INTRODUCTION: Haze is a recurrent problem in Southeast Asia. Exposure to haze is linked to ophthalmic, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, and mortality. In this study, we investigated the role of demographic factors, knowledge and perceived risk in influencing protective behaviours during the 2013 haze in Singapore. METHODS: We evaluated 696 adults in a cross-sectional study. Participants were sampled via a 2-stage simple random sampling without replacement from a large residential district in Singapore in 2015. The questionnaire measured the participant's knowledge, perceived risk and behaviours during the Southeast Asian haze crisis in 2013. Reliability and validity of the questionnaire were assessed using comparative fit index (≥0.96) and root mean square error of approximation (≤0.05). We performed structural equation modelling to examine the relationship between the hypothesised factors and protective behaviours. RESULTS: More than 95% of the individuals engaged in at least 1 form of protective behaviour. Knowledge was strongly associated with protective behaviours via direct effect (β=0.45, 95% CI 0.19-0.69, CONCLUSION Knowledge was associated with protective behaviours, suggesting the importance of public education. Efforts should target those of lower education level and smokers. The wearing of N95 masks correlates with uptake of other protective behaviours.
Adult ; Asia, Southeastern ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Ethnic Groups ; Humans ; Minority Groups ; Reproducibility of Results ; Singapore/epidemiology*

To understand the hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype distribution characteristics in Xinjiang region. 6462 cases with chronic HCV infection that were treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from January 2013 to September 2018 were selected, and repeated testers were excluded. A total of 4773 cases with HCV genotypes were efficiently included. PCR-reverse dot hybridization method was used to retrospectively analyze the genotypes distribution. (2) test or F-test was used for intergroup comparison. < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Five genotypes were detected in 4 773 samples: genotype 1b 2928 cases (61.3%), genotype 2a 1241 cases (26%), and genotype 3a 375 cases (7.9%), genotype 3b 205 cases (4.3%), and genotype 6a 24 cases (0.5%). Patients were 48.14 ± 13.93 years old. Genotype 1b was mainly detected in all age groups. There were 2 965 cases of Han ethnicity and 1808 cases of 19 ethnic minorities, of which 1798 cases (60.6%) and 1130 cases (62.5%) were genotype 1b, and 235 cases (7.9%) and 345 cases (19.1%) were genotype 3, respectively. Among the ethnic minorities, Uyghur were the predominant, and genotype 6a could be detected; however, no other ethnic groups had detected genotype 6a. There were 704 Uyghur of genotype 1b (62.1%), 269 Uyghur of genotype 3 (23.7%), and 235 Hans of genotype 3 (7.9%). There were 2 413 males and 2 360 females, of which 1 418 males (58.8%), and 1 510 females (64%) were of genotype 1b, and 424 males (17.6%), and 156 females (6.6%) were of genotype 3. There was a statistically significant difference between the gender of patients with genotype 1b and non-genotype 1b ( < 0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in the detection rate of genotype 2a, 3a, 3b, 6a between Han and ethnic minority patients ( < 0.05). HCV genotypes distribution in Xinjiang region is diverse, and is mainly type 1b. An ethnic minority has higher proportion of HCV genotype 3 than that of Han ethnicity. HCV genotypes detection in Xinjiang region enriches the distribution characteristics of HCV genotypes and provides a basis for individualizing treatment for patients in China.
Adult ; China ; Ethnic Groups ; Female ; Genotype ; Hepacivirus ; genetics ; Hepatitis C ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Minority Groups ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo understand the incidence of HIV infection among men who have sex with men (MSM) in China.

METHODSMeta-analysis was performed to systematically and quantitatively review all the original research papers and reports published during 2010-2015 on the incidence of HIV infection among MSM in China. Pooled incidence, pooled hazard ratios, publication bias, heterogeneity and sensitivity analysis for those studies were calculated or analyzed by using Stata 12.0 software.

RESULTSA total of 24 studies were analyzed. Pooled incidence of HIV infection among MSM in China was 5.0/100 person year; Based on HIV case report, severe epidemic areas had higher HIV incidence than other areas (4.9/100 person year vs. 3.4/100 person year). Low education level (HR = 1.61, 95% CI: 1.21-2.15), syphilis prevalence (HR = 3.22, 95% CI: 2.21-4.70), unprotected anal sex (HR = 2.92, 95% CI: 1.51-5.63), minority ethnic group (HR = 4.01, 95% CI: 1.96-8.21), commercial sex (HR = 4.11, 95% CI: 1.47-11.46) and multiple sexual partners (HR = 2.31, 95% CI: 1.60-3.34) were the risk factors for HIV incidence.

CONCLUSIONPooled incidence of HIV infection among MSM was 5.0% in China. Low education level, syphilis prevalence, unprotected anal sex, minority ethnic group, commercial sex and multiple sexual partners were the risk factors for HIV infection.

