HEALTH
The AIDS Counselling and Health Education Service continues to provide counselling and medical consultation for persons who are at risk of contracting AIDS. Health talks are arranged for various groups like students, prison inmates and intravenous drug abusers. Members of the public may use a special telephone hotline to obtain advice in confidence. Blood tests may be arranged under conditions of complete anonymity.
The Surveillance Programme, which started in 1985, provides baseline information on the prevalence of infection by AIDS virus among the various groups of individuals at risk, like sexually-promiscuous people, multi-transfused patients and intravenous drug abusers.
Mass screening of all donated blood for antibodies to AIDS virus has been carried out since 1985 by the Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service. This ensures the safety of blood used in transfusion and prevents the possible transmission of AIDS through this route.
Concerning cholera, there were five cases including two imported ones among the general population. Prompt control measures were instituted and there was no spread to the local community.
In the early part of the year, there was an upsurge of viral hepatitis cases, particularly hepatitis A, consistent with the seasonal pattern. Detailed epidemiological investigations did not reveal any common source of infection.
Tuberculosis remains a disease of public health importance in Hong Kong. There were 6 283 notifications during the year, representing a notification rate of 109 per 100 000. There is continued diligence and a dynamic programme against this disease. The local BCG immunisation scheme effectively covers some 99 per cent of the newborn. Booster doses are given to primary school children and to new immigrant children after an initial Mantoux test. A total of 410 deaths resulting from tuberculosis was recorded in 1991, representing a death rate of 7.12 per 100 000. Corresponding figures recorded in 1990 were 382 and 6.70 respectively.
Immunisation programmes against common childhood infections are carried out at maternal and child health centres as well as in schools. Primary 1 and 6 schoolchildren receive booster vaccination against diphtheria, tetanus and poliomyelitis. In addition, girls in Primary 6 are given rubella vaccination. The coverage is consistently over 98 per cent.
In order to combat hepatitis B infection, one of the major public health problems in Hong Kong, the Department of Health has formulated and implemented cost-effective preventive and control measures. The Hepatitis B Vaccination Programme was first introduced in 1984 for health care workers and babies born to carrier mothers. It was extended in November 1988 to cover all newborn babies. The programme is well accepted by the community and the coverage rate for the first dose at birth is over 99 per cent. Health education is also an important preventive measure.
To increase the protection of the at-risk group, namely women of child-bearing age, rubella vaccination is made available to nurses, teachers and social workers and other female staff in the government service. The vaccination is also provided to women attending maternal and child health centres.
Since 1990, the Department of Health has introduced the mumps, measles and rubella (MMR) vaccine for infants when one year old. The coverage rate is over 80 per cent. Apart from providing additional protection against mumps, the introduction of MMR vaccine will enhance the rubella vaccination programme and help to prevent the disabling condition of congenital rubella syndrome. Children in Hong Kong are therefore being
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