ABSTRACT
ObjectiveTo present the exploration and application of a prospective follow-up research method for acute infectious disease surveillance based on natural community populations， using COVID-19 infection as an example， and to provide a reference for improving the infectious disease surveillance and early warning system. MethodsA multi-stage probability proportional sampling method was employed to sample residents from all communities of 16 administrative districts in Shanghai， with households as the units. A cohort for acute infectious diseases based on natural community populations was established. The baseline survey was conducted for all cohort subjects， and COVID-19 antigen test kits were distributed. From December 21， 2022 to September 30， 2023， prospective follow-up monitoring of COVID-19 antigen and nucleic acid was carried out on the study subjects on a weekly basis. The baseline characteristics and follow-up information of the cohort subjects were described. ResultsThe cohort for acute infectious diseases included a total of 12 881 subjects， comprising 6 098 males （47.3%） and 6 783 females （52.7%）. The baseline survey revealed that 35.2% （4 540/12 881） of the subjects had a history of COVID-19 infection. During the follow-up period from December 21， 2022 to September 30， 2023， the average incidence density in the cohort was 0.61/person-year， with a higher incidence density in females （0.63/person-year） compared to males （0.59/person-year）. Individuals aged 60 and above （0.64/person-year） and those with underlying health conditions （0.67/person-year） had a higher incidence density. Healthcare workers showed a notably higher incidence density （0.84/person-year） than that in other occupational groups. As of September 30， 2023， a total of 340 subjects in the cohort experienced secondary infections， with a median interval of 170 days between the first and second infections. ConclusionThis study applies cohort study method to acute infectious disease surveillance， providing crucial data support for estimating infection rates and forecasting alerts for acute infectious diseases in the community. This method can be promoted and applied as a new approach for acute infectious disease surveillance.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To examine the prevalence and risk factors of criminal behavior among persons with schizophrenia in a rural area. Methods: A 14-year prospective follow-up study (1994 - 2008) was conducted on criminal behavior, clinical symptoms, social functioning, treatment and caring status among 510 persons with schizophrenia in Xinjin County, Chengdu. The instruments included the Present State Examination (PSE-9), Social Disability Screening Schedule (SDSS), and Positive and Negative Syndrome (PANSS) .Results: Totally 489 patients (95.9%) were followed up. The life-time prevalence of criminal behavior among these patients was 13.5%. Criminal behavior was more likely to happen among the persons who were unmarried (19.1%), younger t (41.2 ± 16.6) years old], and had earlier onset age [(28.4 ± 10.4) years old] .In the follow-up data, the rates of patients'criminal behavior were relatively higher among these patients who had poor family economic status (16.6%), no caregiver (28. 6%), homelessness (25.0%), and higher positive (14.1 ± 7.4), negative (19.3±10.2) and total scores (68.7±28.7) of PANSS (P<0.05) .Conclusion: The criminal behavior in patients with schizophrenia is common in rural areas and may be affected by multi-factors. The risk factors of criminal behavior in persons with schizophrenia, such as their marriage, family intervention and social support services, should be considered for community mental health policy making, community mental health services and family interventions.