中国老年人结核病防治核心信息知晓率及影响因素分析

目的 了解中国老年人对结核病防治核心信息的知晓情况及其影响因素。方法 纳入2020年“十三五”全国结核病防治规划终期评估的知晓率专项调查中全部≥60岁老年人，获得有效调查问卷13 706份。采用多因素logistic回归分析老年人结核病防治核心信息知晓率的影响因素。结果 我国≥60岁老年人结核病防治核心信息总知晓率为78.4%，其中“肺结核的可疑症状”的知晓率最高（85.4%），“肺结核是否可以治好”的知晓率最低（65.3%），老年人结核病核心信息全部知晓率为41.3%，接受结核病健康教育比例为67.6%。多因素logistic回归分析结果显示，老年人结核病防治核心信息全部知晓率低的影响因素包括女性（OR=0.93，95%CI：0.86~1.00）；70~岁（OR=0.91，95%CI：0.84~0.98）和≥80岁（OR=0.77，95%CI：0.68~0.87）；少数民族（OR=0.85，95%CI：0.74~0.99）；全部知晓率高的影响因素包括文化程度初中（OR=1.46，95%CI：1.34~1.58）、高中（OR=1.62，95%CI：1.45~1.81）、大专（OR=1.37，95%CI：1.11~1.68）和本科及以上（OR=1.52，95%CI：1.09~2.11）；接受结核病健康教育（OR=2.13，95%CI：1.97~2.27）。结论 2020年我国≥60岁老年人对结核病防治核心信息总知晓率低于国家规划目标，应加大对女性、≥70岁、少数民族以及文化程度较低的老年人群结核病健康教育力度。     

中国援外医疗队员一般心理健康现状及其影响因素分析

目的 了解中国援外医疗队员一般心理健康状况及其影响因素。方法 采用自行开发的一般情况调查表和WHO推荐的GHQ-12问卷对2018年5月10日至6月10日正在国外执行援外医疗队任务的1 015名队员进行心理健康状况调查,使用非条件二分类logistic回归分析其影响因素。结果 共有808名队员完成调查,其中25.9%（209/808）疑似有心理健康问题（GHQ-12总得分≥3分）。多因素logistic回归分析结果显示,出国前家庭生活不顺心（OR=1.928,95% CI：1.162～3.197）、国内工作不顺心（OR=2.069,95% CI：1.210～3.538）、父亲健在（OR=1.703,95% CI：1.060～2.736）、有腹泻发热等症状（OR=2.087,95% CI：1.363～3.194）、担任队长职务（OR=1.996,95% CI：1.128～3.532）、未适应文化差异（OR=2.439,95% CI：1.621～3.671）等因素是心理健康的危险因素。年龄大（OR=0.736,95% CI：0.571～0.949）、文娱活动满意（OR=0.654,95% CI：0.490～0.872）等因素是心理健康的保护因素。此外,每天饮酒（OR=7.439,95% CI：1.290～42.900）、孤独感（OR=4.094,95% CI：2.438～6.875）、在医院受重视（OR=0.783,95% CI：0.610～1.004）等因素与心理健康状况相关。结论 援外医疗队员存在一定程度的心理健康问题,队长与年轻队员为重点人群,应采取针对性措施保护援外医疗队员的心理健康,保障援外医疗工作顺利开展。     

孕期父母环境危险因素暴露与儿童急性淋巴细胞性白血病风险关系分析

目的 探讨孕期父母接触可能引起儿童急性淋巴细胞性白血病（ALL）的环境危险因素。方法 选取2015年在天津市血液病医院就诊的179例ALL儿童为病例,同时选取136例正常儿童作为对照,进行病例对照研究;设计ALL发病的危险因素调查表,对所得的资料进行单因素和多因素非条件logistic回归分析。结果 单因素非条件logistic回归分析发现,儿童ALL发病与性别（OR=1.934,95% CI：1.225～3.054,P=0.005）、母亲既往流产史（OR=2.378,95% CI：1.437～3.934,P=0.001）、孕期二手烟暴露史（OR=1.837,95% CI：1.098～3.071,P=0.020）、患感冒（OR=1.728,95% CI：1.082～2.762,P=0.022）、服用解热镇痛药（OR=4.858,95% CI：1.824～12.944,P=0.002）、接触空气净化剂（OR=1.731,95% CI：0.972～3.082,P=0.043）、父亲职业性接触石油类产品（OR=2.007,95% CI：1.110～3.629,P=0.021）、怀孕期间居所装修（OR=2.506,95% CI：1.414～4.439,P=0.002）有关;多因素非条件logistic回归分析,ALL发病与性别（OR=2.037,95% CI：1.254～3.308,P=0.004）、母亲既往流产史（OR=2.078,95% CI：1.232～3.503,P=0.006）、怀孕期间居所装修（OR=1.689,95% CI：1.046～2.726,P=0.032）、母亲孕期感冒（OR=1.677,95% CI：1.018～2.764,P=0.043）、父亲职业性接触石油类产品（OR=1.988,95% CI：1.069～3.696,P=0.030）有关。结论 性别、母亲孕前流产史、怀孕期间装修史、母亲孕期感冒史、父亲职业性石油类产品接触史5项指标可能为引起儿童ALL的危险因素。     

