Protocol for a national, mixed-methods knowledge, attitudes and practices survey on non-communicable diseases.

Background: Mongolia is undergoing rapid epidemiological transition with increasing urbanisation and economic development. The lifestyle and health of Mongolians are changing as a result, shown by the 2005 and 2009 STEPS surveys (World Health Organization's STEPwise Approach to Chronic Disease Risk Factor Surveillance) that described a growing burden of Non-Communicable Diseases and injuries (NCDs).This study aimed to assess, describe and explore the knowledge, attitudes and practices of the Mongolian adult population around NCDs in order to better understand the drivers and therefore develop more appropriate solutions to this growing disease burden.

Assessment of 2 cervical screening methods in Mongolia: cervical cytology and visual inspection with acetic acid.

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the test parameters of visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) and cervical cytology in 3 Mongolian aimags.

Methods: From February 18, 2002, to December 12, 2004, sexually active women, 30 years or older who had never been screened, underwent cervical cytology and VIA in the aimags' central hospital. Women with abnormal test results and 5% of women with normal results were recommended to have colposcopy with or without biopsy.

Risk factors for ovarian cancer and early-onset breast cancer in Mongolia.

Objective: To determine if there are founder BRCA1 mutations in the Mongolian population.

Methods: Seventeen women with ovarian cancer, 14 women with premenopausal breast cancer and one woman with both cancer types were interviewed to obtain family history, and hormonal, reproductive and environment risk factor information. Blood was collected for DNA analysis from these women to determine the frequency of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations in Mongolia.