Evidence for the Reliability and Validity of the Arabic Version of the Student Risk Screening Scale for Internalizing and Externalizing Behaviors (SRSS-IE)

School-based universal screening for behavioral/emotional risk is a necessary first step to providing services in an educational setting for students with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBDs). Psychometric properties are critical to making decisions about choosing a screening instrument. The purpose of the present study was to examine the psychometric properties of the student risk screening scale for internalizing and externalizing behaviors (SRSS-IE). Participants included 3145 students and their teachers. Item-level analyses of the current sample supported the retention of all items. The internal consistency of the SRSS items ranged from 0.83 to 0.85. Convergent validity between the SRSS-IE and a well-established screening tool, the strength and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ), was found for the total score (r = 0.70). Additionally, the results of this study demonstrate strong social validity, suggesting the SRSS-IE to be a useful and functional screening tool. We conclude that the SRSS-IE is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing the level of emotional and behavioral difficulties among elementary students.

Health-related risky behaviors and their risk factors in adolescents with high-functioning autism

BACKGROUND Health-related risky behaviors generally refer to behaviors that have a negative impact on health and quality of life.Health-related risky behaviors in adolescents with high-functioning autism(HFA)have not been well understood so far.Adolescents with HFA may have more health-related risky behaviors than neurotypical adolescents.AIM To investigate health-related risky behaviors and their risk factors with HFA.METHODS This is an observational study.Our study enrolled 110 adolescents aged 12-19-years-old meeting Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 4th edition criteria for HFA.They were recruited from Peking University Sixth Hospital.There were also 110 age,sex and nationality matched controls enrolled who came from a public school in Beijing,China.Both groups completed the Adolescents Health-related Risky Behavior Inventory.Nonparametric tests were carried out for comparison of the Adolescents Health-related Risky Behavior Inventory scores between the two groups.Expression recognition,the Inventory of Subjective Life Quality for Child and Adolescent,Chinese Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children,Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Adult-Chinese Revised,Theory of Mind test and Autism Spectrum Screening Questionnaire were assessed in the autism group to explore factors associated with health-related risky behaviors.Multivariate regression analysis was conducted to explore the risk factors of health-related risky behaviors in the HFA group.RESULTS The results showed that the total score of the Adolescents Health-related Risky Behavior Inventory and scores of“aggression and violence,”“suicide and selfinjury,”“health compromising behavior”and“unprotected sex”subscales in the HFA group were significantly higher than those in the control group(Z range-4.197 to-2.213,P<0.05).Among the associated factors,poor emotional experience(B=-0.268,P<0.001),depression(B=-0.321,P<0.001),low score of intelligence(B=-0.032,P=0.042),low score of Theory of Mind test(B=-1.321,P=0.003)and poor adaptation to school life(B=-0.152,P=0.006)were risk factors.These risky behaviors may promote the occurrence of health-related risky behaviors in adolescents with HFA.CONCLUSION This study showed that adolescents with HFA were more likely to be involved in health-related risky behaviors.Different health-related risky behaviors have different reasons.

A Dataset on the Status Quo of Health and Health-Related Behaviors of Chinese Youth: A Longitudinal Large-Scale Survey in the Secondary School Students of Shandong Province

This data article describes data acquired from the Database of Youth Health(DYH)program.The DYH program consisted of a multi-wave survey conducted annually in the academic year 2015/2016,2016/2017,2017/2018,and 2020/2021 to investigate the status quo of health and health-related behaviors of Chinese junior and senior high school students.A total of 99,327 students from 186 secondary schools in 17 cities of Shandong province participated in the survey.The dataset is longitudinal and consists of rich parameters in aspects of individual information,social-economic status,social interaction,nutrition and diet,psychological cognition,mental health,school adaptation,quality of life,spare-time physical activity,risk behaviors,and physical fitness evaluation results based on the National Student Physical Fitness and Health 2014.It is the first open shared dataset about Chinese adolescents’health and health-related behaviors.It would be valuable and beneficial for policy makers,educational institutions,and other stakeholders to generate or adjust the existing strategies for improving Chinese adolescents’wellbeing.

