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In Lao PDR, Ministry of Health introduced District Health Information Software 2 (DHIS2) in 2013. Although DHIS2 includes cause of death, Lao government did not request to report cause of death through DHIS2, resulting in no information on frequency of underlying cause of death even for the deaths at medical facility. This study aimed to collect the information on the underlying cause of death at all medical facilities in Xaiyabouli province, a rural area in Lao PDR. As well as the point estimate of the proportion, a 95% confidence interval (CI) based on a binomial distribution was calculated for each cause of death. According to the local government request, 226 deaths (128 males and 98 females) in 2019 were reported from all medical facilities in the province. Among them, infectious diseases were the most frequent (33.6%, 95% CI 27.5-40.2%); sepsis (16.8%, 95% CI 12.2-22.3%), pneumonia (8.8%, 95% CI 5.5-13.3%), and meningitis (4.9%, 95% CI 2.5-8.5%). Heart diseases were 15.9% (95% CI 11.4-21.4%) including heart failure and myocardial infarction. Injury was 10.2% (95% CI 6.2-14.4%) including brain injury. Neonatal death was 10.6% (95% CI 6.9-15.4%). Among those, preterm death was common (8.8%, 95% CI 5.3-13.3%). Renal failure was 8.0% (95% CI 4.8-12.3%). According to civil registration covering all deaths both at facilities and outside facilities, deaths at facilities were 16.8% of the whole deaths (1,372 deaths) in Xaiyabouli province. Although deaths outside facilities were not included, this is the first report demonstrating cause of death in one province in Lao PDR.

DOI： 10.18999/nagjms.84.2.448

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INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to examine the reporting rate and the factors associated with serious outcomes of patient safety incidents at public hospitals in Malaysia. METHODS: All patient safety incidents reported in the e-Incident-Reporting System from January to December 2019 were included in the study. A descriptive study was used to describe the characteristics of incidents, and logistic models were used to identify factors associated with low reporting rates and severe harm or death outcomes of incidents. RESULTS: There were 9431 patient safety incidents reported in the system in 2019. The mean reporting rate was 2.1/1000 patient bed-days or 1.5% of hospital admissions. The major category of incidents was drug-related incidents (32.4%). No-harm incidents contributed to 56.1% of all the incidents, while 1.1% resulted in death. More hospitals in the eastern (odds ratio [OR], 12.1) and southern regions (OR, 6.1) had low reporting rates compared to the central region. Incidents with severe harm or death outcomes were associated with more males (OR, 1.4) than females and with the emergency department (OR, 10.6), internal medicine (OR, 5.7), obstetrics and gynecology (OR, 2.4), and surgical department (OR, 5.0) more than the pharmacy department. Compared to drug-related incidents, operation-related (OR, 3.0), procedure-related (OR, 3.5), and therapeutic-related (OR, 4.8) incidents had significantly more severe harm or death outcomes, and patient falls (OR, 0.4) had less severe harm or death outcomes. CONCLUSION: The mean reporting rate was 2.1/1000 patient bed-days or 1.5% of hospital admissions. More hospitals in the eastern and southern regions had low reporting rates. Certain categories of incidents had significantly more severe outcomes.

DOI： 10.36401/JQSH-21-19

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Although diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis (TB) have been improved in many countries, delays in the diagnosis and treatment remain problematic in resource-limited countries. This study aimed to identify factors affecting delays in TB care in Mongolia. Data on TB cases registered from January 2016 to December 2017 were obtained from the national registry of TB at the Department of TB Surveillance and Research in National Center for Communicable Disease. The total number of TB cases registered in these two years was 8,166, including 3,267 cases of newly diagnosed pulmonary TB. Pulmonary TB cases (1,836 males and 1,431 females) were analyzed to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Patient delays longer than the median (28 days) were significantly associated with patient age >32 years (aOR=1.31, 95%CI: 1.14-1.51), residence in areas other than Ulaanbaatar (aimags) (aOR=1.38, 95%CI: 1.20-1.59), and smear-negative (aOR=0.57, 95%CI: 0.47-0.69). Health system delays longer than the median (7 days) were significantly associated with patient age >32 years (aOR=1.16, 95%CI: 1.00-1.33), residence in aimags (aOR=0.82, 95%CI: 0.71-0.95), special facilities including a prison hospital (aOR=4.40, 95%CI: 2.42-7.83), registration in 2017 relative to 2016 (aOR=0.83, 95%CI: 0.71-0.95), and smear-negative (aOR=1.72, 95%CI: 1.42-2.07). Total delays longer than the median (45 days) were significantly associated with patient age >32 years (aOR=1.39, 95%CI: 1.21-1.60), residence in aimags (aOR=1.27, 95%CI: 1.11-1.47), and smear-negative (aOR=0.74, 95%CI: 0.62-0.90). To shorten the total delay, improvement of the access to medical facilities in aimags is necessary.

DOI： 10.18999/nagjms.84.2.339

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As the aging population grows worldwide, the problem of age-related health is becoming an important public health concern. Dementia is a devastating disease that places a significant physical, emotional, and financial burden on patients, their caregivers, and society. It is predicted to increase in developing countries. The Revised Hasegawa's Dementia Scale (HDS-R) has been used in many Asian countries to measure cognitive function. However, there is still no Vietnamese version of the HDS-R. Therefore, this paper describes the development of the HDS-R scale and manual in Vietnamese language. Two Vietnamese researchers translated the HDS-R from English to Vietnamese. To confirm the accuracy of the translation, two other Vietnamese researchers conducted a back-translation. Another pair of Vietnamese researchers compared the back-translated English version to the original one. All six researchers discussed the inconsistencies between English HDS-R scale and manual and derived the most suitable version for the Vietnamese context. In Questions 4 and Question 7, we changed the words from "cherry blossom" and "train" to "daisy flower" and "bicycle" for the first option, and from "plum blossom" to "rose" for the second option. We also changed the expressions in some places in the manual to fit the Vietnamese language. Future studies are needed to validate this version to be able to access cognitive function in both clinical and public healthcare settings.

