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Biomedical subjects

M D Malison

Publications and source records attributed to M D Malison.

12 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1990

A prevalence survey of behavioural risk factors in Taipei City, Taiwan.

In 1986, we conducted a telephone survey of 2514 residents of Taipei City, Taiwan, to establish baseline prevalence estimates of behavioural risk factors associated with the leading causes of death among adults. Estimates from this survey revealed a high prevalence of sedentary lifestyle (85.6%), seatbelt non-use (67.5%) and motorcycle helmet non-use (31.3%). The smoking rate (26.1%) was similar to that in the US, however, there was almost a tenfold difference between smoking rates in men and women (48.0% versus 5.1%, respectively). Behaviours related to alcohol misuse (binge drinking, chronic heavy drinking and driving and drinking) were also much more prevalent among men than women. This survey demonstrated the feasibility of using the telephone to collect data on the prevalence of behavioural risk factors in a newly industrialized country like Taiwan.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Motor vehicle injuries in Taiwan.

In Taiwan, motor vehicle fatalities have increased significantly in the past two decades and are now a leading cause of mortality, especially among younger age groups. In this paper, we review vital statistics and hospital morbidity data to provide an overview of the problem of motor vehicle injuries in Taiwan and make several suggestions for improving injury surveillance.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed1988

The epidemiology of a measles outbreak on a remote offshore island near Taiwan.

In September-October 1985, a measles outbreak occurred among elementary school students on a small offshore island near Taiwan. The outbreak began with nosocomial transmission of measles in a hospital emergency room on the main island of Taiwan. Four distinct generations of transmission occurred among elementary school children an their household contacts. Elementary school children were susceptible to measles because they were born after the last major outbreak, but before measles vaccine was locally available. Low immunization rates and low vaccine efficacy contributed to the spread of measles among preschool-age household contacts.

Child↗
PubMed1988

An outbreak of type A foodborne botulism in Taiwan due to commercially preserved peanuts.

Until recently, botulism was not recognized as an important public health problem in Taiwan. In 1986, an outbreak of type A foodborne botulism resulted in nine cases, two of them fatal. The vehicle in this outbreak was commercially preserved peanuts processed by an improperly equipped, unlicensed cannery. A single batch of peanuts was implicated; however, we could not determine why this particular batch was contaminated. Efforts to recall the product were hampered by a lack of distribution records. Mass media announcements were used to warn the public about the outbreak, and preliminary data suggest the ensuing publicity improved botulism surveillance. The local preference for low-acid preserved foods, increasing consumerism, the shortage of adequately trained inspectors are factors which probably contributed to this outbreak. Stricter enforcement of food sanitation policies are needed to meet the changing situation in Taiwan.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Outbreak of acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis due to coxsackie A24 variant--Taiwan.

Outbreaks of acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis caused by enterovirus 70 and several serotypes of adenovirus have occurred in Taiwan since 1971. In 1980-1981, there was a pandemic of acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis in southeast Asia caused by coxsackie A24 variant (CA24v); however, this virus did not affect Taiwan. In October 1985, CA24v was isolated for the first time from patients with acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis in southern Taiwan. The following summer, a large epidemic of acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis due to CA24v occurred. An epidemiologic investigation of patients seen at one ophthalmology clinic in Taipei City revealed that school-age children were the most likely group to introduce illness into households (p less than 0.001) and that males were more often household index cases than were females (p less than 0.01). Multiple case households tended to be more crowded (3.0 vs. 2.5 persons per bathroom; p less than 0.05) and had illness introduced by younger family members (median age of index case = 10 vs. 17 years; p less than 0.01). It is unknown whether this outbreak is an isolated occurrence or represents another resurgence of CA24v in the area.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Outbreak of scombroid fish poisoning, Taiwan.

Fish implicated in outbreaks of scombroid poisoning have usually undergone prolonged storage at an inadequate temperature. We report an outbreak of scombroid poisoning in which fish stored on ice for two days caused illness after standing at room temperature for only three to four hours; fish from the same catch did not cause illness after standing at room temperature only one hour. This outbreak suggests scombrotoxins may be produced more rapidly than previously thought possible.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

A seroprevalence survey of hepatitis B markers among Haitians in a southwest Florida farming community.

We determined the seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus markers among 123 Haitian mothers and children in a southwest Florida farming community. Fifty-five per cent of mothers had one or more markers including two who were HBsAg positive. Only seven (10 per cent) children had markers; none were HBsAg positive. Pregnant Haitian women should be screened for HBsAg and infants born to those who are positive should receive immunoprophylaxis. Medical, dental, and laboratory workers caring for Haitian patients should also receive hepatitis B vaccine.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Relapsing fever.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Smoking prevalence in the United States and Taipei City, Taiwan.

Although there are extensive antismoking efforts in the United States, smoking is a largely ignored health issue in Taiwan. In fact, tobacco advertising has increased dramatically since U.S. tobacco was first imported in 1987. We compared estimates of smoking prevalence of 83,281 Americans and 5,023 persons in Taipei, Taiwan, in 1986-1988. Among men, current smoking prevalence was higher in Taipei (49%) than in the United States (29%). In contrast, former smoking prevalence among men was substantially lower in Taipei (5%) than in the United States (32%). Young adults and those with lower and middle education levels had the highest smoking prevalence in both surveys. Among women, the current smoking prevalence was only 8% in Taipei, compared to 25% in the United States. The former smoking prevalence among Taipei women (1%) was also lower than among U.S. women (18%). Our findings indicate the need for expanding antismoking efforts in Taiwan, especially among men and among persons with lower and middle education levels.

Adolescent↗