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Active surveillance for congenital rubella syndrome in Yangon, Myanmar.

OBJECTIVE: Rubella vaccine is not included in the immunization schedule in Myanmar. Although surveillance for outbreaks of measles and rubella is conducted nationwide, there is no routine surveillance for congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). Therefore, we organized a study to assess the burden of CRS. METHODS: From 1 December 2000 to 31 December 2002 active surveillance for CRS was conducted among children aged 0-17 months at 13 hospitals and 2 private clinics in Yangon, the capital city. Children with suspected CRS had a standard examination and a blood sample was obtained. All serum samples were tested for rubella-specific IgM; selected samples were tested for rubella-specific IgG and for rubella RNA by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). FINDINGS: A total of 81 children aged 0-17 months were suspected of having CRS. Of these, 18 children had laboratory-confirmed CRS (7 were IgM positive; 7 were RT-PCR positive; and 10 were IgG positive at > 6 months of age). One additional child who tested positive by RT-PCR and whose mother had had rubella during pregnancy but who had a normal clinical examination was classified as having congenital rubella infection. During 2001-02 no rubella outbreaks were detected in Yangon Division. In the 31 urban townships of Yangon Division, the annual incidence was 0.1 laboratory-confirmed cases of CRS per 1000 live births. CONCLUSION: This is the first population-based study of CRS incidence from a developing country during a rubella-endemic period; the incidence of CRS is similar to endemic rates found in industrialized countries during the pre-vaccine era. Rubella-specific IgG tests proved practical for diagnosing CRS in children aged > 6 months. This is one of the first studies to report on the use of rubella-specific RT-PCR directly on serum samples; further studies are warranted to confirm the utility of this method as an additional means of diagnosing CRS.

Cohort Studies↗

Emerging rickettsioses of the Thai-Myanmar border.

To investigate the presence of rickettsioses in rural residents of the central Thai-Myanmar border, we tested the blood of 46 patients with fever. Four patients had murine typhus, three patients had scrub typhus, and eight patients had spotted fever group rickettsioses, including the first case of Rickettsia felis infection reported in Asia.

Adult↗

Illustrated keys to the anopheline mosquitoes of Myanmar.

In the newly revised and illustrated keys to 4th instar larvae and adult female mosquitoes, the following 36 Anopheles species from Myanmar are included: Anopheles aconitus, An. aitkenii, An. annularis, An. argyropus, An. barbirostris, An. bengalensis, An. culicifacies, An. dirus, An. fluviatilis, An. gigas, An. insulaeflorum, An. jamesii, An. jeyporensis, An. karwari, An. kochi, An. kyondawensis, An. lindesayi, An. maculatus, An. majidi, An. minimus, An. nigerrimus, An. nitidus, An. pallidus, An. peditaeniatus, An. philippinensis, An. pseudojamesii, An. sinensis, An. splendidus, An. stephensi, An. subpictus, An. sundaicus, An. tessellatus, An. theobaldi, An. vagus, An. varuna, and An. willmori. The new keys presented in this paper will enable public health workers to rapidly identify mosquito vectors of malaria and to distinguish them from other species in the same genera.

Animals↗

[JICA Leprosy Control and Basic Health Services Project in Myanmar].

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) implemented a 5-year long bilateral technical cooperation project, "Leprosy Control and Basic Health Services Project" in Myanmar. The project was implemented by National Leprosy Control Program, Department of Health with close technical collaboration of JICA experts mainly from International Medical Center of Japan (IMCJ) and National Sanatoriums of leprosy in Japan. It accelerated to achieve the elimination of leprosy at national level, which was declared in January 2003, and at sub-national level onward. It also developed the appropriate technologies for prevention of disability and prevention of worsening of disability (POD/POWD), which were introduced in 9 townships as a pilot service program. The Government stratified the POD/POWD services as a national program since 2005 by taking up the former pilot area to start with. The project also strengthened the function of referral system of leprosy control (Diagnosis and treatment), POD/POWD and physical rehabilitation. Beside leprosy, the project conducted a series of refresher trainings for primary health care givers, Basic Health Service Staff (BHS), of project areas (48 townships) to improve the services on tuberculosis, Malaria, Leprosy, Trachoma and HIV/AIDS for 3 years (2001-2003), which was evaluated in 2004. It contributed to improve the services at township level hospitals in procurement of audio-visual equipments and in conducting microscope training on leprosy, Malaria and tuberculosis at project areas.

