Taipei County Research Articles

Epidemiological Characteristics and Meteorological Factors of Sudden Death among General Population of Ethnic Chinese in Taiwan: An Eighteen-Year Follow-Up Report in a Community.

The epidemiological characteristics of sudden death may vary according to ethnicity and country. This study aimed to analyze the distribution of sudden deaths in Taiwan, as well as their epidemiological characteristics and the associated meteorological factors. The Chin-Shan Community Cardiovascular Cohort is a longitudinal study conducted in a community in Taipei County since July 1990. A total of 3,602 individuals aged 35 years and older were included in the study. Sudden deaths were prospectively recorded and analyzed. Eighty-two (68.3% men) sudden deaths (8.56% of all deaths) were reported from July 1990 to December 2008, of which 87.8% were caused by cardiovascular disease. However, only 36.6% were attributed to coronary artery disease. There was a higher incidence of sudden death in the winter [incidence rate ratio (IRR): 1.91, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.42-2.56], compared to fall, and the highest peak of sudden death occurred between 16:00-20:00 (IRR: 3.00, 95% CI: 1.72-5.22) compared to 00:00-04:00 as the reference group. Additionally, a relatively higher mean temperature was associated with a lower risk of sudden death (IRR: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.93-0.98). On the other hand, higher humidity (IRR: 1.09, 95% CI: 1.02-1.16) and discomfort index (IRR: 1.03, 95% CI: 1.003-1.05) were associated with increased risks of sudden death. Meteorological factors and circadian patterns were associated with sudden death among our Taiwanese cohort. Our study findings may support potential protective behavior for sudden death via weather forecasting.

Molecular Subtyping of Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis isolated from Taiwan during 1992-1998 by amplified fragment length polymorphism and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis

Over the past 10 years, Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis has emerged as a new serovar and a frequent cause of food-borne diseases in Taiwan. We used two molecular subtyping methods to investigate the development of the infections by S. enterica Enteritidis in Taiwan. Twenty-eight strains of S. enterica Enteritidis isolated from Taiwan during the period of 1992 to 1998 were collected. The primer pairs, MseI+C/EcoRI+0 and MseI+G/PstI+C, were used in amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analyses, and the restriction enzyme, AvrII, was used in pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Twenty-two AFLP profiles with 53-59 fragments in each profile were found by using the primer pair, MseI+G/PstI+C. In the PFGE analysis, 7 PFGE types were identified. Some of the collected strains, especially the imported strains, had closer relationships with the SE 02 strain isolated from Taipei County. As our results indicate, AFLP analysis was time-saving, easy to perform, and highly discriminative. In this study, AFLP and PFGE were used to analyze the S. enterica Enteritidis isolated from patients in Taiwan. These results provide the epidemiological distribution of these isolated strains and additional evidence to illustrate the sources of the food-borne pathogens.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of universal influenza vaccination: Application of the susceptible–infectious–complication–recovery model

ObjectivesDespite the fact that vaccination is an effective primary prevention strategy for the containment of influenza outbreaks, health policymakers have shown great concern over the enormous costs involved in universal immunization, particularly when resources are limited. MethodsA two-arm cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) was conducted that took into account the aspect of herd immunity. The analysis used a study cohort of 100000 residents with a demographic make-up identical to that of the underlying population in Taipei County, Taiwan, during the epidemic influenza season of 2001–2002. The parameters embedded in the dynamic process of infection were estimated through the application of the newly proposed susceptible–infection–complication–recovery (SICR) model to the empirical data, in order to compute the number of deaths and complications averted due to universal vaccination compared to no vaccination. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) and the cost-effectiveness acceptability curve (CEAC) given maximum amount of willingness-to-pay (WTP) were calculated to delineate the results of the two-arm CEA. ResultsThe incremental costs involved in the vaccinated group as compared to the unvaccinated group were $1195 to reduce one additional complication and $805 to avert one additional death, allowing for herd immunity. The corresponding figures were higher for the results without considering herd immunity. Given the ceiling ratio of WTP equal to $10000 (approximately two-thirds of GDP), the probability of the vaccination being cost-effective for averting death was 100% and for averting complications was 96.7%. ConclusionsUniversal vaccination against seasonal influenza was found to be very cost-effective, particularly when herd immunity is considered. The probability of being cost-effective was almost certain given the maximum amount of WTP within two-thirds of the GDP.

