Dietary patterns and the risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: A population-based case-control study in a rural population.

Background & Aims: Few studies were available in exploring the roles of dietary patterns in the development of esophageal cancer, especially in China. This study aimed to investigate the roles of dietary patterns in the risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in a Chinese rural population.

Methods: A population-based cases-control study was designed and conducted in Yanting County, Sichuan Province of China during two years (between June 2011 and May 2013).

Environmental tobacco smoke exposure and Chinese schoolchildren's respiratory health: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Although China is the most coveted cigarette market worldwide, few studies have examined the longitudinal effects of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) on health.

Purpose: To examine the relationship between exposure to ETS and respiratory health in Chinese schoolchildren.

Methods: The study subjects included 1718 children, who were never-smokers, aged 10.

Physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness, and obesity among Chinese children.

Objective: To investigate the relationships of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and physical activity (PA) with the risk of overweight/obesity in Chinese schoolchildren.

Methods: A total of 1795 children aged 8-13 years at baseline were followed-up for 18 months from 2006 to 2008 in Guangzhou, China. Children were categorized as "normal weight", "overweight", and "obese" using Chinese obesity cut-off points.

Effects of ambient air pollution on lung function growth in Chinese schoolchildren.

Objective: To evaluate the adverse effect of exposure to air pollution on lung function growth in school-aged children.

Methods: A cohort of 1983 children from three districts in Guangzhou, China was followed-up for 6 months. The children performed pulmonary function tests twice, and their parents reported the child's respiratory symptoms by self-administered questionnaires in both surveys.

Mental health issues in Chinese offshore oil workers.

Background: Offshore oil platform work is regarded as a stressful occupation, and occupational stress has been shown to be an important risk factor for mental illness. Little, however, is known about the main and interactive effects of occupational stress and coping styles on the mental health of Chinese offshore oil platform workers.

Aims: To explore the association of mental health with occupational stress, coping styles and their interaction among Chinese offshore oil platform workers.

Influence of occupational stress on mental health among Chinese off-shore oil workers.

Aim: To explore the influence of occupational stress on mental health in off-shore oil production.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 561 Chinese off-shore oil workers. The workers were invited to fill in a self-administered questionnaire exploring their socio-demographic characteristics, occupational stress levels, and 12-item general health questionnaire.

Direct and interactive effects of occupational stress and coping on ulcer-like symptoms among Chinese male off-shore oil workers.

Background: Off-shore oil production is widely regarded as a stressful occupation and digestive system problems were commonly observed in off-shore oil workers. Is occupational stress from off-shore oil work associated with the occurrence of digestive problems among off-shore oil workers? And are coping styles also related to their occurrence? The aim of this study was to explore the direct and interactive association of occupational stress and coping styles with ulcer-like symptoms in Chinese male off-shore oil workers.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 561 Chinese male off-shore oil workers.

Association between air pollution and general practitioner visits for respiratory diseases in Hong Kong.

Background: Few studies have explored the relation between air pollution and general practitioner (GP) consultations in Asia. Clinic attendance data from a network of GPs were studied, and the relationship between daily GP consultations for upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) and non-URTI respiratory diseases and daily air pollutant concentrations measured in their respective districts was examined.

Methods: A time series study was performed in 2000-2002 using data on daily patient consultations in 13 GP clinics distributed over eight districts.

Cluster of SARS among medical students exposed to single patient, Hong Kong.

We studied transmission patterns of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) among medical students exposed exclusively to the first SARS patient in the Prince of Wales Hospital in Hong Kong, before his illness was recognized. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 66 medical students who visited the index patient's ward, including 16 students with SARS and 50 healthy students. The risk of contracting SARS was sevenfold greater among students who definitely visited the index case's cubicle than in those who did not (10/27 [41%] versus 1/20 [5%], relative risk 7.

Can schoolchildren provide valid answers about their respiratory health experiences in questionnaires? Implications for epidemiological studies.

To evaluate the relative validity of information on children's respiratory experience given by different informants, we examined and compared the relationship between low ventilatory function (defined as more than 1 standard deviation below the corresponding mean) and schoolchildren's respiratory symptoms or illnesses reported separately by the children and their parents, using a standard respiratory questionnaire. A total of 1,963 children aged 8-12 years from 12 primary schools in three districts of Hong Kong provided parent-completed and self-completed questionnaires, as well as acceptable spirometric measurements. Prevalence of low forced expiratory volume ratio (FEV1/FVC) and low forced expiratory flow rate between 25-75% of FVC (FEF25-75) were higher among those with either parent or child-reported symptoms/illnesses.

Awareness, treatment and control of hypertension in patients attending hospital clinics in China.

Objectives: To determine awareness, treatment and control of hypertension in patients attending hospital clinics in China.

Design: A cross-sectional survey.

Patients And Setting: Patients over the age of 35 years, who were attending outpatient clinics in 18 hospitals of eight major cities of Northern and Southern China, were interviewed face-to-face between June and July 1999.

A cross-sectional study of health-related behaviors in rural eastern China.

Objective: This study examined the status of health-related behaviors among rural residents and the factors influencing the practice of such behaviors.

Methods: One thousand and ninety subjects aged 15 years or over in a rural community, Anhui Province, China were surveyed. A questionnaire was used to collect information on the health knowledge, attitude and behavior of the subjects.