Mental Health of University Students in Northern Malaysia

Context/Background: Today, poor mental health is one of the most neglected diseases although it is one of the leading causes of disabilities in both developed and developing countries. This mental health issue be-comes a problem among university students too. This study was aimed to determine the prevalence and asso-ciated factors of depression, anxiety, and stress (DAS) among university students. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was carried out in a private university of northern Malaysia during 2020. A random sample of 161 students were included and DASS-21 was used to determine the prevalence of DAS. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the associated factors. Results: The prevalence of DAS among students were 34.8%, 42.2%, and 33.5%, respectively. In contrast to years 2 and 4, the prevalence of all types of mental disorders were lower in years 1 and 3. The students’ living area, residence, academic year, and parental income were significantly associated with anxiety whereas the age group of the students and parent’s income did so for depression. The variables; age group, academic year and parent’s income were identified as significant determinants for the presence of stress among students. Conclusions: The significant extent of the mental health problems was detected among university students in Malaysia. Despite the small sample, this analysis indicates that opportunities exist to improve campus-based mental health education and psychological support among university students.

A micro-computed tomographic evaluation of root canal filling with a single gutta-percha cone and calcium silicate sealer

Objectives@#The purpose of this study was to evaluate the void of root canal filling over time when a calcium silicate sealer was used in the single gutta-percha cone technique. @*Materials and Methods@#Twenty-four J-shaped simulated root canals and twenty-four palatal root canals from extracted human maxillary molars were instrumented with ProFile Ni-Ti rotary instruments up to size 35/0.06 or size 40/0.06, respectively. Half of the canals were filled with Endoseal MTA and the other half were with AH Plus Jet using the single gutta-percha cone technique. Immediately after and 4 weeks after the root canal filling, the samples were scanned using micro-computed tomography at a resolution of 12.8 μm. The scanned images were reconstructed using the NRecon software and the void percentages were calculated using the CTan software, and statistically analyzed by 1-way analysis of variance, paired t-test and Tukey post hoc test. @*Results@#After 4 weeks, there were no significant changes in the void percentages at all levels in both material groups (p > 0.05), except at the apical level of the AH Plus Jet group (p < 0.05) in the simulated root canal showing more void percentage compared to other groups. Immediately after filling the extracted human root canals, the Endoseal MTA group showed significantly less void percentage compared to the AH Plus Jet group (p < 0.05). @*Conclusions@#Under the limitations of this study, the Endoseal MTA does not seem to reduce the voids over time.

Bio-efficacy of Long Lasting Insecticidal Mosquito Nets (LLINs) on Malaria Vector Anopheles Mosquitoes in Malaria-Endemic Areas of Myanmar

Sixty used Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) from six malaria endemicareas of States and Regions of Myanmar were assessed for their bio-efficacy againstAnopheles mosquitoes. Total ten nets were collected from the randomly selectedhousehold of each area. Insecticide susceptibility and bio-efficacy test were doneaccording to WHO testing method. Results revealed that a total of 4470 mosquitoes of 12Anopheles species including main vector and secondary vectors were collected in highdensity in Beelin, Taungoo, Pyin Oo Lwin, Kamamaung and Hpa-an. All collectedmosquitoes were found susceptible to insecticides as recommended by the WHO. Bioefficacy of PermaNet 2.0, DAWA TANA, Yorkool, BASF, Net protect and Yahe LLINs netswere 12(100%), 11/12(91.67%), 4(100%), 8(100%), 5(100%) and 19(100%)respectively. The DAWA TANA net had 20% sensitivity after repetitive washing. Thesensitivity of LLINs nets was higher for all selected areas of States and Regions inMyanmar. The study suggested that there is need to distribute a large number of effectiveLLINs nets in malaria endemic areas as well as the replacement of expired, less effectiveand very old LLINs nets with a new one is also necessary. LLINs nets are very effectiveAnopheles mosquitoes control tools and it can reduce the human-vector contact effectively.Moreover, research on bio-efficacy evaluations of the LLINs nets is required regularly tomaintain and control the transmission of malaria through Anopheles mosquitoes.

The efficacy of dexamethasone injection on postoperative pain in lower third molar surgery

BACKGROUND: Surgery on the lower impacted third molar usually involves trauma in the highly vascularized loose connective tissue area, leading to inflammatory sequelae including postoperative pain, swelling, and general oral dysfunction during the immediate post-operative phase. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of preoperative injection of a single dose of 8 mg dexamethasone for postoperative pain control in lower third molar surgery. METHODS: A controlled, randomized, split-mouth, prospective study involving lower third molar surgery was performed in 31 patients. The randomized sampling group was preoperatively injected, after local anesthesia, with a single dose of dexamethasone (8 mg in 2 ml) through the pterygomandibular space; 2 ml of normal saline (with no dexamethasone) was injected as a placebo. RESULTS: The pain VAS score was significantly different on the day of the operation compared to the first post-operative day (P = 0.00 and 0.01, respectively), but it was not significantly different on the third and seventh postoperative day between the control and study groups. There was a significant reduction in swelling on the second postoperative day, and a difference between the second postoperative day and baseline value in the study group (P < 0.05). Trismus was highly significantly different on the second postoperative day and between baseline and second postoperative day between the groups (P = 0.04 and 0.02, respectively). Descriptive statistics and independent-samples t- test were used to assess the significance of differences. CONCLUSIONS: Injection of 8 mg dexamethasone into the pterygomandibular space effectively reduced the postoperative pain and other postoperative sequalae.

