Adherence to colorectal cancer screening guidelines in Canada

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>To identify correlates of adherence to colorectal cancer (CRC) screening guidelines in average-risk Canadians.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>2003 Canadian Community Health Survey Cycle 2.1 respondents who were at least 50 years old, without past or present CRC and living in Ontario, Newfoundland, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia were included. Outcomes, defined according to current CRC screening guidelines, included adherence to: i) fecal occult blood test (FOBT) (in prior 2 years), ii) endoscopy (colonoscopy/sigmoidoscopy) (prior 10 years), and iii) adherence to CRC screening guidelines, defined as either (i) or (ii). Generalized estimating equations regression was employed to identify correlates of the study outcomes.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Of the 17,498 respondents, 70% were non-adherent CRC screening to guidelines. Specifically, 85% and 79% were non-adherent to FOBT and endoscopy, respectively. Correlates for all outcomes were: having a regular physician (OR = (i) 2.68; (ii) 1.91; (iii) 2.39), getting a flu shot (OR = (i) 1.59; (ii) 1.51; (iii) 1.55), and having a chronic condition (OR = (i) 1.32; (ii) 1.48; (iii) 1.43). Greater physical activity, higher consumption of fruits and vegetables and smoking cessation were each associated with at least 1 outcome. Self-perceived stress was modestly associated with increased odds of adherence to endoscopy and to CRC screening guidelines (OR = (ii) 1.07; (iii) 1.06, respectively).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Healthy lifestyle behaviors and factors that motivate people to seek health care were associated with adherence, implying that invitations for CRC screening should come from sources that are independent of physicians, such as the government, in order to reduce disparities in CRC screening.</p

The Canadian Society for Bioengineering La Société Canadienne de Génie Agroalimentaire et de Bioingénierie A Cost Effective Heating Method for Piglets in Swine Farrowing Barns Written for presentation at the CSBE/SCGAB 2006 Annual Conference

Abstract An experimental study was conducted to compare two heating methods for piglets, namely heat mats and heat lamps, in a commercial swine farrowing facility. Two farrowing rooms each with 44 crates were instrumented to measure room environmental conditions (temperature and humidity), energy consumption, and piglet performance (mortality and weight gain). The study showed that there were no significant differences in piglet performance between heat mat and heat lamp heating methods. Using heat mats resulted in a monthly saving of up to 3.7 MWh of energy per room, or a daily saving of 2.8 kWh per crate

Proceedings of the Interprovincial Think Tank of Youth and Gambling : October 21-22, 1999, Winnipeg, Manitoba

Like the three interprovincial conferences before it, the Interprovincial Think Tank (IT) was rooted in the need to enhance understanding of gambling and problem gambling as it relates to the day-to-day work and personal experiences of Think Tank participants. From the beginning, our collective mandate has been to address problem gambling, and in doing so we have created opportunities to do two important things: share our knowledge and experiences; and broaden the base of understanding in the wider community. During this process, we have learned from each other as well as from the community at large. This ITT was a continuation of the exchange and the learning. For this Think Tank, the Planning Committee set i t s sites on the topic of youth and gambling. The need to explore this topic stems from three key realities. First, there is a public, political and interest-group expectation that the needs of youth be addressed in the context of problem gambling. Second, while prevalence data exist, there is uncertainty among those working in the problem gambling area about the meaning of the data. And third, uncertainty also exists around the importance of problem gambling as an issue for youth and of youth gambling as an issue for society. The proceedings of this ITT were not developed as a "blueprint for action." Rather, they are intended to provide information that will guide people as they work in their communities and collaboratively develop plans to address youth and problem gambling issues. As the reader will see, these proceedings accomplish this goal. They reveal the richness and diversity in the details that emerged as participants expressed their views and described their experiences in response to the discussion questions. While several themes around the topic of youth and gambling became defined, it was the diversity of the participants' perspectives that drove the conference towards its conclusion: no single formula can be presented to address the youth gambling issue across different communities. Instead, communities need to implement the strategies and approaches that make sense for them. The information garnered from this Think Tank will help to guide discussion and action across the country towards this end. It is evident that this Think Tank and the previous conferences have laid a strong foundation for continuing the country-wide exchange on problem gambling. The committee expresses its gratitude to the sponsors of this event as well as to all participants. The Think Tank would not have been the success it was without the energy, sense of humour and candidness of all those who took part

Review of educational policies in Canada : Western region /

La couv. porte en outre: Western region repor

Media, politics and science policy: MS and evidence from the CCSVI Trenches

Background: In 2009, Dr. Paolo Zamboni proposed chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) as a possible cause of multiple sclerosis (MS). Although his theory and the associated treatment (“liberation therapy”) received little more than passing interest in the international scientific and medical communities, his ideas became the source of tremendous public and political tension in Canada. The story moved rapidly from mainstream media to social networking sites. CCSVI and liberation therapy swiftly garnered support among patients and triggered remarkable and relentless advocacy efforts. Policy makers have responded in a variety of ways to the public’s call for action. Discussion: We present three different perspectives on this evolving story, that of a health journalist who played a key role in the media coverage of this issue, that of a health law and policy scholar who has closely observed the unfolding public policy developments across the country, and that of a medical ethicist who sits on an expert panel convened by the MS Society of Canada and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research to assess the evidence as it emerges. Summary: This story raises important questions about resource allocation and priority setting in scientific research and science policy. The growing power of social media represents a new level of citizen engagement and advocacy, and emphasizes the importance of open debate about the basis on which such policy choices are made. It also highlights the different ways evidence may be understood, valued and utilized by various stakeholders and further emphasizes calls to improve science communication so as to support balanced and informed decisionmaking