Prevalence and Risk Factors of Eye Problems among Older People in Central Tropical Region, Naypyitaw Union Territory, Myanmar

Purpose:Vision is essential one and it is proximately linked with their quality of life. In the meantime, older populations are increasing rapidly in the whole world and thus, age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataract and diabetic retinopathy are becoming common. Hot and dusty environment, inadequate access to water and poor facial hygiene are risk factors for blindness. Design: Lewe Township was purposively selected due to its high prevalent on eye problems. This cross-sectional study was conducted and simple random sampling was applied to achieve desired sample size. The structured questionnaires were used to collect data including screening of eye problems from 414 older population. Frequency, percentage, mean, SD and other descriptive analysis were determined and chi-square test for associations was constructed. Findings: Cataract was the highest prevalence rate with 40.8% followed by refractive error (27.3%) and pterygium (12.8%) among older people population in research area. While knowledge level indicated good level (88.4%), good attitude level (21.3%) and good practice level (27.1%) were noticeably low among older people. In the meantime, there were significantly associations between age (p=0.003) and education level (p=0.001) with knowledge level of older people while age (p=0.001), education level (p=<0.001), occupation (p=0.038) showed statistically association with attitude level. Originality:The study noticed that higher prevalence of eye problems while relatively poor level of eye care seeking practice and unawareness on risk factors in targeted community. Knowledge and awareness for changing attitude about eye problems, eye care seeking behavior and preventive practices should be accomplished more

Observational study of adult respiratory infections in primary care clinics in Myanmar: understanding the burden of melioidosis, tuberculosis and other infections not covered by empirical treatment regimes.

BACKGROUND: Lower respiratory infections constitute a major disease burden worldwide. Treatment is usually empiric and targeted towards typical bacterial pathogens. Understanding the prevalence of pathogens not covered by empirical treatment is important to improve diagnostic and treatment algorithms. METHODS: A prospective observational study in peri-urban communities of Yangon, Myanmar was conducted between July 2018 and April 2019. Sputum specimens of 299 adults presenting with fever and productive cough were tested for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (microscopy and GeneXpert MTB/RIF [Mycobacterium tuberculosis/resistance to rifampicin]) and Burkholderia pseudomallei (Active Melioidosis Detect Lateral Flow Assay and culture). Nasopharyngeal swabs underwent respiratory virus (influenza A, B, respiratory syncytial virus) polymerase chain reaction testing. RESULTS: Among 299 patients, 32% (95% confidence interval [CI] 26 to 37) were diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB), including 9 rifampicin-resistant cases. TB patients presented with a longer duration of fever (median 14 d) and productive cough (median 30 d) than non-TB patients (median fever duration 6 d, cough 7 d). One case of melioidosis pneumonia was detected by rapid test and confirmed by culture. Respiratory viruses were detected in 16% (95% CI 12 to 21) of patients. CONCLUSIONS: TB was very common in this population, suggesting that microscopy and GeneXpert MTB/RIF on all sputum samples should be routinely included in diagnostic algorithms for fever and cough. Melioidosis was uncommon in this population

Effectiveness of men in maternity health (MiM) intervention on male involvement in maternal health care to improve maternal health outcomes in Naypyitaw, Myanmar

Myanmar recorded 1,700 maternal fatalities in 2020, indicating one of the highest maternal mortality ratios (MMR). The provision of adequate maternal health care (MHC) is crucial to reducing maternal mortality in Myanmar, but the prevalence of low institutional delivery (ID) contributes to avoidable deaths. While Myanmar has made recent efforts to enhance the utilization of MH services, there are still existing gaps that need attention. The concept of male involvement (MI) in maternal health (MH) has emerged as a strategy to improve MHC outcomes in Myanmar. To assess the efficacy of male involvement in maternal health in Myanmar, a research study will be conducted. This study aims to investigate the impact of Men in Maternity Health (MiM) education specifically designed for husbands and male partners of pregnant women in Myanmar. Thus, the research aims to determine the effectiveness of Men in Maternity Health (MiM) education intervention to improve husband involvement in birth preparedness and complication readiness for safe motherhood in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar.</p

