bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevention of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection Among Intravenous Drug Users in New South Wales, Australia: The Needles and Syringes Distribution Programme Through Retail Pharmacies
Authors: Tsai R , Pharm B , Goh EH , Webeck P , Mullins J
Published: June 2011

Prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection among 12, 000 intravenous (i.v.) drug users in New South Wales (NSW) was estimated to be very low in 1985. However, a large increase of HIV infection in this population group could result within a short period.

The NSW government amended existing legislation to permit the sale and possession of sterile needles and syringes. A programme to promote the sale of needles and syringes was launched jointly with the Pharmacy Guild of Australia (NSW Branch) in December 1986. Favourable changes in pharmacists' attitudes were noted four months later. The distribution scheme became an important component of the NSW prevention programme.

There are 2, 039 retail pharmacies throughout NSW. The number of sterile needles and syringes sold through these outlets increased from 4, 200 in January 1987 to 51, 000 in November 1987 with a total of 422, 000 dispensed over this period. The percentage of Pharmacy Guild members involved in the programme increased from 0.5% to 22.5%, covering 38% of the state by November 1987.

During 1987, HIV infection among i.v. drug users remained low. This suggests that the needles and syringes distribution programme contributed significantly towards limiting the spread of HIV infection among i.v. drug users.
An Evaluation of a Community Oriented Primary Care Programme for Medical Students
Authors: Smilkstein G
Published: June 2011

Community Oriented Primary Care (COPC) has been demonstated to be a worthwhile approach to health care. Medical educators, however, have been slow to respond with curriculum changes that will facilitate the entry of medical school graduates into COPC. This paper describes a programme at the University of Washington that has a COPC focus with emphasis on care to the medically unders-erved. Analysis of this study's evaluation strategy suggests improvements to be incorporated into future research.1
Environmental Health Education in Micronesia
Authors: Miller F. DeWolfe , Michael Jerrold M.
Published: June 2011

Water supply and sanitation programmes in Micronesia require substantial capital investments. In the past, many of these projects have failed to achieve their maximum impact on preventing water-related diseases. Cases of cholera and the continuation of frequently occurring gastro-intestinal diseases undermine the expectations that new and planned water and sanitation systems will result in disease prevention. This report indicates that knowledge of water-related diseases and the understanding of the benefits of safe water supply and sanitation are limited as programmes in Micronesia that would educate the different sectors of the community have never been institutionalised. We have developed the first comprehensive system for teaching about water supply, sanitation and health in a Micronesian environment. The educational materials will be used as curricula in public education and as information resources for appropriate individuals in these remote and scattered communities of the Pacific.
Mexico, Maquiladoras, and Occupational Medicine Training
Authors: Cordes DH , Rea DF , Schwartz I , Rea J
Published: June 2011

Industrialization and its concomitant social and environmental effects in developing countries are considered in this paper. Mexico offers one example of economic progress achieved through the promotion of industrial growth. Recognising the need for trained experts with global experience in occupational health, the University of Arizona (UA) has begun a programme to train occupational and preventive medicine residents in international aspects of occupational health in the nearby industrialized border regions of Mexico. By using the maquiladora (assembly plant) industries and the resources of the instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social with the State of Sonora, residents observe existing problems in occupational safety and health in addition to adding to their understanding of the need for worldwide cooperation for research and reform in this field.
Physician Distribution and Health Manpower Policy in Korea
Authors: Yang BM , Huh J
Published: June 2011

This research studied the impact of increased physician supply on geographical distribution and identified the variables, both demographic and socio-economic, that account for physician maldistribution between urban and rural areas.

Increased physician supply did not necessarily improve physician availability and access to health care in many rural and inner-city areas of Korea. Observed performance indicates that most physicians newly qualified since 1974 chose to work in major urban areas, while most rural areas had a shortage of physicians and health facilities.

Physicians also tended to work in areas where there were supportive medical facilities, where the distance to major metropolitan areas was not great, where medical schools were located or nearby, and where consumers lived in pleasant surroundings.
The Prevalence of Endemic Goitre in the Keningau Division of Sabah
Authors: Chen PCY , Wong ML , Ong FPT
Published: June 2011

Four areas of differing remoteness were studied to determine the prevalence of goitre in the Keningau Division of Sabah. These areas were Keningau town, the Biah Resettlement Scheme, the Dalit subdistrict and the Pagalunggan subdistrict. The predominant ethnic group in these areas is the Murut.

