in female players. Linear-sprint speed, muscle power, and body size were weakly correlated with the age differences in CODp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Barriers Questionnaire II (BQ-II) was developed to assess barriers to effective pain management. In this study, we aimed to assess the reliability and validity of the newly developed Japanese version of the BQ-II (JBQ-II). Methods: This study used a cross-sectional design. The study was conducted an ambulatory infusion center for cancer in a general hospital in Tokyo, Japan. Participants were 120 Japanese patients with cancer and 21 Japanese health professionals with experience in pain management. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was used to calculate reliability. Test–retest reliability was assessed with Spearman's intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). Construct, criterion-related, and discriminant validity were assessed using information about pain management, daily life, mental health, and subjective health. Results: The Cronbach's alpha was 0.90 for the JBQ-II, and all ICCs exceeded 0.70 (P < 0.01). Factor analysis showed the JBQ-II had a virtually identical structure to the BQ-II, and path analysis supported the JBQ-II constructs. The JBQ-II was weakly correlated with poor mental state (r = 0.36, P < 0.01). Patients' JBQ-II scores were significantly higher than health professionals' scores. Conclusion: The JBQ-II is a valid and reliable measure of patient-related barriers to pain management among Japanese adult patients with cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Japan is a disaster‐prone country, and Japanese registered nurses (RN) should be evaluated for their individual readiness for unexpected dispatches. The aim of the present study was to develop and validate a scale for measuring individual readiness of Japanese RN for disasters. In our previous study in 2014, we developed a Japanese version of the Readiness Estimate and Deployability Index, which was originally developed in the USA in 1997. Considering the cultural and characteristic aspects of Japanese RN social skills, a preliminary version of the instrument was constructed in a pilot study. In the main survey, construct validity, internal consistency, and concurrent validity of the self‐evaluation instrument were assessed in a sample of 964 RN, and its psychometric properties were evaluated. A six dimensional, 37 item tool called the Japanese Disaster Nursing Readiness Evaluation Index (JDNREI) was developed. The Cronbach's alpha for the scale was.93. The reliability of the six dimensions was acceptable, and the validity was supported by confirmatory factor analysis. The JDNREI, whose validity and reliability were evaluated, might enable RN to recognize and assess their level of individual readiness for future disasters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim This cross-sectional and longitudinal study explored primiparous mothers' functioning and parenting stress on the basis of infant-feeding method over the first 6 months postpartum. Methods Participants were Japanese primiparae who delivered live singleton infants (N = 1120). Questionnaires, completed at 1, 2, 4, and 6 months postpartum, included demographics, feeding method, frequency of feedings, time required from infant's feeding to falling asleep, mother's sleep time, Postnatal Accumulated Fatigue Scale, and the original Japanese version of Parenting Stress Short-Form Scale. Chi-square tests and Welch F tests for one-way analysis of variance were conducted. Results Exclusively breastfeeding mothers fed their infants more frequently, but required less time from infant's feeding to falling asleep than either mixed or formula-feeding mothers. Mixed feeding mothers required more time for infant feeding and reported more severe fatigue and greater parenting stress than breastfeeding mothers at 1 and 2 months postpartum. Exclusively formula-feeding mothers required more time to get their infant back to sleep and reported greater parenting stress than the other groups at 6 months postpartum. Nearly 25% of mothers continued breastfeeding exclusively through the first 6 months postpartum. Mothers often changed feeding methods, with many exclusively breastfeeding by 6 months. Conclusion Feeding methods may affect maternal functioning and parenting stress across the postpartum period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the factor analysis testing and construct validation of the Japanese version of the Caffrey Cultural Competence Health Services (J-CCCHS). The inventory, composed of 28 items, was translated using language and subject matter experts. Psychometric testing (exploratory factor, alpha reliability, and confirmatory factor analyses) was undertaken with nurses (N = 7494, 92% female, mean age 32.6 years) from 19 hospitals across Japan. Principal components extraction with varimax rotation yielded a 5-factor solution (62.31% variance explained) that was labeled: knowledge, comfort-proximal, comfort-distal, awareness, and awareness of national policy. Cronbach α for the subscales ranged from 0.756 to 0.892. In confirmatory factor analysis using the robust maximum likelihood estimator, the chi-square test was as follows: χ2(340) = 14604.44, P < .001. After correlated errors were introduced, there was evidence of improved model fit (χ2(335) = 8681.61, P < .05) but the other indices showed improvement (RMSEA = .058 [90% CI, 0.057-0.059], TLI = .891, CFI = .903, and SRMR = .059). The discriminating power of the J-CCCHS was indicated by statistically mean differences in J-CCCHS subscale scores between predefined groups. Taking into consideration that this is the first foray into construct validation for this instrument, and that fit was improved when a subsequent data driven model was tested, and it has the ability to distinguish between known groups that are expected to differ in cultural competence, the instrument can be of value to clinicians and educators alike. