Asia-Pacific journal of public health
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Asia Pac J Public Health · Nov 2011
Comparative StudyRural-urban comparison in prevalence of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents of Asian Indian origin.
To study whether the prevalence of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents is restricted by habitat (urban vs rural). ⋯ Prevalence of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents is not restricted to any particular habitat and warrants early intervention if this global epidemic is to be checked.
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Asia Pac J Public Health · Nov 2011
Measurement and explanation of horizontal (in)equity in health care utilization among Thais after universal coverage policy implementation.
This study aimed to examine the extent to which income-related inequality and horizontal inequity in outpatient and inpatient care utilization among Thais are manifest after the country implemented the Universal Coverage (UC) policy, by using a concentration index and a horizontal inequity index, respectively. Furthermore, the study examined the determinants and their associations with the observed inequality, if any, in health care utilization through decomposition methods. ⋯ Although there are socioeconomic gradients in health care utilization among Thais, the findings reveal that health care utilization tends to favor the poor in particular with utilization at the public facility and especially at the primary care level facility. Thailand has made impressive strides toward nearly universal health insurance coverage and improving access to and utilization of health care for its population, particularly among the poor.
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Asia Pac J Public Health · Jul 2011
Relationship between cervical spine injury and helmet use in motorcycle road crashes.
Motorcycle helmets have been proven to prevent head injury and reduce fatality in road crashes. However, certain studies indicate that the helmet increases the mass to the head, and thus the potential of neck injury due to the flexion/extension of the head-neck segment in a road crash may increase. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of motorcycle helmets and the ways in which the accidents that occurred affected the incidence of cervical spine injury. ⋯ However, in the latter crash modes, a motorcyclist without a helmet will have to trade-off with head injury. A logistic regression model has been developed with respective crash modes and the probabilities of risk in having severe cervical spine injury have been calculated. Future designs in motorcycle helmets should therefore consider the significance of nonfrontal accidents and the interaction of helmet with other parts of the body by possibly considering the weight of the helmet.
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Asia Pac J Public Health · Jul 2011
Factors associated with successful resuscitation of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest at Rajavithi Hospital's Narenthorn Emergency Medical Service Center, Thailand.
The objective of this study is to determine factors associated with successful resuscitation of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients by Narenthorn Emergency Medical Service Center (EMS), Thailand. A retrospective observational study was conducted with 73 OHCA patients who were resuscitated from December 2004 to January 2007. Inferential statistics, univariate (χ(2)) and multivariate analyses (logistic regression) were applied for data analysis. ⋯ RT showed a trend toward statistical significance (OR = 1.051; 95% CI = 0.765-16.083). This study found that witnessed arrest and bystander CPR were major factors associated with successful resuscitation of OHCA patients. Our findings will be useful for the development of community programs to decrease the mortality from OHCA.
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Asia Pac J Public Health · Mar 2011
ReviewClimate change, aeroallergens, natural particulates, and human health in Australia: state of the science and policy.
The objective of this article is to systematically review and assess what is known about the impacts of climate change on aeroallergens and other naturally derived particulates, and the associated human health impacts, and to examine responses to these in Australia, focusing on adaptation. Prior research was searched using several general and discipline-specific research databases. The review concludes that whereas there is little original research on the impacts of climate change on aeroallergens and other naturally derived particulates in Australia, or the human health consequences of these, research from overseas suggests that these impacts may be adverse and of considerable magnitude. ⋯ There is a need for enhanced monitoring of the atmospheric environment and associated health conditions in Australia. Education about climate change and human health in general, and air quality and related diseases specifically, is required for the community, health professionals, and others. Improvements are needed in the preparedness of infrastructure, such as health care facilities and early warning systems, particularly for aeroallergens, and all of these adaptive policy responses require further research.