Sex- and Age-Specific Associations of Social Status and Health-Related Behaviors with Health Check Attendance: Findings from the Cross-Sectional Kanazawa Study

Health checks are key features of primary and secondary disease prevention. The aim of this study was to examine the sex- and age-specific association of social status and health-related behaviors with health check attendance in eligible persons. Data were derived from the Kanazawa Study 2011 (n = 12,781), a cross-sectional study which investigated all the residents in model areas of Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. We selected participants aged 23 years or older with National Health Insurance (n = 4920). Attendance at health checks was the outcome. We used social status and health-related behaviors as predictor variables. We analyzed them by sex and applied stratified analyses by age groups for each sex. The bivariate analyses were conducted by means of cross-tabs. We calculated health check attendance rates by each variable. We used Pearson’s χ2-test to examine statistically significant differences. We fitted logistic regression models to estimate adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of attendance in the past one year. We computed ORs in a logistic regression model containing all variables described above. Workingmen and women aged 23 to 39 years and aged 40 to 64 years had significantly increased ORs for health check attendance compared with non-working persons. Men, men aged 23 to 39 years and men aged 65 years or older with more physical activity had significantly increased ORs for health check attendance. Male ex-smokers, female ex- and non-smokers, male ex-smokers aged 65 years or older, and female non-smokers aged 40 to 64 years had significantly increased ORs. The findings suggest that population groups with lower social status or increased risks of adverse health effects are less likely to attend health checks than those with higher social status or decreased risks in particular sex and age groups. It indicates that diverse approaches are required to realize the full benefit of health checks.

Assessing current faulting behaviors and seismic risk of the Anninghe-Zemuhe fault zone from seismicity parameters

Using the data of regional seismic network, this paper analyzes the current faulting behaviors of different segments of the Anninghe-Zemuhe fault zone, western Sichuan, and identifies the likely risky segments for potential large earthquakes. The authors map the probable asperities from the abnormally low b-value distribution, develop and employ a method for identifying current faulting behaviors of individual fault segment from the combinations of multiple seismicity parameter values, and make an effort to estimate the average recurrence intervals of character-istic earthquakes by using the parameters of magnitude-frequency relationship of the asperity segment. The result suggests that the studied fault zone contains 5 segments of different current faulting behaviors. Among them, the Mianning-Xichang segment of the Anninghe fault has been locked under high stress, its central part is probably an asperity with a relatively large scale. The Xichang-Puge segment of the Zemuhe fault displays very low seismicity under low stress. Both the locked segment and the low-seismicity segment can be outlined on the across-profile of relocated hypocenter depths. The Mianning-Xichang segment is identified to be the one with potential large earth-quake risk, for which the average recurrence interval between the latest M = 6.7 earthquake in 1952 and the next characteristic event is estimated to be 55 to 67 years, and the magnitude of the potential earthquake between 7.0 and 7.5. Also, it has been preliminarily suggested that for a certain fault segment, its faulting behaviors may change and evolve with time gradually.

Assessing current faulting behaviors and seismic risk of the Anninghe-Zemuhe fault zone from seismicity parameters

Using the data of regional seismic network, this paper analyzes the current faulting behaviors of different segments of the Anninghe-Zemuhe fault zone, western Sichuan, and identifies the likely risky segments for potential large earthquakes. The authors map the probable asperities from the abnormally low b-value distribution, develop and employ a method for identifying current faulting behaviors of individual fault segment from the combinations of multiple seismicity parameter values, and make an effort to estimate the average recurrence intervals of character-istic earthquakes by using the parameters of magnitude-frequency relationship of the asperity segment. The result suggests that the studied fault zone contains 5 segments of different current faulting behaviors. Among them, the Mianning-Xichang segment of the Anninghe fault has been locked under high stress, its central part is probably an asperity with a relatively large scale. The Xichang-Puge segment of the Zemuhe fault displays very low seismicity under low stress. Both the locked segment and the low-seismicity segment can be outlined on the across-profile of relocated hypocenter depths. The Mianning-Xichang segment is identified to be the one with potential large earth-quake risk, for which the average recurrence interval between the latest M = 6.7 earthquake in 1952 and the next characteristic event is estimated to be 55 to 67 years, and the magnitude of the potential earthquake between 7.0 and 7.5. Also, it has been preliminarily suggested that for a certain fault segment, its faulting behaviors may change and evolve with time gradually.