Shi Cihang 航慈釋. The First Case of Mummified Buddhist in Taiwan

Shi Cihang 航慈釋 (1895-1954), is one of the eminent figures in the so-called Modern Buddhism in Taiwan. Engaged in improving education and training of Buddhist monks and nuns, and promoter of the so-called renjian fojiao 教佛間人 (Buddhism for the Human Realm), which refuses any sort of superstitious understanding and practice of Buddhism and calls for the return to the original and pure essence of the Dharma, Cihang is also the first Buddhist monk in Taiwan who attempted to, and eventually succeeded in, preserving his body afterdeath. Nowadays, the gilded relic-body of Cihang is enshrined and venerated in Xizhi, Taipei county, as well as being included in the list of the roushen pusa 薩菩身肉 (flesh-body Bodhisattvas) who appeared in the history of Chinese Buddhism. This paper analyses Cihang’s relic-body as case-study of Chinese mummified Buddhist in the scene of contemporary Taiwan and modern Taiwanese Buddhim, discussing the Buddhist significance, sociological implications and eventual impact of mummification within the reality of the new renjian fojiao .

A simple approach for characterising tunnel bore conditions based upon pipe-jacking data

There are several well-established jacking force models available for determining the jacking loads. However, their ability to characterise the tunnel bore conditions is limited. A simple approach to characterise the tunnel bore conditions is proposed and applied to a case study where four sewer pipelines of the Shulin district sewer network in Taipei County, Taiwan were constructed to verify its validity. In this paper, four jacking force models are reviewed. Based upon the given soil properties and pipe dimensions as well as the pipe buried depth, the normal contact pressure (σ′) in each jacking force model and the measured frictional stress (τ) in each baseline section are utilised for back-analysis of the frictional coefficient (μavg). The μavg values outside the range of 0.1–0.3 recommended for lubricated drives can be attributed to the increasing pipe friction resulting from excessive pipe deviation or ground closure or due to the gravel formation not being long enough to establish lower face resistance or total jacking load. JMTA (Japan Microtunnelling Association) has indicated a further potential use in assessment of the interface performance during pipe-jacking works.

Investigation into factors affecting jacking force: a case study

This study investigates the influencing factors affecting jacking loads during slurry pipe-jacking works at four drives in the Shulin district sewer network in Taipei County, Taiwan, with lengths between 73 and 126 m. The main factors affecting jacking loads during tunnelling may include: (a) overcut annulus and volume of injected lubricant; (b) work stoppages; (c) geology; and (d) misalignment. In the four pipe-jacking drives, the jacking forces are represented using the baseline technique. Results show that local variations (increasing or decreasing) of jacking force are ascribed to the varying face resistance due to driving between coarse soil and fine soil governed sand or gravel deposit or driving into and away from a buried wooden log. The increase in jacking loads could also be due to increasing friction resistance resulting from the pipe deviation being greater than a threshold value of 60 mm. Excessive injected volumes of lubricant result in very low pipe frictions incurred during pipe-jacking of the four drives and are reflected through the back-analysed μavg values, which vary from 0·02 to 0·09. Jacking load increases due to either overnight stoppages or short breaks are more pronounced in poorly graded gravel or sand deposit than in clayey gravel or clayey sand deposit.

家庭教育法に基づく家族生活教育システムの実態(1) : 台北県政府家庭教育センターにおけるシステム,ボランティア人材育成とボランティアの役割を中心にして

家庭教育法に基づく家族生活教育システムの実態(1) : 台北県政府家庭教育センターにおけるシステム,ボランティア人材育成とボランティアの役割を中心にして

Exploring Individual, Family, and Extrafamilial Factors Associated With Depression Among Elderly Residents of Care Settings

