Search

With the rapid development of worldwide economy and globalization, the health of international floating population especially sexual health has become a problem can not be ignored. This study explored the potential vulnerability of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) from the aspects of society, religion, culture, migration, community environment and personal behaviors. The in-depth exploratory interviews with 51 international floating people living in China were conducted in June and July 2022. We found that the conservative culture under the shackles of religion leads to the lack of sex education, resulting in insufficient personal knowledge and a lack of motivation and awareness to negotiate condom use in sexual contact. Additionally, geographical isolation and the reduction of informal social supervision led to the sudden expansion of personal space, which challenges the ability of individuals to cope with STD risk together with social isolation and marginalization, and increases the possibility of individuals engaging in risky behaviors.

Background In Bangladesh, particularly in rural areas, it is not common for teenage girls to openly discuss sexual and reproductive health (SRH) issues including menarche with their mothers because of cultural taboos and traditional beliefs. In light of this, we aim to explore mother-daughter interpersonal communication in regards to menarche and influencing determinants in Chattogram, Bangladesh. Methods A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted among younger adolescent girls (N = 870) attending grade 7 and grade 8 aged 12–14 years in six high schools. In addition, mothers were also interviewed to obtain more in-depth insights into the issue. Results Among adolescents, 81.6% communicated with their mothers followed by sisters, relatives and friends after experiencing menarche, while 59.9% reported that it was mothers who first commenced interaction with them. More than half (51.7%) stated that they felt shy during interaction with their mothers after menarche. Many mothers transmitted different myths and misconceptions with regards to menstruation, with this more prevalent in rural areas compared to urban settings. Being urban respondents, use of Facebook by mothers, mothers as the prime source of SRH knowledge, and prior knowledge of menarche were reported as the significant predictors (p

Background: Considering more than 720,000 Rohingya into Bangladesh, unplanned pregnancy, and serious complications of pregnancy among refugees, this study aims to explore the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of family planning (FP) and associated factors among the Rohingya women living in the refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. Methods: Four hundred Rohingya women were investigated, and data were collected using a structured questionnaire, which included socio-demographic characteristics, awareness of contraceptive methods, knowledge, attitudes and practices on FP. Linear regression analysis was performed to identify the predictors of outcome variables. Results: Of the Rohingya refugee women, 60% were unaware that there is no physical harm in adopting a permanent method of birth control. Half of them lack proper knowledge of whether a girl was eligible for marriage before the age of 18. More than two-thirds think family planning methods should not be used without the husband’s permission. Besides, 40% were ashamed and afraid to discuss family planning matters with their husbands, considering it as a sin. Of them, 58% had the opinion that a couple should continue bearing children until a son is born. Linear regression analyses demonstrated that Racidong in Myanmar as the region of residence, being professional, number of children, physician/nurse being the source of FP knowledge, having FP interventions in the camp, participating in a FP program, visiting a health facility, and talking with a health care provider on FP were significantly associated with Rohingya women’s better KAP of FP. Conclusions: The study showed that Rohingya refugee women are a marginalized population in family planning and the comprehensive FP-KAP capability was low. Contraceptives among the Rohingyas are unpopular, mainly due to a lack of education and family planning awareness. In addition, family planning initiatives among Rohingya refugees were limited by some traditional cultural and religious beliefs. Therefore, strengthening FP interventions and increasing the accessibility to essential health services and education are indispensable in order to improve maternal health among refugees.

