ObjectiveTo explore the quality of life (QOL) of rural cognitive function impaired elderly in Guangyuan city and analysis the influencing factors, in order to provide evidence for improving the QOL of rural cognitive function impaired elderly. MethodsBy stratified cluster sampling method, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) was adopted in the cognitive function impaired screening in Guangyuan rural area of Sichuan province in 2012, then we used SF-12 questionnaire to evaluate the QOL of those rural elderly (more than 60 years old) whose cognitive function was impaired. ResultsA total of 270 rural cognitive function impaired elderly were selected from 735 old people. The results of QOL assessment showed that:the mean of physical component summary (PCS) was 37.93±11.55, and the mean of mental component summary (MCS) was 44.07±13.14. Gender, age, education levels, economic situation of the selfassessment, chronic disease, being engaging in physical labour and daily life care were correlated with the score of QOL. ConclusionIn order to improve their QOL, we should help the elderly with cognitive function impaired and focus on prevention and individual treatment; their special difficulties should be fully considered when making the policy of health care and social security.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the methodological quality of cross-sectional surveys about Chinese medicine syndrome in a population at potential risk of cerebrovascular diseases. Methods The CNKI, WanFang Data, CBM and PubMed databases were electronically searched to collect cross-sectional surveys about Chinese medicine syndromes in a population at potential risk of cerebrovascular diseases from inception to December, 2022. The methodological quality was assessed using the JBI scale. Results A total of 105 studies were included. The average reporting rate of JBI was 52.06%, and the items with the highest scores included "sufficient coverage of the identified sample in data analysis" (100%), "description of study subjects and setting" (92.38%), and "using valid methods for the identification of the condition" (86.67%). Items with the lowest scores included "adequate sample size" (13.33%), "adequate response rate or low response rate managed appropriately" (14.29%), and "study participants recruited in an appropriate way" (20.95%). Subgroup analysis suggested that type of publication and number of implementation centers were potential factors influencing methodology quality (P<0.05). Conclusion The methods essential to a cross-sectional survey such as sampling, sample size calculation and handling with the response rate, and the syndrome diagnosis scales specific to Chinese medicine require further improvement.
ObjectiveTo investigate the epidemiological and economic burden of acute meningitis and encephalitis syndrome (AMES) in Jinan, so as to provide references for prevention and control of AMES. MethodsThe monitoring data of the AMES Special Reporting System of Jinan City from 2007 to 2014 was collected and the epidemiological characteristics of AMES were analyzed. A questionnaire survey was performed in AMES patients reported in 2013 to collect the basic information, prognosis, medical and non-medical expenses etc. of patients. The DALYs and economic burden of AMES were estimated by using SPSS 13.0 software. ResultsThe average incidence rate of AMES in Jinan was 8.49/100 000 through 2007 to 2014 and the mortality was 4.96‰. The total DALYs were 36 659.51 and the average DALY was 8.27.77.86% were aged less than 14 years old. The average direct economic burden of each case was 19.5 thousand RMB and the average indirect economic burden caused by DALYs was 69.1 thousand RMB. ConclusionThere's heavy burden from AMES, and measures should be made to reduce the incidence and economic burden.
ObjectiveTo get known of the knowing and utilization of essential public health services among community residents for clinical visits in Nanchang city, and to provide evidence for promoting the effective use of public health services. MethodsA total of 20 community health services (CHS) organizations were finally selected by stratified random sampling method from 5 administrative regions in Nanchang city. Questionnaire survey about the knowing and utilization of public health services was performed to the 500 residents. We used EpiData 3.0 software to establish the database and SPSS 17.0 software for statistical analysis. ResultsThe awareness rate about essential public health services among them was 77.6% in Nanchang, which was highest to 91.0% in Wanli district and lowest to 47.0% in Xihu district. The differences between the administrative regions were significant (χ2=75.893, P=0.000). The archiving rate in CHS organizations among visits was 59.2%, which was up to 84.0% in Wanli district and lowest to 40.0% in Qingshanhu district. It also showed statistical significance between the regions (χ2=110.493, P=0.000). The total utilization rate about essential public health services was 95.8% in the population, which was no significant difference between the regions (χ2=7.772, P=0.100). However, the utilization rate in different populations was statistically significant (P < 0.05). ConclusionThe awareness rate and archiving rate about essential public health services among the residents in CHS organizations in Nanchang was not high, but the utilization rate was much higher, which was different among the administrative regions. The CHS organizations should strengthen the publicizing of essential public health services knowledge for the people in different regions to improve the co-development of the regions. In addition, it is also necessary to improve the use of community health services among the populations to achieve the goal about the equalization of essential public health services.
ObjectiveTo investigate the prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) in health check-up population of West China Hospital of Sichuan University from 2011 to 2012 and to discuss the relationship between SCH and metabolic syndrome (MS). MethodsThose who received thyroid function tests and health examination in the West China Hospital of Sichuan University from 2011 to 2012 were enrolled in the study. The data of medical history, blood pressure, height, weight, thyroid function, TG, HDL-C, FPG were collected. All data were analyzed by SPSS 18.0 software. ResultsA total of 11 976 persons (7 488 male and 4 488 female) received thyroid function tests. There were 1 820 persons (884 males and 936 females, 15.20%) who suffered from SCH. The SCH prevalence was significantly higher in females (20.86%) than that in males (11.81%) (P < 0.01). The people over 60 years old had the highest SCH prevalence. There were 1 145 persons (1 005 males and 140 females) suffered from MS among all 11 976 persons. The MS prevalence was significantly higher in males (13.42%) than that in females (3.12%) (P < 0.01). The SCH prevalence of the MS group was higher, which in the health group was lower (P < 0.01). The TSH level in the MS group was higher, while it was lower in the health group. ConclusionThe prevalence of SCH is higher in health check-up population; and SCH apparently increases the risk of morbidity of MS.
