Dataset on discarded cigarette packs in Mongolia.

This dataset documents the variety of discarded cigarette packs available in Mongolia, specifically in the capital city (Ulaanbaatar) and 2 provinces (Dornod and Bayan Ulgii). Both of these provinces border China and the Russian Federation. Discarded cigarette packs were collected from the ground or from the top of waste bins. Packs were collected over three rounds of data collection (round 1: April 2017, round 2: August/September 2017 and round 3: May/June 2018). 7494 packs were collected in round 1, 5852 packs in round 2 and 6258 packs in round 3. The dataset consists of 25 variables which describe each pack in detail, including information on excise tax stamps, health warnings, tar and nicotine levels, brand name, name of manufacturer, and importer, among others. This data is freely available on the DataFirst data repository (https://www.datafirst.uct.ac.za/dataportal/index.php/catalog/772) after creating a user profile. This data was used for a research article titled "The impact of tax increases on illicit cigarette trade in Mongolia" which was published by Tobacco Control in 2019 (https://tobaccocontrol.bmj.com/content/early/2019/06/18/tobaccocontrol-2018-054904). The paper is co-authored by Ross H, Vellios N, Batmunkh T, Enkhtsogt M and Rossouw L.

Access to human immunodeficiency virus testing services in Cape Town, South Africa: a user perspective.

Objective: To compare the availability, affordability and acceptability of two non-governmental organisation (NGO) led human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing service (HTS) modalities (mobile and stand-alone) with HTS at a public primary health care facility. Methods: Adult participants who self-referred for HIV testing were enrolled as they exited the HTS modalities. Data collection using an electronic questionnaire took place between November 2014 and February 2015. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess differences in the participants' demographic characteristics and the availability, affordability and acceptability of HTS between modalities. Results: There were 130 participants included in the study. Irrespective of modality, most participants walked to the service provider, had a travel time of <30 min and reported no costs. Participants were less likely to report waiting times of ⩾30 min compared to <15 min at the mobile modality compared to the public facility (aOR < 0.001, 95%CI < 0.001-0.03). Conclusion: Irrespective of modality, HIV testing services were available and affordable in our study. Waiting times were significantly higher at the public facility compared to the NGO modalities. As South Africa moves toward achieving the first UNAIDS target, it is essential not only to make HTS available and affordable, but also to ensure that these services are acceptable, especially to those who have never been tested before.

Objectif : Comparer la disponibilité, l'accessibilité et l'acceptabilité de deux modalités de services de test du virus de l'immunodéficience humaine (VIH) (HTS) : modalité mobile réalisée par des organisations non gouvernementales (ONG) et modalité autonome réalisée par une structure de soins de santé primaires.Méthodes : Les participants adultes qui se sont présentés pour un test VIH ont été enrôlés lors de leur sortie des modalités de HTS. Le recueil de données, basé sur un questionnaire électronique, a eu lieu entre novembre 2014 et février 2015. Une analyse de régression logistique a été utilisée afin d'évaluer les différences des caractéristiques démographiques des participants et de la disponibilité, de l'accessibilité et de l'acceptabilité du HTS selon les modalités.Résultats : Des 130 participants qui ont été inclus dans l'étude, quelle que soit la modalité, la majorité s'est rendue à pied chez le prestataire de soins, marchant pendant <30 min, et n'a subi aucun coût. Les participants des structures mobiles ont été moins susceptibles que ceux de la structure publique de rapporter un temps de trajet ⩾ 30 min comparés à <15 min (ORa < 0,001 ; IC95% < 0,001­0,03).Conclusion : Les services de test VIH, quelle que soit la modalité, ont été disponibles et abordables dans notre étude. Les durées d'attente ont été significativement plus élevées dans la structure publique comparée aux modalités des ONG. Comme l'Afrique du Sud évolue vers l'atteinte de la première cible de l'ONUSIDA, il est essential non seulement de rendre le HST disponible et abordable, mais également de s'assurer que ces services sont acceptables, surtout à ceux qui n'ont jamais eu de test auparavant.

