Factors associated with breastfeeding abandonment in the first month after the mother's return to work / Fatores associados ao abandono do aleitamento materno no primeiro mês após o retorno da lactante ao trabalho

Abstract The return to work of lactating mothers has been identified as an important risk factor for breastfeeding interruption. We proposed to identify factors associated with breastfeeding abandonment in the first month after return. 252 women working at a hospital who had children aged 12 to 36 months and who were still breastfeeding when returned to work answered a questionnaire containing questions on sociodemographic characteristics, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and work-related factors. The associations were estimated using adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR), calculated with the hierarchical Poisson multivariable regression model. The following factors showed a significant association with breastfeeding abandonment: using a pacifier (aPR 4.58), cohabiting with someone other than partner (aPR 3.77), having no intention or having doubts about maintaining breastfeeding after returning (aPR 3.39), having a college degree (aPR 2.66), having no support from the infant's caregiver (aPR 2.26), and infant being older when the woman returned to work (PR 1.16 for each additional month of infant age). Longer duration of exclusive breastfeeding was a protective factor (aPR 0.990). Most of the factors associated with discontinuation of breastfeeding in the first month after the mother's return to work are not directly related to the woman's work.

Resumo O retorno da lactante ao trabalho é apontado como importante fator de risco para interrupção da amamentação. Nós nos propusemos a identificar fatores associados ao abandono da amamentação no primeiro mês após o retorno. Compuseram a amostra 252 servidoras de um hospital com filhos entre 12 e 36 meses e que estavam amamentando quando retornaram ao trabalho, fornecendo informações sobre características sociodemográficas, gestação, parto, amamentação e fatores relacionados ao trabalho. As associações foram estimadas pela razão de prevalência ajustada (RPa), obtida usando modelo hierárquico de regressão multivariada de Poisson. Os seguintes fatores mostraram associação significativa com abandono da amamentação: uso de chupeta (RPa 4,58), coabitação com outra pessoa que não o companheiro (RPa 3,77), não ter intenção ou ter dúvidas sobre amamentar após retorno (RPa 3,39), ter curso superior (RPa 2,66), não ter apoio do cuidador da criança (RPa 2,26) e maior idade da criança quando a mãe retornou ao trabalho (RPa 1,16 para cada mês de idade a mais da criança). Maior duração da amamentação exclusiva foi fator de proteção (RPa 0,990). A maioria dos fatores associados à descontinuidade da amamentação no primeiro mês após retorno da lactante ao trabalho não está diretamente relacionada ao seu trabalho.

Breast cancer and occupation: Non-parametric and parametric net survival analyses among Swiss women (1990-2014).

Introduction: Occupation can contribute to differences in risk and stage at diagnosis of breast cancer. This study aimed at determining whether occupation, along with skill level and the socio-professional category, affect the breast cancer survival (BCS) up to 10 years after diagnosis. Materials and methods: We used cancer registry records to identify women diagnosed with primary invasive breast cancer in western Switzerland over the period 1990-2014 and matched them with the Swiss National Cohort. The effect of work-related variables on BCS was assessed using non-parametric and parametric net survival methods. Results: Study sample included 8,678 women. In the non-parametric analysis, we observed a statistically significant effect of all work-related variables on BCS. Women in elementary occupations, with low skill level, and in paid employment not classified elsewhere, had the lowest BCS, while professionals, those with the highest skill level and belonging to top management and independent profession category had the highest BCS. The parametric analysis confirmed this pattern. Considering elementary occupations as reference, all occupations but Craft and related trades had a hazard ratio (HR) below 1. Among professionals, technicians and associate professionals, and clerks, the protective effect of occupation was statistically significant and remained unchanged after adjustment for age, calendar period, registry, nationality, and histological type. After adjusting for tumor stage, the HRs increased only slightly, though turned non-significant. The same effect was observed in top management and independent professions and supervisors, low level management and skilled laborers, compared to unskilled employees. Conclusion: These results suggest that work-related factors may affect BCS. Yet, this study was conducted using a limited set of covariates and a relatively small study sample. Therefore, further larger studies are needed for more detailed analyses of at risk occupations and working conditions and assessing the potential interaction between work-related variables and tumor stage.