This study investigated simultaneously the associations among individual, family, and extrafamilial factors and depression among elderly residents of care settings in Taiwan. The data for this study were obtained from the Vulnerability and Social Exclusion among Different Groups of Disadvantaged Elderly in an Aging Society: Phenomena and Strategies (1/2) project, which was conducted in Taipei City and Taipei County in 2007. We applied multiple regression procedures to a sample of 327 residents of care settings (48.3% women) who were mild physical impairment or physically independent and cognitively clear for determining factors associated with depression and their cumulative effects. We discovered that 24.5% of the residents were depressed. Physical mobility, number of chronic diseases, and self-assessed health status were significantly associated factors in all models. In the final model, we determined that one third of extrafamilial factors were significantly associated with depression, after controlling for all other variables. In addition, we observed an overall trend of increased mean scores of depression with an increase in the number of risk factors. The results imply that interventions aimed at preventing depression in elderly persons living in care settings, particularly persons with multiple risk conditions such as impaired physical mobility and medical comorbidities, should be designed to include extrafamilial elements. Establishing strong connections between elderly care setting residents and the institutional and neighborhood environments can help prevent depression.

The utilization and barriers of Pap smear among women with visual impairment.

BackgroundMany evidences illustrate that the Pap smear screening successfully reduces if the cervical cancer could be detected and treated sufficiently early. People with disability were higher comorbidity prevalence, and less likely to use preventive health care and health promotion activities. There were also to demonstrate that people with visual impairment has less access to appropriate healthcare services and is less likely to receive screening examinations. In Taiwan, there was no study to explore utilization of Pap smear, associated factors and use barriers about Pap smear screening test among women with visual impairment.The purpose is to explore the utilization and barriers of using Pap smear for women with visual impairment in Taiwan. To identify the barriers of women with visual from process of receiving Pap smear screening test.MethodsThe cross-sectional study was conducted and the totally 316 participators were selected by stratified proportional and random sampling from 15 to 64 year old women with visual impairment who lived in Taipei County during December 2009 to January 2010. The data was been collected by phone interview and the interviewers were well trained before interview.ResultsThe mean age was 47.1 years old and the highest percentage of disabled severity was mile (40.2 %). Totally, 66.5 % of participators were ever using Pap smear and 38.9 % used it during pass 1 year. Their first time to accept Pap smear was 38.8 year old. There was near 50 % of them not to be explained by professionals before accepting the Pap smear. For non-using cases, the top two percentage of barriers were “feel still younger” (22.3 %), the second was “there’s no sexual experience” (21.4 %). We found the gynecology experiences was key factor for women with visual impairment to use Pap smear, especially the experiences was during 1 year (OR = 4).ConclusionsAssociated factors and barriers to receive Pap smear screening test for women with visual impairment can be addressed through interventions aimed at improving on cognitions and attitudes for cervical cancer risk factors. Our study would be as a reference resource for erasing the barriers and inequality among the visually disabled women.

An evaluation of a health screening program for migrant women to Taiwan, China

Objective We aimed to evaluate an integrated screening program for female migrants to Taiwan. Method We performed a mixed methodological evaluation of a public health nurse (PHN)-led intervention to promote an integrated screening program for female migrants to Taiwan. The clinical case yield was determined by an audit, and staff/client questionnaires were used for the evaluation. Screening comprised surveillance for four untreated chronic diseases (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, tuberculosis, and liver disease), four cancers (mouth, bowel, liver, and cervix), parasitic infection, and hyperlipidemia. Results Three hundred and thirty-six PHNs and 4751 immigrant women – with an average age of 29.2 years, most of whom were from Vietnam (44%) or mainland China (41%) – took part in the programme. Two thirds of screened women had no abnormalities. Further investigation was required in 1523 women, of whom 1220 were found to have significant disease. The majority of 280 PHNs (85%) found the content, processes, and waiting time to be ‘highly acceptable’ and thought the program was worthwhile and could be incorporated into standard care. Conclusions The Taipei County Comprehensive Health Screening Programme provided an accessible, free-of-charge, and preventative intervention for female migrants to Taiwan and had a good clinical case yield.

The effect of water purification by oyster shell contact bed

The purpose of this study is to utilize wasted oyster shells as the media of the contact bed to purify domestic wastewater on Erchong Floodway, Taipei County. There are three horizontal flow tanks in this system, horizontal flow and aerated oyster shell tank (HAOS), horizontal flow oyster shell tank (HOS), and horizontal flow gravel tank (HG), respectively.In the results of the horizontal flow and aerated oyster shell tank (HAOS), the average mass removal of BOD5, SS, NH4-N, NO3-N, PO4-P, and TP were 18.78, 58.95, 11.74, −1.19, 0.50, and 0.87g/m2day. The BOD5 first-order reaction reducing rate constant in 20°C was 2.20/day. Consequently, using oyster shells as the material of the subsurface flow, constructed wetland had better water purification efficiency than using gravels. In this system, part of the BOD5 was removed because of the removal of SS, and there was better blocking effect when using oyster shells as the materials than gravels. Aeration can effectively remove ammonia nitrogen, but the main purpose was to strengthen the nitrification in the water, so that ammonia nitrogen was converted into nitrate nitrogen. Oyster shells as the material still had better removal effect of nitrogen than gravels.

