Asia-Pacific journal of public health
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Asia Pac J Public Health · Oct 2008
ReviewA review of tuberculosis prevention, diagnosis and treatment system in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).
This paper describes the current prevalence of tuberculosis and its management in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. A review of technical reports of NGOs' experience working in North Korea with Democratic People's Republic of Korea officials, tuberculosis healthcare personnel and tuberculosis patients. Site visits, observations and experiences are also included. ⋯ Preliminary analysis revealed that poverty, neglect, lack of resources and isolation resulted in the overall deterioration of public health services. Present estimates suggest a prevalence of 220 per 100,000 with 45,000 new cases. Tuberculosis is a major public health problem in North Korea that will require increased efforts by the national government and international agencies to control
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Asia Pac J Public Health · Oct 2008
Breastfeeding following caesarean section in Zhejiang Province: public health implications.
This paper describes the influence of caesarean section on breastfeeding rates in Zhejiang Province, People's Republic of China. A longitudinal cohort study of infant feeding was conducted in Zhejiang Province, in city, suburban and rural areas. Mothers were recruited and interviewed while in hospital and then followed for six months. ⋯ Caesarean section is increasingly being used for routine deliveries in China and other countries in the region. Mothers who have an operative delivery have lower rates of exclusive breastfeeding on hospital discharge. These mothers will need extra support and encouragement to commence and maintain breastfeeding.
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Asia Pac J Public Health · Jan 2008
Early detection and prevention of domestic violence using the Women Abuse Screening Tool (WAST) in primary health care clinics in Malaysia.
Despite being an emergent major public health problem, little research has been done on domestic violence from the perspectives of early detection and prevention. Thus, this cross-sectional study was conducted to identify domestic violence among female adult patients attending health centers at the primary care level and to determine the relationship between social correlates of adult patients and domestic violence screening and subsequent help/health-seeking behavior if abused. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 710 female adult patients from 8 health centers in Selangor who matched the inclusion criteria and consented to participate in the study, using a structured questionnaire that included adaptation of a validated 8-item Women Abuse Screening Tool (WAST). ⋯ The findings indicate that primary care has an important role in identifying domestic violence by applying the WAST screening tool, or an appropriate adaptation, with women patients during routine visits to the various health centers. Such assessment for abuse could be secondary prevention for the abused women, but more important, it will serve as primary prevention for nonabused women. This approach not only will complement the existing 1-stop crisis center policy by the Ministry of Health that copes with crisis intervention but also will spearhead efforts toward prevention of domestic violence in Malaysia.
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Asia Pac J Public Health · Jan 2008
Problems related to menstruation and their effect on daily routine of students of a medical college in Delhi, India.
Menstrual problems are common among young girls. These deserve careful evaluation as uncorrected menstrual problems may adversely affect the daily routine and quality of life. The aim of this article is to study the prevalence and the effect of menstrual disorders on daily routine among unmarried undergraduate medical students and their treatment-seeking behavior. ⋯ Premenstrual syndrome (67%) and dysmenorrhea (33%) were perceived by the study subjects as the most distressing problems associated with menstruation. The most common effect of menstrual problems on daily routine reported by the study subjects was in the form of prolonged resting hours (54%) followed by inability to study (50%). More than half (52%) of the subjects discussed their problems with their mother, and 60% of the study subjects were opted for allopathic treatment for their menstrual problems.
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Asia Pac J Public Health · Jan 2007
ReviewMedical interventions following natural disasters: missing out on chronic medical needs.
Although natural disasters may cause massive loss of human life and destruction of resources, they also present affected populations with a rare opportunity to access external resources. Nevertheless, many post-disaster medical relief intervention programmes only focus on the provision of acute medical services and the control of communicable diseases. Currently, no specific study has examined why chronic medical needs seem to be insufficiently addressed in disaster relief interventions. ⋯ Relevant assessment tools should be developed to rapidly identify chronic medical needs in resource deficit settings. Community partnership and collaboration that promote local ownership and technical transfer of chronic disease management skills will be essential for the sustainability of services beyond the disaster relief period. Potential programmes might include the technical training of local staff, establishment of essential drug and supply lists, and the provision of a range of medical services that may address chronic health needs.