Socioeconomic Disparities in Hospital Utilization Among Female Workers in Indonesia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: The study aims to analyze the relationship between socioeconomic and hospital utilization among female workers in Indonesia. METHODS: The study analyzed secondary data from the 2018 Indonesian Basic Health Survey. The study gathered 161 186 female workers through stratification and multistage random sampling. As control factors, the study looked at age, marital status, education, occupation, and health insurance, in addition to the categories of socioeconomic and hospital utilization. The study used binary logistic regression to evaluate the data in the final step. RESULTS: The result shows female workers with poorer wealth status are 1.142 times more likely than the most impoverished female workers to utilize the hospital (AOR 1.142; 95% CI 1.135-1.148). Female workers with median wealth status are 1.509 times more likely than the poorest female workers to take advantage of the hospital (AOR 1.509; 95% CI 1.501-1.517). Female workers with wealthier wealth status are 1.808 times more likely than the poorest female workers to use the hospital (AOR 1.808; 95% CI 1.799-1.817). The wealthiest female workers are 2.399 times more likely than the poorest female workers to utilize the hospital (2.399; 95% CI 2.387-2.411). CONCLUSION: The study concluded a relationship between socioeconomic status and hospital utilization among female workers in Indonesia. The better the socioeconomic, the better the hospital utilization.

Testing and Validating Semi-automated Approaches to the Occupational Exposure Assessment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons.

INTRODUCTION: When it is not possible to capture direct measures of occupational exposure or conduct biomonitoring, retrospective exposure assessment methods are often used. Among the common retrospective assessment methods, assigning exposure estimates by multiple expert rater review of detailed job descriptions is typically the most valid, but also the most time-consuming and expensive. Development of screening protocols to prioritize a subset of jobs for expert rater review can reduce the exposure assessment cost and time requirement, but there is often little data with which to evaluate different screening approaches. We used existing job-by-job exposure assessment data (assigned by consensus between multiple expert raters) from a large, population-based study of women to create and test screening algorithms for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) that would be suitable for use in other population-based studies. METHODS: We evaluated three approaches to creating a screening algorithm: a machine-learning algorithm, a set of a priori decision rules created by experts based on features (such as keywords) found in the job description, and a hybrid algorithm incorporating both sets of criteria. All coded jobs held by mothers of infants participating in National Birth Defects Prevention Study (NBDPS) (n = 35,424) were used in developing or testing the screening algorithms. The job narrative fields considered for all approaches included job title, type of product made by the company, main activities or duties, and chemicals or substances handled. Each screening approach was evaluated against the consensus rating of two or more expert raters. RESULTS: The machine-learning algorithm considered over 30,000 keywords and industry/occupation codes (separate and in combination). Overall, the hybrid method had a similar sensitivity (87.1%) as the expert decision rules (85.5%) but was higher than the machine-learning algorithm (67.7%). Specificity was best in the machine-learning algorithm (98.1%), compared to the expert decision rules (89.2%) and hybrid approach (89.1%). Using different probability cutoffs in the hybrid approach resulted in improvements in sensitivity (24-30%), without the loss of much specificity (7-18%). CONCLUSION: Both expert decision rules and the machine-learning algorithm performed reasonably well in identifying the majority of jobs with potential exposure to PAHs. The hybrid screening approach demonstrated that by reviewing approximately 20% of the total jobs, it could identify 87% of all jobs exposed to PAHs; sensitivity could be further increased, albeit with a decrease in specificity, by adjusting the algorithm. The resulting screening algorithm could be applied to other population-based studies of women. The process of developing the algorithm also provides a useful illustration of the strengths and potential pitfalls of these approaches to developing exposure assessment algorithms.

Association between irregular menstrual cycles and occupational characteristics among female workers in Korea.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between irregular menstrual cycles and occupational characteristics among Korean female workers. STUDY DESIGN: We analyzed data on paid female workers from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) V (2010-2012). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We evaluated the possible associations between irregular menstrual cycles and work variables (occupational classification, working hours, and shift work) using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Weighted prevalence was calculated according to each work variable to approximate the Korean population. RESULTS: Irregular menstrual cycles were the most common in women in the 'pink collar' group (16.61%). The frequency of irregular menstrual cycles was 2-fold higher in women working >60 h per week (25.64%) than in those working 20-60 h per week (11.09%). Irregular menstrual cycles were more prevalent in shift workers (15.85%) than in non-shift workers (11.06%). A significantly high risk of irregular menstrual cycles was found for pink-collar occupations (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.687, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.044-2.710, reference: white-collar occupation group) and in women with long working hours (adjusted OR = 2.139, 95% CI = 1.243-3.559, reference: 20-60 working hours group) and shift work (adjusted OR = 1.487, 95% CI = 1.028-2.118, reference: fixed working schedule group). CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed associations between irregular menstrual cycles and occupational characteristics of female workers. Long working hours, shift work, and pink-collar occupations are positively associated with irregular menstrual cycles. Therefore, working hours and shift schedules for female workers should be structured considering these factors. Further research is needed to determine the optimal working time and shift schedules for female workers.