The efficacy of dexamethasone injection on postoperative pain in lower third molar surgery

BACKGROUND: Surgery on the lower impacted third molar usually involves trauma in the highly vascularized loose connective tissue area, leading to inflammatory sequelae including postoperative pain, swelling, and general oral dysfunction during the immediate post-operative phase. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of preoperative injection of a single dose of 8 mg dexamethasone for postoperative pain control in lower third molar surgery. METHODS: A controlled, randomized, split-mouth, prospective study involving lower third molar surgery was performed in 31 patients. The randomized sampling group was preoperatively injected, after local anesthesia, with a single dose of dexamethasone (8 mg in 2 ml) through the pterygomandibular space; 2 ml of normal saline (with no dexamethasone) was injected as a placebo. RESULTS: The pain VAS score was significantly different on the day of the operation compared to the first post-operative day (P = 0.00 and 0.01, respectively), but it was not significantly different on the third and seventh postoperative day between the control and study groups. There was a significant reduction in swelling on the second postoperative day, and a difference between the second postoperative day and baseline value in the study group (P < 0.05). Trismus was highly significantly different on the second postoperative day and between baseline and second postoperative day between the groups (P = 0.04 and 0.02, respectively). Descriptive statistics and independent-samples t- test were used to assess the significance of differences. CONCLUSIONS: Injection of 8 mg dexamethasone into the pterygomandibular space effectively reduced the postoperative pain and other postoperative sequalae.

Myanmar diabetes care model: Bridging the gap between urban and rural healthcare delivery / Journal of the ASEAN Federation of Endocrine Societies

@#There has been significant magnitude of problems of diabetes in Myanmar, according to the estimates of International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the recent National Survey on the prevalence of diabetes. There has been a wide gap of equity between the urban and rural healthcare delivery for diabetes. Myanmar Diabetes Care Model (MMDCM) aims to deliver equitable diabetes care throughout the country, to stem the tide of rising burden of diabetes and also to facilitate to achieve the targets of the Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of NCDs (2013-2020). It is aimed to deliver standard of care for diabetes through the health system strengthening at all level. MMDCM was developed based on the available health system, resources and the country's need. Implementation for the model was also discussed.

A study of Nerve conduction in patients with chronic renal faillure

Background: Many patients with chronic renal failure have abnormalities in central and nervous system function. The majority of patients are asymptomatic, requiring electrophysiologic testing to confirm the abnormality. Slowingof nerve conduction velocity frequently occurs without signs and symptoms of neurophysiological changes of the peripherial nerves in patients with chronic renalfailure. Methods: A Study of motor and sensory conduction in median and ulnar nerves was done on 22 patients, five males and seventeen femal (age range 18-75 years), with chronic renal failure. Inclusion criteria for this study were known cases of chronic renal failure, from Renal Medical Unit, Mandalay General Hospital, with persistent high serum ureas level more than 10mmo/L (at least 2 weeks apart) and ultrasonographic changes. Twenty-five normal subjects of comparable ageserved as controls. Results: Ten of the patients had clinical signs and symptomsof early peripheral neuropathy, such as decreased deep tedon reflexes or minimunsensory loss in lower and upper extremities. In patients with chronic renal failure, values of median and ulnar MNCV were found tp be 48.46+-4.1m/sec and 51.17+-4.28 m/ sec respectively. Nerve conduction velocities, motor as well as sensorywere found to be significantly reduced in chronic renal failurw patients compared to those of normal subjects (p<0.001). There was significant negative correlation between serum creatinine and motor and sensorry conduction velocities of both nerves in chronic renal failure patients. But,no significant correlation was foud between blood urea and nerve condiuction velocities.

A study on thiamine nutritional status of Khayan Township

As staple food of Myanmar is rice, there is a risk to develop thiamine deficiency. So a study was conducted in Khayan township to assess its thiamine nutritional status. Transketolase enzyme activity stimulation test of 59 pregnant women and 26 lactating mothers were studied and 12.9 per cent of them were found to be in deficient state. Thiamine concentration of breast milk samples collected from 31 lactating mothers was also measured; the mean value was 6.7 + or - 4.3 mcg/100ml. Rice samples were collected from conventinal type rice mills, Huller type rice mills and residences of Paukone village, and their thiamine content were 59.7 + or - 23.6 mcg/100gm (n=5), 66.8 + or - 22.7 mcg/100gm (n=20) and 73.97 + or - 41.2 mcg/100gm (n=26) respectively. Boiled rice samples were also collected from Paukone village and the mean thiamine content was 10.74 + or - 8.73 mcg/100gm (n=33). Thus it seems that thiamine nutritional status of Khayan is not in a satisfactory state.

