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.

Urinary mercury excretion in Myanmar workers occupationally exposed to metallic mercury vapour

Urinary excretion of mercury was determined in 32 workers of Chemical plant of No. (1) Pulp and Paper Mill in Sittaung. For comparison, it was also measured in 10 Clerical Staff (nonexposed) of the said factory and 10 Technician Grade I students of Health Department. Signs and symptoms of chronic metallic mercury poisoning were looked for in all subjects. The air concentration of mercury vapour at different times of the working hours in the Chlorine PLant was measured. The mean + or - SD urinary mercury excretion was significantly higher in exposed workers 59.22+ or -22.44 ugm/L than non exposed workers of the factory (29.3+ or -8.64) (p <0.001). Comparison of the mean + or - SD urinary mercury levels of the nonexposed workers of the factory and technician students (19.4+ or -8.59) indicated that the former had significantly higher mercury excretion (p < 0.001). There was an increasing trend of mercury excretion with increased duration of exposure (r = 0.54; p <0.05). Signs and symptoms of chronic mercury poisoning were not found in any subject. The concentration of mercury vapour in Chlorine Plant during the working hours was found to 0.1 to 0.25 mgm/m of air (2 to 5 times TLV).