新型毒品滥用对男男性行为人群高危性行为的影响

目的 了解新型毒品滥用对MSM高危性行为及HIV感染的影响,为制订有针对性的艾滋病防治对策和干预措施提供依据。方法 2019年4-7月在山东省3个MSM监测哨点,收集当地MSM人口学特征、相关行为信息,采集血样做HIV和梅毒检测。结果 共调查MSM 1 203人,年龄（30.2±8.9）岁,未婚815人（67.7%）,大专及以上文化程度805人（66.9%）;曾经使用过新型毒品的比例为54.2%（652/1 203）;最近6个月发生过无保护肛交和群交行为的比例分别为62.2%（721/1 160）和16.3%（189/1 160）;HIV和梅毒抗体阳性率分别为3.1%（37/1 203）和4.7%（56/1 203）。多因素logistic回归分析结果显示,MSM最近6个月发生无保护性肛交的影响因素中,来自青岛市是济南市的1.59倍（95% CI：1.13～2.23）、高中及以下文化程度是大专及以上文化程度的1.61倍（95% CI：1.20～2.16）、从酒吧/歌舞厅等场所寻找男性性伴的是互联网/交友软件的1.69倍（95% CI：1.06～2.69）、艾滋病知识得分<6分是≥6分的1.55倍（95% CI：1.01～2.37）、最近1周同性性伴数≥2人是<2人的1.48倍（95% CI：1.12～1.95）、最近6个月发生群交行为是无群交行为的2.43倍（95% CI：1.61～3.67）,曾使用新型毒品是未使用毒品的1.46倍（95% CI：1.11～1.91）。MSM最近6个月发生群交行为的影响因素中,来自青岛市是济南市的2.21倍（95% CI：1.45～3.38）、外省户籍是本省户籍的2.13倍（95% CI：1.28～3.55）、艾滋病知识得分≥6分是<6分的3.11倍（95% CI：1.55～6.25）、最近6个月肛交未坚持使用安全套是坚持使用安全套的2.60倍（95% CI：1.71～3.96）、最近6个月有同性商业性行为是无同性商业性行为的3.38倍（95% CI：1.92～5.95）、曾经使用过新型毒品是未使用毒品的2.71倍（95% CI：1.82～4.04）、最近1年未检测HIV是检测HIV的2.66倍（95% CI：1.59～4.43）。结论 山东省MSM人群中使用新型毒品现象普遍,新型毒品滥用促进该人群无保护性行为和群交行为的发生,应重点加强对吸毒MSM监测和干预力度。     

2007-2021年我国诺如病毒急性胃肠炎暴发疫情流行特征及影响因素分析

目的 分析我国诺如病毒急性胃肠炎暴发疫情流行病学特征,探讨暴发疫情规模的影响因素,为及早控制暴发疫情提供科学依据。方法 对突发公共卫生事件管理信息系统2007年1月1日至2021年12月31日全国诺如病毒急性胃肠炎暴发疫情进行描述性流行病学分析,应用非条件logistic回归模型分析暴发疫情规模的影响因素。结果 2007-2021年共报告暴发诺如病毒急性胃肠炎疫情1 725起,报告疫情起数呈上升趋势。南方省份每年10月至次年3月为疫情高峰,北方省份疫情高峰为每年10-12月和次年3-6月。疫情报告地区从东南沿海省份逐步向中部、东北和西部省份扩散。疫情主要发生在学校和托幼机构（1 539起,89.22%）,其次为企事业单位（67起,3.88%）和社区家庭（55起,3.19%）。人与人接触为主要传播途径1 262起（73.16%）,GⅡ基因型为引起暴发疫情的主要病原型别（899起,81.58%）。首例病例发病至疫情报告时间间隔M（Q₁,Q₃）为3（2,6）d,疫情规模M（Q₁,Q₃）为38（28,62）例。近年来,疫情报告及时性提升,疫情规模随年份呈下降趋势,二者在不同发生场所之间差异均有统计学意义（P<0.001）。发生场所、传播途径、报告及时性和居住地类型是暴发疫情规模的影响因素（P<0.05）。结论 2007-2021年我国诺如病毒急性胃肠炎暴发疫情整体呈上升趋势,疫情波及地区范围不断扩大,但疫情发生规模整体呈下降趋势,疫情报告及时性提升,提高监测灵敏度和及早报告可有效控制疫情发生规模。     