The overall endemicity of goitre for the study population was 76.5% for females aged 15 years and above. There was a significant correlation between the incidence of goitre and the remoteness of an area. The Dalit subdistrict has the highest incidence of goitre (82.6%) followed by the Pagalunggan subdistrict (77.8%), the majority of these goitre cases being classified as grade 2 (visible goitres). These were the two most remote areas in the study. In contrast, Keningau town, the least remote area has the lowest incidence of goitre (62.5%) with most of the goitres being relatively small. With regards to salt usage in the Dalit subdistrict, only 3.0% used iodised salt; 28.0% used fine salt; 3.6% used coarse salt and 65.5% used both fine and coarse salt. In the Pagalunggan subdistrict, all females used uniodised salt with 17.6% using fine salt, 20% using coarse salt and the remainder using both fine and coarse salt. As yet, there is no legislation for the iodisation of salt in Sabah. It is clear that all types of salt need to be iodised and adequately distributed to deprived areas, particularly inland areas.
Controversies over Pesticides: The Lessons for Public Health
Authors: Copplestone John F.
Published: June 2011

Pesticides and their effects on the environment and human health have been subjects of many debates in recent years. Many factors have contributed to this, including developments in analytical techniques as well as the toxicology of the pesticides themselves.

In many cases the discussions have not been purely scientific or confined to the scientific literature. Misunderstanding of statistical concepts-the basic principles of toxicology-have contributed to this situation.

The most important adverse effects on humans have been acute accidental poisoning. There remains much room for improvement in this area.

Public health authorities can learn from the history of the debate the importance of critical evaluation of data, the need for balanced interpretation of this for the public, the need to limit the use of general health warnings, and the realization that restrictions designed or suggested to limit one problem may give rise to other unforeseen problems of greater immediate health importance.
Hepatitis B Infection in Vanuatu: Age of Acquisition of Infection and Possible Routes of Transmission
Authors: Taylor Richard , Montaville Bernard , Levy Sue , Gust Ian , Moreau Jean-Paul , Dimitrakakis Mary , Bach Francois , Brethes B. , Laille M. , DeRoeck Denise
Published: June 2011

Seroepidemiological studies of hepatitis B were carried out on diverse groups of children (477) and adults (629) from the Pacific Island country of Vanuatu. In children under 14 years, prevalences of HBsAg and of all markers were 6% and 53.3% respectively; in adults 20 years the prevalences were 15% and 70%. Age specific prevalence of hepatitis B infection (all markers) was low in infancy (< 1 year) but rose sharply afterwards, suggesting that the main mechanism of transmission was horizontal spread. This finding is consistent with other developing country studies from the Pacific Islands and elsewhere. In view of the main ages and mechanisms of transmission of hepatitis B in children in developing countries and the need for simple and inexpensive immunisation strategies in this context, it is recommended that mass vaccination of all infants with hepatitis B vaccine be undertaken in hyperendemic areas.
Province of Origin of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Carriers Among Blood Donors in Port Moresby
Authors: Iga Timothy , Babona D. V. , Nurse G. T.
Published: June 2011

A paper published in the Medical Journal of Australia in 1972 gave a breakdown of Port Moresby blood donors by HBS Ag carrier status and area of origin. It has lately become possible to test whether such geographical subsamples provide reliable evidence of the carrier status in the home areas, and it appears that, except for the Islands provinces, they do not. Traditional lifestyles conduce to the maintenance and spread of the virus, which is much more prevalent in the provinces than in the capital.
Changes in the Coefficient Variations of Live Birth Weight in Japan, 1969-1985
Authors: Makino Shigenori , Iwata Hirotoshi
Published: June 2011

The present study was conducted on changes in the coefficient variations of live birth weight and in the proportion of singleton live birth weight by gestational age using vital statistics compiled by the Japanese government from 1969 to 1985. The coefficient variations of live birth weight declined between 1969 and 1977-78 and then increased. The coefficient variations of live birth weight were affected by the percentage of low birth weight infants. The decline in the coefficient variations depends on the decrease of low birth weight infants, while the increase in the coefficient variations depends on the increase of low birth weight infants. Recently, the proportion of low birth weight infants has increased in Japan. Perinatal mortality rates, which indicate the level of maternal and child health, have decreased annually.
The Nutritional Status of Children in an Urban Squatter Community in Malaysia
Authors: Yap SB , Teoh ST
Published: June 2011

An anthropometric assessment was conducted on a sample of 309 children, aged twelve years and below, from an urban squatter community in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The community consists mainly of Malays and Indians and is fairly established with a mean length of residence of about fifteen years. There was not much difference between the two ethnic groups with regard to educational status or income. Most of the residents were unskilled or semiskilled workers employed in factories and government agencies. About 40 percent of the infants and toddlers were found to be wasted, while about one-third of the older children were stunted. There appears to be some association between income per capita and nutritional status.
Serum TSH, FT3, and FT4 Levels in Inhabitants of an Endemic Goiter Area in China Supplied Iodized Salt for Twenty-five Years
Authors: Ouyang An , Su Tianshu , Pang Xuanping , Hershman Jerome M.
Published: June 2011

The thyroid function and TSH concentration of villagers in an endemic goiter area in China where iodized salt had been supplied for twenty-five years were surveyed. We found that the serum FT3 and TSH (IRMA) levels of villagers were higher and the FT4 level was lower than those of the controls, which suggested that the inhabitants of the endemic goiter area had subclinical hypothyroidism based on the ultrasensitive method for TSH assay. Therefore, we suggest that the best biochemical techniques for monitoring the iodized salt prophylaxis program and the physiological response of villagers to iodine are measurements of serum TSH level and FT4 level periodically.
Menarcheal Age and Endemic Goitre
Authors: Fernando MA , Balasuriya S
Published: June 2011

