An epidemiology study of bronchial asthma in the Li ethnic group in China

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of bronchial asthma in the Li ethnic group in Hainan, China.@*METHODS@#This study employed a stratified random sample design using custom-designed questionnaires. Subjects with asthma-like symptoms were first identified by two rounds of surveys and then confirmed by respiratory physicians using pulmonary function test, bronchial dilation test and challenge test. Demographic data, information on family history of asthma, history of allergies, smoking habits, domestic cooking fuel and other potential risk factors were collected. Logistic regression was performed to evaluate risk factors for asthma.@*RESULTS@#The prevalence of asthma in the Li ethnic group was 3.38%, much higher than the national average level in China. Aging, agriculture industry (the rubber industry in particular), rural residence, family history of asthma, history of allergies, cold air, inhalation of dust and irritant gases, smoking, domestic cooking fuel and living environment were associated with increased risk of asthma.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The high prevalence of asthma in the Li ethnic group highlights the importance of asthma prevention and treatment in this population. Risk factors indentified in this study warrant special attention. Elevating public awareness about asthma in local communities will benefit the prevention of the disease.

Epidemiological study of malignant tumor among rubber workers in Hainan Province / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the prevalence of malignant tumor and its influencing factor among rubber workers in Hainan Province of China, and to study the high incidence of cancer and type of work.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A retrospective cohort study on registered workers over 1 working age among partial rubber factories in Hainan Province in the period from 2005 to 2010.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>There was a remarkable difference in the incidence between nature exposed rubber group and non-exposed group (χ(2) = 52.13,P < 0.01). Occupational exposure induced a high risk in malignant tumors (OR = 2.47, P < 0.05). The incidence of tumor may be associated with occupational exposure: the longer occupational exposure time, the higher was the incidence of tumor (χ(2) = 11.40, P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The occupational exposure in rubber workers can induce a high incidence of malignant tumor.</p>

Prevalence and risk factors of bronchial asthma among Li nationality in Hainan province / 中华预防医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the risk factors of bronchial asthma of Li nationality in Hainan.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 13 050 subjects of Li nationality were selected by random unequal ratio stratified cluster sampling method from southern, central and western part of Hainan and investigated with Hainan Epidemiological Asthma Survey Questionnaire of Li Nationality. There were 441 cases of bronchial asthma, and 1296 cases of control that were sampled by random number table method. The logistic regression method was used to analyze risk factors.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The asthma prevalence of Li nationality in Hainan was 3.38%(441/13 050). The main risk factors of asthma were family asthma (OR = 4.323, 95%CI = 3.259 - 5.735), hypersensitiveness (OR = 7.775, 95%CI = 5.686 - 10.632), smoking (OR = 1.494, 95%CI = 1.174 - 1.902), cooking fuels and living environment. Cold air change (OR = 1.604, 95%CI = 1.286 - 2.001) and respirable dust or irritant gas (OR = 2.123, 95%CI = 1.702 - 2.648) were the important incentives.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The main risk factors of asthma among Li nationality were family asthma, hypersensitiveness, smoking, cooking fuels by means of fuel oil, hay or wood, living environment by means of couch grass room and human-livestock mix live, cold air change, respirable dust or irritant gas.</p>