Multifactorial study of mobile phone dependence in medical students: Relationship to health-related lifestyle, Type A behavior, and depressive state

We investigated factors contributing to mobile phone dependence. To 139 medical students, we administered a self-reporting questionnaire designed to evaluate mobile phone dependence, health-related lifestyle, patterns of behavior, and depressive state. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that scores for poor health-related lifestyle, Type A behavior pattern, and presence of depression are independently associated with degree of mobile phone dependency. These findings suggest that persons with an unhealthy lifestyle, Type A behavior traits, or depression might benefit from mobile phone use guidance.

Extension of Goal-Directed Behavior Model for Post-Pandemic Korean Travel Intentions to Alternative Local Destinations: Perceived Risk and Knowledge

Since the outbreak of COVID-19,tourists have been increasingly concerned over various risks of international travel,while knowledge of the pandemic appears to vary significantly.In addition,as travel restrictions continue to impact adversely on international tourism,tourism efforts should be placed more on the domestic markets.Via structural equation modeling,this study unearthed different risk factors impacting Korean travelers’choices of alternative local destinations in the post-pandemic era.In addition,this study extended the goal-directed behavior framework with the acquisition of perceived risk and knowledge of COVID-19,which was proven to hold a sig-nificantly superior explanatory power of tourists’decisions of local alternatives over foreign countries during the COVID-19 pandemic.Furthermore,desire was found to play an imminent mediating role in the conceptual mod-el,maximizing the impact of perceived risk on travel intentions.Henceforth,this research offers meaningful the-oretical implication as thefirst empirical study to deepen the goal-directed behaviour framework with perceived risk and knowledge in the context of post-COVID-19 era.It also serves as insightful knowledge for Korean tour-ism authorities and practitioners to understand local tourists’decision-making processes and tailor effective recovery strategy for domestic tourism.

The Relationship between AIDS High Risk Behaviors and Childhood Status, Perception of Gender Orientation and Rare Experiences/Psychology among Chinese Gays

Objectives: To probe some more important factors affecting the HIV epidemic by surveying the relationshipbetween AIDS high risk behaviors and childhood status,attitude/perception to gender of male/sex orientation andrare experiences/Psy-chology among Chinese gays. Methods: Data were collected from 240 Chinese gays whowere attracted by their same gender. Results: The extent of sex among China's Mainland gays issimilar to that of industrialized countries, and behaviorsthat exacerbate the HIV epidemic are universal.Perceptions 'being a girl is better',' Dislike toys likeswords or pistols in early childhood were predictors topassive anal intercourse in adulthood. Those gay men whobegan sexual intercourse younger than 16 years old tendedto have more sex partners and suffered more pain. Thosedisliked gender of male or self-regarded as female tended tohave more passive anal intercourse and related to childhoodcross-gender experience/psychology while those were raised as girls by their parentsdid not take on e above characters. Individuals who experienced sex coercion and drug abuse were the twosubgroups with the greatest high-risk behaviors. Individualswho had sex with females had the greatest number of malesex partners and were more prone to group sex. Individualswith pedophilia or gerontophilia had more casual sexpartners. Psychological problems encountered by Chinese Conclusions: The prospect of an extensive AIDSepidemic among Chinese gays does exist and somesubgroups of gays play more important roles in theepidemic. Some high risk behaviors among adult gays canbe foreseen explicitly by the predictors taking on inchildhood, and closely relate to attitude/perception, togender of male, to some rare experience/psychology.

