Factors associated with blood donation among college and university students in Wuhan, China: structural equation model.

BACKGROUND: College and university students were an important population group of blood donors, especially in the current situation of tight blood supply. This study aimed to investigate the current status and determinants of blood donation among this population group in Wuhan using a structural equation model. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study involving 12 colleges and universities in Wuhan, China, including 5168 students. Sociodemographic characteristics, health status, knowledge about blood donation, and attitude toward blood donation were treated as latent variables, with blood donation as the observed variable. Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted using the Mplus 8.0 statistical software application, followed by the establishment of a structural equation model to assess the relationships that exist between these variables. RESULTS: The overall blood donation rate among college and university students was 24.71%. The established model indicated that sociodemographic characteristics, health status, knowledge about blood donation, and attitude toward blood donation showed significant positive effects (0.135, 0.056, 0.321, and 0.389, respectively) on blood donation, among them, the direct effects were 0.076, -0.110, 0.143, and 0.389, respectively (P < 0.01). Additionally, sociodemographic characteristics, health status, and knowledge about blood donation had indirectly affected blood donation through the mediating effect of attitude towards blood donation. Their effects on attitude towards blood donation were 0.099, 0.243, and 0.468, respectively. (P < 0.01). The model could explain explained 22.22% of the variance in blood donation behavior among college and university students in Wuhan. CONCLUSION: Blood donation among college and university students in Wuhan was associated with sociodemographic characteristics, health status, knowledge about blood donation, and attitude towards blood donation, with attitude being the primary influencing factor. Tailored recruitment strategies for blood donation among students should prioritize initiatives aimed at enhancing knowledge about blood donation and fostering positive attitudes toward it.

Dilemmas and options for COVID-19 vaccination in children.

Over 16 million children have been detected positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the United States since the outbreak of the pandemic. In general, children infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 tend to have lighter symptoms than adults. However, in some cases, the infection can develop into severe forms, such as multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children. Moreover, long-term public health preventive interventions have had some negative effects on the physical and mental health of children. Given the important role that vaccination plays in reducing severe illness and mortality, it is essential for the efficient implementation of vaccination in the pediatric population. Nevertheless, parental distrust of vaccination, especially with regard to its safety and efficacy, hinders this process. Herein, we comprehensively summarize the available data on the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccine in children. The results show that the currently approved COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective for children. Although two doses of vaccine in children seem insufficient to prevent Omicron infection, the booster dose provides enhanced protection against infection and severe illness. Most importantly, the bivalent vaccine has been approved for use in the pediatric population to extend the immune response to currently circulating Omicron variant. And the immune protection afforded to newborns after maternal vaccination appears to last only 6 months. Therefore, in the current situation where the rate of virus mutation is accelerating and the COVID-19 pandemic is still severe, it is crucial to extend vaccine protection to children over 6 months of age to weave a tighter safety net.

Long-term poor sleep quality is associated with adverse donor reactions in college students in Central China: A population-based cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Adverse donor reaction (ADR) could adversely impact the recruitment and retention of blood donors, but the evidence of effect of sleep quality on ADR is limited and controversial. The goal of this study was to explore the association between the sleep quality and ADR among college students in Wuhan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The college student blood donors in Wuhan from March to May 2022 were recruited. Self-compiled general information questionnaire and Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) were investigated by convenience sampling. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to estimate the association. RESULTS: Among 1014 participants included in this study, 63 were in the ADR group and 951 were in the non-ADR group. Compared with the non-ADR group, the PSQI scores of ADR group were higher (3.44 ± 1.81 vs. 2.78 ± 1.82, p < 0.01). The results of multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting gender, body mass index, blood donation history and other potential confounding factors, higher PSQI scores were related to the occurrence of ADRs (odds ratio = 1.231, 95% confidence interval 1.075-1.405), that is, the worse the sleep quality, the more likely the ADRs will occur. CONCLUSION: The long-term poor sleep quality of college students is a risk factor for the occurrence of ADRs. It should be identified early before blood donation to reduce the incidence of ADRs and improve the safety and satisfaction of donors.

The association of energy and macronutrient intake at breakfast and cardiovascular disease in Chinese adults: From a 14-year follow-up cohort study.

