The social–emotional development among children left behind by migrant mothers in rural China: a cross-sectional study

Background

Economic development and rapid urbanisation in China has caused parents to migrate to urban cities for jobs and to leave their children behind. The population of left-behind children has grown and requires attention, as early child development might be negatively affected by the lack of parental interaction. We therefore aimed to assess the specific influence of migrant mothers on early child development, especially on social–emotional problems.

香港防痨工作的过去和展望

过去４０年，香港的防痨工作有显著的成就。目前，结核病的呈报率是每１０万人口中有１１０．４人，死亡率每１０万人口中有６．７人，结核病者平均死亡年龄是６９岁，由于香港初生婴儿卡介苗注射非常成功，历年来接种率都达到差不多百分之百，所以结核病在婴儿或儿童发生的情形已甚为罕见。香港的防痨工作分为三方面进行：①公共卫生──这包括宣传及卫生教育、初生婴儿卡介苗注射、辅导痨病患者及他的家人和痨病调查等。②胸肺科诊疗所服务──香港痨病的治疗大部分是在胸肺科诊疗所提供，现在有１１间全日开放和５间部分开放的胸肺科诊疗所分布全港各区，专门为各种工作时间不同的人士服务。③医院服务──医院服务是主要给严重患者、有并发症或需要住院接受检查和手术的人士。公共卫生和胸肺科诊疗所服务大部分是由卫生署提供。医院治疗是由医院管理局辖下的医院提供，而属于香港防痨心脏及胸病协会的律敦治医院和葛量洪医院则是本港主要的胸肺科医院。香港的防痨工作虽然有此骄人成就，但仍面对很多挑战，中国和香港防痨组织能彼此合作对预防和控制痨病将有帮助。     

Identification of viral and atypical bacterial pathogens in children hospitalized with acute respiratory infections in Hong Kong by multiplex PCR assays

Acute respiratory tract infection is a leading cause of hospital admission of children. This study used a broad capture, rapid and sensitive method (multiplex PCR assay) to detect 20 different respiratory pathogens including influenza A subtypes H1, H3, and H5; influenza B; parainfluenza types 1, 2, 3, and 4; respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) groups A and B; adenoviruses; human rhinoviruses; enteroviruses; human metapneumoviruses; human coronaviruses OC43, 229E, and SARS‐CoV; Chlamydophila pneumoniae; Legionella pneumophila; and Mycoplasma pneumoniae; from respiratory specimens of 475 children hospitalized over a 12‐month period for acute respiratory tract infections. The overall positive rate (47%) was about twice higher than previous reports based on conventional methods. Influenza A, parainfluenza and RSV accounted for 51%, and non‐cultivable viruses accounted for 30% of positive cases. Influenza A peaked at March and June. Influenza B was detected in January, February, and April. Parainfluenza was prevalent throughout the year except from April to June. Most RSV infections were found between February and September. Adenovirus had multiple peaks, whereas rhinovirus and coronavirus OC43 were detected mainly in winter and early spring. RSV infection was associated with bronchiolitis, and parainfluenza was associated with croup; otherwise the clinical manifestations were largely nonspecific. In general, children infected with influenza A, adenovirus and mixed viruses had higher temperatures. In view of the increasing concern about unexpected outbreaks of severe viral infections, a rapid multiplex PCR assay is a valuable tool to enhance the management of hospitalized patients, and for the surveillance for viral infections circulating in the community. J. Med. Virol. 81:153–159, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Chinese women and men: a systematic review and meta-analysis of data from 734 511 individuals

Background

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome is growing because of increasing rates of obesity and sedentary lifestyle. Metabolic syndrome is one of the most important risk factors associated with diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and all-cause mortality. Few studies have examined its sex-specific prevalence in China across time. We compared the prevalences and temporal trends of metabolic syndrome in Chinese women and men.