DOI： 10.18999/nagjms.84.2.402

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This study aimed to describe the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of dengue inpatients at a provincial hospital, and to identify factors associated with severe dengue. This is a retrospective study involving 402 dengue patients admitted to the Savannakhet Provincial Hospital, Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), between January 2018 and April 2019. Socio-demographic factors, clinical signs and laboratory data on admission, final diagnosis, use of health care services before admission, admission date, and hospitalization period were collected from patient records. The number of dengue inpatients was higher in the rainy season than in the dry season. Of the 402 patients, 205 patients (51.0%) were finally diagnosed with severe dengue. Children aged <15 years had more symptoms, higher proportion of severe dengue (69.8% vs. 35.9%), and longer hospitalization (3.5 days vs. 3.0 days) than adults aged ≥15 years. In multivariable analyses, factors associated with severe dengue were nausea on admission (adjusted odds ratio=3.57, 95% CI=1.05-12.09, P=0.04) in children and persistent vomiting on admission (adjusted odds ratio=3.82, 95% CI=1.23-11.92, P=0.02) in adults. In adults, the creatinine level on admission was significantly higher in patients with a final diagnosis of severe dengue compared to the others. The proportion of severe dengue in our study was higher than that in other countries. Nausea and persistent vomiting on admission were suggested to be predictive factors for severe dengue. To reduce the incidence of severe dengue in Lao PDR, improvements in access to health care, referral system, and training of health care workers are needed.

DOI： 10.18999/nagjms.83.4.749

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Providing elderly mental healthcare in Myanmar is challenging due to the growing elderly population and limited health resources. To understand common mental health problems among Myanmar elderly, this study explored the prevalence and risk factors of anxiety and depression among the elderly in the Nay Pyi Taw Union Territory, Myanmar. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 655 elderly by face-to-face interviews with a pretested questionnaire. Descriptive analysis and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed. The prevalence of anxiety and depression were 39.4% (33.5% for males and 42.4% for females) and 35.6% (33.0% for males and 36.9% for females), respectively. The adjusted odds ratio of having anxiety was significant for having low education level, having comorbidity, having BMI < 21.3, poor dental health, no social participation, and having no one to consult regarding personal problems, while that of having depression was significant for having comorbidity, having BMI < 21.3, poor vision, and having no one to consult regarding personal problems. The reported prevalence of anxiety and depression indicate the demand for mental healthcare services among Myanmar elderly. Myanmar needs to improve its elderly care, mental healthcare, and social security system to reflect the actual needs of its increasing elderly population. Screening for anxiety and depression among elderly with comorbidities should be promoted. Raising community awareness of mental health, encouraging social participation, and supportive counselling are also essential in combating anxiety and depression among Myanmar elderly.

DOI： 10.1038/s41598-021-88621-w

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Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are an increasing problem worldwide, including in Malaysia. National surveys have been performed by the government but had poor coverage in east Malaysia, particularly in rural regions. This study aimed to describe the achievement of target therapeutic outcomes in the control of diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension (HPT), and dyslipidemia (DLP) among diabetic patients in rural east Malaysia. A cross-sectional study was conducted among DM patients who visited the NCDs clinic in Lundu Hospital, Sarawak, Malaysia, from Jan to March 2016. In total, 214 patients (male, 37.9%; female, 62.1%) were recruited using a systemic sampling method. Multiple logistic regression models were applied to estimate the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) and confidence interval (CI) for the target therapeutic achievement in the control of DM, HPT, and DLP. Compared to the national average, therapeutic target achievement in Lundu was higher for DM (43.0% vs. 23.8%), equal for DLP (35.8% vs. 37.8%) but lower for HPT (30.9% vs. 47.9%). DM patients who had at least yearly HbA1c monitoring (AOR 2.30, 95% CI 1.04-5.06, P = 0.039), and those 58.7 years or older (AOR 2.50, 95% CI 1.32-4.74, P = 0.005) were more likely to achieve the therapeutic target for DM. Health promotion and public education regarding HPT needs to be emphasized in rural Malaysia. HbA1c monitoring at least once a year was one of the important factors associated with achieving DM control in rural east Malaysia. Accessibility to HbA1c tests and monitoring should be ensured for diabetic patients.

DOI： 10.1038/s41598-021-83168-2

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This study aimed to identify hospital neonatal mortality rate (NMR) and the causes of neonatal deaths, and to understand risk factors associated with neonatal mortality in a national tertiary hospital in Cambodia. The study included all newborn infants, aged 0-28 days old, hospitalized in the Pediatrics department of Khmer-Soviet Friendship Hospital between January 2016 and December 2017. In total, 925 infants were included in the study. The mean gestational age was 35.9 weeks (range, 24-42 weeks). Preterm infants and low birth weight accounted for 47.5% and 56.7%, respectively. With respect to payment methods, the government (53.5%) and non-governmental organizations (NGO) (13.7%) paid the fees as the families were not in a financial position to do so. The hospital NMR at the Pediatrics department was 9.3%. Respiratory distress syndrome (37.2%) was the main cause of deaths followed by hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (31.4%) and neonatal infection (21.0%). Factors associated with neonatal mortality were Apgar score at 5th minute <7 (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 3.57), payment by the government or NGO (AOR = 11.32), admission due to respiratory distress (AOR = 11.94), and hypothermia on admission (AOR = 9.41). The hospital NMR in the Pediatrics department was 9.3% (95% confidence interval 7.50-11.35) at Khmer-Soviet Friendship Hospital; prematurity and respiratory distress syndrome were the major causes of neonatal mortality. Introducing continuous positive airway pressure machine for respiratory distress syndrome and creating neonatal resuscitation guidelines and preventing hypothermia in delivery rooms are required to reduce the high NMR.

DOI： 10.18999/nagjms.83.1.113

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A high infant mortality rate (IMR) indicates a failure to meet people's healthcare needs. The IMR in Lao People's Democratic Republic has been decreasing but still remains high. This study aimed to identify the factors involved in the high IMR by analyzing data from 53,727 live births and 2189 women from the 2017 Lao Social Indicator Survey. The estimated IMR decreased from 191 per 1000 live births in 1978-1987 to 39 in 2017. The difference between the IMR and the neonatal mortality rate had declined since 1978 but did not change after 2009. Factors associated with the high IMR in all three models (forced-entry, forward-selection, and backward-selection) of multivariate logistic regression analyses were auxiliary nurses as birth attendants compared to doctors, male infants, and small birth size compared to average in all 2189 women; and 1-3 antenatal care visits compared to four visits, auxiliary nurses as birth attendants compared to doctors, male infants, postnatal baby checks, and being pregnant at the interview in 1950 women whose infants' birth size was average or large. Maternal and child healthcare and family planning should be strengthened including upgrading auxiliary nurses to mid-level nurses and improving antenatal care quality.

