ABSTRACT
The article is a brief biography of Prof. and Dr. Guangqing He (Dr. Eutrope A. Ho or Dr. Kuan-Ching Ho), in particular, focusing on his contributions to education and research in epidemiology and medicine after foundation of the People’s Republic of China. It also introduces the history of Peking Union Medical College and its influence on development of epidemiology and public health in China.
ABSTRACT
Epidemiology,as the study of occurrence and distribution of diseases or health events in specified populations and the application of the study to control health problems,is not just a method to study determinants of diseases at individual level through analysis of mass data based on individuals.To achieve the aims on the control of health problems in specified populations,Epidemiology should be public health-oriented to reduce incidence,prevalence and mortality,and should include study on determinants at the population level.Interdisplinarity and systems science will facilitate the breakthrough in improving health of the populations.
ABSTRACT
Objective To assess pre-marital sex behavior and its relationship with gender and experience of migration among 16-24 years-old out-of-school youths in rural Hainan province,China.Methods 160 eligible youths from each of the 2 townships in County A and 80 from each of the 6 townships in County B were recruited,under equal proportion on gender,age distribution and experience of migration.An interviewer-administered,standardized questionnaire was used.Results 760 eligible participants (with each gender of 380) were interviewed.There were no significant differences in the proportions of reporting as sexually active (56.8％ and 57.9％ ) or having premarital sex (54.5％ and 50.0％ ) between male and female youths.However,among those sexually active participants,the average age at first sexual intercourse was (18.2± 1.9 years or 19.2 ± 1.8 years,P＜0.01 ),the average age of first-time leaving hometown for work (18.0 ± 2.3 years or 16.5 ± 1.9 years P＜0.01 ) and the percentage of having first sexual intercourse before 1 8 years old (59.3％ vs.35.5％,P＜0.01) were different between males and females.31.2％ of the male youths reported that their sexual debut happened before they left their hometown for work and 45.9％ of the sex debut appeared within 1 year after they left hometown.However,78.5％ of the sexually active female youths reported their sexual debut happened 1 year after leaving their hometown.Data from the multivariate analysis showed that being away from hometown for more than 3 months and having more friends who presumably had presumably pre-marital sex experiences were more likely to report pre-marital sex behavior.Older men were more likely to report pre-marital sex behavior than the younger ones.Married women were more likely to report pre-marital sex behavior than the unmarried ones.Through multivariate analysis on unmarried men,data showed that those having had experience on migration and at older age were associated with experiencing premarital sex.Conclusion Gender difference was identified on the pattern of migration and its relationship with premarital sex among out-of-school rural youths in Hainan province.When prevention program is developed for rural youth,these differences should be taken into account.
ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate a four-hour life-skills-based HIV/AIDS prevention curriculum among 5th grade students in rural primary schools of Hainan province.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The study included two stages. Stage one (September 2006-May 2007) was a pre-post-quasi experimental design; a total of 2,413 students aged 9 to 14 years from fifth grade classes of nine primary schools completed a baseline survey (1,720 students were in the intervention group, 693 in the control group), and over 98% of them took part in a short survey. The experimental curriculum was provided to the intervention group. At stage two (September 2008), a cross-sectional questionnaire was administered to 6,923 students in 7th grade classes of eight middle schools in the same study sites. There were 1,437 students in the intervention group when the curriculum was conducted.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Students tended to score higher in areas of HIV/AIDS related knowledge and attitudes, if they were younger than average, lived in the county seat, had access to the internet, and their parents had completed higher levels of education. Path analysis showed that, after controlling for characteristics such as family and community factors, the total effects of curriculum on knowledge in the short-term model increased remarkably compared with the baseline, and maintained major contributions to knowledge in the mid-term model. The positive effect of knowledge on attitudes was significantly improved in the short-term model as well.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>A life-skills based curriculum can improve HIV/AIDS related knowledge and self-perceived level of life-skills among primary school students in rural areas in a short time, and these positive effects can still be observed at least 2 years post participation in the curriculum.</p>
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Female , Humans , Male , Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome , Adolescent Behavior , China , Curriculum , HIV Infections , Health Behavior , Health Education , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Models, Educational , Program Evaluation , Rural Population , School Health Services , Schools , Sex Education , Social Class , Students , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To define the profile and risk factors of sexual attitude and behavior of rural women.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Using stratified cluster sampling, tape-recorded interviews and face to face interviews were carried out among 606 rural women.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>24.6% of the women being studied accepted the idea of "premarital sexual intercourse" and thought "premarital sexual intercourse between a couple" acceptable accounted for 34.2%, 14.7% and 4% of the women reported having had premarital sexual intercourse and premarital induced abortion respectively. 5.0% of the women admitted having had sexual intercourse during menstruation. 4% and 3% of the women under study accepted "extramarital sexual intercourse" and "paid sexual intercourse" if they were in need of money. None of the women reported ever having had extramarital sex or paid sex. The results derived from two different methods did not differ significantly. Logistic rgression suggested that age, education and ethnicity were associated with attitude towards premarital sex, and age was associated with premarital sexual behavior.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Sex education need to be promoted and targeted among rural population at early age. "Tape-recorded interview" method did not show a better validity in this study.</p>