Nephrolithiasis screening for people with self-perceived exposure to melamine-contaminated milk products in Taipei County, Taiwan

ObjectiveThe outbreak of renal diseases caused by melamine-contaminated milk products in China in 2008 was one of the most serious food safety events in recent years. Because of the heavy volume of trade between Taiwan and China, the Taiwanese government was very concerned about its effects on the Taiwanese people, and conducted a nephrolithiasis screening program in government hospitals. We report the results of the screening program conducted by the Taipei County Hospital, Taiwan. MethodsResidents of Taipei County, Taiwan who perceived that they had exposed themselves to melamine-contaminated milk products, self-referred to Taipei County Hospital for nephrolithiasis screening from September 24, 2008 to September 30, 2008. Plain abdominal radiography and urinary analysis were provided, and the final diagnosis of nephrolithiasis was confirmed with renal ultrasound examination. Their urine analysis results were compared with those of other people who underwent health screening at the same hospital in September 2008. ResultsA total of 721 participants were included in the program, of which 33 were diagnosed to have nephrolithiasis, representing an overall prevalence of 4.6%. After adjusting for age and sex according to the census data of Taipei County, the prevalence of nephrolithiasis was 5.1% in all and 6.5% among adults; these figures did not exceed the prevalence rate in the general adult population of Taipei County (9.2%) and among all Taiwanese adults (9.6%), based on a previous nationwide survey conducted in Taiwan. ConclusionThese results suggested that governments can carry out a good risk communication program in relation to melamine-contaminated milk product events, and thus reassure the public as well as allay fears over perceived health risks stemming from such events.

Back alleys: the creative journey of Chen Yingzhen

Chen Yingzhen was born in Zhunan, Taiwan in 1937.1 Later he registered his residence in Yingge, Taipei County. The 228 Incident occurred in spring 1947, when he was ten years old. His twin brother ...

The dilemma of “Twin Cities”: is the suburban dependence hypothesis applicable?

The question of whether or not public investment and financial aid should be massively concentrated in a specified central city associated with a rising suburb has provoked a great deal of public controversy. The purpose here is to analyze the interaction between a central city and the surrounding suburban area based on employment and population, which is widely cited in “the Chicken and the Egg” problem. The results of our examination of Taipei City and its suburb reveal that Taipei-City’s employment as the engine of the metropolitan economy fully supports the suburban dependence hypothesis and hence the provision of more financial resources in Taipei City is beneficial to the overall metropolitan area, including its suburban area. However, our concern is that the recent policy decision regarding the appointment of Taipei County as another first-tier city, rather than merging it into a united metropolitan government, will further worsen the economic and political conflicts between “Twin Cities” and eventually reduce metropolitan competitiveness on the basis of New Regionalism.

Study of Patient Waiting Time in the Emergence Department: An Example of a Medical Center in New Taipei County, Taiwan

Patients who receive care in an emergency department (ED) are usually unattended while waiting in queues. This study attempted to determine whether the application of queuing theory analysis might shorten the waiting times of patients admitted to emergency wards. After the literature survey phase, the flow model to evaluate the patient waiting time in the emergence department corresponding to the target hospital is presented, then the waiting time under some circumstance are simulated. By allocating the human and space resource dynamically, the waiting time can be reduced then patient satisfaction is improved.

Study of Patient Waiting Time in the Emergence Department: An Example of a Medical Center in New Taipei County, Taiwan

Patients who receive care in an emergency department (ED) are usually unattended while waiting in queues. This study attempted to determine whether the application of queuing theory analysis might shorten the waiting times of patients admitted to emergency wards. After the literature survey phase, the flow model to evaluate the patient waiting time in the emergence department corresponding to the target hospital is presented, then the waiting time under some circumstance are simulated. By allocating the human and space resource dynamically, the waiting time can be reduced then patient satisfaction is improved.