DOI： 10.1038/s41598-020-78819-9

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Postpartum depression is a worldwide public health concern. The prevalence of postpartum depression is reported to be greater in developing countries than in developed countries. However, to the best of our knowledge, no papers on postpartum depression in the Lao People's Democratic Republic have been published. In order to strengthen maternal and child health, the current situation of postpartum depression should be understood. This study aims to determine the prevalence of postpartum depression and identify factors associated with postpartum depression in Vientiane Capital, Lao People's Democratic Republic. Study participants were 428 women 6-8 weeks postpartum who visited four central hospitals in Vientiane Capital for postnatal care from July to August 2019. Structured questionnaires were used to collect socio-demographic, obstetrical and infant, and psychiatric data about the women and their partners. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was used to identify suspected cases of postpartum depression with the cut-off score of 9/10. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine independent factors that were associated with suspected postpartum depression (EPDS ≥10). The mean age of the 428 women was 28.1 years, and the prevalence of suspected postpartum depression was 31.8%. Multivariable logistic regression using variables that were statistically significant on bivariate analyses indicated that three variables were associated with suspected postpartum depression: unintended pregnancy (AOR = 1.66, 95% CI 1.00-2.73, P = 0.049), low birth satisfaction (AOR = 1.85, 95% CI 1.00-3.43, P = 0.049), and depression during pregnancy (AOR = 3.99, 95% CI 2.35-6.77, P <0.001). In this study, unintended pregnancy, low birth satisfaction, and depression during pregnancy were independent risk factors for postpartum depression. These results suggest that the mental health of pregnant women should be monitored, and that health care services, especially family planning and supportive birth care, should be strengthened to prevent postpartum depression.

DOI： 10.1371/journal.pone.0243463

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Objectives: Malnutrition among the elderly is an important health concern in Myanmar. The country is chal-lenged by both an aging population and poor nutritional status. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of malnutrition and elucidate its associated factors among the elderly in Loikaw, Myanmar.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from July to August 2019. Using a multistage sampling method, 747 elderly individuals (313 men and 434 women) were recruited. The nutritional status of these participants was assessed using the Mini-Nutritional Assessment tool, with a face-to-face interview method. Body mass index, mid-upper arm and calf circumference, blood pressure, and random blood sugar levels were also assessed. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was performed.Results: The prevalence of malnutrition and at risk for malnutrition were 21.7% and 59.4%, respectively. In the multivariate model, dental problem (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.18; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.24-3.83), low level of education (aOR, 3.13; 95% CI, 1.44-6.81), aged >70 y (aOR, 3.55; 95% CI, 1.83-6.88), current betel chewing (aOR, 2.82; 95% CI, 1.64-4.87), and having heart disease (aOR, 8.04; 95% CI, 2.29-18.13) were positively associated with malnutrition.Conclusion: One in five elderly study participants were malnourished and 50% were at risk for malnutrition. Malnutrition was associated with being >70 y of age, having a low educational level, chewing betel, having a history of heart disease, and having dental problems. These findings may alert policymakers to develop and implement effective interventions for improving nutritional status of the elderly population. (c) 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

DOI： 10.1016/j.nut.2020.110933

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BACKGROUND: In the context of an aging population, quality of life (QOL) is an important consideration for the well-being of the elderly. However, there is limited information on the QOL of the elderly in Myanmar. This study aimed to explore the risk factors for low QOL among the elderly in urban and peri-urban areas of the Yangon Region, Myanmar. METHODS: A community-based, cross-sectional study was conducted among the elderly aged 60 years or older in two urban and two peri-urban townships in the Yangon Region from July to September 2019. A multi-stage sampling method was used to recruit study participants using a pre-tested questionnaire. A total of 616 (305 males and 311 females) elderly people were interviewed using a face-to-face interview technique. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed on the four domains (physical health, psychological health, social relationship, and environment) of QOL measured with the WHOQOL-BREF. RESULTS: Income level and having intimate friends influenced the QOL scores of the elderly in all domains, while education level and marital status influenced psychological health, social relationship, and environment domains. Social interaction with neighbors increased the QOL scores for physical health, social relationship, and environment domains. Living in peri-urban areas was associated with lower QOL scores for physical health, psychological health, and environment, while participation in group activities increased QOL scores in these domains. Having comorbidities affected the QOL for psychological health and environment domains, while the frequency of going out affected physical health, and the frequency of religious performance affected social relationship. CONCLUSION: Residential location, education level, marital status, income, comorbidities, social interactions with neighbors and friends, participation in group activities, and frequencies of going out and religious activities should be considered in planning and implementing programs for the elderly in Myanmar. Peri-urban development, strengthening healthcare and social security systems, and encouraging social interaction and participation in group activities play critical roles in improving the QOL for elderly residing in Myanmar.

DOI： 10.1371/journal.pone.0241211

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BACKGROUND: Diagnosis by computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is important for patient care. However, the geographic distribution and utilisation of these machines in countries with limited resources, such as Myanmar, have not been sufficiently studied. Therefore, this study aims to identify the geographic distribution and utilisation of CT and MRI services at public hospitals in Myanmar. METHODS: This nationwide, cross-sectional study was conducted at 43 public hospitals in Myanmar. Data were collected retrospectively using a prepared form from 1st January 2015 to 31st December 2017 at public hospitals in Myanmar. A descriptive analysis was performed to calculate the number of CT and MRI units per million population in each state and region of Myanmar. The distribution of CT and MRI units was assessed using the Lorenz curve and Gini coefficient, which are indicators of inequality in distribution. RESULTS: In total, 45 CT and 14 MRI units had been installed in public hospitals in Myanmar by 2017. In total, 205,570 CT examinations and 18,981 MRI examinations have been performed within the study period. CT units per million population in 2017 varied from 0.30 in Rakhine State to 3.22 in Kayah State. However, MRI units were available only in public hospitals in five states/regions. The Gini coefficient for CT and MRI was 0.35 and 0.69, respectively. An upward trend in the utilisation rate of CT and MRI was also observed during the study period, especially among patients aged between 36 and 65 years. CONCLUSIONS: Throughout Myanmar, CT units were more equally distributed than MRI units. CT and MRI units were mostly concentrated in the Yangon and Mandalay Regions, where the population density is higher. The geographic distribution and utilisation rate of CT and MRI units varied among states, regions, and patients' age group. However, the utilisation rates of CT and MRI increased annually in all states and regions during the review period. The Ministry of Health and Sports in Myanmar should consider the utilisation and population coverage of CT and MRI as an important factor when there will be procurement of those medical equipment in the future.

