ABSTRACT
We conducted a cross-sectional, descriptive survey among 141 medical physicians treating tuberculosis (TB) patients, registered with local chest physicians association in Lucknow District, India. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to evaluate the physicians' knowledge of anti-tuberculosis prescribed medication regimens. Sixty percent of eligible physicians had Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program training, mostly in the public sector. Only two-thirds of physicians could correctly state the recommended TB drugs. Physicians, especially in the private sector, had inadequate knowledge of the approved anti-tuberculosis prescribed medication regimen. This study demonstrates the need for adequate training in both public and private sectors regarding the correct anti-tuberculosis treatment regimens.
Subject(s)
Adult , Antitubercular Agents/therapeutic use , Cross-Sectional Studies , Directly Observed Therapy , Female , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Humans , India/epidemiology , Male , Middle Aged , Practice Patterns, Physicians' , Physicians , Practice Guidelines as Topic , Private Sector , Public Sector , Tuberculosis, Pulmonary/drug therapyABSTRACT
The purpose of this article is to explore whether the style and content of the IMCI algorithm and delivery of the training course match the needs and capacities of the Lao health workers. Unlike other IMCI studies that rely on external indicators, this study uses an open-ended qualitative approach to focus on the perspectives of the trainees through observation and trainee interviews. The findings showed that IMCI is a practical tool for health workers, and the interactive course is an effective way to teach it. Health workers responded that learning the algorithm was challenging due to the novel format and guidelines, but easy due to its clarity and straightforwardness. The main problems concerned the adaptability of guidelines and shortage of time. Incorporating in-depth clinical explanations and inviting facilitators with medical knowledge and experience using IMCI may be key to resolving such issues.
Subject(s)
Algorithms , Child , Child Health Services , Child, Preschool , Health Personnel/education , Humans , Interviews as Topic , Laos , Maternal-Child Health Centers , Observation , Program Evaluation , Teaching/methodsABSTRACT
An International Study of Asthma and Allergy in Childhood (ISAAC) revealed a wide range of prevalences of childhood asthma in the world. Lao PDR had no such epidemiological data yet. This study aimed to investigate the epidemiology of asthma, rhinitis, and eczema in children in the country. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Vientiane City, the capital of Lao PDR, in 1997 using the ISAAC questionnaire. From three primary schools and one high school, 395 children, age 6-7 years, and 468 children, age 13-14 years, were chosen. The prevalence of asthma for children aged 13-14 years in Lao PDR was 25.6%, which ranks the highest in international asthma prevalence. The prevalence in allergic-rhinoconjunctivitis of children was 24.4% and atopic eczema was 7.1%. Contrary to generally accepted risk factors, there were no associations revealed between asthma prevalence and smoking of family members (especially mothers), intake of fish/meat, and male gender.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Asthma/epidemiology , Child , Conjunctivitis, Allergic/epidemiology , Cross-Sectional Studies , Dermatitis, Atopic/epidemiology , Diet , Female , Humans , Laos/epidemiology , Male , Prevalence , Rhinitis/epidemiology , Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial/epidemiology , Risk Factors , Tobacco Smoke PollutionABSTRACT
The major religion in Lao PDR is Buddhism, but many ethnic groups in rural Lao PDR hold an animist belief system called "Sadsana-pee". At the same time, the Bourapar District study site in Khammouane Province, Lao PDR is at high risk of malaria infection. Due to their belief in traditional ways of healing, the promotion of malaria prevention and treatment with modern medicine was not always welcomed by the villagers. Based on the results of questionnaire interviews with 240 heads of households from February to March of 2003, the effect of local beliefs on malaria control activities was discussed. Despite widely available western medicine and widely conducted health education, some people still believe that evil spirits cause malaria and rely on traditional medicine and/or religious ceremonies for treatment. Based on our findings, we recommend that future education and malaria control programs be revised and made sensitive to those people holding indigenous beliefs.
Subject(s)
Adult , Attitude to Health/ethnology , Ethnicity/psychology , Family Characteristics , Humans , Laos , Malaria/ethnology , Medicine, East Asian Traditional , Patient Acceptance of Health Care/psychology , Surveys and Questionnaires , Religion and MedicineABSTRACT
With the growing concerns about the risk of unsafe injections (e.g. unsterilized injection practices), WHO, UNICEF and UNFPA decided to introduce the auto-disable (AD) syringe for immunization in the world. The AD syringe is designed to be automatically locked after a single use, hence no chance of reuse. Consequently, the risk of infection can be reduced for the recipient. On the other hand, the management of increased medical waste is becoming difficult, as the waste volume of AD syringes would be 200 times as much as those of sterilizable syringes. The used and improperly disposed AD syringes could be a huge source of blood-borne infections and environmental pollution at the community level. This study attempted to explore the present situation with regard to the introduction of AD syringes for immunization in Lao PDR. We conclude that reviewing the present 'safe injection' policy is urgently required in Lao PDR, as well as in other developing countries where the disposal system for medical wastes is not yet well established.