Dose intensity of chemotherapy in chemotherapy sensitive Malignancies in Myanmar

In order to find out the appropriate dose intensities of various chemotherapeutic regimes for chemotherapy-sensitive malignancies in Myanmar patients, all cancer patients treated by the medical oncologist of the Radiotherapy Department over the period of two years (September 1996 to August 1998) were closely monitored. In this paper the chemotherapeutic dose intensities for Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma and Breast Cancer patients were analysed and the tolerability of the patients, side effects (according to the Common Toxicity Criteria, WHO) and clinical responses (according to the WHO Criteria) were reported. It was found that Myanmar patients could tolerate the internationally standard dosages of chemotherapeutic regimes provided that their body surface areas, performance status, blood counts, liver functions, renal functions and cardiac functions were properly monitored and taken into consideration in calculating the dosages. The clinical implications of giving optimal dosages of chemotherapy in terms of their impact on short-term response rates and longterm survival rates were discussed.

Prescribing practices on contraception among general practitioners and basic health services staff in Taikkyi Township

Sixty-eight health service providers including 14 Medical Doctors (7 Full-time General Practitioners (GPs) and 7 Government Medical Officers), 4 Health Assistants (HAs), 11 Public Health Supervisors (PHS I & II), 5 Lady Health Visitors (LHVs) and 34 Midwives (MWS) practising in Taikkyi Township, were interviewed using a self administered structured questionnaire, to assess their level of knowledge and prescribing practices for contraception. All of the service providers with the exception of some PHS have prescribed some form of contraception during their practice. Among the contraceptives stated to be most prescribed by them, oral contraceptives came first with 94 percent, followed by injections with 92 percent, rhythm method in 37 percent, intra-uterine device in 30 percent, female sterilization in 21 percent, and condoms were prescribed only by 16 percent of them. The real and perceived side effects experienced with various methods are also discussed. The findings suggest that health care providers need to be trained or given refresher courses on contraceptive technology and proper counselling and use of the available methods, appropriate choice of methods suitable for the individual, the real and perceived side effects from various methods and their management. Development of appropriate health education and counselling package for use in birth spacing programmes is also indicated.