DOI： 10.1186/s12913-020-05610-x

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Diarrhea is the second leading cause of under-five mortality and globally accounts for 526,000 child deaths every year. Afghanistan, with 33,000 child deaths in 2012, was ranked 8th among nations, with the highest under-five deaths being from pneumonia and diarrhea. This study aimed to identify the determinants of diarrhea in children under the age of five in Afghanistan. A secondary data analysis of the Afghanistan Demographic and Health Survey (AfDHS) 2015 was focused on diarrhea in children under the age of five. The dataset of the AfDHS 2015 was used for the analysis. The subjects for this study were 30,238 under-five children. A logistic regression model was applied to examine the determinants of childhood diarrhea. This study found that 7,921 (26.2%) out of 30,238 under-five children had diarrhea within the two weeks preceding the survey. Higher maternal education accompanied a lower risk of childhood diarrhea with an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) of 0.70 (P<0.01) than did no education. Flush toilets (AOR=0.84, P<0.01) and traditional dry vaults (AOR=0.83, P<0.001) were less likely associated with diarrhea compared with pit latrines. Tube wells, public taps, and unprotected wells and springs were sources of drinking water with a higher risk of diarrhea than piped water. This study identified that the type of toilet facility, source of drinking water, age of the child, and maternal education were important determinants of under-five diarrhea. Intervention programs concerning improved sanitation facilities, sources of drinking water, and raising women's level of education and health awareness are important.

DOI： 10.18999/nagjms.82.3.545

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Mongolia had an epidemic of measles in 2015-2016, even though more than 90% of the population have been vaccinated since 1997. This study aimed to examine the associations between unvaccinated proportion and measles incidence according to aimag. Mongolia has 21 provinces (aimag) with Ulaanbaatar as the capital city. Vaccination coverage between 1991 and 2014 and measles incidence according to aimag were obtained from the National Center for Communicable Diseases of Mongolia database. Accumulated unvaccinated proportion (AUP) among those aged 1 to 24 years in 2015 was estimated from the unvaccinated at the 1st dose of 1991 to 2014. From 1991 to 2014, unvaccinated proportion among those aged 1 to 24 years in the whole country has been reducing from 28.0% in 1991 to 1.8% in 2014. The AUP in 2015 varied from 2.7% (Selenge) to 21.8% (Govisumber). The incidence was remarkably higher in only two aimags with a large density of the unvaccinated aged 1 to 24 years (Ulaanbaatar and Darkhan-Uul) than in the other aimags. The incidence had no significant correlation with the AUP, although the correlation between the incidence and the density of unvaccinated aged 1 to 24 years was significant when the two aimags were included. In conclusion, the AUP between 2.7% and 21.8% had no correlation with the incidence according to aimags in Mongolia measles epidemic 2015-2016.

DOI： 10.18999/nagjms.82.3.437

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BACKGROUND: Globally, elderly population with impaired cognitive function, such as dementia, has been accelerating, and Myanmar is no exception. However, cognitive function among elderly in Myanmar has rarely been assessed. This study aimed to identify the rate of cognitive impairment and its risk factors among the elderly in Myanmar. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted at rural health centers in Nay Pyi Taw Union Territory, Myanmar, from December 2018 to January 2019. In total, 757 elderly individuals aged 60 years or over (males: 246 [32.5%], females: 511 [67.5%]) were interviewed using a face-to-face method with a pre-tested questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: The rate of impaired cognitive function among participants was 29.9% (males: 23.6%; females: 32.9%). The following participants were more likely to present cognitive impairment: those aged 70-79 years (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.8; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.19-2.70) and 80 years or older (AOR = 3.9; 95% CI: 2.25-6.76); those who were illiterate (AOR = 9.1; 95% CI: 3.82-21.51); and those dependent on family members (AOR = 1.6; 95% CI: 1.04-2.44). The elderly livening with their families and those who reported having good health (AOR = 0.7; 95% CI: 0.44-0.99) were less likely to have cognitive impairment. CONCLUSION: Using the HDS-R Myanmar version, this study reported that there out of five elderly participants had cognitive impairment, and its risk factors, altering policy makers that Myanmar needs to prepare for adequate healthcare services and social support for elderly with cognitive impairment. Future research should be performed not only to detect general cognitive impairment but also to differentiate specific cognitive domains impairments among Myanmar elderly. Longitudinal studies are needed to observe the causal and protective factors associated with cognitive impairments in Myanmar.

DOI： 10.1371/journal.pone.0236656

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This study aims to identify the pathogens of diarrhea in Vientiane Capital, Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR). The data of 2482 patients who visited eight health facilities due to diarrhea in 2012-2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Stool or rectal swabs collected from all patients were tested for bacteria. Children who were under 5 years old were additionally tested for rotavirus. Of 2482 cases, 1566 cases were under 5 years old, and at least one enteropathogen was detected in 475 cases (19.1%). Salmonella species was the most commonly detected bacterial pathogen. Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) and Salmonella species was the major pathogen in the dry season and the wet season, respectively. Eighty-seven patients tested positive for multiple bacteria. Rotavirus was detected in 291 children under 5 years old (32.4%), mostly from October to April. The major bacteria of coinfection with rotavirus were EPEC followed by Salmonella species. Salmonella species was the predominant bacterial pathogen of diarrhea of all ages, and rotavirus was the predominant pathogen among children under 5 years old. Further studies examining other types of pathogens for diarrhea and the introduction of a rotavirus vaccine for children are needed in Lao PDR.

DOI： 10.1007/s10096-020-03827-6

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BACKGROUND: Globally, alcohol consumption is a significant public health concern and it is one of the most important risk behaviours among university students. Alcohol consumption can lead to poor academic performance, injuries, fights, use of other substances, and risky sexual behaviours among students. However, the study explored the prevalence of alcohol consumption and the associated risk factors among university students since these have not been fully examined in previous research. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the prevalence of alcohol consumption and the associated risk factors among university students in Myanmar. METHODS: The present cross-sectional study was conducted using a sample of 15-24-year-old university students who were selected from six universities in Mandalay, Myanmar, in August 2018. In total, 3,456 students (males: 1,301 and females: 2,155) were recruited and asked to respond to a self-administered questionnaire. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for alcohol consumption among university students. RESULTS: The prevalence of alcohol consumption in the previous 30 days was 20.3% (males: 36.0%, females: 10.8%). The alcohol consumption was significantly higher among males (AOR = 2.3, 95% CI; 1.9-2.9), truant students (AOR = 2.1, 95% CI; 1.3-3.3), smokers (AOR = 7.0, 95% CI; 5.1-9.7), students who reported feeling of hopelessness or sadness (AOR = 1.4, 95% CI; 1.2-1.8), peers' alcohol consumption (AOR = 7.5, 95% CI; 4.8-11.7). CONCLUSION: The present study revealed that males, smokers, peer alcohol consumption, and truant students had higher odds of alcohol consumption among the students. Therefore, effective campus-based counselling, peer education, and national surveillance systems that can monitor risky drinking behaviours among university students should be implemented. Further, government regulations that control the production, sale, promotion, advertising, and restriction of alcohol should be well developed and strengthened, as in the case of other Southeast Asian countries.

