山东省2017－2018年境外输入性疟疾流行病学特征分析

目的 了解山东省境外输入性疟疾流行特征,为及时调整防控措施提供科学依据。方法 收集2017－2018年山东省疟疾疫情资料、病例个案调查资料及省级参比实验室病例复核资料,采用SPSS 18.0软件进行统计分析,采用QGIS 2.18软件绘制地图。结果 2017－2018年山东省共报告境外输入性疟疾442例,感染来源主要为非洲地区（占97.96%,433/442）。17个地市均有病例报告,主要集中在济宁市（88例）、烟台市（65例）、威海市（46例）、青岛市（44例）和德州市（42例）,共报告285例（占64.48%,285/442）。病例分布于山东省77.37%（106/137）的县（市、区）。每月均有病例报告,未呈现明显的季节特征。发病-初诊时间间隔M=2 d（P₂₅~P₇₅：3 d）。初诊-确诊时间间隔M=0 d（P₂₅~P₇₅：3 d）。病例发病当天就诊率为27.83%（123/442）。69.68%（308/442）的病例初诊被诊断为疟疾,经χ²检验,县级以下医疗机构诊断正确率低于其他医疗机构（均P<0.01）。51.13%（226/442）的病例就诊当天确诊,经χ²检验,各级医疗机构当天确诊率差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。结论 2017－2018年山东省境外输入性疟疾具有病例数量多、感染来源广、地区分布广等特征,病例及时就诊意识淡薄,基层医疗机构疟疾诊治意识和能力尚弱,应针对性的调整防控措施。     

2003-2014年北京协和医院就诊患者HIV检测结果分析

目的 了解2003-2014年北京协和医院就诊患者HIV检测的感染状况及流行病学特征。方法 收集2003-2014年北京协和医院门诊与住院就诊患者的HIV检测结果,利用SPSS 19.0软件进行描述性统计分析。结果 2003-2014年共进行HIV筛查715 421人次,HIV初筛阳性1 012例（0.14%）,HIV确证阳性776例（0.11%）。HIV检测阳性率逐年升高（趋势χ²=66.83,P=0.000）,2012-2014年间增幅明显,2014年的HIV检测阳性率是2003年的3.40倍（2014年为0.17%,2003年为0.05%）。776例感染者中,男性631例（81.31%）,女性145例（18.69%）,2003-2014年间男性感染者构成比从50.00%升高到90.26%（趋势χ²=58.41,P=0.000）,年龄范围18～50岁（84.66%）,M为36岁（Q_R：27～43）。经性途径感染634例（81.70%）,且逐年增加（趋势χ²=126.38,P=0.000）,男男同性性行为感染从2003年的0.00%升高到2014年的53.90%（趋势χ²=11.96,P=0.001）。未婚感染者构成比从18.75%升高到42.21%（趋势χ²=43.74,P=0.000）。HIV筛查阳性的主要来源科室分别为内科（51.03%）、急诊（18.30%）、皮肤科（13.53%）。妇产科来源下降（2003年为18.75%,2014年为2.60%）,外科、五官科及口腔科、体检中心有所增加,分别从2003年的零检出到2014年的14例（9.10%）,11例（7.14%）,4例（2.60%）。结论 北京协和医院就诊患者的HIV/AIDS检测阳性率逐年升高,提示需要加强对大型综合医院就诊患者的检测。MSM作为重点人群,应加强艾滋病防控宣传和咨询检测。     

天津市2005-2017年医疗机构新报告HIV/AIDS特征分析

目的 分析天津市2005-2017年医疗机构新报告HIV/AIDS特征,为更好地在医疗机构中开展相关的艾滋病防治工作提供依据。方法 对新报告HIV/AIDS的流行病学调查及随访资料进行分析,同时回顾调查2005-2017年医疗机构新报告HIV/AIDS的科室来源及主要就诊疾病。结果 2005-2017年天津市医疗机构新报告HIV/AIDS 3 035例,医疗机构报告HIV/AIDS病例年均增长24.8%,其中49.2%（1 343/2 728）来源于住院病例,50.8%（1 385/2 728）来源于门诊病例,性病门诊就诊者检测在2011-2017年HIV阳性检出率呈现增长趋势（χ²=18.469,P=0.005）;医疗机构住院病例、门诊病例首次CD₄⁺T淋巴细胞计数（CD₄）（χ²=17.189,P=0.000）及新报告当年发生死亡比例（χ²=61.198,P=0.000）差异有统计学意义;二级医院与三级医院新报告HIV/AIDS首次CD₄值（χ²=16.751,P=0.000）及新报告当年发生死亡比例（χ²=18.926,P=0.000）差异有统计学意义;不同科室新报告HIV/AIDS首次CD₄值（χ²=37.620,P=0.000）及新报告当年发生死亡比例（χ²=95.489,P=0.000）差异有统计学意义。结论 2005-2017年天津市医疗机构门诊新报告HIV/AIDS较为及时,二级医院新报告HIV/AIDS比三级医院及时。在医疗机构重点科室门诊积极倡导医务人员中主动提供HIV检测服务,对于天津市艾滋病防治工作具有重要意义。     