北京市2017－2019年经报告机构转介的HIV/AIDS抗病毒治疗情况及影响因素分析

目的 了解2017-2019年北京市经报告机构转介的HIV/AIDS抗病毒治疗（ART）情况,并探讨其影响因素。方法 利用我国艾滋病防治基本信息系统中2017-2019年北京市4 917例HIV/AIDS报告卡数据及ART机构数据,无ART记录者记为ART转介失败,确证报告至启动ART的日期间隔>15 d记为ART延迟,分析ART情况及其影响因素。结果 4 917例HIV/AIDS中,16.53%（813/4 917）未成功接受ART;接受ART的4 104例HIV/AIDS中,30.63%（1 257/4 104）发生ART延迟,启动时间中位数为27（P₂₅~P₇₅：19~42）d。多因素logistic回归分析显示,由综合性医院报告（相比于ART机构,OR=1.65,95% CI：1.30~2.08）、病程阶段为HIV（相比于AIDS,OR=1.68,95% CI：1.34~2.11）、初中及以下文化程度（相比于大专及以上,OR=1.42,95% CI：1.13~1.79）、无业（相比于干部职员,OR=1.32,95% CI：1.02~1.70）、异性性传播（相比于同性性传播,OR=1.40,95% CI：1.15~1.72）、来源于专题调查和无偿献血（相比于检测咨询,OR=1.87,95% CI：1.34~2.60;OR=3.52,95% CI：1.79~6.92）者ART转介失败比例较高;由CDC（相比于ART机构,OR=1.43,95% CI：1.07~1.92）或综合性医院报告（相比于ART机构,OR=1.62,95% CI：1.32~1.98）、报告机构在郊区（相比于城区,OR=1.24,95% CI：1.01~1.52）、病程阶段为HIV（相比于AIDS,OR=1.42,95% CI：1.19~1.70）、外省户籍（相比于北京市户籍,OR=1.26,95% CI：1.07~1.48）、来源于无偿献血（相比于性病门诊,OR=2.74,95% CI：1.21~6.22）者延迟比例较高。结论 不同特征HIV/AIDS的ART转介失败及延迟比例不同,需采取有效措施进一步推进ART工作,减少ART转介失败及延迟。     

成都市知晓自身感染艾滋病病毒的男男性行为人群无保护肛交行为研究

目的 了解成都市知晓自身HIV阳性的MSM人群无保护肛交行为（UAI）的相关影响因素。方法 2015年采用方便抽样在成都招募已接受随访服务且知晓自身HIV阳性≥6个月的MSM,采用问卷调查收集MSM最近6个月性行为情况及相关信息。采用logistic回归进行单因素和多因素分析。结果 共招募知晓自身HIV阳性的MSM 330人,实际调查201人,最近6个月的UAI发生率为18.41%（37/201）。多因素logistic回归分析显示,最近1个月肛交次数≥3次（OR=6.22,95% CI：1.88～20.56）、初中及以下文化程度（OR=7.29,95% CI：1.36～39.16）、已婚/离异/丧偶（OR=4.65,95% CI：1.13～19.17）、与同性同居（OR=3.32,95% CI：1.01～10.95）是可能发生UAI的相关因素。结论 频繁同性肛交、初中及以下文化程度、已婚/离异/丧偶、与同性同居是知晓自身HIV阳性的MSM人群发生UAI的相关因素。     