[The Occupational and Procreation Health of Road Sweeping Female Sanitation Workers in a District of a City].

Objective: To investigate occupational and procreation health of roadsweeping female sanitation workers in a city district. Methods: Using cross-sectional survey methods, all 303 the road sweeping female sanitation workers of one company were selected and interviewed face to face with questionnaires in june 2017. Data were analysed by SPSS22.0 statistical software. Results: The total prevalence of reproduction tract infection was 21.47%. The prevalence of uterine fibroids was 6.38%, and menstruation abnormal rate was 25.17%. The sanitation worker of menstruation abnormal rate was 31.03%, which were exposed low temperature, automobile exhaust and air contaminant at the same time, or else was 19.61%. There were statistical significance between them. (χ(2)=5.161, P<0.05) The sanitation worker of menstruation abnormal rate was 28.81%, which were not satisfied with women/s rights protection, or else was 11.67%. There were statistical significance between them. (χ(2)=7.435, P<0.01) . Conclusion: Female sanitation workers in the city district were exposed to many occupational hazards. The status of procreation health among road sweeping female sanitation workers in the city district is not optimistic. Occupational health protection and laborers's rights protection should be emphasized to improve health status of female sanitation workers.

[An investigation of reproductive health in female workers engaged in administrative management].

Objective: To investigate the reproductive health status of female workers engaged in administrative management, and to provide a reference for protecting the reproductive health of female workers. Methods: From April to November, 2016, a cross-sectional survey was performed for 2717 female workers aged 18-60 years and engaged in administrative management from 13 cities and provinces in China, and a questionnaire was used to investigate their general information, occupational hazards in workplace, and reproductive health status, and the reproductive health status of female workers was analyzed. Results: Of all 2 717 female workers, 1 170 had gynecological diseases or symptoms, resulting in an incidence rate of 43.06%, and among these workers, 11.15% had abnormal menstruation, 34.64% had infertility, and 38.76% had a history of abortion. There were significant differences in the rates of abnormal results of gynecological examination, abnormal menstruation, abortion, and infertility between the female workers in different age groups (P<0.01) . Unhealthy living habits and major events were risk factors for gynecological diseases, abnormal menstruation, and abortion (P<0.05) ; bad working status was a risk factor for gynecological diseases and abortion (P<0.05) ; exposure to harmful factors was a risk factor for gynecological diseases and abnormal menstruation (P<0.05) . Conclusion: Living habits, major events, working status, and occupational harmful factors have certain influence on reproductive health of female workers engaged in administrative management. Occupational health protection should be strengthened, working patterns should be improved, self-protection awareness should be raised, and health protection should be enhanced for women of childbearing age to protect and promote the reproductive health of female workers.

[Mental health status in railway female workers and its occupational influencing factors].

Objective: To investigate the mental health status of railway female workers and related influencing factors, and to provide a scientific strategy for labor protection regulations in railway female workers. Methods: Cluster sampling was used to select 5033 female workers from Jinan, Nanning, Qinghai-Tibet, and Wuhan railway systems in China from January to August, 2016. A uniform reproductive health questionnaire, as well as the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90) , was used to investigate their general information (age, marital status, education level, and family income) , work type (day shift, night shift, or work on shift) , work position, and the presence or absence of exposure to occupational hazardous factors. The score on each factor of SCL-90 and the positive rate of mental health status were calculated. Results: The positive rate of mental health status was 10.6% in railway female workers. The workers exposed to occupational hazardous factors had a significantly higher positive rate of mental health status than those not exposed to occupational hazardous factors (14.20% vs 8.02%, P<0.01) . There were significant differences in the positive rate of mental health status between workers with different ages, marital status, education levels, histories of abortion, or annual family income levels (P<0.01) . The scores of somatization (1.54±0.62) and horror (1.28±0.47) in SCL-90 were significantly higher than the Chinese adult norm (P<0.01) . The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that exposure to occupational hazardous factors, night shift, overwork, and carrying heavy objects were associated with mental health problems (OR=1.797, 95%CI: 1.393-2.318; OR=0.641, 95%CI: 0.498-0.827; OR=0.586, 95%CI: 0.439-0.783; OR=0.580, 95%CI: 0.378-0.890) . Conclusion: Railway female workers have lower levels of mental health than the general population and are under significant occupational stress. Exposure to occupational hazardous factors, night shift, overwork, and carrying heavy objects are associated with the development of mental health problems in railway female workers.