苏州市2011-2017年5岁以下儿童流感门诊病例临床特征及疾病负担

目的 了解2011-2017年苏州大学附属儿童医院<5岁儿童流感样病例（ILI）临床特征及疾病负担。方法 2011年3月至2017年2月于苏州市儿童医院监测因流感样疾病就诊的<5岁门诊病例,通过问卷调查和电话随访收集人口学信息、临床信息、疾病史及与医疗有关的直接和间接费用,比较ILI及不同流感亚型确诊病例的临床特征和社会经济负担。结果 共纳入6 310例,其中791例（12.9%）流感病毒检测阳性,其中A/H1N1阳性88例（11.1%）,A/H3N2阳性288例（36.4%）,B型415例（52.5%）。流感阳性儿童发生咳嗽、流涕、喘息、呕吐、抽搐的比例皆高;A/H1N1、A/H3N2、B型感染导致临床特征的主要差异为咳嗽（χ²=9.227,P=0.010）、喘息（χ²=7.273,P=0.026）和呕吐（χ²=8.163,P=0.017）。流感病毒阴性者治疗平均费用688.4（95%CI：630.1~746.7）元,流感病毒阳性者为768.0（95%CI：686.8~849.3）元。A/H1N1阳性者治疗总费用明显高于A/H3N2阳性和B型阳性者（χ²=7.237,P=0.028）。结论 儿童感染流感病毒更易发生咳嗽、流涕、喘息、呕吐、抽搐等临床症状,并造成严重的疾病负担,其中A/H1N1亚型感染造成的疾病负担高于其他2种亚型。     

上海地区2015－2019年急性呼吸道感染病例中腺病毒感染情况分析

目的 研究2015-2019年上海地区急性呼吸道感染病例中腺病毒感染的流行病学特征和混合感染情况,为腺病毒的防控提供科学依据。方法 收集2015-2019年上海地区3家医院内的急性呼吸道感染病例,对纳入病例进行相关信息登记和采样,进行呼吸道病原体的多重PCR检测。结果 共纳入1 543例急性呼吸道感染病例,腺病毒阳性率2.92%（45/1 543）,流感样病例（ILI）和严重急性呼吸道感染病例（SARI）中的阳性率分别为2.74%（29/1 058）和3.30%（16/485）。ILI在2019年1-5月的阳性率5.43%（7/129）高于2015-2018年同期的0.52%~4.48%（Fisher精确检验值=8.92,P=0.036）。45例腺病毒阳性病例的发病时间主要分布在第一、二季度,合计占62.22%（28/45）,各季度发病阳性率的差异有统计学意义（χ²=12.52,P=0.006）,以第二季度的阳性率最高（6.03%）,高于其他季度的1.89%~2.93%。各年龄组间差异有统计学意义（χ²=16.94,P=0.001）,且随着年龄的增加阳性率有降低的趋势（χ²=10.16,P=0.001）,13~19岁组的阳性率（9.43%）高于其他年龄组（1.48%~4.81%）;学生组阳性率（12.07%）高于其他职业（2.61%）,差异有统计学意义（χ²=11.53,P=0.001）。45例腺病毒阳性病例中混合感染占31.11%（14/45）。ILI和SARI的混合感染率分别为34.48%（10/29）和25.00%（4/16）,14例混合感染病例中,腺病毒的主要混合感染病原是甲型流感病毒和冠状病毒。结论 上海地区急性呼吸道感染病例中存在一定比例的阳性病例,需进一步加强青少年人群中的腺病毒监测,重点是关注第二季度的学生等重点人群。     