中国四省市结核病发病危险因素研究

目的探讨中国东、中部广东、湖南、江苏、上海四省市结核病发病的影响因素，为结核病防控工作提供参考依据。方法2009年11月-2011年2月，采用结核病发病监测户卡对四省市若干乡镇/街道的常住人口，共进行3次以全人群为基础的入户调查。调查中的474例结核病患者作为病例组，从源人群中按地区、年龄、性别进行频数匹配，随机抽取1896位非结核病患者作为对照组，进行发病危险因素的病例对照研究。资料分析采用单因素和多因素非条件logistic回归分析。结果多因素分析结果提示，结核病史(OR=52．356，95%CI：18．956～144．607)、人均居住面积≥50 m²(OR=8．742，95%CI：1．107～69．064)、结核病患者接触史(OR-6．083，95%CI：2．336～15．839)、外来人口(OR=3．306，95%CI：1．907～5．734)是结核病发生的危险因素，文化程度高(OR=O．284，95%CI：0．110～0．733)是其保护因素。结论加强对既往有结核病史者、结核病接触者以及外来人口的结核病管理控制工作，将有助于降低结核病的流行强度。     

台州市2006－2019年HIV/AIDS抗病毒治疗策略与免疫学效果的关联及影响因素分析

目的 分析2006－2019年台州市HIV/AIDS立即抗病毒治疗（ART）的影响因素,探讨不同ART策略与免疫学效果随时间变化的关联。方法 采用回顾性队列研究和logistic回归模型分析立即ART影响因素,采用t检验和χ²检验比较不同ART策略的免疫学效果差异,采用Kaplan-Meier（K-M）法绘制生存曲线。结果 2006－2019年台州市2 971例HIV/AIDS中,立即ART组1 786例（占60.1%）,其中2016－2019年立即ART的比例为77.8%（1 170/1 504）。2006－2019年立即ART组的成功率（87.4%,1 561/1 786）高于延迟ART组（84.4%,1 000/1 185）。多因素logistic回归分析结果显示,HIV/AIDS立即ART的影响因素中,男性（aOR=1.28,95% CI：1.03~1.59）、已婚（aOR=1.71,95% CI：1.33~2.19）、基线CD₄⁺T淋巴细胞（CD₄）计数≤200个/μl（aOR=1.60,95% CI：1.27~2.02）与立即ART呈正相关;31~40岁（aOR=0.63,95% CI：0.48~0.84）、感染途径为异性性传播（aOR=0.60,95% CI：0.49~0.74）、确证时间为2015年及以前（aOR=0.20,95% CI：0.17~0.23）与立即ART呈负相关。立即ART组各年份CD₄/CD₈比值的增幅和ART累积成功率均大于延迟ART组（P<0.05）。结论 2006－2019年台州市HIV/AIDS立即ART策略落实较好,立即ART比例超过60.0%,立即ART组的ART免疫学效果较好。针对HIV/AIDS中31~40岁、女性、未婚和异性性传播者,需加强立即ART的健康教育工作,进一步提高ART效果。     

中国2014年新报告男男性行为者中HIV感染者婚姻及配偶感染现状

目的 分析我国2014年新报告MSM中HIV感染者（MSM感染者）婚姻及配偶感染现况及相关因素。方法 收集国家艾滋病综合防治信息系统2014年新报告、经男男性行为途径感染HIV、≥22周岁的MSM感染者基线和随访信息。根据确诊后180 d内配偶首次HIV检测结果，分为“检测发现前发生配偶传播”和“检测发现前未发生配偶传播”两种感染类型。应用logistic回归分析检测发现前发生配偶间传播的相关因素。结果 共有22 337例MSM感染者纳入分析，22.7%（5 081/22 337）为已婚有配偶者，3 715例感染者确证后180 d内其配偶进行首次检测，7.6%（282/3 715）配偶为HIV阳性。多因素logistic回归分析显示，检测发现前发生配偶传播的相关因素包括MSM感染者年龄≥60岁（OR=2.64， 95% CI：1.50～4.65）、少数民族（OR=1.93， 95% CI：1.13～3.29）、CD₄⁺T淋巴细胞（CD₄）≤500个/μl［CD₄<200个/μl： OR=2.91（95% CI： 1.82～4.65）；CD₄为200～349个/μl： OR=1.98（95% CI： 1.22～3.23）；CD₄为350～500个/μl： OR=1.69（95% CI：1.00～2.86）］、自我报告不安全性行为（OR=1.92， 95% CI： 1.44～2.58）。结论 应加强MSM感染者中的已婚有配偶者的行为干预和HIV检测，尽早发现感染者，减少其传播给配偶的机会。     

