Yin-Chieh Lai, Ming-Kun Lu, Yen Kuang Yang, Jin-Jia Lin, Hung-Pin Tan, Wei J. Chen, Ruolin Lu, Po-Hsiu Kuo
{"title":"Clinical Features and Familial Aggregation of Social Relationships in Major Depressive and Bipolar Disorders in Southern Taiwan","authors":"Yin-Chieh Lai, Ming-Kun Lu, Yen Kuang Yang, Jin-Jia Lin, Hung-Pin Tan, Wei J. Chen, Ruolin Lu, Po-Hsiu Kuo","doi":"10.6288/TJPH2010-29-02-10","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.6288/TJPH2010-29-02-10","url":null,"abstract":"Objectives: To investigate the demographic features and the distribution of symptoms for major depressive disorder (MDD), bipolar disorder type I (BPI), and bipolar disorder type II (BPII) families in Southern Taiwan, and to evaluate the familial aggregation of social relationships for the three diagnoses. Methods: A total of 290 probands (127, 43.8% BPI; 84, 29.0% BPII; and 79, 27.2% MDD) and 399 relatives participated in this study. Participants were interviewed by well-trained interviewers using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) in order to collect data about diagnosis, demographic and clinical features. Familial aggregation of social relationships were evaluated by the use of mixed models and intraclass correlation coefficients. Results: The female to male ratio was two to one in MDD and one to one in BPD. A higher proportion of MDD patients were married than were BPD patients. About ninety percent of all mood disorder patients had low socioeconomic status. Patients with BPD had an earlier age of onset and more depressive/manic episodes than did MDD patients. Probands with more severe impairments tended to have fewer contacts with friends. A familial aggregation of social dependence was observed in our sample. Conclusions: MDD and BPD patients have different clinical characteristics and familial aggregation of social relationships.","PeriodicalId":34895,"journal":{"name":"Taiwan Journal of Public Health","volume":"12 10","pages":"169-182"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2010-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"72430722","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Trends in Child and Adolescent Injury Mortality in Taiwan, 1986-2006","authors":"W. Chien, L. Pai, C. Chu, Senyeong Kao, S. Tsai","doi":"10.6288/TJPH2010-29-01-03","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.6288/TJPH2010-29-01-03","url":null,"abstract":"Objectives: To describe national trends in injury mortality rates for Taiwanese children aged 0-19 from 1986 to 2006. Methods: Data were obtained from the official Vital Statistics System of the Department of Health, Executive Yuan. Injuries were classified by intent and mechanism using ICD-9 criteria. Mortality rates were age-adjusted for each year's standard population. Simple linear regression was used to determine the trends. Results: From 1986 to 2006, the mortality rate per 100,000 for unintentional injuries at ages 0-19 declined by 63% (from 35.3 to 13.2) and the suicide rate declined by almost half (from 1.9 to 1.0). The homicide rate for ages 0-19 combined declined but the homicide rate for children under age 5 increased. Except for homicide in young children, all age groups showed decreasing trends. The 15-19 age group had the highest total death rate due to injury and accounted for 52% of all injury deaths. Motor vehicle injuries (MVI) were the most common cause of death (accounting for 50% of all injury deaths), followed by drowning (17%), suffocation (7%), fire and flames (4%), falls (4%) and poisoning (2%). Suffocation caused 68% of injury deaths in infants. Conclusions: After 1989, the mortality rates for unintentional injuries and suicide declined, but the homicide rate for young children increased. Laws to prevent violence in the home must be enforced, and drowning prevention programs implemented and incorporated into the Children and Adolescent Safety Implementation Program. Preventive efforts should also target MVI and suicide in the15-19 age group, drowning at all ages, and suffocation and homicide for infants and children under 5 years of age.","PeriodicalId":34895,"journal":{"name":"Taiwan Journal of Public Health","volume":"18 1","pages":"22-32"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2010-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"86232482","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
S. Coulibaly, Pimei Nancy Yen, Lizhen Fu, Yi Ming Arthur Chen
{"title":"Needs Assessment of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Taiwan","authors":"S. Coulibaly, Pimei Nancy Yen, Lizhen Fu, Yi Ming Arthur Chen","doi":"10.6288/TJPH2007-26-01-05","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.6288/TJPH2007-26-01-05","url":null,"abstract":"Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess and compare the needs of HIV/AIDS patients in outpatient clinics, prisons and residential care facilities in northern of Taiwan. Methods: From December 2005 to April 2006, 367 people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs) from the outpatient special AIDS clinics of the Taipei City Hospital, Taipei Detention Centers and Tao Yuan Prisons and two residential care facilities in Taipei participated in this study. The data was analyzed using the Statistical Package of Social Sciences version 12. Results: The results showed that one-third of the all the participants were unaware of their CD4 count (32%) and their viral load (37.8%). Moreover, support from health care workers and personal support were identified as the most important needs among PLWHAs. The following items were listed among PLWHAs from the residential care facilities: financial