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On March 11, 2013, the Great East Japan Earthquake (magnitude 9) hit the northern part of Japan (Tohoku), killing more than 15 000 people and leaving long-lasting scars, including psychological damage among evacuees, some of whom were health professionals. Little is known about meditation efficacy on disaster-affected health professionals. The present study investigated the effects of breathing-based meditation on seminar participants who were health professionals who had survived the earthquake. This study employed a mixed methods approach, using both survey data and handwritten qualitative data. Quantitative results of pre- and postmeditation practice indicated that all mood scales (anger, confusion, depression, fatigue, strain, and vigor) were significantly improved (N = 17). Qualitative results revealed several common themes (emancipation from chronic and bodily senses; holistic sense: transcending mind-body; re-turning an axis in life through reflection, self-control, and/or gratitude; meditation intomundane, everydaylife; and coming outofpain in the aftermath ofthe earthquake) that had emerged as expressions of participant meditation experiences. Following the 45-minute meditation session, the present study participants reported improvements in all psychological states (anger, confusion, depression, fatigue, strain, and vigor) in the quantitative portion, which indicated efficacy of the meditation. Our analysis of the qualitative portion revealed what and how participants felt during meditating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The faculty of nursing schools plays an important role in the successful execution of nursing education. Therefore, faculty behavior strongly affects the professional development of nurses. However, few studies have examined professional nursing behaviors from the perspective of nursing faculty. Purpose: Members of nursing faculty in Japan were surveyed regarding their perspectives on behaviors related to professionalism. Methods: The model, Miller's Wheel of Professionalism in Nursing, was used as the theoretical framework. The Behavioral Inventory for Professionalism in Nursing (BIPN) was completed by 74 full-time nursing faculty who were currently working at 10 institutes of nursing education in Japan. Results: The mean BIPN score for the participants was 11.56 (SD = 6.08) of a possible total of 27. The highest and lowest BIPN category scores were for "research development, use, and evaluation" and "community service," respectively. Professionalism was found to relate significantly to higher educational preparation (F = 32.17, p < .0001). The Tukey--Kramer multiple comparison test found a significant association between having a graduate degree and higher scores for professionalism (p < .0001). The Spearman correlation coefficient was significant and positive for the relationship between professionalism and both educational preparation (r = .85, p < .0001) and number of years as a nursing educator (r = .31, p = .0077). Conclusions: The results support the idea that a higher level of educational preparation and more years of experience as a member of a nursing faculty are associated with higher levels of nursing professionalism. The professional behavior scores suggest that "community service" is an issue that requires further improvement among Japanese nursing faculty. Awareness of extrinsic factors such as education is important to maximize nursing professionalism. The findings of this study may help nursing faculty continue their self-development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and objectives To describe what effects low back pain has on the daily lives of female family caregivers and to elucidate the caregiving factors associated with its development. Background Low back pain is a common musculoskeletal symptom in caregivers. However, few detailed studies have examined the association of low back pain with the daily lives of female family caregivers or which caregiving activities lead to their low back pain. The elucidation of these issues will contribute to the prevention and treatment of their low back pain. Design A cross-sectional study. Methods Japanese female family caregivers ( n = 156) completed a self-administered questionnaire assessing lifestyle, health status, daily activity and caregiving situation. Correlation analysis measured the association between low back pain and daily activity. Logistic regression analysis identified care activities related to low back pain. Results Thirty-five (22·4%) participants almost always experienced low back pain. The severity of low back pain was significantly and positively associated with difficulty in daily activities, especially bending and extending the lower back. As for care situation factors and caregiving activities, night care, assisting the family member to stand up and to lie down, dealing with problem behaviours, and taking medication were associated with the development of low back pain. After reclassifying the respective caregiving activities, those involving body repositioning and those mainly performed in a static position showed significant associations. Conclusions Low back pain in female family caregivers negatively affects their daily activities and certain caregiving activities are involved in the development of low back pain. Relevance to clinical practice Clinical nurses understand the situation of female caregivers and could prevent the development of low back pain with early intervention by providing adequate strategies to alleviate the burden of identified care activities related to low back pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective The purpose of this study was to develop a scale for measuring the social activities of community-dwelling older women requiring support in Japan. Design and Sample A methodological study was performed of 118 