China ; epidemiology ; Educational Status ; Ethnic Groups ; statistics & numerical data ; HIV Infections ; epidemiology ; Homosexuality, Male ; psychology ; statistics & numerical data ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Minority Groups ; statistics & numerical data ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Sex Work ; statistics & numerical data ; Sexual Partners ; Syphilis ; epidemiology ; Unsafe Sex ; statistics & numerical data

OBJECTIVETo investigate the level and distribution characteristics of anemia of the minority ethnic group children in Yunnan.

METHODThe cases with anemia were surveyed from 13 336 samples of 15 minority ethnic groups and Han children in Yunnan by Taking the method of random cluster sampling.

RESULTThe prevalence of anemia among the children under 7 years of age of 15 ethnic groups of minority in Yunnan was 13.6%. There are differences among the different ethnic groups (χ(2) = 716.33, P < 0.01), the highest was 26.6% in Jingpo, the lowest was 3.5% in Bai. There were differences among the different regions, the prevalence of anemia was high in the border regions City, the highest was 23.8% in Dehong; the prevalence of anemia was low in inland cities, the lowest was 2.7% in Fugong, and was higher in border areas. The prevalence of anemia was higher in boys (13.6%) than in girls (12.1%). There were differences among the different age in the different ethnic groups (6 months to 1 years old: χ(2) = 70.52, P < 0.01; 1 - 2 years old:χ(2) = 185.86, P < 0.01; 2 - 5 years old: χ(2) = 296.12, P < 0.01; 5 - 6 years old:χ(2) = 107.11, P < 0.01; 6 - 7 years old:χ(2) = 185.02, P < 0.01), the highest was 59.0% of Deang in 1 to 2 years old children. The trend of change was that the highest prevalence was seen in 6 months to 1 year old children, the prevalence gradually declined among older children, but rose again in children 6 years of age or older.

CONCLUSIONThe prevalence of anemia was 13.6% among the children of 15 ethnic minority under 7 years of age in Yunnan. There were differences among different ethnic groups of minority in different prefectures. There were differences among different ethnic groups of different age groups, but it was highest in 6 months to 1 year old children, it declined among older children, and rose in children 6 years of age or older. The prevalence of anemia was related to the ethnic and geographic factors.

Age Distribution ; Altitude ; Anemia ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; ethnology ; Biomarkers ; analysis ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; ethnology ; Ethnic Groups ; Female ; Hemoglobins ; analysis ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Minority Groups ; statistics & numerical data ; Prevalence ; Sampling Studies ; Sex Distribution

OBJECTIVETo investigate the polymorphisms of 21 short tandem repeat (STR)loci of Salar minority ethnic group in Qinghai Province.

METHODSBlood samples were collected from 120 unrelated healthy Salar individuals from Gandu town in Hualong county. DNA templates were screened by home-made AGCU21+1 kit. The findings were further compared with those of Hans in Zhejiang Province, Hans in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Tibetans in Tibet Autonomous Region, and Tujias in Hubei Province.

RESULTSThe allele frequencies of 21 STR loci ranged 0.0042-0.4917, the genotype frequencies ranged 0.0083-0.3750, the power of discrimination ranged 0.796-0.948, the heterozygosity ranged 0.650-0.817, the polymorphism information contents ranged 0.590-0.810, and the power of exclusion ranged 0.355-0.630. The cumulative coupling probability was 1.75×10(-20), and the cumulative power of exclusion was 0.9999999. Significant differences were found at 14, 12, 12, 13 of the 21 STR loci between Salar and Hans of Zhejiang Province, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Tibetans of Tibet Autonomous Region, and Tujias of Hubei Province (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe 21 STR loci used in this study are highly polymorphic in Salar minority ethnic group from Qinghai Province and therefore suitable for population genetics study, screening of disease-related genes, and forensic individual identification.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; China ; Ethnic Groups ; genetics ; Genotype ; Humans ; Microsatellite Repeats ; genetics ; Minority Groups ; Polymorphism, Genetic

OBJECTIVETo investigate the polymorphism of 17 short tandem repeat (STR) loci of Tibetan minority ethnic group from Lhasa.

METHODSBlood samples were obtained from 132 unrelated Tibetan individuals from Lhasa. DNA templates were screened by home-made AGCU17+1 kit and 3130XL genetic analyzer. Genotyping was performed using GeneMapper software (version 3.2).

RESULTSThe allele frequencies of 17 STR loci ranged 0.0038-0.5720, and the power of discrimination ranged 0.779-0.979, the power of exclusion ranged 0.327-0.737, the polymorphism information contents ranged 0.538-0.910, and the heterozygosity ranged 0.629-0.871. The cumulative coupling probability was 3.93 × 10(-20), and the cumulative power of exclusion was 0.9999995234. Of 17 STR loci, Penta E and D6S1043 had the highest polymorphism indicators, while TPOX had the lowest.