浙江省艾滋病综合防治示范区低档暗娼肛交行为调查

目的 分析浙江省艾滋病综合防治示范区低档暗娼与嫖客发生肛交行为的相关情况及影响因素。方法 2013年在浙江省21个艾滋病综合防治示范区开展低档暗娼调查。以最近1个月是否与嫖客发生过肛交为因变量,其他行为感知、行为特征等为自变量,采用logistic回归模型分析低档暗娼肛交行为发生的相关因素。结果 共调查低档暗娼2 645人,≥26岁占67.9%（1 796/2 645）、初中及以下文化程度占89.9%（2 378/2 645）、已婚占58.4%（1 546/2 645）、外省籍占78.2%（2 068/2 645）、月均收入≤4 000元的占68.6%（1 814/2 645）;最近1个月与嫖客肛交发生率为5.03%（133/2 645）。多因素logistic回归分析结果显示,低档暗娼最近1个月与嫖客发生肛交的影响因素包括：性服务类型为发廊/按摩店、路边店和其他场所服务,分别是站街服务的7.31倍（95% CI：2.27～23.59）、7.89倍（95% CI：2.27～27.40）和4.65倍（95% CI： 1.23～17.53）;性服务地区数量≥4个县（区）是性服务仅固定在1个县（区）的1.68倍（95% CI：1.01～2.81）;最近1个月嫖客年龄段仅为中年及以上是青年和中年及以上嫖客的0.45倍（95% CI：0.30～0.66）;有STD感染风险意识者是无STD感染风险意识者的2.00倍（95% CI：1.20～3.32）;最近1个月与嫖客发生口交者是与未发生口交者的7.29倍（95% CI：4.78～11.12）。结论 浙江省艾滋病综合防治示范区的低档暗娼与嫖客的商业性行为存在肛交现象,发生口交的低档暗娼更容易发生肛交。应重点关注低档暗娼的肛交及危险行为干预。     

西安市HBsAg阳性产妇HBV宫内传播的流行病学研究

目的 了解西安市HBsAg阳性孕妇发生HBV宫内传播（BIT）现况及其影响因素,随访幼儿HBV传播转归和对乙型肝炎（乙肝）疫苗免疫应答情况。方法 2015年1月至2018年1月在陕西省西北妇女儿童医院对341例HBsAg阳性产妇进行流行病学调查,并对其所生344例新生儿于产后24 h内以及1岁后静脉血进行血清学检测。采用巢式病例对照研究设计,分组分析新生儿发生BIT、宫内显性感染（DBI）和宫内隐匿性感染（OBI）情况及其发生的影响因素,在2016年8月至2018年10月对该幼儿人群进行随访,获得高危幼儿HBV传播的转归和HBsAb阳性率。结果 HBsAg阳性产妇所生新生儿发生BIT、DBI和OBI率为46.51%（160/344）、8.14%（28/344）和38.37%（132/344）,HBeAg阳性产妇所生新生儿发生DBI和BIT的风险分别是HBeAg阴性产妇的2.60倍（95% CI：1.19～5.70）和2.21倍（95% CI：1.36～3.61）;产妇外周血HBV DNA载量≥200、≥10³和>10⁶拷贝/ml者所生新生儿发生BIT的风险分别是<200、<10³和≤10⁶拷贝/ml者的1.99倍（95% CI：1.29～3.08）、1.73倍（95% CI：1.11～2.69）及2.33倍（95% CI：1.33～4.10）;发生前置胎盘产妇所生新生儿发生DBI是无前置胎盘者的14.07倍（95% CI：1.23～160.76）;孕期未注射乙肝免疫球蛋白者所生新生儿发生BIT是注射者的1.60倍（95% CI：1.02～2.53）。随访发现,14例DBI幼儿,9例发生HBsAg转阴（9/14）;OBI率为24.17%（22/91）;乙肝疫苗免疫总的应答率为69.23%（63/91）。OBI幼儿的乙肝疫苗免疫应答率为59.09%（13/22）。结论 HBsAg阳性产妇所生幼儿随访中发现,OBI较高,乙肝疫苗应答率较低,是乙肝防控的空白区域,应加强育龄妇女及幼儿HBV监测、HBsAg阳性产妇控制乙肝干预是控制传染源和保护易感人群的重要措施。     