Effect of sunlight in decontamination of coliforms and faecal coliforms from drinking water

Drinking water samples were collected during December 1997 to March 1998 from Mingalar market, Nyaungbinlay market, Thaketa, Pazundaung, Botataung, Lanmadaw, Anawrahta, Ahlone, Sanchaung and Papedan Townships, Yangon. The presumptive coliform and faecal coliform counts were tested on all water samples. The pH and temperature were also recorded during the experiment. The coliforms and faecal coliforms were identified by multiple tube method and the count of coliforms ranged from 17 to > 2400 MPN/100 ml and faecal coliform count ranged from <2 to 140 MPN/100 ml. The temperature ranged from 40 to 47C during the experiment. There was no association between coliform counts and temperature variation. Forty percent and 90 percent of the samples became free of coliforms after exposure to sunlight for six hours and seven hours, respectively. When exposed to sunlight, 33 percent and 77.8 percent of the samples became free of faecal coliforms after four and six hours respectively. Coliforms and faecal coliforms were totally absent after exposure for 12 hours. It was effective by using clear transparent plastic bottles but the opaque plastic bottles were not. After exposure to sunlight for 12 hours; regrowth of coliforms and faecal coliforms were not observed up to three months, provided that the exposed bottles were tightly closed.

The use of epidural analgesia in elective lower segment caesarean section at North Okkalapa General Hospital

A prospective study on the use of epidural anaesthesia in lower segment caesarean section at NOGH was carried out on 41 patients who had been admitted to NOGH from the 1st May 1995 to the 30th April 1996. All the necessary preoperative assessments were done. Epidural analgesia, but using a combination of 0.5 per cent Marcaine and 2 per cent lignocaine was given. the mean duration of induction delivery period was 15 minutes, mean one-minute Apgar score was 7.95. About seventy three per cent (73.17 per cent) of the patients could start breast feeding soon after delivery in the operation theatre and the remaining patients could breast feed their babies soon after leaving the theatre. No serious complication was encountered apart from 7.3 per cent of the patients who had minor complications. The mean duration of postoperative analgesia was 10.46 hours and the mean pain score 1.6. Among these, 39.02 per cent did not require any post-operative analgesia, 39.02 per cent were relieved by placebo injection, 12.19 per cent by injection Diazepam, 7.33 per cent by injection volteran while 2.44 per cent required injection morphine.

The use of epidural analgesia in elective lower segment caesarean section at North Okkalapa General Hospital

A prospective study on the use of epidural anaesthesia in lower segment caesarean section at NOGH was carried out on 41 patients who had been admitted to NOGH from the 1st May 1995 to the 30th

Assessing HIV and AIDS information needs of the General public using a telephone hotline in Yangon

To reduce the further spread of HIV infection and its impact on the society through the dissemination of correct information about HIV transmission and prevention in a confidential and anonymous discussion over the telephone and to assess information needs of people calling the hotline, a hotline number was advertised in three major journals and in one news paper for December 1, World AIDS day. the counsellors took note of demographic characteristics and reason for calling the hotline. A simple questionnaire was filled up by the counsellors to reflect demographic characteristics as well as behaviour risk of callers. The data gathered was analyzed using the software EpiInfo 6. Only calls during World AIDS Day were analyzed. Out of 74 calls on world AIDS Day, most of the callers were males and the mean age of female callers was 26.32 years, while males was 31.52 years, Majority of the callers were in their 20's (47 per cent) and 30's (21 per cent). Most of the callers were single. Regarding the risk practices, (26 per cent) admitted risk behaviour of whom 52 per cent said that they had multiple sexual partners, while nearly a quarter of callers said they injected drugs (21 per cent) and a quarter said they had sexual partners who had multiple sexual partners (26 per cent). When they talk about condom use, most of the young male callers asked about how to use condom properly. Regarding HIV/AIDS knowledge more than half of the callers had misconception about the basic information about HIV/AIDS. More than two thirds of the callers wanted to know how HIV is transmitted and prevented. Some of the callers expressed concern about their feelings towards the disease and some were concerned about their own personal behaviours that could put them at risk for infection. almost a quarter asked about the HIV/AIDS services available in Yangon. At least one hotline service should be established to disseminate the HIV AIDS information and also for the people who are worried about their risks. The anonymity of the conversations in the hotline might encourage people to discuss freely their sexual activities.

Studies on the stability of DMR hepatitis B vaccine

The stability of the DMR hepatitis B vaccine at 4C and room temperature has been followed over a period of one year by monitoring its physical, chemical and biological characteristics bimonthly starting from February 1996. The pH and protein content of the vaccine did not change for both storage conditions throughout the study. The vaccines were found to be sterile and free from pyrogens and passed the general safety test on mice. The HBsAg titer started to decline after eight months of storage at 4C and after 10 days of storage at room temperature. However, the HBsAg adsorption rate to the adjuvant remained over 95 per cent for both storage conditions.