[Application of statistics on chronic-diseases-relating observational research papers].

OBJECTIVE: To study the application of statistics on Chronic-diseases-relating observational research papers which were recently published in the Chinese Medical Association Magazines, with influential index above 0.5. METHODS: Using a self-developed criterion, two investigators individually participated in assessing the application of statistics on Chinese Medical Association Magazines, with influential index above 0.5. Different opinions reached an agreement through discussion. RESULTS: A total number of 352 papers from 6 magazines, including the Chinese Journal of Epidemiology, Chinese Journal of Oncology, Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine, Chinese Journal of Cardiology, Chinese Journal of Internal Medicine and Chinese Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism, were reviewed. The rate of clear statement on the following contents as: research objectives, t target audience, sample issues, objective inclusion criteria and variable definitions were 99.43%, 98.57%, 95.43%, 92.86% and 96.87%. The correct rates of description on quantitative and qualitative data were 90.94% and 91.46%, respectively. The rates on correctly expressing the results, on statistical inference methods related to quantitative, qualitative data and modeling were 100%, 95.32% and 87.19%, respectively. 89.49% of the conclusions could directly response to the research objectives. However, 69.60% of the papers did not mention the exact names of the study design, statistically, that the papers were using. 11.14% of the papers were in lack of further statement on the exclusion criteria. Percentage of the papers that could clearly explain the sample size estimation only taking up as 5.16%. Only 24.21% of the papers clearly described the variable value assignment. Regarding the introduction on statistical conduction and on database methods, the rate was only 24.15%. 18.75% of the papers did not express the statistical inference methods sufficiently. A quarter of the papers did not use 'standardization' appropriately. As for the aspect of statistical inference, the rate of description on statistical testing prerequisite was only 24.12% while 9.94% papers did not even employ the statistical inferential method that should be used. CONCLUSION: The main deficiencies on the application of Statistics used in papers related to Chronic-diseases-related observational research were as follows: lack of sample-size determination, variable value assignment description not sufficient, methods on statistics were not introduced clearly or properly, lack of consideration for pre-requisition regarding the use of statistical inferences.

[Study on knowledge, attitudes and use of the pre-packaged food nutrition labeling in Hangzhou supermarket consumers in 2010].

OBJECTIVE: To study the prevalence rates of knowledge, attitudes and use of the nutrition labeling and related influential factors in Hangzhou supermarket consumers. METHODS: Using a self-developed survey questionnaire, randomly selected customers were conducted a face-to-face interview program in a large supermarket of Hangzhou city. RESULTS: 586 people were interviewed, including 202 males and 384 females, with the mean age as 41.6 ± 17.23 years. The accuracy rates of 6 questions related to the 'ability of choosing healthier food by using the Nutrition Facts Labels' were as follows: dietary fiber (71.84%), fat (70.99%), calcium (60.75%), salt (58.36%), energy (50.85%) and sugar (39.42%). The support rates of the three attitudes indicators were "support marking the Nutrition Facts Label" (90.44%), "support marking the nutrition claims" (87.03%) and "want to know more relative knowledge" (77.13%). There were 58.36% and 80.03% first-time buyers who would read the Nutrition Facts Food Labels and the Nutrition Claims. Through logistic model analysis, male, youth, low-educated people were found to be the risk factors related to the nutrition label reading behavior. CONCLUSION: The capacity of the reading, understanding and correct application of nutrition labeling among consumers was not satisfactory. Improvement on the readability and the authority of nutrition labeling and the development of the national nutrition knowledge and health education programs were in urgent needs.

[Development and evaluation of complex intervention].

Experimental studies with only one intervention are not always sufficient for health care issues, while the method of complex intervention is more useful. But the complex intervention is more complicated and needs carefully design and evaluation. This article will introduce the framework for design and evaluation of complex intervention and the revised version made by Medical Research Council, with five examples showing its application.