天津市中老年社区居民性活跃现状及相关因素分析

目的 了解天津市中老年社区居民性活跃现状及其相关因素。方法 2020年6月至2022年12月，通过多阶段抽样方法，对天津市≥50岁中老年社区居民开展横断面调查。样本量估计数为735名。通过调查员面对面收集问卷，包括社会人口学特征、健康特征以及性生活方式有关特征等相关信息。采用多因素logistic回归模型分析性活跃状态的相关因素。结果 共纳入776名研究对象（男性和女性分别为510名和266名），年龄以50~59岁（45.9%）为主。总体性活跃率为45.6%。年龄更大（60~69岁：aOR=0.67，95%CI：0.45~0.99；≥70岁：aOR=0.12，95%CI：0.07~0.21）、男性（aOR=1.93，95%CI：1.32~2.82）、城镇居民（aOR=0.18，95%CI：0.12~0.28）、同居/已婚（aOR=2.80，95%CI：1.41~5.58）、独居（aOR=0.51，95%CI：0.27~0.96）、爬楼或行走困难（aOR=0.55，95%CI：0.31~0.97）、现患慢性病（1种：aOR=0.55，95%CI：0.36~0.85；≥2种：aOR=0.53，95%CI：0.33~0.84）与性活跃状态有关。结论 相当比例的中老年社区居民仍然保持性活跃。身体健康状况与中老年社区居民的性活跃状态存在关联。应将性健康服务纳入中老年社区居民卫生保健服务范围，加强社区卫生服务人员的性健康相关服务意识和技能。     

云南省德宏傣族景颇族自治州2015年新报告缅甸籍HIV感染者高危行为调查

目的 了解云南省德宏傣族景颇族自治州（德宏州）缅甸籍HIV感染者相关人口统计学与高危行为特征。方法 以德宏州2015年新报告的缅甸籍感染者为研究对象,开展横断面调查,收集其入境德宏地区的目的、住宿地点、停留时间等社会人口统计学信息以及艾滋病高危行为发生情况。结果 共调查489例缅甸籍感染者,其中男性367例（75.1%）;初中以下文化程度者407例（83.2%）;371例（75.9%）来自与德宏州相邻的克钦邦和掸邦; 339例（69.3%）为务工/经商进入德宏州。23.3%（113/485）的感染者存在无保护性行为,多因素logistic回归分析显示,感染者发生无保护性行为的危险因素包括有配偶/固定性伴（OR=12.98,95%CI：6.53～25.83,P<0.001）,居住在打工场所（OR=2.88,95%CI：1.09～7.61,P=0.033）、出租屋（OR=5.36,95%CI：1.94～14.84,P=0.001）和自己家（OR=5.14,95%CI：1.36～19.35,P=0.016）。32.0%（156/487）的感染者有吸毒行为,多因素logistic回归分析结果显示,感染者发生吸毒行为的危险因素包括男性（OR=15.61,95%CI：6.47～37.69,P<0.001）,文盲（OR=2.89,95%CI：1.44～5.84,P=0.003）,来自克钦邦（OR=3.01,95%CI：1.50～6.04,P=0.002）、掸邦（OR=5.30,95%CI：2.66～10.58,P<0.001）,经便道/其他方式入境（OR=1.93,95%CI：1.18～3.14,P=0.009）,居住在亲友家（OR=5.78,95%CI：2.01～16.61,P=0.001）、打工场所（OR=6.67,95%CI：3.06～14.53,P<0.001）、出租屋（OR=11.84,95%CI：4.76～29.47,P<0.001）、自己家（OR=6.77,95%CI：1.84～24.85,P=0.004）。结论 德宏州内缅甸籍HIV感染者流动性大,感染状态知晓比例低而艾滋病相关高危行为发生率较高,给德宏州艾滋病防治工作带来巨大挑战,相关机构需积极探索有效的随访管理办法。     

The human drama of genetics: 'hard' and 'soft' media representations of inherited breast cancer

This paper examines media coverage of 'breast cancer genetics', and explores its implications for public understanding. We present a content analysis of coverage in British newspapers and look at a variety of popular forms, including women's magazines, television soap opera and radio drama. Genetic/inherited risk receives a great deal of coverage across a wide range of media formats and outlets. Much of this attention has focused on individuals from 'high risk families' and dilemmas around prophylactic mastectomies. Through examining media coverage, combined with interviews with media personnel and their sources, we show why this story proved so attractive to the media and highlight the different production values which influence coverage. Finally, we introduce preliminary findings from focus group discussions to demonstrate how such 'human interest' framing has engaged audience attention and influenced public understandings. The paper concludes by highlighting the implications for analysing, predicting, and engaging with, media representations of science.     