Background: Improving the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) of adolescent girls is one of the primary agenda of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Adequate and accurate knowledge, favorable attitude, safe behavior, and regular practice contribute to the adolescent girls’ SRH, maternal, and child health. In the background, this study aims to explore the level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of SRH among college-going older adolescent girls in Chittagong district, Bangladesh. Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted in four colleges among the older adolescent girls age group of 16-17 (N = 792) attending a higher secondary grade in Chittagong district. Data were collected using a structured and self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression analyses were used to summarize the SRH-related KAP and identify the associated factors, respectively. Results: 62% of study participants had the awareness that both physical and psychological changes occur in the adolescence period, while only 36% knew that menstruation is not a disease. Besides, only 30% of adolescent girls were informed about taking birth control has no adverse effect on the sexual relationship of a couple. Moreover, only 40% of students were learned that HIV could not be spread through the mosquito and flea, whereas only 25% knew that transmission of HIV is unlikely from an infected person’s coughing and sneezing. Of older adolescent girls, 35% disagreed perfectly whether sexual education can lead to more sexual activity. Besides, more or less 20% of participants opined that adolescent girls should refrain from going outside even to the school, entering into the kitchen, touching anyone, brushing hair, and see in the mirror. Moreover, 52% of adolescent girls wanted to learn more details about SRH, while 48% felt timid and afraid of their puberty changes. Besides, 62.5% of adolescent girls reported their using cloth during the menstrual cycle instead of the sanitary pad. Standardized coefficients beta (β) and p value < .05 in linear regression analyses explored that adolescent girls’ study of science, urban residence, reading or watching SRH contents on the mass media appeared as the more significant predictors for outcome variables. Conclusion: Many problems related to SRH exist among older adolescent girls in Bangladesh, such as behaviors and social constraints associated with menstruation, myths, and assumptions, recognition of the value of awareness and knowledge of reproductive health. Therefore, strengthening SRH-related comprehensive education programs incorporating into the curriculum, effective use of mass media, and supplying behavioral change communication materials are essential.

Background: This study aimed to predict the disease burden of esophageal cancer (EC) over the period 2013-2030 in China. Methods : A dynamic cohort Markov model was developed to simulate the EC prevalence, disability-adjusted life years (DALY), and the medical direct expenditure based on gender. JoinPoint Regression Program was used to calculate the average annual percentage change (AAPC) of EC prevalence and DALY rates, while the regression model was applied to analyze the changing trend of economic burden over time. Results: The predicted DALY rates per 100 000 people increased in both-sex (219.17 - 252.39) and males (302.89 – 384.31), while it decreased in females (131.21- 115.91). The years of life lost (YLL) accounted for the majority of DALYs. The AAPC were 0.8%(95% CI, 0.8%-0.9%), 1.4%(95% CI, 1.3%- 1.5%), and -0.7%(95% CI, -0.8%- -0.7%) in both-sex, males and females, respectively. The medical direct expenditure in both-sex, males, and females was predicted to increase by 165.35%, 194.04%, and 94.20%, respectively. Conclusions: EC still caused a severe burden on society. YLL was responsible for the majority of the DALYs, which highly suggesting the implementation of accurate prevention like screening and early diagnosis and treatment programs.

There is limited long-term data on the effect of ART on clinical outcomes in HIV/HBV patients in China. The objective of this study was to understand the ART treatment effect and the factors associated with the loss to follow-up or death of HIV/HBV co-infected patients in the city of Beijing, China. Methods: This study examined clinical indicators for HIV mono-infected or HIV/HBV co-infected patients from Jan. 2010 to Sep. 2018. Included patients were followed for a mean duration of 34.5 months after ART. Covariance analysis for repeated measures was used to analyze the changes of clinical indicators; multivariate logistic regression and Cox model were used to analyze the influencing factors of the abnormal incidence of clinical indicators and the lost to follow-up or death in HIV patients. Results: A total of 841 HIV/HBV co-infected patients and 2000 HIV patients were analyzed. Adherence was estimated to be 93% in all patients. At baseline, ALT, AST, OIs and APRI≥0.5 in HIV/HBV patients were higher, while the CD4 and CD4/CD8 ratio were lower. After ART treatment, the rate of APRI≥0.5 (4.4%) were still higher in HIV/HBV patients and HBV co-infection affect the prevalence of APRI≥0.5 (OR=2.745, 95% CI 1.041-7.243). The variables related to LTFU or death in HIV patients were initial CD4 (HR=0.784, 95% CI 0.652-0.943), APRI≥0.5 (HR=4.647, 95% CI 1.331-16.227), OIs (HR=4.910, 95% CI 2.352-10.247) and age (HR=1.336, 95% CI 1.004-1.778). HBV coinfection was not associated with increased LTFU or overall mortality in HIV patients (p>0.05). Conclusion: With good ART treatment and adherence rate, the clinical indicators were improved significantly in HIV/HBV co-infected patients. However, the incidence of hepatic fibrosis was higher in these patients.