A total of 13, 566 school girls from 17 districts in Sri Lanka recalled their date of menarche for a study on the prevalence of goitre. Seventy-four percent (10, 036) did not have any signs of goitre, and the recalled mean age of menarche for this group was 13.6 years. This figure was significantly lower than the mean age of 13.9 years observed in the goitrous group. The mean age was lowest for thyroid grade 0 and highest for thyroid grades 1b and above. The mean age in high prevalence areas was significantly higher both among goitrous and nongoitrous groups, and in different areas of prevalence the mean age was higher among the goitrous than the nongoitrous. These findings strongly suggest a delay in sexual maturation among girls living in endemic goitre areas and among girls with evidence of goitre.
Motorcyclist Traffic Accidents and Risk Factors: A Singapore Study
Authors: Wong Tze Wai , Phoon Wai-On , Lee James , Yiu Ivy Po Chu , Fung Kam Pui , Smith Gordon
Published: June 2011

Motorcyclist accidents cause significant morbidity and mortality in Singapore. To elucidate personal and environmental factors associated with such accidents, we studied 198 motorcyclists who were hospitalized in Singapore General Hospital between April 1986 and June 1987. The patients were mostly young and almost exclusively male with a high proportion of Malays. Most accidents occurred on Sundays and at night. Ten percent of the victims took alcohol before the accident. Most had low injury severity scores (ISS). Less experienced drivers had a significantly higher ISS than those with one year or longer of driving experience. Vigorous control of drunken driving, through public education and intensive breath testing, should reduce the incidence of traffic accidents.
The Leadership Challenge of Tobacco Use in Asia: Towards Health Promotion and Health For All
Authors: Hamann Stephen L. , Raymond Jonathan S.
Published: June 2011

Tobacco use in Asia is sharply on the rise. Present trends in increased smoking behavior will result in epidemics of smoking related diseases and deaths of millions annually in the foreseeable future. Collective leadership for health from several sectors is needed to reverse the trend in increased tobacco use. An agenda for action by leaders is presented, and an intersectoral approach is advocated with a focus on proactive measures to promote positive behaviors for health and to prevent a pandemic of unprecedented proportions.
Nutritional Intervention: A Key to Child Survival
Authors: Guthrie Helen A. , Guthrie George M. , Fernandez Tomas , Barba Corazon V.C.
Published: June 2011

In a collaborative relationship, researchers from the Cebu Institute of Medicine and from the United States have carried out a series of longitudinal studies of breast feeding and infant growth in a rural Philippine community. On the basis of our findings, we have conducted field experiments designed to have mothers improve their infants' diets using locally available food. Contingent reinforcement strategies were used successfully to get mothers to change their behavior and beliefs about infant feeding practices. The use of reinforcements resulted in improved diets and very high rates of continuation of participation in the field experiments. We believe that this is a highly productive and cost effective way to approach the problem of gaining cooperation and continued involvement in a nutrition intervention effort.
Nutritional Problems of Malaysian Children and Approaches Taken to Overcome Them
Authors: Arokiasamy JT
Published: June 2011

Nutritional status of children is an important factor in child survival, especially in developing countries. It is therefore important that nutritional problems are addressed and overcome. This paper reviews the many studies conducted in Malaysia on nutritional problems among children. It also documents the approaches, including intersectoral approaches, that have been taken to overcome these problems. Possible actions that have to be taken in the future to further improve the nutritional status of Malaysian children are discussed.
The Use of the Nabarro Thinness Chart in Identifying Children for Nutrition Supplementation in Sri Lanka
Authors: Soysa Priyani E.
Published: June 2011

This study compares the use of the Nabarro Thinness Chart with other nutritional screening tools among school children in Sri Lanka. It concludes that this method is a simpler, more precise approach to assess students requiring food supplementation in community programmes than others which are commonly utilized.
Types of Antenatal Care and Other Related Factors Associated with Low Birth Weight in Southern Thailand
Authors: Jirojwong Sansnee , Skolnik Michael
Published: June 2011

This study investigates the relationship between low birth weight (LBW) and antenatal care (ANC) when provided by different categories of care givers in Thailand. Two types of care providers are distinguished: western trained and traditionally trained. The socioeconomic, biological, and obstetric characteristics of 602 cases and 705 controls were compared based on standardized interviews with postpartum women. The results of the study show that women who receive care from different types of care providers have differing levels of risk of LBW delivery. Women who receive no ANC and those who receive care only from traditionally trained care providers have about twice the level of risk of LBW as women who are attended either by western trained care providers or by a combination of western trained and traditionally trained care providers. Even when major potential confounders, such as maternal age or mother's level of education are controlled, this relationship is still maintained.
Epidemiological Study of Mortality from Cancer Among Chromium Platers
Authors: Horiguchi S , Morinaga K , Endo G
Published: June 2011

