The relationship between construction sector and the national economy of Sri Lanka

The causal relationship between construction and a country’s economy has received much attention in the past. However, the results provide contrasting views on the nature of this relationship. This paper therefore investigates the direction of the causal relationship between construction and the economy of a developing country, Sri Lanka. It uses empirical data for selected economic and construction indicators for the period 1990–2009. The pattern of the causal relationship was determined using Granger causality test. The findings reveal that for all indicators except construction investment, national economic activities precede that of construction. The study therefore concludes and strengthens the body of knowledge on Sri Lanka that the causal relationship between its construction sector and national economy tend towards a uni-directional relationship with the national economy inducing growth in the construction sector and not vice versa

Impacts of carbohydrate-restricted diets on micronutrient intakes and status: a systematic review

A systematic review of published evidence on micronutrient intake/status with carbohydrate‐restricted diets (CRD) was conducted in Web of Science, Medline, Embase, Scopus, CENTRAL, and ClinicalTrials.gov up to October 2018. We identified 10 studies: seven randomized controlled trials (RCTs) (“Atkins”‐style, n = 5; “Paleolithic” diets, n = 2), two Atkins‐style noncontrolled trials and one cross‐sectional study. Prescribed carbohydrate varied 4% to 34% of energy intake. Only one noncontrolled trial prescribed multivitamin supplements. Dietary intakes/status were reported over 2 to 104 weeks, with weight losses from 2 to 9 kg. No diagnoses of deficiency were reported. Intakes of thiamine, folate, magnesium, calcium, iron, and iodine all decreased significantly (−10% to −70% from baseline) with any CRD types. Atkins diet trials (n = 6; 4%‐34%E carbohydrate) showed inconsistent changes in vitamin A, E, and β‐carotene intakes, while a single “Paleolithic” diet trial (28%E carbohydrate) reported increases in these micronutrients. One other “Paleolithic” diet (30%E carbohydrate) reported a rise in moderate iodine deficiency from 15% to 73% after 6 months. In conclusion, few studies have assessed the impacts of CRD on micronutrients. Studies with different designs point towards reductions in several vitamins and minerals, with potential risk of micronutrient inadequacies. Trial reporting standards are expected to include analysis of micronutrient intake/status. Micronutrients in foods and/or supplements should be considered when designing, prescribing or following CRDs

Need for weight management in Switzerland: findings from National Blood Pressure Week 2009

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The Swiss Health Survey (SHS) provides the only source of data for monitoring overweight and obesity in the general population in Switzerland. However, this survey reports body mass index (BMI) based on self-reported height and weight, and is therefore subject to measurement errors. Moreover, it is not possible to differentiate between overall and abdominal overweight. In this study, we aimed to gain a better understanding of the need for weight management in the general population of Switzerland by exploring and comparing prevalence rates of BMI and waist circumference (WC) based on physical measurements by trained observers, based on data from the 2009 National Blood Pressure Week (NBPW).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Sample selection was based on a one-stage cluster design. A total of 385 pharmacies representing 3,600 subjects were randomly selected from pharmacies participating in NBPW. BMI measures based on physical weight and height (NBPW) were compared with self-reported BMI measures from the SHS. BMI and WC measurements from NBPW were then used to produce population estimates of overweight and obesity.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>BMI-based overall prevalence of overweight and obesity was 43.6%, which was 4.7% higher than the value based on the respective SHS data. Overweight and obesity were more common in men (54.3%) than in women (33.5%). However, the overall prevalence of increased WC in the general population was estimated to be 64.4%, with more women (68.4%) than men (60.1%) exhibiting a WC above the threshold. The prevalence of subjects requiring weight management in the Swiss population remained high, even after adjusting WC for false positive and negative cases.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Firstly, it may be more appropriate for health promotion programs to address the wider group identified by WC, which includes subjects who need to reduce their weight, or gain no further weight. Secondly, the gender differences are reversed depending on the use of WC or BMI to identify subjects suitable for health promotion programs; more women than men are identified by WC, and more men than women using BMI. These differences should be accounted for in gender-specific health promotion programs.</p

Examining the role of three sets of innovation attributes for determining adoption of the interbank mobile payment service

