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.

The level of knowledge, attitude and practice in relation to malaria in Oo-do village, Myanmar.

A knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) study concerning the nature and prevention of malaria was carried out in a rural area of Myanmar. According to the findings, many (over 40%) people do not have a clear cut knowledge on the transmission of malaria. Only one fourth of them had chemoprophylaxis before going to the forest, but they do not have the proper knowledge of the chemoprophylaxis regarding the type and dosage. Although there is acceptable knowledge (about 80% of the subject knew that mosquito bite causes malaria) and positive attitude towards malaria (100% of respondents agreed that malaria was a serious health problem in this area and 97% of respondents agreed that they would like to participate in malaria control activities), it is necessary to increase the community awareness of the transmission of the disease, its consequences and ways and means to control the disease to a minimum, especially in endemic areas.

Acceptability of condoms among family planning clinic attenders in Waybagi, North Okkalapa

A hundred currently married women of 20-49 years were interviewed to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of male condoms among family planning clinic attenders of Waybagi in North Okkalapa Township and to identify their acceptance and perception towards male condoms. The majority of wives were 30 to 34 years ole and primary school level whereas the majority of husbands were between 35 to 39 years of age, educated up to high school level. Most wives (75 per cent) were dependents whereas majority of husbands (38 per cent) were semi-skilled workers. although 75 per cent have heard of condoms only 36 per cent had actually seen one. Most knew that condoms were meant for contraception (86.7 per cent). Sixty-eight per cent knew condoms could prevent transmission of sexually transmissible diseases; 8 per cent thought condoms were meant for extra-marital sex; 77.3 per cent knew that condoms were meant for single use only. Over half thought condom is important for family planning and prevention of STD, less than half thought it was good for sexual relationship, that every adult male should use it, that it was good for male use, and that it would not create any problem between husband and wife. as regards statements with negative view, more than half disagreed with statements that condoms could disturb sexual relationship and that it could not be used for monogamous marriage. Overall, the respondents seemed to regard condoms positively rather than negatively. Only 5 per cent had ever used condoms out of which only one liked it whereas one disliked it due to condom rupture. None were currently using condoms. It indicated that proper counselling and appropriate training is essential to promote condom acceptability.

Knowledge, perception and AIDS related behaviours among currently married couples in Yangon

A community based study was conducted in 1991 in Dagon and Thakayta Townships to assess the existing level of knowledge and perception of AIDS among 594 currently married couples and to find out the type of educational needs on AIDS for married couples. Only a few study subjects believed that AIDS was a curable disease and the majority did not know some important preventive measures. Many of the studied couples could not identify those who could get AIDS within the society and the high risk group among community members. Knowledge of the source of AIDS transmission and on prevention of AIDS were also found to be low among them. Condom utilization by male having sex with spouse was also found to be low. Health education of AIDS dissemination through leaflets and health talks was found to be insufficient.

Case-control study of risk factors for cholera in Yangon

A case-control study was conducted on 100 culture-confirmed cholera cases who were admitted to Yangon Infectious Diseases Hospital during 12 July to 11 October 1993 and their age-matched controls from their neighbourhood to determine the risk factors for cholera. V. cholerae 01, El Tor Ogawa, was isolated from the drinking water sample of one case-patient. A number of factors, including poultry farming, consumption of food and iced drinks from street vendors, drinking unboiled water and lack of hygenic habits were found to be significantly associated with cholera transmission.

Access to family planning services through general practitioners

In Myanmar, private medicine now plays a significant role in delivery of health care as well as the provision of family planning services. Thirty nine general practitioners, practicing in Sangyaung township, Yangon Division were inquired to determine the present situation of the family planning services provided by them. The majority (94.9 Percent) realised the importance of the family planning services and believed that, they could help people for birth spacing. The findings will be helpful for the future planning of Family Planning Services in Myanmar.

Utilization of hospital pharmacists in Yangon Division

A cross-sectional study was conducted in 13 hospitals in Yangon Division to explore the current situation with regard to the utilization of hospital pharmacists. In this study, the most commonly performed activities of hospital pharmacists were identified; the relationship between their perceptions of what they have learned and the frequency of performance of some selected activities analysed; and the attitudes of hospital pharmacists and other health team members on the role of pharmacists were being utilized mainly for drug store management. They were not being used apporiately for what they had been trained. Hospital managers and other close associates of hospital pharmacists in hospitals did not know the proper role of hospital pharmacists.

Cost of training: Implications to decision-makers

Costs of training for various categories of health manpower in Myanmar was determined. Using the costs of training thus obtained, the manpower equivalence or conversion rates between different categories of health manpower was generated. This study illustrates how our local decision makers could make a health manpower policy analysis based on cost of training for different health workers.