台州市2006-2019年艾滋病抗病毒治疗免疫学失败风险分析

目的 分析台州市2006-2019年HIV/AIDS抗病毒治疗免疫学失败情况、基线贫血与免疫学失败关联及其影响因素。方法 采用回顾性队列研究设计和Cox回归分析免疫学失败的影响因素,采用logistic回归分析HIV/AIDS基线贫血的影响因素。结果 共纳入2 904例HIV/AIDS,抗病毒治疗随访时间中位数为28（P₂₅～P₇₅：12～53）个月。抗病毒治疗免疫学失败177例（占6.1%）,失败率为2.17人/100人年,第1、3、5和10年免疫学失败累积发生率分别为5.49%、6.94%、7.30%和8.82%。多因素logistic回归分析结果显示,HIV/AIDS基线贫血的影响因素中,≥66岁组是18～25岁组的4.17倍（95% CI：1.68～10.33）、男性是女性的0.67倍（95% CI：0.50～0.89）、CD₄<200个/μl是CD₄≥350个/μl的4.35倍（95% CI：2.81～6.72）、基线白细胞计数<4.0×10⁹/L是4.0×10⁹/L～9.9×10⁹/L的1.73倍（95% CI：1.31～2.29）、基线血小板计数<100×10⁹/L和>300×10⁹/L分别是100×10⁹/L～299×10⁹/L的2.02倍（95% CI：1.36～3.01）和4.45倍（95% CI：3.05～6.50）、WHO临床Ⅲ/Ⅳ期是Ⅰ/Ⅱ期的2.15倍（95% CI：1.61～2.87）、异性性传播是同性性传播的2.03倍（95% CI：1.42～2.92）。多因素Cox比例风险回归分析结果显示,HIV/AIDS抗病毒治疗免疫学失败的影响因素中,基线贫血是无贫血的1.77倍（95% CI：1.20～2.60）、WHO临床Ⅲ/Ⅳ期是Ⅰ/Ⅱ期的1.66倍（95% CI：1.10～2.48）、随访状态为退出和死亡分别是在治的3.18倍（95% CI：1.96～5.19）和4.61倍（95% CI：2.98～7.13）。结论 台州市HIV/AIDS抗病毒治疗免疫学效果受贫血、临床分期、随访状态等因素影响。应加强HIV/AIDS基线贫血监测,及时纠正老年贫血等危险因素,以进一步提高抗病毒治疗效果。     

职业有害因素对钢铁工人糖尿病前期的影响

目的 调查唐山市某钢铁集团工人糖尿病前期（pre-diabetes mellitus,PDM）的患病情况,并分析职业因素对该人群PDM的影响。方法 2017年2-6月,采用整群抽样的方法选择某钢铁集团工龄≥1年、FPG≤6.9 mmol/L,且调查时未患有糖尿病的参加职业健康体检的在职职工作为研究对象,并对他们进行问卷调查、体格检查和FPG检测。结果 本次研究共调查4 173名工人,糖尿病前期患病率为63.4%。随着工龄的延长PDM患病风险在增加;工作时间>8 h/d的工人PDM的患病风险是工作时间≤8 h/d的工人的1.696倍（95% CI：1.517～1.937）;仅接触高温、噪声、CO的工人PDM患病风险是高温、噪声、CO均不接触工人的1.782倍（95% CI：1.205～2.636）、1.815倍（95% CI：1.209～2.794）和1.653倍（95% CI：1.158～2.361）;高温、噪声联合暴露的工人PDM患病风险是均不接触的2.098倍（95% CI：1.296～3.397）; 3种职业有害因素均接触的工人PDM患病风险为均不接触者的4.414倍（95% CI：3.051～6.386）。结论 工作时间、高温暴露、噪声暴露和CO暴露是影响糖尿病前期的职业因素。     

