Effect of insight meditation practice on drug addicts

Drawing upon the principles of human behaviour, this study suggests the positive use of insight meditation as an alternative to drug abuse and prevention of relapse. Randomized experimental trial involving (31) Myanmar Buddhist male drug addicts from DDTC, YPH are studied, using psychotic rating scale, anxiety, depression and psychopathic personality scores (Ohn Kyaw and Ohn Hlaing). The results showed that there is a significant reduction in anxiety and depressive scores in drug addicts, and they have a sense of psychological well being after meditation practice. However, the effects on relapse of these patients should be continued in later research studies.

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.

Diagnostic symptoms found in Burmese schizophrenic patients

A 10 months study on 154 patients diagnosed as Schizophrenia by senior Psychiatrists of Rangoon Psychiatric Hospital was made. Bleuler's symptoms were prodominantly seen in Burmese Schizophrenic patients whereas Schneider's first rank symptoms were seen in very few Burmese Schizophrenic patients. However older age groups and less educated patients show Bleulerian symptoms more frequently whereas Schneider's symptoms were seen more often in younger age group and in educated patients. Therefore Bleuler's make an important contribution towards making the diagnosis of Schizophrenia.