scholarly journals A Serial Cross-Sectional Analysis of the Prevalence, Risk Factors and Geographic Variations of Reduced Visual Acuity in Primary and Secondary Students from 2000 to 2017 in Hong Kong

Author(s):  
Perseus W.F. Wong ◽  
Jimmy S.M. Lai ◽  
Jonathan C.H. Chan

Background: We would like to investigate the prevalence trend, potential risk factors and geographic features of reduced visual acuity (VA) in primary and secondary schoolchildren of Hong Kong. Methods: This was a serial cross-sectional study using historical data of schoolchildren aged 6 to 15 years from the annual health checks conducted at Student Health Service Centers across Hong Kong, for the school years of 2000/2001 to 2016/2017. Results: The prevalence of reduced VA increased from 49.23% (95% CI, 48.99−49.47) in 2000/2001 to 54.34% (95% CI, 54.10−54.58) in 2011/2012 but decreased to 51.42% (95% CI, 51.17−51.66) in 2016/2017. Girls were less susceptible than boys at age 6−7 (and in grade primary 1−2), but more susceptible at older ages. The prevalence in junior grades increased while the risk effect of grade reduced over the past 17 years. Geographic variation on the risk for reduced VA existed and spatial autocorrelation was positive. The difference in prevalence of reduced VA between Hong Kong and mainland China has decreased in recent years. Cross-border students living in mainland China were associated with a lower risk for reduced VA. Conclusions: Further study was proposed to investigate the environmental association between students living in and outside Hong Kong with the prevalence of reduced VA. Multi-level research should also be conducted to investigate the influence of compositional and contextual factors on the prevalence of reduced VA.

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jingxuan Wan ◽  
Qing Zhang ◽  
Chunxiao Li ◽  
Jiangtao Lin

Abstract Background Asthma is one of the most prevalent chronic respiratory diseases worldwide. This study aimed to determine the updated prevalence of and risk factors for asthma among individuals aged 45 and older in mainland China. Methods The data for this study came from the fourth wave of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) conducted by the National School of Development of Peking University in 2018. The CHARLS is a nationally representative survey targeting populations aged 45 and over from 28 provinces/cities in mainland China. A representative sample of 19,816 participants was recruited for the study using a multistage stratified sampling method. The prevalence of asthma was determined across different characteristics. The potential risk factors were examined by multivariable logistic regressions. Results A total of 18,395 participants (8744 men and 9651 women) were eligible for the final data analysis. The estimated prevalence of asthma among Chinese people aged ≥ 45 years in 2018 was 2.16% (95% CI 1.96–2.38). The prevalence of asthma significantly differed according to race (P = 0.002), with an overall rate of 2.07% (95% CI 1.86–2.29) in Han paticipants and 3.32% (95% CI 2.50–4.38) in minority participants. Furthermore, the minority ethnicities (OR = 1.55 [95% CI 1.12–2.14], P = 0.008), older age (60–69 years group: OR = 1.85 [95% CI 1.17–2.92], P = 0.008; ≥ 70 years group: OR = 2.63 [95% CI 1.66–4.17], P < 0.001), an education level of middle school or below (middle-school education: OR = 1.88 [95% CI 1.15–3.05], P = 0.011; primary education: OR = 2.48 [95% CI 1.55–3.98], P < 0.001; literate: OR = 2.53 [95% Cl 1.57–4.07], P < 0.001; illiterate: OR = 2.78 [95% CI 1.72–4.49, P < 0.001]), smoking (OR = 1.37 [95% CI 1.11–1.68], P = 0.003), and residence in North (OR = 1.52 [95% CI 1.11–2.09], P = 0.01) or Northwest China (OR = 1.71 [95% CI 1.18–2.49], P = 0.005) were associated with prevalent asthma. Conclusions Asthma is prevalent but underappreciated among middle-aged and elderly people in China. A number of risk factors were identified. These results can help to formulate correct prevention and treatment measures for asthma patients.


2020 ◽  
pp. 101053952098092
Author(s):  
Shuaijun Guo ◽  
Lucio Naccarella ◽  
Xiaoming Yu ◽  
Rebecca Armstrong ◽  
Geoffrey Browne ◽  
...  

While health literacy research in mainland China has gained increasing attention, most studies focus on adults. This study aimed to examine the mediating role of health literacy in the relationship between a range of upstream factors and health behaviors among Chinese secondary students. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 650 students in Years 7 to 9 from 4 secondary schools in Beijing. Based on an adapted health literacy framework from Manganello, a self-administered questionnaire was designed to collect information on upstream factors, health literacy, and health behaviors. Path analysis results showed that the proposed framework was mostly supported by empirical data after modification indices were examined and 3 direct paths were added. Students’ self-efficacy, social support, and school environment were associated with health literacy, which in turn predicted health behaviors. A holistic approach is needed to improve both adolescent health literacy and health behaviors for Chinese school-aged adolescents.


2009 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 246-252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lourdes Jordán Jinez ◽  
José Roberto Molina de Souza ◽  
Sandra Cristina Pillon

Adolescence is a phase of exposure to several risk behaviors, especially the experimental use of drugs and its associated problems. The study aims to identify risk factors and drug use among secondary students in Comonfort, Guanajuato, Mexico. This is a cross-sectional study, using a version of the Drug User Screening Inventory (DUSI) adapted from Portuguese to Spanish. The sample was composed of 695 (42.9%) students, 52.8% women. Drug use was present in 20.3%, predominantly alcohol and tobacco. Risk factors are related to the male gender, older than 13 years, second and third grades, living with relatives, poor relationships, curiosity, family conflicts, peer pressure and solidarity. CONCLUSION: alcohol and tobacco are the most used drugs and are associated to curiosity and peer pressure.