北京市2005-2012年男男性行为者同伴推动抽样法HIV监测分析

目的 探索采用同伴推动抽样法（Respondent-Driven Sampling,RDS）开展MSM HIV监测的可行性及该人群HIV感染趋势分析。方法 2005-2012年每年4-10月采用RDS法在北京征募MSM开展调查,了解目标人群人口学特征、艾滋病相关危险行为以及HIV和梅毒感染状况。结果 2005-2012年各调查427,540,607,614,616,602,579和600名MSM。HIV感染率由2005年的4.2%（95% CI：1.9～7.0）上升至2012年的10.1%（95% CI：7.2～13.2,P=0.02）。外地户籍、25岁以上和高中及以下教育水平MSM HIV感染率人群估计分别从3.3%（95% CI：1.8～5.4）、6.4%（95% CI：2.2～9.5）和5.5%（95% CI：2.2～8.9）升至2012年的10.7%（95% CI：7.8～14.6,P=0.04）、7.6%（95% CI：5.4～10.3,P=0.04）和10.4%（95% CI：7.2～14.3,P=0.04）。25岁及以下者和高中以上文化程度者HIV感染率分别自2009和2007年起开始上升,从1.7%（95% CI：0.4～3.1）和1.1%（95% CI：0.2～1.7）升至13.7%（95% CI：7.2～20.4）和9.1%（95% CI：4.7～13.8）,未达显著性水平。最近6个月有2～9名男性伴者HIV感染率由2005年的4.0%（95% CI：1.0～8.0）上升至2012年的12.6%（95% CI：8.7～16.7,P=0.02）。结论 RDS是一种稳定性较高的隐匿人群抽样方法,可用于长期监测。2005-2012年北京市MSM人群HIV感染率呈上升趋势,应重点关注MSM人群中的年轻人及高学历者。     

传统及联合脂质代谢指标与糖尿病发病关系的巢式病例对照研究

目的 探讨脂质参数与糖尿病发病的关系,并将传统脂质参数与联合脂质参数进行比较,以期探讨、识别和预测糖尿病患者的最佳替代指标。方法 以金昌队列为基础,采用巢式病例对照研究方法,排除恶性肿瘤和相关内分泌、循环系统疾病后抽取随访期内新发糖尿病者1 025例作为病例组,然后按照年龄±2岁、性别进行1：1匹配获得对照组1 025例,进而研究脂质参数与糖尿病的关系。结果 传统脂质参数中,TG、TC和LDL-C水平的第四分位数组的糖尿病发病风险较高,分别是第一分位数组的14.00倍（95%CI：9.73~20.15）、2.15倍（95%CI：1.65~2.79）和1.66倍（95%CI：1.29~2.14）,HDL-C水平的第四分位数组的糖尿病发病风险是第一分位数组的0.21倍（95%CI：0.15~0.28）。联合脂质参数中,TG/HDL-C、TC/HDL-C、LDL-C/HDL-C和非HDL-C水平的第四分位数组的糖尿病发病风险较高,分别是第一分位数组的14.86倍（95%CI：10.35~21.34）、8.12倍（95%CI：5.94~11.01）、5.85倍（95%CI：4.34~7.88）和5.20倍（95%CI：3.85~7.03）。TG、TC、HDL-C、LDL-C、TG/HDL-C、TC/HDL-C、LDL-C/HDL-C、非HDL-C的受试者工作特征曲线下面积分别为0.76（95%CI：0.74~0.78）、0.59（95%CI：0.57~0.61）、0.67（95%CI：0.65~0.69）、0.57（95%CI：0.55~0.59）、0.77（95%CI：0.75~0.78）、0.73（95%CI：0.71~0.75）、0.69（95%CI：0.67~0.71）、0.66（95%CI：0.64~0.68）;预测糖尿病的最佳切点分别为1.40、4.70、1.28、3.25、1.17、3.43、2.46、3.58 mmol/L。结论 脂质代谢紊乱是糖尿病的危险因素。TG和TG/HDL-C是较好的糖尿病预测指标。     

