Table 1

Characteristics of study participants, Takeo province, Cambodia, 2002


Total (n = 500)
Children* (n = 212)
Adult women (n = 189)
Adult men (n = 99)


Age:




     median
22
9
38
37
     range (years)
0–80
0–16
17–79
17–80
Injection experiences (6-month period)




Number of injections
1483
557
713
213
Overall injection rate (per person-year)
5.9
5.3
7.5
4.3
Proportions of subjects who received:




          ≥ 1 vaccine injection
15%
35%
0%
0%
          ≥ 1 therapeutic injection
32%
31%
39%
20%
          ≥ 1 intravenous infusion
16%
16%
18%
14%
          ≥ 1 injection (any type)
40%
46%
42%
24%
          ≥ 5 injections (any type)
18%
18%
22%
9%
Knowledge and attitudes^




Trusted practitioners if no injections prescribed
90%
ND
90%
89%
Preferred injection for treatment of fever
32%
ND
35%
26%
Believed injections more powerful than oral medication
47%
ND
50%
40%
Aware that dirty syringes can transmit HIV
95%
ND
96%
93%
Aware that dirty syringes can transmit hepatitis
59%
ND
60%
57%

ND = not determined

* participants aged ≤ 16 years

^ adults only (288 total respondents)

Vong et al. BMC Public Health 2005 5:56   doi:10.1186/1471-2458-5-56