Die sogenannte Vinylchlorid-Krankheit—eine berufsbedingte Systemsklerose?

Zusammenfassung Es wurden 13 Arbeiter untersucht, die zwischen 1 3/4 und 18 Jahren in einem PVC-herstellenden Betrieb beschäftigt waren. 8 von ihnen wiesen sklerodermieartige Hautveränderungen (Abb. 2) auf, die histologisch charakterisiert sind durch Verbreiterung und Homogenisierung der kollagenen Faserbündel (Abb. 3 u. 4) sowie Fragmentation und Rarefizierung der elastischen Fasern (Abb. 5). Bei 7 Patienten bestanden trommelschlegelartige Auftreibungen einzelner Fingerendphalangen (Abb. 1). 11 Patienten zeigten Durchblutungsstörungen der Extremitäten (4 von diesen ein Raynaud-Syndrom) und 6 Patienten Acroosteolysen einzelner Fingerendphalangen (Abb. 6, Tabellen 1–3).Darüber hinaus bestand bei allen Patienten eine Thrombocytopenie, bei 12 Patienten eine Splenomegalie, bei 11 Patienten eine Einschränkung der Leberfunktion (erhöhte BSP-Retention). An der Leber ließ sich histologisch bei den 5 laparoskopierten Patienten eine deutliche Fibrosierung der Portalfelder nachweisen. Bei 4 Patienten bestanden Oesophagusvaricen (Tabellen 4 u. 5). 8 Patienten zeigten eine Partialinsuffizienz mit Hinweisen für vorwiegend restriktive Veränderungen.Die hier beschriebenen Veränderungen gehen weit über das bisher bekannte Acroosteolysesyndrom hinaus. Es wird der dringende Verdacht geäußert, daß langfristige Vinylchlorid-Exposition dieses komplexe Krankheitsbild verursacht. Daher wird für diese systemische Krankheit die Bezeichnung Vinylchlorid-Krankheit vorgeschlagen.Wir danken Frau E. Voigtländer für die Herstellung der klinischen und histologischen Abbildungen.     

Empathic processes: perception by medical students of patients'' anxiety and depression

Perceptions by medical students of patients' affective states were investigated, and the effect of the students' own emotions on such perceptions. One hundred and one fourth-year medical students rated the levels of anxiety and depression of three women patients presented on videotape, rated their own levels of anxiety and depression and completed a questionnaire on aspects of the rating process. Students had widely different and often inappropriate perceptions of patients' levels of anxiety and depression. Students who consistently overrated anxiety or depression in patients, compared to those who consistently underrated, were themselves significantly more anxious or depressed. These data suggest a need in medical education for systematic teaching of empathic skills and for recognition of potential bias in clinical decision-making arising from the clinician's own emotional state.     

The reported incidence of work-related ill-health in Scotland (2002-2003)

BACKGROUND: Although incidence data for work-related ill-health in the UK are available, more detailed information for smaller geographical areas has hitherto been unpublished. AIMS: To estimate the incidence of work-related ill-health reported by clinical specialists in Scotland, 2002-2003. METHODS: THOR (The Health and Occupation Reporting network) is a UK wide reporting scheme for work-related ill-health. In 2002-2003, 241 out of 2162 physicians in THOR were based in Scotland. We have summarized the reported cases and calculated incidence rates for categories of ill-health by age, gender and industry. The UK Labour Force Survey (2002) was used to provide denominator data, with comparisons made between rates for Scotland and the rest of the UK. RESULTS: In 2002-2003, 4043 estimated cases were reported from Scotland. Mental ill-health was most frequently reported (41%); followed by musculoskeletal disorders (31%), skin disorders (16%), respiratory disease (10%), hearing disorders (2%) and infection (1%). The reported average annual incidence rate per 100,000 employees for all work-related ill-health in Scotland was 86.0. The highest reported rate for mental ill-health was found for employees in public administration and defence (76.7 per 100,000), and health and social work (72.3 per 100,000). The construction industry had the highest reported rate of musculoskeletal disorders (41.6 per 100,000), while hairdressers appeared at most risk of developing occupational contact dermatitis (rate=86.4 per 100,000). CONCLUSIONS: Despite its limitations, THOR has indicated types of work-related ill-health and related industries for targeted disease prevention in Scotland.     

