H. pylori infection among Buddhist monks in the selected regions of Myanmar.

Background: The prevalence of H. pylori infection is different in various regions of Myanmar, and the results of studies are contradictory regarding incidence of H. pylori infection. The infection rate of H. pylori among the monks could reflect the prevalence of the particular region studied. Objectives: The present study was aimed to determine the Helicobacter pylori status among asymptomatic Buddhist monks in Myanmar, and to observe the efficacy of clarithromycin based first line therapy by using C14 Urea Breath Test (PY test). Method: The Buddhist monks 17 years of age and above from the monasteries of both middle and lower Myanmar were selected by purposive sampling method. After filling out the questionnaire,H.pylori infection was detected by 14C-UBT (PY test, microCOUNTLite Liquid Scintillation Counter). H.pylori positive subjects were treated with 10 days' course of clarithromycin containing standard triple therapy as a first line.14C-UBT test was repeated at week 4 to check for H.pylori eradication status. Results: A total of 399 monks (from Bago and Mandalay city) were enrolled in this study. The mean age was 23.51+/ 8.907 years (range: 18 - 97). Urea breath test was positive in 65.4% of the monks. The prevalence of H. pylori infection was radically similar in different monasteries of different cities: Bago and Mandalay (67.52% ν 63.18%, p = 0.33). Among H. pylori infected monks, 67.7% achieved eradication with clarithromycin containing standard triple therapy. Conclusion: High H. pylori infection rates were found in asymptomatic Buddhist Myanmar monks and the standard triple therapy had moderate efficacy.

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.

Socioeconomic impact of AIDS on households of AIDS patients admitted to the Infectious Diseases Hospital, Yangon

This study attempts to analyse the socioeconomic impact of AIDS, particularly to determine the economic cost of AIDS to households of 64 AIDS patients seeking medical care at the Yangon Infectious Diseases Hospital during November 1996 to February 1997. This cross-sectional descriptive study used purposive sampling and interviewed AIDS patients and/or member of their house holds using structured questionnaire. The conceptual framework for the study was based on ideas expounded by Desmond Cohan (1993), Over et al (1991) and Whiteside and FitzSimons (1992). The majority of the AIDS patients were between 26 and 40 years of age and had middle and above education. Because of AIDS victims in their households, the households' monthly income was halved while monthly household expenditure increased 1.35 times. The dependency ratio in the households also increased two told. The direct cost of AIDS (including medical care abroad) was Kyats 69.306 and was 3.87 times a household's current monthly income. Cost of medical care contributed the highest proportion of direct cost, and cost of medical care at Infectious Diseases Hospital was only half of that incurred at private clinics. The average duration of illness was 7.56 months. Direct cost of illness per month was therefore Kyats 9,167 and 51 per cent of monthly household income. various strategies were used by the households to cope with the situation. Direct cost was borne mainly by the patient's brothers/sisters and relatives, by selling household assets and spending from the household's savings. Indirect cost of illness (loss of income) per month was Kyats 19,964 and 2.17 times the direct cost of illness or 1.11 times a household's monthly income. the total indirect cost of illness was Kyats 126,973 and was 7.1 times a household's monthly income. therefore, a household of an AIDS patient incurs a total of kyats 29,131 per month for the AIDS patient, or 1.63 times a household's monthly income. The families of AIDS patients usually take care for the AIDS victims, but are reluctant to share their predicament with others, the children of 10 AIDS patients were also looked after by relatives. This study makes recommendations such as providing some forms of financial help to AIDS victims, encouraging them to seek medical care at government hospitals, stepping up health education on prevention of HIV/AIDS, and conducting more socio-economic and behavioural research on HIV/AIDS.