The aims of this study were to demonstrate the trend of overall mortality rate and premature mortality rate for select types of cancer in Japan and to assess the utility as a target indicator. The age-adjusted mortality rate for the total population (overall mortality rate) and that for persons under 65 years of age (under 65 mortality rate) for stomach cancer, liver cancer and lung cancer from 1950 to 1997 in Japan were calculated. Moreover, the turning point year of the mortality trend was estimated using a regression model of the rate of annual increase in each mortality rate. As the results show, a decline in the under 65 mortality rate preceding a decline in the overall mortality rate was observed in stomach cancer and male liver cancer. Also, the under 65 mortality rate due to lung cancer seemed to begin to decline in recent years for males, while the overall mortality rate has been increasing. This study suggests that the premature mortality rate is a more sensitive indicator of the effectiveness of cancer prevention. Hence, because of not only the larger burden of premature deaths but also the sensitivity, premature mortality is considered to be suitable as a target indicator for cancer prevention strategies.
Mortality Vital Statistics ; Malignant Neoplasms ; trends ; Japan ; Prevention

Objective: This study examined the associations between the adequacy ofchildcare provided by adult caretakers and childhood undernutrition in rural Yemen,independent of household wealth and food consumption.

Methods: We analyzed data of 3,549 children under the age of 5 years livingin rural areas of Yemen based on the 2013 Yemen Baseline Survey of Mother and ChildHealth. Nutritional status was evaluated by the presence of underweight, stunting, andwasting according to the World Health Organization child growth standards. The impact ofchildcare including leaving children alone, putting older children into labor force, andthe use of antenatal care while pregnant on child undernutrition was assessed and adjustedfor food consumption by children, household composition, demographic and educationalbackground of caretakers, and household wealth.

Results: The prevalence of underweight, stunting, and wasting was 46.2%,62.6%, and 11.1%, respectively. Not leaving children alone, keeping children out of thelabor force, and use of antenatal care were associated with a lower risk of underweight(odds ratio [OR] = 0.84, P = 0.016; OR = 0.84, P = 0.036; and OR = 0.85, P = 0.042) andstunting (OR = 0.80, P = 0.004; OR = 0.82, P = 0.024; and OR = 0.78, P = 0.003). Afterfurther adjustment for food consumption, the associations between adequate childcareindicators and lower odds of stunting remained significant (OR = 0.73, P = 0.025; OR =0.72, P = 0.046; and OR = 0.76, P = 0.038).

Conclusions: A marked prevalence of stunting among rural children in Yemenwas observed. Adequate childcare by adult caretakers in families is associated with alower incidence of underweight and stunting among children under 5 years of age. Promotingadequate childcare by adult household members is a feasible option for reducingundernutrition among children in rural Yemen.

Objective: The aim of this study was to elucidate the roles of knowledge related to lymphatic filariasis (LF), contributions of taking roles in community activities to eradicate LF and participation in traditional village forums in adherence to mass drug administration (MDA) in a preventive chemotherapy program targeted at the community residents.
Materials and Methods: A survey on ingestion of diethylcarbamazine (DEC) and albendazole (ALB), knowledge related to LF, taking roles in community activities and participation in traditional village forums was carried out for 400 adult subjects randomly selected from the Central Division of Fiji within three months after the MDA campaign in 2010 in the respective communities. Multilevel logistic regression analysis and multilevel linear regression analysis were performed to examine relationships between knowledge, community activities, traditional village forums and ingestion of anti-filarial drugs. The LF knowledge score was defined as a factor score of five knowledge variables.
Results: Among 324 respondents, 40.4% of them ingested both DEC and ALB. Participation in traditional village forums was independently and significantly related to ingestion of DEC and ALB (OR=1.78, 95% CI=1.04-3.05) and taking roles in community activities for MDA (OR=1.87, 95% CI=1.18-2.94), regardless of the subject’s gender, education, knowledge and taking roles in community activities. Taking roles in community activities for MDA was independently related to the LF knowledge score (β=0.24, 95% CI=0.15-0.33).
Conclusion: Participation in traditional village forums in Fiji was related to taking roles in community activities for MDA and associated with adherence to MDA regimen regardless of the educational attainment of the individual residents.