Performance of Malaria Volunteers regarding Malaria Control Activities in Southeastern Myanmar: A Study in the Areas under Coverage of an Ethnic Health Organization

Malaria volunteers (MVs) play an essential role in resolving malaria problems by delivering greater access to diagnosis and treatment services, mainly for the underserved community residing in hard-to-reach rural areas. The Karen Department of Health and Welfare (KDHW) has implemented community-based malaria control activities among the ethnic minorities in southeastern Myanmar by promoting the roles of MVs. This study aimed to explore the factors influencing the performance of MVs regarding malaria control activities in the area. From July to August 2019, a cross-sectional study was conducted in 12 townships of southeastern Myanmar under the umbrella of the KDHW malaria project. A total of 140 MVs were employed as study participants. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire. For data analyses, descriptive statistics, chi-squared tests, and logistics regression models were applied. More than half of the MVs perceived a good level of performance on malaria control activities. A higher level of performance has been observed among the MVs who had another job (AOR: 1.9, 95% CI: 1.2–3.9), those experienced in health-related fields (AOR: 1.9, 95% CI: 1.4–4.9), who received good community support (AOR: 2.1, 95% CI: 1.3–10.9), who were volunteers beyond three years (AOR: 4.0, 95% CI: 2.8–9.2), and whose family income totaled over 500,000 MMK (AOR: 2.8, 95% CI: 1.6–4.2). The results mentioned the characteristics which should be prioritized in recruiting MVs. MV network and their workforce need to be nurtured by encouraging community support. For performance sustainability, attractive incentive schemes or a salary should be subsidized in support of their livelihoods

Predictors of malaria rapid diagnostic test positivity in a high burden area of Paletwa Township, Chin State in Western Myanmar.

BackgroundDespite major reductions in malaria burden across Myanmar, clusters of the disease continue to persist in specific subregions. This study aimed to assess the predictors of test positivity among people living in Paletwa Township of Chin State, an area of persistently high malaria burden.MethodsFour villages with the highest malaria incidence from Paletwa Township were purposively selected. The characteristics of 1045 subjects seeking malaria diagnosis from the four assigned village health volunteers from January&nbsp;to&nbsp;December, 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Their household conditions and surroundings were also recorded using a checklist. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression models were applied to investigate potential associations between individual and household characteristics and malaria diagnosis.ResultsIn 2017, the Paletwa township presented 20.9% positivity and an annual parasite index of 46.9 cases per 1000 people. Plasmodium falciparum was the predominant species and accounted for more than 80.0% of all infections. Among 1045 people presenting at a clinic with malaria symptoms, 31.1% were diagnosed with malaria. Predictors for test positivity included living in a hut [adjusted odds ratios (a OR): 2.3, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.2-4.6], owning farm animals (aOR: 1.7, 95% CI: 1.1-3.6), using non-septic type of toilets (aOR: 1.9, 95% CI: 1.1-8.4), presenting with fever (aOR: 1.9, 95% CI: 1.1-3.0), having a malaria episode within the last year (aOR: 2.9, 95% CI: 1.4-5.8), traveling outside the village in the previous 14&nbsp;days (aOR: 4.5, 95% CI: 1.5-13.4), and not using bed nets (a OR: 3.4, 95% CI: 2.3-5.1). There were no statistically significant differences by age or gender in this present analysis.ConclusionsThe results from this study, including a high proportion of P. falciparum infections, little difference in age, sex, or occupation, suggest that malaria is a major burden for these study villages. Targeted health education campaigns should be introduced to strengthen synchronous diagnosis-seeking behaviors, tighten treatment adherence, receiving a diagnosis after traveling to endemic regions, and using bed nets properly. We suggest increased surveillance, early diagnosis, and treatment efforts to control the disease and then to consider the local elimination

Independent predictors of correct knowledge about TB transmission among general population aged 15–49 years, Myanmar demographic and health survey 2015–16^#.

Independent predictors of correct knowledge about TB transmission among general population aged 15–49 years, Myanmar demographic and health survey 2015–16#.</p