Voluntary HIV antibody testing amongst youth in Hong Kong

2003 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 132-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tai Hing Lam ◽  
Mohsen Janghorbani ◽  
Susan Fan ◽  
Richard Fielding

We performed a study to estimate the prevalence of and factors associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibody-testing behaviour among youth in Hong Kong. It was a population-based cross-sectional study. Questions on HIV testing were asked as part of a youth sexuality study conducted in July to December 1996 among young adults in Hong Kong. A total of 517 (53.6%) males and 447 (46.4%) females aged 17 to 28 years completed an anonymous structured self-administered questionnaire. Respondents had good knowledge about correct modes of HIV transmission and prevention. 9.4% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 7.0, 12.3) of males and 6.4% (95% CI: 4.3, 9.1) of females had been tested for HIV through blood donation. Excluding blood donation, 3.7% (95% CI: 2.2, 5.7) of males and 3.6% (95% CI: 2.1, 5.9) of females had been tested (voluntary testing). 47.5% (95% CI: 44.4, 50.7) of subjects reported at least one major risk factor for HIV infection. In multivariate analyses, factors independently associated with both voluntary HIV testing and HIV testing by blood donation were age and having had sex with multiple partners. A higher educational level was a predictor of HIV testing by blood donation. Self-assessment of having sufficient sex education was also significantly associated with voluntary HIV testing. HIV testing is not widespread in Hong Kong and those at risk are more likely to have been tested. It is of concern, however, that many of those reporting risk factors have not been tested.

BMJ Open ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (9) ◽  
pp. e008661 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiaoqin Ma ◽  
Shichang Xia ◽  
Xiaohong Pan ◽  
Gaofeng Cai ◽  
Xin Zhou ◽  
...  

Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 696
Author(s):  
Elsie Yan ◽  
Daniel W. L. Lai ◽  
Vincent W. P. Lee

Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to stop the spread of COVID-19. Understanding factors associated with intention to receive COVID-19 vaccines is the key to a successful vaccination programme. This cross-sectional study explored the rate of vaccination intention and identified its predictors using the health belief model (HBM) in the general population in Hong Kong during the pandemic. Data were collected between December 2020 and January 2021 via telephone surveys. Hierarchical logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with intention to receive COVID-19 vaccines. A total of 1255 adults (>18 years, 53% female) completed the telephone survey. Overall, 42% indicated an intention to vaccinate, 31.5% showed vaccine hesitancy, and 26.5% reported refusal to receive any COVID-19 vaccines. Individuals who were men, older in age, working, with past experiences of other pandemics, less concerned with the vaccine safety, with poorer knowledge about COVID-19, and having greater levels of perceived susceptibility, self-efficacy, cues to action, and acceptance of governmental preventive measures related to COVID-19 were significantly more likely to report an intention to vaccinate. The low intention among the Hong Kong population reflects the importance of developing effective vaccination promotion campaigns with the predictors identified in this study.


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanni Yaya ◽  
Olanrewaju Oladimeji ◽  
Kelechi Elizabeth Oladimeji ◽  
Ghose Bishwajit

Following publication of the original article [1], we have been notified that the name of the author two was spelled incorrectly as Oladimeji Olarewaju, when the correct spelling is Oladimeji, Olanrewaju.


2015 ◽  
Vol 85 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 129-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zahra Heidari ◽  
Awat Feizi ◽  
Leila Azadbakht ◽  
Nizal Sarrafzadegan

Abstract. Background: Minerals are required for the body’s normal function. Aim: The current study assessed the intake distribution of minerals and estimated the prevalence of inadequacy and excess among a representative sample of healthy middle aged and elderly Iranian people. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the second follow up to the Isfahan Cohort Study (ICS), 1922 generally healthy people aged 40 and older were investigated. Dietary intakes were collected using 24 hour recalls and two or more consecutive food records. Distribution of minerals intake was estimated using traditional (averaging dietary intake days) and National Cancer Institute (NCI) methods, and the results obtained from the two methods, were compared. The prevalence of minerals intake inadequacy or excess was estimated using the estimated average requirement (EAR) cut-point method, the probability approach and the tolerable upper intake levels (UL). Results: There were remarkable differences between values obtained using traditional and NCI methods, particularly in the lower and upper percentiles of the estimated intake distributions. A high prevalence of inadequacy of magnesium (50 - 100 %), calcium (21 - 93 %) and zinc (30 - 55 % for males > 50 years) was observed. Significant gender differences were found regarding inadequate intakes of calcium (21 - 76 % for males vs. 45 - 93 % for females), magnesium (92 % vs. 100 %), iron (0 vs. 15 % for age group 40 - 50 years) and zinc (29 - 55 % vs. 0 %) (all; p < 0.05). Conclusion: Severely imbalanced intakes of magnesium, calcium and zinc were observed among the middle-aged and elderly Iranian population. Nutritional interventions and population-based education to improve healthy diets among the studied population at risk are needed.


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