Obesity and diabetes in New Zealand

Obesity is a risk factor for diabetes, cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal disorders, and some cancers. Introduction It is estimated that 1.1 million adults are obese in New Zealand (that is, they have a BMI or Body Mass Index of 30 or more). Obesity in New Zealand places a considerable strain on the health care system: a study in 2006 estimated that health care costs attributable to overweight and obese persons was $686 million or 4.5% of New Zealand’s total health care expenditure. Obesity is a risk factor for diabetes, cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal disorders, and some cancers. There are two main types of diabetes: type 1 (insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus) and type 2 (adult-onset diabetes mellitus). Type 2 is more common in the population than type 1 (approximately 90% of diabetes cases worldwide are type 2). Individuals who are obese increase their risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The Ministry of Health estimated (when looking at the mortality burden of nutrition-related risk factors in New Zealand) that, in 1997, 80% of deaths from type 2 diabetes were attributable to a high BMI. Complications from diabetes include an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, nerve damage, and kidney failure. There were 768 deaths from diabetes in New Zealand in 2010

Moving from Offline to Online: Addressing the Cancer Spectrum Through the National Strategic Plan on Cancer Prevention and Control, Sri Lank - 2020-2024

Introduction: Sri Lanka is committed to achieving the global targets at the end of 2025 by a 25% reduction in premature mortality from cancer by intervening from prevention, early detection, treatment palliative care, and surveillance. Current Sri Lankan evidence shows a gradual increase of cancers where many are preventable by risk factor reduction. According to the data of the National Cancer Registry, Sri Lanka in 2019, there were 14,845 (47%) males and 16,989 (53%) females diagnosed with cancer with a total of 31844. One of the recommendations of the imPACT review 2019 was to develop the NSP to achieve quality of life by preventing and control of cancer in Sri Lanka. National Cancer Control Programme, Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka gave the leadership to develop the National Strategic Plan (2020-2024) that provided a direction for the country for cancer prevention and control. Methods: Based on the local and international evidence initial draft was prepared by the NCCP. Feedback was obtained via emails and virtual meetings from all the stakeholders (medical professional colleges, UN organizations, non-government organizations, community-based organizations) due to COVID 19 physical meeting restrictions. This was followed by a series of virtual meetings with the same stakeholders and finalizing the document. Results: The NSP was developed for the year 2020-2024 as a guiding document for Sri Lanka’s response to cancer control and prevention with a vision and a goal to be achieved in cancer prevention and control in the country. This document has laid down seven strategic objectives and seven strategic directions to serve as pillars for the cancer spectrum with a detailed activity plan under each strategic direction. Conclusion and recommendations: The NSP was developed to reduce cancer incidence and mortality via evidence-based strategic objectives of prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment and palliation, surveillance, and research with an activity plan. It was recommended to have close monitoring, mid-term and end of five-year reviews to assess its progress

Evidence Based National Framework for Undergraduate Nursing Education in Sri Lanka

In Sri Lanka, nursing education is moving from diplomanursing certificate to a university bachelor degree. In thistransitional stage, the development of an evidence based nationallevel framework for undergraduate nursing education is acrucially important step to improve nursing education andnursing service in Sri Lanka. The overall purpose of this PhDresearch study was to develop an evidence-based nationalframework for undergraduate nursing education in Sri Lanka.MethodMy PhD research study has involved conducting criticalreviews of literature, two systematic reviews, developing a draftconceptual framework, testing its appropriateness and feasibilitywith key stakeholders via focus group discussions in Sri Lanka,and formulating the final national framework for nursingeducation in Sri Lanka.ResultsThe systematic reviews revealed that the evidence regardingthe effectiveness and appropriateness of undergraduate nursingcurricula is notably weak and direct transfer of the curriculummodel from one country to another is not appropriate withoutfirst assessing the cultural context of both countries. Theconceptual framework, which was developed using the finding ofsystematic reviews and literature reviews, consists of widelyrecognized nursing concepts in international and local contexts.However, some concepts cannot be directly applicable because ofcultural and economic impediments.DiscussionThis study identified several factors that shape the approachto nursing education in Sri Lanka. These factors include:Western influence; Sri Lanka’s cultural influence; the currenthealthcare system and demand for healthcare; nursing systemsand regulation; medical dominance; financial support; and SriLanka’s education system. All of these factors influence theconceptualization of nursing and educational strategies needed toeffectively and appropriately prepare nurses in Sri Lanka. Thisstudy proposes seven recommendations to support theimplementation of the study findings into practice in Sri Lanka

EDUCAÇÃO EM SAÚDE BUCAL NA SALA DE AULA E SUA INFLUÊNCIA NAS COMPETÊNCIAS E HÁBITOS DE SAÚDE DE JOVENS ADULTOS NO SRI LANKA