older women (>65 years old) requiring support and residing in region A of Japan. Measures An anonymous questionnaire was administered through individual interviews, and valid responses were obtained from 110 people. The construct validity of the resulting scale was assessed by exploratory factor analysis. Criterion-related validity was tested by calculating Spearman's rank correlation coefficient between the resulting scale and the existing Social Activity Index for Elderly People ( SAI-E). Reliability was tested by Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Results The Social Activity Scale for Community-Dwelling Older Women Requiring Support ( SASOWS) was created. This scale comprised the following three subscales: 'interactions with familiar people,' 'consulting with care service providers,' and 'performing proactive creative activities at home'. Correlation of SASOWS with the existing SAI-E resulted in a correlation coefficient of .521 ( p < .01). Cronbach's alpha for the entire scale was .772, and internal consistency was observed. Conclusions SASOWS appears to be a reliable, valid, and useful scale to measure social activities specific for older women requiring support. Future studies should continue to examine the items and usefulness of this scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A recent survey of 79 countries showed that fertility knowledge was lower in Japan than in any other developed country. Given the fertility decline in Japan and the importance of fertility knowledge, we conducted an online survey to examine fertility knowledge and the related factors for effective public education. Methods: We studied people aged 18-59 years old, n = 4,328 (the “General” group), and also people who had been trying to conceive for at least six months, 18-50 years old, n = 618 (the “Triers” group). Fertility knowledge was assessed using the Japanese version of the 13-item Cardiff Fertility Knowledge Scale (CFKS-J). All participants provided socio-demographic and fertility information. Participants also completed a 14-item health literacy scale and an 11-item health numeracy scale. We asked participants who were aware of age-related decline in fertility when and where they first acquired that knowledge. Results: The average percentages of CFKS-J items answered correctly were 53.1% in the Triers group and 44.4% in the General group (p < 0.001). Multivariate linear regression models showed in the Triers group greater fertility knowledge was associated with greater health literacy and prior medical consultation regarding their fertility. In the General group greater fertility knowledge was associated with being female, younger, university educated, currently trying to conceive, non-smoking, having higher household income, having higher health literacy and having higher health numeracy. Of those who were aware of the age-related decline in fertility, around 3% first learned the fact “at school”, and around 65% first learned it “through mass media” or “via the Internet”. More than 30% of the respondents first learned it “less than 5 years before” the survey. Conclusions: Although fertility knowledge had improved since a previous study, possibly due to recent media coverage of age-related infertility, it was still low. Educational interventions, both in schools and in the community, may be needed to increase fertility knowledge in the general population because most people obtain fertility knowledge from mass media, which has been shown to often present distorted and inaccurate fertility information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background A recent survey of 79 countries showed that fertility knowledge was lower in Japan than in any other developed country. Given the fertility decline in Japan and the importance of fertility knowledge, we conducted an online survey to examine fertility knowledge and the related factors for effective public education. Methods We studied people aged 18-59 years old, n = 4,328 (the "General" group), and also people who had been trying to conceive for at least six months, 18-50 years old, n = 618 (the "Triers" group). Fertility knowledge was assessed using the Japanese version of the 13-item Cardiff Fertility Knowledge Scale (CFKS-J). All participants provided socio-demographic and fertility information. Participants also completed a 14-item health literacy scale and an 11-item health numeracy scale. We asked participants who were aware of age-related decline in fertility when and where they first acquired that knowledge. Results The average percentages of CFKS-J items answered correctly were 53.1% in the Triers group and 44.4% in the General group (p < 0.001). Multivariate linear regression models showed in the Triers group greater fertility knowledge was associated with greater health literacy and prior medical consultation regarding their fertility. In the General group greater fertility knowledge was associated with being female, younger, university educated, currently trying to conceive, non-smoking, having higher household income, having higher health literacy and having higher health numeracy. Of those who were aware of the age-related decline in fertility, around 3% first learned the fact "at school," and around 65% first learned it "through mass media" or "via the Internet." More than 30% of the respondents first learned it "less than 5 years before" the survey. Conclusions Although fertility knowledge had improved since a previous study, possibly due to recent media coverage of age-related infertility, it was still low. Educational interventions, both in schools and in the community, may be needed to increase fertility knowledge in the general population because most people obtain fertility knowledge from mass media, which has been shown to often present distorted and inaccurate fertility information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To investigate whether positive affect independently predicts a lower