DOI： 10.1371/journal.pone.0229329

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BACKGROUND: Ready-to-eat (RTE) food consumption has become popular in the working community with the increase in full-time jobs and the limited time to prepare food. Although RTE food is essential for this community, its consumption causes obesity. In Myanmar, obesity is a modifiable risk factor for non-communicable diseases, causing increases in morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to identify the association between body mass index (BMI) and RTE food consumption among sedentary staff in Nay Pyi Taw Union Territory, Myanmar. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2018, in which 400 respondents participated in face-to-face interviews. The study area was selected using simple random sampling and drawing method. Measuring tape and digital weighing scale were used to measure the height and weight of the respondents. BMI was calculated by dividing the weight by height squared (kg/m2). Overweight and obesity were categorized by World Health Organization cut-off points. The collected data were analyzed using multiple logistic regression to estimate the adjusted odds ratio (AOR), and the 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: This study revealed that sedentary staff who consumed RTE food once or more per month were nearly five times more likely to be overweight and obese (AOR = 4.78, 95% CI 1.44-15.85) than those who consumed RTE food less frequently. In addition, five factors namely being older than 32 years (AOR = 3.97, 95% CI 1.82-8.69), preference for RTE food (AOR = 8.93, 95% CI 2.54-31.37), light-intensity of physical exercise (AOR = 3.55, 95% CI 1.63-7.73), sedentary leisure activities (AOR = 3.32, 95% CI 1.22-9.03), and smoking (AOR = 5.62, 95% CI 1.06-29.90) were positively associated with overweight and obesity. CONCLUSION: Frequent consumers of RTE food and less physically active sedentary staff were more likely to be overweight and obese. This study highlights the urgent need to raise awareness regarding healthy lifestyle behaviors among the working community to reduce the burden of obesity-related chronic diseases. Moreover, sedentary workers should be aware of the food-based dietary guidelines of the country. Policy makers should strictly enforce nutritional labeling of RTE food, and strictly prohibit over-branding of RTE food.

DOI： 10.1186/s12889-020-8308-6

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Health services for pregnancy and delivery at public health facilities are fully subsidized by the government in Mongolia. However, it has been reported that health financing, budget planning, and implementation processes are weak. Therefore, this study aims to estimate the costs per inpatient of vaginal delivery and cesarean section (C-section) by using data gathered from a tertiary hospital in Ulaanbaatar. Inpatient and financial data were collected from the Statistics and Finance, Economics Department of National Center for Maternal and Child Health. A top-down method was used for the calculation of unit costs. The total number of deliveries in 2016 were 11,033, including 7,777 vaginal deliveries and 3,256 C-sections. The cost per inpatient stay for vaginal delivery and C-section were USD 255 and USD 592, respectively. The average cost per bed-day of the six departments of the obstetrics and gynecology hospital was USD 80. The percentage that represents employees' salary in the cost per inpatient was as low as 12.4% for vaginal delivery and 18.5% for C-section, although the cost for salaries accounted for 51.2% of the total expenditure of the hospital. Results show that the cost per inpatient of C-section was two times higher than that of vaginal delivery. The cost of childbirths may account for approximately 9% of total health expenditure of the country. These results may be advantageous to the government in instituting a policy and controlling the health care budget to improve cost-effectiveness and equal access to all in health care services in Mongolia.

DOI： 10.18999/nagjms.82.1.47

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In Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), reports on disease frequency are very limited. This study aimed to report frequencies of the main cause of admission among inpatients of a tertiary general hospital (Mittaphab Hospital) in Vientiane. Subjects were inpatients who were admitted from January 3 to February 2 in 2017. The dataset were made as a pilot run to establish hospital statistics. The data on sex, age, address (province), dates of admission and discharge, and main diagnosis were collected from paper-based medical charts. International Classification of Diseases 10 was applied for classifying the main diagnosis. During the 1-month period, 1,201 inpatients (637 males and 564 females) were admitted, including 171 (14.2%) aged <20 years and 254 (21.1%) aged ≥60 years. About 20% patients were from outside of Vientiane. Among them, 67.5% (62.5% in males and 73.8% in females) were admitted within 7 days. The main causes with more than 10% in males were injury and poisoning S00-T98 (49.8%), while those in females were injury and poisoning S00-T98 (25.2%), pregnancy and childbirth O00-O99 (19.0%), and diseases of genitourinary system N00-N99 (13.7%). Injury and poisoning S00-T98 among inpatients aged <20 years was 81.8% in males and 59.0% in females. Among those aged 20-59 years, it was 49.9% and 22.4%, and among those aged ≥60 years it was 22.3% and 16.9%, respectively. This is the first report on the frequencies of main diseases among inpatients in Lao PDR. Injury was the first main cause of admission at the tertiary hospital.

DOI： 10.18999/nagjms.82.1.113

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OBJECTIVES: To examine the associations of current tobacco use with tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship (TAPS), and illicit tobacco sales exposures among Myanmar high school students. DESIGN: A quantitative, cross-sectional study. SETTING: Seven high schools from both urban and rural areas of four states and regions in Myanmar. PARTICIPANTS: In total, 1174 high school students (482 males and 692 females) were interviewed using a self-administered questionnaire. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Current tobacco use of participants, defined as using any kind of smoked or smokeless tobacco product at least one occasion within the past 30 days. RESULTS: The prevalence of TAPS exposure was 90.9% among high school students in Myanmar. Current tobacco use was positively associated with being over 14 years old (adjusted OR (AOR) 9.81; 95% CI 4.54 to 21.19), being male (AOR 28.06; 95% CI 13.29 to 59.25), exposure to any kind of TAPS (AOR 6.59; 95% CI 2.33 to 18.64), having seen any smoked tobacco product for sale inside or within 100 feet of the school premises (AOR 4.17; 95% CI 1.65 to 10.58), having seen the sale or gifting of any smoked tobacco product to minors (AOR 6.46; 95% CI 2.18 to 19.12) and having seen the sale or distribution of any smoked tobacco product by minors (AOR 2.42; 95% CI 1.42 to 4.10). Having ever received health education about tobacco use (AOR 0.45; 95% CI 0.27 to 0.78), or having a higher perception score of tobacco use (AOR 0.17; 95% CI 0.10 to 0.30) were negatively associated with current tobacco use. CONCLUSIONS: There was an alarming prevalence of TAPS exposure among Myanmar high school students. TAPS exposure and violations of tobacco sale regulations were strong risk factors for current tobacco use among Myanmar high school students, while health education about tobacco products was reported as an effective protective factor. Specific smokeless tobacco sale regulations for minors are needed immediately in Myanmar.