Clustering of Multiple Risk Behaviors among Ethnically Diverse Adolescents Living in Hawaii

The current study examined the prevalence and clustering of 5 health-risk behaviors among adolescents in Hawaii, including physical inactivity, low fruit and vegetable consumption, junk food consumption, excessive television time, and inadequate sleep. High school students were recruited from 5 classrooms in Oahu Hawaii. Data were collected in the spring semester of 2011. Proportions were used to describe the prevalence of single and multiple health risk behaviors. Significant health behavior clusters were revealed using an observed-to-expected (O/E) ratio method. Participating adolescents (n = 114) were 11th and 12th grade students with a mean age of 16.28 (SD = 0.62). Participants were predominantly female (75%) and Filipino-American (68%). Seventy-seven percent of adolescents were physically inactive, 90% watched excessive TV, 66% consumed inadequate fruits and vegetables, 94% reported inadequate levels of sleep, and 80% consumed excessive junk food. Overall, 94% reported at least 3 risk factors, 73% reported at least 4 risk factors, and 37% reported all 5 risk factors. No significant clusters were found. Conclusion: Health-risk behaviors cluster and occur more often than expected among adolescents living in Hawaii. Non-significant clustering may be due to insufficient variability within the sample data;future examinations of this highly understudied population are necessary.

Relationships of youth risk behaviors with norm-consciousness and resilience among Japanese high school students

The purpose of this study was to examine the influences of norm-consciousness and resilience on the prevention of youth risk behaviors among Japanese high school students. Data of a national survey, Japan Youth Risk Behavior Survey 2011, was used for this analysis. The subjects were 9778 students (5027 males, 4751 females) in grades 10-12 in 102 schools randomly selected from among high schools throughout Japan. When multiple regression analysis was carried out using four subdomains of norm-consciousness and three subdomains of resilience as the independent variables and nine risk behaviors as the dependent variables, the subdomains of norm-consciousness showed significant positive standardized partial regression coefficients for eight risk behaviors for both males and females. In particular, “current alcohol use” and “ever had sexual intercourse” showed the largest standardized partial regression coefficients for the norm-consciousness in school, and “current cigarette use” showed that for the norm-consciousness in community. The subdomains of resilience showed significant positive standardized partial regression coefficients for five risk behaviors for males and for six those for females. The results of this study suggest that the norm-consciousness is an important protective factor to comprehensively prevent risk behaviors among Japanese adolescents. It is expected to be effective to enhance the norm-consciousness particularly in school and community. In addition, resilience should also be emphasized as a factor to prevent specific risk behaviors.

Which intensities, types, and patterns of movement behaviors are most strongly associated with cardiometabolic risk factors among children?

Purpose:The purpose of this study was to determine which intensities,patterns,and types of 24-h movement behaviors are most strongly associated with cardiometabolic risk factors among children.Methods:A total of 369 children aged 1013 years were studied.Participants wore an Actical accelerometer and a Garmin Forerunner 220 Global Positioning System logger and completed an activity and sleep log for 7 days.Data from these instruments were combined to estimate average minute per day spent in 14 intensities,11 types,and 14 patterns of movement.Body mass index,resting heart rate,and systolic blood pressure values were combined to create a cardiometabolic risk factor score.Partial least squares regression analysis was used to examine associations between the 39 movement behavior characteristics and the cardiometabolic risk factor score.The variable importance in projection(VIP)values were used to determine and rank important movement behavior characteristics.There was evidence of interaction by biological maturity,and the analyses were conducted separately in the 50%least mature and 50%most mature participants.Results:For the least biologically mature participants,fifteen of the 39 movement behavior characteristics had important VIP value scores;eight of these reflected movement intensities(particularly moderate and vigorous intensities),six reflected movement patterns,and one reflected a movement type.For the most mature participants,thirteen of the 39 movement behavior characteristics had important VIP value scores,with five reflecting intensities(particularly moderate and vigorous intensities),five reflecting patterns,and three reflecting types of movement.Conclusion:More than 12 movement behavior characteristics were associated with cardiometabolic risk factors within both the most and least mature participants.Movement intensities within the moderate and vigorous intensity ranges were the most consistent correlates of these risk factors.