Cancer mortality was studied among 265 male workers in 40 small plating factories (chromium, copper and nickel) where bicycle parts are plated. The study utilized record linkage with the Osaka Cancer Registry file between January 1, 1965 and December 31, 1979. The results showed that seven workers had died of cancer, and the Standardized Mortality Ratio (SMR) calculated for all cancers, stomach cancer and lung cancer were 1.13, 1.23 and 1.11, respectively, with no significant relationship found between the observed and expected values. The SMR for lung cancer among those workers with a high degree of skin ulceration and with perforation of the nasal septum was high, 11.22 and 5.13, respectively, although not statistically significant because of the small sample size in the study. The results suggest that lung cancer occurs in those subjected to a high degree of exposure to chromium.
Ventilatory Function Among Metal Workers in Singapore
Authors: Phoon WO , Foo SC , Org CN , Tan LC
Published: June 2011

The ventilatory function of 634 workers in small scale metal working industries was evaluated. Almost five percent (4.7%) of the workers were found to have FEV1.0/FVC ratio of less than 75%. Compared with the lung function of industrial workers reported by Zee, 10.9% were found to have low ventilatory function.

Comparison of the ventilatory function obtained from the metal workers with those of occupational groups previously reported shows that the metal workers have lower FVC and FEV1.0 values.

Mid and end expiratory flow rates were also measured. These measures have been shown to be very sensitive in detecting obstructions in small airways. It is recommended that future studies should be carried out to obtain ventilatory functions for the normal population. The values reported here of FEV25%-75% and FEF75%-85% would be useful for future investigations in forced expiratory flow rates.
An Epidemiological Study of the Influence of Sweets Intake and Toothbrushing on Dental Caries Among Children in Japan
Authors: Akizawa Yoriko , Sakurai Yoshiki , Hara Norihisa , Fujita Yasuyuki , Nagai Masaki , Nakamura Yosikazu , Sakata Kiyomi , Yanagawa Hiroshi
Published: June 2011

The study was designed to determine the influence of confectionery and beverages intake and of toothbrushing on infant dental caries. The participants were 700 three year old Japanese children from an urban area near Tokyo. The prevalence of caries in those who frequently consumed confectionery and beverages was higher than the prevalence in those who did not take them. However, the prevalence in children with a habit of toothbrushing did not differ from that of those without the habit.

This study shows that restricting consumption of confectionery and beverages may be effective in preventing dental caries; however, encouragement of toothbrushing may not be effective in limiting dental caries progression.
Rice in an Interdependent World
Authors: Falck Vilma T
Published: June 2011

The purpose of this paper is to examine the outcome of the increasing need and dependence on rice as an essential food, and the potential hazards of this trajectory in an interdependent world, and to propose the need for a supranational system to guide decisions made in areas of mutual dependency among nations. All rice producing countries of the world should be responsible for assuring sufficient quantities and qualities of rice for the world's population. However, there are hazards related to emphasis on rice yields associated with the neglect of overall nutritional needs and also the potential for environmental impact given the need for sustainable development. Scientific measurement and data analyses of interdependent supranational variables are needed to guide policies and practices to insure conditions for life will be favorable for people everywhere.
Adsorption Removal of Benzalkonium Chloride by Granular Activated Carbon for Medical Waste Water Treatment
Authors: Tanada Masatoshi , Miyoshi Tamotsu , Nakamura Takeo , Tanada Seiki
Published: June 2011

The adsorption removal of benzalkonium chloride disinfectant by granular activated carbon is discussed. The adsorption isotherm of benzalkonium chloride was expressed by the Freundlich equation. A significant correlation was found between the amount of benzalkonium chloride adsorbed in less than 1000 ppm of equilibrium concentration and the micropore volume of activated carbon. As for the adsorption rate, a change in intraparticle diffusiveness was found with increasing adsorption ratio. No significant correlation between the values of intraparticle diffusiveness and the properties of activated carbon was found. It was concluded that the micropore volume of activated carbon was the dominant factor in the adsorption removal of benzalkonium chloride by granular activated carbon.
Induced Abortion in Eight Provinces of China
Authors: Wang Yan , Becker Stan , Chow LP , Wang Shao-xian
Published: June 2011

A survey of 12, 000 women in eight provinces of China was carried out in 1988. One urban and one rural area were selected purposively in each province; data on lifetime and recent pregnancies were collected from married women aged 20-44. Data on abortions included reasons, gestational age, and complications. During the five years before the survey, the number of abortions per 100 live births was 102 in urban areas and 62 in rural areas. For those with one or more previous live births in urban areas, nearly all subsequent pregnancies ended in abortion. Also in urban areas, 31% of women with a recent abortion reported the reason was contraceptive failure. Over 80% of women are contraceptive users; the high abortion rates then reflect relatively low use-effectiveness of contraception and that most unplanned pregnancies are aborted.
Solid Waste Scavenger Community: An Investigation in Bangkok, Thailand
Authors: Kungskulniti Nipapun , Pulket Chompusakdi , Miller F DeWolfe , Smith Kirk R
Published: June 2011