[Prevalence of reproductive system diseases among female workers in a city and related occupational influencing factors: an analysis of 9944 cases].

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of reproductive system diseases among female workers in a city and related occupational influencing factors. Methods: From June to September, 2016, a cross-sectional survey was used to select 9 944 female workers from six districts of Beijing and then a face-to-face questionnaire survey was performed. Univariate analysis using chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to investigate the risk factors for reproductive system diseases. Results: The age of 9944 female workers ranged from 18 to 65 years (mean 35.53±9.52 years) , and among them, 7 351 (73.92%) were married. The overall prevalence rate of reproductive system diseases among these 9944 female workers during the past three months was 28.29%, and the prevalence rates of hyperplasia of mammary glands, vaginitis, and hysteromyoma were 15.54%, 11.25%, and 6.77%, respectively. After adjustment for age, marital status, education level, and annual family income, the multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that frequent overtime work (odds ratio[OR]=1.119, 95% confidence interval[CI]: 1.070-1.343) , frequent night shifts (OR=1.198, 95%CI: 1.054-1.361) , standing for a long time (OR=1.197, 95%CI: 1.063-1.347) , sitting for a long time (OR=1.327, 95%CI: 1.191-1.479) , heavy workload (OR=1.429, 95%CI: 1.262-1.615) , exposure to lead (OR=1.696, 95%CI: 1.307-2.201) , exposure to mercury (OR=1.452, 95%CI: 1.086-1.940) , and exposure to ionizing radiation (OR=1.679, 95%CI: 1.424-1.980) were associated with reproductive system diseases. Conclusion: The prevalence of reproductive system diseases among female workers in Beijing is not optimistic. Reproductive system diseases are associated with frequent overtime work, frequent night shifts, standing for a long time, sitting for a long time, heavy workload, and exposure to lead, mercury, and ionizing radiation.

[Influencing factors for reproductive health of female workers in petrochemical industry].

Objective: To investigate the reproductive health status of female workers in petrochemical industry, and to provide a reference for improving reproductive health status and developing preventive and control measures for female workers in petrochemical industry. Methods: A face-to-face questionnaire survey was performed from January to October, 2016. The Questionnaire on Women's Reproductive Health was used to investigate the reproductive health of female workers in petrochemical industry. The multivariate logistic regression model was used to identify the influencing factors for reproductive health of female workers in petrochemical industry. Results: Among the 7485 female workers, 1 268 (40.9%) had abnormal menstrual period, 1 437 (46.4%) had abnormal menstrual volume, 177 (28.5%) had hyperplasia of mammary glands, and 1 807 (24.6%) had gynecological inflammation. The reproductive system diseases in female workers in petrochemical industry were associated with the factors including age, marital status, education level, unhealthy living habits, abortion, overtime work, work shift, workload, video operation, occupational exposure, positive events, and negative events, and among these factors, negative events (odds ratio[OR]= 1.856) , unhealthy living habits (OR=1.542) , and positive events (OR=1.516) had greater impact on reproductive system diseases. Conclusion: Many chemical substances in the occupational environment of petrochemical industry can cause damage to the reproductive system, which not only affects the health of the female workers, but also poses potential threats to the health of their offspring. Occupational exposure, unhealthy living habits, overtime work, and work shift have great influence on reproductive system diseases in female workers.

[Analysis on infertility status and influencing factors of female workers among reproductive age in China's nine industries].