Function of the protein RPE65 in the visual cycle

A protein called RPE65 performs a key role in the trans-cis isomerization of retinol in the retinal pigment epithelium of the eye. The palmitoylation of RPE65 serves to switch off the visual cycle in darkness and to switch it on in the light.     

Worker education in the primary prevention of occupational dermatoses

This paper reports the evaluation of a skin care education programmeconducted on a fine chemicals manufacturing site where over1,000 employees are located. Approximately 60% are involvedin chemical manufacture. Over a 12 month period production staffreceived training in prevention of occupational dermatoses linkedto a site-wide poster initiative. The incidence of new casesof occupational dermatoses fell from 0.055 (70 cases in 1,277employees) to 0.021 (27 cases in 1,277 employees) before andafter the intervention respectively (p<0.0001). After otherfactors such as chemicals handled, observer bias and changesin reporting related to socioeconomic climate were taken intoaccount it is concluded that this study demonstrates the importanceof worker education as a tool for primary prevention of disease.Training materials such as video and poster presentations maybe effectively used in the chemical manufacturing industry asan adjunct to prevention and control of exposure to substanceshazardous to the skin. Such methods may also be used in otherindustries where there are significant risks of dermatoses.     

Regional Variation in Travel-related Illness acquired in Africa,March 1997–May 2011

To understand geographic variation in travel-related illness acquired in distinct African regions, we used the GeoSentinel Surveillance Network database to analyze records for 16,893 ill travelers returning from Africa over a 14-year period. Travelers to northern Africa most commonly reported gastrointestinal illnesses and dog bites. Febrile illnesses were more common in travelers returning from sub-Saharan countries. Eleven travelers died, 9 of malaria; these deaths occurred mainly among male business travelers to sub-Saharan Africa. The profile of illness varied substantially by region: malaria predominated in travelers returning from Central and Western Africa; schistosomiasis, strongyloidiasis, and dengue from Eastern and Western Africa; and loaisis from Central Africa. There were few reports of vaccine-preventable infections, HIV infection, and tuberculosis. Geographic profiling of illness acquired during travel to Africa guides targeted pretravel advice, expedites diagnosis in ill returning travelers, and may influence destination choices in tourism.     

The design of hazard risk assessment matrices for ranking occupational health risks and their application in mining and minerals processing

Two hazard risk assessment matrices for the ranking of occupational health risks are described. The qualitative matrix uses qualitative measures of probability and consequence to determine risk assessment codes for hazard-disease combinations. A walk-through survey of an underground metalliferous mine and concentrator is used to demonstrate how the qualitative matrix can be applied to determine priorities for the control of occupational health hazards. The semi-quantitative matrix uses attributable risk as a quantitative measure of probability and uses qualitative measures of consequence. A practical application of this matrix is the determination of occupational health priorities using existing epidemiological studies. Calculated attributable risks from epidemiological studies of hazard-disease combinations in mining and minerals processing are used as examples. These historic response data do not reflect the risks associated with current exposures. A method using current exposure data, known exposure-response relationships and the semi-quantitative matrix is proposed for more accurate and current risk rankings.     

Acute symptoms following work with pesticides

BACKGROUND: Serious accidental poisoning by pesticides is rare in the UK, but more minor pesticide-related illness may be under-reported. Anecdotally, use of sheep dip has been linked with flu-like symptoms. AIM: To explore the frequency, nature and determinants of acute symptoms following work with pesticides. METHODS: A postal survey of men in three rural areas of England and Wales provided data on occupational use of five categories of pesticide, occurrence of 12 specified symptoms within 48 h of using pesticides and tendency to somatize. Risk factors for pesticide-related symptoms were assessed by modified Cox regression. RESULTS: Of 10 765 responders (response rate = 31%), 4108 had at some time used pesticides occupationally, including 935 (23%) who reported symptoms following such work on at least one occasion. In two areas, acute symptoms were most frequent following use of sheep dip (29 and 32% of users), but in the third area the rate was significantly lower (13% of users). The relative frequency of symptoms was similar for all five categories of pesticide, and flu-like symptoms did not cluster unusually among users of sheep dip. Risk of pesticide-related symptoms increased with somatizing tendency (prevalence ratio for highest versus lowest category 2.4, 95% confidence interval 2.0-3.0) and was higher in men who had used pesticides most often or handled concentrate. CONCLUSION: Acute symptoms are common following work with pesticides, but in many cases the illness may arise through psychological rather than toxic mechanisms.