Objective: To investigate the characteristics and HIV confirmed positive status among individuals attending HIV voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) clinics in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, so as to provide the basis for enhancing interventions targeting high-risk populations for AIDS. Methods: Demographic information, reasons for consultation, consulting institutions, and HIV antibody testing data of individuals attending VCT clinics in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region from 2019 to 2023 were collected through the VCT database of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The characteristics of individuals attending VCT were described. Factors affecting HIV confirmed positive among VCT clinic attendees were analyzed using a multivariable logistic regression model. Results: A total of 249 919 individuals attended VCT clinics in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region from 2019 to 2023, including 128 069 males (51.24%) and 121 850 females (48.76%). The majority of attendees were aged 25-<35 years, accounting for 92 445 cases (36.99%). Among them, 785 cases were confirmed as HIV positive, with a positivity rate of 0.31%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that males (OR=4.787, 95%CI: 3.562-6.434), 45-<65 years of age (45-<55 years, OR=7.723, 95%CI: 1.786-33.406; 55-<65 years, OR=7.689, 95%CI: 1.757-33.653), being unmarried (OR=2.143, 95%CI: 1.580-2.906), junior high school education or below (OR=1.147, 95%CI: 1.042-2.430), having the history of high-risk behaviors or exposure risks (commercial heterosexual behaviors, OR=2.717, 95%CI: 1.707-4.324; non-commercial non-fixed heterosexual behaviors, OR=5.421, 95%CI: 3.763-7.809; homosexual behaviors, OR=70.774, 95%CI: 48.409-103.473; having an HIV-positive spouse/fixed partner/mother, OR=100.024, 95%CI: 62.490-160.100; drug injection, OR=5.366, 95%CI: 2.213-13.014), and seeking general hospitals or traditional Chinese medicine hospitals (OR=1.973, 95%CI: 1.650-2.360) were associated with a higher risk of HIV confirmed positive. Conclusions HIV confirmed positive among individuals attending VCT clinics in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region is associated with gender, age, marital status, educational level, reasons for consultation, and consulting institutions. It is recommended to strengthen health education and targeted interventions for high-risk populations to reduce the risk of HIV infection.

Objective As an important monitoring target for gaseous effluents from nuclear facilities, the radioactive inert gas ⁸⁵Kr requires accurate measurement, which is crucial for nuclear safety and radiation protection. This study organized an inter-laboratory comparison activity for ⁸⁵Kr gamma-ray spectrometry measurements, with the aims of identifying potential problems in ⁸⁵Kr measurement and improving detection capabilities and proficiency. Methods Four laboratories participated in this comparison. Each laboratory employed gamma-ray spectrometry to measure the comparison samples, and the results were evaluated using the E_n value. Results The measurement results from all participating institutions were acceptable, with the maximum E_n value being 0.73. The results demonstrate that despite the low gamma-ray branching ratio of ⁸⁵Kr and its susceptibility to interference from the 511 keV positron annihilation peak, gamma-ray spectrometry can achieve reliable activity measurements of ⁸⁵Kr. Conclusion The comparison for ⁸⁵Kr gamma-ray spectrometry tested the capabilities of the participating laboratories in ⁸⁵Kr measurement. It promoted technical exchange and experience sharing among laboratories, laying a foundation for future comparisons involving more complex radioactive inert gases.