ABSTRACT
Objective To find out the data sources of respiratory syndromes and their components from the outpatients of general hospitals and to describe the time distribution and mutual relations of different respiratory syndromes. Feasibility of respiratory syndromes used for early warning surveillance on respiratory infectious disease was also under research. Methods Retrospective investigation on Hospital Information System (HIS) was implemented in a general hospital in Guangzhou, 2005, and data of outpatients was collected and classified into different syndromes. The respiratory syndromes with its time distribution similar to influenza like illness (ILI),were selected, and cross-correlation analyses were conducted to inveshgate the feasibility of respiratory syndromes for early warning surveillance on respiratory infection diseases (influenza as an example). Results Primary sub-classification of respiratory syndromes in outpatient department would include upper respiratory infection(URI)(51.20%), trachitis/bronchitis (18.80%), asthma ( 17.52% ), etc. Pulmonary infection accounted for only 2.26%. Time distributions of URI, trachitis/bronchitis, pulmonary infection, cough and asthma in outpatient department, X-ray tests and pneumonia/acute respiratory distress syndromes (ARDSs) in outpatient X-ray room were similar, with two peaks observed. Cross-correlation functions were calculated with the data sets of 1st-28th week.The most significant correlation was detected between the time series of outpatient pulmonary infections and ILIs moved 4 weeks backward (r＝0.739, P＜0.01 ), and that was detected between URIs and ILIs moved 5 weeks backward (r=0.714, P＜0.01 ). Correlation between X-ray tests,pneumonia/ARDSs in outpatient X-ray room and ILIs was the strongest when ILIs time series moved 1 week backward (r=0.858, P＜0.001; r=0.821, P＜0.001 ). Conclusion Outpatient data from HIS system in general hospital could be applied to syndromic surveillance on respiratory diseases. For early warning epidemics or outbreaks of influenza or other respiratory infectious diseases, data of outpatient pulmonary infection appeared to be the most feasible for its specificity and timeliness, followed by URI and cough. X-ray tests and pneumonia/ARDSs in outpatient X-ray findings were important supplementary to verify the respiratory disease epidemics or outbreaks for its good specificity, but with no advantage for early warning.
ABSTRACT
Objective To study the immunization coverage and immune effects of hepatitis B vaccine (HepB) among people who were immunized later than at birth in Guangzhou city. Methods A multistage randomized cluster sampling was used and the subjects were at age 20 to 59 years old,from the families of twelve districts in Guangzhou. Cross sectional analysis was carried out. Every study subject' s HepB immunization history and main risk were investigated through questionnaire.Venous blood samples were collected and then tested for HBsAg and anti-HBs by means of ELISA.The immunization coverage rate of HepB, prevalence rates of HBsAg and anti-HBs among every age group were valuated by sampling weights. The protective efficacy of the people with immunization of HepB was assessed by case-control study. Results The overall immunization rate of HepB was 24.71% (95%CI: 20.86%-28.56%)in the 20-59 age group. HBsAg prevalence rate was 14.91% (95% CI: 12.73%-17.08% ), and 8.52% in vaccinated group while 18.15% in the non-vaccinated group. Results from case-control study showed that HepB had good protective efficacy to HBV in people of 20-59 years old. The protective rate of HepB against HBV was 62.6%. Conclusion Vaccinating HepB on people after the neonatal period also non-nowbom could provide good immune effect to HBV.
ABSTRACT
Objective To understand the information needs on human infection with avian influenza (H5N1), A (H1N1) and influenza pandemic in different time periods and create welltargeted messages by the public, so as to develop communication with the public effectively when human infection with avian influenza (H5N1), A (H1N1) and influenza pandemic occur. Methods Data were collected through questionnaire over telephone calls. The questionnaire was self-designed, revised after pilot testing. Results The effective response rate in this telephone survey was 54.33%, higher than those in Beijing and Shanghai. The respondents felt that government' s propaganda during the influenza virus-active period was more helpful and instructive than those in the period when influenza was relatively inactive (χ2= 17.41, P = 0.000). Trust to the government by the public was higher in the influenza virus-active than in the relatively inactive period (χ2=8.15, P=0.004). As to the information needs, the respondents reflected that during the time period of relative influenza inactivity, they viewed the basic knowledge of human infection with avian influenza (H5N1) as their top priority, while in the influenza virus-active period, the feasible preventive measures was their top priority. The pandemic-related information needs in the influenza virus-active period and in the time period of relative influenza inactivity were similar, demonstrating that the respondents had no perceptual knowledge of influenza pandemic and had poor awareness on the pandemic. The respondents were not used to wear a mask to cover their mouths and noses when sneezing, but were quite knowledgeable about the following preventive measures as: avoid going out and at the crowded areas, wash hands frequently etc. Around 2% to 6% of the respondents did not have any information needs. Conclusion The response rate in this telephone survey was fairly high, indicating that telephone survey was well accepted by Guangzhou residents. The public was satisfied with the government' s propaganda activities and trusting the government. Public health professionals should develop communication messages closely related to the epidemic situation to target the information needs from the public.