Disease pattern and seasonal variation among Japanese expatriate children in Thailand.

BACKGROUND: Due to recent globalization, the number of Japanese expatriates including children has increased. The aim of the present study was to clarify the disease patterns and seasonal variation among Japanese children living in Thailand. METHODS: Records of Japanese children seen at the outpatient clinic at Bangkok Hospital in 2005 (n = 1668) were analyzed and records of Thai children (n = 23 339) were also analyzed for comparison. RESULTS: 'Diseases of the respiratory system' was the most frequent category in both groups (Japanese, 42.1%; Thai, 45.0 %,) followed by 'factors influencing health status and contact with health services' (Japanese, 12.7%; Thai, 14.9%), and 'certain infectious and parasitic diseases' (Japanese, 10.3%; Thai, 8.5%). The number of hospital visits by Japanese patients decreased in January, April, August and December and those by Thai patients in April and September. Identical drops in the number of visits for diseases of the respiratory system were also seen. A large number of patients visited the hospital for viral infections characterized by skin and mucous membrane lesions during the rainy season. The number of hospital visits for intestinal infection fluctuated during the rainy season. CONCLUSION: There were no marked differences between disease patterns of Japanese patients and Thai patients. Temporary visits back to Japan could account for sharp drops in total hospital visits and hospital visits for diseases of the respiratory system in January, April, August and December because these times of the year corresponded to extended school vacations. Preventive measures for viral infections characterized by skin and mucous membrane lesions should be promoted during the rainy season.

Disease patterns of outpatient visits by Japanese expatriate children in Thailand.

AIM: To clarify the health-related conditions of Japanese expatriate children in Thailand. METHODS: Records of Japanese children who consulted outpatient clinics at Bangkok Hospital in 2005 and 2006 (n = 2141) were analysed, and then compared with data from the patient survey conducted by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan in 2005 (n = 575 400). RESULTS: 'diseases of the respiratory system', categorized as chapter X under ICD-10 was the most frequent category in both Thailand and Japan. Although 'certain infectious and parasitic diseases' (chapter I) was the second most frequent category in Thailand, it was infrequent in Japan. In the subcategories of 'diseases of the respiratory system', 'acute upper respiratory infections' was frequent and asthma was infrequent in Thailand. Conversely, 'acute upper respiratory infections' showed a low percentage and asthma was the most frequently observed disease in Japan. CONCLUSION: This study examined Japanese children having the same genetic background but divided into two groups according to different living environments. Results demonstrate that children living in Japan contract asthma more frequently than infectious diseases, whereas those living in Thailand show the opposite trend, which supports the hygiene hypothesis that infections may protect against the development of allergic diseases, such as asthma.

Patterns of outpatient visits by Japanese male expatriates in Thailand.

Objective of this study is to clarify the health-related conditions of Japanese male expatriates in Thailand. Records of Japanese male expatriates in their 30s to 50s who consulted outpatient clinics at Bangkok Hospital in 2005 were analyzed for number and type of outpatient visits then compared with data from the "Patient Survey" 2005 for age-matched males in Japan. "Diseases of the respiratory system" and "Certain infectious and parasitic diseases" had a higher rate of diagnosis among Japanese men living in Thailand than those living in Japan. "Endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases," and "Mental and behavioral disorders" had a lower rate of diagnosis among Japanese men living in Thailand than those in Japan. "Acute upper respiratory infections" accounted for 87.4% of "Diseases of the respiratory system" and "intestinal infections" accounted for 59.9% of "Certain infectious and parasitic diseases" among expatriates. Japanese male expatriates have a tendency of not visiting hospital when they have no subjective or objective symptoms. To support a healthy expatriate life, health information should be propagated widely and available support services, such as counseling via e-mail or fax, should be actively promoted. Expatriates should be informed of the availability of these services before they go abroad and during their stay.

Differentiation of subtypes B and E of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 by polymerase chain reaction using novel env gene primers.

Novel sets of env gene PCR primers for distinguishing human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) subtypes B and E were designed. These primers anneal to different regions of the env gene and amplify DNA fragments of distinct sizes in a subtype-specific manner. Blood samples from 11 HIV-1 carriers in Thailand and 46 carriers in Japan were examined by PCR. The new env primers detected HIV-1 proviral DNA in 100% (11/11) and 88% (37/42) of the subtype B and E infection cases, respectively. The env primers also detected proviral DNA in saliva and breast milk samples in seven of 11 cases and two of three cases, respectively. The PCR subtyping results matched completely with those obtained by nucleotide sequencing of the env V3 region. The results suggest that the PCR using the env primers designed in this study may be an accurate and cost-effective method for differentiating subtypes B and E of HIV-1 in a large number of clinical samples. However, subtype E specific primer cross-react with subtype A, C, G, the new primer in this study is useful for regions in South East Asia where subtype E is predominant.

Domestic hygiene behaviour of mothers with children aged 0-5 years old in Tayabo village, Nueva Ecija, the Philippines.

A cross-sectional survey was carried out in a rural village in Nueva Ecija province in the Philippines to identify the association between mothers' hygiene behaviour and their socioeconomic status and household environment. A total of 206 mothers with children aged 0-5 years old participated in this study. Household visits with face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire and observation of household environments were conducted. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the frequency of water boiling in mothers was significantly associated with children aged under two years old and the availability of domestic electricity. Availability of domestic electricity, mother's educational level, possession of a private lavatory and of a private well were significant predictors of whether hand-washing with soap was practiced after defecation. For hand-washing with soap before feeding children, child's age under one year old and the volume of the water supply were statistically significant. The volume of the water supply was identified as a significant predictor. Although health educational programme participation rates were very high (83.2%), no significant association with hygiene behaviour was observed. This study indicates that improvements in water availability, household environment and health education may contribute to more frequent hand-washing.