The role of NS-1 antigen in early diagnosis of Dengue hemorrhagic fever in Yangon Children Hospital.

Detection of dengue virus NS1 antigen in patients’ sera serves as a supplementary assay for early diagnosis of dengue cases. This study evaluated the usefulness of NS-1 antigen for early diagnosis of dengue infection in children by use of a commercial immunochromato-graphic based SD Dengue Duo rapid test. The accuracy of SD Dengue Duo NS-1 antigen test was compared against a gold standard RT-PCR test in 117 children with suspected dengue infection attending YCH. All the children included in this study were tested for blood for complete picture and platelet count together with SD Dengue Duo rapid test. Among 117 samples, 65 serum samples were randomly selected and tested by RT-PCR. The sensitivity of SD Dengue Duo NS1 antigen assay was 40% (95% confidence interval) and specificity was 80% (95% confidence interval) as there were more secondary dengue cases in study population.The accuracy of NS1 antigen assay against RTPCR in patients with reduced platelet count showed that the sensitivity of NS1 antigen assay was 100% (95% confidence interval) and specificity was also 100% (95% confidence interval) when the platelet count was below 40,000.The result of this study demonstrated that the sensitivity and specificity of NS-1 antigen assay, at the time of low platelet count below 40,000, when specimens were collected within 5 days of fever, were relatively high compared to sensitivity and specificity of antibody detection. With the considerations for limitations such as NS1antigen assay being less sensitive in secondary dengue cases, in children, for diagnosis of dengue in early stage, with thorough clinical history and examination and also with platelet count, NS1 assay deserves inclusion in the diagnostic evaluation.

Metabolic Syndrome in obese and normal weight Myanmar children / Journal of the ASEAN Federation of Endocrine Societies

Objectives@#To estimate the frequency of Metabolic Syndrome (MS in Myanmar obese children and to determine the risk factors associated with MS in obese children comparing with normal weight children. @*Methodology@#A cross-sectional study was conducted to compare the risk factors for metabolic syndrome between normal and obese children by using the pediatric definition for metabolic syndrome [International Diabetes Federation (IDF), 2007]. Twenty-three obese children (BMI, ≥ 97th percentile) and 23 normal weight children (BMI, < 85th percentile) aged 5-12 years were included in the study. Blood pressure, body weight, height, waist circumference (WC), fasting triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, total cholesterol and glucose concentrations were determined. @*Results@#Based on the IDF pediatric criteria, 9 obese children (39.1%) had metabolic syndrome while no normal weight child had metabolic syndrome. Ten (43.5%) normal weight children and 3 (13.0%) obese children had at least one risk factor for the metabolic syndrome. Central obesity (WC ³ 90th percentile for age and sex), the most common risk factor, was observed in 25 children (54.4% of the total population). @*Conclusion@#This study highlights the need for early recognition of risk factors for metabolic syndrome in all children to halt the progression of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in later life.

Sexual and reproductive health needs of vulnerable youth in Myanmar.

A cross-sectional survey of 56 youth, using participatory research methods, was conducted with the objective to identify the sexual and reproductive health needs among vulnerable youth in Pyin Oo Lwin town in terms of their livelihoods, perceptions about health and health risks, sex practices, perceived health information needs and preferred channels for health information, and visions for their future generation. The results indicated that a majority of young people of both sexes were deficient in knowledge of the locations and functions of reproductive organs. The majority of respondents of both sexes said that their main health concern was AIDS. Pre-marital sex among youth, 16-20 years of age, was identified in our study. Malaria and AIDS were mentioned as information needed by young people. TV and magazines/journals were prioritized as preferred channels of disseminating health messages. Almost all reported that education was the one thing that they wanted for their own children.

Household income, health and education in a rural area of Myanmar.

This study was to determine the relationship between a commonly used social stratification indicator, net equivalent income, and self-rated health, long-term disability, visual acuity status, death rate, birth rate, unsafe delivery and school enrollment in a rural area of Myanmar. Data were collected from 3,558 respondents in 805 households of all ages. Data analysis for various items was based on different age groups. The results from two income groups (highest and lowest) are as follows: the percent of those who self-rated their health as very good were 17.8% and 10.4% in the highest and lowest income groups, respectively (adjusted coefficient = 0.30, 95% Cl 0.11-0.50); those with an acute medical condition were found in 16.3% and 20.8% in the highest and lowest income groups, respectively (adjusted OR = 1.35, 95% Cl 1.08-1.68); those with long-term disability were found in 15.3% and 21.2% in the highest and lowest income groups, respectively (adjusted OR = 1.39, 95% Cl 1.05-1.84); and those with poor visual acuity at a distance of 13 feet were found in 8.1% and 13.5% in the highest and lowest income groups, respectively (adjusted OR = 1.64, 95% Cl 1.18-2.30). The birth rate ratio was 1.3, the death rate ratio was 1.2, and school enrollment was found in 92.8% and 83.2% in the highest and lowest income groups, respectively (adjusted OR = 0.34, 95% Cl 0.1-0.8). These results indicate that there is an urgent need to strengthen the health care infrastructure and educational system, targeting the poor in rural areas.

Quality of antenatal care at outpatient department of Mandalay General Hospital: time utilization and satisfaction among users

The study was a hospital-based cross-sectional survey using recording and interviewing techniques. Average waiting time (in minutes) before seeing registration clerk, nurses, laboratory staff and medical doctors, for all first visit and follow-up visit patients, were 10,5,8 and 31 respectively. Average time in contact (in minutes) with registration clerk, nurses, laboratory staff and medical doctors, for all patients, were 2,2,11 and 3 respectively. Among first visit patients, only 21 per cent were told of their body weights, 21 per cent were told of their blood pressures, 66 per cent were told of their urine examination results, and 64 per cent were told of their baby's clinical conditions. Similar figures for follow-up patients were, 29 per cent 26 per cent, 83 per cent and 80 per cent respectively at different service point. The types of service offered and the training and performance of the service providers can be concluded as from being adequate.