A qualitative exploration of the role of antiretroviral therapy on Chinese rural life.

Objective: To explore factors influencing the quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) and receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) in rural China.

Methods: In-depth interviews with 20 PLHA were conducted in March 1999. Participants were recruited from the USAID-funded Longitudinal Enhanced Evaluation of ART Project, which tracks a cohort of eligible PLHA receiving treatment at five collaborating treatment centers in Guangxi Autonomous Region, China.

Association of TNF-alpha-238G/A and 308 G/A gene polymorphisms with pulmonary tuberculosis among patients with coal worker's pneumoconiosis.

Objectives: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) may play an important role in host's immune response to mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) infection. This study was to investigate the association of TNF-alpha gene polymorphism with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) among patients with coal worker's pneumoconiosis (CWP).

An HIV/AIDS intervention programme with Buddhist aid in Yunnan Province.

Background: The prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Chinese ethnic minorities is an important component of China's AIDS issues. In this study, we launched an intervention programme in Yunnan Province of China, where the Dai people live, to carry out the community-based HIV/AIDS health education and behavioral interventions on ordinary Dai farmers. The Dai people believe in Theravada Buddhism.

HIV/AIDS related discrimination in health care service: a cross-sectional study in Gejiu City, Yunnan Province.

Objectives: To investigate discrimination against people living with HIV (PLWH) and its impacts.

Methods: Forty people who were either HIV positive (7/40) or had high risk behavior (33/40) were interviewed. Focus group discussion was held in the interview with people who were suspected to be infected with HIV, and in-depth interview was conducted in the survey of HIV positive persons whose privacy was strictly protected to ensure the confidentiality of the collected information.

Disentangling the stigma of HIV/AIDS from the stigmas of drugs use, commercial sex and commercial blood donation - a factorial survey of medical students in China.

Background: HIV/AIDS related stigma interferes with the provision of appropriate care and support for people living with HIV/AIDS. Currently, programs to address the stigma approach it as if it occurs in isolation, separate from the co-stigmas related to the various modes of disease transmission including injection drug use (IDU) and commercial sex (CS). In order to develop better programs to address HIV/AIDS related stigma, the inter-relationship (or 'layering') between HIV/AIDS stigma and the co-stigmas needs to be better understood.

Smoking and mortality from esophageal cancer in China: a large case-control study of 19,734 male esophageal cancer deaths and 104,846 living spouse controls.

An innovative population-based case-control study was conducted in a national mortality survey to assess the hazards of tobacco use on esophageal cancer among Chinese men. Cases were 19,734 males aged 35 years or older, who died of esophageal cancer during 1986-1988. Controls were 104,846 male living spouses of the same age when their wife died (of any cause) during the same period in the same county or city.

Epidemiology of HIV and sexually transmitted infections in China.

As the most populous country in the world, China has been confronted with the huge challenges that HIV and sexually transmitted infections pose. The HIV infection rate among adults is lower than 0.1%, however, the estimated number of HIV infections sits around one million, according to the estimation of some experts.

HIV/AIDS-related discrimination in Shanxi rural areas of China.

Objective: In order to explore the features of discrimination against people with HIV/AIDS in rural areas, a community-based intervention was carried out in two pilot communities of X County of Shanxi Province from September 2002 to October 2003.

Methods: Data were collected using qualitative methods (in-depth interview and focus group discussion) and anonymously structured questionnaires.

Results: (1) Severe discrimination against people infected with HIV/AIDS was revealed in the target communities.

[Ponderal index at birth predicts metabolic syndrome in mid-aged Chinese].

Objective: To examine the association between Ponderal index (PI) at birth and metabolic syndrome during middle age.

Methods: Totally, 975 adults (494 men and 481 women) aged 41-52 from the study cohort of Fetal Origin of Adult Disease were recruited in the study for clinic examinations, involving anthropometry and measurements of blood pressure, fasting and 2 hr plasma levels of glucose and insulin, serum lipid profile. Their HOMA-insulin resistance (IR) index was estimated.

[Cigarette smoking and Parkinson's disease: a population based case-control study].

Objective: To explore the association with cigarette smoking for Parkinson's disease (PD).

Methods: One hundred and fourteen PD cases and 205 controls matched on gender and race were recruited from ongoing PD prevalence survey and identified at the neurological clinic of Peking Union Medical College Hospital. Face to face questionnaire interview was carried out and data on smoking and alcohol consumption were analyzed in a population-based case control study.

Parkinson's disease and smoking: an integral part of PD's etiological study.

Objective: To explore the association of Parkinson's disease (PD) with cigarette smoking.

Methods: One hundred of fourteen PD patients were compared with 205 control subjects who were matched by gender, race and residency. A previously validated questionnaire including smoking, alcohol/tea consumption as well as some other environmental exposure data was administered.

AIDS-related knowledge, condom usage among medical postgraduates.

Objective: To investigate the knowledge about safety/unsafety of sexual acts relating to HIV transmission, levels of embarrassment related to condom and condom usage among medical postgraduates.

Methods: From August to December, 1998, a self-administered anonymous questionnaire was given to 271 new medical postgraduates from two medical colleges of Beijing and Hebei Province.

Results: There was a hazy understanding of the protective function of condom from AIDS among medical postgraduates.