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Biomedical subjects

Tze-wai Wong

Publications and source records attributed to Tze-wai Wong.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Deaths from nasopharyngeal cancer among waiters and waitresses in Chinese restaurants.

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have shown that waiters have a high risk of developing cancers of the buccal cavity and pharynx, but nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) has not been specifically studied. This study was carried out to investigate whether waiters/waitresses in Chinese restaurants have an increased risk of dying from NPC. METHODS: A mortality odds ratio study was used to estimate the relative risk of dying from NPC for waiters/waitresses working in Chinese restaurants in Hong Kong during the period 1986-1995, using the general population as the external comparison group and deceased kitchen workers as an internal comparison group. Cases were deaths from NPC and the controls were deaths from the selected sets of reference causes. RESULTS: Seventeen deaths from NPC were identified among 415 deceased waiters and four NPC deaths occurred among 140 deceased waitresses. The adjusted mortality odds ratio (aMOR) for NPC was increased among waiters, being 3.02 (95% CI 1.82-5.00) and 2.61 (95% CI 1.02-6.69) in the external and internal comparisons, respectively. For waitresses, the aMOR was 4.58 (95% CI 1.63-12.86) in the external comparison. Analysis by duration of union membership suggested a dose-response relationship. CONCLUSIONS: An increased risk of dying from NPC was observed among waiters/waitresses and could not be fully explained by bias or confounding factors. Possible risk factors related to poor indoor air quality in the service areas of Chinese restaurants in Hong Kong should be further investigated.

Case-Control Studies↗
PubMed2004

Cluster of SARS among medical students exposed to single patient, Hong Kong.

We studied transmission patterns of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) among medical students exposed exclusively to the first SARS patient in the Prince of Wales Hospital in Hong Kong, before his illness was recognized. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 66 medical students who visited the index patient's ward, including 16 students with SARS and 50 healthy students. The risk of contracting SARS was sevenfold greater among students who definitely visited the index case's cubicle than in those who did not (10/27 [41%] versus 1/20 [5%], relative risk 7.4; 95% confidence interval 1.0 to 53.3). Illness rates increased directly with proximity of exposure to the index case. However, four of eight students who were in the same cubicle, but were not within 1 m of the index case-patient, contracted SARS. Proximity to the index case-patient was associated with transmission, which is consistent with droplet spread. Transmission through fomites or small aerosols cannot be ruled out.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

[The cross-sectional study of awareness and practice of SARS epidemic in community residents in Beijing].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the awareness and practice of SARS in community residents in Beijing. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in different-level communities of SARS epidemic strength in Beijing. Typical samples were selected and 480 residents were surveyed. RESULTS: 92% of the residents focused on SARS epidemic in Beijing and 72.5% didn't worry that they would be attacked by SARS. The sources of stress included fatal outcomes, lack of efficient treatment, rapid spreading and high risk of medical workers. 86.8% felt the media often over-reported. 50% were afraid of going to the clinics. 86% thought that measures taken by the government were active and efficient. Meanwhile, 60% could follow the government recommendation to prevent SARS. CONCLUSION: Most of the residents believe SARS have influenced on regular life, stability of society, development of economy and international communication.

Adolescent↗