DOI： 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-031933

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BACKGROUND: Cyberbullying is a global public health concern with tremendous negative impacts, not only on the physical and mental health of students but also on their well-being and academic performance. However, there are very few studies on cyberbullying among university students, especially in Myanmar. This study aims to determine the percentage of university students who suffered cyberbullying victimization in the last 12 months, and the association between students' socio-demographic characteristics, adverse events following cyberbullying and cyberbullying victimization. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among university students aged 18 years and older at one medical university in Magway, Myanmar. A total of 412 students (277 males and 135 females) participated in the study. Data were collected from August to September, 2018 using a self-administered questionnaire. Multiple logistic regression analyses (models I and II) were performed to estimate the unadjusted (UOR) and adjusted odds ratios (AOR), and 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: In total, 40.8% of males and 51.1% of females in the study had suffered cyberbullying victimization in the past 12 months. In model I, students who had been studying at the university for 3 years or less (AOR = 1.81; 95% CI 1.14-2.85), and who had witnessed psychological, physical or sexual violence, or cyberbullying in their neighborhoods, (AOR = 2.95; 95% CI 1.48-5.91) were more likely to have suffered cyberbullying victimization in the past 12 months. In model II, being a victim of cyberbullying was associated with difficulties in concentrating and understanding lectures (AOR = 3.96; 95% CI 1.72-9.11), and substance abuse (AOR = 2.37; 95% CI 1.02-5.49). Non-resident students were at a higher risk of being cyberbullying victims than their resident peers (AOR = 1.86; 95% CI 1.04-3.34). CONCLUSION: Two out of five students had suffered cyberbullying victimization in the past 12 months, and only half of the victims discussed their experience(s) with someone else. Students who suffered cyberbullying victimization faced academic difficulties and started or increased smoking, betel chewing or alcohol drinking. Counter measures to prevent and mitigate the adverse events related to cyberbullying victimization are urgently needed among university students in Myanmar. Periodic screening for cyberbullying, counseling services, cyber-safety educational programs, and awareness raising campaigns should be implemented.

DOI： 10.1371/journal.pone.0227051

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Public Library of Science (PLoS)  

DOI： 10.1371/journal.pone.0219820

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On June 4, 2016, the Prey Veng Provincial Health Department reported a total of 107 patients with influenza-like illness (ILI) from Chakhlanh village to the Cambodian Ministry of Health. To confirm the outbreak and evaluate its clinical and epidemiological characteristics, the investigation team visited the village and reviewed the case-based surveillance (CBS) data on severe respiratory infection (SRI) and patients' records in health facilities. The team interviewed all households in the village from May 1 to June 5, 2016 and obtained the following data: age, medical history, date of onset, treatment, symptoms, and history of contact with patients or dead poultry. Nasal swab samples were collected from suspected ILI cases to test for influenza virus by RT-PCR. The investigation detected 498 suspected ILI cases, including 288 females. Although the incidence of suspected ILI cases who visited health centers was 63.0 per 1,000 persons per month, the attack rate was 27.1 per 100 population. The major age group was 5-14 years followed by 0-4 years. Major symptoms were cough, fever, runny nose, and headache. Six of seven nasal swab samples were positive for influenza A/H1N1 pdm09 virus. Most children with flu symptoms had contact with previous cases. This study showed that the ILI outbreak might be caused by seasonal influenza A/H1N1 pdm09 spread from person to person. Poor living conditions and poor hygiene and sanitation practices were environmental factors that caused the outbreak. As the CBS system was unable to identify this epidemic, it needs to be improved.

DOI： 10.18999/nagjms.81.2.269

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In Lao PDR, measurement of cognitive function has rarely been conducted among elderly individuals. This study aimed to investigate the cognitive function among elderly individuals who lived at their homes with family in Lao PDR. Participants were elderly individuals aged 60 years or over registered with the local government in urban (Vientiane capital; VC) and rural areas (Khammouane province; KP). Those with serious mental/physical diseases, those who could not walk by themselves, or those who could not speak the Lao language were excluded. The information was collected through interviews with the participants and their family members. A newly developed Lao version of the Revised Hasegawa's Dementia Scale (HDS-R) was applied to measure cognitive function. The participants were 414 elderly individuals (224 males and 190 females) aged 60 to 98 years. The average HDS-R score was 23.0 among 115 men in VC, 22.7 among 92 women in VC, 20.3 among 109 men in KP, and 17.5 among 98 women in KP. The main caregiver was a daughter (40.6%) followed by a spouse (31.4%). Among 414 elderly individuals, 42 (10.0%) stated the necessity of support. Those with HDS-R < 20 accounted for 38.8% in men and 48.9% in women. The adjusted odds ratio of HDS-R < 20 was significant for those in rural areas (3.83) relative to those in urban areas. Among superficially healthy elderly individuals residing with their families, those with reduced cognitive function were more common among women and in rural areas.

DOI： 10.18999/nagjms.81.2.281

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Springer Science and Business Media LLC  

DOI： 10.1186/s12889-019-6669-5

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Other Link： http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-019-6669-5/fulltext.html

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Elsevier BV  

DOI： 10.1016/j.ijid.2018.12.008

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Springer Science and Business Media LLC  

DOI： 10.1186/s41182-019-0143-z

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Other Link： http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s41182-019-0143-z/fulltext.html

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Springer Science and Business Media LLC  

DOI： 10.1186/s12913-019-3932-5

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Springer Science and Business Media LLC  

DOI： 10.1186/s12889-019-6511-0

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Elsevier BV  

DOI： 10.1016/j.ctim.2018.12.013

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Afghanistan is one of the countries with the poorest maternal mortality ratio in the world. Inadequate utilization of antenatal care (ANC) services increases the risk of maternal mortality. This study aimed to identify the factors associated with ANC visits in Afghanistan. The dataset of the Afghanistan Demographic and Health Survey (AfDHS) 2015 were used for taking the socio-demographic factors, cultural factors, and the number of ANC visits. The subjects of this study were 18,790 women who had at least one live birth in the last five years, and 10,554 women (56.2%) had availed of at least one ANC visit. Most women were 20-29 years old (53.3%), poor (41.7%), had 2-4 children (43.9%), lived in rural areas (76.1%), and had no education (85.0%) or no job (86.7%). Most women answered that husbands made a decision about their healthcare and that getting permission from their husbands was a major challenge. Multivariate analysis showed that age, ethnicity, area of residence, parity, women's education, husband's education, literacy, having a job, wealth, the decision maker for healthcare, and difficulty in getting permission from the husband were significantly correlated with availing of the ANC visits. This study showed that not only the socio-demographic factors but also the cultural factors were associated with ANC visits. The Afghanistan government should improve the education programs at schools and healthcare facilities, for both men and women. To augment women's propensity to take a decision, the programs for women's empowerment need to be supported and extended across the country.

