The effects of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) to patients with AIDS in Hubei province of China were investigated in order to provide scientific evidence to reinforce the management of HAART. Self-made questionnaires and descriptive method of epidemiology were used to collect and describe the changes of clinical symptoms, HIV RNA concentration, and immune function of patients with AIDS. After HAART, the effective rate of fever, cough, diarrhea, lymphadenectasis, weight loss, tetter, debility and fungous infection was 92.4%, 90.85%, 92.91%, 90.73%, 93.69%, 89.04%, 92.34%, and 83.1%, respectively. Of 117 patients with detected HIV RNA concentration, 41.03% had declined over 0.5 log, and 52.99% less than 0.5 log. CD4(+)T cell count was obviously increased: the average number after HAART for 3 or 6 months was 237/microL (26-755/microL) and 239/microL (17-833/microL), respectively. HAART can improve AIDS patients' clinical symptoms, reduce HIV RNA concentration, and maintain immune function. It is very important for the effectiveness of HAART to raise clinical adherence of patients with AIDS and have a persistent surveillance.

BACKGROUND: Benign prostatic hyperplasia is a common disease of older males. Although the etiology remains unclear, the factors of life style and habits may have an effect on the disease.OBJECTIVE:To examine the association of cigarette smoking and body mass index with the risk of clinical benign prostatic hyperplasia.DESIGN: A hospital-based case-control study SETTINGS:Department of Epidemiology and Statistics, Public Health School,Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology; Department of Preventive Medicine, Liaoning Medical College.PARTICIPANTS：Totally 343 males with benign prostatic hyperplasia of 50-82 years old (patient group),who were surgically treated between May 2004 and May 2006,were selected from the Department of Urinary Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital and Third Affiliated Hospital of Liaoning Medical College (former Jinzhou Railway Central Hospital),Jinzhou Central Hospital and Jinzhou Second People's Hospital．Inclusive criteria：① males above 50 years old；intemational prostatic symptom score(IPSS)＞7；②Digital recta examination (DRE) after miction indicated prostate grade Ⅰ(transverse diameter＞3 cm); ③prostatic volume≥30 g;④maximum unnary flow rate＜15 mL／s；Meanwhile，361 inpatients with diseases irrelative to the risk factors of benign prostatic hyperplasia,prostatic cancer and prostatitis were selected trom the above hospitals as the control group,they were 50-82 years of age with an average of 65 years old．Informed contents were obtained from all the enrolled subjects．METHODS：All the patients and controls were interviewed using an anonymous questionnaire．All participants were asked to report whether they had smoked 20 packs of cigarettes or more in their lifetimes and,if yes,they were smokers,on the contrary they were non-smokers．Based on usual number of cigarettes reported in the questionnaire, men were categorized as 1-10，11-20，21-30 and ＞30 cigarettes per day．Based on duration of smoking,the participants were funher classified as never smoke，1-19,20-29 and ≥30 years．Body mass index(BMI)was assessed from measured body mass and body height，and che standards of BMI in adults in China was 18．5-23．9 for normal,24．0-27．9 for overweight and ≥28．0 for obesity)，then the participants were further classified as BMI＜18．4，18．5-23．9,24．0-27．9 and ≥28．0 subgroups respectively．Years of education(＜7,7-11,and≥12) and occupation(worker,peasant, Intellectual and others) were also investigated．The results of the investigation were input into computer to establish database，the odds ratios (OR) and the 95％ confidence interval(CI)in relation to the various measures were estimated using unconditional multiple logistic regression models, including number of cigarettes smoked per day，BMI,years smoked，years of education,occupation．MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES：Relationships of number of cigarettes smoked per day,years smoked．BMI,years of education and occupation with benign prostatic hyperplasia．RESULTS：Totally 343 cases in the patient group and 361 cases in the control group were involved in the analysis of results．①Patients smoked≥30 cigarettes per day had an elevated risk of benign prostatic hypertrophy as compared with the non-smokers(OR=1．32，95％ CI:0．92-2．58，P＜0．01)．②The risks of benign prostatic hypertrophy in overweight and obesity were significantly increased as compared with non-smokers(OR=1.68,95％ CI: 1．32-3．67；OR=2．35，95％CI:1．83-4．16)，③Manual worker (peasant) was negatively correlated with the risk of benign prostatic hyperplasia (χ2=6．62，P＜0．01)．CONCLUSION:Smoking 30 cigarettes per day was positively related to benign prostatic hyperplasia.For male who were both overweight(BMI 24.0-27.9)and obesity(BMI≥28.0)，smoking was significantly associated the increased risk of surgically treated benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Objective To investigate the current status of social support for HIV/AIDS patients under antiretroviral treatment(ART)and related factors in Wuhan. Methods Social Support Rating Scale(SSRS)was used to analyze the current status of social support for HIV/AIDS patients under ART in Wuhan. Student’s t test,analysis of variance(ANOVA)and multiple linear regression model were used to identify the related factors. Results The scores of subjective support,objective support,utilization of social support,and overall social support for 330 HIV/AIDS patients were significant lower than the national norm(P<0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the subjective support(β′=-0.260),objective support(β′=-0.196)and overall social support(β′=-0.141) for the patients who were unmarried,divorced or widowed were worse than those for the patients who were married(P<0.05). The patients with higher educational level had more objective support(β′=0.250)and utilization of social support(β′=0.232)than those with lower educational level (P<0.05). The subjective support for patients without HIV related symptoms in the past two weeks was better than those with HIV related symptoms(β′=0.232,P<0.05). Conclusion The current status of social support for HIV/AIDS patients under ART in Wuhan was worse than that for healthy people. More attention should be paid to HIV/AIDS patients with worse social support.