assistance, transportation, and personal relations. The perceived physical and psychological health was particularly weak among PLWHAs in residential care facilities. Patients in residential care facilities and prisons tended to have higher levels of psychological and social needs. The survival strategies were mostly based on nutrition, antiretroviral therapy, exercise, family care and peer support, however, work seemed to be very important for patients living in residential care facilities. Conclusions: Results of this research projects shown that more counseling and information should be provided to the patients. The fact that most of the patients in prisons have never received CD4 count and the viral load tests indicates that these tests should be provided in prisons.","PeriodicalId":34895,"journal":{"name":"Taiwan Journal of Public Health","volume":"3 1","pages":"38-48"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2007-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"89534079","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Sexual Violence Victimization and Condom Use in Relation to Exchange of Sexual Services by Female Methamphetamine Prisoners: An Exploratory Study of HIV Prevention","authors":"T. Lee","doi":"10.6288/TJPH2006-25-03-05","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.6288/TJPH2006-25-03-05","url":null,"abstract":"Objectives: In Taiwan, the street term ”sugar girl” refers to an individual who performs a sex act in exchange for drugs or money. This study aimed to determine factors associated with exchange of sexual services by female methamphetamine offenders in Taiwan. Methods: Given the personal nature of the collected data, eligible participants were asked to indicate their willingness to participate by signing consent forms. Surveys were conducted on 270 literate female prisoners aged over 18 with a history of methamphetamine offense. Results: Of the 270 participants, 86 (32%) had previously exchanged sex for drugs or money. Only 15% had used a condom during their last sexual intercourse. The results showed that women who exchanged sex were more likely to be older, have used illicit substances at an earlier age, have multiple partners, and have been raped. Conclusions: The findings provide evidence that exchanging sex and sexual violence were common, and condom use rates are low enough to encourage transmission of HIV and other STDs. Intervention programs need to not only promote condom use but also need to provide counseling to victims of rape.","PeriodicalId":34895,"journal":{"name":"Taiwan Journal of Public Health","volume":"51 1","pages":"214-222"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2006-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"73814051","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Chao-Hua Chuang, J. Lai, Jung-Der Wang, Pei-jen Chang, Pau-Chung Chen
{"title":"Prevalence and Related Factors of Chinese Herbal Medicine Use in Pregnant Women of Taipei, 1985-1987","authors":"Chao-Hua Chuang, J. Lai, Jung-Der Wang, Pei-jen Chang, Pau-Chung Chen","doi":"10.6288/TJPH2005-24-04-07","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.6288/TJPH2005-24-04-07","url":null,"abstract":"Objectives: The use of herbal medicines during pregnancy is becoming fashionable. The purpose of this study is to explore the prevalence and related factors of pregnant women using Chinese herbal medicines in Taipei. Methods: During 1985-87, a total of 10,756 pregnant women with 26 or more weeks of gestation who came to the Taipei Municipal Maternal and Child Hospital for prenatal care, were interviewed by trained interviewers using structured questionnaires to obtain detailed information. Multiple logistic regressions were used to estimate odds ratios of the dichotomous outcomes such as Chinese herbal medicines, medicines and supplements during different time periods. Results: The use of at least one herbal medicine was 6.9% before pregnancy and 42.3% during pregnancy. Before pregnancy, women used significantly more Chinese herbal medicines associated with lower family incomes, primipara, gynecological diseases, and irregular cycles of menstruation. During pregnancy, pregnant women with characteristics of lower education, a non-professional job, previous spontaneous or induced abortion or stillbirth, and women carried HBsAg virus tended to use Chinese herbal medicines. Conclusions: This mid-1980s survey showed that Chinese herbal medicines were frequently used before and during pregnancy in Taipei women, especially among those with low socio-economic levels. It deserves future studies to clarify their potential health effects on fetuses and enquire about such habits during prenatal care.","PeriodicalId":34895,"journal":{"name":"Taiwan Journal of Public Health","volume":"93 1","pages":"335-347"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2005-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"85554441","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Expanding the Role of Health Service Providers and the Health Care Profession in the Delivery of long-term Care","authors":"Shwu-chong Wu, Kun-Yang Chuang, Yuka Dai, Shyh-Dye Lee, Hong-jer Chang, Guey-Ing Day, Hsiu Mei Chen","doi":"10.6288/TJPH2005-24-03-02","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.6288/TJPH2005-24-03-02","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":34895,"journal":{"name":"Taiwan Journal of Public Health","volume":"30 1","pages":"189-191"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2005-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"73712762","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}