A solid waste scavenger community at On-Nooch dump site in Bangkok was investigated. The purpose was to identify the dimensions of the public health risk to this group of people and their community due to exposure to hazardous conditions from waste materials. A cross-sectional descriptive study utilizing field surveys and measurements was performed. The demographic, socioeconomic, health related and environmental characteristics of this community were examined. Health complaints and injuries were inventoried among scavengers. Prevalence of childhood respiratory illness was high especially in those households where smoking was present. Intestinal helminthic and protozoan infection in children were detected. Six individuals with possible HIV infection and a number of Hepatitis B antigenemia were found among male respondents. An appreciable proportion of respondents fell below normal when tested for lung function. Air pollution measurements showed acceptable ambient air levels except for particulate matters. Water quality was low for both potable and nonpotable water.
The Korean Health Insurance Program: Analysis of Financial and Cost Containment Measures
Authors: Moon Ok Ryun
Published: June 2011

Cost containment is the major determinant of a successful national health insurance system. From this point of view, the financial situation and factors influencing the rise of health care costs in the Korean health insurance program were analyzed. Current measures of cost containment in use are discussed in terms of price cutting and utilization reduction approaches.
The Demographic Transition in Kenya: A Portent for Africa?
Authors: Sinding Steven W.
Published: June 2011

It is contended that issues of population growth will continue to be an important frontier of international health. Kenya's case is examined and its achievements in arresting its population growth are analyzed. The case is made that Kenya's experience is transferable to other countries in Africa.
Reaching the Unreached: A Miracle in the Making
Authors: Grant James P.
Published: June 2011

The survival and well-being of children is identified as the primary frontier of international health. In this regard, 1990 is identified as the most historic year ever in world history for children, and the achievements of the Universal Child Immunization program in immunizing 80% of children of the Third World under one year of age by December 1990 and the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the World Summit for Children are cited. The importance of the world community exercising its capacity to act on a common problem together, of the health services taking on a much stronger social purpose, and of the tireless and dedicated spirits in these efforts is stressed as essential for making a much better world for children in the centuries to come.
Indicators of Accessibility to Primary Health Care Coverage in Rural Odukpani, Nigeria
Authors: Atting Inyang A. , Egwu Igbo N.
Published: June 2011

Indicators of accessibility were investigated in Odukpani Local Government Area using a structured questionnaire administered to mothers or heads of households in the study area. The indicators considered included proportion of births attended by trained health personnel, proportion of children with diarrhea treated with oral rehydration therapy (ORT), distance from home to regular immunization site, and acceptability of primary health care services to the target population. Sociodemographic data revealed a typical developing country population profile and surprisingly high literacy rate (57.8%) relative to the national rate, an observation which may account for the appreciable level of awareness.
Cost Analysis in Health Planning and Management in Papua New Guinea
Authors: Thomason Jane A. , Mitchell Marc D
Published: June 2011

In 1988 a study of the costs of rural health services was carried out in Papua New Guinea. The study collected data from a 16% sample of all health centers and subcenters and was able to determine average staffing patterns, total and average costs, and service levels for different types of facilities. The study methodology and findings have been found to have broad application for both planning and management of health services. The applications of cost analysis for planning and management of health services are discussed, and key recommendations are outlined for improving the efficiency and productivity of rural health facilities in Papua New Guinea.
Possible Human Health Hazards from Outbreak of Epizootic Ulcerative Syndrome (EUS) in Fish in the Asia-Pacific Region
Authors: Chakrabarty A. N. , Dastidar Sujata G. , Ganguli Manju
Published: June 2011

Acid fast rods, constituting chemoautotrophic nocardioform bacteria, could be repeatedly cultivated and isolated and propagated indefinitely in vitro from fish actinomycotic macrophage granuloma from the massive epizootics of ulcerative disease syndrome of fish in eastern India during 1988-90. The possible human hazards of zoonotic actinomycotic infections as a result of handling and consumption of such fish are assessed.
Interpersonal Awareness and Smoking Behavior in the Workplace
Authors: Takahashi Ken , Iwata Noboru , Yamaguchi Naohito , Okubo Toshiteru , Yamamura Joe
Published: June 2011

A questionnaire survey was conducted in small-scale production companies in Japan to examine “interpersonal awareness” and smoking behavior in the workplace. Interpersonal awareness (IA) of smokers is defined as awareness of other people's presence when smoking. Study participants were 1048 smokers and 744 nonsmokers, contrasted by worksite: office or production. Controlling for selected baseline variables, office work smokers, who smoked more in the workplace than production work smokers (77.4% vs 51.6%, p<.001), had a higher IA in the workplace (75.5% vs 58.9%, p<.001) but did not differ in IA at home (69.7% vs 66.0%). in male smokers of both worksites, degree of IA in the workplace correlated positively with that at home (r3=.36, p<.001, office; r3=.45, p<.00l, production), and daily cigarette consumption correlated negatively with degree of IA at home (r8=-.44, p<.00l, office; r3=-.17, p<.001, production). A predilection for smoking more at home than in the workplace correlated with higher IA in the workplace for male office smokers (r8=-.21, p<.01). In contrast, a predilection for smoking more at home than in the workplace correlated with lower degree of IA at home for production smokers of both sexes (r3= 20, p<.001, male; r3=.53, p<.05, female). Interpersonal awareness is deemed an Important behavioral factor for smoking workers.
Parity as a Determinant of the Hematologic Response to Hematinics Supplementation in Underprivileged Pregnant Women in Malaysia
Authors: Foo LC , Somsiah P
Published: June 2011