Background: We aimed to examine the associations between energy and macronutrient intakes at breakfast and the incidence of cardiovascular events among Chinese adults. Methods: There were 12,937 participants from the China Health and Nutrition Survey who met the study criteria and completed six rounds of questionnaires in 1997, 2000, 2004, 2006, 2009, and 2011. Combined weighing methods with 24-h dietary recall were used to measure dietary intake throughout the day. Intakes of macronutrients at breakfast were calculated using energy provided by nutrients as a percentage of breakfast energy. We calculated hazard ratios using a multivariable Cox frailty model with random intercepts to account for household clustering. Results: During follow-up, we documented 453 (3.6 per 1,000 person-years) major cardiovascular events, 195 (1.5 per 1,000 person-years) myocardial infarctions, and 293 (2.3 per 1,000 person-years) strokes. In Chinese adults, more breakfast carbohydrates or less proteins intake was associated with the reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases. Especially for women, higher intake of breakfast carbohydrates was associated with a lower risk of major cardiovascular events (quintile 5 vs. quintile 1, HR 0.47 [95%CI 0.30-0.74]; p trend = 0.0008) and stroke (quintile 5 vs. quintile 1, HR 0.48 [95%CI 0.26-0.88]; p trend = 0.0006). Higher intake of breakfast proteins was associated with a higher risk of major cardiovascular events (quintile 5 vs. quintile 1, HR 1.77 [95%CI 1.12-2.79]; p trend = 0.1162), myocardial infarction (quintile 5 vs. quintile 1, HR 2.49 [95%CI 1.21-5.11]; p trend = 0.2641). There was a significant association between breakfast fat intake and cardiovascular diseases in the adult population, but less significant correlation was found in Chinese men or women. Breakfast fat intake was positively associated with the risk of major cardiovascular events (quintile 5 vs. quintile 1, HR 1.74 [95%CI 1.27-2.36]; p trend = 0.0070), myocardial infarction (quintile 5 vs. quintile 1, HR 2.03 [95%CI 1.23-3.37]; p trend = 0.0168), and stroke (quintile 5 vs. quintile 1, HR 1.64 [95%CI 1.12-2.41]; p trend = 0.0732). There was a significant reduction in major cardiovascular events and stroke when breakfast energy intake was moderated, even if the independence of skipping breakfast. Conclusion: High carbohydrate intake and low protein and fat intake at breakfast may contribute to cardiovascular health while maintaining a moderate energy intake.

Incidence Trends and Survival Prediction of Malignant Skin Cancer: A SEER-Based Study.

Purpose: This study aimed to analyze the incidence trend and further explore the risk factors influencing the survival among patients of malignant skin cancer in America. Methods: Age-adjusted incidence rates, annual percentage change (APC) of different sex and ethnicity in 1973-2015 and patient records were extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Univariate analysis and multivariate Cox regression were used to analyze risk factors influencing the survival in skin cancer patients. Survival curves and nomograms were constructed to evaluate the survival prediction by R. Results: The overall age-adjusted incidence of skin cancer increased in America from 1973 to 2005 (APC = 2.8%, 95% CI: 2.6-2.9%, P < 0.05), particularly in white patients, 66-year-old people, and males. The 3- and 5-year overall survival (OS) rates were 51.4% and 33.8%, respectively. Independent predictors for short OS include age over 65, white ethnicity, other marital status and no surgery (P < 0.05). Stage was not an independent factor of survival (P > 0.05). The nomogram with a C-index of 0.72 (95% CI: 0.71-0.73) matched an appropriate calibration curve. Conclusion: Incidence of skin cancer in America was on the rise during 1973-2015 based on SEER database. Age, ethnicity, marital status and surgical history were related with survival of malignant skin cancer. Nomograms were effective tools for predicting the survival prognosis.

Impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 lockdown on Schistosoma host Oncomelania hupensis density in Wuhan.