Objective To investigate the level and influencing factors of perceived HIV stigma and discrimination among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Methods By using convenience sampling method, 123 patients were recruited from the department of infectious diseases in a tertiary hospital in Chengdu from April to May in 2017. Berger HIV stigma scale was used to measure the level of perceived HIV stigma. Results The mean score of Berger HIV stigma scale was 113.72±17.890, which revealed a middle to upper level. Among the four subscales, the score of disclosure concerns (3.07±0.462) was the highest, while the score of negative self-image (2.70±0.494) was the lowest. Multiple regression analysis showed that gender and self-perceived health status were the influencing factors of perceived HIV stigma. Conclusions The level of perceived HIV stigma among PLWHA is from middle to upper level. Female gender and poor self-perceived health status are associated with a higher level of perceived HIV stigma. Individualized interventions are required in order to reduce the level of HIV stigma.
Objectives To evaluate pulmonary physicians’knowledge level about prevention and treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease( COPD) in some urban areas in China. Methods A total of 258 pulmonary physicians were interviewed face-to-face in 24 hospitals from July to October in 2006. The questionnaire included the knowledge of COPD, prescriptions at initial visit and follow-up, pulmonary function test monitoring, assessment and intervention in stable COPD, knowledge and evaluation of the commonly used medicines, the effects of smoking cessation and adopted measures, as well as the knowledge of treatment prospects and patients’ education. Results Eighty-eight percent of pulmonary physicians considered themselves knowledgeable on COPD, and 95% were familiar with the severity classification. Most of them knew about GOLD and Chinese Guideline of Prevention and Treatment to COPD, and paid attention to chest X-ray and pulmonary function test during diagnosis. The standards in evaluation of stable COPD patients were not well understood, and 92% of physicians claimed for pulmonary function test in stable stage. Seventy-nine percent of physicians actively suggested the patients quit smoking. The prescription for COPD patients at iniative and maintenance therapy met the guideline on the whole, but the mucolytic agents were appreciated too much and used too frequently. Thirty-three percent of physicians took it necessary to treat stable COPD,and 69% believed that pharmacotherapy for stable COPD could rersult in satisfactory quality of life.Conclusions In some big cities in China, the pulmonary physicians have good knowledge about COPD. But long-term prevention and intervention, especially in pharmacotherapy, are still unsatisfactory.
Objective To explore the delay in help-seeking by breast cancer patients in Sichuan province. Methods A cross-sectional survey was performed in 327 patients with breast cancer from 7 first-level hospitals in Sichuan province, from July 2006 to January 2007. The following items were assessed: the time of symptom onset, the time of help-seeking, the time of definitive diagnosis, and the time of cancer treatment. The median times of patient delay, medical delay and total delay were computed. Results A total of 327 patients were surveyed and 312 questionnaires were distributed, with a response rate of 95%; 308 were retrieved, with a retrieval rate of 99%; and 283 were identified as valid, with a valid retrieval rate of 92%. The median time of total delay was 94 days, with an incidence of 50.2%; the median time of patient delay was 50 days, with an incidence of 35.7%; the median time of medical delay was 10 days, with an incidence of 16.7%.Conclusion Help-seeking delay by breast cancer patients is common in Sichuan province. Since patient delay contributes most to the total delay, it is important to control this portion.
Objective To evaluate the level of nursing professional competence of fulltime system graduated nurses in Sichuan province and determine its influencing factors, so as to provide references for nursing high-education reform and nursing human resource management. Methods With a self-designed questionnaire and stratified cluster sample method, both graduated nurses and their direct nursing managers were investigated and asked to evaluate nursing professional competence. Results The mean scores of nursing professional competence of the nurses’ self-evaluation and their managers’ evaluation were 69.90±10.27 and 68.96±11.33, respectively. Factors influencing nursing professional competence included individual interest in nursing, graduated institution, working position, and training provided by employer. Conclusion The professional competence of the nurses graduated with full-time bachelors of clinical nursing in Sichuan province is close to the intermediate level, and it still needs to be improved on the whole, especially in the aspects of nursing research and management. Besides, nursing institutions should further enhance the construction of inner teaching environment and the professional thoughts education of nurse students, while the employer should offer more professional development opportunities, so as to improve the professional self-identity and competence, and to finally lay the talent foundation for the development of nursing disciplines.
Objective To identify the perception of pain among breast cancer patients and their quality of life, and to assess the influence of pain on their quality of life. Methods We did a cross-sectional study. A face-to-face survey was administered to 200 breast cancer patients, using two scales: Chinese Cancer Pain Assessment Tool (CCPAT) and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Quality-of-Life Questionnaire (Version 3) [EORTIC QLQ-C30]. Results Among the 200 breast cancer patients, 84 suffered from pain, while 116 did not. In regard to quality of life, the scores of physical function, role function and social function were higher among women without pain than among those in the pain group (Plt;0.05). There were no significant differences in scores of emotional function, cognitive function and global quality of life between the two groups (Pgt;0.05). There was a significant negative correlation between pain and quality of life in the pain group, the non-pain group and the whole sample (r=–0.731, Plt;0.001). Conclusion Pain has negative effects on physical function, role function and social function of breast cancer patients. The exacerbation of pain is associated with a decreased global quality of life for breast cancer patients.