Objectives: This study was performed to evaluate the use of individual components of antenatal care (ANC) services by pregnant women across India in addition to counting of ANC visits and then analyze differences according to state, socioeconomic condition, and access to health care services.
Methods: The study used a nationally representative sample of 36,850 women from the National Family Health Survey (2005–2006) of India. Outcome measurements were medication, number of ANC visits, and components of ANC, including physical examination and measurements, laboratory examination, and advice about pregnancy. Differences in these outcomes according to 29 states, socioeconomic conditions, and access to health care services were examined. Independent associations between outcome measures and social and health care factors were analyzed.
Results: The percentages of women who used ANC at least once and four times or more were 81.5% (ranges by states: 38.0 –99.9%) and 46.1% (15.2–97.9%), respectively. Among those who used ANC four times or more, 86.4% (54.2–98.9%) received a blood examination, and 85.8% (70.3–96.3%) were advised to deliver in a hospital. Greater wealth (OR=3.38; 95%CI 2.58–4.42) and higher education level (OR=3.19; 95%CI 2.49–4.14) were associated with receiving a blood examination during ANC. Rural residence was negatively associated with using ANC four times or more (OR=0.64; 95%CI 0.59–0.67) and receiving a blood examination (OR=0.67; 95%CI 0.59–0.76). Those who received ANC at community health centers were less likely to receive a blood pressure examination, blood and urine examination, and advice to deliver in a hospital compared with those who received ANC at public hospitals.
Conclusion: This study showed substantial inequalities in use of ANC and service components of ANC received in India across geographic areas, socioeconomic conditions, and levels of access to health care services. In addition to reducing socioeconomic inequalities, it is necessary to provide quality services to those withlimited access to health care services.

Objective
  The purpose of this study was to examine health professionals’ perceptions of barriers to medication adherence in patients with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Fiji.
Methods: Interviews were conducted with 25 health professionals (physicians and pharmacists) treating patients with NCDs in Fiji. The interview contained questions regarding barriers to medication adherence for specific NCDs.
Results
  Health professionals’ perception of these barriers were identified and divided into patient-related and non-patient-related factors. The patient-related factors included lifestyle, knowledge, technique, language, and beliefs and culture. The non-patient-related factors were cost and access to medication, therapy-related factors, and support from other people.
Conclusion
  Traditional medical beliefs, medication access and affordability, negative lifestyle habits, and insufficient knowledge about illnesses, medical devices, and medications were identified as barriers to medication adherence in Fiji. Barriers to medication adherence differ according to diagnosis. Knowledge was considered an important factor with respect to adherence to medication regimens, particularly for patients with asymptomatic conditions (e.g., diabetes, hypertension, and stable asthma).

Objective : To identify the issues in conducting pharmacoeconomics (PE) studies at pharmaceutical companies in Japan.
Methods : A questionnaire survey on the conditions of PE studies was conducted for the pharmaceutical companies that are members in the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association of Tokyo. Seventy-seven of 94 member companies participated, an 82% response rate. The survey covered the following topics with regard to the companies : the number of applications of PE data for the new drug pricing process, the timing and phases to conduct a PE analysis, a recognition of the necessity for PE analysis, and issues for conducting optimum PE analysis.
Results : Out of 77 responding companies, 36 companies (47%) answered that they conduct PE analysis at their regulatory affair department in order to submit supplemental applications for the drug pricing process to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. However, only 42% companies of approved drugs since April 1997 were actually submitted with PE data for the drug pricing review. Seventy-seven percent of companies recognized the necessity for PE analysis for the drugs. On the other hand, they did not perceive PE as a useful tool for negotiating drug prices with the Japanese government. Major issues for PE analysis to be conducted are ; lack of Japanese guidelines and epidemiological databases, lack of transparency in the method which reflects the data for the policy making, and lack of companies'initiative.
Conclusion : Establishment of a Japanese guideline for PE studies will be important for companies to conduct accurate and reliable PE studies. The Japanese government should disclose the process of using the PE data for policy making. At the same time, it is necessary for the companies to be more spontaneous in their PE studies.

Objectives : Pharmaceutical companies in Japan can attach pharmacoeconomic (PE) data to their application for new drug prices covered by the National Health Insurance (NHI) system since 1992. To examine the present state of PE studies in Japan by investigating the situation of PE data attachments and their details and also to identify problems concerning how to reflect the PE information in new drug pricing, a questionnaire-based survey of pharmaceutical companies was conducted.
Method : The survey covered 115 drugs filed by the members of the Japanese Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (JPMA), which are among the 137 drugs listed between June 20, 1997, when the NHI drug price formula was published, and November 17, 2000. Questionnaires were returned on 114 of the 115 drugs studied and the response rate was 99%.
Results : PE data was attached to 37 of the 114 drugs (32%) at the time of application. The ratio of applications accompanied by PE data tended to be decreased from 1998. No significant relation was observed between a premium for a drug and the attachment of PE data. The most common method used in the attached PE data was cost-effective analysis (14 of 37 drugs ; 38%), followed by cost-benefit analysis (7 drugs) and cost-minimization analysis (6 drugs). Cost-utility analysis was not applied to any of the 37 drugs.
Discussion : Compared with overseas PE studies, Japanese studies were found to be less comparable with one another due to the lack of a uniform system of research and reporting results. Other problems observed included insufficient epidemiological data for analysis and difficulty in the cost data collection. The questionnaire-based survey revealed that Japan needs to set guidelines for PE studies and to establish epidemiological and cost databases for these research activities. It also suggested the necessity of reviewing the present method of clinical tests so that economic parameters for PE analysis and QOL may be obtained from these tests.