新疆维吾尔自治区疏附县中小学生病毒性肝炎血清流行病学调查

目的 了解新疆维吾尔自治区（新疆）疏附县中小学生甲、乙、丙型病毒性肝炎流行情况及评估免疫接种效果。方法 2015年2-5月通过整群随机抽样方法对疏附县4个乡镇中小学生进行病毒性肝炎血清流行病学调查,检测HAV-IgG、HBsAg、HBsAb和HCV-IgG。结果 疏附县4 830名中小学生HAV-IgG阳性率为99.75%,男生为99.92%,女生为99.57%,差异有统计学意义（χ²=5.798,P=0.016）;HBsAg阳性率为3.02%,男生为3.55%,女生为2.47%,差异有统计学意义（χ²=4.782,P=0.029）;各年龄组的HBsAg阳性率差异有统计学意义（χ²=71.990,P=0.000）,农村地区（3.28%）高于城镇地区（1.61%）,差异有统计学意义（χ²=6.019,P=0.014）;HBsAb阳性率为38.84%,各年龄组的HBsAb阳性率差异有统计学意义（χ²=837.699,P=0.000）,城镇地区（42.36%）高于农村地区（38.20%）,差异有统计学意义（χ²=4.598,P=0.032）。HBsAg和HBsAb均为阴性的学生有2 815人,占总人数的58.28%。HCV-IgG阳性率为0.19%,阳性者均为维吾尔族农村学生。结论 疏附县中小学生甲型肝炎疫苗的免疫效果较好,处于乙型肝炎免疫空白状态的学生较多,丙型肝炎感染率较低,应及时对适龄儿童进行免疫接种和查漏补种。     

西安市和咸阳市性病门诊男性就诊者HIV/STD感染及相关行为特征比较

目的 比较西安市和咸阳市的性病门诊男性就诊者的HIV/STD感染状况、行为特征及相关信息,为有效开展干预提供参考依据。方法 根据哨点监测结合横断面调查方法,选择西安市和咸阳市各1个性病门诊作为调查现场,将2016年6-7月首次到性病门诊就诊的年龄≥ 15岁男性就诊者作为调查对象。样本量估算实际约需400人,采集血样检测HIV、HCV和梅毒并收集相关行为信息。采用EpiData 3.1软件和SPSS 21.0软件整理数据和分析相关信息。结果 西安市和咸阳市分别调查了206例和221例性病门诊男性就诊者。西安市HIV阳性率为2.4%（5/206）,咸阳市为0.9%（2/221）,差异无统计学意义;梅毒阳性率分别为4.9%（10/206）和13.6%（30/221）,差异有统计学意义（χ²=9.55,P<0.01）;西安市调查对象被诊断为其他性病的比例均高于咸阳市。西安市调查对象最近3个月有异性商业性伴和临时性伴的比例分别为18.0%（37/206）、15.5%（32/206）,低于咸阳市的46.6%（103/221）和15.8%（35/221）（χ²=39.70,P<0.01;χ²=0.01,P=0.93）。西安市调查对象最近3个月与暗娼使用安全套、与临时性伴使用安全套的比例分别为37.8%（14/37）、6.3%（2/32）,均低于咸阳市的93.1%（95/102）、57.1%（20/35）（χ²=49.06,P<0.01;χ²=19.63,P<0.01）。结论 西安市和咸阳市性病门诊男性就诊者在HIV、性病感染、商业性行为及安全套使用情况等方面有不同的特征,但是均存在感染HIV和性病的高危行为。     