Explanatory Models of Inmate HIV Risk Behaviors: Does a Fatalistic Model Exist?

The deprivation, importation, situational, and administrative control models have been used to explain inmate violence. More recently, HIV risk behaviors of inmates have been explained with the deprivation and importation models. The goal of this study is to assess the utility of these models in describing inmate HIV risk behaviors and to identify additional models that may exist. Forty seven ex-offenders released from prison within three months of the study were recruited from a community based organization. They participated in focus group discussions that explored the contexts surrounding inmate engagement in HIV risk behaviors in prison. Data were analyzed using NVivo 7 and results were organized into themes. Inmates engaged in sex in exchange for money and for affection. Inmates who were drug users before incarceration were more likely to abuse drugs in prison. Security measures, if effective, deterred the entrance of illegal substance into prison, but when security is lax, inmates take the opportunity to engage in sex, and illegal substances are brought into prison. Our results reveal that deprivation, importation, situational, and administrative control factors are associated with HIV risk behaviors among inmates and they can be used in explaining these behaviors. The association of risk behaviors with long or life sentences suggests that fatalism may play a role in risk behaviors among inmates. Fatalism is a factor which requires future examination.

Prevalence and Incidence of HIV and Sexual Risk Behaviors in Crack Users in the San Salvador Metropolitan Area, El Salvador

Objective: It is in order to estimate the prevalence and incidence of HIV, the frequency of sexual risk behaviors, and perceptions of available resources to prevent and treat HIV among crack users in the San Salvador Metropolitan Area. Methods: We conducted a survey of 420 crack users by using respondent-driven sampling to measure demographic characteristics, the quantity and frequency of drug use, history of STIs, including HIV, and experiences with organizations which provide prevention and treatment of HIV. Each participant offered a free and voluntary HIV test and was asked permission to share the results of the test with the study. Bernoullian modeling was used to estimate the prevalence and incidence of HIV among heterosexual males in this population. Results: The estimated prevalence was 7% (95% CI: 2.3% -9.8%) among participants who agreed to take the test and share the results, and 4.9% (95% CI: 2.8% -7.8%) assuming that those who did not take the test or share results were seronegative. Participants reported a high frequency of sexual risk behaviors. In addition, participants were reported to have little knowledge of organizations to prevent or treat HIV/AIDS;58% had never taken an HIV test prior to survey administration. Conclusions: Crack users in San Salvador are at high risk for HIV acquisition. HIV prevention interventions are urgently needed, especially interventions increasing access to HIV testing and prevention.

Relationship between Sexual Risk Behaviors and HIV Counseling and Testing (HCT) Uptake among Young People in Nigeria

This study examined the relationship between sexual risk behavior and HIV counselling and testing uptake among young people in Nigeria. Probability sampling technique was used to obtain a sample of 10,091 respondents (ages 15 to 24 years) for the study. The multistage cluster sampling was used to select suitable young people with known probability. Data were collected throughout Nigeria between September and December 2012 from 32,543 households (rural = 22,192;urban = 10,351) using structured and semi-structured questionnaires. The data were summed using descriptive statistics. Frequencies and percentages;measures of central tendencies were used to answer the research question while nonparametric test such as chi-square was used to analyze non-normally distributed data at 0.5 level of significance. Results of data analysis indicated that sexual risk behaviors comprised three variables: sex with multiple partners, intergenerational sex (sex with partners 10 years older), and transactional sex. The results of the chi-square test of association between sex with multiple partners and HCT uptake showed that there was no statistically significant relationship between sex with multiple partners and HCT uptake among young people ages 15 to 24 years in Nigeria. It was among others recommended that sexually active young people in Nigeria should use protection against HIV infection.