Author(s):  
Mohamed E Ahmed ◽  
Sara Siddig Abdalla ◽  
Ibrahim A Adam ◽  
Martin P Grobusch ◽  
Imadeldin E Aradaib

Abstract Background Hydatid disease or cystic echinococcosis (CE) is caused by the larval stages of the cestode parasite Echinococcus granulosus. The objectives of this study were to estimate the prevalence of seropositivity and to identify the risk factors associated with the disease among humans in Khartoum State, Central Sudan. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted between November 2017 and April 2018. A total of 305 randomly selected consenting participants from three localities were included in the current investigation using a multistage probability sampling method. An in-house enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect immunoglobulin G antibodies to E. granulosus. The χ2 test and logistic regression analysis were used to determine the risk factors associated with CE seropositivity. Results A seroprevalence of 6.5% (20/305) was recorded among humans in Khartoum State, Central Sudan. Age (odds ratio [OR] 16.61 [confidence interval {CI} 2.21 to 117.92], p=0.006), locality (OR 3.08 [CI 1.42 to 22.54], p=0.011) and contact with dogs (OR 2.34 [CI 0.026 to 0.646], p=0.013) were recorded as potential risk factors for seropositivity to CE in the study area. Conclusions The seroprevalence of CE (6.5%) is high among humans in Khartoum State, Central Sudan. Improved surveillance is necessary to optimize control and prevention strategies for CE as an important neglected zoonotic disease among the human population in the study area of Central Sudan.


Dermatology ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 235 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alejandro Molina-Leyva ◽  
Carlos Cuenca-Barrales

Background/Aims: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory and destructive skin disorder. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical to stop its progression. Data concerning adolescent-onset HS are scarce. The aims of this study are to describe the prevalence of adolescent-onset HS and to explore potential risk factors and the disease features of these patients. Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional study including 134 patients was performed. Results: Adolescent-onset HS occurred in 51.5% (69/134) of patients. Adolescent-onset HS was associated with female sex, positive family history, presence of pilonidal sinus, acne conglobata, longer disease duration and a worse perception of disease severity. Conclusion: Adolescent-onset HS might be more frequent than previously reported. Female sex, positive family history and the presence of elements of the follicular occlusion tetrad identify individuals with a higher risk of early onset. These patients experience a longer disease duration and perceive their disease as severer.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 218
Author(s):  
Andro Pramana Witarto ◽  
Alpha Fardah Athiyyah ◽  
I.G.B. Adria Hariastawa ◽  
I Gusti Made Reza Gunadi Ranuh

Background: Hirschsprung-associated enterocolitis (HAEC) is one of the worst and most common complications of Hirschsprung’s disease (HD). The mortality rate of HD patients with enterocolitis is still considered to be higher compared to that of those without enterocolitis. Purpose: This study aimed to identify and evaluate potential risk factors for HAEC development. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using secondary data from the medical records of HD patients treated from January 2015 to September 2018 at Regional Public Hospital (RSUD) Dr. Soetomo, Surabaya. The inclusion criteria were HD patients who had or had not experienced enterocolitis. The analysis was done by comparing the presence of risk factors between groups of HD patients with and without preoperative and/or postoperative HAEC. The results were presented as the median value and frequency. To evaluate further, a prevalence ratio (PR) with a 95% confidence interval was performed. The Mann–Whitney U test was also performed with a significance level of p < 0.05 for one factor: length of aganglionic intestinal segments. Results: This study showed that 12 of the 40 HD patients studied (30%) had experienced enterocolitis. The risk of developing HAEC was associated with patients who had a history of previous enterocolitis (PR 6.60 [2.94 < PR < 14.80]). Regarding surgical details, patients who had had surgery only once (31.30% compared to 14.30%), surgery with one surgical method (29.40% compared to 20.00%), and a primary procedure had a higher incidence of HAEC (29.40% compared to 27.30%). Conclusion: HD patients with a history of previous enterocolitis were found to have a higher risk of developing HAEC.


2018 ◽  
Vol 52 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle C. Ylade

Background. Deaths may occur due to complications of measles. The most common measles complication is pneumonia and accounts for most measles-related deaths. Objective. The study aimed to identify risk factors for developing pneumonia among measles cases. Methodology. A cross-sectional study was conducted using measles surveillance data from an outbreak in the Philippines from January 2013 to December 2014. Data on age, sex, area of residence, clinical manifestations, receipt of measles vaccine, and other exposure variables were obtained and analyzed using logistic regression. Results. Approximately 25,166 confirmed measles cases were included in the study where 16% had pneumonia. Potential risk factors identified in the development of pneumonia among confirmed measles cases were younger age (<5 years = OR 2.49, 95% CI: 1.81,3.42; 5-14 years = OR 2.34, 95% CI: 1.64,3.33), resident of Mindanao (OR 2.18, 95% CI: 1.74,2.74), presence of cough (OR 5.51, 95% CI: 2.04,14.86), presence of conjunctivitis (OR 1.31, 95% CI: 1.11,1.55), and being admitted to hospital (OR 3.16, 95% CI: 2.57,3.90). Confirmed measles cases with receipt of measles containing vaccine (MCV) (OR 0.74, 95% CI: 0.63,0.87) were found to be less likely to have pneumonia. Conclusion. These risk factors help identify cases requiring prompt management to reduce morbidity and mortality in any future measles outbreaks.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document