Health care systems do not exist in isolation, but rather, as part of the larger social and cultural mosaic. In particular, perceived attitudes are major obstacles in health promotion exercises. This problem is especially true for non-white populations where little is known about the prevailing social and cultural perceptions towards western biomedical prescriptions. To further our understanding of Asian women's acceptance of mammograms, three attitudinal indexes are conceptualised, constructed and validated. Data from a prospective survey showed the significance of fatalistic attitudes, perceived barriers and perceived efficacy of early detection in predicting women's acceptance of a free mammogram at the National Breast Screening Project. In addition, findings reinforced the importance of social support from the family in the promotion of breast screening among Asian women.

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This was a prospective study of 52 stroke patients. The incidence of post-stroke depression was 55%. A past history of depression was significantly associated with the clinical assessment of depression. There was no association between the clinical assessment of depression and type and site of lesion and intellectual impairment. The clinical assessment of depression was significantly associated with the degree of functional impairment. The clinical assessment of depression also correlated well with Hamilton Depression Rating Scale score. We conclude that post-stroke depression is unlikely to be caused by neuronal injury due to the cerebrovascular accident. There is also a significant reactive component to it. The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale is suitable for assessing the severity of depression in stroke patients.

As compared with the western model of successful aging, the elderly individuals in Singapore perceived successful aging with a strong focus on familism. These lay perceptions also significantly varied among these elderly individuals.

BACKGROUNDSingapore Chinese have experienced a rapid transition toward a pattern of disease in which lifestyle‐related, chronic, degenerative diseases are major public health concerns. The rates of colorectal carcinoma have increased 2‐fold over the last 3 decades. It has long been known that dietary factors play a role in the risk of this disease, although studies in Asian populations, with their unique dietary intake, have been few.METHODSThe authors conducted a population‐based case‐control study that included 121 Chinese patients with colorectal carcinoma and 222 healthy control participants who provided information on usual intake of major food groups in the preceding 3 years, physical activity, family history of colorectal carcinoma, and demographic variables through an in‐person questionnaire.RESULTSHigh intake of red meat, but not other meats, indicated a predisposition to risk of colorectal carcinoma (adjusted odds ratio [OR] for the highest tertile vs. the lowest tertile, 2.2; 95% confidence interval [95%CI], 1.1–4.2). A low vegetable intake also was associated with a higher risk, and the combined effect appeared to be additive. Those in the highest tertile of meat intake and the lowest quartile of vegetable intake had an OR of 2.6 (95%CI, 1.0–6.7). The authors observed a slight, albeit nonsignificant, positive association with foods high in refined sugars. There was no association observed with fruit or soy‐legume intake in this study. Among nondietary variables, a family history of colorectal carcinoma conferred a significant increase in risk (OR, 6.7; 95% CI 2.4–18.7).CONCLUSIONSMeat intake and vegetable intake were associated significantly with risk of colorectal carcinoma in this Asian population, and further studies on the effects of changes in these specific types of food may shed light on how best to reduce the rapid increase in rates in similar populations. Cancer 2002;95:2390–6. © 2002 American Cancer Society.DOI 10.1002/cncr.10971