To consider what pharmacists can do to prevent patients from having leftover prescription drugs, we conducted a qualitative study about the various causes behind the unused drugs. We interviewed one male and four female home-care patients who had leftover prescription drugs that pharmacists detected via their home visiting service. The Grounded Theory Approach was used for analysis, and two types were identified as “exogenous factors that cause confusion for the patient” and “patient’s personal thoughts and feelings.” “Exogenous factors that cause confusion” involved eight factors, including unsuitable dosing schedule for lifestyle, complex timing for taking medicine, and inadequate support for enhancing patients’ compliance. These factors were divided into ［problems with prescription］ and ［difficult changes to manage］. In “patient’s personal thoughts and feelings,” 16 concepts were identified and their broader concepts comprised six categories: ［distrust of drugs］, ［taking a positive view about one’s own non-compliance］, ［psychological distance from medical staff］, and others. It was assumed that there would be a perception gap of compliance between patients and medical staff. Moreover, patients affirmed their poor compliance and they did not see the occurrence of leftover drugs as a problem. Additionally, psychological distance from medical staff prevents patients from consultation. Therefore, pharmacists should check patients’ compliance for each drug as well as any medical problems. Knowing patients’ inherent mind revealed by this study, the pharmacist can assist medication alongside patients and contribute to the early prevention of unused drugs.

Objectives: This study was performed to evaluate the use of individual components of antenatal care (ANC) services by pregnant women across India in addition to counting of ANC visits and then analyze differences according to state, socioeconomic condition, and access to health care services.Methods: The study used a nationally representative sample of 36,850 women from the National Family Health Survey (2005–2006) of India. Outcome measurements were medication, number of ANC visits, and components of ANC, including physical examination and measurements, laboratory examination, and advice about pregnancy. Differences in these outcomes according to 29 states, socioeconomic conditions, and access to health care services were examined. Independent associations between outcome measures and social and health care factors were analyzed.Results: The percentages of women who used ANC at least once and four times or more were 81.5% (ranges by states: 38.0 –99.9%) and 46.1% (15.2–97.9%), respectively. Among those who used ANC four times or more, 86.4% (54.2–98.9%) received a blood examination, and 85.8% (70.3–96.3%) were advised to deliver in a hospital. Greater wealth (OR=3.38; 95%CI 2.58–4.42) and higher education level (OR=3.19; 95%CI 2.49–4.14) were associated with receiving a blood examination during ANC. Rural residence was negatively associated with using ANC four times or more (OR=0.64; 95%CI 0.59–0.67) and receiving a blood examination (OR=0.67; 95%CI 0.59–0.76). Those who received ANC at community health centers were less likely to receive a blood pressure examination, blood and urine examination, and advice to deliver in a hospital compared with those who received ANC at public hospitals.Conclusion: This study showed substantial inequalities in use of ANC and service components of ANC received in India across geographic areas, socioeconomic conditions, and levels of access to health care services. In addition to reducing socioeconomic inequalities, it is necessary to provide quality services to those with limited access to health care services.

Objectives : A pharmacotherapeutic system for safe and proper use of warfarin was developed through physician-pharmacist cooperative practice ; its effects on patient adherence to therapeutic regimens and the therapeutic benefit of warfarin were assessed.
Methods : Subjects were 12 outpatients or home-care patients receiving warfarin. Patients' level of understanding of warfarin therapy and time in therapeutic range (TTR) were used as indices of adherence and therapeutic benefit, respectively. Before the physician examination, patients were interviewed by pharmacists using point-of-care testing with the CoaguChek ^®XS to check their prothrombin time-international normalized ratio (PT-INR). Pharmacists reported status of warfarin administration, any adverse effects, and medication management status to each patient's physician using the medication record or inter-institute information exchange sheet. Patient adherence was assessed before and after the pre-examination interview and changes in TTR were evaluated.
Results : Levels of understanding of warfarin therapy were significantly higher after pharmacists provided medication counseling (immediately before 4.8±1.9 vs 24 weeks after 6.8±2.4 ; P=0.0079, Wilcoxon signed-rank test). TTR significantly improved at 24 weeks after the interview (pre-interview 20.9±29.8% vs post-interview 60.5±30.5%, respectively ; P=0.0024, Wilcoxon signed-rank test).
Conclusion : The results suggest that patients'adherence to warfarin regimens and the therapeutic benefit of warfarin is improved by pharmacists'obtaining information on PT-INR before patients'medical examinations, as well as by utilizing this information to establish a cooperative pharmacotherapeutic system for good TTR management, as supported by a common protocol across pharmacies and medical institutions.