Health Services↗

Leprosy in Myanmar, epidemiological and operational changes, 1958-92.

The registered caseload and prevalence of leprosy have declined in Myanmar from a peak of 86.2 per 10,000 population (95% CI 85.43-86.97) in 1973-77 to 26.82 (95% CI 18.46-35.18) in 1988-92. The new case detection rates have also declined from 7.41 per 10,000 (95% CI 6.3- 8.52) in 1968-72 to 1.96 (95% CI 1.43-2.52) in 1988-92. The increase in the multibacillary proportion of new cases from 11.85% (95% CI 11.84-11.86) in 1968-72 to 40.54% (95% CI 37.2-43.88) in 1988-92 and the decline in proportion of new cases under 14 years of age from 26.81% (95% CI 26.8-26.82) in 1968-72 to 11.22% (95% CI 10.92-11.52), coupled with the finding of declining detection rates among school children and in mass village surveys could mean that the incidence of leprosy may be declining.

Adolescent↗

Response of falciparum malaria to different antimalarials in Myanmar.

The purpose of the study was to ascertain the therapeutic efficacy of different treatments for uncomplicated falciparum malaria in the hospitals in Sagaing, northern and eastern Shan, to facilitate updating the existing national antimalarial drug policy. The proposed 14-day trial for monitoring the efficacy of treatments of uncomplicated falciparum malaria is an efficient method for identifying treatment failure patterns at the intermediate level (township hospital) in the Union of Myanmar. Minimal clinical and parasitological data for days 0-14 were required to classify treatment failure and success. Clinical and parasitiological responses on day 3 and days 4-14 were used as clear examples of early and late treatment failure, respectively. Mefloquine is five times more likely to be effective than chloroquine and sulfadoxine pyrimethamine (S-P), whereas chloroquine and S-P treatments have nearly identical failure patterns. The alarming frequency of clinical and parasitological failure (failure rate > 50%) following chloroquine treatment was reported in Sagaing and following S-P treatment in Sagaing and eastern Shan.

Adolescent↗

Hospital-based study of severe malaria and associated deaths in Myanmar.

The present study identifies factors that contribute to malaria deaths in township hospitals reporting large numbers of such deaths in Myanmar. Between July and December 1995, we identified a total of 101 patients with severe and complicated malaria by screening the cases admitted to hospital with a primary diagnosis of falciparum malaria. Unrousable coma and less marked impairment of consciousness with or without other severe malaria complications, in contrast to severe malaria anaemia, were associated with all malaria deaths. Adult patients with severe malaria were 2.8 times more likely to die than child patients, with the higher risk of death among adults probably being associated with previous exposure to malaria, delay in seeking treatment and severity of the illness before admission. In view of this, we consider that malaria mortality could be reduced by improving peripheral facilities for the management of severe malaria and providing appropriate education to communities, without stepping up vector control activities.

Adolescent↗

Internal quality control of the malaria microscopy diagnosis for 10 laboratories on the Thai-Myanmar border.

On the Thai-Myanmar border, where multidrug resistance to anti-malaria medications is a major problem, a quality control program for diagnostic laboratories has been set up. This study examines the "passive" screening performed in 10 laboratories. Monthly evaluation of the quality of thick and thin smear practice, Giemsa staining and microscopy took place during the year 1994. Considering the general context and the methodology applied, the evaluation of performance and strategy of the malaria diagnostic test showed satisfactory results for all 10 laboratories. Performance of technics = 64% (62-66) to 96% (95-97); Sensitivity = 92.6 (91.5-95.5) to 96.6% (95.8-99.0); Specificity = 93.5% (91.4-95.5) to 98.3% (97.6-99.0); Predictive Positive Value = 92.0% (90.9-93.1) to 98.3% (97.6-99.0); Predictive Negative Value = 94.3% (93.0-95.6) to 98.5% (98.0-99.0). The study underlines the importance of a reliable quality control method for microscopy diagnosis of malaria in hyperendemic areas, with Plasmodium falciparum as the main species. A high level of input from the international laboratory technician, performing training, follow-up and evaluation was required. The need for adequate training of national technicians and supervisors, especially regarding long-term sustainability, is stressed. The type of program presented can be used as a model for similar projects in developing countries.