risk of functional decline among community-dwelling older Japanese. Methods A 2-year prospective study was carried out among 505 residents of Tosa Town aged 65 years and older without disability in carrying out basic activities of daily living ( B ADL) at baseline. Positive and negative affect was measured using the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale, which includes items that reflect positive affect, as well as items that reflect negative affect. Information on functional ability, sociodemographic factors and medical conditions was obtained using a self-administered questionnaire. Results A total of 72 (14.3%) participants reported a decline in B ADL at the 2-year follow up. The sum-score of the positive items was significantly associated with a lower risk of functional decline ( OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.64-0.97), after controlling for potential confounding factors. Of the five positive items, three items (feeling satisfied with life OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.25-0.95; feeling happy most of the time OR 0.50, 95% CI 0.25-0.99; and feeling full of energy OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.22-0.95) were significantly associated with functional decline after adjusting for confounders. These associations were also independent of negative affect. In contrast, none of the negative items predicted functional decline after controlling for confounding factors. Conclusions Positive psychological well-being, specifically the feeling of satisfaction with life, happiness and energy, might have a favorable effect on the maintenance of functional ability, regardless of negative affect. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2013; 13: 1051-1058. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Fatigue Barriers Scale (FBS) is an instrument to identify patient-derived barriers to fatigue management. Objective: To assess the reliability and validity of the Japanese version of the FBS (JFBS). Methods: Participants were 112 cancer patients. Reliability was determined through internal consistency using Cronbach's alpha coefficient and through test-retest reliability using Spearman's intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). Construct, convergent, criterion-referenced, and concurrent validities were assessed. The Cancer Fatigue Scale (CFS), Patient Fatigue Knowledge Tool (PFKT), and Kessler 6-item distress scale (K6) were used for comparisons. Results: Cronbach's alpha coefficients were 0.74, 0.78, 0.72, and 0.54 for the JFBS total and for each subscale, respectively. All ICCs exceeded 0.65 (P<0.05). The JFBS had a weak negative correlation with the PFKT and a positive correlation with the CFS. The K6 scores showed weak positive correlations with the JFBS total and fatalism subscale scores. Conclusions: The JFBS can be used to measure fatigue barriers in Japanese people with cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of income inequality and parental socioeconomic status on several birth outcomes in Japan. Data were collected on birth outcomes and parental socioeconomic status by questionnaire from Japanese parents nationwide (n = 41,499) and then linked to Gini coefficients at the prefectural level in 2001. In multilevel analysis, z scores of birth weight for gestational age decreased by 0.018 (95% confidence interval (CI): –0.029, –0.006) per 1-standard-deviation (0.018-unit) increase in the Gini coefficient, while gestational age at delivery was not associated with the Gini coefficient. For dichotomous outcomes, mothers living in prefectures with middle and high Gini coefficients were 1.24 (95% CI: 1.05, 1.47) and 1.23 (95% CI: 1.02, 1.48) times more likely, respectively, to deliver a small-for-gestational-age infant than mothers living in more egalitarian prefectures (low Gini coefficients), although preterm births were not significantly associated with income distribution. Parental educational level, but not household income, was significantly associated with the z score of birth weight for gestational age and small-for-gestational-age status. Higher income inequality at the prefectural level and parental educational level, rather than household income, were associated with intrauterine growth but not with shorter gestational age at delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background The Measure of Processes of Care (MPOC) that was developed in Canada is a widely used quantitative measure of parents' perceptions of the extent to which family-centred care is conducted. The purpose of this study was to assess the validity and reliability of the Japanese version of the MPOC. Methods The translation of the MPOC was performed according to international standards for translation of questionnaires. The Canadian validation procedures were followed, consisting of concurrent validity, construct validity and test-retest reliability. The Japanese version of the MPOC was completed by 261 families with children receiving rehabilitation services. Results The Japanese version of the MPOC showed adequate internal consistency with Cronbach's alpha, varying between 0.76 and 0.94. The construct validity was examined with confirmative analysis of each scale structure. Correlations between the MPOC scale scores and satisfaction questions scores were positive, and that to a question about parents' stress was negative. For test-retest reliability, the intraclass correlation coefficients were between 0.76 and 0.89. Conclusions The Japanese version of the MPOC has good psychometric properties and can be recommended for evaluation of the processes of child rehabilitation in Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children in early adolescence and their mothers were studied to clarify the association between a child's sense of coherence (SOC) and its mother's SOC, the quality of family relationships as gauged by the mother, and the child's positive life experiences at home. An