Study of Burning Behaviors and Fire Risk of Flame Retardant Plywood by Cone Calorimeter and TG Test

A flame retardant composition was prepared by using phosphoguanidine,guanidine sulfamate,disodium octaborate tetrahydrate and dodecyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride.Veneers were immersed in such flame retardant mixture to prepare plywood.The combustion characteristics and thermal stability of plywood were assessed using a cone calorimeter and TG.Results showed that:(1)High concentration and loading of flame retardant were beneficial for the fire resistance of the plywood.(2)The limiting oxygen index(LOI)and residual mass of plywood processed using the flame retardant was increased by 87.52%and 58.66%compared to those of the untreated plywood,while the average heat release rate(av-HRR),total heat release(THR),effective heat of combustion(EHC),total smoke release(TSR),CO yield(COY),CO_(2) yield(CO_(2)Y)and oxygen consumption were decreased by 44.3%,82.9%,47.0%,86.0%,89.9%,50.1%and 83.1%,respectively.(3)Treated plywood which had a low fire growth index(FGI)displayed a later combustion heat release rate peak and slower flame spread than observed for the untreated material.Combustion of treated plywood displayed a higher fire performance index(FPI),indicating a longer time to ignition.This suggests that burning structures from this material would be subject to a longer time for escape from the structure and would present lower fire risk than similar structures containing treated plywood.(4)TG results demonstrated that the presence of the flame retardant can decrease the pyrolysis temperature for hemicellulose and cellulose,change the decomposition and reaction progress for plywood degradation and promote dehydration carbonization and accelerated charformation.Moreover,the formed char was more stable than that combustion of untreated plywood.(5)The flame retardant contains nitrogen(N),phosphorus(P),boron(B),chlorine(Cl)and guanidine(Gu)compounds.The adhesive also contains N and P compounds.These substances display flame resistance and supplement each other to generate flame retardance than any one used alone.By changing the thermolysis and thermal decomposition processes,the heat release and smoke release from plywood,undergoing combustion was reduced.This controlled generation of combustible substances and promoted dehydration and carbonization to form char.As a result,the flame resistance of plywood was improved significantly.The probability of smoke asphyxia or poisoning death of those trapped in structures containing treated plywood during fire accidents can be decreased dramatically.

Children＇s Problem Behaviors During Free Time as an Incentive for the Increase in Social Risks and Health Risks

Since children, as a rule, have more free time than adults, it is adults＇ responsibility to provide children with a chance to spend the time of relaxation, play, and fun in a beneficial way. Unfortunately, children＇s spare time is nowadays very frequently organized for the sake of brushing up children＇s knowledge, skills, and competences, which is accomplished by means of escalating extra-curriculum activities. When expressed by teacher and parents, these ambition-related attitudes pave the way for the disappearance of children＇s personal interests and motivations to perform complicated tasks which are perceived as unwanted or obscure by the affected children themselves. This form of adults＇ behavior may lead to the feelings of frustration, stress, demotivation, or rebellion on behalf of their children. The said emotional states, especially in relation to the lack of spontaneous play, give rise to serious psychic dysfunctions, and the instability of children＇s psychic balance. It may also pave the way for various forms of destructive behavior that mostly characterize children of younger school age who are about to start schooling.