hnRNP E1与HPV16早期基因E2和E6在宫颈癌变中的作用及交互效应

目的 探讨核不均一核糖核蛋白（hnRNP）E1与HPV16早期基因E2和E6在宫颈癌变进展中的作用及相互关系。方法 从在山西省介休市建立的自然人群宫颈病变队列中,选取2014年6-9月经病理学确诊的正常宫颈（NC）女性56例,低度宫颈上皮内瘤变（CIN Ⅰ）病例58例和高度宫颈上皮内瘤变（CIN Ⅱ/Ⅲ）病例50例,以及同期在山西省肿瘤医院确诊的40例宫颈鳞状细胞癌（SCC）病例作为研究对象。采用结构式问卷收集研究对象的宫颈病变相关资料的同时,采集宫颈组织活检标本和宫颈脱落细胞。采用导流杂交法检测HPV感染状况,采用Western Blot检测hnRNP E1以及HPV16 E2和E6蛋白表达水平。采用SPSS 22.0软件进行Kruskal-Wallis H检验、χ²检验、趋势χ²检验和logistic回归分析,采用广义多因子降维法（GMDR）评价交互作用。结果 HPV16感染率在CINⅠ（15.52%,9/58）、CINⅡ/Ⅲ（40.00%,20/50）和SCC组（67.50%,27/40）均高于NC组（8.93%,5/56）,并随着宫颈病变程度的加重呈现升高趋势（趋势检验χ²=43.613,P<0.001）。hnRNP E1表达量在不同宫颈病变组间差异有统计学意义（H=9.98,P=0.019）,且随宫颈病变程度的加重呈现降低趋势（趋势检验χ²=9.495,P=0.002）。HPV16 E2（H=16.20,P=0.001）和E6（H=15.44,P=0.001）表达水平在不同宫颈病变组间差异均有统计学意义。采用GMDR分析显示,hnRNP E1低表达、HPV16 E2低表达与HPV16 E6高表达在CIN Ⅱ/Ⅲ和SCC组中存在交互作用（P<0.05）,而在CIN Ⅰ组未发现存在交互效应（P>0.05）。结论 hnRNP E1低表达和HPV16早期基因的异常表达可能会增加宫颈病变的发病风险,并在宫颈癌变中存在交互作用。     

北京市18~65岁慢性病患者吸烟状态、戒烟态度及危险因素分析

目的 了解北京市18~65岁高血压、糖尿病、血脂异常、COPD、哮喘患者的吸烟状态、戒烟态度及危险因素。方法 数据来源于2014年北京市成人慢性病与危险因素监测,即在北京市16个区/县采用多阶段分层整群抽样方法抽取180个社区共19 815名调查对象,以其中18~65岁人群作为研究对象。结果 18 405例有效样本中,男性高血压、血脂异常患者现在吸烟比例均高于非患者（分别χ²=17.695,P<0.001;χ²=39.292,P<0.001）;女性高血压、COPD、哮喘患者现在吸烟者比例均高于非患者（分别χ²=6.649,P=0.010;χ²=6.276,P=0.012;χ²=8.245,P=0.004）。吸烟者中,高血压患者1年内想戒烟比例低于非高血压患者（χ²=20.487,P<0.001）,COPD患者1年内想戒烟比例高于非COPD患者（χ²=6.085,P=0.048）。男性中糖尿病（χ²=9.219,P=0.010）、血脂异常（χ²=13.513,P=0.001）患者中已戒烟者控制情况好于现在吸烟者。多因素logistic回归结果显示,吸烟是高血压（OR=1.17）、血脂异常（OR=1.25）、COPD（OR=1.78）、哮喘（OR=1.57）的影响因素。结论 北京市18~65岁居民中部分慢性病患者现在吸烟比例高且戒烟意愿低;吸烟是高血压、血脂异常、COPD、哮喘的危险因素。     

手足口病重症病例临床分期与结局分析

目的 了解手足口病重症病例临床分期与结局的特征及关联性,为建立临床重症病例评估方法提供依据。方法 根据地理位置、经济状况和疫情高发水平选择河南、山东、浙江、四川和云南省,随机抽取法定传染病报告中手足口病重症病例,收集病例人口学、临床资料和实验室检测结果等,按统一标准进行临床分期,分析各期病例构成、临床结局及其关联性。结果 共调查手足口病重症病例657例。实验室诊断病例357例,其中肠道病毒71型阳性病例326例,占91.3%（326/357）。临床分期：2期（神经系统受累期）病例542例、3期（心肺功能衰竭前期）病例99例、4期（心肺功能衰竭期）病例16例,分别占重症病例数的82.5%（95%CI：79.4%~85.3%）、15.1%（95%CI：12.4%~18.0%）、2.4%（95%CI：1.4%~3.9%）。11例有后遗症,占重症病例数的1.7%（95%CI：0.9%~3.0%）;8例死亡,病死率为1.2%（95%CI：0.6%~2.3%）。临床2、3和4期在各年龄组、5个省份、后遗症病例数、死亡例数的构成比差异均有统计学意义（分别为 χ²=22.632,P=0.012;χ²=41.481,P=0.000;χ²=12.960,P=0.001;χ²=16.850,P=0.001）。结论 手足口病重症病例临床分期与后遗症、死亡结局有关联性。临床分期可用于手足口病重症病例严重程度的评价。     

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.