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Hygienic Risk Exposures Across Ethnic Groups in Rural Areas of Guangxi, China: Prevalence, Associated Factors, and Perceptions of Policy

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Abstract

Background

Controlling hygienic risk exposures (HREs) is important for reducing acute respiratory infection or parasitic infection; however, studies across vulnerable ethnicities are limited. This study aimed to identify the prevalence and associated factors of HREs and perception on HRE policies among ethnic groups in Guangxi, China.

Methods

A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in rural areas of Guangxi, China, among Han majority and Zhuang, Yao, Miao, Dong, Mulao, and Maonan minorities. The prevalence of HREs and perceptions concerning the HRE policies were presented using descriptive statistics. Associated factors were analyzed using a logistic regression model, and adjusted prevalence ratios and 95% confidence interval were calculated.

Results

High prevalence of HREs on hand and soil hygiene were found in all ethnicities. Miao minority had the highest prevalence of HREs, particularly in poor hand washing (74.1%), infrequent nail clipping (90.4%), and outdoor soil contact (92.7%), compared with the others. Prevalence of HREs in some ethnic minority groups were significantly different from those in Han majority after adjusted with other significant factors. Village leaders were more aware of existing national and community regulations related to HREs than household heads. Village leaders and household heads of almost all ethnic groups perceived high policy’s compliance in their village or household on avoiding fertilizing with farmyard manure.

Conclusions

HREs were prevalent in all ethnic groups, especially in Miao minority. Ethnicity, one of social determinants, was significantly associated with HREs. Raising awareness at both the village and household levels on HREs is needed for all ethnic groups.

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Acknowledgments

This study was part of the first author’s thesis in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a PhD at Prince of Songkla University, Thailand. We thank the Directors of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention; the village leaders of all study settings; Shaochen Yu, Jilin Jin, and Miao Hu from the Clinical College of Guilin Medical University; and Guoyu Liao from the Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University for helping in the data collection. The authors are grateful to Edward McNeil for providing guidance for the analyses and David Patterson for English editing of this manuscript.

Funding

This study was supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China under contract No. 8176120258.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical Statistics and Epidemiology, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, 541004, Guangxi, China

    Chen Huang

  2. Epidemiology Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110, Thailand

    Chen Huang & Tippawan Liabsuetrakul

  3. Health Management Unit, Faculty of Humanities and Management, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, 541004, Guangxi, China

    Zhenyou Guo & Wuxiang Shi

  4. Department of Parasitology, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, 541004, Guangxi, China

    Gang Mo

  5. Guilin Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guilin, 541000, Guangxi, China

    Hao Mai

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  1. Chen Huang
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Contributions

All authors were involved in the concept and design of the study. CH and WS conducted the data collection. CH and TL performed the data analysis, interpretation of results, and manuscript preparation. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Tippawan Liabsuetrakul or Wuxiang Shi.

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All authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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The research was approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, and the Medical Ethics Committee, Guilin Medical University.

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Huang, C., Liabsuetrakul, T., Guo, Z. et al. Hygienic Risk Exposures Across Ethnic Groups in Rural Areas of Guangxi, China: Prevalence, Associated Factors, and Perceptions of Policy. J. Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities 8, 1054–1066 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40615-020-00862-z

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