The effect of parity on the hematological response to supplemental hematinics and the relationship between birth weight and Hb concentration were examined in 67 pregnant rural Kelantanese Malay women recruited at 20-24 weeks of gestation. Among initially anemic women (Hb concentration at recruitment <110 g/l), a significant supplementation effect was observed in the lower parae (3 or less children) but not in the higher parae. Among initially nonanemic women, a progressive decline in mean Mb concentration was observed in the higher parae; in the lower parae, however, an initial fall in mean Hb concentration was followed by a rise to almost the initial level. Birth weight was inversely related to initial Hb concentration. There was no association between birth weight and final measured Hb level, parity or any of the measured maternal characteristics. These observations suggest: a) women with initially lower Hb concentration might have experienced a greater acceleration of plasma volume expansion than those with initially higher Hb level; and b) hemopoiesis might be impaired in the higher multiparae.
Elderly Self Care Education: A Low Technology Primary Health Care Option for Developing Countries
Authors: Koseki Lawrence K. , Reid Sue E.
Published: June 2011

This article presents a number of perspectives on the curriculum building processes as well as the methodology and content of a self care training curriculum and Information packet that were prepared and field for the development of a model self care education program for older persons. Course content and topical areas are outlined, and various training agenda and educational materials are described.

Although this program was undertaken as part of the national goal to develop a health promotion and disease prevention strategy for older people In the United States, a number of Insights, principles and implications drawn from the curriculum development activities and field testing experiences are applicable to other countries, especially developing nations where the problems and needs of the aged are becoming Increasingly apparent In the face of ever shrinking resources.
Prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus Infection Markers Among Factory Workers in Beijing, China
Authors: Seiji Kazunori , Inoue Osamu , Liu Shi-Jie , Xu Xiao-Ping , Jin Chui , Cai Shi-Xiong , Nakatsuka Haruo , Watanabe Takao , Uchida Yoko , Ikeda Masayuki
Published: June 2011

Nearly 1, 000 serum samples were obtained from apparently healthy workers of both sexes in various factories In Beijing during 1988-1989 and were examined for hepatitis B virus infection markers by radioimmunoassay. The overall prevalence (all ages and both sexes combined) of cases positive for HBsAg, anti-HBs and anti-HBc were 3.7%, 36.6% and 37.7%, respectively and the rate of those negative to any of the three markers studied was 56.1%. The infection rate was lower than the values reported early in the 1980s for Beijing populations or the values for populations in other parts of China.
Hepatitis B Virus Prevalence in Industrialized Cities in China
Authors: Seiji Kazunori , Inoue Osamu , Watanabe Masaaki , Takahashi Suguru , Chen Zhen , Huang Mei-Yuan , Cai Shi-Xiong , Nakatsuka Haruo , Watanabe Takao , Ikeda Masayuki
Published: June 2011

The prevalence of HBV infection was investigated by radioimmunoassay for HBsAg, anti-HBs and anti-HBc in over 1000 workers in large scale factories located in four industrial cities (Jinxi, Shanghai, Wuxi and Xian) in 1987 to 1990. The age dependency of the prevalence was not evident. The overall prevalence rate of those positive for any of the three markers was 62.6%. The rate was significantly (p<0.01) higher than the rates found in Beijing in a previous study1 but lower than the values observed in earlier studies.
Epidemiology of Dengue/Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever in Malaysia-A Retrospective Epidemiological Study. 1973-1987. Part II: Dengue Fever (DF).
Authors: Shekhar K Chandra , Huat Ong Leong
Published: June 2011

Dengue fever (DF) bas been endemic in Malaysia since 1902 and reached epidemic proportions in 1973. The incidence rate of the disease in 1973 was 5.4 cases per 100, 000 and reached 10.4 cases per 100, 000 in 1987. The Chinese are the main ethnic community affected showing an overall morbidity rate of 9.0 cases per 100, 000 followed by Malays 2.9 cases per 100, 000 and Indians 2.4 cases per 100, 000. The ethnic race ratio between Chinese, Malays and Indians which was 3.7:1:1.3 in 1975 reached 3.7:1:0.9 in 1987. The attack rates were observed to be higher in the males. The mean male:female ratio among Chinese was 1.1:1, while for Malays and Indians it was 1.5:1. The age-specific morbidity rate was highest in the 10-to 19-year age group followed by the 20-to 29-year age group. Epidemics of dengue fever were found to occur seasonally with the appearance of two peaks, viz. one in June and the other in August. Dengue fever, a rural disease before, has established itself as an urban disease.
End-stage Renal Disease (ESRD) in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Ibrahim Mohammad A , Kordy Mohammad NS
Published: June 2011