Clinical Laboratory Techniques↗

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.

Adolescent↗

Acceptance of short course artesunate plus mefloquine drug combination by malaria patients in rural Myanmar.

A cross sectional study was carried out in a rural area of Myanmar to identify malaria patients' acceptance of artesunate plus mefloquine drug combination and to determine the cost borne by patients. The majority (88.5%) preferred this new regimen rather than the other ones they had used before; conviction of drug efficacy was the reason given for the preference by most of them. Traveling on foot to rural health centers or a health assistant's residence for getting the drugs was found to be the main route. Average cost incurred by a patient to get the drug was found to be 274.22 Kyats. Among the cost items, drug cost was the highest item that they had used.

Adolescent↗

Well-breeding Anopheles dirus and their role in malaria transmission in Myanmar.

Mosquitos were collected with human and animal baits from March 1996 to January 1998 in four villages located along the Yadana gas pipe line in Yepyu township, Dawae district, Tanintharyi Division, southern Myanmar. A total of 23 anopheline species were collected. Anopheles dirus were abundant in pre-monsoon (May/June) an post-monsoon (October) months. All An. dirus caught both humans and cattle were assayed with specific, sporozoite enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). A total of 5/250 (2%) caught with human bait was found positive with Plasmodium vivax from Eindayaza, Ohnbinkwin and Thaechaung during rainy and cool-dry months. Larval surveys also showed An. dirus larvae/pupae were caught from domestic wells (6 to 46% found positive). Clinical surveys indicated that transmission is hyperendemic and occur all year round in all four villages.

Animals↗

Ex post and ex ante willingness to pay (WTP) for the ICT Malaria Pf/Pv test kit in Myanmar.

Willingness to pay (WTP) for the ICT Malaria Pf/Pv test kit was assessed by the contingent valuation method using a bidding game approach in two villages in Myanmar. Kankone (KK) village has a rural health center (RHC) and Yae-Aye-Sann (YAS) is serviced by community health worker (CHW). The objectives were to assess WTP for the ICT Malaria Pf/Pv test kit and to determine factors affecting the WTP. In both villages WTP was assessed in two different conditions, ex post and ex ante. The ex post WTP was assessed at an RHC in the KK village and at the residence of a CHW in the YAS village on patients immediately following diagnosis of malaria. The ex ante WTP was assessed by household interviews in both villages on people with a prior history of malaria. Ordinary least squares (OLS) multiple regression analysis was used to analyze factors affecting WTP. The WTP was higher in ex post conditions than ex ante in both villages. WTP was significantly positively associated with the average monthly income of the respondents and severity of illness in both ex post and ex ante conditions (p < 0.001). Distance between the residence of the respondents and the health center was significantly positively associated (p < 0.05) in the ex ante condition in a household survey of YAS village. Traveling time to RHC had a negative relationship with WTP (p < 0.05) in the ex post condition in the RHC survey in KK village.

Adult↗

Promotion of insecticide-treated mosquito nets in Myanmar.

A simple health promotion message administered by village midwives raised bednet usage to over 60% in trial hamlets in north Shan State, Myanmar. Treatment of the nets in the study villages produced a reduction in malaria cases. Most villagers were prepared to buy their nets at market prices and were willing to pay for the cost of re-treatment of nets, but very poor, members of the Wa ethnic group required a half-price subsidy for them to afford them. The use of insecticide treated bednets was felt to be appropriate for undeveloped and remote areas of the country where malaria control was difficult.

Adolescent↗

Drug resistant malaria on the Thai-Myanmar and Thai-Cambodian borders.

We describe the changing epidemiology of drug resistant malaria in Thailand over the past decade. Factors determining the characteristic patterns of the development and spread of resistance to anti-malarial drugs on the Thai-Cambodian border and the Thai-Myanmar border are explored, namely, population dynamics, drug usage and malaria control measures. The introduction of artesunate-mefloquine combination in selected areas along the two borders in 1995 is believed to be one of the multiple factors responsible for stabilizing the multidrug resistance problems in Thailand today. Other control measures and inter-governmental co-operation must continue to be strengthened in order to limit the spread of drug resistance malaria in the Southeast Asian region.