DOI： 10.18999/nagjms.81.1.121

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Improper healthcare waste management (HCWM) poses a serious public health problem worldwide. Primary health centres (PHCs) provide public health and medical care services as the basic structural and functional units of healthcare services in Myanmar. However, no study has been conducted in Myanmar about HCWM at PHCs. This study aims to assess the practice of HCWM at PHCs in Mon State, Myanmar. A cross-sectional study was conducted in all ten townships in Mon State, Myanmar. In total, 93 PHCs (71 non-hospitals and 22 hospitals) were selected using simple random sampling. The observational checklist which was developed based on the World Health Organization's standard guideline procedure of HCWM was used to determine the practice of HCWM at PHCs. Binary logistic regression was used for final data analysis. The burning in pits method was used as the final disposal method of healthcare waste in 78.5% of PHCs. Non-hospital type PHC were more likely not to have colour coding system for HCWM (odds ratio [OR] 7.54; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.15-26.52), did not have equipment for accidental spillage of healthcare waste (OR 3.92; 95% CI 1.3-11.77) and did not have separate staff for HCWM (OR 8.27; 95% CI 2.77-24.64), relative to hospitals. Non-hospital type PHCs practices poorly on the colour coding for waste segregation, assigning separate staff for HCWM, and possessing equipment for accidental spillage of healthcare waste than hospital type PHCs. The Ministry of Health and Sports should issue technical guidelines of safe HCWM as a compulsory policy for both hospitals and non-hospital type PHCs.

DOI： 10.18999/nagjms.81.1.81

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DOI： 10.3747/pdi.2017.00205

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BACKGROUND: Myanmar's national immunization program was launched in 1978. Routine immunization is mainly provided at sub-center level with midwives assigned as main vaccinators. The vaccinators at the sub-centers have to obtain vaccines from their designated township health department's cold room for immunization services. This study aimed to calculate the operational costs of routine immunization at sub-centers in Myanmar. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 160 sub-centers throughout the country. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with the main vaccinator at each sub-center using a pre-tested questionnaire. The study analyzed the operational costs per facility and the associations between sub-center characteristics and operational costs. RESULTS: In Myanmar, the average operational costs of routine immunization per sub-center ranged from 434,700-990,125 MMK for rural areas and 235,875-674,250 MMK for urban areas. The operational costs increased by 8,749.50 MMK (95% CI: 6,805.79-10,693.21; p < 0.001) per mile and 5,752.50 MMK (95% CI: 914.22-10,590.79; p < 0.05) per working day. CONCLUSION: This study indicated that the operational costs at sub-centers were high and varied significantly among the different geographical areas. The operational costs could be reduced by additional support for the resources, for example, installing cold chain facilities at sub-centers and opening new sub-centers throughout the country.

DOI： 10.1016/j.vaccine.2018.10.051

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Reduced cognitive function among the elderly is an important issue not only in developed countries, but also in developing countries. As a test to measure cognitive function, the Revised Hasegawa's Dementia Scale (HDS-R) has been used in Asian countries including Japan, Korea, and China. Since there was no HDS-R version in Myanmar language, a questionnaire and manual for the HDS-R were developed. The translation from English to Myanmar language was done by two Myanmar researchers. Back-translation was conducted to confirm the accuracy of the translation by two other Myanmar researchers. Back-translated English was compared to the original by two Japanese researchers, and inconsistencies were discussed by all six researchers to reach consensus. Five Myanmar researchers independently read the questionnaire and manual to verify the expressions are familiar in Myanmar language. The modified points were as follows. 1) The date order in Question 2 is day/month/year. 2) The words to be memorized in Questions 4 and 7 are padauk tree, cat, and bullock cart for the first set, and tamarind tree, dog, and car for the second set. 3) The objects to be memorized in Question 8 are shown with pictures, not actual objects. 4) Like the Lao version, we introduced two new rules; a clear time definition for no reply (10 seconds), and repeating questions twice for those with hearing problems. The revised version of the HDS-R has been prepared to be an applicable standard questionnaire for use on assessment of cognitive function in suspected dementia cases in Myanmar, both in the clinical and public healthcare setting.

DOI： 10.18999/nagjms.80.4.435

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In Myanmar, the Control of Smoking and Consumption of Tobacco Products Law (Tobacco Control Law; TCL), which covers the prohibition of sale of tobacco to minors and all forms of tobacco advertisement, was enacted in 2006. This study aimed to examine the awareness of the TCL among high school students. A cross-sectional study was conducted in November 2015. Participants were 1,339 high school students (554 boys and 785 girls) from two regions and two states of Myanmar. Data were collected using anonymous self-administered questionnaires and revealed that 78.0% of boys and 86.5% of girls responded the sale of tobacco products in or within 100 feet from school, and 83.4% of boys had ever seen someone selling tobacco products to minors. More than half of the students had ever seen minors selling or distributing tobacco products, and had knowledge about the TCL, while only 9.7% knew about the penalties. The adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of awareness of the TCL was 2.12 (1.35-3.31) for students who had ever received tobacco products free of charge, or seen/heard about their distribution free of charge, 1.86 (1.20-2.89) for current smokeless tobacco users, and 0.58 (0.43-0.77) for students who had ever seen someone selling tobacco products to minors. The majority of high school students did not know that the violation of the TCL could be punished with a fine and/or imprisonment. These findings suggest that awareness of the TCL was very low among high school students, highlighting that TCL enforcement and compliance, and tobacco-related health education programs are not satisfactory in Myanmar.

DOI： 10.18999/nagjms.80.3.379

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Despite the increase in the number of drug treatment centers, patients with drug addicts have been increasing without the improvement of treatment in Afghanistan. This study aimed to examine the associations of the completion of drug addiction treatment with motivational interviewing (MI) and other factors among male drug users in Afghanistan. Subjects were patients admitted to Jangalak Hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan in 2014 and 2015. Systematic sampling and supplementary sampling were applied. The records of 327 males aged 18 to 54 years were collected from those of 3,373 male inpatients. Completion of treatment was defined as presence and receiving treatment in the hospital for at least 45 days. Multiple logistic regression models were applied to estimate the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for the completion of drug addiction treatment. Among the patients, heroin was the most commonly used drug, followed by opium, crystal, hashish, and other drugs. Patients with treatment history for drug addiction (AOR 2.46; 95% CI 1.14-5.30), those attended MI before admission (AOR 43.98; 95% CI 17.21-112.39), and those used heroin (AOR 4.74; 95% CI 1.32-16.97) were more likely to complete the drug addiction treatment. Among the factors examined in this study, attending MI was most strongly associated with the completion of drug addiction treatment. Amendments to policies to include compulsory MI in standard operational procedures of drug addiction treatment before hospitalization may be recommended.

