Seasonal variation of flea population and its relationship with small mammal hosts in sub-urban Yangon

Monthly flea and small mammal surveys covering three seasons (cool dry, hot dry and monsoon) were carried out at three townships in Yangon. From more than 400 small ammmals captured, two species of fleas totalling about 700 were collected and identified as Xenopsylla astia and Xenopsylla cheopis. General flea inded was found to be highest in May (dry hot) with 6.7 and lowest in November (cool dry) with 0.09. Total ratio of collected X. astia and X. cheopis was foung to be about 2:1. However, host-vector specificity was pronounced between these two species especially on B. bengalensis. The great majority of X. astia were infested on B. bengalensis (p < 0.05) and the majority of X. cheopis were infested on other above ground species namely Rattus exulans, R. rattus and Suncus murinus mainly in dry hot seasons. Several factors which might govern the host-vector specificity are outlined. Dur to the host-vector specificity, the limitations and the use of various flea indices are discussed and suggestions are made for a proper surveillance system. The prospect of the timely flela control program as a preventive plague control measure is also discussed.

A knowledge-attitudes-practices study on AIDS/HIV infection in intravenous drug users at Yangon Drug Dependency Treatment and Research Unit

A Standardized questionnaire was administered to 198 new and 112 recurrent cases of intravenous drug users enrolled at the Drug Dependency Treatment and Research Unit in Yangon to elicit knowledge about, attitudes towards and practices on AIDS/HIV infection. The respondents were all males, with the mean age of 26 years among new and 28 years among recurrent cases. Over 90 Percent of both groups resided in Yangon City. Recurrent users had higher level of knowledge abot correct mode of transmission of HIV infection than new cases. For instance, over 73 Percent of recurrent and about 50 Percent of new cases knew that HIV infection could not be transmitted via air or drinking water. 93-97 Percent of recurrent patients believed that transmission of HIV infection was possible through blood, sexual contact or IV drug use against 85-92 Percent of new cases. Concerning drug suing and sexual behaviours, recurrent cases took more frequent injections per day, prefered to be alone during drug use, did not take more care in cleansing syringes and needles, but had lesser contact with sex workers than new ones. The findings are compared with those of similar studies in other risk groups. The implications of the study are discussed.