Objective: To investigate the infertility rate and influencing factors of female workers in China's nine industries. Methods: Using multi-stage sampling method, from January to November in 2016. A cross-sectional survey was conducted on the infertility of 33 685 female workers in the nine industries including medical and health, petrochemical, metallurgy, railway, machinery manufacturing and electronics,a questionnaire survey. First, three provincial capitals were randomly selected in seven regions. And then we consulted and communicated with the hospital of the provincial city's occupational disease prevention and treatment, marking and coding the target enterprise within its jurisdiction, In these enterprises, we randomly selected five companies. Finally, all women workers who meet the inclusion criteria were surveyed in those enterprises which were drawn. Use the"female workers reproductive health questionnaire" to collect female workers demographic status, occupational status and reproductive status and other data. The single factor analysis of infertility was performed by chi-square test. Multivariate analysis of infertility was carried out by logistic regression model. Results: The age of female workers in the nine industries was (35.98±7.98) years. The infertility rate for one year of female workers in typical industry was 24.81% (8 358/33 685), the infertility rate for two years being13.47% (4 537/33 685), the infertility rate for two years being 10.78% (3 632/33 685). Compared to the east China region, the infertility rate was the highest in the south region (OR=1.90, 95%CI: 1.66-2.17). Compared to non-working women, the infertility rate was the highest among railroad (OR=1.68, 95%CI: 1.43-1.98) and financial industries (OR=1.64, 95%CI: 1.38-1.95). Occupational exposure to heavy metals (OR=1.15, 95%CI:1.04-1.27) and occupational exposure to hazardous physical factors (OR=1.09, 95%CI:1.01-1.17) were infertility risk factors. Conclusion: The infertility rate of female workers in the nineindustries was high. And the region, industry, occupational exposure to heavy metals and occupational exposure to hazardous physical factors, were independent risk factors for infertility.

Health perception and healthy lifestyle behaviors of female factory workers.

This study aims at the assessment of heath perception and healthy lifestyle behaviors of female workers at a food industry factory. Sociodemographic characteristics, a questionnaire form encompassing health-related characteristics, and Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors (HLSB) Scale II are utilized for data collection. The percentage of smokers is determined to be 20.9% among the workers and about 35.6% of them are considered as slightly overweight or overweight, based on their body mass index values. About 81.7% of the workers perceive their health as good. The average of the HLSB scores of the workers is found to be at the medium level (122 ± 21.4). The HLSB scores of the nonsmokers are significantly higher (p <.05). Among the subgroups of the scale, the highest score is obtained for spiritual development (24.3 ± 5.1) and the lowest is obtained for physical activity (15.4 ± 4.3).

[An investigation of reproductive health and related influencing factors in female staff in six industries in seven provinces in China].

Objective: To investigate the reproductive health status in female staff, and to develop labor protection strategies for female staff. Methods: From May to November, 2015, cluster sampling was performed in the industries of medicine and health, petrochemical engineering, metallurgy, railway, mechanical manufacturing, and electronics in seven provinces (municipalities directly under the Central Government and autonomous regions) . A questionnaire surveywas performed for female staff, and the investigation covered general information, occupational history andexposure to occupational hazards, and reproductive health and childbearing history. Results: A total of 14 614 usable questionnaires were collected, resulting in a response rate of 96.00%. The meanage of all female staff was 36 years. Of all female staff, 80.06% were married and 40.84% were exposed to hazardous factors; 28.14% had abnormal menstruation, and the female staff in theelectronics and railway industries had higher rates of abnormal menstruation (32.28% and 32.11%, respectively) . The overall rate of abnormal gynecological examination results was 18.29%, and the female staff in therailway industry had the highest rate (29.49%) . Of all female staff, 49.01% reported gynecological diseases in the past, among which hyperplasia of mammary glands accounted for 27.11% and inflammation in the reproductive system accounted for 36.31%. The medical staff had higher rates of abnormal menstruation (33.11%) and abnormal gynecological examination results (27.46%) compared with the staff engaged in other occupations. With normal sexual life and no contraceptive measures, the 1-, 2-, and 3-year infertility rates were 24.26%, 11.88%, and 8.88%, respectively. Conclusion: The female staff in the industries of medicine and health, railway, and electronics have serious reproductive health issues. Labor protection should be enhanced and working environment should be improved.