Objetivo: Comparar la disponibilidad, la asequibilidad y la aceptabilidad de dos modalidades de servicios de pruebas diagnósticas del virus de inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH) (HTS móvil y fijo independiente) propuestas por organizaciones no gubernamentales (ONG) y los servicios diagnósticos propuestos en un establecimiento público de atención primaria de salud.Métodos: Los adultos que acudían de manera espontánea en busca de pruebas diagnósticas se incluyeron en el estudio a la salida de los HTS. Se recogieron datos por conducto de un cuestionario electrónico de noviembre 2014 hasta febrero 2015. Mediante análisis de regresión logística se evaluaron las diferencias en las características demográficas de los participantes y la disponibilidad, la asequibilidad y la aceptabilidad de los HTS según las diferentes modalidades.Resultados: Participaron en el estudio 130 personas. Con independencia de la modalidad, la mayoría de los participantes caminó hasta el punto de prestación de servicios, su tiempo de desplazamiento fue <30 min y refirió no haber incurrido en ningún gasto. Fue menos probable que los usuarios de los servicios móviles refiriesen un tiempo de espera ⩾ 30 min en lugar de <15 min, al compararlos con los usuarios del establecimiento público (P < 0,001; IC95% < 0,001­0,03).Conclusión: El presente estudio reveló que los servicios de pruebas diagnósticas del VIH, sea cual fuere su modalidad, estaban disponibles y eran asequibles. Los tiempos de espera fueron significativamente más prolongados en el establecimiento público, en comparación con la espera en las modalidades de las ONG. A medida que Suráfrica progresa hacia el cumplimiento de la primera meta del Programa Conjunto de las Naciones Unidas sobre el VIH/SIDA, es primordial, no solo que los HTS estén disponibles y sean asequibles, sino que se garantice su aceptabilidad, sobre todo por parte las personas que nunca han recibido la prueba.

Project Swaziland (Part 1): development of oral health services--study methodology and summary of results.

A collaboration in oral health services research between the Kingdom of Swaziland and the Republic of South Africa is reported. The aim and methodology of the project is described and a summary of the results of the descriptive study is given. The latter included the status of dental caries, periodontal disease and malocclusion of 12 year old school children, an evaluation of a community preventive programme, an assessment of the knowledge, attitudes and behaviour of school teachers towards oral health and an analysis of the output of public oral health services. Five major strategies were recommended for the further development of oral health services in Swaziland and it is recommended that these be undertaken within the contextual realities of Southern Africa.

Project Swaziland (Part 2): dental caries experience of 12 year old school children.

This investigation was conducted to determine the prevalence of dental caries and degree of dental fluorosis in 12-year-old Swazi school children. The prevalence of dental caries was low (33.7 per cent of children experienced caries and the mean DMFT was 0.92) and corresponded with that found in a neighbouring Swazi community (KaNgwane) but differed strikingly from the results of the baseline study by Klausen and Fanoe (1983). The need for curative dental care was mainly for one surface restorations. A need for selective school preventive programmes was identified.

Project Swaziland (Part 3): periodontal health status of 12 year old school children.

An investigation on the periodontal disease profile and its treatment implications was conducted on a sample of 12-year-old Swazi schoolchildren of the Kingdom of Swaziland using the CPITN index. Only 1.9 per cent of the pupils in the sample were free of periodontal disease and 64.5 per cent had calculus. There was a significant difference (p < 0.05) in the frequency of calculus accumulation between rural and urban pupils. The mean number of sextants with bleeding and calculus was 4.9 and 2.0 respectively while 98.1 per cent of the pupils required TN1 and 65.4 per cent TN2. It would appear that calculus accumulation occurs at a relatively early age amongst children in Swaziland. Moderately trained dental auxiliaries should constitute the backbone of the primary oral health care service in Swaziland.

Project Swaziland (Part 4): occlusal status of 12 year old school children.

The Occlusal Index of Summers (1966) was used to determine the prevalence of occlusal disorders, various features of malocclusion and to estimate the orthodontic treatment needs of 12-year-old Swazi school children in the Kingdom of Swaziland. The results indicate that the current occlusal status of Swazi school children should be maintained and if possible, improved and that the delivery of highly specialised orthodontic treatment procedures is not required.

Community-based intervention: the Coronary Risk Factor Study (CORIS).