Risk factors in V-shaped risk associations with all-cause mortality in type 2 diabetes-The Hong Kong Diabetes Registry

BACKGROUND: Body mass index (BMI) is associated with death in a V-shaped manner in general populations but it is unknown whether BMI or other risk factors also exhibit V-shaped relationships with death in type 2 diabetic patients. METHODS: A prospective cohort of 7534 Chinese, type 2 diabetic patients enrolled since 1995 were censored on 30 July 2005. Spline Cox regression analysis with a stepwise algorithm (p < 0.05) was used to select predictors. Hazard ratio (HR) curves were used to explore the relationships, which were confirmed by standard Cox models. RESULTS: 763 patients died during the 5.5 years of follow-up. BMI, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and white blood cell (WBC) count were related to all-cause mortality in a V-shaped manner. The nadirs of the risk curves were at 26 kg/m(2) for BMI, 1.15 mmol/L for HDL-C and 6.25 x 10(9) counts/L for WBC. The multivariate hazard ratio of BMI away from 26.0 kg/m(2) was 1.08; HDL-C, 1.06 per mmol/L for values less than the nadir and 6.97 per mmol/L for greater than the nadir; and WBC, 1.16 per 10(9) count/L for less than 6.25 x 10(9) and 1.47 for greater than the nadir. Respiratory and neoplastic deaths were the major contributors to the increased death in patients with low or high BMI. Neoplastic death was the major contributor to the increased death in those with low WBC. Genitourinary death was the major contributor to the increased death in those with low and high HDL-C. CONCLUSION: BMI, HDL-C and WBC are associated with death in a V-shaped manner in type 2 diabetic patients.     

Impact of Baby‐Friendly Hospital Practices on Breastfeeding in Hong Kong

Abstract: Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) developed the Baby‐Friendly Hospital Initiative to improve hospital maternity care practices that support breastfeeding. In Hong Kong, although no hospitals have yet received the Baby‐Friendly status, efforts have been made to improve breastfeeding support. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of Baby‐Friendly hospital practices on breastfeeding duration. Methods: A sample of 1,242 breastfeeding mother‐infant pairs was recruited from four public hospitals in Hong Kong and followed up prospectively for up to 12 months. The primary outcome variable was defined as breastfeeding for 8 weeks or less. Predictor variables included six Baby‐Friendly practices: breastfeeding initiation within 1 hour of birth, exclusive breastfeeding while in hospital, rooming‐in, breastfeeding on demand, no pacifiers or artificial nipples, and information on breastfeeding support groups provided on discharge. Results: Only 46.6 percent of women breastfed for more than 8 weeks, and only 4.8 percent of mothers experienced all six Baby‐Friendly practices. After controlling for all other Baby‐Friendly practices and possible confounding variables, exclusive breastfeeding while in hospital was protective against early breastfeeding cessation (OR: 0.61; 95% CI: 0.42–0.88). Compared with mothers who experienced all six Baby‐Friendly practices, those who experienced one or fewer Baby‐Friendly practices were almost three times more likely to discontinue breastfeeding (OR: 3.13; 95% CI: 1.41–6.95). Conclusions: Greater exposure to Baby‐Friendly practices would substantially increase new mothers’ chances of breastfeeding beyond 8 weeks postpartum. To further improve maternity care practices in hospitals, institutional and administrative support are required to ensure all mothers receive adequate breastfeeding support in accordance with WHO guidelines. (BIRTH 38:3 September 2011)     

Factors associated with perceived sleep quality of nurses working on rotating shifts

Aims. To explore nurses’ perceived sleep quality and examine factors that contribute to insufficient sleep quality. Background. Shift work is an important source of disturbances in the health and well‐being of nurses. However, nursing services must be available on a 24‐hour basis, making shift work a necessity. Sleep disorders tend to occur among nurses typically working on a rotating schedule. Although many studies related to nurses’ sleep quality have been carried out in the West, few have investigated factors linked to nurses’ sleep quality in Hong Kong. Design. A cross‐sectional study. Method. The study was conducted during the period November 2005–June 2006 in two local hospitals in Hong Kong. Nurses (n = 163) completed a self‐reported questionnaire. Demographic data and information on health status, strain and symptom levels and perceived sleep quality were collected. Results. More than 70% of the nurses reported having insufficient sleep and strain and symptom levels were higher in this group. Older age, perceived poor sleep status, gastrointestinal symptoms and higher strain and symptom levels were risk factors that contributed to insufficient sleep. Conclusions. Evaluation of internal stressors and modification of shift work schedules are important areas of future research; these should aim at finding the best compromise between productivity and employees’ sleep quality, health and performance. Relevance to clinical practice. Healthcare workers’ job task analysis, the evaluation of internal stressors and the modification of shift work schedules are important areas of future research and should result in the best compromise between productivity and employees’ sleep quality, health and performance.