Data concerning the effects of phthalate exposure on preterm delivery and fetal growth are limited in humans. In this paper, we assessed the relationship between 15 phthalate levels in cord blood and preterm delivery and fetal growth parameters in 207 Chinese women going into labor. Exposure to phthalates except DCHP was associated with gestational age reduction and preterm delivery (p<0.05). There were associations between phthalates and fetal growth parameters, many of which disappeared when analyses were adjusted for gestational age, especially in male infants (Only DEEP was associated with birth weight; DEP, DNHP, BBP, DNP with abdominal circumference; DEP, DBP, DCHP, DEHP with femur length in female infants. And DPP, DBEP was associated with birth length in male infants. p<0.05). This study indicates that prenatal exposure to phthalates is associated with younger gestational age and preterm delivery. Also, phthalate exposure may adversely affect fetal growth parameters via gestational age reduction and preterm delivery with a significant gender effect.

Health literacy (HL) has become an important public health issue and is receiving growing attention. However, the HL levels of military college students in China have never been analyzed. This study aimed to investigate the HL and related associate factors in military college students in Chongqing, China. Data was obtained with the “Chinese Citizen Health Literacy Questionnaire (2012 edition)” from 3183 military college students aged 16–28 years at Chongqing in December 2015. A total score of ≥80 points determined adequate HL, and HL level was defined as the proportion of students who had adequate HL out of the total number of participants. Multiple logistic regression analysis with a stepwise forward likelihood ratio (LR) method was used to determine the effects of sociodemographic characteristics, health-related behaviors, and family-related factors on HL level. The mean score of HL was 68.56, and the HL level of military college students was 21.05%; the overall knowledge rate was 71.33%. The independent factors that were associated with HL level were years in college, educational system, time playing online games, annual household income and father's education level. Senior (odds ratio [OR] = 1.229, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.018∼1.484), undergraduate (OR = 1.509, 95% CI 1.151∼1.978), time played games more than 5 hours each week (OR = 0.638, 95% CI 0.486∼0.837), annual household incomes more than 50,000 yuan (OR = 1.231, 95% CI 1.027∼1.476) and father's education level (high school: OR = 2.327, 95% CI 1.186∼4.565; university: OR = 2.450, 95% CI 1.244∼4.825), were independently associated with higher HL level. HL levels of military college students in Chongqing need to be improved across the board. Our data suggests that special emphasis should be placed on students in junior and those in the specialist educational system. School departments may also benefit from incorporating health literacy into their curricula and helping students manage the time they spend playing online games.

The aim of this study was to investigate health literacy and analyze its influencing factors in military health providers of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA Army). From November to December 2018, cluster sampling was used to select 1512 military health providers from the Army Medical University. Health literacy was measured by using the Chinese Citizen Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ) (2015 edition). Influencing factors that may affect health literacy were assessed using the chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression models. The knowledge rate of health literacy was relatively low (21.6%). The knowledge rate of health-related skills (HRS, 18.7%) was the lowest of the three aspects of health literacy, and the knowledge rate of chronic diseases (CD, 19.6%) was the lowest of the six dimensions of health literacy. Participants who were older, were female, were of Han ethnicity, were the only child in their families, came from urban areas, never used tobacco, and had higher household income were likely to have higher health literacy. The health literacy levels of military health providers of the PLA Army are relatively low. Further research and health education are necessary to improve health literacy.

Background: With the rapid development of the internet and its widespread use, online health information–seeking (OHIS) has become a popular and important research topic. Various benefits of OHIS are well recognized. However, OHIS seems to be a mixed blessing. Research on OHIS has been reported in Western countries and in high-income regions in eastern China. Studies on the population in the western region of China, such as Chongqing, are still limited. Objective: The aim of the study was to identify the prevalence, common topics, and common methods of health information–seeking and the factors influencing these behaviors among the Chongqing population. Methods: This cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted from September to October 2021. A web-based questionnaire was sent to users aged 15 years and older in Chongqing using a Chinese web-based survey hosting site (N=14,466). Data on demographics, web-based health information resources, and health topics were collected. Factors that may influence health literacy were assessed using the chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression models. Results: A total of 67.1% (9704/14,466) of the participants displayed OHIS behaviors. Participants who were younger, had a higher educational level, and worked as medical staff or teachers were more likely to engage in OHIS, while those living in rural areas, ethnic minorities, and farmers were less likely to seek health information on the web (P<.01). Among the Chongqing population, the most common topic searched on the internet was health behavior and literacy (87.4%, 8483/9704), and the most popular method of seeking health information on the web was through WeChat (77.0%, 7468/9704). Conclusions: OHIS is prevalent in Chongqing. Further research could be performed based on the influencing factors identified herein and high-priority, effective ways of improving the OHIS behaviors of the Chongqing population.