全国疾病监测点35岁及以上糖尿病患者管理现状研究

目的 通过分析全国横断面调查数据,对中国≥35岁居民的糖尿病社区管理现状和血糖控制的情况进行评价。方法 在2013-2014年中国慢性病及其危险因素监测的所有调查对象中,通过整群抽样的方法选取≥35岁且被乡镇（社区）级或以上医院诊断为糖尿病的患者作为研究对象。应用问卷收集调查对象的一般人口学特征、参加社区糖尿病管理、糖尿病治疗及控制的情况。测定调查对象的FPG和服糖后2 h血糖。采用复杂加权计算调查对象不同特征的率及其95% CI,率的比较采用Rao-scott χ²检验。结果 在10 056名调查对象中,有4 609例参加了糖尿病社区管理,管理率为45.0%（95% CI：40.8%～49.2%）。女性的社区管理率（46.9%,95% CI：42.8%～51.0%）高于男性（43.0%,95% CI：38.1%～47.9%）,农村地区人群管理率（50.4%,95% CI：46.3%～54.5%）高于城市地区（41.6%,95% CI：35.5%～47.6%）。管理率在不同年龄组间的差异有统计学意义（χ²=21.0,P<0.01）,≥65岁组管理率最高,为49.2%（95% CI：43.6%～54.7%）,35～44岁组最低,为35.2%（95% CI：27.9%～42.4%）。纳入糖尿病社区管理的患者的规范管理率为16.7%（95% CI：13.7%～19.7%）,城市患者的规范管理率为19.7%（95% CI：15.3%～24.1%）,高于农村（12.8%,95% CI：9.8%～15.8%）。参与社区糖尿病管理的患者治疗率为95.8%（95% CI：94.8%～96.9%）。女性患者的治疗率为97.0%（95% CI：96.0%～98.0%）,高于男性（94.5%,95% CI：92.7%～96.4%）。纳入糖尿病管理患者的血糖控制率为34.6%（95% CI：31.5%～37.6%）,≥65岁患者的血糖控制率最高,为38.2%（95% CI：33.4%～43.0%）,45～54岁的患者血糖控制率最低,为34.4%（95% CI：26.7%～42.0%）。结论 中国≥35岁的糖尿病患者的社区规范管理率和血糖控制率较低,需要进一步提高社区配置和加强规范化管理。     

