Risk factors for malaria infection among ethnic minorities in Binh Phuoc, Vietnam.

A cross-sectional study was undertaken to identify the prevalence of malaria infection, behavioral patterns of inhabitants and risk factors for malaria infection in a minority village in an area endemic for malaria in Vietnam. The target population were all the inhabitants of a village in Binh Phuoc Province, Vietnam. Interviews using a structured questionnaire and blood examination for malaria infection were conducted in house-to-house visits. Relationships between malaria infection and variables were examined using uni- and multivariate adjusted analysis. A total of 682 individuals from 159 households participated in both the interview and blood examinations. All households earned income through farming without forest activities at night, and the socio-economic status was generally not very low. The total prevalence of malaria infection was 6.2%, with a peak among 3- to 5-year-old children. Univariate analysis identified 3 - 5 year olds, a family size of > or =5 people, sleeping with >3 people in a bed, and living in a wooden/bamboo house as factors associated with malaria infection. Multivariate adjusted analysis after variable selection identified age 3 - 5 years old, a family size of > or =5 people and living in a wooden/bamboo house were significantly related to malaria infection. Malaria in this area can be controlled by basic activities, such as early diagnosis and treatment and prevention using bednets, since risk factors for malaria infection did not include forest activities, but were young age, living in a wooden/bamboo house and belonging to a large family. Continuous and intensive expansion of existing malaria control activities are required.

Effects of a school-based education program for schistosomiasis control.

The role and effect of school-based education for schistosomiasis control needs to be explored further to raise the standard of health in the widely infected areas over the world. This study investigated the effect, particularly the retention or duration of effect, of a school education program for schistosomiasis control. The study was conducted from September 2000 to February 2001 in a district of Mount Darwin, Zimbabwe. Two hundred ninety-nine fifth graders from 8 primary schools were examined for their knowledge, attitude, beliefs and practice regarding schistosomiasis, based on a KABP form, three times in succession. The examinations were a baseline examination, a pre-examination checking for the effect of the program, and a post-examination assessing retention after three-months. Analyses of the examination results indicated a considerable effect of the program in all aspects except for practice. Further detailed analyses on 161 matched pair subjects comparing the difference between the pre- and post-examination results demonstrated how the subjects maintained or rather increased what they had learned, illustrating an amplifying resonance or percussion effect, that is, a group dynamic effect in the school setting. No clear correlation, however, was shown between the education effect and the infection rate of the subject groups. Ways to prevent the deterioration of the practice aspect, and the cause of the negative correlation between the infection rate and education effect need to be closely investigated, while trying out more participatory-type education is an absolute necessity.

Combating HIV/AIDS in Mainland China: an epidemiological review of prevention and control measures.

Two decades have already passed since the first HIV/AIDS case was described in 1981. Cumulatively, over 20 million people have unfortunately lost their lives, and more than 40 million people are now living with HIV, and most of them are from developing countries. China, as the biggest developing country, has an impact on the epidemic of HIV/AIDS. From the first case of AIDS diagnosed in Mainland China in 1985, the epidemic has spread at an alarming rate. The feature of HIV/AIDS spread in Mainland China concerns its geographical characteristics that can be described as occurring in three phases. According to data from World Health Organization (WHO), it was estimated that about 840,000 people are living with HIV/AIDS in China, and 80,000 of them have already developed AIDS. WHO warned that, if there were no effective preventive measures adopted, that the number of HIV/AIDS infected cases would reach 10 million in China by 2010.In this study, we described the current situation of the epidemic of HIV/AIDS, as well as an historic review. The development of policy-making and the control measures are also highlighted. The experience from China described in this study would hopefully be for more public awareness of this crisis that is threatening all the citizenry of China.