Information was collected on patients with End-stage Renal Disease (ESRD) receiving maintenance dialysis in all of the dialysis facilities in Saudi Arabia. Similar information was also collected from the Saudi Arabian government-sponsored patients with ESRD in the United States between December 1985 to March 1986. As of March 31, 1986, 806 Saudi patients were on maintenance hemodialysis and 16 on peritoneal dialysis in hospital-based dialysis facilities in Saudi Arabia. The prevalence rate of ESRD was 139/million at the completion of the study. The rates increased with age and were similar when compared on a regional basis, but were higher in the rural areas for both sexes in all regions except the Southern Region. Here, the prevalence rates for the female urban residents were higher than for female rural residents.

Although primary health care services are available in rural areas, a delay was noted in seeking medical care. This was attributed to the possible lack of health education, knowledge of the disease and information on the availability of the health services.

Upon completion of this study, it was concluded that a need exists for further research in all aspects to delineate the role of the various factors that affect ESRD in Saudi Arabia, with the universal goal of preventing development of the disease in the population.
Successful Use of Pooled Sera to Estimate HIV Antibody Seroprevalence and Eliminate All Positive Cases
Authors: Ko Ying-Chin , Lan Shou-Jen , Chiang Tai-An , Yen Yea-Yin , Hsieh Chung-Cheng
Published: June 2011

Pooling specimens when testing them in large numbers can save scarce resources and several earlier reports have indicated this to be a feasible strategy. In an HIV antibody mass screening test carried out in our laboratory, we used Dorfman's two-stage model. We sought to establish the optimal number of specimens in a pool, and to achieve maximum efficiency while maintaining both sensitivity and specificity. Before testing for HIV antibody, five positive samples were placed in a set of 1012 sera in a double blind manner, one positive sample into a second set of 1012 sera and none in a third set The positive rate was assumed to be 0.2% for each set of 1012 sera. As indicated by our model, 22 individual serum samples were placed into each of 46 pools which, when tested by particle agglutination assays, lead to the identification of all positive samples. We concluded that the prevalence rate can be estimated in the first stage, 95% confidence intervals were given, and the efficiency rate could be calculated for the identification of all infected specimens in a large number of samples showing low prevalence rates.
Maternal Hair Zinc and Neural Tube Defects: No Evidence of an Association from a Case-Control Study in Western Australia
Authors: Bower Carol , Stanley Fiona J , Spickett Jeff T
Published: June 2011

In a case-control study of isolated neural tube defects in Western Australia, zinc was estimated by flame spectrophotometry in post-partum hair specimens from 54 mothers of infants with neural tube defects, and from 128 mothers of normal infants. The distribution of the estimates of zinc was divided into quartiles. Using the lowest quartile as the reference group, the crude odds ratios (and their 95% confidence intervals) for quartiles two through four were 1.07 (0.44, 2.59), 1.02 (0.41, 2.56), and 0.70 (0.28, 1.73). Adjustment for several potential confounding variables (parental country of birth, social class, previous pregnancy outcome, interval between previous and index pregnancy, pregnancy order, and interval from birth to interview) made little difference to the odds ratios. This study provides no evidence of an association between post-partum, maternal hair zinc and of fspring with neural tube defects.
HIV, International Travel and Tourism: Global Issues and Pacific Perspectives
Authors: Lewis Nancy Davis , Bailey Jodi
Published: June 2011

AIDS, like plagues throughout human history, has been blamed repeatedly on foreigners. This has heightened ramifications, from the personal to the geopolitical, in an era of escalating population movement and rapid international travel. By the end of 1990, the World Health Organization had estimated that the total number of AIDS cases worldwide was close to 1.3 million1. Recent estimates suggest that by the year 2000, 38-100 million adults and over 10 million children will have been infected with HIV2. Seventy-five to eighty-five percent of that number will be from the developing world.

AIDS has rapidly become pandemic, with wide-ranging consequences for humankind. Human population movement is an important component in the natural history of AIDS. With respect to this, a central consideration is the relationship between AIDS and international travel, especially tourism. In this paper, after reviewing HTV in the Asia-Pacific region, we present the epidemiology of HIV in the Pacific Islands, discuss its impact with particular reference to population movement, and explore some of the specific challenges that the Pacific Island region faces.
A Study on the Isolation of Aflatoxin-producing Strains from Agricultural Products in Korea
Authors: Lee Yong-Wook , Kim Jong-Gyu
Published: June 2011

In order to isolate aflatoxin-producing strains from agricultural products in the Youngnam district of Korea, rice, barley, unhulled barley, corn, soybean, Meju (soybean paste), peanut, and soil samples were collected from markets or homes. From the 347 samples, 280 strains of Aspergillus spp.were isolated. As a result of screening by thin layer chromatography (TLC), 29 strains showed fluorescent spot and four strains had the same Rf values as those of standard aflatoxins. The percentage of contamination of aflatoxin-producing strains was 1.4%. The four strains were classified as the Aspergillus flavusgroup by the examination of characteristics and morphology.
Prevalence of Goiter in a Rural Community in Sri Lanka
Authors: Katugampola Sudharma L , Balasuriya Somaratne , Fernando Malcolm A
Published: June 2011

The prevalence of goiter in a rural community was determined in a defined geographical area, namely, the Hindagala Community Health Project (HCHP). In this area which is divided into six Public Health Midwife (PHM) areas, the mean altitude varies from 450 to 775 meters. The house-to-house goiter survey conducted by the trained field health staff covered 70% of the population.