Knowledge, attitudes and behaviours related to HIV/AIDS among female migrant workers in the restaurant industry in Guangzhou, China / Conocimientos, actitudes y comportamientos relacionados con el VIH/SIDA entre las trabajadoras emigrantes en la industria de restaurantes en Guangzhou, China

OBJECTIVE: The goal of the present study was to assess knowledge and attitudes related to HIV/AIDS among the migrant female workers in the restaurant industry in Guangzhou City, China. METHODS: We performed a questionnaire survey using a judgmental sampling method in the health examination clinic of Yuexiu District of Guangzhou during March 2011. A total of 428 participants completed and returned the questionnaires and data were analysed by descriptive statistics, t-test, one way ANOVA, and Wilcoxon test. RESULTS: Of 428 respondents, the average score of HIV/AIDS-related knowledge was 19.6 (full marks, 26). Knowledge on HIV/AIDS among respondents was classified as poor for 8.2%, fair for 42.5%, and good for 49.3%. The average score of AIDS-related attitudes of respondents was 7.2 (full marks, 10). Most of the respondents (88.8%) had relatively positive attitudes toward AIDS. Unmarried status, ages less than 30 years old and higher levels of education had higher scores of knowledge. Among the respondents who had sex experiences, 57.7% (130/225) reported that they never or only some of the time used condom. The young, unmarried women had significantly higher proportion of condom use than those above 30 years old, and/or married ones. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, a half of respondents had only moderate and low levels of awareness about HIV/AIDS knowledge, although most of them had tolerant and positive attitudes toward HIV/AIDS. In addition, a relatively lower rate of condom use was reported. The findings indicate that there exists broad space for improvement of knowledge and behaviours toward HIV/AIDS for migrant women in China.

OBJETIVO: El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar los conocimientos y actitudes relacionadas con el VIH/SIDA entre las trabajadoras emigrantes en la industria de restaurantes en la ciudad de Guangzhou, China. MÉTODOS: Realizamos una encuesta en forma de cuestionario utilizando un método de muestreo a juicio en la clínica de examen de salud del distrito de Yuexiu de Guangzhou en marzo de 2011. Un total de 428 participantes llenaron y entregaron los cuestionarios, y los datos fueron analizados mediante estadísticas descriptivas, prueba t, ANOVA unidireccional, y prueba de Wilcoxon. RESULTADOS: De las 428 encuestadas, la puntuación media de los conocimientos relacionados con el VIH/SIDA fue 19.6 (puntuación máxima, 26). El conocimientos sobre el VIH/SIDA entre las encuestadas fue clasificado de pobre por el 8.2 por ciento, aceptable por el 42.5%, y bueno por el 49.3%. La puntuación promedio de las actitudes relacionadas con el SIDA entre las encuestadas fue 7.2 (puntuación máxima, 10). La mayoría de las encuestadas (88.8%) tenían actitudes relativamente positivas hacia el SIDA. El estado civil de soltero, las edades menores de 30 años, y los niveles de educación más altos, estuvieron asociados con puntuaciones más altas de conocimiento. Entre las encuestadas que tenían experiencias sexuales, el 57.7% (130/225) reportó no haber usado condones nunca, o sólo algunas veces. Las mujeres jóvenes solteras hicieron un uso del condón en proporción significativamente mayor que las mujeres mayores de 30 años, y/o las casadas. CONCLUSIONES: En general, la mitad de las encuestadas tenía sólo niveles de conciencia moderados y bajos en cuanto a conocimientos de VIH/SIDA, aunque la mayoría de ellas tenía actitudes tolerantes y positivas hacia el VIH/SIDA. Además, se reportó una tasa relativamente baja de uso del condón. Los hallazgos indican que existe un amplio espacio para mejorar tanto los conocimientos como las conductas hacia el VIH/SIDA para las mujeres emigrantes en China.

The Effectiveness of a "Break Experiment" from a Long-Term Perspective.

The study reports the results of a follow-up evaluation, conducted in 1994, of the impact of a training program for female unskilled metal workers that was implemented at the end of the 1970s. The program was designed to promote occupational skills development, and was first evaluated in 1979. On both occasions of evaluation the investment in training was examined from two perspectives, those of the training participants and management. Data were collected through semistructured personal interviews with key members of personnel management and through a group conversation session with a majority of the original course attendees. Supplementary background information was obtained from documents and records maintained by the organization. At some points, there was a convergence of views on the significance of the training program for occupational skills development, at others a divergence. These convergences and divergences are finally discussed and the findings of the study are related to other research on this particular kind of intervention.