anonymous self-administered group questionnaire was given to all 1540 students of a high school in Tokyo, and a similar questionnaire was sent by mail to their legal guardians. Responses were received from 1505 students (response rate: 97.7%) and 989 legal guardians (response rate: 64.2%); questionnaires completed by legal guardians who were the mothers of the students were paired with the corresponding child's questionnaire. The SOC scores of mothers and students were calculated, and hierarchical multiple regression analysis was performed with the student's SOC as a dependent variable. Results for boys revealed that a mother's SOC was directly related to the child's SOC, regardless of family relationships and participation in decision-making at home. For girls, a mother's SOC was related to family relationships and was indirectly related to the child's SOC through the child's participation in decision-making at home. Results revealed that for both boys and girls, a mother's SOC had an effect on the child's SOC, and this corroborates the hypothesis of Antonovsky. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improving skills for accessing and utilizing diet/nutrition information is important for preventing non-communicable diseases and frailty among elderly people. With the rapidly increasing number of elderly people in the world, promoting nutrition literacy among them is a pivotal health policy for maintaining and promoting health. This article describes the barriers and catalysts of nutrition literacy among elderly Japanese people (aged ≥75 years). A cross-sectional analysis of the responses to a questionnaire administered to 678 study participants (men = 347, women = 331) was conducted. Logistic regression analysis revealed that more men had limited nutrition literacy than did women. After stratification by gender, the limited nutrition literacy group was associated with cognitive difficulty in men and women, visual impairment in men and hearing impairment in women. Lower education level and economic status were associated with limited nutrition literacy among women. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) controlling for age, education level and economic status, as well as cognitive, visual and hearing function, indicated that informational support [OR = 5.59, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 1.28–24.49] and diet/nutrition information obtained from friends of the participants (OR = 2.16, 95% CI = 1.11–4.20) were both associated with adequate nutrition literacy among men, whereas diet/nutrition information from health professionals (OR = 3.96, 95% CI = 1.97–7.95) had a significant relation with adequate nutrition literacy among women. Moreover, in the adequate nutrition literacy group, men were more likely to be overweight (OR = 2.17, 95% CI = 1.20–3.91). These findings suggested that cognitive and sensory functions should be taken into account when diet information is provided to older adults. Enhancement of social networks is also a key point in improving nutrition literacy. An effective intervention to improve nutrition literacy in elderly people, particular old men, warrants further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Poor physical and mental functioning are more common among women than men and those with disadvantaged work and family characteristics. This study aims to clarify whether sex differences in health functioning can be explained by sex differences in work and family characteristics. The subjects were 3787 civil servants (2525 men and 1262 women), aged 20–65, working in a local government on the west coast of Japan. A questionnaire survey was conducted in January 2003. Low employment grade, high demands, long work hours, shift work, being unmarried, having no young children, high family-to-work conflict and high work-to-family conflict were more common among women than men and were independently associated with poor physical and mental functioning. The age-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of women for poor health functioning were 1.80 for poor physical functioning and 1.77 for poor mental functioning. When adjusted for employment grade and work characteristics (control, demand, support, work hours, and shift work), the sex differences in health functioning attenuated. When adjusted for family characteristics (family structure and work-family conflicts), the sex differences in health functioning further attenuated and were no longer statistically significant. Sex differences in family characteristics contributed more to sex difference in mental functioning than sex differences in work characteristics. Japan belongs to conservative welfare regimes. In such countries, men are able to concentrate on their work with relative freedom from their family tasks and responsibilities, whereas women feel difficulties in maintaining their work-life balances. Such sex differences in work- and family-related stresses may contribute to sex difference in health. Longitudinal research is necessary to clarify the causal nature of these associations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Registered nurses (RNs) and care workers (CWs) have important roles in providing end-of-life care to older adults, but little is known about the attitudes of RNs and CWs in Japan. In this study, 464 RNs and CWs working in facilities in Japan were asked to complete a self-administered questionnaire that included the Frommelt Attitude Toward Care of the Dying Scale, Form B, Japanese version (FATCOD-Form B-J) and the Death Attitude Profile (DAP), Japanese version. A total of 388 (83.6%) questionnaires were returned, and 367 (79.1%) were fully completed. The final sample included 190 RNs and 177 CWs. Multiple regression analysis showed that better attitudes toward caring for the dying were positively associated with seminar attendance and negatively associated with fear of death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]