DOI： 10.18999/nagjms.80.3.329

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Nagoya University  

Vietnam is facing a problem of over-crowding in public hospitals. Long waiting time is a major dissatisfaction for patients. Reducing waiting time benefits not only patients but also hospitals in decreasing overall workload. To identify factors contributing to long waiting time in outpatient clinics, a cross-sectional study was conducted at a national hospital in Vietnam. The time for each process of 7,931 patients who visited the outpatient clinics within Thong Nhat Hospital from 5 to 9 September 2016 was collected from the computerized clinical database. Characteristics of patients (age, sex, address, day of visit, registration time, visited department and test) and waiting times were studied at the outcome measures. Multivariate analyses using the linear regression model was carried out to evaluate the contribution of these factors to the total waiting time. Among 7,931 patients, 52.3% were women, 46.3% were 60-80 years, and 64.8% registered between 5:30 and 9:30. The mean total waiting time was 104.1 minutes. The analysis on total waiting time among 4,564 patients who visited one department without any test showed that department group and registration time were significantly associated with a total waiting time. In 1,259 patients who visited one department with one test, early registration and undergoing blood tests were significantly associated with a longer total waiting time. These results showed that old age, visiting internal medicine departments, early registration time, and undergoing blood tests were factors contributing to a longer total waiting time in the outpatient clinics within Thong Nhat Hospital.

DOI： 10.18999/nagjms.80.2.227

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Authorship：Lead author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

DOI： 10.1152/ajprenal.00052.2017

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：NAGOYA UNIV, SCH MED  

Medical facility statistics provide essential information to policymakers, administrators, academics, and practitioners in the field of health services. In Japan, the Health Statistics Office of the Director-General for Statistics and Information Policy at the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare is generating these statistics. Although the statistics are widely available in both Japanese and English, the methodology described in the technical reports are primarily in Japanese, and are not fully described in English. This article aimed to describe these processes for readers in the English-speaking world. The Health Statistics Office routinely conduct two surveys called the Hospital Report and the Survey of Medical Institutions. The subjects of the former are all the hospitals and clinics with long-term care beds in Japan. It comprises a Patient Questionnaire focusing on the numbers of inpatients, admissions, discharges, and outpatients in one month, and an Employee Questionnaire, which asks about the number of employees as of October 1. The Survey of Medical Institutions consists of the Dynamic Survey, which focuses on the opening and closing of facilities every month, and the Static Survey, which focuses on staff, facilities, and services as of October 1, as well as the number of inpatients as of September 30 and the total number of outpatients during September. All hospitals, clinics, and dental clinics are requested to submit the Static Survey questionnaire every three years. These surveys are useful tools for collecting essential information, as well as providing occasions to implicitly inform facilities of the movements of government policy.

DOI： 10.18999/nagjms.79.4.515

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：BIOMED CENTRAL LTD  

Background: Cost information is important for efficient allocation of healthcare expenditure, estimating future budget allocation, and setting user fees to start new financing systems. Myanmar is in political transition, and trying to achieve universal health coverage by 2030. This study assessed the unit cost of healthcare services at two public hospitals in the country from the provider perspective. The study also analyzed the cost structure of the hospitals to allocate and manage the budgets appropriately.
Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at 200-bed Magway Teaching Hospital (MTH) and Pyinmanar General Hospital (PMN GH), in Myanmar, for the financial year 2015-2016. The step-down costing method was applied to calculate unit cost per inpatient day and per outpatient visit. The costs were calculated by using Microsoft Excel 2010.
Results: The unit costs per inpatient day varied largely from unit to unit in both hospitals. At PMN GH, unit cost per inpatient day was 28,374 Kyats (27.60 USD) for pediatric unit and 1,961,806 Kyats (1908.37 USD) for ear, nose, and throat unit. At MTH, the unit costs per inpatient day were 19,704 Kyats (19.17 USD) for medicine unit and 168,835 Kyats (164.24 USD) for eye unit. The unit cost of outpatient visit was 14,882 Kyats (14.48 USD) at PMN GH, while 23,059 Kyats (22.43 USD) at MTH. Regarding cost structure, medicines and medical supplies was the largest component at MTH, and the equipment was the largest component at PMN GH. The surgery unit of MTH and the eye unit of PMN GH consumed most of the total cost of the hospitals.
Conclusion: The unit costs were influenced by the utilization of hospital services by the patients, the efficiency of available resources, type of medical services provided, and medical practice of the physicians. The cost structures variation was also found between MTH and PMN GH. The findings provided the basic information regarding the healthcare cost of public hospitals which can apply the efficient utilization of the available resources.

DOI： 10.1186/s12913-017-2619-z

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：JAPAN SOC INTERNAL MEDICINE  

A 32-year-old man on peritoneal dialysis (PD) was hospitalized for seven days due to fever. A diagnosis of yeast-like fungal peritonitis was made by Gram staining. The patient was started on intravenous micafungin and oral fluconazole therapy following removal of the PD catheter. A fungal pathogen was isolated from the peritoneal fluid and identified as Cryptococcus species. Based on antifungal susceptibility testing, the treatment was changed to voriconazole and continued for 3 months. A genetic analysis identified the isolate as Cryptococcus laurentii (C. laurentii). This patient was diagnosed with C. laurentii PD-related peritonitis and was successfully treated with voriconazole and removal of the PD catheter.

DOI： 10.2169/internalmedicine.54.3586

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：WICHTIG EDITORE  

Purpose: The usefulness of skin perfusion pressure (SPP) measurement in the assessment of critical ischemia of the lower limb has previously been established. This study investigated whether finger SPP measurement is useful to evaluate hypoperfusion distal to arteriovenous vascular access in dialysis patients.
Methods: Seventeen asymptomatic hemodialysis patients with upper extremity arteriovenous access and 17 non-dialysis control patients were prospectively examined. SPP in the thumb, the middle finger and the little finger of both hands was measured. The bilateral difference of the mean SPP of the three fingers was evaluated.
Results: The mean difference of SPP between the contralateral and the arteriovenous access sides among hemodialysis patients (33 +/- 2 5 mmHg) was significantly larger than the mean difference of SPP between the left and the right hands among control patients (1.0 +/- 6.0 mmHg, p&lt;0.01).
Conclusions: This report shows the potential usefulness of SPP measurement to evaluate hypoperfusion distal to arteriovenous vascular access.

DOI： 10.5301/jva.5000170

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Role of health center (hokejo)
Tuberculosis controls
Dialysis therapy in Japan

Dialysis therapy in Japan

Role of health center (hokejo)
Tuberculosis controls
Dialysis therapy in Japan

Dialysis therapy in Japan

Dialysis therapy in Japan