贵州省1996－2015年注射吸毒人群HIV/AIDS死亡率及其影响因素分析

目的 了解贵州省注射吸毒人群中HIV/AIDS死亡情况及其影响因素,为降低HIV/AIDS死亡率提供参考依据。方法 采用回顾性队列研究方法,以我国艾滋病防治基本信息系统中1996－2015年贵州省注射吸毒人群HIV/AIDS为研究对象,应用Cox比例风险回归模型分析其死亡的影响因素。结果 共有3 958例注射吸毒HIV/AIDS纳入分析,全死因的死亡比例为44.01%（1 742/3 958）,总死亡率为7.80/100人年,生存时间M=8.08年;抗病毒治疗（ART）组死亡率为3.57/100人年,美沙酮维持治疗（MMT）组死亡率为4.08/100人年。多因素Cox回归分析结果显示,研究对象的死亡与性别、民族、确认HIV阳性时年龄、确认HIV阳性后首次CD₄⁺T淋巴细胞计数（CD₄）、ART和MMT有关;女性的死亡风险是男性的0.82倍（95% CI：0.69～0.98）;少数民族的死亡风险是汉族的1.39倍（95% CI：1.21～1.60）;确认HIV阳性时年龄≥50岁的死亡风险是<20岁的2.44倍（95% CI：1.07～5.56）;确认HIV阳性后首次CD₄≥500个/μl组的死亡风险是CD₄<200个/μl组的0.27倍（95% CI：0.22～0.32）;未参加ART的死亡风险是参加者的2.83倍（95% CI：2.45～3.26）;未参加MMT的死亡风险是参加者的1.35倍（95% CI：1.15～1.59）。结论 1996－2015年贵州省注射吸毒人群HIV/AIDS中,男性、确认HIV阳性时年龄较大者、确认HIV阳性后首次CD₄较低、未参加ART和MMT的病例,死亡风险较高。     

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.     

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.     

Psychopathological features of a patient population of targets of workplace bullying

BACKGROUND: A strong association between workplace bullying and subsequent anxiety and depression, indicated by empirical research, suggests that bullying is an aetiological factor for mental health problems. AIMS: To evaluate levels of stress and anxiety-depression disorder developed by targets of workplace bullying together with outcome at 12 months and to characterize this population in terms of psychopathology and sociodemographic features. METHODS: Forty-eight patients (36 women and 12 men) meeting Leymann Inventory of Psychological Terror criteria for bullying were included in a prospective study. Evaluations were performed at first consultation and at 12 months using a standard clinical interview, a visual analogue scale of stress, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) scale, the Beech scale of stress in the workplace and a projective test (Picture-Frustration Study). RESULTS: At first consultation, 81% of patients showed high levels of perceived stress at work and 83 and 52% presented with anxiety or depression, respectively. At 12 months, only 19% of working patients expressed a feeling of stress at work. There was a significant change in symptoms of anxiety while there was no change in symptoms of depression. Stress at work and depression influenced significatively capacity to go back to work. At 12-month assessments, workers showed a significantly better score on the HAD scale than non-workers. Over half the targets presented a neuroticism-related predominant personality trait. CONCLUSION: Workplace bullying can have severe mental health repercussions, triggering serious and persistent underlying disorders.     

The rise and fall in incidence of malignant mesothelioma from a British Naval Dockyard, 1979-1999

BACKGROUND: The incidence of malignant mesothelioma in Britain is predicted to rise over the next 15-25 years because of past failure to protect the workforce against inhalation of asbestos. In British Naval dockyards, alternative insulation materials and respiratory protection were introduced from the mid-1960s. Aims This study was carried out to investigate the effects of these control measures on mesothelioma deaths in dockyard workers. METHODS: Cases of mesothelioma of the pleura and peritoneum between 1979 and 1999 in workers from the Devonport Naval Dockyard, south-west England, were sought from coroners' and medico-legal records. RESULTS: Three hundred and one cases were identified, 7% peritoneal. The peak incidence occurred in 1991 with 25 cases per annum (quadratic model fit R(2) = 74.2%, P < 0.001) and we predict that by 2003 the incidence will fall to fewer than five cases per annum. The mean time between first exposure and presentation was 48.5 years [95% confidence interval (CI) = 47.3-49.8], but this was significantly shorter in the more heavily exposed trades, when compared with the less heavily exposed (42 years, 95% CI = 39.0-45.0, versus 49.5 years, 95% CI = 48.2-50.9). Those with higher exposure were also at significantly greater risk of peritoneal disease (P < 0.023, Fisher's exact test). CONCLUSION: The reduction in incidence of mesothelioma is greater than can be accounted for by reduction in numbers of dockyard workers over the last 50 years. Changes in insulation materials and improved industrial hygiene measures introduced into the Devonport Dockyard from the mid-1960s have resulted in an earlier decline in the incidence of malignant mesothelioma than that predicted for the British workforce as a whole.     