Animals↗

Clinical diagnosis of malaria on the Thai-Myanmar border.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the prevailing practice of presumptively diagnosing malaria in all cases of febrile illness in a clinic serving a refugee population on the Thai-Myanmar border METHODS: A retrospective review of 3,506 patient charts from December 1993 through June 1994 at the MaeSot medical clinic to compare clinical signs of malaria to blood smear findings. Patients presenting without fever were assumed not to have malaria; the remaining 2,111 patients presenting with fever had blood smears examined for malaria infection. RESULTS: Fever alone sufferedfrom poorpositive predictive value (54.7 percent) and specificity (59.3 percent). When fever was combined with hepatosplenomegaly and anemia, the positive predictive value and specificity improved (84.5 percent and 98.5 percent, respectively). However, this combination also resulted in an unacceptably poor sensitivity (16.5 percent) and false negative error rate (835/1,000). CONCLUSIONS. In this nonimmune refugee population, severe complications of falciparum malaria occur quickly and commonly; aggressive chemotherapy is necessary to reduce morbidity and mortality. Until laboratory facilities are made available, all cases offever should continue to be treated presumptively as malaria.

Fever↗

Gender, mosquitos and malaria: implications for community development programs in Laputta, Myanmar.

This paper examines the gender roles linked to division of labor and potential exposure to mosquitos and malaria prevention activities. A "Human Development Initiative" (HDI) Project has been launched in Laputta, a mangrove delta region of Myanmar assisted by United Nations Development Program since 1994. The project aims to improve rural community access to primary health care and provide micro-credit programs, income generation schemes, and educational opportunities as a basis for community empowerment. Women and children of low-income households are the target beneficiaries. Prior to self-care training program and distribution of self-care manuals, altogether 20 focus group discussions (separately assigned to men and women) were conducted in eight study villages between January to February 2000. The primary vector for malaria in study area is Anopheles sundaicus. Rural women were prone to malaria due to exposure to mosquitos within the peak biting period at night because of their gender assigned roles. Both men and women perceived that mosquitos commonly bite before midnight, more at dusk. Lack of awareness of correlation between mosquitos and malaria together with lack of affordability enhance either non-use or shared use of bed-nets at home. Rural women did not consider destruction of breeding places of mosquitos as their major concern. Thus, it is essential for program planners to motivate local women for more active participation in vector control measures within and beyond their households in the context of community development programs.

Animals↗

Poverty and malaria: a study in a Thai-Myanmar border area.

An eight-month qualitative study was conducted in 1999 in four villages of Bong Tee subdistrict, Kanchanaburi Province located along the Thai-Myanmar border area using in-depth interviews of key informants and malaria survey as research methodologies. Malaria was a serious problem in 39.6% of the families surveyed in June 1999. The four villages located in a valley covered with forests and small streams which were ideal for malaria epidemic. The structure of the villages has been changed from stable communities to disrupted ones divided along ethnic and class lines. There were 5 ethnic groups dominated by ethnic Karen. Villagers were poor and thus deprived of anti-malaria resources which allow them to remain exposed to malaria.

Health Care Rationing↗

Relationship between male hydrocele and infection prevalences in clustered communities with uncertain transmission of Wuchereria bancrofti on the Thailand-Myanmar border.

A cross-sectional community-based study was conducted in three clustered communities, belonging to a single small village in Mae Chan subdistrict, Umphang district, Tak Province, close to the Thailand-Myanmar border, where regular night blood survey have been discontinued since 1997 and no epidemiological study had been conducted. In order to understand prevalences of distribution of male hydrocele and infection in clinically diagnostic and epidemiologic implications in uncertain transmission of Wuchereria bancrofti, we analyzed the relationship between male hydrocele and community infection prevalences in 219 (90.5% coverage) subjects aged > or =1 year old, including 54.8% migratory and 45.2% local Karen inhabitants. Migratory inhabitants tended to have high prevalence of antigenemia (p < 0.05) and hydrocele. Overall rates of 23.7% antigenemia, 3.7% microfilaremia, and 4.6% male hydrocele were observed. Male hydrocele prevalence was significantly correlated (r = 0.348, p < 0.0001) with antigenemia prevalence, but not with microfilaremia prevalence (r = 0.065, p = 0.493). However, high antigenemia prevalence in local inhabitants was evident, particularly antigenemia prevalence in children suggesting that transmission in the village may have occurred in recent years.

Adolescent↗