Singap Med J
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This is a retrospective study of 127 cases brought by the police under Section 32 of the Mental Health Act (1973). The aims of the study were to collect epidemiological data and to review the mental health provisions. ⋯ Ninety percent of the patients required admissions to hospital. There was no apparent misuse of the Mental Health Act.
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Medical surveillance of workers exposed to a lead hazard is a common practice in many countries. In Singapore, legislation on periodic medical examinations for lead exposed workers in factories was introduced in 1985. This paper discusses the results of the laboratory tests in workers exposed to inorganic lead in 1987. ⋯ The higher blood lead levels in Malays and Indians may have been contributed to by eating habits (eating with hands). The higher prevalence of smoking among Malays may also be contributory. The results in this study, while reassuring that no worker was found with blood lead above 80 micrograms/dL, also indicated that workers in some factories were still exposed to a health risk.
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A stratified random sample of 1000 elderly Chinese was drawn from the electoral register of three constituencies, namely Tiong Bahru, Henderson and Bukit Merah. It was only possible to interview 612 subjects. The questionnaire included social resources, activities of daily living, mental health and physical health. ⋯ Most subjects were in good mental health (92.2%). The prevalence of dementia was 1.8% and depressive disorder 4.6%. Senile dementia was more prevalent in the old-old (2.8%) than the young-old (0.5%).