Organophosphate toxicity and occupational exposure

The ubiquitous organophosphates present a continuing health hazard in agriculture, public health eradication programmes and as chemical warfare agents. Despite significant progress in understanding the potential mechanisms of toxicity far beyond the commonly accepted mechanism of cholinesterase inhibition in intentional exposures, the precise health effects following occupational exposures are yet to be completely defined. A much greater understanding exists of the clinical features of organophosphate poisoning. These are characterized by a triphasic response involving an initial acute cholinergic phase, an intermediate syndrome (both associated with high mortality) and a disabling but non-lethal delayed polyneuropathy. The delayed polyneuropathy may occur in the absence of the cholinergic or intermediate phases. However, progress is still required in order to improve the quantification and assessment of occupational exposures and the implementation of appropriate preventive measures. Finally, evidence-based guidelines for appropriate or optimal therapeutic interventions following poisoning are required urgently and collaborative work with colleagues in developing countries, where the occurrence of organophosphate exposures is more frequent, may provide the answers.     

Miliaria rubra of the lower limbs in underground miners

This report documents a case series of miliaria rubra of the lower limbs in miners at a deep underground metalliferous mine in tropical arid Australia. During the summer months of February and March 1999, all cases of miliaria rubra of the lower limbs in underground miners seen at the mine's medical centre were clinically examined and administered a questionnaire. Twenty-five patients were seen, an incidence of 56.4 cases per million man-hours. Miliaria rubra was most often located between the ankle and knee (88% of cases). Twenty-four percent had concurrent folliculitis and 20% had concurrent tinea. Thirty-two percent had a personal history of asthma. Walking through ground-water and splashing of the legs was common. Three to 4 weeks of sedentary duties in air conditioning was generally required to achieve resolution of miliaria rubra. The incidence of miliaria rubra of the lower limbs is 38% of the incidence of heat exhaustion at the same mine. The length of disablement is greater, however. Atopics may be at increased risk of miliaria rubra. Control measures are discussed.     

Planning research

The starting point for any research project should be a question.Once this has been defined and the relevant scientific literaturereviewed, a protocol should be drawn up. This will be used notonly as a guide to the conduct of the study and in the preparationof the final report, but also in seeking any financial supportand approvals that are required for the investigation. A protocolis normally arranged in sections covering the background tothe study, the question(s) that it will address, the methodsthat will be used for the collection and analysis of data, thestatistical power of the investigation (where relevant), anyethical considerations, and the financial input that will beneeded. A pilot study is often helpful where aspects of thestudy method are untried or of uncertainvalidity.     

Stress in the Norwegian police service

BACKGROUND: High levels of stress have been attributed to the conditions of police work, but there is little empirical evidence for this. AIMS: To develop a new instrument to measure job stress in the police; to assess the most severe and frequent police stressors; to compare levels of stress according to the demographic and organizational factors; and to study stress in relation to personality traits, work locus of control and coping strategies. METHODS: A comprehensive nationwide questionnaire survey of 3272 Norwegian police at all hierarchical levels, including the Norwegian Police Stress Survey (NPSS), the Job Stress Survey, the Basic Character Inventory, the Work Locus of Control Scale, and the Coping Strategies Scale. RESULTS: Work injuries were appraised as the most stressful but least frequent stressor and job pressure was reported the least severe but most frequent stressor. Females experienced job stressors less frequently, but appraised them as more severe than men did. Older police officers reported more job pressure severity and fewer work injuries. The police in districts where peer support was planned but not implemented, and who worked in districts with more than 50,000 inhabitants, perceived the lack of support more severely than others. The correlations between stress and personality traits, work locus of control, and coping were moderate. CONCLUSIONS: The NPSS captures police-specific stressors that are not adequately measured by global stress instruments. The study of stress in police work should preferably involve a nationwide use of police-specific stress instruments.