The Coronary Risk Factor Study (CORIS) examined the feasibility and effectiveness of a multifactorial community intervention programme to reduce coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factor levels. Three Afrikaner communities were surveyed before and after a 4-year intervention in two of the communities, the third serving as a control (C). Intervention was primarily by small mass media (low-intensity intervention, LII) or by small mass media plus interpersonal intervention to high-risk individuals (high-intensity intervention, HII). After allowing for change in C, significant net reductions in blood pressure, smoking, and risk score were obtained in LII and HII alike. Though the total cholesterol (TC) fell by 10-12%, there was no net reduction in favour of the intervention communities. However, LII and HII resulted in significant increases in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels and HDL-C/TC ratios in comparison to C. Overall, the LII community fared almost as well as the HII community, and high-risk individuals did not show a greater change in risk factors than others. We conclude that community-based intervention works, and that in these particular communities a media-based health education programme was more cost-effective than one which adds a greater degree of interpersonal intervention.

Effect of breast feeding on the plasma cholesterol and growth of infants.

The effect of breast-feeding on plasma cholesterol, body weight, and body length was studied longitudinally in a large free-living cohort of infants (n = 512) from birth until the age of 1 year. Of the cohort, 21.4% were exclusively breast-fed for at least 3 months, 39.3% received bottle-feeding, and 39.3% received a combination of breast- and bottle-feeding. At birth the plasma cholesterol was similar in the three groups. After 3 months the mean plasma cholesterol and proportion of hypercholesterolemic infants in the breast-fed group were significantly (p less than 0.001) higher than that of the other two groups. These differences had disappeared at the age of 1 year. Breast-fed infants weighed less at 3 and 12 months, but body length was similar to those of the other groups. These results suggest that breast-feeding elevates plasma cholesterol by a direct mechanism and that the effect persists only as long as the breast-feeding is continued.

Change in knowledge in a coronary heart disease risk factor intervention study in three communities.

We investigated health and diet knowledge as it relates to coronary heart disease (CHD) in three rural areas which participated in a community-oriented CHD risk factor intervention study. Knowledge of risk factors (risk knowledge) was fairly satisfactory at baseline, but diet knowledge was poor. Males, the young, and individuals with a lower level of education had less knowledge. Intervention consisted of a 3-year small mass media programme in one community (low-intensity intervention, LII), additional interpersonal intervention to high-risk individuals in the second (high-intensity intervention, HII), and no intervention in the control community (C). In the cohorts, with the baseline survey and the follow-up study 4 years apart, knowledge improved by 8.1% points in males (7.5% in females) in the HII community and by 7.1% (6.5%) in the LII community, compared to 5.5% (4.8%) in the C community (P less than 0.01). Diet knowledge improved more than risk knowledge, and individuals with lower initial scores benefitted most. Female scored highest. Educational level made a modest positive contribution to knowledge gain, after adjusting for differences in baseline knowledge. High-risk individuals did not have better knowledge at baseline, nor did they gain more from the intervention. We conclude that community intervention over a 4 year period, based on community diagnosis and tailored to the community's needs, can improve health knowledge.

An evaluation of two guidance programmes to promote breast-feeding.

During the past ten years a comprehensive research project has been undertaken to develop a guidance programme in three adjacent communities in the South-Western Cape with the aim of lowering the high incidence of coronary heart disease. The purpose of this substudy was to determine whether the guidance provided in the different communities had any influence on the knowledge of and attitudes towards the nutrition of pregnant women, babies and infants as well as breast-feeding practices of the women who gave birth during the period 1980 to 1986. In the first community guidance was provided by means of small mass media and interpersonal communication whereas only the small mass media were employed in the second. The third served as the control community. The findings suggest that the combined interpersonal and mass media programme was more successful than the mass media programme alone.

The unbooked mother at Tygerberg Hospital. A prospective controlled study.

A prospective controlled study was carried out at Tygerberg Hospital to ascertain the difference between booked and unbooked mothers with regard to social and medical aspects and knowledge of the medical system. Thirty unbooked mothers were compared with 77 booked mothers. The general picture that emerged was that the unbooked mother is young, unmarried and unemployed, has a low income and has no permanent relationship with the father of the infant. However, she knows where the antenatal clinic is and that she should and when she should attend. The reasons for not attending were non-specific. There was no difference between the two groups as regards level of education. The obstetric complications in the unbooked group were premature labour, premature rupture of the membranes and intra-uterine death. These did not occur in the control group. It is suggested that an important difference between booked and unbooked patients is personality and attitude towards pregnancy and parenthood.