Linguistic practice and identity work: Variation in Taiwan Mandarin at a Taipei County high school

This article examines variation in the use of two Taiwan Mandarin features, de‐retroflection of sibilant fricatives [ʂ] → [s], and labial glide deletion [wɔ] → [ɔ], in the speech of Taipei County high school students. The features become resources for the negotiation of identity positions within the highly structured school institution. I discuss the correlations between the use of Taiwan Mandarin and two social factors: membership in the small culture (Holliday ) of a particular bānjí or class, and individual aspirations. Holliday's concept of small cultures is proposed as a variant of the Community of Practice. I refer to Bucholtz and Hall's () tactics of intersubjectivity framework as a possible tool for explaining variation at the school. I argue that the two Taiwan Mandarin features are invoked to perform different social goals, which is possible because they are imbued with related but significantly different sociocultural meanings (Brubaker ; Baran ).

The analysis of elementary and high school students' natural and humorous responses patterns in coping with embarrassing situations

AbstractThis research aims to examine the use of humor in early adolescents for coping with imagined situations. The main issues investigated are the response patterns of participants to requests to answer the imagined questions by taking both general and humorous perspectives. The Interpersonal Coping Questionnaire was used to survey 485 fifth- to eighth- grade elementary school students in Taipei County and Taipei City for their answers to the imagined questions. The results show that, compared to the general answering perspective, elementary school students taking the humorous answering perspective tended to use specific coping strategies, humor techniques and content. The analysis of techniques of humor in our study has also revealed that irony, imitation, and metaphor were the most used strategies to cope with embarrassing interpersonal conditions in cases where a humorous approach was requested. In terms of age, both male and female junior high school students use more humorous techniques than the fifthand sixth-graders do, indicating a significant correlation between the creation of humor and the development of cognition. In terms of gender, female junior high school students use illogic and parody/imitation more than the male counterparts do.The respondents' humorous responses were also classified as aggressive, affiliative, self-defeating, or self-enhancing. It was discovered in this study that in terms of age, male elementary students mostly frequently used aggressive humor, whereas female elementary students mostly often used affiliative humor responses. As for junior high school students, male students use more aggressive humor, while their female counterparts use more self-defeating humor. These findings of the present research provide a valuable understanding for education.

Leadership in Senior Volunteer Community: The Transition of Social Capital of Female Elder in Taiwan

As the trend of the increasing aging boomers, more and more women are willing to be the volunteers after their retirement. This research is an investigation of two volunteer communities in Taipei City and County. All the data were obtained through 〞in‐person depth interview〞 and 〞focus groups〞, indicating: (1) What really encourages their participation is the well‐being in spirituality, self‐esteem, companionship from others and the obligation to help others, which shows the aspects of altruism. (2) The challenges to hold back the female elder from community affairs is agerelated. Younger women withdraw from the community because they are disappointed about the community affairs and training curricula; while elder members drop out because of physical frailty. (3) All the female elder regain the energy in the community and cherish the opportunity to share with friends. (4) Leadership has to show intensive relationship of inter‐person and intra‐person. And the leader or instructor of the senior aging community should be the 〞catalyst〞 or 〞facilitator〞 in the community.

A multi-perspective focus-group approach to revise items in a dietary self-efficacy scale for older Taiwanese adults

To revise items in the Cardiac Diet Self-Efficacy Scale, Chinese version (CDSE-C) using focus groups. There is limited literature on using focus groups with older adults as well as nursing and nutrition professionals to revise a questionnaire. A qualitative research with multi-perspective focus-group approach was used from February through June 2009. Four serial focus groups were conducted including two focus groups of older adults from Taipei County (n = 6) and Yilan County (n = 6), one group of 5 nursing professionals, and one group of 4 nutritionists. Serial focus group discussions added one category to the CDSE-C (reducing salt) and 3 items, resulting in an 18-item scale with six categories: healthy eating behaviors, reducing fat and cholesterol, resisting relapse, increasing fiber and vegetable, reducing sugar, and reducing salt. This revised measure can serve as a reliable tool for assessing older Chinese adults' healthy eating self-efficacy to evaluate and improve nutritional status in this population.