The total goiter prevalence was 7% while the prevalence of visible goiter was 2.8%. The goiter prevalence was higher in the females than in the males at all age groups. Among males, the prevalence was highest in the school-going age group 6-18 years, while among females the highest prevalence was in the early childbearing period of 19-34 years. Further, an increasing trend in the prevalence was observed with increase in mean altitude of the PHM area.

Correlation between community prevalence and age-sex specific prevalence gave the best relationship with the 6-18 year age group and a regression equation to predict the community prevalence from the prevalence in the school-going age group is presented.
Prevalence of Cardiovascular Diseases in Rural Area of Hmawbi and Urban Yangon City
Authors: Aung  , Htoon Myo Thet , Ngwe Thein , Tun Nyan , Kyaw May Mon
Published: June 2011

With improvements in life expectancy and as more and more people have access to modern medicine, non-communicable diseases are emerging as a health problem in both urban and rural communities in Myanmar. Of all non-communicable diseases, cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are known to be the major health problem.

Since many studies that have been conducted in both developed and developing countries have shown a difference between rural and urban communities with regard to cardiovascular diseases, our study had the objective of finding out the prevalence of ischemic heart disease, hypertensive heart disease and rheumatic heart disease in a rural and urban community. The risk of obesity and smoking in the occurrence of CVD was also studied.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted in three urban townships of Yangon City (Sanchaung, Latha and Pabedan) and one rural township of Hmawbi. The results showed that CVD were a health problem in both the urban and rural communities. Coronary heart disease was seen to be more prevalent in the urban townships than in the rural Hmawbi Township, but hypertension (HT) and rheumatic heart diseases (RHD) were more prevalent in the rural township of Hmawbi. Obesity which has been blamed as the major risk factor for CHD and HT in the developed countries was not found to be a risk factor in the study townships, but smoking was.
Nutrition Promotion: The Role of Monitoring Physical Growth
Authors: Zulkifli Siti Norazah
Published: June 2011

Growth monitoring has been included as one of the basic strategies for child survival. In this paper, the rationale for this is reiterated both for individual as well as population nutritional surveillance. Methods for and approaches to growth monitoring are described. In addition, potential problems in implementing growth monitoring projects and interpreting the results are discussed. Despite its lack of sensitivity and specificity as a diagnostic tool, its advantages in terms of low cost, simplicity, reliability and social acceptability justify its use in nutritional surveillance, particularly in populations at risk of malnutrition.
Mortality Experience in a Rapidly Developing Economy in Taiwan: Infant Mortality, Gender Gap, and Occupational Risks
Authors: Wen Chi-Pang , Tsai Shu-Fang , Tsai Shan-Pou
Published: June 2011

Mortality data of Taiwan for 1981 through 1986 were analyzed using three different statistics in order to assess the role of environmental and lifestyle factors in causing mortality variations. Infant mortality rates from different geographic regions generally correlated well with overall mortality from all ages, suggesting that there are many common risk factors affecting the entire age range of the population. The mortality rates of tobacco-and alcohol-related causes of death and cancers were much higher in males than females. A number of cancer sites, including the lung, the liver, the stomach, and the nasopharynx, showed more than twofold excesses in males. In contrast, females had a tenfold excess of genital cancer and a 33% higher rate of diabetes. With rapid industrialization, occupational hazards played an increasing role in the development of cancer and other causes of death. During the study period, fishermen showed increased risk for cancers of the stomach, the esophagus, and the liver, while construction workers had an increased risk for cancer of the esophagus. Peasants and soldiers had an elevated suicide mortality. Among apprentices, fatal injuries were high. Findings from this study are useful in setting priorities for health and safety programs and directing efforts such as health education programs and other preventive strategies against disease.
Attempted Suicide in Kuala Lumpur
Authors: Habil Mohd Hussain , Ganesvaran T , Agnes LS
Published: June 2011

A total of 306 patients were admitted to the University Hospital in Kuala Lumpur in 1989 after attempting suicide. Fourteen of them succumbed to injuries. Psychosocial data of 296 patients out of the 306 survivors are reported. Suicidal behaviour is more common in the young and especially amongst the females. Nearly 45.0% of them are from social class IV and V. Persons of Indian ethnic origin are over-represented, while in Malays suicidal behavior seemed to be less common.

Self-poisoning was reported to be the commonest method in attempting suicide. Diagnosis of adjustment disorder was made in 58.5% of the patients. Two-thirds of the patients had an intention score of less than 10 on the Pierce's Scale.