BACKGROUND: Snails that host the parasitic worm Schistosoma were once controlled or eliminated in Wuhan, China. However, safety measures associated with the outbreak of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) halted snail detection and extermination efforts. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on urban schistosomiasis transmission remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate snail density and the associated risk of a schistosomiasis outbreak in Wuhan. METHODS: The density and infection status of snails were monitored by global positioning system satellites, and outbreak risk was calculated by adjusting the Kaiser model. SigmaPlot was used to create a three-dimensional risk matrix. RESULTS: The living snail frame occurrence rate was 1.48%, and the average living snail density was 0.054/0.11 m2 in 2020, indicating an increase relative to the respective 2019 values (0.019/0.11 m2). No infectious snails were observed in the survey area. The possibility, harmfulness, and uncontrollability indicator values were 0.842, 0.870, and 0.866, respectively. The areas at greatest risk were the northern bank of Tianxingzhou and the Tianxingzhou and Hongshan districts overall. The existing snail sites in the northern bank of Tianxingzhou exhibited the highest risk scores, followed by those in Pak Sha Chau, with the highest risk score found in Yangsiji Village. The events likely to occur in Hongshan District were also likely to have high severity. CONCLUSIONS: During the COVID-19 outbreak, the risk of schistosomiasis increased due to snail colonies returning to their sites of origin in Wuhan, suggesting a need for strengthened infection control and prevention measures.

Factors associated with risk sexual behaviours of HIV/STDs infection among university students in Henan, China: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to identify factors associated with risk sexual behaviours and target high-risk groups at risk of HIV/STDs infection among university students. METHODS: The cross-sectional study was conducted from 1 November to 31 December 2020 in one university, located in Henan Province. A total of 1602 individuals who reported having ever had sex were analyzed as the subjects of this study. Descriptive analysis and multivariable logistic regression analysis were applied for this study to assess factors associated with risk sexual behaviours among university students. RESULTS: University students who reported having ever had sex accounted for about 9%, with an average age of 19.37 ± 1.03. Of them, having multiple sexual partners and inconsistent condom use during the last 6 months were 37.3% and 35%, respectively. Over 50% of participants had their sexual debut before the age of 18. Bisexual students (AOR = 0.27; 95% CI 0.16, 0.44) and those who lived on over 3000 Yuan per month (AOR = 0.50; 95% CI 0.28, 0.91) were consistently less likely to engage in condom use during the last 6 months. University students who were from high-grade (AOR = 1.56; 95% CI 1.12, 2.18 for sophomore; AOR = 1.84; 95% CI 1.28, 2.65 for junior; AOR = 2.07; 95% CI 1.38, 3.11 for senior), who lived on over 3,000 Yuan per month (AOR = 4.19; 95% CI 2.17, 8.11) or who reported being homosexual (AOR = 3.92; 95% CI 2.17, 7.06) and bisexual (AOR = 33.22; 95% CI 13.11, 84.15) were more likely to have multiple sexual relationships. University students who had sexual debut before the age of 18 were more likely to engage in risk sexual behaviours. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of sexual activity among Chinese university students is generally low, but risk sexual behaviours are of considerable concern. University students with higher living expenses, who are not heterosexual and who are younger at first sexual intercourse tend to engage in risk sexual behaviours. The scale-up of intervention is the need to prevent the expansion of the HIV epidemic among young students.

The HIV epidemic among university students is considerable, with the tendency of the high-risk population towards the general population. University students at risk of HIV/STDs infection tend to engage in risk sexual behaviours and were targeted for assessing factors corelated with their risk sexual behaviours in this study. Participants who reported having had sexual relations were selected. Information on the practice of risk sexual behaviours including multiple sexual partners and inconsistent condom use were collected and analyzed using a multivariable logistic regression model.Bisexual students were consistently less likely to use condoms within the last 6 months. University students from high-grade, who lived on over 3000 Yuan monthly, homosexual students and bisexual students were more likely to have multiple sexual relationships. University students who had sexual debut before the age of 18 were more likely to engage in risk sexual behaviours.In conclusion, University students with high cost of living per month, non-heterosexual, who are younger at first sexual intercourse tend to engage in risk sexual behaviours. Intensified intervention is the need to prevent the expansion of the HIV epidemic amongst young students.

HIV/AIDS-Related Knowledge and Attitudes Among Chinese College Students and Associated Factors: A Cross-Sectional Study.