The interbank mobile payment service (IMPS) is a very recent technology in India that serves the very critical purpose of a mobile wallet. To account for the adoption and use of IMPS by the Indian consumers, this study seeks to compare three competing sets of attributes borrowed from three recognized pieces of work in the area of innovations adoption. This study aims to examine which of the three sets of attributes better predicts the adoption of IMPS in an Indian context. The research model is empirically tested and validated against the data gathered from 323 respondents from different cities in India. The findings are analysed using the SPSS analysis tool, which are then discussed to derive the key conclusions from this study. The research implications are stated, limitations listed and suggestions for future research on this technology are then finally made

Comparison of the factors that influence the pattern of procurement and usage of antithrombotic drugs

Antithrombotics are used for many indications in prophylaxis and therapeutic treatment. It is often associated with a higher risk of adverse effects; hence a drug utilization evaluation is essential. The main aim was to describe the utilization of antithrombotic drugs. The specific objectives are to compare the pattern of procurement and usage of antithrombotic drugs, estimate the Defined Daily Dose (DDD), and to compare the usage of antithrombotic drugs with the WHO recommended standard. This was a retrospective study evaluating the utilization of antithrombotics at a public tertiary care hospital in the urban city of Klang Valley, Malaysia. A defined daily dose (DDD) per 1000 inhabitants/day was calculated to estimate patients with thromboembolic disorders receiving standard treatment on a daily basis. Expenditures on all antithrombotic drugs were also assessed. The DDD was examined for correlation with gender, race, and age group. Malaysian Clinical Practice Guideline on the Prevention and Treatment of Venous Thromboembolism was used as a tool to evaluate the quality of prescribing. During the study period, among anticoagulants prescribed, warfarin was the most commonly utilized for treatment and prophylaxis in various disciplines, with 1.82 DDD. Enoxaparin was the second most utilized anticoagulant, with 1.05 DDD, followed by tinzaparin, with 0.39 DDD. For antiplatelet drugs, acetylsalicylic acid was the most utilized antiplatelet with 8.5 DDD followed by clopidogrel (1.42 DDD) and ticlopidine (0.16 DDD). The utilization pattern for all the antithrombotic drugs was in accordance with the WHO DDD guidelines. The pattern of antithrombotic drug procured was based on the demand for the drug supplies. Age, gender, and race were determinant factors that influenced the choice of antithrombotic drugs and further affected the antithrombotic drug utilization pattern. Still, additional information regarding patient’s status and concomitant disease condition is needed to establish the impact of utilization of antithrombotics fully. DDD analysis is an excellent practice to be conducted at planned intervals. It is a tool to update the changing or even new pattern of drug usage, which will assist in the justification of rational use of drugs. The mean difference in terms of DDDs of the studied antithrombotic drugs impacts patient demographic characteristics, smoking history, presence of atherosclerotic diseases and peripheral artery diseases, comorbidity, patient compliance, and bleeding history. It is useful to evaluate trends and expenditures, which will ultimately avoid untoward adverse effects and unnecessary costs.Full Tex

Mobile health interventions for vector control in dengue prone areas in Malaysia

The rise of dengue fever incidence over the past decade in Malaysia has associated with increased morbidity and mortality but also incurred massive healthcare cost. Apart from continuous physical control efforts and on-going health educational programs using conventional approaches, it seems ineffective in tackling the increasing trend of dengue. The objective of this study was to examine the acceptance and viability of an integrated mobile e-learning approach in educating the community on the prevention and control of dengue. A face-to-face questionnaire were used to collect feedback on the intervention from residential adults in four selected dengue fever prone rural residential areas in Malaysia. Out of the 379 participants, the majority of residents (99.21%) showed a favourable interest towards the use of e-learning approach. The prime reason given for their interest in the e-learning via smartphones was the provided prompt visual knowledge and understanding. The pictorial diagrams contained diversified information in an easy-to-understand layout. Being able to understand the information quickly, being able to share information with others and ease of selfregulated learning are the main advantages of disseminating health information via mobile phone. It will be useful and interesting to produce e-learning modules for future community-based health interventions