Analysis of Risky Riding Behavior Characteristics of the Related Road Traffic Injuries of Electric Bicycle Riders.

Electric bicycle (EB) riders, being vulnerable road users (VRUs), are increasingly becoming victims of road traffic injuries (RTIs). This study aimed to determine the current status and epidemiological characteristics of RTIs among EB riders through a questionnaire survey and roadside observations in Shantou to provide a scientific basis for the prevention and control of electric bicycle road traffic injuries (ERTIs). A total of 2412 EB riders were surveyed, and 34,554 cyclists were observed in the study. To analyze the relationship between riding habits and injuries among EB riders, chi-square tests and multi-factor logistic regression models were employed. The findings reveal that the prevalence of ERTIs in Shantou was 4.81%, and the most affected group was children under 16 years old, accounting for 9.84%. Risky behavior was widespread among EB riders, such as the infrequent wearing of safety helmets, carrying people on EBs, riding on sidewalks, and listening to music with headphones while bicycling. Notably, over 90% of those who wore headphones while bicycling engaged in this risky behavior. The logistic regression analysis showed that honking the horn (odds ratio (OR): 2.009, 95% CI: 1.245-3.240), riding in reverse (OR: 4.210, 95% CI: 2.631-6.737), and continuing to ride after a fault was detected (OR: 2.010, 95% CI: 1.188-3.402) all significantly increased the risk of ERTIs (all p < 0.05). Risky riding behavior was significantly less observed at traffic intersections with traffic officers than at those without (all p < 0.001).

Risk Factors for Road-Traffic Injuries Associated with E-Bike: Case-Control and Case-Crossover Study.

The Electric Bike (EB) has become an ideal mode of transportation because of its simple operation, convenience, and because it is time saving, economical and environmentally friendly. However, electric bicycle road-traffic injuries (ERTIs) have become a road-traffic safety problem that needs to be solved urgently, bringing a huge burden to public health. In order to provide basic data and a theoretical basis for the prevention and control of ERTIs in Shantou, mixed research combining a case-control study and a case-crossover study was carried out to investigate the cycling behavior characteristics and injury status of EB riders in Shantou city, and to explore the influencing factors of ERTI. The case-control study selected the orthopedic inpatient departments of three general hospitals in Shantou. The case-crossover study was designed to assess the effect of brief exposure on the occurrence of ERTIs, in which each orthopedic inpatient serves as his or her own control. Univariable and multivariable logistic regressions were used to examine the associated factors of ERTIs. In the case-control study, multivariable analysis showed that chasing or playing when cycling, finding the vehicle breakdown but continuing cycling, not wearing the helmet, and retrograde cycling were risk factors of ERTIs. Compared with urban road sections, suburb and township road sections were more likely to result in ERTIs. Astigmatism was the protective factor of ERTI. The case-crossover study showed that answering the phone or making a call and not wearing a helmet while cycling increased the risk of ERTIs. Cycling in the motor-vehicle lane and cycling on the sidewalk were both protective factors. Therefore, the traffic management department should effectively implement the policy about wearing a helmet while cycling, increasing the helmet-wearing rate of EB cyclists, and resolutely eliminate illegal behaviors such as violating traffic lights and using mobile phones while cycling. Mixed lanes were high-incidence road sections of ERTIs. It was suggested that adding people-non-motor-vehicles/motor vehicles diversion and isolation facilities in the future to ensure smooth roads and safety would maximize the social economic and public health benefits of EB.

A longitudinal study on psychological burden of medical students during COVID-19 outbreak and remission period in China

Background and objectives: Due to their professional characteristics and future career orientation, medical students have a deeper understanding of COVID-19 and enact disease prevention and control measures, which may cause psychological burden. We aimed to assess the psychological impact during the COVID-19 outbreak period(OP) and remission period(RP) among medical students.MethodsWe surveyed the medical students in Shantou University Medical College twice-during the OP and the RP, surveying psychological burden of COVID-19 lockdowns and its associated factors. 1069 respondents were recruited in OP and 1511 participants were recruited in RP. We constructed nomograms to predict the risk of psychological burden using risk factors that were screened through univariate analysis of the surveyed data set.ResultsThere was a statistically significant longitudinal increment in psychological burden from OP to RP, and stress as well as cognition in psychological distress were the most dominant ones. Common impact factors of the depression, anxiety and stress included frequency of outdoor activities, mask-wearing adherence, self-perceived unhealthy status and exposure to COVID-19. In addition, the high frequency of handwashing was a protective factor for depression and anxiety. The C-index was 0.67, 0.74 and 0.72 for depression, anxiety and stress, respectively.ConclusionThe psychological impact of COVID-19 was worse during the RP than during the OP. Thus, it's necessary to continue to emphasize the importance of mental health in medical students during the pandemic and our proposed nomograms can be useful tools for screening high-risk groups for psychological burden risk in medical students. (AU)

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Falls among Older Adults between Urban and Rural Areas of Shantou City, China.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the prevalence of falls and associated factors among older adults in urban and rural areas and to facilitate the design of fall prevention interventions. METHODS: We used cluster random sampling to investigate the sociodemographic information, living habits, medical status, falls, home environment, and balance ability among 649 older adult participants. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to examine the associated factors of falls. RESULTS: The incidence of falls among older adults in Shantou City was 20.65%. Among them, the incidence was 27.27% in urban areas and 16.99% in rural areas. The rate of injury from falls among older adults was 14.48%, with18.61% in urban area and 12.20% in rural area. Multivariate analysis showed that the associated factors of falls among older adults in Shantou City included a high school or below education level (OR = 2.387, 95% CI: 1.305-4.366); non-farming as the previous occupation (OR = 2.574, 95% CI: 1.613-4.109); incontinence(OR = 2.881, 95% CI: 1.517-5.470); lack of fall prevention education (OR = 1.856, 95% CI: 1.041-3.311); and reduced balance ability (OR = 3.917, 95% CI: 2.532-6.058). DISCUSSION: Older adults have a higher rate of falling in Shantou City, compared to the average rate in China. There are similarities and differences in the associated factors of falls among older adults between urban and rural areas of Shantou City. Targeted interventions for older adults in different regions may be more effective in reducing the risk of falls.

A longitudinal study on psychological burden of medical students during COVID-19 outbreak and remission period in China.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Due to their professional characteristics and future career orientation, medical students have a deeper understanding of COVID-19 and enact disease prevention and control measures, which may cause psychological burden. We aimed to assess the psychological impact during the COVID-19 outbreak period(OP) and remission period(RP) among medical students. METHODS: We surveyed the medical students in Shantou University Medical College twice-during the OP and the RP, surveying psychological burden of COVID-19 lockdowns and its associated factors. 1069 respondents were recruited in OP and 1511 participants were recruited in RP. We constructed nomograms to predict the risk of psychological burden using risk factors that were screened through univariate analysis of the surveyed data set. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant longitudinal increment in psychological burden from OP to RP, and stress as well as cognition in psychological distress were the most dominant ones. Common impact factors of the depression, anxiety and stress included frequency of outdoor activities, mask-wearing adherence, self-perceived unhealthy status and exposure to COVID-19. In addition, the high frequency of handwashing was a protective factor for depression and anxiety. The C-index was 0.67, 0.74 and 0.72 for depression, anxiety and stress, respectively. CONCLUSION: The psychological impact of COVID-19 was worse during the RP than during the OP. Thus, it's necessary to continue to emphasize the importance of mental health in medical students during the pandemic and our proposed nomograms can be useful tools for screening high-risk groups for psychological burden risk in medical students.