STUDY ON HIV/STDS KNOWLEDGE AND RISK BEHAVIORS RELATED FACTORS AMONG FEMALE SEX WORKERS IN SHANGHAI,CHINA

Objective To assess the HIV/STDs knowledge and risk behaviors related factors among female sex workers(FSWs)in Shanghai,China.Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in 5 districts(including 3 suburbs and 2 urban districts).A total of 324 FSWs from 88 massage parlors and hair-beauty salons participated in the survey.An interviewer-administrated questionnaire was used to collect information.Results The average score of HIV/STDs knowledge was 15.2±3.9.Multivariate analyses indicated that limited education [odds ratio(OR):8.6,95% confidence interval(CI):2.9-25.6],coming from suburbs [odds ratio(OR):3.7,95% confidence interval(CI):2.0-6.8],monthly income less than 1500 RMB(220 US$)[odds ratio(OR):3.9,95% confidence interval(CI):1.9-8.1],without HIV/STDs-related education experience(OR:5.2,95% CI:2.8-9.5),and coming from provinces of low epidemic(OR:2.7,95% CI:1.1-6.6)were significant predictors of lower HIV/STDs knowledge.And 29.5% FSWs had sex without a condom when clients paid much more money,and 46.3% had the experience of condom broke or slipped during commercial sexual intercourse.Conclusion Health promotion should be conducted to enhance HIV/STDs knowledge and reduce risk behaviors among FSWs from suburbs with limited education in Shanghai especially.

Health behaviors of Korean adults with hepatitis B:Findings of the 2016 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

AIM To assess the frequencies of five health-related behaviors(smoking, alcohol consumption, body weight, sleep dura-tion, and physical activity) in Korean adults with chronic hepatitis B.METHODS Data were obtained from the 2016 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. In total, 5887 subjects(2568 males, 3319 females) over 19 years old were enrolled in this study. Interviews were performed to obtain information on demographic characteristics and medical conditions. A self-administered questionnaire and medical examination were used to assess the smoking history, alcohol use, physical activity, sleep duration, and body weight of the subjects. Chronic hepatitis B was diagnosed based on detection of hepatitis B surface antigen(HBs Ag). The subjects were categorized into HBs Ag positive and negative groups, and a complex sampling analysis was conducted to compare the health behaviors between these groups.RESULTS Among males, the current smoking rate in the HBs Ag positive group was higher than that in the negative group(45.5% vs 38.5%). In the positive group, the rates of monthly and high-risk alcohol use were 70.4% and 17.6% in males and 45.9% and 3.8% in females, respectively. The rate of alcohol use was similar between the two groups [P = 0.455(males) and P = 0.476(females)]. In the HBs Ag positive group, 32.3% and 49.9% of males and 26.5% and 49.6% of females were overweight and physically inactive, respectively. High-risk alcohol consumption and physical inactivity were significantly associated with self-perceived health status.CONCLUSION Our data demonstrate that a large proportion of Korean adults with chronic hepatitis B have poor health behaviors. Further studies are needed to confirm our results.

Association between Selenium in Soil and Diabetes in Chinese Residents Aged 35–74 Years:Results from the 2010 National Survey of Chronic Diseases and Behavioral Risk Factors Surveillance

Objective To explore the association between soil selenium levels and the risk of diabetes in Chinese adults aged 35–74 years.Methods Data for this study were derived from the China Chronic Diseases and Behavioral Risk Factors Surveillance 2010 survey.Selenium concentrations in soil were obtained from the Atlas of Soil Environmental Background Values in China.A two-level binary logistic regression model was used to determine the association between soil selenium concentrations and the risk of diabetes,with participants nested within districts/counties.Results A total of 69,332 participants aged 35–74 years,from 158 districts/counties were included in the analysis.Concentrations of selenium in soil varied greatly across the 158 districts/counties,with a median concentration of 0.219 mg/kg(IQR:0.185–0.248).The results showed that both Quartile 1(0.119–0.185 mg/kg)and Quartile 4(0.249–0.344 mg/kg)groups were positively associated with diabetes compared to a soil selenium concentration of 0.186–0.219 mg/kg(Quartile 2),crude odds ratios(ORs)(95%CI)were 1.227(1.003–1.502)and 1.280(1.048–1.563).The P values were 0.045 and 0.013,for Quartile 1 and Quartile 4 groups,respectively.After adjusting for all confounding factors of interest,the Quartile 1 group became non-significant,and the Quartile 4 group had an adjusted OR(95%CI)of 1.203(1.018–1.421)relative to the reference group(Quartile 2),the P values was 0.030.No significant results were seen for the Quartile 3 group(0.220–0.248 mg/kg)compared to the reference group.Conclusion Excessive selenium concentrations in soil could increase the risk of diabetes among Chinese adults aged 35–74 years.