ABSTRACT
We devised IMADOKO as a tool to confirm the current status of terminal cancer patients and are using it in the home care team. In this study, we retrospectively investigated the actual state of end-of-life care to clarify the impact of IMADOKO on decision-making support for terminal cancer patients and their families. The subjects were 64patients (male/female, 38/26) before IMADOKO introduction, and 140 patients (male/female, 78/62) after the introduction, with an average age of 74 years in both cases and the primary lesions were the pancreas, lung, and the gastrointestinal tract. The rate of death at home increased significantly after the introduction of IMADOKO, compared to before. In the IMADOKO introduced group, IMADOKO was used in 108 patients and all their families. The use of IMADOKO for the patient was not related to the location of death, but it significantly improved communication between the patient and family, and between patient/patient's family and medical staff. It was shown that IMADOKO may be useful for decision-making support in choosing a better place of recuperation.
ABSTRACT
Four hundred and six soil samples collected from five schoolyards in Mai Trung Commune, Bac Giang Province, Northern Vietnam, from 2005 to 2007 were examined for helminth eggs using a sucrose centrifugal flotation method. The soils around latrines was found to be heavily contaminated with <I>Ascaris</I> sp. eggs. The contamination rate of Ascaris sp. eggs at each school and prevalence of ascariasis among the school children showed a positive correlation (P&It;0.05). This indicated that examination of soil from the area around latrines for <I>Ascaris</I> sp. eggs is a useful method to estimate the prevalence of ascariasis among school children.