HIV/AIDS is increasing in prevalence in China and spread of infection from highly risk populations to the general populations was recognized. Despite the fact, there are still only few scien- tific reviews on quality of life (QOL) for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs). However, many PLWHAs are struggling with social and psychological influences such as substances abuse, cultural beliefs, depression, stigma, poverty, which can affect their QOL. Public unawareness about infection and disease, willingness to seek medical care and motivation to follow therapy are indirectly influ- encing health outcome. In 2003 Chinese government has established the so-called the "Four Frees and One Care" policy. The policy was officially implemented from 2004 in some areas, yet to date it is not implemented nationwide. This paper discussed the epidemiology of HIV, underlying psychoso- cial factors affecting PLWHAs and their impact on QOL. We put forward some recommendations for stakeholders, advocacy groups, non-government organizations and Chinese government.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the risk factors for congenital external malformation.

METHODSA 1:2 matched case-control study was conducted with 52 cases of congenital external malformation during perinantal period collected from surveillance in Baoan District of Shenzhen City from January to June in 2000.

RESULTSSimple and multiple conditional logistic regression analysis showed that the major risk factors for congenital external malformations during perinatal period were preterm labor (beta(k) = 1.4171, s(theta, beta(kappa)) = 0.4601, OR = 4.115), adverse mental stimulus (beta(kappa) = 2.1870, s(theta beta(kappa)) = 0.7873, OR = 8.909), taking medicine (beta(k) = 1.9178, s(theta beta(kappa)) = 0.8072, OR = 6.808) and exposure to hazardous chemicals during early pregnancy (beta(k) = 0.9602, s(theta beta(kappa)) = 0.4262, OR = 2.612).

CONCLUSIONSCongenital external malformation during perinatal period was caused by multiple risk factors and results of the study showed that environmental and mental factors were in obvious connection with its occurrence.

Case-Control Studies ; Congenital Abnormalities ; etiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Multivariate Analysis ; Perinatal Care ; Pregnancy ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVETo analyze absentees due to injury among primary school pupils in Hubei, 2012-2013; and to provide theoretical basis for the prevention and control of injuries.

METHODSA total of 32 primary schools in Qianjiang city and Shayang county were sampled to conduct injury absenteeism surveillance, and the total number of students was 21 493. The surveillance contents included absent dates, genders, grades, initial or return absent, and the detailed absent reasons. The classification of injury was based on the 10th Revision of the international classification of diseases developed by WHO. Data from 2012-2013 school-year were extracted from the surveillance system for analysis. The total surveillance period was 182 days, of which the fall semester was 98 days and the spring semester was 84 days. The absenteeism rate and injury rate in different characteristics of primary school students were compared by χ² test, and the possible risk factors of injury were preliminary explored by calculating the RR (95% CI) value.

RESULTSThe total daily injury absenteeism rate was 8.26/100 100 during 2012-2013 school-year in 32 primary schools in Hubei province, which was higher in fall semester (9.16/100 000), Qianjiang area (9.63/100 000), rural primary schools (13.44/100 000), boys (9.57/100 000), 1-2 grades (10.41/100 000), and the differences were significant (P < 0.05). The total injury rate was 0.46%. Rural primary schools (RR = 2.32, 95% CI: 1.46-3.70), boys (RR = 1.88, 95% CI: 1.23-2.87), and 3-4 grades (RR = 1.85, 95% CI: 1.10-3.09) were identified as high-risk factors, while using city primary schools, girls, and 5-6 grades as references, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe injury absenteeism rate and injury rate were more higher in rural primary schools, boys and low or middle grades in Hubei province during 2012 to 2013 school year, so monitoring and preventive measures should be focused on those students.