In recent years, adolescent has become one of the high-risk groups for HIV. Meanwhile, good HIV awareness and positive attitude are essential for HIV prevention. This study aims to evaluate the extent to which college students understand HIV and their attitudes toward HIV-infected patients, as well as the correlative factors. The data used in this study came from a cross-sectional survey. An anonymous online questionnaire was used to investigate the demographic characteristics, HIV/AIDS-related knowledge, and attitudes toward HIV-infected patients of 17,678 students from a university in Henan. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square test and logistic regression were used to analyze differences and connections between variables in SPSS version 25.0. Participants' HIV/AIDS-related knowledge awareness rate was 80.8%. Levels of students' HIV/AIDS-related knowledge correlated with their gender, nationality, marital status, and their grade (p < 0.01). Female students [OR = 0.757, 95% CI (0.699-0.820)] and minority students (OR = 0.717, 95% CI (0.619-0.832)] had insufficient HIV health education knowledge. Meanwhile, male students (OR = 0.845, 95% CI (0.773-0.924)], and students with good HIV knowledge (OR unaware-ness/awareness = 2.385, 95% CI (2.111-2.694)] were more likely to hold a positive attitude toward HIV-infected patients. The relevant education departments should strengthen and promote the education of AIDS transmission and prevention. Many college students still hold negative attitude toward HIV-infected patients. The government should further make efforts to eliminate social discrimination in HIV-infected patients and lead people to approach HIV-infected patients fairly.

Risk Factors Analysis of Bone Mineral Density Based on Lasso and Quantile Regression in America during 2015-2018.

This study aimed to explore the risk factors of bone mineral density (BMD) in American residents and further analyse the extent of effects, to provide preventive guidance for maintenance of bone health. A cross-sectional study analysis was carried out in this study, of which data validity was identified and ethics approval was exempted based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database. Candidates' demographics, physical examination, laboratory indicators and part of questionnaire information were collected and merged from NHANES in 2015-2016 and 2017-2018. The least absolute shrinkage selection operator (lasso) was used to select initial variables with "glmnet" package of R, quantile regression model to analyze influence factors of BMD and their effects in different sites with "qreg" code in Stata. Among 2937 candidates, 17 covariates were selected by lasso regression (λ = 0.00032) in left arm BMD, with 16 covariates in left leg BMD (λ = 0.00052) and 14 covariates in total BMD (λ = 0.00065). Quantile regression results displayed several factors with different coefficients in separate sites and quantiles: gender, age, educational status, race, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), total cholesterol (TC), lead, manganese, ethyl mercury, smoking, alcohol use and body mass index (BMI) (p < 0.05). We constructed robust regression models to conclude that some demographic characteristics, nutritional factors (especially lipid levels, heavy metals) and unhealthy behaviors affected BMD in varying degrees. Gender and race differences, Low-fat food intake and low exposure to heavy metals (mostly lead, manganese and mercury) should be considered by both clinical doctors and people. There is still no consensus on the impact of smoking and alcohol use on bone mineral density in our study.

School physician in primary and secondary schools in Yichang of Hubei Province during 2019-2020 / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To understand school physician in primary and secondary schools in Yichang City, Hubei Province from 2019 to 2020, and to provide a reference for strengthening the school physician team in primary and secondary schools.@*Methods@#149 and 102 primary and secondary schools from 6 municipal districts in Yichang City, Hubei Province, were randomly selected in November 2019 and November 2020, respectively, and were administered by questionnaire survey.@*Results@#The proportion of school physicians increased from 39.6% in 2019 to 65.7% in 2020. In the past two years, the equipment rate of school physician in both central and fringe urban areas increased, especially the fringe urban areas, number of school physician increased from 38 to 96. A total of 93 and 141 school physicians were selected to pariticipate in questionaire survey in 2019 and 2020 respectively. The survey showed that more than 90% of school physicians in primary and secondary schools in Yichang received training, and 74.5% had college education level. However, most of them lack professional qualification and medical background.@*Conclusion@#School physician of primary and secondary of Yichang is well development over the past two years, and the proportion substantially increased. However, there is still room for improvement in the quantity and quality of school physicians, and professional qualification needs to be improved. More attention should be paid to the marginal urban areas to achieve a balance between quantity and quality.