The prevalence of Oral Health (OH) problems among the young adults in Sri Lanka is at a high level (Institute of Oral Health, 2018). The competencies on oral health obtain at the school may have a significant impact on the oral health habits of the new generations. The aim of this study is to investigate influence of science and health education in the school environment on the level of competencies and health habits towards OH among young adults in Sri Lanka. Survey design was followed to undertake the study. Both qualitative and quantitative (mixed) approaches used to conduct this study. Seven Dental Clinics were conveniently selected and from those seven clusters of dental clinics 107 young adults (15 years to 25 years) were selected randomly. Seven dentists and five science and health subject teachers were selected purposively. Questionnaire was used to collect data from young adults. Further on, in depth interviews with dental practitioners as well as science and health subject teachers were conducted to review both the vulnerability of the issue and how far the classroom education could influence the OH of students when they grow up as young adults. Statistical analysis method for quantitative data and thematic analysis method for qualitative data were used to identify the results. These results show that OH competencies are lower in young adults of Sri Lanka and school education on OH can significantly effect on improving the OH of individuals. OH education given to the students at the classroom is very important, because this awareness would help them lifelong to improve their quality of life free of many common oral heath burdens.A prevalência de problemas de saúde bucal (OH) entre os jovens adultos no Sri Lanka está em um nível alto (Institute of Oral Health, 2018). As competências em saúde bucal adquiridas na escola podem ter um impacto significativo nos hábitos de saúde bucal das novas gerações. O objetivo deste estudo é investigar a influência da educação em ciências e saúde no ambiente escolar sobre o nível de competências e hábitos de saúde em relação à OH entre jovens adultos no Sri Lanka. O desenho da pesquisa foi seguido para realizar o estudo. Abordagens qualitativas e quantitativas (mistas) usadas para conduzir este estudo. Sete clínicas dentárias foram convenientemente selecionadas e, desses sete grupos de clínicas odontológicas, 107 adultos jovens (15 a 25 anos) foram selecionados aleatoriamente. Sete dentistas e cinco professores de ciências e saúde foram selecionados propositalmente. Questionário foi usado para coletar dados de adultos jovens. Mais adiante, entrevistas em profundidade com dentistas e professores de ciências e saúde foram conduzidas para revisar a vulnerabilidade do problema e até que ponto a educação em sala de aula poderia influenciar a OH dos alunos quando eles crescessem como jovens adultos. Para a identificação dos resultados utilizou-se o método de análise estatística para dados quantitativos e o método de análise temática para os dados qualitativos. Esses resultados mostram que as competências de OH são mais baixas em jovens adultos do Sri Lanka e a educação escolar em OH pode afetar significativamente a melhoria da OH dos indivíduos. A educação de OH dada aos alunos em sala de aula é muito importante, porque essa consciência os ajudaria ao longo da vida a melhorar sua qualidade de vida livre de muitos fardos de saúde orais comuns

Comparison of Body Mass Index between Pubertal and Prepubertal Females in Okrika

This research work is aimed at examining the effect of pubertal development on body fat in females. 920 female students drawn from 5 secondary schools in Okrika of Rivers State in Nigeria were used as respondents. 460 of these are pubertal while the other 460 are prepubertal. With the aid of a questionnaire, their pubertal or prepubertal status; i.e. presence of pubic hair and/or breast bud, commencement of menstruation was gotten. Their height and weight was also gotten. BMI was calculated for prepubertal and pubertal females and compared statistically. The mean BMI of pubertal females, 19.7, is arithmetically higher than that of prepubertal females, 17.7 and the difference between the mean BMI is very statistically significant (P<0.05). For each age, the BMI of pubertal females was found to be higher than that of prepubertal females and as exemplified by the age groups 12 years and 13 years, the differences between the mean BMI for each age was found to be significant (P<0.05). Irrespective of the pathway the respondents took to puberty, adrenarche or thelarche, the BMI of pubertal females were significantly (P<0.05) higher than that of prepubertal females. BMI significantly (P<0.05) increased with progression in pubertal development. The BMI of pubertal females is greater than the BMI of prepubertal females: hence pubertal females have greater body fat than prepubertal females. Females that have reached puberty and are undergoing pubertal development should be careful not to give in wholly to weight reduction programmes. Keywords: BMI, Pubertal, Prepubertal, Body fat

Influencing factors and knowledge gaps on anemia prevention among female students in Indonesia

Adolescents (10-19 years old) are at high risk of developing iron deficiency anemia. Prevalence of anemia in young women in Indonesia was 37.1% which increased to 48.9% in 2018, with the proportion of anemia in the age group of 15-24 years and 25-34 years. The objectives of this study were to understand the influencing factors and gaps of knowledge related anemia prevention among female high school students. A qualitative case study design was conducted (April-May 2020) among nine female students (15-18 years old) from two senior high schools in Banjarmasin, Indonesia. Sampling technique used in this study was purposive sampling. Registered student who has total study period in the school not less than six months and students who refused to participate in this study were excluded. Data collection was used focus group discussion via WhatsApp messenger video call. Data analysis was mixed between content analysis and thematic analysis. Female students admit that they lack the initiative to find out about anemia. With the lack of understanding about anemia, the female students admitted that they did not really know whether preventing anemia was an important thing to do. The anemia education program at schools needs to enhance the female student’s knowledge about iron tablet consumption

Access to medical products in the South-East Asia Region, 2021

At the Seventy-first session of the WHO Regional Committee in September 2018, intercountry technical consultations following the Decision SEA/RC70(3) that was adopted by the Seventieth session of the Regional Committee led to the adoption of the ministerial “Delhi Declaration on Improving Access to Essential Medical Products in the Region and Beyond”. The Delhi Declaration1 was significant as it included a commitment for access to the entire range of medical products for achieving universal health coverage and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In addition, SEA Region Member States actively participated in global consultations that led to the adoption of significant World Health Assembly resolutions on this subject. In Health Assembly resolution WHA72.8 of 2019 on “Improving the transparency of markets for medicines, vaccines and other health products”, the World Health Assembly expanded the scope of “health products” to include “medicines, vaccines, medical devices, diagnostics, assistive products, cell- and gene-based therapies, and other health technologies”. Despite improvements in the availability of essential medical products in the Region, access of essential medicines and other essential medical products continues to pose a challenge. The high level of out-of-pocket (OOP) spending on health care in many SEA Region countries is a matter of concern, and is pushing around 65 million into poverty every year. This is mainly on account of spending on medical products, particularly medicines that account for the major share of OOP payment, in several countries of the Region