Absenteeism ; Adolescent ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Risk Factors ; Rural Population ; Schools ; Sex Factors ; Students ; Wounds and Injuries

Objective To evaluate the influence of data quality on the sensitivity of early warning syndromic surveillance system based on medical institutions in Qianjiang,Hubei province and explore the relationship between data quality and sensitivity of early warning of the system.Methods The delay reporting rate and underreporting rate were calculated for the evaluation of the data quality.Data obtained from semi-synthetic simulated outbreak and area under the curve (AUC) were used in combination to test the sensitivity of early warning of various models and select the optimal model.Time-series generalized additive model (GAM) was used to analyze the curve fitting and threshold effect between data quality and early warning sensitivity of the system.Results A total of 179 905 cases were reported from April 1,2012 to January 31,2014,in which 8 744 were not reported timely (16.45％).Averagely 416 reporting were delayed in each month.There were 2 566 cases which were underreported (4.83％).Compared with other early warning models,i.e.Cumulative Sum (CUSUM),Shewhart,Exponentially Weighted Moving Average (EWMA),Early Aberration Reporting System (EARS-3C),the MA model had the maximum area under the curve (AUC=0.93),and the difference was significant (P＜0.001).The early warning sensitivity ranged from 84.89％ to 97.25％ during the operation period of the syndromic surveillance system.Underreporting had influence on early warning sensitivity,when underreporting rate was over 2.78％,the sensitivity would decrease obviously.No obvious associations were observed between the delay reporting rate and early warning sensitivity of the system.Conclusion The data quality had influence on the early warning sensitivity of the syndromic surveillance system based on medical institution in Qianjiang.In the context of this study,underreporting had the main influence on the sensitivity of early warning.

The effects of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) to patients with AIDS in Hubei province of China were investigated in order to provide scientific evidence to reinforce the management of HAART. Self-made questionnaires and descriptive method of epidemiology were used to collect and describe the changes of clinical symptoms, HIV RNA concentration, and immune function of patients with AIDS. After HAART, the effective rate of fever, cough, diarrhea, lymphadenectasis, weight loss,tetter, debility and fungous infection was 92.4%, 90.85%, 92.91%, 90.73%, 93.69%, 89.04%, 92.34%,and 83.1%, respectively. Of 117 patients with detected HIV RNA concentration, 41.03% had declined over 0.5 log, and 52.99% less than 0.5 log. CD4+T cell count was obviously increased: the average number after HAART for 3 or 6 months was 237/μL (26-755/μL) and 239/μL (17-833/μL), respectively.HAART can improve AIDS patients' clinical symptoms, reduce HIV RNA concentration, and maintain immune function. It is very important for the effectiveness of HAART to raise clinical adherence of pa-tients with AIDS and have a persistent surveillance.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the current status of social support for HIV/AIDS patients under antiretroviral treatment (ART) and related factors in Wuhan.

METHODSSocial Support Rating Scale (SSRS) was used to analyze the current status of social support for HIV/AIDS patients under ART in Wuhan. Student's t test, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multiple linear regression model were used to identify the related factors.

RESULTSThe scores of subjective support, objective support, utilization of social support, and overall social support for 330 HIV/AIDS patients were significant lower than the national norm (P < 0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the subjective support (β' = -0.260), objective support (β' = -0.196) and overall social support (β' = -0.141) for the patients who were unmarried, divorced or widowed were worse than those for the patients who were married (P < 0.05). The patients with higher educational level had more objective support (β' = 0.250) and utilization of social support (β' = 0.232) than those with lower educational level (P < 0.05). The subjective support for patients without HIV related symptoms in the past two weeks was better than those with HIV related symptoms (β' = 0.232, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe current status of social support for HIV/AIDS patients under ART in Wuhan was worse than that for healthy people. More attention should be paid to HIV/AIDS patients with worse social support.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; drug therapy ; Anti-Retroviral Agents ; therapeutic use ; China ; Educational Status ; HIV Infections ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Linear Models ; Marital Status ; statistics & numerical data ; Regression Analysis ; Social Support

This study is aimed to evaluate the quality of life (QOL) for individuals living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in Hubei province-central China by using WHOQOL-BREF instrument (Chinese version).One hundred and thirty six respondents (HIV/AIDS individuals) attending out-patient department of Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Chinese CDC) were administered a structured questionnaire developed by investigators.QOL was evaluated by using WHOQOL-BREF instrument (Chinese version).The resuits showed that the mean score of overall QOL on a scale of 0-100 was 25.8.The mean scores in 4 domains of QOL on a scale of 0-100 were 82.9 (social domain),27.5 (psychological domain),17.7 (physical domain) and 11.65 (environmental domain).The significant difference of QOL was noted in the score of physical domain between asymptomatic (14.6) and early symptomatic individuals (12) (P=0.014),and between patients with early symptoms (12) and those with AIDS (10.43) (P<0.001).QOL in psychological domain was significantly lower in early symptomatic (12.1) (P<0.05) and AIDS patients (12.4) (P<0.006) than in asymptomatic individuals (14.2).The difference in QOL scores in the psychological domain was significant with respect to the income of patients (P<0.048) and educational status (P<0.037).Significantly better QOL scores in the physical domain (P<0.040) and environmental domain (P<0.017) were noted with respect to the occupation of the patients.Patients with family support had better QOL scores in environmental domain.In our research,QOL for HIV/AIDS individuals was associated with education,occupation,income,family support and clinical categories of the patients.It was concluded that WHOQOL-BREF Chinese version was successfully used in the evaluation of QOL of HIV/AIDS individuals in Chinese population and proved to be a reliable and useful tool.