CONCLUSIONThe 17 STR loci used in this study are highly polymorphism in Tibetan minority ethnic group from Lhasa and fit for the population genetic study and forensic cases.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Ethnic Groups ; genetics ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Microsatellite Repeats ; genetics ; Minority Groups ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Tibet

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Epilepsy ; epidemiology ; Ethnic Groups ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Minority Groups ; Prevalence ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the genetic polymorphisms of 11 Y-chromosomal short tandem repeats (Y-STR) loci in 484 male individuals from two minority populations, the Hui and Xibe, of Liaoning province, and to evaluate their forensic application values and genetic relationships with other 15 populations of China.

METHODSEleven Y-STR loci in all samples were amplified with PowerPlex Y System, and the PCR products were analyzed by 310 Genetic Analyzer. Cluster analysis and neighbor-joining tree were applied to show the genetic distance among the populations.

RESULTSIn Hui people, 187 haplotypes were identified, and the overall haplotype diversity value was 0.9990. The gene diversity values (GD) for each locus ranged from 0.4783(DYS437) to 0.9679(DYS385a/b); In Xibe people, 237 haplotypes were identified, and the overall haplotype diversity value was 0.9984. The GD value for each locus ranged from 0.3618(DYS391) to 0.9686(DYS385a/b). Comparing with 15 reference populations, the genetic distance between the Hui and Xibe was the nearest (0.0257), and that between the Hui and Yi was the farthest (0.1046), while the genetic distance between Xibe and Korean was also the farthest (0.0978). The NJ tree was similar to the results of clustering analysis and all the 17 populations were clustered into 3 groups.

CONCLUSIONThe genetic distribution of the 11 Y-STR loci in Liaoning Hui and Xibe ethnic groups showed favorable polymorphisms, therefore are suitable for forensic identification and paternity testing in the local area. The study of haplotype diversity among different populations is useful in understanding their origins, migrations and their relationships.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; China ; Chromosomes, Human, Y ; Ethnic Groups ; classification ; genetics ; Genetics, Population ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Male ; Minority Groups ; Phylogeny ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Tandem Repeat Sequences ; genetics

Background: The rate of Khmer ethnic minority living in An Giang, Kien Giang and Hau Giang were 3%, 12.9% and 3%, respectively.These provinces had some specific factors such as low education, income and knowledge about HIV/AIDS, high risk behavior and it is difficult to practice intervention methods therefore the awareness of HIV infection risk on this group is required. Objectives: To determine the HIV prevalence, describe knowledge, attitude and risky behaviors that led to syphilis and HIV infection of the Khmer ethnic group, which are used to propose suitable intervention and prevention models. Subject and methods: A cross sectional survey was conducted from September 2006 to June 2007 in the Khmer ethnic group, including both genders at the age ranging from 15 to 49, living in some districts of An Giang, Hau Giang and Kien Giang. Results: A total of 877 households and 2.400 people were interviewed. 98.62% of the people agreed to take a blood test for HIV. The average age of first intercourse was 20. The condom usage proportion was very low. The number of men using condoms in the latest intercourse with their wives or lovers accounted for only 7.2%. Moreover, only 3% of the women used condoms in the last 12 months. The drug usage was 0.6% in Hau Giang and 0.1 % in Kien Giang. The knowledge about HIV/AIDS of both men and women were 9.2% and 4.5%. The prevalence of people, who made HIV test in the three provinces accounted for only 3 to 4.6%. HIV infection rate was 0.2% in An Giang, 0.5% in Kien Giang and 0.5% in Hau Giang. Syphilis infection rates were 1.6%, 1.4% and 1.5%, respectively. Conclusions: Appropriate communicative model is an effective way for the prevention HIV/AIDS among Khmer ethnic group.
HIV/AIDS ; Khmer ethnic minority

Background: Since 1991-2000, the prevalence of malaria is reduced remarkably in Vietnam. The malaria related mortality reduced 98%. Objective: To evaluate effect of health education in malaria control for ethnic minority people. Subject and Method: The study was carried out in 4 districts: Hoang Su Phi and Quan Ba (Ha Giang); Ia grai and K'Bang (Gia Lai). Qualitative and quantitative method was used in this study. Results: The findings of the study after 2 years showed that the Information - Education and Communication (IEC) is increased in 2007. The proportion of the households have radio, TV, leaflets/pictures is higher than year 2005: 39.1 %, 60.0% and 6.3%. The number of people were communicated about malaria is increased by 61%. The most information channel that the people received is from health staff (93%); from radio and TV: 22.5 and 25.6%. People know the right cause and its prevention of malaria is increased 55% in 2005 to 80% in 2007. The proportion of bed net coverage among community is increased, the number of bed net per households is 2.8 and number of people per bed net is 2.2. Conclusion: Almost people in this study site desired to utilize bed net: 99%. About 88.3% (2005) and 87.5% (2007) of people utilized the public health service when they get sick. After two years of health education intervention, the malaria morbidity in the study site is reduced remarkably by 45 - 50%.
Malaria ; IEC ; ethnic minority